Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Volume 61, Number 6 Daily Bulletin 61st Spring North American Bridge Championships [email protected] Editors: Paul Linxwiler, Sue Munday and Chip Dombrowski Vandy round Damiani defends “sport” of 64 action The top 10 seeds in the round of 64 of the definition for bridge Vanderbilt KO Teams all advanced comfortably, Ask Jose Damiani what he considers to be the and is not necessarily but the No. 11 seed captained by Hemant Lall crowning achievement of his 16-year tenure as representative of the lost narrowly to the Indian squad dubbed “Texan former president of the World Bridge Federation, current Executive Aces,” 120-118. and you’re likely to be hear that it was his role Committee of the body – Also on the sidelines is the No. 16 seed led by in forging a relationship between world bridge he remains unwavering Joyce Hill, who was defeated by the No. 49 seed and the International Olympic Committee, one in his support for the idea of Tony Liebowitz, an international foursome, that indelibly marked the card game as a sport. of classifying bridge as a 104-82. Chen Zhao, the No. 18 seed, lost to Kevin In recent years, however, sharp criticism of sport. He is determined Castner’s “Team Lea,” another international this decision has begun to emerge as a series of to defend his legacy on foursome, 127-109. The No. 21 seed captained by frustrating incidents have caused some players to this issue, less as a matter Paul Lewis was shown the door by the No. 44 seed ask if the relationship between bridge and the IOC of personal pride, and more as a decision that he of Alex Kolesnik, 145-96. Paul Street (No. 24) should be reexamined. believes is necessary to the survival of the game. was defeated by David Pelka (No. 41), 136-124. Although Damiani is careful to note that his “Some believe that making bridge a sport opinion in this interview with the Daily Bulletin was bad, but I want to first explain why we did Eng, Ford lead is solely as president emeritus of the WBF – continued on page 7 Mixed quals The Seattle-based duo of Kim Eng and Jeffrey Movie gets all ‘aces’ Ford topped the qualifying round in the Rockwell Almost 400 people attended Mixed Pairs. Eng and Ford posted a strong the world premiere of “Aces & 65.80% in the first session and a solid 56.52% Knaves” at the Halloran Centre for in the second to take the lead. Their carryover is Performing Arts on Monday, much 310.47 to the delight of filmmaker Jackie Close behind are Raluca Dobrescu and Paré. Magnus Olafsson of New York with 306.78, “I couldn’t have asked for a while third place is occupied by Larry Lowell of more perfect premiere,” Paré said. Knoxville and Barbara Levinson of Cincinnati “I was surprised there were so with 301.44. many people given the difficulty of squeezing this into people’s 10K KO final: complicated tournament schedules.” The hourlong film is split into Nemes vs. Glasthal two sections, one focusing on the The squads captained by Charles Nemes and characters who populate the world Louis Glasthal will meet in today’s final of the of top-level bridge – the Aces – and 0-10,000 Knockout Teams. one that examines the 2015 cheating scandals and Following the premiere of “Aces & Knaves,” Nemes of Longboat Key FL is playing with a panel discussion was held with stars Zia aftermath – the Knaves. Virtually all of the people Michael Gibson of Sarasota FL, Rick Schoenfield Mahmood, Christina Lund Madsen and Boye of Westchester IL and David Bogolub of Deerfield continued on page 9 Brogeland and director Jackie Paré. IL. Glasthal of Berwyn PA is playing with Michael Massimilla of Syosset NY, and Robert Lass and Tom Fogarty of Chicago. Getting his fix In the semifinal round, Nemes defeated the Jim Bowlan can’t get enough of bridge. “I’m squad captained by James Fox 53-33, while eat up with it,” he says. Glasthal beat Barry Purrington’s team 74-65. Bowlan, 71, is one of the local volunteers helping to make the tournament possible, staffing the I/N partnership desk. But he had ulterior Goodwill Message motives for stepping up. “I just want to play as Smile often; a warm smile is much as I can,” he says. “That’s why I’m working the universal language of kindness. here, so I can get more opportunities to play.” Sandy DeMartino, Chair Bowlan started playing shortly before the Aileen Osofsky Goodwill Committee 2012 Memphis NABC. “I retired and my wife told me I had to get out of her hair,” he explains. ATTENDANCE continued on page 7 through Tuesday Jim Bowlan, right, got the opportunity to play with Norman Beck after attending one of his lectures. 5381 tables Page 2 Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS All meetings are at the Sheraton Hotel unless otherwise noted. Wednesday, March 27 Thursday, March 28 9 am–Noon Club Director Refresher Course, session 2. A 9:30 am–Noon Unit and District governance disciplinary focus group. continuing education course for club directors to increase Natchez Room their skills. Participants must attend both sessions. Fee: Friday, March 29 $15 covers both days. Beale Room 6:30 pm Intermediate/Newcomer dinner. Southwest Hall TBA Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph. (Room TBA) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the Thursday, March 28 game! Southwest Exhibit Hall on the second floor of the Convention 9:15 a.m. Kevin Wilson Fitting Honors Center. Speakers and topics are subject to change. 6:45 p.m. Jeff Hand Trump Contracts Wednesday, March 27 Friday, March 29 9:15 a.m. Ellen Kent Minor-Suit Slams 9:15 a.m. Donna Compton Passive vs. Attacking Defense 6:45 p.m. GS Jade Barrett How to Win 6:45 p.m. Adam Parrish When to Draw Trump HOSPITALITY Friday March 22 through Saturday March 30 Wednesday, March 27 Exhibit Hall foyer 1:30 pm Memphis mystery snack. East Hall 8:30 am–10 am; 11:30 am–1 pm; 6–7 pm Free coffee 10:30 pm Ice cream bars. Exhibit Hall foyer NABC+ events NABC Electronic n First offense of any kind (ringing, answering Check cashing and Device Policy or initiating a call, texting or browsing) in a Bridge Bucks Except by session: One full board, 12 IMPs or 20% of The check cashing and Bridge Bucks desk is permission of the the maximum available VPs per match, at the located on the second floor director in charge, any respective form of scoring. of the Convention Center n electronic equipment Second offense in the same session or third across from Ballroom C. or device capable offense within the event, disqualification of The desk hours are of receiving or the pair or team from the event. 9:30 to 10 a.m, and noon sending an electronic Other events to 1 p.m. signal, or capable of n First offense, in the same session – ringing communicating in only: one-quarter board, 3 IMPs or 1 VP, at any way, may not be the respective form of scoring; first offense Trolley fare is $1 (cash) operated or functioning in any manner in the in the same session – answering or initiating The fare for the Main St. trolleys is $1, playing area during a session of play. Any such a call, texting or browsing: one-half board, cash only. Contrary to earlier reports, the trolley equipment must not be visible during the session 6 IMPs or 2 VPs, at the respective form of rides are NOT free to NABC attendees. ACBL and must remain off at all times. scoring. members are asked to kindly refrain from arguing The above restrictions apply to all players, n Second offense in the same session: two full with trolley operators on this matter. captains, coaches, kibitzers and play recorders boards, 20 IMPs or 50% of the maximum except those persons granted permission by the available VPs per match, at the respective ACBL, and are in force throughout any playing form of scoring. Notice to players Each player must have an ACBL convention session or segment of play. Further restrictions n Third offense in the event: disqualification of card filled out and on the table. Please note that and requirements apply in events involving live the pair or team from the event. other types of convention cards, such as the WBF internet and/or yugraph coverage. Kibitzers violating this policy will be convention card or homemade cards that do not A violation of any of the above restrictions removed from the playing area for the remainder sufficiently resemble the ACBL convention card, will result in an automatic penalty, pursuant to of the session. are not acceptable substitutes. Law 91 of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge. This policy applies to all events at NABCs. Daily Bulletin Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Page 3 JUST FOR NEW PLAYERS finesse in the shorter suit, Tip: When you decide to play the ace-king of Take All Your Chances diamonds. If the diamond a suit that contains both the 10 and the jack, a suit By Eddie Kantar finesse works, re-enter you have no intention of finessing, try leading your hand and repeat it, of the jack as part of this plan. You’ll be pleasantly ♠ A J 4 course. surprised how often the jack is covered. ♥ J 10 Note: It does not help ♦ A K J 10 you to play the ♦A K and ♠ A J 4 ♣ Q 10 9 8 then lead the jack.