Fun Time In Winnerpeg

Last week I had a great time at the Winnipeg Red River Regional The playing site was the Club Regent Casino Hotel. Good for those that made early exits from their KO matches, just a short walk to the gaming table.

The tournament co-chair Marlene Pontifex and Sue Treble with the help of their committee, once again did a wonderful job with hospitality. Free coffee and lunches daily, also a delicious buffet dinner on Thursday for all the players. 

When I go to a tournament, all I expect is clean playing cards and good lighting. So all the extras were well appeciated.

Another unique feature there was the card fee, play all week-sixteen sessions for a package deal of $175.00. 

Now a little humour.

I was playing with local lawyer turned comic-Brian Pauls in the Swiss when our opponent, a married couple came to the table. Brian asked them “play anything special?”

“Yes we play Precision with weak 12-14 no trumps.” was the reply.

Brian looked up at me and said “Michael, if they ever open one club, don’t even look at your cards, just bid one Spade.” 

First board out of the gate, while I was still counting my cards, the auction went Pass, Pass, One Club to me. Without looking at my hand and in tempo “one Spade.”

Right away my left hand opponent started bouncing in his chair, he looked at us then asked “what is that?” Brain answered “Spades-natural.” The lady looked at her hand again. 

I counted my cards out loud, placing them one at a time on the table “one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve!”

While the gentleman questioned “Natural?”

Brian piped up “I have fourteen.”

By now our opponents were dead serious, both said in unison “I want to see your hand” I turned over my cards  ♠ J73 ♥ Q32 ♦ 963 ♣ 653

The gentleman exploded “You can’t play control psychic!!”