Minnesota Bridge

Steve Gaynor is Helping Us - Make Bridge Great Again!

BIG Thanks to Steve Gaynor!

Lots of info for all sorts of bridge!

Be sure to peruse around - and - see
WHATS UP!!

 

LOCAL FULL-TIME BRIDGE CENTER:

 

Bridge Center of St Paul, 2603 6^th Ave, North St. Paul, MN 55109 651-490-5430 6th Ave, North St www.bridgecenterofstpaul.com

 

Minneapolis area face to face games:

 

Monday-Wednesday-Friday:  Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN

 

Thursday:  Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN

 

Tuesday-Saturday:  Studio 1, 6001 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

 

Contact Tony Ames at 952-200-3871 – ynotsema@aol.com

 

Contact Scott Smith for Wednesday and Thursday – htimswttocs@yahoo.com

 

 

 

OTHER POPULAR BRIDGE SITES:

 

Minnesota Bridge Blog:   www.mnbridge.com  

 

Keep up-to-date on all sorts of happenings in the world of Minnesota Bridge.  There are links to lots of other bridge sites including a list of other sanctioned duplicate games in MN.

 

Unit 178.com

 

News about bridge in Minneapolis and the western suburbs

 

American Contract Bridge League (ACBL):  acbl.org

 

See how bridge is administered; check your masterpoints; get tournament schedules; locations of clubs.

 

Bridgebase online:  BBO.com  - Watch, learn and/or play bridge online.  Currently offering ‘Virtual Club Games’ that benefit your local bridge club and pay ACBL masterpoints to the winners.

 

Bridge Winners:  bridgewinners.com - Players from all over the world share experiences, hands, opinions about everything bridge. 

 

 

 

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS AS OF APRIL, 2022:

 

May 23 - 29     GOPHER REGIONAL @ CROWNE PLAZA AIRPORT/MOA IN BLOOMINGTON, MN

 

Jun    2        I/N Sectional @ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN

 

Jun 23 - 25     Granite City Sectional @ 850 19^th St. South in Sartell, MN

 

Jun 29 – Jul 2  REGIONAL @ Waterloo Center For the Arts in Waterloo, IA

 

Jul 21 - 31     SUMMER NABC @ PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY CENTER IN PROVIDENCE, RI

 

TBA             Aquatennial Sectional @ TBA

 

                                                                                                                                                                 GOVERNANCE                                

 

 

 

WBF (World Bridge Federation):  Over 100 countries have national Bridge Organizations that are part of this main organization.  They administer world-wide events and championships including the Bermuda Bowl (held every 2 years); Olympiad or World Mind Sport Games (held every 4 years); Rosenblum Cup (held every 4 years).

 

ACBL: North American bridge organization encompassing the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.  It currently has about 150,000 dues paying members and is headquartered in Horn Lake, MS (suburban Memphis). 1-662-253-3100.

 

USBF (United State Bridge Federation): Administers events leading toward WBF world championships to determine the teams from the USA that will compete in the Open, Women’s, Junior’s and Senior’s competitions.

 

ACBL DISTRICT 14: One of 25 Districts in the ACBL.  It encompasses Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and North and South Dakota.  There are over 4000 members in this district’s 9 units.

 

ACBL UNIT 103 (Gopher): Encompasses over 800 members all in MN except for Minneapolis and most of its’ western suburbs (see below).

 

ACBL UNIT 178 (Viking): Encompasses about 800 members mainly located in zip codes beginning with 553 and 554.

 

Minutes of Unit 178 Board Meeting, March 2, 2022

Our Thanks to Board President Steve Gaynor
And Those who Help All Unit 178 Members
Who Improve Bridge for Us!

Subject: Minutes of Unit 178 Board Meeting, March 2, 2022
**********************************************************************

Date: March 30, 2022

To: Steve Gaynor

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

Board Members Present: Cass Weil, Jane Schmidt, John Schlundt, Sue Sanger, Vicky Smith, Richard Cottle

Guests: Teri Blu, Deanna Liddy

Financial Report: Approved

Gopher Regional: May 23—May 28, Monday—Thursday

Championships: 2 sessions, bracketed

Gold points in side games (2 games required)

Lunch and Learn: Tuesday—Friday

Free coffee

 

Sectionals: Who is financially responsible? Possible dates: Aquatennial and Labor Day. Mayflower will have space available for Sectionals.

Deanna suggests: Ask membership, elect committee, elect a chair, list responsibilities.

 Compensation for Sectional game operators: Operators are “owners”/managers of sectional games. Question: Should other Unit 178 games be closed during sectionals? Game operators, if asked t close during sectionals, could be paid to direct IN games. No need for action at this time.                                                                                    

Face-to-Face events: Attendance could increase as Covid declines. On-line Alliances in ACBL (5), have as many as 40 tables per region. 

Elections: Board members are needed to help find candidates. 

North American Pairs/Grand National Teams: Money is available to help pay costs. Coordinator needed to help get players. 

Miscellaneous: Social game players should be encouraged to join ACBL. Non-stress games (Saturday nights?) with ACBL mentor might be played. Chip Blu has designed a website— https://unit 178.com 

Next meeting: April 6 

Adjourned

 

The MN Gopher is Back! - By Connie Nelson

Connie Nelson Gives us The Scoop!
The MN Gopher is BACK!

 

Co-Chairs Patti Stuhlman and Warren Nelson are happy to announce that the 2022 MN GOPHER REGIONAL is back for face-to-face tournament play.  Everyone is welcome!

Six days of tournament play will start on Monday, May 23^rd and run through Saturday, May 28th.  We have a streamlined schedule, with sessions starting at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. 

Each day offers both two-session and single-session events that pay Gold and Red points.  Open Pairs, Gold Rush Pairs, and Bracketed Swiss Teams will be held each week day, as well as single-session I/N Pairs and Open Side Pairs.  On Saturday, we will have offer Stratiflighted  A/X and B/C/D Swiss Teams, along with the I/N Pairs and Open Side Games.  Regardless of your experience level, or whether you can play two sessions or only one, a game is waiting for you! 

The tournament will be held at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington (34^th Avenue South and American Blvd), near the Mall of America.  Our bridge tournament rate is only $99/night for single or double rooms ($129/night for suites).  This special rate is available through May 8^th by phone or online, using code MGB --- so reserve your room now!

To ensure the safest and most hospitable playing environment, all ACBL protocols regarding proof of COVID vaccination and masking in effect at tournament time will be followed, and Zero Tolerance enforced. 

If you need a partner, no problem!  Please contact Tom or Sue Grue at (suegrue@gmail.com) or call 702-454-5352.   Let’s pack the tables and showcase Minnesota's great bridge community.  

We can’t wait to see YOU back at the tables! 

“Go-Pher” the Gold!   “Go-Pher” the Fun!

____________________

For more information, check out: bit.ly/gopherregional, or go to “ACBL Tournaments.”

Bridge - The AMAZING Game!

Bridge offers a wealth of fun, fascination, learning, friendships - and sometimes WINNING!  And part of all this (plus plenty more) is a function of bridge being unique for each of us.

When I first learned bridge, I was in college in Madison, Wisconsin.  I played a myriad of different card games.  Oddly enough, bridge was NOT one of them - until some encouraged me to learn a bit.  I might have remained in the "oh, I'll play a game or two every few weeks" status. But others "took me on" - and I got hooked.  

Some of us have such amazing abilities, their game "clicks" and they become talented "faster than a speeding bullet!"  Joey Grue was one of those people.  I remember watching him play a hand, get doubled and go down some # of tricks.  Had it been me - I might have had some tears after that.  Joe?  No way!  It was on to the next hand.  And easy for those more experienced to see that this guy had talent and No Fear!

All of us who have played for some time are aware that abilities can be extremely different from one another.  Some - forever - stick to the "game every week or two" crowd - and that satisfied them.  Others became more and more intrigued.  They'd watch, they'd listen, they'd learn from those who had been playing longer.  And their games grew and improved.

The last couple of years, due to Covid - and more - have altered our bridge world more than we might ever have imagined.  Yet it doesn't mean that we should forget this fascinating game.  Neophite?  Frequently winning intermediate?  Another player with Grue "DNA" in their blood?  Whatever works well for our players - they should keep on!  

I'd love to see many of us express their feelings about a game that has intrigued millions for ages.  Have stories that thrilled you to no end?  Did you become a Life Master - or a Grand Life Master?  Did one of the most exciting aspects of bridge grab you - a WIN?!

Whether you are someone starting to stick their toes into this fascinating yet sometimes frustrating and challenging - or someone who has done so amazingly well, you are known around the world - realize this.  The game can be what YOU want it to be - which includes a lifetime of blasts!  And if you wish to do so, we'd love to hear YOUR experiences about this amazing game!  Please drop me a line - and grab your stories for those who are learning - and may one day end up a super star, too!

 

Great News from Steve Gaynor - The Minnesota Gopher Regional in May!!

Minnesota Gopher Regional May 23-28, 2022 sanction # 2205105

Fully vaccinated players only (must show proof of vaccination).
We follow ACBL protocol for masking for the safety of all.

CROWNE PLAZA AIRE HOTEL @ MALL OF AMERICA.
(Please park on the top level of the Parking Lot).

Walking distance from the recently expanded and Fabulous MALL OF AMERICA
American Blvd & 34th Ave S (3 Appletree Square) Bloomington, MN 55425
(I-494 and 34th Ave. So.) 952-854-9000.

Ask for the MN Gopher 
Regional Bridge Tournament (Code –MGB) rate: $99 sgl/dbl; Suite - $129
 Book by phone or on-line Reserve rooms by May 8, 2022.

Do not accept a higher room rate – call or e-mail Patti with problems.
Daily Hospitality: Snacks and FREE COFFEE & TEA every session

MONDAY, MAY 23
10:00 MONDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
MONDAY BRACKETED SWISS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
MORNING SIDE GAME SERIES #1
2:30 MONDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
MONDAY BRACKETED SWISS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
AFTERNOON SIDE GAME SERIES #1

TUESDAY, MAY 24
10:00 MARY MEINECKE OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
TUESDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
MORNING SIDE GAME SERIES #2
2:30 MARY MEINECKE OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 2nd OF 2 SESSIONS
TUESDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 2nd OF 2 SESSIONS
AFTERNOON SIDE GAME SERIES #2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
10:00 WEDNESDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
WEDNESDAY BRACKETED SWISS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
MORNING SIDE GAME SERIES #3
2:30 WEDNESDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
WEDNESDAY BRACKETED SWISS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
AFTERNOON SIDE GAME SERIES #3

THURSDAY, MAY 26
10:00 LARRY OAKEY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
THURSDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
MORNING SIDE GAME SERIES #4 (FINAL)
2:30
LARRY OAKEY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
THURSDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
AFTERNOON SIDE GAME SERIES #4 (FINAL)

FRIDAY, MAY 27
10:00 FRIDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
FRIDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
WEEKEND SIDE GAME SERIES #1
2:30 FRIDAY OPEN AND GOLD RUSH PAIRS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
FRIDAY BRACKETED SWISS TEAMS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
WEEKEND SIDE GAME SERIES #2

SATURDAY, MAY 28
10:00 BRUCE BOJE A/X & BCD SWISS TEAMS 1ST OF 2 SESSIONS
WEEKEND SIDE GAME SERIES #3
2:30 BRUCE BOJE A/X & BCD SWISS TEAMS 2ND OF 2 SESSIONS
WEEKEND SIDE GAME SERIES #4 (FINAL)

I/N PAIR GAMES: MORNING AND AFTERNOON 

SINGLE SESSIONS MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
LUNCH AND LEARN TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY IN I/N PLAYING AREA.

Any team, regardless of their MP holding, may request to play up in any team event. Please request this at least 30 minutes prior to game time.
 The directors retain the rights to divide the brackets where they deem appropriate. Team strata when applicable, will be decided
by the average of the top 4 MP holdings on each team.
Side game series pays Gold points for section tops and overall finishes as long as you play in two or more sessions of the same series.
 Overall awards are paid individually so you can have different partners.

Stratified Pair Events: Stratified by Average of both players
A: 0-unlimited B: 0-3000. C: 0-1500.
Team events: Stratified (when applicable) by Average of all team members
A: 0-unl. X: 0-5000. B 0-3000. C: 0-1250 D: 0-750
Gold Rush Pairs: A: 0-750. B: 0-300. C: 0-100.
(Gold Rush limited to players with 750 or fewer points).


Entry Fees: $15 person/session; $10 person/session for I/N events.
Unpaid ACBL members $4 more per session.
$5/person/session for current students under 25 with proper ID.
This event complies with ACBL non-smoking regulations.

Patti Stuhlman, Chair pattistuhlman123@gmail.com 612-865-2527
Partnerships – Sue Grue suegrue@gmail.com 702-454-5352 

Come one; come all!  We are thrilled to see everyone!

Breaking News! – 2022 Granite City Sectional

Our Thanks to Connie Nelson
And Kory Solarz
These Two Fine Players and Organizers
Have New Information for the Granite City Sectional 2022!
Come One - Come ALL!!!

 

New Dates & New Location

By Connie Nelson

The St Cloud Bridge Club is happy to announce that – COVID dependent – we are planning to hold our Granite City Sectional once again this year. 

At a New Location.  We will be hosting our tournament at a new venue – the Sartell Community Center, 850 – 19^th Street South, Sartell MN  56377.   Since returning to face-to-face bridge, we have been playing one of our local Club games here and really enjoy the setting.  The space is all one level and well-lit.

For most players, you will not be driving any further than our former location.  (But don’t put your car on auto-pilot and accidentally drive to the Whitney Senior Center!)  At the new location, there will still be free parking.  It also offers more nearby restaurant options for players between games. 

We hope many of you will come.  And, yes! – we will still offer some homemade goodies for which we are well- known.

On New Dates.  To make this happen, we had to change the dates of our Sectional.  We will be holding it one week later than in other years.  Our Granite City Sectional will now be Thursday, Friday and Saturday on June 23-25^th.    This has the added benefit that it will no longer be on the days immediately preceding Father’s Day Sunday, which we hope will allow many more to attend. 

So mark your calendars and hold these dates!  Start to line up partnerships and teams.  As usual, we will be holding both team and pair games.

If you have any questions, please Email Kory Solarz (korysolarz@gmail.com) or me (Connie@psg.us).

 

Let's Fall in Love.....

Have you played bridge for more than a short while?  If so, then you likely are aware that it simply doesn't stay the same forever.  I remember when I went to college in Madison Wisconsin - learned to play all sorts of card games - and even a little bit of bridge.  From Madison, I headed to grad school and ended up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!! I fell in love with Minnesota - then met a relative who enjoyed bridge.  

He encouraged me to occasionally play in St. Paul - so I did.  And although he was a super smart guy and quite nice, too - we rarely played a lot.  Though I enjoyed our games, I truly was a beginner, had a long trek from Minneapolis to the north - and didn't learn that much.

THEN I met a guy who asked me to play one evening - and we were second in an event!  Boy was I excited - especially when we were given trophies that were almost as tall as I was!  That was it; even though I still did not play a huge amount of bridge, playing more - and/or kibitzing - was a true treat.

I have been playing bridge literally for many decades....  so I've seen extreme changes over the years; some good and some not so wonderful.  I surely recall having regionals where almost every seat in TWO BALLROOMS were taken by players; THAT'S how many of us were fascinated and excited by bridge!

As we all know, though, the last few years have brought changes that truly are distinct from decades of our games.  Some have been good - but others have been painful and sad as we see so many games dwindling....  I know that there are some who think that the "death knell" of bridge is on its way...  And while it is impossible to predict, my view is one of hope that much that is not so hot now  will change greatly for the better.  And yet again, we'll see new players and juniors and retired folk - along with talented super stars - returning to the game like no other.

My goal?  I have a few.  One is as I mentioned; as fear of covid diminishes, we'll see more players return.  And once that happens, more will become intrigued with bridge, irrespective of their expertise and/or their beginning experiences.

I think that my greatest hope is that we will see many fall in love again.  Some will simply enjoy a game of bridge every week or two.  Others will become so fascinated, games will grow and grow - beginners will turn into intermediates - and then perhaps experts - and/or super stars!

Whether you are a casual player or one of Minnesota's amazing top players - I hope your enjoyment continues on - and more and more of us return to being bridge lovers!

We can do it!  Please share YOUR THOUGHTS about bridge in 2022.  What are your thoughts for growth?  What do you think creates the most fun and fascination?  What are the most thrilling bridge experiences you've had - and - the most crushing?

I do have my own thoughts that I hope to share.  And please do join me!  Many of us have fallen in love with bridge in the past - yet current circumstances have made playing more challenging for many.  We can fall in love again.   We can create the fun and amazement.  We can entice non-bridge players to be with us!

                                                  Let's do it!!!  

 

The Weather Outside May be Frightful! (Real cold at least!!)

Enjoy year 2022!
Minnesota Winter
Super Silver Sectional!

Larry, Patti and Kimberly - All will help guide!

ACBL Unit 103

Minnesota Winter       Super Silver Sectional        January 27-29, 2022  New Brighton Community Center          400 10th Street NW       New Brighton, MN 55112 Happy New Year of Bridge! We are happy to host our first tournament of 2022 this month. Brrrrriiinng a friend, come to New Brighton, and play some hot bridge. See the attached flyer for details. Tournament Chair:      Larry Huiras         phone: 715-410-8705         email:   bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com  Partnerships:      Patti Huiras         phone: 651-343-2078         email:   patti.huiras@gmail.com    Tournament Director:      Kimberly Hayward Notice: In accordance with Minnesota & ACBL safety protocols:  PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION REQUIRED before being admitted to the playing area. MASKS REQUIRED in the playing area and facility AT ALL TIMES.

 

Fall Nationals - Austin in Winter!

A Return to Nationals!  Austin's the Spot!

I assume that most of us know that the Fall Nationals are currently in play in Austin, Texas.  Afraid that with another year of Covid, I do not have a "lock-down" set of information that NABC's would normally have in more reasonable times.  Our bridge buds have varied opinions on whether they ought to head to the southwest - or not.  Many details about the Fall Nationals are understandably different.  Yet that does not mean that players from all over won't be there!

Alas; I am one of the "stay homers".  But I would like to do my best to share with our state and our district to see how the upper Midwest is fairing in the southwest!  Thus, if YOU are one of those who felt "gotta finally compete at the Fall Nationals!" - I'd love to hear from you, if possible!  Is it relatively easy to play under the unusual conditions of Covid?  How's attendance?  If you've already began to compete - how's it going?  Applause for you and your partner?  Or still warming up for a big game?

I know that the numbers will be down.  Nevertheless, I'm sure that many of us (like me!) want to hear about it all so we can live vicariously!

Our best wishes to everyone in Texas currently, and to those who are planning to arrive a bit later.  We hope that whether you are one of our top stars -  someone attending their FIRST NABC - or a player who is beefing up their game and getting better and better -  you might share with us how these Fall Nationals shake out.  We'd love to hear about your games and your adventures!

Best of luck to all!  Have loads of fun, mingled with highs and lows...  And if you feel like sharing your games, highs, and lows after returning home - I know everyone would be thrilled to hear about it!

Bridge is a many splendored thing...  we hope YOURS in particular is in Austin!

An 86.9% Game!!

Bill Voedisch, long time bridge player, lover of the game and Minnesota businessman, is sharing a bridge accomplishment that occurred earlier this year in March.  Bill has done a great deal for our bridge world - our state - and for helping others.  Bill recently sent me this story - and wow wee; it is SOME STORY!

 

Very few of us EVER are able to achieve what Bill did.  (I once achieved a just under 80% game at a club  in Omaha.  Bill's win puts mine to shame!)  Bill's story is below.  Try to keep your eyes from bugging out when you see what he did!  And let's give him a round of applause for this mighty feat!!

 

Something happened in bridge that I sorta dismissed in March.  I recently went back and found it, an 86.9% game on BBO.  I now think this was a special experience that, of course, I will never repeat.  Also, just turning 77, my bridge accomplishments are pretty much behind me, so this took on some importance. 

 

This game happened in a BBO Instant Matchpoint Tournament on March 27.  Competing in a field of 15, each player gets a BBO robot partner, and we play the same 12 boards against two BBO robot opponents. 

 

I've had some big games going after 8 or 10 hands - only to fall apart and end up below 80%.  Before this game my high scores on BBO Instant Tournaments were 80.60% and 79.96%.  But this time the good scores just continued through all 12 hands!

 

Below are the details.  First are my results on each of the 12 hands.  Next is the standings for the field of 15 showing my 86.9%, and the 30.65% margin of victory.

 

 

 

I contacted BBO and asked how this game compares to the history of all instant tournaments played.  And further, how did the margin of victory over 2nd place compare to the history of margins of victory?  The answer:  We don't know; we don't track this stuff.

 

Do I remember anything special about this game?  Nothing really.  I must have made no major errors in bidding and play, and the same for my robot partner in both bidding and defense.  When does that ever happen. The opposing robots are programmed like all robots, so I really have no clue there. 

 

Thanks, Peg!

 

 

Bill Voedisch

"aktite"

 

Bridge Center of St. Paul!

Big Thanks to Kim Hayward for This Weekend's Tourney Information!

Quick note about the tourney this past weekend for MN blog. 

 

This past weekend Unit 103 hosted the Welcome Back Minnesota Open Sectional and Gold Rush Regional in New Brighton. Having heard that many tournaments decided to cancel and others were poorly attended, the planning committee was hoping for at least 50% of 2019 table counts (the Oak Marsh golf club tournament).

We are happy to report that for the 4-days we had a total of 197 tables. If you subtract the Sunday Swiss which didn’t occur in 2019 we had 63% of the tables, much better than our 50% goal. Thanks to all who played! 

 

Pink & Blue = Judy Holderback & Joe Kivel (from St Paul)

Yellow & Jeans = Marc Ashton & Rolf Hubmayr (from Minneapolis)

White Sweatshirt & Dark sweater = Owen Barnett & Sophia Maymudes (both from Carleton)

Hawaiian Shirt & Cowl = John Miller & Jan Morris (from Rochester)

 

 

--

Kimberly Hayward, Club Manager

Bridge Center of St Paul

651-490-5430 w

651-271-3500 c

4 Attached Images

 

Home Again, Home Again - Jiggity Jig!

Steve Gaynor sent this message to me from a recent regional in Detroit.  I love how many of us did indeed struggle and sweat as we began to learn the mega-complexities of our amazing game!

Here is a fun hand from the regional in Detroit last week.    It meant a lot to go back home where I struggled so in my first 12 years of bridge and come away with some good results.  I told one of the players who is currently in his struggling era that his turn will come, just stick to it.  

 

Board 26 – All vul – Dealer East

A K 10 7 6 

K 6 5 

Q J 10 9 8 

                        ---

9 5                                           8 2 

Q 10 9 4                                  A J 8   

A K 4                                       5 3

A Q 9 6                                    J 10 8 5 4 2

 

Q J 4 3                        

7 3 2 

7 6 2 

K 7 3

E          S          W         N

P          P          1N        2D*

P          2H**     P          2S

3C        3S        4C        4S

P          P          5C        P

P          X          All pass

Jean & I went to Detroit to play in the first live ACBL regional since the pandemic started.  Several ACBL dignitaries were also in attendance like Executive Director Joe Jones, BOD president Georgia Heth, Director of Operations, Greg Coles and District 12 BOD representative, Dennis Carman.

After the defense took two spade tricks, North shifted to a diamond.  Unsure of how to play trumps, Jean decided to use the Murray Applebaum Discovery Play (play side suits to get info on distribution before tackling trumps) and hooked the hearts.  Finding North with three, she now played South for all the missing clubs, figuring that North would not enter this auction vulnearable without 5-5.  Plus 750 was worth all the matchpoints and helped us to a nice overall finish in the two session regional pair event.  Murray, a consistent winner of open events was also one of most charming, witty players who graced the Twin City bridge tables.  I hope he was up there watching his famous play succeed.

Murray Applebaum was a long time Minnesota player and a true character.  I, like Steve, do hope that Murray is looking down on our Minnesota contingency of competitors and remembering the years and years of fun, excitement - and occasional agony! - that we all face At the Table!

 

This is YOUR CHANCE! MN Welcome Back Open Sectional!

MINNESOTA WELCOME BACK OPEN SECTIONAL
              October 21-24

           Twin Cities Multiple Locations!

 

ACBL Unit 103

MINNESOTA WELCOME BACK OPEN SECTIONAL        October 21-24    Twin Cities Multiple Locations   Yes we are having a Tournament! We are so looking forward to seeing you at the table again! We are hosting an Open Sectional Tournament. In case you know of an IN player looking for a limited tournament, we are also co-hosting an Intermediate/Novice Regional, limited to those Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 Masterpointsat the same time! Because of the continuing Covid situation a couple of things are different. Here is what you need to know: Proof of Covid Vaccination is required to play. Mask will be required at all times in the playing area and in the building (MN state requirement) No food will be allowed in the playing area except during the lunch break. Beverages are OK Additionally, the ACBL is moving toward cashless tournaments and now prefer credit/debit cards for buying entries. However, we will still accept cash at this tournaments. Tournament Chair:    Larry Huiras     Email: bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com                            Phone: 715.410.8705           Partnerships:      Patti Huiras     Email: patti.huiras@gmail.com                            Phone:  651-343-2078 Director in Charge:      Kimberly Hayward Hope to see you there!

Todd Flowerday - Our Newest Author, Aiming for Learning and for Life Master!

I am grateful to receive another article from Todd Flowerday, a recent transplant to Minnesota - and - a young man who - like most of us - is fascinated by bridge!  Todd takes us from his plans to play with partner and good friend Bob, to his first foray into IMP pairs and his highs and lows. For those of you who are not "old timers" at the table, though, I hope that Todd and all the others realize this.  No matter how hard you study, learn and battle at the table - no one gets 'em all right!  That is part of the challenge and the fun of bridge...  

I look forward to more of Todd's years of learning, of more young people becoming entranced by our game as so many Minnesotans have for decades - and for expressing it all for all of us!  Thanks, Todd!

P.S. For Todd and all the others who haven't been competing for years and years - even THE BEST have incredible disasters now and then....  just not anywhere as often as the rest of us!

Letters

So, my Washington partner and good friend Bob recommended we do the NAOBC. He’s determined—maybe more than I am—to get me those last two-point-something gold so I can drop the “N” from LM. He’s also pressing me to go to Austin for a few days this Fall. Given that I still work for a living and don’t have the means of travelling to those North American events that lack the “O,” this might be my only chance to compete on the continental level.

Open IMP pairs?

Why not, I replied.

I wasn’t free for any event that touched on a weekend, so it was the Wednesday/Thursday session. He said IMP wasn’t his favorite format. I’ve never played one but rumor had it you treat it mostly like you play a team event. Bid your vulnerable games. A little less aggressive on NV games and small slams. And this rule seemed like a refugee from party bridge: don’t double anybody into game. So I’d have to pocket my favorite card in the bidding box. Boo.

The only time I felt as outclassed in a competition was a flight A NAP in Seattle. (My work schedule didn’t permit a B or C effort.) Bob and I didn’t finish bottom, but darn near it. I looked at the final masterpoint awards and the top pair had earned 24 gold. 24?! I joked to my friend that if I knew the payout was so generous maybe I should’ve tried harder.

I knew I was in the soup at this “O” when we drew a world champion in round 3. Then another. Then a Bridge Bulletin columnist. That wasn’t counting the profiles that listed DLM, ELM, etc.. We actually got a marginally good board against a famous author my daughter likes. Louis Sachar is a GLM, but his BBO profile didn’t mention the G. My dad was a jeweler, but this event had more gems and gold than I ever saw in his showcases.

What’s my assessment of an IMP event? Glad/not glad you asked. My friend and I had three bad boards in session one and four in the nightcap. That was about 75% of our losses, over 60 IMPs. Otherwise, it was like Chinese water torture, a point here and a point there over the other 41 boards. If we had played well—no big errors, that is—I think we would have placed around the top of the bottom third.

One thing I noticed being an “N” competing against P’s and E’s and D’s is that a good effort might still be a minus. Some genius bid a rare 6NT against us, and though we got him to think right up to the time limit, he was still one of a few who made it. Minus-12 on the third hand of the day.

World Champions never fumble the basics. I was most displeased with getting in the wrong contract and dropping a trick because I lost my concentration. Minus-200 instead of a hundred. Another 3 down the drain. My highlight was endplaying a weak jump overcaller for something like plus 2. Oh, and near the end of the event, I did double a 2NT for plus 300 and maybe 6 IMPS. It felt good to break the rule and not get punished.

I ask myself, did I learn anything? At this point in my bridge competing, the few gold points will come—that’s just a matter of time. I want to keep learning things so I can become a better player. I want to get good enough so that the LM really means something, and that it’s not just a participation award.

I’m going to keep playing up. Next time I find myself in the alphabet soup, I’ll be a little bit better prepared.

Another GREAT College Bridge Event for the Next GREAT Bridge Generation!

 

The Virtual College Tournament starts this Thursday (July 22)! It’s the college event of the summer, so don’t miss it!   Deadline to register is Tuesday, July 20, at 5 p.m. Central. See registration links below.   There will be both team and pairs games. The schedule (see below) is set so that you can play in both.   Current students – including incoming freshmen! – and those who graduated in 2021 are eligible to play. All members of a team or pair must be from the same school.

All games will be played on Bridge Base Online. Any student from any college can participate, but you must be an ACBL member (Junior memberships only $5! Click here to join).

Make the Virtual College Tournament part of your summer!                                                                         Register today!

 

 

Tony Ames - FIRST Grand Life Master AND ACBL Tournament Director!

Tony Ames

Grand Life Master AND Grand Director!!

 

Tony Ames began playing bridge at the kitchen table in the late 50's.  Tony would play the dummy's cards as his mom called out what to play.  Some years later, Tony began to play "real bridge" with other budding freshman players at St. Johns University in Collegeville.  Greg Vasterling came from Cretin, then to St. Johns on the 4th floor of Bennett Hall, where they met John Koch, an advanced sophomore.

The boys had talent, with Tony and John attending sectionals, regionals and national tournaments.  I was graced with good luck to play with them on many outings, with Tony and/or Dick Bruno from Chicago as my pards.  Tony and I would play during week events, with Dick coming in for the weekend, so he and I could play with Tony and John at the other table.  We had great times, heading to St. Louis, Lake Geneva and Oconomowoc, Wis - and not infrequently beating some Big Talent!  In one regional, we won 3 KO's and 2nd in a Swiss!

What I remember most about Tony's game, however, is that I knew NO ONE who was as nice and kind  a partner as he.  Twice, once at an NABC and once at Lake Geneva, we had costly losses.  I would classify the LG one as about 95% MY FAULT - but Tony was right there apologizing for our disaster!  Needless to say, I laughed and said NO WAY - and with neither of us upset we moved on to the next hand.  And the NABC?  Most were in slam going down 1 - but our jaunt to SEVEN earned us a double - and a bottom.  Again, Tony was calm and kept us on track with his easy going demeanor.

 

For those who have not yet read their ACBL Bulletin, Tony has become Minnesota's 3rd Grand Life Master.  Yet Tony has achieved another title that no one else has accomplished:  The first ACBL tournament director to be a Grand Life Master!  Tony's team faced a number of elite professional and world-class teams in Orlando's 2004 Senior KO's. Yet none could catch Tony, John, Rod Beery and Mary Egan.

 

In the early days, Tony the Tiger could be pretty wild, bidding like a crazy man.  Fortunately, Tony calmed down a bit (though he says he can still deliver some "crazy") - helping him to achieve both his title and history first.

 

We in Minnesota are so fortunate to have Tony, as a fine player and as an superb director.  He began directing at the Grand Slam Club in 1996 when The Great Larry Oakey retired.  And Tony added new refinements to the games with pre-made boards and hand records.

 

2003 potentially could have been the end of Tony's bridge career.  Home from the nationals, Tony was teaching a class at the TCBC. Suddenly, as students watched, Tony's normally fine discussions and explanations had turned into gibberish.  Yet Tony had the good fortune that Paul Meerschaert was there, who whisked Tony to the hospital as he was having a stroke!  Tony explains that ultimately some abilities were compromised.  Yet as we know, his bridge talents WERE NOT!

 

Huge congrats to Tony for not only achieving GLM status, but for also being in a class of ONE to handle being a fine ACBL Director, too.  And put me down as always being amazed at Tony's ability to be both so very talented and perhaps THE kindest guy around at the bridge table!

 

Junior Bridge Comes Out with a Bang!

 Many of our juniors who learned bridge have left MN for grad school
Yet they are still in love with The Greatest Game

And are continuing to do wonderfully!

Congrats to the top finishers - and may ALL have special 4th of July!

 

Thanks to those College Bridge Online Club members who participated in the July 1 special tournament; 23 of those players received masterpoints. Click here for hand analysis for board 1 from Thursday's event. Congratulations to our top finishers! 1st Place r168r $50 Amazon GC UCLA 2nd Place JimmyK4542 $30 Amazon GC Georgia Tech 3rd Place BruceZhu   $20 Amazon GC Georgia Tech Drawing Winner Jstoller  $25 Amazon GC Colgate University Since we cannot meet in person at the Bridge Bowl this summer, we are planning on holding online events at the end of this month. Round robin team events will be held on Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30th with a pair event on Saturday, August 1. More details and registration information will go out next week. See below for the full breakdown of masterpoints awarded in this week’s tournament, including a breakdown of the top schools:

District 14 2019-2021 Grand National Team Champions!

Many thanks to Minnesota's Brian Weikle, Director in Charge and Manager, Bridge Operations for excellence in reporting our most recent competition for Grand National Teams in District 14!

Congratulations to those who won the opportunity to compete! 

Best wishes to the winning teams as they battle in the National Finals on July 14!

 

District 14 crowned its 2019-2021 Grand National Teams champions this weekend. A total of thirty teams across four flights entered the competition back in May, with each flight coming down to a four-team Knockout final.

In the Championship flight, the mostly-Minnesotan team captained by Mike Flader (Steve Gaynor, Rich Newell, Barry Purrington) defeated the Twin Cities based squad led by Tony Ames (Judy Nassar, Keith Connolly, Vern Swing) in a closely-fought final match. The Ames team led by 9 IMPs at the half, but a strong third quarter put Flader’s team ahead for good. They held on to win by 22 IMPs in a match that featured strong play at both tables. Records are somewhat incomplete, but I believe only Barry Purrington has previously represented the District at the National level.

In Flight A (0-6000 MPs), the team led by Eric Hendrickson (Paul Gutterman, Richard Lawson, Andy Caranicas, Mark Krusemeyer, Robert Schachter) dominated a group led by Bill Voedisch (Dennis Cerkvenik, Jonathan Cohn, Andrew Clements) by over 100 IMPs. The core of the winning team (Hendrickson/Gutterman and Lawson/Caranicas) have owned this event in recent years, winning in 2013, 2015, 2016 and (also including Krusemeyer/Schachter) 2019. Before graduating to Flight A, at least one member of this team was on the winning Flight B squad every year but one between 2003 and 2011, including a National title in 2010.

In Flight B (0-2500 MPs), the top two teams both qualified for Nationals. The Iowa-based winners were led by Steph Baumann (Dan Walker, James Graves, David Johnson) and defeated Diane Henson’s team (Larry Henson, Mark Lasoff, David Trevor). The Hensons previously represented the District in Flight C in 2007 and 2008.

Finally, Flight C (non-Life Masters under 500 MPs) was won by a St. Cloud area team led by Sue Knauss (Robert Nairn, Dale Larson, Beverly Berg). They held on to edge a Twin Cities squad led by Thomas Botten (Arne Langsetmo, Marc Ashton, Rolf Hubmayr) by 7 IMPs.

Congratulations to all of the winners! The National Final begins on July 14; it will be played online as part of the NAOBC.

Thanks to all of the players who competed this year. Thanks also to our new District GNT Coordinator Jade Barrett, and to the folks at Bridgebase for providing us with a place to play. (Next year, I hope to see you all back at the table!) Thanks especially to Tournament Director Kimberley Hayward, who ran the preliminary rounds in all four flights as well as assisting with the knockout finals.

 

Brian Weikle, Director-in-Charge

Brian Weikle

Manager, Bridge Operations

ACBL Field Operations

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

Premier Flighted Pairs - Fall North American Online Bridge Championships (NAOBC)

Great opportunity to play in the Fall NAOB Championships Premier Flight Pairs!  Compete against players from all over as you battle at home!

 

The newly flighted Premier Flighted Pairs event – part of the Fall North American Online Bridge Championships (NAOBC) – is this weekend. Don’t miss your chance at gold points and an NABC title!   The NAOBC Premier Flighted Pairs event features four sessions over Dec. 5-6 (Sat.-Sun.) with 24 boards per session. The top 50% of Saturday’s field qualifies to play in Sunday’s final.   Flights are set at Open, 0-5000, 0-1500. All members not playing in concurrent semifinal/final knockout matches are eligible to play.   Entries ($100 per pair per event for Open flight, $80 per pair per event for 0-5000 and 0-1500; players qualifying for the final play free) will be sold on Bridge Base Online two hours before game time for each flight.   Click the button below for detailed schedules, masterpoint awards, security information and an FAQ. Learn More Catch the film about the exhilarating, brainy world of bridge that keeps making headlines! “Aces and Knaves” will be available to screen online Dec. 13-16. Tickets are $15 and include access to the director’s live conversation with champions Boye Brogeland, Christina Lund Madsen and Mike McNamara (Dec. 13). Click here for trailer and tickets.