SharonRoeAnderson

CRASH!

No, this post is not about a bridge player who went racing around on icy Midwest streets.  It's about a nifty convention that can be beneficial in disrupting the oh-so-scientific auctions that Precision system players are able to wreak upon their opponents.

Larry Cohen has all the details about CRASH ("color" - "rank" - "shape") - and how to employ this convention. 

When your opponent opens with a Precision (or any other Strong, Forcing and artificial) 1, I recommend trying to interfere. Best is to preempt (the higher the better), but if you can't preempt, it is useful to be able to show a 2-suiter and hope partner can preempt.

CRASH is a method to show all 2-suiters.

Note that CRASH is not a simple convention to play.  Larry recommends that only experienced players attempt to CRASH against their big club opponents.  If, however, you wish to take on the challenge, you may find yourself rewarded with a nice pot of matchpoints or IMPS!

Marketing Matters!

Whether we are club owners, running a tournament, a bridge teacher or simply a lover of the game of bridge, marketing our game matters!

Please take a few moments to look at the ACBL's publication, Marketing Matters.  You may find just the hints that you need to promote bridge.

When more people are turned on to our great game - everyone wins!

The Goren Trophy

Who knew when I posed with Steve Garner at the beginning of the Orlando NABC that this would happen?

Congratulations to the young man from Richfield, MN, who became one of the top bridge players in the world!

By the Numbers

Many of District 14's players are in Orlando, competing in everything from I/N games to the Blue Ribbon Pairs.  Sunshine, orange juice and the best of bridge; what is not to like? 

Peggy snapped a shot of me with one of our hometown boys who has made pretty darn good.  So far, Steve Garner has grabbed two 3rd places in the Open Pairs and the Open Board-A-Match.

In the meantime, for our number-people, here are the most recent stats for membership by Unit in our District.

103    Minnesota Gopher            834

104    North Dakota                   224

162     South Dakota                  151

163     Iowa State                      469

178     Viking Bridge 178            834

184     Nebraska                        249

216     Hawkeye                         455

235     Northwest Iowa               155

241     Cornhusker                     566

                       Total Members                              3,937