Minnesota Bridge

Trumps All Others

I love it when our game gets more press!

Here's an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal highlighting the frustration and fascination with our favorite game.

First Weekend in November

The Minnesota State Tournament is just over a week away!  November 6, 7 and 8, you can enjoy pairs, compact KO's and Swiss teams at the VFW in Hopkins.

Our schedule with all the details can be found here.  As a bonus, if you show up a bit early before the Friday afternoon session, around 1:45PM, you can hear local expert Kerry Holloway's talk.

Lots of fun events; start scheduling your games now!

The Fumble

Everyone knows you can fumble on the football field. But, sometimes it happens at the bridge table, too.

Is your opponent someone who doesn't realize fake fumbles are against the laws of the game?  Did your opponent simply have difficulty manipulating the cards?  Was this competitor's mind somewhere else?

This week, John Koch teaches us how to analyze the play and play amateur psychologist, too!

Bridge in the News

Joe Grue may no longer be a Minnesota resident.  Yet, we all still applaud the little kid who could barely see over the table who now is a world-class player.

Do check out the story from the Hartford Courant, posted at Sharon Anderson's blog.  Great photo of Joe and nice coverage!

Wrong Spot

Virtually anyone who has played bridge has, at times, found himself in the wrong spot.  We wish we were higher - or lower.  Or in no-trump instead of a major - or vice versa.  Sometimes, we think evil thoughts about partner:  "How could he bid that way?!"

Yet, tough competitors appreciate that once the auction is over, we must concentrate on how to do the best we can with the assets dealt to us.  This week, John Koch instructs us as to how we can do exactly that.  Enjoy!

Autumn Harvest

After days of rain, snow, cold and otherwise bleak weather, last weekend produced days of beautiful sunshine, fluffy white clouds and colorful fall leaves.  Still - for 232 bridge players, their preference was to compete at the Autumn Harvest Sectional in Maplewood rather than frolic outside.

You can view results from Maplewood here.  Joe Rice ended up being big winner, with just under 20 points; Terry Lijewski captured second with a hair over 15.

Thanks to everyone who made the weekend one worth skipping glorious autumn days:  our directors, our caddies, our volunteers - and, of course, all of you who attended and played!

Be sure to check out more photos below, too!

At Last!

Though unclear about the original problem in receiving John's article, I am clear about this:  John Koch columns are definitely worth the wait!

Today's lesson involves waiting.  Wait until you get all the information you need to make the best decision possible about a hand. 

Here is John's column below.  Your wait is over!

Seaside in San Diego

If you are planning on attending the NABC this November in San Diego, Mike Cassel has a potential housing opportunity for you.  Please see below.

Autumn Harvest Sectional

Tired of rain and gloom?  Cheer yourself up with a fabulous fall sectional!

The Autumn Harvest tournament starts tomorrow.  In Maplewood at the Days Inn, just west of Maplewood Mall, Unit 103 has three days of fun and competitive bridge events waiting for us!

Here is the schedule, along with all the details.  Cheer yourself up, win some masterpoints - and stay dry in Maplewood!

On Its Way

For those who regularly tune in on Wednesdays to read John Koch's excellent columns (as I always do), so sorry to disappoint this week.  John sent his newest creation to me right on time.  But, due to some odd computer glitch, I have been unable to download the article and thus post it at MN Bridge.

John and I are working on it.  As soon as we rectify the issue, your latest and greatest Koch Korner Kreation will be here!  Thanks for your patience.

MN State Sectional

The MN State Sectional is less than a month away!  This year, the tournament will be held in Hopkins at their VFW on November 6-8.  You can check out the schedule and flyer here.

The sectional will feature excellent "freebies":

• Free coffee all three days
• Free appetizer lunch Friday after the morning session
• Free evening meals for all players competing in the Saturday evening game
• Free and ample parking

An on-site lunch will be provided Sunday during the Swiss Teams.  Convenient lodging is available just south of the playing site at the Hilton Garden Inn; be sure to reserve by October 23rd.

Also - note that Saturday's evening game has an early start time of 6PM.

See you there!

Catch the Spirit

A number of Minnesotans traversed our state and Iowa to head for the Spirit Lake Regional last week.  A number of our players met with success - but the Schwarzes were the stars.

Read all about it on Sharon Anderson's blog!

Reno Bound

Our District 14 NAP finals have been held.  Please check out Sharon Anderson's blog for results and qualifiers!

Auto Pilot: Off

Sometimes when we play bridge, we go on "auto pilot."  Something feels natural and "standard," so we do it.

"Auto pilot" can work - but - it can be dangerous, too.  Always think through the conclusions to doing what appears routine.  Will that course work well for you?  Or - is there something a bit more "out of the box" that will pay better dividends?

This week, John Koch tells us how to steer our ship to victory by turning off that auto pilot!

Bridge in the News

Our thanks to Kim Ode and the Star Tribune for an in depth article in Saturday's paper!

Contract bridge is experiencing a resurgence, with an estimated 25 million players nationwide. The mean age of players also is trending younger -- it's now down to about 51. The boom is driven in large part by baby boomers who picked up the card game in college only to let it lapse and, now retired, have time to play again.

It doesn't hurt that a 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that playing bridge (or chess or a musical instrument) significantly lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Eagles

Hearts.  Spades.  Diamonds.  Clubs.  Eagles.

 

Eagles?!

 

Yes, it’s true.  Some of us, like yours truly, have enough trouble with a mere four suits.  But, bridge history does include a time where some decided that Four Was Not Enough.  Enter, the Eagles.

 

In the 1930’s, bridge enjoyed wide popularity.  A gamester in Austria, Walther Marseille, invented the introduction of a fifth suit, the “Greens” or the “invulnerable” suit.  In Britain, the fifth suit earned the “Royals” moniker.  When Fifth Suit Bridge leaped over the pond, Americans called the new suit “Eagles.”  At least six books were written, introducing and explaining how to handle the addition to the rest of the pack.

 

Alas.  Apparently near the end of the ‘30’s, bridge players decided that the old standbys were quite sufficient.  The popularity of the Eagles waned – and bridge returned to the deck we know and love so well.

 

How did I learn about these ancient Eagles?  One of my co-workers discovered a pack of “Fifth’s” at his mother’s house.  He told me, “I must tell Peggy about this!”  (Yes, I am known around the office as “The Bridge Player.”)

 

This “bridge player” must be honest, however.  Much as I am a bird lover – I think thirteen Eagles are for the birds!  Nevertheless, always fun to learn about the extended history of our incredible game.

 

For more details about the era when Eagles were flying high, check out this link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suit_(cards)