Go Fish?

Many, when they arrive at retirement age, relax on luxurious cruises, head to the golf course, or - go fish.

Not Evan Sachs.

Evan instead has taken up the challenge of discovering and training the next generation of expert bridge players.  Evan and compatriot John Edmundson, non-retired math teacher at Mounds Park Academy, have been working with students at John's school and St. Anthony school to teach them about the beauties, intricacies and challenges of our wonderful game.

It's paying off!

Monday, John and Evan invited me to a challenge match between students at their respective schools.  Mounds Park students Michael W, Andrews B, Mark H, Kevin B and Derek B faced off against Billy A, Mitch M, Tony M and Jimmy G.  Their conditions of contest were Board-A-Match (where every hand can either be won, lost or tied). Ten pre-duplicated hands were played, with hand records and commentary provided at end.  Chips and salsa treats were available throughout.

In the end, the Mounds Park team prevailed.  The first half was close; 3-2 in favor of the Mounds students.  The second half, more experienced Mounds students captured a larger lead.  Nevertheless, all kids were chock full of enthusiasm, ready to do battle down the road as the schools meet again.

Before competition began, I was able to visit a bit with John and see him in action with his students.  John's passion for bridge is obvious as he animatedly explains sequences and inferences to the kids.  Equally great to observe is how much the kids are intrigued by the game itself and absorb its lessons like sponges.

As the teams competed, Evan told me just how much his bridge mentoring means to him.  As his students gain a better grasp of our complex game, Evan glows!

We all need to extend an enormous "thank you" to folks like John and Evan.  Without them, one day those of us who are left will be playing in a three table Howell!  Evan and John clearly are training the next generation of players - and I hope that their story will inspire more to take up the mantle to teach and encourage.

For those students who are learning and may stop by the Minnesota Bridge Blog - welcome!  You are experiencing the fun and fascination of the greatest mind game ever invented. 

In addition to being exciting, stimulating, challenging, fun and much, much more, bridge can actually improve a student's ability to learn in other areas.  Dr. Christopher Shaw, a researcher from Carlinville, Illinois, completed a study demonstrating that students who are taught bridge have dramatic gains in reading, math, social studies and science in contrast to the non-bridge players.

Can you think of a superior way to spend your time than enjoying a game that enhances your ability to perform in a wide variety of other areas?  A game that will challenge your brain literally for scores of years?  I sure cannot!

Go fishing in the best mind game there is!