What constitutes sufficient strength to take up the trump is a matter of
considerable importance to the player. The object being to make a point,
there must, of course, be a reasonable probability of securing three
tricks, but the decision should, to a certain extent, depend upon the
position of the game. If the dealer should be three or four towards game,
while the opponents are one or two, the trump might be turned down, and the
chances of winning the game still be not materially reduced; but if the
position should be reversed the dealer would be warranted in attempting the
hazard upon a light hand, as the prospects of defeat would be no greater
than by adopting the opposite alternative. It is generally accepted as
sound that three trumps, backed by an ace of another suit, are sufficient
to attempt a point. If the game stands four all, it is better to take up
the trump on a small hand than to leave it for the adversaries to make.
With the game three all, it is necessary to be very cautious in adopting
the trump with a weak hand, because a euchre puts the opponents out. {76}