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When should I name trump, Part 6

Both bowers are not enough
to order from the third seat


Last update on: Feb 04, 2019

A high percentage of euchres start with calls from third. Even with a strong hand, third seat is a hard spot to try and make a point. Yet many players will try to make a point when only holding the right and left bowers in their hand. It is a wishful call at best.

Look at the example below.

Table Position
When should I name trump. Image 15

The dealer is in the North seat and has turned up the queen. Bidding goes pass, pass and West orders the queen of diamonds into the dealer's hand. The dealer then discards the king of clubs.

When should I name trump. Image 16

East, holding no diamonds and no other good leads, tries leading the jack of clubs. South, looking to use his only trump, quickly trumps the club with the king. The maker(w) has to follow suit and plays the ten of clubs. This allows North a chance to rid their hand of the queen of hearts. One Trump is gone, and the N/S opponents have the first trick.

When should I name trump. Image 17

Now South leads the jack of spades, the maker(W) again has to follow with the 10 of spades. North trumps in with the queen and East follows suit with a spade. Now the N/S opponents have two tricks with two trump played.

When should I name trump. Image 18

Next North, hoping to force the maker(W) into using a trump leads the king of hearts. East follows suit, South plays the ace and the maker takes the trick with the left. Now the maker only has one chance: lead their right and hope his ace is good for the last trick. As you can see, the dealer still has two trump and the call results in E/W being euchred.

This is the sort of thing that happens all too often on third-seat calls.

Why is that? You have to realize you are putting a trump into the dealer's hand and that they are now able to create a void. They also have the last play on the first lead. A much better play is to pass. You would then be in a position to euchre them if they pick up or give help to your help partner if he tries a call in next.

As a side note, this hand shows the importance of trying a next call when the dealer does pass.



Suggested Further Reading:

When should you name trump, page 1
General facts about bidding, trump, score

When should you name trump page 2
Naming trump in the second round

When should you name trump page 3
Never order the right with 2 small trump

When should you name trump page 4
2 trump plus a green ace can be a biddable hand

When should you name trump page 5
While a green ace works, an ace in next may not.

When should you name trump page 6
Both bowers, not enough to call from 3rd seat

When To Play Alone, page 1
What is the minimum hand needed?





Suggested Further Reading:

When should you name trump, page 1
General facts about bidding, trump, score

When should you name trump page 2
Naming trump in the second round

When should you name trump page 3
Never order the right with 2 small trump

When should you name trump page 4
2 trump plus a green ace can be a biddable hand

When should you name trump page 5
While a green ace works, an ace in next may not.

When should you name trump page 6
Both bowers, not enough to call from 3rd seat

When To Play Alone, page 1
What is the minimum hand needed?




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