Euchre Scoring: Understanding the Basics

Updated: Mar 23, 2023

Table of contents

1. Tricks and Points
2. When the Makers Win 3 Tricks
3. When the Makers Win All 5 Tricks
4. When the Makers Win Less Tricks
5. When a Maker Goes Alone
6. Score Card

Euchre is a popular trick-taking card game played with four players and a standard deck of 24 cards. The objective of the game is to win tricks and score points, with the first team to reach a predetermined score being declared the winner. In this article, we will explain how scoring works in Euchre.

1. Tricks and Points

In Euchre, each player is dealt five cards, and the remaining four cards are placed face down on the table. Understanding the strength and value of your cards is essential to winning more tricks. Keep in mind that the Jack of the trump suit is the most valuable card. Also, the Aces and Kings of any suit are strong cards that can win tricks.

Each trick counts as one point. The team that wins the majority of the tricks (at least three) wins the hand and scores additional points. The scoring system in Euchre is unique, and it is essential to understand how it works.

Keep in mind that the scoring rules may vary depending on the Euchre variation.

2. When Makers Win 3 Tricks

If the makers (the team that called the trump suit) win three tricks, they score one point. The opposing team does not score any points. For example, if the makers call hearts as trump and win three tricks, they would score one point. However, if the opposing team wins the majority of the tricks (at least three), the makers do not score any points.

By knowing some Euchre strategies, you can increase your chances of scoring points and ultimately winning the game.

3. When Makers Win All 5 Tricks

If the makers win all five tricks, they score two points. But, if the opposing team manages to win one trick, the makers will score one point.

If you do not have a strong hand, play defensively and try to prevent the opposing team from winning tricks. Try to play a card from a different suit than the one led by the opposing team. In Euchre even a single trick can be a difference maker.

4. When Makers Win Less Than 3 Tricks

If the makers win less than three tricks, they are “euchred”, and the opposing team scores two points. If the defenders win all five tricks, they score four points. For example, if the makers call diamonds as trump and only win two tricks, they are “euchred,” and the defending team scores two points.

Our list of a 10 common mistakes may help you avoid being euchred.

5. When a Maker Goes Alone

A maker can choose to go alone, meaning they will play the hand without their partner. If they win all five tricks, they score four points, but if they are “euchred,” the opposing team scores four points. If the maker wins three or four tricks, they score one point.

To learn the scoring system much faster, you can download this Euchre cheat sheet.

6. Score card

If you’re playing Euchre and need to keep track of the points, you may find Euchre score cards useful. Our score sheet comes in a simple format, can be downloaded as a PDF file and printed at your convenience. This is particularly handy when you’re not playing online.

Just click on the image below to access the Euchre score card.

In Euchre, winning tricks and scoring points is critical to winning the game. Understanding how scoring works in Euchre is essential, and knowing when and how to call trump can significantly impact the outcome of the game. Remember, the first team to reach a predetermined score (usually 10 or 11) wins the game, so keep track of the score and play to win!