Going Alone in Euchre

Updated: Apr 03, 2023

Table of contents

1. What does going alone in Euchre mean?
2. How to go alone in two-handed Euchre?
3. How to go alone in three-handed Euchre?
4. How to go alone in six-handed Euchre?

Euchre is a classic card game where each player strives to take as many tricks as they can. But you already knew this. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a competitive Euchre player. The rules of Euchre might vary depending on different regions of the world, but every single variation has an option of “going alone”.

Generally, Euchre is a team game, with the most widely spread variation being with four players separated into two teams. Going alone, which the Euchre terminology explains as, playing without a teammate, could have different consequences in each variation.

Now, let’s explore these consequences and decide whether it’s reasonable to take the risk.

1. What does going alone in Euchre mean?

By definition, in Euchre “going alone” refers to a strategy where a player chooses to play a hand without their partner. This means the player is alone against both opponents, while their partner sits out the hand. This is best attempted if you have a strong hand, and you’re almost certain you will be taking the tricks. Going alone earns the player 4 points, compared to the usual 2 if they played with a partner. Of course, this is only if you take all five tricks.

2. How to go alone in two-handed Euchre?

In two-handed Euchre, the player can go alone with every hand, since there are only two players in the game. However, “going alone” still needs to be announced, and it should be announced before looking at the “dummy hand”.

Being successful in this strategy still requires you to have a strong hand, and take at least three of the five tricks. Consider the strength of your hand, the trump suit, and the cards your opponent is likely to hold before deciding to go alone.

If you win all five tricks, you score 4 points. If you win three or four tricks, you score 1 point. However, if you don’t win at least three tricks, you score no points, and your opponent scores 2 points. This is the greatest wager of going alone.

3. How to go alone in three-handed Euchre?

In three-handed Euchre, “going alone” can be a challenging strategy because the player must win three of the five tricks to score any points. Once again, you need a strong hand, and consider the trump suit, and the cards their opponents are likely to hold.

“Going alone” in three-handed Euchre is a bit more complicated, as it matters whether you’re going alone as the maker, or if you’re going alone as the defender. Get acquainted with the specifics of the three-handed Euchre if you have any questions.

If you’re going alone as the maker, you are the one who chooses trump at the beginning and you always play alone. The other 2 players are a team called the defenders. If the maker decided goes alone, they can’t take any cards from the dummy hand. If you’re going alone as the defender, which you could do before the first card has been played, your partner will not be involved in the round.

Scoring is the same: winning all five tricks earns you four points. Winning three or four tricks earns you two points. No tricks earn no points for you and 2 points for your opponents.

4. How to go alone in six-handed Euchre?

Going alone in six-handed Euchre is by far the most challenging strategy with the highest risk and the highest return. Euchre with six players divides you and your friends into two teams of three. You need a very strong hand and you have to announce you’re going alone before the first card is played.

If you decide to “go alone”, you must take all five tricks to win the hand without the help of your partners. If successful, the player scores four points. If you fail to take all five tricks, your opponents score four points and you get none.

Going alone in Euchre is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can be effective when used appropriately. Playing this strategy in Euchre requires a strong hand, careful consideration of the game situation, and the ability to read your opponent’s and partner’s cards.