How to play two or three handed Euchre

The rules for standard euchre also apply to 2 and handed euchre, however, there are a couple of noted exceptions as shown below:

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How to play Two Handed Euchre

In two handed euchre, a standard deck of 24 cards is used. The cards are ranked the same as regular Euchre. As in any euchre game they are also dealt out in groups of 2's and 3's. The difference is that an additional two cards are dealt to a dummy hand. Each player receives 5 cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in front of the dealer and the top card is turned over. No one may look at any cards in the dummy hand until trump has been named.

The dealer's opponent has the first opportunity to name trump. If he orders the dealer to pick up the turn card, he then has the right to pick up the two cards from the dummy hand. He gets to place these two cards in his hand. The dealer also gets to pick up the turn card. The bidder must discard any two cards from the seven now in his hand. The dealer must also discard one card. At the start of the hand, both players must hold only five cards. If an opponent passes, then the dealer may pick up the turn card. The dealer also gets to pick up the two cards from the dummy hand. As he now has eight cards in his hand, he must discard three of those cards. If the dealer turns down the up card, his opponent then has the opportunity to name any other suit as trump. If he does name a trump he can pick up the two cards in the dummy hand. If he passes, the dealer may name a suit as trump. If the rules state the game is 'Stick the dealer', then the dealer must name trump. If it is not 'Stick the dealer' the deal is passed to the opponent. Once a trump has been named, the hand is played out the same as four handed euchre.

The non-dealer has the first lead. As in regular euchre, the bidding player must take at least three tricks to make his point. There are no '4 point lone hands' because every hand is a lone. However, taking all five tricks does award the bidder with two points. Euchres' (taking less than three tricks) awards the non-bidding player with two points.

If a two handed game is played as part of a progressive tournament to balance out the tables and there is a prize is awarded for most lones, then one lone call is normally awarded to the winning player at the end of the game

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Three Handed Euchre (AKA Cutthroat or 3 person euchre)

Three handed euchre also uses a standard deck of 24 cards with the card ranking again staying the same. The cards are dealt in groups of 2's and 3's. With three handed, an additional three cards are dealt to the dummy hand. No player is allowed to see this hand until bidding is complete. Each player receives 5 cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in front of the dealer and the top card is turned over.

The naming of trump is done the same as it is in traditional euchre, with the option to name trump first given to the player immediately left of the dealer, and continuing clockwise. The player winning the bid gets to pick up the cards in the dummy hand. The dealer would then pick up the turn card. If the bidder is also the dealer then he gets to pick the turn card as well. Any player that has picked up cards must also discard the same amount so that all players hold five cards before play begins.

The bidder must take three tricks to make his point. If he takes all five tricks then he gets two points. The two non-bidding players become temporary partners for the current round only. Together they compete as a team against the bidder and try to euchre the bidder.

Getting less than three tricks results in a euchre and gives both defenders 2 points. Each player keeps his own score. The game is played to ten points.

Going alone is still an option and occurs when the calling player opts not to pick up the dummy hand. A player wishing to go alone must state so before looking at the dummy hand. He may not look at the cards in the dummy hand. Taking five tricks on a lone call gives the bidder four points. Taking three or four tricks gets one point. Getting less than three tricks will give both defenders two points.

During game play, no one is allowed to look at the cards in the kitty. This includes not looking at the dummy hand on a lone call.

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