July 17-27, 2003 75th Summer North American Bridge Championships Daily BulletinLong Beach, California Volume 75, Number 4 Monday, July 21, 2003 Editors: Henry Francis and Paul Linxwiler Richard Freeman (left) and Nick Nickell tri- umphed in the von Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs, earning their partnership its first NABC pairs victory. They won the David Bruce LM–5000 Life Master Pairs: Mark Batusek and John Jones. Bartusek, Jones Freeman, Nickell snag LM crown Nick Nickell and Richard Freeman are well Nickell, of New York NY, and Freeman, of win Bruce LM Pairs known to the bridge community for their multiple Atlanta GA, led the event at the end of Saturday’s The winners of the David Bruce LM–5000 Life team championships on the national and world semifinal round, and maintained their lead through- Master Pairs are Mark Bartusek and John Jones. level, but last evening the duo added a new type of out Sunday’s final. Nickell and Freeman scored Bartusek, of Santa Barbara CA, and Jones, of laurel to their bridge crowns by winning the von 63.56% in the first final session, and 60.63% in the Hacienda Heights CA, paired a huge 71.27% in the Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs. Although Nickell has second final session in which no other pair ever first final session with a 47.80% in the second final one previous NABC pairs victory (the 1991 Blue challenged the winners’ two-board lead. (a “nightmare session” according to Bartusek) to Ribbon Pairs playing with Bob Hamman), this is Said Freeman, “If you just take your aces and finish on top by half a board. Their final score was Freeman’s first. kings and bid your games and slams, you’d be sur- 422.56. The winners’ final score of 1324.55 was almost prised how well you do. You don’t have to be a In second with 416.87 (top was 13) was Craig 2.5 boards ahead of the runners-up, Michael genius to win.” Zastera of Woodinville WA and Stan Christie of Rosenberg and Ralph Katz. Rosenberg, of Wykagyl Nickell and Freeman are part of a team that will Des Moines WA, both in the Seattle area. NY, and Katz, of Hinsdale IL, posted a score of represent the U.S. in the Bermuda Bowl later this Bartusek, a software engineer for Raytheon, is 1232.21. (Top on a board was 38.) year. Nickell is the captain. a member of the National Appeals Committee and In third were Larry Cohen and David The six-session Life Master Pairs is played for is a frequent participant in The Bridge World’s Berkowitz with 1221.68. the von Zedtwitz Gold Cup. Master Solvers Club. He is also poker enthusiast Continued on page 9 Your chance for Baseball on ground, international fame bridge in the air Even if you didn’t qualify for the Bermuda Bridge apparently has a special attraction for Bowl or Venice Cup this year, there is still a world baseball players. Many players in the Big Show championship open to you this fall. (the major leagues) play bridge to while away their It’s the World Transnational Open Teams, free time on planes and in hotels. played alongside the Bermuda Bowl and Venice One of the competitors at this tournament is Cup at the Generali World Bridge Championships Wes Parker, the storied first baseman for the in Monte Carlo, Nov. 2–15. Dodgers from 1964 to 1972. When he was on the The transnational event — meaning anyone can ground, he was winning six Golden Glove awards play with anyone, regardless of home country — for his outstanding fielding. But when he was in the begins Nov. 10 and concludes on Nov. 15. air, he was playing bridge. It’s your chance to visit one of the most beauti- Bruce Reeve, Board of Directors member from Like a good son, Parker followed his father’s ful areas in the world — the Principality of Monaco District 7 (Southeastern U.S.), was elected on the French Riviera — and play in the same tour- advice: “Learn how to play golf and bridge. president of the American Contract Bridge They’re the best social games of them all. You’ll nament as the superstars. League for 2004 at the Board of Directors In fact, four members of the winning team from meet lots of wonderful people when you play golf meeting last week. and bridge.” Parker got this advice when he was in 2001 are Americans: Eddie Wold, Mike Passell, high school, and he immediately took up golf. Michael Seamon and Geoff Hampson. They played He took up bridge in with Brazil’s Gabriel Chagas and Diego Brenner. 1963. He vividly recalls Malcolm Brachman was captain. going to a regional in Today is Teams in the transnational event will play 15 Honolulu back then. “It 10-board matches in a Swiss format, followed by was so exciting. I met the quarterfinal knockout phase. The semifinal KO Eddie Kantar there. And I Goodwill Day will be on Nov. 14, the final the following day. had the chance to watch The entry fee for the World Transnational Open Charles Goren and Helen Teams is $800 (U.S.) per team. Send your entry fee Sobel play together. It and list of players to the World Bridge Federation, was fascinating.” 40 rue Francois 1er, F-75008, Paris, France. So who were the There is more information available at Dodgers he played bridge www.worldbridge.org or www.ecatsbridge.com. Wes Parker Continued on page 7 Continued on page 8 Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS/SEMINARS/RECEPTIONS Monday, July 21 Renaissance II, Renaissance Hotel. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Easybridge! Presenters Course, Stages B (9 a.m. - Noon) 10 a.m. - Noon ACBL Education Workshop. Unit officials, Education and A (1- 4 p.m.). Marti Ronemus will present a continuing liaisons, I/N Coordinators and teachers are invited to join education course for club managers and teachers working Julie Greenberg, ACBL’s Director of Education, and Betty with a bridge club. Learn outstanding promotional ploys Starzec, TAP Trainer and Unit Growth Program Presenter, and a new way of getting players into the game. for information on ways to promote bridge and increase Easybridge! is especially designed to grow Newcomer participation locally. Free. Tuesday: The Unit Growth duplicate games. $25 fee ($15 for optional materials). Program. Team Building & Goal Setting. Wednesday: The Renaissance I, Renaissance Hotel. Unit Growth Program. Increasing Unit Membership and 10 a.m. - Noon Teaching Online Demo. Betty Starzec will take you step by Local Game Participation. Thursday: The Unit Growth step through an online teaching session. Find out how to Program, ACBL Programs. Renaissance I, Renaissance sign up, how to register your students, how to collect your Hotel. fee and how to prepare and present your material for an 10 a.m. - Noon Get Online with Bridge Base. Don’t miss this opportunity online session. It’s fun and free. Renaissance II, to meet with Fred Gitelman, the creator of ACBL’s Learn Renaissance Hotel. to Play Bridge program. Find out how you can use this 5 - 7 p.m Goodwill Reception. Beacon Ballroom, Hyatt Regency. material for promotion and get a guided tour of the Bridge Tuesday, July 22 Base site and its outstanding teaching features. Free. Capri 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Club Director’s Continuing Education Course. Your games Room, Renaissance Hotel. will grow as you update and improve your skills as a club 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Free Bridge Festival with Audrey Grant. Enjoy an evening director. Attend one, two or all three sessions. Directors with Audrey Grant and improve your bridge game. Topic: will receive a certificate if they attend all three sessions. Weak Two-Bids, the hidden impact. A closer look at open- Tuesday: Ruling the Game. A review of frequent rulings. ing and responding to weak two-bids will improve your Wednesday: ACBLscore. Thursday: The Proprieties. Player judgment and your results. Complete with handout. communication and conduct. Single-session fee: $10; three Renaissance I, Renaissance Hote sessions: $25 at the door, $20 if you pre-register. BRIDGE LECTURES Monday, July 21 Tuesday, July 22 9:45 a.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Eddie Rose. 9:45 a.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Eddie Kantar, Think Like a Pro ... It Will Raise Your Game to the Next Mis-Spent Youth. Room 101 Convention Center. Level. Room 101 Convention Center. 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Larry Cohen, 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Norma Sands, The Real Deal. Room 101 Convention Center. Adding Conventions. Room 101 Convention Center. ENTERTAINMENT All food events will take place from 11 p.m. until midnight in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency. Most entertainment is also scheduled at 11 p.m. in the Hyatt lobby. Monday, July 21 Tuesday, July 22 11 p.m. The Alley Cats, an a capella doo-wop group. Late-night 11 p.m. “Name that Tune” with Steve Sturm at the piano. Late- snack: baked potato bar. night snack: summer fruit bars. Cruisin’ down Rt. 66 Dinner Buffet Schedule If you win an event Tides on Pine Avenue with the Alley Cats located in the Hyatt Regency at this tournament . Whatever you are doo-wop-ing tonight, don’t miss And you would like to let the people back the Alley Cats, America’s premier doo-wop group. Monday, July 21 home know, you must stop by the Daily Bulletin The Alley Cats started in the music department of Caesar salad bar, romaine lettuce, croutons, office (Seaview C, ground floor of the Hyatt) and Fullerton College in 1987.