Reno recap and the impossible 2S bid

So much for getting caught up on sleep and playing midnight games with Dana, the two things I was looking forward to the most.

It was a very very frustrating time for several reasons, mostly surrounding the difficulties in getting along with dana and mila, our varying expectations and unclear communications, but it was very action-packed and I had many good times - just not the good times I was expecting. I remember when I used to be content just hanging out with my partner and/or parents for dinner and after the games and have only brief interaction with others during the bridge games. But it takes a lot more to satisfy me nowadays, which I tend to view as a good thing. I kind of want those days back instead of this sort of associating with lots of people but mostly being lonely.

I did play 2 midnight games and won them both and picked up another 7 or so points for the 64% session Mila and I had in the red ribbon pairs. The other 3 sessions of the Red Ribbons were pretty bad. In the next to last round of day 1 of the open Swiss with my dad, I picked up: Ax, T, KTxxxx, ATxx. Partner opens 1H and I start thinking "yay, i hope i get to use the impossible 2S bid here." Sure enough, he rebids 2D and I rebid 2S, showing basically a strong diamond raise.

What else could 2S be here? Anyway, it went all pass and partner came down with xx, KQJxx, Qxxx, Kx. They didn't lead a trump and I managed 6 tricks in the 2-2 fit for a push, against 3NT
down 2 at the other table.

Washington NABC weekend 2

That was a fun weekend even if we won only 3 masterpoints in 6 sessions and I played the worst bridge I've played in years. I had my moody spells, mostly on the way there, I guess just being nervous about the whole thing. It's totally out of character for me to on a whim decide to go and spend a weekend with someone I had just met. I didn't even know Mila's last name until I found her on facebook the night before going back. We got to play against Bill Gates in our second session. I probably never would have even attempted to have a conversation with him (at least not any more than I would with some random bridge player), but Mila really took the initiative and talked with him for quite awhile. I was impressed. We then played in the National Open Swiss Saturday with Angela Collura and her dad. So, I guess we didn't actually expect to make the cut but after 1 session we were in good shape with 42 VP on 40 average. the evening session was really horrible for Mila and I. We managed only 7 more VPs, probably because we were both thinking too much about what we were going to do after the game. ;)

Anyway, I have no bridge hands to share yet, but they will come.

Washington NABC weekend 1

This past weekend I was in Washington DC for the Nationals with my parents. My mom doesn't play bridge but just likes going places when my dad and I play. It was actually a wonderful 4 day trip for us. The play at the bridge table left a lot to be desired. My dad and I failed to qualify for day 2 of the LM pairs, posting scores of 42% and 53% in the qualifying sessions Friday. Fortunately, we played 4 more sessions in regional pairs and increased every time up to 66% in the Sunday afternoon side game.

But, really, most of the fun in going to bridge tournaments is seeing the people, the midnight games, and seeing the city. Now, I've been to DC a few times before so I wasn't much into sightseeing, which is okay because with my tight schedule I didn't have much time for that. We got to have some nice food, sleep in, and really relax for a few days.

Sunday I ditched the parents to have dinner with some of my friends. I actually made plans separately to go to an Indian restaurant with Giorgia and Megan. I was glad I double-booked myself because I never found Megan after the afternoon session. So, Giorgia, Sean, and I went to one of the 3 Indian restaurants near the hotel. Later on, I found out that Megan was apparently in the same area looking for me but somehow missed me, probably becasue she and Patrick were fighting. Anyway, she came to an Indian restaurant, too, but picked the wrong one. It all worked out well. Then Sunday night Giorgia wants to know if I can fill in on her team on Monday morning. I am normally very much against 9am bridge games but when she said I would be playing with a female about my age, I couldn't resist. So I met Mila Sunday night and our results were fairly mediocre but we enjoyed playing together a lot. I had a flight to catch at 5pm or else I would have stayed to play and get to know her more, so maybe I'll get to play with her some other time, perhaps even next weekend if I can get a flight deal to come back to DC.