TallynightHow to keep score in Euchre
In Euchre, the team that names trumps (the makers) needs at least three of the five tricks. Three or four tricks score 1, all five score 2, going alone and taking all five scores 4, and if the makers fall short the other team scores 2. The first team to 10 wins.
- Players
- 4, in two teams of partners
- Who wins
- First team to 10
- Each hand
- 5 tricks, worth 1, 2 or 4 points
- Cards
- 24, the 9s up to the aces
How a hand is scored
The makers are the team whose player ordered up or named trumps. Only one team scores each hand.
| Result | Who scores | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Makers take 3 or 4 tricks | Makers | 1 |
| Makers take all 5 (a march) | Makers | 2 |
| Makers take fewer than 3 (euchred) | Defenders | 2 |
| Going alone, 3 or 4 tricks | The lone player's team | 1 |
| Going alone, all 5 | The lone player's team | 4 |
A lone player who gets euchred still gives the defenders 2, the same as any other euchre.
Going alone
If your team makes trumps and you think you can win the hand by yourself, say you're going alone. Your partner lays their cards face down and sits the hand out.
Take all five tricks and your team scores 4. Three or four tricks still score 1, and if you're euchred the defenders score 2.
- Defending alone, a variant: some tables let a defender go alone too, and give 4 points if they euchre the makers.
- Partner of the dealer: at some tables, if the dealer's partner orders up, they must go alone.
Keeping score with cards
Euchre is traditionally scored with spare low cards. Each team takes two, such as a 6 and a 4 for a game to 10. Lay one card over the other so that the pips left showing count your score, and move it as your score goes up.
A score sheet does the same job, and it keeps a record of every hand.
When the game ends
The first team to reach 10 wins. Only one team scores each hand, so there are no ties. Some tables play to 5 or 7 for a quicker game, or to 11.
At a progressive euchre party, players change tables and partners between rounds and each keep their own tally. Parties set their own rules for moving and scoring, so check with the host.
A scoring example
Ana and Ben are Team A, Cleo and Dev are Team B. Six hands so far.
| Hand | What happened | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team A makes trumps and takes 3 tricks | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Team B makes trumps and takes all 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Team A makes trumps and takes 2: euchred | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Ana goes alone and takes all 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Team B makes trumps and takes 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | Team A makes trumps and takes all 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 5 |
Team A leads 7 to 5, thanks to Ana's lone march in hand 4. The first team to 10 wins.
Keep score for Euchre in Tallynight
Euchre isn't one of Tallynight's built-in games yet, but it takes a minute to set up. Choose Something else, then Running score, with the highest score winning. Turn on Play to a target and set it to 10, pick 1 · 2 · 5 points per tap, and add each team as a player.
Add it to your favourites and it's ready for the next game.
- A big tile for each team, with the top row turned to face the other side
- Tap + to add 1 or 2 a tap, or tap a total to type a lone march's 4
- Offers to end the game when a team reaches 10
- Undo, and a scoring log to fix any score
A Euchre score sheet to print
Playing on paper tonight? Print a free Euchre score sheet, or save it as a PDF.
Questions
How many points do you get for going alone in Euchre?
4 if you take all five tricks. If you take three or four it's 1, and if you're euchred the other team scores 2.
What happens when you get euchred?
Your team scores nothing for the hand and the other team scores 2.
Do you get 2 points for taking 4 tricks in Euchre?
No. Three or four tricks are worth 1 point to the makers. You need all five for 2.
How many points is a game of Euchre?
10. Some tables play to 5 or 7 for a quicker game, or to 11.
How do you keep score in Euchre with cards?
Each team uses two spare low cards, such as a 6 and a 4. One card partly covers the other, and the pips left showing are the team's score.