The Basics
Euchre is a trick-taking card game for 4 players in two teams of 2. Partners sit across from each other. A 24-card deck is used (9 through Ace), and each player is dealt 5 cards. The remaining 4 cards form the kitty; the top card is turned face up to propose a trump suit.
Trump & Bowers
The trump suit has a special hierarchy: the Jack of trump (right bower) is the highest card in the game, followed by the Jack of the same-color suit (left bower). The left bower counts as trump, not its printed suit. Then Ace, King, Queen, 10, 9 of trump in descending order.
Bidding
Starting left of the dealer, each player may "order up" the face-up card as trump or pass. If ordered up, the dealer picks up that card and discards one. If all four pass, a second round lets any player name a different suit. If everyone passes again, the hand is redealt.
Any player who calls trump may go alone — their partner sits out for a chance at bonus points.
Playing Tricks
The player left of the dealer leads the first trick. You must follow the suit led if you can; otherwise play any card. Highest trump wins the trick. If no trump was played, the highest card of the led suit wins. The winner leads next.
Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Makers win 3 or 4 tricks | 1 point |
| Makers win all 5 (march) | 2 points |
| Makers win fewer than 3 (euchred) | 2 points to defenders |
| Lone player wins all 5 | 4 points |
First team to 10 points wins the game.
Turn Timer
Every turn has a 90-second countdown to keep the game moving. Here's what happens if a player doesn't act:
- 30 seconds — the idle player gets a nudge reminder.
- 45 seconds — other players can vote to boot the idle player.
- 90 seconds — the idle player is automatically replaced by a bot.
If you get booted, you can rejoin the game and reclaim your seat from the bot.
Strategy Tips
- Count your likely tricks before ordering. Only call trump if you can reasonably expect 3 tricks between you and your partner.
- Both bowers + Ace of trump = go alone. Three guaranteed trump tricks make this the classic loner hand.
- Lead trump early. Drawing out opponents' trump limits their ability to trump your off-suit winners later.
- Watch the bidding. A player who passed both rounds likely has a weak hand — play accordingly.
- Defend loners aggressively. Stopping even one trick saves your team 3 points (the difference between 4 and 1).
Glossary
- Right Bower
- The Jack of the trump suit — the highest card in the game for that hand.
- Left Bower
- The Jack of the same-color suit as trump — the second-highest card. Counts as trump.
- Makers
- The team that called trump. Must win at least 3 tricks or get euchred.
- March
- Winning all 5 tricks. Worth 2 points (or 4 if going alone).
- Euchre
- When the makers fail to win 3 tricks. Defenders score 2 points.
- Going Alone
- Playing a hand without your partner for a chance at 4 points.
- Kitty
- The 4 cards left after dealing. The top card proposes trump in round 1.
- Stick the Dealer
- A house rule requiring the dealer to name trump if everyone else passes. More details.
- Farmer's Hand
- A hand with no face cards and no aces — only 9s and 10s. A house rule can force a redeal when this occurs. More details.
Ready to Play?
Jump into a game right now — pick your house rules, invite friends, or let bots fill the table.
Play Euchre