Bridgebulletin 2018 08

BRIDGE
AUGUST 2018
Paradise Found
Honolulu hosts the Fall NABC
Nov. 22–Dec. 2
Bulletin
BRIDGE
Vol ume 84, Number 8 • August 2018 • acbl.org

Cover photo courtesy of HTA/Tor Johnson
Features
9 Induction Zone Reus, Fergani enter Canadian Hall of Fame
10 Hawaiian Hands Honolulu hosts Fall NABC Nov. 22–Dec. 2
16 Maple Leaf Rag Team Gartaganis will play at World Championships
22 Apellation Trail Cocheme ponders what’s in a name
24 International Matchpoints A club game played around the world
28 Charting New Waters Introducing the new convention charts
32 Hey Batter, Bidder Comparing America’s pastime and ours
9 16
10
Getty Images/iStockPhoto
4 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

COLUMNS INTERACTIVE FEATURES CONTRIBUTORS
6 IN FIRST SEAT 37 THE BIDDING BOX 44 PHILLIP ALDER
Card Play 101
26 LOSING TRICK COUNT 40 IT’S YOUR CALL
45 ADAM PARRISH
36 RULING THE GAME 56 CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH Parrish the Thought
53, 55 WEST, EAST HANDS FOR 46 PAT HARRINGTON

DEPARTMENTS THE BIDDING BOX Play & Learn
7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
71 CROSSWORD PUZZLE 47 JERRY HELMS
29 EMPLOYMENT Ask Jerry
30 PRODUCT REVIEWS
MASTERPOINTS 48 LYNN BERG
67 NEW LIFE MASTERS Startup Bridge
34 CLUB NEWS
68 LIFE MASTER MILESTONES 49, 52 LARRY COHEN
31, 45, 52 NOMINATIONS Bidding Basics, The Real Deal
84 PERSONAL MP PROFILE
36, 50 ELECTION NOTICES 51, 60 MIKE LAWRENCE
Mike’s Bridge Lesson, Mike’s Advice
66 BIG GAMES PASSINGS
53, 59 EDDIE KANTAR
50, 72, 73 OBITUARIES Chalk Talk, Test Your Play
CALENDARS 72 IN MEMORIAM 54 AUGUST BOEHM
74 TOURNAMENT DIRECTORY Boehm on Bridge
30, 50 TEACHER, DIRECTOR COURSES 55 MARK HORTON

Misplay These Hands with Me
83 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
57 MARTY BERGEN
Better Bridge with Bergen
58 KAREN WALKER
Bidding Matters
King–Small
22 32 62 FRANK STEWART
My Bridge and Yours
63 GEORGE JACOBS
George’s World
64 BILLY MILLER
Dear Billy
65 DAVID BIRD
Bridge with the Abbot
24
August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 5

IN FIRST SEAT
Member Services:
800–264–2743 (U.S. )
Conventionally speaking 662–253–3191 (Others)
Beginning in late November, the ACBL will Call and speak to a member
formally adopt a new set of convention charts services representative to:
to replace the ones that have been in use for • Join the ACBL
the past few decades. Readers should check • Renew your membership
out the story on pg. 28 by Tom Carmichael, the • Change your mailing address
chair of the ACBL’s Competition and Conventions Committee, to • Get questions about MPs answered
learn about the new charts. This is the first installment of a four-
• Report Bridge Bulletin not received
part series.
If you’re one of the players worried that the new charts will be Available Monday–Friday
complicated, don’t be. In fact, most players won’t notice any change 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CST
at all. The revisions to the charts clean up some inconsistencies,
while aiming for a more uniform playing experience, especially at Email Customer Service:
the tournament level. The main takeaway from the series is that [email protected]
these new charts are unlikely to affect club players – clubs have
More contact information
extraordinary latitude in deciding which treatments are allowable
on pg. 82.
at games run under their sanctions – while helping experienced
tournament-goers know what to expect from one venue to the next.
Thanks are owed to the all-volunteer members of this committee
who worked for years to bring this project to fruition. Their
Bulletin
BRIDGE
willingness to seek out input from players as the charts were being
developed was a model for how systemic changes should take place.
Editor: Paul Linxwiler
A reminder Managing Editor: Sue Munday
One of the best-kept secrets on Associate Editor: Chip Dombrowski

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➺ InBox Letters to the Editor
Exception to the rule We even had an opportunity to tour bridge community’s effort to battle
Playing bridge at St. Catherine’s the area and play some golf at the love- Alzheimer’s. Surely we can do better.
club in West Palm Beach is a pleasure. ly (and reasonably priced) Valley Oaks Most likely, the club’s hands were tied.
The space is beautiful, the bidding Golf Course. We certainly look forward Perhaps a think tank can be formed to
boxes and the cards always seem new, to returning to Visalia next year. overcome the red tape involved in mak-
and most importantly, the games are EDDIE ROSE and ANN GILLESPIE ing medical exceptions regarding club
expertly managed by our wonderful Laguna Niguel CA games. It made me very sad to think
director, Julie Jarow. that a lovely and vibrant lady such as
Julie runs a tight ship, and we appre- Remembering kindness Mary – or many thousands of others –
ciate the rules that she enforces. For I was saddened to read about Mary are forced to the sidelines because of
example, nothing is more distracting Oshlag (June, pgs. 26–27). I met Mary masterpoints and not allowed to live
during a match than a cell phone ring- and Richard my first year of learning out their lives enjoying the game that
ing, except someone actually answer- bridge on a cruise where they were has kept them going. We need to be
ing it. At Saint Cat’s we have a policy to running the bridge program. They more inclusive in times of need. Please
discourage this behavior, and a $ 1 fine were both so nice. I was happy when I find a way to overcome this obstacle.
is payable to charity for each infrac- saw their picture in the Bridge Bulle- BILLY MILLER
tion. tin when they won the 2011 Truscott/ Las Vegas NV
Recently, however, Julie carved out USPC Senior Swiss Teams.
an appropriate exception. Miriam It was a memorable experience for Platinum, schmatinum
Lerman, a healthy, avid and active me on the cruise. Mary and Richard I disagree with Theo Lichtenstein’s
player, was celebrating her 100th welcomed me even though I was a real Letter to the Editor in the June is-
birthday. After we sang “Happy novice at that time. The other play- sue suggesting that a platinum point
Birthday” and enjoyed a delicious cake, ers were very nice also, as most bridge should be one of the requirements for
we continued our game. Suddenly, a players are. We all have to learn from Life Master status.
cell phone rang loud and clear. It was the beginning, so having nice people to The majority of bridge players value
Miriam’s, and in a shocking disregard help you along sure makes a big differ- politeness, respectful remarks and just
for protocol, she put down her cards ence. plain decency. I recall when my hus-
and answered it. We were stunned, ARLENE LOCA band and I – each of us with just a few
until Julie announced that if you are Afton MI black points – attended our first NABC
100 years old, it is OK for your phone to several years ago. A gentleman of great
ring, and if you are 100 years old and it Fix it skill, as I was later told by a director,
is your birthday, you can answer it. gave me a compliment on a nice play
SUSANNE DURST In regards to the tragic story of Mary
Oshlag and the downhill slide she has I had made. It was probably the only
Katonah NY one of the day, but I was thrilled and
taken from the devastating effects of
Alzheimer’s, I was struck by some- inspired!
Big trees, big fun thing her husband Richard reported. There is a reason for Law 74
On a recent visit to Sequoia Na- In her last good time period when she (Conduct and Etiquette). There is a
tional Park, we decided to stop and play was able to continue to enjoy her daily reason we look forward to Bill Buttle’s
some bridge at the nearby Visalia CA bridge games, keeping her mind, body monthly cartoon. Things like this
Sectional. What a wonderful bridge and spirit going, Mary was prevented promote enjoyment of the game.
tournament! The facilities, especially from playing bridge on certain days be- Another good reason for playing bridge
the beautiful Lakes Clubhouse, were cause she had too many masterpoints. is that it enhances mental health.
terrific. The hospitality was top-notch, That’s a terrible shame. Part of the There are many reasons to play. So
the food was great, the staff was very story was that the minute she stopped
friendly and welcoming, and Nancy playing bridge, it was like the light Letters to the editor are welcome by regular mail and email.
Brevity is considered a virtue, as is subject matter with relevance
Boyd did an excellent job of directing. switch in her life was turned off. to a majority of ACBL members. Unsigned letters are not
(Of course, our winning two open pairs This is not a good reflection on the considered for publication, so please include your name and
hometown. Letters may be edited. All letters will receive a
added to the enjoyment!) response. Send emails to [email protected].

Letters to the Editor
all this fuss about making it tougher If the guide cards were wider, then it both followed to the first trump, but
to achieve a Life Master will only would be impossible to cover the num- West showed out on the second one,
turn players, especially seniors, away bers and letters (Table B3, for example) I could have crossed to dummy and
from ACBL. There are plenty of local on both ends of the cards, as is some- picked up the trumps with a finesse.
non-ACBL bridge clubs. They are a lot times the case. Overall, it would make At this point, I led a spade to the
cheaper, too! it a simpler task for players to find queen and returned a spade to my
People are more important than a their assigned tables, as well as being hand, but now I have a potential trump
platinum point. less time-consuming and frustrating. loser. My thinking then was that I
ALICE THOMAS RON HOPMAN needed hearts to be 3–3 or something
Langley BC Huntley IL good to happen in that suit, so I led the
♥9 to the queen, cashed the ♥A and
Déjà vu? A study in contrasts led a low heart to my hand. East could
Yesterday I was called to a table at a ♠Q65 not tell who had the ♥K, so he didn’t
game I was directing. While en route, ♥AQ74 ruff this and I scored my king. I now led
another table needed a quick answer. ♦ 10 7 5 the ♣A and exited with a club, waiting
By the time I reached the original table, ♣863 to take my two remaining trump tricks
they claimed to have sorted things ♠— ♠J7432 and making my contract.
out. Because I was already there, I ♥ 10 8 5 2 ♥J6 It was at this point that Mr. Good
inquired what the problem was. North ♦KQJ982 ♦643 Player screamed at me saying, “Why
said someone had scored on their line ♣ K 10 4 ♣Q52 did you block the heart suit? If they
(we use travelers at our club). East ♠ A K 10 9 8 were 3–3, you just lost a trick,” and
then chimed in that they had already ♥K93 he said it very nastily. I stated that if
played this board. I tried to clarify ♦A hearts were 3–3, I was making my con-
whether East–West had played this ♣AJ97 tract, and if not, I needed some help,
board at another table. All four looked which is what happened. He continued
at me sheepishly and then admitted This deal came up in a knockout to berate me about it. I should have
they had played the same board twice event in the recent Sacramento Re- called a director, but I didn’t.
at this table, with a different contract gional and demonstrates how really It is this type of demeanor that the
and a different result. North had sorted good players should – and should not – game does not need. Why couldn’t he
things out when she realized that the act at the table. be gracious and say, “Nice play,” or say
handwriting on the traveler line was I opened 1♠ as South, and Mr. Good nothing at all? His teammates reached
her own! Player overcalled 2♦. My partner slam and went down two, so we gained
That was a first for me. raised to 2♠, and I bid 4♠. 13 IMPs.
LARRY SHERMAN Mr. Good Player led the ♦K, and I The very next match, we played
San Diego CA won the ace. At first glance, it looks like against two other experts, Huub
I have five spades, three hearts and two Bertens and Dan Korbel, who really
enjoy each other and went out of their
Bigger is better aces for 10 tricks. And if hearts split
way to have fun even when they lost by
In my travels to tournaments, as well 3–3, I will make 11 tricks.
Thinking about the trump suit, I led a bunch. It was quite fun to play with
as local games, I have noticed the need this attitude, and these two are great
for larger guide cards on the table. The the ♠A, and when West showed out, I
realized that I had misplayed this suit examples of what the League needs to
chief reason for this, especially at tour- promote the game.
naments, is that players are constantly and had to rethink the entire hand. I
needed to start this suit by leading low JERRY WEITZNER
searching for their assigned tables be- Danville CA
cause the guide cards are often covered to the queen which would have allowed
by the boards. Anyone who’s played in a me to discover the 0–5 split. If they had
Swiss team event knows what I mean.

Due Recognition
The CBF inducts Reus, Fergani into
the Canadian Hall of Fame. BY KATIE THORPE
Photo by Michael Yuen
The Canadian Bridge Federation held its annual Hall

of Fame induction ceremony during the Canadian Bridge
Championships at the end of May in Montreal. The 2018 in-
ductees are Sharyn Reus of Summerstown ON and Kamel
Fergani of Montreal.
This year’s ceremony began with a short memorial for
Eric Murray, one of the original inductees into the CBF Hall
of Fame, and also a member of the ACBL Hall of Fame. John
Carruthers delivered a remembrance of Murray, with Allan
Graves and Michael Roche providing additional remarks.
Sharyn Reus Sharyn Reus and Kamel Fergani are inducted into the
Canadian Bridge Hall of Fame.
Sharyn first represented Canada at the 1972 Olympiad
Teams in Miami, having played for only three years at the
time, finishing a very respectable seventh place. She went Kamel Fergani
on to win 10 Canadian Women’s Team Championships, Kamel Fergani of Montreal has represented Canada seven
and she represented Canada 16 times at team events in the times at teams in world championship contests, several
world championships, finishing third on three occasions: times in pairs, and served as non-playing captain for the
1988 (Venice), 1989 (Perth) and 1996 (Rhodes). Sharyn also 2011 Canadian Senior team. He has won six Canadian
represented Canada five times in world championship pair National Team Championships and two NABC events – the
events and attained the rank of World Life Master. 1988 Jacoby Open Swiss Teams and the 2016 Wernher
Carruthers – who was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Open Pairs. Additionally, he is a well-respected and well-
Fame in 2015 – introduced Sharyn: “I had the good fortune loved teacher.
to captain Sharyn’s team a few times. She was the perfect Nicolas L’Ecuyer, who was mentored by Kamel as a young
partner and teammate: She never made a mistake, and she player before becoming his regular partner, introduced Ka-
never criticized her partner, her teammates or, most im- mel. L’Ecuyer described the “six levels of bridge.”
portantly, her captain, for their mistakes. She and Dianna “Level 1: learn how to bid. Level 2: learn how to play. Level
Gordon were for years the best Canadian women’s pair and 3: really learn how to bid. Level 4: really learn how to play.
one of the best in the world.” Level 5: really, really, really learn how to bid. And Level 6 –
Carruthers also shared comments from other Canadian which I am now renaming in honor of Kamel – the Fergani
luminaries who were unable to attend the induction cer- Level – which is to really, really learn and know how to play
emony. Of Sharyn, Eric Kokish wrote, “How proud I am that the game.
you always played the game the right way and tried to find “Kamel is a great teammate. And if there was anything
the truth.” complex to play, I would always leave it to Kamel to play it.
Former partner Gordon wrote, “I had the good fortune of It’s the best way to optimize our results.”
sitting South opposite Sharyn’s North for the better part of Both recipients thanked their partners, teammates and
40 years! I know, I know … She doesn’t look old enough to families, attributing much of their success to them. Kamel
make that true, but it is. My motto was, ‘It’s better to play especially thanked Francois Gauthier, an early mentor, for
with her than against her,’ because she is such a tigress at teaching him that (a) there were partscores and (b) the
the bridge table! Until screens interrupted my vision, I used opponents were allowed to play a hand! He claimed that he
to enjoy watching her intensity and her very careful crafts- had a hard time passing those lessons on to his presenter,
manship as she fought for every single trick in a contract Nicolas.
that was usually too optimistic. A bit of a magician is that The inductees received commemorative statues engraved
Sharyn Reus! Her spot in the Canadian Bridge Hall of Fame with West Coast Haida symbols. For Sharyn, the salmon,
is anxiously awaiting.” a symbol of persistence and determination; for Kamel, the
owl, a symbol of intuition, wisdom and keen sight. ◾
Hawaiian Hands Honolulu hosts Fall NABC Nov. 22–Dec. 2
The hands tell the story in hula. Come, they beckon, heart of Waikiki. The resort features more than 20 restau-
come to the Polynesian paradise to play. Come to the Fall rants, cafes and lounges, including a variety of casual din-
NABC in Honolulu, Nov. 22–Dec. 2. ing options. There are beaches and pools, fitness centers,
The hands tell the story in bridge, too. And you’ll play a full-service spa and live shows. Available daily activities
lots of them in 10 days at the best championships in the at the Hawaiian Village include yoga, turtle- and whale-
world! There are games morning, afternoon and night for watching tours, catamaran trips, snorkeling and kayaking.
all levels of play. But you don’t get to have all the fun! Enroll the kids in
Newcomers are extended a special, warm island wel- the Hilton’s Camp Penguin, a fun, educational program for
come. There are free, two-hour lessons followed by games children ages 5 to 12. They’ll enjoy onsite and offsite ac-
the first weekend of the tournament. And most every tivities, including excursions such as visiting the Waikiki
afternoon and evening, there’s a bridge celebrity speaker Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo.
presentation 45 minutes before game time. White sand beaches, floral breezes, tropical nights ... and
Enjoy your time away from the table, as well. Spread bridge! It doesn’t get any better than this. Book your trip to
over 22 acres, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is located in the paradise now.
10 Bridge Bulletin August 2018 Getty Images/Photodisc

Visitors to Hawaii can be assured Air travel
that the volcanic activity is having Omega World
no effect whatsoever on the islands Travel is the offi-
of Oahu (where the NABC is being cial travel agency for the ACBL. For air
held), Maui, Molokai, Lanai and travel assistance, call 800–969–4152,
Kauai. Travel is safe to the Hawaiian fax 866–445–6705 or email info@owt.
net.
Islands per Governor David Ige.
Parking
Site Hilton Hawaiian Village pro-
All events will be played at the Hilton vides a six-level parking garage,
Hawaiian Village at 2005 Kalia Road, conveniently accessible from
Honolulu. all towers at the resort.
Overnight self-parking for
registered hotel guests: $43/night
Housing
Overnight valet parking for regis-
Hilton Hawaiian Village tered hotel guests: $50/night
Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kalia Road Event discounted validated self- and educational activities for the kids,
Honolulu HI 96815 parking: $8 (not valid for overnight including field trips and, of course,
function parking) learning to play cards. Because it’s
Room rates start at $195/night. Event discounted validated valet affordable, the child care program
Please visit acbl.org for more informa- parking: $13 (not valid for overnight makes NABCs vacation destinations
tion about room rates. function parking) for the entire family.
There is no mandatory resort fee for Lost Ticket: $100 The cost is $25 per bridge session
ACBL members at Hilton Hawaiian All prices are subject to change with- for the first two children and $40
Village. Complimentary wireless inter- out notice. per bridge session for three or four
net is included in your room rate. children. Babies 3 months to 1 year are
Child care $40 per bridge session.
Call onPeak at Bring the kids along! The NABC For more information or to sign up,
855–992–3353 or child care program offers flexible contact Donna Compton at cdmra@
email [email protected] to reserve a hours for parents plus dozens of fun mindspring.com or 214–394–5830.
room. You can also book online at acbl.
org. Please check the ACBL website for
the latest housing information.
For Intermediate/Newcomer players only

Hawaii 2018 NABC hotel
By Cathy Hess, I/N Committee
cancellation policy
A one-night room deposit, Bridge is serious fun, but sometimes the empha-
charged to your credit card at the sis is on the serious. The Honolulu NABC Inter-
time of booking, will be applied to mediate-Newcomer Committee wants to put equal
your stay. This fee is separate from emphasis on the fun.
any cancellation charges that may Our tiny Ambassador of Aloha, Nanea, welcomes
be imposed by the hotel. players each day, and at the end of the tournament,
Reservations may be canceled one lucky and dedicated player can take Nanea
without penalty on or before Sept. home. I/N players will receive an additional reg-
16, 2018. For reservations canceled istration packet and gifts, as well as prizes for fun Nanea says, “Aloha”
after Sept. 16, your one-night contests.
deposit becomes nonrefundable. Meanwhile, be prepared to play bridge, learn bridge, laugh and enjoy our
beautiful Hawaii.
For more information, email [email protected].

Fall NABC Schedule 2018 • Honolulu Hawaii
Events, dates, times and locations are subject to change. Please check acbl.org for changes.
• Three-flight open events are stratified as A/X (6000+/0–6000), B/C (1500–3000/0–1500) and
Gold Rush (300–750/0–300).
• Two-flight open events are stratified as A/B/C (3000+/1500–3000/0–1500) and
Gold Rush (500–750/200–500/0–200) or as A/X/Y (6000+/4000–6000/0–4000) and
B/C/D (1500–3000/750–1500/0–750) if there is no Gold Rush.
• One-flight open events are stratified as A (3000+), B (750–3000) and C (0–750).
MONDAY, NOV. 19–WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21

24 hours NABC ONLINE INDIVIDUAL (unl./2000/500)
Play online from anywhere
THURSDAY, NOV. 22 BOLD, UPPER CASE = NABC+ events (Platinum points)

1 pm International Fund Open Pairs (unl./3000/750) UPPER CASE = NABC events (Gold and Red points)
International Fund Swiss Teams (unl./3000/750) Green = Regional events (Gold and Red points)
International Fund 299er Pairs Blue = Gold Rush events (Gold and Red points)
7:30 pm Educational Foundation Knockout Teams Cont. Fri.–Sat. at 9 am Red = Intermediate-Newcomer events (Red points)
Educational Foundation Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
Educational Foundation 299er Pairs
SUNDAY, NOV. 25
9 am Sunday–Monday Morning Compact KO Teams
FRIDAY, NOV. 23 0-5 Newcomer Pairs Play Free Today!
Saturday–Sunday Morning Compact KO Teams
9 am Friday–Saturday Morning Compact KO Teams
Jo Best Friday–Sunday Morning Side Game Series
Educational Foundation KO Teams
10 am 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
299er Swiss Teams
10 am 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Bridge Plus+ Free lesson, 14 deals, no card fee
10 am & 3 pm Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
1 pm Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
Daylight Swiss Teams (unl./3000/1500)
1 & 7:30 pm NAIL LIFE MASTER OPEN PAIRS 2 qualifying & 2 final sess.
Daylight Gold Rush Swiss Teams (750/300/200)
BAZE SENIOR KNOCKOUT TEAMS For players born before
10:30 am & 3:30 pm SUPER SENIOR PAIRS
Jan. 1, 1959. Pre-registration required by 11 am. One two-
Age 70+; 2 qualifying, 2 final sessions
session match per day until completed.
Noon & 7 pm BAZE SENIOR KNOCKOUT TEAMS
Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
Luke Han Friday–Saturday Knockout Teams
1 & 7:30 pm MITCHELL OPEN BOARD-A-MATCH TEAMS
3 pm 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
MARSHA MAY STERNBERG WOMENS B-A-M TEAMS
7:30 pm Evening Swiss Teams
Both BAMs: 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions
Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
0–10,000 SWISS TEAMS
299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
A/X/Y Swiss Teams (unl./6000/4000)
SATURDAY, NOV. 24 Junior Day/Julie & Billy Miller Day
Bracketed B Teams (0–3000) Brackets of 8 teams by
9 am Julie & Billy Miller Sat.–Sun. Morning Compact KO Teams
average MPs; 3 teams in each bracket earn gold.
Friday–Saturday Morning Compact KO Teams
Jazz with Aloha in Memory of Oded Stitt Saturday–
Educational Foundation Knockout Teams
Sunday KO Teams
10 am Julie & Billy Miller 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
299er Swiss Teams
Julie & Billy Miller Bridge Plus+ Free lesson, 14 deals, no card fee
7:30 pm Bryan Smither Evening BAM Teams
10 am & 3 pm Julie & Billy Miller Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
Open to Swiss drop-ins & new entrants
Julie & Billy Miller Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
1 & 7:30 pm NAIL LIFE MASTER OPEN PAIRS
299er Swiss Teams
BAZE SENIOR KNOCKOUT TEAMS
11:30 pm Zip Knockout Teams
0–10,000 SWISS TEAMS 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions
Julie & Billy Miller Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
MONDAY, NOV. 26 Goodwill Day
Julie & Billy Miller Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
9 am Sunday–Monday Morning Compact KO Teams
Jazz with Aloha in Memory of Oded Stitt Sat.–Sun. KO Teams
Monday–Wednesday Morning Knockout Teams
Julie & Billy Miller Compact KO Teams
Lester & Mitzie Kodama Monday–Wednesday
Luke Han Friday–Saturday KO Teams
Morning Side Game Series
3 pm Julie & Billy Miller 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
10 am Luke Han 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
7:30 pm Julie & Billy Miller A/X/Y and B/C/D Evening Swiss Teams
Daylight Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
Julie & Billy Miller 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Edith Neff Monday–Tuesday Daylight KO Teams
11:30 pm Julie & Billy Miller Zip Knockout Teams
10:30 am & 3:30 pm SUPER SENIOR PAIRS
Julie & Billy Miller Junior Zip KO Teams (25 and under. Free)
Noon & 7 pm BAZE SENIOR KNOCKOUT TEAMS

MONDAY, NOV. 26 (continued) WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 (continued)
1 pm Monday–Tuesday Side Game Series 3 pm Karen Lanke 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20, 0–5 I/N Pairs
1 & 7:30 pm MITCHELL OPEN BAM TEAMS 7:30 pm Karen Lanke Evening BAM Teams
MARSHA MAY STERNBERG WOMEN’S BAM TEAMS Open to Swiss drop-ins & new entrants
0–10,000 IMP PAIRS 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions Lake Minnetonka Wednesday–Thursday Side Game Series
A/X/Y Open Pairs (unl./6000/4000) Karen Lanke 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
B/C/D Open Pairs (3000/1500/750) Karen Lanke 299er Swiss Teams
Godfrey Chang Monday–Tuesday KO Teams 11:30 pm Karen Lanke Zip Knockout Teams
Compact Knockout Teams
3 pm Afternoon Side Swiss Teams THURSDAY, NOV. 29
299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs 9 am Jannie Feeback Thursday–Friday Morning Compact KO Teams
7:30 pm A/X/Y and B/C/D Evening Swiss Teams Wednesday–Friday Morning Knockout Teams
Monday–Tuesday Side Game Series Mark Teaford Celebration of Life Thursday–Saturday
299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs Morning Side Game Series
299er Swiss Teams 10 am 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
11:30 pm Zip Knockout Teams 10 am & 3 pm Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
Daylight Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
TUESDAY, NOV. 27 Tom Lum Day Rick Wall Thursday–Friday Daylight KO Teams
9 am Tom Lum Tuesday–Wednesday Morning Compact KO Teams 1 pm Lake Minnetonka Wednesday–Thursday Side Game Series
Monday–Wednesday Knockout Teams 1 pm & 4:30 pm 0–10,000 FAST OPEN PAIRS 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions
Lester & Mitzie Kodama Monday–Wednesday Morning 1 & 7:30 pm KAPLAN BLUE RIBBON PAIRS
Side Game Series SENIOR MIXED PAIRS 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions
10 am Tom Lum 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs 0–6000 MINI BLUE RIBBON PAIRS
10 am & 3 pm Tom Lum Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500) Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
Tom Lum Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200) Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
Edith Neff Monday–Tuesday Daylight KO Teams Leonard & Helen Fahrni Compact KO Teams
Noon & 7 pm BAZE SENIOR KNOCKOUT TEAMS Patsy Lum Wednesday–Thursday KO Teams
1 pm Monday–Tuesday Side Game Series 3 pm Afternoon Side Swiss Teams
1 & 7:30 pm KAPLAN BLUE RIBBON PAIRS 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Pre-qualification required. 2 qual., 2 semifinal & 2 final sess. 7:30 pm A/X/Y and B/C/D Evening Swiss Teams
WHITEHEAD WOMEN’S PAIRS 2 qualifying & 2 final sess. Wednesday–Thursday Side Game Series
0–6000 MINI-BLUE RIBBON PAIRS 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
2 qualifying, 2 semifinal & 2 final sessions 299er Swiss Teams
0–10,000 IMP PAIRS 11:30 pm Zip Knockout Teams
Tom Lum Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
Tom Lum Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200) FRIDAY, NOV. 30 Susan Kobayashi Day
Waialae Bridge Club Tuesday–Wednesday KO Teams 9 am Susan Kobayashi Friday–Saturday Morning Compact KO Teams
Godfrey Chang Monday–Tuesday KO Teams Thursday–Friday Morning Compact KO Teams
3 pm Tom Lum Afternoon Side Swiss Teams Wednesday–Friday Morning KO Teams
Tom Lum 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs Mark Teaford Celebration of Life Thursday–Saturday
7:30 pm Tom Lum A/X/Y and B/C/D Evening Swiss Teams Morning Side Game Series
Monday–Tuesday Side Game Series 10 am Susan Kobayashi 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Prs.
Tom Lum 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs 10 am & 3 pm John Johnson Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
Tom Lum 299er Swiss Teams Susan Kobayashi Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
11:30 pm Tom Lum Zip Knockout Teams Rick Wall Thursday–Friday Daylight Knockout Teams
1 pm Susan Kobayashi Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 Karen Lanke Day 1 pm & 4:30 pm 0–10,000 FAST OPEN PAIRS
9 am Karen Lanke Wednesday–Friday Morning KO Teams 1 & 7:30 pm SENIOR MIXED PAIRS
Tuesday–Wednesday Compact KO Teams REISINGER BOARD-A-MATCH TEAMS
Monday–Wednesday Morning KO Teams Pre-registration required by 9 pm Nov. 29.
Lester & Mitzie Kodama Monday–Wednesday Morning 2 qualifying, 2 semifinal, 2 final sessions
Side Game Series KEOHANE NORTH AMERICAN SWISS TEAMS
10 am Karen Lanke 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20, 0–5 I/N Pairs 2 qualifying, 2 semifinal, 2 final sessions
10 am & 1 pm Karen Lanke Fast Open Pairs (unl./3000/750) Wally Young Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500)
10 am & 3 pm Karen Lanke Daylight A/X/Y Swiss Teams (unl./6000/4000) Susan Kobayashi Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200)
Karen Lanke Bracketed B Teams (0–3000) Iku Donnelly Friday–Saturday Knockout Teams
Brackets of 8 teams by average masterpoints; 3 pm Susan Kobayashi Afternoon Side Swiss Teams
3 teams in each bracket earn gold. Susan Kobayashi 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Prs.
1 pm Lake Minnetonka Bridge Club Wednesday–Thursday 7:30 pm Susan Kobayashi Evening Swiss Teams
Side Game Series Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
1 & 7:30 pm KAPLAN BLUE RIBBON PAIRS Edward R. Kupperstein 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er,
WHITEHEAD WOMEN’S PAIRS 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
0–6000 MINI-BLUE RIBBON PAIRS 11:45 pm Susan Kobayashi Zip Knockout Teams
Karen Lanke Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
Karen Lanke Open Swiss Teams (unl./3000/1500)
Karen Lanke Gold Rush Swiss Teams (750/300/200)
Patsy Lum Wednesday–Thursday KO Teams
Waialae Bridge Club Tuesday–Wednesday KO Teams

SATURDAY, DEC. 1 SUNDAY, DEC. 2
9 am Morning Swiss Teams 10 am A/X/Y Swiss Teams (unl./6000/4000)
Friday–Saturday Morning Compact KO Teams Luke Han Bracketed B Teams (0–3000)
Thursday–Saturday Morning Side Game Series Brackets of 8 teams by average masterpoints;
10 am Celebration of Life for Jean Luning 3 teams in each bracket earn gold.
299er,199er,99er,49er,0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs Above teams: Playthrough with half-hour break.
10 am & 3 pm Daylight Open Pairs (unl./3000/1500) Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
Daylight Gold Rush Pairs (750/300/200) 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Noon & 7 pm REISINGER BAM TEAMS 299er Swiss Teams
1 pm Friday–Sunday Side Game Series 10 am & 1 pm Fast Open Pairs (unl./3000/750)
1 & 7:30 pm KEOHANE NORTH AMERICAN SWISS TEAMS 10 am & 2 pm John Sutherlin Saturday–Sunday Knockout Teams
MIXED SWISS TEAMS 2 qualifying & 2 final sessions 11 am & 5 pm REISINGER BAM TEAMS
Open Pairs (unl./3000/750) KEOHANE NORTH AMERICAN SWISS TEAMS
John Sutherlin Saturday–Sunday Knockout Teams MIXED SWISS TEAMS
Continues Sunday at 10 am & 2 pm 2 pm Friday–Sunday Side Game Series
Compact Knockout Teams 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0–20 & 0–5 I/N Pairs
Iku Donnelly Friday–Saturday KO Teams 299er Swiss Teams
7:30 pm A/X/Y and B/C/D Evening Swiss Teams

Maple Leaf Melee
Team Gartaganis wins the Canadian National Team Championship. BY PAUL THURSTON
The 2018 Canadian Bridge Champi-

onships was held in beautiful down-
town Montreal, May 26–June 3. The
gorgeous spring weather and the great
selection of restaurants within easy
walking distance were an unbeatable
combination for the event.
After a four-day, 21-match round-
robin, there was a fairly significant
changing of the guard in the standings
among the Open Team entrants.
To be sure, there were many familiar
names among the eight captains who
led their teams into the playoffs:
GARTAGANIS, TODD, L’ECUYER
and LITVACK. But teams like WANG, Winners of the 2018 Canadian National Team Championship: John Zaluski, Jeff Smith,
Nicholas Gartaganis, Judith Gartaganis, Paul Thurston and Martin Caley
ANGUS and D’SOUZA had rosters
replete with players unaccustomed
to the late stages of our national Zygmunt Marcinski; Kamel Fergani– Seniors event (CSTC) and taking the
championships. NISBET was largely Frederic Pollack; Michel Lorber–Ron gold medal after a well-played final
new to the Open Team playoffs despite Carriere against TURNER (David Turner–John
captain Pamela and partner Brenda ANGUS: Monica Angus, Alex Hong, Gowdy with Fred Lerner and Michael
Bryant having played dominant roles Jack Lee, Edward Xu, Yan Wang Schoenborn). Playing for the winners:
in recent Canadian Women’s Team TODD, npc: Doug Fisher–Ray Nader Hanna–John Rayner; John
events. (Due to very few entries ahead Hornby; Brad Bart–Neil Kimelman; Carruthers–Joey Silver and Michael
of the deadline, the 2018 CWTC was Steve Mackay–Danny Miles Roche–Michael Hargreaves.
canceled, and several players who LITVACK: Irving Litvack–Ian In the CNTC, after three days of
might have entered that event played Findlay; Bob Kuz–Ganesan Sekhar; quarterfinal and semifinal action,
on Open Teams in the CNTC.) David Willis–Jeff Blond past form prevailed as GARTAGANIS
D’SOUZA: Lino D’Souza–Terrence would face TODD for the gold medal.
Round-robin results (rounded) and
Rego; Richard Chan–Ray Jotcham; The former had bested NISBET
rosters of the qualifying teams:
Kole Meng–Terry Du 114–45 in the quarterfinal and
1. GARTAGANIS 292 NISBET: Pamela Nisbet–Brenda D’SOUZA 173–126 in the semis, while
2. WANG 258 Bryant; Rene Pelletier–Herve TODD downed ANGUS 161–143 in
3. L’ECUYER 257 Chatagnier; Robert Tremblay–Gerard their quarterfinal encounter before
4. ANGUS 254 Turcotte thrashing LITVACK 225–73 in the
5. TODD 239 (Complete field rosters, round-robin other semifinal bracket.
6. LITVACK 229 results and results of all secondary The GARTAGANIS lineup had a re-
7. D’SOUZA 229 events are available at cbf.ca.) sume that counted 14 previous CNTC
8. NISBET 228 wins: Captain Judith (four) with
Surprise eliminees after the qualify- husband Nicholas (five), as well as Jeff
GARTAGANIS: Judith and Nicholas ing stage were teams that many would Smith (three) and Paul Thurston (two).
Gartaganis; Jeff Smith–John Zaluski; have picked as likely to qualify with John Zaluski and Martin Caley were
Martin Caley–Paul Thurston serious chances to win it all: ODDY, seeking their first CNTC title as well as
WANG: Difan Wang–Jianfeng Luo; McAVOY, HANNA and BISHOP. the ACBL Grand Life Master status a
Peter Wong–Mike Xiaofang-Xue HANNA’s squad gained a consider- win would earn them.
L’ECUYER: Nicholas L’Ecuyer– able consolation prize by entering the TODD featured five of the six play-
ers who had won the 2017 title on seemed determined to get in the way ♣A and delivered the ruff for East to
(mostly) home turf in Winnipeg: Doug of. But when 3NT came back to Kersey, exit with the ♠J to produce this end-
Fisher with Neil Kimleman–Brad Bart it was time to show the second suit. ing:
and Steve Mackay–Danny Miles. Ray East then decided that if he could
Hornby capably subbed for captain make nine tricks (maybe, maybe not!), ♠K63
Bob, who was back home dealing with a perhaps there were 10 to be found. But ♥Q
family matter. Koski came to life by showing his sup- ♦ Q 10
Eight segments of 14 boards would port at the five level, largely intended ♣K
determine who would get their names as a furtherance of the sacrifice Kersey ♠ Q 10 5 2 ♠J7
engraved on the Mark Molson Trophy seemed bent on. ♥— ♥—
and represent Canada at the Rosen- Some sacrifice: 5♥ was cold! De- ♦J2 ♦K8763
blum Teams at the world champion- clarer ruffed the club lead, played the ♣9 ♣—
ships in Orlando this Fall. ♠A and ruffed a spade to lead a heart ♠A984
A repeat victory for the Westerners towards the closed hand. Hello, king! ♥J54
was not in the cards, however, as One more spade ruff and the trumps ♦—
the team that dominated the round- were drawn for a very profitable plus ♣—
robin (going 19–2 in the 21 matches) 650 for North–South. To succeed, South needs to win
had just enough of the better luck to Sometimes Seniors bid as much as the ♠A, cross to the ♥Q (black-suit
prevail 234–207 in the final, so Team Juniors! discard from West) and cash the ♣K
Canada for Orlando would be the for one spade discard. Then the play to
GARTAGANIS sextet. transfer the responsibility for guarding
Before we get to the bridge played in Transfer squeezes seem to show up diamonds to West is the ♦Q to force
the final, let’s take a look at some of the more in textbooks than in actual play, East to cover.
highlights and lowlights of the round- so it’s a shame this one wasn’t found at The ♦K is ruffed, and when the last
robin matches. And because coverage the table. trump is cashed, West will be down to
of the Senior event will be unavoidably ♠Q 10 and the ♦J and must give up
Dlr: East ♠ K 6 3
brief (I was busy playing!), let’s start the contract trick.
Vul: E–W ♥ Q 6 3
with a truly impressive performance At the table, declarer won the spade
♦ Q 10 4
by Bill Koski–Don Kersey on this deal shift in dummy and 3♥ drifted one
♣ K J 10 6
from a Senior qualifying match: down.
♠ Q 10 5 2 ♠J7
Dlr: East ♠ 6 ♥K9 ♥ 10 8 7
Vul: E–W ♥ J 8 7 5 2 ♦AJ2 ♦K98763
♣A973 ♣82 The dealing computer produced lots
♦ Q 10 6 4
♠A984 of freakish layouts during the nine-day
♣ 10 7 5
♥AJ542 Bridge Week, and this one may have
♠K4 ♠QJ8
♦5 produced the most post-session “What
♥643 ♥K
♣Q54 happened at your table?” queries in the
♦J85 ♦AK93
hospitality suite.
♣AK843 ♣QJ962
West North East South
♠ A 10 9 7 5 3 2
Pass 1♥ Dlr: South ♠ A J 5
♥ A Q 10 9
Dbl Redbl 2♦ Pass Vul: Both ♥ 9 3
♦72
Pass 2♥ 3♦ 3♥ ♦—
♣—
All Pass ♣ A K Q J 10 8 3 2
West North East South ♠ K Q 10 7 6 3 ♠842
With 3♦ due to fail and 2♥ a sure ♥ 10 8 ♥AK7642
Schoenborn Koski Lerner Kersey
make, South needed to justify his push ♦Q82 ♦963
1♣ 1♠
by finding nine tricks. ♣97 ♣5
2♠ Pass 2NT 3♠
The start to the play was not promis- ♠9
3NT Pass Pass 4♥
ing for declarer as West cashed the ♦A ♥QJ5
Pass Pass 4NT Pass
and got the count signal ♦9 from part- ♦ A K J 10 7 5 4
Pass 5♥ Dbl All Pass
ner. Diagnosing the possible club ruff, ♣64
West shifted to a low club that South
After Lerner’s opening drew an
won to play the ♥A and a second heart. After the popular start of 1♦ by
overcall and a cuebid raise, he headed
In with the king, West cashed the South and 2♠ by West, one North
towards a notrump game that Kersey

was later quoted as saying, “I really signals, so that when West played the 2♦ was “multi” promising a weak
despaired of finding out what I needed ♥8, East suspected that it might be two-bid in a major. 2NT showed a
to know about partner’s hand, so I just from ♥10 8 3 – and shifted to a spade. strong balanced hand with extra of-
jumped to what I hoped I could make.” Next was the ♠A, ♣A and a spade ruff fense, usually a suit that would provide
But when that guess was 6NT, East’s in dummy to dump the last two losers a source of tricks. West’s first pass
double told him there was something on high diamonds. Twelve tricks. was grudging to be sure, as he would
else to despair of as the defender This turned out to be a double- have furthered the preempt if only
cashed the high hearts before shifting barreled disaster as the misdefenders’ he’d known his partner had spades for
to a spade to the queen and ace. Only teammates managed to stop in 5♣ – the multi 2♦, an inherent weakness
nine tricks for minus 800 as the cost but went down! East cashed two high in the convention that conceals the
for the hopeful leap to slam. hearts and shifted to a spade. North identity of the preemptor’s suit. 3♦
Ron Bishop conducted as much of an took the black aces and ruffed a spade was a transfer to hearts, and 4♥ was
exploratory auction as possible before before trying to discard his last ♠ — on an enthusiastic super-accept. 4♠ was
putting on the brakes in a good spot. the ♥Q! a bit too late to be effective, but West
did not want to be left out. 5♣ was a
West North East South control bid in furtherance of a possible
Bishop Duquette Here’s another freak show exhibit heart slam. Ditto for 5♦, and the slam
1♦ that was my favorite: was reached. The double: “Well, I do
2♠ 3♣ Pass 3♦ have two aces!” But it was plus 1660 for
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♦ Dlr: East ♠— the good guys!
Pass 5♣ All Pass Vul: N–S ♥Q7542
The unrelenting diamond bids ♦8
convinced Bishop his partner would ♣KQ76532
The “Junior” on the GARTAGANIS
be unlikely to provide the wherewithal ♠ K 10 5 3 ♠A98762
team was Jeff Smith, a grey beard
for slam – and he was right. That didn’t ♥63 ♥98
who’s just over 40 (sigh!), but he used
stop some pairs from getting to 6♣ and ♦K732 ♦654
a tactic on this deal that’s largely gone
in at least one match, that “impossible” ♣ J 10 9 ♣A8
out of style with the modern mania for
contract was actually made. ♠QJ4
bid, bid, bid with any excuse.
East cashed a high heart, and his ♥ A K J 10
partner contributed the ♥8 while ♦ A Q J 10 9
Dlr: West ♠ 9 8
North made the falsecard he had to ♣4
Vul: N–S ♥ Q J
make with the ♥9. It seems that East– ♦9743
West had made a recent conversion to West North East South
♣AQ965
upside-down carding, and the conver- Thurston Caley
♠73 ♠AJ4
sion wasn’t quite as airtight as it might 2♦ 2NT
♥ 10 4 3 ♥AK972
have been. Certainly the ♥8 was the Pass 3♦ Pass 4♥
♦KQJ652 ♦8
correct card in UDCA methods, but 4♠ 5♣ Pass 5♦
♣43 ♣KJ82
the partnership hadn’t quite broken Pass 6♥ Dbl All Pass
♠ K Q 10 6 5 2
the habit of “fudging” a bit with their ♥865
♦ A 10
♣ 10 7

Zaluski Smith
3♦ Pass Pass 3♠
Pass 4♣ Dbl 4♠
Pass Pass Dbl All Pass
Seeing no offensive future for his

side opposite a nonvulnerable three-
bid, East passed with his substantial
values, a “trap pass” if there ever was
The 2018 Canadian Senior Team champions: John Rayner, Nader Hanna, Joey Silver, one. Hoping for some of East’s values
Michael Roche, Michael Hargreaves and John Carruthers to be with his partner, South under-

standably fell into the trap, and North Dlr: East ♠ Q J 10 9 4 3
followed along as well. Vul: Both ♥Q5
Plus 800 was earned for setting and ♦J92
springing the trap that was avoided at Another modern trend came to ♣ A 10
the other table when East tried 3NT grief on this deal from the final when ♠A76 ♠852
over the same 3♦ opening and could a featherweight overcall and preemp- ♥ 10 8 3 ♥KJ97
find only eight tricks. tive raise not only didn’t generate any ♦AK8 ♦ 10 7 4 3
effective obstruction, but attracted an ♣J632 ♣87
opening lead that suited declarer. ♠K
♥A642
In the semifinal round, we faced a Dlr: West ♠ K 7 6 4
♦Q65
very game D’Souza team that needed Vul: None ♥ K Q 6 5
♣KQ954
an 11th-hour appeal victory to send the ♦—
much-fancied L’Ecuyer team to the ♣AK843 Both South players declared 3NT
sidelines in the quarterfinal round. ♠Q8 ♠ A 10 9 after exploratory auctions, and both
The match stayed close throughout ♥9 ♥ 10 8 7 4 opening leaders started with an
and seemed a lot tighter than the final ♦J7542 ♦A9863 attitude-seeking high diamond lead.
score of 173–126 might suggest. ♣ J 10 7 6 2 ♣Q On that high diamond, Judith con-
A big chunk of our IMPs came from ♠J532 tributed the ♦10: not only negative
this grand slam that was reached via ♥AJ32 attitude for diamonds in their UDCA
some simple science after Martin ♦ K Q 10 methods, but containing a large mea-
Caley expertly envisioned how the play ♣95 sure of suit-preference information as
might go. well: “I’d really like a heart shift.”
Nicholas complied, with his ♥3
Dlr: East ♠ J Bart Thurston Kimelman Caley
going to the ♥Q and ♥K. Declarer
Vul: None ♥ A 7 5 Pass 1♣ 1♦ Dbl
ducked, but the low heart continuation
♦AKQ9864 3♦ 4♦ Pass 4♥
ended his chances.
♣A4 All Pass
At the other table, East’s diamond
♠ 10 ♠8742 played to trick one was just murky
The diamond opening lead suggested
♥KQJ62 ♥84 enough that West didn’t find the heart
by the overcall worked out very well –
♦ J 10 ♦7532 shift, continuing instead by cashing his
for Martin Caley. A spade was discard-
♣J7652 ♣KQ8 other high diamond honor and playing
ed from dummy at trick one. East won
♠AKQ9653 a third round.
the ♦A and continued the suit. De-
♥ 10 9 3 At that point, the BBO commenta-
clarer cashed his two diamond tricks
♦— tor predicted Smith would go down, as
for two more spade discards and played
♣ 10 9 3 West would duck the ♠K, and there
a spade to the king and ace. When a
spade came back, declarer played low, wouldn’t be enough entries to both
West North East South establish and cash good spades. But
and when the ♠Q popped up, it was
Caley Thurston Smith showed entries are where you
ruffed in dummy, trumps were drawn
Pass 4♠ find them: West did duck the play of
and 11 tricks claimed.
Pass 4NT Pass 5♠ the ♠K, but declarer then led a club to
Without the dubious benefit of the
Pass 7♠ All Pass dummy’s 10 to gain the crucial extra
overcall at the other table, Nicholas
Gartaganis fished out a semi-deceptive entry and set up spades for nine win-
After the 4♠ opening, Caley could ners in all.
♣7 against the same 4♥ contract,
see a lot of side-suit tricks with his
and declarer simply had too much
great diamonds and enough entries so
to do to overcome the adverse splits
that they couldn’t all be disturbed with
and spade honor location. 11 IMPs to
the opening lead. Once key card Black- With three segments remaining,
GARTAGANIS.
wood revealed South held the three top GARTAGANIS had built a useful lead
spades, the ♠J not only firmed up the (160–112), but then TODD staged one
suit but could also be used as an entry. of their trademark rallies to take the
That was 11 IMPs for us when our In the second segment of the final, sixth set 60–18. There would be every-
counterparts rested in 6♠. Smith–Zaluski on offense and Judith– thing to play for in the last 28 deals!
Nicholas on defense combined to pro- One of TODD’s double-digit gains
duce a great team result on this deal: came from this instructive deal:

Dlr: North ♠ 9 8 6 4 West North East South hinged on the cardplay.
Vul: None ♥ K Q 8 Kimelman Bart For GARTAGANIS, Smith led his
♦KJ9 1♥ Pass 2♣ singleton, and Zaluski diagnosed his
♣J62 Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT best chance to set 4♥ might be via
♠ Q 10 ♠AK7532 Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT ruffs, so he won the ♣A and returned
♥AJ743 ♥9 Pass 4♣ Pass 5♣ the ♣8 for one ruff, and after a spade
♦Q652 ♦ 10 8 4 3 Pass 6♣ All Pass to the ace, a second club ruff followed.
♣73 ♣ 10 9 When Judith declared, East for
♠J After the typical 2/1 start to the auc- TODD gave the same club lead a long
♥ 10 6 5 2 tion, North knew his partner would study before deciding to maintain his
♦A7 have roughly the equivalent of an open- tenace over dummy’s cards by playing
♣AKQ854 ing bid along with good clubs to make the ♣7 to force the ♣J from declarer.
the initial game-forcing response. East Two high trumps brought good
East started the bidding with a weak held out some hope that his baby clubs news, and Judith continued with a low
2♠ opening, but at both tables, North– might play a role, but the 3–2 diamond diamond to the jack and queen. East
South took over and crawled into 5♣. split compensated and Bart had no cashed the ♠A, but didn’t like what he
Both Wests started with the ♠Q, and problem bringing home 12 tricks – and saw from West, so reverted to dia-
then the defensive paths diverged as 12 large IMPs when the forcing 1♣ monds, playing the ♦10 to the ace.
Hornby–Fisher made short work of the auction at the other table didn’t diag- Declarer ruffed the third diamond
defense: Fisher overtook the ♠Q to fire nose that both North and South had and cashed the ♠K before leading a
back his lone heart, essentially playing maximum values for their early calls. club to dummy’s king and East’s ace
his partner for either the ♣A or ♥A. 3NT made in comfort, but without a – to thoroughly endplay the defender.
One fast ruff later meant down one. vulnerable slam bonus. East had only losing options: to lead
At the other table, Caley played the away from his guarded ♣10 to de-
♠3 at trick one, clearly a discouraging clarer’s split tenace or yield a ruff and
card, but one that failed to elicit the discard by playing back a spade. That
♥A and a second heart from his part- The penultimate segment settled was 10 well-earned tricks for declarer
ner, so 5♣ came home. Moral: Don’t nothing (12–11 for GARTAGANIS), so and 13 IMPs for the team.
ask (or expect) partner to do for you the result of the match rested on the
what you can do for yourself! final 14 deals.
During that dramatic set, another Many reports like this start with a
great team result established a bit of quiz question or two for the reader, but
breathing space for our squad when I’m going to end with one. You hold:
During last year’s final segment of Smith–Zaluski found the winning
the CNTC, TODD staged a fantastic defense, and captain Judith earned an ♠A 3 ♥J 9 8 3 ♦10 5 3 2 ♣A 7 5
rally to nip L’ECUYER at the wire, entry to the “Best Declarer Play of the and with both vulnerable, you pass as
largely on the basis of some success- 2018 CNTC” sweepstakes on this chal- dealer. Your LHO opens 1♥, partner
ful slams missed by their opponents. lenging deal: overcalls 1♠ and RHO passes. What’s
Would the excellent result fashioned your call?
by Kimelman–Bart on this deal be the Dlr: South ♠ 4 3 For TODD, East passed and that
start of a repeat rally? Vul: N–S ♥ J 10 4 2 effectively ended the auction with 1♠
♦AJ8 yielding 10 semi-lucky tricks.
Dlr: North ♠ 4 ♣K954 For GARTAGANIS, Zaluski chanced
Vul: Both ♥ A K 9 8 4 ♠J9652 ♠ A Q 10 7 his arm with a 1NT response. That
♦AKQ75 ♥95 ♥Q3 attracted a raise to the nine-trick game
♣K5 ♦K9752 ♦ Q 10 3 from Jeff Smith, who gave full appre-
♠ A J 10 7 6 3 ♠852 ♣3 ♣ A 10 8 7 ciation to the likely source of tricks he
♥ Q 10 5 2 ♥J6 ♠K8 held in the spade suit:
♦ 10 4 ♦J92 ♥AK876
♦64 ♠K Q J 8 7 5 ♥10 6 ♦A Q ♣Q 8 2.
♣8 ♣96432
♠KQ9 ♣QJ62 That ♥10 was just enough to spruce
♥73 up Zaluski’s heart stopper, and nine
Despite holding minimum combined tricks rolled home for one last double-
♦863 values, both North–South pairs took an
♣ A Q J 10 7 digit swing and the 2018 CNTC title for
optimistic route to 4♥, and the result
GARTAGANIS. ◾
Naming Names
A look at player names and bridge curiosities. BY SIMON COCHEME
Sometimes all You are West again. cuebid – take your pick.
that matters is
that you are born ♠ A K 10 ♠QJ653
♥432 ♥AK976 Ann Luther (1897–1960) was a
with the right silent-movie actress. Who can ever
name and form the right partnership. ♦643 ♦—
♣AK65 ♣432 forget “The Scarlet Lady” (1915) and
When Phil King and Cameron Small “The Island of Desire” (1917)? She
played together in the English Premier North opens 1♦ and your partner was the fourth wife of vaudevillian
League, their appellation of King– bids 2♦, a Michaels cuebid, showing Edward Gallagher (1873–1929) and,
Small made me think of a short suit. the majors. Counterintuitively, you as Ann Gallagher, became famous for
Japanese international Akio Kurokawa should choose to play in hearts not the Ann Gallagher finesse. She was
doesn’t even need a partner to make me spades – on this layout, anyway. You playing bridge in New York, the story
think of a shortish suit. You will see his can actually make 12 tricks in hearts, goes, and she had a two-way finesse for
first name fairly frequently; indeed you so long as the trumps break 3–2. North the queen of trumps, with something
will come across it a little later on in leads the ♦A. You ruff and play two top like ♠A J 10 9 in hand and ♠K 8 7 6
this article. Is there an ACBL member hearts. Now leave the trump winner in dummy. She played dummy’s ♠6 to
out there called Singleton, and do they outstanding and play on spades, start- her jack, and it won the trick. She then
play with someone called King, Queen, ing with your Kurokawa holding (did finessed again the other way, running
Jack or Honor? you spot it?). The opposition can take the ♠10 round to her right-hand op-
their trump trick when they like, but ponent’s ♠Q. She is variously reported
It is a bridge curiosity that a 4–4 fit they can’t prevent you discarding your to have said (before taking the second
will sometimes play better than a 5–4 two low clubs and then ruffing dum- finesse), “Let’s see if I am really lucky,”
fit. Look at the following hands: my’s ♣4 with your ♥4. In hearts, you and/or (after the second finesse failed),
have to lose a heart, and so you only “Well, they say finesses only work half
♠AQ98 ♠K754 need to draw two rounds of trumps. In the time.”
♥ K J 10 7 6 ♥AQ85 spades, you have to draw three rounds In 1983, Alan Truscott wrote in his
♦ 10 4 ♦A75 of trumps, and that leaves you with a column in The New York Times about
♣A6 ♣98 heart loser and a club loser. a deal that someone had concocted
If the spades break 3–2, you can make I fear I may take some flak around in which the Ann Gallagher two-way
more tricks in spades than hearts. You the clubs as players seek out their finesse was the correct technical play:
are West, at the controls in 4♠. Say you lesser fits and bid their weaker suits.
If your opponent looks like the sort of Dlr: North ♠ K 3 2
get a diamond lead. You win with the Vul: E–W ♥ A
ace, draw three rounds of trumps and intelligent person who has read this
magazine, you may be in for a good ♦K765
run the hearts, throwing a club from ♣AKQJ2
dummy. Now you can ruff a club and result or two.
♠Q754 ♠6
concede a diamond, making 12 tricks. ♥ K Q J 10 9 ♥432
In hearts, you can only ever make 11 Mention of the Michaels cuebid re- ♦ 10 4 ♦AQJ983
tricks; five hearts, four spades and two minds me that I have sometimes seen ♣43 ♣987
aces. The difference is that, playing in the convention written as a Michael’s ♠ A J 10 9 8
hearts, you can’t generate an extra trick cuebid, as though the inventor’s name ♥8765
by getting a ruff in the short hand. was Michael. The inventor was Mr. ♦2
We’ve seen it can be advantageous Michaels and so there shouldn’t be ♣ 10 6 5
to play in the lesser fit. The Vondracek an apostrophe. Or should there? Mr.
Phenomenon (first written about by Michaels’s first name was Michael, West North East South
Felix Vondracek in The Bridge World so a Michael’s cuebid is not incorrect. 1♣ Pass 1♠
in 1956) is cut from the same cloth. It Or is it? Michael Michaels was known Pass 2♦ Pass 3♣
can sometimes be right to play in the as Mike, so the choice seems to be Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠
weaker of two equal-length trump fits. between a Michaels cuebid and Mike’s All Pass
West (because the story has Holly- repeat the trump finesse, but, were that able to play a third spade to the king,
wood connections, we’ll call her Mae) to fail, he would lose three hearts, a come back to hand with the ♣10, draw
led the ♥K to dummy’s bare ace. South diamond, and a trump. What he had to the last trump, and enjoy dummy’s
played the ♠2 to his jack. Mae could do after the ♠J won the second trick clubs. Eleven tricks made.
see that winning with her queen would was to surrender a trump trick while Maybe Mae hesitated just a smid-
not do much good – declarer would be he still had a trump left in dummy to gen at trick two. If declarer had been
able to come to at least 10 tricks: four take care of a heart return. alerted as to the possible whereabouts
spades, one heart and five clubs. So It was time for South to take an Ann of the queen, he might have recalled
Mae let the ♠J hold the trick. Gallagher finesse! At trick three, he led the saying, “If it looks like a duck and
Now look at the problem from de- the ♠10 from hand and ran it. I don’t walks like a duck and sounds like a
clarer’s point of view. He could cross know if he had a suitable quote ready duck, then you probably shouldn’t
back to dummy with the ♠K and if it lost. When it won, however, he was repeat the finesse.” ◾
2019 SPRING NABC, MEMPHIS

SCHEDULE OF NATIONAL-RATED EVENTS
To enable players to participate in more national championships, the starting
dates of several events in the Spring NABC have been shifted. Here’s what the
Spring NABC schedule looks like for the 2019 tournament in Memphis:
Monday, March 18–Wednesday, March 20 Monday, March 25–Sunday, March 31

NABC ONLINE INDIVIDUAL VANDERBILT KO TEAMS
Hosted by BBO Entry required by 8 p.m. Sunday, March 24; continues until
complete
Wednesday, March 20–Thursday, March 21
Tuesday, March 26–Wednesday, March 27
BALDWIN NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS – FLIGHT A
Two qualifying and two final sessions; pre-qualification ROCKWELL MIXED PAIRS
required Two qualifying and two final sessions
Friday, March 22–Saturday, March 23 Thursday, March 28–Friday, March 29

LEVENTRITT SILVER RIBBON PAIRS SILODOR OPEN PAIRS
Two qualifying and two final sessions; pre-qualification Two qualifying and two final sessions
required SMITH LIFE MASTERS WOMEN’S PAIRS
0-10,000 SWISS TEAMS Two qualifying and two final sessions
Two qualifying and two final sessions; no player with more
than 10,000 masterpoints Saturday, March 30–Sunday, March 31
JACOBY OPEN SWISS TEAMS
Friday, March 22–Sunday, March 24
Two qualifying and two final sessions
KAY PLATINUM PAIRS NABC+ FAST OPEN PAIRS
Two qualifying, two semifinal and two final sessions Two qualifying and two final sessions
Sunday, March 23–Monday, March 25 GOLDER NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS – FLIGHT B
Two qualifying and two final sessions; pre-qualification
LEBHAR IMP PAIRS required
Two qualifying and two final sessions
PRESIDENT’S CUP NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS –
FLIGHT C
Monday, March 25– Friday, March 29
Two qualifying and two final sessions; pre-qualification
0-10,000 KO TEAMS required
Pre-entry required; continues until complete

Global Game
Qualifiers will compete for $20,000 in China in World Wide Bridge Contest
BY CHIP DOMBROWSKI
Two American pairs qualified to North America, the ACBL winners five of them. Greek pairs won four of
participate in the finals of the World from the June 1 qualifying game, Gary the eight games and claimed 10 of the
Wide Bridge Contest in October in Powell and Larry Davis of Austin TX, 25 berths to play in China.
China, where they’ll compete for a lost out on the continental spot to a Through the first six sessions, an
$20,000 prize. Philadelphia-area pair from Ecuador who won the third average of 563 pairs played, with per-
players Bobbie Gomer and Everett session held April 24. haps one or two clubs from the U.S. or
Young, along with H. Gordon and Clubs in 43 countries participated Canada participating. In the last two
Susan Bullard of Lexington KY, earned in at least one of the eight qualifying sessions, ACBL clubs participated in
the berths by placing second and third games held between March and June, much greater numbers, increasing the
in the world in the last of the eight with about 19 countries each session. size of the field substantially. There
qualifying games on June 2. The contest is most popular in Greece, were 3546 pairs playing June 1 and
Another spot went to the continen- one of five countries that participated 2513 on June 2. The U.S. was the larg-
tal winner, but for the purpose of this all eight sessions. Greece was the largest participant both of those days, with
event, North and South America are est participant in each of the first six Canada second or third and Greece
considered a single continent. Despite sessions, fielding more players than third or fourth. England was second on
getting a higher score throughout all the next two countries combined in June 2.
eight sessions than anyone else in
Friday, June 1
Powell and Davis, Friday, June 1
both Diamond Life Top 10 Pairs Worldwide
Masters, played at Country Percent
the Bridge Center 1. Anastasios Iliadis – Nikolaos Bovasianos Greece 74.91
of Austin. 2. Ilias Stefanopoulos – Nikolaos Karapanos Greece 74.33
Neither had 3. Bjorn Tiller – Marusa Basa England 72.94
made plans to play 4. Aristeidis Katsifos – Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos Greece 72.15
that day. When 5. Gary Powell – Larry Davis USA 71.99
the morning 6. Haven Sharaf – Kimberly Gilman USA 71.55
game that Davis 7. Graham Cope – Mike Meakin England 71.43
normally directs 8. Colin Mitchell – Dan Benison England 70.61
Larry Davis and Gary Powell 9. Richard Miller – William Braun USA 70.45
was canceled
10. Jim Wolsey – Pam Eves Canada 70.11
due to lack of attendance, Davis decided to rearrange
his day and play the afternoon game instead. Powell,
Top 10 Pairs in ACBL (world ranking) Club location Percent
whose wife had another commitment, decided at the
last minute to take a chance on finding a partner. They 1. (5) Gary Powell – Larry Davis Austin TX 71.99
2. (6) Haven Sharaf – Kimberly Gilman Woburn MA 71.55
don’t often play together – just a few times a year.
3. (9) Richard Miller – William Braun Salt Lake City UT 70.45
“We played well and got some gifts,” Davis said.
4. (10) Jim Wolsey – Pam Eves Hamilton ON 70.11
Their score of 71.99% would have been good enough
5. (12) Don Joynt – Ron Kline Laguna Woods CA 69.02
to qualify in any of the other seven sessions and would 6. (14) Firm Weaver – Judy Hill Saratoga Springs NY 68.92
win four of them. However, on the day with the largest 7. (15) Peter Tracy – Sherry Tracy Kalispell MT 68.69
field, it was only fifth place worldwide. They were 8. (16) Jacob Karno – Paul Deal Metairie LA 68.67
0.95% short of qualifying. 9. (17) Michael Schreiber – Richard Oshlag Jonesboro AR 68.66
Davis is a past president of District 16 and has 10. (18) Wayne Weisler – Dee Moses Metairie LA 68.58
chaired the biennial Austin Regional for over 20 years.

Saturday, June 2
Top 10 Pairs Worldwide
Country Percent
1. Konstantinos Tagtalianidis – Pantelis Laskaridis Greece 71.70
2. Everett Young – Bobbie Gomer USA 71.47
3. H. Gordon – Susan Bullard USA 71.09
4. Betty Schultz Kelley – Diane Day USA 70.77
5. Radu Ariton – Bonnie Britton USA 70.41
6. Nikolaos Bovasianos – Stefanos Sidiropoulos Greece 69.72
7. Enid Spira – Carole Goldberg USA 69.29
8. Ambrish Wadera – Ashok Girdhar India 68.82
9. Mahendra Kothary – Sarda Shah England 68.79
10. Mariann Farrelly – Ken Camilleis USA 68.77
Bobbie Gomer and Everett Young Top 10 Pairs in ACBL (world ranking) Club location Percent
1. (2) Everett Young – Bobbie Gomer Jenkintown PA 71.47
Saturday, June 2 2. (3) H. Gordon – Susan Bullard Lexington KY 71.09
3. (4) Betty Schultz Kelley – Diane Day Hot Springs Village AR 70.77
Gomer, a Platinum Life Master, 4. (5) Radu Ariton – Bonnie Britton Staten Island NY 70.41
and Young, a Sapphire Life Master, 5. (7) Enid Spira – Carole Goldberg Millerton NY 69.29
played at the Yorktown Bridge Club in 6. (10) Mariann Farrelly – Ken Camilleis Barnstable MA 68.77
Jenkintown PA. They scored 71.47%. 7. (11) Robert Imhoff – Rochelle Imhoff Livingston NJ 68.57
Gomer attributed the high score 8. (13) Patricia Herrera – Gonzalo Herrera Mexico City 68.39
mostly to luck. On the following deal, 9. (14) Barbara Ahlers – Bernard Kay Evansville IN 67.51
Young made a light penalty double of a 10. (15) Dori Byrnes – Jiang Gu Livingston NJ 67.41
1NT overcall with the North cards and
struck gold.
Dlr: East ♠J95 positive we have at least half the deck. mon than the “normal” result of down
Vul: N–S ♥ 10 9 4 3 My ♣A Q and ♦J figure to be well three (an 83.3% result for North–
♦J42 located. Declarer could have doubled South). After the double, East–West
♣AQ9 with major-suit cards, so it smells like can save a trick by running to 2♣,
♠K76 ♠Q42 my major-suit cards are going to be which should be down only two.
♥A5 ♥Q76 helpful as well.” Gomer and Young are excited about
♦ K Q 10 9 ♦753 Young led the ♥10 and declarer went playing in China.
♣KJ72 ♣ 10 8 6 5 up with the queen, covered by the king Gordon and Bullard make the second
♠ A 10 8 3 and ace. Declarer can hold it to down year in a row for a pair qualifying from
♥KJ82 three by going after clubs, but declarer the Bridge Club of Lexington. Last year,
♦A86 chose diamonds first, leading the ♦K. Blaine Mullins and Morgan Schreffler
♣43 Gomer won her ace, cashed the ♥J 8 won one of the qualifying games play-
and played a heart to the 9. Young got ing in Lexington. ◾
West North East South out with the ♠J to declarer’s
Young Gomer king. Declarer can cash the
Pass 1♦ ♦Q, but has no more tricks.
1NT Dbl All Pass The defense gets three hearts,
three spades, two diamonds
West has a normal 1NT overcall but and two clubs for down four,
no way to salvage the board on this 800 for North–South. That
horrific layout once he interferes. was worth 99.5% of the match-
Although the points are divided evenly, points.
it’s a bloodbath on a heart lead. Trust- Most Wests played in 1NT
ing Gomer’s sound opening bids and not doubled, and the most
skill as a defender, Young considered common results were down
double a heavy favorite. one or two on a diamond lead.
“Although I have only an 8 count, I’m 1NT making was more com-
H. Gordon and Susan Bullard
Losing Trick Count, updated
– part 4
BY JENNIFER JONES jennbridge.blogspot.com [email protected]
Bidding distributional hands would be headed for a good score. The elected to make a move toward slam
Last month, we talked about com- opening lead was the ♦A, and this is with a cuebid of 4♣. I liked my hand
petitive bidding, including bidding what partner saw: with the double fit, five-card spade
6–5 hands. Let’s continue the theme of suit, singleton in the opponents’ suit
bidding distributional hands, as losing ♠987543 and first-round control in clubs! Part-
trick count is particularly effective in ♥ A K 10 9 7 6 4 ner should have a six-loser hand for
evaluating such hands. Uncertainty ♦— his jump rebid, so we had the correct
arises when evaluating hands using ♣— loser count for slam. (6 + 6 = 12, which,
only high-card points to determine subtracted from 24 is 12.)
strength. ♠Q6 Partner now cuebid 4♦, and I cuebid
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I ♥J32 4♥. Partner next bid Roman key card
was dealt this hand last fall in a local ♦ Q J 10 9 Blackwood, and I responded 5♣, show-
sectional team game: ♣Q964 ing one key card. He followed up with
♠9 8 7 5 4 3 ♥A K 10 9 7 6 4 ♦— ♣— . 5♦, asking about the trump queen and,
As expected, partner’s hand was not as I possessed it, I jumped to 6♠. A
Right-hand opponent dealt and strong, but the ♥Q was singleton, so heart was led.
passed as I gazed with wonder on we lost only two spades. Partner made
this collection. (Have you ever seen a 11 tricks. ♠AK53
7–6 hand?!) How best to handle this When we compared scores, we found ♥943
four-loser hand? I rejected the idea of that our teammates pushed the oppo- ♦AK752
opening 4♥, as I considered that such nents to 5♥ before they doubled. As ♣7
a bid could prevent us from reaching we were vulnerable, our score was plus
a slam in one of the majors if we had 990 versus our teammates’ minus 850, ♠ Q 10 8 7 6
one. An argument could be made for so we won 4 IMPs. It is interesting to ♥8
opening 1♥ and bidding spades later, note that both teams bid this 15-point ♦J98643
but I finally elected to pass and come in game and, actually, 5 of the points in ♣A
later. One thing seemed certain: This the South hand were unnecessary, so
highly distributional hand was unlikely you could say that it was a 10-point Spades behaved (they broke 2–2),
to be passed out! game. That is the immense power of and the only trick lost was a heart.
LHO opened 1♦, partner passed and distribution. Scoring plus 980 for this 21-point slam
RHO bid 2♦. Now I had a good bid: Here is a 6–5 hand I held in a pairs was a top.
3♦. This would presumably show a game: Using LTC when holding distribu-
distributional hand with both majors. tional hands enables you to accurately
Partner bid 3♥, and I raised to 4♥. ♠Q 10 8 7 6 ♥8 ♦J 9 8 6 4 3 ♣A.
gauge their strength and bid to the
Without any encouragement from Partner dealt and opened 1♦. I appropriate level. You can “come alive”
partner, I settled for bidding game, responded 1♠, and fourth hand over- even with a minimum of high-card
although I was a bit disappointed that called 2♥. Partner now jumped to 3♠, points! ◾
we had to give up on slam ambitions showing a strong hand. I noted that my
… until LHO doubled. Then I felt we 7-point hand had only six losers, so I

The New Convention Charts and You – part 1
BY TOM CARMICHAEL, Competition and Conventions Committee Chair
At the Philadelphia meeting of the one tournament to another. Districts Basic Chart
ACBL Board of Directors in March, a can choose what rules they want to use The Basic Chart is intended for our
motion passed unanimously to retire for their tournaments, which can make newest players. It is the most restric-
the existing convention charts and it difficult to know whether the system tive of the four charts in terms of what
replace them with new ones effective you play is legal. is legal to play, however, most popular
this November at the start of the NABC Frustrated with the status quo, I conventions are legal under the chart.
in Honolulu. In this series of articles, started doing my own straw polls a few The chart is intended for “Gold Rush”
I will break down the charts and what years ago about the possibility of new style events. At tournaments, it will be
changes (if any) you may see at both convention charts and got overwhelm- used for any event which has an upper
tournaments and your local clubs. ing positive feedback about the idea. masterpoint limit of 750, as well as
Before I jump into the charts them- I formalized the effort to make new some knockout brackets in which all
selves, I want to give a historical charts a reality by introducing the idea the teams have low masterpoint totals.
perspective on the old charts, and what at a Competition and Conventions Clubs will still be able to use what-
the motivations are for changing them. Committee meeting two years ago, and ever rules they wish, but this chart is
The last major revision to the struc- we created a subcommittee to explore recommended for limited masterpoint
ture of the convention charts them- the idea and flesh out the new charts. games at clubs.
selves occurred more than 20 years ago Our goals: The style of the Basic Chart is very
with the introduction of the MidChart ➡ Clarity. We wanted the rules to be similar to the current GCC. In many
(hereafter called “MC”) in 1995. The clear enough and precise enough to always, this chart can be thought of as
MC was originally intended as a chart low directors to understand them and “GCC lite.” Some examples of legal
appropriate for higher level open play be able to definitively answer whether opening bids include: Short Club,
and, as such, was first introduced at the a treatment is legal. There is a glossary Precision 1♣, Flannery, mini-Roman,
NABCs in open events. It was extreme- which defines terms used in the charts, weak notumps, four-card majors, weak
ly permissive in terms of what conven- reducing ambiguity. two-bids, Namyats and gambling 3NT.
tions were allowed compared with the Most common responses are likewise
General Convention Chart (GCC). ➡ Consistency. We wanted the rules
to be similar for ACBL tournaments legal: forcing 1NT, 2/1 game-force,
As time went on, the MC was allowed Stayman and transfers, Jacoby 2NT,
to be played at regionals and eventually based on the type of events, not loca-
tion. The charts themselves spell out Bergen raises, etc. For most players,
sectionals. As the charts got more ex- this chart should require no changes to
posure, changes were made to the MC which ones apply to which events.
the current system.
which made it a far cry from the open- ➡ Balance. We wanted the ability The new charts contain some termi-
ness of its origin. Many conventions to have restrictive charts, which are nology (capitalized in the text) that is
and agreements which had long been more welcoming for newer players, as defined in the glossary with a precise
legal under the GCC were moved up to well as more permissive charts for the meaning. While there is no need to
the MC, effectively watering down the advanced and creative players so as to learn each and every one of these new
GCC. The MC morphed into a more not stifle bidding-system development. terms, a few are worth mentioning:
restrictive cousin of its previous self, Moving from the GCC/MC model to
following the pattern of the GCC in a four-chart system gives us much ➾ Average Strength. This is mostly
having long lists of rules citing what is greater flexibility to target different used to describe the minimum require-
or isn’t allowed. player groups. ments (by ACBL regulation) for an
The rules also give our tournament opening bid. It is defined as 10 HCP
After significant effort by the sub- or meeting the Rule of 19 (HCP + the
directors problems. The GCC and MC committee, the C&C and the Board
are not always clear as to how they length of the two longest suits must be
of Directors, we have settled on four 19 or more). This value is likely to be
should be interpreted, and there are new convention charts: Basic, Basic+,
even some vague or seemingly contra- lower than most people will want to
Open, Open+. You can download the open the bidding; this is intentional, to
dictory rules. document with all the charts at acbl.
As a final strike against the current give some “wiggle room” for those who
org/newconventioncharts. like more aggressive bidding.
system, the rules can be different from
➾ Natural. The rules here haven’t In summary, the Basic Chart should Next month we will examine the
changed much, but the following is allow the systems that are most famil- Basic+ Chart, including where it
a good summary. Any opening bid, iar to our newest players. Most play- applies, and an overview of the chart
response or overcall in a suit at the ers should be able to continue playing itself.
one level is natural if it shows four or as they have been with no changes or If you have any questions about the
more cards in the suit bid, except for special knowledge of the new rules legality of a convention or system,
1♣ and 1♦, which can be based on a required. please email the subcommittee at
three-card holding. (Indeed, 1♣ can [email protected]. ◾
show two cards for hands with exactly
4=4=3=2 pattern and still qualify as
natural.) At the two level, an opening
bid, response or overcall that shows at
least five cards is natural.
2018 Executive Director Search
➾ Quasi-Natural. A new term in- The American Contract Bridge League is continuing to evolve as a
troduced in this chart. This is for the membership organization serving more than 165,000 bridge players
“can be short” type bids, where a bid is across the continent.
either natural (as above) or it has some The Executive Director oversees the entire organization’s operations
balanced- or notrump-type pattern. A and leads a team of more than 220 people to move the ACBL forward
classic example of this type of bid is the through continuing improvement of processes and technologies. The
Precision 1♦ opener, which can have Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible
as few as two diamonds if balanced, but for implementing the strategic goals established by the Board.
could also be an unbalanced hand with
long diamonds.
Qualifications
➾ Artificial. Any bid which is neither ⦁ Executive management experience. Extensive experience in senior
Natural nor Quasi-Natural. management in an organization of size and complexity similar to
It is also worth noting some of the ACBL, preferably in a nonprofit membership organization.
areas in which this chart is more re- ⦁ Demonstrated success with building, motivating and sustaining a
strictive than the GCC. Some examples high-performing team
include:
⦁ Strong technology background to meet the organization’s strategic
• Precision-style systems cannot objectives
employ artificial bids (other than
⦁ Demonstrated communications skills
a negative bid) on the one level.
Precision systems where the 1♦ ⦁ Ability to grow the ACBL’s membership
response to 1♣ is negative and 1♥, ⦁ A bridge player who understands the game’s competitive and social
1♠ and 1NT are all natural bids is culture and is committed to promoting and expanding its popularity
allowed. is preferred
• Polish Club–style systems, where ⦁ Experience working with volunteers and a commitment to volunteer
1♣ can be many different hand leadership and involvement
types, such as 12–14 balanced, ⦁ Relocation to ACBL Headquarters in the greater Memphis area is
natural clubs or the strong forcing required
artificial opening. Because this bid
is neither strong (it could be a 12–14 For a full job description and application information, visit acbl.org/
notrump) nor natural or quasi- careers.
natural (it could have zero clubs if
strong), it does not fall within any of
Application process
the allowed categories.
To apply, email [email protected] with a cover
• “Woolsey” defense to 1NT, where letter detailing qualifications, resume and salary require-
2♦ shows either major. Double and ment. Applications will be considered until the position is
2♣ are the only calls which are al- filled. The ACBL is an equal opportunity employer.
lowed to have no known suits.

Product Reviews
Demystifying Defense Here’s Patrick O’Connor fensive problems. Now, the Australian
with “Demystifying De- bridge teacher switches seats entirely
By Patrick O’Connor
fense” to build newcomers’ to cover the basics of defensive card-
$16.95, softcover, 134 pages defensive prowess and play: opening leads, second-hand play,
Reviewed by Sue Munday confidence. third-hand play and signaling. Each
Sound defense is deadly chapter is summarized, and there’s a
The silent D in bridge and worth a lot of points quiz to solidify the lessons learned.
Declarer play is sexy, and at the table. In theory, it The meat of the book is in the final
bidding conventions are like shouldn’t be as hard as it’s chapter: O’Connor invites the reader to
shiny new toys. But defense? made out to be: Jump into defend 40 problems with him.
Defense is hard! Too of- declarer’s seat, see what he The author’s presentation is clean
ten, defense ends up being needs to do to take as many and straightforward. It is impossible
the break newcomers take tricks as possible, figure for a newcomer who follows the princi-
between playing one hand and bidding out how to stop him, and then jump ples in this book not to walk away with
the next. back into your own seat and do it. The a greater appreciation of the defensive
catch, of course, is doing this in sync aspect of the game. A rudimentary
with your partner, whose cards are, for glossary of bridge terms answers the
the most part, unknown. But when a most immediate terminology ques-
Upcoming good D clicks, it is intoxicating. tions, and a handy list of themes at the
O’Connor’s “A First Book of Bridge end enables the reader to refer back to
Best Practices Problems,” which won the American the material that’s been covered.
Teacher Workshop Bridge Teachers’ Association’s Book Who knew defense could be so – dare
of the Year award in 2012, focused on I say it? – fun!
Syracuse NY (Regional) declarer play with a sprinkling of de-
Aug. 13–14 Available from bridge supply houses.
Mary Miller
[email protected]
Richardson TX (Regional) Hand of the Week at the table. While bidding

52 Bridge Stories comes into play when con-
Aug. 27–28 structing a plan of attack,
By Joel Martineau it is not the author’s focus:
Eileen Smith Davidoff
[email protected] $19.95, softcover, 222 pages “Each story strives to recre-
Reviewed by Sue Munday ate the thought processes
Asheville NC (Sectional) that I used – or should
Oct. 19–20 have used – as I played the
Bite-sized nuggets dummy or defended the
ACBL Education Department What better way to start contract, or as I watched my
[email protected] every week than with a partner declare and defend.”
bridge boost? Here’s Joel Unusual in Martineau’s
Honolulu HI (NABC) Martineau with just the approach is his emphasis
Nov. 23–25 ticket – 52 of them, to be precise. on the language of bridge, as well as
ACBL Education Department An experienced bridge teacher as strategy and tactics. “I try to highlight
[email protected] well as player, Martineau invites the vocabulary, believing that if readers
intermediate reader to sit with him become more comfortable with the
terms, they will discover opportuni- ing the Canadian great’s nugget of club and tournament play, they are, for
ties to apply them and gain confidence wisdom doesn’t actually illustrate its the most part, quite ordinary, but they
in their card play and their strategic usage; maybe next volume. capture the competitive battle that
thinking.” He supports his premise Martineau writes with great ease starts every time a new hand is fanned.
by including a glossary at the end of and humor; you’ll find in the glossary, “Hand of the Week” is an enjoyable
the book. New to me was Sheardown’s for example, a definition for Blunder- learning tool because of the thorough
maxim: “the lower the doubled con- wood (as opposed to Blackwood). The articulation of the thought process
tract, the sooner a trump should hit the deals are not double-dummy displays from the start of a deal to the outcome.
table.” Too bad the write-up introduc- of fireworks. Drawn from the author’s Advancing players will do well to make
Martineau a Monday-morning ritual.
Available from bridge supply houses.
ponents’ worst nightmare by interfer-
ing in the auction. We are going to be
downright annoying!”
As she takes newcomers from basic
overcalls and takeout doubles to
tougher bidding situations, Ronemus
introduces some terminology into the
bridge lexicon: Darn Good Suit and
Darn Bad Suit. She covers responses
to doubles and overcalls as well as con-
Annoying the Opponents tinuations – subjects oft overlooked
Overcalls and Take-out Doubles by newer players in their early bridge
(Beginner Level 2) education.
“Overcalls and Take-out Doubles” is
By Marti Ronemus
Ronemus’s second double-decker. The
$21.95, 100 flashcards beginning level 1 set on bidding was re-
Reviewed by Sue Munday viewed last year in this magazine (July
2017, pg. 24).
Card-carrying pest The author suggests several settings
In her signature bridge-teaching for using the cards – from bidding
style, Ronemus makes developing practice with partner to group drink-
overcall skills a game in and of itself. ing games. Everything about flashcard
“It’s so easy for the opponents to learning is fun, anyway; Ronemus
reach the right contract when we are makes it more so. Deal ’em out!
silent throughout the auction,” she Published by and available from Baron
writes. “Well, we’ve had enough of Barclay Bridge Supply: 800–274–2221,
that!! We are going to become the op- baronbarclay.com.
Call for nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 Goodwill
Member of the Year. This honorary title is given to the ACBL
member who has exhibited unselfish dedication to the causes
of good conduct, worthy participation and ethical behavior.
Any unit/district official in good standing may nominate a
candidate.
Please include the name of the candidate, contact informa-
tion and why you believe the candidate deserves recognition as the Goodwill Member
of the Year. Also, include your own name, contact information and unit/district affiliation.
A nomination form is available at acbl.org/goodwillnominations, or email your nomi-
nation to [email protected]. Nominations are open until Oct. 15, 2018.

Baseball and Bridge
BY AUGIE BOEHM
ficult to hit for long distances, and the transition from pitcher, one of the best,
game’s strategies were directed toward into a daily hitter, an immortal. A more
accumulating small advantages, e.g., tightly wound ball made it easier to hit
bunting, stealing bases, advancing base home runs, and the advent of sluggers
runners, basically playing for one run swinging for the fences re-energized
at a time. Wee Willie Keeler claimed the sport. In bridge, the transition to
his success as a batter was to “Hit ’em “live ball” started in the late 1950s
where they ain’t.” Ty Cobb embodied with systemic bridge as advocated by
all the key elements of the dead ball era Kaplan–Sheinwold and Roth–Stone.
– he hit for average (still the highest As baseball has developed more
lifetime), he stole bases with abandon, sluggers, smaller ballparks, and better
and he used every aspect of gamesman- conditioned athletes, the tape mea-
ship at his disposal. Sliding spikes high, sure homer and the 100 mph fastball,
B
intimidation was part of his arsenal. hallmarks of the modern game, have
esides the catchy alliteration For fun, let’s separate bridge into captured the public’s interest. In mod-
of “B’s” (old Yankee fans may dead ball and live ball eras, the early ern bridge, the equivalents are feath-
remember the jingle “Baseball days and how the game evolved. The erweight opening bids and hyper-ag-
and Ballantine Beer”), there are bridge equivalent of dead ball is the gressive preempts. They don’t always
some interesting connections between simple bidding and carding methods produce good results, but there’s no
baseball and bridge. Today’s ball game of Culbertson and Goren. Perhaps question that today’s game contains
and a session of bridge each last rough- because of deficient methods that more thrills and chills, more precari-
ly three hours and are divided into caused lots of guesswork, many of ous contracts, fewer partials.
numerous segments, normally nine the top players of that era compen- Great bridge players of earlier times,
innings for baseball and usually eight sated by pursuing every psychological such as Norman Kay and B.J. Becker,
to 12 rounds for a matchpoint session. advantage through gamesmanship and epitomized the ideal of winning by
Each shares several meaningful terms, intimidation. Favorite weapons were avoiding errors. Becker was reported
e.g., grand slam, sacrifice, diamond, sarcasm directed at the opponents to have said, “On one of my good days,
club, signals, double, rubber and ace. and sharp practices that Edgar Kaplan an opponent cannot beat me; he can
In the 1950s, Charles Goren visited dubbed “Old Black Magic.” Kaplan only tie.” Nowadays, avoidance of error
the Brooklyn Dodgers’ clubhouse in meant that in the days of rudimentary has largely been replaced by going all
Ebbets Field. Bridge was the Dodgers’ bidding, many players compensated out to win boards. Modern bridge more
favorite pastime during rain delays and for systemic gaps by using variations resembles Babe Ruth swinging for the
on the road, and Goren played some in tempo and inflection. A cheery raise fences with a concomitant increase in
deals with the ballplayers. He was from 1♠ to 2♠ might be as high as 10 strikeouts rather than Ty Cobb chok-
particularly impressed with the bridge or 11 points since limit raises weren’t ing up his grip, aiming for singles, able
skills of pitcher Carl Erskine and in vogue; a sulky 2♠ bid matched to spray the ball to all fields. In today’s
wrote about it in his regular column for the bottom of the range. Fortunately, baseball, with the increased number of
Sports Illustrated magazine, but we are for the safety of infielders, spiking is home runs and strikeouts, fewer balls
getting ahead of our story. no longer tolerated, and the conduct are put in play. Due to overshift and
The early days of organized baseball and ethics of bridge have improved stacked defenses, many batted balls
are divided into the “dead ball” and enormously, recent cheating scandals become routine outs. The game is less
“live ball” eras; the dead ball period notwithstanding. nuanced. Tennis with big dominant
lasted until around 1920. The early The beginning of the live ball era in servers tends to shorten rallies. Is
baseball, not so tightly wound, was dif- baseball coincided with Babe Ruth’s this more exciting or less? Probably,

it amounts to personal taste and age. South North West plays low, place the ace with East
Young spectators and participants 1♠ 2♣ (1) and duck in dummy, hoping the queen
know only the modern version. 3♣ 3♠ is onside.
The baseball stars of yesteryear were 4♥ 4NT (2) Charismatic pros like Zia make good
generally paid peanuts compared to 5♠ (2) 6♠ copy because of flair and a willingness
today’s journeyman major leaguers. Pass to back their instinct. Unfortunately,
Today, in the television and media (1) Game force their fame and reputation hardly
age, baseball is big business. In bridge, (2) Roman key card Blackwood extends beyond the narrow confines of
professionalism used to exist in the (3) Two key cards plus ♠Q bridge.
shadows. Now it is commonplace, and Charismatic baseball stars like Cobb
the top pros earn handsomely com- The diamond suit is crucial. You and Ruth benefited from extensive
pared to their predecessors. could draw trumps (say 3–2 split) and newspaper and radio coverage. Af-
Let’s attempt a comparison of styles play three rounds of hearts, perhaps ter they retired, a golf match – three
when declaring a bridge hand. Yes, obtaining a clue to the distribution rounds on three different courses in
style may be a factor when declaring. If or see an informative discard before different cities – was arranged with
faced with a choice of a technical play tackling diamonds. You could weigh the proceeds going to charity. Ruth was
or gut instinct, I suspect most modern the impact of a non-diamond lead. younger and had the lower handicap.
declarers prefer to rely on technique West will probably assume that North However, Cobb won the contest, in
and percentages, just as modern base- has a diamond control because he bid part by hitting more fairways with his
ball tends to weigh analytical informa- 4NT after South bypassed 4♦ with controlled swing (singles, not homers).
tion more heavily than intuition. For his 4♥ control bid. Might an intrepid He also had a psychological advantage,
instance, you are playing 6♠ versus West risk a diamond lead away from which he was quick to exploit. Ruth
the lead of a low spade as both oppo- his ace, expecting the king in dummy? had a shorter attention span, about
nents follow. In any event, a wait-and-see strategy, two hours was the typical length for a
hoping to make a winning guess later ball game in his era. Accordingly, Cobb
North (Dummy) in diamonds, is the analytical way to go. slowed down the pace; taking more
♠AJ5 The alternative, the psychological practice swings, being very deliberate
♥K863 approach, is to lead the ♦J at trick two on the greens. Ruth’s concentration
♦K8 before the defense knows much about began to wane and he grew impatient.
♣ A J 10 2 the deal. It would take nerves of steel Cobb won the majority of the holes on
for West to duck the ace in tempo; for the back nine. Dead ball gamesman-
South (You) all he knows, he may have ducked the ship triumphed over swagger. ◾
♠ K Q 10 9 4 setting trick if South holds a singleton
♥A4 diamond and a hole in a black suit. If
♦ J 10
♣KQ76

Club News
There are 13 players aged 90 and over 90 in southeastern Quebec.

Quebec Unit 152 honors senior players
By France Roy Dion | Unit 152
Unit 152 honored 13 players aged 90 and over with an players, the unit offered wine to 80 guests. Everyone enjoyed
event in May. These players have participated for many the event and reconnecting with people they hadn’t seen for
years in ACBL tournaments and local club sessions and a few years. After the lunch, a game was held by the Quatre
have contributed all this time to keep alive bridge activi- Coeurs Club in Quebec City, drawing 31 tables.
ties in the region, which includes Quebec City, Beauce and The three women at left in the picture were born in 1919
Trois-Rivieres. and are still playing bridge in clubs. ♣
In addition to providing lunch and a gift to the honored
New club in western Colorado

By Sharon Snyder | Grand Slam of Grand Junction DBC
Laughing and enjoying oneself is permitted and encour-
aged at Grand Slam of Grand Junction Duplicate Bridge
Club, the newest sanctioned bridge club on the Western
Slope, in Grand Junction CO. Director Sharon Snyder
explains and enforces Zero Tolerance. “Our goal is to have
people come and leave with a smile,” she said.
Although the club has only been sanctioned since October,
the group previously met informally in a teaching/learning
game. Leaders Snyder, Jeffrey Phillips and Linda Scibienski
met with bridge players of any skill level. A short teaching
session began the afternoon with time for questions and Linda Scibienski, third from left, teaches a lesson
explanations about some aspect of bridge. Then it was time at the club in Grand Junction.
to play and practice what everyone had learned.
Many players had bridge experience in local social groups, chipped away the ‘old bridge rules and myths,’ and we now
although a couple of people had none. Some were unfamiliar have a great group of players excited to learn new things
with conventional bids, including basics such as Stayman, about bridge,” said Scibienski.
transfer bids, or weak two openers. “Week after week, we A few seasoned duplicate players showed up to volunteer

as mentors to this group. As more A Virginia club stalwart
people came, someone floated the
idea that a sanctioned game should
for over 60 years
be started. Snyder, a certified ACBL By Bill Grewe
club director, took charge setting Front Royal and Winchester Bridge Clubs
up the club. It has since grown to 10 Thelma Cameron, 92, has been a
tables. member of the bridge clubs in Front
“We didn’t want to lose sight of Royal and Winchester VA, about
what we were,” said Snyder. “Side 70 miles west of Washington DC,
session lessons are always avail- since 1956. She grew up in a bridge
able. We have handouts, flashcards, family, learning to play 80 years ago
books and other learning materials at the age of 12. During World War
for people to sign out and study.” II, Thelma was often asked to play,
Scibienski sends out a colorful “because everyone needed a fourth.”
weekly email that recognizes play- She got her formal bridge education
ers’ accomplishments and gives from Ely Culbertson and Charles
tips on etiquette and play. She has Goren, and played in her first
proven she can get players’ atten- duplicate game in 1953. A Bronze
tion and teach all in one step. Play- Life Master, Thelma continues to
ers look forward to her email. play winning bridge using the same
The club soon joined the Com- basic bridge principles she was
mon Game and in May expanded to originally taught – “nothing fancy,”
two days a week. ♣ she says. ♣
Helene Hambrecht
By Tory Billard | Unit 131 with other housewives. While living in Mexico City, she and
At 100 years old, Helene Walter played party bridge with an English couple.
Hambrecht is the most senior When Walter retired in 1980, they moved to Sun City Cen-
member of Kansas City Unit 131. ter FL. For seven years, they were part of an all-volunteer
Helene was born June 27, 1918, in emergency squad. Helene and Walter would take 24-hour
Jarrettown PA, near Philadelphia. shifts on the ambulances and fill in when necessary.
She and her siblings were raised on a When they retired from the squad, they started playing
24-acre farm, spending summers in golf and bridge again. Opportunities to play bridge were
Ocean City NJ. abundant for Helene in Florida. Walter didn’t like duplicate
After graduating from the Univer- but would play home games with her.
sity of Pennsylvania in nursing, she became a public health Walter passed away in 1996, but Helene continued living
nurse at a manufacturing plant during World War II. The in Florida until 2004, when she moved back to Missouri to
shift manager, a widower named Walter, was raising two be close to her son.
teenage children and an infant. She too was single with two Helene calls Carnegie Village in Belton MO home now.
young children. They fell in love and were married in 1953. About 10 years ago, an administrator asked her to start a
Walter’s work as an engineer took the family all over, in- bridge group there. Today, it’s still going strong, and Helene
cluding two years in Ireland. Helene and her husband loved is a regular player.
to travel, and they went on over 25 cruises. They had a place “I’ve had a good life,” Helene said. “I was married to a
on Long Island and took their children and grandchildren to wonderful man for over 40 years. He’s been gone a long time,
the beach there. but I still miss him. I have my children, lots of grandchildren
Helene started playing bridge in the 1950s, taking classes and great-grandchildren. And they are so good to me.” ♣

Ruling the Game
[email protected]
MODERATOR: MATT SMITH
NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Q In a recent club game,

a pair who played Preci-
sion encountered one who
played 2/1. On the bidding sequence
Q Our community has a
social duplicate bridge club
in which I am the de facto
director at times because I read
nated rank in that suit.”
Do note, though, that there is a clause
in the preface to 46B that may override
any of the restrictions that follow in
1♣–(1♠)–Pass–(2♣), the 1♣ open- the Bridge Bulletin and have some that law, including the kind of situation
ing was strong, artificial and forc- masterpoints. Recently, on a hand you mention. It states that the restric-
ing. The 2♣ cuebid promised a limit I was defending, declarer called for tions described in 46B apply “except
raise or better in spades. However, the ♣K from dummy which won the when declarer’s different intention is
because 1♣ simply showed 16-plus trick. He then said, “Play the queen.” incontrovertible.” That is very strong
HCP and said nothing about club I played a club, at which point dum- language that is not often invoked, but
length, does this 2♣ bid need to be my asked, “Queen of clubs, partner?” it does give the director the author-
Alerted? Or if 2♣ showed a natural to which declarer said, “No, play the ity to allow declarer to play a different
club suit, would it need to be Alerted queen of diamonds.” I wasn’t sure card than the law normally requires in
in that case? how to rule on this. I finally decided cases where it is absolutely clear that
A
to require declarer to play the ♣Q. declarer never intended to play the card
The ACBL Alert Chart de- Was I wrong? the law directs be played. An example
A
fines cuebids as “a bid in a suit of where it might be applied is a case
which an opponent has either No, you were not wrong. where declarer plays the 3 towards a
bid naturally or in which he has shown This is a situation that occurs spade suit of A–K–Q–J–10–2 and says
four or more cards.” Therefore, the 2♣ occasionally, and Law 46 “spade” after LHO plays the 4. Law
bid is not considered a cuebid. As it is (Incomplete or Invalid Designation 46B2 states that such a designation
not a cuebid, and it is not natural, then of a Card from Dummy) addresses it. means declarer normally must play the
it is Alertable. A natural club bid would Law 46B3(a) says, “If declarer desig- lowest card of the suit indicated. But
not be Alertable for the same reason: It nates a rank but not a suit … declarer is here, it is hard to imagine any circum-
is not a cuebid, so natural should be the deemed to have continued the suit with stances where declarer meant to play
expected meaning. which dummy won the preceding trick the 2 from dummy. After investigat-
provided there is a card of the desig- ing why declarer did not ask for a high
spade, it would be legal and almost
certainly correct for the director to
World Bridge Federation seats open invoke “incontrovertibly not declarer’s
The American Contract Bridge League Board of Directors is seeking quali- intention” and allow the play of a high
fied applicants to represent Zone 2 (Canada, Mexico and the United States) to spade from dummy in this case.
the World Bridge Federation. Two positions will be filled at the 2018 Fall NABC You may want to share Law 46A
meetings in Honolulu. The term for the open WBF position begins Jan. 1, 2019, (Proper Form for Designating Dummy’s
and ends Dec. 31, 2021. Card) with your declarer so that he can
Members of the ACBL in good standing and at least 18 years of age who desire to be a can- be sure to always play the intended
didate for WBF Representative for Zone 2 must file a written declaration of candidacy prior to card in the future: “When calling for a
Oct. 15, 2018. Include all supporting materials detailing your qualifications for this position. card to be played from dummy declarer
Email: [email protected] or send to should clearly state both the suit and
ACBL Director of Elections, P.ªO. Box 289, Horn Lake MS 38637-0289 the rank of the desired card.” ◾

The Bidding Box
MODERATOR: BRUCE ROGOFF
[email protected]
See the West and East hands that appear on pages 53 and 55 respectively, and try
bidding them with a regular partner. Compare how you performed with the expert pairs
whose auctions you can read about in this month’s column. The North–South players are
silent unless otherwise noted. The competitors were not informed of any interference by the
opponents before the bidding commenced. The form of scoring is matchpoints with a 12 top.
The Bridge Bulletin auctions are meant to portray possible bidding sequences to one of
the top-scoring contracts using common methods.
Our contestants this month are (many top foreign pairs compete there values but “extra” length. Neither East
foreign pairs rarely seen at NABCs, but as well). Each has represented China ventured an initial double with the
each won a major title last fall in San in international play several times over solid high-card strength but sterile
Diego. Winning the North American the years. shape (Shen particularly didn’t like
Swiss Teams were Wubbo de Boer and Shao-Shen play fairly simple original the three low hearts), nor was West
Agnes Snellers of the Netherlands, a Precision methods: 13–15 notrumps, tempted with his marginal values.
couple for nearly three decades and 1♦ promises four-plus cards in the After North–South stopped bidding,
regular partners for about 18 years. De first two seats, five-card majors, and only Snellers chose to balance with a
Boer had been a prominent member 1♣ showing any 16-plus hand. double, which they’ve agreed is take-
of the Dutch “Team Orange” for 12 out unless discussed otherwise. Shen
years prior to that, winning the 1993 Problem 1 feared his double might be interpreted
Bermuda Bowl. Snellers was a member North deals. None vulnerable. as penalty, so he stayed fixed.
of the Dutch Ladies team in the early North opens 1♠. If East passes, South
1990s, but retired from “serious” bids 1NT (forcing). North bids 2♥, Bridge Bulletin auction: We slightly
bridge to focus on her career. They South bids 2♠. prefer Snellers’ decision to balance,
are perhaps proudest of the fact that particularly if our opponents are ag-
together they’ve been captain and West East gressive types. We’d also be tempted to
coach of the highly successful Dutch ♠63 ♠ A 10 4 double 1NT as West.
Junior team for the past 10 years. ♥K54 ♥983
♦A95 ♦K42 Scores: 2NT 12; 3♣ 7; 3NT 5;
De Boer–Snellers play a natural (2♠) 3
system with variable notrumps (9–12 ♣A8432 ♣KQJ7
de Boer–Snellers 7, Shao–Shen 3
in first and second seat nonvulnerable, de Boer North Snellers South
strong otherwise), and 2/1 responses (1♠) Pass (1NT) Problem 2
that are not quite game forcing. A 2♣ Pass (2♥) Pass (2♠) East deals. N–S vulnerable.
opening is either weak in diamonds or Pass (Pass) Dbl (Pass)
various strong hands, and a 2♦ open- 3♣ All Pass West East
ing is either weak in one major or any ♠ K 10 ♠A98543
game force. Shao North Shen South ♥ J 10 5 3 ♥KQ7
Shao Shao and Shen Yuxiong, win- (1♠) Pass (1NT) ♦KQJ7 ♦A4
ners of the prestigious Reisinger BAM Pass (2♥) Pass (2♠) ♣A98 ♣52
Teams, have been regular partners All Pass
de Boer Snellers
for five years. They are considered
These days, light responses to one- 1♠
top pros in the bridge-crazy nation
of-a-major openings are commonplace 2♣ 2♠
of China, where they’ve registered
when responder has a fit, a situation 2NT 3♠
multiple victories in very strong league
made murkier when a forcing 1NT is 4♠ Pass
and club championship structures
employed as a compromise with weak
Shao Shen five-card suit and support elsewhere. De Boer didn’t like his 3♥ bid, which
1♠ De Boer opted for the double, and when suggested at least a very good five-card
2NT 3NT partner showed values, he felt he had suit: “I should have bid 3♦ or 4♣ in-
Pass just enough extras to introduce his stead.” Snellers thought she might have
heart suit. With extra values of her bid 4♥ now, but opted to stay low with
De Boer’s 2♣ was game forcing own, Snellers issued a general cuebid, 3♠. De Boer showed his club support,
unless he had a club invite, and it also and de Boer showed his club support. and after the diamond cuebid, took a
could have been a two-card suit as their Snellers cuebid her ♦K, but de Boer shot at slam.
2♦ or 2♥ responses promise five-card signed off, fearing they were already Shen’s 2♣ was natural and game-
suits. 2♠ by Snellers was non-forcing, too high. Right he was. forcing over the Precision 1♣. The bid-
ambiguous as to length. De Boer’s 2NT Shao chose the overcall, not want- ding proceeded naturally through 4♣
asked for shape, and 3♠ promised a ing to miss a heart contract at match- (Shen later thought he should bid 4♥
six-card suit. De Boer was content to points. Shen’s 3♣ was natural and over 3♠, which would have ended the
bid 4♠, knowing from the 2♠ bid that forcing, and Shao bid 3♠ to suggest auction), and three cuebids followed.
slam was almost impossible. support and allow room for 3NT. Shen Shen bid Blackwood and tried 6NT op-
Shao’s 2NT was natural and game- didn’t think he was supposed to bid posite the three-ace reply.
forcing, a treatment we don’t see here notrump with J–x–x so he retreated to
very often. Shen unfortunately did not 4♣, and Shao was done. Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥–2♣;
see his sixth spade, so he bid 3NT with 2♠–3♣; 3♦–3♥; 4♣–4♥; Pass.
his “balanced” hand. Shao had an easy Bridge Bulletin auction: As Shao–
pass opposite a limited opening. Shen. With a suspect ♠Q, we don’t Scores: 5♣ 10; 4♥ 7; 3NT, 5♥ 5;
think West has extras, so it’s now or 4NT 3; 6♣, 6NT 2
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♠–2♦; never for the heart suit. de Boer–Snellers 20, Shao–Shen 15
2♠–2NT; 3♥(?)–3♠; 4♠–Pass. We
would bid 2♥ with 6–4 in the majors, Scores: 3NT 11; 2NT 9; 3♣ 7; 4♣ 5; Problem 5
so the 3♥ bid should simply suggest 2♥ 3; 3♥, 5♣ 1 North deals. N–S vulnerable.
values there and some concern about de Boer–Snellers 18, Shao–Shen 13
clubs for notrump. West East
Problem 4 ♠ K Q 10 ♠AJ865
Scores: 4♠ 10; 5♠ 8; 4♥ 6; 3NT 5; West deals. Both vulnerable. ♥J7 ♥ A 10
4NT 4 ♦AK9543 ♦ Q 10 7
de Boer–Snellers 17, Shao–Shen 8 West East ♣74 ♣KJ9
♠A763 ♠K42
Problem 3 ♥AQ864 ♥K3 de Boer Snellers
South deals. E–W vulnerable. ♦Q3 ♦KJ 1♠
South opens 1♠. ♣A9 ♣ Q J 10 7 4 3 2♦ 3♦
3♠ 3NT
West East de Boer Snellers 4♦ 4♥
♠Q6 ♠J93 1♥ 2♣ 4♠ Pass
♥ K J 10 5 4 ♥87 2♠ 3♣
♦AJ8 ♦ K 10 3♥ 3♠ Shao Shen
♣K43 ♣ A Q 10 9 8 2 4♣ 4♦ 1♠
6♣ Pass 2♦ 2NT
de Boer North Snellers South 3♠ 4♣
(1♠) Shao Shen 4♦ 4♥
Dbl (Pass) 3♣ (Pass) 1♣ 2♣ 4NT 5♥
3♥ (Pass) 3♠ (Pass) 2♥ 3♣ 6♠ Pass
4♣ (Pass) 4♦ (Pass) 3♠ 4♣
5♣ All Pass 4♦ 4♥ For the Dutch, the auction was all
4♠ 4NT natural through 3♠ (3♦ created a
Shao North Shen South 5♦ 6NT game force). 3NT was a “serious” slam
(1♠) Pass try, and de Boer showed his diamond
2♥ (Pass) 3♣ (Pass) control. Snellers cuebid 4♥, which
3♠ (Pass) 4♣ All Pass De Boer’s natural reverse created a also implied club control as partner
game force, and 3♣ by Snellers prom- had denied it. De Boer signed off, but
West faced the classic dilemma of ised a real suit (2♣ could have been a later felt he should have bid Roman key
double vs. overcall with a mediocre doubleton with a balanced game force).
card Blackwood with his nice trumps to cooperate. Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♠–1NT;
and source of tricks. Shen bid a fearless 5♣ over the 3♦–4♦; 4♠–5♣; 5♥–5NT [pick a
The Chinese pair tend to avoid preemptive raise, and Shao wondered slam]; 6NT–Pass.
opening a 13–15 1NT with a five-card whether a grand was in the picture
major, hence 1♠. Shen opted for the with his three key cards. He ultimately Scores: 7NT 12; 7♠ 11; 7♦ 9; 6NT 8;
2NT rebid with his balanced hand and settled for the small slam with such 6♠ 5; 6♦ 2; 5♠, 5NT 1
solid stoppers. Shao showed his spade limited space to investigate. de Boer–Snellers 35, Shao–Shen 42
support, and Shen, with a maximum
in context, started cuebidding his Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♦–(1♥)– Problem 8
controls. Shao launched Blackwood, Dbl–(3♥); 4♣–(Pass)–4♠–(Pass); West deals. None vulnerable.
envisioning setting up his diamond 6♣–All Pass.
West East
suit with good trumps for entries, bid- Scores: 6♣ 11; 5♣ 5; 5♦ 1 ♠QJ9 ♠ A K 10 4
ding the spade slam after finding two de Boer–Snellers 30, Shao–Shen 37 ♥5 ♥AK87
aces opposite. Shen gave some thought ♦ 10 8 7 6 2 ♦3
to converting to 6NT, but passed. Problem 7 ♣A973 ♣K864
Bridge Bulletin auction: As Shao– South deals. Both vulnerable.
de Boer Snellers
Shen, with East bidding 6NT at the West East Pass 1♣
end. The extra values and undisclosed ♠ A K Q 10 9 4 ♠85 1♦ 1♥
diamond help make 6NT a good shot. ♥A9 ♥ J 10 3 2 1NT 2♠
Scores: 6NT (E) 12; 6♠(E) 11; ♦KJ2 ♦AQ76 4♣ 5♣
5NT(E), 6♦(E) 9; 6NT(W) 8; ♣K6 ♣A93 Pass
6♠(W) 7; 5NT(W), 6♦(W) 6; de Boer Snellers Shao Shen
5♠(E) 5; 5♦ 1 2♣ 2♦ Pass 1♣
de Boer–Snellers 25, Shao–Shen 26 2♠ 3♠ 1♦ 1♥
4♣ 4♦ 1NT Pass
Problem 6 4♥ 5♣
East deals. E–W vulnerable. 5♦ 5♠ A completely natural auction for the
South overcalls hearts. North bids 3♥ 6♠ Pass Dutch. Snellers would always rebid
if possible. 1♥ even with a 3=4=3=3 hand, so 1NT
Shao Shen was an easy choice for de Boer with no
West East 1♣ 1NT guarantee of a club fit. 2♠ announced
♠ A 10 6 3 ♠5 2♠ 3♦ a three-suiter with significant ex-
♥863 ♥J 3♠ 4♠ tras, and with the diamond shortness
♦ A 10 ♦KJ932 4NT 5♥ identified, de Boer issued a shapely
♣ K 10 8 4 ♣AQJ953 6♠ Pass game invitation. Snellers could infer
de Boer North Snellers South partner’s lack of diamond wastage (no
De Boer’s 2♣ was either a weak two- notrump bid), so she had no hesitation
1♦ (1♥) bid in diamonds or a strong one-suiter
Dbl (3♥) 4♣ (Pass) bidding the excellent game.
with less than a game force. Snellers Strong 4–4–4–1 hands are tough
4♥ (Pass) 5♣ All Pass chose the direct spade raise, and 4♣ to handle, and in a big-club system
Shao North Shen South was a non-serious cuebid. More cue- they’re nearly impossible without a
1♦ (1♥) bidding ensued, but the auction died at dedicated opening. After the strong
Dbl (3♥) 5♣ (Pass) the six level when each player ran out club opening and negative 1♦, Shen’s
6♣ All Pass of controls to show. 1♥ was ostensibly a five-card suit.
Shen’s 1NT response to the strong Shao was not inclined to introduce his
Our Easts opened 1♦ with their mi- club showed 8–13 balanced without a weak diamonds, especially with stop-
nor two-suited minimum, and West’s five-card suit. His 3♦ was artificial, pers in the black suits, so he settled for
double promised exactly four spades. showing 11–13 without spade support. 1NT. Shen had nowhere to go.
Over 4♣, de Boer cuebid 4♥ with his Shao rebid his excellent suit, but Shen
prime values, but Snellers signed off, signed off with a minimum in con- BB auction: As de Boer–Snellers.
a bit light in high cards and fearing text. Still, Shao had an ace extra, so he Scores: 4♠ 12; 5♣ 10; 3♠ 8; 4♣ 6;
spade wastage opposite. De Boer later checked for key cards before bidding 2NT 4
mentioned that he should have cuebid the spade slam. Final score: de Boer–Snellers 45,
4♠, which would have gotten Snellers Shao–Shen 46 ◾
It’s Your Call
DIRECTOR: SUE MUNDAY ❘ SCORES: KAREN WALKER
Problems from Washington Bridge League Solver’s Club
1. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. reason to try to show both many first-round con-
♠K 9 6 5 3 2 ♥Q 7 6 5 2 ♦J 7 ♣— majors now. It’s not my trols. Whether or not we
style to ‘walk the dog.’” play negative doubles this
West North East South Sanborn: “4♠, short and high, partner should not
1♦ Dbl 2♦ ? sweet. I can’t picture why I deliver values exclusively
need to find hearts. If there in the club suit; with that,
Call Votes Award is a ruff, it’s more likely to he would pass and hope
4♦ 8 100 be found if my right-hand we can double back in.
4♠ 4 90
opponent is on lead.” Otherwise, the pressure
3♦ 3 70
Boehm likes 3♦. “Trying on these doubles is just too
Dbl 1 50
to slow down the auction great.”
3♠ 0 30
rather than jump to 4♠, Larry Cohen agrees.
the value bid.” “Partner’s double shows
Pick a game Kerri Sanborn
3♦ by Meckstroth. “I cards, not clubs. I have
Weinstein says 4♦ shows at least
could double to show both majors, but enough to guess to reach slam, but
five cards in each major and a weaker
if more diamond bids are coming, this might as well offer a choice in case
hand. “That resembles what I have.
leaves me better placed.” partner has something like:
When I double their 5♦, hopefully
Lawrence chooses double. “I think I ♠K x x x ♥K Q J 10 x ♦x ♣K x x.
partner figures out to lead clubs.”
can handle all auctions from here.”
Grossack calls 4♦ a perfect descrip- No need to insist on diamonds. Also,
tion of his hand. “Lots of cards in the 6♣ is a waste of time, because partner
2. IMPs. East–West vulnerable.
majors.” is never going to know when to bid
“4♦, Michaels style,” says Rigal, ♠A J 3 ♥A 9 8 2 ♦A K 10 9 8 7 ♣— seven.”
“limited values, lots of shape.” West North East South Donn: “5NT to let partner help me
Lee’s 4♦ shows at least 5–5 in the 1♦ pick a suit for slam. Even if partner’s
majors without a lot of defense. “I’d 5♣ Dbl Pass ? double is being defined as being for
start with 3♦ with a better hand.” penalty, it should be high cards, not
Donn, too. “We can’t play this hand Call Votes Award something like ♣K J x x and out.”
in less than game, but 3♦ sounds like 5NT 11 100 Robinson likes 5NT pick-a-slam.
more high cards.” Pass 3 80 “Double should be high cards and not
4♦ by Robinson. “This shows 6♣ 2 60 ♣Q J 10 x and out.”
majors, at least 5–5. Could be any 6♦ 0 50 5NT by Weinstein, pick-a-slam. “I
strength.” 5♦ 0 50 want to cater to partner being 5–5 in
Shi’s 4♦: “Pick a major, pardo.” 5♥ 0 20 the majors while not giving up on a
Colchamiro, 4♦: “How wrong can diamond fit.”
this be?” A little help here? Sanborn bids 5NT. “Sometimes you
4♠ by Korbel, who answers Col- The majority vote is for 5NT, pick-a- have to have faith that your vulnerable-
chamiro’s question. “I don’t like a 4♦ slam. versus-not opponent isn’t mad. That
jump because opposite 3–3 in the Korbel explains. “Let’s have partner gives partner cards outside of clubs.
majors, we will be in hearts, which is pick a slam. Anything he picks will be Double is not for penalty at this level.”
probably worse than being in spades.” fine. Getting to seven is unrealistic, Colchamiro likes the flexibility 5NT
Larry Cohen takes the decision as we cannot bid it, and partner will affords partner. “5NT gives partner a
out of partner’s hands. “4♠. I see no never be able to take a chance on this chance to come back with 6♣ with 4–4

in the majors. Obviously a grand slam 6♦.” thinks it means, we have it.”
is possible, because at these colors, Shi’s 6♣, roughly translated, says, “I Shi: “We could easily have a slam,
partner can’t have much in clubs. Less have a good hand, concern about strain, and this is pretty much the only way I
obvious is the secure route to get there. and interest in a grand. I hope this con- can start investigating it.”
Partner figures to have something like: veys all those messages.” Donn: “4♥, showing a good 4♠ bid.
♠K x x x ♥K Q x x ♦Q x ♣x x x, I will not go beyond 4♠ on my own,
3. Matchpoints. East–West vulner- because hands like this are notoriously
where 6♥ or 6♦ is enough. But he able. difficult to play if the breaks are bad
might have the ♠Q, making 7♦ best. and partner has a singleton diamond.”
I’m not smart enough to find out with ♠A K 10 8 ♥K ♦A Q J 10 9 7 4 ♣4
Korbel’s 4♥ is a slam-try some-
any certainty. So I’m gonna go low (in West North East South where. “Partner assumes in spades,
context). I’m assuming West isn’t nuts, 1♦ and bids accordingly. If partner bids
and has nine or 10 tricks, so passing the 3♥ Dbl(1) Pass ? 4♠, I will reluctantly pass.”
double has little upside versus plus 920 (1) Negative. Lee defines his 4♥ as just a good
or 980 our way.” 4♠. “If slam is in the picture, I’ll try to
Grossack drives for slam with 5NT. Call Votes Award steer us back to diamonds later.”
“Michael Rosenberg once said they ei- 4♥ 7 100 Rigal’s 4♥ is a heart cuebid for
ther have nine clubs or are 8–4 for this 4♠ 7 90 spades. “I’m not done yet. Over 4♠ I
5♣ bid. So I’m not going to pass. I think 4NT 2 70 will bid on with ... glad you didn’t ask!
I bid 5NT to suggest to partner that I 5♦ 0 30 Maybe key card?”
have two places to play (because 5NT 6♦ 0 10 Meyers agrees. “4♥, and if partner
is always pick-a-slam, I must be pick- bids 4♠, I will bid Blackwood. It is
ing between two options for trump). The swan takes wing tempting to bid 4♠ directly, but part-
6♣ is also an option, but I think it Except for the key-carders, the pan- ner could have values and only three
is too ambiguous and leaves partner elists are split right down the middle. spades, or partner could have spade
stuck for a bid.” Almost half the panel stops to cuebid length and we have a slam. So I want to
Lee guesses 5NT. “I think we rate to 4♥ on their way to ... where? keep the door open.”
have a slam somewhere, and this gives “Who are these red-on-white luna- Sanborn calls 4♠ the practical
us the most flexibility in finding the tics we’re facing this month?” wonders bid. “There are a few gaps, and I can’t
right strain.” Weinstein as he bids 4♥. “We need guarantee slam facing a lot of various
“Pick a slam, any slam,” Rigal urges so little for slam; we need to cuebid hands. Of course, we could be laydown
with 5NT. “6♣ would be three-suited, I to show a great hand. Not sure this for seven, but maybe partner will be
think; 5NT emphasizes diamonds.” promises spades, but whatever partner
A couple of the panelists elect to
defend.
Boehm is one. “We probably have a Panel’s answers
better spot, but no assurance of finding 1 2 3 4 5 Total
it. Remove to 5NT and hope to survive August Boehm 3♦ Pass 4♠ 2♣ 1♠ 390
bad breaks and land on our feet? I’ll Ken Cohen 3♦ Pass 4♠ 2♣ 1♠ 390
take whatever plus score is coming in Larry Cohen 4♠ 5NT 4♠ 1♠ Dbl 490
5♣ doubled.” Mel Colchamiro 4♦ 5NT 4NT 1♠ Pass 450
Meyers, too. “Pass. But I’m close to
Josh Donn 4♠ 5NT 4♥ Pass Dbl 450
cuebidding 6♣. I think double will net
Zachary Grossack 4♦ 5NT 4♠ 1♠ Dbl 500
us a plus score for sure, and I’m not
sure 6♣ will.” Daniel Korbel 4♠ 5NT 4♥ 1♠ Dbl 480
Lawrence says his guess is 6♣. “That Mike Lawrence Dbl 6♣ 4♠ 2♣ Pass 360
double isn’t penalty. I expect we’ll Roger Lee 4♦ 5NT 4♥ 1♠ Dbl 490
beat it, but we might have a slam, and I Jeff Meckstroth 3♦ 5NT 4♠ 1♠ Dbl 470
won’t get rich passing against a vulner- Jill Meyers 4♦ Pass 4♥ 1♠ 1♠ 440
able 5♣ bidder. I need points. Partner Barry Rigal 4♦ 5NT 4♥ 1♠ Pass 470
won’t have more than two clubs be- Steve Robinson 4♦ 5NT 4NT 1♠ Dbl 470
cause his bid asks me to bid something. Kerri Sanborn 4♠ 5NT 4♠ 1♠ Pass 470
♠K Q x x ♥K x x ♦Q x x x ♣x x Sylvia Shi 4♦ 6♣ 4♥ 1♠ Dbl 450
is a typical hand on which we can make Steve Weinstein 4♦ 5NT 4♥ 1♠ Dbl 490

able to bid then.” Blackwood immediately. a fan of four-card over-
Grossack, 4♠: “Again, I don’t want 4NT by Robinson, ask- calls, but if partner ends
to corner partner by bidding 4♥ and ing for aces. “If partner has up on lead, I can’t stand
creating an ambiguous situation. With two, I’ll bid 6♦. If partner the thought of anything
the ♥K likely wasted, I’ll bid what I has one, I’ll play 5♦. 4♠ but a spade lead.”
think I can make.” could go down on a bad 1♠ by Colchamiro.
Meckstroth isn’t torn. “4♠. Finally, break or if I lose control.” “Even if they have a big
an easy one!” Colchamiro: “I hope in diamond fit, maybe part-
Larry Cohen’s 4♠: “Perhaps I am our system that 4NT is Ro- ner has them nailed there
worth 4♥, but 4♠ doesn’t show a bad man key card Blackwood (♦K 10 9 x) and at least
hand. Partner would need either two for spades and partner is the dope will know what to
aces and then some, or an ace, good promising at least four of lead.”
spades and the ♦K for slam. With all them. With East–West Korbel’s 1♠: “I have no
vulnerable and me own- Mel Colchamiro idea. Reading others’ an-
of that, he might bid again over 4♠.
That’s what I’ll say in the postmortem, ing the ♥K, partner’s values should swers will enlighten me. For me, pass,
anyway.” be three of the following four cards: 1♠ and 2♣ are all reasonable-looking
Lawrence’s 4♠: “Lazy.” ♠Q, ♦K, ♣A, ♣K. If I am right, then options.”
A couple of panelists break into 6♠ ought to be cold or have good play. 1♠ is Sanborn’s call after survey-
If they lead out ♥A then ♥Q, I may ing the possibilities. “Other choices
have a trump issue. In that case, I are pass, 1NT and 2♣. None appeals
NEXT MONTH’S PROBLEMS might have to decide whether to risk a more than bidding where I live. I don’t
1. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. first-round finesse for the ♠J opposite have enough to reopen with 2♣ and
partner’s ♠Q x x x.” then bid again over a big red-suit bid by
♠8 2 ♥8 2 ♦Q J 9 8 6 ♣A Q J 7 opener.”
West North East South 4. IMPs. None vulnerable. 1♠ by Weinstein. “Suggestion for the
1♠ 2♥ Pass ? ♠A K Q 10 ♥J 9 7 4 ♦— ♣Q 7 4 3 2 scorer: 1♠, 100; everything else, minus
50. Even Zach won’t be able to think of
West North East South something more creative.”
2. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. 1♥ Pass Pass ? Hey, Grossack is on board with 1♠
♠K 10 9 8 4 3 ♥Q 9 ♦K 9 4 ♣Q 7 ... “or did they suddenly make a law
Call Votes Award against overcalling four-baggers? If so,
1♠ 12 100 they certainly didn’t pass on this news
1♥ 2NT(1) 3♥ ?
2♣ 3 70
to me.”
(1) Clubs and diamonds. Pass 1 70
1♠ by Meckstroth, who reasons,
1NT 0 30
“Can’t double, and bidding clubs loses
3. IMPs. Both vulnerable.
the spade suit.”
Four play
♠K Q 8 5 ♥— ♦K Q 10 8 5 ♣A K 6 4 Boehm counters with 2♣. “Too
Lee balances with 1♠ somewhat
West North East South much to sell out and 1♠ probably loses
reluctantly. “I would like to have a
1♦ clubs. If someone bids diamonds –
more textbook hand, but I just don’t
Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ likely – I can bid spades and show my
want to sell out to 1♥ with this much
Pass 3♥ Pass ? suits proportionately.”
playing strength, despite the risk of al-
Ken Cohen prefers clubs, too. “I like
lowing the opponents to back into a big
4. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. bidding my longest suit first, and I
diamond fit.”
might have a chance to show spades
♠A 4 ♥8 6 5 2 ♦A Q 4 ♣9 7 6 2 Shi has misgivings, too. “1♠. I don’t
next if the auction stays low.”
like my options, but I’m certainly not
West North East South Donn reaches for the pass card, “be-
passing. I hope nothing bad happens.”
1♦ 1♥ ? cause partner probably doesn’t have
Rigal: “1♠. Sorry, that ♣2 sure
too much and the opponents might
looked like a spade!”
5. IMPs. North–South vulnerable. belong in diamonds. If I were to bid, it
1♠, Meyers insists. “I’m not defend-
would be 1♠, certainly not 2♣.”
♠10 7 6 ♥4 3 2 ♦A 5 4 ♣9 6 4 3 ing 1♥.”
1♠ by Robinson. “I don’t want to
West North East South 5. Matchpoints. North–South vulner-
pass it out and no other bid seems
Pass able.
right.”
1♦ Dbl Pass ?
Larry Cohen, 1♠. “Generally, I’m not ♠K Q 9 7 ♥A K Q 3 ♦A Q 9 6 ♣3

West North East South lefty bids 2♣ and I can back in with get a second chance and I’ll know more
1♦ Pass 1♥ ? a double. Not long ago, I had a similar by then.”
hand in a similar situation: Sanborn rides that same train of
Call Votes Award ♠K J x x ♥A K x x ♦x ♣A K Q x. thought. “I’m betting I get another
Dbl 9 100 chance and that there was no psych by
Pass 4 80 Lefty opened 1♠ and righty bid 1NT the favorable opener.”
1♠ 3 70 forcing. I passed for a similar reason Boehm tries 1♠. “In the old days, I
and student partner learned that when might have passed unless I suspected
Now or later you pass, it may not be that you have a psych. Nowadays, either the opening
Double by Larry Cohen. “For now. I’ll nothing, but rather you have (for now) bid or response may be featherweight,
deal with partner’s club bids later.” nothing to say.” so I best introduce the suit where we
Lee doubles. “I’m too strong to start Pass by Rigal, who sorted his hand may have a future.”
with anything else.” correctly this time. “I can’t show this 1♠ by Meyers. “I might pass at
Ditto Robinson. “I can bid 2NT over hand at my first turn and probably matchpoints if they were vulnerable,
a club bid. Too strong for a 1NT over- won’t be able to at my second turn ei- but at this vulnerability, I just can’t.”
call, and I don’t want to miss a spade ther, but unless they have psyched, I’ll Ken Cohen is a 1♠ bidder. “Heavy on
fit.” points but short in trump. Do not like
Korbel’s plan is the same. “Double. any of my other options.” ◾
I’m not a big believer in trapping. If
partner bids clubs, well, I’m plenty
strong enough to correct to notrump.” TOP ONLINE SCORES FOR JUNE (982 players)
Weinstein doubles, but suggests that Clare Christiansen, Oak Harbor WA 500 Pierre Daigneault, Montreal QC 470
if the opponents were vulnerable, he’d Huei Rong Chern, Westlake OH 490 Dave Dunstan, Harrison TN 470
make a trap pass. “I’m too strong for Jack Dean, Houston TX 490 Eric Endicott, Toronto ON 470
1NT, so I double first.” Jeanette Dean, Houston TX 490 William Feasley, Eden NY 470
Meckstroth doubles. “I can bid Jon Farber, Alexandria VA 490 Lawson Sonny Freeman Jr., Nashville TN 470
notrump if partner bids clubs. Another Ian Ferguson, Ottawa ON 490 Thomas Fukawa, Hampton VA 470
easy one.” [Hmm. That makes two in John Gillespie, Orleans ON 490 Piotr Gawron, Arvada CO 470
one set. The director must be getting Ned Hager, Tulsa OK 490 Sandra Gebhardt, The Villages FL 470
soft.] Richard Higgins, Hot Springs Village AR 490 Alan Green, Tucson AZ 470
Grossack doubles. “Very annoying, John Langer, Santa Clarita CA 490 Jonathan Hauke, Lexington MA 470
Langis Sirois, Ottawa ON 490 Kenneth Hovda, Bothell WA 470
especially when I used up my allot-
Marilyn Steele, Kennewick WA 490 Alex Hudson, Raleigh NC 470
ment of four-card overcalls on the last
Lawrence Boyd Jr., Shaker Heights OH 480 Irwin Kahn, Chapel Hill NC 470
problem. Good partners would never Kathryn Burns, Cincinnati OH 480 Komal Kamat, Plainsboro NJ 470
bid clubs after this double anyway, so H. Paul Davis, Cupertino CA 480 Steve Lake, Las Vegas NV 470
I’m not worried. That being said, the Debnarayan Dhar, Oak Hill VA 480 Carl Levesque,
way people try to steal contracts now, Mariann Farrelly, Mashpee MA 480 St-Honore de-Temiscouata QC 470
passing is not an option. Double and Thomas Grahame, Washington DC 480 Paul Lord, Montreal West QC 470
bid 2NT if partner offers 2♣. The val- Adam Grossack, Newton MA 480 Mark Mohr, Springfield NJ 470
ues are spot on.” Paul Hazzard, Marion IA 480 Walt Newcomb, Denver CO 470
Shi tosses the red card on the table. Marshall Kerlin, Sun City Center FL 480 James Peresta, Grand Blanc MI 470
“We are in the days where the oppo- Brett Kunin, West Orange NJ 480 David Promislow, Toronto ON 470
nents bid on anything and everything. Gordon Martin, Oakville ON 480 Jeff Reusing, Brockville ON 470
Robert Miller, Harrisburg PA 480 Brian Ross, Kamloops BC 470
I’m hoping we have a game in spades.”
Robert Miller, East Brunswick NJ 480 Gregor Rus, Velenje, Slovenia 470
Donn doubles, planning to rebid 2NT Steve Ramos Jr., Seal Beach CA 480 James Russell, Ottawa ON 470
over partner’s 2♣. “Not that I love James Wheeler, Edinburg PA 480 Howard Shachter, Deerfield IL 470
doing this, but I can’t think of another Steven Blatter, Aurora CO 470 David Sloane, Glen Cove NY 470
reasonable option since I would never Amy Casanova, Portland OR 470 Arbha Vongsvivut, Godfrey IL 470
start by passing – too easy to miss a Ken Cohen, Philadelphia PA 470 Dan Wong, Pleasanton CA 470
game, even if we come back in later.” Matt Cory, Indianapolis IN 470 Mike Xiao-Fang Xue, Markham ON 470
Pass?
“Pass,” says Lawrence. “I will get Please participate in It’s Your Call! Go to acbl.org and click on It’s Your Call under
the MyACBL login tab at the top. You may submit answers for a given month until
another chance. Likely I can double a
midnight on the 20th of that month, at which point the next month’s problems will
club bid.” be available.
Colchamiro elaborates. “I’m hoping
Newer Players
Card Play 101

BY PHILLIP ALDER bridgeforeveryone.com
As I mentioned a couple of issues hand. What have you learned? West leads the ♥10. East wins three
ago, if you wish to raise your game by Given that West has five spades tricks in the suit with the jack, king and
leaps and bounds, there is one way to for his overcall, he is marked with 10 ace, then shifts to the ♣Q. How would
do it. These two problems highlight the points: the ♦A K and ♠Q J. Because you continue?
method. West didn’t open the bidding as dealer, You have seen East produce 10 HCP:
this means that East almost certainly the ♥A K J and the ♣Q. From that
1. Dummy (Partner) has the ♣Q. Play a club to dummy’s ♣Q shift, you can also place him with
Dlr: West ♠ K 7 4 king and run the ♣J through East. You the ♣J. So East cannot have the ♠Q;
Vul: N–S ♥ 10 9 5 2 count so well! The full deal: otherwise, he would have opened the
♦J43 bidding as dealer. Reject the “per-
♣ K J 10 ♠K74 centage” play in spades and cash the
♥ 10 9 5 2 two top honors, hoping that West has
Declarer (You) ♦J43 queen-doubleton. If he does, your
♠A6 ♣ K J 10 contract is home, and you played bril-
♥AKQJ7 ♠QJ985 ♠ 10 3 2 liantly. If he doesn’t, partner overbid
♦852 ♥63 ♥84 again! The full layout:
♣A63 ♦AK6 ♦ Q 10 9 7
♣742 ♣Q985 ♠K63
West North East South ♠A6 ♥Q72
Partner You ♥AKQJ7 ♦ A K J 10 9
Pass Pass Pass 1♥ ♦852 ♣85
1♠ 2♥ Pass 4♥ ♣A63 ♠Q8 ♠ 10 9 7
All Pass ♥ 10 9 5 4 ♥AKJ
2. Dlr: East ♠K63 ♦63 ♦852
West leads the ♦A: 3, 10, 2. West Vul: Both ♥Q72 ♣76432 ♣ Q J 10 9
continues with the ♦K and another ♦ A K J 10 9 ♠AJ542
diamond to East’s queen. East shifts to ♣85 ♥863
the ♠2. How would you try to take the ♦Q74
rest of the tricks? ♠AJ542 ♣AK
The most important factor that ♥863
separates experts from lesser players ♦Q74 Yes, East’s shift to the ♣Q was far
is counting the opponents’ high-card ♣AK too revealing. He should have led the
points. This can be facilitated by an ♣J or ♣10. ◾
opponent’s opening bid, overcall or an West North East South
initial pass. Partner You
At trick four, win with the ♠A (the Pass 1♠
honor from the shorter side first), draw Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦
trumps, play a spade to dummy’s king, Pass 4♠ All Pass
and ruff dummy’s last spade in your

Newer Players
Parrish the Thought

BY ADAM PARRISH [email protected] adamparrish.us
Question three
We have focused our discussion so North South In the preceding auction, our two
far on the two essential questions: 1NT ? primary goals have been accomplished:
Do we have a game? and Do we have a We have set a game force and found
major-suit fit? These questions help us Now the answer to question No. 3 a major-suit fit. We know the hand
determine the two aspects of the final is maybe. We have 16 HCP. If partner belongs in spades and in at least game.
contract: level and strain. But remem- has 15, that’s only 31, not enough. But The only final contracts on the table at
ber that level has three possibilities: opposite 17 we have 33, and want to be this point are 4♠ and 6♠ (and maybe
partscore, game and slam. in slam. So we invite slam with 4NT. 7♠ or 7NT). Our singular goal now
So when the answer to question No. 1 Make the hand a little stronger – say is to determine whether we belong in
is yes, we need to ask ourselves a third add the ♦Q – and we would have a yes slam.
question: Do we have a slam? This answer: Opposite partner’s minimum, Now that we are in slam mode, we
question has the same three possible we’d have 33 HCP. With no hope for a switch over to our slam tools, specifi-
answers as the other two: yes, no and grand slam, we would simply bid 6NT. cally control bidding and Blackwood.
maybe. Question No. 3 takes a backseat to Our only concern for the rest of the
Often this third question can be question Nos. 1 and 2, because games auction is game or slam, 4♠ or 6♠. ◾
answered easily and dismissed. But are so much more common than slams,
any time we have a yes answer to ques- and slam investigation gives us extra
tion No. 1, we need to remember to ask room to explore (i.e., the five level). But
question No. 3: Do we have a slam? when we have enough values for game Nominations for the 2019 ACBL
♠Q 9 4 ♥A J 8 ♦K J 8 3 ♣J 3 2 and have found a major-suit fit (i.e., we Bridge Hall of Fame Blackwood
have yes answers to questions Nos. 1 and von Zedtwitz awards
North South and 2), the spotlight shifts to question
1NT ? Each year, the Bridge Hall of Fame Com-
No. 3, and the remainder of the auction mittee considers candidates for the Black-
is about slam. wood Award, given for outstanding contri-
1. Do we have a game? Yes.
butions to bridge outside of expertise at the
2. Do we have a major-suit fit? No. North South game, and the von Zedtwitz Award, which
1♠ 2♣ honors inactive players who have achieved
3. Do we have a slam? No. (Partner’s 2♠ 3♠ prominence in the game of bridge.
maximum of 17 would give us a ACBL members in good standing may
combined 29 high-card points, not Once we know we’re going to 4♠, the submit candidates’ names to the Hall of
nearly enough for slam.) only remaining question is whether Fame Committee for induction into the
ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame in 2019. To be
we can make 6♠. A lot of auctions that
These three answers make placing eligible for induction, a candidate must be at
you might not think of as slam auc- least 60 years old and live in North America.
the contract simple: We have a game tions are actually entirely about slam Please submit your nominations for these
but no slam, and we do not have a – avoiding it when it’s bad and reaching awards to the Bridge Hall of Fame Commit-
major-suit fit. 3NT. Done. it when it’s good. A Jacoby 2NT auc- tee to [email protected]. Nominations will
Let’s make the hand a little stronger: tion or a 2/1 auction that uncovers a fit be forwarded to the chair of the committee.
♠Q 9 4 ♥A J 8 ♦K J 8 3 ♣A J 3. immediately becomes a slam explora- In order to be considered, nominations must
tion. be received no later than Nov. 1.

Newer Players
Play & Learn

BY PAT HARRINGTON [email protected]
Dummy’s long suit
On the deal below, North–South enough high spades and can afford to How many of those entries do we
reach 4♥ after South responds 2♥to ruff high so we won’t have to lose any need to set up a low spade? We can’t
North’s 1♠ opening. West gets off to a tricks in the process. Our plan should know for sure, but we can plan based
good start with the ♦Q opening lead, work when we get the most likely 4–2 on the expected 4–2 split of the miss-
and the defenders quickly win three spade split and also when we get a ing spades. With that split, we’ll need
diamonds and then switch to a club. lucky 3–3 spade split. to lead spades five times – four times
We win, but still have a club loser that With no information from the auc- (the larger number in the needed 4–2
must be eliminated to make 4♥. How? tion or play, the Odd–Even Rule can split) to deplete both opponents of
help us predict how the opponents’ spades, plus one more time to cash our
Dlr: North ♠ 10 8 7 6 2 cards in a suit are likely to split. An odd hard-earned winner. All this must be
Vul: None ♥ A Q 9 number of outstanding cards is likely done without losing any more tricks!
♦K53 to split as evenly as possible, so we South’s ♠A K can be cashed without
♣A2 expect five missing cards to split 3–2, using any dummy entries.
♠J4 ♠Q953 and three missing cards to split 2–1. An Once both East and West follow to
♥42 ♥53 even number of missing cards is most the second spade lead, we know spades
♦ Q J 10 9 ♦A87 likely to split one off from exactly even. are splitting no worse than 4–2. You
♣98754 ♣ K Q 10 6 Thus, 3–1 is the most likely split of four did notice that, didn’t you? When mak-
♠AK missing cards and 4–2 is the expected ing a long suit good, you have to count
♥ K J 10 8 7 6 split of six missing cards. However an that suit as well as the trump suit.
♦642 exception occurs with only two cards North’s entries must be used for the re-
♣J3 missing. The odds slightly favor a 1–1 maining spade leads. Overtake the ♥6
split. The Odd–Even Rule isn’t guaran- with the ♥9. When both opponents
In a suit contract, declarer has three teed because it’s not really a rule. It’s follow, we know we haven’t gotten a
ways to eliminate a loser: trump it, just a quick and easy way to determine bad 4–0 trump split, so our plan will
dump it or take a finesse. the most likely split of the defenders’ work. Now ruff a spade high. At this
No finesse is available here. There’s cards in a suit based on mathematical point, we know that East has one spade
no useful shortness in dummy, nor probabilities. left, so overtake the ♥7 with the ♥Q to
does dummy have an obvious winner When setting up one or more dis- get back to dummy for a second spade
that can serve as a place to discard a cards on winners in dummy, we must ruff. Both opponents follow again, so
loser. Dummy does have one asset, have sufficient entries to set up our trumps are drawn. Ruff another spade.
though – a long side suit. We can try to tricks and cash them once they are The ♥A provides the entry needed to
make one of dummy’s spades good so good. By the time East–West let us cash the fifth spade and discard that
we can discard South’s remaining club have the lead, what entries are left in annoying club loser.
on it. our North dummy? With all the high A long, strong suit in dummy is an
Provided neither opponent has more minor-suit cards gone from dummy, obvious clue to declarer to consider
than four spades, we can ruff dummy’s we have three trump entries provided discarding losers on that suit. A long
spades good – one of the rare times we play our cards right, overtaking suit that isn’t so strong isn’t as obvious,
when declarer makes an effort to ruff whatever heart we lead from our hand but it still offers a chance to eliminate
in the long trump hand. We have just each time. a loser. The power of the trump suit

Newer Players
Ask Jerry
BY JERRY HELMS [email protected] jerryhelms.com
Dear Jerry, Hi Jack, long club suit and a weak hand, passes.
My partner and I are relatively Before we decide what to bid, let’s With a long diamond suit and a weak
newer players, using strong decide why to bid. In 1NT, depend- hand, he converts to 3♦. Neither of
notrumps (15–17), and Jacoby trans- ing on opener’s diamond holding, these two decisions solicits input from
fers. He opened 1NT, and I held: your hand might produce zero tricks. opener. The hand you cite would be
♠7 4 2 ♥4 ♦J 8 7 6 4 2 ♣8 6 5. However, even if opener holds a low a classic 2♠ response, intending to
doubleton diamond, as long as the five convert the forced 3♣ to 3♦. If your
I only had one point, so I passed. missing diamonds divide 3–2, as is minor-suit holdings were reversed, you
Despite a full 17-count, partner went probable, your hand can expect to take could simply pass the 3♣ bid.
down two, vulnerable. Should I have three tricks in a diamond contract. So On each of the following, I recom-
bid, and if so, what should I bid? the answer to your first question is yes. mend using 2♠ to reach a minor-suit
Jack With a six-card or longer minor suit contract:
and a weak hand, responder should get ♠9 8 4 3 ♥7 ♦Q 9 8 7 5 3 2 ♣3
us to a minor suit contract at the low-
est possible level as quickly as possible. ♠4 ♥K 8 3 ♦8 7 5 ♣Q 10 7 6 5 3
From this point, partnership agree- ♠A 5 2 ♥6 4 ♦6 ♣ J 7 6 5 4 3 2
ment becomes the key issue. After the forced 3♣, you would pass
Play and Learn continued
Your decisions to play Stayman and or correct. By the way, do not ever
lets you do that without losing all the Jacoby transfers eliminates the pos- transfer to a minor suit using these
tricks you would if you tried to set up sibility of playing either 2♣ or 2♦ as a methods with less than a six-card suit.
the same suit in notrump. final contract after 1NT, but somehow The potential 5–2 fit at the three level
Ruffing to set up dummy’s long suit the three level should be achievable. As with a weak hand is unlikely to be your
often requires declarer to ruff in the always, partnership agreement is the best spot.
hand with the longer trumps, some- key to issues like this. Holding either of the following:
thing you are generally discouraged In the mid-1950s, Alvin Roth and
♠7 2 ♥8 3 ♦A K Q 8 4 3 ♣7 4 3
from doing, but there are exceptions. Tobias Stone were arguably the best
Ruffing to make a long suit in dummy bridge partnership in the world. In ♠A 5 4 ♥9 5 ♦6 2 ♣K Q 8 6 5 2,
good, as we just did, is one exception. Roth’s 1958 book, “Bridge is a Part- don’t even think about introducing
Ruffing to avoid losing a trick in a nership Game,” one stated purpose of your minor suit. Bid 3NT and first
suit led by the opponents is another. their system was “to have no idle bids.” show partner your long suit when you
We might also have to ruff in the long In your current system, if responder table it as dummy.
trump hand for necessary transporta- holds five or more spades, and intends There are better methods – actu-
tion. Spending your long trumps on to “show them,” he would always start ally, much better – but as always, these
ruffs avoids losing a trick you would with a 2♥ transfer to the spade suit. options require more memory work.
otherwise lose, but it does not provide This makes an immediate 2♠ re- Some of the possible conventional
the extra winners that ruffing in the sponse an “idle bid.” agreements include, four-suit trans-
shorter trump hand does, so be sure For simplicity’s sake, I recommend fers, 2♠ for size, and Walsh relays.
you do it only when you have a very using 2♠ as a relay to force opener to When you’re ready to augment your
good reason. ◾ bid 3♣, irrespective of his minor-suit system, consider one of these. ◾
holding or values. Responder, with a

Newer Players
Startup Bridge
BY LYNN BERG [email protected]
Planning the play: When do I draw trump
When you read an outline of how to diamond loser if you’ve drawn all the clubs first, you can discard your two
play a hand in a trump contract, it will trump. spade losers before you draw trump.
say “Count your losers and look for Win the ♦K and play the two high One reason some players wrongly
ways to eliminate losers.” But what are hearts. If the queen doesn’t drop, avoid drawing trump is that they have
the ways? How does having a trump now play a second and third round of losers – and no one really likes losing
suit complicate the decision process? diamonds: Play the ♦A, and now ruff a tricks. What if you’ve opened 1♠ with
Even if the dummy has a singleton low diamond in your hand. If it’s over- ♠Q J 10 7 2, and partner has put you
in the suit led, don’t call the play until ruffed, the opponent will be using the in game with his ♠6 5 4 3? Clearly,
you’ve made your plan. queen, which you were going to lose you have two spade losers if there’s no
You should always evaluate your anyway. You’ll end up making 11 tricks, defensive error, but that’s no reason to
hand in relation to dummy’s hand. De- losing only a spade and the ♥Q. delay drawing trump. Always ask your-
cide which is the master hand whose Notice that there’s nothing in the self the question, “Is there anything
losers you’re going to count. It won’t plan about ruffing clubs. You have no I need to do before I draw trump?” If
always be declarer’s hand. What if you club losers in dummy’s hand. If you’ve there’s no bridge reason based on your
have opened 1NT and are now playing chosen a master hand and made a plan, count of losers and plan to rid yourself
4♥ with this dummy: you won’t worry about the clubs. Ruff- of losers, then you should bite the bul-
♠2 ♥K J 9 7 4 2 ♦A Q 8 4 3 ♣9 ing a club gets you no extra tricks, but let and do it. A hideous consequence
ruffing a diamond is very helpful. of failing to draw trump can be that
Your hand: An old friend of mine said your they not only cash the ♠A K, to which
♠Q 9 8 ♥A 10 6 ♦K 2 ♣A Q J 10 7 hand is like a car needing parts – and they’re entitled, but also get to use the
Clearly dummy’s shapely hand has partner’s hand is the junkyard. As you ♠9 8 separately by ruffing your win-
fewer losers and should be the master count the losers, look to the opposite ners in another suit. Ugh.
hand. hand for ways to eliminate losers – There are also hands where you don’t
You might eliminate losers by especially if you have too many to make want to pull trump at all, but rather to
discarding on a long suit, by taking a your contract. Overtricks are always use your trumps separately. Consider a
finesse, or by ruffing. nice, but your first responsibility is to very distributional hand in 4♠:
The opening lead is the ♠A. Seeing make your bid. ♠Q 8 5 3 ♥A 9 6 4 3 ♦7 ♣A K 6
the dummy, he shifts to the ♦10. How Sometimes there’s something you
do you play the hand? have to do before drawing trump. You ♠A 10 9 4 ♥2 ♦A K J 4 2 ♣Q 7 4
Dummy has only one spade loser, are missing the trump ace, and if you If you play on trump, especially if
three diamond losers (one covered lead trump they can get in and cash they break 4–1, you’ll have a tough time
by the ♦K), and no club loser since other winners. with this hand. After a heart lead, cash
you have the ♣A. You might have a ♠8 4 3 ♥J 10 5 4 ♦Q 6 5 ♣A K Q your minor-suit winners and then start
heart loser. If hearts break 2–2, you’ll a crossruff, ruffing diamonds on the
still have a heart in your hand to ruff ♠A 9 7 ♥K Q 8 6 2 ♦A 9 3 2 ♣7 board and hearts in your hand. If you
a losing diamond. But if hearts are Playing 4♥, you win the opening can sneak in a few low ruffs, you’ll then
3–1 – which is more likely than 2–2 lead of the ♠K. If you now lead hearts, be ruffing high, so only the ♠K or ♠J
– you won’t be able to ruff that likely they can win the ace and cash two is high enough to overruff. ◾
more spade winners. But if you play

Newer Players
Bidding Basics
BY LARRY COHEN larryco.com
Responding by a passed hand
This is the final article in the series Each responding bid below, there- Jumps in a new suit
on responding. This month, we look at fore, means what it would mean by an Some players erroneously think they
a special responding situation, namely, UPH (unpassed hand), but the range is can jump as a passed hand to show a
the one where the responder has different. maximum non-opener. They want to
already passed. For example, say the jump from 1♣ to 2♥ with:
auction has been something like: West North East South ♠A 2 ♥A J 9 8 7 ♦Q 3 2 ♣6 5 4
Pass Pass 1♦ Pass
West North East South 1♥ to say, “Partner, I am at the top of my
Pass Pass 1♥ Pass range.” No. This is not what a jump
shows at least four hearts and 6 to 12 shows. For now, I recommend you
? HCP.
or don’t jump in a new suit as a passed
hand. (Down the road, you might wish
West North East South to discuss with your partner what it
West North East South Pass Pass 1♣ Pass
Pass Pass Pass 1♠ would mean – possibly “fit-showing”
1♠ promising at least five cards in the
Pass ?
shows at least four spades and 6 to 12 jump suit and at least four in opener’s
Don’t get worried – there is nothing HCP. suit.)
earth-shattering here, but let’s state
some of the obvious things. The person West North East South Raises
responding already failed to open the Pass Pass 1♠ Pass Raises mean what they would have
bidding. We call this a PH for “passed 2♦ meant by an UPH. Raising partner’s
hand.” So in these cases, responder will shows at least five diamonds and 10 to one-level suit opening to the two level
be limited to at most 12 HCP (and most 12 HCP. With only 9 points, the re- shows 6–10 HCP. Raising to the three
hands with 12 HCP would have opened sponse would be 1NT. level is invitational (11–12 HCP), but …
the bidding), so usually 11 HCP. Note that 2/1 game forcing is not
Accordingly, no responses (unless used by a passed hand. This is logical, Drury
artificial – see below) are forcing. because the responder has already This series is meant to KISS (keep it
Opener can (and often will) pass the passed and can’t have enough for a simple, stupid), but I will mention that
response. game force. Drury (an artificial 2♣ response to 1♥
Because responder wouldn’t bid at A response of 1NT by a passed hand or 1♠) is a popular convention used
all with 0–5 HCP, the range for all one- shows 6–10 HCP. A response of 2NT by a passed hand. If I went into more
of-a-suit responses by a passed hand would be unlikely, but to keep things detail, I’d be doing a disservice. It is
is 6 to a bad 12. A two-level response simple, just assume it shows 11–12 the world’s most forgotten convention,
would be 10 to a bad 12. balanced (with no four-card major especially by newer players. Unless you
that could have been shown on the one want to have lots of accidents, I suggest
level). doing without this for now. If you are
adventurous, you can do a web search
from a reliable source and have some
fun.
See next page for quiz and answers

BIDDING BASICS QUIZ Ivar Stakgold 1925–2018
On each hand below, what is your Five-time NABC champion Ivar Stakgold died on May 29 in
response after Pass–Pass–1♠–Pass; ? La Jolla CA of heart failure at age 92.
1. ♠K J 2 ♥2 ♦Q 7 6 5 4 3 ♣J 4 3 Stakgold and partner Leonard Harmon helped develop the
Kaplan–Sheinwold system which was adopted by many play-
2. ♠Q 2 ♥K Q J 9 5 ♦Q 10 7 6 ♣3 2 ers. In 1958, he won the Vanderbilt KO Teams, the Silodor Open
3. ♠6 ♥A 10 8 7 ♦K J 7 6 ♣J 10 7 6 Pairs and the Reisinger BAM Teams. In 1962, he added the Spin-
gold KO Teams to his collection, and in 1969, Stakgold won the
4. ♠K Q 2 ♥3 ♦J 10 8 7 6 ♣A 6 5 4
Freeman Mixed BAM Teams playing with wife Alice Calvert Cox.
On each hand below, what is your Alice Stakgold died in 1994.
response after Pass–Pass–Pass–1♦; In world-level play, Stakgold won a silver medal at the 1959 Bermuda Bowl repre-
Pass–? senting the United States. He also represented the U.S. in the 1960 Olympiad.
In addition to being a bridge champion, Stakgold was a distinguished mathemati-
5. ♠K Q 3 ♥K J 10 ♦7 6 5 ♣Q 10 9 8 cian, author and educator. Born in Oslo, Norway, Stakgold moved to Brussels, Belgium,
6. ♠K J 7 6 5 ♥A Q 2 ♦2 ♣10 6 5 3 with his Russian-Jewish parents, Rose and Henri Stakgold, when he was 4. The family
7. ♠5 4 ♥K 2 ♦K J 10 8 7 ♣Q 10 8 7 left Belgium in early 1940 on the eve of the German invasion and escaped via France
and Spain to the Dominican Republic. While awaiting his United States immigration
8. ♠J 10 8 7 ♥2 ♦A Q 7 6 5 ♣K 10 6 visas, he took bridge lessons. After entry to the United States, Stakgold attended the
Horace Mann School and Cornell University. He received his doctorate in applied
ANSWERS mathematics from Harvard University in 1949. Stakgold taught at Harvard until 1956,
when he joined the Office of Naval Research in Washington DC, where he served as
1. 2♠: 6–10 HCP and support.
head of the mathematics and logistical branches. Later posts included a joint appoint-
2. 2♥: 10–12 HCP, at least a decent ment in Engineering Science and Mathematics at Northwestern University and chair
five-card suit, not forcing. of the Mathematics Department at the University of Delaware.
3. 1NT: 6–10 HCP, not necessarily bal- Stakgold held visiting professorships around the world. He was president of SIAM,
anced. the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics; chair of the Conference Board of
4. 3♠: invitational (but 2♣ if using Mathematical Sciences; and director of the Washington office of the American Math-
Drury). ematical Society.
His two-volume “Boundary Value Problems of Mathematical Physics” and “Green’s
5. 2NT: 11–12 HCP, natural, invita-
Functions” are influential texts in their field.
tional.
In recent years, Stakgold was adjunct professor in the Department of Applied Math-
6. 1♠: 6–12 HCP. Don’t jump to show ematics at the University of California at San Diego where he worked with his col-
a maximum passed hand. league Michael J. Holstas, on a third edition of “Green’s Functions,” which was pub-
7. 3♦: limit raise. lished in 2011.
8. 1♠: 6–12 HCP, four or more spades. Stakgold is survived by his daughter Alissa Stakgold of Los Angeles, two step-chil-
dren, William Cox and Gail Cox Gagarin; his fiancee Lainie Lesser-Mark; his nieces
Renee Packer of La Jolla and Irene Kraas of Santa Fe, and his nephew, David Wolfe of
Raanana, Israel.
Club and Cruise
Thanks to the San Diego Union Tribune.
Director Courses
The Club & Cruise Directors Course
prepares candidates for directing club
and bridge cruise games. Includes the
Charity Foundation Election Notice
ACBL Club Director test. ACBL members interested in running for the Board of
Trustees of the ACBL Charity Foundation have until Oct. 15
Honolulu HI (NABC) to submit a written declaration of candidacy.
Nov. 19–21 The ACBL Board of Directors will elect one of the
Joyce Stone 662–253–3100 Foundation’s five-member board for a four-year term
[email protected] beginning Jan. 1, 2019, at the fall board meeting in
Honolulu. Trustees do not receive expense reimbursement.
Club Director Candidates should send name, address, player number and
Refresher Course biographical information to ACBL Charity Foundation, P.O. Box 289, Horn Lake MS
Honolulu HI • Nov. 27–28 38637-0289 or by email (with “Statement of Candidacy” in the subject line) to
See contact info above [email protected].

Intermediate Players
Mike’s Bridge Lesson

BY MIKE LAWRENCE michaelslawrence.com
Choosing the best line
Dlr: East ♠— defense then took three diamond tricks club ruff in your hand holds up, you are
Vul: Both ♥J98 for down one. cold.
♦J732 There are many possible lines. South All those other tempting (or pseudo-
♣A87542 might set up the club suit, but that runs tempting) lines have big worries.
into problems if clubs divide 4–2 and I could spend another three pages
♠AQ95 other problems can arise when hearts discussing the bad things that might
♥AKQ42 divide 4–1. happen. Better to discuss this one line
♦ 10 5 4 Here’s the full layout: where almost nothing bad can happen.
♣ 10
♠— Postmortem
West North East South ♥J98 East’s 2♠ isn’t classic, but it does
2♠ 3♥ ♦J732 one big thing that is usually over-
Pass 4♥ All Pass ♣A87542 looked. It allows opener to show the
♠ J 10 8 ♠K76432 general nature of his hand. Consider
West led the ♠J, East following with ♥ 10 7 5 3 ♥6 this: Assuming you pass with the East
the ♠2. South spotted a line that was ♦KQ8 ♦A96 hand, you will often feel like bidding
close to 100%. Can you find it? ♣QJ3 ♣K96 later. Say you pass and the bidding goes
Here are a couple of lines that were ♠AQ95 1♥–Pass–2♥ to you. You would surely
tried by others who declared 4♥. ♥AKQ42 bid 2♠. The problem with this is that
One South decided to ruff a diamond ♦ 10 5 4 your partner won’t know you have
in dummy. He won the first two spade ♣ 10 six spades. He will expect you to have
tricks, discarding diamonds from something like this:
dummy. He gave up a diamond, and This is a simple deal if you spot the ♠A Q 9 7 5 ♥4 ♦K J 4 2 ♣5 4 2.
the defenders won and played a trump. winning line. Win the ♠Q at trick one,
Declarer led another diamond, which play the ♠A and ruff a spade. Surely You wouldn’t open this hand, but you
the defenders won. They continued all of these tricks are safe from any might well come in later with a spade
leading trump. South got his diamond bad news. Next play the ♣A and ruff a bid. The trouble is that much of the
ruff, but he still had two spade losers. club. Assuming clubs divide 4–2, you value of your hand lies in the fact that
Another declarer won the first trick are home. Ruff your last spade. East you have a six-card suit. Partner won’t
with the ♠Q and ruffed a spade. He has long spades, so you are 100% safe know that and won’t compete with
played the ♣A and ruffed a club. He in doing this. Then cash the ♥J, giving some hands where bidding would be
ruffed his last low spade in dummy, you the first seven tricks. You still have fine.
cashed the ♥J and ruffed another club the A–K–Q of trumps, which gives you Also, as always, by opening 2♠, you
to his hand. Fortunately, West couldn’t 10 tricks. put instant pressure on the opponents.
overruff, but when South drew trumps The key is to cash the ace of spades Passing and bidding spades later puts
with the ♥A K Q, he discovered that before ruffing spades in dummy. It’s no pressure on the opponents. ◾
West had four of them. South tried to safe to ruff spades in dummy since
cash his ♠A, but West ruffed it. The East can’t overruff and as long as one

The Real Deal

BY LARRY COHEN larryco.com
Double dummy
Several years ago, South held these you cope with your third-round club solution. Can you find it?
cards in a European tournament: loser? Cash the top clubs ending in dummy;
♠J 6 2 ♥10 9 8 7 5 ♦6 5 ♣A J 3. Are you counting? This is a double- if the queen falls, claim the contract.
dummy problem. Based on the auction East is left with only spades. Lead the
In a team game, vulnerable against and play, you can be sure that West ♠3, which East must duck. Win your
not, he was in fourth seat. Left-hand started with no spades, two hearts and ♠J and lead another spade to the king.
opponent opened 1♦ and partner six diamonds. That means he has five If East wins, he is endplayed. If he
doubled. RHO jumped to 2♠ weak. clubs. The remaining position (other ducks, play your losing club and West
South didn’t have enough to bid, but than the ♣Q) has to be: has to give you a ruff-sluff (you throw
when West bid 3♦ and South’s partner your last spade from your hand).
doubled a second time, South jumped ♠KQ93 Once you stopped to count and were
to the vulnerable heart game. ♥Q playing double dummy, 10 tricks were
Everyone passed and West led the ♦— there. This was the Real Deal:
♦A: ♣K62
♠— ♠ A 10 8 7 5 4 Dlr: West ♠ K Q 9 3
♠KQ93 ♥— ♥— Vul: N–S ♥ A K Q
♥AKQ ♦843 ♦— ♦Q72
♦Q72 ♣ ? 10 9 8 7 ♣?4 ♣K62
♣K62 ♠J62 ♠— ♠ A 10 8 7 5 4
♥ 10 9 ♥J4 ♥632
♠J62 ♦— ♦AK9843 ♦ J 10
♥ 10 9 8 7 5 ♣AJ3 ♣ Q 10 9 8 7 ♣54
♦65 ♠J62
♣AJ3 If the ♣Q is with the doubleton (not ♥ 10 9 8 7 5
very likely), this will be easy. What if ♦65
Off the top, there are two diamonds the opening bidder has it? There is a
and a spade to lose. Not losing a trump ♣AJ3 ◾
trick and doing something with the
potential third-round club loser are
among the many hurdles.
West cashed two high diamonds, 2019 Honorary Member of the Year Selection Process
East playing high low, and led the ♦9 The ACBL Honorary Member Committee is charged with the annual selection of a member
(suit preference for spades). Good (or pair of members) who is widely known throughout the membership and who has given
news – East can’t produce the ♥J. If he freely of time and ability, without thought of reward and in the interest of the League as a whole.
did, you’d be down two: he’d play ♠A The committee invites members in good standing to nominate one person or pair for the
and a spade for his partner to ruff. East committee’s consideration. The nominee(s) may come from any district as long as they are not
tries the ♥6, which you overruff. Next, currently serving on the ACBL Board of Directors.
To propose an Honorary Member of the Year candidate, email Kelley Trejo at kelley.trejo@
you play two rounds of trump, every-
acbl.org by Aug. 31, 2018. Nominations should include a short explanation (up to 500 words) as
one following.
to why you believe the candidate should be selected. Please include your contact information.
One hurdle down, one to go. How will Visit acbl.org/honorarymembers for a list of previous ACBL Honorary Members of the Year,

Chalk Talk
BY EDDIE KANTAR kantarbridge.com
One hand, five bidding sequences
What bids would you make with the Logical answers:

following West hand?
❶ 1♦. You are strong enough to bid West hands for the
♠9 ♥A K 5 3 ♦K Q J 7 2 ♣9 3 2 both suits, so start with your lon- August Bidding Box
❶ West North East South ger.
Bid these hands with a partner.
1♣ Pass ❷ 2♦. You are not strong enough to The East hands are on pg. 55. The
? reverse with 2♥, which normally North–South players are silent unless
shows 17-plus high-card points otherwise noted. Scores on pgs. 37–39.
❷ West North East South with this distribution, a little less
1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass with 4–6 distribution. Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
? North opens 1♠. If East passes,
❸ 2♠ or 4♥. Two possible answers
South bids 1NT (forcing). North bids
West North East South here. If you bid 2♠, a cuebid
❸ showing 12-plus HCP, you might
2♥, South bids 2♠.
1♠ Dbl Pass ♠6 3 ♥K 5 4 ♦A 9 5 ♣A 8 4 3 2
? wind up in 5♦ if partner has
three hearts and longer diamonds.
Jumping directly to 4♥ is also rea- Problem 2. East deals. N–S vul.
❹ West North East South
1♦ Pass sonable, as partner figures to have ♠K 10 ♥J 10 5 3 ♦K Q J 7 ♣A 9 8
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass four hearts most of the time. Take
full credit for either answer. Problem 3. South deals. E–W vul.
?
South opens 1♠.
❹ 2♣. A jump to 3♦ in this sequence
❺ West North East South is invitational, not forcing. To cre- ♠Q 6 ♥K J 10 5 4 ♦A J 8 ♣K 4 3
1♣ ate a force in diamonds, precede
1♦ 3♣(1) Dbl Pass your diamond bid with a fourth- Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
? suit forcing bid of 2♣. ♠A 7 6 3 ♥A Q 8 6 4 ♦Q 3 ♣A 9
(1) Preemptive. ❺ 4♥. Partner’s double shows hearts
and spades, and their bidding sug- Problem 5. North deals. N–S vul.
gests partner has a singleton club. ♠K Q 10 ♥J 7 ♦A K 9 5 4 3 ♣7 4
3♥ is also in the ballpark. Take full
credit for either answer. Problem 6. East deals. E–W vul.
South overcalls hearts. North bids
3♥ if possible.
♠A 10 6 3 ♥8 6 3 ♦A 10 ♣K 10 8 4
Rating Scale
Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
4 or 5 correct I like your style. ♠A K Q 10 9 4 ♥A 9 ♦K J 2 ♣K 6
3 correct Need some help.
Less Need lots of help. Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
♠Q J 9 ♥5 ♦10 8 7 6 2 ♣A 9 7 3

Boehm on Bridge
BY AUGUST BOEHM
H is for holdup
Years ago, I taught bridge for a day in It is often correct to hold up with a to shift to hearts, your weakest suit.
Ossining NY at the notorious federal sure double stopper, such as A–K–x, Holding up here amounts to playing
penitentiary, Sing Sing. An organiza- when you must lose the lead twice. with fire.
tion sponsored an outreach program The defenders may also make good
to help socialize prisoners scheduled ♠ J 10 3 use of the holdup technique. For ex-
soon for release. I wondered how to ♥AK65 ample, you are East defending 3NT.
ingratiate myself if faced with a trucu- ♦832
lent or hostile audience. I proposed the ♣A73 North (Dummy)
topic of stealing tricks through decep- ♠654
tion; the sponsor was not amused. Per- ♠AK5 ♥A72
haps perversely, I decided on holdup ♥73 ♦ K J 10 9 6
plays. ♦ Q J 10 9 5 ♣93
The basic purpose of the holdup ♣K64 East (You)
play is to disrupt the opponents’ com- ♠ J 10 8 2
In 3NT versus the lead of the ♣Q, ♥54
munications. Focusing on notrump, hold up the first round. You need to
with only one sure stopper, hold back ♦AQ2
develop the diamonds, and the gain ♣ J 10 8 5
your winner as long as possible. For comes when the clubs divide danger-
instance, opening leader starts a suit ously, 5–2, and the high diamonds are South opened the bidding 1♣ and
where dummy holds x–x, you hold split, e.g., West holds ♣Q J 10 9 5 and jumped to 2NT after North’s 1♦ re-
K–x–x, RHO wins the ace and returns ♦K 6 4, giving East ♣8 2 and ♦A 7. If sponse. West leads the ♥J, denying a
the suit. Hold up and win your king on you win the first club, East can win the higher honor. Declarer wins in hand to
the third round. If RHO had played the first round of diamonds and return a advance the ♦5, partner follows with
jack at trick one, you should win the club – West will establish his long suit, the 3, and dummy inserts the 9 – plan
king because it’s now or never, assum- retaining the ♦K entry, to set you one your defense.
ing the ace is on your left. trick. If you hold up at trick one and You should hold up, preferably in
Dummy holds x–x, you A–J–10, LHO win the expected club continuation, tempo. Declarer probably doesn’t have
leads low, and RHO plays an honor at the defenders’ transportation is ruined. enough strength to make his contract
trick one. Don’t hold up because it will If West wins the ♦K, he can establish without the diamond suit. In all likeli-
cost you a trick. Win trick one, leav- his clubs but lacks a re-entry, and if hood, he will return to his hand and
ing you with a second stopper, J–10 East wins the ♦A, he has no more repeat the diamond finesse. Now, you
against their high honor. Suppose clubs to play. The shift in timing gives pounce. When declarer started with
dummy holds J–x, you A–10–x, and the declarer his contract. a doubleton diamond, your holdup
lead is a low card. Don’t squander your An essential provision of the holdup play has severed his communication.
honor cards – duck in the dummy at technique is that the defense leads de- Dummy has the ♥A entry to drive out
trick one and win the ace if RHO plays clarer’s most vulnerable suit. Let’s say your ♦A but no way to return and use
a royal. The combination of dummy’s that declarer’s spades are 9–8–2 facing the diamond winners. If you win the
singleton jack plus your 10–x guaran- A–K–5, and the hearts are 10–7 oppo- first diamond, dummy will be worth
tees a second stopper. site A–6–3. If the lead is a spade, don’t three diamond tricks. When you hold
hold up, because you allow the defense up, dummy wins one. Try it. ◾

Misplay These Hands with Me

BY MARK HORTON [email protected]
The elimination game
Playing in a major invitational team the ♥Q, East winning and returning a
tournament with a partner of the high- diamond. I win with dummy’s ace and East hands for the
est class, I pick up: play a heart to the jack. When every-
one follows, I play a spade to the king August Bidding Box
♠AJ74 followed by a spade to the jack. When Bid these hands with a partner.
♥QJ543 West produces the queen, I am down The West hands are on pg. 53. The
♦K5 one. North–South players are silent unless
♣J6 The full deal: otherwise noted. Scores on pgs. 37–39.
With both sides vulnerable, the ♠K96 Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
player on my right passes, and I open ♥A872 North opens 1♠. If East passes,
1♥. My partner raises to 4♥, which we ♦A9 South bids 1NT (forcing). North bids
play as a high-card raise with four-card ♣9542 2♥, South bids 2♠.
support. That leaves us with this short ♠Q8 ♠ 10 5 3 2 ♠A 10 4 ♥9 8 3 ♦K 4 2 ♣K Q J 7
auction: ♥ 10 9 ♥K6
♦ Q 10 8 7 2 ♦J643 Problem 2. East deals. N–S vul.
West North East South ♣ A K 10 8 ♣Q73 ♠A 9 8 5 4 3 ♥K Q 7 ♦A 4 ♣5 2
Pass 1♥ ♠AJ74
Pass 4♥ All Pass ♥QJ543 Problem 3. South deals. E–W vul.
♦K5 South opens 1♠.
West leads the ♣A and I get a fair ♣J6
♠J 9 3 ♥8 7 ♦K 10 ♣A Q 10 9 8 2
dummy:
Postmortem Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
♠K96 Having ruffed the third club, declarer
♥A872 can improve his chances by cashing the ♠K 4 2 ♥K 3 ♦K J ♣Q J 10 7 4 3
♦A9 ♥A, after which he takes two rounds of
♣9542 diamonds, ending in dummy, and ruffs Problem 5. North deals. N–S vul.
the fourth club. He then exits with a ♠A J 8 6 5 ♥A 10 ♦Q 10 7 ♣K J 9
♠AJ74 heart. East wins but must then play a
♥QJ543 spade, which ensures that declarer will Problem 6. East deals. E–W vul.
♦K5 only lose a trick in the suit if West has South overcalls hearts. North bids
♣J6 both the queen and the 10. That was 3♥ if possible.
the line followed at the other table, so ♠5 ♥J ♦K J 9 3 2 ♣A Q J 9 5 3
It looks as if I will need to find one we lost a game swing. ◾
of two finesses working. When East Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
encourages with the ♣7, West contin- ♠8 5 ♥J 10 3 2 ♦A Q 7 6 ♣A 9 3
ues with the king, followed by the 8,
East playing the queen as I ruff. I run Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
♠A K 10 4 ♥A K 8 7 ♦3 ♣K 8 6 4

OUT OF HAND BY BILL BUTTLE
Challenge
of the Month
Dlr: West ♠ A Q J 3
Vul: Both ♥ —
♦A82
♣AKQ953
♠K964
♥98
♦ 10 7 3
♣8742

4♥ Dbl Pass 4♠
Pass 6♠ All Pass
You are South. West leads the ♥K

against 6♠. Plan the play.
“Y’know, I’ve heard insanity defined as repeating the same

Career Opportunity
Executive Managing Director procedure again and again, expecting better results!£”
Challenge Answer
Duncan Bridge Center in At first glance, this looks easy. Just If you ruff the opening lead with the
ruff the heart lead, draw four rounds of ♠3, you won’t be able to draw all the
Palm Desert, CA is seeking an
trump, then cash six clubs and the ♦A. enemy trumps if the spades divide 4–1,
anchor-director to manage its Twelve tricks. But say the layout is this: because the only entry to your hand is
10,000 table/year club and staff. the ♠K, and you can’t afford to over-
This is an exciting opportunity ♠AQJ3 take one of dummy’s honors.
for a candidate who has superior ♥— Is there any way to overcome the
people-skills and an excellent ♦A82 not-unexpected 4–1 trump split?
knowledge of “The Laws.” ♣AKQ953 Yes. Ruff the opening lead with the
Completion of our new facility is ♠5 ♠ 10 8 7 2 trump ace. When you then cash the
♥AKQJ754 ♥ 10 6 3 2 ♠Q J, West unsurprisingly shows out
expected in Summer/Fall 2019.
♦QJ5 ♦K964 on the second round of the suit, but
Position is open immediately. ♣ 10 6 ♣J because you have the ♠K 9, you can
Salary commensurate with skills. ♠K964 simply take the finesse against East’s
Email Beverly Hartin with ♥98 10.
resume and salary requirements: ♦ 10 7 3 After extracting all of East’s trumps,
[email protected] ♣8742 you can safely run all your minor-suit
winners and make your slam. ◾
duncanbridgecenter.com
Better Bridge with Bergen

BY MARTY BERGEN martybergen.com
Squeezes made easy – part 3
Here is the second squeeze example ered the most difficult area of bridge. Here is squeeze example three. I call
from last month, playing 7NT: it “very similar, but different.” You are
3. When you run diamonds, which in 6NT, and the ♠J is led.
♠K74 discards must you note?
♥KQ All discards in the black suits. Keep ♠K74
♦ A K Q 10 a running total of the number of cards ♥98
♣KQ74 that have been played. You do not have ♦ A K Q 10
to note which opponent discarded. ♣KQ74
♠AQ62 After cashing four diamonds, win
♥A2 your ♥A. Your hands will now be left ♠AQ62
♦J975 with their original seven black cards. ♥A2
♣A65 ♦J975
♠K74
You win the opening heart lead with ♥— ♣A65
dummy’s queen. You have 12 sure win- ♦— You have 11 sure winners: three
ners: three spades, two hearts, four dia- ♣KQ74 spades, one heart, four diamonds and
monds and three clubs. If either spades three clubs. If either spades or clubs
or clubs split 3–3, you have 13 tricks. ♠AQ62 split 3–3, you have 12 tricks. Your play
1. If neither black suit divides 3–3, ♥— at trick one is not critical. Suppose you
and E–W defend perfectly, is it ♦— win dummy’s ♠K.
possible to make 7NT? If yes, ♣A65 Since this deal is less straightfor-
what are you hoping for? Now cash three winners in one of ward, I will start you off with state-
Yes. That the same opponent began your suits. Suppose you try spades: ments rather than questions.
with at least four clubs and four spades. king, ace and queen. After that, if the 1. If neither black suit divides 3–3, and
2. How will you play? opponents’ original six spades have E–W defend perfectly, if you play
Win the ♥Q, run your diamonds and been played, cash your last spade. Oth- correctly and one opponent started
force your opponents to make discards. erwise, you will cash the ace, king and with at least four spades and four
Discarding is often difficult. So as queen of clubs and hope that dummy’s clubs, you can make 6NT.
long as running a suit will not compro- ♣7 will win the last trick. 2. Once again, you should begin by
mise your entries, be eager to do so. If one opponent began with at least running diamonds.
On this deal, if an opponent was dealt four cards in each black suit, after six 3. Once again, you must keep track of
as little as ♠9 8 5 3, it is essential for tricks were played, his seven remaining discards in spades and clubs.
him to hold onto all of his spades. How- cards obviously could not include four 4. The opening leader’s hand is:
ever, the opponents can’t know that. If cards in each black suit. Therefore, at ♠J 10 9 8 ♥7 6 5 3 ♦2 ♣J 9 3 2.
your hand had been: trick six, he will be squeezed: forced to On the run of diamonds, he will
discard a black-suit stopper. discard three hearts. Obviously,
♠A Q 6 ♥A 4 3 2 ♦J 9 7 5 ♣A 6, East follows to all four diamonds.
If either suit split 3–3, you have a clas-
then they would not need to keep sic “bad news, good news” situation. After winning the ♠J opening
spades, but an opponent who began Bad news: There was no squeeze. lead and cashing four diamonds,
with four hearts must keep all of them! Good news: You bid and made 7NT. how will you play? ◾
It’s no wonder that defense is consid-
Advanced Players
Bidding Matters
BY KAREN WALKER kwbridge.com
Table feel – part 6
An asset for all bridge players is the adjusting it as the auction develops, If you do have a problem: When
ability to make decisions smoothly, and begin forming a plan for your you stop to think, the other players’ at-
without giving away hints that they opening lead and defensive strategy. tention naturally goes to you. Take care
were considering other choices. There Don’t interrupt your opponents’ to control your facial expressions and
will always be situations where you auction. Unless you need the informa- body language. Don’t put your hand
need time to think – even robots slow tion to make an immediate decision, anywhere near the bidding box until
down when they have extra informa- wait until the auction is over to inquire you’ve made a decision.
tion to process – but the more of these about the meanings of opponents’ bids. What is not allowed: It’s legal and
breaks you can avoid, the more unread- Even innocent questions may provide desirable to pretend you don’t have
able you’ll be to your opponents. clues about your interest in specific a problem when you do – to make an
One of the best ways to reduce features of their hands. in-tempo call when you actually had
thinking time during the auction is to Some players believe they can avoid something to think about – but the op-
anticipate problems and have solutions drawing attention to any one question posite is not ethical. You aren’t allowed
ready before they occur. As discussed by asking about every single bid. This to mislead your opponents by hesitat-
in the previous issue, if you can plan is not a good solution. The frequent ing when you don’t have a legitimate
your possible rebids in advance, you interruptions waste time, annoy the reason to think.
won’t have to stop to think – and con- other three players and may be seen You may encounter players who try
tribute to your opponents’ “table feel” – as an attempt to break the opponents’ to mask their tempo problems with
at your next turn. Here are some other concentration. a blanket disclaimer: “My partner
strategies that will help you improve huddles at random times. I take no
your tempo. What about skip bids? Although inference, and neither should you.”
bidding boxes no longer have Stop Unless the player has a disability that
Create a steady tempo. Get into cards to enforce a break, you are still
the habit of pausing for 2–3 seconds causes him to bid slowly, this is not
required to pause after your RHO an acceptable excuse. Bidding and
before every call, even an “automatic” makes a skip bid. The rules state you
pass. If you can maintain this consis- playing in tempo is a bridge skill, and
should wait 10 seconds before mak- those who haven’t mastered it (which
tent, deliberate pace when making easy ing your call, but that can seem like an
decisions, you’ll have an extra – and includes virtually everyone) can’t
eternity. Five seconds or so is usually demand that you ignore evidence that
unnoticeable – second or two to think sufficient.
when you have more difficult ones. they had a difficult decision. How you
During that time, don’t gaze at the interpret an opponent’s hesitation is
Use idle time to think. Try not to ceiling or act bored. Just look at your at your own risk, but you’re entitled to
give any signs that you have a difficult hand, then make your call. Intense honest behavior. ◾
choice when on opening lead. If the study isn’t necessary or ethical if you
opponents are doing all the bidding and aren’t considering a bid, but don’t make
you have no critical decisions, use your it obvious that you didn’t need time to
“passing” time to plan ahead. Create a think.
mental picture of the bidders’ hands,

Advanced Players
Test Your Play

BY EDDIE KANTAR
kantarbridge.com
Dlr: South ♠9532

1. Vul: Both ♥AK
IMPs ♦K854
♣AQ9
Yu Li and Dorian Shillingford ♠AKQ

♥ Q J 10 3 2
Helen Shields Pro-Am winners ♦93
A Toronto pair won the Canada-wide Helen Shields Rookie–Master ♣ K J 10
Game, held April 17. Yu Li and Dorian Shillingford scored 72.92% playing
at the Hart House Bridge Club. One member of each pair is required to West North East South
have under 50 masterpoints. 1NT
Club location Percent Pass 4NT Pass 6NT
1. Yu Li – Dorian Shillingford Toronto ON 72.92 All Pass
2. Michael Hogan – Peter Mullally Halifax NS 71.83
3. Patricia Briggs – Mary Lapeer Kingston ON 70.83 Opening lead: ♣8. Plan the play.
4. Nando Masini Pieralli – Sandy Yeomans Kamloops BC 70.14
5. Janet Galbraith – Graham Sadoway Calgary AB 70.09
6. Wayne Kershaw – Kim Duncan Niagara on the Lake ON 69.55
7. Garth Wiggins – George Ongyerth Calgary AB 68.87
Dlr: South ♠643
8.
9.
John Finucan – Maureen Rush
Jane Jennings – Kate Verweij
Kingston ON
Niagara on the Lake ON
68.41
67.27
2. Vul: None ♥ A K Q 10 4
10. Cindy Youell – Fiona Been West Kelowna BC 67.20 IMPs ♦75
♣K43
♠AKJ5
Your Gold Medal is Within Reach ♥J93
Realize your dreams of winning a world championship medal when the ♦AK
World Bridge Federation hosts the 2018 World Bridge Series Sept. 22–Oct. 6 ♣ A 10 8 2
in Orlando FL.
The World Bridge Series offers a variety of championships, all of which are West North East South
transnational – enabling players from anywhere in the world to come together 2NT
as teammates or in partnership to compete. Pass 6NT All Pass
The venue is the magnificent Marriott Orlando World, where the WBF has obtained special
rates.
Opening lead: ♦Q. Plan the play.
The opening ceremony is on Friday, Sept. 21. The first events to be contested are the Open,
Women’s and Senior Team Championships; the Rosenblum Open Teams start on Saturday,
Sept. 22, and the McConnell Women’s Teams and the Rand Senior Teams start a day later.
The team championships are followed by the Open, Women’s and Senior Pairs.
In addition to these and other championship events, there will be a number of WBF events
of one or two days’ duration (pairs or Swiss) available for those wishing to participate in shorter
tournaments.
Players in good standing with their national bridge organizations are eligible to compete in
any of these events, provided they meet all the WBF eligibility requirements.
Please go to worldbridge.org for more information. Solutions are on page 61.

Advanced Players
Mike’s Advice
BY MIKE LAWRENCE michaelslawrence.com
An amazing hand
In a recent tournament on BBO, this it would need a lot to make a slam. If vulnerable opponent has bid up to 5♦
hand came up. Both tables were full of North had the ♠A and the ♥K, South all by himself. He is missing the
excellent players. might make slam, but if North has a ♠A K Q. He is missing the ♥A K Q. He
As South, you have this attractive weaker hand, playing in game might be is missing the ♦A K. He is missing the
collection: best. Preempts are intended to give you ♣A K Q J.
♠K 4 ♥A Q 10 9 6 3 ♦A K 9 ♣A 6 problems and this 4♦ bid was espe- I suggest this is a record.
cially well-timed to do that. At trick one, your partner plays the
With both sides vulnerable, your So South got to 4♥ but East, the ♦10. That’s a big oops. This means that
RHO opens 4♦, a natural preempt. preempter, was still there. He bid 4♠. your ♦A K 9 would have taken three
(This occurred at both tables.) What is South doubled that. West bid 5♣, and tricks on defense. Your lead just cost
the best action over 4♦? North passed. Is it Christmas yet? East you a diamond trick.
bid 5♦, and South doubled, expecting Now what? Do you guess which ace
Table One some large number. to lead? If you lead either of your other
West North East South So which result to you like the most? two aces, declarer might ruff and later
4♦ Dbl Would you rather play in 5♥ go- discard a loser. It’s probably better to
Pass 4♥ Pass ? ing down two or would you prefer to lead more diamonds and wait for your
double 5♦? other trick, assuming you have one.
Doubling was a dangerous action. If What do you lead? Can it make a dif- Here’s the entire deal:
partner were to bid 4♠ or 5♣, I can’t ference? South wanted to lead an ace,
imagine being very happy. But South but didn’t know which one to lead. He ♠ 10 9 2
got lucky: His partner bid 4♥. South knew East had a void somewhere and ♥J8752
was enchanted with this and asked for leading the wrong ace might be bad. So ♦ 10
key cards. North had zero, so the final South compromised and led the ♦A. ♣9542
contract was 5♥, which went down He hoped that after seeing dummy he ♠AQ6 ♠J8753
two. So South was lucky twice. First, would know what to do. Here is what ♥K4 ♥—
his partner bid hearts in response to he saw: ♦4 ♦QJ876532
the double. Second, South’s Blackwood ♣ K Q J 10 8 7 3 ♣—
bid didn’t do a lot of harm because 4♥ Dummy ♠K4
wouldn’t make. Down 200 was bad, but ♠AQ6 ♥ A Q 10 9 6 3
only a little bad. ♥K4 ♦AK9
♦4 ♣A6
Table Two ♣ K Q J 10 8 7 3
West North East South You No matter what South does after
4♦ 4♥ ♠K4 leading the ♦A, he will get only one
Pass Pass 4♠ Dbl ♥ A Q 10 9 6 3 more trick. East guessed the rest of
5♣ Pass 5♦ Dbl ♦AK9 the play and made plus 750 for his
All Pass ♣A6 troubles.
Victor Mollo would have been proud
At this table, South made the practi- Have you ever had a “What the of this. ◾
cal bid of 4♥. As good as his hand was, @#*#%! is that?” moment? Your

Advanced Players
Solutions to Test Your Play
Problems are on page 59.
You have 11 top tricks outside West has the ♦A. However, if the long lowed to the king with an honor, lead a
1. with chances for a 12th in both spade is with West and the ♦A is also club to the 8 at trick three. If East has
spades and diamonds. Spades with West, down you go. You may have followed to the first two clubs with
require a 3–3 break (close to 36%) or a little explaining to do, but at least you the J–9 or Q–9, win the ace and drive
the J–10 doubleton (don’t hold your played the hand to your best advantage. out the remaining honor for your 12th
breath), and diamonds require the ace trick. If East plays a club honor at trick
with West, a 50% chance. From that You have 11 top tricks plus three, duck the trick. If the ♣10 loses
point of view, playing diamonds before 2. chances for 12 if the spade finesse to an honor, win the diamond return
spades for your 12th trick is better. works, if spades are 3–3, or if you and cash the ♣A. If clubs are 3–3 you
However, there is a better percent- can bring in the clubs for three tricks have your 12th trick. Clearly more
age play. Win the ♣A, cash the ♥A K, before taking a spade finesse. As there chances for a 12th trick in clubs than
cross to the ♣K and cash two hearts, is a better chance for three tricks in 3–3 spades.
discarding diamonds, and then play clubs because of the club intermedi- But wait, another bonus coming! Say
the ♠A K Q. If spades are 3–3, your ates, start with clubs. the ♣10 loses to West and when you
troubles are over. If they are 4–2, and Cross to the ♣K at trick two and play a third club, East turns up with
the long spade is with East, you are still lead a low club, intending to play the honor–9–x–x. Cash the ♠A and run
alive, as you can make the contract if 10 if East plays low. If West has fol- off five rounds of hearts leading to this
ending as you cash the fifth heart:
♠64
♥4
♦—
♣—
♠? ♠ ??
♥— ♥—
♦Jx ♦—
♣— ♣ Q or J
♠KJ
♥—
♦—
♣ 10
If East started with at least four
spades, this will be the forced end posi-
tion. On the last heart, East discards a
spade, you pitch your ♣10 and West
parts with a diamond. When you lead a
spade and East follows low, you know
that East’s other card is a club, so go up
with the ♠K and drop the now-blank
queen in the West hand. Had West
started with four or more clubs, your
best shot is the spade finesse for the
12th trick. ◾

Advanced Players
My Bridge and Yours

BY FRANK STEWART [email protected]
Matchpoint events are tests of skill, I could understand North’s bid; his two tricks with a high spade and a good
but random factors can intrude – such wealth of prime values was seductive. heart.
as what boards you play against which Still, to pass or perhaps try 6NT would “Lead a spade,” my partner remarked
opponents. If you are up against the have been disciplined. North couldn’t to me.
top seed in your section for two boards, be sure of 13 tricks. “Doesn’t matter,” I shrugged. “Then
you should be happy to play 3NT on the South had a play for the grand slam. the ♣A is an entry, and the trump
first board with nine tricks, no more He could double-finesse in spades, squeeze still operates.”
and no fewer, and to defend a prosaic winning three tricks there if I had the In fact, no lead would beat the grand
4♠ on the second with a result of mi- queen-jack, and there were remote slam. We would have gotten a few
nus 420 as flat as a pancake. squeeze chances. matchpoints for minus 1440 against
Reality is different. A friend of mine South took the ♣A and drew trumps, 6NT. You can guess how many we got
swears that if he sits North–South, and East threw a heart and two clubs. for minus 2140. The full deal:
and there is a slam for East–West that Then South didn’t like his chances of
requires inspired lunacy to bid and finding me with both missing spade ♠AK95
crystal-ball play to make, he will be honors: East, void in trumps, probably ♥AJ76
opposed by the only pair in the room had spade length. But my partner’s ♦74
capable of doing just that. heart discard brought declarer hope. ♣A73
This is a deal in which I was a victim South took three more trumps, pitch- ♠J6 ♠Q832
of fate. The setting was a regional pairs ing two spades and a club from dummy ♥ K 10 9 ♥Q8432
event. Both sides were vulnerable, and to reach this position: ♦ 10 6 5 ♦—
I was West, the dealer, with: ♣ Q 10 9 6 2 ♣KJ85
♠AK ♠ 10 7 4
♠J 6 ♥K 10 9 ♦10 6 5 ♣Q 10 9 6 2. ♥AJ76 ♥5
I passed, and North opened 1NT. ♦— ♦AKQJ9832
East passed, and South huddled and ♣— ♣4
bid 6♦. After I passed, North started to
think, and after a while … he came forth ♠ 10 7 4 Declarers often discount the effect
with 7♦. Everyone passed, South with ♥5 of cashing out a long suit and forcing
a sigh as heavy as a storm cloud. ♦32 the defenders to find discards. Hav-
I led the ♣10, and South was faced ♣— ing analyzed thousands of deals with
with finding 13 tricks. double-dummy analyzers, I am con-
East, who had started with: tinually amazed by what miracles can
♠AK95 ♠Q 8 3 2 ♥Q 8 4 3 2 ♦— ♣K J 8 5, occur when declarer runs a suit. Even
♥AJ76 if a defender is not truly squeezed, he
♦74 could turn in his sword. If he saved two may face a tough guess. ◾
♣A73 spades and four hearts, declarer could
take the ♠A K and score his ♠10 at
♠ 10 7 4 the end. When East actually kept three
♥5 spades and three hearts, declarer took
♦AKQJ9832 the ♥A, ruffed a heart, led a spade to
♣4 dummy, ruffed a heart and won the last

Special Contributors
George’s World
BY GEORGE JACOBS [email protected]
In The Bridge World in 1973, there is result was achieved by an abnormal route. capable trump loser. Nancy’s opening
a great article on the mysterious death Grosvenor recognized that it would be lead? None other than the ♦10!
of Philip Grosvenor. Why is this impor- more piquant if the gambit could in some Who amongst us would believe it to
tant to you? Because of the Grosvenor way favorably influence the result.” be from the actual holding? Naturally I
gambit, or coup, named after and cre- saw through this and quickly called for
The concept was simple, if elegant:
ated by Mr. Grosvenor himself. the ace, intending to drop the stiff king
make a mistake at the table, where-
Referenced in Alan Sontag’s book or have an easy throw-in at my leisure.
upon the declarer can gain a trick they
“The Bridge Bum,” Mr. Grosvenor I was dumbfounded when East showed
wouldn’t ordinarily have been entitled
changed not only how we look at out. Here I had been given an extra
to. However, for them to do so, they
bridge, but how we verbalize it. Just trick and just as easily I had given it
would have to play for you to have
like we now (shudder) “Google” things, back. This, my friends was the Grosve-
made an egregious mistake. Naturally
so, too, did we fast become purveyors nor gambit at its finest: a normal result
they choose not to play you for that;
of “I was Grosvenored,” or “He tried to achieved by abnormal means. But the
now they take the “normal line” and
Grosvenor me, but I fell for it anyway.” declarer was left feeling like a buffoon.
the opportunity is lost. All that has
This last comment tickled me and will Speaking of The Bridge World, in
happened is that the original result has
you, too, after further review. the February 2018 issue, David Weiss
been reached, but by means that have
To help you understand the suggests refraining from an overcall
dramatically increased your oppo-
Grosvenor coup, I should probably that would put your marginal suit on
nent’s blood pressure.
quote Frederick B. Turner’s article lead if responder makes a negative
Shall I give you the hand that
from The Bridge World, as I have no double. He then states that he posed a
prompted my journey down this
chance of getting it right. Trust me, solution in the November 1975(!) issue
gambity path? From the Philadelphia
once you understand it, you will look of the magazine: After an overcall and a
NABC, first Friday afternoon, Board
for it on a daily basis. You will send double, advancer’s redouble shows one
26. My opponent was Nancy Lowry.
me thousands of emails claiming to of the three top honors in the over-
have been Grosvenored or to have Dlr: South ♠ Q 10 8 3 caller’s suit. Weiss calls this principle
committed a Grosvenor (but most Vul: Both ♥ 8 3 the negative redouble – a concept, he
likely you will be speaking of what ♦A96 notes, that was furthered by George
your partner did to the poor declarer or ♣KQ84 Rosenkratz. I mean seriously: this guy
defender). The very act of perpetrating ♠K54 ♠9762 will not drop it. Every 43 years like
a Grosvenor coup requires skillful ♥KJ74 ♥ A Q 10 6 5 2 clockwork he tries to get us to adopt
timing, keen reading of the stature ♦ K 10 8 ♦— this method. Enough already.
of the opponent, the derring-do of a ♣ 10 3 2 ♣J75 By the way, you can Google the Gros-
riverboat gambler or, at times, simply a ♠AJ venor coup or gambit as your mood
brain fart. (May I say that word here? I ♥9 strikes you.
mean no harm.) Clearly the last part is ♦QJ75432 Have a pleasant Atlanta NABC. I am
why these coups are, in great measure, ♣A96 honored to be presenting my former
attributed to our partners. partner and lifelong friend Ralph Katz
After a spirited auction, I bought the for induction into the Hall of Fame.
“Grosvenor had been content to make contract at 5♦. Philip – I mean, Nancy Chow. ◾
mistakes so egregiously bad that no ratio- – was on lead. Note that I have an ines-
nal opponent could exploit them: a normal
Dear Billy
BY BILLY MILLER [email protected]
Dear Billy, and/or tactical bid, possibly used to Mom then told her son he should
My partner and I disagreed about right-side a final contract. But chances have bid 3NT with an eight-trick
the bidding on these hands: are, the fourth suit is natural. hand, expecting one trick from Mom.
On your auction, should responder Recently, my partner and I were
Partner Me have continued with 4♦ over 3NT, dealt these hands on OKBridge.
♠AQ754 ♠2 diamonds would clearly be natural and
♥3 ♥KQJ974 Me Partner
slam-going. If partner raises to 5♦,
♦Q42 ♦AKJ965 ♠65 ♠AQJ2
you will try 6♦. Should partner take a
♣AJ86 ♣— ♥K974 ♥Q6
preference back to 4♥, you might cue-
♦— ♦K543
Partner Me bid 5♣. Partner can evaluate her hand
♣AKQ8753 ♣J42
1♠ 2♥ and will know whether she has the
3♣ 3♦ (1) right stuff to go to slam. Best to make I opened 1♣, LHO overcalled 1♥,
3NT 4NT (2) sensible, representative bids. and partner made a takeout double.
5♥ (3) 6♦ Here’s a no-no: bidding Blackwood RHO passed, and I jumped to 3NT,
6NT Pass with a void. Don’t do that. With side heeding Mom’s advice. But when
voids, cuebid your way to slam. LHO passed, partner jumped to 6NT
(1) Fourth-suit forcing. Here’s another rule to obey: 4NT (which LHO doubled at his turn).
(2) Roman Blackwood. over 3NT is always quantitative, never Did I do something wrong?
(3) 2 aces, matching in color or rank. Blackwood. Lots to learn! Living In The Past?
She says my 3♦ bid is fourth-suit One last comment: It is not neces-
forcing, to which I agree. But be- sarily true that the responder is the Dear Nostalgic,
cause I’m the captain (responder), captain. Captaincy is a tricky concept. When you jump-rebid 3NT, you
shouldn’t she have trusted me and Usually one becomes the captain when were indicating a long, strong club
passed 6♦? The diamond slam is partner has limited their hand, but the suit, a heart stopper, and maybe a little
cold, but 6NT is down. I know I could final decision could still be passed back something on the side. With 18 or 19
have jumped to 4♦ on my second to the limited hand. Live by the motto: balanced, you would have rebid 2NT
or on my third bid, but I was afraid “I bid my hand, you bid your hand.” not 3NT. In either case, a simple raise
she might bid 5♦ before I could bid And I agree that partner should not from 3NT to 4NT is more than enough
Blackwood, putting me to a guess as have corrected 6♦ to 6NT. She had an to describe a hand looking for slam.
to whether I should bid a slam. excellent hand for diamonds. My standard range for making a
Captain, My Captain quantitative 4NT bid opposite my
Dear Billy: partner’s opening bid is 18–19 HCP,
Dear Kangaroo, Twenty-five years ago, when I balanced. Responder does not have
After auctions start with a 2/1 game played in the Culbertson Club in enough to bid slam on this deal. If
force, most fourth-suit bids are usu- New York City, a multiple world opener shows 18–19, then a 13-count
ally natural because there is no need to champion and her son were our op- such as the one your partner actually
create forcing bids artificially; you’re ponents. Her son rebid 3♣ with a held, is only worth an invite.
already in a forcing auction. It is pos- hand similar in nature to the one I However, with the actual opening
sible that the fourth suit could be used am submitting to you. Mom passed hand – though it is quite nice – a simple
to temporize as the most space-saving with a minimum. After the play, jump rebid to 3♣ portrays the accu-

Bridge with the Abbot

BY DAVID BIRD
The Parrot’s opening lead
The Parrot had replaced Brother The young North player used Roman The alternative was to play the ace of
Xavier in the monastery team com- key card Blackwood to locate three key trumps, unblock the diamonds and
peting in the Winchester green-point cards opposite, and then the ♦K. After continue with the king and queen of
Swiss event. They had made a good a few moments, he decided to bid a trumps. This would succeed when
start and were on table two when this grand slam in spades. diamonds were 3–3. If the ♦J fell in
key deal arose in the fourth round: The Parrot studied his hand. North two rounds, he would be OK on either
was presumably hoping that his line, of course.
Dlr: South ♠ Q 4 2 diamond suit could be brought in. Declarer played the trump ace and
Vul: E–W ♥ A 10 6 2 What should he lead? It would be easy his two top diamonds, the jack not
♦ A 10 8 3 2 enough to push out a lame trump, rec- appearing. Because the divisions with
♣3 ommended by textbooks throughout one of the defenders holding ♦J x
♠J73 ♠6 the ages. In his opinion, trump leads could be excluded, it was now best
♥K93 ♥QJ54 against a grand slam were overrated. to play for diamonds 3–3 rather than
♦64 ♦J975 Such contracts were likely to be cold trumps 2–2. Declarer played the king
♣J9862 ♣ K 10 7 4 90 percent of the time. On the remain- and queen of trumps and tested the
♠ A K 10 9 8 5 ing 10 percent of deals, an attack on diamonds. They failed to divide equally
♥87 dummy’s entries stood a better chance and he was one down.
♦KQ of success. Jason Wall, who had followed the
♣AQ5 Realizing that the Abbot would have play closely, turned towards the Par-
West North East South something to say if the lead misfired, rot. “What did you have in hearts?” he
The Jason The Kyle the Parrot stretched a claw towards his asked.
Parrot Wall Abbot Jacobs wooden cardholder and placed the ♥9 “King–nine–three,” replied the Par-
1♠ on the table. rot, who prided himself on his memory
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♠ The shaven-headed Kyle Jacobs was for cards.
Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ not happy to receive a heart lead. On a “Wow, what a brilliant lead!” Wall ex-
Pass 5NT Pass 6♦ trump lead, he would have been able to claimed. “I probably shouldn’t say this,
Pass 7♠ All Pass ruff two clubs in dummy, draw trumps but when we read about how well the
and unblock the diamond honors in his Abbot was doing in the Bermuda Bowl,
hand. He could then cross to the ♥A we couldn’t believe it. Now I begin to
Dear Billy continued and discard his heart loser on the ♦A. understand.”
rate value of your cards. If partner has “Ace, please,” he said. The Abbot’s mouth fell open.
the values to continue over 3♣, he can What options remained after this Had these impertinent youngsters
cuebid 3♥ to ask for a heart stopper awkward lead? If trumps were 2–2, he not studied the hand records from
if he’s trying to play 3NT. If he needs could play the ace of trumps, unblock Chennai? Had all his brilliant plays
more than that, you don’t have it. the diamonds and cross to the queen of against Meckstroth and Rodwell
I do not think Mom would have trumps. If diamonds didn’t break 3–3, passed them by?
scolded her son for failing to bid 3NT he could establish the 13th diamond “Obvious lead, obvious lead!”
with your particular hand. I guarantee with a ruff, and re-enter dummy with squawked the Parrot. “I never lead a
you, this is not the same one the son a club ruff to discard his heart loser. trump against a grand slam.” ◾
held. ◾
Michel Archambault – Liette Dubord 83.63% Tim Stelly – Patricia Bell 75.83%
Bridge Quebec, Laval QC Orange Community Bridge League, Orange TX
Gary Shade – Charles Kopp 81.73% Jackie Carrier – Nicole Lajoie 75.83%
Columbus (OH) Bridge Center Le Brayon Bridge Club, Edmunston NB
Thomas Clark – John Herrmann 80.32% Tamas Szabo – Aniko Szabo 75.66%
Venice Nokomis DBC, Venice FL Oconomowoc (WI) Bridge Club
Sandra Wong – Vincent Kwong 80.12% William Ralph – Janet Ralph 75.60%
Richmond Hill (ON) Bridge Club Copper City Bridge Club, Butte MT
Joseph Eves – Marlene Koerner 78.99% Irva Neyhart – Laurie Rowe 75.57%
Old Town Bridge Club, Temecula CA Emerald Bridge Club, Springfield OR
Tania Reyes Hiller – Dennis Glazer 78.87% Alice Richmond – Henry Richmond 75.46%
The Hartes’ Club, White Plains NY Honesdale-Hawley DBC, Honesdale PA
Jerry Hastings – LuAnn Fite 78.75% David Priest – Wafik Abdou 75.35%
Claremore (OK) Bridge Club Unit 514, Bakersfield CA
Kinza Pickelsimer – Dave Stephenson 78.56% Robert Blanchette – Jacques Grise 75.30%
Danville (VA) DBC Club de Bridge Champlain, Gatineau QC
Marion Gebhardt – Jack Borenstein 77.65% Paolo Ranaldi – George Bleskachek 75.27%
Bridge Academy of North Dallas, Dallas TX Riverside DBC, Eau Claire WI
Judi Besner – Lyle Price 77.38% Lise Fischl – Alice Blinn 75.23%
Temple Sinai DBC, Delray Beach FL Brockville (ON) DBC
Steve Valencic – H. Philip Monyer 77.38% Joe Coens – Lorrie Coens 75.19%
Camp Hill (PA) Bridge Club Newmarket (ON) DBC
George Colter – Lucille Griffin 77.00% Ida Morrow – Nelson Brown Jr. 75.09%
Stepping Stones DBC, Fredericton NB Clear Lake Bridge Club, Houston TX
Steven Schultz – Jan Schultz 76.70% Pierre Paradis – Helene Leroux 75.00%
Ami Bridge, Langhorne PA Les Dames de Coeur, Rosemere QC
Manny Suarez – Gilbert Gramson 76.56% John Altman Sr. – Debbie Wiest 75.00%
Astoria (OR) DBC Cincinnati (OH) Bridge Center
Joseph Chin – John Miller 76.56% Andy Purbrick – Debby Purbrick 75.00%
South Suburban Bridge Center, Lynwood IL Whitford Bridge Club, West Chester PA
Joseph Verdirame – Mike Albert 76.56% Bruce Ferguson – Robert Carroll 75.00%
Friendly 16 Bridge Club, Omaha NE Mission Hills DBC, Palm Desert CA
Steve Nellissen – Stephanie Gottesman 76.49% John Hassler – Jane Shepard 75.00%
The Bridge Table, Washington Township NJ Panama City (FL) DBC
Roxie Tom – Kay Laird 76.44% Patricia Dovell – Calvin Rowe 75.00%
Fiesta Bridge Club, San Antonio TX Gainesville (FL) Bridge Club
Sandy Towner – Ian Towner 76.40%
Deep River (ON) DBC
Ray Berry – Jim Bell 76.28%
Reporting Big Games
Blue Ridge DBC, Morganton GA Big Games must be reported to the Bridge Bulletin. These
Jim Davis – Francis Tseng 76.04% results are not automatically picked up from club files. The
Erie (PA) Bridge Association club director, manager or the players themselves may send a
Peter Schaff – Chris Van Leeuwen 75.93% notice to [email protected]. Requirements:
KC Bridge Studio, Overland Park KS 75% or higher scores in a club matchpoint game that is
Kirk Homis – Virginia Youens 75.93% open or non-restricted. (For example, masterpoint-restrict-
Monterey Bridge Club, Victoria BC ed games or country club games restricted by membership
Mark Bloom – Douglas Jacobs 75.93% do not qualify. Nor do cruise games, sectional or regional
Bidwell Bridge Club, Chico CA games.)
Douglas Smith – Paul Kushner 75.89% At least five tables with at least 20 boards in play.
Carson Valley Bridge Club, Gardnerville NV Both players are ACBL members in good standing.
Jenny Slay – Mac Golson 75.83% A game recap must accompany the report — either via an
Eastern Shore DBC, Fairhope AL email file or an online link to where the results are posted.
Be sure to include the club’s name and location.

New
Life Masters
Canada
Valerie Breen, Whistler BC Bill Lau, The Villages FL Elden Gray, East Greenbush NY John Ferranti, Lancaster PA
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Anthony Cardinal, Wilmington DE Chuck McCloskey, Raleigh NC
Angela Jones, Wilmington DE Robert Slusser, Gastonia NC
Marie Steiner, Milford DE Richard Bindelglass, Martinsville NJ
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Peggy Dennis, Vero Beach FL Dede Brownstein, Albuquerque NM
Kathleen Gencarelli, Ocala FL Cindy Casson, Las Vegas NV Log into MyACBL. Update your profile,
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Carol Ketterer, The Villages FL Richard Becker, Howard Beach NY Visit acbl.org/partnershipdesk for
Naomi Lake, Jacksonville FL Raluca Dobrescu, Woodside NY more information.

Life Master
M I L E S T O N E S
©Jonathan Steinberg
©Jonathan Steinberg
Robert Levin Bruce Ferguson Chuck Said Betty Bloom
Henderson NV Palm Springs CA Nashville TN Duanesburg NY
Grand Life Master Grand Life Master Grand Life Master Grand Life Master
45,000 masterpoints 40,000 masterpoints 40,000 masterpoints 15,000 masterpoints
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Mauricio Smid, Huixquilucan, Mexico Jack Brawner Jr., Naples FL Marcia Dean, San Jose CA Tanya Weitz, Bridgehampton NY
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Roy Perry, St John’s NL Catherine Creer, Spokane WA Bev Olsen, Carmel IN Robert Hatch, Winnipeg MB
Jerry Sloan, Lawrence KS Gerald Edge, St. Williams ON

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Grand Life Master Grand Life Master Platinum Life Master Platinum Life Master
Canadian National Team Canadian National Team
Championship (2018) Championship (2018)
Barbara Jones, Manotick ON Michael Carpenter, Baton Rouge LA Randolph Worsham, Dallas TX
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George Gomperts, Vestavia AL Frances Bruce, Statesville NC Frances Corney, Vancouver BC
David Collins, Green Valley AZ James Kioski, Morganton NC David Gabel, Vancouver BC
Joanne McClusky, Mebane NC Barb Hiebert, Vernon BC
Susan Gilbert
Mark Gross, Phoenix AZ
David Ochiai, Phoenix AZ Jerry Wegendt, Boone NC Lisa McCarthy, West Kelowna BC Sarasota FL
Carroll Gilbertson, San Marcos CA Jules Lemire, Manchester NH Siavosh Siassi, Vancouver BC Platinum Life Master
Mary Glaser, El Dorado Hills CA Robert Goldberg, Rockaway NJ Bonnie Turley, Vernon BC 10,000 masterpoints
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Ron Stearns, Westminster CA Donald Campbell, Salem NY Janice Barrett, Richmond Hill ON
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Larry Wyner, Santa Rosa CA Magnus Olafsson, New York NY Angie Maranger, Ottawa ON
David Porter, Aurora CO David Parsons, New York NY Chandra Marathe, Brampton ON
Carol Davidson, Vero Beach FL Leila Schwartz, Hollis NY Eveline Patten, Nepean ON
Peggy Falk, Boca Raton FL Steven Shiffrin, Ithaca NY Jeff Reusing, Brockville ON
Nancy Little, Morriston FL Susan Siegel, Kerhonkson NY Ian Sirett, Guelph ON
Allyn Lucas, Winter Haven FL W.P. Tordella, Bemus Point NY Gerry Maisonneuve, Gatineau QC
Jack Mayer, Fort Myers FL David Britt, Glendale OH Tom Viglasky, Gatineau QC
Allan Roderiques, Leesburg FL Dean Congbalay, Terrace Park OH
Michael Scott, Delray Beach FL Jody Gaiser, Columbus OH Marcela Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico
Mike Sheehy, Wimauma FL Eileen Boal, Albany OR Patricia Mitchell, Chapala, Mexico
Sanford Weinger, Plantation FL Veronica Reeves, Tigard OR Mary Seggerman,
Andrew Eastwood, Savannah GA Bud McElhaney, Pittsburgh PA Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Veronica Stoessel, Marietta GA Don Smolen, Phoenixville PA P. Martel, Guadalajara, Mexico
Gregory Slager, Cedar Rapids IA M. Melnick, Hilton Head SC
Rhoda Kauffman
Fawad Hakim, Niles IL Sheila Fleming, Columbia TN Jacqueline Nelson, Spanish Fort AL Willow Grove PA
Darrel Peckinpaugh, Yorktown IN Diane Stafford, Oliver Springs TN Carol Johns, Scottsdale AZ Platinum Life Master
Aslam Siddiqui, Carmel IN Dianne Sussman, Nashville TN James Miller, Scottsdale AZ 10,000 masterpoints
Irene Ellis, Overland Park KS Millicent Taylor, Oak Ridge TN Marsha Rayton, Anthem AZ
Donald Duritsch, Florence KY Mary Lou Collins, Denton TX Susan Boyers, Oakland CA
W. Mike Glatt, Florence KY Nancy Jipp, Plano TX David Cheng, Palo Alto CA

Robert Latulippe Faye Marino Dennis Nelson Beverly Perry
Quebec QC Greenwich CT Saskatoon SK New York NY
Platinum Life Master Platinum Life Master Platinum Life Master Platinum Life Master
Sue Compton, Escondido CA Barbara Maser, Marvin NC George Friedman, Mequon WI Kathleen Gencarelli, Ocala FL
Deborah Goldsmith, San Diego CA Howard Kaiman, Omaha NE Robert Steuer, Glendale WI Paulette Hamilton, Ocala FL
Kip Kado, Los Altos CA Piotr Olszewski, Hackettstown NJ Naomi Lake, Jacksonville FL
Bin Liang, Union City CA Michael Otte, Little Falls NJ Bronze Life Master Karl Manderscheid, Apollo Beach FL
Linda Mattis, Sunnyvale CA Robert Sorce, Franklin Lakes NJ Myrna Greene, Lethbridge AB Carol Mitchell, Panama City FL
Mary Mayfield, Yuba City CA Virginia Thompson, Alto NM Alberta Hutchings, Edmonton AB Bert Model, Jupiter FL
Enlow Ose, Sacramento CA Guy Doherty, New York NY Robert MacKinven, Calgary AB Rebecca Overton, Tallahassee FL
Earl Reeve, Walnut Creek CA Susan Drucker, Port Chester NY Naida Gubbins, Parksville BC Marilyn Storch, Miromar Lakes FL
Floyd Richards, Port Hueneme CA Terry Esses, Brooklyn NY Marylyn Rudolph, Central Onslow NS Connie Treloar, Ormond Beach FL
Peter Sager, San Rafael CA Rosanna Frank, Chappaqua NY Evelyn Caroline-Elsey, Midhurst ON Rosemary Villwock, Lake Worth FL
Rick Clelland, Boulder CO Sande Meisel, Hewlett NY Wilma Castonguay, Chelmsford ON Thomas Young, Gainesville FL
Mary Connolly, North Haven CT Georgette Orlando, Linda Davies, Burlington ON Patricia Cunningham, Clayton GA
Per Berg, Palm Coast FL Hopewell Junction NY William Menzies, Oshawa ON Lucy Fendig, St. Simons Island GA
Barbara Chesterfield, Pensacola FL David Sloane, Glen Cove NY Jackie Potters, London ON Michael Harris, Cumming GA
Bonnie Dropkin, West Palm Beach FL Joel Solomon, New York NY Tony S.T. Wong, North York ON William Baum, Dubuque IA
Richard Gencarelli, Ocala FL Rita Boeh, Centerville OH Marianna Wright, Toronto ON Yu-Diann Lu, Iowa City IA
Brenda Harvey, St. Augustine FL Adam Burton, Miamisburg OH Jeffrey Rees, West Liberty IA
David Hines, Holmes Beach FL Jacqueline Hardiman, Fairfield OH Fran Hultquist, Auburn AL L. Kathy Wasson, Spirit Lake IA
Charlie Lavarini, Boca Raton FL Isaac Stephani, Cincinnati OH Jacqueline MacClary, Birmingham AL James Williamson, Dubuque IA
Russ Townsend, Homosassa FL Allison Thompson, Edmond OK Betty Jean Carter, Little Rock AR Bill Davis, Woodridge IL
Anita Winkler, Bonita Springs FL Anita Walker, Salem OR Kathy Scarsdale, Harrison AR Ruta Smulkstys, Lemont IL
Shirley Egan, St. Simons Island GA Cecilia Dupont, Lafayette Hill PA Vito Konur, Tucson AZ Carol Thorne, Burr Ridge IL
Gail Fisher, Dunwoody GA Carolyn Per, Bensalem PA Patti Starr, Tucson AZ Marsha Woodbury, Champaign IL
Teddi Sanford, Atlanta GA Regina Brooks, Aiken SC Deborah Weiss, Scottsdale AZ Patrick Kelly, Wolcottville IN
Pamela Ames, Maryville IL Meryl R. Margolies, Summerville SC Nancy Alvarado, Yucaipa CA Ken Gudenkauf, Topeka KS
Frank Tirsch, Springfield IL Alison Gembar, Nashville TN Chris Copple, Eureka CA Carl Tollison, Villa Hills KY
Margaret Young, Elmhurst IL Ruth McCabe, Nashville TN Bruce Hanson, San Diego CA Beth Gonzales, Hammond LA
Larry O’Maley, Fort Wayne IN Dianne Ebert, Austin TX Colin Hemsley, San Jose CA Michael Kudla, Lake Charles LA
Dee Scott, Emporia KS Charles Gibson Jr., Arlington TX Hiroko Kitamura, Chula Vista CA Mary Morton, Baton Rouge LA
Jeanine Wiggins, Richmond KY Tom Hogle, Houston TX Keith Miller, Los Angeles CA Gerald Goldberg, Stockbridge MA
Nathaniel Cook, Baton Rouge LA Sarah Niemann, Emory TX Mary Toman, Oakland CA Charles Jackson, Northampton MA
Robert Gervis, West Newton MA Sue Olstad, Georgetown TX Doris Wheatcroft, Huntington Beach CA John Manopoli, Jamaica Plain MA
Richard Healy, Worcester MA Dona Swygard, Amarillo TX Jim Churchill, Cedaredge CO Daniel Neiman, Rowley MA
Mark Throop, Framingham MA James Willson, Richardson TX Kristi Fjare, Estes Park CO John Rudy, Lexington MA
John Bower, Berlin MD Sally Adler, Virginia Beach VA Miriam Futernick, Vail CO Elaine Van Briggle, Dalton MA
Anne Grandstaff, Kalamazoo MI Mi Kyeong Ham, Williamsburg VA Jack Liu, Greenwich CT Donald Weld, Greenfield MA
William Landrum, Detroit MI Robert Nelson, Midlothian VA Gail Reitman-Heald, West Hartford CT Thomas Comstock, Chevy Chase MD
Edward Spaans, Grand Rapids MI Peggy Rossman, Colonial Beach VA Anthony Cardinal, Wilmington DE Cathy McGarrigan,
Royce Williams, Ann Arbor MI Carolyn Wilson, Martinsville VA Joel Atwood, Palm Coast FL Fort Washington MD
Marylou Doerrie, Coon Rapids MN Israel Perlman, Bondville VT Marilyn Cance, Vero Beach FL Cynthia Veidt, Bel Air MD
Cindy Smith, Columbia MO Lou Arevalo, Spokane WA Hilary Davis, Tampa FL
continued on pg. 76 ➤
Anne Boyd, Durham NC David McGraham, Vancouver WA Peggy Dennis, Vero Beach FL
Puzzle Page BY ALAN OLSCHWANG
[email protected]
DOWN
1. Hawthorne novel stigma
2. Venerable English institution
3. “Star Trek” phaser setting
4. Halter alternative
5. Troutlike fish
6. Favored ones
7. ___ Annie of “Oklahoma!”
8. Walk away with
9. ___ Club (military hangout)
10. Attentive
11. Willing, poetically
12. Once, quaintly
13. Unhurried
18. ___-tzu (Chinese philosopher)
19. Air density symbol
23. “Peggy ___” (Buddy Holly song)
24. When two hands meet?
25. Central theme
26. Joltin’ Joe
27. Asian cartoon genre
28. Base denial
29. Declares void
31. Actress Lindley
32. Boss-to-be
33. “Card Players Quarreling” artist
35. Tire-pressure meas.
36. ___-Loompa (Wonka factory
ACROSS employee)
1. What’s left over 40. Grafton’s “___ for Outlaw” 37. Former Air France fleet member
5. Breed like salmon 41. Seminary deg. 43. Boston suburb
10. Windward’s opposite 42. and (with 60A) ___ 44. Winnie ___ (Wiley Post’s plane)
14. Famous last words 46. Richard of “Breathless” 45. Beatles hit
15. “M*A*S*H” corpsman 47. Strategize 50. White alternative
16. Vatican City coin, once 48. Yield, as a profit 51. Loses vigor
17. A takeout double should show an 49. Clear CDs 52. Walk-___ (small parts)
opening hand and (with 34A) a ___ 51. Vaudevillian Eddie played by Bob 53. Star in Cetus
20. Tempers with heat Hope 54. Taking care of things
21. Big and rugged 53. Emotionally fickle 55. Uniformed comics dog
22. Young ‘un 56. Sharks’ home 56. Builder’s work place
23. Pago-Pago’s place 60. ___ 57. The Aisne flows into it
26. “Book ‘em ___!” 64. Rio ___ 58. A convertiplane
29. “Car Talk” subject 65. Strong suit 59. Swedish actress Persson
30. Traditional cheers 66. Awards for RAF pilots 61. “Avatar” craft
34. ___ 67. Unit in physics 62. __ Hill, San Francisco
38. Re followers 68. Bassoon cousins 63. Street address
39. Sequel title starter 69. Wriggling
Solution on pg. 83

In Memoriam
Mary G. Talbert, Winder GA * Martin Grossman, Olivette MO
Marva Anderson, Burr Ridge IL Dr. Fred Hamburg, Springfield MO
Dr. Louise R. Greenswag, Buffalo Grove IL Jane C. Hughes, St. Louis MO
Dr. David M. Grossmann, Highland Park IL Twyla J. Stewart, Goodson MO
Bermuda * Steven Norvich, Barrington IL Elmo Smoot, Hernando MS
Lady Jacqueline A. Swan, Paget Eileen Crane, Anahein CA * Miriam Kahl, Jeffersonville IN Jeanne Wilson, Missoula MT
Jody Dassalenaux, Carlsbad CA Peggie R. Bastin, Owensboro KY Jeanne L. Burrows, Raleigh NC
Canada Pauline M. Dense, Redding CA
* Wendy C. Hardman, Edmonton AB Pamela K. Smith, Crestview Hills KY * Janet R. Gardner, Wilmington NC
Ross G. Ehrhardt, El Cajon CA * Tom Clarke, Lake Charles LA Richard Hobby, Southport NC
Ormond W. Fleming, Delta BC * Robert E. Fosse, Palm Springs CA
Margie Ovens, Bridgewater NS Sandra Irwin, Pineville LA * Dwain Imahara, Franklin NC
Laraine A. Havel, Bonita CA Marie E. Mahorner, New Orleans LA Martha B. Lawson, Charlotte NC
* Kenneth W. Allan, Kingston ON Ronald G. Lawson, Seaside CA
Judy M. Andrew, Toronto ON Pearl Sackett, Metairie LA * Garland Samuels, Asheville NC
* Ronald W. Moeckel, Kentfield CA * Dottie B. Winn, West Monroe LA Grace W. Sanders, Wilmington NC
Eileen Appleton, Niagara Falls ON Noel Norton, Walnut Creek CA
Jack R. Brennan, Port Stanley ON Charity Randolph, Oak Bluffs MA Carol C. Verrone, Wrightsville Beach NC
* Ivar Stakgold, San Diego CA * Leigh Shallenberger, Somerville MA Joanne H. Woollen, Asheville NC
D.G. Coultis, Washago ON * Susan C. Wiebe, Oakland CA
* Mary Drummie, Kanata ON Dr. Alexander Gottesman, Daniel K. Powers, Lincoln NE
* Alice Wright, San Francisco CA North Bethesda MD * G. Douglas Grant, Concord NH
Paul H. Shotlander, Barrie ON Marlene S. Shields, Greenwood Village CO
Lester F. Stanford, Don Mills ON Alexander Kuzmuk, Mount Airy MD W. P. Alina, Lakewood NJ
Carol A. Taylor, Aurora CO * Dr. Charles Stenger, Rockville MD Elizabeth Harther, Essex Fells NJ
* Jack S. Nayer, Montreal QC * Allan Clamage, Stratford CT
* Diane Taschereau, Quebec QC * Michael C. St. John, Westbrook ME * Angie Flynn, Spring Lake NJ
Louise G. Holland, New Canaan CT Bonnie M. Barnes, Traverse City MI Sandra Kahn, Rockaway NJ
* Elinor Borenstine, Washington DC
Denmark William Barker, Lutz FL
* N. M. Cohn, Novi MI * James M. Moyer, Northfield NJ
* Britt Andersen, Varde * Dr. Roland L. Meade, Saline MI Mary Ellen Butler, Albuquerque NM
* Charles N. Christmas, Tallahassee FL * Audrey Grossman, Olivette MO Lynn H. Tusha, Carlsbad NM
Thailand James G. Crowther, Naples FL
* Alan E. Kleist, Chonburi Evelyne Desbrow, Naples FL
United States
* Frances S. Griffith, Ocala FL
Richard A. Grimley, Jupiter FL
Murray Melton 1939–2018
Avrum Gross, Juneau AK Ruth Joffe, Longboat Key FL By Simon W. Kantor
* Jim Dobbyn, Alexandria AL * Dr. R. Philip Johnsen, Tallahassee FL Emerald Life Master Murray Melton, 78, of Las Vegas NV,
* Alan T. Drennen Jr., Birmingham AL * Eli Korisky, Boca Raton FL
died May 23 after succumbing to a long illness. We were best
* Patsy O. Billingsley, Hot Springs Village AR Sidney L. Puteska, Highland Beach FL
Patrick J. Hunt, Hot Springs AR Saul Schussel, Delray Beach FL friends and bridge partners for more than 55 years. Playing cards
Dorothy F. Colip, Green Valley AZ Judith M. Sluder, Dover FL was Murray’s passion and vocation. He was an excellent bridge
* Wilma J. Krueger, Scottsdale AZ James A. Stidham, Tallahassee FL and poker player, working as a poker dealer at several Las Ve-
* Richard Oetting, Prescott AZ Harold G. Wilkins, Ocala FL gas casinos for three decades. Previously, he was a director and
* David W. Patton, Peoria AZ Graciela Cann, Loganville GA bridge teacher at Jim Becker’s bridge club in New York City.
S.A. Adair, Palm Springs CA * Morris Grodsky, Saint Simons Island GA Murray was a fierce competitor who hated to lose. He and his
* Leslie J. Adams, Laguna Woods CA Marylynne R. Solomon, Monroe GA partners won more than 100 regional events and had numerous
high finishes in national contests. His most notable performance
Mark Gordon 1953–2018 was a second-place finish and silver medalist in the 1994 World
Senior Pairs in Albuquerque NM.
Two-time NABC champion Mark Gor- We started playing in the early 1960s before bidding boxes,
don of Purchase NY died June 14 from brain Alerts, bridge ethics, and extensive bidding systems with nu-
cancer. He was 64. merous conventions. Bidding was very un-scientific, keeping
Gordon won the 2002 Keohane North everyone in the dark, including partner. Murray had a razor-
American Swiss Teams and the 2011 Roth sharp ability to “read” the opponents, which was an important
Open Swiss Teams. He finished second in part of the game back then.
the 2015 Reisinger BAM Teams. In his younger days, Murray was a superb athlete excelling in
In 2013, Gordon won a gold medal at the world champion- basketball and baseball. He was enshrined in the Linton High
ships held in Bali, Indonesia, when the team he captained won School Sports Hall of Fame in Schenectady NY, where he grew
the World Transnational Teams. up. He was a star player on the Columbia University basket-
Pratap Rajadhyaksha, who partnered Gordon from 2008 to ball team and was elected to the first team All-Ivy League bas-
2016, said, “Mark was a true prince among men. He was a fierce ketball team. He also tried out to play for a few Major League
competitor, but at the same time, the most kind, gentle and Baseball teams, but wasn’t drafted. Watching and following
generous human being I have ever known.” NBA basketball games also was a passion in his life.
Gordon served in the financial services industry as an execu- Murray served in the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s.
tive vice president at Alliance Bernstein L.P. Murray will be greatly missed by his many friends, partners
Gordon is survived by parents Alvin and Felice Gordon, wife and teammates. I have lost my best friend. Please make any
Patricia, children Bernard, Dora and Rebecca, and three grand- contributions in Murray’s name to the Leukemia and Lympho-
children. ma Society.

Ruth Vaughan, Carlsbad NM David E. Bell, Waverly OH * Fran Woody, Germantown TN * Col. Lee A. Bauer, Reston VA
* Si R. Dombu, Las Vegas NV Janet Eisele, Lima OH Paul D. Axelson, Spring TX * Dr. Francis H. McMullan, Richmond VA
Sidney W. Goldstein, Las Vegas NV Bill L. Latta, Deshler OH * Dr. Thomas H. Davis, Waco TX Foster B. Miles Jr., Richmond VA
Charles H. Avery, Jamestown NY * Diane L. Stewart, Medford OR * Chuck E. Duran, Houston TX * J. W. Morris III, Richmond VA
Lois Bernstein, New York NY Dorothy Coopey, Nanticoke PA Jack R. Farmer, Corpus Christi TX * James H. Poulson, Richmond VA
Phyllis D. Bishop, Salamanca NY * Dr. Seymour Gardner, Springfield PA * Ed Groner, Georgetown TX * C. Paul Rich, Chester VA
* Richard A. Czarnecki, Sanborn NY * Gail S. Hastings, Glenshaw PA Linda C. Helbach, Fulshear TX Charles R. Skillern, Vienna VA
* Neil J. Dever, Breezy Point NY Jean Leiboff, Wernersville PA Robert O. Hirsch, The Woodlands TX John Tingle, Chesterfield VA
* Shelley Ganz, Westbury NY * Warren B. Oberfield, Pittsburgh PA * Susan T. Kupper, Houston TX * Angelo Zuccaro, Arlington VA
* Mark Gordon, Purchase NY * Alexander N. Rubin Jr., West Chester PA Patricia A. Osborne, Houston TX Herbert E. Cohen, Wallingford VT
* Howard Hoffman, Saranac Lake NY * Roslyn Sachs, Pittsburgh PA * Joan Pacha, El Paso TX Anna F. Leland, Orleans VT
Marjorie A. Matheson, Mill Neck NY * Diana Ames, Providence RI * Edwin E. Stewart, Tyler TX * Daniel L. Hendry, Kennewick WA
George A. Nelson, New York NY Elizabeth S. Barrett, Woodruff SC Leah Jane Taglienti, Richardson TX * Brian B. Carlson, Madison WI
Barbara S. Shapiro, Armonk NY Loy E. Bowman, Old Hickory TN * Dr. J. C. Christensen, Salt Lake City UT Jean D. Helsley, Great Cacapon WV
* H. Charles Unison, Pittsford NY Thomas C. Jones, Johnson City TN * B. K. Lantz, Salt Lake City UT
*Life Master
Jack Nayer 1951–2017 Tom Clarke 1946–2018

By Norm Gordon By Paul Munafo
Jack Nayer had an incredible mind for Tom Clarke, a Grand Life Master from
numbers and words. He always completed Lake Charles LA, passed away on June 7
the New York Times Saturday crossword after a long illness. He was 72.
puzzle (the hardest one) in about 10 min- Tom was highly respected in the Lake
utes. He worked his whole life as a comput- Charles community, where he lived his en-
er programmer, specializing in EDI and IBM tire life. He was one of the first members
mainframe and mini-computers. He loved of the Governor’s Program for Gifted Chil-
playing competitive bridge and was pretty good at it. dren, and he later graduated from McNeese State University.
Jack was a dependable, solid, loving and supportive husband, He liked to say that his best year was 1973, when he purchased
father, grandfather and bridge partner. Interestingly, he coached Clarke Insurance Inc., the family business; he became a Life
little league baseball for 12 years. He would start every season Master; and he met the love of his life, Joyce, to whom he was
by promising his players that they would all get to play evenly married for the past 41 years.
regardless of skill, and while he did not guarantee winning, he He had a very successful bridge career, much of it in part-
did guarantee that they would all be better ball players by the nership with the late Alan LeBendig. He won over 100 regional
end of the season. He built team spirit and his team won the events, and his successes at the national level included a win
championship one year. in the North American Swiss and a second in the Life Masters
Jack’s desires and needs were simple. He loved deeply and Pairs, both in 1993. Everyone remembered that he was very
was passionate about what he loved. In bridge this was some- sound technically, and often brilliant.
times a fault as he was a stickler for small inefficiencies like dum- Mike Passell said, “I enjoyed over four decades of friendship
my filling in their scorecard before placing the dummy down. with Tom; he was a terrific player and an even better teammate.”
On the other hand, he could be extremely helpful to aspiring Joe Quinn recalled a hand against a strong Polish team in
players. If someone asked his advice about bridge, he loved to the North American Swiss, when Tom brought home a tricky
share it. He acquired his knowledge slowly over a 45-year period slam by playing for a double squeeze instead of taking a losing
by reading thousands of bridge columns in the newspapers and finesse. Roy Jambor talked about Tom’s ability to quickly and
the Bridge Bulletin. He also was able to grasp coups and plays accurately analyze a deal: “ ... while I was still wondering whether
quickly and easily added them to his arsenal. I would read books I might have done better, I could tell that he already knew the
and share the knowledge with him, and I was always amazed answer.”
how easily he grasped new concepts. He loved the beauty of Tom’s best attribute might have been his exemplary demean-
the plays. He was always optimistic and would look for beauty or at the table. He was always able to shrug off a bad result and
and something to be happy about in every session. While he go on to the next board.
loved to win, he could have a below-average session and would Jim Barrow said, “Despite being very competitive, Tom was
ignore the result completely and just loved that on board so- always friendly to his opponents, and if there was time, he really
and-so there was a repeating triple squeeze. tried to learn something about them.”
Jack, of Montreal, won a silver medal at the CNTC, Flight Chris Compton, a longtime friend, summarized it very well:
B, in 2001 and twice won the premier pairs event (Sam Gold “When I first arrived on the bridge scene, LeBendig and Clarke
Pairs – Flight A) at the CAN-AM in Montreal, both times with were a force to be reckoned with; later in life (some 35 years
a pickup partner. later), I now reflect upon Tom as a man who handled adversity
He was my bridge partner for 18 years. Jack was a regular guy, – both in life and in death – with dignity and class.”
and he was special. Jack was a friend of mine. Rest in peace, T.C. We love you and we miss you.

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

August
Bob Heller 2–5 AK/Fairbanks Elks Lodge Dannetta Wakefield 907–457–4124
3–5 CA/Marysville St. John Episcopal Church Ramon Lopez 530–674–8782
Acting Executive Director
4 CA/San Diego
Joe Jones (nlm/500) Seven Oaks Community Center Art Foeste 608–274–6185
3–5 CO/Avon (Vail) Homestake Peak School Bert Solomon 970–926–8699
Chair, Board of Governors
1–2 FL/Deland (0-300) Deland Bridge Club Lynn Berg 386–736–6228
Richard Popper 5–7 IL/Crystal Lake Holiday Inn Karl Anderson 224–276–0715
3–5 IN/South Bend Kroc Corps Community Center William Searcy 574–262–3334
4 KS/Leavenworth St. Paul’s Episcopal
(nlm/500) Church Parish Hall Jana Goodman 913–547–0565
1–4 LA/Lake Charles Lake Charles DBC Michael Hickman 337–309–6111
4–5 ME/Portland Woodfords Club Martha Soule 239–597–4637
Board of Directors 4–5 NM/Albuquerque
District 1 • Leo Weniger (nlm/500) Duke City Bridge Center Steven Lockwood 505–715–0067
District 2 • Paul Janicki 3–5 OH/Dayton Miami Valley Bridge Center Joseph Camillus 937–272–7930
District 3 • Carlos Muñoz 3–5 TX/Lubbock Lubbock Bridge Center Phyllis Kinnison 806–789–2358
4–5 WV/Wheeling Elm Grove Civics Brett Orban 740–633–6084
District 4 • Joann Glasson
District 5 • Sharon Fairchild 10–12 BC/Nanaimo Bowen Park Complex Barbara Jubenville 250–758–1888
District 6 • Margot Hennings 11–12 CA/Fresno (nlm/500) Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825
District 7 • Bob Heller 10–12 CO/Loveland Larimer County Fairgrounds John Wolf 303–810–4902
District 8 • Georgia Heth 10–12 CO/LOVELAND LARIMER COUNTY
(nlm/750) FAIRGROUNDS John Grossmann 719–233–9464
District 9 • Jay Whipple III
10–12 FL/Fort Myers McGregor Point Bridge Club Val Covalciuc 239–415–8168
District 10 • Russ Jones 10–12 FL/Palm Coast Palm Coast Bridge Club Sylvia Caviggia 386–446–2571
District 11 • A.J. Stephani 6–12 ID/BOISE WYNDHAM GARDEN
District 12 • Dennis Carman BOISE AIRPORT James Wheeler 360–546–0946
District 13 • Suzi Subeck 9–12 MA/Barnstable Barnstable Intermediate School Robert McCaw 781–752–6100
11–12 MT/Great Falls (0-300) Big Sky Bridge Club Catherine Ayres 303–335–8756
District 14 • Sharon Anderson
9–12 NC/Durham (nlm/500) Triangle Bridge Club Chris Moll 504–495–7485
District 15 • Phyllis Harlan 10–12 NC/Hendersonville
District 16 • Paul Cuneo (nlm/500) Hendersonville Bridge Center Nick Weedman 828–693–5300
District 17 • Bonnie Bagley 9–12 NE/Omaha Jewish Community Center Rick Ackermann 402–932–6262
District 18 • Claire Jones
10–12 OH/Rocky River Rocky River Civic Center David Hobe 440–238–2356
10–12 OK/Tulsa Wyndham Hotel Henry Robin 918–333–2760
District 19 • Marv Norden 10–12 ON/Tillsonburg Westfield Public School Jed Drew 519–842–8786
District 20 • Merlin Vilhauer 12 PA/York (nlm/500) Bridge Boardroom Edward Scanlon 717–434–3298
District 21 • Jacqueline Zayac 6–12 QC/LAVAL SHERATON LAVAL Louise Mascolo 514–768–0616
District 22 • David Lodge 9–12 TX/Houston Marriott Westchase David Henke 832–407–2620
10–12 TX/Waco Waco Convention Center Ila Bates 254–732–3602
District 23 • Kevin Lane
District 24 • Alvin Levy 17–18 AL/Birmingham
District 25 • Mark Aquino (nlm/500) Birmingham DBC Martha Chitwood 205–252–9035
17–19 AR/Hot Springs Village
To contact a district director, (nlm/500) Ponce De Leon Center Marianne Dethardt 501–984–2049
visit acbl.org/boardofdirectors. 13–19 AZ/SCOTTSDALE TALKING STICK RESORT
& CASINO JoAnne Lowe 480–836–7296
17–19 CA/San Diego Marina Village Conference Center Lamya Agelidis 615–887–1012
17–19 CA/Santa Barbara Goleta Valley Girls Inc. Claude Case 805–845–6357
18–19 CA/Redwood City Canada College – The Grove Marc Renson 650–622–6628

August (continued)
17–19 CT/Stamford Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church Susan Seckinger 860–513–1127
17–19 GA/Macon Henry Tift Bridge Center Tom Wight 478–747–1096
17–19 IA/URBANDALE
(nlm/750) DES MOINES BRIDGE CENTER Barbara Maas 319–530–8510
16–19 ID/Idaho Falls Fairbridge Inn & Suites James Fisher 208–520–7840
18–19 KY/Louisville (nlm/500) Louisville Bridge Center Beth Dlutowski 502–653–7637
13–19 MD/HUNT VALLEY
(Baltimore) HUNT VALLEY INN Mary Jo Chiesa 410–353–7953
13–19 MI/PETOSKEY ODAWA CASINO Michael Sears 231–582–0604
13–19 MO/ST. LOUIS RENAISSANCE ST. LOUIS
AIRPORT HOTEL Michael Carmen 314–872–8439
15–18 NV/Sparks (Reno) Nugget Casino Resort Ruth Swain 701–261–4272
13–19 NY/LIVERPOOL HOLIDAY INN
(Syracuse) SYRACUSE/LIVERPOOL Mary Miller 585–394–7899
18–19 OK/Oklahoma City
(nlm/500) Fun and Games DBC Inc. Jackie Hertweck 405–748–4788
14–19 ON/GARSON
(Sudbury) GARSON COMMUNITY CENTRE Jane Palmer 705–677–5130
18–19 ON/St. Catharines
(0-300) Bridge Centre of Niagara Lucy McEwen 905–468–0052
17–19 SC/West Columbia Tri-City Leisure Center Kathryn Kimmerling 734–476–4046
16–19 TN/Knoxville (nlm/500) Knoxville Bridge Center Kathy Duggan 865–607–1255
16–18 TX/Beaumont
(nlm/500) Beaumont Bridge Studio Susan Nimmo 409–626–4010
18–19 TX/Austin (0-200) Bridge Center of Austin Scott Humphrey 512–836–5984
17–19 WA/Vancouver Washington School for the Deaf Kathleen Mather 360–258–4240
23–26 AR/BELLA VISTA

(nlm/750) RIORDAN HALL Robert Gromatka 479–657–6976
23–26 AR/Bella Vista Riordan Hall Robert Gromatka 479–657–6976
Carlsbad, New Mexico • District 17, Unit 376
61st al HARVEY HICKS SECTIONAL

u
Ann SEPTEMBER 21–23, 2018
Best Western Stevens Inn (Host Motel)
1829 South Canal Street, Carlsbad NM 88220
For special bridge rates call 800–730–2851 or 575–887–2851 by Sept. 1
Great schedule with team events starting every day

Free coffee, tea and snacks all sessions
Tournament Chair: Director-in-Charge: Partnership Desk:

Regina Ballard David White Shyla McGill
575–200–8446 601–886–1940 575–392–1156
[email protected] [email protected]
All advertising paid for by Carlsbad NM, Lodger Taxes

August (continued)
Life Master Milestones 25–26 CA/Laguna Woods
➤ continued from pg. 70 (nlm/750) Laguna Woods DBC Marjorie Michelin 805–807–1152
20–26 FL/PALM BEACH
John Borden, Troy MI GARDENS PGA GOLF RESORT Shannon Cappelletti 423–400–0269
Douglas Kahn, Ann Arbor MI 24–26 IA/Hills Hills Community Center Gary Edwards 319–642–3579
Gloria Georger, Rochester MN 25 IA/Sioux City Siouxland Center
Gretchen Grey, Eden Prairie MN (nlm/500) for Active Generations Donna Lombardini 360–600–0459
Jennifer Abdalla, Jackson MS 25–26‡ IN/Indianapolis (0-300) Indianapolis Bridge Center Joyce Pepple 317–701–8959
Maureen Burnside, Collinsville MS 23–26 LA/Baton Rouge Baton Rouge Bridge Center Dupree Parker 225–978–4796
John Barnard, Timberlake NC 23–26 MI/Southfield (Det) The Bridge Connection Owen Lien 828–424–5905
24–26 NC/Winston-Salem Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Cindy Wright 336–407–9842
Robert Jay Barrett, Lewisville NC
25–26 NH/Nashua Rivier University Dion Center Sarah Widhu 603–881–7518
Catherine Osada, Asheville NC
24–26 NS/Sydney Victoria Park Armories Joe Aucoin 902–862–2340
Claudia Pattison, Apex NC 25–26 ON/Goderich Columbus Hall Maria Deaves 226–663–9260
Sarah Raynor, Winston-Salem NC 22–25 TX/SAN ANTONIO
Linford Snead, Greensboro NC (nlm/750) OMNI HOTEL Debbie Schweiss 210–862–9706
Fran Tewkesbury, Greensboro NC 25–26 VA/Virginia Beach
John Dudas, Ho-Ho-Kus NJ (nlm/500) Bridge Center of Hampton Roads Kathleen Haglich 757–467–4136
Eli Duttman, Monroe Township NJ 20–26 WA/LYNNWOOD LYNNWOOD CONV. CENTER Tom Hansen 206–719–3160
Gayle Friedman, Freehold NJ 20–26 WI/LAKE HALLIE EAGLES BANQUET HALL &
Mimi Lapat, Egg Harbor Township NJ (split) CONFERENCE CENTER Richard Brown 715–559–9433
Mel Meskin, Fort Lee NJ 21–26 WI/MILWAUKEE CROWNE PLAZA
Doreen Skok, Sparta NJ (split) MILWAUKEE AIRPORT Yvette Neary 414–526–9035
Robert Easterwood, Las Vegas NV
James Sadler, Las Vegas NV 31 PA/Reading (nlm/500) Sacred Heart Villa Sue Wessner 610–972–5327
Tom Aridgides, Manlius NY
Richard Becker, Howard Beach NY August/September
Robin Brendell, Roslyn Heights NY 31–2 BC/New Westminster Queensborough
(Vancouver) Community Centre Angela Fenton 778–386–4343
Charles Harding, Niskayuna NY
28–3 CA/SANTA CLARA HYATT REGENCY SANTA CLARA Pamela Hughes 916–774–0990
Phyllis Froimson, Shaker Heights OH
29–2 FL/Delray Beach
Steve Garfunkel, Chagrin Falls OH (nlm/750) Jourdan’s Bridge Club Ora Lourie 561–585–6223
Harry Gerla, Dayton OH 31–3 FL/Pinellas Park
Richye Maran Sr., Toledo OH (St. Pete) St. Pete Bridge Club Joanne Wharton 727–596–2139
Mary Ann Marx, Cincinnati OH 28–3 GA/AUGUSTA AUGUSTA MARRIOTT
Bipin Tandon, Marion OH CONVENTION CENTER Robert Coleman 706–833–6496
Elaine Isenbart, Oklahoma City OK 31–3 IL/Skokie (Chicago) Weber Center Todd Fisher 773–807–5178
Margaret Brom, Astoria OR 31–2 KS/Overland Park Jewish Community Center Richard Jones 913–962–5886
Joseph Jebbia, Tigard OR 31–2 KY/Paducah Robert Cherry Civic Center Dennis Rose 270–853–0344
John Doyal, Oakmont PA 31–3 MN/Minneapolis Twin City Bridge Center Teri Blu 612–861–4487
Millie Ellerson, Huntingdon Valley PA 31–2 ND/Fargo El Zagel Clubhouse Mary Shaw 701–238–8504
Irene Harpster, State College PA 28–3 PA/MONROEVILLE MONROEVILLE CONV. CENTER
Joanne Johnston, Lewistown PA (Pitt) & DOUBLETREE HOTEL Mary Paulone Carns 724–897–7526
Fred Long, Lancaster PA 28–2 RI/WARWICK CROWNE PLAZA Helen Pawlowski 413–530–1278
Sheila Seidner, Yardley PA 28–3 TX/RICHARDSON
Stephen Grimes, Portsmouth RI (Dallas) RENAISSANCE HOTEL Tomi Storey 214–244–8333
31–3 TX/El Paso Decker Bridge Center Peter Peca Jr. 915–581–1637
Crystal Evans, Indian Land SC
31–3 WA/Olympia Washington Land Yacht Harbor Demeter Manning 360–972–3127
Thomas Muller, Rock Hill SC
31–3 WA/Spokane Spokane Bridge Center Jodi Kimbrell 509–464–3323
Liz Castioni, Frisco TX
Carol Ehrman, Houston TX September
Jory Fort, Amarillo TX 1–3 ON/Toronto Holiday Inn Toronto Yorkdale Ann Shaw 905–855–7177
Laurene Jacob, Austin TX
Diana Lecuona, Laredo TX 7–9 AB/Calgary Clarion Hotel and Conf. Centre Dorothy Mersereau 403–245–4536
Fred Mueller, College Station TX 6–9 AK/Anchorage
Mary Nelson, Houston TX (nlm/500) Anchorage Bridge Center Timothy Marx 907–344–8778
James Overtree, Arlington TX 6–8 AL/Huntsville St Mary’s Catholic Church Flo Staggs 256–534–3669
Ellen Snyder, Laredo TX 6–8 BC/Sidney (Victoria) Mary Winspear Centre Shelley Burnham 250–516–5987
Debra Gardner, Richmond VA 3–9 CA/COSTA MESA (OC) HILTON COSTA MESA Ron Lien 626–695–5409
Marinus Koch, Forest VA 7–9 CA/McKinleyville
Andrew Small, White Stone VA (Eureka) (nc) Ocean View Mobile Home Park Mark Phelps 707–443–9029
Wayne Peters, Appleton WI 7–9 CA/Orangevale (Sac) Orangevale Community Center David Willmott 916–709–8958
Roman Rommelfanger, Manitowoc WI 9–11 IL/Rockford Tebala Event Center Douglas St John 815–877–8460
Dean Whiteway, La Crosse WI 3–9 IN/EVANSVILLE (split) HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT Leroy Breimeier 812–830–0340
7–9 MI/Traverse City YMCA Camp Arbutus Lynn Larson 231–932–5966
James Wise, Millwood WV
7–9 MS/Gulfport Gulfport Club House Lynne Logan 228–254–5245

September (continued)
6–9 MT/Helena
7–9 NB/Moncton
Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds
Four Points Sheraton
Stephen Visocan
Wade Short
406–461–2534
506–533–9729 Pacific Northwest
6–9 NC/Charlotte
7–9 NC/Wilmington
Charlotte Bridge Association
Coastline Convention Center
Julie Arbit
Judith Phelps
301–512–5679
910–547–5736 Upcoming Regionals
8–9 ND/Grafton (nlm/750) Ameriprise Financial Michael Leighton 701–352–2198
8–9 NY/Cicero (Syracuse) Cicero Fire Hall Robert Simard 315–656–3204
4–9 OH/DAYTON (split) HOPE HOTEL AND CONF. CTR. Georgia Banziger 937–439–4073 PUGET SOUND
4–9 ON/ST. CATHARINES HOLIDAY INN & SUITES
PARKWAY CONF. CENTRE Nader Hanna 416–756–9065
REGIONAL
7–9 ON/Perth Civitan Center Kathleen Sullivan 613–278–0931 Lynnwood Convention Center
8–9 OR/Portland Montgomery Park Alan Johnson 971–998–4261 3711 196th Street West
8–9 PA/Erie Erie Bridge Association Shirley Irish 814–520–6663
7–9 SD/Rapid City Canyon Lake Senior Center Margaret Norris 605–645–6325
Lynnwood WA
6–9 TX/New Braunfels New Braunfels Civic Center‡ Paula Warren 830–620–0004 August 20–26
6–9 VA/Fairfax (DC) Fairfax Elks Lodge Margot Hennings 703–560–0245 [email protected]
14–16 AK/Juneau Mountain View Senior Center Shirley Carlson 907–364–3334
14–16 AZ/Prescott Adult Center of Prescott Inc. Joan Shay 928–499–5697
16 BC/Delta (0-200) East Delta Hall Margaret Pattison 778–873–6640 LEAVENWORTH
14–16 BC/Quesnel (nc) Seniors Center John Perry 250–561–2806
15 CA/Camarillo (0-500) Camarillo Senior Center Susan Lang 805–340–7735
REGIONAL
15–16 CA/Gilroy Gilroy Senior Center Mark Moore 408–779–1510 Leavenworth Festhalle
15–16 CA/Stockton Ben Holt Middle School Ken Hillman 209–952–2890 1001 Front Street
14–16 DE/Wilmington Bridge Studio of Delaware Jeff Ruben 302–475–0469
13–16 FL/Daytona Beach Metropolitan Bridge Club Jim Geary 386–235–6420 Leavenworth WA
14–16 FL/Venice Venice Bridge Club James Gordon 941–488–0799 Oct. 29–Nov. 4
14–16 HI/Honolulu Ala Wai Clubhouse Naomi Nortman 808–927–7786
13–16 IA/Urbandale (DM) Des Moines Area Bridge Center Jean Friedrich 515–243–6126
[email protected]
14–16 ID/Boise Wyndham Garden Boise Airport Donald Robinson 208–344–8918
14–16 IL/East Peoria Fon du Lac Park Dist. Admin. Ctr. Bill Bulfer 309–264–7629 for more information
15–16 KY/Lexington Bridge Club of Lexington Terrell Holt 859–351–2023 visit www.d19.org
LONG ISLAND “GOLD COAST” FALL REGIONAL

Chateau Briand SEPTEMBER 23–27, 2018
440 Old Country Road
Carle Place NY 11514
516-334-6125
Non LM/LM
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Swiss Team Event DAILY EVENTS
Holiday Inn – Westbury Sun. Sept. 23 at 6:30 pm ♦ Gold Rush Pairs
369 Old Country Rd. Preregistration required
Carle Place NY 11514 (300–750, 0–300) .............10:30 am & 3 pm
[email protected]
855–744–8690 ♦ Open Pairs .............................10:30 am & 3 pm
➡ EARN RED POINTS ➡ ➡ ♦ Swiss Teams ................................ 10:30 & TBA
Complimentary
Bagels every morning Sagamore Bridge Club
6901 Jericho Turnpike
Coffee & Tea Syosset NY 11791
available all day POST MORTEMS FOR ALL PAIR GAMES
Tournament Chair Tournament Manager

Gold awarded for placing Lee Launer 516–628–2546 Susan Toporovsky
in Swiss Team Events [email protected] [email protected]
All Stratified Events — Open Pairs Partnerships Arranged

A (3000+) B (1500–3000) C (0–1500) Mark Leibowitz 516–972–8125
[email protected]

MID-ATLANTIC 15–16 MD/Pikesville
(nlm/750) The Bridge Club of Baltimore Patricia Murty 410–323–6206
Upcoming Regionals 15–16 ME/Portland
15 MI/Lansing (nlm/500)
The Woodfords Club
Lansing Bridge Center
Roger Guerin
Diane Schafer
207–468–0860
517–327–3925
HUNT VALLEY, MD 15 MN/Rochester
(nlm/500) Hadley Creek Community Center Ann Van Ryn 507–282–4566
August 13–19 14–16 NC/Pinehurst Village of Pinehurst Assembly Hall Edward Weiler 910–295–5344
Hunt Valley Inn 14–16 NJ/Allendale Guardian Angel Auditorium Marilyn Cavell 845–425–9013
Chair: Mary Jo Chiesa (410) 353–7953 14–16 NY/Clifton Park Clifton Park
[email protected] (Albany) Senior Community Center Robert Valenti 518–326–3829
15–16 OH/Canfield
AUGUSTA, GA (Youngstown) Andrews Hall Gary Singer 330–726–9780
August 28–September 3 15–16 ON/St. Thomas St. Thomas Seniors Centre Jim Wright 519–631–5531
Augusta Downtown Marriott 14–16 OR/Phoenix (Medford) Rogue Valley Bridge Club John Cowles 541–482–6314
Co-chair: Ray Coleman (706) 833–6496 14–16 QC/Rimouski Centre Communautaire Ste.-Odile Diane Tremblay 418–722–4089
14–16 SC/Beaufort Holiday Inn Beaufort Peggy Stehly 843–785–9889
[email protected]
13–16 SK/Saskatoon Saskatoon Bridge Club William Ruskin 306–239–2027
14–16 TX/Denton (nlm/500) Denton DBS Kim Brinkman 214–208–0154
CHARLOTTE, NC 14–16 VA/Virginia Beach Bridge Center of Hampton Roads Brian Boyce 757–412–4925
October 22–28 14–16 WA/Bothell (Seattle) Bothell Union Hall Monty Gray 206–283–7311
Hilton Charlotte University Place 14–16 WI/Three Lakes Reiter Center Terry McCloskey 715–546–8306
Co-chair: Arnold Hoffmann (980) 254–7476 14–16 WY/Cheyenne Laramie County Comm. College Daniel Zwonitzer 307–214–7826
[email protected]
21–23 AB/Lethbridge Nord-Bridge Centre North Maureen Bailey 403–328–2344
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 21–23 BC/Lake Country Winfield Memorial Hall Don Wallace 250–765–9188
Dec. 27, 2018–Jan. 2, 2019 21–23 CA/Lompoc DeWees Community and Sr. Ctr. Donald Beck 805–736–3507
Embassy Suites 22–23 CA/Santa Clarita (LA) Friendly Valley Auditorium Gay Gipson 661–347–9677
21–23 CO/Montrose Elks Lodge Jim Churchill 970–856–4777
Co-chair: Steve Donaldson (843) 412–8097
20–23 FL/St. Petersburg St. Pete Bridge Club Charles Gill 727–363–1136
[email protected] 22–23 FL/Melbourne Wickham Park Senior Center Julia Bomalaski 812–630–3188
21–23 GA/St. Simons Island Golden Isles DBC Teryl McBurney 912–268–4388
www.mabcbridge.org

22–23 GA/Gainesville 2018 Mini-McKenney race leaders
(nlm/500) Senior Life Center Sherry Anton 770–406–1352 (As of July 6, 2018)
21–23 IA/Milford City of Milford Comm. Center Jan Bolluyt 712–336–5996
20–23 KS/Wichita Best Western Wichita North Richard Beye 314–440–2909 0 to 5
20–23 KS/WICHITA (nlm/750) BEST WESTERN WICHITA NORTH Richard Beye 314–440–2909 1. Jagjit Pal Singh Anand, Brampton ON 61
16–23 MA/Boston (cr) RCCL Serenade of the Seas Brett Ramsey 901–870–1293 2. Christopher Luttrell, Oak Ridge TN 61
21–23 MN/Carlton Black Bear Casino & Resort Dianne Carr 218–591–9942 3. Peter Winders, Aurora ON 49
21–23 ND/Minot Minot Moose Lodge Karen Leier 701–839–2343 4. Matt Loewen, Vancouver BC 48
21–23 NM/Carlsbad Best Western Stevens Inn Regina Ballard 575–236–6004 5. Rao Chalasani, Sugar Land TX 44
21–23 NY/Williamsville 6. Gregory Rich, Newtown CT 44
(Buffalo) Main-Transit Fire Hall Gay Simpson 716–836–2519 7. Sandra Stevens, Charlotte NC 41
21 OH/Cincinnati 8. David Tukey, Lansdale PA 40
(nlm/500) Cincinnati Bridge Association Pam Campbell 513–858–2621 9. Yunfeng Shao, Ottawa ON 39
21–23 OH/Cuyahoga Falls Quirk Center Robert Ryan 330–467–6543 10. Thomas Martin, Loudon TN 38
22–23 OH/CINCINNATI
(0-500) CINCINNATI BRIDGE CENTER Pam Campbell 513–858–2621 5 to 20
22–23 ON/Caledon East Caledon East Community Centre Denise Donovan 416–614–6754
1. Homer Smith Jr., Suffolk VA 102
21–23 PA/Philadelphia Germantown Cricket Club Ala Hamilton-Day 610–891–9001
21–23 PA/Williamsport Williamsport Bridge Club Judy Stein 570–946–4749 2. Buddy Massey, Gulfport MS 100
21–23 QC/Quebec Montmartre France Roy-Dion 418–622–2718 3. Judy Orchard, Placerville CA 67
22–23 RI/Johnston Johnston Senior Center Maureen Fahey 401–828–0045 4. Lee Brown, Woodland Park CO 66
21–23 TN/East Ridge (Chatt) East Ridge Community Center Bruce Antman 423–290–8207 5. John Betz, Ajijc, Mexico 63
20–23 TX/Austin Bridge Center of Austin George Watkins 512–335–1158 6. John Prance, Calgary AB 52
20–23 TX/Houston (0-500) Westside Bridge Academy Bert Onstott III 713–851–1511 7. Butch Johnson, High Point NC 47
21–23 TX/Wichita Falls Wichita Falls Bridge Center Patricia Robinson 940–696–0630 8. Lori Nelson, Kamloops BC 47
21–23 UT/Salt Lake City Sons of Utah Pioneers Rosalee Gardner 801–738–1278 9. John Fabian, San Diego CA 46
21–23 VT/Williston Burlington Bridge Club Philip Sharpsteen 802–899–2080 10. Leslie Little, Knoxville TN 46
28–30 CA/Fresno Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825 20 to 50

29–30 CA/Santa Rosa Odd Fellows Hall Maxine Reagh 707–829–7536 1. Arda Kabaca, London ON 153
29 DE/Ocean View 2. Ilgaz Ciftci, London ON 133
(0-300) Ocean View Presbyterian Church Kim Holm 302–559–2023
3. Sean McNally, Minneapolis MN 102
4. Lu Gan, Burnaby BC 83
5. Bill Grewe, Front Royal VA 80
6. Nels Madsen, Auburn AL 78
7. Roger Guerin, Arundel ME 76
8. Morgan Johnstone, Minneapolis MN 74
9. Kevin Zhu, Grand Rapids MI 71
10. Millie Ortego, Opelousas LA 71
50 to 100
1. Siqing Yu, New York NY 133
2. Stella Q. Wan, Palo Alto CA 126
3. Doug Fisher, Barrie ON 115
4. Emma Kolesnik, Ventura CA 114
5. Paul Mohler, Arlington VA 111
6. Michael Mendelsohn, Cary NC 105
7. Susan Morrow, The Woodlands TX 102
8. John Graf, Alexandria VA 102
9. Russell King, Sun City Center FL 98
10. Richard Wang, Davenport FL 95
100 to 200
1. Finn Kolesnik, Ventura CA 337
2. Mariee Walton, Cary NC 133
3. Van Stone, Geneva IL 131
4. Barbara Devaney, Washington DC 126
5. Ying Zhang, Longmont CO 125
6. Ken Hanson, Austin TX 117
7. Leslie Blair, Raleigh NC 113
8. Ronald Caudle, Salisbury NC 112
9. Jean Klinkenberg, Medina OH 112
10. Gordon Young, Pictou NS 111

Mini-McKenney race leaders continued 28–30IA/Dubuque Holy Trinity Mark Patton 563–588–1555
200 to 300 28–30 KS/Overland Park
1. R. Blaine Mullins, Frankfort KY 204 (nlm/500) Kansas City Bridge Studio Tim Hays 816–361–8558
2. Peter Bronstein, N. Miami Beach FL 160 29–30 KY/Louisville Louisville Bridge Center Norman Smith 502–491–9460
29–30 MB/Winnipeg
3. Carol Ramberg, Fair Oaks Ranch TX 137
(nlm/500) Temple Shalom William Treble 204–669–1458
4. John Dong, Richmond Hill ON 134
27–29 MI/Grand Haven Grand Haven Community Center Ben Broughton 231–755–1804
5. Leon Yu, Syosset NY 131 28–29 MN/NEW BRIGHTON NEW BRIGHTON
6. Craig Pritzker, Woodbridge VA 128 (Mpls) (nlm/750) COMMUNITY CENTER Amy Dutton 651–475–6180
7. Wayne Stann, Kelowna BC 124 29–30 MO/Olivette (0-300) St. Louis Bridge Center Mark Ziegelman 314–821–2550
8. Paul Durda, Needham MA 121 24–30 MS/ROBINSONVILLE
9. David Jasperse, Holland MI 119 (Memphis) GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT Visanji Gala 901–679–3679
10. Judi Katz, Chicago IL 119 24–30 MT/MISSOULA RUBY’S INN Judith Hartz 406–544–2132
27–30 NC/Raleigh Royal Banquet & Conf. Center Harold Albrecht 919–567–0470
300 to 500 29–30 NH/Grantham Grantham Town Hall Jane Verdrager 603–865–5508
1. Tom Bishel, Columbus OH 408 29 NJ/West Long
2. John Bishel, Columbus OH 323 Branch (0-300) Jersey Bridge Club Lynn Chapin 732–223–7349
3. Jacob Freeman, Toronto ON 264 28–30 NS/New Minas Louis Millet Community Complex Brian Delong 902–765–4182
23–27‡ NY/CARLE PLACE CHATEAU BRIAND Lee Launer 516–628–2546
4. Sarah Youngquist, Palo Alto CA 217
29–30 NY/Plattsburgh (nc) Plattsburgh Duplicate Bridge Club Lorraine Streeter 518–578–4992
5. Brent Xiao, Fremont CA 204
29–30 NY/Utica North Utica Senior Center Billie Ohlbaum 315–724–8451
6. Daniel Sonner, Redwood City CA 203 29–30 ON/Chatham Active Lifestyle Centre Lee Easterbrook 226–881–3963
7. Matthew Morgan, Nashville TN 202 29 PA/Allentown Lehigh Valley Active Life Center Pat Saeger 610–437–1112
8. Bo Han Zhu, Oakville ON 199 28–30 SC/Aiken Odell Weeks Activity Center Ronald Jaeger 803–514–2681
9. Amy Brisson, Arlington VA 186 28–30 TX/Longview Holiday Inn Longview Linda Harrison 903–856–6767
10. David Dresher, North Wales PA 183 28–30 VA/WILLIAMSBURG
(nlm/750) DOUBLETREE BY HILTON Jane Farthing 757–229–7275
500 to 1000 28–30 VA/Williamsburg DoubleTree by Hilton Jane Farthing 757–229–7275
1. Michael Heins, Champaign IL 595
2. Piotr Olszewski, Hackettstown NJ 324
3. Gary Anderson, Austin TX 296
4. Harrison Luba, Lynnfield MA 287
5. Darrow Neves, Sun City Center FL 273
6. Larry Plotkin, Elkins Park PA 260
7. Rosalind Smith, Dallas TX 254
8. Sundaresan Ram, Tucson AZ 250
9. Ruth Ellen Maddock, Hagerstown MD 237
10. Lewis Maddock, Hagerstown MD 237
1000 to 1500
1. Jerry Barrett, Austin TX 474
2. William Bailey, Mill Valley CA 370
3. Sharon Dameron, Cedar Park TX 350
4. Samuel Amer, Long Island NY 288
5. Leah Shao, Harrisonburg VA 287
6. Mark Crumrine, Ocala FL 275
7. Jack Mahoney, Brunswick ME 274
8. Justin Coniglio, Riverview FL 271
9. Howard Huynh, Lubbock TX 252
10. Tom Schlossberg, Bluffton SC 251
1500 to 2500
1. Robert McClendon, Ponte Vedra FL 1041
2. Mary Ose, Sacramento CA 449
3. Alex Khrakovsky, Columbus OH 427
4. Sabrina Miles, Mansfield MA 401
5. Darryl Legassie, Milton NH 391
6. Junko Hemus, San Clemente CA 321
7. Mason Barge, Atlanta GA 306
8. Russ Pearly, The Villages FL 299
9. Kim Brinkman, Flower Mound TX 287
10. James Walter, Ann Arbor MI 277

October
6–7 CA/Modesto Homewood Village Clubhouse Barbara Page 209–523–9478 Mini-McKenney race leaders continued
6–7 CA/San Juan 2500 to 3500
Capistrano (nlm/500) S. Orange County Bridge Ctr Frances Krause 949–697–6446 1. Gillian Miniter, New York NY 838
6–7 CO/Sheridan (0-300) Denver House of Cards Robert Stansbury 303–794–5600 2. Sherman Gao, Brea CA 550
5–7 FL/Jacksonville Jacksonville School of Bridge Nancy Hanna 904–874–4371
3. Sue Lan Ma, Kirtland Hills OH 533
6–7 FL/Sarasota (nlm/500) G & G In Between Club Rita Marinho 941–952–3848
4. July Ratley, Redding CA 463
5–7 IL/Caseyville (St. L) Steamfitters Local 439 Charles Keltner 618–654–5106
5–7 IN/Terre Haute Int’l Union of Operating Engineers Tana Holt 765–832–7574 5. Arti Bhargava, Mill Valley CA 461
5–7 MA/Watertown 6. Teri Smoot, Placerville CA 435
(Boston) Armenian Cultural Center Robert McCaw 781–752–6100 7. Jeff Edelstein, Tampa FL 415
5–7 MI/Marquette Marquette Township Comm. Ctr. Duane Fowler 906–225–1907 8. Milton Neher, Richardson TX 365
5–7 MI/St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 9. Fernando Teson, Tallahassee FL 356
Elementary School Jeff Edmunds 269–556–9144 10. Layne Noble, Ottawa ON 342
5–7 NC/Morganton Foothills Higher Education Center Eldon Clayman 828–439–1283
4–7 NV/Carson City Plaza Conference Center Leona Pchelkin 775–782–6406 3500 to 5000
6–7 NY/Webster 1. Aaron Jones, San Francisco CA 598
(Rochester) TBA Roger Woodin 585–471–8261 2. Joan Millens, Kingston NY 546
7 OH/Cincinnati (pf) Cincinnati Bridge Center AJ Stephani 513–648–9553 3. Suman Agarwal, Columbus OH 412
2–8 ON/OTTAWA OTTAWA MARRIOTT HOTEL Michael Abbey 343–262–4063
4. Keith Heckley, Hamilton ON 411
1–7 OR/SEASIDE SEASIDE CONVENTION CENTER James Wheeler 360–546–0946
5. Michael Ranis, Miami FL 404
5–7 PA/Wilkes-Barre Quality Inn & Suites Walter Mitchell Jr. 570–472–3290
5–7 TN/Crossville Cumberland County 6. Joe Houde, Vista CA 391
Community Complex Buck Martin 931–787–4777 7. Stephen Kennedy, Oakland CA 390
4–6 TX/Beaumont Beaumont Bridge Studio Linda Briggs 409–223–1162 8. Weishu Wu, Irvine CA 388
5–6 TX/Richardson 9. Gary Donner, Bluffton SC 379
(Dallas) (0-300) Dorsey’s Bridge Studio Dorsey Shaw 972–517–6331 10. Joseph Rice, Winchester KY 373
5000 to 7500
1. Adam Grossack, Newton MA 981
2. Oren Kriegel, Chicago IL 702
3. Peter Boyd-Bowman, Greensboro NC 541
4. Eric Leong, Oakland CA 538
5. Peter Petruzzellis, Scarborough ON 535
6. Carole Liss, San Rafael CA 526
7. Radu Nistor, Woodside NY 520
8. Sjoert Brink, Rotterdam, Netherlands 507
9. Jonathan Fleischmann, Bloomfield MI 490
10. Joshua Donn, Las Vegas NV 458
7500 to 10,000
1. Crispin Barrere, Berkeley CA 963
2. Alex Hudson, Raleigh NC 925
3. Zachary Grossack, Newton MA 880
4. Sylvia Shi, Las Vegas NV 777
5. Iftikhar Baqai, Irvine CA 648
6. Josef Blass, Chapel Hill NC 644
7. Sylvia Moss, Boca Raton FL 622
8. Richard Chan, Markham ON 593
9. Glenn Robbins, New York NY 587
10. Bjorgvin Kristinsson, Col. Heights MN 515
Over 10,000
1. Joe Grue, New York NY 1746
2. Mark Itabashi, Murrieta CA 1601
3. Brad Moss, Denver CO 1464
4. Kevin Dwyer, Melbourne FL 1437
5. Eric Rodwell, Clearwater FL 1228
6. Jeff Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach FL 1202
7. Shan Huang, Melbourne FL 1185
8. John Hurd, New York NY 1133
9. Geoff Hampson, Las Vegas NV 1120
10. Jacek Pszczola, Chapel Hill NC 1092

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Sectionals Chief Executive Officer [email protected] 662-253-3103

Carlsbad NM 75 Education/Teacher Accred. [email protected] 662-253-3161
ACBL Human Resources [email protected] 662-253-3108
Other Corporate Marketing [email protected] 662-253-3112
Duncan Bridge Center 56 Office NABC & Tournament Ops. [email protected] 662-253-3116
National Recorder [email protected]
Operator main line 662-253-3100
fax 662-253-3187
R/C – Rating Code E/C – Event Code

Your personal
masterpoint information GNT/NAP........................................................ 1 Women’s/Men’s Pairs/Teams................................A
Club Tournament ...........................................2 Mixed/Unmixed Pairs/Teams ................................B
The masterpoint update on the back cover is Charity Game..................................................3 Open Pairs ....................................................................C
for the member the magazine is addressed to and Club MPs...........................................................4 Master Pairs/Teams...................................................D
possibly for a household member if space is avail- Local Tournament ..........................................6 Non-Master Pairs/Teams ........................................E
able. If you have more masterpoint activity than Sectional.............................................................7 Consolation (All).........................................................F
can fit in the space provided, you can check your Regional .............................................................8 BAM/Swiss Teams ................................................... G
masterpoints at acbl.org. Log in to MyACBL and NABC.................................................................9 KO Teams......................................................................H
click on Masterpoint History. Correction ........................................................ 0 Individual ......................................................................... J
Side Game .................................................................... K
Charity Pairs ..................................................................L
© 2018 by American Contract Bridge League. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Mention of any product
does not constitute endorsement by the Bridge Bulletin. Bridge Bulletin assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or
advertising materials. Unsolicited materials should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. ACBL, ACBLSCORE, Bridge Bulletin, masterpoint and the ACBL logo are registered trademarks
of American Contract Bridge League. All rights reserved.
It is Bridge Bulletin policy not to accept advertising from persons or organizations believed to be unreliable or financially irresponsible. We are not responsible, however, for the performance of advertisers,
the delivery or quality of their merchandise or services, or the legality of any particular program. On cruise ads, we suggest you check to make sure duplicate bridge will be offered on the cruise you desire.
Regarding investment ads, we recommend that you check with your financial adviser before acting. ACBL Management reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse any advertisement.

Intermediate¥/¥Newcomer Calendar Upcoming NABCs
August
4 CA/San Diego (nlm/500) Seven Oaks Comm. Center Art Foeste 608–274–6185
1–2 FL/Deland (0-300) Deland Bridge Club Lynn Berg 386–736–6228
4–5 NM/Albuquerque (nlm/500) Duke City Bridge Center Steven Lockwood 505–715–0067
11–12 CA/Fresno (nlm/500) Fresno Bridge Center Laura Da Costa 559–999–2825
10–12 CO/LOVELAND (nlm/750) LARIMER CTY FAIRGROUNDS John Grossmann 719–233–9464
11–12 MT/Great Falls (0-300) Big Sky Bridge Club Catherine Ayres 303–335–8756
9–12 NC/Durham (nlm/500) Triangle Bridge Club Chris Moll 504–495–7485
10–12 NC/Hendersonville (nlm/500) Hendersonville Bridge Center Nick Weedman 828–693–5300
12 PA/York (nlm/500) Bridge Boardroom Edward Scanlon 717–434–3298
17–18 AL/Birmingham (nlm/500) Birmingham DBC Martha Chitwood 205–252–9035 Fall NABC in Honolulu HI
17–19 AR/Hot Spgs. Vlg. (nlm/500) Ponce De Leon Center Marianne Dethardt 501–984–2049 November 22–December 2, 2018
17–19 IA/URBANDALE (nlm/750) DES MOINES BRIDGE CTR. Barbara Maas 319–530–8510
18–19 KY/Louisville (nlm/500) Louisville Bridge Center Beth Dlutowski 502–653–7637
18–19 OK/Oklahoma City (nlm/500) Fun and Games DBC Inc. Jackie Hertweck 405–748–4788
18–19 ON/St. Catharines (0-300) Bridge Centre of Niagara Lucy McEwen 905–468–0052
16–19 TN/Knoxville (nlm/500) Knoxville Bridge Center Kathy Duggan 865–607–1255
16–18 TX/Beaumont (nlm/500) Beaumont Bridge Studio Susan Nimmo 409–626–4010
18–19 TX/Austin (0-200) Bridge Center of Austin Scott Humphrey 512–836–5984
23–26 AR/BELLA VISTA (nlm/750) RIORDAN HALL Robert Gromatka 479–657–6976
25–26 CA/Laguna Woods (nlm/750) Laguna Woods DBC Marjorie Michelin 805–807–1152
25 IA/Sioux City (nlm/500) Siouxland Ctr. for Active Gens. Donna Lombardini 360–600–0459
‡25–26 IN/Indianapolis (0-300) Indianapolis Bridge Center Joyce Pepple 317–701–8959
22–25 TX/SAN ANTONIO (nlm/750) OMNI HOTEL Debbie Schweiss 210–862–9706
25–26 VA/Virginia Beach (nlm/500) Bridge Ctr. of Hampton Roads Kathleen Haglich 757–467–4136
31 PA/Reading (nlm/500) Sacred Heart Villa Sue Wessner 610–972–5327
Spring NABC in Memphis TN
August/September March 21–31, 2019
29–2 FL/Delray Beach (nlm/750) Jourdan’s Bridge Club Ora Lourie 561–585–6223
Special Events Calendar

Aug. 7 Tuesday (evening) ACBL-wide Junior Fund Game #2 *
Sept. 13 Thursday (afternoon) ACBL-wide International Fund Game #2 *
Oct. 5 Friday (morning) ACBL-wide Senior Pairs #2 *
Oct. 11 Thursday (afternoon) Canada-wide Olympiad Fund Game
Oct. 25 Thursday Canada-wide Erin Berry Rookie/Master Game
Oct. 31 Wednesday (afternoon) ACBL-wide Instant Matchpoint Game #2 *
Dec. 17 Monday (afternoon) ACBL-wide International Fund Game #3 *
* Games include hand records and analyses.
Upcoming Regionals STaCs Summer NABC in Las Vegas NV

July 18–28, 2019
October August
8–14
8–14
CO/Colorado Springs
CT/Danbury
6–12 District 13 & MI Unit 154 (D12)
Thomas Dressing 847–215–0310
Solution to Crossword
6–13 FL/ Fort Lauderdale (cr) 13–19 District 1 Puzzle on pg. 71
8–14 MI/Farmington Hills (Detroit) Stan Tench 613–829–4101
8–14 MO/Springfield 13–19 District 9
12–14 WI/Fitchburg (nlm/750) Shirley Seals 904–285–7767
16–21 MB/Winnipeg 20–26 Districts 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23
15–21 NV/Sparks (Reno) Bonnie Bagley 719–593–0205
16–21 NY/Buffalo 20–26 District 4 & MD Unit 135 (D6)
15–21 TX/Abilene John Marks 215–891–0602
22–28 IA/Council Bluffs 20–26 District 7 & FL Unit 219 (D9)
22–28 NC/Charlotte Janet Case 704–992–0397
October/November August/September
29–4 CA/Ventura 27–2 District 10
29–4 PA/Manheim (Lancaster) Jerry Burford 601–421–5513
29–4 WA/Leavenworth
30–4 WI/Lake Geneva September
4–10 AZ Units 351, 354, 355, 356 & 358
(D17)
JoAnne Lowe 480–836–7296
B=Black, R=Red, S=Silver, G=Gold, P=Platinum, O=Online. More information for the codes below on page 82.
Sanction/Tourn. /C /C
E R
Date Points Sanction/Tourn. /C R/C
E
Date Points Sanction/Tourn. /C R/C
E
Date Points

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BRIDGE

Vol ume 84, Number 8 • August 2018 • acbl.org

4 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

53, 55 WEST, EAST HANDS FOR 46 PAT HARRINGTON

30, 50 TEACHER, DIRECTOR COURSES 55 MARK HORTON

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 5

A reminder Managing Editor: Sue Munday

One of the best-kept secrets on Associate Editor: Chip Dombrowski

6 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 7

8 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

The Canadian Bridge Federation held its annual Hall

10 Bridge Bulletin August 2018 Getty Images/Photodisc

For Intermediate/Newcomer players only

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 11

MONDAY, NOV. 19–WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21

THURSDAY, NOV. 22 BOLD, UPPER CASE = NABC+ events (Platinum points)

12 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 13

14 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

The 2018 Canadian Bridge Champi-

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 17

West North East South

Seeing no offensive future for his

18 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

20 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

2019 SPRING NABC, MEMPHIS

Monday, March 18–Wednesday, March 20 Monday, March 25–Sunday, March 31

Friday, March 22–Saturday, March 23 Thursday, March 28–Friday, March 29

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 23

24 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

26 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 29

Richardson TX (Regional) Hand of the Week at the table. While bidding

Call for nominations

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 31

32 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 33

There are 13 players aged 90 and over 90 in southeastern Quebec.

New club in western Colorado

34 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 35

Q In a recent club game,

36 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

Problems from Washington Bridge League Solver’s Club

40 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 41

42 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

Card Play 101

44 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

Parrish the Thought

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 45

Play & Learn

Dummy’s long suit

46 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

August 2018 Bridge Bulletin 47

Planning the play: When do I draw trump

48 Bridge Bulletin August 2018

Responding by a passed hand