Minnesota Bridge

Share Your Stories in Austin with Minnesota!

The Fall Nationals are Underway!

 

We'd love to hear what's happening for Minnesotans in Austin!

If you have a bit of free time, please share your stories with us!

Whether you wish to highlight amazing feats at the table - 

Minnesotans who have won events - or were right "up there" -

Thrills and chills - or a heartbreak so close that demonstrates how tough bridge can be.

For those of us who could not make it to Austin, we'd be delighted to hear about highs and lows, fabulous plays, fun in Austin when not At the Table - and more.

Those at the Nationals - if you are able to share the good, bad and the ugly,

we'd appreciate it Big Time!!

THANKS!!

 

 

 

Fall Nationals - Austin in Winter!

A Return to Nationals!  Austin's the Spot!

I assume that most of us know that the Fall Nationals are currently in play in Austin, Texas.  Afraid that with another year of Covid, I do not have a "lock-down" set of information that NABC's would normally have in more reasonable times.  Our bridge buds have varied opinions on whether they ought to head to the southwest - or not.  Many details about the Fall Nationals are understandably different.  Yet that does not mean that players from all over won't be there!

Alas; I am one of the "stay homers".  But I would like to do my best to share with our state and our district to see how the upper Midwest is fairing in the southwest!  Thus, if YOU are one of those who felt "gotta finally compete at the Fall Nationals!" - I'd love to hear from you, if possible!  Is it relatively easy to play under the unusual conditions of Covid?  How's attendance?  If you've already began to compete - how's it going?  Applause for you and your partner?  Or still warming up for a big game?

I know that the numbers will be down.  Nevertheless, I'm sure that many of us (like me!) want to hear about it all so we can live vicariously!

Our best wishes to everyone in Texas currently, and to those who are planning to arrive a bit later.  We hope that whether you are one of our top stars -  someone attending their FIRST NABC - or a player who is beefing up their game and getting better and better -  you might share with us how these Fall Nationals shake out.  We'd love to hear about your games and your adventures!

Best of luck to all!  Have loads of fun, mingled with highs and lows...  And if you feel like sharing your games, highs, and lows after returning home - I know everyone would be thrilled to hear about it!

Bridge is a many splendored thing...  we hope YOURS in particular is in Austin!

An 86.9% Game!!

Bill Voedisch, long time bridge player, lover of the game and Minnesota businessman, is sharing a bridge accomplishment that occurred earlier this year in March.  Bill has done a great deal for our bridge world - our state - and for helping others.  Bill recently sent me this story - and wow wee; it is SOME STORY!

 

Very few of us EVER are able to achieve what Bill did.  (I once achieved a just under 80% game at a club  in Omaha.  Bill's win puts mine to shame!)  Bill's story is below.  Try to keep your eyes from bugging out when you see what he did!  And let's give him a round of applause for this mighty feat!!

 

Something happened in bridge that I sorta dismissed in March.  I recently went back and found it, an 86.9% game on BBO.  I now think this was a special experience that, of course, I will never repeat.  Also, just turning 77, my bridge accomplishments are pretty much behind me, so this took on some importance. 

 

This game happened in a BBO Instant Matchpoint Tournament on March 27.  Competing in a field of 15, each player gets a BBO robot partner, and we play the same 12 boards against two BBO robot opponents. 

 

I've had some big games going after 8 or 10 hands - only to fall apart and end up below 80%.  Before this game my high scores on BBO Instant Tournaments were 80.60% and 79.96%.  But this time the good scores just continued through all 12 hands!

 

Below are the details.  First are my results on each of the 12 hands.  Next is the standings for the field of 15 showing my 86.9%, and the 30.65% margin of victory.

 

 

 

I contacted BBO and asked how this game compares to the history of all instant tournaments played.  And further, how did the margin of victory over 2nd place compare to the history of margins of victory?  The answer:  We don't know; we don't track this stuff.

 

Do I remember anything special about this game?  Nothing really.  I must have made no major errors in bidding and play, and the same for my robot partner in both bidding and defense.  When does that ever happen. The opposing robots are programmed like all robots, so I really have no clue there. 

 

Thanks, Peg!

 

 

Bill Voedisch

"aktite"

 

We Got Chat Bridge - We Got Joey Grue - We Got Our Bridge Players

Who Could Ask for Anything More!

 

Chat Bridge Returns!

 

Session on Tuesdays at 12:45 at Mayflower Church (106 East Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis). Play a hand, talk it over, get advice from experienced players -- it's a great way for newer players to practice the game and learn more.

 

 

Special Holiday Event at Edina Senior Center -- with Joey Grue

GNT Qualifier with Special Guest Joey Grue

 

Joey Grue is the 31st ranked all-time MasterPoint holder!  He has won 34,661.75 as of 11/06/2021!! 

Joey will be here on Sunday, Dec 12 at the Edina Senior Center 1:00 for a face-to-face Grand National Team qualifier!

 

Pre-registration for this event is required.  Please submit your request for inclusion to [email protected] or to Judy Nassar 952-474-3653.  Include your team members.

 

Only 15 teams will be allowed to enter this event, due to Covid-19 space limitations.  Proof of Vaccination will be required.  If not already supplied, you can send it to [email protected] 

 

 

Friday Games on Hiatus

 

There will be no F2F games on Fridays at Mayflower Church until January 7.

Tuesday games continue.

Woo Hoo!!! Bridge Center of St. Paul Announces Hybrid Bridge Classes!!

MN Bridge is So Excited!

 

Hybrid Bridge Classes Now Have

Enhanced Bridge Classes!

 

Recently, with grants from the Minnesota Bridge Education Fund and Unit 103, the Bridge Center of St. Paul was able to upgrade its teaching environment to allow bridge classes to be taught both in person and online at the same time!!!

This past Fall the first hybrid class was taught to 36 new students, half of which came in person while the other half attended via the internet. A second class on play of the hand subscribed by 8 more students was taught online. While there were more than a couple of technical glitches to be overcome by the end of the course everything finally came together in a workable format.

With the uncertain future regarding the shape of our game, the hybrid format seems to fit well encouraging both online and club play at the conclusion of each course.

Now with upgraded bandwidth the Bridge Center is ready to offer these classes again this Winter:

• Beginning Bridge I - Bidding​            

• 8 Classes: Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
     January 13th through March 3rd, 2022

 

• Beginning Bridge II - Play of the Hand
    8 Classes:  Mondays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
    January 10th through February 28, 2022

Please encourage any potential new players to look into the classes!

Additional information and registration links can be found at: www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com  

 

EDINA SPECIAL ****** HOLIDAY EVENT!

 

 Holiday Grand National Team Qualifying!

Sunday - December 12, 2021 - 1PM

Edina Special Holiday Event Features

Our Superbly Talented Guest - Home Town Boy

***Joey Grue!***

Proof of covid vaccination must be provided

A copy of your vaccination card can be emailed to ynotsema@aol
Or bring the vaccination card with you

 

     $8 Per Person - $32 Per Team

         Stratified A, B & C

 Please bring something good to share if you are able 

Reservations Appreciated

Contact Judy Nassar
952-474-3653

Bridge Center of St. Paul - Annual Meeting and Dinner!

Big Thanks to Patti Huiras!  

Excellent Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Bridge Center of St. Paul!

8 is Enough Team Game Followed!

 

The Bridge Center of St. Paul held their Annual Meeting and Dinner on Sunday, November 7. The dinner and meeting were followed by an 8 is Enough Team Game with 15 teams participating.

Dinner was catered by Kowalski’s and featured Chicken Breast Marsala, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans Amandine with cake for dessert. 

The meeting included updates from the Board about the status of the Club and where we are going.  The club is doing OK financially, table counts are following current trends. In light of the finances the board decided that Annual Memberships will remain at $20 for the 2022 year.  Those who want to be included in the Club Directory need to get their membership renewal to Kim by December 15. This fall 36 people registered for beginning bridge classes that were offered in a Hybrid environment that simultaneously has people in person and online for each lesson. The Minnesota Bridge Education Fund and Unit 103 were recognized for their generous donations to accomplish the pilot project.

The game proved to be a close one with team Voedisch who had just lost to team Jackson in the penultimate round overcoming team Jackson with a big win in the last round.

On the Covid front, proof of vaccination and a mask are required, but you can see in the pictures, no one was objecting.  Everyone just wants to get back together to play bridge at the Club – and thanks to Kim and Larry and the Board they are able to continue to move forward. A great time was had by all!

From Here to Eternity!

As many of our Minnesota Bridge players are aware, some of us have been playing almost since the beginning of time....  others are fairly experienced, yet do not go back to the Dark Ages.  And then we have various people who have played just a little bit, those who have played more than that - yet surely not experts.  And those who are fascinated and want to learn more and more about this amazing game.

Due to the combo, however, of Covid, politics and a number of other activities that are causing our game to be diminished, at least our "face to face" bridge has dwindled.  What does this mean?  What can we do about it?

Well, I imagine many of us have a wide variety of thoughts.  And - I invite those who have interest in building up bridge again to share ideas!  If you don't mind - I'll mention some of my own.

Number One - If you have friends who've never played bridge, yet are intrigued by bridge activities of others - then encourage them to learn!  We have had players for years who are great guiding newbies, teaching the vast world of bidding, playing, doubling, guessing - and much much more.

Number Two - If YOU have been playing and have vaulted past the "newbie" stage - yet wish to pump up your game - then we have various opportunities for you!  Meet with the Minnesota teachers who can help you to morph from "what does redouble mean?" or "How do I know whether to go quietly - or double?" then discover that you can start improving - and winning - yourself!

And Number Three - if you're a player who has progressed to intermediate, or "By George, I've got it" - or, even has become expert or above and beyond expert...  You can be one our bridge players who helps our game to grow.  Those starting out can learn a great deal - be it getting expertise from kibitzing, playing a lot, winning once in a while - or learning how to avoid going for 800 when you could have instead said "good here".  

This is just a taste of how Minnesota Bridge can grow and thrive again.  We can help one another - become experts if now we ain't near that goal - or be proud of more and more people announcing that they are Learning Bridge - and then watching them, over time, changing from beginners to winners.

I truly invite those who wish to share their own thoughts to do so.  I myself have been playing bridge since my mid twenties.  In the beginning, "Doofus" was plastered on my brow!  Yet thanks to the help, support, wisdom and teaching of friends, I improved with time.  And then I, too could encourage new players and share ideas.

Bridge is played around the world, with a varied background of so many, it's mind boggling!  Let's reclaim our game - and cause many to fall in love with bridge.  I and a host of others in the Land of Lakes have had a lifetime of fun and fascination from the game.  Let's not deprive others of that joy!

I thank you all!

Peg

Come on Baby; Light My Fire!

I, Peggy Bundy, the Hitt Lady, Mr Mollo - or - whatever today's players wish to call me - learned to play bridge (well, some might call it that!) when I arrived at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  My second year at college got me playing both on campus and in the math department (where I was first introduced to bridge.)  I played all sorts of card games - and only a bit of bridge.  Ultimately, I went from UW to grad school at U of MN to study philosophy, which fascinated me.  

A relative of my then husband lived in White Bear Lake and he enticed me to play.  While I really was pretty much a beginner, I still liked the game, and would get in a couple games each month.  I might have continued on, not knowing very much and heading Up North, until I met my boss at Dayton Hudson Corporation - Cindy Balderson.  Cindy was recently divorced with a little girl - delightful to have as my partner at DHC - and knew bridge!  I encouraged her to begin playing again - she agreed - and we were off to the races!

Needless to say, bridge was very different in those days in contrast to now.  Though frankly; so much has happened in our world in the last two years, nothing could compare to today!  And - this is a lot of why I want to communicate with all of our players.

Bridge truly is the greatest game.  Whether you are a super star, someone who plays now and then - or who enjoys bridge at home with friends - bridge is wonderful.  Yet I worry that unless we do more for our game, we may find that one day, there IS no bridge!

I do not want that to happen - and I'm betting that many of us who still play feel as I do.  Yet, unless we do our best to promote bridge, we may find it falling by the wayside ....  This would be a loss of a treasure.  So, I am hoping that many of you will decide to return to our game (if you haven't been playing) - or - will encourage others to learn and take it up if you know people who might become intrigued.

I plan to post stories from the past, present and perhaps the future.  I don't know if we will ever return to regionals that took up just about every inch of space in the Radisson - but by golly - if we can do that, I'd be thrilled!  And - if any of our players have stories to tell themselves - be they hysterically amusing, tragic tears of close loss - or wins that sent you into outer space you were so thrilled - I want you to share with others!  

Please feel free to contact me, other friends - whatever will beef up The Greatest Game!  Bridge is too much of a gift to lose it - and I thank all of you in advance for doing what you can to return it to a new luster!

Thanks!!