Bridge Winners Meetup

December 4th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

While in San Francisco, it was a treat to visit with the movers and shakers of the Bridge Winners at their early morning meet and greet.

They are working on a new look for their site and all suggestions from those present were much appreciated.

L to R: Steve Weinstein, Gavin Wolpert, Helen Chang, Eugene Hung, Polly Siegle, Greg Humphreys and Jason Feldman.

Myth Busted

November 15th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  6 Comments 

MythBusters is a popular TV program on the Discovery Channel, where the show’s hosts using elements of scientific methods to test the validity of myths, rumors, adages and news stories.

At the Vancouver November Roundup Sectional, the adage that married couples should not play bridge as partners was busted.

Two married couples Julie Smith-Peter Cooper, Katrin Litwin-Aidan Ballantyne paired up to win the Knockout Teams.

Peter Cooper & Julie Smith

In one of their early matches, Julie (East) and Peter (West) bid and make 6 ♦. Earned them a slam swing and the match, their opponents were in game. 

Board 4. Dealer West. Both vulnerable.

Their auction playing Precision.

1♣ – strong. 1♦ – 0-7.

Katrin Litwin & Aidan Ballantyne

The Vancouver Unit Sectional Masterpoint races for the year was also decided on the weekend. It was a very exciting finish.

In the Open: The Phil Wood Trophy race. Aidan was in front after they won the KO. However Julie and Peter (played to-gather all year) won the Open Pairs the next day to retake the lead. When Aidan’s team won the Monday Swiss while the Smith team lost their last match to come in third, it looked like Aidan had won the Trophy, however the final win by McMullin over the Smith team gave McMullin enough to tie for first, halving the awards just enough to let Julie and Peter nosed out Aidan by .75 of a point. 76.69 to 75.94.

In the Woman’s: The Eddie Bonnell Trophy was won by Julie with 76.69 points. 2nd was Katrin with 59.47 points.

James Wu 18.73 won the under 200 race. 2nd was Richard Nelson with 14.46 points.

With one Unit game to go Ronald Kuiper 14.67 is leading the Rookie race. 2nd was George Franko with 13.52 points. (Thanks to McBruce for the info)

Congratulations to all.

Au Revoir and Photos from Lille

August 24th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

After a nice stay in Lille, it is time for me to chill in beautiful Vancouver.

I have posted photos album on line if you like to see them at Michael Yuen’s Gallery.

Thanks to Pony, Raffael, Marie, Barbara, Tomasz and Thomas for playing, I had lots of fun both at and away from the table.

Au Revoir, till we meet again.

Raffael Braun, Marie Eggeling, Barbara, Tomasz Gotard, Pony Nehmert, Michael and Thomas Gotard. Canadian Vincent Demuy playing with Bob Hamman, Joanna and Lew Stansby won the Coupe de Ville-BAM Teams.

More good news. Canadian Vincent Demuy playing with Bob Hamman, Joanna and Lew Stansby won the Coupe de Ville- BAM Teams.

Silver for Team Canada

August 23rd, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

The Transnational Mixed Team final. It was was Team Canada 159 vs 169 Team Milner

Daniel Korbel, Judith & Nick Gartaganis, Hazel & Darren Wolpert and Linda Wynston played very well all week. Welldone.

Daniel, Hazel, Linda, Nick and Judith…. Darren went to get his card.

The Milner team (Petra Hamman, Hemant Lall, Reese Milner, Gabriella Olivieri, Jacek Pszczola and Meike Wortel) bid and made the Spade slam to win the Gold medal.

At the other table Canada was in game.

Hemant Lall, Petra Hamman, Meike Wortel, Jacek Pszczola and Reese Miner

Congratulations to both teams for a great match.

In The Money

August 21st, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  4 Comments 

Team Canada (Judith and Nicholas Gartaganis, Hazel and Darren Wolpert, Linda Wynston and Daniel Korbel) will go for Gold in the Transnation final against Team Milner (Petra Hamman, Hemant Lall, Reese Milner, Gabriella Olivieri, Jacek Pszczola and Meike Wortel.)

You can follow the match on BBO and read all about it on World Bridge Game site.

Daniel, Hazel, Darren, Nicholas, Linda and Judith

In the Semi-final vs Team SAIC RED, Hazel (South) and Darren (North) bid and made a slam on this deal to earn their team 11 IMPs when their opponents stopped in the spade game.

Their auction.

Auction at the other table.

Transnational Mixed Teams

August 20th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

The Transnational Mixed Teams had reached the KO Quarterfinal. Matches are 3 segments of 16 boards.

Team Canada (Judith and Nicholas Gartaganis, Hazel and Darren Wolpert, Linda Wynston and Daniel Korbel) played very well, won the Swiss. They picked the Franch team Shapour (Prick Bogacki, Shapour Mohtashami, Valerie Sauvage and Lydie Trajman).

Linda Wynston and Daniel Korbel

My friend Dave Smith (Memphis MOJO) Playing on the Sprung Team (Cindy Bernstein, Buddy Hanby, D. Smith, Sally Wheeler, Danny and Jo Ann Sprung.) Started the day just average in the middle of the pack. However they played well, won all 5 matches to make the KO. Welldone.

The will play the other US team Milner (Petra Hamman, Hemant Lall, Reese Milner, Gabriella Olivieri, Jacek Pszczola and Meike Wortel.)

Michael and Dave Smith (Memphis MOJO)

You can read the results and Bulletin here.

Canadians In Lille

August 15th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Good news, both the Open and Senior Team are playing in the round of 16 KO. You can follow their matches on BBO.

For official results :  World Bridge Games

Go Team Canada!

Let The Game Begin

August 15th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

After a white knuckle ride on the autobahn, Pony and I have arrived in Lille.

We are here to play the Transnational Mixed Teams with Barbara, Thomas, Tomasz Gotard and Marie Eggeling.

It is another beautiful and sunny day here in Lille. Some of the Canadian Woman’s Team members are enjoying a nice breakfast at the hotel.

Pamela Nisbet, Linda Wynston, Ina Demme, Hazel Wolpert and Nader Hanna

The Canadian Open MPP Team is playing Monaco in the round of 16 KO match.

In the first set. Board 4. Nick Lecuyer (North) and Vencint Demuy (South) bid this deal nicely to 3NT, made 9 tricks for +600.

Their opponents at the other table got to 4 ♥ and were defeated by Daniel Korbel and Daniel Miles for one trick +100 and 12 IMPs.

Generosity Of Spirit

August 14th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Last evening The London Olympic Games closing ceremony was just brilliant.

Over the two weeks, It was heart warming to see the army of volunteers gave so freely of their time. It was so wonderful that the whole country pulled to-gather to make it such a success. Yes they did it right!

Weinfest here I come.

This week a different kind of spirit is flowing freely in Wiesbaden, Germany. It is the annual Weinfest-Wine Festival.

What should I have? It all look so good!

Thousands of people party in the Old Town Square. Enjoying wine and food from this region. On any given evening there are three bands playing on three separate stages.

Everything is going to be ok….

Many teams in Lille, got to the wrong game on this deal.

RR6. Board 21. Dealer North. N-S vulnerable.

At one table the auction was.

There was no play. East cashed ace, king of diamonds, ace of clubs in quick succession, then sat back and waited for the king of spade as the setting trick.

Our Canadian MPP Open Team players Daniel Korbel and Daniel Miles won a game swing by bidding and making 4 ♥ , while the opponents got to the no play 4 ♠ . Well done boys!

Their auction :

“We are going to do the twist…… and it goes like this…”

Drinks on Pony.

In Excess

August 12th, 2012  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  3 Comments 

Europe is sunny and warm this time of the year. Am having a wonderful visit with Anita in Geneva, Switzerland.

Life goes on for the Swiss as they are not in the Euro Zone.

Hair cut anyone?

Dinner at Cafe Des Negociants

This is a deal from Lille. Wonder if you find the winning line to make four spades doubled.

RR 5. Board 9. Dealer North. E-W Vulnerable.

These are the North-South hands.

The auction.

 Many went down one or two tricks. This declarer went down three, seems a little excessive.

A few, tipped off by the double, made 10 tricks for +590.

The play went like this. Click next to see the play.

Making my way North to Lille, France.