Friday, December 4, 2009 Volume 82, Number 8 Daily Bulletin 82nd Fall North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith Larry Cohen: missing and missed For the “is different,” but that he is enjoying his new fi rst time since partnership. “Alan doesn’t understand my carding,” the Seventies, Berkowitz said, “and I don’t understand his an NABC is bidding. Otherwise, we’re doing fi ne.” in progress Besides keeping in touch with bridge through without one the Internet and with his regular contribution to the of the most Bridge Bulletin – Cohen writes the monthly Real well known Deal column – he is involved through teaching and and popular other writing. players. Although he has been one of the most talented Blue Ribbon winners Bjorn Fallenius and Bart Despite and successful players in ACBL history – with Bramley. having a shot former partner Marty Bergen and with Berkowitz – at his second Cohen gradually found the grind of high-level play Bramley, Fallenius Player of the taking away from his enjoyment of bridge. Year award (he “I found that it was not fun to sit down and capture Kaplan Blue won it in 2002), Larry Cohen is at home in Boca knock brains with the best,” he said. At the Raton FL preparing to run the fi rst ACBL Regional NABCs, he said, he didn’t eat well and had trouble at Sea, starting on Sunday on Royal Caribbean’s sleeping. “I was constantly thinking about the Ribbon Pairs Playing for only the second time, Bart Bramley Liberty of the Seas. hands.” and Bjorn Fallenius won their second major pairs “It’s a little weird,” he said in a telephone At this point, he said, “I love teaching and event, this time the Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbon interview from Boca Raton, “but I’m not totally writing more than playing. Bridge is better for me Pairs. The only other time they played together, away from the tournament. I’ve been reading the at the level I teach.” they won the six-session von Zedtwitz Life Master Daily Bulletins online.” Although justifi ably proud of his 26 North Pairs at the 2006 Summer NABC in Chicago. Cohen’s last NABC was supposed to be American championships, Cohen said more isn’t Lying 12th after Wednesday’s two semifi nal Houston in the spring, but he was called in as a necessarily better: “It’s not going to change my life sessions in the Blue Ribbon, they put together last-minute replacement for Geir Helgemo on the when I die if I have 36 wins instead of 26.” two strong games in the afternoon and evening on Rose Meltzer squad in the Spingold Knockout Instead of pursuing platinum points and Thursday to win by 9.67 matchpoints (38 top). Teams at the summer tournament in Washington playing for sponsors, Cohen will be teaching Second place went to John Hurd and Joel DC (his team lost in the fi nal). and doing six cruises next year, including three Wooldridge. Cohen had been talking about dropping out sectionals at sea, “and I love giving daily lessons.” With the victory, Bramley now has 13 North of high-level bridge play for about fi ve years, He and Bergen will have a “reunion” seminar in American championships to his credit, Fallenius 11. but didn’t want to leave regular partner David Las Vegas next June. They didn’t make the date to play until Bramley Berkowitz in the lurch. Cohen’s wife, Maria, approves of the schedule arrived at the tournament without a partner and Berkowitz, now playing regularly with Alan that has him home more often. found out through Fallenius’ wife, Kathy, that her Sontag, joked, “I’ve driven Larry from the Blue So, was board 64 of the Spingold fi nal his last husband was free for the pairs game. Ribbon Pairs to the golf course.” at an NABC? Well, said Cohen, “Ever heard of “I didn’t bring my Bjorn convention card,” said More seriously, Berkowitz said playing Brett Favre?” Bramley, “and Bjorn always says any two good without Cohen for the fi rst time in many years players should be able to fi ll one out in 15 minutes. We started at 11:30 on Tuesday.” Neither player could predict when they might play again, although Fallenius indicated he might not want to tempt fate after going two for two. He did allow though, “They say three times is the charm, so I guess we’ll try a third time.” Meckstroth leading In Player of the Year After earning nearly 90 platinum masterpoints for fi nishing fourth in the Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs, Jeff Meckstroth has taken the lead in the Player of the Year race. Meckstroth, playing with Eric Rodwell in the Blue Ribbon, added 87.69 points to his total for the Fall NABC and, heading into play in the Reisinger Board-a-Match Teams, now has 177.66 for the Caddies work hard to keep the tournament moving smoothly. There are fewer of them in San tournament and 615.76 for the year. Diego because of the new wireless scoring devices. “We’re not many, but we’re mighty,” says In second with 564.88 points is John Hurd of Director of Caddies Jackie Matthews. “Everyone should be a caddy once to see what it’s like.” New York City. Pictured are Ryan Schultz, Leslie Williams, Tony Ames, Kyle Ruggles, Abby Clayton, Matthews, The Player of the Year is the ACBL member Alex Clark, Cedric Pang and Kurt Norris. who earns the most platinum points in a calendar Goodwill message year. Meckstroth has won the competition twice Today’s opponent may be and has locked up the Player of the Decade award tomorrow’s partner. This is a good for the second time. With a payout for fi rst place of 200 Attendance reason to treat opponents and partner with respect and courtesy – the way masterpoints, the Reisinger will have a major you expect to be treated. infl uence on the outcome of the Player of the 10,213 tables Aileen Osofsky, Chairman Year race. The Nick Nickell team, which includes National Goodwill Committee Meckstroth, won the event last year in Boston. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Sunday, Dec. 6 1 - 6:30 p.m. Vugraph. Room: Randle Ballroom, Fourth fl oor. 8 p.m. til Vugraph. Room: Randle Ballroom, Fourth fl oor. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Be sure to hear these free expert lectures at the San Diego NABC. They are held in the Manchester Ballroom GHI. Friday, Dec. 4 Saturday, Dec. 5 9:45 am Jerry Helms Ask Jerry 9:45 am Kitty Cooper Opening Leads 6:45 pm Ellen Kent Simple is Better 6:45 pm Jeff Roman Differences between Pairs & Teams ENTERTAINMENT/FOOD Friday Hawaiian bars at 10:30 p.m. -- Fourth fl oor Randle Ballroom. Friday, Dec. 4 Saturday: Ice cream bars at10:30 p.m. -- Fourth fl oor Randle Ballroom. Hawaii Day Wear your Florals! Sunday: Potato Soup, noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday: Cookies 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec 6 11 a.m.- conclusion Vugraph: Final of Reisinger Board-a-Match Thursday-Friday, Dec. 3–4 Teams 11:30 p.m. Rick Roeder’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Admission: Free (refreshments) Return to the music of the 50s, 60s, & 70s Admission: Free (refreshments) Morgan earns Airport and rail Desperate measures On this deal from the Edgar Kaplan Blue Platinum LM transportation for $5 Ribbon Pairs, Nikolay Demirev had to consider Jacob Morgan By Al Schuster, Transportation Chair his defensive plan carefully before playing to the of Madison WI has It is easy to get to the San Diego Airport or opening lead as defender in a doubled contract. advanced to Platinum the Amtrak train depot via public transportation. Fortunately for his side, he got it right. Demirev Life Master, a rank Walk across Harbor Drive and catch a north-bound was playing with Ralph Katz – and they needed requiring more than trolley (Gillespie Field destination) to the next stop some good results at that point. 10,000 masterpoints. (America Plaza). Get off and walk back to the street Dlr: West -- He is a full-time the trolley just crossed (Broadway). The bus stop Vul: 9 6 5 3 player who won the on the corner is the Airport Shuttle (Route 992). A 7 4 3 2 Mini-Blue Ribbon Take the bus for a 10-minute drive to the airport. Q 10 3 2 Pairs in 2005, the The shuttle stops at both airport terminals, so tell 8 7 5 10 9 4 Mini-Spingold I in the driver which airline you are fl ying. The time, A K J 10 8 Q 7 4 2006 and the Bean Red Ribbon Pairs in 2004. He including waiting, is about 20 minutes. 10 9 8 5 K Q J was second in the NABC+ Swiss Teams in 2005. Ticketing for the trip is simple. At the trolley . 6 . A J 9 5 stop opposite the Hyatt, you will see a ticket A K Q J 6 3 2 Monitoring machine which accepts cash , credit cards or debit 2 At this and future North American cards. Purchase a one-day pass for $5 and show it to 6 Championships, ACBL will be monitoring NABC+ the trolley police, if asked, and the shuttle drivers. K 8 7 4 events with visible, real-time cameras. The images If you are using Amtrak or the COASTER, West North East South will be recorded and will be available for later the directions are the same except you cross the Katz Demirev offi cial inspection and review.