Hats off to players who have reached bridge milestones!

 NEW JUNIOR MASTERS

   Diane Borowy, Marine IL

   Kathy Kirksey, Maryville IL

NEW BRONZE LIFE MASTERS

   Dan Evers, Mascoutah IL

   Donna Swick, Newton IL

 NEW NABC MASTER: Linda Asunskis, Belleville IL

 NEW DIAMOND LIFE MASTER:  Richard Brummer, Effingham IL

UPCOMING EVENTS

♥ Edwardsville Sectional
Thursday, June 23 – Saturday June 25
Edwardsville, IL

♥ Youth Bridge Camp
Tuesday July 5 – Sunday, July 10, 2022
Lake Williamson, Carlinville IL
This is a six-day residential camp for $450 that includes both bridge lessons and tournaments, as well as indoor and outdoor recreational activities for students entering 6^th through 10^th grades.
For more information contact: registrar@bridgeisfun.org

♥ Adult Bridge Camp & 99er Sectional
Wednesday July 6 – Sunday, July 9, 2022
Lake Williamson, Carlinville IL
Lessons, workshops and tournament events -- plus recreation and all meals -- for one all-inclusive fee.
More information is available here.

♥ The Effingham Crossroads Regional
Tuesday, September 20 – Sunday September 25
The Holiday Inn, Effingham

Roster of Active Clubs in Unit 223 (Southern IL-Paducah)

Brazil Bridge Club -- Manager: James Reid Brazier

Edwardsville Duplicate Bridge Club -- Manager: Gail Dare

Effingham Park District Bridge Club -- Donna Swick

Fulton Duplicate Club -- Manager: Jane Baker

Highland Duplicate Bridge Club -- Manager: Raymond Ford

Mayfield Duplicate Bridge Club -- Manager: Larry Lemon

Monday Bridge Club -- Manager: Janet Jones

Paducah Duplicate Bridge Club -- Manager: Jim Kallaher

Piasa Bridge Club -- Manager: Pamela Ames

Saluki Bridge Club -- Manager: Wanda Culpepper

Yorktown Duplicate Club -- Manager: Charles Keltner

BRIDGE UPDATE

NAP Qualifying Games begin June 1 and run through August 1. Clubs may hold two NAP qualifiers for each sanctioned session in June, July and August. These games will award approximately triple regular club points, half-red and half-black, and will carry an extra $4/table sanction fee.

The Longest Day – Don’t forget that the longest day will soon be here. Face-to-face clubs can participate by choosing one day during the week of June 19-26 to hold special Alzheimer’s games. Funds raised in these games will support the Alzheimer’s Association’s research and care efforts.

“Back to the Club” Games – Four calendar weeks in 2022 have been designated as a special time when all face-to-face club games can be run as Upgraded Club Championships. Here are the dates: June 27-July 10 and November 7-20. These games are in addition to any prior “free” Upgraded Championship games you have already been given.

Royal STaCs – Due to the success of the Royal STaCs, an additional Royal STaC week has been approved and can be held between September and December 2022. These weeks will be held by the district, so please check with your district for details so you can add this special event to your planning.

20% Overall Award Increase – Earn a 20% upgrade on overall awards when you play at face-to-face regional and sectional tournaments. The 20% overall award boost will apply to all face-to-face tournament events from May 30, 2022 to May 28, 2023.

       NELSON / PIEK SECTIONAL

                      June 23-25
     Immanuel United Methodist Church
         800 N. Main -- Edwardsville IL

♦ Thursday, June 23 -- 10:00 am & 3:00 pm
Single-session Stratified Pairs
Single-session 299er Pairs (if attendance warrants)

♦ Friday, June 24 – 1:00 & 6:30 pm
Single-session Stratified Pairs
Single-session 299er Pairs (if attendance warrants)

♦ Saturday, June 25 – 10:00 am playthrough with lunch
Stratified Swiss Teams

Pre-registration preferred (10 + Tables per session required). Pre-registered players will be entered in a drawing for a one-session freeplay.

Strats for all sessions:  0-750; 750-2000; 2000+
    299er: 0-100; 100-200; 200-300

Entry fees: $13 per player per session
    Saturday Swiss Teams:  $120/team, Includes lunch.

   Players with 0-5 masterpoints play free in 299er Games.

Chairman: Gail Dare   geb888@yahoo.com   618 623-8886 

FYI – OPENING LIGHT

Players are opening lighter and lighter these days. How light to open? Opening light can be quite effective, but it takes discipline to assure a plus score.

The Rule of 20 (Guidleline of 20)

    This applies to the First and Second Seat only.

·   Add the HCP and the length of the two longest suits.

·   If the sum is 20 or more, you may consider opening at the one level.

·   For those playing Two Over One, disaster awaits if not disciplined.

·   Marty Bergen recommends 1 ½ to 2 quick tricks for good measure.

Mel’s Rule of 22

    Mel Colchamiro recommends using the Rule of 20, only if “you have two-plus defensive tricks (20 + 2 = 22)".

Opening Light at the Third Position (Guideline of 18)

    In third position, add the high cards to the number of cards in the two longest suits. If the total is 18 or more, consider opening the bidding.

Fourth Seat Bidding (Rule of 15)

    Add the HCP to the number of spades.  If the total is 15 or more, consider opening the bidding in fourth seat.

(Taken from an article by Agnes W. Lee)