Over 100 students participated in a euchre — a popular midwest card game where teams of two play against each other to win tricks — tournament for a chance to win $1,000 at Morgridge Hall on Monday.
The event was sponsored by Bicycle Playing Cards and hosted by UW-Madison’s Euchre Club, with participants ranging from first-time rookies to seasoned Euchre Club players.
Although there are variations, euchre only uses 32 of a standard 52-card deck.
Sitting at 26 tables, teams competed against each other to claim euchre victory over their fellow badgers. Once the 2o minute timer started, players were flinging tricks across the table like it was second-nature.
Freshman Preston Dallek said he plays euchre with his rugby team all the time. He partnered with his friend, Jet, for the tournament.
“We're pretty locked in. We like to play euchre on the weekends, so I think we know what we're doing,” Dallek said. “But obviously, you know, it'll come down to luck of the draw.”
In addition to $1,000, winners of the tournament were invited to play against winners from other Big Ten schools. Winners of the Big Ten competition will go to New Glarus, Wisconsin to face off against national euchre players.
Many players, including Euchre Club president senior Evelyn Hentschel, learned euchre during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as a new game to pass the time. Others learned from their family when they were younger.
Hentschel has been involved with Euchre Club since she was a freshman.
“The two hours I get to just come and play euchre out of my week have been my favorite parts,” Hentschel said. “It’s a great time to meet new people and to just kind of turn my brain off, have fun for a couple hours a week.”
Euchre club holds meetings on Monday nights, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Engineering Hall, room 2317.
Cameron Schneider is the video director of The Daily Cardinal. He previously served as photo editor, and writes for the state and art desks as a staff writer.
