Minnesota Bridge

The Most Fascinating Game

So when did you start playing bridge?  In high school?  College?  Not until grad school?  Or did you begin to learn after getting settled into the career of your choice?

My guess is that for many of us, we began to learn bit by bit, perhaps playing every couple of weeks and attempting to stay out of the dog house.  Or going out after the evening game ended, where the tough guys who had been playing for some time both fascinated and explained to the hoi polloi.  And the newbies did their best to listen and learn, staying quiet after a few disasters - yet other times excited by the thrill of a win!

"Mad City" in Wisconsin had a myriad of games in The Rathskeller, with a wide variety of choices to play throughout the week. And more than a few - like myself - would aim to win at a variety of games, with bridge so very tough I would only do a bit here and there as the long time champs dazzled me with their brilliance.

One of my first incredible times at the bridge table was when my Aunt Rosalie (world's oldest living teenager, as Mike Passel would describe her) invited me to come to Oklahoma and play with Aunt Rosy and her many talented friends.  Everyone was SO very nice to me and so much fun!  And the tournament was the first - and last time that not only did I win masterpoints in every game that week - but I TRIPPLED my masterpoint holding!  The crown jewel of my thrill was when our Sunday team WON the final event, beating Jim Jacoby and company!

As the years went by, I learned more, managed to not get hysterical when I lost an event by ONE masterpoint (ugh) - and meet players literally from all over the world.  I was madly in love with bridge, the people (be they super stars or trying hard to learn) - and both worked hard to improve my game and have fun.

And then?  3 years ago I was waiting to hop on a flight to Las Vegas when suddenly I realized I could not stand up!  I lied down on the floor, vomited non stop for about 45 minutes, until paramedics finally packed me up - and took me to the hospital.  I won't go through the gory details of having 9 oncologists examine me each day, some weeping as they believed me to have the worst possible type of brain cancer. And the odds of me lasting an entire year were close to nil.  But the good news?  Turns out I did not have that type, and thus the odds were that I could last longer than originally anticipated.  Unfortunately, my brain had been attacked so very much, the odds of my memory and a number of other previous abilities were such that much of me would always have many significant problems.

Which brings me to a simply wonderful time I had at our recent tournament!  I kibitzed for two days, having not been able to see hardly anyone for about 2.5 years.  And everyone competing could not have been nicer, friendlier, more supportive and fun!  The last day of the tournament, I was included with the winners (despite being at home that day!)  And again, everyone was so kind, I felt that I was in nirvana!

I am SO glad that people are beginning to play again!  I am SO grateful that overall, those working so hard at our tournament were fabulous and did a superlative job.  And I personally felt so lucky that I could kibitz, chat with friends I had missed for too long - etc., etc.

The odds for me are such that I may never be able to play bridge again.  Yet with such fine people in our games - be they super stars or those working hard to become reasonable competitors - or just having loads of fun...  I hope that bridge will begin to flourish once again, as it did years ago when I fell in love with the game and the people.

 

Congratulatios to Our Unit 103 Competitors!

Warren Nelson Reports on Successes by Unit 103 Competitors!

So Proud of these Great Showings!

 

KUDOS TO TERRY AND JOHN!

The NAP’s were held last Thursday and Friday online.  In the prestigious Flight A event Unit 103 members Terry Beckman and John Koch finished 11^th overall.  73 pairs were entered.  Well done guys! 

Keith Connolly (playing with Vern Swing) also entered.  Unit 103 members Del Swanson and Gene Brandl played in the Flight B event.  In the flight C event, Unit 103 member Peter Bock (playing with Sarah Emmons) was entered.  Congratulations to all these players!

In other news, Duluth players Curt and Ben Kristensen will be playing in the semifinals (and finals, hopefully) of the 0 - 5000 KO this coming weekend.  A total of 38 teams were entered in that event. 

Nice going guys!  Next week I will have a report on how they finished.

That's Italian!

 

That Italy has produced some of the finest bridge players who have ever lived - and some of the most commanding teams in the world as a result - is no secret. Though other teams surely have vanquished the Italians, discounting their ability to win is generally a serious error.

Thus, it should be no surprise to anyone that in today's Koch Korner hand, John highlights dazzling declarer play by one of today's top Italian competitors, Norberto Bocchi.

Be sure to read the entire column!  An Italian from nearby - Paolo Ranaldi - shows that you can be situated in the states, and still know how to play the cards.

That's Italian - indeed!

The Taming of the Club

Big club systems are not the method of choice for a majority of Minnesota players. Nevertheless, some of our pairs use big club to good advantage. 

Whether you do or do not use such a system, however, having some understanding of how the big club works can serve you well.

John Koch, writer extraordinaire and fine competitor, is also most familiar with these systems.

Today, John demonstrates how knowledge of the system can sometimes help you to see your way home in a tough contract. Read John's column and tame the big club!

Empty Spaces

If you are looking for a superb declarer from Minnesota, then you'd be hard pressed to find someone superior to John Koch.

In today's column, John highlights how to calculate success in a difficult hand from his fine showing in the Bill Quinn Labor Day Sectional.

John teaches us how to go with the odds in a fascinating hand! Thanks, John!

Now What?

The auction completes and we are declarer. We wait anxiously for the opening lead and to see dummy. Are we in the right contract? Do we have "a claimer" - a hand with reasonable play - or a major challenge?

Sometimes what appears to be a fairly good contract when we first see dummy can soon turn into a hand with twists and turns. When we are in slam - the stakes are much higher.

This past weekend at the Labor Day Sectional, John Koch had such a hand. Watch how John remains calm, reasons throughout - and achieves success.

Deception

Billy Rosen, 2014 von Zedtwitz Award & Hall of Fame Member

Deception at the bridge table can be a two edged sword. During the auction or defense, fool the opponents - and you may find yourself confusing partner, too, to disadvantage.  Yet as declarer, dummy merely plays the cards, while you attempt your magic against the defenders.

Surely such ploys can work against moderate opposition. But when your opponents are expert level? What then?

This week, John Koch demonstrates that even the best of the best can be ensnared in a crafty declarer's dastardly plot!

Hindsight

We in the Minnesota bridge world are exceedingly fortunate to have John Koch. Not only is he one of our top players, John is a national champion. Of course, as we all know, John is also an insightful writer, sharing wisdom, insight and deft plays with us, week after week.

Yet, even the talented John sometimes finds these plays after the fact - and not at the table.

Such is the nature of our game.

Here are two such hands from the 2014 District GNT. John found the winning play ... but alas for John, in the rear view mirror.

Early Clues

As many Minnesotans travel to Las Vegas for the summer NABC, we share something that should help: another fine column from John Koch.

No matter how difficult the hand, John always shares insight to aid us in discovering a line to foil the opponents!

Play begins in Las Vegas today for GNT competitors. A number of our players are among the GNT finalists; we wish you all well!

Koch's Korner - Welcome Back!

After successfully dealing with some of the health issues that start to plague us aging bridge players, John Koch, our columnist extraordinaire, returns! 

We are most happy to see John back on the pages of MN Bridge. His fine writing, delicate declarer play and bold defense always instruct us.

Today's hand comes from a recent tournament. Of course, John accents it with a bit of bridge history too.

John warns his columns may not be as regular as in the past. No matter; we will take what we can get! 

Enjoy!

Risk and Reward

At the bridge table, we constantly weigh the risk of an action versus its reward.  The same choice that may help partner judge what to do may also assist the opposition to go right. Ergo, we must always analyze:  what do I have to gain?  What do I have to lose?

This week, John Koch highlights how some choices are weighted heavily in one direction - and choosing poorly can have disastrous consequences.

Double Edged Sword

Very descriptive bids can make life easier for partner - and for the opponents!

Michaels - a bid that usually shows at least 5/5 in the majors - is such a convention.  It can aid partner in knowing how high to bid and evaluating values.  Yet, it also can help the other side, either in defending or declaring.

This week, John Koch demonstrates how to take advantage.  Whether such bids are to your advantage or not - we leave that up to you to judge!

Stepping Stone Redux

Some hands, at first blush, seem impossible to make.  Yet with careful play, executed in the proper order, "impossible" can turn into success.

One of the most intriguing techniques available to declarers is the stepping stone.  

This week, John Koch shows us exactly how to to reap its rewards - step by step.

Slim Pickins'

Partner invites game.  With full values for the auction so far, you forge on - and partner's dummy is the bare minimum.

What now?

This Wednesday, John Koch shows us how to make lemonade when we are handed lemons!

Coup En Passant

A number of French landmarks are famous throughout the world:  the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and Palace of Versailles are but a few.

Yet, a bridge maneuver at the table with a French accent is also a wonderful creation:  the "coup en passant".  What is this marvelous move?  

Le columnist John Koch has an explanation that is magnifique!

A National Title

In 2004, Tony Ames and John Koch, along with Rod Beery and Mary Egan, entered the NABC Baze Senior KO Teams.  For those who see the word "senior" and think that this means the event is a walk in the park - think again. When you see names like Bobby Wolff, Dan Morse, Fred Hamilton, John Sutherlin and others - you appreciate that you must play some pretty tough bridge to survive.

And "survive" their team did. Despite playing on a four man team (which can be most fatiguing) and facing superb competition - at the end of the event, Tony, John, Rod and Mary were in the winner's circle.  

In today's Koch Korner column, John details a difficult hand that Tony played against two world champions:  John Shermer and Neil Chambers.  (By the way, this same pair will be representing the United States in the coming days in Bali on USA1 in the Senior Knockouts. Be sure to kibitz some of the action on Bridgebase!)

Had Tony not declared as magnificently as he had, John might not have written today's column.  But - Tony did, and thus John did - and we are the benefactors of enjoying such fine play!

My Favorite Martian

OK, OK; no one has an opponent that is a Martian.  But - many of us do have a "favorite opponent."

This week, John Koch tells a tale from a match against his favorite opponent - and, how to go right.

Please see below; the hand is out of this world!

Taking Care of Partner

What makes a good player great?  Much of the time, we think that being able to calculate the highest percentage action for declaring or defense is the answer - or, perhaps having super bidding skills.  And, no doubt, these are all critically important abilities to winning.

Nevertheless, another skill that is key too often is overlooked:  making life a bit easier for partner.

Too often, we forget that we are on the same side as partner! After the fact, we may argue about how partner should have known what was going on....  

In reality, however, with more reflection we realize that we didn't do all that we could to help partner to go right.

This week, John Koch demonstrates not only how to figure out a hand, but how to help partner figure it out, too!

And, for those who do not know, John and his partner, Tony Ames, won the national title in this tough field!  With the skills and thoughtfulness that John and Tony have - we are not surprised.

All the Tools

What makes the difference between a reasonable player and a great one?  

Oftentimes, it's this.  The reasonable player selects a number of good choices.  Yet the great one leaves no stone unturned - and utilizes all the tools at his disposal.

This week, John Koch demonstrates how to turn what on first blush looks like a rough hand into success!

Clue

Do you remember playing the board game "Clue" as a child?  You'd have to figure out "who dunnit" with logic from the clues that you had available to you.

In that regard, bridge is similar.  We take all the information we have at our disposal, then try to determine what is the Right Thing to Do.

Sometimes, if we offer the opponents too much data, we can do ourselves in.  Such was the case in this Koch Korner hand that John Koch delivers today.

Fine declarer play!  And - never forget that sometimes, giving declarer too much information can mean you are hung by your own rope in the playing area!