Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and Play Bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Jane and I had a lovely holiday weekend with my sister, and a couple of
days in Las Vegas. Of course now my newsletter is running behind, but
bridge is going strong!
/New/ Office Hours Wednesdays
Office Hours has been a great way for new players to spend some time
playing bridge, so we're going to extend it to Wednesdays as well!
Starting tomorrow from 3:00-5:00 the club will be open for casual
bridge. Zachary, Melanie, or I will be on hand to help with questions
and mechanics.
Office Hours are complementary, but if the value is there for you, we
have a contribution jar on the desk. (We may extend that policy to the
Social Bridge sessions on the schedule already, starting in January.)
New Year's Eve Bridge?
I've always loved hosting a bridge game on New Year's Eve.
I know people make plans for parties and entertainment, but a lot of us
would rather have something of a quiet evening with friends. Board games
are traditional. Why not have a bridge game?
If we have a game, it would be a team game, with teams in the "Eight is
enough" format, teaming experienced pairs with inexperienced pairs, to
have a relaxed evening bridge game.
And of course we'd have wine, cheese, and maybe some tamales from Vallarta.
We could make it early or late afternoon, and maybe a few people could
celebrate dinner or a concert as well.
Let me know what you think!
Classes this week
Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for
a full course.
This is the first week for /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/. Join
us now for the full course!
Here are the topics this week:
* Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "Opener's and
Responder's Rebids"
* Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "The
Stayman Convention"
* Saturday, 9:30 PM, /Introduction to Declarer Play/, "Creating extra
winners, long suit establishment"
The *Saturday Workshop and Game* returns at 1:00 PM this Saturday. I
haven't picked a topic yet for this week, though I have dozens to choose
from. If there's something you'd really like to spend 45 minutes on, let
me know.
Become a /Better Bridge/ Teacher
Bridge needs teachers, and you could be part of the solution! This is
the bridge curriculum and program that I use at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Have you ever wondered how you could most effectively improve your
bridge game? This is it: *teach people to play bridge*. You know it's
true, right?
Find the details here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/better-bridge-tap>
and see the flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/bbtap/BBAccred-pbc-2023-…>.
Coming up ...
Last week I teased a special bridge seminar to be held on Friday,
December 22. I'll do a special mailing for that later this week.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and Play Bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
No classes meeting this week, but we will have games on Tuesday evening
and Wednesday morning. Jane and I will be trekking to Scottsdale to
visit my sister and enjoy an extended weekend.
But there are new courses coming up! January is a great time to take up
a new skill, and it's hard to beat bridge as a choice.
/Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is shaping up to be heavily attended
this January. If you have friends or family who are interested, it's a
good idea to secure their seats as soon as you can.
The Pasadena Bridge Club currently has three class sessions weekly, and
a full series of /eight bridge courses/ to cover all aspects of the
game, no matter your current level of play. You can expect each course
to be offered two or three times a year — but don't wait for the next
one to take a course you're interested in! /See the full catalog here.
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses>/
Here are the new courses starting up soon:
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
The registration page for /Bridge - Introduction/ just went live on the
PCC Extension web site. Now is the time to enroll!
* Wednesday Evenings, six sessions, 7:00-9:00 PM
* First class *January 10*
* Visit here for the course outline
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
* $79 plus $15 "materials fee" for the text book
* Enroll through PCC Extension at this link
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions
Learn to play Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong opening hands, and
slam bidding!
* Thursday evenings, six sessions, 7:00-9:00 PM
* First class *November 30*
* Full course outline
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions>
* $115 includes text book
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> through
the bridge club
Introduction to Defense
I'm building a new curriculum based on the 2nd Edition of acclaimed text
book /Introduction to Defense/ by Eddie Kantar.
* Saturday mornings six sessions, 9:30-11:30 AM
* First class January 6
* Full course outline
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
* $115 includes text book
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> through
the bridge club
STaC Results
We had several great games during STaC week, with some big overall
winners. The STaC (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) included bridge clubs
all over Southern California, and results from similar games are
combined to create overall awards.
Wednesday Morning big winners: 2nd in B, 1st in C, 6.94 mps: *Brian
Butler, Bob Zappaterreo*
Thursday Morning: 1st in A, 4.13 mps: *Sherry Hansen, Cathryn
Martin*;1st in B, 2.32 mps: *Bill Martin, Joan Mesias*
Full overall results are found here
<https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2311502#schedule>.
Office Hours casual bridge
Office Hours for casual bridge play are a big hit with new players and
even experienced players who love to get a few hands in.
We're planning to expand to Wednesday afternoons very soon.
For now, office hours are *offered at no charge*, but we have a donation
jar at the desk. I encourage you to help us pay the rent and buy more
coffee, lemonade, sodas and nuts by dropping a few dollars in the jar.
$5 is a great start.
(We love supporting and growing bridge in Pasadena, and we're starting
to look forward to a time when the club can support itself and its
managers, teachers, and directors for the long term. We know it will
happen!)
*"Office Hours" for casual bridge: Monday and Tuesday 3:00-5:00 PM.*
Become a /Better Bridge/ Teacher
Bridge needs teachers, and you could be part of the solution! This is
the bridge curriculum and program that I use at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Have you ever wondered how you could most effectively improve your
bridge game? This is it: *teach people to play bridge*. You know it's
true, right?
Find the details here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/better-bridge-tap>
and see the flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/bbtap/BBAccred-pbc-2023-…>.
Coming up ...
*Save the date!* In December, we are hosting a *special bridge seminar*
that could dramatically improve your declarer play. It will be on
Friday, December 22, at 9:00 AM, and presented by Denise Hoffman, the
Program Director for Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation.
Lots more information next week. Happy Thanksgiving!
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
News from
N Fair Oaks
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
If you are an ACBL member, take note that memberships are going up in
price on January 1. Now is a good time to renew for three years and lock
in the current price!
Silver Point Week
This coming week clubs all over Southern California will be hosting a
Sectional Tournament at Clubs. If you're curious about what Sectional
Tournaments are, and more specifically a Sectional Tournament at Clubs
(STaC), see my write up here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/node/48>.
Our Wednesday and Thursday Open games will be silver point games, and on
Saturday at 1:00 we'll have silver point game limited to players under
750 masterpoints.
The Life Master rank requires 75 silver masterpoints, and this is how
you can earn some!
Card fees for the STaC game will be $11 to cover the additional fee from
the ACBL.
Drop me a note to reserve seats for any of those games.
The second monthly Unit Game on *Sunday, November 19*, will also be a
Silver Point STaC game. That will be at 12:30 at the Arcadia Bridge
Center. Make a reservation for that game by contacting Miriam Harrington
at (626) 232-0558 or miratpf(a)aol.com.
Become a /Better Bridge/ Teacher
Bridge needs teachers, and you could be part of the solution! This is
the bridge curriculum and program that I use at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Have you ever wondered how you could most effectively improve your
bridge game? This is it: *teach people to play bridge*. You know it's
true, right?
Find the details here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/better-bridge-tap>
and see the flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/bbtap/BBAccred-pbc-2023-…>.
Classes This Week
Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for
a full course.
*Mojo's pick for this week*: The Thursday evening class. Come practice
competitive bidding!
Here are the topics this week:
* Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "The Forcing 1NT"
* Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Practice
Hands"
* Saturday, 9:30 AM /Intro to Declarer Play/ "The trump suit, and
counting losers"
On the YouTube channel this week: Matchpoint scoring
<https://youtu.be/WE4dG0vgtQk>. Learn how your score on a particular
hand is converted to "matchpoints" in a typical pairs game at clubs and
tournaments. (not to be confused with "masterpoints!"). (Originally
recorded in 2021)
*Note*: The Saturday afternoon workshop and game will be preempted this
week for a silver point STaC game for 0-750 players. Come join us for 24
hands and silver masterpoints!
The Saturday afternoon workshop returns after the Thanksgiving weekend.
Coming up ...
In December, we are hosting a *special single-session bridge seminar*
that could dramatically improve your declarer play. It will be on
Friday, December 22, at 9:00 AM, and presented by Denise Hoffman, the
Program Director for Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation. You too could
learn to execute an endplay!
Zachary and I are brainstorming ways to improve and diversify the social
bridge and "office hours" opportunities to give as many new and
experienced players as possible a chance to play some enjoyable casual
bridge games. If you have suggestions we'd love to hear from you.
And finally, we're going to be traveling and celebrating Thanksgiving
with friends and family all weekend. No events at the club from
Wednesday evening through Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
News from
N Fair Oaks
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Part of the job of a bridge club manager is to help people find
partners. It seems like it shouldn't be a difficult task, and it usually
isn't.
One thing that makes it challenging is that nearly everyone wants a
partner who's better or at least as good as they are. You can see how
that might complicate things. ?
The players who are consistently in demand as partners are more than
just fair bridge players — they're delightful to spend three hours with
across the table. They don't even have to be that great at bridge.
A great partner is someone who enjoys the foibles and missteps of the
game as well as the triumphs.
A great partner trusts your judgment and enjoys having you try things
that might not work out, or maybe even probably won't work out. The joy
is in the trying! Great partners know not to point out your mistakes at
the table (you already know about them), but are happy to move on to the
next adventure on the next board.
An easy player to get into a bridge game can play with almost anyone, be
cheerful, and have a good time.
If you can be that player, you will always be in demand as a partner.
Better players will ask if you're available for a game.
I was reminded of all these things this past Wednesday. I was directing
and filling a half table with one of my favorite partners. I was clearly
distracted — whenever I'm directing and playing, neither seems to go
well. Nevertheless, we laughed, we struggled, we had fun.
Where did we finish? Last place (or "first underall"). At the end, we
thanked each other for a good time, and will certainly play again.
Two Over One Game Force
*Starting this Wednesday!* The first of six classes on 2/1GF (two over
one game force) bidding.
If you're concerned about the Thanksgiving holiday, don't worry! We're
skipping the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (indeed the club will be
closed all weekend).
Find out more about the course
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force> here,
and click here to register
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> and save your
seat.
Become a /Better Bridge/ Teacher
Bridge needs teachers, and you could be part of the solution!
Find the details here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/better-bridge-tap>
and see the flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/bbtap/BBAccred-pbc-2023-…>.
Classes This Week
Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for
a full course.
*Mojo's pick for this week*: The Wednesday evening class "2/1 GF
Introduction" (practicing competitive auctions on Thursday is great fun
too!)
Here are the topics this week:
* Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "Introduction"
* Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Practice
Hands"
* Saturday, 9:30 AM /Intro to Declarer Play/ "The hold-up play, and
the danger hand"
New on the YouTube channel: Strip and endplay
<https://youtu.be/knLdqMrat7Y>, and you can tease me about goofing up
the final example on this video. ? It's still pretty good. Originally
recorded in 2021.
Saturday afternoon workshop (1:00 PM): "*Opener's Rebid: Strong 2-Suited
Hands*" followed by a fun short game.
Coming up ...
I have a player visiting from the UK who plays Acol at home, but also
5-card majors with strong notrump. He'd like to play on Wednesday. Are
you that person I described above? ?
And in December, look for a *special single-session bridge seminar* that
might dramatically improve your declarer play. It will be on Friday,
December 22, at 9:00 AM, and presented by Denise Hoffman, the Program
Director for Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation. :)
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
