Vol. LIV No. 4 Dec. 2012

Top 100 Unit 188 Masterpoint Holders

1. 19,092 26. Phyllis Quinn 5,023 51. Fred Hawa 3,348 76. Cecile Tomashevsky 2,331 2. Rick Goldstein 13,859 27. Mark Gordon 4,974 52. Betty Fleischer 3,308 77. Michael Prahin 2,324 3. Laura Brill 13,295 28. Lawrence Christianson 4,552 53. Linda Otness 3,262 78. Yoshie Hata 2,310 4. Richard Zucker 13,275 29. Thomas Simon 4,442 54. Eileen Paley 3,192 79. Allan Botchman 2,294 5. Chuck Lamprey 12,629 30. Joshua Parker 4,413 55. Stanley Sternberg 3,177 80. Farley Mawyer 2,275 6. Ethan Stein 12,025 31. Harry Silverman 4,394 56. Genevieve Hewitt 3,153 81. Alvin Galland 2,266 7. Ron Gerard 9,387 32. Barbara Skluth 4,257 57. Jill Marshall 3,104 82. Lester Gottlieb 2,259 8. Warren Rosner 8,664 33. Charlotte Brasel 4,213 58. Doris Staubi 3,026 83. Judith Chaice 2,238 9. Natalie Hertz 8,454 34. Susan Meyers 4,164 59. Peggy Mendes 2,972 84. Joanne Marks 2,200 10. Dan Hertz 8,336 35. Richard Laufer 4,102 60. Carol Dalzell 2,956 85. Bud Rottman 2,182 11. Gerald Sosler 8,195 36. Stephen Shane 4,093 61. Melissa Baker 2,829 86. Edith Alexander 2,178 12. Nancy Molesworth 8,154 37. Heidi Klein 4,061 62. Linda Heineman 2,689 87. Ruth Grant 2,155 13. Dennis Newman 7,354 38. Kassie Munoz 4,052 63. Barbara Warkol 2,685 88. Steven Huhman 2,153 14. Halina Jamner 7,324 39. Sylwia McNamara 4,030 64. Clifford Nebel 2,665 89. Ruth Wohl 2,136 15. Faye Marino 6,971 40. Idelle Katz 3,985 65. 2,620 90. Elizabeth Haas 2,134 16. Tania Reyes Hiller 6,812 41. Stephen Lippmann 3,929 66. Elizabeth Baecher 2,604 91. Nancy Sahlein 2,114 17. Rhoda Levine 6,809 42. Robert Stayman 3,927 67. Joyce Blumenthal 2,579 92. Stephen Sahlein 2,104 18. Robert Klein 6,778 43. Gina Tamres 3,882 68. Joyana Steinberg 2,556 93. Arthur Seelenfreund 2,066 19. Joan Gerard 6,453 44. Steve Surasky 3,882 69. K. Joel Sommer 2,491 94. Geoffrey S J Berry 2,061 20. Mimi Bieber 6,310 45. Mira Parikh 3,748 70. Eileen O'Neill 2,483 95. David Yates 2,052 21. Carlos Munoz 6,214 46. Irene Silver 3,572 71. John Schmidt 2,472 96. Ellyn Plato 2,027 22. Arch McKellar 6,029 47. Janet Lippmann 3,397 72. Marjorie Murstein 2,466 97. Amy Frolick 2,020 23. Jeff Aker 5,811 48. Susan Kraner 3,368 73. Ann Duncan 2,364 98. Elise Luskin 2,018 24. Bob Goldwater 5,355 49. John Boyer 3,367 74. Robin Brown 2,353 99. Marshall Frank 2,012 25. Michael McNamara 5,258 50. Yoko Ohnuma 3,355 75. Stanley Perlo 2,348 100. Gertrude Goldstein 1,985 as of 11-28-12 Sleepy Hollow Inside this CC, site of the issue: Winter in Westchester Teams Event on Tournament 4-6 Results January 6th. For the full Win- Winter in Westchester 8 ter in Westches- Forms ter Schedule Club News 13 including Pro Am and Teams Masterpoint Races 14 entry forms, Rank Changes 15 please turn to page 8.

VISIT US ON THE WEB AT WWW.BRIDGE-WCBA.ORG Page 2 Bridging the Counties

CLIFF’S NOTES by Cliff Nebel By 1931, many of the leading bridge authorities had banded to- The goals seemed to be the same, but the Association would now gether to battle Culbertson. A group known as Bridge Headquar- sponsor national tournaments. ters formed an Official System to rival the Culbertson system. The leaders of this group were (originator of the His next challenge would come from Sims in 1935. Apparently point count in collaboration with Bryanrt McCampbell), Wilbur they were affable partners, teammates and adversaries, but times Whitehead, and (and a little later P. Hal Sims). change, and they began bickering over anything and everything. Work and Charles True Adams were the editors-in-chief of their The grudge match was set for March 25, 1935. Sims would play own periodical known as The (not to be con- with his wife, and Ely would play with his fused with Bridge Magazine of Great Britain). Its first issue was wife, Jo. Early on, Sims had about a 5000 point lead, but suc- October 1931 and ran I believe through 1933. Work, along with cumbed in the end by a little over 16,000 points. Amazingly, the Whitehead, also had run a periodical known as husbands and wives played most of the 150 rubbers together, and Magazine (again not to be confused by the British magazine of came out none the worse for the wear. It was noted that not a the same name) in the late ’20s. To Culbertson’s fortune, this cross word was uttered by a spouse during the entire match. magazine went bankrupt in September of 1929, the month before the launching of . As thousands of people were The American Bridge League and the United States Bridge Asso- switching daily from Auction to Contract, Culbertson had the ear ciation feuded constantly. By 1937, the ten year old American of the American public. Bridge League and the five year old United States Bridge Associ- ation decided to call a truce in their battle for bridge supremacy. Culbertson called his system Approach Forcing. With the publi- The American League was formed. The fighting cation of ’ Official System, Ely knew he was between Culbertson of the USBA and Bill McKenney (think old in for a dog fight. His response was to challenge Lenz to a gruel- name of the Barry Crane Top Five Hundred Trophy) of the ABL, ing match of 150 rubbers. He would put up $10,000 to $1,000, with mediation from Nate (think Summer National with all the money going to charity. Lenz would choose any part- Master Team of Four Trophy) and ner he wanted, while Ely would play with his wife, Jo. A loss (think Life Master Pair Championship Trophy), came to a halt. A would ruin Culbertson. Thus, The Battle of the Century was set. masterpoint plan for conversion of each league’s points was put The systemic battle took place between Dec 7, 1931 and January, into effect. 15, 1932. For five weeks, bridge was front page news in all pa- pers across the country. At one point, the Culbertson team was up With the Eastern U.S. under the auspices of one ruling body, it over 20,000 points, and they held on to win by just under 9,000. remained only to bring the West into the fold. The Pacific Bridge Culbertson’s authority in the bridge world was now unrivaled. League under the tremendous guidance of Tom Stoddard began collaboration in 1940, became stronger in 1948, and the final In 1932, Ely announced the formation of the United States Bridge merger took place in 1956 collaboration in 1940, and joined the Association. All members of the National Bridge Association ACBL in 1948. would automatically be members with no further dues that year.

BRIDGING THE COUNTIES (ISSN 1059-3586) is published Unit Nominations four times a year in March, June, September and December by the Westchester Contract Bridge Association, 190 East Post The WCBA nominating committee, consisting of Betty Road, White Plains, NY 10601. $1 of yearly membership fees Fleischer, Dan Hertz, Idelle Katz, Joel Sommer and shall be applied to yearly subscription for the publication. Periodi- Chairperson Marjorie Murstein offers the following slate cals postage is paid at White Plains, NY. of candidates for 2013: Officers for one year terms POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Bridging the Coun- President: TBD ties, 190 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. Vice-President: Farley Mawyer Secretary: Eileen O’Neill WESTCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION Treasurer: Dan Wolkowitz www.bridge-wcba.com Directors for three year terms District: www.bridge-district3.org Abbye Bosses, Gail Cannold, Henry Deutsch, Jason Fuhrman, President: Michael McNamara Rich Laufer, Jill Marshall

Editor: Ellyn Plato If you wish to nominate anyone else, please e-mail me at [email protected]

Contributors: Glenda Calkins, Jason Fuhrman, Mike McNamara, Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Murstein, Cliff Nebel, Bernard Schneider, Ethan Stein Marjorie Murstein December 2012 Page 3

THIS N THAT My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who were impacted We will be working hard to fulfill our mission and vision. I will by Hurricane Sandy. It has been an incredibly difficult time, but report more to you on our plans after San Francisco. also one that has demonstrated the best of the human spirit with so many stories of Our Regional in Danbury was somewhat people helping one another to pick up the Glenda affected by the threat of the upcoming pieces. storm, so our attendance was a little less Calkins than last year. Thanks to all of you who As I write this I am preparing to go the San were able to attend. Next year we hope for Francisco, for the Board meetings, Thanks- better weather and more bridge. giving, and the NABC. I hope many of District 3 you will be able to attend. Director The next event for District 3 is the tourna- ment January 15-21 at the Rye Town Hil- The first item on the agenda of the Board ton. We have a new event planned for meetings is “Strategic Planning”. We have opening night, Tuesday, January 15; we identified our Mission as “To promote, grow, and sustain the have scheduled a two session “Fast Pairs” game beginning at 5 game of Bridge and serve the Bridge-Related interests of our pm with a light dinner (compliments of District 3) between ses- members.” Our Vision for the next 5 years is “We will be a sions. Hope you will give this new event a try. We are the first growing, thriving organization that actively meets the diverse District to plan such an event. needs of our members and bridge players.” There are five strate- gic focus areas: With 2012 coming to a close, Barkley and I want to wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season, and a prosperous new 1) develop and implement focused programs for member recruit- year. ment 2) identify and replicate best practices and innovations I look forward to seeing you at the tables. 3) integrate technology to meet member needs 4) retain more members 5) provide top-quality directing at tournaments.

UNIT 188 - PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Mike McNamara

At the end of this year I will be retiring as president of the WCBA. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president for the last two years. Since I joined the WCBA Board more than 5 years ago, I have been fortunate to be part of many positive changes. I revived the unit double knockout. We added a Swiss Team event to recognize the mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs winners. We have started a (501)(c)3 charity for junior bridge and have a program running at The Fox Meadow School in Scarsdale. We have expanded and improved the Jane Hill 0-200 Sectional, the Winter-in Westchester, and the Roy Hill Master/Non-Master game. In addition, we have taken our already outstanding Bridging the Counties newsletter and our WCBA website to the next lev- el. With the return of a sectional next year at Pace University, I retire very proud of what we have accomplished. I want to give my heart-felt thank you to all of the members of the WCBA Board whose ideas and hard work make all of the foregoing and everything else that is done in this unit possible year after year. I will still serve on the WCBA board next year as a member of the board and will continue to work alongside my fellow board members to make bridge in Westchester great. Page 4 Bridging the Counties

JULY 6-12, 2011STAC OVERALLRESULTS OCT. STAC 24-30 WINNERS

FRI AM OPEN PAIRS 2 Brenda Bleustein-Penny Weill WED AFT OPEN PAIRS A B C MON AFT HARTES NLM A B C 1 1 Phyllis Brown-Linda Friedman A B C 1 Mimi Bieber - Paul Lewis 2 2 Judy Gruenberger-Rebecca Margulies 1 Dotsy Potter-Joan Wiener 2 Richard Demartino - Lawrence Lau 1 Blossom Wittlin-Patricia Wong 2 Susan Shmerler-Mike Basham 1 Raymond Myers - Burt Meyers 2 Sara Kaminker-Connie Shulman 1 Lester Schoenfeld-Allen Thompson 2 1 Brenda Bleustein - Ellen Garguilo FRI AFT OPEN PAIRS 2 Carolyn Halsey-Tony Halsey 2 Marina Engel - Joyce Kaplan A B C 3 1 Jill Kaplin-Amy Levere WED AFT HARTES NLM 1 Dennis Glazer-Stephen Sahlein 2 Gail Felsenstein-Jane Swirsky A B C 2 Nancy Molesworth-Heidi Klein MON AFT BRIDGE DECK NLM 1 Gloria Gilbert - Jeff Burstein 1 Jill Fouad-Karin Nye A B C 2 1 Carolyn Halsey - Tony Halsey 2 Charles Thacher-Steven Lockwood 1 1 Natalie Kubrick-Minette Davis 2 1 Cynthia Anderson - Patti Read FRI AFT HARTES NLM 2 Marilyn Markowitz-Fleurette Cassa- 2 Jackie Pare - Pamela Furtsch A B C ra WED AFT BRIDGE DECK NLM 1 Jeff Burstein-Robert Stern 2 Bernice Zarchin-Renee Fisher A B C 1 1 Lillian Lazarus-Kitt Rosenthal 1 Joyce Fiedler-Carole Tindel 1 Linda Reavis - Sandra Haffner 2 Norman Gross-Harold Salm MON EVE OPEN PAIRS 2 1 Carole Tindel - Steven Tobin 2 Carla Anderson-Bob Anderson A B C 2 Frances Arrow - Natalie Kubrick FRI AFT BRIDGE DECK NLM 1 Bradley Calcagni-Antoinette Buo- WED AFT SIWANOY A B C nafede A B C 1 Denise Resnik-Paul Resnik 2 Steven Huhman-L Patrick Calahan 1 Ray Pfeister - Bernard Schneider 2 Sue Galin-Preston Scher 1 Laura Midgley-Ed Midgley 2 1 1 Barbara Cuiffo - Frank Cuiffo 1 1 Marcia Altabet-Lawrence 2 2 Susan Grosz-Carol Weiss 2 2 Paul Guthrie - Cathy Hurley Rosensweig TUE AM OPEN PAIRS THU AM OPEN PAIRS 2 2 Mabel Atkinson-Laura Sloane A B C A B C SAT AFT OPEN PAIRS 1 Vivian Wu-Terry Lubman 1 Bernard Schneider - Ray Pfeister A B C 2 Faye Marino-Fred Hawa 2 1 Lillian Laster - Merle Lewis 1 Eileen Paley-Mimi Bieber 1 Roberta Lowell-Keith Bronitt 2 1 Phyllis Ossen - John Howard 2 Stephen Lippmann-Janet Lippmann 1 Mindy White-Linda Walke 2 Norman Gross - Harold Salm 2 Daniel Wolkowitz-Richard Laufer 2 Leona Epstein-Edward Reilly THU AFT OPEN PAIRS 1 Sheila Katz-Jeff Katz TUES AFT OPEN PAIRS A B C 2 Raymond Myers-James Maffucci A B C 1 Alice Neild - Warren Rosner 1 Jaime Warner-Marilyn Donahue 1 Elaine Rabinowitz-Irene Silver 2 Susan Kraner - Nancy Molesworth 2 Janet Crohn-Barbara Frenkel 2 Halina Jamner-Kay Schulle 1 Tory Kane - Robert Krissoff SUN AFT BRIDGE DECK SWISS 1 1 Christina Hare-Jack Liu 2 1 Alan Schwartz - Alice Levin A B C 2 Susan Sekulow-Marian Rubin 2 Harriet Leib - Betty Golub 1 Laura Brill-Rick Goldstein-Janet 2 Marcia Goldfinger-Carol Weiss THU AFT BRIDGE DECK 499 Lippmann-Stephen Lippmann TUE AFT HARTES 499ER A B C 2 1 Art Rosenkranz-Bradley Calcagni- A B 1 Joan Lieblich - Ricki Gardner Barbara Worms-Susan Deutsch 1 Jane Loughlin-Jackie Stone 2 1 Wendy Hirsch - Allen Thompson 2 Malcolm Austin-Antoinette Buo- 2 1 Janet Braun-Susan Blatt 2 James Brucks - Howard Bindelglass nafede-Carol Laufer-James Lehrer 2 Jay Rosen-Peter Spitz THU AFT HARTES 499 2 1 Wendy Hirsch-Allen Thompson- TUE EVE OPEN PAIRS A B C Alice Appel-Sunny Rothenberg A B C 1 1 Yvette Cole - Hope Golding MON AM OPEN PAIRS 1 Pat Lennon - Elaine McClure 2 2 1 David Fuchs - Dr. Irwin Miller A B C 1 1 1 Guy Hochgesang - Joyce Hochge- 2 Melissa Bissell - Linda Gordon 1 Clifford Nebel-Fred Hawa sang THU AFT ORIENTA BC 2 Michael McNamara-Jane Hankin 2 Florence Olsen - Eleanor Blanco A B C 1 Dorothy Mandel-Richard Weiss 2 Fern Lindsay - Mike Basham 1 Charlotte Brasel - Ruth Ruth 2 Dorothy Greenspan-Jerry Greenspan 2 Elyse Stein - Marie Sugar 2 Rich Letourneau - Rosemarie Letour- 1 Guy Hochgesang-Joyce Hochgesang WED AM OPEN PAIRS neau MON AFT OPEN PAIRS A B C A B C 1 Heidi Klein - Linda Otness 1 Laura Brill-Rick Goldstein 2 1 Karleen Heller - Margery Reyman 2 Arch McKellar-Chuck Lamprey 3 2 Judy Gruenberger - Ellen Tilzer 1 Stephanie Furtsch-Eloise Hintersteiner 1 Harold Salm - Norman Gross 2 Phyllis Honig-Carole Leinwand 2 Martin Elgarten - Genevieve Porti 1 Salie Bloom-E Toby Rosenberger December 2012 Page 5

DISTRICT 3 REGIONAL - DANBURY, CT OCT. 22-28

A B C 1 Tania Reyes Hiller, Linda Otness nold Monday 7PM Side Game 2 1 Eileen O'Neill, Henry Deutsch Thursday 10AM 199er Pairs 2 2 Richard Tisch Saturday Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Deborah Richter, Barbara Gross Mon-Tue Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Jason Fuhrman, Richard Rosenthal, Thursday Senior Pairs 2 Dan Hertz, Natalie Hertz, Arthur Melissa Baker, Linda Otness 2 Richard Castellone Seelenfreund, Dottie Kovel Saturday Senior Pairs 2 Diane Rosenkranz, Maureen Berk- Tuesday Senior Pairs 1 Susan Kraner, Nancy Molesworth man 2 1 Paul Lewis, William Hoffman 2 Fred Hawa, Faye Marino Friday Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Bud Rottman 1 Richard Castellone 2 Nina Taselaar, Michael McNamara, Tuesday 3PM 199er Pairs 1 Rene Frayman Sylwia McNamara 2 Barbara Gross, Deborah Richter Saturday 1PM Swiss Side Game Friday Compact KO, Bkt 3 Tuesday 1PM Side Game 2 1 Farley Mawyer, William Wood, Jr, 2 Merle Lewis, Diane Rosenkranz, 2 2 Dorothy Greenspan, Jerry Green- Lorraine Hinds Roberta Lowell, Ruth Menken span 2 1 Morton Weiser, Doris Weiser Friday Compact KO, Bkt 4 Wednesday Compact KO, Bkt 1 Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 5 1 Eleanor Stenberg, Abraham Sten- 2 Tania Reyes Hiller, Jill Marshall, 2 Farley Mawyer, Joseph Dibenedetto, berg Heidi Klein Byron Nimocks, Khalid AlDoori Friday Golden Opportunity Pairs Wednesday Compact KO, Bkt 2 Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 6 2 Richard Tisch 1 Phyllis Lippman, George Lippman, 2 Linda Friedman, Robert Friedman Friday Senior Pairs Marian Rubin, Peter Nisselson Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 7 2 Ethan Stein, Halina Jamner Wednesday 3PM 199er Pairs 2 Susan Deutsch, Yolanda Wesely Friday 1PM Side Game 2 Keith Bronitt, Eugene Donovan Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 8 2 1 Edith Alexander - Richard Weiss Wednesday Senior Swiss 1 Harvey Sugar, Marie Sugar, Guy Friday 1PM Swiss Side Game 2 Daniel Silver, Natalie Hertz, Dan Hochgesang, Joyce Hochgesang 1 Tania Reyes Hiller, Linda Otness Hertz, Arthur Seelenfreund 2 Anita Lee 2 1 Eileen O'Neill, Henry Deutsch Wednesday 1PM Side Game 2 2 Richard Tisch Saturday Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 2 Robert Eidlitz Mon-Tue Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Jason Fuhrman, Richard Rosenthal, 2 William Caslin 2 Dan Hertz, Natalie Hertz, Arthur Melissa Baker, Linda Otness Wednesday 1PM Swiss Side Game Seelenfreund, Dottie Kovel Saturday Senior Pairs 2 Barbara Gross, Susan Shmerler, Tuesday Senior Pairs 1 Susan Kraner, Nancy Molesworth Deborah Richter, Ida Pittman Cardona 2 1 Paul Lewis, William Hoffman 2 Fred Hawa, Faye Marino Wednesday Open Pairs 2 Bud Rottman 1 Richard Castellone 1 Marcello Gambacorta - Barbra Ar- Tuesday 3PM 199er Pairs 1 Rene Frayman nold 2 Barbara Gross, Deborah Richter Saturday 1PM Swiss Side Game Thursday 10AM 199er Pairs Tuesday 1PM Side Game 2 1 Farley Mawyer, William Wood, Jr, 2 Deborah Richter, Barbara Gross 2 2 Dorothy Greenspan, Jerry Green- Lorraine Hinds Thursday Senior Pairs span 2 1 Morton Weiser, Doris Weiser 2 Richard Castellone Wednesday Compact KO, Bkt 1 Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 5 2 Diane Rosenkranz, Maureen Berk- 2 Tania Reyes Hiller, Jill Marshall, 2 Farley Mawyer, Joseph Dibenedetto, man Heidi Klein Byron Nimocks, Khalid AlDoori Friday Compact KO, Bkt 1 Wednesday Compact KO, Bkt 2 Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 6 2 Nina Taselaar, Michael McNamara, 1 Phyllis Lippman, George Lippman, 2 Linda Friedman, Robert Friedman Sylwia McNamara Marian Rubin, Peter Nisselson Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 7 Friday Compact KO, Bkt 3 Wednesday 3PM 199er Pairs 2 Susan Deutsch, Yolanda Wesely 2 Merle Lewis, Diane Rosenkranz, 2 Keith Bronitt, Eugene Donovan Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 8 Roberta Lowell, Ruth Menken Wednesday Senior Swiss 1 Harvey Sugar, Marie Sugar, Guy Friday Compact KO, Bkt 4 2 Daniel Silver, Natalie Hertz, Dan Hochgesang, Joyce Hochgesang 1 Eleanor Stenberg, Abraham Sten- Hertz, Arthur Seelenfreund 2 Anita Lee berg Wednesday 1PM Side Game Friday Golden Opportunity Pairs 2 2 Robert Eidlitz 2 Richard Tisch 2 William Caslin Friday Senior Pairs Wednesday 1PM Swiss Side Game 2 Ethan Stein, Halina Jamner 2 Barbara Gross, Susan Shmerler, Friday 1PM Side Game Deborah Richter, Ida Pittman Cardona 2 1 Edith Alexander - Richard Weiss Wednesday Open Pairs Friday 1PM Swiss Side Game 1 Marcello Gambacorta - Barbra Ar- Page 6 Bridging the Counties

JANE HILL FUTURE MASTERS SECTIONAL

The Jane Hill Future Masters Sectional was held on November 16-17. The tournament is exclusively for play- ers with 0-199 MP's. Participants played three sessions of bridge - two on Friday and one on Saturday. This year's event took place at a new venue, the Mid Westchester JCC on Wilmot Road, Scarsdale. Although the food mostly was catered, we had wonderful help in serving and cleaning from Abbye Bosses, Louise Karp, Sara Sheperd, Henry Deutsch, Farley Mawyer, Mike McNamara and Valerie Scher. Eileen O'Neill did her usual superb job as Director. As the person in charge, I was so pleased with the excellent turnout and the cour- tesies shown by all the players. --- Sandy Scher

Jane Hill Future Masters Results

Fri Morn 199er Pairs Fri Aft 199er Pairs Sat Morn 199er Pairs A B C A B C A B C 1 1 Arthur Wichman - Wayne De Vries 1 Barbara Goldberg - Eric Richelson 1 Elizabeth Grant - Kathryn Payne 2 Alvan Lewis - Mike Temple 2 Sharon Witlen - Jane Young 2 1 Jane Swirsky - Ann Levi 2 1 Scott Hutchason - Meriel Rutherford 1 Arthur Wichman - Wayne De Vries 2 Scott Hutchason - Duncan Rowland 2 Mark Rubenstein - Jane Rubenstein 2/3 2/3 Lois Waksman - Sandra Forster 1 Catherine Bean - David Bean 2/3 2/3 Peter Williamson - M. Storette 2/3 Mark Rubenstein - Jane Rubenstein 2/3 Juliet Zygmunt - W John Zygmunt

December 2012 Page 7

CONVENTION HALL by Jason Fuhrman The December 2011 Convention Hall column listed the 5 most basic agreements about opening leads. More advanced leading con- ventions focus on two areas: length and honors. Players who are good at counting may switch to “third and fifth” leads. Almost al- ways regardless of suit quality, from holdings of 3 or 4 cards you lead 3rd best. With 5 or more cards you lead 5th best. From the spot cards, the auction, and the play of the hand, partner can then figure out your actual length in the suit, and try to work out the rest of your distribution. Note the phrase “almost always,” as there is a common exception. From honor sequences, you still lead the appro- priate honor, such as a K from KQJ7(4), not the J from a four card suit nor the 4 from a five card suit. There is no requirement that you keep your count leads consistent against suit contracts and no- contracts. Some partnerships use “third and fifth” against suits, and “fourth best” against no-trump. This is solely an area of partnership agreement.

Another question arises when you are leading a suit partner has bid, but you have not supported. For example, what do you lead from 732? Strict attitude signalers would lead the 7, or the 3 if playing attitude-MUD and they felt that it would be correctly construed. However, most good players who consider attitude as part of the structure consider this an exception: in the absence of an honor sequence, always lead 3rd best from 3 or more cards in partner’s suit IF you haven’t supported. The converse to the expert rule in the preceding paragraph is also true. If you have supported the suit, your lead is always attitude! Partner knows you have at least 3 cards, so let him/her know if you have an honor and want the suit returned. From 732, you lead a discouraging 7. From Q32, you lead an encouraging 2.

There are additional lead conventions dealing with honors: and are the two most common ones, and there is overlap. A subset of these leads is “Coded 9s and 10s,” which is often played without the rest of the Journalist or the Rusinow lead system. In its original form, Coded 9s and 10s worked as follows. The lead of the 9 or the 10 showed either: a) no higher cards in the suit; or b) precisely two cards higher – the card immediately above and a higher non-touching honor. So the lead of a 10 was from top of nothing, top of a sequence, AJ10, or KJ10 (From QJ10, you lead the Q). Big caution: the lead of a Coded 9 or 10 from an honor sequence holding is frequently suicidal against a suit contract unless partner has bid or supported the suit. A Coded 9 or 10 from an honor sequence is fine against a no-trump contract. And also note that the lead out of AJ10 or A109 against a suit contract goes against many players’ principle of not underleading an A against a suit contract. Some players have relaxed Coded 9s and 10s to include the possibility of showing any 2 higher non-touching honors, and would for example lead the 9 from a holding of KQ9 or KJ9. This is NOT a Journalist lead. The specific holding of KQ10 falls into a different category.

Using standard leads, you lead the K out of KQ10xx. Some players modify it to use the Q to ask for the drop of the jack or otherwise give count. Journalist leads include using the Q out of KQ109x and J out of QJ98x. However, using Journalist leads you are back to leading the top honor: KQ10x or QJ9x without the 4th honor in the suit. In Journalist leads, the lead of the Q specifically promises the J or asks for you to drop it. This includes the holding AKQxx as noted below. The one exception is leading from Qx when it’s part- ner’s bid suit. This solves the problem of the “Bath .” Using Journalist leads, the lead of an A against a no-trump contract also carries a specific meaning. It promise at least AKxxx, and frequently shows AKJxx or AKQ10x or AK109x. This is how the opening leader asks for the unblock of a top honor, or otherwise give count. For Journalist leads the lead of the K against a no-trump contract asks for attitude. Standard attitude signals apply. Since the K implies the Q, partner should encourage with either the A or J. Howev- er, the lead of the K does NOT deny the A. Holding AKQ, the partner may lead the A to ask for an unblock from length or count, or the K to ask for attitude or count with an echo using low cards, or the Q to ask for the drop of the J! [For the sake of completeness, I would note that some non-Journalist players modify this. Without the suit quality restrictions, they simply use the lead of the A to ask for count, and the K to ask for attitude. Or they it to use the A to ask for attitude and the K to ask for count, as in Rusinow. While any of these methods are legal, they should not be explained as “Journalist leads.”] Non-honor Journalist leads against no-trump contracts are ATTITUDE with NO COUNT CONNOTATION! Generally, the lower the spot, the more the leader wants the suit led back. From both Axx2 and Axx32, the lead is the 2. From 108x, 108xx, and 108xxx, you lead the 8, as there is no honor sequence to lead the 10. Lacking the 9 or 10 of the suit, you normally lead TOP regardless of length. To complete the discus- sion, we reach non-honor Journalist suit leads against suit contracts, and this specific agreement is “3rd from even, low from odd.” A thorough look into the intricacies and inferences from this will be done in a future article. Some players have also extended the “3rd from even, low from odd” principle to honorless suits against no-trump, but it is not the original Journalist system.

Rusinow leads were originally used only against suit contracts. Normally you lead the second highest honor, rather than the top:AKx, AKQ, KQx, KQJ, QJx, QJ10. They apply only on the opening lead (not during the rest of the hand), and in a suit that part- ner has not bid. To show specifically a doubleton honor, you lead the other: AK, KQ, QJ, J10, 109. It avoids the confusion of what leading a K means. When Rusinow leads are extended to no-trump contracts, the meaning changes when it is the lead of an A or a K. Other than the lead of an A or K, as against suit contracts, partner leads the second highest from touching honors. However, the lead

(Continued on page 11) Page 8 Bridging the Counties

WINTER IN WESTCHESTER Friday Pro Am Entry Form PLAY WITH A “PRO” + DINNER & BRIDGE - ALL FOR $15! Friday, January 4, 2012 6:00 p.m. Dinner, 7:00 p.m. Game Time The Bridge Deck 313 Central Avenue; Scarsdale, NY 10583

You must have fewer than 100 recorded as of 11/30/2012. Partners guaranteed only for entries received by 12/30 Reservations required. Masterpoints will be awarded. You will be paired with a “Life Master or Better” to play in this low-key, fun event. A trophy will be presented to the overall winner! Send in the form below or for more details, email [email protected]

YES! I’d like to register for the January 4th Pro-Am

Name: ______

Address: ______

Phone Number: ______E-Mail: ______

No. of Masterpoints (if applicable): ______Mail this form or facsimile along with a check for $15 payable to the WESTCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION to Ellyn Plato, 38 Windsor Road, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706

WINTER IN WESTCHESTER Sunday Teams Entry Form

TWO SESSION SWISS TEAMS - SLEEPY HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB 777 Albany Post Road, Scarborough, NY

Sunday, January 6, 2012

10:30 AM Game Time, Two sessions including breakfast and lunch; $35 per person before Dec. 30, $40 after Send in the form below or for more details, email [email protected]

YES! I’d like to register for the January 6th Team Event. Mail this form or facsimile along with a check payable to WESTCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION to Ellyn Plato, 38 Windsor Road, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706

Captain:______

Phone Number:______E-Mail: ______

Additional Team Members: ______

______

Total Team Masterpoints:______(email Jill Marshall: [email protected] if you want help arranging teams) December 2012 Page 9

WINTER IN WESTCHESTER SCHEDULE

Join us for the Winter in Westchester weekend January 4-6. Special events include a Friday Pro Am and Satur- day special pairs game at the Bridge Deck and then Sunday Swiss Teams at Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

The weekend kicks off with the Pro Am on Friday evening at the Bridge Deck. For only $15, players with less than 100 masterpoints will be paired with experienced local players, and enjoy dinner, wine and post game hand analyses. Amateurs will be assigned to a life master or better, with some Amateurs randomly paired with local bridge professionals. New players and those new to duplicate especially are welcome. Preregistration is strongly encouraged. Pairings are guaranteed only for entries received by December 30th. To register or for more information, contact Ellyn Plato (email: [email protected], phone: 914-478-2169) or send in the regis- tration form on page 8. Dinner begins at 6:00 PM and game time is 7:00 PM.

Saturday there will be a two session pairs game at the Bridge Deck. Play either one or both sessions. Game times are 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Join us on Sunday for stratified Swiss Teams at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. The entry fee of $35 per person includes continental breakfast, lunch and a full day of bridge. The club is located at 777 Albany Post Road in Scarborough, just a few minutes past Tarrytown, and convenient to I87/287 and Broadway. Note that in order to provide the club with a participant count, we are requesting preregistration by December 30th. Game time is 10:30. A team entry form is on page 8. Walk-in entries will be accepted only on a very limited basis and are not guaranteed. If you would like to play and want help arranging a team, we will be providing partnership as- sistance in advance of the event. Email Jill Marshall at [email protected] for help with partnerships.

DOUBLE KO RESULTS Bracket 1-Open Bracket 2-Up to 2,500 mps Bracket 3-up to 1,000 mps 1. Jason Fuhrman, Rick Rosenthal, Tim 1. Paul Lewis, Cliff Nebel, Ed Zucker- 1. Jaime Warner, Anna Rosanelli, Janet Baird, Jay Sloofman berg, Bill Hoffman, Jay Sloofman Gochman, Laura Nassau

2/3. Rich Laufer, Faye Marino, Fred 2. Henry Deutsch, Eileen O’Neill, Tim 2. Susan Schnur, Jean Frankel, Carol Hawa, Mimi Bieber Baird, Dave Huber, Dexter Senft, Susan Weiss, Audrey Horowitz, Sally Bloom Duval

2/3. Farley Mawyer, Jill Marshall, John 3. Farley Mawyer, Jeff Marshall, Jaime 3. Sara Bellesheim, Susan Pfeister, Juliet Gropp, Steve Lockwood, Bill Palmer Warner, Anna Rosanelli, Alisan Harte Zygmunt, Meg Sunier, Elizabeth Knox, Anne Torell 2. Joel Goren, Tania Reyes Hiller, Heidi Klein, Ellen Berger, Dottie Kovel, Melis- sa Baker Page 10 Bridging the Counties

Always Leave Them Guessing by Bernard Schneider I have a point to make. Let me start by speaks: “Bridge is a battle So why is it that players still retreat into quoting Jeff Meckstroth, America’s most of minds and, just like in real war, in the passivity; for example, passing AJ10xx, successful bridge player: “Our partnership long run it is a big advantage to strike the AJ10x, xx, xx (“Only 10 high card points, philosophy is, if possible, to make some first blow. The key idea is making life dif- partner?”). The answer is an existential call other than ‘Pass.’ It is something about ficult for the enemy.” one, with implications far beyond bridge-- which we feel strongly, and it has stood us the difference between sins of omission in good stead over the years.” Sabine The advantages of bidding two spades are: and sins of commission. Aggression is an Auken, the German internationalist con- act of commission; it is always possible curs: “I am a big believer in bidding when- 1- If the opponents buy the contract, part- that something can go wrong, and when it ever I possibly can, if only because with ner will get off to the right lead. If I pass does, the bad result is highly visible. For other things being equal, it often makes life and it goes one no trump on my left, three example, on the weak two-bid with five difficult for the opponents. It stresses no trump on my right, I have already lost spades, it is not out of the question that the them; bridge is, among other things, a psy- the board when partner inevitably leads a hand should be played in hearts—and you chological war.” . sell out to 3 of a minor, cold for four hearts; or you simply get unlucky when an The modern trend in bridge is to become 2- If it is the opponents’ hand, as it will be ordinarily playable 5-2 spade fit runs afoul more active and involved in the auction. about 50% of the time, I have taken away of bad breaks. Good players know that this Doing so stretches the ranges of what you two levels of bidding. Pressure, pressure. is simply the cost of doing business, and may hold. Bidding with motley values and bad things can happen on any hand. risking a large penalty to push the oppo- 3- If I pass, and the auction proceeds, part- nents higher is now mainstream thinking. ner will have no idea whatsoever what I Partner needs to understand and say noth- You cannot always have exactly what a hold. He can make whatever inferences he ing. You just have to get used to it and textbook says you should have. Better can based on the opponents’ bidding, but move on. You can just as easily get a bot- players survive and prosper by their ability he will be largely searching in the dark. By tom board by letting the opponents rest to swim in the seas of uncertainty. my decision to bid, he pretty much knows undisturbed in one trump or two spades, or my exact hand—to within one card (my by failing to make a because of Let’s say I played poker “by the book”: in lack of a sixth spade). That surely is an some flaw in the classical model, or by bridge terms it would be always “having improvement. failing to open light, which allows the op- your bid.” I would bet when I had good ponents an unimpeded constructive auc- 4- Passing first and backing in later gives hands, and fold when I had poor hands. I tion. You need to be aware of the bad the opponents, by definition, an extra would without doubt, be highly unsuccess- boards you get by failing to take action. ful since my opponents would always round of bidding to exchange information. know what I had, and could adjust their In fact, it makes bidding now more danger- The following hand is from a recent two- actions accordingly. What good poker ous. session sectional Sunday Swiss. At the end players have learned is that sometimes they of seven rounds, we were in first place by It is a fault of our language and our Mani- must “bluff,” betting with poor(er) hands, 12 Victory Points, but would have to play chean approach to life to dichotomize by and that sometimes they must “slow play,” a very strong national-caliber team. As the equating bidding with “risky behavior” and which means betting less with very good round progressed, we were not playing passing with “safe behavior.” The ying and hands in order to induce their opponents to badly, but our opponents were playing yang of reality is that every choice we misjudge their strength and pour money particularly well. They bid and made three make involves risk. into the pot. aggressive (that word again) games, which There was a time, in the way back, when were all plus positions. Our partners did A specific example. Let’s say, I hold bidding was still in its infancy, that one well enough, but only bid two. Our oppo- AKJ10x, Jxxx, xx, xx. In first seat, every could hypothesize that best practice would nents overcalled aggressively in one of our textbook and every bridge teacher tell me be to leave the opponents alone. But nowa- auctions (finding three bids on a combined that I should not open this hand with a days, bidding methods have become 15 points), causing us to underestimate our in spades since I only have stronger and more sophisticated, no less so strength and miss a 25 point vulnerable no five; and furthermore, it is against the law at the club level. Everyone, if left alone, trump game. They also defended partials to make the bid with a side 4-card major. can reasonably be expected to get to a rea- with a high degree of competence. The rule is simple, straightforward and, sonable spot. unfortunately, problematic None of this bothers me, as such. There is December 2012 Page 11

no embarrassment in losing to good/better What was East to do? Who was sacrificing is exactly 10 tricks. But my point is that players. They are expected to play well. against whom? His partner had come in at both bridge and reality are more subtle and Finishing second or third is respectable. the four level and he did have five spades, complex than that. But Meckstroth has an admonition here, making it hard for him not to bid. But he too. “We try to play the same style of had essentially no other information about bridge regardless of the score.” Go with the hand. Conceivably no spade tricks what you’ve got. were cashing; and reason suggested (correctly) that partner was in hearts. ♠x And so, on the last board of If Frances had bid six hearts to make, it Convention Hall the round, with everyone was right for him to bid; if Frances had bid ♥Jxx vulnerable, my wife it as a knowing , it was also right (Continued from page 7) ♦AQJ10xx Frances held the hand at for him to bid. For example, by the time ♣10xx left. the auction had reached him, partner could of an A is from AK, and the lead of the A well have had the ace of diamonds as well, In first seat, white against red, I opened 4 asks for attitude and implies a non-solid making slam a lock; or West could have a suit such as AKxxx. The lead of the K hearts. We play , so this is the variety of minor suit holdings making even “weaker” way to preempt in hearts. (A implies a semi-solid to solid suit such as: a grand slam a laydown. For example: AKQJx, AKJ10x, KQ109x, KQJ9, or four club opener would show something AKxxx, void, Axx, KQxx. But Frances like eight solid hearts, or seven hearts and KJ109xx. The opening lead of a K sug- had something in between, and it was gest third hand take 1 of 3 actions: 1) play a side Ace). I could hold a variety of wrong for him to bid. hands, and thus we were already in the the A and return the suit; 2) lacking the A, unblock a Q, J or 10; or 3) lacking any world of uncertainty. Her right hand oppo- At our table, declarer lost the obvious three honor, give a count . Against no- nent thought for a moment and bid 4 tricks in six spades for minus 500. At the trump, the Rusinow lead of the Q virtually spades—good players always seem to find other table, South opened 1 heart, West always promises the K. It asks for encour- a bid in these situations. overcalled 1 spade, and eventually, when agement from a third hand holding the A the auction reached the six level, East, or J, and does NOT ask for an unblock. What would you do with this hand? Five having had more of an opportunity to de- The one exception is from a strong hold- hearts, perhaps, or five diamonds which scribe his hand, decided to sell out to six ing such as AQJ9x, in which case the Q is would imply a heart fit, trying to get part- hearts doubled, going plus 300. Net plus led. After recovering from the shock of ner involved in anticipation of further bid- 900 is worth 14 IMP’s. We don’t win the seeing someone else (including possibly ding. But in giving your partner infor- match, or come that close. But the slam himself) have the K, it is easy to work out mation, you also help the opponents. With adventure pulls us back from being blitzed, that the lead came from this one excep- barely a thought, she bid 6 hearts, com- to a 5-15 loss. We win the event by 3 Vic- tion. pletely in . Welcome to the world of tory Points. deeper uncertainty. On this board, she hit The Rusinow lead of a J against no-trump pay dirt. On the way home, I made it a point not to shows the Q and implicitly denies the A or ask Frances why she bid 6 hearts. When K. Third hand follows normally. your partner does something wonderfully ♠x successful like that, you don’t want to ♥Jxx Using Rusinow, the lead of the 9 or 10 spread the slightest seed of doubt in her ♦AQJ10xx implies the higher touching honor, but mind. Who am I to question what I don’t ♣10xx may also be part of an interior sequence. fully understand? But I did ask her why So the 10 may be lead from J10xx, KJ10x, she doubled 6 spades. If my minor suit ♠AKxxxx ♠Jxxxx and AJ10x. It is also the correct lead out ♥-- ♥10xx holdings were reversed, the opponents of AQ109x, as it is still considered an ♦Kxxx ♦xx would be cold for the slam. She said that interior sequence despite 2 higher honors. ♣Qxx ♣AJx she was well aware of the state of the match and that we were close to being ♠Q NEXT: THE DEEP INFERENCES blitzed, so that another bad result wouldn’t rd ♥AKQxxxx FROM “3 from even, low from odd” make much of a difference; but the oppor- ♦x tunity for a large swing in our favor ♣Kxxx (having put the opponents under pressure) had to be taken. Right (on the edge) again. South West North East One hand, one way or the other, doesn’t 4 4 6 6 prove anything. In the world of objective Pass Pass Double All Pass reality, the limit of the hand for either side Page 12 Bridging the Counties

COULD THIS BE MAGIC? by Ethan Stein Every now and then even super heroes need a break. Clark and mischief. Bane would not be humiliated a second time. Bruce were no exception and a brief fishing trip was a welcome relief from crime fighting. As they conversed about crime Again the final contract was 6.. Again The Imp had bid both fighting, the ladies and bridge, the friends decided it might be fun minors and Brainiac had shown primary ’s. Bane thought, how to arrange a bridge match between their respective adversaries. transparent, The Imp expects me to think that the .A is the wrong lead this time and then humiliate me when I don’t lead it. The selection process was arduous. Finally, after three armagnacs Changing positions, Bane led The .A and continued upon ob- the two friends exchanged line-ups. For his squad, Batman select- serving an identical dummy. The full deal: ed the battle tested pair of The Joker and The Penguin paired with the super strong, super intelligent, steroid using Bane, partnered This time the Imp won the second . in the dummy and discarded by Dr. Death. Superman chose Luthor playing with Gen. Zod. ♠AK32 his two  losers on the high ’s. The other pair would be Brainiac and Mr. MXYZPTLK, the wily ♥QJ654 Now a  and a  established imp from the fifth dimension. ♦3 the suit. A trump was led and the ♣J92 slam made. The lead was gone. The Batman objected to The Imp’s inclusion as he feared the use of ♠QJ1098 ♠7654 Imp again seized the moment and magic would make a mockery of the proceedings. Superman re- ♥10987 ♥K3 suggested that even a baboon could plied that Bane’s drug use and dependence on the mega steroid ♦K2 ♦9876 figure out that the failure to use Venom also amounted to a potential advantage for Batman’s ♣A3 ♣654 Blackwood indicated a void some- quartet. When it became clear that neither would relent, they de- ♠-- ♥k2 where, probably ’s and two Aces cided to go forward. ♦AQJ1054 could easily be available to the de- The match drew great interest, and was to be televised in both ♣KQ1087 fense. Bane started to rise from his Gotham and Metropolis. The day arrived and the viewing audi- seat but observed Superman doing ence was not disappointed as the bridge was both exciting and the same. He inhaled deeply, but before extracting the next hand, brilliant. At the end of the third quarter Batman’s team led by he called Dr. Death away from the table. They decided that the twenty-two International Match Points. Dr. would suit preference with one of his trumps on the lead of the Ace of .’s. This time Bane picked up: Superman’s team had the seed for the final segment and chose to match Brainiac and The Imp against Bane and Was there no end to this Imp’s mischief? What a surprise- The ♠-- Dr. Death at the televised table. The first deal auction ended in 6., The Imp again showing a ♥A2 proved exciting. The Imp held the hand at left. ♠QJ1098 minor . Bane decided to lead the .A ♥10987 ♦AQ10543 and rely on Dr. Death to help him out as his . ♣KQ1087 After opening 1 Bane overcalled 1. Brainiac ♦K2 tried 2 and supported .’s when the Imp intro- ♣A3 holding would surely be 654 and a suit prefer- duced them at the 4 level. The Imp carried on to ence signal would provide him with a solution 6 and Bane found himself on lead. Not willing to relinquish con- (The 6 would call for ’s, the 5 for ’s and the 4 for trumps-the trol immediately, Bane eschewed the lead of the .A and chose dummy of course would have the high spades). So the A. was the pedestrian Q. The full deal: led and Dr. Death played a deliberate 4. Bane confidently played ♠AK32 a second .. The full deal: The Imp played with lightning speed. The 2 was discarded, ♥QJ654

♠AK32 then A, ruff a ,  to the Ace, ♦3 The Imp won the second . and ♥QJ654 ♣J92 claimed via 5.’s, 5’s and 2’s. ruff a . Now a trump was led and ♦3 the slam was made. The lead cut ♠QJ1098 ♠7654 Bane exploded. DD, we agreed the ♣J92 ♥10987 ♥32 4 would call for a second trump-I in half. The Imp was giddy and ♦K2 ♦A9876 ♠QJ1098 ♠7654 slipped you a note. I know he re- ♥10987 ♥K3 couldn’t resist some gloating. He ♣A3 ♣64 torted and the 6 would ask for ’s. ♦K2 ♦J987 chided that “only a pathetic human ♠--  ♣A3 ♣654 could fail to diagnose the winning ♥AK What could I do? This time there

♠-- lead.” Bane was livid and consid- ♦QJ1054 was no hesitation. Bane extracted ♥A2 ♣KQ10875 some scissors from his pocket, ered physical action – Superman’s ♦AQ10654 presence made him think twice. lunged at The Imp and attempted to cut his hair (believing that ♣KQ1087 He quietly pulled his cards from was the source of his magical powers). Even before Superman the next board. could intervene, the Imp recited his name backward KLT- PZYXM and outsourced himself to the fifth dimension. Batman Bane meticulously arranged his hand and noticed that he held the was furious. he did not like being outfoxed by Superman. same hand as he had just held. Clearly The Imp was up to some December 2012 Page 13

CLUB CORNER

Club Schedule Mon: 9:45 AM Supervised Play Mon-Fri: 9:30 AM Open Stratified Mon-Sun: 1:00 PM Open Stratified The Bridge Deck M, W, Th, F: 1:00 PM 0-NonLM Newplicate 313 Central Avenue, Scarsdale T, W: 1:30 PM Supervised Play 949-5853 Wed: 6:30 PM 0-NonLM Newplicate TheBridgeDeck.Com Mon: 7 PM Open Stratified Thurs: 7:30 PM Imp Pairs w/ Cash Prize Thurs: 7:30 PM Supervised Play The Hartes’ Club All games are stratified 750/2000/∞. St. Gregory’s Armenian Church Afternoon games offer a separate 0-500 (NLM) section if 5 or more tables. 1131 North Street, White Plains M, T: 9:30am, 1:00pm, 6:30pm 285-1230 W, Th, Fri: 9:30am, 1:00pm HartesClub.Com Sat: Summers only

Atria Rye Brook Once a month on Saturdays or Sundays. Culinary lunch provided. For complete sched- 1200 King Street, Rye Brook ule, email [email protected]

Community Bridge Club Lutheran Church Mon. 10:30 Corner Rt. 172 & Main St., Mt. Kisco 241-0937

Heritage Hills Club T: 7:00PM Open Stratified Heritage Hills Activity Center Th: 12:30 PM Open Stratified Route 202, Somers

News & Special Events Special Club Games

December The Bridge Deck will be closed on Sunday, January 7, for the Golden Apple 10-16 Charity Week, Bridge Deck Swiss teams, and Wednesday, January 15 through Sunday, January 21 for 16 Charity Swiss Teams 1PM, Bridge Deck the Rye regional. 18 Open Swiss 6:30 (dinner 6:00), Hartes 20 Holiday Party, Hartes Hartes January All December games will be Grass Roots Fund Club Championships. 5-7 Winter in Westchester events Thurs. morning and afternoon 12/20: annual holiday party - hot food, bever- 22-27 Charity Week, Bridge Deck ages, and a gift for all in attendance. Both games will be upgraded club 27 Charity Swiss Teams, Bridge Deck championships. 29 Evening Eight is Enough Swiss Teams, hot Mon. evening 12/24: closed (open morn and aft) dinner served prior to game, Hartes Tues. 12/25: closed for all 3 sessions February Mon. evening 12/31: closed (open morn and aft) 4-10 Club Championship Week, Bridge Deck Tues. 1/1: closed for all 3 sessions 20-26 STAC Week (various clubs) Tues. evening 1/15: closed as Rye regional begins 24 STAC Swiss Teams 1PM, Bridge Deck Wed. 1/16 thru Fri 1/18: closed (Rye) 26 STAC Swiss Teams, Hartes Mon. morn. and aft.1/21: open even though Rye still going on (closed for March the evening session) 11 Mini-McKenney Swiss, Bridge Deck February: All games other than the STaC will be Junior Fund club champi- onships Page 14 Bridging the Counties

2012 MASTERPOINT RACES

There are two masterpoint races in Unit 188. The Westchester Contract Bridge Association Medallion is awarded based on total points won during the 2012 calendar year in all games. The Westchester Contract Bridge Association Ace of Clubs is awarded based on all points won during the 2012 calendar year at the level with the exception of those won in STaCs, NABC fund-raiser events, the North American Open Pairs and the . Leaders shown are as of 11/2012. Mini-McKenney Medallion Leaders 0 to 5 MPs 100 to 200 MPs 1000 to 2500 MPs Over 10,000 MPs 1. Michael Temple 35.06 1. Rory Millson 218.78 1. Barbara Loprete 287.39 1. Laura Brill 458.12 2. Jackie Pare 16.05 2. Joyce Hochgesang 122.42 2. Clifford Nebel 249.82 2. Rick Goldstein 447.9 3. Patricia Rudolph 15.84 3. Guy Hochgesang 122.42 3. Farley Mawyer 214.46 3. Ethan Stein 294.55

5 to 20 MPs 200 to 300 MPs 2500 to 5000 MPs 1. Nina Taselaar 57.07 1. Robert Rubinstein 98.66 1. Jill Marshall 596.54 2. Irwin Miller 29.85 2. William Sigward 92.56 2. Mark Gordon 593.11 3. David Fuchs 26.95 3. Jaime Warner 82.74 3. Michael McNamara 491.61

20 to 50 MPs 300 to 500 MPs 5000 to 7500 MPs 1. Carol Weiss 146.24 1. Khalid AlDoori 156.48 1. Tania Reyes Hiller 534.83 The June Bridging the Counties 2. Richard Sher 60.79 2. Joel Goren 137.97 2. Faye Marino 410.18 Mini-McKenney Medallion 3. Yuiko Hebner 47.89 3. Joseph Dibenedetto 125.14 3. Halina Jamner 377.36 Leaders list inadvertently omit- ted Janet Gochman’s name in 50 to 100 MPs 500 to 1000 MPs 7500 to 10,000 MPs the 200 to 300 MPs group. 1. Eugene Donovan 69.49 1. Paul Lewis 188.06 1. Nancy Molesworth 370.41 Janet Gochman and partner 2. Norma Rollins 54.2 2. Ray Pfeister 180.48 2. Natalie Hertz 313.18 Laura Nassau shared the num- 3. Michael Miller 52.09 3. Norman Gleicher 147.81 3. Warren Rosner 301.78 ber 3 spot.

Ace of Clubs Leaders 0 to 5 MPs 100 to 200 MPs 1000 to 2500 MPs Over 10,000 MPs 1. Michael Temple 29.24 1. Rory Millson 81.83 1. Clifford Nebel 197.18 1. Laura Brill 354.01 2. Ruth Kelmar 14.67 2. Alan Kornheiser 61.01 2. Barbara Loprete 196.59 2. Rick Goldstein 353.56 3. Gail Schargel 13.8 3. Roonie Kennedy 56.18 3. Joyana Steinberg 183.69 3. Kay Schulle 166.53

5 to 20 MPs 200 to 300 MPs 2500 to 5000 MPs 1. Irwin Miller 25.94 1. Jaime Warner 57.93 1. Heidi Klein 313.2 2. David Fuchs 21.56 2. Sonia Sasson 56.6 2. Jill Marshall 218.12 3. Ellen Kramer 20.33 3. Susan Pfeister 51.17 3. Linda Otness 184.76

20 to 50 MPs 300 to 500 MPs 5000 to 7500 MPs 1. Carol Weiss 88.55 1. Khalid AlDoori 127.83 1. Halina Jamner 323.47 2. Richard Sher 48.09 2. Joel Goren 96.67 2. Rhoda Levine 240.97 3. Yuiko Hebner 42.47 3. Ellen Tilzer 93.62 3. Tania Reyes Hiller 227.32

50 to 100 MPs 500 to 1000 MPs 7500 to 10,000 MPs 1. Eugene Donovan 52.4 1. Ray Pfeister 155.18 1. Nancy Molesworth 241.14 2. Eric Richelson 34.1 2. Alisan Harte 118.03 2. Natalie Hertz 218.94 3. Jane Swirsky 32.01 3. Norman Gleicher 117.82 3. Dan Hertz 183.11

December 2012 Page 15

Unit 188 Rank Changes (Through Oct. 2012) Junior Master Regional Master Bronze Life Master (5 MPs) (100 MPs) (500 MPs) Elaine M. Blechman Sanjivani C. Bakare Khalid R. AlDoori Connie Cohen Keith Bronitt Peter Nisselson Jean Deveaux Susan W. Freund Diane Rosenkranz Sue Lobel Emily F. Gardner Annelise L. Scuccimarra Kathine J. Mackie Marcia Goldfinger Gilda McGarry Dorothy Greenspan Marilyn C. Morris Renee Kaplan Silver Life Master Anita Stockbridge Kate E. Khanna (1000 MPs) Harriet Vale Alan G. Schwartz Nora G. Finkelstein Susan C. Shmerler Susana A. Lionetti Chris Spader Florence Olsen Club Master Richard G. Tisch William A. Rose Jr (20 MPs) Irma J. Trupp June Berliner Linda S. Walke Carole B. Berman Gold Life Master John A. Corry (2500 MPs) Sandy Feldman NABC Master Joyana L. Steinberg Marny R. Lundy (200 MPs) Paige L. Nagle George Essenfeld Constantine P. Ralli Sarah W. Hecht Diamond Life Master Meriel A. Rutherford Roberta M. Kirshbaum (5000 MPs) Jan Savage Joan Lieblich Phyllis Quinn Robert C. Seabring Preston S. Scher Margaret Sheridan Sunier Lois J. Waksman Life Master Martin Barschi Sectional Master Marilyn G. Donahue (50 MPs) Rita Lane Marilyn M. Berman Harry S. Madoff Yvette R. Cole Rebecca Margulies Betty Golub Peter Nisselson Jane Hankin Diane Rosenkranz Peter Honig William J. Sigward Kitt L. Rosenthal Richard Sher

New Members Marsha Bendavid Leonard Hawthorne Thomas F. Schott Susan M. Bermudez Sheila R. Klatzky Nathan B. Sloan Cathy Burke Norma Lemberger Joan S. Toder Connie Cohen Barbara Lewis Peggy M. Theiss Gail R. Endresen Leila A. Marks Toni Gallager Dede D. Ross BRIDGING THE COUNTIES PERIODICALS POSTAGE 190 East Post Road Paid at White Plains, NY White Plains, NY 10601

Coming Events December 16 Unit Charity Game (Bridge Deck)

26-30 Edgar Kaplan Regional, New York, NY

January 6 GNYBA Membership Meeting

4-6 Winter in Westchester Tournament (various locations) See page 8 for entry forms Winter In Westchester Tournament

15-21 Dist. 3 Regional, Rye Brook, NY Friday, January 4th See ad on page 6 for details Evening Pro Am Tournament at The Bridge Deck; 6PM Dinner, 7PM Game; entry fee $15 February Amateurs must have fewer than 100 pts 20-26 STAC Week (various clubs) Preregistration required; entry form on P8

23 GNYBA Board of Directors Meeting Saturday, January 5th Open Pairs at The Bridge Deck Two Separate sessions: 10 AM & 3:00 PM March 1st Session - Regular Game 4 ACBL Seniors Game 2nd Session - Club Championship: Regular & Newplicate Games in Afternoon 12 ACBL Charity Game Entry fee $15 per session

TBD Mini-McKenney Swiss (Bridge Sunday, January 6th Deck) Golden Apple Swiss Teams Preregistration required; entry form on P5 14-24 NABC, St. Louis, MO Location: Sleepy Hollow CC 777 Albany Post Road Scarborough, NY Entry fee: $35 per person before Dec. 30, $40 after Dec. 30 Includes breakfast & lunch Game time 10:30 AM