| Beginner's Korner: Euchre Terms and Definitions
This month's column features a new "twist.” Instead of the Hand of the Month, Quiz of the Month, or a strategy review, I will be presenting a list of terms and synopsized definitions. New players often hear a lot of jargon when playing online or at live tournaments. All card games have terminology and Euchre is no exception. You are probably quite familiar with some of the definitions listed below. Then again, some new entries appear on the list, as the game has evolved, especially with the advent of the Internet. Term | | Definition | Alone | | The declaration to play without a partner. (See Loner) | Assist | | To order the up card to partner. | Barn | | Synonymous with "Bridge"; having a score of 9 points (out of 10) | Bid | | The choice of "Pass," ordering, or picking up the trump("Call") | Bower | | (Left and Right); The highest and second highest trump | Dealer | | The player who has the last call in a given hand (4th seat) | Deck | | The player who has the last call in a given hand (4th seat) | Declarer | | A Bridge term also applicable to Euchre (same as "Maker"). | Defender(s) | | Either or both members of the team opposing the side which has ordered up trump, or named trump. | Defending Alone | | A variation in which a defender can choose to play without a partner against an opponent's Loner. | Discard | | The play of a non-trump card when void of the suit in play. | Donate | | To intentionally "sacrifice" by ordering up and preventing a potential Loner. Accepting a Euchre to prevent a Loner. | Eldest | | A term describing the hand (player) to the left of the dealer. | Euchre | | Winning at least three tricks against an opponent who has ordered the trump to your side, or named his own trump. | Help(er) | | (a)The player opposite the partner who makes trump.
(b)The players who assists his partner. | Lead | | (a)The first card of a trick.
(b)The player who has the first play of a hand.
(c)The Eldest hand (player to the left of the dealer). | Loner | | (a) A person which declares to play without a partner.
(b) A Hand which wins all 5 tricks after "going Alone.”
(c) A strong hand with the potential of winning all 5 tricks. | Make | | (a) To accept trump by picking up the upturned (top) card, or ordering the upturned card to the opponents.
(b) To win a point by taking a 3 or 4 tricks as Declarer. | Master Trump | | The highest ranking trump card, usually after multiple plays. | Name (Trump) | | To declare a different trump after dealer has turned down the top card. | Next | | (a) The other suit of the same color as the upturned card.
(b) The same color suit as the trump suit. | Revoke | | Failure to follow suit when possible ("Renege") | Ruff | | Synonymous with "Trump" or "Cut" (Verb) | Sweep | | To take all 5 tricks in a given hand ("March") | Trump | | (a) The suit that outranks the other suits (given hand).
(b) The act of playing a trump or ruffing.
(c) The act of playing a higher trump after one is led. | Void | | Holding no cards in a given suit. |
If you have any terms that you think should be added to the list, please send an e mail to me at this addy: heartsmoon@aol.com
Hand of the Month
This "specimen" appeared at the live Christmas tourney (London, Ontario).
The South player (dealer) picked up this collection.
 A
 K Q
 A
 A
The up card was the Right, as South declared "Loner," and grumbled about having to discard an Ace, as he added the Right to his hand. Although, the Loner was not a sure thing, it was still a possibility. Surely, the hand would score at least one point!
Five minutes later, this hand was up in smoke! The West player nailed it with an incredible holding, and defense. Can you conjecture as to what West held, and how the hand was defeated? The answer will appear in the next column.
Don't forget Valentine's Day, or you may find yourself "Euchred"! | |
