Euchre Terminology

At Euchre.com you can play Euchre online from anywhere you want. But while the Euchre rules are relatively easy to learn, the game has specific terms that may confuse new players. Knowing the terminology will give you a better understanding of the gameplay.

The 6 Euchre terms explained below are the most commonly used in the game. You should definitely learn their meaning before playing.

We also added some phrases that the most passionate Euchre players are familiar with. So you can impress your opponents with in-depth Euchre knowledge.

1. Bidding

After the dealing of the cards, players must name trump to continue playing. This stage of the game is called bidding. The bidding phase potentially consists of 2 rounds.

Each player has 5 cards, and the top card of the remaining 4 is flipped face-up. In the first round of bidding, players can name the suit of the card as the trump suit. The other option is to pass.

If everyone passes, there is a second round of bidding. Now players can name some of the other 3 suits as trump.

2. Bower

The Jack of the trump suit is called the right bower. It is the strongest card in the game. The Jack of the same color as the trump suit is called the left bower.

So let’s say Hearts are trumps. Therefore, Jack of Hearts will be the right bower, and Jack of Diamonds – the left bower.

When playing British Euchre, there is one more card – a joker. In this Euchre variation, the joker is the highest-ranked card, and it’s referred to as the best bower or Benny.

3. Makers

The team which chooses the trump suit for the particular round is known as Makers. It’s because that team makes trump. The Maker’s goal is to win at least 3 tricks (the half plus one more). Only then Makers will score points.

For more info about the Euchre scoring, check our cheat sheet.

4. Defenders

The team that doesn’t make trump is called the Defenders. The Defender’s goal is to win more tricks than the Makers. If the Defenders win 3 or more tricks, it will score 2 points.

In the two-handed Euchre, even if the Maker fails to win the minimum amount of tricks, the Defender won’t score points.

5. Go Alone

The player who names the trump suit can choose to go alone and play without their partner. If a Maker that goes alone manages to win all 5 tricks, their team will get 4 points. In some Euchre variations, going alone is a possible option for every player.

Going alone is a Euchre strategy to score more points.

6. Euchred

The makers are euchred when they fail to win at least 3 tricks. If that happens, the Defenders score 2 points. It is equal to giving the round to your opponents.

Only the Makers can be euchred.

7. Other phrases and terms

Here are some other Euchre phrases and terms used by players:

• At the bridge (In the barn) – When a team is only one point away from winning a game.
• Lay-down loner – A very good hand that will win all 5 tricks, so you can just lay down your cards on the table.
• Make the hand – To name the trump suit and win at least 3 tricks.
• Lone Ace – When you have only an Ace of some suit in your hand (and no other cards of that suit).
• Singleton – When you have only one card of a suit.
• Sweep (March) – To win all tricks.

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