July 18-July 28, 2002 74th Summer North American Bridge Championships Daily Bulletin Washington, DC Vol. 74, No. 6 Wednesday, July 24, 2002 Editors: Henry Francis and Paul Linxwiler nd Coleman stunned in 2 Marcia“May I help you?” Katz Marcia Katz always probably says has a helping hand those words a thousand times a day — she’s part of the excellent volunteer staff that works at the regis- roundThirty-two Spingoldsquads have made actionit so far in the tration/information/prize desk here at the DC NABC. Spingold Knockouts, but yesterday’s round saw some Even if you don’t know her by name, however, she’s significant upsets. The #9 seed — the very tough in- easy to spot. With her flower-bedecked straw hat and ternational squad of Jack Coleman, Grant Baze, Adam her friendly, knowledgeable attitude, Katz handles all Zmudzinski, Cezary Balicki, Andrew Gromov and manner of player questions as if she’s been doing this Aleksander Petrunin — was shot down by the team her whole life. of Robert and Cindy Bernstein, Sally Wheeler, Buddy Marcia Katz, however, has a secret — this is her Hanby, David Lindop and Richard Oshlag, 128–109. first NABC, and only her second major tournament Also, the #14 seed of Joan Stein, Eddie Wold, to attend. The first, this year’s record-breaking Marc Jacobus, Geoff Hampson and Eric Greco met Gatlinburg regional, so impressed Katz that she de- an early exit when they were upset by the four-man cided to try the Summer NABC as well. team of Michael Shuster, Jeff Goldsmith, Varis Carey So in April of this year, Katz, of Knoxville TN, and Henry Bethe, 102–94. contacted the DC NABC tournament chairman, Another strong international team — Billy Margot Hennings, with an unusual request. Eisenberg, Richard Coren, Drew Casen, Lee “I wrote Margot and asked if she wanted an Rautenberg, Dano DiFalco and Gabriella Oliveri — was knocked off by John Lusky, Randy Pickett, Allen amanuensis — a Greek term my mother loved to use, Marcia Katz doing what she does best: helping players Kahn and David Rosenberg, 115–102. meaning ‘a slave with clerical duties’. If Margot with questions. wanted me to work for a few weeks, I was happy to It may surprise some that despite Katz’s chatty, come to Washington and help out.” personal style — she intersperses directions to sites Hennings agreed, so Katz wrote a cousin in the around the city with DC-related trivia — she is a re- RegisterMilitary now for Championship the Military Championship DC area to ask if she could stay for the duration of tired associate professor from the University of Ten- Competition! Active duty and retired members of the the tournament. When her cousin said yes, Katz fi- nessee in the Department of Nuclear and Radiologi- Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and nalized her travel plans. cal Engineering. Reserve, DoD civilians and dependents may register How is it that Katz knows so much about DC? Where “Power plants,” Katz says, with an almost dis- at the Registration Desk (not the Prize Desk) for this restaurants are? How to find a certain street? What monu- missive shrug. “Bridge tournaments are much more special event within an event. ments are best to visit? What times they are open? The fun.” Also, Friday is Military Recognition Day. All answer is that Katz used to live in DC, a credential that Have a question? Marcia Katz can be found al- registrants may pick up their name badge with ser- makes her a valuable part of the staff. most every day (and night) at the registration desk. vice insignia to wear on Friday. The badge allows the wearer free entry to the special reception for military players between sessions in Room 9021. 32Of advancethe 70 teams that in entered Senior yesterday’s Swiss National Two seeded teams Senior Swiss Teams, 32 made the cut to today’s round. Leading the list of qualifiers is the squad of Steve Eightlose teams Wagaradvanced to matches today’s action in the A tournamentHigher director authority gave a ruling on an illegal Catlett, Fred Hamilton, and Marc and Sandra Low Wagar Women’s Knockout. communications situation, and one of the players who scored 128 Victory Points. In second with 113 is There were two upsets in yesterday’s action. The strongly objected. “I’ll need somebody a lot higher in the team of Don Stack, Tom Kniest, Jim and Corinne #6 seed of Joan Jackson, Petra Hamman, Robin Klar, authority than you to tell me something like that.” Kirkham, Jon Brissman and Robert Schwartz. Quali- Bernace DeYoung, Nell Cahn and Candace Fowler The director asked, “Would you accept the rul- fying third was the team of Sherrill Headrick, Derald Griffey was defeated by the team of Judy Pede, ing if the head director of the Spring Nationals told Keetch, Bob Bratcher and John McDaniel. Carreen Hinds, Cathy Strauch, Carol Pincus, Barbara you it was the right ruling?” “Yes.” “Well, you’ve The defending champions — the team of Mike Wallace and Jo Anne Casen 127–97. just been told.” The director was Chris Patrias, head Levine, Zeke Jabbour, Russ Arnold (replacing P.O. The #7 seed Nancy Sachs, Linda Wolber, Diane director at the Spring NABC. Sundelin), Arnie Fisher, Randy Pettit and Allan Travis and Judy Cohn withdrew after three quarters, Siebert — are tied for 5th–7th with 102 VPs. trailing 124–75 to the team of Beverly Rosenberg, The cutoff score for qualification was 80. Marcia Masterson, June Deutsch, Florence Rotman, Dorothy Truscott and Edith Freilich. Attendance8495 tables to date DontThree men standrun behind and a desk hideas a horde of considerthe personalitieshorde when won't we make a match.bite Ap- bridge players crowds converge on them. “I need a parently we do a pretty good job – lots of players partner for the Swiss Teams.” “Find me somebody who didn’t do so well come back to thank us for good for the side game.” “Have you got a good- Continued on page 2 looking man for the Flight C Pairs?” The Partnership Desk is no place to be when a batch of new events is getting away. Yesterday more than 150 hopefuls surrounded the desk, counting on the workers to find them just the right partner. Andre L’Heureux, partnership chairman, loves the job. “I like people. I like to make them happy. You meet a great cross-section of bridge players at the partnership desk, and it doesn’t take long to dis- cover what interesting people they are.” The family that plays together, makes Life Master together: How do the partnership workers put partnerships The Daily Bulletin staff doesnt normally run photos of new together? Do they just ask you how many points Life Masters, but we made an exception in this case. Three you have and match you up with somebody that has members of the Rice family (twin brothers Jon and Mike approximately the same number? and their father Rich, all from Winston-Salem NC) earned their gold card playing in Bracketed KO IV (fifth bracket). “That’s not the way I work," said L’Heureux. “I The fourth member of the squad was Jon and Mikes like to hear their stories, understand their feelings, grandmother, Eleanor Rice of Paso Robles CA. (Front) get to know them. My fellow workers and I try to Partnership chair Andre LHeureux and Steve Rothman. Eleanor; (back) Jon, Rich and Mike. Page 2 Daily Bulletin Solution« Q to Quiz #5 ª Q 10 4 3 SPECIAL EVENTS © A 10 6 5 4 3 Wednesday,Club Appreciation July Day 24 ¨ 3 2 9 a.m. - Noon Club Directors’ refresher course with Associate National Tournament Director Guillermo « 9 7 5 3 2 « 10 8 6 Poplawsky. Johnson Room. Third of three sessions focusing on the public relations ª K 9 8 6 ª J 7 5 aspect of running a successful bridge club. © Q J 9 © 8 7 2 10 a.m. - Noon Education Workshop: ACBL Unit Growth Program. Eisenhower Room. Check out a free ¨ 4 ¨ J 10 9 5 program that ACBL will bring to your area. It’s designed to develop teamwork and to « A K J 4 help all the different groups (teachers, volunteers, club managers and members) work ª A 2 together to achieve the unit’s goals. © K 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers program: Jade Barrett, It’s All in Your Head. Exhibit A K Q 8 7 6 Hall B North. Barrett, Vancouver WA, is a professional player, writer and speaker. He is a ¨ Contract: 6NT. Opening lead: ©Q. Diamond Life Master in the ACBL and the ABA. Kantar’s answer: This one could get sticky if 5-6:30 p.m. Newcomer/Intermediate Reception. Room 9021. 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers program: Michael Huston, Elements of Deception. clubs break 4–1. True, you have 13 tricks if they break Exhibit Hall B North. Huston, Joplin MO, is a former English professor and labor 3–2, but what if they don’t? relations consultant. He is now a bridge teacher and professional player. If you play clubs at once, East wins and plays a 11:15 p.m.. Club managers reception. Room 9021. heart and now you are in an untenable position if West 11:30 p.m. More piano for your listening and singing pleasure. Food: Stuffed pretzels, dollar beer. has the ªK. The same would be true if West had four clubs and returned a heart. If East had both the king and the jack, or if you misguessed, you would lose 9:30 a.m.