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When an expert gives declarer a chance to get a trick he could not get on his own, what should he do? Should he look at it as an excellent opportunity? Or, should he instead look at it with a jaundiced eye? In 1939, Lee Hazen chose well against Oswald Jacoby.
But - what if the opponents are not familiar? What then?
This week, John Koch tells us how to choose well. And - on Bridgebase Online, no less. If you have not yet tried your hand at playing virtually - consider it!
Though he lived in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, Bill Quinn was a longtime fixture in Twin City bridge. Whether at the Twin City Bridge Center, the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club or other Minneapolis/St. Paul games, Bill enjoyed competing in a variety of venues with a number of favored partners. Above, we see Bill playing at the TCBC, sporting his distinctive beret. Unfortunately, it was not summer; we didn't capture his plaid pants.
Bill was creative and competitive and he will be greatly missed by the many friends he has in our community. Condolences from MN Bridge to his family.
More details on Bill's life can be found in his obituary.
Too often, we arrive in a contract with no clear way to take the tricks we need.
What then?
Today, when you have pushed to the limit, John Koch demonstrates how to turn 8 into 9 with "alternative prospects."
We did experience the predicted stormy weather in Minnesota over the weekend. No matter to those attending the Granite City Sectional in St. Cloud. They had a thunderously good time!
Congratulations to top masterpoint winners John Koch and Paolo Ranaldi. Their take of just under 25 masterpoints moved them just ahead of Mike Cassel and Barry Purrington, with their 23.36.
The full list of masterpoint winners can be seen here, and overall event results are here.
Well done, all!
Predictions are for thunderstorms this June weekend. For bridge players, though, no matter! A smorgasbord of tournament competition is ours.
If you wish to attend a Minnesota sectional, then head to the Granite City Sectional in St. Cloud.
Aren't able to travel that distance. Then a STAC (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) might be right up your alley. Larry Delfs has STAC information and results at the District 14 web page.
Whatever you choose, we hope that you have fun - and stay safe and dry!
The new president of Unit 178, Sue Jackson, just sent me this month's minutes. They are posted below, for those who like to keep up with what is happening.
We would also like to take this time to thank our outgoing president, Marv Riedesel. Marv has done a superb job in heading up the 178 board. Always hard working, attentive, thoughtful to both the "big picture" and the small details, Marv has been great for bridge in our area. Marv - thanks for all you have done, and all that you will continue to do as you serve on the 178 board!
Fortunately, Marv has a fine successor! We look forward to Sue's service on our behalf - and thank her for stepping into those big shoes!
Continue reading "Unit 178 June Minutes - and - Thank You" »
Many a bridge column is written about spectacular plays - and we all love them. Yet, as Jim Hall was wont to say, much of successful bridge is meat and potatoes. Take your tricks. Bid sensibly. Blocking and tackling.
This week, John Koch presents us with a hand from the Gopher against a tough team. Fulfilling his contract was beginning to look grim - until an opponent forgot one of those principles.
John has all the details for us below!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the Granite City Sectional in St. Cloud.
Centrally located in the state and close to the Twin Cities. Take a beautiful summer ride and win masterpoints!
Please note; the venue on Sunday is not the same as that of Friday and Saturday.
Unit 178's Annual Charitable fundraiser and game was a success! I'm afraid that Yours Truly was glued to the computer watching the Women's Team Trial finals... Nevertheless, Roger Anderson ably stepped in to take photos and report back from this fine evening.
A yummy dinner was enjoyed by all, followed by a big game. Speaking of big games - Barry Purrington and Steve Gaynor took top honors with a huge 68+% game. With 64.5%, one can often win - but Saturday night, Bob Balderson and Paul Meerschaert's score had to content them with the second slot.
Most importantly, I was told that the generosity of gift-givers and those who purchased items from the auction raised $3,000 for the Wayside House.
Thanks to all who organized, brought items to donate and food, directed, played and otherwise contributed! Well done, Unit 178!
Desperately seeking silver? June is a great time to find those silver points!
From June 14-28, STAC games will be held at the Twin City Bridge Center:
Tuesday and Wednesday; 7PM.
Friday; 3PM and 7:15PM.
Saturday; 1PM and 6PM.
Go prospecting for silver this week!
Mike Cassel highlights the last two hands from the semi-final match of Sprung vs Westheimer last night in the Women's Team Trials.
Supporters for both teams held their breath..... Mike has the details below!
This week's offering from John Koch is from the Gopher KO's. Here, declarer has to find 9 tricks to bring home a 3NT game. Defending against declarer are two Joe's - one our own local Joe Rice; the other our own now international star, Joe Grue.
What are these Joe's up to on defense? Will you bring home the bacon and beat the Joe's?
Details below....
Although they had a nice lead most of the way, Carole Miner and Cindy Balderson's team fell behind near the end of their semi-final Women's match. Then - a most exciting board was put on the table for the last hand. A grand slam in diamonds was makeable if the diamond king was onside. What would the teams do? Would they get to 7 - failing by one? (The king was protected offside.) Achieve 920? Rest in game?
Most happily for Cindy and Carole, who were watching vugraph with the rest of us, their teammates scored up 920 - as their opponents failed to get to the cold small slam. That meant that the Minnesota girls' team is in the finals of the team trials!
The final match is 96 boards long, and will be played throughout today and Friday late morning through afternoon.
If you would like to cheer on our girls and watch some exciting bridge, the Bridgebase online schedule can be found here. Go, girls!
The USBF team trials for both Seniors and Women are concurrently being run in Detroit. One Minnesotan - yours truly - began in the Seniors. As I am writing this from Minnetonka, I leave it up to you, gentle reader, to deduce what happened to my team.
On a much brighter note, two of our state's top players and one of our finest partnerships, Cindy Balderson and Carole Miner, are doing quite well in the Women's trials. Though right now Cindy and Carole are sitting out, their team finished second out of 8 in a 8 team round robin, and now is playing against the Westheimer team in the semi-final match. The girls' team (Joann Sprung, Janet Robertson, Cindy Bernstein and Sally Wheeler) are, for the moment, up by 11; 86 to 75.
Please join me in wishing our ladies well through this match, and for the rest of the week!