Hoyle's games: 1857

The rules for playing fashionable games - 1857

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EUCHRE

A German game, from whence the highest card or Bower, signifying Jack or Knave, takes its name. This being the only card that the German name is adopted. Thirty two cards are used, and rank as follows:-The knave or "Right Bower," of the trump is the commanding card. The, knave of the same color, or Left Bower the next. Then the ace. king, queen, ten, nine, eight; the lowest card used being the seven. The points are scored by the deuce and tray, or by counters, five constituting the game. It can he played by any number of persons under six, hut more interesting when there are four equally divided as partners.

On Dealing

To decide for partners or the dealer on commencement of the game, the cards, after having been shuffled, are thrown round, one to each player, the two highest and two lowest becoming partners. The lowest card entitles the recipient to the deal, he having the advantage to discard and take up the trump card or turn it down. Two cards and then three are given to each player, or vice versa; but as commenced, so it must be continued, the dealer not having the privilege to change, the requisite number being "five*' to each player. The card following the one last dealt is the trump. Rides in Playing the Game. The trump being turned, the adversary on the left, after having examined his hand, is at liberty to order it up or pass, and thus in rotation to the dealer, who can take it up, and discard one from his hand, or turning it down, retain his hand; in the latter case, the adversary on the left has the choice of making a trump of any other suit, or passing; should all pass again to the dealer he is entitled either to make a trump or throw up the deal, which passes then to the next. In case the party who makes the trump secures three tricks, it counts one point to the game; if all five tricks, it Is called a ''march." and counts two points. If discovered after the trump is turned up, that any of the parties have too many or few cards, there must he anew deal, the dealer losing his privilege. When a faced card is discovered during the deal, it is optional with the person to whom it is due, to receive it or demand a new deal. After discarding, you cannot take up and change your card. You must invariably follow suit, if you have it, on penalty of adding one point to your adversary's game.

Explanation of Terms.

Euchre

Where a party takes up or makes the trump, and fails to secure three tricks, he is euchred, and adds two points to the game of his adversary.

Order up

When you have the commanding trumps, which are the two bowers and ace or king, or so many as will in all probability secure three tricks. This should only he done when you have hut one point to make, it being your adversary's deal. This is termed stealing the deal.

Turn down

When you have not sufficient strength in trumps to secure your points, and cannot take the trump turned up.

Pass

When it is your adversary's deal, and you have not the hand to "order up," and wish to "euchre" him in the want of his taking it.

Assist

The partner of the dealer, if holding good cards, may assist, in which case the dealer must take up the trump.

Dutching

Is when a red card Is turned down by the dealer, and his adversary wishes to make the opposite suit of the same color the trump.

Discarding

This should have particular attention, always discarding a single suit, except an ace, and retaining the suit of which you have a commanding card.

Cards away

In playing four-handed, should you think yourself sufficiently strung to secure all the tricks without' the assistance of your partner, in the event of being successful, four points are added to your game. With some players, if a partner assists, the dealer may play alone: with others he has not that privilege-either way is believed to be correct; hut to avoid all misunderstanding, it would he proper to determine upon that point at the commencement of the game.

A Bridge

Should your adversaries have four points to make, and you have but one, they having the deal, the player on the left of the dealer should order up the trump turned, preferring a "euchre" to the chance of four points scored against him by "cards away." If, however, the player to the left holds the right or left bower guarded, then there is no necessity for ordering up; three to one, or four to nothing, constituting the term Bridge.

A March

Securing all the tricks by partners, which counts two points to your game.

On Leads

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When you hold the commanding cards, they should he led, hut if you are only strong enough to secure your point, side cards should he used; put the lowest on your partner's lead, if it he a commanding card; the highest on your adversary's. Never suffer a trick to pass if you are strong enough to secure it. Should your partner have the right bower turned, lead a small trump; by so doing you weaken your adversary's hand.