St. Louis Bridge Center

Our Game Directors

Managing Director, SLBC.
I started running bridge games in 1981 with my grandpa, Ted Browne; however I did not learn to play the game right away. I first was taught to score (of course, by hand) and when I asked, “When will you teach me to play?” He said, “Later.”

Next I learned all of the wonderful movements of this game including a few of Grandpa's. Again, I asked, “When will you teach me to play?” and he said, “That's the easy part. You need to know the laws and rules of the game first.”- which I did and took the director's test. I asked again about playing and he said, “Now you need to learn the most important part of the game and that is everyone's name”.

After awhile I was finally allowed to kibitz but only the players who played strong 2's, 4 card majors and a nice straight Standard American game. Well, here I am -- more than 32 years later and loving it! I know my Grandpa would be proud. My new home is the St. Louis Bridge Center which opened in October of 2012, it has everything a director and player could ask for. I am usually there 3-6 times a week and Loving It!
Games: Mon. 10am Open, Tues. 10a Open & 499er, Thurs. 10a Open, Fri. 10a Open

I’m John Antognoli (on-tone-YO-lee), born and raised in Chicago IL (north sider), came to St Louis 40 years ago. I taught mathematics and computer science at UM-St Louis for 35 years retiring in 2012. My 2 sons and their wives graciously allow me to care for my six grandchildren from time to time (the highlight of my life). I love reading (history, biography, economics) and bicycling. In my prime I was a serious bicycle tourist; now I merely ride around St Louis. I love bridge, play 2 or 3 times a week and teach elementary bridge at the St Louis Bridge Center.

Mark Ehret has been playing since 1982 and became a Director over 10 years ago. He learned bridge in college but had to give up bridge and go to work. Mark runs two games at SLBC in addition to private games. Mark is also available for private lessons. He is a silver life master. Mark's best memory of bridge is Fred McAvoy being his mentor. Fred (an experienced player) took Mark under his wing and helped him develop his game.
Games: Wed. 10a Open

How did I become a bridge director? Hmm - in my life I have been a musician (bassoon, piano, clarinet, guitar, trombone), sportsman (unicyclist, scuba diver, volleyballer, skier, bowler, sailor, camper, underwater videographer), Physical Therapist (40 yrs), family member (daughter, sister, wife, friend), and a hobbyist (gardener, crocheter, restorationist, collector of African artifacts). These experiences required learning, practice, perseverance, skill, luck, study, and help from other people. There were times of frustration, humility, elation, fascination, fun, and laughter. Hmm - no wonder I became a bridge director! Deal the cards and let's enjoy the game together.
Games: Mon. 10a Chat Game

Although I grew up in a bridge playing family, I didn’t become addicted until I was in my late teens. In 1964 my mother decided to take a sabbatical to Europe for months and invited me to come along with my father and sister. At first I declined, but several weeks later she asked me again and I agreed. The only problem was, she was going to Europe on $5 a day.

During my 9 months in Europe, we filled our days by seeing all the sites, not to mention every Zoo in every country, and we did a whole lot of walking. In the evening hours, there wasn’t much to do. After all, when you go to Europe on $5 a day, there’s not much money left for any kind of night life. So in the evening hours, we all laid around the hotel rooms teaching me how to play bridge. Can you imagine 3 Life Masters, almost every night for 9 months teaching you how to play this game?

When I got back to the states, I started playing every Tuesday night with my mother at the local club, and most weekends at neighboring tournaments. After a while I was becoming a very good player, and the family formed the “KING” team, who became a formidable opponent at all swiss teams and knock our events.

From 1970 to 1982 I owned and operated King’s Bridge Center in Torrance, California. King’s Bridge Center soon became a huge success, (my best month was 1,654 tables) and became the 3rd largest club in the nation. Along with owning the club, I have also directed at the tournament level, and have directed several bridge cruises.

Over the years I have always loved this game, but my real passion is to help any newer player improve. I’m pleased to join the St. Louis Bridge Center so I can continue my passion.
Games: Mon. 10a 299er, Tues. 10a 99er, Tues. 6:30p 499er, Wed. 6:30p 199er

I am largely a self-taught bridge player. My parents played, and when I began to play in college, I used their little red flip chart reference book. I also read between 50 and 75 different books on bridge from C.C. Wei’s book on Precision to Kelsey’s Killing Defense to many books on conventions. Like most people, I gave up the game when my job got in the way. And like many, I began playing again at lunch for a break from the workday. As I got back in the game, I played at the three Sectional tournaments and the Regional with friends.

I rarely played in club games because of my work schedule, and was only able to really start playing regularly after I retired. I am now a Bronze Life Master.

I decided a few years ago that I should give back to the game I enjoy. At the suggestion of several people that I would be a good director, I said why not. I am looking forward to starting this new phase in my bridge career. And I’m especially happy to be directing a night game so that players with day jobs will be able to play and compete at the game they love.
Games: Thurs. 6:00p Open

I am a silver life master, certified bridge teacher, and an ACBL director! I learned to play bridge at Washington University, but didn't start playing duplicate until I retired from teaching school. Once a teacher, always a teacher!

I LOVE teaching! I have been teaching Beginner's Bridge and Intermediate Bridge/Party Bridge for over 35 years through the St. Louis Community College, pay and play classes, Intro to Duplicate, Bridge 4 Kids at MICDS and Cor Jesu, Beginners Bridge and "Learn Bridge in a Day" at St. Louis Bridge Center.

I was a teacher/counselor at Youth Bridge Camp (Bridge for Kids) in Carlinville, IL, for 6 years and will continue to repeat that experience! I will be starting High School Bridge Camp summer 2015 in St. Joseph, MO. "Teaching bridge is my fun job." I love when my students do well and have fun!

I run a Swiss team game, non life master- life master games, and pairs games. Duplicate is an amazing game. There is a great St Louis bridge family. People need to be patient and encourage new players! I forever am encouraging my students to try duplicate. So bring a friend and join me at the bridge table at my next game. Such a deal!

My future goal is to be a director on a cruise ship. Come sail with me in the future! Interested in lessons and classes? Contact me.

Special thanks to the St. Louis Bridge Center for creating a new venue and more opportunities for St. Louis bridge players!
Games: 1st Sun. 1p Swiss Team, 3rd Sun. 1p Life Master/Non-Life Master
Classes: Adult Beginners Bridge and Bridge in a Day

Mike and Janet Vontz learned the basics of bridge one weekend in 1988 when they were trapped at Mike's parents' home in Buttonwillow, California. It had been snowing in the mountains and I-5 was closed over the Grapevine. The Senior Vontzes thought they could make the frequent visits of their son and his girlfriend even more enjoyable if they would become bridge players. It would also make the duration of the snowstorm more tolerable.

Back home in Westlake Village, CA., Janet, a transplanted Missourian, immediately raided the local library and checked out six bridge books including Charles Goren's Precision System of Contract Bridge Bidding. The opening chapter made a compelling argument for its use, and Janet taught Mike the Precision bidding system. It was several years before Mike knew that there was another system of bidding. He is still quite lost when he plays Standard American. Soon they discovered duplicate bridge at a club in Thousand Oaks and became hooked.

Mike and Janet married in 1989, and started a family. They both realized that proximity of cousins and extended family would become even more important since between them they had twelve siblings and eventually twenty two nieces and nephews. The choice was either Janet's family in Missouri or Mike's in California. Since Mike had never experienced Missouri, they headed east and wound up in Lake Saint Louis, even though no one in Janet's family had a clue that bridge was anything but a structure built over water (and still doesn't).
Games: Wed. 10a 299er, Thurs. 10a 299er, Fri. 10a Open, Sat. 1p Open, Sat. 6:30p Open

Mike and Janet Vontz learned the basics of bridge one weekend in 1988 when they were trapped at Mike's parents' home in Buttonwillow, California. It had been snowing in the mountains and I-5 was closed over the Grapevine. The Senior Vontzes thought they could make the frequent visits of their son and his girlfriend even more enjoyable if they would become bridge players. It would also make the duration of the snowstorm more tolerable.

Back home in Westlake Village, CA., Janet, a transplanted Missourian, immediately raided the local library and checked out six bridge books including Charles Goren's Precision System of Contract Bridge Bidding. The opening chapter made a compelling argument for its use, and Janet taught Mike the Precision bidding system. It was several years before Mike knew that there was another system of bidding. He is still quite lost when he plays Standard American. Soon they discovered duplicate bridge at a club in Thousand Oaks and became hooked.

Mike and Janet married in 1989, and started a family. They both realized that proximity of cousins and extended family would become even more important since between them they had twelve siblings and eventually twenty two nieces and nephews. The choice was either Janet's family in Missouri or Mike's in California. Since Mike had never experienced Missouri, they headed east and wound up in Lake Saint Louis, even though no one in Janet's family had a clue that bridge was anything but a structure built over water (and still doesn't).
Games: Sat. 1p 499er, Sat. 6:30p Open

I’ve always loved horses, and since my parents couldn’t afford to buy me one, I was an adult before I bought my first horse. Since I always boarded at English riding stables, I became an equestrian and those were the disciplines that I pursued. I’ve had several horses over the years and I rode and had them trained to do Dressage, stadium jumping, combined training, and fox hunting. Time moves on and the horses are gone so I finished college, graduating from Maryville University with a bachelors in Business Administration. I discovered bridge through the Daniel Boone library when they offered a very, very basic beginning bridge class about 3 years ago. I enjoyed the lessons and, wanting to learn more, checked out a book called "Bridge for Dummies" where I first learned about stayman, transfers, strong 2 club openings, etc. I began researching where I could learn more and play bridge other than at our regular party bridge group on Wednesdays at the library. I found out about the clubs in the area and the rest, as they say, is history. I also took up archery and enjoy that discipline too. As anyone knows who has pursued a sport or a discipline that requires training, the highs and lows can sometimes be dramatic. But, the rewards are great and I enjoy the game and want others to enjoy it also. Bring it on and let’s have some fun!
Game: Fri. 10a 199er