Member Guide the ACBL from a to Z

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Member Guide The ACBL from A to Z

As a member of the ACBL, you are one of more than 167,000 people who enjoy the camaraderie and fun of participating in a game of skill and strategy. ACBL members agree that duplicate bridge is one of the most challenging and exciting mind sports in the world!

The ACBL provides a toll-free line that is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m-4:30 p.m. CST, 800–264–2743. You can check on your masterpoint holdings, or leave a message about your magazine, dues status or other concerns, and your call will be returned within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). The ACBL also offers members the opportunity to check masterpoints and get updated bridge information on its website at www.acbl.org. This booklet has been created to provide information of interest and serve as a reference guide to all ACBL members. Please note these special features:

 A list of ACBL Member Benefits on page 7.  A guide to the different types and colors of masterpoints and how to earn them on page 25.  The masterpoint ranks that members can achieve on page 34.  Website links to lead you to more information online.

Enjoy!

You hold the winning hand as a member of the ACBL.

Be sure to visit www.acbl.org often for the latest news and activities.

A The ACBL Bridge Series is available for purchase at Baron Barclay Bridge American Contract Bridge League Supply at www.baronbarclay.com or by calling 1-800-274-2221. The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is a not-for-profit organization ACBL Bridge Museum established in 1937. Headquartered in The American Contract Bridge League Horn Lake MS, it is the primary and Museum is not only the premier largest official sanctioning body for collection of bridge-related artifacts in competitive and duplicate bridge in the world, it is also an interactive North America. Each year, more than showcase of the history of the game. three million tables of bridge are played From Vanderbilt to Culbertson to Goren under ACBL auspices at clubs and to the modern era, bridge comes alive tournaments in North America, with photos, videos, art, instructional overseas, online and even on cruise material and more. The spectacular ships. See “About ACBL” at collection of championship trophies http://www.acbl.org/about-acbl/. must be seen to be believed. Touch- ACBL Bridge Series screen technology allows visitors to view the history and previous winners of each The ACBL publishes five student trophy. The Bridge Hall of Fame display textbooks and teacher manuals designed includes hundreds of photos of the top to make bridge easy to learn and fun to names in the game, video interviews, play. Each student text is coordinated and biographies of each inductee. The with a teacher manual that offers lesson Joan Schepps Collection of Trump plans for teachers. Each course Indicators is an homage to the early addresses bidding, play and defense in days of the game featuring over 600 eight chapters (eight, two-hour lessons) colorful pieces. In addition to these per book. Some of the textbooks have a highlights, visitors to the ACBL Museum bonus ninth chapter. The five books are: will find dozens of other fascinating “Bidding in the 21st Century (The Club items. Series)”, “Play of the Hand in the 21st Century (The Diamond Series)”, ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame “Defense in the 21st Century (The Heart The ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame was Series)”, “Commonly Used Conventions founded in the 1960s under the auspices in the 21st Century (The Spade Series)” of The Bridge World magazine. The Hall and “More Commonly Used honors people who have made Conventions in the 21st Century (The outstanding contributions to bridge. Notrump Series)”. Also available are sets Now housed at ACBL Headquarters in of coded E-Z Deal Cards that allow the Horn Lake MS, the Hall display includes student to reconstruct the practice deals hundreds of photos of the top names in found at the end of each of the chapter.

2 the game, video interviews, and ACBL Resource Center biographies of each inductee. New members are inducted each summer at The ACBL Resource Center is designed the North American Bridge to be a convenient, easy-to-use tool that Championships. See “Hall of Fame” at allows members of the bridge www.acbl.org/about/hall-of-fame/. community to order or download virtually anything they need to grow the ACBL Charity Foundation game, support their clubs and improve their skills. The Resource Center The ACBL Charity Foundation was contains all materials offered by the created in 1964 to make contributions to ACBL in one place. The best part – various charitable organizations. The ordering online is as easy as shopping foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. on Amazon, and everything, including Contributions are fully tax deductible. shipping, is free. The Resource Center http://www.acbl.org/about- has materials for players, district and acbl/charity-foundation. unit officials, teachers and club owners. ACBL Educational Foundation ACBLscore®

The ACBL Educational Foundation was ACBL has developed a computer-scoring created in 1987 and provides grants to program known as ACBLscore® that is promote bridge education. The available to clubs and tournaments. This foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. program enables a game to be scored Contributions are fully tax deductible. almost instantly once the last deal has https://sites.google.com/site/acbleduca been played and the results entered. The tionfoundationorg/ program is free for ACBL-sanctioned ACBL “Play” courses games. For a small fee, ACBL offers an online course that teaches club officials ACBL offers a number of four-week how to use the ACBLscore® program. supervised play courses to supplement The course is available in the ACBL the lessons found in each of the five Learning Center ACBL Bridge Series courses. The “Play” (https://lms.discoverlink.com/acbl/). courses are excellent tools for teachers to use to get students to practice what Accredited bridge teachers they have learned and to move them The ACBL has trained bridge teachers into duplicate. The Play courses can be since 1986 through the Teacher purchased from Baron Barclay at Accreditation Program (TAP). The TAP http://www.baronbarclay.com/category introduces bridge teachers to the most /acbl-playcourse. successful methods for teaching bridge to beginning players. It is offered at all NABCs and, when requested, at regional tournaments. In addition, ACBL also

3 recognizes as accredited those who have “Adventures in Duplicate” successfully completed the Easybridge! Presenters course and the Better Bridge “Adventures in Duplicate” is an excellent Teacher Training course. paperback book designed to guide www.acbl.org/tap beginning players through their first three years of duplicate bridge. Written Active Ethics by Edith McMullin, creator of the Easybridge! program, this book provides A primary objective of the ACBL is to information on basic conventions and instill in all players the concept that the wonderful and unique world of vigorous efforts should be made to duplicate bridge. It is available for provide equity in bridge. Every player purchase at Baron Barclay Bridge should take pains to make sure that the Supply at opponents have in no way been harmed http://www.baronbarclay.com/ or by through incomplete or misleading calling 1-800-274-2221. information as to the meaning of conventional calls and treatments. A Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill proactive approach along these lines on Committee the part of each and every individual will ensure that bridge remains a game that The Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill everyone can enjoy. Committee and its individual members work to create goodwill for the ACBL. Advanced NABC Master They receive, convey and act on suggestions for the betterment of ACBL, A player who joined ACBL after Dec. 31, particularly in the areas of active ethics, 2009 who has at least 300 masterpoints, conduct, tournament conditions, bridge of which 25 must gold or platinum, 25 for Juniors and bridge for the red, gold or platinum, 50 silver and 50 handicapped. The Goodwill Committee black has achieved the rank of celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2005. Advanced NABC Master. Albert H. Morehead Memorial Advancer Library

The player who makes a response to his The Albert H. Morehead Memorial partner’s overcall. Library is the largest bridge library in Adjusted score the world, containing more than 2500 different volumes. The library was A score assigned by a club or dedicated in memory of Albert tournament director (or an appeals Morehead, ACBL Hall of Fame member committee) when either an infraction of and bridge bibliophile whose collection the Laws or a procedural error has of books provided the ACBL a solid occurred. The director is empowered by foundation on which to build. Since the the Laws to take this action. library’s dedication, the ACBL has also

4 acquired the personal libraries of Edgar primarily of bridge teachers, is Kaplan, Alfred Sheinwold and Alan dedicated to promoting higher Truscott. standards of bridge teaching and playing. The ABTA holds an annual Alert convention just prior to the ACBL Saying “Alert” is a method of drawing Summer North American Bridge the opponents’ attention to the fact that Championships at the site of the partner’s call has a conventional or tournament. This convention offers the unexpected meaning. When bidding best form of continuing education boxes are in use, an Alert is made by available to bridge teachers. tapping an Alert card on the table or by Announcement tapping the Alert strip on the side of the bidding box and by saying “Alert.” When Announcements are an extension of the bidding boxes are not in use, the partner Alert System. An Announcement is a of the player making an Alertable call method by which a player uses one word should say “Alert.” Either opponent can or a short phrase to tell the opponents inquire as to the meaning of the call at directly the meaning of partner’s call. their turn or can reserve the right to Announcements are required in the inquire at any later turn to call or play. following instances: Calls that need to be Alerted are shown in red on the official ACBL Convention  After a natural 1NT opening bid, Card and noted on the Alert Chart. The state the range (12-14, 15-17, etc.). objective of the Alert procedure is for  After an opening notrump, a bid both pairs at the table to have equal of diamonds or hearts access to all information contained in transferring to hearts or spades any auction. respectively, say, “transfer.”  After a 1NT forcing or semi- American Bridge Association forcing response to a 1♥ or 1♠ (ABA) opening bid, say, “forcing” or “semi-forcing.” The American Bridge Association was  After a 1♣ or 1♦ non-forcing founded in 1932 to accommodate black bridge players. The organization opening where the suit may continues today, although neither the contain fewer than three cards, ACBL nor the ABA deny membership say, “may be short.” based on race, sex or religion. When bidding boxes are in use, say the American Bridge Teachers’ Announcement word, such as “transfer” Association (ABTA) and tap the Alert strip in the bidding box at the same time. Calls that need to be Founded in 1957, this nonprofit, announced are shown in blue on the professional organization, composed

ACBL convention card and noted on the Barometer Alert Chart. This is a scoring method that originated Appeal in Sweden in which the results from each deal are played simultaneously. An appeal is a request for a review of a Running totals are usually posted director’s ruling. Any ruling by a shortly after the conclusion of play of director may be appealed, but an each set of boards, thus heightening the appeals committee does not have the interest for both players and spectators. authority to overrule the director on a point of bridge law or regulation. See the Baron Barclay Bridge Supply ACBL Disciplinary Code at www.acbl.org/cdr. The world’s largest bridge supply company, Baron was founded in 1975 by Attitude Randy and Mary Baron of Shelbyville KY. In 1990, Baron merged with Barclay Attitude in bridge denotes a defender’s Bridge Supplies of Port Chester NY interest or lack of interest in a suit led or which was founded in 1944. Baron continued by partner. The predominant Barclay sends its catalog twice annually. method of encouraging the lead or They carry virtually every bridge book in continuation of a suit is a high-low print as well as software, playing cards signal (to play or discard a high card and gift items. Address: 3600 followed at the next opportunity by the Chamberlain Lane, Louisville KY 40241. play or discard of a low card). To Phone 1-800-274-2221. discourage a lead, a defender usually www.baronbarclay.com plays the lowest card in his suit holding. Barry Crane Top 500 Average score The ACBL member who has One-half the matchpoints possible on a accumulated the most masterpoints given deal or in a particular session of a during the calendar year wins the Barry matchpoint pairs game. Crane Top 500 race. Originally the McKenney Trophy, the annual B masterpoint race was renamed in 1986 in honor of Crane who had a dominant Balancing influence on the race for three decades. To balance means to (re)enter the Crane, a Hollywood director and auction with a bid or double when the producer who was murdered in July of opposing bidding has stopped at a low 1985, was the ACBL’s top masterpoint level. holder at the time of his death and was acknowledged by his peers to be unequaled as a matchpoint player.

Bean Red Ribbon Pairs the 12 months prior to joining ACBL. For tournament points, provide the city, The Red Ribbon Pairs is a national-rated date and event. For club points, provide event held during the Summer NABC. It an attendance record from the club and is limited to players with no more than send it to the ACBL Club and Member 2000 points who have qualified to play Services Department. by placing first or second in regional- rated two-session championship events. Bermuda Bowl

Benefits of ACBL Membership The biennial (odd years) World Bridge Federation Team Championship and the The main benefits of ACBL membership trophy at stake are both called the are: Bermuda Bowl.

. The opportunity to win Bermuda Contract Bridge League masterpoints, have them recorded and earn new ranks. Although Bermuda is a part of the . The Bridge Bulletin, the world’s ACBL, the country has its own national most widely distributed bridge contract bridge organization (NBO) magazine. known officially as the Bermuda . Discounted entry fees for most Contract Bridge League (BCBL). The tournament play including three BCBL deals with sending representatives North American Bridge to world championship events. Championships per year. Bidding box . Access to a listing of more than 3200 bridge clubs across North A bidding box is a device which enables America. silent bidding. To make a call, the player . An 800 line for Member Services. takes the appropriate card from the box . The option to participate in and places it on the table in front of the benefit programs designed player. All bidding cards remain on the especially for ACBL members. table until the auction is concluded, . Support for bridge education. avoiding the need for a review of the . Discounts with major retailers bidding and eliminating the possibility through the Member Perks of mishearing a call. program powered by Abenity. “Bidding in the 21st Century” . For more, go to http://www.acbl.org/about- The updated version of The Club Series, acbl/membership-benefits-and- the first text in The ACBL Bridge Series. rates/

New members are allowed to record a maximum of 20 masterpoints earned in

Bidding Toolkit Board

These are explanations of how to play 1. A duplicate board. commonly used conventions. 2. The dummy’s hand, so called http://www.acbl.org/common. because it lies on the table.

Black points Board-a-Match

Masterpoints awarded at club and unit Board-a-Match is a form of duplicate level games are black. A new member scoring used in team contests in which needs at least 75 black points (out of a one matchpoint is awarded for winning total of 500 points of all colors) to the board and half a matchpoint is become a Life Master. awarded for a tie.

Blackwood Board of Governors

A convention in which a 4NT bid is used The ACBL Board of Governors serves in to discover the number of aces held by an advisory capacity to the ACBL Board partner that was invented by Easley of Directors. This body meets during Blackwood in 1933 and has attained each NABC. worldwide popularity. Blackwood, an ACBL executive who was credited with Board of Directors putting the ACBL back on a sound The ACBL Board of Directors financial basis in the late 1960s, became determines the policies and direction of one of the most famous bridge the ACBL. The Board elects a president, personalities in the world as a result of vice president and a treasurer, each for a this convention. one-year term. The Board meets three Blackwood Award times a year, usually during the week prior to each NABC. It also elects five Named in honor of the late Easley representatives to the World Bridge Blackwood, this Hall of Fame award was Federation Executive Council for three- established in 1996 to honor bridge year terms. players, living or deceased, who contributed to the game in areas outside Bracketed knockout teams of bridge-playing expertise. Albert H. This event is run as a knockout team Morehead, an ACBL official, bridge event with one exception. All teams will writer, editor and player, was the first play against similarly rated opponents. recipient of the award. Each team’s bracket is determined by Blue Ribbon Pairs (Kaplan) averaging the entire team’s masterpoint holdings. See Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs.

Bridge Bulletin information to help teachers effectively present bridge lessons and includes The ACBL’s monthly magazine, Bridge many of the innovative ideas developed Bulletin, is filled with information on by teachers working with the ACBL bidding and play for all levels of players, Bridge Series courses. Most of the ideas information regarding upcoming were originally published in the early tournaments, reviews of bridge books issues of The Bridge Teacher newsletter. and software and reports on special The Bridge Teacher Handbook is bridge competitions. The magazine also available online at gives each member a personalized http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/t masterpoint update on the back of each eachers/Teachers-Handbook-2009.pdf. issue. The Bridge World Bridge Bulletin online The oldest, continuously published ACBL members in good standing can magazine dealing with contract bridge. access the Bridge Bulletin online by It was founded and first published by logging into their MyACBL account at Ely (E-Lee) Culbertson, the man www.acbl.org. The online Bridge credited with making bridge a popular Bulletin link will be on the left side pastime and, for many years, America’s menu once you’ve signed in. Online foremost authority on contract bridge. issues date back to 2005. Bronze Life Master Bridge Plus+ games A player who joined ACBL prior to Bridge Plus+ is a shorter duplicate Jan. 1, 2010 with Life Master status who experience created for students who has at least 500 masterpoints has have taken one or more of the ACBL achieved the rank of Bronze Life Master. Bridge Series courses. The game is Members who joined after Jan. 1, 2010 patterned after the students’ classroom achieve the rank of Bronze Life Master experiences. These games consist of 10 when they earn 750 masterpoints. to 14 deals in a two-hour time frame supervised by an ACBL accredited C teacher. Bridge Plus+ game sanctions are offered free to ACBL accredited Caddy teachers. Contact the Club and Member Services Department for more A caddy is an assistant at a bridge information. tournament. Caddies pass boards in team games, collect score slips, maintain Bridge Teacher Handbook the tournament supplies, prepare the room for play and dispense hospitality Presented to all graduates of the ACBL “goodies.” TAP seminars, this booklet contains

Caddy Master Charity Fund Games

The Caddy Master is the person at an April is Charity Month. All sanctioned ACBL tournament who is responsible for club game sessions may be held as recruiting, training and supervising the Charity Fund Games during April and caddies. once per sanctioned session in other months except for January, May and Call September. These games award 63.6% Any bid, double, redouble or pass in sectional-rated black points. bridge is known as a call. Chicago (Four-Deal Bridge)

Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF) Chicago is a form of bridge frequently Although Canada is a part of the ACBL, played in clubs and well suited to home the nation also has its own national play. It is named after the city in which bridge organization (NBO), the it originated. For more information visit: Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF). The http://www.acbl.org/chicago. CBF, established in the late 1960s, Claim or Concession represents all Canadian players. It deals with its own national championships, According to the Laws of Duplicate has its own charity organization and Bridge, a claim or concession is a handles its own representation in world statement to the effect that a player will championships. Visit the CBF at win (claim) or lose (concession) a www.cbf.ca. specific number of tricks. Play ceases once a claim is made, even if contested. Celebrity Speaker Program The director decides the final One of the features of a typical disposition of tricks if the claim is Intermediate/Newcomer (I/N) Program contested. Procedures differ in social is a series of free lectures given at and duplicate bridge. tournaments by bridge celebrities. This Club is a wonderful opportunity for newer players to learn more about duplicate Any individual ACBL member, group of bidding, defense and conventions. Three ACBL members or nonaffiliated times a year at the NABCs, bridge organization (such as a country club, a celebrities and bridge teachers give 30- fraternal or industrial organization, or a minute mini-lessons twice a day (except church or other religious group) may for the final Sunday of the tournament). apply for a sanction from the ACBL to This program is offered at some regional conduct a duplicate game(s) at which and sectional tournaments as well. masterpoints are awarded. Clubs allow ACBL members and others the opportunity to compete on a regular

10 basis in their own communities. The Club Championship people holding these sanctions become club managers and they operate clubs Each regularly scheduled weekly club which may offer as few as one game is entitled to four club sanctioned game a month to as many 21 championship sessions per year. Overall sanctioned sessions a week. The games awards for club championship games in are held at specific times and locations open clubs are 63.6% of sectional rating. according to the sanction of each. There Club Director are approximately 3200 clubs which run more than three million tables of ACBL offers any member the sanctioned bridge annually. opportunity to become an ACBL-rated club director in order to run a local club- Bridge clubs take many forms. Some are level sanctioned game and award conducted as proprietary clubs in which masterpoints. This title can be achieved the owners expect to make a profit just through a self-study course or by like a motion picture theater where attending a Club Director Course and entertainment is provided in return for successfully completing a test. See an entry or admission fee. Some clubs “Become a Club Director” at are owned by the members and operated www.acbl.org/become. by a board with bylaws. Clubs may also be sponsored by organizations such as a Club Directors Handbook country club, a service group or a This publication is available for people residential complex. A few clubs are run wishing to become ACBL club directors in foreign countries on military bases, and for club directors to use in running some are located on the Internet and games at ACBL clubs. Download at others are found on cruise ships. http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ Many full-time clubs offer bridge lessons clubs/cdHandbook.pdf. on site, a bridge library for members to Club game classifications use, social activities, tournaments for newer players and special events for There are five general classes of games ACBL members. at clubs:

For detailed information on ACBL  Open club games which welcome games in your area, visit Find a Club at all players. https://web3.acbl.org/findalist/club  Invitational club games which Club Appreciation Games may limit participation to members of a particular See Jane Johnson Club Appreciation organization or to participants Month. invited by the club manager. Guests are often accepted at

invitational clubs.

 Masterpoint-limited club games Club Master which are for players who are A player with 20 to 49.99 recorded beyond Rookie level but not ready masterpoints that include at least five for open competition. These black points and no more than 15 from games may have any limitation online play has achieved the rank of that is determined to be best for Club Master. the players in question — such as 49er, 99er, Non-Life Master. Club masterpoints  Newcomer club games which may operate under different titles Points earned in games with club rating (newplicate, novice, 0-5, 0-20, are called club masterpoints. These are etc.), but participation is limited black points and are often distributed in to persons holding less than 20 fractional amounts. masterpoints on record with the “Commonly Used Conventions in ACBL. the 21st Century”  College or high school club games which are special forms of This is the title of the fourth course in invitational club games restricted the ACBL Bridge Series of student texts to students, faculty members and and teacher manuals. their spouses. Communication between partners Club Managers Newsletter According to the Laws of Duplicate The Club Managers newsletter is Bridge, communication between published to provide information to club partners during the auction and play managers and directors and to share tips should happen only by means of the for success. Current and back issues are calls and plays themselves. Calls (when on the ACBL website at bidding boxes are not in use) should be http://www.acbl.org/clubs_page/club- made in a uniform tone without special administration/resources-and-forms/. emphasis or inflection and without undue haste or hesitation. Plays should Club Managers Handbook be made without emphasis, gesture or This publication contains suggestions mannerism, and insofar as possible, at a for running a successful club which have uniform rate. been collected over the years from club Compact Knockout (KO) managers. It also contains basic information on sanctioning and running A compact KO is a two-session club games. Download at bracketed KO designed to be completed http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ in one day. This can be a gold-point clubs/ClubManagersHandbook.pdf. event but is limited to four-person teams.

Computer hands publication and “Convention Cards” at www.acbl.org/convention. Hand records prepared by the computer provide not only truly random deals but Convention charts also a practical, quick, inexpensive method of producing duplicated hands Each ACBL game is governed by a for a multi-section bridge event. specific convention chart that states the conventional agreements allowed. There Convention is a Limited Chart, a General Chart, a Mid-Chart and a Super-Chart. 1. A convention is a call that, by Convention Charts can be found at partnership agreement, conveys a www.acbl.org/charts. meaning other than the natural meaning of the call. A natural call Conventional Wisdom can show a willingness to play in the denomination named (or in Conventional Wisdom is a reprint of the last denomination named), or articles from the Bridge Bulletin an understanding regarding high- magazine that shows how to fill out the card strength or an convention card line by line with advice understanding regarding length from the ACBL editors. See (three cards or more). www.acbl.org/conventionalwisdom. 2. A defensive convention is a play Cooperative Advertising Program by defender that serves to convey (CAP) a meaning by agreement rather than by inference. The CAP is a program available to teachers, clubs, units, districts and Convention card ACBL members who are involved with A convention card is a shortcut to allow promoting bridge. CAP will refund 75% the opponents to know what system a of eligible advertising costs with a partnership has elected to play. It lists maximum reimbursement of $750. generally used conventions and Qualifying advertisements are date- treatments on a check off basis and specific ad campaigns for beginner provides space to list other conventions bridge lessons, newcomer programs, and treatments. Each player is required social bridge recruitment events and to have an ACBL convention card filled ACBL member recruitment. For more out legibly and on the table throughout information visit: www.acbl.org/cap. the session. Both cards of a partnership Correction period must be identical and include the first and last names of each member of the The time specified by the sponsoring partnership. See also Standard organization during which corrections to American Yellow Card in this the score may be sought is the official correction period for a sanctioned game.

Count signals Customer service line

Count signals allow a defender to ACBL has an automated toll-free indicate to partner the length held in a Customer Service Line accessible 24 particular suit. The standard procedure hours a day, seven days a week. is to play high-low with an even number Members can inquire about masterpoint of cards and to play low-high with an totals and dues status instantly, report odd number of cards. missing magazines and leave messages. The toll-free number is 800–467–1623. Crossruff

A crossruff is a method of play whereby D ruffing tricks are made in each of the Deal partnership hands, thus using the trumps separately. Deal has four meanings in bridge:

Cruise ship bridge 1. To distribute the 52 cards to form the hands of the four players, Some ships are sanctioned annually by 2. The privilege of distributing the the ACBL to offer bridge games on its cards, cruises. These games award 3. The act of distributing the cards, masterpoints. If a ship does not have 4. The cards themselves when this type of arrangement, an individual distributed. may apply to the ACBL to run sanctioned games on specific cruises, Defective trick with the written approval of the cruise line. To find a sanctioned cruise visit: A defective trick is one that contains less https://web3.acbl.org/findalist/club. than or more than four legally played cards, one from each player. Cuebid “Defense in the 21st Century” A cuebid is a bid in a suit already shown by an opponent and in which the bidder This is the title of the third course in The is not suggesting the contract be played. ACBL Bridge Series of student texts and teacher manuals. It was originally called Culbertson, Ely “The Heart Series.”

Ely Culbertson was the man credited Defense database with making bridge an internationally popular pastime. Ely (E-Lee) and his A database listing recommended wife, Jo, are members of the ACBL defenses to unusual conventions is Bridge Hall of Fame, available on the website. See www.acbl.org/culbertson. www.acbl.org/defense.

Diamond Life Master Governors and two alternate directors who are eligible to attend Board of An ACBL Life Master who has at least Governors meetings. Each is elected for 5000 masterpoints (at least 1000 silver, a three-year term. When someone joins red, gold or platinum, of which at least the ACBL, they become a member of a 500 must be gold or platinum) has specific unit and the district in which the achieved the rank of Diamond Life unit is geographically located. Master. Double dummy Director When a deal is played in a way that it The director of a duplicate bridge game could not be improved upon, as though is the person designated to supervise the declarer were looking at all four hands, contest and to apply the laws. There are it is said to have been played Double ACBL-certified club directors, five ranks Dummy. The term can also be used to of tournament directors and I/N refer to perfect play by the defenders. (Intermediate/Newcomer) directors, those who have been trained to work Drury with newer players. See also club director and tournament director. A conventional response (2♣ and/or 2♦) by a passed hand after partner makes a Discounts for members one-level major suit opening. The response asks partner to clarify the Baron Barclay Bridge Supply offers a strength of the opening bid. 10% discount to ACBL members on hundreds of bridge products purchased Duplicate bridge through them. Members also receive a discount on entry fees at all NABCs and Duplicate bridge is a form of the game at many sectional and regional whereby the conditions of play are tournaments. The Member Perks duplicated exactly at each table: the program through Abenity provides same cards in each hand, the same members with savings at hotels, dealer, the same vulnerability. The restaurants, retailers, attractions and matchpoint or IMP score does not more. Hertz discounts are a year-round depend on the luck of the deal. membership discount and your choice of Matchpoints or IMPs are derived by the special offers each time you rent. comparing the scores made by players who hold identical cards under the Districts identical conditions.

The ACBL is divided into 25 districts. “Duplicate Decisions” Each district elects one member to serve on the ACBL Board of Directors, three “Duplicate Decisions” is an ACBL members to serve on the Board of publication which presents the “Laws of Duplicate Bridge” in everyday language.

It’s ideal for players who want to know red, gold or platinum, of which at least more about the laws governing the game 750 must be gold or platinum) has and for club directors to use in directing achieved the rank of Emerald LM. local games. View it online at http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ Ethics clubs/Duplicate-Decisions-2008.pdf. In bridge, ethics equals fair play. Breaches of ethics are generally thought E of as unfair or illegal practices that include deliberate cheating. The “Laws Easybridge! of Duplicate Bridge” deal with questions Easybridge!, created by educator Edith of proper behavior at bridge. McMullin, is an outstanding marketing Etiquette program designed to attract and develop new duplicate bridge players and games. Much of the popularity of contract Visit the website at bridge is attributable to the high www.Easybridge.com for information standards of etiquette which are about the program and how to become observed by the players. A player should an Easybridge! Presenter. maintain at all times a courteous attitude toward partner and the Educational Foundation games opponents. A player should carefully These special games are held at clubs to avoid any remark or action that might benefit the ACBL Educational cause annoyance or embarrassment to Foundation. The games award another player, or that might interfere masterpoints at 63.6% sectional-rated with another player enjoying the game. black points. A charitable trust fund Players who fail to uphold these established in 1987, the ACBL standards should be reported to the Educational Foundation’s mission is to director under the ACBL Zero Tolerance provide grants to promote the education policy. As a matter of courtesy, a player of bridge in ways that support the needs should refrain from: of the bridge community.  Paying insufficient attention. Eligibility Points  Making gratuitous comments during the play as to the auction Points added to the masterpoint totals of or the adequacy of the contract. players who have significant playing  Detaching a card from the hand experience outside the ACBL, especially before it is that player’s turn. foreign players  Arranging the cards played to Emerald Life Master previous tricks in a disorderly manner or mixing the cards An ACBL Life Master who has at least 7500 masterpoints (at least 1500 silver,

together before the result has F been agreed to.  Making a questionable claim or Face-down leads concession.  Prolonging the play Face-down opening leads are required in unnecessarily. tournament play. Once the lead is made face down, partner may ask questions Exciting World of Bridge about the auction. This ensures that the partner of the leader will not influence See “Welcome to the World of the opening leader’s choice of lead. A Duplicate” face-down opening lead made by the Explanation of any call or play wrong player may be picked up without penalty upon instruction of the director. During the auction and before the final pass, any player may, at that player’s Factoring turn to call, ask for a full explanation of The process of adjusting matchpoint any call made by an opponent. After the scores to the same base to make them final pass and throughout the play, any comparable for ranking purposes is player except dummy may, at that known as factoring. player’s own turn to play, ask for an explanation of opposing calls or card Federacion Mexicana de Bridge play conventions. It is better to ask a (Mexican Bridge Federation) question in general terms, rather than call attention to one particular suit and Although Mexico is part of the ACBL, so expose oneself to the suggestion that Mexico has its own national bridge the question may be lead-directing. organization (NBO) known as the Mexican Bridge Federation (MBF). The E-Z Deal Cards MBF manages its own representation in world championship events. E-Z Deal cards are decks of cards which have been coded to allow a foursome to Field create a special deal without seeing the faces of the cards. All of the ACBL’s All of the contestants entered in an Bridge Series texts and “Play” courses event when discussed as a whole are have coordinated E-Z Deal cards. known as the field. Five-Card Majors

A bidding method in which an opening bid of 1♥ or 1♠ guarantees at least a five- card suit is known as five-card majors.

Flighted same deals at each table and then compare results, a deal that changes In a flighted event, contestants compete during the course of play can no longer only against other pairs/teams within be compared and must be scored by a the same point range. For example, if formula known as the fouled board Flight C is 0–200 masterpoints, no formula. player with more than 200 masterpoints may be included in the group. A player G may always play up in flighted events (e.g., a Flight B player could elect to Game enter Flight A), if the player wishes. The higher the flight, the more difficult the Game in bridge is a level of bidding (the competition and the more masterpoints four level in the majors, the five level in awarded to the winners. the minors, the three level in notrump) which, when bid and made, awards 100 Force points or more in trick score and a 400- point bonus nonvulnerable, 600 In bridge, force has two meanings: vulnerable. 1. Noun: Any bid or call making it George Burns Trophy incumbent upon the bidder’s partner to bid at least once more. This trophy, inaugurated in 1993, is 2. Verb: To cause a player to use a given annually to the ACBL Senior high card or a trump. Player of the Year. It is named for George Burns, famous comedian, who Foundation for the Preservation played bridge daily at his country club and Advancement of Bridge into his late 90s. This foundation was created to foster an Gerber convention appreciation of the historical development of the game of contract A bid of 4♣ over a notrump opening or bridge and its impact on our culture by natural bid which asks partner how celebrating the history, honoring the many aces are held. The convention was champions, inspiring youth and created by ACBL Hall of Fame member preserving the legacy of the sport of John Gerber. bridge. For more information, email [email protected]. Gold Life Master

Fouled board An ACBL Life Master who has acquired at least 2500 masterpoints (at least 500 A deal in which a card or cards or hands silver, red, gold or platinum) has have been placed in an incorrect pocket achieved the rank of Gold Life Master. constitutes a fouled board. Since the nature of duplicate is to play the exact

Gold points Grand slam

Gold points are a type of masterpoint. A grand slam awards a bonus (1000 They are awarded for topping your points nonvulnerable, 1500 points section or placing overall at regionals vulnerable) for fulfilling a contract at the and NABCs in events of two or more seven level in any strain sessions which have either no (denomination). masterpoint restriction or a minimum masterpoint limit of 750 points or more. Guidecard Partial gold point awards are given for A printed card used in duplicate bridge certain special events. to give the progression of the players Golden Age Master and the boards is called a guidecard. There are table guidecards and A special category was set up by the individual guidecards. ACBL to recognize the achievements of older members. There are two ways to H qualify to become a Golden Age Master: Hand 1. 70 years of age with 300 points of any color. A hand constitutes the cards held by one 2. 80 years of age with 100 points of player. The term is also used to indicate any color. the order in bidding and playing rotation, as in “second hand” or “fourth Grand Life Master hand.”

The highest rank in the ACBL is Grand Hand records Life Master. To achieve this rank, a player must have earned 10,000 Hand Records refers to three things in masterpoints and won at least one bridge: NABC+ event with no upper 1. The sheets distributed to the masterpoint limit. players at the conclusion of a Grand National Teams (GNT) game on which all of the deals from that session are printed. The Grand National Teams (GNT) is a 2. The sheets on which individual major ACBL team championship computer-generated deals are conducted with district qualifying printed for distribution to rounds in clubs, units and/or districts, players, who usually construct the leading to a final round held in deals for other contestants to conjunction with the Summer NABC. play. 3. Diagrams set up by the players

after a deal in a major match is completed. 19

Handicap games won the top category of the Ace of Clubs more times than any other member in ACBL clubs may offer handicap games ACBL history. where the contestants are given a handicap (either plus or minus) based Hold-up play on masterpoint holding, previous performance or degree of competence to The refusal to win a trick right away is create a more level competitive group. called a hold-up play. A player may elect to use this play to control a suit an HCP opponent has led or to break the opponents’ communication. HCP stands for high-card points, a basis for determining the relative strength of a Homestyle game hand, especially when evaluating a hand for notrump play. The most common Homestyle games are fun, fast and valuation is: Aces = 4 points, Kings = 3 social. They are especially attractive to points, Queens = 2 points, Jacks = 1 players who do not play many point. conventions and prefer a less serious form of competition. Homestyle games Handling cards can be sanctioned for clubs and award fractional masterpoints on the same The handling of cards other than a scale as duplicate games. For a guide to player’s own is illegal. If a player wishes running Homestyle games visit: to see an opponent’s cards after the play http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ of a deal has been completed, that player clubs/homestyleBridge.pdf. must ask permission. If there is a problem, the director resolves it. Hospitality

Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs Hospitality is the general term used to describe the efforts by a host unit at a The vast majority of ACBL members bridge tournament to make the players play in local club games. To recognize feel more comfortable and welcome. A achievement at the club level, the Ace of more concentrated effort is generally Clubs competition was created in 1984. made with newer players. This could These club champions are recognized at take the form of free gifts, food, special the unit level and ACBL-wide. All points events and the formation of local won at the club level are counted in this committees known as New Player contest with the exception of those won Services (a public relations effort to ease in STaCs. This award was renamed in new players into the game). The New 2011 in honor of Grand Life Master Player Services guide can be found at: Helen Shanbrom of Tamarac FL. http://cdn.acbl.org/documentLibrary/u Shanbrom was one of the most active nits/NPS.pdf. players in the ACBL for decades and

Howell movement I/N

The Howell movement is a type of See Intermediate/Newcomer Program. progression in duplicate where most pairs move and where all or most pairs Individual meet. An Individual event is a method of Huddle duplicate competition in which each contestant plays with a different partner A huddle is a longer-than-usual pause each deal or set of deals. preceding an action in the bidding (usually) or the play of a deal. If the Instant Matchpoint Game huddle is followed by a positive action, An Instant Matchpoint Game is a game usually no harm is done to the in which players are given their opponents. The ethics of the game, matchpoint score on each board however, require that the partner of the immediately after playing each deal. huddler not take advantage of the information that the huddler “had a Inter Club Championship (ICC) problem.” The ICC is an event which combines I face-to-face play and scoring at a single site with across-the field scoring with a ICC number of sites through the Internet to determine overall rankings. See Inter-Club Championship. Intermediate/Newcomer Program IMP (I/N)

An IMP is an International Matchpoint, The ACBL has developed a program of a unit of scoring used according to a games and activities designed to make schedule established by the Laws of duplicate experiences fun and Duplicate Bridge. In a team game, a comfortable for new players and new difference in trick and bonus scores of members. Edith McMullin introduced the North-South pair and the East-West the idea at the Summer NABC in 1984. pair on the same team is used to All NABCs now offer an I/N Program determine IMPs from a chart. IMPs are and so do many regionals and sectionals sometimes converted to Victory Points throughout North America. There are, in by way of a chart based on either a 20- addition, special I/N sectionals and or 30-point Victory Point scale. A copy regionals. Many of these tournaments of the IMP and VP scales is printed have all of these basic features: inside each ACBL Convention Card.  Games each session for players with 0–5, 0–20, 0–50, 0–100 masterpoints. 21

 Celebrity Speaker Programs. J  Social events.  Trophies for each overall winner. Jacoby Transfer bid  Photographs of the winners. Introduced by Oswald Jacoby, a  New Player Services Program. member of the Bridge Hall of Fame, a  A special area for all I/N Jacoby transfer bid is a conventional activities. response to an opening bid of 1NT (2NT)  Directors trained to run games where 2♦ (3♦) shows hearts and 2♥ (3♥) for new players. shows spades. Jacoby transfer bids are  Fliers to invite the players and addressed in ACBL’s “Play of the Hand guarantee partners. in the 21st Century” text.

International Fund games Jane Johnson Club Appreciation Month Held at clubs or tournaments, International Fund games raise funds to During October, clubs may hold Club defray the expense of North American Appreciation games. They offer participation in international World masterpoint awards calculated at 81.8% Bridge Federation (WBF) competition. sectional-rated black. In Club For clubs, September is International Appreciation Team Games overall Fund Month. All sanctioned sessions at awards include 5% gold (not to exceed clubs may be held as International Fund .25 gold points); the rest are sectional- games during September and one per rated black points. The games run sanctioned session per month in other during this month recognize the months except for January, April and contributions of Jane Johnson, longtime May. These games award 80.8% manager of ACBL’s Club Membership sectional-rated black points. Department, to the ACBL.

Internet terms Junior Master

Bridge players on the Internet have A player holding 5 to 19.99 masterpoints created a language of abbreviations to has achieved the rank of Junior Master. quickly relay a message during online play. For a list of these abbreviations Junior memberships visit: The ACBL offers a discounted http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ membership to players under the age of play/language-online-bridge.pdf. 26.

Junior Month January is Junior Month in the ACBL. During this month, clubs are

22 encouraged to run special games to  To have finished high in North benefit the ACBL Junior Program that American Championship events, supports activities for Junior bridge or to have finished first or second players. Participants pay an extra $1 fee in regional-rated championship per game that is donated to this fund for events (at least two sessions) with Juniors. All sanctioned sessions may be an upper masterpoint limit of held as Junior Fund during January and more than 1500 with the one per sanctioned session per month in exception of senior events. other months except April, May and  To be one of the top 100 September. These games award 63.6% masterpoint holders. sectional-rated black points.  To be a member of current official teams representing the Junior Player of the Year ACBL or any of its member Each calendar year, the Junior player countries in international (ages 20 up to 26) earning the most competition. masterpoints during the year is declared  To be a winner of one of the the Junior Player of the Year. district Grand National Teams championships. Junior Team Trials (JTT) Kaplan-Sheinwold The Junior Team Trials is the method the United States Bridge Federation uses The Kaplan-Sheinwold system, devised to select teams for the biennial World by ACBL Hall of Fame members Edgar Youth Bridge Team Championship, Kaplan and Alfred Sheinwold, is based inaugurated by the World Bridge on the weak notrump and aimed at more Federation in 1987. precisely limiting the strength shown by all bids. K Kibitzer Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs A person who watches a game from the This is one of the most prestigious of the sidelines is called a kibitzer. annual North American Bridge King or Queen of Bridge Championship events. The Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs, named in honor of ACBL This honorary title is awarded annually Bridge Hall of Fame member Edgar to an ACBL Junior member who is a Kaplan, is contested at the Fall NABC. graduating high school senior. Cited for Entry is limited to players who have outstanding tournament performance, qualified to participate. The most this Junior player is someone who has common methods of achieving excelled also in bridge-related qualification are: administrative, recreational and promotional activities. The ACBL

Educational Foundation presents a Laws $1000 scholarship to the winner. The Laws of Duplicate Bridge, as Knockout Teams enforced in the western hemisphere by the ACBL, are prepared under the A Knockout Team event is one where auspices of the ACBL Laws Commission. one team plays an entire session against www.acbl.org/laws. one other team. The winning team from each match advances to play the next Learn to Play Bridge I and II round and the defeated team is eliminated. See also Bracketed Knockout Expert Fred Gitelman developed the Teams. Learn to Play Bridge I & II (LTPB) software for the ACBL. The program is L available for anyone to download free of charge by going to LHO https://web3.acbl.org/newmembers/fre e-learn-software. The ACBL Bridge A player’s left-hand opponent is often Series texts have been coordinated with referred to LHO. this software.

Land cruise Learn to Play Bridge Online

Individuals may apply to the ACBL for a An online, interactive, learn-as-you-play sanction to run bridge games and award web-based program powered by masterpoints in conjunction with a BridgeBase robots. LTPB online proves vacation program that may be held at a safe environment for players to test one location or at various locations as and learn new skills. LTPB online can be the group travels. accessed from any device with an internet connection. Law of Total Tricks http://learn.acbl.org/. The Law of Total Tricks is the theory Lessons that on any given bridge deal the total number of trumps held by both sides ACBL offers a Find-a-Teacher section at will be approximately equal to the total its website. The listings are by state and number of tricks that both sides could will help locate a teacher who is offering win. The total number of tricks is the bridge lessons in the area. sum of how many tricks North-South https://web3.acbl.org/findalist/teacher. would take if they played in their best fit added to how many East-West would Leventritt Silver Ribbon Pairs take in their best fit. The Law gained The Leventritt Silver Ribbon Pairs is an popularity in the 1990s when it was the ACBL event with national rating for subject of a book called “To Bid or Not players 55 years of age or older. It is held to Bid” written by Larry Cohen.

24 annually at the Spring NABC. Players M earn qualification by placing first or second in a regional-rated, two-session Masterpoint championship senior event. This is the unit which measures bridge Life Master achievement in duplicate play. Masterpoints come in black, silver, red, Life Master is the most highly sought gold, platinum and unpigmented, and level of bridge achievement. Members they are awarded for different levels of who joined the ACBL after January 1, play. 2010 must earn 500 masterpoints (at least 75 black, 75 silver, 100 red or  Black points at club and unit gold/platinum, of which at least 50 must games. be gold/platinum) to achieve the rank of  Silver points at sectionals, Life Master. progressive sectionals and STaCs. Life Member  Red points in all events at regionals and NABCs. Members who joined the ACBL prior to  Gold points for section tops and Jan.1, 1996 and who achieve the rank of placing overall in regional-rated Life Master are also Life Members. They events of two or more sessions are members for life unless they resign with either no MP restriction or a or their membership is revoked per minimum MP limit of 750 points established procedure. Life Members are or more. Partial gold points are not required to pay dues but are awarded in some special events. required to pay an annual service fee in  Platinum points for all NABC+ order to maintain an active status and championship events. receive services from ACBL.  Unpigmented points for online Limit raise play. See “Ranks” for the number and color of A limit raise is an invitational raise made with closely defined limits of points needed to attain various levels of strength. The chief application is the recognition: Rookie, Junior Master, jump raise of a suit from one to three. Club Master, Sectional Master, Regional The bid indicates at least four-card Master, NABC Master, Life Master and trump support with 10 or 11 high-card upper levels beyond Life Master. points or the distributional equivalent. Masterpoint Plan The Masterpoint Plan is the system used by the ACBL to rank every member according to performance at tournaments and clubs.

Masterpoint Records other on a basis other than as opponents at the table. Many clubs and units use a Masterpoints won at tournaments and Pro-Am game format to launch their at clubs using ACBLscore are sent mentoring programs. Partnerships are electronically to ACBL. Other clubs mail made by a program coordinator and the in lists of players and points won for pairs are encouraged to play a recording. Non-members are given recommended minimum number of receipts at club games when they win times during the month. For more points and can credit their accounts with information visit: up to 20 masterpoints (won in the 12 http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ months prior to becoming members) units/UnitMentoringProgram.pdf. when they join the ACBL. Members can check their masterpoint holding by Michaels cuebid calling the Customer Service Line or online by logging into their MyACBL at The Michaels cuebid is a convention that www.acbl.org. Members also receive a uses an immediate cuebid in the RHO’s personalized masterpoint update each suit to show a two-suited hand with month in the Bridge Bulletin. either both majors or a major and a minor. It was devised by the late Mike Matchpoint Michaels.

A matchpoint is a unit used in a method Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs of scoring duplicate contests in which two or more scores are compared. A pair To participate in this special NABC receives one point for each result it bests event, players must have a Blue Ribbon and one-half point for each result it ties. Pairs qualification (See Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs) and less than 5000 McConnell Cup masterpoints.

Named in honor of Ruth McConnell, MiniBridge former ACBL president and WBF treasurer, The McConnell Cup is MiniBridge is a simplified form of the awarded to the winners of a knockout game that has no bidding. Originally team event for women played at the developed in France, MiniBridge is World Bridge Championships at the widely used as a precursor to learning same time the Rosenblum Cup is bridge for all ages. It is both effective contested. and enjoyable. Many school bridge programs in North America use the form Mentoring Programs of MiniBridge developed by the English Bridge Union (EBU). A MiniBridge Mentoring programs provide an packet (teacher manual and practice opportunity for both newcomers and disk) can be purchased from the EBU at mentors to meet and get to know each www.ebu.co.uk/education/minibridge/

26 minibridgepack.htm. For simple Mississippi Heart Hand instructions on playing the game, visit: www.acbl.org/documentLibrary/teacher This is a famous trick hand from the s/Minibridge.pdf or download the days of whist. A diamond lead holds program at: South to six tricks in a heart contract, www.bluechipbridge.co.uk/MiniBridge. and a game cannot be made in any htm. denomination. South can take nine tricks in a spade contract or 10 tricks in Mini-McKenney a club contract.

In 1974, the ACBL Board of Directors ♠ 10 5 4 3 2 voted to recognize the masterpoint ♥  achievements of all players and the ♦ 5 4 3 2 Mini-McKenney races were established. ♣ 5 4 3 2 The winners at each level of achievement are recognized by the ♠  ♠ J 9 8 7 6 ACBL each year in the April issue of the ♥ 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ♥  Bridge Bulletin and at the district and ♦ A K Q J 10 9 ♦ 8 7 6 unit levels. Eligibility is determined by ♣  ♣ 10 9 8 7 6 each player’s masterpoint holding at the ♠ A K Q beginning of the calendar year. The ♥ A K Q J 10 9 home unit of each winner may purchase ♦ — a Mini-McKenney medallion to present ♣ A K Q J to the player. Standings are updated monthly at the ACBL website. See “Masterpoint Races” at Mitchell Movement https://web3.acbl.org/mpraces/ The Mitchell movement is a duplicate Mini-Spingold Teams progression in which the players seated North-South remain stationary and This special NABC team event is open to those sitting East-West move each teams of four, five or six players, each of round to the higher numbered table. The whom is a paid ACBL member and has players get “older” and the boards get less than 5000 masterpoints if entering “younger.” Flight I or less than 1500 masterpoints if entering Flight II. Mixed Pairs

A Mixed Pairs event is one in which partnerships must consist of one man and one woman.

More Commonly Used program for players with less than 500 Conventions in the 21st Century masterpoints.

This is the title of the fifth course of The NABC+ (NABC-Plus) Events ACBL Bridge Series of student texts and teacher manuals. NABC+ events are the highest-rated events offered by ACBL. Held only at the MUD three annual NABCs, they are national- rated events with no upper masterpoint This is a lead convention in which the limit. The Player of the Year contest is original lead from three low cards is the won by the player winning the most middle one, followed in play by the platinum masterpoints in these annual higher. The name is the acronym of events. middle, up, down — the order in which the cards are played. NABC Master

MyACBL A player with at least 200 masterpoints, including at least 65 pigmented points of The MyACBL portal is where you can which at least five must be check your masterpoints, renew your gold/platinum, at least 15 must be red or membership, view the Bridge Bulletin gold/platinum, at least 25 must be online and more. silver, and at least 20 black and no more MyACBL also allows club managers to than 70 from online play has achieved see their monthly reports, sanctioned the rank of NABC Master. games, etc. NABC Welcome Book

Click on “MyACBL” at the top right of Welcome to the North American Bridge the ACBL home page at www.acbl.org. Championships

N Nadine Wood Volunteer of the Year NABC Each year the ACBL president honors a This is the term for the three North member with the title of Nadine Wood American Bridge Championships that Volunteer Member of the Year. are held annually by the ACBL. These tournaments are held in the spring, Nationals summer and fall and are rotated around This is the original name for the NABCs. the United States and Canada. Each The tournaments next were called the NABC offers events for all levels of NACs (North American Championships) players and features the NABC+ events and then renamed the North American and an I/N (Intermediate/Newcomer) Bridge Championships (NABCs) in the 1990s. 28

Negative double  Earned at least 50 platinum points in the three calendar years In 1957, Alvin Roth and Tobias Stone prior to the event introduced a modern negative double,  Earned at 200 platinum points in originally called “sputnik,” into lifetime championship play. What was formerly  Attained the rank of Platinum a penalty double by responder of a suit Life Master or Grand Life Master. overcall became a takeout double, suggesting the two unbid suits. The Platinum Pairs event are held at each Spring North American Bridge New Player Services (NPS) Championship. New Player Services is a public relations North American Bridge program designed to welcome new Championships players to tournaments and club games by helping to create a fun, friendly and See NABC. comfortable atmosphere within the duplicate environment. Local volunteers North American Pairs (NAP) work together to provide information Formerly known as the Grand National and direction to newcomers at all levels Pairs, the NAP or North American Pairs of play. is a major ACBL championship which is http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ staged in qualifying rounds at the club, units/NPS.pdf unit and district levels. It culminates in Newcomer a final held in conjunction with the Spring NABC. This contest is run as a Newcomer is the name given to a new flighted event, with the flights: player who is new to bridge or who is new to duplicate.  Flight A – unlimited  Flight B — less than 2500 Newcomer game (or Novice game) masterpoints This is an event that is typically  Flight C – less than 500 restricted to players with fewer than 20 masterpoints masterpoints. Participation may be even more restricted with an upper limit as O low as 5 masterpoints. Odd-Even discards and signals Norman Kay Platinum Pairs This is a signaling method that assigns An event started in 2010 at the Spring special meanings to odd- and even- North American Bridge Championship. numbered spot cards. An odd-card The qualifications for this event are: discard or signal encourages in that suit; an even-card discard or signal

29 discourages and often doubles as a suit- Online points preference signal. This practice is allowed in ACBL play only on the first Online points are masterpoints awarded discard. for online play in ACBL-sanctioned events and are unpigmented. “The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge” Open event

“The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge” is In open events, there are no restrictions a comprehensive book of facts about due to expertise, gender or age. bridge and bridge personalities since the inception of the game. P

Olympiad Par

A world championship team event Par is the result on a deal if both sides renamed in 2008 when it became part of have done as well as possible. the World Mind Sports Games. The Partscore bonus contest has open, women’s and senior divisions. Every country may field a In duplicate competition, the 50 points team no matter the size of its individual given for fulfilling a partscore contract is bridge population, provided it is a called a partscore bonus. member of the World Bridge Federation. Patron Member Program Online bridge ACBL members may opt to become More and more players are gravitating Patron Members and receive an to online play as the number of bridge enhanced benefits package. ACBL tournaments available on a daily basis appreciates the support of its Patron increases. Sites like Bridge Base Online, Members. A listing of all Patron OK Bridge and Swan Games offer ACBL Members is published annually in the members the opportunity to win Bridge Bulletin. Personalized masterpoints in online play. membership badges are provided for all Patron Members so staff can better Online Player of the Year serve them. An award recognizing the player who Here are the benefits of the program: accumulates the most unpigmented masterpoints (won during online play) . Guaranteed reservations at the within a calendar year. NABC host hotel when reserved in advance;

. Personal delivery of the Daily Bulletin to your door each day (host hotel only);

. Express service for purchasing Percentage play NABC entries; A percentage play is the play having the . Invitation to the Patron Member best (highest percentage) chance of NABC reception in the ACBL success. president’s suite; . $50 merchandise credit ($75 for Pianola household members) to be used at Baron Barclay Bridge Supply; A pianola is a deal at bridge which . 50% discount on the price of a presents no problems to declarer, so ticket to the Bridge Hall of Fame easily playable that it almost plays itself. Banquet, held annually at the The name derives from the old player Summer NABC; piano or “pianola” which would “play” itself. . Upon request, a complimentary set of Daily Bulletins from each Pick-up slip NABC mailed to your home; . Complimentary membership in This is a form used to record the results Hertz Corporation’s #1 Club Gold on the play of all deals in a round. The program. pick-up slips are collected at designated times and the results are entered in a For more information or to become a computer or on a recapitulation sheet by patron member, visit the director or a designated scorer. http://www.acbl.org/about- acbl/membership-benefits-and- Platinum Life Master rates/patron-membership/. An ACBL Life Master who has at least Penalty 10,000 masterpoints (at least 2000 silver, red, gold or platinum, of which at In bridge, a penalty is an obligation or least 1000 must be gold or platinum, restriction imposed upon a side for with a minimum of 100 platinum) has violation of a law or regulation. attained the rank of Platinum Life Master. Penalty card Platinum Points A card that has been prematurely exposed by a defender and which must Masterpoints awarded for overall be left face up on the table until legally placing in NABC+ events are platinum. picked up or played is called a penalty (These events include the three Senior card. Please call the director when this and various Women’s championships type of infraction occurs at your table in but do not include Junior, Flight B or a duplicate game. other restricted events).

Play Postmortem

1. The contribution of a card from The analysis of a deal after play is one’s hand to a trick, including completed is called the postmortem. the play of the first card, which is the lead. Private Scorecard 2. The aggregate of plays made. The convention card provides a table for 3. The period during which the players to record their board-by-board cards are played. results. While it is not mandatory that Play Courses one or both partners keep a private score, it is encouraged in the event of a See ACBL Play Courses. disputed result.

“Play of the Hand in the 21st Pro-Am Game Century” Pro-Am games are frequently run at “Play of the Hand in the 21st Century” is clubs as part of a mentoring program. the title of the second course in The They consist of “Pro” players ACBL Bridge Series of student texts and (experienced players) with a specified teacher manuals which is sometimes minimum number of masterpoints (e.g., referred to as The Diamond Series. more than 300) and “Amateur” players (newcomers or less experienced players) Player number with fewer points.

The seven-digit number issued to each Progression member of the ACBL is that person’s player number. Please use your player The progression of the players in bridge number in all ACBL-sanctioned games. is the movement of players used to The first digit is changed to a letter when complete a session of play. the member achieves Life Master status. Proprieties Player of the Year The Proprieties was initially the section An annual award (since 1990) for the of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge that ACBL player who earns the most dealt with conduct and ethics. Its platinum points in North American purpose was to make the game more Championship events with no upper enjoyable for everyone, no matter what masterpoint limit (NABC+). The the situation. Starting with the 1987 Soloway Trophy (formerly the Goren version of the Laws, the Proprieties were Trophy 1990-2007) honors the Player of incorporated into the Laws. the Year.

It is a breach of the Proprieties to: is sometimes referred to as pumping the declarer.  Use different designations for the same call. Push  Indicate any approval or The most popular use of the term “push” disapproval of a call or play. in bridge is to denote a deal in a team  Indicate the expectation or match on which the result is the same at intention of winning or losing a both tables. trick before play to that trick has been completed. Q  Comment or act during the auction or play to call attention to Quack a significant incident thereof, or to the state of the score, or to the A contraction of “queen” and “jack” used number of tricks that will be to indicate (1) either the queen or the required for success. jack in situations where it is of no  Look intently at any other player consequence which of the two cards is during the auction or play, or at held or played in the context of a another player’s hand, for the decision involving the theory of purpose of seeing those cards or “restricted choice,”(2) the two cards observing the place from which a together in the context of hand player draws a card. evaluation: Possession of “quacks”  Vary the normal tempo of bidding usually means the hand holding one or or play for the purpose of more of the combinations is not as good disconcerting the other players. as the high-card point count might indicate. Protest Qualifying sessions (or rounds) A protest in bridge is an appeal of a decision made by a game director. The early rounds of championships after which there is a reduction (cut) in the Psychic Bidding field (the contestants entered in the event) are the qualifying rounds. Psychic bidding is a term coined in 1931 by Dorothy Rice Sims, which describes R any bid that is a deliberate and gross misstatement of honor strength or suit RHO length. These bids are bluffs. A player’s right-hand opponent is often Pump referred to by RHO.

The word “pump” is a colloquialism for “tap” or “force.” Forcing declarer to ruff

Ranks Each of the 25 districts within the ACBL sponsors regional tournaments, As a player accumulates points, certain although a specific unit may be milestones or ranking levels will be delegated the responsibility of planning reached that indicate progress. There and organizing the tournament. A are 14 grades: Rookie, Junior Master, regional tournament usually runs for Club Master, Sectional Master, Regional seven days, attracting people from many Master, NABC Master, Life Master states, and offers games for all levels of (LM). These additional levels can be players. In addition, Non-Life Master attained after the rank of LM: Bronze Regionals and Senior Regionals (limited LM, Silver LM, Ruby LM, Gold LM, to players born before Jan. 1, 1959) are Sapphire LM, Diamond LM, Emerald available periodically. LM, Platinum LM, Grand LM. Each ranking requires that the player have a Regional Master certain number and a certain “color” of points. A player with 100 recorded masterpoints, at least five of which are (See individual ranks for more red or gold/platinum, at least 15 of information or go to which are silver, and at least 15 of which http://www.acbl.org/ranks). are black and no more than 40 from online play has achieved the rank of Recapitulation sheet (Recap) Regional Master.

This is a large printed form on which the Registered Teachers results (written on pick-up slips) are posted at bridge tournaments and on A category of ACBL Accredited Teachers which matchpoints are assigned to resulting from a program in 1988 when scores and totals computed. In most units were asked to honor longtime, area cases, a computer-generated recap sheet bridge teachers with this title. has replaced the manual recap sheet. Reisinger Memorial Trophy Red Points This trophy was donated in memory of Masterpoints won in all events at Curt H. Reisinger and is awarded to the regional tournaments and in regional- winners of the Fall NABC Reisinger rated events at the three annual NABCs Board-a-Match Team Championship. (North American Bridge Championships) are red, unless they are Renege gold. A player needs 50 red points (or The term “renege” indicates a failure to the equivalent) as part of a total of 500 follow suit when holding one or more masterpoints to become a Life Master. cards of the suit led. It is a colloquial Regional (regional tournaments) synonym for “revoke.”

Revoke Rule of 11

A revoke indicates the play of a card of The “rule of 11” involves a mathematical another suit by a player who is able to calculation applicable when the original follow suit or comply with a lead lead is construed as a fourth highest one. penalty. It is permissible in ACBL-play It is sometimes possible to obtain an to ask a partner who doesn’t follow suit exact reading of the distribution in the if partner holds a card of the suit led. led suit in all four hands. The rule states: “Subtract the pips on the card led from Richmond Trophy 11; the result gives the number of cards The Richmond Trophy is awarded in the three hands other than the annually to the Canadian Bridge leader’s which are higher than the one Federation member who wins the most led.” (See The Official Encyclopedia of masterpoints during a calendar year. Bridge for other popular “rules” of the game: Rule of Two and Three, Seven, 12, Rookie 16, 18 and 22.)

A player holding less than five Rule of 15 masterpoints is known as a Rookie. A guideline to help determine in close Round-Robin cases whether to open the bidding in the pass-out seat: add the number of high- A round-robin is a form of competition card points to the number of spades in in which each of the contesting groups the hand. If the total is 15, the (usually teams) plays against each of the recommendation is to bid. Person points other groups entered in head-on also refers to the number of high-card competition. points plus the number of spades. Ruby Life Master S An ACBL Life Master who has at least 1500 (at least 300 silver, red, gold or Sacrifice or Save platinum) has attained the rank of Ruby A sacrifice or a save is a bid made Life Master. knowing that it probably won’t be Ruff and Sluff (or ruff and fulfilled. It is based on the premise that discard) the penalty to be paid will be less than the adverse score were the opponents When a defender leads a suit in which permitted to play and fulfill their both declarer and dummy are void, the contract. declarer may ruff and sluff – discard a loser from one hand and ruff in the other.

Sanction each group of tables forming a section. These are usually single letters but may A sanction is the permission given by be double or triple letters or sometimes the ACBL to a club, unit or district to numbers. award masterpoints based upon the results of a duplicate bridge event. Sectional Master

Sapphire Life Master A player with 50 recorded masterpoints, at least five of which are silver points, at An ACBL Life Master with 3500 least 10 black and no more than 25 from masterpoints (at least 700 silver, red, online play has achieved the rank of gold or platinum, of which at least 350 Sectional Master. must be gold or platinum) has attained the rank of Sapphire Life Master. Sectional Player of the Year

School Bridge Lesson Series An award recognizing the player who (SBLS) earns the most silver points in a calendar year. Silver points are awarded The ACBL funds an extensive school at sectional tournaments. bridge program that includes a teacher manual, free textbooks, t-shirts and Sectional tournaments stipends for teachers. www.acbl.org/school. Units are the sponsors of sectional tournaments, which usually run from Score (how to) three to five days. Units also may run Intermediate-Newcomer Sectionals and There are several types of scoring STaCs (Sectional Tournaments at methods used for rubber, duplicate Clubs). Masterpoints won at sectional pairs, team games and Chicago. tournaments are silver. http://www.acbl.org/learn_page/how- to-play-bridge/how-to-keep-score/ Seeding

Section Seeding constitutes the assignment of certain tables to particularly strong A section in bridge is a group of contestants to assure there will not be a contestants who constitute a self- preponderance of strong pairs in direct contained unit in one event for one competition within any one section. In session of a tournament. An event might pair events, tables 3 and 9 usually are consist of one section of players or of reserved for seeded players. Some team many sections of players. events are also seeded.

Section markers Senior Pairs (ACBL-wide)

Section markers are signs at The ACBL-wide Senior Pairs is a special tournaments indicating the location of event held at clubs every year in 36

February. The game is restricted to Sidney H. Lazard Jr. players born prior to Jan. 1, 1959. Sportsmanship Award This award was established by Sidney Senior Player of the Year Lazard in honor of his son, Sidney Lazard Jr., who died in 1999 at the age The player born prior to Jan. 1, 1959 who wins of 41 after a year-long battle with cancer. the most masterpoints each year in Administered by the ACBL Educational senior tournaments and senior events at Foundation, the award is given annually all tournaments is the Senior Player of to a top level player, one who has scored the Year. The George Burns Trophy a high-level finish in a major national honors this player. contest. According to Lazard, the object Session of the award is to “enhance sportsmanship among the top players A period of play during which a specified and to salute those who tried to win with number of boards is scheduled to be class and dignity.” played is called a session. Silver Life Master Set A Life Master with at least 1000 To set a contract is to defeat the masterpoints has attained the rank of contract. The term “set” is also used to Silver Life Master. refer to the number of boards played in a round or session, as in, “We had a Silver Points good set.” Silver points are masterpoints awarded Side Game Series at sectional tournaments, progressive sectionals and STaCs (Sectional Side Game Series, formerly Continuous Tournaments at Clubs). One of the Pairs, is a series of at least three one- qualifications for advancing to the rank session games open to all players. of Life Master is to earn 50 silver points. Participants may enter as many or as few sessions as they wish and play with Sit, Sit For the same or different partners. Overall A player sits for the contract when that ranking is done on an individual basis player elects to pass partner’s double. by computing the sum of each player’s two best games. At NABCs and regional Skip Bid Warning tournaments, gold points are awarded to players who win their section in strat A The Skip Bid Warning is used whenever and have competed in at least two a player skips at least one level of sessions of the same series. bidding. When opening at the two level, for example, a player would say “Skip bid, please wait,” or use the red Stop

37 card in the bidding box. The opponent is Swiss. This event is frequently offered as expected to hesitate 10 seconds before a late-night game during a sectional, a bidding. The skip-bid warning and the regional or an NABC. It is sometimes stop card are used to avoid problems flighted or stratified. with unauthorized information that can be transmitted when the player to the Spingold Trophy left of the skip bidder huddles before The Spingold Trophy was donated in passing or bidding. Equally 1934 by Nathan Spingold and is inappropriate is a fast pass, indicating a awarded for the NABC Spingold poor hand, or a fast double indicating a Knockout Teams Championship played very good hand. annually at the Summer NABC. This Slam event ranks with the Vanderbilt as one of the most highly prized trophies on the Contracting for and winning 12 or 13 ACBL calendar. tricks constitutes a slam. Split Regional Slow Play A tournament with 80% regional rating Bridge is a timed event. Players are held at two widely separated sites within given an average of 7.5 minutes per deal an ACBL district is called a split and should learn to use the time wisely. regional. Scores are compared between Slow play is discourteous not only to the the two sites to determine the first- and opponents of the moment, but to all of second-place winners of regional-rated the other competitors in the event as pair games. Swiss teams and knockout well. It is the responsibility of every teams are separate events with different player at the table to try to catch up winners at each site. when their table has fallen behind. Square Hand Small Slam Bridge geometry is peculiar; square Contracting for and winning at least 12 hand, flat hand and round hand all tricks constitutes a small slam, and describe a 4–3–3–3 distribution. collects a 500 point bonus nonvulnerable and 700 points vulnerable. STaC

Speedball Swiss Team This is an abbreviation for a special kind of sectional tournament known as a Speed of play is a major factor in this Sectional Tournament at Clubs. It offers type of event. Each match consists of sectional rating and is played in a five boards, and an average of only five number of clubs in a specific area over a minutes per board is allowed for play. period of several days. The results of all Usually five rounds are played, and the games are sent to one location, which is event sometimes is called a five-five-five staffed by the director-in-charge of the

38 event. Overall pair game awards are are free to assign forcing, invitational or determined by comparing the results of non-forcing meanings to natural calls in all games conducted at a particular such sequences. Players may still session just as if all of the games were exercise their bridge judgment, such as played at one site. The masterpoints in deciding to open a four-card major in awarded in this type of tournament are third seat. The SAYC normally five-card silver points. majors approach can withstand an occasional deviation. Stack, stacked Stayman 1. The cards are said to be stacked against one player when a single The response of 2 ♣ to 1NT (or 3 ♣ to opponent holds all or nearly all of 2NT) asks opener to bid a four-card the cards in a crucial suit. major suit. This convention, invented by 2. To stack a deck is to arrange Hall of Fame member George Rapée was cards in an undealt deck in order popularized in an article written by Sam to put predetermined holdings Stayman, also a member of the ACBL into one or more hands, a Bridge Hall of Fame. The convention practice that is highly unethical was named for the writer rather than the and illegal. inventor.

Standard American Strain

Standard American is a nebulous term This is the modern term used to applied to the method of bidding most encompass all four suits plus notrump. commonly used in the U.S. It It is a synonym for denomination. approximates the method advocated by Hall of Fame member Charles Goren, Stratified who was known to millions as “Mr. This is a type of game movement where Bridge” during the last half of the 20th all players are assigned to a group (strat) century. based on their current masterpoint Standard American Yellow Card holdings. Each contestant plays against (SAYC) players of all point ranges. Masterpoints are awarded to leaders of each strat. If a The Standard American Yellow Card is a Strat C player scored better than one of convention card that has been filled out the leaders in Strat B (a higher ranked to display a simple, modern method that strat), the C player will be awarded the leads to a good, solid understanding in a points for Strat B. partnership. This approach has gained popularity in online play. Few sequences Stratiflighted are defined in the later rounds of An event that is a combination of Standard Yellow Card auctions. Players flighted and stratified is called

39 stratiflighted. The upper level stratum normal rhythm by the opponents, the has no masterpoint restriction and is exercise of discipline in bidding, the played as a separate game. The other ability to coax maximum performance players are subdivided into two or three from partner and the ability to make the strata with specific lower and upper opponents feel that they are facing a masterpoint limits. Participants may player of a higher order. This is also enter either the unrestricted (“play referred to as “Table Feel.” alone”) group or the stratified group with a masterpoint restriction for which Tap they are eligible. This is a colloquialism for shortening a Swish hand in trumps by forcing it to ruff.

“Swish” is a colloquialism indicating Teacher Accreditation Program when a bid is followed by three passes. A (TAP) similar term is “float.” The Teacher Accreditation Program Swiss Teams (TAP) is offered through the ACBL Education Department. It is a 10-hour In a Swiss team event, each team will seminar that features techniques for play six- to nine-board matches against teaching bridge successfully. a number of teams. Matches are Participants must complete the course arranged by pairing teams with to earn accreditation. www.acbl.org/tap approximately equal records as the game progresses. Team games

Systems On (or Systems Off) A team consists of two pairs who play in different directions at different tables To a bridge player, systems on (or for a common score. One pair plays systems off) indicates an agreement to North–South for a designated number apply (or not to apply) certain of boards and the other plays East–West conventional methods in contested for the same boards at a different table. auctions. At the mid-point or at the end of the set, the scores are compared. T Texas transfer Table Presence The Texas transfer is a transfer bid, One of the things that separate a good originated independently by David bridge player from an expert is the Carter of St. Louis and Olle Willner of indefinable something that is referred to Sweden. It is used after an opening 1NT as table presence. It is a combination of or 2NT bid to make the strong hand instinct, the drawing of correct declarer in a high suit contract. The inferences from any departure from responder jumps to 4♦ holding a six-

40 card or longer heart suit; the opener is Tournaments required to bid 4♥. Similarly, 4♥ requires the opener to bid 4♠ The ACBL sanctions the following types of tournaments: Top  NABCs — three major North Slang for the maximum matchpoint American championships each score you can make on a hand in year duplicate is “top.”  Regionals — sanctioned to each of the 25 districts Tournament Director  Sectionals — sanctioned to the The tournament director is the official 300+ units. representative of the sponsoring Tournament Events organization, responsible for the technical management of the Tournament events may be classified by: tournament. The tournament director is charged with restoring equity at a table . Type: Individual, Pair, Team. when an irregularity has occurred. . Expertise (masterpoint When a player summons a director to holdings) as: Open, Flighted, the table, it should be done in a clear, Stratified, stratiflighted, courteous manner. It is suggested that Handicapped, Bracketed you call the director to the table by (Teams), Masters, Non- saying, “Director, please.” Tournament Masters, Life Masters, specific directors are trained by the ACBL and masterpoint restrictions (0–5, ranked according to ability and 0–20, 0–50, etc.). Events may experience. The I/N also be restricted by (Intermediate/Newcomer) directors . Restricted: Women’s, have a special knowledge of the mixed, Junior, Senior problems arising with new players and . Scoring Methods are: have been trained to address them. Matchpoints, IMPs, board-a- match and total points. Tournament handbooks Trap pass ACBL has developed handbooks for planning sectional, regional and I/N A trap pass is a pass by a player holding tournaments. The handbooks contain a strong defensive hand. The player is sanctioning information, checklists, hoping that the opposition will bid committee assignments and more. All themselves into difficulties. A trap pass three of these handbooks can be found is usually made by a player holding on the ACBL website: length and strength in the suit bid by the http://www.acbl.org/helpfuldocuments opener on the player’s right.

Traveling score slip (or traveler) and conducts tournaments at the local and sectional levels. Groups of units A traveling score slip, often called a form ACBL districts, and officers and traveler or pickup slip, is a score sheet board members of units elect the that stays with a duplicate bridge board district’s representative to the ACBL during play. Each table records its Board of Directors. ACBL has more than results after the play of the deal. At the 300 units. ACBL members are placed in end of the game, the score slips for all of the unit where they are geographically the boards are matchpointed and the located. director adds the matchpoints to determine the winner. Travelers are Unit championships sometimes used in games scored by computer to enhance the social side of Each unit may conduct 24 unit the game. championship sessions per year. These games award masterpoints based on Treatment 63.6% of sectional rating. These games may be held at one centralized location A treatment is a systemic agreement or with “split-sites” at various clubs that defines whether a natural bid is throughout the unit. In addition, each forcing, invitational or signoff. unit is allotted four unit fund/foundation championships per U year.

Unauthorized Information (UI) Unit-wide championship

Law 16 of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge A unit-wide championship is a game says that a player may not make a call or with unit-championship rating held play that could have been suggested over simultaneously at three or more another by information the player has locations within the unit boundaries received extraneously from partner. with a minimum of five tables at each Extraneous information includes actions site. such as a remark, a question, a reply to a question, an unmistakable hesitation, United States Bridge Federation unusual speed, special emphasis, tone, (USBF) gesture, movement, mannerism, etc. The United States Bridge Federation Unit was formed in 2001 by the ACBL and the ABA (American Bridge Association) A unit is a division of the ACBL covering in order to conform to Olympic rules a designated area. Some units include that require each sport be governed by a only a part of a city, and others include national (not zonal) organization. The entire states. The unit supervises bridge purpose of the USBF is to advance the activities at ACBL games in its territory interests of the United States in

42 international bridge competition, When using victory point scoring, the including the selection and support of IMP score on each board is calculated. United States bridge teams and players The total IMP score on the boards of the in international competition. match are then converted to victory www.usbf.org points in accordance with a predetermined scale. Upgraded club championship Von Zedtwitz Award An upgraded club championship is a game with a higher rating that a club has Named for Waldemar von Zedtwitz, this earned by recruiting 10 new members Hall of Fame award was established in during the year. The game awards full 1996 to honor living or deceased bridge sectional-rated black points. players whose contributions to bridge were through bridge playing talents or in V other key areas of bridge. P. Hal Sims, one of the giants of the early game of Vanderbilt Cup bridge who was involved in several highly publicized bridge matches, was The Vanderbilt Knockout Team the first recipient of this award. Championship is contested annually at the Spring NABC. It ranks with the Von Zedtwitz Gold Cup Spingold as one of the most prestigious events on the ACBL calendar. The The von Zedtwitz Gold Cup is awarded Vanderbilt Cup was donated by Harold annually at the Summer NABC for the S. Vanderbilt, a member of the ACBL Life Master Pairs Championship, one of Bridge Hall of Fame. Individual replicas the most highly regarded pair events on of the trophy are given to the winners of the ACBL calendar. It was donated by the team championship. Waldemar von Zedtwitz, one of the great bridge players and personalities of all Venice Cup time.

The Venice Cup became a world Vugraph championship in 1978. It is a contest among champion women’s teams and is A vugraph offers a method of presenting held every other year alongside the bridge play to an audience larger than Bermuda Bowl. can be accommodated around a bridge table. Onsite at the NABCs, the ACBL Victory Points conducts the Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph show to cover the final rounds A scoring method based on IMPs used in of the Vanderbilt, Spingold and Swiss teams or round robin events Reisinger Teams Championships. where there are many teams and each Vugraph for major bridge events is also team plays a relatively small number of offered online through Bridge Base deals against each of the other teams.

Online (BBO). The presentation is to the special features of duplicate complemented by commentary designed games. You can download it to your to make the audience both understand computer or order copies from the ACBL and enjoy the bidding and play of the Resource Center at experts competing in the event. http://acbl.mybigcommerce.com/welco me-to-the-world-of-duplicate-bridge/. Vulnerability Win/Loss Swiss This is a condition of play in which premiums and penalties are increased. To receive credit for a full win, a team In rubber bridge, vulnerability comes must win by 3 or more IMPs. A win by 1 about by having won one game toward or 2 IMPs constitutes a 3/4 win (called a rubber. In duplicate bridge, winning tie), with the losing team vulnerability is arbitrarily assigned. getting the other quarter of a point. However, the team winning the match W receives the entire match masterpoint award. Warning partner World Bridge Federation (WBF) There are certain situations in which a player has the right to warn partner if The World Bridge Federation was that player feels that partner is about to founded in August of 1958 by delegates commit an irregularity during the play. from Europe, the United States and This includes any time partner fails to Australia. In 1977, it was incorporated in follow suit (under ACBL rules) and, as New York State as a not-for-profit dummy, whenever it appears partner is organization. www.worldbridge.org about to lead from the wrong hand. Worldwide Bridge Contest Welcome to the North American This international competition is held in Bridge Championships June of each year. It is scored as usual at This booklet is designed to help a new the local level and matchpointed around player understand and enjoy the ACBL’s the world at the world level. premier tournaments. It can be adapted www.acbl.org for use at sectionals and regionals in conjunction with an I/N Program. This is the location of the ACBL’s official http://web2.acbl.org/nabc/NABCWelco website. me.pdf.

Welcome to the World of Duplicate This brochure is an excellent publication to use at clubs to introduce new players 44

X Garrison of Spring TX who attained the rank at the age of 9 years, 2 months and X 7days. He took the title from Richard Jeng of John’s Creek GA who attained 1. A symbol used in lowercase in the rank at the age of 9 years, 6 months bridge literature to signify an and 12 days. insignificant low card in any suit, a card lower than a 10. Thus Your Best Partner in Bridge K-x-x means the king and two low This is a colorful, informative brochure cards in that suit. for prospective members or sponsors 2. A capital X indicates a double. now available from the ACBL Marketing These symbols are used in all Department. The brochure includes an forms of written bidding – texts, introduction to duplicate bridge, bridge stories, newspaper columns, hand education information and a special records for important matches, section featuring the Bridge Bulletin etc. Similarly, XX means magazine. “redouble.” http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/ Y marketing/BestPartner.pdf Youth Bridge Program Yarborough The Youth Bridge Program and Youth A yarborough is any hand at bridge division, established in 2009, provides containing no card higher than a nine. It playing and social activities for players was named after an English lord who under the age of 20. customarily would offer to wager 1,000 pounds to one against the chance of Youth NABC such a hand being held by a player. In postmortem discussions, the term The Youth North American Bridge “yarborough” is often used to describe Championships was started in Atlanta, bad hands even if they do not meet the GA in 2008. The YNABC is held each strict requirements. summer in conjunction with the Summer North American Bridge Youngest Life Master Championships.

To become a Life Master is a goal of all Youth Player of the Year serious bridge players. Some never make it in their lifetime; others seem to have a Each calendar year the Youth player special gift for the game and become (under the age of 20) earning the most Life Masters within a very short time. masterpoints during the year is declared The record for becoming the youngest the Youth Player of the Year. Life Master is currently held by Zach Youth Sportsmanship Award

The winner of this annual award is tournaments. It strives to promote a elected from the nominations submitted friendly atmosphere at the table, while by the youth members at the Youth eliminating unacceptable behavior NABC. The person selected must be including rudeness, intimidation, under 20 years of age and an ACBL gloating, profanity and a variety of other member in good standing. He/she offenses. Automatic penalties are part of would be encouraging and supportive of the program. If you feel an infraction of youth activities, inspire and encourage Zero Tolerance has occurred at your younger players, exhibit ethical behavior table, please call the director. and display good sportsmanship. http://www.acbl.org/tournaments_page /ethics-and-discipline/zero-tolerance- Z policy/

Zero Tolerance

This is a policy recommended by ACBL and followed at many clubs and

www.acbl.org

 Find a Teacher Online directory of accredited teachers. https://web3.acbl.org/findalist/teacher  Find a Club Online directory of club locations and game times throughout North America. https://web3.acbl.org/findalist/club  Tournament Calendar Information on every tournament scheduled in North America for the year. http://www.acbl.org/tournaments/display.php  Special Events See the Special Events Schedule for games at clubs offering extra masterpoints. www.acbl.org/special  Convention Cards Download and edit convention cards. www.acbl.org/convention  My ACBL The exclusive member portal where you can check your masterpoints, renew membership, read the Bridge Bulletin online and more. https://web3.acbl.org/myacbl  Play Online for Masterpoints The website includes links to the online clubs that offer ACBL masterpoint games (Online club membership or game fees are not included in the ACBL Membership). www.acbl.org/online  Learn to Play Bridge Online and Software Practice your skills on the Learn to Play Bridge site at: www.learn.acbl.org Free software can be downloaded at: https://web3.acbl.org/newmembers/free- learn-software  Submit a Question Have a question for us? Email [email protected].

American Contract Bridge League 6575 Windchase Blvd. Horn Lake MS 38637-1523 800.864.2743 www.acbl.org