U3A Cards 500

Next date: Monday, 14 September 2026 | 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM

• Provide a place for people to play 500
• Keep the brain active as players consider the possibilities that arise with each new hand
• Improve skills in analysing, bidding, and playing out a hand
• Enjoy an afternoon of recreation each week with a friendly group of people

HISTORY

The group began in late 2023 or early 2024.

It is part of the offering of the local U3A (University of the Third Age) group, which provides a variety of activities for retirees in the community.

The game of 500 arose in the United States before 1900 and was extremely popular there for a number of years, until contract bridge overshadowed it in the 1920s. 500 remains quite popular in Australia, where it has been called Australia's national card game.

DETAILS

The group meets in Room C each Monday from 3-5 pm. They general take a break during school holidays.

The activity is sponsored by Capricorn Coast University of the Third Age (U3A CapCoast). Participants must join U3A for just $20 per year.

Players are assigned to tables randomly to give people an opportunity to experience different groupings each week.

Each table will have 4-5 players. The rules are slightly different for five players than for four.

PEOPLE

Participants are all U3A members, so they are retirees over 50.

Most Mondays, the group attracts about 20 people, although have had as many as 30. They set up enough tables to accommodate all players. The group provides the special 500 card deks.

They do not teach the basic rules of the grame, but welcome people at all skill levels.

PARTICIPANT QUOTE

"We have a really great time playing, and it's not too serious. Nobody gets upset if they lose. We have a chat."

Jeff, participant for one year

MORE

• Jan has coordinated the group since its inception about two years ago.
• The game of 500 was originally derived from Euchre, but it changed the hand from seven cards to ten, and added bidding.
• As in Euchre, the Jack of the trump suit and the other Jack of the same colour are called the "Bowers" (right and left, respectively) and outrank all other trumps other than the Joker.
• A game proceeds until any player (or team when playing the 4-handed game) reaches 500 points. When this happens, they start a new game.

When

Location

Yeppoon Community Centre, 80 John Street, Yeppoon, QLD, Yeppoon, 4703, View Map