On April 18, the BIL community will come together for a special event, a full day Marathon for Maureen. It is a chance to play, connect, and remember.
🗓 Saturday, April 18
🕒 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Bridge Base Online (BBO)
👤 Hosted by: BILManager
From morning to evening, all BIL members are invited to visit the BILlies retreat and join in at any time. You can play a few hands, spend time with friends old and new, or simply enjoy being part of a shared moment.
The idea is simple. This is not just about bridge. It is about community.
You can share your memories of Maureen, listen to others, or just enjoy a few minutes of friendly play. Whether you stay briefly or spend the whole day, every visit helps make the event meaningful.
As part of the event, there will also be prizes to add a little extra fun:
More than anything, the day is about coming together.
Bridge has always been more than just a game. It connects people across time zones, backgrounds, and generations. Events like this remind us why we keep coming back, not only for the cards, but for the people on the other side of the screen.
So on April 18, stop by BILlies Retreat. Play a few hands. Share a story if you would like.
Or simply be there.
Maureen Hall was the founder of the Beginner Intermediate Lounge, one of the earliest communities on BBO. She created a welcoming space where beginners could learn and feel at home.
I found BIL shortly after Maureen launched the club in BBO. As a beginner I was intimidate by the players in BBO, though there weren't many at that time. Here was a safe place to play and to learn from many experts giving free lessons. As I got better I became an assistant to some of those teachers and remained in BIL many years. Maureen made BIL her life and even maintained it with her personal funds when membership fees weren't enough. Bless you Maureen, we miss you!!
Maureen has done a monumental job on BBO. So many people have an opportunity to learn this amazing game with the best teachers. I have learned a lot myself, gained confidence, and, of course, have met a lot of interesting and very nice people. Rest In Peace lovely Lady !H!H!H
Maureen (BBO Hallway) started the Beginner Intermediate Lounge (BIL) on September 3, 2003. She encouraged teachers to provide lessons, held tournaments, World class bridge players held special events, she arranged a mentorship program for BILies (what we called ourselves), arranged BIL Hosts to help new members navigate BBO and kept BILies informed through a Newsletter…but most of all she willingly dedicated herself to helping thousands of people learn to play bridge. She was a remarkable woman
How about some "generic" info about Maureen??? Many of us have (or might have) played against A Maureen-------but which one? It would be nice to
identify (and remember) old (or recent--even) partners and/or opponents-- even if they were only 1 timers!!!
Hi Joel, Maureen Hall (BBO: Hallway), was the founder of the Beginner Intermediate Lounge
Maureen started up and spent time running BIL. She arranged lessons and a safe space for many beginners and intermediates, some 20 yrs ago