Simple Two-Person Euchre

Head-to-head Euchre: burn four cards, race to 10 points, and dealer always scores for turning a Jack.

Setup

1. Players: 2
2. Deck: 24 cards (9–A in all suits)
3. Goal: First to 10 points

Card Ranking

1. Trump: Right Bower (J♦ if ♦ trump) > Left Bower (J♥) > A > K > Q > 10 > 9
2. Non-trump: A > K > Q > J > 10 > 9

Deal

1. Deal 5 cards to each player
2. Place 4 cards face down (out of play)
3. Turn next card face up

Dealer Jack Rule: If turned card is a Jack, dealer scores 1 point immediately.

Trump Selection

Non-dealer acts first in each phase

1. Phase One: Name the turned suit as trump or pass. If named, dealer takes that card and discards one.
2. Phase Two (if both passed): Name any other suit as trump or pass.
3. Redeal: If both pass both phases, redeal and rotate dealer.

Maker = player who named trump.

Play

1. Non-dealer leads first trick
2. Must follow suit if able
3. Highest card of led suit or trump wins
4. Winner leads next trick
5. Play all 5 tricks

Scoring

Maker:

1. Wins 3–4 tricks → 1 point
2. Wins 5 tricks → 2 points

Defender:

1. Maker wins 0–2 tricks → Defender scores 2 points

Going Alone (optional, declared before first lead):

1. Maker wins all 5 tricks → 4 points
2. Otherwise → Defender scores 2 points

Win

First to 10+ points wins.