Minnesota Bridge

Supporting One Another

Steve Gaynor, long time fine player, active in so many roles for our game and more - is giving a talk at the I/N regional tomorrow, Thursday, between sessions for the I/N players.  Steve would like to be able to publicize that this will occur - and for us to publicize any other planned talks or lessons on MN Bridge!

Stephanie Steele is working with us, too.  And she would like everyone to know that Steve's talk will be during the lunch break for the I/N sectional; not for the Open event.

 

We are ALWAYS so grateful to those who volunteer, help, teach and so forth!  So we hope that if this is something that might interest you, you will listen to yet another of Steve's enjoyable talks and wisdom!

You never know; today's I/N players and newbies can one day become stars of the future!

More and More Bridge!

Plymouth Bridge at the Mayflower Church

106 East Diamond Lake Rd.

Minneapolis MN 55419

 

Covid Rules:  Proof of vaccination required. Email a copy of your vaccination card to ynotsema@aol.com or bring it to your first game. Bring your own beverage in closed container.

New Game for 0 to 500 Players

Tuesdays

Mini Lesson at 12:45, Game starts at 1:15

You don’t need a partner to attend

September lessons: Defensive Carding + Bidding agreements with your partner.

September Games

14      Club Championship ($5)

21      Grand National Team Qualifier ($7)

Check out team play and qualify to play

at the District 14 Finals for Nationals!

28      Regular Game ($5)

October Games

                            4      Club Championship ($5)

                           11     Club Appreciation Pairs ($5)

                           18     Regular Games ($5)

                           25     Club Appreciation Teams ($5)

Director and Instructor: Tony Ames 952-200-3871

ynotsema@aol.com

Director and Instructor:  Keith Thompson 612 239-2667

keithclockt@icloud.com

Learning to Play The Greatest Game - BRIDGE!!

Hi Bridge Players,

Do you know someone who would like to learn to play bridge? Or maybe you’d like to continue your bridge learning with a Play of the Hand class? 

We are offering two classes this fall simultaneously Live and Online (flyer is attached):

 

• Beginning Bridge I - Bidding
    8 Classes: Mondays  6:30pm – 8:30pm
    September 13 though November 1, 2021
• Beginning Bridge II  - Play of the Hand
    8 Classes:  Tuesdays 4:00pm – 6:00pm
    September 14 though November 2, 2021 

 

Please feel free to share this information with any interested friends or acquaintances or register yourself.

See the attached flyer for full details or drop an email to me at: bcofstp@gmail.com

To register go to: Bridgecenterofstpaul.com

 

Peace,

Larry

-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
  Larry Huiras

  Voice/Text: 715.410.8705
-----------------------------------------
There are three kinds of bridge players,

those who can count and those who can’t.
                     ~ Alfred Scheinwold

Bridge Happenings in Unit 178 - Come and Get It!

Hello again, Bridge Friends!  We have lots of exciting news!

Return to in-person bridge?

YES!

Face-to-face bridge games have resumed, and we’re so excited to see all our bridge friends again. Because Covid-19 is still out there, proof of vaccination is required: email a copy of your vaccination record to ynot6934@aol.com, or bring it to your first game. No snacks, please, and bring your own beverage in a closed container. Wearing masks is strongly encouraged.

Schedules may change, so check the bridge blog for the latest information.

MONDAY:  11:45 AM – STRATIFIED PAIRS Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sq. Edina, MN.  Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com.

TUESDAY:  1:00 PM – I/N GAME ONLY.  Starts Aug 17. Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN.  Director, TBA.

WEDNESDAY:  11:45 AM – STRATIFIED PAIRS. Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sq. Edina, MN.  Director,  Director, Scott Smith, 612-845-8090. 

THURSDAY:  12:00 – STRATIFIED PAIRS. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd.  Maple Grove, MN.  Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com.

FRIDAY:  1:00 PM - STRATIFIED PAIRS. Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN.  Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com 

SATURDAY:  1:00 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 16023 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN.  Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com. 

 

On-line Bridge games

YES!

Of course, online bridge continues on www.bridgebase.com for those of us who enjoy playing from the comfort of our home or patio or beach or ...

MONDAY:  12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS - Director, Tony Ames

TUESDAY:  9:30 AM – 0-750 PAIRS, Director – TCBC Staff

TUESDAY:  12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Director, Tony Ames

WEDNESDAY: 12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Director, Tony Ames

THURSDAY:  9:30 AM – 0-750 PAIRS – Director, TCBC Staff

FRIDAY:  1:15 PM – 0-750 PAIRS, Director, Tony Ames

FRIDAY: 7:15 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, Director, Tony Ames

 

Minnesota Bridge Blog

Lots of good information online at www.mnbridge.com – also current schedules for both on-line and in person bridge games.

 

A new Bridge club?

While the board of Unit 178 is not directly involved in running bridge games, we are working to establish a bridge center in the west metro with a space to call our own.  This would mean establishing a not-for-profit organization to run it, with a board independent of the Unit board. If you are interested in serving on the board or helping to organize & raise funds, please reply to this email. Also, if you know of a suitable space for rent (about 3000 square feet, with adequate parking, restrooms) please, please let us know at this email, Unit178ACBL@gmail.com.

 

Need a partner?

Send a message to unit178acbl@gmail.com with your contact and any pertinent information like approximate number of Master Points or preferred system. We’ll try to match you with someone who has similar skills.

And there is the partnership tab on BBO, too.

 

Unit 178

The 2020 awards ceremony was held online, and followed by a game with Unit 104 where awardees played for free. Both 2019 and 2020 winners of the Ace of Clubs and mini-Mackenney were honored. Ace of Clubs awards go to the players in each unit who earn the most MPs in club games during a calendar year; Mini-McKenney race includes all MPs won in a year at ACBL sanctioned tournaments and clubs. Online points were included this year, because that was the only game in town.

 

Milestones

Congratulations to the following members who have reached new heights in Master Points the last several months:

Junior Masters: Beverlee DeCoux, Jeffery Knapp, Michael Eggert, Loren Flicker, Andrew Kline, Jean Reissner, Rhonda Stein, Alan Kasdan, Beverly Kasdan

Club Masters: Nancy Anderson, Bon Nguyen, Jeffery Knapp, Betsy Rausch, Betsy Michel

Sectional Masters: Grace Dow, Holly Eastman, Ann Gray, Thorwald Hansen, Ginny Kruse, Tom Loftus, Linda Rosedahl, James Wronski, Margaret Kinney, Analise Sawkins

Regional Masters: Cynthia Andrews

NABC Masters: Elizabeth Hasselman, Julia White, Shirley Billigmeier, Rolf Hubmayr

Life Master: Gary Rowland, Kay Provine

Silver Life Master: Louis Tesler, David Goodrie

Ruby Life Masters: David Trevor

Gold Life Master: Cezanne Martin

Sapphire Life Masters: Judy Hansen

Diamond Life Master: Roark Johnson

Emerald Life Master: Brian Crossley, Ronald DeHarpporte

Grand Life Master: Tony Ames – Congratulations, Tony!

A Letter from ACBL Unit 178 President - Steve Gaynor

Steve Gaynor has been working hard for Unit 178 - 

And we are most grateful!

Big thanks to Steve - and we look forward to both growth in our area

And more people returning to games as they have a wonderful time!

 

 

Hello to all my bridge playing friends. We have certainly had some tough times in the past year and a half, but we are glad to be able to get back to face to face bridge. Games have already started in Edina, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, and at the St Paul Bridge Center. More games will start in Minneapolis within a week or so. A comprehensive list of games is found below. This includes some online events that will certainly continue for those who choose to play from home. Your participation in our locally sponsored games is very important, whether in person or online. 

 

A lot of volunteer work has gone into establishing these games and it will take more volunteer work to keep them going. Since we do not have a dedicated bridge center in the western metro, we have rented space in several locations, which means tables and chairs may have to be set up and taken down before and after games. We call on the players to help us with that. If we all do what we can it will not be much work for any individual. 

 

Health safety rules for the games have been decided. Proof of Vaccination is required, and masks are highly recommended. We ask that you send vaccination proof that will be kept on file for all games on the list below. This can be sent to ynot6934@aol.com or texted to 952-200-3871.You may also bring it with you to the first game at which you play and the director in charge will have it recorded. 

 

We are looking for space that we may call our own so much of this information is subject to change in the future.  We encourage you to keep your eyes open to revisions. The best place to find this is to check in with the Minnesota Bridge Blog at www.mnbridge.com.

 

We are also looking for directors, teachers, mentors, other people who would like to become involved in helping bring this wonderful game we all love to more people. It is a pastime that can last as long as you live. Please consider sharing it with your friends and relatives.

 

We are currently working to develop a schedule of classes some of which will be offered by popular teachers Teri Blu, Keith Thompson and others. 

 

Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. The contact info for the game operators provided below. Contact them about the specific games.

 

Thanks for being a member of the ACBL and I hope to see you all at the tables soon!

 

Yours,

 

Steve Gaynor, stev1249@comcast.net

 

612-708-7563

 

LIVE GAMES:

 

 

MONDAY: 11:45 AM –  STRATIFIED PAIRS Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sq. Edina, MN.Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com.

 

TUESDAY: 1:00 PM –  I/N GAME ONLY.Starts Aug 17. Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN.Director, Keith Thompson.

 

WEDNESDAY: 11:45 AM –  STRATIFIED PAIRS. Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sq. Edina, MN.Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com. 

 

THURSDAY: 12:00 –  STRATIFIED PAIRS. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd.Maple Grove, MN.Director, Scott Smith, 612-845-8090. 

 

FRIDAY: 1:00 PM - STRATIFIED PAIRS. Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN.Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com  

 

SATURDAY: 1:00 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 16023 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN.Director, Tony Ames 952-200-3871, ynot6934@aol.com. 

 

 

 

ONLINE GAMES:

 

 

MONDAY:12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS - Director, Tony Ames

 

TUESDAY: 9:30 AM – 0-750 PAIRS, Director – TCBC Staff

 

TUESDAY: 12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Director, Tony Ames

 

WEDNESDAY:  12:30 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Director, Tony Ames

 

THURSDAY: 9:30 AM – 0-750 PAIRS – Director, TCBC Staff

 

FRIDAY: 1:15 PM – 0-750 PAIRS, Director, Tony Ames

 

FRIDAY:  7:15 PM – STRATIFIED PAIRS – Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, Director, Tony Ames

 

Plymouth Bridge IS BACK!!

We are happy to report that Plymouth Bridge

Will soon be Up and Running!

 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
16023 Minnetonka Blvd
Sanctioned Games –Fun and Masterpoints

Saturdays 1 P.M.
Beginning July 31— Club Championship($5)

AUGUST
7 North American Pairs ($6)
14 Charity Stratified Pairs ($7)
21 IMP Pairs Club Championship ($5)
28 NAP ($6) ~~ Last One!!

SEPTEMBER
4 Stratified Pairs ($5)
11 Grand National Team Qual ($7)
18 Club Championship ($5)
25 GNT Qualifying ($7)

Club Manager & Partners ~ Tony Ames
952-200-3871
Director-in -Charge ~ Keith Thompson

 

COVID Rules -- Bring your own beverage;
Proof of covid vaccination must be provided.
You can email a copy of your vaccination card to
ynotsema@aol.com or bring it to your first game.

Upcoming on October 30 The Scary Pairs (and Tony’s B-day!)

MN Bridge Schedule as of July 31st! It's COMING - YOU Come TOO!

                             It's been a tough year with the Pandemic! 

                                        Yet good times are on their way!

                             Check below for times, locations, directors and more details                                                                        Face to Face Bridge will be here SOON!

 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Edina		Edina	Maple Grove		Minnetonka
11:45		11:45	12:00		1:00
OPEN		OPEN	OPEN		OPEN
FTF		FTF	FTF		FTF
Tony Ames		Scott Smith	Scott Smith		Keith Thompson
12:30	9:30	12:30	9:30	1:15
OPEN	0-750	OPEN	0-750	0-750
ON-LINE	ON-LINE	ON-LINE	ON-LINE	ON-LINE
Tony Ames	TCBC	Tony Ames	TCBC	Tony Ames
	12:30		12:30	1:30 PM
	OPEN		OPEN	OPEN
	ON-LINE		ON-LINE	ON-LINE
	Tony Ames		Tony Ames	Tony Ames

Barb Zipoy Sends the Scoop on In Person Bridge Games!

We're seeing face to face games start up again!  Barb has the details!

The Edina 1145 Edina Senior Center has in person bridge games on Monday and Wednesday.

Tuesday at 1PM an Open Game is held at the Mayflower Church on Diamond Lake Road and 35 W.

Thursday has a 12 noon start for an open game at Maple Grove - Friday a 0-750 game at Mayflower Church.

Saturday 1PM you can find an Open Game at Bethlehem Lutheran in Minnetonka.

Plus some St. Paul games are also in person; the Saint Paul Bridge Center website should have details.

For our own joy and fun - and for the future of our game - here's hoping more and more of our players - and new ones, too! - return To The Table!  We want to see The Greatest Game return with lots of folks and players of all ages!  Check with Barb for more - and - THANK YOU BARB!!

 

Face to Face St. Cloud Bridge Returns!

We are THRILLED to have Minnesotans returning to F2F Bridge!

Delighted yet again to have Connie Nelson provide us with all the scoops!

Hear about the fun that St. Cloud players & others can now enjoy!

Thank you, Connie Nelson!

On June 4, 2021, the St Cloud Duplicate Bridge Club held our first in-person bridge game since March 2020.  We had a great turnout -- thirteen full tables!  It felt so celebratory.  The “buzz” in the room was palpable – as friends greeted friends, and started up the familiar patter - “So glad to see you.  So glad to set you.”

 

The BridgeMates still worked, though many of us players were “rusty.”  After a year of on-line bridge – or no bridge, we sometimes forgot to alert our partner’s bids.  We could once again bid insufficiently or play out of turn.  There were way too many “Director, please” calls which kept Kory distracted.  (Maybe that’s a good thing!)  But I expect we’ll settle down quickly.

For anyone who is traveling through or by St Cloud, you are welcome to stop in and play!  Here is the pertinent information.  We currently offer two in person, ACBL sanctioned bridge games each week:

• On Monday evening, our game begins at 6:00 PM at the Labor Temple, 1903 4th St. N, St. Cloud, at the intersection of 19 1/2 Avenue and 4th Street North.
• On Friday afternoon, our game begins at 12:45 PM at the Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud.

We hope to add additional in person games soon!

The COVID protocols for our Club at this time include:

1. The first time you come for a face to face bridge game, you will be asked to show proof that you are fully vaccinated.  We keep track and will not ask you to show your vaccination card again.
2. Hand sanitizer is available at every table, which we encourage players to use between rounds.
3. Only individually packaged food items are available.

We also continue to offer two online bridge games each week listed under Virtual Clubs at Bridgebase.com.   Their start times are -

• Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
• Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the in-person games, and sign up with a partner at least 15 minutes before the start of each online game. Cost is $3 per player. 

For other information about our games – or to check to see if we’ve added in-person games, please call our Club Manager, Kory Solarz, at 320-292-5001.  Welcome back everyone to in-person bridge!

 Bill Voedisch - Live from Live Bridge at the St. Paul Club!

Hot Days in the City!

 

And great bridge news at the Bridge Center of St. Paul!

 

 

Minnesota Bridge lovers --

 

We are pleased to report that live bridge at the Saint Paul club started again this past Tuesday, June 1 and it has gone very well.

 

We are starting with just 4 games a week.  The biggest table count was 13 on Thursday; for the Mentor game (9) and Chat Bridge (4).  Not a great turnout compared to our pre-pandemic games but we are pleased.  We know that some folks will continue with BBO games and we recognize that we will need to continue some online games for those who do not wish to enter the club, or who can't make it to the club.  At the same time we have members with no technology who have been without the game they love for nearly 15 months.   

 

We're just getting started and we will review things at our June Board meeting.

Kim Hayward has done her usual super job on this!  She drafted the reopening plan which the board approved, got the club ready for play, recorded shot cards ... everything.

For  complete information, schedule, and how to make a reservation for an entry, go to:
www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com

 

On behalf of the Bridge Center of St. Paul Board

Bill Voedisch

 

Together Again!

Though this time of year in Minnesota can be as quirky as some of our bridge games - 

Almost 90 degrees on one day - then 45 and jackets the next

(Kinda like having a 77% game one day - and 43% the next)

Being with REAL LIVE friends at the table is the best!

 Connie Nelson, our reporter from St. Cloud, describes just how swell it is

And how much players are looking forward to being Together Again!

 

Together Again!

By Connie Nelson

Many of our St Cloud Bridge Club members recently gathered for the first time since March 2020.  No – it wasn’t for a face to face game at our Club quite yet.  But over twenty of us – all fully vaccinated – came together April 30^th to celebrate the 90^th Birthday of one of our own – Jim Mustain. 

 

Jim Mustain – in the middle with red tie – and his St Cloud Bridge Club friends!

 

Scott Krupke and Mark Doucette of our Club affectionally address Jim Mustain as “General.”  Mostly this is to honor his military service, and the fact that Jim was ROTC instructor at Saint John’s University from 1973-1975.  But they coined the nickname “General” when they first came to play bridge at our club, and Jim helped instruct them on how to play.  Always a gentleman away from the bridge table, when things aren’t going quite right at the table, Jim has been known to occasionally “bark” out a few suggestions for our betterment.

And, Jim – a Gold Life Master – does know his bridge.  Several bridge trophies were displayed at his party, including an Open Pairs trophy won with partner John Koch back in 1973! 

Prior to COVID, Jim was my standing partner the first Wednesday of each month.  We haven’t won any Open Pairs events, but we both enjoy our game. 

Jim and I like to play the Ogust convention after a weak-two opening bid by one of us.  I learned from Jim that I was mis-pronouncing this bid.  I would alert it as O-gust (long O), but Jim says it is pronounced the same as the month of August.  He knows this because Harold Ogust – for whom the convention is named - often appeared on Charles Goren’s TV program, Championship Bridge back in the early 60’s, and Jim watched that show religiously. 

For those who may not know, the Ogust convention is used after a Weak Two opening bid by partner, in order to gauge the strength of the weak-two bidder's hand.  The responder bids 2NT, asking opener to further describe both his/her six-card suit and high card points.  The standard Ogust responses are:

• 3♣shows a "minimal" hand with a "poor" suit
• 3♦shows a "minimal" hand with a "good" suit
• 3♥shows a "maximal" hand with a "poor" suit
• 3♠shows a "maximal" hand with a "good" suit
• 3NT shows a "solid" suit (that is, AKQ of the long suit)

What constitutes “minimal” and “maximal” is up to partnership agreement, but Jim and I play that “minimal” is 5-8 points, and “maximal” is 8-11 points.  A “poor” six card suit would be one without 2 of the top 3 honors, or 3 of the top 5 honors.  I find Ogust to be quite informative in placing a contract.

Jim Mustain hasn’t been playing much bridge during COVID, as he doesn’t play online.  We are both waiting for the day when we can partner again the first Wednesday of each month, and he can teach me some new conventions – along with their correct pronunciations!  Happy Birthday, Jim. 

I look forward to us all being Together Again!

Top 100 Masterpoint Winners - 2020

Despite the most tumultuous year in bridge since I have been your editor, we are proud to list the players who have won the most masterpoints as of year end 2020.  And, as I have done many times in the past, I shall share my comments and thoughts with everyone.  They both about the achievements of our players - and the reality that thrilling and fun as it is it to be on "the list" - we nevertheless must recognize that we each have our own unique lives.  

Thus, although some players who have a nice chunk of monsterpoints may well have fewer than some above their count -  we can't know for certain what exactly that means as players.  Some of us have jobs - or families - that take up a good portion of our lives. Others have more free time to play bridge and are able to scoop up lots of masterpoints - along with our talents.

What we should know, however, is that those on the list love our incredible game, work hard at improving their bridge every year - and that, in the end, what matters is the joy of bridge, the friends we make, and the fascination that this amazing game can deliver to us, year after year, decade after decade.

Judy Hansen, to whom I am most appreciative for putting together this fine list of top masterpoint players, also wanted to be sure that we remember two of our best who, sadly, are no longer with us.  Thus, our two In Memoriam Honorees for 2020 are:

 

Pedee Langsetmo  10364.05

 

Grant Boadwine       2891.35

Here is to 2021 being a not so crazy year - but a year filled with fun, fascination, learning and wins at the bridge table!  Don't forget - it's the greatest game!

 

1	Peggy	Kaplan	16390.29
2	Sharon	Anderson	14256.44
3	Terry	Beckman	14169.08
4	John	Koch	12517.67
5	Paul	Meerschaert	11894.93
6	Roger	Anderson	10994.94
7	Steven	Gaynor	10123.11
8	Michael	Cassel II	10015.19
9	Tony	Ames	9925.67
10	Bob	Balderson Jr	9870.39
11	Cynthia	Balderson	9792.60
12	Phil	Schwarz	9523.86
13	Judy	Schwarz	9326.71
14	Carole	Miner	9269.94
15	Barry	Purrington	8803.41
16	Peg	Waller	8787.76
17	Gregg	Van Dyke	8780.22
18	Michael	Hoffmann	7962.10
19	Jackie	Evans	7739.43
20	Ronald	DeHarpporte	7429.70
21	Brian	Crossley	7341.52
22	Carol	Mahoney	6872.56
23	Sharon	Christenson	6825.10
24	Kerry	Holloway	6682.56
25	Kory	Solarz	6447.92
26	Richard	Ekstrum	6385.15
27	Michael	Howland	6296.42
28	Kathy	Beckman	6112.84
29	Greg	Caucutt	5983.92
30	Keith	Connolly	5944.74
31	Lance	Chamberlain	5921.78
32	John	Minton	5665.73
33	Dan	Sershon	5457.64
34	Thomas	Smith	5346.15
35	Michael	Flader	5249.60
36	Pat	Burrows	5220.97
37	Rita	Xistris	5126.07
38	Roark	Johnson	4919.01
39	Genny	Rice	4882.38
40	Audrey	Weikle	4863.85
41	John	Allen	4653.78
42	Joseph	Browan	4644.87
43	Kurt	Schaeffer	4352.49
44	Ann	Lockhart	4388.33
45	Paul	Gutterman	4369.50
46	Robert	Schachter	4287.87
47	Jean	Boettcher	4221.55
48	Warren	Nelson	4126.29
49	Steve	Reed	4119.20
50	William	Voedisch	4039.31
51	Irwin	Boris	4007.65
52	Randy	Okubo	3944.89
53	Phyllis	Rosscup	3941.63
54	Wayne	Gergen	3939.78
55	Teresa	Sackett	3868.27
56	Harry	Sapienza	3867.04
57	Thomas	Baskin	3828.26
58	Colin	Campbell	3822.55
59	Mark	Krusemeyer	3794.32
60	Dennis	Dufner	3691.90
61	Richard	Lawson	3635.85
62	Teri	Blu	3624.64
63	Jeff	Dzuik	3618.99
64	Jane Dickey	Matson	3557.12
65	Paula	Cohen	3553.26
66	Stephen	Jackson	3530.08
67	Gregory	Lutgens	3528.75
68	John	Crouch	3358.06
69	Judy	Hansen	3314.94
70	Joseph	Koester	3280.78
71	Eric	Hendrickson	3276.97
72	James	Mustain	3248.95
73	Larry	Johnson	3213.97
74	Larry	Uttley	3211.51
75	John	Bloomquist	3194.72
76	Janet	Williams	3183.52
77	Carol	Rynders	3162.88
78	Deborah	Watson	3152.93
79	Marsha	Brouillet	3131.41
80	James	Tenbroeke	3100.16
81	Donald	Stanger	3091.02
82	Dennis	Cerkvenik	3075.28
83	Charlene	Thul	3062.58
84	Elaine	Prebonich	3034.43
85	Jeanine	Hall	3025.45
86	Bill	Heyer	2965.36
87	Maureen	Weiman	2959.08
88	Vern	Swing	2910.53
89	Dianne	Carr	2903.62
90	Gerald	Welander	2901.44
91	Paul	Sitz	2889.09
92	Joe	Proulx	2838.40
93	Patti	Stuhlman	2836.81
94	Gene	Willson	2836.41
95	Peg	Mitchell	2800.07
96	Neil	Swanson	2774.95
97	Betty	Triliegi	2772.54
98	Jim	Stepnes	2763.00
99	John	Stern	2752.86
100	Marv	Riedesel	2735.74

 

More Messages - Mini-McKenney & Ace of Clubs Awards!

 

ACBL Unit 103

Unit 103 & 178 2020 Mini-McKenney And Ace of Club Awards Celebration  When: Saturday, April 24  What: Unit 103 & Unit 178 Awards Program via Zoom Time:  11:45am via Zoom             Unit 103 Zoom link for the celebration available at:                           bridgecenterofstpaul.com and medcitybridge.com             Unit 178 Zoom link for the celebration available at:                           bridgecenterofstpaul.com  What there’s more? Yes!!!!!!!  Celebratory game for all Minnesota Players (both 103 and 178) When:  Saturday April 24: 0-300 MP Game @ 12:30pm 0-1000 MP Game @ 12:35pm 0-2500 MP Game @ 12:40pm Open Game @ 12:45pm            $3.00 entry fee  -             the top 3 finishers in each category will be             reimbursed their entry fee.  Where:  On BBO – if it doesn’t come up automatically                             Look in Virtual Clubs for “Unit 103 Awards…” For more information see the attached flyer. Hope to “see” you all there!

Unit 178 Zoom Awards Party - April 24!

Posts were recently made highlighting 178 Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs Players!

Now Unit 178 President Steve Gaynor is hoping many can join the Zoom Awards Party!

Details below; Looking forward to a great turnout!

 

Attention ACBL Unit 178 winners!!

 

You are cordially invited to the Unit 178 Zoom awards party on Saturday April 24 at 11:30 am.  

 

Following this you are also invited to play in the awards recognition game that will be run on BBO starting at 12:30 pm on the same day.  The $3 entry fee will be reimbursed to you on your BBO account for later use.  Due to the high number of tables expected we will run four different strata.  If you wish to 'play up' inform the director of such.

 

If you do not yet have a BBO account (everyone who plays, even only in free games, on BBO has one), let us know if you need help.   

 

You may contact me at stev1249@comcast.net or call 612-708-7563.  I normally do not return calls unless I get a message, so please leave one if I do not answer.  If you want to attend the Zoom awards party, send me your email and I will send you an invitation.

 

There is another Blog article with that invitation so I would appreciate if you check that first.

 

Steven Gaynor

President, ACBL Unit 178.

Zoom for Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs Awards in Unit 103!

 

ACBL UNIT 103 NEWS!

Unit 103 2020 Mini-McKenney And Ace of Club Awards Celebration  When: Saturday, April 24  What: Unit 103 Awards Program via Zoom Time:  11:45am via Zoom            Zoom links will be available before the party at:            bridgecenterofstpaul.com and medcitybridge.com What there’s more? Yes!!!!!!!  Celebratory game for all Minnesota Players (both 103 and 178) When:  Saturday April 24: 0-300 MP Game @ 12:30pm 0-1000 MP Game @ 12:35pm 0-2500 MP Game @ 12:40pm Open Game @ 12:45pm            $3.00 entry fee  -             the top 3 finishers in each category will be             reimbursed their entry fee.  Where:  On BBO – if it doesn’t come up automatically                             Look in Virtual Clubs for “Unit 103 Awards…” More information coming out the week of April 24.  See the attached flyer Hope to “see” you all there!

2020 UNIT 103 MASTERPOINT RACE!

          LET’S  ALL CELEBRATE

             AWARDS CELEBRATION  

               

                                  WHERE:               Zoom meeting + virtual game                                            

                                  WHEN:                 Saturday, April 24,                                                      

                                  TIME:                   11:45 am Zoom meeting;

                                                                Winners announced

                                                               12:30 pm:  3 flighted

                                                                                  virtual games

                                                                  0-300  *  0-1000  * Open

                                                               Game entry fee $3.00 

                                                                       

(Top three award winners in each category will be reimbursed the entry fee.)

The Zoom link for the awards presentation will be sent out in an email blast at a later date. 

Watch for it in your inbox!

CBO Club Special Tournament on Monday March 1st!

First day of March tomorrow - and an opportunity for those who are college bridge players to compete against students throughout ACBL land!

Instructions below; hope many of you are able to compete in this fun event and perhaps win prizes!

 

Don't forget about the CBO Club Special Tournament this Monday, March 1, awarding masterpoints and 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. Please encourage your friends to participate so that we can continue to offer these games.   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.   If you have any bridge playing college friends, encourage them to join the CBO. Membership is open to any college undergrad or grad student age 35 and under. If you don’t have a student bridge org/club at your school, consider starting one. We can help! www.acbl.org/college

MN Gopher Unit - #103 - Board Members

MN Gopher Unit #103 Board Members

 

President Warren Nelson                   Vice President Sue Greenberg

303 Dalewood Avenue S.W.                 4727 County Rd. 15 S.W. 

Cloquet, MN  55720-1203                     Byron, MN  55920

218-269-2724                                        507-365-8236

Nelson11375@yahoo.com                     rdbcmanager@gmail.com

Director Connie Nelson                       Director Matt Belau

902 Waters Edge Circle                          600 4th St. SW, #508

Avon, MN  56310                                    Rochester, MN  55902

320-282-7859                                          858-472-4433

connie@psg.us                                        mbelau1@gmail.com

Director Amy Dutton                             Director Kathy Beckman

668 Mulberry Lane                                  7328 Noble Ct. N

Mendota Heights, MN  55118                  Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

402-423-5406                                           763-229-2224

amy.dutton@gmail.com                            hlmarklady@aol.com

Director Rajiv Kapadia                           Director Tom Owens

120 Mapleridge Dr.                                    9418 Knighton Rd.

Mankato, MN  56001                                  Woodbury, MN  55125

507-351-0133                                            651-714-0100

Rajiv.Kapadia@mnsu.edu                          Tom@Insurance-Exec.com

Director Keith Thompson                         Non-Voting Member of the Board

1544 Minnehaha Ave. East                          Larry Huiras

St. Paul, MN 55106                                     1908 19th Terr. NW

612-239-2667                                               New Brighton, MN  55112

keithclockt@icloud.com                                715-410-8705

                                                                      bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com

 

 

MN GOPHER UNIT #103 NON-BOARD MEMBERS                                                              

Financial Advisor                                           Secretary

Lance Chamberlain                                        Patti Huiras

2670 Bandel Drive, NW                                    1908 19^th Terrace N.W.

Rochester, MN 55901                                       New Brighton, MN 55112

507-282-7319                                                    651-343-20 8

lancechamberlain@juno.com                            patti.huiras@gmail.com

2020 Results for Unit 103 - Mini-McKenney Standings

Our thanks yet again to Warren Nelson and Unit 103 for their 2020 efforts this year!
And congratulations to all our players!  Whether you had big tallies, are just learning bridge...
Or simply having a blast at the virtual table...  We hope that 2020 was super ...

And that 2021 is fabulous!

 

 

2020 Unit 103 Mini-McKenney Standings

 

0 - 5 Masterpoint Race

Richard Kjonaas             Maplewood, MN          122.80

Steve Rholl                     Northfield, MN               51.26

James R Noren              Woodbury, MN               27.52

 

                                                                  5 - 20 Masterpoint Race

Paul J Wehrman              Shoreview, MN              185.12

Catherine A Wehrman      Shoreview, MN              185.12

David J Katzelnick            Fountain Hls, AZ              24.88

 

                                                                  20 to 50 Masterpoint Race

John Miller                        Rochester, MN                 82.55

Andrew Lehman                St. Paul, MN                    47.87

Michael K Wilson              Edina, MN                        44.40

 

                                                                  50 to 100 Masterpoint Race

Jan Morris                          Rochester, MN               109.54

Gail M Baev                       Woodbury, MN                  64.09

Dr Wayne F Detmer           Woodbury, MN                  56.51

 

                                                                    100 to 200 Masterpoint Race

Ed Prosser                                                                 174.73

Gregory M Dorr                   Little Canada, MN            91.37

Joanne K Long                    Rochester, MN                 74.98

 

                                                                   200 to 300 Masterpoint Race

John Woog                          Rochester, MN                  232.31

Sherri Browne                     Roseville, MN                    128.64

Sheri French                       Pine Island, MN                 115.88

 

                                                                    300 to 500 Masterpoint Race

Dr Jack L Crary                   Detroit Lakes, MN              138.94

Clyde E Johnson                 Duluth, MN                         125.13

Cynthia S Schield                Fort Myers, FL                    107.17

 

                                                                   500 to 1000 Masterpoint Race

Gloria Georger                      Rochester, MN                    188.20

Connie R Nelson                   Avon, MN                            134.74

James A Schnepf                  Avon, MN                             133.34

 

                                                                    1000 to 1500 Masterpoint Race

Robert R Roediger                 Rochester, MN                     187.75

Layne E Vinje                         Rochester, MN                     133.72

Rajiv J Kapadia                      Mankato, MN                        122.74

 

                                                                   1500 to 2500 Masterpoint Race

Gene P Brandl                       Apple Valley, MN                     250.40

Dr Del Swanson                     Apple Valley, MN                     223.90

Grant Duffrin                          Roseville, MN                          204.19

 

                                                                    2500 to 3500 Masterpoint Race

Colin M Campbell                   Duluth, MN                              244.02

Bill J Heyer                                                                             197.18

Larry Johnson                         Brooklyn Center, MN               135.21

 

                                                                    3500 to 5000 Masterpoint Race

Joseph W Browan                    Maplewood, MN                       209.58

Genny Rice                               Rochester, MN                         190.24

John R Allen                              Oakdale, MN                            168.55

 

                                                                  5000 to 7500 Masterpoint Race

Greg L Caucutt                         Rochester, MN                            205.26

Kathy A Beckman                     Brooklyn Park, MN                      169.18

Carol J Mahoney                      Rochester, MN                            135.91

 

                                                                 7500 to 10,000 Masterpoint Race

Carole A Miner                           Rochester, MN                             270.73

Gregg Van Dyke                        Key Largo, FL                                   8.94

 

                                                                Over 10,000 Masterpoint Race

Terry L Beckman                         Brooklyn Park, MN                       597.89

John R Koch                                Saint Cloud, MN                          312.07

Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams Returns to the Twin Cities!

Tony Ames, both one of our top players and one of our finest directors, posted the results for the initial offering of the Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams.  Congratulations Harry, Barry, Kerry and Michael Lee Howland (MLH - your parents couldn't rhyme you, too?!?)  A nice finish for their team, and so great to see people enjoying the fun of battling as teams for a change, too.

I also asked Kerry if he would write up a little bit of what happened that evening - and he most cordially obliged.  Big thanks to Kerry, congrats to their team, and hope all of our players had fun with our new event!  Kerry's story comes next, results after that...  And I hope that more of our competitors will rally to the next Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams event!  
******************************************************************************************************************

The Plymouth Bridge Club has a new Swiss Team event every Tuesday night. After ironing out a few glitches, the Swiss format has been approved for prime time.

 

Harry and Barry invited Kerry and Michael (not rhyming any more) to play with them in the inaugural event.  We played last night.

 

One positive swing came on a slam hand. I held AQxxxx Qxxx x xx. Michael and I play precision, so most hands not opened 1C have fewer than 16 HCP.  Our weak two’s are 8-13, thus opening 1S and rebidding 2S shows 14-15 without jumping.

 

I opened 2S, pard bid 3C (relay to3D, then showing 5 hand types).  I bid 3D, pard bid 4C (exclusion for Clubs). Double by David Neiman, pass, we play R2D2 (redouble and double show second step 0 or 3), so pass shows 1.

 

Michael bid 6S, and held KJxx AKJx, AKxxx, void. Easily makes 7. 

 

A fun way to start the season.

 

Kerry

 

*****************************************************************************************************************

Subject: Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams

Reply-To: ynot6934@aol.como

Winning all 4 matches for a VP total of 61, Harry Sapienza, Barry Purrington, Kerry Holloway and Michael Lee Howland won the initial offering of the Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams.

Results were:

 

Rank	Name	Score (VP20)	Points
1	bpurringto+hsapienza,Kellog+MNgoofer	61.00	0.80
2	Cbalderson+Windsurff,Peg Waller+Ron1005	54.00	0.56
3	darlene789+jn55345,dlweiss+vswing1	47.00	0.40
4	rharha+sharonroe,tempport+bxley	45.00	0.24
5	ice33+farmboy7,caught1+njskag	33.00	0.08
5	laz49+slamster,dytrevor+dgoodrie	33.00	0.08
7	Long Lake+lvettel,slomovas+lmlhopkins	26.00	0.08
8	Nancy w T+fishtuc,L D Schram+Mike Stein	21.00	0.08