August 31st, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
No Comments 
Sunday 30th August. First day of the 39th World Team Championship.
It is a beautiful day here, sunny and warm.
The playing site is good and there is a buzz in the air fill with positive energy. After months of work and anticipation, we are ready for action. There will be 21, 16 board matches. The top 8 will play in the quarter finals. Bridgemates are being used. The score is up to date as soon as the last card is played in the match.
The open room
It is time to test the water. Our opponents for the first day are,
Match 1 vs Barbados. Our line up is Joan-Barbara in the open room, Kiz-Susan in the close room. Both pairs played well and we won 22 VP-8 VP. In 2nd position.
Match 2 vs Egypt. For this match we have Karen-Pamela in the open Room, Joan-Barbara in the close room. The other team had the better of us, on the upside we got 10 useful VPs. Total of 32 VP have us tied for 9th.
So far the hands had been wild, lets see what they are like in the next match.
Match 3 vs Spain. We have Kiz-Susan in the close and Pamela-Karen in the open. We got beat and got only 9VP. For the day our total is 41, just 9VP out of 8th place.
We tested the water and got our toes bitten, better be careful to-morrow as there are sharks in these waters.
Last night while the Mayor of Sao Paulo was giving his welcome speech in Portuguese, the Shoe-aka Michael Schoenborn remarked ” That sounds like Boris explaining to me our convention card!”
August 30th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
No Comments
“The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.”– Henry Boye
Saturday 29th August.
Sunny and warm here in Sao Paulo.
The rest of our team, Kiz, Susan and Maurice arrived this afternoon. The Canadian senior team also arrived, however they are staying at the Hilton down the road. With all the traffic, if you are lucky, down the road here can turn into an hour by car.
After breakfast, Karen, Pamela, Joan and Barb went to a grocery store. This is a quite expensive hotel, buffet dinner is 63 Brazilian Real in the restaurant. That is about C$37 without drinks. Barb had a glass of red wine that only costed 20 Real.
Captain’s meeting at 3.30 to go over all the do’s and dont’s. Soon it was time to change into our smart team uniforms and some photos, before going to the opening ceremony in the Teatro Alfa.
We had an excellent team meeting. We resolved to play our best and let the imps fall where they may. Let the Bridge Goddess look after the details.
Canada MPP Women's Team
As in many of these opening ceremonies, the speeches were a little long, the drinks and food were great! The musical show was terrific! The best part was seeing all our friends from around the world.
Some Canadians in Sao Paulo
August 29th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
6 Comments
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”– James Michener.
Friday 28th August.
Sunny and warm here in Sao Paulo, a city of 20 million people. As Brazil was a Portuguese Colony from 1500 to 1822, Portuguese remind the primary language. Muito Prazer-it is a pleasure.
The 3 of us arrived at Guarulhos International Airportaround 1pm in the afternoon. Our flight was delayed close to 2 hours. Due to fog, the airport was closed in early morning. We were the lucky ones, some had delay for 7 hours. Patrick Jourdain took 27 hours to get here!
We were met at the airport by the local welcoming committee. They took us to our home for the next two weeks, the host hotel and playing site-Hotel Transamerica. It is about a 2 hours drive from the airport. The local traffic is crazy, sure glad we are staying on site. The rooms are spacious and the Internet is free, what more can one ask for.
Hoteis Transamerica
Pamela got here in the morning and Karen just checked in. Both their flights were delayed but good news is they arehere. It is nice see them again after Penticton. Kiz, Susan and Maurice will be here to-morrow.
After unpacking, I went down to pick up our badges and registration bags. Will meet up with Karen, Pamela, Joan and Barbara for dinner in the evening. It will be early night for me as I am so tired from the trip.
August 28th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
No Comments
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang.
Thursday 27th August.
Mostly sunny here in Vancouver.
To-day is my traveling day. I am all packed and ready to leave for Sao Paulo , Brazil. The excitement has been building and I look forward to enjoying the journey.
My flight from Vancouver to Toronto is about four and a half hours. Then I take the overnight flight to Sao Paulo, that flight is much longer, ten hours. Lucky for me, I have the delightful company of Joan and Barbara on this leg of the journey. 11,512 km-7153 miles later, we will arrive at Guarulhos International Airport around noon.
The Traveller at YVR Joan and Barbara
August 26th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
No Comments
“Those were the days my friends, we thought they’d never end, we sing and dance forever and a day, we’d live the life we choose, we’d flight and never lose, for we were young and sure to have our way.” -Song by Mary Hopkin, lyrics by Gene Raskin.
David Sabourin (west) and Jeff Smith (east) are two of Canada’s younger players. As with young people, they also have much more imagination then the rest of us.
Dealer West. E-W not Vulnerable.
As West, you hold ♠ 10532 ♥ 10642 ♦ J10 ♣ Q62.
What do you bid if this is the auction?
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Pass |
1♦ |
DBL |
Pass |
| 1♥ |
Pass |
4♣ * |
Pass |
| ? |
|
|
|
In response to partner’s takeout double, 1♥ is reasonable. When partner makes a splinter bid of 4♣, what do you bid? I suspect most of us would bid 4♥ as we don’t have much of a hand, the club queen rated to be worthless.
Well, not our David, he bid 4♠!
This was the rest of the auction at David and Jeff’s table.
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Pass |
1♦ |
DBL |
Pass |
| 1♥ |
Pass |
4♣ |
Pass |
| 4♠ |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
| 5♣ |
Pass |
6♥ |
Pass |
| Pass |
Pass |
|
|
Jeff had good reason to look for slam after that 4♠. 4NT was RKC, 5♣ was zero key card, settled in 6♥.
Full marks to David, he proceed to make the hand. He took advantage of a slight defensive slip-trick two North switched to a trump, the heart three.
North could have beaten this hand two ways. At trick two, switched to a low spade, or continued with the club king. Both plays would have end-played dummy, David would have no way to get home.
Click on Next to see the movie.
August 24th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
1 Comment
The Lightner slam double asks the partner of the doubler to make an aggressive but unusual lead. The opening leader is on no account to make the passive lead of a trump. Nor is he to make the routine lead of a suit bid by either himself or his partner.
Pamela (west) and Sondra (east) had a good auction to an excellent grand slam in spade.
4NT was Roman key Card and 5 ♠ shown 2 key cards with the trump queen. 5NT asked for kings and 6♥ shown the ♥ king. They bid the grand slam with confidence.
Joan (north) made a Lightner Double to great effect. Barbara (south) was up to the task and led a heart for Joan to ruff, setting the contract one trick.
As you can see, without the Lightner Double, Barbara may have led a club-her partner’s bid suit, declarer would have made the grand slam in comfort.
August 22nd, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
2 Comments
Last weekend my son Jeff and his Winnipeg based team Chaos. Won the Canada Mixed Team Championship – against team Onyx from Quebec. They earned the right to represent Canada in the World Ultimate Championship in Prague, Czech Republic May 2010.
This year’s Ultimate final was played at Canad Inns Stadium, where Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team play their home games. Thousands turned out in the rain to cheer on the home team. It was a treat to watch, as action on the field and instantaneous replays were shown on the JumboTron. The final score was 14-8 for the home town favourites.
Chaos first won this title in 1999, again in 2003 represented Canada in the World Championship in Tuku, Finland. Where they earned Silver in a hard fought final against a very good Team USA.
Wishing Jeff and team Chaos the best of luck in the Worlds next year.
August 21st, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
4 Comments
It was middle of July, Canada Women’s Team just won their bi-country playoff against Mexico, earned the right to The World Championship. Pamela, Karen, Joan, Barbara, Kiz and Susan asked me to be their non-playing captain. I was honoured and happy to accept. Even since, I have had my hands full and been loving it!
This year the Venice Cup takes place from 30th August to 12th September in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Much earlier then previous years. That means we have less time to prepare for the championship.
There are practice matches to organize, training sessions to schedule. It is not that easy when one has to deal with three different times zones. Fortunately we have the excellent team of Beverly Kraft and Eric Kokish coaching us. Our system-convention cards to submit. The reading and analysis of all twenty-one countries’ convention cards so that our team will be prepared for any unusual methods they may throw our way. On a chance exchange with Joan, I discovered she too has been examining the convention cards. I am very grateful for her effort in completing this enormous task.
There is also air and ground travel to be arranged, hotel reservations to make. Have you ever tried talking English to a Portuguese speaking hotel operator? The joy of applying for a travel visa. The Consulado-Geral Do Brasil moves to a different drummer.
On the fashion front, team uniforms to co-ordinate. Lucky for me, Pamela has been a great help. All I have to do is search the City of Vancouver to find a milky white jacket to match the women’s. We will be one of the smartly dressed teams at the opening ceremony.
The cost of this Championship is considerable, unfortunately for our team, funding from Canadian Bridge Federation is rather limited. There is the search for corporate sponsorships. The need to secure funding from different Clubs, Units, and Districts. Short of selling cookies, other fund raising activities. It is wonderful to have everyone on our team worked hard on this. There is a lot of work and also at the same time, rewarding.
We are grateful that Linda and Ray Lee of Master Point Press agreed to be our team sponsor. We are happy to be named Canada Master Point Press Women’s Team in the championship.
It is a week before we leave and most of the logistics are done!
However, most of my work is just beginning when my flight lands in Sao Paulo. There will be meetings to attend. Once the tournament starts, lineups to submit, scores to report, matches to record and hopefully no appeals committees to sit in.
From time to time, I will be called upon to make decisions and problem solve for the team. Contribute to team harmony and lift their spirits. Cheers!
My work is not done after the last match of the day. Check on dinner reservation-to keep our team fed and happy. When all have gone to bed, there is the small matter of writing a blog for all in Canada to follow.
Lucky for me, we have three very well established partnerships and they all respect and like each other. We will play our best and make Canada proud. I look forward to The Venice Cup in Sao Paulo with optimism.
Oh, I must not forget to file the captain’s report on return.
Yes, my hands will be full for some time to come. Ate Logo.
August 20th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
4 Comments
Generally it is a good idea in competitive auctions to bid one more when both sides had found a fit. Here is an example.
Susan (west) playing with Kiz (east) competed over their oppents’ 4♠ with 4NT-takeout for the minors, landed in 5♦DBL! With careful play Kiz made eleven tricks for plus 750.
You can click on the “next” to see the play.
At the other table, Barbara (south) playing with Joan (north) over oppents’ 5♦ competed to 5♠.
Joan in 5 ♠ made eleven tricks for plus 650. Double game swing, the team won a total of 16 imps on this broad.
So next time defend only with balance hands.
August 18th, 2009 ~ Mike Yuen ~
1 Comment
It is always fun to watch Jimmy Cayne and his team of experts take on all comers everyday on BBO. there are always hundreds of kibitzers around his table. Last week our Pamela (East) and her partner Chat-Herve Chatagnier (West) were in action. Mike Seaman (North) and Jimmy Cayne (South).
* 2NT was a weak club raise.
Pamela played the hand along double dummy line. At the point she put Cayne in with the diamond jack, he was truly end-played. Whatever he returns will cost his side a trick!
Making 11 tricks and plus 450 was good for a gain of 7 imps. The other East-West pair stopped in a spade partial for plus 170.
Just a note to some that is new to this movie feature, you can follow the play by clicking on the “next” button at the bottom of the hand diagram.
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related