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Euchre - History and Evolution

(Excerpted from "The Complete Win At Euchre" copyright 2002 by Joe Andrews)

Joe Andrews

Joe Andrews is the author of multiple books and articles about many classic card games, from spades to euchre, providing his readers with advanced strategies for more competitive play as well as interesting histories of the games.
In addition to his writing accomplishments, Mr. Andrews is a contractor and consultant for several organizations and Internet Classic Gaming sites, including the United States Playing Card Company (maker of Bicycle® Playing Cards). Joe is also a frequent guest on "The Jordan Rich Show" which airs on WBZ Radio 10:30 AM.

As a competitive card player, Joe has won more than 100 tournaments during the course of his 30-year tournament life.

Visit

Grand Prix Tournaments

for information on live tournaments, including the World Series of Euchre.

Euchre is a classic card game, being very popular in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its true history is quite disputed (an understatement).

Many card historians have determined that it was a direct descendant of the Spanish game Triumph. There is also a kindred relationship with another card game of German origin called Juckerspiel. An early version of Euchre was played extensively in France during the mid 1700's and was given the name - Ruff. It was then concluded (by a majority opinion) that Euchre was derived from the game "Jucker", and was played in the Alsace region in western Europe. The emphasis on the Jack (Bower) and a five trick trump game has a distinct European flavor!

Here are a few more comments on the origins of the game:

It was documented that the French renamed the game Triomphe in the late 1700's. An early 20th century card historian claimed that Euchre evolved from Ecarte, and was popularized by the Pennsylvania Dutch. I have also heard that English sailors passed the game on to their American counterparts in the early 1800's. Additional research revealed that Euchre was introduced in New Orleans, when it was still a French colony! You may draw your own conclusions. One fact is for sure - Euchre has German and French roots, and was brought to the United States by settlers and immigrants shortly after the American Revolution.

A little over one hundred years ago, Euchre was the number one card game in the United States. The game of Whist was fading and Poker was somewhat limited to the Old West and to the Riverboats. Yet only a few decades later, Euchre was eclipsed by Bridge. The United States Playing Card Company tried to sustain Euchre with specially prepared decks of cards and creation of similar games; however, the Bridge craze (1910 - 1930) could not be contained. There are many card game Rule books which were published between 1850 and 1920, with some very interesting commentary and strategies for Euchre.

The Internet and on line gaming sites have revived the game, as a Euchre tournament can found with ease. Hardwood Games and Silver Creek Entertainment are one of many sites that offer "on - line" social and competitive events. Today, Euchre still has legions of devotees around the country - especially in the Mid-Western states and Ontario, Canada. It is also quite popular in Florida, especially among card - playing retirees!

The World Series of Euchre has been part of Grand Prix Tournaments since 2002, and conducts an annual "live" tournament in the Midwest. The site is: www.grandprixtournaments.com, and the 12th annual World Series is scheduled for May 14 / 15 in Columbus, OH.

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