August 2025

Tickets for the first-ever Junior World Euchre Championship will now go on sale Wednesday, September 3 at worldeuchrefederation.com. We’ve moved the date out a month to make sure every detail is ready for this exciting new event.

Set for January 10 at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, the championship welcomes players ages 12–17, with separate divisions for ages 12–14 and 15–17. The weekend kicks off with a pizza party Friday night and features championship belts, red carpet photos, and fun surprises throughout. Players and families can also enjoy the resort’s famous indoor water park. And if you wait to book your room until after September 3rd, you will receive huge discounts over the advertised price Chula Vista Resort shows online!

Spots will be limited, so mark your calendar for September 3rd and secure a place in Euchre history.

Congratulations are in order AGAIN to our favorite dad/daughter duo – Glen and Ella Calhoun of Ohio.  After winning the CARDTOPIA Euchre Tournament back in June, Glen and Ella progressed to Bicycle’s US National Euchre Championship at Gen Con Indy 2025 on August 2 and once again brought home the first place trophy!  On hand to celebrate the win with Glen and Ella was United States Playing Card President, Craig Townsend. Glen shared, “This is amazing!  Just to take a family game that we just do around the kitchen table every time we’re together and to come out in public and just have fun and get some really good cards and have an amazing partner. It’s awesome!”

Keep your eyes peeled as it looks like this formidable duo will be one of the teams to beat at the World Euchre Championship in New Glarus, Wisconsin in 2026! 

Speaking of Gen Con, did you know Bicycle has been hosting the “Road to Gen Con” tournament series for the last 3 years?  Players have opportunities at 25+ conventions around the nation to earn a free badge to Gen Con ($150 value) and to qualify into the first elimination round of the US National Championship. A few of the bigger shows include Geekway to the West, Dice Tower West, and the Great Plains Game Fest. Stay tuned for a full list of shows where you can find Bicycle in next month’s newsletter!

🃏 See you at the card table!

While Las Vegas is best known for high-stakes poker tables and dazzling slot machines, another card game has been quietly building a loyal following away from the neon lights of the Strip—Euchre.

Vegas Euchre was founded in 2006 by two friends, Harvey Lapp and Tommy Midzinski, both transplants searching for fellow players who shared their passion. Today, the group is run by Dawn Ralston of Southwest Las Vegas, a former paralegal turned online retailer, who has been playing the game since her Michigan childhood.

From humble beginnings, Vegas Euchre has grown to more than 400 members on MeetUp.com. While not every member plays weekly, the club’s Thursday night tournaments consistently draw 24 to 40 players, with a mix of locals, snowbirds, tourists, and transplants from across the U.S. and Canada—many hailing from the Midwest or upstate New York. The group meets at Meepleville Board Game Café, where a $20 entry fee covers expenses and funds weekly prize payouts. A progressive jackpot, which can grow to several hundred dollars, adds extra excitement.

This club is more than just cards, though. Over the years, it has developed traditions and memorable moments—like the annual holiday party with themed attire, an over-the-top gift exchange, and holiday twists on the usual tournament. Halloween brings costumed competitors ranging from nuns to “cereal killers,” and themed in-home tournaments add variety throughout the year. Rivalries also keep things lively, including the ongoing challenge to dethrone Wes King, a five-time champion in the past six years.

Vegas Euchre’s reputation extends beyond city limits. Visitors often find the group while searching for something different to do in Las Vegas, and many make a point to return every trip. The club has also forged ties with other groups, like the once-active Phoenix Euchre Club, and its members often play in tournaments while traveling.

Promotion is a mix of modern and personal touch—MeetUp, the club’s website (VegasEuchre.com), Meepleville’s event board, and even impromptu recruitment when Dawn spots a Michigan or Ohio license plate in traffic.

For Dawn, the heart of Vegas Euchre is friendship. “We are serious about keeping Euchre alive, competitive, and fun,” she says. “We care about each other beyond Thursday night. For someone new to Las Vegas, we can be a source of friends, connection, and community.”

Anyone visiting or living in Las Vegas is welcome to join. Tournaments start at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday at Meepleville Board Game Café, with sign-ups beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit MeetUp.com or VegasEuchre.com, or email harveylapp@vegaseuchre.com.

Vegas Euchre’s reputation extends beyond city limits. Visitors often find the group while searching for something different to do in Las Vegas, and many make a point to return every trip. The club has also forged ties with other groups, like the once-active Phoenix Euchre Club, and its members often play in tournaments while traveling.

Promotion is a mix of modern and personal touch—MeetUp, the club’s website (VegasEuchre.com), Meepleville’s event board, and even impromptu recruitment when Dawn spots a Michigan or Ohio license plate in traffic.

For Dawn, the heart of Vegas Euchre is friendship. “We are serious about keeping Euchre alive, competitive, and fun,” she says. “We care about each other beyond Thursday night. For someone new to Las Vegas, we can be a source of friends, connection, and community.”

Anyone visiting or living in Las Vegas is welcome to join. Tournaments start at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday at Meepleville Board Game Café, with sign-ups beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit MeetUp.com or VegasEuchre.com, or email harveylapp@vegaseuchre.com.

Get ready, Euchre fans—the countdown is on! The very first episode of Euchreholics Anonymous will air Sunday, September 14, at 8 PM Eastern on the World Euchre Federation’s YouTube channel. This exciting new weekly livestream is your front-row seat to all things Euchre, from strategy tips to hilarious stories straight from the Euchre community.

Every Sunday night after the premiere, Euchreholics Anonymous will return at the same time for a mix of friendly banter, behind-the-scenes peeks at the Euchre world, and lively discussions that capture the spirit of the game. Expect familiar faces, surprise guests, and topics that range from tournament play to quirky Euchre traditions.

One of the show’s best features? A live, interactive chat. Viewers can ask questions, share their own stories, and even get the chance to join the broadcast on-screen. Each week will also shine a spotlight on special guests—top players, tournament organizers, and those with unique perspectives on the game.

Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for strategic insights or simply someone who loves the camaraderie that comes with Euchre, this Sunday night hangout is for you.

Mark your calendar, subscribe to the World Euchre Federation YouTube channel, and don’t miss the premiere of Euchreholics Anonymous—Sunday, September 14, at 8 PM Eastern.

A new kind of history lesson unfolded at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud, Minnesota last month as attendees gathered for an event called Euchre Unfolded. Led by librarian and historian Miranda Stueckrath, the evening was equal parts educational and social, combining historical context with hands-on card playing.

The program attracted 18 participants, ranging from longtime Euchre players to curious newcomers. “Most had never played but had grandparents who did,” Miranda said. “Others were frequent players and were just excited to see the game shared with new people.”

The presentation explored European card games that may have influenced the evolution of Euchre—games like Triomphe, La Bête, Loo, Skat, Karnoffel, and Juckerspiel—as well as the Joker card’s unique origin and its ties to the game. “We also talked about how card games build and strengthen community, generational, and cultural ties,” Miranda explained.

The museum, located in a county with deep German immigrant roots, found a natural fit for this topic. “Many people are no longer playing card games and are losing that connection to their culture or family,” Miranda said. “This is a way to bring that back while creating new bonds with community members and neighbors.”

Optional demonstrations helped ease beginners into play, and by the end of the presentation, everyone had the chance to join a table. “We played for about an hour and a half,” said Miranda. “People shared personal stories, discussed rule variations, and picked up on each other's strategies.”

The enthusiasm from attendees sparked conversations about the future of card gaming at the museum. While Euchre Unfolded began as a one-time event, the interest may lead to a recurring game night, potentially including other traditional games like Solo, Skat, or Whist.

“I was happy with every single person that came,” Miranda said. “Everyone came with a willingness to listen and learn. And of course, a special shoutout to the patron I was partnered with—we won two out of the three games!”

For those interested in upcoming programs, visit the museum’s event calendar or follow them on Facebook.

By connecting the dots between cultural history, gameplay, and human connection, Euchre Unfolded proved that card games are more than just pastime—they’re powerful tools for bringing people together.

Do you know of a local museum or community center hosting Euchre events? Tell us about it, or reach out to partner with the World Euchre Federation to help keep the tradition alive!

In high-level Euchre, bidding isn’t just about gut instinct—it’s a numbers game. Top players use probability to guide their calls, weighing the odds of success against the risk of giving the advantage to the other team. By factoring in your position at the table, the turned-up card, and the mathematics of card distribution, you can transform your bidding from reactive to strategic, boosting your long-term scoring potential.

Key Factors in Probabilistic Bidding –

Position
Your seat position dictates how aggressive you should be. First seat (eldest hand) often benefits from bold calls to seize momentum, while the dealer can afford to pass marginal hands, knowing they’ll have the final say if everyone else passes.

Turned-Up Card
This card is the first puzzle piece in your probability calculation. A high trump, like the Right Bower, can dramatically improve your odds if your hand already contains supporting trumps.

Statistical Models
Euchre’s 24-card deck has millions of possible distributions, but you don’t need to calculate every possibility. Focus on the likely spread of trumps and key cards using combinatorics. This helps you estimate success odds quickly, even mid-game.

Focused Example: First Seat Bidding –

You’re in first seat. The turned-up card is the Jack of Spades (Right Bower in spades), and your hand is: Ace of Spades, King of Spades, 10 of Spades, Ace of Hearts, Ace of Diamonds.

Hand Strength Assessment – If you call spades, you control three trumps (Ace, King, 10), with your Ace guarded to guarantee at least one trick. Your two off-suit Aces also offer strong trick-taking potential.

Probabilistic Calculation –

The Left Bower (Jack of Clubs) is one of 18 unseen cards. Your partner holds 5 of those cards, giving about a 27.78% chance that they have it (5/18).

Of the remaining 3 unaccounted trumps (J♣, Q♠, 9♠), your partner has roughly a 64.95% chance of holding at least one, based on hypergeometric distribution (which is a probability model that describes the likelihood of getting a certain number of “successes” in a fixed number of draws without replacement from a finite population:

Probability of zero trumps = C(15,5) / C(18,5) ≈ 35.05%, so the complement (1+ trump) ≈ 64.95%, where C(a,b) means ‘a choose b’ — the number of ways to pick b cards from a group of a cards without considering order.

In other words, we’re comparing the number of possible 5-card hands your partner could have that contain no trumps (choosing all 5 from the 15 non-trump cards) to the number of all possible 5-card hands from the 18 unseen cards.

Decision Model –
Your projected chance of taking at least 3 tricks here is a little less than 70%. Since aggressive first-seat calls are justified when your odds exceed 60%, this is a green-light bid. Passing would risk letting the opposition call a weaker suit and seize control.

If your calculations put your odds below 50%, a pass is safer—letting the dealer’s position and stick-the-dealer rules work in your favor.

Conclusion –
Probabilistic bidding reframes Euchre as a game of calculated advantage. By analyzing your seat, the turned-up card, and statistical probabilities—as in the example above—you’ll outmaneuver opponents who rely solely on instinct. Like any skill, it sharpens with practice. The more you integrate these models into your game, the more often you’ll find yourself on the winning side of the score sheet.

Want to discuss this strategy 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!

You asked. We listened. The World Euchre Federation is now officially on Instagram!

Our brand-new account went live this past week, and we’re already loading it up with great content from the world of Euchre—reels, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments from tournaments, events, and everyday Euchre life. Whether you’re a casual player or a championship contender, there’s something for you.

This account is also for you. That’s right—we want to share your photos. If you run a Euchre league, organize tournaments, or simply know someone who deserves to be celebrated for their Euchre accomplishments, send us a photo and a short caption. Let us know who is in the picture, what tournament or league they won, and we’ll proudly feature it for the Euchre world to see.

You can email your submissions to support@worldeuchrefederation.com. And while you're at it, be sure to follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/euchrerules. We could use the follows!

Let’s celebrate the players, the champions, the characters, and the community that make Euchre the greatest card game in the world.

In Euchre, calling trump can be the difference between taking control of the game or handing the advantage to your opponents. But what really drives that decision for most players? Is it your seat position, the strength of your hand, the turned-up card, your partner’s style, or just pure instinct?

This month, we’re asking you to share their perspective:

When deciding whether to call trump in a tournament, which factor influences you most?

1. My position at the table (first seat, dealer, etc.)

2. The strength of my trump and off-suit aces

3. The turned-up card

4. My partner’s tendencies and playing style

5. Gut instinct and past experience

6. Other

Let’s settle it—are we a community of cold-blooded calculators or fearless gut-players? Cast your vote and see which camp takes the lead.

👉 Click here to vote in the poll

We’ll share the results in next month’s newsletter. So vote now and tell your Euchre group to do the same.

Last Month’s Poll Results

Our recent poll on favorite Euchre foods and drinks revealed some interesting results! Cheese and sausage topped the list with 36.8% of the vote, proving that a hearty snack still reigns supreme at the card table. “Just drink, please” came in second at 27.9%, narrowly edging out those with a sweet tooth at 26.5%. A disciplined 6.9% prefer to keep snacks off the table entirely, and 2.9% chose “other.” Oddly enough, not a single person selected chips and dip—apparently, it’s a low-carb crowd when the cards are flying!

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

1. The first sanctioned state Euchre championship is planned for 2026. We’re excited to share that we’re in talks with a group in Iowa to host the very first sanctioned state-level Euchre championship—the Iowa State Euchre Championship—tentatively set for March or April 2026. This event will serve as our testing ground for new procedures, ensuring everything runs smoothly so it can become an annual tradition for years to come. Hopefully we’re not stopping there—if you are interested in hosting a World Euchre Federation sanctioned city, state, or regional Euchre championship (yes, we’re talking to you, Canada), we want to hear from you! Email us at support@worldeuchrefederation.com.
   

2. We have officially filed for trademark protection for the names World Euchre Federation, World Euchre Championship, and for our distinctive World Euchre Federation logo. This is an important milestone in our growth, as it helps safeguard the identity and reputation of our organization while ensuring these names and our logo remain exclusively tied to the high standards and quality events you’ve come to expect from us. While the trademark process takes time, filing now means we’ve staked our claim and taken steps to prevent others from using our names or logo without permission. It’s part of our ongoing effort to build a strong, recognized, and respected global brand for Euchre players everywhere. As our reach expands and more tournaments and activities fall under the WEF banner, these protections will help us maintain consistency, protect our members’ investment in the organization, and preserve the integrity of everything we do—from our flagship World Euchre Championship to the growing network of sanctioned tournaments around the world.
   

3. Euchre goes global this weekend! The New Zealand Euchre Championship kicks off this weekend, bringing together some of the best players from across the country for a weekend of competitive play, camaraderie, and a shared love of the game in the city of Auckland. We wish all the players, organizers, and supporters in New Zealand the very best of luck, and we look forward to hearing the stories, seeing the photos, and celebrating their champions as they carry the Euchre torch proudly in their corner of the globe.
   

4. Euchre makes headlines in Canada! The Times & Transcript in Moncton, New Brunswick recently featured a fantastic article highlighting the growing popularity of Euchre and the excitement it’s generating among players and communities alike. The piece offers a great look at how the game is thriving, bringing people together, and inspiring events far beyond local tables. We encourage all our members to check it out and share it with fellow Euchre fans—it's proof that our game is gaining momentum around the world. You can read the full article here: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/times-transcript/20250712/282016153346938

5. Why can Euchre be so tricky to master? A recent article explores why euchre can feel especially daunting for new players—even though it’s simple in concept, mastering it takes time. The game’s unique items—like following suit, keeping track of a limited deck, understanding the importance of the right and left bowers—make initial learning steep. The article suggests observing a few games first to build intuition and recommends starting with the North American version, which tends to have more straightforward rules compared to other regional variants. It also highlights that while euchre can be tough at first glance, you don’t have to learn a massive number of cards, and the compact deck can actually help you learn more quickly as you play. If you’re interested in the evolving global euchre scene and want to read more, check out the full article here: https://www.woodtv.com/westmichiganguide/why-is-euchre-so-difficult-to-learn/
   

6. 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.
   

7. Are you a graphic artist? The World Euchre Federation is gearing up to refresh our online shop with new designs, and we’re looking for creative minds to help make it happen. If you’ve got the skills and want to take a shot at bringing some of our ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to see your work worn, displayed, and enjoyed by Euchre fans around the world. Email us at support@worldeuchrefederation.com.
   

8. Are you a computer programmer or software designer? Next month, the World Euchre Federation will be seeking bids for an exciting new project: designing, developing, testing, deploying, and supporting a system that automates score tabulation and multi-platform display for our tournament. The solution must integrate seamlessly with our existing Google Sheets setup. If this sounds like your area of expertise—or you know someone who might be the perfect fit—we want to hear from you. Email us at support@worldeuchrefederation.com.
   

9. 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.
   

10. 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
    

11. 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