Minnesota Bridge

Board President Steve Gaynor - Thanks for Superb Work!

BIG BIG Thanks to Steve Gaynor

And those who work SO diligently for great
bridge games!

Feel free to see what has been accomplished - 
and more to come!

Subject: Minutes of Unit 178 Board Meeting,
May 4, 2022

 

Date: May 23, 2022

To: Steve Gaynor

 

The ZOOM meeting was called to order by Board Pres. Steve Gaynor

 

Board members present: Vicky Smith, Sue Sanger, Jane Schmidt, John Schlundt, Cass Weil and Richard Cottle

Guests: Teri Blu, Barbara Zipoy, Patty Stuhlman, Linda Brammer

 

Minutes of April Meeting: Approved as corrected. ( Lyndale site available for $700 per day, not $700 per month.)

 

Financial Report: Approved

 

Sharon Anderson Induction: Sharon will be inducted in to the ACBL Hall of Fame on Friday, May 23, at the Gopher Regional Tournament. She will make a short speech. There will not be a reception. Our unit will make a donation in her name to an organization of our choice.

 

Regional Tournament:  Patti Stuhlman report: 155 rooms have been reserved (120 were committed). 550 tables are expected (1/2 of tables played in 2019). Jane will send out the final email today. Volunteers are needed: Caddies-one per day, $35 per session (9:30 to 6:00), Greeters, Standby Partners (will play for free). Players must register vaccinations and receive a wrist band. Tables will be set up on Sunday. 0 to 5 master points will play free in IN games (paid for by Minnesota Educational Fund—up to 150 plays). Credit cards OK. Coffee, tea and snacks will be available.

 

Sectional: Report by Barbara Zipoy and Linda Brammer : Edina Community is not available. Lyndale site is not ready to commit. They will negotiate only  with Tony Ames who will do so. August 3, 4, 5. is suggested date. Other sites considered include: St. Paul Bridge Center (Unit 103}, Oak Marsh, New Brighton, Crown Plaza. The exact date must be determined—Wed, Thur, Fri, something on Sat?, something at night?. Motion: August 3,4,5, Wed, Thur, Fri, moved, seconded and approved. Patti suggested we combine with St. Paul for a fall Sectional at Oak Marsh or New Brighton.

 

Bridge Center Search: Letter sent in March by Sue Sanger and Task Force received little or no response. They said this is not a good time to plan for a new bridge center. Suggested to revisit at a later time. Barb Zipoy: “Does it have to be non-profit? St. Paul and Rochester are not. Who would run it?” Estimated start up cost could be $50,000! Keep looking.

 

I-pads: Steve suggested we purchase two I-pads so robots can sit in. Should directors play? Nobody wants sit outs. Talk to Tony and Scott.

 

Membership Meeting: Steve suggested we have a brief meeting at the Regional, morning session, to introduce new board members—two are needed. Any volunteers?  Names for possible members should be sent to Steve.  Members leaving the board are: Vicky Smith, Richard Cottle and Jackson Wahl .

 

Old Business: Has website been updated? Chip Blu said the game schedule has been updated. Lessons? Teri said not enough have signed up. Barb suggested a charity game for the Educational Fund.  

 

Next Meeting: Early June

Adjourned

 

Tomorrow is THE DAY!

We've been so fortunate to get loads of information for tomorrow's first
day of the Gopher's May's tournament!

Loads of hard working bridge players have given their all
so that whether you are a super-star - or this is your FIRST
tournament ever - you can compete, have fun, learn and perhaps
WIN TOO!!!

Many details have been introduced to us over the weeks.
Please do feel free to inquire, chat with others and more.

If you have any questions, feel free to check with those
who have been working SO very diligently so they can
deliver a marvelous tournament to all!

And remember...  even the greatest players ever don't always win.

And if you're a newer player and have a win?

Trust me.  It's a thrill like no other!

 

 

We are SO LUCKY! Connie is Going to the Gopher; Hope You Follow Suit!

I’m Going to the Gopher.   

Hope You Follow Suit!

By Connie Nelson

The 2022 Minnesota Gopher Regional is one week away.  We are ready and waiting.  Now, we just need you – the players!  Each day offers a variety of two-session and single-session events with games for players of all experience levels.  Six days await you (May 23-28, Monday-Saturday) to play bridge, win gold masterpoints, and more.

Personally, I can’t wait.  For the first time in three years, I recently played my first face-to-face, multi-club bridge game at the ACBL Unit 103 Awards Luncheon.  There was something so energizing about being back amidst the camaraderie of new and familiar faces, and that friendly competition.  I found myself sitting up straighter and my heart beating faster.  I was more focused on the bids, the play, and my defense than I ever was playing online.  I loved it!

Now, come and enjoy the Gopher with me.  Here is the info you need, all in one place --

• The tournament will be held at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel, at 34^th Avenue & American Blvd in Bloomington. Games start at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily.
• Make your room reservation today. Call (952) 854-9000, and ask for discount code MGB. Single or double rooms are only $99/night, and suites are $129.
• Before leaving home, check current COVID positivity rates and ACBL protocols on our website: ly/gopherregional. Currently, Hennepin County is rated “medium” and masking is optional.
• COME EARLY the first day you come to play. Allow for a little extra time to get the wristband signifying that you are fully vaccinated. 
• When you arrive, please park on the top level of the hotel’s ramp. Parking is free.
• Check in at the Health and Safety Desk to get the vaccination wristband you’ll need to buy an entry or enter the playing area. Pre-register by sending a picture of your vaccination card to [email protected]; then simply show your photo ID at the Desk.  Or show both your ID and vaccination card at the Desk to get your wristband.
• Pick up your free Gopher Regional pen, pencil, and sticker at the Information Desk. You will also find information on game schedules and area attractions.
• Grab a cup of free coffee or tea.  Off-site and on-site dining is conveniently nearby.  Onsite, the Caribou Kiosk will offer a $10 lunch, or $5 pizza & beverage, daily.
• Find a partner or teammates at the Partnership Desk. Please come an hour before the session in which you are interested.  Or, better yet, email Partnership Chair Sue Grue at [email protected] prior to May 23^rd.
• Buy your entries for your favorite games. This year, cashless transactions are preferred.  All major credit cards will be accepted.  Please understand that due to COVID protocols, we will not be able to offer change for cash payment.  Canadian players, please identify yourselves to ensure you receive the promised discount.
• Have a great time, and Go-Pher the Gold!

You may think that only experienced players attend Tournaments.  Not true!  Intermediate and Newcomer players are encouraged to attend too.  You can play in an I/N game that only players with fewer than 299 masterpoints can enter.  There are Gold Rush games for Gold Points for players with under 750 masterpoints. You can “Go-Pher” it, and try a stratified open game.  You pick and choose.

And breaking news!   Thanks to a grant from the MN Bridge Education Foundation, players with fewer than five masterpoints can play in the I/N games for free!  And, free lessons will be given from 2:00-2:30 Tuesday through Friday in the I/N playing area.  Bring your lunch and learn. 

Daily “Lunch and Learn” Topics

• Tuesday, May 24. Negative Doubles  with Larry Huiras               

Learn the secrets of negative doubles.  You will be surprised!

• Wednesday, May 25. DONT with Greg Caucutt

We will discuss the Do's and DONT's of one of the most popular conventions for Disturbing Opponents’ No Trump (i.e. DONT).

• Thursday, May 26. Responses to Overcalls with Connie Nelson

Your partner bids over an opponent’s opening bid.  What kind of hand does she promise?  How do you respond?  Come learn some common partnership agreements - and why they are useful.

• Friday, May 27. What do You Know, Joe?  with James Schnepf

A good detective picks up clues to help determine what to do next.  So does a good bridge player.  What clues can you pick up from the bidding and opening lead that will help you decide how to play the hand?

We are excited to have our face-to-face tournament back and look forward to seeing you there.   If you have any other questions, visit our website at: bit.ly/gopherregional, or contact me at [email protected].

Our BIG THANKS to Connie - 

And All the Others who are working SO DILIGENTLY
 
So we can have a SUPERLATIVE GOPHER REGIONAL!!

Sunday is YOUR Opportunity!

Have YOU had the Great Opportunity
to Play in the Collegiate Initiative?

Yes - or No
You should jump at this chance on Sunday the 15th!

Remember to play in the CBO Club Special Tournament Sunday, May 15! We will award masterpoints and special prizes! First through third place finishers will receive an Amazon gift card. Additionally, ACBL will draw the name of one random CBO tournament participant to receive a gift card.   You do need to be an ACBL member (only $5 for ages 25 and younger), have a BBO account (free) and be registered as a CBO member to participate in a CBO Tournament. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours to gain access to the CBO Club on BBO.   If you've never played in a CBO tournament before, simply log into BBO and click Competitive / Tournaments / All Tournaments or Free Tournaments / Collegiate. The CBO tournament should be first on the list.

Coming Our Way!

Are WE Truly Fortunate to Have
A Minnesota Tournament Soon?

You Betcha!

Here are ALL the details you will be delighted to have!

GOPHER REGIONAL
May 23-28
BLOOMINGTON, MN

It's May. Hooray! Spring has finally sprung in Minneasota. Flowers and fruit trees are blooming, loons and herons have returned to our lakes. And the Minnesota Gopher Regional returns May 23-28.

We are thrilled to be hosting a face-to-face tournament in only a few weeks. We plan to make the 2022 Gopher Regional our best ever. Please come join in the fun.

The tournament is conveniently located near the Mall of America at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington (34th Avenue and American Blvd), right off I-494. Our tournament rate is only $99/night for single or double rooms, and $129/night for suites. Book your room now! This special rate is available by phone (952-854-9000), using code MGB.

Our streamlined playing schedule offers two sessions each day, with a game for everyone. See the attached flyer for the game schedule. Select your favorite games and "Go-Pher" the Gold!

Evenings will be free for you to explore. For a list of attractions and experiences unique to Minnesota and within 10 miles of the bridge tables, please visit our website at bit.ly/gopherregional

The tournament will follow all ACBL Zero Tolerance and COVID protocols. Currently, all participants in the playing area must be fully vaccinated, but boosters are not required. Masks are optional in both the hotel and playing areas. If positivity rates increase significantly, this could change. For protocols in effect at tournament time, check our website.

To expedite your check-in, you can now pre-register your vaccination status. Simply email proof of vaccination to [email protected] and then show your picture ID at the Health and Safety Desk to receive the wrist band required to play. Or, you can still register the same day at the tournament's Health and Safety Desk by showing both your vaccination card and a valid photo ID.

This year, cashless transactions at the MN Gopher are preferred. All major credit cards will be accepted where entries are sold. Please understand that due to the COVID situation, we will not be able to offer change for cash payments. Canadian players, please identify yourselves to the entry seller to ensure you receive the promised discount.

Friday, May 27, is Sharon Anderson Day at the tournament. Sharon is a past ACBL President, former ACBL District 14 Director, world class player, and an early champion of the establishment of the ACBL Education Foundation. Sharon is being inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame later this year. While she eschews the spotlight, we hope you'll help us personally congratulate and thank her for her contributions to the game we love.

Sharon's not the only player who will be recognized. We will be publishing a Fast Results Daily Bulletin during our tournament, and we hope to highlight your top placement in at least one of our events. If you like, upload your headshot photo now so we can be ready. Please email your photo to: 

[email protected] 

with your ACBL# in the subject line

and mention that it is for the MN Gopher Regional.

We can't wait to have you experience May in Minnesota - and especially the Minnesota Gopher Regional. "Go-pher" the Gold! and "Go-pher" the Fun!

Any questions? Please contact:

Tournament Co-Chairs:
Patti Stuhlman 612-865-2527 [email protected]
Warren Nelson 218-269-2724 [email protected]
Partnerships: Tom & Sue Grue 702-454-5352 [email protected]

 

 

Getting Time to GO for The Gold!

May means it is almost time for the Gopher Regional. It's back this year, once again at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, at American Blvd and 34th Street.
There will be Open Pairs, Gold Rush Pairs, Swiss Teams, and Side Game series -- something for everybody.

"Go-Pher" the gold!

Gopher Regional is May 23-28 - Volunteers needed

Full details about upoming the Gopher Regional are at the website: bit.ly/gopherregional

Volunteers are needed - any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Contact Patti Stuhlman to sign up: [email protected],
612-865-2527 -- and thanks!

Some specific jobs are:

• Help at the Partnership Desk matching up players (9:00 every day)
• Can you be a stand-by player? Let Patti know what day(s) and how many Master Points you have
• Greet players at the door (top of parking ramp) and direct them to the Health and Safety desk
• Wrist-band checkers at the doors to the playing site

F2F games

There are regular in-person games every day, Monday - Saturday, at locations all around the west metro. The full schedule is attached. Note there will be no games the week of May 23-28, as we will all be at the Gopher Regional of course.

Locations:
Edina Senior Center, MWF, 5280 Grandview Sqare
Studio 1, Tu & Sat, 6001 Lyndale Avenue S
Maple Grove Community Center, Thurs, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd

Milestones

Congratulations to these players who have reached new levels of Master Points!

• Life Master: Aly El-Selehdar
• Silver Life Master: Carol Ann Paulson
• Ruby Life Master: William Drake
• Gold Life Master: Jill Flader