2010 is an exciting year for me as a bridge player.   I'm excited about many things

• continuing to grow my partnerhsip with McKenzie Myers,
• repeating much of my playing success from the last couple of years,
• exploring new opportunies to play with some of best players in the country,
• leading a growing cast of fabulous students (see 2010 Bridge Lesson Series),
• teaching many workshops and seminars all over the country.

I'm especially excited about my relationships with many bridge players in Aspen, CO and Bermuda -- what wonderful places to get to go and teach the game I love!

Orlando Regional

Orlando is always a nice start to the bridge year.   We didn't have a fabulous tournament as a team -- but the tournament itself was a wonderful success.   18% growth from 2009 to 2010 and over 3500 tables!   That's amazing.

Also Orlando started a new trend for 2010 -- that is players learning and playing my system (ZERT - invented by McKenize Myers and myself.)   Z-ert is an ultra modern relay precision system that incorporates ideas from many of the top bidding theoreticians of the last 20 years.   I had a great time post-morteming hands with my friends who were learning to play the system.   I especially enjoyed some valuable input from the Granovetter's -- who also play relay precision!

Bermuda Regional

The Best of the Best!   Go to www.bermudaregional.com and check out this wonderful place.  

The results of this regional didn't quite measure up to last year -- but I enjoyed getting to know even more of the bridge players on the island and I'm excited about being involved in the Bermuda Bridge community for years to come!  

Houston Regional

To kick off February I made my first trip to the Houston Regional.   This tournament has been an amazing success - over 110 points (over 130 for some members of my team) and a team of fabulous players and people that I greatly enjoy being with (Paul Fireman-me, Phyllis Fireman-Shannon Cappelletti, Michael Seamon-Gary Cohler.)   I'll post a few interesting hands from this tournament next week!

Monday morning I'm off to Denver and Aspen for next week - Teaching, Skiing, Playing, and Visiting with Friends!! 

I just arrived in Kansas City for the Final Tournament of 2009.   It's insanely cold with lots and lots of snow...   I hope the first hand of the tournament tomorrow is exciting enough to warm me up!

I have to say that the San Diego Nationals was one of the nicest I have ever attended.   The Fall nationals is normally one of the smaller ones (and also not my favorite, because there is no long team event -- like the Spingold or the Vanderbilt.)   But this nationals was in an amazing setting with great bridge players from all around the world.   

Almost 13,000 tables is also an amazing turnout!   Well done ACBL!

I'm in Atlanta this week working on some teaching documents for my students and writing other articles and book material -- but I'll update a hand or two from the tournament soon...

Most of the best bridge players in North America (and from around the world) will be making their way to San Diego on Thursday (Thanksgiving day) for the Fall NABC!    I'm very much looking forward to seeing my friends and playing some great bridge... 

I'm playing the first 6 days with one of my good friends in the bridge world -- Garth Yettick.   We are playing the LM Pairs, 2-Day BAM, and the Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs.   After that I'm playing some KOs for the last 4 days (looking forward to that as well... )

After finishing up in Lancaster and Daytona, I had some much needed time at home with my friends and family.   Thanks to everyone for all the help during a long month -- I really appreciate it....  

Two Things to remember from recent tournaments
-- First, you can win 3 IMP when you decline a Grand Slam Try holding AKQJx of trump by going down 1 in 6S, while the opponents go down two in 7S... (Lancaster)
-- Second, an opening lead can cost you 30 IMPs and you can still win a 12 board match against a very good team! (Daytona)

For Details you'll have to see my next article in the SBN!

After finishing up in Seaside and Portland, McKenzie and I made our way to Denver, CO where I spent a couple wonderful weeks...

Whirlwind Tour

• I played a club game with Karen in Denver (coming straight from the airplane...) 
• We spent 5 days teaching and playing bridge in Aspen.   Aspen was very quiet (lots of people out of town) but Marty was nice enough to let us stay at her place -- McKenzie and I had a wonderful relaxing time in one of the most beautiful places in the USA.  
• McKenzie and I then headed back to Denver and played the Sunday Swiss in Pueblo, CO -- with Jon and Spencer... Beat Garth's team head to head, they beat us in the overalls, but we got enough for Spencer to win the overall Masterpoint total for the Sectional -- just ahead of Garth... Well Done, Spencer!  :)
• McKenzie headed out to Lake Geneva (where he killed everyone) and I stayed and worked on system with Garth...  (more on that in a minute...)
• I spent a very relaxing few days in Avon, CO...  (yeah, vacation!)
• Back to Denver for the system work with Garth and visiting with Holly...
• A day at the Longmont Sectional with Garth (solid system work and preparation for San Diego...)  
• Longmont Sectional Team game with Marissa, Tom, and Susan (Susan was great, as always!) -- Team did well... Good job Marissa!
• off to Lancaster, PA for the Regional....

The Lancaster Regional has had a slow start... but some interesting and hilarious hands... More on that next time...