Every so often in Euchre, all 4 players pass in both rounds of bidding, and nobody calls trump. What happens next isn’t covered by a single universal rule — it’s one of the game’s most common house-rule decisions. This guide explains the “Stick the Dealer” approach. For general terminology, see our Euchre Terms & Glossary.
What “Stick the Dealer” Means
Under this rule, if the first three players pass in both rounds of bidding, the dealer can’t pass. They must name a trump suit, which can be any suit except the one that was turned down. The hand is then played normally, with the dealer’s team as the calling team: they need 3 tricks to score, and they’re euchred if they take fewer.
The name says it all: the dealer is “stuck” naming trump on a hand nobody else wanted. In some regions the same rule is called Screw the Dealer.
Settle House Rules Before the First Deal
The free cheat sheet explains Stick the Dealer, lists the house rules to agree on before you start, and includes a printable score sheet.
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Stick the Dealer vs. Throwing the Hand In
These two house rules handle the exact same situation in opposite ways:
| Rule | What Happens When Everyone Passes |
|---|---|
| Stick the Dealer (also “Screw the Dealer”) | Dealer must name a trump suit |
| Throw it in (no Stick the Dealer) | Hand is thrown in and redealt |
Neither is the “official” universal rule — Euchre doesn’t have a single governing rulebook, so this is genuinely a table-by-table decision. Both are widely used, and you should confirm which one your group is playing before you sit down, especially at a new table.
Why Some Groups Prefer to Throw the Hand In
- It keeps every trump call meaningful — nobody is ever forced into a weak trump suit just because they happened to deal.
- It slightly speeds up decision-making during bidding, since players know a bad hand can simply be passed without real consequence.
- Some players find it more strategically “pure,” since trump is only ever chosen by someone who actually wants it.
Why Groups Choose Stick the Dealer
- It guarantees every hand gets played, which some groups prefer for pacing (see our How to Deal Euchre guide for the base dealing process).
- It occasionally creates interesting, chaotic hands where the dealer has to make the best of a suit nobody wanted — some players enjoy that variance.
How to Decide as a Group
Since this is purely a house-rule choice, the best approach is simply agreeing on it out loud before the game starts, the same way you’d confirm your scoring target (10 vs. 11 points) or whether going alone pays 4 points or a different amount at your table.
🏆 Strategy Guide
How to Win at Euchre
Stuck with trump? This guide shows you how to play dealer, and what to do when you have to call.
- Dealer strategy, and what to do when you’re stuck with trump
- How your seat changes every call, and why “next” works in round 2
- Playing the score at 6, 8 and 9 points
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stick the Dealer an official Euchre rule?
No — Euchre has no single official rulebook, so this is one of the most commonly varied house rules. Confirm with your table before playing.
Is Screw the Dealer the same as Stick the Dealer?
Yes. It’s a regional name for the same rule: if everyone else passes twice, the dealer must name trump. The alternative is throwing the hand in and redealing.
Does Stick the Dealer favor any particular player?
Not directly — since it applies to whoever happens to be dealing that hand, it doesn’t structurally favor one player over another across a full game.
Curious about other variants? Check out our 3-Handed Euchre Rules or Buck Euchre Rules guides.