Card Games Where You Name a Card to Score: Identifying the Mechanic

You're likely thinking of a game where declaring or naming a specific card is a scoring mechanic. Several games fit this—here are the top candidates.

Most Likely Matches

1. Euchre (and variants like Bid Euchre, Pepper):
   • Naming Trump is effectively "calling a suit." In some house rules, calling "Alone" (going solo) scores 4 points instead of 1.
   • Ordering Up: Naming the turned-up card as trump.
2. Pinochle:
   • Melding: You declare specific combinations (e.g., "Run: A-10-K-Q-J of trump," "Pinochle: J♦ + Q♠") to score points before play.
   • Naming "Dix" (9 of trump) scores 10 points.
3. Canasta:
   • Declaring "Canasta" (7+ cards of same rank) scores bonus points (500/300). Must be announced when laid down.
4. Hearts (Shooting the Moon):
   • Not naming a card, but declaring intent to take all penalty cards. Success = 0 for you, 26 to others.
5. Oh Hell / Wizard / Contract Whist:
   • Players bid (name) the exact number of tricks they'll win. Scoring based on accuracy.

Other Possibilities

• Bridge: Doubling/Redoubling names a contract penalty/bonus.
• Spades: Nil / Blind Nil bids name a zero-trick target.
• Gin Rummy: Knocking declares hand ready; Gin declares no deadwood.
• Durak (Russian): Attacking/Defending with specific cards; "Perevodnoy" (transfer) names a card to pass attack.

To Identify YOUR Game, Tell Me:

1. How many players?
2. Standard deck or special?
3. Do you play cards to a center pile (tricks) or build sets (melds)?
4. Is it partnership or solo?
5. Any unique terms you remember? ("Meld," "Trump," "Bid," "Knock," "Canasta," "Pinochle")

With those details, I can pinpoint the exact game and explain the naming/scoring rule.