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The idea of calling next has been around for as long as the game of euchre itself. Even the earliest books on euchre talk about it, yet many people do not understand it, there even are those who say it doesn't work. This article will help you understand the how and whys of the next call strategy. For those of you that don't know what next is? Next is the other suit of the same color. For example, if we are talking about hearts, then next would be diamonds. So a next call would refer to the person sitting directly to the left of the dealer bidding in the other suit that is the same color as the suit that was turned down.

Euchre is a game of strategies and probabilities; you have to use the strategies that give you the best chance of winning. Calling next is one of them. The reasoning behind calling next is that that your opponents most likely don't have the bowers. If they did they would have picked up, or ordered the turn card. Well if they don't have the bowers and you don't, then they are either in your partners hand or in the kitty. There are 5 cards in your partners hand and 4 in the kitty giving your partner better than 50% chance of having them. By calling next, you are not only calling into your partners hand. You are also stopping the opposition from bidding in the opposite color as could be much stronger in that color

Here are some fairly safe times to call next;

1) If you have 3 or more in next,

2) If you have 2 or more in next, with 1 off suit Ace

3) If you have 1 or more in next, with 2 off suit Aces

4) If you have nothing in next, but have 3 off suit Aces

  Next works best against strong players, weaker players may hold the bowers but are afraid to bid

While there is always the risk of being euchred, many next calls have been made with only one small trump along with a green off suit ace. The thing is, you have to take a chance once in a while. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Be careful of calling next automatically, as you may find yourself being setup by skillful player that is dealing.

The higher the turn-up card is, the more likely next will work

Next is less successful when playing with very conservative players. They may have the bowers, but simply are afraid to order it up.

The best first lead is a small trump, by leading a small trump you stand the best chance of hitting your partners hand. Remember the odds are, he should have at least one bower in his hand. Odds are, this lead will go straight to him. This also gives him the opportunity to play any aces he have. With one round of trump gone, those aces have a much better chance of surviving.

You don't want to lead the right if you have it. Your partner may only have one bower in his hand and you don't want them to clash. If I hold the right - Ace I'll usually lead the ace. When the other bower has been turned down, it is ok to lead right.

Should you decide not to call next but instead call the opposite color (aka crossing the creek or calling green) be aware that your partner will most likely be of little or no help, you should only cross over if you have 3 sure tricks in your hand. You may even want to play the hand alone.