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649 N Fair Oaks Ave
#201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
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. The class will
meet on six Thursday evenings starting August 1.
Dragon helps proofread the newsletter.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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