July 2025

Tucked away in the English Channel, the island of Guernsey may be better known for its World War II occupation, low taxes, or scenic coastline—but there’s something else deeply woven into its local culture: Euchre.

Euchre has been played on the island for generations. In fact, the Guernsey Euchre League’s oldest trophies list winners going back to the 1960s, but oral history suggests the game goes back much further. It’s a league deeply rooted in community tradition, played mostly by locals in pubs and social clubs across the island. And while the island has changed over the decades, Euchre continues to thrive.

“We go out to have a good time, some banter, like to win as everyone does,” says Peter Lowe, a retired aviation refueler and one of the players keeping the tradition alive. His team, the Donkey Legends (named for the famously “stubborn” Guernsey people), moved up to the VB Division this year after finishing as runners-up in the third division—called the Jack Parker division.

The Guernsey Euchre League is composed of three divisions: Senior (1st), VB (2nd), and Jack Parker (3rd). Each division hosts 13 teams of 8 players, with promotion and relegation between divisions—a system familiar to many in the UK thanks to its long-standing use in English football (soccer), though it may be less well known to American players. Teams rotate players throughout the season to cover for holidays and other absences. Matches are held Thursday nights from September to April, with breaks around Christmas. Each week, four tables of four play five games to 15 points, and match points are awarded based on table wins—making for competitive but community-focused evenings.

A local twist on the standard North American rules includes a 33-card deck that uses 7 through Ace plus one Joker. Calling trump when the Joker is turned requires a blind decision before looking at one’s hand. These slightly modified rules create a pace and culture unique to the island.

Though primarily enjoyed by older generations, Euchre has recently been introduced into local schools, giving 15-year-olds a chance to learn the game. “It’s early stages but showing some success,” Peter says. That, along with league efforts to host open Euchre Drives and keep entry fees low—just £40 per team—has helped maintain steady interest.

The league even received a £2,500 sponsorship from a local brewery to print custom Euchre decks for the season—now made as 33-card packs to avoid waste. In pubs and traditional social clubs, Euchre is easy to find. Walk into most places and you’ll see scoreboards, a deck of cards, and perhaps even sandwiches donated by a generous teammate (as one Donkey Legends member does for each home match).

And the stories? Guernsey has plenty. There was the time a team of dockworkers paused a match to load a tomato boat for double pay—then returned to finish playing. Or when a full-on fight broke out between opponents, while one longtime team, the Beach Boys, played their final hand in 2021 after 50 consecutive years in the league.

There may be no Euchre League on the neighboring island of Jersey, and little organized play on the European continent, but Guernsey’s devotion to the game is as strong as ever.

As Peter notes, “Guernsey thrives on sport and competition.” With nearly 40 teams competing in the League each season and new players discovering the game each year, Euchre remains not just a pastime—but a pillar of community life on the island.

Attention Euchre Fans!

Please join Bicycle Cards on our FREE Card Games by Bicycle smartphone app, which allows you to play Euchre (and other card games, too) any way you want. For Euchre, we are introducing Happy Hours every Thursday from 6–8 p.m. CST.

The fun will begin this Thursday, July 3rd!

📲 Download and register the free Card Games by Bicycle app and register now:

→ Android app 🤖
→ Apple app 🍎

Also, all Euchre fans will receive an exclusive World Euchre Federation avatar by downloading the app and registering via the links above.

Grab your favorite beverage 🍺, wear your comfy clothes 🛋️, and kick back to enjoy a friendly game of Euchre with the friends you made during the World Euchre Championship tournament. And although we encourage participants to reconnect socially during our virtual happy hours, we welcome you to enjoy the app anytime, too!

🃏 See you at the card table!

P.S. Once you register, be sure to drop your registration name onto our Facebook page so you can hook-up with players and staff from this year’s World Euchre Championship. Continue those friendships you made while playing this game!

For Ella, who discovered the event while visiting the immersive Cardtopia experience, the timing felt serendipitous. “I saw the event advertised at Cardtopia Factory 52, and it was being held on Father’s Day weekend,” she said. “I thought this would be something fun to do with my dad!”

Glen, her father, longtime Euchre partner, and teacher, has been playing with Ella since she first picked up the game at age 10. Despite playing thousands of hands together over the years, this was their very first tournament.

“I think we play well together because we trust each other’s decision making,” Ella added. That trust paid off in the finals, where they trailed 4–6 before Glen made a bold move. “He called a loner and got all four points, putting us back ahead,” Ella said. “From there we knew we had a shot and came back to win it all!”

The win earned them not just bragging rights, but a guaranteed spot at the 2026 World Euchre Championship. That makes Glen and Ella the first team officially entered into next year’s tournament—a milestone for them, and a signal that the road to New Glarus has officially begun.

They may not have a team name yet, but something tells us we’ll be hearing it soon.

Tickets for the first-ever Junior World Euchre Championship go on sale Wednesday, August 7 at worldeuchrefederation.com, giving young Euchre players the chance to compete on a global stage at this one-of-a-kind event.

Set to take place January 10 at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, this exciting new event is designed for Euchre players ages 12–17 and will feature two singles divisions: one for ages 12–14 and another for 15–17.

More than just cards, the event kicks off with a pizza party the night before and includes championship belts for the winners, red carpet photos, and plenty of fun surprises along the way. Oh, and plenty of opportunities the children (and adults) to partake in the resort’s indoor water theme park.

If you know a young Euchre player ready to take on the world, be sure to secure their spot early. This is Euchre history in the making—and a tournament they won’t want to miss!

Mark your calendars and grab your tickets August 7 at worldeuchrefederation.com—spaces will be limited!

The World Euchre Federation is going live! Starting next month, we’re launching a brand-new weekly livestream on YouTube called Euchreholics Anonymous—a Sunday night hangout for Euchre lovers everywhere.

Broadcasts will air every Sunday at 8 PM Eastern, featuring lively conversations about the game of Euchre, stories from the community, strategies, behind-the-scenes insights, and plenty of unexpected fun. Think of it as your weekly dose of Euchre talk, hosted by familiar faces from the Euchre world.

Each episode includes an open live chat, where viewers can jump in with comments or questions—and occasionally, fans will be invited to join the livestream on screen to be part of the conversation.

We’ll also spotlight guests from across the Euchre world, including top players, tournament organizers, and people with unique stories and perspectives that will enrich your love of the game.

Whether you're here to learn, laugh, or just hang out with other Euchreholics, Sunday nights are about to get a whole lot more fun.

Subscribe now to the World Euchre Federation YouTube channel and be ready when Euchreholics Anonymous premieres this August!

If you want to level up your Euchre game, start watching the discards.

It’s easy to get caught up in your own hand, your own strategy, or hoping your partner has the right card to save you. But the best players? They’re watching every move at the table—especially what’s thrown away. Why? Because each discard tells a story.

Tracking what’s been played gives you crucial clues about what suits players no longer have, who’s void in what, and what trump might still be in play. It’s a skill that separates casual players from consistent winners.

Here are a few ways to sharpen that skill and start reading the table like a champion:

1. Start with Trump Awareness
Always keep a mental tally of how many trump cards have been played. There are only seven trump cards in Euchre. If you see five trump go by and you still hold two, you obviously have full control of the suit.

2. Use Blackjack Memory Tricks
Blackjack players track high and low cards using simple systems like “+1 for low cards, -1 for high cards.” Euchre players can adopt a similar approach. Try creating mental buckets: one for trump, one for right bower/left bower, and one for each suit. Every time a card is played, mentally toss it into the right bucket. It’s less about exact cards and more about tracking suit depletion.

3. Look for Voids Early
Did a player throw off-suit in the first or second round? That’s not just a random discard—it’s a map. If someone discards on the second club lead, you now know they’re out of clubs. That’s ammo for future tricks when you need to sneak in a win.

4. Use Simple Mnemonics
Use short codes in your head: T (Trump), S (Spades), H (Hearts), D (Diamonds), C (Clubs). If Player A throws off on a diamond lead with a club, mentally mark them as void in D. You don’t need to remember everything—just enough to make smarter calls.

5. Practice Between Games
Just like poker players run hand simulations, Euchre players can benefit from replays or watching games online. Pause the video and try to guess what’s in each hand based on previous plays. With time, you’ll train your brain to recognize patterns in real-time.

6. Stay in the Moment
Don’t tune out just because you’re not the dealer or it’s not your play. Every card played—by partner or opponent—is a piece of data. Staying mentally active between plays gives you the edge.

Conclusion:
If you only remember your own hand, you're playing Euchre at 25% capacity. The more you remember, the more control you have. Watch the discards. Count the trump. Note the voids. You'll stop guessing and start playing with purpose.

Want to discuss these methods more in depth? Or perhaps you have a trick of your own you would like to share? Head over to the World Euchre Federation Facebook Group and share your thoughts on this article. Join fellow Euchre fans at https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldeuchrefederation and let us know what you think!

1. Remember to Use Your Vouchers: If you received a voucher at the 2025 World Euchre Championship—whether it was for World Euchre Federation merchandise, sponsor giveaways, or other event perks—don’t wait too long to use it! All vouchers must be redeemed by December 31, 2025. Visit worldeuchrefederation.com and to cash in. Questions? Reach out to us at support@worldeuchrefederation.com and we will be happy to help.
   

2. Hometown Newspaper Article: Joe Ebling, one of the two who won the 2025 World Euchre Championship doubles tournament, had a nice write-up in his hometown newspaper and it’s worth a read. Read it HERE. Elsewhere, Joseph Cerniglia’s competition in the 2025 World Euchre Championship, who first won a tournament hosted by Bicycle Cards, was also featured in a hometown newspaper. Read it HERE.
   

3. Weekly YouTube Videos: Relive the excitement of the 2025 World Euchre Championship on our YouTube channel! We’re posting new video highlights every week—catch thrilling plays, unforgettable moments, and behind-the-scenes snippets. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing. Watch at youtube.com/@WorldEuchreFederation.
   

4. Euchre News and Stories: Got a great Euchre story or some interesting Euchre news? We want to hear from you! Whether it’s about a local tournament, a family tradition, or a wild hand you’ll never forget, send it our way. Your story could be featured in an upcoming WEF newsletter. Reach out at support@worldeuchrefederation.com.
   

5. Newsletter Advertising: Want to get your brand in front of die-hard Euchre fans? The WEF newsletter offers limited ad space each month to reach both members and non-members. Rates start at just $50 for a quarter-size ad, $100 for a half-page, and $200 for a full-page placement. Space fills up quickly, so don’t wait. Email support@worldeuchrefederation.com for details and availability.
   

6. World Euchre Federation Facebook Group: Join the World Euchre Federation Facebook Group and connect with Euchre players from around the world. It’s the perfect place to swap stories, ask questions, and be part of the growing Euchre community. Join now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldeuchrefederation
   

7. Not a Member Yet? Why Not? Join the World Euchre Federation and be part of something bigger than your next hand. Members get exclusive access to exclusive content, early updates on events, discounts on merch and tournaments, and more. Don’t just play Euchre—belong to the global Euchre community. Sign up today and show your support for the game you love: CLICK HERE

Snacks and Euchre go hand in hand—or do they? This month’s Poll of the Month asks a simple but surprisingly divisive question:
What’s your go-to snack during Euchre night?

Some players prefer a crunchy bowl of chips and dip. Others lean into the Wisconsin classic—cheese and sausage. A few say sweets are their secret weapon. Then there are the purists who insist snacks should stay off the table altogether.

Whatever your style, we want to know what keeps you fueled while you play.
👉 Click here to vote in the poll

We’ll share the results in next month’s newsletter—and maybe feature a few photos of your best Euchre-night spreads! So vote now and tell your Euchre group to do the same. Want to be featured? Tag us in a photo of your Euchre-night snack setup!

Last Month’s Poll Results

Thanks to everyone who cast their vote in our first-ever WEF Poll of the Month! It turns out the classic standard full deck still reigns supreme, pulling in 41.7% of the vote. Pinochle-style double decks—both standard and jumbo face—split the field evenly with 25% each, while the standard Euchre double deck didn’t pick up a single vote. A few of you (8.3%) went off the beaten path with something entirely different.

Onward to this month’s question—let’s keep the conversation going!