Minnesota Bridge

Leading Questions

When declaring, much data must be recalled and weighed.  Not only does one have to think about the actual cards and what makes the most theoretical sense.  One must also wonder "what are the opponents' hands?  What would opening leader choose with various holdings?"

On a tough but fascinating hand, John Koch demonstrates how to work it all out.  If you can't quite do this - not to worry!  It ain't easy!  Still - instructive and fun to see how a top player like John takes all the evidence to reach a winning conclusion.

Autumn Harvest Sectional

Crunchy leaves - vibrant colors - a sectional in Maplewood!

Enjoy all that fall has to offer, including this fun tournament.

The tournament will be at the Days Inn Hotel & Conference Center at 1780 E. County Road D, on the west side of the Maplewood Mall.  The tournament runs from October 16th through the 18th.

Check our the flyer listed at our tournament link on the left.  Time to get started finding partners and teammates; we look forward to seeing you there!

 

Unit 178 Minutes - August

Your Unit board is hard at work!  Here are the minutes from their August meeting.

Southwest by South

Would you like to compete against a field of your peers at the Spring NABC in Reno next year?  Would you like the opportunity to have much of your trip subsidized?  If so, then you should consider going south to Des Moines this coming weekend! 

A four session play-through will start at 1PM at the Des Moines Bridge Center, 10190 Hickman Court.  Players compete in three flights:  A is unlimited, B is players with less than 2,000 masterpoints as of May 6, 2009, and C is non-Life Masters with less than 500 points.

District winners and second and third runner-ups in each flight qualify to compete at the ACBL Nationals event in Reno next March. First place in each flight will win a cash award of $700 per person to subsidize their trip to the National. Second place in each flight will receive $300 per person. Third place will be invited to participate in the National finals but receive no prize money.

If you qualified in a club game for the District 14 Finals, take advantage!  Go Southwest by going South to Des Moines!

Anticipation

Sometimes, we can play bridge on "auto-pilot."  In other words, doing what seems natural and normal is the winning play.

Other times?  We must look deeper into a hand.  Something that seems innocuous or irrelevant is anything but.

This week, John Koch presents us with such a fascinating hand.  Thanks, John!

New Home!

We are happy to announce a new "home" for our bridge blog!  Now, if you wish to find the blog, just type in:  www.MNbridge.com - and voila!  You will arrive here.

We hope that this new and shorter name will make it even easier for folks to find all the stories and photographs about bridge in our great state.

Paul Bunyan

Our Paul Bunyan sectional in Duluth completed on Sunday.  Congratulations to all who did well; results can be found here.

Special congrats extended to Mike Cassel and Barry Purrington, top point earners for the weekend!

Triple Points

Sharon Anderson, our director for District 14, would like to hear the thoughts of members about the rating system of some special club games.

Please check out Sharon's post about this topic, and share your opinions with her!

Three Strikes

Everyone knows that three strikes and you are out at baseball.  But bridge?

Well; sometimes yes, and sometimes....  I shall let Bob Balderson tell you the tale of three strikes at the bridge table!  Enjoy!

"Eight" is Just Right!

In August, we posted an invitation to St. Paul's "Eight is Enough" event.  Last weekend, this creative night with pot luck, lecture and game was a rousing success.

Judy Nassar organized a fine spread for players.  Then, Kerry Holloway delivered an entertaining and instructional talk about how to improve your game.  Following that, more experienced players teamed up with newer ones for the "Eight is Enough" event.

Great food - excellent speaker - fun bridge.  What could be better?

Please enjoy more photos below the fold!

You Are There

For bridge players, one of the miracles of the last 15 years or so must be online bridge.  Not only can you play bridge online, you can practice your bidding, set up team matches, see what everyone else who played the same hand bid, lead, defended and so forth.

As if that weren't enough - there is Vugraph.  Bridge Base Online highlights significant events in the U.S. - and just about every other venue you can imagine.  Most recently, bridge buffs were treated to days of elite bridge competition in Brazil, where the 2009 World Championships were held.

One of those taking in all the action was Mike Cassel.  Mike has kindly written up an article about the action he witnessed.  Thanks, Mike - and be sure to take advantage of this "miracle for bridge" players yourself.  You really are "there"!

Outside the Box

In the beginning, much of bridge is learning rules . . . many, many rules.  Once you have mastered a good portion of these rules - then you must learn when to break them!  Yes, it's true!

This week, John Koch helps us to recognize when we need to follow the rules - and when we need to think outside the box.

Mentors

If you're looking to improve your game, a wide variety of options are available to you.  Read books.  Subscribe to good bridge magazines.  Take lessons.  Kibitz top players.  Study system and judgment with your regular partners.  Play.  Play.  Play, and play some more!

Another option is to play with someone who is clearly a better player than you are.  How do you do this, you may well ask?  Some of our more experienced players are generously willing to donate their time on occasion to "pay it forward" to those who are learning. 

At the Twin City Bridge Center on September 10th, a mentorship game was held.  Each pair consisted of  a player with under 300 points and a Life Master.  This fun and educational evening produced twenty-two tables!  The unflappable and irreplaceable Larry Oakey did a super job of directing.

Three pairs earned 60% games or higher:  Marylou Doerrie and Irwin Boris, Garry Holden and Dave Hellwig, and John Schlundt with Matthew Bribitzer-Stull.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the mentorship game!  Be you mentor or up and comer - consider this fine choice in the future!

Labor Day Silver

Labor Day weekend 2009 delivered delightful weather to the Twin Cities.  Yet, blue skies and moderate temps did not stop devoted bridge players!  The Twin City Bridge Center saw a nice turnout for this year's Labor Day Silver Sectional Tournament.

Thanks to all those who worked hard arranging our weekend, our directors for handling our games - and to all of you who played, competed and enjoyed the fruits of your labor at the bridge table!

The Hitch

Some players pride themselves on being able to read their opponents at the table.  This week, John Koch shows us just how to do it.

There Once was a Poet ....

A reminder!  Don't forget the poetry contest!

Write a short, humorous poem or limerick about bridge.  You could win one free play for the Minnesota State Sectional in Hopkins in early November.

All entries will be posted on the walls of the tournament for bridge players to read and enjoy.

Submit entries to Sue Jackson, care of the Twin Cities Bridge Center, or email to Sue at:  sjackson@smumn.edu.

All entries must be submitted by October 1, 2009.

Rational Explanations

It's Wednesday.  John Koch has new and exciting lessons for us!

Today, John presents us with a tough play hand.  Although the hand is instructive for how declarer should calculate to bring his slam home, defenders get instruction, too.  Duck an ace that is not going away, to deprive declarer of squeeze opportunities.  Make your plays in tempo, so declarer does not have vital information.  Plan your discards in advance.

Do this, and you will be in the league of the very best!  Just like John

Bunyon Country

Love autumn colors?  Love the beauty of Lake Superior?  Love the game of bridge?

Then do we have a deal for you! 

September 18-20 Carlton, MN hosts the Paul Bunyon Tournament at the Black Bear Casino.  Check out the schedule.

Treat yourself to a beautiful drive and a weekend of our favorite game!