VOL. 59 No. 1 JUNE 2018 For goodness’ sake: What’s going on at Horn Lake?

By Martin Hirschman aren’t saying, supposedly be- Table Talk Editor cause of the possibility of liti- gation regarding the firing. Ac- A year ago, the ACBL hired cording to the ACBL’s public an experienced, enterprising statement: and affable businessman, Ba- “ ‘While Mr. Gidwani brought har Gidwani, as chief execu- many new ideas to the organi- tive officer of the league. He zation, we regret there are is- took over last Aug.1. sues that remain unresolved Gidwani seemed to be at despite counselling by the least trying to improve com- of Directors,’ [ACBL munication with ACBL mem- President Jay] Whipple says. bers, make improvements and For legal reasons, Whipple develop new programs. But cannot elaborate further.” we will never know whether Meanwhile, Gidwani wrote his ideas would have worked. in an email: “...I am not per- At the end of April, the ACBL mitted to speak about the cir- Board of Directors abruptly cumstances surrounding my showed him the door. departure. I’m sure you under- Why? stand—and that you will hear Well, those in the know (Continued on page 22)

CANDIDATES WANTED

The annual MBA board election will be held at the Motor City Regional in October. If you are interested in running for the board, contact election chair Jonathan Fleischmann, 734- 255-6104, [email protected] 2017 SOMBA/MBA JOINT SECTIONAL June 21-24, 2018 Site: The Bridge Connection 26776 Twelve Mile Road, Southfield MI Just west of Northwestern Hwy. 248-356-6254

THURSDAY, JUNE 21 Bridge lesson for intermediate players ...... 9:15 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Swiss team lesson for new players ...... 2:10 p.m. Stratified Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 7 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 22 Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Fast Pairs (5 minutes per board) ...... 7 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 23 Bridge lesson for new players ...... 9:15 a.m. Stratified Swiss Teams Playthru – 7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. 0-100 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2 p.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 24 Stratified Swiss Teams Playthru – 7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2 p.m.

Stratified Events: A=unlimited; B=0-3000; C=0-1000 0-500 Stratifications: 0-100, 100-300, 300-500 as attendance warrants Average will be used to determine stratifications. All pairs events are single session.

Light lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday No smoking in the building

Tournament chair: Owen Lien, 828-424-5905, [email protected] Tournament co-chair: Satish Shah, 586-944-6708, [email protected] Partnerships: Marilyn Crane, (c) 734-536-1731, (h) 734-591-3431, [email protected] Bill Goodman, 586-243-9918, [email protected]

PAGE 2 TABLE TALK Michigan Bridge Association’s RUSSELL ROOSEN SECTIONAL August 23-26, 2018 Site: The Bridge Connection 26776 Twelve Mile Road, Southfield MI Just west of Northwestern Hwy. 248-356-6254

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Swiss Team Lesson for New Players ...... 2:10 p.m. Stratified Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 7 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Fast Pairs (5 minutes per board) ...... 7 p.m. SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 Stratified Swiss Teams Playthru – 7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2 p.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2 p.m. SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 BRACKETED Swiss Teams Playthru – 7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-500 Pairs ...... 2 p.m.

Stratified Events: A=unlimited; B=0-3000; C=0-1000 0-500 Stratifications: 0-100, 100-300, 300-500 as attendance warrants Average masterpoints will be used to determine stratifications

All pairs events are single session Light lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday No smoking in the building

Tournament chair: Owen Lien, 828-424-5905, [email protected] Partnerships: Marilyn Crane, 734-591-3431, (c) 734-536-1731, [email protected] Jane Gardner, 248-719-2941, [email protected]

TABLE TALK PAGE 3 TABLE TALK MBA Officers Official publication Bob Ondo ...... president of the Michigan Bridge Association Owen Lien...... ….president-elect 4504 Knollcrest Road Jonathan Fleischmann .... chairman Ann Arbor MI 48108 Stacey Tessler .... recording secretary 734-585-5759 Bob Webber ...... treasurer e-mail: [email protected] Board of Directors MARTIN HIRSCHMAN, Editor Shelley Boschan, Brenda Bryant, Production editor: Marcia Abramson MBA Corresponding & Mem- bership Secretary: Paul Pomeroy, Owen Lien, Marilyn Nathanson, Bob 34069 Hathaway St., Livonia MI Ondo, Grant Petersen, Patti Stoner, 48150, [email protected], 734- Richard Temkin, Stacey Tessler, Al- 421-0193 lan Tushman, Zachary Wasserman.

MBA CLUB DIRECTORY Farms. Tony Faint, 586-649- 3575. Friday 12 p.m. ■Neighborhood Club, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church,

Thursday 12 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. ■Plymouth Community DBC, Cultural Center, 525 Farmer, Plymouth. Jim & Cheryl Perna, 248-887-9283. Tuesday 11:30 a.m., Wednesday 11:30 a.m. ■Trenton DBC, 2700 Westfield, Trenton. Bob Ondo, 313-320- 5173. Thursday 7 p.m. ■War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore, Grosse Pointe. Judith Thomas, 313-372-4218. Monday 12 p.m. ■Young Center BC, R.A. Young Recreation Center, 5400 McKin- ■Friendly Friday BC, St. Paul ley, Dearborn Heights. Joyce Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kozma, 313-274-5587. Wednes- 375 Lothrop, Grosse Pointe day 11 a.m.

PAGE 4 TABLE TALK IT’S YOUR BID By Marty Hirschman

Congratulations to Sheldon Kirsch for his perfect 500 and to Val Enache for high score among readers. Table Talk moved to Ann Arbor this spring, so if you are mail- ing in your answers to this issue’s problems, make sure to use our new address, found at the end of this article. Our email ad- dress is unchanged.

1. IMPs. None vul. As Don Rumelhart (3♣): 4♣ by- SOUTH, you hold: passes 3NT, and everything ♠8 ♥762 ♦A2 ♣AKQ7632 else is a gross misstatement WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH of my hand.

------1♣ Bob Webber (3♣): 3♠ is just Pass 1♦ 2♠ ? too much.

Action Score Votes For the majority: 3♠ 100 14 3♣ 60 5 Chuck Burger (3♠): Do you 3NT 30 0 have a stopper? I am a little 4♣ 20 0 light but the bid reflects the 5♣ 30 0 general nature of my hand. It feels like pard has a good We have eight probable hand with no major bid by tricks, and partner showed at pard. least some values. If he has a spade stopper, we need to be Suzy Burger (3♠): With eight in 3NT. A 3♣ bid here, which tricks in hand, 3♣ just isn’t could just be a good minimum strong enough.

with a 6-card suit, won’t do Joe Chiesa (3♠): Gravitating the job. toward 3NT. Undiscussed, 3♠ Disagreeing: is but a forcing cuebid. With a Gene Benedict (3♣): Cuebid- spade stopper partner should ding 3♠ would show a strong- be able to grab 3NT. 3♥ here er hand. (natural) by me allows West to double for a lead. 3♣ with Linda Perlman (3♣): Maybe eight tricks is pusillanimous. partner will know what to do. If he bids 3♠, I will guess and Jonathan Fleischmann (3♠): bid 3NT. Partner will bid 3NT with a

TABLE TALK PAGE 5 SCORES Experts: Readers: Sheldon Kirsch ...... 500 Valentin Enache ...... 420 Chuck Burger ...... 470 Irv Hershman ...... 410 Suzy Burger ...... 470 Kerry Lafer ...... 410 Bob Brent ...... 460 Margaret Carden ...... 390 Joe Chiesa ...... 460 Neil Manley Jr...... 390 Bob Katz ...... 460 Patty Becker ...... 370 Morrie Kleinplatz ...... 460 Jerry Jefferies ...... 360 Don Rumelhart ...... 460 Barb Reed ...... 350 Brenda Bryant ...... 450 Mark Hugger ...... 340 Kurt Dasher ...... 450 Doris Jefferies ...... 290 George Pope ...... 280 Jim Reed ...... 280

HOW THE PANEL VOTED

1 2 3 4 5 Gene Benedict 3♣ Pass 3♠ 6♣ 3♦ Bob Brent 3♠ 4♥ Pass 6♣ 3♦ Brenda Bryant 3♠ Pass 3NT 6♣ 3♦ Chuck Burger 3♠ Pass 3♠ 6♣ 3♦ Suzy Burger 3♠ Pass 3♠ 6♣ 3♦ Joe Chiesa 3♠ 4♦ Pass 6♣ 3♦ Kurt Dasher 3♠ Pass 4♠ 6♣ 3♦ Jonathan Fleischmann 3♠ 5♣ 3♠ 6NT 3♦ Dennis Kasle 3♠ 5♣ 3♠ 5NT/6♣ 3♦ Bob Katz 3♠ Pass Pass 7♣ 3♦ Sheldon Kirsch 3♠ Pass Pass 6♣ 3♦ Morrie Kleinplatz 3♠ 4♦ Pass 6♣ 3♦ John Koschik 3♠ 4♥ 3♠ 6♣ 3♦ Linda Perlman 3♣ 5♣ 3♣ 7♣ 3♦ Irv Rosenstein 3♠ 5♣ Pass 5NT 3♦ Don Rumelhart 3♣ Pass Pass 6♣ 3♦ Richard Temkin 3♠ 5♣ Pass 6♣ 2NT Bob Webber 3♣ 4♦ Pass 5NT 3♦ Willie Winokur 3♣ 5♣ Pass 6♣ 3♦

PAGE 6 TABLE TALK spade stopper. I’ll let the don’t think we can make 11 hearts take care of them- tricks in a minor. We’ll be selves. lucky to make 10, losing two

Dennis Kasle (3♠): Asking for tricks in the majors and one or a stopper. With the lack of any two in the minors. There are heart bid or implication of potentially 7 IMPs between hearts, I think partner should letting them make 3♥ and have a stopper or length. making 4♣, so we need 4♣ to Partner can figure out what be non-forcing. Partner had kind of hand I have and can stronger bids available if he wanted to force to game. take it from there if he has a very good hand. Kurt Dasher (Pass): Likely spade, heart and minor loser. Morrie Kleinplatz (3♠): A Pard would not bid only 4♣ slight overbid, but IMPs are with AK of diamonds and AK IMPs. Hopefully partner’s first of clubs. Might be too high al- job, when in doubt, is to show ready. a stopper. If I had a big hand with the minors, he can count Don Rumelhart (Pass): 4♣ is on me to bid over 3NT. not forcing, and most of my assets are in the opponents’ At the table, partner held: suits and not pulling full ♠KQx ♥AKxx ♦Kxxx ♣Jx, so weight. a successful 6NT would usu- ally be reached after a 3♠ bid, Gene Benedict (Pass): I have but maybe not after just 3♣. too many wasted values in the opponents’ suits to consider 2. IMPs. N-S vul. As SOUTH, game. Give partner ♠xx ♥xx you hold: ♦AKxxx ♣Axxx and you rate to have three losers in 5♣. ♠KQ104 ♥A3 ♦QJ5 ♣Q1093 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Chuck Burger (Pass): No in------1♣ verted minor raise, no double Pass 1♦ 2NT Pass and no cuebid, so 4♣ is non- 3♥ 4♣ Pass ? forcing. Bad breaks, being off

Action Score Votes the ace of spades and the Pass 100 8 probable heart lead are more reasons to pass. 5♣ 80 6 4♦ 60 3 Suzy Burger (Pass): Partner 4♥ 60 2 is just competing.

It’s too late for 3NT, and I Trying to invite back:

TABLE TALK PAGE 7 Joe Chiesa (4♦): Preserves avoid a loser there.

vulnerable game prospects, Irv Rosenstein (5♣): Two-suit alerts partner to a quasi dou- fit. Going for the vulnerable ble fit but permits us to bail game. out at the 4-level. Dick Temkin (5♣): With a six- Other ideas: loser hand, I don’t think a 4♥ Willie Winokur (5♣): Se- bid is a good idea. Game may duced by limited losers in the not make, but I can’t see majors, and hoping pard has passing, especially at IMPs.

great minors. John Koschik (4♥): Slam is

Jonathan Fleischmann (5♣): likely. Partner didn’t bid some I expect three or so working number of clubs initially, so honors from partner, and this is a strong auction with clubs and diamonds. probably 10+ cards in the mi- nors. I’m rooting for a stiff Bob Brent (4♥): Only thing I heart across, or some way to know is that I can’t pass.

District 12 gets bigger Northern Indiana’s unit 154 each and every one of you has been transferred to Dis- who signed the petition for trict 12 from District 8 pursu- transfer. Yes, all 480 of you! ant to a vote of the national You comprised 85% of all the ACBL board of directors in Unit members who played at March. The unit has about a Unit club two or more times 600 members in South Bend, in the past two years. You Fort Wayne, Gary and a rec- spoke with gusto and passion tangle from the Ohio border to and the ACBL heard you.” the Illinois border and extend- Northern Indiana joins MBA, ing as far south as Kokomo. SOMBA, Eastern Michigan, “We have joined the district Western Michigan and North- of the players and the part- west Ohio in District 12. Since ners that we see every week each district is limited to four from Michigan and northwest- regionals a year, Northern In- ern Ohio,” Unit 154 President diana apparently is giving up Gary Chaney wrote in the. on the annual September re- unit’s April newsleter. “On be- gional in Fort Wayne, which half of the Unit BoD, I thank

PAGE 8 TABLE TALK At the table, partner held a level with 14 or 15 HCPs and daring ♠xx ♥J10x ♦Axxx a singleton. Also, it will dis- ♣Kxxx, so passing would have courage the opponents from been a good idea. because they won’t know we have an 8-card fit. 3. MTPTs. N-S vul. As What does partner’s 2NT SOUTH, you hold: show? Many believe it should ♠Q104 ♥K1084 ♦J73 ♣754 deliver 18-19 HCPs. If so, we WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH have to consider the added Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT* value of our Q and 10 of Pass 2NT Pass ? spades (being in partner’s *Semi-forcing suit), and maybe raise to 3NT. If 2NT is just 17 to 18-, which Action Score Votes is how I play it, then we Pass 100 10 should pass, or maybe correct 3♠ 70 6 to 3♠. 3♣ 50 1 3NT 50 1 Joe Chiesa (Pass): With 19, 4♠ 50 1 partner would bid 3NT herself. Albeit I have a third spade, I Gene Benedict (3♠): We have 6 flat points. Match- have an 8-card fit, and possi- points counsels caution. If I bly a poorly guarded . had a ruffing value, I would Why not bid 2♠ originally? contemplate 3♠.

Bob Katz (Pass): I would If we had a ruffing value NEVER have bid 1NT, but (and the same honors), we having done that, I may have would have raised to 2♠ origi- accidentally gotten us to the nally. winning contract. Chuck Burger (3♠) Non- In 2/1 Game Force, raising forcing. Less than a direct 1♠ to 2♠ shows 6+ (7?) to a so-so raise. 10 support points, so this hand arguably does not quite quali- Jonathan Fleischmann (3♠): fy. Instead we bid a semiforc- Passing could well be right at ing 1NT, planning a simple matchpoints, but I‘d need preference to 2♠ if partner partner to have both minors bids 2 of another suit. Bidding well-covered. 3♠ should be it that way, as opposed to this hand if playing construc- raising directly, will keep part- tive raises. 4♠ would show the ner from going to the three- limit raise.

TABLE TALK PAGE 9 Six of our 19 panelists vol- ble at IMPs, I also would bid unteered that they would have 3NT. raised to 2♠ immediately. A couple of them said they 4. MTPTs. None vul. As wanted to bid 3♠ now, but felt SOUTH, you hold: it showed a 3-card limit raise. ♠QJ10 ♥103 ♦KQJ ♣K7643 When you adjust for that, the WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH panel was pretty evenly split -- -- Pass 1♣ on playing notrump vs. Pass 1♥ Pass 1NT spades. Pass 2♦* Pass 2NT

John Koschik (3♠): Non- Pass 3♣** Pass 3NT forcing. Will play better in Pass 5♠ Pass ? spades unless partner’s dou- * **Clubs, game forcing bleton is in hearts.

Irv Rosenstein (Pass): Game Action Score Votes prospects are iffy. Likely mak- 6♣ 100 13.5 ing the same number of tricks 5NT 60 2.5 in NT as spades. 7♣ 60 2 6NT 50 1 At the table, partner held Pass 0 0 ♠AKJ62 ♥A53 ♦Q9 ♣A62. Both notrump and spades Has partner lost his mind? usually would make 9 tricks, No, he is showing a big club though both could be held to 8 raise with a spade and on precise defense. enough material to make at least 6♣, even if you only Brenda Bryant (3NT): We have four clubs and 12 HCPs are vulnerable, so I will push with some wasteage in to game. Seems either side spades. Must be something has no shape, so why play like: ♠void ♥AKxxx ♦Axxx 4♠? 3NT likely easier. ♣AQxx. So... Hey, Brenda. It’s match- points, so the vulnerability Bob Katz (7♣): In this very doesn’t matter in bidding or unusual auction, where 4♠ not bidding a game. Vulnera- would have been forcing, this should show a void and something like ♠void ♥AKxxx CONGRATULATIONS ♦Axx ♣AQxxx. BILL LANDRUM Linda Perlman, the only oth- 2017 MBA er 7♣ bidder, thinks partner GOODWILL AWARD WINNER would have ♠AKxx ♥AKxx(x)

PAGE 10 TABLE TALK ♦void ♣AQxx(x). Meanwhile, event, Chiesa actually held Rosenstein and Webber be- ♠void ♥AKJxx ♦Axx ♣AQ10xx. lieve partner is asking for a The auction went as indicat- second-round spade control ed, and his partner bid 6♣ to play 6♣, so they sign off in with the actual ♥AQ ♥10x 5NT. Fleischmann guessed ♦KQx ♣xxxxxx. Most of the partner is looking for third- field was in 6NT. Both slams round spade control for 7♣; he made, so 6♣ was a bad score. bids 6NT to show that his third-round spade control 5. MTPTs. E-W vul. As is the Q, not a doubleton. SOUTH, you hold: Most of the panelists as- ♠AK ♥K92 ♦AJ943 ♣874 sumed 5♠ was 1430 Exclu- WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH sion Blackwood. Other 6♣ bid------1NT ders were signing off simply 2♥* Dbl** Pass ? because they didn’t like their *Hearts and a minor hand. **Negative

Summing up the mood of Action Score Votes the majority: 3♦ 100 18 Don Rumelhart (6♣): I wish I 2NT 50 1 knew what 5♠ meant. Is he 2♠ 10 0 trying to show a void? Are we playing exclusion? If so, what This used to be a penalty are the agreed responses? double, so we haven’t had a However, when partner makes lot of experience with the neg- a mystery bid, it is best to re- ative variety. Supposedly the treat to the cheapest level of doubler is showing support for the agreed suit and hope for the unbid suits, especially the best. spades, or maybe he has the values to raise to 2NT, since Only one of the 6♣ bidders, bidding 2NT here would have Joe Chiesa, suggested a spe- been . cific hand for partner: ♠void Only a few panelists looked ♥AQJxxx ♦Ax ♣AQxxx. Pos- beyond their five-card minor, sibly he has forgotten that it although they also have the was he who suggested this very notrumpy Kxx of hearts. problem 3½ years ago after a And partner did not really similar hand came up in the promise diamonds. 2014 District 12 finals of the North American Pairs. In that Dick Temkin (2NT): I think I

TABLE TALK PAGE 11 should tell partner I have a 2a. MTPTs. N-S vul. As heart stopper. SOUTH, you hold:

Chuck Burger (3♦): 2NT and ♠K ♥108652 ♦AKQ864 ♣7 Pass are possible, but respect WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH West’s vul. bid. Pard can -- -- Pass ? force and ask with 3♥ if b. Assuming partner responds strong. No club card and heart 1♠ to whatever you open, king onside stop me from go- what will you bid next? ing for penalty. c. Will you make a third call if partner makes only a minimal Joe Chiesa (3♦): Torn be- second bid? If so, what bid do tween 3♦ and 2NT. If partner you expect to make? has a minimum , 3♦ is probably best. (With a mini- 3. MTPTs. E-W vul. As mum he should be prepared SOUTH, you hold: for all my responses.) Over ♠Q63 ♥Q93 ♦AQ ♣AQJ52 3♦, 3NT remains possible. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH -- Pass Pass 1NT At the table in a December 2♦ Pass Pass ? club game that was part of the Common Game, partner (that 4a. MTPTs. None vul. As was me) held ♠QJ52 ♥A654 SOUTH, you hold: ♦6 ♣J932. Over 3♦, I was ♠AK92 ♥AK954 ♦J7 ♣Q6 constrained to bid 3NT, which WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH was down one for a bad 2♠ 3♣ Pass 3♥ score. Maybe I should have Pass 4♣ Pass 4♠ passed over 2♥ and taken a Pass 5♣ Pass ? plus, but I was concerned that b. Do you agree with 3♥ and 4♠? we would be poorly placed if the opponents got to 3♦ or if 5. MTPTs. N-S vul. As our side was on for game in SOUTH, you hold: spades, or both. ♠A875 ♥Q7652 ♦A ♣AJ7 Sorry, partner. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH -- Pass 1♣ 1♥ NEXT ISSUE’S HANDS Pass 1NT Pass ?

1. MTPTs. Both vul. As Mail your answers to: SOUTH, you hold: Table Talk Magazine ♠AJ ♥AQJ1042 ♦AJ83 ♣J 4504 Knollcrest Road WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Ann Arbor MI 48108 -- -- Pass 1♥ Or email to: 3♣ 3♠ Pass ? [email protected]

PAGE 12 TABLE TALK Michigan State Sectional Here are the results of the team. 2/3, Michael Kaleel, Michigan State Sectional, Richard Menczer, John played March 22-25 at the Dreifus, Carolyn Simmer. 2/3, Bridge Connection in South- Steve O’Guin, Delores Bright, field. Michael Kraut, Ronald Rog- ers. FLIGHT C: 1, Satish MASTERPOINT LEADERS: Shah, Song Lin, , 1, Sandy Birnholtz, 27,00 George Christian. 2, Kenneth 2, Jonathan Fleischmann, 21.98 Geisler, Arlene Geisler, Emily 3, Samir Zeine, 21.52 Miller, Kathy Twomey. 3, Pe- 4, Richard Temkin, 18.79 ter Malcolmson, Mark Stern, 5, Michael Kaleel, 17.98 Richard Muntz, Susan Yester. 6, John Dreifus, 17.98 7, Michael Crane, 17.29 THURSDAY NIGHT PAIRS 8, Robert Raf, 15.93 FLIGHT A: 1, Owen Lien, 9, Brenda Jaffe, 15.56 Jonathan Fleischmann. 2/3, 10, Robert Katz, 14.94 William Landrum, Chris Wig- gins. 2/3, Guy Conti, Stuart Collis. FLIGHT B: 1/2, Landrum, Wiggins. 1/2, Conti, Collis. 3, Peter Malcolmson, Margaret Carden. FLIGHT C: 1, Conti, Collis. 2, Malcolmson, Carden. 3, Tracey King, David McIntyre.

FRIDAY AM PAIRS FLIGHT A: 1, Dennis Carman, John Koschik. 2, William Winokur,

THURSDAY SWISS TEAMS Steven Winokur. 3, Michael FLIGHT A: 1, Michael Crane, McDonald, Sandy Birnholtz. Richard Temkin, Henry She- FLIGHT B: 1, McDonald, vitz, Mary Smith. 2, Steven Birnholtz. 2, Lakshmi Vora, Jacob, Robert Raf, Sandy Naresh Kapila. 3, Wilbur Ar- Birnholtz, Grant Petersen. 3, gersinger, David Graff. FLIGHT C: Jonathan Fleischmann, Phyl- 1, James McNamara, Maria Conti. lis Cohn, Sandy Goller, Rob- 2, Raj Patil, Daniel Schiffer. 3, ert Katz. FLIGHT B: 1, Jacob Mike Roeder, Richard Ver- helle.

TABLE TALK PAGE 13 ler. FLIGHT B: 1, Beckman, FRIDAY AFTERNOON PAIRS Beckman. 2, Carol Fink, Ar- FLIGHT A: 1, John Dreifus, nold Fink. 3, Pearl Lim, Den- Michael Kaleel. 2, Martin nis Ebendick. FLIGHT C: 1, Hirschman, Robert Katz. 3, Beckman, Beckman. 2, Fink, Carolyn Simmer, Richard Fink. Menczer. FLIGHT B: 1, Dreifus, Kaleel. 2, Simmer, SATURDAY SWISS TEAMS Menczer. 3, Murray Bloom, FLIGHT A: 1, Bob Rasmus- Gerald Bloom. FLIGHT C: 1, sen, Arthur Wasserman, Cing- Irving Hershman, Paul Stun- Po Wang, Xingyu Zhang. 2, kel. 2, Larry Cohen, Steven Michael Kaleel, Linda Golum- Kaplan. 3, Manus Nemeth, bia, Arthur Golumbia, John Adrienne Allard. Dreifus. 3, Mary Smith, Myles Maddox, Richard Becher, Mi- FRIDAY NIGHT FAST PAIRS chael Giordano. FLIGHT B: 1, FLIGHT A: 1, Bert Newman, Rasmussen team. 2, Kaleel Kathy Newman. 2, Joe Monro, team. 3, James Walter, Clarke Rhonda Monro. 3, Jonathan Cunningham, David Aderente, Flesichmann, Brad Dracka. Wilbur Argersinger. FLIGHT FLIGHT B: 1, Fleischmann, C: 1, Stuart Collis, Guy Conti, Dracka. 2, Alfred Varone, My- Matthew Evett, Susan Evett. ra Pasman. 2/3, Irving Hershman, Harold SATURDAY AM PAIRS Lipsitz, Joyce Bell, Chun FLIGHT A: 1, Debra Eaves, Zhou, Xiaoping Wu. 2/3, Lisa Jack Shartsis. 2, Steven Kaplan, Randy Rodnick. 3, Sandy Birnholtz, James Rowe. FLIGHT B: 1, Kaplan, SUNDAY SWISS TEAMS Rodnick. 2, Birnholtz, Rowe. FLIGHT A: 1, Steven Jacob, 3/4, John Philbrook, John Al- Robert Raf, Sandy Birnholtz, len. 3/4, Roger Chan, Bedford Clarke Cunningham. 2, Kurt Embrey Jr. FLIGHT C: 1, Dasher, Jonathan Fleisch- Kaplan, Rodnick. 2, Chan, mann, Sheldon Kirsch, Linda Embrey. 3, Pearl Lim, Dennis Perlman. 3/5, Michael Ebendick. Giordano, Bert Newman, Kathy Newman, Walter Goldsmith. SATURDAY AFTERNOON 3/5, Wilbur Argersinger, David PAIRS FLIGHT A: 1, Joe Graff, Lillian Back, Bob Ras- Monro, Owen Lien. 2, Sarah mussen. 3/5, Michael Crane, Beckman, John Beckman. 3, Richard Temkin, Irving Delores Bright, Charlotte Mil-

PAGE 14 TABLE TALK Rosenstein, John Koschik. Lien wins Marsee FLIGHT B: 1, Jacob team. 2, Argersinger team. 3, John Owen Lien is the winner of Hartman III, Philip Cowen, the 2017 Grant Marsee tro- Alan Cohn, Grant Petersen. phy, awarded to the Michigan FLIGHT C: 1, Stuart Dombey, player who wins the most total Corey Powell, Renata Was- masterpoints as counted in serman, Martha Toon. 2, K. the Barry Crane Top 500. Van Alstine Jr., Mary Lou Lien amassed 931 points in Schaffer, Sue Berry, Freda the year, edging out Jonathan Mills. Fleischmann, who won 895 points. Perennial Marsee win- ner Bert Newman was third CONGRATULATIONS with 811. NEW LIFE MASTERS All three of these players James Korte are MBA members. Lien, a Corey Powell sometime professional player who directs games at the Bridge Connection in South- 299er winners field, is currently MBA’s presi- at March sectional dent-elect and sectional tour- nament chair. THURSDAY AM PAIRS: Pame- Lien was 101st on the na- la Radike, Mary Jo Campbell. tional Barry Crane list, which THURSDAY SWISS TEAMS: includes all points won during Gerard Peplowski, Richard the year, except in online Shaw, David Donegan, Diana play. Donegan. FRIDAY AM PAIRS: Philip Where do you stand? Malefyt, Jacqueline Larivee. FRIDAY AFTERNOON PAIRS: How many MBA members James Egan, Ronald Zurilla. have how many master- SATURDAY AM PAIRS: points? Here is a breakdown Jean Hellekjaer, Thomas (as of the end of 2017): Johnson. 0 points: 38 300-500: 69 SATURDAY AFTERNOON 0.05-10: 103 500-750: 78 PAIRS: Daniel Rose, Ronald 10-50: 88 750-1000: 49 Whitney. 50-100: 52 1000-3000: 139 SUNDAY AM PAIRS: Kikuko Ko- 100-200: 74 3000-5000: 23 bayashi, Yumiko Narita. 200-300: 49 5000 and up: 33

TABLE TALK PAGE 15 Mike Graham Ann Arbor Sectional Here are the results of the Miiller. 1/2, Chris Brewer, Mike Graham Ann Arbor Sec- Klaus Brondum, Martha Toon, tional, held Jan. 27-28 at D. Abraham. 3, Matt Evett, Eastern Michigan University in Susan Evett, James Egan, Ypsilanti. Graham Putnam.

MASTERPOINT LEADERS: SUNDAY SWISS TEAMS 1, Sheldon Kirsch, 20.42 FLIGHT A: 1, Jim Stokes, 2/3/4, Martin Hirschman, 15.32 Bert Newman, Linda Perlman, 2/3/4, Susan Parnes, 15.32 Jonathan Fleischmann, Owen 2/3/4, Gordon Parnes, 15.32 Lien, Kevin Fay. 2, Cono 5/6, Joseph Ernsthausen, Emanuele, Robert Katz, Shel- 14.24 don Kirsch, Kurt Dasher. 3, 5/6, Gary Brinker, 14.24 Martin Hirschman, Gene Ow- 7/8, Bob Rasmussen, 13.41 ens, Gordon Parnes, Susan 7/8, Arthur Wasserman, 13.41 Parnes. FLIGHT B: 1, David 9, Henry Shevitz, 13.20 Harty, Donald Rumelhart, Bob 10, Jonathan Fleischmann, 13.02 Rasmussen, Arthur Wasser- man. 2, Richard Voss, John SATURDAY SWISS TEAMS Berry, Randy Walker, Don FLIGHT A: 1, Gary Brinker, McCabe. 3, Pamela George, Henry Shevitz, Sheldon Martha Toon, Renata Wasser- Kirsch, Joseph Ernsthausen. man, Corey Powell. FLIGHT 2, Martin Hirschman, Samuel C: 1, Voss team. 2, George Hirschman, Susan Parnes, team. 3, Maria Conti, Beth Gordon Parnes. 3, Bob Ras- Kordt, Latika Mangrulkar, mussen, Arthur Wasserman, Deepak DIghe. Ching-Po Wang, Xingyu Zhang. FLIGHT B: 1, Ras- 499er winners mussen team. 2, Suzanne at Ann Arbor sectional

Baker, Gary Theis, Robert SATURDAY AM PAIRS: Ste- Christensen, Joseph Steven- phen Leist, James Peresta son. 3, Richard Bauman, J. SATURDAY PM PAIRS: Ste- Morris Swiger, Elmer Johan- phen Leist, James Peresta sen, Mary Keen. FLIGHT C: 1/2, Kenneth Geisler, Arlene Geisler, Patricia Miller, Scott

PAGE 16 TABLE TALK MOVING UP... Hugh Harness Berrye Thompson JUNIOR MASTERS Eileen Blough REGIONAL MASTERS Adele Brinkman Ruthan Brodsky Douglas Brinkman Michael Fant Barbara Browne Jamie Ling Bruce Browne Daniel Rose Mark Stern Cosette Campbell Mitzi Estes NABC MASTER Harold Felty Steven Miller Lucy Hallock Virginia Rice ADVANCED NABC MASTER Maria Conti Jack Ryan

CLUB MASTERS BRONZE LIFE MASTER Susan Gibbs Robert Skye

Joseph Learman SILVER LIFE MASTERS Anne McBrien David Copi William Pressprich Irving Hershman Naoko Wada Dan Sutherland Doris Terwilliger SECTIONAL MASTERS Gary Boyers SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER Guy Conti Clarke Cunningham GNT DISTRICT FINAL

Here are the winners of the District 12 final of the Grand Na- tional Teams, held May 11-12 in Southfield. The winners in each flight will represent District 12 in the national final at the Summer NABC in Atlanta.

UNLIMITED FLIGHT: Jonathan Fleischmann, Howard Perlman, Martin Hirschman, Allan Falk, Jordan Kaye, Frank Treiber III

FLIGHT A: Kurt Dasher, Cono Emanuele, Grant Petersen, Zachary Wasserman, Michael Kraut, Frank Sensoli

FLIGHT B: Bob Rasmussen, Wilbur Argersinger, Arthur Was- serman, David Aderente, Timur Aydin, Cristina Tita

FLIGHT C: Tengyun Tony Cao, Chun Zhou, Henry Zhang, Yanping Zhang

TABLE TALK PAGE 17 2017 MBA Mini-McKenney 2017 MBA Mini-Ace of Clubs

Note: Categories denote points held at the beginning of 2017

0 to 5: 1, Naoko Wada, 15.18. 2, Larry 0 to 5: 1, Larry Trager, 12.84. 2, Naoko Trager, 12.84. 3, Alicia Treder, 9.89. Wada, 10.28. 3, Alicia Treder, 7.80. 5 to 20: 1, Helen Klar, 12.04. 2, Jeanne 5 to 20: 1, Helen Klar, 9.19. 2, Nancy Learman, 11.03. 3, Susan Gibbs, 10.88. Kanat, 8.97. 3, Jeanne Lerman, 7.90. 20 to 50: 1/2, P. Steven Dotson, 38.51. 20 to 50: 1/2, P. Steven Dotson, 26.11. 1/2, Donna Dotson, 38.51. 3, M.H. New- 1/2, Donna Dotson, 26.11. 3, M.H. New- man, 26.78. man, 25.98. 50 to 100: 1, Julian Prince, 50.34. 50 to 100: 1, Brian Morton, 27.70. 2, Jul- 2/3, Joyce Close, 43.51. 2/3, ian Prince, 25.31. 3, Ruthan Brodsky, Rosalyn Monticciolo, 43.51. 24.65. 100 to 200: 1, Pearl Lim, 164.10. 2, 100 to 200: 1, James McNamara, James McNamara, 127.15. 3, James 64.10. 2, Pearl Lim, 56.34. 3, Barba- Korte, 114.68. ra Schiff, 36.63. 200 to 300: 1, Yanping Zhang, 150.61. 2, 200 to 300: 1, Carrie Osborne, 47.51. 2, Henry Zhang, 144.59. 3, Carrie Os- Tyrone Loving, 42.30. 3, Charles A. borne, 140.25. Smith, 40.54. 300 to 500: 1, Barb Ferrera, 174.50. 2, 300 to 500: 1, Craig Ross, 92.32. 2, Bob Ondo, 141.31. 3, Craig Ross, Barb Ferrera, 73.98. 3, Susan Hig- 105.59. bie, 56.12. 500 to 1000: 1, Steven Winokur, 222.42. 500 to 1000: 1, Steven Winokur, 2, William Niemczyk, 100.68. 3, Ronna 101.97. 2, Penelope Rudolph, 70.95. 3, Galin, 87.74. William Niemczyk, 62.87. 1000 to 1500: 1, James Walter, 478.56. 1000 to 1500: 1. James Walter, 163.15. 2, Sandy Birnholtz, 236.08. 3, Arthur 2, Sandy Birnholtz, 125.79. 3, Mari- Wasserman, 139.03. lyn Vander Velde, 84.29. 1500 to 2500: 1, Wilbur Argersinger, 1500 to 2500: 1, Wilbur Argersinger, 410.29. 2, Zachary Wasserman, 128.62. 2, Richard Menczer, 111.85. 256.59. 3, David Aderente, 203.04. 3, Michael McDonald, 103.53. 2500 to 3500: 1, John Koschik, 461.36. 2500 to 3500: 1, Margaret Moore, 2, Margaret Moore, 314.44. 3, Grant 190.80. 2, James Smyth, 160.82. 3, Petersen, 311.79. Rose Burke, 128.10. 3500 to 5000: 1, Jonathan Fleischmann, 3500 to 5000: 1, Jonathan Fleischmann, 895.80. 2, Michael Giordana, 389.74. 177.05. 2, Michael Giordano, 3, Dennis Kasle, 253.59. 146.80. 3, Charlotte Miller, 121.45. 5000 to 7500: 1, Sheldon Kirsch, 5000 to 7500: 1, Lynne Cook, 463.74. 2, Anastasia Tessler, 165.71. 2, Richard Becher, 121.30. 360.63. 3, Kurt Dasher, 334.88. 3, Ruth Metevier, 107.96. 7500 to 10000: 1, Owen Lien, 7500 to 10000: 1, William Winokur, 931.84. 2, Robert Brent, 436.47. 3, 175.89. 2, Brenda Jaffe, 153.77. 3, William Winokur, 321.85. Robert Brent, 153.37. Over 10000: 1, Bert Newman, 811.02. 2, Over 10000: 1, Bert Newman, 148.28. 2, Martin Hirschman, 482.32. 3, Wil- Bob Webber, 125.16. 3, Myles Mad- liam Arlinghaus, 285.71. dox, 94.93.

PAGE 18 TABLE TALK WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Vesta Svenson John Berkaw Barbara Thomas Cynthia Brady Laurie Townsend Linda Brandemihl Eric Wiedmayer Mary Campbell Lucie Greenberg WELCOME TRANSFERS Kathy Griffin Darrell Bain Marie Harkenrider Sarah Beckman Aneel Karnani L.H. Dillon Judy Kavulich Jane Gardner Anne Mabley Francis King Elaine Malley-Snider Phyllis Kordick Cynthia McNamara Eleni Lambrecht Carl Mitchell Paul Lewis Mandy Mitchell Thomas Pound Virginia Morgan Claude Rebeck Joan Plonka Victor Rizzo Janna Roop Nancy Sergeant Lynne Stanich Jeffrey Vargo

2017 MBA Treasurer’s Report

2017 2016 RECEIPTS Sectional tournaments 4,419 3,005 Motor City Regional 2,991 5,532 NAP -644 -404 Dues 3,183 3,156 Interest 148 118 10,097 11,407

EXPENDITURES Table Talk 7,289 6,921 Honoraria 4,800 4,800 Board meetings 1,277 1,270 District 12 842 860 Office and postage 813 635 Miscellaneous 1,258 1,128 16,279 15,614

Gain (loss) -6,182 -4,207

Cash balance beginning of year 32,860 37,087 Cash balance end of year 26,698 32,088

—ROBERT WEBBER, treasurer

TABLE TALK PAGE 19 1946 and helped him learn IN MEMORIAM the game. They married in Thelma Bilbrey 1949. Marilyn taught bridge at Dorothy Kuhn the Village Club in Bloomfield Jeanne Learman Hills for 35 years. Marilyn Maddox Marilyn had an infectious Walter Otto smile and was always upbeat. Ronald Smith Interests included gardening, Bonnie Thompson cooking, baking and interior design. Always impeccably dressed, she was universally Marilyn Maddox described by friends and ac- quaintances as “classy.” She Marilyn Maddox, one of our is survived by Myles, two of top and most beloved players their three children, three and teachers, grandchildren and one great- passed away in grandchild. January follow- ing a long battle with cancer. She Dorothy Kuhn was 88. The Ann Arbor City Club Playing most- hosted an open club champi- ly with her hus- onship game May band Myles, Marilyn had 1 as a memorial to many regional and sectional Dorothy Kuhn, wins. She amassed 14,743 who passed away masterpoints which was the th in November. The 5 highest total among living event drew 24 ta- MBA members. bles and was financed entirely The Maddoxes were fre- by the Kuhn family. quent teammates of Joan and Kuhn, who was 78, died Vince Remey and Phil Leon after a long battle with con- before those local stars gestive heart failure. She was passed from the scene in the a long-time director and man- late 1980s and ’90s. In 1998, ager of club games at the City Marilyn and Myles were co- Club (formerly known as the winners of the Edward F. Women’s City Club). Stein Trophy, MBA’s play- Well liked by all, Dorothy er-of-the-year award. was the 2005 MBA Goodwill Marilyn learned bridge at Award winner. age 12. She met Myles in PAGE 20 TABLE TALK Beware of making the problems, I decided to win the spade lead in my a hasty claim hand (East put up his queen) and try the diamond . By Jerrold Grossman East won the king and returned Law 74B4 states that “as a the ten of spades, which West matter of courtesy, a player overtook and I ducked, and she should refrain from… prolong- cleared the suit. ing play unnecessarily (as in Dummy is now up except for playing on although he knows those two clubs. Surely, I rea- that all the tricks are surely soned, if either opponent held his) for the purpose of discon- the ace of clubs along with the certing an opponent.” But nine of spades, that person there is often more than would claim the last two tricks meets the eye when it comes at this point. And it seemed to claiming. clear from the play of the Here is a hand I played at spade suit that West held the matchpoints against one of 13th spade. Ergo, the club the top Flight A pairs at the ace was on my right! So all I Bridge Connection in subur- needed to do was come down ban Detroit. to the three-card ending with ♥A ♣72 in dummy and ♥K NORTH ♣KJ in my hand, and lead a ♠A72 club to the king if East ♥A ducked. Making four. ♦AQJ10987 Well, that is the happy end- ♣72 ing as the cards lie, but hold WEST EAST on a minute! What if the oppo- ♠J943 ♠Q105 nents’ club honors are re- ♥J874 ♥Q1092 versed, East keeps at least ♦63 ♦K5 two clubs, and West comes ♣Q85 ♣A1094 down to ♠9 ♣A and “forgot” to SOUTH claim at trick five? When I exe- ♠K86 cute my brilliantly reasoned end- ♥K653 ing, the opponents take the last ♦42 three tricks, and I’m down ♣KJ63 one! The moral of the story: After a straightforward 1♦- Sometimes when it’s obvious 1♥-3♦-3NT auction, West led to claim as a defender, it’s the her fourth best spade. Despite wrong thing to do.

TABLE TALK PAGE 21 ACBL: What’s going on? doing business as usual. It's true, the BOD is slow to really (Continued from page 1) let the CEO run the League. the full story over time.“ Maybe they are right, I am not Sources close to the board sure, I do not know enough... report that there were a varie- “So what happened in the ty of problems, particularly in short period of time between the management of ACBL the honeymoon hiring and last staff at the league’s head- Monday? Simply put, I fear quarters in Horn Lake MS. that if the BOD does not re- Employees were threatening spect your Bridge ability or to quit, one source said. Pre- knowledge, they won’t support sumably we will be hearing your ‘10 Big Ideas’... more as time goes on. “...the ACBL staff was unim- Chris Compton – attorney, pressed with CEO Gidwani – professional player and Dallas a feeling was discussed that bridge club proprietor – com- Gidwani ‘just did not get it.’ mented in an article on “So, now [in March] we bridgewinners.com. It is a little come to Philadelphia for the hard to tell from his article NABC meetings, the short whether he has personal version is: the BOD wanted knowledge of the details or Gidwani to follow their priori- what his sources are. Comp- ties, not his. He stood firm on ton wrote: his ideas – maybe some that “Bahar Gidwani was viewed he had already been asked as extremely polite, brilliant, not to focus on – were moving popular, very responsive and forward against the BOD willing to listen to each and wishes. Next, he was offered every member. Everyone may a ‘coach’ or ‘counseling.’ rest assured that the entire “Gidwani refused the coach BOD wanted Gidwani to suc- (what CEO would accept one, ceed. To think otherwise is not many) ... now a rapid de- paranoia. When the BOD terioration in relationships, a unanimously hired Gidwani, request to resign, and an ap- hopes were high and expecta- parent recognition that resign- tions were as well – everyone ing was both admitting defeat was sure he had new and and unwise from a personal good ideas. Now the BOD ap- financial point of view. With pears bumbling, stumbling, apparently 2 years left on a and unfortunately, seen as contract with 300K salary, the

PAGE 22 TABLE TALK normal breakup is a negotia- course, if you want to publish tion. No lawyer would ad- something that has these vise Gidwani to resign. Yes, I kinds of defects. I’d prefer that foresee protracted settlement you either publish something negotiations and possible liti- simpler or that you wait until gation...” the full story is available. Ei- I sent a draft of this article to ther option would be more ac- Gidwani and ACBL President curate and would avoid recir- Whipple. culating other people’s specu- Whipple replied: “The Board lations and assumptions. has no more comments at this Wish I could offer more. I am time…. We have great confi- sure you’ll get a more clear dence in our interim Executive picture of what happened and Director and have a Search why, soon.” underway. Hopefully, you will Chief Financial Officer Paul share these positive and for- Cuneo has been named act- ward moving initiatives in lieu ing executive director. A of unsubstantiated specula- search is underway for a new tion.” CEO. The search committee Gidwani commented: “As is chaired by Cuneo and is you can imagine, your article composed of five district di- is missing important facts and rectors plus the chair of the details. It is up to you of ACBL Board of Governors.

New team events

The MBA board has modified some of the team events at the August sectional and October regional. In August, the Sunday Swiss Team event will be bracketed. Entrants will be ranked by average masterpoint holding, then separated into groups of 7, 8 or 9 teams based on the master- point holding. Play will be a complete round robin within each group. In October, the knockout events will consist of three 16- board matches played over just two sessions. The field will be divided into brackets of no more than eight teams each. Win- ners of the first match will play half the next match before the lunch break, the rest after. Survivors will then immediately play a 16-board final.

TABLE TALK PAGE 23 TOURNAMENT TABLE TALK Official publication of PRESORTED STANDARD CALENDAR the Michigan Bridge U.S. POSTAGE PAID Association Southfield, MI June 21-24: Joint MBA-SOMBA Martin Hirschman, Editor Permit 242 sectional, Southfield 4504 Knollcrest Road July 13-15: Lansing sectional Ann Arbor MI 48018 July 20-22: Saginaw sectional Aug. 13-19: PETOSKEY REGION- AL Aug. 23-26: Southfield sectional (MBA) Sept. 7-9: Traverse City sectional Sept. 15: Lansing NLM sectional Sept. 16: N. Am Pairs district final, Lansing Sept. 27-29: Grand Haven section- al Oct. 5-7: St. Joseph sectional Oct. 8-14: MOTOR CITY RE- GIONAL, Farmington Hills (MBA) Oct 26-27: Bloomfield Hills NLM sectional Oct. 26-28: Toledo sectional Nov. 15-18: Southfield sectional