Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Medford bridge tourney will draw players from throughout the West Comment By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 6, 2015 at 12:09 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 1:02 PM By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 6, 2015 at 12:09 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 1:02 PM » Social News It’s a big deal. Hundreds of card players from all over the country will gather in Medford for the Rogue Valley Regional Bridge Tournament, which starts Monday at the Inn at the Commons. In the universe known as the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), competitive duplicate bridge is played at the club level, at sectional and regional tournaments, and at three national tournaments each year. At nationals, players attend from all over the world. Regionals also attract some international competitors. It’s called “duplicate” bridge because the hands are duplicated so that all pairs in the room play the same hands. The pairs with the best results get the best scores. The May 11-17 Medford regional is organized by ACBL District 20, one of 25 such districts in the U.S. and Canada. District 20 consists of clubs in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Idaho and Hawaii, with headquarters in Portland. The local coordinator for the regional competition is Terry Ansnes and hospitality chair is Becca Ostrom, both of Ashland. “Our regional puts a different spin on this kind of tournament by including extra events, workshops, special prizes and even a party for the newer players,” said Ansnes. “We’re building a reputation as a friendly environment for those who may not have a lot of tournament experience." The tournament also will offer the usual assortment of pairs and team events that cater to players at all levels, up to the most advanced and top-ranked competitors. ACBL ranks players according to the number of master points they have won at club games and tournaments. Ostrom will be ready with helpful information about area events, attractions and restaurants. “Some of our bridge players enjoy taking free time for other pursuits,” she said. “So we’ll point them in the right direction for plays, concerts, wine tours, shopping, or whatever else they might be interested in.” What do local intermediate and newcomer (I/N) players think about having the spotlight on them? “I think it’s been very good,” said Jill Wolcott of Medford. “The I/N players I talked to at last year’s regional said they had a really good time. Part of it was the special events that made them feel more comfortable.” Kathleen Moore of Ruch said the workshops last year were a valuable feature. “I attended one put on by Randall Paul of Klamath Falls,” she said. “... I definitely got some good tips out of it.” In addition to the special events and workshops for the newer players, experts will review the bidding and play of the hands after several of the sessions so players can see where they went wrong — or right. The tournament begins at 7 p.m. Monday with a charity pairs event and the first session of a four-session single-elimination team event. After that, various sessions are played at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The tournament concludes with a two-session team event on Sunday, with the first session beginning at 10 a.m. Local bridge aficionados who would like to play can contact partnership chair Gee Gee Walker, of Medford, who will assist them in finding compatible partners. She can be reached at 541-292-3474 or at [email protected]. Clubs play locally at the Dan Voorhies Bridge Center in Phoenix. For game times and other information, see www.unit484.org . Click on “Tournaments” to view a flier of the May regional. Jim Flint is a retired newspaper editor/publisher living in Ashland. By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 6, 2015 at 12:09 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 1:02 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501