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
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>
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
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
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
