Sat Nov 30th
Dublin North Region Regional Pairs results
http://www.bridgewebs.com/dublinnorthregion/
Sunday December 1st
Mid Leinster Region Regional Pairs Results
http://www.bridgewebs.com/mlr/
Down in Leixlip I was called to a table by a well known MLR luminarie. He had found board 17 was misboarded and was on the case of establishing a 60% score for himself and his opponents.
It would be the best thing for every one concerned and would I be able to penalize those two pairs there and over there as they had the boards last and they misboarded it and I am not able to play it
and its not right etc etc etc ...
I said ok .. 60%-60% to ye ...but I cannot be certain who misboarded or did ye turn the board the wrong way etc ...
Luminary pipes up that the previous table did it and blah blah blah ..
I got the bridgemate and went to enter the adjusted score and I find a score is already entered ..
Back I go and I show luninary the corrected board and he says .." Yes we played this and the contract was 4S and this was my hand and I opened this and partner bid this and I leapt to 4S
and I played it great and I got 85%.
Grand says I ...so then you misboarded it ....as this they board you want 60% on and all the other
pairs penalized ..
Luminaries lights went out ..
.................................
Magic Murphy and his long suffering partner the elegant Michael O'Mahony placed 2nd in the
Dublin North Region A pairs last weekend. As an aside the event was won by Tom Cassidy and Derek Howe of Malahide. Tom Cassidy is the older brother of the more famous Pat Cassidy.
Both Cassidys started playing cards in Swords in 1953,
..........
http://bridgez.net:3002/connexion.html
This is the best bridge thing since sliced bread for lunchbreak ,..
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Ireland Lady Milne Trials End
The CBAI (Contract Bridge Association of Ireland) Lady Milne Trials ended after 2 weekends of female battle.
Joan Kenny Teresa Rigney Valerie Hand Aileen O'Keeffe Gilda Pender Hilary McDonagh form one of the teams to represent Ireland in the Lady Milne.
Mary Finn Jill Kulchyky Lucy Phelan Louise Reddan Bernie Lodewijks and Brid Kemple
form the other team to represent Ireland in the Lady Milne.
Full details of these trials can be found on www.fob.ie
Bernie Lodewijks and Brid Kemple are new caps and also a new partnership which formed recently. Bernie lives in Galway with husband Jeroen and in the past was active in Malahide Regional , Swords and the Regent Bridge Club.
Brid Kemple lives with partner and well known Irish international bridge player Terry Walsh.
Has claimed in the past she is a better declarer player then yours truly. However now she is an international player so maybe she is.
Lucy and Louise played in the Open Camrose last season when Ireland had 2 teams.
I don't know if they have Lady Milne history. However one husband John claims Lucy is the
best player in Waterford. I used to be the best in Dungarvan briefly when I visited.
The other 8 players have represented various Irish Lady Teams in the past so I don't need to write too much about them. Maybe tomorrow after I have done some research.
I went down to Templogue to catch the end of the trials. Jonathan Mathers was putting everything away. I gave a little help taking down screens and tables since nobody else was helping. Martin Keane arrived in just in time to do the hard job of re arranging the tables in the Templeogue Bridge Centre format. The venue was certainly not left the way it was received. People forget that somebody has to tidy up after them.
I heard some players thanking Brian Lawlor so he must have run a good show.
This years Lady Milne Trophy will be held in City North Hotel just off the motorway near Gormanston and Balbriggan.
I saw in John Comyn Sunday Independant article that some chap does not like the new method used for teams scoring in World Bridge Federation. My own understanding is that lots of research went into this new method over the last few years. Details can be found below.
http://www.worldbridge.org/Data/Sites/1/media/documents/regulations/WBFAlgorithms.pdf
Further discussion is here
http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/55389-wbf-vp-scale-changes/
I had a feeling that these teams tables should be adjusted somewhat for Butler Pairs but Thomas Roche explained to me yesterday that the tables are fine for Butler Pairs as the datum is like an average of several teams scores .... It will do me for now.
Thanks
Eamon Galligan
Joan Kenny Teresa Rigney Valerie Hand Aileen O'Keeffe Gilda Pender Hilary McDonagh form one of the teams to represent Ireland in the Lady Milne.
Mary Finn Jill Kulchyky Lucy Phelan Louise Reddan Bernie Lodewijks and Brid Kemple
form the other team to represent Ireland in the Lady Milne.
Full details of these trials can be found on www.fob.ie
Bernie Lodewijks and Brid Kemple are new caps and also a new partnership which formed recently. Bernie lives in Galway with husband Jeroen and in the past was active in Malahide Regional , Swords and the Regent Bridge Club.
Brid Kemple lives with partner and well known Irish international bridge player Terry Walsh.
Has claimed in the past she is a better declarer player then yours truly. However now she is an international player so maybe she is.
Lucy and Louise played in the Open Camrose last season when Ireland had 2 teams.
I don't know if they have Lady Milne history. However one husband John claims Lucy is the
best player in Waterford. I used to be the best in Dungarvan briefly when I visited.
The other 8 players have represented various Irish Lady Teams in the past so I don't need to write too much about them. Maybe tomorrow after I have done some research.
I went down to Templogue to catch the end of the trials. Jonathan Mathers was putting everything away. I gave a little help taking down screens and tables since nobody else was helping. Martin Keane arrived in just in time to do the hard job of re arranging the tables in the Templeogue Bridge Centre format. The venue was certainly not left the way it was received. People forget that somebody has to tidy up after them.
I heard some players thanking Brian Lawlor so he must have run a good show.
This years Lady Milne Trophy will be held in City North Hotel just off the motorway near Gormanston and Balbriggan.
I saw in John Comyn Sunday Independant article that some chap does not like the new method used for teams scoring in World Bridge Federation. My own understanding is that lots of research went into this new method over the last few years. Details can be found below.
http://www.worldbridge.org/Data/Sites/1/media/documents/regulations/WBFAlgorithms.pdf
Further discussion is here
http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/55389-wbf-vp-scale-changes/
I had a feeling that these teams tables should be adjusted somewhat for Butler Pairs but Thomas Roche explained to me yesterday that the tables are fine for Butler Pairs as the datum is like an average of several teams scores .... It will do me for now.
Thanks
Eamon Galligan
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Interprovincials 2013 Athlone
It looks like the Interprovincials are just finishing up in Athlone. Leinster captained by Bert McKay will win the Open Series backboned by the O'Briain brothers with former Connacht star James Heneghan assisted by Dublin Norths well known bridge teacher Ranald Milne on Team 1. Juniors David Synnott and Hugh Gormally supported by Mid Leinsters best David Redmond and Liam Gaynor made up Team 2. Terry Walsh Brid Kemple Aoife McHale and Peter Goodman made up the 3rd Leinster Team.
A badly injury hit Connacht team were never at the races and the 3 Connacht teams total failed to match Leinsters top team. This team needs to get into training for next season starting now or else ressurect the old lads from the past who used to rule the interprovincials with an iron fist except of course when Team Silver lads were available of course.
Leinster historically always fielded a limited team and this year was no different. Usually a decent Dublin South Team , a medium team such as best Leinsters in the Kelbourne and maybe a Ladies Team. This years 12 players featured some juniors and some Mid Leinster region and some Lady Milne trialists.
Connacht need to resign the Dublin North resident James Heneghan quickly. No point in having your strongest player backboning the strongest province. Thats why Ferguson only sold his duds to the other top 4 teams.
Team Munster came roaring back into contention after a weak start in the first 2 matches. Johnny Phelan went to bed early and got up early this morning and went for a spin on the walking machine.
You have to admire that final round of Munsters. However the damage was done in Round 1 and 2. Mind you they were playing the injury hit and demoralized Connacht battlers.
Ulster fired on and off but overall they had too many matches lost. Ulster also were missing some of their bigger guns but people cannot play every event.
I was supposed to play a couple of matches in this event as a substitute for CBAI President but in the end he did not travell and put in a substitute.
Well done Team Leinster Open.
Connacht did win the Inter B interprovincials so there is good hope for the future of Connacht bridge. Leinster need to work on their strategy for next years Inter B interprovicials.
I wonder what is the selection procedure for Interprovincials. I presume one has to enter the various national events to get a look in so as a tournament director I would not be in the running.
www.fob.ie has the information on this event assisted by bridge.silvertexter.eu
.............
I think next weekend is Lady Milne Trials and maybe Dundalk Congress .. and after that comes Kilkenny Bridge Congress.
.........
I played some BBO web version robots yesterday with Emer Joyce and the robots seem much improved.
A badly injury hit Connacht team were never at the races and the 3 Connacht teams total failed to match Leinsters top team. This team needs to get into training for next season starting now or else ressurect the old lads from the past who used to rule the interprovincials with an iron fist except of course when Team Silver lads were available of course.
Leinster historically always fielded a limited team and this year was no different. Usually a decent Dublin South Team , a medium team such as best Leinsters in the Kelbourne and maybe a Ladies Team. This years 12 players featured some juniors and some Mid Leinster region and some Lady Milne trialists.
Team Munster came roaring back into contention after a weak start in the first 2 matches. Johnny Phelan went to bed early and got up early this morning and went for a spin on the walking machine.
You have to admire that final round of Munsters. However the damage was done in Round 1 and 2. Mind you they were playing the injury hit and demoralized Connacht battlers.
Ulster fired on and off but overall they had too many matches lost. Ulster also were missing some of their bigger guns but people cannot play every event.
I was supposed to play a couple of matches in this event as a substitute for CBAI President but in the end he did not travell and put in a substitute.
Well done Team Leinster Open.
Connacht did win the Inter B interprovincials so there is good hope for the future of Connacht bridge. Leinster need to work on their strategy for next years Inter B interprovicials.
I wonder what is the selection procedure for Interprovincials. I presume one has to enter the various national events to get a look in so as a tournament director I would not be in the running.
www.fob.ie has the information on this event assisted by bridge.silvertexter.eu
.............
I think next weekend is Lady Milne Trials and maybe Dundalk Congress .. and after that comes Kilkenny Bridge Congress.
.........
I played some BBO web version robots yesterday with Emer Joyce and the robots seem much improved.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Bearpark Curran will play in Senior Camrose 2014
Steve Bearpark and Brendan Curran will represent Ireland in the Senior Camrose along with antepost favourites Michael and Padraig O'Briain and the imp collecting David Jackson and Tom Gibson. See www.fob.ie for all details of the senior Camrose ..
Well done to Steve and Brendan .. I think this is there first international cap. Well done to the other two pairs also but they have circled this block before.
I heard one match was played in the dark as there was a powercut in Templogue ..or maybe Martin Keane was missing and he had the keys for the light switch .. Martin is always around looking after the little things and big things in Templogue Bridge Centre.
Visitors to Templogue for National competitions and Trials etc should remember this is a venue belonging to 5 local clubs(I think) and needs to be left in a tidy condition ready for the normal club games. Often I see bidding boxes left thrown on the floor or half the cards out on the table.
Luckily there is a budding Martin Keane around in Jonathan Mathers who gets the place shipshape after CBAI events. We need to be aware of all the people who tidy up after bridge events all around the country and help them as non-club events need clubs to lend them their premises.
Out in Malahide we will run the Schools Pairs in December .. A small issue of the Xmas Party the night before was no problem for Malahide .. "We will just get the cleaners in at 8am .." they said .
Ireland Imp Pairs tonight at 9pm
Well done to Steve and Brendan .. I think this is there first international cap. Well done to the other two pairs also but they have circled this block before.
I heard one match was played in the dark as there was a powercut in Templogue ..or maybe Martin Keane was missing and he had the keys for the light switch .. Martin is always around looking after the little things and big things in Templogue Bridge Centre.
Visitors to Templogue for National competitions and Trials etc should remember this is a venue belonging to 5 local clubs(I think) and needs to be left in a tidy condition ready for the normal club games. Often I see bidding boxes left thrown on the floor or half the cards out on the table.
Luckily there is a budding Martin Keane around in Jonathan Mathers who gets the place shipshape after CBAI events. We need to be aware of all the people who tidy up after bridge events all around the country and help them as non-club events need clubs to lend them their premises.
Out in Malahide we will run the Schools Pairs in December .. A small issue of the Xmas Party the night before was no problem for Malahide .. "We will just get the cleaners in at 8am .." they said .
Ireland Imp Pairs tonight at 9pm
Monday, October 28, 2013
Senior Camrose Trials
I am currently in Templogue at the Senior Camrose Trials. I am seated near a table where David Jackson and Tom Gibson are playing against Aidan and Ena Cleary.
The bidding went 1C 1D 1H 3N 4D 4S 4N 5C 5D and so Jacko is at the helm in 5D.
It is board 7 of the final match. The play is proceeding slowly as is Jackos style. He is starting to motor now. All the trumps are drawn and Jacko claims some tricks.
Board 8 is placed on the table.
Looking around the room 7 tables are in play comprising of the 14 pairs involved.
With 1 round to go I see about 14 kibitzers watching carefully. Up at the directors table we have another group of 5 seated around director Brian Lawlor watching the live scoring coming in.
Thomas McCormac flanks Risteard de Barra with John Comyn and Maureen Pattinson on the other side. Brian directs operations in the middle. On the periphery as always at every major event lurks George Ryan. George is after reading this and said .. "I forgot to shave today but we won't mention that " .. Now George is gone away for another smoke I guess.
Meanwhile back at the bridge board 9 is on the table and Jacko is at the helm again in some contract.
The leading scores entering the last match.
The bidding went 1C 1D 1H 3N 4D 4S 4N 5C 5D and so Jacko is at the helm in 5D.
It is board 7 of the final match. The play is proceeding slowly as is Jackos style. He is starting to motor now. All the trumps are drawn and Jacko claims some tricks.
Board 8 is placed on the table.
Looking around the room 7 tables are in play comprising of the 14 pairs involved.
With 1 round to go I see about 14 kibitzers watching carefully. Up at the directors table we have another group of 5 seated around director Brian Lawlor watching the live scoring coming in.
Thomas McCormac flanks Risteard de Barra with John Comyn and Maureen Pattinson on the other side. Brian directs operations in the middle. On the periphery as always at every major event lurks George Ryan. George is after reading this and said .. "I forgot to shave today but we won't mention that " .. Now George is gone away for another smoke I guess.
Meanwhile back at the bridge board 9 is on the table and Jacko is at the helm again in some contract.
The leading scores entering the last match.
Full results can be found on
And board 10 hits the table. Terry Walsh and Brid Kemple watch carefully improving their knowledge of bridge from the masters.
Then I went outside with Michael McGloughlin and he told me some information on the BJ-McDonagh versus Godden Dowling match.
One board 1NT 2C 2D 4N and we are not sure if they were on same wavelength. 6C went one off.
Godden and Dowling then bid 7NT and a club lead took away the choice of finesses.
Next BJ rolled home a good 3NT..
Then Godden Dowling defended 3H doubled with apparently 6D available their way.
So the match could be even after those 4 boards.
Trials matches beginning to wind up now and you will have to go to
for the final results later.
I have to google Georges car and see whats the story with a red light flashing.
I think its the imobilizer .
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Ireland place 2nd in Cavendish Teams
On Tuesday 22nd of October the Irish Camrose Team of Mark Moran Rory Boland Thomas Hanlon Tommy Garvey Hugh McGann and John Carroll placed 2nd in the prestigious Cavendish Teams.
This was a tremendous performance as the same team expressed satisfaction with their 7th placing in the preliminary event the same weekend when a field of 56 teams started. While not as momentous as the European Silver medal gathered by Team Silver which included the last 4 of the above team along with Adam Mesbur and Nick Fitzgibbon it is a tremendous performance.
You may remember Adam and Nick won the Gold medal at the recent European Senior Pairs during the summer. So thats all good ..
http://www.cavendishmonaco.com/index.php?lang=en
Information on these performances can be found at the above website.
Also records of some of the matches can be accessed via Bridge Library on Bridgebase online .
Hanlon and Carroll will play the B final in Cavendish Pairs for Pairs 13-24 tomorrow.
Only the top 12 pairs qualified for the final. Given the strength of the field here it is quite a good
effort.
..........
Senior Camrose Trials this weekend in Templogue Bridge Centre.
Maybe some information will appear on CBAI website.
........
Intermediate Novice Congress takes place in Citywest next weekend Oct 25th to Oct 27th.
.........
This was a tremendous performance as the same team expressed satisfaction with their 7th placing in the preliminary event the same weekend when a field of 56 teams started. While not as momentous as the European Silver medal gathered by Team Silver which included the last 4 of the above team along with Adam Mesbur and Nick Fitzgibbon it is a tremendous performance.
You may remember Adam and Nick won the Gold medal at the recent European Senior Pairs during the summer. So thats all good ..
http://www.cavendishmonaco.com/index.php?lang=en
Information on these performances can be found at the above website.
Also records of some of the matches can be accessed via Bridge Library on Bridgebase online .
Hanlon and Carroll will play the B final in Cavendish Pairs for Pairs 13-24 tomorrow.
Only the top 12 pairs qualified for the final. Given the strength of the field here it is quite a good
effort.
..........
Senior Camrose Trials this weekend in Templogue Bridge Centre.
Maybe some information will appear on CBAI website.
........
Intermediate Novice Congress takes place in Citywest next weekend Oct 25th to Oct 27th.
.........
Monday, October 21, 2013
Irelands Camrose Team going well in Monaco
Irelands Camrose Team of Mark Moran Rory Boland Hugh McGann Thomas Hanlon Tommy Garvey and John Carroll had a strong day in the first 5 qualifying rounds of the Cavandish Teams. This is a major Teams event with lots of the worlds best players involved.
The results can be found at
http://www.cavendishmonaco.com/index.php?lang=en
Ireland played on vugraph in two matches today and those matches can be found and reviewed via Bridgebase Online.
Hopefully the weather stays fine tomorrow and Ireland continues to play well
Should be on vugraph tomorrow morning about 915 as they are leaders.
However as Ireland has been on vugraph 2 times already who knows.
The results can be found at
http://www.cavendishmonaco.com/index.php?lang=en
Ireland played on vugraph in two matches today and those matches can be found and reviewed via Bridgebase Online.
Should be on vugraph tomorrow morning about 915 as they are leaders.
However as Ireland has been on vugraph 2 times already who knows.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Team Barton qualifies for quarter finals in Monaco Sunday morning.
Play starts in the morning with the quarter final match against Lavazza from Italy starting at 915am Irish time.
There is only one match on BBO so it will probably be the leaders PRI so our lads have to win
to get on vugraph in semi final ..
"We over the moon the most incredible field ever .. " an NPC said
"Nice early morning versus Lavazza in quarter final said one of our players.
"Pretty good result when you look at the kind of company we were in" said another.
............
www.fob.ie for Spiro Cup running scores ..
.........
http://www.cavendishmonaco.com if anybody wants to examine the results in detail
Friday, October 18, 2013
Patton Teams in Regent November 02 SAturday
At the above link you can find Monaco Teams .. An Irish Team is playing in this event which happens just before the Cavandish Teams and Pairs.
There is vugraph coverage from 1400 today but teams can play afternoon or evening session in round 1. I don't know when Ireland will play yet.
..........
Spiro Cup and Coen Trophy take place in Templogue on Saturday Sunday.
........
I was down at Limerick Congress last weekend .. Great road from Dublin .. 1 hour 45 minutes from Swords to Limerick Tunnel on a Saturday morning. I missed the turn off then .. Caherdavin and nearly saw Bunratty Castle ..
I was directing/scoring but Des Houlihan allowed me play his final match as he had another engagement.
..........
Friday, October 04, 2013
Camrose Trials Final Weekend on Bridgebase Oct05 Oct06
Good evening all
Tomorrow morning we will start broadcasting the Ireland Camrose Trials.
The current standings are at
www.fob.ie
The schedule of vugraph for the weekend is at
http://www.bridgebase.com/vugraph/schedule.php
A screen shot of Saturdays vugraph
Tomorrow morning we will start broadcasting the Ireland Camrose Trials.
The current standings are at
www.fob.ie
The schedule of vugraph for the weekend is at
http://www.bridgebase.com/vugraph/schedule.php
A screen shot of Saturdays vugraph
We will show the leading team after each match against that rounds opponents.
This is planned in advance and has been agreed by those in charge
So the first match tomorrow will be Martin Brady versus Rory Boland as the Boland team
is leading
............................
It is possible to subscribe to this blog and receive it by email if anyone chooses.
..........
As per previous blog Miriam McConville and Paul Porteus went on to win the Duais an Uachtarainn Trophy or President Thomas McCormacs prize.
Strangely the Regional Masters Prize was picked up by an Area Master pair
Mary Kavanagh a rising intermediate player and her partner Carol Hawkins a long time member of
They play out of Malahide and Bankers respectively
......................
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Meanwhile out in the Green Isle Hotel we are nearing the end of the 2nd session of the Thomas MacCormac Non-Handicapped Pairs. Its a bumper field with many National champions of all ranks.
I am guessing its an event limited to Intermediate A players and upwards.
After session 1 the President himself backed up by the legend in his own mind John Murchan. Murchan is currently on the wane so MacCormac will have his work cut out to finish at the top of the pile. Meanwhile down in the middle regions lies the legendary BJ O'Brien on 51%.
Sean Joyce my neighbour leads up the Intermediate gang at the moment .. 2220 is the time on Saturday night in 18th place.
Newly former partnership William Ronan and Thomas Gilligan found the going tough in the early stages and floundered in the bottom half of the field. However they now have climbed into the top half but lacking the matchpoints skills of the stronger players they will hardly make the top 10 this year.
I am guessing its an event limited to Intermediate A players and upwards.
After session 1 the President himself backed up by the legend in his own mind John Murchan. Murchan is currently on the wane so MacCormac will have his work cut out to finish at the top of the pile. Meanwhile down in the middle regions lies the legendary BJ O'Brien on 51%.
Sean Joyce my neighbour leads up the Intermediate gang at the moment .. 2220 is the time on Saturday night in 18th place.
Newly former partnership William Ronan and Thomas Gilligan found the going tough in the early stages and floundered in the bottom half of the field. However they now have climbed into the top half but lacking the matchpoints skills of the stronger players they will hardly make the top 10 this year.
1 1 Thomas MacCormac,John Murchan 1930.6 1304.1 (41) 3234.7 60.2 4.9
2 12 Aidan Cleary,Ena Cleary 1790.5 1436.6 (17) 3227.1 60.0 4.8
3 141 Pat MacMahon,Pat Ryan 1928.6 1287.7 (46) 3216.3 59.8 4.7
4 101 John Noonan,CarolAnn Cummins 1705.8 1504.8 ( 7) 3210.6 59.7 4.7
5 113 Brendan Sheridan,Helen Sheridan 1709.0 1492.4 ( 9) 3201.4 59.6 4.6
6 87 Gilda Pender,Hilary McDonagh 1760.1 1440.3 (16) 3200.4 59.5 4.6
7 43 Gordon Lessells,Kay Cussen 1774.1 1412.3 (21) 3186.4 59.3 4.5
8 72 Richard Elvin,Maria Whelan 1799.6 1366.4 (28) 3166.0 58.9 4.3
2 12 Aidan Cleary,Ena Cleary 1790.5 1436.6 (17) 3227.1 60.0 4.8
3 141 Pat MacMahon,Pat Ryan 1928.6 1287.7 (46) 3216.3 59.8 4.7
4 101 John Noonan,CarolAnn Cummins 1705.8 1504.8 ( 7) 3210.6 59.7 4.7
5 113 Brendan Sheridan,Helen Sheridan 1709.0 1492.4 ( 9) 3201.4 59.6 4.6
6 87 Gilda Pender,Hilary McDonagh 1760.1 1440.3 (16) 3200.4 59.5 4.6
7 43 Gordon Lessells,Kay Cussen 1774.1 1412.3 (21) 3186.4 59.3 4.5
8 72 Richard Elvin,Maria Whelan 1799.6 1366.4 (28) 3166.0 58.9 4.3
9 135 Miriam McConville,Paul Porteous 1633.7 1522.7 ( 5) 3156.4 58.7 4.2
10 137 Cathy Bearpark,Steve Bearpark 1648.1 1451.7 (14) 3099.9 57.7 3.7
11 145 Ann O'Connell,Ann O'Rourke RM 1619.6 1435.7 (18) 3055.3 56.8 3.3
12 148 John Fitzgerald,Mary O'Sullivan RM 1423.7 1626.0 ( 1) 3049.8 56.7 3.2
13 151 Seamus Dowling,John Godden 1573.2 1475.6 (10) 3048.8 56.7 3.2
14 4 Jackie Bolster,Sean Joyce A1 1519.5 1520.8 ( 6) 3040.4 56.6 3.1
15 86 Peter Howard,Brian Carroll 1477.3 1559.0 ( 3) 3036.3 56.5 3.1
16 158 Helen Holman,Brian O'Farrell 1492.3 1541.0 ( 4) 3033.3 56.4 3.1
17 153 Carol Hawkins,Mary Kavanagh AM 1795.3 1230.3 (60) 3025.6 56.3 3.0
18 29 Jimmy Byrne,James Killen AM 1601.5 1419.1 (19) 3020.6 56.2 3.0
19 121 Gerry McKenna,Dermot O'Brien RM 1491.3 1451.0 (15) 2942.4 54.7 2.3
20 142 Maurice Quinn,Mary Kelly-Rodgers 1443.6 1497.8 ( 8) 2941.4 54.7 2.3
21 61 Sean O'Lubaigh,Mary Finn 1912.1 1027.1 (96) 2939.2 54.7 2.2
22 84 Fionuala Gill,Valerie Mathers AM 1456.7 1474.2 (11) 2930.9 54.5 2.2
10 137 Cathy Bearpark,Steve Bearpark 1648.1 1451.7 (14) 3099.9 57.7 3.7
11 145 Ann O'Connell,Ann O'Rourke RM 1619.6 1435.7 (18) 3055.3 56.8 3.3
12 148 John Fitzgerald,Mary O'Sullivan RM 1423.7 1626.0 ( 1) 3049.8 56.7 3.2
13 151 Seamus Dowling,John Godden 1573.2 1475.6 (10) 3048.8 56.7 3.2
14 4 Jackie Bolster,Sean Joyce A1 1519.5 1520.8 ( 6) 3040.4 56.6 3.1
15 86 Peter Howard,Brian Carroll 1477.3 1559.0 ( 3) 3036.3 56.5 3.1
16 158 Helen Holman,Brian O'Farrell 1492.3 1541.0 ( 4) 3033.3 56.4 3.1
17 153 Carol Hawkins,Mary Kavanagh AM 1795.3 1230.3 (60) 3025.6 56.3 3.0
18 29 Jimmy Byrne,James Killen AM 1601.5 1419.1 (19) 3020.6 56.2 3.0
19 121 Gerry McKenna,Dermot O'Brien RM 1491.3 1451.0 (15) 2942.4 54.7 2.3
20 142 Maurice Quinn,Mary Kelly-Rodgers 1443.6 1497.8 ( 8) 2941.4 54.7 2.3
21 61 Sean O'Lubaigh,Mary Finn 1912.1 1027.1 (96) 2939.2 54.7 2.2
22 84 Fionuala Gill,Valerie Mathers AM 1456.7 1474.2 (11) 2930.9 54.5 2.2
107 42 Antoinette Harrison,Mary Campbell A2 1247.1 978.4 (**) 2225.5 41.4 -4.1
108 89 Daniel Varley,John Connolly A1 1022.0 1168.7 (76) 2190.7 40.7 -4.4
109 49 Margaret Fitzgerald,Bernie Hickey A2 1136.4 1020.4 (99) 2156.8 40.1 -4.7
110 24 Betty O'Connell-Jones,Mary Toth AM 1165.8 949.2 (**) 2114.9 39.3 -5.1
111 157 Eileen Counihan,Ruth O'Dea RM 1103.9 992.4 (**) 2096.3 39.0 -5.3
112 11 Aidan Hodgers,Maurice O'Leary AM 1125.8 945.6 (**) 2071.4 38.5 -5.5
113 88 John Davitt,Maureen Davitt A2 1086.0 866.1 (**) 1952.1 36.3 -6.6
108 89 Daniel Varley,John Connolly A1 1022.0 1168.7 (76) 2190.7 40.7 -4.4
109 49 Margaret Fitzgerald,Bernie Hickey A2 1136.4 1020.4 (99) 2156.8 40.1 -4.7
110 24 Betty O'Connell-Jones,Mary Toth AM 1165.8 949.2 (**) 2114.9 39.3 -5.1
111 157 Eileen Counihan,Ruth O'Dea RM 1103.9 992.4 (**) 2096.3 39.0 -5.3
112 11 Aidan Hodgers,Maurice O'Leary AM 1125.8 945.6 (**) 2071.4 38.5 -5.5
113 88 John Davitt,Maureen Davitt A2 1086.0 866.1 (**) 1952.1 36.3 -6.6
Meanwhile Arran Bolger and Stephen Barr who are playing bridge all of 13 months have recovered from a rough start to be on 49.5% at the moment in a field containing many players of 30 years experience.
/////////////////
Out in Bali tonight Fiona Brown a regular visitor to Ireland attempts to win the Venice Cup in sessions 4 5 6 of the final. Bridge Base Online coverage starts at 3am Irish time. Good luck to Fiona as if there
is no victory then there will be Grumpyfee and we don't want that.
Above find a link from the Full Tilt website which gives a flavour of Fiona and the Galway Full Tilt Bridge event organised by Thomas Hanlon and helpers.
.........................
Next weekend we will broadcast the Camrose Trials final weekend featuring the Teams shown below
1st Rory Boland, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey, Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Mark Moran 77.1%
2nd Pat Quinn, Dermot Cotter, Cian Holland, Pat Liston, Tom McCarthy, John Russell 67.7%
3rd Enda Glynn, Gay Keaveney, Padraig and , Micheal O'Briain, Derek O'Gorman, Terry Walsh 61.7%
4th John Phelan, Lucy Phelan, Louise Mitchell, Diarmuid Reddan 41.8%
5th Bob Pattinson, Maureen Pattinson, Fred Barry, Kevin Barry 38.0%
6th Martin Brady, Justin Corfield, Stefan Ekman, Norbert van Woerkom 13.7%
................
There appears to be a clear message to the 4 man teams ... get two reserves
Mind you it is probably a Health and Safety issue to play as a 4 man team.
CBAI should not allow 4 man teams as trials bridge is a severe test and some
players are getting on a little.
................................................................................
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Accidental Holdup Mis-click play ..Camrose Trials
Folks
Yesterday due to a slip of the finger I seem to have pulled off a fine play to make 3NT.
Of course it can only happen online as I am not at the stage yet where I use a fingerpad for live play.
Yesterday due to a slip of the finger I seem to have pulled off a fine play to make 3NT.
Of course it can only happen online as I am not at the stage yet where I use a fingerpad for live play.
Contract was 3NT and I got a favourable Heart lead ..well it looks favourable.
I thought I might finesse the club Queen for an entry to work the diamonds but West slapped up the Jack McGann Style and I misclicked on the club 7. West went another club and I did my original finesse and was disappointed when it lost. A heart came back and I went King to the Ace.
Another Club and I won Ace and ran Diamond Jack losing to King. A spade came and I cashed out for 7 tricks when suddenly Diamond queen fell and I realized clubs were in East the whole time and I had accidently done some kind of holdup play.
Thats what happens on Wbridge5 sometimes ..
...................
http://bridgez.net:3002/connexion.html Play it here .. you got to register for FREE.
........
Here we see with BJOBrien on the wane I have added a few stronger challengers.
thebeercard is Paul Gipson and mobrule is Dublins own Michael O'Briain.
Also the reclusive spartacus has appeared and seems to be a capable player.
Sadly The Great Mulall has given up the ghost due to pressures of work. Jeannief is the leading female player in my group of men. The reclusive rashers ploughs ahead. Marykg seems to be only playing board 1 of each set for some reason. Could it be that she does not know how to find board 2.
The elusive murphyslaw legendary in the Acol Club and recently appearing in Malahide Regional Bridge Club with his partner Jumping Jesus. Even Elvis another recluse makes an appearance on Wbridge5 but prefers the golf. Theres a good blow out today so Elvis should make some long drives as long as he shoots into the breeze. Former partners billpat and patbill still attempt WB5 and the well known Malahide and Regent guiness drinker Maurice Quinn dips in some days. Possibly the Great Mulall is still dabbling but I don't track him these days. The legendary Brendan Conlon from Dundalk has been making regular appearances recently. Anyway thats the story.
.............................
For trialists Paul Gipson is organising matches between Celtic trialists and also some Europeans.
somewhere on his blog .. google Beercard bridge might get it. Find the page and register.
.....................
Meanwhile in CBAI land we had the prelim Camrose Trials. 7 Teams hit the floor and battled off for 4 Final places. Teams led by Pat Quinn John Phelan Martin Brady Fred Barry qualified for the Final stage.
Here they could find the going decidedly more difficult despite what it says on Facebook.
A trialist mentions he will compete against 5 other strong teams.
There is also the question of how come I am always watching All Ireland football and hurling finals in Templogue on Camrose Trials weekends. A thought off the top of my head.. The Trials could take place at a Congress venue or at a National or even at the Intermediate weekend.
Its hotel double bubble on All Ireland weekends.. and Hotel Galligan no longer opens.
Maybe we could start a Box Room for Camrose Trialists plan on All Ireland weekends.
...........................
Meanwhile I am noticing fairly well known Irish players pairing up with juniors on BBO.
I think somebody has started a mentoring program. Johnny Phelan partners madcookie.
I saw Gay Keaveney and Pat Quinn playing against each other with new teenage bridge players.
Seems Thomas McCormac Martin Brady and Karel deRaymaeker are driving this. John Murchan and Ruth Connolly might be involved from the North.
...................................
Tomorrow I will publish how I made another fine contract this morning on Wbridge5. PLay is still live so I won't spoil it.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Bray Bridge Congress 2013 this coming weekend
Bridge is played in the library on Wednesdays at 1930. Now I had been in the RDS Library before about 9 years ago when the RDS hosted "Clash of the Masters" a Hilary Dowling Long production.
Anyway shortly after I arrived I found out they had a standby player and folk who had no partners gave me their name and were paired up in order of arrival with the next person. The standby would then either play or go home depending on if he/she was required. A quick count of tables indicated 13.5 tables and 1 standby with no partner. I paired up 6-8 players. So my instructions from Paul O'Reilly was run 13 table mitchel or two smaller events if more than 13. So to save having a sitout I got permission from the Presifent to partner the standby as it made sense to have no sitout and not to do a 6.5 table movement.
So it was getting close to 745pm by the time I sat down to play my first board.
21 boards later and it was 1015pm and most players had departed the venue. I collected all my sheets and tidied away all the equipment required for 14 tables and I was in my car heading for Sandymount Hotel at 1028pm. My instructions were to deliver the sheets and names and some leftover players prixes to Paul O'Reilly at the hotel.. On arrival I noticed a sign saying O'Reilly party.
So I headed that direction and found a pile of bridge players and pile of O'Reilly tribal members and members of Liz Anns family celebrating a major birthday of Liz Anns. Think she was 40 or 42 or something.
Down in the corner was a group of Wicklow Bridge players who indicated they had a big Congress on this weekend and why was it not on my blog etc ..
So here it is .. but CBAI must be on vacation as they still have Galway Pokerstars whizzing across the top of the page when it should be Bray Bridge Congress or 70 year anniversairy Congress.
As a small child my domicile was Greystones and a cottage called Sunbeam Cottage. I only vaguely recalled the railway and being told it was very dangerous. You could walk behind our house and cross the railway on a metal bridge and go to the shop as far as I recall. Its about 47 years ago though.
Once in the 1990s when on the train to Wexford Bridge Congress I looked out the window and could see Sunbeam Cottage and was very surprised.
I won't be at Bray Bridge Congress as I am going down for a float on the Shannon but it would be great to have a bridge congress back on our doorstep so people should support it.
The venue is the Esplanade Hotel and its on the seafront. Its the hotel where Bray-Greystones chess club used to play back in the day. Seamus Duffy is a capable chess player from Bray. I used to know him when I was a teenage chess player. A few years ago a young chap who lives on my road approached me in our local community centre and indicated that his uncle knew me ..
That chap is now Steve from Kodaline .. http://www.kodaline.com/home
I guess his mum is from Wicklow then but I might be wrong. However they sing nice songs.
Don't think they play bridge though.
..............................
Meanwhile if Bray is too far for you to travel there is always the Tom Hardiman and Nicky Fitzgibbon show down in Kerry. ... http://bridgeireland.com/
Details can be found at the link above.
Note to Bridge Congress organisers ... Contact Bridge Ireland and get your event on their website.
Too late for Bray this year but maybe next year if enough of ye go there this weekend.
Should be ok as normally 26-32 teams attend Bray Swiss Teams ..but this year its Pairs and Teams on
the Saturday and Sunday.. Kilkenny bridge players can go there as they don't know themselves .. No All Ireland Final this year for some reason.... First time in Jamie Martins long memory that Kilkenny were not in the All Ireland Final.
......
I saw Brendan Martin and John Comyn and Ann Comyn and Bert McKay and Rita McNamara and Patsy Gibney and Maura Hand and some other bridge players in the Sandymount Hotel last night. Fionnula from CBAI office was there too. Also some players from Templogue Centre whose names I am not sure of.
However I had to depart Sandymount Hotel as I had my car with me and its not smart these days to mix guinness and cars. I recall sharing a house with a country lad who always wore a good suit to work. A customer facing employee of some computer firm. He literally ate guinness .. Two mouthfuls and it was gone.
One night he landed home about 11pm and looked quite normal. He said He had a few pints but did not look at all inebriated. 17 pints he said proudly and the car knows its way home.
Maybe the old advert was true ... Guinness is good for you.
I think they had to get rid of that advert years ago ,,,,as alcohol could not be good for you..
..................
Above are the results of the Ireland Imps Pairs held every Tuesday about 9pm on www.bridgebase online.
Some of the RDS bridge players even knew about this event. Several well known players too part there.
aoife was a late sub for the final round so 13th place is not her doing.
Up there in 3rd place are Fred and Kevin Barry... recent visitors to Brighton Congress I think
This Brighton event is a great event for any Irish players who want to sample a decent level of English Bridge. Also a great results presentation via some site called Pianola. Worth a physical visit some year or a virtual visit to see the website
.....................................
http://bridgez.net:3002/connexion.html
Several top and bottom Irish players are playing this event from day to day. You can play anything from 0 boards to the full 16 boards .. Recently I spotted an account called Mobrule playing .. Its most likely Michael O'Brian the well known bridge player from the Regent Bridge Club. James Heneghan indicated .."while the robots are maniacs sometimes it is very good to sharpen a players pairs technique.
James said something along those lines ..but not exactly that.
Eamon just played the first hand of today. Can you make 7D grand slam like Eamon did. 81% score if you do. The board is pre bid and set for everybody to play 7D so I am not giving anything away ..
The mobrule has played 62 boards this month which is quite a lot for a guy who does not play bridge on a computer as a rule but does watch lots of international vugraph.
I recently noticed two accounts called rashers and sausages playing. I think they are online partners.
However the rashers guy was naming his after a Strumpet City character... not the irish breakfast.
........................................
Former Bankers Bridge Club stalwart Kevin O'Dea recently made a return to face to face bridge in the Teachers Club.
A good place for city bridge players to play
The two main Dublin Bridge Clubs are above so don't say I did not tell you
runs Open Pairs on a Friday night so if you want a game its easy to find and Dermot McCourt will be in charge. Hand record printout and bridgemate scoring are in use. 1930 and all welcome even Southsiders .
........................
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Full Tilt Irish Bridge Masters Videos
Fiona Brown and several other bridge players get a look in here at the Full Tilt Irish Bridge Masters.
Full Tilt sent in their roaming camera man who took plenty of footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN9vtNYZ6dA
Gus mentions bridge early in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4oXPDQuflk
Heads Up Ireland v England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIMHYmS_vk
Fintan and Marty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIMHYmS_vk
A tour of the facilities ...a fantastic setup for card games and the rest ...
They built a purpose built facility for bridge players on an empty site
Then they played poker in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GacOn-HYyY0
That will do for now ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SF1wM9ME9E
Well maybe one more of Gus Hansen after he called an all in with pocket Aces ..and
out he goes
Full Tilt sent in their roaming camera man who took plenty of footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN9vtNYZ6dA
Gus mentions bridge early in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4oXPDQuflk
Heads Up Ireland v England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIMHYmS_vk
Fintan and Marty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIMHYmS_vk
A tour of the facilities ...a fantastic setup for card games and the rest ...
They built a purpose built facility for bridge players on an empty site
Then they played poker in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GacOn-HYyY0
That will do for now ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SF1wM9ME9E
Well maybe one more of Gus Hansen after he called an all in with pocket Aces ..and
out he goes
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Full Tilt Irish Bridge Masters Session 3 Gus Hansen on Vugraph
Today Sunday August 4th saw the final session of the Full Tilt Irish Bridge
Masters in Galway.
Held at a purpose built arena for poker the bridge fitted in nicely between
two banks of poker playing areas.
Starting the day Sally Brock and Barry Myers led from Jason Hackett and
Alex Hydes and we had 26 hands of bridge to play at about 6 minutes per
hand.
I was setup to broadcast one table of vugraph and with one of the well
known poker stars playing in the bridge event it made sense to broadcast his
table.
Therefore the director rotated the tables a little so Gus Hansen and
Fleming Deneilsen were seated close to my area.
So we were setup to go but we had no Gus Hansen.
Suddenly Donal MacAonghusa materialized and sat down opposite Fleming
Deneilson as a substitute. Very few in the poker world knew that Donal had been
an international bridge player at Open and Junior levels in the past so
Fleming was pleasantly surprised to find he had found a good replacement
Boards 13 14
McAonghusa started off by overcalling 4H and the opponents felt he was too
high and doubled him. Donal wrapped up 11 tricks and that was a fine
start.
Then the intrepid pair defended 1NT and a diamond lead left home 1
overtrick.
Boards 15 16
Fleming made 11 tricks in 4 Spades after a defensive slipup
Then we had Donal MacAonghusa at the helm again in 4S.
Donal played well and brought home 11 tricks by dropping the final Heart
high honour when East failed
to play his known Heart 10 on the 2nd round of hearts.
Then Gus Hansen finally arrived on the scene. Fleming thanked Donal for his
contribution and
Gus Hensan took over.
Gus was faced with a tough hand to start with and with his partner making a
supportive noise
Gus overreached to 5S and got doubled and went 2 off.
Hard to blame him as he mentioned to partner .. I thought you might have
two more aces
Board 21 saw Gus with a tough problem after partner doubled 3 clubs for
takeout ..
Commentators on vugraph wondered would Gus find the winning pass ..
Sure enough after some thought Gus passed and with precision defence the
contract was held to 5 tricks
and this was +800 for Hansen Deneilsen ..
Then some trouble appeared on the horizon with World Ladies champion Fiona
Brown looming with
Danish partner Nadia Bekouche.
Fiona is interviewed above by Full Tilt ..
So our intrepid Gus Hansen opens up with a solid weak 2 bid in hearts
..
The girls East West compete and use lebensohl to show a weak hand with
clubs ..
Fleming decides to have a piece of that and Brown feeling we are in trouble
offers up a redouble
to partner to take us out of here to another contract ..meaning diamonds or
spades ..
Nadia being not to enamoured with her diamonds or spades decided to leave
it in 3C redoubled.
This contract was destined for 2 off and zero matchpoints so Brown tried to
sneak home the trump King
risking the possibility of 3 off and the same zero matchpoints ..but
Fleming let it slip past and Brown managed
to get out for 1 down ... Redoubled was 400 and probably still a zero
percent score.
Board 1 saw good defence by our intepid pair and a declarer slip to beat 3D
off 3
Board 3 saw Gus overreach into 6 Hearts when 5 Spades was going down 1
Board 5 saw Fleming make 10 tricks in 3NT after Ciaran Coyne took advantage
of vulnerability to
make it tough for Gus Hansen
The Hansen table was broadcast live on the internet and at one stage we had
660 spectators watching in
their homes .. Now sometimes 2-3 people might watch on same computer so we
don’t know exactly how
many people would be watching. Sometimes in the past we have logged into
Vugraph broadcasts in our
local clubs and we might have 50 people watching on the Big Screen
Several well known bridge players looked in to see how a superstar of the
poker world might fare at bridge.
Gus Hansens picture is posted in many places around the event marquee and
on the side of the Harbour Hotel.
I personally did not know much about poker until about 3 months ago when
with this event coming up I thought
I best brush up on the lingo at least. So yes even Eamon Galligan has heard
of Gus Hansen but I did not know
what he looked like ..
Gus was a gentleman at the table and made small talk and big talk with all
opponents who wished to engage.
As this event is sponsored by Full Tilt Poker and Gus is one of the group
known as “The Professionals“ it made sense
to make the effort to put Gus Hansen on the Bridge Base broadcast today.
I have heard it said that Gus bigs up bridge anytime he gets a chance and
it was great for me to be able to put him up there
for the bridge world to see.
The files of the Full Tilt Irish Bridge Masters can be found at the above
link.
Session 3 is not there yet but will appear.
www.fob.ie has all the results of the 3
sessions on Tournament Director Feargal O’Boyles website
Lots of information on the hands and contracts can be found there
Thanks
Eamon Galligan
Full Tilt Poker Irish Bridge Masters Galway
The 3rd session of the Full Tilt Irish Bridge Masters will start shortly.
We will broadcast 1 table of vugraph featuring well known poker star Gus Hansen and his partner Fleming Danielson.
The broadcast can be viewed on www.bridgebase.com . Create a free account and password and you are good to go.
Leading scores after 2 sessions of 3
Rank Pair Overall % Pair Names Boards Session Session Rank
1 22 65.98 Sally Brock - Barry Myers 52 61.41 4
2 27 62.30 Jason Hackett - Alex Hydes 52 64.08 3
3 42 62.23 B.J. O'Brien - David Jackson 52 66.40 1
4 63 59.38 Paul Delaney - Marcin Rudzinski 50 50.50 27
5 56 59.11 John Carroll - Rory Boland 50 61.17 5
6 60 57.43 Matthias Schueller - Jascha Garre 50 58.23
7 2 57.35 Fiona Brown - Nadia Bekouche 52 57.71 8
8 24 57.00 Gay Keaveney - Peter Goodman 52 53.64 16
9 54 56.50 James Heneghan - Willem Mevius 52 60.71 6
10 13 55.62 David Walsh - Ciaran Coyne 50 64.86 2
11 4 55.43 Tom Hanlon - Hugh McGann 50 57.51 9
12 64 55.23 Dave Synott - Hugh Gormally (MA) 50 51.06
13 7 54.89 Mary Finn - Cian Holland 50 56.24 11
14 8 54.71 Anne Dillon - Peter Pigot 50 57.20 10
15 33 53.90 Pat Quinn - Martin Garvey 52 49.09 31
16 47 53.70 Paul Hackett - David Levy 52 52.30 19
17 51 53.40 Heidi Lillis - Michael McGloughlin 52 54.19
18 25 53.19 Brid Kemple - Terry Walsh 52 48.34 36
19 50 53.17 Eddie Fitzgerald - Michael MacDonagh 52 50.54
20 28 53.13 Maria Whelan - Dolores Gilliland 52 52.71
21 26 53.09 John Beard - Liam Sheradon 52 50.00 29
22 3 52.65 Cass O'Donnell - Ann Davey 50 47.62 39
23 10 52.57 Maureen Pattinson - Bob Pattinson 50 46.35
24 45 51.60 Connell McLoone - Pat McDaid 52 47.56 40
25 44 51.49 Anna Onishuk - Karel deRaeymaeker 52 55.35
26 55 51.44 Rory Egan - David Berber (MA) 50 55.79 12
First prize to the winning pair is 5000 euros ... the largest prize for bridge ever in Ireland.
We have many top Irish players and several visiting pairs from England and Europe.
I looked out this morning and it was a fine sunny day and strolling up the road were well known Irish bridge players David Jackson and BJ O Brien. .
We will broadcast 1 table of vugraph featuring well known poker star Gus Hansen and his partner Fleming Danielson.
The broadcast can be viewed on www.bridgebase.com . Create a free account and password and you are good to go.
Leading scores after 2 sessions of 3
Rank Pair Overall % Pair Names Boards Session Session Rank
1 22 65.98 Sally Brock - Barry Myers 52 61.41 4
2 27 62.30 Jason Hackett - Alex Hydes 52 64.08 3
3 42 62.23 B.J. O'Brien - David Jackson 52 66.40 1
4 63 59.38 Paul Delaney - Marcin Rudzinski 50 50.50 27
5 56 59.11 John Carroll - Rory Boland 50 61.17 5
6 60 57.43 Matthias Schueller - Jascha Garre 50 58.23
7 2 57.35 Fiona Brown - Nadia Bekouche 52 57.71 8
8 24 57.00 Gay Keaveney - Peter Goodman 52 53.64 16
9 54 56.50 James Heneghan - Willem Mevius 52 60.71 6
10 13 55.62 David Walsh - Ciaran Coyne 50 64.86 2
11 4 55.43 Tom Hanlon - Hugh McGann 50 57.51 9
12 64 55.23 Dave Synott - Hugh Gormally (MA) 50 51.06
13 7 54.89 Mary Finn - Cian Holland 50 56.24 11
14 8 54.71 Anne Dillon - Peter Pigot 50 57.20 10
15 33 53.90 Pat Quinn - Martin Garvey 52 49.09 31
16 47 53.70 Paul Hackett - David Levy 52 52.30 19
17 51 53.40 Heidi Lillis - Michael McGloughlin 52 54.19
18 25 53.19 Brid Kemple - Terry Walsh 52 48.34 36
19 50 53.17 Eddie Fitzgerald - Michael MacDonagh 52 50.54
20 28 53.13 Maria Whelan - Dolores Gilliland 52 52.71
21 26 53.09 John Beard - Liam Sheradon 52 50.00 29
22 3 52.65 Cass O'Donnell - Ann Davey 50 47.62 39
23 10 52.57 Maureen Pattinson - Bob Pattinson 50 46.35
24 45 51.60 Connell McLoone - Pat McDaid 52 47.56 40
25 44 51.49 Anna Onishuk - Karel deRaeymaeker 52 55.35
26 55 51.44 Rory Egan - David Berber (MA) 50 55.79 12
First prize to the winning pair is 5000 euros ... the largest prize for bridge ever in Ireland.
We have many top Irish players and several visiting pairs from England and Europe.
I looked out this morning and it was a fine sunny day and strolling up the road were well known Irish bridge players David Jackson and BJ O Brien. .
Monday, July 29, 2013
Full Tilt Bridge Masters next Saturday
The inaugural World 25 championships were held in Galway at the weekend and a lady called Mary Keary from Athenry was the winner. From reading the Full Tilt blog site written by a Gareth Chantler I see that well known poker player Andy Black participated.
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/blog/galway-festival-25-world-championship/
You can read the article on well known Irish card game 25 ..held during the Galway Poker Festival.
......................
Meanwhile the Irish Bridge Masters gets underway next weekend with 48 pairs entered so far ..
Entry list can be seen at www.fob.ie
I am going down to run one table of vugraph so folk who are not playing can keep up to date with the happenings and witness some of the play.
It seems to be a massive poker event with a Bridge and 25 event placed in the middle.
Thomas Hanlon first started advertising this event back in February at the Holmes Wilson National Bridge team championships. Now it has arrived and this is the richest prize I have ever seen for bridge in Ireland.
I once got 200 euros for a 2nd place finish in Ballina Congress Pairs and maybe I suppose the 150 punts that Robin Burns won me in Drogheda 2001 was a decent prize for 12 years ago. We did not even have euros then. However the winners of this event will trouser 5000 euros between them so it dwarfs any prizes I ever won or even witnessed in the distance.
Meanwhile the Poker events are in full swing .. and the Horse Racing starts today in Galway ..
Maybe some Dermot Weld winners will emerge ..I will have to check twitter for a few tips.
........................
Last Friday I was playing out in Malahide and after a Pass by North I as East ventured 4H.
South passed fairly quickly ..the stop card was out .. and West passed ..and I got ready to declare 4H.
Suddenly North emerged with a 4S bid ..and all passed ..
Now I never expected North to back in again as what passed hand could be doing something successful ofver 4H. However it was there in black ..a 4S bid and all passed ..
I would have gone down in 4H I think although it can make double dummy so I was happy with my 4S-1.
However what a dummy 4S bid picked up ..
In fairness I saw no break in tempo from the novice.inter B South ..
Its a tough game out in Malahide on a Friday night ..
Kay Cormican placed first ..in our direction
.
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/blog/galway-festival-25-world-championship/
You can read the article on well known Irish card game 25 ..held during the Galway Poker Festival.
......................
Meanwhile the Irish Bridge Masters gets underway next weekend with 48 pairs entered so far ..
Entry list can be seen at www.fob.ie
I am going down to run one table of vugraph so folk who are not playing can keep up to date with the happenings and witness some of the play.
It seems to be a massive poker event with a Bridge and 25 event placed in the middle.
Thomas Hanlon first started advertising this event back in February at the Holmes Wilson National Bridge team championships. Now it has arrived and this is the richest prize I have ever seen for bridge in Ireland.
I once got 200 euros for a 2nd place finish in Ballina Congress Pairs and maybe I suppose the 150 punts that Robin Burns won me in Drogheda 2001 was a decent prize for 12 years ago. We did not even have euros then. However the winners of this event will trouser 5000 euros between them so it dwarfs any prizes I ever won or even witnessed in the distance.
Meanwhile the Poker events are in full swing .. and the Horse Racing starts today in Galway ..
Maybe some Dermot Weld winners will emerge ..I will have to check twitter for a few tips.
........................
Last Friday I was playing out in Malahide and after a Pass by North I as East ventured 4H.
South passed fairly quickly ..the stop card was out .. and West passed ..and I got ready to declare 4H.
Suddenly North emerged with a 4S bid ..and all passed ..
Now I never expected North to back in again as what passed hand could be doing something successful ofver 4H. However it was there in black ..a 4S bid and all passed ..
I would have gone down in 4H I think although it can make double dummy so I was happy with my 4S-1.
However what a dummy 4S bid picked up ..
In fairness I saw no break in tempo from the novice.inter B South ..
Its a tough game out in Malahide on a Friday night ..
Kay Cormican placed first ..in our direction
I was delighted to see Kitty Crossen making an appearance partnered by near neighbour Kitty Quinn who seemed forgetful at times but they still broke about even ..on the 3 boards.
On one board Kitty Crossan holding 4 opp AQJT7 in a suit led the 4 and played the 7 and when the 7 held the trick I was wonderiing whats going on here ..
Turned out Kitty pulled the wrong card and my partner Charles already had his little card ready to follow and his hands were already in motion before the club 7 hit the table and Charles does not have a reverse gear anymore .. Anyway 4S was always going off 1 and I think it dropped a few more tricks on the way.
......................................................
On the same night the imaginative Noel Cassidy bid 2 slams in a row against me .. His long suffering partner Angela wrapped up rhe first one 6H and not many matchpoints for Gallo..
However on the 2nd one I think there was 12 tricks around via a few finesses but Noel lost his way and we got some matchpoints. Would have been a sad night if Noel Cassidy put 2 slams past me in a row.
One night some years ago I and my partner had massive hands and were pondering a 6 level or 7 level contract .. Noel pipes up and says I am non vulnerable and I have loads of spades and Eamon your fancy bidding cannot work against my spades so do your best .. .. Ye can bid as high as ye like but I have ye in SPADES.. Worse still I left it around to partner in case they could bid 7NT and they did'nt ...they did not even double ..
Noel Cassidy wins again ..
.......................................................
.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Pokerstars Irish Bridge Masters approaches Aug 3rd
Good evening all
I keep wandering over to Fergal O'Boyles website to check the entry list for the Pokerstars inaugural Irish Bridge Masters event. 42 pairs entered to date. 7 or 8 days to go.
With 5000 euro for the winnning pair it was bound to attract some hunter gatherers and there are a few in the field. Having a look thru the entries so far ... its no offence if I don't mention you ... as I am several years behind the current activities on the playing front. I mostly direct these days or move boards ..
Anna Onishuk Karel deRaeymaker regular winning pair on Irish circuit
BJ O'Brien David Jackson recently fairly successful in Ballina Congress
David Walsh Ciaran Coyne top Western hunter gathers even if one has moved to Cork
Eddie and Michael winners of last Tuesdays Ireland Imps Pairs
The one and only Fiona Brown Action Script programmer
Gay Keavney and Peter Goodman will have an eye on the podium
Hackett and Hydes .. I know those names from my Brighton visits ..
John Carroll Rory Boland ... they were opponents last night with hands I prepared
Margot McClure ..I had a few whiskeys in her house in Enniskillen about 12 years ago and she was near 90 years of age then. I saw her playing this year in Drogheda Congress as I followed Justin Hackett and Richard Bowdry around the room. They were the pair in front of me
Irish Lady Milne internationals Gilliland and Whelan .. Whelan also dabbles in poker I am told.
Former Irish chess champion Paul Delaney smells some money partnering Marcin.
Paul Hackett and David Levy ... Hackett is everywhere and Levy has been around Donegal Congress sometimes.
Rory Egan and David Berber ... well known Irish bridge players
Brock and Myers from England ..
David Dunne another former Irish chess champion and his partner Sheila Kelly ...they are doing some bridge training most nights I am told.
David Coyne and Thomas Roche ... This Pair have shown well this year in Regent and National championships. Only legendary Irish bridge player Nick Fitzgibbon stopped Coyne stealing away with a couple of Regent bridge titles.
Hanlon and McGann .....they were in the bridge gym doing some press ups on Tuesday
Mevius Heneghan ... They seem to be playing together recently ... could be involved but not sure about their matchpoint skills ..
Oh better not forget Brid Kemple and Terry Walsh ...just in case they make the podium ..
So thats a summary of the entries so far in my small mind ... More later ..
.........................
On the poker side .. I won 41 cents in a couple of Betfair Freerolls ... I don't know how Thomas Hanlon makes a living .. maybe he is better than I ..
..................
Yesterday I declared a 4S contract and failed to make it
I keep wandering over to Fergal O'Boyles website to check the entry list for the Pokerstars inaugural Irish Bridge Masters event. 42 pairs entered to date. 7 or 8 days to go.
With 5000 euro for the winnning pair it was bound to attract some hunter gatherers and there are a few in the field. Having a look thru the entries so far ... its no offence if I don't mention you ... as I am several years behind the current activities on the playing front. I mostly direct these days or move boards ..
Anna Onishuk Karel deRaeymaker regular winning pair on Irish circuit
BJ O'Brien David Jackson recently fairly successful in Ballina Congress
David Walsh Ciaran Coyne top Western hunter gathers even if one has moved to Cork
Eddie and Michael winners of last Tuesdays Ireland Imps Pairs
The one and only Fiona Brown Action Script programmer
Gay Keavney and Peter Goodman will have an eye on the podium
Hackett and Hydes .. I know those names from my Brighton visits ..
John Carroll Rory Boland ... they were opponents last night with hands I prepared
Margot McClure ..I had a few whiskeys in her house in Enniskillen about 12 years ago and she was near 90 years of age then. I saw her playing this year in Drogheda Congress as I followed Justin Hackett and Richard Bowdry around the room. They were the pair in front of me
Irish Lady Milne internationals Gilliland and Whelan .. Whelan also dabbles in poker I am told.
Former Irish chess champion Paul Delaney smells some money partnering Marcin.
Paul Hackett and David Levy ... Hackett is everywhere and Levy has been around Donegal Congress sometimes.
Rory Egan and David Berber ... well known Irish bridge players
Brock and Myers from England ..
David Dunne another former Irish chess champion and his partner Sheila Kelly ...they are doing some bridge training most nights I am told.
David Coyne and Thomas Roche ... This Pair have shown well this year in Regent and National championships. Only legendary Irish bridge player Nick Fitzgibbon stopped Coyne stealing away with a couple of Regent bridge titles.
Hanlon and McGann .....they were in the bridge gym doing some press ups on Tuesday
Mevius Heneghan ... They seem to be playing together recently ... could be involved but not sure about their matchpoint skills ..
Oh better not forget Brid Kemple and Terry Walsh ...just in case they make the podium ..
So thats a summary of the entries so far in my small mind ... More later ..
.........................
On the poker side .. I won 41 cents in a couple of Betfair Freerolls ... I don't know how Thomas Hanlon makes a living .. maybe he is better than I ..
..................
Yesterday I declared a 4S contract and failed to make it
I was in the West seat with the 6 spades and the void heart ..The opponentss were silent in the bidding
and led off with the Heart 3. Galligan won Heart AK and played a third H throwing all 3 diamonds.
East won 3rd heart and switched a small diamond ..Galligan ruffed and led a small spade towards the Q9.
Small from LHO without even a flicker (even online people flicker) and Galligan played the Spade 9 ..
and when the Jack won and trumps subsequently broke 4-1 Galligan started to feel a lump in his throat.
Galligan went down and felt a little sad .... but it was only 10 imps back of the 42 imps plundered on the previous 10 boards or so ..
Then he spotted on the screen glaring out in front of him
SLOPPY
.............................
I hope none of ye would ever do that to your partners at the table ...Its bad enough going down in a cold one but to have it solidly pushed back down your throat ...just in case you don't know about it ..
And there I was sitting in to help a person out whose partner left the table ..
SLOPPY
That will teach me
................................
www.fob.ie has the current entry list.
Nobody from Northern Ireland entered yet ..
No Murchan or Greenwood or Bunty
......................
Saturday, July 20, 2013
The sun continues to shine and murphy returns.
The sun continues to shine strongly in Ireland. The European Junior Bridge championships have just finished.
Ireland fielded two teams in the Juniors and the Youngsters. Both teams struggled throughout as they were up against much stronger opposition then they would ever meet in Ireland or in their local school. One player on the Danish team has already won a US National major event. No doubt there were other superstars of the junior game taking part.
I have not studied the events results in depth as the Ireland teams were not gathering in two many VPs each match so it was hurting my head. It was like when I used to play Pat Walshe and Thomas Hanlon led teams in the Regent League. Regularly getting beaten ... not sure by how many imps but 60s and 70s and higher were common. However these good beatings provided good learning material and gradually either my teams got stronger or I got better and the matches got closer. Sometimes we got lucky or played well and managed a small victory against well known opposition.
These days I mostly direct or move boards but when I do get to play I am normally on a decent team which has a shot at winning most matches it plays. However back in the day I was the cannon fodder.
So hopefully our juniors and youngsters will decided that they too will put in extra work and next time win a few more VPs.
CBAI President Thomas McCormac noted to me during the week and I quote "I myself have wooden spooned in the European Juniors events and I am hardly a bad player" He also indicated at least one other legend of the Irish game who finished last in European Juniors in the past.
So onwards and upwards.
.................................................
I spotted a new website for bridge
www.bridgechallenge.com
I have used it a little today and it seemed cumbersome but it has possibilities to bid boards and compare with experts and other players. Also seems to have a facility to bid hands with your partner. I don't have a partner and even if I did chances are it would not have the patience to use a cumbersome interface.
However maybe if folk use it a little it might turn out worthwhile.
Its a French website but one can translate.
.................
Last night on BBO vugraph I watched Thomas Hanlon partnering Zia Mahmood in Deauville Bridge event.
It started off with imps scoring but it was actually board a match and Hanlons team won.
http://www.deauville-bridge.fr/
There is the link above but maybe you got to understand French to figure it out
They only seem to play in the night time when its cooler.
.................................
http://www.fulltiltpokergalway.com/bridge/
The Pokerstars Bridge events begins to emerge on the horizon. Organisation for the overall poker event is now in full swing as the poker starts on July 27th.. However the bridge will be played August 3rd and 4th.
Entries to Fergal or David as per website above
.................
I notice the Great Mulall is in full training on BBO. 359 hands in the past month and he has gathered in a surplus of 163 imps ..This is not a bad return. I suspect the Great Mulall has lined up a new partner and is getting in some practice so he will be ready for the new season. Possibly it is just that the sun is too hot for him to venture outside. A man of his stature would be closer to the sun then a shortass like me. One of the advantages of being short is distance from the sun and thus it takes longer for me to shrivel up.
I notice the Great Mulall has given up playing Wbridge5.
http://bridgez.net:3002/connexion.html
This is a great program and James Heneghan said "The robots might be dogs but it really sharpens up ones game" Great Mulall has decided his game is sharp enough. However I am with Heneghan and continue to play the 16 boards a day. Most days I cannot beat Heneghan or BJ but as I keep my score regularly in the early 60s my average beats those guys. They have 50% days to offset their big days.
..............
I also notice the re emergance of Murphyslaw on the BBO scene and he even made a couple of appearances in the Malahide live peoples club. The problem for murphy is he can rant and rave and headbutt his monitor when playing in his bedroom but when he emerges into the human bridge world he has to hold back these tantrums. A more major issue for murphy is that he has not built a solid foundation to his bridge and thus from time to time a disaster happens and murphy does not understand why. He was programmed himself to play bridge from the fantastic book "Watsons Play of the Hand" Regularly Murphy produces some fantastic ducking plays and communication plays but often he applies the wrong page to the wrong hand and the ducking play is not applicable to the hand in question.
Murphy has a partner in crime out in Malahide sometimes. This character fits whatever hand he has into the convention he is playing at the time. So Michaels shows the majors ..but our lad only has 3-3 ...Thats not a problem ...our man bids 2S michaels anyway ..His partner might have 5 or 6 of one of the suits.
However if our man Murphy would play in the inter Bs which is his CBAI ranking he would be a star player and could build up to being an Inter A and beyond.However unfortunately Murphy thinks he can catch up with Galligan ....and that is a bridge too far for the moment as Galligan has been playing too long and has made enough mistakes to learn lots of bridge.
................
Ireland fielded two teams in the Juniors and the Youngsters. Both teams struggled throughout as they were up against much stronger opposition then they would ever meet in Ireland or in their local school. One player on the Danish team has already won a US National major event. No doubt there were other superstars of the junior game taking part.
I have not studied the events results in depth as the Ireland teams were not gathering in two many VPs each match so it was hurting my head. It was like when I used to play Pat Walshe and Thomas Hanlon led teams in the Regent League. Regularly getting beaten ... not sure by how many imps but 60s and 70s and higher were common. However these good beatings provided good learning material and gradually either my teams got stronger or I got better and the matches got closer. Sometimes we got lucky or played well and managed a small victory against well known opposition.
These days I mostly direct or move boards but when I do get to play I am normally on a decent team which has a shot at winning most matches it plays. However back in the day I was the cannon fodder.
So hopefully our juniors and youngsters will decided that they too will put in extra work and next time win a few more VPs.
CBAI President Thomas McCormac noted to me during the week and I quote "I myself have wooden spooned in the European Juniors events and I am hardly a bad player" He also indicated at least one other legend of the Irish game who finished last in European Juniors in the past.
So onwards and upwards.
.................................................
I spotted a new website for bridge
www.bridgechallenge.com
I have used it a little today and it seemed cumbersome but it has possibilities to bid boards and compare with experts and other players. Also seems to have a facility to bid hands with your partner. I don't have a partner and even if I did chances are it would not have the patience to use a cumbersome interface.
However maybe if folk use it a little it might turn out worthwhile.
Its a French website but one can translate.
.................
Last night on BBO vugraph I watched Thomas Hanlon partnering Zia Mahmood in Deauville Bridge event.
It started off with imps scoring but it was actually board a match and Hanlons team won.
http://www.deauville-bridge.fr/
There is the link above but maybe you got to understand French to figure it out
They only seem to play in the night time when its cooler.
.................................
http://www.fulltiltpokergalway.com/bridge/
The Pokerstars Bridge events begins to emerge on the horizon. Organisation for the overall poker event is now in full swing as the poker starts on July 27th.. However the bridge will be played August 3rd and 4th.
Entries to Fergal or David as per website above
.................
I notice the Great Mulall is in full training on BBO. 359 hands in the past month and he has gathered in a surplus of 163 imps ..This is not a bad return. I suspect the Great Mulall has lined up a new partner and is getting in some practice so he will be ready for the new season. Possibly it is just that the sun is too hot for him to venture outside. A man of his stature would be closer to the sun then a shortass like me. One of the advantages of being short is distance from the sun and thus it takes longer for me to shrivel up.
I notice the Great Mulall has given up playing Wbridge5.
http://bridgez.net:3002/connexion.html
This is a great program and James Heneghan said "The robots might be dogs but it really sharpens up ones game" Great Mulall has decided his game is sharp enough. However I am with Heneghan and continue to play the 16 boards a day. Most days I cannot beat Heneghan or BJ but as I keep my score regularly in the early 60s my average beats those guys. They have 50% days to offset their big days.
..............
I also notice the re emergance of Murphyslaw on the BBO scene and he even made a couple of appearances in the Malahide live peoples club. The problem for murphy is he can rant and rave and headbutt his monitor when playing in his bedroom but when he emerges into the human bridge world he has to hold back these tantrums. A more major issue for murphy is that he has not built a solid foundation to his bridge and thus from time to time a disaster happens and murphy does not understand why. He was programmed himself to play bridge from the fantastic book "Watsons Play of the Hand" Regularly Murphy produces some fantastic ducking plays and communication plays but often he applies the wrong page to the wrong hand and the ducking play is not applicable to the hand in question.
Murphy has a partner in crime out in Malahide sometimes. This character fits whatever hand he has into the convention he is playing at the time. So Michaels shows the majors ..but our lad only has 3-3 ...Thats not a problem ...our man bids 2S michaels anyway ..His partner might have 5 or 6 of one of the suits.
However if our man Murphy would play in the inter Bs which is his CBAI ranking he would be a star player and could build up to being an Inter A and beyond.However unfortunately Murphy thinks he can catch up with Galligan ....and that is a bridge too far for the moment as Galligan has been playing too long and has made enough mistakes to learn lots of bridge.
................
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