Don't forget that now is the time to renew/join the Hilton Head Island Bridge Association (The Bridge Club).  We are a member owned club.  It is only because we have a bridge association that we can have a club where we can all come and play such a great game.

The $10.00 annual fee is very small and you get so much.  It only covers a small part of the operation of the club, but is so important for us to be able to show our presence and importance on the island and else where.  We use our membership numbers to show the size and growth of our organization in many areas: creditors, ACBL, etc.  The membership forms are at the director's desk. 

Last night's game took us to new heights - 12 full tables.  Congratulations to Alan Leaver and Mark Pettit (visiting Alan) who were 1^st N/S and Maurice Cordray and Gene Arnold who were 1^st E/W.  The game information including news, handouts and the game results (with Traveler scores) can be accessed from the News, Handouts & Game Files in the Index. 

Last night's lesson was on the Trap Pass.  For the last several weeks we have been focusing on defensive bids after the opponents' have opened - when do you get competitive in direct seat and when do you wait for partner to balance.  We have talked about the Overcall and the Takeout Double.  Last night's lesson on the Trap Pass pulled together a summary of these options and gave some example hands.  Next week I will try to pull together a summary of the bids in the balancing seat.

For those of you who remember Frank Deakin ... let me rephrase this, for those of us who knew Frank Deakin (because if you ever met Frank you could never forget the crazy brit*) I exchanged emails with Frank this weekend.  Frank started the Monday Night Game, the Tuesday Afternoon Game ... was the father of Easybridge on Hilton Head Island ... and introduced us all to PIMMs.  (Which makes me think we should have another PIMMs party.)  I went through EB #1, #2 and #3 with Frank.  It was Frank's energy that really started the new boom of bridge players on the island.

Frank is alive and well back in England ... he says he missus us and the US very much, but is resigned that they will not let him back into the US for a long time.  Frank overstayed his visa in the US and is now banned from even visiting (and they let the Mexicans in by the pick-up truck full ... what a shame).  Here is a hello from Frank ...

P.S. If you would like to drop Frank a note, his email address is frankdeakin@aol.com

 * The only bar fight I was involved in on HHI (or since college) involved Frank and the correct responses to New Minor Forcing.