Minnesota Bridge

Trick One

When partner leads and dummy comes down, are you a player who tosses a card fairly rapidly on the table?

Perhaps you should not. 

Paul Meerschaert shows us what to do - and why - at Trick One.

District 14 GNT Finals 2011

Congratulations to all those who won in their respective flights in Des Moines!  View all the winning competitors at District 14 Director Sharon Anderson's website!

Searching for Clues

 
This week, elite players from around the U.S. are in Las Vegas.  They are vying to become USA #2 - one of two teams representing our country in this year's Bermuda Bowl.  A few of Minnesota's "home town" boys are doing their best to achieve that slot:  Howie Weinstein, Steve Garner, and above, Joe Grue.  These players are the best of the best at sniffing out clues, knowing when to attack and when to be passive and the like.

Apropos for the bridge action in Las Vegas, John Koch has given us another superb column teaching us to do what the "big boys" do.  May the toughest team win - and thanks to John for helping us aspire to the stars!

Team Trials

A great report from Steve Gaynor about the Team Trials!

With the USBF trials underway we have a few former Minnesotans in play including Howard Weinstein and Steve Garner on the Wolfson team and Joe Grue on the Bathurst team.   The winner of this 15 team knockout competition will be designated as US2 in the Bermuda Bowl world championships to be held in Veldhoven, the Netherlands from October 15-29, 2011. 

 The play will be broadcast on BBO (bridgebase.com).  Check the schedule out at:

 http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=33&Itemid=350

We also have a connection to the U26 team going to Croatia in August for the World Championships.  Mitch Towner is the grandson of Dick and Barb Towner of Mankato.  Dick and Barb frequent Twin City bridge events.   Mitch, originally from Salt Lake City, UT played with his dad Steven Towner and came in 2^nd in the Red Ribbon pairs at the Houston  NABC in 2009.    In the U26 championships his partner will be Jeremy Fournier.  Both now live in Texas.

 Here is the picture of Mitch from the USBF site. 

 Your occasional roving reporter,  Steve

Mind Matters!

What does a bridge expert think about as he is playing a session of bridge?  Today, we are fortunate to have Paul Meerschaert share his thoughts.  Few in Minnesota enjoy the game - nor are as good at it - as Paul is.

So, read along with Paul, hand by hand, and see what they weigh and judge and they make decision after decision!

Unit 178 Annual Membership Meeting

Alert to Unit 178 members!  The unit will hold its annual membership meeting on Friday, May 27th at the Gopher Regional.  This meeting will be held just following the conclusion of the afternoon session of the Gopher Regional, in the playing area.

The agenda for the meeting will be published prior in the Daily Bulletin.

Illusions

Sometimes, a bridge hand is so wonderful, one feels compelled to share it.

This hand is not from Minnesota, it was not played in the U.S., and it was written up by Fernando Lema of Argentina.  Its origins are irrelevant, however.  It is a marvelous hand!

We should all aspire to such illusions!

Blocking and Tackling

 
Jim Hall, one of our state's top players, used to say that much of winning bridge was "blocking and tackling."  Jim would have known; he won far more than most other Minnesotans.

This week, John Koch demonstrates that sometimes, unblocking is necessary on the road to success - with a duck or two tossed in for good measure.

Also, Phillip Martin, a bridge player from New York with his own bridge blog, commented on John's column from last week on Facebook.  As a result, John has provided us with an improvement in play from Phillip's suggestion.

Enjoy!

Unit 178 Board Meeting

Saturday, May 7th, Unit 178's board will be hard at work.  Starting at 9:30AM at the Twin City Bridge Center, the board will meet to do the business of their unit.

For those interested in what is on the agenda, please look below!

Unit 178 Awards Party

 
 
Unit 178’s Awards Party for performance in 2010 saw a great turnout – and some changes in those orchestrating the festivities.  Unit president Marv Riedesel and wife Mary organized a marvelous buffet dinner for all to enjoy.  Steve Gaynor ably handled responsibilities as master of ceremonies. 

As always, the inimitable Larry Oakey directed, while Twin City Bridge Center owner Teri Blu was a delightful hostess.  Those winning awards, whether starting with their first masterpoints or some of Minnesota’s experts, cheerfully accepted accolades from Steve and the crowd.

Following dinner and the awards ceremony, winning recipients and other competitors enjoyed  a great Saturday night of duplicate.

Congratulations to all of Unit 178’s Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney award winners for 2010 – and our thanks to all those who made this fun evening possible!  And - please enjoy photos from this special evening below!