Articles by Topic

In-depth articles on specific euchre strategies and situations. Each series dives deep into a topic with examples and hand walkthroughs.

Naming Trump

When Should I Name Trump, Part 1
General facts about bidding, trump and the score. Guidelines for each table position in the first round.
8 min read
When Should I Name Trump, Part 2
Naming trump in the second round. How seating position affects your call: next vs. reverse next.
3 min read
When Should I Name Trump, Part 3
Why you should never order the right into your partner's hand with only two small trump.
2 min read
When Should I Name Trump, Part 4
Two trump and a green ace can be a biddable hand. A first-round dealer strategy walkthrough.
3 min read
When Should I Name Trump, Part 5
While a green ace works with two trump, an ace in next may not. Why the suit matters.
5 min read
When Should I Name Trump, Part 6
Both bowers are not enough to order from the third seat. Why third-seat calls often fail.
3 min read

The Next Call

The Art of a Next Call, Part 1
What next means, when to call it, and the best first lead on a next call.
5 min read
The Art of a Next Call, Part 2
A hand walkthrough showing how a next call works with good partner play.
3 min read
The Art of a Next Call, Part 3
Calling next with no trump in your hand. Multiple examples of the no trump next call.
5 min read

The Reverse Next Call

The Reverse Next Call, Part 1
What reverse next is, when to use it, and a walkthrough showing the strategy in action.
4 min read
The Reverse Next Call, Part 2
Another reverse next example and why reading your partner's pass is the key to this call.
3 min read
The Reverse Next Call, Part 3
Even bots use reverse next. A real example from online play shows why this strategy belongs in every toolbox.
2 min read

What Card Should I Lead?

What Card Should I Lead, Part 1
Choosing the right first lead when opponents bid, when your partner bids, and when you bid.
4 min read
What Card Should I Lead, Part 2
Guidelines for second and fourth trick leads with examples of common scenarios.
4 min read
What Card Should I Lead, Part 3
The proper use of a double lead: when it helps and when it gets your team euchred.
4 min read
What Card Should I Lead, Part 4
Why leading trump from the first seat is critical when your partner calls from the third seat.
4 min read

The Fourth Trick Lead

The Fourth Trick, Part 1
Why the fourth trick is so important, and a hand where leading trump on the fourth gave away a point.
5 min read
The Fourth Trick, Part 2
How choosing the correct fourth-trick lead turns a one-point hand into a two-point hand.
4 min read
The Fourth Trick, Part 3
When leading trump on the fourth trick is the correct play, and why.
4 min read
The Fourth Trick, Part 4
When your partner has ordered and your team has lost two tricks, you must trump in on the fourth.
4 min read
The Fourth Trick, Part 5
In most hands, take the fourth trick — but when a bower is unaccounted for, let your partner have it.
4 min read
The Fourth Trick, Part 6
When the correct play on the fourth trick is not obvious — reading what the maker holds.
3 min read

When To Play Alone

When To Play Alone, Part 1
What is the minimum hand needed? Table position, score considerations, and a list of playable lone hands.
4 min read
When To Play Alone, Part 2
Do you try all possible lone calls? Four example hands showing successful lones from different positions.
3 min read
When To Play Alone, Part 3
Ace high lones: are you willing to try one? Why hands without bowers can still sweep all five tricks.
2 min read
When To Play Alone, Part 4
How to minimize your risk of being euchred on a lone call, with a safe-play walkthrough.
3 min read
When To Play Alone, Part 5
Should you go alone on 8 points? Why the old saying is wrong and taking your partner can cost you the game.
4 min read

Loner Defense

Defending Against a Loner, Part 1
Can a lone call be stopped? The three automatic stops, plus what to lead and how to signal your partner.
7 min read
Defending Against a Loner, Part 2
The problem with leading a single ace into a lone — a sample hand showing how it leaves you guessing on the last trick.
4 min read
Defending Against a Loner, Part 3
Stopping a 3rd seat lone call by leading next, with examples of correct and incorrect defense.
4 min read
Defending Against a Loner, Part 4
Saving the correct card — a hand where dropping an ace foils the maker's safety play.
3 min read
Defending Against a Loner, Part 5
Five worked exercises — what would you play to stop the call?
6 min read

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 1
Three trump, two suited with no off-suit ace. The basic strategy and a detailed hand walkthrough.
4 min read
The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 2
Three trump, two suited with an off-suit ace. How the ace changes the play and a review of both types.
4 min read
The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 3
Applying the principles with adjustments. A walkthrough showing how to adapt your play in the later tricks.
3 min read
The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 4
Three trump with two off-suit aces. Using aces to draw out trump and secure your point.
3 min read

Misplayed Euchre Hands

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 1
Foolish mistakes and incorrect plays — partners who forget they ordered the ace and other head-scratchers.
4 min read
Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 2
More questionable plays illustrating basic misunderstandings of euchre strategy.
4 min read
Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 3
A prime example of not paying attention to cards already played and how it costs the maker.
3 min read
Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 4
How small errors snowball into lost games, plus a missed lone opportunity.
5 min read
Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 5
That jack is a possible trump! Why overlooking the left bower costs games.
2 min read

Articles by Topic

When Should I Name Trump, Part 1

When Should I Name Trump, Part 2

When Should I Name Trump, Part 3

When Should I Name Trump, Part 4

When Should I Name Trump, Part 5

When Should I Name Trump, Part 6

The Art of a Next Call, Part 1

The Art of a Next Call, Part 2

The Art of a Next Call, Part 3

The Reverse Next Call, Part 1

The Reverse Next Call, Part 2

The Reverse Next Call, Part 3

What Card Should I Lead, Part 1

What Card Should I Lead, Part 2

What Card Should I Lead, Part 3

What Card Should I Lead, Part 4

The Fourth Trick, Part 1

The Fourth Trick, Part 2

The Fourth Trick, Part 3

The Fourth Trick, Part 4

The Fourth Trick, Part 5

The Fourth Trick, Part 6

When To Play Alone, Part 1

When To Play Alone, Part 2

When To Play Alone, Part 3

When To Play Alone, Part 4

When To Play Alone, Part 5

Defending Against a Loner, Part 1

Defending Against a Loner, Part 2

Defending Against a Loner, Part 3

Defending Against a Loner, Part 4

Defending Against a Loner, Part 5

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 1

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 2

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 3

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 4

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 1

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 2

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 3

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 4

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 5

Articles by Topic

When Should I Name Trump, Part 1

When Should I Name Trump, Part 2

When Should I Name Trump, Part 3

When Should I Name Trump, Part 4

When Should I Name Trump, Part 5

When Should I Name Trump, Part 6

The Art of a Next Call, Part 1

The Art of a Next Call, Part 2

The Art of a Next Call, Part 3

The Reverse Next Call, Part 1

The Reverse Next Call, Part 2

The Reverse Next Call, Part 3

What Card Should I Lead, Part 1

What Card Should I Lead, Part 2

What Card Should I Lead, Part 3

What Card Should I Lead, Part 4

The Fourth Trick, Part 1

The Fourth Trick, Part 2

The Fourth Trick, Part 3

The Fourth Trick, Part 4

The Fourth Trick, Part 5

The Fourth Trick, Part 6

When To Play Alone, Part 1

When To Play Alone, Part 2

When To Play Alone, Part 3

When To Play Alone, Part 4

When To Play Alone, Part 5

Defending Against a Loner, Part 1

Defending Against a Loner, Part 2

Defending Against a Loner, Part 3

Defending Against a Loner, Part 4

Defending Against a Loner, Part 5

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 1

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 2

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 3

The Three Trump, Two Suited Hand, Part 4

Misplayed Euchre Hands, Part 1