How to Play Euchre

Euchre is a fast partnership trick-taking game in which four players compete to win at least three of five tricks. Its defining feature is the trump ranking: the Jack of the trump suit becomes the Right Bower, while the Jack of the same-color suit becomes the Left Bower.

This guide explains the common North American four-player version of Euchre using a 24-card deck. It covers the deck, dealing, choosing trump, the bowers, going alone, following suit, scoring, and common house rules.

Ready to play? Browse Euchre Playing Cards and Sets, or compare recommended products in our Best Pinochle and Euchre Cards Guide.

Quick Navigation

• Euchre at a Glance
• The Euchre Deck
• Right and Left Bowers
• Setup and Deal
• How to Play Euchre
• Choosing Trump
• Going Alone
• Trick-Taking Rules
• Euchre Scoring
• Common Variations
• Choosing Euchre Cards
• Euchre FAQ

Euchre at a Glance

Partners sit across from each other. During each hand, one partnership becomes the makers by choosing trump. The other partnership becomes the defenders.

The makers must win at least three of the five tricks. If they fail, they are euchred, and the defenders score two points.

What Cards Are Used for Euchre?

The common North American version of Euchre uses a 24-card deck containing:

• Ace
• King
• Queen
• Jack
• 10
• 9

Each rank appears once in each of the four suits: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.

Can You Make a Euchre Deck from Regular Playing Cards?

Yes. Start with a standard 52-card deck and remove every card ranked 2 through 8. Keep the 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of each suit.

A dedicated Euchre set may include two contrasting decks, score cards, or other accessories for game-night and tournament use. Browse available Euchre decks and sets.

The Right Bower and Left Bower

The bowers are the two highest cards in the trump suit.

• Right Bower: the Jack of the trump suit and the highest card in the hand
• Left Bower: the Jack of the other suit of the same color and the second-highest card

The word bower comes from a German word associated with the Jack.

Trump Ranking

Cards in the trump suit rank:

Right Bower → Left Bower → Ace → King → Queen → 10 → 9

The Left Bower Changes Suits

The Left Bower belongs entirely to the trump suit during that hand. It is no longer considered part of the suit printed on the card.

For example, if hearts are trump:

• The Jack of Hearts is the Right Bower.
• The Jack of Diamonds is the Left Bower.
• Both Jacks count as hearts.
• The Jack of Diamonds cannot be played to follow a diamond lead.
• If a trump heart is led, a player holding the Jack of Diamonds must treat it as a heart.

This is the rule that most often causes confusion for new Euchre players.

Non-Trump Card Ranking

Cards outside the trump suit normally rank:

Ace → King → Queen → Jack → 10 → 9

The suit that supplies the Left Bower has only five cards because its Jack has become part of the trump suit.

For example, if hearts are trump, the diamond suit ranks:

Ace of Diamonds → King of Diamonds → Queen of Diamonds → 10 of Diamonds → 9 of Diamonds

Euchre Setup and Deal

1. Divide four players into two partnerships.
2. Partners sit across from each other.
3. Choose the first dealer.
4. Shuffle the 24-card deck.
5. The player to the dealer’s right may cut the deck.
6. Deal five cards to each player.
7. Place the four remaining cards in the center as the kitty.
8. Turn the top card of the kitty face up.

Cards are traditionally dealt in packets of two and three. A dealer may give each player two cards and then three, or three cards and then two.

The face-up card is used during the first round of choosing trump.

How to Play Euchre: Step by Step

1. Deal five cards to each player.
2. Turn one kitty card face up.
3. Hold the first round of trump selection. Players may accept the face-up card’s suit as trump or pass.
4. Hold a second round if necessary. If everyone passes, players may name another suit as trump.
5. Choose whether to go alone. The player who makes trump may play without a partner.
6. Play five tricks. Players must follow suit when able.
7. Count the tricks. The makers need at least three.
8. Score the hand.
9. Pass the deal clockwise.

How Trump Is Chosen

Trump is chosen in as many as two rounds. The player to the dealer’s left speaks first, followed clockwise by the other players.

First Round: Order Up the Face-Up Suit

During the first round, each player may either accept the suit of the face-up card as trump or pass.

An opponent of the dealer may say:

“Order it up.”

The dealer’s partner may also order up the dealer in the common North American game.

If anyone orders up the card:

• The face-up card’s suit becomes trump.
• The dealer picks up the face-up card.
• The dealer discards one card face down.
• The team that ordered it up becomes the makers.

The dealer may also choose to pick up the face-up card when it becomes the dealer’s turn to decide.

Second Round: Name Another Suit

If all four players pass during the first round, the face-up card is turned down.

A second round begins with the player to the dealer’s left. Each player may:

• Name one of the other three suits as trump, or
• Pass

The suit that was turned down cannot be called during the second round.

The first player to name a suit makes that suit trump, and that player’s team becomes the makers.

What Happens if Everyone Passes Twice?

Under traditional rules, the hand is thrown in and the deal moves to the next player.

Many groups instead use stick the dealer, which requires the dealer to choose a trump suit if the first three players pass during the second round.

Going Alone in Euchre

A player who makes trump may announce an intention to go alone before the first card is led.

The player’s partner places the hand face down and does not participate in that deal. The lone player then attempts to win the tricks without the partner’s help.

Going alone creates the opportunity to score four points for winning all five tricks, but it also removes the partner’s cards from play.

Who Leads When Someone Goes Alone?

The first active player clockwise from the dealer leads the opening trick. Ordinarily, this is the player to the dealer’s left. If that player is the partner sitting out, the lead passes to the next active player.

Can a Defender Go Alone?

Some groups allow a defender to play alone against the makers, while others allow only a maker to go alone. Treat defending alone as a house rule and agree on it before play.

How Trick-Taking Works in Euchre

The player to the dealer’s left normally leads the first trick. Play continues clockwise, with each active player contributing one card.

Following Suit

A player must follow the suit led when able.

A player who cannot follow suit may:

• Play a trump card, or
• Discard any other card

Players are not required to play a higher card when following suit. They only need to follow the correct suit when possible.

Winning a Trick

The trick is won by:

• The highest trump card played, or
• If no trump is played, the highest card of the suit led

The winner of each trick leads the next one.

Remember the Left Bower

For purposes of following suit, the Left Bower belongs to the trump suit.

Suppose clubs are trump and diamonds are led:

• The Jack of Spades is the Left Bower and counts as a club.
• It cannot be played as a spade.
• A player holding only the Jack of Spades and no actual diamonds is considered void in diamonds.

How to Score Euchre

What Does It Mean to Be Euchred?

The makers are euchred when they fail to win at least three tricks. The defending team then scores two points.

What Is a March or Sweep?

Winning all five tricks is commonly called a march or sweep. The makers score two points for a partnership march or four points when a lone player wins all five.

How Many Points Win Euchre?

The common North American game is played to 10 points. The first team to reach 10 or more wins.

Some groups play shorter games to 5 or 7 points or longer games to 11 or 15.

Simple Euchre Scoring Examples

Example 1: Makers Win Three Tricks

Team A calls hearts as trump and wins three tricks. Team A scores one point.

Example 2: Makers Win All Five

Team A calls spades and wins every trick with both partners playing. Team A scores two points.

Example 3: Makers Are Euchred

Team A calls diamonds but wins only two tricks. Team B scores two points.

Example 4: Successful Loner

A player calls clubs, goes alone, and wins all five tricks. That player’s team scores four points.

How to Keep Score in Euchre

Many Euchre players use spare low cards as score markers. Two 5s can be overlapped so that the number of visible suit symbols shows the current score.

Dedicated Euchre sets may also include printed score cards or scoring boards.

Whatever method you use, record points after every hand and clearly announce the score before the next deal.

Common Euchre Terms

Common Euchre Variations and House Rules

Euchre traditions vary by region, club, and family. Confirm the rules before the first hand.

Stick the Dealer

If everyone else passes during the second round, the dealer must choose a trump suit rather than redeal.

Joker or Best Bower

Some versions add a Joker as the highest trump above the Right Bower. The common 24-card North American game does not use a Joker.

Defending Alone

Some groups allow a defender to go alone against the makers, sometimes for an increased scoring opportunity.

Super Euchre

Some groups award four points when the makers fail to win any tricks. Under the standard scoring used in this guide, the defenders receive two points whether the makers win zero, one, or two tricks.

Farmer’s Hand or Misdeal Rules

Some groups allow a redeal when a player has an unusually weak hand, such as all 9s and 10s. This is not universal and should be agreed upon in advance.

No Trump and Bid Euchre

Bid Euchre is a related family of games with a different bidding system, often a larger or double deck, and contracts based on the number of tricks a partnership expects to take. It should not be confused with standard turn-up Euchre.

Progressive Euchre

Progressive Euchre is commonly organized across several tables. Players rotate partners or opponents after a fixed number of deals, making it popular for clubs, social events, and tournaments.

Basic Euchre Tips for Beginners

• Count trump carefully. Remember that the Left Bower belongs to trump.
• Value the bowers highly. The two Jacks are the strongest cards in the hand.
• Watch which suits players cannot follow. A void suit may allow a player to trump later.
• Do not assume every Ace will win. An off-suit Ace can be trumped.
• Consider position. The dealer has the advantage of picking up the face-up card when its suit is ordered.
• Communicate only through legal play. Do not reveal your hand or signal your partner.
• Go alone selectively. A loner offers four points only if you win all five tricks.

Choosing the Best Cards for Euchre

You can play Euchre with a standard deck, a dedicated 24-card deck, or a two-deck Euchre set.

Dedicated Euchre Set

A dedicated set is convenient because it may include:

• Two contrasting decks
• Cards already arranged for Euchre
• Score cards
• Matching decks for repeat play

The Bicycle Euchre Games 2-Deck Set with Score Cards provides a ready-to-play setup.

Sets for Clubs and Frequent Hosts

Groups running several tables may prefer a multi-set package such as the Bicycle Euchre Half Brick with Six Dual-Deck Sets.

Standard vs. Jumbo Index

• Standard index: traditional appearance and familiar proportions
• Jumbo index: larger corner markings that may be easier to read across the table

Browse the full Pinochle and Euchre Playing Cards Collection, or compare products in the Best Pinochle and Euchre Cards Guide.

Euchre Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are used in Euchre?

The common North American version uses 24 cards: the 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of each suit.

How many cards does each Euchre player receive?

Each player receives five cards. Four cards remain in the kitty, with the top card turned face up for the first round of choosing trump.

How many people play Euchre?

The standard game uses four players divided into two partnerships. Partners sit across from each other.

What is the Right Bower?

The Right Bower is the Jack of the trump suit. It is the highest-ranking card in the hand.

What is the Left Bower?

The Left Bower is the Jack of the same color as the trump suit. It becomes the second-highest trump and is treated entirely as part of the trump suit.

What is the order of trump cards in Euchre?

Trump ranks Right Bower, Left Bower, Ace, King, Queen, 10, and 9 from highest to lowest.

Do you have to follow suit in Euchre?

Yes. Players must follow the suit led when able. A player who cannot follow suit may play trump or discard another card.

What does it mean to be euchred?

The makers are euchred when they fail to win at least three of the five tricks. The defenders then score two points.

What does going alone mean in Euchre?

A player who makes trump may choose to play without a partner. The partner sits out, and the lone player can score four points by winning all five tricks.

How many points do you need to win Euchre?

The common North American game is played to 10 points, although some groups agree to another target before play.

Can you play Euchre with a regular deck?

Yes. Remove every card ranked 2 through 8 from a standard 52-card deck, leaving the 9 through Ace in each suit.

What is stick the dealer?

Stick the dealer is a variation requiring the dealer to name a trump suit if all other players pass during the second round.

Shop Euchre Playing Cards

Whether you are learning at home, organizing a weekly Euchre night, or supplying several tournament tables, ClassicDecks offers dedicated Euchre sets, score-card packages, and multi-set options.

Shop Euchre Playing Cards and Sets or read our Best Pinochle and Euchre Cards Guide for recommendations by format and use.