How to Play

New to Euchre? It’s quick to learn, fast-paced, and full of strategy. Here are the basics.

The Basics

Euchre is played with four players in two teams of two. Partners sit across from each other.

The game uses a 24-card deck consisting of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace in each suit. Each player receives five cards. The remaining four cards form the kitty, with the top card turned face-up to begin bidding.

Choosing Trump

Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each player may accept or pass on the face-up suit as trump.

If a player orders it up, the dealer picks up the face-up card and discards one card.

If everyone passes, a second round begins and players may name any other suit as trump. If everyone passes again, the dealer must choose a suit under Stick the Dealer rules.

Trump & the Bowers

Trump cards beat cards from all other suits.

The two highest cards are: 

  • Right Bower — Jack of the trump suit
  • Left Bower — Jack of the same-color suit as trump

The Left Bower becomes part of the trump suit.

For example, if Hearts are trump, the Jack of Diamonds is the Left Bower and is treated as a Heart.

Playing the Hand

The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick.

Players must follow the suit led if able. If you cannot follow suit, you may play any card, including trump.

  • Highest trump wins the trick.
  • If no trump is played, the highest card of the suit led wins.
  • The winner of each trick leads the next trick.

Each hand consists of five tricks.

Scoring

  • Win 3 or 4 tricks after calling trump — 1 point
  • Win all 5 tricks — 2 points
  • Call trump and lose the hand — opponents receive 2 points
  • Go alone and win 3 or 4 tricks — 1 point
  • Go alone and win all 5 tricks — 4 points

The first team to 10 points wins.

Helpful Terms

  • Trump — The suit that outranks the other suits
  • Right Bower — Jack of trump; highest card
  • Left Bower — Jack of the same-color suit as trump; second-highest card
  • Trick — One round in which each player plays one card
  • Euchred — When the team that called trump fails to win at least three tricks
  • Going Alone — Playing a hand without your partner for the opportunity to earn additional points

Tips for Beginners

Don’t worry about memorizing everything before your first game. Most players understand the flow after a few hands, and experienced players are usually happy to help.

View the Events page for current Euchre meetups and tournaments.

Join the Charleston Euchre Club Facebook Group to connect with local players and find games.

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If you’re new to Euchre, there’s one rule that causes more confusion than anything else: the Left Bower. Most beginners understand that the Jack of the trump suit is powerful. But what they often get wrong is how the other Jack behaves once trump is called. If you’ve ever hesitated mid-hand wondering, “Wait… is this card trump?” — you’re not alone. Let’s clear it up. What Is the Right Bower? The Right Bower is simple. It is: The Jack of the trump suit The highest card in the entire game If Hearts are trump, the Jack of Hearts is the Right Bower. If Spades are trump, the Jack of Spades is the Right Bower. It always stays in its printed suit and it always outranks everything else. No confusion here. What Is the Left Bower? This is where new players get tripped up. The Left Bower is: The Jack of the same color as trump The second-highest card in the game If Hearts are trump: Jack of Hearts = Right Bower Jack of Diamonds = Left Bower If Spades are trump: Jack of Spades = Right Bower Jack o...
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