You are probably familiar with Barbara Duer's "The Dummy Speaks" column.  I've decided to add one of my own related to the rules of the game, titled "On Further Review".  You'll find both of these columns in the left hand menu under "Columns and Features".  The first installment of "On Further Review" covers tapping the pass card, when it is appropriate to ask during the auction, and rules for opening 1NT.

11/20/24 Update:  Added information distinguishing rules for 1NT overcalls vs 1NT openings

Pete Haglich

BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS!

Take a break from the holiday rush and learn to play bridge!

You will:   have fun!

                   make new friends!

                   exercise your brain!

Starting 12/07/2024,7 lessons ending 1/18/2025

Lessons run from 9:30 to 11:30 AM on Saturday mornings.

Where:  the Bridge Center

                4966 Euclid Rd., Va Beach, near Town Center

First  lesson free;  then $20 per lesson 

Information:   Carolyn Riegle  757 635 1516

                            wizard5753@yahoo.com

Unit 146 will hold the annual membership meeting at the Bridge Center in conjunction with the holiday party on Sunday, December 8th 2024.  The party will start at 11:30 with a short annual business meeting at 12:15 and a Unit Championship bridge game following shortly thereafter.

Players are invited to sign up to bring food for sharing.  Sign up lists are at the Bridge Center, or contact Pam Boyce or Louise Gordon.

In accordance with Section VI of the bylaws, the 2024 nominating committee met on 11 October 2024. Board members present were Betty Willis and Chuck Miesch.  Non Board members present were Carolyn Riegle, Beth Rafferty, and Linda White. There are 6 vacancies and 7 nominees. The following are the nominees for 2025:

• ​Michael Fairbanks
• ​Kathleen Haglich
• ​Herb Hurst
• ​Deborah Line
• ​Joann Tucker
• ​Maureen Brines
• ​Terrie Haynes

Additional nominees may be made by the membership at the time of the annual meeting.

Charlotte Halloween Regional

Masterpoint winners in Charlotte included:

Barbara Duer        26.85

JoAnn Tucker       26.85

Beth Reshefsky       5.21

Shary Schlain         5.21

Susan Bowles         4.39

Lynette Regan       4.39

And for variety, Jim Waller played in the Lancaster, PA Spooky Regional.

As always If I missed someone, let me know.

Bill Klichenman spends part of the year with us and part of the year in Michigan.  He played in the Marquette Michigan Sectional and earned 9.91 Silver.  Congrats Bill.

Open Letter to the ACBL Unit 146 Membership

Greetings,

It has been a while since I last provided an update on the status of the Bridge Center (BC).  To dispel rumors to the contrary, I can tell you that the Bridge Center finances are stable.  Our bank balance is currently at the same level as it was at the BC Annual meeting in February at about $32k.  We can sustain operations at our current location if there are no annual increases in rent (unlikely over any extended period of time).  Alternatively, we will be exploring other locations in the same centrally located area.  In the meantime, we can stay at the current venue at the current rent on a month to month lease but are subject to being forced with just 30 days notice which is not ideal.

Although we are looking at other options, including space provided by VB, nothing promising has surfaced as yet.  I will keep you updated as solutions develop; in the meantime, please enjoy your bridge competition at the BC.  The MWF games are all doing well and the new twice-monthly NLM game on Tuesday continues to grow.

I am pleased to report that Jennifer Douglas has begun a class for beginning players on Friday mornings that has attracted 6 new players who, hopefully, will graduate to live games on Tuesdays.  I believe that Carolyn is planning to start a series of lessons as well.  Keep an eye on this site and the BC bulletin board for updates as these classes are scheduled.

Upcoming are the Fall Sectional on 18-20 October and the Holiday Party game on Sunday, December 8th.  I look forward to seeing you at the bridge table and hope you find the game as challenging and fulfilling an activity as I do.

If you have ideas on how to improve the experience at the BC, please let me know, and I will look into how we can implement them.

Very Respectfully,

Tom Hirsch

Know someone who would appreciate a get well or condolence card.
Select the "Contact Us, Sunshine" from left menu and fill in form.
A card will be sent to the person by the Unit.

Many of you are receiving email from club owners about upcoming events and other bridge topics, even if you never signed up for them.  The club owners probably obtained your email from the ACBL roster.  The ACBL terms of use (found at https://web2.acbl.org/documentLibrary/about/termsofuse.pdf) allow them to send information about ACBL-sanctioned bridge events and announcements and newsletters discussing activities of the respective club, Unit, or District.  If you don't want to receive their emails then send them a note to direct them to remove you from their mailing list.  If they won't honor your wishes then let me know.

Emails from the Unit will be sent using the database we maintain on BridgeWebs, which is also updated with the ACBL roster.  If you want to opt out of those, you can either use the Contact Us form on the web page or else you can update your member profile in the Member Area (under Membership).  If neither of those work then contact the webmaster, Wrus Kristiansen, or myself.

P. Haglich