| Duplicate Euchre™: An Old Concept, A New Game
Most experienced Euchre players learn the game when they are young, and after a while, they move on to the competitive arena. The Internet has also allowed the opportunity for millions of people from around the world to enjoy several other card and board games. "Live" Euchre events are indigenous to the Central and Midwest United States, many parts of the Northeast, most of Ontario, Canada, and a few other regions as well. Live Euchre is also played extensively in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Euchre variations popular in these countries include the use of a Joker, and of 7s and 8s -- to name a few.
I have always been intrigued with the idea of Duplicate Euchre. After all, the concept of Duplicate play was created by The American Contract Bridge League in its early days, and became the standard for most of their events. Duplicate is designed to eliminate the luck of the deal, and to reward the better players. It is a comparison game; in other words, each hand is a separate entity, and is played under identical conditions at all tables in a multiple-round event. In order to accomplish this, Duplicate Bridge Boards are used. In this way, hands can be restored to their original positions - (North, South, East, and West). Players move to different tables after two hands, and then play two different hands against another partnership. The results of each hand are recorded on the score sheet, and then compared ("Match Pointed") when the last round is completed. There is no actual point limit, as there is in the standard "Tens" game. As of this writing, I have conducted 11 Duplicate Euchre events. The reviews by the players were generally favorable. However, a few players did not like the change, as they were used to the routine of the "fresh-deal" game. I am convinced that Duplicate would be a very successful variation if played on the Internet, as the procedure would be automated. Curiously, a few individuals did comment that the luck factor of the regular game allowed all players an equal chance ("On any given day, anyone can win"). Still, the better players do win rather consistently.
One of the first live Duplicate Euchre Tournaments was conducted at the London, Ontario, Canada gathering in November 2002. Nine tables (36 players) competed. Most of the players had a great time. A nice feature was the printout of all of the deals that were part of the event, and the opportunity that was provided for teams to analyze their play. The winners were very strong players who had placed (won money) in several other regular-format tournaments. Most of the novices in this Duplicate event finished in the lower scoring group. Can this variation become popular? Only time will tell.
Here is an interesting hand from my upcoming book. It came up in a fun game onboard a cruise ship, not far from Cozumel, Mexico.
The upcard was the King of Hearts. West, with four trumps, the Left, and the side King of Spades, decided to call a Loner. This was a good call, as there was always the chance that the Right could be buried in the kitty or in partner's hand.
1.  K,  A 10 9,  J,  None
North and East had balanced hands, and lots of junk. South was thrilled to hold this hand BEFORE having the King of Hearts ordered to him:
2.  A,  Q J,  A,  A
Along came the King of Hearts, and a decision had to be made -- one of the Aces was expendable. Of course, if South could have seen West's hand, the choice was easy. Save the Ace of Spades! As a matter of fact, if he did not save the Ace of Spades, West would win the point. (Lead the Left, ruff any Ace that South returned, continue with the Ace of Hearts, and force out the King of Hearts with the King of Spades.) Was it a guess?
Interestingly enough, South did keep the Ace of Spades. And he Euchred West, after the opening lead of the Left. One of my friends said that she would always keep the Ace of Spades, if faced with a similar discarding choice, because -- the Ace of Spades is so pretty, and has always represented power and glory!
Sure...
Happy Father's Day (June 20) To all of the dads out there!
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