| Euchre Online -- Zone style!
MSN Games has a very unique approach to Euchre. Here, you are the host, and you can set the parameters for your game. The graphics are very impressive, and the cards are easy-to-read. If this is your first time in the MSN Games Euchre area, you are in for a treat!
Cooking and Euchre
This delightful hand comes from my book, Complete Win At Euchre. It illustrates how to cook a delicious meal and analyze a Euchre hand at the same time! Here is the layout, with South as Dealer:
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| Score: N/S 9, E/W 9
Up card:  K
Dealer: South
Maker: South
*discard (to kitty)  10
Opening lead:  10
Bon Appetit!
West, with three trump, eschewed ordering up to South; his hand did not justify this action, as it held two weak black suit cards and only one void. Thus, he opted to pass. Surely, some Wests would have taken a shot at going for the "Uke"! North and East also passed, and South picked up the heart King and dumped the useless 10 of diamonds. This was certainly an ambitious call; however, the Right - King of hearts, and a side suit Ace were worth the try. This is a familiar motif for a lot of players. West, an amateur cook and connoisseur of Italian cuisine, opened with the ten of clubs, as he fired up his favorite stove. His ingredients left a lot to be desired: stale pasta, an old #10 can of tomato sauce, and some out-of-date grated cheese! The club ten was covered by North's King, as East tossed his Queen and South won the Ace. Disdaining the lead of the Right, South next pushed the nine of spades, and East was in with the Ace. The diamond Ace then hit the table, and South ditched his last spade. West was forced to trump with his nine spot and the hand rolled in. West had to lead from his Left -- Queen into the Right -- King. How dull: about as tasty as old lasagna or a frozen TV dinner! Another end-play, and the garden-variety, no less. Chalk up a game for North/South! Enter the Master Chef. He whipped out some great ingredients and showed everyone how to make a delicious Italian dinner.
A few kibitzers noticed that West could have prepared a better pasta dish, here. The first order of business was to get some nice fresh ingredients. Lots of veggies, and spices, too. And long, long preparation. Suppose that West leads the Left (?!) instead of the ten of clubs. This is a very wild play. North's hand is limited, and he discards the club nine. East heaves the diamond nine, and South wins the Right. Now, South must try the spades (he does not know where the Ace of trump is, and has no assurance that his club Ace will go through), and East is in. Of course we can see that the King of hearts is good; is this a realistic play with the game on the line? (Another vote for hindsight). East wins with his top spade, the Ace of diamonds is played, and South ruffs with the King as West drops his lone club. If South, instead, discards his last spade, West ditches his club spot, and he will eventually score his Queen of trump, for a tidy three tricks (two trump will always win a trick against one master trump). Mamma Mia! And that's a spicy meatball! There is a lot more analysis here, and plenty of second-guessing! I am sure that most West players would have led the spade King, after South picked up the King of hearts. East wins the Ace, and immediately tries the Ace of diamonds. If South ruffs with the Right, West drops a club. If South ruffs with the King, West wins the Left, and now has two trumps to South's one, the Right. And it's lights out! West can now enjoy a tasty meal.
This hand is a classic example of the intricacies of the play in Euchre, and how the results of a hand are actually affected by the lie of the cards as well as the trick-by-trick progression.
Thus, cooking and Euchre do go together!
Mountain Euchre -- Climbing the Heights!
MyLeague Plus: Mountain Euchre
The Mountain Euchre Community consists of nearly 1000 dedicated members; their devotion to the game is unwavering! A family-style camaraderie is what drives this site. Players are recognized for their tourney accomplishments. Birthdays, weddings, and special events are also announced There is a very neat Forum, chock full of information and posts. The highlight of the year is the "Gloopy" live Euchre tournament in suburban Toronto, Canada. The Mountain 2005 gathering (July 8-10) will feature the theme "Christmas in July". Check out the site and the links for all events.
See you in March! | |
