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The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz

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Gambling in the United States

CHAPTER IX. page 27

EUCHRE.

This is also a game much played in the States. I suppose it is a
Yankee invention, named by one of their learned professors, from
the Greek (eucheir), meaning `well in the hand '
or `strong'--a very appropriate designation of the game, which is
as follows:--

In this game all the cards are excluded up to the sixes,--seven
being the lowest in the Euchre pack. Five cards are dealt out,
after the usual shuffling and cutting, with a turn-up, or trump.
The dealer has the privilege of discarding one of his cards and
taking up the trump--not showing, however, the one he discards.
The Knave is the best card in the game--a peculiar Yankee
`notion.' The Knave of trumps is called the Right Bower, and the
other Knave of the _same colour_ is the Left Bower. Hence it
appears that the nautical propensity of this great people is
therein represented--`bower' being in fact a sheet anchor. If
both are held, it is evident that the _point_ of the deal is
decided--since it results from taking three tricks out of the
five; for, of course, the trump card appropriated by the dealer
will, most probably, secure a trick, and the two Knaves must
necessarily make two. The game may be five or seven points, as
agreed upon. Euchre is rapid and decisive, and, therefore,
eminently American.

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