| General Information -- A Review of Strategy
Previous columns have featured a number of illustrative hands or challenging quizzes. I now pause to review some of the basic and intermediate aspects of the game. Experts and seasoned players may disregard this information!
Ordering Up, Passing, Taking Up, and Making the Trump
Ordering Up
The Eldest Hand (player to the left of the dealer) initiates the bidding. The odds favor the dealer holding at least one trump; therefore, you must expect to meet one trump and the turned-up trump in the dealer's hand if you choose to order up from the Eldest Seat position. If you are euchred, you will lose two points. If you succeed, you will gain only one point (unless you take all five tricks). Therefore, you should not order up unless the odds are 2-1 in your favor of winning three tricks against two trump. Another significant factor is the quality of the "up card." If it is a Bower, your task becomes even more formidable.
If strong in trump, and equally strong in another suit, it is always good technique for the Eldest Hand to pass. If the dealer takes up the trump, he may lose the point and get euchred. If he passes, then you can name the trump, and are in a better position if the dealer did not accept the turned-up trump.
Passing
If you pass, and the final call goes to the dealer, and he subsequently turns down the up-card, you (Eldest Seat) will then have a decision. It is not advisable to make trump unless you have solid hand that has a good chance to win three tricks. Of course the score is a very critical factor, and you may have to consider "sacrificing" in order to protect against a loner.
Making Trump
If you are about to make the trump, and have good cards in two suits of different colors, you should consider making it next. Because the dealer has turned it down in one color, you are not likely to encounter either Bower of that color in his hand. If the dealer's partner makes the trump, he should not hesitate to cross the suit, as he may assume from the dealer's having turned it down that he has no Bower in that color.
Lying Low (in the Bushes) -- Eldest Seat Position
When you have a strong hand in Eldest Seat, and you are almost assured of one point whether you make the trump or not, you must pass. Here, you are hoping that the dealer will take up the trump. Most dealers find a Bower to be irresistible -- even if they hold virtually nothing in the side suits! If you hold both Bowers, you should pass. If the dealer takes up the trump, you have a good shot at euchring him; if he passes, then you can make it next and win the point -- unless the dealer passed with three trump (a very bad play) -- or your partner has nothing.
Assisting
If the Eldest Hand passes, then dealer's partner now has a decision. He should assist if he has something stronger than one trick. A side Ace and a face card (or Ace) trump is borderline -- but good enough. Either Bower and a side King is acceptable. Two side-suit Aces are always a good call. Finally, two decent trump are an automatic request for his partner (dealer) to pick up the turned-up card. However, if the dealer's partner is strong in the non-trump suits, he (second hand) must pass unless he is a sure bet for two tricks.
Third Hand
If two passes come to the third hand (sometimes called the "Pone"), this player must be very leery of ordering up to the dealer, as his partner has already declared weakness by passing. The third hand should order up only when he holds solid trump or side-suit controls.
The Dealer
The dealer has the final say unless ordered up. If he can reduce his hand to three trump, and two cards (preferably an Ace or K-Q of another suit), taking up the trump is a no-brainer. A hand with two voids is always a premium. Turning down the Right is very difficult; however, if the dealer has no other trump, and worthless cards in the side suits, discretion is always the better part of valor!
As always -- the score is critical, and must be factored into any bidding decision.
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