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 every player passes in both rounds of bidding, the hand is simply thrown out and redealt — typically by the same dealer, with a fresh shuffle. Nobody scores, nothing carries over, and play just starts over from the deal.
The name comes from the alternative it’s contrasted against: without this rule, the dealer would otherwise be “stuck” naming trump on a hand nobody wanted.
Stick the Dealer vs. Screw the Dealer
These two house rules handle the exact same situation in opposite ways:
| Rule | What Happens When Everyone Passes |
|---|---|
| Stick the Dealer | Hand is thrown out and redealt |
| Screw the Dealer | Dealer is forced to name a trump suit |
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 Groups Choose Stick the Dealer
- 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 Screw the Dealer Instead
- 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.
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.
What’s the opposite of Stick the Dealer?
Screw the Dealer, where the dealer is forced to name trump instead of the hand being redealt.
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.