NEW GLARUS — In their first-ever appearance at the Bicycle Cards World Euchre Championship, Joseph Ebling and Matthew Morsches, both of Chicago, emerged as the Doubles Tournament champions Sunday afternoon in New Glarus.

After finishing second in preliminary play with a combined score of 132, Ebling and Morsches advanced to the final table where they faced off against Darryl Hines of Mauston and his nephew Nathan Hines of Chicago. The two top teams played one final game to determine the champion.

The match came down to a nail-biting final hand. Ebling and Morsches secured the championship with a dramatic 10-7 victory.

“I’m still shaking,” said Ebling after the win. “I was shaking the entire time I was shuffling.”

“In the final game, we decided to be a little less aggressive,” he added. “We just played like we do back in Chicago. We got better cards, though. The other team — they’re very good Euchre players.”

When asked whether the game was more skill or luck, Morsches quipped, “One percent cards, ninety-nine percent skill.” Ebling wasn’t so sure.

The pair met years ago at Purdue University, but this was their first time teaming up in such a big Euchre tournament. Morsches said learned to play the game as a child at his grandparents’ home in Toledo and Ebling said his grandparents taught him how to play also. Ebling recruited him to join the tournament at the last minute after his original partner had to bow out. “My friend back home in Chicago is probably pretty upset right now,” Ebling admitted with a grin.

As champions, Ebling and Morsches received the Bicycle Cards World Euchre Federation Doubles Championship belts and prize packages from top tournament sponsors, including Bicycle Cards, Jack Link’s, Decatur Dairy, TDS Telecom and New Glarus Brewing Company.

Earlier in the weekend, Wayne Hamilton of Grapevine, Texas, captured the Singles Tournament title with a score of 102 points. Born in Minnesota and now living in Texas, Hamilton credited his win to both skill and the quality of his partners during the partner-rotation format. He took home the World Euchre Championship belt and top prizes in what was the largest singles field in the tournament’s three-year history.

The 2025 World Euchre Championship is sanctioned by the World Euchre Federation and serves as a fundraiser for the host community of New Glarus. The tournament is organized and owned by New Glarus Cares, a local nonprofit dedicated to capital improvement projects. Their team of volunteers powers the event each year. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will help fund the town’s first public dog park.

New Glarus Cares is a nonprofit organization raising funds for public spaces and community projects in New Glarus, Wisconsin. From playgrounds to dog parks, the organization brings neighbors together to make a lasting impact. 

The World Euchre Federation governs competitive Euchre, sanctioning major tournaments across North America. Its mission is to elevate the game, bring players together, and grow the Euchre community.

For more information about the World Euchre Federation or the World Euchre Championship, visit https://www.worldeuchrefederation.com/.