♠♥♦♣ Planet Bridge

There’s no telling where these were snapped as Bobby and Omar (on the left) with Benito (on the right) joined forces on opposing sides on many occasions.  Could have been at the Sharif Circus, a world championship or at one of Mr. Yeh’s fabulous outings in Asia.  

The happy news is all three (who are admitted octogenarians — with Bobby as the youngest as he approaches 81) are still well and alive and enjoy reputations in the bridge world – each in their own way.  Omar is pretty much in seclusion.  I don’t hear much about him anymore except when I google him on the internet and it appears he has returned to Cairo; Benito,  who resided in the States for several decades, lost the love of his life, the beautiful Lea DuPont, a couple of years ago and returned to his native Italy; and Bobby, to which I can personally attest, is savoring his semi-retirement with me (at least he professes to), is still writing his popular column Aces on Bridge which appears in 100 newspapers worldwide, is responding to questions and comments on his daily AOB blogsite which can be found here, is still as sharp as the proverbial tack, and as I write this from our hotel room at the Riviera (the one in Las Vegas – unfortunately not the French attraction) we are enjoying the Regional which continues until Sunday. We have attended no NABC but a nearby one in SF in five years and have happily contented ourselves with the casino life on occasion, wonderful dining in our suburban Summerlin LV area and fulfill our less demanding bridge urges at the local duplicates, sectionals and regionals with a marvelous group of warm residents (mostly transplants) who have retired here.  Such is life – but a wonderful one at that!

You can join the ACBL’s effort to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association in many ways. One way is to ask friends and family to pledge a certain amount of money for every hour you play bridge on Friday, June 21. Or, you can make a pledge yourself to support one of the players who is playing all day.  For additional information, contact Sue Jackson.

Game times at TCBC are 7:30 am, 11:00, 1:30, 4:00, and 7:15 (sponsored by Mpls. Grand Slam Club). Entry fees are $7, and both TCBC and MGSC are donating the proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Food will be served all day. 

The Mixed team started to-day with 98 teams. Three days of Swiss.

The Mixed Pairs final was won by Dessy Popova and Rosen Gunev – Bulgaria. Silver went to Marc Bompis and Sylvie Willard – France. Bronze went to Zahari Zahariev and Netsy Sayer – Bulgaria/Turkey.

 

 

 

 

 

Some bridge hands are razzle dazzle.  A fancy squeeze or duck; plays that less than .05% of the bridge community would ever imagine.

Other hands, however, are plain old crunching out the odds, calculating what is most likely to work - then following through.  Sounds simple - yet, as we all know, too often many of us miss "doing the right thing."

This week, John Koch presents a hand from the Gopher where this common sense path led to success.  Please see below.

And - speaking of tournaments, we have some great ones coming up!  St. Cloud's sectional is this coming weekend, 299ers have a Silver Point Sectional the next weekend at the Twin City Bridge Center, and District 14's Des Moines Regional takes place over the 4th of July week.

Lots of super events to attend - and - if you study John's Koch Korner columns, you will be a winner more often than not!

Download 328.Commonplace.1

Good afternoon folks
Tomorrow morning the European Mixed Teams gets underway followed on Saturday by the Open Teams.
Some Irish players will take part.

Mixed Teams

Cashel .. Joe Walsh Dolores Gilliland Maria Whelan and Gordon Lessels..
Hanlon  Hugh McGann Fiona Brown Marianne Harding and Thomas Hanlon

...........
Women  Teams

Brid Kemple and Cathy Bearpark join Gilliland and Whelan on Team Cashel

Kenny Kirby Pattinson Rigney make up a team of Candidates or Earhores

................
Open Teams

Mark Moran Thomas Hanlon Rory Boland John Carroll Hugh McGann Thomas Garvey
............
And last but not least

The legendary Paul Porteus who is the best known bridge player in Ireland and knows who is ringing him up before the phone rings leads out his Senior Team with trepidation. I hope they have been doing their pressups.

Paul Porteus Des Houlihan Bob Pattinson Fred Barry
..............................

If Team Hanlon have been doing their pressups as advised they could go deep in the Mixed Teams but this is
not the Holmes Wilson so there is danger lurking around every corner.

...............
A hand from todays Wbridge5 event





...........

Yesterday in the Mixed Pairs I played against Petr Bahnik and Eva Bohnikova from The Czech Republic. He told me he enjoys my blog! How delightful, often times I wonder if anybody even read it. It warms my heart to know it is read in far away places.

They played well and are in the final, I wish them the best of luck.

 

Round 8 of the Mixed Pairs, Anja Alberti (Germany) and Nikolas Bausback (Luxembourg) conducted a beautiful auction to the top spot.

Board 12. Dealer West. N-S vulnerable.

Nikolas (North) and Anja (South) held these hands.

 

This was their auction :

4NT = takeout for the minors. 5♦ = far sighted bid. 6♦ = we have arrived.

Anja made the great bid of five diamonds, chosen the 4-4 fit as trumps as she recognized that the longer club suit can be used to park a spade loser.

The full deal :

Made 12 tricks for +1370 and 99.96%. Oh and don’t ask me what happened to the .04%.

 

 

 

Last Friday night the Summer Bonanza started in the Regent. Paula had every reason to sing but I don't know if she did. 24 tables turned up if you include the Club Manager Declan Byrne and presumably some Tournament Director. 23.5 tables of players.
The Regent floors were squeaking loudly. This crowd of bridge players was the largest crowd playing in the Regent since Maurice Quinn cruised to victory in the 1994 Graham Cup leaving his partner struggling in a 5D contract on the final board as he went about the more  important business of rushing around to RTE to deliver some letter or message.
The lure of the 1000 euro brought in some heavy hitters including matchpoint specialists Karel deRaeymaker and Anna Onishuk or maybe she has a new name these days but I have not seen it in writing.
Anyway the result was inevitable ....
I show the top 12 pairs here and nobody could argue that we have lots of trials players here in this group so to score the best part of 75% is a serious achievement.
At least 17 of the 24 shown here have represented their country in bridge at some level.
I don't know about Harry Torney and Brian Dolan regarding caps as they played their main bridge before my time but Brian Dolan is of international level and Harry seldom lets much away when he plays. Delaney being an ex-irish chess champion/international is also an accomplished bridge player/national champion.
3 more nights of this event and you need different partners. The Great Mulall decided that the game in Malahide was more suitable to his skills on Friday night and duly collected the winning ticket with a barnstorming performance. He should be available for prospective partners who require a boost to their score in the Regent Summer Bonanza. Galligan approached 12 different players in the 24 hours before the Regent Summer bonanza but found all were already playing or in Nice or Paris or not feeling well.
So when he got the call to head for Malahide off he went.
http://www.malahideregionalbridgeclub.com/
Is Open all summer and is a fine venue for bridge .. It does not have stairs like the Regent so no climbing up those stairs. It does not have Declan Byrne either and its players are less intense and there is no fear of getting chopped up by Karel and Anna. Current internationals BJ and Ranald seemed to meet a painful demise on Friday at the hands of Anna and Karel. One of them sawed off a 4S contract and Karel/Anna sent it back.
...............................
Meanwhile on todays Wbridge5 Galligan has paused at 77% after 10 boards while he awaits the arrival of BJOBoru on the 1st tee. Had to stop for a while to write this blog.
Lots of decent Irish players having a little go at this 16 board daily tourney where you play as many or as few boards as you like

“Super size me” was a movie about Morgan Spurlock eating only at McDonald’s for 30 days. He gained 11.1 Kg!

Here in Oostende most restaurants that I have been to, must have taken a page out of McDonald’s, their servings are humongous!

Think is best I order a salad for dinner to-morrow.

Berthold Engel (Luxemboug) and Claudia Vechiatto (Germany) bid and play the following board very well.

Mixed Pairs. Round 9. Board 30. Dealer East. None Vul.

Berthold as South held : ♠ AQJ42 ♥ AKQJ108 ♦  ♣ K5

This was their auction :

1♣ =17+. 2♣ = 5 controls. Aces 2, kings 1.

The lead was ♦ 10.

You see this dummy : ♠ 976 ♥ 943 ♦ AKQ3 ♣ A98

How would you play 7NT?

Berthold won with the ace of diamonds, played two more winning diamonds. Discarded three spades from hand, got the diamond count. Next he run five heart winners, discarded two spades from dummy.

At thick 9 he cashed the ace of spades, in preparation for a compound squeeze against both opponents. If the king of spades didn’t drop then the last heart would have squeezed his LHO in diamonds and clubs. Squeezed against his RHO in spades and clubs.

The full deal :

Made 13 tricks for a great score. As many declarers took the losing spade finesse and went down.

 

 

You can join the ACBL’s effort to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association in many ways. One way is to donate to Alzheimer’s Association. Donations are tax deductible. Checks can be given to any participating club.

If you donate $100, you can play for free all day at TCBC. You can also contribute to the hospitality table for June 21 by contacting Sue Jackson (sjackson@smumn.edu).

Congratulations to Jenny Cooper and Tim Rees who have qualified for the two-day Mixed Pairs final at the European Open Bridge Championships. They finished 44th of 207, with the top 52 making the 100-board final.

The final will be shown on BBO Vugraph, although probably better not to tell Jenny yet.

Creditably the other Scots all scored above average in the two-day qualifier, but failed to make the final.

Jenny and Tim will be joined by a number of English players, including Bill Frisby, Sally Brock & Barry Myers, Catherine Seale & Tom Paske, and Nevena Senior & Nick Sandqvist.

Good luck to them all.

                                 

Edgar and Norman played on several teams with Don and Lew – and this was snapped on one of those occasions, but I cannot be sure when or where.   I do remember a world championship in 1971 in Taipei when the foursome of Mathe, Krauss, Swanson and Walsh added Kaplan-Kay as their third pair but there is no assurance the featured photo above was taken there.  I do, however. vividly recall on the never-ending initial flight with a stopover in Hawaii, I kept getting smacked in the head during of a wet washrag fight between John and Dick every time I arose from my seat.  Sort of broke up the monotony of being airborne.

Don and Lew were as opposite as night and day.  Don was sweet, kind, warm and friendly whereas Lew (although I had seen the mellower side of him during our tour of the remains of The Arizona in Pearl Harbor on our way home from Taiwan) was normally tough as shoe leather.  I actually enjoyed him that day.  In the world of bridge,  he was normally far from what one would describe as “self-restrained.”  Lew was, shall we say, explosive and impetuous?  It was his way or the highway.   But ..  I do remember one of the funniest bridge incidents involving Lew at the Trials at the old Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City long before it was imploded.   Lew screamed for the Director and at the top of his lungs vehemently insisted that he stop the mice from scampering  back and forth across the rug as it was very disruptive and interrupting his trend of thought.  Soon as I heard that, I hightailed it out the door – never to return.  Mice are not my favorites!

Don, on the other hand, was more of a social being.   He afforded Norman and me one of the greatest thrills of our lives when we were visiting California by inviting us to join him for lunch to meet a “good friend” who adored bridge.  Of course, we were game as it sounded so mysterious and intriguing.   His good friend turned out to be the legendary Hollywood Screenwriter/Producer/Director Billy Wilder  who was  credited with such successes as Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, The Apartment, Some Like it Hot, The Seven Year Itch, etc., etc., etc.   He was like a World Grand Master in the Motion Picture Industry and as a human being.   What was even more astounding was his modest, down to earth demeanor as just one of the boys.  Norman and I both found it surprising that he wanted to turn the conversation away from his never ending monumental achievements and talk more about Norman’s bridge successes!  I still reflect upon it as The Afternoon of a Lifetime and Don arranged a repeat performance the following summer when we returned to the West Coast. 

It’s bizarre that my mother (who was a very bright and astute women) used to think that bridge was such a waste of time.  She viewed it as a ‘traveling circus’ (and she wasn’t referring to Omar).   Looks are deceiving!

In North America we are used to super sizes. Houses are bigger, cars are bigger. Everything is bigger compare to the rest of the world.

Am in Ostend, Belgium for the 6th European Open Bridge Championship. The hotel I am staying at is large by local standard, however is still the size of a stamp from my view. It has everything I need, free breakfast, wifi, fridge and in room tea and coffee.

Jim Mahaffey playing with Judy Radin (Both USA) in the Mixed pairs did a good thing on Board 9. Dealer North. E-W vulnerable.

Hands rotated to make declarer South.

AS West you hold : ♠ 764 ♥ 1097 ♦ K875 ♣ A92

Against 4♠ (you and partner pass throughout in the auction.) You led the ♥ 10.

You see this dummy : ♠ A ♥ A32 ♦ AQ643 ♣ K1075

Jim won with the Ace of hearts. Cashed the ace of spades. At trick 3, called for the King of clubs from dummy. It went low, low to you. What would you do?

This defender thought Jim was trying to create an entry to his hand with the queen of clubs, ducked.

These were the North-South hands.

 

Made 12 tricks for a nice score.

 

 

Last week, it was my pleasure, as photographer, to be able to attend the USBF Bridge Championship to select the two teams that will represent the United States this fall in Bali's international competition.  A number of exceptional teams competed, with ultimately a young Team Kranyak becoming USA1 and an experienced squad of experts, Team Fleisher, earning the USA2 berth.

One very talented young player, Joel Woolridge, did not find his team in the winner's circle. Nevertheless, this competitor is one about whom we shall be hearing for a long time to come.  If you need evidence, check out this New York Times column.

Irwin Boris, I believe at least some of your views about the future of bridge should be assuaged!

 

In the world of bridge, few people are distinguished by their first names alone.  Seymon Deutsch, of Laredo, Texas who passed away yesterday, was one of those individuals.   When you spoke of Zia or Edgar (or Omar for that matter) — you need say no more.  Seymon enjoyed that unique prominence as well.

To Bobby, Seymon was not just “another nice guy” to whom everyone took a fancy as evidenced by the dozens of internet comments and tributes already posted.  Bobby had attended the University of Texas in Austin for his first two college years but returned to his native San Antonio to earn his degree from Trinity University.  That is where they met for the first time and … it is easy to guess where … at the Student Union where Seymon was found playing bridge    While attending college at Trinity, many a dinner was shared with Bobby’s family at their home.  In fact, Bobby served as a groomsman at his wedding on January 3, 1959.   They remained close buddies for over half a century.  Seymon loved the game and the players loved him in return.  His claim to fame which is unprecedented is that he captured TWO World Championships for Zone 2:  The 1988 World Team Olympiad (pictured below) and the 1994 Rosenblum.

Seymon was the owner of an upscale women and men’s clothing store, spent much time in his lovely home away from home in Aspen and adored his beautiful wife, Linda, and their four children — but bridge was his true passion.   Seymon will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.

If you look closely, you will find Captain Dan Morse, SEYMON, Jeff Meckstroth, Eric Rodwell, Bob Hamman, Jim Jacoby, Bobby Wolff and WBF President Denis Howard.  Incidentally, this is the only World Team Olympiad the United States ever won!

Folks
As some people may have seen since the Holmes Wilson various pieces of literature and information have been doing the rounds regarding a major bridge event in Galway in August.

 The Pokerstars festival coincides with the Galway Races which run from July 29th to August 4th.
The bridge takes place on August 3rd /4th
Some wide awake folk might notice the 25 link. The inaugural World 25 championship will take place
at this festival as well ..July 27-28 .. This is a game well known in the West.
My brothers parents in law play it. I won 5 euros playing against them a few years ago. They are still looking for revenge. 25 is also played in a corner of my local community centre bar on a Monday evening with matchsticks as money. I am not sure of the conversion rate.

The list of Prizes is below ..for the bridge is below

Hi Eamon

The Galway event is open to Intermediate A standard and above and the prize fund will be awarded as follows

1st.        €5,000

2nd.       €2,000

3rd.        €1,000

Session prizes €300 x 3

1st Area Master        €350

2nd Area Master.      €150

1st Intermediate A.    €350

2nd Intermediate A.   €150

Sunday Ascenders.    €150

Best played hand.      €150.       As adjudged by me

As you can see there are a lot of prizes and everyone that attends has something to aim for. Would you mind sending a group email to who ever is on your list as well

Thanks,

Tom  

.....................................
I watched Thomas Hanlon play a few hands last night. Here is hand 19

 South John Carroll dealt and opened 1D and with silent opponents the bidding continued
1D 1H
2H 3D
4C 4H
all pass

All the while thru the bidding Hanlon was thinking ..the opponents either have 4S on or have a good sacrifice so how can we get to play in 4H non-vul  unmolested.
Result was 4H minus 1 for +50 to E/W who quickly realized they had a vulnerable 4S available.
Imps was the game in question last night and that would be 13 imps ..
Playing matchpoints much the same auction might happen and E/W won't get many matchpoints for that.
They can play 3S 4C 4S or double 4H for extra value ..

So the moral of this story is get into the bidding fast and out fast. It was suggested at the time that East
might get in over 1H or later over 3D.
................
Meanwhile Eamon had a go at starting a summertime team event for Ireland players on BBO.
I am happy to report we managed to run 3 10 board team matches with a Team of close to Juniors or recent Juniors playing against some established players.

Just to be topical I called the Teams Pokerstars and Galway in reference to the upcoming Summer event
The players who took part were
David Synnott Richard Boyd Wayne Sommerville and Jordan playing against Emer Joyce Jim Doyle Billy Ronan and Mary Kelly Rogers.
For match 2 Caz O Donnell replaced Jordan
For match 3 James Heneghan and Willem Mevius entered the fray in place of Emer Joyce and Jim Doyle.

Eamon plans to run the same again next Tuesday and all following Tuesdays for the summer.
However if lots of people start turning up some patience and organisation will be required as its tough
to get 8 people lined up for a match at exactly the same time. I press the button and the 8 people must be at their screens in the same minute.
I think all folk enjoyed their matches. We got thru 30 boards in about 2 hours 40 minutes including the time to setup the matches. So how come in some clubs it takes 3.5 hours to play 24 boards.
...........................
http://www.pokerstarsgalway.com/bridge/
.................
The Free Wbridge5 tourney continues to be available everyday
http://bridgez.net:3002/ConnectingPlayer.html

Okay, it's 3pm in the UK and I've logged on to BBO again as I've done for the past couple of weeks. Where are the US Trials for Bali? Omg, they've finished!

The USBF trials really provided a feast for vugraph watchers. The best American-qualified players battling it out over long matches and maintaining the intensity and standard throughout. Quite a lot has been written on the BBO Forums and Bridgewinners if you care to peruse, much by the competitors themselves, and plenty of hands to keep the magazine writers busy for the rest of the year.

This is the second successful USBF trials where youth has upset the more established teams. It is true that the Kranyak team (Gavin Wolpert, John Kranyak, Kevin Bathurst, and Kevin Dwyer) are all well-established professionals and highly regarded, but no-one seriously thought that they would beat Diamond, Nickell and Fleisher over long matches to earn the USA 1 slot. And they beat them all by a considerable margin, an amazing achievement by any four-handed team. Boom time for US bridge.

Then the Fleisher team (Marty Fleisher, Michael Kamil, Zia Mahmood, Michael Rosenberg, Chip Martel, and Chris Willenken) had a sweet victory over Nickell for the USA 2 slot, helped by a 70-1 IMPs second set. Sweet? Well, Levin and Weinstein moved from Fleisher to Nickell presumably not only for money but for a perceived better opportunity to compete at the highest levels - a friendly split by all accounts but a small sense of revenge for Marty. And who did Levin-Weinstein replace on the Nickell team? Zia, now on the Fleisher team and the one who will be on the plane to Bali in September.

Of course Levin-Weinstein may be there as Kranyak needs a third pair. But they may keep it 'young' by going for Hurd-Wooldridge or Grue-Lall. We are all waiting with bated breath for their decision.

But bridge was the real star of the past two weeks, not least that played by the winning team. I thought board 42 of the final showed how well they were all playing:

The double by the pre-emptor when his partner only made a single raise was typical of the aggressive nature of the Kranyak team. The number of times that they made a penalty double and their opponents didn't was almost uncountable.

In the other room, Zia decided to put more pressure on:

Gavin Wolpert had a four-loser hand and I think a large majority of people would bid five clubs. Or at least double, but you know that partner is bidding four spades and then you have to bid five clubs which might be misinterpreted.

But after a considerable think he decided to pass - a gutsy decision. Both contracts went two down for 12 IMPs to the Kranyak team, the last big swing on the game-changing set that saw them extend their overall lead from 11 to 43 IMPs.

All the results and hands can be seen on the USBF web site.

I look forward to watching both the USA teams in Bali in late September.

Perhaps the most fitting example is "If it ain’t broke — why fix it?"    In the blog you are about to read, I (as a ‘lay’ person), feel strongly .. IF IT IS BROKE — YOU MUST FIX IT.  At the outset, let us set the records straight.   I do not profess to be an expert.   However, being around Edgar and Bobby (besides my experience working in a law office following my college graduation) and after digesting what Bobby had to say at length — I feel it is imperative to step up to the plate and give bridge players pause to think about the concept.   On countless occasions I have seen the legal process (at the bridge table) go up in flames — both as a personal victim and observer.    Enough of this background.  Let me just cut to the chase.

I have benefited from Bobby’s knowledge and decades of experience with both the ACBL and the WBF, the latter of which has recently honored him upon his retirement (due to his increasing deafness — not lack of deftness) by naming him Chairman Emeritus of the WBF Appeals Committee.  I might add that replacing the "Godfather" of the WBF (the late and great James Ortiz-Patino) and doing so while Jimmy was still alive, was a very bold move — symbolizing the incredible intellectual respect the hierarchy of the WBF had for Bobby and his views of bridge jurisprudence.  His contributions of attempting to strive for equity and honorability are unparalleled.   He has no personal motivation.  He is especially intolerant of inept players serving on committees with lack of bridge knowledge and skills and deceiving people by occupying the catbird seat.  The committee members must be as good as the players over whom they are sitting in judgment.   Attrition has played a large role in compromising the positions of those who make crucial rulings.  As you may have surmised, this blog was provoked after the incomprehensible and irrational score change in the Fleisher-Nickell USA II Trials match — and though in my personal opinion, was off the wall, had no bearing whatsoever on the overall outcome.  In any event, there is much to consider and it is time get it out into the open.

Breaks in Tempo (BIT) sometimes passing on Unauthorized Information (UI) and Hesitation Disruption (HD) are the three main distractions which often come into focus.  Because Bobby has been so entrenched in attempting to prevent advantages garnered from the above, he has been thought of as Public Enemy No. 1 although his sole purpose is to clean up the game and return it to its rightful place in the sun but is opposed by those who will gain advantage (either ego or personal) by whatever means is thought to be necessary.  In the current issue, the outcome could have decided which team represented the United States as USA II this year in Bali.   Fortunately, it did not come to that.  His staunch view is that in situations like the subject one, the concept of ruling is not like the "normal committee member" has been instructed to rule.   Every case is different and requires excellent judgment by the Tournament Director who is summoned and then later, if necessary, by the Committee.  In his judgment, the MANDATORY requirements of a ‘qualified’ committee are:

1.  Superior Bridge Expertise — at least close or similar in degree, to the appellants and/or the alleged culprits, and the ability to diversify bridge thinking such as clearly understanding the increase in value of the Willenken hand with the bidding (not the tempo) of the hand.

2.  Knowing the particular circumstances of the hand involved (including nuances) such as competitive action by the opponents  — also tendencies in competitive auctions, lead directional doubles, their reputation and most importantly — the leanings of the particular players who might have broken tempo.   To veer from the impersonality of the issue so far, I feel it is necessary to mention the two challenged individuals are two of the most ethical players to honor the game — Chris Willenken  (opener) and Michael Rosenberg (responder).  To get a better idea of the problem involved, go to the USBF site and look at the "big hand" which opened 1D (with 22 HCP) and chanced being passed out and missing a game (or even slam) — but backed his judgment based on his cards (preponderance of controls and prime trump honors.  Note –  he ONLY had the AKQ10 of spades which were to be trump)!    Any move by South (which Bobby felt was in order) would have clearly indicated to a top partner, holding XXXX  KX  XX  AQ10XX that a slam was destined to be bid.

3.  Considering the possible circumstances that must be given to what the break in tempo (behind screens) could have been caused by and which of the players was responsible.  You must look at the hands to understand the issue. 

4.  More importantly than usually assumed, the Committee Members (who were polled by phone on such an important issue) MUST be able to think for themselves, not be unduly influenced by others who CLAIM to know the intent of the law, but in reality, are only espousing what he (or she) thinks are supposed to be the guiding principles.   Hogwash!

5.  MOST RELEVANT (to the point of MANDATORY)  IS THE ACOUNTABILITY OF EACH MEMBER OF THE COMMMITTEE (USING HIS OR HER OWN NAME) STATING HOW  HE OR SHE VOTED AND WHY — TO BE LATER MADE PUBLIC AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALL WHO ARE INVOLVED AND/OR VITALLY INTERESTED IN CREATING THE FAIR AND JUDICIOUS  WAY TO HANDLE THE ISSUE FOR FUTURE COMMITTEES FACED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.  IF THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS TO BE CHALLENGED, IT IS BETTER THAT THE PERSON WHO WAS APPROACHED TO SERVE DECLINE THE NOMINATION!

The ruling in the subject case thankfully was not a match-changer (although in Bobby’s opinion) was handled improperly (which is a kind word for disgustingly).    According to him, until the organizations involved (USBF and ACBL) which play a major role in determining which pairs or teams represent our Zone in world competition, rise to the occasion and stand up and bite the bullet by recognizing the lack of qualifications of some committee members and the loopholes in our process — we will be lost in the desert — unprepared to handle future similar rulings — with latent miscarriage of justice!.

In the case at hand, it is obvious the recent Committee did not even consider how strong the opener’s holding actually was (22 HCP but not suited for either 2C or 2NT).    And, playing behind screens, how could the opener be sure what caused the delay in sending the board back?  Passing 4S holding  AKQ10  AQ9X  AKXX  X) — to Bobby’s educated way of thinking  — was absolutely NOT a remote consideration and would not be deemed  ‘expert "bridge’ as any of his peers view it.   After a 1D opening, partner responded 1S and when he jumped to 4C showing shortness and a double ensued, partner bid 4S.   Holding such a monster with majestic trump support, would anyone (especially an expert?)  ever consider AT LEAST NOT MAKING A MOVE TOWARD SLAM (or jumping to 6S himself as Willenken actually did).   Incidentally Bobby pointed out that when 4C was doubled, with such an excellent partnership as Levin/Weinstein, you can be sure he didn’t want a heart lead so if partner did not have the HK, the finesse was on side.   This Committee was out to lunch to forbid opener from bidding again and, despite being well intended, should hang their heads in shame.

This debacle was reminiscent to Bobby of the winner-changing result of the recent Vanderbilt ruling which served as an albatross to the rest of the field.  As time moves on, we customarily go forward, but according to situations like the two above, it is apparent the judicial process of our once-wonderful game is making great strides toward regressing.  It is impacted with sloth and irresponsibility by not having the Vanderbilt issue ruled upon immediately between sessions regardless of the state of the match — rather than selfishly delaying it to the conclusion (never foreseeing the remote possibility it could affect the outcome) and instead (by it’s controversial decision)  ‘appointed’ the winner instead of rightfully allowing it to be "decided on the playing field" — regardless of the bizarre untimely ruling. 

In the best interest of our beloved game, it is imperative to immediately take stock of our frightening bridge avalanche and encourage and awaken our administration to right these grievous wrongs with time being very much of the essence!   I truly believe Edgar (one of our most astute lawmakers) would totally concur with Bobby and is probably turning over in his grave as I write (perhaps muttering the word ‘Indeed’!).

The Longest Day, on June 21st, is fast approaching.  The Bridge Center of St. Paul will be open from sunrise to sunset (and beyond!) to raise money for Alzheimer's research.

Doors open at 5:15AM; breakfast will be served.  Our first game starts at 6AM, with new games beginning at 10AM, 2PM and 6:30PM.  Complimentary food will be provided throughout the day.

Tables fees are $6, with all going to the Alzheimer's Society.  We are also conducting a silent auction.  The list of items currently being offered is below.

Of course, we are delighted to accept any and all donations to Alzheimer's Research!

Do good and have fun - please join us!

Download PartiallistofSilentAuctionitems

I didn't appreciate that enabling Google+ comments on this blog would mean that everyone needed a Google account to comment.

So I've reset things and you can all comment again.

Apologies.

PS Comments are moderated so don't appear immediately.

 

On the far left you will see one of Atlanta’s most popular bridge idols, Margaret Wagar, who despite her thirty three National Titles, was sweet and very understated – a typical Southern Belle.  Next to her is another one of my favorites, Andy Gabrilovitch, from Maryland, who was a close friend of the Kays and Kaplans and attended all of our celebrations.  Beside him is Norman and then on the far right .. a young Edgar Kaplan always with pipe in mouth.  The exquisite young gal staring at the camera is a mystery to me (but as long as she wasn’t Norman’s partner, it makes no never mind!)

    

The 6th European Open Bridge Championships start in Ostend on Saturday. I've never played in this event and am not going this time, mainly because the team events are poor value for money (three short days of bridge for €200 each) and, in this championship, the pairs is just as expensive.

However a number of Scottish players are going. It's always good to see Scots gaining international experience but this time most have been there before and it will be getting results that matter. Those going include, in order of playing:

Mixed Pairs

• Laura Porro playing with Tosh
• Liz McGowan and David Liggat
• Jenny Cooper, playing with Tim Rees
• Willie Coyle, playing with Kitty Teltscher

Mixed Teams

• Jenny Cooper, Liz McGowan and David Liggat playing with Tim Rees in the Mixed Teams
• The multi-medal winning Badger team includes Paula Leslie playing with Jeffrey Allerton, Frances Hinden and Graham Osborne in the Mixed Teams.

Senior Teams

• Liz McGowan, David Liggat, Harry Smith and Roy Bennett
• Willie Coyle, Victor Silverstone, Gerald Haase and Derek Diamond - follow their progress on Twitter

Open Pairs

• Alan Goodman and Brian Short
• Willie Coyle, playing with Kitty Teltscher

Womens Pairs

• Jenny Cooper and Moira McGregor

Senior Pairs

• Alan Goodman and Brian Short

You can join the ACBL’s effort to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association in many ways.

One way is to recruit others to play in one of the day’s games (Friday, June 21). Because the games at 11:00, 1:30, and 4:00 at TCBC are short, they are an ideal way for non-duplicate players to give our game a try.

Thanks for your efforts - both for bridge and for the Alzheimer's Association!

Bridge is scored in so many ways that just understanding the intricacies of the scoring is taxing for the brain. This week is "sectional tournaments at clubs" (STaC) week.  What this means is that you play in clubs as normal, but your matchpoint scores are then compared district-wide.

Do you agree with my hand evaluation of 19 points in support of  hearts?  In the harsh light after-the-game, it seems a little optimistic. I do have have good hearts, and a good 5-card diamond suit, but the two doubletons are not worth much.  In fact, I have a 6-loser hand.  I needed to bid 3H, instead of 2H which would have shown 16-18 points and let partner explore slam if he wanted to.

A bottom on a board where we should have been average+ (partner found the queen of hearts) is probably worth dozens of spots in the STaC ranking.

is an apt description of this group’s tryout in Memphis for the U. S. Team.  The year is cloudy to me but from the youthful looks of Meckwell, it was a few decades ago (and must have been snapped before the group was eliminated from the event) as you will spot a smiling group of contestants, starting with Norman, Jeff Meckstroth, Bill Root, Richard Pavlicek, Edgar, Eric Rodwell and seated in front was their handsome Captain – Cliff Russell.  

                                                  

Jeff and Eric look so shy and innocent.  I still think of them as young lads breaking into the big time.  They certainly have made their mark and it is difficult to fathom that they are both now in their mid fifties.   You know what they say about time flying when you’re having fun.   However, I just finished watching their team (Nickell) succumb easily to Fleisher in the Trials Final to determine who will represent our country as USA II in Bali.  The Fleisher team includes a talented and likeable array of dedicated gentlemen (pictured below), including (from left to right) Chris Willenken, Michael Rosenberg, Zia, Captain Marty Fleisher, Chip Martel and Mike Kamil.    They will be joining The Kranyak Team who emerged as USA I (with Gavin Wolpert, and a pair of Kevins – Bathhurst and Dwyer) and an unnamed pair to round out their sextet.  Good luck to all.

Rubber bridge, for the most part, has been supplanted in popularity by the boom of duplicates, sectionals, regionals and nationals.  I remember the days of the Cavendish and Mayfair in New York where just about every bridge lover who passed through the city would routinely drop in to either or both of those celebrity-packed sites to see and play against some of the nation’s best.  New York was no doubt the top hot spot for rubber bridge in the early days.   Many known players, although active in tournament bridge, in the ‘off-weeks,’ were consumed with the excitement of vying for both the money and glory of victory.   It was a wonderful social experience for me, getting to meet and know all of Norman’s friends in the early days of his career.

Rubber bridge was also popular in the Lone Star State – but the photo you see below was of a different nature.  It was more of a ‘social’ bridge game.  The money was secondary.   Sadly (and I take full responsibility as I never came upon it until today) it was omitted when The Lone Wolff was published.  Taken in the late seventies, It looks like any other bridge game set in the surroundings of someone’s office.   It was not just ‘someone’s’ office.  It was leased by Ira Corn, founder of The Dallas Aces.  

 

                                          

 

The balding young man at the bottom of the picture is Bobby.  On his left is Charlie Weed (instrumental in the team’s formation as well) with Ira as his partner on Bobby’s right.   If you look closely (and you are old enough to recognize him), you will spot the ‘one and only’ George Burns. who (according to Bobby) had a terrific natural flair for the game –  and bridge compliments are Bobby’s short suit.   Take it from one who knows. 

George had a deep rooted passion for the game and took advantage of it, playing as much as he could at his favorite Los Angeles suburban country club.   Always seen with cigar in hand, it was difficult for him to abide by the No Smoking sign where he played, so they edited the restriction – and added “unless you are over 95!”

Another association with bridge playing stars occurred when the fleeting headliners were scheduled to appear in a road show that was passing through Dallas.  Jean Carpenter (Ira’s Press Secretary) researched it and made it her job to learn if they had any ties to our game.   A couple who visited the Sunday soirees were actress Meredith Baxter and comedienne Phyllis Diller.  There were many others, but my memory fails me at the moment.  Ira would host a delectable brunch followed by an informal fun-packed bridge game all afternoon.  By the  way, those celebrity encounters became the grist of many of the Aces on Bridge columns featuring real deals played or defended by Ira’s guests.

Good afternoon folks

The new bridge champions of Ireland were elected at the weekend. The Specsavers "Fun Teams" took place in Westmanstown Leisure Centre on Saturday with a massive number of 69 teams taking part.
Even in an event of this size and publicity a team managed to turn up without being entered. How this can happen I don't know as other teams I know had been practicing for 3-4 months out.
The most common words I heard while setting up the event with the other workers (who will be mentioned later) was .."I have to find my partner .. I have never met him/her"

This means there were possibly 10-15 nervous novices about to play with a MASTER for a whole day that they had never met despite probably living within 10 miles of the person. Just my thoughts and I might be wrong. I have experience of this. 25 years ago I was meant to play in a Master Novice event in Malahide as I left my number on a sheet. Of course nobody told me about it so I never showed up until about 1030 that night. By then they had found a new partner for my nervous novice and I drank my pint and thought no more about it. Next evening I was sitting down to play in the Bankers Bridge Club when Gerry Kelly walked in and chortles .."It was you It was you pointing at me and talking to me " I was completely surprised by his comments and reaction. Turned out Gerry Ryan had done a "Most Embarrassing Moments" item on his radio  show that morning and my novice had felt embarrassed enough to ring in ..
(She was embarrassed when I strolled in none the wiser at 1030pm without a care in the world. The bridge event had been held up for 30 minutes while they sourced another partner for her so my arrival caused some shades of red) Poor Gerry is long gone but somewhere on some reel of tape is the story of Eamon Galligan and the Novice player.

So who are the Champions of Ireland ...I think it is County Laois

1st Damien Nee Heather Ridgeway Susanne Downes and Margaret Nee 

2nd Louth
3rd Meath
4th Cavan 
5th Wicklow 
6th Dublin South

Former legendary Irish junior international Jamie Martin togged out for his native Kilkenny and performed fairly well in 13th place out of 69. 
Nicky Fitzgibbon and Trish Stack turned up representing what they call the Kingdom.

The Trayer Team won the best spectacles ... the event being sponsored by Specsavers
Only 23 of the 280 folk present felt the need of a FREE hearing test. 
Funny how very few of them ever hear a director giving them information or asking them to finish up please. Of course several of our bridge folk would be already geared up with hearing apparatus.

George Ryan of the Irish Times turned up in person to collect the results. He always shows up at National events to get the results. George was once an avid bridge player but has not touched a card in over 40 years. He stopped for Lent one year and has not started since.

Former bridge TV star Thomas Lawlor showed up wearing a Manchester United jersey.
Although representing Louth this avid Meath GAA fan could not be seen in a Louth jersey.
Thomas appeared on the Consuming Passions series some years ago with among others the well know BJ OBrien. BJ currently is recovering from a broken ankle. 

I showed him a book that Michael O'Loughlin recently published and sent me a copy.
George said "Very well presented" 
George was the author of the ancient bridge manuscripts "The Bones of Bridge" 
and maybe another one called "More of the Flesh"
One was yellow and one was pink ..
Michaels book is called "Bridge: Basic Card Play " 
http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Basic-Card-Michael-OLoughlin/dp/0957270518

Brian Lawlor Paul O'Reilly Eamon Galligan Bernard Higgins worked as TDs
Paul Porteus and Norma Madden done lots of stuff too
Bert McKay sorted out lots of boards at the end
Many players put away tables
Danny Liddy drove a bus from the West Munster  area.

CBAI Office also have it for sale .. CBAI members get a 10% discount when purchasing books and software down at the office in Templogue.

..............
http://www.regentbridgeclub.ie/   if you reckon you are good at bridge and have some stamina.
There is a major event with a prize of 1000 euro for the winner taking place over 4 Fridays of the summer.
Click the link for details. All contact details are there. Turn up on the respective Friday nights but you need 3 different partners to qualify for the main prize.
There is a rumour that Paula Tolan will be singing a song each evening. Paula is secretary of the Regent Bridge Club and will assist with any details on the event. Folk can ring the club any night after 7pm and Declan Byrne or whoever is in charge will assist enquiries.

............
There was also another event on at the weekend ..a 6 team event called the Egan.
This was one by Brid Kemple Aoife McHale Terry Walsh and Peter Goodman on a split tie from another Team.
I don't have much detail on this event. However details might appear on CBAI website or IBU section soon.
In the past this event selected the Irish representatives for the European Club championships but I don't think we play in it these days. Think qualification is tied to the National Team performance.
................
Next up the M50 teams .. in Templogue .. with Brian Lawlor cracking the whip ..
assisted by Eamon Galligan and John Murray and some other North Dublin bridge workers.
Dublin North Region runs the event this year for the 4 regions touching the M50.
.............

Now its nearly time to cheer the Meckwell Crazycrackers comeback in the US Trials.
They trail by 60 imps after 30 boards... 60 boards left ..
Nickell teams have pulled back bigger deficits in the past but the opposition has improved massively since then. In the past Team Nickell would be odds on favourites for any US trials but this year they are playing for the 2nd Team placing.

If you think that summer is only travel and barbecues, swimming and picnics - then think again!  Always lots of bridge to enjoy in Minnesota.  And, in the Twin Cities, Wednesday nights at the TCBC, is a great game for those who enjoy playing in the evening.  Steve Gaynor, director, has all the details!

This week (June 12th)  is a session of the Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC).

Prior to the game Peg Mitchell is having a dinner at her home.  Stop by her place at 5PM or later and eat, then come over to the TCBC for the evening game.

I hope to see you all then.  Let me know if you need a partner.  It is best to call me cell phone at 612-708-7563 of call the Bridge Center as there is a limited game and someone live is there all afternoon on Wednesday. Once I leave for work Wednesday morning I will not have access to my e-mails.

The schedule for the rest of summer Wednesday evenings is below.  Be sure to qualify for the NAP; we have five qualifying games left on Wednesday nights.

Also, definitely attend the Grass roots fund games (GRF).  The extra dollar comes back to our district to be used for bridge education and promotion.  We will run that event once a month.  Best of all:  all games all summer long will offer extra masterpoints!

Wed Summer Nights

Twin City Bridge Center - 6020 Nicollet Ave S

 

Irwin Boris, one of our area's top players, has kindly written up an interesting hand from the Gopher for us.  In addition, Irwin offers some thoughts about bridge today.

Although it is unfortunate that attendance was down at the Gopher, in some ways, bridge is thriving.  Many of us have been watching at BridgeBase Online, as the United States Bridge Federation holds its championship to determine which two teams will represent our country this fall in international competition.  USA2 is still under way - but - USA1 has already been won.  The team that won it did it most convincingly, winning all of their matches against elite competition by large margins - and they did it playing 4-handed!  Perhaps the best news is that everyone on the team is in their thirties - or younger.

Irwin is correct that we need to do more to help spur interest in our beautiful game. Nevertheless, some - especially in the next generation - have already gotten the message in spades!

Thank you, Irwin, for your column and good luck to the United States teams in Bali!

Download Bridgeisabeautifulgame

Much going on with Unit 178.  For all the details from their Board of Directors meeting in June, please read the minutes posted below.

Download 178MinutesJune8,2013

 

 

A very impressive victory by the Kranyak Team (left to right: Gavin Wolpert, John Kranyak, Kevin Bathurst, and Kevin Dwyer) after handily beating the Diamond, Nickell and Fleisher Teams, have earned them the distinctive honor of representing the United States in the Bermuda Bowl this September in Bali!  I don’t know them personally (nor their ages) but they appear to be one of the youngest assemblages of bridge stars to capture such a title.   It was an extremely popular win because of their exuberance, ethics and deportment.  A third pair will be selected to round out the team.

The battle for USA II takes place today on BBO featuring Fleisher (Marty Fleisher, Mike Kamil, Zia Mahmood, Chip Martel, Michael Rosenberg and Chris Willenken) v. Nickell (Nick Nickell, Ralph Katz, Steve Weinstein, Bobby Levin, Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell).  Zia and Chip, Michael and Chris, and Nick and Ralph are not longtime partnerships – while Fleisher/Kamil, Weinstein/Levin and of course Meckwell are seasoned pairs.  It is anyone’s guess and guaranteed to be one helluva show. 

The match will start today at 2:00 Orlando time.   The teams will play two 15 board segments Sunday and four 15 board segments Monday (starting at 10:00).  Thanks one more time to BBO for its brilliant innovation to bring these unbelievable qualifying events into the homes of thousands upon thousands of bridge lovers in every nook and cranny of the world.

 

If you look closely you can see the passengers about to board a Pan American World Airlines plane.   It is obviously bound for an important bridge clash – but  the destination and year are a mystery.  However, I spotted some familiar faces.  On the far left is a very young Alfie Sheinwold.  Moving to the right, the fifth individual is easily recognizable as the handsome, debonair Johnny Crawford and after passing over the two gentlemen shaking hands is unquestionably Sidney Silodor.  Neither Bobby nor I have a clue as to the others and hopefully one of you veterans out there can identify them for us.   Help!!!!

Few in the bridge world actually know the backgrounds and the chance meeting and eventual marriage of these two individuals .. Peggy Mastbaum-Golder-Solomon and Charles J. Solomon (bridge luminaries with quite diverse histories) who found each other and happily spent the remainder of their adult lives together. This photo, unlike the other recent ones from my personal collection, was borrowed from a story I would like to share with you by an unknown author (interspersed with some of my own personal input):

Peggy Solomon was the daughter of movie magnate Jules E. Mastbaum, a Philadelphia philanthropist who donated the Rodin Museum, which was replicated in 1927 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.  Her first husband, Colonel Benjamin M. Golder, was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature from 1916-1924 and was later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives  (1924-1933). He passed away on the last day of his term as the 1946 ACBL President at the age of 52 and was named Honorary Member of the Year in 1947.

Peggy grew up in a bridge environment as both of her parents played.   Because Ben was such an active individual, he was always on the go and encouraged Peggy to engulf herself in something to occupy her time.  She wanted to join the Women’s Bridge Team at her country club shortly before World War II, but was disappointed that she could only make the Third Flight Team.  She was determined to improve and decided to take lessons. Her first teacher was a Mrs. Evans, who was also teaching Nelson Eddy (of  “Naughty Marietta” fame) who was then a Philadelphia resident.  Peggy’s next teacher was a rising young star named Charles Goren who, at the time, only charged $5 a lesson.  (You can’t even play in a duplicate for five bucks these days).

One day as Peggy was walking by the Cavendish Club in Philadelphia, she met Charlie Solomon (a confirmed bachelor at the time), who stopped and introduced himself to the Widow Golder.  Following a few minutes of casual conversation, he invited her to play sometime.  She was thrilled.   After all, she was a novice and he was an established star.  As a first-time partnership,  they placed 36th out of 36 pairs.  However,  Peggy was undaunted and undeterred.    Charlie Solomon then became her mentor in bridge and as the kibitzers predicted, they married in 1948.  After a few years of practice and tutoring, she became one of the nation’s top-ranked female bridge players.  Peggy was the third woman to earn the rank of Life Master (after Helen Sobel and Sally Young). She won nine and placed second in eleven North American Championships. In 1960, the Solomons were featured in a newspaper article headlined “The Solomons:  Top Married Bridge Team.”

The title they earned brought to mind a funny offshoot I wanted to share with you.   Back in San Antonio sometime in the late sixties, in the middle of the night the phone rang.  Bobby (who was a World War II history buff) was awakened by a man’s booming voice, shouting excitedly, “We’re advancing on the Solomons!” –  “We’re advancing on the Solomons!”  The first thought that entered his sleepy mind was that our American Forces were moving toward the Solomon Islands in the Pacific.  Suddenly he came to  his senses and realized it was Ozzie Jacoby calling him from a distant tournament to share the good news:   Ozzie and his wife, Mary Zita, were now the second place wedded couple in the ACBL Masterpoint Race – not far behind the likes of the Solomons!

Charlie died suddenly in 1975 (leaving all his country clubs up for grabs – a situation which I alluded to in an earlier blog).  Peggy survived him by twenty years and will always be remembered as one of the loveliest ladies to ever grace the Philadelphia bridge scene.  A grand dame – in every sense of the word!

In the USBF bridge trials tonight Michael Seamon tried pushing the opps up a level and those opps went up 3 levels and then made the thing. Thats about 1000 points. ...1440 instead of 420.

It will be a while until I see one of these hands again .. Normally you give someone a push from 4S to 5S but don't expect them to take off and bid a GRAND.

After the hand all 4 players left the table ..Seamon went for a smoke .. Levin probably went with him as last I saw he smoked too... Lots of Polish bridge players smoke but I don't know about Pepsi ..and I don't recall Weinstein smoking.

Even the famous BJ O Brien would not bid a GRAND like this..but Thomas McCormac might.
...............
However I best finish the story ..In the other room Sonty and Berky roared into 7S with no pushing so
the 7C lost 2 imps in the end ..

You can join the ACBL’s effort to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association in many ways.

The first way is to play bridge on Friday, June 21. Games are at TCBC at 7:30 am, 11:00, 1:30, 4:00, and 7:15 (sponsored by Mpls. Grand Slam Club).  Food will be served all day.

Entry fees are $7, and both TCBC and MGSC are donating the proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

You are looking at (left to right) … Charlie Goren, Helen Sobel, Sidney Silodor and a lesser known expert – Myron Field who captured this much heralded event sixty-two years ago.  It is amazing the photo copied above is the original and shows little signs of wear and tear.  Earlier this week I zeroed in on Charlie and Sidney but just came upon this picture which included their teammates. 

Helen Sobel (Smith) has been long recognized as the best female player ever.   Some might dispute that statement, but I am certainly in no position to do so.   Helen rocketed from New York chorus girl .. to appear in The Marx Brothers’ Broadway Musical Comedy Animal Crackers .. and then abandoned ship to become a unique bridge legend.  She was the frequent partner of Charlie Goren and they enjoyed many triumphs together.  I recall (as a newlywed in the early sixties) sitting next to her in a Hospitality Suite at a National.  When she charmingly introduced herself and asked my name, I was so bewildered – I had to think a minute before I could come up with an answer.  

Myron Field, a New York stockbroker, was thirty nine at the time of this prestigious victory.  He garnered three other National titles and represented the United States in 1956 in the Bermuda Bowl, joining Charles Goren, Lee Hazen, Richard Kahn, Charles Solomon and Sam Stayman.

1. Declarer play/defense 
2. System knowledge 
3. Bidding judgement 
4. Table presence 
5. Concentration 
6. Self control – a steady nerve in the face of good or bad results

The team celebrating above was one of the most honorable and respectable group of gentlemen with whom Norman had the honor of playing.   Even their dress code was exemplary.  From left to right (top row):  Norman, Al Roth, Edgar Kaplan, Sami Kehela, Captain Julius Rosenblum.  The bottom row features Eric Murray on the left and Bill Root on the right.   I witnessed the bidding and play of thousands of boards and heard countless post mortems, but never saw a finger pointed or heard a cross word uttered**.  A coterie of class personified … they were a breed apart. 

**However, allow me to elaborate farther about my observation of their keeping tongues in cheek if they did not necessarily agree with a teammate’s bid or play.  I do recall a particular incident (which I consider humorous rather than disrespectful).   After Roth was sidelined one time (for perhaps being “off his game”), he defiantly blurted out to his captain:  “They never benched BABE RUTH once when HE struck out.”    Confidence was not one of Al’s short suits.  From that day on, Bobby tells me he was known as “Babe Roth.”

NORMAN partnered Sidney Silodor until Silodor’s death in 1963. He then resumed playing with Edgar Kaplan (after a three year hiatus) which resulted in one of the most successful and longest-lasting partnerships in organized bridge. It spanned more than 40 years.  Norman was arguably the greatest bridge player who never became a world champion. He was known for both the remarkable accuracy of his card play and for his even temperament at the table. Away from the pasteboards, he was widely respected as an exceptionally kind and humble gentleman.

AL was considered one of the greatest players of his day.  He wrote several books on the game, and invented various bridge conventions that have become commonplace, including five card majors, negative doubles, forcing no trump and the unusual no trump.  Roth was viewed as a fascinating theorist but "he was very tough to sit opposite—unless you were so thick-skinned that no insult was severe enough to hurt, or you were willing to make extreme sacrifices to get on a winning side” said the late Dickie Freeman (who earlier gained national prominence appearing on one of America’s favorite radio shows –  ”The Quiz Kids”).

EDGAR was an incredible principal contributor to the game. His career spanned six decades and covered every aspect of bridge. He was a teacher, author, editor, administrator, champion player, theorist, expert vugraph commentator, coach/captain and authority on the laws of the game. He was the editor and publisher of The Bridge World magazine for more than 30 years (1967–1997). His partnership with Norman was one of the strongest and longest-lasting expert pairings ever. Edgar was stricken with cancer and passed away in September of 1997 at the age of seventy-two.

SAMI (sometimes spelled Sammy) was born in 1934 in Bagdad, lived in England and eventually became a Canadian citizen and presently resides in Toronto with his wife. He is a revered member of the Hall of Fame of both the American Contract Bridge League and of the Canadian Bridge Federation. He enjoyed much time while living in England at the knee of Terrence Reese, his mentor. Sami is a semi-retired journalist and teacher. He was the former Editor of the Ontario Kibitzer, bridge columnist for Toronto Life, a contributing editor to both the ACBL Bulletin and ACBL Bridge Encyclopedia and is recognized for his enjoyment of fine wine and films.

JULIUS, their team captain, was born in Memphis and migrated to New Orleans in 1935. His active life in the bridge arena included playing, captaining many international teams and of greater import — serving a major role in the continuing development of the World Bridge Federation — as Secretary-Treasurer in 1966 and as a voting member of the WBF Executive Committee, replacing Waldemar von Zedtwitz who retired. In 1968 he was elected to an unprecedented third term as President of the WBF and was elected to the WBF Committee of Honour (it’s highest distinction). He was also named 1970 ACBL Honorary Member of the year.  Julius held the team together and was respected by all.

ERIC, a retired barrister by profession, enjoyed a successful and enduring partnership with Sami for over thirty years.  Eric,  too, was elected to both the American and Canadian Halls of Fame.  As a partnership, Murray-Kehela represented their country in every one of the first six World Team Olympiads from Turin in 1960 to Valkenburg in 1980.  Murray’s quips are known universally, but this one goes to the head of the list:  During the 1975 Bermuda Bowl when two Italian players were caught passing information by tapping toes, Murray sent a telegram to the USA team saying he was available to play as an expert.  And, he noted, “I wear a size 13 shoe.”

BILL was perhaps the best known bridge teacher in the world at one time – probably teaching the game to more people than anyone in history.  A former resident of Boca Raton, Root at one time conducted classes in Florida and New York.  After quitting his regular job, he began moving in elite bridge circles and played for some time with Alvin Roth.  Root’s last partner was the young and extremely talented Richard Pavlicek.  Bill  met him on a trip to Florida and they formed a partnership lasting  more than 20 years. “Richard is my all-time favorite partner,” said Root.  After they won the Vanderbilt in 1995, Pavlicek said: “Bill may be 71, but you have to wait a long time for him to touch a wrong card.”

There you have it – the 1967 Bal Harbour United States Team.

(In the event, any of you have the time, check out a blog written by me on this site dated August 23, 2009 entitled “When Less Than the Best Represent US – Bridge has lost its Elegance”.  It is four years later – and little has changed for the better).

 

"Getting closer", the words of Cliff, Glasvegas captain, as the team lost in the final of the BBO InterCity League for the second consecutive year. Last time it was 6 IMPs, this time just 4 IMPs as we lost to Ascoli Piceno.

I played in the second half but there was much excitement in the first. Jim and John bid a grand slam that was a little better than a finesse, gaining 11 IMPs when the finesse worked.  There was another 11 IMPs when John passed at the five-level when the kibitzers and I were wondering whether he'd make a grand slam try or settle for six - but a 4-0 break scuppered the slam bid in the other room. But a lot of these IMPs went back on the final board when the five-level proved too high and taking the penalty would have been more fruitful - but these decisions are always tough at adverse vulnerability and, again, slam was potentially in the picture.

At the end of the first sixteen boards the scores were tied at 25-25.

As in previous matches I came in to play with Cliff, sitting North-South, with Helen and Danny at the other table.

The first board was an easy game for the East-West pairs. The second board was a less easy game for them, indeed neither Helen or Danny thought that they had an opening bid and did well to get into the auction at all, so no surprise when it was flat in the part-score.

On the third board, Cliff claims that someone accessed his computer remotely and that was the reason that he opened a multi two diamonds with only five hearts. Our opponents struggled to cope and went two down at the three level. In the other room Danny's one notrump overcall found a pointless partner and three down, doubled, meant a 12 IMPs loss - the only better spot was opener's suit, never easy to find.

After a flat three notrump, good competitive bidding over the opponent's strong club pushed them into a no-play game that went three down. When our declarer misplayed his heart partscore, this was worth 8 IMPs.

We gained a game swing on board six due to a difference in bidding philosophy. Danny opened a strong notrump holding five hearts and Helen just bid game with a long spade suit. The Italian philosophy is to open the major, helped by their use of the Gazzilli convention. But in this case it let Cliff and I compete and then gave the stronger hand a difficult decision which he got wrong, as they languished in the partscore.

Then the North players held:


What do you call - double, two hearts or two spades (Michaels)?

Whichever you select, the next hand bids four spades and the auction comes back to you. What now?

Another flat game was followed by a partscore hand where I misguessed which way to finesse for a queen, going down two instead of making.

Danny and Helen gained a slam swing on board fourteen, the direct approach working better than the slow one adopted at our table:


On the penultimate board Cliff thought he had a hand that was difficult to evaluate:


What do you think the hand is worth?

Discussions afterwards showed that Cliff and I were not playing the same methods by a passed hand. We had agreed Drury, so I presumed that all other jumps would be fit bids. However Cliff's version of Drury is very restricted, to allow opener to judge precisely what to do, whereas mine is more wide-ranging. Luckily it didn't make any difference this time, but just shows that you need to discuss a lot in an irregular partnership.

On the final board our opponents bid game in their 5-2 spade fit and Cliff found the normal, killing, lead. Careful defence beat the contract two tricks. As we'd finished first we were able to run to the other table to find out the score and see the final boards played. We were 7 IMPs down going into the final board but I could see that Danny and Helen would bid the no-play three notrump. As they did. But the defence lost its way early on and gave Danny a chance for glory, but the key card was the seven of clubs that the defence had established and he failed to appreciate that it was high, going one down. So we lost by 4 IMPs.

An unfortunate finish but the team has played very well throughout the season and can only regard it as successful.

The next edition will be in October and, if you are free on Wednesday evenings, I strongly suggest that you get a team together and play. It is a fun event.

All my childhood and adult life, I have been a movie buff.  Sometimes I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, but I have been fortunate enough to have a fantastic recall for old movies, stars, co-stars, wedded Hollywood couples as well as divorced ones, songs from the flicks and so on.  Perhaps that combination of failure and success run hand and hand with dementia or the beginning of Alzheimer’s (which on occasion surfaces at the table).   Whatever!

Even before I became actively involved in bridge, I frequented the cinema and had certain undisputable favorites.   One of them was Omar Sharif .. not so much for his good looks, but more so for his charming demeanor.  I still savor many of his flicks – particularly Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, The Tamerind Seed and the light-hearted musical “Funny Girl” with Barbara Streisand.  It is worthy of note that Omar received some flack back home, angering government officials, when he co-starred with the unmistakably Jewish Ms. Streisand.  To add to my fascination, I later learned he was one of our bridge flock and was addicted by the same passion we all share.   Some years afterwards I got wind of the Omar Sharif Tour and excitedly noted that Philadelphia was one of the stops on the roster of cities where the Circus would visit.  Little did I envision what was about to happen. 

As you remember, it was a three-cornered contest (The Dallas Aces, the Local City’s superstars and of course, Omar’s team) which consisted of several prominent European bridge celebrities, including the top players from the Italian Blue Team (Belladonna, Garozzo and Forquet).  They would be arriving at The Drake Hotel for a several day stay (playing afternoon duplicates against the local players) and at night would have the three-way-match which the public would kibitz.  Due to previous commitments, Bob Jordan (who was asked to oversee the Philadelphia appearance) realized he would be in Australia for a bridge outing but would return home just before the Circus came to town so he asked me (as Norman’s wife and his best friend) to make the arrangements and tend to the “little” details with the hotel, press, etc.  Naively, I accepted – not knowing what was in store for me.  I luckily had an unprecedented support group from equally fascinated bridge lovers and when Bob arrived home ready for the Circus’ arrival – we were good to go.   In retrospect, if I knew all the responsibility I was undertaking when I accepted Bob’s request, I probably would have refused.   But – as fate had it, the Circus was in town and we were ready!  Due to the exuberant Philadelphia cast of hundreds, the rooms were flooded daily with duplicate players and nightly kibitzers.  In all due modesty (but mainly because of my eager workers who  physically threw themselves into the task heart and soul) – we drew more visitors than any city on the tour.  You may wonder why all the background .. so I will put your suffering to an end.

Sunday evening, after the last session, Omar stood up before a wildly cheering house and was utterly overwhelmed by the reception the Circus received.  He had learned that I was the substituted power behind the throne and, though it was fun, worked my butt off preparing for this momentous occasion which ended the seven or eight city-tour.    Omar summoned me to the podium and before I knew it, the picture above was snapped.  It was over forty years ago and the number forty rings a bell as it was just as many pounds that I had gained since then.   Ah, to be young and thin again.

Good morning folks



I know Thomas Hanlon and John Carroll are playing in the Salvador Assael  Memorial Tournament but without digging a little deeper I don't seem to be able to access the results ..I know David and Diane Greenwood are also playing but I will do some work on finding out the results webpage.

Hi Eamon,
>
> One more qualifying session, nicely placed.
>
> http://www.assaelbridge.com/en/
>
> Tom
>
> Sent from my iPad

Hurray I finally got there ..
http://clubs.vugraph.com/AssaelBridge/eventresults.php?event=89316

Thomas and John currently placed in 2nd going into the Final session of qualifying
A 3 session final A and B will follow

Salvador Assael represented the Turkish Open Team in Euro Championships in Dublin. in 2012.
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The Regent Bridge Club 1000 euro for the winner slowly approachs with the players lining up to partner the incedible Brendan O'Brien who has space in his coffee jar for some winnings. Friday week June 14th is the big night. Thats the night before Neil Young appears on stage in Dublin.
Details are here ... http://www.regentbridgeclub.ie/

Declan Byrne will be the Master of cermonies ..
I don't know who is directing but Brian Lawlor would be a good guess ... or maybe the incredible Declan Byrne will do that job as well. I know former Regent treasurer and current Dublin South Region beancounter Mr James Mullally attempted the Regional TDs course last weekend but have not heard any results yet.
It could be him ..
.............................
Last night I was talking to Jamie Martin the former perennial Junior International player for Ireland.
He was there so long he got too old to play. Anyway much to my dismay I wandered onto his blog.
Some brain wrecking stuff there ... including Shortcake and mathematics ...
http://mybraincrack.blogspot.ie/

Here you will find bridge hands ..brain things and even bridge advice in a cryptical way.

One story that caught my attention and ended up with a piece of great bridge advice was here
http://mybraincrack.blogspot.ie/2012/01/mens-erger-je-niet.html

Click on this and go to the end of the story and you will see an embedded link about his young partner and
click on that.
I got a laugh anyway
............
Its a beautiful sunny day and all Billy wants to do is sit inside and play Jack 5.02 and work on his bridge game. He makes tournaments each day and leaves Jack clugging away on his old laptop and then returns home after work to play the tourney he has created.
Strangely enough I used to do this with GIB 15 years ago when GIB was about to become the greatest
computer bridge program ever made. GIB still lives on but no development since about 2001.
Bridge Base Online seems to own it now and GIB is doing a fine job as a double dummy analyzer and plays 1000s of tourneys each day. I personally still fire up the old DOS version sometimes. A fine program created by Matt Ginsberg   www.gibware.com

Nearly everybody has the DOS version free in their BBO directory these days but probably don't know it

Jack5 is now the current top of the shelf program for computer bridge enthusiasts ..
www.jackbridge.com

...........
I still highly recommend the daily Wbridge5 tournament and free Wbridge5 bridge playing program

http://bridgez.net:3002/ConnectingPlayer.html

.

Thanks
Eamon Galligan

 

Many players like to focus on what conventions to play.  This is important - but more important still are understandings.

What are understandings?  They are general principles (and more specific, too) as to what a myriad of sequences mean.  Which bids show extras and which are competitive?  What are the upper limits for preempts - and the lower limits for overcalls?  When both sides are bidding, what does "pass" indicate and what does "double" show?

For ten days in Orlando, ending this Sunday, the best teams in America are vying to be USA #1 and USA#2. Though you can bet that they have extensive understandings on what all their bids mean - they nevertheless can, and do, have misunderstandings.  If you want to see bridge at the top, complete with razzle dazzle and errors by the elite, then tune into Bridgebase for a great vugraph show.

In the meantime, please enjoy this week's "Koch Korner" column.  John demonstrates with a specific hand how important it is to have well tuned understandings - and then win like the big boys.

Download 327.ObviousSacrifices.1

In the late eighties, Omar Sharif, an Egyptian by birth, was the focal point of the King Tut Exhibition which was held in downtown Dallas.  The City converged upon the site and his bridge cronies joined the entourage.  Dressed in their Sunday finery are (from left to right) … Jim Hooker, Bob Hamman, Jim Jacoby, Charlie Weed, (Omar in the middle), Dr. John Fisher and Bobby.

GOREN AND SILODOR

The person seated on the left is known universally as Mr. Bridge .. Charlie Goren.  Leaning over him is Sidney Silodor (the first celebrated partner of my late husband) who discovered Norman while in his twenties  There is no way to positively identify the year the picture was taken.  An educated guess would be the early fifties.

I only knew Charlie casually (although he attended our wedding in Philadelphia in August of 1963 but it was rumored he had become a shell of his former robust self ).   By the time I came upon the serious glitz and glitter of the bridge scene in 1960, his mind was starting to go downhill and the problem surfaced as the onset of dementia caused by pressure on the optic nerve.  No one will ever replace him as it is unchallenged that Goren was the person who put bridge on the map.   Who knows if any of us would be here today savoring the game and making countless friends the world over had it not been for his charm and mesmerizing talent for promoting our fascinating pastime (which in some cases resulted in very lucrative livelihoods as is witnessed by the professionalism that exists today).

The gentleman to the right was especially dear to me.   Sidney Silodor, who was also a Philadelphian (though born in Bayonne, NJ), spotted Norman while he was playing with some prominent New Yorkers (Edgar Kaplan, Lenny Harmon, Ivar Stakgold, et al.) and it took some convincing (after having Norman travel to New York to be interviewed and "tested" by B. J. Becker) before he was welcomed aboard their team.  It was initially disappointing that B. J. didn’t think Norman, though admittedly talented, was quite ready and not ‘seasoned’ enough for the big time at the moment — but six months later was overruled as Norman was successfully added to Sidney’s illustrious group and a year or so later got to represent the country with them in South America.  I grew very close to Sidney and Bessie Silodor while I was dating Norman, but our friendship was too short lived as Sidney sadly died of cancer at  57 — exactly two weeks before our wedding.  However, I shall always treasure my brief period of intimacy with the Silodors.

On travel, in a new city, I decided to catch a bridge game at the local  club.  I emailed the owner of the club ahead of time asking if he could find me a partner.  "Come and you will play," he told me.

Translation: a partner is guaranteed, but not the skill level of the partner. When you email a bridge club in a new city, tell them you are visiting on business and ask them to find you a partner, you will get one of three responses:  (1) The director/owner will lean on one of their better players to show up, or will play with you themselves  (2) They will tell you to show up and match you up with whoever is available (3) You will get a reply 3 days after the date of your visit apologizing for not seeing your email on time.  The Manhattan Bridge Club, the Galway Bridge Club (and the Norman one) are in the first category. This club, apparently, was the second category. Not great, but not terrible either.

Pickup partners are always a crapshoot. The one I got was pleasant and likeable, but he didn't hold any bones about playing the game well.  Indeed, the only reason he was at the Bridge Spot was because his girlfriend was taking a class and he was going to have to wait for her anyway.  He underled his aces, didn't lead the suits I bid, ruffed my winners, miscounted trumps, bid 2C over my 1D opening with a 2-card club suit, cashed his stoppers in the opponents' suit in NT contracts, gave up a spade trick holding AKx in hand and Q singleton in dummy ... you get the idea.  I mentally shrugged my shoulders and just smiled. After all, he was doing me a favor by playing.

The nicest hand of the evening was one where the bidding went:

Imagine that you are playing the final of a 3-session kiddies bracket knockout (average masterpoints: 500) at a sectional tournament. After 12 boards, you go to compare with your team-mates and find that you are down 53 imps. What is your strategy now?

We were the team that was up by 53 imps at the half. The opponents apparently decided to stretch to bid every game and slam in sight. Most of these games and slams didn't make and so we ended up winning huge.

After 24 boards, this was the only board that we lost imps on.

We play 10-12 NT in first seat, so with a 15 point balanced hand, partner opens 1D and then rebids 1NT or 3H.  Over the overcall, we play negative free bids, so I decided to bid 2D, non-forcing (I need 13+ points to force game).  Partner felt that NT would play better from my side if I had the Queen of spades.  After his 3D bid,  I couldn't see 11 tricks in diamonds and my 3-card spade suit didn't look appealing.  So, I passed.

I got the expected spade lead, took the ace and immediately led a heart to my Jack and another heart to the king.  They got their heart ace and spade king, but that was all, since I was able to ruff a spade in dummy, pull trumps and discard a club on the queen of hearts. 11 tricks are there after all and there is no defense to beat it.

At the other table, where the opponents were stretching, the bidding went:

Were we just unlucky on this board or is this a game that should have been bid?

Sometimes I think that, as much fun as a tournament is - enjoying the retelling of success and oddities is just as much as the experiences themselves.

In that vein - please enjoy this wonderful tale from Eric Hendrickson about his favorite Gopher hand!

Download My Favorite Hand

The final between Lebi (Lindop, Czyzowicz, Jacob) VS Fergani (Daigneault, Schoenborn, Baran) was full of action. Well worth getting up early to watch them play on BBO.

With every finesse on the slam was make able. Not blessed with x-ray vision Jacob played South to have been squeezed, bared the heart Queen earlier. At Trick 12 played for the drop, so they lost 13 imps. At the other table Fergani was only in game.

Right on the next board Jacob and Czyzowicz found a good save of 5♠X over 5 ♥  to get back 10 imps. Other table was allowed to play in 5♥.

 After 60 boards the match was tied. Lebi won the 8 board play off 10-2.

The winner of the Canadian Open Pairs : Jordan Cohen – Stephen Copper. Second : Bryan Maksymetz – Gray McMullin. Third : Don Domansky – David McLellan.

 

 

 

 

 

Believe it or not, this was from a world championship in 1982 in Biarritz, France and the photograph was taken by an enthralled kibitzer – moi!  Most of you will recognize the participants – top row was Norman Kay, B. J. Becker (who had just reached the tender age of 78 and passed away five years later) and Ronnie Rubin.  Seated below are Michael Becker and Edgar Kaplan.  Absent from the picture is their sixth — Michael Rosenberg.  There is no accounting for the things one remembers.  It was my first visit to France – and besides the daily excitement of the bridge competition, I indulged myself at a nearby blackjack table and together with the late Joan Gerard, visited and patronized a fantastic handbag boutique on a daily basis.  You can’t take it with you!

Gartaganis (Nick+Judy Gartaganis, Paul Thurston, Jeff Smith, Darren Wolpert, Daniel Kobel) VS Tucker NPC (Irving Litvack, Ian Findlay, Roy Dalton, Vince Oddy, Arno Hobart, Harmon Edgar) in the fifth set, after 10 boards put on an amazing 54 to 1 run.

This deal contributed 11 imps to the Gartaganis team. Judy made the wise decision to play in 3NT. While her counter part was in the no play 5♦.

 No Mas, play had stopped. Both team had retired to the bar after the 6th set. 

Silver Medal :

 

 And the Winners :

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, in a long, long overdue effort to sort out boxes upon boxes of worthless junk as well as priceless hoarded memories, I began to sift through (or rather plough through) over three dozen containers bearing fading labels identifying the contents.    Much of it could be trashed, but being a Grand Master in the Bridge Packrat category, I lugged three mammoth boxes of photographs onto my kitchen table (which doesn’t serve much of a  purpose these days anyway).   Ninety percent of them are photographs recalling the legends of old and when my daughter teaches me how to attach photos to my computer, I will share them with you. Hopefully, it will be within the week.

Most are of Norman and his cronies and I found some of Bobby & Company in his days before, during and after the Aces as well as the Sharif Bridge Tour which I witnessed in Philly.  However, since I am unable to transfer my photo gallery to this site at the present time, I wanted to share what I found on a torn and battered “Fun Card” (similar to a huge postcard designed to be sent through the mails) and hope it will not offend anyone:

The following will bear witness as to how most non-bridge players view our entourage  The caption (in large orange print) questions ‘WHAT’S THIS WORLD COMING TO” with a sketch of a woman reminiscent of Aunt Jemimah (whom many of you old fogeys will recall):

Yes’m   Ah quit dat job.  Dat were de mos’ ridiculos place I’se ebber been in!

Dey played a game called bridge,  an’ las’ night dere was lots o’fellas an’ gals dere.   Jes’ as ah was fixin’ to serve ‘freshments ah heahs dis man say to a  woman “take yo’  hands off mah trick!”

Ah jes neah drapped daid, bless mah bones, ah heahs annudder man say, “you sure got a nice bust!”

Den annuder man say, “Lay down an’ let me see what you got!”

Den dis udder woman say “you jumped me twice when you didn’t have stuff enuff  fo’  one good raise.”

‘An den some woman say somep’n ‘bout “coverin’ her honor.”

Well, ah jist ups ‘an gits mah hat ‘cause ah knowed dat ain’t no fitting place fo’ me, an’ just’ as ah was leavin,’ ah hope to die ef dis woman didnd’t say, “Well ah guess we’ll stop now, as dis is mah las’ rubber.
and den – doggone ef she didn’t say, “lay down yo dummy ‘en let me play on it!”

No Ma’am, ah’s a lady an’ ah jes’ couldn’t stay there!  

I recall my hysteria reading it the first time – but I guarantee you it tickled my funny bone as much just today.

Watching the Canadian Women’s Team Trial championship (CWTC) brought back a lot of memories and some new thoughts.

First congratulations to the winners. I thought that the two finalists were very evenly matched and that the winner would be the team who was “in the zone” and of course a bit of luck wouldn’t hurt.  Pretty much all the players in both of the final two teams had won this event previously. So well done to the winners

Ina Demme, Karen Cumpstone, Joan Eaton, Sondra Blank, Sylvia Caley and Katie Thorpe

and my commiserations to the runnersup

Sharyn Reus, Sandra Fraser, Isabelle Smith, Sam Nystrom, Francine Cimon and Dianna Gordon.

I have been on both sides of the finals and I know the feeling you get when you have worked very hard to prepare and then you lose narrowly. Unfortunately while there is a huge prize for winning there is nothing at all for being second.

I plan to write up some deals and also to congratulate winners in other events but I have my own event to deal with this weekend. I am walking in the Niagara Falls 1/2 marathon. Something a little different!

 

 

Due to popular demand for our aspiring duplicate and serious Bridge players, we will be covering the 2/1 Bridge system in some detail!  While the Standard American bidding system has gained a strong following for social players over the years, many competitive bidders looking to make for games and slams have turned their attention to [...]

Sandra Fraser (North) and Francine Cimon (South) earned a slam swing this morning on Board 1.

This was their auction :

4♦ – Keycard in diamond. 4NT – 2 without the queen. 5♥ – Ask for kings.
Very nice auction, nothing to the play, set up spades for a club discard.

 

 

Silver Medal :

 The Winners :

 

 

Canadian Senior Teams semi-final.

Robert Lebi (David Lindop, Jurek Czyzowicz, Dan Jacob) VS Don Domansky (David McLellan, Larry Hansen, Roland Laframboise, Barry Onslow, John Arblaster)

Bob Todd (Doug Fisher, William Koski, John Morgan) VS Kamel Fergani (Pierre Daigneault, Michael Schoenborn, Boris Baran)

More photos are posted on line.

For results see CBF site.

The finals will be on BBO.

 

 

"How do I get better at bridge?"  It's a plaintive cry from more than a few.

And - Irwin Boris has come to the rescue!

For those who wish to improve their games - Irwin has some advice well worth the time to read!

Download Bridgeadvice

So see you all there. I will be hunting the cash myself. No doubt the legendary bounty hunter BJOBrien will be there too. Maybe we will see the incoming President Thomas McCormac make an appearance.
..........
I went to the Arklow Cup last Sunday and it was good fun but I suffered a few heavy hits. However got in a few good blows myself. Two lads decided to take a puck at me in 4S and then one of them underled the HEART ACE so I popped HEART KING and was about to lose to the doubleton spade TEN when the lad jumped up with SPADE ACE ... 2 doubled overtricks was all the matchpoints. Michael McGloughlin played well on a few boards but mainly it was the opponents going easy on us.
http://www.cbai.ie/documents/ArklowCup2013.pdf
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Bray Bridge Club is celebrating 70 years of playing and they will have a Congress August 31 Sept 01 ..Swiss Teams and Pairs .. Loads of dosh there too for winners .. I have a hrd copy brochure but no soft copy yet. Probably will be up as soon as CBAI have next seasons calendar posted.
More on this Brendan Martin compered event later ...
................................
European Open Bridge Championships in Ostend coming up soon. I see there is an Irish team captained by Grainne Barton entered in the Open Teams starting June 22nd. I must look again and see who else is entered. There is also a Candidates Ladies Team entered.
..................
So I hear Declan has a new suit with big shoulders for the Regent Summer in Dublin event. He will expect to welcome lots of people from all directions there. Starts on June 14th I think. The night before Neil Young plays music in the O2. A voice like the wind ..so my brother says ..
...............

At the club game yesterday, partner passed, RHO opened 1D and I had a decision to make holding:


2C seems to be a standout. That's the lead I want if lefty declares NT or any other contract.  It also takes away a bunch of bidding space. The auction continued:

Now, what do you do?

This was how I reasoned.  The opponents, by going to the 3-level, have shown 9 trumps. I think that we have eight, maybe 9. Thus, there are a total of 17-18 tricks on this hand.  Hearts are breaking 2-2, opener most likely has short clubs, so 3H is probably making.  4C, on the hand, may be down only 1. If it is down 2, we will be okay as long as we are not doubled. Consequently, I bid 3S. If partner has 4 spades, we could play there. By issuing a game try, I can probably convince the opponents to not double.  Partner corrected me to 4C and that is where I played, (undoubled).

This was the full hand:
As you can see, 4C is off 1 with two diamonds and two hearts off the top.  -50 was not a good matchpoint score because 3H is also down -- we'd have gotten 3 spades and two clubs.

The opponents were following neither the law of total tricks nor were they counting losers -- East  had gone to the 3-level on a 8-card fit and a flat, 9-loser hand hand.  . The simplistic rule-of-thumb "3-level is for the opponents" would have served me well.

The Open Semi-Final :

Gartaganis VS Jotcham

L’Ecuyer VS Litvack.

The Women final : Francine Cimon (Sandra Fraser, Dianna Gordon, Sharyn Reus, Sam Nystrom, Isabell Smith) VS Sylvia Caley (Sondra Blank, Joan Eaton, Karen Cumpstone, Katie Thorpe, Ina Demme)

Both events will be on BBO Thursday.

Brad Bart played the following hand well to earn his team a slam swing.

Brad was North and Neil Kimelman was South.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The oft-quoted passage "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" is actually a misquote from Alexander Pope, which was penned over three hundred years ago.  His original caution used the word "learning" — not knowledge — but it makes little difference and leads to the same admonition.

Everyone (or almost everyone) has strong suits, weak suits and even voids.   What bugs me is the failure to recognize (or acknowledge even to one’s self) that he or she is not qualified to make positive, authoritative statements on a subject in which they are far from expert. I have witnessed this shortcoming for over half a century and perhaps being exposed to the very best of our game, though demoralizing and ego deflating at times, has made me wary and taught me to accept the fact that one must consider the source.  It is a good starting point.  As bridge players, we see people rendering opinions both at the table and on the internet when in actuality, there are only a precious few who have the knowledge and background to fully understand the problem.  One of my favorite tales emanated from my late husband Norman who overheard someone leaving the duplicate as she boasted  "I only made one mistake today."    "One that you knew of" –  he muttered under his breath.  Perhaps among her peers, she is thought of as one of the better players and her words were taken as gospel, but everything (especially in bridge) is relative.

This phenomenon exists in all walks of life.  In baseball. there is a difference between an allstar and an everyday player though they are both paid to perform.  Same is true in football, basketball, tennis, golf, hockey and other sports.   There will be some who are always first at the wire and others who get there by the skin of their teeth.  Make no mistake — being in the big leagues means different strokes for different folks.  Also — in the movies, there is a disparity between a rising star and a multi-time Academy Award winner.  People must prove themselves and, above all, withstand the test of time.   Johnny-come-latelies (in whatever endeavor they choose) may eventually become superstars — but they have to earn it by their continuing excellence.

It used to irk me when I heard bridge players alleging to have great expertise. The same applies to administrators.   Just because someone is a director or serves on a committee, does not in and of itself, make that individual a revered expert in that given field.  Perhaps in time, they may rise to the occasion, but it takes years and years of experience and a long successful track record to reach the promised land.   One or two swallows does not a summer make!

Bridge is a great and calculated study in human nature.  I am not swayed by the opinions of those who are extremely vocal though inexperienced in the ways of top drawer bridge. I just take everything with a grain of salt and allow the records to stand on their own.