Minnesota Bridge

Bridge 101

Many bridge players learned to play when they were in high school or college.  I can remember pulling "all nighters" at the table; whenever it was my turn at dummy, I'd flop on the sofa to catch 8 minutes of winks.

Back in the prehistoric bridge era, however, young people didn't have such a vast array of activities nipping away at their time and their attention.  Today?  They do.  Thus, for those of us who wish to see this exceptional game continue, and who want to see the youth of today learn its intricacies, we need to try a little harder.

Evan Sachs and Bill Phillips are doing that.

Evan and Bill are already introducing a new generation of students to bidding, declarer play and defense.  But, they'd like to do much, much more.  They have found eight to ten schools who would like to participate in a Twin City bridge league.  To do so, though, they need volunteer teachers.

Are you a retiree looking for a worthwhile project?  Are you a bridge player who has some pockets of time that you could volunteer? 

Evan is happy to hold some seminars to train local bridge teachers.  You need not be in the top ten of the bridge league to sign up!  Just a willingness to teach students about point count, trump, how to take a few tricks and get along with young people is all that is required.

Evan's email is:  essachs@msn.com  Please get in touch and have Evan explain how you can help.

I've seen some of the kids who are learning.  Just like you and me, they love the game and soak it up!

Be a sport and help 'em do it!  Thanks.

 

Paul's New TV

One of our more prolific writers allows us a view into his home - and his bridge game!  Thanks, Paul - and enjoy, everyone!

Column below.  Ed Sullivan?  Sorry; cannot help you there!

Labor Day Sectional

Get silver points in the Twin Cities!  The Labor Day Sectional starts August 31st at the Twin Cities Bridge Center on Nicollet.

Four days of fun and competition for you!

Fall Back

In autumn, we enjoy the gorgeous explosion of colors, change our clocks - and herald the arrival of the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club!

For those of you who don't know what the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club is, let me explain. 

The MGSC was founded in 1937.  It's aim was to be a club where serious bridge was played, where people could work to improve their games and compete at the highest levels possible locally.

Though you do not have to be a member of the MGSC to play at their games, it is a member supported club.  With a membership, you get four free plays at Membership Games, a weekly bulletin emailed to you, a membership list for the MGSC, and a subsidy to a year end gala party.  Most of all, you are able to regularly enjoy camraderie with people who love the game as you do, and who wish to do what they can to improve their bridge every week.

You can view the website for the MGSC here.  And, you can view the 2007-2008 welcome letter and MGSC schedule here: Download MGSC2007-2008WelcomeLetter-2007-08-27.doc . Download MGSC2007-2008WeeklySchedule-2007-08-27.doc

September 7th, the games begin!  Feel free to check them out.....

Multiple Lessons

Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, recently competed at the WUMBA Regional with his wife and friends.  A most exciting hand occurred during a team game, with a result that Marv and his team will not soon forget.

Please read Marv's hand below - with a note from your blog editor following!

What, Me Worry?

Arguments about what a player ought to have - or not have - to preempt have gone on for decades.  If you preempt, is it permissible to have a side four card major?  Does your preempt promise two of the top three honors?  Are two aces allowable?  Can your suit be only five cards long?

John Koch addresses some of these issues, along with his always illuminating card play to follow.  John also mentioned to me:  "Years ago, while kibitzing Jim Jacoby, I saw him fail to open 2S holding KQJxxx, Kxx, xx, xx.  'Too risky vulnerable' Jim said."  Wow; times change, eh, John!?

Please enjoy John's column below!

Win-Win

As reported earlier, Tom Hammond has been doing good in a multitude of ways in St. Paul.  I will let our friend report on his successes himself!

The final bridge lesson in our 12 week series was completed last Monday evening.  More than 65 people attended throughout.  We maintained a steady 8-10 tables from start to finish.  Over $1500 was raised for charity and will be divided between the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation and the Diabetes Association.  Over $600 was raised for the Bridge Club of St. Paul.

I am sure that we attained our two main goals; to learn a lot about the game of bridge, and to have a lot of fun.  One thing is certain; there is an unlimited appetite for learning about the game.  If you teach it, they will come!

Irving Steinfeldt: 1918 - 2007

Irving Steinfeldt, winner of the inaugural Silver Ribbon Pairs with Jim Leary, died Sunday.  Irv was an active member of our bridge community for decades; we mourn the loss of this dedicated competitor.

Evan Sachs is someone who is putting forth great effort to nurture young bridge players in our area.  How fitting, therefore, that Evan offers some words about someone who enjoyed our game for so long.

The personal attributes of this fine man have been documented in many public venues.  When someone this successful in so many arenas of life passes on, his achievements must be catalogued, to pass the scrutiny of those who will miss him.

But there is more.  To those of us who knew not only his public image, but
also his private self, there is perhaps a greater sense of loss.  The
twinkle in the eye as he shares the joy of a semantic oddity--the subtlety
of a joke with a double entendre--the immense sense of hospitality he
offered, both at his home and at his winter digs--the genuine warmth of his
affection--and his obvious appreciation when warmth was given to him--these are the qualities which will be missed.

When a ship sets sail, people on the shore sadly wave goodbye.  However, on a distant shore over the horizon, other people spot the ship's arrival. and
cry out "here he comes".

Bon voyage, friend.

Memorial service information about Irving posted below.

Change of Venue

Please note that St. Paul's Autumn Harvest Sectional will be held at the Oakdale Center, 7166 Tenth St. N, Oakdale, MN and not at the Sheet Metal Workers Building.

The tournament is scheduled for October 19-21.  You may view the schedule here.

Steppingstone Squeeze

Some hands can appear as if they have no solution.  If you think about them in depth, however, sometimes an answer appears.

Today, John Koch presents us with such a hand in the form of a steppingstone squeeze.  If you have never seen such an animal, check it out below.  It's an ingenious trick that can rescue what otherwise seems like an impossible situation.

Short But Sweet

Our thanks to Paul Meerschaert for a bunch of swell bridge shorties!

Milestones

Congratulations to these Minnesotans who hit the lucky combo of bridge enjoyment and top-notch achievement!  Well done!

Unit 103 Milestones

Junior Master

Katherine Anderson - Sally Bradford - Ruth Gottwaldt - Roxann Klugman - Marymargaret McMahon - Susan Nielson - Luree Schneider - Terry Zwiener - Patricia Zwiener - Bruce Vining - Alan Yngve

Club Master

Gretchen Anderson - Rebecca Anspach - Steve Bohnenblust - Sarah Broshous - Sheryl Ann Clouse - Kay Edwards - Rodney Edwards - John Ferguson - Nan Gabriel - Sandra Gisslen - Barbara Johnson - Mary McIntyre - Judy Miller - Ann O'Meara - David Naylor - Carole Rusch - Mary Stanley - Sherry Watt - Tom Watt - Grace Wisdom

Sectional Master

Timothy Adamson - Rod Adolph - Denny Anderson - Naomi Atrubin - Susie Clark-Tenney - Lynne Ebner - Judy Hanson - Diana Jensen - Noralee Mogel - Ann Peterson - Nathan Pike - Eric Rasmussen - Mary Sass - Gayle Segar - Lawrence Segar - Joan Shapiro - Cheri Zosel

Regional Master

Neal Black - Robert Bonine - RF Johnson - Robert Leighton - Joyce Lindseth - Jan Mednick - Lucy Rooney - Ann Van Ryne - Connie Walsh - Lynn Ziegler

NABC Master

Patricia Bailey - Grant Boadwine - Orwin Carter - Kathy Crockett - Susan Hoffelt - Richard Peterson - James Snyder - Patricia Sohler

Life Master

Leona Amundson - Jane Frost - Jean Leighton - Sue Meurer - Doug Ogren - Margaret Sowada - Arlene Telke

Bronze Life Master

Myrtle Anderson - Shirley Richardson - Lorraine Sleeper - Charlene Thul

Silver Life Master

Kay Hottinger - Scott Miller - Stu Oslund - Wayne Pinsonneault - Scott Richardson

Gold Life Master

Randy Okubo

Unit 178 Milestones

Diamond Life Master

Paul Meerschaert

Silver Life Master

Scott Richardson

Bronze Life Master

M. R. Topper

Shirley Richardson

Life Master

Bernard Burstein

John Crouch

Susan Shorter

Herman Wittsack

Master Minds

Have you ever wondered how experts calculate what to do on tough hands? 

Be you declarer or defender, John Koch offers a window into their world.  Take a look, and take advantage of this key information the next time a critical hand such as the one below appears.

Having It All

Some people have but a few fine skills, others are overendowed - and then a tiny elite class of folks seem to have it all.  In this last group, find Richfield native Steve Garner.

As most Minnesotans know, Steve is on the team of players that will soon be heading to Shanghai to compete in the Bermuda Bowl.  He also has a list of national achievements that is quite impressive.

But - in addition to being one of the world's top players, Steve also happens to be a superb bridge teacher.  At the Nebraska Regional last week, Steve competed with co-chairman Cookie Hoberman and two of her other girlfriends.  They did quite well, and all the ladies could not stop talking about how Steve's counsel improved their games. 

On Sunday, the tournament features a "win a pro" Swiss team, with a draw for professionals at the regional.  The president of the ACBL and her teammates "won" Steve.  (No, I do not think the fix was in!)  Although Steve's teammates met competition throughout the day that was, on paper, stronger than their team, the squad never lost a match.  At the end of Sunday, they were well ahead of the pack to claim victory.

I could go on and on about how Steve is handsome, charming, witty and successful in his "real" job, too...  But, since I don't want him to blush too terribly much, let's just say that Steve is one great guy, and the bridge world is blessed to have him as one of their stars.

More From Nebraska

Cookie Hoberman, a co-chairman of the Nebraska Regional, does an incredible job along with Jan Loftin, her co-chairman in crime.  The two of these ladies should write a book on how to create such a popular, entertaining and fun tournament.  Can you imagine people trekking to the middle of the Great Plains in August, with temperatures hovering around 100?  Somehow, these women have calculated it all.

Here are more photos from that excellent week of Minnesotans and other District 14 players enjoying the festivities!  Be sure to catch the lucky new Life Masters to whom Warren Buffett handed over his wallet, too!

Nebraska Regional

Blogging has been light as I have been enjoying one of the most fun tournaments on the ACBL's calendar.  Some of Minnesota's finest are here with me, along with other notable District 14 players - plus celebrities from near and far!

A Slice of Pie

Are you humble?  Paul Meerschaert leads us through a Slice of Humble Pie below!

Koch Cooks

John Koch has been traveling.  This bridge player seems unaffected, however, by travel fatigue nor jet lag. 

John's offering for this week demonstrates that he is always At the Table.

If you're looking for a hot declarer - John is it!

Please see below; welcome back, John!

Front and Back

If you're itching to attend a tournament, then our District and our state have something for you!  In just two days, the huge and exceptionally fun Nebraska sponsored regional in Council Bluffs, Iowa, begins. 

In the middle of the month, 299'ers can enjoy a special sectional for their crowd in St. Paul.

And at the end of the month, the Twin City Bridge Center in Minneapolis will host a Labor Day Sectional.

The dog days of August are upon us - but we welcome them!

 

Kitchen Bridge

In another era, "kitchen bridge" generally referred to a friendly home game next to where Mom fixed dinner.

Come the 21st century, "kitchen bridge" is played on the computer, with partner and opponents located literally anywhere on the planet.

Paul Meerschaert, aided by partner Carole Miner, takes us through a session of online matchpoints.  The kitchen is not just for cooking anymore!

Thank you, Paul; see below.