You survived the first-ever Tournament of Champions - - think you have it in you to compete again? Watch the newsletter and check the website for some news on the upcoming Tournament of Champions II, coming to a Euchre Club near you this fall!

We've heard your suggestions, and starting September 1, there's a whole new way to become King Euchre in the event of a tie. The Jack-Off has become a thing of the past (we hope).

At the end of the night, PLEASE turn in the table score sheets when you turn in your player score cards. In the event that two or more members have the same highest score, instead of jacking off randomly for the win, the director will now review the score sheets, and award the bar tab (and title) to the person who left his/her opponents with the fewest points.

For example, imagine you won all five games, and scored a ten for each win. Now imagine Paul Zehren did the same. You both have 50s, right? Now let's look at what your opponents scored. Your first game was won 10-1, your second was 10-4, your third was 10-0, your fourth was 10-5 and your fifth was 10-2. Paul Zehren, on the other hand, won his five games with a score of 10-9 each time. In this case, you'd win the bar tab because your opponents only managed to score 12 points against you, while Paul's opponents scored 45 points against him. You're obviously a better player than Paul.

And what about three-handed, you ask? Same deal. if you win three handed, the next highest score counts "againt" you. If you don't get the highest score in three handed, but still move, the winner's score (which would be a 10, 11, 12 or 13) counts "against" you. Trust us, the math works.

Here's some ways you can still enjoy a good jack-off. 1) If two members tie at three handed, the jack-off will still decide who moves and/or who wins (to pick their partner at the next table); 2) in the event two (or more) members tie for the night with the high score, and the points "against" them are also tied, then we revert back to the jack-off, but that should almost never happen.

Questions? See any director (especially ones good with math) for a better explanation. This will be a trial, and if it works, the Board will look at making this permanent. If it causes more confusion and frustration than its worth, then it's back to the old ways, but at least give us credit for trying.

Your weather for the week, provided by the meteorologists at WFLD-TV Fox Chicago.

TUESDAY - 89 / 69 Sunny
WEDNESDAY - 84 / 64 Thunderstorms
THURSDAY - 78 / 59 Sunny
FRIDAY - 76 / 56 Sunny
SATURDAY - 81 / 65 Partly Cloudy
SUNDAY - 80 / 66 Sunny

From ECC member Enrique "Pinata" Nieto: /p>

If you enjoyed "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," then you'll definitely like "Superbad," the new teenage comedy by the same production team. The movie follows three misfit, but likable high school seniors in their ridiculous misadventures as they attempt to "get the liquor, get to the party, and ultimately, get the girl." As is typical of this genre, most of the laughs (and there are a lot!) come from vulgar and raunchy situations and language (kinda like euchre on a Saturday night.) But "Superbad" is also a kinder, gentler teenage comedy with warm and fuzzy moments where we get to see the main characters' vulnerabilities and shortcomings (kinda like euchre on a Saturday night.) Overall, it's a humorous movie, one in which you're empathizing with the "heroes" and really rooting for them, while at the same time laughing at them.

Saturday, September 8 - Annual TPAN gala

October 13 - Variation Night

Congratulations to the following recent winners!

Tuesday, August 21 - Beck Choucair with a 51!
Wednesday, August 22 - Paul Sullenger with a 52!
Saturday, August 25 - Scott Baum with a 53!
Sunday, August 26 - David Rothen with a 53!

"Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're the windshield."

- ECC member Geoff Dankert, in an odd moment of Zen.

Dear Hoyle,

What's the rule on kibbitzers during games? I don't mind people watching, whether it's at cards or my usual Friday night at the 'works, but on more than one occasion, a "watcher" has said something that could be considered table talk, such as "wow, sucky cards, Paul" or calling out a renege. What is the rule on that? -Zero is preferred in talking

Dear ZipIt:
You raise a good point, and it's a great time to remind everyone that while you're welcome to watch any game in progress (and cheer or boo the winners and losers), you need to keep your pie-hole shut when it comes to actual play. You should NEVER identify a renege or misplayed card, and you should NEVER deliver any hints of what a player (or players) might have in their hands -- including urging someone to go alone, play an ace, or what have you.

If you're playing and are the victim of an overly chatty watcher (or just can't perform well with that many people watching you), you're well within your rights to (politely) ask them to shush or go watch a different game. In cards, like in the bedroom, not everyone appreciates an audience, especially one that criticizes.

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