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For those looking for spring sectionals - you are in luck!
Early March will see the Spring is Coming Sectional at the Twin City Bridge Center in Minneapolis. With open pairs, 299'er games, pair/team games and a Swiss on Sunday - there is something for everyone!
A flyer is available with all the details below.
Others, however, are more complex. Should declarer play for a simple finesse - or the more exotic squeeze? Set up a suit? Or strip out a defender's exit cards?
In this week's Koch Korner, John ably takes on the task of weighing the best line of play. Here's a hand that is of note both for bidding, offense and defense. Enjoy!
Ben Kristensen's USBF Junior team may be composed of all 13 and 14 year olds. Do not, however, think that their young age means they cannot follow suit. They do - and quite smartly!
Sunday, Ben and partner Burke Snowden, plus teammates Hakan Berk and David Soukup won a tightly contested match by five IMPS to earn the right to represent the US as USA2. Over 64 boards, as the match swung back and forth, the Snowden team was on the plus side when it mattered.
My spies tell me that the boys will add Murphy Green and Arjun Dhir, two of the pairs they played against yesterday, to be their third pair.
We wish our wiz kid from Duluth the best as he gets ready for the 14th World Youth Bridge Team Championships and China this summer! Hands and more detailed reports shall be forthcoming.
So, here we are, starting out a new year - and looking at what the top 100 Minnesotans have earned for their lifetime masterpoint totals.
You might note that I, your webmaster, am at the top of the list. I am honored to be there. But please also note that no one gets their masterpoints without help. If not for fine partners, tough teammates - and the occasional hapless opponent - we wouldn't have our masterpoints. And - we would not be enjoying this great and complex game.
My thanks to Sue Jackson, Unit 178 president, for supplying us with the current top 100, along with the top 100 masterpoint winners for 2011. Enjoy studying the stats.
Kudos to those who made the list - and - may everyone have a wonderful 2012 earning their new masterpoints!
In today's "Koch's Korner," John presents us with a hand where our spots matter. Sometimes we play a spot card just to show off or for flair. Other times - we do so because it's the only road to success!
President Sharon Anderson continues her trek to clubs. Thursday evening, she visited Tony Ames' game in Minnetonka. Check out all the details and photos!
Some hands, however, are just the opposite. To achieve the result we want, we must fight the tendency to take our "natural" course. Today, John Koch presents us with such a hand - in spades!
Andy Caranicas is one of our Twin Cities players who has had success at the national level. In 2009, Andy won the 0-1500 Mini-Spingold. That win was followed the next year with a Grand National Flight B victory.
Like many of our competitors, Andy sometimes plays at Bridgebase to hone his game. In this speedball tournament, Andy analyses an interesting hand - and ... Well, I will let Andy explain it in his own words below!
You might also wish to check out what Bridge Master is. Andy references it in his article, and I was not familiar with it. Looks like a super tool!
Thanks, Andy!
Ingrid Stocking is one of our bridge players - and a poet, too. Now, Ingrid has turned her talents to the game she loves.
Although no names are used, you may well recognize the competitors in Ingrid's poem below, "The Bridge Center." If you are interested in learning more about Ingrid's poetry, feel free to contact her at [email protected]. Thank you, Ingrid!
Minnesotans could hardly be more proud that our own Sharon Anderson is the president of the ACBL for 2012!
On Wednesday, January 11th, Unit 178 invites everyone to celebrate Sharon's new position. At 11AM at the Twin City Bridge Center, we'll enjoy cake, day time duplicate - and have Sharon tell us all about her position and plans.
Be sure to come by to play and share the day with Madame President!
Those of us who love this game do so for many reasons. One reason is, oddly enough, how difficult it is. If the game were more facile, the intrigue would be far less.
Today, John Koch presents us with a hand that has many twists and turns. At each step of the defense, lessons are to be learned and critical moves to make. As always, John is most instructive in explaining how to find the steps to success!
Masterpoints. They're what duplicate players earn for peformance. The better the performance and the tougher the competition? The more the masterpoints flow!
Every month, the Twin City Bridge Center posts a list of those who earned masterpoints that month, along with a cumulative total for the year. In 2011, the person at the top of the list was Joe Rice. Joe had an exceptional year, earning 211.75 at TCBC club games alone!
The last 7 years, Sue Jackson and Don Priewert have topped the Club's annual masterpoint list. But although the race was close going into December, Joe and his excellent partners played often and well. Ultimately, Joe easily bested Sue and Don.
Well done, Joe!
Although I've been playing bridge over 30 years, Friday night I experienced a new event! The Minneapolis Grand Slam Club held the Team-of-Two-Pairs Mentoring game at the Twin City Bridge Center. Two 9.5 table sections were organized. One section had experienced players; the other newer competitors. Team members were matched by sitting at the same table, same direction and playing the same hands; one pair from each section comprised a team.
A fun potluck prior to bridge allowed people to break bread, socialize and work on their convention cards. Then, after the last hand was played, the two pairs who teamed together went over the hands, discussing triumphs and disasters.
Kudos to Peg Mitchell, MGSC president, for organizing and promoting the TOTP. Thanks to Tony Ames for his able directing, with guidance from Mike Cassel. And Teri and Chip Blu were wonderful with all their hospitality.
Two teams earned first and second with 60% games. Congratulations to the victors, Judy Nassar, David Neiman, Shelly Husebo and Don Gray, and runners-up Steve Gaynor, Jean Boettcher, Andrew Yeckel and Keith Thompson.
An evening where the "old timers" could mix and match with our newer players was surely a treat! Thanks to all who participated. Here's hoping we can have an even larger game next time around!