Minnesota Bridge

Winter Carnival Results

Mike Flader, our DIC for the Winter Carnival that just concluded today, thoughtfully expressed our weekend results over to the blog.

Thanks, Mike - and congratulations to everyone who competed and worked hard toward a successful sectional!

Steve Gaynor Presents

Steve Gaynor kindly gave Winter Carnival participants an excellent talk on how to "get into the game!"  For those who were not able to listen to Steve's wisdom on this topic - or, those who did and want to have the points repeated - please see below!

Whom Do You Trust?

This week, another excellent John Koch production.

What should declarer do when in a perilous contract?  Improvise - and hope that a defender trusts you more than he does his partner.

Cutting Conduits

If you're an electrician, you may think that cutting conduits is this.

If you're a bridge player, it might be this instead ...  Please enjoy John Koch's instructions on one more way to foil declarer on defense!

Winter Carnival 2010

 
In less than two weeks, we will be able to enjoy the first Winter Carnival Sectional of the new decade!

This year's tournament will be held the last weekend of January, from the 29th through the 31st at the Days Inn in Maplewood, on the west side of Maplewood Mall.  The tournament begins bright and early on Friday at 9AM, with your choice of Open Pairs, I/N Pairs or a 3 session KO.

You can find all the details about schedule, events and the rest below.  Remember that no one's winter in Minnesota is complete without competing at the St. Paul Winter Carnival!

Chat Bridge

Have you ever wanted to replay a hand?  To take back an opening lead?  To "redo" on defense and make a killing defensive play that you missed?

"Chat Bridge" at the Twin Cities Bridge Center is the place for it all!  On Saturday mornings, chat bridge participants have the opportunity to "do over."  Competitors play hands from a session the day prior.  Then, the chat bridgers can compare their results with the travelers from the actual already-played game.

Do you not like or understand your result?  Call over one of the volunteers who are available every week.  They will review the play or defense with you.  Are you puzzled about how to bid a hand?  One of the volunteers can walk you through an analysis of bids and sequences that make sense.

Teri Blu offers a lesson every Saturday from 10AM to 10:30AM.  Chat bridge follows, from 10:30AM to 12:30PM.  Play is at the pace of individual players.  No movement is involved.  Some foursomes have bonded, and now play together every week!  Still, both partners and volunteers are available to fill in where needed. 

 

Our thanks to the volunteers, who include Verda Gould, Scott Lutgens, Loran Gruman, Jim Rudberg and Mary Vik.  Call the Twin Cities Bridge Center at 612.861.4487 for more information.

 

The Impossible Finesse

Learning how to finesse is one of the earliest lessons bridge players undertake.  Yet, to finesse, we need to lead toward the critical honor combination - right?  If you have a void facing your holding, you are out of luck....

Once again, John Koch teaches us how to perform miracles at the card table.  In addition, a nice lesson for defenders, too.

Quick Turnaround!

Unti 178 had a board meeting on Saturday, January 9th.  Just two days later, Unit president Marv Riedesel has sent me the minutes to their meeting.  I am impressed!

Thanks to Marv and the rest of the unit board for all their efforts.  To see what Unit 178 is discussing and doing, please check below.

Giving in Minnesota

Our District Director, Sharon Anderson, is advising us how we can help our areas with funds gathered in charity games.  Please check our her blog to get all the details!

The Reisinger

As some of you are aware, I've been taking photographs and writing stories for the ACBL while at the NABC's.  Meeting people from around the world and seeing people enjoying the finest brain game ever invented is a delight.

In San Diego, I took a few shots of players just prior to the final session of the Reisinger.  This shot is my favorite.

Once Bob Hamman is seated and competing, nothing - I mean, nothing - challenges his concentration!  Before the festivities begin, however, few players are as gregarious and charming as he.

Minnesota has sent a few into the winners' circle of this grueling event.  Steve Garner, Howie Weinstein and Joe Grue come to mind - and Jim Hall, Dave Lehman and Dick Melson were second.  Very well done.

From Elite to Entry

Every Wednesday, we are graced with John Koch's fine bridge columns.  John mystifies us with exotic squeezes, calculated endplays - and this week, a lesson on "elopement" (and no - this is not about how to save your mom and dad money when you get married!)  We are truly fortunate to have John providing us with expert instruction and dazzling play each week.

But, many of us are still in the beginning stages of their bridge career.  Of course, this does not mean that you cannot enjoy and appreciate John's columns.  Yet, you might like to run over to the blog of our District Director, Sharon Anderson, and check out this Larry Cohen article.  Remember; as fun as running like the wind may be - first you have to learn how to walk!

Thanks, John, for this week's creation.  Enjoy! 

A New Year - And ...

Already Unit 178 is busy organizing more excellent bridge opportunities for us!

Marv Riedesel, president of Unit 178, requested that I post the agenda for their next board meeting.  It will be Saturday, January 9th, at the Twin Cities Bridge Center.  As always, members are welcome to come by and visit, if they have interest.  Or, contact a board member to express your own views.

Thanks to the hard working board members - and - welcome to the New Year!