ALL CARD GAMES
INTRODUCTION
Bidding game that requires skill to predict how many hands each team will win. Tactics are needed to know which cards to play and when.
HOW TO PLAY EUCHRE
Players form teams of two players and sit opposite each other. Each player is dealt five cards. The top card in the deck is turned face up.
Player one decides if they want to play with the face up card as trump suit e.g.♥️. If they do, their team becomes the 'attackers' and try to win the most hands.
If player one passes on taking the trump, each player takes it in turn to decide if they want to play the trump. They declare "pick it up" and their team become "attackers'.
If no trump was selected, players take it in turn to pick any trump card e.q. ♠️ or pass again. The suit of the previous face up card cannot be chosen.
Once a player has decided trumps, the player left of the dealer plays the first card e.g. 9. Other players take it in turns to play one card each. Players must follow suit if they can.
The highest cards of the leading suit win the hand, e.g. J or the highest trump card if played. The winner of the hand places the cards to one side and starts the next hand.
The card rank is the same for all suits except when the suit is trumps. Trumps have the J highest. The J from the same color suit becomes the second best card e.g. with ♦️‘s the trump rank is 9♦️, 10♦️, Q♦️, K♦️, A♦️, J♥️, J♦️.
THE DEAL
Players form teams of two players and sit opposite each other. Each player is dealt five cards. The top card in the deck is turned face up.
THE PLAY
Player one decides if they want to play with the face up card as trump suit e.g.♥️. If they do, their team becomes the ‘attackers’ and try to win the most hands. The dealer has the option to swap the face up card for one of their cards e.g. 9 + 10.
HOW TO WIN
Score points to win. The first team to score ten or more points wins. To score points players win hands. The number of hands required depends on multiple factors, see Scoring Table.
ATTACKERS
If player one passes on taking the trump, each player takes it in turn to decide if they want to play the trump. They declare “pick it up” and their team become “attackers’. If anyone plays, the dealer swaps the face up card for their lowest card.
The player to the dealer’s left always plays first. If all four players pass then the face up card is turned over and the deck put to one side.
CHOOSE TRUMPS
If no trump was selected, players take it in turn to pick any trump card e.q. ♠️ or pass again. The suit of the previous face up card cannot be chosen. If all players pass for a second time there is a new deal by the next player.
FOLLOW SUIT
Once a player has decided trumps, the player left of the dealer plays the first card e.g. 9. Other players take it in turns to play one card each. Players must follow suit if they can.
HIGHEST CARD
The highest cards of the leading suit win the hand, e.g. J or the highest trump card if played. The winner of the hand places the cards to one side and starts the next hand.
SCORING TABLE
The scores are counted differently for ‘attackers’ and ‘defenders’ and only the team who wins at least three hands scores points.
GOING IT ALONE
If a player thinks they can win all the hands, they call “go it alone” at the same time as choosing trumps. Their partner folds their hand.
HAND RANKING
The card rank is the same for all suits except when the suit is trumps. Trumps have the J highest. The J from the same color suit becomes the second best card e.g. with ♦️‘s the trump rank is 9♦️, 10♦️, Q♦️, K♦️, A♦️, J♥️, J♦️.
THE WINNER
When a round ends, the team who have won three or more hands count their points. A new round is then started with the next dealer.
The winning team is the first to score ten points.
VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY EUCHRE
TIPS
Generally only decide on trumps if holding at least three of one suit, ideally high cards and the same color J.
ALTERNATIVE RULES
If all players pass twice then the dealer has to decide trumps, this is called ‘stick the dealer’.
EXTRAS
Players can also add the 7’s and 8’s to the game. They are the lowest cards in each ranking.
The trump J’s are called ‘Bowers’.
SIMILAR GAMES
- Bridge
- Spades
- Hearts
- Toepen
FAQ
The most common questions will be added here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to add a question or comment about this game.
