One of the unexpected joys of attending the ACBL National Tournament in Minneapolis is the opportunity to meet fellow bridge enthusiasts who share a passion for teaching and growing the game. During the tournament, Spades & Company founder Norrie Thomas had the pleasure of meeting accomplished bridge teacher Merry Schainblatt, whose enthusiasm for bridge education and welcoming approach left a lasting impression.

Merry has long been recognized within the bridge community as an active teacher and mentor, dedicated to helping players build confidence and enjoy the lifelong journey of learning bridge.

What made the encounter even more special was discovering that Merry was already familiar with Spades & Company. Through fellow bridge player Mary Meade, she had heard about our thoughtfully designed club and the community we're building in Plymouth. It was exciting to learn that word of our mission—to create a place centered on connection, friendship, lifelong learning, and meaningful experiences around the table—is reaching respected members of the bridge community beyond Minnesota.

Bridge has always been a game built on shared knowledge. Whether through teachers, mentors, books, or conversations after a hand, each generation of players helps the next discover the joy and challenge of the game. Meeting dedicated educators like Merry reinforces our belief that great teachers inspire confidence, encourage curiosity, and make bridge accessible to players at every level.

One of the highlights of attending the ACBL National Tournament in Minneapolis was an unforgettable moment for Spades & Company founder, Norrie Thomas—meeting renowned bridge author and teacher Barbara Seagram.

For Norrie, this wasn't simply meeting a well-known figure in the bridge world. Barbara Seagram's books have been trusted companions throughout her entire bridge journey. As a beginning player, Norrie relied on Barbara's clear, encouraging teaching style to build a strong foundation in the game. Today, even as an accredited teacher, club director, and tournament player, she continues to revisit those same books, discovering new insights with every reading. It's a wonderful reminder that bridge truly is a lifelong adventure, and there's always something new to learn.

Barbara Seagram is the author of many of bridge's most respected instructional books, including 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook, Planning the Play of the Hand at Bridge, and Defend or Declare?. Her ability to explain complex concepts in an approachable way has helped countless players around the world gain confidence and improve their game.

Norrie's meeting with Barbara Seagram beautifully reflects the mission of Spades & Company: fostering lifelong learning, meaningful connections, and a passion for bridge that continues to grow with every hand played.

We are thrilled to announce a very special Mahjong event coming to Spades & Company this August. For the first time, we will be welcoming nationally recognized Mahjong instructor Karin Miller from California for an exclusive weekend of advanced strategy, learning, and play. This is a unique opportunity for local Mahjong enthusiasts to learn directly from one of the most respected teachers in the game.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your strategic thinking, improve your decision-making at the table, or gain insights that can take your game to the next level, this weekend promises to be an exceptional learning experience. Karin's engaging teaching style and deep knowledge of the game have made her a sought-after instructor across the country, and we are honored to bring her expertise to our community.

In addition to advanced strategy workshops, players will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed social evening with Karin and learn through live play and discussion. Events like this don't come around often, and we expect strong interest from players throughout the region.

At Spades & Company, our mission is to create meaningful opportunities for lifelong learning, friendship, and connection around the table. Hosting a national expert like Karin Miller reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional educational experiences to Plymouth and the greater Twin Cities Mahjong community.

We encourage interested players to review the event flyer for complete details, session information, and registration options. Space is limited, and we expect these sessions to fill quickly. We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of Mahjong, learning, and community.

Register for Friday evening here.

Register for the Saturday AM session here.

Register for the Saturday PM session here.

At Spades & Company, we believe that learning never stops—and our founder, Norrie Thomas, is living proof.

We are excited to share that Norrie has successfully passed the ACBL Club Director certification test, an important milestone that reflects her continued commitment to the game of bridge and the players she serves. Becoming a certified club director requires a deep understanding of the rules, procedures, ethics, and operations that help create a fair, enjoyable, and well-run playing experience for everyone at the table.

The accomplishment was celebrated in true bridge fashion at our Saturday Night Prep for Nationals Supper and Bridge event. Surrounded by fellow directors, players, and friends, Norrie marked the occasion with a special "Director, Please!" cake—a fitting tribute to one of the most frequently heard phrases in duplicate bridge!

For those who know Norrie, this achievement comes as no surprise. Whether pursuing ACBL Best Practices Teacher accreditation, studying advanced bridge concepts, competing in tournaments, or now earning director certification, she is constantly investing in her own growth so she can better serve the bridge community.

At Spades & Company, our mission is rooted in lifelong learning, connection, and creating meaningful experiences around the table. Norrie's newest certification strengthens our ability to provide high-quality games and educational opportunities while continuing to build a welcoming community for players of all levels.

Please join us in congratulating Norrie on this well-earned accomplishment. We are proud of her dedication to the game and grateful for the enthusiasm, leadership, and expertise she brings to our growing bridge community.

Congratulations, Norrie—and yes, Director, Please!

Dreams became reality this past weekend as Spades & Company hosted its official Grand Opening and inaugural 749er Sectional Tournament in Plymouth, Minnesota. The two-day event exceeded all expectations, bringing together a vibrant community of both new and advancing bridge players for a weekend filled with competition, learning, connection, and celebration.

One of the greatest joys was watching players compete with confidence and what bridge teacher Steve Gaynor calls “disciplined friskiness”—the willingness to be bold while remaining thoughtful and strategic.

At Spades & Company, we are committed to creating opportunities for players to grow, challenge themselves, and enjoy the lifelong adventure of bridge, and this tournament showcased exactly that spirit.

Over the course of the event, 68 players participated, with an impressive 52 players earning silver masterpoints. Congratulations to Tournament Champions Dan Ganter of Maple Grove and Thomas Bedford of St. Paul, who played all four sessions and achieved an average score of 55.99% across the tournament. Congratulations to Jane Schmidt who reached Life Master at the tournament!

Events of this caliber are only possible because of dedicated professionals who care deeply about the game.

We extend our sincere gratitude to ACBL Tournament Director Kimberly Hayward for directing the tournament with enthusiasm, professionalism, patience, and expertise. Players consistently praised her leadership, and many were already asking when they would have the opportunity to play in another tournament under her direction. We are also grateful to the St. Paul Bridge Club for sharing her talents with our community.

Special thanks to Tournament Chair Keith Thompson, whose careful oversight helped ensure a smooth and error-free tournament experience for all participants.

And thanks to Jill Wroblewski and Nancy Brunzel who volunteered as convention card coaches which proved to be valuable to I/N players preparing for their first tournament.

Of course, no Spades & Company event would be complete without hospitality. From plentiful snacks to luxurious door prizes, every detail was designed to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for our guests. What made the weekend truly memorable, however, was the enthusiasm and support of the players who joined us to celebrate this milestone.

As we reflect on our Grand Opening Tournament, we are filled with gratitude for the growing bridge community that continues to support Spades & Company. Watching friendships form, confidence grow, and players achieve new successes reminds us why we created this thoughtfully designed space in the first place.

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, competed, and celebrated with us. If this inaugural tournament is any indication of what’s to come, the future is bright for bridge in Plymouth!

We look forward to seeing you at the table soon.

Today at Spades & Company, we hosted a special sanctioned bridge game directed by Tree Venhuis featuring an engaging individual-play format designed to create a dynamic and rewarding experience for all players. Rather than playing with the same partner throughout the session, participants rotated partners each round, creating opportunities to meet new people, experience different playing styles, and strengthen their overall game.

This format encouraged adaptability—one of the most valuable skills in bridge. Each new round challenged players to communicate effectively, adjust strategies, and think collaboratively with a different partner. Experiences like this help players become more confident and versatile at the table, whether they are preparing for a bridge tournament or simply looking to improve through regular bridge games.

The rotating-partner structure also created a highly social atmosphere, allowing both returning and new players to connect with more members of the bridge community throughout the day.

At Spades & Company in Plymouth, Minnesota, we believe some of the best bridge lessons happen through shared experiences, thoughtful play, and meaningful conversation around the table.

Creating opportunities for players to learn to play bridge, build friendships, and stay mentally engaged is at the heart of our mission. We are grateful to Director Tree Venhuis for leading such a fun and interactive event and helping make the day enjoyable for everyone involved.

Spades & Company was honored to welcome Sherri French, a respected Life Master and bridge director, for a special Monday session focused on guided bridge play and learning from experience at the table. Players enjoyed a quick lesson followed by the opportunity to play alongside a “master,” gaining valuable insight into strategy, decision-making, and partnership communication during live bridge games.

Thanks to Sherri’s patience, encouragement, and expertise, players left the session with growing confidence and a deeper understanding of the game. Experiences like this are invaluable for anyone looking to learn to play bridge, improve their skills for a future bridge tournament, or simply become more comfortable at the table. One of the most rewarding aspects of bridge is the willingness of experienced players to mentor others and share the knowledge they’ve developed over years of play.

At Spades & Company in Plymouth, Minnesota, we believe bridge is about much more than cards—it’s about connection, lifelong learning, and community. Special sessions like this create opportunities for friendships to grow while helping players continue advancing through meaningful bridge lessons and hands-on experience. We are incredibly appreciative of the time and energy mentors like Sherri devote to helping others enjoy and succeed in the game.

Thank you, Sherri, for sharing your passion for bridge and inspiring our players to continue learning and growing at the table.

Today at Spades & Company, players explored one of the most important concepts in competitive bridge games—overcalls and doubles. Understanding the difference between a simple overcall and a jump overcall can dramatically improve communication with your partner and create more opportunities for success at the table. A simple overcall is very different than a jump overcall. Come learn with us!

At Spades & Company in Plymouth, Minnesota, our mission is to help people learn to play bridge in a welcoming and engaging environment where friendships grow alongside skills. Join us for future lessons as we continue exploring the strategies that make bridge both challenging and rewarding.

These focused bridge lessons reflect the mission of Spades & Company in Plymouth, Minnesota: helping players learn to play bridge at a deeper level while building confidence, connection, and community. Small group learning creates space for discussion, insight, and shared growth—where improving your game goes hand in hand with forming lasting friendships.

Spades & Company is proud to share that our founder recently attended the ACBL Best Practices Teacher Certification Program at the Spring Nationals in St. Louis, earning recognition as an accredited bridge instructor.

This comprehensive, multi-day workshop focuses on how to teach rather than what to teach, emphasizing adult learning techniques, student engagement, and long-term retention. One of the most important principles of this training is moving players into duplicate bridge as soon as possible—a philosophy we wholeheartedly embrace to help players build confidence and improve their skills through meaningful bridge games.

As an ACBL Best Practices Accredited Teacher, our founder, Norrie Thomas, is excited to soon introduce a beginning bridge class in Plymouth, Minnesota. These upcoming bridge lessons are designed to help participants learn to play bridge quickly, allowing them to experience the joy of the game from the very first hand.

While players can begin enjoying the game immediately, bridge remains a lifelong adventure where learning never truly ends. As one of our players recently shared, “This game is the highlight of my week,” a sentiment that beautifully captures the sense of connection and fulfillment bridge provides and Spades & Company looks to cultivate in our dedicated bridge space in Plymouth, Minnesota.

The ACBL Best Practices program includes three hands-on modules totaling 12 hours, along with certification requirements such as a bridge knowledge pre-test and a teaching proficiency demonstration. Accredited teachers are recognized on the ACBL website, receive a special lapel pin and marketing logo, and gain access to valuable teaching resources and a supportive professional community. The program emphasizes making learning fun, reducing the fear of competition, and encouraging early participation in bridge tournaments, all of which align perfectly with the mission of Spades & Company.

At Spades & Company, teaching bridge is truly a joy. Watching players grow in confidence, form lasting friendships, and celebrate their successes is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where individuals in and around Plymouth, Minnesota, can stay engaged, make meaningful connections, and continue advancing in the game.

We look forward to welcoming new and returning players to experience the excitement and lifelong rewards of bridge.