There are many reasons to attend the Keohane Individual Regional Tournament in Newton, MA, January 3 through 5, 2014. Here are three that you might not have considered. 

1. Ice fishing for northern pike in the Charles River. 

One is probably enough.

The Marriott Hotel that hosts the tournament is situated just east of the internationally renowned Charles River. Only the cognoscenti realize that early January is the perfect time to fish for northern pike (known to anglers as northers) because the cold weather sweetens the flesh and adds flavor. Furthermore, the hotel is quite close to the one spot in the entire course of the river that is most favored by the really big northers. It is all explained at this website. 

They were actually from California.

There are a few things that you should know ahead of time. In the first place, you can only keep one norther per day, and the best time to catch one is at dawn. To maximize your chances of landing one of these monsters, you should plan on getting out to your ice house at 6 a.m. or so. Drill holes that are at least eight inches in diameter; these fish are big. Don't worry too much about what type of lure to use. Large pork rinds or smelt will do just fine. Just make sure that you use a really big hook and extremely strong line. A braided blend such as a Spider Wire 50 or Berkley FireLine 30 is recommended. 

For the 2014 tournament NEBridge.org is offering a prize for the largest norther that is landed by anyone participating in at least two sessions in the tournament. The award is a (vinyl) recording of The Standells' Greatest Hits. The webmaster actually saw this fine group perform "a medley of our hit" at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI, on October 22, 1966. 

2. That elusive romantic getaway. 

Hotels often sponsor romantic getaway weekends at reduced rates, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that can match the $79 price tag that the Marriott in Newton is offering for the weekend of the bridge tournament. Don't put it off; the rate is only good through December 11. 

The hotel certainly has a lot to recommend it in this regard. Aside from the inherently romantic location at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 128, it also offers a smorgasbord of goodies for the couple looking to rekindle its relationship. When the bridge gets you hot under the collar, you can take a dip in the pool. When you need to relax, you can take advantage of the hotel's whirlpool. You can find a corner in the Riverbend Restaurant for that elegant candlelit supper (bring your own candle). 

I know what you are thinking. No bridge weekend could possibly be romantic because playing bridge with one's significant other is simply too stressful. As a rational person, you could hardly be expected just to ignore the fact that your life-partner insists on rebidding five-card suits – and shabby ones at that – even though you have discussed this with him/her again and again and again.

Well, ordinarily I would agree with you, but this tournament is unique. It is the only Regional Tournament in the United States that offers individual events. That's right; by entering the "Main Events," you will be guaranteed of playing with your spouse or significant other for no more than two or three hands. The rest of the session you can just enjoy the bridge, the camaraderie, and the conversation. When you meet back up with her/him, your relationship will not be scarred by misunderstandings at the table. 

Here is another hidden bennie. If you have exactly the same number of points as your partner, this is your chance to prove once and for all that your partnership's shortcomings were clearly not your doing. 

3. Partnership auditions. 

If you play in all four sessions of the individual events in Newton, you will get to play bridge with many dozens of people. Some of them will be your partners, and some of them will be your opponents. Some you may get to see in both roles. Some of them will be experts, or at least expert wannabes. Some of them will be novices. They will have very little in common except for one thing: for one reason or another they decided to play in the individual events that day instead of the pairs games or the knockouts. 

You can approach playing in the individual events in several ways. You can try to adapt to the situation and to form ad hoc partnerships that will survive three or four hands. You can suck it up and make the most of it when your partner passes your cue bid and leaves you in that three-two fit. That is what plenty of people do, and they report that they have a splendid time at the tournament. If that suits you, great! 

It works just as well with four at the table.

I prefer a somewhat different approach. I look at this as a series of tryouts by my one-shot partners – and opponents – for the opportunity to be my permanent partner at future events. I take careful notes concerning their table presence, their temperament, their playing ability, and their bidding habits. If I like what I see, I ask them for their e-mail addresses, and I give them mine. It has not worked out that well so far, but I am hopeful that this form of speed-dating will provide me with the edge that I need to escape from the B flight. 

Incidentally, if you decide to do this, do not tell your current or recently ex-partner. One of my exes hung three zeroes on me at this event a few years ago.