Minnesota Bridge

District 14 GNT - 2018-2019 - Updates!

 

Interested in competing against your District 14 peers the first weekend in May for GNT?  Excited to hear about new opportunities for teams in Flights B and C?

Then please read this message from District 14 GNT coordinator Mike Cassel.

 

Tony Ames and I are willing to help pairs in any flight find teammates to compete in Des Moines!

 

Alert

 

The D14 GNT District finals in Des Moines are just 2 weekends away.  If we have at least eight teams in Flights B and C we will, for the first time ever, be eligible to send two teams to the National Finals in Las Vegas.

 

To encourage greater participation in Flight B the District 14 Executive Committee is allowing us to offer a 50% rebate of the Saturday entry fee to teams who have no member over 1500 masterpoints (as of August 6, 2018 run).

 

Instead of $120, the Flight B team entry fee for these teams on Saturday will be $60. This fee, based on a 4-person team, $7.50/pp/session, is a great opportunity to compete in the Saturday Swiss Team event.  The top four VP  totals on Saturday will play 28 board KOs in the semifinal and final KO on Sunday.

 

We hope to see you in Des Moines, IA on May 4 and 5 for the Grand National Teams finals.  The D14 BOD will extend an invitation to the NABC finals for the second place teams in Flight B & C at their board meeting in Bloomington in May.  The amount of  travel subsidy, if any, to the second place teams will be decided at that time. As the D14 GNT Coordinator I will be recommending $1,000 per team which will cover airfare to and from the summer NABC in Las Vegas.

 

Attached are the revised contest conditions and flyer. There is a link at http://web2.acbl.org/Tournaments/Ads/2019/05/1905614.pdf to the flyer as well.  D14 GNT conditions of contest 

 

We can help you form teams if you have a partnership and need teammates.  Feel free to email, text, or call with questions.

 

Mike Cassel
D14 GNT Coordinator
mc2mikec@aol.com
651-336-8956

 

Regional Tournament Events

 

The Gopher Regional draws nearer and nearer!  Events for this year's regional begin at 2:30PM on Monday, May 20th - just about one month from now!

Our "old timers" and long time tournament participants are well familiar with the details of a regional. But for our newer players, organizers thought it might be helpful to share details about the many events that one can enjoy at a regional tournament.

Here you go!  Looking forward to seeing everyone - seasoned veterans and newcomers alike - at Gopher Regional 2019!!

 

A GUIDE TO REGIONAL TOURNAMENT EVENTS

 

WHAT ARE THE PAIR GAME OPTIONS?

Tournament Pair games operate just like those you play at your local club. An I/N (Intermediate/Newcomer) game is limited to players with fewer than 300 masterpoints each, lasts one session, and pays red points, but not gold. The Gold Rush pairs is limited to players with fewer than 750 masterpoints each, lasts two sessions, and pays red or gold points. A side pair game is open to all players, lasts one session, and pays red points. BUT, if you play in two sessions of a “side game series,” it is possible to earn gold points. Feel free to ask for details!

WHAT IS A TEAM GAME?

Two pairs make up a team.  One sits N/S and the other E/W.  You never play each other, but at the end of the match or the game you compare scores. To compare scores, on each board you say something like, “We are plus 50.” “We are minus 110.”  The difference is minus 60. Then you look at the IMP chart (International Match Point scale) on your convention card. A score of 50-60 is worth 1 IMP, so you lose 1 IMP on that board. Let’s say on the next board, one pair is -170 and the other pair is + 620. That is a difference of +450. On the IMP scale, a score of 430-490 is worth 10 IMPS, so you have a +10 on that board. You continue to compare scores, total the plus and minus IMP scores. If you come out on the plus side, you win the match. Every match won is worth some masterpoints. In IMP scoring the emphasis is making your contracts, setting their contracts, bidding your games, and not going for big numbers. For more information, google ‘IMP Strategy by Steven Gaynor’.

The scoring is different from Board-A-Match team scoring used in Pair/Team games. The philosophy here is the same as match points or taking as many tricks as you can.  Each board is a win, loss, or tie. If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -110, it is a tie. If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -120, it is a loss.  If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -50, it is a win. The size of the win or loss does not matter, whereas in IMP scoring, the size matters a lot!

 

WHAT IS A SWISS TEAM EVENT?

A Swiss movement means that all teams play the same number of matches.  After each match, teams with similar records are matched up against each other. Usually there are four matches in one session of bridge (four 6 board matches is common).  You use IMP scoring and win masterpoints for each match you win. If you have enough big wins, you will place in the overalls, which is worth more master points than the points won for each match.

 

WHAT IS A BRACKETED SWISS TEAM EVENT?

In this event, teams are first divided according to masterpoint levels and then teams only play other teams in their bracket. The masterpoint awards are higher in the upper bracket, but players in the lower bracket do not have to “worry” about winning an early match and then having to play a team of experts.

 

WHAT IS  A KNOCKOUT (KO)?

A KO match is one full session played against one team (commonly 24 boards). In a KO, only the winning team in each match advances.  If you enter a 4 session KO, that means that if you win the 1^st session, you play against another team the next session. If you win again, you play the 3^rd session. Finally, if you win again, you play in the 4^th session. The longer you stay in the event, the more master points you win. If you enter that event, the whole team must be willing and able to play for as long as you keep winning.

 

WHAT IS A BRACKETED KO? 

IN a bracketed KO, the teams are put into groups based on the Masterpoint holdings of the players on each team.  The brackets can be 7-16 teams based on how many teams enter the event.  That way, teams with few masterpoints only play other teams close to their experience level.

The Gopher Regional will again include a NEW, experimental type of Bracketed KO. In this game, all teams play the first two sessions. They play all (or most) of the other teams in their bracket using Swiss Team format and scoring described above. At the end of the second session, the four teams with the highest scores advance to to Semi-final (3^rd session) match. Then the 2 winning teams play in the Finals to win the event and the two losing teams play a Consolation Match for 3^rd Place. If you enter that event, the whole team must be willing and able to play all 4 sessions.

 

WHAT IS A 2, 3, OR 4 SESSION EVENT VS. A SINGLE SESSION EVENT?

At the club or most sectionals, you will play in single session events.  The winner is determined after the one session is played.  At regional tournaments, multi-session events are common.  You can win masterpoints for placing in either session. If you do well in all sessions, you can place overall for more masterpoints.

If can win gold points in two ways: 1) place in the overalls; 2) place first in your section in one session. Then, even if you are dead last in the next session, you get some gold.

 

ARE PAIR SIDE GAMES SINGLE OR MULTIPLE SESSION EVENTS?

The answer is ‘yes’ to both.  You may play in only one session of a side pair game.  Any points you win are red.  However, if you play in a second session of the same side game series, you will be eligible for a gold point overall award.  You can play with a new partner or the same one, and you may play in as many sessions of the same series as you desire.  Most side game series are 4 to 6 total sessions.  If you have a section top, it will be paid in gold points ONLY if you play in another session of the same series. 

 

DO SINGLE SESSION TEAM GAMES OFFER GOLD POINTS?

Single session team game are separate events and your score does not add up for overall awards if you play in two or more.  No gold is possible in single session team games.

 

It CAN Be Done!

 

More than a few in the bridge community are not positive about the future of our game. "Only old people play now."  "Younger people aren't interested in bridge anymore." "Too late to fix what is wrong."  And so forth and so on.

Yet in Minnesota, we have a positive attitude!  A number of us think just the opposite. We know that bridge is the greatest mind game ever. We know that people of any age can learn and enjoy it. We know that many of us have played since we were teenagers - and decades later, still love bridge and are continually intrigued and amazed and fascinated by the game.

 

 

So here are stories about the people who have been promoting our game, sharing the discovery of bridge and its competitors to students - and making an enormous difference in the future of bridge!

 

 

AND ... the story of the many students who already have fallen in love with bridge, are learning and succeeding and proving that new generations of bridge stars are on their way!

 

Fundraiser Extraordinaire Professor Eric Hendrickson

 

Some bridge playing professors at the University of Minnesota wanted to grow our game. They brainstormed about what to do to encourage students at the U to get involved.  It was not an easy process to get rolling. But they did not give up. And eventually, with the efforts of Honors Dean Matthew Bribitzer-Stull and Professor Eric Hendrickson, bridge actually became a course study at the University!  Now, over 150 students at U of MN have received instruction in how to play our game, thanks to Matt and Eric's faith in its future, along with other professors Paul Gutterman, Leon Hsu, Nita Kevans, Glen Meeden and Harry Sapienza.

 

Honors Dean Matthew Bribitzer-Stull (right) and husband & bridge pard Jason Bribitzer-Stull

Along the way, students at Carleton College, about an hour south of the Twin Cities, also had students who started playing. Math Professor Mark Krusemeyer worked with the students and their bridge club. And then two years ago, the students asked your webmaster if she would be their official coach. I gladly accepted - and became so very proud of both the interest in bridge and the talent of students at this fine liberal arts school.

 

 

Eric had yet another superb idea. Although two teams of students, one from each of our schools, had won trips to the Collegiate Bowl in 2018 - and a team from U of MN and a pair from Carleton won trips to the events upcoming this summer in Las Vegas - Eric wanted to help more of our students participate. So Eric worked tirelessly to drum up interest and support - culminating in a fundraiser at the 81 year old Minneapolis Grand Slam Club last night. 

What a superlative success!  We had a great show of students from U of MN PLUS the Carleton students managed to finagle travel north from Northfield, too. Loads of our "regulars" were there; a big, fun Friday night duplicate with players of all ages!

 

MGSC President David Neiman - appreciating the evening as we appreciate him!

Additional truly fabulous news is that Eric has managed to get over $6,500 in donations for our students - so far! Big thanks to all who donated - and a special "thanks" to Mitch Dunitz for a quite handsome donation - even though Mitch is quite the distance from the upper Midwest.

 

Yet - there is much more. Not only was last night a great game for all and a huge help for getting our students to Las Vegas - we had additional celebrations.  Sharon Anderson served up a delicious spread of Chinese delicacies for us - and then - we celebrated her hubby, Roger, for entering that select group of Platinum Life Masters by going over 10,000 masterpoints. Extra cherry on top is that Roger himself was a Carleton grad!

 

Linda and Barry

 

The Rock!

And no - I am not done. We in our bridge community don't just share our love of this amazing game and the endless fascination and challenge it delivers. We share friendships, social gatherings - and now and then - even love!  So it is with two of our long time players; Linda Gruesner and Barry Purrington, now engaged to be married!

 

 

Our 14.5 table turnout was superlative - and two of our players who give so much to our game had a superlative game. Congrats to Kerry Holloway and Cezanne Martin, winning overall with almost a 65% game. Mr. and Mrs. "Platinum" Andersons scooped up 2nd place - while many of our students showed their stuff, too!

 

 

Lots more photos to share below the line. Yet before I go, just a few more thoughts. What sometimes seems near impossible to achieve isn't. People who are willing to donate time, sweat and energy - rally the troops - and then find bright students who want to challenge themselves with a game that challenges for a lifetime - can make the difference. The people at the MGSC club Friday night - and all those who have been contributing for years now, demonstrate that it is so.

My deepest thanks to you all. And - may you, our next generation of competitors who may win NABC titles, travel around the world competing - or - simply enjoy fine camaraderie and mental challenge for decades - stay "in the game" for a long time to come. Your webmaster has 40+ years of bridge competition and friendships under her belt now ... and I am looking forward to loads more.

Hope you do, too - and enjoy our shots of Minnesota bridge!

From Here to (Almost) Eternity!

 

Yet again - our thanks to Steve Gaynor for delivering all the news and events that are fit to print for Minnesotans!  His latest and greatest is below the line.

From Steve:  My latest schedule.  Let me know if you have any corrections.  I encourage anyone who is planning any kind of activity that includes bridge players to check out dates so they can avoid conflicts.

And from yours truly, your webmaster.  For all who celebrate, best wishes for a wonderful and meaningful Passover and Easter this weekend!

April 14 CBO Stratified Pairs Tournament - Minnesota Shines!

 

Sunday, April 14, a total of 40 pairs of college competitors entered the first College Bridge Online Stratified Pairs Tournament.  We are so very proud to announce that of the top 10 pairs, 3 of those pairs were from Minnesota colleges!

At the top of the list we found the uber-successful partnership of Sean McNally and Morgan Johnstone. You might wonder why they did not win a trip when they secured first place. That was because their U of MN team had already secured a spot in the Collegiate Bowl Team competition!  Way to go, Sean and Morgan!

One of our Carleton College pairs did indeed win a trip to the pair competition.  Congratulations to Jackson Wahl and Sarah Emmmons. We know that they will represent our fair state admirably come this summer.

And - although they were one spot shy of securing their own trip, applause for Carleton students Thomas Scruggs and Jeffrey Boitnott.  Thomas and Jeffrey finished in 6th place; an admirable accomplishment.

Final overall scores can be found here.

As many of you may know, the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club is hosting a fundraiser at their game this coming Friday, April 19th. Eric Hendrickson, one of the professors at U of MN who instructs students there, has done yeoman's work with efforts toward raising funds so more of our students can attend the NABC Collegiate events in Las Vegas. Sharon and Roger Anderson are preparing a repast for those who attend; we hope many of you do, for the meal, the fundraising and the bridge!  (Note that a number of our students shall be in attendance Friday!)

Additionally, Roger recently zoomed over the 10,000 masterpoint mountain to become a Platinum Life Master!  Congrats to Rog on his achievement!

Bridge is the most fascinating mind game ever. You can enjoy it at any age, at any level - no matter where in the world you live.

Here's to years and years of competition in the future for our college students - and - much fun for ALL Minnesotans who love and play our game!

Congratulations again to all!

(P.S. Big kudos and thanks to Stephanie Threlkeld, Education and Communications Manager at ACBL. Stephanie is a tireless worker for out bridge students; we are forever grateful for all she does!

 

Congratulations to the winners of the April 14 CBO Stratified Pairs Tournament An awesome turnout of 40 pairs from 17 colleges competed in our first College Bridge Online Club Stratified Pairs Tournament, with six college pairs receiving travel packages to attend the 2019 Collegiate Bridge Bowl in Las Vegas this July.  Congratulations to our top pairs, who will receive airfare up to $500 per person, three hotel nights (double occupancy) and a $50 per-diem per person. Sean McNally and Morgan Johnstone from the University of Minnesota came in first, but since they previously won a team travel package, they were not eligible to win in the pairs event. Travel package winners are: UC Santa Barbara, UCSB 4 - Danning Lu and Sarp Kurgan Georgia Tech, GT Tech 4 - Justin Shio and Sriram Ganesan Carnegie Mellon, CMU 1 - Mathew Shi and Brent Xiao Carleton College, Carleton 1 - Jackson Wahl and Sarah Emmons Tufts University, Tufts - William Scott and Jeffry Silver Rice University, Rice - Varun Suriyanarayana and Mark Saving A really BIG thank you to director-in-charge Michael Weber and tournament director Trisha Malazdrewicz. This was the first time we have held a stratified pairs event, and they did an fantastic job keeping it running smoothly. Also, thank you to BBO for hosting the event. TOURNAMENT SUMMARY

Pairs Participation winners to be announced May 3 We will be announcing the pairs participation winners on May 3, so if you are registered, keep playing! Five pairs will receive a travel package to compete in the new Stratified Pairs Championship at the Bridge Bowl. If your team and/or pair did not win a travel package, you can still come play in Las Vegas. It's FREE to play and a lot of fun (in addition to masterpoints and scholarship opportunities). Register between Monday, May 6 and Monday, July 1 to guarantee a spot. Walk-up participants must show proof of college enrollment. For complete rules and Conditions of Contest, visit acbl.org/bridgebowl.

Support our College Bridge Players - Summer Collegiate Bowl 2019

 

Minnesota is proud to have more and more college students learning - and loving - bridge!

Some of our students have won trips to the Las Vegas NABC Collegiate Bridge Bowl this summer. We would like as many of our students to be able to attend in these fine competitions, though. So - we are hoping that our Minnesota bridge community will give their all to help the next generation of bridge players!

Many people are already contributing mightily to this effort. A flyer is below the line about a fabulous fundraising event at the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club this coming Friday, April 19th.  Please check out the flyer below - support our students - enjoy a super meal - and - great bridge, too!  BIG bonus is a number of our students will be there and you can meet them and compete against them!

Thanks everyone for your stupendous efforts to keep bridge going and help our Minnesota students enjoy the thrills, excitement, fun and learning at national tourney!

Rochester Sectional - In Pics!

Everyone likes to hear how competitors did at a tournament. Yet - we also like to see everyone having a great time!

Our thanks to Sue Greenberg providing some photos from the sectional. And thanks to all our players, organizers, volunteers and directors, too!

Deb Ernster - Partnerships (she quipped she is now ready to get a job with Match.com!)

Director, Please!

Tom & Linda Grigoleit - Tournament Chairs

District 14 GNT 2019 Finals - May 4-5

 

This is THE opportunity for all District 14 players to win a trip to Las Vegas and compete in the 2019 Grand National Teams!  Four flights are available:  Superflight, A, B and C.  Note that Flight B also has special discounts, too!

NEW opportunities are available this year so two teams from Flights B and C may be able to represent districts this year!

GNT Coordinator Mike Cassel has the details!  Be sure you are qualified for the District finals - then head on down to the Des Moines area to try to be one of the teams that represents us this summer!

 

Per the ACBL BOD decision in Honolulu  GNT Flights B and C will be eligible to send two teams to the National Finals in Las Vegas in July if their field size at the district final is 8 or more teams.

 

The executive committee of District 14 has directed a revision to the GNT Conditions of Contest for Flight B.  Rather than applying a handicap to less experienced teams a decision has been made to encourage greater participation in Flight B by offering a 50% rebate of the Saturday entry fee to teams having no member over 1500 masterpoints (as of April 6, 2019 run).

 

Instead of $120, the Flight B team entry fee for these teams on Saturday will be $60. This fee, based on a 4-person team, $7.50/pp/session, is a great opportunity to compete in the Saturday Swiss Team event.  The top four VP  totals on Saturday will play 28 board KOs in the semifinal and final KO on Sunday.

 

We hope to see you in Des Moines, IA on May 4 and 5 for the Grand National Teams finals.  The D14 BOD will extend an invitation to the NABC finals for the second place teams in Flight B & C at their board meeting in Bloomington in May.  The amount of  travel subsidy, if any, to the second place teams will be decided at that time.

 

Attached are the revised contest conditions and flyer.  Please communicate this change and print flyers so that your players are aware.  The link at acbl.org to D14 GNT conditions of contest will reflect the new CoC imminently.

 

Mike Cassel

D14 GNT Coordinator

 

COD and flyers are below the line

 

Rochester Spring Sectional Results - Take Two

 

A second time at congratulations to all our players who attended the Rochester Spring Sectional - along with all those who volunteered and made the tournament great.  My apologies for having inaccurate information in my post below.  I am, however, leaving it up for extra thanks to everyone. And also I am leaving it up in the hopes that those who are in charge of ACBL Live will not publish results about masterpoints until and unless they are accurate!

Our real masterpoint results are here.  The same 3 pairs were the top masterpoint winners.

And overalls for each event can be viewed here.

Once again - many thanks to the friends who alerted me about the need to revise our reporting!  Very grateful that you have my back and care about our community!

Rochester Spring Sectional Results

UPDATE ON RESULTS!

Everyone - my apologies for attempting to post results from Rochester via ACBL Live

You may see from comments below that the ACBL Live stats were incorrect.

I am not able to correct this post at present. But - I shall later this evening (assuming I make it back to Minnesota!!)

Thanks for the heads up and sorry for the errors.

 

For a moment, prior to the return of winter, we had spring. And in Rochester, it meant a fun tournament with superb competition!

Six of our competitors earned over 30 masterpoints each!  John Koch and Carole Miner tied at almost 39 per person! Kathy and Terry Beckman were close to that impressive feat with 35.09.  Joseph Pieper and Mark Patton from Dubuque also scored in the 30's with 31.53.

Six other players earned over 20 points; very well done!  The overall masterpoint list can be found here.

To see who did what in each event in Rochester, check overalls on this list.

Our thanks to all the organizers and volunteers; the tournament wouldn't be a success without you!

And - big thanks, too, to Director Tony Ames.

Also, you might note that we are doing a new format. I couldn't find results for the tourney on the calendar at ACBL - but Tony told me he sent them in on Sunday night. So, I instead searched at ACBL Live - and - there they were.  I suggested to Tony that perhaps using that resource would be superior.  "Great idea," said Tony!

So, do note that from now on, we will use ACBL Live for reporting - and for lots more info for those of you who want to know everything!

Thanks again to all - and - here's hoping after a blast of winter, spring does come back again!

Minnesota Top 100 - 2018

 

The list of the top 100 masterpoint holders in Minnesota as of the end of 2018 is now available!  Huge thanks to Judy Hansen for mighty efforts in collecting all the data to determine our top 100.

We now have six players who have over 10,000 masterpoints. And a few are getting quite close to going over in 2019, though Roger Anderson has already achieved this milestone.  Congrats to our Minnesotans who earned 600 or more masterpoints in 2018:  Bjorgvin Kristinsson with 997.87, Sharon Anderson with 817.47, Roger Anderson with 773.74, Paul Meerschaert with 732.69 and Terry Beckman with 614.32. A fine showing!

And, as we celebrate our players who have reached the top with masterpoints, we also celebrate all Minnesotans who play and enjoy bridge. Doing well in the masterpoint races and earning higher rankings is a big thrill and achievement.  Yet some of our players are not able to compete as much as others.

So - we salute you all!  And we wish everyone a wonderful 2019 as we compete, enjoy this incredible game - and the super people who make bridge so special!

 

2018 Year End Minnesota Top 100
1	Peggy	Kaplan	16246.99
2	Sharon	Anderson	12854.04
3	Terry	Beckman	12710.37
4	John	Koch	11722.09
5	Paul	Meerschaert	10586.37
6	Peder	Langsetmo	10363.64
7	Roger	Anderson	9902.09
8	Bob	Balderson Jr	9613.30
9	Jack	Rhatigan	9592.83
10	Steven	Gaynor	9524.55
11	Cynthia	Balderson	9417.33
12	Michael	Cassel II	9403.48
13	Bjorgvin	Kristinsson	9309.47
14	Tony	Ames	9208.88
15	Phil	Schwarz	9026.79
16	Judy	Schwarz	8832.21
17	Carole	Miner	8753.35
18	Gregg	Van Dyke	8384.06
19	Peg	Waller	8335.73
20	Barry	Purrington	8135.13
21	Michael	Hoffmann	7812.87
22	Jackie	Evans	7739.43
23	Ronald	DeHarpporte	6973.47
24	Judy	Nassar	6661.41
25	Carol	Mahoney	6542.11
26	Brian	Crossley	6541.30
27	Sharon	Christenson	6494.47
28	Surya	Shah	6472.47
29	Terrence	Lijewski	6399.21
30	Richard	Ekstrum	6375.88
31	Kerry	Holloway	6352.36
32	Michael	Howland	6233.41
33	Kory	Solarz	5985.71
34	Keith	Connolly	5832.78
35	Kathy	Beckman	5580.41
36	John	Minton	5504.68
37	Dan	Sershon	5454.65
38	Greg	Caucutt	5404.46
39	Susan	Jackson	5354.98
40	Lance	Chamberlain	5275.50
41	Pat	Burrows	5210.47
42	Audrey	Weikle	4863.85
43	Rita	Xistris	4682.73
44	Michael	Flader	4679.85
45	Thomas	Smith	4579.10
46	Genny	Rice	4440.46
47	Kurt	Schaeffer	4313.63
48	Roark	Johnson	4204.53
49	John	Allen	4181.50
50	Bruce	Boje	4089.46
51	Joseph	Browan	3998.21
52	Irwin	Boris	3940.44
53	Phyllis	Rosscup	3921.96
54	Paul	Gutterman	3868.67
55	Randy	Okubo	3835.89
56	Thomas	Baskin	3828.26
57	Jean	Boettcher	3727.98
58	Warren	Nelson	3697.02
59	Teresa	Sackett	3613.74
60	Wayne	Gergen	3594.90
61	Mary	Meinecke	3585.03
62	Jane Dickey	Matson	3554.99
63	Robert	Schachter	3551.38
64	Dennis	Dufner	3537.79
65	Mark	Krusemeyer	3516.17
66	Teri	Blu	3419.78
67	Evan	Sachs	3385.60
68	Gregory	Lutgens	3364.68
69	Jeff	Dzuik	3354.12
70	Richard	Lawson	3308.55
71	Paula	Cohen	3287.59
72	Stephen	Jackson	3251.09
73	Howard	Gianera	3229.95
74	John	Bloomquist	3194.72
75	Harry	Sapienza	3185.58
76	James	Mustain	3153.13
77	Colin	Campbell	3136.94
78	James	Tenbroeke	3098.95
79	Judy	Malcomson	3055.69
80	Larry	Uttley	3054.72
81	Carol	Rynders	2995.32
82	Deborah	Watson	2974.75
83	Eric	Hendrickson	2969.27
84	William	Voedisch	2960.38
85	Janet	Williams	2943.59
86	Gerald	Welander	2894.89
87	John	Crouch	2873.44
88	Dennis	Cerkvenik	2871.91
89	Jeanine	Hall	2868.18
90	Elaine	Prebonich	2847.92
91	Marsha	Brouillet	2842.29
92	Gene	Willson	2836.41
93	Larry	Johnson	2815.44
94	Neil	Swanson	2774.95
95	Vern	Swing	2767.57
96	John	Stern	2752.86
97	Charlene	Thul	2749.52
98	Kay	Hottinger	2731.81
99	Patricia	Rodgers	2715.88
100	Lon	Kieffer	2713.82

 

Minutes from Unit 178 Board Meeting - March 9, 2019

Our thanks to those who serve on Unit 178's Board of Directors for providing us with fine bridge in our area!

 

1) Barb Zipoy called the Meeting to order. Present were Judy Hansen, Richard Cottle, John Schlundt, Cass Weil, Tom Sneed and Liz Hughes. 

 

2) The minutes from the last meeting were approved. 

 

3) The Financial Report was approved. 

 

4)  Tournaments

 

       GNT District Finals in Iowa May 4-5.  Mike Cassel reported on some of his efforts to generate         more interest and higher participation. He expressed his frustration with having his proposal         to send a second team in the B flight voted down. He then drafted Conditions of Contest to             handicap the Qualifying round but to increase the handicap to 150% in the semi-finals and             finals. This recognizes the wide range of experience within the B flight. No board action was           requested. 

 

       Gopher Regional.  John said he has been attending the planning meetings along with Steve        Gaynor. He noted they are looking for help to staff the I/N desk. 

 

5) Properties

 

     Kerry cleaned the Bridgemates at TCBC and the Grand Slam club in January. This should be         done quarterly. 

 

5). Old Business

 

    Judy reported that the New Member letter is done and has been sent to all who have joined            since July.   She gets the list from the ACBL in what is called the In and Out. For lapsed     members there is a coding system for a reason. Cass and Tom agreed to share calling these     members. Additionally Judy has discovered that members who are inactive for 2 years are put     in a Unit 777.  She has been going through these names to clean out members who have died     or otherwise have left. She has also taken over, for now, email messaging and has sent one     out. 

 

6)  New Business

 

      Judy reported the Awards Banquet is set for Sunday April 28 with a lunch, meeting and game.       Steve Gaynor will direct the game. Teri has applied to make it a unit game so there will be              enhance master points. The flyer is up and invitations will be mailed or delivered to all the              winners. 

 

      Longest Day. Liz and Richard agreed to coordinate. 

 

      New Sanction for Scott in Edina.  He just needs to apply. No action necessary by us. 

 

      Funding for the Collegiate Tournament. There was a request for the Unit to help send some of       the bridge players from the U of MN and Carleton to the Collegiate tournament in Las Vegas.        After some discussion the board voted to not fund the request at this time. 

 

7)   The next meeting was scheduled on May 9, 2019 at 9:00 at the TCBC.

 

8)   The meeting was adjourned. 

 

****************

** Webmaster note.  My apologies for the uneven formatting. Meeting notes are received in email format and after multiple attempts to reformat, this was the best that could be achieved.

Minnesotans in Memphis

 

Memphis is a very nice venue for an NABC.  Hotels are priced more reasonably, the convention center is a fine place to play - and is right across the street from the host hotel.  Lots of places to dine and enjoy entertainment.

Of course, our #1 reason to attend is to PLAY BRIDGE!  So - here is what our Minnesotans did at the table in Memphis!

 

Terry Beckman & John Koch                   24^th Silver Ribbon, 9^th NAP Flight A

Grant Boadwine & Judy Hansen             17^th NAP Golder Flight B

Diane Henson & Larry Henson                22^nd NAP Golder Flight B

Peggy Kaplan & Dick Brunoe                   26^th Mixed Pairs -  also made day 2 of IMP Pairs and Silver Ribbon

Jing Liu & Chen Zhao, Bauke Muller & Simon de Wijs

                                                                 9^th Jacoby Swiss 

Paul Meerschaert & Robert Schachter    48^th IMP Pairs - also made day 2 of Silodor

Barry Purrington & Mike Cassel, Robert & Ellen Kent             

                                                                11^th 0-10K Swiss - Barry & Mike also made day 2 of Silodor

Barry Purrington & Neal Satten, Robert & Ellen Kent

                                                                3^rd in 0-10K KO

Randy Okubo & Nancy Wittwer              Day 2 of the NABC+ Fast Pairs

Randy Okubo & Mark Krusemeyer         Day 2 of both the Silodor and the IMP Pairs

Brian Weikle & Christina van Leeuwen   Day 2 of NABC+ Fast Pairs

Morgan Johnstone & Sean McNally         Day 2 of Presidents Cup Flight C North American Pairs

 

 

And - BIG thanks to Brian Weikle, our manager of Bridge Operations at ACBL! 

Brian did the heavy lifting in delivering which Minnesotans did what in our NABC events!

 

 

Rochester Spring Sectional - April 5-7

Rochester Spring Sectional

April 5th - 7th 2019

Rochester International Event Center

Starting this Friday, you can experience the Rochester Spring Sectional Tournament April 5 - 7, a spring get together for all bridge players that is super!!  And the weather promises to be fabulous!

  The Rochester Sectional offers something for everyone:

• Beautiful and spacious event facility with lots of free parking
• Legendary Rochester hospitality
• I/N and Open Pairs games every day along with Swiss Team events
• Partnership Desk to assist if you need a partner
• Lunch to purchase on site
• Free coffee, cookies and chocolate all weekend

Check out the flyer on the left of Minnesota Bridge for the details!

We can't wait to meet you!

Rochester Duplicate Bridge Club

Tournament Co-Chairs:

Linda Grigoleit 507-269-4172 and Tom Grigoleit 507-269-4162 lindagandtomg@gmail.com

Partnership Desk:

Deb Ernster, 507-250-6441, rochestermnbridge@gmail.com

Memphis 2019 NABC - Starring Steve Garner!

Minnesota has had its share of impressive bridge players.  Russ Arnold, Eddie Kantar, Howie Weinstein and Joe Grue are among them.

Another super star that many of us "old timers" know well is Steve Garner. And - after Sunday night in Memphis, Steve's star shines brighter still.

 

 

Above is a shot of team captain Jeff Wolfson holding the Vanderbilt Cup - with (left to right) ACBL President Russ Jones, teammates Alexander Hydes, Peter Crouch, Michael Kamil, Michael Becker - and hometown boy Steve Garner.

The team beat top notch teams throughout to make it to the finals: Pavlicek in the round of 32; "Pepsi" in the quarterfinals, Lavazza in the semis and the team who who was so strong in their semi match, their opponents dropped out at the half:  Team Nickell.  Yet, no matter how tough the opponents, Team Wolfson played superbly and vanquished all.

For those of us who had the opportunity to watch Vu-Graph, we saw Steve make loads of fine decisions. Of course, Steve has been "doing the right thing" for decades, be it playing on "The Rangers" - the young team that usually beat all comers in the upper Midwest (and beyond) - or trading options in Chicago - or teaching or playing professionally.

 

 

Above, Steve advises during one of the many educational seminars that Sharon and Roger Anderson have held at their home - and below, Steve with his hosts.

 

 

Another of Steve's amazing feats was leading his team to victory at the Nebraska Regional a few years ago.  Here you see the very excited smiles of his teammates as they beat top notch expert after expert team to end up in the winners' circle.

 

 

Several shots below show Steve competing in the USBF trials to determine who will represent the U.S. in international competition.

 

 

Oh - and did I mention that Steve won the Mott-Smith Trophy, awarded to the player who wins the most masterpoints at the Spring NABC?  Yes, Steve did secure this impressive title, too, with a fine score of 304.51 masterpoints!

 

 

Steve still has wonderful family in the Twin Cities, all of whom I am certain are busting their buttons with pride at his great bridge accomplishments. Of course, all of his friends and fans here and elsewhere are, too!

 

 

Steve - HUGE congratulations from us all on you and your team's BIG BIG BIG win!!  

And I hope that - somewhere, some how - the Great Larry Oakey kibitzed you from the hereafter and is just as thrilled and impressed as the rest of your Minnesota fans are.

 

Rowan and Martin in Memphis

We are very fortunate to have bridge players in and from Minnesota ranging from expert to world class.  (Be sure to look for a post in the very near future about Steve Garner - the player whose team just won the Vanderbilt in a very tough field - and - the Mott-Smith Trophy for most masterpoints won at the Memphis NABC.)

Steve moved from the Twin Cities to Chicago long ago. Fortunately for us, however, we have other class acts and talented competitors still here.  Paul Meerschaert and Rob Schachter are two.

Big thanks to Paul for sharing this intriguing, interesting and entertaining article from Memphis with us!

 

 

Rowan and Martin

 

Some of the younger bridge players may not know who I am referring to, but most of us remember the Comedy Team of Rowan and Martin.  During the early 70’s they had a popular TV Variety Show called Laugh-In.  It was one of my favorite shows in my youth.  Dan Rowan played the Straight-Man setting up the one-liners for the comedy talent of Dick Martin.  Some other famous Comedy teams using this formula were Martin & Lewis, Abbot & Costello, and Laurel & Hardy.  For some of the younger generation they might think of Penn & Teller or Tina Fey & Amy Poehler.

I present a hand from the recent National in Memphis that had me feeling a bit like Dan Rowan.  My partner on my recent trip to Memphis is Rob Schachter.  Most local players know Rob.  I have been blessed to know Rob for 40+ years now!  For those of you that only know Rob at the table, let me introduce him to you a little. 

To say that Rob is a gentle, kind, and respectful person is the truth, what many of you do not know is that Rob earned bread for his family playing the commodities market.  Now I do not know much about the intricacies of what this entailed. I do know that among the many talents needed to succeed in this demanding field is understanding the Mathematics of Risk and Reward.  Let’s look at a hand from Memphis where Rob used this understanding to not only pull off a fast one, but also left me feeling a little like Dan Rowan.

In first seat I pick up a nice hand, I am looking at:

AQ64  K9862  Q7  A9

I am playing Flannery today so my choices are to open 2D showing this shape, or to open 1H and reverse with 2S.  The latter choice is a possible bid as I am also playing Precision so my 1H bid is limited to at most 16 HCP balanced, or 15 points unbalanced.  I decide that the heart suit is not good enough to be forcing my partner to the 3-level in my anchor suit.  So instead I open 2D Flannery despite it being technically 1 point past our intended range for the bid.  (Our agreement is that 2D shows a GOOD 10 to 14 HCP points)  I am pleasantly surprised to hear Rob bid 3D which is artificial showing interest in Slam.  My 3H bid is forced, and Rob follows up with 4H.  The bidding so far has been:

2D – Shows 5 or 6 hearts, 4 spades and a minimum.  Defined as 10-14

3D – Shows slam interest in Hearts, Spades, or Other.  Usually NT

3H – Forced response waiting to hear what partner has in mind

4H – Shows slam interest in hearts, but also denied either minor suit Ace to Q-Bid

It is clear I need to do something moving forward.  My hand again is:

AQ64  K9862  Q7  A9

A possible hand for partner consistent with this bidding could very well be:

Kxx  AQxx, Kxx, Kxx

This makes 6H virtually cold.  I have two options.  One is to just bid Key-Card Blackwood.  This of course breaks the ‘Rule’ of never bid Key-Card with 2 losers in a suit, but also leaves the opening leader in the dark.  My other option is to follow up with a 5C Q-Bid letting partner know that I am worried about 2 diamond losers.  The drawback of course is that my LHO is listening in on our conversation and also knows this is what is stopping me.

How does he know this?  With no more than 1 loser in each minor I would just have a clear cut 4NT Key-Card bid available.  This means my partner and LHO know I don’t have any of these possible minor suit holdings:

Kxx, x

Kx, Kx

x, Axx

Ax, Ax

Now it is Rob’s turn to bid.  He is looking at a nice hand that a first glance many people would just sign off in 5H with.  His hand is:

KJ5  AQJ, 95, KJ872

Remember what I said Rob did to put food on the table.  I never asked Rob if he did a quick algorithm to work out the likely percentage that LHO might not have a diamond holding he wanted to lead from, or he just employed a little psychology and dared LHO to lead a diamond.  It worked though.  LHO was looking at:

72  1054  AJ843  Q104

LHO now has a legitimate problem to solve.  He has heard me announce that I am mainly worried about 2 Diamond losers.  He has also heard my partner say that wasn’t a problem.  Does he try and cash 2 diamonds or does he knock out my club ace before his Diamond Ace is dislodged?  After all my minor suit holding might be xx diamonds, and Ax in clubs. Rob might hold KQxx in diamonds and xx in clubs!

After his club lead 6H making 7 is quickly scored up leaving poor LHO muttering to himself!

*****************************************************************************************************************

I offer up another quick hand from Memphis where Rob was faced with a similar situation.  He Held:

AQ5  AKQJ1087  62  J

Rob in first seat starts things with 1C – Precision.  Strong, Artificial, and Forcing.  The bidding on this hand is:

Rob:  1C – Strong Artificial Forcing

LHO: 1D – Natural

Me – Double – sets up a game force promising at least 8 HCP, any distribution.

RHO – 2D – Natural

Rob – 3H – This is trumps partner, my suit is strong enough to play opposite a void!

LHO – 3S – Natural

Me – 5H – I think we might have a slam here, but I have 2 diamond losers

RHO – Pass

Rob – Pass

The difference here of course is the opponents know they have diamonds.  The Risk-Reward odds are not in his favor.

I never thought I would end up some day playing the Straight-Man in a comedy act.  But I was, and I must admit I enjoyed the role.  To be honest I have always been more of a straight man as a bidding partner, but I will remember this one, and who knows maybe some day I will learn the intricacies of playing the comedy half of a bidding partnership!

 

 

 

 

 

April 2019 - Unit 103 Board of Directors Agenda

For all who like to keep up on what their Unit is doing, the news on Unit 103's upcoming BOD meeting.

Thanks to all of our hard working board members!

 

American Contract Bridge League

Minnesota Gopher Unit 103

Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

Time:  Saturday, April 6, 2019 (Following afternoon session)

Location:  Ground Round Restaurant

1. Call to Order
2. Welcome Tom Owens
3. Additions to Agenda
4. Minutes of November 2, 2018 Meeting
5. 1st Q Financial Report
6. Old Business
7. Rochester 2019 Regional
8. New Brighton Sectional Report

7. New Business
8. 103 Awards Banquet
9. Name Tags
10. Collegiate Bridge Support

8. Next Meeting: June 2019 St. Cloud Tournament

 

9. Adjourn

Warren Nelson

President

March 20, 2019

The Game with Challenges Forever

About 45 years ago, I came to Minnesota to attend grad school. I had learned to play bridge as an undergrad, but rubber bridge only.  I focused on my studies and other activities my first few years here - and then got introduced to duplicate. 

Roughly when this sweet photo of Kerry Holloway, wife Cara and daughter Megan was taken, I met Kerry and he took this newbie under his wing. While we both play with others, Kerry and I have had a partnership for over 40 years now!

 

 

Along the way, I added another very talented and long time partner; Bill Kent of Iowa City.  Between Kerry and Bill, I've played literally thousands and thousands of hands with each of them. You'd think that we'd have every agreement down pat by now, and never be on different wavelengths.

But - you would be wrong.

This past Friday night at the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, I held this hand:  AQ95, Q754, AJ7, 42. After 2 passes, my RHO opened 1D. Though my shape wasn't quite right, I judged to double. With both majors and 13 hcp, I decided doubling rather than passing or guessing which major to bid was the lesser of evils.

LHO bid 1H, Kerry bid 1S and RHO passed.  What now?

Well. Had my LHO passed and had Kerry then bid 1S, I, too would have passed. Without the 1H bid, my call would show at least 16+ HCP and at least 4S.  But, since Kerry took a "free bid" (bidding when he was not forced to do so), I knew he had some values.  Thus, I raised to 2S, showing a reasonable opener with at least 4S - but not extras.  

LHO passed, and to my surprise, Kerry bid 4S! 

Alas; not surprisingly, given that he was only able to bid 1S the first time, we didn't have enough "wood" for Kerry to take 10 tricks.  Here is the layout:

                                                       

Dealer: W Vul: None	North  ♠ KJ764  ♥ K96  ♦ 84  ♣ 863
West  ♠ 83  ♥ J1032  ♦ KQ10  ♣ QJ95		East  ♠ 102  ♥ A8  ♦ 96532  ♣ AK107
	South  ♠ AQ95  ♥ Q754  ♦ AJ7  ♣ 42

 

What happened?