Minnesota Bridge

Does Steve Gaynor Know how to Share Bridge Secrets?

You Betcha!!

 

SECRETS OF NEGATIVE DOUBLES

 

by Steven Gaynor

 

 

Negative doubles are used when the opponents interfere with your auction and make it difficult to bid your suits without misleading partner about your HCP or length of your best suits.  The player using the negative double usually has at least two places to comfortably play the hand with an emphasis on unbid majors.

 

 

Example:  You hold:  53, KQ98, K875, J54

 

 

Partner opens 1C, and your RHO bids 1S.  You rarely want to double 1S for penalties, so the double is called ‘negative’ meaning you have the unbid suits or, at least, the unbid major and about 7-10 HCP.  This would be a classic negative double situation.  It is most important to be disciplined in these hands so partner knows when to bid again or to pass.

 

 

When you have a longer suit, it is tempting to bid at the two level, but you run the danger of misleading partner about your strength.  There is a way to handle it – double, then bid your suit.  This shows extra length, but limited point count.

 

 

Take this quiz with your favorite partner(s).  Discuss your responses and come to agreements.  The suggested responses on the next page are based on the most common treatments among experienced Standard American partnerships.  Of course you may play anything you want, but these seem to work the best in the long run.

 

 

Partner opens 1C and RHO bids Spades.  What would you bid with:

 

 

                                                                              Over 1S                Over 2S

 

1. 53, KJ98,  854,  K965

 

2. AJT, KJT4,  32, Q654

 

3. 53, KQ9865,  32, Q54

 

4. A3, KQ9865, 32, Q54

 

5. 3, KQ9865,  QJ975, 2

 

6. AJT, KJ3, A5, K9743

 

7. J8754, Q98,  A54,  43

 

8. KQJT9, Q98, A5, Q54

 

 

 

 

 

SUGGESTED RESPONSES:

 

 

 

X = double

 

P = Pass

 

 

 

1. X - P. You have plenty to double over 1S.  If partner bids 2D you can go back to 3C.  If he bids hearts, you pass.  If he jumps to 3H you will go on for sure at IMP’s and probably would at matchpoints, too.  Over 2S this is probably the best hand you could hold and not make a negative double. 

 

2. X - X. With your near opener, you have enough to force to the 3 level. Over 3D you may try 3N with double stops in both majors and the likelihood of 5 Club tricks.

 

3. X - X. Doubling and then bidding a suit tells partner you do not have enough to bid your suit freely, but you have 5+ cards in it.  This is not forcing, nor should you ever entertain bidding hearts directly without at least 10 HCP, or at least a beefy 9.  Changing the CQ to the CA would justify a direct 2H call.

 

4. 2H - 3H. Here you have your direct heart bids at either level.  Partner will appreciate hand #4 for a direct heart call vs. hand #3.  A Spade bid now by partner would ask you for a stopper for a NT contract.

 

5. X - X. If partner rebids clubs, you bid hearts in either case.  Nothing you can do about a diamond fit if you have one.

 

6. 2S - 3S. Sometimes it is tough to bid good hands with interference.  You probably have a play for 6C and should aim for that eventually.  First, however, you need to find out more about partner’s hand.  The best way to do that is to cue bid and see what happens.  If you double, partner may jump in hearts, since you really should have 4 of them in any case.

 

7. 1N - P. Bidding 1N here shows your point count well and gives partner a clue as to what to do next (probably pass).  Over 2S, pass, and if partner reopens with a double, do not leave it in as your spades are not close to being good enough.  Over partner’s reopening X, 2N is your best call in that shows your values (6-9) and a stopper in their suit.  Partner should have a pretty good hand to reopen over 2S, and will carry on if appropriate.

 

8. P – P. Now you are out for blood.  If you get to defend a spade contract, you will start by drawing trumps and watch them go down a lot, probably more than the value of your game.

Long Ago and Far Away

Like so much in life, bridge does not remain static.  In college, I learned about a wealth of different card games and enjoyed them tremendously.  I began to dip my toes into bridge - yet clearly the game was far more challenging than anything else I'd learned.  When I came to Minnesota and grad school, I did play a bit of bridge, though generally it was no more than 2 or 3 games a month.  And no matter how hard I tried, mistakes and misunderstandings were inevitable, forgetting happened - yet the game remained with challenges that surely were intriguing - and fun.

But bridge "back then" was so very different when I started learning more and more.  While the "super stars" were fascinating to watch, other players would chat and help one another.  And when we found that improvement grew and grew as we watched, listened, and realized more as to how intricate and difficult the bridge world could be.  We nevertheless still continued to learn - with some of us increasing our game upward - and occasionally beating up on the big boys, which was always a thrill!

In Minnesota, our big games were BIG!  I remember the hotels that had so many players competing, that it was easy to see players everywhere, be they novices, intermediates - or the best of the best.  Some of us would reach a level - and stay there.  Others?  They would work so hard, they'd win lots more, learn so much that was once a mystery, and continue to be fascinated by the varied abilities - and lack thereof - of our players.

Recent times have delivered immense change to our games.  Covid managed to take many who were superb players, to relegate themselves and their partners to staying at home.  Others wore their masks - and although this allowed them to play, it clearly was more difficult - and the percentage of players who continued to play dropped dramatically.

Additionally, unfortunately we have lost many of those who played so well.  Yet time and age has ended lives, which again, has caused our games to be fewer and smaller.

Can this change?  Of course.  But we really cannot know immediately what the changes will be, if the games can grow significantly again - or if changes slowly grow again...  Or, if bridge may take a long time to return to our once strong world.

In the meantime, if you can play and you want to play - do so!  Decades of players continue on!

And - just like life itself - bridge has a myriad of fascination, thought, creativity and much more.  Let's hope it returns to growth - and to us.

Peg

Summer will be winding down - Fall Bridge Events are On Their Way!

Once again, summer is winding down before I expect it. But it's State Fair time and school starts next week, so it must be true!

On the plus side, there is a lot to look forward to in bridge this fall in Unit 178.

 

September Schedule of games is attached. Here are some highlights:

Board-a-Match game resumes, Wednesday evening at 6:15

On September 7, Keith Thompson and Tony Ames are restarting the ever-popular Board-a-Match game. Games will be held every other Wednesday at 6:15 pm at the Edina Senior Center. The schedule for 2022-23 is attached.

BAM is a team game without complicated scoring like IMPs, so every board is win or lose and a single extra overtrick (or undertrick) can be a huge difference.

Teams need to register by contacting Keith ([email protected], 612-239-2667) or Tony ([email protected], 952-200-3871). They will help you form a pair or team, too.

New location for Saturday games starting Sep 10

The Saturday FTF game at 1:00 p.m. is moving to the Eden Prairie Center Community Room as of September 10. It's in the basement next to the main rental office and restrooms.

Enter on the East side through the Von Maur store, or on the South through the food court. Take the elevator, located in the center of the mall, down t the basement. It's very similar to the Southdale Center where we had the recent sectional tournament.

Lessons this fall

Tony Ames is offering beginning bridge lessons this fall on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm at the Edina Senior Center. Lessons start September 13 and continue for 8 weeks. Contact the Edina Senior Center at 952-833-9570 to register.

Alternatively, the Bridge Center of St Paul is offering beginning bridge lessons Monday evenings at 6:30 starting September 19, both online and in person. A second series will be held online only on Wednesdays evenings starting September 21. Check out the website for more information or to register http://www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com/

Chat bridge continues

Chat bridge continues every Tuesday at 12:45 at Studio 1. It's a great way to practise and improve your game after you've taken lessons. A number of players have "graduated" to the limited game at the same time, there's always room for more. Contact John Schlundt for more information. [email protected]

Gopher Regional Tournament very successful!

Tournament chair Patti Stuhlman reports that the Gopher Regional tournament last may was very successful. Attendence exceeded expectations, and the tournament even made money. Congratulations and thanks to Patti and her team!

Feedback was generally positive, and suggestions will be taken into account in planning next year's Gopher. I know they've started working on it already.

Milestones

Congratulations to these players who have reached new levels:

• Junior Masters: David Gregg, Carol Hagelee, Carol Lord
• Club Master: Mary Stark
• Sectional Masters: Patti Richardson, Jeffrey Knapp
• NABC Master: Marc Ashton
• Bronze Life Master: Mark McGree
• Silver Life Masters: James LaFave, Michael O'Leary

The No-Trump Ladder!

THE NO-TRUMP LADDER

By Steven Gaynor

How many of you play a no-trump ladder?  Ok, why do you not all have your hands up?  Yes, you all play it whether you know it or not! 

When you have a balanced or semi-balanced hand you have a specific and unique way to tell partner exactly how many HCP’s you have within 1 or 2 points.  Let’s look at a typical ladder, most common among duplicate players.

Your hand shapes (with no particular order to the suits) are normally 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2.  6-3-3-2 is also OK in some instances.  How do you show your HCP’s?  Here is my ladder.  You should discuss these ranges with your partners and revise them if you like.

12-14: Open you convenient minor and re-bid 1N.  You just about guarantee you do not have 15 HCP when you re-bid 1N.   This way partner can pass those 9 or bad 10 counts knowing game is a long shot at best.

15-17: Open 1N*.  Consider doing this even with a 5-card major.  How else will you get your partner to know your HCP strength?  Take a hand with 2 spades and 5 hearts (2-5-3-3) and 15-16 HCP.  You open 1H and partner responds 1S.  Your next call is a big lie.  You are too strong to bid 1N, you do not have enough hearts to re-bid them, you cannot raise spades, and you do not have a 2^nd suit to show.  So lie about your heart length at the start and show your partner your overall strength.   It is just about always better to tell the truth about your strength when you have to tell one lie or another.

18-19: Open with your normal suit bid and jump to 2N (or raise partner’s 1N response to 2N).  If you jump to 3N you should be showing a long running suit (usually the minor you opened) and are hoping to get the lead early and cash nine fast tricks.  Partner’s first bid usually covers a suit in which you have shortness and no stopper.  It does NOT show the 18-19 HCP hand.  That is what 2N shows.  You should not have two bids that can mean the same thing.

20-21: Open 2N*. 

22-24: Open 2C and re-bid 2N*.

25-26: Open 3N*.The 25+ hands come up as often as the systemic bids (gambling, solid suit, etc.).

27-29: Open 2C and re-bid 3N*.  This rarely comes up unless you are my opponent at Rubber Bridge.

30-37: Check the deck to make sure it is not from a pinochle game.

*To keep things simple, I recommend that you use your normal responses over any strong NT opener or overcall (Stayman/transfers, etc.) no matter what level partner bids his strong NT (1, 2, 3).  If you do the same thing all the time you will not have to worry about it.

Current ACBL rules concerning 1 no-trump opening bids:

1. You MUST announce the range.  Please get used to this.
2. Opening with a singleton is OK as long as the singleton is a Q, K or A.
3. You cannot have a doubleton if you open with a singleton.
4. Examples of illegal 1 NT opening shapes include:
   1. 6-4-2-1
   2. Any hand with a void or two singletons.
      
                        Our thanks to Steve for these lessons!
      
            Part of our education is that we are ALWAYS LEARNING!

 

Steve Gaynor - To The Rescue!

What's Happening?

Steve Gaynor does a marvelous job of keeping us up to date!

Thanks, Steve - and - below is LOTS of info for us!

Unit 178 2022 Ace of Clubs – Halfway report

 

(Points won only at clubs – online or face to face)

 

     0 to 5   

 

Randi Hogan                        6.38

Rita Stansgaard                   6.49

David M Gregg                     3.83

 

     5 to 20   

 

Richard Trachy                   12.35

Connie Falkenstein            12.10

Jean Reissner                      5.93

 

     20 to 50   

 

Robert Chipinski               20.07

Tom R Pokonosky            11.97

James Brink                     10.7

 

     50 to 100  

 

Tom Lofthus                       14.48

Ken Rich                            13.92

John Cracraft                     13.92

 

     100 to 200   

 

Robert Diamond               26.94

Thorwald Hansen             20.16

Margaret Kinney              19.09

 

     200 to 300  

 

George Holmquist           24.23

Stan Jurgensen               17.64

Tom Sneed                      17.57

 

     300 to 500  

 

Barry Bershow                  63.43

Rolf Hubmayr                    29.04

Mary Stern                         28.43

Gary Stern                         28.43

 

     500 to 1000   

 

Rick Gavin                         62.46

Marcia Eaton                     56.31

Morris Eaton                      56.31

 

     1000 to 1500  

 

John Schlundt                  66.13

Marylou Doerrie               53.00

Gary Knippenberg           41.07

 

     1500 to 2500   

 

Sandy Fisher                      138.59

Carl Hartness                       50.21

Cindy Moat                           44.16

 

      2500 to 3500  

 

Aly El-Selehdar                  109.42

Chuck Cummins                   60.52

Eric Hendrickson                  53.31

 

      3500 to 5000   

 

Joseph Koester                   95.07

Judy Hansen                        92.39

Jean Boettcher                    53.23

 

      5000 to 7500  

 

Susan Jackson                    62.60

Roark Johnson                    33.50

Michael Flader                     25.45

 

      7500 to 10,000  

 

Brian Crossley                    122.40

Phil Schwarz                       108.98

Judy Schwarz                     108.98

 

      Over 10,000  

 

Paul Meerschaert              171.10

Steven Gaynor                    69.40

Michael Cassel                    67.38

June 25th - Unit 103 Membership Meeting to be Held

Unit 103 Membership Meeting to be Held June 25^th

 

While playing at the recent Gopher Regional, several of us wore our name badges identifying us as ACBL Unit 103 Board members.  A frequent question we encountered was: “What does a Unit Board do?”

Well, now is a perfect time to find out!  For the first time post-Covid, we will be holding an in-person Unit 103 membership meeting during the upcoming Granite City Sectional.

 

What Happens at a Membership Meeting?

Come and meet your Unit 103 Board Members -- learn what your Unit does, how Unit 103 “fits” inside ACBL, and hear quick updates on our Unit’s plans and finances.  Feel free to ask us questions or offer suggestions for the betterment

 of this game we all love! 

 

How do I know if I am a Member of Unit 103?

You are if you are an ACBL member and reside within the geographical area of Unit 103 (i.e. most of Minnesota, except Minneapolis and its suburban areas), or you live elsewhere but have retained your membership with Minnesota Gopher Unit 103. 

Other interested persons are welcome to attend the membership meeting, especially anyone considering joining ACBL.

 

What are the Meeting Arrangements? 

The annual meeting will be held on Saturday, June 25^th, during the St Cloud Granite City Sectional, held in Sartell MN this year.  Come and play in the Sectional’s team and pair games played each day from June 23 to June 25, and then join us for the Membership meeting between Saturday’s playing sessions on June 25^th.  The tentative start time is 12:30 p.m..

As a final enticement … there is such a thing as a free lunch!  A tasty luncheon will be provided.   

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Sincerely,

The Unit 103 Board of Directors
Sue Greenberg, President

Matt Belau (Rochester)

Amy Dutton (St Paul)

Rajiv Kapadia (Mankato)

Connie Nelson (St Cloud)

Warren Nelson (Duluth)

Tom Owens (Woodbury)

Keith Thompson (St Paul)

 

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.

Are You a Beginner Bridge Player?

Then YOU are In Luck!

 

Long time Bridge Instructor, Teri Blu, Is Offering an 8 Week Beginner Bridge Course!

 

The course will be held at the Edina Senior Center - and shall be held from 
Tuesday, April 5th, through May 24th

For information and registration, please call:  952.833.9570

(Additional classes will be held in Summer and Fall)

Bridge is an incredibly fascinating, challenging and amazing game!

Be certain to look into this marvelous opportunity; you'll be delighted!

 

 

 

Making Minnesota Bridge Great Again!

If I were to guess, my guess would be that a great many of us have been confounded by bridge in Minnesota during the last couple of years.  Some of us, without clubs holding games, went to online bridge in an effort to be able to play.  Others went to different states, maybe to grab some weather warmer than minus 15 - or because those areas had more "freedoms" to play at the table instead of from our bedrooms.

Frankly, some of us decided to simply engage in other activities; any sort of bridge became
"less" because current bridge became less familiar.

Some decided to take the current change as an opportunity to take a trip somewhere, learn new activities - or simply decided that they would wait until things calmed down - and then they'd decide what made the most sense for them.

It does seem like improvement IS beginning to come to bridge!  Won't be the same everywhere; we can't predict what coming months will do.  Yet, I do think it IS a good time to at least cogitate on a variety of ideas.  For many of us, bridge has been a highlight - or THE highlight - of our lives!  So if we can "pump it up again" - that would be super.

If we could all take a bit of time and think about what we - and others - could do to "save bridge"  - that would be fabulous.  I'm betting there are all sorts of fine ideas.

We could get some of our newby juniors to learn bridge.  Elite players could "do good" both by teaching some, meeting those who are new to the game - or just trying to "up" their game and get better and better.

I recall how - many moons ago - this newby player (yours truly!) would meet people, be helped, be thrilled when something went great - and not so much when I didn't know what I was doing, etc.  

Whoever would like to participate in such adventures, meet new people, start again to be with friends At the Table instead of their bedroom... I'm betting that not only would it be loads of fun - but - we could start building up again - irrespective of age, ability, free time, willingness to help - and so forth.  Sound appealing to you?  I hope so!  And if you have ANY fine ideas for making bridge great again - BRING IT ON!!  I and others will be SO THANKFUL!!

Peg

Bridge Whiz!

 

 

Here’s the deal: BridgeWhiz can give your child a brighter future!

As a parent, you’d do anything to give your child a happy, successful life. Now you have a wonderful opportunity to do just that – through the mind-building challenge, great fun, and competitive excitement of contract bridge.

The ACBL Educational Foundation introduces BridgeWhiz, a FREE online course designed to teach children in grades 4 through 12 the essentials of a fascinating game whose benefits, intellectual stimulation, and adventure will last a lifetime.

Learning to play bridge will nurture your child’s team and individual competitive spirit. Build social skills. And enhance deductive reasoning and math abilities.

In fact, young bridge players outscored their non-playing counterparts on the 2007 Iowa Test of Basic Skills by 39.31% in Science, 24.22% in Math, and 22.74% in Social Science.

• BridgeWhiz is designed for beginner bridge players, with opportunities for graduates to continue lessons at all skill levels through grade 12.
• Twenty 90-minute online classes with class sizes of 20-40 students.
• Classes offered weekly in all time zones.
• Uses Zoom for lessons, SharkBridge platform for structured play and BridgeBaseOnline (BBO)  for competitive play
• All teachers are fully vetted and experts in bridge.
• Opportunities to play in youth tournaments locally, nationally and internationally.

  Register your child for BridgeWhiz today.

Bridge is a game where your child is always learning something new and success is based on cumulative knowledge, so we recommend participation in every BridgeWhiz class.

If your child cannot attend a scheduled class or may miss more than two classes, let us know and we’ll make every effort to schedule an alternate class.

A mind is a beautiful thing to grow.

We are so deeply hoping that our children become fascinated with bridge as so many of us have!  Please do stay in touch with BridgeWhiz - and our kids!  New generations can enjoy just as we did!

Almost New Year!

In a few days - 2021 will be history!  And 2022 will be upon us...

 Bridge will change - yet again - as it has for decades.

I recall when I first began to play bridge.  Often, I wouldn't play at all; I'd watch.  Why did declarer make the play he did?  How did the appoinant know to give away a trick - then get a whole lot more success for doing so?  What caused some players to literally take years to improve their games - while others seemed to have some innate abilities to remember all the cards, focus on what play would give them an edge, know when to be aggressive and when to be patient and calm?

My belief is that each of us has unique talents... and others must work harder to achieve similar goals.  Some are happy to play a couple of times a month; others scramble to have as many dates as possible, study what went wrong and why some choices were magnificent successes.

Needless to say, our bridge world is always changing.  But in these most recent years, it has done so in ways that have surprised and shocked both the best of us and those of us who must dig deep to achieve success.

One aspect of our game that has been superb is the fact that more and more young players are studying and learning more than ever.  The more one can grasp of the game at an earlier age, the better the odds often are that success can be realized, that what was once a deep challenge becomes more facile - and we grow.

Of course, Covid has had a devastating impact on bridge.  Too many have been lost.  Too many are fearful to play these days at all.  Yet I remain hopeful that despite the challenges we face, that our love for the game will yet again grow and survive.  Whether you are a junior who can't get enough bridge no matter what - or - a retiree who enjoys friendships, the occasional win - and only can muster a fraction of what our best competitors achieve - my wish is that we'll have fun - we'll learn - we'll help others - and bridge will indeed grow.  

Fingers crossed that our bridge world - in so many ways - puts smiles on our faces and wisdom in our brains.  And that new generations of competitors enjoy the New Year, entice more to play - and appreciate that bridge truly is The Greatest Game!

 

Winter Bridge Classes at the Bridge Center of St. Paul!

Season’s greetings to you all!

Attached is a flyer for our Winter Bridge Classes. We are offering two classes one on beginning bidding and the other on play of the hand.

 

·         Bidding: Thursdays, Jan 13–Mar 3, 6:30-8:30pm

·         Play of the Hand: Mondays, Jan 13-Feb 28, 6:30-8:30pm

The classes can be taken either online or in person at the Bridge Center.

Please consider sharing this with someone interested in learning bridge or perhaps register yourself to improve your own game.

Questions email me at: [email protected]

 

Also: A number of folks have asked about the Defense Class. I will offer it on Mondays from 4:00-6:00pm starting in January if there are enough students. Please contact me directly if you are interested and I can have it added to the schedule.

Peace,

Larry

--------------------------------------

--------------------------------------

   Larry Huiras

 

   Email: [email protected]

   Text/Voice: 715.410.8705

--------------------------------------
One advantage of bad bidding is
that you get practice at playing
atrocious contracts.
                   ~ Alfred Sheinwold

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  

 

Falling in Love

As so many of us know, bridge is an amazing game.  And part of what is so amazing about our fascinating game is the appeal and attraction of the game, which can vary dramatically from bridge player to bridge player.

For some, bridge is a social event that began with parents, grandparents - or even great-grandparents!  We'd be at friends homes for a few hours, perhaps break for a pleasant lunch, and chat as we learned "Charlie Goren" bridge and socialized.  For others, (yours truly), in various ways we would be taught how to play in college, where newbies or already talented players went from "what am I supposed to do NOW?!?" contemplation.  Or - some would be the "super stars" of each era who seemed to be able to pull rabbits out of their hats and make plays that few of us would ever master.

Whether you were a "few times a month" player, or someone who did their utmost to compete as much as possible - bridge was amazing.  And part of what made it so was both the wide variety of people who played, their talents - and personalities.  

I daresay, however, that few of us have experienced the bridge world as it has been for the last couple years, with the world at large changing in ways many of us have never before witnessed.  Do I know what the coming months and years will ultimately deliver to bridge - and us?  Does anyone?  My guess is that only time shall tell.  Yet I myself hope so very deeply that despite the myriad of challenges we face today as we try to play, eventually the "ship will right itself" and new generations of bridge players will indulge in all sorts of future bridge events - the details of which we can only imagine.

I so hope that the uber talented will continue to encourage and help those who are starting out... that those who prefer "social bridge" can enjoy for decades.  And that, just as inventive and brilliant minds have improved the game over time for years - new thoughts and methods - fun and momentary tragedy at the table will start anew.

Whether you're someone who is a Minnesota star for decades - or a junior, who (like so many) can't wait to get stronger and better and start "beating the tough guys" - I hope bridge remains part of your life.

My thanks to all who diligently run our bridge games, set up the local events, be they daily games, sectionals or tournaments.  We are a world wide group of people.  And whether we are the creme de la creme, beginners - or just players who want to play forever - I hope we all are able to fall in love and share that love with others.  

What a gift bridge and its players are!

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!

Bridge Whiz!

Many MN bridge players have been loving our fascinating game for a long time.  Sadly, too many have left us - not because they are bored or no longer want to play bridge - but because it was "their time to go".  

We are unable to stop the passing of time and we miss those who treasured bridge, be it for decades with impressive titles, those who played for the fun and enjoyment, or those who fell in love with bridge later in life.  

Yet that being said, what we can do is encourage young people to learn how incredible bridge can be!

Please take a look at what the ACBL is doing to promote our game to new generations!  Bridge can florish if we share and encourage the mysteries, fascination and excitement of our special game!  See what the ACBL is doing to ensure that future generations of players will be as dazzled as we were - and still are!

Double Dummy: Bridge Is Not Just For Seniors   The ACBL Educational Foundation has partnered with Double Dummy filmmaker and bridge lover John McAllister to get people excited about BridgeWhiz and support our program to teach children bridge.   View this updated and celebrated film anytime between October 1-11, 2021, and half of the $15 ticket cost will be directly donated to our BridgeWhiz program. (You’ll be listed in a special section of our 2021 Annual Report too!) View the trailer and purchase tickets here.   I cannot attend, but wish to donate to ACBLEF.       Want to know what these "whiz kids" are doing now? We’ll show you!   Join us in a Zoom with cast members on Thursday, October 7, at 7:30 pm EDT, as part of your event ticket.   1400+ Students Already Registered for BridgeWhiz! We are pumped!   Our original goal was to register 1000 young people. With 5 registration weeks to go, we are excited that enrollment in BridgeWhiz – a free, online, after-school beginning bridge program launched by ACBLEF – is resonating with so many. Don't Wait!  Register your child or grandchild today!   With gratitude for all you do to support the game of bridge,

 

 

Future Bridge Stars of the World - Collegiate Initiative!

Many of you know that I am passionate about our game.  I want as many as possible

to fall in love with bridge  - whether they play for the fun of it or become super stars - 

Here are more chances for our collegiate players to improve and WIN!

Could be YOU and your partner who are the winners;

you don't know unless you SHOW UP!!

 

Don't forget about the CBO Club Special Tournament Wednesday, September 1, which 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.   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

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: [email protected]

To register go to: Bridgecenterofstpaul.com

 

Peace,

Larry

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

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

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

CBO Club Special Tournament Sunday, August 15

I have loved our game for SO MANY DECADES - 

I want others to be able to learn, enjoy and WIN!

Details for Sunday's CBO Club Special Tourney below!

Don't forget about the CBO Club Special Tournament Sunday, August 15, which 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.   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

Support Our New Generations of Bridge Players!

Let's Help Our New Kids Learn Bridge 
And Become the Future of The Greatest Game!

 

BridgeWhiz: Bridge Classes for Kids     The ACBL Educational Foundation is proud to announce that registration for the BridgeWhiz 2021-22 class year is now open!   BridgeWhiz is a FREE, online course designed to teach children in grades 4 through 12 the essentials of a fascinating game whose benefits, intellectual stimulation, and adventure will last a lifetime. Sign up today! The 20-week course begins on October 25, 2021.   BridgeWhiz is designed for beginner bridge players, with opportunities for grads to continue lessons through grade 12. Twenty 90-minute online classes with class sizes of 20-40 students begin in October. Classes offered weekly in multiple time zones: Choose a day and time that best meets your child's schedule. Each graduating student receives a free one-year Junior Membership in ACBL. Uses Zoom for lessons, SharkBridge platform for structured play, and BridgeBaseOnline (BBO) for competitive play. All teachers and assistants are fully vetted and experts in bridge. Opportunities to continue play in local, national, and international youth tournaments.   Register your child or grandchild today!   Learning to play bridge will nurture your child’s team and individual competitive spirit. Build social skills. And enhance deductive reasoning and math abilities.   In fact, young bridge players outscored their non-playing counterparts on the 2007 Iowa Test of Basic Skills by 39.31% in Science, 24.22% in Math, and 22.74% in Social Science.