ACBL Member Guide

The ACBL
(American
Contract
Bridge
League)
How to contact us
The Bridge Bulletin is distributed to more than 150,000 members in North
America. You can become a member in one of the following ways:
• Online: www.acbl.org
• Phone: 901–332–5586, ext. (see below)
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Mail: Membership, ACBL (see address below)
Membership Assistance Department (toll free): 1–800–467–1623
From Canada: 1–800–467–2623
From Mexico: Contact Guillermo Poplawsky at 525–557–8761
Sales Department (toll free): 1–800–264–2743
From Canada: 1–800–264–8786
FAX: 901–398–7754
E-mail: [email protected] • Internet (website): www.acbl.org
Direct Mail: ACBL, 2990 Airways Blvd., Memphis TN 38116–3847
Direct Line: 901–332–5586 (speak with a staff member)

Your need Direct Line Ext. E-Mail

ACBLscore (questions) .............................................................. [email protected]
Address change .................................... 234 ...................... [email protected]
Better Bridge &
Bridge Bulletin (not received) ............. 281 ......................... [email protected]
Bridge Bulletin (editor) .......................... 291 .................................. [email protected]
Charity Foundation .................................................................. [email protected]
Chief Executive Officer .................................................................... [email protected]
Club Department ..............................................................................Club@acbl.org
Club Financial and Masterpoint reports ................................... [email protected]
Clubs (find one) ................................... 223
Director’s course ................................... 337
Easybridge! ......................................... 330 ............................ [email protected]
Education Department ........................... 264 ............................ [email protected]
Elections (declare candidacy, etc.) ............................................... [email protected]
International events (questions) ...................................... [email protected]
Internet Administrator .............................................................. [email protected]
Mailing labels ...................................... 258 [email protected]
Masterpoints (check latest totals on web site)........................ www.acbl.org/members
Masterpoints (points, questions) ..............................................Membership@acbl.org
Membership Assistance Department .................................................. [email protected]
Membership (questions about) ................................................Membership@acbl.org
Membership lists................................... 258 [email protected]
NABCs (questions, hotels and travel) .............................................. [email protected]
.......................................................................................... or [email protected]
National Recorder (disciplinary matters) [email protected]
Public Relations ................................................................................... [email protected]
Rulings (get one, ask about one) ................................................... [email protected]
Sales (invoices, orders, problems) .......... 285 .................................... [email protected]
Special events (questions)...................... 286 ....................... [email protected]
Suggestions .......................................... MAD Line (toll-free) .... [email protected]
Tournaments (questions, comments) ........ 242 ......................... [email protected]
Tournaments (sanctions) .............................................................. [email protected]
Unit Sanctions .................................................................... [email protected]
Youth (ideas, questions, news) ................................................... [email protected]
Portable
Life in the fast lane.
It usually involves a few sacrifices.
Your insurance coverage doesn’t have
to be one of them. Whether you’re
moving on or even out on your own,
insurance offered through your ACBL
membership won’t end just because
you’ve changed jobs. It travels
right in your back pocket.
Take advantage of one of your
best membership benefits.
Affordable coverage.
Reliable providers.
Portable benefits.

Call 800 424-9883

to speak to a customer service representative,
because an established benefits package fits your
changing lifestyle.

GROUP INSURANCE FOR ACBL MEMBERS

• Cancer Expense • Senior Life
• Catastrophe Major Medical • Term Life
• Long Term Care • Member Assistance
• High Limit Accident • Prescription Card
• Medicare Supplement • Dental

This program is administered by Marsh Affinity Group Services, a service of Seabury

& Smith. Some plans may not be available in all states.

ACBL believes that the product being offered may be of benefit to its members;
however, ACBL is not a guarantor of its members’ satisfaction with the product, nor is
it responsible for any failure of the company to perform under an agreement between
the member and the company.
 ACBL Online Bridge Club
the most comprehensive bridge site on the net
• Currently more than 10,000 tables in play monthly.
• 10 daily tournaments, including 299ers, individuals,
open matchpoints and IMPs.
• 12-, 18- and 24-board tournaments every week.
• Play famous hands from past national and world
championships with commentary afterwards, and try
our Play and Defense Par Contest.
• Receive E-zine weekly. Archives available of columns,
articles, etc. Plus many other informative features.
• Play in the Social room ANYTIME. Non-critical
partners and opponents (robots) always available.
Can’t sleep? You can always play a few hands!

COME HOME TO ACBL

Join online at www.acbl.com or e-mail:
[email protected] for additional information
 THE ACBL FROM A TO Z
As a member of the ACBL, you are one of a very special
group of more than 150,000 people who enjoy the
camaraderie and fun of participating in a game of skill and
strategy. ACBL members agree that duplicate bridge is one of
the most challenging and exciting sports in the world!
ACBL is made up of 300+ Units and 25 Districts. Its main
office is in Memphis, Tennessee where an administrative staff
of 90+ is housed. There are an additional 200+ field personnel
involved in ACBL business. The National Board of Directors
determines the policies and direction of the organization.
ACBL provides a Member Assistance Line which is available
24 hours a day toll-free (in the USA: 1-800-467-1623; in
Canada: 1-800-467-2623). You can check on your masterpoint
holdings, or leave us a message about your magazine and/or
dues status and your call will be returned within 24 hours
(excluding weekends and holidays). ACBL also offers members
the opportunity to check masterpoints and get updates on all
sorts of bridge information at its web site — www.acbl.org
This booklet has been created to provide you with
information of interest to all ACBL members. It will serve as a
reference guide to the wonderful world of duplicate bridge.
Please note these special features:
⽤ A list of ACBL Member Benefits on pages 9 and 10,
⽤ A guide to the popular bridge shorthand used on the
internet on pages 32 and 33,
⽤ A special centerfold to introduce some of the
products available through ACBL’s Sales Department,
⽤ A member insurance special on the inside back cover.
⽤ Details on ACBL Online, ACBL’s online bridge club.
Enjoy!

You hold the winning hand

as a member of the ACBL!

1
2
A
ABTA
See American Bridge Teachers’ Association

ACBL (American Contract Bridge League)

The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), a not-for-profit
organization, was established in 1937 and has been headquar-
tered in Memphis, TN since 1972. It is the main and largest
official sanctioning body for competitive and duplicate bridge
in North America. Each year more than 2.5 million tables of
bridge are played under ACBL auspices at clubs and tourna-
ments in North America, overseas, online, and even on cruise
ships.

The ACBL Bridge Series

The ACBL publishes five student textbooks and teacher manu-
als designed to make bridge easy to learn and fun to play.
Each student text is coordinated with a teacher manual which
offers lesson plans for teachers. The series, written by Cana-
dian educator Audrey Grant, follows a spiral curriculum (each
course addresses bidding, play, and defense but with a differ-
ent focus) and presents eight two-hour chapters (lessons) per
book: Bidding (The Club Series), Play of the Hand (The Diamond
Series), Defense (The Heart Series), Commonly Used Conventions
(The Spade Series), and More Commonly Used Conventions (The
Notrump Series). Also available are sets of coded E-Z Deal
Cards which allow the student to deal out the practice deals
found at the end of each of the eight chapters in each of the
texts.

ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame

The ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame was founded in the 1960s
under the auspices of The Bridge World magazine. The Hall
honors people who have made outstanding contributions to
bridge. Now housed at ACBL Headquarters in Memphis TN,
the Hall displays portraits of all members.

3
ACBL Charity Foundation
The ACBL Charity Foundation has contributed more than $5
million to charitable institutions since its inception in 1964.
Each year ACBL holds special bridge games at the local,
district, and national levels. Proceeds benefit local charities and
ACBL’s selected charity for the year. Call your local club man-
ager for more information on these special activities.

ACBL Cooperative Advertising Program

This program is available to teachers, clubs, units, districts, and
anyone who is involved with promoting bridge. Subsidies are
offered for 50% of expenses incurred, up to a maximum of
$250 for each program applied for. Multiple subsidies may be
applied for as long as funding remains available. Contact the
Director of Communications for more information.

ACBL Educational Foundation

The ACBL Educational Foundation was established in 1987 to
raise funds to promote bridge education. This group has
funded, among other projects, a highly successful school
bridge lesson program and ACBL’s second television series,
“Play Bridge with Audrey Grant, Part 1.” Since its inception, the
Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $500,000.

ACBL Headquarters
2990 Airways Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38116-3847.
Phone: 901-332-5586; FAX: 901-398-7754; Membership
Assistance numbers: USA – 1-800-467-1623 or Canada – 1-
800-467-2623; Sales Department numbers: USA – 1-800-264-
2743 or Canada – 1- 800-264-8786. Home Page on the
Internet: www.acbl.org

ACBL MasterCard
Members who reside in the United States who are age 26 and
older receive periodic mailings pertaining to the ACBL
MasterCard. Check ACBL’s web-site for more information.

4
ACBL Membership
See “Benefits of Membership”, pages 9 and 10.

ACBL Online (www.acbl.com)

Want to play bridge online, anytime day or night. Then go to
ACBLOnline and play against people from all over the world or
robots from Memphis. A great way to fine-tune your game.
Take a free test ride on the site today. Currently, ten
masterpoint tournaments a day are available for members of
ACBL Online along with many other interesting features.

ACBL Player of the Year

This title is given to the ACBL member who earns the most
Platinum masterpoints (awarded in nationally rated events
without an upper masterpoint limit) during a calendar year.

ACBL Sales Department

There are many bridge products and resources for learning
more about the game available through the ACBL Sales De-
partment, which offers a 10% discount to members. Call toll-
free: in the USA: 1-800-264-2743; in Canada: 1-800-264-8786
to place your order and/or to request a free copy of our cata-
log, The Bridge Source. The catalog is also available online at
www.acbl.org

ACBLscore
ACBL has developed a computer scoring program known as
ACBLscore which is available to clubs and tournaments. This
program enables a game to be scored almost instantly once
the last deal has been played and the result entered.

ACBL Website (www.acbl.org)

The ACBL Website is the place where members can go to
check their masterpoint totals and to find all kinds of informa-
tion about the game of bridge and the ACBL. Tournament
results, masterpoint races, a directory of ACBL bridge clubs
and bridge teachers, the Junior program, and so much more
are available at www.acbl.org

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Accredited Bridge Teachers
The ACBL has trained bridge teachers since 1986 through the
TAP (Teacher Accreditation Program) developed by Audrey
Grant. The TAP introduces bridge teachers to the most suc-
cessful methods for teaching bridge to beginning players.

Ace of Clubs
The vast majority of ACBL’s members play in local club games
most of the time. To recognize achievement at the club level,
the Ace of Clubs competition was created in 1984. These club
champions are recognized at the unit level and ACBL-wide. All
points won at the club level are counted in this contest with
the exception of those won in STaCs, progressive sectionals,
NABC Fund-raiser events, the North American Open Pairs, and
the Grand National Teams.

Active Ethics
A primary objective of the ACBL is to instill in all players the
concept that vigorous efforts should be made to provide
equity in bridge. Every player should take pains to make sure
that the opponents have in no way been harmed through
incomplete or misleading information as to the meaning of
conventional calls and treatments. An aggressive approach
along these lines on the part of each and every individual will
ensure that bridge remains the game that is enjoyed so much
by all.

Adjusted Score
A score assigned by a tournament director (or an appeals
committee) when either an infraction of the Laws or a proce-
dural error has occurred. The director is empowered by the
Laws to take this action.

Adventures in Duplicate
An excellent paperback book designed to guide beginning
players through their first three years of duplicate bridge. It
was originally written by Edith McMullin and updated by her in
2002. Adventures provides information on basic conventions
and the wonderful and unique world of duplicate bridge.
6
Albert H. Morehead Memorial Library
This bridge library is located at ACBL Headquarters in Mem-
phis TN. It is one of the largest bridge libraries in the world
with more than 2,500 volumes, many artifacts, and historical
documents. The library is named in honor of Albert H.
Morehead, a member of the Bridge Hall of Fame, who was a
noted bridge author and ACBL official.

Alert (How to)

When bidding boxes are in use, an Alert is made by tapping an
Alert card on the table or by tapping the Alert strip on the side
of the bidding box and by saying “Alert.” When bidding boxes
are not in use, the partner of the player making an Alertable
call should say “Alert.” The opponent who is next to call can
inquire as to the meaning of the call at that time or can reserve
the right to inquire at any later turn to call or play. Calls that
need to be Alerted are shown in red printing on the official
ACBL Convention Card and noted on the Alert Chart.

Alert Procedure
The objective of the Alert procedure (see Alert) is for both pairs
at the table to have equal access to all information contained
in any auction. Saying “Alert” (or making an Announcement —
see below) is a method of drawing the opponents’ attention to
the fact that partner’s call has a conventional or unexpected
meaning.

American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA)

Founded in 1957, this nonprofit, professional organization,
composed primarily of bridge teachers, is dedicated to pro-
moting higher standards of bridge teaching and playing. A
general meeting is held once a year just prior to the ACBL
Summer North American Bridge Championships at the site of
the tournament.

Announcement Procedure
Announcements are an extension of the Alert System. An
Announcement is a method by which a player uses one word
or a short phrase to tell the opponents directly the meaning of
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partner’s call.
Announcements are required in the following four instances
only:
⽤ After a natural 1NT opening bid, you state the range,
“12-14.”
⽤ After a bid of diamonds or hearts transferring to
hearts or spades respectively in response to a
notrump bid, you say, “transfer.”
⽤ After a 1NT forcing or semi-forcing response to a
1⽦ or 1⽥ opening bid, you say, “forcing” or “semi-
forcing.”
⽤ After a 1⽤ or 1⽧ non-forcing opening where the
suit may contain fewer than three cards, say, “may be
short.”
When bidding boxes are in use, say the Announcement word,
such as “transfer” and tap the Alert strip in the bid box at the
same time. Calls that need to be Announced are shown in blue
printing on the official ACBL Convention Card and noted on
the Alert Chart.

Appeal
An appeal is a request for a review of a director’s ruling. Any
ruling by a director may be appealed, but an appeals commit-
tee does not have the authority to overrule the director on a
point of bridge law or regulation.

Attitude
The interest or lack of interest of a defender in having a suit
led or continued by partner. The predominant method of
encouraging the lead or continuation of a suit is a high-low
signal (to play or discard a high card followed at the next
opportunity by the play or discard of a low card). To discour-
age a lead, a defender usually plays the lowest card in the suit.

Average Score
One-half the matchpoints possible on a given deal or in a
particular session of a matchpoint pairs tournament.

8
B
Balancing
(Re)entering the auction with a bid or double when the oppos-
ing bidding has stopped at a low level.

Barometer
A scoring method that originated in Sweden in which each
deal is played simultaneously. Running totals are usually
posted shortly after the conclusion of play of each set of
boards, thus heightening the interest for both players and
spectators.

Barry Crane Top 500

This trophy is presented to the ACBL member who has accu-
mulated the most masterpoints during the calendar year.
Originally known as the McKenney Trophy, it was renamed in
1986 in honor of Crane, who had a dominant influence on the
race for three decades. Crane, a Hollywood director and pro-
ducer who was murdered in July of 1985, was ACBL’s top
masterpoint holder at the time of his death and was acknowl-
edged by his peers to be unequaled as a masterpoint winner
and matchpoint player.

Benefits of Membership
The main benefits of ACBL membership are:
Belonging to the largest and best bridge organization in the
world;
⽤ The Bridge Bulletin – the world’s most widely distrib-
uted bridge magazine;
⽤ Discounted entry fees for most tournament play
including three North American Bridge Champion-
ships per year;
⽤ Access to a listing of more than 3500 bridge clubs
across North America;
⽤ An “800” line for Member Services;

9
 ⽤ A 10% discount on ordering bridge-related products
and an 800 sales line;
⽤ The opportunity to win masterpoints, have them
recorded, and earn levels of achievement;
⽤ The ability to participate in benefit programs de-
signed especially for ACBL members (ACBL
MasterCard, insurance programs including a free
discount Rx America Prescription Card, discounted
Hertz car rental);
⽤ Access to exclusive member sites on the Internet;
⽤ The fun, friendship, and competition of bridge.
Note: New members are allowed to record a maximum of 20
masterpoints earned in the 12 months prior to joining ACBL
by supplying the city, event, and date when the points were
won to ACBL’s Club Membership Department.

Bermuda Bowl
The biennial (odd years) World Bridge Federation Team Cham-
pionship and the trophy at stake are both called the Bermuda
Bowl.

Bermuda Contract Bridge League

Although Bermuda is a part of the ACBL, the country has its
own national contract bridge organization (NCBO) known
officially as the Bermuda Contract Bridge League (BCBL). The
BCBL deals with sending representatives to world champion-
ship events.

Better Bridge Magazine

This was the name of the magazine offered by ACBL in 1997
and retitled as Play Bridge in 2001. It was designed to address
the interests of players new to bridge and/or new to duplicate
and edited by Audrey Grant.

Bidding
This is the title of the first course in The ACBL Bridge Series
written by Audrey Grant. It was originally called The Club
Series and is sometimes referred to by that name. See ACBL
10
Bridge Series.

Bidding Box
A device to permit silent bidding, first used in Scandinavian
countries. To make a call, the player takes the appropriate card
from a box and places it on the table in front of the player. All
bidding cards remain on the table until the auction is con-
cluded, thus avoiding the need for a review of the bidding and
eliminating the possibility of mishearing a call.

Black Points
These are masterpoints awarded at club and unit level games.
100 fractional masterpoints are the equivalent of one (1)
masterpoint. A new member (as of 1/1/99) needs at least 50
black points (out of a total of 300 points of all colors) to
become a Life Master.

Blackwood
A convention in which a 4NT bid is used to discover the num-
ber of aces held by partner. This method was invented by
Easley Blackwood in 1933 and has attained worldwide popu-
larity. Blackwood, an ACBL executive who was credited with
putting the ACBL back on a sound financial basis in the late
Sixties, became one of the most famous bridge personalities in
the world as a result of this convention.

Blackwood Award
Named in honor of the late Easley Blackwood, this award was
established in 1996 to honor bridge players, living or de-
ceased, who contributed to the game in areas outside of
bridge-playing expertise. Albert H. Morehead, an ACBL official,
bridge writer, editor, and player, was the first recipient of the
award. Portraits of the people who receive this award are
displayed in the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame.

Blue Ribbon Pairs

One of the most prestigious of the annual North American
Championship events. It is contested at the Fall NABC. Entry is
limited to players who have qualified to participate. The most
11
common methods of achieving qualification are: (1) to have
finished high in North American Championship events, or to
have finished first or second in regionally rated championship
events (at least two sessions) , (2) to be one of the top 100
masterpoint holders, (3) to be a member of current official
teams representing the ACBL or any of its member countries in
international competition, and (4) to be a winner of one of the
District Grand National Teams championships.

Board
(1) A duplicate board. (2) The dummy’s hand, so called be-
cause it lies on the table.

Board-a-Match
A form of duplicate scoring used in team contests in which
one matchpoint is awarded for winning the hand and 1/2
matchpoint for a tie.

Board of Governors
The ACBL Board of Governors serves in an advisory capacity
to the ACBL Board of Directors. This body meets three times a
year at each NABC (North American Bridge Championships).

Board of Directors
The ACBL Board of Directors determines the policies and
direction of the ACBL. The Board elects a president, vice-
president, and a treasurer, each for a one-year term. The Board
meets three times a year, usually during the week prior to each
NABC (North American Bridge Championships). It also elects
five representatives to the World Bridge Federation Executive
Council for three-year terms.

Bracketed Knockout Teams

This event is run as a knockout team event with one exception.
All teams will play against similarly rated opponents. Each
team’s bracket is determined by averaging the entire team’s
masterpoint holdings. This is the most popular event in which
to play to earn gold points at regionals and NABCs.

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Bridge at Sea with Audrey Grant
This is the title of the ACBL’s fifth television program for PBS. It
was distributed by NETA (the National Educational Television
Association) and is currently available for PBS stations to air.
ACBL sells a home video version of Bridge at Sea through the
ACBL Sales Department.

Bridge Brushup with Audrey Grant

This is the title of the ACBL’s fourth of five television programs
offering bridge lessons and hosted by Audrey Grant. It was
distributed to PBS stations by NETA (the National Educational
Television Association). The ACBL Sales Department offers a
home video version of Bridge Brushup for purchase.

The Bridge Bulletin

ACBL’s main monthly magazine filled with information on
bidding and play for all levels of players, information regarding
upcoming tournaments, bridge book and software reviews,
and reports on special bridge competitions.

The Bridge Class with Audrey Grant

This is the title of the ACBL’s first of five television programs
offering bridge lessons and hosted by Audrey Grant. This
show aired on cable for a year before being picked up by SECA
(now NETA), a distributor for PBS. The 13 half-hour programs
are available free of charge to Independent Cable stations
through the ACBL Education Department. A home video ver-
sion of the program, The Bridge Players’ Home Video Library, a
series of three tapes, is available for purchase from the ACBL
Sales Department.

Bridge Magazines
In 2002, ACBL offered two magazines. The Bridge Bulletin
published monthly, provides information on bidding, play, and
defense for all levels of players, information regarding upcom-
ing tournaments, bridge book and software reviews, and
reports on special bridge competitions. Play Bridge, published
every other month is designed specifically for new and ad-
vancing players by Audrey Grant, the editor.
13
There are a number of other bridge magazines in the market-
place for bridge players, including The Bridge World and Bridge
Today.

Bridge Plus+
Bridge Plus+ is a shorter, friendlier, low-key duplicate experi-
ence created especially for students who have taken one or
more of The ACBL Bridge Series courses. The game is patterned
after the students’ classroom experiences. They play 10 to 14
deals in a two-hour game supervised by an ACBL Accredited
Teacher. Bridge Plus+ game sanctions are offered free to ACBL
Accredited Teachers.

The Bridge Teacher Newsletter

In March of 1988, the ACBL began producing a quarterly
newsletter for ACBL accredited bridge teachers which was
edited by Julie Greenberg, ACBL Director of Education. The
publication continues today and back issues are available in
the Teacher section of ACBL’s website (www.acbl.org).

Bridge Today
A major bridge magazine, Bridge Today is published six times a
year by Matthew and Pamela Granovetter.

The Bridge World

This is the oldest continuously published magazine dealing
with contract bridge. It was founded and first published by Ely
(E-Lee) Culbertson, the man credited with making bridge an
internationally popular pastime and for many years America’s
foremost authority on contract bridge.

Bronze Life Master

A player with Life Master status who has at least 500
masterpoints.

14
C
Caddy
An assistant at a bridge tournament who is selected by the
local tournament committee and is usually one of a group of
interested high-school students. The main function of a caddy
is to collect the scoreslips (results on the deals played at each
table of a duplicate game) following each round and deliver
them to the scorekeepers.

California Scoring
A method of scoring by hand sometimes used when computer
scoring is not available. East-West pairs are assigned the same
matchpoints as their North-South opponents, rather than the
difference between the North-South scores and top on a
board. The lowest score, rather than the highest score, is the
East-West winner.

Call
Any bid, double, redouble, or pass.

Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF)

Although Canada is a part of the ACBL, the nation also has its
own national contract bridge organization (NCBO), the Cana-
dian Bridge Federation (CBF). The CBF, established in the late
1960s, represents all Canadian players, not just champions
vying for international competition. It deals with its own na-
tional championships, its own charity organization, and its
own representation in world championships.

Celebrity Speaker Program

Free lectures given at tournaments by bridge celebrities is a
feature of an Intermediate-Newcomer (IN) Program. This is a
wonderful opportunity to learn more about duplicate bidding,
defense, and conventions. The most extensive program is held
three times a year at NABCs where bridge celebrities and
bridge teachers speak 45 minutes prior to the afternoon and
evening sessions.
15
CEO
ACBL headquarters, located in Memphis TN, operates under
the guidance of a paid Chief Executive Officer selected by the
ACBL Board of Directors. The current CEO is Jay Baum.

Chicago (Four-Deal Bridge)

A form of the game frequently played in clubs and well-suited
to home play. It is named after the city in which it originated.

Claim or Concession
A suggestion that play of a deal be curtailed; a statement to
the effect that a player will win (claim) or lose (concession) a
specific number of tricks. Procedures differ in social and dupli-
cate bridge. (See The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge.)

Club (ACBL Bridge)

Any individual ACBL member, group of ACBL members, or
nonaffiliated organization (such as a country club, a fraternal
or industrial organization, or a church or other religious
group) may apply for a sanction from ACBL to conduct a
duplicate game(s) at which masterpoints are awarded, thus
permitting ACBL members and others to compete on a regular
basis in their own communities. The people holding these
sanctions become club managers and they operate clubs
which may offer as few as one sanctioned game a month to as
many sanctioned sessions as 18 a week. The games are held at
specific times and locations according to the sanction of each.
There are approximately 3,500 clubs which run nearly 2.5
million tables of sanctioned bridge annually throughout ACBL
territory.
Bridge clubs take many forms. Some are conducted as propri-
etary clubs in which the owners expect to make a profit just
like a motion picture theater — entertainment is provided in
return for an entry or admission fee. Some clubs are owned by
the members and operated by a Board with bylaws. They may
also be sponsored by organizations such as a country club, a
service group, or a residential complex. A few clubs are run in
foreign countries on military bases, some are located on the
Internet, and others are found on cruise ships.

16
Most full-time clubs offer bridge lessons on site, a bridge
library for members to use, social activities, tournaments for
newer players, and special events for ACBL members. Fun,
excitement, interesting people, and endless bridge hands are
waiting for you at a local club game.
In an effort to provide greater consistency at ACBL clubs and
to reward clubs offering preferred services, programs, and
games, clubs can compete for three levels of service recogni-
tion (One-Star, Two-Star, and Three-Star with Three-Star being
the highest level). (See Star Clubs, pages 62 and 63.)
A listing of clubs, their level of service, and club games can be
found on ACBL’s Home Page on the Internet (www.acbl.org) or
you can call the ACBL Club Membership Dept. (901-332-5586,
ext. 221) for more information.

Club Appreciation Games

These are special games run during the month of October at
clubs. They offer masterpoint awards calculated at 85% of
sectional rating.

Club Championship
Each regularly scheduled weekly game is entitled to four club
championship sessions per year. Overall awards for club
championship games in open clubs are 65% of sectional
rating.

Club Game Classifications

There are five general classes of games at clubs.
⽤ Open club games welcome all players.
⽤ Invitational club games may limit participation to
members of a particular organization or to partici-
pants invited by the club manager. Guests are often
accepted at invitational clubs.
⽤ Masterpoint limited club games are for players who
are beyond Rookie level but not ready for open
competition. These games may have any limitation
that is determined to be best for the players in ques-
tion – such as 49er, 99er, Non Life Master.

17
 ⽤ Newcomer club games may operate under different
titles (newplicate, novice, 0-5, 0-20, etc.), but partici-
pation is limited to persons holding fewer than 20
masterpoints on record with the ACBL.
⽤ College or high school club games are special forms
of invitational club games restricted to students,
faculty members, and their spouses.

Club Managers’ Tips for Running a Successful Club

This publication was produced by ACBL in 2000 and a copy
was sent to each club manager. The booklet contains more
than 200 helpful ideas which have been collected over the
years and special information of interest to club owners in the
Appendix (e.g. insurance, dealing with difficult players, special
events, etc.) Club Managers’ Tips is currently sent to club
managers of newly sanctioned games. Additional copies can
be purchased through the ACBL Sales Department.

Club Master
A player with 20 to 49.99 recorded masterpoints.

Club Masterpoints
Points earned at the club level in games with club rating. These
are black points and are distributed in fractional amounts.

The Club Series

This is the original title of Bidding, the first course in The ACBL
Bridge Series written by Audrey Grant.

Commonly Used Conventions

This is the title of the fourth course in The ACBL Bridge Series
written by Audrey Grant. It is a replacement book for the
original Spade Series, a course on duplicate. See The ACBL
Bridge Series.

Communication between Partners

According to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge, communi-
cation between partners during the auction and play should
18
happen only by means of the calls and plays themselves. Calls
(when bidding boxes aren’t in use) should be made in a uni-
form tone without special emphasis or inflection and without
undue haste or hesitation. Plays should be made without
emphasis, gesture, or mannerism, and so far as possible at a
uniform rate.

Computer Hands
Hand records prepared by the computer provide not only truly
random deals but also a practical, quick, inexpensive method
of producing duplicated hands for a multi-section bridge
event.

Computer Scoring
See ACBLscore.

Continuous Pairs
See “Side Game Series.”

Convention
A convention is any call or play which, by agreement or under-
standing between partners, serves to convey a meaning other
than would be attributed to it by the opponents in the absence
of an explanation.

Convention Card
A card which lists generally used conventions and treatments
on a checkoff basis and which provides space to list other
conventions and treatments. The convention card is a shortcut
to allow the opponents to know what system a partnership
has elected to play. (See also SAYC and “Fat-Free”.)

Convention Charts
Each ACBL game is governed by a specific convention chart
which states the conventional agreements allowed. There is a
Limited Chart, a Mid-Chart, a General Chart, and a Super-
Chart. (See each listing for more information.)

19
Cooperative Advertising Program
See ACBL Cooperative Advertising Programs.

Cooperative Marketing Program

Also known as the Membership Recruitment and Retention
Program. Units and the ACBL work together to increase mem-
bership and participation. This program was started in 1999 by
then CEO David Silber. (See also: Unit Growth Program.) ACBL
rewards units which are in compliance with the reporting
requirements of the program with additional per member
reimbursements. In addition, units are asked to assist in the
ACBL’s marketing efforts by: (1) contacting new members and
members who have moved into the unit, (2) reinforcing at the
local level ACBL’s initial welcome to all new members, (3)
contacting members whose membership has lapsed, (4) con-
tacting newly dormant members, (5) establishing and main-
taining Intermediate-Newcomer teaching and play activities
including sponsoring or co-sponsoring a TAP every five years
and establishing a unit New Player Services program, (6) ap-
pointing a Unit Electronic Contact (UEC), (7) visiting each club
in the unit at least once annually to see how ACBL and the unit
can help the club, and (8) completing an Annual Unit Market-
ing Report (available on the Internet) and returning the form to
Memphis.

Correction Period
The time specified by the sponsoring organization during
which corrections to the score may be sought.

Count Signals
A method by which one defender indicates to partner the
length held in a particular suit. The standard procedure is to
play high-low with an even number of cards and to play the
lowest with an odd number of cards.

Crossruff
A method of play whereby ruffing tricks are made in each of a
partnership’s hands, thus using the trumps separately.

20
Cruise Ship Bridge
Some ships are sanctioned by the ACBL to offer bridge games
on all of its scheduled cruises. These games award
masterpoints. On ships that do not have this type of annual
arrangement with ACBL, individuals may apply to ACBL for
sanctions for specific cruises providing they present a letter
from the cruise line authorizing this activity.

Cuebid
A bid in a suit already shown by an opponent and in which the
bidder is not suggesting the contract be played.

Culbertson, Ely
The man credited with making bridge an internationally popu-
lar pastime. Ely (E-Lee) and his wife, Jo, were inducted into the
ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame.

D
Deal
(1) The distribution of the pack to form the hands of the four
players. (2) The cards so distributed considered as a unit,
including the auction and play thereof.

Defective Trick
A trick that contains fewer than or more than four legally
played cards — one from each player.

Defense
This is the title of the third course in The ACBL Bridge Series,
written by Audrey Grant. It was originally called The Heart
Series and is sometimes referred to by that name. See The
ACBL Bridge Series.

Diamond Life Master

An ACBL Life Master who has at least 5000 masterpoints.
21
The Diamond Series
This is the original title of the second course in The ACBL
Bridge Series of student texts and teacher manuals, currently
called Play of the Hand and written by Audrey Grant. See The
ACBL Bridge Series.

Director
The director of a duplicate bridge game is the person desig-
nated to supervise the contest and to apply the laws. There are
club directors, many ranks of tournament directors, and IN
(Intermediate-Newcomer) directors, those who have been
trained to work with newer players (see also Tournament
Director).

Discounts for Members

ACBL offers a 10% discount on hundreds of bridge products
purchased through the ACBL Sales Department. The toll-free
number is: 1-800-264-2743 in the USA and 1-800-264-8786
in Canada. Members also receive a discount on entry fees at all
NABCs and at many sectional and regional tournaments.

Districts
The ACBL is divided into 25 districts. Each district elects one
member to serve on the Board of Directors, three members to
serve on the Board of Governors, and two alternate Directors
who are eligible to attend Board of Governors meetings. Each
is elected for a three-year term. When someone joins ACBL,
they also become a member of a specific unit and the district
in which the unit is geographically located.

Double Dummy
Play of a deal that could not be improved upon, as though
declarer were looking at all four hands. It can also be used to
refer to perfect play by the defenders.

Drury
A conventional response (2⽤, and/or 2⽧) by a passed hand
after partner’s one-level major-suit opening. The response

22
asks partner to clarify the strength of the hand.

Duplicate Bridge
Duplicate bridge is a form of the game whereby the conditions
of play are duplicated exactly at each table: the same cards in
each hand; the same dealer; the same vulnerability. The
matchpoint score does not depend on the luck of the deal; it is
derived by comparing the scores made by players who hold
the identical cards under the identical conditions.

Duplicate Decisions
This is a publication originally created by Julie Greenberg,
ACBL Director of Education, for ACBL. It presents the Laws of
Duplicate Bridge and ACBL regulations in everyday language.
It’s ideal for players who want to know more about the laws
governing the game and for club directors to use in directing
local games.

E
Easybridge!
Easybridge!, created by Edith McMullin, is a program designed
to create new duplicate bridge players and games. The pro-
gram was funded by ACBL and the ACBL Educational Founda-
tion from 1999 through June of 2002.

E-mail
You can reach ACBL departments and employees directly
through e-mail. Frequently used e-mail addresses are found
on the inside front cover of this booklet.

Ethics
In bridge, ethics equals fair play. Breeches of ethics are gener-
ally thought of as unfair and illegal practices which could
include deliberate cheating. The Laws of Duplicate Contract
Bridge deal with the question of proper behavior at bridge.

23
Etiquette
Much of the popularity of contract bridge is attributable to the
high standards of etiquette which are observed by the players.
A player should maintain at all times a courteous attitude
toward partner and the opponents. A player should carefully
avoid any remark or action that might cause annoyance or
embarrassment to another player, or that might interfere with
another player’s enjoyment of the game. Players who fail to
uphold these standards should be reported to the director
under the ACBL’s “Zero Tolerance” policy. As a matter of
courtesy, a player should refrain from:
⽤ Paying insufficient attention;
⽤ Making gratuitous comments during the play as to
the auction or the adequacy of the contract;
⽤ Detaching a card from the hand before it is that
player’s turn;
⽤ Arranging the cards played to previous tricks in a
disorderly manner or mixing the cards together
before the result has been agreed to;
⽤ Making a questionable claim or concession; or
⽤ Prolonging the play unnecessarily.

Exciting World of Bridge

This is a excellent brochure originally created by Edith
McMullin for use in introducing new players to the special
features of duplicate games at clubs. The ACBL Sales Depart-
ment will send you a small number of these brochures on
request. More can be ordered for a nominal fee for use in local
promotional efforts. New members receive a copy in their new
member packets.

Explanation of Any Call or Play

During the auction and before the final pass, any player may,
at that player’s turn to call, ask for a full explanation of any call
made by an opponent. After the final pass and throughout the
play, any player except dummy may, at that player’s own turn
to play, ask for an explanation of opposing calls or card play
conventions. It is better to ask a question in general terms,

24
rather than call attention to one particular suit-bid and so
expose oneself to the suggestion that the question may be
lead-directing.

E-Z Deal Cards

E-Z Deal cards are decks of cards which have been coded to
allow a foursome to create a special deal without seeing the
faces of the cards. E-Z Deal cards were adapted from cards
used in Europe in 1988 by Julie Greenberg, ACBL Director of
Education, for use in The ACBL Bridge Series courses. Call the
ACBL Sales Department for a free copy of The Bridge Source
product catalog for information on additional varieties of E-Z
Deal cards.

F
Face-Down Leads
Face-down opening leads are required in tournament play.
Once the lead is made face down, partner may ask questions
about the auction. This ensures that the partner of the leader
will not influence the opening leader’s choice of lead. A face-
down opening lead made by the wrong player may be picked
up without penalty upon instruction of the director.

Factoring
The process of adjusting matchpoint scores to the same base
to make them comparable for ranking purposes.

“Fat-Free” Convention Card

This is the nickname for ACBL’s simplified convention card
(product #SS4) which has been developed for the use of
players who do not employ many conventional agreements.

25
Federacion Mexicana de Bridge (Mexican Bridge Federation)
Although Mexico is part of the ACBL, Mexico has its own
national contract bridge organization (NCBO) known as the
Mexican Bridge Federation (MBF). The MBF deals with its own
representation in world championship events.

Field
All of the contestants entered in an event.

Five-Card Majors
A bidding method in which an opening bid of 1⽦ or 1⽥
guarantees at least a five-card suit.

Flighted
This is a type of event where contestants play only against
opponents within the same point range. For example, if Flight
C is 0-200 masterpoints, no player with more than 200
masterpoints may be included in the group. A player may
always play up in flighted events (enter Flight A or Flight B) if
the player wishes. The higher the flight, the more difficult the
competition and the more masterpoints awarded to the win-
ners.

Force
(1) Noun: Any bid or call making it incumbent upon the
bidder’s partner to bid at least once more. (2) Verb: To cause a
player to use a high card or a trump.

Fouled Board
A deal in which a card or cards or hands have been placed in
an incorrect pocket. Since the nature of duplicate is to play the
exact same deals at each table and then compare results, a
deal that changes during the course of play can no longer be
compared and must be scored by a formula known as the
“fouled-board formula.”

26
G
Game
Game in bridge is a level of bidding (the four level in the
majors, the five level in the minors, the three level in notrump)
which, when bid and made, awards 100 points or more in trick
score.

George Burns Trophy

This trophy, inaugurated in 1993, is given annually to the
ACBL Senior Player of the Year. It is named for George Burns,
famous comedian, who played bridge daily at his country club
into his late nineties.

Gerber Convention
A bid of 4⽤, invented by the late John Gerber, from Houston
TX and a member of the Hall of Fame, which asks partner how
many aces are held. The normal responses are: 4⽧ – no aces
or all four aces; 4⽦ – one ace; 4⽥ – two aces; 4NT – three
aces. A bid of 5⽤ asks for kings and the responses are the
same but one level higher.

GNT (Grand National Teams)

A major ACBL team championship conducted with district
qualifying rounds in clubs, units, and/or districts leading to a
final round held in conjunction with the Summer NABC.

Gold Life Master

An ACBL Life Master who has acquired at least 2500
masterpoints.

Gold Points
These are masterpoints (MP) awarded for topping your section
or placing overall at regionals and NABCs in events of two or
more sessions with either no masterpoint restriction or a
minimum masterpoint limit of 750 points or more. Partial gold
point awards are given for certain special events.
27
Golden Age Master
A special category set up by ACBL to recognize the achieve-
ments of older players. There are two ways to qualify – (1) 70
years of age with 300 points of any color; or (2) 80 years of
age with 100 points of any color.

Goodwill Committee
The ACBL Goodwill Committee and its individual members
work to create goodwill for ACBL. They receive, convey, and
act on suggestions for the betterment of ACBL, particularly in
the areas of active ethics, conduct, tournament conditions,
bridge for Juniors, and bridge for the handicapped.

Grand Life Master

Highest rank in ACBL. It requires 10,000 masterpoints and at
least one victory in a North American Championship event that
has no upper masterpoint limit or its equivalent.

Grand Slam
Bidding for and winning all 13 tricks.

The Grapevine Newsletter

A newsletter for Junior players published by the Education
Department in January, June, and October. Issues can be
found on the ACBL Junior Web page. This publication was
started in March of 1989 and first edited by Julie Greenberg,
ACBL Director of Education.

Group Insurance Program

A special benefit of membership is the ability to participate in
ACBL’s Group Insurance Plan administered by Seabury &
Smith. ACBL also offers general liability insurance for clubs
conducting ACBL sanctioned bridge games through the Roy
Becker Insurance Agency in Potomac MD. Contact the Club
Membership Department for more information.

28
Guidecard
A printed card used in duplicate bridge to give the progression
of the players and the boards.

H
Hand
The cards held by one player. The term is also used to indicate
the order in bidding and playing rotation, as in “second hand”
or “fourth hand.”

Hand Records
(1) The sheets on which individual computer-generated deals
are printed for distribution to players, who usually construct
the hands for other contestants to play; (2) the sheets distrib-
uted to the players at the conclusion of a game on which all of
the deals from that session are printed; (3) diagrams set up by
the players after a deal in a major match is completed.

Handicap Games
ACBL clubs may offer games where the contestants are given a
handicap (either plus or minus) based on previous perfor-
mance or degree of competence to create a more level com-
petitive group.

HCP
High-card points, a basis for determining the relative strength
of a hand, especially for notrump contracts. The most common
valuation is: Aces = 4 points, Kings = 3 points, Queens = 2
points, Jacks = 1 point.

Handling Cards
The handling of cards other than a player’s own is illegal. If a
player wishes to see an opponent’s cards after the play of a
deal has been completed, that player must ask permission. If
there is a problem, the director resolves it.
29
The Heart Series
This is the original title of Defense, the third course in The
ACBL Bridge Series written by Audrey Grant. See The ACBL
Bridge Series.

Hold-up Play
The refusal to win a trick right away. One purpose is to keep
control of a suit an opponent has led. Another purpose is
usually to break the opponents’ communication.

Home-Style Game
This is a fun kind of game which attracts players who are not
interested in braving the rigors of duplicate bridge with the
attendant restrictions and many conventions. It also appeals to
the newcomer to competitive bridge. Home-style games can be
sanctioned for clubs and award fractional masterpoints on the
same scale as for duplicate games.

Hospitality
The general term for efforts by a host unit at a bridge tourna-
ment to make the players feel more comfortable and welcome.
A more concerted effort is generally made with newer players
in the IN (Intermediate-Newcomer) area. This could take the
form of free gifts, food, special events, and local committees
known as New Player Services (a public relations effort to ease
new players into the game.)

Howell Movement
A type of progression in duplicate in which all pairs except one
move and in which all pairs meet. In large Howell-type move-
ments, most of the pairs move and most of the pairs meet.

Huddle
A longer-than-usual pause preceding an action in the bidding
(usually) or the play of a deal. If the huddle is followed by a
positive action, usually no harm is done to the opponents. The
ethics of the game, however, require that the partner of the
huddler not take cognizance of the information that the hud-
dler “had a problem.”
30
I
IMP
International Matchpoint, a unit of scoring used according to a
schedule established by the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge.
In a team game, a difference in trick and bonus scores of the
North-South pair and the East-West pair on the same team is
used to determine IMPs from a chart. IMPs are sometimes
converted to Victory Points by way of a chart based on either a
20- or 30-point Victory Point scale. A copy of the IMP and VP
scales is printed inside each ACBL Convention Card.

IN
See Intermediate-Newcomer Program.

Individual
A method of duplicate competition in which each contestant
plays with a different partner each deal or set of deals.

Instant Matchpoint Game

This is an annual ACBL-wide game held at clubs each Septem-
ber. Players are given their matchpoint score on each board
immediately after playing each deal.

Intermediate-Newcomer Program (IN)

ACBL has developed a program of games and activities de-
signed to make duplicate experiences fun and comfortable for
new players and new members. Edith McMullin introduced the
idea at the Summer NABC in 1984. All NABCs now offer an IN
Program and so do many regionals and sectionals throughout
North America. There are, in addition, special IN Sectionals and
Regionals. Many of these tournaments have all of these fea-
tures:
⽤ Games each session for players with 0-5, 0-20, 0-50,
0-100 masterpoints.
⽤ Celebrity Speaker Programs.

31
 ⽤ Hand Records – copies and analyses of the deals
played.
⽤ Social Events.
⽤ Trophies for each overall winner.
⽤ Photographs of the winners.
⽤ New Player Services Program.
⽤ A special area for all IN activities.
⽤ Directors trained to run games for new players.
⽤ Flyers to invite the players & guarantee partners.

International Fund Games

ACBL offers one of these games at each of the NABCs and
ACBL-wide in January, May, and July to raise funds to defray
the expense of North American participation in international
(WBF) competition. Each weekly sanctioned game held at a
club may hold an annual one-session club championship for
the benefit of the ACBL International Fund.

Internet
Sign on to the World Wide Web home page of the ACBL at
http://www.acbl.org where paid-up members can check their
masterpoints and find all kinds of ACBL information including
a complete listing of clubs which offer ACBL-sanctioned
games, a Junior site, a teacher site, and tournament informa-
tion. You can download (FREE) the LTPB (Learn to Play Bridge)
software to use in learning to play bridge or to update your
game.

Internet Terms
Bridge players on the Internet have created a language of
abbreviations, a bridge shorthand, to quickly relay a message
during on-line play. Here are some of the more popular say-
ings — note that using all capital letters translates into YELL-
ING:
AFK – Away from keyboard
BRB – Be right back
BTW – By the way

32
CC – Convention Card
DIC – Director in Charge
F2F – Face-to-face (not computer bridge)
FFTQ – Feel free to quote
GL – Good luck
GLP – Good luck, partner
IIRC – If I remember correctly
IMHO – In my humble opinion
IMO – In my opinion
LOL – Laughing out loud
NABC – North American Bridge Championships
NP – No problem
O/E – Odd/even discard
Opp – Opponent
Opps – Opponents
Pd or Pard – Partner
Re – Rehi
Rehi – Hello again
RKC – Roman Key Card Blackwood
ROFL – Rolling on the floor laughing
SAYC – Standard American Yellow Card (bidding system)
TD – Tournament director
THX or TX – Thanks
TU or TY – Thank you
TYP – Thank you, partner
UD – Upside down
UDCA – Upside down count and attitude
Ur – Your
WD – Well done
WDP – Well done, partner
WDO – Well done, opponent(s)
WTG – Way to go!
ZT – Zero Tolerance (for Unacceptable Behavior)

33
J
Jacoby Transfer Bids
Introduced by Oswald Jacoby, a member of the Bridge Hall of
Fame, these bids are used in responding at the two level to
1NT opening bids, and/or in responding at the three level to
2NT openings.

Jane Johnson Club of the Year Award

This award was instituted in 2001 in honor of Jane Johnson,
longtime manager of ACBL’s Club Membership Department.
Recipients are clubs which demonstrate the kind of extraordi-
nary member service which was the essence of Jane Johnson.
Jane’s message to clubs was that providing service and good-
will starts at the club level and grows from there.
Criteria for the Jane Johnson Award: (1) The club is part of the
community. Its membership does more than play. (2) The club
works as a family. The members are responsible for the health
of the club. They share the duties of directing, cleanup, scoring,
partnership, hosting. (3) The club members actively promote
the club through good advertising, including word of mouth,
and by inviting newcomers to visit and play. (4) The club
provides services to new and needy members — phone calls to
missing members, assistance in transportation, welcome
committee.

Join the Fun

This is a four-color brochure created by ACBL to assist mem-
bers in new member recruitment efforts. The ACBL Sales
Department will send you a small number for free. More can
be ordered for a nominal fee.

Junior Bridge Program

ACBL’s Junior Bridge Program provides playing and social
activities for players under the age of 26 designed to develop a
corps of dedicated younger players. One of the goals of the
program is to produce Juniors with the skills to sustain ACBL’s
position in the future as a world bridge power.
34
Junior Camps
Every other year (odd-numbered years) the ACBL encourages
participation in the summer Bridge Camp and World Junior
Pairs competition sponsored by the WBF (World Bridge Fed-
eration). ACBL offers a Junior Bridge Camp in the even-num-
bered years.

Junior Corps
Members of this group are ACBL’s elite Junior players who are
the future of the organization. Junior Corps members are
charged with working together with unit officials and tourna-
ment organizers to promote bridge among young people.

Junior Master
A player holding 5 to 19.99 masterpoints.

Junior Memberships
ACBL offers a discounted membership to players under the
age of 26 who are currently enrolled in school.

Junior Month
February is Junior Month in the ACBL. During this month,
clubs are encouraged to run special games to benefit the ACBL
Junior Fund or the Canadian Junior Fund which support
activities for Junior bridge players. Participants pay an extra $1
fee, which is donated to the appropriate fund. Clubs may also
run as many as four Junior Fund Games each month of the
year.

Junior Team Trials

The method of selection of teams for the biennial World
Junior Bridge Team Championship, inaugurated by the World
Bridge Federation in 1987. The trials to select U.S. representa-
tives is currently held in conjunction with the Summer NABCs.

35
K
Kaplan-Sheinwold
A system, devised by Bridge Hall of Fame members Edgar
Kaplan and Alfred Sheinwold, based on the weak notrump and
aimed at more precisely limiting the strength shown by all
bids.

Kibitzer
A person who watches a game from the sidelines.

King or Queen of Bridge

This honorary title is awarded to a Junior Corp member who is
a graduating high school senior. Cited for outstanding tourna-
ment performance, this Junior player is someone who has
excelled also in bridge-related administrative, recreational, and
promotional activities. The ACBL Educational Foundation,
funded by a grant from the Homer Shoop/International Palace
of Sports, presents a $1000 scholarship to the annual winner.

Knockout Teams
This is a team event in which one team plays an entire session
against one other team. The winning team from each match
advances to play the next round and the defeated team is
eliminated.(See also Bracketed Knockout Teams.)

L
LHO
A player’s left-hand opponent is often referred to by these
three initials.

LOL
The letters originally stood for “little old ladies,” who were
known to get excellent bridge results by simple common sense
36
action against pseudo-experts. In Internet language the initials
LOL stand for “Lots’s of Luck.”

Land Cruise
Individuals may apply to the ACBL for a sanction to run bridge
games and award masterpoints in conjunction with a vacation
program that may be held at one location or at various loca-
tions as the group travels.

Law of Total Tricks

The Law of Total Tricks is the theory that on any given bridge
deal the total number of trumps held by both sides will be
approximately equal to the total number of tricks that both
sides could win. The total number of tricks is the sum of how
many tricks North-South would take if they played in their best
fit added to how many East-West would take in their best fit.
The Law gained popularity in the 1990s when it was the sub-
ject of a book called To Bid or Not to Bid written by Larry
Cohen.

Laws
The Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge, as promulgated in the
western hemisphere by the ACBL, are prepared under the
auspices of the ACBL Laws Commission. Duplicate Decisions, a
publication sold by ACBL, presents a version of the Law book
written in everyday language.

Lessons
You can find out how to locate teachers who are giving bridge
lessons in your area by calling the ACBL Education Depart-
ment. A full list of bridge teachers can also be found in the
Teacher section of ACBL’s web site (www.acbl.org) on the
Internet. Fred Gitelman has developed the LTPB (Learn to Play
Bridge) software for the ACBL and it is available to download
free of charge at ACBL’s web site.

Life Master
This is the most highly sought level of bridge achievement. A
Life Master is a player who has earned 300 or more recorded
37
 The Bridge Source Catalog has 24 pages packed
with great gift ideas to please the discerning bridge
players on your list. Visit the ACBL Product Store at the
NABC. See you there!

Books & Videos: New titles, classics, hard bound

editions, and children’s books. Videos by Audrey
Grant or Bobby Wolff teach you how to play at your
pace. Excellent way to learn the game.

Bridge Software: Enjoy playing bridge alone,

against your computer, or on the Internet. Many selec-
tions. Something for every skill level. Great for learn-
ing or for play. Programs for Windows PC or MAC,
and CD ROM or disk.

To place an order by credit card:

Call our toll-free number below.) Our
courteous sales representatives are
ready to help you Mon.–Fri. 8 am to
4:30 pm, Central time. After hours,
you may leave your name, player
number, and daytime phone in a
message. A sales rep will call you the next day.

1 (800) 264-2743 (U.S.) • 1 (800) 264-8786 (Canada)

38
 Bridge Supplies: Boards, bidding boxes, playing
cards, table cards, hands and analyses, convention
cards, pick-up slips, travelers, entry forms. We have
everything you need to run your games!

Shirts, Scarves, Dickeys, and Jewelry: What a

wonderful way to accessorize your wardrobe! You will
find something for every season in a variety of styles
and colors — all attractively decorated in bridge motif.

Tote Bags: Great gift ideas! Show your love of

bridge with these sturdy, attractive and useful totes with
bridge motif.

Card Holders: Excellent for anyone who has difficulty

holding the cards. Makes a thoughtful gift!

Bridge Bulletin Binders: Attractive way to dress up

the bookcase while storing your Bridge Bulletins.

Or visit our home page at

www.acbl.org
and browse the secure online
catalog. Check out all of the
products listed above in full color.
Place an order if you wish. It’s never been
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or Fax (901) 398-7754

39
masterpoints, of which at least 50 must be silver, at least 25
must be gold, and at least another 25 must be red or gold.
New members as of 1/1/99 must also earn at least 50 black
points as part of their total 300 points. Please note that no
more than 100 MPs earned on the Internet may count toward
the points necessary to achieve Life Master status.

Life Member
Members having joined ACBL prior to January 1, 1996, who
achieve the rank of Life Master are also Life Members. They
are members for life unless they resign or their membership is
revoked per established procedure. Life Members are not
required to pay dues but are required to pay an annual service
fee in order to maintain an active status and receive services
from ACBL.

Limit Raise
A raise with closely defined limits of strength. The chief appli-
cation is the jump raise of a suit from one to three. The bid
indicates at least four-card trump support with 10 or 11 points
or the distributional equivalent.

M
MAD Line
ACBL has a toll-free Member Services number. Members with
touchtone phones can learn their masterpoint totals and dues
situation instantly, report missing magazines, and leave mes-
sages. Callers without touchtone phones can leave messages.
The toll-free number is 1-800-467-1623 (in the USA); 1-800-
467-2623 (in Canada).

Mama-Papa Bridge
A term applied to a simple, natural bidding system uncluttered
with conventions.

40
Masterpoint
This is the unit which measures bridge achievement in dupli-
cate play. Masterpoints come in black, silver, red, gold, plati-
num, and unpigmented, and are awarded for different levels of
play.
⽤ Black points at club and unit games.
⽤ Silver points at sectionals, progressive sectionals, and
STaCs.
⽤ Red points in all events at regionals and the three
NABCs.
⽤ Gold points for section tops and placing overall in
regional events and in events of two or more ses-
sions with either no MP restriction or a minimum MP
limit of 750 points or more (not Strat C). Partial gold
points are awarded in some special events.
⽤ Platinum points for all NABC+ championship events.
⽤ Unpigmented points for online play on the Internet.
Note: See “ranks” for the number and color of points needed
to attain various levels of recognition: Rookie, Junior Master,
Club Master, Sectional Master, Regional Master, NABC Master,
Life Master, and upper levels beyond LM.

Masterpoint Plan
The system used by the ACBL to rank every member according
to performance at tournaments and clubs.

Masterpoint Records
Masterpoints won at tournaments and at clubs using
ACBLscore are sent electronically to ACBL. Other clubs mail in
lists of players and points won for recording. Non-members
are given receipts at club games when they win points and can
credit their accounts with up to 20 masterpoints (won in the 12
months prior to becoming members) when they join the ACBL.
Members can check their masterpoint holding by calling the
MAD (Member Services) Line or online at www.acbl.org

41
Matchpoint
A matchpoint is a unit used in a method of scoring duplicate
contests in which two or more scores are compared. A pair
receives one point for each result it surpasses and one-half
point for each result it ties.

McConnell Cup
Named in honor of Ruth McConnell, former ACBL President
and WBF treasurer, it’s awarded to the winners of a knockout
team event for women played at the World Bridge Champion-
ships at the same time the Rosenblum Cup is contested.

Mentoring Programs
These programs provide an opportunity for both newcomers
and mentors to meet and get to know each other on a basis
other than as opponents at the table. Many clubs and units
use a Pro-Am game format to launch their mentoring pro-
grams. Partnerships are made by a program coordinator and
the pairs are encouraged to play a recommended minimum
number of times during the month. (See also Pro-Am game.)

Mexican Federation of Bridge

See Federacion Mexicana de Bridge.

Michaels Cuebid
The use of an immediate cuebid in the opponent’s suit to show
a two-suited hand with either both majors or a major and a
minor, devised by the late Mike Michaels, bridge writer and
lecturer, of Miami Beach.

Midnight Swiss
The most common and popular type of midnight game at a
tournament. The game consists of five matches of five deals
played at the rate of five minutes per deal. Sometimes referred
to as the Zip Swiss.

42
MiniBridge
A simplified form of the game which has no bidding. Originally
developed in France, MiniBridge is widely used as a precursor
to learning bridge for all ages. It is both effective and enjoy-
able.

Mini-McKenney
In 1974, the ACBL Board of Directors voted to recognize the
masterpoint achievements of all players. Thus arose the Mini-
McKenney races. The winners at each level of achievement
(Rookie, Junior Master, etc.) are recognized by the ACBL each
year in the March issue of The Bridge Bulletin and the home
unit of each winner may purchase a Mini-McKenney Medallion
to present to the player.

Mississippi Heart Hand

Famous trick hand from the days of whist. A diamond lead
holds South to six tricks in a heart contract, and a game can’t
be made in any denomination. South can take nine tricks in a
spade contract or 10 tricks in a club contract.

⽥ 10 5 4 3 2
⽦ —
⽧ 5432
⽤ 5432
⽥ — ⽥ J9876
⽦ 8765432 N ⽦ —
W E
⽧ A K Q J 10 9 S ⽧ 876
⽤ — ⽤ 10 9 8 7 6
⽥ AKQ
⽦ A K Q J 10 9
⽧ —
⽤ AKQJ

Mitchell Movement
A duplicate progression in which the players seated North–
South remain stationary and those sitting East–West move
each round to the higher numbered table.

43
Mixed Pairs
An event in which partnerships must consist of one man and
one woman.

More Commonly Used Conventions

This is the title of the fifth course in The ACBL Bridge Series
written by Audrey Grant. See The ACBL Bridge Series.

MUD
A lead convention in which the original lead from three low
cards is the middle one, followed in play by the higher. The
name is the acronym of middle, up, down, the order in which
the cards are played.

N
NABC
This is the term for the North American Bridge Championships
which are operated annually by the ACBL. These tournaments
are held in the spring, summer, and fall and are rotated around
the United States and Canada. Each NABC offers events for all
levels of players and features the NABC+ events and an IN
(Intermediate-Newcomer) program for players with fewer than
300 masterpoints. The IN program runs for the full 11 days of
the tournament and offers a free Celebrity Speaker program
twice daily (before the afternoon and evening sessions). There
are trophies, masterpoints, special events, and lots of enter-
tainment at all NABCs.

NABC+ (NABC-Plus) Events

The highest rated championship events offered by ACBL and
held only at the three annual NABCs. They are nationally-rated
events with no upper masterpoint limit. The Player-of-the-Year
contest is won by the player winning the most platinum
masterpoints in these events during the year.

44
NABC Master
A player with at least 200 masterpoints, including at least 50
pigmented points of which at least 5 must be gold, at least 15
must be red, and at least 25 must be silver.

NAP
Formerly known as the Grand National Pairs, the NAP or North
American Pairs is a major ACBL championship which is staged
in qualifying rounds at the club, unit, and district levels. It
culminates in a final held in conjunction with the Spring NABC.
This event is run as a flighted event.

National 49er Pairs

A nationally rated event for players with 0–49 masterpoints
which is contested at the Spring NABC. It awards partial gold
points.

National 99er Pairs

A nationally rated event for players with 0–99 masterpoints
which is contested at the Summer NABC. It awards partial gold
points.

National 199er Pairs

A nationally rated event for players with 0–199 masterpoints
which is contested at the Fall NABC. It awards partial gold
points.

Nationals
This is the original name for the NABCs. ACBL’s three premier
tournaments were next called the NACs (North American
Championships) and then renamed the North American Bridge
Championships (NABCs) in the 1970s to better reflect the fact
that ACBL is an organization which represents four countries
— the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.

Negative Double
In 1957, Alvin Roth and Tobias Stone introduced a modern
negative double, originally called “sputnik,” into championship
45
play. What was formerly a penalty double of a suit overcall
became a double for takeout.

New Player Services (NPS)

New Player Services is a public relations program designed to
welcome new players to tournaments and club games by
helping to create a fun, friendly, and comfortable atmosphere
within the duplicate environment. Local volunteers, who wear
“New Player Services” badges with heart logos, work together
to provide information and direction to newcomers at all levels
of play. This program was initiated in District 7 by Anita
Humfleet and gained national attention and popularity.

Newcomer
The term given to a new player who is new to bridge or who is
new to duplicate.

Newcomer Game (or Novice Game)

This is an event that is restricted to players with fewer than 20
masterpoints. Participation may be even more restricted — the
upper limit may be as low as 5 masterpoints.

Newplicate, New-to-Duplicate, Novice

Some of the more popular names for events for new players
and students.

North American Bridge Championships

See NABC.

North American Pairs

See NAP.

The Notrump Series

This is the original title of More Commonly Used Conventions,
the fifth course in The ACBL Bridge Series written by Audrey
Grant. See The ACBL Bridge Series.

46
Novice
A term for a player holding very few masterpoints. This name
was replaced in 1998 by “newcomer” in ACBL-sponsored
activities.

O
Odd-Even Discards and Signals
A signaling method that assigns special meanings to odd- and
even-numbered spot cards. An odd-card discard or signal
encourages in that suit; an even-card discard or signal dis-
courages and often doubles as a suit-preference signal. This
practice is allowed in ACBL play only on the first discard.

The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge

This is a comprehensive book of facts about bridge and of
bridge personalities since the inception of the game. If you’ve
enjoyed reading this booklet, which presents just a taste of the
material found in The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, you will
enjoy this publication. The sixth edition was released in 2002.
Call ACBL’s toll-free sales line to order your copy. (See “Sales
Line” for numbers.)

Olympiad
Officially named The World Teams Olympiad with an Open
and a Ladies event, this World Bridge Championship is held
every four years. Every country, no matter the size of its indi-
vidual bridge population, that is a member of the World Bridge
Federation, is allowed to field one team in both categories.

One Hundred Plus Tips for Becoming a Successful

Bridge Teacher
This booklet is presented to all graduates of the ACBL TAP
seminars. It contains many of the innovative ideas developed
by teachers working with The ACBL Bridge Series courses. Most
of the ideas were originally published in the early issues of The

47
Bridge Teacher newsletter.

Online Points
These masterpoints are awarded for online play in ACBL-
sanctioned events and are colorless. No more than 1/3 of the
points required to attain any of the ACBL ranks may be from
online play.

Open Event
These are events in which there are no restrictions due to
expertise, gender, or age.

P
Pajama Game
This is a slang term for a duplicate session with many tops and
bottoms. A midnight session has also been referred to as a
Pajama Game.

Par
The result on a deal if both sides have done as well as pos-
sible.

Partscore Bonus
In duplicate competition, the 50 points given for fulfilling a
partscore contract is called a partscore bonus.

Patron Member Program

ACBL members may opt to become Patron Members and
receive an enhanced benefits package. Current price is $200
(U.S.) per year for an individual membership, $250 (U.S.) for a
household of two. Some of the additional benefits in the
Patron program include the opportunity to book a hotel room
at the host hotel at NABCs, at-your-door delivery of the daily
bulletin during the NABCs, a complimentary ticket to the
annual Bridge Hall of Fame banquet, a complimentary mem-
48
bership in Hertz’s #1 Club Gold program, and lots more!

Penalty
An obligation or restriction imposed upon a side for violation
of a law or regulation.

Penalty Card
A card that has been prematurely exposed by a defender and
which must be left face up on the table until legally picked up
or played. Please call the director when this type of infraction
occurs at your table in a duplicate game.

PenderGraph
This is the official name of ACBL’s vugraph show. A grant from
the estate of Peter Pender, ACBL Bridge Hall of Famer, allowed
Fred Gitelman to develop a computer vugraph program. The
PenderGraph debuted in 1991. Two years later, Gitelman
enhanced the system and enlarged the graphics, adding fea-
tures that distinguished the PenderGraph as the top program
of its kind. (See also vugraph.)

Percentage Play
A play influenced by mathematical factors when more than
one reasonable line of play is available. This is usually the play
having the best chance of success.

Pianola
A deal at bridge which presents no problems to declarer, so
easily playable that it almost plays itself. The name derives
from the old player piano or “pianola” which would “play”
itself.

Pick-Up Slip
A form devised for the recording of the results on the play of
all deals on one round. The pick-up slips are collected at
designated times and the results are entered in a computer or
on a recapitulation sheet by the director or a designated
scorer.
49
Platinum Points
These are masterpoints awarded in NABC+ events that are
currently considered for the Player-of-the-Year award. (These
events DO include the three Senior and various Women cham-
pionships but DO NOT include Junior, Flight B, or other re-
stricted events.)

Play
(1.) The contribution of a card from one’s hand to a trick,
including the first card, which is the lead. (2.) The aggregate of
plays made. (3.) The period during which the cards are played.

Play Bridge Magazine

This ACBL magazine is published every other month and is
intended for new and advancing players who prefer the social
aspect of the game or are new duplicate players. It is edited by
Audrey Grant, author of The ACBL Bridge Series texts and
teacher manuals. ACBL may convert this magazine into an
insert of The Bridge Bulletin in 2003.

Play Bridge with Audrey Grant, Parts 1 and 2

These are the names of ACBL’s second and third television
programs of bridge lessons filmed by station WITF in Harris-
burg PA for PBS. These programs are no longer available on
PBS.

Play of the Hand

This is the title of the second course in The ACBL Bridge Series
written by Audrey Grant. It was originally named The Diamond
Series and is sometimes referred to by that name. See The
ACBL Bridge Series.

Player Number
The seven-digit number issued to each member of the ACBL.
The first digit is changed to a letter when the member achieves
Life Master status.

50
Player of the Year
Each year the ACBL designates one of its members as Player of
the Year. That person receives The Goren Trophy for earning
the most masterpoints in North American Championship
events with no upper masterpoint limit (NABC+). These events
award platinum points.

Postmortem
The analysis of a deal after play is completed.

Preteen Scholarship Award

ACBL members who have not celebrated their 13th birthday
before July 1 of the contest year and who have at least one full
masterpoint on record are eligible for the 10-year maturity
$5000 certificate to be used for academic or career training.
This scholarship was founded by Homer Shoop and is admin-
istered by the ACBL Educational Foundation.

Private Scorecard
See Convention Card.

Pro-Am Game
These are games frequently run at clubs as part of a
Mentoring Program. They consist of “Pro” players (experienced
players) with an established number of points (e.g., over 300)
and “Am” players (newcomers or less experienced players) with
fewer points. These games pay 80% of the masterpoints
awarded for open events. (See also Mentoring Programs.)

Progression
The movement of players in a tournament used to complete a
session of play.

Proprieties
The Proprieties was initially the section of The Laws of Dupli-
cate Contract Bridge that dealt with conduct and ethics. Its
purpose was to make the game more enjoyable for everyone,

51
no matter what the situation. The 1987 version of the Laws
made the Proprieties part of the law.
It is a breach of the Proprieties to:
⽤ Use different designations for the same call.
⽤ Indicate any approval or disapproval of a call or play.
⽤ Indicate the expectation or intention of winning or
losing a trick before play to that trick has been com-
pleted.
⽤ Comment or act during the auction or play to call
attention to a significant incident thereof, or to the
state of the score, or to the number of tricks that will
be required for success.
⽤ Look intently at any other player during the auction
or play, or at another player’s hand for the purpose
of seeing those cards or observing the place from
which a player draws a card.
⽤ Vary the normal tempo of bidding or play for the
purpose of disconcerting the other players.

Protest
An appeal of a decision made by a game director.

Psychic Bidding
A term coined in 1931 by Dorothy Rice Sims, which describes
any bid made primarily with the purpose of interfering with the
opponents’ bidding or play rather than with the idea of aiding
the bidding and play of one’s own side. These bids are bluffs.

Pump
A colloquialism for “Force.” Forcing declarer to ruff is
frequently referred to as pumping the declarer.

Push
The most popular use of the term “push” in bridge is to denote
a deal in a team match on which the result is the same at both
tables.

52
Q
Quack
A term to indicate either the queen or the jack in situations
where it is of no consequence which of the two cards is held
or played.

Qualifying Sessions (or Rounds)

The early rounds of championships after which there is a
reduction (cut) in the field (the contestants entered in the
event).

R
RHO
A player’s right-hand opponent is often referred to by these
three initials.

Ranks
As a player accumulates points, certain milestones, or ranking
levels, will be reached that indicate progress. There are 12
grades: Rookie, Junior Master, Club Master, Sectional Master,
Regional Master, NABC Master, and Life Master (LM). These
additional levels can be attained after the rank of LM: Bronze
LM, Silver LM, Gold LM, Diamond LM, and Grand LM. Each
ranking requires that The player have a certain number and a
certain type of points.
⽤ Rookie – 0 to 5 points, any color.
⽤ Junior Master – 5 to 20 points, any color.
⽤ Club Master – 20 to 50 points, any color.
⽤ Sectional Master – At least 50 points, including at
least 5 silver.
⽤ Regional Master – At least 100 points, including at
least 15 silver and 5 red/gold.
53
 ⽤ NABC Master – At least 200 points, including 50
pigmented points, of which at least 5 must be gold, at
least 15 must be red or gold, and at least 25 must be
silver.
⽤ Life Master – At least 300 points, of which at least 50
must be silver, at least 25 must be gold, and at least
another 25 must be red or gold. New members as of
1/1/99 must also earn at least 50 black points as part
of their total 300 points.
NOTE: No more than one-third of the points for any of the
above levels may be earned in online play, where points are
unpigmented.

Rating Points
See Club Masterpoints.

Recapitulation Sheet (Recap)

A large printed form on which the results (written on pick-up
slips) are posted at bridge tournaments, and on which
matchpoints are assigned to scores, and totals computed. In
many organizations, a computer-generated recap sheet has
replaced the manual recap sheet.

Red Points
Masterpoints won in all events at regional tournaments and in
regionally-rated events at the three annual NABCs (North
American Bridge Championships) are red, unless they are gold.
A player needs 25 red points (or the equivalent) as part of a
total of 300 masterpoints to become a Life Master.

Red Ribbon Pairs

An ACBL event with national rating held during the Summer
NABC. It is limited to players with no more than 2000 points
who have qualified to play by placing first or second in region-
ally rated two-session championship events where the upper
masterpoint limit is no more than 1500 masterpoints.

54
Red, White, and Blue Bash
Two special ACBL-wide games run in December of 2001 for
the purpose of raising funds to benefit those affected by the
September 11 tragedies. This event was the idea of acting-CEO
Wayne Hascall and was a great success. The ACBL Charity
Foundation matched the funds raised, and the ACBL was able
to contribute $209,000 to the Twin Towers Orphanage Fund.
ACBL members dressed in red, white, and blue to participate
and competed in a special cake competition with a red, white,
and blue theme.

Regional (Regional Tournaments)

Each of the 25 Districts within the ACBL sponsors regional
tournaments, although a specific unit may be delegated the
responsibility of planning and organizing the tournament. A
regional tournament usually runs from four to seven days,
attracting people from many states, and offers games for all
levels of players. In addition, Non-Life Master regionals, lim-
ited to players with fewer than 300 masterpoints, and Senior
regionals, limited to players who are age 55 or older, are
available periodically.

Regional Master
A player who has 100 to 200 recorded masterpoints, at least 5
of which are red or gold, and at least 15 of which are silver.

Registered Teachers
In 1992, Units were offered the opportunity to officially honor
the accomplishments of established bridge teachers in their
areas by giving each of them the title of ACBL Registered
Teacher.

Reisinger Memorial Trophy

Donated in memory of Curt H. Reisinger and awarded to the
winners of the Fall NABC Board-a-Match Team Championship.

55
Renege
Failure to follow suit when holding one or more cards of the
suit led, a colloquial synonym for “revoke.”

Revoke
The play of a card of another suit by a player who is able to
follow suit or comply with a lead penalty. It is permissible in
ACBL-play to ask a partner who doesn’t follow suit if partner
holds a card of the suit led.

Richmond Trophy
The Richmond Trophy is awarded annually to the Canadian
who wins the most masterpoints during a calendar year.

Rookie
A player holding fewer than 5 masterpoints.

Round-Robin
A form of competition in which each of the contesting groups
(usually teams) plays against each of the other groups entered
in head-on competition.

Ruff and Sluff (or ruff and discard)

When a defender leads a suit in which both declarer and
dummy are void, the declarer may ruff and sluff – discard a
loser from one hand and ruff in the other.

Rule of Eleven
A mathematical calculation applicable when the original lead is
construed as a fourth highest one. It is sometimes possible to
obtain an exact reading of the distribution in all four hands.
The rule states: “Subtract the pips on the card led from 11; the
result gives the number of cards in the three hands other than
the leader’s which are higher than the one led.” (See The Offi-
cial Encyclopedia of Bridge for other popular “rules” of the
game: Rule of Two and Three, Seven, Twelve, Fifteen, Sixteen,
Eighteen, and Twenty-Two.)

56
S
Sacrifice or Save
A bid made knowing that it probably won’t be fulfilled but
based on the premise that the penalty to be paid will be less
than the adverse score were the opponents permitted to play
and fulfill their contract.

Sales Line
ACBL has a toll-free sales line for ordering bridge books and
bridge products. In the USA, call 1-800-264-2743; in Canada,
call 1-800-264-8786.

Sanction
The permission given by the ACBL to a club, unit, or district to
hold a duplicate event and to award masterpoints.

SAYC
This stands for Standard American Yellow Card, an ACBL
convention card that is pre-filled out with agreements to reflect
a simple, modern style of bidding. This system is popular with
bridge players on the Internet. (See also Standard American
Yellow Card.)

School Instant Matchpoint Game

Each spring, ACBL sponsors an Instant Matchpoint Game for
students under 20 years of age in schools throughout North
America. All schools are eligible to compete. The highest
soring North/South and East/West pair each receive a $500
scholarship provided by the ACBL Educational Foundation.
Contact the Education Department for more information.

Section
A group of contestants who constitute a self-contained unit in
one event for one session of a tournament. An event might
consist of one section of players or of many sections of play-
ers.
57
Section Markers
Signs at tournaments indicating the location of each group of
tables forming a section. These are usually single letters but
may be double or triple letters or sometimes numbers.

Sectional Master
A player with 50 to 100 recorded masterpoints, at least 5 of
which are silver points.

Sectional Tournaments
Units are the sponsors of sectional tournaments, which usually
run from three to five days. Units are allowed to run several
special kinds of sectionals each year known as IN sectionals
(see Intermediate-Newcomer Program) and STaCs (see also
STaC – Sectional Tournaments at Clubs). Masterpoints won at
sectional tournaments are silver.

Seeding
The assignment of certain tables to particularly strong contes-
tants to assure there will be no preponderance of strong pairs
in direct competition within any one section. In pair events,
tables 3 and 9 are usually reserved for seeded players; at
NABCs, tables 3, 6, and 9 are usually reserved. Some team
events are also seeded.

Senior Pairs (ACBL-wide)

This is a special event held at clubs every year in February.

Senior Player of the Year

This contest recognizes the player, 55 years or older, who wins
the most masterpoints each year in Senior tournaments and
Senior events at all tournaments. This player receives The
George Burns Trophy.

Session
A period of play during which a specified number of boards is
scheduled to be played.

58
Set
The defeat of a contract. Also used to refer to the number of
boards played in a session as in, “we had a good set.”

Short Club
The short, prepared, or convenient 1⽤ bid is an original
opening bid made with a hand that has a three-card club suit.

Side Game Series

This is a series of at least three one-session games open to all
players. Participants may enter as many sessions as they wish
and play with the same or different partners. Overall ranking is
done on an individual basis by computing the sum of each
player’s two best games. At NABC and regional tournaments,
gold points are awarded to section-top placing players who
have competed in at least two sessions of this event. Each
session of a Side Game Series may also be run as a one-
session stratified pairs.

Silver Life Master

A player of Life Master status who has at least 1,000
masterpoints.

Silver Points
These are masterpoints awarded at sectional tournaments,
progressive sectionals, and STaCs (Sectional Tournaments at
Clubs). A player must earn 50 silver points as one of the quali-
fications for advancing to the rank of Life Master.

Silver Ribbon Pairs

An ACBL event with national rating for players 55 years of age
or older. Players earn qualification by placing first or second in
a regionally rated two session championship Senior event.

Simplified Convention Card

See “Fat-Free” Convention Card.

59
Sit, Sit For
To pass partner’s double.

Skip Bid Warning

A notice given just prior to a bid that is made at a level that is
higher than necessary. It alerts the opponent who is next to
call to pause briefly before taking any action. When bidding
boxes are in use, the “Stop” card is used prior to the bid.

Slam
Bidding for and winning 12 or 13 tricks.

Slow Play
Bridge is a timed event. As opposed to careful or thoughtful
play, slow play is discourteous not only to the opponents of
the moment, but to all of the other competitors in the event as
well. It is the responsibility of every player at the table to try to
catch up when their table has fallen behind.

Small Slam
Bidding for and winning 12 tricks.

Spade Series, The

This was the original title of the fourth course (on Duplicate) in
The ACBL Bridge Series written by Audrey Grant. This course
was rewritten and is now called Commonly Used Conventions.
See The ACBL Bridge Series.

Speedball Swiss Team

Speed of play is a major factor in this type of event. Each
match consists of five boards, and an average of only five
minutes per board is allowed for play — 25 minutes per round.
Usually five rounds are played, and the event sometimes is
called a five-five-five Swiss. This event is frequently offered as
a late-night game during a sectional, a regional, or an NABC.
It is sometimes flighted or stratified.

60
Spingold Trophy
Donated in 1934 by Nathan Spingold and awarded for the
NABC Master Teams Championship played annually at the
Summer NABC. This event ranks with the Vanderbilt as the
most highly prized trophy on the ACBL calendar. Performance
in the Spingold Teams event is a significant factor in selecting
the American representatives in world championship play.
Currently the winners and teams who place high in the event
are awarded high seeds and byes in the early rounds of Inter-
national Trials Competitions.

Split Regional
A tournament with regional rating held at two widely sepa-
rated sites within an ACBL District. Scores are compared be-
tween the two sites to determine the first- and second-place
winners of regionally rated pair games. Swiss teams and
knockout teams are separate events with different winners at
each site.

Square Hand
Bridge geometry is peculiar; square hand, flat hand, and round
hand all describe 4-3-3-3 distribution.

STaC
An abbreviation for a special kind of sectional tournament
known as a Sectional Tournament at Clubs. It is a tournament
with sectional rating that is played in a number of clubs in a
specific area over a period of several days. The results of all
games are sent to one location, which is manned by the direc-
tor-in-charge of the event. Overall pair game awards are
determined by comparing the results of all games conducted
at a particular session just as if all of the games were played at
one site. The masterpoints awarded in this type of tournament
are silver points.

Stack, Stacked
(1) The cards are said to be stacked against one player when a
single opponent holds all or nearly all of the cards in a crucial
suit. (2) To stack a deck is to arrange cards in an undealt deck
61
in order to put predetermined holdings into one or more
hands, a practice which is highly unethical and illegal.

Standard American
A nebulous term applied to the methods of bidding most
commonly used in the U.S. It approximates the methods advo-
cated by Hall of Famer Charles Goren, who was known to
millions as “Mr. Bridge” during the last half of the 20th century.

Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC)

The Standard American Yellow Card is a convention card
which has been filled out to display a simple, modern method
which leads to a good, solid understanding in a partnership
when both players have read the card and the booklet. (It is
produced by ACBL and available at ACBL’s website —
www.acbl.org.) This approach has gained popularity in online
play. Few sequences are defined in the later rounds of Stan-
dard Yellow Card auctions. Players are free to assign forcing,
invitational, or non-forcing meanings to natural calls in such
sequences. Players may still exercise their bridge judgments,
such as in deciding to open a four-card major in third seat.
The SAYC normally five-card majors approach can withstand
an occasional deviation.

Star Clubs
A star club is a club that has qualified for recognition that it
performs a certain level of preferred services, programs, and
games. There are three levels: one-star, two-star, and three-
star, with three-star being the highest level. Here is the criteria
for these levels:
One-Star: Uses ACBLscore.
Has a Zero Tolerance Program.
Is affiliated with a teaching program.
Participates in at least two ACBL special events.
Recruits at least one new ACBL member through
the club per year.
Has a New Player Services Program (Host/
Hostess for all games).
Guarantees partners.
62
Two-Star: All of the above and...
Offers a game for limited MP players.
Recruits six or more new ACBL members for the
club per year.
Has a Bridge Tip before limited masterpoint
game(s).
Offers an Easybridge!, Bridge Plus+, or equiva-
lent game.
Has a non-playing director for the majority of
games.
Shows an annual increase in tables.

Three-Star: All of the above and...

Recruits 20 new members for the club during the
year.
Has a mentoring program.
Has a club newsletter (or club website).
Hosts a special IN activity at least once a year.
Offers a social activity once a month.

Star Teacher
The Star Teacher designation was initiated in 1988 to thank
teachers who elect to teach The ACBL Bridge Series courses
using the texts developed by ACBL and authored by Audrey
Grant for these courses. Any ACBL Accredited Teacher who
teaches 100 students one of the ACBL courses - Bidding, Play
of the Hand, Defense, Commonly Used Conventions, and More
Commonly Used Conventions earns the designation of Star
Teacher. There are one-star, two-star, three-star, and four-star
teachers. Each designation earned gives additional discounts
to the teacher on the purchase of these texts.

Stayman
The response of 2⽤ to 1NT, or 3⽤ to 2NT asks opener to bid
a four-card major suit. This convention, invented by Hall of
Famer George Rapée, was popularized in an article written by
Sam Stayman, also a member of the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame.
63
The convention was named for the writer rather than the
inventor.

Stratified
This is a type of game movement where all players are as-
signed to a group (strat) based on their current masterpoint
holdings. Each contestant plays against players of all point
ranges. Masterpoints are awarded to leaders of each strat. If a
Strat C player scored better than one of the leaders in Strat B
(a higher ranked strat), the C player will be awarded the points
for Strat B.

Stratiflighted
An event which is a combination of flighted and stratified. The
upper level strat has no masterpoint restriction and is played
as a separate game. The other players are subdivided into two
or three strats with specific lower and upper masterpoint
limits. Participants may enter either the unrestricted (“play
alone”) group or the stratified group with a masterpoint re-
striction for which they are eligible.

Swish
A colloquialism indicating that a bid is followed by three
passes. A similar term is “float.”

Swiss Teams
In a Swiss teams event, each team will play approximately 7 to
9 board matches against a number of teams during the event.
Matches are arranged by pairing teams with approximately
equal records.

System On (or System Off)

An agreement to apply (or not to apply) certain conventional
methods in slightly changed circumstances. The most common
example occurs after a 1NT overcall. The partnership may
agree to respond exactly as if the 1NT call had been an open-
ing bid.

64
T
Table Guidecard
A large card, containing instructions for the players on how to
move, what boards are to be played and by which pairs. The
table guidecard is placed under the boards in the center of the
table.

Table Presence
One of the abilities that makes a good bridge player into an
expert is the undefinable something that is referred to as table
presence. It is a combination of instinct, the drawing of correct
inferences from any departure from normal rhythm by the
opponents, the exercise of discipline in bidding, the ability to
coax maximum performance from partner, and the ability to
make the opponents feel that they are facing a player of a
higher order. Also called Table Feel.

Tap, TAP
(1) A colloquialism for shortening a hand in trumps by forcing
it to ruff. (2) TAP (The Teacher Accreditation Program) offered
through the ACBL Education Department. It is a ten-hour
seminar, created by Audrey Grant, which participants must
successfully complete to earn accreditation.

Teacher Accreditation Program

See TAP.

Team Games
A team consists of two pairs who play in different directions at
different tables for a common score. One pair plays North-
South for a designated number of boards and the other plays
East-West for the same boards at a different table. If team A
plays Team B, a deal is played at table “A-1” with the North-
South pair from Team A and the East-West pair from Team B.
Then it is replayed at table “B-1” with the North-South pair
from Team B and the East-West pair from Team A. Each team

65
plays the deal from each direction and the scores are com-
pared.

Television
ACBL has produced five television programs in conjunction
with Audrey Grant. The programs use material found in The
ACBL Bridge Series books, authored by Grant, for new and
advancing players. The most recent program, Bridge at Sea
with Audrey Grant, has been made available to public televi-
sion stations through NETA (the National Educational Televi-
sion Association), one of four distributors for PBS.

Texas Transfer
A transfer bid, originated independently by David Carter of St.
Louis and Olle Willner of Sweden. It is used after an opening
1NT or 2NT bid to make the strong hand declarer in a high
suit contract. With a hand justifying a game contract, the
responder jumps to 4⽦ holding a six-card or longer spade
suit; the opener is required to bid 4⽥. Similarly, 4⽧ requires
the opener to bid 4⽦.

Top
Slang for the maximum score you can make on a hand in
duplicate.

Tournament Director
The official representative of the sponsoring organization,
responsible for the technical management of the tournament.
The tournament director has the responsibility to restore
equity at a table when an irregularity has occurred. When a
player summons a director to the table, it should be done in a
clear, courteous manner. It is suggested that you call the
director to the table by saying, “Director, please.” Tournament
directors are trained by the ACBL and ranked according to
ability and experience. The IN (Intermediate-Newcomer Pro-
gram) directors have a special knowledge of the problems
arising with new players and have been trained to address
them.

66
Tournaments
The ACBL runs or sanctions the following types of tourna-
ments: NABCs – three major national championships each
year; REGIONALS – sanctioned to each of the 25 Districts:
SECTIONALS – sanctioned to the 300+ units.

Tournament Events
Tournament events may be classified by TYPE: Individual, Pair;
Team. These types of events may be organized by EXPERTISE
(masterpoint holdings) as: Open, Flighted, Stratified,
Stratiflighted, Handicapped, Bracketed (Teams), Masters, Non-
Masters, Life Masters, specific masterpoint restrictions (0-5, 0-
20, 0-50, etc.). Events may also be restricted by GENDER:
men’s, women’s, mixed, or unmixed and by AGE: Junior (25
years of age or younger), Senior (55 years of age or older).
SCORING METHODS are: Individual (matchpoints or interna-
tional matchpoints – IMPs), Pair (matchpoints or IMPs), Team
(win/loss, victory points, total points, board-a-match).

Trap Pass
A pass by a player holding a strong defensive hand, hoping
that the opposition will bid themselves into difficulties. It is
usually made by a player holding length and strength in the
suit bid by the opener on the player’s right.

Traveling Score-slip (or Traveler)

This is a score sheet which stays with a duplicate bridge board
during play. Each table records its results after the play of the
deal. At the end of the game, the scoreslips for all of the
boards are matchpointed and the director adds the
matchpoints to determine the winner. (See also “Pick-up Slip.”)

Treatment
A natural bid that indicates a desire to play in the denomina-
tion named (or promises or requests values in that denomina-
tion), but that also, by agreement, gives or requests additional
information on which further action could be based. It differs
from a convention, which is a bid that gives or requests infor-
mation unrelated to the denomination named.
67
U
Unauthorized Information
During a duplicate game, a player may inadvertently overhear
a remark about a board not yet played. Such an incident
should be reported to the director who will act in a manner as
fair as possible to the player so reporting. If a player receives
information from partner by means other than a legal call or
play, such as mannerisms, extended hesitation, grimaces,
remarks, etc., that player may not choose from among logical
alternative actions one that could have been demonstrably
suggested over another by the extraneous information.

Unit
A division of the ACBL covering a designated area. Some units
include only a part of a city, and others include entire states.
The unit supervises bridge activities at ACBL games in its
territory and conducts tournaments at the local and sectional
levels. Groups of units form ACBL districts, and officers and
board members of units elect the district’s representative to the
ACBL Board of Directors. ACBL has more than 300 units.

Unit Championships
Each unit may conduct 16 unit championship sessions per
year. These games award masterpoints based on 85% of
sectional rating. These games may be held at one centralized
location or with “split-sites” at various clubs throughout the
unit. In addition, each unit is allotted four unit Charity champi-
onships per year.

Unit Growth Program (UGS)

This is a program funded by ACBL and designed to assist key
unit officials, teachers, club owners, and volunteers in working
together to recruit new members, to retain current members,
and to increase participation. Developed by Betty Starzec,
ACBL Education Liaison Coordinator, the Unit Growth Pro-
gram seminar is offered to units at no cost to the unit. Call the
ACBL Education Department for more information.
68
Unit-Wide Championship
A game with unit championship rating held simultaneously at
three or more locations within the unit boundaries with a
minimum of five tables at each site. Hand records are used and
the event is ranked overall.

United States Bridge Federation (USBF)

The United States Bridge Federation was formed in 2001 by
the ACBL and the ABA (American Bridge Association) in order
to conform to Olympic rules that require each sport be gov-
erned by a national (not zonal) organization. The purpose of
the USBF is to advance the interests of the United States in
international bridge competition, including the selection and
support of United States bridge teams and players in interna-
tional and Olympic bridge competition.

Upgraded Club Championship

This is an extra session that a club earns by recruiting 10 new
members during the year. The game awards full sectionally
rated black points.

V
Vanderbilt Cup
The Vanderbilt Knockout Team Championship is contested
annually at the Spring NABC. It ranks with the Spingold as the
most highly prized trophy in the ACBL calendar. The
Vanderbilt Cup was donated by Harold S. Vanderbilt, a mem-
ber of the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame, and is one of the few
events for which the winners receive individual replicas of the
trophy.

Venice Cup
This event became a world championship in 1978. It is a
contest among champion women’s teams and is held every
other year alongside the Bermuda Bowl.

69
Victory Points
This is the scoring method favored by many experts in con-
tests where there are many teams and each team plays a
relatively small number of deals against each of the other
teams. When using Victory Point scoring, the IMP score on
each board is calculated. The total IMP score on the boards of
the match are then converted to victory points in accordance
with a predetermined scale.

Victory Points in Swiss Teams

This type of event differs in that it is scored using IMPS which
are then converted to Victory Points. To receive credit for a full
win, a team must win by 3 or more IMPs. A win by 1 or 2 IMPs
constitutes a 3/4 win, with the losing team getting the other
quarter of a point. However, the team winning the match
receives the entire match masterpoint award.

Von Zedtwitz Award

Named for Waldemar von Zedtwitz, a member of the ACBL
Bridge Hall of Fame, this award was established in 1996 to
honor a deceased bridge player who contributed to bridge
through either bridge-playing talents or outside the area of
playing expertise. P. Hal Sims, one of the giants of the early
game of bridge who was involved in several highly publicized
bridge matches, was the first recipient of this award. Portraits
of the players who receive this award are displayed in the
ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame.

Von Zedtwitz Gold Cup

Awarded annually at the Summer NABC for the Life Master
Pairs Championship, one of the most highly regarded pair
events in the ACBL calendar. It was donated by Waldemar von
Zedtwitz, one of the great bridge players and personalities of
all time.

Vugraph
A method of presenting bridge play to an audience larger than
can be accommodated around a bridge table. At the Spring
and Summer NABCs, the ACBL conducts a vugraph show to
70
cover the final rounds of the Vanderbilt and Spingold Team
Championships. The audience watches the matches played
simultaneously by the opposing teams. The presentation is
complemented by commentary designed to make the audience
both understand and enjoy the bidding and play of the experts
competing in the event.

Vulnerability
A condition of play in which premiums and penalties are
increased. In rubber bridge, vulnerability comes about by
having won one game toward rubber. In duplicate bridge,
vulnerability is arbitrarily assigned.

W
Warning Partner
There are certain situations in ACBL-play where a player who
feels that partner is about to commit an irregularity during the
play has the right to warn partner. This includes any time
partner fails to follow suit and, as dummy, whenever it appears
partner is about to lead from the wrong hand.

WBF (World Bridge Federation)

The World Bridge Federation was founded in August of 1958
by delegates from Europe, the United States, and Australia. In
1977 it was incorporated in New York State as a not-for-profit
organization.

Welcome to the North American Bridge Champion-

ships
The Welcome booklet was originally created by Betty Starzec,
ACBL Education Liaison Coordinator, and expanded by Julie
Greenberg, ACBL Director of Education, for use in the NABC IN
Program. It is designed to help a new player understand and
enjoy ACBL’s premier tournaments. This booklet can be
adapted for use at sectionals and regionals in conjunction with
an IN (Intermediate-Newcomer) Program.
71
World Junior Team Championship
The most prestigious event for players under the age of 26. It
is played every other year (odd years) and hosted by the WBF.
ACBL teams are selected in the off years at the Junior Team
Trials held in conjunction with the Summer NABC and enter a
training program for the year prior to the event.

World Wide Pairs

This international competition is currently run in June of each
year and scored as usual at the local level and matchpointed
around the world at the world level. In 1999, the ACBL Millen-
nium Instant Matchpoint Pairs was run in lieu of this event.

X
x
(1) A symbol used in lower case in bridge literature to signify
an insignificant low card in any suit, a card lower than a 10.
Thus K-x-x means the king and two low cards in that suit. (2) A
capital X indicates a double. These symbols are used in all
forms of written bidding — texts, stories, newspaper columns,
hand records for important matches, etc. Similarly, XX means
“redouble.”

Y
Yarborough
Any hand at bridge containing no card higher than a nine,
named after an English lord who customarily would offer to
wager 1,000 pounds to one against the chance of such a hand
being held by a player. In postmortem discussions, the term
“yarborough” is often used to describe bad hands even if they
do not meet the strict requirements.

72
Youngest Life Master
To become a Life Master is the dream of all serious bridge
players. Some never make it in their lifetime; others seem to
have a special gift for the game and become Life Masters
within a very short time. In 2000, the record for youngest Life
Master was still held by Danny Hirschman of Southfield MI
who attained the rank at age 10 years, two months, and 20
days. (See also “Life Master” and “Ranks.”)

Z
Zero Tolerance
This is a policy recommended by ACBL and followed at many
clubs and tournaments. It strives to promote a friendly atmo-
sphere at the table, while eliminating unacceptable behavior,
including rudeness, intimidation, gloating, profanity, and a
variety of other offenses. Automatic penalties are part of the
program. If you feel an infraction of Zero Tolerance has oc-
curred at your table, please call the director.

Zip Swiss
A special version of Swiss teams designed to be finished in a
short time, usually as a one-session event at the end of a day’s
championship play. (See also Midnight Swiss.)

73
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74
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