Great opportunity to play in the Fall NAOB Championships Premier Flight Pairs! Compete against players from all over as you battle at home!
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December 02, 2020
December 01, 2020
20,000+ for Dr. John!
April 12, 2020
20,000+ for Dr. John!
Dr. John Gustafson - 20,000+ Masterpoints!
Please note; this post is from April of this year, and thus a "repeat". But Rich Newell of Iowa sent me some great comments, and I wanted to make sure that all are familiar with Dr. John, can compliment him, and relish his achievements! As soon as I'm done here, we will here from Rich - another wonderful Iowan player!
Peg
For most of us, the world wide events of this year's pandemic have created chaos and stress of all sorts. Thus, we are delighted to be able to bring everyone an event from down south (Iowa, thank you) which is deserving of much applause.
Rich Newell, Dr. John Gustafson's partner over the weekend and good friend, sent me the thrilling news that John is now the proud owner of over 20,000 masterpoints! That the good doctor is well into his 90's and still sharp as a tack is news enough on its own. Yet we have great tales from Friends of Dr. John about his achievements, his years at the bridge table and more.
Congratulations, John, on reaching masterpoint heights that few ever attain - and for being a success at the table for decades upon decades! Big thanks, too, to our contributors for sharing these day brightening stories!
John & Bob Hamman - Nebraska Regional
In the early 2000's when I lived in Minnesota and was progressing to life master at the Gopher Regional, I noticed an elderly gentleman watching a team match all morning. I remember finding that odd because I would rather just play all the time. In 2005 I moved to Des Moines and have come to know that kibitzer as Dr. John Gustafson. John still loves to watch and is a constant spectator of BBO team matches. With the bridge club closed for now, he finally tried his hand at playing on BBO and has done so successfully. The Des Moines club has anticipated his rise to 20,000 masterpoints for some time now, but alas he was about 10 points shy once the coronavirus shut down the bridge center. So, Toby White & I hatched a plan this month to play with him online and get him those points.
John & Helen Gustafson won the 1983 Rockwell Mixed Pairs, edging out famed Italian player Benito Garozzo at the finish after bouncing back from the lowest qualifying position. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have learned from this man in years of post-game bridge discussions while sipping wine at the "roundtable". On many occasions it has been my immense privilege to sit across the table from this gentleman, and there are few players in District 14 who are his equal.
Rich Newell
I have been playing bridge with John Gustafson some 47 or 48 years. We’ve played from club games to Nationals and everything in between. In that time I’ve become accustomed to some things. For example, John plays his share of hands and then some. Not because he’s a hand hog. But the bridge gods know who should be playing these hands. The man who can take a trick or two more than everyone else holding that hand should be declarer. They turn the auction, blind the opponents, make John’s partner take a view suitable to their will or whatever it takes to put John in the declarer’s seat. And, more often than not, John collects those extra tricks.I remember only one time in this period where John told a partner ( no, not me ), “You can’t bid your hand anymore. When I balanced, I’ve already bid on your values. You can’t bid them too!” It only took a bad opening lead and a subsequent misdefense to let John land his highly unfavored contract. His partner remained unconvinced because of that success until the Post Mortem session after the game.John has an uncanny gift for divining the lie of the cards in the unseen hands whether as declarer or defender. More than once I’ve seen defenders or declarer hold their hand closer to their chest on the next hand after John put this gift on display.With all this, playing as John’s partner is not where I’ve learned the most. It’s the drive home after a tournament outside our unit that has been that place. John would typically discuss with the car load of partners and team mates the last round of the traditional Sunday Swiss. One hand could easily cover 50 to 75 miles of driving if it was complicated enough. That meant that we might not have enough miles to cover that last round. On the other hand, if the hands were not sufficiently complex, we might get to cover the penultimate round as well. Given John’s lack of tournament traveling the past few years, that has transitioned to discussions after the local club game. These days he might also bring in an interesting hand that he kibitzed on BBO from a Jimmy Cayne set match or the finals of the Reisinger, Vanderbilt or Spingold to discuss before the game starts.After these year, my greatest reward is not winning, points or the like with John. It’s playing with John. And once in a great while, it’s hearing, “Peter, you played a perfect game. I couldn’t find a single thing to give you a charge for.”Peter WitykJohn's approach is to treat every hand as the crucial one.Doug StarkDuring the past 50 years of playing bridge in Des Moines, David and I have had the pleasure of playing both with and against John many times. Nobody else in the bridge world takes more joy in or has more enthusiasm for the game. He is a pleasure to play with or against, not only because of his obvious skill, but also because his appreciation of the game is so contagious. One of the pleasures of attending the club games is anticipating what challenging hand from last week's game John is going to discuss with you.Clearly John is an outstanding player, but he is also an outstanding patron of the game. Nobody in our bridge community has contributed more than John...with financial support, with friendship, with his dependable presence at all club games, and most of all with his love of the game. John, you are a class act through and through.Congratulations on a highly successful life and on reaching this latest bridge goal. You deserve it!Valerie LaingGREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT BY A GREAT GUY!I HAVE HAD AN ACQUAINTANCE WITH Dr. JOHN FOR YEARS AND YEARS...HE IS NOT ONLY A PILLAR OF THE BRIDGE COMMUNITY BUT A PILLAR OF ANY COMMUNITY.REACHING INTO THE PAST: IT IS SAID YOU GET BETTER BY PLAYING AGAINST BETTER PLAYERS. ONE OF THE BEST PAIRS EVER IN IOWA AS WELL AS ONE OF THE BEST PAIRS EVER IN DISTRICT 14...I REMEMBER PLAYING AGAINST JOHN AND J. FRED BENEDICT...YOU COULD LEARN A LOT PLAYING AGAINST THEM.Jim NashBig thanks to Rich Newell for playing in the final session so Dr. John could go over 20,000 - and for collecting fine anecdotes and stories about Iowa's bridge hero!And.... if you'd like to send John your OWN congratulatory note, you can reach him at this email address: jegmd24@yahoo.com
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November 30, 2020
CBO Special - Tuesday, December 1st
Lots of great opportunities for our CBO Club members. Not a member yet? Just sign up!
And please note below the opportunity for college students to participate in being a paid intern, too!
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November 15, 2020
November 12, 2020
Collegiate Initiative - Sunday November 15
Great opportunities for our college players and our Juniors! If you want to compete in events with your peers, and learn more and more about the Greatest Game - then sign up for Sunday's event!
Fun - prizes - great competitors. What's not to like!
Details below!
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November 08, 2020
November 07, 2020
Snowbirds, Sunbirds, and Stayers
Connie Nelson is ready to entertain us and keep our bridge thoughts happy and active as we move from sunshine and autumn leaves to .... winter! Big thanks to Connie for keeping us busy with changing seasons, fun and BRIDGE!
October’s early snow and cold caused me to start dreaming about warmth and sunshine. Jim and I usually take a break each year from “the dead of winter” (i.e. January-March), choosing a different place to go each year. In early 2020, we rented a condo in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. As we often do, we found that going to the local bridge club helped us make instant connections. The club at New Smyrna Beach was no exception. Nice people!
One encounter did strike me as funny. When I told someone there that I was a snowbird from Minnesota, they asked me how long we were staying. I answered one month. They remarked, “Only those who stay at least three months are snowbirds. You are a snowflake!”
The encounter piqued my curiosity. I did some research. I discovered that the word snowbird is nearly 100 years old. It was first used in 1923 to describe seasonal workers who went south for winter work. But, by 1979, it was being commonly used to refer to older people who flocked south in the winter to vacation. I also learned that there’s a corresponding term – sunbird – for people who “flock” north during the summer months.
This winter, COVID-19 will keep Jim and me at home. I thought I’d ask our St Cloud Club about their migration plans, and whether COVID-19 is affecting them. I also asked if they had a story to tell about differences between other clubs where they play, and ours.
Snowbirds. Representing the many of our club who go south each winter, here’s what Tom Buttweiller had to say:
Each year, Pat and I go either south to Bonita Springs, Florida, or west to Kona, Hawaii. We play bridge in each place. They are dramatically different from each other, and from St. Cloud. In Florida, we play at a private, for-profit club. It has a game seven days a week, usually with about 40 tables each time. The cost to play is between $10-$12 per person per session. (St. Cloud is quite a bargain!) I estimate about half the players are snowbirds. People are cordial, but it is all quite businesslike.
Hawaii is a totally different scene. We play at a small club, with a once a week game. It is very friendly, with not many snowbirds. The biggest draw is the spectacular place we play. We play in a building with floor to ceiling glass walls on two sides. It is located on a mountain side, not far from the ocean. The windows look out over the Pacific, and can be opened to the breeze. It is not unusual to see whales spouting. (Tom somehow neglected to contrast that with the windowless lower level of the Labor Home where we usually play!)
Postscript: Pat and Tom had reservations in Kona for Jan 1 through Mar 19, 2021; they have cancelled them due to COVID-19. They are hoping to go south, but want to avoid Florida. They are currently shopping rentals in Nevada.
Sunbirds. We also have several Club members who come up to “summer” in Minnesota.
Mary and Rick Olson are one such couple. Mary said that she and Rick originally learned to play bridge while living in Minnesota. They left MN in 1974, and have lived around the world. But, they kept their MN lake home, and would return whenever they could. They now live in Colorado, and each year come back from the middle of May until the middle of September.
COVID-19 did not change the amount of time they spent here this year. What did change was the dramatically fewer number of guests they entertained. I always knew that many Colorado friends came each year to visit Mary and Rick. What I didn’t know was that one year, from May to September, they had only two nights without company. Whew!
Most of their guests are bridge players. Two of them – Wendy Turk and Chris Campion – are mainstays at our St Cloud Sectional each June. Many other guests play at our Club while they are here. Mary says that their universal comment has been: “What a friendly club!”
Stayers. This year we may have more “stayers” than usual. Jon and Sandra Hatch usually go to Arizona every year Dec to April, but – due to the virus - are uncertain about this year. Sue are Roger Knauss also have not decided about a winter hiatus.
Here are two people who have decided to stay put:
David Hanson: Due to COVID-19, we will be spending our first winter in Minnesota in 11 years. When in AZ, I play bridge at Sun City Grand, at a large community club. Interestingly, that club has not arranged any online games…so kudos to Kory and everyone else in Minnesota who has helped keep our club games going. Hopefully bridge will keep me sane this winter.
Last, club director Kory Solarz says he’ll be here, adding: “I don’t ever go south, but occasionally my game does!”
November 06, 2020
Goodbye to Peder Langsetmo
Peder enjoying a hug with Cindy Balderson, dear friend and beautiful bridge star!
Today I received an email from Peder Langsetmo's son Arne. On November 2nd, Peder passed away peacefully. He was 93 years old. Arne rightly states that Peder was a fixture in the Minnesota bridge world - in addition to being a fine player for decades, a friend and teammate to many and a great guy.
Arrangements for a memorial service have not been made. Likely the family will do a virtual service such as Zoom, and Arne will let us know when a date has been selected.
Arne also told me that Peder had an extensive collection of various bridge magazines: specifically ACBL Bulletins and The Bridge World. Arne would be pleased to make donations of these magazines to libraries, local clubs or to any players who might be interested in having them in their own collection.
Arne sends his regards to our bridge community. Thank you, Arne. Those of us who knew your dad over the decades, partnered him and teamed up with him, send deepest condolences to you and your family. Our players are our family, too - and Peder will be so missed by our bridge community.
All - please note. I received this message from Peder's son, Arne:
Thank you, Peg, for your kind words and thoughts. We have set a tentative date for a (virtual) memorial service of Dec. 5th. I will follow with details as I get them.
For those who are Facebook followers, you will note that there were many accolades for our long time friend Peder, some tears, and deep condolences to Arne and his family. We will appreciate receiving more information as we say goodbye to our dear friend Peder.
November 01, 2020
October 22, 2020
October 20, 2020
College Bridge Continues
Despite our most unusual 2020 year, students in school, students competing in various conditions, our Juniors players continue to enjoy, improve, compete and WIN in the CBO events!
Here are the latest competitors, top finishers and our Juniors loving bridge!
October 17, 2020
Bill Kent - A District 14 Gem
District 14 is has a smaller bridge population than a number of other districts. Nevertheless, our active competitors and bridge stars shine brightly. One of those shiny stars is Bill Kent, a most successful long time player from Unit 163 in Iowa.
Bill started playing bridge around 1975, in (junior high/high school?) Dennis Cordle was a favorite partner and mentor, and Bill progressed rapidly. A few years later, Mark Patton and Bill became a regular partnership and successful, learning to discuss hands away from the table to hone their game. In 1994 Bill and Mark's GNT team went to San Diego in our district, doing well until Berkowitz/Cohen KO'd their team. For Bill, though, this turned out to be a plus. The ACBL had its first Fast Pairs event, which was a regional at the time yet turned into an NABC the next year. Bill played with Walt Schafer, and the two racked up a 67% and 74% game for the win!
Back home in Iowa City, soon thereafter, Bill and Paulette Koontz developed a fine partnership. Theirs was Unit 163's best and strongest pairing. Determined to beat Alan Stout’s record, Bill won the most points in Unit 163 Sectionals for the next 20-25 years!
Bill excelled at the table for many, many years - yet playing bridge was not his only accomplishment. Bill donated time and energy to bridge by being Unit 163's Secretary/Treasurer, directing club games and mentoring. A great amount of archived bridge materials in Bill's files are being saved, including their Hall of Fame, of which Bill of course is a member, inducted with his good friend Ron Johnston. Bill also served as District 14's President and, helped on committees and tournaments.
At this point, I must inject some personal stories about Bill and yours truly. Although I am 8 years older than Bill (many used to inquire if I was his mother!) I think that Bill began bridge a bit prior to my entry. When I met Bill, I'd been playing for a while, with an array of absolutely superb and exceptionally kind mentors and eventually truly wonderful partners/friends, too. Yet, for my steady partner for 25 years of sectionals, regionals and NABC events - Bill was my guy. He put up with my 80's bidding systems, managed to not get totally hysterical when I did something insane and taught me a ton.
The start of our partnership was at a Lake Geneva Regional when both of our regular pards had left the Midwest. We were having a super game until you know whom made not only one bad error, but two against the partnership that won (I dropped us to 2nd). Yet, as the years passed, we had much good fortune at pairs, and with wonderful teammates in GNT's, first Vern and Monte Evans from South Dakota, and then later Bob and Cindy Balderson, and Paul Meerschaert and Carole Minor.
I could take page after page of memories telling you about highs and lows and exciting moments. Yet one starts as a fall into disaster, culminating in a thrill with laughter inbetween. Bill and I had qualified for the NAP 2004 in Reno and were excited to start with an excellent first day. The next day, however, I chose a bid which I knew Bill hated. And unfortunately, we got a zero and our game disintegrated. The next event, Open Pairs, I was not a horror but not my day to shine. Bill received a reprieve for the next event, the Vanderbilt, when Chicago's Dick Bruno and I played in the Vanderbilt. We ultimately got KO'd by a precision pair whose different style than ours gave them 22 more IMPS when we twice wrong sided a NT game.
Then it was time for the NAOP Mixed Pairs. Bill told Dick to play with me (we'd had a date for that event, ahem.) Dick had been suffering a bit from a cold, and told Bill, no, he wasn't up to it and Bill should play. For a few minutes, the two of them argued who was going to get stuck with me (!!) - and finally Bill (or should I say Dick?!?) won.
We started the next day, and I was utterly determined to not play like a lunatic, to avoid bids and plays that Bill hated and to try to stay "in the boat". It worked! We had a pretty good game day #1 and were up pretty high in the standings. The next day, as the saying goes, "our basket was out and people were contributing." We played well and the opponents did not. After the session, we ran rapidly to the deli to conserve our energy and settle down. When we returned for the last session, we saw a lovely surprise: we were leading!
As we entered the final round, my mantra of "stay in the boat; no craziness" continued. And gifts continued, too. I broke on one hand, taking an odd position - yet it was our day. It worked, an opponent went nuts - and when the final scores were posted we were still at the top. A highlight for both of us in a partnership that lasted many years.
Unfortunately, that partnership is now ending. Bill has been ill for a number of years where he fought hard and received treatment. Yet a couple of weeks ago, his doctors told him that medicine had no more to help, and they recommended home hospice. Bill accepted that choice some days ago, as friends aid him in getting settled, visiting Bill and sharing years and years of most special memories and friendship.
Mark Patton, who was kind enough to share with me some details of Bill's career that I did not know, also gave me some words that Bill wished to share.
I was very fortunate to have lots of people give me opportunities, too many to name. Bob Otto pushed me into directing: (You're directing Thursday - just wing it!) Candy Fowler and Walt Schafer gave me entry into top level bridge. Peg Kaplan gave me a regular partner with whom to play at high levels. Vern and Monte Evans, and Cindy, Bob Balderson, Paul Meerschart and Carole Miner provided steady team support. Dennis Cordle gave me confidence. Paulette Koontz helped me enjoy bridge. Oh how I miss her! Also, too many to name are the people who give me hope. Which I am using right now! My father, Tom Kent, was also very important to my development. He gave me his time. We practiced bidding, taking certain cards from the deck, playing Bridgette, and of course, all the old Bridge Worlds from which I learned Standard American. "Challenge the Champs" was a useful tool.
October 14, 2020
October 11, 2020
Special K
As we pass through autumn, I'm delighted to share with you another excellent tale from Connie Nelson in St. Cloud. So grateful to her for the fine stories and photos! Enjoy, enjoy everyone! How Connie captures our bridge players, their activities and fun is a sparkling gem!
Last month, I wrote about the special birthday party held for Chuck Head. There’s another bridge player who has a birthday in September – and don’t we all know it!
Our Club Director Kory Solarz was born on September 11th. We know this because Kory usually celebrates, or at least mentions, his birthday anywhere between three to twenty times every September. This year – not being together – I found myself missing all the reminders.
So, I want to do my part to celebrate this guy some call “Special K.”
Simply stated, Kory makes our Club fun! When I ask a club member to describe Kory, every person immediately gets a smile on their face or in their voice. Shari Pretzer recalls the first time she beat him at a hand. He sent a note after: “I used to like you!” I remember giving him a jar of homemade jam. A few weeks later, he maneuvered the traveling bridge boards in such a way that my West hand included a slip that read, “My jam jar is empty.” If anyone has a special birthday or accomplishes a bridge milestone, they may get a present from Kory - a signed photograph of himself! (I guess that started back in his childhood when Kory would give his siblings signed self-portraits for their birthdays!)
His siblings also tattled that Kory had an uncanny way of getting out of work. While growing up in Upsala, he had a hundred ways to avoid bailing hay, cleaning the barn, or mowing. But, he would miraculously reappear for meals! And, that shirking theme kept repeating -
Roger Melaas: “In the fishing world in which I live at times, Kory is what you would call A KEEPER. However, while he loves to eat the fish, he is never is around to help fillet them, or clean up afterward.”
David Hanson: “For all the cards he’s played, Kory rarely has shuffled a deck.” In fact, it was so unique to find Kory making a board one time, Dave took a picture! This was back in 2010, and Dave’s kept it all these years. (When Dave sent me the picture, he had titled it: “Kory making boards. A sight so rare it belongs in the Smithsonian.”)
Yet, overwhelmingly, our club members would agree with this observation from Roger Melaas: “Kory is quite the character, but he is also a man of character!” David Hanson recalls once when he and Kory were partners, they heard a nearby table discussing a hand. A player said, “We could make six easily.” That hand came next to Kory and David. No one else had heard the comment. Kory passed the hand at four, and told David later… “I might normally have considered bidding 6, but I couldn’t use unauthorized information.” He went on, “If we can’t play bridge honestly, we shouldn’t be playing.”
One thing I really appreciate about Kory is that everyone trusts his director calls; they are informed and fair. He has a soft, fun way of soothing ruffled feathers or quieting a raised voice. He works tirelessly for our club and its members, and is frequently seen going over a play to help an advancing player. David Hanson said that Kory’s insight and review of challenging hands has been invaluable to him over the years. Dave added: I do remember the first bridge lesson he taught me ten years ago: “If I have the 9 and the 4 of trump and my opponent only has the 5 left, I should probably play the 9!”
Kory is one of those people who appears to play almost magical bridge. After the bidding and your lead at trick one, Kory can usually place 98% of the cards across the other three hands. This ability has caused some to accuse him of having “a third eye,” but it’s simply great bridge.
So happy belated birthday, Kory. May we celebrate in person next year! P.S. Jim and I did drop off a jar of jam on his birthday.
October 07, 2020
College Bridge Online!
Time passes for everyone, including the students at U of MN who graduate and sometimes head for different pastures. One of those students is Sean McNally, a first class bridge junior at the U - and now at Georgia Tech. Sean finished first in the tournament with over 75%! Bravo, Sean! And something is going on at Georgia Tech; 2nd and third place were Georgia Tech students also!
Note that our Minnesota players are still active and enthused; so glad to see them up in lights, too.
We are glad Minnesota students are still playing and competing - and we look forward to what the future brings for all of our young bridge players!
Also, Stephanie Threlkeld, ACBL's fabulous Education and Communications Manager would like us to have a look at a youtube created for us all. Big thanks to Stephanie for ALL she does for us - and enjoy the show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvqKlR-uPM&feature=youtu.be
October 01, 2020
Celebrating Chuck’s Birthday, COVID-Style
Alert! Connie Nelson of St. Cloud, who sends us stupendous articles and lovely photos, sent this article to me to post some weeks ago. Unfortunately, your editor is having difficulty getting photos uploaded, so only one of Connie's marvelous photos (Chuck Head) can be seen. Big thanks to Connie for her great stories - and a plea from me to anyone who can help me to find out why I am having trouble loading photos! Thanks so much to Connie - and to any computer wizards out there!
Jim and I just got home from celebrating the 80th birthday of St. Cloud bridge player Chuck Head. Chuck was born in Louisiana and raised in San Antonio, Texas. His Southern roots were in evidence today – from his Western attire to our “southern fried chicken” meal. But for many years, Chuck has called St. Cloud home.
Yes! – we all received “Chuckles” candy for a treat!
Chuck and his wife Lois Head played weekly at the St. Cloud Bridge Club and traveled to many tournaments - up until COVID hit, that is. Lois was very aware of COVID as she wrote the invitation to Chuck’s party.
Here are a few of the verses:
Life Master or not,
Chuck wants you to stop;
Before or after your game;
He’ll welcome you the same.
Please offer your wishes
Without hugs or kisses;
Wearing your mask
Will be your best task.
Though hidden, your smiles
Will help mark his 80 “miles.”
Your gift of a song or a poem
Will mean Chuck won’t celebrate alone.
Find a seat on the deck
Or inside at a distance;
We’ll all remain healthy;
And grow old and wealthy;
If we follow the COVID rules
And don’t act like fools.
The party was hosted across several hours to space out visits, so we didn’t see all the bridge players who stopped.
The first time that I played against John and Helen Gustafson was about 12 years ago at a regional in Iowa. My partner and I played against John and Helen in a team game and we finished our 6 boards quickly, while at the other table, both pairs were playing very slowly. John asked if we wanted him to tell us how we should have bid and played on each of the hands while we waited and we were then treated to a very good bridge lesson. He knew that we were novices and spoke to us respectfully. I thought it was very nice of him to give us the lesson. I am glad to see that he is still enjoying bridge and still winning. I look forward to seeing his photo in an upcoming Bridge Bulletin.
Posted by: Rebecca Anspach | April 12, 2020 at 01:50 PM
I had been playing bridge about three years or so when I headed to Des Moines for a sectional with my partner who was then one of the youngest players around. (Sadly he still is.) We sat down against a gentleman and lady who were quite a bit older than the field and I thought, "We are really gonna crush these two." Three boards and three match point bottoms later the reverse had occurred. I had to know who had just thrashed us and quickly found out it was Dr. John and his wife Helen, two grand life masters. I try not to underestimate players anymore.
A few years later I was playing against this star couple in the Omaha Regional. As the hand progressed I had a little luck and made an over trick. Dr. John must have given Helen a questioning look as she belted out in her quivering voice, "I was squeezed!" Indeed she was. I vowed then never to play with my wife.
Congratulations! 20000 is amazing. I hope to see you all soon at the bridge table.
Posted by: Jonathan M. Cohn | April 14, 2020 at 12:28 AM