| EuchreBash 2000
The Second Annual EuchreBash was held at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Indianapolis , IN, during the weekend of July 20-22. More than 130 players attended. Zone.com host, Mary Myers (Smiley_HUGZ) was the Organizer/Director, and she was ably assisted by MoPar, Cheetah, JCBear, and a cast of dedicated hosts. Two players, Mrs_Havachat and Purring Kitten came all the way from Australia!
Everyone received a commemorative T-Shirt, and lots of people were autographing lots of shirts! US Playing Card Company (Bicycle) supplied the cards and several other gifts. There were two all-night Pajama Parties/Tournaments, a raffle, a lot of card-playing, and nice awards for the winners.
A whole bevy of formats was conducted, including the standard 10-point game, reverse, red/black suicide, strip nines, duplicate, and a brand new game called Buried Treasure. The TOC was held on Sunday afternoon. The Grand Winners were: Ardent_Puppy & Deuce Puppy, with Second Place going to Hot_Keruption & Hot_and_Saucy. A tip of the hat goes to Mary Myers for a wonderful job with the planning and directing of this event. Look for announcements in early 2002 regarding the Third Annual Bash!
Hand of the Month (May Column) – Postscript
For those who did not see the article, the following was presented:
The dealer in a typical game is dealt: Ace-King of clubs, King-nine of diamonds, and a low heart or spade (Queen, ten or nine). The ten of clubs is turned, and there are three passes to the dealer. The other hands are unknown, and the score is immaterial. Should the ten of clubs be picked up? Assuming that it is, what is the best line of play, if the Eldest (left) hand leads the Ace of hearts?
The full analysis of the hand regarding both scenarios (picking up the ten, or turning it down) was reviewed in the last column.
I showed this hand to more than fifty players at EuchreBash (see above). Once again, the opinion was divided, although the majority (30) agreed with picking up the ten, trumping the opening heart lead, and leading the diamond nine, and praying, etc. Others commented about the unknown score, counting on your partner for a trick, and that a trump lead was best on trick two. (it is not!) The balance (26) of the opinions was against picking up the ten, even though the threat of a "loner" by the Eldest hand was a consideration. It is time to put this beast to sleep! Euchre is clearly a game of judgment and intuition, and decisions are often made on the spur of the moment. Oh yes, for the record, I would not touch that ten of clubs, unless I was at the bridge (leading 9-6, or 9-7), or getting croaked in a game!
New Variation – Buried Treasure
While attending the aforementioned Bash, I met a fellow player (Tom H.) from Jackson, OH. We were discussing the variations of Euchre, the random luck factor, and how the Loner bid dynamically affects the game. In any case, we have created a new format, which as been dubbed The Buried Treasure Variation. Try it - you will like it!
How many times have you played a game of Euchre and lost to a lucky Loner on the final hand, as a side suit nine or ten becomes the fifth trick for the opponents?
How many times have you picked up a fistful of red suit cards, only to have a black suit card appear as the turned up card, and the opponents pick it up or order it up, and roll to a Sweep?
How many times have you wondered what was in the down pile or kitty, as you led your singleton Ace, and watched it get trumped?
Well, here is a new form of the game that was tried at the recent EuchreBash, with overwhelming approval! Dealing, bidding, and scoring remains the same. The top card of the kitty is still turned up. Here are the rules:
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| 7. Basically, the player to the left of the declarer (maker) has the right to the kitty, and makes the opening lead. If the dealer turns down the up card, then each player, in rotation, has the right to name another trump, or to pass. If a new trump is named, that player becomes the maker, and the player to his/her immediate left is the primary defender. | |
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Comments:
Loners are greatly diminished, as the defense has a much stronger position. In order to call trump, one must have at least two sure trump tricks, (2 of the top 3 trump, or a good 4-card trump suit), and a side Ace. Calling with both Bowers and nothing else is speculative, at best. Buried Treasure is a fast-paced game, with lots of strategy. Now it is possible to count all suits, as at least 23 of 24 cards are accounted for. Reckless bidding is punished, and everyone stays in the game - rather then the maker with the big hand! The game limit is still ten points - unless another limit is mutually agreed upon.
Have a good month, and give Buried Treasure a whirl!
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