Euchre
The Fast-Paced Midwestern Partnership Game
What is Euchre?
Euchre is a fast-paced trick-taking card game popular in the Midwest and Canada. It uses only 24 cards (9 through Ace) and features a unique trump system with Bowers - the Jacks become the highest cards when their suit (or same-color suit) is trump.
Partners sit across from each other and work together to win at least 3 of the 5 tricks each round.
Use only: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of each suit (24 cards total)
Remove all 2s through 8s from a standard deck.
Understanding Bowers
The most unique aspect of Euchre is the Bower system. When a suit becomes trump:
If Spades are trump:
- Right Bower: Jack of Spades (highest)
- Left Bower: Jack of Clubs (same color - becomes a spade!)
When Spades are trump, the Jack of Clubs is no longer a club - it's a spade! If clubs are led, you cannot play the Jā£ to follow suit.
Card Ranking
Trump Suit (High to Low)
- Right Bower (Jack of trump suit)
- Left Bower (Jack of same color)
- Ace of trump
- King of trump
- Queen of trump
- 10 of trump
- 9 of trump
Non-Trump Suits (High to Low)
A, K, Q, J*, 10, 9
*The Jack is only in non-trump suits if it's not the Left Bower
Setup & Deal
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Form TeamsPartners sit across from each other. Decide teams by any method.
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Deal 5 Cards EachDeal in batches (3-2 or 2-3) to each player. 4 cards remain in the "kitty."
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Turn Up Trump CardFlip the top card of the kitty face-up. This card proposes trump.
Making Trump
First Round of Bidding
Starting left of dealer, each player may:
- "Pick it up" - Accept the turned-up card's suit as trump
- "Pass" - Decline to make that suit trump
If anyone says "pick it up," the dealer takes the turned card into their hand and discards one card face-down.
Second Round (if all pass)
The turned card is flipped face-down. Starting left of dealer:
- Name any suit EXCEPT the turned-up suit as trump
- Or pass again
In most games, if everyone passes twice, the dealer MUST name trump. They can't pass - they're "stuck."
Going Alone
When you make trump (or your partner does), you may announce "I'm going alone!"
- Your partner sits out - doesn't play their cards
- You play 1 vs 2 against opponents
- If you win all 5 tricks: 4 points!
- Win 3-4 tricks alone: 1 point (same as normal)
Go alone when you have both Bowers plus 2-3 other trump, or a very strong hand that can likely win all 5 tricks.
Playing Tricks
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LeadPlayer left of dealer leads any card. (If someone went alone, lead is left of that player.)
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Follow SuitYou MUST follow the led suit if you can. Remember: Left Bower is trump, not its printed suit!
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Trump or DiscardIf you can't follow suit, play any card - trump to win, or discard to lose.
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Win the TrickHighest trump wins. If no trump, highest card of led suit wins.
Scoring Overview
The team that made trump is the "makers". The other team are "defenders".
Going Alone Scoring
Winning the Game
First team to 10 points wins!
Use two 5s and 6s from the unused cards. Overlap them to show your score (1-10). It's the classic Euchre way!
When to Make Trump
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Have at Least 3 TrumpIncluding the turned card (if picking up), you should have 3+ trump to make.
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One Bower is GoodHaving the Right or Left Bower significantly increases your chances.
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Off-Aces HelpAn Ace in a non-trump suit is usually a guaranteed trick.
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Trust Your PartnerIf partner passes in first position, they're weak. Consider carefully before picking up.
Playing Tips
If you made trump, lead it to pull out opponents' trump. Then your off-Aces become winners!
Playing second? Play low - let partner try to win. Playing third (partner led)? Play high to secure the trick.
Lead suits that the player to your left (the maker) is likely short in.
Common Mistakes
Two trump is rarely enough - you'll likely get euchred. Wait for a better hand.
The Jā£ is NOT a club when spades are trump! Don't accidentally renege.
You need a near-perfect hand. If there's doubt, let your partner help - 2 points for march is still great!
Common Variations
If all players pass twice, dealer MUST name trump.
- Prevents endless re-deals
- Standard in most regions
- Dealer chooses "next" (same color) or "green" (opposite color)
If dealt no Aces and no face cards (J, Q, K), show your hand and demand a re-deal.
- Only 9s and 10s in hand
- Must declare before bidding starts
- Same dealer deals again
When opponent goes alone, you can also go alone to defend!
- Your partner sits out too
- 1v1 for all 5 tricks
- Euchring alone = 4 points!
The maker's partner can "donate" their best card.
- Partner passes one card face-down
- Loner discards one card
- Can create a stronger lone hand
- 5 points - Very quick game
- 10 points - Standard
- 15 points - Extended tournament play