DOGGED TAILS
By: Dee
Okay folks, some more reminders before we begin the report. Sorry, but it seems some things just have to be repeated. Please remember that this is a fun tourney for all – the players, the guests, the director. That means that kibitzing is to be allowed. If there is a problem with a kibber, call the director! Otherwise, kibbing is to be turned on at all seats. If a guest comes to your table, make them feel welcome. At the same time, kibbers remember you are not to comment on a hand, on a bid or the play of a hand until AFTER the hand is complete. It is not your job to say when someone should claim or that they have a pretty hand (this includes dummy when it is shown to all).
Next, please do NOT make a table private. If the host is frozen or there is a problem, neither a sub nor the director can come to help. So, leave your table protected and only go private if okayed by the director. Thank you.
Last, and possibly most importantly: Don’t chat with your partner or a kibitzer via any messenger service. I know most of you and I know you wouldn’t dream of discussing your hands or your bids, but many are new to Ryder and may not know you. Some are uncomfortable with private chats and are afraid you are discussing the hands or bids, so make it easy on everyone and just don’t do it.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read these reminders and I truly hope no one takes offense at them. They are reminders and an explaining of rules that are sometimes forgotten. Always, always, always, if there is a problem, call the director.
Now, on to the report of the Ryder itself. Twas a beautiful day. The dogs were all neatly groomed and ready to do battle. The cats had all groomed themselves before coming to Ryder and ready to defend their title. All in all, I would say Max’s Alley was ready for another day of good will and good cards (barring the normal hissing and growling, of course). And, our beloved Moose was back and in fine fettle after his week of debauchery.
After registering 16 tables and getting subs in for missing partners, the games began. Round One was uneventful (if you didn’t count the chat in the lobby between our Moose and Puppyfinn). Sadly, I was busy and missed most of this chat, but I’m sure if you see them, they can fill you in. Nary a slam was a reported, but dog wins were yipped and barked and even howled continuously! Ah, had the tide at last turned against the cats? It certainly was looking that way when the total came in 10.5-5.5 for the dogs (Francylou/ Roo/ Jin and One_Spade_Dog/ One_Spade_Puppy tied). To say that the dogs were overjoyed would be a true understatement. Poor Scorpiokirsten was devastated since this was HER birthday and she truly wanted a cat win as a present.
MryKath came to visit and announced that her mother was there. She was too drunk (!!) to play since it was her mother’s birthday and MryKath was required to have 85 drinks for each year of celebrating her mother’s birth. What a lovely daughter to honor her mother so thoughtfully!
Round 2 began and ended uneventfully. Rich/ Linda announced a slam of 6C which was missed in the mayhem of wins (and losses) being announced. Fortunately, Moosie Pooh caught a quick glimpse of something and I ran off to verify it during Round 3. At the end of the round, the cats had squeaked out a one-game lead for a total score of 15.5-16.5.
Before Round 3 started, it was definitely determined that Nuts1982 was truly crazed. He was in fine fettle throughout! Amekat let it be known that she was truly a sophisticat and wouldn’t sit on just anyone’s lap (so there!).
Amazingly, Round 3 began five minutes before the hour due to fast play by all and some patience while pairings were sorted out. Francylou/Jin_z1 announced not one, but two slams – 6C and 6D (before the round was halfway over). Baddoggieinthedoghouse/ Cutedogie also bid and made 6N. Well done you slammers, you! And the results poured in with what seemed like one cat win after another. Not even the big dog could stem the tide with winning four points for the curs. Final score was 36.5-29.5. As MryKath said, some days you’re the dog, some days you’re the hydrant.
I would suggest that the felines be very, very careful at this point. They have now won nine tourneys in a row and most have been squeakers. At this point, they are definitely on borrowed time and have used up their nine lives.
CAT TEAMS: whodde2001/ sammy_girl_2u; rae_jean00/ JudsMom; kool_kat_1/ kool_kat_2; irish472001/ kimmer43ca; ydnas4321/ amekat1; AlanMitchell/ lynh; harlequin_smiles/ sugarmt; roblyn/ Melkor_Vala; ernietomcat/ bert_kitty; meowth_60_99/ slam1931/ larrry_c; scorpiokirsten/ gane32000; aijmejoue/ smilodonkiwi; cat_o_9tails/ overtroublewaters; merino_man/ nuts1982; mom_precious/ little_ladybug; Francylou/ roo/ jin_z1
DOG TEAMS: squirrelldog/ bichon_puppy; dpdoggie007/ cath_ating_dog; drannalee/ woo7NT; gaunicz/ j_lruh; sugrrrrrrrr/ stgrrrrrrr; one_spade_dog/ one_spade_puppy; jean/ xBrorsen; linda84772000/ rich_56729; pladeus/ suzi_c51; bearafm/ windstarsun; baddoggieinthedoghouse / cutedoggie; lorainew/ seaweed/ gplrfnldy_sc; bernbergman/ douglas_s_carr/ puppyfinn; jonnie26/ the_bigdog_uk; canadawoofer_26/ joel; glossit/ suegloss
SLAMS: 6C by Rich/Linda in Round 2; 6C and 6D by FrancyLou/Jin and 6N by baddoggieinthedoghouse/cutedoggie in Round 3.
UNDEFEATED TEAMS: AimeJoue/SmiloDonKiwi; Mom_Precious/Little_Ladybug; Jonnie26/The_BigDog_UK .. well done one and all!
NEWCOMERS (OR MAYBE LOST RETURNEES): Rich and Linda (I think); Douglas_S_Carr (who sadly had to leave early but hopefully will return); bearafm; windstarsun; meowth_60_99 (love that name!); gane2000 (at least I haven’t noticed Tim playing in awhile); larrryy_c
SUBSTITUTES (for whom huzzahs should be given on a weekly basis by one and all): Roo, BobsGirlAnne, PuppyFinn, Larrrry_C, MryKath, Borderline, Rueful_Rabbit THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR SAVING THE DAY REPEATEDLY!!!!
AND, MY MOST PROFOUND THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL, BELOVED, CHERISHED MOOSE AND HIS EVER SO PRESENT ASSISTANCE, HUMOR AND SONGS!
See you all next week and may the spirit of Max and Ryder stay with you throughout the week and do remember to treat everyone as Max would were he with us.