Euchre Terms & Phrases Every Player Should Know

Whether you're brand new or brushing up on your strategy, learning the lingo makes the game more fun — and helps you fit right in at the table. Here’s a quick glossary of commonly used Euchre terms you’ll hear around the Charleston Euchre Club.

Bower
The two Jacks of the trump color. The Right Bower (Jack of trump suit) is the highest card in the game, followed by the Left Bower (Jack of the same-color suit).

Trump
The suit declared at the start of a hand that beats all others.

Up-Card
The card flipped face-up from the kitty after dealing. It’s used to help decide the trump suit.

Kitty
The four leftover cards after everyone is dealt five. The top card becomes the up-card; the rest stay face down.

Trick
A single round of play where each player puts down one card. Highest card in the led suit (or highest trump) wins.

Euchred
When the team that called trump fails to win 3 tricks. The opposing team scores 2 points.

Going Alone
A player chooses to play without their partner for a chance at extra points. Winning all 5 tricks alone = 4 points.

Stick the Dealer
If all players pass twice on naming trump, the dealer must choose a trump suit.

Order Up
Telling the dealer to pick up the up-card, making that suit trump.

Pass
Choosing not to make the up-card or any suit trump.

Loner
Another name for going alone.

March (or Sweep)
When one team wins all 5 tricks in a hand.

Crossing the Creek
Calling a trump suit that isn’t “next” in color — a bold move requiring a strong hand.

Block
Naming trump defensively to stop the other team from making a successful lone call.

Cut (or Ruff)
Playing a trump card when you’re out of the suit that was led.

Slough
Discarding a low or useless card when you can’t follow suit.

Singleton
Holding only one card of a certain suit.

Void
Having no cards of a particular suit in your hand.

Tram (The Rest Are Mine)
A player reveals multiple cards at once, claiming all remaining tricks. Often discouraged in tournament play.

Table Talk
Giving your partner hints or comments during play — not allowed!

Laydown Hand
A perfect hand that will win all 5 tricks automatically.

Protected Ace
An Ace that is backed up by other cards in the same suit to help it survive play.

Count on Partner for One
A strategy where you hope your partner wins just one trick while you cover the rest.

Bagging
Letting the other team call trump when you have a strong hand — hoping to euchre them and score 2 points.

“Don’t Send a Boy to Do a Man’s Job”
Slang for using a weak trump (like a 9 or 10) when you need a strong one — often results in being over-trumped.

In the Barn
When your team has 9 points and only needs 1 more to win. Some players celebrate with a playful hand gesture to “milk the cow” — a fun Euchre tradition.

πŸ‘‰ Want to hear these terms in action? Come play with us! Visit CHSEuchre.com for our event schedule, beginner tips, and more ways to join the fun.

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