What is Euchre named after?

It derives from a 19th-century Alsatian game called juckerspiel from the fact that its two top trumps are Jucker, meaning “jack.” This word may also have influenced the choice of the term joker for the extra card introduced into American euchre in the 1860s to act as the “best bower,” or topmost trump; bower is from ...

What is the history of the word Euchre?

Etymology. Possibly from German Juckerspiel, name of an eighteenth-century Alsatian card game, itself apparently a compound of Jucker (“joker?”, may be dialectal) + Spiel (“game”).

What does Euchre mean in German?

: to prevent from winning three tricks in euchre. : cheat, trick. euchred out of their life savings Pete Martin.

What is another name for Euchre?

Why is it called the kitty in Euchre?

The initial meaning of this “kitty” was somewhat different, however. The original “kitty” was a sum of money, to which every player contributed, which was used to pay rent on the room and buy snacks, drinks, etc., for the assembled players.

How to Play Euchre

What state is Euchre most popular?

Euchre, popular in Michigan, was once dubbed "the queen of all card-games." Get a group of Michiganders together, add a deck of cards, and chances are pretty good you'll wind up with a game of euchre. It was once dubbed "the queen of all card-games" and was wildly popular in the late 1800s.

What is a joker in Euchre?

In euchre. …the choice of the term joker for the extra card introduced into American euchre in the 1860s to act as the “best bower,” or topmost trump; bower is from German Bauer, literally “farmer” but also meaning “jack.” Euchre is therefore the game for which the joker was invented—the joker being,…

What is a jack called in Euchre?

In euchre, the jacks are called "bowers" which is derived from "bauer", the word for farmers in German. Winning all five tricks is called a "march", derived from "marsch".

What do you call bottoms in Euchre?

Certain weak hands (usually those containing either three 10 cards or three 9 cards) are designated as "farmer's hands" or "bottoms." After inspecting the hand dealt, a player may call out "farmer's hand" (or simply "farmer's") and is then allowed to show the three cards in question and exchange them for the three ...

What are the two jacks called in Euchre?

The highest-ranking card in Euchre is the jack of the trump suit and is called the "right bower" or "right"; the other jack of the same color is called the "left bower" or "left".

Why is euchre so popular in the Midwest?

According to its Wikipedia entry, "Euchre appears to have been introduced into the United States by the early German settlers in the Midwest." That would explain its popularity there.

What is the best hand in euchre?

Euchre Card Rankings

The Jack of the trump suit is called the Right Bower and is the highest-ranking card.

Why lead trump in euchre?

Remember, there are only a maximum of seven trump cards, so if three are in your hand, that's at most four split among the rest of the table. Leading with trump means that a single drawn trump from each player clears all but one of those trump cards as obstacles for you.

Is euchre a game of luck or skill?

Tricks can be won by dealing the highest card of the suit without playing a trump. If the trump has been played, then the highest trump card wins the trick. As with all games, players typically need elements of both skill and luck.

What is the eldest hand in euchre?

Eldest hand is a name given to the player who is required to play the first card in a hand of Euchre. It is another term for first seat. People who use this term also generally give the name "Pone" to the player who is right of the dealer.

What is 6 Euchre called?

Six Hand Almonte Euchre

The dealer distributes 5 cards to each of the 6 players and then turns over the last one (i.e. no hidden cards). If the card turned up is a joker, then dealer calls the trump before looking in his or her hand.

What is the kitty called in euchre?

Talon – The more accurate term for the 4 cards left over after the hands of a euchre game have been dealt. It is more commonly referred to as the Kitty. Throw off – To play a card that is not the suit led but is also not trump.

What is the most powerful jack in euchre?

Card Values

- Two exceptions: the Jack of the trump suit is known as the “right bower” and is the most valuable card; the other Jack of the same color is known as the “left bower” and is the second most valuable card - A trump suit will contain both bowers.

What is sandbagging in euchre?

Bagging AKA Sand bagging or Passing Dirty. This is where your opponent turns up a suit and you have strength in that suit. You are hoping they will pick it up. This could mean a possible euchre and two points for your team.

What does in the barn mean in euchre?

Have you ever heard the saying "in the barn" during euchre games? If you're in the barn, that means you have 9 points and need just 1 more to get to 10 and win!

What language is euchre?

Euchre was played in North America starting in the early 19th century, but originated in Alsace, under the name “Juckerspiel.” The game was carried to the New World by German-speaking immigrants. Some of the game's other terms also come from German.

What is Hoyle in euchre?

Image 71 of The American Hoyle; or, Gentleman's hand-book of games: TECHNICAL TERMS. 61 Euchre. —The failure of that side which makes, orders up, or takes up a trump, to take three tricks; this failure scoring two points to their adversaries.

What is the average age of euchre players?

Jones estimates the average euchre player's age is 70, and the number of players has dwindled. Mary Vandermillen, 77, has played for 50 years.

What is America's favorite card game?

Bridge is the most popular card game in the Western and Southern hemispheres, while Spades comes in a close second.

How is trump chosen in euchre?

“Trump” is always set/determined before play begins. “Trump” is either the card that is picked up or another suit that is called if the “kitty” card is turned over. “Trump” is the most powerful or highest cards in that particular round/hand. “Trump” beats anything, except a higher “trump” card.