Minnesota Bridge

The End IS Near!

The End is Near
So Get Qualified Now!

                                           

 

State Fair time means the end of summer, and the end of summer is the end of North American Pairs qualifying. The North American Pairs event is one of the two grassroots events where people can compete against pairs at their own level from across North America. These qualifiers only happen during the 3 summer months of June, July , and August. You have be qualified at the club level in order to compete in the finals. The top finishers in the finals will get to play in the spring Nationals in New Orleans next March. 

The finals will be held online Saturday October 1st and Sunday October 2. The top three pairs will qualify for Flight A, while four pairs each from Flight B and Flight C will go to New Orleans. All pairs will play 4 sessions of 24 boards. You must play with the same partner throughout the finals.

In order to play in the District 14 NAP Final, players must be members of District 14 and have qualified for their masterpoint flight or a higher flight in a NAP Club Qualifying F2F or online game.

Flight masterpoints are determined as of the June masterpoint cycle run by ACBL data Processing on May 6, 2022. Any points won but not included in this cycle do not affect masterpoint eligibility.

Flight A is open to all Players.

Flight B is open to Players with fewer than 2,500.

Flight C is open to Players who are Non-Life Masters with fewer than 500.

 

Our local clubs are doing their part to help qualify people for a shot at the Nationals. On Monday, August 29 the Bridge Center of St. Paul hosts a North American Pairs qualifier face to face during their 10:00 AM Open game. Also on August 29, the Plymouth Bridge Club has a face to face NAP qualifier at 11:45 AM. 

 

Tuesday, August 30 finds both clubs again hosting NAP qualifiers. The Bridge Center of St. Paul again uses the 10:00 AM Open game for qualifying, while the Plymouth Bridge Club will have a qualifier for the 0 to 750 game at Studio 1, 6001 Lyndale Ave South, in Minneapolis. This game starts with a mini lesson at 12:15, and game time is 12:45. 

 

On August 31, the very last day of qualifying, all three online games from the Bridge Center of St. Paul will be NAP qualifiers. Those game times are 9:15 for 0 to 500 masterpoints, 9:30 for the 0 to 2500 Flight B competitors, and an Open game at 9:45.

 

So lots of opportunities to get qualified for the North American Pairs. Not only will you play for free if you make it to New Orleans, there will be a travel subsidy should yours be one of the pairs making it through the October finals. Check your schedule, call your favorite partner, and get to work on that ticket to the Nationals. I hope to see you there!

 

See what you can do, and protect your health by all means!

 

Thanks.

 

Keith

North American Pairs - ON-LINE District 14 for Flights A - B - C

ON-LINE District 14 North American Pairs October 2 - 3, 2021

Club Qualifying Required: You must be a District 14 member and qualify in a D14 game.

Sanction 2110714 DIC: Anthony Ames
PREPPAYMENT REQUIRED BY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH

MAIL to DIC: Anthony Ames, 6125 Blue Circle Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343
Include: Both Players’ Names, ACBL #s, BBO Usernames, Flight

AND THE ENTRY FEE FOR BOTH PLAYERS
 with a check payable to Anthony Ames

Must play in all four sessions with the same partner to place

Four session play through = total matchpoints over four sessions

Flight A (Unlimited)
4 session event: Saturday 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Play-through 24 boards per session
$120 per pair entry fee, mailed to Anthony Ames by September 27th

Flight B (0 - 2,500)
4 session event: Saturday 1:15 pm and 5:15 pm, Sunday 1:15 pm and 5:15 pm
Play-through 24 boards per session
$100 per pair entry fee, mailed to Anthony Ames by September 27th

Flight C (0 - 500/Non-Life Master)
4 session event: Saturday 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm, Sunday 1:30 and 5:30 pm
Play-through 18 boards per session
$80 per pair entry fee, mailed to Anthony Ames by September 27th

District 14 NAP Coordinator: Vickki Shelley [email protected]
DIC: Anthony Ames 952-200-3871 [email protected]

A: Unlimited Win 38.4 Gold Points: Stipends*

1st Place-$700, 2nd place $300+$200, 3rd place $350

B: 0-2500 Win 26.8 Gold Points: Stipends*

1st place- $700, 2nd place $300+$200, 3rd/4th places $350

C: 0-500NLM Win 16 (8gold/8red) Points: Stipends*

1st place-$700, 2nd place $300+$200, 3rd/4th place $350

• Stipend fees are contingent upon having a FTF final
• Finals are in Reno, NV
  Flight A March 9 & 10, 2022
• Flights B & C March 19 & 20, 2022
• 
  IN THE EVENT THAT THE RENO NABC IS CANCELLED
• OR RESCHEDULED DUE TO COVID-19, THE NATIONAL FINAL WILL
  BE PLAYED ONLINE.
• ALL FLIGHTS WILL PLAY ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, MARCH 10 – 11, 2022.

Hi Minnesota Buds - Joseph Jones has news for all wishing to play at ACBL NACB Tournaments that we're going to have to hold on for a while.  I know most of us much prefer to see our friends from all over the world, enjoying a yummy dinner in between rounds as we discuss hands and even do a tad of site seeing.  But Joe will explain why we are unable to do so right now - and I hope everyone keeps on enjoying virtual bridge at their favorite MN club - or "sneaks down" (LOL) to their favorite club in Miami, Tucson or California for a toasty, roasty great game!  (Or stay home in bed and turn up the thermometer!)  Peg

Dear Member,   Due to the ongoing risk posed by COVID-19, the ACBL has canceled the 2021 Spring North American Bridge Championships that were scheduled for March 11-21, 2021 in St. Louis, MO.     ACBL officials and local volunteers have worked tirelessly with the host hotel and local government officials, and, sadly, the event cannot be held as scheduled because the coronavirus pandemic continues to surge and the vaccine roll-out is slower than anticipated. Please know the health and safety of our members and our employees is of paramount importance to us.   Due to the attractiveness of the location, the ACBL is working to negotiate rescheduling an NABC in St. Louis sometime in the future. Members will be notified if and when those dates have been finalized.   We will continue to offer chances to play and win black, silver, red and gold masterpoints® on Bridge Base Online. Details of ongoing and special events along with Virtual Clubs can be found at acbl.org/virtual.   Sincerely, Joseph Jones ACBL Executive Director January 11, 2021

More ACBL Updates - North American Pairs & Grand National Teams

Due to continued restrictions in place across the continent due to COVID-19, both the North American Pairs and Grand National Teams events have been canceled for 2020.

With regard to the 2020-2021 NAP, the qualifiers from the 2019-2020 season will play their final in St. Louis in March 2021 and will receive their travel awards if they attend.

For the 2019-2020 GNT, districts who have completed their district finals may choose to send those teams to the National final in the summer of 2021 or may restart from scratch. Those who qualified will be eligible to play in 2021 based on their masterpoint standing at the time of the original qualifying event. This is a district option, not the ACBL’s.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will participate in 2021. 

 

Stay well!

Nancy Boyd

Director of Bridge Operations

Motion Passed by ACBL Board of Directors this Morning

Shared with all in District 14 from our District Director Sharon Anderson:

 

Motion: The 2020 NAP Finals will be held at the Montreal Summer 2020 NABC. The 2020 GNT Finals will be held at the Tampa Fall 2020 NABC. The details of the Finals, including the scheduling of those events, will be established by management at a later date.

 

The deadline for the completion of District GNT Finals will be October 1, 2020.

District 14 North America Pairs Finals for Spring NABC 2020

 

Minnesotans often shine in District 14's NAP qualifier for spring's NABC.  This year's District Finals did not disappoint.

Congrats to all qualifiers!  Best of luck this coming spring!

And a special shout out to Jackson Wahl and Sarah Emmons, students at Carleton College, for their qualification to go to Ohio.  Bridge for young people is alive and well in Minnesota!  May the successes of our college students spur more youth to also become bridge competitors!

 

NAP Flight A

John Koch - Terry Beckman

Leon Blackwell - Grant Broadwine

Bob Balderson - Cindy Balderson

Vern Swing - Bruce Boie

 

NAP Flight B

Debra Tyrdik - Lynda Peterson

Del Swanson - Gene Brandl

Gerald Burdeski - Mark Sinner

Diane Henson - Larry Henson

 

NAP Flight C

Peter Bock - Beverly Meyer

Katie Albers - Brad Albers

Jackson Wahl - Sarah Emmons

 

(Please note. Pairs are listed in order of finish.  Also, we are sorry that data was posted incorrectly originally.  Names that were originally at ACBL were not correct.  Thanks to all for your patience!)

 

District 14 North American Pairs 2019 - October 5-6

 

With autumn swiftly approaching, this year's competition for North American Pairs also draws nearer.

For District 14's GNT in 2019, the event will be held in Urbandale, Iowa at the Des Moines Bridge Center.

The event is scheduled for October 5th and 6th; competitors have 4 sessions for the event.

Opportunities to receive funds from ACBL and to compete in the Spring NABC in Columbus, Ohio are available for players in Flights A, B and C.

This is a superb opportunity to have a fine weekend of bridge, competing against pairs in your flight throughout District 14.  And then chances to face your peers from all over ACBL land next spring!

This year's flyer is posted below. Do contact our NAP coordinator, Rich Newell, with questions!  [email protected]

District 14 GNT 2019 Finals - May 4-5

 

This is THE opportunity for all District 14 players to win a trip to Las Vegas and compete in the 2019 Grand National Teams!  Four flights are available:  Superflight, A, B and C.  Note that Flight B also has special discounts, too!

NEW opportunities are available this year so two teams from Flights B and C may be able to represent districts this year!

GNT Coordinator Mike Cassel has the details!  Be sure you are qualified for the District finals - then head on down to the Des Moines area to try to be one of the teams that represents us this summer!

 

Per the ACBL BOD decision in Honolulu  GNT Flights B and C will be eligible to send two teams to the National Finals in Las Vegas in July if their field size at the district final is 8 or more teams.

 

The executive committee of District 14 has directed a revision to the GNT Conditions of Contest for Flight B.  Rather than applying a handicap to less experienced teams a decision has been made to encourage greater participation in Flight B by offering a 50% rebate of the Saturday entry fee to teams having no member over 1500 masterpoints (as of April 6, 2019 run).

 

Instead of $120, the Flight B team entry fee for these teams on Saturday will be $60. This fee, based on a 4-person team, $7.50/pp/session, is a great opportunity to compete in the Saturday Swiss Team event.  The top four VP  totals on Saturday will play 28 board KOs in the semifinal and final KO on Sunday.

 

We hope to see you in Des Moines, IA on May 4 and 5 for the Grand National Teams finals.  The D14 BOD will extend an invitation to the NABC finals for the second place teams in Flight B & C at their board meeting in Bloomington in May.  The amount of  travel subsidy, if any, to the second place teams will be decided at that time.

 

Attached are the revised contest conditions and flyer.  Please communicate this change and print flyers so that your players are aware.  The link at acbl.org to D14 GNT conditions of contest will reflect the new CoC imminently.

 

Mike Cassel

D14 GNT Coordinator

 

COD and flyers are below the line

 

North American Pairs - Memphis 2019

 

In just about a week, District 14 finalists in 2019's North American Pairs competition will head to Memphis. There, they will compete against pairs in Flights A, B and C - and do their best to win a title.

We are excited for all our qualifiers and wish them the best!  

 

Flight A

Ron DeHarpporte - Peg Waller

Terry Beckman - John Koch

Richard Lawson - Andrew Caranicas

 

Flight B

Diane Henson - Larry Henson

Judy Hansen - Grant Broadwine

Gary Knippenberg - Erwin Heisler

 

Flight C

James Schnepf - Connie Nelson

Sean McNally - Morgan Johnstone

Rodney Anderson - Martin Mueller

District 14 NAP Finals - 2018-2019

 

 

This past weekend, players from Flights A, B and C competed at the Edina Senior Center to become one of the (3 in Flight A, 4 in Flights B and C) to represent District 14 at the Spring NABC in Memphis.

While most winners were Twin Citians, we did have some qualifiers from other locales. In the fledgling Northfield Club, which meets twice per month, we had C qualifiers and also our first place C winners were from Avon, just outside of St. Cloud.  We also had a St. Cloud qualifier in Flight A.  Two of our B qualifiers hoofed it to Edina from Omaha, Nebraska, with 1 B qualifier from Morehead and another from Preston, outside of Rochester.

Another highlight was that our U of MN student pair qualified second place in C!

Flight A had 7.5 tables; Flight B had 8 tables and an impressive 11.5 tables showed up for Flight C!

Something your webmaster has never seen before occurred in Flight A. A District 14 player from Iowa was perusing the results in Flight A, and noticed an anomaly in the scoring.  He contacted a friend about it, and the friend (one of our players) realized that the score could not be accurate.  He got in touch with our fine Tournament Director, Tony Ames, and places were adjusted.  Because of the correction, places 2, 3 and 4 were separated by a total of .14 of a masterpoint!

While this surely was a quirk, we are glad that the proper scores were posted.

Here are results:  Flight A - Flight B - Flight C.  And those who will be representing our District in each flight are as below.

Flight A

Ron DeHarpporte - Peg Waller

Terry Beckman - John Koch

Richard Lawson - Andy Caranicas

 

Flight B

 Diane Henson - Larry Henson

Judy Hansen - Grant Broadwine

Gary Knippenberg - Erwin Heisler

Keith Thompson - Gerald Burdeski 

 

Flight C 

James Schnepf - Connie Nelson

 Sean McNally - Morgan Johnstone

Rodney Anderson - Martin Mueller

James Finholt - David Finholt

 

Big thanks to both Diane Henson (winner, winner!) and coordinator for District 14 NAP - and of course to Tony Ames, our head director and Scott Smith directing Flight C.

Additional thanks to Sue Jackson for working with Diane for pre-event publicity.  Sue also managed the playing site, ably assisted by Sandy Nelson for session goodies.  Ann House helped, too, with the luncheon on Sunday, as did Diane and her husband, Larry.

Photos of some of our qualifiers below - then more of our competitors below the line.  Apologies for not getting shots of every qualifier - but - we wish you all the best in Memphis!

 

 

 

 

 

North American Pairs District 14 Qualifying - October 6-7

 

Tomorrow is the day! Compete against your peers at the Edina Community Center on Saturday and Sunday - and - you and your partner might be among those earning funds to attend the 2019 NAP at the Memphis Spring NABC!

The flyer for the event can be found here.  Remember; you must have qualified for the event to compete.  And - registration starts early:  12PM through 12:50PM.

A super opportunity for all, irrespective of your experience level!

North American Pairs - 2018-2019

District 14 North American Pairs Finals- Oct 6-7

Edina, MN

 

Please send an RSVP by September 30th if you are planning to play in the D14 NAP Final in Edina, MN on Oct. 6-7.  We need a count for Sunday lunches and pre-registration will help us to start the tournament on time. Send your names and flight information (A, B, or C) to either Sue Jackson, at [email protected] or to my email; [email protected].

See attached flyer for further information.  Please note that this tournament requires that you qualified in a club qualifying game.

There is a pair game on Friday, October 5th at 7:15pm at the Grand Slam Club at the same location in Edina, if you want to play in a warm-up game. 

Sales of entries will be from 12-12:50 pm with the tournament starting at 1pm on Saturday.   There will be separate sections and winners for Flight A, Flight B, and Flight C.  You may play in the tournament to win points even if you don't want to play at the Memphis NABC NAP in March, 2018 but you still must have qualified at a club qualifying game.

There are subsidy funds available from the ACBL & the District for the top 3 winners in Flight A and the top 4 winners in Flights B & C.  The district will be sending a total of 11 pairs to the national NAP event in March.

Please contact me or Sue with any questions.  Hope to see you all at the District Finals.

Diane Henson 

[email protected]

District 14 NAP Coordinator 

Download NAP District Finals Flyer

District 14 North American Pairs - 2018-2019

 

In addition to a fun town - Memphis is a great spot for a North American Bridge Championship! And next year - Memphis is the spot for our Spring NABC.

It's also the place where North American Pair contestants can compete against their peers from all over ACBL-land - and perhaps end up THE winner in their field.

Diane Henson, our District 14 coordinator for NAP's has given us a wealth of information about the 2018-2019 North American Pairs. A flyer for the coming season, a fact sheet and District 14's Conditions of Contest are all posted below.  Be sure to read through Diane's overview - and check out all the extra info, too!

 

2018-2019 NAP Qualifying Games Start June 1st at Your Local Clubs

 

Play in a local qualifying game during the months of June, July, and August to qualify to play in the District Finals in October.  All games are extra point games.

District Finals will be at the Edina Senior Center in Edina, MN Oct. 6-7, 2018.

Your chances of winning money to help pay for your trip to the national NAP in March 2018 in Memphis include a higher subsidy, courtesy of District 14!  There will 11 winning pairs representing District 14 at the spring NABC in Memphis.

  1^st Place winners receive $700 each ($1400 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC

•   2^nd Place winners receive $500 each ($1000 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•   3^rd Place winners receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•   4^th Place winners (Division B & C only) receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC

You only compete against others in your division:  A, B, or C. 

Gold and red points will be awarded at the District Final tournament.

Division A:  Unlimited master points, 1^st-3^rd place winners

Division B:  Under 2500 master points, 1^st-4^th place winners

Division C:  Under 500 master points & non-life master, 1^st-4^th place winners

More details below!

North American Pairs 2017-2018 - District 14 Finals - October 7-8

 

North American Pairs, gives players the opportunity to aim at being a District 14 representative in Philadelphia at the Spring 2018 NABC - enjoying great competition with other ACBL representatives 

 

District Finals will be at the Edina Senior Center in Edina, MN Oct. 7-8, 2017 - Six days from today!

 Minnesota Players who have qualified - do not miss out! The NAP Finals are in our own backyard - take advantage of this great opportunity!

Your chances of winning money to help pay for your trip to the national NAP in March 2018 in Philadelphia have been improved, courtesy of District 14. 

There will 11 winning pairs representing District 14 at the spring NABC in Philadelphia.

•     1^st Place winners receive $700 each ($1400 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•     2^nd Place winners receive $500 each ($1000 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•     3^rd Place winners receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•      4^th Place winners (Division B & C only) receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees        at the NABC

You only compete against others in your division:  A, B, or C. 

Gold and red points will be awarded at the District Final tournament.

Division A:  Unlimited master points, 1^st-3^rd place winners

Division B:  Under 2500 master points, 1^st-4^th place winners

Division B:  Under 500 master points & non-life master, 1^st-4^th place winners

The flyer for the District Finals, the Conditions of Contest, and an NAP fact sheet are below.

North American Pairs, gives players the opportunity to aim at being a District 14 representative in Philadelphia at the Spring 2018 NABC - enjoying great competition with other ACBL representatives 

 

District Finals will be at the Edina Senior Center in Edina, MN Oct. 7-8, 2017 - Six days from today!

 Minnesota Players who have qualified - do not miss out! The NAP Finals are in our own backyard - take advantage of this great opportunity!

Your chances of winning money to help pay for your trip to the national NAP in March 2018 in Philadelphia have been improved, courtesy of District 14. 

There will 11 winning pairs representing District 14 at the spring NABC in Philadelphia.

•     1^st Place winners receive $700 each ($1400 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•     2^nd Place winners receive $500 each ($1000 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•     3^rd Place winners receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•      4^th Place winners (Division B & C only) receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees        at the NABC

You only compete against others in your division:  A, B, or C. 

Gold and red points will be awarded at the District Final tournament.

Division A:  Unlimited master points, 1^st-3^rd place winners

Division B:  Under 2500 master points, 1^st-4^th place winners

Division B:  Under 500 master points & non-life master, 1^st-4^th place winners

The flyer for the District Finals, the Conditions of Contest, and an NAP fact sheet are below.

2017-2018 North American Pairs

 

Yes, it really is time to think about the North American Pairs, aiming at being a District 14 representative in Philadelphia in spring 2018 - and enjoying great competition at local, District and national levels!

Diane Henson has all the details about this excellent event! 

 

2017-2018 NAP qualifying games start June 1st at your local clubs

Play in a local qualifying game during the months of June, July, and August to qualify to play in the District Finals in October.  All games are extra point games.

District Finals will be at the Edina Senior Center in Edina, MN Oct. 7-8, 2017

Your chances of winning money to help pay for your trip to the national NAP in March 2017 in Philadelphia have been improved, courtesy of District 14. 

There will 11 winning pairs representing District 14 at the spring NABC in Philadelphia.

•   1^st Place winners receive $700 each ($1400 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•   2^nd Place winners receive $500 each ($1000 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•   3^rd Place winners receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC
•   4^th Place winners (Division B & C only) receive $350 each ($700 for the pair) plus paid entry fees at the NABC

You only compete against others in your division:  A, B, or C. 

Gold and red points will be awarded at the District Final tournament.

Division A:  Unlimited master points, 1^st-3^rd place winners

Division B:  Under 2500 master points, 1^st-4^th place winners

Division B:  Under 500 master points & non-life master, 1^st-4^th place winners

The flyer for the District Finals, the Conditions of Contest, and an NAP fact sheet are below.

Hot Summer Nights

 

Is it too early to contemplate summer and a host of hot Friday night events? Noooooo it is not!

Steve Gaynor has all the details!

A brochure with all the details is below. Head over to the Twin City Bridge Center at 6:30PM for lots of fun and competitive bridge!

District 14 North American Pairs - 2015-2016

Check out District 14's website to see who will be representing us next spring in Reno at the North American Pairs!

Congrats to all!  Many thanks to all those who made the weekend such a success!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

 

 

Have you qualified for the North American Pairs? 

 

August 31 is the last date on which you can qualify to play in the District 14 NAP. 

 

The NAP is a thrilling event for many reasons.

 

• You can compete against your peers; Flights A, B and C play separately
• Pairs who place 1st through 3rd in Flight A, and 1st through 4th in Flights B and C will earn a nice subsidy to play in the Spring NABC in Reno
• You earn the opportunity to play in an NABC event at the nationals!
• The finals will be held locally, in Edina
• Minnesotans have a history of doing very well in national competition!

So - check with your local clubs.  Make certain if you are not already qualified, that you do play in qualifying games.  Even if you have already, extra practice is fun and aids to do well.

More details here.  Good luck to all!

 

North American Pairs - 2014-2015 - Changes

Changes have been made for the conditions of contest, qualifying and potential subsidies earned for the NAP. Please read this post at District 14's website for all the details!

NAP Qualifiers

North American Pairs season is upon us! 

Interested in qualifying to play at the next spring NABC against peers in your strata - and potentially earning cash to subsidize your trip? Then head on down to your favorite club, get qualified to play in the District 14 Finals in Sioux City this October - and you could be one of our representatives!  More details on NAP can be found here.

Last night, Steve Gaynor's game hosted an NAP qualifier at the Twin City Bridge Center. Carol Rynders and Jean Boettcher won, topping over 60%.

Loads of NAP games are scheduled in the coming months. Check the schedules at your local clubs to find out when. You just might be our Flight A, B or C representative at the nationals!