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Take a trick whenever you can. It's an old euchre saying that most of us heard when we first learned how to play. For beginners it's good advice, but as we gain experience we learn there are times when the best approach is to sit back and wait. It's called "ducking" or throwing off on a trick. One reason for ducking is to give your partner a chance to play. It may also lull bidder into a false sense of security. This could be your best chance to euchre the opponents. One example is when the bidder plays a small trump on his first lead. He's fishing for the trumps bosses, hoping to have them all fall on this lead. If you, in first seat hold the left and a small trump, it may be the correct play to use your small trump. If the right falls your left will be good. When the right is in your partner's hand, you have two sure tricks, and a good shot at a euchre for 2 points.

Look at the following hand that was played in a recent tournament.

  Seat 1

 A 10  
    
 J 10  
 10   

  Dealer

  Seat2

    
 J A K 
 A 9  
    

  Seat 3

 J   
 Q 9 K 
 K   
 K   

The Queen of clubs had just been turned down. First seat passed, and second seat, with a big smile, declares "alone in diamonds".

  Seat 1

 10   
    
 J 10  
 10   

  Dealer

(cards played)
 A,  K,  k

  Seat2

    
 J A  
 A 9  
    

  Seat 3

 J   
 Q 9  
    
 K   

My partner, an inexperienced player, Leads the ace of hearts (learn what was wrong with this lead here). The bidder trumps in with king. Now, as there is no question I have the lone stopped, I turn my thoughts to how can I euchre him. He just used one trump, I'm Guessing that he has 2 trump left. Because the club was turned down, I throw off king of spades. There is a good chance he's holding the ace of spades.

  Seat 1

    
    
 J 10  
 10   

  Dealer

(cards played)
 J,  9,  10

  Seat2

    
  A  
 A 9  
    

  Seat 3

 J   
 Q   
    
 K   

Bidder leads the right, hoping to rid everyone of trump. I play the nine of trump, and third plays his ten of hearts.

  Seat 1

    
    
 J   
 10   

  Dealer

(cards played)
 A,  Q,  10

  Seat2

    
  A  
  9  
    

  Seat 3

 J   
    
    
 K   

Bidder , seeing that the left did not fall, next leads the ace of spades. He's hoping that either the ace is good or maybe it will draw out trump and any remaining spades.
I trump in with the queen. Let's see, five trump have been played, that leaves the bidder holding the ace of trump and hopefully a spade. I play the left, pickup his ace and complete the euchre with the king of clubs. Had I over trumped his king on the first lead, yes I would have stopped the lone, but he would have still made a point. Nothing better that to euchre someone on a lone call.