Euchre is a fast-paced trick-taking card game with a long history, dating back to 18th-century Europe. It became wildly popular in North America because it’s easy to learn, exciting to play, and has just the right amount of strategy and surprise. One of the game’s quirks—the powerful Jacks—makes it especially memorable. At first it can seem a bit confusing, but give it a few hands and you'll be flying.
Euchre is played with four players divided into two teams of two. The game uses a 24-card deck: Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s, and 9s of each suit. The object is to win tricks and be the first team to reach 10 points.
Each player gets five cards. The top card of the remaining deck is flipped over, offering a potential trump suit. The dealer rotates each hand.
Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each person has the option to: Call trump (accept the up-card suit as trump), or pass. If all players pass, the card is turned down, and a second round of bidding begins where any suit can be named as trump. If everyone passes again, the dealer must pick a trump suit. This is called “stick the dealer.”
If someone calls trump on the first round, the dealer is the one who picks up the up-card and discards a card from their hand. Even if another player chooses the trump suit, the dealer must take the card.
When a trump suit is declared, something special happens with the Jacks:
The Jack of the trump suit becomes the strongest card in the game. This is often called the “Right Bower.” The Jack of the same-colored suit becomes the second strongest trump card—this is called the “Left Bower.” Even though it's from another suit, it acts as a trump card.
Same-colored suits:
Hearts and Diamonds (both red)
Spades and Clubs (both black)
You don’t need to memorize the word “Bower.” Just remember: when trump is set, both Jacks of the same color are the top two trumps—first the Jack of the trump suit, then the Jack of the same-colored suit.
Example: If Hearts are trump:
Jack of Hearts is the highest card (Right Bower)
Jack of Diamonds is second-highest (Left Bower)
Then come Ace, King, Queen, 10, and 9 of Hearts
Another example: If Clubs are trump, the trump cards from strongest to weakest are:
Jack of Clubs
Jack of Spades
Ace of Clubs
King of Clubs
Queen of Clubs
10 of Clubs
9 of Clubs
Example hand: Hearts are trump.
Al leads Ace of Hearts.
Brenda plays 10 of Hearts.
Carol plays King of Hearts.
Dan plays Jack of Diamonds.
Dan wins the trick, because Jack of Diamonds counts as the second-highest Heart when Hearts are trump.
The player to the dealer's left leads the first card. Players must follow suit if they can. If they can’t, they may play any card, including a trump. The highest card in the suit led, or the highest trump played, wins the trick. The winner of the trick leads the next one.
Team wins 3 or 4 tricks: 1 point
Team wins all 5 tricks: 2 points
Player goes alone and wins all 5: 4 points
If the team that called trump loses 3 or more tricks: they are “euchred” and the other team gets 2 points
If you feel confident, you can play the hand without your partner—this is called “going alone.” To do this, press Shift + A when declaring trump. Your partner will sit out for that round, and it’s all up to you to take on both opponents by yourself.
If you win all 5 tricks on your own, your team scores 4 points. It’s risky, but it can really pay off.
The first team to reach 10 points (or another agreed total) wins the game.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shift S | Start the game |
| Arrow Keys | Navigate your cards |
| Enter | Play a card |
| Spacebar | Open chat window (press Enter to send) |
| T | Tells whose turn it is |
| Shift T | Before trump: tells up card. After: tells trump suit |
| R | Review the current trick |
| Shift R | Review the last trick |
| V | Tell who called or passed |
| P | Read the current scores |
| Shift P | Pass on calling trump |
| Shift C | Call trump on the first round |
| Shift A | Declare going alone |
| Z | Tell how many points are needed to win |
| Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right | Change partners before the game starts |
To create a Euchre game, click “Create” from the main BA page, then choose Euchre and give your table a name. Anyone can create a table and get started.
Once your game is created, press Shift + S to start. Any empty seats will be filled with BA Monkies (computer players).
This is a great way to learn how to play, and we highly recommend it for new players.
Euchre is a fast, exciting game full of surprises and strategy. It only takes a few hands to get comfortable, and once you do, you’ll be flying through games and having a blast.
We look forward to seeing you on the tables. Jump in and give it a shot—your next favorite game is just around the corner.