Minnesota Bridge

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.

Paul Meerschaert and Passion for the Game!

 

In this day and age of uncertainty about our daily lives, I want to take an opportunity to thank some of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure with whom to share this game.  I for one pray for the day that I can play “Real Bridge” face to face again.  I am not a fan of playing online, not so much the specter of possible cheating.  Cheaters will cheat no matter the venue.  I just miss the people, and the pleasure of being in a room full of players all enjoying this pastime together.  Even if it is only done in pairs of two. 

While the list of players I have played with is long indeed, and I have learned things from many not mentioned here.  Yet I would like to publicly thank a few that I have had the pleasure of having a working partnership with over the years.  So, in no particular order these players are:

Robert Schachter – A brilliant mind that not only pays attention to all the little details, but has helped me understand the importance of paying attention to the odds when other information is not available.  This may seem like a simple thing  But it is something that is easy (at least for me) to forget about at times.

While using my limited Math skills is important, the greatest gift that Robert has brought to our partnership is the ability to laugh off, and forget about bad results; just focus on the next hand.  Again, easier said than done, for myself and I think many bridge players.

While I will not mention all of our past successes a few stand out.

2^nd in the Silidor Pairs in Philadelphia 2018

Making the 3^rd day of the Platinum Pairs in Philadelphia 2018

And in general - I can honestly say a slew of + scores on defense, missed by many others!

Jim Hall – A Brilliant player, that I am fortunate to have played with and from whom I learned so much.  Jim had many fine attributes and skills at the bridge table, his card play, and his defensive acumen were both top-notch.  Perhaps though his best gift to me was that playing with him gave me access to many fine teammates and players I might never have gotten to know.  From Jim Nash, to Bill Kent, from Alan Stout to Pierre Flatowitz (Sorry Pierre I am pretty sure I am misspelling your name) and many others.  I was fortunate to have many fine results playing with Jim, some of our successes that stand out are:

9^th place in our first National event together.  Bobby Nail Pairs 1998 in Orlando

6^th place in the Blue-Ribbon Pairs.  2004 in Orlando

Just Making the 3^rd day in three other Blue-Ribbon Pairs

To name a few!

Peggy Kaplan - Without a doubt the fiercest competitor I have had the pleasure of playing with.  If nothing else I always knew when playing with Peg that I was going to get her all at all times.  She too has bestowed upon me the gift of introducing me to players far beyond my ability.  To learn from and to have the pleasure of playing against.  While mostly online this list includes, Nick Nickell, Ralph Katz, George Jacobs, Claude Vogel, Steve Beatty, Walt Schafer, Richard Pavlicek and son Rich Jr, and many others.  I have many fine memories of my times playing with Peg or Pegs (my nickname for her).  They include:

Our first Event together.  Winning the Last day Swiss at the Fall Nationals in Boston 1998.  Highlighted by bidding and making 5 slams in one 7-board round against a strong Pair.

Winning our first 11 matches in the San Francisco North American Swiss 2012

Beating Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz- Cohen, Becker-Strul in the Championship Flight of the Grand National Teams Washington 2009

Among the many!

Peg Waller – One of my longer partnerships.  One of the things that I learned playing with Peg, was just learning.  Let me explain.  While I am sure this was not intentional on her part, I always got the feeling that she never really thought that much about my skills at the bridge table.  This in turn got me thinking of ways to better my play, and accelerated my learning.  So, in truth I have her to thank for probably the largest growth spurt I had playing this sport.  One thing stands out from my times playing with her though; she taught me to enjoy the successes at the table and to stop obsessing about the poor results.  Very keen of her to spot this quirk in my personality and point it out to me, so that I could work on it!

Our successes include:

Many top finishes in National events, including commonly being in the top 20 in the National Mixed Pairs

2nd Place finish in the 0-10,000 National Swiss in Washington 2016

My first Regional Pair Win (it was a long time coming for me) Mason City sometime in the late 90’s

Bob Balderson – A fine all-around player and one of the fiercest competitors I have played with.  Bob’s strength is his ability to play effectively against the opponents.  Myself, and a lot of you have learned this game as one where you work in concert with your partner, as a team.  Two against two in essence.  Bob has the ability to do this as well as we can, but he seems to have an innate sense of knowing when he needs to take over and “play against the opponents”.  Truthfully this was at times annoying.  But that was my gut reaction speaking and upon reflection I came to appreciate this skill that he has.  It is hard to describe but the more you play with him, the more one appreciates it.

I had many successes playing with Bob, they include:

My partner when beating Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz-Cohen, Becker-Strul in the Grand National Teams Washington 2009

Representing District 14 in the Championship Flight of the Grand National Teams, at least 10 times!

Winning many KO and Swiss events at both the Regional and Sectional level.  His specialty!

Michael Lee Howland – The most remarkable thing playing with Michael was simply his remarkable smile when at the bridge table!  Michael and Carole Miner share this trait, which is what makes playing with both of them truly a treat.  Michael has an innate sense at the table which is hard to define (Carole Miner has this too!)  I do not know what this remarkable trait is exactly but I do know that the two of them combine to create many opportunities at the table not normally seen.  Let’s just say the opponents seem to make more mistakes against these two players as anyone else I have played with.  I don’t really know how to describe this skill, but one thing I am sure of, is that it is not random luck.  Perhaps they just create havoc!

While I played in only one National with Michael, we did play into the 2^nd day of the Blue Ribbon’s and missed day 3 by just a hair.

I did win many Regional games with Michael and enjoyed them all.

And with his help and inspiration developed my own Club system.  While this system is not perfect by any sense.  It has something that has given me great joy and a sense of accomplishment!

Carole Miner - I have mentioned Carole previously in my tribute to Michael Lee, as they both share similar traits.  I always thought they might make a great partnership.  I can envision these two creating some enormous games together!

Carole too is a tough competitor, and while she can at times be tough on her partner it is always obvious that her intent is to get the most out of her game.  The best part of playing with Carole though is just simply witnessing the joy she gets out of playing.  It is both evident, and greatly appreciated.

While at times I have been hesitant to put some partners in what I know will be tough contracts, I never hesitate with Carole.  She loves to play hands, and does it as well as any of my other partners.

Our list of successes are:

Two top 10 finishes in National Pair games.  Providence 2014, St Louis 2013

My partner finishing 2^nd in the National 0-10,000 Swiss

My teammate for many Grand National Team Championships including knocking off Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz-Cohen, Becker-Strul in Washington 2009.

Sharon Smith/Snell/Meerschaert – As most of the lessons I learned from this remarkable lady have nothing to do with Bridge, they are MINE and MINE alone!  She did however instill in me the wonders of getting to know as many of the remarkable people that play this game as I could.  While I admit to this not being one of my strengths, it is a skill I am still working on.  I have her and another lady to thank for introducing me to the importance of comradeship and appreciation for others.

Alexandra/Sandy Fisher - The second wonderful addition to my life, and also the one that reminds me how remarkable the people who share a passion for this game are.  Again, most of her lessons are MINE and MINE alone.  While far less experienced than me she had reminded me of the power of the preempt.  Watch out folks this bundle of positive energy loves to preempt.  And I love to watch the havoc that ensues!

For all those partners out there that I did not mention in this short tribute, know that I remember my times with you as well and treasure them!

That’s it, I just wanted to let everyone know that despite my, at times grumpy behavior, I appreciated everyone in our bridge community and cannot wait to be able to do so again in person.  Be well everyone, stay safe, and I will see you on a better day!

Comments from peanut gallery Pegs!

In Minnesota we are blessed with all sorts of players who have passion for bridge.  Some have  more talent than others; some are more social than fierce.  Yet so many appreciate one another and literally for decades have reaped the fun and the fascination and the wonderment of our game.

Right at the head of the class is Paul - a fellow who has super talents, loves to learn, is fun is smart and has lots and lots of friends.

Thanks to Pauls for this most interesting column - and thanks to all our Minnesotans who also have the passion and love to play The Greatest Game!

 

 

"Upcoming" on Hold

 

Tiny buds peek through the snow. Nature is unaware of the current changes in our world.

One of those changes is the dramatic impact Covid-19 is having on our bridge world.  We are deeply hoping that bridge, like so much in life, sooner rather than later returns to some normalcy.  Yet until that occurs, we are putting all of our "upcoming" tournaments and special events on hold.  Don't look for them right now on our left column; not being scheduled!  As soon as it is safe, however, to have our tournaments and special events, they will be up and running again. 

In the meantime, we hope every single one of our Minnesota players and all their family members and friends stay safe and healthy.  And we do hope that many of us can still enjoy our favorite game by playing online!  If you haven't ever tried it - do so now!  It is fun!

Best wishes to all ...  We SHALL return one day with good news and events!

St. Cloud June Tournament is Canceled

 

St. Cloud was all ready for us to arrive and play bridge.  But alas; the fates remain against us and we shall have to wait until next year.  Big thanks to all who worked in advance for the Granite City Sectional - and appreciation to Tournament Chairs Kory Solarz and Connie Nelson for their report.

 

Due to the continuing public health emergency, we were notified today that the Unit 103 Board has canceled the 2020 St. Cloud Granite City Sectional scheduled for June 18 - 20th.  We know that the Board made this decision to protect the health and safety of all Bridge players and tournament volunteers.

We will miss seeing all the wonderful players who have participated in our tournament in the past.   We look forward to welcoming you back – along with some new faces – in St. Cloud in June 2021. 

In the meantime, stay well. 

Kory Solarz and Connie Nelson

        St Cloud Sectional Tournament Chairs

No Rochester NLM Sectional for April 2020

As expected under these unusual circumstances, the April NLM Sectional has been canceled.

Fingers crossed that in not too long, we will be able to play bridge in person with one another at clubs and tournaments!

A Beautiful Silver Lining

 

Way too much in our bridge world - and the world at large - has been sad.  Yet, Connie Nelson, our intrepid reporter, not only has been keeping us up to date on general happenings.  She and her husband, Jim Schnepf, have truly exciting news to share with us!

Little in the bridge world is more thrilling than for players with less experience than experts to shine.  Connie and Jim did just that - truly big time!  Connie's story is below.  Congrats to Connie and Jim for their super duper showing - and may it bring a smile to us all and a so appreciated silver lining of happiness!

 

My husband Jim Schnepf and I did get to play in one Regional before we came home to Minnesota to hunker down.  We played the first day of the St. Augustine/Jacksonville FL regional on March 9th.  We entered an A/X/Y pairs game.  (The “A” was unlimited points, the “X” was 2500-6000 points, and the “Y” was up to 2500 points.  Jim and I each have about 700 points.)  

 

I was hoping to place in the "Y’ category, but after we entered we found out that 11 out of 20 pairs were “A” pairs.  I thought we were doomed.

 

We ended up coming in second overall!  We did better than pro Eric Rodwell and his client, Bjorgvin Kristinsson and his client, and Sylvia Shi (the young super star woman on the cover of a recent ACBL Bulletin) and her partner.   The only pair that beat us was one that included Shannon Cappelletti, the former daughter-in-law of the man who the Cappelletti convention is named after.  

 

I am still smiling!

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.

Coronavirus Slams the Bridge World

 

Storms have swept through the world - and bridge in Minnesota has not been spared.

As many of you know, most now (if not all) of our bridge clubs are temporarily shuttered. 

The Edina IMP sectional scheduled for April is canceled.  Our 2020 District 14 GNT that was scheduled in April is tentatively scheduled for May 17th and 18th.

If you are wondering about any specific events or clubs occurring and when, please first check with the club or tournament chairperson to confirm what is happening. And, if you have an event scheduled and wish to share with everyone that there is a change, do contact me. I will get the details and alert all.

These are extraordinary times. We hope that everyone is safe, being as careful as possible - and - we surely hope, too, that in the not too distant future, we can be competing and enjoying the company of all our bridge friends.

 

Coronavirus and The Health of Our Players

Sadly, an announcement from Tom and Linda Grigoliet about the Rochester Spring Sectional scheduled for April.

As you can read below, unfortunately the tournament will have to be moved to another date, to be determined.

Big thanks to Tom and Linda and all the others who have worked so hard on the sectional plans. 

We look forward to better times ahead, when it will once again be safe to play our favorite game, at clubs and tournaments.

 

At this time of both federal and state public health emergencies we need to focus on the health and safety of our members and volunteers.  Therefore, we are cancelling the Rochester Spring Sectional scheduled for April 3, 4, & 5, 2020. While we realize this decision may cause an inconvenience for some, this social isolation effort is designed to protect the health of our members and volunteers, many of whom are in the high-risk population if exposed to the coronavirus. After this health crisis has passed and we have some certainty, we will let you know when the tournament will be held. A very sincere “Thank You” to all those who have worked so hard on this tournament to date. Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you in the future at the bridge table.  Tom and Linda Grigoleit Tournament Chairs

Spring Is Coming Sectional - March 13-15

 

Spring truly is here!  Little snow, shoots of green.... And the Spring is Coming Sectional!

From Friday through Sunday, enjoy both Open and 499er games twice a day at the Twin City Bridge Center.

The schedule and more details are below. Look forward to seeing our first spring players at the TCBC!

District 14 Grand National Teams Finals - April 18-19

 

Grand National Team Finals is always an exciting event for District 14. Not only are you able to compete against your peers in Flights Open, A, B or C. You also have the opportunity to win a subsidized trip to the Summer NABC.  This year, the site is Montreal, one of Canada's most lovely cities.

In addition, our Minnesota competitors don't have to travel too far; the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19 at the Edina Senior Center. (Please be sure to look at the flyer below; the schedule varies depending upon the flight in which you play.)

Additionally, if you are competing in GNT, you can play on Friday in the Spring IMP Sectional, again with details in our flyer.

Whether you are one of Minnesota's top competitors, fairly new to bridge OR somewhere inbetween - GNT is THE event for YOU!  Organize your team and then look forward to fun and perhaps a trip to Montreal this summer!  The details are below the line!

St Cloud Tournament in June - Bridge Travails Down South!

Connie Nelson is wise enough to have escaped Snowmageddon and the frigid temperatures of Minnesota.  Yet she is kind enough both to share the details of the upcoming St. Cloud Sectional in June. And also, Connie tells exciting tales of bridge at an Alabama regional and a Florida sectional!

We are most grateful for Connie sharing her adventures with us - and for updating us on Minnesota tournies, too.  Plus - let's give Connie and her teammates applause for battling against giants!  Facing the toughest in our game is how you get better yourself!

 

Carla Gengler - Jim Schnepf - Connie Nelson - Charlene Thul

 

At the January St. Paul sectional, I brought down flyers for the St Cloud Sectional to be held in June.  One line on the flyer was vague.  The tournament’s location just read: “to be announced.”  Well, consider this the announcement! 

We have a new location for the St. Cloud sectional which will be held June 18-20^th this year.  The tournament will be held at the Boy Scouts of Central Minnesota building at 1191 Scout Drive, Sartell MN  56377.  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, we’ll have more control over the meal times, and we will be able to offer more nearby meal options to players between games.  The space is all one level, well-lit and we hope many of you will come.  Yes! – we will still offer the ridiculous amounts of homemade goodies for which we are known.

Our updated flyer is appended to this message.

I thought I’d also tell a few quick tales of Jim and my bridge-related travels and travails.  We arrived New Smyrna Beach, FL as of Friday night.  We are just starting to explore this historically interesting area of Florida.  On our way here, we stopped to play two days in the Orange Beach, Alabama Regional and one day at the Winter Haven, Florida Sectional.

At each stop, we were pleasantly surprised to find other St. Cloud Bridge Club players! 

At the Orange Beach Regional, we encountered St. Cloud Bridge Club’s husband and wife team Greg and Darlene Nastrom.  The four of us decided to team up for a publicized “bracketed” Swiss Team event.  Once we had paid our entry fees, it was announced that it would be a “stratified” Swiss Team event instead. 

After six rounds of six-board matches, our team had scratched and clawed our way to fifth place!  We had only two rounds to go, and I thought we’d end up fairly high – at least in C.  However, the next team we had to play consisted of professionals --- John Onstott, Drew Casen, James Krekorian, Jacob Morgan and Howard Parker III.  After the tournament, we looked up their Master Points.  Their team had over 120,000 master points!  The four of us combined had 2100 Master Points.  While we beat them on one hand where I made 3NT and their partners weren’t in game, we were blitzed overall and earned zero victory points.  I thought, “Well, we’ll get a more normal team for the last round.”  

But no, we were paired with a team consisting of pro/ client combos.   Long story short, on the last two rounds we ended up with zero Victory Points, stalling in the water and coming in 17^th out of 22 teams.  Bah humbug! 

At the Winter Haven Sectional, we walked in the door and found St. Cloud bridge players and sisters, Charlene Thul and Carla Gengler, already signed up for a Senior Pairs event.  What a small world!  However, the local players weren’t so interested in them or us as much as in the fact that Eric Rodwell was there playing with his wife.  I’m so out of it I didn’t even recognize his name, but they quickly assured me that he is one of the top bridge players in America. 

Looking him up later, I find that he is rated number three of all time in North America with 77,000 master points.  Playing against him and his wife was fun; they were really pleasant players.   Although I’m still kicking myself because I could have beat them one hand if I had only played the Ace of Diamonds against their game contract! 

Now Jim and I are on the hunt to play against Jeff Meckstroth, number one in North America, who does live in Florida. 

But, I digress.  Back to St Cloud Bridge.  It was fun to catch up with Char and Carla over lunch.  Here’s our picture, followed by the promised St. Cloud Sectional flyer!  (Flyer below the line)