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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

2018 Local Tournament News

Event	Dates	Results	Flyer	Other
Cedar Falls Sectional	Nov 9-11	Results	Flyer
(at Council Bluffs) Nebr. Regional	Oct 22-28	Results	Flyer
Davenport Fall Sectional	Oct 19-21		Flyer
Dubuque Sectional	Sept 28-30	Results	Flyer
Iowa City Fall Sectional	Aug 24-26	Results	Flyer
“Iowa Gold” NLM (0–750) Regional	Aug 17-19	Results	Flyer
Cedar Rapids Summer Sectional	July 13-15	Results	Flyer
Coralville Regional	June 26-July 1	Results	Flyer
Longest Day at BBB	June 20	Day Nite	Article	Donate
CR Sectional (under 500)	June 9-10	Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4	Article	Hands 1 , Hands 2 , Hands 3 , Hands 4
Mt Pleasant Sectional	April 28-29	Results
IA City Sectional (Hills)	Mar 23-25	Results		Awards
Davenport Winter Sectional	Feb 16-18	Results
Cedar Rapids Winterland Sectional	Jan 26- 28	Results
		2017 Results
		2016 Results
		2015–May/2016

Expert Lessons from Toronto

In July, my hubby and I traveled out of the country to find more and better teaching material for the local players. I was especially interested in the ABTA (American Bridge Teachers Association) convention. We went two days early so that I could attend the teacher convention before the national tournament started. It was a thrill to hear the people whose books and articles I read. I listened to lectures by Julian Laderman (the best at simplifying squeezes), Audrey Grant, Zia Mahmood (funny!), Jerry Helms, Eric Rodwell, and Jeff and Ginny Schuett. You may not have heard about those last two, but they were excellent teachers and willing to share their expertise with us. I have wanted to put together a lesson on card combinations for a long time, but always got stuck because it seemed so complicated. Jeff and Ginny shared a seminar lesson about this topic and did a great job teaching us how to teach it. They gave us permission to use the material if we gave them credit.

So, I am doing a series of lessons on card combinations. I started the series last Wednesday on capturing the Jack. Wednesday, August 2, I will continue with Queen capturing. I’ve learned a lot from Audrey Grant and Jeff and Ginny about the ” cards on the table” approach. We practice the concept with examples of cards all laid out and ready to analyze and then play a few hands to put it all together.

I am passionate about teaching bridge. I hope players will come on August 2 and August 30. If you missed the first lesson, it will be easy to catch up. I will give you the lesson you missed. Jeff and Ginny charge $50 each for their seminar. I am offering you much of the same material at no charge. 5:45 at Country Inn and Suites. Improve your bridge game with free lessons! What a deal!

Cedar Rapids 2017 Summer Sectional Broke Records!

The Cedar Rapids Summer Sectional broke records for any Cedar Rapids tournament over the last 15 years. (that’s as far back as I have records). We had 124 1/2 tables in play. It was amazing! We had loads of out of towners who flocked to this popular tournament. Thank you to all who attended!

Last fall, the unit 163 board president issued a “President’s Challenge” to any 2017 tournament increasing the tournament attendance by 10% of the average of the last three years. We have had four tournaments miss the mark, even decreasing in attendance. The March Hills Tournament was the first to make the challenge. That earned them a party at the club of the chair’s choice. The second success was the Under 300 tournament in June. A party was held at the Cedar Rapids Monday club for that success. The Cedar Rapids Summer Sectional has been increasing in attendance every year and needed over 122 tables to make the challenge goal. We did it! The party to celebrate this success will be August 30 at Build Better Bridge. Come help us celebrate!