I've been playing Euchre for more than 55 years. I've taught many people to play the game. I have created this page to give new players a better understanding of the rules of Euchre. There are many variations of Euchre. These are the rules my family and I have always used. When new players first hear about the rules of the game, the comment "This sounds complicated" is sometimes made. The left and right bowers are usually a point of initial confusion. After a few hands, most people change their opinion of it being complicated. It is simple enough that a conversation can be had while playing. There is also a version for three players instead of four called Buck Euchre. Click Here to view the rules for Buck Euchre. — Steve
1. Game Equipment
A standard 52 card pack should be stripped to make a deck of 24 cards (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9 of each suit). Pull out the 6 and 4 of spades and the 6 and 4 of hearts. The sixes and fours will not be used during play. They will be used to keep score (no pencil and paper required).
2. Object
The game is for four participants, playing two against two as partners. Partners will sit across from each other at the table.
The goal is to win at least three tricks for each hand played. If the side that fixed the trump fails to get three tricks, it is said to be "euchred." Winning all five tricks is called a "march." The first team to score 10 points wins the game.
3. Rank of cards.
The highest trump is the jack of the trump suit, called the "right bower." The second-highest trump is the jack of the other suit of the same color called the "left bower." (Example: If diamonds are trumps, the right bower is and left bower is .) The remaining trumps, and also the plain suits, rank as follows: A (high), K, Q, J, 10, 9. A trump card of any value always ranks above a non-trump card.
The "left bower" becomes the suit of the current trump as far as following suit is concerned. For example, if diamonds are trumps, the "left bower " is considered a diamond. If a is lead and a following player has no trump other than the , then that player must follow suit with the .
4. Scoring
The following shows all scoring situations:
| Partnership making trump wins 3 or 4 tricks | — | Partnership scores 1 point |
| Partnership making trump wins 5 tricks | — | Partnership scores 2 points |
| Lone hand wins 3 or 4 tricks | — | Partnership scores 1 point |
| Lone hand wins 5 tricks | — | Partnership scores 4 points |
| Partnership is euchred | — | Opponents score 2 points |
| Lone hand is euchred | — | Opponents score 2 points |
| Lone hand is euchred when opponent defends alone | — | Opponents score 4 points |
5. Dealing the cards
Shuffling
The dealer must shuffle the cards prior to dealing. The deck must be shuffled a minimum of 3 times. The pack is (optionally) cut by the player to the dealer's right. The cut must not leave less than four cards in each packet.
Dealing
The cards are dealt clockwise, to the left, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. Each player receives five cards. The dealer may give a round of three at a time, then a round of two at a time, or may give two, then three; but the dealer must adhere to whichever distribution plan he begins with. After the first deal, the deal passes to the player on the dealer's left.
On completing the deal, the dealer places the rest of the pack on the table and turns the top card face up. Should the card turned up be accepted as trump by any player, the dealer has the right to exchange the turned up card for another card in his hand. The dealer signifies play is ready to start by picking up the "turn-up" card and discarding a card from his hand and placing it under the pack, face down.
6. Making the Trump
Beginning with the player to the left of the dealer, each player passes or accepts the turn-up as trump. An opponent of the dealer accepts by saying "I order it up." The partner of the dealer accepts by saying, "I assist" or "I'll help you". The dealer accepts by making his discard, called "taking it up."
The dealer signifies refusal of the turn-up by removing the card from the top of the deck, placing it face down and stating "I turn it down" or simply "down".
If all four players pass in the first round, each player in turn, starting with the player to the dealer's left, has the option of passing again or of naming the trump suit. The rejected suit may not be named.
If all four players pass in the second round, the cards are gathered and shuffled, and the next dealer deals. Once the trump is fixed, either by acceptance of the turn-up or by the naming of another suit, the bidding ends and play begins.
7. Playing Alone
If the player who fixes the trump suit believes it will be to his side's advantage to play without the help of his partner's cards, the player exercises this option by declaring "alone" distinctly at the time of making the trump. This player's partner then turns his cards face down and does not participate in the play. Only the player making trump can declare "alone".
8. The Play
The opening lead is made by the player to the dealer's left. If he can, each player must follow suit to a lead. If unable to follow suit, the player may trump or discard any card. A trick is won by the highest card of the suit led, or, if it contains trumps, by the highest trump. The winner of a trick leads next.
9. Reneging
Failure to follow suit when you can do so is called a renege. You must correct a renege before the winner gathers the trick. If another player identifies a renege, the innocent side may add 2 points to its score or deduct 2 points from the guilty side. If your side is going alone and one of the opponents reneges, the penalty is 4 points. Normally penalty points are not used if the play can be corrected without affecting who wins the hand. If penalty points are assessed, the hand is thrown in.
10. Other Rules
Talking across the table
It is not permitted to give hints to your partner during trump selection or during play. For example, if, during trump selection, a player asks "can we afford a euchre?", their partner cannot answer or give any type of indication. To adhere completely to the rules, the question should not even be asked. It is acceptable to state "we can afford a euchre" (or something similar) as you are making trumps. It is also acceptable to discuss the hand, after the hand has been completed (all 5 cards played).
Completed Tricks
After a trick has been completed, a player from the team who took the trick must gather the trick and place it face down in front of them. Quitted (completed) tricks can not be turned face up for review with the following exception. The last quitted trick may be turned face up for review if requested by anyone at the table. After review, it must be turned back over before the next trick is played.
11. Strategies
As a general rule, you should not trump your partner's ace even if you are able to do so, especially on the first trick.
Part of the game lies in memorizing the cards played. You have to think about who may have what cards left to determine what to lead and what to throw away, when you have a choice. For example, the original trump card is one that you want to remember; if the dealer adds it to his hand, don’t forget it.
A good first lead is an ace of a non-trump card.
If you plan to lead a trump, make sure it is high enough to take the trick or it will be wasted.
There are circumstances where you will want to lead a very low trump. For example, if your partner has made it trumps and you have a reasonable assurance he has the highest trump, you can lead a low trump to suck out trumps from your opponents.
12. Variations
- Stick the dealer — If all players decline to make trumps, the dealer is forced to make trumps even if he has a bad hand. (This variation is rarely used)
13. Play on your phone
If you are new to Euchre and want to play the game on your phone or tablet against a robot before playing with people, I highly recommend EUCHRE 3D by A-STAR software. I have tried several Euchre apps. In my opinion, this one is the best. Here is the Android Version. Here is the iPhone / iPad Version. If you're really brave, you can also play against other people on-line using this app.