Teachers and inspiration. When we contemplate them, we think of students who were inspired by their teachers.
Sometimes, however, the tables are turned. A student can inspire the teacher!
Paul Meerschaert shares such a story with us. Somehow, though - my guess is this teacher inspired his students, too.
Thanks, Paul!
When judging whether to bid or pass, often taking the talents of a potential declarer into account is wise. If a contract can be made, yet you believe that the player at the helm may not find the winning line, then discretion may be a sign of valor.
On the other hand, if your maestro is well equipped - stretch, baby, stretch!
In Minnesota, one of those declarers who knows how to put pressure on opponents is Kurt Schaeffer. At the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, Kurt dazzled the field by winning not only one "New Partner Night" (play with someone with whom you've never partnered previously) - he won both nights on the 2008-2009 schedule! Dave Vanasek was Kurt's partner in crime for New Pard #1; Verda Gould soldiered forward for #2.
Here is a hand that Kurt played recently. Kurt tells me that this play is called a "vice squeeze." Whatever its name - it surely dazzled at the table and confounded the opponents!
Say "elopement" and most have an image of a young bride and groom escaping in the dead of night to tie the knot. Yet, we bridge players have another image in mind when "elopement" is mentioned. Kurt Schaeffer admirably discusses the non-marital sort of elopement in the article below.
The meat of this article arose in an online match between Kurt and Your Blogmaster, against one of the finest players around, Richard Pavlicek and his able partner, Kent Feiler. Have no doubt about it; bridge clubs and local duplicates are the backbone of bridge. The Twin City Bridge Center is where I learned the game and spent countless hours attempting to master declarer play, defense and bidding. Nothing can replace the competition and camraderie of your local bridge club.
Still. If you cannot spare the 3.5 hours necessary for a local duplicate, a baby sitter is simply not to be found, or braving a Minnesota blizzard is not your cup of tea, online bridge is a marvelous substitute. Be it a match between friends or an ACBL mini-tournament, online offerings are a great additional option for bridge hounds.
And now; on to Kurt's article! You will note that I have made a couple of notes in the margins. And, I might add this about Kurt's analysis. Kurt and one of his regular partners, Bob Balderson, are not only two of the finest declarers in Minnesota, they are fine declarers period! If figuring out how to best play the hand Kurt details took hours, then trust me. It was one most difficult and fascinating hand!
Bridge teachers will tell you that your spot cards matter. Lots of tens and nines are excellent. Many twos and threes; not so wonderful.
But the six of diamonds?! Matthew Bribitzer-Stull ably explains!
Kurt Schaeffer is often featured at Minnesota Bridge. Not the least of reasons why is his amazing talent as a declarer. Few in our state (or elsewhere, for that matter) are able to combine those key abilities of vision, creativity, odds and execution.
Friday night at the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, Kurt and Your Editor enjoyed one of those rare games where all the stars seemed to align. We experienced quite an array of capitivatingly interesting hands. Here is but one hand of a kismet evening that Kurt kindly highlights for all of us. Go, Kurt!
Lots of great stories from this past weekend's Grand National Team District 14 finals. And - who better to tell them than Kurt Schaeffer?
Bridge - as all we bridge players know - can be a very perplexing game. Sometimes your game is at best average. Yet, the opponents are horrendous and you win anyway. Other times, you play your little heart out. But, high percentage contracts fail and you lose.
Kerry Holloway and Kurt Schaeffer played on a very fine GNT team this weekend. Kerry has represented District 14 numerous times in our grassroots events (GNT and North American Pairs). Kurt Schaeffer has, too; indeed, one year Kurt's team finished second nationally in Flight A. Team Lijewski, nevertheless, managed to beat Kerry and Kurt's team in their Sunday semi-final match - going on to capture Flight A overall for the District.
Do not think, however, that Holloway and Schaeffer did not have any spectacular results. They did. Kurt was kind enough to write up a hand that Kerry played today. If it seems that making this hand is impossible - well; join the club! I could see no way to success.
Kerry's imagination and technique, though, are of the highest order. Please read the article that Kurt sent. I am sure that you will agree with my assessment, and you will be dazzled by Kerry's execution of the rare but wonderful winkle!
Sometimes, Kerry and Kurt, brilliance must be its own reward.
Kurt Schaeffer presents us with a wise and entertaining column about the bridge information highway. Much of our success at this perplexing game is taking into account all the data we have - then figuring out how to make best use of that information.
Our story is below the line. Note Kurt's final point about whether or not he would have made his contract without a double! Sometimes at our game - silence is a key to success on the road to victory.
Do you want to be good at bridge? Or - would you prefer to be lucky?
Steve Gaynor demonstrates that it never hurts to have a bit of both!
Does everyone who plays bridge lie in bed at night, going through some of the more interesting hands from their sessions? I don't know about everyone. But, I know that I do it - and, apparently Bill Voedisch does it, too.
In last fall's District 14 NAP qualifying event, Bill and his partner Denny Cerkvenik won a trip to the NABC in Houston to represent Flight B. Here is an intriguing hand that kept Bill up late - along with savoring his victory!
Paul Meerschaert graces us with a column about "boxing." No - this hasn't turned into ESPN; rather, this story is about how to "box" a bridge hand.
No clue what this means? Then please be my guest and read Paul's excellent offering below. Learning how to "box" will help you to beat up your opponents! Not to worry; you can do it without causing even the slightest bruise.
