March 30 2024
IT'S THE UGLY SIDE OF BRIDGE
The ACBL has gotten their EDGAR program ("Everyone Deserves a Game Above Reproach") up and running which is being used to screen players for cheating (as unfortunately, cheating is a part of this game).  EDGAR got started with a "soft launch" phase (allowing the process to be refined and streamlined) on February 1st of this year.  Having run six weekly runs, EDGAR found that 96 players out of 7,226 were clearly cheating beyond a reasonable doubt.  That doesn't sound like much (less than 1.5% of the screened players), but even 1 cheater out there is 1 too many.  The first 40 cheaters identified were of all masterpoint levels (some 299ers, some with 10,000+ masterpoints, and everything inbetween) - we will see what happens as EDGAR continues to be improved and hopefully, cleaning up this great game you love to play.  You can read more information on this initial launch of EDGAR by clicking here.


March 27 2024
MINNESOTA TOP 100 MASTERPOINT EARNERS
Having gotten a few requests for the "Top 100" players in Minnesota, the ACBL has provided the information for players across our state.  Here are the top masterpoint earners in the latest 12 month period (ending February 6) for 2023:

       

March 25 2024
APRIL SHOWERS BRING BRIDGE PLAYDATES
April is the ACBL's "Charity Fund Month", where lots of games will have extra masterpoints to be earned - plus there's the Rochester Spring Sectional next week, and a Non-Life Master Sectional in St Cloud the last week.  Here's a look at some April schedules from around Minnesota, so you can get out that date book and pencil in a few boards.
  

(And your two tournaments in April that are coming up:)
 

March 22 2024
NOT REALLY MISSING OUR LATEST SPRING SNOW AT ALL
There might still be some snow around for those Minnesota players taking on the rest of the bridge world at the NABC in Louisville KY when they get home - but for now, our recent snowfall is the last thing on their minds!  Minnesota players having fun at the NABC include (going clockwise from the top left photo below): UPPER LEFT:  Gerry Keith [Lino Lakes], Stephanie Steele [St Paul], Amy Dutton [Mendota Heights], and Gregory Dorr [Little Canada] take a break from plotting strategy at this spring's NABC.  UPPER RIGHT:  That's Sandy Johnson [St Cloud] and Nancy Balfanz [St Cloud] checking in at the Galt House in Louisville as they get ready to represent Minnesota in the D14 NAP "C" pairs tomorrow.  LOWER LEFT:  Jim Schnepf [Avon] and Connie Nelson [Avon] taking on "all comers" in the NAP Flight "B" this weekend.  And it's not all playing bridge - there's discussing bridge, as frequently happens when friends get together for dinner out.  LOWER RIGHT:  A mostly St Cloud contingent enjoying dinner out.
 
 

March 18 2024
ACBL: TOURNAMENT COVID INFO NO LONGER RELEVANT
The ACBL's Board of Directors has just voted to eliminate all COVID information for ACBL tournaments (and their flyers) as of May 13, 2024.  What this means for tournament sponsors is that no longer will their schedules have any COVID information on them (vaccination recommended/required/not required, etc).  According to Crystal Mann at the ACBL, tournament flyers that are submitted with any COVID information on them will be asked to remove that information before tournament schedules are approved.  What this means for Minnesota bridge players is that anyone can play in any tournament (although if you're not feeling well, you should still stay home) - and that when tournament sponsors put together their plan for a bridge tournament, keep in mind that masks can still be worn (and available, should a player request the table wear one) - but that COVID vaccinations and their requirements will not be part of the promotion.  (It seems like it's so hard to keep up with their changing policies on COVID, but this sounds like the last change - for now.)

March 15 2024
MINNESOTA PLAYERS REPRESENTING AT THE NABC  [UPDATED]
The NABC is underway at Louisville KY, and Minnesota players are there to "represent"!  Here's a look at masterpoint awards for Minnesota players thus far who were in attendance:

March 12 2024
LONGEST DAY CLUB REGISTRATION DRIVE
Our friend Maura Studer [Minneapolis] with the 2024 Longest Day sends a reminder to Minnesota bridge clubs that now is the time to sign up and participate in the Longest Day games this June.  These games support the Alzheimer's Association; last year ACBL bridged games nationwide raised over $1,000,000.  Closer to home, one of our Minnesota bridge clubs was in the top 40 fundraisers!  Currently, the Mankato, St Cloud, and Rochester clubs have already registered to hold games and fundraise for this very worthy cause in 2024.  Maura's Global Team would like to see more bridge clubs participating in the MN-ND Alzheimer's Association Chapter with the Longest Day - so think about it, and then register your local club by clicking here.

March 12 2024
A FOURTH BRACKET FOR NAP/GNT?
The ACBL's Competition and Conventions Committee is looking at it.  Originally, their proposal was to add a 4th flight to the North American Pairs competition beginning with the NAP season this June; however "IT issues" will prevent this from taking place in 2024.  The current plan sounds as though the new brackets will be Open/6000/3500/750-NLM - which may also be applied to the Grand National Teams competition as well.  The Committee will discuss more on this at the Toronto NABC summer meeting - but with the success of Mid-Flight events (both at a local level and tournament level), a 3500-masterpoint bracket could be a very positive development for these events in encouraging player participation.  Stay tuned.

March 11 2024
NEXT UP: ROCHESTER'S MED CITY SPRING SECTIONAL
  For those of you not heading to the Louisville NABC, you've got a bit of a break in the tournament action here in Minnesota for a couple of weeks - and then it's Rochester's Med City Spring Sectional coming up on April 4 5 6.  The Spring sectional in Rochester features the popular Pair/Team games all three days - along with 499er pairs twice each day.  It'll be held again at St Luke's Episcopal Church on the north side of town - and should be fun.  Click on the flyer to your left to check out more, and we'll see you "down south" in just a few weeks.

March 11 2024
INFLATION HITTING F2F TOURNAMENTS - AGAIN
The costs to host a bridge tournament continue to go up - and not just for the coffee and snacks and other hospitality.  The ACBL is again raising fees for holding a tournament, so if you're planning to have a tournament in the future - your budget will look a bit different.  And if you just plan to show up to a bridge tournament down the road, keep in mind card fees may well be going up to help cover the costs that keep going up.  Here are just some of the latest from the ACBL, effective as of April 1st, 2024 (and that's no April Fool's joke):

    Regional Tournament Sanction Fee:  $5.50 per table (up +7.4%)
    Sectional Tournament Sanction Fee:  $4.00 per table (up +12.4%)
    Surcharge for Sectional Tournament:  $225.00 (up +18.4%)
    Tournament Director, per session:  $240.00 (up +3.9%)

March 10 2024
UNIT 178 AWARDS PARTY SCHEDULED
The West Metro Unit has elected to hold their annual Awards Party at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location on Saturday, May 11.  There will be a luncheon served, along with the awards presentation, and then a game of bridge (which will be at no cost to the top 3 finishers in each category).  Mark your calendar for the fun and what might be considered a nice warm-up to the Gopher Regional less than two weeks later.

There were lots of close races in Unit 178 this year - you can check out the top 3 players in each category by clicking here.

March 10 2024
LATEST BRIDGE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
A special shoutout to Steve Gaynor [Inver Grove Heights] for updating his latest bridge calendar of events.  Click on the image to the right to enlarge the calendar and open it in a new window - and then get scheduling!  

March 8 2024
BEST OF LUCK TO OUR D14 NAP FINALS PLAYERS
They're heading off to Louisville KY and the NABC next week - to represent D14 in the North American Pairs.  With D14 covering the much of the upper Midwest (the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota), it's impressive that more than half of the D14 finalists heading to the NABC are Minnesotans!  Here is who we'll be watching next week as D14 NAP Finalists:
    Flight "A"
          Richard Freeman [Peru IA] and Peter Wityk [Des Moines IA]
          Jade Barrett [Elk Point SD] and Anne Beaurivage [Lincoln NE]
          Michael and Slywia McNamara [Horace ND]

    Flight "B"
          Mary Wescott [Lakeville] and Kathy LaMere [Minneapolis]
          Gerald Burdeski [Moorhead] and William Swenson [Minneapolis]
          Connie Nelson [Avon] and Jim Schnepf [Avon]
          Gregory Dorr [Little Canada] and Gerry Keith [Lino Lakes]

    Flight "C"
          Rolf Hoyer [Des Moines] and David Nelmark [Urbandale]
          Nancy Balfanz [St Cloud] and Sandra Johnson [St Cloud]
Here's hoping for the best for all the D14 Finalists as they start NABC tournament play on Wednesday.

March 6 2024
GOPHER PR COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATE
  Just 2-1/2 months to the Gopher Regional in Bloomington, and your Gopher Public Relations Committee met again today for a progress update.  In addition to the Gopher PR Chair Connie Nelson [Avon], in on the Zoom meeting were Matt Belau [Rochester], Patti Stuhlman [Minneapolis], Jane Schmidt [St Paul], and Bob Balderson [Eden Prairie].  The upshot from today's meeting is that everything is a go - and all is on track - for successful promotion of the upcoming Regional.  Pianola blasts, an update to the Gopher website, upcoming Lunch 'N' Learn topics (and teachers!) and reaching out to Canadian clubs along with newer players everywhere all were topics covered today. All bridge players across Minnesota should be grateful for these volunteers, working together to promote the May tournament, and by all means if you can give them a shout-out at the Gopher, do so.  

March 6 2024
UNIT 103 AWARDS PARTY INFO
Unit 103's Masterpoint Race Awards Celebration will take place next month on Saturday, April 13th at the Bridge Center of St Paul.  There is a free lunch for all players, followed by the awards presentation, and then - of course - bridge!  Award winners play for free - everyone else will have a $6 entry fee.  There's a sign-up sheet at the Bridge Center of St Paul, or you can call them to RSVP at 651-490-5430.  If past years are any guide, it should be quite the party - so be sure to get your partner and let them know you are coming.  

March 6 2024
SID PARHAM   1943-2024
  Sad news to report with the passing of Sid Parham, who succumbed to Parkinson's Disease this week.  In addition to being a regular at the Rochester DBC and its weekly games, Sid was known to many in central Minnesota, having been a Professor of English at St Cloud State for more than two decades.  One who enjoyed theater, cooking, golf, writing, and more, he was active away from the bridge table like so many of our fine players.  And he was a nice guy who will be missed!  A celebration of life will be planned at a later date in New York.

March 5 2024
MORE ON THE MASTERPOINT MADNESS
Lately, Minnesota bridge players are seeing masterpoint awards posted from the ACBL that are wildly different than what was posted after the game by their local club.  The ACBL's "Masterpoint® Engine" adjusts masterpoint awards for most games (either up, down, or sideways, see February 24 2024 post below) - but there are some games that Minnesota clubs run which will not have any modification to the masterpoints - no pigment modifiers and no upgrades for the N/18 program.  These types of games that your local club may run are:
    - BAM games
    - HomeStyle pair games
    - Individual movements
    - Any type of Handicapped games
    - Newcomer, Bridge Plus, or unranked games
    - STaC games (processed by the DIC)
(If you're looking for extra masterpoints from the ACBL, you won't find them with these types of games.  What's posted with your local club results should be final.)

March 3 2024
MARCH MADNESS, INDEED
Presented for your perusal - March Bridge Calendars from around the State.  Get a partner and schedule a game for those open dates on your calendar!



March 2 2024
LEAP YEAR SECTIONAL WINNERS
Here's a look at some of your big winners at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Leap Year Sectional - there was a tie for the Friday 499er Afternoon crown (with one pair of the winners coming from Omaha NE!) - and Thursday's 499er winners duplicated their terrific result on Saturday. 



February 29 2024
LEAP YEAR SECTIONAL RESULTS  [UPDATED]
SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:  A pretty nice turnout for the four days of play at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Leap Year Tournament (159 total tables, which is terrific).  The odds-on favorite to be the Tournament Champion, Terry Beckman [Brooklyn Park], did not disappoint, earning 40.63 silver points over the four-day period - well done, Terry!  Final masterpoint awards for the tournament's top winners are listed to your right.

Full results of the tournament can be found by clicking here.
 

February 29 2024
MINNESOTA EXPORTING SOME OF ITS BEST
Meanwhile - today's result at the Tucson AZ Winter Regional:

February 28 2024
MINNESOTA CLUB TABLES GROWTH PROMISING
The great "winter" weather Minnesota has experienced in January and February hasn't kept players from coming to the bridge club - in fact, year-over-year table growth for the first eight weeks of 2024 looks quite promising.  Below is a chart of the change in tables for the first eight weeks of the year compared to 2023 (for active Minnesota clubs and also for the state overall).  Table counts here include both F2F and also online tables, where clubs hold online games.  Note that the only two clubs showing fewer tables compared to last year have very small table counts to work with (so a missing table here or there or a holiday that falls on one of their weekly games, closing the club, really magnifies the difference).


February 28 2024
FEBRUARY'S MONTHLY MILESTONES
Players across Minnesota are continuing to learn and improve their game, and this month there are lots of milestones to report - so when you see any of the players listed below, be sure to give them a shout-out!
New JUNIOR MASTERS
Kathrine Niessen [Edina]

New CLUB MASTERS
Lee Bjerke [Edina]
Scott Hoversten [Woodbury]
Robert Stark [Mankato]

New SECTIONAL MASTERS
Dean Sander [Burnsville]
Marc Anderson [New Prague]
Gary Falkenstein [Rochester]
Stephen Polski [Lakeville]

New REGIONAL MASTERS
Jeffery Knapp [Edina]
Bill Sozansky [Duluth]
Anne Ryan [Bloomington]
New NABC MASTERS
Jackson Wahl [Minneapolis]
Alicia Dettling [Cannon Falls]
Thomas Kiemen [Cottage Grove]

New BRONZE LIFE MASTERS
Sherry Cyza [Minneapolis]
Bev Meyer [Minneapolis]
Jeannine Schulte [Pelican Rapids]

New SILVER LIFE MASTERS
Nicky Bredeson [Edina]

New RUBY LIFE MASTERS
Michael O'Leary [Green Isle]
Kathleen Bredlie [Surprise]

New GOLD LIFE MASTERS
Andrew Caranicas [St Paul]

February 27 2024
SPRING IS FOR LEARNING
Bridge is more fun with a friend - so grab one and sign up for a bridge class next month!  In the West Metro, Tony Ames [Minnetonka] has scheduled a Beginning Bridge Class in March.  It starts Tuesday, March 26th, runs eight weeks at 1pm to 2:30pm, and is held at the Edina Senior Center.  Sign up with Tony or by calling the Edina Senior Center (952-833-9570). 

In the East Metro, John Edumundson [Maplewood] is teaching a Beginning Bridge II Class - which will be held on Monday evenings at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Bridge Center of St Paul.  It gets going right after their Leap Year Sectional, and runs for eight weeks.  You can sign up on the Bridge Center of St Paul website. 

In Rochester, Joanne Long [Rochester] is teaching a Beginner's Bridge Class featuring Audrey Grant's Bridge Basics 1 - An Introduction.  This eight-week courst is held at the Northrop Community Education Center on Tuesdays from 10am to 11:30am starting on April 9th.  Sign up by visiting the Northrop Community Education website by clicking here. 

Rochester also has a seven-week Competitive Bidding Class that starts on April 9th, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm taught by Layne Vinje [Rochester].  This class utilizes Audrey Grant's Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding and is also held at the Northrop Community Education Center. 

Sue Greenberg [Byron] is teaching an Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Class at St Luke's Episcopal Church in Rochester that begins Thursdays, 9:30a to 11:30a, on March 28th.  This class will cover a wide range of topics, and is based on two books by Barbara Seagram: 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know (2nd Edition), and 25 Ways to Be a Better Defender.  Sign up at the Church or contact Sue. 

Up in Duluth, Warren Nelson [Cloquet] teaches a class on the 3rd Monday of each month this spring - the class runs 30-40 minutes, and you don't need to sign up anywhere (just show up - and don't forget to bring a friend or two!).  A free lunch follows each lesson, and then of course - there's a bridge game, natch. 


February 24 2024
LEAP YEAR TOURNAMENT FORECAST
Don't forget about the Bridge Center of St Paul's Leap Year tournament coming up next week.  Scheduling a bridge tournament so far in advance for these dates on the calendar can be tricky, as Minnesota winters are somewhat - unpredictable - (especially months in advance, when you first elect to host a card party down the road).  But this year, the forecast is looking really good for bridge in Roseville.  No snow, and highs near 60F, perfect weather for heading to a card game next weekend.  The official forecast is for scattered suit singletons and a 50% chance of working finesses.  Click here for the flyer and schedule a partner or two.
  

February 24 2024
MASTERPOINT AWARDS NOW EVEN MORE CONFUSING
Just when you thought the ACBL had done it all, they've come up with another - something or other.  Lately you may have noticed masterpoint awards at your local club games are changing once they get into the ACBL's system.  Sometimes the awards have gone up - other times down - but what used to be a pretty simple formula for figuring out masterpoint awards is no longer so simple.  Here's the explanation, thanks to Lynn Chapin from the ACBL:
    "When Education Fund games are uploaded to your results pages, the masterpoints that are posted there (and to player accounts) do not necessarily match those that displayed at the club.  The manner in which these points are awarded by our Masterpoint® Engine has changed -- and in fact, two changes were implemented simultaneously.

    • First, we implemented the N/18 program, whereby masterpoint awards depended on the number of boards played, not just on the number of tables in the game.
    • The second change was made because the formulas were outdated.  There was no consideration to reflect the changes in relative skill between players with, say, 300 points versus those with 1500 points.  The effect of the two sets of changes, combined, is the following.

    For most games, players will see an increase in masterpoints, so long as the number of boards is significantly greater than 18, and the number of tables is higher than "around" six.  (It's a complicated calculation.)  For games that are smaller (or shorter), you may see smaller increases.   At the extremes, there could actually be decreases.

    While in certain cases, this seems "unfair" to your players, it's actually leveling the field and applauding skill.  We apologize for putting it into production and not letting you know right away.  This is experimental, and tweaks may be coming.  Thanks for bearing with us."

February 22 2024
WORST EIGHT-CARD SUIT EVER

Minnesota players sitting East on Thursday night to BBO after getting an eight-card straight flush: "Thanks."

February 20 2024
UNIT UNIFICATION TALKS GET UNDERWAY
Steve Gaynor [Inver Grove Heights] held a meeting this week to get talks started on a possible unification of the two ACBL units here in Minnesota.  In on the meeting were Sue Greenberg [Byron], Jane Schmidt [St Paul], Dave Gustafson [Stillwater], Matt Belau [Rochester], Sue Sanger [St Louis Park], and Keith Thompson [St Paul].  Some ideas were discussed, including pros and cons, with much more work to do.  Some bridge players may not feel strongly one way or the other about having two ACBL units in the state of Minnesota, and if all goes right, you won't notice any difference should this process of reunification work out.  (And presently, many of us are already operating as if there is only one Unit in the State, helping each other out however we can.)

The next step will be for the two Unit Boards to take up this issue at their upcoming respective Unit meetings (scheduled to be held in March).  Following that, a get-together of those involved will work on ironing out some details to try and come to an agreement that everyone can work with.  Keep an eye out for Jane's March newsletter in your e-mail box for more details.

February 16 2024
2024 OFF TO A DECENT START
Bridge tables across Minnesota for the first six weeks of 2024 are up +1.8% over the first six weeks of last year.  The breakdown of these bridge tables mirrors locally what's also happening across the country - far fewer BBO VACB tables, along with a huge increase in face-to-face (F2F) tables at your local club.  While online BBO Virtual club tables in Minnesota's virtual clubs dropped by -67.0% over the first six weeks (from 342 tables in 2023 to 113 this year), the F2F bridge tables in Minnesota jumped +31.5% from 809.5 to 1,064.5.  Support your local bridge club and keep the good news going!  Of course results could always be worse/better (take your pick), but for the first six weeks of 2024 through February 12th, total tables seem to be doing ok.


February 14 2024
WHEN YOUR PARTNER SEES RED AT THE TABLE

Valentine's Day is the one day you don't mind your partner seeing red across the table!  (Here, the all-red crowd at the Rochester DBC game on Valentine's Day.)

February 14 2024
HAPPY HAPPY
 

February 10 2024
REMEMBERING WHAT'S REALLY MOST IMPORTANT
Congratulations to Mike Flader [Eagan], who underwent a successful kidney transplant this week - here is hoping for a very speedy recovery, and that we see you soon at the bridge table!  

Many in the Minnesota bridge community have been aware of Mike's situation leading up this moment of triumph, but whether you know Mike or not, of course we are all glad to see such a successful outcome.  A quick message from Mike to everyone who has supported him through this ordeal:
    "Feeling really good!  I didn't realize how poorly I felt before surgery.  Feeling grateful, close to tears of joy.  Thanks to everyone for sticking with me and all of your prayers." - Mike
 

February 9 2024
TOURNAMENT PLAY UPDATE
With the release of the Aquatennial Summer Sectional flyer, here's an update on tournament play across Minnesota going forward.  You've got tournaments each month ahead, so be sure to get out there and try your skill in these competitive arenas!  (Click on any flyer to enlarge it and open in a new window.)

Feb 29-Mar 2
Roseville

Apr 4- 6
Rochester

Apr 27
St Cloud *I/N

May 20-25
Gopher Reg'l

Jun 20-22
St Cloud

Jul 10-13
Roseville

February 9 2024
TOO SOON TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER?
Five months from now - it will be July.  And for bridge players in Minnesota, that means the summer Aquatennial Sectional.  This year, the summer tournament will be held at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location.  If you are a regular visitor to this website, you already know this tournament has been expanded to four days (from three days last year) - and Marc Ashton [Excelsior] was kind enough to send us the flyer for this event, hot off the presses.

Too soon to be thinking about summer?  In Minnesota?  Never!
 

February 7 2024
UNIT 178 ACE OF CLUBS RACE RESULTS
We have not heard of when Unit 178's Player Appreciation Game will take place - but when we do you'll see it here.  In the meantime, here are the big winners from 2023 in Unit 178's Ace of Clubs masterpoint races - and again, congratulations to the winners!

UNIT 178 HELEN SHANBROM ACE OF CLUBS LEADERS (2023):
    0 to 5 masterpoints:  Dean Sander [Burnsville]
    5 to 20 masterpoints:  Robert Engstrom [Minneapolis]
    20 to 50 masterpoints:  Rex Newman [Fridley]
    50 to 100 masterpoints:  Richard Trachy [Golden Valley]
    100 to 200 masterpoints:  Peggy Lockwood [Minnetonka]
    200 to 300 masterpoints:  L Caruthers [Anoka]
    300 to 500 masterpoints:  Todd Flowerday [Coon Rapids]
    500 to 1000 masterpoints:  Jim Larsen [Mound]
    1000 to 1500 masterpoints:  John Schlundt [Eden Prairie]
    1500 to 2500 masterpoints:  Gary Knippenberg [Golden Valley]
    2500 to 3500 masterpoints:  Betty Triliegi [Pompano Beach]
    3500 to 5000 masterpoints:  Joe Koester [Brooklyn Park]
    5000 to 7500 masterpoints:  Mike Flader [Eagan]
    7500 to 10000 masterpoints:  Barry Purrington [Eagan]
    10000+ masterpoints:  Steve Gaynor [Inver Grove Heights]
Lots of close races in Unit 178 this year - you can check out the Top 3 players in each category by clicking here.

February 7 2024
UNIT 103 PLAYER APPRECIATION GAME SET
Mark it down - Saturday April 13th at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location for Unit 103's Player Appreciation Game.  The date is set - and now the honorees are official.  Below are the Unit 103 players who earned the most masterpoints in their respective categories during 2023 playing in your local club games.  Congratulations to the winners (and everyone who had a good time playing, of course).

UNIT 103 HELEN SHANBROM ACE OF CLUBS LEADERS (2023):
    0 to 5 masterpoints:  Robert Stark [Mankato]
    5 to 20 masterpoints:  Karl Hansen [St Paul]
    20 to 50 masterpoints:  Gary Falkenstein [Rochester]
    50 to 100 masterpoints:  Joe Carter [Eagan]
    100 to 200 masterpoints:  Charlie Maternus [Waite Park]
    200 to 300 masterpoints:  Nancy Balfanz [St Cloud]
    300 to 500 masterpoints:  Nancy Schnepf [Sartell]
    500 to 1000 masterpoints:  Ed Prosser [Rochester]
    1000 to 1500 masterpoints:  Connie Nelson [Avon]
    1500 to 2500 masterpoints:  Carole Mataya [Rochester]
    2500 to 3500 masterpoints:  Grant Duffrin [Roseville]
    3500 to 5000 masterpoints:  Bill Heyer [Northfield]
    5000 to 7500 masterpoints:  Bill Voedisch [Marine]
    7500 to 10000 masterpoints:  Gregg Van Dyke [Key Largo]
    10000+ masterpoints:  Tom Grue [Apple Valley]
You can check out not just the winners in each category, but the Top 5 players in each category by clicking here.

February 6 2024
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE UPDATE
  Steve Gaynor [Mendota Heights] sends his latest update on tournament schedules - great information for scheduling a tournmament or scheduling a plan to attend a tournament.  Click on the image to the left to open this .pdf file in a new window - and check out all the opportunities available to you when it comes to scheduling some trouble at the bridge table.

February 6 2024
BE SURE TO SUPPORT YOUR GNT FUNDRAISER GAMES

Last year the Rochester DBC held some online games to support the D14 Grass Roots Fund - and Sue Greenberg [Byron] presented our GNT steward Keith Thompson [St Paul] with a check for over eight hundred dollars!  This year, your local club will again be occasionally running Grass Roots Fund games - and each of these games help support D14's GNT and NAP programs.  Check with your local club manager (or any of the calendars online) for when these games are held - and play in them!  Both the North American Pairs and the Grand National Teams are fun competitions - and if you happen to do well in the D14 Finals, you can get a nice stipend to head to the Nationals and represent D14.  That stipend to support our D14 players at the NABCs comes from the Grass Roots Fund - and the money from the Grass Roots Fund comes from the games that you and your partner attend.

February 3 2024
WINTER TOURNAMENT RESULTS - DAY 3
Once again, a special shout-out to Amy Dutton [Mendota Heights] and her crew of volunteers for what has proved to be a terrific Unit 103 Winter Sectional the past few days.  Here on day 3, there were 50 tables in play, for a total of 154 tables (that's down one table compared to last year).  The 2024 Unit 103 Minnesota Winter Sectional Tournament Co-Champions are John Koch [St Cloud] and Terry Beckman [Brooklyn Park], who earned 29.80 masterpoints over the 3-day event.  Below are your Top 25 masterpoint winners, with the Open crowd on the left and the Non-Life Masters on the right.  We'll do it again in 2025, but there's lots more tournament play before then of course.  Next up - the Leap Year Sectional at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location.  (Flyer is farther down this webpage.)

Full results for the Minnesota Winter Sectional can be found by clicking here.


 

February 2 2024
WINTER TOURNAMENT RESULTS - DAY 2
Friday's results at the Minnesota Winter Tournament found 52 tables in play - with your Top 25 masterpoint winners through day 2 on the chart to your right.  14 of those tables today were non-Life Masters, and they're getting some masterpoints, too!  Those leaders of the NLM crowd are found on the chart below.

Full results for this tournament can be found by clicking here.


 

February 1 2024
WINTER TOURNAMENT RESULTS - DAY 1
Day 1 of 3 at the Eagan Community Center is "in the books" - and all signs are pointing to a successful tournament.  (Perfect weather is not hurting; it hasn't always been this snow-free at the beginning of February of course.)  Today's table count is an improvement over last year's opening day tables by +7.1%.  A breakdown of the tables is below; and the list to your right would be your masterpoint leaders after the first two sessions.  Thanks again to Amy Dutton [Mendota Heights] and her crew for putting together such a great tournament.

Full results for this tournament can be found by clicking here.


 

February 1 2024
JANE'S MONTHLY BRIDGE UPDATE
  A special shout-out to Jane Schmidt [St Paul] for providing her monthly bridge update - covering all things bridge across Minnesota.  You can click on her email to the left to enlarge it and open it in a new window (links deactivated).  You should see her updates in your mailbox each month - but if not, click on the image to the left and "be in the know"!

February 1 2024
EDUCATION FUND MONTH - AND RED POINTS AT YOUR LOCAL CLUB
February's schedules (see below) include lots of Education Fund games; these are local club games that charge an extra dollar to benefit the ACBL's Education Fund.  The extra dollar allows for extra masterpoints to be earned, so you can score a lot entering these special Fund games.  There's also the opportunity to earn some red points at your local club this month.  Look for +RED+ point games during the weekend of February 9/10/11.  Getting colored points at the club level (especially in February) doesn't happen that often - so don't miss out.

January 29 2023
SCHEDULING FEBRUARY?  WE ARE HERE TO HELP   
The Minnesota Winter Sectional is happening this Thursday in Eagan - we will see you there!  It also kicks off the month of February; although February is the shortest month of the year, the opportunities for a bridge game have never been more abundant.  In addition to tons of Junior Fund games (read: extra MPs), there are tournaments ahead and red-point games around Valentine's Day.  Click on any one of the calendars to the right to enlarge it and open in a new window. . .and then get out that pen and start scheduling that bridge calendar!  
 
 
 

January 29 2024
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED - AND THERE'S A HITCH
A trailer hitch.  Jeremy Lubich [Afton] has been our property manager for the past few years - but is looking to turn over "the trailer" and its contents to the next caretaker.  This is the trailer that has all of the tables and bidding boxes for tournaments, so it gets called into action four or five times a year.  There's a stipend available and of course every trip is reimbursed - but if you can help (or know someone who can help) contact Sue Greenberg [Rochester] at RDBCmanager-at-gmail-dot-com.

January 24 2024
GOPHER REGIONAL PLANNING CREW KICKS THINGS OFF
You're about four months away from the upcoming Gopher Regional at the Crowne Plaza Aire in Bloomington, but some very hard working volunteers are already putting in some time to make your Gopher experience terrific.  Patti Stuhlman [Minneapolis] is once again heading the event as Tournament Chair, and her group of volunteers got together this week to brainstorm all aspects of the Gopher.  You generally don't hear too much about all the people it takes to put on such an event - but we're so glad she's heading the tournament and we're grateful for everyone who is putting in the effort to make YOUR tournament experience so effortless.

January 23 2024
ST CLOUD GETS A JUMP ON 2024 FUNDRAISING [UPDATE]
Forty bridge players (forty!) came together in St Cloud last night for their "Longest Night" fundraiser to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.  It was also an opportunity for their chat bridge players to be introduced to the rest of the bridge crowd, and it sounds like everyone had a great time.  On top of the bridge (and cake), they raised $724 for the Alzheimer's Association - well done!  Many of us will experience either this dreadful disease directly (or with a bridge partner or friend). . .so the generosity of our St Cloud club bridge players is duly noted and very much appreciated.  All of this done while getting a chance to play bridge (and get to know one-another better) is really the icing on the cake.  UPDATE:  A member of the St Cloud Bridge Club is anonymously donating another $2,000.00 to the cause - so their fundraising for Alzheimer's Association research now at $2,724!


January 22 2024
THEY ARE COMING DOWN THE HOME STRETCH
When it comes to Minnesota's Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs masterpoint races, nothing is official until the ACBL says so. . .and for 2023's races, the ACBL won't be "saying so" until after the February 7th masterpoint reporting cycle (just in case someone was a little slow in reporting).  But you can get an idea of who's where in these horse races as they come down the final stretch.  Most (if not all) of the masterpoints from last year should be in, so here are the unofficial results of how Minnesota players have done the past year (with one month to go).  For those who are not completely familiar with these masterpoint races, the Ace of Clubs are masterpoints that are earned in local club games - with the Mini-McKenney totals including tournament play.  We will see if there's a few movers (or shakers) when the official results come out next month.  Look for your unit's Awards Party and Game to be scheduled sometime this spring.  For now, click on either image below to enlarge it and open it in a new window.

        

January 21 2024
YOUR MOST RECENT UNIT MEETING MINUTES
Minnesota's two ACBL Units held their respective December meetings - and you can find the approved minutes of those meetings below.  (They are also always found on the Documents page of this website, along with minutes from past Unit meetings.)  You can find out what's happening at the Unit-level around the state by clicking on either icon below, which will open those minutes in a new window. . .and keep up to date on all things bridge-related across Minnesota.

    

January 21 2024
635,013,559,600
That's the number of different hands you can get at the bridge table when you pick up those 13 cards.  If you played 27 boards of bridge, five days a week, every week, for a year, that means you would have to be playing for 90,457 years to maybe see the same 13 cards!

So, we settle for what we can get.  If you defended a hand with a non-descript nine HCPs, what are the odds your very next hand would have the exact same (non-descript) five-card heart holding?  And would you notice the exact same five-card suit once you sorted your hand?

January 20 2024
LIMITED MASTERPOINT TABLES ON THE RISE
Of the thirteen active ACBL clubs in Minnesota, just four of those clubs offer separate Non-Life Master games during the week.  The good news is that the weekly share of non-life master tables is on the rise across the state. . .and that's true whether you're looking just at the four clubs that offer NLM games - or looking at all of Minnesota's weekly F2F tables.  The chart below is the six-week rolling average of weekly non-life master tables - aggressive efforts to increase our least experienced players are paying off, for now.  With the share of NLM tables currently on the upswing, here is a shout-out to the clubs (and those running these limited masterpoint games) who are working hard to help get more NLMs into games in which they feel more comfortable.

January 19 2024
AN EXTRA DAY IN 2024 - DON'T LET IT GO TO WASTE
  Once every four years, bridge players have an extra day with which to deal the cards - and this is that year.  Hot off the presses, the tournament flyer for the Bridge Center of St Paul's Leap Year Sectional is presented to your left (you can click on it to open in a new window for further examination or printing).  They have a little something for everyone (one day of Pair/Team games, one day of Swiss teams, one day of 2-session pairs, one day of regionally-rated games to benefit Every Meal - it promises to be a lot of fun - and we hope to see you there!

January 18 2024
FIRST NON-LIFE MASTER EVENT OF 2024 SET
Just three months from now is the first one-day two-session Non-Life Master tournament scheduled for 2024; it's Saturday, April 27th up at the Sartell Community Center.  Connie Nelson [Avon] sent us a copy of the flyer, and in addition to being a great time for our Advancing Players, it's a terrific warm-up for the Gold Rush games at the Gopher just one month later.

Connie has also overtaken the partnership arrangements for this tournament - so if you are a NLM and want to play (but need a partner), Connie will take good care of you.  If you don't see the flyer to the right at your local bridge club, click on the flyer here and it will open in a new window for you to print from your computer.
 

January 17 2024
CATERING TO JUST 0.0216% OF THE POPULATION

  It's got to say something when everything you are doing for bridge in Minnesota is aimed at just 0.0216% of the population.  With an updated player roster from the ACBL (after the January 7th 2024 masterpoint update), Minnesota currently has 1,233 active ACBL members ("active" meaning having played in at least one ACBL sanctioned game since January 1, 2022).

These players are primarily from the Twin Cities metro area (as one would expect), with 758 players in the 553xx, 554xx, and 551xx zip codes.  The remaining outstate Minnesota players total 475.  But however the ACBL membership in Minnesota does get broken down, keep in mind that overall you and your fellow ACBL members compose less than 1/40th of 1% of all Minnesotans.  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.  There are plenty of bridge players and games across the state that aren't ACBL sanctioned, and both outstate and metro efforts are being made to increase our bridge playing population.  There are some successes being recorded - but if you love this game of bridge (and you know you do) - get involved at your local club to help grow our game!  (Another way to look at this is for every active ACBL member in Minnesota, there are 4,629 people that are NOT - so the pool of potential players is huge.)

January 16 2024
TO BE FAIR, IT IS FOR A GREAT CAUSE
Although the Longest Day events for the ACBL's Alzheimer's Association Fundraising don't take place until June of course, there are some options for local clubs wanting to get going on the fund-raising at other times of the year.  Next Monday (January 21) the St Cloud DBC is holding a fundraiser for Alzheimer's research, dubbing it "the shortest day" fundraiser.  [Ed.:  Having been a broadcast meteorologist for 33 years in my working life, I'd be remiss in not pointing out that, of course, January 21 is not the shortest day - January 21 is off by a whole month!]  

Despite a little poetic license with the date, fundraising for such a great cause is worthy ANY day of the year, and kudos to the St Cloud club for getting started on the donations now.  If you're thinking of playing Monday and need a partner, click here.  (And if sunset after Monday's bridge game is 31 minutes later than you were thinking, so much the better.)

January 13 2024
MINNESOTA WINTER TOURNAMENT UPDATE
We are less than three weeks away from the Minnesota Winter Tournament!  This year it will again be held at the Eagan Community Center (1501 Central Parkway) and on February 1-2-3.  Of course, by THAT time we should well into the annual "January Thaw", but even if it is still cold outside the cards inside at the ECC are expected to be HOT.  Look for the flyer in your local club - or click on the flyer to the right to expand and open in a new window.  We will set see you in Eagan in less than three weeks.  

January 13 2024
ALL HAIL THE UNDER 25s
Be sure to encourage those Junior Players (under 25) when you see them at your local club - they are the future of bridge.  The ACBL won't come out with its official listing of masterpoint winners for another few weeks (the official postings happen after the Feb 6 masterpoint update) - but here's a look at the under 25s in Minnesota from the past 12 months and their unofficial MP race.  Look for your Awards Ceremony some time in April (we'll have an update once scheduled).

January 10 2024
ATTENTION METRO AREA BRIDGE PLAYERS
 
Choose wisely.

January 7 2024
LAST OF THE POWER RANKINGS   
A bridge player site that ranks players across the ACBL has shut down as of December 31st - the Bridge Power Rankings site has historically provided quite a bit of information regarding players and partnerships.  (The site is still active as of this posting, but not being updated.)  To the left is a list of our Minnesota players who were the "top" power players in D14 in December, according to the site - although noticeably missing are several top-tier players here in Minnesota.  We're not sure why that is (some players don't like to be ranked, some have opted-out of participation, some didn't play much in December, etc., but you can find out more about this by visiting the site in question).  In any event - this looks to be the last of the power rankings - for now (H/T: Chris Champion) - unless and until the ACBL revives the Bridge Power Rankings website.

January 5 2024
LATEST MINNESOTA MILESTONES   
The next time you see any of these players at your local bridge club (or online), be sure to give them a shout-out.  Congratulations to each of them on achieving the next goal in their bridge quest!
    New JUNIOR MASTERS:
        Gloria Dale [Woodbury]
        Dilip Divekar [Rochester]
        Dennis Schroeder [Pine Island]
        Bob Schultz [Woodbury]
    New CLUB MASTER:
        Lynn McNabb [Mendota Heights]
    New SECTIONAL MASTER:
        John Rethlefsen [Winona]
    New REGIONAL MASTER:
        Dennis Schulte [Woodbury]
    New BRONZE LIFE MASTER:
        Susan Stephens [Audubon]
    New SILVER LIFE MASTER:
        Sharon Madson [Audubon]

January 3 2024
TOURNAMENT TRAIL '24   
A lot has been taking place with tournament scheduling for the new year - and we appreciate Steve Gaynor [Inver Grove Heights] shooting us his latest compilation of events on the way.  Whether you are planning to attend some tournaments in 2024 or planning to hold some events, Steve's information is invaluable.  Click on the image on the right to enlarge it and open it in a new window - and then get out your calendar!

January 1 2024
A NICE CROWD TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR   
You might think the New Year's Holiday might keep a few bridge players home - but sometimes bridge players go against conventional thinking.  Twelve tables at the New Year's game in Rochester, that's right in line with their normal Monday crowd (having averaged 12.3 tables on Monday mornings in 2023).  Happy 2024 - and keep playing!