Weekly and Monthly Activities
Each activity has a Coordinator - for any of the activities that do not yet have a Coordinator confirmed, please call 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
Ladies Billiards @ 10am
Floor Curling Game 1 @ 10:30am . - Lunch Break (Bring your own) - Game 2 at 12:00pm - Coordinator, Mel.
Knitting Group @ 1pm - Coordinator, Sharon
Daytime Crib @ 1pm
Meditation Class @ 2pm - Coordinator - Joanne
Tuesday –
Gentle "Chair" Yoga @ 9am - Coordinator Liz, $5 per session
Pool @ 10am to 4pm drop in
Shuffleboard @ 10am - Drop In
Video Exercise @ 10:10am - Coordinator, Sheila
Level 1 Line Dance @ 11:20 - New dancers welcome - Coordinator, Jennifer - Instructors Karen and Jennifer - Check out Activity Resources for dance info.
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
Level 2 Line Dancing @ 10:15 - New dancers welcome - Coordinator, Jennifer - Instructors Jennifer and Karen - Check out Activity Resources for dance info.
Canasta @ 12:30pm - Coordinator, Pauline
Cribbage @ 7pm - Coordinator, Sharon
Thursday –
Pool @ at 10 am to 4pm drop in
Video Exercise @ 10:10 am - Coordinator, Sheila
Gentle "Chair" Yoga @ 11:30 am- Coordinator, Alana - $5 per session
Wii Bowling @ 1245pm - Coordinator, Lyn
Bridge @ 1pm - Coordinator, Ed
Mah Jongg @ 1pm - Coordinator, Jennifer - Check out Activity Resources for info and where to buy a card.
Level 3 Line Dance @ 3-4:15pm - Coordinator Karen - Check out Activity Resources for dance info.
Duplicate Bridge @ 6:30pm - Coordinator, Diane
Friday –
Men's Walking Group @ 9am - Coordinator, Ed
Floor Curling: Game 1 @ 1030am - Lunch Break (Bring your own) - Game 2 @ 12:00pm - Coordinator, Mel
Mexican Train @ 12:30pm - Coordinator Rae
Various games, 12:30pm - 4 pm
Bhangra Dance Class 2pm - Coordinator Harjit
Monthly Activities
Monday –
Monthly Dinner, Oct 7th doors open @ 5pm, Check out Activity Info for details.
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Memory Cafe, Oct 2nd @ 1pm - first Wednesday of each month - Check out Activity Info for details.
Thursday –
Friday –
Social, Oct18th @ 3-6 pm - third Friday of the month, Potluck / Bring a Shareable Appetizer
Weekly Jam Session, Oct 4th from 7pm - 9 pm - come out to listen, dance or play along
Saturday -
PLEASE NOTE: Program Dates & Times are Subject to Change
Activity Information
Bus trip to Century Downs Racetrack and Casino - Saturday Sept 28th 11am-4pm
$10 - Bus only
Register with Tracy
Card making class - Monday, Sept 30th, 11-1pm
$20 Class fee plus $2 activity fee
Class Full
Anxiety to Calm - Tuesdays Oct 1st 2-4pm
Class full
Stage West Theatre - Death Trap, Oct 2nd bus leaves at 945am - SOLD OUT
Flu Clinic - Monday Oct 21st from 3:15 - 6pm - Register and pick up forms with Tracy
Pharmacists from Shopper's Drug Mart will be here to administer the flu shot and the new covid vaccine. This will be done on a first come first serve basis for those registered. Please sign up with Tracy and let her know if you want just the flu shot or both by Friday October 11th. Forms will need to be filled out ahead of time so you can pick those up at the office or they can be emailed to you as well.
Christmas Shopping Bus to Cross Iron Mall - Tuesday, Nov 19th, 10am-3pm
The bus will leave the club at 10am and drive to Cross Iron Mall, where you can take in the festive spirit of all the decorations and get a jump on your holiday shopping. We ask that you finish up and be back at the bus by 245 because the bus will depart the mall at 3pm to come back to the club.
$10 fee for bus
Register with Tracy
Rosebud Theatre - Christmas on the Air - Friday, Nov 22nd bus leaves at 9am
A 1940s family-run radio station is moments from going live with their annual Christmas Eve broadcast full of familiar holiday carols and yuletide stories. In the booth, young love sparks between Kitty, the weather reporter and Danny the sounds effects operator, but Kitty has a secret that could put her job in jeopardy. All of this unfolds under the watchful eyes of Danny's parents, owners of the radio station, and a live studio audience, resulting in a chaotic and hilarious "on-air" Christmas.
Register with Tracy, Tickets are $110 (includes bus, buffet and show)
Please join us for our October 7th Dinner
Hansel & Gretel’s Catering
Feature of the Month
Tickets are $15 each - members only
Doors open at 5 pm
Dinner at 6 pm
Bar Service and 50/50
Pay by cash, cheque, e-transfer - or new option debit/credit
Tickets on Sale October 3rd, see Tracy for tickets
Please refrain from scented products (perfume, cologne, lotions, laundry, etc.) at all events at the club.
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
Blocking Caller on AndroidOngoing 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
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 2024
Updated January 23, 2024
As mentioned in our December 13th issue of the Newsletter we had a great turnout for filling the bags on November 27th! A huge thank you to everyone who helped, from making items (the knitting group and those who sew) to donations received, we were able to fill 142 bags to give to seniors who live alone or are isolated.
Last year the knitting group made gnome ornaments; in 2024 their Christmas ornament project is small crocheted stockings for the tree. These are in addition to the lapghans, shawls, jar lid openers, and other projects as they come up. Last year those who sew made the gift bags, bowl cozies and walker totes; in 2024 we will not only continue with these but also add single Kleenex pack covers for starters and add as we go.
For donations last year we received an abundance of a few items so the list of the items we will be collecting for 2024 is a bit shorter, as you see below:
Puzzle books and activity books – large print is good if available
Pencil sharpeners
Playing cards
Jigsaw puzzles – ones with larger piece sizes, not over 300 pieces
Toothbrushes
Bars of soap – i.e. Ivory, Neutrogena – scent free
Lip balm
Emory boards for nails
Squish balls (otherwise called stress balls)
Boxes of pencil crayons
A BIG thank you to everyone who helped us have a successful Outreach Program this year.
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Line Dance Lists, Videos, Dance Steps and Links
Dance Lists
Level 1 - Tuesday Oct 1 at 11:20 | Level 2 - Wednesday Oct 2 at 10:15 | Level 3 - Thursday Oct 3 at 3:00 |
Cut a Rug Mamma Maria Electric Slide AB Dancing in the Country | Electric Slide Stroll Along Cha Cha Little Dean Waltz Whiskey Bridges Hillbilly Girl EZ Susie Q A Kind of Hush
Until the Dawn | Cut a Rug |
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.
Level 3
This level is for experienced dancers who have mastered basic dance steps. Dances may include syncopation, full turns, tags, restarts, and be faster and/or longer. There will also be opportunity for class members to teach their favourite dances.
Step Sheets and Demo/Teach Videos for our Line Dances
Class | Song | Artist | Demo / Teach Video | |
3 Tequila Floor EZ | Level 2 | 3 Tequila Floor | Josiah Siska | Teach & Demo |
AA | Level 2 | AA | Walker Hayes | Demo & Teach |
AB Dancin' in the Country | Level 1 | Dancin' in the Country | Tyler Hubbard | Demo & Teach |
AB Wild Hearts | Level 2 | Wild Hearts | Keith Urban | Demo & Teach |
A Kind of Hush | Level 1 | There's a Kind of Hush | Carpenters | Demo & Teach |
A Little Shiver | Level 1 | Shiver | Ed Sheeran | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Amame un Poquito | Level 2 | Amame | Belle Perez | Demo |
American Kids | Level 3 | American Kids | Kenny Chesney | Demo & Teach |
Anything Goes | Level 1 | Why Don't We Just Dance | Josh Turner | Teach & Demo |
Beautiful Day | Level 2 | A Beautiful Day | Dave Sheriff | Teach & Demo |
Be Bop EZ | Level 2 | Be Bop A Lula | Scooter Lee | Teach & Demo |
Beginner Stroll | Level 1 | San Antonio Stroll | Tanya Tucker | Teach (in German) |
Black Coffee | Level 2 | Black Coffee | Lacy J Dalton | N/A |
Boot Scootin Boogie | Level 2 | Boot Scootin Boogie | Brooks & Dunn | Teach & Demo |
Broken Stones | Level 1 | Broken Stones | Paul Weller | Demo & Teach |
Bullfrog | Level 1 | Got a Feeling | Tim Hicks | Teach |
Can You 2 Step | Level 2 | Pick me up on Your Way Down | Martina McBride | Demo & Teach |
Ceecee | Level 2 | Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart) | The Vamps | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Champagne Promise | Level 3 | Champagne Promise | David Nail | Demo & Teach |
Charleston Cowboy | Level 1 | Sold Get Rhythm | John Michael Montgomery Sweethearts of the Rodeo | Teach |
Codigo | Level 3 | Codigo | George Strait | Demo & Teach |
Cold Heart | Level 3 | Cold Heart | Elton John and Dua Lipa | Demo & Teach |
Come Dance with Me | Level 2 | Come Dance with Me | Nancy Hays | Teach |
Cowboy Boogie** | Level 1 | Ladies Love Country Boys | Trace Adkins | Teach |
Cowboy Sweetness | Level 2 | Cowboys are my Weakness | Trisha Yearwood | Demo and Teach |
Crash and Burn** | Level 1 | Crash and Burn | Thomas Rhett | Teach |
Cut A Rug | Level 1 | Sugar, Sugar | The Archies | Teach & Demo |
Dancing Yet? | Level 1 | Ain't Back Yet | Kenny Chesney | Demos only on Step Sheet |
Darlin | Level 1 | Darlin | Johnny Reid | N/A |
Don't Step on My Soul | Level 1 | 40 Days and 40 Nights | Tim McGraw | N/A |
Down to the Honky Tonk | Level 3 | Down to the Honky Tonk | Jake Owen | Demo & Teach |
Electric Slide | Level 1 | The Wanderer | Dion | Demo & Teach |
Eye Candy | Level 2 | Runaround Sue | Dion | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Fandango | Level 1 | If That's the Way You Want It | Brooks & Dunn | N/A |
Fun for All | Level 1 | I Slipped and Fell in Love | Alan Jackson | Teach & Demo |
Gin and Tonic | Level 2 | Love Drunk | Locash Cowboys | Demo & Teach |
Give Me Your Tempo | Level 3 | Tempo | Matteo Bocelli | Demo Teach |
Gives Me Shivers | Level 3 | Shivers | Ed Sheeran | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Ghost Train | Level 2 | Zorba's Dance | The Sirtaki Orchestra | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Gone Country Again | Level 1 | Gone Country | Alan Jackson | Demo |
Gypsy Queen | Level 3 | Gypsy Queen | Chris Norman | Demo & Teach |
Heaven's Jukebox | Level 2 | Heaven's Jukebox | Jaden Hamilton | Demo & Teach |
Hillbilly Girl EZ | Level 2 | Hillbilly Girl | Lisa McHugh | Demo & Teaches Fr En |
If You Believe | Level 3 | If You Believe | Strive to Be & Patch Crowe | Demo & Teach |
I'm Alive | Level 3 | I'm Alive | Celine Dion | Various on Step Sheet Link |
I Close My Eyes | Level 2 | Ich Mach Meine Augen Zu | Chris Norman & Nino de Angelo | Demo & Teach |
I Love A Rainy Night | Level 2 | I Love A Rainy Night | Eddie Rabbitt | Teach |
I Just Wanna Dance With You | George Strait | Demo on Step sheet is out of sync | ||
La Galleguita | Level 3 | La Galleguita | Alex Fox | Demo & Teach |
Let's Chill** | Level 1 | Ice Cream Freeze | Mylie Cyrus | Demo & Teach |
Little Dean Waltz | Level 2 | Famous Last Words of a Fool | George Strait | Teach |
Little Heartbreak | Level 3 | Same Heartbreak Different Day | Richard Marx | Demo & Teach |
Little Red Book | Level 1 | He Drinks Tequila | Sam Kershaw | Demo & Teach |
Little Rhumba | Level 1 | Like She's Not Yours | The Bellamy Brothers | Teach |
Lonely Drum | Level 2 | Lonely Drum | Aaron Goodvin | Demo & Teach |
Lucky Lips | Level 2 | Lucky Lips | The Conquerors | Demo & Teach |
Lullaby Waltz | Level 2 | Drift Off to Dream | Travis Tritt | Demo & Teach |
Mamma Maria | Level 1 | Mamma Maria Sweet Pea | Ricchi E Poveri Tommy Roe | Teach & Demo |
Miley's Flowers | Level 3 | Flowers | Miley Cyrus | Demo & Teach |
New York, New York | Level 1 | Theme from New York, New York | Roger Williams | N/A |
One Night at a Time** | Level 1 | One Night at a Time | George Strait | Teach & Demo |
Peaches & Cream | Level 2 | You're Sixteen | Ringo Starr | Various on Step Sheet Link |
Pontoon | Level 3 | Pontoon | Little Big Town | Demo & Teach |
Rita's Waltz | Level 1 | Rock and Roll Waltz | Kay Starr | Teach & Demo |
Rocket to the Sun | Level 2 | What You've Done to Me | Samantha Jade | Various on Website |
Rockin the Wagon Wheel | Level 1 | Wagon Wheel | Darius Rucker | Teach |
Rose Garden | Level 3 | Bring Down the House | Dean Brody | Teach |
Señorita La-la-la | Level 3 | Señorita | Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello | Demo & Teach |
Shy Waltz** | Level 2 | The Last Waltz | Englebert Humperdink | Demo and Teach |
Something in the Water | Level 2 | Something in the Water | Brooke Fraser | Demo & Teach |
Stealing the Best | Level 2 | Dance Above the Rainbow | Ronan Hardiman | Teach |
Stroll Along Cha Cha | Level 1 | I Just Wanna Dance With You | George Strait | Demo and Teach |
Summer Nights | Level 3 | Wasted Time | Keith Urban | Demo |
Susie Q | Level 1 | Ready to Roll | Blake Shelton | N/A |
Texas Stomp** | Level 2 | I'm From the Country | Tracy Bird | Demo |
Texas Time | Level 2 | Texas Time | Keith Urban | Teach & Demo |
Thank You | Level 2 | Thank You | Gary Perkins and The Breeze | Demo & Teach |
That Honky Tonk Highway | Level 1 | Honky Tonk Highway | Luke Combs | Demo & Teach |
The Last Cheater's Waltz | Level 1 | The Last Cheater's Waltz | TG Sheppard | Teach & Demo |
Triple Mix | Level 2 | From a Jack to a King | Johnny Hansen | Demo & Teach |
Tush Push | Level 3 | Achy Breaky Heart | Billy Ray Cyrus | Demo |
Until the Dawn | Level 2 | Marvin Gaye | Charlie Puth | Demo & Teach |
Whiskey Bridges | Level 2 | Whiskey under the Bridge | Brooks and Dunn | Demo & Teach |
Wonderland Waltz | Level 3 | Welcome to Mystery | Plain White T's | Demo |
Zatchu | Level 2 | Blue Finger Lou Zat You Santa Claus | Anne Murray Bruce Poindexter | Demo & Teach |
** 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 |
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 |
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 |
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, home, Point LT L, home Shuffle Fwd RLR, Rock Fwd LF recover, Shuffle Back LRL, Rock Back RF recover Step RF Fwd, Kick LF Fwd, Step LF Home, Kick RF Fwd. Step RF Home, Point LF Left, Step LF Home, Point RF R Vine R with Touch, Vine L with 1/4 Turn and Touch |
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
Computer Games - A National Mah Jongg Card is required to play.
2 Week Trial
Free Games
Mah Jongg Lite Select American Mah Jongg, then School Game or Fun Game (has time limits)
Mah Jongg 4 Fun Click Email Log in and Register
Play with Robots - Click [Play], Select Settings (Slow Speed is Best and 4 Games), [Create Table], Add 3 Robots and click [Ready]
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)
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