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The Longest Day Raised Big Bucks!

Guest Speakers. Click Image for Slideshow.

The Longest Day fundraiser was held at Build Better Bridge on June 20. It was a day-long celebration of bridge and giving.

Jack Sells Raffle. Click Image for Slideshow.

Some of the highlights were: Sixteen total tables of bridge with two enhanced-point duplicate games and a social bridge game, free breakfast bagels provided by the Klein’s, free lunch provided by the Boardmans, a talk by two speakers from the Alzheimer’s Association and a free bridge lesson by MaryAnn. Also, there was a raffle of gift cards. MaryAnn and Keith Sutherland begged businesses for the gift cards, and Jack Murphy sold the tickets.

Donations, donations, donations!! We had online donations (even from relatives and friends who could not attend), raffle money, the entire $8 entry for the two duplicate games, and a donation box. Donations are still coming in, but as of June 23, we earned a whopping $2200 for Alzheimer’s.

Using bridge to raise money to fight this horrible disease is awesome! Thank you to all our donors and worker bees. You are amazing!

Giving More, Right to the End

June Master Points from Build Better Bridge

Total Red Black

1 5.55 1.41 0.99 3.15 James Boardman

2 4.11 1.06 0.69 2.36 Richard Bailie

3 3.65 0.79 1.38 1.48 Jack Murphy

4 3.65 0.79 1.38 1.48 Connie Hellenthal

5 2.81 1.41 1.40 Michael Roush

6 2.80 1.06 0.69 1.05 Dennis Cordle

7 2.33 2.33 Mark Patton

8 2.33 2.33 Joseph Pieper

9 2.18 0.60 0.99 0.59 Gregory Slager

10 1.97 1.97 Jim Boardman Jr

11 1.97 1.97 Jack Falat

12 1.75 1.75 Frank Hellenthal

13 1.31 1.31 Gary Edwards

14 1.23 1.23 John Johnson

15 1.23 1.23 Richard Winsor

16 1.19 0.60 0.59 Mary Ann Boardman

17 0.92 0.92 Alan Langenfeld

18 0.92 0.92 Robert Buckheister

19 0.55 0.28 0.27 Richard Lamb

20 0.55 0.28 0.27 Allethina Harker

21 0.48 0.48 Nancy Klein

22 0.48 0.48 Paul Klein

23 0.32 0.32 Robert Otto

24 0.32 0.32 Thomas Flanders

Build Better Bridge: Last Game

It is with sadness, that we end the Build Better Bridge Wednesday Night Game. The last games will be on June 20, 2018.

This game was created in February, 2014. It started with a bang, averaging over nine tables in its early months. It sponsored a successful mentor program, ran frequent team games, had charity events, offered free lessons, had many enhanced point games, guaranteed a partner, utilized a cadre of competent directors, used hand records and The Common Game, had prizes and promotions, celebrated life masters with parties and acknowledged other milestones-makers with free games and applause, provided good free snacks, and promoted the zero tolerance policy.

Alas, that wasn’t enough. The game has dwindled to average about four tables the last few months. We accept that a pair game with three or four tables is not a very good game. There is no “field protection” as my hubby calls it.

As our tradition, we plan to party and give right to the end. The last BBB will be a big celebration of what we have stood for: Giving more and Celebrating. We will have two sanctioned games on Wednesday, June 20, at 12:30 and 6:30. All the money from those games will go to the charity, Alzheimer’s. We hope you can attend The Longest Day and our grand finale.

The Longest Day 2018

This will be the fourth time we have celebrated The Longest Day in Cedar Rapids. It is an awesome way to give back through our favorite game.

This year we will celebrate on June 20 at The Country Inn and Suites, airport exit, Cedar Rapids. It will be from 9:00 AM until 10:30 PM. Come for any or all of the activities. At 9:00 we will have free coffee and bagels and free bridge for all. Invite your social bridge friends. At 11:00 there will be speakers from Alzheimer’s to talk to us while we eat a free lunch from Subway. There will be two sanctioned duplicate games at 12:30 and 6:30. These will be point-enhanced and cost $8, but almost all of that will go to Alzheimer’s.

There will be a free lesson on bridge play by MaryAnn at 5:45.

Whew! Did you notice “free” repeated many times here? We want to give so we can all give to a great cause. Donations will be accepted and there will be a raffle, too.

If you can’t come, you can still donate by going to our team page.

Hopefully, you can even get family members to donate. How many times have you donated to grandchildren’s fund raisers? It is their turn to sponsor you to play bridge. Corporate sponsors are welcome, too. Our bank, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust gives us a nice donation each year.

Let’s make this the best ever!

MaryAnn Boardman 319 540 4206 maryann.boardman@gmail.com

April Masterpoints: BBB

Total Red Black

1 5.53 0.60 4.93 Robert Buckheister

2 5.19 1.58 3.61 Jack Falat

3 4.47 0.23 4.24 Thomas Flanders

4 4.47 0.23 4.24 Robert Otto

5 4.20 0.60 3.60 Alan Langenfeld

6 3.51 0.89 2.62 Michael Roush

7 3.49 1.58 1.91 Mary Ann Boardman

8 3.15 1.58 1.57 Bruno Rinas

9 3.15 1.58 1.57 Mike Rowray

10 2.52 0.60 1.92 James Boardman

11 2.45 2.45 Jim Boardman Jr

12 2.36 1.18 1.18 Eric McKee

13 2.36 1.18 1.18 Bill Kent

14 2.36 1.18 1.18 Eli Jolley

15 2.36 1.18 1.18 Elizabeth Mckee

16 1.79 0.23 1.56 Richard Bailie

17 1.79 0.23 1.56 Dennis Cordle

18 1.77 0.89 0.88 Phillip Cummins

19 1.77 0.89 0.88 Robert Benson

20 1.77 0.89 0.88 John Morano

21 1.40 1.40 James Knapp

22 1.19 0.60 0.59 Gregory Slager

23 0.98 0.49 0.49 Bonnie Stettler

24 0.98 0.49 0.49 Bob Kramer

25 0.98 0.49 0.49 Richard Winsor

26 0.98 0.49 0.49 Richard Goings

27 0.89 0.89 Dick Boardman

28 0.89 0.89 Charlene Boardman

29 0.43 0.43 Paul Klein

30 0.43 0.43 Nancy Klein

31 0.41 0.41 Matt Fisher

32 0.34 0.34 Melvin Krause

33 0.34 0.34 Ellen Krause

34 0.28 0.28 Keith Sutherland

35 0.28 0.28 Nancy Sutherland

36 0.23 0.12 0.11 Melissa Heston

37 0.23 0.12 0.11 Allethina Harker

38 0.23 0.12 0.11 Mark Gifford

39 0.23 0.12 0.11 Jack Murphy

Total Masterpoints reported: 72.18

Players selected: 39 out of 500

New Bridge Seminar on June 2, 2018

Bridge Seminar: Cue Bids Plus

Cue bids are one of the underutilized wonder bids. Asking? Telling? Describing? Yes! All that with a bid that can really help you reach the correct contact. Learn the where, when and how to use cue bids effectively in this seminar.

This is the third seminar I have done and each has come with an end of the class survey. The most-requested lesson was for cue bids. One of the big requests was to have more time and play more hands. I want to do all that for this seminar.

Unlike the other four hour seminars, this will be a day-long seminar with a break for lunch. The class will run from 10:00 to 3:30 with an onsite break for lunch. You can bring your own lunch or order a $5 Subway meal as you sign in. That will give us five instructional hours with a great lunch time to give your brain a break.

The “Plus” involves play topics to improve your declarer play once you have used the correct bids (cue bids, included) to get there.

If those five instructional hours sound a little intimidating, do not fear. As with the other seminars, there will be loads of interactive bidding and then lots of play to practice. I use the “cards on the table” approach taught by Audrey Grant, one of the most successful bridge teachers in the world. I have had the opportunity to learn this method from her, personnally.

The class will be held at Country Inn and Suites, airport exit in Cedar Rapids. It will start at 10:00 and end at 3:30 with that nice lunch break. You can sign up with a partner or as a single. Partners get a price break of $50 for two. Individuals pay $30. You will get a book and hand records for all the practice hands that you play.

June 2, 2018 Snacks and drinks provided. Sign up by May 10 by calling or e-mailing MaryAnn Boardman at 319 540 4206 maryann.boardman@gmail.com

March Points from BBB

Congratulations Greg Slager!

Total Red Black

1 5.82 0.85 4.97 Gregory Slager

2 5.01 1.13 3.88 Mary Ann Boardman

3 4.19 0.12 4.07 Dennis Cordle

4 4.19 0.12 4.07 Richard Bailie

5 4.05 0.85 3.20 Bruno Rinas

6 3.40 1.13 2.27 James Boardman

7 3.14 3.14 Thomas Flanders

8 3.14 3.14 Robert Otto

9 3.10 0.85 2.25 Alan Langenfeld

10 3.10 0.85 2.25 Robert Buckheister

11 2.70 0.23 2.47 Jack Murphy

12 2.25 1.13 1.12 Jack Falat

13 2.25 1.13 1.12 Frank Hellenthal

14 1.92 1.92 John Schmidt

15 1.53 1.53 Michael Roush

16 1.31 1.31 Jim Boardman Jr

17 1.31 1.31 Robert Givens

18 0.81 0.81 Connie Hellenthal

19 0.81 0.81 Dorris Hotchkiss

20 0.78 0.23 0.55 Allethina Harker

21 0.61 0.61 James Knapp

22 0.46 0.23 0.23 Cindy Brennaman

23 0.46 0.23 0.23 Joan Bouslog

24 0.46 0.46 Wyn Seeley

25 0.46 0.23 0.23 Richard Goings

26 0.46 0.23 0.23 Mark Gifford

27 0.46 0.46 Yu-Diann Lu

28 0.46 0.23 0.23 Melissa Heston

29 0.23 0.12 0.11 Robert Benson

30 0.23 0.12 0.11 John Morano

Total Masterpoints reported: 59.10

New ACBL Tournament Policy

There is a new ACBL policy that takes effect in March, 2018. To play in a tournament you must have an ACBL number. If you were a member once and have not kept up the payments, you are a lapsed member and you can use your old ACBL number. You will have to pay $4 extra per session. That has been changed from the $3 surcharge in previous years. ACBL is selling one month memberships that will cost $7.99. You get all the advantages of an ACBL member, including The Bridge Bulletin, for a month. More importantly, you have an ACBL number and can play in tournaments. If you decide to join for a year, you can apply that monthly membership cost to the yearly one.

Non members can join at the tournament or online at acbl.org, click “join now.” A yearly membership is now$49. There will be reps at the tournaments to help you understand the new policy and sign up for a monthly or yearly membership. MaryAnn has encouraged all local club managers and accredited teachers to have the instant membership application. Signing up with a local rep will give them a rebate. If you sign up with the tournament chair Unit 163 will not be credited.

Hope to see you all at our upcoming tournaments: Hills March 23-25, Mt. Pleasant, April 28-29, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Intermediate tournament, June 9-10, the Coralville Regional June 26-July 1 and Cedar Rapids July 13-15.

If you have questions about the new policy, call or e-mail MaryAnn Boardman 319 540 4206 maryann.boardman@gmail.com

Points from 2017 BBB

Jan 5, 2018 Masterpoint race Page 1

We gave out over 700 points to our loyal players during 2017. We did that by providing loads of special games for you.

Total Red Silver Black

1 45.70 6.46 1.68 37.56 Michael Roush

2 43.68 6.17 1.68 35.83 James Boardman

3 37.95 8.68 1.68 27.59 Mary Ann Boardman

4 34.47 4.53 29.94 Richard Bailie

5 33.55 6.99 26.56 Dennis Cordle

6 32.28 5.31 0.99 25.98 Jack Falat

7 29.79 5.49 0.47 23.83 Robert Otto

8 29.28 5.55 0.77 22.96 Jim Boardman Jr

9 27.12 5.57 0.47 21.08 Thomas Flanders

10 26.46 4.90 21.56 Mike Rowray

11 26.13 3.87 1.68 20.58 Gregory Slager

12 26.05 4.08 21.97 Alan Langenfeld

13 23.90 3.85 20.05 Robert Buckheister

14 16.57 2.45 14.12 Jack Murphy

15 16.05 1.29 14.76 Martha Bailie

16 14.76 0.34 14.42 Eli Jolley

17 14.16 3.23 10.93 Allethina Harker

18 12.38 1.03 11.35 Connie Hellenthal

19 10.91 3.32 7.59 Bonnie Stettler

20 9.66 1.66 8.00 Gary Haddy

21 9.64 2.78 6.86 Melissa Heston

22 9.12 1.68 7.44 Phillip Cummins

23 8.62 0.27 8.35 Karen Cummins

24 8.42 0.85 0.77 6.80 Paul Hazzard

25 8.40 2.11 0.99 5.30 Gisela Gunderson

26 8.24 0.31 7.93 Karen Langenfeld

27 8.06 1.62 6.44 Scott Spitze

28 7.41 2.13 5.28 Eric McKee

29 7.41 2.13 5.28 Elizabeth Gotlund

30 7.04 0.69 6.35 Yu-Diann Lu

31 6.36 2.53 3.83 Roger Johanson

32 6.36 2.53 3.83 Judy Vopava

33 6.22 1.28 4.94 Gary Edwards

34 5.62 0.68 4.94 John Morano

35 5.56 1.37 4.19 Paul Klein

36 5.56 1.37 4.19 Nancy Klein

37 5.38 1.58 3.80 Pat Thomas

38 5.33 1.74 3.59 Mark Gifford

39 5.12 0.38 4.74 Wyn Seeley

40 4.95 0.38 4.57 Karen Friest

41 4.83 1.42 3.41 Keith Sutherland

42 4.37 1.81 2.56 Richard Winsor

43 4.34 1.35 2.99 Prabhat Kumar Akhauri

44 4.14 1.42 2.72 Nancy Sutherland

45 3.74 1.22 2.52 Richard Lamb

46 3.38 3.38 Jan Kleinschmidt

47 3.30 0.15 3.15 Tom Amosson

48 3.27 0.42 0.77 2.08 James Knapp

49 3.12 3.12 Kathy Edwards

50 3.00 1.12 1.88 John Johnson

51 2.97 0.23 0.77 1.97 Bruno Rinas

52 2.88 2.88 Robert Givens

53 2.84 0.69 2.15 Jan Hinrichs

54 2.81 1.41 1.40 Mark Schantz

55 2.33 2.33 Sally Meixner

56 2.25 2.25 Mark Patton

57 2.25 2.25 Joseph Pieper

58 2.04 2.04 Michelle Feeney

59 1.67 0.10 1.57 Richard Goings

60 1.62 1.62 Shirley Moore

61 1.62 1.62 Alan Ruback

62 1.57 1.57 Dawn Smith

63 1.49 1.49 Mona Bertrand

64 1.15 1.15 Frank Hellenthal

65 1.11 0.56 0.55 Purnima Chawla

66 1.11 0.56 0.55 Ashok Chawla

67 1.02 1.02 Darla Algoe

68 0.98 0.98 John Remmert

69 0.80 0.12 0.68 Twyla Hall

70 0.80 0.12 0.68 Tish Apfelbeck

71 0.53 0.15 0.38 Dorris Hotchkiss

72 0.53 0.27 0.26 Duane Hinrichs

73 0.52 0.52 Charlotte Pence

74 0.52 0.52 Gretchen Stuhr

75 0.46 0.23 0.23 Mary Wyatt

76 0.43 0.43 Cindy Brennaman

77 0.38 0.38 Kathy Breen

78 0.37 0.37 Eugene Herman

79 0.37 0.37 Arnold Adelberg

80 0.35 0.18 0.17 Robert Benson

81 0.32 0.32 Donald Harker

82 0.30 0.15 0.15 Marion Engel

83 0.15 0.08 0.07 Trudy Carpenter

84 0.15 0.08 0.07 Grant Carpenter

Total Masterpoints reported: 727.85

Players selected: 84 out of 495

December Points from BBB

We gave away lots of points in only three games. Check it out!

Jan 5, 2018 Masterpoint race Page 1

1 5.54 Mary Ann Boardman

2 4.31 Michael Roush

3 3.18 Jack Falat

4 2.91 James Boardman

5 2.41 Jim Boardman Jr

6 2.41 Paul Hazzard

7 2.19 Robert Buckheister

8 1.97 Richard Bailie

9 1.97 Dennis Cordle

10 1.68 Gregory Slager

11 1.48 Yu-Diann Lu

12 1.48 Mark Gifford

13 1.39 Thomas Flanders

14 1.39 Robert Otto

15 1.10 Bonnie Stettler

16 1.10 Melissa Heston

17 0.99 Gisela Gunderson

18 0.86 Tom Amosson

19 0.86 Jack Murphy

20 0.77 Bruno Rinas

21 0.77 James Knapp