Euchre Ace

How to Play

The Deck

Euchre uses 24 cards: the 9, 10, J, Q, K, and Ace of all four suits. All other cards are removed from the deck.

Non-trump ranks: 9 < 10 < J < Q < K < A
Trump rank: 9 < 10 < Q < K < A < Left J < Right J

Trump & The Bowers

The trump suit outranks all others. Within trump, the card order from highest to lowest is:

  1. Right Bower (J♠*) (highest)
  2. Left Bower (J♣*)
  3. Ace of Trump
  4. King of Trump
  5. Queen of Trump
  6. 10 of Trump
  7. 9 of Trump (lowest trump)

* when Spades are trump

The Left Bower is the Jack of the same-color suit as trump. It becomes part of the trump suit for the entire hand.

Spades trump: J♠ (Right), J♣ (Left), A♠, K♠, Q♠, 10♠, 9♠

The Deal

Cards are dealt in two rounds starting left of the dealer. The deal alternates 3-2 or 2-3 so each player receives 5 cards. One card is then flipped face-up as the potential trump.

The dealer position rotates left each hand.

Bidding — Round 1

Starting left of the dealer, each player decides whether to accept the face-up card's suit as trump by saying "Order Up."

Order Up Trump is set. The dealer adds the card to their hand and discards one face-down.

Pass Move to the next player. If all four pass, the card is turned face-down.

You can go alone when ordering up. Your partner sits out — but if you win all 5 tricks you score 4 points.

Bidding — Round 2

After the card is turned down, players may name any suit except the turned-down suit as trump. The same pass order applies.

Name a Suit That suit becomes trump for the hand.

Pass Move to the next player.

Stick the Dealer (optional): the dealer cannot pass in round 2 and must call a suit.

Playing Tricks

The player left of the dealer leads the first card. Rules:

  • You must follow the led suit if you have one.
  • If you have no cards of the led suit, you may play any card.
  • The left bower counts as trump, not its original suit.
  • The highest card in the led suit wins unless trump is played in which case the highest trump wins.
  • The trick winner leads the next trick.

Scoring

SituationTeamPts
Calling team wins 3–4 tricksCallers+1
Calling team wins all 5 (march)Callers+2
Caller wins all 5 aloneCallers+4
Calling team wins < 3 (euchred)Opponents+2

The first team to reach 10 points wins the game.

Going Alone

When ordering up or calling a suit, you may announce you're going alone. Your partner's cards are set aside and you play all 5 tricks solo.

  • Win 3–4 tricks alone → 1 point (same as normal).
  • Win all 5 tricks alone → 4 points.
  • Win fewer than 3 tricks alone → euchred, opponents get 2 points (or 4 points optionally if you decide to play that way).

Lessons with Guided Tutorials

Read about key Euchre topics and when you're ready, try a guided hand that walks you through the game concepts on the actual table.

Lesson 1

First Hand Basics

Learn the upcard, trump, bowers, bidding, and leading your first trick.

 Lesson 2

Leading

Learn offensive leads, defensive leads, short suits, and leading into partner's void.

 Lesson 3

Following Suit

See why the suit led controls what cards you are allowed to play.

 Lesson 4

Trump And Bowers

Practice right bower, left bower, and why trump beats any non-trump.

 Lesson 5

Basic Bidding In First Round

Learn why weak, scattered hands should usually pass.

 Lesson 6

Calling In The Second Round

When the upcard turns down, learn to name your own trump, including the 'next' suit.

 Lesson 7

You're The Dealer

Pick up the upcard and choose discard to create a possible void.

 Lesson 8

Defensive Play

Practice the left bower, strategic throw-offs, and protecting your most powerful trump.

 Lesson 9

Partner Awareness

Learn to read partner's call and work together.

 Lesson 10

Going Alone

When is your hand strong enough to try for four points.

Lessons with Guided Tutorials Are Found in the App

Read about key Euchre topics and when you're ready, try a guided hand that walks you through the game concepts on the actual table.

Get Euchre Ace on the App Store