Charleston Euchre Club | Play Cards. Make Friends. Have Fun.

The Right Bower. If you’ve played Euchre even once, you know this card changes everything. It’s not just the top trump — it’s arguably the single most powerful card in the game. But have you ever stopped to wonder… why? Turns out, the Right Bower’s roots go deeper than most realize, connecting Euchre to its European origins. The term "bower" comes from the German word  Bauer , meaning “farmer,” but it was also a common term for the Jack card in German card games like Jass or Jucker (a predecessor to Euchre). When German immigrants brought the game to the U.S. in the 1800s, “Bauer” evolved into “bower,” and the tradition of the Jacks, especially the trump Jacks, holding supreme power in the trump suit became a defining characteristic of Euchre. But here’s where it gets even cooler: Euchre is one of the few card games where a card  changes suits  depending on the hand. When Spades is declared trump, for example, the Jack of Spades becomes the Right Bower, the highest trump....

Secret Strategies, Timeless Tactics, and One Rare Euchre Relic Euchre isn’t just a card game — it’s a thread woven through American history, from campfires to coffee shops. One extraordinary example is  The Law and Practice of the Game of Euchre  by Charles H. W. Meehan, published in 1862. This Civil War–era rulebook, appraised between $750 and $850, offers more than gameplay instructions — it offers a glimpse into 19th-century life and mindset. Printed at the height of the war by T.B. Peterson & Brothers, it likely passed through the hands of Union or Confederate soldiers. Euchre was one of the most popular games played in military camps — fast-paced, strategic, and a welcome escape from the front lines. Inside this forgotten gem, you'll discover: ✓ A poetic definition of “Jamboree” — five top trumps worth 16 points (nearly impossible but legendary) ✓ Strategic advice like using a “Force” play — baiting your opponent into burning their trump (still brilliant today) ✓ Witt...

Long before “Stick the Dealer!” became a crowd-pleaser at Charleston game nights, Euchre was already America’s card-playing obsession. In fact, some of the earliest known rulebooks—like  Euchre and Its Laws  (published in 1862)—treated the game with such formality and flair that today’s casual players might be surprised by its original tone. This early manual, followed by the 1877 guide  The Laws and Practice of the Game of Euchre  (attributed simply to “A Professor”), gives us a fascinating peek into how the game was once played—and how much it has changed. Here are some curious highlights from 19th-century Euchre culture: ♠️ The Deck Was Bigger Today’s standard North American Euchre deck contains 24 cards (9 through Ace), but older versions used 32 cards (7 through Ace), similar to European card games like Piquet. The smaller deck we know today didn't become dominant until later in the 19th century. ♥️ Going Alone Was High Drama In modern Euchre, going alone means ...

If you’ve ever heard someone shout “Stick the Dealer!” and seen the table erupt in laughter, tension, or mock sympathy — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most exciting (and pressure-filled) rules in Euchre. But what does it actually mean? Let’s break it down so you never get caught off guard. What Does “Stick the Dealer” Mean? In Euchre, after the top card from the kitty is turned up, players get one chance to tell the dealer to pick it up — which would make that suit trump. If everyone passes, a second round begins where players can name a different suit as trump. But here’s the twist: if everyone passes  again  — the dealer  must  choose a trump suit. No passing allowed. That moment is known as “sticking the dealer.” Why It’s a Big Deal Sometimes, the dealer has a terrible hand. They didn’t want to pick up the original card. Nobody else named trump either. And now — they’re stuck. Forced to pick a trump suit with cards they may not want. That’s why it can cause gr...

If you've been hearing about Euchre but still aren't sure how it works — you're not alone. This classic Midwestern card game has quietly exploded in popularity here in Charleston, and now is the perfect time to jump in. At the  Charleston Euchre Club , we meet multiple times a week to play, teach, and grow the local Euchre community. And we love helping first-timers learn the ropes. ♠️ You Don’t Need Experience — Just Curiosity Never played Euchre before? No problem. Most new players pick it up in one night. All you need is a little guidance, a sense of humor, and a willingness to try something new. Our rotating partner format means you’ll learn from different people, make quick connections, and improve naturally as you play. ♥️ It’s Social, Fast, and Surprisingly Strategic Euchre might look like just a card game — but once you play, you’ll realize it’s a perfect blend of intuition, teamwork, and quick decision-making. You’ll be tracking suits, remembering what’s been playe...