Espositori

Playing a euchre hand is very simple.  Once trump has been named and the dealer's hand is settled (if he has picked up the up card and discarded), then the player on the dealer's left leads a card.  Any of that player's five cards may be played at this time, even trump may be led if he chooses.  He leads out by placing a card face up in the middle of the table.

The next player must then play a card of the same suit as the card that was led.  If the second player does not have any of the suit that was led he may play another suit.  If he cannot follow suit he may choose to play trump, but trumping is not required.  The second player also puts his card in the middle.

The third player then plays a card of the same suit that was led.  If he does not have that suit he may trump or play a different suit.  Again, trumping if you cannot follow suit is not required.

The dealer then plays a card, following the suit that was led.  If he does not have that suit he may play any other card of his choosing.  

When there are 4 cards in the center they are ranked, and the highest ranking card played on that round wins the trick.  The winning team sweeps the cards in and stacks them neatly to the side.  The player who won the trick now leads for the next round.  He can play any card in his hand, and then play follows around to the left until all four players have placed a card in the center.  Again the cards are ranked and the highest ranking card played wins the trick.  

This continues until all 5 cards have been played.  The team naming trump must win at least 3 tricks.  If they do, they earn a point.  If the team naming trump takes all 5 tricks, they earn 2 points.  If the opposing team takes 3 or more tricks, then that team earns 2 points for euchring the team that had named trump.

When all 5 cards are played and the points are scored, the deal is shifted to the next player to the left, and another hand is dealt and played.