Alexandria Euchre Club (AEC)

++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our 4th Tuesday of the month Euchre Location:
Hank's Oyster Bar (Second Floor)
818 N St Asaph St
Alexandria, VA 22314
https://hanksoysterbar.com/
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9c4JVfapgdM1P31w7

Free Retail Parking Around the Corner.
(Elevator takes you to St. Asaph Street)
Colonial Parking
530 First St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
https://www.ecolonial.com/park-with-us/parking-locator

++++++++++++++++++++++++

• Second Floor Opens @ 6:00pm (Gary will be there).
• Please arrive by 6:30pm.
• Please don't leave before 8:30pm.
• Hank's Oyster Bar closes at 9:00pm.
• We are on the second floor, accessible via the stairs or elevator from the downstairs restaurant. Restrooms are also on this floor.
• We start play as soon as we have enough people to get a table going.
• We will be getting our bills at 8:30pm so we are all settled by the 9:00pm(ish) closing time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

For those new or haven't been in awhile, here is some basic information about our meetup:

1. Know How to Play the Game: Every member of the Alexandria Euchre Club must know how to play the game of Euchre to attend a meetup. If you know the game, but it has been years since you've played, that is fine as we've all been there and will be patient while it comes flooding back to you.
2. New To The Group: If you have never been, we are a friendly group and welcome everyone to come. Very few people come with a friend or spouse. What this means is that it will not be awkward to arrive alone. It is better than a happy hour because it is easy to make conversation about cards. You don't have to even ask the dreaded "what do you do?" question. If you come three times, you are a regular. Also, house rules are that we play stick the dealer (ask if you don't know this variation).
3. Correct Table Count: Euchre is a 4 person game--yes, I know there are 3 and 6 person variations, but most people prefer the 4 person game. What this means is that if you sign-up, we are counting on you to be there. The deadline for RSVP is 2 days prior to the meet-up. Please update by that time, especially if you are going to cancel your RSVP. If you get 3 "no shows" and you'll only be able to sign up via an organizer.
4. The Waiting List: If this month is like the previous months, we will have a waiting list. Please be considerate and honor your RSVP. Of course, if you are sick and on death's door we don't want you to come out and get the rest of us sick; however, if not please do come play. A good evening of food, drink, cards, and friendship may be all that you need to be more productive the next day. If you are on the waiting list I am expecting you to either remove yourself if you don't want to be considered for an open slot, or check the site (or email) so you know you've been promoted to an RSVP of YES when a slot opens up.
5. Costs: There are some costs associated with meetup -- I have to pay Meetup every 6 months for listing on their website. They don't work off of advertising fees. We pass the bowl around and ask people to throw a $1 in each time they come.

Thanks everyone... looking forward to seeing ya !!

Gary Wolanske
703-568-1550 (cell / text)

+++++++++++++++++++++
The Location:
+++++++++++++++++++++
Hank's Oyster Bar (Second Floor)
818 N St Asaph St
Alexandria, VA 22314
https://hanksoysterbar.com/
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9c4JVfapgdM1P31w7

Free Retail Parking Around the Corner.
(Elevator takes you to St. Asaph Street)
Colonial Parking
530 First St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FxZKeeVTPLdstNt16

• You'll order your food and drinks from Hank's.
• More info on this as I see what specials I can muster up.

+++++++++++++++++++++
Arrival / "Sitting Out" Table:
+++++++++++++++++++++

• Arrive @ 12:30pm
• Checked-in and in seats by 1:00pm
• Estimate completion time 6:00pm
• Late arrivals will be penalized 5 points
• The last table (highest number) is the "sitting out" table if we have an odd number of participants.
• Late arrivals will go immediately to the "sitting out" table.
• If the late person completes a table of 4 they will join the "sitting out" table but that table will NOT play in the first "round". Those 4 players will reassemble at the end of the night to play their missing game while the scores are being tallied.

+++++++++++++++++++++
Prizes:
+++++++++++++++++++++
The cost is $20 to play. If we have 40 participants the prizes will be as such:

• $150 for first place.
• $100 for second place.
• $ 50 for third place.
• $ 20 for last place

+++++++++++++++++++++
Understanding the Game / Tournament Play:
+++++++++++++++++++++

• There is no instruction at the tournament. A basic knowledge and skill in Euchre is required. You don't need to be an expert to play at the tournament as people of all skill levels are playing.
• If you consider yourself a good euchre player and haven't played with us before you are welcome to come.
• We play stick the dealer and no steal the deal.
• We only play 8 hands (every person gets to deal twice); this is standard Progressive Tournament play.
• Your score and the score of the other team is recorded on your scorecard.
• We don't play to a score of 10. Whatever score you have at the end of 8 hands gets recorded.
• After game 5 we will have a brief intermission.
• If the "sitting out" table has 3 people at it, we still have to figure out the proper rotation technique (TBD).
• Tournament rules will be handed out before the beginning of play and each table will enforce them. If any clarification is needed please find an organizer.

+++++++++++++++++++++
Partnering:
+++++++++++++++++++++

• Numbers drawn will determine what your "player" number is.
• You will be given a rotation sheet showing you the tables and partners you'll play for the tournament.
• (Thanks Skutchie)

+++++++++++++++++++++
Scoring:
+++++++++++++++++++++

• The individual with the highest number of points wins.
• In case of a tie, the person who held their opponents to the lowest number of points wins.
• In case of a double tie we add the prize money for the tied categories and then split the total monies in half and each person gets bragging rights regardless of what their trophy says.

+++++++++++++++++++++
Honoring your RSVP:
+++++++++++++++++++++
If you find that you can't come please change your RSVP as soon as possible. Backing out under 24 hours is not fair to the other players. A tournament works best when we have groups of 4.

++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our 2nd Thursday of the month Euchre Location:
Ramparts Tavern & Grill
1700 Fern Street, Alexandria, VA
https://www.rampartstavern.com/
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/embeJAi5iFGdbNca8

Parking:

• Burke & Herbert Bank Parking Lot across the street
• CVS Parking Lot behind the restaurant
• Neighborhood street parking

++++++++++++++++++++++++

• Middle Room Opens @ 6:30pm (Gary will be there).
• Please arrive by 7:00pm.
• Please don't leave before 9:30pm.
• We are in the middle room, accessible via the bar or the restaurant.
• We start play as soon as we have enough people to get a table going.
• We will be getting our bills at 9:30pm so we are all settled by 10:00pm.
• Ramparts doesn't close until well after 10:00pm so there isn't a rush for us to get out or anything.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

For those new or haven't been in awhile, here is some basic information about our meetup:

1. Know How to Play the Game: Every member of the Alexandria Euchre Club must know how to play the game of Euchre to attend a meetup. If you know the game, but it has been years since you've played, that is fine as we've all been there and will be patient while it comes flooding back to you.
2. New To The Group: If you have never been, we are a friendly group and welcome everyone to come. Very few people come with a friend or spouse. What this means is that it will not be awkward to arrive alone. It is better than a happy hour because it is easy to make conversation about cards. You don't have to even ask the dreaded "what do you do?" question. If you come three times, you are a regular. Also, house rules are that we play stick the dealer (ask if you don't know this variation).
3. Correct Table Count: Euchre is a 4 person game--yes, I know there are 3 and 6 person variations, but most people prefer the 4 person game. What this means is that if you sign-up, we are counting on you to be there. The deadline for RSVP is 2 days prior to the meet-up. Please update by that time, especially if you are going to cancel your RSVP. If you get 3 "no shows" and you'll only be able to sign up via an organizer.
4. The Waiting List: If this month is like the previous months, we will have a waiting list. Please be considerate and honor your RSVP. Of course, if you are sick and on death's door we don't want you to come out and get the rest of us sick; however, if not please do come play. A good evening of food, drink, cards, and friendship may be all that you need to be more productive the next day. If you are on the waiting list I am expecting you to either remove yourself if you don't want to be considered for an open slot, or check the site (or email) so you know you've been promoted to an RSVP of YES when a slot opens up.
5. Costs: There are some costs associated with meetup -- I have to pay Meetup every 6 months for listing on their website. They don't work off of advertising fees. We pass the bowl around and ask people to throw a $1 in each time they come.

Thanks everyone... looking forward to seeing ya !!

Gary Wolanske
703-568-1550 (cell / text)

https://www.trickstercards.com/home/euchre/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GAME CODES (think "Tables")
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A number of games (depending on RSVP count) will be offered every hour on the hour:

• 8:00pm - Find your new games and play for an hour.
• 9:00pm - Find your new games and play for an hour.
• To access these games you need a GAME CODE or the GAME CODE LINK.
• The game codes for the evening will be posted in the comment section.
• A Google Drive LINK to download a spreadsheet containing the game codes for the evening will be posted in the comment section.
• Simply use the supplied game codes; please DO NOT CREATE YOUR OWN GAME.
• If a game is full, check the next one, and so on until you find an open spot.
• Please be on-time (especially for the 8:00pm game).
• Please DO NOT INVITE RANDOM PEOPLE TO JOIN THESE GAMES: The number of games have been setup to accommodate the meetup's RSVP list.
• Please try to not leave early as this may result in someone being at a game by themselves (especially if RSVP numbers or uneven to begin with).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GAME PLAY
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

• When a game has all seats filled, and everyone is ready, someone can push the "START GAME" button (in the middle of the screen).
• If the game is NOT full simply wait until 0:05 to push the "START GAME" button. A robot player will "stand in for" the open seat.
• A live player can still join the game as they will simply replace the robot(s).
• Everyone at the game clicks "PLAY AGAIN" after each round of play for the entire hour (Do not "LEAVE GAME").
• Please plan your "PLAY AGAIN" times so that your last round of play is done around the top of the hour, which at that time you will press "LEAVE GAME".
• This will allow people an opportunity to take a break and still move to a new game code in a timely manner.
• Between rounds of play, you can switch partners by clicking the "MOVE HERE" words on top of someone else's cards but ONLY before pushing the "START GAME" button.
• The Trickster platform has a chat feature to talk to those at the same table as well as AUDIO and VIDEO capabilities. This is up to the players at the table as far as what you all decide to use. It is strongly encouraged to use one of these capabilities.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HAVEN'T PLAYED ONLINE YET?
PLEASE READ BELOW, ALL VERY IMPORTANT !
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here's what you/we need to do prior to game night:

1. If you haven't already, please create an account on the Trickster site https://www.trickstercards.com/home/euchre/
2. Please have your username resemble your Meetup name so we know who we are playing with.
3. You can download the application on your computer OR download the application on your phone OR Play via the website URL.
4. Please play a few games online prior to the Meetup to familiarize yourself with the platform and the options it offers.
5. There are a number of "Settings" available for you to use to tweak how you play your cards. Those are up to you to use to your liking.