How to play Euchre: rules for beginners
Euchre is a trick-taking card game for four players in two teams. It uses a 24-card deck (9 through Ace) and is hugely popular in the American Midwest. These are the most common rules; house rules vary.
Setup
- Four players, two teams; partners sit across from each other.
- Each player gets five cards; one card is turned face up to propose the trump suit.
Choosing trump
Starting left of the dealer, each player may order up the turned card as trump or pass. If everyone passes, a second round lets players name any other suit. The team that picks trump are the makers.
Card ranking
- In the trump suit the order is: right bower (jack of trump), left bower (jack of the same color), Ace, King, Queen, 10, 9.
- In other suits: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9.
Playing tricks
You must follow the suit led if you can. The highest card of the led suit wins, unless trump is played; the highest trump wins. The winner of a trick leads the next one. There are five tricks per hand.
Scoring
- Makers win 3 or 4 tricks: 1 point. All 5 tricks (a march): 2 points.
- Makers fail to take 3 tricks (they are euchred): the other team gets 2 points.
- Going alone and taking all 5 tricks: 4 points.
Play Euchre on your phone
Euchre Village: partner play with the diner town that grows as you play, no account needed.
FAQ
How many players are in Euchre?
Four players in two teams of two, partners sitting across from each other.
What is the left bower?
The jack of the same color as the trump suit. It counts as the second-highest trump, below the right bower (the jack of trump).
How many points to win?
Games are usually played to 10 points.