September 2021 Newsletter

CBC - September 2021 Newsletter

Dear Members,

What a loss the CBC has endured this month with the passing of Jim Chianelli and Pat Webb. I joined the CBC over 10 years ago and was truly intimidated by the players who always sat in the first row; seat 1 was Pat Webb and seat 5 was Jim Chianelli. Due to their physical limitations, they always had stationary seats. Over the years I played with and against both Pat and Jim; trying to play the best bridge I knew how. Often, I failed. I don’t have to tell you what happened at Pat’s table when I made a mistake! I learned from her and from Jim, as I know many of you did. Pat and Jim gave so much to our club through their long years of attendance and dedication to bridge. They both loved this game. Each will be sorely missed as part of the CBC family. We also lost Dan Casey a few months back and Dan’s presence will also be missed.

Due to Covid resurgence, CBC is now hosting only two f2f games a week. One is on Fridays and one is Chris Webb’s lesson and individual game the first and third Sunday of the month. Chris is extremely knowledgeable and his lessons are valuable so please come at 12:30 pm for the less and play at 1:30pm in our individual game where you don’t need a partner! Susan and Laura are still offering a mini lesson on Mondays at 10:30am with a 0-300 game afterwards. Come participate!

We are back on BBO virtual for our Wednesday games. Look for some changes in what we are offering for limited games soon.

You are all aware by now our new Treasurer is Chris Webb and his assistant is Glenn Mitchell. Chris’ address is on our website should you want to mail in your dues. Kathy Kimmerling is still receiving dues, though recently we have had issues with mail delivery at our facility which we will remedy.

The CBC Newsletter has a new face! Beth Watson has agreed to be our publicity chair, so the newsletter may have a new look. If you want to add something to our newsletter, please get in touch with Beth (beth818@gmail.com), as we try to issue mid-month.

We are now requiring vaccination to play or direct at the CBC. There is a sign-up sheet at the front desk where you enter your information. The CBC Board voted to make masks no longer required, but players are welcome to wear them if they choose.

These are tough times for all bridge clubs; we are constantly having to alter our schedules, so please check our website which Kathy keeps current by posting our games and schedule changes.

We miss so many of you, so please find a game and come play!

Stay well,

Shelby King, President CBC

Remember that people are only guests in your story – the same way you are only a guest in theirs – so make the chapters worth reading. – Lauren Klarfeld

Vaccine Required – Masks Optional

Just a reminder for all those playing in or directing face-to-face games at the club:

You are required to be vaccinated against covid-19. There is a sheet located at the director’s desk for you to sign verifying your vaccination status. The Board voted to make the wearing of masks optional.

All New 0-750 Game

The CBC Board approved a game designed just with you in mind. We miss you and want you to come home to CBC.

Beginning Wednesday the 6^th of October we are hosting a VIRTURAL GAME on BBO. We are requiring preregistration so you can sign up as soon as our web calendar is posted the first of October. You can view other players and we can determine the number of tables prior to the game. Also, you MUST sign on at BBO that morning. We encourage you to register on BBO prior to 12:30. The time of the game is likely to be 12:55 though check our calendar October 1^st. You will not be combined with an open game.

After October 1^st, go to our RESULTS/REGISTRATION tab on the left column of our home page. Click. Go to the calendar: click. You will see a tab that says registration. Click. Enter you name on the allotted space and enter your partner. If you have no partner, you can put TBA. Be sure you save and see you name come up on the sign-up sheet. Issues, call MIKE or KATHY.

If you have no partner sign up on our partnership page.

Call Shelby with questions: 803-413-3421

You are current members, but you can ask anyone to play who qualifies, just let Kathy know who they are if not in our data base. If you are unfamiliar with play on BBO we have many members who are happy to get you started.

How Does Stratification Work?

(Another attempt by Laura Bro to understand this frustrating and wonderful game of BRIDGE)

COLUMBIA BRIDGE CLUB uses stratification to make the game fairer for all players. Golf players use handicapping in a similar manner; thus, players can “win” even when their score is not as good.

In a pairs game the partners’ masterpoint totals are averaged. Each pair’s average is placed in a strata: A, B, or C. The top third of the averaged partnerships are placed in A, the middle third are placed in B and the bottom third are in C. Winners in each strata are awarded masterpoints. At the end of the game, the stratifications have leveled the playing field by allowing “C” and “B” players to be compared to other “C” and “B” players. Awards are given to each strata based on the number of tables in the game and the type of game being offered. Our club manager does a great job of locating ‘special’ games that award more points to players without costing players extra money.

Stratification never lowers the points you might win, and sometimes it can raise the points. A “C” player does NOT have to beat an “A” or “B” player to win masterpoints. A “B” player does not have to beat an “A” player to win masterpoints.

ACBL awards points based on the level of competition and the number of tables participating. ACBL can make their own strata in games. One can always ask the director in charge what stratification is being used.

If you want to learn more about stratification – just ask a director. Bridge is a challenging game that always provides opportunities to learn and grow. Join us to nurture your skills, while having fun!

Upcoming Special Games and Events

Mark your calendars; October 11^th – 17^th is Club appreciation week! Double black points will be awarded in both the f2f and online games.

Monday Oct 11^th: f2f 0-300 pairs @ 10:30am (with mini-lesson before game)

Virtual Open Pairs on BBO @ 1:05pm

Tuesday Oct 12^th: Virtual Open Pairs on BBO @ 1:05pm

Wednesday Oct 13^th: Virtual 0-750 Pairs on BBO @12:55pm

Virtual Open Pairs on BBO @ 1:05pm

Thursday Oct 14^th: Virtual Open Pairs on BBO @ 1:05pm

Friday Oct 15^th: f2f Open and 0-300 Pairs @ 12:30pm

Saturday Oct 16^th: Virtual Open Pairs on BBO @ 1:05pm

Sunday Oct 17^th: f2f Individual @ 1:30pm (with lesson before game)

Educational Opportunities

Mini-Lessons

Prior to their Monday morning games, Laura and Susan offer a mini-lesson @ 10:00am. Come out and refresh your skills and then practice what you’ve learned in the 0-300 pairs game.

Sunday Individual

Chris Webb offers an hour-long lesson prior to the individual games on Sunday afternoons. These lessons are geared toward those players with a bit of experience and are great ways to help improve your game.

Online Intro Bridge Classes

Do you know someone who is eager to learn bridge? Do you know someone who is very new to the game and would like some hands-on experience to help improve their play? The ACBL is introducing a new online intro to bridge course developed with Patty Tucker. The course is broken up into 10 90-minute interactive lessons that allow you to play while you learn. There are several options for course schedules (you attend class once per week).

Courses are set to begin on the following days:

Wednesdays @ 7:00pm beginning September 29^th

Wednesdays @ 9:30pm beginning October 6^th

Thursdays @ 1:00pm beginning September 30^th

Thursdays @ 4:00pm beginning September 30^th

Fridays @ 1:00pm beginning October 1^st

For more information visit: https://acbl.org/portfolio/intro-to-bridge/

Support CBC

Daily ACBL - SYC Games

ACBL has partnered with Bridge Base Online (BBO) and The Common Game to give you chances each day to earn black masterpoints online. Additionally, the majority of the game fees you pay will be given to your local club to support them during this difficult time.

Support Your Club ACBL Black Point Games are pair events. Games are held on BBO three times a day: 10:00 am, 5:10 pm and 7:30 pm. Registration opens two hours before game time. You can play with any other ACBL member who has a BBO account.

NEW! Daylong Tournaments are solo events played with robots. In this game, you have up to 24 hours to complete your game, and it doesn’t have to be played all at once. You can even pause in the middle of a hand. Play a few of the 18 total boards in the morning, some more after lunch and the rest in the evening. Or, play them all in one sitting! Register anytime, and you’ll have until midnight Eastern time to finish the boards.

Both events use matchpoint scoring, and masterpoints earned in these games will count toward District and Unit races.

99'er Virtual Game - Every Night 7:00 PM

Play with your friends from the CBC, or make some new ones in Districts 9 & 7 & 24 !!

Play 12 relaxed boards at approximately 7½ minutes a board.

This game pays back to the players' home clubs; the CBC will receive $3.00 every time you play in this game. Lesson before the game and Hand Analysis after. Great way to improve your game and support your club!

Southeastern Bridge Club Consortium

The CBC has joined with the Southeast Bridge Club Consortium (based in Knoxville, TN) along with more than 30 regional bridge clubs! The SEBCC Mission is to keep bridge players of all levels engaged and excited about bridge.

SEBCC offers games four times each day: 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. Every session has both Limited and Open games available (Open games are awarded extra Masterpoints when there are also Limited games at the same time).

They also offer free weekly lessons and Live Postmortems. The best way to understand their offerings is via the SEBCC online schedule.