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649 N Fair Oaks Ave
#201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com
Part of the job of a bridge club manager is to
help people find partners. It seems like it
shouldn't be a difficult task, and it usually
isn't.
One thing that makes it challenging is that
nearly everyone wants a partner who's better or
at least as good as they are. You can see how
that might complicate things. 🙂
The players who are consistently in demand as
partners are more than just fair bridge players
— they're delightful to spend three hours with
across the table. They don't even have to be
that great at bridge.
A great partner is someone who enjoys the
foibles and missteps of the game as well as the
triumphs.
A great partner trusts your judgment and enjoys
having you try things that might not work out,
or maybe even probably won't work out. The joy
is in the trying! Great partners know not to
point out your mistakes at the table (you
already know about them), but are happy to move
on to the next adventure on the next board.
An easy player to get into a bridge game can
play with almost anyone, be cheerful, and have a
good time.
If you can be that player, you will always be
in demand as a partner. Better players will ask
if you're available for a game.
I was reminded of all these things this past
Wednesday. I was directing and filling a half
table with one of my favorite partners. I was
clearly distracted — whenever I'm directing and
playing, neither seems to go well. Nevertheless,
we laughed, we struggled, we had fun.
Where did we finish? Last place (or "first
underall"). At the end, we thanked each other
for a good time, and will certainly play again.
Two Over One Game Force
Starting this Wednesday! The first of
six classes on 2/1GF (two over one game force)
bidding.
If you're concerned about the Thanksgiving
holiday, don't worry! We're skipping the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving (indeed the club
will be closed all weekend).
Find out more about the
course here, and click here to register
and save your seat.
Become a Better Bridge Teacher
Bridge needs teachers, and you could be part of
the solution!
Find the details here
and see the flier here.
Classes This Week
Individual classes are available to join for
$25. No need to sign up for a full course.
Mojo's pick for this week: The Wednesday
evening class "2/1 GF Introduction" (practicing
competitive auctions on Thursday is great fun
too!)
Here are the topics this week:
- Wednesday, 7:00 PM, Two Over One Game
Force "Introduction"
- Thursday, 7:00 PM, Bridge Basics 2 -
Competitive Bidding "Practice Hands"
- Saturday, 9:30 AM Intro to Declarer Play
"The hold-up play, and the danger hand"
New on the YouTube channel: Strip and endplay,
and you can tease me about goofing up the final
example on this video. 🙂 It's still pretty
good. Originally recorded in 2021.
Saturday afternoon workshop (1:00 PM): "Opener's
Rebid: Strong 2-Suited Hands" followed by
a fun short game.
Coming up ...
I have a player visiting from the UK who plays
Acol at home, but also 5-card majors with strong
notrump. He'd like to play on Wednesday. Are you
that person I described above? 🙂
And in December, look for a special
single-session bridge seminar that might
dramatically improve your declarer play. It will
be on Friday, December 22, at 9:00 AM, and
presented by Denise Hoffman, the Program
Director for Better Bridge Teacher
Accreditation. :)
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
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