How to Play Euchre
The game that defines Ohio. Fast-paced, strategic, and the perfect excuse to gather around a table with friends.
1. The Deck
Euchre isn't played with a full deck. We strip it down to the "power cards" to keep the action fast.
- 24 Cards Total: Only 9s, 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces.
- 4 Suits: Spades ♠, Hearts ♥, Diamonds ♦, Clubs ♣
- Remove: All 2s through 8s (except maybe 5s for scorekeeping!)
2. The Setup
Euchre is a partnership game. You sit across from your partner.
Blue: Your Team • White: Opponents
The Deal
The dealer shuffles and deals 5 cards to each player. Dealing is traditionally done in packs of 2s and 3s (e.g., "3 to you, 2 to you").
The Kitty
Remaining 4 cards placed face-down. Top card is turned UP.
The suit of the face-up card (Heart in this example) is the proposed Trump suit for the first round of bidding.
3. Card Rankings & The Bowers
The most important rule in Euchre: The Jacks are powerful.
Trump Suit Power Ranking (Example: Spades ♠ is Trump)
Key Rule: The "Left Bower" is the Jack of the same color as the trump suit. It effectively becomes a trump card!
Non-Trump Suits (e.g., Hearts ♥, Diamonds ♦, Clubs ♣)
4. How to Play a Hand
Calling Trump
Starting left of the dealer, players can tell the dealer to "Pick it up" (accepting the face-up card's suit as trump) or "Pass".
Round 2: If everyone passes, the face-up card is turned down. Players then get a second chance to call any other suit as trump.
The Trick
Player to the dealer's left leads a card. Everyone must follow suit if they can.
- If Spades led, you MUST play a Spade if you have one.
- If you have no Spades, you can play a Trump (to win) or throw off (trash card).
- Remember: The Left Bower is the color of Trump! If Spades are led and Spades are Trump, the Jack of Clubs counts as a Spade.
Winning
Highest card wins the trick. Winner of the trick leads the next one. Win 3 or more tricks to score points.
5. Scoring
Using 5s to Keep Score
0 Points: 5s face down
1-4 Points: Reveal pips on top card
5 Points: Turn top card over
Most Michigan games use two 5s (one red, one black) per team to track score up to 10.
Your Team Calls Trump
And wins 3 or 4 tricks
Your Team Calls Trump
And wins ALL 5 tricks (March)
Go Alone
Partner sits out, you win all 5
You Get "Euchred"
You call trump but win <3 tricks