Euchre variants and house rules
Every Euchre table has its own house rules. Here is how the most popular variants work, with full rules for each one, and which ones you can play in Go Euchre.
Traditional Euchre: the default
Four players in two partnerships, a 24-card deck from 9 to Ace, two rounds of bidding, going alone and euchres for 2 points. If everyone passes twice, the hand is thrown in and the deal moves on. First team to 10 wins.
Stick the dealer
If the first three players pass in round 2, the dealer must name a suit. No hand is ever thrown in, and the dealer is sometimes forced to call on a weak hand. Popular at tournaments and in many families. More about stick the dealer
Game to 5, 10 or 15
Ten points is the standard game. Play to 5 for a quick game, or to 15 for a longer one where a single euchre matters less.
Canadian loner
If the dealer’s partner orders up the turned card, they must go alone. A common rule in Ontario. All about going alone
Farmer’s hand
A player dealt a hand of only 9s and 10s may swap three of them for the three face-down cards of the kitty.
No-trump calls
In round 2 a player may call no trump, played high (Aces win) or low (9s win).
Three-handed Euchre (cutthroat)
With three players, whoever calls trump plays alone against the other two, who team up for that hand. Each player keeps their own score. Full 3-handed rules
Two-handed Euchre
Two players can play with a smaller deck or with extra cards laid out on the table. Every trick counts, so it’s a game of careful counting. Full 2-handed rules
Bid Euchre
Instead of ordering up a card, players bid how many tricks they will take. The highest bid names trump, or calls no trump, high or low. Full Bid Euchre rules
British Euchre and the Benny
An extra card, the Benny or Best Bower, ranks above both bowers. This is where the Joker was born. Full British Euchre rules
Keeping score with counter cards
Many players keep score with two spare cards from the deck, such as a 6 and a 4, turning or sliding them to show the points. In Go Euchre the scoreboard keeps the score for you. How Euchre scoring works