Minnesota Bridge

Now THIS is Winter!

Some winters, our Winter Carnival tournament is greeted with almost spring like weather.

This will not be happening in 2008!

But - sunshine and warmth (relatively speaking) - or gloom, snow and cold - the Winter Carnival goes on!

Be sure to come to Maplewood this weekend and enjoy the competition!

Second Thoughts

For those who are unaware, John Koch is one of a small set of Minnesota bridge players who have earned national titles.  John, along with partner Tony Ames and teammates Rod Beery and Mary Egan, won the Senior Knockouts in a tough field.

Today, John presents us with a hand where he made an "impossible" game.  Had John not calculated how to bring this one home, two of our national champs would not have won their titles!  The column has several good lessons.  Taking them to heart will improve any game.

You might also note that with this column, John has produced fifty such for the Minnesota Bridge Blog.  I'm sure that I can add my voice to that of many others in offering John an enormous "thank you" for the education, entertainment and wisdom he has been donating to us!

Thinking Outside the Box

Want a fresh perspective on bridge?

If so, then you will definitely appreciate Paul Meerschaert's latest offering.  Paul is a talented Minnesota player who frequently goes outside the ordinary in both bidding and play.

For more details, please see below!

Bridge: History and Philosophy

Murray Appelbaum was kind enought to send me this summary of a thesis from Miguel Mestanza.  Mestanza was the head of the Spanish Bridge Federation from 1993 to 1997.

For those interested in the history of our game, and thoughts about its value and future - please do see below!

Clever in Cleveland

Some Minnesotans in the bridge world seem to multi-task well.  One of those is Mike Cassel.  Mike has had much success competing, particularly at nationals.  There Mike has been roughing up the rest of the field in events like the mini-Spingold and the 0-5000 Life Master Pairs.

At home, in addition to always being "in the hunt" at the table, Mike serves on the board of Unit 178.

And (yes, there is more) Mike can write.  He just submitted the article below to me from an adventure in Ohio.

Thank you, Mike!

Only Four

For many years, I played on teams with John Koch and Tony Ames.  We had a nice record.  Like any bridge player, I attributed at least some of it to my own fine bidding, defense and declarer play.

After reading months of John's columns, however, I wonder if I was merely a bystander to John's masterful talents!

Today, one more hand where John calculates what to do on a very difficult hand.  An old bridge precept is:  "Imagine what you need and then play for it."  At first, John thinks what he needs is impossible.  Nevertheless, as the play develops, he sees another way.

Planning the Auction

Andy Caranicas is one of our up and coming players.  Today, Andy offers his thoughts on what planning can do for you!

Thanks, Andy!

Ninety Reasons to Celebrate

January 16th at Tom Hammond's Bridge Center of St. Paul game was quite special.  Margo Marcotte celebrated her 90th birthday!  Of course, everyone else there that evening joined Margo in wishing her a happy birthday.

A dozen tables worth of players turned out to honor Margo.  Adding to the festivities were happy birthday balloons, birthday cake with candles, a fabulous lunch and lots of applause!

While most people Margo's age are quietly resting in a front porch rocking chair, Margo is competing at the bridge table with dozens of her adoring friends.

Happy birthday, Margo! 

Frozen Treat

If your fingers are thawed enough to scroll down, then you can enjoy a surprise weekend treat.  John Koch has graced us with a bonus column this week!

Are you never quite sure whether to open 1NT or 1 of a major when you have 15 to 17 HCP and a five card major?  Then you will surely appreciate John's views on this topic.

It is cool!

Why They Won

As some of you know, John Koch is one of the few Minnesotans who has won a national championship.  John won the Senior Knockout Teams in 2004, along with partner Tony Ames and teammates Mary Egan and Rod Beery.

The field was fierce, and some of their matches were very, very close.  Yet, all that matters in this form of scoring is that you are the victor - and, in the end, that is exactly what these players achieved:  victory.

This team won for many reasons.  One of those reasons, however, is the fine and creative card play of Tony Ames.  As Tony directs frequently now, he does not get to play as often as he would like.  That's a shame - though Tony is also an excellent director!

It takes one to know one.  John Koch, also a master declarer, tells us about a hand from another event where Tony brought in a seemingly impossible contract. 

Enjoy!

Unit 178 January Minutes

For those who like to follow the planning for bridge in Unit 178 - here are the January minutes for the meeting on the 5th.  Please see below.

Crash and Burn

Paul Meerschaert is a bridge player who secures far more success for himself and his partners than most other Minnesotans.  Yet, if you think that he bats 1,000 - you would be in error!

This instructive, lively and amusing tale below will give you the gory details. 

Thanks, Paul!

That Guy

John Stansbury related an amusing story to me from the Nashville Nationals.  John and Andy Caranicas were waiting for an elevator.  In error, they entered a crowded elevator going up instead of down, as they chatted about bridge hands.  As John tells me:

Andy continued on when I noticed two other men talking about computers.  The guy in front of Andy, about a foot away, was doing most of the talking, and I realized I'd heard that voice before.

I nudged Andy, and nodded toward the man to indicate I was listening to him.  Andy listened as well as we rode up another 7 or 8 stories.  When we reached the top floor, the two men stepped off.

Andy looked at me blankly.  "That was Bill Gates," I told him.  "It was?" Andy replied!

Here's what Andy said to me about the elevator trip:

I expected the person to be some famous bridge player.  John has been to far more nationals than I have, and he would recognize more players than I would.  Other than that - I have no defense!

Double Delight

Unit 103 has not one sectional to enjoy in February, but two!

After competing at the Winter Carnival, be sure to head south for the Chatfield Sectional.  Please see the schedule below.

Taking Twelve

Steve Gaynor just alerted me to stellar slam play by Tim Schafer.

Tim held:  AQJxx, AJxxxx, none, AQ.  He opened 1H, and his partner, Dave Glenn, responded 2H.  RHO bid 3D.

Tim went into the tank, and emerged with 6H! 

LHO led the diamond king, and Tim's dummy was:

xx, K10x, Q9xx, xxxx.

Tim ruffed, and led a small heart toward dummy.  Steve reported, "I was thinking that Tim could not make the hand, as his LHO held:  10x, Q9x, Kxx, KJxxx.  The club was offside, hearts were 3-1 and spades were not splitting."

But - Tim demonstrated to Steve how to do it!

Awards Dinner - Unit 103

Congratulations to those who fared well in the 103 Mini-McKinney and Ace of Clubs races for 2007! 

Our awards dinner to celebrate will be held March 1st, 6PM, at the Bridge Center of St. Paul.  The game that follows is a Unit Game.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Unit 103 Membership Meeting

A unit-wide membership meeting on February 2nd at 6PM.  The meeting will be held during the Winter Carnival Sectional at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall in Maplewood.  Please attend if you can!

The Coolest Celebration

Outsiders may fear Minnesotan winters.  Yet, we here in the land of 10,000 skating rinks know just how invigorating and fun our season can be.

Part of that pleasure is the one and only St. Paul Winter Carnival.  Though many  Carnival activities are brisk and outdoors, some do involve central heating.  One in particular is our Winter Carnival Sectional in Maplewood.

The tournament begins on the first day of February, and runs all weekend.  So.  Whether you get there by snow shoe, cross country skiis, dog sled, auto or SUV - grab your favorite partners and teammates and join in the celebration!

A Game of Inches

We all love big, bold and splashy.  Who among us doesn't like executing some dramatic coup, finding a save against a slam that makes, or pulverizing the opponents with a plus 1400?

Sometimes, however, our game is not a matter of winning by a mile but succeeded by an inch.  This week, John Koch instructs us with a hand where this small margin meant victory.

Doubled and Redoubled

If a contract makes, doubled and redoubled, it's a BIG number!  And - if you think of people who give back to the bridge community, doubled and redoubled - you think of Sharon and Roger Anderson.

For many years, Rog and Sharon have given to the bridge world in a variety of ways.  Both have served on the boards of Unit 178 and the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, they've chair bridge tournaments and worked on committees, and mentored new players.  For more years than I can remember, the duo have donned their finest formal wear to host receptions honoring Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs achievers - and more.

In the last year or so, though, the Andersons have added something else to their repertoire:  expert "lecture and play" series at their gracious new home.  Not many can lay claim to a special room for bridge play right in their own house - but - the Andersons can.  Into this fun and fabulous space, they have invited those aspiring to improve their bridge games. 

Over several Saturday evenings throughout the year, Sharon and Roger invite local experts to give a lecture on key topics, followed by a bridge game with pre-duplicated hands that follow the lecture's theme.  After the play are questions and hand review. 

Some of our area's best and brightest, like Cindy and Bob Balderson, Kerry Holloway, Mike Flader and others have generously offered their time and expertise at the Anderson-fests.  Even famous gone-but-not-forgotten experts like Steve Garner have participated!  Assisting as Director in Charge we usually find indispensable Larry Oakey.  Unit 178's President, Marv Riedesel, helps coordinate.  And - needless to say, if you know Sharon and Rog, a mountain of pot-luck fabulous food and treats accompany every evening.

This past Saturday, Phil Schwarz offered a lecture on counting.  Chock full of tidbits about counting distribution and points, all centered around lucky number "13", Phil's talk provided a wealth of useful advice.

If you've attended one of the Andersons' lecture series, you know how fun and informative they can be.  To the experts and people contributing to the series - particulary Sharon and Roger - a very, very big THANK YOU!