Minnesota Bridge

Smiles

Mike Cassel enjoying something in Boston!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmest wishes to everyone in Minnesota for a happy and healthy holiday.  We have much for which to be grateful.  Surely not the least of all of it is our exceptionally talented and diligent expert columnist, John Koch.

Thank you, John, for one more superb column. 

Happy Turkey Day!

A Rose By Any Other Name

Shakespeare said it would smell as sweet.  Yet, nothing is quite as sweet as having your own naming rights to a regional bridge event!

Yes, for the Gopher Regional 2009, opportunities abound for naming rights to events!  If you wish to memorialize or celebrate a friend, publicize your business or get your own name up in lights, this is your big chance.

Below the line you can find out details as to how the process will work, plus an application form for your event and name. 

Sweet!

Counterintuitive

If you are an "old-timer" at bridge, sometimes you run on intuition.  You recognize a position, rely on "default" - and go from there.

But there are situations where what seems natural is not the winning play.  Today, John Koch presents such a hand.

Would you have visualized what this expert did not?  Check it out!

Bridge and Politics

The election is over.  But - politics never stops.

If you're a bridge player who's also a political junkie, then I have a book for you!  Neal Rechtman has written a thriller that involves bridge players.  The 28th Amendment is fiction and definitely not a "bridge book" in any sense of reporting or instruction about bridge.  Nevertheless, if this combo sounds good to you, check it out! 

Neal has a website for the book, with loads of info about the novel and the author, and how to get a copy, too.  Always great to have an author "getting the word out" about our great game, and best of luck to Rechtman with his new book!

All The Evidence

Many bridge players have had this experience.  A slip of paper is handed to them.  "This is your dummy; this is your hand.  Here's the opening lead; how do you play it?"

But, as our intrepid columnist John Koch always appreciates, merely the two hands and opening lead won't do.  One needs all the evidence to come to a conclusion!

In this week's column, John advises us what to consider, how to weigh it, and then what action to take.  Our thanks to John, this week and every week!  If you are reading John's columns, the odds are high that your game is improving!

Minnesota State Sectional

With our first real blast of cold weather, last weekend was a fine time to be inside enjoying the favorite pastime of bridge players:  a tournament! 

Co-chairmen Verda Gould and Vicki Smith provided us with a great weekend.  Treats like free lunch, coffee and after-Halloween candy were available.  Of course, loads of fun events, from compact KO's to pairs to Swiss Teams were on the schedule.  Directors Mike Flader and Tony Ames kept all running smoothly.

For some photos of players competing throughout the weekend, click on the thumnails in this MN State Sectional photoblog.  And, to see who did what where - check out tourney results.

Special congrats to our new District 14 Director, Sharon Anderson, who topped the masterpoint list with her favorite partner - hubby Roger.

Never Say Never!

After winning our first round by a slight margin, my Swiss Team squad of Kerry Holloway, Melody Bi, Paul Meerschaert and myself sat down to play unfamiliar faces.  "We've never played in a Swiss Team before," said our opponents.  Kerry and I kindly informed them how to make the boards and compare.  "Try to get plus scores," I advised.

Well.  That's the last time I ever give newcomers any advice!  (Heh heh heh.)  When the dust cleared, the newcomers had more plus scores than we did and more IMPS, too.  Indeed; they were our only loss of the day.  (And for inquiring minds; no, we did not win the event.  That honor went to two mixed pairs:  Sharon and Roger Anderson with Judy and Phil Schwarz.)

But - back to our brave newcomers.  Remember the tale of four players who had never competed in a Swiss Team, who lived to beat a team whose masterpoint totals are in the tens of thousands.  Sometimes it is your day - if you believe it is!

Well done to our opponents - and to the ultimate winners of the Swiss.

Jim Brothers - Recorder

For many years, Larry Oakey of Minneapolis was the recorder for District 14.  Our thanks to Larry for his long and responsible service to us. 

Now, however, Larry has retired and we have a new recorder:  Jim Brothers.  We are terrifically fortunate to have Jim taking over for Larry, and we appreciate this note that Jim sent to us to post to everyone in Minnesota and throughout District 14.

Happy Holidays!

Yes, temperatures in the Twin Cities were well into the 60's today.  Feels more like early September instead of a week into November. 

Do not be lulled, however, into thinking that winter never will arrive.  It shall.  The good news, though, is that along with snow, short days and ice - we have one more fun tournament to enjoy!  From December 5th to the 7th, the Bridge Center of St. Paul presents their Holiday Sectional. 

In addition, the Club would like you to visit their new website.  Do check out the calendar, upcoming events, daily scores - and  their new location at 2603-05 6th Ave, North St Paul, MN  55109!

 

Gathering the Evidence

Clue players knew how to look for evidence.  Was it Mr. Mustard who did the dirty deed with a wrench in the library?

Although the game pieces for bridge are cards and bidding boxes rather than toy ropes and guns, we bridge players must also search and sift through hints and clues at the table.

Few among us know better than John Koch how to do it!  Please check below for another fine Koch column.  John guides us to victory as he illuminates his thinking process.