May 09, 2008

The Cavendish

Joey2 Although The Cavendish is not a Minnesota event, Minnesotans have long been competing and winning at this prestigious, high-stakes event.  Richfield natives Joe Grue and Steve Garner played in the first event:  the John Roberts teams.Carole.steve

Thursday night, top pairs from around the world were auctioned off for literally tens of thousands of dollars.  Helgemo and partner Hellness, from Norway, went for the largest amount in Cavendish history:  $74,000!  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they will battle away for big bucks against the best at the luxurious Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Helgemo If you were not able to watch the auction and partake in the sumptuous pre-auction buffet (as some former Minnesotans did), you can nevertheless share in the drama of the game!  Bridge Base Online will have the Cavendish Invitational Pairs on vugraph throughout the weekend.

Enjoy!

Sue grue Tom grue











May 07, 2008

Our Gain

Most of you know that I am a strong proponent of our Junior Bridge programs.  Frankly - without them, our fabulous game will not survive!

Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, sent me a most pleasant announcement.  Sue Jackson will be in charge of our Junior Bridge Program for 2008-2009.  Sue is a retired school teacher and a strong local bridge player.  Sue should be a most welcome addition for training our future bridge masters!

Marv has a nice introduction about Sue, for those who are not familiar with her.  Congratulations on your new position, Sue - and thank you!

Continue reading "Our Gain" »

A Whiff of Desperation

Have we ever commented that bridge is a tough game?  Listing all the bits of data, technique, judgment, table presence and more that one must absorb to become a true master of the game is daunting!

In today's fascinating hand, John Koch outlines how we can weigh what is happening at the table and come up with the winning answer.

Enjoy!

Continue reading "A Whiff of Desperation" »

April 30, 2008

Deception

Honesty is the best policy in business, love life and friendships.

When it comes to the bridge table, however, deception (within the conditions of contest) rules!

John Koch details a hand where declarer's sneakiness succeeds in spades!

Continue reading "Deception" »

April 28, 2008

Minnesota Goes to Las Vegas!

With a few exceptions (including my stellar partner, Bill Kent of Iowa), a mass of Minnesotans are heading for the Grand National Team competition at the Las Vegas Nationals this July.

Congratulations to all the winners - and "break a leg" at the final stages!

April 23, 2008

Last Chance

Koch. A good declarer looks for more than one opportunity to bring in his contract.  A great declarer searches for something else - somehow, some way - when it appears other lines have failed him.

John Koch guides us through the process of seeking last chances - and finding them!  Please see below.

Continue reading "Last Chance" »

April 20, 2008

The New Seniors

Bridgekersten Bridge is a fabulous game for the middle-aged and older.  Even if you can't see well or hear well - or if you can't whip around as you once could in your youth - you can still calculate what to bid, how to declare and how to defend.

Do not think for a moment, however, that bridge is for those who are only young at heart!  If you are old enough to do a bit of logic and math, then bridge can be the game for you!

In the Star Tribune today, columnist Katherine Kersten writes of seniors who love our game.  These seniors, however, are still in their teens:  they are high school seniors!

Here is what these students had to say about the game that so intrigues them.

What makes bridge such a great game? For one thing, it's intellectually demanding. Two pairs of partners bid, or predict, how many "tricks," or sets of four cards, they will win during play. Through their bids, they communicate to each other the strength of their hand and the suit they prefer to be "trump."

Bridge downplays luck and emphasizes skill and memory. "Like all games, it's based on finding out hidden information and using it to your advantage," explains Jopp. "You can get better at the game endlessly -- there's no limit. You never master it or even reach a point of satisfaction." Weitz adds that playing with a partner makes the game a lot more fun.
No matter what kind of senior you are - bridge can be your game!

April 19, 2008

More Remembrances

Hugh MacLean was a big fixture for many years in the Twin Cities bridge world.  Ron DeHarrporte shares his memories of Hugh with us.

UPDATE:  In addition to Ron's remembrance, here is Hugh's obituary.

Continue reading "More Remembrances" »

April 18, 2008

Hugh MacLean

The last few months have been difficult ones for the Minnesota bridge world when it comes to our friends.  We have lost too many in recent days.

Now, alas, I must add another to the list:  Hugh MacLean.  Hugh died the day before yesterday in his sleep, presumably from a heart attack.

Newer bridge players may not even recognize this name; Hugh and his wife MaryAnn moved to Gonzales, Texas, a number of years ago.  The oldtimers among us, however, all knew Hugh. 

Hugh had great success with Ron Anderson, aka "The Hog" - and played on Kathy Wei's team.  Hugh was erudite, well-read, charming and a nice guy in addition to being a fine bridge player.

I'm afraid I haven't been able to find any bios online.  I would welcome anything that readers could send to me to post about Hugh.

Feel free to share you thoughts in comments.

Continue reading "Hugh MacLean" »

April 16, 2008

A Basket of Lessons

Azalea After drizzly cold rains and even snow last weekend, we finally have some spring April weather! 

While baskets of flowers are still a few weeks away in Minnesota, John Koch has kindly provided us with a column chock full of lessons.  Please enjoy the words of wisdom below!

Continue reading "A Basket of Lessons" »

April 15, 2008

Five Come Alive

Matt Matthew Bribitzer-Stull traveled south to Mason City last weekend.  While competing at the regional, Matthew came upon a most fascinating hand.

Thank you, Matthew, for your fine column and analysis.  Sorry that you aren't a card rack, though, Matt; where is that five when you need it, eh?

Please see below for Matt's gory details.

Continue reading "Five Come Alive" »

April 14, 2008

Expert Night

With a new beta at Typepad, my posting has had its challenges lately!

In case you missed it earlier, here is a report about a fine evening at Roger and Sharon Anderson's home starring expert Kerry Holloway!

Mason City Regional 08

 10.group District 14 had its spring regional in Mason City this past week.  The playing quarters were not fancy.  But, Elaine Olson and her crew worked mightily to offer a nice week for everyone.  A variety of events were available, plus free lunch most days!  (Cookie Hoberman of Omaha surely has started a trend!)

A number of Minnesotans took the short jaunt south to engage in the festivities.  Here are a few highlights from the regional, along with results.

Continue reading "Mason City Regional 08" »

April 10, 2008

How Did Ya Do?

Do you compete at the Twin City Bridge Center?  Want to find out how you did after the game?

Now you can find out quickly online!  Just go here, and results will be posted soon after the game.

To herald this fine feature, Mike Cassel has been kind enough to send us a hand.  Thanks, Mike!  Thanks, TCBC!

Continue reading "How Did Ya Do?" »

April 09, 2008

Smothered

Smothered You can be smothered in a relationship.  You can smother a chicken in gravy.  And - the smoke from fire can smother you quickly.

John Koch tells us about one more way to do a little smothering at the bridge table!  Please see below.

Continue reading "Smothered" »

April 08, 2008

Minnesota Gopher Regional

Less than 2 months away now! 

Please see the updated schedule below.  Note that our first Knockout has been renamed in memory of Jim Hall.

Be sure to start lining up teammates and partners soon!

Continue reading "Minnesota Gopher Regional" »

April 06, 2008

Kerry's Big Hands

37 Sharon and Roger Anderson, along with some of our finest local stars, have conspired to aid the bridge games of many.  Throughout the year, the Andersons invite those who wish to improve their knowledge of bridge to their beautiful home.  There, people enjoy a bountiful pot luck dinner, followed by a lecture by one of our top players.  Then, specially prepared hands which fit the theme of the evening are played by the participants!

This weekend, Kerry Holloway performed admirably as the resident expert.  Kerry expounded on what to do with Big Hands.  His explanations about reverses, jump shifts and lebensohl responses prompted many questions.  Kerry even provided a mini-quiz to help enlighten all!

As someone who has represented Minnesota more times than I can count in NAP and GNT games, we could hardly do better with Kerry at the helm.  Add in Sharon and Roger as hostess and host - plus Larry Oakey as Director extraordinaire - and you have one superb bridge evening!

For shots of host, expert and guests - check out this album.

April 03, 2008

Operating in Rochester

Mayo-clinic-gondaoverview Everyone knows that Rochester is famous for its world reknown Mayo Clinic.  Yet - it has something else worthy of note:  a great spring sectional!

The Hiawatha Valley Tournament begins tomorrow, and here is the schedule.  Be sure to attend!

Also; results will be updated at this site, should you be unfortunate enough to not operate on the opponents yourself!