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>
This past week I started a new series of Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
on Thursday evenings. On Wednesday night I was expecting 18 students. On
Thursday night I had 24 in the class!
I even got a round of applause at the end of the lesson. That doesn't
happen often!
Robots for half table
I'm getting together the tools to use BBO Robots to fill a half table at
the club. If I have a half, one table can have a pair of iPads or Fire
tablets facing the E/W seats. The robots will play N/S.
When I did this before at the BridgeMojo club, nobody liked it much. But
most players at that time weren't really familiar with bridge online.
It's different now — most of us know how to bid and play on BBO. It'll
be an interesting experiment!
As we first start out, I'll probably score the round as "No Plays" while
we're trying it out. I'll only use it for the Open games.
Love a good mystery?
When I'm on the road, I love listening to episodes of "Sorry, Partner,"
<https://sorrypartner.com/> a bridge podcast by Catherine Harris and
Jocelyn Startz.
I enjoyed a recent episode featuring English champion Helen Erichsen,
who also happens to be an author. She just released a novel /Murder By
Natural Causes/, which revolves around bridge and a bridge club.
I haven't read it yet, but it sounds like a good time! I love the title. :)
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to drop in for a single session of any course for $25.
Let me know you're coming! Here are the topics at this week's classes:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Defense* "Interfering with Declarer"
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Bridge Basics 1* "1 Notrump Opening Bids and
Responses"
The Saturday games will be closed this week for the tournament (see
below). Next week we'll resume the Workshop and Game with "Developing
Tricks in Notrump."
On our *YouTube channel this week*, "Trumping in the dummy
<https://youtu.be/iuk9irx4NJA?feature=shared>"
Glendale Sectional
*September 9-10*, with lots of seats available for the Open Pairs and
499er pairs, all four sessions!
Note that this isn't a Pasadena Bridge Club event. The Glendale Verdugo
Unit is renting the bridge club for their sectional, so writing me for a
reservation won't work. Instead, visit the information page here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/glendale-sectional> and use the
reservation link.
Teacher training coming up
Become an accredited Better Bridge teacher! We're hosting a two-day
seminar by Denise Hoffman on Thursday-Friday December 21-22.
By completing the seminar you'll be recognized as an accredited teacher
by the ACBL, and eligible to be listed in the teacher directory. It's a
great credential to present to organizations like college extension
programs.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
News from
N Fair Oaks
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
The Western Conference Sectional Tournament at Clubs is over. Several of
our players managed to place in the tournament overalls in their
particular game.
Here's where you can find
<https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=2308508> the overall
results for each game.
Thursday Open Game Postponed
Unfortunately we've had to postpone the start of our Thursday 11:00 Open
Pairs game.
The original start date was September 7, and the new start date will be
October 5. I know a lot of players are looking forward to the game, as
am I. We'll get it started soon!
We want to add more weekly games, of course. To do that, we need players
who are trained and *interested in becoming a director.* Is that you?
Let's talk! /There is no masterpoint requirement/ to be a club director,
but there is a test!
Last NAP Qualifier
Our Wednesday 11:00 AM Open Pairs this week will be the final qualifier
game for the North American Pairs at our club.
Find all the NAP information here: https://nap.bridgemojo.com/
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to drop in for a single session of any course for $25.
Let me know you're coming! Here are the topics at this week's classes:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Defense* "Developing Defensive Tricks"
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Bridge Basics 1* "Introduction"
The Saturday *workshop and game* is back this week! I'm starting a
series on play of the hand, with "taking tricks at notrump." We'll have
a 40 minute workshop followed by a 12-board game.
On our *YouTube channel this week*, Double finesses
<https://youtu.be/IS7Q5s0pmfQ?feature=shared> and a fun question from
the visitors.
Glendale Sectional
*September 9-10*, at the Pasadena Bridge Club. This will be our first
experience with using the Community Room down the hall for ten or so
extra tables.
Space is still limited of course, and reservations are required. Here's
an information page <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/glendale-sectional>
with a flier and the link to register for one or more games. (Please
don't send reservations to me!)
Teacher training coming up
Become an accredited Better Bridge teacher! We're hosting a two-day
seminar by Denise Hoffman on Thursday-Friday December 21-22.
By completing the seminar you'll be recognized as an accredited teacher
by the ACBL, and eligible to be listed in the teacher directory. It's a
great credential to present to organizations like college extension
programs.
Possible Healthcare Benefit
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may have a
benefit of interest to you. The ACBL has paired with Element3 to
reimburse your annual ACBL membership dues to their customers who play
bridge regularly.
To find out if you might be eligible, here's a link:
https://element3healthgroups.com/acbl
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
For our novice and intermediate players, here is a chance to win some
silver points!
Game time is 1:00 PM, and we'll play 'til about 4:00 PM. Card fee is $11.
Drop me a note if you'd like to play. I can usually find a partner for
you if you'd like to play and don't have one!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
build message
Morris "Mojo" Jones
mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com
https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
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>
*"All about Sectional Tournaments"* is the title of a new article on the
web site. I go into some of the interesting history around Sectionals,
and the always-present tug of war between interested parties.
Read my article here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/node/48>.
Clearly I've had lots of time on my hands to write and work on things.
Lots of love and thanks to Paula, Zachary, and Lisa who have been doing
a fantastic job running games and classes while I've been holed up.
I expect to be back in the club eager to go on Wednesday morning for the
first STaC game.
New Thursday Open Pairs
Starting *September 7* (happy birthday Jane!) we'll be holding a second
Open Pairs game at 11:00 AM.
Join us for the game on Sept. 7 or 14 and we'll have a pizza party as
well! I'll bring in pizzas from Blaze downstairs, and we'll take an
extra break at about noon.
STaC Games
Three (really four) special silver point games this week:
* Wednesday 11:00 AM Open Pairs
* Thursday 11:00 AM Open Pairs (Special Game)
* Saturday 1:00 PM 0-750 Pairs
And thanks to tropical depression (once hurricane) Hilary, there's one
more STaC game sponsored by the Unit at the Arcadia Bridge Center on
Sunday, Aug. 27, at 12:30 PM.
Reservations for any game on RSVP or here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/game_reservation>.
Districts 21, 22, and 23 are included in this Sectional Tournament at Clubs.
Learn more about Sectional Tournaments here.
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/node/48>
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to drop in for a single session of any course for $25.
Let me know you're coming! Here are the topics at this week's classes:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Defense* "Defensive Signals"
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Two Over One Game Force* "Practice Hands"
* Saturday 9:30 AM *Competitive Bidding* "Practice Hands"
The Saturday "workshop and game" will not meet this week, but I invite
everyone to play in the 0-750 STaC game and practice all the great stuff
you've been learning!
Pasadena Bridge Club on *YouTube this week*: Finesses Part 2, combining
techniques, and when to lead high cards. https://youtu.be/M67RSru5BZo
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the starting point for non-bridge players to discover our
favorite game.
Six Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM, starting August 31.
Let your friends and family know! Here's the link to register with PCC
online
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>.
Glendale Sectional
*September 9-10*, let's put on a show!
We're hosting four sessions of bridge at the Pasadena Bridge Club, with
two pairs events at each session.
Games start at 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM each day, with an Open Pairs game
and a 0-500 game.
Binge on bridge for the weekend and collect silver points!
Space is limited and may not be available! Here's an information page
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/glendale-sectional> with a flier and the
link to register for one or more games.
And finally ...
I have a fast, beautiful, almost new HP LaserJet printer for sale. Black
& White only, USB or ethernet connecton. $150 takes it.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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 past Saturday while doing the Saturday Workshop and game, I
mentioned that the Saturday afternoon event is probably the best deal at
the bridge club, and got no argument.
On Saturday afternoons we have a real 40 minute or so workshop complete
with practice deals to bid or play, followed by a snappy 12-board fun
bridge game.
If you're under about 300 points, this is a great opportunity! It's a
great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. And yes, it's all for the
regular $10 card fee.
NAP Qualifier Wednesday
August is the last month when players can qualify to advance in the
North American Pairs. We have two NAP Qualifiers on the calendar: this
Wednesday August 16, and again on Wednesday, August 30.
The NAP games pay half-black, half-red masterpoints and lots of them.
The stratification will be based on the highest point player in each
pair, at Open, 2500, and 500.
Players in the top 50% of each strat qualify to advance to the District
Final on October 1. (Interesting twist for Flight C, if there are five
or fewer C pairs, all pairs qualify to advance!)
Special STaC week games
Clubs in three western districts covering most of the Western US will be
participating in a Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC) during the week
of August 21-27.
For the STaC I'm *adding a game on Thursday, August 24**,* at 11:00 AM.
Open Pairs. The game is available now for reservations.
On *Saturday, August 26*, in place of the "workshop and short game"
we'll play a 0-750 silver point game.
Card fees for all STaC games will be $11.
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to drop in for a single session of any course for $25.
Let me know you're coming if you can! Here are the topics at this week's
classes:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Defense* "Defensive Signals"
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Two Over One Game Force* "Practice Hands"
* Saturday 9:30 AM *Competitive Bidding* "Practice Hands"
There will also be a topic "2-Level Simple Overcalls" at the Saturday
afternoon workshop and game.
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the starting point for non-bridge players to discover our
favorite game.
Six Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM, starting August 31.
Let your friends and family know! Here's the link to register with PCC
online
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>.
Coming Up ...
The weekend of September 9-10 we're going to try hosting a sectional
tournament for the Glendale Verdugo Unit, taking advantage of the
"community room" down the hall from the bridge club.
Reservations will be required, and the games will be limited to 20
tables for Open Pairs, and 10 tables for 0-500 pairs.
We'll have more information and maybe a flier next week.
Also, watch for an announcement about Thursdays in September. I'll say
no more! :)
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 I have some newer players coming for
a social game.
If you like to play social bridge, answering questions from players when
they have them, or just hanging out at the bridge club with fresh
coffee, consider volunteering to be a social game mentor.
You may or may not fill a seat at a table.
Free play at the club for any mentors. :)
Mojo
--
build message
Morris "Mojo" Jones
mojo(a)PasadenaBridgeClub.com
https://PasadenaBridgeClub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Pasadena Bridge Club <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
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>
Jane and I took advantage of some quiet travel time this past week to
work on the club's social media presence.
If you visit our web site <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> now, you'll
see icons for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, You can "like" or
"follow" the Pasadena Bridge Club on any of those platforms.
If you subscribe to our channel on YouTube, every Saturday morning I'll
be re-releasing a 15-minute-or-so bridge lesson, first produced during
quarantine. The lessons mostly cover some aspect of play or defense.
Great little bites.
STaC game Thursday 8/24
For the upcoming Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC), I'll be adding
an Open Pairs at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 24. The event is live on
RSVPBridge now, and you can sign up to play.
Also Saturday 8/26 STaC
In addition, in place of the Saturday workshop and game, we'll have a
*0-750 Silver Point game*, starting at 1:00, and finished by 4:15 or so.
Club Championships
All duplicate games this week will be Club Championships. That's Tuesday
evening, Wednesday morning, and Saturday afternoon. Extra points, no
extra charge!
Privacy on RSVP
By default, your email address is visible to other logged-in club
members at RSVPBridge.
You can change the visibility this way:
* Log in to RSVPBridge
* Click on your name icon in the lower right corner
* Click on the control "Privacy" from the pop-up menu.
And if it's easier, just drop me a note and I'll take care of it.
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to drop in for a single session of any course for $25.
Let me know you're coming if you can! Here are the topics at this week's
classes:
* Wednesday 7:00 PM *Defense* "Second Hand Play"
* Thursday 7:00 PM *Two Over One Game Force* "The Choice Between Game
and Slam"
* Saturday 9:30 AM *Competitive Bidding* "The Competitive Auction"
(redoubles, negative doubles, and more)
There will also be a topic "to be announced" at the Saturday afternoon
workshop and game.
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
The PCC Extension catalog has landed in mailboxes all around Pasadena.
On Thursdays starting August 31 is "Bridge Introduction."
Let your friends and family know! Here's the link to register with PCC
online
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>.
Coming Up ...
In September, we're planning to make the *Thursday morning Open Pairs* a
regular game. We'll promote it with postcards, special games, pizza!
The Pasadena Bridge Club will be hosting the *Glendale Sectional
Tournament* on Sept. 9-10. We'll be making use of the Community Room
down the hall from the bridge club.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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>
Welcome to August! The bridge club remains a cool refuge on hot days.
Hopefully the landlord will get the air conditioning in our lobby area
fixed soon!
Respect for Social Bridge
One of the things *we will always* do at the Pasadena Bridge Club is
offer social bridge games. We currently have two sessions: Thursdays at
7:00 PM and Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM. (I'm open to suggestion if
you'd like others!)
In Chicago I spent a lot of time with other club managers and teachers.
Many of us were making the point that that social bridge is a fun and
valuable event in itself, not just a way point to tournament bridge.
In the next few weeks I hope to implement some features to make the
social bridge games their own fun event. We don't call it "party bridge"
for nothing!
Stay tuned for that.
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
The PCC Extention catalog has landed in mailboxes all around Pasadena.
On Thursdays starting August 31 is "Bridge Introduction."
Let your friends and family know! Here's the link to register with PCC
online
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>.
Bridge Basics 1 is six Thursday evenings.
While it's listed in the PCC Extension catalog, the class meets happily
at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Classes this week
Anyone is welcome to join a single session of any course at the bridge
club for $25. Here are the topics for classes this week:
* *Defense* Wednesday 7:00 PM "Third Hand Play"
* *Two Over One Game Force* Thursday 7:00 PM "Rebids by Opener and
Responder"
* *Competitive Bidding* Saturday 9:30 AM "The Takeout Double"
Saturday Workshop and Game
Every Saturday at 1:00 PM we feature a mini-workshop on a bridge topic
for about 30-40 minutes, always with some example hands. Following that
will be a fun 12-15 board duplicate game, finishing up by 4:00 PM.
The subject this Saturday is "Michaels Cue Bids." It's a great way to
compete with a very special hand. You won't see them often, but when you
do (or your partner does), wouldn't it be fun?
Coming Up ...
I just learned that we have a new STaC (Sectional Tournament at Clubs)
coming up the week of August 21 - 27. We're probably going to add some
special games so everyone can have more than once chance to win some
silver points.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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's the little things, you know? Parks Coffee just replaced the coffee
maker in the hopes that I'll be able to make pots back-to-back more
quickly. :)
North American Pairs
This Wednesday is designated as a North American Pairs Qualifier game.
Every year during June, July, and August, clubs hold qualifier games for
the NAP. We'll be having games at the Pasadena Bridge Club on *July 26*,
*August 16*, and *August 30*.
The NAP is really three tournaments: Open, 0-2500, and 0-500. If you
finish in the top 50% of your strat in a club qualifier game, you'll be
invited to compete in the *NAP District Final on October 1*.
If there's demand for it, we could hold a *0-500 NAP Qualifier on a
Saturday afternoon*. What say you? I think maybe we should!
Top finishers in the District Final will be invited to represent their
district at the Spring NABC in Louisville, KY, and the winners even get
a subsidy for their travel!
Double treat: The district final will be held at the Pasadena Bridge
Club! It's a two-session pair game, to be played on Sunday, October 1,
starting at 10:00 a.m.
Wear the Pasadena Bridge Club
The full catalog from Lands' End is now available with the classy
Pasadena Bridge Club logo. Find your shirts, caps, bags, jackets, gear
of all kinds.
The catalog is available online here:
https://business.landsend.com/store/pasadenabridgeclub/
Saturday Workshop and Game
This Saturday I have a fun topic, from Robert Todd's Adventures in
Bridge <https://www.advinbridge.com/>: *"Doubles of Artificial Bids."
*It's a cool way to get the defense off on the right foot.
Saturday at 1:00 PM, followed by a 12-board game for novice/intermediate
players.
Class Topics This Week
Everyone is welcome to join any single class for $25. Look for the class
topics in the weekly newsletter, or on the front page of the web site.
* Wednesday, 7:00 PM, *Defense* "Opening Leads against Trump Contracts"
* Thursday, 7:00 PM, *Two Over One Game Force* "The Forcing 1NT"
* Saturday, 9:30 AM, *Competitive Bidding* "Simple Overcalls And
Responses"
(The Competitive Bidding lesson is particularly good. Learn how to use
cue bids to make a strong raise, and jump raises to preempt!)
Coming up ...
I think in September it's time to add another game to the schedule. What
do you think? Should it be an open game or a limited game? When would
you like to come to the bridge club?
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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's been an amazing few days in Chicago, and I'm writing this as I wait
for the first leg of the trip home.
To see what it's like to visit an NABC, I shot a little two-minute
walkthrough on Saturday: https://youtu.be/HbHg4KDrUXY
Last night was also the award dinner for the ACBL Goodwill Committee,
and it's written up in today's tournament Daily Bulletin:
https://cdn.acbl.org/nabc/2023/02/bulletins/db5.pdf
To my right in the photo is Bronia Jenkins, the ACBL's rock star new
executive director.
I even got to play bridge all day Wednesday with Brenda Egeland who
created RSVPBridge. It was a chance to lobby for some new features. We
also had a great time playing bridge!
New courses week!
This is the week we start *Defense*, *Two Over One Game Force*, and
*Competitive Bidding* courses. They're dynamite courses each.
With all of our courses you are always welcome to /try the first class
with no obligation/. If you're not sure it's for you, give it a try and see!
See the full schedule and enrollment links here:
https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses
Saturday Workshop and Game
The subject this Saturday is "Corrective vs. Forward Going bids." If it
sounds a little obscure, don't worry! It's a common misunderstanding at
the table, and we can help clear things up.
Saturday at 1:00 PM, followed by a 12-board game for 299ers.
Coming Up ...
Our next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ course will also be in the PCC
Extension catalog. It will be on Thursday evenings starting August 31.
Save the date!
Thanks so much to Paula Olivares and Zachary Vedro for covering the
games and classes last week!
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
