Minnesota Bridge

Eight IS Enough!

The Bridge Center of St. Paul held its first "8 Is Enough" event.  On August 23, they organized a new type of Swiss Team Game (see the ACBL Bridge Bulletin, June 2008, pp. 26-27). 

Players are ranked as 1 for a non-Life Master, 2 for a Life Master with up to 1500 points, and 3 for Life Masters topping 1500 points.  (The number for the top number for level 2 players can be tailored appropriately.)  Each team can be comprised of 8 or fewer points.  Further stratification can be achieved by having flights:  Flight A is 8 points, B is 6-7 points and C is 4-5 points.

Our first time out, thirteen teams competed!  The night began with a potluck prior to the game, and the entire evening was wonderfully fun.

The next "8 Is Enough" team game is scheduled for Saturday, September 27.  Please do consider joining us! 

For further information, call Kim Hayward at 651.271.3500 or email us at [email protected]

  

Expert's Day Off

Do you get nervous when you are about to compete against experts?  In earlier days of my bridge career, I certainly did.  My hands would grow cold, and even tremble.  As I faced these players who seemed to never touch a wrong card, I only hoped that the carnage would not be too horrific.

As time passed, however, conditions changed.  I learned a bit more myself - both about bridge and about avoiding fear at the table.  Also, I learned this:  even the experts are human.  Some days they don't make the best bid.  Sometimes they fail to discover the winning play.  Occasionally, they plain old just do not play well!

John Koch's weekly column has a tale of what happened when he faced an elite player in national competition.  Let John's story, my experience and the experiences of many others be a teaching moment.  Even the best of the best can be beaten on the right day and under the right circumstances.  Do not forget!

After all; what do you have to lose by trying?

September Serenade

Is autumn really approaching?  Will we soon see kids returning to school, cool evenings and leaves turning brilliant hues?  Yes, yes and yes!

We also will be seeing a fresh fall schedule at the Twin Cities Bridge Center at 60th and Nicollet!  Here is what is on the horizon for September.

Thursdays at 7PM will feature:

Sept. 4      Open Grand National Teams.  Contact the TCBC at 612.861.4487 for help with teammates.

Sept. 11     ACBL-wide Instantn Matchpoint Game.

Sept. 18    Flight C Grand National Teams.  Mini-Lesson by Phil Schwartz at 6:45PM.  Contact Larry and Diane Henson at 952.545.7689 for help with teammates

Sept. 25     Open Grand National Teams.  Contact the TCBC at 612.861.4487 for help with teammates.

All GNT games pay extra points, half red and half black.  For each match your team wins or ties, you get points!

 

Back to the Future

As we all know, youth is the future of our great game.

Please check out and enjoy the most recent posts at our District 14 Bridge Blog about the first ever Youth North American Bridge Championship and the experiences of Iowa's Mt. Pleasant students who attended.

Also; do not forget who won the inaugural main event at the tournament:  our own Jake Olson from Blaine! This will refresh your memory....

NAP Qualification

North American Pairs ("NAP") is one of the most exciting and rewarding bridge events the ACBL offers.  A number of pairs from each District will win trips to the spring nationals, if they compete and succeed in this event.  A flyer with details is available for viewing at the District 14 webpage, along with other information.

To be eligible to compete at the District level, however, you need to get qualified!  Check with your local game to find out when they are holding the last NAP qualifying games.

Visit the great Texas city of Houston next March if you are one of the leading NAP competitors.  Remember:  to be our representative, you need to earn your eligibility!

The Future of GNT

The Grand National Teams can be a fun and exciting event.  You compete at a local level with players from your own District.  Then, if your performance is keen enough and enough luck is in your pocket, you can move on to the national level. 

Some of the players from our District have fared very well in this event.  One of our Flight C teams won:  Joe Grue, Tim Barrett, Joe Barrett, Chengwei Lee and Tom Monikowski did it in 1997.  In 2002, the team of Cindy Balderson, Bob Balderson, Carole Miner and Kurt Schaeffer were the runners up.  A detailed history with lists of all the first and second place teams can be found here.

Every Breath You Take

The ways in which expert players determine what to do at the table are almost limitless.  The bids you make, the cards you play, your tempo - even every breath you take.

Remember that your opponents are watching you.  And, when you are declaring, observe all and take every legal advantage!

John Koch will explain.

Dealt Lemons?

Make lemonade.

John Koch details exactly how Ivan Erdos did it in the Bermuda Bowl.  Big stakes; big result.

THE Election

No - nothing about Senators Obama or McCain.  This is something more important!

Unit 178's election for Board members has been held and votes have been counted.  About 40% of the membership returned ballots, similar to the results of the last several elections.

The candidates winning election for 4 year terms are:  Marv Riedesel, Sue Jackson and Vicky Smith.  Current Board members Mike Cassel, Paul Gutterman, Verda Gould and Cezanne Martin are continuing, with term expiration in 2 years.

Board 178 would like to thank Sherm Stanchfield for conducting the election, and extend appreciation to Rita Xistris, Teri Blu and Brian Crossley for serving on the nominating committee.  Thanks also to all the 178 members who took the time to review the candidates and return their ballots.

Unit 178 members are encouraged to contact any Board members if they have questions, issues or concerns.  All suggestions are welcome and the Board will listen to all complaints! 

 

You can reach Board members at these email addresses:

 

Marv Riedesel [email protected]

Sue Jackson [email protected]

Vicky Smith  [email protected]

Mike Cassel [email protected]

Paul Gutterman [email protected]

Verda Gould [email protected]

Cezanne martin [email protected]

 

 

Double Trouble

 Paul Meerschaert is one of the top players in our area.  He has trouble at the table much less often than many others.

So - when Paul says he has some advice for those having double trouble - my advice is it is worth your time to read his thoughts!

Wish You Were Here

Lots of Minnesotans are having a great time at District 14's largest regional.  If you would like to check out results, go here.

If you like photos - here you go!

A Day Late

And a dollar short.

But then, John Koch's columns are always worth the wait!

My apologies for not posting John's latest creation on its normal Wednesday.  Look at the bright side, however; one less day now to wait for more of John's wisdom!

Good Sports

Wayne Gergen relaxing with some of his bridge friends.

In addition to being brilliant, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are great sports!

Nebraska Regional

This week you will find your intrepid reporter ensconced in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  I and many of our Minnesotan cohorts are competing at the large and exciting Nebraska Regional.

Here are a few friendly Minnesotans on the first day of competition!

It's Your Bid

Is slam bidding a toughie for you?  Are you not sure how to handle some of your notrump sequences?  Do you and your favorite partner simply need to log in more time with your system?

You might consider visiting Bridge Base Online.  If you want virtual bridge play, you can choose IMP Pairs, duplicate scoring, tournaments or team games.  If, however, you wish solely to practice your bidding, that is available, too!  Even better, you can set the parameters for the type of hands you are dealt.  So, if you wish flat hands of a certain range; they are yours.  If verge-of-slams are your bug-a-boo, you can set it up.  It's a super tool!  Whether your aim is to beat the competition in Minneapolis or St. Paul at the local Club, or destroy opponents at a tournament, the "practice bidding" tool can help you.

Speaking of help - my thanks to Jack Rhatigan for suggesting that I put this tip on the blog! 

Bill and Warren and Bruce and Stu

Most people know that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are two of the most wealthy and successful people on our planet.  Many bridge players know that Bill and Warren are also strong devotees of our favorite game.

But, what many do not realize is what nice guys these powerful men happen to be.  Supportive of our game?  You betcha.  Friendly to other bridge players?  Yep.  Here is the story that Bruce Boje sent to me about his experience at the nationals.

I am a Minnesota bridge player from Chanhassen.  I was very active in club games and tournaments in the late 60's and early 70's.  I left bridge for 25 years and returned in the early 2000's as an on-line player.  Now I mostly play on-line, the Las Vegas regionals and a few local tournaments.

Bridge is always a game of surprises.  I was surprised to see Bill Gates and Warren Buffet at the NABC in Las Vegas while our team registered for a knockout.  After winning our first round, my partner and I drove to the Gordon Biersch Brewery restaurant for dinner.  We were surprised to see Bill, Warren and others stop in for dinner.  They sat in the brewing area and could be seen through windows.  But I was even more surprised when Warren Buffet was at our assigned table for round two of the knockout.  We were up by 4 IMPS after 12 hands but lost by 12 when our partners had a bidding understanding. 

Warren and Bill were very friendly and were happy to pose for photos.  I've attached two photos taken by one of my teammates.  I am in the middle on the first and my partner Stu Foster from San Clemente is on the right on the second.