Common Euchre mistakes

The left bower causes most Euchre arguments. This guide follows the four-player, 24-card game on our Euchre rules page. For strategy see the Euchre strategy guide.

Card mistakes

• Following the printed suit of the left bower. The jack of the same colour as trump belongs to the trump suit for that hand. If hearts are trump, J♦ is a heart.
• Ranking the ace above the bowers. The right bower and left bower are the two highest trumps, then ace, king, queen, 10 and 9.
• Forgetting the left bower when you count trump. A hand with three hearts and J♦ has four trump when hearts are trump.
• Playing a card that doesn’t follow suit. You must follow the suit led if you can. Table rules for failing to follow suit vary, so agree the penalty first.

Calling mistakes

• Ordering up on a weak hand. Makers need three tricks of five. A hand without a bower or the ace of trump is a risk.
• Forgetting the dealer picks up the card. When the turned card is ordered up, the dealer takes it and discards one card, so the dealer’s team gets an extra trump.
• Making trump after all four players pass twice. If everyone passes in both rounds, the hand is abandoned and the deal moves on.
• Going alone too easily. A failed lone hand is still a euchre. It scores 2 for the defenders.

Play mistakes

• Leading from the wrong seat. The player left of the dealer leads the first trick.
• Trumping your partner’s winning card. If your partner is already winning the trick, save your trump.
• Letting the dealer keep six cards. The dealer picks up the turned card and discards one, ending with five.

Scoring mistakes

• Giving the makers 2 for a normal win. Makers score 1 for three or four tricks and 2 for a march (five tricks).
• Forgetting the lone-hand score. A lone maker who takes all five tricks scores 4.
• Awarding a euchre to the wrong side. If the makers take 0, 1 or 2 tricks, the defenders score 2.
• Ending the game at the wrong point. The first side to reach 10 wins after a completed hand.