CHAMPIONSHIPS W

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www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org

September/October 2016

Is it Time to Renew?

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B The Washington Bridge League e

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86th Annual u b

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D.C. p

CHAMPIONSHIPS w

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October 6-9, 2016 t

ª With this sectional tournament, we welcome N

our new Sectional Chair, Brad Theurer, work - v /

(ing in conjunction with Sectional Coordinator , D

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Bill Cole, and the WBL tournament commit - 2

tee headed by Carole Banks plus many other 0

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volunteers to bring you a fantastic event.

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Silver Points! ,

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I/N Events throughout ! Lots of team s

games! Eynon Trophy Swiss ! Machlin m

Sportsmanship Award presented! t

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Well-lit, clean & convenient location ! e n

§ —See page 5 for the complete details.— w

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o Mark Your Calendar p

w for the December 15th g

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Holiday Party, See page 27 3 e

N S ? t n i r p n i s i h t g n i d a e r e b r e h t a r u o y d l u o W wbl ombudsman contents Any player with helpful director issues suggestion box Do you have a suggestion that including criticism or praise of the direct - might help to increase membership or ing staff may contact the Ombudsman, otherwise improve the Washington Adrienne Kuehneman and be assured Bridge League? Give any and all ideas that the source of the information will re - article page to Don Berman, 301-776-3581, main confidential. Information should be [email protected], 13707 En - provided in writing and may be handed President’s Letter ...... by Ellen Cherniavsky 2 gleman Dr., Laurel, MD 20708, or to her at any game, or mailed to her at WBL Bulletin & WBL eNews www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org. 6333 Tone Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817-5811. —Would you rather be reading this in print? ...... 3 §¨©ª ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ §¨©ª Bits and Pieces... deadline : november 14, 2016 to submit new articles to the editor for the nov/dec 2016 issue WBL’s Bridge in Schools Program; Time to Renew?; Welcome to the

Washington Bridge League BULLETIN (usps #861-240) Washington Bridge League; ...... 4 VOL . 74, #5— S UBSCRIPTION $12 PER YEAR FOR MEMBERS OF UNIT #147 . N ON -MEMBER SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS $18 PER YEAR . P UBLISHED BI -MONTHLY BY THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE AT 14517 P ERRYWOOD 2016-17 Grand National Teams — Get Your Team Together!; . . . 19 DRIVE , B URTONSVILLE , MD 20866. A DDITIONAL ENTRIES OFFICE RICHMOND , VA. P ERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BURTONSVILLE , MD. P OSTMASTER : SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE BULLETIN , Washington, DC North American Bridge Championships Winners; ACBL, P.O. B OX 289, H ORN LAKE , MS 28637-0289. A LL EDITORIAL AND GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EDITOR AT 901 C LIFTONBROOK LN., S ILVER SPRING , MD 20905-3711. Advertise?; ...... 26 Editor — Donna Rogall (240-461-4261), [email protected] I/N Columnist — Vince Wilmot, [email protected] Mark your Calendar for this Year’s Holiday Party — December 15 27 Columnists — Steve Robinson, Richard Colker, Ellen Cherniavsky, Chris Miller, Clyde Kruskal The opinions expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ACBL, the WBL, 86th Annual D.C. Championships: October 6-9, 2016 ...... 5 or even the editors of this publication. The WBL is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers. 55th Annual Presidential Tournament: January 5-8, 2017 ...... 6 Ellen Cherniavsky, President — (301-649-1350), [email protected] Linda Marshall, Vice President — (301-320-6057), [email protected] WBL Solvers’ Club ...... by Steve Robinson 7 Rose Berman, Treasurer — (301-776-3581), [email protected] Melissa Price, Secretary — (301-464-1261), [email protected] Thursday Night Unit Game... UNIT DIRECTORS Hadi Abushakra — (301-946-5630), [email protected] 2016 Trophy Race Standings ...... by Alex Gretsinger 14 Carole Banks — (301-622-0923), [email protected] Alex Gretsinger— (410-949-4834), [email protected] 0-20 Game & Lesson Thursday Nights, Carpools ...... 14 Clyde Kruskal — (301-927-1023), [email protected] Lloyd Rawley — (301-513-5338), [email protected] Schedule, WBL Cell Phone, Map, Guaranteed Partner Program . . .15 Sylvia Shi — (240-406-8102), [email protected] The Unit Game— Caddies; Spare Brains or Muscles?; SOME KEY VOLUNTEERS Julie Marquette — NLM Tournament Chair , (301-642-9197), [email protected] Upcoming Sectionals ...... 17 Brad Theurer — Sectional Tournament Chair , ( 301-527-8819), [email protected] Shawn Stringer — Regional Tournament Chair , (301-275-6363), [email protected] NVBA Fall Sectional Tournament: October 20-23, 2016 ...... 20 Adrienne Kuehneman — WBL Ombudsman (301-229-2022) Don Berman, Webmaster — (301-776-3581), [email protected] At the Table: ASurvival Manual — Part 6 ...... by Rich Colker 21 Alex Gretsinger, e-List Administrator — (410-949-4834), [email protected] Eileen Houghton — Membership Secretary (301-431-1522), [email protected] Stepping Up to New Heights ...... 24 Peter Boyd — Historian [email protected] Chris Miller — Unit Game Chief Director & Club Manager (301-318-6083), [email protected] WBL Education Foundation ...... 27 Clyde Kruskal — Unit Game Chair (301-395-0480) Barbara Doran — Unit Game & Tournament Partnerships (301-608-0347), [email protected] NLMasterPointers ...... by I/N columnist, Vince Wilmot 28 Hugo Van Dyke — WBL Bridge in Schools Coordinator, [email protected] Bob Bell — Unit Recorder (301-920-0402) Notices: Youths 25 and Under are Half Price; Bring a Friend; WBL WEBSITE: DISTRICT 6 SITE: www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org www.districtsix.org The WBL is on Facebook!; The WBL Online ...... 28-29 To geT on an email lisT for bridge news & bridge problems , send a Need a Partner or a Ride to the Unit Game? ...... back cover noTe To sTeve robinson aT robinswr @erols .com requesTing such . Solvers’ Club’s New Problems ...... back cover - 1 - president’s letter wbl bulletin & wbl e-news by WBL President, Ellen Cherniavsky Would you rather be reading this in print? [email protected] Printed mail subscriptions are reasonably priced: The WBL Bulletin has ceased free mail distribution. The bulletin will continue to be avail - able free online through our website: washingtonbridgeleague.org . You can be notified when This column marks the beginning of subsequent accounting for money re - the new issue is available online if we have your email address—see below. the Board’s initiative to revise WBL ceived and disbursed during a session, ¨Yearly (6 issues), Printed Mail Subscriptions are available: Policies. The last revision dates to the Club Manager takes care of sanction WBL members ...... $12.00/year Non-member ...... $18.00/year 2012. At that time we adopted the prac - fees, monthly financial reports to the The bulletin comes out six times a year. To subscribe, give or mail a check to “Washington tice of putting all information about re - Treasurer, and an annual summary of Bridge League” via WBL Treasurer, Rose Berman, at: 13707 Engleman Dr., Laurel, MD 20708- imbursement rates, compensation, fees directing and caddy fees paid out, in 1325. Please include your full name and address (and player number if you are a WBL member). and prizes, into schedules that could order to meet IRS reporting require - ¨We have established a WBL Unit Membership Email Database. easily be amended when the monetary ments. Further, the Club Manager The emailings are used for occasional bridge news only. amounts changed. Previously, dollar maintains the WBL Unit computer, in - One use is be to inform you when the bulletin is available online. figures were incorporated into the body cluding updating software for it and There will be no advertising, sharing or publishing of the addresses. of the document, and the whole set of electronic scoring devices. Send your email , name and player number to WBL e-List Administrator, Alex Gretsinger, Policies had to be reviewed and ap - at: [email protected] proved when, for example, entry fees to In the future we anticipate revisions Please also indicate if you would like to be included on Steve Robinson’s email list in order to receive additional bridge news, bridge problems, and other tidbits. You will be able to un - the Unit Game were raised. to the following sections: Bulletin, Tour - subscribe from either list. naments, and Free Plays. Since the

Since the last revision of the Poli - P

Bulletin became accessible online, we a i d

cies took place, there have been sig - no longer mail it to members free of A d v

nificant changes in the way we e

charge, rather there is a subscription r t i s

operate. To insure that future person - e

fee; other details need to be updated. m e nel transitions proceed smoothly, we n

The way we run our sectional tourna - t find it imperative to clarify roles and ments is changing, as has been men - responsibilities. tioned in past columns, and needs to be Chris Miller leads off by document - documented; this may have an effect on ing the roles of the Unit Game Chief Di - Free Play policy. rector and the Unit Game Club The revised Policies may be found on Manager. Normally the Chief Director the WBL website at: also serves as Club Manager, but there P are important differences in the respon - a i

http://www.districtsix.org/WBL/Admin/ d sibilities. The Chief Director is a (non- A Laws/Washington%20Bridge%20League d v e voting) member of the Board; the Club r t

%20Policies.pdf i s e

Manager is not. While the Chief Direc - m e n tor oversees the selling of entries and Thanks, Chris! t - 2 - - 3 - bits and pieces *' "( th 86Annual

wbl’s gram. Hugo plans to support the on-going at the bridge-in-schools school programs at Walter Johnson, Sid - at the program well Friends and UMD, and has plans to (#("* $,"%&$+*"&%'( "&*"( expand the program into several other 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD Friday-Sunday only The Educational Foundation, which is several other middle and high schools in a nonprofit arm of the WBL, was organized our area this fall. As more and more mid - $+()!- *' "( to promote bridge in the Washington area, dle and high school students begin play - StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/2000) & B/C/D (1000/500/300) Pairs ...... 11:15 am with a particular focus on encouraging ing bridge, the Foundation hopes that it Rockville Duplicate Bridge Club, 301-503-3348 (Mark Lavine) NO ENTRY TILL 11AM young people to play bridge. Last year, the

can sponsor an interscholastic bridge St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville

Foundation received approval from the tournament sometime during the next ac - StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C (2000/750) Pairs (both sites), Intermediate/Novice Pairs

IRS as a charitable organization. It en - ademic year. (500/300/100) & 0-20 Pairs (Ohr Kodesh only) & Stratified 199er Swiss Teams (Beth El only) gaged Adam Gann as its first Bridge-in- Beth El Congregation, 3830 Seminary Rd, Alexandria ...... 7:00pm

Schools Coordinator. We very much appreciate the finan - Ohr Kodesh Congregation, 8300 Meadowbrook Ln., Chevy Chase ...... 7:30pm cial support we’ve received from many I-495 to Connecticut Ave. S. 4th light left E-W Hwy 410. Left Meadowbrook Ln. 1st left Freyman Dr. Parking Hugo Van Dyke has agreed to take lot on left. No outside food allowed. of you. If you are interested in con - (%!- *' "( over as the new coordinator for the pro -

tributing to the Foundation, please let

*StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C Pairs (2000/750)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 2:00pm

me know – we’d be very grateful for Stratified Triple Nickel Swiss Teams (unlim/2000/750) . . . Post-Game Party! . . . . 7:30pm

your support, and all contributions are —5 rounds, 5 boards a round, 5 minutes a board. with beer, wine & desserts Did You Know? tax deductible. Intermediate/Novice Pairs (500/300/100) & 49er Pairs (50/20/5)(single sessions) 10am, 2pm, 7:30pm

The Rockville Duplicate Bridge Club —Dick Wegman Win upgraded (more) masterpoints today! has a game almost every day! $1 additional fee supports Grass Roots events. *+(!- *' "(

WBL Educational Foundation Presi - *StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C Pairs (2000/750) (single sessions) . . . . .10:00am, 3:00pm Join us often and spread the word! dent DAY TIME LOCATION Intermediate/Novice Pairs (500/300/100) & 49er Pairs (50/20/5)(single sessions) 10:00am, 3:00pm Machlin Sportsmanship Award Presentation & Panel Show ...... between sessions

Monday 11 : 15 A M S t J a m e s * time to renew? Tuesday 7:00 PM Rockville S. C. +&!- *' "( If you started your paper WBL Bul - Eynon Trophy —Lunch available for purchase— Wednesday 10:30 AM Temple Beth Ami l

e First awarded in 1931— Try to add your name to the famous names inscribed here!

letin subscription with the November/ k c Thursday 11 : 15 A M S t J a m e s i Flights A/X (unlim/5000) Eynon Trophy Swiss Teams (2 session playthrough w/break)11:00am & TBA

* N December 2015 issue, it’s time to renew! e l Bracketed Flight B Teams (no single player >3000) (2 session playthrough w/break) 11:00am & TBA

Friday 11 : 15 A M S t J a m e s i * It’s not too early to renew for anyone else r T

B Teams Bracketed by total team masterpoints; three overall places in each. & Saturday* 1:00 PM St James ;) ...See where to send your check on the N 300/100/50 Swiss Teams, VPs (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:00pm / I

0-1000 game in addition to the open game top of page 3. p Lots of Intermediate & Novice Events with Silver Points! * e c

——as attendance allows—— x Separate I/N events & strata as advertised as attendance allows. (Director's discretion.) e

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n Hospitality includes snacks, drinks, & Friday lunch & evening party. Sunday lunch available for purchase.

www.rockvilledbc.com e elcome to the v w e

Tournament Chair: Brad Theurer, 301-527-8819, [email protected]; Hospitality Manager: Mike l l — a t Need a Partner? Call Mark Lavine: 301-503-3348 Zane; Volunteer Coordinator: Barbara Summers, 301-598-5838, [email protected]; Partnerships: n washington bridge n i e m Locations: d Barbara Doran, 301-608-0347, [email protected], Online Partnership Desk available. e e s i league w t

St James Episcopal Church Rockville Senior Center o

r *StrataFlighted if attendance warrants—otherwise combined into Stratified Pairs (unlim/2000/500) l e l v 11815 Seven Locks Road1150 Carnation Dr a

d Stratification by avg. masterpoints of the team or pair. No individual may exceed the event’s upper limit. t r A Potomac, MD Rockville, MD

a d The WBL welcomes the following new h i

c Directions to the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD: I-495 - a Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Rd, N. Potomac, MD d

P st i to Georgia Avenue North (toward Wheaton). 1 light right on Forest Glen Rd. The Center is .7 mile on right. M — ...continued on p. 19 - 4 - - 5 - &'/#+*+&($ (. +1 wbl solvers’ club th Moderated by Steve Robinson 55Annual [email protected] ~ ~ at the +$ +#-!%0#&(% .-#(&)+#(-#+ Congratulations to Ron Zucker who You can pick up a copy of the problems came in first with a perfect score of at the WBL Unit Game in Maryland, 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD Friday-Sunday only 500. He wins a free entry to the Unit and can send answers or requests for %.+," 1 (. +1 Game and will be on a future panel. I problems to [email protected] . You StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/2000) & B/C/D (1000/500/300) Pairs . . .11:15am will also play with him in a future can also see and answer the problems Rockville Duplicate Bridge Club, 301-503-3348 (Mark Lavine) NO ENTRY ... game. Tied for second were Hank at the WBL web site. WBL Solvers St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville TILL 11AM Strauch and Jim Wakefield with a score Club uses Washington Standard as StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C (2000/750) Pairs (both sites), Inter - Cheers to a me diate/Novice Pairs (500/300/100) & 0-20 Pairs (Ohr Kodesh only) & of 490. Tied for fourth were Tony Cin- published July 1996. I accept only the New Year &

Stratified 199er Swiss Teams (Beth El only) cotta and Mark Chen with a score of first answer from each solver unless it

Beth El Congregation, 3830 Seminary Rd, Alexandria ...... 7:00pm a New Deal! 480. Sixth was Robert Stone with a is clear that the solver wants to correct Ohr Kodesh Congregation, 8300 Meadowbrook Ln., Chevy Chase 7:30pm th score of 470. Tied for seventh were Ken his answer.

I-495 to Connecticut Ave. S. 4 light left E-W Hwy 410. Left Meadow brook Ln.

1st left Freyman Dr. Parking lot on left. No outside food allowed. Davis, John Kloke, and Barry Bragin with +&" 1 (. +1 a score of 460. Tied for tenth were Tom I personally score all the problems.

*StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C Pairs (2000/750)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 2:00pm Vinson, Randal Holden, Rick Bingham If a majority of the solvers vote for an Stratified Triple Nickel Swiss Teams (unlim/2000/750) . . . . . Post-Game Party! . . . . 7:30pm answer, and the answer is reasonable I and Gene Fisher with a score of 450. —5 rounds, 5 boards a round, 5 minutes a board. with beer, wine & desserts Tied for fourteenth were Ivan Feit and will give that answer 100 points. I will

Intermediate/Novice Pairs (500/300/100) & 49er Pairs (50/20/5)(single sessions) . .10am, 2pm, 7:30pm Jake Hudson with a score of 440. Tied not give 100 points to an answer that I

Panel Party -.+" 1 (. +1 for sixteenth were Richard Kimberley, consider bad no matter how many ex -

&to Honor New Life Masters between sessions Jeffrey Klemm, Larry Kahn, Bill Bing- perts vote for it. There are times when I Show

ham, Ron Conlon, Mike Richey, Garry want to make a point. I will give that an -

Win upgraded (more) masterpoints today! $1 additional fee supports Grass Roots events. Grossman and John Becker with a score swer 100 points and will therefore give *StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C Pairs (2000/750)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 3:00pm Intermediate/Novice Pairs (500/300/100) & 49er Pairs (50/20/5)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 3:00pm of 430. The average score of the 130 the majority answer 90 points. For the

solvers was 390. The average score of other answers I consider how good the .(" 1 (. +1 the experts was 468. answer is and how many experts vote for WBL Trophy Race Winners’ Presentation —Lunch available for purchase— it for its score. If you submitted an an - l

e All readers are encouraged to send k Flights A/X (unlim/5000) Swiss Teams (2 session playthrough w/break) ...... 11:00am & TBA swer that got 20 points, that bid would c i N Bracketed Flight B Teams (no single player >3000) (2 session playthrough w/break) . .11:00am & TBA answers and/or new problems to Steve get a bad score at the table. A good ex - e l p i B Teams Bracketed by total team masterpoints; three overall places in each. r Robinson, 2891 S. Abingdon St. #A2 ercise would be to figure out why I gave T

& 300/100/50 Swiss Teams, VPs (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:00pm Arlington, VA, 22206-1329. In addition

N your answer 20 points. You might have / I

t Lots of Intermediate & Novice Events with Silver Points!

p to the winner receiving a free play at misread the problem. e

c Separate I/N events & strata as advertised as attendance allows. (Director's discretion.) x

e the WBL Unit Game, Steve will play

s t Hospitality includes snacks, drinks, & Friday lunch & evening party. Sunday lunch available for purchase. n

e with anyone who gets a perfect score or The book Washington Standard sec - v Tournament Chair: Brad Theurer, 301-527-8819, [email protected]; Hospitality Manager: e

l l ond edition is out. If you are a serious a Mike Zane; Volunteer Coordinator: Barbara Summers, 301-598-5838, [email protected]; who exactly matches all five of his an -

n i Partnerships: Barbara Doran, 301-608-0347, [email protected], Online Partnership Desk available.

d swers. If you send a self-addressed bridge player, this book is a must. You e

w *StrataFlighted if attendance warrants—otherwise combined into Stratified Pairs (unlim/2000/500) o

l stamped envelope to the above address can purchase a copy from Steve for l a

Stratification by avg. masterpoints of the team or pair. No individual may exceed the event’s upper limit. t

r along with your answers, I will send you $25.00 whenever you see him or can a

h Directions to the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD: I-495 c - send him a check for $30.60 which in - d st a copy of the new problems to ensure i to Georgia Avenue North (toward Wheaton). 1 light right on Forest Glen Rd. The Center is .7 mile on right. M that you can meet his next deadline. cludes $5.60 for priority mail. 17- 6 - - 7 - July/august 2016 correct to 5 §.” hearts or clubs; if partner bids 4 ª, ªx©AQxx ÄKQxxx §xx and ªx©AKxx solutions then bid 5 §.” ÄKQxx §xx would be minimum 1 ¨- Schwartz: “4 ¨—Will pass 4 © and openers followed by a 2 © reverse. You bid 5 § over 4 ª. I can't chance a 4-3 Two experts jump straight to game. could be stronger which is why reverses 1) IMPs We’re Vul heart fit. Hopefully partner isn't 5-4 in The problem is that they could be in the are forcing and promise a rebid over all majors.” wrong game. ª-©A843 ¨Q32 §KJ8765 non-game bids. Reversing with only four diamonds is a misdescription of suit If you double 3 ¨ holding ªAKQxx One expert jumps to 4 ©. Why can’t SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST lengths. Partner could support you with ©xxxx Äxx §x or AKQJ ©xxxx Äxx partner have three little hearts? 3¨ Dbl Pass three diamonds and the 4-3 diamond fit §xx, you must bid 4 © not 4 ª over part - ????? might not play well. 2 § rebid also does ner’s 4 ¨ cuebid. 4 ¨ does not ask for King: “4 ©—Seems like our best not describe this hand. A prototype 1 ¨ your best major, it asks for your lowest chance at a game, but could be very Action Score Votes Solvers opener followed by 2 , usually shows at four-card major assuming you have one. wrong.” § 4¨ 100 9 17 least nine cards in the minors. But the 4© 70 1 52 Hopkins: “4 ¨—If partner bids 4 ª One expert jumps to 5 §. Why can’t extra strength could make up for the 5§ 70 1 18 I'll try 5 §. With 4 ©, I am content. I partner be 4=5=2=2, 4=6=2=1 or even lack of a fifth diamond. 4§ 50 0 19 hope he doesn't have a spade one-suiter 4=5=3=1? 3© 50 0 18 as we are likely to get too high.” Only one expert reverses. Woolsey: “5 §—This looks like the 3NT 40 0 3 value bid, and clubs is certainly the King: “2 ©—Seems like enough to 6§ 40 0 2 This shows why you shouldn’t double best strain for slam. Just pay off if part - reverse.” 3ª 20 0 1 4¨ with a very strong spade one-suiter. Takeout doubles should be flexible. With ner doesn't have some support.” 5¨ 20 0 1 Nine experts join me and do not want a spade one-suiter bid 3 ª, jump to 4 ª Choice of games takes precedence to misdescribe their heart-diamond suit or even 5 ª. Partner made a takeout double of over slam tries. lengths. They misdescribe their dia - 3¨. He usually shows length in the ma - Theurer: “4 ¨— I do not want to mond-club suit lengths. jors. However, he does not guarantee play in hearts unless partner can show 2) Matchpoints Both Vul four cards in both majors. On very rare Parker: “2 §—That is why we four or more by bidding 4 ©. If he bids occasions, he might have only two ª5©AQ75 ¨KJ65 §AK82 opened 1 ¨ so we could rebid 2 §.” 4ª I will bid 5 §. Slam is possible hearts. He might double 3 ¨ holding though I’m more concerned about get - ªAJxx ©KQ ¨xx §AQxxx. He certainly SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST Zhong: “2 §—I did not see any prob - ting us to the right strain. Second can have only three hearts. The object 1¨ Pass 1ª Pass lem with 2 §. 2 § could have up to 17 choice is an immediate 5 §.” should be to play in 4 © if partner has ????? points, which is what I have. It should four of them otherwise to play in 5 §. be easy to make the next bid if partner Shi: “4 ¨—Going to worry about Action Score Votes Solvers can make another bid.” strain first before thinking about slam.” Eight experts join me and cue bid. If 2§ 100 10 42 2© 70 1 46 partner has four hearts, he should bid 4 © Strain before slam should be your Woolsey: “2 §—If the auction ends, 2NT 60 0 20 even if he has longer spades or clubs. If number one rule. maybe that is all we can make. Much he has a really good hand he can jump to 3§ 50 0 6 easier if playing reverse Flannery.” 5NT as choice of slams. Adams: “4 ¨—Tough. 3NT or 4 ¨ 3NT 40 0 9 could be right. If I find a 4-4 heart fit, 1NT 40 0 5 Adams: “2 §—What's the problem? I Parker: “4 ¨—If partner has four I will be glad I tried 4 ¨. If I have to bid 4© 20 0 1 hope we are playing Reverse Flannery so hearts he will bid them first. If he bids 5§ over 4 ª I will wish I tried 3NT.” 2ª 20 0 1 I don't have the issue of a 4-4 heart fit, 4ª we now know we don't have at 4-4 3© 20 0 1 but even without it, 2 § is the book bid.” heart fit and will bid 5 §.” Not sure I’d be happy playing 3NT with a void in spades. A prototype reverse with diamonds Reverse Flannery is when Responder Zhong: “4 ¨—Two places to play. If and hearts shows at least 15 HCP, four has five spades and four or five hearts, partner bids 4 ª over 4 ¨, I am going to Ekstrand: “4 ¨—May have slam in hearts and at least five diamonds. and a non-game-forcing hand over a - 8 - - 9 - one-of-a-minor-opener. He responds 2 ª be very strong so when in doubt don’t one-level on these hands so I can find ©J1098xxx ¨xx §x. Even vulnerable, with an invitational hand and 2 © with pass 2 §. out what the opponents want to do and experts go out of their way to open 3 © a non-invitational hand. Playing that then figure out how high I should be on weak hands with seven-card suits. convention, partner can’t have five 3) Matchpoints None Vul bidding. When I open 4 © on these Same with weak-twos. If you allow any spades and four or five hearts unless he hands I usually go for 950.” pair to have a constructive auction, the ªAJ2 ©J1098654 ¨K5 §5 has a game-forcing hand. chances are good that they will get to Schwartz: “1 ©—Too much defense, SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST the correct contract. Hopkins: “2 §—This will turn out spades too good and suit too bottom ????? badly if partner has the Majors and heavy for preempt. Enough playing The opening bidder has an advantage. strength for one-bid.” cannot muster another bid, otherwise Action Score Votes Solvers 4) IMPs None Vul we are well positioned. At IMPs, I 1© 100 6 31 might consider 2 ©.” Two experts treat this hand as an 3© 90 2 50 opening three-level preempt. ª5©AK5 ÄJ9 §AKJ765 Pass 80 3 33 Theurer: “2 §—Since I will not bid 2© 70 0 15 Zhong: “3 ©—It depends on your pre - SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 2NT on a small singleton spade and 4© 70 0 2 emptive style. I will open with this one.” 1 Pass 1 Pass not really strong enough either, nor § ª ????? will I jump to 3 §, the choice is be - If you open 2 © or 3 ©, partner is not Woolsey: “3 ©—Move a couple of tween reversing to 2 © or bidding 2 §. going to expect you to have a jack high honors around and it is a model pre - Action Score Votes Solvers At IMPs I would definitely bid 2 §. At suit with an outside ace and king. If empt. That makes it close enough.” 2¨ 100 7 34 matchpoints I don't want to miss a you open this hand 1 ©, partner might 3NT 90 4 63 heart fit. But I will bid 2 § anyway, expect you to have a little more Three experts pass. The problem is 2NT 80 0 10 since I really should have five dia - strength. You can also pass and hope to that when you later bid hearts partner 3§ 70 0 11 monds, maybe four really good ones, to later show your hand. Which path do is never going to expect you to have 2© 40 0 4 reverse, and with the stiff spade, no the experts follow? seven hearts. Usually you’d have only 6§ 20 0 1 spots and mediocre diamonds, I will five hearts. 2§ 20 0 2 take the low road. If partner bids 2 ¨ Five experts join me and treat this 1NT 20 0 1 now I can try 2 © and partner should hand as an opening 1 ©-bid. Opening the Hopkins: “Pass—I have this feeling I will be able to get into the auction later.” 3© 20 0 1 now read me for 1=4=4=4 with just bidding gives you an advantage if it’s the 3¨ 20 0 4 opponent’s hand. You could steal it. under jump shift values.” Adams: “Pass—Close to a 1 © opener, and I would not object if partner tried You have a very strong hand but 1¨ followed by 2 § and then 2 © Parker: “1 ©—It’s too good for a pre - that. Seriously hate a heart preempt on there is no clear way to show it over could be 1=3=5=4 with 17 HCP. empt since you have an Ace and a King this sort of hand in first chair.” partner’s 1 ª-response. A jump to 3 § on the side.” shows a good six-card club suit, but the Shi: “2 §—I will bid again over part - Ekstrand: “Pass—In first seat I'd lower count is 16. Partner could pass ner's preference.” King: “1 ©—Too much defense to your jump to 3 §. A jump to 2NT shows open 2 © or 3 © and don't want to pass pass and await developments. I believe a balanced 18-19 but this hand is un - Schwartz: “2 §—2 © rates to get is with so much offense”. in disciplined preempts—two of top too high when partner is weak or to di - three or three of top five honors, Can balanced and the six-card club suit amonds in inadequate fit. Will follow Theurer: “1 ©—With an ace, and compete later, or partner may have make it worth more than 19 HCP. Part - up with minimum heart bid if given the king and a singleton outside and a sev - strong spade suit.” ner might jump to 4 ª expecting you to chance.” enth heart, this hand is wrong for a 2 © have two spades. A jump to 3NT is a or 3 © preempt. It’s enough for 1 © de - When I first started playing bridge gambling bid, usually a good club suit Ekstrand: “2 §—If partner has four spite having only nine HCP since I Ekstrand beliefs was main stream. This with one or two honors outside. If you hearts, he will now show them, or may sup - have good suit texture and adequate has turned around and most experts take the king of hearts and make it a port diamonds. If he rebids 2 ª, I’ll pass.” defense.” don’t promise anything when they pre - low club, you’d have a prototype 3NT empt. Non-vulnerable vs vulnerable, lots rebid. Usually you’re short in partner’s I¨ - one-of-either-major – 2 §, can Shi: “1 ©—My style is to open at the of experts would open 3 © with ªxxx suit when you jump to 3NT. - 10 - - 11 - Seven experts reverse into diamonds. Reverses are forcing and promise a Partner has made a takeout double pass partner’s takeout doubles if there is This could work unless partner has four rebid except if partner jumps to game of 3 § and you have to respond. Is your a reasonable option available. diamonds and insists on playing in di - or slam. hand worth a game force or do you amonds. 2 ¨ is forcing in principle. want to stop in a partscore? If it’s a Zhong: “Pass—My points are defen - Three expert join me and jump to game force and you want to play in a sive. With preemptive hand, I am ex - Parker: “2 ¨—I don't want to bid 3NT. We are one club short and one major, then 4 § is clear. You want to pecting major suit(s) are not going to 2NT with a singleton spade or 3NT king too much. This comes closest to de - make sure that you get to your best distribute normally. So I am going to without solid clubs. I will bid 3 © next scribing this big hand. At least partner major suit fit. You could bid 3NT or you convert double to penalty and expect - over whatever he bids.” won’t expect us to have four diamonds could pass partners takeout double. If ing a plus score.” and he should think that we are short it’s not worth a game-force, you could I don’t think 3NT promises solid in spades. Adams: “Pass—This should go down clubs. Just a club oriented strong hand. three-of-either-major. a few, and if we have a game it will go Woolsey: “3NT—This is a perfect Two experts cue bid and force this down at least three. Seems our only King: “2 ¨—Have to make a forc - prototype for what a 3NT bid shows. ing bid.” hand to a major-suit game. They will sure plus score.” Anything else is misleading.” get to their eight-card major suit fit if Schwartz: “Pass—Pass better than Zhong: “2 ¨—Reverse to make it forc - Shi: “3NT—In standard shows a there is one. I wouldn’t be happy if part - guessing partner’s best major. Rather ing. Then jump to 3NT to show the com - running minor with a stiff in partner's ner bid 4 ¨ over my 4 § cue bid. I’d then plete hand if partner can’t support clubs.” than guessing worth taking a likely plus major. I'm a little stronger and my have to bid 4 © and hope the 4-3 heart which the law implies as long as part - minor is a little less running, but its fit plays well. The cue bid shows two Hopkins: “2 ¨—My minimum lie to ner is not loaded in majors. Can't close enough.” places to play. On a previous problem, keep the auction going.” you had one major and the other minor. chance 4 § with working three-count.” “2 —Not quite the right Schwartz: “3NT—Shows good six or Here you have both majors. It’s better Theurer: ¨ Two experts join me and don’t think hand to rebid 3NT. I prefer either solid longer suit, stoppers in side suit and than guessing which strain is best. You this hand is worth a game bid. The king clubs or at most a one-loser suit. Add implies spade shortness. Better than don’t want to play in 4 © if partner has of clubs is of dubious value. If you’re not the club ten and I might do it. I'll fake bidding fake suit.” ªAKxx ©xxx Äxxxx §x. driving to game, which major are you a reverse in my cheaper suit. Partner Try not to bid three-card suits unless Parker: “4 §—Get to the right strain will be more likely to raise/insist on going to bid? At the one-level I’d bid absolutely necessary. and hope we are at the right level.” hearts with four of them if I reversed spades first so I could later bid hearts. Here, you figure to be able to bid only into that suit.” Probably too high but you do get to 5) IMPs You’re Vul one of your suits so you might as well your best strain. Adams: “2 ¨—Again wish I was bid your best suit. Hearts will probably ª10953 ©K1065 ¨Q§KJ62 playing Reverse Flannery. Then I King: “4 §—Let partner chose a play better than spades in a 4-3 fit. If would reverse into hearts which would SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST major.” we had the KJ of spades, instead of KJ be defined as artificial. Don't have good 3§ Dbl Pass of hearts, 3 ª would be the better call. If enough clubs for a 3NT rebid, and too ????? Three experts pass partner’s takeout partner has ªQJxx ©AQxx ¨KJxx §x strong for 3 § or 2NT.” double since the best part of their hand which a normal takeout double, you’d Action Score Votes Solvers is club values. This could be a bonanza I don’t know why reversing into 2 © be lucky to make 3 ©. If partner has 3© 100 3 41 against lots of 3 §-openers who would is artificial. Opening 1 § and rebidding ªAKxx ©Axxx ÄJx §xx, a 16-count, 4§ 90 2 26 open on any six-card suit. Some would 2© over 1 ª is a natural reverse. Part - game is anti-percentage. Pass 80 3 13 open 3 § on ªxxx ©xx ¨xx §Q109xxx. ner is allowed to have a hand that does - 3NT 80 3 22 Woolsey: “3 ©—Passing is a bit too n’t fit reverse Flannery such as six On the other hand, if partner doubled spades and four hearts. 4© 50 0 16 3§ with ªKQJx ©AQxx ¨xxxx §x, and risky and I'm not worth driving to 3ª 50 0 8 you’re playing against a sound 3 §- game.” Ekstrand: “2 ¨—If agreed that's forc - 5§ 20 0 3 opener, you might not take many tricks ing, otherwise 2NT. 3 § sounds too weak!” 4¨ 20 0 2 on defense. I don’t go out of my way to ...continued on p. 16 - 12 - - 13 - § unit game ¨ wbl © unit game ª thursday night § unit game ¨ wbl © unit game ª thursday night

2016 trophy race standings www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org 0-20 ~ § ¨ schedule © ª ~ wbl guaranteed Updated by Alex Gretsinger lesson Most games held at Ohr Kodesh partner program The Lovenberg Race is open to all WBL members; the Izzy Cohen Race You never need to miss the is open to all WBL members who started the calendar year with less than 1500 & game 09/29/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Champ—Swiss Teams unit game because you don’t masterpoints; the Tubbs Race is open to all WBL members who started the 10/06/2016 ...... WBL Sectional have a partner at the last calendar year as a Non-Life Master Izzy Cohen guaranteed 10/13/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Club Appreciation minute! The WBL has a guar - with less than 500 masterpoints; the 1 Robert Rovner ...... 71.86 anteed partner (GP) program Woolridge Race is open to all WBL 2 Carole Banks ...... 43.35 partners ! 10/20/2016 ...... NVBA Sectional 10/27/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Board-a-Match Teams ; for players who occasionally members who started the calendar 3 Murat Berk ...... 39.88 need a partner for the unit 7:00 pm year with less than 20 masterpoints. 4 Peter Van Zijl ...... 38.10 NLM Swiss Teams game. Here’s how it works: we Winners in each category re ceive 5 James Berry ...... 37.75 lesson 11/03/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship provide a standby partner; if four sessions of free plays. Second 6 Terry Klein ...... 35.36 11/10/2016 ...... Stratified STaC Pairs an odd number of people in 7 Dale Sanders ...... 34.83 place gets two and third place gets one. 7:30 -10 ish 11/17/2016 ...... Strataflighted Grand National Teams need of a partner arrive, we This list is up to date as of 8/27, 8 Leon Masiewicki ...... 34.21 game match the players as best we 9 Paul Block ...... 34.10 11/24/2016 ...... CLOSED —Thanksgiving not including the unit knockout or can, and the GP plays with 10 James Wisman ...... 32.32 12/01/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship round robin. All points are subject the one who is left. (If there is 11 Ernie Schuler ...... 29.34 Join a nytime 12/08/2016 ...... Stratified STaC Pairs to audit by the WBL Director. an even number of players 12 Brian Sutton ...... 29.28 The cost is $5. This 12/15/2016 ...... Holiday Party—Dinner & Game looking, the GP goes home). Lovenberg 13 David Narrow ...... 26.11 includes a 30 minute StrataFlighted Grand National Teams 1 Steve Robinson ...... 184.60 14 Juan Pablo Quizon ...... 25.87 You can always get a game. 2 Sylvia Shi ...... 146.42 15 Jim Rubin ...... 25.46 lesson followed by fun, 12/22/2016 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship Players in search of partners 3 James Geist ...... 113.81 12/29/2016 ...... Strataflighted Grand National Teams should try to arrive between 7:00 Tubbs enjoyable bridge for 4 Brad Theurer ...... 112.87 players with 0-20 mas - 01/05/2017 ...... WBL Sectional and 7:15 (or call ahead). The 1 Brian Sutton ...... 29.28 partnership desk closes at 7:25. 5 Martin Graf ...... 104.06 terpoints. 6 Steven Schatzow ...... 103.94 2 David Narrow ...... 26.11 Check website for any schedule changes. Bold dates held at You can call the WBL cell 7 Barry Falgout ...... 103.46 3 Juan Pablo Quizon ...... 25.87 Lessons will cover other locations: *TBD; **Kensington Town Hall/Armory. phone (301) 395-2760 at the last 8 Clyde Kruskal ...... 101.96 4 Jim Rubin ...... 25.46 slam bidding, weak For a Last-Minute Partner, to say you’ll be late, to hear minute if are on your way and 5 Barry Tash ...... 25.12 9 Mark Shaw ...... 101.39 twos, 3 level+ pre - announcements (closings posted by 4pm), or to contact the know you’ll be at bit late. 10 Robert Bell ...... 91.36 6 Marc Zlotnik ...... 24.05 empts, overcalls, Unit Game for any reason, call the WBL Cell Phone: To find a partner at least 7 Ferit Yegenoglu ...... 23.13 11 Lloyd Rawley ...... 90.67 take out doubles, neg - a day in advance, contact 8 Charles Dearolf ...... 21.47 12 David Ruderman ...... 87.93 Barbara Doran at UnitGame 9 Shala Panbechi ...... 21.15 ative doubles, open - 13 Linda Marshall ...... 86.21 (301) 395-2760 [email protected] or 10 Mahmoud Katirai ...... 20.75 ing leads, and 14 Donna Rogall ...... 84.63 [email protected] or signaling. Each les - map to ohr Kodesh congregation 15 Peter Boyd ...... 79.80 Woolridge call 301-608-0347 be tween 16 Robert Rovner ...... 71.86 1 David Espo ...... 10.71 son will be tailored to 9am and 10pm. 17 William Cole ...... 69.86 2 Sunil Sikka ...... 9.85 the needs and inter - You might want to volun - 18 Ronald Zucker ...... 65.95 3 Jeff Frank ...... 8.71 ests of the players. teer for the GP program your - 19 Lou Reich ...... 61.63 4 Judy Rovner ...... 7.50 This is a great pro - self. It’s a great way to meet 20 Vincent Wilmot Jr ...... 59.69 5 Carole Stringer ...... 7.44 gram for beginners as people. If you play on the night 21 David Genne ...... 59.67 6 Sherry Floyd ...... 7.07 well as experienced you’re the GP, you play free. If 22 Mita Banerjee ...... 57.64 7 Julie Anderson ...... 6.70 social bridge players! you volunteer, you receive a 23 Donald Berman ...... 57.29 8 Tyler Creighton ...... 6.44 free play for any future unit Partners will be pro - 24 Michael Richey ...... 54.23 9 Sue Ellen Hersh ...... 6.06 game whether or not you play 25 Eugene Kales ...... 53.41 10 Robbie Lloyd ...... 6.01 vided if needed. For that night. more information, con - unit game carpool available tact 0-20 Coordinator, Partnerships Close AT 7:25pm To arrange a carpool, contact Melissa Price, Carpool Coordi - Isabelle Thabault at ALERT! The Unit Game is now played at Ohr Kodesh. TO START THE GAME PROMPTLY AT 7:30 PM . C ALL IF YOU ’RE LATE , nator, at 301-464-1261 or [email protected] m. [email protected] NO OUTSIDE FOOD IS ALLOWED . Snacks and drinks will be provided. OR YOU MAY NOT BE ACCOMMODATED . ~ §¨©ª ~ - 14 - - 15 - Solvers’ Club, cont. from p. 13... playing in it.” Theurer: “3NT—Ugh! I don't have the unit game Shi: “3 ©—Pass and 4 § also in the enough to bid 4 § which is partner, game. I think that most of my values please pick a major. I hate having to Please contact Chris Miller, Club Manager and Chief Director, at being in clubs is bad for 4 § and pass guess which major to bid when partner unitgame [email protected] if you have any questions about how the WBL Unit Game is run. This column answers some frequently is a little scary. So I won't likely have a could be 4-3 either way in asked questions. big win on this board but I won't have spade/hearts. Pass is possible but too caddies a big loss.” “final" and the vulnerability is wrong for that as well. Since so much of my by Clyde Kruskal Three experts don’t believe that when stuff is in clubs and we're vulnerable at partner makes a takeout double, he’s in - As I noted in my previous article, I am discussing caddies in WBL bridge IMPs, I'll try for the nine trick game terested in majors. They bid 3NT. Their events. They have slightly different jobs at Unit Games, Sectionals, and Re - despite having both majors. Also my prototype takeout double of 3 § must be gionals. All of these games function as well as they do because of the caddies. values are all soft so there could easily ªAxx ©Qxx ¨AKJxx §xx. In 3NT, they Let's start with the Unit Game. We are lucky to have two extremely competent be four losers in a major suit game. If don’t get the benefit of partner’s club and experienced caddies: Alan Crank and David Solomon. Sometimes, we have partner pulls (due to club void and/or shortness and your diamond shortness. a fill-in, but that is rare these days. Alan comes from a bridge-playing family. big hand?), that's OK - I can bid 4 © David knew (our director) Ted Ying through their common interest in acting. (By At least the opponent’s won’t be able to over 4 ¨.” the way, David will be cast member in the musical "Oklahoma," October 29- ruff anything. November 19, if anyone is interested in seeing him perform. You can witness Ekstrand: “3NT—Hope for best. If I Hopkins: “3NT—This should give his real talent.) Ted introduced David to caddying in 2007; this gave David the bid 4 § to show both majors, and part - courage to learn bridge. It has been great for the Unit Game, since he can fill in me the most flexibility in making a ner bids 4 ¨, then what?” game as I can hope for five or six tricks ...continued on p. 18 in the Majors and three or four tricks If you can give partner an ace above in the minors. A bad split in one Major his minimum and game is anti-percent - upcoming sectionals do you have any might not be fatal as it would be if age, then bidding game is an overbid. muscles or brains § October 6-9, 2016 , WBL, Silver Spring, MD to spare? ¨ January 5-8, 2017 , WBL, Silver Spring , MD © February 16-19, 2017 , NVBA, Fairfax, VA The Washington Bridge solvers’ scores League could use a little of either! © April 6-9, 2017 , WBL, Silver Spring , MD In order to keep events exciting ª April 27-30, 2017 , NVBA, Fairfax, VA and entry fees low, the WBL relies John Adams 4¨ 2§ Pass 2¨ Pass 460 on the goodness of our members to § August 24-27, 2017 , WBL, Silver Spring, MD Pete Ekstrand 4¨ 2§ Pass 2¨ 3NT 460 volunteer for small jobs at the Unit ¨ September 14-17, 2017 , NVBA, Fairfax, VA Game and Sectional Tournaments. Robbie Hopkins 4¨ 2§ Pass 2¨ 3NT 460 © October 5-8, 2017 , NVBA, Fairfax, VA Some jobs require brains while others require muscle. We’ll be Fred King 4© 2© 1© 2¨ 4§ 430 ª October 19-22, 2017 , WBL, Silver Spring, MD happy to employ either. Steve Parker 4¨ 2§ 1© 2¨ 4§ 490 From setting up and break - ing down tables, to publicity and events development, a little effort from you will make Steve Robinson 4¨ 2§ 1© 3NT 3© 490 our bridge community even better. Busy schedule? No worries. Most volunteer assign - Alan Schwartz 4¨ 2§ 1© 3NT Pass 470 ments take only 15 minutes to 1 hour a month. Here’s how to help: Sylvia Shi 4 2 1 3NT 3 490 ¨ § © © 1. Reply by email, phone or in person if you are willing to help in any way. Brad Theurer 4¨ 2§ 1© 2¨ 3NT 480 2. Please indicate if you can offer any special skills (such as marketing or a strong back). 3. Someone will contact you shortly with a choice of assignments you can pick from. Kit Woolsey 5§ 2§ 3© 3NT 3© 450 Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Yi Zhong 4¨ 2§ 3© 2¨ Pass 470 Barbara Summers, Volun teer Coordinator, 301-598-5838, [email protected] ,

- 16 - - 17 - Unit Game Caddies cont. from p. 17... rather say messy.) On Thursday afternoon, Bits & Pieces, cont. from p. 4... resent District 6 in the national finals of David brings the tables and sets them up for this grassroots competition. the games. On Sunday evening the caddies when we need an extra player. The club/unit game qualification pe - stay late to clean up from the weekend. ACBL members: Mrs Aaro Bell-Reid, Mr On Thursday evenings, the caddies For Regionals, we provide a couple of Robert Bogin, Susan E Bonds, Mrs Tanya riod began on September 1, 2016 and will come early, at approximately 6:30pm. They rooms in the hotel where the game is held Buchwald, Janet P Engel, Mr Mark V end on May 18, 2017. To qualify, you can set up tables, put out the mats and Bridge - for the caddies, Years ago, Nadine Wood Engel, Diana Fornas, Mrs Andrea Levine, go out and play as often as you want and Mates, and prepare the the food. The syn - was "Caddy Master"; more recently it was Ms Mary Locke, Robinette Lynch, Ms An- with whomever you want. As long as agogue prepares the coffee for us. When Fred King. toinette Schooler, Ms Patricia W Silber- whatever team you play on wins at least the game starts, they pick up the entries. The one player that I know who used to man, Ms Margaret Stouffer, Ms Zoi 50% of its matches during a qualifying During the game, they put out the food. At caddy regularly is our very own Charity Calomiris, John R Caughron, Winston game, then you are eligible. You can form the end of the game, they pick up the Sack. She reminded me that years ago, the Crow, J Michael Crye, Mr Terence Dun- the team you want to play on in the Dis - boards, clean up, and wash the coffee pots scores for matchpoint games had to be trict Finals from among all eligible play - and dishes. David makes the boards and worth, Esther Gerber, Moises G Granda, done by hand. This was an intensive job at ers in your flight. hand records each week. Mr Arthur Grube, Susan Harding, Ellen the end of the game that required a great The caddies used to collect pick-up Loughran, Mrs Patricia Martino, Joseph The competition contains four flights. deal of care. Charity used to help with the slips after each round. Now that we have Musher, Jill M Neilsen, Mr Narayanan In the Open flight all players may enter. matchpointing. Millard used to help her bridgemates they do not need to do that Ramachandran, Frank Rubin, Mr Flight A is limited to players with 0- with her math homework, despite the fact (except when the bridgemates are not Matthew G Smith, Elizabeth Stewart, Al- 6000 masterpoints. Flight B is limited to that her mother, who was there, had a de - working). For team games, until recently, ison B Taylor, Stephen B Thau, Susan players with 0-2500 masterpoints. Flight gree in mathematics. (Who wants a parent the caddies carried the boards between ta - Trebach, Ms Carol Wansong, and Mr C is limited to Non-Life Masters with to help with homework?) bles each round. Nowadays, they don't Robert Weinzimer. fewer than 500 masterpoints. Master - need to do that because we have started to Charity tells me that at one Sectional, In addition, we welcome the follow - point eligibility is determined by the make boards and pass them between tables several of the caddies threw open-faced ing transfers from other units: Mr September 1, 2016 ACBL list of points. similarly to pair games. peanut butter sandwiches against the wall George R Clark Jr, Mrs Mary J Hawkins, In club play, the Open and A flights will Caddying has changed a little over the to see if they would stick. (Kids will be be combined. years. Traditionally, family and friends of kids.) Nadine was very annoyed, but years Lee Ann Jensen, Sid M Lotlikar, bridge players would caddy; usually, they later, she saw the humor in it. Ibrahim R Mady, Carol Dyer, Mr Masterpoints awarded at the club or were high school students. Now that we At that time many caddies played Yizhong Fan, Anne Lippold, and Mrs unit level are half-red and half-black. have such reliable caddies, we do not need bridge, and would fill in when a player was Adele Waggaman. These masterpoints are an easy way to needed. My sons, Alexander and Justin, to do that much. Lloyd Rawley's son, Paul, Please join us at our weekly Unit earn colored points without traveling or once filled in when a game needed a pair has been the most common fill-in. I live in Game on Thursday evenings and fre - changing your local partners or playing at a Regional. I doubt many current cad - fear of the day when Alan and/or David no quent the local bridge clubs in the area. habits. At the District level competition, dies know how to play bridge. longer caddy, and I have to find caddies Information can be found at: the match awards are red and the overall each week, as we did in the old days. World champion Peter Boyd played www.WashingtonBridgeLeague .org . awards are gold. (Flight C awards 25% bridge when he was young; he did caddy For Sectionals, we usually get Alan and gold and 75% red.) David, and a couple of other people to help once, every other day, for a tournament in out. Most recently, it has been my daughter, Norfolk. On the other days, he kibitzed 2016-17 You must pre-register to play. Pre- Rebecca, and my friend's niece, Abigail. The bridge legend Al Roth. Peter tells me that grand national teams registration ends Midnight on the caddies do the same jobs as in the Unit Game. when Sectionals were held in small cities, get your team Thursday, nine days before the event. Because we have a larger variety of food at the sometimes there were no caddies available. together! We will be holding the first weekend Sectionals, they have to spend more time Then the tournament would hire members of the District finals of Flights B and C there. They also clean up continually during from a local church to caddy; their earn - It is time to get to your local club or unit at one northern site (White Oak Com - the game. For team games, the caddies do ings were donated to charity by the church. game to qualify to win a partially subsi - munity Center, Silver Spring, MD) and bring the boards between tables. (I have been Anyway, next time you run into a caddy, dized trip to the Summer 2017 NABC in told that bridge players are slobs; I would be nice and show appreciation! Toronto, Ontario. If you win, you will rep - ...continued on p. 25 - 18 - - 19 - at the table: Fairfax, VA OCTOBER 20-23, 2016 a survival manual by Rich Colker, NVBA FALL SECTIONAL [email protected] Fall TOURNAMENT —P ART 6— into We continue our discussions of common hesitation. The Director is called, listens The Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge #2188 problems at the bridge table. While some dis - to your explanation, and says “Finish the Fun! 8421 Arlington Boulevard, cussion may presume a certain amount of ex - hand and call me back if you think you’ve Fairfax, VA; 703-560-2213 perience and sensitivity to the situations being been damaged.” Now suppose that later in THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 described, even a novice may improve in these the hand you need to make a crucial deci - STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) or 500/300/100 PAIRS ...... 10:30 a.m. areas through exposure to the underlying is - sion. You are expected to make the best de - Norma’s Game: K of C Hall, 5115 Little Falls Rd., Arlington, VA, 703-892-1292 sues. Discussions include both practical advice cision you can based on the information Evening games at: NVBA: Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA or on how to cope with problems once they occur available, just as if there had been no in - WBL: Ohr Kodesh Congregation, 8300 Meadowbrook Ln, Chevy Chase, MD NVBA (Beth El) WBL as well as procedures to follow to minimize or fraction. In other words, you are still re - Intermediate/Newcomer Lecture ...... 6:30 p.m. avoid disruptions in the first place. Every sug - STRATAFLIGHTED OPEN PAIRS (A/X=3000+/3000; B/C=2000/750) ...... 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. quired to play “reasonable” bridge, as is NVBA 199ER SWISS TEAMS (200/100/50/20); WBL NLM PAIRS (NLM/100/50) 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. gestion may not be appropriate for all games expected of players of your ability, in order or players: some are not intended for novices to retain your right to receive redress. This FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 Plenty of free Gene’s Friday Morning Game at KOCH: ...... 9:30 a.m. parking! On-site or events with low MP limits; others may be is true regardless of whether the opponents’ STRATIFIED OPEN (2000+/2000/750) or 500/300/100 PAIRS (NLMs only) snack bar plus lots of free modified for more socially-oriented or club score is later adjusted. ...REST OF TOURNAMENT AT ELKS LODGE... treats! Many great games. But above all else, please remember A typical situation occurs when the restaurants nearby! Intermediate/Newcomer Lecture ...... 1:15 p.m. ______that the emphasis of bridge should always be contract which resulted from the oppo - STRATAFLIGHTED A/X (3000+/3000) or B/C (2000/750) PAIRS 2 p.m. Championship Events on fun, enjoyment and relaxation. Even in se - I/N (500/300/100) or 49ER (50/20/5) PAIRS ...... 2 p.m. nents’ infraction would have produced as and a Full Schedule of rious competition it is to everyone’s advantage TRIPLE NICKEL SWISS—5 rounds, 5 boards, 5 minutes a board . .7:30 p.m. 299er Events for Novice and good a result for you (with normal play on I/N (500/300/100) PAIRS ...... 7:30 p.m. Intermediate Players! to avoid practices which can cause problems your part) or better than you could have SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 Players with 0-5 Master points or ill-feelings among the contestants. play FREE in ALL games! achieved without the infraction. In other STRATAFLIGHTED A/X (3000+/3000) or B/C (2000/750) PAIRS 9:30 a.m. ______words, if the infraction did not diminish I/N (500/300/100), 49ER (50/20) or NEWCOMER (0-5) PAIRS . .9:30 a.m. Tournament Chair Your Obligations Following an Opponent’s your chance for a good result (but actually Intermediate/Newcomer Lecture ...... 1:15 p.m. Margot Hennings, Infraction **ALL events on Sat. afternoon & evening award REGIONALLY RATED 703-560-0245 increased it) your fate remains in your own SILVER POINTS —an additional $1 will be added to your entry fee to Partnership Chair Principle : To retain the right to re - hands; it depends on the quality of your support Grass Roots events in our local area!—Details at www.nvba.org.** Marty Bley play, just as if the infraction had not oc - STRATAFLIGHTED A/X (3000+/3000) or B/C (2000/750) PAIRS . .2 p.m. [email protected] ceive redress for possible damage sus - I/N (500/300/100) or 49ER (50/20/5) PAIRS ...... 2 p.m. 571.789.8338 (C) tained due to an opponent’s curred. If you make an egregious bridge ______STRATIFIED OPEN (2000+/2000/750) or I/N (500/300/100) PAIRS 7:30 p.m. error later in the hand (e.g., revoke, ruff Mid-Chart Conventions infraction, the non-offenders must SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 permitted in all A/X Events continue to play reasonable bridge your partner’s ace, duck the setting trick, ______FLIGHTS A/X (5000+/5000) SWISS TEAMS ...... 11 a.m. & TBA for players at their skill/experience etc.) and thereby obtain a poor result, you Next NVBA Sectional BRACKETED FLIGHT B TEAMS (no single player >2500) . . .11 a.m. & TBA Feb 16-19 2017 at Arlington/ level. They may not receive redress if will not receive protection even though the B Teams Bracketed by Total Team Masterpoints: three overall places in each. Fairfax Elks Lodge their poor result is judged to have A/X opponents’ score may still be adjusted be - Swiss & B/C Teams: 2-session events, a brief break & food available on-site. (Thurs at Beth El) I/N (500/300/100) SWISS TEAMS (Single sessions) . .11 a.m. / 3:15 p.m. ______been due to an egregious error or cause of their earlier infraction. 49ER (50/20/5) SWISS TEAMS (Single session) ...... 11 a.m. www.nvba.org wild, gambling action on their part Similarly, if you take a wild or gambling STRATIFICATION of events is based on average masterpoints of the team or pair. In any event or flight with an upper subsequent to the infraction, even action which seeks to use the opponents’ limit, no individual’s total Masterpoint holding may exceed that upper limit. though the opponents’ score may still DIRECTIONS: From Route 50/Arlington Boulevard heading west from DC and Arlington AND from Route 495/Beltway: infraction as a safety net (called a “double Continue on/Take Route 50 West about one mile outside the Beltway, and turn left at Javier Road (the second stoplight after be adjusted due to their infraction. the intersection of 50 and 495). Take an immediate right onto the access road that runs parallel to Route 50. The Elks Lodge shot”) and your gamble backfires, again will be two buildings down on your left—parking on the side and in the rear. From Fairfax, heading East on Route 50: Pass the Say an opponent hesitates during the you will not be protected. Here’s an exam - intersection of Route 50 and Prosperity Avenue—the Prosperity Medical Center will be on your right. Between the first and second lights after Prosperity, turn right into the access road that runs parallel to Route 50 and look for the Elks Lodge immedi- auction and his partner then takes a ques - ple of a double-shot. Sitting South, vulner - ately to your right—parking on the far side of the building and in the rear. tionable action that was suggested by the able against non-vulnerable opponents, - 20 - - 21 - you hold ªAKxxx ©Axx ¨KJxx §x. The sult for +300 or +500. But 6 ª was not a When to Call the Director around or enough time to play more than a auction proceeds: reasonable action; it was an attempt to cap - handful of boards a session. So what exactly Principle: Call the Director immedi - should you do in these situations? italize on the opponents’ infraction to create ately if an irregularity which may re - West North East South a risk-free windfall result (a double-shot) for If there’s a lead out of turn, call the Di - quire a ruling (or an intervention) rector. If a player makes an insufficient bid, — — Pass 1ª your side, and those are not protected. occurs. If no ruling (or intervention) 2§ 3§(1) 4§(2) 4ª(3) Contrary to the popular (but erroneous) call the Director. If misinformation is sud - is needed, you may wait to call the denly discovered during the auction, call the Pass (4) Pass 5§? belief, an opponent’s infraction does not Director until you have evidence that Director. (It may be possible for him to in - (1) automatically entitle you to a good result Limit raise in spades or better you were damaged. tervene and back up the auction, and/or can - (2) or to an adjusted score. To see why, con - Weak; 3 ª would show values sider the following example. An opponent Law 9B1(a) says the Director should be cel a call, but only if he is called (3) Denies slam interest breaks tempo which causes his partner to summoned at once when attention is drawn immediately.) But when a player hesitates, to an irregularity. Okay, so what is an irregu - or asks a question when it is not his turn, (4) After a lengthy hesitation take a phantom save over your doomed most of the time his partner will take the nor - game. You subsequently commit an error larity? Some actions, such as an insufficient bid or a bid or lead out of turn, clearly qualify. mal action and there will be no need for a At this point you reason, “East left West on defense (one that a beginner would be But other actions, such as a break in tempo, Director. And there is also the negative so - to make the final decision when he bid only embarrassed to make) and allow their are more ambiguous. A hesitation by itself is cial aspect of calling the Director just be - 4§. Thus, he won’t be allowed to bid 5 § save to make instead of going for –300 not an irregularity: Law 73D1 says that while cause someone hesitated or asked a question after West’s hesitation. If I bid 6 ª and it (down two, doubled). The Director should maintaining a steady tempo is desirable, it is out of turn. (We all like to believe that bridge makes we’ll get a great result, but if 6 ª goes adjust their score to the small plus they not always required. That is, thinking is nei - still involves a social element.) Still, at least down we’ll be safe since the Director will would have received had they simply ther illegal, immoral nor fattening. The Laws two good things may happen if the Director adjust the contract back to 4 because of passed and defended your game (they ª also say that players should be particularly is called immediately: First, he can establish East’s infraction.” Wrong! You do not have cannot be allowed to profit from their in - careful in situations in which variations may that an irregularity occurred while the events a legitimate slam bid (after all, you didn’t fraction), but you should receive the ac - work to their benefit. If unauthorized infor - are still fresh in everyone’s mind and before even try for slam over 4 § and nothing hap - tual table result. Why? Because their mation could have influenced a player’s ac - anything else bad happens. And second, he pened since then to change your view of the infraction saved you from going down in a tions, a score adjustment is possible. Score can remind the partner of the player who hand) so bidding 6 ª now is a pure gamble; doomed game and afforded you the oppor - adjustments are made when a player’s action transmitted the extraneous information of his even if the contract is adjusted back to 4 ª tunity to get a plus score when otherwise could have been influenced by his partner’s obligation not to take any action that the in - for the opponents, you will be left with your you were going minus; all you had to do variation— not simply whenever there is a formation suggests. poor result in 6 ª. You gambled and lost. was defend reasonably. But since your variation. It is not necessary to determine that Some experienced players wait until they You are not entitled to protection when your poor result was due to a gross defensive the player’s action was influenced by his part - have good reason to believe that the receiver poor result was due to your own risk-seeking error it was you—not the opponents—who ner’s variation—only that it could have been. of the extraneous information took an unusual action which you took subsequent to (and were the proximal cause of your poor re - If the variation could not have affected the (unclear and “suggested”) action. This may because of) the infraction. sult. Thus, you get to keep it. player’s action (if it provided no useful infor - require waiting until the player’s entire hand Now let’s say you bid 5 ª over 5 § and To recap, you will be protected from mation that was not available from authorized is known, which often is not until it comes this works out poorly (only ten tricks are damage due to the opponents’ infraction if sources, or if the action was entirely clear- down as dummy or play has ended, at which available). As long as your 5 ª bid is judged you did nothing egregious subsequently to cut) then no adjustment should be made. time they can determine whether the action reasonable (by the Director or an Appeals cause your poor result. If you would have ACBL regulations require players to taken appears wholly justified by the player’s Committee) you will be protected. After an obtained as good a result or a better one summon the Director immediately when cards. In such cases it is wise to establish the opponent’s infraction you are only required than you would have received had there they believe that extraneous information was fact of the irregularity with the opponents as to play bridge that is reasonable for players been no infraction by simply continuing to available to an opponent who then took an soon as possible. For example, when an op - of your level—not perfect bridge. Since rea - play normal bridge, but you later commit action which may have damaged their side. ponent hesitates one might say, “I believe sonable bridge actions occasionally work an egregious bridge error (or take a wild, This means that players may wait to call the West hesitated before he bid. Do we all out poorly, they deserve to be protected. You gambling action that does not work out Director until it is clear that the opponent’s agree?” If the opponents agree the Director would never have been faced with that five- well) which causes your poor result, you action damaged them and not just because can be called later if he is needed; if they level decision except for the “illegal” 5 § will not receive protection, even though the someone hesitated. After all, if a Director deny any break in tempo the Director should bid. It was reasonable to bid 5 ª, playing for opponents’ score is adjusted (so they do not was called every time someone hesitates be called immediately. +650 or +680 rather than a possibly poor re - profit from their infraction). there wouldn’t be enough Directors to go Whatever you decide at the table, be - 22 - - 23 - aware that if you fail to call the Director come fairly common among experienced Bits & Pieces, cont. from p. 19... B Bracket (0-2500 MP) when you suspect an opponent took an ac - players, even if it is still not quite ACBL pol - tion suggested by extraneous information icy. Back then many players employing this one southern site (Charlottesville, VA). First Weekend from his partner which could have damaged approach after a break in tempo would say Cost per team is $100. This entry fee Northern Site your side, you may jeopardize your right to something like “I’m reserving the right to pays for the first day (2 sessions). Make White Oak Community Center protection. While failing to call immedi - call the Director later if I think there’s a checks payable to District 6 and send Silver Spring, MD ately will not automatically lose you your problem.” However, players always have the them to the address listed on the Dis - Saturday, March 4, 12 Noon rights, waiting incurs a somewhat greater right to call the Director if they think there’s trict Six website: districtsix.org. Along risk of that happening. Sunday, March 5, 11 A.M. a need. Announcing that one wishes to re - with the check, please send the names [Aside: When I first proposed this ap - serve that right is superfluous. What one ac - of all players on your team, their ACBL proach (asking the opponents if they agreed tually needs to do is establish the fact of a First Weekend numbers, the Flight you are entering, that there had been a variation in tempo and break in tempo as soon after its occurrence Southern Site and a contact e-mail address for the not just calling the Director directly) back in as possible, so there is no doubt that it oc - Charlottesville, VA Team Captain. 2002, only a small handful of players used curred or suspicion that the complaint of a Saturday, March 4, Time TBA this approach. Now, in the years since my ar - break in tempo was just “sour grapes” moti - Any questions, please contact Bill Sunday, March 5, Time TBA ticles first appeared, this approach has be - vated solely by a poor result on the board.] Cole at 301-602-9024 or colebridge@ aol.com . You can find Conditions of Con - Second Weekend test, directions to sites, & where to qualify For all qualified teams tepping p to ew eights: As of September 1, 2016 s u n h at districtsix.org . Site TBA Saturday, June 3, Time TBA Junior Masters: Mrs Elizabeth A Lyons Sectional Masters: 50 MPs Open Bracket Sunday, June 4, Time TBA ... Finals 5 Masterpoints Ms Abigail M Marks Ms Kim A Gandy First Weekend Barbara Devaney Hal McCombs Mr William W Davis White Oak Community Center C Bracket (0-500 MP) Mr Daniel K Dudis Dr E (Genie) Z McGarry Janet N Page Silver Spring, MD First Weekend Bea T Hessick Mr Nicholas Sapirie Eleanor D Young Saturday, March 4, 12 Noon Sunday, March 5, 11 A.M. Northern Site Dr Jay I Krampf Dr Barry Shapiro White Oak Community Center Mr Brian C Alspaugh Mr Robert Weinzimer Regional Masters: 100 MPs Second Weekend Silver Spring, MD Dana Best Dave Marchal For all qualified teams Site TBA Saturday, March 4, 12 Noon Charles Brown Club Masters: 20 MPs H Wesley Ashendorf Saturday, June 3, Time TBA Sunday, March 5, 11 A.M. Richard Carelli Dr Katherine R Marshall Mr John K Jackson Sunday, June 4, Time TBA ... Finals Ms Kathy P Chiron Carole Stringer Mr Arthur T Keefe III First Weekend Robert E Greeves Paul Zucker Shirlee W Starr A Bracket (0-6000 MP) Southern Site Charlottesville, VA Jeri Hayden Mr Robert D Bajefsky Mr Brian K Sutton First Weekend Joel Hayden Gin Bell Saturday, March 4, Time TBA Site TBA Sunday, March 5, Time TBA Helene Hendricks Mrs Barbara L Lappin NABC Masters: 200 MPs Saturday, January 28, Time TBA Mr Robert C Ives Arthur Lazarus Jr Barbara Gifford Sunday, January 29, Time TBA Second Weekend Ms Kathy L Kopnisky Robbie L Lloyd David Abraham Second Weekend For all qualified teams Sue Kushner Mr Alexander Stille Mrs Temma S Kanowith For all qualified teams Site TBA Fern M Lapidus Susan K Straus Bob Lawrence Site TBA Sunday, June 4, Time TBA ... Finals Dr Yuan-Jye Liu Shaheda Sultan Ms Geane L Schubert Saturday, April 8, Time TBA Sunday, April 9, Time TBA ... Finals ...continued on p. 26 - 24 - - 25 - WBL MEMBER 7 29.12 ...... Erik Kitagawa Bits & Pieces, cont. from p. 25... wbl educational PERFORMANCE LISTS 8 28.97 ...... Kun He 9 27.47 ...... Robert Rovner foundation washington, dc north All WBL Members 10 25.02 ...... Scott Lutrey Thanks to Dick Wegman and Barbara 1 american bridge 173.38 ...... Sylvia Shi WBL Members with fewer than 300 MPs Ames, for bringing this project about! 2 115.38 ...... Daniel Korbel championships 1 39.00 ...... Randal Burns 3 110.88 ...... Jian-Jian Wang The Washington Bridge League has es - 2 28.97 ...... Kun He winners 4 110.72 ...... Steve Robinson tablished a new WBL Educational Founda - 3 25.02 ...... Scott Lutrey 110.72 ...... Peter Boyd tion. Dick Wegman is president of the 4 24.96 ...... Bob Lawrence July 22-31 2016 6 97.49 ...... Mohsin Chandna Foundation. The Foundation will promote 24.96 ...... Barbara Teng bridge in the Washington area by develop - 7 88.97 ...... Dale Sanders 6 23.67 ...... David Handwerker 8 76.49 ...... Larry Kahn ing teaching programs in middle schools 7 21.77 ...... Linda Meade and high schools in D.C. and suburban 76.49 ...... H John Edmonds 8 18.49 ...... Brian Sutton 10 69.16 ...... Steven Schatzow Maryland, and expanding opportunities for 18.49 ...... Walter Beckerman adults to learn bridge or improve their WBL Members with fewer than 3000 MPs 10 18.15 ...... Juan Pablo Quizon bridge-playing skills. Thanks to the efforts 1 110.88 ...... Jian-Jian Wang WBL Members with fewer than 100 MPs by Barb Ames, the IRS has now approved 2 88.97 ...... Dale Sanders 1 28.97 ...... Kun He the tax exempt status of the Foundation, so 3 76.49 ...... H John Edmonds 2 25.02 ...... Scott Lutrey all contributions are tax-deductible. Congratulations to WBL members, Sylvia 76.49 ...... Larry Kahn 3 21.77 ...... Linda Meade Hugo Van Dyke is our new bridge-in- Shi and J.J. Wang and NVBA members, 5 54.48 ...... Janet Lee 4 18.49 ...... Brian Sutton Alex Prairie and Stephen Drodge who were 6 45.03 ...... Aaron Navarro schools coordinator. The WBL is now 5 18.15 ...... Juan Pablo Quizon looking for bridge players who would be representing District 6 when they captured 1st 7 44.16 ...... Peter Schiff 6 16.06 ...... Jim Rubin 8 43.73 ...... Terry Klein interested in teaching in these school place overall in the national finals of the 7 14.95 ...... William Davis programs. Teachers will teach a uniform 9 42.37 ...... Jeffrey Kosnett 8 14.10 ...... Kim Gandy Goldman Flight A Grand National Teams. curriculum, and receive training using 10 39.00 ...... Randal Burns 14.10 ...... Cate Frezza Later in the week, Sylvia Shi made it a ACBL materials designed for first-time 10 10.99 ...... Ferit Yegenoglu double, winning 1st place overall in the WBL Members with fewer than 750 MPs learners. Time commitments for bridge NABC 0-10,000 Mixed Swiss Teams playing 1 88.97 ...... Dale Sanders teachers (following training) would likely with Dori Byrnes, Morris Plains, NJ (cap - 2 44.16 ...... Peter Schiff marK your calendar be a couple of hours per week over the tain), Shan Huang, Toronto, ON, Michael 3 43.73 ...... Terry Klein course of a school semester. A modest for this year’s holiday McNamara, Scars dale, NY, Sylwia McNa - 4 39.00 ...... Randal Burns stipend for teachers may be available mara, Scars dale, NY, and William Ehlers, 5 35.62 ...... Stanley Barg party — december 15 from the ACBL. If you are interested in Madison, NJ. 6 31.51 ...... Hakan Berk Come celebrate the holidays with teaching (or otherwise participating) in dinner and bridge at the Thursday night the bridge-in-schools program, please Unit Game at Ohr Kodesh at 8300 contact Hugo at [email protected] . advertise? lower low rates! Meadowbrook Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. To support the Foundation, Dick Weg - This year’s holiday party will be man has taught several six-session bridge Advertisements are welcome in the WBL Bulletin which is published every other catered to follow the food regulations at workshops for WBL players who are in - month. Printed and mailed subscriptions are no longer included with membership. Paid Ohr Kodesh. In previous years, we have terested in improving their game. Partic - had to rent more expensive sites in ipants have generously contributed the mailed and printed subscriptions are available: $12/year WBL members; $18/year non- order to allow outside food to be brought tuition for the workshops to the Founda - members. (See p. 3.) The WBL Bulletin continues to be posted online with an email mes - in. So, this year, no food should be tion. If you would like to participate in fu - sage sent to notify members of its posting. In recognition of this change, the WBL has brought by individuals. ture workshops, please get in touch with Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm. Dick at [email protected] m. reduced the already low advertising rates which have remained the same since 2009. The game will start at 7:30 pm. It The WBL Board has resolved to support The new rates are: will be a StrataFlighted Grand National the Educational Foundation in any way it Teams game. can, including financially. Contributions $90 $125 for a full page ad $35 $50 for a quarter page ad If you have any questions or would from members are also welcome. If you $50 $75 for a half page ad $20 $25 for an eighth page ad like to help with the party, please contact would like to contribute directly to the Foun - Clyde Kruskal at [email protected] or dation, please contact Rose Berman, WBL The sixth appearance of an ad in one calendar year runs free. Jim Geist at [email protected] . Treasurer, at [email protected] t.

- 26 - - 27 - can pitch a diamond. If East has the Ace Chinese finesse of Hearts, then you can ruff the ace Ruff a diamond to return to the North hand, and North NLMaster Pointers you have the rest of the tricks. © A9 by I/N Columnist, Vince Wilmot, [email protected] Combined two way finesse and ruffing South finesse. © Q2 In this instance, spades are trumps. You need two heart tricks. If you belive that This is a rare play, only when you play with finesse Ruffing finesse West has the king of hearts, lead low to the have no other alternative. You have no part 2 In a ruffing finesse, you use trumps op - queen, cash the ace of hearts and ruff the real legitimate way of taking two tricks posite an honor holding to take a finesse. jack. If you believe that East has the king with this holding. If either opponent had In my last article, I looked at some of North the stiff heart king, you could lead the the more common finesse positions. This North 2 ace and drop the opponent’s king. Fail - time, we will consider more positions that ª ª 2 ing that, you only other possibility if you would be categorized as finesses. © KQJ © AQJ ¨ --- ¨ --- have to lead the suit is to lead the § --- § --- queen. If West ducks the trick, then you Two way finesse have stolen a heart trick you were not South South entitled to. North ª 3 ª 3 © AJ10 © --- © 2--- There are many other finesse posi - ¨ 43 ¨ 432 tions to learn. The mechanics for all of South § --- § --- these positions are based on the princi - © K32 ples I have shared – winning a trick with You are playing in a spade contract and Free finesse a lower honor, based on an assumption In this case, you need three heart tricks. In this instance, you let the opponents the lead is in the north hand. You lead the about which opponent holds a higher If you believe that West has the queen of King of Hearts from the North hand. If the take the finesse for you. ranking card. hearts, you can cash the King, and then East hand follows with a low card, then you lead toward the ace Jack in the below po - North sition for your finesse. ª 3 youths 25 and under © AJ10 the wbl online play for half price in North ¨ --- all wbl events § --- © AJ The Washington Bridge League is pro - viding two online services: South South bring a friend to the 0-20 ª 2 1. The WBL Online Bulletin Board

© 32 or nlm unit game! © K32 On an OPT IN basis only, this service will ¨ --- include an online directory of members. Send Similarly, if you believe that East has Bring a new player (who has not previ - § --- any of the following information that you’re the queen of hearts, you would cash the ace ously played at the WBL) to the Unit willing to have posted to the WBL webmaster, of hearts, and lead the jack of hearts for a Game to play in the 0-20 or NLM game In this example, hearts are trumps. The Don Berman, at [email protected] or finesse through the East hand. It would and you both will play free that evening. queen of hearts has not been played. call him at 301-776-3581. look like this. Rather than guess which opponent has the Name, Email Address, up to two Phone queen, lead a spade and lose the trick to Numbers, ACBL Number North the washington bridge one of the opponents. Regardless of which league is on facebooK! 2. The WBL Online Partnership Desk © J10 opponent wins the trick, they are forced to Check it out at washingtonbridgeleague.org https://www.facebook.com/ give you three heart tricks. Follow low on Contact Clyde Kruskal at [email protected] South washingtonbridgeleague any lead from either side, and you will al - or 301-395-0480 with any questions. © K3 ways win three tricks. - 28 - - 29 - w

6 1) IMPs None Vul 3) IMPs They’re Vul 5) IMPs They’re Vul b 1

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need a ride or a partner for the thursday unit game?

Contact Barbara Doran [email protected] , (301-608-0347 between 9am and 10pm) to find a partner in advance. For a last minute partner, call the WBL cell phone (301-395-2760). To arrange a carpool, contact Melissa Price, Carpool Coor - dinator, at 301-464-1261 or [email protected] m. Good luck! We look forward to seeing you on Thurs - day evenings.