Team games are very exciting to play as each partnership is under pressure to play each hand or defend as well as they can so as to beat the opposing team playing in their same compass seat. Just one trick in declarer play or defense can make the difference in winning or losing the match. This year, at the Reno Youth Bridge Washoe County School District Middle School Interscholastic Team Game Championships, the format will be slightly different than last when the teams played a knockout team game. In last year’s knockout team games there was only one survivor and the finals between Depoali Middle School and a team made up from Davidson Academy played four hands in the final match to determine the winner. This year the teams will play what is called a Swiss Team format. Each team will play four hands against another team and the scores are then matched to determine who has won the most “victory Points”. Each team then goes on to compete with another team and after four or possibly five rounds, the team that has accumulated the most victory points will be declared the winner. Each of the members of the winning team will receive their personal trophy and the RYB Silver Cup will be awarded to their School to display in their trophy case. Kathy Lane, President of Reno Youth Bridge says that they hope to have 25 teams competing in this tournament. Some teams may elect to have five members so that one of the team members may rest during the later rounds. Washoe county school bridge team teachers will monitor the play of their teams and verify that the scores are correct.
As is the tradition at Reno Youth Bridge, students participating in one of the three major tournaments for the first time will receive a black RYB Game Jersey to wear during the tournament and during their classes there after. Possession of the black game shirt means that you have competed in one or more of the RYB Major Duplicate Bridge Tournaments. A Practice white jersey is given to all members of the school bridge teams and is worn at the student’s discretion during practice session in their after school activity class.
Following the Tournament, a light lunch will be offered to the students, teachers and assistants at which the winners will be announced. For winning this tournament, each of the winning team members will receive 50 RYBAP achievement points. The student who has accumulated the most achievement points during the year will be awarded a $1000 College Scholarship and a $250 Gift Certificate redeemable at one or more retail stores and restaurants here in Reno-Sparks. Those Students accumulating enough points to rank from second to tenth will also receive gift certificates ranging from $35 to $500. The Kohl’s Department Store is sponsoring the RYBAP achievement Program this Spring and RYB is very appreciative of their support.
Reno Youth Bridge, a 501(c)(3) non profit Nevada Corporation, is funded by the generous contributions from individuals, families and charitable foundations here in the Reno Community. None of the RYB Directors or Officers receive compensation for their services. WCSD Certified teachers at each of the participating schools do receive a stipend for their volunteer efforts to teach the game of Bridge to WCSD Middle School Students. If you would like to help us fund our program we have provided the convenience of Pay Pal Credit card services. Just click on the Donate Button on any page or call Bud Brewer at 775-849-4113. Thank You!
