 | But it gives you a sense of what's out there. And across our six states, the average number of tables over all the games held is right at 5.44 tables per game. Minnesota's tables per game are just slightly higher than that, at 5.53. And if you just take Minnesota's open games (and no limited masterpoint games), our TPG shoots up to 6.52 - that's tops among the Upper Midwest. But no matter where you head to in nearby states, you should be able to find a bridge club with plenty of tables and plenty of worthy competition. |
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 | But it's mostly seniors that are playing bridge - so it's worth taking a look at the over-65s across the Upper Midwest. The second chart on your left, in pink, shows the share of seniors that are of each state's overall population. Minnesota's (on the right of the chart) seniors comprise 17.8% of our population (2024 US Government Census figures). There's actually not a lot of difference between states, every state's seniors are 17% to 19% of their population. Wisconsin is a little older (19.1%) and North Dakota younger (17.0%). The third chart on your left (in light gray) shows the share of the combined Upper Midwest seniors for each state. Statewide population varies quite a bit around here (Wisconsin with 5.96 million, North Dakota with 0.79 million), so it's not surprising that Wisconsin and Minnesota each have about 1/3rd of the Upper Midwest seniors living there - with Iowa, the Dakotas, and Nebraska splitting the other 1/3rd. So who is punching above their weight class? That's Nebraska. Nebraska's ratio of their share of Upper Midwest bridge tables to their share of Upper Midwest seniors is 1.69. Translation: They play a LOT of bridge in Nebraska for their population! Minnesota's share of tables to share of seniors is almost equal (with a ratio of 1.05). South Dakota's ratio of 0.43 would indicate they're not playing a lot of sanctioned bridge there, but there are only three bridge clubs in the state (two in Sioux Falls and one in Rapid City). It's Wisconsin who is trailing in the "who's playing bridge" department. They've got far more seniors than anyone else in the Upper Midwest - but don't have the relative number of tables to show for it. Bridge tables, anyway. "500" and Cribbage tables might be off the chart in Wisconsin, but that's for another website. |
Now the BCSP has added an easy option via their sign-up online. Here is the link to add your name (and your partner's!) to the list of bridge players who will be in attendance. Remember, there's a lot to celebrate - so get your name on the list and plan on some fun. |
From now through May 13, the MGSC will award four (4) single-session entries to the Gopher each week. And you don't have to be a 70% player to earn one of the free Gopher plays. Two (2) single-session entries will be awarded to the top pair each Tuesday night. (If there's a tie, then a random drawing will select the winning pair of the free entries.) And additional two (2) single-session entries will be awarded randomly to other players in the field. So everyone who plays on a Tuesday evening can win a free Gopher play - if you're good or lucky. And as everyone in bridge knows, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. The MGSC game can be found in the Virtual Clubs section of BBO each Tuesday afternoon at 4:30pm for entering their 6:30pm game. If you need a partner, there's a partnership desk, and the cost is $6. |
But as online virtual club play has crumbled in the past 24 months, so have online regional associated games. They're down sharply from just one year ago. So far, 5 of the 15 open regionals in 2025 have had games on BBO for their district. But overall tables across these 5 regionals are down more than -66.1% from 2024. The "break-even" point for these online associated events is 13 tables; and while the Rochester tournament's losses were mitigated a bit by the online BBO event, the online option is not on their schedule for 2025. And apparently the Gopher has had it right all along! |  |
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The Minnesota Bridge Education Fund is an independent 501(C)(3) organization that was created to benefit new bridge players of all ages through education and instruction - along with the cognitive and social aspects of the fantastic game of bridge that we all love. Even if you have not heard of this Fund before, you are benefitting from their organization and program. Some details of the Minnesota Bridge Education Fund:  The Fund is incorporated in Minnesota as a 501(C)(3) educational charity - donations are 100% tax-deductible.The Fund is not affiliated with the ACBL or with Unit 103 or Unit 178. They are completely independent.As such, the Fund does not require or get approvals from either Minnesota bridge unit for fund dispersal.The Fund grants funding requests from all over the state of Minnesota, including educational programs at the Gopher Regional, as well as subsidizing limited masterpoint players at Minnesota tournaments.This small organization is funded mainly by memorial contributions, but gladly accepts all donations.The Fund made a major contribution of $1,000 to the U of M program when it started in 2017 for educational materials and supplies.Donations to the Fund can be made to Sandy Nelson, 10222 Parkview Circle, Bloomington, MN 55431. You'll get a letter detailing the donation for your tax records. If you're looking for a tax write-off, it's hard to compete against worthy causes - but the Minnesota Bridge Education Fund is right up there. They work hard to help bridge throughout Minnesota, which ultimately should help you. |
38 tables were in play in District 14, with four Minnesota Bridge clubs participating (the Bridge Center of St Paul, Maple Grove's Wednesday game, Rochester and Mankato) along with one in Iowa (Cedar Falls). Of these 38 tables, here are your D14 overall awards:
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Patti: I'm very optimistic. Looking forward to seeing everyone, and I know we're going to have a great time. BB: You've done this for so many years; is there an unknown quantity here in 2025 for the Gopher next month for you, or are there no surprises left? Patti: I think about that, and actually I have made a planning guide to make sure that I check everything off. Only weather interferes with us, and I'm not even that worried about construction [around the host hotel area]. BB: If there was one thing you wanted people to know about putting this together that they might not normally know, what would that be? Patti: Volunteers. People learn what it is they want to do with helping your tournament, and then let them do their thing. BB: COVID did a lot of damage to bridge and to the bridge community, but you said it actually helped you with putting together the Gopher Regional. Could you expand on how COVID had such a positive effect on helping you do what you do? Patti: Meeting online during COVID really opened up a new crew of volunteers for us. Connie Nelson (St Cloud) did such a terrific job as the Promotion Chair, Warren [Nelson] has taken that over and is doing such a great job, and Matt [Belau] what [he does], yeah, it went well. Did I tell you that Warren has agreed to be the Promotion Chair for the NABC? BB: Next year, you've volunteered to chair the local responsibilities of putting on the NABC in July. Other than being on a grander scale, how will that be different for you than chairing the Gopher? Patti: [Sighs.] I don't have any responsibilities about setting up the Nationals. My whole job is about getting a volunteer crew together and getting the word out - and letting people know it's fun to go to a national. There are a lot of people in Minnesota who haven't played at a national, I think our last one was in the 1990s. I'll be in charge of putting the pieces together and finding volunteers and their strengths so that they'll enjoy what they are doing. BB: You must be aware of the incredible appreciation that so many local bridge players have for you and what you do for bridge. What can they do to show their appreciation for you other than say thanks - for example, is there a "Go Fund Me" account for a spa weekend that we can start for you? Patti: [Laughing] Oh. . . you're so kind! [Still laughing] Let's see. [Pauses] [Still smiling] I don't know. I wouldn't ask for anything. |
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 | Jackson Wahl [Minneapolis] has taken over the lead with 72.25 masterpoints over the first three Open Sectionals in the state. But up next up is the all important Gopher Regional, the first of the two open regionals in Minnesota this year! Will Jackson hang on to that lead? With the number of masterpoints available heading into the Gopher next month, a lot can change. (But will it?) |
REGIONAL May 19-24 Bloomington | Sectional Thur June 5 Rochester  | Sectional June 12-14 Sauk Rapids  | Sectional July 9-11 Maple Grove  | Sectional Thur August 14 Rochester  | Sectional August 21-23 Roseville  |
 | The three Open Sectionals so far in 2025 along with the NLM I/N Sectional in Sartell have produced 480.0 tables of tournament bridge. That is a table increase of +4.9% over the 457.5 tables these same tournaments had in 2024. That's good news - and the best news yet is that the Gopher is coming up next! |
 | Just below are a few photos from Day 3 of the Spring Sectional in Rochester. From L to R, that's Bonnie Fox [Rochester], the Hospitality Chair. The Tournament Chairs, Cindy Heins [Rochester] and Jan Morris [Rochester] address the Saturday crowd with local Club President Connie Dalzell looking on; the person who traveled from farthest away to play in this event, Miles Hall [Sioux Falls SD]; and with a tie for 1st place on Saturday, the Balderson/Holloway pair was matched evenly with Jackson Wahl [Minneapolis] and Sarah Wahl [Minneapolis]. |  |
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Friday's two session 499er winners were Dennis Schulte [Woodbury] amd Joan Lossing [Woodbury], with a 67.26% game in the morning and a 64.20% game in the afternoon. Well done! The morning Open Pair winners were Kerry Holloway [Bloomington] and Bob Balderson [Eden Prairie], with George Bleskachek [Eau Claire] and Mark Patton [Dubuque IA] taking the afternoon Open session today. George and Mark scored a 70.27% game in the afternoon, beating the 2nd place overall team by a single matchpoint. A more "manageable" crowd is expected Saturday with a few less tables, but the same amount of fun (and trouble) is a sure thing. Full results for this tournament can be found by clicking here. |
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From now through May 13, the MGSC will award four (4) single-session entries to the Gopher each week. And you don't have to be a 70% player to earn one of the free Gopher plays. Two (2) single-session entries will be awarded to the top pair each Tuesday night. (If there's a tie, then a random drawing will select the winning pair of the free entries.) And additional two (2) single-session entries will be awarded randomly to other players in the field. So everyone who plays on a Tuesday evening can win a free Gopher play - if you're good or lucky. And as everyone in bridge knows, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. The MGSC game can be found in the Virtual Clubs section of BBO each Tuesday afternoon at 4:30pm for entering their 6:30pm game. If you need a partner, there's a partnership desk, and the cost is $6. |
The 499ers today was won by Gary Falkenstein [Rochester] and Connie Falkenstein [Rochester]; the Open Pairs this morning saw Andy Carnanicas [St Paul] and Keith Connolly [St Paul] come in 1st. In the afternoon, it was Barry Purrington [Eagan] and Dave Collins [Fridley] with the best score in the pairs. Masterpoint leaders through day 1 are above top right. On to tomorrow! |
 | For the most part, the "i"s are dotted and the "t"s are crossed, with just a few things left to figure out before the big event next month. Matt agreed to do the Daily Bulletins this year, Warren agreed to be the PR Chair for the 2026 Summer NABC (!), and Patti will be speaking at the Awards Luncheon and Game on May 4th to invite everyone to the Regional. Jane is sending out the final e-mail blasts to your mailbox next month - and Steve provided pointers for our final promotional push. A special shout-out goes out to these volunteers and ALL the volunteers that make the Gopher the success that it is! |
Note that you do not have to be a member of the club's host unit to play. Unit 103 players can play in a Unit 178 game and vice versa. In other words - all are welcome! Here is where you can get into some trouble: St Paul - at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Wednesday morning game (10:00am) Maple Grove - the Wednesday (11:45am) game Rochester - at the RDBC's Wednesday afternoon (12:30pm) game Mankato - at their Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm) game |
 | (These are black face-to-face club points only during the month of March, and don't include any online points or club points earned outside of Minnesota. Just local players supporting local clubs - and thanking them with a bit of recognition.) |
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 | Here is a bit of perspective: There have been 27 I/N Sectionals run so far in 2025. If you look at those tournaments, and their tables per session, only 2 of the other 26 I/N sectionals had better attendance per session - and not by much. Those two tournaments were in Philadelphia PA and Palm Desert CA, which are two considerably larger player pools from which to draw than Sauk Rapids. Connie Nelson [Avon], the Tournament Chair for Saturday's event, had said she wanted 20 tables of players - and next time, she just might produce those 20 tables. |
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 | First, Units 103 and 178 will hold a combined 2024 Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Awards Luncheon on Sunday May 4 at the Bridge Center of St Paul's Roseville location. The lunch is at no cost to anyone playing in the bridge game - and the game is at no cost to the top three masterpoint winners in each of the many, many categories. (You're playing for free if you're in Unit 103 and your name is listed here; and you're playing for free if you're in Unit 178 and your name is listed here.) Lunch is served at 11am, with the game following lunch and the Awards Presentation. There's a $6 game fee for everyone else, and the Units request that you sign up by Wednesday April 30. A sign-up sheet is available at the BCSP (or call to make that reservation!). Besides these winners, Minnesota has a new Grand Life Master - and a new Platinum Life Master also in the past year. So lots to celebrate. Then the Duluth Duplicate Bridge Club is holding an Awards Party prior to their Monday game on Monday May 5. In addition to their local Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney winners, Dianne Carr [Duluth] edged out Laird Schaub [Duluth] and Larry Uttley [Duluth] for "player of the year" in 2024. Also there's a four-way tie for their 2024 Attendance Award (between Dianne, Jan Stone [Duluth], Gary Schneider [Duluth], and Mike Schultz [Duluth]), so acceptance speeches may be limited to no more than 45 minutes each. Mark your bridge calendar! Even if you didn't win an award (and there lots of us who did not), these events promise to be a party. Don't miss out. |
Sunday at 6:30pm is when the cards come out at the BCSP. They request that you sign up for the game in advance, and you can sign up by clicking here. A little post-dinner bridge on a Sunday is the perfect way to cap off a weekend! |
Now that the District GNTs are over, we are going back to pairs games on Tuesdays. Game time is 6:30 CT, cost is $6/person. Partners available in the online partnership desk. Find us at VACB101691. See you at the table! -- Dave N. |
    | The big winners of their one-day NLM sectional are Theresa Kornwolf [St Michael] and Lynn Schnettler [St Cloud], who picked up 4.33 silver points on the day. Scott Krupke [Little Falls] was the D-I-C for the tournament - no word on if he has had any previous experience in what must seem at times as if it's herding cats. 43 players earned silver points, and 100% of the attendees had a great time. Lots more details from the Tournament Chair, Connie Nelson [Avon] - and you can check those details out by clicking here. PREVIOUSLY: Today was St Cloud's 749er Spring Fling, a one-day NLM tournament for silver points. They had a terrific turnout, with 18.5 tables in the morning (a local St Cloud record turnout!) and 16 tables in the afternoon session - with a record number of players earning some silver masterpoints at one of these events - that is awesome. This is an event that featured 8 brand new players to tournament play. Playing in their first-ever tournament, a few of those players are to your left - and they include (from L to R): Lynn Kelzenberg [St Cloud], Phil Kronebusch [St Cloud], Kim Hellier [St Cloud], Samanatha Smith [Backus], Janet Tilstra [Sartell], and Connie Ginter [Becker]. The morning session results can be found by clicking here, and the afternoon session results by clicking here. |
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  | There's a lot of red on the chart; we'll start with that. Overall, Minnesota's total F2F club tables are down -1.2% from last year (2,078 vs 2,103 in 2024). This doesn't include any tournament tables, or anything online - just face-to-face club games. Unit 178's clubs are down -8.2% (501 vs 546), while Unit 103's clubs are up slightly (1,577 vs 1,557, due almost entirely to St Cloud, we'll get to that shortly). Outstate Minnesota's tables are up +5.8% from last year (807 vs 762), while the Twin Cities Metro area is down -5.2% (1,271 vs 1,341). The go-go era of the post-COVID reopening appears to be done with, and this trend of fewer tables now isn't unique to Minnesota or its clubs. It's everywhere. There is a really outstanding effort being made in the St Cloud area to get new players into the game and make bridge fun for everyone; this started a few years ago with Connie Nelson [Avon] and now has been further advanced by club manager Scott Krupke [Little Falls]. The results of that effort are pretty clear on the chart, as St Cloud's club tables have shot up +37.8% this year over last (283 vs 205). Whatever they are doing - they appear to be doing it right - and we've got a few questions into their email boxes to ask what they can share. One of the things they are doing so well is promoting their Non-Life Master program - that includes tournaments - and one of those is Saturday. That flyer is also to your left - and we'll have results over the weekend posted here. |
So how are Minnesota's two units doing? The ACBL has just issued their latest quarterly update, and here is how the 1st quarter of 2025 shakes out: Unit 103 received 81.8% of their previous 11% reimbursement for the quarterFor the first full year of the 5/5/5 program, Unit 103 has gotten $1,612.84 from the ACBL - that's 90.9% Unit 178 received 75.0% of their previous 11% reimbursement for the first three months of 2025For the first full year of the 5/5/5 program, Unit 178 has gotten $585.80 from the ACBL or 75.6% |
