September 2025

The first-ever Junior World Euchre Championship is set for January 10 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and tickets are officially on sale today for only $40 per person at worldeuchrefederation.com. This landmark event will bring together Euchre players ages 12–17, with separate divisions for ages 12–14 and 15–17, in an unforgettable weekend of competition and fun.

At stake is more than just bragging rights. Champions in each division will walk away with a championship belt and plenty of other prizes will be awarded, and surprises are planned throughout the weekend, making it a can’t-miss event for young Euchre players and their families.

The weekend begins with an optional Friday night pizza party, meet & greet, and fun (additional cost—parents can play too!), followed by red carpet photos and tournament play on Saturday. Families can also take advantage of the resort’s famous indoor water park—a perfect way to enjoy Wisconsin’s winter in comfort. Even better, those who book their rooms at Chula Vista Resort after September 3rd will receive special discounts not available online.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait. Mark your calendar, grab your ticket, and secure a place in Euchre history.

Bicycle Cards is proud to announce the upcoming season of Collegiate Euchre Tournaments, with 12 major university stops on the schedule. This initiative brings together students from across the Midwest for a new era of play and competition—where tradition meets opportunity.

This season will be bigger than ever: more universities, more scholarships, and bigger activations. Students will compete not only for bragging rights and trophies, but also for scholarship opportunities that help support their education. From campus activations to tournament tables, Bicycle is creating unforgettable experiences that showcase the energy and excitement of Euchre on college campuses.

The tour will feature events at The Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Minnesota, Marquette University, Bowling Green State University, University of Kentucky, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, and Indiana University Bloomington.

It’s time to get in the game with Bicycle—because this is more than just Euchre. It’s the start of something bigger.

🃏 See you at the card table!

The World Euchre Federation (WEF) is proud to announce the inaugural Iowa Euchre Championship, the first officially sanctioned tournament outside of New Glarus, Wisconsin. This landmark event will be held March 14–15, 2026, at the stunning Steeple Square Community Event Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Once a historic church and now Dubuque’s most unique gathering space, Steeple Square offers the perfect setting for a world-class Euchre competition. Players will enjoy the same high-quality experience that has made the annual World Euchre Championship a must-attend event every May.

In true championship fashion, winners of the Iowa Euchre Championship will take home more than bragging rights. Prizes include what will become the coveted Iowa Euchre Championship belt, reserved tickets for the World Euchre Championship, and an array of additional awards. And the best part? You need not be a resident of Iowa to participate. The tournament is open to Euchre players from around the world, not just Iowa.

This tournament marks the beginning of a new era for Euchre. The World Euchre Federation envisions a growing calendar of sanctioned tournaments held around the globe, each celebrating the game, its traditions, and its players. With Dubuque setting the stage, the Iowa Euchre Championship promises to be the first of many more to come. All of the proceeds from the fundraising tournament will benefit Dubuque, Iowa’s nonprofit organization, Friends of St. Mary's (FSM).

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Euchre history. Mark your calendars and get ready to reserve your spot at worldeuchrefederation.com and be among the first to compete in a WEF sanctioned tournament outside of Wisconsin!

When Emma Schapp and Katie O’Connell launched the Brooklyn Euchre Club in the summer of 2023, they had a hunch that if they could find euchre players in Brooklyn, they would be their kind of people. But the trouble was, where do you find them? What started as a simple idea at McCarren Park Pool—to meet neighbors and play more Euchre—has since grown into one of the largest social gatherings of its kind in New York City.

“Before we left the park that day, we had already secured our Instagram handle @bkeuchre, and the rest is history,” said co-founder Emma Schapp.

The club began modestly, sometimes with only a single game, but momentum quickly built. By early 2024, their “Tour de Brooklyn” took the group to seven bars across the borough, drawing new players at every stop. Today, Thursday night pickup games regularly attract at least 50 to 100 players, filling McCarren Parkhouse in North Brooklyn, with laughter, competition, and community spirit.

Katie O’Connell explained that the club thrives on connection as much as cards. “I’m most curious about how we connect with each other in an increasingly tech-driven world. One way I’ve found connection is when we’re playing good old-fashioned cards at the Brooklyn Euchre Club,” she said.

Part of their success comes from a welcoming approach. Each event has greeters, teachers, and matchmakers to help newcomers feel at home. “Our house rules are really just to have fun,” said Schapp. “We aspire for this to be a place for camaraderie over competition”.

The community has grown to include mostly twenty- and thirty-something Midwestern transplants, but the club also draws lifelong New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors. Parents, grandparents, and siblings have all joined in games when visiting, creating memories across generations.

From rooftop gatherings at Grimm Ales to Halloween tournaments complete with ghost costumes and cardboard card outfits, Brooklyn Euchre Club has established itself as more than a playing group—it’s a cultural touchstone for Midwestern hospitality transplanted into Brooklyn life.

In March, Brooklyn Euchre Club members Noah Stevens and Alexander Massa captured attention when they won a World Euchre Championship qualifying tournament. Their victory earned them a spot at the 2025 World Euchre Championship, where they proudly represented Brooklyn in the doubles tournament. The success of the Brooklyn Euchre Club also caught the eye of Bicycle Cards, who featured the Brooklyn Euchre Club in a recent video spotlight.

For anyone visiting New York, the invitation is open. “We’d love to have you play with us if you ever pass through town,” said O’Connell. “And if you wanna talk shop about how to host your own club, hit us up on Instagram”.

To see upcoming events, follow the Brooklyn Euchre Club on Instagram at @bkeuchre.

Want to see the Brooklyn Euchre Club in action? Check out this video from Bicycle Cards that captures the energy, camaraderie, and love of the game that keeps this community thriving. See it here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/1093710869?h=0eb2ea9f5e&autoplay=1

In Euchre, bold strategies sometimes blur the line between genius and disaster. This strategy is for those who often say, “No guts, no glory.” Here we will write about a move that is known as “the donation.” Unlike most bids where the goal is to win tricks, the donation deliberately courts failure. The idea is simple: you ask the dealer to pick up the turn card, fully expecting to be euchred. Why would anyone do that? To prevent the possibility of a loner—where the opposition could claim four points instead of just one or two. In other words, the donation is less about winning and more about damage control.

At its core, the donation is an insurance policy. By giving up two points, you reduce the risk of losing four. It’s not a strategy to use often, but when played under the right conditions, it can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The Donation vs. Guarding the Gate

Some players confuse the donation with what’s often called “guarding the gate.” While the two share the same purpose—stopping the opposition from running a loner—they aren’t quite the same. Guarding the gate is a general defensive mindset, where a player makes a call or takes an action to shut down the chance of a four-point sweep. That might mean calling a weak suit, making a defensive lead, or ordering up with just enough strength to block danger.

The donation, on the other hand, is a very specific move within that broader idea. It’s the boldest version of guarding the gate: deliberately ordering the dealer to pick up the turn card with a hand you know won’t win, accepting a likely euchre to prevent a loner. In short, guarding the gate is the philosophy, and the donation is the sharpest weapon in that defensive arsenal.

When to Consider the Donation
There are six conditions where a donation might make sense:

1. Protecting a Lead: If you’re up by 5 or more points, a donation can protect your margin. The most favorable scores are 9-7 or 9-6, where sacrificing two points may prevent the opposition from stealing the game with a loner.
   

2. Dangerous Turn Card: If the dealer turns up a Jack, the chance of a loner rises sharply. This is when a donation can act as a shield.
   

3. A Hopeless Hand: If you hold no aces and few trump, and you’re unlikely to take a single trick, you may as well donate. A singleton Left without support is especially worthless.
   

4. First Seat Advantage: The first seat is the proper place to donate because it has the first chance in the second round of bidding. Two partners donating in the same deal is chaos—leave it to the first seat.
   

5. No Options in Round Two: If you know you won’t be able to call trump later, donating denies the other team an easy decision.
   

6. Player Tendencies: Avoid donating against conservative dealers. They may not risk a loner anyway, making your sacrifice unnecessary.

The Risks of Overuse
As thrilling as it feels to pull off a successful donation, it’s one of the most misused strategies in Euchre. Many players donate too often, bleeding points unnecessarily. Worse still, most partners won’t recognize the logic behind the move. To them, it looks like you deliberately handed the other side two points—and possibly all five tricks. Even if you stopped a loner, your partner may only remember your “bad call.”

The Bottom Line
The donation is not a strategy for regular use. It’s a situational weapon best reserved for very specific scores and very weak hands. Think of it as a fire extinguisher behind glass: break only in case of emergency. Done right, it can save a game. Done wrong, it can cost you both points and trust with your partner.

Have you ever tried the donation in a game? Share your experience with us on the World Euchre Federation Facebook Group page—we’d love to hear your story:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldeuchrefederation

Recently, Euchre trumped the competition on Jeopardy!, the legendary quiz show that’s been sparking brainpower since 1964. On Monday July 21, 2025, our favorite card game dazzled as a $1,600 clue in the Double Jeopardy! round, featured in the category "HEY 'EU'!". The clue read: "It takes 3 tricks to win a hand in this card game, once one of the most popular games in America." This nod to Euchre’s classic gameplay and storied past had Euchre fans cheering nationwide. Hosted by Ken Jennings, Jeopardy! challenges contestants with diverse trivia, making this moment a huge win for Euchre lovers.

It’s one of those moments that can either spark debate or spark frustration at the table: your partner leads with an ace, and you’ve got a trump in hand. Do you ever play it? For some players, the answer is an emphatic “never”—an ace is meant to stand on its own. Others argue there are rare situations where it makes sense, like blocking an opponent’s strong hand or controlling the lead. So, we’re asking you to share their perspective:

Is There Ever a Reason to Trump Your Partner’s Ace?

1. Yes

2. No

This month, we’re keeping it simple: yes or no. Is there ever a reason to trump your partner’s ace?

👉 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

Last month we asked what factor most influences your decision to call trump. Over half of you (55.6%) said the strength of your hand, while 22.2% chose seat position. Gut instinct and “other” tied at 11.1%. No one picked the turned-up card or partner’s style.

Looks like most players are calculators, not gamblers!

1. Bicycle Cards is bringing Euchre to Cincinnati this fall! Their Euchre on The Porch series runs Tuesdays from September 2 to October 28 at Washington Park from 6–8 PM. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, all are welcome—partners will be paired, beginners will be taught, and everyone can enjoy signature cocktails and community vibes. It’s the perfect chance to play cards, meet new people, and soak up the atmosphere. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/bicyclecards/posts/pfbid0AvHNnFEdUDjvJgLfWRqPbQ2XT3pkCp3YbhG3jUmRgmk68Xq4GWxev6BpHj3q4skDl?rdid=9TNivXbNLs9bmoHM#
   

2. Jason Boog’s essay “The Legend of Euchre” traces how the game journeyed from German immigrants to America’s frontier, finding its place in both high society and small-town gatherings. From tales of Arctic explorers playing on ice floes to Mark Twain’s fond campfire games, Euchre once held the title of “queen of all card games.” Though bridge and poker later eclipsed its popularity, Euchre endured across the Midwest “Euchre Belt” as a symbol of partnership and community. Today, it lives on in digital apps and family traditions, a reminder that the true heart of the game is not the cards but the conversations around the table. Read it here: https://medium.com/@jasonboog/the-legend-of-euchre-402d419679b5
   

3. David Parlett’s history of Euchre and related five-trick games explores the game’s roots in Europe and how variations like Juckerspiel shaped the version we know today. He traces Euchre’s rise in 19th-century America, its cultural symbolism, and its evolution alongside other trick-taking games. By placing Euchre in the broader family of five-trick games, Parlett shows how a simple, fast-paced pastime became both a social tradition and a window into the history of card play itself. Read it here: https://www.parlettgames.uk/histocs/euchre.html
   

4. In the article Why and Why Not to Play Euchre by Luke Smith reflects on growing up in Indiana and learning the game while in college in Ohio, where Euchre was more popular than even Poker. The piece lays out why people love the game—it’s fast, social, easy to learn, and full of unique traditions—as well as the reasons some find it frustrating, from its reliance on luck to endless house rules and limited popularity outside the Midwest. It’s an honest look at both sides of this beloved card game. Check out the article and see if you agree: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/162122/why-and-why-not-to-play-euchre
   

5. A new feathered friend has joined the world of Euchre! Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana recently welcomed a baby penguin named Euchre, hatched on June 16 to proud parents Adrian and Chirrida. The little chick, sibling to last year’s hatchling Louie Pickle, is already growing strong and thriving. Zookeepers don’t yet know if Euchre is a boy or girl, but the name alone makes this penguin a natural ambassador for our favorite card game! Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/new-baby-penguin-hatches-at-mesker-park-zoo/ar-AA1IIJJa

6. Next month we hope to unveil revised World Euchre Federation tournament rules. We’ve completely restructured our Euchre rules for tournaments so they are easier to understand and fix some problems we had with them last year. We’re almost done and are very excited to share them with you next month.

7. In addition to streamlining the tournament rules this year, we are addressing the way players change tables in the singles tournament. Unlike doubles, where rotation is straightforward, singles require a smarter approach to ensure fairness and variety of opponents. Our latest blog post explains how table progression works in both formats and why the new system will make singles tournaments more exciting for everyone. Don’t miss the full article to see what’s changing and why it matters: CLICK HERE

8. Do you like to talk Euchre? Then join the conversation in the World Euchre Federation Facebook Group! It’s the perfect place to share strategies, ask questions, swap stories, and connect with fellow players from around the world. Don’t miss out—join the chat today and be part of the Euchre community! JOIN THE CHAT! CLICK HERE
   

9. 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

Gear up for Winter and the New Euchre Season