One of my overall objectives is to promote bridge through our club.  When starting to promote anything the key is to start "local" where people know you and you know people.  But what in the current bridge world defines "local"?  Our ACBL Unit 235 has three clubs.  Sioux City, Fort Dodge, and Spirit Lake. Sioux City is the biggest and the healthiest thanks to the dedication of all the members, some more than others, but it takes everyone.  Sioux Falls (actually closer than Fort Dodge to Sioux City) is another step in "local".  First, a brief Diversion:I recently came upon the new Minnesota Statewide Bridge site, MinnesotaBridge.com.  It has a great deal to offer including some interesting statistic about the growth or lack there of our game, more coming on this in a future news piece.  One observation struck a cord with me which was the growth of team games at the Regional level.  Now, statistically, nationally, just over 51% of all Regional tables are team matches.  This is an increasing trend. Diversion over back to Local.  In my bridge life I have been involved in several different "Team" settings.  One was unique.  In the 1970's Iowa City held a home to home round robin team event.  Officially it was used to qualify one or two teams for GNT competition but it was a lot more.  Then, as now, there were many people who played bridge or played "at" bridge but really could not get out of the house on a regular basis for club games. So teams were formed for the house to house round robin.  The teams did their own scheduling with other teams.  Games were played in standard IMP scoring in two rooms of the hosting home.  Club Directors were nominally "On Call" if a dispute would arise but I don't recall ever calling one, nor being called.  My thought is winter is coming and you all know some rubber players in Sioux City, some folks that don't get out much, could this format work here?   Teams can be 4 to 6 members which really eases scheduling if you have 6 or at least 5 members.  Necessary equipment are a set of  8 boards, play 8, then shuffle and re-deal play 8 more after switching opponents.  16 boards in an evening.  (This is flexible of course.)  I have three sets (1-32) each of metal boards, I would contribute to the effort which would certainly be enough boards to float all the simultaneous games.  The key here would be the formation of teams with a broader group than just "The Club."  (To be continued in Part II)

One of my overall objectives is to promote bridge through our club.  When starting to promote anything the key is to start "local" where people know you and you know people.  But what in the current bridge world defines "local"?  Our ACBL Unit 235 has three clubs. ..........

Continuing the thought of local team play.  Team play is different.  It is more than two good pairs playing independently and thereby winning.  Yes that works especially at BAM but it is not the whole thing. I really think IMP strategy requires more. Teams can develop a strategy so the pairs complement each other.  At the basic level one pair commits to solid play, no flights of imaginative bidding.  The other does the same with the exception that may divert by "taking a shot" or "taking a view on the hand." These being the swings that may be necessary.  Other strategies exist and they take practice.  Again with our solid four or five tables some team competitions would be possible.  But what if a venue could be located like Vermillion or somewhere else North of here and South of Sioux Falls for a once a month game?  A traveling trophy could be involved.  Something...  I see the biggest problem as finding a site which could support 10 to 12 tables but would not be a wallet buster with only 4 to 6 tables.  Feel free to sign in and leave comments here or catch me before one of our club games.

Continuing the thought of local team play.  Team play is different. ..........

Bridgewebs has two separate partnership seeking systems. Both require a member sign in to the site before using the service. "Find a Partner" is a built in Bridgewebs feature.. It allows a posting on a particular day showing a member is seeking a partner for the game.. This may be agmented with an email directed to a selected (by you) list of members advising you are looking for a partner for for a particular game.. The is accessed from the membership page or directly on the monthly calendar.

The second method is used to help find a long term partner,. There is a form on WANTED (Long Term) PARTNER Once you fill it out it is posted much like a post card on a bulletin board.. This might be appropriate for finding a partner interested in a new system, or for a future event held else where,. Omaha Regional?. Nationals next summer?. Basically this us a way to let others know your interests without talking on and on.

Happy hunting.

Bridgewebs has two separate partnership seeking systems. Both require a member sign in to the site before using the service. "Find a Partner" is a built in Bridgewebs feature. ..........