Euchre?

[waltsgirl]

Grew up in Ohio and have played Euchre my entire life. I was always amazed when I met someone that didn't know how to play the game or had never heard of it. Milking and in the barn--now those are things I have never heard of or done in all my years of playing.

 

[scrapquitler]

A poster on another thread got me thinking, way back when I was in college and travelled to other schools with my fencing team, we found out something curious about the card game Euchre. First, it appeared to be almost universally, a Midwestern game. More specifically, understanding of the game seemed concentrated among Michigan and Illinois. So here's my random poll about Euchre playing habits to determine whether the game really is a regional phenomena.

If you desire to post a further explanation, please elaborate on whether or not you believe it is necessary to place your scoring cards behind your ears and "milk" your opponent's hands when you are "in the barn". I'd also like to see how wide spread this strange practice is, as I've only heard of it once.

I am from CT

Way back in about 1994-95, I did some beta testing for The Sierra Network, and one of the online games that was part of the testing was Euchre (along with Hearts and several others). When I started, I had never played either Euchre or Hearts, and I had to learn the rules for both. They were lots of fun, and I know that I liked Euchre better. But I never knew (and still don't) know anyone who plays 'in real life'. And unfortunately, I don't remember how to play anymore.

 

[WDWBlue]

I voted "I play and I'm not from the Midwest."

But you really need an "I used to play, but have completely forgotten how" option.

Anyway, I grew up in upstate New York, and I do remember my parents playing. I also played in college, but I don't recall any of the ear or in-the-barn stuff.

It'd take you all of 5 minutes to get it back. It's fun and simple. Maybe not so easy to be very good, but easy to learn/relearn.

 

[Abbeys_mom]

I spent eight years in Michigan for highschool and college, PRIME Euchre years! We also played Spoons and Nerts. I miss playing cards, but I am not sure I would remember how to play.

 

[clarabelle]

I am in GA but learned to play from some people who were transfered here with Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati OH

 

[princesspiglet]

I'm from Western PA and started playing Euchre at a very young age from my parents who were also born and raised in Western PA. I taught a lot of my college friends (who were not from PA) how to play. We usually play Euchre or Hearts every weekend with our friends.

 

[daughtersrus]

My sister went to college in Ann Arbor, MI 30 years ago. She taught us how to play when she came home (western suburb of Chicago) on break. If I do say so myself, DH and I make an awesome team and no table talk is allowed! My DS and BIL joke with us that they never should have taught us how to play.

 

[Theginster55]

I was raised in Central PA and I was always told it was of German Origin...I have played it with my family and friends since I was old enough to hold cards. I play every day at my breaks at work now in Western NY...

 

[jodifla]

never heard of euchre until I moved to Michigan. My neighbors have euchre parties....so I play about once a year, very badly...and my neighbors coach me along.

Nobody plays euchre where I grew up in Florida. However, my parents played it growing up in rural Minnesota.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

According to wikipedia, it is related to the French card game Écarté, which was brought to US through German settlers in Pennsylvania and Cornish settlers.

Yet here I am in eastern PA and I've never heard of it. Of course, I don't think I actually have any "Pennsylvania Dutch" ancestors.

 

[taylor3297]

I learned to play the when I lived in northern Indiana for 4 years. We always played with partners.

My oldest sister still lives in Indiana and she plays regularly.

 

[jen0610]

My sister went to college in Ann Arbor, MI 30 years ago. She taught us how to play when she came home (western suburb of Chicago) on break. If I do say so myself, DH and I make an awesome team and no table talk is allowed! My DS and BIL joke with us that they never should have taught us how to play.

Two guys that use to hang out with us way back in the late 80's had soo many signs, signals and code words, we had to inforce zero talking or movement rule while bidding. NO one would play with them otherwise.

Once the dealer started dealing out the cards, there was no talking. No one could touch the cards until they had all been dealt, then you could pick them up and put them in whatever order you wanted. If you didn't have both hands on the cards, the other was resting on your lap. The only things you coud say, were pass, pick it up, or call the suit if it was the 2nd time around. That was it.

They finally got tired of playing by our rules and stopped coming around, except for the big holiday parties. But even then they got the hint that we weren't taking their crap. It never failed that if they called next, whomever was playing would state that they were going to take a break and no one else wanted to take their spots.

 

[Chipperdini]

DH and I grew up in NE Ohio, and we and our families love to play Euchre.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

Okay I answered that I play Euchre and am from the midwest, but the truth is I was forced to play Euchre, and I am from the midwest.

I am not a fan of card games, so have not played since my last tournament in college at Ohio State many many many years ago.

 

[jbmom]

My dh and I are from Michigan and love to play Euchre. When my dh was in college he got a job because he knew how to play well. That was the interview!