Bridge Ambassadors

80 Pages·2010·5.76 MB·English

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Bridge
Ambassadors
Buffett and Gates
named 2010
ACBL Honorary
Members
2010
ACBL President
Rich DeMartino
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4 Bridge Bulletin January 2010
on the cover contents
Volume 76, Number 1 • January 2010 • www.acbl.org
Bill Gates and Warren Cover design by Cindy Hill
Buffett are named 2010
Honorary Members of
the Year.
22
page
Jennifer Graylock, Matrix, for Daily Mail, UK
columnists
highlights
Brent Manley Viewpoint 6
Jay Baum From the CEO 9 10
NABC IN NEVADA

Mike Flader Ruling the Game 29
Reno hosts the Spring NABC, March 11–21
Billy Miller The Coolest Gizmos and Gadgets 58
Zeke Jabbour Winsome & Loathsome 59 14
TALES FROM SAN DIEGO

The Granovetters Partnership Bridge 60
Part 1 of the Fall NABC report
David Bird Bridge with the Abbot 61
George Jacobs George’s World 62 21
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Meet 2010 ACBL President Rich DeMartino
For New Players 39
Seagram, Helms, Shafer, Lawrence, 26
THE JESTER
Berg, Harrington
Dave Treadwell still plays, puns
For Intermediate Players 47
Boehm, Cohen, Horton, Bergen,
Kantar, Colchamiro
For Advanced Players 53 also inside
Stewart, Walker, Kantar, Lawrence
Letters to the Editor ........................6
products & services Masterpoint Leaders ................24–25
Club News .....................................28
Alice Travel 23 Cruise Professionals 46
The Bidding Box .............................31
Baron Barclay 2 Go Away Travel 30
It’s Your Call ..................................34
Bridge Holidays 3 NABC Housing (New Orleans) 20
Bruce Travel 39 NABC Housing (Reno) 11 Masterpoint profile ........................41
Q-Plus 9.1 bridge software 80 Obituaries ..........................42, 63, 68
In My Humble Opinion ...................45
tournaments East, West hands for
The Bidding Box ....................55, 57
Regionals Mid-Atlantic Regionals 69
New Life Masters............................63
Chandler (Mesa) AZ 74 Palmetto (Sarasota) FL 73
Life Master Milestones ....................64
Claymont (Wilmington) DE 75 Rye Brook NY 70
Patron Members ............................66
Cromwell CT 72 Toronto ON 74
In Memoriam .................................68
D25 (New England) Regionals 72 Unit 128 (Florida) Regionals 78
Tournament Directory ....................69
Gatlinburg TN 76–77
Hilton Head Island SC 71 Sectionals Teacher Accreditation ...............77, 78
Houston TX 71 Allendale NJ 70 Club Director Courses ....................78
Ixtapan de la Sal 73 Las Vegas NV 73 Schedule of Events..........................79
January 2010 Bridge Bulletin 5
Viewpoint
By Brent Manley
A reputation for a thousand years may
depend upon the conduct of a single moment. LLeetttteerrss ttoo
— Ernest Bramah
tthhee EEddiittoorr
Patterns
On their own
One of my favorite things about bridge is the never-ending variety. No matter
how much I play, I inevitably discover something new whenever I sit down for a To the Editor:
game. It’s exciting not to know what’s coming next. I know it is not against the ACBL
That said, my job as editor involves recurring themes and issues. As mentioned rules, but I find it disingenuous for
previously, I spent a lot of 2009 reviewing readers’ concerns about the new Life someone — child or adult — to work
Master requirement. Another popular topic was the state of the ACBL master- towards becoming a Life Master by
point system, which many consider to be in need of overhaul. playing with a “pro.” Hats off to young
There were also a few familiar complaints about quirky computer-dealt hands.
Richard and Andrew Jeng (November,
Please, readers. Has a human never dealt you an eight-card suit? Or 6–6–0–1
page 28) for earning their gold cards
shape? A series of near-Yarboroughs?
playing together.
In the 20 years I have been associated with the ACBL, I have noticed that the
LORRIE SMITH
focus of readers seems to change periodically. Issues come and go.
West Sand Lake NY
Except for one.
People always have and still complain about rude behavior at clubs and tourna-
Déjà vu
ments. They write in to ask whether we have given up on Zero Tolerance (the
To the Editor:
answer is a firm no). They want to know why some people are so unpleasant.
Last fall, I was playing in a dupli-
Masterpoints, etc., will take care of themselves. Not so with bad actors. When
cate game with three-board rounds.
partners yell at each other or fight with the opponents, it hurts the ACBL.
At the bridge club where I play, there are newcomer games three times a week. On the second board of one set, I held
The players in the so-called “little” room can easily observe what goes on in the a hand with A K Q J 10. On the next
open game. If they could see the club like it was when I first started playing, a lot board, I had the same spade holding. I
of them would go home after one game and never return. burst out laughing, thinking we were
There’s very little bad behavior at our club. Management has done a good job of replaying a board! What are the odds
promoting behavior that makes the duplicate experience enjoyable for everyone. of picking up identical holdings in a
Last night, I rediscovered a side benefit to being pleasant at the table. suit on consecutive boards?
I played with Donna, my wife, for the first time in about five months (her play EMRYS EVANS
is limited by work pressures). It’s hard to play with your spouse, as many of you Victoria BC
know, and we have had our difficulties. On the way to the club, I could tell Donna Any thoughts, readers?
was worried about how things would go. I had already decided I was going to be
a good partner no matter what, and I told her to relax and have a good time.
Unfair policy
We had a pleasant game, and when I thought about it as we drove home, I real-
To the Editor:
ized that in my calm state, I played reasonably well — an excellent incentive to
Thanks to Bridge Base Online, I
keep it up.
now have more than 5400 master-
If you sometimes find it difficult to behave, consider that being a congenial,
supportive partner might actually improve your performance. Sounds like a good points, but I am still a Silver Life
New Year’s resolution to me. Master because only one-third of
online points count toward rankings.
The same applies to the masterpoint
© 2010 by American Contract Bridge League. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written
consent from the publisher. Mention of any product does not constitute endorsement by the Bridge Bulletin. Bridge Bulletin assumes no responsibility races.
for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or advertising materials. Unsolicited materials
should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Bridge Bulletin is a registered trademark of American Contract Bridge League. When I play in tournaments or club
It is Bridge Bulletin policy not to accept advertising from persons or organizations believed to be unreliable or financially irresponsible. We are not
responsible, however, for the performance of advertisers, the delivery or quality of their merchandise or services, or the legality of any particular program. games, however, all of my online
On cruise ads, we suggest you check to make sure duplicate bridge will be offered on the cruise you desire. Regarding investment ads, we recommend
that you check with your financial adviser before acting. ACBL Management reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse any advertisement. points are counted full value, placing
6 Bridge Bulletin January 2010
Letters to the Editor
me and my partners in higher flights Grand occasion On sale
or strats. My partner and I may be
To the Editor: To the Editor:
third or fourth in an A strat but could
I played party bridge recently, and Something is wrong! A club used to
be first in B. The policy prevents us
on back-to-back deals the opponents be able to enter a club charity game
from winning as many masterpoints at
bid and made grand slams that were in ACBLscore as a club charity game.
clubs and tournaments as we might.
cold. Nobody stacked the deck, there Now it must be entered as a charity
If you think it is easier to win on-
was no killing lead and there were club championship because the previ-
line, try it. I play against experts from
no defensive miscues. What are the ous option is no longer available.
all over the world, which for me is
odds of being dealt grand slams on This result is nothing less than
educational and exciting. I also sup-
consecutive hands? masterpoints for sale. A three-table
port our three local bridge clubs (in a
DAVID ROBISON charity club championship awards
40-mile radius) and seldom miss the
Paradise CA 2.17 masterpoints to first place,
one in my city.
Another problem for our math whereas a regular eight-table club
If the points are counted in face-to-
experts. game awards .80 masterpoints for the
face play, they should count toward
same accomplishment.
rankings and masterpoint races.
Aces and 8’s Every game at one of the clubs that
INGRID LANE
I regularly play at is run as a charity
To the Editor:
Kingsport TN
club championship for $1 more than a
In Ruling the Game in September
regular club game. If this isn’t master-
Don’t discriminate (page 38) the problem was a mishear-
points for sale, then what would you
ing of the call of an ace versus an 8.
To the Editor:
call it?
Pat Harrington has her students in
ACBL members who play online
JOE CARBO
TAP seminars teach the declarer to
are treated as second-class citizens.
Pineville LA
call the “big ace” or “little 8.” I not
My question is why. We pay and we
only teach it that way, but I am also
adhere to the rules. All our points
Equity needed
trying to get the players in two of the
should be counted. I know you need
clubs here in Leisure World to use To the Editor:
attendance at the clubs and tourna-
that system. It works for me. In one of last year’s Bridge Bulle-
ments, but some of us are 80 or older
GENE YAFFEE tins, I saw the names of several of our
and cannot get there often. It is a joy
Seal Beach CA unit players in the top 10 of the Ace of
to play online with people from all
Clubs contests. As president of Unit
over the world. Please, won’t you stop
Genial hosts 116 (Western New York), this should
this discrimination?
make me proud.
SHIRLEY WILLIAMSON To the Editor:
I realize, however, that in addition
Frankfort KY On our last trip to the beach in
to good play by these individuals,
South Carolina we needed a “bridge
Please don’t snap their achievements are primarily
fix” so we called Al Norwood at the
because of the awarding of triple
To the Editor: Myrtle Beach DBC. We were treated
points at almost all games. Despite
Can anyone help me deal with card royally and had a great time with all
the obvious benefit to the various
snappers (outside of a director call) the members. They are to be con-
charities that are receiving the $4 per
in an effective, yet diplomatic fash- gratulated on having a friendly and
table, this circumstance distorts the
ion? Some even snap the cards out of competitive club that is welcoming to
value of masterpoints and places the
their bidding boxes! visitors.
people who play at other clubs at a
I have tried, “I would appreciate They have a very nice facility ded-
disadvantage in these contests. ➤
your not snapping …” “It hurts my icated to bridge, so if you are in the
ears when you …” “Please don’t …” neighborhood, call. You will have a
I get responses (and continued snap- great time.
ping) such as, “I didn’t realize I was PHYLLIS and RON FOGEL Letters to the editor are welcome
…” “I don’t believe you …” Or just Lombard IL by regular mail, e-mail editor@acbl.
silence. If you’re planning a trip and want org or fax [phone]. Brevity is con-
Then in some cases my bridge to play bridge at some of your stops, sidered a virtue, as is subject matter with
partner begins snapping. Ugh. Maybe visit the ACBL home page (www. relevance to a majority of ACBL members.
I should practice extra loud snapping acbl.org) and click on Find a Club. Unsigned letters are not considered for
publication, so please include your name
in return? Nah, that’s not nice.
and hometown. Letters may be edited.
BUDDY CARLS
All letters will receive a response.
Huntington Beach CA

January 2010 Bridge Bulletin 7
Letters to the Editor
Just as the ACBL excludes online Hand evaluation points than I do.
points from the Mini-McKenney con- The Bridge Bulletin should be
To the Editor:
test, something needs to be done to relevant to newcomers, intermediates
Mike Lawrence’s attack on the
make it equitable for all players. and expert players. I find that some
rule of 20 (August and September,
JAY R LEVY of the content is meant for players
page 40) as “misguided” seems itself
Amherst NY below my competency level, though
misguided when the hands he recom-
usually helpful. Some of the explana-
mends passing are assessed in terms
tions of hands and bidding goes way
Odds and ends of playing trick count.
over my head.
Take, for example, the first two
To the Editor:
I appreciate learning new options
illustrative hands in Lawrence’s
I enjoyed reading Stephen Kleinman’s
with 2/1 as well as reading various
September column, both of which he
letter (October, page 7) about the
other ideas. Most of what I read I
recommends passing instead of open-
probability that one side holds all 40
won’t bring directly into my bidding,
ing (unless, for hand two, “you have
high-card points, and the probability
but the ideas often help me think in a
an understanding partner”):
that your hand contains one card of
variety of helpful ways.
each rank (2 through ace). 1. 2 A J 7 6 5 K J 10 7 6 5 8
Please continue to publish a variety
His calculations are correct. As
of columns, as well as most of the
2. 3 A Q 7 6 5 3 K 9 8 7 3 10
for holding one card of each rank, I
many other things as you are cur-
remember holding such a hand twice Hand 1 contains seven playing
rently printing! Those who don’t find
and was initially very excited about tricks, No. 2 eight playing tricks —
some things helpful can always find
it. The first one was legitimate, but in both above the recommended number
other things they may enjoy reading.
the second case, not only did my hand to open the bidding. Both hands are
GEORGE MARX
have one card of each rank, so did also odds-on to make game with as
Seattle WA
everyone else’s hand at the table. We little as  K x x and A x x in part-
all had 4–3–3–3 distribution, all the ner’s hand, or to sacrifice against, say, Learn the basics
queens were lying over the jacks, and an opposing 4 contract. Neither op- To the Editor:
so on. You can guess what happened. tion is likely to materialize if opener I agree with Frank Stewart. Having
The board had been dealt out using passes. learned to play bridge in the Sixties
a brand new deck of cards, and the RICHARD SANDHUSEN from my grandmother and mother
dealer had neglected to shuffle. What New Providence NJ and 5 Weeks to Winning Bridge, I
a letdown! (Despite my protests, the was fortunate to get that sound foun-
Neither hand will have nearly as
director refused to throw out the dation. Without that, bridge would not
many “playing tricks” as you assert
board.) be as much fun or as challenging.
unless a fit is found — and neither
I also get excited when holding When you start adding conventions
will make a good dummy should
hands with 12 of the 13 ranks (one and don’t understand fundamentals,
partner have black suits and a desire
rank appearing twice). This occurs you cannot change partners with
to play notrump. The editor sides
about once in 500 hands, so a moder- people who don’t play your system.
with Mike.
ately active player should expect to You don’t just naturally know the
see such a hand every month or two. “correct bid in elementary situations.”
Likes variety
On the other hand, I was far less You begin to bid beyond your capac-
excited when, at the local club last To the Editor: ity to play the contract.
month, I held two true Yarboroughs Frank Stewart writes (September, My mother still plays bridge at 85
among the 24 hands I was dealt that page 8) that “… a player should and can play with people who play
afternoon, an event with chances of always be able to produce the correct no systems or people who play 2/1.
about one in 12,000. bid in elementary situations; if he can She wins often with partners who
Finally, I have a partner who gets do that, he will have an edge on most are party bridge players trying out
excited when holding a hand with two of his competitors.” I found that state- duplicate. She is a Life Master and the
voids, and he says it has happened to ment limited and not helpful for me. basic bridge from the Forties and Fif-
him twice. That probability is about I have slightly more than 100 mas- ties serves her well.
one in 10,000. terpoints, including 3.48 gold points I I think Frank has the right idea that
JERROLD W. GROSSMAN am proud to have earned recently in a hand analysis, defense and consisten-
Rochester Hills MI local regional. I’m way over my head cy are being forgotten with the push
with “experts” who have thousands of for more and more conventions.
masterpoints, but I can play competi- BETTE BYRD
tively with many who have far more Sweetwater TX
8 Bridge Bulletin January 2010
From the CEO
The American Contract
Bridge League
President
Richard DeMartino
New beginnings
Chair, Board of Directors
There’s always something electric about the start of a new year. It’s like your
Jerry Fleming
next bridge game — a brand-new chance for something new and exciting.
Chief Executive Officer On that topic, if there was ever a time to be excited about our game, it’s now.
Jay A. Baum This message is being written in early December, and the numbers that really
matter to us have been posted.
ACBL Counsel
Check this out: Through November 2009, our total membership stood at
Peter Rank
162,933, up 2.5% from the same period last year (159,034). That’s the highest
Chair, Board of Governors it’s been in many years.
Mike Kovacich
Even better are the numbers on new members of the ACBL. Through Novem-
ber, we had signed up 12,487 new members, compared to 10,673 in the same
Board of Directors period in 2008. That’s an increase of 17%, our best showing in attracting new
District 1 • George Retek members in the past 15 to 20 years.
District 2 • Paul Janicki The fact is that right now we are riding a wave of enthusiasm for bridge that
District 3 • Joan Levy Gerard should not be ignored. If you are as impressed by what’s going on as I am, now
District 4 • Craig Robinson is the time to tell your friends about how much fun duplicate can be. Show
them the Bridge Bulletin, point them to the ACBL web site, introduce them to
District 5 • Sharon Fairchild
a bridge teacher or take them to your club.
District 6 • Nadine K. Wood
District 7 • Bob Heller Looking back
District 8 • Georgia Heth
Our great membership numbers for 2009 make up just one of the big mo-
District 9 • Shirley Seals
ments during the past year. As we did in 2008, we will have recorded more
District 10 • Bill Cook Jr.
than three million tables of bridge play during 2009.
District 11 • A. Beth Reid Also last year, we selected the site of our new home in Horn Lake MS. It’s a
District 12 • William Arlinghaus wonderful, modern facility that will house not only an expanded ACBL Bridge
District 13 • Suzi Subeck Hall of Fame but also a bridge museum. It will be an ideal place for anyone
District 14 • Sharon Anderson who likes bridge to visit and learn about the rich history of our game. We
District 15 • Phyllis Harlan should occupy our new Headquarters by the spring, so plan to pay us a visit.
District 16 • Dan E. Morse Also in 2009 was the excellent Fall NABC in San Diego, which drew 12,927
District 17 • Jerry Fleming tables. Tournament Chair Ken Monzingo and his volunteers did a wonderful
District 18 • Claire Jones job of making sure everyone had a great time, and the Manchester Grand Hyatt
District 19 • Donald Mamula Hotel proved to be a great location for a big tournament.
District 20 • Jeffrey Taylor
Looking ahead
District 21 • Bruce Blakely
The last time an NABC was in Reno — in 2004 — the tournament set a re-
District 22 • Ken Monzingo
cord for spring tournaments with 14,954.5 tables.
District 23 • Rand Pinsky
You can bet the 2010 Spring NABC in Reno will also draw a huge crowd,
District 24 • Alvin Levy
and this year there is a new event on the schedule — the six-session Platinum
District 25 • Richard DeMartino
Pairs, open to players who have won 50 platinum points in the previous three
years, have 200 lifetime platinum points or who have
To contact your district director,
achieved the rank of Platinum or Grand Life Master.
address your e-mail to
district#[email protected] Talk about a tough game!
(Enter the district number Happy New Year to everyone, and good luck in all
where you see #.) Jay Baum, CEO
your bridge endeavors.
January 2010 Bridge Bulletin 9
Matchpoints in the Mountains
Reno hosts the Spring 2010 NABC, March 11–21.
© Jupiter Images
B
eautiful Reno NV is the site outdoor thrill rides, aqua-golf driving Travel
of the Spring 2010 North range and more than 80,000 square Omega World
American Bridge Champion- feet of casino, you will have plenty to Travel is the official
ships. Nestled at the foot of do between sessions. travel agency for the ACBL. For air
the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, Reno The Grand Sierra Resort is easily travel assistance, please contact Al-
has a reputation for adventure, from the largest casino in northern Nevada. lison Anthony at 866–524–2516 or
snow sports to cycling and kayaking. Here you’ll find your favorite games [email protected]. Fax [phone].
Within an hour, you can be at Lake of chance, slot machines, keno lounge Omega World Travel is happy to
Tahoe, breathing in the mountain air and race and sports book — with 27 extend travel discounts to all ACBL
or swooshing down world-renowned giant, crystal-clear televisions, it’s members through three vacation
alpine ski slopes. And, of course, the Reno’s biggest and brightest spot to travel programs: Air Deals (www.
Reno NABC will feature world-class catch a big game. airdeals.com), Tour Deals (www.
bridge for players at all levels of The room rate is $99 for a Grand tourdeals.com) and Cruise.com
experience. Don’t miss this special Sierra Resort Room and $119 for a (www.cruise.com). Feel free to
tournament in one of the ACBL’s Summit Room. Summit Rooms in- browse Omega World’s web sites and
favorite venues. clude a refrigerator and a microwave. book your reservations online.
The schedule of events is located You can book your reservations on-
on pages 12–13 and on the ACBL web line. For the most current information
Childcare
site at www.acbl.org. on room availability and rates — or
Bring the kids — and the grandkids!
to make reservations — visit www.
The NABC childcare program offers
Hotel megahousing.com/acbl to book your
flexible hours for parents plus dozens
own rooms without making a phone
All events will be played at Grand of fun and educational activities for
call. You may also phone Mega Hous-
Sierra Resort. With retail shopping, the kids, including field trips and,
ing Management at 877–350–2479.
headliner entertainment, cinema, of course, learning to play cards.
50-lane championship bowling center, Because it’s affordable as well, the
10 Bridge Bulletin January 2010