Three-handed Euchre (cutthroat Euchre)
Three-handed Euchre lets you play when the fourth player doesn’t show up. There are no fixed teams: whoever names trump plays alone against the other two.
At a glance
- 3 players, each playing for themselves.
- The usual 24-card deck: 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in each suit.
- 5 cards each. The 9 cards left over are the kitty.
- The player who names trump is the maker and plays alone against the other two.
- The maker needs 3 of the 5 tricks. The first player to 10 points wins.
The deal
Cut for the first deal. After each hand, the deal passes to the left. The dealer gives each player 5 cards, in packets of 2 and 3, just like in the four-player game.
The 9 cards left over are the kitty. Turn its top card face up for everyone to see. The rest of the kitty stays face down and is not used.
Bidding
Bidding works as in regular Euchre, with two rounds. The player to the dealer’s left speaks first.
- Round 1. Each player may order up the turned card or pass. If someone orders it up, the dealer picks up the card and discards one face down. The dealer takes the card even when an opponent orders it up.
- Round 2. If all three pass, the card is turned down. Each player in turn may name a different suit as trump, or pass.
- Everyone passes. If all three pass again, the hand is thrown in and the deal moves on.
Some tables play stick the dealer, so the dealer must name a suit and no hand is thrown in. Trump, the bowers and the order of the cards are the same as in four-player Euchre. See the bowers if you need a refresher.
One against two
The player who names trump is the maker. For this hand, the other two players form a team against the maker. Their goal is to stop the maker from taking 3 tricks.
The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick. Everyone must follow suit if they can. The highest trump wins the trick, or the highest card of the suit led if no trump is played. The winner of each trick leads the next.
On the next hand, the sides change. Whoever names trump is alone again, so your partner on this hand may be your opponent on the next. That is where the name cutthroat comes from.
Since the maker already has no partner, most tables don’t use going alone in the three-handed game.
Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Maker takes 3 or 4 tricks | Maker scores 1 |
| Maker takes all 5 tricks (a march) | Maker scores 2 |
| Maker takes 2 tricks or fewer (euchred) | Each opponent scores 2 |
This is a common way to score, but tables differ. Some variations you may meet:
- Bigger march. A march is worth 3 points at some tables, and in some old rule books, because the maker took all five tricks with no help.
- Maker loses points. Instead of each opponent scoring 2, the euchred maker loses 2 points. Scores can then go below zero.
The first player to reach 10 points wins. Some groups play to 5 for a quick game, or to 15 for a long one. Agree on the scoring before the first deal. The four-player rules are on the scoring page.
Tips for three players
- Call only strong hands. You need three tricks on your own, with no partner to help. A good hand to call usually has three trumps, or two high trumps and an off-suit Ace.
- Remember the kitty. Nine cards sit unseen in the kitty. A bower or Ace you fear may not be in play at all. That cuts both ways: your King may win, but you can’t count on anything.
- Defenders work together. When you defend, the other defender is your partner for the hand. Don’t trump a trick they have already won, and save your high cards for the maker’s leads.
- A euchre costs double. A failed call gives 2 points to each of your rivals, so it hurts more than in the four-player game.
- Watch the leader. A player close to 10 is a threat to both of the others. When the leader makes trump, defend hard together.
Not the same as Buck Euchre
Buck Euchre, also called Dirty Clubs, is a different game for three or four players. Everyone plays for themselves on every hand, and players count their score down to zero. Some people call that game cutthroat too, so check which one your group means.
Have a different number of players? See two-handed Euchre, Bid Euchre and British Euchre. For the full four-player rules, read How to play, and for ways to win, see Euchre strategy.
Questions and answers
Can you play Euchre with 3 people?
Yes. In three-handed Euchre, also called cutthroat, each player gets 5 cards. The player who names trump plays alone against the other two.
How many cards are in the kitty in 3-handed Euchre?
With the usual 24-card deck and 5 cards each, 9 cards are left in the kitty. Only the top card is turned up.
How do you score cutthroat Euchre?
A common way: the maker scores 1 point for 3 or 4 tricks and 2 for all 5. If the maker is euchred, each opponent scores 2. Some tables give 3 points for a march.
Can you go alone in 3-handed Euchre?
The maker already plays without a partner, so most tables don’t use going alone with three players.