For those looking for spring sectionals - you are in luck!
Early March will see the Spring is Coming Sectional at the Twin City Bridge Center in Minneapolis. With open pairs, 299'er games, pair/team games and a Swiss on Sunday - there is something for everyone!
A flyer is available with all the details below.
Others, however, are more complex. Should declarer play for a simple finesse - or the more exotic squeeze? Set up a suit? Or strip out a defender's exit cards?
In this week's Koch Korner, John ably takes on the task of weighing the best line of play. Here's a hand that is of note both for bidding, offense and defense. Enjoy!
Ben Kristensen's USBF Junior team may be composed of all 13 and 14 year olds. Do not, however, think that their young age means they cannot follow suit. They do - and quite smartly!
Sunday, Ben and partner Burke Snowden, plus teammates Hakan Berk and David Soukup won a tightly contested match by five IMPS to earn the right to represent the US as USA2. Over 64 boards, as the match swung back and forth, the Snowden team was on the plus side when it mattered.
My spies tell me that the boys will add Murphy Green and Arjun Dhir, two of the pairs they played against yesterday, to be their third pair.
We wish our wiz kid from Duluth the best as he gets ready for the 14th World Youth Bridge Team Championships and China this summer! Hands and more detailed reports shall be forthcoming.
So, here we are, starting out a new year - and looking at what the top 100 Minnesotans have earned for their lifetime masterpoint totals.
You might note that I, your webmaster, am at the top of the list. I am honored to be there. But please also note that no one gets their masterpoints without help. If not for fine partners, tough teammates - and the occasional hapless opponent - we wouldn't have our masterpoints. And - we would not be enjoying this great and complex game.
My thanks to Sue Jackson, Unit 178 president, for supplying us with the current top 100, along with the top 100 masterpoint winners for 2011. Enjoy studying the stats.
Kudos to those who made the list - and - may everyone have a wonderful 2012 earning their new masterpoints!
In today's "Koch's Korner," John presents us with a hand where our spots matter. Sometimes we play a spot card just to show off or for flair. Other times - we do so because it's the only road to success!
President Sharon Anderson continues her trek to clubs. Thursday evening, she visited Tony Ames' game in Minnetonka. Check out all the details and photos!
Some hands, however, are just the opposite. To achieve the result we want, we must fight the tendency to take our "natural" course. Today, John Koch presents us with such a hand - in spades!
Andy Caranicas is one of our Twin Cities players who has had success at the national level. In 2009, Andy won the 0-1500 Mini-Spingold. That win was followed the next year with a Grand National Flight B victory.
Like many of our competitors, Andy sometimes plays at Bridgebase to hone his game. In this speedball tournament, Andy analyses an interesting hand - and ... Well, I will let Andy explain it in his own words below!
You might also wish to check out what Bridge Master is. Andy references it in his article, and I was not familiar with it. Looks like a super tool!
Thanks, Andy!
Ingrid Stocking is one of our bridge players - and a poet, too. Now, Ingrid has turned her talents to the game she loves.
Although no names are used, you may well recognize the competitors in Ingrid's poem below, "The Bridge Center." If you are interested in learning more about Ingrid's poetry, feel free to contact her at istocking2000@gmail.com. Thank you, Ingrid!
Minnesotans could hardly be more proud that our own Sharon Anderson is the president of the ACBL for 2012!
On Wednesday, January 11th, Unit 178 invites everyone to celebrate Sharon's new position. At 11AM at the Twin City Bridge Center, we'll enjoy cake, day time duplicate - and have Sharon tell us all about her position and plans.
Be sure to come by to play and share the day with Madame President!
Those of us who love this game do so for many reasons. One reason is, oddly enough, how difficult it is. If the game were more facile, the intrigue would be far less.
Today, John Koch presents us with a hand that has many twists and turns. At each step of the defense, lessons are to be learned and critical moves to make. As always, John is most instructive in explaining how to find the steps to success!
