Minnesota Bridge

The Great Bob Hamman - and Me

This is unusual for me.

I very rarely have more than one Typepad Story in a day.

And - I rarely have an opportunity to have The Great Bob Hamman comments.

That being said - HERE we go!

I am MOST grateful to Bob for what he has to say.  And feel incredibly lucky for whatever Bob does for the world's greatest game!!

And - HERE HE IS!!  The Great Bob Hamman!

Today’s Afternoon Side Pairs is named in honor of Peg Kaplan. I first saw Peggy at the table over 30 years ago at an NABC. We met by chance later that tournament, talked about the hands we had played, youth bridge, bridge friends, love for the game, Mr. Mollo (her parrot), her mom and dad — all the things we had in common and some we didn’t. 

 

Every NABC since that first meeting, Peggy and I have connected, sometimes for lunch, sometimes breakfast and occasionally just in the hallway before a game when our schedules just didn’t mesh. Peggy is a familiar face at the NABCs. Her love for the game and the people who play it, her fierce competitive spirit and her photos that captured the heart of the game are known by all. 

 

Due to health issues, Peggy has been unable to attend the last few championships. Bob Hamman (a close friend of Peggy) said, “I have known Peggy for more years than either of us want to acknowledge. During that time, I have played against her with moderate success and with her with some success. She has always been a fierce and formidable competitor. 

 

“Additionally, Peggy has shown that she is first and foremost an intense and enthusiastic supporter of the mindsport that we both believe is the greatest game that has ever been invented. “Peggy won four NABC+ events and additionally deserves credit for an assist on two of the events that I have managed to be one of the last teams standing. 

 

In 2006, our Grand National Team prevailed, but it would have been a much tougher road if her four-handed team had not already defeated the Florida squad which included Rodwell, Meckstroth and a strong supporting cast. Luckily for us, we avoided her team in later stages of the event. 

 

For the piece de resistance, Peggy was our nonplaying captain in the 2020 Buffett Cup in Hainan. “Talk about herding cats: Our team consisted of four fossils, Peter Weichsel, Bart Bramley, Kit Woolsey and me. The more youthful players that carried our team to victory were Jill Meyers, Sylvia Shi, Oren Kriegel and Ron Smith. A heavy load, indeed. Our competition was strong, with teams representing Europe and China.” From all of us attending this NABC: “We miss you, Peggy!”

 

The Greatest Game

Bridge IS the greatest game.  I've played it for decades - and shall never tire of it (even if I have to watch instead of play!)

That being said, with so much going on here and there, I'm afraid I shall keep this short and sweet.  I have tried sharing a number of stories about bridge - then and now.  And of some of my favorite exploits.

Yet, with much going on currently, each of my attempts have gone "bye bye".

Thus, that being said - be you a bridge rock star - or someone who plays every now and then - or - is simply learning how to fall in love with this amazing game.  I absolutely hope that as many of us can continue to enjoy and learn and love.  And - perhaps as fall and (perish the thought) - WINTER comes a courting - we can do our best to love this incredible game - and continue to be so happy that we have it!

Here's to enjoying the last colorful leaves and beauty of autumn - and heading out to bridge events in winter!

My Best to ALL!!

D14-Wide ONLINE PAIRS GAME - Check it Out!!

Matt, who helps us with a variety of wonderful bridge events and needs,

Is sharing THIS with US!

Lucky, lucky!  It's coming up!   Check it out - and - PLAY!!!

D14-wide ONLINE PAIRS GAME

Sunday October 16th - 6:30pm

 

WHAT:  It’s a District-wide online pairs game, sanctioned by

the ACBL and BBO; just like other online bridge games, only 

with the potential to be much, MUCH bigger (read: lots

more masterpoints). . .with an entry fee of $6

 

WHERE:  The comfort of your own living room.  Just sign on

to BBO like any other online game, you’ll see this game listed

- then register with a partner and let the cards fly

 

WHO:  You - anyone that is in District 14 is eligible to play in

this mega-online game.  While you must be a member of

D14, your partner does not have to be - so you can play

with anyone that you want (around the country or around 

the world!)

 

WHEN:  Sunday October 16 at 6:30pm.  The game will be

available for signup two hours beforehand

 

WHY:  100% of the proceeds from this game will go to the

D14 Grass Roots Fund, which helps to sponsor D14 GNT 

Finalists as they move forward to the Nationals in Chicago

next summer

Long Ago and Far Away

Like so much in life, bridge does not remain static.  In college, I learned about a wealth of different card games and enjoyed them tremendously.  I began to dip my toes into bridge - yet clearly the game was far more challenging than anything else I'd learned.  When I came to Minnesota and grad school, I did play a bit of bridge, though generally it was no more than 2 or 3 games a month.  And no matter how hard I tried, mistakes and misunderstandings were inevitable, forgetting happened - yet the game remained with challenges that surely were intriguing - and fun.

But bridge "back then" was so very different when I started learning more and more.  While the "super stars" were fascinating to watch, other players would chat and help one another.  And when we found that improvement grew and grew as we watched, listened, and realized more as to how intricate and difficult the bridge world could be.  We nevertheless still continued to learn - with some of us increasing our game upward - and occasionally beating up on the big boys, which was always a thrill!

In Minnesota, our big games were BIG!  I remember the hotels that had so many players competing, that it was easy to see players everywhere, be they novices, intermediates - or the best of the best.  Some of us would reach a level - and stay there.  Others?  They would work so hard, they'd win lots more, learn so much that was once a mystery, and continue to be fascinated by the varied abilities - and lack thereof - of our players.

Recent times have delivered immense change to our games.  Covid managed to take many who were superb players, to relegate themselves and their partners to staying at home.  Others wore their masks - and although this allowed them to play, it clearly was more difficult - and the percentage of players who continued to play dropped dramatically.

Additionally, unfortunately we have lost many of those who played so well.  Yet time and age has ended lives, which again, has caused our games to be fewer and smaller.

Can this change?  Of course.  But we really cannot know immediately what the changes will be, if the games can grow significantly again - or if changes slowly grow again...  Or, if bridge may take a long time to return to our once strong world.

In the meantime, if you can play and you want to play - do so!  Decades of players continue on!

And - just like life itself - bridge has a myriad of fascination, thought, creativity and much more.  Let's hope it returns to growth - and to us.

Peg

Summer will be winding down - Fall Bridge Events are On Their Way!

Once again, summer is winding down before I expect it. But it's State Fair time and school starts next week, so it must be true!

On the plus side, there is a lot to look forward to in bridge this fall in Unit 178.

 

September Schedule of games is attached. Here are some highlights:

Board-a-Match game resumes, Wednesday evening at 6:15

On September 7, Keith Thompson and Tony Ames are restarting the ever-popular Board-a-Match game. Games will be held every other Wednesday at 6:15 pm at the Edina Senior Center. The schedule for 2022-23 is attached.

BAM is a team game without complicated scoring like IMPs, so every board is win or lose and a single extra overtrick (or undertrick) can be a huge difference.

Teams need to register by contacting Keith (keithclockt@icloud.com, 612-239-2667) or Tony (ynotsema@aol.com, 952-200-3871). They will help you form a pair or team, too.

New location for Saturday games starting Sep 10

The Saturday FTF game at 1:00 p.m. is moving to the Eden Prairie Center Community Room as of September 10. It's in the basement next to the main rental office and restrooms.

Enter on the East side through the Von Maur store, or on the South through the food court. Take the elevator, located in the center of the mall, down t the basement. It's very similar to the Southdale Center where we had the recent sectional tournament.

Lessons this fall

Tony Ames is offering beginning bridge lessons this fall on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm at the Edina Senior Center. Lessons start September 13 and continue for 8 weeks. Contact the Edina Senior Center at 952-833-9570 to register.

Alternatively, the Bridge Center of St Paul is offering beginning bridge lessons Monday evenings at 6:30 starting September 19, both online and in person. A second series will be held online only on Wednesdays evenings starting September 21. Check out the website for more information or to register http://www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com/

Chat bridge continues

Chat bridge continues every Tuesday at 12:45 at Studio 1. It's a great way to practise and improve your game after you've taken lessons. A number of players have "graduated" to the limited game at the same time, there's always room for more. Contact John Schlundt for more information. john.schlundt@gmail.com

Gopher Regional Tournament very successful!

Tournament chair Patti Stuhlman reports that the Gopher Regional tournament last may was very successful. Attendence exceeded expectations, and the tournament even made money. Congratulations and thanks to Patti and her team!

Feedback was generally positive, and suggestions will be taken into account in planning next year's Gopher. I know they've started working on it already.

Milestones

Congratulations to these players who have reached new levels:

• Junior Masters: David Gregg, Carol Hagelee, Carol Lord
• Club Master: Mary Stark
• Sectional Masters: Patti Richardson, Jeffrey Knapp
• NABC Master: Marc Ashton
• Bronze Life Master: Mark McGree
• Silver Life Masters: James LaFave, Michael O'Leary

The End IS Near!

The End is Near
So Get Qualified Now!

                                           

 

State Fair time means the end of summer, and the end of summer is the end of North American Pairs qualifying. The North American Pairs event is one of the two grassroots events where people can compete against pairs at their own level from across North America. These qualifiers only happen during the 3 summer months of June, July , and August. You have be qualified at the club level in order to compete in the finals. The top finishers in the finals will get to play in the spring Nationals in New Orleans next March. 

The finals will be held online Saturday October 1st and Sunday October 2. The top three pairs will qualify for Flight A, while four pairs each from Flight B and Flight C will go to New Orleans. All pairs will play 4 sessions of 24 boards. You must play with the same partner throughout the finals.

In order to play in the District 14 NAP Final, players must be members of District 14 and have qualified for their masterpoint flight or a higher flight in a NAP Club Qualifying F2F or online game.

Flight masterpoints are determined as of the June masterpoint cycle run by ACBL data Processing on May 6, 2022. Any points won but not included in this cycle do not affect masterpoint eligibility.

Flight A is open to all Players.

Flight B is open to Players with fewer than 2,500.

Flight C is open to Players who are Non-Life Masters with fewer than 500.

 

Our local clubs are doing their part to help qualify people for a shot at the Nationals. On Monday, August 29 the Bridge Center of St. Paul hosts a North American Pairs qualifier face to face during their 10:00 AM Open game. Also on August 29, the Plymouth Bridge Club has a face to face NAP qualifier at 11:45 AM. 

 

Tuesday, August 30 finds both clubs again hosting NAP qualifiers. The Bridge Center of St. Paul again uses the 10:00 AM Open game for qualifying, while the Plymouth Bridge Club will have a qualifier for the 0 to 750 game at Studio 1, 6001 Lyndale Ave South, in Minneapolis. This game starts with a mini lesson at 12:15, and game time is 12:45. 

 

On August 31, the very last day of qualifying, all three online games from the Bridge Center of St. Paul will be NAP qualifiers. Those game times are 9:15 for 0 to 500 masterpoints, 9:30 for the 0 to 2500 Flight B competitors, and an Open game at 9:45.

 

So lots of opportunities to get qualified for the North American Pairs. Not only will you play for free if you make it to New Orleans, there will be a travel subsidy should yours be one of the pairs making it through the October finals. Check your schedule, call your favorite partner, and get to work on that ticket to the Nationals. I hope to see you there!

 

See what you can do, and protect your health by all means!

 

Thanks.

 

Keith

Bridge - the Greatest Game - With a Myriad of People!

In so many different ways, bridge has altered over the years.
When I first began to learn, more than a few players were kind enough to help me -
and others who were learning how to play.

Earning a modest number of points could take more than a significant amount of time.  Learning overall
ran the gamut from beginners, those who played every couple of weeks - and those who
were newer but pretty darned talented - along with those who were the super stars!

As many of us know today, bridge can remain fairly simple yet fun for some players.
And those who are superlative, able to weigh and calculate far more than the average Joe, and WIN - 
generally do achieve the highest honors.

Yet, with more of our players returning to our games with the (thank goodness)  varied abilities and enjoyment of the game are indeed helping us to build up and again enjoy.  Whether it be those who play more for sociability, or work hard to learn more and achieve far more than when they first began.
Or who truly, almost from the get go, were those with the brilliance, understanding of so much of the game, along with the abilities to achieve to the top - over and over - is wonderful.

I hope it means that bridge - yet again - continues to grow, to delight, to help others and to watch those who do achieve so much - and in turn - help those with lesser skills to grow.

What will happen in the next year or two?  Or a decade from now?

Keep your eyes and ears open - and we WILL find out!!!

 

 

 

First Ever NLM Sectional To Be Held in Sartell!

First Ever NLM Sectional To Be Held in Sartell!
Our Thanks to Connie for Helping Players
With Fewer than 750 Master Points!

 

With the encouragement of the Unit 103 Board, the St Cloud Duplicate Bridge Club is happy to announce a new tournament for new and advancing players. 

We will be hosting a one-day Non-Life Master Sectional on October 13^th at the Sartell Community Center, 850 19^th Street South, Sartell MN  56377.  This is the same place that we held our Open Sectional in June.  It is a beautiful venue.  

Two single session Pair Games will be offered at 10 am and 2:30 pm.; each entry will cost $11.  Please come and play in one or both of these games.  Remember:  These games are only for people with fewer than 750 Master Points who are not Life Masters (yet).  And, we have Silver Points to distribute!

Our St Cloud Club is trying a NLM Sectional for the first time and we want to make it a success.  As an added incentive, we will serve a light complimentary lunch between sessions for players who play in one or both sessions.  

Mark your calendars & come!  If anyone needs a partner, no problem!  Please contact me at 320-282-7859 or Connie@psg.us. 

If you are coming from a distance and planning to stay overnight, you would also be very welcome to play in our regular Friday Club game, which starts at 12:30 p.m. at Whitney Senior Center.

Hope to see YOU in Sartell!

Connie Nelson, Chair

CALENDAR OF BRIDGE EVENTS! FOR OUR TWIN CITY AREA PLAYERS

CALENDAR OF BRIDGE EVENTS FOR TWIN CITY AREA PLAYERS
from Steven Gaynor
(e-mail: stev1249@comcast.net) (C): 612-708-7563

PLEASE USE THIS WHEN PLANNING YOUR BRIDGE EVENTS
IN ORDER TO AVOID SCHEDULING CONFLICTS – THANKS!
AUGUST 15, 2022

If an event is not listed, it has not been sanctioned with the ACBL
as of the date above. These events and dates are subject to being
changed by the local regulating authorities.

COLOR KEY: NABC’S; DISTRICT 14 REGIONALS; MINNESOTA SECTIONALS;
DISTRICT 14 GNT/NAP EVENTS; WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
2022

Aug 19 – Sep 3 World Bridge Series, Wroclaw, Poland
Aug 20 I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Aug 22 – 28 REGIONAL @ Lake Hallie Eagles club in Eau Claire, WI

Sep International Fund game month – Games @ local clubs
Sep 2 – 4 I/N REGIONAL @ EL ZAGAL SHRINE IN FARGO, ND
Sep 2 – 4 Open sectional in conjunction with regional in Fargo, ND
Sep 12 – 15 D14 STaC @ participating clubs

Oct 1 – 2 District 14 NAP Finals (BBO online)
Oct 4 Yom Kippur starts (evening)
Oct 6 – 8 Med City Sectional @ St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Oct 13 NLM Sectional @ Sartell CC at 850 19th St. South, Sartell, MN

Nov 24 – Dec 4 FALL NABC @ PHOENIX CC & HYATT REGENCY IN PHOENIX, AZ

Dec 1 I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Dec 9 – 11 Holiday Sectional @ Bridge Center of St Paul, N. St Paul, MN 2023

2023 Jan Junior Fund Month – Games @ local clubs

Feb 2 - 5 Winter Sectional @ Eagan Community Center in Eagan, MN

Mar 11 I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Mar 9 – 19 SPRING NABC @ MARRIOTT AND SHERATON IN NEW ORLEANS, LA

Apr Charity game month – games @ local clubs
Apr 5 – 6 Passover Seders
Apr 9 Easter
Apr 13 – 15 Med City Sectional @ St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN

May Grass Roots FUNd Month – games @ local clubs
May 22 - 28 GOPHER REGIONAL @ CROWNE PLAZA AIRPORT/MOA IN BLOOMINGTON, MN

Jun 15 I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Jun 22 – 24 Granite City Sectional @ at 850 19th St. South, Sartell, MN

Jul 3 - 9 REGIONAL IN West Des Moines, IA
Jul 13 – 23 SUMMER NABC @ SHERATON GRAND IN CHICAGO, IL
Jul 26 – 30 Summer Sectional @ TBA in Minneapolis, MN

Aug 5 I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN
Aug 7 – 13 REGIONAL @ Mid-America Conf. Center in Council Bluffs, IA

Sep International Fund game month – Games @ local clubs
Sep 24 Yom Kippur starts (evening)

Oct 26 – 28 Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN

Nov 23 – Dec 3 FALL NABC @ MARRIOTT MARQUIS IN ATLANTA, GA

2022-23 Sectionals in District 14, but not MN
2022
Aug 26 – 27 Hills, IA
Sep 2 – 4 Fargo, ND
Sep 9 – 11 Urbandale, IA
Sep 23 – 24 Dubuque, IA
Sep 23 – 25 Sioux Falls, SD
Oct 7 – 9 Omaha, NE
Oct 14 - 15 Davenport, IA
Nov 4 – 6 Waterloo, IA
2023
Jan 12 - 15 Urbandale, IA
Jan 27 – 29 Cedar Rapids, IA
Feb 17 – 19 Davenport, IA
Mar 24 – 26 Hills, IA
Mar 24 – 26 Waverly, NE
Apr 14 – 16 Ft. Dodge, IA
Apr 27 – 30 Urbandale, IA
Apr 28 – 30 Mt. Pleasant, IA
Jun 2 – 4 Bismarck, ND
Jun 9 – 11 Sioux City, IA
Jun 10 – 11 Cedar Rapids, IA (I/N)
Jul 14 – 16 Cedar Rapids, IA
Jul 21 – 23 Sioux Falls, SD
Aug 25 – 27 Hills, IA
Aug 26 – 27 Urbandale, IA (I/N)
Sep 7 – 10 Urbandale, IA
Sep 22 – 24 Spirit Lake, IA
Sep 22 – 24 Dubuque, IA
Oct 20 - 22 Davenport, IA
Nov 3 – 5 Cedar Falls, IA
NORTHERN WISCONSIN (WUMBA) EVENTS 2022 - 2023
2022
Sep 15 – 17 Wausau, WI
Oct 13 – 15 Marquette, MI
Nov 11 – 13 La Crosse, WI
2023
Feb 3 – 5 Ripon, WI
May 5 – 7 Green Bay, WI
Jun 8 – 11 Woodruff, WI
This calendar is made up from information on the ACBL website. I do not have
authority to schedule events, but I am willing to assist anyone trying to plan a
bridge activity in finding the best dates to maximize potential attendance. Please
contact me anytime for more information or if you have additions or corrections
to this calendar.

Thanks, Steve Gaynor

Exciting News From Anshul!

Truly Thrilling News from Anshul!

I hope we old codgers can deliver applause to this great talent!!

Hi Mr. Hamman, Peggy Auntie, Carrie

I am excited to inform you that I won the World Youth Championships in Italy yesterday in the U-16 category with my partner Darwin Li from Canada. 

Thank you for all your support and encouragement,

Anshul

And Anshul - Please note that all of us are thrilled for your win!
We so look forward to seeing more of your truly remarkable abilities for so many years to come!

The Young Man Who Will Be King!

Youth World Bridge

 

Anshul Bhatt becomes youngest World Champion

 

By

 Fernando Lema

 -

11th August 2022

 

 

Anshul Bhatt becomes youngest World Champion World Youth Bridge Championships U-16

 

Thirteen-year-old Anshul Bhatt became the youngest World Champion after winning the under-16 World Youth Transnational Bridge Championships in Salsomaggiore, Italy on 10 August 2022.

Darwin Li from Toronto, Canada was Mumbai-based Anshul’s partner.

“We congratulate young Anshul Bhatt on this stupendous win. His gold medal and championship win have the potential to do to the game of bridge what Vishwanthan Anand’s early success did to chess,” said Gianarrigo Rona, President of the World Bridge Federation (WBF).

A total of 27 pairs from across the world player in the Under-16 category qualifying rounds where they played three boards against each other in a full round robin schedule (3 * 26 boards) spread across three sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The top 12 qualifying pairs went into the finals where they played a two full round robin schedule (4 * 11 boards) on Wednesday. Anshul and Darwin emerged as the winners.

This is the second award for Anshul Bhatt at the World Bridge Youth Championships. He is the youngest recipient of the Joan Gerard Award, which aims at rewarding aptitude, fair play, good sportsmanship and a friendly international spirit, rejecting any discrimination. Anshul had won the prestigious award at the age of eight in 2017 at the World Youth Open Championships in Lyon, France.

According to the World Bridge Federation, the Transnational events give players a unique opportunity to play in partnerships and teams with friends from other countries – maybe partnering friends that they have made online during the pandemic and can now finally meet face to face in competition. It is in this spirit that Anshul and Darwin, who had only played with each other online before this tournament, decided to play as partners.

I was tremendously fortunate to meet Anshul Bhatt, the youngest person at age 8 to compete - and win - in the world.

I had met Anshul's father in Omaha for Warren Buffett's amazing event, being flabbergasted at the talents, abilities, and wisdom of Anshul.

As you can see below, Anshul's abilities and stardom (Ted Talks, anyone - anyone)
rocketed to moon.  Anshul became a star immediately, and appeared to have the strength and abilities of a young man as his Ted Talk impressed around the world.

I played some with Anshul as he learned more in a few days. Yet it soon became obvious that this fine boy learned quietly, confidently, and brilliantly around the world.

I dearly hope that those who meet Anshul continue to follow him.  I feel confident that as time passes, Anshul shall clearly grow into "the greats" as he himself becomes one and a star himself.

Do your best to learn about Anshul yourself.  He shall surely be one to cause thousands to have joy, mega abilities and striking talents for years to come!

A student of Grade IX at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) in Mumbai, India, Anshul has been regularly participating in various open category local, national, and international tournaments. He won the Junior National Bridge Championships (U-26) in Mysore, India, in August 2018, and the Junior National Bridge Championship (U-21) in December 2021.

Anshul has diverse interests and an insatiable curiosity that extends from the sciences to the humanities. He enjoys reading books by Philip Pullman, JK Rowling, and JRR Tolkien and is a die-hard Star Wars and Avengers fan. He loves to cook, to play board games, and to write short stories. Every evening, he looks forward to playing squash, cricket, football or going cycling with his friends.

ABOUT WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

ANSHUL BHATT IN MEDIA TEDx TALK:

Bridge: A Game for Life by Anshul Bhatt

Business Standard, May 2018: Meet Anshul Bhatt, a bridge champ at eight

Mid-day, September 2017: This 8-yr-old boy plays the right cards

World Bridge Federation, September 2017: 
Joan Gerard announcement

Indian Express, August 2019: Bridging the age gap

World Bridge Federation, August 2017: 
Video interview with Anshul Bhatt

World Bridge Federation, August 2017: 
Anshul Bhatt conducting the oath taking at the opening ceremony

France TV: Interview with Anshul Bhatt

 

Steve Gaynor - A Gift to Us!

Moving Forward

And THANKS to Steve Gaynor!

Steve has been delightful in helping MN Bridge with so much of what has been happening!

Please join me in thanking Steve for all that he has done
And all that he continues to do!

You and Steve DO ROCK!!! 

 

Hello

 

I want to express my personal gratitude and congratulations to all of you for presenting a fine bridge experience for our members.  

 

All of you put in a lot of time and effort but it paid off in a positive experience for just about everyone who attended.   It was what our area needed coming out of the pandemic and I know many of the participants are counting the days until our next sectional.

 

Final figures posted today on the ACBL website were 158 tables (26+ per session), 1271.80 masterpoint won by 182 different players. It was a win/win all the way especially considering we experienced income over expenses.

 

Again, great job everyone, you all rock!

 

Cordially yours,

 

Steven Gaynor, President, ACBL Unit 178 (Viking).

We are On Our Way!

Our Apologies for Problems

But - We WILL be On Our Way!

Looking forward to connecting again very soon!  And appreciate your understanding!

Hold On to Your Hats!!

It’s almost time for the SIZZLIN’ SUMMER SECTIONAL!

When?

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

August 3, 4 and 5

Where?

Southdale Mall, lower level, below Hennepin County Service Center

Paid/Team games everyday at 10 AM and 2:15 PM.

 

Best entrances are #8 (Dining Pavilion) and #13 by Hennepin County Service Center

Escalators and elevators at both entrances

Bring your favorite partner!

And let’s play bridge!

Thanks!

Vicky Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The No-Trump Ladder!

THE NO-TRUMP LADDER

By Steven Gaynor

How many of you play a no-trump ladder?  Ok, why do you not all have your hands up?  Yes, you all play it whether you know it or not! 

When you have a balanced or semi-balanced hand you have a specific and unique way to tell partner exactly how many HCP’s you have within 1 or 2 points.  Let’s look at a typical ladder, most common among duplicate players.

Your hand shapes (with no particular order to the suits) are normally 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2.  6-3-3-2 is also OK in some instances.  How do you show your HCP’s?  Here is my ladder.  You should discuss these ranges with your partners and revise them if you like.

12-14: Open you convenient minor and re-bid 1N.  You just about guarantee you do not have 15 HCP when you re-bid 1N.   This way partner can pass those 9 or bad 10 counts knowing game is a long shot at best.

15-17: Open 1N*.  Consider doing this even with a 5-card major.  How else will you get your partner to know your HCP strength?  Take a hand with 2 spades and 5 hearts (2-5-3-3) and 15-16 HCP.  You open 1H and partner responds 1S.  Your next call is a big lie.  You are too strong to bid 1N, you do not have enough hearts to re-bid them, you cannot raise spades, and you do not have a 2^nd suit to show.  So lie about your heart length at the start and show your partner your overall strength.   It is just about always better to tell the truth about your strength when you have to tell one lie or another.

18-19: Open with your normal suit bid and jump to 2N (or raise partner’s 1N response to 2N).  If you jump to 3N you should be showing a long running suit (usually the minor you opened) and are hoping to get the lead early and cash nine fast tricks.  Partner’s first bid usually covers a suit in which you have shortness and no stopper.  It does NOT show the 18-19 HCP hand.  That is what 2N shows.  You should not have two bids that can mean the same thing.

20-21: Open 2N*. 

22-24: Open 2C and re-bid 2N*.

25-26: Open 3N*.The 25+ hands come up as often as the systemic bids (gambling, solid suit, etc.).

27-29: Open 2C and re-bid 3N*.  This rarely comes up unless you are my opponent at Rubber Bridge.

30-37: Check the deck to make sure it is not from a pinochle game.

*To keep things simple, I recommend that you use your normal responses over any strong NT opener or overcall (Stayman/transfers, etc.) no matter what level partner bids his strong NT (1, 2, 3).  If you do the same thing all the time you will not have to worry about it.

Current ACBL rules concerning 1 no-trump opening bids:

1. You MUST announce the range.  Please get used to this.
2. Opening with a singleton is OK as long as the singleton is a Q, K or A.
3. You cannot have a doubleton if you open with a singleton.
4. Examples of illegal 1 NT opening shapes include:
   1. 6-4-2-1
   2. Any hand with a void or two singletons.
      
                        Our thanks to Steve for these lessons!
      
            Part of our education is that we are ALWAYS LEARNING!

 

Steve Gaynor To the Rescue - Part Two!

Steven Gaynor (stev1249@comcast.net)

 

Unit 178 2022 Mini-McKenney - Halfway Standings

 

(All points won – local, online and tournaments)

 

     0 to 5   

 

Rita Stensgaard                      7.18

Randi Hogan                           6.58

Ellen Kluz                                5.54   

 

     5 to 20   

 

Richard Trachy                     13.16

Connie Falkenstein              12.10

Jean Reissner                      10.81

 

   20 to 50

 

Robert Chipinski                   20.07

Tom Pokonosky                    15.96

James Brink                          12.68

 

     50 to 100   

 

Jeffrey Knapp                       18.13

Peggy Lockwood                  16.30

Ken Rich                               15.77

John Cracraft                        15.77  

 

     100 to 200   

 

Thorwald Hansen                 25.36

Robert Diamond                   26.94

Dan McElroy                         23.47

 

     200 to 300   

 

Tom Sneed                           24.66

George Holmquist                24.23

Nora Walker                         18.05

 

     300 to 500  

 

Rolf Hubmayr                      78.97

Barry Bershow                    64.77

Thomas Botten                   52.41

 

     500 to 1000  

 

Rick Gavin                            65.75

Marc Ashton                         63.97

Michele Grindal                    58.25

 

 

     1000 to 1500  

 

Gary Knippenberg             103.77

John Schlundt                     70.66

Marylou Doerrie                  59.45

 

     1500 to 2500  

 

Sandy Fisher                      141.61

John Dunstan                      65.83

Jill Flader                              62.78

 

     2500 to 3500

 

Aly El-Selehdar                  109.42

Eric Hendrickson                 86.70

Joel Kramer                          75.58

 

     3500 to 5000  

 

Joseph Koester                 128.07

Judy Hansen                      115.55

Jean Boettcher                  107.75

 

     5000 to 7500  

 

Michael Flader                  114.52

Susan Jackson                    94.55

Kerry Holloway                    55.23

 

     7500 to 10,000   

 

Bob Balderson                   181.79

Cynthia Balderson             159.64

Brian Crossley                    141.95

 

    Over 10,000  

 

Paul J Meerschaert           306.45

Steven Gaynor                  153.03

Michael Cassel                  142.79

Steve Gaynor - To The Rescue!

What's Happening?

Steve Gaynor does a marvelous job of keeping us up to date!

Thanks, Steve - and - below is LOTS of info for us!

Unit 178 2022 Ace of Clubs – Halfway report

 

(Points won only at clubs – online or face to face)

 

     0 to 5   

 

Randi Hogan                        6.38

Rita Stansgaard                   6.49

David M Gregg                     3.83

 

     5 to 20   

 

Richard Trachy                   12.35

Connie Falkenstein            12.10

Jean Reissner                      5.93

 

     20 to 50   

 

Robert Chipinski               20.07

Tom R Pokonosky            11.97

James Brink                     10.7

 

     50 to 100  

 

Tom Lofthus                       14.48

Ken Rich                            13.92

John Cracraft                     13.92

 

     100 to 200   

 

Robert Diamond               26.94

Thorwald Hansen             20.16

Margaret Kinney              19.09

 

     200 to 300  

 

George Holmquist           24.23

Stan Jurgensen               17.64

Tom Sneed                      17.57

 

     300 to 500  

 

Barry Bershow                  63.43

Rolf Hubmayr                    29.04

Mary Stern                         28.43

Gary Stern                         28.43

 

     500 to 1000   

 

Rick Gavin                         62.46

Marcia Eaton                     56.31

Morris Eaton                      56.31

 

     1000 to 1500  

 

John Schlundt                  66.13

Marylou Doerrie               53.00

Gary Knippenberg           41.07

 

     1500 to 2500   

 

Sandy Fisher                      138.59

Carl Hartness                       50.21

Cindy Moat                           44.16

 

      2500 to 3500  

 

Aly El-Selehdar                  109.42

Chuck Cummins                   60.52

Eric Hendrickson                  53.31

 

      3500 to 5000   

 

Joseph Koester                   95.07

Judy Hansen                        92.39

Jean Boettcher                    53.23

 

      5000 to 7500  

 

Susan Jackson                    62.60

Roark Johnson                    33.50

Michael Flader                     25.45

 

      7500 to 10,000  

 

Brian Crossley                    122.40

Phil Schwarz                       108.98

Judy Schwarz                     108.98

 

      Over 10,000  

 

Paul Meerschaert              171.10

Steven Gaynor                    69.40

Michael Cassel                    67.38

Come One - Come All to the SIZZLIN' SUMMER SECTIONAL!

The SIZZLIN’ SUMMER SECTIONAL - It's Coming!!

August 3, 4 and 5, 2022.  Wednesday through Friday.

 

 Exciting pair/team games every day at 10:00 and 2:15.   Entry fee $12.

                                                                       

New site: Southdale Mall, lower level

below the Hennepin County Government Center (near Fitness Center). 

                                                         Free Parking

Lots of lunch options on the premises – and convenient shopping too!  

 

CDC/ACBL COVID guidelines followed (vaccinated or masked).  

Tournament chair: Barb Zipoy     barbzipoy@gmail.com

Partnership chair:  Vicki Smith       vsmith2945@gmail.com