Developer
KARMAN Games
Category
Card
Game Version
Varies with device
Embedded Files
Show Off Your Tricks in This Free Euchre Card Game
Euchre is a popular trick-taking card game played using a standard deck of cards. Normally, there are four players, with two on each team. But in some variations of the game, the number of players may range from two to nine. So the number of playing cards may vary from 24, 28, or 32, depending on the number of players and chosen variation.
This card game was responsible for bringing in the Joker card in modern card decks. The American version of Euchre introduced the Joker Deck around 1860, which used the Joker card as the top trump.
Many people believe Euchre is closely related to Écarté, which is a game of French origin. It also resembles the 17th-century game known as Loo as well as the 19th-century Juckerspiel game. Some people refer to it as Knock Euchre to differentiate it from Bid Euchre.
What Is the Origin of Euchre?
There has been divided opinion on the origins of this card game. Some say Euchre was brought by early German settlers who moved to Pennsylvania around the 1820s. And from that region, the game spread to the rest of the country.
However, others disputed the German heritage theory but still traced it to Pennsylvania as the place of origin. According to the story, a daughter of a rich German farmer went to Philadelphia and played Ecarté. Now going home, she brought back a confused memory of the game, which then developed into the Euchre card game that we know now.
Other people say the card game came from Juckerspiel, which is a derivative of another game called Triomphe. Juckerspiel is a popular game in Cornwall (UK) and its neighboring county of Devon. It came to the U.S. through British immigrants who introduced the game to American and French prisoners of war.
Is Euchre Popular in the U.S.?
Given that it is widely played during the 1800s, Euchre once became the national card game in the U.S. However, its popularity declined massively but it still retains a strong following in the Midwest and nearby regions.
Euchre is also popular in Canada, particularly in Ontario. Often seen as a social game, a lot of bars and community centers hold Euchre tournaments. Euchre could be considered Canada’s informal national card game. Aside from that, Euchre is also widely played in Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain.
What Is the Deal with Euchre?
This trick-taking card game usually uses 25 playing cards. This is the standard version of the game. So this consists of the Joker and the four suits of A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9.
On the other hand, a 52-card deck may be used but cards of 2s up to 8s should be omitted. At times, players use a 32-card deck, which includes the 7 and 8 cards.
The game starts with each player receiving five cards from the dealer; these are called “kitty” cards. The dealer will place the rest of the cards face down with only the top card face up. After the bids, the dealer will ask the players if they like the top card to be the trump card. The players can choose to “pass” or “pick it up.”
Now You Can Play Free Online Euchre
Anytime and Anywhere
With KARMAN’s Euchre, you will face CPU players of different skill levels and playing styles, ranging from beginner to expert. Since you will be pairing up with another player, you can choose who to partner with or play against.
There are three different card decks that you can select from. You can also select which scoring option to use in your games as well as the background photo.
The best part is, you can play Euchre anytime and anywhere now! Since the game is now in the digital version, you can play anywhere from your PC or phone. You can still play with real people via its multiplayer feature. And even if that is not possible, players can still enjoy a great session with AI or computer-backed players.
This game is developed by KARMAN Games, a company known for developing high-quality games. Euchre features smooth gameplay and easy-to-use interface. So if you want a challenging Euchre experience with clear graphics and realistic CPU player styles, you have to check this game out!
Game Features
Wondering what makes Euchre a wonderful game to play? KARMAN Games created this to give players a realistic Euchre online card game. You can expect a great gameplay, fantastic visuals, and intelligent AI players in this virtual card game. It feels like you are really playing with and against real people! Let’s take a look at some of the best features of this game.
Challenging AI/Computer Players
Although Euchre online can be played with real people from different parts of the world, this is not always possible. Let’s face it, unreliable Internet connections and different time zones can leave you with no choice. And this is where AI or computer players can come in handy. However, computer players are only fun if they give you the right challenge. That means the sessions should not be too easy, nor too difficult either.
Euchre’s smart AI will keep you on your toes, giving enough resistance (or cooperation from your partner AI). It is just like what you can expect from real players of this kind of card game!
You need to try it to believe it.
Fast and Smooth Euchre Gameplay
Enjoy fun Euchre games that feature varying levels of difficulty. You can play as a beginner or expert in this game. You will only be paired with players who match your ratings or skill in its rated game feature.
Variety of Rule Options Available
There are several score or rule options when you play Euchre online. Just like the real card game, you can also opt for Stick The Dealer, Canadian Loner, Joker, and many more!
Climb to the Top of the Leaderboards
or Collect Achievements
Your user stats are all recorded so you can see how you fare against other players. You will also have an achievements board where all your best moves and scores are shown. You can also monitor who the best active players are. They will be rated accordingly, and you will see which players can match their skill level at any given time.
To identify yourself among a sea of online Euchre players, you can customize your name and avatar. This helps other players identify you - and it gives you a face whenever you play on a table, or if you climb up the leaderboards!
A Euchre Game Like No Other
Just like Hearts and Spades, this classic card game offers fun challenges that will surely help you pass the time. It’s a great companion to keep when you are bored or while you are taking a break at work. If you are waiting in long lines or sitting in traffic, this is a great way to keep you entertained!
So don’t miss out on the fun. If you enjoy a good trick-taking challenge, this is the app for you. It has everything you want in a trickster Euchre game. From smart AI players to smooth and challenging gameplay.
Euchre Free also gets frequent updates, bug fixes, and improvements. So you know you are getting great quality from a free game. Isn’t that cool? So what are you waiting for? Get this free online Euchre game on your tablet or phone now!
Guides
Euchre has many variations, and it can be played using a deck of 24, 28, or 32 cards. It is one of the most popular games that make use of the Joker card. This is why you can still find the Joker card in most modern card decks.
Using a standard deck of playing cards, it will be stripped to retain only a couple. In a 32-card variation, only A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, and 7 of each suit is necessary. In a 28-card game, you just need to omit the 7s. And in the 24-card version, you have to omit the 7s and 8s.
Like most card games, Euchre has been around for a long time. But if you are still new to this, below is a basic guide that could be helpful to you!
Pair Up and Pick Your Partner
Euchre Free needs at least two players or four players in total with two people teaming up. The partners sit across each other. To start, the dealer will distribute the cards clockwise. Each player gets five cards then the rest are placed face down on the table.
What Is the Object of the Game?
Your objective is to win three tricks or more. If you win all tricks, you get a “march.” On the other hand, if the trump’s side failed to get three tricks, it’s “euchred.”
Now, let us go to the rank of the cards. The highest trump card is the jack of the trump suit. This is followed by the jack of the other suit with the same color. Respectively, they are called the “right bower” and the “left bower.”
So if the diamond cards are the trumps, the highest trump card or right bower is the Jack of diamonds. The second-highest trump card or the left bower is the Jack of hearts. The rest follows this hierarchy, from highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, and 7. But if there is a Joker card in the pack, it will act as the highest trump card.
How to Place Bets
After determining the trump card, the betting commences. Bettors can check on the bid or raise it. Once the players agree on the bet, the hands start to play out. Betting may be on a per-trick basis or for every point scored.
Euchre Card Values and Scoring
So you and your AI partner won three or four tricks, what do you get? You earn a point. But if you got all five tricks, you and your partner get two points instead. On the other hand, if you get euchred, the opponents get two points.
Now if you played a lone hand and made three or four winning tricks, you get a point. Winning five tricks gives you a total of four points.
The first partnership or player to win the agreed number of points is the winner. When the agreed winning score is five, a team that has scored four points while the opponent has two will be called “at the bridge.”
Playing Free Euchre Online
If you play this card game the traditional way, you need to look for friends that can play with you. But the reality is, they may not be always available. Aside from that, the only time you can gather around with loved ones is during mini-reunions and game nights.
However, there’s still a way to enjoy Euchre - even though your friends are not available. Yes, you can play its digital version! Just download this free Euchre game on PC now to get started. With this digital version, you can either team up with real players or just play against the computer.
Download Euchre Free Now!
Knowledge Base
The More the Merrier: Know the Many Variants of Euchre
As you probably already know, Euchre can be played by up to 9 players in just one session. What many of us probably don't know is, the rules of the game can change depending on the number of participants. Below is a short overview of this.
Two Players
In a two-player dummy, each player gets a three-card dummy in addition to a normal hand. After the trump card is called, each player will pick up their dummy hand. Then they have to make the best five-card hand from what they have.
Three Players
Known as George’s Hand Euchre, the Missing Man Euchre is a three-hand variation that is popular in Western Wisconsin tournaments. This is similar to the four-hand Euchre.
Each player gets 4 five-card hands; the fourth hand is George's Hand. Winning three or four tricks earns the player a point, but winning all five gives him two points.
Another variation involves dealing with four hands; the fourth one acts as the dummy hand. After calling trump, that player will pick up the dummy hand. Then he will make the best five-card hand.
In Cut-Throat Euchre, each player gets five cards with the top one upturned. The bids will proceed until someone will call trump. This player will go against the other two alone. This variation is a “loner versus two players” game.
Four Players
This is a common variation in the competitive pub leagues in southwestern England. It uses a standard Euchre deck and an extra card (usually a Joker). According to history, the Duchy of Cornwall was the originator of this Euchre variation. It was later exported to the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Another variation involves 33 cards, utilizing Aces down to 7s with the Joker card as Benny. After turning up the Benny, the dealer will name the suit to pick up and play.
Another variation of Euchre is the Kurtz Blind Loner. If a team trails by nine points, it is given the chance to do what is known as the "Kurtz Blind Loner." On the next turn, the declaring player then plays the hand in a normal manner. And if he wins, his team gets the automatic victory.
Five Players
More players mean more playing cards. So this variation calls for the addition of the 8s and the spade and heart of 2. A winner emerges if the player gets 10 or more points while holding a one-point advantage over the others. If several players hold 10 or more points, the player with the lowest score wins.
Six Players
The rules in a five-player Euchre game applies to this variation. However, it usually ends up with having two players playing against the other four.
Other variations include having partnerships of three players, creating two teams in the game. There is also a variation that involves 32 cards, utilizing Aces down to 7s of four suits. The team that gets 10 points first wins the game.
A six-player Euchre can also be done using 34 cards. This calls for the addition of two Joker cards. The Big Joker is the highest trump, while the Little Joker is the second-highest.
Eight Players
In this variation, there are four teams with two players each. Winning a hand gets the team a point. But if a team calls trump but does not win the hand, the winner gets two points. The first team to get 10 points is the winner.
Nine Players
This variation is popular in Southern Ontario, involving three partnerships with three players in each team. Since there are more players, it calls for a 46-card deck. This uses Aces through 4s of four suits and two Joker cards and 2 of spades. The first team to get 15 points wins.
As you can see, the more players in one sitting, the more variants of Euchre can be played! Which one is your preference? You can play with as many players as you like when you go against AI or Computer-backed players on free online Euchre.
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