Minnesota Bridge

Gopher '08 in Pictures

Bridge players attend a tournament to best their opponents in bidding, defense and declarer play.  But - we show up for another reason, too:  the many friends we make along the years that share our love of the game.

Here are just a few of those smiling faces who played, won and enjoyed all the festivities at Gopher '08!  Feel free to click on the thumbnails for bigger shots - and then just scroll through.

One player is missing for the first time in decades:  Jim Hall.  As most of you know, we lost "The Great Hall" a couple of months ago after his long and fierce battle against cancer.  Jim was known as one of the toughest competitors our state has ever known - and for many years was the reigning masterpoint leader.  Jim was second in the national Reisinger Teams and Men's B-A-M Teams, with a third place recently in the Mixed Pairs with Woodbury's Melody Bi and a sixth place finish in the prestigious Blue Ribbon Pairs with Paul Meerschaert.

Several of Jim's friends decided to honor Jim's memory by initiating the Jim Hall Memorial KO Teams.  Spearheaded by Howie Weinstein and Murray Appelbaum, a number of friends contributed to a handsome trophy for the event.  To all who helped and to all who played - thanks for your part in remembering a friend who was such a part of Minnesota Bridge for scores of years.

Bridge Center of St. Paul Lessons

A reminder for those looking to put more pizzazz into their bridge game.  Here is the place and the way to do it!

Bridge Lessons . . . . Bridge Lessons . . . .  Bridge Lessons . . .

 

D E F E N S E

 

Thursday mornings 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

May 1^st thru July 10^th

Bridge Center of St. Paul

7166 10^th Street North

Oakdale, MN 52128

651-490-5430

Instructor:  Tom Hammond

 

 

·        Visualizing the Hands

·        Five Defensive Strategies

·        Opening Leads

·        Defensive Signaling

·        Second-hand Play

·        Third-hand Play

·        Counting Tricks, Points, Distribution

·        Unblocking the Suit

·        Rule of Eleven

·        Hold-up Plays

·        Defensive Bidding

·        Doubling for a Lead

·        Penalty Doubles

·        Trump Promotions

·        ….and more…..

Ghoulie

When a ghoulie is dealt at the table, there is bound to be excitement!

Last week at the Gopher, Mike Cassel suspects that someone served up a ghoulie in his match.  For the gory details, read Mike's report below.

The Top Ten

Lots of folks participated in our Gopher Regional and did well.  If you are curious to see who achieved what in each event, you can find out here.

Our top masterpoint leader for the Gopher was Kerry Holloway.  His exceptional total was a fraction shy of 92 masterpoints!  Check out the list to see top performers, and to find out your own masterpoint total, too.

Congratulations to our top ten!

1.    Kerry Holloway

2.    Paolo Ranaldi

3/4  Vern & Monte Evans

5.    John Koch

6.    Bill Kent

7.    Kurt Schaeffer

8.    Bob Balderson

9.    Peg Waller

10.  Sharon & Roger Anderson

Preserving Meager Assets

When you are fat and happy with aces and kings, hands can be easy.  When life deals you jacks and tens instead of top honors, you must rise to the occasion to take advantage of your meager assets.

John Koch shows us the way!

Thanks

Thanks to Patti Stuhlman for a superb Gopher 2008, and to all the many other volunteers who made this year's regional such a success.

More photos will be posted at the MN Bridge Blog soon.  We're so glad all of you could attend - and we look forward to seeing you in The Land of Lakes next May!

Greetings from Raleigh

As many of you know, I have not been competing at the Gopher due to a "conflict" in scheduling.  The United States Bridge Federation is holding the "team trials" - the event that determines which women's team represents the U.S. in international competition - in Raleigh, NC, concurrent with the Gopher.  My team:  Cindy Balderson, Melody Bi, Carole Miner, along with "foreigners" Cindy Bernstein and Sally Wheeler, decided to enter this year. 

We made it out of a round robin on Thursday/Friday.  On Saturday and Sunday, our schedule is 4 sets of 16 the first day, and two 16's the second.  Currently, we are behind more than a tiny bit - yet not so much that the lead is unsurmountable.  We hated to miss the Gopher - so - we will pull out all the stops today to try to "bring home the bacon!"

To those at the Gopher, continue enjoying our state's finest tournament offering.  And for those who would like to read through the daily Bulletins to see everyone's successes, please read below!

 

Gopher '08 - Thursday's Bulletin & Pics

It's available for your review!  Please see below.

And a few photos of competitors, volunteers and directors is now available here!  Click on any of the individual small shots if you wish to see larger images....

Gopher '08 - Wednesday Results

Too late for the bulletin - but available now!

Gopher '08 Bulletins

To keep up to date on Regional progress, bulletins for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Big

Hoping for a big week at the Gopher Regional?  John Koch, at your service!

As he does every Wednesday, John serves up a big serving of advice on what to do with big hands. And - I mean really, really big!

Gopher '08 Begins!

Verda is ready with her caddies.  Deep in thought, tournament chairperson Patti Stuhlman considers what her first bid should be.

Welcome to Minnesota's Gopher Regional for 2008!  Our hard-working volunteers hope you have a fantastic tournament, complete with many successes and loads of exciting hands!

For results as soon as they are available to be posted, please check at Larry Delfs' District 14 webpage, too!

Gopher Mini-Lessons

In addition to being an action-packed schedule of excellent bridge events, the Gopher Regional will afford you even more opportunities!  Do check out our mini-lessons, which will be available throughout the tournament.

Our kick-off mini-lesson on Wednesday at 1:15PM features Golden Valley native Howie Weinstein, now world class international star.  Be sure to hear Howie expound on his recent exploits in Shanghai's Bermuda Bowl.

Other presenters include an array of local experts such as Mike Cassel, John Koch and Steve Gaynor, plus National Director Mike Flader on rulings.

For specific dates, times and speakers featured, please see below.

Two Days Away!

The Minnesota Gopher Regional is a mere two days away!

Here is this year's fine schedule.

The St. Louis Park Doubletree Hotel is our fine venue.

Tournament Chairperson Patti Stuhlman welcomes everyone to our state's premier tournament of the year! 

Tom's Mom

Many Minnesotans know that Tom Friedman, New York Times columnist and acclaimed author, is also a St. Louis Park native.  What some of our newer bridge players may not realize, however, is that for years, Tom's mom was a devoted and talented bridge player.

Unfortunately, Tom and our bridge community lost his mother recently.  You can read Tom's musings about Margaret Friedman in this lovely Mother's Day column.

Sharon Anderson, a good friend of Margaret's, adds her own remembrances.

Declarer's Choice

This week, John Koch presents us with a hand where declarer must make a choice.

What should that choice be and why?

As always, John has wise answers for us in his weekly column.  Thanks, John!

Gopher Regional and Unit 178 Annual Meeting

Less than one week from today, our Gopher Regional will be under way!  Soon players from all over Minnesota and surrounding states will be battling away to secure event titles and masterpoints.

In addition to the fierce competition and fun, Unit 178 will hold their annual meeting.  All members are welcome to attend; expect the meeting to get underway about 4:30PM on Saturday.

Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, has offered copies of Unit 178's agenda, constitutional draft and a letter of explanation for your review.  Please look below the fold to read these documents.

Next Tuesday, the festivities begin!  See you then!

Triple Play

Doing good works in the community is always valued.  Being able to combine it with marvelous gifts for folks plus a delightful evening of food, socializing and competitive bridge is a triple play! 

Last Saturday, at the Twin City Bridge Center at 60th and Nicollet - all this was achieved.

Sharon and Roger Anderson organized and executed an evening of auction, dinner and bridge to support a non-profit organization, SHIFT, and to recognize and honor Nancy Shifflet.  Recently lost to cancer, Nancy was one of the most hard working, valuable and beloved supporters of bridge in our community.

The Cavendish

Although The Cavendish is not a Minnesota event, Minnesotans have long been competing and winning at this prestigious, high-stakes event.  Richfield natives Joe Grue and Steve Garner played in the first event:  the John Roberts teams.

Thursday night, top pairs from around the world were auctioned off for literally tens of thousands of dollars.  Helgemo and partner Hellness, from Norway, went for the largest amount in Cavendish history:  $74,000!  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they will battle away for big bucks against the best at the luxurious Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

If you were not able to watch the auction and partake in the sumptuous pre-auction buffet (as some former Minnesotans did), you can nevertheless share in the drama of the game!  Bridge Base Online will have the Cavendish Invitational Pairs on vugraph throughout the weekend.

Enjoy!

Our Gain

Most of you know that I am a strong proponent of our Junior Bridge programs.  Frankly - without them, our fabulous game will not survive!

Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, sent me a most pleasant announcement.  Sue Jackson will be in charge of our Junior Bridge Program for 2008-2009.  Sue is a retired school teacher and a strong local bridge player.  Sue should be a most welcome addition for training our future bridge masters!

Marv has a nice introduction about Sue, for those who are not familiar with her.  Congratulations on your new position, Sue - and thank you!