In euchre, 'next' refers to calling the suit of the same color as the turned-down card in round two of bidding. If spades were turned down, calling clubs is 'next' — because spades and clubs are both black suits. Calling next is often a strong play because your opponents likely passed in round one partly due to weakness in that color, and the Left Bower of the turned-down suit is now your Left Bower in the next suit. 'Reverse next' (also called crossing) means calling a suit of the opposite color instead.

Table of Contents

“Next” is one of the most frequently referenced concepts in euchre bidding — every experienced player knows the term, but beginners often encounter it without a clear explanation. This page covers exactly what next means, why it is a strategically useful concept, and when to use it.

What Is Next?

After round one of bidding, if all four players pass, the dealer turns the face-up kitty card face-down and round two begins. In round two, any player may name any suit as trump — except the one that was just turned down.

Next is the informal name for calling the suit of the same color as the turned-down card:

Turned-down suit Next suit
Spades ♠ (black) Clubs ♣ (black)
Clubs ♣ (black) Spades ♠ (black)
Hearts ♥ (red) Diamonds ♦ (red)
Diamonds ♦ (red) Hearts ♥ (red)

If spades were turned down and you call clubs in round two — you are calling next.

What Is Reverse Next (Crossing)?

The opposite call is reverse next or crossing — naming a suit of the opposite color from the turned-down card:

Turned-down suit Cross suits
Spades ♠ (black) Hearts ♥ or Diamonds ♦
Clubs ♣ (black) Hearts ♥ or Diamonds ♦
Hearts ♥ (red) Spades ♠ or Clubs ♣
Diamonds ♦ (red) Spades ♠ or Clubs ♣

Both next and crossing are valid plays — the question is which hand composition supports which call.

Why Next Is Often a Strong Call

1. The Left Bower Advantage

The most important reason next is often strong: the Jack of the turned-down suit becomes your Left Bower when you call next.

Example: Spades were turned down. You call clubs as next.

  • Jack of Clubs = Right Bower (highest trump)
  • Jack of Spades = Left Bower (second-highest trump, now a club for this hand)

If you already hold the Jack of Spades in your hand, calling clubs next immediately gives you the Left Bower. Combined with the Right Bower (Jack of Clubs), you have two of the three most powerful cards in the game before a single trick is played.

2. Opponent Weakness in That Color

All four players passed on the same-color suit in round one. While opponents may have passed for many reasons, there is a higher-than-average chance they are short on that color — especially the high cards. Calling into that color can exploit positional weakness.

3. Your Own Strength in That Color

If you hold strength in the same color as the turned-down suit — say, you have the Jack of Spades and two other clubs when clubs were turned down and spades are next — you are perfectly positioned to call next and have genuine trump strength.

When Not to Call Next

Next is not automatic. The name implies it is the “obvious” follow-up call, but calling next on a weak hand is just as dangerous as any other weak call.

Avoid calling next when:

  • You do not hold the Left Bower (Jack of turned-down suit)
  • You have fewer than 2 or 3 trump in the next suit
  • Your hand is stronger in a cross-suit — call crossing instead
  • Your seat position makes a weak call especially risky (first seat is most exposed)

Next vs. Crossing: Which to Call?

Factor Favors Next Favors Crossing
Hold Jack of turned-down suit ✓ Strong next —
Strong in opposite-color suit — ✓ Cross into strength
Opponents passed a same-color card ✓ They may be weak there —
You hold no trump in next suit — ✓ Don’t force it
Need a risky call (behind in score) Either can work Either can work

Next and Seat Position

Seat position matters for second-round calls:

  • First seat (left of dealer): Calling next is a moderate-strength move. You lead first, so trump strength is important. Do not call next from first seat without at least 2–3 trump.
  • Second seat (dealer’s partner): Calling next can bail out your partner (the dealer) from being stuck under Stick the Dealer. A 2-trump next call from second seat is sometimes justified.
  • Third seat: If second seat passed, calling next is riskier — second seat’s pass may signal weakness in that color.
  • Dealer: Under Stick the Dealer, if everyone else passed, the dealer must call. Next is often the default if the hand has any presence in the same-color suit.

Practical Example

Setup: Spades are turned down. You are in first seat for round two. Your hand: Jack of Spades, 9 of Clubs, Ace of Hearts, King of Diamonds, 9 of Diamonds.

  • Jack of Spades = Left Bower if you call clubs next
  • 9 of Clubs = low trump
  • Ace of Hearts, King of Diamonds = off-suit winners

Call next (clubs)? You have the Left Bower and one other trump. Two trump is on the low end but the Left Bower is guaranteed. With two off-suit high cards, this hand can realistically win 3 tricks. A next call here is defensible from first seat.

Cross instead? You have Ace of Hearts and King of Diamonds — red suit strength — but no supporting trump. Crossing into hearts or diamonds without a Bower is risky; you would have only off-suit winners with no guaranteed trump.

Verdict: Call clubs next. The Left Bower anchors the hand.