GLOSSARY OF EARLWOOD EUCHRE TERMS

(go) Alone.  The maker has such a strong hand he chooses play the hand without his partner (same as shooting).

All but (one).  One point away from winning the game.

Black.  Spades or clubs.

Bower.  A Jack of the same colour as trumps.  If hearts are trumps, the Jack of hearts is the right bower (highest card) and the Jack of diamonds is the left bower (second highest card).

Bridge.  When you are four points away from winning the game (same as springboard).

Call.  An opportunity to pass or make trumps.

Cut throat.  A game of euchre with only three players.  Whoever calls trumps plays alone against the other two.

Deck (of cards).  The Queens Slipper playing cards.

Euchre deck.  32 cards from the Queens Slipper pack - aces to sevens.

Fishing.  When you lead a small card hoping to catch a big one.

Hand.  The five cards dealt to a player is their hand.  Also refers to five played tricks e.g. who won the last hand?

Helping Hand.  A hand that is not quite strong enough to make trumps but it can assist a partner or hurt an opponent.

Lead.  The card played to start the trick.

Left bare.  The left bower is the only trump in the hand.

Left kicker.  The hand contains two trumps, the left bower and one other.

Loner (hand).  Hand so strong you play it alone.

Make (trumps).  You nominate the trump suit.

March.  Win all five tricks.

Mugs away.  The losers are given the first deal in a new game.

Off suit.  Any suit that is not trumps.

Order up.  The dealer is ordered to pick-up the turn-up card and that suit becomes trumps.

Pass.  Forgo the opportunity to make trumps.

Queens Slipper.  A premium brand playing card.

Red.  Hearts or diamonds.

Renege.  Fail to follow suit when able - the cardinal sin of euchre.

Shooting.  (same as alone).

Sit.  Passing, despite having a strong hand, with the expectation that if an opponent calls trumps you are a strong chance to euchre them.  If your partner calls trumps, you can assist in getting a point or possibly a march.

Springboard.  (same as bridge).

Take it up.  The dealer can take up the turn-up or be ordered by his opponents to take it up.

Three-handed (euchre).  (same as cut throat)

Trick.  The cards that are played on a single lead.

Trumps.  The suit that ranks above the others.

Turn down.  When the dealer passes in the first round, he turns down the turn-up card.

Turn you down (and go alone).  In the first round, if the dealer's partner wants to make the turn-up suit trumps, he must turn the dealer down and play the hand alone.

Turn-up (card).  After players receive their five cards, the dealer exposes the next card in the deck, the turn-up card.