October 4 2024
A COUPLE OF ACBL UPDATES FOR ONLINE PLAY
 The ACBL has issued some updates for online play.  For one, virtual clubs will no longer be referred to as virtual clubs (or "VACB" clubs) - they'll be called e-Clubs.  Nothing else will change (for the moment), but should you want to play online in a sanctioned game, "e-Clubs" will be what the ACBL calls them now.

Another change includes a night of free, social bridge on RealBridge's website.  Think of it as social duplicate bridge on ZOOM, and although you can play the same 20 boards as other duplicate pairs, there are no masterpoints awarded.  Still, if you've got a few friends across the country and want to chat and catch up while you're playing bridge, this may be a good option for you.  These games take place on Monday evenings, from 5pm to 8pm (Minnesota time) - and cost nothing.  You can find out more information about this program and how to sign up for it by clicking here.

October 4 2024
BRIDGE CENTER OF ST PAUL's ANNUAL MEETING
If you are a member of Unit 103's Bridge Center of St Paul, their annual meeting is next weekend on Sunday, October 13th.  It's - actually more than a meeting, it's the meeting, a dinner, and (natch) a bridge game!  The dinner and bridge game are at no cost to BCSP members, non-members of the club would pay $15 to cover the dinner and entry fee for the game.

There is also an opportunity for club members to ask the BCSP board questions - if you would like to sign-up for this event, please click here.  PLUS - a reminder that their annual fundraising drive is happening.  More on that here.

October 3 2024
WORKING A TRUMP STACK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
This week's Thursday lesson by John Koch [St Cloud] reveals what can be done when you find the opponents have a 5-0 trump stack against you; sometimes, it can work to your advantage!  Click on the image to the right or click here to check out what John has to say about it.  

October 3 2024
BILL V's TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Bill Voedisch [Marine] 1, Huge Gigantic Tractor 0.  Or perhaps we should say "Bill Voedisch 1st"!  Having been run over a piece of machinery weighing thousands of pounds, Bill made an amazing return to the bridge table this week in North St Paul.

Sandy Casey provides this update:
    "Today, October 2, Bill Voedisch returned to in person bridge following his recent accident. . .and he placed first!  On September 10, Bill was run over by a tractor while threshing on his farm.  He was taken to Regions and had surgery on his mangled leg that night.  Two days later, he had surgery to repair his broken pelvis which had five breaks.  After a short stay at Regions he went to Transitional Care for two weeks.  He went home Sunday and under his wife Laurie’s care is progressing well.  He will need one or two more leg surgeries after he heals a bit more.  His spirits are terrific as is his bridge game.  We all cheered as he enter the North St. Paul legion for today’s game.  There is no keeping this guy down."
        --Sandy C
Bill himself adds:
    "Of course my partner today was Sandy.  :-)  Right now I have three best friends:  1)my wife Laurie, 2)the walker, and 3)the wheel chair.  The last 2 are temporary!

    My bridge friends have been so kind and supportive thru it all.  I will drive that tractor again some day."
          -- Bill
 
Considering this was Bill's opponent away from the bridge table, he's doing pretty well, all right:

October 2 2024
MINNESOTA'S LEADERBOARD
Here's a look at active Minnesota players and their masterpoint totals of 10,000 points or more - Peg Waller [Edina] has just joined something of a very impressive group.
















  October 1 2024
BRIDGE CENTER OF ST PAUL's FUNDRAISING DRIVE UNDERWAY
An update on the membership drive from the Bridge Center of St Paul's October Newsletter:
    "The 2025 club membership drive is in full swing.  Membership fees will again be $25 for the year.  This fee gives you a $2 discount on entries, you get to vote for and/or run for our board of directors, and you get to play and eat at the annual meeting for free.

    This year the board is asking members to donate additional monies to help obtain matching grants from Unit 103 which has offered to reimburse the club up to $2,500 toward the purchase of a new dealing machine and from Unit 178 which has offered to match $500 toward new chairs to upgrade some of our older tattered chairs.   The board suggests you buy a chair for $40 or donate toward a new dealing machine.   More information at the annual meeting.  [The] deadline to appear in the 2025 directory [is] 12/15/24."
The annual meeting for the Bridge Center of St Paul is coming up this month - more on that in just a couple of days - but if you like to play in Roseville, consider making a donation to the fundraising.  More information can be found on the BCSP website by clicking here.

October 1 2024
OCTOBER IS CLUB APPRECIATION MONTH
The month of October is "Club Appreciation Month" around the world of the ACBL.  That means that this month, your local Minnesota club will be holding special games - "club appreciation" games that pay extra masterpoints.  And your club is allowed to have a team game for each day of the week they're open, too - and those team games pay 5% gold points!  (Also known as "gold dust".)  Check your club calendar for these special games.

The full name, and we should be using it, is "Jane Johnson Club Appreciation Month".  Jane Johnson was the ACBL's longtime Club Department Manager until her death in 2001.  When she passed away, the ACBL began what was known as the Star Club program, which asked clubs to apply for recognition based on specific criteria - and earn one, two, or three stars.  Club members were asked to nominate their clubs for the annual Jane Johnson Club of the Year award.  Unfortunately, the Star Club program never really took off, with less than 130 of the ACBL's 3,200 clubs participating in the early 2000s.  In 2006, the criteria for recognition was simplified, but still this program was not working.  So the ACBL elected to kill the Star Club program and honor Jane by renaming Club Appreciation Month each October as Jane Johnson Club Appreciation Month (the games carry this name as well).

October 1 2024
しばらく海外に行く予定です
この Web サイトは、今後 2 か月間毎日更新されない可能性があります。しかし、私が離れている間、ミネソタでのブリッジゲームを見守るためにあらゆる努力をするつもりです。

September 30 2024
GREAT DECISIONS NEVER AGE
Here's a hand from the Eau Claire Regional in 2016.  Mike Cassel [Roseville] was sitting in 4th seat with a 3-loser hand - and his vulnerable LHO opened 2♣.  Check out the hand to the right to see Mike's decision making process - and ultimate sacrifice to save a match on one hand.   

September 29 2024
UNIT 178 BOARD NEEDS YOU!
Jane Schmidt [St Paul] issued this all-call in her latest monthly newsletter:
    "Unit 178 (Minneapolis and western suburbs) has an opening on its Board of Directors.  The Board meets approximately monthly (usually online) to manage the business of the unit, schedule sectional tournaments, coordinate activities with Unit 103, etc.  If you are interested or know someone who may be a good fit, please reply to [unit 178acbl@gmail.com] or contact Sue Sanger at suesanger@comcast.net.  Not sure of your unit?  Check the back of your Bridge Bulletin."    -- Jane  

September 28 2024
RAMBLING RIVER RUDIMENTARY RESULTS
Mankato is hosting their "Rambling River Sectional" this weekend, and with the first day of play in the books saw 25 tables in play (that's not bad at all for a first-time outstate sectional).  This afternoon, it was Ryan Johnson [North Mankato] and William Anderson [Mankato] coming in 1st place in the Open Pairs; this morning went to Gerald Gray [Prior] and Barbara Gray [Prior].  On the Non-Life Master side of things, Lars Christensen [St Paul] and Maclore Christensen [St Paul] tied Erik Johnson [St Paul] and Robyn Johnson [St Paul] for top honors this morning; Doris Hertsgaard [North Mankato] and Carol Ann Frederick [Mankato] came in 1st overall.  The action resumes again tomorrow morning!  You can find all of the results from the Mankato Sectional by clicking here.

September 27 2024
SO. . .WHO MIGHT BE NEXT?
Now that Minnesota has a new Platinum Life Master, who might be next to cross the 10,000 masterpoint mark?  Several active Minnesota players are in the hunt, but chances are Peg Waller [Edina] will be wearing that crown for a while.  The nearest player to 10,000 is Brian Crossley [Burnsville], with 8,495 as of the ACBL's September 6 masterpoint cycle.   

September 26 2024
MONTHLY MILESTONES IN SEPTEMBER
29 Minnesota players achieved the next masterpoint rank in their quest for glory, with a new GOLD Life Master and four players becoming Life Masters!  Congratulations to all of the following Minnesotans - and keep working towards your next step in the quest.
    GOLD LIFE MASTER - Tom Knier [Burnsville]
    RUBY LIFE MASTER - Keith Thompson [St Paul]
    SILVER LIFE MASTER - Gene Nelson [Maple Grove]
    BRONZE LIFE MASTER - Mike Curran [Maple Grove]
    LIFE MASTER - Kathy Stadther [St Cloud], Kay O'Brien [Apple Valley]
          John Pelegano [St Paul], Mike Curran [Maple Grove]

    ADVANCED NABC MASTER - Judy Knutson [St Cloud]
    NABC MASTER - David Lui [Roseville], Nancy Brunzel [St Cloud]
    REGIONAL MASTER - Robert Engstrom [Bloomington], Mary Helen Gill [Long Lake]
          Dennis Hoidal [Columbus], Diana Peterson [Ramsey]
          Joann Sufka [Nisswa]
    SECTIONAL MASTER - Diane Alhouse [St Paul], V Francis Luikart [St Paul]
          Robert Marx [Maple Grove], Betsy Michel [Minneapolis]
    CLUB MASTER - Dick Argue [Rochester], Greg Sletten [Detroit Lakes]
          Brian-Paul Crowder [Little Falls]
    JUNIOR MASTER - Weston Cutter [Mendota Heights], Susan Egan [St Paul]
          Mary Jane Edel-Joyce [Roseville], David Jann [Birchwood]
          Randall Shane [St Paul], Jill Wroblewski [Minneapolis]

September 25 2024
PEG WALLER GOES PLATINUM

 It happened today at 4:59pm.  Peg Waller [Edina] earning 4.00 masterpoints in a single BBO game, scoring a sparkling 69.67% online with long-time partner Ron DeHarpporte [Edina].  (Would she have chosen to cross this line with anyone else!?)  They finished 1st overall out of 126 pairs in the game to send her over the 10,000 masterpoints mark.  Congratulations to Minnesota's newest Platinum Life Master, Peg Waller!  Seriously - Unit 178 better throw a really great party.

September 25 2024
OCTOBER CLUB SCHEDULES
There might not be quite as much going on in October as there has been this month, but there's still plenty of opportunities for masterpoints (and lots of them, at that).  September this year is a tough act to follow - but the Autumn Harvest Sectional comes at the end of the month of October, and the D14 NAP Online BBO Finals take place the first weekend.  That's in addition to all of the Club Appreciation Games at your local club next month!  Here's a look at the schedules for Minnesota bridge clubs as October gets going.  (ED: We have not yet received any calendar from Unit 178.)

   

September 24 2024
D14 NAP FINAL REGISTRATION DUE OCT 1
Speaking of the D14 NAP Finals, you've got one week left to send in your information and check.  Keith Thompson [Bloomington] will happily take your check and info so you will be able to earn some gold points the weekend of October 4/5 on BBO.  Here is what you need to send:
    - Both player's names
    - Each player's ACBL number
    - Each player's BBO username
    - The flight (A, B, or C) for which you are registering
    - A check for the entry fee payable to:
          District 14 ACBL
          c/o Keith Thompson
          8624 Crest Road  Bloomington MN  55425
All of the registration details can be found by clicking here.  With 557 Minnesota players having qualified for the NAP this year, we're looking for a terrific turnout.

September 24 2024
WHAT ABOUT THE IN-PERSON OPTION?
Over the past 52 weeks, online play has almost completely gone by the wayside.  The average weekly percent of Minnesota bridge club tables that are in person the past 52 weeks stands at 93.6%.  (And it's been above 90% every week of the past 52.)  Just two Minnesota clubs (Rochester and the Minn Grand Slam Club) offer online play on any regular basis, and even then, the average tables in play online for their games is 3.16 tables in Rochester and 4.75 tables for the MGSC.

So when it comes to special games (like the NAP and GNT finals, for example), why does D14 have them online?  It's true that more players can play from the comfort of their homes (and not travel) with online play, but do they come out in bigger numbers?  Attendance for these special events when held online would suggest maybe not:


 

Since moving to BBO, the total number of tables in D14's NAP and GNT competitions has shrunk considerably.  This is despite the argument that was offered that "more people will play online rather than travel".  To be fair, there are fewer bridge players in general in the post-COVID world - but with bridge being a social game, after all, might a change in D14 policy be in the works?  We will see who shows up at the D14 NAP Finals online next month - but for now, be sure to let your club manager (or better yet, D14 representative) know what you think.

September 22 2024
WE'RE ON PEGWATCH

September 22 2024
THE ACBL's 5/5/5 PROGRAM. . .AND YOU
The ACBL changed the way they reimburse Units this past year, to their "5/5/5" program.  (Details on the program can be found by clicking here.)  So how are Minnesota's bridge units doing with the new format?  The report for the 2nd quarter of 2024 is out, with both Units gaining new players - and losing some older ones.  Each of the Units received money from the ACBL, with Unit 103 getting a little more than under the old reimbursement program, and Unit 178 getting a bit less.  But the ACBL just sent out an email detailing some "fine-tuning" of their reimbursement program, which should make it easier for ACBL Units (including ours in Minnesota) to qualify for funds.  Those changes will take place starting in October of this year.

The bottom line is that everyone needs to keep working hard in reaching out to members whose membership has lapsed, as well as recruiting and maintaining newer players.  Hopefully the newer ACBL targets coming up in the 4th quarter will also help.



September 21 2024
MINNESOTA NAP UNIT FINAL RESULTS - UPDATE
Minnesota's North American Pairs Unit Final was held today at the Bridge Center of St Paul, and it was quite the get-together.  14 tables of players played bridge, with red and gold masterpoints for everyone who scratched.  Here are your finishers in today's bridgefest:

Such fun - we may have to do this again next year!  And whether you played in this Unit NAP Final or not, having qualified at the club level this summer still qualifies you to play in the D14 NAP Finals which get going the first weekend of October online.  The Conditions of Contest state that you are eligible to play in the D14 Finals as long as you qualified at the club level, so we hope to see many more of you playing online starting October 5th.  For the details of how to enter the D14 NAP Finals, click here.  (You must submit your information and entry fee by October 1st!)  UPDATE:  Individual scores and results from Saturday's game are available by clicking here.

 

September 21 2024
MANKATO TOURNAMENT NEXT WEEKEND
Part of this year's "Big September" in Minnesota includes a sectional tournament in Mankato.  The Rambling River Sectional gets going Saturday and Sunday of next weekend - the flyer is to the right.  Silver points are on the menu at this event, with both pair and team games available for players.  This is the first sectional in Mankato in many years, so you know they are going to do things right.  The drive to Mankato should be beautiful as well, with the leaves changing a bit late this year! 

September 20 2024
BIG RED AND GOLD POINTS TOMORROW
 Tomorrow is the day for this year's Minnesota Unit NAP Final.  A two-session event starting at 10am, lots of red and gold points will be available to players at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location.  No word on the number of wheelbarrows available to cart those masterpoints out the door, but players can play in any of three different flights (Open, 0-2500 masterpoints, and 0-500 masterpoints).  The cake has been ordered.  Hopefully we will see you tomorrow in Roseville!

September 19 2024
PEG WALLER ABOUT TO GO PLATINUM
 She's got 8.09 masterpoints to go.  Going over the 10,000 masterpoint mark could easily take place in Saturday's NAP Unit Final at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location. . .or it could happen in one session at the Mankato Sectional next weekend.  Or maybe at 3am on BBO while under the covers at home!  But as of today, it sure looks like Minnesota's next Platinum Life Master is about to become a reality in the very near future.  And that does call for a party.

September 19 2024
AN UPDATE ON CLUB FACE-TO-FACE PLAY
It sure looks like it is good news.  For the 37-week period from January 1st each year until September 15th, face-to-face club tables here in Minnesota have been on the increase.  That's overall - for the entire state - although what really matters is what is happening at your local club.  But adding up data from the 13 active duplicate bridge clubs across Minnesota, tables are up again in 2024.  And that's not all - club games have been on the increase from year to year as well.  This includes many mentor-mentee games (along with a few more limited masterpoint games at some clubs).  Plus - the average size of the typical club game in Minnesota also continues to grow each year.  Here in 2024, we're up to a 6.65 table-per-game average (that's an increase of +5.4% over the same period in 2023).  While it's generally true that "what goes up" must eventually come down, it appears as though that has yet to take place at most local bridge clubs.

  

September 17 2024
HOPING THE BEST FOR BILL V
Difficult news to report as Bill Voedisch [Marine] has been in the hospital for a week now; a moving tractor wheel crushed his legs and pelvis last Tuesday.  Bill was taken to Regions Hospital, where he has gotten good care and was just moved to the Transitional Care Center at Boutwells Landing in Stillwater.  Laurie Carlson [Marine] provided this update:
    "Bill is very grateful for all the prayers and kind words of support from family and friends and looks forward to whatever becomes his normal life.

    Partial list of goals: play live bridge again; fly to CA to see the grand daughters; drive that tractor."  - Laurie
We're hoping for the best for Bill with his recovery, and looking forward to seeing him back at the bridge table when he's ready.  In the meantime, visitors are welcome to stop by Boutwells Landing in Stillwater and pay Bill a visit; the address is 13575 58th Street N in Oak Park Heights (you can find directions to the facility by clicking here).  If you'd like to send Bill a get-well card, Laurie asks that you send it to their home address (posted here with her permission) at 14625 Old Guslander Trail North, Marine on St Croix MN 55047.

September 17 2024
LOCAL TOURNAMENT PLAYERS TURNING OUT
  Minnesota was fortunate to have a second open regional this year; and it looks like it might have been a good decision to allow it.  Looking at tournament tables across the upper Midwest (and comparing them to the same pre-COVID events in 2019), both the Gopher and the Med City Regionals have seen better 2024 comparative table counts than other Midwest tournaments.  This isn't to say it's all Minnesota players at these two events, of course - they each attract players from neighboring states (and farther!).  But when it comes to tournament play, there's no question that Minnesota players are turning out in big numbers (at least for now), and that's good for the game as well as the players.

September 16 2024
ANOTHER SEASON AT THE LAKE WINDS DOWN
Thursday will be the last duplicate bridge game up in Detroit Lakes for another year; the past 20 weeks saw another 231 tables in play up at St Luke's Episcopal Church in DL.  A special thanks to Mary Ann Bond [Fargo] who runs the games up in DL for all those West-Central Minnesota bridge players.  As the snow birds get ready to fly, it's nice to see that even up in Detroit Lakes, the tables-per-game was been on the increase since the big re-opening in 2021.  The return to face-to-face bridge is not just continuing to expand in the Twin Cities metro area, but outstate Minnesota, too.  To your right is a look at the tables-per-game for each summer season in DL since 2021 - and things are growing in the right direction.  (We'll see what takes place next summer.)  Now it's on to raking, shutting up the cabin, and for some of these players heading south for the winter.  (Thankfully still some kitchen bridge games going on and online game availability the rest of the year will be there for those hearty non-snowbirds.)  

September 15 2024
SUNDAY NIGHT BRIDGE IS BACK
Keith Connolly [St Paul] is hosting an intermediate bridge lesson tonight at 6pm over at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location.  Then it's onto a game of bridge!  The BCSP is hosting a Sunday evening bridge game every week now - with a lesson beforehand - so you can get your Sunday bridge fix and on a regular basis.  One week from tonight (Sunday the 22nd) will be a special Potluck Dinner at 5:45pm before the bridge lesson and game - so bring a dish to share (and/or libation) and get in on the fun.  More information on these Sunday evening games can be found on the Bridge Center of St Paul's website by clicking here.

September 14 2024
NAP UNIT FINAL PARTY: ONE WEEK FROM TODAY
Next Saturday is the big Unit NAP Final at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location.  This two-session event starts at 10am, with games at 10am and 2pm.  TONS of red points (and some gold points, too) are available for players who have pre-qualified during the NAP competition at your local club this summer.  The list of NAP qualifiers across Minnesota can be found by clicking here.

Get a partner who has also qualified at the club level and we'll see you next Saturday!
 

September 13 2024
MINNESOTA CLUBS MAKE THE ACBL BULLETIN
Between the Rochester DBC's Alzheimer's Association donations (totalling $6,979) and the St Cloud DBC's "Shortest Day" event back in January (donations of $3,724), each of these clubs was mentioned in the ACBL's October Bulletin.  (The October Bulletin hasn't been officially formalized yet, but you can view the page here.)  The Rochester donation kept it in the "Top 40" ACBL organizations for donations again this year; and remember that every dollar counts (whether it is $1 or $1,000).  Also - you don't have to wait for next year to make a donation to this very worthy cause.  If you're so inclined to make a donation today, click here.

September 13 2024
NEW FALL BEGINNING BRIDGE COURSE
The St Cloud DBC has scheduled a beginning bridge class starting in October.  For six Mondays (6pm to 8pm), October 7 through November 18, each session will include a lesson followed by coached play.  (You will be able to play a hand of bridge at your very first lesson!)  In addition - they're providing a light supper beforehand.

You can register for this course by emailing Scott Krupke [Little Falls] at krupkebridge-at-gmail-dot-com or by visiting the Sartell Community Center website.  It sounds like a great introduction to the game of bridge, so if you know someone who might be interested, here's your chance to get them involved!

September 12 2024
A GAME THAT'S HARD TO BEAT
76.64%!  

Friday night's 7-table open game in St Cloud saw Shirley Richardson [St Joseph] and Scott Richardson [St Joseph] earn a huge game of 76.64%.  Of the 28 boards they played, 8 were outright top boards, and another 7 were tied for the top matchpoint award on the board - look for their names to be in an upcoming ACBL Bulletin soon.
 

September 12 2024
MINNESOTA PLAYERS DOMINATE D14 ACBL-WIDE GAME
The ACBL held their second ACBL-wide game of the year on Wednesday (this time to benefit the International Fund) - and among D14 clubs, it was a couple of Minnesota players that came in 1st overall in the District.  Greg Caucutt [Rochester] and Matt Belau [Rochester] took the top prize in the District of 10.00 masterpoints for their efforts - the full results for the game can be found by clicking here.

There are a few more of these special games coming up in 2024 - the schedule can be found by clicking here.  If your local club is not running these games - ask your local club to sign up as a participating club so you can get in on the action.


September 11 2024
MED CITY REGIONAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

Carole Mataya [Rochester] is the 2024 Med City Regional Tournament Champion!  Carole played throughout the tournament with three different partners, earning 54.70 masterpoints over the six-day affair.  (Playing with her regular partner Greg Caucutt [Rochester] got her 51+ of those 54.70 points!)  Congratulations to Carole on an honor so well-deserved.
    
The Non-Life Master Tournament Champion from this year's Med City Regional is Sarah Wahl [Minneapolis], who not only earned 36.24 masterpoints to best the rest of the Non-Life Master field, but she also became a Life Master at the tournament as well!
    



September 10 2024
MINNESOTA TOURNAMENT PLAY OPPORTUNITIES
Lots of opportunities coming up for you to get your pigmented masterpoints!  Here's a look at the current list of upcoming tournaments in Minnesota; get a partner or two and (as they say to declarer), "start planning your play".

UPCOMING 2024/2025 MINNESOTA BRIDGE TOURNAMENTS
MANKATO
Sectional

Sep 28-29
ONLINE
NAP Finals

Oct 5-6
SARTELL
NLM Sectional

Oct 12
ROSEVILLE
Sectional

Oct 24-26
ROSEVILLE
Sectional

Dec 12-15
ROSEVILLE
Sectional

Jan 30-Feb 2