- News - Pasadena Bridge Club

seeking a 0-750 pair for Friday
by Morris Jones 04 May '23

04 May '23

We have enough for a Royal STaC game on Friday at 11:00, but we have 2-1/2 tables. It'd be great to have one more pair! (Or three more pairs!) :) Best regards, Mojo -- build message Morris "Mojo" Jones mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>

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Sign up for STaC games
by Morris Jones 03 May '23

03 May '23

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 https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>

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Extra games for STaC
by Morris Jones 01 May '23

01 May '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> 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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Royal STaC next week!
by Morris Jones 25 Apr '23

25 Apr '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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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Robert Todd bridge seminar, and other news
by Morris Jones 17 Apr '23

17 Apr '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> 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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Bridge Club news
by Morris Jones 10 Apr '23

10 Apr '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> 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

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Saturday events
by Morris Jones 07 Apr '23

07 Apr '23

We have a few events on the calendar for tomorrow (Saturday) and I wanted to be sure I knew who is expected. There's an afternoon 1:00 PM 299er (0-300) Pairs Game (players a little over can be accommodated) The first session of Two Over One Game Force class is at 9:30 AM Roy Wilson's class on the Precision bidding method is at 1:00 PM Drop me a note if you're planning to join any of these events and I haven't already heard from you! Best regards, Mojo -- build message Morris "Mojo" Jones mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>

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Double Dummy! and other news :)
by Morris Jones 03 Apr '23

03 Apr '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> This was the view from the bridge club last Thursday morning, after the winter storm came through Wednesday night. Courses starting soon Five tables are expected already for Competitive Bidding! Popular Conventions is expected to be about the same. /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ First session Thursday morning, April 6, 9:00 AM, meets for six Thursday mornings /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ First session Wednesday evening, April 12, 7:00 PM, meets for six Wednesday evenings. Drop me a note to enroll, or use the web site form here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment Full schedule at: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses Unit Game Sunday The Pasadena Bridge Club will be hosting the twice-monthly Unit Game for the Pasadena San Gabriel Bridge Unit this coming Sunday, April 9. (Yes, Easter Sunday!) Game time is 12:30 PM, and reservations are required: contact Miriam Harrington, (626) 232-0558, or miratpf(a)aol.com. There will not be a lunch served, but adjacent to the bridge club are lots of splendid lunch options: Vallarta Market has great Mexican food, not to mention Blaze Pizza, Subway, chinese, Tastee Donut & Burgers, and Starbucks. Glendale Club Visiting The Pat Abbey Regency Bridge Club that meets at the Glendale Senior Center lost its venue for a couple of weeks. I'm happy to host their Thursday game in Pasadena while they're unable to meet in their usual location. Players remarked at all the space available in our classroom! :) Happy to have you. /Double Dummy/ the movie This marvelous bridge documentary has been recently made available on PBS, and can be found here: https://www.pbs.org/show/double-dummy/ DOUBLE DUMMY is the unexpected and thrilling look at the fiercely competitive game of bridge. The film follows the USA 1 Under 21 team to China as they battle it out at the World Youth Team Championships, the most prestigious event in junior bridge. DOUBLE DUMMY bridges the generation gap and explores the game of bridge and its growing popularity with younger generations. Some of you may have seen the original movie from a few years ago. This re-edited version is a wonderful watch! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zach

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So much news, and "be nice"
by Morris Jones 27 Mar '23

27 Mar '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> STaC Results From Thursday afternoon, congratulations to: * Michael Rodrigues - Sri Nagesh, 1st A, 4.04 mps * Lisa Walker - Karmen Armoudjian, 3rd A, 2.27 mps From Saturday afternoon, congratulations to: * Cathy Martinet - Marilyn Conzonire, 3rd A, 1.21 mps Sunday overalls haven't yet been compiled. To see more overall results, there's a link on the home page for the Pasadena Bridge Club, or click here: https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2303501#schedule Save the date! *May 14*. Yes, it's Mother's Day, of course. But it's also the date for a one-day bridge seminar with *Robert Todd* of Adventures in Bridge <https://www.advinbridge.com/> at the Pasadena Bridge Club. Robert is a phenomenal bridge teacher and player. He's one of my mentors, and I try never to miss a talk by him at a Regional or National. His subjects are suitable for players of all levels of bridge experience, newcomer to expert. I'll have lots more information in coming weeks. (What better Mother's Day present for a bridge playing mom?) Upcoming Courses I'm delighted to host Roy Wilson on Saturday afternoons. He will be offering lessons and practice on the *Precision bidding system*, long one of the most successful bidding systems in tournament play. He'll be meeting the class at 1:00 PM on Saturdays, with the first class on April 8. If you're "precision curious" or like to explore alternatives to Standard and 2/1GF, you may find this worth your while. Meanwhile I have three additional courses having their first meetings next week: * *Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions*, Wed. Apr. 5, 7-9 PM * *Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding*, Thu. Apr. 6, 9-11 AM * *Two Over One Game Force*, Sat. Apr 8, 9:30-11:30 AM The next /Bridge Basics 1 - An Introduction/ will begin Saturday, May 20, at 9:30 AM. For complete information on current and upcoming courses, visit this link: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses "Director, please" There was a movement some years ago to change the way we call the director to the table. Instead of just yelling out "Director!" consider the more pleasant "Director, please!" Isn't that better? Indeed, what is the correct way to get help from the director? 1. Inform the players at the table that you'd like the director to help with an issue 2. Calmly say "Director, please" to get the director's attention 3. Raise a hand so the director can find the table who called Zero Tolerance Over STaC week we've had more than one instance of players expressing anger or provoking other players. Let this serve as a reminder that this is contrary to the Laws of Bridge (74 and 91A), and penalties will be automatic, including score penalties and possible ejection and suspension. In club games, the director is the final authority regarding disciplinary penalties. Such penalties will also be filed with the ACBL Recorder's office. I'll be creating an information page on the web site with more details. Meanwhile, on this link https://www.acbl.org/ethics/ scroll down to "View the Zero Tolerance Policy" and click to see more details. (It's at the very bottom of the page!) Did you know ... ... that you are not allowed to see the previously played trick if you have turned your own card face down? If you commonly find yourself wanting to see the previous trick, try to develop a habit of /keeping your own card face up/ until you are ready to continue to the next trick. It's not just polite, it's the Law. :) Best regards, Mojo, Jane, and Zach

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STaC Update 0-750 Saturday
by Morris Jones 24 Mar '23

24 Mar '23

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> News from N Fair Oaks Mojo 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> Saturday STaC Game 0-750 I had a number of requests from players struggling to find STaC games and needing silver points. I have permission from the tournament Director in Charge to make the player limit on the Saturday game 0-750 points. So if you'd like to come play on Saturday, at 1:00 p.m. for silver points, drop me a note and make plans to come play! We'll play 24 boards and finish by about 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. Overall winners from Wednesday Congratulations to high overall scores from Wednesday: * Richard Halverstadt and Charo Holdo: 2nd in A, 1st in B, 6.61 silver points * Sadika Elewy and Tracee Dezzutti, 1st in C, 3.05 silver points Other finishers are listed in the STaC overalls here: https://web2.acbl.org/tournaments/results/2023/03/2303501/2303501_07.HTM Our club provided 10 of the 36.5 tables playing on Wednesday morning in the District 22-23 STaC. Thursday afternoon overalls have not yet been posted. They'll be available at this link as they become available: https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2303501#schedule Best regards, Mojo

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