Euchre is a trick-taking card game typically played by four players in two partnerships. The game is played with a deck of 24 cards, consisting of the 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of each suit, with the trump suit determined by a bidding process. Here's how to play euchre:
**Setup:**
1. Euchre is typically played with four players, divided into two teams of two. Partners sit across from each other.
2. Remove all cards below the 9s from a standard 52-card deck, leaving only 24 cards.
3. Determine the dealer. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals five cards to each player, in clockwise order, starting with the player to their left. The remaining four cards are placed face-down in the center to form the "kitty."
**Bidding and Determining Trump:**
1. Beginning with the player to the dealer's left, each player has the option to "order up" the dealer's suit as the trump suit or "pass."
2. If a player chooses to order up the dealer's suit, the dealer picks up the kitty and discards one card, then selects a card from their hand to discard face-down. The chosen suit becomes the trump suit for the hand.
3. If all players pass, the dealer has the option to choose a suit as the trump suit by naming it. If the dealer also passes, the hand is redealt by the next player in turn.
**Play:**
1. The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick by playing any card from their hand.
2. Going clockwise, each player must follow suit if possible (play a card of the same suit as the lead card). If unable to follow suit, players may play any card.
3. The player who played the highest-ranking card of the led suit, or the highest-ranking trump card if trump was played, wins the trick and leads the next trick.
4. After all five tricks have been played, players count the number of tricks won by their team.
**Scoring:**
1. If the team that chose the trump suit wins three or four tricks, they score one point.
2. If the team that chose the trump suit wins all five tricks, they score two points.
3. If the opposing team wins three or more tricks, they score two points.
4. If the opposing team wins no tricks (called a "march" or "euchre"), they score four points.
5. The first team to reach 10 points wins the game.
**Variations:**
- Some variations allow for a loner hand, where a player who is dealt a particularly strong hand can opt to play without their partner's assistance.
- The game can also be played with a "stick the dealer" rule, where if all players pass during the bidding, the dealer must choose a trump suit rather than redealing.
Euchre is a fun and strategic game that rewards both skill and teamwork. As you play, you'll develop strategies for bidding, trump management, and trick-taking to outmaneuver your opponents and secure victory for your team.