| The Live Tournament Experience
"Live" Card Tournaments have been around for many years. Whist parties originated in England during the 1700s, and became part of American Colonial life. Poker was a favorite in the Old West, and on Mississippi riverboats. Euchre was the # 1 card game in the United States until the creation of Bridge. Then came events for Gin Rummy, Spades, and Canasta.
The arrival of the Internet and sites for classic card games rekindled interest in card-playing on an international scale. Online tournaments, leagues, ladders, and ratings rooms were the next stage. Clubs soon formed, and it was only a matter of time before players wanted to convene for "live" competition. Cribbage and Bridge players had already established tournaments many years ago, thanks to their central organizations (The American Contract Bridge League and The American Cribbage Congress). Euchre was always popular in colleges, the military, at work, and in fraternal organizations. Now it was time to explore Regional and National events.
Live tournaments provide the opportunity for players to meet, compete, and, in general, have a good time. Unlike Spades or Hearts, Euchre is a fast-paced game, allowing for multiple rounds in a short time period. There are formats for play with a regular partner, or an individuals movement, in which you play with a different partner every round. A live event is the perfect getaway weekend! If you plan on organizing a Euchre tournament or party, please send the information (date, site, type of event, etc.) to this address: heartsmoon@aol.com -- I will announce your event in this column.
Hand of the Month
This hand was observed at the US Playing Card Company's National Collegiate Championships in Orlando, FL. It is the classic example of "Monday morning quarterbacking" or just plain old hindsight. You will enjoy the second-guessing here! | |
| Upcard: Jack of Spades
Score: N/S 9, E/W 7
Once again, we have another "At the Bridge" scenario, as N/S are threatening to win the game with a single point. West, the Eldest Hand, had three trump, and toyed with the idea of ordering up to South. However, his miserable red suit cards, and shaky trump suit, nixed that plan. Defense would have to be the order of the day here. North wanted to assist, but eschewed that option, as he felt that the Left was not enough to help. East passed in a flash, and South grabbed the Right, as he reached for game! He discarded the Heart 9, and the battle was on!
West considered a trump lead (the kibitzers thought that the Spade 9 was a good choice). Here we go with a little hindsight! If the Spade 9 is led, North takes his Left. South will now win either red suit return (ruff a Heart with the Right and cash the Diamond Ace, or win the Diamond Ace and cash the Right). Instead, West opted for the lead of the 9 of Diamonds, and it was placed on the table. North followed with his Queen, as East's King was taken by the Ace. Now it's time for the second hindsight scenario. What if West led the Jack of Hearts? East's Ace is trumped with the 10. The Ace of Clubs is pushed. North is sure to win his Left, and four tricks roll in, as the match is over! Let's get back to the original lead, and hindsight case # 3. South can now secure his bid by leading his trump 10. A grievous error is the lead of the Right! North now grabs the Left, and South's Right wraps up the deal in quick order. However, if West has the Left-Ace, this plan collapses. Thus, a more cautious approach is required.
In actuality, South led the Ace of Clubs, and after a long pause, West trumped with his 9 spot. North won the Left, and that was that! Now we have hindsight scenario # 4. Suppose West goes with his first impulse, and drops the Jack of Hearts. Would North flamboyantly trump with his Left (anyway)? The answer is a loud "YES"! North knows that his partner has the Right, and that trumping is the best play. Trumping your partner's Ace is one of the rarer plays, to be sure. Euchre is a game of intuition, as well as calculating the odds. In this case, North's play is obvious. This was a fun hand, especially with all of the scenarios!
I am sure that you eagle-eyed readers will find some additional lines of play that have not already been analyzed!
Quiz of the Month
Assuming a normal 10-point game, and standard scoring, what is the FEWEST # of hands required for either side to win a game of Euchre? And what is the GREATEST # of hands by both sides which could occur in a game of Euchre before either side won the match? | |
