Thursday Open Game 2 April 2026
We were very happy to have Julian Dunlop visiting us again today after many years being away. Nancy Pierce was also back. We had a 10 table Mitchell movement today. It is nice to see our numbers gradually growing because it is another sign of spring.
Congratulations to Carole/Pam and Donna/Peter for the first place finishes today. Jim/Bob were first place in the B strat. Nancy/Nancy and Patti/Linda also earned points in the C strat.
Wednesday Open Game 1 April 2026
Welcome to Hildy, Gary and Steve. We are happy to see you here today! We had a perfect 9 table Mitchell for our Club Championship today. Congratulations to the Fogarty Teams for first place finishes - Leslie/Suzanne and Bob/David. Pam/Lynn was first in the B strat. Gary/Joe and Carolyn/Judy were first place in the C strat. Louise and Hildy also earned points in the C strat.
Tuesday 31 March 2026
We had 5 tables in out first 2/1 lesson and 4.5 tables in our Pupil game with the director filling out a half table as 3 people left after the lesson, but all expect to play in the future. The lesson explained when 2/1 was in effect and what advantages it gives you. Next week we will discuss 1NT forcing as a necessary component to 2/1.
We welcomed 2 new members, Paul Snyder (who has never played bridge before) and Chuck Thomas (who hasn't played in 30 (although his brother-in-law said it was 40) years). Welcome Paul and Chuck and congrats on finishing tied for 3rd, Chuck!
Jan and Denis were the winners with 61.46% and Melissa and Dianne were a close second with 60.42
Looking forward to seeing you all again next week! --Carl
Thursday Open Game 27 March 2026
It was certainly nice to have Carl back from TX today. We had a great 9 Table Mitchell movement today where all NS teams played all EW teams. We had a first place tie between Joyce/Carl and Sandy/Bob. Donna/Peter were first place in the C strat. Brent/Darrell, Ed/Jim and Pat/Marie-Laure all earned points in the C strat.
Wednesday Open Game 25 March 2026
Today we ran a 7-1/2 table Howell movement. This is the first Howell movement we have run in a long time. Everyone moved around smoothly. Thank you!
Congratulations to Mary/David for their bid 73% game win today! Lisa/Barbara were first in the B strat and Mary/Michael were first in the C strat. Patti/Bob also placed in the C strat earning Bob his first ACBL points!
I do like Howell games because they seem to award points to more players - 8 teams earned points and 6 teams did not earn points.
Tuesday 24 March 2026
We had the first "Carl" lesson in 2026, opening and responding to one of a minor. Interest was expressed in learning 2/1 rather than standard American, and it was put to a vote of the 12 students attending and more voted for it than against, so we will start 2/1 next week and it affects the lesson reponding to 1 of a major. See you next week for the lesson.
We had three tables in the pupil game and played 5 rounds of 4 boards, although some had to leave early and received No Plays in the last round. The winners today with 62.5% were Elizabeth and Dianne! Second place went to Wynne and Betty 57.99%. Congratulations!
See you next week with a brand new lesson!----Carl
Tuesday, March 17 2026
We had a happy St. Patrick's Day with a variety of refreshments brought by our loyal band of bridge players who have returned again and again despite weather and diminishing partners. We even had a visit from a gigantic Leprechaun top hat. With only 2.5 tables, we played fast and loose with partnerships so that no one had to sit out for 5 Boards.
Next week Carl starts a new series of lessons. It's been fun directing this game and my thanks go out to Suzanne , especially in helping me post results, and To Sue Hills for her poetry and her overall support. You have been a great group.
Pam
Thursday Open Game 12 March 2026
We had a full 8 table Mitchell movement today. Congratulations to Joyce/Bill and Donna/Peter for the first place finishes. Roger/Connie were first in the B strat NS. The C strat finishers were Bob/Mark, Ed/Jim and Suzanne/Tom.
I managed to fix the men's room stall so the door now latches!
Congratulations to all!, Nobody got less than 40% on 5 March 2026 as we approach the IDES!
Our winners, Joe and Paul got a 59.95%! Fantastic! The points will be adjusted by ACBL and turned RED! Second place were Roger and Connie with 58% You can look at the others in N-S.
EW winners were Andi and Liz with 56% followed by Joyce and Bill at 54%
Congratulations to all our winners!
Next week Skip will be back from St. Louis and the Nationals!
See you then.
Suzanne S
Hello All,
Sorry about wrong hands posted yesterday. They were from March 2025 not March 2026
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I just got home and looked at the scores for board 1. The scores showed NS getting a score in Hearts, while the hand records look wrong. I used Skip's computer and will look at the results again on Thursday morning when I have the cards in front of me. Perhaps I had the wrong card file. The results (numerically) were done by the computer. I might have put the scores onto the wrong card file.
Suzanne
It looks like I put in wrong card files. I found the correct one,but I used Skip's email to post. I cannot erase what I posted from Skip's email. I have to go use Skip's computer.
Here are the overall results. I can load hands, but you will have to look at your score sheets to see how you played the hand. I will post the correct scores and contracts with opponents results on Thursday and delete what I posted earlier.
Sorry.
Monday March 2 2026
Another reminder that I will be back March 24 to start my series of lessons. Many thanks to Pam Robinson for keeping the lessons going over the winter. As you may recall, I plan to keep going with the series beyond the usual beginning bidding lessons and get into play of the hand and defense before I leave again for Texas in December 2026. We will start with responding to an open of 1 of a minor for our first lesson in the series. I hope to see everyone again on March 24th! -----Carl
Thursday Open Game February 26 2026
We had an upgraded Club Championship game today or our 10-1/2 table Mitchell movement. Congratulations to Sandy/Bob and Cliff/Carl for the first place finishes. Gordon/Jack and Joe/Paul were first place in the B strat. Alan/Ken and Suzanne/Tom placed in the C strat.
Wednesday Open Game 25 February 2026
Today the NE stalwarts travelled in the snow to play a 5-1/2 table Howell movement. Congratulations to Bob/David who barely by-passed Claudia/Carl. Lisa/Barbara were first in the B strat and Nancy/John were first in the C strat. Tomorrow should be a lot warmer. See you then.
There was an error on board 31 which I just corrected.
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2/25/26 8am
There is no snow now so I will be at the club and the GAME IS ON today. It looks like we may get a little snow this morning, but it warms up in the afternoon so should turn to rain by then. I do plan to get to the club early to check out the parking.
UPDATE: I just arrived at the club. Rt 1 is clear so I expect highways are clear. If you can get out of your driveway and town roads I expect you can make it here safely. I think we have had about 1/2" of snow. The weather radar shows we have gone through the brunt of the snow and there are only scattered snow and warming weather (37 by 3 pm) from here on out, so I expect the roads to be cleared by the time bridge is over.
However it is up to you to decide if it is safe for you to come to bridge today.
Tuesday February 24
Hi all! This is Carl. I will be returning to teach in exactly 1 month on March 24. I look forward to seeing you all. Unless someone has a reason not to do so, I plan to start with the second lesson and forego the first lesson on point counting and hand evaluation. If you have a comment about that plan, or want me to start with something else, please text me at 501-416-8305 or email me at cvwikstrom@gmail.com
See you in a month! ----Carl
Wednesday Open Game 18 February 2026
We had a very nice 10 full tables. Congratulations to Larry/Vincent and David/Bob for the first place finishes. Congratulations to Barbara/Lisa and Bob/James for first place in the B strat. Congratulations to Mary/Suzanne and Judy/Carolyn for first place in the C strat.
Board 18 was later modified to show 1NT making EW not NS.
but you do not need a lot of points. Had North had the Ace instead of King. she would have had 13 points and Sue would have had 11 - all that is is 24 points. A long ways from the +points that is normally needed. Would you like to have the hands shown? even if the scores are not available?
Poem by Sue Hill (one of Pam's students)
Poem 10 Feb 2026
Today’s bridge lesson was New Minor Forcing,
For which Suzanne did some abundant outsourcing.
Partner bids a minor and you bid a major with five.
Partner has less than 3 of each major so bids 1NT to stay alive.
You bid the other minor to give partner a clue,
Now your partner knows exactly what they should do.
We also reviewed the rules of weak 2’s,
Going down when vulnerable and doubled has you singing the blues.
Don’t save your partner and here is why,
You might go down big time and it will make you cry.
When you go down by 5?
Don’t like that jive.
Here we go now with a practice hand of weak 3’s.
Sure hoping it doesn’t knock me on my knees.
We played boards 1 through 4
And asked for 4 more.
Round and round and round we go
Where Dave lands nobody knows.
Jane gets to be dealer and open the bidding
Only 1 spade this time? You’ve got to be kidding.
I have 2 good majors which one should I bid?
Sometimes there’s no good answer, on this I don’t kid.
One thing is for sure that in bidding I sometimes lie,
And when my cards are laid down I hope my partner won’t sigh.
As you can tell by my ditty today was good fun!
When 3 o’clock came we were sad to be done.
To Suzanne as our temp teacher we bid fond adieu,
To Pam who’s returning we look forward to seeing you.
To the students who’ve been missing please return and join our good time.
It might help to stop me from making these lesson notes that rhyme.
Please bring us your friends who want to learn to play bridge
We meet 11-3, do bring your lunch, there’s a fridge!
A lesson is followed by quick eats at your table.
We are helpful to beginners because we want them to be able
To play with us each Tuesday and join our merry band
Of ACBL bridge players across this great land.
Thanks for tolerating my ditty of today’s lovely lesson.
For me this comes naturally, you tell me, a curse or a blessin’?
See you next week for more bridge drills,
Kind regards with respect from fellow student, Sue Hills.
Thursday Open Game 12 February 2026
We welcome Philip Placzek who was here for the first time today! Congrats to Darrell/Brent and Carl/Cliff for 1st place finishes. Barbara/Joyce and Ellen/Nancy were 1st in the B strat. Jim/Ed and Sharon/Philip were first in the C strat. Paul/Joe and Margaret/Dave also placed in the C strat.
Wednesday Open Game February 11 2026
We were happy to welcome Susan Scott to our game today for the first time. We had a full 9 tables in our 25% Gold Point game. Congratulations to Nancy/Daryl for a fabulous first place finish. Bob/James and Mary/Dave tied for first place in NS. Mary/Michael were first place in the B strat. Nancy/Barbara came in first place in the C strat.
Today’s bridge lesson was New Minor Forcing,
For which Suzanne did some abundant outsourcing.
Partner bids a minor and you bid a major with five.
Partner has less than 3 of each major so bids 1NT to stay alive.
You bid the other minor to give partner a clue,
Now your partner knows exactly what they should do.
We also reviewed the rules of weak 2’s,
Going down when vulnerable and doubled has you singing the blues.
Don’t save your partner and here is why,
You might go down big time and it will make you cry.
When you go down by 5?
Don’t like that jive.
Here we go now with a practice hand of weak 3’s.
Sure hoping it doesn’t knock me on my knees.
We played boards 1 through 4
And asked for 4 more.
Round and round and round we go
Where Dave lands nobody knows.
Jane gets to be dealer and open the bidding
Only 1 spade this time? You’ve got to be kidding.
I have 2 good majors which one should I bid?
Sometimes there’s no good answer, on this I don’t kid.
One thing is for sure that in bidding I sometimes lie,
And when my cards are laid down I hope my partner won’t sigh.
As you can tell by my ditty today was good fun!
When 3 o’clock came we were sad to be done.
To Suzanne as our temp teacher we bid fond adieu,
To Pam who’s returning we look forward to seeing you.
To the students who’ve been missing please return and join our good time.
It might help to stop me from making these lesson notes that rhyme.
Please bring us your friends who want to learn to play bridge
We meet 11-3, do bring your lunch, there’s a fridge!
A lesson is followed by quick eats at your table.
We are helpful to beginners because we want them to be able
To play with us each Tuesday and join our merry band
Of ACBL bridge players across this great land.
Thanks for tolerating my ditty of today’s lovely lesson.
For me this comes naturally, you tell me, a curse or a blessin’?
See you next week for more bridge drills,
Kind regards with respect from fellow student, Sue Hills.
Wednesday Open Game 4 February 2026
Thank you for coming to today's game, our Wednesday Unit Championship. Congratulations to David & Nancy for placing first overall, and to Larry & Vinnie for placing second overall and first in North/South. Also congratulations to our C players Bob & Mark and Gordon & Jack for placing in this game. 
3rd February 2026
We had an informative class today! We reviewed bids that need "alerting" and "explanation" like NT is 15 to 17!.
We also reviewed penalties for missing your contracts, both vulnerable and non-vulnerable as well as what doubling does to a missed contract!
The lesson was about Weak 2s. and when and why we make those bids.
Having only 2 tables we could not run a game using the bridge mates, but we had a grand time playing over 20 boards! Lots of practice! and we had a great time!
thanks to all who showed up!
NEXT WEEK New Minor Forcing! and I was finally able to print out the handouts for today!
See you next Tuesday!
Suzanne
TUESDAY FEB 3rd. Bring your manila envelope handouts!
Lesson and Game on Tuesday, January 27 is cancelled
Lessons and game will resume on February 3. Hope everyone has recovered from the storm, illness, or travel fatigue.!
Thursday Open Game 15 January 2026
We had a great 10 tables in our upgraded point game today. Welcome to Bob Bilharz who was playing with Patti Andrews. First place was earned by Bob/Dave and Connie/Roger. Ellen/Nancy and Joyce/Bill were first in the B strat and Jim/Ed and Brent/Carol were first place in the C strat. It was nice to see everyone talking and enjoying each other.
Wednesday Open Game 14 January 2026
Thanks for coming out. Congralations to Carl & Cliff and Dave & Bob. Congratulations to Gordon & Jack and Michael & Mary and Pat & Sherry for placing in our C group. This was a GNT Fund game, so check the ACBL Masterpoint awards, they might be higher than are listed here.
Thursday Open game 08 Jan 2026.
Congratulations to NS Brent and Skip for first overall! followed closely by the Vancelettes!~ ES top score were the Atwoods! followed by Lisa and Barbara! Good show everyone! Thank you for coming to our beautiful club on such a winter day!
The results will be compared to the whole region of New England and the Masterpoints will be upgraded at the end of the STAC games!
Thank you for coming to bridge!
See you next Thursday~!
Skip
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Pupil Game
We had 2.5 tables with a phantom pair. Top scorers were Melissa Vokey and Dianne Luby (1) and Bob Eberhart and Jean Lanham (2). After discussing future lessons with the players during their sit outs, I decided to spend more time on the various meanings of "double". Next week, please bring any handouts you have on the take-out double.
Pam
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