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 Roy Welland 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: Michael Rosenberg (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 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Sunday, March 11 Monday, March 12 9 a.m. – Noon Bridge Teachers and Bridge Cruises. Peg Cundiff, host 8:30 a.m. – Anheuser Busch Tour. Register at the Tour Desk (near of more than 100 bridge cruises, will educate you on the Noon Registration). Fee: $10. ins and outs of becoming a successful teacher/game 10 a.m. – Noon Competition and Conventions Committee meeting. director on a cruise ship. Fee: $25. Room: Pershing. Room: Shaw, Renaissance Grand. 9:30 a.m. – Board of Governors Meeting. This meeting is open to all 11 a.m. – Noon Get Online with Bridge Base. Don't miss this opportunity Noon members. Room: Majestic, Renaissance Grand. to meet with Fred Gitelman, creator of the ACBL's Learn 10 a.m. – Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Marti Ronemus. Ronemus, one to Play Bridge program. Get a guided tour of the Bridge of ACBL's well–known teachers and Bridge Bulletin Base site and its outstanding teaching features. Room: TBA. columnist, presents a fun bridge lesson for intermediate and 5 – 7 p.m. Goodwill Reception. Room: America's Center 240–241. newercanceled players. Her topic: Communicating with Aliens. Room: America's Center 240. Tuesday, March 13 10: 30 a.m. – Team Trials meeting. Room: Lafayette, Renaissance 10 a.m. – Noon Senior Team Trials meeting. Room: Lafayette, 12:30 p.m. Grand. Renaissance Grand. Wednesday, March 14 8:30 a.m. – St. Louis City Tour. Register at the Tour Desk (near Noon Registration). Fee: $26. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Sunday, March 11 Tuesday, March 13 12:15 p.m. Haig Tchamitch Takeout Doubles 12:15 p.m. Phillip Alder How to Respond to a 1♣ Opener 6:45 p.m. Bruce Reeve The Rule of 40 6:45 p.m. Larry Cohen Lawful Preemption Monday, March 12 12:15 p.m. Mike Flader Ruling the Game 6:45 p.m. Allan Mazer I'd Rather Be Last LATE NIGHT / ENTERTAINMENT Sunday, March 11 crowds for years with their original songs as well as covers of traditional Landmark 4 Ballroom is the pace for the "Chili Cook Off." Come after the favorites. You might hear the sounds of Muddy Waters, Little Richard or evening session for a choice of different chilis. Ray Charles and you will enjoy it all! Monday, March 12 Tuesday, March 13 Please join us in the Landmark Ballroom 4 after the evening session for the It's "Cancun Night" in the Landmark 4 Ballroom after the evening session. "Ice Cream Parlor." Stay to enjoy the rhythm and blues music of the Join us for wonderful Mexican food. Pennsylvania Slim Blues Band. This trio of talented musicians has pleased Zilic tops 20,000 Dining in the Renaissance Housekeeping Requests John Zilic has The Renaissance is offering special operating For guests staying in the Renaissance: If you crossed the 20,000 hours: Breakfast buffet is available from 6:30 a.m. will be using a "Do Not Disturb" sign, please masterpoint mark. Zilic, until 12:30 p.m. remember to remove it for your room to be a Grand Life Master Capri Breakfast Buffet $15.95 featuring serviced during normal business hours. If you are won the Open Pairs II in omelets "prepared–to–order" requesting a special time for your room to be 1994, the North Washington Avenue Bistro $13.95 serving cleaned, please dial 5868.