Minnesota Bridge

Autumn Harvest

Tomorrow will be June 1st.  Flowers are vibrant; lawns are green and lush.  Summer seems to stretch out forever.

As we all know, however, "forever" will be over in the blink of an eye.  Then we'll head into our fall season, with chillier temps and a great bridge schedule!

Gus Doty, President of Unit 103, alerted me to a change in the schedule for the Autumn Harvest Sectional, October 16-18.  I've got links to the tournament and its details below. 

Even though it's swimsuit, burgers-on-the-grill and wedding season - October will soon arrive!  Something fun for all of us to anticipate.

Gopher '09 in Pictures

The bidding is completed; the contracts have made with overtricks or failed doubled.  Still - we have loads of pictures of everyone who made Gopher '09 such a success!

Partners, teammates and opponents - friends, directors and caddies.  They're all here; enjoy!

Education Wrap-Up

Stephen Jackson did a super job at the Gopher!  In between our morning and afternoon sessions, Steve organized local experts to give talks on a variety of topics.

For those who missed the segments, Steve has kindly organized copies of each speaker's notes.  Just click on the links below; you can get a feel for each day's lecture.

Thanks, Steve - and thanks to all our experts.  Enjoy!

ACBL CEO on the Move

CEO Jay Baum, a familiar friend to many District 14 players, expounds on the ACBL's upcoming move to Mississippi.

Watch Jay in action!

And - thanks to our District director Sharon Anderson for the link.

Our Favorite Game

Recently, your faithful blogmaster was interviewed by Halogen Life about our favorite game.  Here is the interview, along with a shot from the Omaha Regional 2008 of one of the game's devoted students.

Multi

No, John Koch's column this week is not about the convention "multi," which shows an unidentified major.  Instead, it is a hand chock full of various lessons - ergo - "multi" informational!

Declaring or defending, bidding or passing - this hand will let you know what to do and when.

New Digs

ACBL is moving!  Our District 14 Board representative, Sharon Anderson, requested that I share this exciting news with you.  By the end of 2009, ACBL headquarters will be located just south in Mississippi in a new building.  You can read all about it through this link.  In addition, you can read the press release below that Sharon sent to be posted.

While most of us never travel to ACBL headquarters, it's the spot where everything for bridge in North America gets organized.  I'm so glad that our staff will have a new place that will well fit their needs!

Finis

By all standards, the Gopher was a success.  Lots of bridge, lots of hospitality, lots of socializing, lots of education, lots of hospitality.  One more big "thank you" to everyone who made our highlight of the Minnesota bridge calendar excellent!

Mike Cassel has delivered his final "worthy of 'bravo'" bulletin.  It is posted below, along with every other day's bulletin, in case you missed one.  Mike has a fine round-up of the final events, along with details about everyone who contributed so much - especially our new Life Master!

See you next May!

Grand Finale

We are heading into the home stretch.  It's Memorial Day; a time to reflect on those who sacrificed for our freedoms - and - the last day of the Gopher Regional!  In a little less than two hours from now, the Swiss Team will begin.  Last chance to gain masterpoints and earn glory!

With this post, Mike Cassel completes his virgin stint as the bulletin writer.  Let's thank Mike for doing a superb job!  In addition to more entertaining and dazzling hands, in our final Bulletin Mike lists the very many people who should be thanked for putting together a great tournament.  Of course, we must start at the top with Patti Stuhlman, our chairperson, and Mike Flader, our head director.  But, many others contributed mightily, too.  Thanks to all the other volunteers, directors, caddies, expert speakers, article contributors, unit and district board members - and you, the players.  Without you, we would not have a tournament!

Finally, I would like to thank all our friends who contribute to bridge, not the least of which are my fine partners and teammates.  In addition to being wonderful players - they're really exceptional people.  Monte Evans of Redfield, SD, longtime teammate of mine with his dad, Vern, could have been a top professional, had he made the decision to do so.  Instead, Monte decided to spend more time being Dad Extraordinaire with his beautiful family.  I'll bet you don't blame him, eh?

 Have fun today!  And - see you next May at Gopher 2010!

Two for You

We've had a great run so far.  But, just two days are left in 2009 Gopher.

Don't miss a moment of the action!  Be here at 9:30AM for a new set of events!

To read all about previous action, check out Mike Cassel's Sunday Daily Bulletin below.

Our Caddies

Sometimes, in addition to working, they just have fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brain Power

If you've got it, and want to keep it - there is hardly anything better for it than the game of bridge!

Check it out!

Three More Days of Fun

Our weather looks a bit dreary this Saturday.  What better way to spend the day than playing bridge at the Gopher?  Of course; I'm prejudiced.  Wind, rain, sunshine, snow, clouds, hot or cold - I will always choose our great game!

Lots of excellent events remain, plus a lecture today by Steve Gaynor at 1:15PM on how to annoy your opponents with interference when they open 1NT.

Where would we be without our caddies?  Whether they are senior citizens or the younger set, we sure appreciate them!

Mike Cassel's latest creation is below.  Enjoy it - plus all the remaining Gopher bridge!

The Excitement Continues

Another day of the Gopher has concluded.  Mike Cassel presents us with a new daily bulletin and a round up of all the results, upcoming matches and some District and Unit business, too.

Lots of folks having a great time at this year's regional.  Here are some shots of various folks, playing bridge, visiting, and simply enjoying a great tournament!

 

Also note that we will be posting a full recap of photos in an album at the end of the Gopher.  We want to be able to capture as many smiling faces as possible!

Koch's Korner

Week after week - for almost two years! - John Koch has regaled us with incredible hands, wise lessons and amusing tales.  If you do not know who John is and would like to thank him during the Gopher, here's a shot so you can recognize the brilliant guy behind the columns. 

From all of us, John - thanks!

Five More to Go

The first full day of play has been completed at this year's Gopher.  Wednesday saw lots of local luminaries, out of town friends and folks who contribute so much to our bridge community, both volunteering and playing.

Yours truly kicked off the week's panel show that Stephen Jackson has organized with a talk about "What to Do When Partner Preempts."  (Perhaps I should have had my partners give that lecture!?)

The second Jim Hall Memorial Knockout Match completed.  Defending champs from last year were on different teams, but none made it to the winners' circle. 

Perhaps fittingly, one of Jim's longtime excellent partners and friends, Paul Meerschaert, did make it to the winner's circle, along with teammates Naomi Paasch, Cam Doner and Gard Hays, besting a local squad of Phil & Judy Schwarz with Sharon & Roger Anderson. Tough to not have Jim with us - but - somewhere I'm sure he's smiling and watching his friends battle it out against one another.

Mike Cassel has already sent over Thursday's daily bulletin.  Posted below; enjoy!

Two For You

For those who aren't here enjoying the Gopher festivities with the rest of us, here are the first two days of Gopher Bulletins.

Our thanks to Mike Cassel for doing them, and for sending them to be posted at MN Bridge!

The Show Must Go On

With the Gopher Regional underway, you might think that the rest of the world would stop.  Some people do take vacation from work, leave housework to another week, and tell non-playing bridge spouses "au revoir".  But - John Koch remains on the job!

Here is an excellent column that details how to be a successful matchpoint player.  With the bulk of the Gopher to come, study John's column for the week.  Avoid these "deadly sins" - and find more masterpoints in your basket!

Thanks, John - and hope that everyone is enjoying our premier tournament!

The Games Begin

The bidding has started; the games are underway.  

We've got world class players, an ACBL District 14 director and directors to make our games run smoothly. 

 

 

 

 

Local friends, friends from far away . . . Gopher '09 is shaping up to be a super event!

 

 

 

 

 

Gopher 2009

The date has arrived!  The Gopher 2009 Regional will begin at 7:30PM at the Ramada by Mall of America.

If perchance you don't have every session booked, check out the schedule and finalize your plans!  We can't guarantee a win every event.  But, we can assure you'll enjoy exciting events, challenging competition, yummy treats, loads of friends, and the Mall of America around the corner for meals, shopping and more.

See you tonight!