From the source rules
Who goes first in Euchre?
Bicycle Cards rules, standard 52-card pack (English)
Players draw cards; the lowest card deals first. The player to the dealer’s left decides on trump first and makes the opening lead. If that player’s partner is playing alone, the player across from the dealer leads.
Official tie-break or fallback
Players drawing equal cards draw again.
Source & edition
- Euchre — How to PlayBicycle Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) · "The Deal", "Making the Trump" and "The Play" sections · Checked 2026-10-01
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
Rule details
For the draw, cards rank K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, A.
After the first hand, the deal passes to the left.
Game night gear
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
- SpadesThe first dealer is chosen by a draw for high card. The player on the dealer’s left starts the bidding and makes the opening lead.
- Go FishDeal one card face up to each player; the lowest card deals. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
- PitchThe player on the dealer’s left bids first. The highest bidder, called the pitcher, leads the first card, and its suit becomes trump.
- Old MaidAny player deals. The player on the dealer’s left goes first by drawing a card from the dealer’s hand.
- Rack-OCut for the deal; the low card deals first. Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.