You'll Never Believe It - a Tornado and a Tropical Storm

You'll Never Believe What Happened

. . . When We Started Online Games

June 2, 2020

Online bridge games literally got off to a stormy start when a tornado in Vermont disrupted our trial game, Suzy Donavan (BBO: SHDVT) and Nancy Donavan (BBO: VTSCAT) had to leave to take shelter. Fortunately, Directors Jim Churchill and Gary Kuchcinski already had lined up Susan Larson and Nick Miller as experimental substitutes.. The directors had wanted experience in substituting players, never expecting it would actually be necessary.

A few games later, Mitzi Miller (BBO: Chumico) left her computer without explanation. She quickly returned, with apologies, to explain that a sudden tropical storm was about to blow the patio furniture through the glass door. at her beach home on the Panama Coast.

Who would ever having imagined challenges like these?

It has been wonderful to see so many people enjoying our virtual games, and we thank Jim and Gary for their hard work in getting them started.

If you haven't tried a virtual game, please join us soon.

--Chuck Abramo and Jo Murray

Learn to Finesse Like the Experts in Online Classes

We've added extra classes on both defense and declarer play.

Here's this month's schedule:. Details are at SunValleyBridge.com under Online Lessons.

June 4 & 5 - Understanding and Using Third-Hand High, Part 2
June 8 & 10 - Best Finessing Techniques, Part 1
June 11 & 12 - Understanding and Using Second-Hand Low, Part 1
June 15 & 17 - Best Finessing Techniques, Part 2
June 18 & 19 - Understanding and Using Second-Hand Low, Part 2
June 29 & July 1 - Eliminating Losers, Part 1
July 2 & 3 - Defensive Signals Revisited

Cost is $25 per lesson or 5 lessons for $120. You can sign up with jo@sunvalleybridge.com. If you're already registered, it's not necessary to sign up again. Private online lessons also are available.

Introducing Marty Bergen's Column for Sun Valley Bridge

We've arranged for bridge great Marty Bergen, 10 times national champion, ACBL Bridge Bulletin columnist, and author of Points Schmoints! and many other books, to contribute regular articles for our e-newsletter. Marty thinks of himself first and foremost as a teacher, and our students know how often we quote him. He's also making his audiovisual lessons available to Sun Valley Bridge players at a significant discount when they buy 5 or more lessons. Click here for more details; click here to order. We have three players who have purchased all 50 of them!

Even better offer: Two people may pool their orders to get the discounted pricing. Call Marty at (800) 386-7432; the website is not set up for pooled orders.

How to Use Lead-Directing Doubles

by Marty Bergen

Help your partner make better opening leads. I've always maintained that there is an easy way for any player to improve his result as well as become a more sought-after partner. Does that sound too good to be true? Here's the story. MORE

Bid This Hand

One of our students played this hand online and asked our advice.

Click here for Marty Bergen's thoughts.

Mary Schelling

Makes Life Master

Mary Schelling (BBO: MBWS), who divides her time between Sun Valley and Orinda, California,, became a life master in the last of our four special silver point games in May. Her partner was Felicity Warner (BBO: Ipassedtoo), her partner in Orinda. Congratulations, Mary!

1 NT Overcall

Requires a Stopper

A notrump bid in competition always promises at least one stopper - preferably two -- in the opponents' suit. If the opponents have been silent, the opening lead could be any suit. If the opponents have bid, they are virtually certain to lead the suit they bid. So be prepared.

Play in Our Special Virtual Game on Tuesday, 23

We'll have an extra virtual game at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23. Many of us will be at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch for the Sun Valley Bridge Club retreat that week. You can join the game from anywhere, just as you can join our regular virtual games. We still have a few spots left at the retreat if you'd like to join us. We'll be glad to fill you in on the health precautions that will be in place. A second retreat is scheduled for Aug. 27-30.

Zoom Potluck, Join Us Again on June 10

Thank you, Sylvia and Nick Miller, for hosting almost two dozen people at May's virtual potluck.

Please join us for the next Zoom potluck on Wednesday, June 10, at 5:15, immediately after our virtual game. RSVP to Sylvia Miller at sylmill2009@gmail.com and she will send you instructions.

Who's Online?

When you're playing in our online games, you can bring up your opponents' BBO profiles by clicking on the bars with their BBO user names.

Our game is limited to our players, online lesson students and people with whom our regular players have relationships. For example, a SV Bridge player from Los Angeles invited her Southern California partner to play in our game. (We'll introduce you to some new virtual friends, as well as some former locals, by BBO name in a future e-newsletter.) If we have a sit-out, our directors will invite any available BBO volunteer substitutes to fill in. A partial list of user names is available.

Guess Who Else Is on BBO

If you're playing bridge online, you have some well-known company. Warren Buffet estimates that he plays bridge eight hours a week, frequently with Bill Gates as a partner. See the entire story here