How to play Euchre
Call trump, use the bowers correctly, and take at least three of five tricks.
- Players
- 4 in partnerships
- Deck
- 24 cards, 9 through A
- Trump call
- Stick the dealer
- Goal
- First to 10
Calling trump
Each player receives five cards. In round one, players may order up the turned suit; the dealer then takes the upcard and discards. If all pass, round two permits any other suit. If the first three pass again, the dealer must choose trump.
Bowers and trick play
Trump ranks right bower, left bower, A, K, Q, 10, 9. The left bower is the jack of the same color as trump and belongs to the trump suit for following and winning. Follow the effective led suit when possible; otherwise play any card. Highest trump wins, or highest card of the led suit.
Going alone
The caller may go alone, causing their partner to sit out. The hand still has five tricks, but each trick contains three cards. The player left of the dealer leads, and each trick winner leads the next.
Scoring and winning
Makers score 1 for taking three or four tricks and 2 for sweeping all five. A lone maker earns 4 only for a sweep; three or four still score 1. If makers take fewer than three, defenders score 2. The first team to 10 wins; no win-by-two rule applies.
Beginner strategy
- Count the left bower as trump, not as its printed suit.
- Two bowers or three useful trump cards make a safer call than unsupported side strength.
- Remember that ordering up gives the dealer the turned card.
- Lead trump early when strong enough to draw the defenders' supply.
- Conserve strength when your partner is already winning.
- Go alone only with a credible chance to sweep all five tricks.