Hi folks, I'm CCR3, Pat. I was introduced to pinnacle at age 9. I fell in love and played every card game that came down the pike, hearts, crazy eights, poker, spades, you name it but never bridge. Only heard of it on tv. So when hospitalized with the birth of my second child I met my room mate, Robin. She told me she played bridge. Oh boy, Finally met someone! So she invited me to her home about 18 months later. We played three or four times. But our visits were cut short. We moved to Irving, Texas.
I didn't know a soul. So I camped out in the laundry room hoping to meet someone. Sure enough in walks Jacki Blue. We introduced ourselves and started talking about bridge,(hot dog!). I said sure I know how to play. She said well we'll just have to get together. Not soon after I joined the club. Well, it didn't take long for me to realize, I didn't know a darn thing about bridge. This was a serious matter. So I borrowed Goren's book at the library and my self teaching began. I'd study a chapter and have the book renewed. Did this a number of times. Finally bought the darn book. And I played with the group of 8 women for five years until we moved back to Cleveland, Ohio, my old stomping ground. But, again, I didn't know anyone who played and Robin had moved to California.
So I contacted Welcome Wagon and was given the name of Katy Pike who ran a duplicate game on Tuesday night. Started playing there and another game during the day once/week. After three years and my 50 MP we moved to Richmond, Va. But this time I asked around and was given a name of a contact person, John Hawks. Through him I found the Bridge Center. 50 pts was the cut off for playing in the Mixed/Master's game. They told me I'm a pro?
? The next 7 years I played at the club and started tournament play. I had 300 MP but needed 18 gold to become a life master.
But, we moved to Virginia Beach. This ended my bridge playing for the next 9 years. I enrolled in the Tidewater Community College, with the intention of becoming a nurse. (Before this I was a secretary.) But there was a waiting list of two years. So I took the necessary college courses and worked part time for Kelly Girls taking on typing assignments. Finally after four years I started my nursing career. Another five years and found myself separated from my husband and back to Richmond near my daughter.
Played just one time in the novice group my partner saying "boy you really are rusty". But now with no strings attached I played frequently at least three times/wk. Started playing with Ann and got my game back. After a year we went to Va. Beach for their regional, telling Ann I needed 18 golds. We came back winning 33 golds, finally a life master. Continued traveling to tournaments, played on OK Bridge and BBO. I told Ann I just needed 1 MP to become a gold life master and would like to partner with her for old times sake. So we played and won. One little item I'd like to add: today that Mixed/Master's game cut off is 500 MP! And yes, I still have Goren's book, outdated but a souvenir.
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