Pick-Up?

[RedDuke]

Score is 0-0. You're the dealer holding this:



Upcard is

Do you pick up or not?

What if it's instead?

If the score was 6-0 in your favor, would that change your opinion?

[jblowery]

I would definitely pick up the queen. I almost always pick up if it gives me 3 trump (except maybe if we're up 9-8 but even then it would be rare). That is even if my other 2 cards are junk so having that side ace is just a bonus. Chances are pretty good that if you don't pick it up somebody else is going to call spades. In that case, you have next to nothing. If your partner calls it, he/she will probably be responsible for taking all 3 tricks.

I know you like to think that somebody is gong to call diamonds or hearts but from what I've seen that would be pretty rare. Somebody will call spades though >50% of the time before it gets back around to you.

I wouldn't pick up the 9 of spades though. Being up 6-0 doesn't change either scenario for me.

[icanplay]

Hello,
Want to start by saying I really like this forum. I love euchre and feel this format has helped my game. First to answer the main question. I would pick up the queen most of the time. I would rather be two suited, or have my ACE in green however, I would normally pick this up. If i pass on a hand like this hoping red is called, it does not happen often enough to justify turning it down. with both bars in my hand, too often no one else has a hand strong enough to call read. The big risk that i take turning down the queen is spades, and the next call by my opponents is likely. My partner is practically on their own if they call spades.
Question two, I would not pick up the low spade... would only do it if my opponents had a score of nine.

One thing that i offer as a constructive critique of this page in general is that too often we ask the question if we should bid, or if we should not bid. I think that when we say we would bid a certain hand, we give advise on how it should be played. It is difficult, but with three low trump an off ace spades (not green) and a jack of diamonds or hearts, how are you going to play it. Obviously you hope they lead your void. if so you are quickly on pace to win this point. If they lead to your off suit jack, and your partner does not take it, you are in a big hole and will likely get set. if they lead spades, it hurts too. your partner will often trump the trick you wanted the ace to take, or often seat 3 will trump it and take your off ace. Horrible start for you getting your point.... your partner passed clubs so they are often little help. If they lead to your void, and you trump it, would you lead trump back... I would, and the reason why is to make My singleton Ace of spades stronger....
Love the sight, and hope this helps...

[Wes (aka the legend)]

I would definitely pick up the queen. I almost always pick up if it gives me 3 trump (except maybe if we're up 9-8 but even then it would be rare). That is even if my other 2 cards are junk so having that side ace is just a bonus.

Yep, I don't consider turning down 3 trump when I don't have all suits blocked. Having the off ace is a nice bonus.

Having 3 low trump, 3 suited, no off aces up 9-8, is definitely what I like the call a "F*#@% You" spot. IOW It feels like you're screwed no matter what you do. I sigh--on the inside hopefully--and pick up anyways.

I wouldn't pick up the 9 of spades though. Being up 6-0 doesn't change either scenario for me.

I agree, I wouldn't pick up the 9S at any score. Picking up the 9S is basically donating as the dealer. I don't donate as the dealer when I have two out of three 2nd round suits blocked. It kind've defeats the purpose when you have that much defense already.

[Wes (aka the legend)]

If they lead to your void, and you trump it, would you lead trump back... I would, and the reason why is to make My singleton Ace of spades stronger....
Love the sight, and hope this helps...

Yep, gotta lead trump in that spot.

[Tbolt65]

Score is 0-0. You're the dealer holding this:



Upcard is

Do you pick up or not?

What if it's instead?

If the score was 6-0 in your favor, would that change your opinion?

Yeah I'm calling clubs with three to the off ace of spades at 0-0. In most cases. In very, very, very rare cases would I ever pass. Only because it's early.

With the 9 of spades. I'm passing.

At 6-0 I'm Always calling the Queen.

At 6-0 my passing with the 9 of spades get only stronger at that score. Edit: for some reason I thought the 9 of spades was in my hand. But I'm still passing.

Tbolt65
Edward

[jspectre]

Those red bowers don't mean anything to me when I'm worried about a spades call, so clubs is always getting picked up here, no matter what the score is. As for the spades call, that's a pure donation play, and I try to avoid making that call unless I have at least a marginal hand, giving up a sure 2 points for a slim chance to stop a loner isn't a great trade off to me.

[Wes (aka the legend)]

and I try to avoid making that call unless I have at least a marginal hand, giving up a sure 2 points for a slim chance to stop a loner isn't a great trade off to me.

My hypothesis is that dealer donating can be worth it at the following scores:

9-0, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 8-0, 8-1, 7-0.

Anyone's guess is as good as mine on that.

Also, here's the following hands that would qualify as dealer donating to me:

Upcard , and you have:



Or



Or

[RedDuke]

Alright... tougher scenario. You're in first seat with this (Score is 9-9):



Upcard is . What do you do?

[Wes (aka the legend)]

Alright... tougher scenario. You're in first seat with this (Score is 9-9):



Upcard is . What do you do?

Pass with the intention of calling Next if the dealer passes. Calling clubs in the first round--giving the enemy a trump + a void--would be a poor move when you can call with the same 2 trump hand in the 2nd rd without giving the dealer a trump or a chance to create a void.