Minnesota Bridge

Unit 178 Election

Voting for Unit 178 Board of Directors has just completed.  Congratulations to Kerry Holloway, Sue Jackson and Barb Zipoy.  Kerry, Sue and Barb will each serve a 4 year term, with duties beginning at the July 7th board meeting.

Special thanks to Judy Hansen, Tom Utter and Cathy Sigafus.  This year, the election committee had at least a dozen opportunites for Unit 178 members to vote at different election sites.  Judy, Tom and Cathy made it happen!

After eight years of diligent and top notch service, Vicky Smith and Marv Riedesel will be retiring from the board.  All Unit 178 members; indeed, all of us in Minnesota who play and love the same, owe Vicky and Marv - and all the others who serve - an enormous "thank you."

Our board members attend meetings, make policy, volunteer, organize, clean up, listen to complaints, solve problems and much more.  Bridge in Minnesota would simply not be as exceptional as it is, if not for the fine efforts of these folks.

So, please join me in congratulating our newly elected board members, and in thanking all who serve!

Also - Unit 178 Board minutes posted below.

The Right Queen

Part of bridge is scientific and logical - and part is psychology, keen guessing and a dash of good fortune.

Sometimes, all of the above is required to bring in a tough hand.  John Koch explains below!

Final Results

The final results are in:  Gopher 2012 was a big success! 

Our table count was up; hospitality was super.  Directors, caddies, volunteers, bulletin editor and our tournament chairmen worked tremendously hard and did a fine job.  Co-chairman Patti Stuhlman said that she will be sending me something detailing all the wonderful efforts that were put into our regional.

As for success at the table, the results are in.  Paolo Ranaldi topped the masterpoint list, nearing 3 figures with 94.59.  Paolo captured a pairs, Swiss, KO and compact KO - plus two 2nds and a third.  Tim Wernz seized the second slot with 78.49.  The leader board is here.

We thank all those who contributed to this year's regional - especially everyone who competed, be it for one session or all!

Extra Pressure

Irwin Boris was one of our successful players at the Gopher Regional.  When you read his report, "Extra Pressure," you will understand why.

Jill Estrada brave defensive play would have gained against many other declarers...  Better luck next time, Jill!

One Day to Go

For the first year in my memory, Sunday is the last day of Gopher 2012.  We'll conclude with our Stratiflighted and I/N Swiss Teams. 

Sunday is supposed to be quite steamy in the Twin Cities.  So - be sure to spend your day at the bridge table in cool comfort, with hot competition!

A few more photos of our players, with our two incredibly hard working and fabulous tournament chairpersons, Sue Jackson and Patti Stuhlman, heading up the pack!

 

Three More Days

Barry Purrington and Brian Crossley seized victory in the John Cummings Dedication Stratified Pairs.  John's wife Carol and son Bill competed together themselves.

Plenty more bridge available today!  Swiss Teams - Knockouts - and pairs.  See you at the table!

Four More Days!

We've got four more days of the Gopher!  A variety of events, speakers, hospitality and more.  Join these folks and have a super time!

 

 

 

John Cummings Open Pairs

Thursday, May 24th, is the John Cummings Dedication Open Pairs.  The event has two stratas:  0-2000 and 2000+.

John was a fine and popular player with wife Carol for many years.  Son Bill has taken up the passion with talent and gusto.

We hope that many of you will be able to enter this event, in memory of a good friend and competitor.

 

 

 

Gopher 2012 - Tuesday

Tuesday saw many serious faces as competitors were in deep concentration.  A few, however, did still manage to have a smile now and then!

 

Gopher 2012 Bulletins and Results

Mike Cassel, our Bulletin Editor for Gopher 2012, is sending me links to the Bulletin for each day, along with daily results and hand records.  I will be posting each link every day below.  You can find current reports - or - search back if you happened to miss a day. 

In the meantime - here are some smiles from day #1 of Gopher 2012!

Tomorrow's Bulletin - Today!

Mike Cassel, our Gopher Bulletin Editor, requested that I post Monday's Bulletin today.  Thanks to Mike, the Bulletin has loads of information plus scheduling that you can use.

In addition, as Mike points out, it's also a great reminder that play begins tomorrow evening at 7PM.

See you there!

Computer Hands

Marv Riedesel does a tremendous amount of administration and volunteering for bridge in Minnesota.  He also can do a super job with writing up a fascinating hand, too!

Marv, along with wife Mary Johnson, made the special trek to Gatlinburg last month.  People can talk about computer hands all they want, Marv tells us. But - some of the shuffle, deal and play ones can be rather amazing, too!

Let Marv tell you what happened in his own words.....

Gopher Countdown - 2 Days

Go for Gold at the MN Gopher Regional!  Now, the tournament is just two days away!

Stop by the information desk to get your embroidered Minnesota sticker.  Thanks to Shelly Husebo for designing them.

See you there!

What Is the Best Lead?

Our thanks to Rich Newell of West Des Moines and Unit 216 Board member, for sending us this fascinating and well researched article about calculating the best leads.

Sometimes the most critical choice is the first card out of 52!  Rich helps us to figure it all out.

Mr. Sound vs Zia

Part of what makes bridge so fascinating is that it is so complex.  You cannot give a bridge student 15 rules - or 150 - and turn that student into an immediate expert.  Not only must one learn and then master the technical aspects of the game.  There is also the psychological "deep" game.

Did the defense try to lead you astray - or - are they honest Joe's?  Should you declare the same against Zia - or Joe Grue - as you would against a Sound Customer?

This week, John explains a few more bridge intricacies and mysteries.

Gopher Countdown - 7 Days

Hospitality enhances a tournament.  Thus, the hospitality suite, room 215, will be open every day!

Prior to the morning session, we'll be serving coffee, juice, fruit and tasty baked breads.  Before the afternoon game begins, stop by for a cold drink and treats.  Then, when the last session ends, enjoy cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, desserts and more as you and other players share bridge tales of success and woe.

Most of the food and drink is supplied by tournament committees.  For sweets, such as donuts, coffee cake, cookies and the like, we would greatly appreciate your donations!  If you can contribute, please either drop your sweet treat to the suite in room 215, or leave it at the information desk.  Thank you!

 

Gopher Countdown - 10 Days

Only able to play one session a day at the Gopher?  No problem!  You still have the opportunity to win gold points!

Play in any 2 session morning Swiss Team event - or - play in the side game series.  Compete in 2 or more morning, afternoon or evening side series games and you can go for the gold!

 

 

A Miracle

This week, John Koch presents us with a hand of interest in several respects. 

How would one bid his substantial hand in the face of vigorous competition?

Once declarer reaches game in what seems to be an utterly hopeless scenario - what then?

And, for the defense - sound advice.

Declarer, who may well have had a substantial dose of optimism during the auction, plays for a miracle and gets it.  John explains how we can all calculate to improve.

Gopher Countdown - 15 Days

Knockout Team events are most popular!  Thus, this year the Gopher Regional will offer five (!) bracketed knockout events!

A new knockout begins every day, Monday through Friday.  Then, on Saturday, knockout fans can play in the Compact KO, starting in the afternoon session.

Go for knocking out the opponents and go for the gold!

 

Trials at the Team Trials

Team Diamond

Team Lee

Team Milner

Team Nickell

All bridge players know too well that accurate slam bidding can be critical.  One misstep; huge swings can occur.  But if you think that you and your partner are the only ones to have difficulties with this rare area of the game, think again!  Even the best of the best can go wrong when in the slam zone.

Currently, the Open Team Trials is being played in Schaumburg, a suburb of Illinois.  The final day of the semi-final matches can be viewed at Bridgebase Online's vugraph show.  Nickell has a substantial lead against Milner.  And Diamond has even a greater total against Lee (which includes hometown boys Steve Garner and Howie Weinstein).  But, those of us who have been kibitizing are well aware that the winds of war can change decidedly mid-match.  So, if you have the opportunity, be sure to tune in today, and both Saturday and Sunday for the thrilling final match-up.

Our thanks to Mike Cassel for writing up some of the slam debacles of these elite players.  And, be sure to catch Suzi Subeck's Daily Bulletins, too, detailing the action.  Suzi does a fabulous job - as do all the tireless and devoted volunteers at the USBF Team Trials.  Suzi has been publicizing our upcoming fall USBF Regional every day in the Bulletin; we appreciate it greatly, Suzi!

Enjoy Mike's column, Suzi's writings - and, of course, the great show in Chicago!