SharonRoeAnderson

Bridge Portraits

A professional photographer in Minneapolis is learning to play bridge - and photographing the field as he does!

Learn about Chris Bohnhoff's intrigue with the game and its competitors, as you enjoy some incredibly fine portraits.

Expert Advice

In a few days, our 2009 Fall NABC will begin.  I'm in San Diego early, attending the Board of Directors meeting.

Important to virtually all of our members is:  "How do I improve my game?"  Bridge players have a wide variety of avenues available to them to learn and grow.  One key method, however, is to learn from the best. 

One of those best players is Larry Cohen.  Known as "The Law" for his theories and books on The Law of Total Tricks, Larry has been one of the most successful players of his generation.  Larry is also a prolific writer and fine teacher.  His website, www.larryco.com has a host of items valuable to anyone who wishes to bump up their game.

I'd like to highlight articles written by Larry and other top players.  Here is one excellent column by Larry.  Good advice on judging how to evaluate what to lead - and evidence that even elite players do not get every single hand right!

What IS Bridge?

When your non-bridge playing friends ask you, "What is bridge?" - you can show them this!

'Specially for You

Below I am posting a spread sheet with triple point games in District 14.  What are your thoughts?

Is it a good idea to have an ACBL policy with many "special games" that pay triple points?  Or, should such events be more rare? 

Thanks for your feedback!

Motion for the ACBL Board of Governors

Steve Gaynor has made a motion to be considered in San Diego before the ACBL Board of Governors.  Please review Steve's motion.  I'm interested in your feedback and input.  Thank you!

Proposal to Reconsider Item 092-31

I move to rescind item 092-31 and allow pair-team games to be scored as IMP's from the team aspect of the event.

Rationale:

The pair-team game has been popular in the upper Midwest.  People travel for many miles to attend modest sectionals in small towns.  Offering pair-team games encourages more people to attend these sectionals.  They are thrilled when they win even a few matches and make plans to attend future sectionals featuring this event.

The directors in our area - Tony Ames, George Bleskachek, Peter Wilke, are willing to do the work in scoring the game.  It is actually pretty easy and done by the computer.  They know it means better attendance and more fun for the players.  After all, that is what we are all about - having a good time.

As far as the MP explosion - we already offer many events that exploit the alleged masterpoint giveaway: Stratified events; shuffle, deal and play STaC's; unlimited 'triple-point' games; unlimited sectionals; unlimited KO's at sectionals and Regionals; side series games at Regionals and NABC's; Senior games; etc.  The pair/team game is a drop in the bucket compared to most of these.

The ACBL has done a good job in recruiting new members in the recent few years.  Why take steps backwards and take away from the players what they already have?  Let's keep our organization growing.

Respectfully submitted,

Steven Gaynor, N826683

District 14 member of the ACBL BOG - First alternate to the ACBL Board of Directors.

Leader Board

Bridge players are nothing if not competitive! 

Please find a number of year to date masterpoint races and lists for District 14 players.  Congratulations to those who are doing so well. 

Good luck to everyone in the last weeks of 2009!