Minnesota Bridge

Out of Turn

So - we get to a horrible contract, but the fates deal us a break.

Can we make the most of it?

Read John Koch's "Koch Korner" for the week and decide if you'd rather play or defend!

Lion in Winter

Paul Winter has been winning events in Minnesota for many decades.  As John Koch highlights in this week's Koch's Korner, the hand below is an excellent demonstration of how Paul does it!

Assuredly there is plenty of lion in Winter!

Unit 178 Board Meeting - July 2013

The agenda for Unit 178's July board meeting is below.  Our board members will be meeting at Lund's at 50th and France at 9:30 Saturday, July 20.

It's YOUR Choice!

Steve Gaynor and others are working diligently on the schedule for Gopher 2014.  In the process of doing so, some were concerned that not everyone knew the details of all the events.  Specifically, confusion seemed to abound about Choice Pairs.

So - Steve has written a most informative explanation of Choice Pairs.  It's posted below. Please read through.  If you enjoy pair games, then Choice Pairs might be right up your alley!  It is your choice!

The Wizard of WUMBA

We have some superb card players in our state. Nevertheless, a few of our neighbors know how to handle the dummy, too!

In today's Koch Korner, John Koch describes a hand masterfully played by Wisconsin's Art Flashinski.  

Check out the hand below.  I am sure you will agree that Art is the Wizard of WUMBA!

Aquatennial!

Wednesday morning, the annual Aquatennial Sectional begins!  Pair games every day - with a Swiss on Sunday.

Check out the complete schedule here - grab your favorite pards - and win some summer silver points!

NAP Qualifiers

Would you like to represent District 14 in your flight, and compete at the Spring 2014 NABC in Dallas?  Then, begin at the beginning!  Compete in one of the many NAP qualifying games throughout the ACBL and in Minnesota.  Those who are above average are then eligible to travel to Des Moines the first weekend in October, and vye to be one of the top 3 pairs in A, B and C.

It's a great opportunity to win a subsidized trip - and perhaps gain a national title, too!

Last night at the Twin City Bridge Center, a number of Minnesota players were beginning at the beginning...  

We'll see ultimately who are the pairs who go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lightner

Theodore Lightner

As fascinating as bridge is, it's also complex.  Look at doubles.  If someone asks, "what is a double?", we'd have to answer:  "penalty, takeout, support, extra values, 'do something intelligent,' balancing, negative, 'do something intelligent,' reopening, maximal, responsive" - and more!

And then - there is "Lightner."

What is "Lightner"?  It requests either that opening leader either lead dummy's first bid suit, or something unusual. Third hand wishes to ruff the opening lead, or has values that he believes will cash in an unexpected suit.

How are we to figure all this out?  This week, John Koch explains exactly how.  In addition, John demonstrates how his teammates used Lightner to achieve success.

Charity Game

This coming Saturday, July 13th, Unit 178 is sponsoring its annual Charity Game at the Twin City Bridge Center.

Everyone is invited to a complimentary dinner at 5:30PM, and to bid on silent auction items. Choose from bridge games with experts, right behind the Twins dugout tickets for the July 21st game, a classic Italian dinner and a variety of household items.

The duplicate begins at 7PM.  Entries are $8, with all proceeds from the game and auction going to the TCBC's fine neighbor, the Richfield Lutheran Church.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday!

What You Need

Is what you get!

Sometimes you must play for a specific lie of the cards to make your contract.  In this week's Koch Korner, John shows us how to do exactly that.  

Even with playing for what "must be" - the logic is dazzling!  Thanks, John!