My husband warned me before we married that our retirement residence would be his home state of Washington. I thought he’d forget, but in 1995, my myopic, meandering meteorologist sold our California house and moved us to Camano Island. Once settled, he began looking for duplicate bridge games in the area. Unable to find one, Keith purchased a set of duplicate boards and founded Camano’s duplicate game.
Various people have directed this game since Keith’s death. Myrna Corcoran took over in 2010. Kudos to her for her effective stewardship. Play begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Camano Island Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road. The charge of $2 per person is used for prizes, supplies and to fund four lunchtime parties. There are no age limits.
By starting time, the numbers of people playing and tables needed are known. Myrna selects the “movement” that will direct all pairs as they progress from table to table. A Howell movement, in which pairs expect to play some boards North/South and others East/West, is generally used if there are fewer than five tables. Otherwise the Mitchell movement is selected, with each pair playing all boards North/South or all boards East/West
The movement defines the number of boards played per round. Subtract one from this number. Then multiply the result by seven.
As each round begins, Myrna uses this product to set the minutes for her alarm clock. When this clock rings, players who haven’t commenced bidding their last board must take an average board or play that board at the game’s end. Once all boards have been addressed, she calls for a move to the next table. Finished players are asked to stay in their seats and visit quietly with their opponents so as not to disturb those still playing.
Myrna enjoys lots of support. Paul Savoie and Mike Bloom usually arrive early to setup tables and deal the cards for each board. Rob Cash has updated and maintains a program Myrna obtained from a southern California bridge club, which uses the bid contract and tricks made as written on each board’s traveler to score the day’s game.
Kaz Blykowski and Chuck Nelson have been teaching bridge at the center to beginners and former players wanting to return to the game. They will begin classes again in February and probably in September or October, too. Chuck has given me his lesson plans, which I’ll be using in future columns.
Christmas is almost here for most people — but I get to experience Christmas all year long. Christmas for me comes each time the board to be played next gives me a present of 13 cards.
For information on local bridge games call George, 425-422.7936.
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