Euchre (pronounced YOU-ker) is a fast-paced trick-taking card game most commonly played in the Midwest United States, including Ohio. It’s easy to learn, highly social, and full of strategy once you understand the basics.

This guide explains the standard rules of Euchre for beginners, step by step.

What You Need to Play

  • 4 players
  • Standard 52-card deck
  • Only the 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of each suit are used (24 cards total)
  • Players sit across from their partner

Objective of the Game

The goal is to be the first team to score 10 points by winning tricks.

A trick consists of each player playing one card, with the highest-ranking card winning the trick.

Card Rankings in Euchre

Trump Suit Order (Highest to Lowest)

  1. Right Bower – Jack of trump suit
  2. Left Bower – Jack of the same color as trump
  3. Ace
  4. King
  5. Queen
  6. 10
  7. 9

Example: If Hearts are trump, the Jack of Hearts is highest, followed by the Jack of Diamonds.

Non-Trump Suits

  • A, K, Q, J, 10, 9 (normal order)
  • Left Bower is treated as trump, not its printed suit

Dealing the Cards

  • One player is the dealer
  • Each player receives 5 cards
  • Cards are dealt in batches of 2 and 3
  • The remaining 4 cards form the kitty
  • The top card of the kitty is turned face-up

Choosing Trump

Trump is selected in two rounds.

First Round – “Ordering It Up”

Starting left of the dealer:

  • Each player may pass or order up the face-up card’s suit as trump
  • If ordered up:
    • Dealer must discard one card and pick up the face-up card
    • Dealer’s team becomes the makers

Second Round – Choosing Another Suit

If everyone passes:

  • Players may choose any other suit as trump (not the face-up suit)
  • Dealer must choose if it reaches them

If no one chooses in casual play, the hand is often re-dealt.

Going Alone

When choosing trump, a player may declare “going alone.”

  • Their partner sits out the hand
  • The lone player plays against both opponents
  • Higher risk, higher reward

Playing a Hand

  1. Player left of dealer leads first
  2. Players must follow suit if able
  3. If unable, they may play any card
  4. Highest card of the suit led (or highest trump) wins
  5. Winner leads the next trick

Each hand has 5 tricks total.

Scoring

If the Makers Win:

  • 3–4 tricks → 1 point
  • All 5 tricks → 2 points

If Defenders Win 3+ Tricks:

  • Makers are euchred
  • Defenders score 2 points

Going Alone Scoring:

  • All 5 tricks → 4 points
  • 3–4 tricks → 1 point
  • Failed attempt → defenders score 2 points

Winning the Game

  • First team to reach 10 points wins
  • Games are typically played to exactly or at least 10, depending on house rules

Common Beginner Tips

  • Always remember: Jacks rule trump
  • Don’t order trump unless you can help your partner
  • Watch what’s been played — memory matters
  • Defense is just as important as offense

Final Thoughts

Euchre is simple to learn but endlessly replayable. Once you understand trump, bowers, and teamwork, the game becomes fast, competitive, and highly social — perfect for family gatherings, game nights, or long winter evenings.