How to Play Euchre: Rules, Bowers and Scoring
Euchre is a fast trick-taking card game for four players in two teams of two. It is the classic card game of the Midwest, Ontario and the Maritimes. These are the standard rules – the same ones the app uses.
Players and cards
Four players; partners sit across from each other. Only 24 cards are used: 9, 10, J, Q, K and A of each suit. Each player gets 5 cards (dealt in groups of 2 and 3), and the next card is turned face up on the four-card kitty.
Trump and the bowers
One suit becomes trump. The Jack of trump is the highest card, the right bower. The other Jack of the same colour is the second highest, the left bower – it counts as a trump, not as its printed suit. Then come A, K, Q, 10, 9 of trump.
| Trump: hearts ♥ | Rank |
|---|---|
| J♥ (right bower) | 1 |
| J♦ (left bower) | 2 |
| A♥ K♥ Q♥ 10♥ 9♥ | 3–7 |
Making trump
- Round one: starting left of the dealer, each player may tell the dealer to pick it up (the turned card's suit becomes trump; the dealer takes the card and discards one) or pass.
- Round two: if all four pass, the card is turned down and each player may name any other suit as trump.
- Stick the dealer: in many games the dealer must name trump if everyone passes twice – the app lets you switch this rule on or off.
Going alone
The player who makes trump may go alone: the partner sits out and the loner plays against both opponents. Win all five tricks alone and your team scores 4 points.
Playing the hand
The player left of the dealer leads. You must follow suit if you can – remember the left bower belongs to the trump suit. If you cannot follow, play any card, including a trump. The highest trump wins the trick; with no trump, the highest card of the suit led wins.
Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Makers take 3 or 4 tricks | 1 |
| Makers take all 5 (a march) | 2 |
| Loner takes all 5 | 4 |
| Makers take fewer than 3 (euchred) | 2 for the defenders |
The first team to 10 points wins the game.
Play Euchre free – no ads, offlineFAQ
How many cards are used in Euchre?
24 cards: 9 through Ace in each of the four suits. Each player gets 5 cards and 4 go to the kitty.
What is the left bower in Euchre?
The Jack of the same colour as trump. It is the second-highest trump and counts as part of the trump suit.
What does stick the dealer mean?
If all four players pass in both rounds, the dealer must choose trump instead of redealing.
Can I play Euchre offline without ads?
Yes – Euchre: Classic Card Game plays offline against fair computer partners and opponents, with no ads.
Play Euchre free – no ads, offlineEnjoying the game?
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