Minnesota Bridge

An 86.9% Game!!

Bill Voedisch, long time bridge player, lover of the game and Minnesota businessman, is sharing a bridge accomplishment that occurred earlier this year in March.  Bill has done a great deal for our bridge world - our state - and for helping others.  Bill recently sent me this story - and wow wee; it is SOME STORY!

 

Very few of us EVER are able to achieve what Bill did.  (I once achieved a just under 80% game at a club  in Omaha.  Bill's win puts mine to shame!)  Bill's story is below.  Try to keep your eyes from bugging out when you see what he did!  And let's give him a round of applause for this mighty feat!!

 

Something happened in bridge that I sorta dismissed in March.  I recently went back and found it, an 86.9% game on BBO.  I now think this was a special experience that, of course, I will never repeat.  Also, just turning 77, my bridge accomplishments are pretty much behind me, so this took on some importance. 

 

This game happened in a BBO Instant Matchpoint Tournament on March 27.  Competing in a field of 15, each player gets a BBO robot partner, and we play the same 12 boards against two BBO robot opponents. 

 

I've had some big games going after 8 or 10 hands - only to fall apart and end up below 80%.  Before this game my high scores on BBO Instant Tournaments were 80.60% and 79.96%.  But this time the good scores just continued through all 12 hands!

 

Below are the details.  First are my results on each of the 12 hands.  Next is the standings for the field of 15 showing my 86.9%, and the 30.65% margin of victory.

 

 

 

I contacted BBO and asked how this game compares to the history of all instant tournaments played.  And further, how did the margin of victory over 2nd place compare to the history of margins of victory?  The answer:  We don't know; we don't track this stuff.

 

Do I remember anything special about this game?  Nothing really.  I must have made no major errors in bidding and play, and the same for my robot partner in both bidding and defense.  When does that ever happen. The opposing robots are programmed like all robots, so I really have no clue there. 

 

Thanks, Peg!

 

 

Bill Voedisch

"aktite"

 

We Got Chat Bridge - We Got Joey Grue - We Got Our Bridge Players

Who Could Ask for Anything More!

 

Chat Bridge Returns!

 

Session on Tuesdays at 12:45 at Mayflower Church (106 East Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis). Play a hand, talk it over, get advice from experienced players -- it's a great way for newer players to practice the game and learn more.

 

 

Special Holiday Event at Edina Senior Center -- with Joey Grue

GNT Qualifier with Special Guest Joey Grue

 

Joey Grue is the 31st ranked all-time MasterPoint holder!  He has won 34,661.75 as of 11/06/2021!! 

Joey will be here on Sunday, Dec 12 at the Edina Senior Center 1:00 for a face-to-face Grand National Team qualifier!

 

Pre-registration for this event is required.  Please submit your request for inclusion to ynotsema@aol.com or to Judy Nassar 952-474-3653.  Include your team members.

 

Only 15 teams will be allowed to enter this event, due to Covid-19 space limitations.  Proof of Vaccination will be required.  If not already supplied, you can send it to ynotsema@aol.com 

 

 

Friday Games on Hiatus

 

There will be no F2F games on Fridays at Mayflower Church until January 7.

Tuesday games continue.

Woo Hoo!!! Bridge Center of St. Paul Announces Hybrid Bridge Classes!!

MN Bridge is So Excited!

 

Hybrid Bridge Classes Now Have

Enhanced Bridge Classes!

 

Recently, with grants from the Minnesota Bridge Education Fund and Unit 103, the Bridge Center of St. Paul was able to upgrade its teaching environment to allow bridge classes to be taught both in person and online at the same time!!!

This past Fall the first hybrid class was taught to 36 new students, half of which came in person while the other half attended via the internet. A second class on play of the hand subscribed by 8 more students was taught online. While there were more than a couple of technical glitches to be overcome by the end of the course everything finally came together in a workable format.

With the uncertain future regarding the shape of our game, the hybrid format seems to fit well encouraging both online and club play at the conclusion of each course.

Now with upgraded bandwidth the Bridge Center is ready to offer these classes again this Winter:

• Beginning Bridge I - Bidding​            

• 8 Classes: Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
     January 13th through March 3rd, 2022

 

• Beginning Bridge II - Play of the Hand
    8 Classes:  Mondays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
    January 10th through February 28, 2022

Please encourage any potential new players to look into the classes!

Additional information and registration links can be found at: www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com  

 

EDINA SPECIAL ****** HOLIDAY EVENT!

 

 Holiday Grand National Team Qualifying!

Sunday - December 12, 2021 - 1PM

Edina Special Holiday Event Features

Our Superbly Talented Guest - Home Town Boy

***Joey Grue!***

Proof of covid vaccination must be provided

A copy of your vaccination card can be emailed to ynotsema@aol
Or bring the vaccination card with you

 

     $8 Per Person - $32 Per Team

         Stratified A, B & C

 Please bring something good to share if you are able 

Reservations Appreciated

Contact Judy Nassar
952-474-3653

Bridge Center of St. Paul - Annual Meeting and Dinner!

Big Thanks to Patti Huiras!  

Excellent Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Bridge Center of St. Paul!

8 is Enough Team Game Followed!

 

The Bridge Center of St. Paul held their Annual Meeting and Dinner on Sunday, November 7. The dinner and meeting were followed by an 8 is Enough Team Game with 15 teams participating.

Dinner was catered by Kowalski’s and featured Chicken Breast Marsala, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans Amandine with cake for dessert. 

The meeting included updates from the Board about the status of the Club and where we are going.  The club is doing OK financially, table counts are following current trends. In light of the finances the board decided that Annual Memberships will remain at $20 for the 2022 year.  Those who want to be included in the Club Directory need to get their membership renewal to Kim by December 15. This fall 36 people registered for beginning bridge classes that were offered in a Hybrid environment that simultaneously has people in person and online for each lesson. The Minnesota Bridge Education Fund and Unit 103 were recognized for their generous donations to accomplish the pilot project.

The game proved to be a close one with team Voedisch who had just lost to team Jackson in the penultimate round overcoming team Jackson with a big win in the last round.

On the Covid front, proof of vaccination and a mask are required, but you can see in the pictures, no one was objecting.  Everyone just wants to get back together to play bridge at the Club – and thanks to Kim and Larry and the Board they are able to continue to move forward. A great time was had by all!

From Here to Eternity!

As many of our Minnesota Bridge players are aware, some of us have been playing almost since the beginning of time....  others are fairly experienced, yet do not go back to the Dark Ages.  And then we have various people who have played just a little bit, those who have played more than that - yet surely not experts.  And those who are fascinated and want to learn more and more about this amazing game.

Due to the combo, however, of Covid, politics and a number of other activities that are causing our game to be diminished, at least our "face to face" bridge has dwindled.  What does this mean?  What can we do about it?

Well, I imagine many of us have a wide variety of thoughts.  And - I invite those who have interest in building up bridge again to share ideas!  If you don't mind - I'll mention some of my own.

Number One - If you have friends who've never played bridge, yet are intrigued by bridge activities of others - then encourage them to learn!  We have had players for years who are great guiding newbies, teaching the vast world of bidding, playing, doubling, guessing - and much much more.

Number Two - If YOU have been playing and have vaulted past the "newbie" stage - yet wish to pump up your game - then we have various opportunities for you!  Meet with the Minnesota teachers who can help you to morph from "what does redouble mean?" or "How do I know whether to go quietly - or double?" then discover that you can start improving - and winning - yourself!

And Number Three - if you're a player who has progressed to intermediate, or "By George, I've got it" - or, even has become expert or above and beyond expert...  You can be one our bridge players who helps our game to grow.  Those starting out can learn a great deal - be it getting expertise from kibitzing, playing a lot, winning once in a while - or learning how to avoid going for 800 when you could have instead said "good here".  

This is just a taste of how Minnesota Bridge can grow and thrive again.  We can help one another - become experts if now we ain't near that goal - or be proud of more and more people announcing that they are Learning Bridge - and then watching them, over time, changing from beginners to winners.

I truly invite those who wish to share their own thoughts to do so.  I myself have been playing bridge since my mid twenties.  In the beginning, "Doofus" was plastered on my brow!  Yet thanks to the help, support, wisdom and teaching of friends, I improved with time.  And then I, too could encourage new players and share ideas.

Bridge is played around the world, with a varied background of so many, it's mind boggling!  Let's reclaim our game - and cause many to fall in love with bridge.  I and a host of others in the Land of Lakes have had a lifetime of fun and fascination from the game.  Let's not deprive others of that joy!

I thank you all!

Peg

Come on Baby; Light My Fire!

I, Peggy Bundy, the Hitt Lady, Mr Mollo - or - whatever today's players wish to call me - learned to play bridge (well, some might call it that!) when I arrived at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  My second year at college got me playing both on campus and in the math department (where I was first introduced to bridge.)  I played all sorts of card games - and only a bit of bridge.  Ultimately, I went from UW to grad school at U of MN to study philosophy, which fascinated me.  

A relative of my then husband lived in White Bear Lake and he enticed me to play.  While I really was pretty much a beginner, I still liked the game, and would get in a couple games each month.  I might have continued on, not knowing very much and heading Up North, until I met my boss at Dayton Hudson Corporation - Cindy Balderson.  Cindy was recently divorced with a little girl - delightful to have as my partner at DHC - and knew bridge!  I encouraged her to begin playing again - she agreed - and we were off to the races!

Needless to say, bridge was very different in those days in contrast to now.  Though frankly; so much has happened in our world in the last two years, nothing could compare to today!  And - this is a lot of why I want to communicate with all of our players.

Bridge truly is the greatest game.  Whether you are a super star, someone who plays now and then - or who enjoys bridge at home with friends - bridge is wonderful.  Yet I worry that unless we do more for our game, we may find that one day, there IS no bridge!

I do not want that to happen - and I'm betting that many of us who still play feel as I do.  Yet, unless we do our best to promote bridge, we may find it falling by the wayside ....  This would be a loss of a treasure.  So, I am hoping that many of you will decide to return to our game (if you haven't been playing) - or - will encourage others to learn and take it up if you know people who might become intrigued.

I plan to post stories from the past, present and perhaps the future.  I don't know if we will ever return to regionals that took up just about every inch of space in the Radisson - but by golly - if we can do that, I'd be thrilled!  And - if any of our players have stories to tell themselves - be they hysterically amusing, tragic tears of close loss - or wins that sent you into outer space you were so thrilled - I want you to share with others!  

Please feel free to contact me, other friends - whatever will beef up The Greatest Game!  Bridge is too much of a gift to lose it - and I thank all of you in advance for doing what you can to return it to a new luster!

Thanks!!

 

Bridge Center of St. Paul!

Big Thanks to Kim Hayward for This Weekend's Tourney Information!

Quick note about the tourney this past weekend for MN blog. 

 

This past weekend Unit 103 hosted the Welcome Back Minnesota Open Sectional and Gold Rush Regional in New Brighton. Having heard that many tournaments decided to cancel and others were poorly attended, the planning committee was hoping for at least 50% of 2019 table counts (the Oak Marsh golf club tournament).

We are happy to report that for the 4-days we had a total of 197 tables. If you subtract the Sunday Swiss which didn’t occur in 2019 we had 63% of the tables, much better than our 50% goal. Thanks to all who played! 

 

Pink & Blue = Judy Holderback & Joe Kivel (from St Paul)

Yellow & Jeans = Marc Ashton & Rolf Hubmayr (from Minneapolis)

White Sweatshirt & Dark sweater = Owen Barnett & Sophia Maymudes (both from Carleton)

Hawaiian Shirt & Cowl = John Miller & Jan Morris (from Rochester)

 

 

--

Kimberly Hayward, Club Manager

Bridge Center of St Paul

651-490-5430 w

651-271-3500 c

4 Attached Images

 

Home Again, Home Again - Jiggity Jig!

Steve Gaynor sent this message to me from a recent regional in Detroit.  I love how many of us did indeed struggle and sweat as we began to learn the mega-complexities of our amazing game!

Here is a fun hand from the regional in Detroit last week.    It meant a lot to go back home where I struggled so in my first 12 years of bridge and come away with some good results.  I told one of the players who is currently in his struggling era that his turn will come, just stick to it.  

 

Board 26 – All vul – Dealer East

A K 10 7 6 

K 6 5 

Q J 10 9 8 

                        ---

9 5                                           8 2 

Q 10 9 4                                  A J 8   

A K 4                                       5 3

A Q 9 6                                    J 10 8 5 4 2

 

Q J 4 3                        

7 3 2 

7 6 2 

K 7 3

E          S          W         N

P          P          1N        2D*

P          2H**     P          2S

3C        3S        4C        4S

P          P          5C        P

P          X          All pass

Jean & I went to Detroit to play in the first live ACBL regional since the pandemic started.  Several ACBL dignitaries were also in attendance like Executive Director Joe Jones, BOD president Georgia Heth, Director of Operations, Greg Coles and District 12 BOD representative, Dennis Carman.

After the defense took two spade tricks, North shifted to a diamond.  Unsure of how to play trumps, Jean decided to use the Murray Applebaum Discovery Play (play side suits to get info on distribution before tackling trumps) and hooked the hearts.  Finding North with three, she now played South for all the missing clubs, figuring that North would not enter this auction vulnearable without 5-5.  Plus 750 was worth all the matchpoints and helped us to a nice overall finish in the two session regional pair event.  Murray, a consistent winner of open events was also one of most charming, witty players who graced the Twin City bridge tables.  I hope he was up there watching his famous play succeed.

Murray Applebaum was a long time Minnesota player and a true character.  I, like Steve, do hope that Murray is looking down on our Minnesota contingency of competitors and remembering the years and years of fun, excitement - and occasional agony! - that we all face At the Table!

 

Falling in Love

As so many of us know, bridge is an amazing game.  And part of what is so amazing about our fascinating game is the appeal and attraction of the game, which can vary dramatically from bridge player to bridge player.

For some, bridge is a social event that began with parents, grandparents - or even great-grandparents!  We'd be at friends homes for a few hours, perhaps break for a pleasant lunch, and chat as we learned "Charlie Goren" bridge and socialized.  For others, (yours truly), in various ways we would be taught how to play in college, where newbies or already talented players went from "what am I supposed to do NOW?!?" contemplation.  Or - some would be the "super stars" of each era who seemed to be able to pull rabbits out of their hats and make plays that few of us would ever master.

Whether you were a "few times a month" player, or someone who did their utmost to compete as much as possible - bridge was amazing.  And part of what made it so was both the wide variety of people who played, their talents - and personalities.  

I daresay, however, that few of us have experienced the bridge world as it has been for the last couple years, with the world at large changing in ways many of us have never before witnessed.  Do I know what the coming months and years will ultimately deliver to bridge - and us?  Does anyone?  My guess is that only time shall tell.  Yet I myself hope so very deeply that despite the myriad of challenges we face today as we try to play, eventually the "ship will right itself" and new generations of bridge players will indulge in all sorts of future bridge events - the details of which we can only imagine.

I so hope that the uber talented will continue to encourage and help those who are starting out... that those who prefer "social bridge" can enjoy for decades.  And that, just as inventive and brilliant minds have improved the game over time for years - new thoughts and methods - fun and momentary tragedy at the table will start anew.

Whether you're someone who is a Minnesota star for decades - or a junior, who (like so many) can't wait to get stronger and better and start "beating the tough guys" - I hope bridge remains part of your life.

My thanks to all who diligently run our bridge games, set up the local events, be they daily games, sectionals or tournaments.  We are a world wide group of people.  And whether we are the creme de la creme, beginners - or just players who want to play forever - I hope we all are able to fall in love and share that love with others.  

What a gift bridge and its players are!

Supporting One Another

Steve Gaynor, long time fine player, active in so many roles for our game and more - is giving a talk at the I/N regional tomorrow, Thursday, between sessions for the I/N players.  Steve would like to be able to publicize that this will occur - and for us to publicize any other planned talks or lessons on MN Bridge!

Stephanie Steele is working with us, too.  And she would like everyone to know that Steve's talk will be during the lunch break for the I/N sectional; not for the Open event.

 

We are ALWAYS so grateful to those who volunteer, help, teach and so forth!  So we hope that if this is something that might interest you, you will listen to yet another of Steve's enjoyable talks and wisdom!

You never know; today's I/N players and newbies can one day become stars of the future!

Minnesota Welcome Back Open Sectional!

 

ACBL Unit 103

MINNESOTA WELCOME BACK OPEN SECTIONAL  October 21-24     Twin Cities Multiple Locations We are so looking forward to seeing you at the table again! We are hosting an Open Sectional Tournament. In case you know of an IN player looking for a limited tournament, we are also co-hosting an Intermediate/Novice Regional, limited to those Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 Masterpoints at the same time! Because of the continuing Covid situation a couple of things are different. We could really use your help figuring out spacing and lunches! If you are planning to attend or thinking about attending plase take the following One Minute Survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/6vt720j9 Here is the rest of the Covid "need to know:" Proof of Covid Vaccination is required to play. Mask will be required at all times in the playing area and in the building (MN state requirement) No food will be allowed in the playing area except during the lunch break. Beverages are OK Additionally, the ACBL is moving toward cashless tournaments and now prefer credit/debit cards for buying entries. However, we will still accept cash at the tournaments. Tournament Chair:    Larry Huiras     Email: bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com                            Phone: 715.410.8705           Partnerships:      Patti huiras     Email: patti.huiras@gmail.com                            Phone:  651-343-2078 Director in Charge:      Kimberly Hayward Hope to see you there!

The Greatest Game - Keep on Loving It!

I assume that for many of us, the last couple of years have been more unusual than any in our lives.  The pandemic itself has changed our world and affected so much of what we do (or, should I say, don't/can't do!)  Major issues have influenced where we can play, if we can play - and bridge is a different world now.

But as someone who fell in love with the game over 45 years ago, it is my fervent hope that bridge will continue to thrive.  Those who learned decades ago will keep on playing as long as they can - and those who are just learning will also become inchanted with the intrigue, fun and challenge of bridge.

Yet - to do so - we need to do what we can to encourage more to learn, play - and love bridge.

I am always grateful for those who give so much to the game help others, teach, and then see new people enjoy the magnificence of bridge.  But with all that is occurring, concerns about health, ability to get out and about - too many are not playing as they had been.  Some are intrigued about the game - yet others do not even know about bridge.

Thus - my fervent hope is that we can do our best to "spread the word!"  Let's get more young people falling in love with bridge!  Tell the middle aged -  or older - how bridge keeps one's mind sharp, never stops becoming new and exciting - and that the partnerships and friendships that you develop can enhance life greatly.  

I truly wish to encourage all of us to Keep Bridge Alive!  I was helped along so wonderfully by new friends and those who taught me when I first began my adventure into the world of bridge - both its people and the game itself.  Despite the challenges our world is facing right now - we can still marvel how much bridge gives to us in so many ways.  I look at some who started out as beginners - and now are champions. And others who play a fewtimes a week and that is a treat.

We can do it!  If you wish to share your years of both fun and failure, friendship and laughter - then please consider "giving back" - however you wish - to bridge.

Bridge has given more to me than I ever dreamed.  May more of us help others to do the same!

My thanks to YOU from Peggy Bundy! 

This is YOUR CHANCE! MN Welcome Back Open Sectional!

MINNESOTA WELCOME BACK OPEN SECTIONAL
              October 21-24

           Twin Cities Multiple Locations!

 

ACBL Unit 103

MINNESOTA WELCOME BACK OPEN SECTIONAL        October 21-24    Twin Cities Multiple Locations   Yes we are having a Tournament! We are so looking forward to seeing you at the table again! We are hosting an Open Sectional Tournament. In case you know of an IN player looking for a limited tournament, we are also co-hosting an Intermediate/Novice Regional, limited to those Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 Masterpointsat the same time! Because of the continuing Covid situation a couple of things are different. Here is what you need to know: Proof of Covid Vaccination is required to play. Mask will be required at all times in the playing area and in the building (MN state requirement) No food will be allowed in the playing area except during the lunch break. Beverages are OK Additionally, the ACBL is moving toward cashless tournaments and now prefer credit/debit cards for buying entries. However, we will still accept cash at this tournaments. Tournament Chair:    Larry Huiras     Email: bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com                            Phone: 715.410.8705           Partnerships:      Patti Huiras     Email: patti.huiras@gmail.com                            Phone:  651-343-2078 Director in Charge:      Kimberly Hayward Hope to see you there!

Maple Grove Bridge!

METRO Bridge Club

Maple Grove Community Center

12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove

Thursday Face-to-Face Schedule

Game time is 12:00

September

          9        Club Championship ($6)

         16       Grand National Team Qualifying ($8)

         23       Club Championship ($6)

         30       Stratified Open Pairs ($6)

October

           7        Club Appreciation Pairs ($6)

         14       Stratified Open Pairs ($6)

          21       Club Appreciation Teams ($6) (5% Gold)

          28       Club Championship ($6)

Proof of COVID vaccination must be provided.

You can email a copy of your vaccination card to

ynotsema@aol.com

 

Scott Smith  Director 612-845-8090

 

Scott Smith  Director 612-845-8090

More and More Bridge!

Plymouth Bridge at the Mayflower Church

106 East Diamond Lake Rd.

Minneapolis MN 55419

 

Covid Rules:  Proof of vaccination required. Email a copy of your vaccination card to ynotsema@aol.com or bring it to your first game. Bring your own beverage in closed container.

New Game for 0 to 500 Players

Tuesdays

Mini Lesson at 12:45, Game starts at 1:15

You don’t need a partner to attend

September lessons: Defensive Carding + Bidding agreements with your partner.

September Games

14      Club Championship ($5)

21      Grand National Team Qualifier ($7)

Check out team play and qualify to play

at the District 14 Finals for Nationals!

28      Regular Game ($5)

October Games

                            4      Club Championship ($5)

                           11     Club Appreciation Pairs ($5)

                           18     Regular Games ($5)

                           25     Club Appreciation Teams ($5)

Director and Instructor: Tony Ames 952-200-3871

ynotsema@aol.com

Director and Instructor:  Keith Thompson 612 239-2667

keithclockt@icloud.com

Remebering Krzysztof Stanislaw Frankowski

Stephen Jackson shared this recent obituary about one of our players.
We are sorry to lose Krzysztof and appreciate Stephen's memories
of his long time partner.

I first met Kris through duplicate bridge and he was my favorite partner for a number of years.  He allowed me to audit some computer classes which helped me start my career in programming.  Elaine and Kris attended my wedding.  After he retired from the U he would spend time back in his native Poland and I lost track of him over the years.  He had a large impact on my life.
My condolences to Elaine and their sons. 

 

Krzysztof Stanislaw Frankowski

 

 

 

Frankowski, Krzysztof Stanislaw age 89, died peacefully on Sunday evening, August 22 after suffering a massive stroke 9 days earlier. He is survived by the family he loved and who loved him: wife Elaine, sons Michael (Aerine) Caerwyn and Daniel (Melissa) Frankowski, grandsons Quinn, Neal and Aiden Caerwyn, nieces Barbara and Anetta, cousins Barbara and Wojciech, and his cat Onyx.

 

Krzysztof was born on July 25, 1932 in Bolimów, Poland, immigrated to Israel in 1958 and to Minnesota in 1965 where he was a founding member of the University of Minnesota Computer Science Department. He retired from the University as Professor Emeritus. After retiring, he continued to teach occasionally at the University of Lódz as an adjunct, turning one honors class into a forthcoming book, "In the Footsteps of Programming Teachers." He collaborated with two strong researchers. With Chaim Pekeris, he studied the mathematics of the physical world, including the wave functions of helium, and Dirac's equation in Kerr-Newman geometry. With Milton Sobel, he investigated statistical functions, such as Dirichlet integrals and distributions.

 

Kris's many enthusiasms included his sons, his music, mathematics, tournament bridge, animals, foreign travel, tomatoes, and chocolate. He grew up in Poland where he completed degrees in music and mathematics, immigrated to Israel where he completed his Ph.D. in applied mathematics at the Weizmann Institute of Science, finally arrived in the U.S. where he taught in the University of Minnesota's Computer Science Department for over 30 years.

 

He played the piano and led choirs, first in Israel and then in the U. S. proudly leading the Topola Choir of Minneapolis. He called his wife "motek" (hebrew for sweetheart), and his sons, his "oaks" when they were young. He thought one goal in life was to have fun, and he certainly did his best. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a time to be determined.

Published on September 5, 2021

Bridge Whiz!

Many MN bridge players have been loving our fascinating game for a long time.  Sadly, too many have left us - not because they are bored or no longer want to play bridge - but because it was "their time to go".  

We are unable to stop the passing of time and we miss those who treasured bridge, be it for decades with impressive titles, those who played for the fun and enjoyment, or those who fell in love with bridge later in life.  

Yet that being said, what we can do is encourage young people to learn how incredible bridge can be!

Please take a look at what the ACBL is doing to promote our game to new generations!  Bridge can florish if we share and encourage the mysteries, fascination and excitement of our special game!  See what the ACBL is doing to ensure that future generations of players will be as dazzled as we were - and still are!

Double Dummy: Bridge Is Not Just For Seniors   The ACBL Educational Foundation has partnered with Double Dummy filmmaker and bridge lover John McAllister to get people excited about BridgeWhiz and support our program to teach children bridge.   View this updated and celebrated film anytime between October 1-11, 2021, and half of the $15 ticket cost will be directly donated to our BridgeWhiz program. (You’ll be listed in a special section of our 2021 Annual Report too!) View the trailer and purchase tickets here.   I cannot attend, but wish to donate to ACBLEF.       Want to know what these "whiz kids" are doing now? We’ll show you!   Join us in a Zoom with cast members on Thursday, October 7, at 7:30 pm EDT, as part of your event ticket.   1400+ Students Already Registered for BridgeWhiz! We are pumped!   Our original goal was to register 1000 young people. With 5 registration weeks to go, we are excited that enrollment in BridgeWhiz – a free, online, after-school beginning bridge program launched by ACBLEF – is resonating with so many. Don't Wait!  Register your child or grandchild today!   With gratitude for all you do to support the game of bridge,