Make Plans for Atlanta Turning Cards at His First NABC
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Monday, March 18, 2013 Volume 56, Number 4 Daily Bulletin 56th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Sue Munday Rona to young players: make plans for Atlanta World Bridge Federation President Gianarrigo Rona has been a frequent visitor to North America since taking over the helm of the organization at the end of 2010. He arrived in St. Louis last week to do some planning for the upcoming World Open Youth Bridge Championships, which will take place in Atlanta alongside the 2013 Summer NABC. The Youth tournament is schedule for Aug. 3 – 11. Players will compete in two divisions based on age – those born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, (Juniors and young women) and those born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 (Youngsters). Winners of the Norman Kay Platinum Pairs: Rona said he is pleased with the teamwork Martin Fleisher and Mike Kamil. shown by the ACBL, the WBF and the U.S. Bridge Federation, particularly in the promotion of the Fleisher and Kamil tournament. “We have had great support from District 7 and the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference,” he said. shine in Platinum The WBF president was impressed with the to say again that the ACBL, the USBF and the After a shaky first day, Martin Fleisher and commitment to Youth bridge by ACBL President WBF strongly believe in youth bridge and in its Michael Kamil put together four strong sessions to Donald Mamula. “He is a great supporter of the development, this being the only guarantee of an win the Norman Kay Platinum Pairs by more than youth – very positive,” Rona added. exciting future for our beloved discipline. a board. Their 439.07-point score (on a 13 top) beat Rona added: “I am confident that Atlanta will “We invite all young players to participate in this runners-up Jeff Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach FL, be a great success and I am very happy and proud continued on page 10 and Jo Anna Stansby, Dublin CA, who finished with 424.58. “We struggled in the first two qualifying sessions,” said Kamil. The two were 50th out of 56 Turning cards at his first NABC to make it into the semifinal round. “But then we Last year, the Bridge Bulletin published a story hopes it would relaxed, and started playing well and in luck.” submitted by Joe and Marina Scott about the bridge inspire them, The championship is Fleisher’s fifth NABC title, awakening of protégé Cole Spencer. too, to become his first in a pairs event. It is Kamil’s sixth North Inspired by Louis Sachar’s novel, The interested in American title, his second in a pairs event. Cardturner, Spencer, of Fayetteville AR took up bridge. “Marty is a great matchpoint player,” said Kamil. bridge. He checked the book out from the library, Sachar is an “He creates a lot of action. I’m more conservative. I leading him first online first online to learn more, He avid duplicate take my tricks. Marty always has a feel for where our downloaded the Learn to Play Bridge software from player who lives game is.” the ACBL website. He read several more books and in Austin TX. The contest was close after the first final session: explored further online before making the decision to In 1999, he was Kamil, of Holmdel NJ, and Fleisher, of New York join the ACBL and play bridge in a club. awarded the U.S. continued on page 11 Now the 14-year old is in St. Louis, playing at National Book his first NABC. Award for Young Numerous grandparents phoned the Bridge People’s Literature Cole Spencer Lipman, Marshall Bulletin office after the February 2012 publication of and the 1999 Newbery Medal for the year’s most the story to inquire about Sachar’s book; they were distinguished contribution to American literature for lead Silver Ribbon eager to gift the book to their grandchildren in the children for his novel, Holes. Charles Lipman of Dunwoody GA and Jill Marshall of Port Chester NY have a modest lead heading into the final two sessions of the Leventritt Miles of memories Silver Ribbon Pairs. Their carryover score of 227.62 Marshall Miles is forever absent from the who between them put them just ahead of George Bleskachek of Eau tournament scene. He wouldn’t want us to be had five masterpoints, Claire WI and Sheldon Margulis of St. Louis with distracted from card play on his account, and he he would readily 209.22. certainly wouldn’t want us to pause for even the agree, asking, ‘How The event started with 158 tables, reduced to 78 briefest of moments to celebrate the lasting impact many boards?’” tables for the two final sessions today. his uniquely gentle, stubborn, beloved, eloquent, How many boards creative, respected bridge genius had on our was very important. Smoking rules community. But he’s not here, so we get the last “Marshall would Tournament directors have receive complaints word. frown when he got about players smoking in the stairwells at the Pure and simple, Miles loved the game of bridge. shortchanged playing Renaissance Hotel. Smoking is not permitted Playing with partner Leo Bell and teammates a 24-board game,” anywhere on the hotel property and is a violation of Neil Chambers, John Onstott, Jim Robison and John says Bell. “He even the law in St. Louis. Players found to be smoking Schermer, Miles won the Senior Teams at the 2004 went so far as to ask for some of his money back.” in the hotel will be subject to a full board penalty in World Olympiad in 2004. Miles won seven North American pairs games and a comparable penalty in team games. Bell recalls, “In a time when people were very championships, five playing with So Cal expert, wary about going to Turkey, Marshall never gave fellow Hall of Famer Eddie Kantar. Says Kantar, it a second thought. He would go to Upper Siberia “Most players will know Marshall as an excellent without question to play bridge.” bridge writer and expert player and a bidder with Goodwill Message Bell continues, “One of the great things about great imagination and moxie to spare Marshall is that he would never say no to a game. “From trick one, Marshall was in love with the Leave a tidy table and push in your chair. Asked to fill out a team with three ladies at the club continued on page 5 Sandy DeMartino, Goodwill Chair Page 2 Monday, March 18, 2013 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Monday, March 18 Tuesday, March 19 GOODWILL DAY 9 am-Noon Club Director Refresher Course. A continuing education 9-11 am TourneyTRAX. (America’s Center, Room 232) course for club directors to increase their skills. Participants 10 am-Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant. Grant has an must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both days. Sign up international reputation in the field of bridge education. Her at the door. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, Benton Room) vision and commitment have been key to the success of her 10 am-Noon GNT/NAP Coordinators. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, official Better Bridge series textbooks, TV shows, lectures, Portland Room) the Better Bridge magazine and the Better Bridge Teacher 11 am-Noon FPAB meeting. (Renaissance, Shaw Room) Accreditation Program. Grant’s lesson is followed at 12:30 11:30 am-1 pm USBF Junior Committee. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, p.m.by Bridge Plus+, a special game for 0-20 MP newer Lafayette Boardroom) players. 14 boards, no card fee. (America’s Center, Room 240) 10 am-Noon Competition and Conventions Committee. (Renaissance, Wednesday, March 20 Washington Room) 9 am-Noon Club Director Refresher Course, session 2. A continuing 10:30 am-Noon USBF Team Trials meeting. (Renaissance, Lafayette education course for club directors to increase their skills. Boardroom) Participants must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both 11 am-Noon Get Online with BridgeBase.com. Don’t miss this days. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, Benton Room) opportunity to meet with Fred Gitelman, creator of the 11 pm-1 am USBF Board Meeting. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, Benton ACBL’s Learn to Play Bridge program. Get a guided tour of Room) Bridge Base Online and its outstanding teaching features. (Renaissance, mezzanine level, Benton Room) Thursday, March 21 5-7 pm Goodwill Reception. Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill 4:30-7:30 pm Women’s Reception. (Renaissance, Landmark Rooms 4-7) Committee members only. (Renaissance, Washington Room) Friday, March 22 11 pm-2 am Women’s Team Trials meeting. (Renaissance, Benton Room) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures in St. Louis from expert players. These talks will Wednesday, March 20 be held in Room 230 at the America’s Center. 9:15 a.m. Tom Carmichael New Minor Forcing and Monday, March 18 Friends 9:15 a.m. Lisa Berkowitz Play to Trick One 6:45 p.m. Bruce Greenspan Bruce’s Top Ten Tips 6:45 p.m. Karen Walker Lead-Directing Doubles Thursday, March 21 Tuesday, March 19 9:15 a.m. Jeff Roman Look Beyond Your High 9:15 a.m. Phillip Alder Going Fast Forward with Reverse Card Points Drury 6:45 p.m. Barry Harper A Short List of Conventions You Need 6:45 p.m. Billy Miller Dear Billy ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY — Landmark Ballrooms 1-4 Monday, March 18 Wednesday, March 20 Soup ‘n’ Sand: Soup and a wrap Doggone it! Hot dogs and brats Erin Bode creates music forged from Midwestern roots, infused with jazz Friendly Henry’s will keep your toes tapping with bluegrass, folk and a little grooves and made magic by Bode’s bell-like voice.