It's your last chance to sign up for the Tournament of Champions III! TOC3 will be THIS Sunday, April 13 at Charlie's. Sign-up (and lunch) begins at Noon, and play will start around 2pm. You don't need a partner for this tournament -- you'll be 'seeded' in the tournament based on your average on Sunday morning.

This is also a double elmination tournament -- you're in the tournament as long as you don't lose two games. And if you DO manage to lose your first two games -- great news! There's a special runner-up tournament for everyone who loses their first two games . . . and what becomes of the winner of that tournament is a secret, for now . . .

But what becomes of the TOC3 winner? Cash, of course. $150 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place and $25 for fourth. And we'll be doing the 50/50 raffle again, so even more ways to win!

Oh, and speaking of lunch -- it's up to you. The Board will be providing some burgers and brats, but if you'd like to bring something more substantial, you can add it to the sign-up list at any play venue.

So don't forget to sign up at Charlie's or Big Chicks, or send an email to euchrechicago@yahoo.com. Sign up closes Saturday night.

If you have any questions, please see Tournament co- directors Dan Miracle and Geoff Dankert. If you have any complaints, please see Marv, and tell him we sent you.

Beginning April 1, we're now accepting membership dues for the 08/09 year. Dues are still only $15.00, and are payable at any play venue (please ask for and keep your receipt).

And a reminder to any newbie who hasn't yet paid his or her dues -- you're allowed three free plays with the club before we request that you join by paying the membership fee. In addition to helping support the club, your membership entitles you to participate in all of the great club activites, like the annual Anniversary Cruise, the holiday party, and of course our other tournaments.

If you're not a newbie, then please skip the rest of this story and move on down to Hoyle or something. If you ARE a newbie, here's some important info for you regarding your dues.

If you paid your membership dues PRIOR to April 1, 2008, you're eligible to join us on our Anniversary Cruise this summer (not to mention the Tournament of Champions III -- provided you've also played at least three times with the club). If you paid your membership AFTER April 1, 2008, then you've technically only paid for a 08/09 membership, so unfortunately you are not eligible to join the upcoming TOC3 or the Anniversary Cruise. There is a way around that, however -- for a low $10 pro-rated fee, you can retroactivally pay your 07/08 membership, plus the additional $15 for 08/09 makes you eligile for everything.

This makes our head hurt just to talk about it, so if you have any questions, please see money guru David Rothen.

This week's weather provided by the meteorologists at WFLD-TV Fox Chicago.

TUESDAY 54 / 42 Thunderstorms
WEDNESDAY 51 / 38 Partly Cloudy
THURSDAY 49 / 41 Thunderstorms
FRIDAY 48 / 37 Thunderstorms
SATURDAY 50 / 36 Partly Cloudy
SUNDAY 54 / 39 Sunny

We're a few weeks late with this item, but it's a worthy addition to your daily reading. Most of us have dealt with the issue of coming out to friends, family, co- workers -- and for some of us, dinosaurs. More often than not, things went fine, but it doesn't happen that way for everyone.

A few weeks ago, Savage Love columnist Dan Savage, wrote an insightful column highlighting just how far some people still have to go with that all- important issue. Whether your coming out was easy, tumultuous, or somewhere in between, it's worth a read to ponder how fortunate you are today.

Click here for the column (from March 13). The usual warnings apply -- this column may not be safe for work...

Sun, Apr 13 - Tournament of Champs III
Wed, Apr 16 - Next Variation Night - Partner's Best & Stick (screw?) the Dealer

Congratulations to the following winners!

Tue. Apr 1 - Ron Hall with a 52!
Wed. Apr 2 - Randall Ward with a 53!
Sat. Apr 5 - Heidi Spielmaker with a 53!
Sun. Apr 6 - Scott Hawkins with a 51!

"I know how to stick it in..." - Kevin Jackson. Not quite sure what he was talking about there, but it gives us the opportunity to show the bigfoot animation again...

Bai·ley·ling·us [bay-lee- ling-gus] -noun
We really don't have a definition for this word, but it made us laugh, so there must be a use for it somewhere. If you think you have the best definition of Baileylingus, send it to us in an email at euchrechicago@yahoo.com and if we use your definition you'll get a free play!

Dear Hoyle --
I have a friend in the club -- let's call him Saul -- who by all accounts is a really nice guy, good looking, fun to be around, yet he can't seem to get any action. How do I help Saul get a date? - Not One To Place Any Unknown Love

Dear NOTPAUL:
Some people are just shy, and no amount of coaxing will ever bring them out of their shell. It could be a self-esteem issue, a bad previous relationship, a lack of confidence, or a million other reasons. You can't force a relationship (or a date) on anyone, so the best thing you can do is give your friend Saul his space and let him figure out things for himself. If he finds himself 42 and alone, then the next best thing you can do for him is be his friend and keep him involved in your life (movies, dinner, etc.).

And it probably wouldn't hurt to buy him a hooker either.

If you have a question about Euchre strategy, ECC club rules, relationships or just life in general, send an e-mail to resident expert Hoyle at euchrechicago@yahoo.com. We promise all e- mails are anonymous, and the answers may just