[News] Great summer courses starting

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> "The Longest Day" fundraiser event on June 21 was a great success! The tip jar for additional contributions was very full at the end of the day. We collected about $380 in the tip jar, and the bridge club is rounding up for a $500 contribution to Alzheimer's, in addition to the extra card fee contributed by the ACBL. We have some great course sessions starting up for the summer! I know it's a time when folks might plan vacations or other travel, but if you're around, it's a great time to level-up your bridge game! Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction Our introductory bridge class is offered through PCC's Extension program. The students register through PCC Extension (Pasadena City College), but attend the class at the Pasadena Bridge Club. We have another great turnout for the course! There's still room if you have friends or family interested in learning to play our favorite game. * Wednesday evenings 7-9 PM, starting July 2 * Six classes, skipping July 23 * Course fee $85, plus $15 for the textbook * Register with PCC Extension at this link <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=69325&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0> Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions Learn the bidding tools and language most useful for playing games in the club or anywhere: Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong 2-club openings, and slam bidding. * Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM, starting July 10 * Six classes, skipping July 24 * Course fee $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Register at this link <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Improving Your Judgment - Doubles This course is all about takeout doubles - making them, responding to them, and figuring out where to go from there. The takeout double is easily the most flexible and powerful call you can make at the table. New players need to hunt for them and use them more! This course will help you do that. * Wednesday afternoons, 3-5 PM, starting July 9 * Six classes, skipping July 23 * Course fee $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Register at this link <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Classes This Week There's only one class being held this week, but it's a doozy! On *Wednesday July 2 at 3:00 PM*, I'll be hosting the final class in Introduction to Defense. The class is on *"second hand play,"* how to think about the card you play immediately after declarer leads from their hand or the dummy. Aside from opening leads, it's probably the easiest place to make the wrong choice! Join the class on Wednesday for $25 and improve your defense in two hours! STaC games July 7-12 For all Open Pairs games Monday through Saturday we'll be participating in the District 23 "Royal STaC." This is an event where the masterpoint awards are converted to 25% each black, silver, red, and gold points. Our open games will be combined with other open games in the district for big overall awards. All of the clubs will be playing the same hands at each session. Card fee will be $13 for that week. Closure for regional In honor of the July 4th holiday, and the Bridge Week Regional in Long Beach, the bridge club will be *closed Thursday July 3 through Sunday July 6*. Zachary, Lisa, and I will be in Long Beach playing in the tournament. Hope to see you there! Coming up ... We have a very special game on *Wednesday July 16*, the Summer Instant Matchpoint Game. Get assigned your matchpoints at the table with each hand. I think there is a full gold point available for winners in that game! This month I'll be traveling to Philadelphia from July 19 through 29. I'll be presiding over the annual convention of the American Bridge Teacher's Association (ABTA) and playing for a few days at the North American Bridge Championships. I usually grab some of the teachers to play in sessions at the tournament. July 21-26 will be our second NAP Qualifier week. Come play for 50% black 50% red masterpoints, and get your "Q" qualifier to compete in the district final for the North American Pairs! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa