[News] Declarer Play Course starts

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> Our new window light box sign facing the parking lot is in place, and the sign maker just installed power for it. It should be visible easily at night! During the day it may show up when it's not too bright. I also have a portable PA system that I installed today. I'm going to be trying it out for the Bridge Basics 1 course starting Wednesday evening. (We had a quote for a full-featured installed PA system that was just a little above our willingness to spend!) Declarer play course This Thursday is the first meeting of /Introduction to Declarer Play/, six weeks focused on making your contracts as the declarer! The course comes with an updated classes Introduction to Declarer Play by Eddie Kantar. As an added bonus, after each class you'll be able to practice the class hands from the Pasadena Bridge Club web site! Part of what makes this course fun is that there's no bidding involved, just card play! * Introduction to Defense * Six Thursday evenings, starting January 11, 7:00-9:00 PM * $115 includes textbook * See the full lesson plan here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-declarer-play> * Click here to enroll and join the class <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Correcting partner Some players feel that it's their right, or even obligation, to point out their partner's errors at the bridge table. (Some even extend that to their opponent's errors.) The zero tolerance policy <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/zero-tolerance> includes as an "example of behavior which will not be tolerated": Negative comments concerning opponents' or partner's play or bidding. Far from improving your bridge results (it actually has the opposite effect), it's uncomfortable for others at or near your table. Indeed what may seem to you like a normal "bridge conversation" can seem harsh and abusive to those who can't help but overhear it. Before you give in to the urge to make a comment, or even answer a question, consider how such comments are going to affect your partner's focus on the next two or three boards. You might be giving up two or three times more matchpoints than you thought you had. (Not counting a potential ZT penalty!) 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/ "Introduction" * Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Introduction to Declarer Play/ "Sure tricks, establishing tricks" * Saturday, 9:30 PM, /Introduction to Defense/, "Opening leads against trump contracts" * Saturday, 1:00 PM, /Workshop and game/, "Balancing and reopening doubles" *New on the YouTube channel*: Low-card leads against notrump (but it starts with a discussion about alerts and explanations when playing on BBO and Zoom silliness, fast forward about 9 minutes in to get to the lesson!). https://youtu.be/H3bRrE-dPeQ In other news ... This past Sunday's unit game at the club marked the *first anniversary* of our opening day game on January 7, 2023. /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/, starts on Wednesday, and with a limit of 28 students, I have 26 enrolled with PCC already! Are you interested in assisting and helping to fill seats at a table? Let me know! We have lots of offerings each week for the social bridge players, and not many have been wanting to get up early on Saturday morning, so we're going to put the *Saturday morning social/supervised play on hiatus* for the time being. Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary