Vol. LV No. 4 Dec. 2013

Winter in Westchester Weekend: Jan. 3-5

paired with experienced Join us on Sunday for local players, and enjoy stratified Swiss Teams at dinner and wine . Ama- Sleepy Hollow Country teurs will be assigned to a Club. The fee of $35 life master or better, with per person includes conti- some Amateurs randomly nental breakfast, lunch paired with local bridge and a full day of bridge. professionals. New play- The club is located at 777 ers and those new to du- Albany Post Road in plicate especially are wel- Scarborough, just a few come. Preregistration is minutes past Tarrytown, strongly encouraged. Pair- and convenient to I87/287 ings are guaranteed only and Broadway. Note that for entries received by in order to provide the January 1. To register or club with a participant for more information, count, we are requesting Join us for the Winter in contact Ellyn Plato preregistration by Decem- Inside this Westchester weekend Jan- (email: efpla- ber 30th. Game time is issue: uary 3-5. Special events [email protected], phone: 10:00. A team entry form include a Friday Pro Am 914-478-2169) or send in is on page 8. Walk-in en- Tournament and Saturday special pairs the registration form on tries will be accepted only 4-5 Results game at the Bridge Deck page 8. Dinner begins at on a very limited basis and then Sunday Swiss 6:00 PM and game time is and are not guaranteed. If Winter in Teams at Sleepy Hollow 7:00 PM. you would like to play Westchester Entry 8 Forms Country Club. and want help arranging a Saturday there will be a team, we will be provid- Club News 13 The weekend kicks off two session pairs game at ing partnership assistance Masterpoint Races 14 with the Pro Am on Fri- the Bridge Deck. Play ei- in advance of the event. day evening at the Bridge ther one or both sessions. Email Jill Marshall at Rank Changes 15 Deck. For only $15, play- Game times are 10:00 [email protected] ers with less than 100 AM and 3:00 PM. for help with partnerships. will be

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

CLIFF’S NOTES by Cliff Nebel

THE HALL OF FAME votes) were now Hall of Famers. Howard Schenken had over the required 30% (33 votes), but the three maximum per year rule In the February 1964 issue, Magazine made was in effect. the announcement of the formation of the Hall of Fame. The idea was originated by Lee Hazen, one of the earliest Life Masters, The class of 1966 included, with seventy four columnists vot- and a longtime friend of The Bridge World. The goal was to keep ing, Waldemar Von Zedtwitz, Howard Schenken, and Sidney alive the heritage of and give permanent recogni- Silodor. The voting was 36, 33, and 30 respectively. tion to those instrumental in making bridge the game it is today. There seemed to be waning interest in the Hall of Fame as can It further states that small heads cast in bronze would be fabricat- be witnessed to by the decline in voting columnists each year. ed and placed in a suitable public place. For 1964, and all suc- The Hall of Fame went into hibernation for nearly thirty years. In ceeding years, bridge columnists of the United States would elect 1995, ACBL took over control of the Hall Of Fame. It actually a maximum of three members. Votes would be sent to Arthur was a new entity: The ACBL Hall of Fame. The ACBL inducted Young & Company, Certified Public Accountants, for tabulation. the original nine members and added eight more. The additional A vote of 30% would be needed for election. This seems to be a 1995 members were , Al Roth, Bobby Wolff, B. Jay rather small requirement. For comparison, The Baseball HoF Becker, Easley Blackwood, John Crawford, Barry Crane, and requires 75%, The National Football League HoF, after a whit- Helen Sobel Smith. tling down procedure requires 80 %( there are exceptions.) The National Basketball HoF requires 75%. It was also noted that New rules and procedures were added. These are too numerous voting for the 1964 election was under way. to discuss here, but can be found on The ACBL website. The Blackwood and Von Zedtwitz Awards were added. The Black- Ballots for the 1964 election had forty names. These were sent wood Award to given to a player living or dead who has made to 115 bridge columnists in the U. S. . The first three members major contributions to the game outside of his or her bridge ex- elected were (70 votes), (54 votes) pertise. The Von Zedtwitz Award is given to a deceased player and Harold Vanderbilt (44 votes). Others receiving over 30% of for contributions to bridge in playing or other area of bridge ex- the vote were Oswald Jacoby, Sidney Lenz and Milton Work. pertise. The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge says the Von There was some criticism of the procedure. It was pointed out Zedtwitz goes to a deceased player, but the ACBL website makes that some top names were left off the ballot: Sidney Silodor, no such distinction. The 2001 winners of the Von Zedtwitz Charles Solomon and Alvin Landy. Another suggestion was that Award, Eric Murray and Sami Kehela, in my opinion, must have bridge personalities from other countries should be on the ballot. been ecstatic to find out that they were still alive. The 1965 class, posted in the March 1965 issue of The Bridge As of this writing, May 8, 2011, The HoF has one hundred and World consisted of the three men who just missed election in the one members. You can check the members by year in The Offi- inaugural year. With only eighty two columnists voting, Oswald cial Encyclopedia of Bridge. Jacoby (44 votes), Milton Work (37 votes) and Sidney Lenz (35

BRIDGING THE COUNTIES (ISSN 1059-3586) is published Unit Nominations four times a year in March, June, September and December by The WCBA nominating committee, consisting of Gail Cannold, Dan the Westchester Contract Bridge Association, 190 East Post Hertz and Chairperson Linda Otness, offers the following slate of candi- Road, White Plains, NY 10601. $1 of yearly membership fees dates for 2014: shall be applied to yearly subscription for the publication. Periodi- Officers for one year terms cals postage is paid at White Plains, NY. President: Farley Mawyer Vice-President: Joe DiBenedetto POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Bridging the Coun- Secretary: Eileen O’Neill ties, 190 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. Treasurer: Henry Deutsch Directors for one year terms WESTCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION Susan Duval www.bridge-wcba.com Directors for two year terms District: www.bridge-district3.org Cliff Nebel Directors for three year terms President: Farley Mawyer Jeff Allen, Wendy Sklar Marshall Frank, Carol Laufer, Ellen Tilzer Editor: Ellyn Plato To nominate anyone else, please email [email protected]

Contributors: Glenda Calkins, Jason Fuhrman, Farley Mawyer, Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Murstein, Cliff Nebel, Ethan Stein Linda Otness December 2013 Page 3

EVER WANT TO BE A MAGAZINE EDITOR?

Enjoy writing, editing or graphic design? The Westchester Contract Bridge Association is looking for a new editor. The position includes a stipend. The bulletin is produced four times a year, displayed on our website www.Bridge-WCBA.Org, and mailed to the approximately 1,500 members of Unit 188. Like writing or editing, but worried you don’t have graphic design skills? The issue cur- rently is produced using Microsoft Publisher (part of Microsoft Office). It’s easy to use and we’re happy to train you. Be as creative as you like with the Bulletin. New ideas are welcome. Email Ellyn at [email protected] for more information.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I took umbrage at the sentence [in the June 2013 issue about The Bridge World magazine], “It includes articles of interest to serious players and ardent fans of the game. Nowadays, with rubber-bridge in decline, the content is strongly tournament-oriented.”

Rubber bridge didn't decline -- the people playing it just gradually died off AND also because the Bridge Establishment (Bridge World, the ACBL, etcetera etcetera) WANTED and sociable bridge players to disappear. As a 93-year old survivor of the Goren era (when EVERYBODY played bridge) and a blogger about sociable bridge, and why the Bridge Establishment is mistaken in its mission to promote ONLY , you-all are never ever going to bring bridge back to what it once was with that policy.

Duplicate bridge is a finite market, sociable bridge is a mass market.

Maggy Simony

Editor’s note: Maggy makes interesting points about social bridge. Check out her blog: http://bridgetable.net for more of her icono- clastic views. UNIT 188 - PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hopefully you have already Westchester Contract Bridge Association has established a Char- seen the long delayed Sep- ity and Educational Foundation. While we are still awaiting noti- tember issue. In it I men- fication of our 501C3 status we are happy to accept donations. Farley tioned the death of Warren Contributions may be sent to the Foundation's treasurer, Ellyn Rosner. In the issue before Plato at . that we read about Joan When I get back from Phoenix I hope to see you at many up- Mawyer Gerard. Elsewhere in this coming tournaments in the area. We are going back to Pace for a issue we learn about Bob sectional on December 14 and 15; this time at the Wilcox gym- Goldwater who, many years nasium. Unfortunately, Pace will be undergoing construction ago, was so active in next year and we are looking for an alternative venue. At the end Westchester Bridge. About a week before I am writing this I of the year is a regional in NYC and soon afterwards we will learned of the death of Mike Cappelletti. It is hard to imagine have our Winter in Westchester Event which begins with the Roy that I will not see him when I am in Phoenix this week. None of Hill Master/NLM game on the evening of January 5 at the Bridge us is getting any younger. Deck. There will be two sessions of pairs on Saturday also at the My point for the somewhat morose paragraph above is that if Deck and a session of Swiss Teams at the Sleepy Hollow Coun- we want to have the game that we all love (and, yes, sometimes try Club. The Joan Gerard Regional in Rye runs from January 14 hate) continue we must endeavor to bring younger players into -20. March 9 will be the date for our Mini-McKenney Swiss and the game. I am delighted to tell you that at the Jane Hill Future that will be immediately followed by a STaC. Masters' Tournament in November there were 8 tables in the See you at the tables! Youth bridge section. A special thank you to Barbara Clarke for bringing a large group in from New Jersey. Also a big thank you Farley to Linda Otness and her committee for running that tournament. In the hopes of attracting and supporting new players the Page 4 Bridging the Counties

JULY 6-12, 2011STAC OVERALLRESULTS OCT. STAC 14-20 WINNERS

MON AM OPEN PAIRS 1 Carlos Munoz - Dan Hertz (H) A B C 2 Kaye Schulle - Byron Nimocks (H) 1 Lynn Condon - Kenneth Abelson (H) 1 Diane Rosenkranz - Lu Ganley (H) 2 Richard Demartino - Sandra Demartino (H) 2 Ruth Menken - Merle Lewis (B) 2 Barbara Warkol - Eric Richelson (B) 1 Kathryn Payne - Judy Crystal (H) 2 Susan Drucker - Ilana Nowick (H) 2 Ralph Sansolo - Susan Sansolo (H) 1 Alain Bollag - Stanley Ross (H) WED AFT OPEN PAIRS MON AFT OPEN PAIRS A B C A B C 1 Carole Greenberg - Lucy Rosen (H) 1 Lester Gottlieb - Peter Maccuaig (H) 2 Elizabeth Grant - Joanne Kuebler (H) 2 Halina Jamner - David Yates (H) WED AFT HARTES' 499 1 Paul Weissman - Dorothy Mandel (HH) A B 2 Wendy Sklar - Alice Neild (B) 1 Virginia Getz - Suzie Moore (H) 1 Alan Schwartz - Mason Rosenthal (HH) 2 Janice Martinez - Jan White (H) 2 Beverly Jacobson - Don Jacobson (HH) 1 Carol Maxon - Jill Wallen (H) MON AFT 499 2 Paula Wurtzberger - Babs Reiff (H) A B C WED AFT BRIDGE DECK 499 1 Leonard Messman - David Stein (H) A B C 2 Fleurette Cassara - Rita Gladstone (B) 1 Dorothy Baer - Denise Resnik (B) 1 Stanley Weiner - Jerry Katz (H) 2 1 1 Michael Morris - Lyla Everett (B) 2 1 Leonard DiSavino - Bonnie Gartner (H) 2 2 Marilyn Schultz - Angela Penney (B) 2 Janet Braun - Susan Blatt (B) WED AFT SIWANOY MON EVE OPEN PAIRS 1 Ray Pfeister - Frederick Hoban (S) A B C 2 Mary Ellen Scarborough - Thomas Reddy (S) 1 1 Richard Rosenthal - Jason Fuhrman (B) TUE EVE OPEN PAIRS 2 2 1 David Bean - Catherine Bean (B) A B C 2 Jane Finn - Robert Krissoff (H) 1 Susan Duval - Jay Sloofman (H) 2 Sara Kober - Jackie Pare (H) 2 1 Richard Weiss - Mort Amstel (HH) TUE AM OPEN PAIRS 2 Carolyn Farin - Phil Farin (H) A B C THU AM OPEN PAIRS 1 Nathan Adler - Stephen Kleinman (B) A B C 2 Jackie Pare - Michael McNamara (B) 1 Doris Greenwald - Vivian Wu (H) 2 Barbara Kantor - Alisan Harte (H) 2 Fern Jaffe - Al Dalton (B) 2 Barbara Goldberg - Meryl Dinowitz (B) 2 Barbara Warkol - Dennis Glazer (B) TUE AFT OPEN PAIRS 1 1 Dotty Brust - Wanda Van Woert (B) A B C 2 Janet Gochman - Laura Nassau (H) 1 Richard Demartino - Lawrence Lau (H) FRI AM OPEN PAIRS 2 Ron Fischer - Faye Marino (B) A B C 1 Richard Sher - Alice Neild (B) 1 Ron Fischer - Stephen Lippmann (B) 1 Joanne Kuebler - Hollister Sturges (H) 2 Kay Schulle - Bobbie Falk (H) 2 Janet Bettman - Audrey Horowitz (H) 1 Sheila Katz - Carole Tunick (B) TUE AFT HARTES' 499 2 1 Hollister Sturges - Joanne Kuebler (H) A B C 2 Richard Shapiro - Ray Haas (H) 1 1 Carolyn Halsey - Tony Halsey (H) FRI AFT OPEN PAIRS 2 2 1 Cynthia Anderson - Patti Read (H) A B C 2 Al Bright - Jay Rosen (H) 1 Carlos Munoz - Dan Hertz (H) TUE AFT BRIDGE DECK 499 3 2 Jean Frankel - Susan Schnur (H) A B C FRI AFT BRIDGE DECK 499 1 1 G Gale - Sue Lobel (B) A B C 2 2 Larry Rosensweig - Paul Douglas (B) 1 1 1 Elizabeth Knox - Patty Warble (B) WED AM OPEN PAIRS 2 2 2 William Grabel - Linda Grabel (B) A B C (Continued on page 5) December 2013 Page 5

DANBURY REGIONAL OCT. 7-13

FRI AFT HARTES' 499 A B C A B C Monday Fast Pairs 1 Elyse Stein - Douglas Dill (H) 2 Tania Reyes Hiller-Paul Lewis 2 1 Stephanie Flinn - April Vehslage (H) Tuesday 10AM 199er Pairs 3 2 Mona Gross - Lynda Sloan (H) 1 1 Virginia Getz-Maureen Sabo 1 Sara Kober - Jackie Pare (H) 1 Jan Savage-Teresa Lively 2 Jane Rubenstein - Mark Rubenstein (H) 2 Lee Blum SAT AFT OPEN PAIRS Tuesday RR Teams, Bkt 4 A B C 1 John Dragich-Andrew Cornett-Foster Os- 1 Mickey Karlan - Barbara Skluth (B) borne 1 Paul Roberts - Antoinette Buonafede (B) Wednesday 10AM 199er Pairs SUN AFT BRIDGE DECK SWISS 2 Sue Lobel A B C Wednesday 3PM 199er Pairs 1 Carol Laufer - Ruth Grant - Susan Meyers - Neal 2 Marcia Altabet-Sal Forzano Rechtman (B) Wednesday Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Laura Brill - Rick Goldstein - Stephen Lippmann - 1 Dan & Natalie Hertz Janet Lippman (B) Wednesday 1PM Side Game 2 Richard Rosenthal - Tim Baird - Paul Lewis - Wil- 2 2 Richard Weiss-Ann Duncan liam Hoffman (B) Wednesday 1PM Swiss Side Game 1 Karin Meyers - Burt Meyers - Ricki Gardner - 2 1 1 Susan Schnur-Audrey Horowitz-Salie Bloom Karleen Heller (B) Wednesday Open Swiss 2 1 John Grosz - Susan Grosz - Alan Margolin - Randi 2 Stephen Kleinman-Susan Katz Margolin (B) Wednesday Open Pairs 2 Carlos Munoz Thursday Open Pairs 1 Bud Rottman Friday Golden Opp Pairs 1 Marcia Altabet-Wendy Beizer Friday Senior Pairs 1 Jill Marshall 1 Norman Gleicher-Richard Sher 2 Richard Stroh-Janet Stroh Friday 1PM Side Game 2 2 Barbara Lee Chapnick-Arlene Ende Friday Open Pairs 2 Stephen & Janet Lippmann Friday 7PM Side Game 2 Henry Deutsch-Eileen O'Neill Saturday Compact KO, Bkt 1 2 Jeff Aker Saturday Compact KO, Bkt 3 3 Shirley Kesselman-Harvey Sugar - Marie Sugar-Elyse Stein Saturday Senior Pairs 2 Nancy Molesworth-Susan Kraner Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 4 2 K. Joel Sommer-Lottie Sommer-Sidney Stay- man-Bobby Stayman Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 7 2 Harvey Sugar-Marie Sugar-Guy Hochgesang- Joyce Hochgesang Sunday RR Teams, Bkt 9 2 Susan Freund Page 6 Bridging the Counties

JANE HILL FUTURE MASTERS SECTIONAL RESULTS

A B C Top Ten Overall Masterpoint Winners Fri Morn 199er Pairs 1 Harriet Leib 1 Adam Cohen-Derek Schuelein 2 Derek Schuelein 2 1 Mary Sora-Savita Gambhir 3 Betty Golub 3 2 1 Sue Murphy-Maureen Rives 4 Adam Cohen Fri Aft 199er Pairs 5 Teresa Lively 1 Harriet Leib-Betty Golub 6 Jan Savage 2 1 Sybil Nessim-Ilene Dolins 7 Carole Greenberg 3 2 1 Connie Cohen-Trudy Bassin 8 Barbara McKelvey Sat Aft 199er Pairs 9 Mary Sora 1/2 1 Jan Savage-Teresa Lively 10 Sybil Nessim 1/2 Carole Greenberg-Barbara McKelvey 3 2 1 Robert Pauker-Tony Mortimer Sat Aft Youth Pairs 1 Eliah Harris-Tyrese Thompson December 2013 Page 7

CONVENTION HALL by Jason Fuhrman IN DEFENSE OF ODD-EVEN DISCARDS

For my final article on defensive conventions (leads and signaling), I am going to return to odd-even discards, in more detail. There have been numerous articles in the ACBL Bulletin which, I believe wrongly, disparage them. I have previ- ously stated that there is no inherent superiority in any discarding system over another (I generally just play standard dis- cards) with the exception of random discards. (Random discards, often used by beginning players, are where you just discard what you can afford to and convey no useful information, and are generally inferior.) The basic premise is easy: For your first discard, you discard an odd card (it doesn’t matter if it’s the 3, 5, 7 or 9) to encourage the lead of that suit. If you don’t want a suit led, then you play an even card – 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10. While honors may be included by some players (J=11, Q=12, K=13), they generally are not – honors are too important to discard gen- erally, and when you can afford to discard an honor they can be used to indicate the position of other honors (such as the discard of the Q shows the J and denies the K). The next step is to give meaning to the even discards. A low card indicates a preference for the lower non- suit, whereas high card indicates a preference for the higher non-trump suit. Playing odd-even signals, the suits are not re- volving – they are absolute. For example, let’s say the trump suit is diamonds and the C2 is discarded. Clearly the 2 is “low”, and asks for the lower ranking suit – hearts, which is lower than spades. (If it was revolving, in a non-spade the “lower” suit after clubs is spades; in a spade contract the “lower” suit for clubs is hearts. Revolving discards are not part of the odd-even signaling system.) Here is where the normal criticism comes in: what do you do when you don’t have an appropriate card to discard? Typically this occurs when you want to discard from a suit, but only have odd cards when you want to discourage, or vice versa. (The other occurrence is if you don’t think you have an appropriately sized even spot card.) My first re- sponse to this is simply that EVERY discarding system suffers from the same flaw. Using standard methods, to encour- age from KQ32, you have to discard to 3, which looks awfully discouraging…. The second response is, you have to put things into context. The discard of the 4 is generally considered low. But if you discard the 4, followed by the 2, then the 4 is a discard asking for the higher suit. Similarly, discarding an 8 fol- lowed by the 10 would ask for the lower ranking suit. Also, if you’re holding the 2 and 4, and partner discards the 6, it’s probably low – unless it’s partner’s only even card. Cautionary note: you cannot discard an even card, followed by an odd card in another suit to give preference. For example, in a spade contract, you discard the H10, saying no to hearts, and suggesting diamonds. If you the discard the C3, it does not cancel diamonds to suggest clubs. This is for two reasons: 1) you could simply have discarded the C3 first, so there is no theoretical reason why should it mean this; 2) more importantly, this directly violates the ACBL con- vention chart. Odd-even discards can apply to the first discard only. If your only even heart is the 10, and you want to encourage clubs, you pitch the H10 followed by either any high club or any low diamond (as if you were using standard signals). Context is everything. My third response is that you can extend the meaning of odd discards. Consider a holding of Q-9-7-5-3, where you don’t want the suit led because it finds the Q for declarer, or 7-5-3, where you don’t want the suit led at all. What does it mean if you discard the 5 then the 3, or the 3 then the 5? Under standard odd-even methods, both ways you have theoretically encouraging the suit. The extended meaning lets you cancel a forced discard. If you play the 3 then the 5 (low-high), you are still encouraging. But if you play the 5 followed by the 3 (high-low), it cancels the message by say- ing: I don’t want the suit led but I can’t discard from another suit appropriately. Please lead another suit taking this into consideration. So the next question becomes, where does a discard fall between a mild-request and a command? How much discretion does partner have to disregard your ? As with all signals, this is a matter of trust and bridge logic. They should never be an absolute command. On any discard, you have to consider what you can afford to throw. Generally,

(Continued on page 10) Page 8 Bridging the Counties

WINTER IN WESTCHESTER Friday Pro Am Entry Form PLAY WITH A “PRO” + DINNER & BRIDGE - ALL FOR $15! Friday, January 3, 2013 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 masterpoints recorded as of 11/30/13. Partners guaranteed only for entries received by 1/1/14. Reservations required. Masterpoints will be awarded. You will be paired with a “Life Master or Better” to play in this low-key, fun event. Trophies will be presented to the win- ners! Send in the form below or for more details, email [email protected]

YES! I’d like to register for the January 3th 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 5, 2013

10:00 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 5th 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 2013 Page 9

BRIDGE DECK UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

As most of you are now aware, Mike and Sylwia McNamara took A menagerie of characters has peopled the Deck, some memora- over The Bridge Deck from Rich and Carol Laufer in August. bly lovable but crusty, others, well, let's say not so lovable. No Expect to see a continuation of the youth bridge program the names. The interactions have produced, among other things, Laufers created and nurtured over the last several years, as well many marriages, many unusual marriages, many relationships as an expansion of the teaching program. (ahem), many unusual relationships, some arguments (well, may- be more than some), some fights, some divorces. Some players According to Mike: are truly renowned in others areas of life (no names), but you'd hardly know it at the Deck because we were so focused We bought The Bridge Deck in order to consolidate our opera- on bridge. Some were nearly martyred, others went up the river tions. For years we have been travelling the county offer- (no names). Some Deck players want to avoid heaven; they're ing bridge lessons at various adult schools, country clubs, afraid they won't find any of their old Deck friends there. We bridge clubs, and private homes. By buying The Bridge Deck, we think that's a scandalous lie because we're sure of at least two. can offer instruction from one central location, using the most But no names. modern technology and with easy access to all hands, notes, and other educational tools. We feel that this will prove a tremendous The Deck has always been home to the rich, the poor, and all the benefit to our students. We were honored that the Laufers were in between. It's always been about bridge itself, and that egalitar- willing to allow us to carry on the legacy of The Bridge Deck. ianism is what makes it unique. There are a few other clubs like Like every owner of The Deck, we will certainly leave our own it, but very few and far between. mark and add our own touches.” Carol and I felt fortunate in shepherding the Deck. It's been a The Bridge Deck was founded approximately forty years ago by stimulating, challenging and gratifying run. We will never give Bob and Idelle Katz and Steve and Norma Gross, along with two up caring about it. And that's why we're delighted to leave it in other couples. Idelle and Norma still are regular players at the the hands of Mike and Sylwia. It's had an extraordinary twisting, Bridge Deck. Those of you who were not fortunate enough to turning history; we can't wait to see where it goes next. know Bob may be familiar with his name; the Sectional at Pace University is named in his honor. The owners prior to Rich and Carol were Rick Goldstein and Laura Brill, who also continue to play at the Deck.

Rich Laufer was kind enough to add a few words about the Bridge Deck and its history:

The Bridge Deck has always been on Central Avenue. The pre- The Bridge Deck is located at sent location is its fourth - and longest lasting. It's been there 313 South Central Avenue in Hartsdale. since 1992. Carol and I were going on twelve years as owners ... or maybe I should say caretakers, The Bridge Deck has an amaz- Mike and Sylwia have exciting plans for the Bridge Deck. We ing legacy, maybe not one to please the faint of heart. It's always look forward to seeing them unfold. When asked about the chal- been known for its extreme competitiveness, both a blessing and lenges of running a bridge club, however, Sylwia had only two a curse. If you want good competition, it was always the place to words to add, “Staying married.” go. But you had to be prepared. It could be a rough crowd. We wish Mike and Sylwia good luck on their latest endeavor! Page 10 Bridging the Counties

More Big Bang Bridge by Ethan Stein

Ever since the “Bridge Showdown” be- ing Penny wanted to Pass but had always tween Gotham Polytech and The Metropo- emphasized raising partner’s suit . His 2 lis Institute of Technology the respective bid was followed by 3 from Amy. Convention Hall faculties et al. had formed an intimate so- cial group that embraced weekly video (Continued from page 7) games, trips to the comic book store and Sheldon could barely contain himself as now weekly bridge. Penny tried 4. He actually pulled two encouragement is a stronger sugges- Not surprisingly the erudite Dr. Sheldon red double cards from the . tion than discouragement. With even Cooper excelled in all aspects of the game Amy seemed nervous, so Penny tried the discards, it is especially important to and uniquely set world records for pontifi- blue card. note that discouraging takes priority cation. Meanwhile the neophyte Penny over suit preference. There may be continued to show progress in all aspects only 1 discard, and the full context Sheldon led the A. and Penny ruffed of the game including choosing appropri- may not be obtainable. Using the ex- ate outfits designed to maximize distrac- it. The 7 followed and Sheldon chose to tion. This of course was all but lost on . The 3 was led and Penny took a tended odd discards, the principle of Sheldon. for the Queen. More diamonds “the lower the spot, the more encour- followed and it quickly became clear that aging it is” applies. And regardless of This evenings’ pairings had Sheldon Sheldon could score no more than his two the discard, you have to remember playing with Amy, while Leonard and Pen- master trumps and the A’s. that it’s from the discarder’s perspec- ny provided the opposition. So far Amy tive – partner may have a good reason and Sheldon were having much the best of it as Leonard had to endure misplay after for disregarding it. Leonard was positively giddy with the misplay by Penny. As the session was result. “Why did you bid ’s before your 7 This brings us to the second criti- drawing to a close the following deal oc- cism against odd-even discards: they curred: card  suit?” He asked. “I thought you told me the modern style was to bypass  can be complicated, and they may cause a break in which could Leonard suits” replied Penny. “Do I have to endure ♠J102 this pointless conversation” offered Shel- convey unauthorized information. ♥K32 don. “Actually Sheldon sweetie, it’s a 1080 The criticism is leveled against the ♦3 point conversation” contributed Penny. break it tempo (which may be true at ♣Q109865 “Good one sister” added Amy. times) not against odd-even discards Sheldon Amy being too complex (they’re not that

♠AK32 ♠4 byzantine). But this is true with any ♥A7 ♥QJ109865 new convention, and it should dissi- ♦542 ♦Q6 pate as you play it more frequently ♣AK74 ♣J32 and have more instinctive familiarity

Penny with it. Furthermore, using any sys- ♠Q9875 tem there are times when you will ♥4 have to hesitate to figure out what you

♦AKJ10987 can afford to discard to avoid a pseudo ♣- -squeeze. This is why you should al- ways pause when dummy comes down at trick one to make a plan, so As dealer Sheldon’s expression likened his you can discard properly in tempo Koala look as he viewed his prime 18 and throughout the hand. opened 1.. Leonard passed [again]. 1 from Amy was followed by 1 from Pen- ny. Sheldon considered his options and decided to walk the dog as he bid a quiet 1NT. Leonard, always wary of encourag- December 2013 Page 11

New Bronze Life Master

Shirley Kesselman earned her Bronze Life Master award at the Sturbridge Regional in June playing on a Swiss Team with Marianne Brecht from Newton, Massachusetts, whom she met for the first time at the tournament’s Partnership Desk.

Shirley learned bridge in Youngstown, Ohio, from her mother, a weekly duplicate player. After moving to NY at the completion of college, for many years Shirley played bridge socially. Slowly she turned to duplicate and several years ago started competing in sec- tional and regional tournaments both in the New York area and California where she has a winter residence. A highlight of her tournament play was attendance at the San Francisco National last December.

Recently Shirley, with Marie Sugar, took on the challenge of teaching beginning bridge at the Heritage Hills Duplicate Bridge Club. She hopes to instill in her students a love of the game.

In Bridge As In Life by Edith B. Halpern

In bridge as in life, one must know the rules, know all the rules, know all the rules; know all the rules well, that way, YOU decide which ones you obey (follow), which ones you stretch and which ones you ignore. Gramm Edith In bridge as in life, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” Eleanor Roosevelt In bridge as in life, partnerships should be based on mutual respect.

In bridge as in life, accepting responsibility for one’s actions goes a long way.

In bridge as in life, civility is a welcome ray of sunshine, however, one must not mistake civility for approval.

In bridge as in life, it’s not what you know, but how you use your knowledge.

In bridge as in life, masterpoints should be a by product of a game well played, and not a goal in itself.

My daughter Debbie once told me: “Think what you would regret more, doing it or not doing it.” At the bridge table, on occasion (usually when it looks like I have overbid and then end up making the contract), my partner Tory. who knows the saying as well as the origin, would say: “Thank you Debbie.”

From Mr. Thomas J. Schwartz, President of Purchase College, I learned that education prepares one to “explore options, seize oppor- tunities, consider the unconventional, and take risks.” Guess education comes in handy in bridge, in chess, and also in life! Page 12 Bridging the Counties

IN MEMORIAM

Warren Rosner, age 69; passed away August 9th, WARREN ROSNER 2013 after a short illness. Survived by his loving wife Ann Lou, sister Laurie (Philip) Fitz and brother Ken- neth (Geraldine) Rosner. Warren, a Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute graduate and an Army Veteran sta- tioned at the Pentagon (1966-1969) worked for Gen- eral Foods until the mid-nineties followed by consult- ing work for Avon. A Bridge Life Master by his early

twenties, Warren and his partner were part of the team representing the United States in the Bridge World Championship in Biarritz, France in 1982 and addi- tionally, he and Allan Stauber won three successive National Titles during the 1980's. In retirement, War-

ren continued to play bridge professionally, taught bridge and enjoyed sharing his love of the game with his friends at the Bridge Deck in White Plains and in groups around the Metro area.

(Excerpted from Legacy.com)

I met Bob the first time I walked into the Bridge BOB GOLDWATER Deck. He introduced himself and warmly welcomed 1924-2013 me into his arena as he did all new players. He re- membered our names and followed our progress in the bridge column he wrote for the Journal News for 25 years.

Not only was Bob one of bridge's best ambassadors, he was also a tireless contributor to the Westches- ter unit--as president, long-time board member, editor and proofreader of Bridging The Counties, creator of events like the golden apple, bridge teacher, and edi- tor of the directory. He did it all with an eye for detail and a perfectionist nature.

Bob loved Peggy, his family, sports (especially UNC basketball), bridge, and all of his many friends who will miss him dearly.

-- Laura Brill

December 2013 Page 13

CLUB CORNER

Club Schedule

Duplicate Games: Morning: Monday - Friday - 9:30am The Bridge Deck Afternoon: Monday - Sunday - 1:00pm 313 Central Avenue, Scarsdale Evening: Monday 7pm & Thursday - 7:30pm 949-5853 Youth Game: Sunday 5:00pm TheBridgeDeck.Com Classes: Monday - Friday - 10:00am - 12:00pm Monday - Friday - 1:30pm - 3:30pm

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

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

Siwanoy Duplicate Bridge Club Invitational Game, Wed. Afternoon Siwanoy CC, 351 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY Mgr: Sara Bellesheim 914-602-2743

News & Special Events

Hartes and the Bridge Deck will be closed during the Rye Regional: January 14-20. Special Club Games All February games will be Charity Games - no extra charge.

January Bridge Deck 3-5 Winter in Westchester events  Holiday Party!!! 12/20 after afternoon game. 28 Open Swiss teams, dinner at 6,  Charity Club Championship Week 12/16-12/22. game at 6:30, Hartes  Charity Swiss Teams Sunday 12/22 @ 1pm.  1pm Game ONLY on Christmas, 12/25.

February Hartes 25 Eight is Enough Swiss teams, dinner at 6,  Both sessions Thurs 12/19: Holiday Party - plenty of hot food and beverage, game at 6:30, Hartes upgraded club championships, and all in attendance will receive a gift.  Closures: Tues eve 12/24, all day Wed 12/25, Tues eve 12/31, and all day Wed March 1/1; Closed Mon 1/6 due to church activities; Tues eve 1/14 through Fri 1/17 for 3 ACBL-wide Senior Game Rye regional (open for afternoon game only on Mon 1/20); 9 Mini-McKenney Swiss, Bridge Deck  All games in January (other than 1/20) will be Grass Roots Fund Games, extra 10-16 STAC Week points no extra charge. 13 ACBL-wide International Fund Game  All games in February are Junior Fund Games, extra points, no charge.  There will be an Open Swiss on Tuesday, March 11 during STAC week; dinner at 6, game at 6:30.

Page 14 Bridging the Counties

2013 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 2013 calendar year in all games. The Westchester Contract Bridge Association Ace of Clubs is awarded based on all points won during the 2013 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 11/2013. Mini-McKenney Medallion Leaders 0 to 5 MPs 100 to 200 MPs 1000 to 2500 MPs Over 10,000 MPs 1. John Marchetti 84.15 1. Carol Weiss 223.06 1. Paul Lewis 302.40 1. Rick Goldstein 350.55 2. Wendy Beizer 51.07 2. Eric Richelson 177.13 2. Robert Krissoff 226.86 2. Richard Zucker 334.41 3. Robert Hecker 25.40 3. Richard Sher 176.19 3. H Jay Sloofman 223.36 3. Laura Brill 330.35

5 to 20 MPs 200 to 300 MPs 2500 to 5000 MPs 1. Marilyn Morris 57.11 1. Marcia Goldfinger 133.13 1. Jill Marshall 632.76 2. Sara Kober 56.21 2. Roonie Kennedy 118.34 2. Heidi Klein 447.74 3. Marcia Altabet 35.10 3. Susan Grosz 110.67 3. Fred Hawa 340.21

20 to 50 MPs 300 to 500 MPs 5000 to 7500 MPs 1. Gail Burak 57.82 1. Joseph DiBenedetto 169.32 1. Tania Reyes Hiller 630.90 2. Jackie Pare 57.34 2. Susan Pfeister 122.46 2. Mark Gordon 605.84 3. Gail Schargel 47.93 3. Fali Rubinstein 103.96 3. Faye Marino 432.93

50 to 100 MPs 500 to 1000 MPs 7500 to 10,000 MPs 1. Yuiko Hebner 71.79 1. Norman Gleicher 166.8 1. Nancy Molesworth 320.98 2. Gail Felsenstein 68.97 2. Ray Pfeister 164.38 2. Dan Hertz 319.88 3. Jane Hankin 50.10 3. Linda Friedman 156.23 3. Natalie Hertz 256.54

Ace of Clubs Leaders 0 to 5 MPs 100 to 200 MPs 1000 to 2500 MPs Over 10,000 MPs 1. John Marchetti 78.66 1. Richard Sher 126.75 1. Robert Krissoff 194.06 1. Rick Goldstein 278.81 2. Wendy Beizer 40.00 2. Eric Richelson 117.61 2. Marshall Frank 164.33 2. Laura Brill 258.00 3. Nola Deutsch 23.89 3. Carol Weiss 113.82 3. Jerome Miller 156.30 3. Kay Schulle 255.92

5 to 20 MPs 200 to 300 MPs 2500 to 5000 MPs 1. Marilyn Morris 47.90 1. Roonie Kennedy 77.66 1. Heidi Klein 352.92 2. Sara Kober 43.55 2. Edward Reilly 72.87 2. Jill Marshall 305.84 3. Bonnie Gartner 28.70 3. Sonia Sasson 67.25 3. Fred Hawa 256.35

20 to 50 MPs 300 to 500 MPs 5000 to 7500 MPs 1. Gail Burak 53.53 1. Susan Pfeister 94.80 1. Tania Reyes Hiller 365.50 2. Jackie Pare 42.04 2. Joseph DiBenedetto 92.11 2. Halina Jamner 325.75 3. Pamela Furtsch 39.94 3. Fali Rubinstein 82.61 3. Rhoda Levine 282.510

50 to 100 MPs 500 to 1000 MPs 7500 to 10,000 MPs 1. Yuiko Hebner 60.91 1. Ray Pfeister 152.83 1. Dan Hertz 231.69 2. Gail Felsenstein 54.35 2. Linda Friedman 137.44 2. Nancy Molesworth 223.81 3. Chet Vogel 33.44 3. Khalid AlDoori 122.79 3. Natalie Hertz 206.36

December 2013 Page 15

Unit 188 Rank Changes (7/1/13 to 1/1/14)

Junior Master Kieran H. Duffy Joan D. Rubinstein Advanced NABC Master (5 MPs) Bonnie L. Gartner Jan Savage (300 MPs) Clayton L. Allen Linda L. Gordon Margaret Sheridan Sunier Carol J. Weiss Richard M. Barnes Stephen P. Grayer Elaine J. Wasserman Life Master Saverio Bello Pat A. Hammer Regional Master (500 MPs) Martha Bergold Robert Hecker (100 MPs) Felice Blank Steve N. Chiltern Diana Kent Theo A. Allen Marcia Goldfinger Bonnie G. Cohen Cassie Kernan Saraine Corn Charles Hoffer Pam Coren Sandra J. Klein Jane W. Dubin Patricia A. Mangan Nancy J. Ditman Sue Lobel Gail A. Felsenstein Rory O. Millson Patricia N. Dohrenwend John M. Marchetti Jane Hankin Bronze Life Master Gerald M. Doyle Gloria Menaker Yuiko Hebner (500 MPs) Peter B. Goldsmith Arthur Miller Harriet Leib Sandi Foreman Leslie Gould Angela Penney Lucy Rosen Robert A. Friedman Joan M. Hallowell Peter Poulakis Ralph Sansolo John C. Grosz Frederick X. Hoban Jay M. Rosen Charles Selig Beverly Jacobson Aimee L. Hughes Jean S. Rosen Susan Smithline Don Jacobson Sidney D. Ings Lawrence S. Rosensweig Mary B. Sora Shirley Kesselman Jerome A. Katz Mary Ellen Scarborough Barbara Steinberg Sherry Mendelson Anne C. Kelty Thomas F. Schott Jane S. Swirsky Byron Nimocks Sheila R. Klatzky Marilyn Schultz Stanley Weiner Joan Saltz Frances Knubel Joan T. Scott NABC Master Arlene Walzer Joan G. Lunney Arthur I. Sherman (200 MPs) Silver Life Master John W. Priesing Jill Wallen Neil M. Beck (1,000 MPs) Bernice Rissenberg Martin Weinstein Eugene J. Donovan Mort Amstel Adele T. Soldano Sectional Master Betty Frankel Eileen C. Budnovitch Marianne Sternkopf (50 MPs) Ray Haas Antoinette G. Buonafede Peggy M. Theiss Marcia R. Altabet Ronald M. Kallman Alisan V. Harte Lucille Tortora Susan Blatt Sylvia Kandel Tory Kane Jeffrey A. Watiker William Diament Arlene Levy Victor Y. Mazmanian Connie Werbin Ilene L. Dolins Michael P. Miller John E. Popper Club Master Sal Forzano Paul J. Resnik Diane Rosenkranz (20 MPs) David Fuchs Eric P. Richelson Gold Life Master Trudy Bassin Sara Kober Norma J. Rollins (2,500 MPs) Wendy Beizer Marny R. Lundy Sonia J. Sasson Farley Mawyer Richard H. Bower Irwin M. Miller Susan A. Schnur Emerald Life Master Margaret Cady Marilyn C. Morris Richard Sher (7,500 MPs) Adriana S. Caputo Sybil Nessim Diane Tobias Tania Reyes Hiller Nola A. Deutsch Jackie Pare Richard D. Tunick Ellen Donat Gladys Picket

New Members Clayton L. Allen Irwin Cohen Bennan A. Hoban Alexandra T Reilly Sandra Stolzberg Charlotte Ambrozek Laurel Colimon Linda Lansky Carol Reiner Kyoko Tanaka Judi A. Arum Barbara Cooper Mona Lau Janis C Richards Marsha Trust Richard M. Barnes Tan Davenport Marcel Margulies Barbara Scher Daniel Vale Jean C. Becker Nancy Ditman Carol Matkovsky William Scher Jane Vergari Barbara Berger Marianne D. Duffy Paul Michaels Ellen Mary Schmauser Linda Weiller Howard P. Charnas Janet Eisenman Milton Mitler Iris M Schneider Barbara L Weinstein Steve Chiltern Karen Ganz Leland B. Paton Tracy A Stein Charlotte N. Church Barbara Goldberg Diane G. Potter Evelyn Stock 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)

14-15 Westchester Sectional Pace University, Pleasantville

26-30 Edgar Kaplan Regional New York, NY

January 5 WCBA Membership Meeting Winter In Westchester Tournament

3-5 Winter in Westchester Tournament (various locations) Friday, January 3th See page 8 for entry form Evening Pro Am Tournament at The Bridge Deck; 6PM Dinner, 7PM Game; entry fee $15 14-20 Dist. 3 Regional, Rye Brook, NY Amateurs must have fewer than 100 pts See ad on page 6 for details Preregistration required; entry form on P8

March Saturday, January 4th 3 ACBL Seniors Game Open Pairs at The Bridge Deck Two Separate sessions: 10 AM & 3:00 PM

1st Session - Regular Game 9 Mini-McKenney Swiss 2nd Session - Club Championship: (Bridge Deck) Regular & Newplicate Games in Afternoon Entry fee $16 per session 10-16 STAC Week (various clubs) Sunday, January 5th 13 ACBL International Fund Game Golden Apple Swiss Teams Preregistration required; entry form on P8 20-30 NABC, Dallas, TX 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 10:00 AM