Michael goes to Washington

July 27th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

The Summer North American Bridge Championships is in Washington DC from the 23rd July to the 2nd August this year. Now that Obama is in The White House, I decided to make the trip and check out his new digs.

The host hotel Marriott Wardman Park  is a delightful hotel with a beautiful garden. The local organizing committee have done a wonderful job, from the useful registration gift – an umbrella just in time for a frequent summer shower, to the nightly entertainments, and as well to the hilarious musical performance by The Capitol Steps to the Hollywood Square quiz show, just to name a few. There is also a great variety of food being served after the evening games. 

Walter Fontaine-North Providence RI                                   Lincoln Memorial

After playing two days in the highly competitive Life Master Pairs with my friend Walter Fontaine and missing the cut to the final day, I needed some recreation and relaxation. So I went downtown with Kiz, Susan, Angela and Maurice, hoping to catch a glimpse of The Man.

   National Mall – Reflecting Pool                                Washington Monument

When I knocked on the door, there was nobody home at The White House. The Man has left the building and gone to Camp David for the weekend.

             U. S Capitol                                                          1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Joan Eaton

July 21st, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  4 Comments 

A very talented player, Joan has won the Canadian Women’s Team Championship many times. She is also twice a North American Champion. In the Spring of 1998 at the Reno North American Bridge Championship, playing with Leslie Amoils, she won the Rockwell Mixed Pair. In 2003 playing with Candace Griffey, she won the North American Women’s Pair.

Joan and Barbara have a long time partnership. Their first appearance in international competition for Canada was at the Marlboro Venice Cup in Beijing, China in 1995.

Joan was Born in Quebec (Trois Rivieres), grew up in Kingston, spent adult life in Toronto.

Retired Civil Engineer. Did her Graduate work in hydrology (water resources) and spent her career with Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation in hydroelectric generation.  When she left the company, she was heading up the Water Resources Division which did everything from performance testing of turbines to membership on International and Interprovincial Water Control Boards.

Joan loves Golf!!! This year Joan is Captain of her Ladies Golf section at her club. Just today she advanced into the semi-finals of their annual match play competition.  (Last year Joan was 2^nd). Her index is 25. This means she is in the 90’s a lot but haven’t broken 90 yet. But have been CLOSE!!!

She enjoys photography, cooking and also big interest in gardening.

Love Cheese, nuts a close second.

like all music except C&W, and opera (but do like some opera). First loves Tina Turner and Queen (when Freddie Mercury was alive). Paid scalpers’ prices to see Tina with Joe Cocker as her lead-in in 2001 (2000?) and it was an amazing show. Loves Amanda Marshall, Jesse Cooke, recent Emmy Lou Harris (go figure). Also Eric Clapton, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha. More Flashback – Three Dog Night, Procol Harem, Beatles (Yes), Jim Croce, Janice Joplin, and Pink Floyd. Her choices reflect her age, but she loves music.  Joan have studied piano (Royal Conservatory up to Grade 8), played guitar and sang with a band in university. So maybe this should be up there with golf. 

Married to Nader Hanna for over 21 years (together for 26). She still calls him her “sweetie” Many people do not know they are a couple. They find that surprising. Maybe is their different last name or maybe they don’t play much bridge to-gather.

Canada’s team in the Venice Cup

July 20th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

The Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup and Ernesto d’Orsi Senior Bowl will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil. From 29th of August to 12th of September 2009.

The 7 th World Transnational Open Teams championship will take place in the second week of these Championships. For those that are interested in world level competition, this is a fun event to play in. The format is Swiss Teams, 15 rounds of 10 board matches. Top eight teams play KO for the championship. There is no qualification, anybody can play in this event, just bring money.

Sao Paulo is one of the biggest cities of the world having over 17 millions inhabitants. The host hotel and playing site is the deluxe five-star Hotel Transamerica with it’s own three-hole golf course!

Back row: L to R Barbara, Kismet, Karen. Front row: Pamela, Susan, Joan.  

In the Venice Cup, Canada will be represented by Barbara Clinton, Susan Culham, karen Cumpstone, Joan Eaton, Kismet Fung, Pamela Nisbet and NPC Michael Yuen. We have a very competitive team and I am looking forward to an exciting Championship.

The 22 teams in the event will play a complete round-robin. We will play three matches of 16 boards per day for the first week, a total of twenty-one matches. Top eight teams with the highest Victory Point totals after the round-robin will qualify for the quarter-finals. Quarter-final, semi final and final shall be played over 96 boards.

Mexican Play off result

July 13th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Congratulations to Canada’s Women Team NPC – Michael Yuen, Pamela Nisbet, Karen Cumpstone, Joan Eaton, Barbara Clinton, Kismet Fung and Susan Culham. We best Team Mexico by 118 imps when play stopped after 112 boards.

Unfortunately Canada’s Open Team lost to Team Mexico by 15 imps after 128 boards. I can feel their disappointment.

Mexican play off

July 12th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

This weekend in Mexico City, Canada and Mexico are playing off for a spot in the Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup. Both matches are 128 boards. Winners will go to Sao Paulo Brazil, late August this year.

Canada Open Team is represented by NPC – Nader Hanna, Nicolas L’Ecuyer, Kamel Fergani, Darren Wolpert, Jurek Czyzowicz, David Grainger and Daniel Korbel. Playing for Mexico Open Team are Gonzalo Herrera, Enrico Pagani, Mauricio Smith and Billy.

After 64 boards and the first day Mexico Open Team is up by 18 imps.

Canadian Woman Team is NPC – Michael Yuen, Barbara Clinton, Susan Culham, Karen Cumpstone, Joan Eaton, Kismet Fung and Pamela Nisbet. Players on The Mexico Woman Team are Nancy Lira, Nancy Gerson, Frida Harari and Laura Salinas.

After 64 boards, the Canadian Women has a lead of 30 imps.

Let’s Make A Deal

June 27th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

After the teams Maurice and I played in the Canadian Open Pairs Championship. It is a two day event. After the first day of qualifying, the field was cut to eighteen tables.

There is prize money for the top three pairs. Before the event started, I offered our team mates a deal they could not refuse – whoever wins a cheque will give the other two pairs 10% of the prize money. Both Mike and Ben Takemori, Brad Bart and Cam Doner agreed to the arrangement. 

All of us played lousy and were not in a qualifying position when the day was done! So we were back to our room to drown our sorrow in beer. Laurence Betts, whom I had not seen all day, came in and told us he qualified and after much cheering, I decide to offer him the same deal. Whoever wins money in the final would give the others 10%. Laurence had good laugh as he realized he was the only one who has qualified for the final, and no surprise he did not take my deal!

The next morning, however with our good luck, two other pairs decided not to play in the final and, as such, both Brad and Cam and Maurice and I sneaked in the back door. The leader had a two board carry over and as we were the last pair who got in, we had no carry over.

Maurice and I played well and even without any carry over came in 2nd!

GOLD: Bob Todd – Douglas Fisher, Winnipeg MB553.68 SILVER: Michael Yuen, Vancouver BC; Maurice De La Salle, Edmonton AB537.15 BRONZE: Vince Lambert – Vince Nowlan, Edmonton AB523.64

Doug Fisher, Bob Todd, Michael Yuen and Maurice De La Salle. Photo courtesy of Ross Taylor.

The following hand helped our cause.

Board 25. 2nd final session. Dealer South. E-W Vulnerable. Hands rotated. 

North Maurice
♠	K1084
♥	J7
♦	76
♣	AK983
South Michael
♠	972
♥	AKQ962
♦	Q2
♣	107

The play is the thing.

West led diamond five, six, ace and two. East returned diamond four, queen, king. West cashed the spade ace, four, three, nine. Spade five, king, jack and seven, dummy keeping the spade two. Now I tried the heart jack and discover the Hawaii 5-0 trump break. I Picked up the heart 10 with a finesse then run all the hearts.

What is poor west to do? On the first two hearts he can discard the two diamonds. On the next three hearts he can discard two clubs and one spade. On the 6th heart he was squeezed between spade and clubs. On the 6th trump I showed him my spade two and he conceded. I know I kept the spade two for a reason. Four hearts making 420 was good for 13 match points on a 17 tops.

Here are the four hands

Dealer: South Vul: EW		North
		♠	K1084
		♥	J7
		♦	76
		♣	AK983
West				East
♠	AQ65			♠	J3
♥				♥	108543
♦	KJ95			♦	A10843
♣	QJ654			♣	2
		South
		♠	972
		♥	AKQ962
		♦	Q2
		♣	107

In order to beat the hand West had to under lead his spade ace at trick one or at trick two after his diamond king lead held the trick. That way West can avoid the squeeze by keeping extra idle cards and at the same time hold communication with East by keeping a diamond on the run of the hearts.

Back in our hotel room as I paid my 10% to both Ben and Mike, Cam and Brad, Laurence walked in realizing that he missed the deal that was never supposed to be.  We all had a good laugh and more cheering. This time floating our joy in our beer!

Penticton BC the Wine Country

June 24th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

I just returned from Penticton British Columbia, the playing site of this year’s Canadian National Team Championship www.cbf.ca from June 6th to June 13th. I was there for the championship and stayed over for the Regional June 15th to 21st that followed.

For those who have never been to Penticton, I highly recommend you give this area a visit. There is much to do besides golf, sun and sand. All over this area there are countless exceptional wineries and excellent restaurants.

The deserving winners are Nicolas L’Ecuyer, Kamel Fergani, Darren Wolpert, Jurek Czyzowicz, David Grainger, Daniel Korbel. The defeated John Carruthers, Joseph Silver, David Turner, Roy Hughes, Nader Hanna, Jim Green in the 128 board final.

 Photo courtesy of Ross Taylor.

I was playing in the event on the Bart team with Maurice De La Salle, Brad Bart, Laurence Betts, Ben and Mike Takemori. We played well and, in luck, were either leading or in the top four position for most of the round robin.

This very first hand in the first round set the tone.

Dealer north. Neither side vulnerable. As East I held ♠ K9 ♥ K107 ♦ AQ95 ♣ KQ98

With other partners I would have opened the bidding with a 15 to 17 strong no trump. However after the Victoria Regional, Maurice and I changed our no trump range to 14 to 16. So I opened the bidding with one diamond. LHO over called one spade, Maurice passed and RHO bid two spades. Nobody steals from me, as I had extras, I bid two no trump. After LHO passed, Maurice raised to three no trump. LHO led the queen of heart. As you can see with the king of diamond onside there was nothing to the play.

Dealer: North Vul: All NV		North
		♠	1084
		♥	AJ853
		♦	K74
		♣	75
Maurice				Michael
♠	J32			♠	K9
♥	962			♥	K107
♦	J103			♦	AQ95
♣	AJ106			♣	KQ98
		South
		♠	AQ765
		♥	Q4
		♦	862
		♣	432

Bidding and making three no trumps won our side 6 imps. At the other table our opponents stopped in one no trump as the auction went pass, one no trump, all passed. We were off to a flying start.

We made the quarter finals but after a valiant effort we lost to Zygmunt Marcinski, Bryan Maksymetz, Dan Jacob, Larry Hicks, Waldemar Frukacz, David Willis.

It was a lot of fun and I like to thank my team mates for the wonderful week – Maurice for being such a good and understanding partner, Brad being the great captain who left no details to chance, Laurence for being the rock and the mellow man, and brothers, Ben and Mike, for keeping it all so light and being so supportive.

USWBC USA2 Final

May 29th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

After 96 boards, Team Mancuso [Renee mancuso, Peggy Sutherlin, Connie Goldberg, JoAnn Sprung, Shawn Quinn and Pam Wittes] defeated Team Glasson [Joann Glasson, Lisa Berkowitz, Sue Weinstein, Cheri Bjerkan, Rozanne Pollack and Stasha Cohen] to be USA2 to the Venice Cup in Sao Paulo late August this year.

Connie Goldberg made nice bid to help her team win 10 imps on Board 84. In segment 6 of 6.

Hands rotated.

Dealer: North Vul: All		North Goldberg
		♠	K42
		♥	AK9
		♦	A87653
		♣	3
West				East
♠	AJ73			♠	965
♥	743			♥	Q652
♦	42			♦	KQ
♣	J642			♣	A987
		South Sprung
		♠	Q108
		♥	J108
		♦	J109
		♣	KQ105

Goldberg deduced from Sprung’s 3♦ bid that she has a maximum hand with three card diamond fit. So tried for game with a nice 3♥ bid. Partner with stoppers in both black suits was only too happy to bid 3NT.

The opening lead was the 4th best ♣2, 3, A, 5. East returned ♣ 7, K, 4, ♠ 2. Declarer played ♦J, 2, A, Q. Then continued with ♦ 3, K, 9, 4. Setting up the diamond suit. On winning East played ♣ 8, Q, 6, ♠4. Declarer was able to claim nine trick at this time. Two hearts tricks, five diamonds tricks and two club tricks. Make 3NT for plus 600. To win 10 imps as at the other table, the Glasson team stopped at 3♦.

US Womam team trials

May 28th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Congratulations to the Dinkin Team with Lynn Baker, karen McCallum, Lynn Deas, Beth Palmer, Irina Levitina and kerri Sanborn, will be USA 1 for the Venice Cup in Sao Paulo, from 29th August to the 12th September this year.

The Mancuso team is playing against the Glasson team in the second final. Winner will earn the right to be USA 2 in the Venice Cup. Results are posted on www.USBF.org

This interesting hand caught my eye. It is board 37 in segment 3 of 6. 

In the Open Room. 

Dealer: North Vul: NS		North Bjerkan
		♠	8
		♥	K1095
		♦	Q109
		♣	KQ1054
West Quinn				East Wittes
♠	AKJ			♠	10743
♥	AJ76			♥	83
♦	AK6			♦	J84
♣	J98			♣	A763
		South Weinsten
		♠	Q9652
		♥	Q42
		♦	7532
		♣	2

The auction was, 

At first glance declarer does not have anywhere close to nine winners. Shawn Quinn does not let that discourage her and proceeded to show us the way to making 3NT.

North lead the 4th best ♣ 5, 3, 2, 8. Quinn played ♠ A, 8,3,2. ♠ K,♥ 5,4,5. ♠ J,♥ 9, 7, Q. South after winning the spade queen, returned the♦ 2, A, 9, 4. Quinn then played the ♥ A, 10,3,2. ♥ J, K,8,4. North in for the last time could see unless her partner has something in ♦  there was no hope of defeating the contract, led the ♦ Q and at this point Quinn claimed nine tricks, with 3 spades, one heart, three diamonds and two clubs. That added up to nine winners. For plus 400 and win 10 imps.

At trick 8, if instead of the ♦ Q, North tried the ♣ K. Quinn would win with dummy’s Ace and played the ♠ 10, that would squeeze north between diamonds and clubs. If she discarded a ♦ then the ♦ J would be good, if she discarded a ♣ then she will be thrown in with a ♣ and end played again to lead from ♦ Q, 10!

In the close room, The auction and final contract was the same. The lead was the ♣ K, however declarer misread the ending and went down.

The hand was very unlucky for North. Each time North gained the lead, she was end played into leading a helpful card for declarer. Each time a spade was played would squeeze North!

Can the hand be make if North led ♣ K ? The play is more interesting but the answer is Yes. 

One line is, declarer ducks. North continues with ♣ Q, A, ♦ 2, 9. While in dummy, leads the ♠ 3, 2, J, 8. Cashes the ♠ A, ♥ 5, 4, 5. Next plays the ♥ J, what is North to do. Win and play a ♣ back? Declarer wins and plays ♥ Ace and another to set up a heart winner. Now declarer has three spades, two hearts, two diamonds and two club winners for her contract.

What if East unblocks the ♥ Q when declarer plays the ♥ A, an effort to create an entry to the North hand with good clubs? Declarer abandon the hearts and play ♠ K, that squeeze North out of a winner. Then North is thrown in with a ♥ for the diamond end play!

Wild things.

May 20th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

At the recent Victoria Regional, I was south and held the following hand in the second round of a KO match.

♠ 8 ♥ AKQJ10976 ♦ AQ73 ♣ Void

Non Vulnerable. Dealer East.

East opened the bidding with 1♣.

What would you bid with my hand?

I was also worried about what the opponents can make on this hand, are they cold for a spade game or slam. I didn’t want to give them room to investigate.

I bid six hearts at the table. I didn’t see any easy way to find out if partner had the right hand for slam. I just hope that partner has one useful card, either the spade ace or the diamond king. Or maybe diamond jack, ten with a heart entry.

Dummy had,

♠ Q10763 ♥ 3 ♦ K852 ♣ J62

diamond broke 3-2 so I made 12 tricks for a slam swing.

At the other table, the player with my hand made a takeout double and bid heart and more heart, ended in five hearts.