BRIDGE

JULY 2018

ALSO INSIDE:
Comeback Kings
U.S. Bridge Championship goes the distance

Student Orientation
College Bridge Bowl welcomes all to Atlanta

Vision Quest
New view of the
bridge table

Year-End Report
Bay Area High School
Championship
 Bulletin
BRIDGE

Vol ume 84, Number 7 • July 2018 • acbl.org

Cover design by Cindy Hill | photo courtesy of ThinkStock

Features
9 Prize Fight U.S. Bridge Championship goes the distance
18 Road Trip College Bridge Bowl welcomes all to Atlanta
20 Poetic License The best (and worst) of reader-submitted bridge haiku
22 Vision Quest New sight aid illuminates bridge table
25 Murray Remembered Bridge legend Eric Murray dies
32 From Sarah’s Seat Bay Area High School Championship report

18 20

4 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

COLUMNS INTERACTIVE FEATURES CONTRIBUTORS
6 IN FIRST SEAT 37 THE BIDDING BOX 45 PHILLIP ALDER
Card Play 101
29 RULING THE GAME 40 IT’S YOUR CALL
46 PAT HARRINGTON
36 LOSING TRICK COUNT 57, 59 WEST, EAST HANDS FOR Play & Learn
THE BIDDING BOX

DEPARTMENTS 58 CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH

47 ADAM PARRISH
Parrish the Thought
7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
48 LYNN BERG
28 PRODUCT REVIEWS MASTERPOINTS Startup Bridge
67 NEW LIFE MASTERS
34 CLUB NEWS 49, 57 LARRY COHEN
68 LIFE MASTER MILESTONES Bidding Basics, The Real Deal
59, 74 ELECTION NOTICES
84 PERSONAL MP PROFILE 51 JERRY HELMS
60, 65, 66 NOMINATIONS Ask Jerry
72 BIG GAMES
PASSINGS 52, 62 MIKE LAWRENCE
Mike’s Bridge Lesson, Mike’s Advice
25, 26, 70, 71 OBITUARIES
CALENDARS 53, 59 EDDIE KANTAR
45, 58, 59 TEACHER, DIRECTOR COURSES 70 IN MEMORIAM Chalk Talk, Test Your Play

73 TOURNAMENT DIRECTORY 54 AUGUST BOEHM

Boehm on Bridge
81 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
55 MARK HORTON
Misplay These Hands with Me
22 25 56 MARTY BERGEN
Better Bridge with Bergen

60 KAREN WALKER
Bidding Matters

61 FRANK STEWART
My Bridge and Yours

64 GEORGE JACOBS
George’s World

65 BILLY MILLER
Dear Billy

66 DAVID BIRD

32 Bridge with the Abbot

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 5

 IN FIRST SEAT

Sponsors lead the way Member Services:

800–264–2743 (U.S. )
The ACBL is blessed with an army of volun-
teers who perform all types of jobs integral to the 662–253–3191 (Others)
success of the organization. And in the realm of Call and speak to a member
tournament planning, our volunteers host some services representative to:
of the best bridge events in the world, augment- • Join the ACBL
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advertisers alike. And at the recent North American championships, one 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CST
name stands out for premium-level sponsorship: Rusty Krauss.
From the standpoint of organizers, Krauss is the perfect model for Email Customer Service:
what a bridge tournament sponsor should be. Recently inducted as a service@acbl.org
member of the ACBL Goodwill Committee, Krauss is a talented player –
More contact information
he’s a Diamond Life Master – and is well known for his jovial disposition.
on pg. 82.
His self-professed goal in the game is to be “the nicest guy at the table.”
He says that if a director is called to his table, it is generally because an
adjoining table wants Rusty’s table to quiet down and have less fun.
But Krauss is also a successful financial advisor. He and his two
Bulletin
BRIDGE

partners run Krauss Investment Group of Janney Montgomery Scott.

KIG has been a sponsor for several recent NABCs, including this year’s
Spring NABC in Philadelphia. Part of building an investment business is Editor: Paul Linxwiler
reaching out to potential clients, so Rusty’s generosity with tournament Managing Editor: Sue Munday
sponsorship is an act of enlightened self-interest. The visibility he has Associate Editor: Chip Dombrowski
gained at the NABCs has paid dividends for his team’s bottom line. Graphic Design™/›Layout: Cindy Hill
In an April interview, Krauss was asked if there were other business-
related benefits from playing bridge. Rusty cited several: “People get to BRIDGE BULLETIN (ISSN 1089–6376) is published
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take your measure; they see how you handle triumph and disaster – and 6575 Windchase Blvd., Horn Lake MS 38637–1523,
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In bridge, as in business, it pays to be hardworking, serious and American Contract Bridge League, P.ªO. Box 875, Stn A,
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nesspeople. If Krauss is evidence that it pays – literally – to be the nicest POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BRIDGE
BULLETIN, P.¬O. Box 289, Horn Lake MS 38637-0289
guy at the table, other ACBL members should consider sponsorship, too.
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Update: The ACBL is excited to announce that Indian tech giant HCL American Contract Bridge League
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Summer NABC in Atlanta. Horn Lake MS 38637–1523
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6 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

➺ InBox Letters to the Editor

Hardcore players
I have been teaching advanced be- cause I play only once or twice a week. It seems that the Rabbi was working
ginner bridge at the Manhasset Library I have no desire to spend all kinds of overtime to give me three good results!
every Friday afternoon for the past 14 money going to Nashville, Miami, San ED ALCOFF
years. Several weeks ago, we experi- Francisco or Vancouver (hotels are Plymouth Meeting PA
enced a power failure. We play in the expensive). Even if I traveled to those
community room, which is downstairs places, I would have to spend time do- Southern hospitality
and has no windows. That room went ing things with my wife, who does not While attending a medical seminar
totally dark. I went upstairs to find out play bridge. I would consider going to in late April in Charlotte NC, I discov-
what was going on and was told we Montreal or Ottawa to play, because ered that my schedule would be light
needed to evacuate the building im- they are a short distance away, but the on a Saturday afternoon, so I searched
mediately. expense is still there. So why not have online for a local club and found the
When I went down to tell my class occasional Regional Event at Club Charlotte Bridge Club. I placed a call
the news, all eight tables were filled House (REACH) games where gold and spoke to Dave Sutherland, who
with my students using their cell points could be earned at local clubs? said I was welcome for a game that day.
phones for light, and they were still Let’s not cater to only the rich, but to He even said that he would try to find
playing the hand I had prepared. all bridge players, regardless of their me a partner.
When I told them we had to leave, they wealth. Between seminar sessions on Satur-
all asked if they could stay just long PHIL J. DUMONTIER day morning, Dave left a message at the
enough for me to explain how to bid the Kingston ON hotel desk that indicated that he had
hand. found a partner for me.
Do we love our game? Yes! Overworked Rabbi So I took a cab to the club – an at-
SUSAN WEISS Playing in the open pairs of the Clay- tractive building in a very nice neigh-
Jericho NY mont (Wilmington) Regional in May, I borhood – and teamed up with Susan
wonder if I set some sort of record with Wade, who turned out to be an excel-
Cutting the deck the “Rabbi’s Rule.” During the two ses- lent partner. The folks at the bridge
Many clubs now use dealing ma- sions, I dropped three singleton kings club were gracious and friendly with-
chines to create hands as part of the as declarer. out fail. And after a pleasant afternoon
Common Game. While playing Board One was obvious when my left-hand of bridge, my partner was kind enough
6 at my local club a few weeks ago, I opponent did not overruff a side suit to give me a ride back to the seminar
removed my cards from the East slot that I had ruffed with the trump jack, for a late afternoon session.
and counted 12›½ cards! I had half of telling me that the trump king was off- This excursion was a very pleasant
the ♥3, and my North opponent had side of dummy’s A–Q–x–x–x. So when break in a week of seminar meetings.
13›½ cards. You would think he had the I tackled trumps, I played the ace, fell- Thank you Dave, Susan and the folks at
other half of the guillotined 3, but no, ing the singleton king. the Charlotte Bridge Club.
he had half of the ♣7. Go figure. We The second was in a 3♥ contract WARREN NICKERSON
weren’t sure how to bid that one ... on a 4–3 fit, with a club side suit of Cotuit MA
CARL GUELI A–Q–x–x–x opposite my void. I
Great Neck NY pitched a loser on the ♣A and the king Handicap fix
dropped. Handicap games are a great way
Making gold points in REACH The third was when I was in 3NT to level the playing field. Recently,
In response to the “REACH” letter after my LHO had preempted in hearts. however, the Gainesville Bridge Club
in the April issue, why should bridge I was down to the ♠A Q opposite two
be a game for the “rich”? I am cur- low ones. If I played the ace, I had nine
Letters to the editor are welcome by regular mail and email.
rently 69 years old and have been a tricks, which I thought would be a good Brevity is considered a virtue, as is subject matter with relevance

member since 1993. In this time, I have result, but when I did so, LHO dropped to a majority of ACBL members. Unsigned letters are not
considered for publication, so please include your name and
amassed only 800 masterpoints be- his stiff king. Making four. hometown. Letters may be edited. All letters will receive a
response. Send emails to editor@acbl.org.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 7

 Letters to the Editor

conducted one, and it caused huge Their raw score of 55.10% gives them some tourneys have such small fields
confusion among the players, mainly a bonus of 12.5% of 55.1% = 6.889% for that it is not practical to run a new-
because they did not know what their a total with handicap of 61.99%. Had comer game. As a result, novices may
handicaps were in advance (or even handicaps been awarded on the basis find themselves playing against much
how it was arrived at after the game). of average masterpoints, no bonus stronger players. So, good behavior
Further, as a club director and full- would result, and the Rookie/Sectional becomes paramount. Fortunately, most
time statistician, I believe that the Master pair would have inappropriate- ACBL directing staff are excellent in
method for implementing handicap ly finished higher than the Life Master/ this regard.
in ACBLscore – which is based on the Junior Master pair. Which brings us back to cost. Pre-
average masterpoints of the pair – to It would be easy to add a field in the sumably, the ACBL is concerned about
be invalid statistically. player database for handicaps. In a table count. Anything that reduces
Here’s the current ACBL Handicap club game, you could get ACBLscore table count must be bad for tourneys
Formula (abbreviated for space): to print out the handicaps as soon as and for the ACBL. Maintaining and
the names have been entered into the increasing table count can be done by
Player Rank Handicap Bonus system. No surprises would occur. The making the game more attractive and
Rookie (0–5) 30% MyACBL site could keep track of your affordable for non-committed players.
Junior Master (5–20) 25% handicap. It is also essential to bring younger
Club Master (20–50) 20% JON SHUSTER players into the game. Here are some of
Sectional Master (50–100) 15% Gainesville FL my ideas:
Regional Master (100–200) 10% 1. Anyone in a full-time study pro-
NABC Master (200–non LM) 5% Temporary solution? gram (with some sort of proof, such as
Life Master (under 500) 2% I am aware of the new ACBL policy a student ID) gets a reduced member-
Life Master (500+) 0% to introduce “temporary” member- ship and reduced entry fee.
ships for non-ACBL members. This 2. Anyone coming to a tournament
Here’s what I propose: Each player supposedly will encourage people to for the first time is given a free tempo-
is assigned a handicap based on their become full members of the ACBL. rary membership. This is valid for their
masterpoint total. This is represented As someone who has been actively first year.
by a percentage inflation factor. Bor- involved in small sectional tourna- 3. I would also strongly suggest
rowing from golf, the pair receives the ments, however, I think the effect of that all players with less than some
average of the two players’ handicaps this will be counterproductive. arbitrary level of masterpoints get a
(not the handicap based on the average A sizeable number of casual play- reduced entry.
masterpoint holding). Then, the final ers do not want to belong to the ACBL. 4. Looking at the ACBL finan-
score is calculated as the raw percent- They do not mind participating in cial statements, I was struck that the
age achieved at the table multiplied by ACBL tournaments occasionally, but travel and entertainment component
the net handicap percentage. people already balk at the cost of tour- attached to the NABCs in 2016 was
Two examples will illustrate: Ac- naments, so they will see the “tempo- more than $540,000, whereas the total
cording to the current ACBL Handicap rary” membership as a disincentive expense for membership development
Formula, a Rookie gets 30% and her rather than an inducement to join. was just over $407,000. This indicates
partner, a Sectional Master, gets 15%. Obviously, the goal of the ACBL is to me that the NABCs have more
Their average handicap is (30 + 15)% to attract new members. What are the cachet than attracting new members.
divided by two, which is 22.5%. If their deterrents for people becoming mem- I suggest that the importance and
raw score was 49.67%, their bonus is bers? I would say that cost is a factor, frequency of the NABCs need to be
22.5% of 49.67% or 11.18%. This makes particularly for young people and also considered in the context of the inter-
their final (handicap) score of 60.85%. for people on a fixed income. I would est of the average ACBL member (or
Now, when a Life Master with 8200 also say that fear of being embarrassed potential member).
points (0% bonus) plays with a Junior is a factor for some people. BUZ TREVOR
Master (25%), they get a handicap of (0 How can the ACBL address these Saskatoon SK
+ 25)% divided by two, which is 12.5%. issues? Newcomer games are fine, but

8 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

Never Say Die
Nickell lands last blow to win U.S. Bridge Championship BY SUE MUNDAY

Winners of the U.S. Bridge Championship and a berth as USA1 in next year’s Bermuda Bowl:
Steve Weinstein, captain Nick Nickell, Ralph Katz, coach Eric Kokish, Jeff Meckstroth, Eric Rodwell and Robert Levin.

Like two prize fighters, the teams their entrance in the round of 16. By game contract and picking up 12 IMPs.
captained by Nick Nickell and Hemant virtue of their appearance in the final (Hamman and Adam Grossack also
Lall battled for 120 boards only to of the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams, drove to 3NT holding Wooldridge’s
see their quest for the U.S. Bridge FLEISHER and NICKELL were cards; they ended up tying the board in
Championship come down to the last seeded No. 1 and No. 2 and drew a bye their quarterfinal match.)
deal. In an exciting comeback, it was to the quarterfinals.
NICKELL in front 240–229 when the FLEISHER (Marty Fleisher–Chip Dlr: North
♠72
final bell sounded. Martel; Eric Greco–Geoff Hampson; Vul: E–W ♥ 10 6
With the win, the Nickell team Brad Moss–Joe Grue) was bounced Bd: 25 ♦J96543
claims the USA1 berth for the 2019 early when Paul Fireman’s team ♣KQ5
Bermuda Bowl to be held in Sanya, (Gavin Wolpert; John Hurd–Joel ♠J95 ♠ K 10 8
China. The USA2 team will be de- Wooldridge; Vincent Demuy–John ♥AJ9842 ♥KQ73
termined in trials hosted by the U.S. Kranyak) slipped by them to win ♦A ♦ K 10 7
Bridge Federation next year. 207–193 in the quarterfinals. ♣ A 10 7 ♣964
Nickell’s team roster is Ralph In other quarterfinal action, ♠AQ643
Katz; Jeff Meckstroth–Eric Rodwell; Team Juster (Jeffrey Juster–Frank ♥5
and Bobby Levin–Steve Weinstein. Merblum; Adam Grossack–Zachary ♦Q82
Crewing for Lall were Reese Milner; Grossack, Howard Weinstein–Adam ♣J832
Kevin Bathurst–Justin Lall; and Zia Wildavsky) upset ROSENTHAL
Mahmood–Jacek “Pepsi” Pszczola. 247–212. NICKELL scored a solid West North East South
USBF’s 2018 championship, held 253–171 win over MAHAFFEY (Jim Hurd Hampson W’dridge Greco
over 10 days in mid-May in Houston Mahaffey–Sam Lev; John Schermer– Pass 1♣ 1♠
TX, drew 21 teams. A two-day, round- Neil Chambers; Billy Cohen–Gary 2♥ Pass 2NT Pass
robin Swiss eliminated seven teams. Cohler), and LALL, despite a sluggish 3NT All Pass
Subsequent head-to-head knockout start, overcame the Bob Morris (npc)
rounds consisted of 120 boards played squad (Michael Levine–Eddie Wold; Looking at balanced, soft values that
over two days. Mike Passell–Marc Jacobus; Greg were better led up to than through,
The No. 3 seed, led by Andrew Hinze–David Grainger) 212–200. Wooldridge proposed notrump rather
Rosenthal (Aaron Silverstein; Bob A keen bid by Wooldridge paid off than raising hearts. The heart suit
Hamman–David Berkowitz; Eldad for FIREMAN on this deal from the might work just as well in notrump,
Ginossar–Chris Willenkin), made last segment, right-siding a vulnerable plus there was no danger of a ruff.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 9

With ♠J 9 5, Hurd was happy to coop- Wolpert opened the North cards 1♠. Bathurst was able to score ruffs with
erate. South led a low spade, and there Wooldridge forced to game with 2♦, both his ♣10 and ♣7 in addition to
were 10 tricks for the taking. and after a natural auction, they came two spades, two diamonds, a heart and
to rest in 5♦. the ♣A K, so he made 2♣ redoubled
West North East South Wooldridge won the ♥Q lead and with an overtrick – plus 1160.
Moss Kranyak Grue Demuy immediately played a spade to the At the other table, Demuy and
Pass Pass 2♠ queen. He cashed the ♠A, shedding Kranyak got to 3NT after South’s
3♥ Pass 4♣ Pass a club loser, then ruffed a spade to his strong 1NT opening. East also doubled
4♥ All Pass hand. It did East no good to ruff in North’s Stayman 2♣, but Demuy
front of declarer, so he pitched a heart. wasn’t interested in playing any num-
In the other room, Demuy made it Declarer then ruffed a heart, played a ber of clubs with the North hand. 11
considerably more difficult for Grue club to his ace, ruffed his last heart and IMPs for LALL and a seat at the final
and Moss when he opened the South ruffed another spade (East discarding table.
hand 2♠. Moss overcalled 3♥ and a club). He cashed the ♦K and exited a JUSTER played NICKELL close on
Grue artificially showed a good raise club. East rose with the king to swallow day one of their semifinal round, down
with his robust support. 4♥ went partner’s queen and cashed the ♣J, only 5 IMPs after the first four seg-
down one on the expected spade lead but then he was endplayed into leading ments. But NICKELL came out with
through the king, high spade, spade away from the ♦Q. That was 10 IMPs guns blazing on day two, trouncing
ruff. Declarer can’t avoid a club loser. to the Fireman squad. JUSTER 345–234.
Down one. LALL would not be caught. A low- And then there were two: two teams,
In the NICKELL–MAHAFFEY level, lead-directing double backfired two days.
match, 4♥ by West was allowed to on FIREMAN in the last segment of NICKELL looked to be in control
make at both tables on a non-spade the semifinals. after the first 60 boards; they entered
lead. the second day of the final with a 43-
LALL faced FIREMAN in the semi- Dlr: South ♠ A Q 4 3 IMP lead.
finals, staving off a late rally to come Vul: Both ♥ 10 7 4 2 Here is a delicate defense by Levin
away with a 225–210 victory. Bd: 23 ♦AJ854 and Weinstein from the first day of the
Here’s a precarious contract from ♣— final:
the fourth segment skillfully navigated ♠962 ♠ K 10 7
by Wooldridge: ♥KJ8 ♥93 Dlr: North ♠ 8 3 2
♦ 10 9 6 2 ♦Q3 Vul: N–S ♥ Q J 10 9 7 5
Dlr: North ♠ A Q 10 5 4 2 ♣862 ♣QJ9543 Bd: 21 ♦K6
Vul: Both ♥ 7 ♠J85 ♣ 10 6
Bd: 29 ♦K97 ♥AQ65 ♠ K 10 5 ♠7
♣972 ♦K7 ♥A4 ♥K832
♠KJ93 ♠87 ♣ A K 10 7 ♦AQ7 ♦ J 10 9 8 5
♥KQ842 ♥ J 10 5 3 ♣Q8542 ♣J93
♦ 10 3 ♦Q42 West North East South ♠AQJ964
♣ Q 10 ♣KJ63 W’dridge J. Lall Hurd B’hurst ♥6
♠6 1♣(1) ♦432
♥A96 Pass 1♥(2) Pass 1NT ♣AK7
♦AJ865 Pass 2♣ Dbl Redbl
♣A854 All Pass West North East South
(1) 16+, forcing. Zia M’stroth Pepsi Rodwell
West North East South 2♥ Pass 2♠(1)
B’hurst Wolpert J. Lall W’dridge (2) 8–11 HCP, denies five spades.
2NT All Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Oops! Helping your partner with his
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♣ opening lead is a good thing, usually. So (1) Nonforcing.
Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥ Hurd doubled Justin’s Stayman call. West North East South
Dbl 4♦ Pass 4NT But Bathurst, who had shown a 17–18 Levin J. Lall W’stein B’hurst
Pass 5♦ All Pass balanced notrump hand, redoubled 2♥ Pass 2♠
to show his excellent club holding. Dbl 3♠ Pass 4♠
In the Closed Room, Pepsi opened Despite having no clubs, Justin, with All Pass
the North hand 2♠ and played it good offensive values, tapped the table.
there for plus 140. At the other table,

10 Bridge Bulletin July 2018 Getty Images/iStockphoto

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 11
 In the Closed Room, Zia, West, West North East South West North East South
competed with 2NT, and went down Katz Milner Nickell H. Lall Katz Milner Nickell H. Lall
three when the opponents established 2♦ 1♠ Pass
spades – plus 150 for NICKELL. Pass Pass 2♥ All Pass 1NT Pass 2♣(1) 2♥
In the Open Room, South’s 2♠ was Pass 3NT Dbl 4♥
forcing. Levin doubled, but Lall and When the weak 2♦ came around to Pass Pass Dbl All Pass
Bathurst bid on to game. him, Nickell was stuck for a bid. What
(1) Forcing, generally 17+ HCP.
The defense is entitled to the ♠K, do you do with the East cards over 2♦?
the ♦A and a heart; hope for setting Doubling with only two spades is risky, In the Closed Room, Levin and
the contract lies in promoting the ♠10. as is bidding notrump with only ♦Q x. Weinstein competed to 3♥ after East
Declarer’s most realistic plan is to ruff So Nickell improvised with 2♥. The opened a strong 1♣.
two minor-suit losers in dummy in contract made with an overtrick. In the other room, the auction went
addition to collecting five spades, two a bit differently. Whatever Katz hoped
clubs and the ♦K. West North East South to achieve by responding a forcing
Levin led the ♣2: 10, jack, ace. Bathurst Weinstein J. Lall Levin notrump with the West hand clearly
Bathurst immediately played a dia- Pass didn’t materialize.
mond toward dummy, won by Levin Pass Pass 1♣(1) 1♦ Katz led the ♦9 to the king in dum-
with the ace. Now Levin must play 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass my, ducked by Nickell. Hemant played
hearts. He cashed the ♥A and exited 3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass a heart to the ace, capturing the single-
with the ♥4. Bathurst ruffed East’s (1) 16+, forcing. ton king along the way, and immedi-
king and played the ♠A and ♠Q, ately floated the ♣8, taken by Nickell
At the other table, Justin didn’t have with the ♣K. Nickell played ♦A and a
taken by Levin with the king. Levin to contend with a weak 2♦. He and
got out with a diamond to dummy’s low diamond for West to ruff. Katz re-
Bathurst reached 3NT with no inter- turned a spade. At this point, Hemant
king, removing the entry to dummy’s ference, collecting 10 IMPs for LALL.
diamonds while there was still a trump had a good count on the hand: East’s
Four boards later, LALL scooped 15 likely distribution was either 5=1=4=3
at large. With communications now IMPs when they set a vulnerable 3NT
tangled, Bathurst couldn’t manage to or 6=1=4=2. Lall won the ♠A, ruffed a
three in the Open Room, and torpedoed club in hand, pulled the last trump with
ruff a diamond in dummy and draw the 2♥ doubled for plus 800 in the Closed
last trump without promoting West’s dummy’s jack and ruffed another club,
Room. Three deals later, they picked bringing down the ace. A diamond ruff
♠10. Hoping West also had another up another 12 IMPs when they made a
heart, declarer played the ♥J, pitching in dummy provided access to the good
vulnerable 4♥ doubled contract ver- ♣Q, on which he could discard his
his losing diamond. Levin ruffed, scut- sus 3♥ at the other table:
tling the contract. Plus 100, and 6 more losing spade. Plus 790 for a hand well
IMPs to NICKELL’s. Dlr: East ♠AQ7 played.
LALL kept the match from getting Vul: Both ♥J73 A spade lead looks to be challenging,
wildly out of hand, however, and just Bd: 26 ♦KQ7 but all roads lead to making four. De-
before the dinner break on the last day, ♣ Q 10 9 2 clarer rises with the ace, extracts East’s
fired off a blazing 60–6 session. This ♠532 ♠ K J 10 9 6 ♥K on the way to his hand and leads a
deal started the momentum shift in the ♥652 ♥K club, finessing against the jack. Assum-
sixth segment. ♦92 ♦AJ53 ing East wins the trick, he is faced with
♣J7653 ♣AK4 several losing options, including set-
Dlr: South ♠ 7 5 4 3 ♠84 ting up a high club in dummy, making a
Vul: E–W ♥ J 10 4 3 ♥ A Q 10 9 8 4 trick of the ♠Q, establishing the ♦K Q
Bd: 19 ♦ 10 9 ♦ 10 8 6 4 if he cashes the ♦A or giving declarer
♣AQ7 ♣8 the ♦10 with a low diamond lead.
♠QJ96 ♠A2 LALL closed out the set with a pair
♥97 ♥AKQ2 West North East South of 10-IMP gains, and came back from
♦AJ4 ♦Q5 Bathurst Levin J. Lall W’stein dinner only 1 IMP in arrears.
♣ 10 9 6 5 ♣K8432 1♣(1) 2♥ The penultimate segment was more
♠ K 10 8 Pass 2NT Dbl Pass of the same. LALL went on a 52–4 joy
♥865 3♣ Pass Pass 3♦ ride. They picked up 12 IMPs when
♦K87632 Pass 3♥ All Pass they were in a superior 3NT game.
♣J (Nickell and Katz didn’t have an oppor-
(1) 16+, forcing.
tunity to play 3NT because of auction
interference by Pepsi and Zia, so they
12 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
tried 5♣. It was doubled and went with the ♦9 and ♦Q, he played for West North East South
down two). LALL picked up 10 when South to hold the ♦J as well, which B’hurst Levin J. Lall W’stein
Justin and Bathurst bid a vulnerable didn’t happen. On this day, the win- 1♦ 1♠
game that wasn’t reached in the other ning line was to take the spade lead in Dbl 4♦ Dbl 4♥
room. And another 17 IMPs when Jus- the East hand, play a spade to the king, Pass 5♦ Pass 6♠
tin and Bathurst bid a laydown grand cash the top diamonds and take a ruff- All Pass
slam; a conventional mishap stopped ing finesse against the ♦J. A club ruff
Nickell and Katz in game. is the transportation declarer needs to Where Zia signed off in game after
NICKELL recovered 20 IMPs before enjoy the diamonds when North’s ♦J his partner’s splinter bid, Weinstein
the segment closed, but they trailed by is spent. countered with a 4♥ cuebid. Levin,
31 going into the final 15 boards. who liked the sound of that, confirmed
The vugraph commentators all but West North East South that there were no diamond losers on
declared NICKELL dead midway Bathurst Levin J. Lall W’stein the hand, and South bid 6♠. 13 IMPs to
through the set when Meckwell bid a Pass 1♣(1) Pass NICKELL and the match was even.
grand slam which failed to fetch. 1♥(2) Pass 1♠ Pass The teams traded 4–IMP swings
2♦ Pass 3♣ Pass and on the penultimate board, a push.
Dlr: North ♠ 10 8 3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass When the last board hit the table, the
Vul: N–S ♥ Q 10 6 match was tied at 229.
(1) 16+, forcing.
Bd: 21 ♦J6432
(2) 8–11 HCP, denies five spades.
♣965 Dlr: East ♠ A K Q J 10 8 4
♠K92 ♠AQ7654 In the other room, Justin also opened Vul: None ♥ 9
♥J854 ♥AK a strong club, but the pair bid only to Bd: 30 ♦3
♦ A K 10 8 7 5 ♦— four and no more. 11 IMPs to LALL, ♣ A J 10 5
♣— ♣ K 10 8 4 3 expanding their lead to 45 IMPs with ♠96 ♠752
♠J3 nine boards to play. ♥Q32 ♥ A K 10 7 4
♥9732 And then the NICKELL comeback ♦ Q 10 6 5 4 ♦J97
♦Q9 machine started to kick into gear. ♣942 ♣Q7
♣AQJ72 NICKELL picked up 12 IMPs when ♠3
Rodwell made the right lead against a ♥J865
Meckstroth Rodwell 3NT contract, and 11 IMPs when LALL ♦AK82
1♣ took a phantom sacrifice against 4♠ ♣K863
2♣ 2♥ and went down three doubled. And
2NT 3♣ they pocketed another 11 when they West North East South
3♦ 3♥ bid a vulnerable heart game that wasn’t B’hurst Levin J. Lall W’stein
3♠ 3NT reached at the other table. Now the 1♥ Pass
5♣ 5NT margin was 13 with five to play. 1♠(1) 4♠ All Pass
6♣ 6♥
7♠ Pass Dlr: East ♠AK63 (1) 0–4 HCP, treated like a forcing 1NT.
Vul: Both ♥K9864 6♠ is a good contract with the
After Rodwell’s strong club opening, Bd: 26 ♦— North–South cards, but the oppo-
the pair found their nine-card spade ♣ J 10 8 6 nents’ opening volley banished any
fit. Meckstroth employed exclusion ♠J ♠ 10 9 slam thoughts Levin and Weinstein
Blackwood to pinpoint the two rel- ♥ Q 10 7 2 ♥J may have had. East cashed the ♥A and
evant key cards, the trump queen and ♦ J 10 8 4 3 ♦AKQ976 tried to cash the king. North ruffed,
the ♥K, and bid 7♠. ♣972 ♣K543 drew trumps, played the top two dia-
North led the ♠10. Meckstroth won ♠Q87542 monds (pitching a club) and ruffed a
the ♠K, cashed the ♦A K and ruffed a ♥A53 heart. Down came the ♥Q, allowing
diamond low. South overruffed, sink- ♦52 Levin to park his other losing club on
ing the grand. ♣AQ the ♥J. Making six for plus 480.
The slam makes if spades are 2–2 Rodwell chose not to open the East
and diamonds can be brought in for West North East South hand at the other table.
five tricks. Meckstroth played to estab- M’stroth Pepsi Rodwell Zia
lish the diamonds with one ruff. After 1♦ 1♠
seeing South follow to the ♦A K Pass 4♦ Dbl 4♠
All Pass
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 13
 Runners-up in the U.S. Bridge Champi-
onships: Kevin Bathurst, Zia Mahmood,
Reese Milner, Jacek “Pepsi” Pszczola,
Justin Lall and Hemant Lall.

West North East South continuing hearts, but instead, sought On the penultimate spade, East
M’stroth Pepsi Rodwell Zia to break up a possible squeeze with the can spare a heart. Dummy discards a
Pass Pass diamond shift. club and West must choose between
Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Analyzing the play on Bridge Win- guarding hearts or diamonds. Let’s
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ ners, world champion Bart Bramley say he throws the ♥Q (he knows his
Pass 4♠ Pass 5♦ says, “I don’t recall ever seeing a com- partner has the ace). Then comes the
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ pound count squeeze before.” fatal last trump. East must protect
All Pass A count squeeze pressures a player hearts at this point, so he releases a
who does not guard a critical suit (on diamond. Dummy throws the now
Pepsi announced his strong spade this deal, West in clubs) in such a way useless ♥J, and the spotlight turns
hand. With four controls (A=2, K=1), as to give declarer a count of the suit, to West. Meckstroth cannot let go of
Zia was certainly interested in slam, allowing him to drop an honor instead a diamond, or dummy’s ♦8 seals the
and said so with 5♦. When Pepsi coun- of taking a losing finesse. slam, so he must part with a low club.
tered with 5♥, Zia needed no further Here’s how it works. Declarer wins Pepsi plays a club to dummy’s ♣K,
encouragement to bid six. the diamond shift in dummy and runs cashes the ♦K, pitching a club from
Rodwell led the ♥K, then shifted to spades. East can throw two hearts, hand. When he plays a club back to his
a low diamond. Pepsi won the ace in and West can discard a heart and two hand and West follows suit, he has a
dummy and cashed five top spades. He diamonds. complete count on the clubs, and he
then played a club to the king, cashed knows that the only remaining club –
the ♦K, pitching a club, and finessed ♠84 the queen – will fall under his ace.
the ♣J, losing to East’s queen. Down ♥— “If Rodwell instead throws both of
one. ♦— his hearts,” Bramley explains, “then
Was there a better play for the slam ♣ A J 10 5 dummy throws its low diamond. When
than getting a count on the hand and ♠— ♠— Pepsi crosses to the ♣K and cashes the
relying on a roughly 60% finesse (clubs ♥Q ♥ A 10 ♦K, Meckstroth is count-squeezed to
are known to be three in the West and ♦ Q 10 ♦J9 release a club, as he needs to keep the
two in the East)? ♣942 ♣Q7 ♥Q.”
As it turns out, yes. ♠— The last board was good for 11 IMPs
The deal is actually way more ♥J NICKELL’s way. And it was with this
complicated than it looks. First, the ♦K8 flurry of fireworks that the champi-
defenders didn’t help declarer out by ♣K86 onship ended with NICKELL on top
240–229. ◾
14 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
Peaches and Dreams
Atlanta hosts the Summer NABC July 26–Aug. 5

Don’t let the Summer NABC in Atlanta pass you by July 26–
Aug. 5. The huge bridge party draws players from all over the
world, and there are events slated for every level – from those
new to the game and eager to learn more, to world champs.
If you’ve never been to an NABC, you’re missing out on an
amazing bridge experience. Play and talk about the game all day
and into the night, if you want. Intermediate/newcomer players
are greeted with special Southern warmth: celebrity lectures
and free games and lessons provide a perfect opportunity to up
your game while meeting new friends from all over the country.
The Youth NABC, which runs Aug. 2–4, is an exclusive op-
portunity for kids up to 19 to play cards and meet new friends.
The Baron Barclay National Youth Open Pairs and the National
Youth Swiss Teams also provide a competitive shot at scholar-
ship funding.

Site
Friday, July 27 All events will be played at the Atlanta
9:15 a.m. Jerry Helms The Defensive Mindset Marriott Marquis at 265 Peachtree
6:45 p.m. Robert Todd Problem Opening Bids Center Ave.

Saturday, July 28
Air travel
9:15 a.m. Patty Tucker The Match Game
Omega World Travel is the official
Sunday, July 29 travel agency for the ACBL. For air
9:15 a.m. Phillip Alder Top Tip of all Time travel assistance, call 800–969–4152, fax
6:45 p.m. Frank Stewart Logical Thinking 866–445–6705 or email info@owt.net.
Monday, July 30
9:15 a.m. Marty Nathan Intro to Signaling Transportation
6:45 p.m. William Bedard Cuebid Limit Raise MARTA provides efficient, inexpensive
Tuesday, July 31 rail and bus service linking the downtown
9:15 a.m. Norman Beck Odd Things to Help with the Game area with the airport and outlying hotels.
6:45 p.m. Julian Laderman Inspired Declarer Play The MARTA stop is a block from the play-
ing site.
Wednesday, Aug. 1
9:15 a.m. Ellen Kent Panicville
6:45 p.m. Norma Sands Opening Leads
Thursday, Aug. 2
9:15 a.m. GS Jade Barrett How to Succeed in Bridge
6:45 p.m. Carole Budnick The Strip and Endplay
Friday, Aug. 3
9:15 a.m. Lisa Berkowitz Playing to Trick One
6:45 p.m. Mike Flader Ruling the Game
(See advertisment on pg. 11)
Saturday, Aug. 4
9:15 a.m. Kevin Wilson Fitting Honors

16 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

Parking
Valet parking: $45/day.
Offsite parking: $4/hour, $25/day.
50% discount for ACBL members. Valet
hourly rates up to six hours, then daily
rate applies. $50/day for oversized
vehicles. No buses, RVs or duallies. VENUE
All events will be played at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis,
Long-term parking 265 Peachtree Center Ave.
The daily parking rate for guests
CONTACT: ACBL Education Department
staying at the Marriott Marquis is
662–253–3161 or education@acbl.org
$22.50. Alternatively, long-term park-
ing is offered at some of the MARTA THURSDAY, AUG. 2
train stations for $5 and $8 per day 10 am Youth Pairs & O’Brien Gibbs Cardrook Pairs*
on the red and gold lines, arriving at 2 pm Youth Teams & Cardrook Pairs*
the Peachtree Center station down-
town close to the Marriott. Check the FRIDAY, AUG. 3
MARTA website at martaguide.com/ 10 am & 2 pm BARON BARCLAY
marta-long-term-parking for informa- NATIONAL YOUTH OPEN PAIRS
tion and availability. Another option One qualifying and one final session.
is long-term parking at a lot near the Players must be available for both sessions.
Atlanta airport. Many of the lots offer 10 am Cardrook Pairs*
reasonable rates for covered and un-
2 pm Cardrook Pairs*
covered parking that can be reserved
2 pm Consolation Open Pairs
in advance, and they include shuttle
service to the airport.
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
10 am & 2 pm NATIONAL YOUTH SWISS TEAMS
Child care One qualifying and one final session.
Bring the kids along! The NABC
Players must be available for both sessions.
child care program offers flexible
hours for parents plus dozens of fun 10 am Cardrook Pairs*
and educational activities for the kids, 2 pm Cardrook Pairs*
including field trips and, of course, 2 pm Consolation Swiss Teams
learning to play cards. Because it’s 5:30 pm Award ceremony including Master Point
affordable, the child care program Press Sportsmanship Award, Baron Barclay
makes NABCs vacation destinations Youth Pairs scholarship and National Swiss
for the entire family. Teams scholarship
The cost is $25 per bridge session
for the first two children and $40 *Cardrook Pairs are games designed for less experienced players.
per bridge session for three or four
children. Babies 3 months to 1 year are
$40 per bridge session.
For more information or to sign up,
contact Donna Compton at cdmra@
mindspring.com or 214–394–5830.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 17

A Bigger Bridge Bowl
More teams compete for more money in collegiate event

The 2018 Collegiate Bridge Bowl promises to be bigger Scholarships will be awarded to all players on the top four
and offer better prizes than in the past. In yet another new teams and to the top three players in the individual event.
format for the event, at least 12 teams will compete for The scholarship pool has increased by 80 percent. Team
$36,000 in scholarships in Atlanta. The event takes place awards are $15,000, $10,000, $5000 and $2500; individual
during the second weekend of the Summer NABC, Aug. 2–4. awards are $2000, $1000 and $500.
It is an open event for teams of eligible players attending the Travel awards are $1000 per person for up to six people
same college, so no pre-qualification is necessary. per team. Teams are allowed to replace members and give
There were, however, two qualifying online tournaments the travel subsidies to players other than those who played
to determine eight of the 10 travel package winners. Teams in the tournaments.
from Georgia Tech, Berkeley, Princeton and Columbia won Teams entering include:
travel subsidies in the first tournament. Carleton, Harvey California-Berkeley – Armin Askari, Kevin Rosenberg,
Mudd, Minnesota and Northwestern did in the second. Chengwei Li, Mingyang Zhou, Xinchen Zhu
The ACBL Educational Foundation increased funding California-Santa Barbara – Andrew Rowberg, Jon Martin,
to offer two more teams travel subsidies, and these were Michael Swift, Nicholas Adamski, Danning Lu, Carol Tsai
based on participation in College Bridge Online games, with Carleton College – Alexander Frieden, Thomas Scruggs,
12 points awarded for friendly team matches and 1 point Sophia Maymudes, Jeffrey Boitnott, Jackson Wahl
awarded for individual robot games. UC Santa Barbara and Columbia – Yang Zu, Jianheng Hu, Max Krawczyk, Jing
Maryland won these activity awards. Zhang
Because the event is being held in Atlanta – local for Georgia Tech – Arjun Dhir, Richard Jeng, Michael
Georgia Tech, which has a large bridge club – Georgia Tech Moschella, Vijay Nambi, Justin Shiao, Kendrick Wong
plans to send three teams to the Bridge Bowl. Harvey Mudd College – Emma Kolesnik, Jake Williams,
The three-day, six-session event begins with a three-ses- Daniel Sonner, Nicholas Koskelo
sion Swiss qualifying event, from which the top eight teams Maryland – Hakan Berk, Teddy Corrales, Brian Scheff,
will advance. There will be one-session knockout rounds for Alexandra Servey, Zachary Star, Kevin DiCola
the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. Minnesota – Sean McNally, Matt Hoffman, Zeren Shui,
Another new feature is a three-session individual event Ben Popken, Sarah Eyer and Augustine Redington
following the Swiss. Members of teams that don’t advance Northwestern – Kyle Rockoff, Luke Robinson, Joey
from the Swiss can enter this, and those who are knocked Lieberman, David Cheng, Sarik Goyal
out in the quarterfinal round can also drop into it in the Princeton – Nathan Finkle, Sam Berman, Amber Lin,
second session. Aaron Balleisen.

18 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

Poetic License
The best (and worst) of reader-submitted bridge haiku
BY PAUL LINXWILER

In the May editorial, I inexplicably decided to announce a

bridge-themed haiku contest. This momentary lapse of sanity
was swiftly punished by some 150 readers who submitted
more than 200 poems. Yes, some of these sadists submitted
more than one. I quickly enlisted the help of fellow editors
Sue Munday and Chip Dombrowski in wading through the pile
(a carefully chosen word) to determine the best and worst entries.
As I write this, Sue and Chip still aren’t speaking to me, but because performance reviews are just around the corner, all will
be well soon. Or else.
For the purposes of scoring the entries, the editors acted as judge and jury (and sometimes executioner), and our deci-
sions are final. No appeals. Just like the NABCs.

Let’s start with a sample of some of A distaste for system complexity Ginny Barklow of Sequim WA had
the better efforts. Here’s one from Jim compelled Paul Bluestein of Bridge- this take:
Flint of Ashland OR: port CT to submit this one he calls
“Mercy”: I try not to flinch
Key card gone awry when I discover my trumps
Partner passed my queen-ask bid Conventions galore: split five and zero.
Played a two-one fit. Bergen, Drury, DOPI, DONT.
Have mercy. No more. Ray Adams of Turlock CA wrote
Been there, done that, Jim. Stop about a happier outcome:
whining. Another popular theme was that of
The theme of bidding misunder- unfortunate results or layouts. This His queen beats my jack
standings and bad judgment were submission from Bill Langlois of San but coup scores knave en passant.
popular ones, however. Here’s one from Jose CA, which he called “Two-edged C’est la vie, monsieur.
Harvey Cohen of Sagamore Hills OH: Sword,” is an example:
No doubt Ray’s haiku will be a big hit
Partner’s four club call: Preempts can be fine with our readers in Quebec.
Gerber or a splinter bid? But this one did not fare well. Alan Levine of Massapequa NY,
Too late to ask now. Minus eight hundred. however, brings back the sour outlook:

If you’re lucky, Harvey, the Gerber Merril Harris of Dowelltown TN Played thirteen sessions
response will be the same as your knows how to handle a bad hand: Accumulated no points
response to the splinter. It’s saved me Learning mahjong now.
plenty of times. “Two notrump,” she starts.
Pam Hudson of Hilo HI had a sys- My flat hand’s points are zero. George Fleeson of McLean VA had
tem to deal with potential misunder- She can play it there. sage words of advice:
standings:
Leonard Epstein of Dallas TX re- Bad things happen when
I miss my Stop card. lates an experience many have shared: You’re a couple of points short.
My partner could always tell Learn that lesson well.
Here comes a bad bid. One spade in third seat.
Oh no, I forgot Drury. Pay attention, overbidders. You know
See? The Stop card was useful. Down four at five clubs. who you are.

20 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Maintaining an adversarial relation- And the worst entry comes from Wrapping up, here are some Honor-
ship with partner was the inspiration Robert Gaare of Kennesaw GA who able Mentions. The aforementioned
for several submissions. Here’s one forwarded this stinker: Pamela Hudson sent in multiple
from Carol Reed of Red Bluff CA: entries including this one:
Send to Linxwiler
Once again, partner Despite his protestations I bid like Bergen.
bids and rebids my void, but He loves bridge haiku. I play like Brother Lucius.
vengeance shall be mine. So why do I lose?
This transparent attempt to curry
Wow, ol’ Carol sounds kinda hostile. favor by including my name in the Benjamin Epstein of Berkeley CA
(Note to self: Bid notrump when play- haiku was roundly rejected by all of the confesses to a bad habit:
ing with Carol.) editors. Atrocious. (And I hate bridge
Alan Levine was one of the nar- haiku, just to be clear.) Looking like a slam.
cissists who sent in multiple entries. As punishment, Mr. Gaare will lose Tried Blackwood with a void.
Here’s another one from him: half his masterpoints, and he’ll receive Down two off the top.
a copy of whatever the latest book from
Married eighty years George Jacobs is. (We’re going to frame this one and
without a single cross word. send it to Steve Weinstein.)
Took up bridge: divorced. Back to the good poems. The runner-
up for the contest was submitted by Alan Levine offered a third haiku
Hey, if she can’t take constructive Wendy Morrison of Silver Spring MD, (really?):
criticism at the table, ditch her. a champion of haiku poetry. She calls
Jim Hulseman of Los Altos CA sub- this one “Reckless Partner”: Doubled redoubled.
mitted one of my personal favorites:
Never thought I would be down
All those conventions
Former bartender At the one level.
won’t save us from disaster
gets guidance on the right bid: if you overbid. Bill Langlois also had multiple
Make it a double. entries, including this one called “Mo-
The truth: a poor system played well mentary Lapse”:
Believe me, the editors each needed is better than a good system played
a double after reading all of the entries. poorly.
And this is the perfect segue for reveal-
Forgot to unblock.
The winner of the Bridge Bulletin Declarer knew what to do.
ing some of the bad entries. haiku contest is Marc Rissman of The
Patricia Herring of Athens TX Villages FL who crafted this gem:
So now I’m endplayed.
submitted this disturbing haiku:
The love of my life Don Doolittle of Irving TX de-
Bid, declare, defend Sits across the bridge table scribes a nightmare:
Learning to trust your partner Bidding who knows what.
Violence contained. At seven notrump
Be honest: Those of you who play I played my singleton ace
“Violence contained”?! Somebody with a significant other are nodding But it was pard’s lead.
needs a Xanax. your heads in agreement, yes? Congrat-
Lauren McCabe of Santa Cruz CA ulations, Mr. Rissman: You will receive Lastly, the raunchiest entry came
assaulted us with this: $25 in Bridge Bucks for your efforts. from runner-up Wendy Morrison
(Yes, we’re cheap. And, no, you may not with this one dubbed “That’s What
Partner you need new? ask when the next contest is.) Your Girlfriend Said”:
Criticize during the play
Alone you will be. Must you always make
the same old joke when it goes
Apparently, this is supposed to be “One club” – “Could be short!”?
read in the voice of ›Yoda. Fine, two can
play at that game: Terrible this is.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 21

Vision Quest
After technology aided her failing eyesight, Harriette Buckman looks to help others
BY PAUL LINXWILER

Harriette Buckman loves to play

bridge, but in her late 70s, the former
ACBL president began struggling with
deteriorating eyesight, the result of
age-related macular degeneration.
Her vision problems soon turned her
favorite pastime into an increasingly
frustrating experience. In early 2017,
however, Buckman found out about
a new device that helps people with
a variety of optical diseases see the
Harriette Buckman models the eSight 3 What the eSight device looks like
world around them. Now 83, Buckman
before the visor is in place.
describes the impact of her recently
acquired device – the eSight 3 – as
ous visual impairments to see. Not to read an eye chart, and I struggled to
nothing less than “a miracle.” And
only does it help those with macular read the second line. I then tried the
because she knows firsthand that the
degeneration, but also from cataracts, eSight device for the first time, and I
instrument actually works, Buckman is
diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal was able to read to the bottom line of
determined to raise funds to help oth-
detachment and many more vision- the chart. I started crying.”
ers who might not be able to afford one
related diseases. The device is similar to a virtual-re-
for themselves. The reason: the model
Buckman, who lives in Sarasota FL, ality headset. Buckman demonstrated
costs about $10,000, making it out of
says that a friend saw an article in the by first donning a pair of glasses that
reach for many.
New York Times about eSight, and she look similar to regular eye wear, but
In the United States alone, as many
immediately checked out their website are actually special electronic glasses.
as 11 million people are affected by
to schedule an appointment with one A wrap-around visor surmounts the
age-related macular degeneration, a
of the company’s “ambassadors” – the glasses, making the wearer resemble
number that is expected to double over
term the company uses because many the character Lt. Geordi La Forge from
the next 30 years as the number of se-
of eSight’s employees are visually “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
niors in the U.S. continues to climb.
impaired people who use the product “Lots of people call me ‘The Star
In 2015, the Canadian company
themselves – to see if she was a candi- Trek lady,’›” says Buckman.
eSight unveiled its product (of the
date to benefit from use of the device. The visor presents the user with a
same name) to allow people with seri-
“I went in for my evaluation in computer-like screen of options, much
March of 2017, but it turned out my like a TV remote control. The user can
vision wasn’t sufficiently bad for the control various functions, including
product to be much help. But by July zoom (most useful at the bridge table),
of that year – at the Summer NABC in contrast and focus. A hand-held con-
Toronto – my vision had dramatically troller attached to the visor allows the
deteriorated. I scheduled another ap- user to change the variety of settings.
pointment (they were located across Users meet regularly with the eSight
the street from where the tournament ambassadors to make sure everything
was being held!), and they told me that is OK. The only complaint Buckman
I had definitely become a candidate for has relates to the life of the recharge-
the product. able battery for the unit.
“I was shocked at how much my eye- “It lasts about three and a half hours,
The hand-held control device that is sight had changed in just four months. similar to the length of the time for a
attached to the visor. They took me to an examination room single session.”

22 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Buckman’s proof of the efficacy of In addition, Buckman has attracted has coordinated with a 501(c)(3) orga-
the product comes from many argu- the help of an “angel” who has prom- nization called the Overcome Vision
ments, but one of her most persua- ised to match up to $4000 from the Loss Foundation to permit direct con-
sive comes from the Spring NABC in events, as well as another benefactor tributions. Players interested in help-
Philadelphia this year, where she won a who immediately gave $1000 for the ing with the project may send checks
regional pair game playing with former cause. to OVLF at 37 Cannon Ridge Way,
ACBL Board member Bill Cook. “We’ll easily have enough for one de- Gettysburg PA 17325 with a memo/
Although the learning curve for us- vice, so I’m working on raising enough note indicating “ACBL eSight.”
ing eSight takes a few months, Buck- for a second one,” she says. Buckman “This device allows people like me to
man has succeeded in crossing those has even enlisted the help of Bonnie play competitively,” Buckman says. ◾
hurdles. Bagley, chair of the ACBL Charity
“You have to get used to the gadget- Foundation, in writing a grant proposal
ry,” she says. to obtain additional funds.
Buckman is so enthused about the According to Buckman, the eSight
power of eSight that she soon set about company will select the recipients of
raising funds through the wider bridge the donated devices.
community to buy one of the devices “They have a database of people who
for a visually impaired person who need one and have applied. Of these, 17
would be unable to purchase one. had mentioned that bridge was one of
“The Intercity Bridge Club in Saraso- the activities that they can no longer
ta is donating the proceeds of its char- play because of their eyesight. We have
ity games to this project, as is Unit 102, asked eSight to choose one or two of
in the Sarasota area, which is donating these applicants to be recipients.”
funds from its annual charity game In order to follow U.S. tax laws to
later this year,” says Buckman. allow for charitable donations, eSight

Midsummer Gold
There’s a new ACBL-wide event on the calendar – the Summer Instant
Matchpoint Game! Go for the gold point at your local club on Monday after-
noon, July 9. (Section tops award one gold point in each direction in qualified
games.) See your score instantly after each deal. Hand records and analysis will
be provided, and winners will be recognized in the Bridge Bulletin.
Following the game, join Sylvia Shi and Daniel Korbel by video as they break
down several of the more interesting hands.
Please go to acbl.org/img for a list of participating clubs.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 23

 First in Their Class – Update
The April issue featured a story about some of the ACBL’s earliest Life Masters who are
still members today. We recently received news of another player who qualifies for that list:
Jim Jackson of Tryon NC.
Jackson, now 93, became Life Master No. 358 in 1951. He is a Diamond LM.
Chip Boyle, the secretary of Unit 171 where Jackson lives, wrote the following:
Jim’s career as an exceptional player is well known throughout the Carolinas. Still playing
twice a week, he attends our local sectionals, winning open pairs and telling his opponents
that they played better than he did.
He grew up in Tryon, left for a time to serve with distinction in World War II, worked in his
family’s business and then entered the seminary. He returned with his wife and their children
Jim Jackson, 1951
to take up permanent residence in Tryon in 1981 and has been a teaching fixture at the table
since.
Jim’s infectious laugh, his congeniality and constant enthusiasm add much to the local
bridge scene. Jim devotes considerable time to coaching and playing with aspiring players.
He is always on the list of available substitutes and is happier to teach and play with a novice
than with the best our club has to offer. In past years, Jim volunteered his time at the Tryon
morning games, coaching new players after each hand, always with a smile and a posi-
tive approach. One of Jim’s greatest attributes is his ability to play with virtually anyone and
get positive results. He would regularly travel to the New England Regional to play with and
against the best, playing in an unusual event – an individual contest with a different partner
every two boards – and he won that prestigious contest twice. How many of us would love to
have a partner like that?
Jim’s bridge life is the dictionary definition of Zero Tolerance: friendly, complimentary,
ethical, trustworthy, competent, never critical and a pleasure to play with or against. He is a
true and faithful ambassador for our wonderful game. Just watching him play is a free course
Jackson, 2018
in active ethics.

Mountain of Masterpoints
Below is the data for masterpoints won by ACBL members in 2017:
137,176 members won 6,192,466.81 points at any level of play
15,091 members won 661,835.27 points at online clubs
54,897 members won 277,082.83 points at NAP games at clubs
12,367 members won 34,662.75 points at GNT games at clubs
133,452 members won 3,013,509.69 points at club games
73,187 members won 322,392.08 points at STaC games
58,670 members won 509,688.63 points at sectionals
50,986 members won 1,027,284.71 points at regionals
9,875 members won 128,201.44 points at regional events at NABCs
2,908 members won 41,074.30 points at NABC events (not NABC+)
3,114 members won 121,554.58 points at NABC+ events
1,981 members won points at online clubs only
60,213 members won points at face-to-face clubs only
74,982 members won points at sectionals or higher
53,598 members won points at regionals or higher
4,740 members won points at NABC events only

24 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Eric R. Murray 1928–2018

B
ridge titan Eric Murray, arguably Murray also contributed to bridge
the greatest Canadian player of theory by devising the Murray 2♦
all time, died May 19. Murray, an convention and, most significantly,
ACBL Grand Life Master, was a mem- co-authoring the Drury convention
ber of both the ACBL and Canadian with the eponymous Doug Drury. The
Halls of Fame. The 89-year-old was a now-famous origin of the convention
resident of Orangeville ON. came about when Drury, compelled to
During Murray’s career as a player, protect himself against then-partner
he earned 14 NABC titles, five Canadi- Murray’s penchant for opening light
an national victories and seven medals in third seat, came up with a method WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
in the world championships: four silver to determine the strength of opener’s
Silver Medal
medals in the Bermuda Bowl repre- hand. Bermuda Bowl
senting North America, two bronze In “civilian” life, Murray was one of 1962, 1966, 1967, 1974
medals in the Olympiad representing Toronto’s top trial lawyers for decades.
Canada, and another bronze in the Murray’s status as an iconic figure Bronze Medal
Rosenblum Cup. in the game was rooted in more than Olympiad
1968, 1972
Murray’s partnership with fellow his technical abilities, outstanding as
Canadian Hall of Famer Sami Kehela they were. His persona as the urbane, Rosenblum Cup
was one of the most powerfully ef- cigar-loving raconteur armed with a le- 1982
fective combinations in the history thally funny sense of humor made him
of the game. Their skill and stamina a larger-than-life figure wherever he NABC TITLES
(they frequently played all or most of went. Of his four second-place finishes Freeman Mixed Board-a-Match Teams
the boards in the days-long, top-level in the Bermuda Bowl – with the famed 1956, 1962
team matches) were an integral part of Italian Blue Team taking the gold on Mitchell Open Board-a-Match Teams
the success of any squad of which they each occasion – Murray quipped, “I 1962
were members. know the Italian national anthem
In addition to Murray’s talent as a by heart.” During the Bermuda Bowl Spingold Knockout Teams
1964, 1965, 1968
player, he was also skilled in bridge scandal of 1975 when two Italian play-
governance. His Hall of Fame entry on ers (Gianfranco Facchini and Sergio Vanderbilt Knockout Teams
the CBF website notes, “As a bridge Zucchelli) were caught passing infor- 1961, 1970
administrator, Murray was the presi- mation by tapping toes, Eric wired a Marcus Cup
dent of the Ontario Bridge League in its message to the American team offering 1959
early days, engineering its union with his services: “I play a reasonable game,
Nail Life Master Pairs
the ACBL, and was District 2 represen- and take a size 14 shoe.”
1963
tative to the ACBL Board of Directors. Fellow Hall of Famer Bob Hamman
He was also the organizing chairman of said, “Murray definitely was the most Rockwell Mixed Pairs
the 1964 Summer NABC. intense opponent I ever faced. You 1963
“Murray, whose energy and drive are never beat Eric. On occasion you might von Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs
legendary, was the prime mastermind have been ahead when the final buzzer 1969
behind the creation of the Canadian sounded, but beating Eric was not in
Wernher Open Pairs
Bridge Federation in 1967. In recogni- the realm of possibility. Intensity was 1954, 1955
tion of all his contributions to bridge the game, Murray was the name. In
in Canada and his leading role in the Eric’s case, they really did throw away CANADIAN TITLES
formation of the Canadian Bridge Fed- the mold: It will be a long wait for a
eration, Murray was named Honorary replacement.” Canadian National Teams Championship
Life Member of the CBF in 2009.” 1980, 1981, 1987
Canadian Senior Teams Championship
2007, 2010

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 25

 John Sutherlin 1936–2018 tributions to the game when they were named ACBL’s Honorary
John Sutherlin died May 12 in Dallas Members of the Year in 2008.
TX. The Grand Life Master was 81 years “John never said no,” says Suzi Subeck, who represents Chicago-
old. area District 13 on ACBL’s Board of Directors. “He did whatever he
John won the World Senior Team could to make the game better.”
Championship at the 2000 Olympiad John was eulogized at his funeral service by world bridge champi-
in Maastricht, Netherlands. He also won ons Mike Passell, Dan Morse and Bob Hamman.
two silver medals, including a second- Passell says, “John taught a lot of us what the true meaning of in-
place finish in the World Mixed Pairs tegrity is. No one could ask for a better friend, and I miss him greatly
in 1982 with his wife, Peggy. (John and already.”
Peggy met playing bridge in 1959; they Morse, one of John’s longtime partners and a former ACBL Board
married in 1967.) member, says, “John was not only an expert bridge player, but an all-
John amassed 13 North American titles, including two Vander- around good guy who was universally liked and a friend to everyone.
bilt KO trophies and a Spingold KO. He won his first NABC title, I lost a great friend and terrific partner who I played with for 30 years.
the Rockwell Mixed Pairs, with Peggy in 1962. John had a good life, a loving wife, many great bridge results and
John was born in Mishawaka IN. His family moved to California exceptional results at sports betting.”
in 1946. After graduating from San Mateo High School, he at- On behalf of John’s “friends, acquaintances and camp followers,”
tended the University of California at Berkeley on a track scholar- Hamman offers the following: “John had all the qualities that a par-
ship, which he lost after breaking an ankle. ticipant in any sport should aspire to obtain. He was a tough and
Before he retired, John was vice president of Crocker Invest- relentless opponent who never even considered bending the rules
ment Management Corporation, which merged with Wells Fargo. to suit his needs. As a teammate and partner, he was supportive and
He also served six years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. understanding. He also played with a very high level of skill. I was for-
John served the ACBL as national recorder from 1986–1996, tunate enough to be on two winning national championship teams
and continued through the years to work behind the scenes, ana- with John. The positives of knowing John would fill volumes, the
lyzing deals from tournaments to detect possible misconduct. negatives approached zero, or, as a mathematician might say, ‘were
John and Peggy were both honored for their extensive con- less than any arbitrary epsilon.’ We all miss you, John.”

26 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Product Reviews
Planning the Play highly recommended books for Aimed at an intermediate audience,
The Next Level newcomers to the game. the book encompasses basic play-of-
“The Next Level” takes the the-hand strategies, from entry man-
By Barbara Seagram avid learner beyond the basics. agement, unblocking and safety plays
and David Bird The book is presented in the to planning a dummy reversal and
$19.95, softcover, 208 pages same manner as the first vol- executing a strip and throw-in. The
Reviewed by Sue Munday ume: a brief lesson, deals that grand final quiz presents 26 challeng-
ask the reader to formulate a ing declarer play problems that, if you
Thank you, partner plan for playing the hand, a bul- ace, earns you a Big Game!
In 2010, Barbara Sea- leted recap and then a quiz. Note If your goal is to improve your card
gram and David Bird collaborated to that it isn’t good enough merely play, work this book from start to fin-
produce “Planning the Play of a Bridge to know the answer: You must articu- ish. You’ll be confidently claiming in no
Hand.” It stands as one of the most late your plan step by step. time.

Beyond Beginning Bridge rificing student comprehension. CD-ROM that contains all of the files
Using 2 Over 1 The student textbook covers many that a teacher needs, all of which can
Student textbook and Instructor’s Guide of the usual convention-related topics be printed for distribution to students.
in 2/1 guides: Roman key card Black- The student manual is $25 and is
By Jim Ricker wood, Jacoby 2NT, inverted minors, available either directly from dia-
Textbook: spiral bound, 218 pages new minor forcing, fourth suit forcing, mondbookspublishing@gmail.com or
Instructor’s Guide: Smolen, Michaels, and so on. What from Amazon.com.
spiral bound, 200 pages makes Ricker’s approach different is The Instructor’s Guide is free, but in-
that he incorporates the principles of structors must first purchase a student
Reviewed by Paul Linxwiler losing trick count (LTC) to the mix as manual and be an ACBL-accredited
an additional way to evaluate hands. teacher. Instructors receive a 20%
2/1 how-to guide And there are plenty of exercises avail- discount on subsequent purchases, and
Jim Ricker is a busy man. He’s able for students to practice. shipping is free in the continental U.S.
cranked out quite a few textbooks and Ricker believes that using pre- (taxes and duty extra to Canada).
instructor guides that he uses suc- arranged deals in boards wastes a lot
cessfully in his classes in the Knox- of time in lessons, so he’s developed
ville area. Other teachers have taken “Dealing Sheets” that present stu-
notice and use Ricker’s materials, too. dents with their lesson hands already
His latest effort is “Beyond Beginning printed on them. The Dealing Sheets
Bridge Using 2 Over 1: Tools to Elevate even provide high-card point and LTC
Your Bridge Game,” a terrific text for information with each hand to help
intermediate-level players who want to move things along at a good pace. Rep-
expand their understanding of 2/1 and etition is the key to comprehension,
its associated treatments. Even better, so Ricker strongly prefers to use the
however, is the Instructor’s Guide of Dealing Sheets as a replacement for
the same title. Ricker has developed actual cards. Less time wasted with the
quite a few tricks for increasing the boards means more time spent looking
number of hands that teachers can at the example hands.
present in a typical lesson without sac- The Instructor’s Guide comes with a
28 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Ruling the Game
rulings@acbl.org
MODERATOR: MATT SMITH
NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

Q My club uses electronic

scoring, but it allows play-
ers to see their current
scores during the session. Is this
of STaCs unless the Regulating Au-
thority asked that it be added to the
conditions of contest for that specific
STaC.
From the Introduction to the Alert
Definitions: “To ensure full disclosure,
however, at the end of the auction and
before the opening lead, declarer is
permitted? encouraged to volunteer to explain the

A Q
auction (including available infer-
For ACBL tournaments, What’s the right way to ences).”
the policy is that the “trav- explain partnership agree- From the General Conditions of
eler scores” or “percentages” ments? Contest for all ACBL events: “All

A
functions of the electronic scoring be players have an obligation to disclose
turned off. It is our opinion that seeing From the Laws of Duplicate their agreements according to the
scores from other participants gives Bridge, Law 40.B.6.a: “When procedures established by ACBL.
the players knowledge of how they’re explaining the significance of When asked, a full explanation of the
doing and may impact their choices partner’s call or play in reply to an op- agreement must be provided. Stating
during later rounds. This may lead to ponent’s inquiry (see Law 20), a player the common or popular name of the
“shooting” by out-of-contention pairs, shall disclose all special information convention is not sufficient. The op-
which begins to skew the legitimate conveyed to him through partnership ponents need not ask exactly the ‘right’
results on boards. ACBL maintains agreement or partnership experience, question. Any request for information
that a player should have their own but he need not disclose inferences should be the trigger. Opponents need
estimation based only upon their own drawn from his knowledge and experi- only indicate the desire for informa-
experience in determining how they’re ence of matters generally known to tion – all relevant disclosures should
doing for a given session. bridge players.” be given automatically. The proper
Having the “traveler results” func- From the Introduction to the Alert way to ask for information is, ‘Please
tion on leads to other problems as Procedures: “The objective of the Alert explain.’›”
well: slower play, as players feel the system is for both pairs at the table to Note that players should never offer
need to discuss all those other results; have equal access to all information explanations phrased as “I think it
extraneous information passed around contained in any auction. In order to means…” or “I’m taking it as…” If you
the room as some player announces a meet this goal, it is necessary that all cannot remember the partnership
strange outcome or contract; the need players understand and practice the agreement, say just that. The oppo-
to adjust scores and assign penalties principles of full disclosure and active nents may wish to call the director. If
when a table plays the boards out of or- ethics. Ethical bridge players will rec- you cannot remember discussing an
der and enters the second board in the ognize the obligation to give complete agreement in this bidding sequence,
first slot and sees results from other explanations. They will accept the fact simply say, “It’s undiscussed.” In this
tables for a board not yet played. that any such information is entirely situation, you are using your best
Clubs, however, may set their own for the benefit of the opponents, and bridge judgment to proceed and the
policy as to the use of these functions, may not be used to assist their own opponents must do the same. ◾
and ACBL would not interfere in cases partnership.”

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 29

It’s a Small World
World Bridge Series in Orlando, Sept. 22–Oct. 6

The World Bridge Series in Orlando offers ACBL If you plan to play only in non-championship events, all
members a rare opportunity to play in world championship you need to do after that is show up and pay entry fees. If
events in North America. The World Bridge Federation you want to play in championship events, you’ll also need
hosts the 2018 World Bridge Series Sept. 22–Oct. 6 at the to register for those events, pay entry fees in advance and
Orlando World Center Marriott. complete a commitment form. Commitment forms can be
All the events are transnational, so that players from downloaded from the website and must be sent by email to
anywhere in the world can come together as teammates or anna.gudge@worldbridgefed.com by Sept. 6.
as partners to compete. Players in good standing with their Links to book room reservations, register for champi-
national bridge organizations are eligible to compete in any onship events and pay advance entry fees can be found at
of these events, provided, of course, they meet all the WBF championships.worldbridge.org.
eligibility requirements, including those relating to the ages
of Senior and Youth players. Entry fees
All ACBL members in the U.S. are considered members of Entry fees are a single all-inclusive price for all players
the U.S. Bridge Federation, the national bridge organization. and all sessions of an event. The WBF requests payment in
Canadian players must be members of the Canadian Bridge advance via bank transfer.
Federation. All that is required to play in non-championship
events in Orlando is to register as a player with the WBF. Rosenblum Open Teams: $1600 Women’s Pairs: $600
Anyone who has ever played in a WBF event is already regis- McConnell Women’s Teams: $1500 Senior Pairs: $600
tered. If you’re not sure whether you have registered, use the Rand Senior Teams: $1500 Mixed Pairs: $400
People Finder feature at worldbridge.org to find your name Mixed Teams: $1200 Other events: TBA
in the database. If it isn’t there, you need to register. Open Pairs: $700

How to register
Go to championships.worldbridge.org. The first step is to Schedule
click the link to register for a championship event, even if Starts Ends
Rosenblum Open Teams Sat., Sept. 22 Sun., Sept. 30
you don’t intend to play. From the registration information
page, in the first bullet, click registration email form. Youth World Triathlon Sat., Sept. 22 Thur., Sept. 27
McConnell Women’s Teams Sun., Sept. 23 Sun., Sept. 30
Rand Senior Teams Sun., Sept. 23 Sun., Sept. 30
Open Pairs World Championship Mon., Sept. 24 Sun., Sept. 30
Women’s Pairs World
Championship Tue., Sept. 25 Sun., Sept. 30
Senior Pairs World Championship Tue., Sept. 25 Sun., Sept. 30
Side Short Track Pairs Fri., Sept. 28 Fri., Sept. 28
Joan Gerard Cup Sat., Sept. 29 Sun., Sept. 30
Mixed Teams World Championship Mon., Oct. 1 Sat., Oct. 6
Seniors World Triathlon Mon., Oct. 1 Thur., Oct. 4
Side Pairs Tournament Mon., Oct. 1 Tue., Oct. 2
Mixed Pairs World
You will be prompted to save a compressed file. Next,
Championship Wed., Oct. 3 Sat., Oct. 6
you’ll need to find that file in your Downloads folder.
Open it and you’ll find the registration form in an Excel Side Teams Tournament Wed., Oct. 3 Thur., Oct. 4
spreadsheet. Complete the form, save it and send it by email IMP Pairs Fri., Oct. 5 Sat., Oct. 6
to webmaster@worldbridgefed.com. It can take up to two Several one- and two-day pairs and Swiss team events will be
days before you’re in the database and are able to register for added to the schedule and announced later.
events.

30 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

Bridge Bash
Fourth annual Bay Area High
School Bridge Championship
By Sarah Youngquist

On April 29 at the Burlingame Bridge

Center in Northern California, stu-
dents from 17 local schools gathered
to play in the fourth Bay Area High
School Bridge Championship.
Nine teams from six schools started
in a round-robin; four teams advanced
to a 12-board semifinal after lunch, fol-
lowed by a 12-board final.
The team championship was won by
Palo Alto High School (Cornelius Duff-
ie, Stella Wan, Jonathon Youngquist Sarah Youngquist, Jonathon Youngquist, Cornelius Duffie and Stella Wan from Palo Alto
and Sarah Youngquist) 43–17 over High School win the school’s third consecutive Bay Area High School Bridge Championship.
Lynbrook HS (Michael Hu, Alex Zheng,
David Zheng and Michael Zheng).
Palo Alto topped the morning and ruffed a diamond. He pulled three Lynbrook arrived in 4♥ by South in an
round-robin. Gunn High School (Kevin rounds of trump, ending in dummy. uncontested auction on the following
Huang, Lucas Huang, Johnny Shi and The best hope to make the hand is hand. Play along with declarer Michael
Michael Xu) finished second. Monta to play East for honor–doubleton in Hu on the ♦Q lead.
Vista High School placed third, and hearts, hoping to pitch a spade on a
high heart, while endplaying East into Dlr: South ♠ A 7 5
Lynbrook claimed the last spot in the Vul: N–S ♥ Q 8 5
semifinals. breaking the spade suit.
Cornelius led the ♥3 to the 4, jack ♦A954
In the Palo Alto–Monta Vista semi- ♣Q84
final, Cornelius, from Palo Alto HS, and king. West returned the ♠3: 10,
king, ace. The contract was now cold. ♠ Q 10 8 4 3 ♠J96
ended up in this 5♣ contract. ♥J7 ♥K43
Declarer played a heart to the 10, won
Dlr: East
♠ Q 10 9 4 by East’s ace. East played back a spade, ♦ Q J 10 7 ♦K32
Vul: N–S
♥ Q 10 7 3 and declarer claimed. ♣ 10 5 ♣K976
♦— The contract goes set if East flies ♠K2
♣AQ986 with the ♥A on the first round of the ♥ A 10 9 6 2
♠J83 ♠K75 suit so that the defense never has to ♦86
♥K952 ♥A4 break spades, but once East ducks, ♣AJ32
♦KQ8763 ♦ J 10 9 5 4 there is nothing that the defense can Declarer won the ♦A and accurately
♣— ♣743 do. West does a little better by exit- decided to try to ruff a club in dummy.
♠A62 ing a heart when in with the ♥K, as He led a club to the jack, played the
♥J86 declarer would then have to guess ♣A, and led a low club. West incor-
♦A2 hearts. East does no better by refus- rectly ruffed with the ♥7. The defense
♣ K J 10 5 2 ing to put in the ♠K, as they will be continued two rounds of diamonds, de-
endplayed into leading spades anyway clarer ruffing. Declarer ruffed his last
West North East South when thrown back in with the heart on
Pass 1♣ club, West pitching a spade. Next he
the next round. 5♣ making was worth pulled trump, leading the ♥Q. As icing
2♦ Dbl 3♦ Pass 12 IMPs for Palo Alto, and Palo Alto
Pass Dbl Pass 3NT on the cake, his ♥Q smothered West’s
High School went on to win the match jack, and he picked up the trump suit
Pass 5♣ All Pass 49–25. to make five. That overtrick proved ex-
Meanwhile, Lynbrook and Gunn tremely important in the comparison.
West led the ♦K. Declarer won in faced off in the other semifinal match.
hand, pitching a spade from dummy, After comparing scores with their

32 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

teammates, both teams believed they East was known to be 4=2=6=1 and dummy and a diamond in hand, West
had won the match by 1! Pandemonium West was known to be 2=3=2=6, so de- pitching, and claimed making five.
ensued, and the teams cross-checked clarer could cash the ♣K and take the While the team semifinals and final
their scores until they found the board marked club finesse to make four. were being decided, players from the
with the score difference. One pair I declared a nice crossruff hand eliminated teams joined other play-
thought a contract had gone down on the second to last board, and the ers in the championship pairs event.
one while the other remembered the play went similarly at the other table Thirteen pairs participated.
contract going down two, resulting (played by Michael Zheng). Brent Xiao and Calix Tang finished
in a 2-IMP score discrepancy that with an impressive 72.22%, over 17%
was enough to swing the match. After Dlr: South ♠ A J 7 4 above the second-place finishers. Lucy
painstakingly going through the hand Vul: Both ♥ A J 10 6 Huang and Richard Liu, both from
trick by trick with director Will Wat- ♦AKQJ4 Monta Vista HS, took the newcomer
son, the players determined that the ♣— pair award.
contract had, in fact, gone down two, ♠863 ♠KQ The high school championship was
giving Lynbrook the narrow win and ♥K52 ♥Q97 sponsored by Silicon Valley Youth
the second spot in the finals. ♦652 ♦ 10 9 8 7 Bridge, with support from Peninsula
In the following deal from the final, ♣ 10 9 5 3 ♣AK74 Youth Bridge. First-place prizes were
Palo Alto got to 4♥, again played by ♠ 10 9 5 2 awarded in memory of Belle Bestor, a
Cornelius. ♥843 lifelong bridge player who inspired her
♦3 children to become Life Masters.
Dlr: South ♠ J 8 7 3 2 ♣QJ862 Special appreciation is due to Will,
Vul: N–S ♥ A K J who volunteered his service as direc-
♦82 West North East South
Pass tor; to Patti Frederick, who allowed us
♣AJ4 to use the space at the Bayshore Bridge
♠Q5 ♠ A 10 9 4 Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♠ Center rent-free; and to Jeanie Kwong
♥954 ♥ 10 8 of Peninsula Youth Bridge, who put
♦ 10 5 ♦AK9764 All Pass
together a fabulous lunch for players
♣ Q 10 9 8 6 3 ♣5 I ruffed the ♣10 lead in dummy and volunteers alike.
♠K6 and cashed three rounds of diamonds, Thanks go to author Larry Cohen for
♥Q7632 pitching two hearts. his donation of bridge books, as well as
♦QJ3 Then I played the ♥A, ruffed a to Master Point Press for deep dis-
♣K72 heart, ruffed a club, and ruffed a heart, counts, and to the ACBL. ◾
West North East South and was relieved to see hearts break-
(This article originally appeared on
Pass ing 3–3. From there, I ruffed a club in
Bridge Winners.)
Pass 1♠ 2♦ 2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
West led the ♦10 to East’s king, and
East switched to the ♠4. Declarer
jumped the first hurdle by guessing
correctly to go up with the ♠K. He
decided initially to play for 3–3 spades,
leading a spade to West’s queen.
West returned the ♥4 to the ace, 8
and 2. Declarer pulled a second round
of trump with the ♥K, noting the 3–2
heart split. He ruffed a spade high, see-
ing West pitch a club. He then played
a heart to the ♥J, East showing out,
and led a diamond off the board to
East’s ace. East returned a diamond
to declarer’s queen, West showed out
and dummy pitched a spade. Declarer
now had a complete count on the hand: Debbie Rosenberg, co-founder of Silicon Valley Youth Bridge, presents trophies to Bay Area
pairs champions Brent Xiao from Mission San Jose HS and Calix Tang from Homestead HS.
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 33
 Club News

Len Davidson and Urb Griffin

Saskatchewan director retires

By Linda Griffin | Moose Jaw DBC
Len Davidson recently retired as di-
rector and club manager for the Moose Michigan in Mayo
Jaw (SK) Duplicate Bridge Club. Owen Lien got dressed up for Cinco de Mayo, when he was directing at
Len is one of two charter members Michigan Bridge Connection in Southfield, Michigan’s largest bridge club. ♣
of the Moose Jaw DBC who continues
to play regularly, usually three times
per week. The club had its first game in
1960. Len attended with his mother as
his partner, and we believe they were
first East–West. Author visits Athens
Throughout his career as a high Popular author Louis Sachar
school teacher, Len played regularly at stopped by the Athens (GA)
the club and provincial tournaments. Duplicate Bridge Club in
He assumed numerous volunteer March for a game while in town
positions that helped keep the club accepting an award for his book
functioning. He was club president for “Fuzzy Mud.” Club president E.J.
two terms, 1971–72 and 1981–82. He Stapler invited him after hearing
has been directing since 1977. When he’d be in town, and arranged a
our previous long-term club manager ride for him to the game directly
resigned in 1998, he accepted this from the airport. Many players
position and has continued as our club are fans of his books, especially
manager for 20 years. “The Cardturner.” Stapler
A Ruby Life Master, Len is extremely discussed one of her favorite
personable and has amazing computer hands from the book with
skills. We will miss him as our manager Sachar. ♣
but look forward to competing against
him at the bridge table for many more
years. ♣ Louis Sachar and E.J. Stapler
34 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Oleta Wilson
By Sara Fryman | Unit 197
Oleta Wilson, 99, of Lubbock TX, and her sister, Frances
Staniforth, 92, of Elk City OK, were at the bridge center in Lubbock
in February to play bridge and celebrate Oleta’s birthday month.
Oleta was born Feb. 24, 1919.
After Oleta’s husband died in 1989, Frances gave her an Auto
Bridge – a self-teaching game kit manufactured in 1957, designed to
help users learn bridge. Oleta says the kit “saved my life!” She was 70
years old and took to bridge like a duck to water. Thus began her jour-
ney to learning bridge. She lived in Floydada TX and had to travel 30
miles twice weekly to play at the club in Plainview, 50 miles north of
Lubbock.
Oleta has amassed almost 290 total points, but she still needs 13
gold and 15 silver points to become a Life Master, which has always
Oleta Wilson and Frances Staniforth
been her goal. ♣

Brett Kunin and Frank Davis Sue Jaffe and Nora Robinson

Frank Davis Nora Robinson

The Shrine Center Bridge Club of Nora Robinson of Toronto ON cel-
Livingston NJ celebrated the 100th ebrates her 99th birthday this month.
birthday of Frank Davis in March with Still an active club director, Robinson
a party for him. Frank’s three daugh- plays regularly and travels to tourna-
ters joined players for lunch and a ments, such as the Bermuda Regional,
birthday cake. where she won flight C of a BCD Swiss
Frank was born March 20, 1918. He Teams. She was born July 13, 1919.
plays bridge at The Shrine four times Noted bridge teacher Barbara Sea-
a week year-round, whether snow, gram describes Robinson as sharp as a
rain, sleet or hail. At the party, Unit tack. “I asked her who did her grocery
140 President Brett Kunin presented shopping, and she said, ‘I do,’” Seagram
Frank with the ACBL’s Golden Age said. “She walks about half a mile to the
Master award. ♣ store each way and does it all herself.
She is much loved by all.” ♣
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 35
 Losing Trick Count, updated
– part 3
BY JENNIFER JONES jennbridge.blogspot.com

Using Losing Trick Count (LTC) in justifies aggressive bidding, even with opening bid to make game. (7 + 6 = 13,
competitive auctions can make your minimum high-card strength. This which, subtracted from 24, is 11.)
bidding more accurate and give you an maxim has a direct correlation with Here is another 6–5 hand which was
edge. I have had a lot of success bidding LTC, as a 6–5 hand does not contain held in an IMP game by a robot partner
games in response to partner’s takeout more than eight losers under the LTC that could benefit from learning LTC!
doubles with surprisingly few high- formula, and thus similarly justifies ♠K 10 8 4 2 ♥J 9 6 5 4 3 ♦6 ♣J
card points. You can expect a takeout aggressive bidding with minimum
double, like an opening bid, to have no strength. Here is a 6–5 hand I held in a Robot’s LHO opened 1♣, and I, the
more than seven losers, occasionally pairs game: hapless partner, doubled. The next
eight. If partner doubles and you have player bid 2♣, and Robot bid 2♥.
♠K 2 ♥— ♦J 10 8 7 3 2 ♣Q J 8 4 2 Opener rebid 3♣ which was passed
seven or fewer losers with a fit, you
should be able to make a game. LHO opened 2♥ and partner over- around to Robot who bid 3♥, ending
Here is a hand that came up recently called 2NT, showing a strong notrump. the auction. The layout:
in a team game: RHO bid 3♥, and I had to decide what
to do. I knew we had a fit in at least one ♠AQ7
♠Q 10 8 7 5 3 ♥K Q ♦10 7 6 4 ♣5 of my suits, so I counted my losers and ♥ A Q 10 8
Left-hand opponent opened 1♦ and saw that my 7-point hand had only six ♦J932
partner doubled. RHO bid 1♥, and it losers. I expected that we could make ♣ 10 9
was up to me. Although I had only 7 a game in one of my suits, but I started
HCP, I had just seven losers. Partner with a bid of 4♦, hoping that I would ♠ K 10 8 4 2
should have at least three spades for have the opportunity to bid clubs later. ♥J96543
his double, so I knew we had a fit. What LHO bid 4♥, and when it was passed ♦6
should I do? back to me, I bid 5♣. Partner corrected ♣J
I jumped to 4♠ and saw this dummy: to 5♦ and a heart was led. This is what Not surprisingly, 3♥ made five.
I saw: Had you or I held the robot’s hand, we
♠KJ96
♥AJ84 ♠A865 would have reevaluated after partner’s
♦K2 ♥Q764 takeout double and thought seriously
♣ 10 6 3 ♦AQ9 about bidding game, as the hand has
♣A9 only seven losers. We might also have
♠ Q 10 8 7 5 3 considered that we undoubtedly had a
♥KQ ♠K2 double fit, that the form of scoring was
♦ 10 7 6 4 ♥— IMPs, and that partner’s cards rated to
♣5 ♦ J 10 8 7 3 2 be “working,” as they were positioned
♣QJ842 “behind” the opener. After considering
4♠ made easily, and we won 11 all of the factors, we would have confi-
IMPs, as my counterpart bid only 2♠. The ♦K was onside, and the ♣K dently pushed on to a major suit game
was offside. Diamonds broke 2–2 and and achieved a good score. ◾
“Six-five, come alive!” is an old clubs broke 3–3. Plus 620 was a good
Note: ACBL rules prohibit partnerships
bridge maxim popularized by the late score. Note that as minor-suit games from agreeing to open hands with fewer
Grant Baze. The basic idea is that the require 11 tricks, you generally need six than 8 HCP regardless of the number of
6–5 distribution is so powerful that it losers opposite a minimum seven-loser losers determined by LTC.

36 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 The Bidding Box
MODERATOR: BRUCE ROGOFF
brogoff@gargoylegroup.com

See the West and East hands that appear on pages 57 and 59 respectively, and try
bidding them with a regular partner. Compare how you performed with the expert pairs
whose auctions you can read about in this month’s column. The North–South players are
silent unless otherwise noted. The competitors were not informed of any interference by the
opponents before the bidding commenced. The form of scoring is matchpoints with a 12 top.
The Bridge Bulletin auctions are meant to portray possible bidding sequences to one of
the top-scoring contracts using common methods.

JoAnna and Lew Stansby and Sally Problem 1 Bridge Bulletin auction: (1NT)–Dbl–
and Kit Woolsey are two Bay Area North deals. None vulnerable. (Redbl)–Pass; (2♣)–2♥–(Pass)–2♠;
couples that need little introduction North opens 1NT (15–17). If doubled, (Pass)–4♠–All Pass. Thanks to Jon
to most of our readers. Both pairs have South redoubles to ask for suits up the Shuster of Gainesville FL for sending
played together for about 30 years, line, and North bids 2♣ if necessary. this hand from the Common Game.
while enjoying great success in other Not many pairs found spades.
partnerships as well. The Stansbys West East
have won six NABC titles together, ♠J9843 ♠AKQ Scores: 4♠ 11; 5♠ 8; 4♥ 5; 3♠ 5;
as well as a bronze medal in the 2006 ♥6 ♥ A K 10 9 5 4 3♥ 3; (2♣) Dbl 1
World Mixed Pairs. The Woolseys’ ♦ Q J 10 5 ♦K73 Stansbys 5, Woolseys 3
greatest success in partnership was ♣852 ♣7
their victory in the 2009 Grand Na- Problem 2
tional Teams. JoAnna North Lew South East deals. N–S vulnerable.
Some other notes: Lew is an ACBL (1NT) 4♥ (Pass)
Hall of Famer with one of the best Pass (Pass) West East
all-time track records for someone ♠Q62 ♠4
Sally North Kit South ♥ 10 7 ♥A8
not named Meckwell. He will also be
(1NT) 2♦ (Pass) ♦K765 ♦AQ9432
receiving the Lazard Sportsmanship
2♥ (Pass) 3♥ All Pass ♣AQJ9 ♣ K 10 5 2
Award at this year’s HOF ceremony in
Atlanta. Kit is a Hall of Famer as well, Both pairs use the Woolsey conven- JoAnna Lew
not only for his playing record, but tion over strong notrump openings, 1♦
also for his prolific writing. His classic so neither East had a penalty double 2♦ 2♠
works, “Matchpoints” and “Partnership available. A Woolsey 2♦ bid shows 2NT 3♠
Defense in Bridge” are considered the a major one-suiter, so the choice was 4♣ 4♥
bibles on these topics. JoAnna won the whether to invite game or just bid it. 5♣ 6♦
2010 “Best Bid Hand” award from the Lew decided his hand was too good to Pass
International Bridge Press Association. invite, so with no convenient way to
Both pairs play a strong club system, explore other strains, he just bid the Sally Kit
with some variation in their notrump heart game. Kit preferred to start with 1♦
openings depending on seat and vul- 2♦, virtually promising a six-card suit, 2♦ 3♠
nerability (the Woolseys play 10–12 and Sally’s 2♥ was “pass or correct”: 4♦ 4NT
not vulnerable in first and second). She clearly wanted to stop right there if 5♣ 6♣
Both pairs also use some relay methods his suit was hearts. Kit raised (“I have Pass
in game-forcing situations, where the to do something, but Sally might be
(usually) strong hand asks a series of broke”). Sally had an easy pass with her The opening 1♦ promised only two
questions with the cheapest bid, and short hearts and meager scraps. diamonds, so the ladies had a tough
the other hand “answers.” choice between a non-forcing 2NT
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 37
with weak majors or the inverted showed 8–11 HCP with fewer than five chose the game-forcing 2♣ which they
raise (a game-forcing 2♣ was not in spades. The auction proceeded natu- play as an artificial asking bid. JoAnna
the picture, as both pairs open fairly rally through 4♣, and Lew’s 4♦ was showed six or more hearts with an-
light). Lew’s 2♠ promised four-plus RKCB for clubs. He signed off over the other four-card suit. After two further
diamonds with shortness somewhere. four key-card reply, suggesting a few relays, JoAnna showed 2=6=4=1 shape.
JoAnna asked with 2NT, and 3♠ holes, but JoAnna was sure she had Lew’s 4♦ was a “puppet” to 4♥, pre-
showed a stiff spade with fewer than him covered. paratory to signing off somewhere. He
four hearts. JoAnna cuebid the ♣A, Kit’s 1NT showed a game force with hoped for chunky hearts opposite.
and Lew, with a near-maximum opener clubs. 2♣ started a relay sequence, Kit also chose the game-forcing
in the big-club context, took over with with Kit’s next three bids showing, in route: “Too bad if we get too high, but
Roman key card Blackwood via 4♥. order, no second suit, 3=2=3=5 shape I have to do so with this hand.” 2♥
He bid slam opposite the two key-card and three controls (A=2, K=1). Sally’s promised six-plus hearts, and the rest
reply. 4♣ asked Kit to show the location of was natural. Sally later mentioned that
Kit’s 3♠ showed a singleton spade, his honors, and 4♦ showed either both she might’ve bid 2NT instead of 3♦,
four-plus diamonds and a good hand. or neither of the top clubs, so she knew “but a tough hand regardless.”
“Easy splinter here, Sally should be Kit held at least his actual hand (with
able to judge well.” 4♦ was forcing and five small clubs he’d have shown a bal- Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥–2♣;
forward-going, and 4NT was a heart anced hand initially). Her 6NT was the 2♦–3♣; 3♥–4♥; Pass.
cuebid (4♥ would have been RKCB). “percentage action,” hoping to find a
Sally cuebid 5♣, and Kit, envisioning major-suit queen or the ♦J opposite. Scores: 3♣ 11; 4♣ 7; 2♥ 6; 3♥ 4;
the potential play issues, offered 6♣ as 3NT 3; 4♥, 5♣ 2
a place to play. Sally was on the same Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥–1NT; Stansbys 18, Woolseys 24
page. Well judged by both. 3♦–3♥; 4♣–6♣; Pass
Problem 5
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♦–2♦; Scores: 6♣ 10; 6NT 8; 5NT 5; North deals. N–S vulnerable.
3♣–4♣; 4♥–6♣; Pass. 4♥, 6♦ 4; 5♣, 6♥ 2
Stansbys 16, Woolseys 22 West East
Scores: 6♣ 11; 5♣ 8; 3NT(W), 5♦ 5; ♠ A Q J 10 9 4 ♠7
3NT(E) 2; 6♦ 1 Problem 4 ♥K ♥AQ87
Stansbys 6, Woolseys 14 West deals. Both vulnerable. ♦KQ ♦A632
♣9853 ♣ Q J 10 4
Problem 3 West East
South deals. E–W vulnerable. ♠K4 ♠A832 JoAnna Lew
♥AK9852 ♥J 1♦
West East ♦Q963 ♦5 1♠ 2♣
♠A ♠K95 ♣9 ♣AQ87532 2♥ 2♠
♥ A 10 7 6 4 ♥K2 2NT 3♥
♦AQ82 ♦K53 JoAnna Lew 3NT Pass
♣AJ6 ♣ Q 10 7 4 2 1♥ 2♣
2♠ 2NT Sally Kit
JoAnna Lew
3♦ 3♥ 1♦
1♣ 1♥
3♠ 4♦ 1♠ 2♣
2♥ 3♣
4♥ Pass 2♥ 3♥
3♦ 3♥
3♠ 3NT
4♣ 4♦ Sally Kit 4♣ 4♦
4♠ 5♣ 1♥ 2♣ 4♠ 5♣
6♣ Pass 2♥ 2♠ Pass
Sally Kit 3♦ 4♣
1♣ 1NT 4♥ Pass After the 1♦ opening (two-plus)
2♣ 2NT and natural response, our Easts never
A difficult decision from the outset rebid 1NT with a singleton spade, so
3♣ 3♦
for East, as focusing on clubs without the natural 2♣ encompasses vari-
3♥ 3NT
forcing to game risks losing the spade ous shapes. JoAnna’s 2♥ asked for
4♣ 4♦
suit (the Flannery proponents can be pattern, and 2♠ showed either four
6NT Pass
heard chuckling here). Lew had a natu- hearts without a spade void or three
Over the strong club, Lew’s 1♥ ral, invitational 3♣ bid available, but spades. After a further ask, 3♥ showed
38 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
1=4=4=4 shape, and JoAnna signed off Sally’s 2♣ showed a game force with if the ♥Q were the king,” said JoAnna.
in the best game. diamonds, and 2♦ initiated a relay se- Lew and Kit liked their hand for dia-
Kit’s 2♣ denied 1=4=5=3 shape (he’d quence. With her next three bids Sally monds, but there was no guarantee that
rebid 2♦ with that), which would showed heart shortness, then 3=1=6=3 partner even had four of them: Such
factor later in the auction. Sally’s 2♥ shape, then exactly three controls (not is the cost of the nebulous opening.
was fourth-suit forcing, and the auc- counting a singleton ♥K). 4♦ asked JoAnna liked her five-loser hand and
tion proceeded naturally. She chose about honor location, and 4♥ showed gave it one more try, after which Lew
to commit to a suit contract, knowing either both top diamonds or neither, came to life with a 4♦ invite. JoAnna
they had at least an eight-card club fit. leaving Kit at the crossroads: “I know couldn’t have much more, so she bid
Kit didn’t think Sally would bid 4♣ if Sally has at least game happily.
she could play spades opposite a low ♠A x x ♥x ♦J x x x x x ♣K x x. Kit had the luxury of knowing that
singleton, so he bid the club game. they wouldn’t end up in a seven-card fit
She might have a little more, but at this when he bid 2♦: “If Sally is 1=4=3=5,
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♦–1♠; point 4♥ looks like the percentage
she’ll bid 2♥,” which Kit may well have
2♣–2♥; 3♥–3♠; 3NT–Pass. action.” One of the downsides to relay
passed at matchpoints. As it was, Sally
systems is “responder” rarely gets to
feared a possible misfit, so she passed
Scores: 4NT 10; 4♠, 5♣ 5 express an opinion. Here, West had
nice diamond fillers and the valuable to protect the plus score, a key in pairs.
Stansbys 28, Woolseys 29
♣Q, not enough to move over partner’s
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♦–1♠;
Problem 6 signoff.
2♣–3♦; 5♦–Pass. Easier for East to
East deals. E–W vulnerable. invite facing known diamond length
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥–1NT;
3♣–3♦; 3♥–3♠; 4♦–6♦; Pass. and a standard-strength opening bid.
West East
♠A54 ♠K Scores: 5♦ 10; 4♦ 6; 1NT, 3♣ 4;
Scores: 6♦ 11; 6NT(E) 8; 5NT(E) 7;
♥3 ♥ A J 10 8 7 4 2NT, 4♣ 2; 3NT 1
5NT(W) 5; 4♥, 6NT(W) 3;
♦ J 10 9 8 6 2 ♦AQ Stansbys 41, Woolseys 38
5♦, 5♥, 7♦ 2; 6♥ 1
♣KQ5 ♣AJ94
Stansbys 31, Woolseys 32
Problem 8
JoAnna Lew West deals. None vulnerable.
1♣ Problem 7
1♥ 2♥ South deals. Both vulnerable.
West East
3♦ 3♥ ♠KJ7 ♠ A 10 6 5 4
West East
3NT 4♣ ♥AKQ98 ♥—
♠J ♠A643
4♦ 4♥ ♦QJ ♦ 10 9 8 6
♥Q5 ♥K86
Pass ♣Q95 ♣ A K J 10
♦AKQ93 ♦ J 10 5 2
Sally Kit ♣K9743 ♣Q6 JoAnna Lew
1♣ 1♣ 1♠
JoAnna Lew
2♣ 2♦ 1NT 2♦
1♦ 1♠
2NT 3♣ 2♥ 2♠
2♣ 2♦
3♥ 3♠ 2NT 3NT
3♣ 4♦
4♣ 4♦ Pass
5♦ Pass
4♥ Pass
Sally Kit
JoAnna’s 1♥ response to the strong Sally Kit 1♣ 1NT
club showed any 8- to 11-point hand 1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 2♥
with fewer than five spades. Four 2♣ 2♦ 2♠ 3♠
natural bids followed, and Lew went Pass 3NT 4♦
into the tank. He decided to bid on, 4♥ 4NT
After the 1♦ opening (two-plus) Pass
thinking that JoAnna might’ve bid 3♠
and normal response, our Wests had
with good spades and weak clubs, but
the option of jumping to 3♣ with at Lew’s 1♠ response to the strong club
would be forced to bid 3NT with the re-
least 5–5 in the minors, good suits, and was natural, promising five spades and
verse. JoAnna rebid her diamonds, but
strength just shy of an opening 1♣ bid. a game force. 1NT started a relay, and
Lew feared getting a poor matchpoint
Both felt they needed better clubs or a 2♦ showed exactly five spades, a side
result if he bypassed 4♥. JoAnna had
slightly stronger hand: “I’d have bid 3♣
nowhere to go. continued on pg. 50 ➤
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 39
 It’s Your Call
DIRECTOR: SUE MUNDAY ❘ SCORES: KAREN WALKER

In August, five teams of Juniors indeed, the prevalent Junior bidding with four hearts,
representing the U.S. will travel to philosophy: “There is no chance I’m but we might also
Wujiang, China, to compete in the 17th passing!” Looking down the road, he end up in a 4–2
World Youth Bridge Team Champion- sees good things. “I don’t exactly have a diamond fit.”
ships. spade stopper, but 10–8–x–x will likely 2NT by Dhir. “I
The teams won their berths at the do, and I will be very happy when part- can’t double be-
Michael Seamon Junior ner bids Stayman.” cause I’m in a di-
U.S. Bridge Championships, Zhou is concerned that the lemma if partner
hosted by the U.S. Bridge opponents might be stealing. doesn’t bid 3♥.
Arjun Dhir
Federation in December He bids 2NT. “With 16 HCP, Also, 10–8–x–x
(March 2018, pg. 24). An it’s too risky to pass in this rates to be a stopper if partner has any
invitation went out to the Ju- situation. We could be cold honor, which is pretty likely. I am bal-
nior squadron to sit in as this for a game – most likely 3NT anced with good controls.”
month’s It’s Your Call guest or 4♥. The only alternative Kriegel says 2NT keeps the auction
panel, and a dozen RSVPed to 2NT is a double, but we simple. “Hopefully the opponents can’t
in the affirmative. Don’t be are not well placed over a 3♦ run spades. My second choice is pass,
Arthur Zhou
misled by their age – these bid by partner. 2NT shows but I’m afraid that pass will end the
kids got game. our strength and distribution, and auction too often when partner has
Please meet: (from the USA1 under 10–8–x–x is good enough for a stopper. some scattered values and a doubleton
26 team) Zach Grossack, Oren Kriegel If partner has ♠x x, the suit is likely spade.”
and Kevin Rosenberg; (from the USA2 blocked (third hand probably doesn’t Rosenberg is pro-2NT. “Seems like
under 26 team) Arjun Dhir and William have ♠A K Q J x x), and partner could the best description of my hand, and
Zhu; (from the under 26 women’s team) conceivably have a spade honor. There my spade suit is likely to be a stopper.
Lucy Zhang; (from the under 21 team) is no risk of missing 4♥, because with Passing is a little too likely to miss
Richard Jeng, Cornelius Duffie and four or more hearts, partner a game, which is scary at
Brent Xiao; and (from the under 16 can bid Stayman or transfer.” this vulnerability and form
team) Michael Xu, Jonathan Yue and Duffie calls 2NT an of scoring. Doubling is the
Arthur Zhou. excellent description of his other option, but just doesn’t
strength and shape. “We seem very attractive. (The
1. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. can still find our heart fit if winning situation is when
♠10 8 6 3 ♥A Q J 9 ♦A 3 ♣K Q 7 partner has values. I’ll even partner bids 3♣ showing a
have a stopper if partner has good hand, and we get to 5♣
West North East South a stiff spade honor or, for when I bid 3♠ and partner
Pass Pass 2♠ ? example, if partner has: avoids 3NT, whereas if I’d
Kevin Rosenberg
♠7 2 ♥ K 3 2 ♦8 5 4 2 ♣A J 5 2, overcalled 2NT, then partner
Call Votes Award would just raise.) Still, there are lots of
2NT 7 100 and right-hand opponent has a stiff cases where 2NT just works better.”
Dbl 5 90 spade honor. In this case, spades are Xu is on the fence. “2NT or double.
Pass 0 40 blocked and we may well be able to Partner is extremely likely to have a
take our nine tricks. I think pass too spade honor, meaning my 10 would
No passing lane often leads to losing 11 IMPs when be a stopper. I am not terribly fond
Despite the lack of a clearly defined they are down one or two against our of my doubleton ♦A and my lack of
spade stopper, the consensus choice is making game. Doubling might get us quick tricks, so I agree with double,
2NT. to a better partscore if partner is weak
Xiao summarizes his position –
40 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
too. I guess it would just depend on my three-card spade
mood.” Call Votes Award suit, I will be very
The spade stopper – or lack thereof 2♥ 3 100 supportive of
– is a deal breaker for a handful of 3♣ 3 100 whatever partner
Juniors. Dbl 3 60 bids.”
Grossack likes double. “Very close 3♦ 2 60 Duffie bids 3♣,
to 2NT, but feel like that could be very 4♣ 1 50 “even though
bad. I don’t want to guess who holds Pass 0 30 it’s probably an
the missing spade length. For now, I underbid. I think
double and try to learn more and get Recharge pass is wrong Cornelius Duffie
to the best contract. Can’t pass red at Rosenberg chooses 2♥, calling with a void in dia-
IMPs.” double risky. “Partner might interpret monds; even if my partner doubles this,
Zhang doubles. “We risk game by double as a contextual penalty since we I’m not going to leave it in, and I could
passing if partner has a good 8-count, already tried to penalize the oppo- have a much worse hand:
and 2NT wrongsides the contract nents. Some might say 2♥ is also risky
because partner could conceivably in- (♠x x ♥K Q J 9 8 ♦Q J x ♣x x x).
when partner has ♠K x or similar. I’ll
raise 3♥ to four, 2NT to three and try terpret it as natural, but I think if part- I don’t see many other alternatives.
3NT over a constructive 3♦.” ner passes, they get what they deserve. I’m not bidding spades with only three,
“Double,” says Jeng. “While 2NT Plus I might make it. That being said, and I’m not bidding notrump with this
does get our strength across, we lack a I think 2♥ should be a forward-going shape. I could try 2♥, but I don’t really
spade stopper. If partner has an honor, cuebid, which is what I have. My next know what it means. I could try 4♣,
we potentially do have move, assuming partner bids the likely but I don’t want to bypass 3NT.”
a double stopper, but 2♠ or 2NT, is to bid 3♣ and see Zhou, 3♣: “It looks like the oppo-
there is a lack of tricks. what partner has to say.” nents have stumbled into at least an
Over an expected three- Grossack’s 2♥: “Cuebid the eight-card fit, so 2♦ doubled doesn’t
of-a-minor response, I’ll opponents’ suit. Could be a little rate to be set more than one. Game is
probe for 3NT with 3♠, scary if partner thinks it is to play, certainly possible for our side, but a
while I will just pass any but that is unlikely. I want to try partscore in clubs could also be the
lebensohl response. If to get to the best game. Won’t limit. Bidding 3♣ still puts 3NT in the
partner has any positive sit for any sort of penalty double picture, but allows partner to pass with
heart response, I have with a void.” a minimum.”
an easy raise to game.” Xiao bids 2♥. “Partner looks to 3♣ by Zhu. “It’s unclear if we are in a
Zach Grossack
Yue doubles. “At this have a strong hand and I defi- forcing auction. It’s very likely partner
form of scoring and vulnerability, game nitely want to be in game, but if partner has at least three clubs, and the op-
seems extremely attractive. Because had opening values, 3♣ may be passed. ponents probably have nine diamonds
we are playing lebensohl, doubling I also wouldn’t be surprised if partner together. Partner passed over 1NT, so
offers the best chance of game and also bids spades afterwards, so with my he’s limited. 3♣ should be making,
great versatility.”
Zhu thinks double offers the best
chance to get to the right game. “Even a
Panel’s answers
minor partial could be good. Pass might 1 2 3 4 5 Total
sometimes win IMPs. 2NT might get Arjun Dhir 2NT Dbl 1NT 3♥ 4♠ 420
us playing notrump when it’s wrong.” Cornelius Duffie 2NT 3♣ 1NT 3♦ 4♠ 490
Zach Grossack Dbl 2♥ 2♥ 3♦ 4♠ 460
2. IMPs. Both vulnerable. Richard Jeng Dbl 3♦ 1NT 2♦ 4♠ 410
♠A J 9 ♥A Q 10 6 3 ♦— ♣Q 10 7 6 4 Oren Kriegel 2NT 4♣ 2♥ 2♣ 2♠ 370
West North East South Kevin Rosenberg 2NT 2♥ 1NT 2♣ 3♠ 480
1♥ Pass Brent Xiao 2NT 2♥ 1NT 2♣ 3♠ 480
Pass Dbl Pass Pass Michael Xu 2NT 3♦ 2♥ 3♦ 3♠ 440
1NT Pass 2♦ ? Jonathan Yue Dbl Dbl 4♠ 3♦ 3♠ 400
Lucy Zhang Dbl Dbl 2♥ 2♣ 4♠ 400
Arthur Zhou 2NT 3♣ 1NT 3♦ 3♠ 500
William Zhu Dbl 3♣ 4♥ 3♦ 3♠ 420

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 41

and gives partner the option of 3NT Kriegel tries 4♣. “I’m tempted to tional hand. In my methods, I use 3♥
or 5♣. He knows I have lots of hearts force to game, but West has implied directly over 1♠ for this. If partner
and clubs and didn’t want to penalize length in the minors, so we might have has at least one heart, we have a nice
diamonds.” only eight (or seven!) clubs. I think 2♥ double fit and game will often make.”
Dhir doubles, but says he would have is natural on this auction, so my only 1NT by Zhou. “Even with the spade
overcalled 2♣ initially if he didn’t have cuebid is 3♦. I wouldn’t feel comfort- fit, the hand rates to play best in hearts.
a heart stack. “I want partner to let the able passing 3NT if partner bids it over But to invite, you must start with 1NT.
double of 2♦ sit 3♦, so I’ll choose a call that’s more If partner rebids 2♠ or 3♠, you can
if he wants. West straightforward about strain.” raise to game. If he rebids two of a mi-
is obviously broke nor, you can bid hearts, and if he bids
because he passed 3. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. 2NT, you can bid 4♥.”
the first time, so it ♠J 10 6 ♥K Q 10 8 7 5 4 ♦K 9 ♣7 Xiao sides with
looks like we can the 1NT major-
take the oppo- West North East South ity. “This hand
nents for a num- 1♠ Pass ? is definitely not
ber here on this strong enough
goulash hand.” Call Votes Award to force game,
Jonathan Yue 1NT 6 100 and it would be
Yue agrees.
2♥ 4 80
“Double. Partner especially bad
4♠ 1 50
understands that I have strong hearts if partner has a
4♥ 1 30
and some strength. He can pass for small singleton or
Brent Xiao
penalty if he wishes, or bid notrump or a void in hearts.
Force the question
cuebid. West’s 1NT almost seems like This just looks like a forcing 1NT fol-
Most of the panel favors bidding a
panic.” lowed by an invitational 3♠. But if
one-round forcing notrump.
Double by Zhang. “Seems like the partner rebids 2♠, I will raise to four.”
Duffie: “I really wanted to bid 2♥,
opponents don’t have a good fit, and we Rosenberg, 1NT: “I don’t see us as
but I think I’ll just end up going down
want to punish them when partner has being good enough for 2♥, as our heart
in 4♠ too much of the time. Having no
a diamond stack.” suit is not conducive to playing in
aces makes my hand a lot worse, and I
Jeng bids 3♦. “Partner’s most likely spades – I’d rather the suit be headed
think partner rates to have wastage in
shape is 4=2=4=3 because he declined by the ace. The system says 1NT is
the minors. Even if partner has some-
to overcall 1♠ and because West didn’t forcing, which I like to play, so I’ll just
thing like:
pass out 1♥ doubled. To make a club make a limit raise in spades: 1NT, then
slam, all I need is a spade honor and ♠A K Q x x ♥x x ♦Q x x ♣x x x, 3♠ next. I do have some sympathy for
two top clubs. I want to create a force maybe the opponents are getting a 2♥ and forcing to game, because as
to see what is going on in this hand. heart ruff. And partner could have as Kit [Woolsey] would say, at least we’ll
2♥ seems like it might be natural, so much as: probably get to the right strain, and we
I’ll make a bid that I know will be taken ♠A K x x x ♥J x ♦Q J x ♣K Q J, are red at IMPs. But I don’t think this
as forcing. 2♦ doubled doesn’t seem is a good enough hand to do it on, and
very profitable when they are almost and game isn’t odds on.” spades should be a reasonable strain.”
guaranteed to be in a nine-card fit with Jeng says he would have considered Grossack bids 2♥. “Force it to game.
a heart singleton or void in dummy. an invitational 3♥ had that call been Too much playing strength to stop
3♦ allows me to probe for 3NT, 5♣ or available. “Instead, I’ll content my- low. Looking to play in hearts unless
6♣.” self with bidding 1NT and partner is void in hearts or shows a
Xu also prefers 3♦. “This probably bid 3♠ or 4♠ on sixth spade. Someone once told me the
hand is too distributional subsequent action. I don’t 7–1 is better than the 5–3. Pretty good
for a forcing pass, which will want to encourage partner advice!”
likely be followed by part- too much with a 2/1 game- Xu, 2♥. “My support in spades com-
ner’s penalty double of 2♦. forcing response, and while bined with my long, good hearts makes
3♦ shows shortness, and I do have much playing this hand too good for anything but a
partner must take that into strength, I have only three game force. I will insist on hearts and
consideration when deciding spades, and it seems likely not spades because I don’t want to risk
whether to bid notrump. I that partner is marked with getting blocked out of my heart suit.”
Michael Xu
would expect double stop- minor wastage.” Zhang’s 2♥: “Force to game first and
pers for him to bid notrump.” Dhir bids 1NT. “I like 1NT if that’s plan to raise spades at my next turn.”
how I can show hearts and an invita-
42 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Kriegel starts with 2♥. “It’s hard to to show two-card support – which you port.”
know how much potential this hand would then raise to 4♥. If partner has Dhir opts for
has, so I’ll bid my long suit and see something like: 3♥. “It gives
where it goes.” ♠A J x x x ♥x ♦x x x ♣K J 10 x, partner a chance
Yue bids the game in spades. “4♠. to show long
There is no reason to believe that then they would bid 3NT. But switch spades, bid 3NT
partner will pass with the ♠K Q and the hand to with a club stop-
three aces (only case that slam is pos- ♠A J 10 x x ♥x x ♦J x x x ♣x x, per or pass with a
sible). If he key-cards followed by 5NT, and 4♥ is the optimal contract.” broke hand. If, in-
I will just bid 7, counting 13 tricks. 4♠ stead, I had a low Lucy Zhang
Grossack bids 3♦. “I show my
is makeable opposite most first-seat strength now that my stiff king is singleton spade
openings, and even when it doesn’t working nicely. If partner has a double- and ♣K x, I’d probably bid 4♥.”
make, it is still a winning call with thiston heart, hopefully he will feel com- Jeng goes low with 2♦. “If partner
vulnerability. I think 2♥ stretches the fortable bidding it. With club strength, is 5–5 in the blacks or longer, it seems
hand too much.” partner can offer 3NT.” that we are headed for a misfit deal.
Zhu thinks he’s bidding game in Zhu says he expects to make game af- Over any sign of life from partner (even
hearts when he bids 4♥, but in Bridge ter partner’s 1♠. “3♦ shows my power a 2♥ preference over my 2♦), I will, at
Bulletin Standard world, he’s actually and keeps all the strains alive: 4♥, 5♦, the very minimum, invite to game.”
making a splinter bid. “Jump shifts are 3NT and 4♠.”
strong, otherwise my choice would be Yue, 3♦. “I wish it was legal to make
3♥. It’s a guess how useful my hearts a takeout double of 1♠.”
will be and how well placed my values 3♦ by Xu: “Though we have short-
NEXT MONTH’S PROBLEMS
are, but if I catch partner with a couple ness in partner’s suit, it is a king, and
of hearts, game will frequently have 1. IMPs. North–South vulnerable.
the chance of it being important is now
play. My hearts will not be of any use if higher. The nice diamond suit and the ♠K 9 6 5 3 2 ♥Q 7 6 5 2 ♦J 7 ♣—
we play spades.” extra length in hearts decided it.” West North East South
3♦ by Duffie. “I show my second 1♦ Dbl 2♦ ?
4. IMPs. Both vulnerable. suit and my extras. Maybe 2♣ will
♠K ♥A J 10 6 4 3 ♦A K Q 10 ♣9 4 score better in the contest, but making 2. IMPs. East–West vulnerable.
West North East South nebulous bids like that makes me a bit
uncomfortable.” ♠A J 3 ♥A 9 8 2 ♦A K 10 9 8 7 ♣—
1♣ 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass ? Rosenberg doesn’t mind the ambigu- West North East South
ity. “2♣. This one is pretty easy. I’m re- 1♦
Call Votes Award ally too strong to do anything else, and 5♣ Dbl Pass ?
3♦ 6 100 more importantly, I can’t describe my
2♣ 4 80 shape really well. 3♥ implies a more 3. Matchpoints. East–West vul.
2♦ 1 70 heart-oriented hand than I have, while
♠A K 10 8 ♥K ♦A Q J 10 9 7 4 ♣4
3♥ 1 70 3♦ might sound like 5–5. Best to start
2♥ 0 40 with an unclear, forward-going bid and West North East South
let partner describe their hand.” 1♦
The ♠K stands taller Xiao, 2♣. “2♣ should be game forc- 3♥ Dbl(1) Pass ?
Zhou explains the ins and outs of ing and it lets partner describe his (1) Negative.
3♦. “If partner has more than a mini- hand further. Unless partner mentions
mum 1♠ bid, you want to a diamond suit, I will simply 4. IMPs. None vulnerable.
be in game, but without a rebid hearts on my next turn,
and we should be able to find ♠A K Q 10 ♥J 9 7 4 ♦— ♣Q 7 4 3 2
known fit or club stopper,
notrump is dangerous. Al- our best contract from there.” West North East South
though you are 6–4 in the Kriegel, 2♣. “Easy for now. 1♥ Pass Pass ?
reds, 3♦ does a better job 2♣ just shows some good hand.
of describing your hand If partner bids 2♥, I’ll bid 3♥. 5. Matchpoints. North–South vul.
than 3♥ – shows nine Over 2♠, I’ll bid 3♦.”
♠K Q 9 7 ♥A K Q 3 ♦A Q 9 6 ♣3
cards as opposed to six. 2♣ by Zhang. “With a strong
Partner can bid notrump hand, force one round first; this West North East South
with a club stopper, or 3♥ Oren Kriegel doesn’t guarantee spade sup- 1♦ Pass 1♥ ?

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 43

5. IMPs. None vulnerable. where partner If I bid 2♠, then partner might have:
♠K 9 8 6 5 4 3 2 ♥A ♦10 8 6 ♣A has the ♠A and ♠A x ♥x x x x x ♦A ♣x x x x x,
♦K Q J x x x and
West North East South 6♦ might just be and we get plus 230. I think 3♠ is too
1♠ cold, but I don’t much of a distortion.”
Pass 1NT Pass ? see how we can Dhir bids 4♠ as well. “With so many
reasonably probe controls and this much distribution, I
Call Votes Award that. 3NT is too think 4♠ looks right at IMPs. 2♠ is an
3♠ 6 100 unlikely a strain underbid and 3♠ shows more playing
4♠ 5 90 Richard Jeng strength, so I think 4♠ is the perfect
– I will need part-
2♠ 1 60 way to bid 2›½ spades!”
ner to have cover
cards in all the suits as well as a spade Zhang: “4♠. We need only an ace
Quality vs. quantity from partner to make game.”
honor. 4♠ seems like the most likely
By the narrowest margin, an invita- 4♠ by Grossack. “Apparently they
making game, so I’ll just bid it.”
tional 3♠ wins the popular vote. pay bonuses for games now.”
Duffie bids 4♠. “To be honest, I hate
Zhu, simply: “4♠ is too much and Kriegel hangs back with 2♠. “Strange
all my options. If I bid 4♠, I feel like
2♠ is too little.” auction. The other players are being
dummy will come down with:
Rosenberg: awfully quiet with 29 HCP and only five
“I don’t expect ♠— ♥K Q x x x ♦x x x x ♣x x x x. spades between them. I’ll go low.” ◾
3♠ to get passed
out, and I’m just
trying to avoid
partner getting
TOP ONLINE SCORES FOR MAY
overambitious. (997 players)
I don’t play 4♠
William Zhu
promises a good
Erli Zhou, Redmond WA 480 George Isaacs, Boonton Township NJ 440
hand (we have Adrian Barna, Etobicoke ON 470 Jerrilyn Jones, Ponchatoula LA 440
self-splinters and fake jumpshifts for Drew Becker, Chicago IL 470 Joe Manous, Menlon GA 440
that), but with this hand, 3♠ seems Ray Fink, Jackson WY 470 Bill Parrish, Oak Park IL 440
pretty safe. If it does get passed, we Alex Hudson, Raleigh NC 470 Harry Preble, Freemont NH 440
might not make game anyway. But I re- Brad Theurer, Gaithersburg MD 470 Ram Bhat, Toledo OH 430
ally don’t expect it to get passed.” Andrew Eastwood, Savannah GA 460 Sid Brownstein, Ottawa ON 430
Carl Levesque, Clarende Duby, Calgary AB 430
Yue agrees. “With only five and a half
St.-Honore-de-Temiscouata QC 460 Mark Eifler, Madison WI 430
losers and good controls, 3♠ seems to Delma Murray, Victoria BC 460 Tom Estenson, Oak Ridge TN 430
be correct. Game makes opposite as Andrei Prodan, Mississauga ON 460 Beverly Gardner, Farmington Hills MI 430
little as: Keith Prosser, Freelton ON 460 Paul Goldfinger, Langley WA 430
♠A ♥x x x x ♦Q J x ♣x x x x x.” Pierre Daigneault, Montreal QC 450 Leonard Helfgott, Teaneck NJ 430
Greg Frank, Hot Springs Village AR 450 Ross Huntington, Hampstead NH 430
Xiao’s 3♠: “I don’t think this is worth Richard Higgins, Hot Springs Village AR 450 Dianne Isfeld, Coquitlam BC 430
a 4♠ bid at all. Maybe if I was vulner- Louis Sachar, Austin TX 450 Daniel Jackson, Spring TX 430
able and really needed some IMPs, I Lindsley Schutz, Cincinnati OH 450 Michael Keller,
would try it. But I can easily imagine a Zizhuo Wang, Minneapolis MN 450 Yellowstone National Park WY 430
Philip Benamy, Boca Raton FL 440 Howard Lipset, Port Washington NY 430
singleton spade in partner’s hand, and
Richard Bickley, Calgary AB 440 Lenore Mohr, Springfield NJ 430
having three spade losers does not help Suanne Blair, Morehead KY 440 Michael Molinaro, Paramus NJ 430
the odds of making game. I definitely Jon Brissman, Indianapolis IN 440 Mark Moore, Morgan Hill CA 430
want to try for game, though. If partner Ken Cohen, Philadelphia PA 440 Alexander Ornstein, New York NY 430
bids 3NT, I will correct to 4♠.” M. Elizabeth Corwin, Belmont MA 440 Daniel Putnam, Berkeley Springs WV 430
3♠ by Xu: “If partner has just ♠A x, Gail Crawford, Evans GA 440 Don Waters, Pelham AL 430
game is really likely to make.” Bert Eccles, Montreal QC 440 Matthew Weingarten, Safety Harbor FL 430
Jeng leaps to the spade game. “Here, Janet Gangl, Red Deer AB 440 Janet Wickersham, Sierra Madre CA 430
Martin Henneberger, Coquitlam BC 440 David Woods, Sarnia ON 430
2♠ just seems a very pessimistic view
on the trick-taking potential of this Please participate in It’s Your Call! Go to acbl.org and click on It’s Your Call under
hand. Because all I need from partner the MyACBL login tab at the top. You may submit answers for a given month until
is ♠Q x and the ♦K, I’ll just try out midnight on the 20th of that month, at which point the next month’s problems will be
4♠. There may be some fringe deals available.

44 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Newer Players

Card Play 101

BY PHILLIP ALDER bridgeforeveryone.com

Let’s continue with the theme that As I mentioned last month, if you The other problem is similar – just
we began last month. You cannot get really want to elevate your game many remember to count the high-card
too much practice. floors, keep a constant track of the points.
high-card points. In this problem (and
Dlr: West ♠ 10 8 7 the one that follows), the auctions be- Dlr: West ♠ Q 10 9 4
Vul: Both ♥ 9 6 5 gin with three passes. In a newspaper Vul: E–W ♥ K J 10 9
♦AK column or teaching deal, this is always ♦A2
♣K7432 going to provide the key clue to finding ♣ 10 4 3
the winning play. ♠852 ♠7
♠AKQJ This is the full deal: ♥?5 ♥?8632
♥8742 ♦9743 ♦865
♦J9 ♠ 10 8 7 ♣AKQ6 ♣8752
♣Q65 ♥965 ♠AKJ63
♦AK ♥74
West North East South ♣K7432 ♦ K Q J 10
Pass Pass Pass 1♣ ♠643 ♠952 ♣J9
Pass 3♣ All Pass ♥ J 10 3 ♥AKQ
♦ Q 10 6 5 2 ♦8743 West North East South
3♣ is a limit raise, showing a maxi- ♣A8 ♣ J 10 9 Pass Pass Pass 1♠
mum pass with five-plus clubs. ♠AKQJ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠
West leads the ♥J. East wins with ♥8742 All Pass
the ♥Q, cashes the ♥A and ♥K (ev- ♦J9
eryone following), then he shifts to a ♣Q65 West leads the three top clubs
spade. How would you continue? against 4♠. You ruff the third, draw
You can afford one club loser but not trumps and cash your four diamond
two. This requires finding an opponent tricks, discarding two hearts from the
with ace-doubleton. But which oppo- board. Then, with your contract on the
Upcoming nent is more likely to have that trump line, you lead a low heart, West playing
Better holding? low smoothly. Do you finesse dummy’s
Bridge Remember the bidding and count the
points. East is known to have 9 points
jack or go up with the king? Why?
West had 9 points in clubs. If he also
Teacher in hearts, but he didn’t open the bid- had the ♥A, he would have opened the
Accreditation ding. So he cannot have the ♣A. This bidding. So call for the jack. ◾
Program signposts the right route. At trick five,
lead a low club to dummy’s king. When
Austin TX (ABA National)
it wins, as you knew it would, return a
July 25–26
low club and play low from your hand.
Lois Francis
When West’s ace appears, consider it
nurnlo44@gmail.com
no more than your just deserts.
(718) 308–1067

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 45

 Newer Players

Play & Learn

BY PAT HARRINGTON ppharrr@gmail.com

Fast losers, timing and entries

We learn early to count our losers in driving out the ♦A, West gets in to At first glance, it appears that a heart
a suit contract. Equally important is continue leading hearts, making our finesse is the best solution to make the
determining whether those losers are heart loser a fast loser that the defend- contract. If the finesse loses, dummy’s
fast losers or slow losers. This knowl- ers can cash when East wins the ♦A. ♥Q will become good and we can dis-
edge can affect declarer’s choice of Our plan is to win the opening lead card our diamond loser on it. Working
which suit to play first. and attack diamonds immediately, but on hearts is a good idea, but the finesse
there is one more concern: entries. isn’t! If we finesse and lose to West’s
Dlr: South ♠ 9 7 4 2 Once the ♥K is gone, we have no fast ♥K, we must unblock our ♥A before
Vul: Both ♥ K 5 3 entry to dummy to reach the third dia- we can discard on dummy’s ♥Q. The
♦QJ6 mond. Following the practice of play- defenders will have knocked out both
♣J74 ing the high card from the short side the ♦A and ♦K, making our diamond
♠AK ♠6 first in diamonds will help the situa- loser fast, and we are left with no way
♥ Q J 10 8 ♥972 tion, but what if East waits until the to get to dummy in time to discard it.
♦9742 ♦ A 10 8 5 second diamond lead to win the ace? Trying reach dummy with a spade lets
♣985 ♣ Q 10 6 3 2 We will need a dummy entry outside of East–West in to cash their diamond
♠ Q J 10 8 5 3 diamonds. What is it? trick.
♥A64 We must win the ♥A at trick one Look at how much easier reaching
♦K3 and save the ♥K for that entry so we dummy is if we spurn the heart finesse
♣AK can discard our third heart, which has and promote the ♥Q by simply play-
What is South’s plan in 4♠ after become a hot-potato fast loser. Only ing the ♥A followed by the ♥J. Now
West leads the ♥Q? then can we draw trump. that we’ve unblocked the heart suit,
We have four losers. The defenders our second high diamond is the needed
Dlr: North ♠ Q 8 6 5 dummy entry to take the discard. Once
can cash the ♠A K and ♦A whenever Vul: E–W ♥ Q 6 5
they get the lead, so these are fast los- that’s done, declarer can safely draw
♦AK52 trump. Before taking a finesse, look
ers. The heart loser is slow for the mo- ♣63
ment, but slow losers can become fast for a better alternative. Relying on the
♠A2 ♠94 heart finesse gives us a 50% chance to
losers once declarer’s winners in the ♥K982 ♥ 10 7 4 3
suit are gone. West’s lead has made the make 3♠. Simply promoting a heart
♦ Q J 10 9 ♦64 trick gives us a much better chance.
slow heart loser only one loss of lead ♣974 ♣AK852
away from becoming a fast loser. One Both opponents will hold at least
♠ K J 10 7 3 three hearts about 80% of the time, but
loser must be eliminated. ♥AJ
Notice the lopsided diamond suit, all you have to know is that, lacking
♦873 other information, playing for the most
with dummy having three cards while ♣ Q J 10
declarer has only two. We can drive likely split of a suit is better than tak-
out the ♦A to promote two diamond What is South’s plan as declarer in ing a finesse.
tricks. A loser can be discarded on 3♠ after West leads the ♦Q? Making a contract often requires us
dummy’s third diamond, and that dis- We count three fast losers – the to work to set up winners in dummy to
card must be the heart loser since the ♣A K and ♠A – and two slow losers provide a place to discard losers. When
other three losers are unavoidable. – one in each red suit. Again, one loser doing this work, we have to consider
If we play even one trump before must be eliminated. fast and slow losers, entries and timing.

46 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Newer Players

Parrish the Thought

BY ADAM PARRISH adam@bridgewinners.com adamparrish.us

When we have a fit

I’ve spent the last few months in this North South The first hand has only 6 HCP and
column talking about the essential two 1♠ 4–3–3–3 shape, while the second hand
questions we should always ask our- 2♠ ? is much stronger – 8 HCP and 5–3–3–2
selves in every auction: 1) Do we have a shape. Yet game is much better op-
game? and 2) Do we have a major-suit Game looks good, so you bid 4♠. posite the first hand, because its cards
fit? Each question can have a yes, no, When you’re not sure of the answer, are in the right place. But if you invite
or maybe answer, and we’ve looked you need to consult with partner. That with 3♠, responder will certainly pass
generally at what to do when we have usually means making an invitational with the first hand and accept with the
each type of answer. bid. second, exactly the opposite of what
The real beauty of the two questions ♠A Q 9 5 3 ♥K 4 ♦5 ♣A Q 10 8 4 you want her to do.
is that once we have a yes answer to North South How can responder know which
one of them, the focus of the remainder 1♠ hand is more valuable? We need
of the auction shifts to answering the 2♠ ? to make a more descriptive invita-
other. After a game-forcing 2/1 bid, we tion, one that focuses on shape over
have a yes answer to question No. 1 – You have 15 high-card points op- strength. Rather than 3♠, opener
Do we have a game? We can then shift posite partner’s single raise, which is should invite with 3♣. Because we
our focus to finding a fit. Similarly, about 6–10 HCP. Game is certainly have agreed spades, this cannot be a
once we find a major-suit fit, the rest of possible, especially given your excel- bid intended to determine strain – it
the auction is all about level. lent shape. But it’s far from certain. must be about level.
Say the auction starts 1♠–2♠. We There are a lot of hands partner could In other words, having set spades as
have a spade fit and a yes answer to have where game is excellent, and a lot trumps, no bid for the rest of the auc-
question No. 2. Hooray! Now the focus of hands she could have where game tion is trying to find a trump suit. So
shifts to question No. 1: Do we have a would be very poor. You’re not willing 3♣ does not suggest playing in clubs;
game? We know the final contract will to give up on game or to force to game we know we’re playing spades. Specifi-
be in spades; the only question is how yourself – you want to invite. cally, it is a natural game try. Opener is
high – 2♠, 3♠, 4♠, 6♠? Every bid we You could simply bid 3♠, a straight- saying he thinks there might be a game
make from this point out is now about forward invitation, to solicit partner’s and describing more about his hand
answering that question: how high? opinion. The problem is that partner is – namely a secondary club suit – so
When you know the answer, you going to base her decision primarily on responder can better evaluate how well
know the right final contract and you how strong her hand is – is she closer her hand fits.
bid it. Easy. to the 6 HCP minimum or the 10 HCP The key is that once we have set a
♠A Q 9 5 3 ♥K 8 4 ♦J 9 4 ♣K 4 maximum? How many points partner major suit as trumps, all subsequent
has isn’t the only issue – it’s also where bids are about determining how high
North South those points are. Consider these two we belong in that major. With one job
1♠ hands: accomplished (we have a yes answer to
2♠ ? ♠K 8 4 2 ♥9 5 2 ♦9 7 3 ♣K 9 3 question No. 2), we focus all our atten-
tion on the other issue: question
No chance of game; you pass. ♠8 4 2 ♥Q 2 ♦K Q J 4 2 ♣6 3 2 No. 1 – do we have a game? ◾
♠A Q 9 5 3 ♥K Q 4 ♦A J 4 ♣K 4

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 47

 Newer Players

Startup Bridge
BY LYNN BERG lberg@cfl.rr.com

Teachers learn the most

I’m convinced that teaching bridge ⦁ Don’t be tempted to stray too soon topic, at least, you are the “fearless
has helped me become a better player. I to sexier topics like slam bidding; leader.” You may like to outline the
didn’t take classes when I started play- start with day-to-day bridge issues material or prepare handouts.
ing bridge in 1960 – I was in college like Stayman and transfers, major-
⦁ If you are not using a textbook, you
and learned at the table. A decade later, and minor-suit raises or doubles
should be able to find some exercis-
I wanted to help a small-town club to and overcalls.
es and quizzes online. ACBL has an
grow, so I looked for a book and started
⦁ If you are working on specific interactive program on basic bid-
teaching a basic bidding class. I quickly
conventions, look at ACBL’s ding which is a good source (Click
found out how much I didn’t know:
Bridge Series “Commonly Used on Learn on the ACBL webpage).
I had no coherent, clear ideas about
Conventions in the 21st Century” Most of the top bridge writers also
the game, and I quickly had to acquire
texts, any of Barbara Seagram’s “25” have quizzes and hands for a multi-
information and structure. I did have
series, and Conventional Wisdom tude of topics.
teaching experience (English lit on the
on the ACBL website. Be careful
university level), which helped. ⦁ If your club uses hand records, all
if you use Google that you aren’t
If you and your partner do not have of you should be looking for hands
accessing a British website – their
the luxury of living in an area with which deal with your topic. Bor-
bidding is quite different from the
an active club that encourages and row a few boards and make up half
Western Hemisphere’s. You’ll find
teaches newcomers, you may have to a dozen hands to practice with.
great information on websites for
teach yourselves. You will find, as I did, Again, the leader for this particu-
Larry Cohen, Eddie Kantar, Mike
that teaching someone else will teach lar topic should have looked at the
Lawrence and Richard Pavlicek,
you even more. Whether it is just the hands and be prepared to talk about
among others.
two of you or a larger study group, here the application of ideas.
are some tips to help you get started. ⦁ Get together and plan a schedule
⦁ Is there a more experienced player
a week or two before you actually
⦁ Make sure that the material you use in your club who has played your
meet. That gives everyone time to
isn’t too complicated or advanced example hands? Consult her about
get the study materials and agree on
for your current needs. ACBL’s what methods she and her partner
the topics. The first presenter also
“Bidding in the 21st Century,” used to be successful. Perhaps have
needs some time to prepare.
Audrey Grant’s “Better Bridge,” and a guest speaker.
Jim Ricker’s “Basic Bidding with ⦁ Whatever topic you choose to start
Too many bridge players are passive;
2/1” are all good places to start. You with, plan to spend some time on it.
they don’t really work at understand-
can review any of these online to Begin with a basic presentation. If
ing bridge more clearly and thoroughly.
decide where to start. The “Easy- you have a textbook, it will contain
As you take turns, you will discover
bridge!” first volume would also exercises which you should work
that having an organized, systematic
give you a good idea of which ideas through. If you are the presenter for
look at bridge problems is a great way
and conventions you should look the topic, give yourself time to read
to improve your skills. The challenge
at first. Baron Barclay has useful ahead and feel you have a grasp
of teaching someone else should also
descriptions of most bridge books. of the material before you work
give you a new appreciation of teachers
with your partner/group. For this
you’ve had! ◾

48 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Newer Players

Bidding Basics
BY LARRY COHEN larryco.com

Responding to 3♣ and higher

When partner preempts on the three If you respond in a new suit, it is preempt to make things more difficult
level, expect a seven-card suit. On the forcing one round (unless your re- for the opponents:
four level, an eight-card suit. Partner sponse happens to be a bid of game, ♠K 3 2 ♥2 ♦J 10 7 6 5 ♣10 8 7 6
has a weak hand (less than opening bid such as 4♣–Pass–4♠). This new-suit
strength), typically with most of his response is rare, but here are some Raise partner’s 3♠ to 4♠ whether or
points in his long suit. If vulnerable, examples: not RHO has acted.
expect a sounder preempt. ♠A Q J 8 7 6 5 ♥3 2 ♦A J 3 2 ♣— ♠— ♥J 7 6 ♦A 7 6 5 4 2 ♣Q 7 6 5
Given these parameters, game is Raise partner’s 3♥ to 4♥ whether or
unlikely. If you respond 3NT to a three- Respond 3♠ to partner’s 3♥.
not RHO has acted.
level preempt, you are not asking part- ♠2 ♥A K Q J 10 7 6 ♦2 ♣A K 3 2
ner’s opinion; you are saying you want ♠Q 7 6 5 4 ♥3 ♦Q 7 6 5 ♣5 3 2
Respond 4♥ to partner’s 4♦.
to play there. Such a bid is rare. You Raise partner’s 3♦ to 5♦. (If vulner-
would need close to nine tricks in your With many good hands, you will pass able, maybe only to 4♦.)
own hand and all suits stopped. Here partner’s preempt. Without a fit and
are some possible 3NT responses: without expectation of making a game,
♠5 ♥K 2 ♦A K Q J 8 7 6 ♣A J 2 just pass. For example: BIDDING BASICS QUIZ
Respond 3NT to 3♠ by partner. ♠A Q 7 6 5 ♥— ♦A 6 5 4 ♣Q 8 7 6
For the first four questions, nobody
♠K Q J ♥— ♦K Q 10 9 ♣A Q J 10 9 8 Pass partner’s opening 3♥ and hope is vulnerable, and partner deals and
Respond 3NT to 3♥. for the best. opens 3♥. What is your response?
Also, if you have stoppers and some ♠2 ♥K Q 8 2 ♦K Q 6 5 ♣K J 10 2 1. ♠A Q 7 6 5 ♥6 ♦A Q 7 ♣Q 7 3 2
honors suggesting parter’s suit will Pass partner’s opening 3♠. (If you
run, bid 3NT: 2. ♠4 ♥Q 3 2 ♦K Q J 8 2 ♣J 10 8 2
bid 3NT and go down five, you’ll never
♠K 4 ♥A Q 7 ♦A J 2 ♣ Q J 8 3 2 try that again.) 3. ♠A 2 ♥A ♦A J 10 8 7 6 ♣K Q 4 2

Respond 3NT to 3♦. ♠— ♥A Q 7 6 5 4 ♦A 6 5 4 2 ♣K 2 4. ♠K Q 4 ♥8 ♦A K 2 ♣A K Q J 3 2

Pass partner’s 4♠ opening. For the next three questions, both
If you are interested in game op- sides are vulnerable, and LHO passes,
posite a high-level preempt (usually it Will you pass with all bad hands? No. followed by partner’s 3♠. RHO passes.
will be in partner’s long suit), you can Just as after partner’s weak two-bids, What is your response?
put partner in game. Base this not on support with support. Raise to the four 5. ♠K ♥K Q 2 ♦A 7 6 5 4 ♣A 7 6 5
high-card strength (queens and jacks level if your side has 10 trumps (and 6. ♠— ♥K J 7 6 5 4 ♦K Q 7 6 5 ♣A 2
aren’t typically worth much); try to sometimes raise a minor-suit preempt
have aces and kings. Put partner in to five with lots of shape). Don’t blindly 7. ♠J 10 7 6 ♥3 ♦A 7 6 5 4 2 ♣3 2
game with each of these hands: follow this rule (if vulnerable, flat, and/ Both sides are vulnerable, partner
♠Q ♥A 2 ♦A K 7 6 5 ♣A 10 8 7 2 or loaded with cards in the other suits, opens 3♦, and RHO doubles. What is
go cautiously). Here are some weak your response?
Raise 3♠ to 4♠.
hands where you would raise partner’s 8. ♠A 2 ♥J 7 6 5 4 ♦K J 2 ♣10 7 6
♠A K Q J ♥A 2 ♦K Q 7 6 5 4 ♣2
See next page for answers
Raise 3♥ to 4♥.
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 49
 Newer Players
Senior Game
QUIZ ANSWERS winners
Ann and Bill Nutting of Stock-
1. Pass. Don’t try to improve an al- ton CA won the ACBL-wide
ready poor situation. Senior Game held March 19.
2. 4♥. To further the preempt. Playing at the Stockton Bridge
Club, they scored 76.86%. This
3. 4♥. Expecting it to be a good con- is the third time in the past two
tract. years for the Nuttings winning
4. 3NT. This is to play. Partner should an ACBL-wide club game. In
not go back to hearts. 2016, they won both the Senior
Game in March and the Instant
5. 4♠. Vulnerable in second seat,
Matchpoint Game in October.
partner should have the goods.
There were 2339.5 tables of
6. Pass. Same explanation as No. 1. players age 58 or older.
7. 4♠. Same explanation as No. 2.
1. Ann Nutting – Bill Nutting, Stockton CA 76.86%
8. 4♦. Same explanation as No. 2. 2. Janice Seamon-Molson, Hollywood FL; Andrew Tylman, Toronto ON 74.28%
3. Joseph Glazar – Thomas Mangold Jr., Hernando FL 73.51%
4. Adeline Morrison, Lake Forest IL; Diane Strong, Boca Grande FL 72.02%
The Bidding Box 5. Lynda O’Mara – Charlene Utley, Emporia KS 71.50%
6. Richard Carle – Susan Carle, Longview WA 70.78%
➤ continued from pg. 39 7. Larry Federico – Jean Talbot, Metairie LA 70.71%
8. Linda Jirka, Mountain Home AR; William Jordan, Gassville AR 70.63%
four-card suit, and 12-plus points.
9. Bert Newman, West Bloomfield MI; Samir Zeine, Southfield MI 70.24%
Lew’s next two replies to further 10. Barbara Pofcher, Auburndale MA; Richard Saval, Wayland MA 70.08%
relays showed clubs, then exactly
5=0=4=4 shape with less than a slam Top scores by district
invite. With hearts well stopped, 1 Joan FitzGerald – Cecily Ryan, St. John’s NL 69.45%
JoAnna knew exactly where she 2 Todd Reynolds, Ravenna ON; Eleanor Swan, Collingwood ON 69.44%
wanted to play. 3 Eleanor Blanco – Florence Olsen, Somers NY 67.86%
Kit’s 1NT response would usually 4 Jeremy Lynch, Millersburg PA; H. Philip Monyer, Middletown PA 67.71%
5 Alma Gillogly, Canton OH; Retha Lakins, Massillon OH 65.00%
show a game force with clubs, but it
6 William Clough, Lynchburg VA; Edward Moldenke, Forest VA 67.63%
can also be a three-suiter with a short 7 Robert Blakey – Norman Bloch, Bluffton SC 69.69%
major, clarified with his 2♥ bid. 2♠ 8 James McKinney, Macomb IL; Richard Millman, Peoria IL 68.89%
asked for further shape information, 9 Janice Seamon-Molson, Hollywood FL; Andrew Tylman, Toronto ON 74.28%
and 3♠ showed Kit’s exact shape. 10 Larry Federico – Jean Talbot, Metairie LA 70.71%
3NT asked for controls (Kit could have 11 Steven Early, Newburgh IN; Joseph ‘Jef’ Franklin Jr., Evansville IN 65.51%
passed with a minimum), 4♦ show- 12 Bert Newman, West Bloomfield MI; Samir Zeine, Southfield MI 70.24%
13 Patricia Costello – Lorraine McNally, Chicago IL 67.77%
ing exactly five (A=2, K=1) which Sally
14 Robert Benson – Dennis Cordle, Iowa City IA 66.67%
knew to be two aces and a king. With 15 Lynda O’Mara – Charlene Utley, Emporia KS 71.50%
slam still barely possible, Sally asked 16 Rob Rich, San Miguel Mexico; Misha Tomic, Waterford ME 68.65%
for honor location via 4♥, and 4NT 17 Michael Nisen, Rolling Meadows IL; Kenneth Young, Las Vegas NV 68.98%
showed one top spade and both or 18 Eli Fluter – Larry Lazurko, Regina SK 63.49%
neither top diamonds. Sally was happy 19 Katrin Litwin, Burnaby BC; Paula Strand, Kirkland WA 65.77%
to pass, knowing they lacked control in 20 Richard Carle – Susan Carle, Longview WA 70.78%
21 Ann Nutting – Bill Nutting, Stockton CA 76.86%
one of the minors.
22 Judy Elbogen, Mission Viejo CA; Steven Love, Laguna Niguel CA 70.03%
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥–1♠; 23 Carol Trenda – Gary Trenda, Valencia CA 64.65%
24 Howard Cohen, Oceanside NY; Michael Kufs, Merrick NY 66.37%
2NT–3♣; 3♠–4♣; 4♥–4♠; Pass.
25 Barbara Pofcher, Auburndale MA; Richard Saval, Wayland MA 70.08%
Scores: 5NT 11; 4♠ 7; 5♣ 4; 5♠ 3
Final score: Stansbys 52, Woolseys 49

50 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Newer Players

Ask Jerry
BY JERRY HELMS askjerry@jerryhelms.com jerryhelms.com

Dear Jerry, contains at least 11 HCP. Peering into 1♣ Dbl Redbl 2♠

Recently we had the following auc- his own hand, he counted 19 HCP. His This would also be weak! Perhaps
tion: LHO pulled out the redouble card, something like:
which usually conveys the presence of ♠x x x x x x ♥x ♦J x x ♣J x x
Partner Me 10 or more points. Applying high level
1♣ Dbl Redbl 1♠ math, 11 + 19 + 10 = 40! Based on this Opposite a normal takeout double,
Pass 4♠ Dbl All Pass analysis, the 1 point you held would ex- your jump on a collection like this
ceed the top range of values you could would be preemptive, not constructive,
My partner, who made the take- be expected to hold! This simple ap- or in any way, shape or form, invita-
out double, had 19 high-card points, plication of the math involved should tional. When the auction identifies the
with three-card spade support, and clearly have warned your partner of fact that you are near “pointless,” all of
insisted that my “free bid” of 1♠ what was going on. your actions are merely an escape.
was value-showing. When RHO In auctions like this, where both If the auction had been:
started drooling before he pulled out opponents have shown values, advanc-
the double card, I almost called the ing a new suit after the takeout double 1♣ Dbl Redbl ?
director because I thought the drool does not express any values whatso-
should have been Alerted. What I ever. Essentially, your bid would have and your shape was something like:
actually held was 1 HCP along with the effect of saying, “It sounds like ♠J x x ♥J x x ♦J x x ♣J x x x,
five spades. Was I wrong to bid? we are in trouble, partner. Since you pass would be in order. Pass should
Mike have asked me to pick a suit, I will pick be typically an acknowledgment that
the suit that I hope we are in the least the auction suggests we are in trouble,
Hi Mike, amount of trouble. Your action showed but you have no strong opinion about
Irrespective of anything else, I ad- four or more spades and values that which suit partner chooses.
mire your style. Perhaps you are right could be as weak as you actually held. If your partner had such a tremen-
that “penalty drools” should be Alerted. In this sequence, you are not involved dously strong hand that he feared one
On your behalf, I will contact rulings@ in a constructive auction, but merely of the opponents may have “psyched”
acbl.org and get an official opinion. an auction where you are trying to an action, he should follow his double
Once upon a time, I created a Jerry- survive. In most cases, your partner by cuebidding the opponent’s suit as an
ism that I have had to amend because will not have such a strong hand, and announcement of great strength, and
of the widespread use of bidding boxes the opponents will be the ones with follow that by a simple raise of your
as opposed to verbal bidding. The the preponderance of values. They may suit. In my lifetime of playing bridge,
amended version: have a game, or may have the ability I’ve yet to encounter this auction, but
to double for penalty, even at a very if and when I do, I would know that my
“Good players integrate what they low level. Your 1♠ advance should be partner’s double was based on holding
see with what they have seen.” viewed as an escape mechanism. Your nearly the world’s fair!
partner’s raise to 4♠ ... well, perhaps I will let you know about whether
Let’s apply this to your partner. His the drool was the first clue! drools are currently Alertable. ◾
RHO pulled out the 1♣ card, suggest- As a matter of fact, even a jump bid
ing an opening bid, which frequently after a redouble is weak. Consider this
auction:

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 51

 Intermediate Players

Mike’s Bridge Lesson

BY MIKE LAWRENCE michaelslawrence.com

Sorting out the best defense

Matchpoints, North-South vulner- Partner takes the ♣A, declarer drop- with the ♥Q 9 over declarer, and
able. Sitting West, you hold: ping the king. This is a fine start. East these are both winners now. Partner’s
♠A J 10 8 5 ♥Q 9 7 5 ♦Q 5 3 ♣3, then returns the ♦9. Declarer mulls club lead put declarer in a bad spot. If
for a moment and wins with the king. declarer ruffed low, you would overruff
and you hear this sequence: What do you make of this? with the 9. If he ruffed with the jack or
West North East South East’s diamond return tells you 10, you would simply discard and that
1♣ 1♥ something important: It tells you that would give you a second trump winner.
1♠ Pass 2♣ 3♥ your partner doesn’t have a singleton This play is known as a trump promo-
? spade. Surely he would have returned tion, a defensive ploy that can create
that instead of a diamond. tricks out of nowhere.
Note that 1♠ promises five or more After South takes the ♦K, he leads The final score is down two for 500
spades. the ♥A K, your partner having a and an excellent result.
You have a fair hand and are faced singleton 2. This marks declarer with
with some noise from South. Should the ♥A K J 10 6 4 3. What do you think ♠KQ73
you go quietly or should you act? partner has over there? ♥8
Facing a partner who could open, You know he has seven clubs to the ♦J742
it’s right to double. It is said that if the A–Q because the only missing points ♣J762
opponents never make a doubled con- are the ♣Q and the ♦A. Partner needs ♠ A J 10 8 5 ♠92
tract, you don’t double enough, but this all of these to have an opening bid. And ♥Q975 ♥2
hand has so many plusses that dou- it isn’t much of an opening bid at that. ♦Q53 ♦ A 10 9
bling is surely acceptable. You have an On the next trick declarer leads the ♣3 ♣ A Q 10 9 8 5 4
ace. You have four trumps to the queen, ♠4. How do you defend? ♠64
and you have the ♥9, too. If your part- You are sure your partner doesn’t ♥ A K J 10 6 4 3
ner has as little as the ♥10, you have have a singleton spade. But declarer ♦K86
two trump tricks. You have a potential might. Take the ♠A. Your partner ♣K
trick in the ♦Q. And the opponents plays the 9. You know he doesn’t have
are vulnerable. If you can set them one, one spade, so when he plays the 9, Postmortem
your score is 200 instead of 100, and a high one, it is the start of an echo, Some notes on the bidding. First,
that rates to be a big deal. showing a doubleton. East opened his 10-point hand. He
Partner passes, and you lead the ♣3. Now you know everything. Your has two aces and a terrific suit. Pass-
This what you see: partner has two spades, one heart, and ing is conservative. Note that East
you know declarer has one club and didn’t open 3♣. Second, East sat for
♠KQ73 three diamonds. So you can play the West’s double. Those two aces are good
♥8 ♦Q, knowing it will win. Next, play a defensive values. Finally, South was
♦J742 diamond to partner’s ace, which wins, too optimistic with his 3♥ bid. The
♣J762 as you knew it would. singleton ♣K is a warning sign. More
♠ A J 10 8 5 Partner now leads the ♣Q, declarer values in diamonds would be preferred.
♥Q975 ruffing with the jack. And you?
♦Q53 ◾
Let the jack win. This leaves you
♣3

52 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Intermediate Players

Chalk Talk
BY EDDIE KANTAR kantarbridge.com

Test your bidding smarts as South in You hold: ❹ 2♣. Using the fourth suit to create
this five-question quiz.
❺
a force when the hand cannot be
♠K 2 ♥10 8 ♦A Q J 10 5 3 ♣K J 10.
You hold: conveniently limited. A jump to 3♦
❶ North South is not forcing, and bidding 3NT is
♠8 4 3 ♥K J 10 4 3 ♦A 5 ♣8 7 4. 1♦ off the wall. After the fourth suit,
North South 1♠ 2♦ partner usually bids notrump with
2♣ 2♥ 2♥ ? a stopper in that suit. The bid of
3♥ ? the fourth suit has nothing to do
You rebid 2♦ because your hand is with your holding in that suit. It is
2♣ is strong and artificial, and 2♥ is not quite strong enough to rebid 3♦. simply a convenient way to force
a positive response, but not promising 2♥ is forcing. partner to bid again and further de-
two of the top three honors, as many scribe her hand, particularly after
play. It just shows a decent-quality The way I see it: you’ve made a one-level response.
suit, five cards or longer.
❶ 4♦. Show your partner the dia-
❷ You hold: mond control. It might be just what ❺ 3NT. A 2NT rebid would show a
the doctor ordered. minimum opener, typically 12–14
♠4 ♥A 10 5 ♦A K 3 ♣A Q 7 4 3 2. HCP with at least one club stopper.
North South ❷ 2♦. A “fake reverse,” forcing part- Your hand is too strong to make a
1♣ ner to bid again. Next, you will sup- discouraging rebid. (The strong six-
1♥ ? port hearts and give your partner card diamond suit, not to mention
a good idea of a strong hand which the two stray 10s, makes this hand
❸ You hold: stronger than 14 points.) Some
should include a singleton spade.
♠K 4 ♥A Q J 7 ♦9 4 ♣A K J 5 4. An original jump to 3♣ is not forc- would open the hand 1NT to avoid
North South ing and does not describe your hand awkward rebidding problems.
1♠ 2♣ at all.
2♠ 3♥
4♠ ? ❸ 5♠. A raise to the five level of the Rating Scale
last bid major in a sequence where
❹ You hold: three suits have been bid asks
4–5 correct:
♠A 10 4 ♥A J 4 3 2 ♦A 7 5 ♣9 3. partner to bid slam with a control
You are a good bidder.
North South in the unbid suit, diamonds in this
1♦ 1♥ case. Partner passes, lacking a first-
2–3 correct:
1♠ ? or second-round diamond control,
It could be worse.
bids 5NT with the guarded ♦K
allowing the hand to be played in
Less:
6NT from the right side, trots out
It is worse. Much worse.
6♦ with the ♦A, and bids 6♠ with
a singleton diamond.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 53

 Intermediate Players

Boehm on Bridge
BY AUGUST BOEHM

G is for guarding

One of the most delightful books on ♦ K Q J 10 3 North (Dummy)

bridge is “Right Through the Pack” ♦86 ♦A52 ♠Q
by Robert Darvas and Norman de V. ♦974 ♥A8742
Hart, consisting of 52 deals (definitely ♦ K 10 6 5
advanced), each featuring one particu- A diamond discard means you must ♣J42
lar card in a starring role. Honor cards win the second round, which could be East (You)
are quite accustomed to the spotlight, very expensive for the defense. ♠6543
but the little spot cards are flattered to Spot cards clearly have an impor- ♥ J 10 6 3
receive equal billing. tant guarding function, but sometimes ♦QJ4
Spot cards are important to send they must also unguard. Suppose you ♣86
attitude, count and suit preference are defending 3NT, dummy (North)
messages, but there are other impor- displays ♣A Q J 7 6 3 and no outside You have a discard to make – what
tant usages where attention must be entry, and you (East) hold K–5. As soon shall it be? Both a diamond and a heart
paid. Consider the parity principle: as declarer gains the lead, he advances are dangerous because you likely have
Keep equal length with the opponents’ the ♣10 and partner follows with the sole responsibility to guard each red
long side suits. For instance, dummy deuce (standard count). You must be suit. Accordingly, you should “discard”
holds ♠A K Q 5 and your spades are prepared and have nerves of steel to a trump. You don’t care if it holds
6–4–3–2. Be wary of discarding a follow with your 5-spot in tempo. Your the trick or gets overruffed. The gain
spade, because it will cost a fourth- king is left unguarded, but declarer comes when the deal resembles:
round trick – your 6 tops dummy’s 5, if doesn’t know it unless you hemmed
the suit is distributed: and hawed before ducking. A flesh- ♠Q
and-blood declarer will repeat the fi- ♥A8742
♠AKQ5 nesse from his original holding of 10 x, ♦ K 10 6 5
♠J98 ♠6432 expecting the king to be onside. You ♣J42
♠ 10 7 have just killed dummy’s long suit, sav- ♠9 ♠6543
ing four tricks. By the way, if declarer ♥KQ5 ♥ J 10 6 3
In the next example, you hold ♦A 5 2 holds ♣10 x x, he should still finesse, ♦973 ♦QJ4
and dummy shows ♦K Q J 10 3. De- catering to ♣K x x onside, and you get ♣ A K Q 10 7 3 ♣8 6
fending 1NT, your partner runs a suit to score your king anyway. Only if de- ♠ A K J 10 8 7 2
and you have a discard to make. Can it clarer started with four clubs does your ♥9
hurt to throw a diamond? Yes, because play cost a trick, but it will have been in ♦A82
your diamond spots protect your ace, a noble effort. ♣95
not from capture, of course, but you Try a full deal – playing matchpoints,
may need to hold back your ace until you are East defending 4♠. South Unable to establish the hearts, with
the third round if declarer started with opened 1♠, West intervened with 2♣, West’s ♦9 preventing a late squeeze,
three diamonds and dummy lacks an North doubled, and after you passed, declarer is left stranded with a dia-
outside entry. For instance: South jumped to 4♠. Partner starts off mond loser, stopping an important
with the ♣A K Q. overtrick. ◾

54 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Intermediate Players

Misplay These Hands with Me

BY MARK HORTON markhorton007@hotmail.com

Brilliancy

During a home international match, When I inquire about the lead, East ♠ A K J 10 8
I pick up: explains that it is “attitude,” indicat- ♥8765
ing that West likes the suit. With eight ♦ J 10 7
♠Q43 tricks assured, my only chance of a ♣9
♥ A 10 ninth lies with the club suit. I could ♠5 ♠9762
♦K6 take the finesse (or pay homage to the ♥QJ43 ♥K92
♣AQJ753 Rabbi by laying down the ace), but the ♦AQ9852 ♦43
Only the opponents are vulnerable, bidding suggests that the finesse is ♣K2 ♣ 10 8 6 4
and after two passes, I open 1♣. When likely to be wrong. I put up dummy’s ♠Q43
West overcalls 1♦, my partner bids ♦10 and East follows with the 4. ♥ A 10
1♠, promising a five-card suit. I rebid There is no rush to decide what to do ♦K6
1NT, which in this position shows in clubs, so I take five rounds of spades, ♣AQJ753
around 15–16. When West comes discarding two clubs from my hand.
again with 2♦, my partner doubles. I West follows once and then throws the Postmortem
imagine he has four hearts, but all I can ♣2, followed by the ♥3 4 and the ♦5, You will recall that I had considered
do for the moment is bid 2♠. When while East pitches the ♥2. the possibility of playing West for a
partner continues with 3♦, I must It looks to me as if West started singleton ♣K. It did not occur to me
choose which game to bid. Not wanting with a 1–3–6–3 distribution including that the king might have started life as
to expose my ♦K to an early attack, I the♣K. Backing my judgment, I play a doubleton. The only clue was East’s
opt for 3NT, giving us this auction: a heart to the ace and am pleased to discard of the ♥2, suggesting an odd
see West follow with the queen. I exit number of cards in the suit.
West North East South with the ♦K, and West wins with the At the other table, West, unwilling
Pass Pass 1♣ ace and cashes three more tricks in the to surrender a diamond, led the ♥J,
1♦ 1♠ Pass 1NT suit. I lean forward to reveal my ♣A Q, and declarer won with the ace, played
2♦ Dbl Pass 2♠ and West nods appreciatively before a spade to the ace and a club to the
Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT producing the ♥J. jack. West won and continued with the
All Pass I take West’s ♣K at trick 13 but am three of hearts, East winning with the
down one. With murder in my heart, I king, cashing the nine and then switch-
West leads the ♦2 and I see that
congratulate West on his far-sighted ing to a diamond, which gave the de-
dummy has nothing to spare:
defense of blanking the ♣K at trick fenders six tricks, down two, plus 100.
♠ A K J 10 8 three. Alas, we were making 4♠. ◾
♥8765 The full deal:
♦ J 10 7
♣9

♠Q43
♥ A 10
♦K6
♣AQJ753

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 55

 Intermediate Players

Better Bridge with Bergen

BY MARTY BERGEN martybergen.com

Squeezes made easy – part 2

Here is the example from last month. the ♣A, you’d be cut off from the ♠ K J 10 4
You are in 4♠: dummy. ♥5432
How will you continue? ♦KJ
♠ K J 10 4 ❻ ♣AK3
♥5432 Pull trumps, cash two diamonds,
then finish running trumps. ♠6 ♠873
♦KJ ♥AK87 ♥96
♣AK3 If West started with five clubs, when ♦ 10 4 3 ♦Q87652
you lead your last trump at trick 11, ♣Q9874 ♣ J 10
♠AQ952 here will be the end position: ♠AQ952
♥ Q J 10 ♥ Q J 10
♦A9 ♠— ♦A9
♣652 ♥5 ♣652
♦—
Tricks 1-2: West led ♥A K. East played ♣A3
the 9, then the 6. Ready for another one? In example 2,
♠— ♠— you’re in 7NT and the ♥10 is led:
Trick 3: West led a heart and East ♥8 ♥—
ruffed. ♦— ♦Q8 ♠K74
Trick 4: East led the ♣J and you won ♣Q9 ♣ 10 ♥KQ
with dummy’s king. ♠9 ♦ A K Q 10
♥— ♣KQ74
Tricks 5-6: You drew trump. East be- ♦—
gan with three. ♣65 ♠AQ62
Here are the answers to the ques- ♥A2
tions from last month: West is squeezed! If he discards ♦J975
his ♥8, you’ll keep dummy’s ♥5. He ♣A65
❶ Is there any legitimate chance to probably will choose to discard the ♣9.
make your contract? Once he keeps the ♥8, you know that There are 12 sure winners: three
Yes! dummy’s ♥5 is worthless, so you will spades, two hearts, four diamonds and
❷ What are you hoping for with the discard it. East’s discard is irrelevant. three clubs.
distribution of E–W cards? At trick 12, you’ll lead a club, and will If either spades or clubs split 3–3,
West began with five (or six) clubs. be delighted to win the last trick and you have 13 tricks.
make your contract.
❸ Which suits are irrelevant? Do note that when you ran your Question 1: If neither black suit divides
Spades and diamonds. trump, you did not have to keep track 3–3, and E–W defend perfectly, is it
❹ Which suits are relevant? of every E–W discard. All you had to possible to make 7NT? If yes, what are
Hearts and clubs. notice is whether West ever discarded you hoping for?

❺ Which suit must you not touch his ♥8. Question 2: How will you play?
(until trick 12)? Question 3: When you run diamonds,
Clubs. You must cash diamonds Here is the complete deal: which discards must you note? ◾
and trumps, so if you also cashed

56 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Intermediate Players

The Real Deal

BY LARRY COHEN larryco.com

Even better
This deal was played and reported to returned the ♥9, his highest – which is
me by David Berkowitz in the finals of surely suit preference for the highest-
the 2017 Blue Ribbon Pairs. David was ranking side suit. He must be void in West hands for the
declarer, but I ask you to take the West diamonds. In fact, this was the Real July Bidding Box
hand on defense: Deal:
Bid these hands with a partner.
♠10 8 6 ♥K J 8 ♦K J 10 ♣J 10 6 5. The East hands are on pg. 59. The
Dlr: East ♠AK97
At favorable vulnerability, your part- North–South players are silent unless
Vul: N–S ♥Q
ner deals and opens 4♥. This is passed otherwise noted. Scores on pgs. 37–39.
♦AQ74
around to your left-hand opponent, ♣AQ94
who balances with a double. RHO takes Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
♠ 10 8 6 ♠52 North opens 1NT (15–17). If doubled,
it out to 4♠ and you try 5♥. LHO bids ♥KJ8 ♥A9765432
5♠ and your partner doubles. Every- South redoubles to ask for suits up the
♦ K J 10 ♦— line, and North bids 2♣ if necessary.
one passes and it is your lead. ♣ J 10 6 5 ♣K87
For partner to preempt and then ♠QJ43 ♠J 9 8 4 3 ♥6 ♦Q J 10 5 ♣8 5 2
double, he likely has a defensive sur- ♥ 10
prise. It isn’t a trump stack, so probably ♦986532 Problem 2. East deals. N–S vul.
he has a void. Trying to hit that void, ♣32 ♠Q 6 2 ♥10 7 ♦K 7 6 5 ♣A Q J 9
you lead the ♣J and see:
So, if you return a diamond, partner Problem 3. South deals. E–W vul.
♠AK97 ruffs and you later get a diamond trick
♥Q ♠A ♥A 10 7 6 4 ♦A Q 8 2 ♣A J 6
for down two. But, the best part of the
♦AQ74 story is yet to come.
♣AQ94 At the table, West indeed figured his Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
♠ 10 8 6 partner was void in diamonds, but he ♠K 4 ♥A K 9 8 5 2 ♦Q 9 6 3 ♣9
♥KJ8 returned the ♦J. Why does that mat-
♦ K J 10 ter? Because declarer also knew from Problem 5. North deals. N–S vul.
♣ J 10 6 5 the bidding and play what was going
♠A Q J 10 9 4 ♥K ♦K Q ♣9 8 5 3
on. He played low from dummy on the
The ♣Q is played from dummy. Part- ♦J return! How was East to know to
ner doesn’t ruff, but he wins the ♣K let this win? He figured declarer had Problem 6. East deals. E–W vul.
and returns the ♥9 to declarer’s ♥10 the ♦K, so he ruffed, in effect ruff- ♠A 5 4 ♥3 ♦J 10 9 8 6 2 ♣K Q 5
and your king. Now what? ing his partner’s winner. Declarer was
Why did partner underlead his ♥A? down only one after all. Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
So you can give him a ruff. Did you play West should return the ♦K! Now, his
a club (figuring that even if he doesn’t ♠J ♥Q 5 ♦A K Q 9 3 ♣K 9 7 4 3
partner can’t go wrong and the con-
ruff this, his void must be in diamonds tract is down two. You see something
and you’ll set the contract anyway)? Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
new every day. ◾
That’s not trusting your partner. He ♠K J 7 ♥A K Q 9 8 ♦Q J ♣Q 9 5

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 57

 Intermediate Players
OUT OF HAND
Challenge
BY BILL BUTTLE

of the ŽMonth
Dlr: North ♠ A J 9 3
Vul: Both ♥ K 5
♦ K J 10 7 6
♣ 10 7

♠ 10
♥AQ98764
♦9
♣AKQ9

West North East South

1♦ Pass 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♥
All Pass

2♣ is a conventional game force,

4NT is Roman key card Blackwood, “Voices in my head keep telling me what to do …
and 5♥ shows two key cards without
the ♥Q. trouble is, they’re terrible bidders!©”
West leads the ♠K. What is your
plan?

Challenge Answer
Club and ♠AJ93 and continue with the ♠J, pitching
Cruise ♥K5 the diamond from your hand, allow-
Director Courses ♦ K J 10 7 6 ing West to win the ♠Q. If West exits
♣ 10 7 a diamond, ruff and play two rounds
The Club & Cruise Directors Course ♠KQ872 ♠654 of trumps ending in dummy. You plan
prepares candidates for directing club
♥ 10 ♥J32 to discard the ♣9 on the ♠9. You can
and bridge cruise games. Includes the
♦85 ♦AQ432 then cross to your hand with a club to
ACBL Club Director test.
♣J8432 ♣65 draw the last trump.
Atlanta GA (NABC) ♠ 10 What if an opponent ruffs the ♠9?
July 24–26 ♥AQ98764 You’ll overruff and hope that the ♣J
Joyce Stone 662–253–3100 ♦9 comes down when you play the top
directorcourses@acbl.org ♣AKQ9 clubs. ◾

If you’re watching the spots, this is

Club Director an easy one. Win the ♠A at trick one
Refresher Course
Atlanta GA • July 31–Aug. 1
Joyce Stone 662–253–3100
directorcourses@acbl.org

58 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Advanced Players
Test Your Play
BY EDDIE KANTAR kantarbridge.com
East hands for the
Dlr: South ♠7 Dlr: South ♠KQJ2 July Bidding Box
1. Vul: Both ♥9 2. Vul: Both ♥43 Bid these hands with a partner.
IMPs ♦AJ7632 Matchpoints ♦ K 10 2 The West hands are on pg. 57. The
♣AQ965 ♣J732 North–South players are silent unless
otherwise noted. Scores on pgs. 37–39.
♠A53 ♠ A 10 8 6 3
♥ A J 10 8 7 6 5 ♥A2 Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
♦Q ♦Q93 North opens 1NT (15–17). If doubled,
♣ 10 2 ♣AQ4 South redoubles to ask for suits up the
line, and North bids 2♣ if necessary.
West North East South West North East South ♠A K Q ♥A K 10 9 5 4 ♦K 7 3 ♣7
1♥ 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♠(1) Pass 4♠ Problem 2. East deals. N–S vul.
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥ All Pass
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥ ♠4 ♥A 8 ♦A Q 9 4 3 2 ♣K 10 5 2
(1) Limit.
All Pass
Problem 3. South deals. E–W vul.
Opening lead: ♣10. You play low
Opening lead: ♠Q. You win the ♠A from dummy and win the queen. West ♠K 9 5 ♥K 2 ♦K 5 3 ♣Q 10 7 4 2
and lead the ♦Q. How do you continue has three spades, East a singleton. Plan
if: the play. Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
A. the ♦Q is covered?
♠A 8 3 2 ♥J ♦5 ♣A Q 8 7 5 3 2
B. the ♦Q is not covered?

Solutions are on pg. 63 ➤ Problem 5. North deals. N–S vul.

♠7 ♥A Q 8 7 ♦A 6 3 2 ♣Q J 10 4
Charity Foundation
Upcoming Election Notice Problem 6. East deals. E–W vul.
Best Practices ACBL members interested in run-
♠K ♥A J 10 8 7 4 ♦A Q ♣A J 9 4
Teacher Workshop ning for the Board of Trustees of the
Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
ACBL Charity Foundation have until
Atlanta GA (NABC) Oct. 15 to submit a written declara- ♠A 6 4 3 ♥K 8 6 ♦J 10 5 2 ♣Q 6
July 27–29 tion of candidacy.
For more information contact The ACBL Board of Directors will Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
ACBL Education Department elect one of the Foundation’s five- ♠A 10 6 5 4 ♥— ♦10 9 8 6 ♣A K J 10
education@acbl.org member board for a four-year term
beginning Jan. 1, 2019, at the fall
Syracuse NY (Regional) board meeting in Honolulu. Trustees
Aug. 13–14 do not receive expense reimburse-
ment.
Mary Miller
mary.miller028@gmail.com Candidates should send name, ad-
dress, player number and biographi-
Richardson TX (Regional) cal information to ACBL Charity
Foundation, P.O. Box 289, Horn
Aug. 27–28
Lake MS 38637-0289 or by email
Eileen Smith Davidoff (with “Statement of Candidacy” in the
eileen_s@hotmail.com subject line) to elections@acbl.org.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 59

 Advanced Players

Bidding Matters
BY KAREN WALKER kwbridge.com

Table feel – part 5

You open 1♦ and partner responds contributor to table feel is your bid- time, however, may be consumed by
1♠, both opponents passing. What’s ding tempo. If you took more than 5–6 regrets that you didn’t open 1NT.
your rebid holding: seconds to decide on a rebid with any If you want to neutralize your op-
of the hands above, you’ve revealed you ponents’ table feel, you need to make
❶ ♠J 9 3 ♥A K 7 2 ♦K Q 8 3 ♣7 2 ? had a problem. Your opponents will these decisions smoothly. The best way
❷ ♠10 ♥K Q J 6 ♦K 9 7 5 3 ♣A 10 4 ? know that whatever your choice, you to do that is to make them early, before
won’t have the classic hand for it. your first bid. Get in the habit of pre-
❸ ♠K ♥Q 7 5 4 ♦A Q J 4 2 ♣K J 5 ? With hand 1, a slow raise to 2♠ dicting the auction and planning your
There’s no perfect rebid with any suggests one of two problems: Only rebid, focusing on the most common
of these hands, so you have to choose three-card support or a hand with al- and problematic developments:
from imperfect alternatives. How most enough for a jump to 3♠. There’s ⦁ If you open a minor, be ready for
much time did you take to make each a natural tendency to value up when partner to bid your short major.
decision? How quickly would you raising partner’s suit, so the three-card
choose your bids at the table? raise is more likely. If your opponents ⦁ If you open a major, expect a 1NT
In an ideal auction, the only knowl- read this correctly, they’ll know not to response.
edge your opponents have about your make an aggressive balance, and it may ⦁ If you Blackwood, decide in ad-
hand comes from your actual bids. help them on defense. vance how you’ll proceed after
Being human, however, we often give With hand 2, a hesitant 1NT rebid is every possible reply.
away extra information by our body usually based on a distributional flaw, ⦁ If you’re responder, assume that
language, facial expressions and other and your opponents will have a good opener won’t raise your suit.
behaviors. Your opponents are allowed guess about what it is.
to use their “table feel” to interpret On 3, it may take some time to decide ⦁ If you’re in fourth seat, don’t count
these clues and make inferences about on the least of three evils: the three- on being able to open the bidding.
what type of hand you hold. card club suit, a skinny reverse or a Consider your options if one or
The most frequent and valuable heavy 1NT. Much of your thinking both opponents bid in front of you.
You can’t have a contingency plan for
every possible auction, but it’s impor-
tant to be prepared for the simple ones.
Call for nominations Thwarting the opponents’ table feel is
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 Goodwill just one reason to avoid tempo breaks.
Member of the Year. This honorary title is given to the ACBL Another is that they put pressure on
member who has exhibited unselfish dedication to the causes partner. Your opponents are entitled to
of good conduct, worthy participation and ethical behavior. speculate about what you were think-
Any unit/district official in good standing may nominate a ing about, but partner isn’t, and this
candidate. can limit his options. He must ignore
Please include the name of the candidate, contact informa-
the break and take care not to make
tion and why you believe the candidate deserves recognition as the Goodwill Member
any bid that might be suggested by your
of the Year. Also, include your own name, contact information and unit/district affiliation.
hesitation.
A nomination form is available at acbl.org/goodwillnominations, or email your nomi-
nation to kelley.trejo@acbl.org. Nominations are open until Oct. 15, 2018. More about solving tempo problems
in the next issue. ◾
60 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Advanced Players

My Bridge and Yours

BY FRANK STEWART frs1016@centurylink.net

In a compact knockout teams at a ♠KJ4 dummy. Both defenders follow, so I

sectional, my team has survived its ♥AKQ84 run the hearts and end with 12 tricks.
opening match and is pitted against a ♦A52 The first line I considered would have
strong team next. The first few boards ♣74 failed since the full deal is this:
appear to be flat, and then as South, the
dealer, I hold: ♠ A Q 10 6 ♠KJ4
♥62 ♥AKQ84
♠A Q 10 6 ♥6 2 ♦7 4 3 ♣A K 6 3. ♦A52
♦743
Both sides are vulnerable. I open 1♣, ♣AK63 ♣74
and my partner responds 2♥. I can ♠9532 ♠87
see a case for playing weak jump shifts ♥ 10 9 ♥J753
at matchpoints (though even then I four trumps, two clubs, one club ruff ♦ K 10 9 8 ♦QJ6
fear that many pairs use them because in dummy (I lack the transportation ♣ J 10 9 ♣Q852
they are fashionable, and not because to ruff two clubs profitably), three ♠ A Q 10 6
those pairs have studied the results high hearts and the ♦A. Suppose I ♥62
they achieve). At IMPs, where accur- take the ♣A K, ruff a club high and ♦743
ate game and slam bidding is a vital draw trumps, discarding dummy’s low ♣AK63
component, I much prefer the strong diamonds if trumps break 4–2. Then
treatment. I won’t have any trumps left, but I can “I should have led a diamond,” West
I bid 2♠, and my partner bids 2NT. continue with the three high hearts. If says regretfully.
Because I have little or nothing extra, that suit breaks 4–2, I can concede the At the other table, where North–
all I can do is raise to 3NT. But then fourth heart, and I will be safe unless South were using weak jump shifts,
North tries 4♠, and I must reconsider. the defender who wins happens to have the auction started 1♣–1♥; 1♠–2♦.
My partner appears to have good a club to cash. If the trumps break 3–3, South thought – and I would agree –
three-card spade support and a hand I can handle a 4–2 heart break. that he could bid 2NT next despite his
that looks attractive for slam. My That line looks reasonable – maybe it lack of a diamond stopper. North might
spades are stout – the ♠10 may be a is best – but I see an alternative: I can have tried 3♥, forcing, or a quantita-
crucial card – and I have prime values duck a heart at the second trick and tive 4NT next, but he was discouraged
in clubs and may be able to ruff a club can expect to get home with normal and merely raised to 3NT for plus 630.
or two in dummy. Given my previous breaks. I can’t calculate the exact per- Slam never entered the picture.
bidding, my hand can’t be any better, so centages in my head, but my instinct, We got to a reasonable contract and
I bid 6♠, knowing I must cope with a for what good it is, suggests that the gained 13 IMPs, but our luck was in.
4–3 fit. second line is superior. So I take the A diamond opening lead would not
Everyone passes, and West leads the ♣A and play a low heart from both beat 6♠. I could duck, win the second
♣J. hands. diamond, take the ♣A K, ruff a club
West wins with the 9, ponders and in dummy and draw trumps. The last
(See next column) leads a trump. I win with dummy’s trump would squeeze East in hearts
jack, come to the ♣K and ruff a club and clubs. But a trump opening lead,
This looks promising, barring any with the ♠K. Then I draw trumps – which West might have found after our
hideous breaks. I can count 11 tricks: they break 4–2 – and lead a heart to auction, would upset the timing for any
successful line of play. ◾
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 61
 Advanced Players

Mike’s Advice
BY MIKE LAWRENCE michaelslawrence.com

Defense: Looking to the auction for the answer

In a recent online tournament, this do now? Switch to diamonds? Lead the had 11 HCP, but no one would say this
deal came up. Look at this deal from ♠A? Underlead the ♠A? was a sound opening bid. When North
East’s perspective: West led the ♣8 for East to ruff. He showed hearts, South refrained from
could have led a low club, but he didn’t. bidding 3♥. That would have promised
Dlr: North ♠ 4 2 So West must be signaling for a spade a full opener.
Vul: N–S ♥ Q 8 6 5 4 return. North took some liberties when he
♦A64 Here’s the entire deal: bid 3NT. He felt he had to do some-
♣KQ6 thing, and 3NT was his guess. South
♠A863 ♠42 then bid 4♥, showing he preferred
♥97 ♥Q8654 hearts to notrump.
♦ Q J 10 8 3 2 ♦A64 All of this information is available to
♣J ♣KQ6 East. East can conclude that South has
♠QJ5 ♠A863 a bad opening bid, which means that
West North East South ♥AK ♥97 West has a decent hand.
Pass Pass 1♣ ♦975 ♦ Q J 10 8 3 2 At the point where East ruffed the
Pass 1♦ 3♦ Pass ♣98543 ♣J club, he chose to lead a low spade. This
Pass 3NT Pass 4♥ ♠ K 10 9 7 might work if South has the ♠K J, but
All Pass ♥ J 10 3 2 in reality it should never work. Best is
♦K to lead the ace. It is guaranteed to beat
The auction needs explanation. ♣ A 10 7 2 the contract. Can you see why?
North–South were using transfer re- The answer to this question can be
sponses to 1♣. Hence, North’s 1♦ bid What actually happened was that learned by reflecting on the bidding.
said he had hearts. East hadn’t opened East led a low spade. South played the For South to make 4♥, he needs to
2♦ because he had four good spades, king, and then discarded dummy’s have the following hand or one like it:
but on the second round, he came in second spade on the ♣10. Red faces
♠K J x x ♥A J x x ♦x ♣A 10 x x.
with 3♦, a weak jump overcall. South all around: Even on BBO you could see
and West passed, and North bid 3NT. them. If South had this hand, he wouldn’t
South finally raised hearts, and played What should have happened, and pass over 3♦. He would bid 3♥. South
in 4♥. why? First, note that West didn’t lead did correct to 4♥ at the end of the
West led the ♣9, and the play went a diamond. He chose a club because he auction, but he can’t have a good hand
very well for East. Dummy’s ♣K won judged that North–South had a club fit, because he already admitted he had a
the first trick, and declarer led a heart and he hoped to give East a ruff or two. bad one.
to his jack and West’s king. West then His lead was thoughtful. As East, if you lead the ♠A, your
led the ♣8, which East ruffed. So far, Now, look at the bidding. South partner will either have the ♠K, and
South has played two low clubs, so opened 1♣ in third seat. In third seat, you will set 4♥ immediately, or your
East knows declarer has the ♣A 10 anything goes. South could have had a partner will have the ♥A, which will
remaining. real opener, but he could also have less be the setting trick later. ◾
The defense has two tricks in, and than opening values. The actual hand
the ♠A is another. What should East

62 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Advanced Players
Solutions to Test Your Play
Problems are on page 59.

A. If the queen is covered, win and discard a club on a high diamond, The defender who wins cannot break
1. the ace, discard a club on the ♦J, losing two hearts and a spade. If either diamonds without removing the guess
cash the ♣A, ruff a club and ruff opponent had ♥K Q x x, you will need for the jack, nor can he lead a heart
a spade. At this point, the most you can the club finesse. If East had ♥K Q x x, without conceding a ruff and sluff.
possibly lose is a spade and two hearts. he can win the second heart, put This allows you to ruff in dummy and
And you have chances for an overtrick partner in with a spade, and now a club discard a club. Now you can go looking
if a heart honor drops under the ace. shift forces you to take the finesse to for the ♦J (or 3–3 clubs, possibly) for a
B. Win the ace, ruff a diamond, ruff a make the contract. valuable matchpoint overtrick.
spade and ruff a diamond. At this point, b. Play the ♥A and a heart. If hearts Let’s go back to clubs. If West has
one of the following scenarios is likely are 3–2, cross to the ♣A and discard led a singleton or from a doubleton,
to have taken place: a club on the ♦J. You lose two hearts the best East can do is win the heart
a. Diamonds were 3–3. and a spade. exit and cash the ♣K, giving declarer
b. Diamonds were 4–2, and East had c. Take the finesse. a diamond discard on the ♣J. Had you
K–x. (Presumably West would have d. Play the ♥A. If an honor falls, you not cashed the ♣A, and West led from
covered with K–x.) have 10 tricks: six hearts, three aces 10–x, West could have won the heart
c. West had two low diamonds, over- and a spade ruff. At matchpoints, it and exited a club, forcing you to go
ruffed the third diamond with an honor would be tempting to take the club fi- out looking for the ♦J to make your
perforce, cashed a spade, and shifted to nesse for an overtrick. If a heart honor contract.
a club. does not appear, take the club finesse. If clubs are 3–3, the fourth club
d. West had four diamonds headed by in dummy can be used to discard a
the king, and East discarded a club on You have a 100% play. See it? diamond.
the third diamond. 2. Draw three rounds of spades, Equally divided suits (such as hearts
How do you react in each case? leaving a spade entry to dummy in this case) lend themselves to throw-
a. Cash the ♥A and, if no honor just in case, cash the ♣A (key play) and in plays after the other suits have been
drops, play a second heart. If hearts are exit with the ♥A and a heart. stripped or partially stripped. ◾
3–2, you will be able to cross to the ♣A

Log into MyACBL. Update your profile,

browse for partners and play.
Visit acbl.org/partnershipdesk for
more information.

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 63

 Special Contributors

George’s World
BY GEORGE JACOBS NOBET8888@aol.com

Well, I promised you a recap of two Dlr: North ♠ 2 in history, if you ignore Fred’s home
of the most unusual scores I have ever Vul: N–S ♥ Q 10 5 game. But I digress.
seen. The kicker: Both of them were in ♦7 Back to Board 17. We were in a non-
the same session! ♣ A K Q J 10 7 6 4 vulnerable 4♥ making for plus 420.
Playing with Sylvia Summers in the ♠653 ♠ J 10 9 8 7 4 The opponents (Kit Woolsey) called
Silodor Open Pairs in Philadelphia: ♥A82 ♥KJ97643 the directors over some tiny deficiency
Sylvia opened 1♥ in third chair at un- ♦9843 ♦— and said that had they gotten correct
favorable. It went double, and I jumped ♣932 ♣— information, they might have bid dif-
to three preemptive clubs. After pass, ♠AKQ ferently, defeating our contract by one
Sylvia upped the ante with 4♣ and ♥— trick.
West, who had a moose, bid 5♣. East ♦ A K Q J 10 6 5 2 There were some significant hesita-
(who asked no questions, and who ♣85 tions by the directors as they sought
must have thought that 3♣ was a fit to be fair to all sides. They reached the
of sorts, and 4♣ was a cuebid and 5♣ following conclusion: It is possible that
was finally showing the suit) passed. hoping I could make it. Plus 2140. we might still make 4♥, and it is pos-
I also promised Fred Lerner that I At the other table there was a snafu. sible that the opponents might defeat
would keep his name out of the Bulle- After 1♣–2♣, South wanted to be it. The directors decided to factor the
tin. Fred, who had bid 5♣ with: sure they were not off an ace, so he bid two possible results as if each outcome
Blackwood. I think he hoped for a three happened 50% of the time: add them
♠A K Q J 9 8 4 ♥K 7 3 ♦A K Q ♣—, key-card reply, which would solve all together and divide by two. Yes, they
gave it his best, but had a bit of trouble the problems. What he got was 5♠, did! So plus 420 and minus 50 = plus
making it. I estimated down seven showing two key cards and the queen. 370. If I could find the divide sign on
at the table and sure as heck, it went But now East bid 5NT, forcing part- this keyboard, I would show you that
down seven, plus 350 our way. ner to bid a slam! Belatedly, South (not 370 divided by 2 = 185. That became
Later, we played Board 17 and got Fred Lerner) jumped to 7♦, but West, our score. 185 may not be the best
a score you have never heard before. holding ♥A x x, and hearing partner score I have ever had, but it is the most
Believe me, I am the holder of many force to slam, bid 7♥! unusual.
scores of which you never heard. Well, poor North. His partner has bid So I just reread my notes; the op-
Claude and I once played on a team Blackwood and then jumped to a grand ponents actually sacrificed in 5♣ and
with Kay Beck and Hans Jacobs. (At slam, so he “knows” they have all the went for 300. Don’t be confused by
one point we were going to put to- aces and he has seven running clubs. that. The issue was of ROLLING IT
gether an all Jacobs team. Sadly that So he bids 7NT. After two passes, West, BACK to 4♥, which might or might not
never came to pass.) I love telling this holding the ♥A and on lead due to make. I should not write these columns
story, but space does not permit all the South’s 4NT bid, says double. so late at night, and you should cer-
details. North now recounts his clubs, tainly not read them prior to going to
discovers that he actually has eight bed anyway.
(See next column) solid, and says redouble. As you can See you all in Atlanta, where my
At our table the bidding was short and see, our teammates took the first seven 15-year partner, Ralph Katz, is to be
sweet. 1♣ by partner, 2♣ (showing tricks for 3400, which, when added to inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also
both majors) by righty, and I bid 7♦, our 2140, is possibly the biggest score loves Chinese food. ◾
64 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Special Contributors

Dear Billy
BY BILLY MILLER dearbilly@aol.com

Dear Billy, ing your breath. My suggestion is to Dear Shirley,

My regular partner will not open move on because if you don’t, you bet- I do not see the reason partner pan-
12-point hands. Or rather, “Only ter prepare yourself to play it his way. icked with a 1♥ bid. No, I do not agree
certain ones,” he says. Sitting East, Trust me! with it. Partner is not broke, has a four-
holding this hand: P.S. One last tip: I cannot agree with card unbid suit, and with better spots,
♠Q 6 4 ♥J 10 6 2 ♦Q ♣A K 8 3 2, your pass of 1NT. This should not have he could have considered a 1NT bid as
been a consideration as your hand is well. 1NT and 2♣ are viable options,
he passed as dealer. South passed. very suit-oriented with a solid opener. 1♥ is not.
Sitting West, I opened 1♠ holding: 2♦ should have been your rebid. Let’s say partner’s hand was:
♠A K J 10 3 ♥7 ♦A 10 7 2 ♣Q 10 4. ♠9 4 3 ♥10 9 3 ♦8 5 4 3 ♣K 8 2.
North passed, and my partner Dear Billy,
In a team game, I held: With a hand like that, given no at-
bid 1NT. Not knowing what to do, I tractive options, a 1♥ bid is accept-
passed. He made six(!) after a de- ♠A Q 10 6 ♥Q J 7 6 ♦K ♣A Q 10 4. able. That was not the case with the
fensive slip, but we still got a zero. I RHO opened 1♦, and I doubled. hand your partner held, however.
have tried to convince him to open LHO passed. My partner bid 1♥ and As far as your rebid was concerned,
all 12-point hands, but he is very RHO passed. I bid 2♥ which ended a 2♥ free bid without competition
stubborn. Why does he think this the auction, and my partner made shows extras, which you had. You have
way? Is it an old Goren rule? I have three. My partner held: 18, true, but with the singleton ♦K,
met others who adamantly refuse to this hand should be downgraded and
open their 12-point hands. Thanks ♠8 5 ♥9 4 3 ♦A 6 3 2 ♣K 7 5 3.
considered a soft 18. Move your ♦K
for any advice on how to convince Two questions: Was partner’s bid to the heart suit, and 3♥ would be a
him. of 1♥ correct? Was my rebid of 2♥ standout. As it was, your 2♥ rebid is
Still Hopeful correct? This seems weird. heavy, but reasonable. I know this has
Surely wrong gone out of fashion, but there is noth-
Dear Hope, ing wrong with putting down a good
Aside from not opening 12-point dummy every once in a while! ◾
hands, he doesn’t support you either!
What’s up with that? He has a super-
maximum Drury hand, where a 2♣ bid
by a passed hand is artificial and shows
2019 Honorary Member of the Year Selection Process
The ACBL Honorary Member Committee is charged with the annual selection of a member
at least three-card support for your
(or pair of members) who is widely known throughout the membership and who has given
major and a maximum passed-hand in freely of time and ability, without thought of reward and in the interest of the League as a whole.
value. That’s my bid. You would have The committee invites members in good standing to nominate one person or pair for the
jumped to 4♠ knowing what he had committee’s consideration. The nominee(s) may come from any district as long as they are not
– including that he might have had 12 currently serving on the ACBL Board of Directors.
points! To propose an Honorary Member of the Year candidate, email Kelley Trejo at kelley.trejo@
As for getting him to open almost all acbl.org by Aug. 31, 2018. Nominations should include a short explanation (up to 500 words) as
12-point hands (which I do, as winning to why you believe the candidate should be selected. Please include your contact information.
bridge is aggressive-bidding bridge), I Visit acbl.org/honorarymembers for a list of previous ACBL Honorary Members of the Year,
have the distinct feeling you are wast-
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 65
 Special Contributors

Bridge with the Abbot

BY DAVID BIRD

The Parrot’s analysis

The Parrot had replaced Brother Near the end of their match against the club ace and called for a trump. The
Xavier in the monastery team com- the Glassover team, the Parrot’s card- ♠9 appeared from East and the Parrot
peting in the Winchester green-point play was tested again: followed blithely with the ♠2. Stan
Swiss event. The Abbot was far from Glassover raised an eyebrow when the
happy with the unfriendly reception Dlr: South ♠ 8 4 3 9 won the trick. Had the strange bird
that his partner had received. Were Vul: E–W ♥ Q J 8 6 meant to do that? With any luck he
the English not famed for welcoming ♦AKQJ4 would be the only declarer in the event
strangers into their midst? Did they ♣A to go down in a cold slam.
not realize that it was perfectly possi- ♠ J 10 7 5 ♠9 The Parrot won the heart switch
ble for a parrot to play bridge at a high ♥ K 10 3 ♥974 with the ace and drew a second round
level? As for Mr. Glassover making an ♦93 ♦8652 of trumps, East showing out. He then
inappropriate comment about jungles, ♣ Q J 10 8 ♣K7543 ruffed a club in dummy and returned to
this was hardly appropriate in an event ♠AKQ62 his hand with the ♦10. After drawing
where national green points were ♥A52 the remaining trumps, he claimed the
awarded. ♦ 10 7 contract. “Three losers go on dia-
♣962 monds,” he squawked.
West North East South Mrs. Glassover was not entranced
Stan The Emily The with the Parrot’s overbearing manner.
Nominations for the 2019 ACBL Glassover Abbot Glassover Parrot “It’s not very good etiquette to look so
Bridge Hall of Fame Blackwood 1♠ pleased with yourself,” she informed
and von Zedtwitz awards Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT him. “So what if you made twelve
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♥ tricks? There was nothing we could do
Each year, the Bridge Hall of Fame Com-
Pass 4NT Pass 5♦ about it.”
mittee considers candidates for the Black-
wood Award, given for outstanding contri- Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ The Parrot made no reply, shrugging
butions to bridge outside of expertise at the All Pass his shoulders as he returned his cards
game, and the von Zedtwitz Award, which to the board.
honors inactive players who have achieved The Abbot used Roman key card Black- Stan Glassover leaned forward,
prominence in the game of bridge. wood to locate the ♥A and the ♠A K Q. anxious to support his wife. “If you’re
ACBL members in good standing may Stan Glassover led the ♣Q against the as clever as you make out, perhaps you
submit candidates’ names to the Hall of spade slam and down went the dummy. could tell us how we could have beaten
Fame Committee for induction into the it,” he said.
The Parrot nodded his acceptance of
ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame in 2019. To be The Parrot raised his eyes to the ceil-
eligible for induction, a candidate must be at the Abbot’s bidding and paused to plan
the play. If trumps were 3–2, he could ing. “Diamond, diamond,” he replied.
least 60 years old and live in North America.
score five spades, five diamonds, two “That’s true,” exclaimed the Abbot.
Please submit your nominations for these
aces and a club ruff for an overtrick. “There’s no way you could find such a
awards to the Bridge Hall of Fame Commit-
tee to elections@acbl.org. Nominations will What if trumps were 4–1? In that case lead, I realize. If you do happen to lead
be forwarded to the chair of the committee. it might be a good idea to concede a a diamond and play another diamond
In order to be considered, nominations must trump trick while dummy still had when you take your trump trick, you
be received no later than Nov. 1. ruffing protection in clubs. kill the diamond suit. Declarer can’t
The Parrot won the first trick with arrange his club ruff.” ◾
66 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 New
Life Masters
Canada
Chris Burton, Lethbridge AB Carol Schwerer, Palo Alto CA Robert Kerr, Silver Spring MD Erwis Rabin, Gates Mills OH
Andy McKaig, Calgary AB Gloria Shagrun, Chico CA Doris Jefferies, Bloomfield MI C. Daniel Sommer, Independence OH
Elly Boshell, West Vancouver BC Daniel Sonner, Redwood City CA Gerald Mandell, West Bloomfield MI Barbara Speer, Beachwood OH
Denise Holst, Courtenay BC Jeannette Stern, Carmel By Sea CA John Corley, Burnsville MN Stephen Vogel, Cincinnati OH
Ronald Kuiper, Surrey BC Judith Tomic, Rancho Palos Verdes CA Gloria Georger, Rochester MN Joe Wernet, Bexley OH
Jean-Philipp Weber, Victoria BC Ashok Wadhwa, San Clemente CA John Schlundt, Eden Prairie MN Mary Bell, Canyonville OR
Freddie Mykytyshyn, Winnipeg MB Kay Wyhlidko, Fair Oaks CA Kathy Hagedorn, St. Louis MO Ronald Foerster, Bend OR
Michael Birks, Fredericton NB Brent Xiao, Fremont CA Patricia Bumgarner, McGrady NC Maria Hakki, Portland OR
Barb Croft, Mount Uniacke NS Christopher Dorton, Silverthorne CO Marjorie Cannity, Raleigh NC Kevin Marnell, Portland OR
Don Wright, Kentville NS Louise Forsythe, Greenwood Village CO Martin Causley, Chapel Hill NC Carole Murphy, Hood River OR
Karla Zwicker, Hants County NS William Foss, Denver CO John Dayton Jr., Fayetteville NC Frank Nemeth, Portland OR
Tom Jolliffe, London ON Peter Fox, Denver CO Tobi Dicker, Cary NC David Smith, Corvallis OR
Catherine Loughlin, Kingston ON Mark Henderson, Lakewood CO Eleanor Eisenman, Wilmington NC Kay Hays, Allentown PA
Jeanette McTaggart, Ottawa ON Lou Ann Mauer, Aurora CO Sara Ramsey, Raleigh NC Jeanne Lantzy, Palmyra PA
Sheila Murray, Kincardine ON Shirley Miller, Golden CO Jeanne Torello, Concord NC Barbara Patterson, Furlong PA
Fred Oliver, Oshawa ON Burney Tate, Loveland CO Louise Watson, Wilson NC Bharat Rao, Berwyn PA
Carol Rossmann, Windsor ON Conrad Waggener, Pueblo CO Arnold Fox, Eatontown NJ Gregory Wolf, Erie PA
Serge Cote, Quebec QC Robert Donnalley Jr., Greenwich CT Thaddeus Gora, Kinnelon NJ Charles Anderegg Jr.,
Robert Fleury, Montreal QC Joy Mehta, Southport CT Prem Gupta, Monroe Township NJ Mount Pleasant SC
Serge Girard, Chicoutimi QC Patty Read, Riverside CT James Koss, Medford NJ Nimet Hatcher, Ladys Island SC
Marcel Verreault, Laval QC John Flanagan, Hockessin DE David Weinberg, Brick NJ Angela Letourneau, Indian Land SC
Mike Broda, Saskatoon SK Don Steiner, Milford DE Maria Poh, Las Vegas NV Constance McKeown, Rock Hill SC
G. Grainger, Regina SK Louise Anderson, Fort Myers FL James Sadler, Las Vegas NV Linda Richelson, Fort Mill SC
Rudelpha Paraschuk, Saskatoon SK Steve Despot, Bradenton FL Gary Conners, Pittsford NY Matthew Morgan, Nashville TN
Ellen Shatilla, Saskatoon SK Doug Finch, Fort Myers FL Ellen Cooper, Roslyn NY Barbara Glass, Sugar Land TX
Beverly Steppler, Regina SK William George, Sebring FL Manuela Kanners, New York NY Robert Holliday, Plano TX
Bruce Graham, Dunnellon FL Holli Mast, Corning NY Rajasekhar Menon, Southlake TX
United States Sylvia Levinson, Fort Myers FL Matthew Rudary, New York NY Victor Tong, Houston TX
Lawrence Myers, Birmingham AL Oyar Miller, Estero FL Patricia Stacom, New York NY Amy Brisson, Arlington VA
Howard Maves, Maricopa AZ Frank Pietro II, Cape Coral FL Marilyn Wortzman, Amherst NY Karen Hamlett, Glen Allen VA
Donald Baze, Lakeport CA Donald Rancourt, The Villages FL Barbara Crucs, Copley OH Gary Scavongelli, Burke VA
Daphne Bransten, San Francisco CA Doris Schons, Estero FL Bill Hogsett, Cleveland OH Carole Spencer, Blacksburg VA
Julie Burnet, Oakland CA Jack Sieling, Pinellas Park FL Polly James, Galena OH Tony Alberts, Seattle WA
Eric Byler, Palo Alto CA Daisy Smith, Naples FL Carol Manning, Gates Mills OH Richard Crawford, Lacey WA
Carole Anne Gennaro, San Mateo CA Chris Weyland, Naples FL Kay Penson, Dublin OH Margaret King, Seattle WA
Laura Gherman, Pebble Beach CA Tommy Jackson, Palmetto GA Kevin Phipps, Akron OH Paul Martin, Duvall WA
Robyn Grant, Newport Beach CA Gail Ostermann, Atlanta GA
Stanley Green, Greenbrae CA Sumner Rosenberg, Atlanta GA
Jonann Noftsger, Des Moines IA
Julie Greenberg, San Diego CA
Richard Hottell, Rancho Murieta CA Bruce Thornburgh, Boise ID Exciting Opportunity in Oaxaca, Mexico
Savita Jain, Irvine CA Robert Alps, Evanston IL
Kathy Juarez, Santa Rosa CA Woody Haynes, Chicago IL Wanted: An ACBL-certified director conversant
Renee Laquerriere, Clovis CA Jane Herman, Effingham IL with ACBL protocols and fluent in Spanish.
Qing Lu, San Jose CA William Herman, Effingham IL
Sarah Colvin, Fort Wayne IN
Can augment retirement income by teaching.
Roy Redlich, Petaluma CA
Rose Reynolds, Newport Beach CA Harry Preston, Indianapolis IN For more information contact:
Margaret Riegert, Lincoln CA Ann Brown, Louisville KY
Abhijit Dutta, Jamaica Plain MA
Laligadebridgeoax@gmail.com
Joerg Rottenbacher, Arcadia CA
Nancy Rubinstein, San Diego CA David Poole, Wayland MA

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 67

 Life Master
M I L E S T O N E S

Alan Stout Matt Granovetter Mike Levine Alexander Kolesnik

Jacksonville FL Cincinnati OH Pinckney MI Los Angeles CA
Grand Life Master Grand Life Master Grand Life Master Platinum Life Master
35,000 masterpoints 20,000 masterpoints 15,000 masterpoints 10,000 masterpoints

Emerald Life Master (7500 MPs) Flo Savage, Portland OR H. Jay Sloofman, Ardsley NY JoAnn Coulter, Milton FL
Laurence Betts, Burnaby BC Gary Donner, Bluffton SC Jim Breckel, Rocky River OH Fern Manevitch, Boca Raton FL
Ganesan Sekhar, Winnipeg MB Judith Ortiz, San Antonio TX Laurie Rowe, Eugene OR Catherine Noel, Fort Myers FL
Jodi Kimbrell, Spokane WA D.H. Hall, Charleston SC Margaret Roush, Fort Myers FL
Janet King, Alexandria AL Marsha Platnick, Bluefield WV Yin Choo, Sugar Land TX P.H. Shah, Clearwater FL
Barbara Sonsini, Woodside CA Jim Harp, Dallas TX Bobby Stein, Delray Beach FL
Spencer Jones, Denver CO Sapphire Life Master (3500 MPs) Milton Neher, Richardson TX Ann Taylor, Port St Lucie FL
Marlene Solender, Tamarac FL Steven Unger, Thornhill ON Helen Martin, Williamsburg VA Patrick Thompson, Gainesville FL
Jan Galey, Baton Rouge LA Avril Rodney, Fairfax VA Joseph Ur, St. Augustine FL
Alan Tenenbaum, Rockville MD Ted Gibbs, Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Richard Gold, Oceanside CA Michael Boruta, Anacortes WA Evelyn Gilliard, East Point GA
Debra Eaves, Northville MI Charles Burns, Vancouver WA Robert Adams, South Bend IN
James La Fountain, Temple TX Erin Gove, Los Gatos CA
Marilyn Hahn, Palm Desert CA Lois Boagni, Opelousas LA
Gold Life Master (2500 MPs) Sally Gerhold, Baton Rouge LA
Diamond Life Master (5000 MPs) Carolyn Borus, Denver CO Ted Rich, Penticton BC
Nicole Beauregard, Calgary AB Rob Lorck, Colorado Springs CO Connie Chabot, Haverhill MA
Sigitas Keras, Toronto ON Andris Strauss, Abingdon MD
Dan Boyle, Ottawa ON Robert Lupton, Aurora CO Kevin Loughlin, Kingston ON
Ina Demme, Maple ON Robert McKenzie, Thornton CO Tommie Wright, Hattiesburg MS
Kole Meng, Richmond Hill ON Michael Boreson, Kalispell MT
Roisin O’Hara, Oakville ON Silvana Bellini, St. Petersburg FL Doug Reynolds, Braeside ON
Gary Bernstein, Montreal QC Larry Giltman, Port St. Lucie FL Judy Hurder, Salisbury NC
Claude Garneau, St. Lambert QC Marian Schreyer, Albuquerque NM
Yvon Gravel, Mascouche QC Masood Kizilbash, Tampa FL
Wojciech Szalecki, Madeira Beach FL Becky Bien, Little Rock AR Wayne Gordon, Reno NV
Tom Jacobson, Fairfield CA Judy Fendrick, Marietta GA Jared Boulds, Tucson AZ Allen Beroza, East Amherst NY
Joan Rubin, Encino CA Varghese George, Martinez GA W.P. Fuesz, Green Valley AZ Michael Fishman, Great Neck NY
Jody Williams, San Carlos CA Sue Erickson, Rolling Meadows IL Nancy Borucki, Monterey CA Irene Geisinger, Westbury NY
Michael Blaher, Fern Park FL Leroy Breimeier, Vincennes IN Constance Fishbach, Los Angeles CA Stephen Levine, New York NY
Bruce Thiher, The Villages FL Verna Dahlquist, Sulphur LA Stephen Kennedy, Oakland CA Vincent Pesce, North Tonawanda NY
Alma Karas, Batavia IL Carol Hawley, Baton Rouge LA Richard Leach, Laguna Beach CA Gruna Selby, Tuxedo NY
Idell Adams, Baton Rouge LA Paul Wolf II, Shrewsbury MA Tammy Purkin, Encino CA Lowry West, Lawton OK
Dana Hastings, Baton Rouge LA Wayne Gergen, Minneapolis MN Bob Sanner, Palo Alto CA Donald Clayton, Seneca SC
Julius Rosenfield, New Orleans LA Lily Chan, Columbia MO Walter Thorpe, Seaside CA Ila Bates, Waco TX
Marina Polestra, Boston MA Jonathan Weinstein, St. Louis MO Judy Goldstein, Denver CO Al Cupps, Houston TX
Charlotte Miller, Farmington Hills MI Elizabeth Evans, Mountainside NJ Roger Miller, Highlands Ranch CO James McCommons, Dallas TX
Kerry Kappell, Sunnyside NY J. David Adler, New York NY Edward Texel, Colorado Springs CO Patsy Pierce, Hardin TX
Robert Neuhart, Troy NY Gillian Miniter, New York NY Terry Patton, Selbyville DE Carolyn Kuske, Appleton WI
Alan Johnson, Happy Valley OR Mary Hedges, Casper WY
68 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 Silver Life Master (1000 MPs) Carol Williams, Kailua HI
Perry Clark, Calgary AB Cherilyn Young, Honolulu HI
Hans Folkinga, Edmonton AB Donald Cordts, Le Claire IA
Peter Kroeger, Calgary AB Rick Hendryx, Ankeny IA
Elizabeth Sprague, Calgary AB Edward Carlson, Coeur D’Alene ID
Ona Bouchard, Salmon Arm BC Donald Hanset, Sandpoint ID
Beth Cookson, Nanaimo BC Kathryn Luft, Boise ID
Elaine Hansen-Hill, Kelowna BC Beryl Block, Northbrook IL
Neville Hircock, Victoria BC Mark Stein, Skokie IL
Eda Kadar, Vancouver BC Ann Braucher, Billerica MA
Gerald Leckie, Vancouver BC Elinore Hildebrandt, Winchester MA
Manju Singh, Kamloops BC Michael Ford, Crofton MD
Wilma Simpson, Kentville NS Glenn Terborg, Portage MI
Hachy Pennell Erez Hendelman Ranbir Gugneja, Windsor ON Richard Cottle, St. Paul MN
Aurora CO New York NY Peter Hutchison, Toronto ON Joyce Johnson, New Prague MN
Platinum Life Master Platinum Life Master Lawrence Lazazzera, Toronto ON Ted Baldwin, St. Louis MO
10,000 masterpoints 10,000 masterpoints Uday Maitra, Mississauga ON Paul Beebe, Fairview NC
Larry Potvin, Kingston ON Agnes Gentry Cherry, Wilson NC
H. Ivan Struminger, Toronto ON Noralie Cox, Granite Falls NC
Eric David, Sainte-Julie QC Thomas Cozart, Wilson NC
Jean Lawes, Cut Knife SK Charles Frith, Raleigh NC
Ruby Life Master (1500 MPs) Barbara Bernhard, Lafayette LA
Donald Norman, Regina SK Carol Grizzard, Chapel Hill NC
Helen Anglehart, Victoria BC Anthony Keats, Framingham MA
Ellen Melenikiotis, Chapel Hill NC
Shelley Burns, North Vancouver BC Lorne Ginn, Towson MD
Kaye Cotton, Rogers AR Susan Wesley, Winston-Salem NC
Neil O’Brian, Miramichi NB Betsy Howe, Levering MI
Sandra Lloyd, McGehee AR Peggy Young, Charlotte NC
Michael Alderson, Strathroy ON Allan Loeb, Ann Arbor MI
Robert Adam, Huntington Beach CA J.E. Brill, Voorhees NJ
Amir Farsoud, Welland ON David Gronbeck, Minneapolis MN
Carolyn Casey, San Diego CA Akshay Shah, Somerset NJ
Tillie Lewis, Toronto ON Thomas Knier, Burnsville MN
Julio Cervantes, Altadena CA Peggy Moran, Santa Fe NM
Tom Platt, Mississauga ON Jill Nance, Springfield MO
Ann Dupont, Calabasas CA Donna Sirubi, Santa Fe NM
Luc Gagnon, Baie-Comeau QC Mrs. J. Kirkpatrick, Hattiesburg MS
Frank Frand, Dana Point CA Darryl Depew, Henderson NV
Umanath Tiwari, Dol-Des-Ormeaux QC Henry Nemec, Great Falls MT
Diana Glimm, Solana Beach CA Bobbi Kornbluth, Reno NV
Deanna Larus, Chapel Hill NC
Jane Harrison, Oceanside CA Peggy Blumenfeld, Dix Hills NY
Michael Schmahl, Wasilla AK Ben Roberts, Taylorsville NC
Barbara Horn, Whittier CA Ruth Fox, Roslyn Heights NY
John Babb, Scottsdale AZ Keith Bartels, Lincoln NE
James Kristiansen, Lake Forest CA Leonardo Fruscoloni, New York NY
Daniel Halsey, Surprise AZ B.L. (Tink) Tysor, Grantham NH
Margie Lee, South Pasadena CA Kiendl Gordon, New York NY
Dennis Higdem, Sun City AZ Alisa Crowe, Middletown NJ
Helen Lindsey, Morgan Hill CA Joyce Greenspan, East Amherst NY
Elaine Jones, Sun City West AZ Ira Starer, Mahwah NJ
Thomas Miller, San Clemente CA John Monti, Walden NY
Linda Danzig, Tiburon CA Brian Greer, Taos NM
Jo An Reid, Danville CA Helen Nathan, New York NY
Helene Dykes, Mission Viejo CA Clifford Rudy, Los Alamos NM
Anthony Salam, Brentwood CA Patrick Ross, Wantagh NY
Victoria Haines, Solana Beach CA Samuel Amer, Long Island NY
Gary Smith, Merced CA Daniel Rothstein, New York NY
Linda Jonas, Dana Point CA Mona Kronfeld, Manhasset NY
Roseanne Smith, Alameda CA Fali Rubinstein, Larchmont NY
Cindy Kirk, Novato CA Samuel Kuang, Elmhurst NY
Carol Stiff, San Clemente CA Fryderyka Shabry, Brooklyn NY
Hannah Kishi, Novato CA Vera Mandell, Port Washington NY
Frank Xie, Sunnyvale CA Stephanie Weisberg, New York NY
Maria Marshall, Oceanside CA Steven Waldman, New York NY
Don Elliott, Greeley CO Nancy Wolstoncroft, Buffalo NY
Torrence McGough, Santa Monica CA Shirley Weiermiller, Elmira NY
Eric Mead, Lakewood CO John Hibshman, Shaker Heights OH
Arthur Mirin, Castro Valley CA Wanda Carpenter, Oklahoma City OK
Belinda Rust, Denver CO Janet Rice, Cleveland OH
Richard Stryker, San Marcos CA Karen Diffenbach, Lancaster PA
Jo Santa, Colorado Springs CO C. Daniel Sommer, Independence OH
Alan Templeton, Sunnyvale CA Estelle Frankl, State College PA
Page Walker, Colorado Springs CO David Koble, Bartlesville OK
Lynne White, Lincoln CA John Leonard, York PA
Jacques Caroul, St. Augustine FL Sherri Morgan, Eugene OR
Jean Hupka, Boulder CO Judy Satzberg, Bala Cynwyd PA
Ivan Feit, Boca Raton FL Larry Plotkin, Elkins Park PA
Beth McGregor, Fort Collins CO Sidney Stanley, Brentwood TN
Kim Klancke, Ormond Beach FL Andrew Rosenberg, Philadelphia PA
Gordon Kiernan, Darien CT Courtney Coffman, The Woodlands TX
Dale Marx, The Villages FL April Uhlenburg, King of Prussia PA
Warren Williams, Wilton CT Glenda Cooper, Irving TX
Harvey Nelsen, Lutz FL Barbara Weinstein, Pittsburgh PA
David Goldstein, Naples FL Judith Ensor, Seabrook TX
Lynda Patten, Plantation FL Kristi Menees, Hilton Head SC
Nancy Myers, Tallahassee FL Letty Garek, Bedford TX
Arthur Patton, Jacksonville FL Bobbie Rothschild, Isle of Palms SC
Robert Renuart, Ponce Inlet FL Beth Hankins, Longview TX
Stephen Sakler, Delray Beach FL Jim Jones, Brentwood TN
Julian Wachs, Ocala FL Thomas Rush, Houston TX
Jayne Silver, West Palm Beach FL Jane Boozalis, Houston TX
Laurel Anne Barrett, Norcross GA Benjamin Allen, Culpeper VA
Arnold Winikoff, David Johnson Jr., San Antonio TX
Arjun Dhir, Alpharetta GA David Hankins, Kirkland WA
Palm Beach Gardens FL Stan Kurtzer, Cedar Park TX
Richard Jeng, Johns Creek GA Marilyn Lowe, Redmond WA
Lois Chesin, Marietta GA Jack Manderscheid, Houston TX
Thomas Hurt, Lombard IL Helen Miller, Lacey WA
William Edwards Jr., Dalton GA Jim Middleton, Houston TX
David Dressman, Burlington KY Duane Oyen, Eau Claire WI
Jane Fann Sanders,
Phillip Thompson, Campbellsville KY continued on pg. 71 ➤
St. Simons Island GA
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 69
In Memoriam
Canada * Gabriela M. Jackson, Harbor City CA * Paul D. Gayer, Silver Spring MD * Barbara A. Bergman, Wexford PA
* Darlene L. Borman, Nanaimo BC Walter R. Newman, Carmel CA * Stephen E. Hawker, Baltimore MD Paul Fertell, Exton PA
Geoffrey Collins, Salmon Arm BC * Ronald E. Purkis, Upland CA Sidney Mintz, Bethesda MD * Hilda Gibson, Allentown PA
M. Anne Yanofsky, Halifax NS * Ron Studen, Novato CA * Nick Markakis, Troy MI * G. Margie Gwozdzinsky, Lords Valley PA
Judy E. Mills, Toronto ON * Bernard R. Weinstein, * Bea Bahr, Rochester MN Harold Hoffman, Hummelstown PA
* Eric R. Murray, Orangeville ON Rancho Palos Verdes CA John S. Connolly, St. Paul MN * Arnold H. Kritz, Bethlehem PA
Judith M. Schumacher, Kingston ON * Betty Yager, Carmel CA * Nan Herman, Eden Prairie MN * Claire Warren, Malvern PA
* Luc Lapointe, Chicoutimi QC Bernadette M. Borelli, Colorado Springs CO * Robert Huber, Minneapolis MN Tina Young, York PA
* Jacques Vallerand, Sainte-Adele QC Alice L. Noble, Broomfield CO * Tom L. Brown, Sunrise Beach MO * Barbara P. Smith, Clover SC
* Dr. Michael B. Moulding, Saskatoon SK Barbara Bennett, Ormond Beach FL * Larry M. Kolker, St. Louis MO Michael Verbonic, Landrum SC
* Douglas A. Schmeiser, Saskatoon SK Donald B. Bosley, Satellite Beach FL Dennis Becker, St. James NC * Anne H. Cosgrove, Hendersonville TN
Ann Tracey, Saskatoon SK Fred Egre, Clearwater FL * Dorothy W. Muilenburg, Arden NC Harriet H. Garth, Beaumont TX
Suzanne Garrard, Jacksonville FL * Robert L. D’Avanzo, Cape May Point NJ Carole L. Hardeman, Waco TX
Poland * Ron Goldman, Palm Beach Gardens FL Bruce Kahn, Ventnor City NJ * Judy R. Lewis, San Antonio TX
Julian Klukowski, Warsaw Patricia F. Magnuson, Crescent City FL Stephen B. Langfelder, Wanaque NJ Linda E. Simmering, Round Rock TX
* Liberty A. Williams, Venice FL Arlene Smith, Somerset NJ * John C. Sutherlin, Dallas TX
United States Marshall L. Wolf, Vero Beach FL * Murray S. Melton, Las Vegas NV Ruby V. Waggoner, Waco TX
* Alice Bunnell, Huntsville AL Mary Dickison, Peoria IL * Mary Ellen O’Brien, Las Vegas NV * Dorothy Vilven, Holladay UT
Barbara J. Hill, Hot Springs Village AR * Carl L. Jones, Chicago IL Louis Bashaw, Syracuse NY Michael J. Brown, Gainesville VA
Olly Blom, Bakersfield CA Roy T. Montgomery, Franklin IN Barbara D. Bell, Scarsdale NY Huntley G. Davenport, Richmond VA
* Cecil Q. Cook, Long Beach CA Francine Z. Rosenberg, Carmel IN Judy Finn, New York NY Mary D. Echols, Virginia Beach VA
* Steven I. Dagel, San Pedro CA * Dr. Gary H. Peterson, Louisville KY Richard H. Zonneville, Henrietta NY * Barbara M. Fitz-Gerald, Vergennes VT
* Marie C. Haggard, Mission Viejo CA * Bernice L. Goldstein, Falmouth MA * Carole A. Marcroft, Dayton OH Sybil W. Conner, Bellingham WA
Kathleen M. Harms, Santa Rosa CA * Jeffrey Dunn, Ellicott City MD Marjorie B. Narramore, Klamath Falls OR * Beth McCaslin, Kirkland WA
Roger R. Tallakson, Bend OR
* Robert Turkisher, Portland OR * Life Master

Cecil Cook 1932–2018

Former ACBL President Cecil Cook
died May 27. Cook, a Diamond Life Master Charles A. Stenger 1922–2018
who lived in Long Beach CA, was 85. Dr. Charles Stenger, a Platinum Life
Actively involved in bridge governance Master from Rockville MD, died April 29.
for decades, Cook was elected presi- He was 95.
dent of the League in 1995 as the Board Stenger represented District 6 on the
member representing District 23 (the Los ACBL Board of Directors from 1980 to
Angeles area). He served two three-year 1992. He was a past president of District 6,
terms on the Board from 1992–1997. Cook the Mid-Atlantic Conference and the
also served on the boards of District 23 Washington Bridge League, and he was
and Unit 562 (West Los Angeles). Cook was a member of the also chair of the District 6 Judiciary Com-
World Bridge Federation board and of the ACBL Bridge Hall mittee for many years. On the ACBL
of Fame Committee for many years. Board, Stenger chaired the committee that led to the national
After earning a degree in civil engineering from Iowa State, no-smoking policy and the committee on professionalism.
Cook enlisted in the Navy and completed Officer Training Stenger was chairman and master of ceremonies of the first
School. Following commissioning, he served active duty as a United States vs. British Parliament bridge event.
communications officer. He flew many reconnaissance flights Stenger was a prisoner of war 1944–1945 during the Battle of
over Asia. the Bulge. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart
In civilian life, Cook worked for Douglas Aircraft/McDonnell and POW Medal. He received his doctorate in psychology from
Douglas/Boeing. He worked on many projects developing air- Case Western Reserve and served as chief psychologist for the
planes ranging from the DC-10 to fighter planes. His love of Veterans Administration. He worked as a clinical psychologist
airplanes allowed him to engage in one of his favorite hobbies: and was the national consultant for the American Ex-Prisoners
international travel. Cook visited more than 50 countries. of War Association. In the VA, he headed the planning for re-
Cook is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beverly, his daughter turn of Vietnam veterans and POWs. Stenger was recognized
Karen Ray, son-in-law Daniel Ray, and grandchildren Sydney, as an international expert on hostages and POWs.
Lauren and Aaron. Donations in his memory may be made on- Stenger is survived by wife Mary Lou Guandolo, stepchildren
line to the ACBL Educational Foundation. Mila Burgess and Edward Stenger, and three grandchildren.

70 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Margie Gwozdzinsky 1948–2018 Life Master Milestones
➤ continued from pg. 69
Margie Gwozdzinsky, a Grand Life Master and world cham-
pion, died on May 19 at age 70. Born in Poland, she spent much Kay Searcy, El Paso TX
of her life in New York, where she was known as the Countess, Barbara Vervenne, Austin TX
before moving to Florida with Richard Schwartz in 2000. Harry Alferink Jr., Richmond VA
A six-time NABC champion, Gwozdzinsky won the three Ray Jakobovits, Williamsburg VA
women’s team events, the Whitehead Women’s Pairs and the Darlene Selz, Chesterfield VA
Freeman Mixed BAM. She had six second-place finishes, in- Carole Spencer, Blacksburg VA
cluding the 1989 Reisinger. That same year, she won the Venice Mary Carlson, Marysville WA
Cup, playing with Kitty Cooper, Kerri Sanborn, Karen McCal- Richard Hall, South Charleston WV
lum, Lynn Deas and Beth Palmer. Jean Norgaard, Cheyenne WY
Cooper, who had known Gwozdzinsky since 1975, posted a remembrance of her on
Bronze Life Master
Bridge Winners:
Pat Anderson, Calgary AB
“Margie was ever a loyal friend and helper in times of need. She had very strong Chris Burton, Lethbridge AB
opinions and let you know them. Over the years she taught me many things about Marc Maes, Calgary AB
life, plus some kitchen tips, airplane ride tips, and more, but she never got me to be as Roger Buckland, Shediac NB
sound an opening bidder as she was. Roth was her idol. She preferred 16–18 notrumps Barb Croft, Mount Uniacke NS
back when the world was opening lighter and lighter. There was once a hand with ace- Don Wright, Kentville NS
sixth of each major in a New York pro-am, a hand which every pro in the room opened, Karla Zwicker, Hants County NS
except for Margie and one other. Trudi Graham, London ON
“She was a true competitor and exemplified toughness at the bridge table. She was Helen McKelvie, Windsor ON
one of the first to wear sunglasses when she played, so that her opponents could not Serge Cote, Quebec QC
Robert Fleury, Montreal QC
read her. She never stopped fighting at bridge or in life.”
Serge Girard, Chicoutimi QC
Born March 17, 1948, the only child of Rachel Gwozdzinski, a Holocaust survivor, and
Marcel Soucy, Metis-Sur-Mer QC
Frank Gwozdzinski, she moved to New York with her family in 1960. She graduated Marcel Verreault, Laval QC
from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art & Performing Arts in 1965 and from Patricia Long, Saskatoon SK
City College of New York in 1969. She worked as a programmer for Grumman Aero-
space and then Merrill Lynch before becoming a bridge professional. Mark Desinger, Anchorage AK
“She was a very smart person,” Schwartz said. “She was a giver, not a taker. She was Kay Lang, Jacksonville AL
never into expensive gifts.” Joella McManus, Huntsville AL
Schwartz said Gwozdzinsky was instrumental in helping him learn the system he Patricia Pearcy, Little Rock AR
used when preparing for Senior trials and world championships in 2011–13. Clark Vernon, Hot Springs Village AR
“She was a great cardplayer,” he said. “She liked to develop partnerships. She took Ellen Blum, Scottsdale AZ
Kate Stewart, Tucson AZ
partnerships very seriously. We used to go over Bridge World hands together on the
Diane Weissman, Fountain Hills AZ
plane to nationals.”
Miriam Bertram, Irvine CA
She was briefly married to New York podiatrist Morty Draluck and spent several Alan Cawi, Lake Forest CA
years with Glenn Eisenstein, who also shared memories on Bridge Winners: “Margie Martha England, Mill Valley CA
was, as others have noted, a fiercely loyal friend who might tell you off at times, but Phillip Frankel, McKinleyville CA
defend you if others who didn’t know you as well tried to.” Larry Graves, La Quinta CA
During their partnership, Gwozdzinsky often instructed him to lead “clubs against Eileen Hayes, Sacramento CA
slams, diamonds against club slams, hearts against notrump,” rules he invariably dis- Savita Jain, Irvine CA
regarded. Until one time he found himself on lead against 6NT holding a flat Yarbor- David Jones, Long Beach CA
ough, he decided to follow her rule but couldn’t remember it and led a diamond. Kathy Juarez, Santa Rosa CA
“Before dummy even came down, the Countess tossed the ace-king of diamonds Mariann Kessler, Walnut Creek CA
Vilas Namjoshi, San Jose CA
on the table and claimed down one. And then immediately yelled at me: ‘Boo-boo,
Sharon Neff, Lincoln CA
hearts against notrump.’ª” Karen Olin, Claremont CA
Margaret Riegert, Lincoln CA
Linda Rocha, Los Gatos CA
Josh Rosenbluth, Oxnard CA
In Memoriam policy Joerg Rottenbacher, Arcadia CA
Notification of death must come from a family member or from the estate of the deceased. Gloria Shagrun, Chico CA
Notification from a non-family member — such as from a club or unit official — is acceptable Mark Sorenson, San Bruno CA
only with a copy of a published obituary or link to an online obituary. Notifications may be sent Susan Fallon, Estes Park CO
by email to inmemoriam@acbl.org or by phone to 800–264–2743 or by mail to ACBL, c/o Louise Forsythe, Greenwood Village CO
In Memoriam Desk, 6575 Windchase Blvd., Horn Lake MS 38637–1523.
continued on pg. 78 ➤

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 71

Lorraine Bellagamba – Murray Richman 80.42% Bruce Busby – Brian Busby 76.07%
Hudson Valley Bridge Club, Newburgh NY Squamish (BC) Bridge Club
Rhoda Kratenstein – Shannon Cappelletti 78.79% Lucie Fritz – LeAnne Zaring 76.00%
Temple Shaarei Shalom, Boynton Beach FL Tri-Cities Bridge Club, Richland WA
Mary Lou Findley – Richard Dorfman 78.56% Rich Seidman – Andy Sloan 75.95%
Oconomowoc (WI) Bridge Club The Villages (FL) DBC
Garnet DeMerchant – Bob Melles 78.32% Peter Haglich – Gloria Brown 75.92%
Fiddlehead Bridge Club, Fredericton NB Virginia Beach (VA) DBC
Joseph Cappannelli – Lucy Hulse 78.27% Lynn Hays – Bonnie Kruse 75.69%
Hamilton DBC, Ipswich MA Bridge With Brenda, Spokane WA
David Hudson – Pamela Hudson 78.13% Heidi Klein – Daniel Silver 75.64%
Hilo Bridge Club, Keaau HI The Hartes’ Club, White Plains NY
Jay Segarra – Michael Moses 77.88% Barbara Loprete – Peter MacCuaig 75.57%
Gulf Coast Clubhouse, Gulfport MS Heritage Hills DBC, Somers NY
Irwin Krull – Robert Surrey 77.69% Sadu Marrott – David Zapatka 75.55%
Temple Sinai DBC, Delray Beach FL Sun Lakes (AZ) Bridge Club
Susan Taub – Kent Vandewater 77.58% Steven Gajdalo – Robert Schwartz 75.52%
Bridge School of Long Island, New Hyde Park NY Hilton Head Island (SC) Bridge Club
Marc Lachapelle – Gregoire Garinther 77.50% George Tornay Jr. – Larry Derito 75.47%
Bridge Quebec, Laval QC St. Catherine DBC, West Palm Beach FL
Lori Moore – Robert Maul 77.41% Barbara Kolppa – John Emmerson 75.44%
Fun and Games DBC, Oklahoma City OK Des Moines (WA) Bridge Club
Art Florack – Neal Walters 77.32% Leroy Breimeier – Jason Liao 75.30%
Rappahanock Area Bridge Club, Fredericksburg VA Jasper (IN) DBC
Ron O’Brien – Charlie Fortune 77.31% Bernard Purenne – Peggy Kemf 75.29%
New Glasgow (NS) DBC Middle Creek DBC, Apex NC
Denise Proulx – Guylaine Richer 77.08% Sarah Budds – Madalyn Gulliver 75.16%
Bridge Quebec, Laval QC Riverwalk DBC, Fort Pierce FL
Pat Ward – Trigg Yerby 77.04% Barry Dexter – Lynn Patterson 75.16%
Boomer Bridge, Shawnee OK The Villages (FL) DBC
Francine Viens – Francine Goetz 76.79% Mike Giacaman – Deborah King 75.13%
Bridge Quebec, Laval QC St. Louis (MO) Bridge Center
Geoffrey O’Connor – Richard Baumer 76.75% Randy Miles – Brian Beecher 75.00%
Mattituck Bridge Club, Cutchogue NY Clinton (IA) DBC
Gary Miyashiro – Don Stiegler 76.67% John Rogers – George Hodgson 75.00%
Newtown (CT) Bridge Club Dunes Bridge Club, Port Franks ON
Wanda Harnett – Arnold Nelson 76.66%
Liberty North DBC, Liberty MO
Barbara McLaren – Tess Papp 76.52%
Reporting Big Games
Ami Bridge, Newtown PA Big Games must be reported to the Bridge Bulletin. These
John Terris Hagan – Millie Hagan 76.39% results are not automatically picked up from club files. The
New Smyrna Beach (FL) Bridge Club club director, manager or the players themselves may send a
Elizabeth Loehnen – Michael Boreson 76.25% notice to biggames@acbl.org. Requirements:
Bridge With Brando, Missoula MT 75% or higher scores in a club matchpoint game that is
Emiko Hashimoto – Andre Emond 76.19% open or non-restricted. (For example, masterpoint-restrict-
Bridge Quebec, Laval QC ed games or country club games restricted by membership
Yin Choo – Victor Tong 76.17% do not qualify. Nor do cruise games, sectional or regional
Fort Bend DBC, Sugar Land TX games.)
Bill McCarty – Diane Olson 76.16% At least five tables with at least 20 boards in play.
Fiesta Bridge Club, San Antonio TX Both players are ACBL members in good standing.
Tom Rusk – Elaine Cobb 76.14% A game recap must accompany the report — either via an
North Orlando Bridge Center, Maitland FL email file or an online link to where the results are posted.
Be sure to include the club’s name and location.

72 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Tournament Directory Tournament information is subject to change.
Visit acbl.org for the most up-to-date information.
Attention tournament contacts plus unit and district officials:
Please check your tournament information. If a change is necessary,
The American Contract email tournaments@acbl.org.
Bridge League REGIONALS ARE LISTED IN ALL CAPS.
Legend: cr=Cruise • sr=Senior • nlm=non-Life Master • pf=progressive final
President ‡=note change • nc=non-championship sectional
Jay Whipple III

Chair, Board of Directors June/July

Bob Heller 28–1 AL/Birmingham Birmingham DBC Nancy Fridlin 205–733–0049
27–1 CA/Mountain View Palo Alto Bridge Club Carl Baeuerlen 650–965–2654
Acting Executive Director 29–1 CA/Thousand Oaks
Joe Jones (0-500) Bridge Academy II Diane Gunther 805–480–3837
25–1 FL/ST. AUGUSTINE RENAISSANCE WORLD
Chair, Board of Governors GOLF VILLAGE Shannon Cappelletti 423–400–0269
Richard Popper 26–1 IA/CORALVILLE RADISSON HOTEL & CONF. CTR. Gary Edwards 319–642–3579
30–1 NY/Amherst (nlm/500) Bridge Center of Buffalo Denise Slattery 716–602–8629
‡30–1 OH/Dayton (nlm/500) Miami Valley Bridge Center Tom Coyle 937–416–7079
30–1 ON/Thornhill Thornhill Community Centre Linda Lord 905–939–8409
29–1 OR/Keizer Keizer/Salem Area Senior Center Shain Oleson 206–818–2944
25–1 PA/KING OF PRUSSIA
Board of Directors (Philadelphia) DOUBLETREE BY HILTON Meyer Kotkin 856–424–8149
District 1 • Leo Weniger 30–1 PA/Lyndora Tanglewood Center Lois Porter 724–452–7303
District 2 • Paul Janicki
July
District 3 • Carlos Muñoz 6–8 BC/Trail Trail Curling Club Warren Watson 250–368–3527
District 4 • Joann Glasson 2–8 CA/LONG BEACH LONG BEACH HILTON Peter Benjamin 310–558–0888
District 5 • Sharon Fairchild 7–8 CA/Sonoma Vintage House Senior Center Sigrid Price 707–253–8963
District 6 • Margot Hennings 6–8 IN/Evansville Holiday Inn Airport Patricia Lodato 812–319–2874
7–8 MA/Barnstable (0-500) Barnstable Intermediate School B.E. Lacy 541–301–4183
District 7 • Bob Heller
6–8 NE/Falls City Sacred Heart Church Nancy Wittwer 402–245–7589
District 8 • Georgia Heth 2–7 NS/HALIFAX THE LORD NELSON
District 9 • Jay Whipple III HOTEL & SUITES Gerry Callaghan 902–835–7006
District 10 • Russ Jones 3–8 ON/KITCHENER BINGEMANS Ted Boyd 519–740–9614
5–8 ON/Ottawa Ron Kolbus Centre Bill Wheeler 613–695–7777
District 11 • A.J. Stephani
6–8 SK/North Battleford Gold Eagle Casino Gerald Fernandes 306–446–2939
District 12 • Dennis Carman 6–8 TN/NASHVILLE
District 13 • Suzi Subeck (nlm/750) VANDERBILT BRIDGE CLUB Shannon Sloan 615–973–3920
District 14 • Sharon Anderson 6–8 TN/Nashville Vanderbilt Bridge Club David Birnbaum 615–646–5259
District 15 • Phyllis Harlan 2–8 TX/AUSTIN DOUBLETREE HOTEL Larry Davis 512–343–6942
2–8 VA/RESTON (DC) HYATT REGENCY AT
District 16 • Paul Cuneo
RESTON TOWN CENTER Amanda Carter 703–967–9844
District 17 • Bonnie Bagley 6–8 WA/Anacortes Anacortes Senior Center Suzanne Boruta 360–299–3155
District 18 • Claire Jones
District 19 • Marv Norden 13–14 AL/Montgomery
(nlm/500) Montgomery DBC Linda Tarver 334–320–8430
District 20 • Merlin Vilhauer
13–15 AR/Little Rock Pleasant Valley Country Club Kaye Stanley 501–217–2555
District 21 • Jacqueline Zayac 13–15 CA/Castro Valley Transfiguration Church Hall Charles Conrad 510–733–5311
District 22 • David Lodge 13–15 CO/Golden Jefferson County Fairgrounds Robert Stansbury 303–794–5600
District 23 • Kevin Lane 13–15 FL/Bonita Springs‡ Bonita Bridge Club Jo Ellen Blandford 239–777–1515
13–15 GA/Savannah BPO Elks Lodge 183 Thomas Roush 912–925–2160
District 24 • Alvin Levy
13–15 HI/Honolulu Ala Wai Clubhouse Naomi Nortman 808–927–7786
District 25 • Mark Aquino 13–15 IA/Cedar Rapids St. Wenceslaus Church Mary Ann Boardman 319–540–4206
10–14 IL/CHICAGO UNIV. OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO Robert Young 847–280–1118
To contact a district director, 13–15 IL/Towanda
visit acbl.org/boardofdirectors. (Bloomington)‡ Towanda Community Building Eunice Patton 309–663–8353
12–15 LA/Metairie (NO) LBA Clubhouse Doris Liukkonen 504–813–1137
13–15 MI/Lansing Lansing Catholic High School Helen Van Amburg 517–669–5045
10–11 MN/Detroit Lakes
(nlm/500) St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Donna Lombardini 360–600–0459

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 73

 July (continued)

Pacific Northwest 11–15 MN/Minneapolis

13–15 MO/Blue Springs (KC)
Twin Cities Bridge Center
Courtyard by Marriott
Teri Blu
Randall Klein
952–881–0427
913–491–1220

Upcoming Regionals 12–14 MT/HELENA (nlm/750)

12–15 NC/Durham
RADISSON HOTEL
Triangle Bridge Club
Stephen Visocan
Henry Meguid
406–461–2534
919–724–6239
9–15 NJ/FAIRFIELD CROWNE PLAZA FAIRFIELD Julie Cohan 973–568–4864
13–15 NM/Ruidoso Ruidoso High School Glenna Lowe 713–628–2846
PUGET SOUND 14–15 NY/Henrietta
REGIONAL (Rochester)
14–15 ON/Hamilton
Moose Club
Royal Canadian Legion BR 163
Jan Egger
Michelle Ellis
585–271–7460
905–522–1433
Lynnwood Convention Center 13–15 PA/Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Ctr. William Holt 412–741–6171
3711 196th Street West 12–15 TX/Houston (0-300) Westside Bridge Academy Jennifer Breihan 713–553–6814
13–15 TX/Dallas (0-200) Bridge Academy of North Dallas Donna Compton 214–394–5830
Lynnwood WA 13–15 VA/Virginia Beach Bridge Center of Hampton Roads Brian Boyce 757–412–4925
August 20–26 13–15 VT/Williston
thansen2@mindspring.com (Burlington) Burlington Bridge Club Philip Sharpsteen 802–899–2080
14–15 WA/Kent (Seattle) Kent Commons JC Chupack 847–302–4165
13–15 WI/Fitchburg Fitchburg Community Center Charles Vierthaler 608–328–4355

LEAVENWORTH 16–22 AB/CALGARY CLARION HOTEL &

CONFERENCE CENTRE Emelie Quennell 403–891–2664
REGIONAL 20–22 CO/Grand Junction Travelodge Heidi Schoenstein 970–623–3356
Leavenworth Festhalle 20–22 FL/Orlando Orlando Metro. Bridge Center Ann Farrell 321–331–8003
1001 Front Street 16–22 IA/SIOUX CITY STONEY CREEK HOTEL AND
CONFERENCE CENTER GS Jade Barrett 360–798–9422
Leavenworth WA 21–22 MA/Great Barrington Berkshire South Regional
Oct. 29–Nov. 4 Senior Center Sandra Walters 413–443–7353
16–21 MI/Holly
chumstick2@frontier.com (youth) (0-50) YMCA Camp OHIYESA Susan Woodrow 248–795–1595
20–22 MI/Freeland (Saginaw) The Sports Zone Diane Bofferding 989–245–6002
for more information 20–22 NC/Morganton Foothills Higher Educational Eldon Clayman 828–439–1283
visit www.d19.org 20–22 NJ/Woodbridge Hungarian-American Citizens Club Arnold Kohn 609–395–8319
20–22 NY/Latham (Albany) Shelly Studio of Bridge Robert Valenti 518–326–3829
21–22 OH/Rocky River
(Cleveland) (nlm/500)Rocky River Memorial Hall Judy Spooner 440–238–2846
World Bridge 21–22 OR/Portland (nlm/750) Portland Bridge Club
19–22 TN/Memphis Agricenter International
David Castles
Judy Knox
503–706–4286
901–737–8087
Federation 20–22 VA/Charlottesville Comfort Inn Monticello Elizabeth Ruehl 540–942–3667
seats open 18–21 WI/Waukesha St. John Neumann Parish Sharon May 262–650–1170

27–29 BC/West Kelowna Westbank Lions Comm. Centre David Crest 250–861–4673
The American Contract Bridge League 27–29 CA/Pasadena La Salle High School Mary Falvey 626–359–0271
Board of Directors is seeking qualified 26–28 DE/Lewes
applicants to represent Zone 2 (Canada, (Rehobeth Beach) Lewes Presbyterian Church Kim Holm 302–559–2023
Mexico and the United States) to the 27–29 IL/Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Hall Glenda Piek 618–656–3856
World Bridge Federation. Two positions 28–29 KY/Lexington
(nlm/500) Lexington Bridge Club Andra Gyor 859–221–8209
will be filled at the 2018 Fall NABC meet-
27–29 MN/North St. Paul
ings in Honolulu. The term for the open (nlm/500) Bridge Center of St. Paul Stephanie Miller 651–490–5430
WBF position begins Jan. 1, 2019, and ends 27–29 NB/Quispamsis Quispamsis Civic Centre Lois Sherwood 506–485–2253
Dec. 31, 2021. 27–29 NM/Los Alamos Betty Ehart Senior Center Martin Cooper 505–672–9696
Members of the ACBL in good standing 27–29 TX/Tyler Holiday Inn South Broadway Janie Wolaver 903–777–4889
and at least 18 years of age who desire to 27–29 WA/Bremerton West Side Improvement Club Guy Audett 360–871–5690
be a candidate for WBF Representative
July/August
for Zone 2 must file a written declaration 25–5 GA/ATLANTA MARRIOTT MARQUIS Summer NABC acbl.org
of candidacy with the director of elections
prior to Oct. 15, 2018. 31–10 CA/San Francisco
(nc)(cr) Crystal Symphony Robert Todd 850–570–6459
Send to: ACBL Director of Elections
P.ªO. Box 289 August
Horn Lake MS 38637-0289 2–5 AK/Fairbanks Elks Lodge Dannetta Wakefield 907–457–4124
elections@acbl.org 3–5 CA/Marysville St. John Episcopal Church Ramon Lopez 530–674–8782
4 CA/San Dieg
Please include any supporting materials
(nlm/500) Seven Oaks Community Center Art Foeste 608–274–6185
detailing your qualifications for this position. 3–5 CO/Avon (Vail) Homestake Peak School Bert Solomon 970–926–8699
1–2 FL/Deland (0-300) Deland Bridge Club Lynn Berg 386–736–6228

74 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

August (continued)
5–7 IL/Crystal Lake
3–5 IN/South Bend
Holiday Inn
Kroc Corps Community Center
Karl Anderson
William Searcy
224–276–0715
574–262–3334 MID-ATLANTIC
1–4 LA/Lake Charles
4–5 ME/Portland
Lake Charles DBC
Woodfords Club
Michael Hickman
Martha Soule
337–309–6111
239–597–4637
Upcoming Regionals
4–5 NM/Albuquerque RESTON, VA
(nlm/500) Duke City Bridge Center Steven Lockwood 505–715–0067
3–5 OH/Dayton Miami Valley Bridge Center Joseph Camillus 937–272–7930
July 2–8
3–5 TX/Lubbock Lubbock Bridge Center Phyllis Kinnison 806–789–2358 Hyatt Regency at Reston Town Center
4 WA/Wenatchee (pf) Wenatchee Eagles Club Karen Rise 509–548–2303 Chair: Amanda Carter (703) 967–9844
4–5 WV/Wheeling Elm Grove Civics Brett Orban 740–633–6084 aecarter3@juno.com

10–12 BC/Nanaimo Bowen Park Complex Barbara Jubenville 250–758–1888 HUNT VALLEY, MD
11–12 CA/Fresno (nlm/500) Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825 August 13–19
10–12 CO/Loveland Larimer County Fairgrounds John Wolf 303–810–4902 Hunt Valley Inn
10–12 CO/LOVELAND LARIMER COUNTY Chair: Mary Jo Chiesa (410) 353–7953
(nlm/750) FAIRGROUNDS John Grossmann 719–233–9464
Quigs8448@aol.com
10–12 FL/Fort Myers McGregor Point Bridge Club Val Covalciuc 239–415–8168
10–12 FL/Palm Coast Palm Coast Bridge Club Sylvia Caviggia 386–446–2571
6–12 ID/BOISE WYNDHAM GARDEN
AUGUSTA, GA
BOISE AIRPORT James Wheeler 360–546–0946 August 28–September 3
9–12 MA/Barnstable Barnstable Intermediate School Robert McCaw 781–752–6100 Augusta Downtown Marriott
11–12 MT/Great Fall Co-chair: Ray Coleman (706) 833–6496
(nlm/750) Big Sky Bridge Club Catherine Ayres 303–335–8756 csrabridge@yahoo.com
9–12 NC/Durham (nlm/500) Triangle Bridge Club Chris Moll 504–495–7485
10–12 NC/Hendersonville CHARLOTTE, NC
(nlm/500) Hendersonville Bridge Center Nick Weedman 828–693–5300 October 22–28
9–12 NE/Omaha Jewish Community Center Rick Ackermann 402–932–6262 Hilton Charlotte University Place
10–12 OH/Rocky River Rocky River Civic Center David Hobe 440–238–2356
Co-chair: Arnold Hoffmann (980) 254–7476
10–12 OK/Tulsa Wyndham Hotel Henry Robin 918–333–2760
10–12 ON/Tillsonburg Westfield Public School Jed Drew 519–842–8786 ajhoffmann@carolina.rr.com
12 PA/York (nlm/500) Bridge Boardroom Edward Scanlon 717–434–3298
6–12 QC/LAVAL SHERATON LAVAL Louise Mascolo 514–768–0616
www.mabcbridge.org
9–12 TX/Houston Marriott Westchase David Henke 832–407–2620
10–12 TX/Waco Waco Convention Center Ila Bates 254–732–3602

17–18 AL/Birmingham
(nlm/500) Birmingham DBC Martha Chitwood 205–252–9035
17–19 AR/Hot Springs Casa de Carta
Village (nlm/500) at Ponce De Leon Center Marianne Dethardt 501–984–2049
13–19 AZ/SCOTTSDALE TALKING STICK
RESORT & CASINO JoAnne Lowe 480–836–7296
17–19 CA/San Diego Marina Village Conference Ctr. Lamya Agelidis 615–887–1012
17–19 CA/Santa Barbara Goleta Valley Girls Inc. Claude Case 805–845–6357
18–19 CA/Redwood City Canada College – The Grove Marc Renson 650–622–6628
17–19 CT/Stamford Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church Susan Seckinger 860–513–1127
17–19 GA/Macon Henry Tift Bridge Center Tom Wight 478–747–1096
17–19 IA/URBANDALE
(nlm/750) DES MOINES BRIDGE CENTER Barbara Maas 319–530–8510
16–19 ID/Idaho Falls Fairbridge Inn & Suites James Fisher 208–520–7840
18–19 KY/Louisville (nlm/500) Louisville Bridge Center Beth Dlutowski 502–653–7637
13–19 MD/HUNT VALLEY
(Baltimore) HUNT VALLEY INN Mary Jo Chiesa 410–353–7953
13–19 MI/PETOSKEY ODAWA CASINO Michael Sears 231–582–0604
13–19 MO/ST. LOUIS RENAISSANCE ST. LOUIS
AIRPORT HOTEL Michael Carmen 314–872–8439
15–18 NV/Sparks (Reno) Nugget Casino Resort Ruth Swain 701–261–4272
13–19 NY/LIVERPOOL HOLIDAY INN
(Syracuse) SYRACUSE/LIVERPOOL Mary Miller 585–394–7899
18–19 OK/Oklahoma City
(nlm/500) Fun and Games DBC Inc. Jackie Hertweck 405–748–4788
14–19 ON/GARSON
(Sudbury) GARSON COMMUNITY CENTRE Jane Palmer 705–677–5130
18–19 ON/St. Catharines
(0-300) Bridge Centre of Niagara Lucy McEwen 905–468–0052
17–19 SC/West Columbia Tri-City Leisure Center Kathryn Kimmerling 734–476–4046

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 75

 August (continued)
16–19 TN/Knoxville (nlm/500) Knoxville Bridge Center Kathy Duggan 865–607–1255
16–18 TX/Beaumont
(nlm/500) Beaumont Bridge Studio Susan Nimmo 409–626–4010
18–19 TX/Austin (0-200) Bridge Center of Austin Scott Humphrey 512–836–5984
17–19 WA/Vancouver Washington School for the Deaf Kathleen Mather 360–258–4240

23–26 AR/BELLA VISTA

(nlm/750) RIORDAN HALL Robert Gromatka 479–657–6976
23–26 AR/Bella Vista Riordan Hall Robert Gromatka 479–657–6976
25–26 CA/Laguna Woods
(OC) (nlm/750) Laguna Woods DBC Marjorie Michelin 805–807–1152
20–26 FL/PALM BEACH
GARDENS PGA GOLF RESORT Shannon Cappelletti 423–400–0269
24–26 IA/Hills Hills Community Center Gary Edwards 319–642–3579
25 IA/Sioux City Siouxland Center
(nlm/500) for Active Generations Donna Lombardini 360–600–0459
24–26 IN/Indianapolis (0-300) Indianapolis Bridge Center Maribeth Ransel 317–542–0362
23–26 LA/Baton Rouge Baton Rouge Bridge Center Dupree Parker 225–978–4796
23–26 MI/Southfield (Detroit) The Bridge Connection Owen Lien 828–424–5905
24–26 NC/Winston-Salem Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Cindy Wright 336–407–9842
25–26 NH/Nashua Rivier University Dion Center Sarah Widhu 603–881–7518
24–26 NS/Sydney Victoria Park Armories Joe Aucoin 902–862–2340
25–26 ON/Goderich Columbus Hall Maria Deaves 226–663–9260
22–25 TX/SAN ANTONIO
(nlm/750) OMNI HOTEL Debbie Schweiss 210–862–9706
25–26 VA/Virginia Beach
(nlm/500)‡ Bridge Center of Hampton Roads Kathleen Haglich 757–467–4136
20–26 WA/LYNNWOOD LYNNWOOD CONV. CENTER Tom Hansen 206–719–3160
20–26 WI/LAKE HALLIE EAGLES BANQUET HALL
(split) & CONFERENCE CENTER Richard Brown 715–559–9433
21–26 WI/MILWAUKEE CROWNE PLAZA
(split) MILWAUKEE AIRPORT Yvette Neary 414–526–9035

31 PA/Reading (nlm/500) Sacred Heart Villa Sue Wessner 610–972–5327

August/September
31–2 BC/New Westminster Queensborough
(Vancouver) Community Centre Jim McKenzie 604–374–0109
28–3 CA/SANTA CLARA HYATT REGENCY SANTA CLARA Pamela Hughes 916–774–0990
29–2 FL/Delray Beach
(nlm/750) Jourdan’s Bridge Club Ora Lourie 561–585–6223
31–3 FL/St. Petersburg‡ St. Pete Bridge Club Charles Gill 727–363–1136
28–3 GA/AUGUSTA AUGUSTA MARRIOTT
CONVENTION CENTER Robert Coleman 706–833–6496
31–3 IL/Skokie (Chicago) Weber Center Todd Fisher 773–807–5178
31–2 KS/Overland Park Jewish Community Center Trice Massey 913–980–1399
31–2 KY/Paducah Robert Cherry Civic Center Dennis Rose 270–853–0344
31–3 MN/Minneapolis Twin City Bridge Center Teri Blu 952–881–0427
31–2 ND/Fargo El Zagel Clubhouse Mary Shaw 701–238–8504
28–3 PA/MONROEVILLE MONROEVILLE CONV. CTR
(Pittsburgh) & DOUBLETREE HOTEL Mary Paulone Carns 724–897–7526
28–2 RI/WARWICK CROWNE PLAZA Helen Pawlowski 413–530–1278
28–3 TX/RICHARDSON
(Dallas) RENAISSANCE HOTEL Tomi Storey 214–244–8333
31–3 TX/El Paso Decker Bridge Center Peter Peca Jr. 915–581–1637
31–3 WA/Olympia Washington Land Yacht Harbor Demeter Manning 360–972–3127

September
1–3 ON/Toronto Holiday Inn Toronto Yorkdale Ann Shaw 905–855–7177

7–9 AB/Calgary Clarion Hotel and Conf. Centre Dorothy Mersereau 403–245–4536
6–9 AK/Anchorage
(nlm/500) Anchorage Bridge Center Timothy Marx 907–344–8778
6–8 AL/Huntsville St Mary’s Catholic Church Flo Staggs 256–534–3669
6–8 BC/Sidney (Victoria) Mary Winspear Centre Tony Farr 250–598–0662
3–9 CA/COSTA MESA (OC) HILTON COSTA MESA Ron Lien 626–695–5409

76 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Delta Dealin’ Regional
September 24–30, 2018
Gold Strike Casino • 1010 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS 38664
25 Minutes South of Memphis. Hosted by Unit 144 Tennessee Bridge Association.

Reservations: (888) 245–7829 Tournament Chair

Room Rates: $47 Sunday – Thursday VT Gala
$89 Friday – Saturday (plus $7 resort fee) vtg@galaengineering.com
Group Code: 1809DELTAD Co-Chair & Partnership Chair
Judy Knox 901–737–8087
tunicapartnerships@gmail.com
Seven events for
GOLD RUSH 0–750 MP players Partnership desk open one hour
before game time.

Section Top Awards FREE coffee, tea and pastries

Registration Gifts in the morning.

Food can be purchased in the atrium

Monday, September 24 Thursday, September 27 close to playing area.
Elvis Knockout (1, 2 of 3).......2 & 7:30 pm Gold Strike KO (1, 2 of 3).. 9:30 am & 2 pm
Continues 9:30 am Tuesday Continues 9:30 am Friday
Iris GOLD RUSH Pairs ...........2 & 7:30 pm “Need More of that Gold”GOLD Sunday, September 30
Open Pairs ..............................2 & 7:30 pm RUSH Swiss Teams....... 9:30 am & 2 pm Open Swiss Teams............... 10 am & TBA
Rock & Roll Side Series Open Pairs ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm “Still Need More” GOLD RUSH
(Sess. 1, 2 of 4) .....................2 & 7:30 pm Open Swiss Teams.................2 & 7:30 pm Swiss .................................. 10 am & TBA
199er Pairs ..............................2 & 7:30 pm The Blues Side Series Sunday NAP Finals
Stratified Swiss Teams .................7:30 pm (3, 4 of 4) ..............................2 & 7:30 pm (1, 2 of 2) ............................ 10 am & TBA
Morning Side Series (3 of 5) .........9:30 am Pre-qualification required
Tuesday, September 25
199er Pairs .............. 9:30 am, 2 & 7:30 pm
Elvis Knockout (3 of 3) .................9:30 am Stratified BAM Teams...................7:30 pm
Mockingbird Knockout (1 of 3) .........2 pm STRATIFICATION & FLIGHTING
Night Owl Knockout (3 of 3) ........7:30 pm Strats determined by MP average, but no
Continue 9:30 & 2 Wednesday
Pyramid GOLD RUSH Friday, September 28 player may exceed the event’s limit.
Pairs ............................... 9:30 am & 2 pm Gold Strike Knockout (3 of 3) ......9:30 am All KOs are bracketed, random draw with
Open Pairs ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm Jailhouse Rock Knockout (1 of 3) .....2 pm no playbacks until unavoidable. The top
Rock & Roll Side Series Continues 9:30 & 2 pm Saturday bracket in a KO may be handicapped.
(Sess. 3, 4 of 4) .....................2 & 7:30 pm Tulip Tree GOLD RUSH Gold Rush strats: 300/750 (Gold points
Morning Side Series (1 of 5) .........9:30 am Pairs ............................... 9:30 am & 2 pm for 750 strat overalls and section tops)
199er Pairs ......... 9:30 am, 2:00 & 7:30 pm Open Pairs ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm
199er games stratified at director’s discretion
Stratified BAM Teams...................7:30 pm Casino Side Series (1, 2 of 4) .2 & 7:30 pm
Night Owl Knockout (1 of 3) ........7:30 pm Morning Side Series (4 of 5) .........9:30 am Open Pairs/Side Series:
Continues 7:30 Wednesday & Thursday 199er Pairs .............. 9:30 am, 2 & 7:30 pm A=4000+, B= 1500/4000, C=0/1500
Stratified Swiss Teams (1 of 2) ....7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 26
Mockingbird Knockout Saturday, September 29
(2, 3 of 3) ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm Jailhouse Rock Knockout SPEAKERS AT 7 PM
“Need That Gold” (2, 3 of 3) ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm Monday: Brent Manley
GOLD RUSH Pairs ......... 9:30 am & 2 pm Jerry Lee Compact KO ...........2 & 7:30 pm Balancing & Captaincy Principle
Open Pairs ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm “Never Enough” GOLD RUSH
The Blues Side Series Pairs ............................... 9:30 am & 2 pm Tuesday: Joyce Stone Defense
(1, 2 of 4) ..............................2 & 7:30 pm Open Pairs ........................ 9:30 am & 2 pm Wednesday: Jim Munday Mystery Topic
Morning Side Series (2 of 5) .........9:30 am Casino Side Series (3, 4 of 4) .2 & 7:30 pm
Thursday: Jane Eason Deception
199er Pairs .............. 9:30 am, 2 & 7:30 pm Morning Side Series (5 of 5) .........9:30 am
Stratified Swiss Teams .................7:30 pm Stratified Swiss Teams .................9:30 am Friday: Joyce McMonagle
Night Owl Knockout (2 of 3) ........7:30 pm 199er Pairs .............. 9:30 am, 2 & 7:30 pm ReadIng Backs of Cards
Stratified Swiss Teams (2 of 2) ....7:30 pm
Saturday: Dr. Howard Morris
Lebensol vs Stolen Bid
Entries $13 per session, $4 additional for unpaid ACBL members
 September (continued)
Life Master Milestones 7–9 CA/Orangevale (Sac) Orangevale Community Center David Willmott 916–709–8958
7–9 CA/McKinleyville
➤ continued from pg. 71
(Eureka) (nc) Ocean View Mobile Home Park Mark Phelps 707–443–9029
Mark Henderson, Lakewood CO 9–11 IL/Rockford Tebala Event Center‡ Douglas St John 815–877–8460
Erich Taylor, Greeley CO 3–9 IN/EVANSVILLE (split) HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT Leroy Breimeier 812–830–0340
7–9 MI/Traverse City YMCA Camp Arbutus Lynn Larson 231–932–5966
Conrad Waggener, Pueblo CO
7–9 MS/Gulfport Gulfport Club House Lynne Logan 228–254–5245
Carol Hill, Colchester CT
6–9 MT/Helena Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds Stephen Visocan 406–461–2534
Kay Brown, Wilmington DE 7–9 NB/Moncton Four Points Sheraton Wade Short 506–533–9729
Louise Anderson, Fort Myers FL 6–9 NC/Charlotte‡ Charlotte Bridge Association Julie Arbit 301–512–5679
Thomas Daniels, Clearwater FL 7–9 NC/Wilmington Coastline Convention Center Judith Phelps 910–547–5736
Doug Finch, Fort Myers FL 8–9 ND/Grafton (sr)
Yvonne Gaunt, Miramar Beach FL (nlm/500) Ameriprise Financial Michael Leighton 701–352–2198
Terrence Horrigan, Fort Myers FL 8–9 NY/Cicero (Syracuse) TBA Jane Fuller 315–655–3224
Brenda Kefauver, Naples FL 4–9 OH/DAYTON (split)‡ HOPE HOTEL AND CONF. CTR. Georgia Banziger 937–439–4073
Blondell Kern, Sarasota FL 4–9 ON/ST. CATHARINES HOLIDAY INN & SUITES
Dee Kirkbride, Boca Raton FL PARKWAY CONF. CENTRE Nader Hanna 416–756–9065
Marie Lachance, Viera FL 7–9 ON/Perth Civitan Center Kathleen Sullivan 613–278–0931
Phyllis Levy, Miami FL 8–9 OR/Portland Montgomery Park Alan Johnson 971–998–4261
Penny Marlin, Delray Beach FL 8–9 PA/Erie Erie Bridge Association Shirley Irish 814–520–6663
Oyar Miller, Estero FL 7–9 SD/Rapid City Canyon Lake Senior Center Margaret Norris 605–645–6325
6–9 TX/Houston (0-300) Bridge Club of Houston Beverley Cheatham 281–444–1300
Sheila Naylor, The Villages FL
6–9 TX/New Braunfels Convention Center Paula Warren 830–620–0004
Frank Pietro II, Cape Coral FL
6–9 VA/Fairfax (DC) Fairfax Elks Lodge Margot Hennings 703–560–0245
Marcia Reff, Naples FL
Steve Shanker, Hollywood FL 14–16 AK/Juneau Mountain View Senior Center Shirley Carlson 907–364–3334
Ruth Spackman, Atlantic Beach FL 14–16 AZ/Prescott Adult Center of Prescott Inc. Joan Shay 928–499–5697
Mary Stegman, Sanibel FL 15 CA/Camarillo (0-500) Camarillo Senior Center Susan Lang 805–340–7735
Pratapray Thacker, North Palm Beach FL 15–16 CA/Gilroy (Bay Area) Gilroy Senior Center Mark Moore 408–779–1510
Chris Weyland, Naples FL 15–16 CA/Stockton Ben Holt Middle School Ken Hillman 209–952–2890
Jill Woolf, Venice FL 14–16 DE/Wilmington Bridge Studio of Delaware Jeff Ruben 302–475–0469
Roberta Skibicki, Marietta GA 13–16 FL/Daytona Beach Metropolitan Bridge Club Jim Geary 386–235–6420
Barbara Young, Alpharetta GA 14–16 FL/Venice Venice Bridge Club James Gordon 941–488–0799
Betty Torgerson, Urbandale IA 14–16 HI/Honolulu Ala Wai Clubhouse Naomi Nortman 808–927–7786
Dolina Gill, Fruitland ID 13–16 IA/Urbandale (DM) Des Moines Area Bridge Center Harry Swanson 515–224–1733
Paul Bridges, Swansea IL 14–16 ID/Boise Wyndham Garden Boise Airport Donald Robinson 208–344–8918
14–16 IL/East Peoria Fon du Lac Park District
Marcy Levin, Winnetka IL
Administration Center Bill Bulfer 309–264–7629
Mike Shedlock, Crystal Lake IL
15–16 KY/Lexington Bridge Club of Lexington Terrell Holt 859–351–2023
Orvin Lindell, Lafayette IN 15–16 MD/Pikesville
Thomas O’Connell, Long Beach IN (nlm/750)‡ The Bridge Club of Baltimore Patricia Murty 410–323–6206
Gregory Udell, Bloomington IN 15–16 ME/Portland The Woodfords Club Roger Guerin 207–468–0860
Edmund Roman, Boxborough MA 15 MI/Lansing (nlm/500) Lansing Bridge Center Helen Van Amburg 517–669–5045
Jon Valbert, Mashpee MA 15 MN/Rochester
William Bennett, Timonium MD (nlm/500) Hadley Creek Community Center Ann Van Ryn 507–282–4566
David Marshall, Bethesda MD 14–16 MS/Flowood (0-500) Jackson Bridge Assn. Clubhouse Harry Black 601–946–7534
Lynne Bruehlman, St. Joseph MI 14–16 NC/Pinehurst Village of Pinehurst Assembly Hall Edward Weiler 910–295–5344
Doris Jefferies, Bloomfield MI 14–16 NJ/Allendale Guardian Angel Auditorium Marilyn Cavell 845–425–9013
Allison White, Petoskey MI 14–16 NY/Clifton Park Clifton Park
John Schlundt, Eden Prairie MN (Albany) Senior Community Center Robert Valenti 518–326–3829
Mary Seymour, Bloomington MN 15–16 OH/Canfield Andrews Hall
Marvin Meinz, Chesterfield MO (Youngstown) (Angels for Animals) Gary Singer 330–726–9780
15–16 ON/St. Thomas St. Thomas Seniors Centre Jim Wright 519–631–5531
Catherine Brown, Bigfork MT
14–16 OR/Phoenix (Medford) Rogue Valley Bridge Club John Cowles 541–482–6314
Rosemary Campi, Bozeman MT
14–16 QC/Rimouski Centre Communautaire Ste.-Odile Diane Tremblay 418–722–4089
Lawrence Campodonico, Billings MT 14–16 SC/Beaufort Holiday Inn Beaufort Peggy Stehly 843–785–9889
Eleanor Eisenman, Wilmington NC 13–16 SK/Saskatoon Saskatoon Bridge Club William Ruskin 306–239–2027
Debbie Enna, Charlotte NC 14–16 TX/Denton (nlm/500) Denton DBS Kim Brinkman 214–208–0154
Eloise Fontaine, Cary NC 14–16 VA/Virginia Beach Bridge Center of Hampton Roads Brian Boyce 757–412–4925
Dawn Grohs, Asheville NC 14–16 WA/Bothell (Seattle) Bothell Union Hall Monty Gray 206–283–7311
Heinz Grohs, Asheville NC 14–16 WI/Three Lakes Reiter Center Terry McCloskey 715–546–8306
Shirley Jeffers, China Grove NC 14–16 WY/Cheyenne Laramie Co. Community College Daniel Zwonitzer 307–214–7826
C.R. Lloyd, Beaufort NC
Ellen Lustig, Morrisville NC 21–23 AB/Lethbridge Nord-Bridge Centre North Maureen Bailey 403–328–2344
21–23 BC/Lake Country Winfield Memorial Hall Don Wallace 250–765–9188
continued on pg. 80 ➤ 21–23 CA/Lompoc DeWees Community
and Senior Center Donald Beck 805–736–3507
78 Bridge Bulletin July 2018
 A District 7 Mid-Atlantic Regional

Charlotte Halloween Regional

Charlotte, NC
Free October 22 – 28, 2018
Parking
MONDAY, OCT. 22 FRIDAY, OCT. 26 - GOODWILL DAY
Hilton Charlotte University Place Witches Bracketed Knockout ................1 & 7 Fri-Sat Open Swiss
(704) 547–7444 Continues 1 & 7 pm Tuesday (1500/3000/3000+) ...................... 9 am
Open Pairs (1500/3000/3000+) ........1 & 7 Fri-Sat GOLD RUSH Swiss Teams ........ 9 am
Room Rate $104 + tax GOLD RUSH Pairs .............................1 & 7 Fri-Sat Swisses continue 9 am Saturday
Deadline: September 22 Panthers Side Series (1st, 2nd of 4) ......... 1 / 7 Lake Norman Side Series (4th of 5) ........ 9 am
Non-LM 49er & 499er Pairs ................. 1 / 7 Sunrise NLM 49er & 499er Pairs .......... 9 am
Deposit of one night required
Stratified Swiss Teams ................................7 Zombies Bracketed Knockout ................1 & 7
at booking, will be forfeited for Aft. pair games benefit ACBL Ed Foundation Continues 1 & 7 pm Saturday
cancellation after Sept. 22. Eve. pair games benefit Loaves and Fishes A/X Pairs ..........................................1 & 7
Booking code on Hilton.com: BRIDGE Mid-Flight Pairs (0–3000) ....................1 & 7
TUESDAY, OCT. 23 GOLD RUSH Pairs .............................1 & 7
Conveniently located off I-85 0-5 MP players play free today
North on Harris Boulevard East at Knights Side Series (1st, 2nd of 4) ........... 1 / 7
Tues-Wed Compact Knockout................ 9 am Non-LM 49er & 499er Pairs ................. 1 / 7
University Place Continues 9 am Wednesday Stratified Swiss Teams ................................7
Lake Norman Side Series (1st of 5) ........ 9 am
Nearby Attractions: Sunrise NLM 49er & 499er Pairs .......... 9 am SATURDAY, OCT. 27
Concord Mills Shopping Mall Goblins Bracketed Knockout .................1 & 7 Lake Norman Side Series (5th of 5) ........ 9 am
Continues 1 & 7 pm Wednesday Sunrise NLM 49er & 499er Pairs .......... 9 am
Charlotte Motor Speedway A/X Pairs ..........................................1 & 7 Bracketed Swiss Teams ........................1 & 7
The Shoppes at University Place Mid-Flight Pairs (0–3000) ....................1 & 7 Open Pairs (1500/3000/3000+) ........1 & 7
UNC at Charlotte GOLD RUSH Pairs .............................1 & 7 GOLD RUSH Pairs .............................1 & 7
Panthers Side Series (3rd, 4th of 4) ......... 1 / 7 Knights Side Series (3rd, 4th of 4) ........... 1 / 7
NASCAR Hall of Fame Non-LM 49 & 499er Pairs .................... 1 / 7
(Lots of shopping, dining, Stratified Board-A-Match Teams...................7 SUNDAY, OCT. 28
and entertainment) WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24
A/X/Y Swiss Teams ...................... 10 & TBA
Bracketed Flight B Teams (0–3000) . 10 & TBA
Wed-Thu Open Swiss
Four Bracketed Knockouts, Two (1500/3000/3000+) ...................... 9 am
Compact KOs, Four Two-session Wed-Thu GOLD RUSH Swiss Teams ..... 9 am
Wed-Thu Swisses continue at 9 am Thursday
Swiss Team Events Lake Norman Side Series (2nd of 5) ....... 9 am
• Strats determined by MP averages, but no
player may exceed event’s limit
Excellent Intermediate/ Sunrise NLM 49er & 499er Pairs .......... 9 am
Novice program with Ghosts Bracketed Knockout ..................1 & 7 • All KOs are bracketed, random draw with no
Continues 1 & 7 Thursday playbacks until unavoidable. One- and two-
expert lectures daily A/X Pairs ..........................................1 & 7 bracket knockouts are handicapped.

Eight GOLD RUSH events in Mid-Flight Pairs (0–3000) ....................1 & 7 • Bracketed teams typically are round robins
GOLD RUSH Pairs .............................1 & 7
six days for 0–750 MP players Hornets Side Series (1st, 2nd of 4) .......... 1 / 7
within groups of 7 or 8 teams, with the top
and/or bottom brackets played as Swiss.
Famous Mid-Atlantic Hospitality Non-LM 49er & 499er Pairs ................. 1 / 7
Stratified Swiss Teams ................................7 • Open events, including side series, are
stratified 0-750, 750-3000, 3000+ unless
Tournament Co-Chairs: THURSDAY, OCT. 25 otherwise noted
Arnold Hoffmann (980) 254–7476 Thur-Fri Compact Knockout ................... 9 am
ajhoffmann@carolina.rr.com • A/X strats are 5000/5000+
Continues 9 am Friday
Marilyn Goodrich (980) 322–4684 Lake Norman Side Series (3rd of 5) ........ 9 am • Mid-Flight: 1500/3000 (no player over 3000)
mgoodrich@goodrich-hendry.com Sunrise NLM 49er & 499er Pairs .......... 9 am
A/X Swiss Teams ...............................1 & 7 • Gold Rush strats: 300/750 (gold points for
750 strat overalls and section tops)
Partnerships: Mid-flight Swiss Teams (0–3000)...........1 & 7
Alice Gray (704) 947–8942 GOLD RUSH Swiss Teams ..................1 & 7 • Non-Life Master 49er and 499er games
alicegray44@hotmail.com Stratified Open Pairs ...........................1 & 7 stratified at director’s discretion
JoAnn Massey (704) 880–4553 Hornets Side Series (3rd, 4th of 4) .......... 1 / 7
NLM 49er & 499er Pairs ..................... 1 / 7 • Single-session pairs always accommodated
joannmassey7@gmail.com
Stratified Swiss Teams ................................7

For more info: district7bridge.org

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 79
 September (continued)
Life Master Milestones 22–23 CA/Santa Clarita (LA) Friendly Valley Auditorium Gay Gipson 661–347–9677
21–23 CO/Montrose Elks Lodge Jim Churchill 970–856–4777
➤ continued from pg. 78
20–23 FL/St. Petersburg St. Pete Bridge Club Charles Gill 727–363–1136
22–23 FL/Melbourne Wickham Park Senior Center Julia Bomalaski 812–630–3188
Maryann Mortimer, Matthews NC 21–23 GA/St. Simons Island Golden Isles DBC Teryl McBurney 912–268–4388
Ella Rice, Charlotte NC 22–23 GA/Gainesville
Louise Watson, Wilson NC (nlm/500) Senior Life Center Sherry Anton 770–406–1352
Marjorie Cameron, Grantham NH 21–23 IA/Spirit Lake Dickinson County Expo Center Jan Bolluyt 712–336–5996
Michael Fried, Edison NJ 20–23 KS/Wichita Best Western Wichita North Richard Beye 314–440–2909
Anne Lightburn, Point Pleasant Beach NJ 20–23 KS/WICHITA (nlm/750) BEST WESTERN WICHITA NORTH Richard Beye 314–440–2909
Steve Seiden, Las Vegas NV 16–23 MA/Boston (cr) RCCL Serenade of the Seas Brett Ramsey 901–870–1293
John Erickson, New York NY 21–23 MN/Carlton Black Bear Casino & Resort Dianne Carr 218–591–9942
Mindy Fleder, New York NY 21–23 ND/Minot Minot Moose Lodge Karen Leier 701–839–2343
Iris Fleming, Putnam Valley NY 21–23 NM/Carlsbad Best Western Stevens Inn Regina Ballard 575–236–6004
Cindy Scheinfeld, New York NY 21–23 NY/Williamsville
Darin Tripp, Huntington NY (Buffalo) Main-Transit Fire Hall Betty Metz 716–773–7398
21 OH/Cincinnati
Tom Bishel, Columbus OH
(nlm/500) Cincinnati Bridge Association Pam Campbell 513–858–2621
Carol Durentini, Perrysburg OH
21–23 OH/Cuyahoga Falls Quirk Center Robert Ryan 330–467–6543
Bill Hogsett, Cleveland OH 22–23 OH/CINCINNATI
James Knirsch, Chagrin Falls OH (0-500) CINCINNATI BRIDGE CENTER Pam Campbell 513–858–2621
Carol Manning, Gates Mills OH 22–23 ON/Caledon East Caledon East Community Centre Denise Donovan 416–614–6754
Erwis Rabin, Gates Mills OH 21–23 PA/Philadelphia Germantown Cricket Club Thomas Purl 610–518–6790
Barbara Speer, Beachwood OH 21–23 PA/Williamsport Williamsport Bridge Club Judy Stein 570–946–4749
Joe Wernet, Bexley OH 21–23 QC/Quebec Montmartre France Roy-Dion 418–622–2718
Gayanne Alexander, Corvallis OR 22–23 RI/Johnston Johnston Senior Center Maureen Fahey 401–828–0045
Mary Bell, Canyonville OR 21–23 TN/East Ridge
Ginny Gainer, Portland OR (Chattanooga) East Ridge Community Center Bruce Antman 423–290–8207
Paul Graham, Salem OR 20–23 TX/Austin Bridge Center of Austin Larry Davis 512–343–6942
Mark Bolotin, Philadelphia PA 20–23 TX/Houston (0-500) Westside Bridge Academy Bert Onstott III 713–851–1511
Kay Hays, Allentown PA 21–23 TX/Wichita Falls Wichita Falls Bridge Center Patricia Robinson 940–696–0630
Ellen Preece, Dallas PA 21–23 UT/Salt Lake City Sons of Utah Pioneers Rosalee Gardner 801–738–1278
21–23 VT/Williston
Bharat Rao, Berwyn PA
(Burlington) Burlington Bridge Club Philip Sharpsteen 802–899–2080
Gregory Wolf, Erie PA
Bill Pendley, Bluffton SC 28–30 CA/Fresno Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825
Joan Poulnot, Charleston SC 29–30 CA/Santa Rosa Odd Fellows Hall Mimi Armstrong 707–205–7363
Gay White, Simpsonville SC 29 DE/Ocean View (0-300) Ocean View Presbyterian Church Kim Holm 302–559–2023
Cappie Saunders, Cordova TN 28–30 IA/Dubuque Holy Trinity Mark Patton 563–588–1555
John Caudill, Houston TX 28–30 KS/Overland Park
Charles Dalton, Houston TX (KC) (nlm/500) Kansas City Bridge Studio Tim Hays 816–361–8558
Jackie Long, Dallas TX 29–30 KY/Louisville Louisville Bridge Center Norman Smith 502–491–9460
Kathleen Malcolmson, Richmond TX 29–30 MB/Winnipeg
Jan Mogged, Colleyville TX (nlm/500) Temple Shalom William Treble 204–669–1458
Arlene Rawitscher, Houston TX 27–29 MI/Grand Haven Grand Haven Community Center Ben Broughton 231–755–1804
James Rider, Dallas TX 28–29 MN/NEW BRIGHTON NEW BRIGHTON
Kim Sanders, McLean VA (Mpls) (nlm/750) COMMUNITY CENTER Amy Dutton 651–475–6180
29–30 MO/Olivette
Diane Woodworth, Falls Church VA
(St. Louis) (0-300) St. Louis Bridge Center Mark Ziegelman 314–821–2550
Patricia Eastman, West Windsor VT
24–30 MS/ROBINSONVILLE
Lois Mailloux, Burlington VT (Memphis) GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT Visanji Gala 901–679–3679
24–30 MT/MISSOULA RUBY’S INN Judith Hartz 406–544–2132
27–30 NC/Raleigh Royal Banquet & Conf. Center‡ Harold Albrecht 919–567–0470
29–30 NH/Grantham Grantham Town Hall Jane Verdrager 603–865–5508
28–30 NS/New Minas Louis Millet Community Complex Brian Delong 902–765–4182
24–27 NY/CARLE PLACE CHATEAU BRIAND Lee Launer 516–628–2546
29–30 NY/Plattsburgh (nc) Plattsburgh Duplicate Bridge Club Lorraine Streeter 518–578–4992
29–30 NY/Utica North Utica Senior Center Billie Ohlbaum 315–724–8451
29–30 ON/Chatham Active Lifestyle Centre Lee Easterbrook 226–881–3963
28–30 SC/Aiken Odell Weeks Activity Center Ronald Jaeger 803–514–2681
28–30 TX/Longview Holiday Inn Longview Linda Harrison 903–856–6767
28–30 VA/WILLIAMSBURG
(nlm/750) DOUBLETREE BY HILTON Jane Farthing 757–229–7275
28–30 VA/Williamsburg DoubleTree by Hilton Jane Farthing 757–229–7275

80 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 Intermediate£/£Newcomer Calendar Upcoming NABCs
June/July
29–1 CA/Thousand Oaks (0-500) Bridge Academy II Diane Gunther 805–480–3837
30–1 NY/Amherst (nlm/500) Bridge Center of Buffalo Denise Slattery 716–602–8629
‡30–1 OH/Dayton (nlm/500) Miami Valley Bridge Center Tom Coyle 937–416–7079

July
7–8 MA/Barnstable (0-500) Barnstable Intermed. School B.E. Lacy 541–301–4183
6–8 TN/NASHVILLE (nlm/750) VANDERBILT BRIDGE CLUB Shannon Sloan 615–973–3920
13–14 AL/Montgomery (nlm/500) Montgomery Duplicate BC Linda Tarver 334–320–8430
10–11 MN/Detroit Lakes (nlm/500) St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Donna Lombardini 360–600–0459
12–14 MT/HELENA (nlm/750) RADISSON HOTEL Stephen Visocan 406–461–2534
12–15 TX/Houston (0-300) Westside Bridge Academy Jennifer Breihan 713–553–6814
13–15 TX/Dallas (0-200) Bridge Academy of No. Dallas Donna Compton 214–394–5830
21–22 OH/Rocky River (nlm/500) Rocky River Memorial Hall Judy Spooner 440–238–2846 Summer NABC in Atlanta GA
21–22 OR/Portland (nlm/750) Portland Bridge Club David Castles 503–706–4286 July 26–Aug. 5, 2018
28–29 KY/Lexington (nlm/500) Lexington Bridge Club Andra Gyor 859–221–8209
27–29 MN/North St. Paul (0-500) Bridge Center of St. Paul Stephanie Miller 651–490–5430

August
4 CA/San Diego (nlm/500) Seven Oaks Comm. Center Art Foeste 608–274–6185
1–2 FL/Deland (0-300) Deland Bridge Club Lynn Berg 386–736–6228
4–5 NM/Albuquerque (nlm/500) Duke City Bridge Center Steven Lockwood 505–715–0067
11–12 CA/Fresno (nlm/500) Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825
10–12 CO/LOVELAND (nlm/750) LARIMER CO. FAIRGROUNDS John Grossmann 719–233–9464
11–12 MT/Great Falls (nlm/750) Big Sky Bridge Club Catherine Ayres 303–335–8756
9–12 NC/Durham (nlm/500) Triangle Bridge Club Chris Moll 504–495–7485
10–12 NC/Hendersonville (nlm/500) Hendersonville Bridge Center Nick Weedman 828–693–5300
12 PA/York (nlm/500) Bridge Boardroom Edward Scanlon 717–434–3298

Youth NABC in Atlanta GA

Special Events Calendar August 2–4, 2018
July 9 Monday (afternoon) ACBL-wide Instant Matchpoint Game #1 *
Aug. 7 Tuesday (evening) ACBL-wide Junior Fund Game #2 *
Sept. 13 Thursday (afternoon) ACBL-wide International Fund Game #2 *
Oct. 5 Friday (morning) ACBL-wide Senior Pairs #2 *
Oct. 31 Wednesday (afternoon) ACBL-wide Instant Matchpoint Game #2 *
Dec. 17 Monday (afternoon) ACBL-wide International Fund Game #3 *
* Games include hand records and analyses.

Upcoming Regionals STaCs

October July
2–8 ON/Ottawa 9–15 District 11
1–7 OR/Seaside Michael Lipp 513–467–8054
8–14 CO/Colorado Springs 16–22 Districts 22 & 23
8–14 CT/Danbury
Fall NABC in Honolulu HI
Betty Jackson 562–594–4420
6–13 FL/ Fort Lauderdale (cr) 20–22 Unit 155 (D24) November 22–December 2, 2018
8–14 MI/Farmington Hills (Detroit) Philip Lentz 212–505–7762
8–14 MO/Springfield 20–22 Unit 242 (D24)
12–14 WI/Fitchburg (nlm/750) Lee Launer 516–628–2546
16–21 MB/Winnipeg
15–21 NV/Sparks (Reno) August
16–21 NY/Buffalo 6–12 District 13
15–21 TX/Abilene Thomas Dressing 847–215–0310
22–28 IA/Council Bluffs 13–19 District 1
22–28 NC/Charlotte Stan Tench 613–829–4101
13–19 District 9
October/November Shirley Seals 904–285–7767
29–4 CA/Ventura
29–4 PA/Manheim (Lancaster)
29–4 WA/Leavenworth
30–4 WI/Lake Geneva Spring NABC in Memphis TN
March 21–31, 2019
July 2018 Bridge Bulletin 81
 ADVERTISING INDEX TELEPHONE AND EMAIL SERVICE DIRECTORY
See page 6 for more contact information.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Abenity 76 Address Change addresschange@acbl.org
ACBL Hall of Fame 83 Member Services
Bridge Bulletin Delivery publications@acbl.org
ACBL Membership Card 63 service@acbl.org
Masterpoints masterpoints@acbl.org
ACBL Partnership Desk 63 1-800-264-2743 Membership Renewal membership@acbl.org
U.S. only
ACBL Regional at Sea 15, 19 MyACBL Support service@acbl.org
Alice Travel 27 1-662-253-3191 Obituary Notification inmemoriam@acbl.org
Baron Barclay 2 other countries Patron Members patron@acbl.org 662-253-3173
Bridge Base Online 84
Bridge Feed 35 ACBLscore Support acblscore@acbl.org
Bridge Holidays 3 Club Services Director Education directorcourses@acbl.org
Bridge in a Box 31 club@acbl.org Discipline club@acbl.org
HCL 11 1-855-275-7629 Help Desk computerhelp@acbl.org
Tully Luxury Travel 23 U.S. only Marketing Support marketing@acbl.org
1-888-219-9901 Monthly Reports clubreport.comment@acbl.org
TOURNAMENTS Canada only Rulings rulings@acbl.org
Regionals Special Games and Events specialevents@acbl.org
Augusta GA 75
Charlotte NC 75, 79 Bridge Bulletin Editor editor@acbl.org
Editorial
Hunt Valley MD 75 Report Big Games biggames@acbl.org
Department
Lynnwood WA 74 Bridge Bulletin Advertising advertising@acbl.org 662-253-3117
Leavenworth WA 74
Reston VA 75 Discipline recorder@acbl.org
Robinsonville MS (Memphis) 77 District Elections elections@acbl.org
Warwick RI 75 & Unit Services Marketing Support emailservices@acbl.org 662-253-3141
Tournament Sanctions tournaments@acbl.org 662-253-3164
Other
NABC Online Individual 26 Chief Executive Officer ceo@acbl.org 662-253-3103
Education/Teacher Accred. education@acbl.org 662-253-3161
ACBL Human Resources hr@acbl.org 662-253-3108
Corporate Marketing marketing@acbl.org 662-253-3112
Office NABC & Tournament Ops. nabc@acbl.org 662-253-3116
National Recorder recorder@acbl.org
Operator main line 662-253-3100
fax 662-253-3187

R/C – Rating Code E/C – Event Code

Your personal
masterpoint information GNT/NAP........................................................ 1 Women’s/Men’s Pairs/Teams................................A
Club Tournament ...........................................2 Mixed/Unmixed Pairs/Teams ................................B
The masterpoint update on the back cover is Charity Game..................................................3 Open Pairs ....................................................................C
for the member the magazine is addressed to and Club MPs...........................................................4 Master Pairs/Teams...................................................D
possibly for a household member if space is avail- Local Tournament ..........................................6 Non-Master Pairs/Teams ........................................E
able. If you have more masterpoint activity than Sectional.............................................................7 Consolation (All).........................................................F
can fit in the space provided, you can check your Regional .............................................................8 BAM/Swiss Teams ................................................... G
masterpoints at acbl.org. Log in to MyACBL and NABC.................................................................9 KO Teams......................................................................H
click on Masterpoint History. Correction ........................................................ 0 Individual ......................................................................... J
Side Game .................................................................... K
Charity Pairs ..................................................................L

© 2018 by American Contract Bridge League. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Mention of any product
does not constitute endorsement by the Bridge Bulletin. Bridge Bulletin assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or
advertising materials. Unsolicited materials should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. ACBL, ACBLSCORE, Bridge Bulletin, masterpoint and the ACBL logo are registered trademarks
of American Contract Bridge League. All rights reserved.
It is Bridge Bulletin policy not to accept advertising from persons or organizations believed to be unreliable or financially irresponsible. We are not responsible, however, for the performance of advertisers,
the delivery or quality of their merchandise or services, or the legality of any particular program. On cruise ads, we suggest you check to make sure duplicate bridge will be offered on the cruise you desire.
Regarding investment ads, we recommend that you check with your financial adviser before acting. ACBL Management reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse any advertisement.

82 Bridge Bulletin July 2018

 B=Black, R=Red, S=Silver, G=Gold, P=Platinum, O=Online. More information for the codes below on page 82.
Sanction/Tourn. /C /C
E R
Date Points Sanction/Tourn. /C R/C
E
Date Points Sanction/Tourn. /C R/C
E
Date Points