Laura Zastrow
Patty Roberts presides over Monday night euchre games at the Madison Labor Temple Bar.
When Pat Westby was living on a farm outside of McFarland more than 60 years ago, there were no easy entertainment options.
“There wasn’t much to do in those days,” says Westby. “So we played euchre. We lived seven miles outside of town — too far to get to.” Now 82 years old, Westby no longer lives far from the action. But she’s still playing euchre. It’s a passion she shares with more than a dozen regulars on Monday nights at the Madison Labor Temple Bar on South Park Street.
The bar can be a little difficult to find, facing a back parking lot. But once inside, there is plenty of cheer. Christmas lights adorn the ceiling, and a donation box for the striking workers at Kohler sits prominently in the corner — the strike was to end two days later. A long central bar divides the space ensuring regulars can talk across to each other while enjoying a Spotted Cow and a basket of fried walleye. And there are plenty of regulars, some waiting their turn to get in on the action at the three euchre tables along the windows. The room is convivial but filled with an earnest, game-concentrated seriousness.
Euchre requires four players, so if there’s an uneven number, or not quite enough players to make another table, the players rotate in and out. None of them seem to mind taking turns at barstools away from the action, chatting with gregarious bartender Torri Grow and occasionally heckling other players.
“Sometimes I fill in,” says Grow. “They look at me with forlorn eyes, and I play. The rest just have to wait for their drinks between rounds.”
Euchre was brought to the U.S. by German Immigrants as the Alsatian game Juckerspiel (or Uker, as it was called) and traces its origins back to the earliest European five-trick card games in the 1400s. Each player is dealt five cards in batches, and then a round of betting begins to establish who will determine the trump suit and attempt to win at least three tricks for the “point.” The highest card is the Jack of the trump suit, called the “bower” — from the German word for farmer, bauer.
The game can be played with partners, but at this euchre night each player is on his or her own, attempting to finish first at the end of eight rounds. The playing starts promptly at 5:30, and goes on for a couple of hours. The players are fairly evenly mixed between men and women.
Grow also started playing the game young, while in school at Monona Grove. “We used to hide and play in the bathroom,” she says. “It’s such a great pastime for Wisconsin, and you meet such interesting people.”
Patty Roberts presides over the games as an officiate and organizer, getting pencils sharpened, making sure the decks are ready and taking care of the players. She has a Christmas sweater with a tie that says in bold letters: “Define Good.” Frequently laughter breaks out, as well as some friendly ribbing. “Go to hell, Emily!” a player exclaims, cackling. “Merry Christmas,” says another as she reveals her high hand.
When asked — considering her considerable experience playing the game — what makes a good euchre player, Pat Westby doesn’t hesitate:
“It’s all in the cards.”
Average attendance: 14
Years game has been played at the Labor Temple: 5
What cards are used for playing: 9-ace
Points awarded if a player gets all five tricks: 2
