| The Lighter Side of Euchre: “Euchre Court”
Too many card games only show their serious side. Although Euchre can be a ferociously competitive game, it is also has its moments of fun. You have received a summons to serve on a very special jury. Euchre Court is now in session. You have taken the Official Oath, and sat down in the Jury Box. Now it's time to hear the facts.
“The Case of the Discarded Ace”
Exhibit A is a full deal that came up at a local Pub Championship. West and East, who were partners, became engaged in a rather nasty "tiff" after this hand was played. Here is the full deal:
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| Score: E/W – 5, N/S – 4
Upcard: King of Hearts
Dealer: South
Maker: South (Hearts)
Discard (by South): Jack of Clubs |
Exhibit B -- The Jack of clubs
After three passes, South picked up the King of hearts, declared a Loner, and buried the Jack of clubs. With four trump, including the Left and Right, the call was justified.
The attorney for the Plaintiff (West) proceeded with his presentation.
Exhibit C -- The Ace of diamonds
(This card was led by West.) The members of the jury were allowed to examine the Ace of diamonds. It was a "Bicycle" brand playing card, with the familiar "Rider" back design.
Testimony: West was called to the stand, and stated that he wanted to win a fast trick with the Ace, and prevent a Loner. He also commented that South was expected to score one point.
Exhibit D -- The transcript of the play:
East dropped the ten of clubs on the Ace of diamonds. South trumped the ten of hearts. The Right was then tabled, extracting the nine and the Queen. The Left was then led - just in case there was any more trump kicking around. West ditched the Spade ten, and East dumped the spade nine. Next came the King of hearts. West's discard was easy - one of his two equal clubs. East's discard was excruciating - one of his two Aces. After some long thought, a look to the heavens for Divine Guidance, and a prayer (which was not answered), East tossed a mental coin, and let go of the Ace of spades. The King of spades made his royal appearance, and South claimed a crispy four points. West shrieked, "Oh my God," and sneered, "not all butchers are in the meat cutting business" - an obvious insult to East. West then promised a lawsuit for "mental anguish."
Both sides retained attorneys, and the case was referred to Euchre Court.
Exhibits E and F -- The Ace and King of spades
The familiar logo on the Ace of spades was quite distinct. One jurist inquired about the design and introduction of the logo. A USPC (Bicycle) representative testified that the logo had been a trademark since the late 1800's.
The Plaintiff's attorney summarized his case by declaring that East could have kept the Ace of spades and stopped the Loner.
The Defendant then took over. Their side contended that East could not have known which Ace to keep. Although West had testified that his club discard on trick # 4 indicated a likely "stopper" in clubs, it was agreed that this could have been an ambiguous signal. East countered with the comment that West had a much better lead with either black suit. East's final cutting remark was to question why his partner, West, had the audacity to sit down at a Euchre table with such minimal scraps of intelligence!
Both sides have now rested, and you and your colleagues are deliberating your verdict. Was the Plaintiff, West, correct that East fumbled the ball by discarding the wrong Ace? Or was Defendant East right in stating that West made a bad decision by leading the diamond Ace?
Who do you rule in favor of, and why? | |
