Back to the main Euchre page

  Euchre Tips and Strategies

Euchre Column of the Month – September 2001

By Joe Andrews

1. Euchre Variations (Continued)

Zoner Craig Wilson submitted this rather fascinating information. He writes:

I am new to the Zone.com Euchre gaming Site, but after reading your article on game variations, I wanted to let you know of one that I played growing up in the MidWest (Indiana). This must have been a real local version! We called it 6-handed Euchre, based on the standard 24-card game. There are two teams of three, using 31 cards (8-A, plus the seven of hearts, and two Jokers (Big and Little) - which rank over the Bowers. The bidding is the same as the standard game but the scoring is a little different. Match is 15 points (instead of 10). Loners are 6, sweeps or straights are 4, Euchre is still 2, and 3 or 4 trick hands are the usual 1. We also played a few of the variations you previously listed - 'No-Ace- No-Face' is one (you can throw in your hand if you hold 7-10's, regardless of the trump suit), and 'Stick The Dealer'.

I have played Euchre since I remember counting!

Very interesting, indeed! - And I would assume that your Ace-No Face Rule applies to a game with 32 cards (7-Ace), as the probability of holding a qualifying throw-in hand with a 24-card deck is somewhat remote! I always appreciate hearing from the readers of this column, especially regarding new formats or variations.

2. September Feel of Fall Quiz:

Summer vacation is over, and it's time to hit the bricks! In the spirit of Back To School, here is a short quiz to sharpen your bidding skills. And to sweeten the pot, I will give away two double-deck Euchre Sets (courtesy of US Playing Card Company), and a beautiful lucite paperweight with a card holding inside - to the first two people who solve all nine questions correctly.

Set # A - Score 0-0 - You are dealer - UPCARD - King of Hearts
You are dealt the following hands:

ASSUME THAT THE BIDDING FOR EACH HAND HAS PROCEEDED - pass, pass, pass, and it is now your turn.

Hand 1

 None
 A Q
 10
 A 10

Hand 2

 A
 J
 A
 A 9

Hand 3

 Q 9
 None
 J
 K 10

(Do you pick up the King of Hearts or turn it down? Each hand has a separate answer).

Set # B - Score 7-7 - You are dealer - UPCARD - Jack of Spades
You are dealt the following hands:

Hand 4

 None
 A Q
 A K
 A

Hand 5

 K Q
 None
 None
 Q 10 9

Hand 6

 None
 K 10
 K J
 J

(Do you pick up the Right or turn it down? Each hand has a separate answer).

Set #C - Score 9-7 (Your favor) - You are dealer UPCARD - Ten of Diamonds:

Hand 7

 Q
 Q 10
 Q 9
 None

Hand 8

 A
 A
 A
 A 10

Hand 6

 K Q
 J
 None
 K Q

Your answer sheet should contain each hand numbered 1-9, with either of these two answers pick it up, or pass.

Winners and solutions will be announced next month. Good Luck!

3. Postscript - August, 2001 Column

Buried - Treasure Variation

I received more than 50 comments/responses regarding the Buried Treasure version of Euchre. Here are a five of my favorites:

What a cool game - we loved it - a refreshing alternative.

You have come up with a solution to loners - I am sick of losing games to lucky loners!

Gimme a break, Joe - the original game is fine - Variations such as Reverse, Red/Black Suicide. Jokers, etc. are junk - the original is still the greatest.

Why not call this variation - 'Bushwacker'? - no dealer will dare to pick up anything unless he/she holds both Bowers and the Ace of trump!

Buried Treasure is fabulous! A great drinking game - we laughed and laughed - what a hoot!

And the piece de resistance:

Joe - what's next - a combination of Spades and Euchre featuring Nils and Bags? How about Euchre and Hearts featuring a negative 13 for taking the Spade Queen or plus 26 points for Shooting the Moon?

Keep those cards and letters coming!