Thank you for asking how I went about making Regional Master. It is a familiar tale, I am sure. 

 

I originally learned bridge at an early age by hanging around the bridge table when my parents were hosting their friends here in Medford. From there I played in college at the University of Oregon with friends, always basic party bridge.

 

In 1972, I was a Navy wife in Corpus Christi, TX and taught 7other wives how to play bridge. I found a love of teaching beginners the game. In the late 1980’s in the Bay Area, I discovered how duplicate was played and formed a Couples Duplicate Bridge Dinner Club. 

 

Fast forward to Lake Tahoe in the 1990’s, where I joined the American Association of University Women (AAUW), in order to find bridge players. We also played party bridge with few, if any, conventions at that time. In early 2005, we moved back to Southern Oregon to retire, played couples Duplicate Bridge with friends, and we joined the local duplicate bridge club. My husband does not enjoy the serious concentration and lack of conversation happening at the bridge table, so he stuck with party bridge and plays FUNBRIDGE on his tablet. I, on the other hand, found the serious and competitive nature of duplicate to be right up my ally. I am very social and truly enjoy meeting new faces across a bridge table.

 

It was not until I began taking serious duplicate lessons and increasing the many conventions I now play, that I realized I had found the second love of my life! My enjoyment of the game drives my play and the master points are a side benefit. Since COVID, I recently began playing in some tournaments and that has advanced my game and my enjoyment of obtaining whatever the next level of success may come. 

 

I promote duplicate bridge play whenever possible and often partner with someone just learning to become an Intermediate player at our local club. We now have three rotating directors, each bringing their expertise to encourage us to continue to learn all nuances of the game. I especially enjoy being one to encourage those learning the etiquette expected at a tournament bridge table. 

 

I play BBO ACBL Duplicate games once a week and play several times per month in person at our local club. Inch by inch, and slow but sure, I am destined for whatever level may be next! 

 

I find the combination of online and in person bridge fits my current lifestyle. I enjoy the District 20 Newsletter. The articles are interesting and informative. The Calendar of Events with links to items of interest is extremely helpful. Having met some new bridge friends at various tournaments, I now find it enjoyable to reconnect when possible over the playing of the cards. Also, I now recognize and converse with Tournament Directors. 

 

I have suggested our club give some learning sessions for Swiss Team Play and that is now taking place. It is an area that often intimidates those that don’t understand it can be fascinating and fun. I remember a link offered for beginning tournament players. The information was basic, concise and extremely well done. Sometimes we forget the most basic help is often needed by those trying to assimilate into club and tournament play.