| Beginner's Korner -- Bidding Basics, Part 2
Last month, we reviewed some of the elements of bidding. Now we'll cover the situation which occurs when a Jack is turned, and your partner is the dealer. Some players, especially many who reside in Canada, require that the partner of the dealer who orders the dealer must go Alone. In other words, if you tell your partner to pick up the turned card, he or she must retire from the hand as you play Alone. This variation is seldom seen in the States.
It certainly alters the strategy of the game, that's for sure. In the aforementioned forced-Loner scenario, you must have a pretty decent hand with at least three reasonably sure tricks, as you will be on your own. The only comfort is that a high trump is knocked out of the hand, and you might get by with the Left, the Ace or King of trump, and a side-suit Ace. That should yield a point. If you are expecting four points, you will need much more -- three or more solid trump, and side-suit strength such as an Ace. A two-suited hand is ideal.
Especially frustrating are those situations where you hold a side-suit Ace and two middle trump, and your partner is the dealer. He turns a Jack, and you should pass. Or you may hold the bare Left, and those two side-suit Aces. Partner is dealer. If you order your partner, and are forced to go Alone, you might get Euchred. If you pass, an opponent may call and steal a point (or more) for that hand.
Conclusion: do not use the "forced Loner" rule. When ordering to your partner who is the dealer, you have the option of not going Alone.
November 2004 -- Hand of the Month Survey Results
For convenience, here is the hand.
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| Actual Hand Result:
South was Euchred, and it did not matter which choice he made. West led a heart; East trumped and returned a diamond. West trumped and led another heart through South's Right, and East was sure to win the Left, en passant.
The Joy of Euchre!
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