We at Ohio Euchre have many requests for a official set of rules.These have been written after observing how local, nation tournaments, as well as on-line games are played. I have tried to include the many local variations
(North American Style)
If you are new to the game, may I suggest readingHow to play the game of Euchre
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Basics
Euchre is played using a deck of 24 cards (standard deck of cards with the two's through the eight's removed. 4 players in teams of 2 sit opposite each other. Rank of trump cards: Right Bower, Left Bower, Ace, King, Queen, Ten, Nine. Other suits: rank as usual Ace - Nine. First team that makes 10 points wins.
Dealing
The hand is started by one player dealing face up one card at a time till a jack appears.
The person that receives the jack starts the game by dealing each player 5 cards. This is normally done in groups of 2's and 3's although the some circles(mainly north of the border) it is ok to one card at a time. It is the custom (and in many circles mandatory ) to offer a cut to the person on the right, before dealing the first card.
After dealing out 5 cards to everyone there should be 4 cards left. These are places face down in front of the dealer and the top card turned face up.
If no one bids on the second round, the same person re deals. If everyone passes both rounds a second tine, then the deal is passed to the next player.
Misdeal
If an improper number of cards is dealt and the mistake is found before the hand is in progress the cards are re dealt. If the hand is in play, the deal is forfeited and is passed to the next player.
Calling Trump
The first player to the right of the dealer now has the option of naming the turned up trump. Each player in turn gets to name trump or pass. If a player would like to call a suit trump he should do so by saying "that's trump" or "pick it up". If no one names trump in the first round, the up card is turned face down and second round bidding starts. Players may then name one of the three remaining suits trump. Once a suit has been named trump, all "bidding" stops and the hand starts. If no one names trump in the second round, the deal is passed to the player on the left.
Stick The Dealer
Stick The Dealer is a variation in which if no one names trump in the second round, then the dealer must take the bid and name trump from one of the remaining suits.
Game Play
The player to the left of the dealer starts the hand by leading any card from his hand. If the person in the first seats partner goes alone, the deal is passed to the next player. Players must follow suit if possible.
Scoring
The first team that gets 10 points wins.
To score a point a team must take 3 out of the five possible tricks. A team that takes all five tricks get two points. If they take less than 3 tricks they are said to be 'Euchred' and the other team receives 2 points. A team member may play the hand alone. If he takes all five tricks then his team receives 4 points.
Going Alone
To go alone A team member must signal his intentions by stating "I'm going alone" ( in some circles it is acceptable as the dealer to push the cards across the table to your partner indicating a lone play). The person that is playing alone must take all 5 tricks to receive 4 points. If they get 3 or 4 tricks then their team receives 1 point
If they take less than 3 they are 'Euchred' and the other team receives 2 points.
Renege
Players must follow suit when lead. If one does not have that suit in their hand, they may trump in or through off any card of their choosing. Failure to follow this rule will result in a penalty against the offending team. The non-offending team receives two point. (or 4 points if the infraction was during a lone attempt). It is up to the opposition to catch the mistake.
Dealer Not Discarding
If the dealer forgets to discard, The hand is void, and the deal passed to the next person, in some circles this results in a 2 point penalty(4 if on a lone call).
Table Talk
Table talk is any remarks during the hand designed to give your partner information. Such things as "let's see if we can get a point partner(I'm very weak but maybe)" are considered table talk. Although in casual games there is no penalty. It should be avoided.
Ordering card into partners hand
This is for our friends north of the U.S. border.
If you order you partner to pick up a card, you must play the hand alone.
Farmers Hand - (not widely endorsed)
A 'farmers hand' is a hand that contains all 9's and 10's. It is also known as 'No Ace No Face'. If anyone gets these cards. the hand is void and redealt by the same dealer. It is not widely endorsed
Natural Trump - (not widely endorsed)
This rule states, you must hold the suit of the turned card in your hand before it may be picked up, or ordered into the dealers hand. Like the farmers hand, this is not widely endorsed.
As far as I can tell these rules came about to give children and inexperienced players a chance to win. Most euchre enthusiasts find these rules take away from the game.
The above section covers all the rules needed to play a friendly Euchre game.
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Classic Ten's Basic Advanced Rules
The following is a complete rule set covering most of the irregularities that may come up in a euchre game, they should be used in Euchre tournaments and games involving money.
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* The first deal is determined by dealing out the
cards face up until one player receives a Jack
* The dealer must shuffle the cards above the table, face down, and then must offer a cut to the opponent on the right. A cut is mandatory.
* The cut must be more than 4 cards from either top or bottom. A cut card must be used.
* Cards are dealt in groups of 2’s and 3’s starting with the 1st seat and going clockwise. Everyone is dealt a total of 5 cards. (It is acceptable to deal one card at a time) There will be 4 cards left. These are called the kitty and are placed face down in front of the dealer. The dealer then turns up the top card of the kitty.
* If a card or cards are exposed while dealing, cards must be dealt over. The same person deals.
* If the cards are dealt by the wrong player and discovered before the turn up, the deal goes back to the rightful dealer.
* If the cards are dealt by the wrong player and discovered after the first card is played, the deal stands.
* If an incorrect number of cards are found before the first lead, the hand is void and the same person deals.
* Once the up card is turned, the deal is considered complete, and naming of trump may begin.
* If an incorrect number of cards are found at any time during play, the hand is void and the deal is passed to the next player
* If 1st leads a card before dealer discards, the card must remain in play. It can not be changed
* Dealer must be giving reasonable time to discard, but cannot be reminded to do so.
* If the dealer fails to discard, the opposition scores 2 points (or 4 points if lone hand was called by opposition).The deal is passed to the next player
* The naming of trump begins with the player in the 1st seat, who states his intention by saying;
A) “Pick it up” to accept the suit as trump
B) “I pass”, to decline the suit LHO also has the option of going alone by saying
C) “I'm going alone”. If that is their intention
D) No other means of declaring trump or passing are
acceptable.
E) If so ordered, dealer must discard one card from
his hand and the turn-card becomes trump.
* If three passes go by and bidding comes back to the dealer, he may signal that the turn up card is trump by leaving the card on top of the stack, and stating “that's trump” or by picking up the card and placing it in his hand.
* Should the dealer decide to pass, they may say "pass" or simply turn the card face down on top of the kitty. It is then set aside and no one is allowed to look it.
* Bidding continues clockwise with each player having
the opportunity to bid or pass by stating:
A) The name of the suit they wish to bid in
B) “I pass”
C) I'm going alone in (‘name of suit’) a lone call must be made at time of trump declaration
Should a player name the suit that has been turned down, it is considered to be the same as passing.
If at end of 2nd round of bidding, everyone passed the deal is passed to the next player on the right.
The pick-up card cannot be discarded
The bidder does not need to hold a suit in his hand to bid in that suit.
Once play had begun you may not ask what is trump. Use of a trump cube is recommended.
Play begins by 1st seat leading a card. If alone call is in progress and 1st seat is sitting out the lead goes to next player.
* Cards played must be places in front of player and not thrown into center of table making it easy to determine who played which card. At end of hand cards are picked up by one member of each team and
placed in front of them. Each hand must be kept in neatly staggered piles and not mixed with prior hands.
* The player to the left of the dealer may lead any card by placing it face up on the table in front of him. Each player in turn going clockwise must follow suit if able, if unable, may play any card or trump.
* A Card Laid is a Card Played and it cannot be retrieved
* All hands must be played out.
* If a player mistakenly plays on their partners lone hand, the lone is forfeited and hand is played out with all 4 players.
* If a card is played out of turn then the hand ends. The opposition is rewarded 2 points (4 points on a lone call)
* If a renege is alleged the calling team member has the right to look back at previously played hand, he must however, wait until the hand in play is complete.
Scoring:
* If the bidding takes at least 3 tricks in a hand they shall receive 1 point.
* If the bidding team takes all 5 tricks they will receive 2 points.
* If one team member goes alone and takes all 5 tricks that team shall receive 4 points
* If a team member goes alone and takes 3 or 4 tricks, that team shall receive 1 point.
* If bidding team fails to take 3 tricks (Euchred) the opposing team receives 2 points.
* If bidding team is Euchred on a lone the opposing team receives 2 points.
* The first team reaching a score of 10 points or more wins
Penalties and Irregularities
* Renege: Failure to follow suit when possible constitutes a renege.
The non-offending team will receive 2 points or on a lone 4 points. Hand ends and offending team receives no points. A card exposed or laid is a card played.
* Penalty Card: Any card exposed prematurely during play is considered a
penalty card. It must remain face up on the table and played at 1st legal opportunity. Because the card has been exposed it no longer has any value, it cannot win any trick.
* Bid or declaration of trump Out Of Turn: Hand ends and the non-offending
team will receive 2 points.
* Lead Out Of Turn: Hand ends and the
non-offending team will receive 2 points.
* Asking who played a particular card or, whose trick: Hand ends and the non-offending team will receive 2 points.
* Table talk: Hand ends and the non-offending team will receive 2 points.
Euchre Terminology
Standard game : Played with a deck of 24 cards played by 4 players
in 2 partnerships sitting across from one another.
Euchre Deck : The Euchre deck is a twenty-four card deck consisting of the
9, 10, J, Q, K, and A of each of the four suits.
1st seat : is left hand opponent of the dealer (AKA LHO,
eldest or west)
2nd seat : is the dealer's partner (AKA north)
3rd seat : is right hand opponent of the dealer (AKA pone or east
4th seat: is the dealer (AKA south
Off suit : any suit but trump
The kitty : the stack of four cards left over after the deal is complete
The Bowers : The Jack of the called trump suit is known as the 'right' bower,
and the Jack of the other suit that is the same color as the trump suit, is known as the 'left' bower. These two cards are, respectively, the highest and second highest cards in any given round
Up-card : The 21st card of the deal, aka the turn card
Round : The set of four cards played in succession. A round is won by the highest
trump played in it or, if no trumps are played, by the highest card played in the suit that was led. The winner of each trick leads the first card of the next trick.
Hand : A hand consists of five rounds, i.e. when all the cards from one deal
have been played.
Cut card : A card that is not use in play, but is used to cover the card on the bottom
of the deck. A special cut card, or a joker can be used.
Void : Not having holding any cards of one suit in your hand.
IE; holding all hearts means you are void in clubs, spades, and diamonds.
Going alone : Opting to play without your partner on a particular hand. 4 points
are awarded if you take all 5 tricks. One point if 3 or 4 tricks taken. 2 points to other team if less than 3 taken.
Euchre : Taking less than 3 tricks in a hand constitutes a euchre. The opposing
team gets 2 points
Renege : Not following suit when one is able.
Table talk : Any remark made during the game designed to give your partner
information or prevent him from making a possible mistake.
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Current Comments
1 comments so far (post your own)According to Hoyle and Wikipedia, the dealer may pass a second time and then the deal passes to the next player.
Posted by Dave W. on Saturday, 01.28.12 @ 08:28am | #20