Thursday, March 15, 2018 Volume 61, Number 7 Daily Bulletin 61st Spring North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Chip Dombrowski Hall of Fame adds two more The ACBL Hall of Fame’s 2018 inductee class Bowl in 1995 and a bronze expands to five. In addition to the three players medal in the Rosenblum elected – Ralph Katz, Robert Levin and Eric Knockout Teams in 1990. A Rodwell (see issue 6) – the Hall of Fame Committee native of Canada, Molson has made selections for the Blackwood and von won the Richmond Trophy Zedtwitz awards. (for the most masterpoints Mark Molson is the recipient of the von earned in a calendar year Zedtwitz Award, which honors individuals who were by a Canadian) five times. top players in their time and are now either deceased He amassed almost 20,000 or inactive. The winner of the Blackwood Award, masterpoints before his death at 56. which recognizes long and outstanding contributions Molson won seven Canadian National Winners of the Rockwell Mixed Pairs: to bridge outside of playing ability, is Bridge Base Team Championships, one Canadian Open Pairs Pat McDevitt and Sheila Gabay. Online – the first non- Championship and seven NABC titles: the Reisinger McDevitt, Gabay human entity to be and Blue Ribbon Pairs in 1989, the 2002 Grand inducted into the hall. National Teams and four times the Keohane North dominate Mixed final Mark Molson American Swiss Teams. Boston-area players Pat McDevitt and Sheila Molson, who died in 2006, was a Grand Life At the time of Molson’s death, Bermuda Bowl Gabay tore through the field of finalists in the Master with a distinguished record in high-level teammate Eric Kokish told the Bridge Bulletin, Rockwell Mixed Pairs to win the contest by almost competition. He had a silver medal in the Bermuda continued on page 5 three boards. McDevitt and Gabay qualified second in Tuesday’s opening round. The final saw them turn in 62.21% and 65.91% performances to Top players rally over cheating fears convincingly claim the victory. Their four-session Dozens of top-level players gathered for a would permit players to continued on page 5 public event Wednesday morning at the Philadelphia avoid participating NABC to raise awareness of what they describe as a in events in which High Vanderbilt seeds threat to “the very soul of the game.” those previously Although well-publicized disciplinary hearings convicted planned remain in control in North America and Europe have resulted in the to play. In yesterday’s Vanderbilt play, 10 of the top 11 permanent banning of several top pairs convicted of The group in seeds advanced to today’s round of 16. Most of the collusive cheating, some of the accused have turned Philadelphia created high seeds cruised to victory, with the exception of to civil courts to have their sentences overturned or buttons that read Hemant Lall’s No.10 seed, who needed a furious reduced. “Say No to Cheats,” and fourth-quarter rally to overcome a challenge by In January, for example, the European Union’s posted a petition that was available for anyone to Marty Seligman’s team (No. 23). Down 33 IMPs, Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the sign. More than a hundred players proudly sported Lall blasted into the lead with a 58-15 score in the European Bridge League’s ban of Fulvio Fantoni the buttons throughout the day, and roughly an last set. and Claudio Nunes was invalid, a decision that sent equal number signed the petition, which read in Kevin Castner’s team acquired the No. 7 seed shock waves through bridge world. part, “We appreciate the efforts of the national and by upsetting Richie Coren’s squad in round two, but Recognizing that world, zonal and national international federations in dealing with this cancer. Castner and company were forced to relinquish it to bridge federations could be compelled by courts We have no doubt they share our common cause. Chen Zhao’s team, the 26 seed, 147-119. to allow the participation of players who had Yet we also see that there are times when their George Mittelman (No. 12) was shown the exit previously been banned, some players are trying hands are tied by the red tape of bureaucracy and continued on page 3 to take matters into their own hands by demanding the maze of legal interpretations. Bridge players that these bridge organizations announce in advance around the world have a right to decide where to Anikovich meets who would be invited to their tournaments. This continued on page 9 Shrive in 10K final In a reprise of last year’s final in the 0-10,000 Knockout Teams, the squads captained by Viktor Today is Dave Treadwell Day Anikovich and Albert Shrive will meet for the title. ACBL Hall of Famer Dave Treadwell slide, and is no more. Once again In the semifinal round, Shrive defeated the died in 2010. A two-time NABC proving that nothing is permanent. squad led by Mac Busby, 128-97. Shrive led Busby champion, Treadwell was a Grand He is missed by many. through all four quarters of the match. Life Master with more than 25,000 In 1850, Hawthorne used the Old In the other bracket, however, Anikovich won by masterpoints. This remembrance of Man as inspiration for his short story forfeit when Richard Gabriel’s team failed to appear Treadwell, masterfully written by fellow “The Great Stone Face,” in which he for the match within time period specified by the Hall of Famer Zeke Jabbour, appeared described the formation as “a work conditions of contest. Because the semifinal matches in the April 2010 issue of the Bridge of Nature in her mood of majestic were played behind screens, the start time for the Bulletin. playfulness.” event was noon instead of 1 p.m. as it had been Since 1945, the New Hampshire state Bridge has had its own “work in earlier rounds, but the Gabriel team missed the emblem has been The Old Man of the of Nature in her mood of majestic director’s announcements and postings in the Daily Mountains, a stone face carved from the playfulness.” What better description Bulletin. Anikovich advanced to the final. mountains of New Hampshire by glacier for David Treadwell, the Old Man of and erosion, perhaps a million years ago. The old guy the Pasteboards. We wondered if David might not, in Limerick Contest has been a nationally recognized icon, honored by a fact, be permanent. He seemed permanent. But, at age U.S. postage stamp and commemorated on the NH 97, he died prematurely. He, too, is missed by many. St. Patrick’s Day is Saturday, March 17, and state quarter. In 2003, he collapsed, became a rock Affectionately known as the “Old Fart,” an in honor of the event, the Daily Bulletin is holding a Limerick Contest. Submit your bridge-related continued on page 7 limericks to NABCDailyBulletin@acbl. org or the Daily Bulletin office, Goodwill Message Room 407 in the Marriott. ATTENDANCE The deadline is Friday, March It is your responsibility to insure that bridge through Wednesday 16, at 6:30 p.m. The top three remains the game you enjoy so much. submissions will be published Sandy DeMartino, Chair in Saturday’s issue. Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee 7055.5 tables Page 2 Thursday, March 15, 2018 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Meetings are at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Friday, March 16 Thursday, March 15 10 am-2 pm Rubber Bridge Room. Enjoy relaxed bridge, where you can 10 am-2 pm Rubber Bridge Room. Enjoy relaxed bridge, where you can come and go as you please. There are no game fees for ACBL come and go as you please. There are no game fees for ACBL members. Nonmembers can buy a temporary membership for members. Nonmembers can buy a temporary membership for $7.99 that will cover you for the entire month. Everyone is $7.99 that will cover you for the entire month. Everyone is welcome. Top experts from around the world will be on hand welcome. Top experts from around the world will be on hand between 10 a.m. and noon to play and discuss hands. (Room between 10 a.m. and noon to play and discuss hands. (Room 403) 403) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the game! Friday, March 16 Room: Franklin 5-8, 4th floor. Speakers and topics are subject to change. 9:15 a.m. Bruce Lang Smith Echo 6:45 p.m. GS Jade Barrett Learning Curve Thursday, March 15 9:15 a.m. Lisa Berkowitz Playing to Trick One Saturday, March 17 6:45 p.m. Donna Compton Take a Look Into Your Opponents’ 9:15 a.m. David Legrow Balancing Hands HOSPITALITY Late night snacks will be served nightly, following the evening session, in the pre-function space outside the Marriott ballroom on the fifth floor. Tonight, enjoy ice cream bars. open to all bridge players. There is no reserved Parking Entertainment seating, but a ticket is required to guarantee a seat. Discounted parking tickets are available for two Philadelphia Tickets can be picked up at the Information Desk on nearby garages at the Information Desk. Sightseeing Tours the fifth floor of the Marriott, including on the day of 12th & Filbert – immediately across Filbert See Philadelphia the show. The Information Desk is open daily at the Street from the entrance to the Marriott – $16/day.