| "Wild and Crazy" Loner Hands of 2003
Or, The Funny Side of Euchre
Last month's column featured five off-the-wall Loner hands that were observed at various Grand Prix "live" events. In all instances, the dealer (always in the South seat) picked up the turned card. And in all instances, the Loners were successful.
1. Upcard -- 9 of Hearts. Dealer held (after the discard):
 None,  J 9,  None,  Q J 10
Suffice to say, this dealer (South) was very groggy, having played several hands of Euchre during the course of the day! In any case, the Ace of Spades was led, by the West player, as East followed with the 10, and our hero won the 9 of Trump. The Right was cashed, and it fetched the King of Hearts, and the Left (from a surprised East). Noting then that Ace of Trump was still at large, and fully expecting to be Euchred, South now tabled the Queen of Clubs. West dropped his Singleton 9, and East discarded the Queen of Diamonds! It was obvious that the Clubs were good, and both opps were fresh out of Trump. It is really amazing how this is a familiar theme in Euchre. You think that you are going to be set, and then your card unexpectedly wins the trick, and you make your bid! This Loner was successful, and the laughter was raucous! Partner's hand revealed the King of Clubs, two small Diamonds, and the 10 of Trump. The Ace of Clubs, as well as the Ace and Queen of Hearts, were in the "kitty"!
2. Upcard -- Jack of Hearts. Dealer held (after the discard):
 None,  J 10,  Q,  Q 9
This hand was played in the 2003 Grand Prix Finals. It is very akin to the above deal. In this instance, the 9 of Diamonds (a Singleton in the West hand) was led. East followed with the 10, and a very surprised South won his Singleton Queen! The Right dropped the Singleton Ace from the West hand, and the Singleton King from the East hand. (Here we go again!) Next came the dubious lead of the 10 of Hearts, as West let go of the 10 of Clubs, and East dumped the Jack of Spades. The Queen of Clubs hit the table with a lot of anticipation. West now played the Jack of Clubs, as East dropped a low Spade. The 9 fulfilled the Loner. In this situation, West chose to keep the King and 10 of Spades, thus leaving his Jack of Clubs unguarded. Partner had the King of Diamonds, and the top two Clubs, and the 9 of Trump -- a borderline hand for ordering. The kitty had the remaining two Trump, and the Ace of Diamonds! Gimme a break!
3. Upcard -- 10 of Hearts. Dealer held (after the discard):
 None,  Q 10,  K 10 9,  None
From last summer's Ottawa Canada Euchre bash came this glorious deal. Another hyper-aggressive player decided to take a flyer on this hand, and declared a Loner. In live events, Loners are King! The Ace of Clubs was led, as East dropped the ninespot, and the 10 of Hearts was used to win. The Queen of Hearts was played (a dreadful error), and West discarded a small Club (he was obviously void in Trump). East contributed the 9 of Hearts, which turned out to be his only Trump. Now South, who had sampled a few beers, shrugged his shoulders and deposited the King of Diamonds on the table. It caught the Queen of Diamonds, and a low Club from the East hand. The 10 of Diamonds now walked through, as well as the 9, and another "Harvey Wallbanger." Loner was in the bag! This time, the kitty had the Left, Right, and Ace of Trump (there was a rather poor job of shuffling here -- eh?) And partner held the lone King of Trump, and the Ace of Diamonds. No further comment.
4. Upcard -- King of Hearts. Dealer held (after the discard):
 Q 9,  A K,  None,  Q
Here is a deal, which was submitted to me, from a player who participated in the August 2003 Indianapolis event. The Ace of Diamonds was led, followed by the Queen of Diamonds, and trumped with the Ace. The Queen of Clubs was tried, and it fetched the Jack and the 9. (Oh my God.) The Queen of Spades was led, and it drew the Jack and 10. (Oh my God again.) With three tricks in the bank, South figured that this was his day, and he played his Trump King. And it walked, too! And so did the 9 of Spades! And so did the opponents, too! They left the table and headed for the bar! (The kitty held the Left and Right and the Spade Ace.) Partner held the lone Queen of Trump, and the King of Spades, and the top Clubs.
5. Upcard -- 9 of Hearts. Dealer held (after the discard):
 9,  10 9,  None,  10 9
Well . . . I know what you are thinking. . . . NO WAY! And you are right -- however, this player still scored four points for a successful Loner. West opened with the King of Clubs, and East trumped with the Queen of Hearts. Now East played the Left and Right, and declared a "Uke." There was only one slight problem. East's last card was the Jack of Clubs! That was a revoke (or renege), and according to the rules of most live events, the Loner was declared as "made," and the person who called it received four points (for his side).
Oh yes, can anyone out there produce a layout that yields a Loner with the South hand? I don't think it is possible. . . . Let me know (heartsmoon@aol.com).
"Live" Tournament Update
There are several Euchre events that are part of the 2004 Grand Prix Tour. Most are located in the Midwest or Ontario, Canada. Check out the site:
http://www.grandprixtournaments.com
See you in March!
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