Minnesota Bridge

GNT District 14 Finals

Mike Cassel, dedicated GNT Coordinator!

Our District's GNT Finals are complete - and - we have excellent teams representing our district in Superflight, A, B and C.

Please check out this post at District 14 for all the details!  Congratulations and good luck in Philadelphia this summer to all our winners!

Swiss Flyer in New Brighton

Not playing in the GNT this weekend - or - (sniff sniff) - knocked out?  Then do consider playing in the Sunday Swiss!

Full sectional rating!  You do not need to have played on Saturday to be eligible!  Great hospitality!

The flyer for this fine event is linked below!

Two Diamonds

An opening bid of "two diamonds" can be used in a variety of ways.  Some people go for the old fashioned method:  a weak two bid in diamonds.  I suppose a few die hards are out there who go really prehistoric; 2 diamonds is a strong bid with a good diamond suit!  Others go for the more European of "multi" two diamonds - which is generally a weak two bid in one of the majors, or a strong hand, OR....

Well.  I'll let Steve Gaynor tell us about the treatment he and wife Jean prefer - along with a most amusing hand!

Thanks, Steve!

Unit 178 Board Elections

Unit 178 members have an election around the corner!  This year, the unit is handling the election somewhat differently than in the past.

Marv Riedesel, in charge of handling the election publicity, has kindly sent me all the documents necessary for our members to be able to well understand how to vote.  Each of these documents is below; please read through all.

Also - please take an opportunity to thank Marv and all the other hard working and diligent board members for their time and efforts.  I assure you; bridge in Unit 178 would not be the same without them!

John's Gem

Every week, John Koch presents us with hands that are interesting, instructive and entertaining.  There isn't a one that doesn't have either a worthwhile lesson or a most intriguing position - or both.

This week, however, John's submission is especially fascinating.  Declarer's calculations are well founded.  The end position is well worth studying.

How many of us would forsee the position as defender?

Please join me in thanking John for sending us scores of hands - each one of which is more than well worth our time in studying!

Gopher Countdown - 27 Days

Minnesota's premier tournament is only 27 days away!

This year, we have a major change at the Gopher Regional.  Our tournament begins a day earlier than in the past - May 21st.  And, the last day of play is Sunday, May 27th.  Thus, those who like to spend Memorial Day with "regular people" instead of bridge competitors can do so!

The first big event on the schedule starts Monday evening:  the Jim Hall Knockout Teams.  For those preferring pairs, we have a Charity Pair game, with proceeds going to the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center. Information will be available for players who would like to make additional donations to the Cancer Center.  For I/N players with less than 5 masterpoints, your entry into the pair game is free!

Start making your plans now for the Gopher!

Twenty-Five?

Most of us think that if we doubled a preempt that was raised to game, and we had 25 high card points, then that would be enough to beat it.

We would be wrong.

Here's the story!  A most vivid example of legend Edgar Kaplan's famous maxim:  "takeout doubles are meant to be taken out"!

District 14 GNT Finals

They're almost here!  Check out this link for all the details!

Tough Way to Make A Living

"Double" may be one word.  But it is also one of the most complicated bids in the bid box.  We have takeout doubles and support doubles - doubles that say "lead something unusual" and doubles asking for a ruff.  Add in maximal doubles, responsive doubles ... "Double" is assuredly complex!

Even after you sort out the meaning of these many doubles, one still must exercise judgment.  That is the tale of today's Koch Korner.  John addresses one of our most simple doubles:  the penalty double.  We all know what it means:  "I think you are going down, so I want to extract the maximum punishment."  Yet, the penalty double is a double edged sword.  If we are not able to beat a contract, then we are the ones who face "maximum punishment."

John ably explains below.

Remembering Jeanette

Jeanette Wier's fierce battle against cancer is over.  As of Monday, April 16th, we now have our wonderful memories of our longtime friend and competitor.

You can read Jeanette's obituary in the Pioneer Press here.  Visitation is Thursday evening, with a funeral service Friday morning.

Our thanks again to John Minton for writing such beautiful thoughts about an exceptional lady.  The Minnesota bridge community has been blessed to have Jeannette as a marvelous volunteer, administrator, competitor and friend for so very many years.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Jeanette's family. 

 

Hiawatha Valley Results

Surviving a weekend of wild weather, our spring sectional in Rochester blew away all competitors!

At the top of the list for masterpoint earners, we find Terry Lijewski.  Terry edged out frequent teammates Kathy and Terry Beckman by a small slice of a masterpoint.  The full list of results and masterpoint leaders is here.

Thanks to all who attended, all who volunteered and worked so hard to make this an excellent tournament - and, of course, to the fine directing staff!

New Life Master

For most duplicate bridge players, attaining "Life Master" status is the Holy Grail.  Years ago, players coveted little slips of paper that had fractions of masterpoints - or - perhaps even 2 or 3 whole ones! - to send into the ACBL.  Today, the process has become digitalized.  Nevertheless, the goal - earning enough points to have "LM" after your name - remains the same.

Many of us take more than a few years to become a Life Master.  Sometimes, as they say, "life" gets in the way.  School, jobs, family, and a myriad of other obligations prevent us from getting the requirements for LM status under our belts.

Occasionally, however, a player has a huge amount of talent and drive.  And, those people can become a Life Master more rapidly - and at a far earlier age - than the average. 

Ben Kristensen is such a player.

Unit 178 April Minutes

For those keeping up with Unit 178 business - minutes from April below.

Big Deal

Starting today, we've got a Big Deal for you: the Hiawatha Valley Spring Sectional in Rochester.  The first session is today at 1PM; the tournament runs through Sunday with a Swiss Team that day.  You can read about the entire schedule and more details in the flyer.

Greg Caucutt also alerted me to the fact that our fine game is in the news!  Please enjoy this article about duplicate in Rochester - as you head on over to the tournament!

The Overcall

For most of us, passing is no fun.  It's as if others were invited to a party, and we were not.  We sit there, watching the action as others bid suits and double.  How much more pleasant to have a hand where we can open, overcall or double!

If you want to win, however, sometimes you must forgo momentary "fun."  Are you someone who occasionally bids, just to "get into" the auction, rather than because your hand is quite appropriate for your bid?  If so - then beware. 

This week, John Koch highlights a hand where an opponent made a casual overcall on minimal values.  The overcaller's bid may have given this player a moment of pleasure to enter the auction.  Yet, it also aided a talented declarer in finding a path to bring home his contract.

John explains below!

Everyone's Favorite

When I first began to play duplicate, my regular partner was a family member from White Bear Lake.  As a result, the people I met primarily were from St. Paul and surrounding 'burbs.

One of those people was Jeannette Wier. 

Tiny, vivacious, personable and fun in the late '70's - she is the same way thirtysomething years later.  Jeannette is fighting the toughest battle of her life right now, however:  cancer.  So, longtime friend John Minton decided to write up some thoughts about our sweet friend. 

Thank you, John.  And thank you, everyone, for joining me in wishing Jeannette the best.

Most of all - thank you, Jeannette!

Unit 178 Membership Meeting

Unit 178 bylaws require that the Board hold an annual membership meeting.  Traditionally, this meeting has been held between sessions during the Gopher Regional.  We have struggled, however, to get the requisite 20 people required for a quorum.

This year, we have scheduled a very short meeting on Saturday, May 5th at about 6:15PM at the Twin Cities Bridge Center.  The meeting will be prior to the Unit 178 Awards celebration. 

Candidates for the board of directors will be introduced during the meeting.  We will also provide a financial status report and entertain any motions from members.

If you have any questions, please contact unit board president Sue Jackson (sjackson@smumn.edu).

Gopher Regional Update

Minnesota's spring highlight, the Gopher Regional, is fast approaching!  Please remember that this year, we have a new schedule.  Games begin on Monday and run through Sunday.  Monday, Memorial Day, bridge players can spend with family and (non-bridge playing) friends!

We also are delighted to have your volunteer services.  A successful tournament depends upon the services of our many marvelous volunteers.  If you can bring treats, work at the information or partnership desk, or help out in any other way - please do so!  Everyone will greatly appreciate your contribution.

 

 

Top Fifty

 

Congratulations are in order!  No, not to any specific player, but, to the place where many Twin Citians play bridge throughout the year:  the Twin City Bridge Center.  The club at 60th and Nicollet is #30 on the list for clubs with the most tables!

Given that the TCBC must compete with clubs in cities with far denser populations, and cities with far more retired folks (who have more time to enjoy the local dupe), this is quite the impressive statistic.

To Teri & Chip Blu, TCBC owners, to people like Larry Oakey who are mainstays at the club, to the teachers and other directors AND to all our players - very well done!

Unit 178 Award Night

Annually, Unit 178 recognizes those who placed in the top three of the Ace of Clubs and Mini McKenney masterpoint races.  This year, the awards party will be held on Saturday, May 5th at the Twin Cities Bridge Center.

Everyone is invited to enjoy a light dinner at 5:30, followed by a short unit membership meeting.  Then, our awards presentation, with Roger Anderson ably acting as emcee.

Once recognition and awards are finished, we hope all will stay to compete in the duplicate.

Please note:  the church lot will not be available this evening, due to a special function.  Street parking and the former Perkins lot are, however, available.  If our healthier and more mobile players are able to not use the Bridge Center parking spots, so that those who need to park very close are able to do so, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!  We hope that many will be able to attend this fun and festive celebration!