INTRODUCTION

Euchre is a trick taking game for four players who plays in partnerships and sitting opposite.

Just 5 cards are dealt to each player. A pack of 25 cards is used consisting of A K Q J 10 9 in each of the four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades, plus a joker.

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THE DEAL

The cards are dealt clockwise, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. Each player receives five cards.

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BIDDING

This process determines the trump suit and which team are the makers.  First each player in turn, beginning with the player to the dealer's left, has the option of accepting up-card's suit as the trump suit or passing.

The players, in turn may either pass or say 'I order up'.

If all three other players pass, the dealer may either take up the up-card, saying 'I order up', or pass and turning the up-card face-down.

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GAME PLAY

If all four players are in the game, the play begins with the player to the dealer's left leading to the first trick. If one player is playing alone, the person to that player's left leads first. If two players are playing alone, the defender leads.

Any card may be led, and each player in clockwise order must follow suit by playing a card of the same suit as the card led if possible. A player who cannot follow suit may play any card.

The trick is won by whoever played the highest card of the suit led, unless a trump was played in which case the highest trump wins. The winner of each trick leads to the next one.

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SCORE

If all four players are playing then the scores are as follows:

If the makers win 3 or 4 tricks they score one point.

If the makers win all 5 tricks they score two points.

If the makers take fewer than three tricks they are said to be euchred, and the defenders score two points.

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WINNING

The game is normally played to 11 points - that is, the team who first reach 11 or more points over several deals win the game. It is usual for each team to keep score using a spare 5 and 6 from the pack (as these cards are not used in the game). The cards are arranged on the table so that the number of pips showing shows the team's current score. Sometimes people play to 15 points (using a 7 and an 8 to keep score) or to 10 points.