Well it's Friday, my last day at the Regional. I'm sleeping less, thinking more and having an amazing time. I think my game has improved a lot this week, as you'd hope it would after playing morning, noon and night. I am so tired, I'm getting less sleep, 5 hours on average, less last night, my brain wont shut down. Despite being sleep deprived I'm making much smarter calls and plays, my game with Peter is really coming together and I'm SO much more relaxed and confident at the table.
I have a lot I want to blog about, an epiphany on 2/1 auctions, my first attempt at exclusion keycard, lebensohl nightmares, some humorous hands, some spectacular hands, table manners and lots more. What a week, I wish it wouldn't end, I have played so much good bridge and of course, I have been lucky enough to have the best partners.
5:30am; I'll see if I can snatch another hours sleep. One parting comment, it should be noted that so far in this tournament, Waynes best result has been with me. ;-)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Vancouver Regional Monday Charity Pairs winners:
We won!!! 65%
Thanks Wayne!
Now I need to sleep, I have another 4 days of this.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
counting down...
to my first Regional! I'm so excited, unfortunately my family don't share my enthusiasm as I have been out playing a lot of bridge lately. Fortunately, after the regional it will all come to a sudden stop, we'll be into the Ski season, Peter will be at the San Diego NABC and the closest I'll get to the game is having my nose in "Watsons, Play of the Hand." Well, perhaps the occasional day time game :)
Wayne is here from NZ and will stay with us for the duration of the regional before heading off to San Diego for the nationals. This is exciting too! I will be playing 4sessions with him in the regional :) Lucky me, the only trouble is my nerves when I'm playing with "A" players, I play much better with "C" players, my mistakes don't bother me so much. The same happens when I'm playing with Peter - I hold onto my mistakes and let them distract me. I will just have to forget who it is I'm playing with and try to have fun.
This is a big deal for me, its like playing with Zia. Whoooop!
I also have 5 sessions with Peter so I will, hopefully, be playing some great bridge next week. Peter has been working tirelessly with me on my signaling, counting, planning, card play - everything that I have neglected. Its such an eye opener having a regular partner - signaling is something I never did other than `high`I like it, `low`I don't, now I dont know how I played without it.
I still can`t believe I have such great partner and mentor.
In the recent sectional I played with a lovely lady, Jacquie from Osoyoos, and people think New Zealand place names are difficult! We will play 4 sessions together and I'm looking forward to playing again, we had some good games and a lot of fun at the sectional.
That's all for now, if I survive the regional I will of course, post the highs and lows! I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew by scheduling 3 games a day for 4 days, I hope I have the stamina for it.
Wayne is here from NZ and will stay with us for the duration of the regional before heading off to San Diego for the nationals. This is exciting too! I will be playing 4sessions with him in the regional :) Lucky me, the only trouble is my nerves when I'm playing with "A" players, I play much better with "C" players, my mistakes don't bother me so much. The same happens when I'm playing with Peter - I hold onto my mistakes and let them distract me. I will just have to forget who it is I'm playing with and try to have fun.
This is a big deal for me, its like playing with Zia. Whoooop!
I also have 5 sessions with Peter so I will, hopefully, be playing some great bridge next week. Peter has been working tirelessly with me on my signaling, counting, planning, card play - everything that I have neglected. Its such an eye opener having a regular partner - signaling is something I never did other than `high`I like it, `low`I don't, now I dont know how I played without it.
I still can`t believe I have such great partner and mentor.
In the recent sectional I played with a lovely lady, Jacquie from Osoyoos, and people think New Zealand place names are difficult! We will play 4 sessions together and I'm looking forward to playing again, we had some good games and a lot of fun at the sectional.
That's all for now, if I survive the regional I will of course, post the highs and lows! I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew by scheduling 3 games a day for 4 days, I hope I have the stamina for it.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
61%
A new top score! 61%
I remember, not too long ago, saying I would be happy to get 50%. If this is any measurement of improvement I guess I'm doing okay. The improvement is thanks to Peter,and I`ve been working hard and fooling around on BBO less.
I remember, not too long ago, saying I would be happy to get 50%. If this is any measurement of improvement I guess I'm doing okay. The improvement is thanks to Peter,and I`ve been working hard and fooling around on BBO less.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Lebensohl and other disasters
You've never seen a convention abused so much until you've seen my lebensohl bids. I'm so happy to remember that we play leb, I bid 2N at any opportunity.
Yesterday playing at the club I had a dreadful, weak balanced hand , just 4 clubs and bid 2N, passing 3C. Peter didn't flinch at all, he must have nerves of steel to play with me.
I already know I dont think enough before I bid or play and with new conventions I expect a few disasters before I remember how I should be using it. I seem to learn best from bitter experiences, I hope I dont make that mistake next time.
Lebensohl is the most advanced convention I have played. At first glance it seems straightforward but when I mapped out all of the auctions it is a exact and complex system full of nuances. No doubt I will have many more disasters along the way.
Another disturbing habit I need to break is my tendency to ruff with the wrong suit!
When I am in game/slam and have a equally good or better second suit I am ruffing with second suit. Wake up!! Subconsciously thinking the second suit would have been better, getting one step ahead or just careless, I dont know. One thing I might try is sorting my hand to place trump to the left or right. Currently I just sort black/red as the cards appear. Same story, I need to focus on the current trick and take more time & care.
Peter said nothing until after the set, and even then just laughed. Partners take note; I know I've messed up and I'm sick about it. The best thing you can do is let it go and not contribute to my discomfort. We can talk later about how I can avoid the same mistake & about the other mistakes I didn't even know I had made.
I'm having more fun playing the hands - with no better play available I underled Kx to dummy AJxxx hoping declarer would go up with the ace, he did. :-)
Despite a few hiccups it was another nice game. Playing is becoming less agonising and much more enjoyable as I get more confident.
Yesterday playing at the club I had a dreadful, weak balanced hand , just 4 clubs and bid 2N, passing 3C. Peter didn't flinch at all, he must have nerves of steel to play with me.
I already know I dont think enough before I bid or play and with new conventions I expect a few disasters before I remember how I should be using it. I seem to learn best from bitter experiences, I hope I dont make that mistake next time.
Lebensohl is the most advanced convention I have played. At first glance it seems straightforward but when I mapped out all of the auctions it is a exact and complex system full of nuances. No doubt I will have many more disasters along the way.
Another disturbing habit I need to break is my tendency to ruff with the wrong suit!
When I am in game/slam and have a equally good or better second suit I am ruffing with second suit. Wake up!! Subconsciously thinking the second suit would have been better, getting one step ahead or just careless, I dont know. One thing I might try is sorting my hand to place trump to the left or right. Currently I just sort black/red as the cards appear. Same story, I need to focus on the current trick and take more time & care.
Peter said nothing until after the set, and even then just laughed. Partners take note; I know I've messed up and I'm sick about it. The best thing you can do is let it go and not contribute to my discomfort. We can talk later about how I can avoid the same mistake & about the other mistakes I didn't even know I had made.
I'm having more fun playing the hands - with no better play available I underled Kx to dummy AJxxx hoping declarer would go up with the ace, he did. :-)
Despite a few hiccups it was another nice game. Playing is becoming less agonising and much more enjoyable as I get more confident.
Monday, October 12, 2009
October update
I have been playing more club bridge with Peter and playing much less online. I am beginning to prefer studying or working on my play than playing online which must be better for my game. I have a few great partners on BBO and I’m rarely playing pickup games now.
October has been busy kicking off with a day of play/lesson at the club hosted by Mike Lawrence. I enjoyed it, came away with a few tips and 2 more of his CD’s – Counting#1 and Private Bridge Lessons#1. I heard of a 2-day workshop Mike held over the weekend that sounded intense but excellent. I wish I had been able to attend but it was by invitation only, "nobodies" didn’t get an invite. Oh well.
One interesting point Mike Lawrence made was to play (4S) X as takeout, (4S) 4N as 2 suited. I have been playing takeout through 4H, 4S X as penalty. When was the last time anyone made a penalty double of a preemptive 4S?
My brother Ian, Fuxia and Angus flew in from New Zeand for a great 3 week visit. Ian and Fuxia played one Friday night at the VBC and came in a respectable 2nd, another night I managed a teams game with them . Ian and Fuxia played together while I had a nice game with a pickup partner. My game is improving. At IMPS I need to be more competitive, I’ve been learning to be less aggressive in MP’s and haven’t yet sorted it all out so I can adjust my game to the scoring method. Yet another part of the game I need to work on.
Two weeks until the sectional, I have one game arranged with Peter and hoping for more, if not I will find a partner from the partnership desk. Better to play in C (0-50) than not at all - I think! Honestly, I'd much rather play in A or open and come last having played some good bridge than play in 0-xxx any day.
I have been doing a lot of work on our CC. I am gradually filling it up and working through all the sequences, signaling, leads etc and Peter is doing a fabulous job of explaining the reasoning behind it all and keeping me on track. It is developing into a very useful document for me, one day I hope to share it.
I'm enjoying a lot of good bridge lately but Im also looking forward to the first snow fall, we could be making a trip to Sun Peaks next month for the first skiing of the season.
Back to counting..
October has been busy kicking off with a day of play/lesson at the club hosted by Mike Lawrence. I enjoyed it, came away with a few tips and 2 more of his CD’s – Counting#1 and Private Bridge Lessons#1. I heard of a 2-day workshop Mike held over the weekend that sounded intense but excellent. I wish I had been able to attend but it was by invitation only, "nobodies" didn’t get an invite. Oh well.
One interesting point Mike Lawrence made was to play (4S) X as takeout, (4S) 4N as 2 suited. I have been playing takeout through 4H, 4S X as penalty. When was the last time anyone made a penalty double of a preemptive 4S?
My brother Ian, Fuxia and Angus flew in from New Zeand for a great 3 week visit. Ian and Fuxia played one Friday night at the VBC and came in a respectable 2nd, another night I managed a teams game with them . Ian and Fuxia played together while I had a nice game with a pickup partner. My game is improving. At IMPS I need to be more competitive, I’ve been learning to be less aggressive in MP’s and haven’t yet sorted it all out so I can adjust my game to the scoring method. Yet another part of the game I need to work on.
Two weeks until the sectional, I have one game arranged with Peter and hoping for more, if not I will find a partner from the partnership desk. Better to play in C (0-50) than not at all - I think! Honestly, I'd much rather play in A or open and come last having played some good bridge than play in 0-xxx any day.
I have been doing a lot of work on our CC. I am gradually filling it up and working through all the sequences, signaling, leads etc and Peter is doing a fabulous job of explaining the reasoning behind it all and keeping me on track. It is developing into a very useful document for me, one day I hope to share it.
I'm enjoying a lot of good bridge lately but Im also looking forward to the first snow fall, we could be making a trip to Sun Peaks next month for the first skiing of the season.
Back to counting..
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
September
Not much blogging happening, a lot of live play instead :)
I played in a sectional here last weekend. 4 sessions, 1 with Peter and 3 with a pickup partner.
I had a good game with Peter, below average in the other 3 games. I love tournament play.
I will play in another sectional here next month then the regional in November. The next NABC is in San Diego but it doesnt look like I will be able to go. My travel documents expire in November and my family quite rightly, wont stand for it! But...perhaps I could persuade Bill to take a trip to SanDiego for our 10th wedding anniversary which just happens to fall during the NABC. LOL I think that would be pushing my luck too far.
More to come...
I played in a sectional here last weekend. 4 sessions, 1 with Peter and 3 with a pickup partner.
I had a good game with Peter, below average in the other 3 games. I love tournament play.
I will play in another sectional here next month then the regional in November. The next NABC is in San Diego but it doesnt look like I will be able to go. My travel documents expire in November and my family quite rightly, wont stand for it! But...perhaps I could persuade Bill to take a trip to SanDiego for our 10th wedding anniversary which just happens to fall during the NABC. LOL I think that would be pushing my luck too far.
More to come...
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