February 9th, 2009

Euchre the Online Card Game

Rules for Euchre

Euchre is a card game played by four people at a time – two teams of two. Partners face each other across the table. Euchre is played with a pack of 24 cards: from a standard 52-card pack, but with 28 cards removed – all cards below the nine.

Object of the Game

The object of each hand is to win at least three Tricks out of a possible five. The first team to ten points wins the game.

The team that called trumps wins one point for making three or four tricks. If the team that called trumps fails at doing this, it is Euchred – scores no points, and their opponents win two points.

If the team who called trumps makes all five tricks, called March, they score two points.

For a person playing alone: for three or four tricks, one point; for March, four points.

Game Play

Five cards are dealt to each player. The first player to the left of the dealer may either pass or accept the turned-up card as trumps. If the first player passes, the next player makes the same decision, and so on. When a player accepts the turned-up card as trumps, the dealer takes the turned-up card into his or her hand and then discards a card.

If all players pass the right to determine trumps, the dealer removes the turned-up card. The suit of the rejected card may not be used for trumps.

The first player to the left of the dealer then has the right to name the trump suit, or to pass. If a player passes, the next player calls the trump suit or passes, until the option reaches the dealer again. If all players pass a second time around, the cards are thrown in for a new deal from the next dealer in line.

The player that declares the trump suit may declare, I Play Alone. The partner of this player lays his or her cards facedown and does not participate in the hand.

In play, players must follow the suit of whatever card is lead if they are able. A trick is won by the highest trump or by the highest card of the suit led. The winner of a trick leads the next trick.

Rank of Cards

The rank of cards in each non-trump suit from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9.
Rank of Cards in Trumps: The Jack of the trump suit (the Right Bower), followed by the Jack of the same color (the Left Bower).

For example, if Clubs are trumps, they rank as follows: the Jack of Clubs, the Jack of spades, and then the rest of the Clubs. If a red suit is chosen, then the Jack of that suit is highest, followed by the Jack of the other red suit, then the rest of the trumps.

The trump suit always has seven cards. The next suit, same color as the trump suit, has five. And the Cross-suits – opposite color from the trump, each have six.

Here are some sites where you can pla Euchre on-line against live opponents recognised by the community of euchre players as the top sites to play seriously competitive games. There is much competion for ranking points, and many advanced rooms where the top players compete.

These are only some of the selection of online site for playing Euchre. The best thing about Euchre though is that it is especially addictive and fun to play.