TwstofLime

Hummm.... a flash of fireworks and loud boom across BBO for every slam bid and made? :)

♥ ♥ Beginning and intermediate players are welcome to join the Beginner/Intermediate Lounge (BIL) to apply for a mentor. The BIL is a private club on BBO restricted to beginning and intermediate players only. Regularly scheduled classes are available as well. Visit www.bilbridge.com. ♥ ♥

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ As an intermediate player, I'm very glad to find this discussion board! Great topics! For players new to BBO, a private teaching club is available just for beginning and intermediate players. The Beginner/Intermediate Lounge (BIL) has a library, mentorship program, and just-for-fun tournaments as well as BBO MP tournaments that are restricted to beginning and intermediate players. www.bilbridge.com or go through private clubs on BBO to the BIL ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

. . . but could do without the ker-plunk sound when the opps play a card. :)

♦♦♦ BIL MARATHON09 ♦♦♦ The Beginner/Intermediate Lounge (BIL), a private club for beginners and intermediates on BBO, hosted a Marathon that began at 6pm EST on December 30, 2008. The primary table of MARATHON09 was chaired by thousands of players around the world for 58 hours and 56 minutes. A total of 577 boards were played at that table alone, averaging 6.13 minutes per board. Many tables were in play as adjuncts to the primary board to accommodate the hundreds of additional players, at one point 25 additional tables. The total boards played were well over 1,000; however, only the primary board was documented for length of time and number of boards played. Richard Reisig, Sharon Osberg, Shelagh Paulsson, David Smith, Ricardo Poleski, Albrecht Hollstein, and 2008 Norwegian Gold Medalist Baard Olav Aasan were among the world champions that joined MARATHON09 to celebrate bridge as an international language of friendly competition--and to welcome 2009 with a BIG BRIDGE BANG! The BIL was founded in 2003 by Maureen Hall with the sponsorship of BBO President Fred Gitelman. Maureen and the BIL volunteers continue to provide an international meeting ground for beginning and intermediate players who wish to advance their game. The BIL Mentorship Program and the BIL Library are invaluable assets offered to BIL Players. Among those who contribute their time for teaching in the BIL are David Stern, Migry Zur Campanile, Ron Klinger, Nafiz Zorlu, Bénédicte Cronier, and Ron Klinger. Visit www.bilbridge.com.

HOUSE PASSES! Everyone knows the ad "vise"--"Follow the money." We also know the old adage "Paybacks are a bitch." btw US Congressman Tiahrt from Kansas voted "no" and "no" again. No point in my writing a state government grant application for a red Ferrari to take the kids to school who live on my block. :blink:

I understand that hundreds of countries have national bridge organizations such as the Bridge Federation of India and the German Bridge Federation. I also understand different countries have different methods of sanctioned play that may or may not be sanctioned in other systems. My intent is not to "punish" Germany, as Phil has described, but to unite with Germany and the many countries of the world in the love of this game. With your explanation, Fred, I understand that BBO is offering an additional service for members of different national clubs and their members--yes, as you have explained it, it is a good thing. My wish is simply to have BBO continue to provide the world bridge community an opportunity where players from many countries may play side-by-side--a membership that rises above borders and walls created by politics, religions, and national boundaries. Sandy

Discouraged to see the announcement of the new German Bridge Club soon to begin on BBO. I have always seen online bridge as one of the great ways to encourage worldwide communication and "oneness" of the players of many countries, as we sit at the same table to share our love of the game. Bridge is an international language and allows Italians and Indians, Canadians and Chinese, Russians and Romanians to partner and compete in a respectful environment. I wish the German Club's members, as well as other national club's members, success with their club's purpose and vision. I do understand that bridge lessons given in a specific language are much more effective as we continue to learn, but I hope each one of you will take the time to continue to play with your friends around the world. Sandy (TwstofLime)

Happy 5th Birthday to the BIL! I gladly join the celebration for the friends I have made along the way and all the people who make the BIL Happenings Happen! Many thanks to my mentor Aspiring and the great dedication, inspiration, and hard work of our founder Maureen Hall. BIL = a place to learn, a place to laugh, a place to love the friends we make around the world. For the next 5 years, as someone often says... Good Bridging, Billies!