Euchre-Tournament

Rules and Tournament Instructions

So that all players can get checked in and begin play at 2:00, please arrive prior to 1:50. Give yourself plenty of time to check in, grab a beverage, and get settled in. Arrivals after 1:50 may be required to forfeit the first round of play with the opposing team being awarded ten (10) points.

This will be a progressive tournament (a/k/a Round Robin) consisting of six rounds. Each round will have eight hands, with each player dealing twice. You will have a new partner each round.

Please read all rules prior to play.

There is absolutely no table talk. The hand is automatically ended if talk occurs and no points will be awarded for that hand.

There will be a five-minute break at the end of each round. This break will begin when the last table completes play. When this occurs, the start time of the next round will be indicated on a white-board at the organization station. Teams not fully present by the start of play must forfeit that round and the opposing team will be awarded ten (10) points.

First Dealer and Scorekeeper:

To determine who deals first, one person will flip a card in front of each person playing. The first person to get a Jack will be the first dealer.

The person to the first dealer’s right will be the scorekeeper for the table throughout the round.

The Deal and Calling Trump:

Deal clockwise, with the person to the dealer’s left receiving the first card. The dealer may give a round of three at a time, then a round of two at a time, or may give two, then three; but the dealer must adhere to whichever distribution plan he begins with. After the first deal, the deal passes to the player on the dealer's left.

On completing the deal, the dealer places the rest of the pack in the center of the table and turns the top card face up.

Beginning with the player to the left of the dealer, each player passes or accepts the turn-up as trump. An opponent of the dealer accepts by saying "I order it up" or similar. The partner of the dealer accepts by saying, "I assist" or similar. The dealer accepts by making their discard. The dealer signifies refusal of the turn-up by placing it face down on the pile. Should the card turned up be accepted as trump by any player, the dealer picks up the card and exchanges it for another card in his hand. 

If all four players pass in the first round, each player in turn, starting with the player to the dealer's left, has the option of passing again or of naming the trump suit. The rejected suit may not be named.

If the first three players pass in the second round, the dealer must call trump (stick the dealer). 

Once the trump is fixed, either by acceptance of the turn-up or by the naming of another suit, play begins.

Playing Alone:

If the player who fixes the trump suit believes it will be to their side's advantage to play without the help of their partner's cards, the player exercises this option by declaring "alone" distinctly at the time of making the trump. This player's partner then turns their cards face down and does not participate in the play.

If you order up your partner, you are NOT required to go alone.

The Play:

The opening lead is made by the player to the dealer's left.  If possible, each player must follow suit to a lead. If unable to follow suit, the player may trump or discard any card. A trick is won by the highest card of the suit led, or, if it contains trumps, by the highest trump. The winner of a trick leads next.

Other House Rules and Variations:

• Play the cards dealt. No Farmer’s Hand/Ace-no-face/Re-deal/Misdeal/etc.
• If you order-up your partner who is the dealer, you are not required to go alone
• No three-of-a-kind trade in
• No blind loners, partner’s best, or solo defending/challenging a loner for extra points

Scoring:

Partnership making trump wins 3 or 4 tricks – 1 point

Partnership making trump wins 5 tricks – 2 points

Lone hand wins 3 or 4 tricks – 1 point

Lone hand wins 5 tricks – 4 points

Partnership or lone hand is euchred, opponents score 2 points

 

Both players of a team receive loner points and are penalized if euchred.

At the end of each hand, the scorekeeper records the scores. It’s up to every player to concur at that time and before the next hand begins. 

At the End of the Round:

(1) The scorekeeper totals the scores on the Table Scorecard

(2) Each player may record their own scores on their individual player scorecard if they wish

(3) All players initial the Table Scorecard and the scorekeeper take the sheet to the tournament organizer

 

Hang out or sit tight until we announce the next round, then proceed to your new table.