Minnesota Bridge

Sharon Meerschaert - 1937 - 2012

With great sadness, we must report the passing of Sharon Meerschaert on Friday, September 28th. 

Some of our newer players may not know Sharon.  Declining health kept her away from the duplicate tables in more recent years.  Yet, for many years, she and husband Paul Meerschaert were "regulars" at the duplicate club - in addition to very happy partners in life.

Those of us who knew her well send our condolences to Paul.  Sharon will be missed.

Information about our friend and upcoming services below.  Also, you can view Sharon's obituary at this link.

Silence Is Golden

Sometimes successful bridge is 100% logic and counting.  Sometimes, it's "odds on."  And other times, the opponents give us an extra bit of information that helps us find the way to the winning play.

This week, John Koch presents a tough hand.  Ultimately, declarer finds his way.  Yet - if an opponent had remained silent - would declarer have calculated the road to success?

We will never know.  All we can know is this:  bridge is often a weighting of risk versus reward.  This week's defender risked - and - lost.

Our cheers to John for another fine column!  (No need for silence there!)

Want Ads: Fall NABC Lodging

Share a hotel suite, including kitchen, with Mike Cassel & Carol Rynders.

• 3 blocks from Union Square
• $75 per night
• 10 minute walk to the Marriott (playing area)
• Available November 28 - December 1

Interested?  Email Mike at:  [email protected] or call at:  651.336.8956.

And.... others should feel free to post bridge related want ads here at Minnesota Bridge, too!

Diane's Calendar of Events

Diane Henson is one of the great bridge players in Minnesota who not only loves bridge and excels at it - but - also helps the rest of us out!

With regularity, I and many other players in our state get helpful emails with schedules of upcoming events.  This both helps us to know what is coming down the road - and reminds us to take advantage of all these wonderful bridge events and tournaments!

Here is Diane's latest offering below.

Please join me in thanking Diane for providing us with this service - and - in participating in these fun upcoming bridge competitions!

Oooh La La - Lebensohl!

"Lebensohl" is a useful convention.  It can be used in a number of scenarios to differentiate between having values - and - not.

This week, John Koch offers a Fargo Regional hand which highlights this helpful convention.  As always - much to learn in Koch's Korner!

Paul Bunyan Sectional Final Results

Those players who headed for Lake Superior's Duluth area and the Paul Bunyan Sectional enjoyed the autumn weather and lots of great bridge!

Final results can be found here.  Thunder Bay players dominated.  Kudos to Tim Toderash and Steve Russo.  Their 15.78 masterpoints put them at the top of the "masterpoints earned" list.  Just a fraction behind were Tim McCormack and Ross Cody, with 15.26.

Well done!

 

 

Paul Bunyon Sectional

It's going on right now!  Plenty to enjoy Saturday and Sunday.  Check out the schedule below!

UPDATE:  Running results posted below.

Unit 178 - September Board Minutes

Winter, spring, summer or fall - your Unit 178 Board is working for you!

Here are the September minutes so you can see what is happening this autumn!

The Hunch

Anyone who thinks that bridge is a simple game is a simpleton!  We must learn all about bidding, declarer play and defense.  We must learn a wide variety of plays on offense and defense, know the odds, know our opponents' tendencies (when possible) and understand a myriad of other items critical to success at the table.

Oddly enough, however, expert players also know when to ignore the "odds on" plays and bids.  This Wednesday, John Koch explains the details.

By the way - I am entering John's hand while working at the Buffett Cup in Omaha.  Two days of play remain.

If you want to watch the best of the best - then tune into Bridge Base and watch vugraph throughout the day!

(And yes; that is our own Joe Grue here at the Buffett Cup in the photo above.  If you want a player who senses when to follow his instincts, then Joe is your man!

Double, Double

Toil and trouble.

As much as we all love bridge, sometimes it seems as if our game is "toil and trouble!"  Doubles in particular can be vexing - irrespective of your level of experience. 

"Double" can mean "please take out my bid," "I think I can beat this contract," "do something intelligent" or "I've got extras."  Unfortunately, we don't have separate bids for each of these doubles.  All we can do is double - and hope that partner is on the same wavelength that we are, and that he chooses wisely.

This week, John Koch ventures into the murky world of doubles.  How do we know what each double means?  How do we judge whether or not double is appropriate?  How do we know what to do when partner doubles?  John will address these questions and more in his excellent column below, "Double, Double."

Minneapolis Grand Slam Club - 2012-2013 Season

September 7th, the first night of the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club's new season, marks the Club's 75th anniversary!  Since 1937, the MGSC has been providing the Twin Cities with the highest level of competition, quality run games and opportunities for learning and friendship in the bridge world.

The MGSC provides a wealth of opportunities to enjoy our fabulous game and have a great time.  2012-2013 President Peg Mitchell has a welcome letter (posted below, along with this season's schedule).  Peg's letter details the many benefits to becoming an MGSC member, along with all the super activities that are available to members and all players who wish to avail themselves of the Friday night games.

The first game of the season on September 7 is both a Club Championship and an opportunity to win a membership in the MGSC.  We hope that previous members and players who have never experienced the MGSC will stop by and compete.  For 75 years, Twin City players have been learning and loving the MGSC.  Now - it's your turn!