Now that we've gotten you used to coming to Charlie's on Tuesday nights -- we give you a night off. Due to a special Karaoke party at the bar, Euchre has the night on Tuesday, September 9 off, so stay home, fold your laundry, call a loved one, and come to Big Chicks on Wednesday instead.

We resume our regularly scheduled program next Tuesday, September 16.

The fourth edition of the ECC's growing Tournament of Champions will be held on Sunday, October 5th at Charlie's.

This "singles" tournament (no partners needed) will again be structured as a double-elimination event. It also will feature the return of the Paul Zehren Invitational "second chance" round-robin. The TOC prize structure will be announced shortly.

As with the spring edition of the TOC, it'll be set up as a potluck, with the ECC springing for burgers and dogs. Signup sheets for players and dishes to pass will soon arrive at play venues. Please join us!

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

TUESDAY 69 / 45 Partly Cloudy
WEDNESDAY 74 / 53 Sunny
THURSDAY 75 / 60 Showers
FRIDAY 72 / 57 Thunderstorms
SATURDAY 76 / 59 Partly Cloudy
SUNDAY 75 / 55 Sunny

Two excellent tickets to the Saturday, September 27 8:00pm performance of Mamma Mia live on stage at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Tickets will go to the best offer. To place a bid, or for any questions, send an email to ECC member Geoff Dankert at noozdawg@comcast.net.

Mamma Mia -- How can I forget you?

Sunday, September 14 - Board Meeting @ Charlie's, 4:00pm
Sunday, October 5 - Tournament of Champions 4 (information above; time TBA)
Tuesday, October 14 - Variation Night at Charlie's (variation to be announced)

"I love it when my nine can take a trick!" - ECC member David Rothen.

"I love it when a trick can take my nine!" - ECC member Phil Forbes in response.

Sometimes, there's nothing amusing on the Internets - - at least nothing that we haven't already seen. Have you stumbled upon something on the Internets that made you pee yourself a little? Something that you'd like to share with your Euchre buddies? Send us the link in an email to euchrechicago@yahoo.com and we'll pass them on . . . Once we're done enjoying them ourselves.

Congratulations to the following winners!

Wed, Aug 27: Chris Wozniak with a 54!
Tue, Sept 2: Dave Judy with a 51!
Wed, Sept 3: Dan Hansen with a 54!
Sat, Sept 6: Greg Zurowsky with a 50!
Sun, Sept 7:Keith Bucceri with a 52!

Dear Hoyle
I used to be a good player. Now I suck and can't get a score above a 30. What am I doing wrong? - Can't Win

Dear CW: Like every card game on the planet, the rule of seven applies to Euchre too. What is the rule of seven? It's taken from the best blackjack and poker tables in the country -- any run of luck, be it good or bad, will generally last for seven hands. I don't know why it is, but Las Vegas dealers swear by it.

So what does that mean for Euchre? It could mean several things -- either your luck will turn after seven hands, seven games or even seven nights. That's a long time to go without a winning streak (just ask Paul Zehren), but eventually, Euchre being truly random, you'll start seeing some good scores too.

You might want to look at your play too -- have you gotten more aggressive or less aggressive? Are you playing harder competitors? Are you so into your own head that your bad scores are a self-fulfilling prophecy? Whatever it is, snap out of it, and focus on making the game fun.

Because even if you lose, and you will lose, you can still have fun.

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.