PCC Extended Learning has posted their fall schedule online.
Bridge I will meet on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., at Arcadia
High School. The first class meets on September 14 and runs for eight
consecutive weeks.
The title of the course and the book is "Bidding in the 21st Century,"
and while newcomers will learn the basics of the game, those of you who
have played a little bridge will rediscover and reinforce the
fundamentals of Standard American bidding.
Here's a shortened link that goes to PCC's online catalog:
http://goo.gl/EJQfw
If you've never played the game, you don't want to miss the first lesson
if at all possible. For current bridge players, the first session is
optional, but still entertaining.
While the focus is on bidding, each session also covers a topic on
declarer play; how to make your contract once you've won the auction.
If you or your friends are on the fence about learning to play bridge or
take the class, let them know that they can attend the first class
without formally signing up, free of charge. Try it and see what you
think. Let me know you're coming so I can be sure there will be space
for everyone.
Tell your friends! It's always nice to learn a new game along with a
friend or loved one, even as you'll be making new friends through the
game. Bridge players tend to be very interesting people. :)
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
http://whiteoaks.com
Hi all! The Pasadena Regional starts on Tuesday and runs for ten whole
days. It's at the Pasadena Hilton, 168 South Los Robles Ave.
If you have any plans to play, please send me a reply. I need to send a
list of names to Penny Barbieri who's in charge of the newcomer program.
The district has offered to give my students a free play when they buy
one for the regional.
There's a PDF file of the event schedule, which really won't make much
sense if you're not a tournament player. It has information about the
location and session times.
http://www.acbldistrict23.org/
That's the ACBL District 23 web site, and the link to the regional is on
the palm tree on the right.
Every day has "299er" games at 10:30 and 3:15. Each session is about 24
hands, and lasts usually a little over three hours. So it's a bit of a
commitment to play one! These are the games to track down as a newcomer.
There are no reservations or anything, you just show up and buy an
entry, $12 a pair. There is a partnership desk that will attempt to
match players with similar experience. There are also vendors selling
all kinds of bridge stuff, and a huge library of bridge books, between
sessions.
On Sunday July 3, I'd love to have a gathering over beer after the 3:15
session. We'll all have hand records and can talk about memorable hands.
There's a brewpub in Paseo Colorado that might not be too noisy to chat.
If you have questions about the regional or the different games on the
schedule, feel free to drop me a note.
As for my own schedule, I'm taking work off on Thursday and Friday to
play in a team of four in the "Knockouts." Other events, I don't have
scheduled at this point, but plan to play both sessions through the
weekend and holiday. Be sure to say "Hi!"
Cheers,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
http://bridgemojo.comhttp://otastro.orghttp://mojo.whiteoaks.com
Bridge II, _Play of the Hand in the 21st Century_, starts Wednesday
evening, 7:00 p.m., at a new venue, Arcadia High School, room D7. I'm
hoping for slightly better tables than at Building R at PCC. They've
promised round tables for four, we'll see!
More information is here: http://bridgemojo.com/pcc-spring-2011 and I
encourage you to register in advance on the PCC Extended Learning web
site here: http://bit.ly/ghapex
I was tickled to have several of my students play and do pretty well in
the newcomer game at the Arcadia Bridge Center last Saturday morning!
Art Gulbrandsen will be offering free beginning bridge at the Arcadia
Bridge Center on Tuesday mornings at 11:30 and Thursday evenings at
7:30. His course is free for six weeks, and they begin on April 19 and
April 21.
Hope to see you at the bridge table!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
http://bridgemojo.comhttp://otastro.orghttp://mojo.whiteoaks.com
Bridge II is what I'm calling the second bridge class in the ACBL's
"Bridge in the 21st Century" series. It focuses on declarer play, but
as with all of the courses, there are great tips for bidding and (now)
defender play as well.
PCC and I will be offering Bridge II for eight Wednesday evenings, from
7:00 - 9:00 p.m., starting April 13, ending June 1. Here is the online
link to sign up:
http://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&in…
(or a shortened form): http://bit.ly/ghapex
Anyone who currently plays the game of bridge is welcome in this class,
despite the web page specifying Bridge I as a prerequisite. I won't be
teaching what it means to follow suit, ruff a trick, or who is declarer. :)
On weeknights, PCC Extended Learning uses classrooms at nearby high
schools. I'm hoping that our room at Arcadia High School will be
preferable to Building R at PCC with its awkward desks.
* Last call for Stayman class *
This Saturday I'll be conducting a one-time lesson (#9 of the bidding
series) on the Stayman convention, with a great lesson and lots of hands
to play. This class is being hosted at Judi Gale's home in South
Pasadena, on Saturday the 26th (this Saturday) at 9:00 a.m. We only
have a seat or two left, so please send me a note now if you want to
join us. I'll follow up with directions. The class is $10.
* Beginning bridge at Arcadia Bridge Center *
Art Gulbrandsen from the Arcadia Bridge Center will be starting his free
beginning bridge series again in April, probably on Tuesday evenings and
Saturday mornings. He hasn't yet posted his starting dates, but as soon
as he does I'll also post them on http://BridgeMojo.com
His classes are a great opportunity to take a fresh start with bridge,
and a great introduction to their fine bridge center. I also recommend
it because I won't be offering beginning bridge again until next fall at
PCC.
I even recommend his class if you have taken mine! Different viewpoints
into the game are always valuable. Sometimes a different perspective
can help with difficult concepts.
Hope to see you soon at a bridge table!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
http://bridgemojo.comhttp://otastro.orghttp://mojo.whiteoaks.com
Hi all!
Most of you have attended my Bridge I class at PCC or elsewhere.
Another class is about to wrap up this weekend, on Saturday morning.
The first course, "Bidding in the 21st Century" actually has an optional
ninth class that teaches the Stayman convention.
The Stayman convention is probably the most popular and useful
convention in bridge bidding. When the opening bidder starts with 1NT,
the Stayman convention is used to uncover a 4-4 major suit fit when
responder (captain) is interested in playing in a game level contract.
Judi Gale has graciously offered to host this special "ninth class" of
the Bidding series at her home in South Pasadena. I will be offering
the class on Saturday morning, March 26, at 9:00 a.m.
The ACBL has written way too much material for this class! It's enough
for a long fun lesson, with exercises and eight full practice hands. My
plan is to be flexible, and offer as much or as little as you are
interested in doing. If you're a glutton for bridge, I'll have plenty
for you. :)
If you're interested in the class, please reply to this email. Space is
very limited. The cost for this one-time class is $10 each.
Next quarter at PCC I'll be offering "Bridge II," which focuses on
declarer play. I'll have those details in another email soon.
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
http://bridgemojo.comhttp://otastro.orghttp://mojo.whiteoaks.com
