Simplified bid euchre
A 'Bid Euchre' deck comprises 32 cards. Two each of jacks, queens, kings, and aces; in all 4 suits. A game consists of four players (2 teams of 2 players) with partners sitting across from each other. Right bowers, left bowers and going alone are the major similarities with the traditional game of euchre.
The game
Players will first agree that a game will consist of either 1, 2, or 3 rounds etc. A round consists of each player being the dealer one time. Therefore, four hands makes one round. The first dealer is chosen by high card draw. The dealer delivers 8 cards to each player comprising the hand.
The bidding
The first bid is made by the player to the left of the dealer. The bidder states the number of tricks they will take in that hand; and names a particular suit or no Trump. The bid consists of 1 to 8 tricks. There is no hierarchy in the suits.
Moving clockwise the second bidder may pass or bid the number of tricks they will take in a particular suit or no trump. However, their bid must be at least one trick more (over bid) than the previous bidder.
The third and fourth bidder (dealer) continue using the same terms as set out for the second bidder.
Once all four players have bid their hand, the player with the highest number of tricks bid wins the contract and will play the first card of the hand. Throughout the game, the highest trump or the highest suit card played wins the hand.
The highest trumps are the jacks of the bid suit, thus called the right Bowers. The second highest trumps are the jacks of the same colour of the bid suit. In no Trump rounds, aces are the highest card. Remember: there are two of each card in all 4 suits.
The highest bid
The highest bid is for the declarer to take all eight tricks with no help from their partner. The partner does not play. If successful this is called over the Moon.
The second highest bid is taking all eight tricks but exchanging one card with your partner (the card is selected by the non-playing partner and passed across the table face down to keep it hidden from the opposition). The partner does not play.
The third highest bid is the declarer taking all eight tricks but exchanging two cards with his partner (the cards are selected by the non-playing partner and passed across the table face down to keep them hidden from the opposition). The partner does not play.
The only time a player does not have to overbid is when it is the dealers turn and the previous high bid is to take all eight tricks. The dealer can also bid the same number of eight tricks providing they are equal to, or greater than, the choice outlined above.
The exchange takes place after the end of bidding and before the first card is played.
The scoring
Each team scores one point for each trick their team takes.
Example. A winning bid of four, the declarer takes five tricks. The declarers team scores five points the opposition scores three points.
Should the declarer score 3 tricks or less in the above example (does not make their bid) the declarer's team would lose the number of tricks they had bid, in this case a four point loss. The opposition scores one point for each trick they've taken - five points.
Scoring exception - 8 Trick Bid
A successful winning bid of eight tricks and the declarer plays alone, with no card exchange, scores 24 points. This is called over the Moon.
A successful winning bid of eight tricks and the declarer exchanged one card, scores 18 points. The partner does not play.
A successful winning bid of eight tricks and the declarer exchanged two cards, scores 12 points. The partner does not play.
Should a bid of 8 be unsuccessful, the team would lose the number of points they would have received had they won; 24, 18, or 12. The opposition will score one point for each trick they've taken.
The play
The highest bidder plays first. Players must follow suit continuing clockwise around the table. The first card played of equal value counts highest. Example. A right Bower is played first then the opponent follows with a right Bower as well. The first right Bower played wins the hand. Similarly, the first king etc. of a suit played would beat a following king of the same suit in that hand.
The team with the most points at the end of the agreed number of rounds wins.
