News from N Fair Oaks

We had a fantastic full day of bridge learning last Sunday with Robert Todd. Five tables turned out, and it seemed like the time flew by. I think everyone felt like the day exceeded all expectations, even my own.

The club will be closed on the weekend of June 10-11 so we can host the District 23 Grand National Teams final. See below for some coaching for your team. :)

Saturday Workshops

The turnout has been light for the Saturday afternoon 299er games, so I think for the next few weeks we should use the time for some single-session fun subjects.

I'm going to pick some topics that don't warrant a full class, but are worthy and fun. Let's start at 1:00 PM on Saturday, and we can even play a short game after the workshop.

Let me know if you have requests for other specific one-session topics! Is there a favorite convention you'd like to learn in-depth with your partner?

Same $10 card fee for the workshop plus a short game!

May 20 Convention Cards

Let's go through how to fill out a convention card and how to read one. You've all seen them on the "supplies" table, and I know they look like a strange and wonderful, but foreign, language.

I'll walk you through how they're organized, how to read one, and how you can sit down with your partner to fill one out. It's a great way to document your agreements with regular and one-time partners.

May 27 and June 3 Teams of Four

Team-of-four bridge is the most popular game at tournaments for good reason. Here at the club we usually play "matchpoint pairs," but matchpoints distort the natural scoring of bridge by a lot.

I'll explain more on these two Saturdays, which also happen to be the two Saturdays before the June 10 Grand National Teams District Final being held at the Pasadena Bridge Club.

Team bridge is the lowest-tech way to play duplicate, and it's great for playing with friends at home. I'll work through the mechanics of running and scoring the game, and discuss how the scoring affects your bidding and play strategy.

June 17 How to play the BBO Robots

Playing the "Robot Individual" tournaments on BBO is fun, but it can also be a great tool for improving your play, defense, and even your bidding.

On this Saturday afternoon I'll have you watch over my shoulder as I play a BBO robot tournament, and show you how to review the hands where you did well or poorly and figure out exactly why.

Popular Conventions Thursday

We're continuing the Thursday morning Bridge Basics series with Popular Conventions.

Join us for the next six Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM to learn the Stayman convention, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong opening hands, and slam bidding.

Drop me a note if you'd like to join the group!

Classes meeting this week

Single class sessions are always available for $25. Here are the topics being offered this week:

• Wednesday 7:00 PM Popular Conventions "Practice Hands"
• Thursday 9:00 AM Popular Conventions "Stayman"
• Saturday 9:30 AM Bridge Basics 1 "Introduction"

If you're interested in observing or helping as a guest mentor for the beginning bridge class, let me know!

All classes meet in person at the Pasadena Bridge Club, and are taught by me, Morris "Mojo" Jones.

Bridge Basics 1 starts May 20

Click here to enroll or send the link to a friend!