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Learn how to Play Euchre - Lesson 10

Advanced Play Examples, page 4

"Taking euchre to the next level"

Last update on: Dec 12, 2018

Competitive Level Euchre

A while back a group of us met on-line for a few games. When a group of completive euchre players gets together, one can expect to see some great games. After all, each team is determined to outdo the other. We were playing sets, 'best two out of three' games. These sample hands below were taken from the last game of the night. By this point, each team had won two sets, and on the fifth set, we were even at a game apiece.

I'm not going to show every hand, but I will show the hands that I thought stood out from the rest. As you look down through the hands, think about what you would have done in the same situation. Would you have made the same plays?

Table Position
Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-1

The dealer sits in the West position and turned up the 9 of clubs. Bidding is passed around. As the dealer, would you have passed or taken a chance by picking the 9?

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-2

TThe dealer decides to pick the 9 and then discards the 9 of hearts. Even though West holds neither bower, this is a solid call. After all, they now hold two trump and two off suit aces.

North leads the 10 of hearts, East follows suit with the queen, and I, not wanting to break up my protected left set, throw off the 10 of spades. The dealer/maker(W) takes the trick with the ace.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-3

The maker(W) then leads the 9 of trump. It looks like he does not hold the right and is going on a fishing expedition. My partner(N) plays the right. This must be the only trump my partner has or he would have played 'second-hand low'. East follows suit with the 10 of clubs and I play the queen.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-4

Now my partner(N) leads the 9 of spades, East follows suit with the queen. The only chance I see for a Euchre in if the bidder holds a Diamond.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-5

The maker(W) trumps my ace. Next his partner picks up the last trick using the king. This gives them their point.


Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-6

I'm sitting in South and am the dealer. Bidding is passed back to me. Think about what you would do. Would you pick the queen and name spades?


Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-7

While this isn't a very strong hand, it is one that must be tried. This is the type of hand where you definitely need your partners help. Be sure to let them.

West leads their ace of hearts and it walks the board. They have one trick.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-8

West then leads the jack of diamonds. My partner(N) trumps in with the king and everyone else follows suit. Now we also have 1 trick.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-9

Next my partner(N) leads the ace of clubs. East trumps in with the left. I(S) being void in clubs, could have over trumped with the right. However, that would have left me with two losing cards. Instead, I used this as an opportunity to rid my hand of a useless jack of hearts. Their team now has two tricks.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-10

East leads the ace of diamonds. It's now or never time. I trump in with the queen. As long as West has a diamond or can't overtrump the queen, I'm good. Everything goes as hoped and our team adds another point to our score.


Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-11

The dealer sits in West. How many of you would stop and realize the jack of spades you hold in your hand becomes the left if you pick up the club? Actually, this is a much stronger hand than the one I just showed because of the off-suit two aces.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-12

North leads the 9 of diamonds. East and South follow suit and maker(W) takes the trick using their king. They have their first trick.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-13

Next the maker(W) makes their ace of hearts good. They now have two tricks.

Advanced Euchre hand Page 4 example-14

The maker(W) then plays the ace of diamonds. As diamonds had already been led once, they're hoping to use this lead as a way to pull out some of the trump. Or better yet, as happened in this case, have their partner take the trick. This gives them the point. On a side note, neither the queen or the left were ever needed.







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