Why is it called Euchre?

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 ...

Where did the term Euchre come from?

By contrast, card game historian David Parlett, who wrote in 2006 on "the origins of Euchre", believes that Euchre derives from an eighteenth-century Alsatian card game named Jucker or Juckerspiel.

What does word Euchre mean?

euchre • \YOO-ker\ • verb. 1 : to prevent from winning three tricks in the card game euchre 2 : to cheat or trick. Examples: "'You fooled us good,' Frank confessed. '

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 another name for Euchre?

How to Play Euchre

What was the original name of Euchre?

Euchre has been played in North America since the early 19th century. It originated in Alsace as "Juckerspiel" and was carried to the New World by German-speaking immigrants. Some of the game's other terms also come from German.

What is a jack called in Euchre?

In euchre, the trump Jacks are called bowers. It is believed this term comes from the German word bauer which is the word for the Jack in that language. Also in Card Games: Rummy, Spades, Hearts, Whist, All.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the kitty in euchre?

You just need to remember that you must deal all of the cards within two rounds. This will then leave four remaining cards. These cards are called the “kitty.” If you do not have four cards left, you have mis-dealt, and your team will forfeit your deal to the person on your left.

What is a Benny in euchre?

Benny variants

A common variant played in southwestern England pub leagues uses the standard Euchre deck with an extra card, usually a Joker or 2 of spades, called the "Benny" (or the "Bird" in Australia). This card is the highest trump no matter what suit is called.

What is the oldest card game?

Karniffel was a descendant of the original Karnöffel, which itself originated in Bavaria in the first quarter of the 15th century and is thus the oldest identifiable European card game in the history of playing cards with a continuous tradition of play down to the present day.

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.

What is the best card to lead in euchre?

The Jack of the trump suit is called the Right Bower and is the highest-ranking card. The Jack of the same color but the other suit is the Left Bower and the second-highest card in rank. The Ace, King, Queen, 10, and 9 of the trump suit are the next most valuable cards.

What is it called when you win all 5 tricks in Euchre?

Object of the Game

If the side that fixed the trump fails to get three tricks, it is said to be "euchred." Winning all five tricks is called a "march."

What is it called when you get all 5 tricks in Euchre?

After 5 points, the top card is flipped up and the cycle begins again. A team is “Euchred” if they fail to get 3 tricks. A team gets a “March” if they receive all 5 tricks.

Can you call no trump in Euchre?

This new Euchre variation allows for players to call "no trump" during the second pass of bidding as described under Bidding/Making Trump section above. Under a no-trump bid, the game is played without trump with the highest card from the suit led taking the trick.

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.

How long is the average Euchre game?

Games are 25 minutes in length. Games start and according to your SSC tournament schedule. If games start late, games must finish at the scheduled time (e.g. 6:15pm-6:50pm). A Euchre deck of cards consists of 4 (heart, diamond, spade & club) of the following cards: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A.

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 game is Euchre similar to?

Euchre. The Euchre game, too, has many fans as it is pretty similar to the Spades game. The game is played between four players that play as a team of two. However, unlike Spades, the game is relatively simple as it is played with either 24, 25, or 32 cards.

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 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!