Euchre vs Whist
Whist is the older game and the ancestor of Bridge. All 52 cards are dealt, the last card dealt decides trump, and there is no bidding. Your side scores a point for every trick over six, so the game is about reading the play and counting trumps.
Euchre keeps the partnerships but trims the deck to 24 cards, with five tricks to a hand. Trump is chosen by the players from the turned-up card, which adds a bidding-like decision, and the Jack of trump becomes the strongest card in the game.
Euchre and Whist at a glance
| Euchre | Whist | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | Partnership trick-taking with a 24-card deck, bowers and a turned-up trump. | Classic partnership trick-taking; the last card dealt names trump. |
| Players | 4 | 4 |
| Type | Table game | Table game |
| Family | Trick-taking | Trick-taking |
| Options | Play to: 10 or 5 or 7; Going alone: Allowed or Off | Play to: 5 or 7 or 3 |
| Turn timer (online) | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Cost | Free, no download | Free, no download |
Choose Euchre if…
- You want a short hand with a decision at the start.
- You like to go alone for a big score.
Choose Whist if…
- You want the purest form of trick-taking, with no bidding.
- You enjoy counting trumps and following the play over thirteen tricks.