North Penn Bridge News

Greetings to the

North Penn Bridge Community!

Week of 01/15/2024

From the Weekly Newsletter Editor

When Dave Dresher was our board president (before Covid,) he wanted to establish regular communication between the club and its members. What began as a twice monthly newsletter, morphed into a weekly newsletter during Covid, and has continued ever since.

As editor, board member and player, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words. We are beginning a new year and we have high hopes that our membership and our players will increase to pre-covid attendance.

That being said, I’d like to recognize the many members who have donated their time and resources to keeping the home fires burning: to Dave Dodgson, our club manager, who tirelessly keeps the trains running on time; to the board of directors who have been meeting every five to six weeks to review the financial health and growth of our club and to brainstorm new ideas to attract new players and keep existing players; to the teachers and tireless shuffle and deal angels; to the volunteers who come in to make boards; to the countless members who bring in snacks for the games as well as those who bring in food for our parties, and the Deal of the Week authors who never fail to educate and entertain us.

We are a volunteer club and we are lucky to have so many players who give of their time and their resources. We aspire to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a pleasant environment for everyone. If we are not living up to this goal, we want to hear from you. Please know that we welcome your suggestions as we begin this new year with enthusiasm and hope for a bright future in bridge!

See you at the tables.

From the Club Manager

Dave Dodgson

Thursday, February 1 Handicap Team Game. Be sure to sign up in the book at the club.

Tuesday, January 16 Silver Linings online game. Earn silver points from your house!

Wednesday, January 17 0-50 game at 9:30 a.m. AND Shuffle and Deal. Play for points in the game or for practice at a Shuffle and Deal table.

Wednesday, January 24 Shuffle and Deal at 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 31 Shuffle and Deal at 9:30 a.m.

New Stay and Play Policy. Effective January 3, anyone who pays to play in Shuffle and Deal on Wednesday morning, can stay and play in the noon open game for only $6. Come out and make a day of it!

Puzzle Exchange. Are you a “puzzler?” If so you’re always looking for a new jigsaw puzzle to tackle. Since many bridge players are also puzzlers, we’re starting a puzzle exchange at the club. If you have puzzles you’re willing to lend out, be sure to bring them in for our new Puzzle Lending Library.

Membership Update From the Chair

Mitch Snyder

Happy New Year, wishing you a healthy and prosperous year.

Or as Vulcans say “live long and prosper.”

Notice the ‘prosper’ theme. Your bridge club is trying to do just that. After 1 cycle the new events seem to have been very well received. We’re pleased to have your continued support at the table and your annual $20 offering is appreciated.

The $20 membership fee is now due. You can pay in person, by mail or online on our website.

https://www.bridgewebs.com/northpenn/

Partnership

We are in the process of re-activating our online partnership desk and will now be monitoring it on a daily basis. Please use it for requests for our Open games; partner requests for Tuesday and Friday limited games should go directly to Mitch Snyder.

If you are in need of a partner for a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday Open game, please email northpennpartner@gmail.com. We will do our best to match you up with others who are looking for someone to play with.

Upcoming Tournaments

January 20 at 3:30 p.m. - District 4 Online Tournament. Extra points will be awarded - all silver.

February 11 at 3:30 p.m. - District 4 Online Tournament. Half red and half black points will be awarded.

February 12 - 18 STaC week.

February 23 - 25 the Wilmington Sectional.

Education

Shuffle & Deal January Schedule:

Wednesdays 9:30 am:

January 17: 0-50 game AND Shuffle and Deal
January 24: Shuffle and Deal
January 31: Shuffle and Deal

Sundays at noon:

January 21 & 28: Lessons with Linda on Stayman & Transfers; $20 per person

King of Prussia Bridge Club Lessons. For lesson details go directly to the Latest News item on their website: https://www.bridgewebs.com/kop.

Calendar

Click here to see a file you can enlarge.

Ask the Expert

Email your questions, or a pesky hand, or something you’d like to know about bidding or playing to Toysie at toysiewalker@gmail.com. She will forward them to the panel, one will be chosen, and the question and answers will be printed in the following week’s newsletter.

We update our Facebook page regularly so be sure to check it out. It’s a great way to stay in touch with all the happenings at North Penn.

Tidbits

“Tips to Avoid Mistake 2

(Unwarranted gambling)

Entering the auction at an unsafe level, on a hand that is not worth very much, may be a thrilling experience. Like climbing an icy peak, it can also be dangerous.
Bridge is meant to be a game of skill, not a rival attraction to roulette. When some flight of fancy goes wrong, this can be upsetting for your partner and your teammates.
By all means try to make life difficult for the opponents but draw a sensible limit in this regard.”

From 52 Bridge Mistakes to Avoid

by David Bird

Deal of the Week

by John Dickenson

Control Bidding - It Is Not Just For the Experts,

We Can All Do It

Beginning and advancing players often neglect to make control bids below game. Control bidding is NOT just for the experts, it is pretty straightforward.

Consider the following deal and auction.

My robot partner opened 1S and I bid 2H, game forcing. He raised to 3H and I cannot bid keycard Blackwood because I have three dead diamonds. So I made a control bid of 4C. Note that the robots on BBO play American style control bids, showing first round control of a suit (Ace or Void). The robot cooperated with 4D and I was off to the races.

You can follow the play by clicking on the handviewer link here:

http://tinyurl.com/ymj72ae7

Note that if the robot on my left had found a diamond lead, I would likely go down unless I made an unusual play to pick up the spade suit. The normal play is to the ace and finesse the jack. As the cards lie, that line would lead to defeat after a diamond lead. I would have to find the double dummy line of pinning the doubleton ten of spades (unlikely).

Agree with your partner if you play American style or Italian style (first OR second round control). And remember, friends don’t let friends bid RKCB with two or more losers in an unbid suit. Just say no to doing that.