Friday, March 9, 2007 Volume 50, Number 1 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT District 6 Duo grabs NAP-FFlight A crown A group of expert Overcoming an appalling 43% players was recently game in the first qualifying session of polled on their favorite the Baldwin Flight A North American methods of combating Pairs, the Maryland pair of Dave 1NT openings. The Daily Abelow and Dick Wegman fought Bulletin will feature the back to emerge as the victors in the preferred defense against four-session contest. 1NT of a different expert Abelow, of Owings Mills, is a each day of the NABC. healthcare software consultant. Today's expert: Eric Kokish. Wegman, of Bethesda, practices Kokish, of Toronto ON, is one of the best environmental law and is also District bidding theoreticians in the world. He has coached 6 president. It was the first NABC many high-level teams and is a regular contributor title for either player. Their to the Bridge Bulletin and Bridge World magazines. partnership is 10 years old. Kokish's favorite approach after an enemy 1NT Abelow and Wegman were 61st opening (15 to 17 HCP) is this: out of 70 after the first qualifying session, but a 60.5% game in the Dbl = a five-card or longer minor and a following session lifted them to 24th four-card major place, allowing them to play in 2♣ = both majors, typically 5-5 , Flight A, champs Dick Wegman and Dave Thursday's final. (Twenty-eight pairs Abelow 2♦ = either major made the cut.) In the first final Their margin of victory was less than three 2♥ = five or more hearts and a five- session, they posted a nice 63.5% score and were matchpoints, although a pending appeal at press card minor first going into the last session of play. A 52.3% time could shave the margin to a quarter of a 2♠ = five or more spades and a five- game in the last set was just enough to seal the matchpoint. card minor victory for the duo. 2NT = both minors or a game-forcing two-suiter Thanks from the Three-level bids = Preemptive (non- Hall Calls Three vulnerable) or constructive (vulnerable) Zia Mahmood, Kerri Tournament Chairmen Sanborn and Alan Sontag This tournament has had, and continues to have, have been elected to the the benefit of a major effort from many volunteers. Kokish said, "The upside of this approach is ACBL Bridge Hall of The Chairmen wish to say thanks to all who have that it gets most hand types described, and it gets the Fame. Induction given, and continue to give, their time and effort to relative lengths of the two-suiters straight. The ceremonies will take place make this event a success. Thank you! downside is that you can't play a one-suited minor during the 2007 Summer We have received significant financial and hand at the two level." NABC in Nashville. The moral support from the Greater St. Louis Unit 143 Another drawback is something that pertains to winners of the Blackwood and from District 8, as well as from the officers, many 1NT defenses, namely, the unavailability of a and von Zedtwitz awards boards and members of District 8 and the five units penalty double because double is assigned a will be announced later this week. A full report which comprise it. Thank you! conventional meaning. will follow the induction ceremony at the Summer We want to also give special thanks to the "The loss of the penalty double is a problem NABC. Casino Queen, Macy's, The Anheuser-Busch across the . It has prompted some people to Zia is one of the most Companies, Russell Stover Candy and Universal start opening hands with 1NT that are either off- colorful and recognizable Creative Concepts for financial or material shape or out of range since they know you can't nail personalities in the bridge sponsorship. Thank you! them." world. He is a 10 time Others who made significant contributions of Kokish referred to this approach as "modified North American champion merchandise, coupons or beneficial terms for service Woolsey," but he has also heard it called "Multi- and four time ACBL include The Paper Patch, Williams Pharmacies, The " because the 2♦ and 2♣ calls in this system Player of the Year. Ladue Market, Francis Percich of Union Station resemble those conventions. (Players are reminded Sanborn, a retired Marketing and Minuteman Press. Thank you! not to use conventional names when explaining stock trader, is a two time St. Louis NABC Chairmen Mike Carmen and methods to the opponents.) world champion with 18 North American titles. Glenn Smith. Against weak 1NT openings, Kokish changes She and Barry Crane won the World Mixed Pairs his approach to incorporate a penalty double: in 1978 by five boards. Spring forward! Sontag, a full time Remember Daylight Savings player, won the Bermuda begins Sunday. Advance your clocks Bowl in 1983 and 2001 and watches one hour before you go Dbl = penalty and the Rosenblum in to sleep Saturday night. ♣ 2 = both majors, typically 5-5 2006. He is the author of ♦ 2 = either major The Bridge Bum, one of Goodwill Message 2♥ = hearts and a minor (4-5, 5-4 or the most popular bridge Welcome to St. Louis and the 5-5) books of all time, and has ♠ Spring 2007 North American 2 = spades and a minor (4-5, 5-4 or 16 North American 5-5) Bridge Championships. championships. Tournament chairmen Mike Carmen and Glenn Smith have Smoking notice planned a fun-filled NABC for All Marriott hotels, which include you. Their group of volunteers, staff and sponsors "You can't give up the penalty double when the Renaissance properties, are smoke-free. Smoking have worked hard to make St. Louis a bridge opponents are playing a weak notrump," said is not permitted inside these experience you'll remember for a long time. Kokish. "But you lose the length inferences hotels, including the guest rooms. I look forward to seeing and greeting you at available in the strong notrump defense." The 2007 Summer and Fall the table. A passed hand, however, can use the first NABCs will also be hosted at , Chairman method, according to Kokish. Marriott hotels. National Goodwill Committee Saturday, March 10, 2007 Volume 50, Number 2 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Deutsch tapped A group of expert Allegaert, players was recently polled on their Shivdasani lead for sportsmanship favorite methods of combating 1NT award openings. The Daily Silodor Pairs Bulletin will feature Seymon Deutsch of Laredo TX has been New Yorkers Winthrop Allegaert and Jagy the preferred defense named the 2007 recipient of the Sidney H. Lazard Shivdasani posted a 67.77% score in the first against 1NT of a Jr. Sportsmanship Award. Deutsch, 71, is a five- qualifying session of the and different expert each time national champion, including last year's followed it up with a 61.62% game in the evening day of the NABC. Vanderbilt Knockout session to lead the event by almost two boards. (Players should note that several of the systems Teams in Dallas, and On a 25 top, the leaders' two-session total was described in this series use Mid-Chart conventions has two world titles: 841 matchpoints. Average was 650. and are not permitted in events that are restricted the 1994 Rosenblum In second with 799 are Bill Erikson and Eric to the General Convention Chart. Players should Teams and the 1992 Mane, and in third, with 792.5, are Stephen check the director-in-charge for details.) World Team Landen and Pratap Rajadhyaksha. Today's expert: Bobby Wolff Olympiad. He is the The qualifying round drew 344 pairs, of which Bobby Wolff has been a longtime champion of only U.S. player (and 182 survived to today's two-session final. simple, direct systems, and his career is testimony one of only five in the to the fact that one doesn't need conventional world) with gold complexity in order to win. Spring forward! medals from both events. "Against expert competition, simple is best. Remember Daylight ♣ A rancher and merchant specializing in fine Even something like Landy (2 shows the majors, Saving Time begins Sunday. men's and women's items, Deutsch quit bridge for all else is natural) is fine. Unusual systems Advance your clocks and 22 years to devote his time and energy to his typically have only one benefit: surprise. Against watches one hour before you family and business. After his layoff, he returned less experienced players, however, weird systems go to sleep Saturday night. can work very well, but that doesn't mean it's good to the game in the late Eighties and began bridge," Wolff said. winning titles. Overcalling 1NT is an inherently dangerous Goodwill Message The Lazard award, administered by the ACBL Educational Foundation, is given annually to a business, according to Wolff, not only because of Today is Junior Day, the day top-level player, one who has scored a high-level the risk of being penalized, but because of the we salute and celebrate our finish in a major national contest. The award was difficulty of having a constructive auction. younger players. Encourage these established by Sidney Lazard in honor of his son, "The lengths of the overcaller's suit(s) are players: They are the future of Sidney Jr., who died at 41 from cancer in 1999. unknown, so it's easy for bad things to happen." the ACBL. According to Lazard, the object of the award is Wolff and partner Dan Morse use this scheme Aileen Osofsky, Chairman "to enhance sportsmanship among the top players against strong and weak 1NT openings: National Goodwill Committee and to salute those who try to win with class and dignity." Dbl = penalty Smoking notice The Lazard award will be presented at the 2♣ = minors All Marriott hotels, which ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame banquet during the 2♦ = majors include Renaissance properties, Summer NABC in Nashville. 2♥ = natural are smoke-free. Smoking is not Previous winners of the Lazard 2♠ = natural permitted inside these hotels, Sportsmanship Award: 2001 Paul Soloway; 2002 2NT = major-minor two-suiter including the guest rooms. Rose Meltzer; 2003 ; 2004 Lynn The 2007 Summer and Fall Deas; 2005 Nick Nickell; 2006 Ralph Cohen. NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. "Barry Crane once analyzed his results from allowing the opponents to play 1NT and discovered that he was scoring something like 52 to 53%," said Wolff. "When his side balanced against 1NT, however, (and some of the actions were clearly not sound) he found that his percentage increased to 57 or 58%. Forcing his (typically) less experienced opponents to use their judgment worked to his advantage, but again, using dangerous bidding approaches just to stir up action against weaker opponents isn't good bridge. Certainly, that approach is a reality in matchpoint games for pairs that are trying to win, but it's not sound." Wolff said that all partnerships need to weigh the merits of their approach, especially regarding complexity and aggressiveness. "Using complex systems, you're trading solidity for pressure on the opponents." Wolff's philosophy when competing against weak 1NT openings is that it's better to err on the side of aggression by competing. "When you have a good 13 or 14 HCP, get in if possible. True, you could get doubled, but there ACBL's Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP) has shown thousands of instructors how to teach others are risks either way. Passing could be riskier than to play bridge. bidding. And to penalize you, they have to have TAP teacher trainers met Friday in St. Louis. Shown here: Julie Greenberg (left), ACBL director of the methods and right type of hand to do it." education, Betty Starzec, Dee Berry, Carol Mathews, Pat Harrington, Peg Cundiff and Marilyn Kalbfleisch. Sunday, March 11, 2007 Volume 50, Number 3 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Duboin, Welland take Silodor title A group of expert Boosted by a strong performance players was recently in the evening session of the final, the polled on their first–time partnership of Giorgio favorite methods of Duboin and won the combating 1NT Silodor Open Pairs. Although both openings. The Daily players have won multiple team titles Bulletin will feature at the national level (Duboin also has the preferred defense several world team titles), it was the against 1NT of a first NABC pairs championship for different expert each Duboin, of Turin, Italy, and Welland, day of the NABC. of New York City. (Players should note that several of the In 13th place after Friday's systems described in this series use Mid–Chart qualifying session, Duboin and conventions and are not permitted in events that Welland scored 62.16% in the first are restricted to the General Convention Chart. final session and capped it with a very Players should check the director–in–charge for strong 66.47% game in the second details.) final to win with 3242.57 matchpoints Today's expert: (including carryover). First–time partners Giorgio Duboin and Roy Welland won the Rosenberg, of New Rochelle NY, is The winners, however, had to Silidor Open Pairs. acknowledged as one of the best declarers on the overcome another pair who surged in quipped Welland to his partner after the victory. planet. The many–time NABC champion has the final: Richard Freeman and Zia Mahmood. Previously, Duboin and Welland had only been at strong opinions when it comes to 1NT defenses. Freeman and Zia were leading after the first final, the same table as opponents. They filled out a "You have different goals depending on but fell to second place by the end, falling short by convention only shortly before the contest began. whether you're playing matchpoints or IMPs. At less than half a board. Their two–day total was In third with 3057.00 were Winthrop Allegaert matchpoints, your goal is to 'get in there' and 3224.52 (top was 90). and Jagy Shivdasani who were the leaders after disrupt their auction. At IMPs, your goal is to get "You should have played with me before!" the qualifying round. to a game or get a good score from defeating the opponents." Rosenberg plays two different systems, The Cinderella Goodwill Message therefore, to cater to these two situations. At Here's a reminder that the matchpoints: preferred way to summon a St. Louis team tournament director is to raise Dbl = a four–card major and a longer by Roger Lord your hand and say, "Director, minor please." ♣ ♦ 2 = both majors (2 by advancer Play in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams begins Remember to keep your hand asks which major is longer/better) today, and in honor of the occasion, St. Louis raised so the director can find you. ♦ 2 = one major expert Roger Lord offered the following bit of Aileen Osofsky, Chairman ♥ 2 = five hearts and a five–card minor history about the Vanderbilt battle 45 years ago, National Goodwill Committee ♠ 2 = five spades and a five–card minor when an underdog St. Louis squad took home the trophy. Did you Rosenberg refers to this as the "Washington The 1962 Spring North American Bridge system," after the expert players in the Washington Championshiops took place in Lexington KY. In remember? D.C. area who use this scheme. (Note that this is the premier event, the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams, Daylight Saving Time began the same system described in Friday's installment the 24th–seeded team was an all–St. Louis squad: today. Did you advance your watch by expert Eric Kokish, although he calls it Jerry Levitt (captain), Garrett Nash, Carolyn one hour? something different. The bottom line is that Levitt and George deRuntz. Larry Kolker joined convention names are rather unimportant.) the team for the later rounds. Smoking notice At IMPs, Rosenberg prefers this: The format back then was double–elimination, All Marriott hotels, which scored by IMPs. The St. Louis team lost its first include Renaissance properties, Dbl = penalty match, then survived seven consecutive rounds to are smoke–free. Smoking is not ♣ ♦ 2 = both majors (2 by advancer reach the final. permitted inside these hotels, asks which major is longer/better) Meanwhile, teams which included other St. including the guest rooms. ♦ 2 = diamonds and a major Louisans played major roles in the event and in The 2007 Summer and Fall ♥ 2 = natural the Levitt team's destiny. David Carter's team NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. 2♠ = natural knocked out the defending champions (Robert Jordan, Arthur Robinson, Eric Murray and Charles Coon). And a team that included St. Louisans Both methods assume the opponents are using Arthur Seltzer, Eddie Melchior and Phil Sincoff strong (15 to 17 HCP) 1NT openings. Against inflicted the first defeat on the Charles Goren team weak notrumps, Rosenberg uses the IMP setup. (Helen Sobel, Peter Leventritt, Howard Schenken, "It's important to have a penalty double not Harold Ogust and Boris Koytchou). only against weak notrumps, but also at IMPs to The stage had been set for the final day. Three protect against psyches. It can ruin your auction if once–defeated teams would play a grueling they psyche 1NT and you can't penalize them. I've round–robin — the Goren team, the Sam Stayman psyched 1NT with good results several times in team (Phil Feldesman, Morton Rubinow, Vic my career against opponents who didn't have a Mitchell and Ira Rubin), and the Levitt quintet, penalty double available." who by this time, had been dubbed the "Cinderella Rosenberg also noted that handling enemy Team." interference after your side opens 1NT "is one of At halftime, with St. Louis leading in both of the hardest areas of bridge. You need detailed their matches, the question in everybody's mind A reception was held Saturday by Rose Meltzer agreements with partner." was "What would happen to Cinderella when for Junior players. Shown here are Adam Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Kaplan (left), Meltzer and Joe Grue. Page 4 Daily Bulletin

Defenses Silver Ribbon Pairs Continued from page 1 The Leventritt Silver Ribbon Pairs — open only to players who are at least 55 years old and One of the topics that must be discussed, who have pre–qualified by placing first or second according to Rosenberg, is the meaning of double in a regional– or national–rated senior event — in auctions such as 1NT (by you), 2X (by LHO), gets underway today. Double (by partner). Whether it's penalty or The Silver Ribbon Pairs consists of two takeout may depend on the form or scoring, the qualifying and two final sessions. The winners will vulnerability, the strength of 1NT and the nature have their names inscribed on the Leventritt of the interference. Trophy and will receive a certificate of "The most important thing is that you and recognition. your partner are on the same page," said The trophy honors Peter Leventritt of New Rosenberg. "And sometimes that means you have York, ACBL president in 1954 and assistant to perfection for simplicity." treasurer 1945–46. He served as president of the Greater New York Bridge Association and the Bid 'em up, play 'em up Card School of New York, which he co–founded. 2006 Silver Ribbon champs Lew Finkel and Gaylor Kasle By Leventritt (1916–1997) pioneered the use of Board 3 of the afternoon Silodor Open Pairs the Schenken System in partnership with its 1997 Chuck Said, John Russell saw a deal (here rotated) where North–South inventor, Howard Schenken. He represented North 1998 Eli Borok, Bill Sides would appear to be due to get in trouble: America in the and placed second 1999 Jim Kirkham, Corinne Kirkham in 1957, 1961, 1963 and 1965. 2000 , Charles Coon Dlr: West ♠ 10 7 3 Winners: 2001 Fred Hamilton, Steve Catlett Vul: N–S ♥ A4 1992 James Leary, S. Irving Steinfeldt 2002 Marilyn Hemenway, Mike Albert ♦ A J 9 5 4 2 1993 Joan Remey Moore, Helen Shanbrom 2003 Roger Lord, Alan Popkin ♣ Q 6 1994 Virgil Anderson, Jayne Thomas 2004 Joseph Godefrin, Ed Schulte ♠ J 8 ♠ Q 6 4 2 1995 Gene Freed, Peter Benjamin 2005 Marla Chaikin, Bill Esberg ♥ 7 6 ♥ Q 9 3 2 1996 Phil Karani, 2006 Lew Finkel, Gaylor Kasle ♦ K Q 10 7 3 ♦ 6 ♣ J 10 9 2 ♣ 8 7 5 3 Cinderella Tom Gardner ♠ A K 9 5 Continued from page 1 Tom Gardner, ♥ K J 10 8 5 who served on the ♦ 8 midnight strikes?" ACBL Board of ♣ AK 4 The outcome was one victory for each of the Directors and three teams. While Goren beat Stayman, Levitt distinguished himself Notrump plays only for 11 tricks, though slam and company had vanquished the Goren team by as a player, teacher is not without play. more than Stayman had beaten Levitt. The and goodwill Pamela Granovetter (an apostle of sound "quotient" swung the to St. ambassador, died Jan. bidding) found a way to avoid trouble: she passed Louis. 29 in Farmington the North hand! Partner Dick Katz found a way to Larry Kolker is the surviving member of the Hills MI of get back in trouble. (Reader, add your own team. complications from parenthesis here about bidding styles.) He opened In the 80–year history of the Vanderbilt, no Parkinson's Disease. He was 85. the South hand 1♥ and the auction proceeded: other team with such a low ranking has ever won Born in Colorado, Gardner moved with his family to Battle Creek MI, his mother's home Granovetter Katz reminder town, shortly after birth. He learned bridge, a Pass 1♥ • Each player must have an ACBL convention lifelong passion, from his grandmother. 2♦ 2♠ card filled out and on the table. Please note that Gardner earned a degree in mechanical 3♥ 4NT other types of convention cards, such as the WBF engineering from Purdue University, taking time 5♥ 6♥ convention card or homemade cards that do not off during his studies to serve in the Army Air sufficiently resemble the ACBL convention card, Corps (now the U.S. Air Force) during World War Katz had gotten himself into an awkward spot, are not acceptable substitutes. II. He was a navigator on B–24 Liberators, but the advantage of playing hearts as opposed to • Each player is required to have a convention earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and six air notrump was that a black loser could be ruffed in card filled out legibly and on the table throughout medals. dummy. a session. Both cards of a partnership must be He moved to Detroit in the Fifties and became How should 6♥ be played on the ♣J lead? identical and include the first and last names of involved in construction of portions of I–75 Declarer wins in hand and plays the ♦A and ruffs each member of the partnership. between Pontiac and Bay City. In the Sixties and a diamond. East pitches a club, and now declarer If a director Seventies, he was instrumental in ski area needs to commit himself to the ♥Q being with determines that neither development in the metropolitan Detroit area and East (clearly, the odds favor this given the player has a substantially coordinated the planning of the Pontiac diamond break). He leads a club to the queen, a completed card, the Silverdome. Later in the Seventies, he became a low heart to the 10, cashes the ♣K, pitching a partnership may play certified stock broker, which led to a career as an spade from dummy. Next comes the ♠A K and a only the Standard investment advisor. spade with dummy's ♥A. Now he ruffs American Yellow Card Gardner was a Diamond Life Master with another diamond to hand with the ♥8, and in the and may use only standard carding. This numerous regional wins. He was a member of the three–card ending he exits with his losing spade. restriction may be lifted only at the beginning of a National Goodwill Committee, and in 1996 was With the ♥K J left, he can claim the last two subsequent round after convention cards have named Goodwill Member of the Year. He tricks. This line requires nothing more than the been properly prepared and approved by the represented District 12 representative on the ♥Q onside. director. Further, the partnership will receive a ACBL board. At the table I was watching, I saw Giorgio 1/6–board matchpoint penalty for each board In 2002, he led the effort to have the 2008 Duboin and Roy Welland defending 4♥ on the played, commencing with the next round and Spring NABC awarded to Detroit. For his auction 1♦–1♥; 2♦–2♠; 3♥–4♣; 4♥–Pass. continuing until the restriction is lifted. In IMP successful leadership, he was awarded the J. Lee Minus 680 was going to be a very poor score team games, penalties shall be at the discretion of Barrett Award by the Detroit Metro Convention for them, but Duboin led the ♥7. Declarer made the director. and Visitor's Bureau. the mistake of going up with the ♥A. (There are If the director determines the partnership has Gardner his wife, Beverly, and five children, positions where you want to retain high trumps in at least one substantially completed convention Timothy Gardner, Cecily Kohler, Angela Kniep, hand, but this is not one of them.) card but has not fully complied with ACBL Hilary Pender and Daphne Fairbanks, and many Declarer ruffed a diamond to hand and cashed regulations, the director may give warnings or the top clubs and spades, but when he led a third assign such penalties as he deems to be Masterpoint disclaimer spade Duboin ruffed in front of dummy's ♥4 with appropriate under the circumstances. Scores as reported in the Daily Bulletin are the ♥6, and now declarer could only get 11 tricks, The objective of these warnings and penalties subject to change because of score changes or and that was an average result. is the encouragement of full compliance with corrections. ACBL regulations. Therefore, the masterpoint awards as shown are also subject to change. Monday, March 12, 2007 Volume 50, Number 4 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Play begins in Cohen, Satten lead A group of expert players was recently Vanderbilt KO Silver Ribbon Pairs polled on their favorite Eighty-two teams entered the 2007 Vanderbilt Ken Cohen of Philadelphia and Neal Satten of methods of combating Knockout Teams. In order to bring the number of Wynnewood PA lead the Leventritt Silver Ribbon 1NT openings. The teams down to 64 for today's head-to-head matches, Pairs by a razor-thin margin. Cohen and Satten Daily Bulletin will the conditions of contest specified that the top 12 had a 65.77% game in the afternoon and followed feature the preferred seeded teams receive a bye and the 13th seed play a that with 56.6% in the evening. Their total score defense against 1NT of head-to-head match with the lowest-seeded team. was 795.5 (on a 25 top). a different expert each The remaining 68 teams were grouped into 17 groups In second place is Sharon Hait, from day of the NABC. of four. These four-way matches each yielded three Livingston NJ, and Lester Sokolower from Verona (Players should note that several of the systems survivors. NJ. Their total was 795. The third place pair was described in this series use Mid-Chart conventions The top 12 seeds, the winner of the #13 vs. #82 Ed Schulte and Joe Godefrin with 788. and are not permitted in events that are restricted to match-up, and the 51 survivors of the four-way Sixty-five tables are in play for the final two the General Convention Chart. Players should matches gave 64 teams for round two. sessions today. Slightly more than half qualified check the director-in-charge for details.) For rosters and today's match-ups, see pages 10-11. from the original field of 128 tables. Today's expert: Bart Bramley If Bart Bramley comes to your table and says, "We play SCUM," you shouldn't take it personally: Youngsters excited by first NABC It's the name of the convention he uses to compete Youths from middle against 1NT. The many-time NABC champ has schools in Carlinville IL and been using a variation of this treatment since 1970. Mt. Pleasant IA made the SCUM is an acronym: The S stands for shape, trip to St. Louis to play the C stands for color and the M is for majors. ("The Saturday. 'u' doesn't stand for anything. It just makes it "They are excited," said pronounceable," said a deadpan Bramley.) The three Zip Mettenberg, one of the letters of the acronym correspond to the first three organizers for the Mt. steps of the method: Pleasant group. "It's Dbl = two suits of the same shape (♣+♥ rewarding to see the kids' or ♦+♠). The term "shape" in this interest and the support of context refers to rounded or pointed the parents and the school." suit symbols. Both groups have active 2♣ = two suits of the same color school bridge teaching 2♦ = majors programs. Mt. Pleasant 2♥ = natural began theirs last year after Students from the Mt. Pleasant IA Middle School attended their first 2♠ = natural seeing an article in USA NABC Saturday. On the left is Zip Mettenberg, one of the organizers. 2NT = minors Today in which Bill Gates and Warren Buffett made a grant to promote The classes typically have a 10- or 15-minute ♣ In the case of double or 2 , advancer's bridge in schools. lesson and then the play of prearranged deals that continuations are pass-or-correct. "(Local player) Irene Norris brought the article reinforce the point of the lesson. Bramley uses this method against strong 1NT to the club," said Mettenberg, "The club contacted The local bridge club in Mt. Pleasant provides openings, but his definition of "strong" is any a middle school teacher, Rosemary Peck, and the bridge teachers and teacher aides. The aides, notrump range that would usually contain enough things just snowballed." volunteers from the local club, are necessary to defensive strength to beat a game. "Against what I At first, classes and play were offered two answer questions and give help to the students. call 'constructive' 1NT openings, typically 12 high- days a week during lunch hour. That escalated to They used the Kitty Cooper lesson book, and card points or more, I use SCUM. Against bridge as an enrichment program offered twice a ACBL provided playing cards and tee-shirts to 'destructive' or 'non-constructive' 1NT, which is week as a regular class with 20 students in each. students who graduated, along with trophies. anything that incorporates a bad 11 HCP or worse, I Their club traveled to Omaha NE last August use a penalty double," he said. and met Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. The strengths of the approach appeal to "I got them to autograph my 'Bridge is Cool' Bramley. "I've had a lot of good luck with this. The tee-shirt," said seventh-grader Jessica Tone. When ambiguities of the system (double and 2♣) are asked how she got started in the bridge classes, coupled. Once you know one suit, you know the she said, "They announced they were having other. Other systems don't have this. For example, in classes, so I went, and I liked them. It's fun trying DONT 2♣ is clubs and a higher suit, or in to remember all the stuff (the bidding and the Cappelletti, 2♥ is hearts and a minor. There's no cards that have been played)." connection between the lower-ranking suit and the "It's been a wonderful way to bring the higher one in those systems." community into our school," said teacher Peck. Bramley was candid about his competitive style "After we returned from Omaha, we were front- versus 1NT openings. "I hate defending 1NT. I page news. Our students did very well there taking compete on some hands that would make many five out of the top six spots." people blanch. My style is hyper-aggressive; I'll Peck was asked about the appeal of bridge to come in on 4-4 hands, especially if I don't like my Devin Peer ponders his next move. Continued on page 4 lead position. If my hand contains a lot of tenaces that make it unattractive to lead from (against a 1NT opening), I'll trade my lead problem for a declaring Goodwill Message Smoking notice problem." Today is Goodwill Day. My co-chairs and I All Marriott hotels, which The weaknesses of SCUM, according to invite all members of the National include Renaissance properties, Bramley are two-fold. "Hands with a long minor- Goodwill Committee to join us for are smoke–free. Smoking is not suit have to come in at the three level. More serious, a reception. See page 2 for details. permitted inside these hotels, however, is that if you compete and they end up We look forward to seeing you. including the guest rooms. declaring, they'll do so double-dummy because this Aileen Osofsky, Chairman The 2007 Summer and Fall method pinpoints your suits." National Goodwill Committee NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 Volume 50, Number 5 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Silver Ribbon champs: Siebert and Stout A group of For many years, Alan expert players was Stout enjoyed the unusual recently polled on distinction of being the their favorite ACBL member with the methods of greatest number of combating 1NT who had never openings. The Daily won a North American Bulletin will feature Championship. With his the preferred defense victory Monday in the against 1NT of a Leventritt Silver Ribbon different expert each Pairs with longtime partner day of the NABC. , Stout finally (Players should note that several of the put that distinction to rest. systems described in this series use Mid-Chart Pairing a 62.65% first conventions and are not permitted in events that final session with a 57.36% are restricted to the General Convention Chart. effort in the second final, Players should check the director-in-charge for Siebert and Stout won the details.) four-session contest Allan Siebert and Alan Stout captured the Silver Ribbon Pairs. Today's expert: Mike Cappelletti (restricted to members 55 masterpoint holders, he is #23 with almost 27,000. Mike Cappelletti walked into the Daily and older who had previously qualified to enter) Stout, who previously had two second-place Bulletin office Sunday night and said, "I see by more than a board. Their two-day total finishes in NABC events, is #15 on the list with you're running a series on notrump defenses." including carryover was 2140.54. nearly 29,000 points. With the victory, Stout is We can take a hint. In second with 2045.56 were Charles Nemes now a Grand Life Master. With the proliferation of 1NT defenses, the and Martin Morris of the Chicago area. Top on a Stout, of Jacksonville FL, and Siebert were in reputations of older systems such as Cappelletti board was 64. 10th place after the qualifying round, but were among expert players have sometimes suffered. This was the sixth NABC title for Siebert of first at the end of the afternoon final session. The newest toy is always shiniest. Cappelletti, Little Rock AR. On the all-time list of ACBL however, continues to enjoy immense popularity with many club and tournament players who embrace it for its simplicity . Goodwill reception honors four The eponymous Mr. Cappelletti provided ACBL's National Goodwill Committee hosted a some history about the convention, as well as his reception Monday evening with Committee Chair views on bidding theory. Aileen Osofsky ably leading the event. As with all "When I started playing bridge, the Goodwill Committee meetings, dozens of players convention was very popular as a defense were recognized for their contributions to the game, to 1NT. At the same time, however, the Kaplan- and the St. Louis reception was no exception. In Sheinwold system was coming into vogue, and the addition, however, four members were singled out weak 1NT it uses was robbing us blind. We for special recognition. needed a penalty double, but in Brozel, double New Orleans member Jennie Flynn Sauviac showed a one-suited hand. So I thought 'Why not was honored as the 2007 ACBL Goodwill Member make double for penalty, and let 2♣ show the of the Year. Sauviac has served District 10 and Unit single-suiter?'" Thus, Cappelletti was born. Its 134 for years as a tournament chair, board officer, structure is this: Easybridge! presenter and advocate for new players. Osofsky, in her introductory remarks, acknowledged Dbl = penalty/values the challenges faced by the bridge community in 2♣ = one-suited hand New Orleans, but added that Hurricane Katrina was 2♦ = majors no match for Hurricane Jennie. 2♥ = hearts and a minor Sauviac thanked the committee and said, "I'm Goodwill Chair Aileen Osofsky presents an 2♠ = spades and a minor honored to be part of the elite company in this room, award to Jennie Flynn Sauviac honoring her as 2NT = minors and I know we'll all continue to promote ACBL and the 2007 ACBL Goodwill Member of the Year. the game we love." introduced Espy, of Sun Lakes AZ, by reading Cappelletti is unwavering in his view that Nancy Espy, the 2006 Volunteer of the Year, comments by Buckman about the honoree. double needs to be defined as value showing and was selected by last year's ACBL President Harriette Buckman said, "Nancy's efforts stand out, and she is penalty oriented. Buckman. Current President Sharon Fairchild Continued on page 5 "You need the penalty double. These fancy systems are giving up too much. If you have a Smoking notice balanced 16 or 17 points and they open 1NT in #9 seed ousted All Marriott hotels, which front of you, double is best in the long run. It's include Renaissance properties, like blackjack: when dealer has 10, but you have from Vanderbilt are smoke–free. Smoking is not 11, you should double down. On a particular hand In round-of-64 action from the Vanderbilt permitted inside these hotels, it might not work, but in the long run it's best. Knockouts, most of the higher-ranked teams including the guest rooms. Remember that you're 'over' the 1NT opener and advanced except for the star-studded ninth-seed The 2007 Summer and Fall that you get to make the ." team of Mark Gordon, Chuck Burger, Steve NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. According to Cappelletti, whatever the range Landen, Pratap Rajadhyaksha, Mike Passell and of the opponents' 1NT, double should show a good . They fell 115 to 112 to the original Goodwill Message 14 or more. #73 seed which includes Jason Feldman (a world Today's opponent may be tomorrow's partner, On weak notrumps, he said, "If you don't Junior champion) and three Belgian teammates: and that's a good reason to treat double, but defeat 1NT by one or two tricks (plus Steve De Roos, Rutger Van Mechelen and Eric your opponents and partners with 50 or 100), you get an inferior score at Debus. respect and courtesy –- the way matchpoints or IMPs if you could have made 1NT The #22 seed led by Ron Gerard also exited you expect to be treated. yourself for plus 90 or plus 120. the event when they lost 158-108 to the #43 team Aileen Osofsky, Chairman Continued on page 4 captained by Bill Cole. National Goodwill Committee Page 4 Daily Bulletin

NT Defense Mixed Pairs begins today 1971 Eugenie Mathe, Lew Mathe 1972 John Mohan, Continued from page 1 Tom Kniest and Karen Walker won their first 1973 Bernie Chazen, Marilyn Johnson national title at the Dallas NABC last year by 1974 Gerald Caravelli, "Also, it's important to compete against the capturing the crown. 1975 Barry Crane, Kerri Shuman weak notrump (with appropriate values). If you The Mixed Pairs is a four-session event with 1976 Peggy Lipsitz, Steve Parker can show both majors, you're at a terrific two qualifying and two final sessions. Each pair 1977 Joel Friedberg, Nancy Gruver advantage since your partner will have a good idea must consist of a male and female partnership. 1978 Ahmed Hussein, Gail Moss of what to do. I've run many, many computer The Rockwell Trophy, donated by Helen Rockwell 1979 Juanita Skelton, simulations that show it's right to compete with in 1946, is presented to the winners. 1980 Jeff Meckstroth, Patty Meckstroth the majors even if you're only 4-4 with hands as The record-holder in the Mixed Pairs is 1981 Esta Van Zandt, Jim Zimmerman light as 10 or 11 high-card points." Sidney Silodor, who won the event five times –- 1982 Barry Crane, Kerri Shuman What about the "modified" Cappelletti including 1955 and 1956 with Helen Sobel. John 1983 John Gustafson, Helen Gustafson convention? Crawford won the event three times –- in 1948 1984 Kathy Sulgrove, Larry Rock "I can't stand it. Using 2♣ to show several and 1949 with and in 1959 with 1985 Beth Palmer, Steve Robinson possible hand types is inferior to just showing Dorothy Truscott, the first time they had ever 1986 Lisa Berkowitz, David Berkowitz your major-minor two-suiters with 2♥ or 2♠. The played together. 1987 Lisa Berkowitz, David Berkowitz problem with using 2♣ as first step in modified Winners: 1988 Claire Tornay, Michael Moss Cappelletti is that the opponents compete over 2♣, 1946 Anne Burnstein, Alvin Roth 1989 Dorothy Truscott, your side could wind up losing the major." 1947 Evelyn Ansin, Charles Goren 1990 Jo Ann Manfield, Ken Cohen 1948 John Crawford, Margaret Wagar 1991 Jo Ann Manfield, Danny Sprung Fearful Symmetry? 1949 John Crawford, Margaret Wagar 1992 Kitty Bethe, Larry Mori 1950 Peter Leventritt, 1993 Libby Fernandez, Happoldt Neuffer By Barry Rigal 1951 Edith Rosenbloom, Sidney Silodor 1994 Jillian Blanchard, Before we played the first deal of our 1952 Anne Burnstein, Alvin Roth 1995 Cindy Bernstein, Bob Bernstein Vanderbilt round-one knockout match, a 32-board 1953 Jewel Hodge, Paul Hodge 1996 Margery Tamres, Joseph Brady affair, I wondered if I should tell my partner about 1954 Said Haddad, Betty Windley 1997 Phyllis Quinn, Wafik Abdou the last deal I'd played against our opponents. 1955 Sidney Silodor, Helen Sobel 1998 Joan Eaton, They had doubled my partner in 4♠ and he had 1956 Sidney Silodor, Helen Sobel 1999 Shannon Lipscomb, Mike Cappelletti blown the overtrick for plus 790, on a deal where 1957 Bee Gale, Howard Schenken 2000 Linda Gordon, Bernie Chazen they could collect 1370 their way. 1958 Carol Ross, Edwin Smith 2001 Barbara Shaw, Mark Shaw I decided to say nothing, and this was the first 2002 Linda Webb, Richard Ekstrum deal: A similar, three-session event was held at the 2003 Jim Kirkham, Corinne Kirkham Spring NABC from 1958 to 1962. Winners: 2004 Peggy Kaplan, Bill Kent Dlr: South ♠ A 8 7 4 1958 Mrs. M. J. Novak, John Gerber 2005 John Kranyak, Laurie Kranyak Vul: None ♥ J 3 1959 Mary Jane Farell, Al Roth 2006 Tom Kniest, Karen Walker ♦ K 7 5 4 1960 Shirlee Harris, Edward Rosen ♣ K 9 7 1961 , Tommy Sanders ♠ –- ♠ 9 5 3 2 1962 1-2. Jessie Cook, Grant Marsee ♥ Q 8 7 6 4 2 ♥ K 10 5 1-2. Shirlee Harris, Edward Rosen ♦ A8 6 ♦ 9 ♣ Q J 8 3 ♣ A 10 6 5 2 1959 John Crawford, Dorothy Hayden ♠ K Q J 10 6 1960 Elsie Abrams, William Passell ♥ A9 1961 Art Comstock, Margaret Muirhead ♦ Q J 10 3 2 1962 Clarice Holt, Paul Levitt ♣ 4 1963 , Eric Murray 1964 Dan Morse, Mary Margaret Swan West North East South 1965 Betty Kaplan, Edgar Kaplan 1♠ 1966 Robert Sharp, Louise Sharp 2♥ 3♥ 3♠ 4♦ 1967 Gertrude Machlin, Kit Woolsey 4♥ 4♠ 5♥ Pass 1968 Marilyn Johnson, Peter Rank Pass 5♠ Dbl All Pass 1969 Peggy Parker, Steve Parker 2006 Mixed Pair Champs Tom Kniest and Karen 1970 George Dawkins, Carolyn Flournoy Walker Phillip Alder, my partner, received the lead of the ♣8 (yes, you or I would perhaps not make that A Tale of Two Cities May 5th to Adam Watson, also of Boston. The lead). Alder impressively played dummy's 7 rather wedding will take place in St. Thomas. than cover with the 9. By Glenn Eisenstein The St. Louis connection? East looked at him suspiciously, sure that St. Louis and Boston: two cities forever linked A year or so after the successful transplant, we something was up. Maybe declarer had something by the 2004 World Series, but linked in other ways were given (by mutual consent) the name and like this: as well. address of the formerly (anonymous) donor. And ♠K Q J 10 x ♥x x ♦A Q x x x ♣Q. For my family, the two cities are linked in a Wednesday night, the night before the St. Louis East took his ♣A and shifted to a heart. most memorable way. I was living in Florida in NABC began, Abbie and I had dinner with this That was plus 650 to the good guys –- and, lo 1999, the year of the Fall NABC in Boston. My wonderful young man, his wife and his parents at a and behold, the opponents had a makeable slam! oldest daughter, Samantha, was a senior at Brandeis restaurant here in St. Louis. At the other table, our teammates had never University, so the trip north had extra benefits for We toasted each other, life, and all the bid and conceded 420, so we gained 6 IMPs and me. wonderful things that happen when people do good won the match by 4 IMPs. The day after the NABC ended, I took things. This young man will also be present when Samantha for some tests at a local hospital because Samantha gets married in eight weeks. As a matter of some problems she was having with her knee. of fact, he will be the one marrying them. Bridge documentary The next day I returned to Florida, and two days Life is good. on CTV later came a phone call that changed my life forever. My daughter had Ewings sarcoma, an aggressive Monitoring A one-hour bridge documentary featuring form of bone cancer that required immediate and At this and future North American Toronto-area expert and partner intense chemotherapy. championships, ACBL will be monitoring NABC+ Vincent Demuy of Montreal is scheduled to air A year later, she returned to Boston to finish her events with visible, real–time cameras. The April 7 on Canada's CTV. last semester at Brandeis, but our ordeal was just images will be recorded and will be available for Documentary director beginning: In April 2001, doctors discovered later official inspection and review. Andy Pedersen filmed Samantha had developed a form of leukemia as a By general monitoring of the session and extensive on-camera result of the chemotherapy she had received. Now participants' behavior, ACBL has another source interviews and hundreds we needed to find a bone marrow donor, and of information that may be useful in determining of hours of at-the-table quickly. facts and settling issues arising from some types action for the 45-minute A few months later, the bone marrow transplant of ethical and behavioral complaints or actions. film. Some of the filming took place at recent was performed, and a year and a half later Samantha This procedure is intended to assure everyone that North American Bridge Championships. returned once more to her life in Boston. She lives the playing field is level and that misbehavior will The film is scheduled to air April 7 at 7 p.m. happily there today and is planning her wedding not be tolerated. Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Volume 50, Number 6 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Vanderbilt moves into round of 16 Ask a group of Most high seeds survived the third day of play Feldman, won again, ousting the Tony Kasday experts about their in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams as the event team 142-114. favorite methods of moves into the round of 16 today. Some high seeds had close calls on Tuesday. competing when an The highest seed to leave the event was No. 8, No. 2 George Jacobs trailed by 19 going into the opponent opens a captained by Richard Schwartz. His team was final quarter of their match with Doug Simson's strong 1NT (15-17), pummeled 163-85 by the squad led by Piotr squad. Jacobs rallied to win 106-79. No. 4 Lou and you will receive Tuszinski. Also going down was No. 11, Steve Ann O'Rourke trailed Mel Colchamiro 122-103 a variety of answers. Robinson, ousted by the Bill Cole squad 167-113. with a set to go, but came back to win 156-144. The Daily Bulletin The original No. 73 seed, captained by Jason will feature one method each day during the NABC. Top ABA player hunts Grand title Today's expert is Brian Glubok. Note: Players should be aware that several of Chester Johnson, his sixth year of retirement and uses his free time the systems described in this series use Mid-Chart the No. 1 to play extensively. conventions and are not permitted in events that masterpoint holder in "I spend a lot of time at the game. I play four are restricted to the General Convention Chart. the American Bridge to five times a week, and I travel quite a bit. I play The director in charge can provide the information Association, is on a in both ABA and ACBL tournaments," he said. you need. mission. Having He has established partnerships with ABA and The philosophy behind competitive bidding in earned more than ACBL players including Herbert Taylor, Harold tournament bridge has changed a great deal since 36,700 ABA points Bickham, Jean Randall, Harriette Buckman, Roger the Seventies, particularly over the opponents' over the course of his Lord and Harold Singleton. strong 1NT opening. Thirty years ago, you bridge-playing Johnson recently eclipsed Robert Price as the competed if you had safety and thought there was career, which began ABA masterpoint king. Price held the title for a chance for game. in 1968, Johnson is more than 25 years. But masterpoints aren't the Nowadays, you compete to make life more setting his sights on a different goal - to win a motivating factor for Johnson at this stage of his difficult for the opponents. Conventions such as North American Bridge Championship. career. Rather, it's the lure of the Grand Life DONT, Woolsey and others described in this The American Bridge Association was Master title, one that requires not only that a series illustrate this sea change. founded in the Thirties as an organization for player earn 10,000 masterpoints - which Johnson This article presents a method that allows you African-American players. At the time, the ACBL has already accomplished - but that he also wins to compete over the opponents' 1NT opening in a was racially segregated like most other an non-masterpoint restricted North American maximum number of situations, with a maximum membership organizations of that period. Decades championship. number of hand types. later, however, when the ACBL finally allowed "I've won more than 40 of the ABA national For simplicity and ease of memorization, I black players to participate, the ABA continued its knockout titles, but I want to win one of the ACBL recommend you use the same method in direct and mission to serve black bridge enthusiasts. events now," he said. balancing position, and at matchpoints, IMPs and In recent efforts to combine the missions of Musing on the future of the ABA and the board-a-match teams. the two groups, the ACBL recognized the ACBL, Johnson believes the two organizations This method is not suitable against weak 1NT masterpoint system of the ABA, allowing their should merge. openings, for it relies upon an artificial double: players to "convert" their masterpoints to ACBL "They should join up," he says. "You come to masterpoints, though not on a one-to-one basis. a tournament like this one and you see people Dbl = at least two suits (four or Johnson has more than 13,000 ACBL points under from all over the world playing together. It's great. more), fewer than three clubs this system. There are players from all these different 2♣ = at least two suits, at least one Retired as a supervisor for the Ford Motor countries, and they're all moving together. So major, at least three clubs Company after 41 years of service, Johnson is in should we." 2♦/♥/♠ = natural 2NT = minors 49er Pairs kicks off today Defenders leading The begins today as Advancer bids as follows: players compete for masterpoints and the Fifth After double (two suits, fewer than three Chair Trophy. Overall winners will receive gold in Mixed Pairs clubs): points. Karen Walker and Tom Kniest, defending ♣ 2 = please bid your cheapest suit The National 49er Pairs is a two-session event champions in the Rockwell Mixed Pairs, took a ♦ ♥ ♠ 2 /2 /2 = natural, prepared to play there limited to players with 0–50 masterpoints. lead of 18.74 matchpoints (25 top) heading into even if the suit named doesn't match either of Sessions begin at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Entries are the event's final two sessions today. yours. $16.50 per player per session. Walker, of Champaign IL, and Kniest of ♣ After 2 : (two suits, at least one major, at Masterpoint awards are red – except overall University City MO, compiled 309.56 matchpoints least three clubs): awards, which are paid at 95% red and 5% gold. in the two qualifying sessions, leading Peggy and ♦ 2 : partner, please bid your cheapest The first National 49er Pairs was held in 1998. of Dallas, followed by about half a (possibly only) major. Winners names are added to the Fifth Chair board by Jane and Bob Teel of Birmingham AL. ♥ ♠ 2 /2 = natural, prepared to play there even Trophy. The Fifth Chair Foundation is an if this is not one of your suits. international non-profit organization dedicated to Today's Goodwill Message General notes. This method will not always promoting bridge on the Internet and attracting "Only a few of us will win championships, but get you to your longest fit (sometimes advancer Continued on page 6 all of us can win new friends. And, unlike the will pass 2♣ with four when there is a longer fit coveted silver trophies, we keep the friends elsewhere) but it will allow you to compete in a without having to win them again and again." maximum number of situations. This method is Smoking notice The late Dick Frey, editor particularly useful in the balancing position, and All Marriott hotels, which of The Bridge Bulletin, wrote when either team is not vulnerable. While the include Renaissance properties, these words in 1960, but they method does not need to change with the form of are smoke–free. Smoking is not are still applicable 40 years scoring or vulnerability, the degree of aggression permitted inside these hotels, later. may vary with these conditions. including the guest rooms. Aileen Osofsky, Chairman 2NT is always forcing. We cannot play in 2NT The 2007 Summer and Fall National Goodwill NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. Continued on page 4 Committee Page 4 Daily Bulletin

NT Defense Hero worship according to partner, one ace and one king outside diamonds. After we compared scores (we were no Continued from page 1 By Allan Falk longer leading), my teammate, Geoff Hampson, In 1966, my sister and then new brother-in- when they have bid 1NT. Doubles of their asked how we went for a number on the board, law gave me a subscription to artificial bids show that suit. Doubles of their and I recounted the sordid details. for my birthday. Therein I read avidly of the natural bids are for takeout. Geoff shook his head sadly and said, "That exploits of Eddie Kantar and Marshall Miles, and As Larry Cohen emphasized in his articles on must be the worst auction in the history of hoped someday to achieve their level of success DONT (Disturb Opponents No ), the bridge." and recognition. Eddie would frequently write emphasis is not on getting to game, but on getting I immediately responded, "That wasn't even about a new convention he imposed on Marshall in the bidding, competing at the two level, and the worst auction in this match!" and the mayhem that followed when they failed to taking the opponents out of their comfort zone. He leaped out of his chair, practically discuss follow-ups. While the opponents may occasionally double screaming, "Impossible!" Well, I can at least match their success, as you and collect a large penalty, it is both difficult I then told him about another deal later in the proved by this deal from an Internet team game and risky for the opponents to double you at the match. He blinked, sat down, ashen-faced, and (spots approximate): two or three level. If the cards lie well, or you muttered almost inaudibly, "My God, you're Me Partner have extreme distribution, you will make your right." ♠ J 10 6 5 4 2 ♠ K Q doubled partscore. This will more than With my place in bridge history thus firmly ♥ J 10 8 3 ♥ Q 7 compensate for the occasional penalty you will cemented, I offer this additional exemplar of ♦ 4 ♦ AQ 5 suffer. success in emulation of my idols, also from a ♣ 10 5 ♣ A K J 9 3 2 Most important, using this convention will Swiss teams, where I was playing with a different make you a more difficult opponent and will be partner every match (five-person team). Spots are Me Partner fun for you and your partner. What could be better approximate. 2♣ than that? 2♦ (1) 3♣ Brian Glubok is a New York-based bridge Me Partner 3♦ (2) 3♠ (3) professional and screenwriter. He is the executive ♠ A6 ♠ K Q 8 5 3 5♠ (4) 6♣ (5) producer of "The Bridge Movie," a documentary ♥ K 8 3 ♥ A 7 5 2 6♠ (6) 6NT (7) (Dbl) about tournament bridge filmed at the Fall NABC ♦ A K J 9 6 5 4 3 ♦ – 7♣ (8) (Dbl) Pass (9) in 1996. A five-time U.S. national team champion, ♣ – ♣ 5 4 3 2 7♠ (10) (Dbl) Pass (11) he was also a long-time partner of the late Edgar Kaplan. Me Partner 1♦ 1♠ Me Partner 4♦ (1) 4♥ (2) The tough get going ♥ (1) Waiting (1) Positive (2 would 5♣ (3) (Dbl) Pass (4) By Barry Rigal be an immediate second Redbl (5) Pass (6) On this deal from the Vanderbilt Knockout negative) (1) Too good for 3♦. Teams, Kyle Larsen was faced with a tough (2) Second negative (2) Wow! Partner has (2) Partner must be showing a big spade raise. defensive problem - partly because the "normal" diamonds. Well, can't hurt to cuebid 4♥. play looks obvious and the winning play is (3) Suit (3) I'll show my spade (3) Ooh, cuebid! Me, too! counterintuitive. stopper and see if pard (4) I prefer clubs to diamonds. ♥ Larsen sat East and defended 4 . can bid 3NT (5) Second-round control also. (4) Time for the (5) Oh, oh - the wheels (6) I still prefer clubs to diamonds. Dlr: West ♠ 7 6 3 old Stanislavsky have come off. This must ♥ ♠ Vul: None A 10 4 be better than 5 Result: Minus 3400. ♦ A Q 6 2 (6) Oh, oh - (7) This must be better We also won this event. So success has proved ♣ ♠ Q 7 3 the wheels have than 6 easy, once I mastered the Kantar-Miles approach. ♠ Q J 9 come off; this must Recognition has thus far eluded me, but with these ♥ ♣ 7 6 2 be better than 6 results I can't be too far from the second part of ♦ 9 8 3 (8) This must be (9) This must be my goal. ♣ A 10 6 5 better than 6NT better than 6NT doubled By the way, the last deal shows that - 20 years doubled ago, anyway - I was not yet a "true bridge player," West North East South (10) This must be (11) This must be better according to no less an authority than Bob ♦ ♥ ♣ 1 Pass 1NT 2 better than 7 than 7NT doubled Hamman. ♣ ♥ ♣ ♥ 3 3 4 4 doubled Playing in the halcyon days of All Pass his youth, Hamman dealt and found himself Result: minus 800 looking at a 9-point hand with seven spades to the ♣ Rose Meltzer (West) led the 4 (fourth best). Note how, just as Kantar and Miles used to do, king and six clubs to the ace-queen. Both sides ♣ It looks natural to try to win the A and then we achieved an auction epitomizing the were vulnerable. attempt to cash three spade tricks. Larsen looked a partnership aspects of bridge. In fact, we Hamman tried 1♠, and it went 2♥ - Pass - 3♥ little deeper. He realized that with only 21 high- surpassed my heroes - as we reached the back to him. He tried 4♣, and it went 4♥ - Pass - card points out that the most likely shape for apotheosis, we were clearly on the same Pass. Now he offered 4♠, and it went Dbl - 5♦ - declarer was 4=6=1=2 with good hearts and a top wavelength more and more, practically a mind Dbl. He "slid" with 5♥ to emphasize his spade. Meltzer, Larsen figured, was 3=1=5=4. meld. Not bad for an obscure seven-round willingness to play clubs, and it went Dbl - Pass - ♥ For South to bid 4 , he was surely a favorite sequence in an inexperienced partnership - and we Pass. ♠ ♠ to hold the A instead of the K. If Larsen won did win the match. Hamman observed, "The technically correct ♣ the A and did not cash the second club, it would Please do not be misled. I have had other call is redouble, but at rubber bridge, opposite a ♦ go away on the A after a successful of successes of this nature, but usually aided by partner who bid 5♦, a 'real bridge player' has to ♣ the queen. If he won the A and played another partnership discussion. For example, playing once recognize that it is no longer a question of finding club, declarer would discard two spades on the (and only) with a likeable young professional the optimal contract but simply one of being able ♣ good Q and the high diamond. player, I was asked if I would play Exclusion to wear your pants and shoes as you exit the club." ♣ So Larsen put in the 10, which won. He then Blackwood. I agreed, specifying one condition: So Bob bid 5♠, "which was by no means a ♣ cashed the A and the defense eventually got two never in opener's first suit. success - except in comparison with 5♥ spade tricks. Leading a Swiss teams after three rounds (our redoubled." The full deal: teammates were really good), I picked up Another hero for my pantheon! ♠ 7 6 3 ♠6 5 ♥Q 7 5 4 3 ♦K Q 7 6 3 2 ♣– ♥ A 10 4 ♦ A Q 6 2 West North East South Cell phones ♣ Q 7 3 Partner Me Cell phones, audible pagers ♠ K 10 4 ♠ Q J 9 1♦ (1) 1NT 2♣ (2) or any similar communication ♥ 8 ♥ 7 6 2 Pass 2♠ Pass 5♦ equipment may not be operated ♦ K J 10 7 4 ♦ 9 8 3 Pass 5♠ Pass 6♦ or operable in the playing area ♣ K J 9 4 ♣ A 10 6 5 Pass 6♠ Dbl 7♦ during a session of play at ♠ A 8 5 2 Pass Pass Dbl All Pass NABCs except for ♥ K Q J 9 5 3 (1) Five-card majors. health–related equipment or by ♦ 5 (2) Stayman. permission of the director–in–charge of the ♣ 8 2 Of course, the 5♠ and 6♠ bids showed, tournament or event. Thursday, March 15, 2007 Volume 50, Number 7 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Breed, Zeckhauser are Mixed Pairs champs Ask a group of Zeckhauser, an economics professor at Harvard experts about their University, play only about once a year, but they favorite methods of did have a second in the Mixed Board-a-Match competing when an Teams at the 2003 Summer NABC in Long Beach. opponent opens a With two rounds to go, Breed and Zeckhauser strong 1NT (15–17), trailed the Teels by more than a board, and the and you will receive margin was close to that with two boards to go. a variety of answers. The winners took 76% of the available The Daily Bulletin matchpoints on the final two boards while the will feature one Teels scored just 23%. method each day Breed has multiple North American during the NABC. championships. Zeckhauser and Charles Coon won Today's expert is Larry Cohen. the Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbons Pairs in 1966. Mixed Pairs champs and Breed and Zeckhauser got together when he Note: Players should be aware that several of Mildred Breed. the systems described in this series use Mid–Chart asked Paul Soloway who he should play with, conventions and are not permitted in events that Trailing by a substantial margin with a round "and Paul said Mildred." are restricted to the General Convention Chart. to go, Mildred Breed and Richard Zeckhauser had They played what Zeckhauser described as The director in charge can provide the information a monster last round to overtake the leaders and standard Eastern Scientific. "I was petrified you need. win the Rockwell Mixed Pairs. Their winning something would come up that I would not know The system I prefer and have used for more margin on a top of 91 was 2.09 matchpoints. about," said Breed, "but nothing did." than 25 years is DONT. It was developed by my The runners-up, who scored only 42 out of Zeckhauser has just published a new book, former partner, . The system was 182 matchpoints on the final round, were Jane and entitled Targeting in Social Programs: Avoiding initially called Bergen over Notrump but Marty Bob Teel of Birmingham AL. Bad Bets, Removing Bad Apples. Such principles, also coined the acronym DONT (Disturbing Breed, a full-time player from Austin, and he said, have many applications to bridge. Opponents No Trump), which caught on. DONT is a simple method for getting into the Bramley foursome Local partnership bidding when an opponent opens 1NT, and it is takes 49er Pairs popular with many players. takes out Jacobs Ann Gruver and Sara Fabick put together two I used it with Marty and now with David solid games to win the National 49er Pairs Berkowitz. in Vanderbilt yesterday. They are from the St. Louis area and There are variations that have been invented, began playing together last May. possibly improvements, but we prefer to keep it The four-man team captained by Bart Bramley "We started playing as good partners and now simple: led from start to finish in a 161-122 defeat of the No. 2 seed in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams. are good friends," said Fabick. "We didn't know Dbl = one suit Bramley is playing with Mark Feldman, Martin each other before we met at party bridge and Ann 2♣ = clubs plus a higher–ranked suit Fleisher and Mike Kamil. Bramley was originally Continued on page 8 2♦ = diamonds and a higher–ranked suit seeded No. 18. (a major) Matchups in today's round of eight, by 2♥ = hearts and spades captain, are No. 1 Nick Nickell versus No. 8 (25) 2♠ = spades Piotr Tuszinski; No. 2 (18) Bramley versus 2NT = any strong two–suiter Christal Henner-Welland; No. 3 James Cayne 3 level = natural, preemptive versus No. 6 Ron Rubin, and No. 4 Lou Ann O'Rourke versus No. 5 Rose Meltzer. We use this system in the direct seat and in the The Nickell team trailed the balancing seat. Typically, the two suits are 5–4 or squad by 28 at the halfway point but took the third 4–5 or longer either way. quarter by 60 IMPs to win going away. Cayne I like DONT because it allows you to show all trailed Jim Mahaffey 65-37 after two sets but one– and two–suited hands without having to bid bombed their opponents 97-6 in the third quarter at the three level. You always find your fit (if you to win in a walk. St. Louis players Ann Gruver and Sara Fabick have one) on the two level, which is important for won the National 49er Pairs. following the . The method is very effective at matchpoints, She's a streaker – Goodwill Message letting you get in and disturb, safely, on many Have you said "thank you" to a during hands. The downside is that the system is not great Greenberg attending this NABC? The caddies pick up slips each round for identifying which of your two suits is the five- during pair games and move boards during team carder, so you sometimes miss a major–suit 124th straight NABC games –– despite players' best efforts to hide the contract, but the goal is to just get in. It also isn't Gail Greenberg score slips and the boards! great for game bidding. will never forget her A word of thanks will I have had enough good results with DONT first NABC, which brighten their day –– and over the years that I wouldn't consider changing. she attended roughly yours, too. Some additional points: 10 years before she Aileen Osofsky, Chairman

• Suit quality and length depend on started the National Goodwill vulnerability and position. In the balancing seat, a remarkable streak Committee DONT bidder can have a pretty weak hand. she kept going with • We presume there is no game, but if we want her appearance at the Smoking notice to ask, 2NT by advancer (the DONT bidder's 2007 Spring NABC All Marriott hotels, which partner) asks for more information (minimum, in St. Louis. include Renaissance properties, maximum, etc.). Starting with the are smoke–free. Smoking is not • After a double, showing one suit, if you show Spring NABC in Louisville KY in 1966, permitted inside these hotels, spades, it is a good hand (no direct 2♠ ). Greenberg has not missed a big tournament in including the guest rooms. • After 2♣, partner bids 2♦ to play in the other more than 41 years. She has attended 124 NABCs The 2007 Summer and Fall Continued on page 4 Continued on page 6 NABCs will also be hosted at Marriott hotels. Page 4 Daily Bulletin

NT Defense Women's Pairs compete Continued from page 1 for Whitehead Trophy suit. Play begins today in the Whitehead Women's • After 2♦, partner bid 2♥ to play in the major. Pairs with two qualifying sessions, followed by • It is important for your partnership to discuss two final sessions tomorrow. what happens in competition, for example, if they This is the 78th Women's Pairs. At stake is the double the DONT bid. Whitehead Trophy, donated in 1930 by Wilbur C. It is my opinion that penalty doubles of 1NT Whitehead of New York, a great bridge authority are not great. It is very hard to defend against 1NT and a member of the team that won the Vanderbilt – and the double lets the opponents run to 2♣ or Cup in 1928, the first year it was in play. 2♦, contracts they can't reach without the penalty Whitehead (1866–1931) was president of the double. Simplex Automobile Company, but bridge held That said, we do not use DONT against weak such a fascination for him that he retired from 1NT openings. You do need a penalty double in business in 1910 to devote his life to bridge. that situation. Against weak 1NTs we use the He was the inventor of many bidding and play following, but have no strong feelings about the conventions, the quick–trick table of card values, Sylvia Moss and Judy Radin won the 2006 Women's Pairs. best method: the Whitehead system of requirements for original 1962 Clarice Holt, Mrs. Greeley Warner bids and responses and the Whitehead table of preferential leads. Dbl = Penalty (at least equal strength) 1962 Carol Sanders, Sylvia Stein Whitehead was instrumental in standardizing 2♣ = majors 1963 Mrs. K. L. Sargent, Mrs. Ray Tobin procedures in and later in contract 2♦ = one major 1964 Margaret Alcorn, Lucille Patterson bridge. 2 of major = that major and either minor 1965 Nancy Gruver, Sue Sachs Winners: 1966 Virginia Heckel, Edith Kemp 1930 Olive Peterson, Maud Zontlein 1967 Garner McDaniel, Terry Michaels 1931 Vivi Hanson, Elinor Murdoch 1968 Hermine Baron, Rhoda Walsh IMP Pairs begins today 1932 Mrs. Jay S. Jones, Olive Peterson 1969 Gale Clarke, Gloria Noszka The four–session IMP Pairs –– two qualifying 1933 Doris Fuller, Mrs. Courtand Smith 1970 Robin Klar, Tina Rockaway sessions followed by two final sessions –– gets 1934 Helen Bonwit, Helen White 1971 Amalya Kearse, Jacqui Mitchell underway today with the Lebhar Trophy at stake. 1935 Bertine Teichman, Mable Ulbrich 1972 Kerri Davis, Rhoda Walsh The trophy was donated by Bertram Lebhar Jr. 1936 Mrs. Jay S. Jones, 1973 Ann Economidy, Vivian Williamson in 1948 in memory of his wife, Evelyn. The 1937 Mable Ervin, Doris Fuller 1974 Pat Leary, Jan Stansby trophy was previously given to winners of the 1938 Helen Sobel, Sally Young 1975 Jacqui Mitchell, Gail Moss Mixed Teams but re–designated for the IMP Pairs 1939 Helen Sobel, Sally Young 1976 Gail Schaab, Barbara Staton by the ACBL Board of Directors. 1940 Edith Atkinson, Mrs. John Waidlich 1977 Jacqui Mitchell, Gail Moss Lebhar (1907–1972), under the name of Bert 1941 Mae P. Rosen, Edith Seligman 1978 Babs Charney, Flo Rotman Lee, earned a national reputation as a sportscaster 1942 Mae P. Rosen, Edith Seligman 1979 Anne Burnstein, Edith Kemp and later as a bridge player and administrator. In 1943 Mae P. Rosen, Edith Seligman 1980 Mildred Boyce, Barbara Norwood private life, he owned radio and television stations 1944 Ruth Sherman, Margaret Wagar 1981 Emma Jean Hawes, Dorothy Hayden in Florida. 1945 Peggy Golder, Olive Peterson Truscott Lebhar was one of the founders of the Greater 1946 Edith Seligman, Sally Young 1982 Hermine Baron, Beverly Rosenberg New York Bridge Association and was elected its 1947 Gratian Goldstein, Josephine Gutman 1983 Evelyn Levitt, Jo Morse first president in 1948. 1948 Gratian Goldstein, Josephine Gutman 1984 Judy Tucker, Jacqui Mitchell Lebhar was also a player: he won the 1949 Kay Rhodes, Ruth Sherman 1985 Dale Dermer, JoAnne Caplan in 1940 and the Master Mixed Teams in 1950 Mrs. John Kelly, Dorothy Thompson 1986 Edith Freilich, Nancy Gruver 1946. His team was his wife Evelyn along with 1951 Alwina M. Dunphy, Mrs. Edward Minear 1987 Tobi Deutsch, Samuel Katz and Alicia Kemper. 1952 Shirley Fairchild, Elaine Lee 1988 Sally Wheeler, Georgiana Gates Previous winners 1953 Mrs. Harold P. Swearingen, 1989 Nadine Wood, Jeanne Elkner 1987 Robb Gordon, Linda Danas Barbara Weiner 1990 Tobi Deutsch, June Deutsch 1988 Gene Freed, Mike Passell 1954 Margaret Alcorn, Sally Neely 1991 Leslie Paryzer, Nancy Widman 1989 Richard Schwartz, Fred Hamilton 1955 Kay Rhodes, Margaret Wagar 1992 Cheri Bjerkan, Janice Seamon 1990 Ralph Cohen, Renee Mancuso 1956 Kay Rhodes, Margaret Wagar 1993 Carol Sanders, Betty Ann Kennedy 1991 Harvey Brody, Ralph Buchalter 1957 Kay Rhodes, Margaret Wagar 1994 Corinne Kirkham, Ann Kluewer 1992 Vera Gama, Marcelo Branco 1958 Betty Nail, Phyllis Novak 1995 Lila Perlstein, Juanita Chambers 1993 Bob Klein, David Ruderman 1959 Betty Adler, Dorothy Hayden 1996 Nancy Widman, Leslie Paryzer 1994 Tom Fox, Walter Schafer 1960 Mary Jane Farell, 1997 Susan Wexler, Margie Gwozdzinsky 1995 , Harold Lilie 1961 Agnes Gordon, Betty Haddad 1998 Judi Radin, 1996 Mike Albert, Marilyn Hemenway 1999 Harriet Eaton, Ellen Crawford 1997 Tom Carmichael, The Women's Pairs was held at the Summer North 2000 Joan Stein, Eunice Rosen 1998 Jim Robison, Gene Freed American Championships until 1962. A similar 2001 Judi Radin, Sylvia Moss 1999 Ralph Katz, George Jacobs event was held at the Spring NABC 1958–1962 2002 Cheri Bjerkan, Sue Weinstein 2000 Aschley Bach, Stephen Burgess with these winners: 2003 Joan Eaton, Candace Griffey 2001 Steve Robinson, Peter Boyd 1958 Kay Rhodes, Margaret Wagar 2004 Jacqui Mitchell, Amalya Kearse 2002 Alan Schwartz, Ai–Tai Lo 1959 Bert Epstein, Blossom Grossblatt 2005 Gail Greenberg, Laurie Vogel 2003 Steve Weinstein, Robert Levin 1960 Gretchen Feldstein, Jane Mueller 2006 Sylvia Moss, Judy Radin 2004 Jiang Gu, Nikolay Demirev 1961 May Belle Long, Effie Woods 2005 Blair Seidler, Kevin Wilson 2006 Fred Gitelman, Geoff Hampson Senior trials set Lost and Found Trials to select two Senior teams to represent Found: A ring was found by Jack Schartsis. the U.S. at the World Bridge Championships later He can be contacted at (248) 224–2342. this year will take place July 2–8 in Bethesda MD Lost: A navy windbreaker with red stripes during the regional there. The deadline for along the sleeves. If found, please call Paul entering is June 22. Complete information is Eberman at (941) 356–4295. He will be here available at www.usbf.org. through Sunday. The qualifying teams will play in the Senior Lost items can be turned into the Daily Bowl at the World Bridge Championships in Bulletin Office located n the main hotel on the Shanghai, China, Sept. 29 to Oct. 13. mezzanine level in the Parkview Room. Refrigerators Partnerships desk The Renaissance hotel has no more All partnerships, including NABC+ events, for refrigerators for guest rooms. They were given out the 1:00 p.m. games will be done at the America's on a first come, first served basis and their Center only. inventory is depleted. Geoff Hampson and Fred Gitelman won the 2006 IMP Pairs. Friday, March 16, 2007 Volume 50, Number 8 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Tuszynski takes out Ask a group of experts about their favorite methods of Nickell in Vanderbilt competing when an The team captained by Piotr Tuszynski came O'Rourke kayoed the Rose Meltzer squad 116- opponent opens a from behind to eliminate the top-seeded Nick 95. The other semifinal match will pit James strong 1NT (15-17), Nickell team with a 146-134 victory in the Cayne against Christal Henner-Welland team. and you will receive Vanderbilt Knockout Teams. The surprise winners Cayne clobbered Ron Rubin and company 164-91, a variety of answers. will face the Lou Ann O'Rourke squad in the while Henner-Welland took out Bart Bramley 130- The Daily Bulletin semifinal round today. 116. will feature one method each day during the NABC. Irving, Penticoff Onstott, Cohler Today's expert is Mel Colchamiro, who has a different perspective on this topic. lead chase for take lead in During the NABC, the Daily Bulletin has featured various methods for competing when an opponent opens a strong 1NT. They are all good, Red Ribbon title IMP Pairs although we have seen there is a difference of Ned Irving and Denny Penticoff hold a narrow John Onstott of New Orleans and Gary Cohler opinion about which method is best. lead among the qualifiers for today's final two of Miami FL will begin play today as the leaders One common thread, however, is that most sessions of the Bean Red Ribbon Pair. The in the Lebhar IMP Pairs, just ahead of Pratap experts believe it pays to come in aggressively Arkansas pair had 54.9% in the afternoon and Rajadhyaksha and Steve Landen, only 1.7 IMPs directly over a strong 1NT opener. I agree. It is followed with 66.45% in the evening. behind them. not the purpose of this article to argue for one In second place are Adam Ruprecht and Jeff The field at the top is tightly bunched heading method over another. Ford, followed by Saul Agranoff and Joyce into today's two final sessions. In third after two I wish to cover a more fundamental question: Pearson. Yesterday's play saw 99 tables enter the qualifying sessions are Bruce Reeve, District 7 On what types of hands should one enter the two-day event. Fifty-two tables qualified for representative to the ACBL Board of Directors, auction after a 1NT opener? today's play. and Jim Linhart, both of Raleigh NC, followed by I have developed a guideline that will help The Red Ribbon Pairs is an event with Reese Milner and . you answer this question. I call it Mel's Rule of 8. national rating and is open to persons with fewer At the very least, it is an effective guide to "get than 2000 masterpoints. Players earn qualification Attendance through Thursday evening: you into the ball park." by placing first or second overall in regionally rated events of at least Flight B status. It's okay to overcall 1NT directly on 7626.5 Tables this formula: Two big games Take the number of cards in your two Goodwill message longest suits boost Women's Today I might meet a new friend. Subtract the number of losers by loser I might learn a new play. count (see below) I might have a few laughs. If the answer is 2 or higher, bid Pairs leaders I should have a good day! something Aileen Osofsky, Chairman If the answer is 1 or zero, pass. Valerie Westheimer and Migry Zur Campanile had two big games to lead the qualifiers going into National Goodwill Committee today's final two sessions of the Whitehead Smoking notice Figuring losers Women's Pairs. Both games were more than 63% ant that resulted in a carryover that is 30 points All Marriott hotels, which ahead of Gigi Weinstein and Janice Seamon- include Renaissance properties, ♠A K 7 6 5 One loser, missing the Molson, who lie in second place. are smoke–free. Smoking is not queen In third place are the young Swedish ladies, permitted inside these hotels, ♥K J 5 3 Two losers, missing the Cecilia Rimstedt and Sara Sivelind, who won the including the guest rooms. ace and queen Smith Women's Life Master Pairs last November The 2007 Summer and Fall NABCs will also be ♦Q 8 4 Two losers, missing the in Hawaii. hosted at Marriott hotels. ace and king ♣6 One loser, missing the ace Zia says thanks to caring bridge players

Rule of 8 examples The 2007 Spring going to the cause, administered by The Citizens Example 1 Example 2 NABC won't go Foundation, a non-profit, non-political ♠K 7 5 ♠K 7 5 3 2 down as one of Zia organization in Pakistan. ♥A Q 8 6 5 ♥K 8 6 5 4 Mahmood's finest, The goal of the fund-raising was to bring in ♦K 4 3 ♦4 3 but he is happy and enough money to build a school in one of the ♣7 6 ♣7 smiling nonetheless, hardest-hit areas. Zia arrived at the NABC in St. In No. 1, there are eight cards in the two long cheerfully offering Louis with the news that the nearly 100% of the suits but seven losers (two each in spades, thanks to the bridge money needed - more than $144,000 - has been diamonds and clubs and one in hearts). You should players of the world raised. pass despite the 12 high-card points and five-card for helping "Almost all of the money," Zia said, "has major. earthquake victims in come from bridge players around the world. This In No. 2, you have 10 cards in your two long his native Pakistan. is evidence that bridge players care about people suits and seven losers (two each in spades, hearts Shortly after the October 2005 quake outside the bridge world." and diamonds and one in clubs). The difference is devastated parts of Pakistan, Zia embarked on a Zia reported that excavation has begun in the three, so you should get in there. It's only 6 HCP, fund-raising effort that included a raffle to play village of Her in Mansehra in the Northwest but distribution is the key. with him. The also Frontier Province, a remote area that was Continued on page 4 conducted several charity games, with proceeds Continued on page 4 Page 4 Daily Bulletin

NT Defense ROCKWELL MIXED PAIRS Continued from page 1 (Corrected after late score changes) 100.00 1 Richard Zeckhauser, Cambridge MA; Mildred Breed, Austin TX 3042.97 Here is an example from the 2000 Bermuda 75.00 2 Jane Teel - Robert Teel Jr, Birmingham AL 3041.38 Bowl. Paul Soloway held 56.25 3 Janet Robertson, Timonium MD; Ken Cohen, Philadelphia PA 2955.36 ♠A K J 7 3 ♥Q 8 2 ♦Q 7 ♣K 6 5 44.44 4 Sharon Hait, Livingston NJ; Lester Sokolower, Verona NJ 2902.05 and heard Brazil's Roberto Mello open 1NT 40.00 5 Mickie Chambers, Atlanta GA; , Toronto ON 2854.68 36.36 6 Marilyn Kivel - Joseph Kivel, Newport Coast CA 2842.86 (15-17) on his right. Did Soloway bid or pass? 33.33 7 Petra Hamman - Hemant Lall, Dallas TX 2832.54 Mel's Rule of 8 suggests a pass: eight cards in the 30.77 8 Cathy Strauch - Riggs Thayer Jr, San Diego CA 2829.33 two longest suits minus seven losers equals one, 28.57 9 Thomas Carmichael, Kennesaw GA; Jill Wooldridge, Buffalo NY 2828.47 so pass is recommended despite the 15 HCP and 26.67 10 Rhoda Walsh, Palm Desert CA; Mike Cappelletti Sr, Alexandria VA 2814.20 nice spade suit. Soloway did indeed pass and 25.00 11 Elaine Landow - Craig Robinson, Lansdale PA 2803.77 defeated 1NT two tricks. Soloway had not heard 23.53 12 Bert Newman - Kathy Newman, West Bloomfield MI 2797.75 of the Rule of 8, but he did what it suggests 22.22 13 Debra Hyatt, Denver CO; Mark Ralph, San Francisco CA 2751.38 nonetheless. 21.05 14 , Thornhill ON; Leslie Amoils, Toronto ON 2745.87 Here is another example from the Silver 20.00 15 Rebecca Rogers, Las Vegas NV; Lowell Andrews, Huntington Bch CA 2728.96 Ribbon Pairs at this tournament earlier in the 19.05 16 Bernace De Young, Miami FL; Cameron Doner, Richmond BC 2728.32 18.18 17 Linda Perlman, Lake Park FL; Lewis Finkel, Jupiter FL 2728.27 week. With a strong 1NT opener on his right, a 17.39 18 Mary Savko, Tequesta FL; John Potter, Panama City FL 2726.34 player held a hand something like 16.67 19 Matt Granovetter, Cincinnati OH; JoAnna Stansby, Castro Valley CA 2722.80 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ Q 7 6 A K 3 A 10 6 5 4 8 5 16.00 20 Linda Smith - , Hixson TN 2709.26 and entered the auction with a natural bid of 2♦. 15.38 21 Tom Kniest, University City MO; Karen Walker, Champaign IL 2702.06 The result was a doubled contract and a score of 14.81 22 Bob Balderson Jr - Cynthia Balderson, Eden Prairie MN 2689.59 minus 800, what he deserved. With a five-card suit 14.29 23 Linda Hanson, Brentwood TN; Coley McGinnis, Nashville TN 2682.68 and a flat hand, he should have opted for defense. 13.79 24 Cathy Nathan - Marc Nathan, Thousand Oaks CA 2650.00 If you use the Rule of 8, it will tell you when 13.33 25 Lawrence Lerner, Warren NJ; Barbara Sartorius, Lake Hiawatha NJ 2644.66 and when not to bid over their 1NT, and you will 12.90 26 Sylwia McNamara - Michael McNamara, White Plains NY 2644.14 avoid disasters of this type. 12.50 27 Mary Vickers, Apex NC; Jim Dick, Woodbridge VA 2639.99 12.12 28 Peggy Sutherlin - John Sutherlin, Dallas TX 2635.32 11.76 29 Sandra Jenkins - Ken Scholes, Bellevue WA 2633.49 Zia 11.43 30 Joann Glasson - Bob Glasson, Pennington NJ 2628.06 Continued from page 1 11.11 31 Anton Tsypkin, Sharon MA; Yiji Starr, Wayland MA 2624.32 10.81 32 Sue Weinstein - Jerry Weinstein, Las Vegas NV 2616.41 especially hard hit by the earthquake. 10.53 33 Betty Ann Kennedy, Shreveport LA; Alan Stout, Jacksonville FL 2611.75 When it is completed, the school - designed to 10.26 34 Kenneth Kranyak, Bay Village OH; Molly O'Neill, Ft Lauderdale FL 2610.23 be quake-proof - will have the capacity for 180 10.00 35 Steve Clark - Sally Clark, Carlsbad CA 2599.84 students and will have an all-female staff to 9.76 36 Anne Leverone, Saint Paul MN; Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO 2592.36 encourage enrollment by Pakistani girls. 9.52 37 Mike Develin, Berkeley CA; C. Valerie Gamio, Pls Vrds Pnsl CA 2589.36 9.30 38 Martin Chaitt, West Palm Beach FL; Ellasue Chaitt, Palm Bch Gdns FL 2587.96 Zia said he and WBF President Jose Damiani 9.09 39 James Priebe - Joan Priebe, Mississauga ON 2585.40 will visit the area later this year to inspect the site. 8.89 40 Ellie Hanlon, Tequesta FL; Richard Potter, Black Mountain NC 2584.43 He said interested parties can track the 8.70 41 Andrew Vinock, Woodland Hills CA; Marjorie Michelin, Los Angeles CA 2583.49 progress of the school construction via the web 8.51 42 Sharon Jabbour - Zeke Jabbour, Boca Raton FL 2582.18 site of The Citizens Foundation: 9.77 43 Kathy Baum - Jay Baum, Germantown TN 2571.61 www.thecitizensfoundation.org. 8.16 44 Kamla Chawla, Longmeadow MA; Jason Chiu, Piscataway NJ 2569.40 8.00 45 Beverly Perry, New York NY; Gavin Wolpert, Thornhill ON 2565.49 9.09 46 Ellen Cherniavsky, Silver Spring MD; Eugene Kales, Arlington VA 2559.83 Information, please 7.69 47 Debbie Gailfus - Alan Gailfus, Carlsbad CA 2558.36 Good players listen to the bidding and, 7.55 48 Bonnie Bagley, Colorado Spgs CO; Ken Monzingo, San Diego CA 2555.36 especially playing against other good players, take 7.41 49 Merri-Jo Hillaker, Grand Prairie TX; Nagy Kamel, Plano TX 2553.55 what they hear to heart. Here's an example from 7.27 50 Carlos Munoz - Kassie Munoz, White Plains NY 2549.95 the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams, reported by Mel Colchamiro. Jacek Pszczola and Sam Lev, playing His next move was the ♠3, and when Soloway on the Reese Milner team, opposed Bob Hamman contributed the ♠2, Pszczola put in the ♠5, which and Paul Soloway of the Nick Nickell team (hands held. Pszczola knew Hamman had extreme rotated). distribution for his 2NT bid. After all, both sides Dlr: North ♠ 9 4 3 were vulnerable, and Hamman was forcing his Vul: Both ♥ A partner to choose a suit at the three level. ♦ 9 7 2 Pszczola's play resulted in a well-earned plus ♣ A K Q J 10 2 1430 - and a 5-IMP loss. At the other table, Jeff ♠ – ♠ Q J 10 2 Meckstroth and were doubled in the ♥ K Q 5 4 3 ♥ 10 9 7 2 same contract, making for plus 1660. ♦ K J 8 6 5 4 ♦ Q 10 ♣ 9 7 ♣ 6 5 3 Notice to players ♠ A K 8 7 6 5 Each player must have an ACBL convention ♥ J 8 6 card filled out and on the table. Please note that ♦ A3 other types of convention cards, such as the WBF ♣ 8 4 convention card or homemade cards that do not ♠ Jane and Bob Teel were second in the Rockwell Pszczola found himself in a 6 contract as sufficiently resemble the ACBL convention card, Mixed Pairs. South after Lev (North) had opened the bidding are not acceptable substitutes. with 1♣ and, at his first chance to speak, Hamman Partnerships desk had bid 2NT, showing the red suits. All partnerships, including NABC+ events, for ♥ Hamman led the K against the spade slam, the 1:00 p.m. games will be done at the America's and Pszczola won with dummy's singleton ace. Center only. How You Can Play Like an Expert (Without Having to be One) By Mel Colchamiro "Mel combines easy reading and an easy-to-understand personal style with real insights. Believe me, he knows. It's a must." – Paul Soloway, World Champion and #1 masterpoint holder

"Mel Colchamiro is an original! He has traveled where others have feared to tread in this very instructive book. Mel has done it. Read it!" – Bobby Wolff, World Champion At the St. Louis NABC: Online: David the Bookseller 276 pages $21.95 www.melbridge.com Baron Barclay Now on Sale www.amazon.com Saturday, March 17, 2007 Volume 50, Number 9 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith

Defenses to 1NT Brogeland, Del Monte New partners take Ask a group of capture IMP Pairs Women’s Pairs experts about their favorite methods of Irina Ladyzhensky and Kamla Chawla, who competing when an had never played in person before the Whitehead opponent opens a Women’s Pairs, parlayed a 65% game in the first strong 1NT (15— final session to victory in the event. It was the first 17), and you will North American championship for each. receive a variety of They finished just ahead of Valerie Westheimer answers. The Daily and Migry Zur-Campanile. Bulletin has featured Ladyzhensky is a math teacher in Ellenton FL, one method each day Continued on page 7 during the NABC. Boye Brogeland and Ishmael Delmonte. Note: Players should be aware that several of Boye Brogeland and Ishmael Delmonte, who the systems described in this series use Mid-Chart play together only at NABCs, are used to leading conventions and are not permited in events that in the late stages of ACBL pairs events, but until are restricted to the General Convention Chart. Friday they had not had the experience of The director in charge can provide the information winning. you need. That changed when they had a monster first Today’s expert is Jerry Helms from Charlotte final session in the Lebhar IMP Pairs and won the NC. event going away, more than 17 IMPs ahead of the Helms, like many top players, loves to runners-up, Jonathan Weinstein of Evanston IL compete over the opponents’ opening 1NT. Before and Robert Heitzman Jr. of Suffern NY. he created HELLO, he disliked having to double Continued on page 8 or bid 2♣ with one suit. After experimenting with Kamla Chawla and Irina Ladyzhensky. various methods, he, along with co-inventor Bill Lohmann, came up with HELLO (the name is Henner-WWelland, O’Rourke Arizona pair takes formed from the first initials of their surnames). face off in Vanderbilt final Red Ribbon Pairs “The weakness of many methods is that they can’t bid 2♥ or 2♠ directly,” said Helms. “This Teams captained by Lou Ann O’Rourke and gives the opponents free rein at the two level. Christal Henner-Welland will play 64 boards today They can bid Stayman or make a transfer bid. in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams final. When we created HELLO, addressing this was our O’Rourke, originally seeded fourth, reached first priority. the championship round with a 133-102 win over “When you own a major, especially spades, the Piotr Tuszynski squad. Henner-Welland and you want to be able to bid it immediately for the company kayoed the James Cayne squad in a 120- preemptive effect,” Helms said. “We want to 114 nail-biter. interfere, but also bid accurately when it is our O’Rourke is playing with Marc Jacobus, hand. The whole idea is to be constructively Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco and Italian world obstructive. HELLO gets your partner involved.” champions Giorgio Duboin and Norberto Bocchi. The system can be used against either weak or Henner-Welland is playing with Antonio Sementa; Jack Hawthorne and Paul Spier. strong 1NT since the double is not needed to show her husband, Roy Welland, Bjorn Fallenius and one of the hand types. Paul Spier and Jack Hawthorne used four Polish stars Adam Zmudzinski and Cezary Helms points out other advantages of his solid sessions to capture the Bean Red Ribbon Balicki. Henner-Welland was seeded No. 7 at the Pairs. During the four sessions, two qualifying and Double = penalty or a strong hand. start. two final, their lowest score was 57% and their 2♣ = diamonds or a major- In both semifinal matches, the winners took highest was about 61%. minor two-suiter the lead early and never trailed, but Henner- The pair is from Phoenix AZ and have been ♦ 2 = transfer to hearts. Continued on page 7 Continued on page 7 2♥ = majors 2♠ = spades 2NT = clubs Former caddy now working ‘dream job’ 3♣ = minors 3♦ = majors, stronger a squad car for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police than 2♥ Department. That’s right – the comely caddy who made such a good impression is now packing a 9mm pistol and chasing bad guys for a living. system. In certain HELLO auctions, the unknown It’s what she always wanted to do, she says. hand, the partner of the one who bid, will be the declarer. This happens when you bid 2♦ to From childhood, Beye says she was impressed transfer to hearts, for example. The partner accepts by people in uniform and drawn to the profession. the transfer and “He might have something crazy So when she graduated from high school in St. such as a low doubleton heart and a six-card club Louis in 2000, she enrolled at the University suit or just about anything,” said Helms. Continued on page 7 The strong hand is on lead and has no idea of Officer Ann Beye with her father Rick. the strength or distribution of the declarer. The It has been some time since Ann Beye worked Smoking notice Continued on page 7 as a caddy at a tournament, but for many years she All Marriott hotels, which was one of the regulars at NABCs, running all include Renaissance properties, over ballrooms and convention centers, picking up Attendance through Friday evening: are smoke–free. Smoking is not boards and score slips. permitted inside these hotels, These days, the 25-year-old daughter of including the guest rooms. 8695.5 Tables ACBL’s Chief Tournament Director Rick Beye is The 2007 Summer and Fall NABCs will also be still doing a lot of running around, but now it’s in hosted at Marriott hotels. Daily Bulletin Page 7

Defenses Two irreproachable Beye Continued from page 1 sources Continued from page 1 hand with hearts will be exposed as dummy, but By Barry Rigal Dayton with a major in criminal justice. Her the defenders already have an idea of that hand. studies included lots of hands-on activities, The same situation is true when the intervener When two people independently come to you including riding in police cruisers, visits to prisons bids 2♣ and passes the 2♦ response or when he with the same deal, you can assume it contains and lots of sociology studies. ♣ bids 2NT and the partner bids 3 . points of interest. It came from the Rose Meltzer “Dad’s plan was for me to go to law school,” There are other auctions in which the partner team’s defeat of the Dutch squad, Team Orange. she says with a smile, “but it didn’t work out.” may be the declarer. After a 2♥ bid for the majors, ♠ Dlr: East 5 Beye’s first caddy job was at the age of 8, and the partner will prefer spades roughly half the Vul: None ♥ A 6 4 3 time. After 3♣ for the minors, the partner will she says her long experience in that field helped ♦ Q J 8 4 2 sometimes bid 3♦. In these cases, the strong 1NT her prepare for life as a police officer. ♣ Q 7 4 hand is the opening leader and the unknown hand “You learn to deal with people, answer remains hidden. questions, smile even when you don’t want to,” ♠ A 4 3 2 In the passout seat the methods change she says, adding, “You also learn multi-tasking, slightly. Double is not as valuable as penalty since ♥ Q 10 8 5 and you’re always on your feet.” the doubler is not on lead against 1NT. Instead the ♦ 6 She started at the St. Louis Police Academy in double is a relay to 2♣. Over the 2♣ response: ♣ A K 6 3 March of 2006, graduating in November of last West North East South Pass = clubs 2♥ (1) Pass year. That was followed by three months of 2♦ = diamonds and a major 2♠ Pass Pass 2NT training, but she is now a full-time officer, riding ♥ 2 = hearts and clubs Pass 3NT Pass 4♣ alone in the squad car. ♠ 2 = spades and clubs Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ “Radio calls can be anything,” she says, “from Dbl All Pass traffic accidents to domestic incidents.” If a situation looks like more than one officer is Will these bids, your minor is five cards or (1) Spades. longer, but the major is only four-cards long. Roger Bates bid 2NT to show a two-suiter, needed, she says, she can call for backup. Hands such as these are particularly hard to then started the escape until they reached a The job, she says, is just right for her. “I get to bid accurately, and this approach is an attempt to playable spot. be outside and on my feet a lot,” she says. “I’m address that. Players who don’t like to play a West led a top diamond and shifted to the ♠Q. not a desk person.” double as penalty in the direct seat could use this Bates won and ruffed a spade in dummy, then led Beye acknowledges that she is still getting her scheme instead. a heart to the 10. West won the ♥J and exited with feet wet and trying to gain experience, but she “I prefer the penalty double,” said Helms. “It a club. Bates won in hand, ran the ♥Q knows one thing: she loves what she’s doing. “It’s comes up more than you think, and is definitely successfully, collecting the ♥9 on his right and needed against the weak 1NT.” a good feeling,” she says, “to help somebody and Helms’ book, Helms to Hello, gives a more drew the last trump to reach this position: feel like you’re making a difference.” ♠ complete version of HELLO and is available from — There’s also the thrill of something new every Masterpoint Press. ♥ — day. “You can’t get bored,” she says. “There is ♦ Q J 8 4 never a dull moment. Many days I think I can’t ♣ Q 7 believe I’m getting paid to do this.” Wheels within wheels ♠ 4 3 By Barry Rigal ♥ 8 Red Ribbon ♦ — Continued from page 1 Peggy Kaplan played with Kyoko Shimamura ♣ A6 3 in the Lebhar IMP Pairs and got the better of partners for several years. Hawthorne is a project Bates knew that spades were 6-2, so he ran the declarer Robb Gordon on this deal. manager for American Express. Spier is a software Dlr: West ♠ K 10 ♦Q, discarding a spade. West could win and exit manager for a health care company Vul: N-S ♥ Q J 8 4 3 with a minor, but with clubs 3-3, he had 10 tricks. ♦ 4 The full deal: The pair play a version of ♣ A 9 6 5 2 ♠ 5 called Pattern Precision in which their response to ♣ ♠ A J 9 8 3 ♠ Q 7 6 ♥ A 6 4 3 1 shows their hand pattern. The system was ♥ ♥ A 10 9 7 K 6 2 ♦ Q J 8 4 2 devised mostly by Hawthorne. ♦ ♦ AJ 5 K 9 8 7 2 ♣ Q 7 4 “Jack’s gives us a big step ♣ K ♣ J 3 ♠ Q 10 ♠ K J 9 8 7 6 up,” said Spier. Spier also won the Red Ribbon ♠ 5 4 2 ♥ K J 7 ♥ 9 2 Pairs in Chicago in 1998. ♥ 5 ♦ ♦ Second place went to the Chicago-area pair ♦ Q 10 6 3 A K 9 5 3 10 7 ♣ ♣ ♣ Q 10 8 7 4 10 8 5 J 9 2 Jim Kehoe and Chuck Michalski. West North East South ♠ A 4 3 2 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass ♥ Q 10 8 5 3♥ Pass 4♠ All Pass ♦ 6 Women’s Pairs Kaplan, North, stayed out of the auction ♣ A K 6 3 Continued from page 1 because of the vulnerability and elected to lead the ♣ A against the spade game. She continued with a Newest Life Masters a Sarasota suburb. She learned bridge in her native second club, ruffed by declarer, Gordon. He Russia. She and husband, Alexander, emigrated ♠ Mary Leach of St. Louis earned her gold card played the A and another spade. Kaplan, in from Russia 16 years ago. The two came in third again, realized her partner was very weak, so she Friday by placing in the Compact KO Teams. in the IMP Pairs at the World Bridge elected to give declarer a ruff and discard. Ruth Killen of Springfield need a little more that So how should Gordon have played? He knew one gold point to earn Life Master status. She Championships in Verona last year. North had shorter spades than South but had not earned it on Friday in the KO Teams. She formed the partnership with Chawla after come into the auction, so she surely was not meeting her at an NABC. Chawla is a retired holding a two-suiter with short diamonds. Right. Vanderbilt pediatrician who lives in Long Meadow MA. She At the table, Gordon elected to ruff in dummy, Continued from page 1 doesn’t play much bridge, only one or two days at pitching a heart from hand and leading a diamond local regionals and occasionally at NABCs. to his ace to draw the last trump. When he led the Welland had some nervous moments in the The winners played a couple of times online ♦J from hand and Kaplan showed out, he could final set. Leading 116-79, they saw their but had never played across the table from each not avoid a loser in each red suit. opponents win the final set 35-4 to close the gap. other before entering the Women’s Pairs. The semifinal round featured all six members of Italy’s Bermuda Bowl champion squad: Duboin ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ and Bocchi for O’Rourke and Lorenzo Lauria- Alfredo Versace, Fulvio Fantoni-Claudio Nunes for Cayne.