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Every week, we are graced with a bridge hand chock full of lessons from John Koch. Some involve bidding, some defense; others declarer play. Many have instructional value from all!
This week's hand derives not from high level play. Yet, the fact that it arose in southern Minnesota takes nothing away from its tasty value.
Thank you, John, for cooking up more wise advice for us!
Readers at Minnesota Bridge are blessed every Wednesday with superb bridge columns from John Koch. Occasionally, though, we are the recipients of bonus bridge gifts.
Today is one of those days.
Local expert Paul Meerschaert wins more than his fair share when he shows up at the bridge table. Paul titles his column "Interview with a Madman"! If you have ever played with Paul, then once in a while you will say: "Column aptly named!" Most of the time, however, Paul is someone with a keen sense of what does and doesn't work at the table.
Do check out Paul's "interview" below. Call him madman or bridge player - reading what Paul has to say is a clear sign of sanity!
As you all know, I take every opportunity to promote Junior Bridge. Without it, the few of us who are left will find us playing in 3 table Howells - if that. Junior Bridge is the lifeblood and wave of the future for those of us who love this game.
Patty Tucker of Atlanta has been instrumental in developing, promoting and finding funding for Junior Bridge. Please take the time to read the story that Patty has sent to us; it's the Real Deal!
Supporting Junior Bridge is a slam dunk for bridge here in Minnesota - and throughout the country and the planet! Do what you can - today - for this great cause!
More information at ACBL here.
For fourteen years, Unit 178 has held a party to honor the performances of their players in the Mini McKenney and Ace of Clubs. The celebration for 2007 stars will take place on March 8th at the Twin City Bridge Center at 60th and Nicollet.
Celebrities Roger and Sharon Anderson once again will host a light dinner at 6:00PM, with Roger emceeing the festivities that follow, with awards presented at 6:45PM.
The top player in each category of the Ace of Clubs will receive a Certificate from ACBL.
The top player in each category of Mini McKenney will receive a Medallion, compliments of Unit 178.
Free plays will be awarded in each category of both competitions to the top three players, compliments of Unit 178.
All players are welcome to attend, learn about those who performed so well in 2007, enjoy the dinner and game following. Both the Open Game and 299'er Game will begin at 7:00PM.
Come to celebrate and enjoy!
The Players
The Teachers
The Whole Gang with St. Anthony's Principal!
Please scroll down for more about St. Anthony's most recent competition and more photos of the players in action!
The biannual election for Unit 178's board of directors is coming up after the Minnesota Regional in May.
Sherm Stanchfield, chair of the election committee, requested that the Unit 178 membership be alerted that there will be a nomination meeting of the general membership. This meeting will be held during the Regional, in between the afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday.
The nominees on record will be introduced, and the membership will be asked if there are further nominations from the floor. Either Sherm or one of the nominating committee members will chair the meeting.
Please attend if you can and contribute to our governance!
With this column from John Koch, we celebrate the beginning of a new year of weekly columns from our St. Cloud expert.
Our newest offering does not disappoint. As always, John has wise advice about how to calculate what cards to play when. He also offers advice on how not to give away the show by uneven tempo!
Enjoy!
With a heavy heart, MN Bridge reports that we have lost one of our longstanding members: Shel Weinstein. For all of the thirty years that I have enjoyed bridge, and for many years prior to that, Sheldon had been a mainstay of our community. Shel was an active and enthusiastic participant in local and tournament bridge. Of course, many are aware that Shel made another important contribution to the world of bridge: siring and training international star, Howie Weinstein.
Shel was much more than a bridge partner or opponent to many of us, though. Exceptionally knowledgeable about history, government, religion, politics, business and much more, sitting down to lunch with Shel was a treat. He was a human form of Encyclopedia Britannica and Google - long before the latter had ever been invented.
Shel had a heart of gold, and the highest of ethical standards. We see that exhibited internationally in Howie's bridge; those of us who know both Weinsteins are well aware of where Howie got it.
Those who wish to remember and honor Shel are welcome to do so on Tuesday, February 19th, at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, 1PM. Our condolences are extended to the entire Weinstein family.
We will miss you, Shel.
Additional service information for Shel is here.
Our favorite game is going to be highlighted on television this weekend! CBS's Sunday Morning News Show will feature film from the San Francisco Nationals. A description from ACBL is below.
Be sure to watch the show, at 8AM central - and tell your non-playing bridge friends, too!
Do you ever have a disaster at the table? Of course you do. If you are a bridge player, then at least some percentage of the time, wires get crossed. You find yourself declaring with Jxxx opposite x as your trump suit, in slam off three cashing aces, or crashing your AK of a suit to allow declarer to bring home an impossible slam. It's the nature of the beast; we can't get 'em all right.
If you think that you and your partners are the only ones to suffer such indignities, you are incorrect. Even the best of the best sometimes have silly disasters. Part of what makes bridge so fascinating are the millions of possible scenarios. We cannot discuss every bidding sequence, every meaning to their artificial system, every defensive situation that might arise.
This week, John Koch's column highlights how good players can go bad. Many lessons in his tale. Take them to heart and you will see your game improve!
But disaster free? Sorry. You'll have to give up the game to achieve that!
John's story for this week is below.
We know that the thermometer has barely edged above zero for ages.
We're well aware that ice and snow greet us every time we venture outdoors.
We see barren trees, icicles and gray skies everywhere we look.
But - fear not! Spring is not that far away!
And - with spring, comes the Minnesota Regional Tournament!
Chairman Patti Stuhlman has an array of goodies planned for you at our annual regional. So - just hang on a bit longer, for warmer temps, blue skies and a fabulous week of bridge!
Be sure to check out the schedule below, too.
Unit 103 has three contests each year. The Rothhausen awards the player who achieves the most masterpoints at the Gopher Regional who is not a Life Master. The Seewald award goes to the player earning the most masterpoints in 103 sectionals. And, the Baker goes to the non-Life Master who earns more points than anyone else at 103 sectionals.
Congratulations to these great performers!
Rothhausen
Seewald
Baker
John Koch's columns, in addition to being well written and intriguing, offer good lessons for any bridge player.
This week's offering is no different.
Whether you need to bone up on competitive bidding, weighing your matchpoint prospects, handling the dummy or defending, this column has it all!
Once again: thanks, John!
Mike Cassel is one of our players who has had fine achievements at national tournaments. Part of the reason is his ability to see interesting positions such as the one below!
Thanks for your submission, Mike.
One of the first sectional tournaments in which I ever competed was the Winter Carnival. This fun and popular tournament is still going strong.
The 2008 version lived up to its reputation. A variety of 
team and pair events, combined with tasty treats and pizza in between Sunday's Swiss added up to success!
To see who did what in each event - visit this link. To see more photos of the weekend competitors, scroll on down!
