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Download on Google Play- Use a 24-card deck (9 through Ace).
- Deal 6 cards each to 4 players in two partnerships.
- Bid 1-5 or Pepper (all 5 for 10 points); highest bidder names trump.
- Bid winner leads the first trick.
- Follow suit; the Left Bower belongs to the trump suit.
- Highest trump or highest led-suit card wins the trick.
- Meet your bid to score the number of tricks won; fail and lose the bid amount.
- Pepper bid: +10 for winning all 5, -10 for failing.
- Right Bower (Jack of trump) is highest; Left Bower (same-color Jack) is second.
Rules
Pepper is a fast-paced Midwestern trick-taking game using only 24 cards. A streamlined relative of Euchre, it features aggressive bidding and a 'pepper' bid where the bidder aims to win all five tricks for a big payoff.
Objective
Score points by fulfilling trick bids with your partner. The first team to reach 30 points wins. Going set on a bid costs you the bid amount.
Setup
- Players: 4 players in two partnerships.
- Deck: 24 cards (9 through Ace in each suit).
- Deal: 6 cards each, using the entire deck.
- Bidding: Players bid from 1 to 5 on how many tricks their team will win, or 'Pepper' (all 5 for 10 points). The highest bidder names trump.
Card Rankings
- In Trump: Right Bower (Jack of trump) > Left Bower (Jack of same color) > Ace > King > Queen > 10 > 9.
- In Non-Trump: Ace > King > Queen > Jack > 10 > 9.
- Note: The Bower system is identical to Euchre.
Gameplay
- Leading: The bid winner leads the first trick.
- Following Suit: Follow suit if possible. The Left Bower belongs to the trump suit, not its printed suit.
- Winning Tricks: Highest trump wins, or highest card of the led suit.
- Scoring: Meet your bid and score the number of tricks won. Fail and lose the bid amount. Pepper bids are all-or-nothing: win all 5 for +10, or lose for -10.
Tips and Strategies
- The Bower system means the Jack of the same-color suit as trump is the second-highest card — do not forget it.
- Pepper bids are risky but powerful. Only attempt them with both Bowers and at least one additional trump.
- With only 6 cards each, hands play out quickly — bid accurately.
Tips & Strategy
Bidding accuracy is everything in Pepper. The small hand size (6 cards) means each card decision matters enormously.
With only 6 cards, you can often deduce opponents' hands after just 2-3 tricks. Use this information to plan your final plays precisely.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The game can swing dramatically on a single hand — a successful Pepper bid gives +10, while a failed one costs -10, a 20-point swing in a game to 30.
In Pepper, how many points does a successful pepper bid earn?
History & Culture
Pepper evolved from Euchre in the American Midwest and remains popular in Iowa, Minnesota, and surrounding states.
Pepper is a beloved social card game in the Upper Midwest, often played at family dinners, church socials, and community gatherings.
Variations & House Rules
Some groups play with a 'super pepper' for 15 points, requiring a no-trump pepper. Others allow a 'lone pepper' where one player plays without partner help.
Adjust the target score higher for a longer game. Some groups add the 7s and 8s for a 32-card version with 8 cards per player.
