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Mojo
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ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
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When there isn't a Sunday bridge event, I get to enjoy enjoy a
nearly-three day weekend with Jane. Today we're in Moonstone Beach,
Cambria, We visited some favorite wineries in Paso Robles.
Saturday Afternoon Team Workshop
The Bridge Week Regional starts on July 3, and there are team events
every day. If you're hunting for gold masterpoints to make Life Master,
there's no better way to do it than playing the Bracketed Round-Robin Teams.
At a regional of this size, you don't even need teammates to get
started. Show up early at the event, and other pairs will be looking for
teammates. Every big tournament has a "partnership desk" for putting
together pairs and teams.
*So let's practice playing teams!*
Last Saturday I introduced the arithmetic and mechanics of playing a
team match.
This Saturday, I'll review a little of that, and spend more time on how
IMP scoring affects your strategy during the auction and the play of the
hand.
I contend that team-of-four bridge with IMP scoring is truly the purest
form of duplicate bridge. It's also my favorite way to enjoy the game
competitively and socially.
*We need a couple of teams! *Who's available to play on Saturday
afternoon? Don't worry — if you want to come play, we can put together
teams.
Unit Game Sunday
The Pasadena Unit Game is held twice-monthly on Sunday afternoons. The
first for this month will be June 3, at 12:30, at the Pasadena Bridge
Club. The following game is on June 17 at the Arcadia Bridge Center.
This game draws some of the best players in the district. If you're a
new bridge player, you might want to drop in to kibitz a few hands. Let
me know and I can set you up!
Make reservations for the Unit Game by contacting Miriam Harrington at
(626) 232-0558, or miratpf(a)aol.com.
Grass Roots Fund Game Wednesday
Let's raise a little more money for the ACBL Grass Roots Fund Wednesday
and earn lots of extra masterpoints.
The Grass Roots Fund helps send district winners of the North American
Pairs and Grand National Teams to compete at the NABC against other
districts.
Classes meeting this week
Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics
being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM Play of the Hand "Promotion and Long Suits"
* Thursday 9:00 AM Popular Conventions "Very Strong Opening Hands"
* Saturday 9:30 AM Bridge Basics 1 "1NT Opening bids and Responses"
All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught
by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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ABTA Master Teacher
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Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
This past Saturday morning marked a watershed moment for beginning
bridge classes.
For the past 10+ years, I've been teaching beginning bridge through the
Pasadena City College Extension program. The classes have always been
held at Arcadia High School, in a classroom where a history teacher used
round tables instead of traditional school desks.
I made arrangements to offer the PCC Extension class at the Pasadena
Bridge Club instead of Arcadia High School starting this year. No more
hunting for the room, or finding the bathrooms in the dark!
The first class met this past Saturday with 25 students on hand, and a
few more joining in progress. I'll be repeating the first class this
coming Saturday, and continuing for the next several Saturday mornings.
(If you'd like to help out with the beginners on Saturday mornings, I'd
be delighted to have you!)
Saturday Afternoon Team Workshops
The Grand National Teams are coming soon! Let's practice playing some
team matches on the next two Saturday afternoons.
On May 27 I'll go through the mechanics and arithmetic of playing and
scoring a team-of-four match.
On June 3, I'll discuss IMP scoring strategy and how it affects your
decisions during both play and bidding.
On both Saturdays, after the workshop, let's play a practice team match!
We can make up teams from the players and pairs available. We can hold a
match with as few as two teams.
Play of the Hand
Wednesday evening May 24 7:00 PM will be the first of eight classes
dedicated to play of the hand. Learn how to plan your play and make more
of your contracts!
During the course we'll also touch on several bidding topics, including
overcalls, takeout doubles, preemptive opening bids, and slam bidding.
Drop me a note if you'd like to join the group!
Classes meeting this week
Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics
being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM Play of the Hand "Making a Plan"
* Thursday 9:00 AM Popular Conventions "Jacoby Transfer Bids"
* Saturday 9:30 AM Bridge Basics 1 "1NT Openings and Responses"
All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught
by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
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We had a fantastic full day of bridge learning last Sunday with Robert
Todd. Five tables turned out, and it seemed like the time flew by. I
think everyone felt like the day exceeded all expectations, even my own.
The club will be closed on the weekend of June 10-11 so we can host the
District 23 Grand National Teams final. See below for some coaching for
your team. :)
Saturday Workshops
The turnout has been light for the Saturday afternoon 299er games, so I
think for the next few weeks we should use the time for some
single-session fun subjects.
I'm going to pick some topics that don't warrant a full class, but are
worthy and fun. Let's start at 1:00 PM on Saturday, and we can even play
a short game after the workshop.
Let me know if you have requests for other specific one-session topics!
Is there a favorite convention you'd like to learn in-depth with your
partner?
Same $10 card fee for the workshop plus a short game!
May 20 Convention Cards
Let's go through how to fill out a convention card and how to read one.
You've all seen them on the "supplies" table, and I know they look like
a strange and wonderful, but foreign, language.
I'll walk you through how they're organized, how to read one, and how
you can sit down with your partner to fill one out. It's a great way to
document your agreements with regular and one-time partners.
May 27 and June 3 Teams of Four
Team-of-four bridge is the most popular game at tournaments for good
reason. Here at the club we usually play "matchpoint pairs," but
matchpoints distort the natural scoring of bridge by a lot.
I'll explain more on these two Saturdays, which also happen to be the
two Saturdays before the June 10 Grand National Teams District Final
being held at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Team bridge is the lowest-tech way to play duplicate, and it's great for
playing with friends at home. I'll work through the mechanics of running
and scoring the game, and discuss how the scoring affects your bidding
and play strategy.
June 17 How to play the BBO Robots
Playing the "Robot Individual" tournaments on BBO is fun, but it can
also be a great tool for improving your play, defense, and even your
bidding.
On this Saturday afternoon I'll have you watch over my shoulder as I
play a BBO robot tournament, and show you how to review the hands where
you did well or poorly and figure out exactly why.
Popular Conventions Thursday
We're continuing the Thursday morning Bridge Basics series with Popular
Conventions.
Join us for the next six Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM to learn the
Stayman convention, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong opening hands, and slam
bidding.
Drop me a note if you'd like to join the group!
Classes meeting this week
Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics
being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM Popular Conventions "Practice Hands"
* Thursday 9:00 AM Popular Conventions "Stayman"
* Saturday 9:30 AM Bridge Basics 1 "Introduction"
If you're interested in observing or helping as a guest mentor for the
beginning bridge class, let me know!
All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught
by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.
Bridge Basics 1 starts May 20
I have 19 students enrolled for the class starting this weekend. We have
room for a few more! If you know someone who'd like to join:
Click here to enroll or send the link to a friend!
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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ABTA Master Teacher
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Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
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We have new signage in the works -- a decal for the lobby door, a sign
over the entrance doors, and hopefully a spot on the "monument" signs by
the street. We've talked about putting something in the windows, but
that might not be effective -- and I don't want to interfere with the
view out. Suggestions welcome!
Robert Todd Sunday May 14
This is a special treat. Robert is a regular columnist in the Bridge
Bulletin, and a speaker at national and regional tournaments. He's also
the current president of the ACBL Educational Foundation.
I never miss an opportunity to spend time hearing Robert talk about
bridge. He has a knack for making complex subjects understandable.
(Maybe that's from his time spent as a math professor!) He's based in
Florida (Bridge Central) so it's good to catch him on a west coast visit.
We get to spend a full day with Robert on Sunday May 14 at the Pasadena
Bridge Club. It's $90 invested in making your bridge game more enjoyable
and successful.
Drop me a note to save a seat for the day! The session starts at 9:30
and finishes by 4:00. There will be plenty of break time for lunch and
socializing.
STaC results from the week
I spoke to Arleen Harvey yesterday. She was the Director in Charge for
the Sectional Tournament at Clubs that just finished up. There were some
97 bridge clubs participating (California, Nevada, Washington, and
British Columbia) and she said over 1,700 tables of bridge reported!
The overall results from each session are found here:
https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2305508#schedule
The biggest surprise of the week for me was the Sunday Afternoon Unit
Game / STaC game, where *Mark Peters* and *Sin Orensztein* had a
remarkable 72.83% game, and it was only good enough for second place in
the conference!
Other big winners were *Milt Kalikman* and *Gitta Earll* on Wednesday
with a 2nd overall finish.
Improving Your Judgment - Opening the Bidding, May 11
This six week class will reveal how experts evaluate their hand
regarding opening, and /change/ that evaulation based on seating
position relative to the dealer, vulnerability, and other factors.
Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 PM, first class May 11.
Classes meeting this week
Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics
being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM Popular Conventions "Practice Hands"
* Thursday 9:00 AM Competitive Bidding "Practice Hands"
* Thursday 7:00 PM IYJ - Opening "Opening at the One Level in First
and Second Position"
* Saturday 9:30 AM 2 Over 1 Game Force "Practice Hands"
All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught
by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.
Bridge Basics 1 starts May 20
This is the starting point for non-players to learn our game! The
registration link is now available on the PCC Extension web site.
We already have 18 students enrolled! I've set a soft limit at 24.
Click here to enroll or send the link to a friend!
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zach
Here's a reminder that we have three more Royal STaC games for 0-750
players on the calendar:
* Thursday 12:00 Noon
* Friday 11:00 AM
* Saturday 1:00 PM
(Also the Open Pairs Unit Game on Sunday at 12:30.)
If you're planning to come play, please drop me a note! We'll play if we
can get 3 tables together, but it's more fun with more. :)
Best regards,
Mojo
--
build message
Morris "Mojo" Jones
mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com
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ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
It looks like the property management is about finished with the noisy
work being done outside the bridge club. Good news, the lobby and
elevator have new carpet, and the new roof should be complete. No more
leaks! Right?
STaC games Wed through Sun
This week we'll offer five /Royal/ Sectional Tournament at Clubs games.
Two Open games and three 0-750 games.
* Wednesday 11:00 AM Open
* Thursday 12:00 Noon 0-750
* Friday 11:00 AM 0-750 *(Added game!)*
* Saturday 1:00 PM 0-750
* Sunday 12:30 PM Open *(Pasadena Unit Game)*
Drop me a note to reserve your seat for one of these games. I usually
have good partners available at all games!
Card fees for STaC games will be $11. The masterpoint awards will be
Sectional rated, 25% Black, 25% Red, 25% Silver, and 25% Gold!
Improving Your Judgment - Opening the Bidding, May 11
This six week class will reveal how experts evaluate their hand
regarding opening, and /change/ that evaulation based on seating
position relative to the dealer, vulnerability, and other factors.
Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 PM, first class May 11.
Classes meeting this week
Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics
being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM Popular Conventions "Slam Bidding and Blackwood"
* Thursday 9:00 AM Competitive Bidding "Practice Hands"
* Saturday 9:30 AM 2 Over 1 Game Force "Choosing Between Game and Slam"
All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught
by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.
(Every week in the newsletter I'll try to call out the topics for that
week's classes.)
Robert Todd, Sunday May 14
Come spend a delightful day at the bridge club with former math
professor, bridge champion, teacher, and author Robert Todd. Improve
your slam bidding, and play of the hand.
The full day bridge seminar starts at 9:30 AM and costs $90. Seats are
filling, but lots still available!
Bridge Basics 1 starts May 20
This is the starting point for non-players to learn our game! The
registration link is now available on the PCC Extension web site.
Fliers and emails have gone out to Pasadena area mailboxes from PCC
Extension, and seats are already being filled!
Click here to enroll or send the link to a friend!
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zach
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Pasadena
Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
BridgeMojo <https://bridgemojo.com>
Courses <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses>
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Big news! Unsweetened iced tea is back in the breakroom, alongside
lemonade. Arnold Palmers for everyone! :)
Wednesday Charity Pairs
This week's Open Pairs on Wednesday will pay /beaucoup /masterpoints and
help raise funds for ACBL Charities. Card fees for this game will be $11
(so if you've pre-paid, bring an extra $1).
(The game will not be part of the ACBL-wide Charity Pairs —I couldn't
start that game before 12:00 noon. )
Royal STaC Next Week
That's a Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC), but this STaC is
different from the usual silver point tournament. All awards will be 25%
black, 25% silver, 25% red, and 25% gold masterpoints!
Clubs throughout California, Washington and Nevada will be
participating, and to make more opportunities, we're *adding a Friday
11:00 AM game* on May 5 for players from 0-750 masterpoints!
Here are the STaC games for next week, May 3-6:
* Wednesday 11:00 AM Open Pairs
* Thursday 12:00 PM 0-750 Pairs
* Friday 11:00 AM 0-750 Pairs
* Saturday 1:00 PM 0-750 Pairs
Pasadena Unit / STaC game May 7
The Pasadena Unit Game will meet at the Pasadena Bridge Club on Sunday,
May 7, for a special game that's part of the District 19, 21, 22, 23
Royal STaC.
Game time is 12:30 PM, reservations are required with Miriam Harrington,
(626) 232-0558, or miratpf(a)aol.com
Robert Todd May 14
Robert ToddMake your reservation now for the full-day bridge seminar
with Robert Todd on Sunday May 14!
The morning session will start at 9:30 on *Slam Bidding*, and the
afternoon session will be on *Finesse and so much more*.
This is a rare opportunity to spend a full day with one of the best
bridge teachers in the world. Drop me a note for a reservation! The full
day is $90.
This Week's Classes
As always, you're welcome to visit a single class of any series for $25!
Here are the topics being offered this week:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Strong Opening Bids*
* Thursday 9:00 AM *The Competitive Auction*
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Defense Practice Hands*
* Saturday 9:30 AM *2/1 GF Opener and Responder Rebids*
/Coming up soon/*Improving Your Judgment - Opening the Biddin**g*, Six
Thursday evenings starting May 4.
Bridge Basics 1 starts May 20
This is the starting point for non-players to learn our game! The
registration link is now available on the PCC Extension web site.
Click here to enroll or send the link to a friend!
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zach
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Pasadena
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Courses <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses>
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
As I write this I'm at Flight Level 360 heading home from a high school
reunion in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. It was a fabulous weekend!
While there, I also took the opportunity to visit ACBL Headquarters in
nearby Horn Lake, MS, and visit with Stephanie Threlkeld, a good friend
and the ACBL's director of education.
It was also a treat to drop in on the fabulous bridge museum at
headquarters. Well worth a visit if you find yourself in Memphis!
Robert Todd May 14
Robert Todd ImageThose of you who have seen Robert speak, attended one
of his webinars or in-person sessions, can attest to his unique style
and teaching approach to bridge.
Robert is always entertaining, and he has a knack for turning difficult
subjects into manageable concepts. Time spent with him is virtually
guaranteed to improve not only your results but your enjoyment of the
game of bridge.
We set his seminar for May 14. It will be an all-day affair, 9:30-12:00
and 1:30-4:00. The cost will be $90.
Our plan for the sessions are *slam bidding* in the morning, and
*finesse and so much more* in the afternoon.
It will be the perfect combination of some bidding and some play. His
subjects tend to be easily accessible for new players, while still
having lots of juicy bits for experienced players.
Later this week I'll have a flier available. I'm also planning on some
direct-mail advertising. Meanwhile, save the date, tell your friends,
and let me know if you'd like to reserve a seat!
Read more about Robert Todd and Adventures in Bridge
<https://www.advinbridge.com/meet-our-team> at this link.
Bridge the Ultimate Mindsport
This is the working title for a new documentary being developed on the
subject of bridge. They have been filming bridge at all levels. They
captured a lot of footage at the NABC in New Orleans this past March.
They'll be visiting the Pasadena Bridge Club this coming Thursday. :)
They'll be shooting during my Bridge Basics 2 class that morning, and
may stay for the afternoon novice game, but that isn't decided.
Being a documentary, we have no idea what, if anything, will become of
the footage shot here, but wouldn't it be a treat to see our beautiful
bridge club featured?
Let's hope for the best!
/Bridge Basics 1 Introduction/ May 20
The next round of Bridge Basics 1 will start on *Saturday mornings at
9:30 AM on May 20*. It will run for six Saturdays, skipping the dates of
May 27 (Memorial Day weekend) and June 10 (Grand National Teams District
Final).
The course is in the Pasadena City College Extension catalog, but it
*will be taught at the Pasadena Bridge Center*. This is a huge step up
from classes at Arcadia High School!
If you have friends who've always wanted to learn our favorite game,
pass along this note!
Click this link for more information
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
and to enroll online with PCC. (Note that the class information says
eight sessions, but it's really six sessions spread over eight Saturdays.)
Jacoby Transfer Bids
This is the week Wednesday Evening for *Jacoby Transfer Bids* in our
/Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ course.
If you'd like to join us for the single session, it's just $25. Here's a
great opportunity to refresh your partnership on transfers!
Drop me a note to reserve a seat! Wednesday evening, 7:00 PM.
Best regards,
Mojo, Zachary, and Jane
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Pasadena
Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
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ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Thanks to everyone who visited Sunday for the Unit Game! We had 8-1/2
tables, with a last-minute sign-up.
I had invited one of my students (from Santa Monica!) to visit the club
to see an in-person duplicate game. She took bridge classes online, and
had played several games on BBO. She's been joining us in Pasadena for
some social games.
I usually warn students if they're coming to kibitz, wait until about an
hour after game start to arrive. Otherwise the director is likely to
draft you into playing. :)
Of course, that's what happened this Sunday. She and I filled the half
table. We were both surprised to find ourselves leading the game at the
end. Congratulations Amy!
Popular Conventions Wednesday Eve
The Bridge Basics series continues on Wednesday evenings with /Bridge
Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ starting this Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
Drop me a note if you're planning to join us!
With all of our courses, *single class drop-ins* are always welcome for
a $25 class fee. You can see the lesson plans for each course by
clicking through the course title here:
https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses
Documentary Filming next Thurs
The crew working on a bridge series (working title "The Ultimate
Mindsport") will be filming at the Pasadena Bridge Club during our
Bridge Basics 2 class on April 20.
Of course we have no idea how things will turn out, but it would be a
treat to see our beautiful club featured!
Wednesday Partner
I have a *visiting bridge player* from Maine coming to play next
Wednesday who's looking for a partner. She's on the upper end of Flight
C. Let me know if you'd like to play!
Odds and Ends
Work continues on the addition of *Hoots Wings* restaurant right next to
our entry way door. Hopefully the most disruptive construction is
complete! The curbside parking spaces should become available again
later this week.
I'll be *traveling next weekend* for a 50th reunion of the theater arts
department from my high school in Memphis, TN. I'm looking forward to
having a great time with Jane and folks I haven't seen in 50 years. I'll
be handing the keys over to partner Zachary Vedro for the Saturday game
schedule.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zach
