December 2013

ACBL UNIT 499 NEWSLETTER

No, It’s Neither Chris Christie Nor Terry McAuliffe…

It is your new Board of Directors. You didn’t miss the Board election, because we didn’t have one. The new by-laws say if there are enough people to fill positions, we do not need to have an election.

The 2014 Board will look very similar to the 2013 Board. Four of five members whose terms are expiring, agreed to serve again. They are Lisa Assoni, Pete Boss, Lyn Sacco and yours truly. Our new member is Larry Lange. Welcome Larry. Your job starts in December.

Bill Barron is leaving the Board after devoting three years to I/N bridge players. He has acted as our liai- son to newer groups and has taught with Randy Corr and Grant Robinson. We have been encouraging less -experienced players to come to our tournaments. At the 2012 Fall Sectional we had 44 tables of those with fewer than 299 pts. This year, we had 58 tables. To Bill and all those who help the less-experienced players—job well done!

The holidays are here for some and coming quickly for others. Many of the bridge clubs will be having holiday parties. Please attend as many as you can and enjoy this wonderful game. If you are unsure of what is coming up, please check our website:www.diablovalleybridge.com.

Trisha O’Connor

Return to table of contents 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

President’s Message ...... 1 From The Editor ...... 2 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and look forward Board of Directors ...... 2 to the Christmas holidays. Unit 499 Milestones ...... 3 Our Fall Sectional was a big success! The new location Timing the Game ...... 4 was a winner. I think everyone enjoyed it, Being able to Greetings from Jerry C . . . . . 5 walk out to downtown Danville for lunch was nice, and Improve Your Game ...... 6 many people looked happy eating outdoors on the school Sectional Thanks ...... 8 grounds. Library ...... 10 There’s an announcement in this issue about two new clas- Club News ...... 13 ses for beginners. Let’s help spread the word to our non- bridge-playing friends! Instruction ...... 22 Tournament Results ...... 23 The library is now open! I hope you will take advantage of the wide variety of books available for lend- Calendar of Games ...... 26 ing. There’s a list of the books elsewhere in this issue. There’s also a request for advanced players to write a book review of one of the Unit 499 eDeclarer library books each Published monthly month. Think back to writ- Editor: Judy Keilin ing book reports in grade Publisher: Mary Krouse school – summon up those Submit articles to [email protected] skills and be a contribu- Volume XXXII tor! Send your reviews to December 2013 Ally and to me. Deadline for January is December 13th Judy Keilin

To submit a letter to the editor, send it to Judy Keilin at [email protected]

Be sure to visit the unit website for more information on our clubs and events, as well as archives of our newsletters. Mary Krouse, Publisher

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Secretary Membership Chair Forum Liason Treasurer Trisha O'Connor Lyn Sacco Jackie Zayac Lisa Assoni Anne Hollingsworth [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Vice President 199er Ombudsman Publicity & Communications Electronic Newsletter Editor Web Site Maintenance Beth Eggers Bill Barron Pete Boss Judy Keilin Lynne Humphrey [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Youth Bridge Discipline Chair Youth Bridge Unit Game Schedule Hospitality Ted Gunn Carroll Brooks Bruce Johnsonbaugh Andy Fine Jane Malcuit [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Return to table of contents 2 * * * NEW JUNIOR MASTERS * * *

Barbara M Klein

* * * NEW CLUB MASTERS * * *

Mel Chaplin Roslyn Simon

* * * NEW SECTIONAL MASTERS * * *

Kate M Bernard Dottie C Langthorn John W Schelling Greta Westeson

* * * NEW REGIONAL MASTERS * * *

Richard Kier

* * * NEW NABC MASTERS * * *

Gregg Riehl

Return to table of contents 3 No-Play, No Pain

Did you know that you are supposed to play in the time allotted, just like you should bid only in turn and must follow suit when able? It is your responsibility to play on time. My experience is that nearly everyone can play on time if they will focus on playing and avoid discussions. You’d be surprised by how many late players your director overhears discussing the previous board! Two-board movements often engender slow play, so please be especially diligent when playing only two boards per round. When you are running late, the director asks you to take a no-play. This is simply to keep the game moving. There is no blame or punishment. The only consequence of taking a no-play is missing the enjoyment of playing the board. Your score is un- affected by the no-play. You do not get a zero or an “average”. Your overall matchpoint percentage will be calculated from the boards you actually played. The computer does the calculations, so there will be no errors. In a club game, the director will warn everyone when the round is nearly over, meaning that there are less then two minutes to play. You should not start a new board after this warning. Call the director if you still have a board to play. Even if the direc- tor doesn’t warn you about time expiring, check the clock yourself. Call the director before starting a new board if there are less than two minutes left in the round. Why police yourself? The director has the right to deduct matchpoints from pairs who are chronically late during a game, but this is a club and not a tournament. At tournaments, making other players wait affects their competitiveness. The director has to protect them. At a club, you are annoying your friends. You are putting the director in an awkward position. Do the right thing. You do not need to worry if the last round is coming up, or a break for clubs that have one. Your director understands that you are still settling in during the first round, and gives some extra time.

How to Take a No-Play

To enter a no-play on a BridgePad terminal, for ‘Contract’ press the “NP/LP” key, then press “Next”. The director becomes aware that you have done so. When you take a no-play, you are being courteous to the other players by helping everyone make the move on time. This is not the Bermuda Bowl. Let’s get on with it and have a good time. Hope to see you at the table. Grant Robinson

Return to table of contents 4 Hola after the Puerto Vallarta Regional

Winnie Jasper and Jerry Chamberlain teamed up with the dynamic duo of Vicki Chang and Don Steedman in three events. We placed 2nd to a pro team in a two-session Swiss and took two firsts in subsequent knock- outs. The later sessions are held at 2pm and 8pm (mornings sessions at 9:30am).

With the later afternoon start, there is plenty of opportunity to spend quality beach time. But, most im- portant, is that we had fabulous dining experiences throughout the week. PV is an epicurean delight. (I learned that word from Chris Pisarra). From dinner on the beach, listening to the waves, or watching baby turtles flipper their way out of the sand toward the ocean before the birds get them, to having a marga- rita with my favorite señorita, it was all good. Pat George and Arlen Schechtman were with us for some of the great dinners, so ask them about the restaurants.

Winnie's favorite thing was going in the morning (not too early) to La Palapa or Daquiri Dick's on the sand in Olde Town PV and greeting Esteban. Esteban is a local beach vendor who specializes in jewelry. Evidently he has very good prices and a great selection of items (if in doubt please check with Pat George and Vicki Chang). Don Steedman and I accompanied the ladies, but our job was to say "yes dear, it looks good on you" and order another happy-hour margarita. We ordered lunch during the shopping and made it back in time for the 2pm session.

Don and Vicki took several excursions and tours and liked them. On Monday morning they went downtown for breakfast and in Don's words went to a little hole-in-the-wall. Vicki had an omelet and fruit plate and Don partook of burristas (small burritos he said). Drinks and a tip- the bill for both of them was 80 pesos. Prox $6. Yes six dollars.

The weather was absolutely wonderful. Not too hot or muggy. PV is similar in latitude to Hawaii but over two hours closer via plane and 1/2 to 2/3 the price of a flight to Hawaii. This was the fourth year Winn and I have attended this regional are we fully prepared to go next year also. It is a small regional as far as attend- ance. Last year there was an obvious schism in skill across the field. At least five pro teams were there but only one this year. The other attendees were, on the whole, cordial and pleasant. We seem to see the same players year after year and have formed lots of friendships through this event.

Margy Michelin (a grand life master) was sitting with us one night lamenting her team's loss. This might be the hand of the tourney I think:

Margy opens 1 diamond and her partner bids 2 clubs, a game force. RHO now bids 2 diamonds, an obvious ma- jor suited call since Margy has 7 diamonds headed by the AKQ. Eventually she bids 6 diamonds and RHO dou- bles with two aces and a void in clubs. The double (Lightner double) commands the lead of dummy's first bid suit which is what happens. Ruff with the singleton and cash the heart A for down one. (Margy is void in spades) The exact same auction occurred at her teammates' table but they pulled the double to 6 spades which was doubled and down to the tune of 800. Margy's team lost by a few IMPs. Those darn computer- hands, except this one was dealt. Please consider joining us in PV next year in early November.

Regards,

Jerry

Return to table of contents 5 I Guess I was Absent that Day

Jumping after Partner’s Takeout Double - Part Two

So now you know what “everybody” else knows: when partner bids a takeout double, you need to jump a level to show 9 or more points. As always, there is more to the story. Most partnerships show a jump of one level to show exactly 9-11 points (or 9 to a bad 12 points). The way to show 12+ points is to cuebid the opponent’s opening bid.

Not everybody plays exactly this way. Some partnerships promise a major or even tolerance for both majors in certain situa- tions. I know one partnership that plays a cuebid as asking for a stopper. However “standard” bidding on BBO, and at bridge clubs in our area, uses a cuebid after a takeout double to show opening points.

So if the bidding goes: 1H / X by you / pass / 2H by partner / pass / ? … don’t panic and don’t go looking for zebras. Partner is probably not making some exotic bid, but is just showing points and inviting to game.

Beth Eggers

Return to table of contents 6 NORTH ♠ 10 8 7 6 5

♥ J 7 2 ♦ 8 4 Looking at the hand to the right, determine your line of play before ♣ 5 3 reading the Solution. You are South.

IMPROVING YOUR GAME SOUTH ♠ A ♥ A K Q 10 9 After you open 2♣ and eventually get heart support, you gamble that you can ♦ A 6 set up the clubs by trumping one or two in dummy and bid a somewhat opti- ♣ A K 7 6 2 mistic 6♥. West leads the ♠K and there you are. Plan the play.

You have an inescapable diamond loser and you will have to bring the club suit. If clubs are 3-3, there will be no problem, but

we all know that clubs are more likely to be 4-2 and if they are, there could be trouble---particularly if East, sitting in back of dummy, also has two clubs. You could risk ruffing the first club with the ♥7 hoping East cannot overruff with the ♥8, but you can do better.

It is easier to ruff one club with dummy’s ♥ J and one diamond low in dummy rather than taking the risk of ruffing two clubs. Play the ♣A and ♣K and lead a third ♣ at trick 4. If West follows, discard a diamond, a sure loser in any event. Assuming clubs are 4-2, you will be able to ruff your ♦6 low in dummy and a fourth club with dummy’s ♥J. IMPROVING YOUR GAME

This technique of discarding a sure loser (the diamond) from dummy on a long suit is something to be on the lookout for. This may later enable dummy to ruff a loser in your short suit safely low and trump a loser in your long suit high.

Notice that if you ruff the third club with dummy’s ♥J and East shows out, you can still survive. Cross to the ♦A and play a fourth club, discarding a diamond. Your fifth club is good so all you have to do is ruff your remaining diamond in dummy.

You didn’t think I was going to let you get away with ruffing a club with the♥ 7, did you?

The West hand: ♠ K Q J ♥ 6 4 ♦ Q 10 7 2 ♣ Q 10 9 4 The East hand: ♠ 9 4 2 ♥ 8 5 3 ♦ K J 9 5 3 ♣ J 8

The hand above is taken from Take All Your Chances at Bridge, by Eddie Kantar, by permission of the publisher, Master Point Press.

Return to table of contents 7 HUGE THANKS FROM THE FALL SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT CHAIR

Another successful Unit 499 Fall Sectional is history with much to celebrate and many to thank. First, and for me, always foremost is the incredible participation by our unit membership. From the superb food spread to the hands on help and cheerful demeanor, our unit events have developed a reputation for doing it right. Thank you Unit 499 members! One proof of a successful tournament is table-count and ours was up on Saturday morning with almost all those tables in the 299er section. Thank you to all our Bridge teachers who encouraged their newer play- ers to attend.

From the beginning of any tourney cycle, the Chair has to know who to count on, and I was the luckiest ever to have past Chair Lynne Humphrey, President Trisha O’Connor and Hospitality Chair Jane Malcuit all holding me up and keeping everything in place. Another key person on the team, who is easy to overlook but extremely important, is our Publicity Chair, Pete Boss. It is amazing how far and wide he is able to distribute our Tourney Flyers and that definitely makes a difference in attendance since our location is a moving target. Because we have lost the Iron Horse School location for the foreseeable future, securing San Ramon Val- ley High was a godsend. Far and away the best room we have ever had to work with, and a wonderful school staff starting with our facility liaison, Cheryl Wurnitsch and the ever-helpful custodians, Sun and Van. If any of you are friends with the SRVH football coach, he also became a secret savior when he figured out a way to move his Saturday morning team/film review meeting to another location - bigger deal than it may look to us outsiders. Our Director team - Nancy Boyd, Dianne Barton Paine, Evelyn Holtz and Doug Handler- was as wonderful as we have come to expect, especially, their patience with the bigger-than-expected turnout on Saturday morning, which caused a lot of scurrying by them and our table master, Calvin. But more tables were set up, sections were expanded and the game began. (And, yes, we will do something about chairs the next time we are there.) I can only repeat for all to know, how fortunate we are to have our Very Special Caddy, Dori Dolgin. She knows all the little things that need to be done and does them with smooth efficiency which includes mak- ing and delivering the boards. On Sunday she was ably assisted by the charming and very helpful Kayla Gosnell. Setting up at 7:30am Saturday morning is a challenge for everyone, but our Board of Directors showed up in full force and tackled the job. Thank you all for accepting my arm-twisting. Special thanks to Bruce Johnsonbaugh and his bride, Sharry, who store, sort and deliver our tournament supplies. THE hardest part of any tourney is the take-down on Sunday evening. Everyone is tired, worn out and ready to go home, but so many stayed and chipped in; thank you to our Board, and special thanks to those non-Board members who did so much to help on both the set-up and take-down. Special big thanks to Mark Humphrey, Jack Meng, Tosh Kuritsubo, Marj Russell, Charlie Rollins, Gregg Riehl and, Randy Corr and my two chair-moving Michaels - O’Connor and Gosnell. If I have forgotten to acknowledge your assistance, please blame it on my tired brain and not my lack of appreciation. It really takes a village and we have one of the best.

Carroll Brooks

Return to table of contents 8 SECTIONAL PICTURES

ALL SET UP AND READY TO GO!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FOOD TABLE! WHO SNUCK A BITE OF PIE?

Return to table of contents 9 Bud Miller Memorial Library How To Become a Better Bridge Player? READ! READ! READ! Announcing our new library for members of Unit 499, housed and cared-for by DVBC (thank you Iris!). It has been named the Bud Miller Memorial Library in honor of our friend who was a role model in both honesty and immense kindness at the bridge table. Anyone in our unit can borrow a book for thirty days. A renewal for another thirty days is allowed by simply entering a second entry in the logbook, ongoing (as long as there is no one wait-listed for the book). This is all we ask! If you chose not to return the book on time, no worries, just bring back a second bridge book, of equal value, when you return it to continue your bridge borrowing privileges. The director at DVBC will have the log book and the key to the library. We hope you take advantage of using it to improve and thereby enhance your enjoyment in bridge. A big thanks goes to the Unit Board for allocating $300 from their fund to pay for the cabinet and more books (which well be added soon). And, as importantly our thanks go to Iris who offered her club as the sponsor of the program, involving her own personnel and for very swiftly locating a library cabinet! Below is an alphabetical listing of books and those who donated them. There were books dropped off at DVBC without knowledge of who donated them, so please let us know if any book(s) are listed below are yours so we recognize you. Book donations are appreciated and duplicate copies are most welcome!

Name of Book Author Contributor Advanced Play at Bridge Kelsey All Hands on Deck Bird Auto Bridge - Device Young Basic Bridge in 3 Weeks Truscott Better Bridge Sense Grant Better Bridge with a Better Memory Klinger Keilin/Meng Bid Better, Play Better Truscott Bidding Grant Bidding Rule -Pamphlet Keilin/Meng Blocking, Unblocking, Safety Plays in Bridge Reese Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding Grant Bridge Bidding Goren Bridge Conventions in Depth Granovetter Bridge Conventions in Depth Kantar Bridge Conventions, Defences & Countermeasures Klinger Bridge From A to Z Rose Bridge in the 4th Dimension Mollo Bridge Squeezes for Everyone Bird Card Play Fundamentals Blackwood Common Sense Bidding Root Keilin/Meng Declarer Play the Bergen Way Bergen Whiteneck Defense Grant Diamond Series Grant Duplicate Bridge Direction Groner Dynamic Defense Lawrence Enhanced Precision Beall Keilin/Meng Goren Settles Bridge Aruguments Goren

Return to table of contents 10 Goren's Bridge Complete Goren Young Hand Evaluation Lawrence Heart Series Grant How the Experts Win at Bridge Hall How To Defend a Bridge Hand Root Keilin/Meng How To Defend a Bridge Hand Root How To Play a Bridge Hand Root Keilin/Meng Improving Your Judgement 2 Doubles Grant Into to Card Combinations - Pamphlet Greenberg Keilin/Meng Introduction to Declarer Play Kantar Kantar For Defense Kantar Keilin/Meng Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge ACBL Learn Bridge in a Weekend Davis Whiteneck Learn to Play Bridge in 9 Minutes Granovetter Master Play in Contract Bridge Reese Keilin/Meng Modern Bridge Conventions Root & Pavlicek Keilin/Meng More Commonly Used Conventions Grant More Commonly Used Conventions Grant More Declarer Play the Bergen Way Bergen Whiteneck On Bidding Truscott Opening Leads Goren Keilin/Meng Partnership Understandings Lawrence Whiteneck Planning NoTrump Contracts Bird/Bourke Keilin/Meng Play of the Hand Grant Play of the Hand Grant Play of the Hand Grant Players Guide to the Rules Harrison Pocket Guide to Bridge Seagram Libby Points Schmoints Bergen Keilin/Meng Safety Plays in Bridge Reese/Trezel Sandard Bidding with SAYC Downy Libby Simple Conventions Horton Whiteneck Slam Bidding with Bergen Companion Bergen Whiteneck Snares and Swindles in Bridge Reese Standard Bridge for the 21st Century Hardy Keilin/Meng Stronger Competitive Bidding Miles The ABC's of Bridge Root Keilin/Meng The Bridge World - Apr 2013 ACBL Libby The Bridge World - Aug 2013 ACBL Libby The Bridge World - Jun 2012 ACBL Libby The Bridge World - Mar 2013 ACBL Libby The Bridge World - May 2013 ACBL Libby The Bridge World - Oct 2013 ACBL Libby The Complete Book of Opening Leads Blackwood Keilin/Meng The Complete Book on Overcalls in Contract Bridge Lawrence Keilin/Meng The Impact of Opening Leads Against NT Contracts Grant The Pocket Guide to Bridge Seagram Keilin/Meng Twenty Five Bridge Conventions You Should Know Seagram Keilin/Meng Twenty Five Steps to Learning 2/1 Thurston Keilin/Meng Twenty Five Ways to Be a Better Defender Seagram/Bird Keilin/Meng Twenty Five Ways to Make More Tricks as Declarer Seagram Keilin/Meng Two over One Game Force Grant Two over One Game Force Grant Watson Play of the Hand Watson Weeks to Winning Bridge Sheinwold Why You Lose at Bridge Simon Whiteneck Winning Declarer Play Truscott Keilin/Meng

Ally Whiteneck

[email protected] [email protected]

Return to table of contents 11 BE A BOOK-REVIEWER

Now that we have our library in place, I thought a good follow-up would be to have our knowledgeable bridge players in our unit write an article about one book located in the library each month.

Anyone who would volunteer to write a report on a book for January's issue and ongoing months can send an email to me and let me know which book you are reviewing, so there are no duplicates, AND ALSO to Judy. Keilin ([email protected]).

I hope our community will respond, as this would be helpful, considering the many books from which to choose. This would spotlight some of the better ones and and give some indication as to the level of the books.

Ally Whiteneck

Return to table of contents 12 It is a Saturday morning, and as I watch seven tables of Novice players bid, play, chuckle, and congratulate their opponents on well-played hands, I feel very happy about Diablo Valley Bridge Center. These players exemplify what we are trying to create -- a warm, pleasant, and -- above all -- a SAFE environment where one can

learn, make mistakes, do things right (sometimes by accident), and walk out of the CLUB NEWS center with the thought of coming back soon.

One of our new players is eleven-year-old Arthur Waterman. Arthur is learning to play our game on Tuesday evenings, where Bruce Johnsonbaugh and his trusty band of volunteers teach a lively group of 11-23 year-olds and channel their considerable energies into a very positive direction. Arthur is playing with another player new to

the Novice Game, and they are doing quite well, so far.

Our newly-opened "Library" is ready for more donations from all you avid readers of bridge books. As you will read else-

where in eDeclarer, the library is dedicated to the memory of one of our favorite players at DVBC -- Dabney "Bud" Mil- ler. We always knew where Bud was sitting when we heard his distinctive, hearty, infectious laugh. I miss him very much, and I didn't know him for as long as many others in our club. His obituary is now posted on the bulletin board just across

from the bookcase. CLUB NEWS

Randy Corr has been a regular and loyal mentor/teacher on Saturday mornings since we became an ongoing weekly game at the beginning of 2013. He needs to take care of other obligations in 2014 (expecting a new litter of pups), and I now ask you to consider becoming a regular mentor in the new year. Bill Barron, Trisha O'Connor, Andy Fine and Marj Russell, along with Randy, can answer any questions you might have about their personal experiences as mentors. Please let me know if you are one of the willing. Thanks very much.

We were dark on Thanksgiving Day, but Randy, bless his heart, will direct the Novice Game on Saturday morning, Novem- ber 30, while I am on the return drive from Fullerton, in Orange County. I feel blessed that one of my four children lives in

California (at least, for now). We will celebrate my favorite holiday with Tim Scott (my eldest son), his lovely wife, Tracey, and their two wonderful sons, Nathan (newly 16) and Noah (14 in four months), and Tracey's family.

CLUB NEWS Diablo Valley Bridge Center will be open every day BUT Thanksgiving Day, sooooo COME AND PLAY!!

Iris Libby

DIABLO VALLEY BRIDGE CENTER 2920 Camino Diablo, W. C., SUITE 100 CALL: 925-935-2273 or 925-943-2273

Return to table of contents 13 DIABLO VALLEY BRIDGE CENTER

935-2273 (general information) or 943-2273 (for reservations)

SCHEDULE OF GAMES Sunday Afternoon 1:00 PM Open Game Monday Morning 9:30 AM Free Lesson

Morning 10:00 AM Open Game CLUB NEWS Evening 7:15 PM Open Game Tuesday Morning 9:00 AM 299er Game Lesson by Ravi before game Wednesday Morning 8:50 AM 299er Game Larry Miller Afternoon 12:30 PM Open Game

Thursday Morning 9:30 AM 850 Game Judy Lowe and Bob Collins

Friday Morning 10:00 AM Open Game Evening 7:15 PM Open Game

Saturday Morning 9:15 AM Free Lesson

Morning 9:30 AM Novice 99er Game Mentored, questions allowed CLUB NEWS 3rd Saturday Afternoon 12:30 PM Team Game 2nd and 4th Evening 7:00 PM Open Strat Wine and Cheese and pot luck

Lessons:

Monday morning - Free half-hour lesson given by Larry Miller prior to the Open game Thursday evenings - Grant Robinson, Competitive Bidding Saturday mornings—Grant Robinson, Advanced Class

Please see more details and flyers in the Instruction Section of this Newsletter

For all games, coffee and tea are furnished, and CLUB NEWS soft drinks are available for a nominal fee.

And, if all that isn't enough, there are electronic scoring pads,

which allow you to see results after each board is scored, AND speed up the process of getting results at the end of the game.

Return to table of contents 14 CLUB NEWS

What: J & B BRIDGE GAME AT DVBC Where: DVBC 2920 Camino Diablo, W. C., SUITE 100 CALL: 925-935-2273 or 925-943-2273

When: Thursdays, 9:30 AM

Limit: 999 masterpoints Cost: $9

CLUB NEWS

CLUB NEWS

Return to table of contents 15 Diablo Country Club Duplicate

If you are looking for a very special once-a-month bridge event, also directed by Judy Lowe, plan to attend this game at Diablo Country Club on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9:30am. The club serves a delicious full lunch with coffee and dessert. The cost for bridge and lunch is $26. Bridge pads are used and hand records are pro- vided.

This game is open to all players, but reservations are required and can be made by contacting Mary Krouse ([email protected] or 925 820-3541). The cost of lunch ($20.50) is not refundable if you cancel after the Thursday prior to the game unless you replace yourself.

The December game falls during STaC week. All are welcome, be sure to make a reservation with Mary. The cost will be $27.

November winners were: North/South Rick Bentley and Frank Cannella

East/West Fluge Schoendienst - Gilbert Reeser

Blackhawk Country Club Duplicate

The Blackhawk game on the 1st and 4th Wednesdays at 9:30am is open to women only, and features sanctioned bridge, unlimited coffee and tea, and a lovely lunch for $21. Bridge pads are used and hand records are provided. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Lilah Newton (925 648-3154 or lilahnew- [email protected]) or Jean Heninger (925 736-7621). You can also contact Judy Lowe ([email protected]) for any questions regarding participation in this game.

We are having a holiday bridge party at BHCC on Wed., Dec. 18. This is not our usual day to play but we wanted to have a special party during STAC week. Gentlemen are invited. We will play in the main dining room beginning at 9:30. We will finish play around 1 p.m. and have a served lunch consisting of a cup of soup and a choice of one of two salads. Cost for the day is $25. All points awarded will be silver. It will be a fun day. Let Lilah or Jean Heninger know if you want to play. If you want to play and don't have a partner we may be able to help you find someone.

November winners were: November 6th N/S Judy Keilin and Jo An Reid E/W Muriel Krieger and Sue Bremer

Return to table of contents 16 I will use this month's article to remember my friend and former (circa 2003-2004) partner, Bud Miller, a true gentleman who played bridge for fun. My favorite Bud Miller bridge story comes from a Santa Clara Regional where Jessica, Marvin and I had sort of dragged Bud to get his gold points for Life Master. I think it was more important to us than it was to Bud. CLUB NEWS In the first round of our Knockout, we faced what turned out to be the best team in our bracket. We beat them and went on to finish first and get Bud's final gold points for Life Master. But there is more to the story.

Bud and I were partners and on the deciding hand of the match, I opened one no trump, Bud trans- ferred to Hearts and then bid 4NT, intending it to be Blackwood for Hearts. I took it as Quantitative and

passed. Hearts split badly and the hand only made 11 tricks. At the other table our opponents were down one in six Hearts. Serendipity at the bridge table! Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday mornings, we set a new record on October 30 with 17 tables! We only had 32 boards so Ally quickly assembled two more. CLUB NEWS

Winners since the last report were:

North/ South

10/23 - Mary and John Schelling 10/30 - Doug Eisner/Fred Kovar

11/6 - Eisner and Kovar 11/13 - Betty Argabright and Felicity Warner *

*(Using the lucky Bridge Pad) CLUB NEWS

East/West 10/23 - Max Hinkle/Jim Brown ROOKIE BRIDGE 10/30 - Lee Farrell/Margy Evans 11/6 - Jane White/Patricia Rolandelli Wednesday mornings at 8:50am until about 12

11/13 - Hinkle/Brown DIABLO VALLEY BRIDGE CENTER 2920 Camino Diablo, W. C., SUITE 100 High game was Hinkle/ Brown at about 70% CALL: 925-923-2274 or 925-943-2273 (scoring correction to be made). High game North/South was the Schellings at 68% For information, contact Larry Miller at [email protected]

Larry Miller

Return to table of contents 17 CLUB NEWS

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Time 12:30 12:30 9:30 7:00 PM 12:30

Events Open Section OpenGAME Section SCHEDULE Open Section Open Section Open

499er Section 199er Section 299er Section Section Guests Guests Guests may play Rossmoor may play with may play with Guests CLUB NEWS Restrictions with residents only Rossmoor Rossmoor are welcome Rossmoor Residents Residents Residents

CLUB NEWS

Return to table of contents 18

Hello from Brentwood!

We have two games in our club:

(1) Tuesday afternoon at 12:30pm, at Summerset Orchards Club House, 770 Centennial Place. The cost is $6.50.

CLUB NEWS (2)Wednesday Evening at 6:30pm at the Brentwood Senior Citizens Center, 193 Griffith Lane. The cost is $6.

Both games have free snacks, including egg salad sandwiches at the Tuesday game, and coffee and tea. From Walnut Creek, it takes about thirty to forty minutes on Tuesday with easy access and return, due to anti-traffic direction. Feel free to come and join us. There’s no need to call, but if you need a partner, please call me.

Unit games are held two times per year at each of our venues. There are also special games with extra points often during the year.

Carmen Meuter

Website :http://diablovalleybridge.com/brentwood-discovery-bay/ CLUB NEWS

Cell: 510-851-2869

CLUB NEWS

Bridge on the Lake, 1245 Beach Ct, Discovery Bay 94505, has a game on Saturdays at 12:30 pm, reservations requested, 925-516-4380.

The website is "brentwooddiscovery.bridgeforyou.com"

Bride on the Lake will have its holiday party following the STaC game on Dec

21st. The party will begin with the Boat Parade on the lake at 5 PM.

Arlene Mahlberg Bridge on the Lake Club Owner, Manager

Return to table of contents 19 The Moraga Evening Duplicate Bridge club will meet in December as follows:

Wednesday, 12/4 Tuesday, 12/10

CLUB NEWS Wednesday, 12/18 Tuesday, 12/24 – NO GAME, we are not heathens!

Games always begin at 7pm and finish about 10. Fee is $2 per player. ACBL Open Club, with Master Points of course. Hand records. YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE with: Winnie Jasper ([email protected]) for Wednesdays, or David Geary ([email protected]) for Tuesdays.

On Wednesdays we meet at the Moraga Country Club, upstairs - on St. Andrews, a short distance from Moraga Way. On Tues-

days the locations varies, sometimes at the Moraga Country Club, sometimes at homes. Recent results:

CLUB NEWS

10/16 eight pairs 1 –Art Donaldson & David Geary 2 – Joan Tasker & Jerry Chamberlain 3 – Sanda Henry & Winnie Jasper

10/22 six pairs

1 – Judy & John Sherwood

2 – Colleen & David Geary 3 – Kathy Gray & Al Dessayer

CLUB NEWS 11/6 eight pairs 1 – Sue & Shyam Rungta 2 – Sanda Henry & Ashok Chakradeo 3 – Francoise & Alvin Buchignani

Regards, David Geary

Return to table of contents 20

The Danville weekly ACBL duplicate bridge game is held on Fridays at the Danville Veterans Hall/Senior Center. It is directed by ACBL certified director, David Sterling. The game is limited to players with 999 masterpoints. This preserves a friendly playing atmosphere. Results are stratified. The cost is $6 for Danville residents and $7 for all others.

Free coffee and some snacks will be provided. CLUB NEWS

As usual, December is a month with its difficulties in Danville. On the 6th we are pre-empted from the Senior Center because of the town's holiday Christmas Luncheon. I have reserved the Swain House in Hap Magee park as I did last year. On the 27th, ALL town facilities are closed so there will NOT be a game.

I have signed up for the December STaC on Friday morning, December 20th, so we will have a special game. Our normal masterpoint limit (1000) will apply. Danville Duplicate Bridge

We look forward to seeing you. Friday Morning at 9:30AM 999 limit ACBL Club # 267070 David Sterling David Sterling, Certified ACBL Director E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 925-683-1083 (cell) CLUB NEWS Danville Veterans Hall/Senior center 115 East Prospect Ave., Danville CA 94526

Carol offers a variety of classes and games and holds them at the Orinda Community Cen-

ter (925 254-2445), Lafayette Community Center (925 284 1549) and the Diablo Valley Bridge Center (925-923-2274). The masterpoint level for her Newplicate strati-

CLUB NEWS fied game on Tuesdays at 1pm is 0—500.

Carol T Griffin

For more information, contact Carol at [email protected], or check the website at http://www.carolgriffin-bridge.moonfruit.com

Return to table of contents 21 BRIDGE INSTRUCTION

TWO NEW CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS

DVBC has just firmed up two introductory classes starting in January:

Introduction to Bridge, Wednesdays, 7-9, Grant Robinson, starting Jan 8 (eight classes)

Introduction to Bridge, Thursdays, 2-4, Joyce Mirwald, starting Jan 9 (four classes)

BRIDGE INSTRUCTION

BRIDGE INSTRUCTION

Return to table of contents 22 Oregon Coast Regional Seaside, Or September 30 - October , 2013

Sand Dollar Fri-Sat KOs5 Judy Keilin Jack Meng 6.5

Tahoe/Carson Fall Sectional Carson City, NV October 10 - October 13, 2013

Sat Morn 750/2500/+ Pairs Bob Luebkeman 4.99 Fri Aft 800/2000/+Pairs Bob Luebkeman 2.46

Fresno Fall Sectional Fresno, CA October 17 - October 20, 2013

Thurs Aft 750/2000/+Pairs nancy Boyd 2.87 Thurs Morn 750/2000/+Pairs Nancy Boyd 1.37

Burlingame IN Sectional Burlingame, CA October 19 - October 20, 2013

Sat AM <100 Strat Pairs Mel Chaplin 1.68 Saf Aft NLM Strat Pairs Louise Chen Annette Eastman 2.77 Sun NLM Pairs Annette Eastman 1.38 Bracketed Teams - I Annette Eastman 1.84 Bracketed Team II Dorothy Lloyd Mel Chaplin 1.42

Santa Clara Valley Fall Sectional Saratoga, CA October 25 - October 27, 2013

Flight 3000/+Swiss Teams William Harker 8.44 Strat 750/1250/2000 Swiss Teams Kathryn Von Dohre Denis Racine 4.43 Irwin Lichtblau

Torrance Regional Torrance, CA October 14 - October 20, 2013

Tues - Wed KO Teams - Bkt 2 Frank Concepcion 6.42 Thur Morn Side Game Series Anne Hollingsworth Jacqueline Zayac 1.48

Ventura Halloween Regional Ventura, CA October 28 - November 3, 2013

Thousan Oaks CKO I Grant Robinson 7.36 Fri Aft Swiss Teams Grant Robinson 1.35 AX Swiss Teams Grant Robinson 13.39

BER Fall Sectional El Cerrito, CA November 2 - November 2, 2013

Flight 0-3000/+Swiss William Harker 6.75 Linda Friedman Daniel Friedman 5.06 Strat 500/750/2000 Swiss Kathryn Von Dohre Denis Racine 2.85 Anne Hollingsworth Jacqueline Zayac 2.14 Mark Marty Bonnie Macbride Strat 1500/3000/+ Pairs Manfred Michlmayr 2.25 Flight 0-3000/+Pairs Manfred Michlmayr 2.91

Return to table of contents 23 Diablo Valley Fall Sectional Davnille, CA November 9 - November 10, 2013

Sat Morn Stratified Side Pairs Randy Corr William Barron 2.28 Keit Gunn 0.96 Marvin Suchman Pat Zieger 0.72 Kathryn Von Dohre 1.16 Mark Marty Bonnie Macbride 1.14 Rosemary Boss Peter Boss 0.86 Sat Morn Stratified 299er Pairs James Raby Steven Nelson 2.64 Cornelia Gould Ed Gould 1.98 Jonathan Bagg William LeMaire 0.84 Barbara Mckay 0.76 Eileen Pleticha Derek Southern 0.57 Beverley Engelbrecht Jack Nold 1.35 Edwin Gunn Arlee Maier 1.01 Sat Morn Stratified 99er Pairs Arthur Donaldson Mary Donaldson 2.04 Joan Baker Betsy Sihner 1.65 John Shick Gerard Milano 0.86 Joann Yata Betty Bryant 0.7 Karen Corburn Virgie Van Hook 0.88 Joanne Quijano Barry Rauchle 0.66 Carol Shannon Barbara Promessi 0.28 Sat Stratified Open Pairs William Harker 4.11 Grant Robinson 3.08 Marilyn Horan Carol Griffin 2.02 Michael Kruley Jacob Rosenberg 1.65 Sat Aft Stratified Side Pairs Mark Marty Kathryn Von Dohre 1.73 Iris Libbry 1.63 Jo An Redi Hedy Wee 0.97 Patricia Perry 1.22 Carl Garrett Catherine Oetjen 1.06 Sat Aft Stratified 299er Pairs James Raby Steven Nelson 1.8 Roberta Gravelle Susan Louise Puccini 1.18 Claudia Tyson Leo Rolandelli 0.76 Sat Aft Stratified 99er Pairs Dan Greenberg Faith Greenberg 1.45 Mel Chaplin Marilyn Chaplin 1.13 Chuck Silva 0.8 Joann Yata Carol Skuce 0.75 Gretchen Flier Carolyn Loe 0.46 Flight A/X Swiss Teams Daniel Friedman Linda Friedman 17.75 Manfred Michlmayr Robert Munson Nancy Munson 12.9 Sheryl Nagy Edward Nagy William Harker 9.7 Grant Robinson Michael Gosnell 11.51 Julia Gosnell

Return to table of contents 24 Flight B/C/D Swiss Teams Ching Chao Hedy Wee 6.17 Sukumar Mukherji Kathryn Von Dohre Denis Racine 3.65 Irwin Lichtblau Troy Lemon Roberta Lemons 3.13 Dennis Dunn Kimberly Yatin Louise Gebert Jeanne Cochran 5.83 Rudolf Gebert Fred Cochran Margy Evens Frank Concepcion 3.83 Tosh Kuritsubo Harry Christopulos Benny Mahlberg Arlene Mahlberg 3.83 Carmen Meuter Margo Wentz 3.83 Randy Corr Carol Penskar 2.59 William Barron Trisha O'Connor Lawrence Swanson Bonnie Macbride 2.22 Susan Cogan Sefton Boyars 1.94 Lee Medeiros Daisy Lennon Mariann Kessler Barbara Smith 4.24 Mary Jane Duthier Mary Ann Diffenderfer Judy Keilin Jack Meng 1.55 Joyce Mirwald Harold Mirwald J Gregg Riehl Betty Argabright 3.18 Felicity Warner Linda Ingham Ed Gould Cornelia Gould 2.39 Bob Evans Christine Evans Jonathan Bagg Shelley Bagg 1.41 Robert Campbell Janet Campbell

Submitted by Anne Hollingsworth

Return to table of contents 25 LIMITED/RESTRICTED GAMES - December 2013 (see below for restrictions) 1-Dec 2-Dec 3-Dec 4-Dec 5-Dec 6-Dec 7-Dec 12:30 - Rossmoor 12:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - J & B at Danville Duplicate DVBC 9:30 Novice 9:00 - DVBC - 299er 9:30 - Blackhawk DVBC - 9:30 Game 12:30 - OCC Newpli- 8:50 - 299er - DVBC 999 LIMIT 12:30 - Rossmoor cate 10 - OCC - 12:30 Bridge on the 0 - 499er supervised play Lake Unit Games

8-Dec 9-Dec 10-Dec 11-Dec 12-Dec 13-Dec 14-Dec 12:30 - Rossmoor 12:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - J & B at Danville Duplicate 9:00 - DVBC - 299er DVBC - 9:30 DVBC 9:30 Super- 12:30 - OCC Newpli- 8:50 - 299er - DVBC 999 LIMIT vised Play cate 10 - OCC - 12:30 - Rossmoor 0 - 499er supervised play 12:30 Bridge on the Lake

15-Dec 16-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec 19-Dec 20-Dec 21-Dec 12:30 - Rossmoor 12:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - J & B at Danville Duplicate DVBC 9:30 Novice 9:00 - DVBC - 299er 9:30 - Blackhawk DVBC - 9:30 Game 12:30 - OCC Newpli- 8:50 - 299er - DVBC 999 LIMIT 12:30 - Rossmoor cate 10 - OCC - 12:30 Bridge on the 0 - 499er supervised play Lake Diablo CC - 9:30

22-Dec 23-Dec 24-Dec 25-Dec 26-Dec 27-Dec 28-Dec 12:30 - Rossmoor 12:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - J & B at Danville Duplicate DVBC 9:30 Novice 9:00 - DVBC - 299er DVBC - 9:30 Game 12:30 - OCC Newpli- 999 LIMIT 12:30 - Rossmoor cate 10 - OCC - 12:30 Bridge on the 0 - 499er supervised play Lake

29-Dec 30-Dec 31-Dec 1-Jan 2-Jan 3-Jan 4-Jan 12:30 - Rossmoor 12:30 - Rossmoor 9:30 - J & B at Danville Duplicate DVBC 9:30 Novice 9:00 - DVBC - 299er ? DVBC - 9:30 Game 12:30 - OCC Newpli- 999 LIMIT 12:30 - Rossmoor cate 10 - OCC - 12:30 Bridge on the 0 - 499er supervised play Lake

OCC Orinda Com. Center tel: 925 254 2445, or contact Carol Griffin at 925 933-3535 BLACKHAWK CC Women only, reservation required; call Jean Heninger at 736-7621, or Lilah Newton at 648-3154. DIABLO CC Reservation required; contact Mary Krouse at [email protected], or (925) 820-3541. ROSSMOOR Residents only DVBC Larry Millier's Rookie Game J & B at DVBC For more information, contact Judy Lowe at (925) 280-7277, or cell (925) 628-4130. Bridge on the Lake Reservations requested, contact the club at 516-4380 DVBC Diablo Valley Bridge Club Danville Dupli- cate Upper limit of 999 Contact David Sterling for more information. [email protected] or 925-683-1083 (cell)

Return to table of contents 26 OPEN GAMES December 2013 (no upper master point limit, and no restrictions on who can attend)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1-Dec 2-Dec 3-Dec 4-Dec 5-Dec 6-Dec 7-Dec 1:00 DVBC 10:00 DVBC 12:30 Brent- 12:30 - DVBC 10:00 - DVBC 7:15 DVBC wood 6:30 Brentwood 7:00 - Rossmoor 7:15 - DVBC 7 -Moraga Bridge Club 8-Dec 9-Dec 10-Dec 11-Dec 12-Dec 13-Dec 14-Dec 1:00 DVBC 10:00 DVBC 12:30 Brent- 12:30 - DVBC 10:00 - DVBC 7:00 - DVBC 7:15 DVBC wood 7 - 6:30 Brentwood 7:00 - Rossmoor 7:15 - DVBC Moraga Bridge Unit Game Club

15-Dec 16-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec 19-Dec 20-Dec 21-Dec 1:00 DVBC 10:00 DVBC 12:30 Brent- 12:30 - DVBC 10:00 - DVBC DVBC - 12:30 7:15 DVBC wood 6:30 Brentwood 7:00 - Rossmoor Team Game Unit Game 7 -Moraga Bridge 7:15 - DBVC Club

22-Dec 23-Dec 24-Dec 25-Dec 26-Dec 27-Dec 28-Dec 1:00 DVBC 10:00 DVBC 12:30 Brent- 10:00 - DVBC 7:00 - DVBC 7:15 DVBC wood 7 - 7:00 - Rossmoor 7:15 - DVBC Moraga Bridge Club

29-Dec 30-Dec 31-Dec 1-Jan 2-Jan 3-Jan 4-Jan 1:00 DVBC 10:00 DVBC 12:30 Brent- 10:00 - DVBC 7:15 DVBC wood ? 7:00 - Rossmoor 7:15 - DVBC

DVBC Diablo Valley Bridge Center Note that the Thursday evening Rossmoor game is open to players from outside Rossmoor. Brentwood Tuesday Games are held at Summerset Orchards Club House, 770 Centennial Place. Wednesday games are held at the Brentwood Senior Citizens Center, 193 Griffith Lane. Moraga These games are open, but require reservations. Contact Winner Jasper at ([email protected]) for Wednesdays, or David Geary ([email protected]) for Tuesdays.

Return to table of contents 27 2013 UNIT GAMES

Month Date Club Day Time Game Time Comments January 20 DVBC Sunday aft 1pm February 1 DVBC Friday am 10am March 15 DVBC Friday pm 7:15pm 17 RDBC Sunday aft 1pm Open April 11 J&B Thursday am 9:30am limited to 850 points 13 Discovery Bay Saturday aft 12:30pm 16 Brentwood, Tuesday aft 12:30pm split sanction Diablo CC, Tuesday am 9:30am split sanction Orinda Tuesday aft split sanction May 19 DVBC Sunday aft 1pm July 7 RDBC Sunday aft 1pm Open 10 Brentwood, Wednesday evening 6:30pm split sanction 25 J&B Thursday am 9:30am limited to 850 points August 7 Blackhawk Wednesday am 9:30am split sanction

RDBC Wednesday am 9:30am Semi-closed guest must play with a RDBC mem- DVBC Wednesday aft 12:30pm split sanction August 11 DVBC Sunday aft 1pm

Septem- 15 DVBC Sunday aft 1pm 17 Brentwood, Tuesday aft 12:30pm split sanction Diablo CC Tuesday am 9:30am split sanction Orinda Tuesday aft split sanction 24 J&B Thursday am 9:30am October 13 RDBC Sunday aft 1pm November 13 J&B Thursday aft 9:30am December 7 Discovery Bay Saturday aft 12:30pm split sanction

RDBC Saturday aft 12:30pm Semi-closed guest must play with a RDBC mem- 11 Brentwood Wednesday evening 6:30pm 15 DVBC Sunday aft 1pm

Return to table of contents 28