- News - Pasadena Bridge Club

North American Pairs
by Morris Jones 23 Jun '24

23 Jun '24

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'm so delighted to be on the back side of my pneumonia, cleared by the doctors to work, and enjoying being back in the bridge club. I know it will take a few weeks to get all my energy back. Right now I'm at about 0.7 Diane Gulbrandsens in energy level. But my appetite is back, and my coughs are mostly just ordinary coughs now. North American Pairs The North American Pairs is one of two annual "grass roots" tournaments held by the ACBL. It begins at the club level each year in June, July, and August. Club managers are allowed to hold up to two NAP Qualifier games for each sanctioned club session each month. (We'll have NAP Qualifier weeks in July and August as well.) Players who earn a "Q" (Qualified) are invited to compete in the district final. Some of the larger districts also hold a unit final. District 23 is fairly small and compact compared to most of the other districts. Our District Final is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 27. It'll be a two-session (full day!) event, with the top finishers earning an invitation to represent District 23 at the Spring Nationals. One of the cool things is that the top finishers are able to receive some reimbursement for their travel to the nationals. The NAP is really three different tournaments! There's the A Flight, or Open, where the winner at the nationals earns a coveted national championship (one of the requirements for Grand Life Master). Then there's the B flight which is restricted to players with fewer than 2,500 masterpoints (as of June 1, 2024). And Flight C, perhaps the most fun event, limited to non-Life Masters with fewer than 500 masterpoints. All Open games this week will be NAP Qualifier events! The additional sanction fee helps support the travel expenses for our winning pairs. Card fees for the games will be $11. The masterpoint awards for these games are huge, and they're half-black, half-red! Classes this coming week If you didn't sign up for a full course, you're still welcome to join any individual class for $25. Nearly all of our classes stand alone nicely for a one-time visit. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM,//class 5 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"Creating extra winners, and long-suit establishment" * Thursday, 7:00 PM,//class 5 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "Practice Hands" * Saturday, 9:30 AM, class 5 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Practice hands" Mojo's pick for this week: If you're a newish 2/1GF player, I'd pick the "practice hands" session on Thursday evening. Since hands using 2/1GF are not all that common, it's great to practice several in concentration. Coming up ... Zachary is enjoying a family vacation this week, and I'm so happy I can cover for him! He's been covering for me while I was out sick, and will be again while I attend the ABTA Convention in Toronto next month. Zachary and I are closing the bridge club for three days, on July 2, 3, and 4, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, both so we can get a chance to play in the regional ourselves, and to encourage everyone with the time off to go enjoy the big games. (And also enjoy the 4th of July with family.) (Would you like to partner with us for a team game in Long Beach? We're looking for teammates for the Tues-Wed "Mini-Soloway" event. We need a pair who's available for both days, of course.) The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is open for enrollment on the PCC Extension web site <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. The class will meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1. Mojo and Dragon getting work done Dragon helps proofread the newsletter. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Getting better all the time
by Morris Jones 17 Jun '24

17 Jun '24

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 been a long ordeal, and I'm truly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Probably the most frustrating thing is that the clues were there quite a bit earlier than when we finally discovered the pneumonia. All that time I was told and thought I was "getting better" in a normal process, I was actually getting quite worse. But we did catch it, finally. I'm on the last day of my antibiotics. Today I had the energy to start doing more. I've been walking the treadmill for three minutes every hour, and have stamina to get lots of administrative things done for the Sectional, the District NAP, and of course the club. My wonderful friends and partners are barring me from leaving home this week until Saturday. We're going to hold every game and class though. It will be great. Support Alzheimer's Research on the Longest Day We've designated *Wednesday, June 19, 11:00 AM* Open Pairs to be our benefit game for the Alzheimer's Association. Card fees will be $11, with the extra going to Alzheimer's. North American Pairs Qualifiers June, July, and August are when players get to earn a qualification to play in the District Final for the North American Pairs. We're planning to hold qualifiers for one full week in each of the three months. Our first qualifier week will be all of the Open Pairs games from *June 24 - 29*. I'm adding five additional in July in the week running up to the John Waken Pasadena Sectional. We'll also have a week of qualifiers in August. These are special games, that pay half-red, half-black masterpoints, and lots of them. The stratification is preset at Open/2500/500. I'm close to finalizing the date of the District Final. I'll let you know! Classes this coming week Let's meet class this week. I'm giving it a try. These are the classes that were originally scheduled last week. We have a week to get in the sixth class of each of these courses during the week after 4th of July (tournament) week. Lisa Walker is going to cover the Thursday 2/1GF class, and I have someone special coming to cover the class on Wednesday. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM,//class 4 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"The trump suit, counting losers" * Thursday, 7:00 PM,//class 4 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "The choice between game and slam" * Saturday, 9:30 AM, class 4 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "The Competitive Auction" Coming up ... Zachary and I are closing the bridge club for three days, on July 2, 3, and 4, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, both so we can get a chance to play in the regional ourselves, and to encourage everyone with the time off to go enjoy the big games. (And also enjoy the 4th of July with family.) The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is now open for enrollment on the PCC Extension web site <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. The class will meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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"Longest Day" next Wednesday
by Morris Jones 10 Jun '24

10 Jun '24

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'm happy to report that Arnold Palmers are back at the bridge club. Parks Coffee has been snakebit with the "Puritea" machines that serve the tea and lemonade. They've had to replace ours a few times with one that doesn't dribble water all over the cabinet overnight. The new machine looks like it's doing well, so I'm hoping for the best. More Office Hours! We always have a crowd of friendly players in the afternoon for Office Hours, Monday through Wednesday. Zachary has added *Thursdays 3:00-5:00* for one more opportunity for unstructured, casual bridge. When you're learning to play, it's essential that you actually /play the game/ as much as you can! Office Hours is the easy opportunity to hang out with other new players and get your bridge muscle memory in place. Support Alzheimer's Research on the Longest Day We've designated *Wednesday, June 19, 11:00 AM* Open Pairs to be our benefit game for the Alzheimer's Association. Card fees will be $11, with the extra going to Alzheimer's. North American Pairs Qualifiers June, July, and August are when players get to earn a qualification to play in the District Final for the North American Pairs. We're planning to hold qualifiers for one full week in each of the three months. Our first qualifier week will be all of the Open Pairs games from *June 24 - 29*. These are special games, that pay half-red, half-black masterpoints, and lots of them. The stratification is preset at Open/2500/500. The date for the District Final has not yet been set. The top finishers from the District Final will be invited to represent District 23 at the Spring NABC in Memphis, TN. Classes this coming week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. Mojo's pick: the Saturday morning class is dynamite, "The Competitive Auction." Highly recommended! Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM,//class 4 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"The trump suit, counting losers" * Thursday, 7:00 PM,//class 4 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "The choice between game and slam" * Saturday, 9:30 AM, class 4 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "The Competitive Auction" Coming up ... Zachary and I are planning to close the bridge club for three days, on July 2, 3, and 4, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, both so we can get a chance to play in the regional ourselves, and to encourage everyone with the time off to go enjoy the big games. (And also enjoy the 4th of July with family.) The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is now open for enrollment on the PCC Extension web site <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. The class will meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Let's talk teaching at the table
by Morris Jones 04 Jun '24

04 Jun '24

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> So much bridge! Zachary and I are really enjoying having the club open almost every day. We're still learning how to keep the supplies and snacks available and ready at all times. Trash pickup becomes a challenge! Players have been great with helping pick up and clean up after games. Let's talk teaching at the table Your partner makes some obvious mistake during a hand and doesn't realize it. Can you possibly resist mentioning it? Nurturing and supporting a partner is one of those hidden skills required of bridge, and makes it so different from solitary games like chess or poker or almost anything else There's a great article by Marty Bergen from 2012 that resonates today. It's posted on Larry Cohen's web site: "21 Rules of Being a Good Partner." Here's his rule number 1 with a great fun twist: 1. Do not give lessons, unless you are being paid to do so. "According to an evening paper, there are only five real authorities on bridge in this country. Odd how often one gets one of them as a partner. " Punch(British magazine). Even professional bridge teachers don't give lessons during a game -- they say "let's mark that board so we can talk about it later." For the rest of Marty's great list, see here: https://www.larryco.com/bridge-learning-center/detail/618 Players who strive to make the game enjoyable /for their partner/ are the ones who are always in demand, regardless of perceived bridge skill. A great partner is someone you want to spend three hours with across a bridge table. Our club motto: *Play with joy, humility, and good humor*. This is key to enjoying a bridge game. Changes to Thursday Social With attendance light on Thursday evenings, and Office Hours gaining in popularity, we're going to cancel the Thursday evening social and add a Thursday 3:00-5:00 Office Hours session in its place. The club will still be open on Thursday evenings -- I'll usually be conducting a class in the classroom. If you have a group who would just like to use the bridge club to play casually or practice, you're more than welcome! Classes this coming week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. Mojo's pick for this week: Saturday morning, "Takeout Doubles." It's always a good to reinforce what is probably the most important call in bridge. Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday, 7:00 PM,//class 3 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"The hold-up play, the danger hand" * Thursday, 7:00 PM,//class 3 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "Rebids by opener and responder" * Saturday, 9:30 AM, class 3 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Takeout Doubles" Coming up ... Zachary and I are probably going to close the bridge club for three days, on July 2, 3, and 4, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, both so we can get a chance to play in the regional ourselves, and to encourage everyone with the time off to go enjoy the big games. (And also enjoy the 4th of July with family.) The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is now open for enrollment on the PCC Extension web site <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. The class will meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Memorial day best wishes
by Morris Jones 24 May '24

24 May '24

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 Memorial Day weekend, and the bridge club *will be open* for games and Office Hours. Historically, holiday Monday games have done very well. A few players who would normally miss the big weekday games enjoy playing with a day off work. When I worked a day job for a living, I was envious of those who could play in the big games on the weekdays. Whenever I had a day off I enjoyed getting into the game. (Or I might call in with "bridge flu.") TA Saturday morning? I'm looking for a couple of people who could help fill tables during my class on Saturday morning. I'm starting /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/, and I'm expecting about five tables for the class. There's no guarantee you'll get to fill a seat, but if you're willing to come out for coffee and donut holes, I'd love to have you! You might get to enjoy auditing Bridge Basics 2 again as well. Bridgemate App Are you one of those who would like to see the board scores during the game? We have a way to do that. There's an app you can install on your phone, the Bridgemate App. You can register with the Pasadena Bridge Club, and after each round of play your results will be available in the app. It's optional, and it's personal. I'm content to leave it turned off myself. But it's there if you want it! And remember, there really aren't any meaningful matchpoint results until each board has been played a few times. Early results aren't worth much. If you'd like more information, visit here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/bridgemate-app If you need help, let me know. Teacher of the Year? The ABTA (American Bridge Teachers Association) is putting out the call for more nominations for Teacher of the Year. They've extended the deadline for applications to June 5. If there's a bridge teacher who you feel might be worthy of a nomination, drop by this link <https://www.abtahome.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=606538&module_id=3…>. There's a button for the nomination form. (You may want to have contact information for that teacher!) Classes this coming 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 (5/29), 7:00 PM,//class 2 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"Taking tricks with spot cards, finessing" * Thursday (5/30), 7:00 PM,//class 2 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "The Forcing 1NT response" * Saturday (6/1), 9:30 AM, class 2 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Simple Overcalls and Responses" Coming up ... What are your plans for the Long Beach Regional this year? Let us know if you'd like to play in a club game that week, rather than the tournament. We'd like to open the bridge club, but Zachary and I would also like to go play in Long Beach. Additionally I'll be departing on a road trip to Toronto for the ABTA convention at the end of the week. The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ is now open for enrollment on the PCC Extension web site <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>. The class will meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Course starts postponed
by Morris Jones 16 May '24

16 May '24

If you were planning to join one of this week's courses that are starting up, and haven't already heard, I've postponed all of the class starts to next week in the hopes of getting ahead of this bronchitis that turned ugly this week. These include: * Introduction to Declarer Play (last night) * Two Over One Game Force (tonight) * Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding (Saturday morning) Here's hoping I'll have a strong start next week. Thanks for understanding! 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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Big games during STaC week
by Morris Jones 13 May '24

13 May '24

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 past week we had lots of big games, and I think we showed well as a club playing in the Western Conference Royal STaC. With potentially 100 or more tables being merged together to calculate awards, the awards for doing well can be very large indeed. Here are the stand-outs: * Monday morning (95 tables) Fredy and Lulu Minter picked up 11.72 points. Richard Halverstadt and Joan Mesias took home 10.16 * Thursday morning (44 tables) Sandra Rucker and Dennis Demain 4.51 * Saturday afternoon (70 tables) Dominique Moore and Robert Shore taking /first overall/ for 14.05 points On ACBL Live for Clubs, the awards only show as silver at the moment. They'll be going back through the games and changing them all to 25% black, 25% red, 25% silver, and 25% gold. That's how they should appear on the back of your monthly bulletin. Try the Bridgemate App I'll be honest, when I'm playing in a game, and I look at the app to see how I'm doing, I usually regret doing so -- regardless of the news. Still, if it's something you'd like to try, it's there! It can be a little buggy. I'm not sure it's been worked on for quite a while, but when it works it's fun. To see what I'm talking about, visit here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/bridgemate-app If you'd like to try it and need help, let me know. Classes this coming week Individual classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. There are some good ones this week! Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday (4/24), 7:00 PM,//class 1 of 6/Introduction to Declarer Play /"Sure tricks, establishing tricks" * Thursday (4/25), 7:00 PM,//class 1 of 6 /Two Over One Game Force/ "Introduction" * Saturday (4/26), 9:30 AM, class 1 of 6 /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ "Opening Preemptive Bids" Coming up ... This week is all normal club games at the bridge club, but next week we're declaring "Club Championship Week." Every game will pay masterpoint awards equivalent to a Unit Game, with overalls as well as section awards. If that sounds like gibberish, don't worry about it! Just know that point awards will be much higher than a regular club game. The ACBL let's clubs do this a few times a year, and the best part is that it doesn't cost any extra. So it's still the $10 card fee. May 20-25 all Club Championships. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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[Classes] Bridge courses for all levels coming up
by Morris Jones 13 May '24

13 May '24

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're starting up three great new bridge courses this week. After this session, we're going to close up the class room until August. I'll be attending the American Bridge Teachers Association meeting in Toronto in July. Grab seats in these now to get the full benefit! Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding The first course, Bridge Basics 1, introduces players to the "constructive auction," in which you and your partner are only dealing with the questions of HOW HIGH and WHERE, in an effort to find a good contract. That said, the objective of the game is not to make contracts, it's to get the best score! In a competitive auction, you're not only trying to find our side's best contract, but interfere with the opponents bidding conversation as well! For players of any level, this course will improve your results at the bridge table. * Six Saturday morning, 9:30-11:30 AM, starting May 18. * $115 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding> * Click here to reserve your seat <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Two Over One Game Force This is the course that will improve your results at the duplicate game. By making a small adjustment to Standard methods, it becomes easier to find the right game contract, good slam hands, and a way to stay out of bad slams. If you've ventured into the Open Pairs games at the bridge club, you already know that most pairs at the club are playing this system. The same is true at tournaments. Besides learning 2/1GF, this course has some of the best declarer play problems to work out of any course. It works on so many levels! * Six Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting May 16. * $125 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force> * Click here to reserve your seat <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Introduction to Declarer Play Let's have a course with no bidding, and just focus on making your contracts. Learn to plan your play better and execute the plan. The first three weeks of the course focus on notrump play, and the second three trump suit contracts. The textbook is classic and easily readable by Eddie Kantar, updated recently by Barbara Seagram. * Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting May 15. * $115 includes textbook by Eddie Kantar * Full description and lesson plan <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-declarer-play> * Click here to reserve your seat <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction ... The next offering of Bridge Basics 1 will be held on Thursday evenings starting August 1. When it becomes available for registration on the PCC Extension calendar I'll let you know! Don't forget our *Office Hours* sessions! The bridge club is open for casual bridge play with an experienced player on hand to help out. Monday through Wednesday, 3:00-5:00 PM. Come learn and play bridge! Mojo

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STaC and new courses starting
by Morris Jones 05 May '24

05 May '24

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 past week was our first seven-day active week for the bridge club. It capped off with a two-section double game on Saturday afternoon: five tables in the 299er pair game, and seven tables in the Open Pairs. Then we hosted a great 12-table Unit Game on Sunday. Our club is becoming a "destination" bridge club, with players traveling quite a distance to enjoy the view of Mt. Wilson and play bridge. Royal STaC This Week All games except the Tuesday evening game will be Royal STaC games. Sectional rated, big field (most of the western US), and all awards are 25% black, 25% red, 25% silver, and 25% gold masterpoints. Card fee will be $11 to cover a portion of the extra sanction fee. With two games on Saturday afternoon, we *may well reach capacity* at the club. Please reserve your seat, and be sure to let me know if you're signing up for the 299er game or Open game. New Courses Next Week Three great courses will be starting next week. Each course runs for six sessions, and the course fee ($115) includes a great textbook. Click on the course name for a full description and lesson plan: * Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 PM *Introduction to Declarer Play* <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-declarer-play> * Thursday, May 16, 7:00 PM *Two Over One Game Force* <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force> * Saturday, May 18, 9:30 AM *Bridge Bascis 2 - Competitive Bidding* <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding> The Two Over One Game Force course, besides supercharging your bidding, is one of the *best courses for play-of-the-hand* problems you'll find. (These will be our last courses at the club until August 1.) Open on the Bridgemate App Let's try something different! There's a phone app, the Bridgemate App, that will let you follow your progress and results /during a game/ at the bridge club! We normally don't post interim results at the table, but if you'd like to know how you're doing in the game this is the way to do it. I've started a page with explanation links: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/bridgemate-app If you'd like to try it and need help, let me know. Classes this coming week Classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. This week all of our classes are playing *practice hands* that are relevant to the course topic. This is a great way to brush up on relevant skills, and have fun playing hands in a class context! Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday (4/24), 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ * Thursday (4/25), 7:00 PM, /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ * Saturday (4/26), 9:30 AM, /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ Coming up ... The first week of July is the annual Long Beach Regional. We have to decide what games we should offer that week! If you'd like to play bridge at the club during the first week of July, would you let me or Zachary know? Finally, it's fun to see this photo of the club display with the seating chart for the Saturday afternoon game! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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Friday and Saturday games start this week
by Morris Jones 28 Apr '24

28 Apr '24

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> A lot of folks won a little gold, and supported ACBL Charities this past week! For the ACBL-wide Charity Pairs on Wednesday, each district awarded five overall places. Our own *John Barrow* and *Sherry Hansen* placed 3rd in District 23 for a nice chunk of points! Friday and Saturday Open Pairs This week marks the inaugural games on Friday and Saturday: * Friday Open Pairs 11:00 AM * Saturday Open Pairs 1:00 PM Note that the Saturday game will be two sections -- two games playing simultaneously. The Open Pairs game will be held along with a 299er game (limited to players under 300 masterpoints). The bridge club could possibly be very full on a Saturday afternoon! Reservations will be important. These new games /will not appear in your calendar/ on RSVPBridge until you *add yourself to the "group"* for each of the games. To do that: * Log in to https://rsvpbridge.com/ * Click on "My Clubs" in the top ribbon * You'll see a list of the groups you belong to, and "Would you like to join any of these groups?" * Click on the groups you'd like to join, such as Open Fri AM, or Open Sat PM, and click the "Join" button When you're a member of a group, you'll get an email with reminders of the game. Each game will appear in your top calendar, and you can see who has already signed up to play. Is that the right score? Last week we had a little rash of score corrections discovered only after the game was long over! It's good to know that each game has a 24-hour period when score mistakes can be corrected and the game results adjusted, but no one really wants to see that happen very often! There are two important things you can do to help prevent scoring mistakes: 1. Keep a private written copy of your results. Use the back of a convention card to make note of the contract, declarer, and results for each board. 2. Carefully check the board results entered into the Bridgemate! When North passes you the Bridgemate to verify a result, check to see that it has: 1. The right board number 2. The right contract 3. The right declarer 4. The right result If the wrong information is there, the "Cancel" button on the Bridgemate acts as a "backspace" to back up and fix the result. Classes this coming week Classes are available to join for $25. No need to sign up for a full course. This week and next, all of our classes are playing *practice hands* that are relevant to the course topic. This is a great way to brush up on relevant skills, and have fun playing hands in a class context! Here are the topics this week: * Wednesday (4/24), 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/ * Thursday (4/25), 7:00 PM, /Improving Your Judgment - Doubles/ * Saturday (4/26), 9:30 AM, /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ Coming up ... Royal STaC week! May 6-12. All games will award Sectional rated masterpoints. The awards will be 25% black, 25% silver, 25% black, and 25% gold. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary

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