Weekly and Monthly Activities
Each activity has a Coordinator - for any of the activities that do not yet have a Coordinator confirmed, please call Jackie at the Club to volunteer.
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the activity in order for the activity to begin on time.
Please pay your Activity Fee with Loonies or a Twoonie, no small coins.
Checkout the Activity Information, Volunteer Activities and Activity Resources at the bottom of this page.
Weekly Activities
Monday –
Men's Walking Group @ 9am - Coordinator, Ed
Floor Curling Game 1 @ 11:00am . - Lunch Break (Bring your own) - Game 2 at 12:30pm - Coordinator, Mel.
Knitting Group @ 1pm - Coordinator, Sharon - Starts Sep 18
Tuesday –
Pool @ 10am to 4pm drop in - Coordinator, Blair
Shuffleboard @ 10:15am - Drop In
Video Exercise @ 10:15am - Coordinator, Sheila
Level 1 Line Dance @ 11:15 - New dancers welcome - Coordinator, Jennifer - Instructors Karen and Jennifer - Check out Activity Resources for dance info. Starts Sep 19
Euchre @ 1pm - Coordinator, Jennifer - Check out Activity Resources for info and rules.
Bridge @ 1pm - Coordinator, Linda
Wednesday –
Men's Walking Group @ 9am - Coordinator, Ed
Pool @ 10am to 4pm drop in - Coordinator, Blair
Level 2 Line Dancing @ 10:15am - New dancers welcome - Coordinator, Jennifer - Instructors Jennifer and Karen - Check out Activity Resources for dance info. Starts Sep 20.
Technology Session, Sep 20, Oct 4, 11, 18 & 25 @ 10:15 to 11:15 - Instructor, Colin, Check out Activity Info for registration details
Canasta @ 12:30pm - Coordinator, Pauline
Cribbage @ 7pm - Coordinator, Sharon
Thursday –
Pool @ at 10 am to 4pm drop in - Coordinator, Blair
Video Exercise @ 10:15 am - Coordinator, Sheila
Bridge @ 1pm - Coordinator, Ed
Wii Bowling @ 1pm - Coordinator, Lyn
Mah Jongg @ 1pm - Coordinator, Jennifer - Check out Activity Resources for info and where to buy a card.
Duplicate Bridge @ 6:30pm - Coordinator, Diane
Friday –
Men's Walking Group @ 9am - Coordinator, Ed
Pool @ 10am to 4pm drop in - Coordinator, Blair
Floor Curling: Game 1 @ 11am - Lunch Break (Bring your own) - Game 2 @ 12:30pm - Coordinator, Mel
Monthly Activities
Monday –
Monthly Dinner, Shepards Pie, Oct 2, Doors open @ 5pm, Check out Activity Info for details.
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Memory Cafe, Oct 4 @ 1pm - first Wednesday of each month - Check out Activity Info for details.
Canasta Tournament, Sep 27 @ 9:30 - Check out Tournaments Section for details.
Thursday –
Mah Jongg Classes, Oct 5, 12, 19 @ 10:00, Class is Full, Check out Activity Info for details.
Friday –
Social, Oct 20 @ 3-6 pm - third Friday of the month, Potluck / Bring a Shareable Appetizer
PLEASE NOTE: Program Dates & Times are Subject to Change
Activity Information
Mah Jongg Lessons
Thursday Oct 5, 12 & 19 from 10:00 - 12:00
There will be a series of 3 classes to learn how to play Mah Jongg
Maximum 12 Spaces - CLASS is FULL
Regular Activity Fees Apply
Mark your calendars for the
Pop-Ups TBA
(These Pop-Up items are for our outreach programs, so there will be no user fee)
Game Card Holders – No maximum participants
These holders were very popular last Christmas so we will be making more for this Christmas’ sale by donation, the total funds received will again be distributed to the Okotoks Food Bank and the Okotoks Resource Centre.
Bring cotton fabric pieces to share – you will need pieces approximately 8” square for the main part of the holder, and approximately 4” to 4-1/2” for the outside circle – and if you have large buttons (about 3/4” to 1” round, with holes to pull thread through) to use/share. All other parts of this project are supplied, although Sharon will be bringing extra fabric you can choose from, too.
Please join us for our October Dinner
Hansel & Gretel’s Catering
Menu
Salads
Shepards Pie
Desserts
Coffee & Tea
$ 10 each (members only)
Doors open at 5 pm
Dinner at 6 pm
Bar Service and 50/50
Cash or Check only.
Desserts to be brought by those whose ticket number ends with a 2 or 7
Please have the desserts ready to serve (cut in portions)
No $50 or $100 bills will be accepted.
Tickets will be available until Friday, September 29th 2:30pm
Please refrain from scented products (perfume, cologne, lotions, laundry, etc.) at all events at the club.
Tech Sessions Fall 2023
Wednesday mornings from 10:15 to 11:!5 to help with your questions
There will be a maximum of 4 people per day
Instructor: Colin Wilson
The dates are as follows: September 20th, October 4, 11, 18 and 25
Please register by email with Jackie and include the date you would like and a brief description of your concern / help you are looking for.
Your date and time will be confirmed by email
Links to iPhone Basics
iPhone information check the Catalog tab at Senior Tech Club.
Android Phones and Tablets
Check out this book.
Setting up Email - Check out page 189 in the book link to use Gmail app

Ongoing opportunity to volunteer utilizing your sewing skills.
Mission Thrift store supports the Samaritans Purse by adding teddy bears to the shoe box campaign every year but they also support many other causes with these cute little bears around the world all year long.
Be a part of the bigger picture of the teddy bear factory in sewing this simple bears out of the recycled fabric.
If you are interested please contact Bonita at 403-563-8670 call or text if interested.
A picture of the bear is below.
Drop off/pick up of teddy bear pattern will be at the senior club, Tuesday to Friday when club is open. (10am - 4 pm)
Thank you!!!
Bonita
WANTED
VOLUNTEERS
TO DELIVER FOR
OKOTOKS MEALS ON WHEELS
APPLY TO okotoksmealsonwheels@gmail.com
WITH YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER
VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT:
1.5 HOURS, 2 – 4 TIMES PER MONTH
AND YOUR OWN VEHICLE
Memory Cafe - Are you passionate about making a difference for others in your community? Do you have two hours of time per month? The Memory Cafe is a warm and welcoming gathering opportunity where those impacted by dementia can socialize. Contact Jennifer at 403-969-6040 for details on volunteering etc.
Gift Bags for Seniors Outreach Program
Christmas 2023
Updated May 19, 2023
With the help and donations from our members and the community we were able to give out 96 bags this last Christmas, and have had very positive responses back from those who received them.
This year we are expecting we will need 150 bags so we will be collecting donations all year for the items needed to fill these bags, which will be distributed by the Okotoks Meals on Wheels, Sandstone Lodge and Tudor Manor, and other seniors living alone in our community usually visited by the United Church members. Many of these items can be purchased at a Dollar Store, and you may purchase the number of units of any of these items that you are comfortable with. These items can be dropped off to Jackie throughout the year, and we will fill the bags again at the end of November. Before purchasing any items on this list, please check out the sample basket at the Club. If you have suggestions for other items please email Jackie at the Club before purchasing to confirm they are appropriate (no food items, please). Any other items you are considering need to be passed by Jackie before purchasing.
We are getting close to 150 of several items and will be updating this list again at the end of May to show the items that have reached the goal.
Other items we are working on for Christmas outreach programs:
- If you knit or crochet, the knitting group is making jar lid openers, bath/shower soap holders, dish cloths and hanging towels, and Christmas ornaments.
- If you sew, we will be holding pop-ups to make walker totes and bowl cozies.
Items needed:
- Puzzle/activity books – small; various types (i.e. Sudoku, crosswords, logic, word find, or one susch as PlayPad that contains various types of activities)
- Deck of Cards
- Adult colouring books – smaller than 8-1/2”x11”
- Jigsaw puzzles – 100 piece box as the piece size is larger
- Small notebooks
- Sticky notepads
Colouring pencils- FILLED
- Pencil sharpeners – can have 1 or 2 holes (larger hole is for crayons)
- Pears, Neutrogena or Ivory soap bars (hypo-allergenic, scent free) 1 per box/individually wrapped
- Body wash – not scented
- Bath sponge or glove, or cotton knitted facecloths/dishcloths
- Shampoo and conditioner – not scented
- Hand lotion - hypo-allergenic, not scented
- Emory boards for nails
- Toothpaste – not small sample/travel sizes but next size up
Toothbrushes (soft)- FILLED and toothbrush holders
- Dental floss
- Hand sanitizers – small
- Bandaids – small boxes of about 26 fabric
- Lypsol, Chapstick, Blistex or Burt’s Bees type lip balm
Kleenex packages, purse/pocket size- FILLED
- Antibacterial wet wipes – small packages
- Comb and brush
- Magnet for fridge that has a hook on it
- Plastic spiral expandable wrist bands with key hoop
- Cute label holders that can be placed on the handle or bar of a walker (such as suitcase tags)
|
Line Dance Lists, Videos, Dance Steps and Links
Dance Lists
Level 1 - Tuesday Sep 26 | Level 2 - Thursday Sep 28 (this week only) |
Fun for All Lucky Lips Little Rhumba Whiskey Bridges Come Dance with Me Lonely Drum Crash and Burn Stroll Along Cha Cha
Triple Mix The dance floor will not be available on September 27. So, for this week only, class will be on Thursday, the 28th, 11:15-12:15 instead. |
Level 1
This level is for those who have very little to no line dancing experience, or those wanting to move at a slower pace with simple dances. This class will be reviewing dances previously taught as well as learning new material.
Level 2
This level is for those who have had previous line dance instruction and who know basic footwork. This class will be reviewing dances previously taught as well as learning new material. This class is for those wanting more of a challenge. Dances at this level will include tags and restarts.
Step Sheets and Demo/Teach Videos for our Line Dances
Dance | Class | Song | Artist | Demo / Teach Video |
![]() | 3 Tequila Floor | Josiah Siska | ![]() | |
![]() | A Little Love Worth Waiting | Bouke | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | Why Don't We Just Dance | Josh Turner | ![]() | |
![]() | Beautiful Day | Dave Sheriff | ![]() | |
Black Coffee | Black Coffee | Lacy J Dalton | N/A | |
![]() | Boot Scootin Boogie | Brooks & Dunn | ![]() | |
![]() | Beginner | Broken Stones | Paul Weller | ![]() |
![]() | Beginner | Got a Feeling | Tim Hicks | ![]() |
![]() | Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart) | The Vamps | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | Beginner | Sold Get Rhythm | John Michael Montgomery Sweethearts of the Rodeo | ![]() |
![]() | Come Dance with Me | Nancy Hays | ![]() | |
Confusion | Stuck On You | Elvis | N/A | |
![]() | Beginner | Ladies Love Country Boys | Trace Adkins | ![]() |
![]() | Cowboys are my Weakness | Trisha Yearwood | ![]() | |
![]() | Beginner | Crash and Burn | Thomas Rhett | ![]() |
![]() | Beginner | Sugar, Sugar | The Archies | ![]() |
Darlin | Beginner | Darlin | Johnny Reid | N/A |
![]() | 40 Days and 40 Nights | Tim McGraw | N/A | |
![]() | Beginner | The Wanderer | Dion | ![]() |
![]() | Runaround Sue | Dion | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
Fandango | Beginner | If That's the Way You Want It | Brooks & Dunn | N/A |
![]() | Beginner | Ob-la-di Ob-la-da I Slipped and Fell in Love | The Beatles Alan Jackson | ![]() |
![]() | Love Drunk | Locash Cowboys | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
Gives Me Shivers | Shivers | Ed Sheeran | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | Good Time | Alan Jackson | ![]() | |
![]() | I Cry | Bouke | ![]() | |
![]() | Beginner | Ice Cream Freeze | Mylie Cyrus | ![]() |
![]() | Famous Last Words of a Fool | George Strait | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | He Drinks Tequila | Sam Kershaw | ![]() | |
![]() | Beginner | Like She's Not Yours | The Bellamy Brothers | ![]() |
![]() | Lonely Drum | Aaron Goodvin | ![]() | |
![]() | Lucky Lips 3 Tequila Floor | The Conquerors Josiah Siska | ![]() | |
My Gypsy Queen | Gypsy Queen | Chris Norman | N/A | |
New York, New York | Beginner | Theme from New York, New York | Roger Williams | N/A |
Old Time Rock and Roll | Old Time Rock and Roll | Bob Seger | N/A | |
![]() | One Night at a Time | George Strait | ![]() | |
![]() | You're Sixteen | Ringo Starr | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | Beginner | Rock and Roll Waltz | Kay Starr | ![]() |
![]() | What You've Done to Me | Samantha Jade | Various on Website | |
![]() | Wagon Wheel | Darius Rucker | Various on Step Sheet Link | |
![]() | The Last Waltz | Englebert Humperdink | ![]() | |
![]() | Beginner | Dance Above the Rainbow | Ronan Hardiman | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Stroll Along Cha Cha | Beginner | I Just Wanna Dance With You | George Strait | ![]() |
Susie Q | Beginner | Ready to Roll | Blake Shelton | N/A |
TC Slide | Bubba Hyde | Diamond Rio | N/A | |
![]() | I'm From the Country | Tracy Bird | ![]() | |
![]() | The Last Cheater's Waltz | TG Sheppard | ![]() | |
![]() | From a Jack to a King | Johnny Hansen | ![]() | |
Two Steps Forward | Two Steps Forward | The Castaways | N/A | |
![]() | Whiskey under the Bridge | Brooks and Dunn | ![]() | |
![]() | Blue Finger Lou Zat You Santa Claus | Anne Murray Bruce Poindexter | ![]() | |
** Dance has been modified |
Line Dance - Dance Steps
Dance | Steps |
Black Coffee 32 x 4 | Walk Fwd RLR, point LT L, Walk Back LRL, point RT R Cross RF Over LF, Point LT L, Cross LF Over RF, Point RT R Weave Left - Front Side Behind Side Cross Rock RF over LF, Shuffle R, Cross Rock LF over RF, Shuffle L Jazz Box with 1/4 turn R, Shuffle Fwd RLR Rock Fwd LF recover, Coaster LF Back |
Confusion 40 x 4 | Heels Fwd R L R L Heel Splits Out In Out In Step RH Out Hook Out Hook, Step RF Fwd Slide LF to RF, Step RF Fwd Hitch L Knee Step LH Out Hook Out Hook, Step LF Fwd Slide RF to LF, Step LF Fwd Hitch R Knee Walk Back RLR, Hitch L Knee Shuffles Fwd LRL, RLR, Rock Fwd LF recover, Half Turn Left with turning Shuffle LRL |
Darlin 32 x 4 | Vine Right with Touch, Vine Left with Touch K Step Rock Step RF Fwd, recover, Step RF Fwd Hold, Rock Step LF Fwd, recover, Step LF Fwd Hold Jazz Box with 1/4 Turn Right, Side Step R L (Step RF Right Touch LF by RF, Step LF Left touch RF by LF) |
Fandango 32 x 4 | Heels Fwd R L, RF Fan x 2 Heels Fwd L R, LF Fan x 2 Vine R with Brush, Vine L 1/4 Turn L with Brush Hustle Fwd RLR with Kick and Clap, Walk Back LRL, Touch RF beside LF |
My Gypsy Queen 64 x 4 | Rock RF Right, Cross RF over LF Hold, Rock LF Left, Cross LF over RF Hold Lock Step RF Hold, Lock Step LF Hold Coaster RF Fwd Hold, Coaster LF Back Hold Lock Step RF Hold, Step LF Fwd 1/4 Turn Right with Cross LF over RF Hold Vine Right 4 count, Rock RF Right, Cross RF over LF Hold Vine Left 4 count, Rock LF Left, Cross LF over RF Hold Coaster RF Fwd Hold, Coaster LF Back Hold Step RF Fwd Half Turn Left, Step RF Fwd Hold, Run LRL Hold |
New York, New York 24 x 2 | Heels Fwd R L R L Shuffle forward R L R L Vine Right for 8 - with a half turn on count 3-4 and finish vine Behind Side Cross Side |
Old Time Rock and Roll 32 x 4 | Vine R with Heel Dig LF and Clap, Vine L with Heel Dig RF and Clap Hustle Fwd Clap, Hustle Back Clap Step Fwd RF Bend, Touch LT Back, Clap down, Step Back LF, Touch RH Fwd, Clap Up Step Fwd RF Bend, Touch LT Back, Clap down, Step Back LF, Touch RH Fwd, Clap Up Making a Qtr Turn R - Step in place RLR Clap Making a Half Turn L - Step in place LRL Clap |
Stroll Along Cha Cha 32 x 4 | Cross LF over RF, ChaChaCha LRL, Cross RF over LF, ChaChaCha RLR Weave Right - Front, Side, Behind, Side, Cross LF over RF, ChaChaCha LRL Weave Left - Front, Side, Behind, Side, Cross RF over LF, ChaChaCha RLR Step LF Fwd Half Turn R, ChaChaCha LRL Step RF Fwd Qtr Turn L, ChaChaCha RLR |
Susie Q 32 x 4 | Heels Fwd R L, Point RT R, step back, Point LT L, step back Shuffle Fwd RLR, Rock Fwd LF recover, Shuffle Back LRL, Rock Back RF recover Step RF Fwd, Kick LF Fwd, Step LF Fwd, Kick RF Fwd. Step RF in place, Point LF Left, Step LF in place, Point RF R Vine R with Touch, Vine L with 1/4 Turn and Touch |
T C Slide 32 x 4 | Vine R with Brush, Vine L with Brush Walk Back RLR touch LT, Step Fwd LF, Touch RT, Step back RF, Touch LH Step LF Diag Fwd, Slide RF by LF, Step Fwd LF, Touch RF by LF Step RF Diag Fwd, Slide LF by RF, Step Fwd RF, Touch RF by LF Hip Bumps 2L 2R 1L 1R, Step Fwd LF making Qtr Turn L with a RF Brush |
Two Steps Forward 32 x 4 | Stroll RF Fwd, LF by RF, RF Fwd Brush LF Stroll LF Fwd, RF by LF, LF Fwd Brush RF Rocking Chair RF Fwd, 2 Qtr Turns on RF turning Left Weave Left - Front, Side, Behind, Point LT to Side Weave Right - Front, Side, Behind, Point RT to Side Cross RF over LF, Point RT Right, Cross LF over RF, Point LT Left Jazz Box with Qtr Turn R |
Legend | Meaning |
Fwd | Forward |
L | Left |
LF | Left Foot |
LRL | Left, Right, Left |
LT | Left Toe |
R | Right |
RF | Right Foot |
RLR | Right, Left, Right |
RT | Right Toe |
Line Dance Teaching Links
Line Dancing with Patti - Basic Steps (12 mins)
LD w Patti - Jazz Box, Kick Ball Change, Rocking Chair, Kick and Point
Line Dancing with Patti - Turns
Dance with Cathie - Scissor Step
LD Steps with Gail Eaton (1 hr)
Check comments under video for time link for each step taught
0:3:44 Grapevines
0:5:40 Side Together Side Touch/Brush
Euchre is a fun, fast-paced, trick-taking card game.
The goal is to be the first team to get 10 points.
Summary of Our Euchre Rules for 4 Players
- One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears. This player deals first.
- The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards. From the 9 to the Ace.
- 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player.
- The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.
- The team that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point.
- If your partner is the dealer and you tell him to pick it up, you must play alone.
- The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.
- If all players pass in round 2, the dealer must choose a trump (this is called Screwing the Dealer).
- If your hand has no face card and no ace, toss in your hand and the next player deals.
- A winning trick must be turned over and can only be viewed if there is a renege alleged.
- Scoring is done with two 5’s. Each suit symbol represents 1 point.
- The Player to the left of the dealer starts by leading a card for the first trick.
- The first team to get 10 points wins the game.
- Winners from each game move to the next table and take a new partner.
Scoring
Calling team makes 3 or 4 tricks 1 point
Calling team makes 5 tricks 2 points
Calling player goes Alone and makes 5 tricks 4 points
Calling player goes Alone and makes 3-4 tricks 1 point
Calling player make 2 tricks (Calling team Euchred) - Opponents get 2 points
We occasionally play Euchre with 3 players. Here are the Rules for 3 Players.
- One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears. This player deals first.
- The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards. From the 9 to the Ace.
- 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player and the empty seat (optional hand).
- The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.
- Each player is playing on their own.
- The player that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point. The other two players play together to euchre the maker.
- The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.
- If all players pass in round 1, the dealer may exchange their hand with the optional hand before declaring the possible trump or passing.
- If all players pass in round 2, the dealer must choose a trump (this is called Screwing the Dealer).
- If your hand has no face card and no ace, toss in your hand and the next player deals.
- A winning trick must be turned over and can only be viewed if there is a renege alleged.
- Scoring is done with two 5’s. Each suit symbol represents 1 point.
- The Player to the left of the dealer starts by leading a card for the first trick.
- The first player to get 10 points wins the game.
- The two players with the highest points for the game move to the next table.
Scoring for 3 Player Euchre
Calling player makes 3 or 4 tricks 1 point
Calling player makes 5 tricks 4 points
Opponents make 3 tricks (Euchred, Each Opponent) 2 points
It is not necessary for a player to declare that they will play alone.
But it is a nice gesture and lets the opponents know you have a good hand.
Euchre: How to Play with 4 Players
The Deal
- Players divide into two teams and sit across from each other.
- Determining the first dealer: One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears. This player deals first.
- The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards. From the 9 to the Ace.
- 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player.
- The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.
- The team that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point.
Farmer’s Hand
- If your hand has no ace and no face card, toss in your hand, and the player that dealt deals again.
Order of Trump Suit for Hearts
Jacks are the most valuable cards in the Trump suit.
Trump Suit (Hearts) Jack of Hearts is highest, Jack of Diamonds is next, followed by A, K, Q, 10 and 9.
The Jack of Diamonds is considered a Heart.
Order of Trump Suit for Clubs
Trump Suit (Clubs) Jack of Clubs is highest, Jack of Spades is next, followed by A, K, Q, 10 and 9.
The Jack of Spades is considered a Club.
Bidding Round 1
- The player to the left of the dealer starts first by deciding if they want the suit as trump. If they don’t, they say ‘Pass’. If they think they can make 3 tricks with their partner, they tell the dealer to ‘Pick it up’.
- If the suit is declared trump by any player (not your partner) during the first round of bidding, the dealer must pick up the card and discard one face down (the dealer gets the card no matter which player orders it up).
- If your partner is the dealer and you tell him to pick it up, you must play alone.
- If all players pass, the dealer may pick up the card to declare trump. The dealer then discards one card.
- The dealer can also pass the trump by turning over the card.
- The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.
Bidding Round 2
- All players can now call any of the 3 remaining suits for trump or pass.
- If all players pass, the dealer must choose a trump (this is called Screwing the Dealer).
- It the player who called trump has a good hand they can state they wish to play alone.
Scoring
Calling team makes 3 or 4 tricks 1 point
Calling team makes 5 tricks 2 points
Calling player goes Alone and makes 5 tricks 4 points
Calling player goes Alone and makes 3-4 tricks 1 point
Calling player make 2 tricks (Calling team Euchred) - Opponents get 2 points
Keeping Score
Scoring is done with two 5’s. Each suit symbol represents 1 point.
Game Play
- Play now starts with the player to the left of the dealer leading a card for the first trick.
- Players must follow suit if they have it. If they can’t, they can slough a card or play trump.
- Highest card/trump takes the trick.
- The winning player leads the next card.
- The first team to get 10 points wins the game.
- Winners from each game move to the next table and take a new partner.
Beware the Left Bower (from www.ultraboardgames.com)
The Left Bower often doesn't register to the new player as a trump card because it simply doesn't look like one. Quite often a new player will play it incorrectly.
Special attention should be paid to the left bower to avoid costly mistakes. Here are some steps that could help a newcomer to Euchre:
- Whenever a Jack is led by anyone, take note of its color. If it is the same color as trump, it is in fact a trump lead. If you have any trump in your hand, you must now play it. Example: Clubs are trump, Jack of Spades leads. You must play a Club.
- If a trump card is led and you hold a Jack, check its color. If it is the same color as trump, it is the Left Bower. If it is the only trump you have, you must play it.
- Assuming Hearts are trump in this example; If a Diamond is led and the only red card in your hand is the Jack of Diamonds, you should know that it is not mandatory that you play it. The Jack is the Left Bower and is only forced out with a Heart lead. It's your option to play it, but only if you want to.
Ohio Euchre website for information and tips on playing Euchre
Euchre Tips from Ohio Euchre
Terms
Next: Next is the other suit that is the same color as the suit turned up by the dealer. If a heart was turned up, then Next is diamonds.
Green Suits: The two suits of the opposite color as the one turned up or bid. If a heart was turned up, then Green is clubs and spades.
Bidding
Things to considered when bidding:
- The score of the game. More risk can be taken when the score is low.
- What card are you giving the dealer (Round 1).
- This is a partnership game, and you should be able to count on your partner to get one trick but it’s not always possible.
When to Bid:
- If you hold 2 sure trump. Hopefully your partner takes one.
- Bid if you're the dealer and you turned up a Jack, and you already hold one of that suit.
- Bid with any hand with three trumps and two-suited. Two suited hands are strong hands.
Discarding when order to Pick Up
- Create a void in your hand. The best card to discard would be one of the Green suits.
- Try and hold a double suit. Say you hold a King-Queen/Ace-King of one suit and a singleton King/Ace of another, with neither one being trump. The best discard would be the lone King/Ace
Discarding during the Game
- The first time that you cannot follow suit and have no trump, you should discard the suit you want your partner to lead back to you.
Leading on Offense, your partner Bid
- If you hold a Bower and your partner has picked up or named trump, play the Bower.
- If you hold both Bowers, only play the right.
- If you don’t have a Bower, lead a small trump.
- If you have no trump lead an Ace or a non-trump card, you are saying you have no trump.
Leading on Offense and you Bid
- In a hand where you hold aces, a couple of trumps plus the right bower. The best lead would normally be your right. When you lead the right, watch to see if your partner follows suit. If they don't, and you hold the left plus another trump, lead the left.
- On a Next call in Round 2 Bidding, a small trump may be your best lead.
Leading on Defense
- A singleton Ace or an Ace with one other card in that suit. But not if Ace is in next.
- Low card from a King – X combination.
- Smallest Non-trump from shortest suit.
- Never lead a King from an Ace - King set, always lead the Ace.
- Best not to lead the suit that was turned down.
- If the dealer picks up and you hold three trump, lead your middle trump, not your smallest.
When to Call a Loner
- You hold any five trump.
- You hold any four trump with an Ace.
- You hold any three trump (one a Bower) and being two-suited.
- You hold any three trump and two Aces.
- You hold any three trump with an Ace, King combination.
- You hold both bowers, + matching trump card, and being two suited with any combination of cards.
- You hold both bowers, two suited, along with Ace, King, X off suit (works best from first seat).
- You hold Ace, King, Queen two suited with Ace, King combination off suit.
- When Your partner turned up the Right and you hold Left and two other trump with strong off suit cards.
Mah Jongg Summary
Objective of the Game
Mah Jongg is a game where you group 14 tiles into sets of singles, pairs, 3, 4, or 5 of a kind based on a set list of hands (on the NMJL card) for a Mah Jongg.
Equipment
Tiles, Racks with Pusher, Dice and Mah Jong Card.
Mah Jongg Card
A Mah Jongg card is required to play the game. The card is available for purchase from the National Mah Jongg League website.
A new card comes out annually for April 1.
At Our Club
We play American Mah Jongg. If you would like to know more about the game drop by on a Thursday prior to game time.
Mah Jongg Links
Ordering a Mah Jongg Card at NMJL
Michele Frizzell YouTube Channel Watch Michele play and discuss her strategy or watch one of many videos about how to play.
Mah Jongg Lessons with Michele Frizzell
Mock Card for Michele Frizzell Lessons
Mah Jongg Manual in PDF Format
Mah Jongg Tiles
There are 3 suits with tiles numbered 1-9. Dots, Bamboos (Bams) and Characters (Cracks)
There are 4 Winds (North, South East and West) and 3 Dragons (White, Green and Red)
There are 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers
Sample Hand 222 444 6666 8888 (any 2 suits)
Pungs of 2's and 4's in Bams and Kongs of 6's and 8's in Dots
Each numbered suit has an associated colour and the matching Dragon.
Dots - White
Bamboos - Green
Characters - Red
If a hand is in 1 colour and has dragons. the dragons used must be the same colour as the suit.
EG - 3333 6666 9999 DD (Any 1 suit)
Computer Games - A National Mah Jongg Card is required to play.
2 Week Trial
Free Game
Mah Jongg for Fun (Still only 2022 Card)
Mah Jongg Lite (Not as friendly)
Game Process
Phase 1 - Set Up
- Tiles are turned upside down and mixed.
- Each player makes a wall with 2 rows of 19 tiles in front of their rack.
- Player in position East starts by rolling dice to cut their wall, the dice indicates stacks of tiles left behind. The remaining tiles are pushed right side to the centre and the last 2 tiles are turned to make a tail.
- Each player starting with East takes 4 tiles until everyone has 12 tiles (counter clock wise).
- A new wall is moved to the centre when the previous wall has no more tiles (clock wise).
- Each player then takes 1 more tile. East also takes their first pick and takes tiles 1 and 3 from the top row.
- East has 14 tiles all other players have 13 tiles.
- Players sort their tiles looking for a category to play and move tiles they don’t want to the right.
How to Identify Hands
- You can start with only 1 or 2 categories on the card and move to the rest of the card slowly.
- Look for multiples (pairs, pungs, kongs) in your hand and build around them.
- No multiples, look for a pattern that matches a category on the card. Evens, Odds, Cons. Runs, etc.
- If you have 3 jokers, consider a Quint hand.
- Have a hand with no clear option. Select 3 tiles to discard that don’t fit with the rest.
- Stay at the category level as long as you have discards in your hand.
Having too many options can cause confusion.
- Try to narrow it down to two options.
- Select a Hand that needs fewer pairs and singles (than the ones you already have).
- Select a non-concealed hand over a concealed hand. Unless you have pairs.
- Deciding between 2 hands – count tiles and gaps. Fewer tiles are better than a gap.
Phase 2 - The Charleston
- Unwanted tiles are now passed to other players to try and improve hands. This is the Charleston.
- The Charleston has 2 rounds, where each player passes tiles to the other players. This is followed by an optional Curtesy Pass to the player across from you.
- Round 1 is mandatory – 3 tiles are passed Right, Across and then Left. (RALph)
- Round 2 is optional (can be stopped on a player’s request) – 3 tiles are passed Left, Across and then Right. (LAuRen)
- Pass defensively - try not to pass flowers, pairs, like numbers, or 2 winds.
- Any time you get a new multiple, you need to re-assess your hand.
- The last pass in each round can be a Blind Pass. You can take 1-3 of the tiles you would receive and pass them on.
- 0-3 tiles can be passed in the Curtesy Pass, players need to agree on number of tiles.
- Jokers cannot be passed.
Phase 3 - The Play, Pick and Discard
- Play starts with East discarding a tile.
- The tile is named when discarded EG. 5 Crack, West, Red.
- A discarded tile can be called by anyone if they can make a Pung, Kong or Quint for an exposed hand.
- The called tile must be displayed with the required tiles to make a Pung, Kong or Quint.
- North is next (counter clock wise) who can call the tile or pick a new tile.
- North picks a tile and taps it on the rack or puts the tile on their rack to decide if the tile is needed for their hand.
- Once a tile is tapped/racked, the discarded tile can no longer be claimed.
- If you are unsure if you want the tile, ask for a moment to think.
- If the tile is kept, it will be placed on the rack (racked).
- North must then discard tile. They can discard the tile picked or another tile.
- Play continues in this manner with players trying to build their hands.
- It is best to continue to collect tiles for a category, slowly narrowing down the hand you are trying to make.
- If you started with 2 option for hands and now need to decide which to continue with, it's best to count the tiles in each hand and pick the hand with the most tiles. You should also check the gaps in you hand, Are you still waiting for a pair or single tile?
- A new wall is moved to the centre when the previous wall has no more tiles (clock wise order)
- The last wall to come out is the short wall in front of East.
- If one of your tiles is discarded before you are ready for it and you can no longer make you hand, you then play defensively. You try not to discard a tile an opponent may need.
- If all tiles have been picked and no one has declared Mah Jongg you have a Wall game.
Mah Jongg
- When you no longer have tiles to discard except the one you pick up, it means you need 1 more tile for a Mah Jongg.
- You may call for a discard tile for this last tile no matter the type of block (Single, Pair, Pung, Kong or Quint).
- When you pick or call for your last tile, you will say Mah Jongg and place you hand on your rack as it is displayed on the card.
- State the category and the hand number to allow other players to validate your hand.
- If you made a mistake and don't have a mah jongg, your hand is dead and play continues without you.
- Otherwise, tiles are then placed in the centre, turned over and mixed and a new game starts.
Jokers and Exchanging for a Joker
- A joker may be used as a wildcard for a Pung, Kong or Quint.
- A Pung, Kong or Quint may be made entirely of jokers
- If someone has called a tile and exposed a Pung, Kong or Quint with a joker, the joker can be exchanged for the tile the joker represents
- Pick your tile or call for a discard first, before exchanging for a joker.
- A discarded joker cannot be called