- News - Pasadena Bridge Club

Silver points MTW
by Morris Jones 30 Mar '25

30 Mar '25

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> I think we all got a little bit of a surprise when the ACBL announced that the Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday /regular club games/ would be colored in *silver masterpoints*. (Sunday as well, but we didn't have a Sunday game.) This is not a Sectional Tournament at Clubs, just regular club games. The size of the awards will be "the usual" for club games, but they'll show up as silver when they're recorded at the ACBL. We had a lovely time hosting Robert Todd on Sunday. The club looked great and Robert was in good form. Those who were able to attend came away with some new understandings. Robert Todd at the Pasadena Bridge Club Robert Todd at the Pasadena Bridge Club This is also the first week of our newest /Bridge Basics I - Introduction/ course, offered by PCC Extension. The course has at least 20 new students enrolled. If you have a friend planning to join, be sure to get them enrolled <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…> as soon as you can! Bridge Classes This Week This week features our final *free Wednesday morning seminar with Lulu Minter* for a while. Lulu wants to do it again on a different day in a few months. Thank you Lulu! If you see a topic for a class that interests you, you can always drop in for a single class for $25 without committing to an entire course. *Mojo's pick for this week*: Wednesday evening "Second hand play" on defense. Get some insights on how best to play as the second player on a trick. This week's classes: * Wednesday, April 2, 10:00 AM /Lulu Minter FREE seminar/, "Opening and responding, plus open forum" * Wednesday, April 2, 3:00 PM /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Practice Hands" * Wednesday, April 2, 7:00 PM /Introduction to Defense/ "Second Hand Play" * Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 PM /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ "Introduction" Every Saturday morning at 9:30, we have a free workshop using a hand from Eddie Kantar's /Thinking Bridge/ series. Every entertaining hand teaches players how to think about problems in bidding, play, and defense. Coming up ... *Two Over One Game Force* course starts next Wednesday, April 9. Level-up your bidding to what's almost "standard" in clubs and tournaments these days. Bring your favorite partner! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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New bridge courses for April
by Morris Jones 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

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> We have a new course session — a *daylight *session on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 PM. Play of the Deal <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal> and Introduction to Defense <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense> will be the next courses offered during the new session. This fall we'll be offering our first course, Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>, during the Wednesday afternoon session. There's still time to join us this Sunday, March 30, for the full day seminar with noted author and teacher *Robert Todd*. See the flier here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/fliers/2025-03-30-robert…> for his dynamite topics, and reserve your seat here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>. Here are the new courses we'll be starting in April: Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal Bridge Basics 4 debuted last year with a dynamite presentation of the techniques and planning skills needed to win as many tricks as you can as declarer. Plan your play using declarer's ABCs, learn to manage entries, and watch out for the opponents. * Six Wednesday afternoons 3-5 PM * First class April 16 * Course fee $120 includes text book by Audrey Grant * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal> * Reserve your seat here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Two Over One Game Force Once you're comfortable with Standard American 5-card Major bidding, it's time to take your bidding to the next level. Two Over One Game Force (2/1GF) is the most popular system played by experienced players in clubs and tournaments everywhere. With one small tweak to Standard American bidding, you'll improve your ability find good slam contracts, and the right game contracts. You'll learn the idioms and common "phrases" of 2/1GF. This course also features some of the best /play of the hand/ lessons you'll see! * Six Wednesday evenings 7-9 PM * First class April 9 * Course fee $130 includes text book by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force> * Reserve your seat here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction This is the course to introduce your non-bridge-playing friends to our favorite game. In the first class you'll learn the mechanics and vocabulary of bridge - /everything you need to actually start playing/. The subsequent classes will add skills for analyzing deals and making contracts, and introduce the language of Standard American bidding to communicate with your partner. * Six Thursday evenings 7-9 PM * First class April 3 * Course fee $100 total includes text book * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction> This course is offered by Pasadena City College Extension, and meets at the Pasadena Bridge Club. To register for the class online, visit PCC Extension at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. Student/Novice games and practice sessions I challenge any club to offer a program of games and practice sessions for new players as comprehensive as ours! Workshops and practice sessions (open to all): * Mondays "Workshop with Zachary" 3-5 PM $10 /reservations available/ * Tuesday and Friday "Social/Supervised Play" 3-5 PM /free (donations accepted)/ Student and Novice/Intermediate games (reservations available for all): * Tuesday evenings 7:00 PM *0-300 Pairs* $12 * Thursday afternoons 3:00 PM *0-20 Newcomer Pairs* $10 * Saturday mornings 9:30 AM *0-300 Workshop + Game* $12 Our next Bridge Basics 1 offering will be on Wednesday evenings starting July 2. Watch for the offering in the PCC Extension Summer catalog. Mojo, Jane and Zachary

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ACBL-wide Charity Game
by Morris Jones 24 Mar '25

24 Mar '25

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> Two great events this week! Read on below. Meanwhile I'd like to remind everyone that while we're playing a game it's not the time to "correct" partner's or (god forbid) the opponents' play. It's fine to mark a hand to talk about later with your partner if you like, but not at the table please! This is especially true in our novice/intermediate games. Play, enjoy, banter, compliment, but don't correct or criticize. Bad results are always worth a good laugh! Save the rest for later. (And you might be giving the wrong advice!) *Call out for Bridge Basics teaching assistants!* We're starting a new session on Thursday, April 3, at 7:00 PM. I'm looking for two or three people who are willing to come to class and help fill a table when it's needed. If you were recently a BB1 student, this is an opportunity to see the material again, and you're just the person to help put new students at ease at the table. That's all I'm asking! Robert Todd Seminar Getting to spend a day with Robert Todd learning about bridge is a rare and special treat. I'm often asked "Is this for beginners or experienced players?" The answer is "Yes!" Robert has a knack for taking difficult bridge problems and breaking them down into understandable components. You can attribute that to his background as a "recovering mathematician" and professor. His topics this year are dynamite: * Morning session: Hand Evaluation and Re-evaluation * Afternoon session: Compete When They Open We'll start at 9:00, and finish by 3:30, with a good lunch break, and all the great lunch options nearby. Make your reservation here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>. Seminar fee is $90 for the full day. ACBL-wide Charity Game Tuesday our regular 11:00 AM Open Pairs game will be the ACBL-wide Charity Game. Masterpoint awards are big, and proceeds from the ACBL sanction fees go to support ACBL Charities. As a bonus, I have a full analysis booklet for all of the hands. It's in electronic form as a PDF file. I'll email copies after the game to everyone who comes to play. (If email is not your thing and you want the analysis, let me know!) Bridge Classes This Week Every week this month will have five great learning opportunities! This week continues our *free Wednesday morning seminars with Lulu Minter*. This week's classes: * Wednesday, March 26, 10:00 AM /Lulu Minter FREE seminar/, "The rule of 7" * Wednesday, March 26, 3:00 PM /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Slam bidding" * Wednesday, March 26, 7:00 PM /Introduction to Defense/ "Signals against Trump Contracts" * Thursday, March 27, 7:00 PM /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ "Practice hands for doubles" Every Saturday morning at 9:30, we have a free workshop using a hand from Eddie Kantar's /Thinking Bridge/ series. Every entertaining hand teaches players how to think about problems in bidding, play, and defense. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! Coming up ... Wednesday evenings starting April 9 I'll be offering the *Two Over One Game Force* course for six weeks. If you're comfortable playing Standard American, it might be time to level up your bidding. Along with learning the bidding system, this class includes some of the best play of the hand problems of any of our courses. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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This week in Pasadena
by Morris Jones 18 Mar '25

18 Mar '25

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> STaC week was a big success last week, and players at the Pasadena Bridge Club did particularly well. Our players took first place in the district on the morning games Monday through Thursday, second place on Friday, and first place on Saturday, Here were the biggest winners from each day: * Monday: Fredy and Lulu Minter 8.06 silver * Tuesday: Cindy Hsiao and Sri Nagesh 9.00 silver * Wednesday: Kim Ebner and Lynn Edelson 6.94 silver * Thursday: Rebecca Clough and Jan Wickersham 4.88 silver * Friday: Paul Nason and Richard Weinberger 9.38 silver * Saturday: Patricia Luehrs and Stuart Soldate 7.96 silver The awards for a STaC are so big because all of the games during the same time period in the district are combined to make a big tables count. For instance, the Tuesday morning game had a total of 37 tables, between us, La Fetra, Agile, and the 750 Club. (And we all played the same hands!) Robert Todd March 30 Robert Todd is a "recovering" math professor, now professional bridge player and teacher. Robert is one of my mentors, and one of the most engaging and entertaining speakers in the game. I'm delighted to host Robert for a third visit to the Pasadena Bridge Club. His full-day seminar is on Sunday, March 30. The morning topic is "Hand Evaluation + Re-Evaluation," with the afternoon topic "Compete When They Open." The morning session will start at 9:00 AM, and the afternoon will finish by 3:30. The cost is $90 for the full day. Ask around the club and you'll probably find someone who attended one of his previous seminars. You'll find that he comes highly recommended! His topics are readily accessible for new players, and full of deep bridge wisdom for experienced players. You can register for the seminar at this link <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>. See the flier at the bridge club or download a copy here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/fliers/2025-03-30-robert…>. Bridge Classes This Week Every week this month will have five great learning opportunities! We have two courses that just got started last week, and this week begins our *free Wednesday morning seminars with Lulu Minter*, as well as Bridge Basics 3 in the afternoon. This week's classes: * Wednesday, March 19, 10:00 AM /Lulu Minter FREE seminar/, "Rule of 11" * Wednesday, March 19, 3:00 PM /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "Strong Opening Bids" * Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 PM /Introduction to Defense/ "Signaling Against Notrump" * Thursday, March 20, 7:00 PM /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ "Balancing and Other Doubles" Every Saturday morning at 9:30, we have a free workshop using a hand from Eddie Kantar's /Thinking Bridge/ series. Each hand teaches how to think about problems in bidding, play, and defense. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! Coming up ... Next week on *Tuesday, March 25*, we'll host the ACBL-wide Charity Game. Lots of extra masterpoints, and the sanction fees go to benefit ACBL charities. We'll have some special game materials too, in PDF format, with expert commentary on the hands in play. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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New student/novice player schedule starts!
by Morris Jones 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

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> I spent this past weekend in Costa Mesa as an exhibitor for a conference hosted by the California Association for the Gifted. I was representing Patty Tucker's /Jump Start Bridge/ program that mentors teachers to introduce bridge as a school enrichment or after school program. The teachers at "gifted" and math teacher conferences have been extraordinarily receptive to the idea. Jump Start Bridge is a worthy charitable organization for supporting bridge education in schools. They fund all the materials and supplies for teachers who start a bridge program in their school, even providing a stipend for the teachers! Visit https://www.jumpstartbridge.org/ to learn more about it! We registered over 70 leads from teachers interested in the program, and signed up 12 teachers with the ACBL who are ready to get started now! Student/Novice Player Program This is the week that our new student/novice player program starts! We are still *looking for (slightly!) experienced players* who are willing to mentor players and supervise our social/supervised play sessions. Right now the Friday session doesn't have an "owner." Jon and Susan are covering the Tuesday session, but we always need backups and standbys! It doesn't take a Grand Life Master to be a great host for these events. The main effort is going to be in helping them play smoothly and efficiently, and enjoy the game! Once in a while someone will ask for help on bids or plays, and you only have to tell them what you might do with the hand, or what options they might choose from. The full student/novice weekly schedule is available on the web site at this link <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice>. Zachary's first workshop had five tables! Our first Thursday 0-20 novice game is already a "go" with at least two tables of players, and the Wednesday class has three full tables! /Are you ready to sign up?/ Drop me a note! Bridge Classes This Week Every week this month will have five great learning opportunities! We have two courses that just got started last week, and this week begins our *free Wednesday morning seminars with Lulu Minter*, as well as Bridge Basics 3 in the afternoon. This week's classes: * Wednesday, March 5, 10:00 AM /Lulu Minter FREE seminar/, "Counting" * Wednesday, March 5, 3:00 PM /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ "The Stayman Convention" * Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 PM /Introduction to Defense/ "Opening Leads against Trump Contracts" * Thursday, March 6, 7:00 PM /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ "Responding to the Takeout Double" In addition, every Saturday morning at 9:30, we have a free workshop using a hand from Eddie Kantar's /Thinking Bridge/ series. Every entertaining hand teaches players how to think about problems in bidding, play, and defense. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! *Save the date* for our next *Robert Todd* seminar: Sunday, March 30, all day. We're starting to take reservations for the event. This is a first class bridge seminar. Robert features a bidding topic in the mornings, and a card play topic in the afternoon. The seminar fee will be $90. Coming up ... Our next *Sectional Tournament at Clubs* will be this coming week of March 10-16. We'll be offering silver point games every day that week! Card fees will be $13 to cover extra sanction fees. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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New courses and student program
by Morris Jones 25 Feb '25

25 Feb '25

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> I challenge any other bridge club in the country to top our program for student and novice bridge players! The full schedule starts up on Monday, March 3. We've added another session for social/supervised bridge on Friday afternoons, as well as another class session on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00. The new class session should help meet a demand for daytime classes for students who don't want to drive at night! The full student/novice schedule is now available on the web site: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice We're now taking reservations for the Monday workshop, Wednesday class, and Thursday novice game. No reservation required for Tuesday/Friday social/supervised play. New courses starting this week Introduction to Defense The best class for exploring the logic of a bridge deal, and learning to work with your partner to win as many tricks as possible on defense. * Six Wednesday evenings starting Feb. 26, 7:00-9:00 PM * Cost $120 includes textbook by Eddie Kantar * Single classes available for $25 * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense> * Register for the class <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Improving Your Judgment - Doubles Most newer players miss discovering good opportunities to use a takeout double. Experienced players know the double as the most flexible and useful call in the bidding box. * Five Thursday evenings starting Feb. 27, 7:00-9:00 PM * Cost $100 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Single classes available for $25 * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_doubles> * Register for the class <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Next week (March 3-8) *The new student/novice schedule starts!* Plus ... Wednesday morning seminars with Lulu Minter Join the first Wednesday morning session at 10:00 AM for this free presentation by Platinum Life Master Lulu Minter. Get some insights to how he continues to dominate club games with Fredy! Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions Our first Wednesday afternoon class will be Popular Conventions from 3:00-5:00 PM. * Six Wednesday afternoons starting March 5, 3:00-5:00 PM * Cost $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Single classes $25 * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions> * Register for the class <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Coming up ... Our next *Sectional Tournament at Clubs* will be the week of March 10-16. We'll be offering silver point games every day that week! Card fees will be $13 to cover extra sanction fees. *Save the date* for our next *Robert Todd* seminar: Sunday, March 30, all day. We're starting to take reservations for the event. This is a first class bridge seminar. Robert features a bidding topic in the mornings, and a card play topic in the afternoon. The seminar fee will be $90. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Massive program for student and novice bridge players!
by Morris Jones 20 Feb '25

20 Feb '25

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> Zachary and I have taken some time to revamp our afternoon schedule, weekdays from 3:00-5:00 PM. It's all about students and newer players! We're going to continue with casual social supervised play sessions Tuesday and Friday. We're adding a special workshop with Zachary on Mondays, new class sessions on Wednesdays, and an official novice 0-20 bridge game on Thursdays. New classes are starting at the end of February and beginning of March. See the descriptions below! March will also feature *free Wednesday morning bridge seminars* by Platinum Life Master Lulu Minter, and a full day seminar on Sunday March 30 by the amazing *Robert Todd*. *To enroll in any of the classes* below you can use the form here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment Weekday 3:00-5:00 schedule: * Monday starting March 3, Workshop with Zachary * Tuesday March 4, Social Bridge, Jon and Susan * Wednesday March 5, Bridge Basics 3 Popular Conventions * Thursday March 6, 0-20 Novice Duplicate Bridge * Friday March 7, Social Bridge, Mojo and others Would you like to help host social bridge on Tuesdays or Fridays? Please drop me a note! Introduction to Defense This six-week course on defender play will cover the essentials of defense, helping you work with your partner to win as many tricks as you can. * Six Wednesday evenings, 7-9 PM * Starting Feb 26 * $120 includes textbook by Eddie Kantar * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense> Improving Your Judgment - Doubles Let's go into depth on the many ways you can use the takeout double to compete in the auction. * Five Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM * Starting Feb 27 * $100 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_doubles> Popular Conventions Daytime class! Join us on Wednesday afternoons to study the most useful and popular bridge conventions: Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, Strong 2♣ Openings, and Slam Bidding. * Six Wednesday afternoons, 3-5 PM * Starting Mar 5 * $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full details and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions> Bridge Workshop with Zachary Join us every Monday afternoon from 3:00-5:00 for a fun and intense bridge workshop in Zachary's inimitable and charming style! You'll get to play the hands that were played in the Monday Open Pairs session, compare your results with the best bridge players in Pasadena, and learn from Zachary how you might be able to improve your score. One of our specialties is working with partnerships to improve your communication. The Monday workshops will be $10 each, with reservations kept in RSVPBridge. If you already have an RSVP Bridge account, log in to RSVP bridge <https://rsvpbridge.com/>, click on the "My Clubs" icon in the top ribbon, find "Workshop with Zachary" and add yourself to the group! (Or just drop me a note and I'll do that.) Free Lulu Minter Seminars Before *every Wednesday in March* (and one in April) Lulu Minter will be hosting a *free* bridge workshop before the morning game at 10:00 AM. Lulu is a Platinum Life Master. If you've played against him at the bridge club, you know that Lulu and his partner (and son) Fredy are a formidable partnership! Drop in and learn some of his secrets for playing the game! Here is the topic list: * March 5 - Counting * March 12 - Leads and Signals * March 19 - Rule of 11 * March 26 - Rule of 7 * April 2 - Q&A - Open Forum Robert Todd Seminar Sunday, March 30: Full day seminar with the amazing Robert Todd. See the event flier here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/fliers/2025-03-30-robert…>. * Morning session 9:00 AM: Hand evaluation + re-evaluation. * Afternoon session 1:00 PM: Compete when they open Join the full day for $90, or one session only for $55. Register here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>. Saturday Morning Workshop and Game Described as *one of the best deals at the bridge club*, every Saturday morning at 9:30, we have a workshop hand from Eddie Kantar's "Thinking Bridge," followed by a 15-board novice/intermediate bridge game (0-300). Finished by 12:15. Make your reservations on RSVP Bridge <https://rsvpbridge.com>, or just reply to this email to join in! Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction This course is the starting point for anyone thinking of trying our fascinating game! The course is part of the PCC Extension catalog, but meets at the Pasadena Bridge Club. Our next course series begins on Thursday evenings, April 3, 7:00-9:00 PM. You can register for Bridge Introduction at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>, and be sure to pass it along to your friends! Rest assured, we will also be offering a session of Bridge Basics 1 during the new Wednesday afternoon 3-5 period in a few months! Mojo, Jane and Zachary

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New classes and afternoon offerings
by Morris Jones 19 Feb '25

19 Feb '25

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> We live and die by the elevator in our lobby. When it goes out of service, I'm always amazed at how many of our players who have a difficult time getting around manage to make their way up the stairs. Granted, they're good stairs, with excellent hand rail spacing for climbing and descending safely, but it's not ideal to have to use them every day! I'm told that we're dependent on a parts shipment that should arrive Wednesday or Thursday, and hopefully we'll elevating again soon. Change in course schedule Alas, the textbook for /Improving Your Judgment - Opening the Bidding/ has gone out of print, and new copies are no longer available. (I still have about four on the shelf.) I'm replacing IYJ - Opening in the schedule with another great class, /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/. This is a fantastic class for new players who need more practice and refinement for takeout doubles in all kinds of situations. IYJ - Opening is still a really great class, with or without the textbook. It adds detail to the opening bid decision that you won't find in any other course, as well as having great hands for bidding and playing. Afternoons for novice players Zachary and I are not only making plans to revive the 3:00-5:00 PM time period at the club, we're planning to expand it. On Mondays, we want to offer a more intensive session we're calling the "Bridge Workshop with Zachary." It's an ideal session to take advantage of Zachary's unique style and insight to improve your partnership communication and card play. Tuesday and Friday will be a resumption of casual bridge targeted specifically to our student players. We want to provide a comfortable place for absolute n00bs to develop their bridge chops. The goal is not to make the /best/ bid or the /best/ play, but to discover the rhythms of the game and have fun playing it. We have Jon Fuhrman, Susan Kane, Melanie Moran, and others lined up to host. Wednesday is going to be a formal class session, from our regular course catalog. I plan to offer Popular Conventions (Bridge Basics 3), Play of the Deal (Bridge Basics 4), and Introduction to Defense as the first three courses offered on Wednesday afternoons. I think it will be a popular time for folks who don't want to be out at night. Thursday we're going to add an official duplicate bridge game specifically for new players with fewer than 20 masterpoints. It will be a short game of about 12 boards. The Monday and Thursday events will have reservations and pre-payments available on RSVP Bridge. Partnerships are encouraged, but friendly partners always available for those "looking." There are a lot of students of the game who would rather not attend evening classes. I gave up Saturday morning classes to offer the popular "workshop and game" on Saturday mornings. I'm considering offering a course series, perhaps on Wednesday afternoons. I dare say that this, along with the Saturday morning workshop and game, will be a more extensive program specifically for newer players than I know of at any other bridge club. We're still finalizing the starting schedule and fees for each of the offerings. In the next few days I will publish a starting schedule. We won't be able to start every session on March 3, but I'll let you know. Bridge Classes This Week Each week I'll post the topics for the Wednesday and Thursday classes. Anyone is welcome to join a single class for $25 without purchasing an entire course. This week's offerings are both "practice hand" sessions. They're a great opportunity to drop in and practice the class topic. This week's classes: * Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 PM /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Practice Hands" * Thursday, February 20, 7:00 PM /Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal/ "Practice Hands" The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! I'll send a separate email with information about our new classes starting next week, "Introduction to Defense" and "Improving Your Judgment - Doubles." *Save the date* for our next *Robert Todd* seminar: Sunday, March 30, all day. We're starting to take reservations for the event. This is a first class bridge seminar. Robert features a bidding topic in the mornings, and a card play topic in the afternoon. The seminar fee will be $90. Coming up ... March *Wednesday morning bridge talks* with Lulu Minter! Lulu will be offering a series of free Wednesday morning chalk talks at 10:00 AM before the Wednesday Open Pairs game at 11:00. He has a series of five seminars. I'll be sending an email with all the information about his talks and upcoming classes in the next day or two. Our next *Sectional Tournament at Clubs* will be the week of March 10-16. We'll be offering silver point games every day that week! Card fees will be $13 to cover extra sanction fees. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Afternoon plans
by Morris Jones 12 Feb '25

12 Feb '25

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> We had a bit of an adventure this past week when our internet provider couldn't get the WiFi router back up after attempting a "factory reset." We had to do without for a few days, getting by on my phone hot spot. On Tuesday they a tech finally figured out the problem and got us back online. Meanwhile, the emails from ACBL about "glitter points" this week have proven true! All of our open games this week have been awarding 25% gold masterpoints. We have a few more games, and they've been well-attended all week. (The bigger the game, the bigger the masterpoint awards.) What's cool is that there's no extra charge for these games. :) Plans taking shape for afternoons The 3:00-5:00 PM time period is a great opportunity to open the bridge club for new players. We're formulating plans to open the club during those hours again, but with a slightly different offering. There are a lot of students of the game who would rather not attend evening classes. I gave up Saturday morning classes to offer the popular "workshop and game" on Saturday mornings. I'm considering offering a course series, perhaps on Wednesday afternoons. There is also an opportunity to host a sanctioned two-hour duplicate game limited to players under 20 masterpoints. We're considering Thursday for those. On Monday and Tuesday (and perhaps Friday) we're looking for individual "hosts" who would shepherd new player casual bridge sessions. Several host candidates have spoken up, and there should be a good pool of experienced players to draw from. Let me know what you think, and hopefully we'll have a more concrete schedule soon! Bridge Classes This Week Each week I'll post the topics for the Wednesday and Thursday classes. Anyone is welcome to join a single class for $25 without purchasing an entire course. This week's offerings are both "practice hand" sessions. They're a great opportunity to drop in and practice the class topic. This week's classes: * Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 PM /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Practice Hands" * Thursday, February 13, 7:00 PM /Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal/ "Practice Hands" Our *next two courses are in a bit of flux*. I just learned that the textbook for "Opening the Bidding" is out of print and no longer available. And I need to offer a "Popular Conventions" course. I'll be updating the schedule for new courses later this week. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed! *Save the date* for our next *Robert Todd* seminar: Sunday, March 30, all day. Help support wild fire victims Our great friend of the club Jonathan Penzner has been volunteering tirelessly with a worthy organization, the Pasadena Community Labor Center. They have been providing food, water, medical supplies, hygienic products, and other necessities to people affected by the wild fires. They're accepting monetary donations at their web site https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lafires2025 and also accept in-kind donations of things such as trash bags, toilet paper, first-aid supplies, and diapers. (Clothing is not required.) The job center is very close to the bridge club at 500 North Lake Ave. Coming up ... Zachary, Jane and I are looking at ways to spruce up the "hospitality room" to make it more inviting, and have a lot more storage. It's not really a back room, and needs to mesh better with the rest of the club. (Plus we need more storage space!) Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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seeking a ride to SJC
by Morris Jones 06 Feb '25

06 Feb '25

Jan Wickersham is looking for a carpool to the sectional in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 22 & 23. If you're planning to attend and could give her a ride, please drop me or her a note. Thanks! 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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