Minnesota Bridge

Bridge in the 21st Century

Many moons ago, when I learned how to play bridge, only a couple avenues were available.  Find some chump - er, I mean - mentor - to take you under his wing at rubber bridge.  Or, toss yourself to the lions at the local duplicate.  Either way, the new entrant was committed to traveling to the scene of the crime, and signing up for a few hours of adventure.

In this new century, those wishing to learn our great game have new options!

Take Jane Frost, of Unit 103.  In 2001, Jane had no idea how to play bridge.  But, she and her husband Doug (now a board member of Unit 103) got their first computer.  Jane found MSN Zone online - and started learning and playing bridge for the first time!

Jane met a fellow from Washington D.C.  She didn't even know what Stayman was the first times they played - but, they learned.  In 2002, Jane and her online partner traveled to the nationals and competed.  It was Jane's first time at a real, live bridge table!  Yes, Jane had never even played at the local duplicate!

NOW they are coming to the regional. . 

Expert Plays

This week, John Koch's Card Reading Corner features a local expert versus a world champion.  John tells me that some years ago, he played this hand with Keith Connolly against Eric Rodwell, surely one of the world's finest.

Not too many would go right in calculating how to bring this contract home.  Kudos to Keith for his thoughtful play against one of the "expert's experts."  See below.

Celebration for Unit 103

Saturday evening, Unit 103 celebrated those who won or placed high in the 2006 Mini-McKinney and Ace of Clubs events.  Those attending enjoyed a catered supper and a ceremony for the winners.  Following that excitement, more continued with a bridge game.

New 103 Board member Doug Frost kindly sent me a photograph with a few of the proud winners.

From left, Beth Messenger won the Ace of Clubs, 100-200 category, Judy Strobush won the 300-500 Mini-McKinney, Kory Solarz was 1st in the 2500-5000 level and Garry Hoden topped the Mini-McKinney 0-5 category.

Congratulations to these and the rest of those who earned these fine achievements!

What's The Problem?

If you are a reader of The Bridge World, the above phrase is familiar.  The inimitable Al Roth used it, again and again, when he believed that an answer to a difficult bridge problem was not difficult at all, but rather obvious.

If you are not a reader of The Bridge World, you might not know who Al Roth was.  He was one of the legends of the bridge world, and he died this week.

Though Mr. Roth had no connections to Minnesota, he influenced bridge players everywhere.  Do you use negative doubles?  Weak two-bids?  Forcing no-trump?  Unusual no-trump?  All Al Roth inventions.  Many consider him to be the greatest bidding theorist ever.

The man had an ego second to none. Nevertheless, much of it was deserved!  All of us:  expert, novice, intermediate, world class... every bridge player owes something to the man who so often declared, "What's the problem?"

If It's Spring

And - it assuredly is!  Balmy, beautiful weather today in the Twin Cities.

But - if it is spring, then the Gopher Regional must be right around the corner.

Please see our schedules for the open events and our I/N (intermediate/novice) below.

This is our state's premier tournament of the calendar.  You will not want to miss it!

Nashville, U.S.A.

Like to go to Nashville this summer?  Want to play bridge against your peers from all around North America?  Wish that some of your trip could be subsidize?

Well - it all can come true!

Please check below for all the details on the Grand National Teams District Competition. 

Head to Ft. Dodge, Iowa the weekend of April 28-29, and your team could end up being the champs!

Woof, Woof!

If it's Wednesday, it must be time for John Koch's Card Reading Corner.

In today's column, John barks at us about how to get your opponents in the doghouse.  If you are not familiar with the "Walking The Dog" principle, then you will especially wag your tail for this dog story.

Fastoso

"Fastoso" may not be quickly recognized by Minnesotans.  It means "magnificent, brilliant" in Italian.

And - no matter what language you speak, the Italian pair of Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes truly are "fastoso!"

Kibitzing online this afternoon, I saw this amazing duo crush an expert Russian team.  This hand was but one example.

Most of us, with a combined total of 18 high card points, would think we'd done well if we'd bid to game and made it.  Fantoni and Nunes did a bit better.  They bid slam and were successful!

Not Just Mayo Clinic

Millions know Rochester, MN as the home of the world's finest health care center:  The Mayo Clinic.

This weekend, however, Rochester is also hosting one of the nation's best sectionals!  Today, a write up about the sectional appeared in the Post-Bulletin.

A community-of-acquaintances coalesces in a Rochester hotel conference room, filling it with fluid conversation.

Members from as far away as Iowa, St. Paul and Minneapolis greet each other by name, bringing stories of their latest card-playing conquests.

But the leader calls attention, bringing a hush.

Cards are shuffled and dealt as the Hiawatha Valley Spring Sectional duplicate bridge tournament begins in earnest under the auspices of the American Contract Bridge League.

About 100 players gathered Friday afternoon at La Quinta Inn & Conference Center in Rochester, with more expected throughout the weekend.

Most are between the ages of 30 and 90, but they hope the complicated card game catches on with younger people.

It's not too late to participate!  Hold the Mayo and join in the fun!  Head to Rochester....

Milestones

In our printed MN Bridge News, we would devote a page to "Milestones" - those Minnesotans who had advanced to a new level of expertise at the ACBL. 

Unfortunately, I do not seem to be getting these reports now.  I would be happy to put them on the blog, if I did!

The other day, however, Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, did send me an announcement about achievement by a few of our players.  I am happy to announce that these three players are now Bronze Life Masters!

Unit 178

• Wayne Gergen
• Janet Larson

Unit 103

• Myrtle Anderson

Congratulations!  And - whoever has access to these reports, please send me more!  I am most happy to highlight the advancement of all our competitors!

This N' That

Someone alerted me to the fact that our link for the St. Paul Bridge Center is not functioning.  Our other links are fine.  So, I can only surmise that something has gone wrong at their end. 

If anyone reading this knows the answer - please alert the MN Bridge Blog.  Better yet - send us a new address for the Club, and we will post it!

Also - a fun MN bridge event this weekend.  Despite it appearing to be the middle of January, it's actually spring.  Thus, you can enjoy our spring Rochester Sectional Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I have heard that it's supposed to warm up over the weekend.  Here's hoping; I know no one likes to drive through a snow storm...

John Koch's Card Reading Corner

Many players devote much of their game and energies to conventions and system.  "What treatments should I play?"  Which conventions will make me most successful?"  "What are the latest 'tricks of the trade'?"

Conventions and sophisticated systems have their time and place.  Nevertheless, learning the foundations of the game and general principles will pay off far more than adding a few extra special agreements to your bag of tricks.

As usual, John Koch has more in marvelous, well thought out detail.  Please see below.

Barbara Morris: 1926 - 2007

We regret to announce the loss of a member of our community:  Barbara Morris.  Barbara died Easter morning; her obituary appeared today in the Star Tribune.

For those who think that beautiful blondes can't be smart; you obviously didn't know Barbara!  This petite, attractive woman played for decades in the Minnesota bridge world - and quite successfully.  Barbara's bridge career hit a high when she and Dorothy Buchanan won the Women's Pairs in 1982 in Minneapolis.

Condolences to Barbara's family.  We share your loss.

Timing is Everything

If it's Wednesday - it must be time for John Koch's Card Reading Corner!

Speaking of time - this week, John focuses on the critical aspect of one's tempo at the table.  Like Goldilocks, you want to be not too fast, and not too slow ... but just right!

John has the details below.

Represent District 14!

The weekend of April 28 and 29, district finals for the Grand National Teams will be held in Ft. Dodge, Iowa.  You and your teammates will have the opportunity to compete against other District 14 teams for the right to represent our district at the Summer Nationals in Nashville.

If you want the excitement and fun of competing for this honor - in addition to receiving a subsidized trip to the Nationals, then check out the flyer information below!

Lose 'Em All

Last week, you were invited to judge what to bid with Qx, Kxxxx, AQJ9xx, none on this short auction:  4S - 4NT - ?  (And my apologies for inserting an extra "x" into the diamond suit!  You were 2-5-6-0 for distribution.)

For those who bid 6S off the bat; congratulations!  You bid your cold slam, with partner's hand being:  AK98xxx, x, Kxx, xx.  The opponents might find their good 7C save - but, you did your part.  If you chose to bid something else, but backed into 6S, well done.