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The sands of time continue. Only a few hours are left in 2012. Then, 2013 will be here, filled with a full year of bridge: club games, tournaments, lessons, online play, bidding practice, new books and magazines, parties and more.
We wish you the best in all your competitions - and a happy, healthy New Year to you and your family!
Merry Christmas! Warmest wishes to all who are opening gifts and celebrating the holiday.
Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. One of Minnesota's top players who has an amazing gift of talent is Kurt Schaeffer. I'm not certain if Kurt is the best declarer in the state or not. Yet I am sure, however, that he has few challengers for the title.
Here is an example of a hand that led to success only for Kurt.
As you enjoy your gifts, family, friends and good food, you can remain in awe as to Kurt's abilities opposite dummy!
May your days be merry and bright -
and may all your bridge games be out of sight!
Happy Holidays!
As we all know, bridge has a myriad of rules. Yet, the more you progress in your bridge career, the more you realize these two truths. First, often it is impossible to follow all the "rules"! It simply isn't logically possible. The second truth is that sometimes, the rule is meant to be broken.
In John Koch's column this week, John delivers just such a hand.
Enjoy John's instructive hand. And appreciate that part of what makes our game so compelling is the twists and turns that it offers. Bridge rules!
What will you lead at trick one?
Many a contract has floundered - or met with success - depending upon what declarer's LHO chooses.
What clues can opening leader use to determine how to achieve a score in the plus column? John Koch shows the way!
With a boatload of snow and frrrrrrrrrrrrrigid temperatures, we all are believers that winter is here! And - speaking of winter - our jewel of the season, the St. Paul Winter Carnival, is coming next month!
January 25-27 at the Maplewood Community Center, you can enjoy I/N Pairs, Open Pairs, KO's, Swiss Team - and much more! Treat yourself to expert lectures, free coffee, pizza, lunch on Sunday and the opportunity to win cash prizes!
All the details are below.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Winter Carnival and have a fabulous bridge weekend!
Matthew Bribitzer-Stull shares a tale of woe at the table. Food for thought both about good fortune and how we ought to comport ourselves while competing.
Thanks, Matthew!
The Holiday Sectional in North St. Paul begins today!
Pairs and team events - with a Swiss on Sunday.
Pad your masterpoint holding and enjoy the competition prior to all the holiday festivities by heading out to the Bridge Center of St. Paul.
The bidding ends and partner puts down dummy. Sometimes those cards are just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes - you feel as if the dummy requires a call to urgent care.
What do you do when the latter occurs? You get in the mix and look for a solution, despite the odds of a solution looking slim.
This week, John Koch explains how to mix it up as declarer and come out a winner!