- News - Pasadena Bridge Club

New Year's Eve
by Morris Jones 26 Dec '23

26 Dec '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from North Fair Oaks Mojo ABTA Master Teacher 649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201 Pasadena CA 91103 (626) 247-4457 pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> This week we'll have just about all of our games and casual bridge openings. Come play cards with us! New Year's Eve Wine Cheese Bridge Let's have a party! I'll open the bridge club at noon, and we'll play cards starting at 1:00. The format will be teams-of-four, in either swiss or round-robin format, depending on how many teams we get. Plan to play until about 4:00 PM. Who knows? We might play board games after that. :) The game will have lots of masterpoints, thanks to support from the Pasadena San Gabriel Unit of the ACBL, who has generously granted one of their Unit Championship sanctions for the New Year's Eve game! You can register as a single, as a partnership, or as a team. But note that teams must meet the *Eight is enough* criteria. "What is that?" you ask. Eight is Enough The idea is to pair more experienced players with less experienced players to make teams of four. For that purpose, each player is assigned one, two, or three points: * A player with 2,000+ or more masteroints is THREE * A player with 500-2000 masterpoints is TWO * A player with fewer than 500 is ONE The total of every team must not exceed eight! So by all means, put together a team if you like. If not, sign up and I'll make teams. So Much Generosity! Jane, Zachary, and I have been touched by the outpouring of generosity from our players at the end of our first year. The bridge club has received several significant gifts. We're doing pretty well! The growth of the club has been steady, and new players and curious people continue to take up the game at our club. We were never in this for income, so we've had the luxury of investing our own time and money to make it a viable long-term presence. Aside from paying staff, the club has supported itself pretty well this year. So we're putting these generous gifts into the club this way: * We have a 40"x30" lightbox sign coming for the window. It will be visible at night from the parking lot. (Not so much during the day, but that's okay!) * I'm working on adding a PA and mic to the main room, and a smaller one for the classroom. Our teacher training course this past week highlighted the positive features of having one. * I've replaced and updated most of the boards and cards I use for teaching. They were due! If you know of other projects that seem worthwhile for the club, tell me what you think of! Classes this week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. We only have one full class meeting this week, not wanting to start new things on the holiday break. But it's a good one to drop in! How often do you get to practice Stayman, transfer bids, strong opening hands, and slam bidding, all in one session? And don't forget what's probably the *best bargain at the club*, the Saturday "Workshop and Game" at 1:00. We'll be looking at another situation where a double might be your best call. Here are the topics this week: * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Practice hands" * Saturday, 1:00 PM, Workshop and Game "Responsive Doubles" Coming up ... /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ will be starting up on Wednesday eveings, starting January 10. The introduction class is offered through PCC Extension, whose catalog lands in mailboxes all over the region a few times a year! Here's the link to sign up: https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i… And /Introduction to Defense/ will be starting on Saturday mornings next week! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

1 0

Declarer workshop Friday and ACBL memberships
by Morris Jones 19 Dec '23

19 Dec '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from North Fair Oaks Mojo ABTA Master Teacher 649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201 Pasadena CA 91103 (626) 247-4457 pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> It's the week before Christmas, and bridge is in the house! We will be open Tuesday - Saturday for our regular games and events next week. Drop by to play! Declarer Play Workshop We still have room for some students in Friday morning's Declare Play Workshop. This is a one-time class by visiting instructor Denise Hoffman, Program Director for Better Bridge Teacher Training. The cost is a bargain $25 and includes a booklet by Audrey Grant. We'll start at 9:30 AM on Friday, and it should be a great time. But if you want to come, please let us know soon! We have to plan to get the materials and boards ready for the class. For more information and to register visit here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/declarer-workshop-2023 ACBL Memberships I have two reasons to bring this up now! One, the annual membership fee is going up on January 1. For the best bargain, I did a three-year renewal. Highly recommended. Second, as a new player, you'll want to have an ACBL player number for joining in duplicate bridge games, both at the club and online. *If you've never been an ACBL member*, the good news is that you can get your lifetime player number and a free "guest membership" for four months. There's more to the deal: If you join as a guest member, you can convert to a full member for a significant discount. Here is the link to join ACBL as a guest member and get your player number: https://my.acbl.org/membership/join?club=277210&teacher=8202249 <https://my.acbl.org/membership/join?club=277210&teacher=8202249> 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*: Wednesday evening, 2/1GF practice hands. How often do you get nothing but hands involving either 2/1GF or the forcing 1NT? Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "Practice Hands" * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Slam Bidding and Blackwood" *Saturday Workshop and Game:* We started with takeout doubles last week. For the next few we'll look at other uses of the double, starting this week with Negative Doubles <https://www.advinbridge.com/this-week-in-bridge/353> (or as Audrey and I call them, "Responder's Double"). *New on the YouTube channel*, "Leading partner's suit" https://youtu.be/af5OlKQul6E Coming up ... "Eight is enough" New Year's Eve team game at 1:00 PM Dec. 31. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

1 0

Seeking a social bridge host for tonight
by Morris Jones 14 Dec '23

14 Dec '23

Thursday evenings we have a social / supervised bridge session. Being a host/mentor involves answering questions, filling a seat if necessary, and helping guide the social bridge game. On Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, I have boards from the Wednesday game with travelers so the players can compare their results. If you're willing to help out, I could use someone this evening! 7-9. I'll be there teaching a Bridge Basics 3 class. Mojo -- build message Morris "Mojo" Jones mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>

1 0

Declarer play seminar
by Morris Jones 12 Dec '23

12 Dec '23

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> It was a great week of bridge games and awards for Royal STaC week! For the full overall results, drop by this link <https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2312508#schedule>. That will include the Sunday Unit Holiday Party as well. Benjamin Bascom and Toban Special congratulations to Benjamin Bascom and Toban! They played in the novice/intermediate games at the Atlanta North American Bridge Championships, earning a 1st place trophy, and a photo and blurb in the NABC Daily Bulletin. I have a copy of their Daily Bulletin page on the bulletin board at the club. Special half-day seminar *Level-up your declarer play! *We have a unique opportunity on Dec. 22. Denise Hoffman will be in town to present this special one-day event, from 9:30 - 12:30 on Friday, Dec. 22. You can attend for just $25, and that includes a booklet from Audrey Grant. Audrey's unique design for multi-level instruction makes her programs suitable for players of all experience levels. The material is easily accessible and understandable for new players, while providing insight and fascination for experienced players. Highly recommended -- don't miss out on this opportunity if you can be there! Visit this link for the flier and to register: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/declarer-workshop-2023 Classes this week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "Practice hands" * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Strong Opening Bids" *Mojo's pick for this week:* Wednesday evening, 2/1GF practice hands! How often do you get to practice bidding and playing hands that all use a 2/1 or "forcing 1NT" bid? The *Saturday Workshop and Game* returns at 1:00 PM this Saturday. Let's talk *doubles* for a few weeks! Start this week with takeout doubles. *New on the YouTube channel*, starting a series of mini lessons on defense, "Choosing which suit to lead" https://youtu.be/NjNMZRoU-V8 The next Saturday morning class will be /Introduction to Defense/ starting January 6. Mentors wanted One of the great things about the Pasadena Bridge Club is the many opportunities for new bridge players and students to drop by and play unstructured, informal bridge. Our Office Hours and Social/Supervised bridge sessions give them this opportunity! I have an *immediate need for a mentor for the Thursday evening social* bridge session this week, and an ongoing need for Saturday morning mentors. If you'd like to adopt a session to be your own, you can! We can always cover absences, and you'd get to know the players. You don't have to be a world-class bridge player yourself -- in fact it's probably a lot better if you're closer to their level! You'll be expected to be friendly and have a light touch on the games. The goal is to help them develop confidence and play as much as they can. Nina Huang Congratulations new Life Master! In a first for the Pasadena Bridge Club, Nina Huang earned her final Silver masterpoint to complete the Life Master requirements during the Wednesday Royal STaC game on December 6. Congratulations! Coming up ... Yes, we're having an "eight is enough" team game on Sunday, December 31, at 1:00 PM, with all the appropriate New Year's Eve party accoutrements! And the next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ begins on Wednesday evening, January 10. Already 13 students enrolled. It's going to be a big class! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

1 0

Royal STaC week!
by Morris Jones 05 Dec '23

05 Dec '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from North Fair Oaks Mojo ABTA Master Teacher 649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201 Pasadena CA 91103 (626) 247-4457 pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Running behind on the news, but it's all good! Jane and I had a fun time on Tuesday afternoon visiting Sony Pictures Studios to see them record three episodes of /Jeopardy!/. I have a player looking to join the Wednesday or Thursday games who's a Precision player. If you'd like to offer to play, drop me a note and I'll hook you up. Royal STaC This Week// A STaC, of course, is a Sectional Tournament at Clubs, but most Sectional tournaments pay only Silver points. The "Royal STaC" is a creation from the last couple of years in which the final awards are divided into 25% Black, 25% Red, 25% Silver, and 25% Gold points. Participating in the STaC this week are four of the 25 ACBL districts, all on the west coast. Clubs from all four districts will be playing the same hands, and results from the participating clubs will be combined into overall results with big awards. We're having Royal STaC games for "Open Pairs" on Wednesday and Thursday, and a 0-750 limited game on Saturday afternoon at 1:00. (In addition, the Pasadena San Gabriel Unit Holiday Party on Sunday will be a Royal STaC game, the final session of the week. If you don't have a reservation for the holiday party, get one soon!) New Year's Eve Bridge is ON We'll have a special bridge party at 1:00 PM on December 31. If you have evening plans, there's still time for bridge! We'll play a team game in the "Eight is Enough" format, where teams will be composed of a combination of new and experienced players. We'll also serve some food, wine, and cheese and make a party of it. More later! Classes this week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Two Over One Game Force/ "The Choice Between Game and Slam" * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Jacoby Transfer Bids" * Saturday, 9:30 PM, /Introduction to Declarer Play/, "Ruffing in the short hand" The Saturday Workshop and Game is on hiatus this week for the 0-750 STaC tournament. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ starts Wednesday evening, January 10, and the class is filling up quickly! Visit the web site and get your friends or family signed up soon. 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 ... More about that special class on Friday morning, December 22, I promise! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

1 0

More Office Hours!
by Morris Jones 28 Nov '23

28 Nov '23

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

1 0

Lots of bridge coming up, quiet Thanksgiving
by Morris Jones 21 Nov '23

21 Nov '23

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

1 0

Silver point week
by Morris Jones 13 Nov '23

13 Nov '23

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

1 0

Two Over One Game Force starting!
by Morris Jones 06 Nov '23

06 Nov '23

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

1 0

Two Over One Game Force course starts soon!
by Morris Jones 30 Oct '23

30 Oct '23

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> I had a great day playing at the regional tournament in Ventura on Friday. My team took second in Bracket II of the bracketed teams event. Office Hours continue to be a hit. We're thinking of expanding to Wednesdays as well. If hosting Office Hours is something you'd enjoy volunteering for, drop me a note. It's quite the fun thing to do. I'm working on a "light box" sign to go in the window. I hear from the security folks that people see our light on over the pizzeria and ask what's going on. :) Two Over One Game Force November 8 will be the first in a course of six classes on bidding using Two Over One Game Force (2/1GF). This is the bidding system played by the vast majority of tournament players. It's only a slight variation from Standard American 5-card Majors, but it has it's own idioms and patterns. Playing 2/1GF makes it easier to find slam contracts (or stay out of bad ones) and can help find better game contracts. * Six Wednesday evenings, 7-9 PM * Starts November 8, last class December 20, skip November 22 * $125 includes text by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell * Click here to register and save your seat <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Become a Better Bridge Teacher You may earn an accreditation from Audrey Grant's /Better Bridge/ by attending the Better Bridge Teacher Accreditation Program to be held on December 21 and 22 at the Pasadena Bridge Club. The accreditation earns you a "teacher" flag at the ACBL, and enables you to be listed in their searchable database of teachers. 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-…>. Lost and found We have a growing collection of travel mugs, a text book, and convention cards. They're on a table next to the coat rack. Take a look and see if you recognize anything on your next visit! 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 "The Competitive Auction" is dynamite for all levels. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ "Practice Hands" * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "The Competitive Auction" * Saturday, 9:30 AM /Intro to Declarer Play/ "Taking tricks with spot cards, and finessing" New on the YouTube channel: Side Suit Establishment <https://youtu.be/t9UO0wuqgWw> Saturday afternoon workshop (1:00 PM): "*Opener's Rebid: Unbalanced 2-Suited Hands*" followed by a fun short game. A special beginning bridge lesson Zachary and I have been working with the producer of a new bridge documentary series, with the working title /Bridge: The Ultimate Mindsport/. One of their projects was to offer a beginning bridge lesson to someone with celebrity status. It took a few months to get a date together, but two weeks ago I was privileged to teach Sharon Stone and three friends how to play bridge. It was an edited version of the first class of Bridge Basics 1. I'm told it turned out well. It might be a year before we get to see anything! Sharon and Mojo Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

1 0