Darby Connections

06/15/2026

The Annual Euchre Party is Moving to the Lafayette Grande!

This year, the Annual Euchre Party will be held at the Lafayette Grande in Downtown Pontiac!

Please RSVP Soon! There is a larger hall available if we need it.

This is a BIG change for Erica and Jimmy. For more than 20 years, they have hosted the Annual Euchre Party at their home. There is something special about a house party that simply can't be duplicated. Change can be scary.

However, last year's party drew 89 players and pushed their home to its limits. There are even more people who would like to attend this year. On top of that, hosting the event requires a tremendous amount of work, from setting up tents, tables, and chairs to coordinating food, parking, and cleanup.

In some ways, moving to Pontiac is actually a return to the party's roots. The Annual Euchre Party began when Erica and Jimmy lived in Pontiac, and one of Pontiac's biggest advantages is its central location and easy access from all parts of Oakland County.

The Lafayette Grande is a beautifully restored historic Masonic Temple that has become one of the area's premier banquet venues. It has a unique character and charm that feels far more welcoming than a typical banquet hall. We believe the atmosphere, combined with our focus on fun rather than prize money, will help preserve the relaxed, friendly feel that has always made the Annual Euchre Party special.

The Darbyshire family also has a long connection to this location. Jimmy's brothers, David and Ricky, own the building and large parking lot directly across the street, which the Lafayette Grande uses for parking. Jimmy spent many years working there, so the venue feels a bit like home already.

As for the party itself, the cost will be $35 per person, which includes dinner. Parking is free. We are not charging anything extra for the Euchre tournament, so there will not be a large cash prize for the winner. Our goal is to keep the event affordable, social, and fun.

The winner may just walk away with a crown, bragging rights, and the honor of being the Annual Euchre Party Champion.

We are excited to try something new while keeping the spirit of the event that has brought so many people together over the years.

Game Rules & Format:

Our Euchre Rules: See Darby Connections House Euchre Rules
Scoring: Everyone deals twice each game. Can have more than 10 points. Four points for Euchres and Reneges on Loners. Your score is the sum of your top five games.
Winning: High-scorers win a prize. Tie-breakers favor the player with the highest hand. Must be present to win.
Gameplay: Change partners after each game. Each player deals twice. Screw the Dealer. No game starts post 10:00 pm.
Additional Rules:
No table talk regarding the current hand. Talk your heads off about everything else. THIS IS A SOCIAL EVENT! Keep games brisk.
Don't be a jerk!
Have fun!

06/12/2026

Nice day of golf with our small No Shame Golfers. If you like to golf but are horrible at it, we are the group for you! We have some nice shots, but a lot of not so nice one. But we have fun!

06/11/2026

Casual Euchre at the Irish Tavern in Lake Orion has always been a little different from our other locations. While most of our Casual Euchres manage seven or eight rounds in a night, Lake Orion has never been able to squeeze in more than six rounds during regulation time.

Now, only getting six rounds isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it usually means people are being social—and the Lake Orion crowd definitely loves to talk. If you're looking for serious, cutthroat Euchre, this probably isn't the place for you.

On the other hand, Clarkston is home to our Euchre professionals. They love to socialize too, but somehow they have mastered the art of talking and playing at the same time. In the history of our Casual Euchres, we've only reached nine rounds three times, and Clarkston accounts for two of those occasions.

THE MIRACLE IN LAKE ORION

But on June 10th, something incredible happened.

Lake Orion finally reached Round Seven!

We're not entirely sure how it happened, but we have a theory. Brian, a regular in Clarkston, made his first appearance in Lake Orion. His speed-Euchre skills must have rubbed off on the group and pushed them over the threshold.

To make the story even better, Brian won the event.

Going into the final round, Brian and Paul were tied for first with 42 points, while Angie and Jimmy were right behind them with 41. We created a special championship table with Brian and Angie facing Paul and Jimmy.

Brian and Angie delivered when it mattered most. Two loaners helped power them to an 11–5 victory, securing first place for Brian.

Lake Orion finally got its seventh round, and Brian walked away with the win.

Coincidence?

Maybe.

But don't be surprised if Lake Orion doesn't invite him back. 😉

06/10/2026

Week Two at The Tiki Bar in Walled Lake is in the books, and Erica came away with the win! She’s an outstanding Euchre player and earned a well-deserved victory.

The staff took last week's feedback to heart and did a fantastic job this week. As with any new venue, it can take a few weeks to get comfortable serving our group, and The Tiki Bar has been incredibly eager to work with us and make improvements along the way.

We're off to a great start and looking forward to many more great nights ahead!

06/06/2026

Pickleball at noon for all levels! If you don't know how to play, we will teach you.

Heading to the courts alone for a game can feel a bit daunting to many. It's common to see the same groups sticking together, or find yourself either outmatched or barely challenged. And let...

06/05/2026

Last night at the Oak Park Social euchre event, we welcomed more than 35 players! Thank you to everyone who came out, had fun, and helped support the venue.

Another great addition to the Darby Connections Euchre lineup is The Tiki Bar on Walled Lake, where we had 45 players on Tuesday night!

A special thank you goes out to our regular players. Your continued support is what helps establish a strong foundation at each location. When you show up consistently, you help create the welcoming atmosphere, steady attendance, and momentum that allow these events to grow and succeed. New players are much more likely to return when they see a vibrant group of familiar faces enjoying the game.

We truly appreciate everyone who continues to support these events, invite friends, and help build lasting euchre communities. See you at the next game!

06/04/2026

Clarkston Euchre is our Best BANG for the Buck Euchre Location. Great Food at Great Price!

06/03/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to our first Euchre event at The Tiki Bar in Walled Lake! With beautiful weather, a busy day for boaters, and 45 Euchre players changing seats every round, the staff certainly had their hands full. We appreciate everyone's patience and support as they learn our system. Despite the challenges, things went remarkably smoothly, and it seemed like everyone had a great time. We look forward to seeing all of you each Tuesday at 6:00 for fun nights at The Tiki Bar!

06/02/2026

Looks like we might hit 40 Euchre Players at The Tiki Bar tonight!

06/02/2026

First Casual Euchre at The Tiki Bar! Register at https://darbyconnections.com/events/2509 No Entry Fee!

Not Competitive; Just Casual Euchre! No Entry Fee! There is a prize for the person with the highest score each week and a bigger prize for the winner of the month.