Irregularities

Euchre QOD: “Squeaky wheels get everything they want”

Euchre Haiku:
Following the rules
It’s what you’re supposed to do
Not all would agree

Euchre Palaver
“Exposed card” – This is a card that has been turned face-up accidentally. Technically, it is supposed to remain that way and played at the first legal opportunity.

Savvy Strategies
Most of the time a euchre game will go off without a hitch. Dealers deal the right amount of cards, players follow suit, and nobody breaks any of the rules. However, there are occasions when mistakes are made. Here is a listing of the common snafus and suggestions on how to handle them.

1. Misdeal. When a player receives more or less cards than required. In euchre, everyone is supposed to receive 5 cards and the four remaining cards are placed face down on the table. If a misdeal is discovered prior to the first trick being played, a re-deal by the current dealer is proper. If discovered after however, a re-deal is required but the deal is then passed to the next team.
Tip: When you finish dealing, always count to ensure there are 4 cards left-over.

2. Revoke or Renege. This is when a player doesn’t follow suit when required to. This is usually done accidentally. If a renege is discovered (and can be proven) the offending team automatically loses and their opponents receive the maximum score possible on that play. 2 points if everyone is playing, 4 points if it is a loner. If it’s not discovered, no action is taken. It’s reminiscent of the old philosopher’s question…if a tree falls in the forest but nobody hears it, does it make a sound? If a player reneges and nobody notices, did it really happen?
Tip: Keep tricks you win separated so you can go back and review them if needed

3. Exposed cards. These are cards that accidentally get turned face-up. The remedy is to leave the card face-up on the table and to play it at the first legal opportunity. This is a bit of a harsh rule and rarely do you find anyone who follows it. Usually, the card is just taken back in the hand after everyone is told what it is.

4. Lead out of turn. When a player starts a trick when it wasn’t their turn to do so. If everyone plays before the error is discovered, the trick stands. If it’s noticed then the card becomes and exposed card that is left face-up on the table and played at the first legal opportunity. Hopefully, the error is not a nefarious ploy.

5. Bidding errors. When a player tries to bid the suit that was turned down. If this happens, the offending team is technically not allowed to order it up. But euchre is a social game and usually people let it slide.

6. Declaring out of turn. When a player declares whether to order it up or not even though it’s not their turn. If the declaration is to pass, there are no repercussions. If it is anything else, the offending team is forbidden to bid.

7. Table talk. A player says something to his partner that indicates the contents of his hand. If this occurs the player to the right of the offending player is allowed to declare the suit of the next card to be led. It’s a complicated solution and one that rarely gets employed. Mostly, people just forgive the offense and play continues. However, accusing someone of cheating certainly isn’t out of the question. (just kidding).

Euchre on the Web
Here is a story of card playing going on at Harding University in Michigan. Euchre versus Spades? Both are good games but Euchre gets the nod in my book. It is faster paced, skillful and it doesn’t favor one suit over another. Why didn’t they invent a game called Clubs? Now that’s a good suit. The author must also not be a euchre card player because she writes that euchre is played with 32 cards. That’s how it’s written in Hoyle but no body ‘round these parts plays with 32 cards!

I noticed that the “Semi Official Euchre Pages” don’t seem to work anymore. Matt and Erin must have graduated.