Euchre Point System

Euchre Point Systems allow players to evaluate various hands. Although no point system is perfect, they do provide guidelines on when to declare trump. The point system below assigns points for each card in trump, the up-card, off-suit aces, and an extra point for being 2 suited. A player wanting to use this system, should add all the possible points as indicated on the chart. Points adding up in the range from 1 to6 should “pass” as they are very risky. Aggressive players should call anything in the 7-9 range.  A player who has a safe hand, anything above 10 points, should consider going alone.

Trump Suit Up-card
Partner

 

Opponent

 

Right Bower 4 4 -4
Left Bower 3
Ace 3 3 -3
King 2 2 -2
Queen 2 2 -2
Ten 1 1 -1
Nine 1 1 -1
&nbsp
off-suit Ace 2
2 suited 1
&nbsp
Risky 1-6
Aggressive 7-9
Conservative 10+
&nbsp

Let’s look at an example.

Queen of ClubsJack of DiamondsAce of ClubsQueen of HeartsKing of Diamonds

Up-card for the opponent Nine of Hearts

Currently, hearts would yield 3 (J) + 2 (Q)+ 2 (A) – 1 (9) = 6 points, and the player should pass.

If the up-card was turned down, diamonds would yield 4 (J) + 2 (K) + 2 (A) = 8 points, and the player should call diamonds.

Although point systems do a great job of evaluating hands, they do not tell people how to play the hands.

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Changing of the Guard

There are two doubletons in North’s hand, the A-9  and K-Q .  The the lower ranking card is said to guard the higher card.  In this case, the 9 guards the Ace, and the Queen guards the King.  Typically the guards are used as a waiting card in order to keep the stronger cards, but the role of the guard can be changed into an offensive weapon.

Lets look at an example game to see this tactic.

Score

E/W: 3
N/S : 2

North

A 9
K Q
void
A

Up-Card

10

West

K
void
9
Q J 10

Euchre Table

East

Q J
A J
K
void

South (Dealer)

10
9
J A
9



South calls up the 10 and discards the 9. West is in a dreadful position. Leading trump when defending, usually benefits the trump maker. If West leads any club, it will likely be ruffed. Therefore, West is forced to play the K. North plays the A, and wins the trick since East and South must follow suit.

Many beginners would play the A hoping the card makes it around the table, but North fires back and throws out the 9.  The once lowly guard of the Ace will change roles and go out on the attack.  North realizes that since there are only two more spades left in play, South has a strong chance to trump the 9. In fact, South has a stronger chance of winning the trick than the A making it around the table.

Play proceeds with West following suit, South played 10, and East played 10.  North and South went on to score a point.

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Pulling Trump

Pulling Trump is a basic strategy in euchre.  The basic premise of the strategy is to clear the table of all trump cards and win any remaining tricks with their off-suit. Pulling Trump is especially effect the trump maker has an off-suit Ace. In general, the partnership that makes trump should play it as quickly as possible.

Let’s look at an example game to see this strategy in action.

Score

E/W: 7
N/S : 6

North

K Q
Q
K 10
void

Up-Card

9

West

void
A K
A
J 9

Euchre Table

East (Dealer)

A J
void
Q 9
K

South

void
J
J
A Q 10



South is in an excellent position, and the player has many tactics available. South decides to pass and use the advanced euchre strategy of Passing Dirty. West, North, East also pass. South declares diamonds trump. While the idea Going Alone is tempting, it is far to risky at this point.

Score

E/W: 7
N/S : 6

North

K Q
Q
void
void

Trump

West

void
A K
void
J 9

Euchre Game 1 part 1

East (Dealer)

A J
void
void
K

South

void
void
void
A Q 10



South leads off with a Double Bower Blast.  In one fell swoop, all seven trump cards are wiped off the table.  Without fear of being ruffed, South then leads the ace clubs. East and West follow suit, and North plays the queen of spades. South then plays the last two clubs, and no one is able to make a stop. North and South take a two points and go on to win.

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