Minnesota Bridge

Nashville News

  While Minnesotans didn't quite make it to the top at this national tournament, they still did exceptionally well.

Leading the pack was Randy Okuba.  My apologies for not reporting it earlier (I didn't realize Randy was in the hunt!) - but, Randy nabbed the second spot in the 0-5000 Mini-Spingold.

In this same event, Mike Cassel's team ended up tied for 3/4.

In Chicago, the team that got to 2nd in the 0-1500 Mini-Spingold made it to 3/4 in Nashville.  Congrats to Matthew and Jason Bribitzer-Stull, along with Eric Hendrickson and Richard Lawson.

The Semis

Alas; Minnesota's 0-1500 Mini-Spingold team bit the dust yesterday.  But the Cassel team battles on. 

Of course, we all wish them well and will keep our fingers crossed for positive results!

Forward, Ho!

The march toward victory for Minnesota Mini-Spingold 0-5000 and 0-1500 continues!

Best of luck and play to our teams in today's Nashville matches!

Page Points

John Koch provides us with vital lessons for winning bridge.  Today's column is no exception to this rule!

Please see below.

A Major Minor Article

Paul Meerschaert has been most prolific recently - and we thank him!

Here Paul picks a pile of preeminent problems from play with partner in the GNT.

Enjoy!

Youngest GLM

Minnesota Bridge has already reported that Joe Grue recently became the youngest Grand Life Master ever in the ACBL.  In today's Daily Bulletin at the Nationals, however, Joe appears on the front page with a grand write up!

Those of us in Minnesota are well aware of Joe's amazing bridge talents.  That Joe is such an exceptional person in addition surely puts him into one rarified category.

Almost a Repeat!

The Summer Nationals are well under way.  Not surprisingly, already some Minnesotans are producing impressive results.  Last year, Mike Cassel won the 0-5000 Life Master Pairs.  Here in Nashville, he was a hair away from a back to back win, this time with Eagan's Barry Purrington. 

In addition, Jason and Matthew Bribitzer-Stull made it to the overalls of the 0-1500 Life Master Pairs.  Well done!

Tall? Or Small?

A decision on one hand left the District 14 Open Team on the sidelines.  You can follow along and judge what decision you would have made had you been the player with this hand.

Your partner opens 1NT (good 14 to 17 HCP), and after a pass, you hold:  AK, QJxxxxx, none and AQ9x.  As they say:  not bad!

What is your plan?

The player holding this hand elected to transfer to hearts with 2D.  Partner duly bid 2H.  Then, this player was able to bid 5D.  This bid means "Partner;  please count your key cards, excluding the ace of diamonds, and tell me how many you have."

Partner responds with 5NT, which announces two keycards.  (They can be nothing other than the AK of hearts, as you have the rest.)

Now what?

And They're Off!

The Nationals in Nashville have begun.  Flights Open and A started Wednesday afternoon.  After two sessions, the field was narrowed.

For District 14, our Flight A team made it, and the Open Flight team did not.  (Alas!)

Paul Meeschaert has substituted for Irwin Boris on the Flight A team.  Go, District 14!  Best of luck and play today.

Staying Flexible!

This week, John Koch graces us with another incredible declarer play hand.  Fabulous card reading skills by John - and highlighting how a player must remain alert to all the possibilities available to him.

Article below; enjoy!

Goodbye to a Teacher

The Twin City area has lost a fine bridge teacher and an even better friend.  We are sad to report that Louise Rossini of Edina died last week at age 94.

The Star Tribune wrote a lovely obituary about Louise.  I also spoke to Larry Oakey, and he informed me that years after people took classes from this teacher, they spoke in glowing and warm tones about how much she had taught them and the enjoyment they received from her classes.

We always welcome new players in the bridge community.  People like Louise Rossini, however, are irreplaceable.

Services for Louise will be held tomorrow, Monday July 16th.

My Mom, The Life Master

Parents crowing about the accomplishments of their little darlings (be they 4 months old or 47 years old) is a common occurence.

Today, however, we have an uncommon event.  Amy Reznik is boasting in the other direction.  Amy's doing it with good reason:  her mom just attained the rank of Life Master!

Congratulations to Amy's mom, Margaret Peterson, and thanks to Amy for sending us the fine column below.  How nice to have a bridge playing family and a daughter so proud of her mom's achievement!

We hope you will also enjoy these great photos of Margaret, along with daughters Linda and Nancy.

Labor of Love

Tom Hammond is performing a labor of love in St. Paul that benefits a whole bunch of folks!

First - Tom is donating his time to give bridge lessons.  The title of his series of lessons is:  Champion Bidding.  Twelve 3 hour classes are being given every Monday evening, from 6PM to 9PM.  The content of the lessons is discussion of 36 bridge conventions.

The rest of the lessons can be attended for $5 each session.  Currently, Tom is into the 7th week of the program.

In addition to people getting a great bridge education, others gain from this, too.  70% of the proceeds are being donated to the following charities:

• American Cancer Society
• Arthritis Foundation
• Diabetes Association

The remaining 30% of the funds is donated to the Bridge Center of St. Paul.

Summer Spectacular!

One of the highlights of the summer bridge calendar is the Aquatennial Sectional Tournament.  The tournament starts today, Wednesday July 11th, and runs through the weekend, concluding with a Swiss Team on Sunday.

Whether you are a novice or one of the most experienced players in the state, the tourney has something for everyone. 

We hope you will head on down to the Twin City Bridge Center at 60th and Nicollet and join in the festivities!

Something for Everyone

John Koch's column this week is chock full of excellent concepts.  How to evaulate in the bidding, judging distribution, assessing strength and determing the play of the hand are all there.

If you wish to improve your game, then you would do well to heed John's wise advice!

Please see below.

Minnesotans Head South

Some folks head for fireworks on the Fourth of July - and some head for fireworks at the bridge table.

Here are some shots of Minnesota players who participated in District 14's quite nice Des Moines Regional; worth celebrating!

And do not forget the directors!

 

Hot Tips

Today's Twin City weather wasn't quite as scorching as the weather we "enjoyed" last week.  The cooler breezes are a perfect complement to these hot tips from Paul Meerschaert!

Thanks, Paul - and see below for another fine PM column.

Bombs Bursting in Air

If you're looking for fun and instruction on the Fourth of July, one of John Koch's bridge columns surely is the way to go!  Please see below for another fine tale.

Thanks, John.  And a very happy and safe holiday to all Minnesota Bridge readers!

299er Fest

Beat the dog days of summer with cool 299er tournament events!

August 17th, 18th and 19th at the St. Paul Bridge Center.

Lotsa fun, and lotsa details below!

Prolific Paul!

Paul Meerschaert, to our delight, has produced another entertaining and instructive column.

Thanks paul!  Open and enjoy below....