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In This Issue
Warm Up
Pro-Am
Local Clubs 2
New Game
Humor
Puzzle
Table Tips
Club News
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Upcoming Events
February 7-9
March 1
March 10-16
March 20-30
March 31-April 6
April 11-13
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Warm Up at the Next Unit 141 Sectional on February 7-9
 Winter has been bitter and long so why not distract yourself from the polar misery with cards and hospitality by joining us on February 7-9 for the Unit 141 Bala Sectional? It will be warm inside and there will be plenty of hospitality, lovely views, and masterpoints available for the taking.
For I/N players, a special event takes place on Friday night. Read the article below for more information about the 3rd annual Jane Segal Pro-Am.
Just a reminder that the golf course will be closed in February, so bridge players will have full access to the parking lots. Valet parking will also be available, as always. The usual hospitality, including breakfast, lunch, drinks, and snacks, will be offered.
For additional information, click the link in "Upcoming Events" or at the Unit 141 website. You can also contact Tournament Chair Meyer Kotkin (guymath@comcast.net) or Unit 141 President Mike Giesler (mgiesler@comcast.net) with specific questions.
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Third Annual Jane Segal Pro-Am Takes Place on February 7
 I/N players with fewer than 500 masterpoints are invited and encouraged to play in the 3rd annual Jane Segal Pro Am on Friday, February 7 as part of the Unit 141 Sectional. The event begins at 7:30 PM and takes place at Bala Golf Club.
Each I/N "Am" will be assigned by random draw to a pro at the start of the event. The winning pair earns the Hugh Trophy. All participating players--pros and ams--are invited for a complimentary light dinner starting at 6:30 PM. Come early to eat and mingle! Homemade desserts and coffee will also be served.
A few spaces are still available and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact event coordinator Joan Brandeis at joan.brandeis@verizon.net or 215-884-4076. You can also click here for the flyer for more information.
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Thoughts for Local Clubs: Part 2
 This month, we continue a three-part series by Unit 141 Club Liaison April Apfelbaum. The series provides tips for club managers and owners, but the ideas apply equally to bridge players because they improve the playing experience for everyone.
Last month, the series introduced the "Rules of the Road." This month, it tackles how to help prevent irregularities at the table and handle them when they do occur. Anyone who would like more information or has questions can contact April at mysticalapril@verizon.net.
Part 2: Managing Irregularities
* Encourage players to lead face down and confirm which opponent will declare the hand.
* Remind players that they can ask if partner has no more cards in a suit when he or she shows out by ruff or discard.
* Emphasize that players should call for a director when there is an irregularity at the table, such as a lead out of turn, revoke, or an insufficient bid. Players often do not know all of the implications of an irregularity and should have a director sort out the issue.
* Explain that calling a director is not an accusation of wrongdoing, but simply asks an expert to tell the table what to do in the event of an irregularity. * Encourage players to politely call for the director by saying, "Director, please."
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There's a New Game in Town
 A new monthly game is now underway in Valley Forge/Wayne. Every second Monday of the month, St. Matthew's United Methodist Church will host an ACBL game that awards masterpoints. Card fees will be $5/player. Bring a partner and your first-time play will be $5 total for the pair.
The church's address is 600 Walker Road, Wayne, PA (not far from the Gateway Shopping Center, Route 252 and Route 202). There is plenty of parking and playing space. The game starts at 12:30 PM. If you're new to duplicate bridge, there will be a short lesson at noon before each game that explores some fundamentals. (If you feel you would like a private Bridge session, talk to Jim.) Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Questions? Contact Jim Zinkand at jmc1000@earthlink.net or 484-688-3050.
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A Little Bridge Humor to Warm the Cold Days...
"Bridge is such a sensational game that I wouldn't mind being in jail if I had three cellmates who were decent players and who were willing to keep the game going 24 hours a day." --Warren Buffett
"If you have the slightest touch of masochism you'll love this game." --unknown
"We had a partnership misunderstanding. My partner assumed I knew what I was doing." --unknown
"Bridge is too important to take seriously." --Oscar Wilde
"One advantage of bad bidding is that you get practice at playing atrocious contracts." -- Alfred Sheinwold
"Sex is like playing Bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand." --Woody Allen
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...and a Puzzle to Ponder When It's Too Cold to Go Outside
North
S. AK432
H. 102
D. A43
C. K32
West East
S. J10 S. Q987
H. 9876 H. 5
D. J109 D. KQ852
C. J987 C. Q106 South
S. 65
H. AKQJ43
D. 76
C. A54 Contract: 6 Hearts by S Opening lead: Jack of diamonds Plan the play.
[SOLUTION: Win the Ace of diamonds and then play the Ace and King of spades followed by a third spade on which you discard your diamond. East does best to return a club, which you must win in your hand. Now play the Ace of hearts and a heart to dummy's ten, followed by a spade ruffed high. Draw West's last two trumps and enter dummy with the King of clubs. Discard the losing club on dummy's established spade.]
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Table Tips: Keep Up the Pace
 Keeping up the pace of play at the table does not mean bidding and playing as fast as you can. Ideally, it means minimizing the amount of wasted time so that all players will have as much time available to think about bidding, declaring, and defending. These tips should help save valuable time at the table.
1. When you are on lead, lead right away. Do not write down the score or enter it in an electronic scoring machine first. Once the lead is made and the dummy is tabled, declarer and your partner can begin to study the hand.
2. Move to the next round as soon as you can. Even if the table you want to join isn't available, the players who will join your table can start as soon as they are ready.
3. Don't post-mortem at the table. It's a bad idea for many reasons, but it also takes up time.
4. Pass boards actively to the next table, particularly when your table has fallen behind.
5. Use your time wisely. If you need to think though a hand, do. But don't be slow on every board or round if there isn't much to think about.
A well-paced game is a pleasure for everyone, so please do your part to keep it moving.
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Club News
Barbara Patterson sends important club news for non-life masters:
The only
duplicate bridge club in the Philadelphia area that caters to non-life masters in Ami Bridge in Newtown. The fun, stress-
free environment hosts games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at noon, and Tuesday evening at 6:30. For more
information, visit the website at
Everyone can play at Doylestown Bridge Club on Monday evenings as it is now an OPEN game. The game starts at 7 PM and finishes by 10 PM. For more information and directions, go to www.bridgewebs.com/doylestown. Just a reminder that the North Penn Bridge Club has moved to a new location. For more information, visit http://www.northpennbridge.com/. Yorktown Bridge Club has moved its monthly Swiss Teams game to the second Wednesday of each month. Also, it has introduced the Common Game to most of its regular games. See the website for details and more information:
Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters. |
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