More euchre game scenarios

• Some order on three trump and an ace.
• Others won't hand the other team the highest card in the deck.

Takeaway: count what the turn-up does for the dealer, not only what's in your hand.

By the numbers: about even. Ordering up was euchred about 48% of the time and never took all five. Your team averaged about −0.45 points if you ordered and −0.4 if you passed.

• Some order, since the right, the king and an off ace is a lot of hand, and the dealer only gets a 9.
• Others pass with only two trump.

Takeaway: a small turn-up helps the dealer less, but it still gives them a trump.

By the numbers: ordering up was euchred about 46% of the time. Your team averaged about −0.3 points if you ordered, and about even if you passed.

• Some order, because the J♠ is the left in clubs and the 9♣ lands on your team.
• Others pass and hope to name spades, where that same jack is the right.

Takeaway: your best suit may not be the one that's turned up.

By the numbers: about even. Your team averaged about +0.4 points either way. Ordering up was euchred about 24% of the time.

• Many would, because your partner gets the right and you hold the left and the 9.
• Others pass and look at clubs, which is their longest suit.
• In clubs playing the Canadian loner, ordering up your partner means you go alone, so check first.

Takeaway: a big turn-up is worth a lot when it lands on your side.

By the numbers: ordering up was euchred about 11% of the time and took all five about 33%. Your team averaged about +1.0 point if you ordered and +0.7 if you passed. That's with your partner, not as a Canadian loner.

• Some order, because four trump is hard to pass.
• Others won't give the dealer the right, and they know they hold no ace or bower.

Takeaway: length isn't the same as strength. All four of your trump can lose to the bowers and the ace.

By the numbers: about even. Your team averaged about 0 points either way. Ordering up was euchred about 34% of the time and never took all five.

• Some pick up the king and take two trump and the A♥.
• Others turn it down, though someone else may then name a suit before it gets back to them.

Takeaway: turning it down gives the other team the first chance to name a suit.

By the numbers: picking up was euchred about 39% of the time. Your team averaged about −0.15 points if you picked up and −0.35 if you turned it down.

• Some pick up, because the left and the 10 are two trump and they don't want to give the other team the choice.
• Others turn it down, because there's no ace in the hand.

Takeaway: two trump and nothing else is a thin hand, even with a bower.

By the numbers: picking up was euchred about 50% of the time. Your team averaged about −0.45 points if you picked up and −0.35 if you turned it down, which is close.

• Some call on the right, the queen and an off ace.
• Others pass, because two trump isn't much, and see what their partner does.

Takeaway: in this seat you've heard the least, so you're deciding with the least to go on.

By the numbers: about even. Your team averaged about 0 points either way. Calling hearts was euchred about 36% of the time.

• Some call, because the J♦ makes three hearts, led by the left.
• Others pass, since the dealer has to name a suit anyway.

Takeaway: count the left as part of its new suit when you size up a hand.

By the numbers: calling hearts was euchred about 25% of the time. Your team averaged about +0.35 points if you called, and about even if you passed.

• Some call on the ace, to take the choice away from the dealer.
• Others pass and make the dealer call a suit they've already turned down.

Takeaway: with stick the dealer on, passing in this seat puts the pressure on the other team.

By the numbers: calling spades was euchred about 60% of the time. Your team averaged about −0.75 points if you called and −0.4 if you passed.

• Most take hearts, for the two cards and the ace.
• Some take spades, because it's the same color as the turned-down club, even with just the king.
• A few take diamonds, though the queen is the only one they hold.

Takeaway: two trump beats one, even when nothing feels good.

By the numbers: hearts was euchred about 59% of the time and averaged about −0.75 points. Spades was euchred about 67%, averaging −1.0. Diamonds was euchred about 71%, averaging −1.1.

• Some go, for the right, the ace and the queen, and the first lead.
• Others look at the J♣, which isn't a bower here and has little chance of winning a trick. They keep their partner.

Takeaway: a jack only counts if it's a bower.

By the numbers: about even, at about +1.1 points either way. Alone, you took all five about 10% of the time and were euchred about 6%. With your partner, it was 25% and 3%.

• Some go, for the right, the ace, and the A♣.
• Others keep their partner, because someone else leads first and the K♠ needs help.

Takeaway: going alone earns more when it works, and costs more when it doesn't.

By the numbers: alone averaged about +1.25 points, with your partner about +1.05. Alone, you took all five about 20% of the time and were euchred about 12%. With your partner, it was 22% and 5%.

• Some lead the J♣ and take out a trump from the dealer.
• Others lead the A♦ for a sure trick, and save the right for later.
• Some lead a low card, hoping their partner can win it.
• Some lead the J♦ and keep the A♦ for a later trick.

Takeaway: the callers can't take all five while you hold the right. What's left to decide is how many tricks you take.

By the numbers: all close. The callers averaged about 0.65 points after the J♣, 0.7 after either 10, and 0.75 after the A♦ or the J♦. They were euchred 8% to 12% of the time.

• Some cash the ace while it's there.
• Some lead a diamond, their long suit, because the callers are likely short in it.
• Some lead their lone trump to draw out the callers' trump.

Takeaway: your king of trump can win later, so leading it away gives up your best chance to stop them.

By the numbers: the callers averaged about 1.0 point after a diamond, 1.1 after the A♣ and 1.2 after the K♠. They took all five about 25% of the time after a diamond, and about 31% to 33% after the other two.