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649 N Fair Oaks Ave
#201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com
I'm writing this week from the Venetian Las
Vegas resort. Jane and I enjoy our occasional
three-day weekends with a little getaway.
My mailbag letter to the "Sorry, Partner"
podcast was read in this week's episode. The
hosts had some fun with it. (I'm always a little
surprised when I'm named as just "Mojo" with no
explanation of the origin!) It's the episode
that features bridge champion Agustin Madala. https://sorrypartner.com/
(It's in the first 10 minutes of the episode.)
What is the bridge "Unit?"
The ACBL mission is to "promote, grow, and
sustain the game of bridge and serve
bridge-related interests of our Members."
Serving this mission at a local level
involves dividing the ACBL into districts. There
are twenty-five ACBL districts covering North
America. Our district is number 23, including
only Los Angeles county, and is one of the
smallest in both area and membership. Districts
are charged with running regional tournaments,
and the two annual grass-roots events: the North
American Pairs and Grand National Teams.
Districts are divided into smaller
organizations called Units. ACBL bridge units
are charged with running sectional tournaments
and local events called "unit games" or "unit
championships."
Units and districts for the most part are
completely volunteer, non-profit, charitable
organizations. Their boards are elected
volunteers -- mostly people who are willing to
give their time to make bridge tournaments
happen by arranging for locations, directors
(who are paid), bringing food, serving as
partnership chairs, or writing newsletters.
Our unit is #559 in the ACBL, and its official
name is the "Pasadena San Gabriel Unit." It
includes two full-time bridge clubs, and
invitational games at some of the country clubs
in the area. We're neighbors with Glendale
Verdugo, Pomona Covina, Downey Whittier, and
Santa Clarita Antelope Valley. There are nine
units total in District 23. Ours is one of the
largest.
On March 3 at the unit game our unit will be
having its annual membership meeting, electing
its volunteer board, hosting a party, and giving
out achievement awards for players who did well
in their peer groups with the Ace of Clubs and
Mini-McKinney awards.
(Curious about the relationship between clubs
and units? There really isn't one! There are
some units that also operate clubs. Ours is not
one of them. The Unit rents space from the clubs
to hold Unit games.)
Classes this 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, 7:00 PM, Bridge Basics 1 -
Introduction "MInor suit openings and
responses"
- Thursday, 7:00 PM, Introduction to
Declarer Play "The trump suit, and
counting losers"
- Saturday, 9:30 AM, Introduction to
Defense, "Defensive signals in trump
contracts"
- Saturday, 1:00 PM, Workshop and game,
"Opening lead basics: Leading partner's suit"
Coming up ...
Next week in honor of the Lunar New Year all
games are Club Championships, which pay more
than three times as many masterpoints as regular
club games!
Wednesday's game will be a full Chinese New
Year party with lunch, treats and decorations!
That's the Feb. 7 game.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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