POST MORTEM Volume 52 • Winter 2010

GNYBA

Published by the Greater New York Bridge Association NYC Club Directory

Brooklyn Manhattan Queens

Bay Ridge Bridge Club Cavendish Bridge Club Reform Temple of Ft. Hamilton Senior Center 177 East 87 Street Forest Hills 9941 Ft. Hamilton Pkway 1556 Third Avenue 71-11 112 Street 718-377-6817 212-876-2196 718-544-0389

Sephardic Community Honors Bridge Club 133 East 58th Street Staten Island 1901 Ocean Parkway 14th floor 718-954-3150 212-230-1230 Bridge Club of 718-377-3666 Staten Island Manhattan Bridge Club 444 Manor Road East—1233 Second Ave. 718.273.3106 917-699-2929 West—250 West 57th St. 212-845-0155

Call your local Bridge Club for times, lessons and special events Changes to the Duplicate Club Directory should be addressed to the Editor: [email protected]

Chairman of the : Andrew Rosenthal President: Barbara McLendon Administrative VP: Tse Mei Ling Secretary: Bill Begert Treasurer: Kerry Kappell Table of Contents

President’s Letter ...... 2 Calendar of GNYBA/Other Bridge Events ...... 3 GNYBA Board Members ...... 4 Edgar Kaplan Winter Regional ...... 5 February 299er Weekend ...... 6 New Yorker Article ...... 7 Pro Am Form ...... 8 0-199er Silver Point Weekend ...... 9 Betty Kaplan Flyer ...... 10 Upcoming Events ...... 11 Double KO Entry Form ...... 12 ...... 13 Top Masterpoint Winners from May Regional ...... 14 Top Winners from STaC ...... 14 Winners of , KO’s and GNTs ...... 15 Masterpoint Races and Dinner ...... 16 2009 Winners ...... 17 Play Problems by Freddy North, Bridge: The Vital Principles ...... 18 Answers ...... 19 Player of the Year ...... 20 Articles by New York Experts Franco Baseggio ...... 21-22 Peter Bonfanti ...... 23-24

Message from the President

“Only a few of us will win championships, but all of us can win new friends. And, unlike the coveted silver trophies, we keep the friends without having to win them again and again.” The late Dick Frey, editor of The Bridge Bulletin, wrote these words in 1960 but they are still applicable 50 years later.

Those of us who love the game and work for the Greater New York Bridge Association believe these words. We want to encourage all of the 3300 bridge players in our Unit 155 to enjoy the game as much as we do. Some of you are new players and don’t know about many of the events we organize. That is why we have decided to start publishing the Post-Mortem again after a six year hiatus. It had been in existence almost as long as bridge in New York City—over fifty years. Now even if you do not have access to our website, www.gnyba.com, you will have flyers to study and decide which events would be the most fun for you. If you have not tried team games, I encourage you to do so. There are games for every level. The Double KO’s have a Harter Cup for non-life masters. It’s a wonderful way to get started with team games, which if you are interested in accumulating , is the quickest way. Find 3-5 friends and fill out the flyer on page 12.

We also are determined to keep the Reisinger alive--it is the longest running bridge event in NYC, dating back to the 30’s. Now I’m not encouraging beginners to try it because you will be up against the top players in New York, but playing against them is absolutely the best way to improve your game.

Please try the Pro Am if you have under 50 Masterpoints. You might get lucky and draw an amazing partner like Jesus Arias or Bill Begert who won his section last year with a 10-year old newcomer. Try the Betty Kaplan if you are already a fan of team games.

And definitely come to our Edgar Kaplan Regional held again at the Hilton Hotel from December 26 – 30. We will be looking for lots of volunteers to help with Partnership and Prizes, so please get in touch with me or one of our Tournament Chairmen, Peter Bonfanti or Ryan Connors.

Thank you to all the Board Members who have served, three for seven years, which is the maximum and sadly are leaving us.

See you at the bridge table!

Barbara McLendon, President Greater New York Bridge Association

2 2011 Calendar of GNYBA/Other Bridge Events

Jan. 6, Thurs. Board Meeting - Manhattan Jan. 11 - 17 RYE BROOK, NY Jan. 22 – 29 REGIONAL – BERMUDA Jan. 28 -30 Sectional – Allendale, NJ All of February Junior Fund Month Feb. 5, Sat. ACBL International Fund Game 1 Feb. 11-13 Pro-Am, Betty Kaplan, 199er Feb. 13 GNT’s Championship & B Feb. 15 -21 REGIONAL – CROMWELL, CT Feb. 25 – 27 Sectional – Woodbridge, NJ Feb. 27 GNT’s Flights A & C Feb. 28, Mon. ACBL Senior Game Afternoon March 9, Wed. Board Meeting - Cavendish Mar. 10 – 20 NABC – LOUISVILLE, KY Mar. 15, Tues. ACBL Charity Game Evening Mar. 21 - 27 STaC, Units 155 & 242 Mar. 29, Mon. Ev. Canada Olympiad Fund Game Mar. 29 – Apr. 3 REGIONAL – SMITHTOWN, NY All of April Charity Club Championships Apr. 11 - 17 REGIONAL – GATLINBURG, TN May 5, Thurs. Board Meeting - Honors May 8 May 11, Wed. Aft. ACBL International Fund Game 2 May 13 -15 Sectional – Allendale, NJ May 25 - 30 EASTERN STATES REGIONAL May 30 - Final Reisinger June 1 – Aug. 31 NAP (Club Qualifying) June 3, Fri. Ev. Worldwide Bridge Contest June 4, Sat. Af. Worldwide Bridge Contest June 13 – 19 REGIONAL-SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY July NAOP Club Qualifying July 6 - 12 STaC, Units 155 & 242 July 14, Thurs Board Meeting, Manhattan July 15 – 17 Sectional – Woodbridge, NJ July 21- 31 NABC – TORONTO, CANADA July 22, Fri. Ev. ACBL International Fund Game 3 August NAOP Club Qualifying Aug. 8 - 14 REGIONAL – PARSIPPANY, NJ All of September International Fund Games September NAP Unit & District Qualifying September GNTs Club Qualifying Sept. 9 - 11 Sectional – Allendale, NJ Sept. 14, Wed. Ev. ACBL Instant Matchpoint Game Sept. 15, Thurs. Board Meeting, Cavendish Sept. 20 – 25 REGIONAL – SMITHTOWN, NY All of October Jane Johnson Club. Appreciation Oct. 8-10 NYC Sectional Oct. 17 – 23 REGIONAL – DANBURY, CT Oct. 19 Canada Olympiad Fund Game Oct. 24 - 30 STaC, Units 155 & 242 Oct. 31 – Nov. 6 REGIONAL – LANCASTER, PA Nov. 11 – 13 Sectional – Allendale, NJ Nov. 24 – Dec. 4 NABC – SEATTLE, WA Nov. 28 ACBL Charity Game Dec. 6, Tues. Board Meeting, Honors Dec. 9 – 11 Sectional – Woodbridge, NJ Dec. 26 – 30 EDGAR KAPLAN REGIONAL

3 GNYBA Board Members

Otto Adamec Alan Miller Three invaluable Board Randi Adelman Jacqui Mitchell, Honorary Members must rotate off Rozi Alhale Cathy Nathan after serving seven years: Kathy Anday-Fallenius Christopher Rivera Jesus Arias Gary Bagley Bill Rosenbaum Bill Begert Peter Bonfanti Andrew Rosenthal Stephannie Russo Kevin Casey Jyoti Sachdev Ryan Connors Francine Schnoll We mourn the loss of Shelly Dunietz Aaron Silverstein Aileen Osofsky, Honorary Bonnie Gellas Margo Sinclair Board Member, who was Kerry Kappell Suzette Solomon the ACBL Goodwill Chair- Scott Levine James Stuart III man since 1985. She was Alvin Levy, Honorary Maria Tsoukalas an extraordinary woman Tse Mei Ling who improved the game Barbara McLendon for all players.

Election Notice

There will be an election of new Board Members on Monday, December 27 between matches during the Regional-- candidates, time and place to be announced in the bulletin.

Edgar Kaplan December Regional

You don’t want to miss the December Regional. There are single session events for newcomers (under 200 masterpoints) and lectures by New York experts. We’re having two Bracketed Round Robin Swiss Teams which is the best way to win lots of points. You will only be playing against people at your masterpoint level. However, if you wish, you can play up, and if you win, get even more points. For the first time we’re having a Golden Opportunity Pairs Event for people with under 750 points, the only way you can win gold in Flight C. The hotel is lovely, centrally located in midtown, and we have discounts for lunch and dinner at many local restaurants.

4 of 6) of 6) th th

� and 4 and 6

rd th � of 2) nd

� Stratified Events th Strati-Flighted Events Newcomer Pairs Newcomer Pairs Teams Single Session Swiss Horizontal IMPs (2 Truscott Open B-A-M Truscott final) Open B-A-M (2-sess. Truscott Side Game Series II (5 (Qualifying sessions) Bracketed Compact KO II Stratified Open Pairs Stratified Open Pairs Stratified Senior Pairs Side Game Series II (3 Newcomer Pairs Bracketed Round Robin Swiss – Flights A/X Separate Flights 7 Rounds (4/3) th

A (2000+), B (750–2000) C (0–750) A (2000+), 4 pm 7:30 pm A (4000+) A/X (0–4000) B (750–2000) C (0–750) A (4000+)

11 am & TBA 11 am & 11 am & 4 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 29 Dec. Wednesday, 11 am & 3:30 pm

Thursday, Dec. 30 Dec. Thursday,

� � � of 6) of 4) of 4) nd nd th of 4) nd and 2 and 4 of 4) and 2 st st rd th of 2) st & 4 and 2 st rd Open to players with under 200 masterpoints Single session games daily A (100–200) B (50–100) C (0–50) Stratified: lectures by expert players ½ hour before each evening session Free Side Game Series II (1 Newcomer Pairs Bracketed KO (1 Stratified Open Pairs Senior Pairs Bracketed Compact KO I Side Game Series I (1 Jim Becker Stratified A/X Pairs Golden Opportunity Pairs 300–750; Gold points 0–300; B: (C: awarded for section tops and overall finishers in B) Side Game Series I (3 Bracketed KO (3 Stratified Fast Pairs Stratified Fast Newcomer Pairs Teams Single Session Swiss Stratified Senior Pairs Newcomer Pairs (4/3) Teams Bracketed Round Robin Swiss Horizontal IMPs (1 � � � � th th

th N EWCOME R PR O GR AM 4 pm 7:30 pm 5 & 7:45 pm � TBA 11 am & 11 am & 4 pm 11 am & 4 pm 11 am & 4 pm

Sunday, Dec. 26 Dec. Sunday,

28 Dec. Tuesday, 27 Dec. Monday,

� � Street th Caddies Partnership Ryan Connors Peter Bonfanti Peter Tournament Chair Tournament New York, NY 10019 York, New www.gnyba.org validate at tournament. [email protected] & unpaid ACBL members. & unpaid Tournament Information Tournament [email protected] [email protected] New York Hilton Hotel New York Otto Adamec 212–861–6629 Otto [email protected] Edgar Kaplan See November Bridge Bulletin Randi Adelman 917–459–0614 Randi Discount parking: Central Parking Discount parking: $17 $2 Additional for non Entries: $17 $2 Winter Regional December 26 – 30, 2010 December 26 – 30, or www.gnyba.org for bridge room rate. or www.gnyba.org vehicles. Parking subject to availability – Parking vehicles. 1–800–Hiltons or 212–586–7000 1335 Avenue of the Americas at 54 Avenue of the 1335 101 W. 56th Street (between 6th and 7th Ave.) 56th Street (between 6th and 7th W. 101 $20 up to 12 hrs. – $10 surcharge for oversize $20 up to 12 hrs.

5 February 199er Weekend

VICTOR MITCHELL PRO AM

The Victor Mitchell Pro Am tournament pairs new, amateur players - those with fewer than 50 master points - with New York “professionals” (Life Masters). It’s an excellent opportunity to play with a wide range of bridge talent in a relaxed competition. Be sure to read the New Yorker article for a detailed look at the Pro Am and fill out the flyer on page 8 to reserve a place.

199er SILVER POINT WEEKEND

In the quest for Life Master, Silver Points are always the hardest to get. Eventually, gold points rain down on you in great big clumps, but silver points seem only to dribble in for even the best players. The 199er Silver Point event is an opportunity for newer players to earn silver points without having to face overwhelming competition. Only players with fewer than 200 master points are eligible. Even if you’ve never considered pursuing Life Master status, this is a fun event, and, who knows? Your first taste of silver may leave you hungry for more.

BETTY KAPLAN TEAMS

Many bridge players have several partners. The Betty Kaplan Teams, held annually in Manhattan, is perhaps the only tournament in which you get to play with three of your partners in the same event. Not only do you get to, you are required to. In this event, each team must consist of four members, and you must play two rounds with each of your other team mates. Choose your team wisely, because you’ll have to get along with all of them during the course of the day, and sign up for the Betty Kaplan Teams.

6 new tricks partners The winning amateur in one section THE TALK OF THE TOWN of the tournament was Jonathan Sauer, who will begin fifth grade this month— Victor Mitchell was born in a tough making him, by at least a couple of decades, neighborhood in Brooklyn, near the the youngest participant in the Navy Yard, in 1923. When he was a COMMENT siderable personal failings, has been con- The United States has waged war againstcompetition. “Bridge is good for the FLOOD T IDteen-ager,ES duringstrained by the role the of the military Great in na- the Depression, Taliban and Al Qaeda in notionalmind,” al- he said afterward, “and it’s good tional life. The Army ruled the country liance with the Pakistani government, but the owner offor most a of local its sixty-three social years, often clubmost Pakistanis rerouted believe that these camto- learn it when you’re young, so that abetted by the United States. paigns are in fact aimed at them. his life by introducingThe Obama Administration him has de - to There bridge. are steps that the He United Statesyou can become a life master, like my clared that it intends to transform its rela- could take to reduce its Evil Empire pro- won numeroustionship with national Pakistan into a durable and stra- file international within the country, such as graduallygrandfather.” Jonathan, who has short ast spring, according to a Pew Re- tegic partnership between two civilian-led withdrawing from direct combat in Af- search Centertitles; poll, eighty-four was perwritten democracies. about The crisis provoked in Sports by this ghanistan, Illustrated; while preserving politicalblack hair, likes math and science, is centL of Pakistanis were dissatisfied with summer’s floods suggests how far there is stability through regional negotiations the way thingsappeared, were going in their coun - asto go. Among himself, other challenges, in the that a account mystery for, among other things,pretty good at social studies, and hopes try. Inflation, terrorist bombings, and American and Pakistani people seem to Pakistan’s interests. There are steps that American dronenovel strikes were calledamong the hold “I increasingly Shot negative My views of Bridge one Pakistan’s Partner”;Army and intelligence serviceto become an engineer. He is learning causes of theirand discontent. Three-quarters was inductedanother. Since 2001, the into United States the could take American to increase American confi- disapproved of the job being done by the has provided about eighteen billion dol- dence in their reliability, such as repudiatthe- game with his father, Paul, a meteor- country’s President,Contract Asif Ali Zardari. Bridge lars in military League’s and economic aid to Pa Hall- ing their of ties to Islamist Fame. militias that seekologist at LaGuardia Airport, who Then came the summer’s monsoon kistan, and yet sixty per cent of Pakistanis to kill Americans or foment war with rains, which Heengorged died the Indus River in 1995.think of the United He States was as an enemy. known India, and by not arresting only the leaders of theseplayed in the tournament, too, though water system, causing floods that by last groups and seizing their bank accounts. week had killedfor almost his two thousand card-playing but also forAfter hisa decade sensein which the Unitedless spectacularly. Paul said, “Jonathan people, left seven million homeless, and States and Pakistan have been lashed to- ruined 1.4 millionof acres humor of cropland. Asand his generositygether to by war novices. and terrorism, it is underis- on the basketball team at school and the disaster unfolded, President Zardari standably hard for many Americans to decided to travelThe to Paris Greaterand London, in New York Bridgeconceive Association of Pakistan as a whole place.also It’s plays Little League baseball, so he order, he explained to reporters, to raise not only a country that is poorly governed relief funds andconducts repair some misunder - an annual tournamentand menaced by Islamist radicals; in it’s can’talso be categorized in the nerd-versusjock standings aboutwhich Pakistan’s vigilance beginning players are one paired that is growing witheconomically, and against terrorism. The criticism he came that houses a raucously open society popclassification.”- Paul creates bridge quizzes under while abroadexperts, only “gives me a and,reas- fittingly, the ulated tournament by muckraking journalists, is comicfor his son. They have yet to come to blows. surance that I’m so wanted,” Zardari said. novelists, cheesy reality-TV producers, Pakistan has,named from its birth, for in 1947, him. real-estate hustlers, world-class squash possessed many of the ingredients of a players, and the like. The number of Pa- modestly successful country, but its polit- kistanis living in poverty fell by almost Victorhalf Mitchell’s widow, Jacqui, ical leaders haveThis repeatedly sabotaged year’s its Victor Mitchellbetween 1999 Pro-Am and 2008, from thirty wasn’tper able to take part this year—she potential. Some of the failure can be cent of the population to about seventeen traced to thewas long-running held conflict be- at the New Yorkerper cent. Hotel, This extraordinary on change, awas re- in Wisconsin, attending a niece’s tween civilian politicians and the Army. sult of rapid economic growth and remit- ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM BACHTELL ILLUSTRATIONS President Zardari,Eighth in addition toAvenue. his con- Sitting at thetances registration from Pakistanis working abroad,wedding—but is she has played for the table as players began to THEarrive NEW YORKER, SEPTEMBER was 6, 2010 past 19 several years. She is also in the Hall Eric Mock, a retired lawyer and a past of Fame. She lives on Ninety-seventh TNY—2010_09_06—PAGEchairman 19—133SC. —3 of COLOR the PAGE— LIVE G.N.Y.B.A. ART—PLEASE INSPECT AND REPORT Mock ON QUALITY first Street, supervises classes at Honors played bridge sixty years ago, when his Bridge Club, on East Fifty-eighth Street, mother decided that a six-year-old partner and still plays in national tournaments. was better than none. “I played seriously In 1986, she won the World Women’s in college and law school,” he said, Pair Championship with a partner her as he attempted to match nametags husband had introduced her to: Amalya withplayers. “And then I took a thirty-year Lyle Kearse, who, in addition to being leave of absence to raise a family and one of the best players in the country, have a career and such”—distractions was the first woman, and the second that are now behind him. African-American, to be named a judge on the United States Court of Appeals One of the most accomplished players for the Second Circuit. (Jimmy Carter in this year’s field was Kelley Hwang, appointed her, in 1979.) Jacqui met her a fifty-year-old New York City attorney, late husband in an elevator at a bridge who was among the winners at the 2008 tournament in New York in the nineteen- Grand National Teams Championship. fifties, when she was a student at the “I started playing in 1996 or so,” he said. University of Michigan and he was a well- “The reason I started was that my marriage known pro bridge player. “Later, Vic had no was very rocky, and my wife and I recollection of me,” she said recently, “but thought we should find an activity together. I remembered him, and when I came to the Now I don’t have that wife anymore, city after graduation, to go to work, I went but I still have bridge.” The game is to the bridge club where he played and sort notoriously stressful on personal of chased him till I caught him.” She said relationships. Stephannie Russo, another that her husband, unlike the vast majority expert participant, said, “My ex-husband of experts, enjoyed being bested by less and I met playing bridge, and then we advanced players. “He wanted to see the un-met playing bridge. But he remains little guy participate,” she said, “and to do my favorite person to play with. In fact, as well as he could, and to enjoy the game.” being divorced has greatly improved our bridge partnership.” —David Owen, New Yorker, 9/6/2010 7 Victor Mitchell Pro Am

Friday, February 11, 2011 7:00 p.m. The New Yorker Hotel 481 Eighth Avenue (NW corner of 34th Street)

You must have fewer than 50 masterpoints recorded as of 10/31/2010.

Partners guaranteed. You will be paired with a New York “Life Master or better” to play in this low-key, fun event.

A trophy will be awarded to the overall winner!

Reservations required. Send in the form below with your check payable to the GNYBA.

(tear below) ......

YES! I’d like to register for the MAIL FORM AND February 11th Pro-Am CHECK TO:

Tse Mei Ling 30 East End Avenue YES! Enclosed is my check, New York, NY 10028 payable to the GNYBA 212-535-7049 $32 before January 25; $37 after January 25 MORE INFO: www.gnyba.org

Name:______

Address:______

Phone:______

E-Mail:______No. of Masterpoints: _____

8 0-199er SILVER POINT WEEKEND

Saturday February 12 - Sunday February 13, 2011

Do you have under 200 masterpoints? Are you looking for silver points?

The GNYBA has scheduled 4 single session games especially for you!

Saturday, February 12, 2011–Noon & 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 13, 2011–11:00 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.

The New Yorker Hotel 481 Eighth Avenue (NW corner of 34th Street) All events are stratified!

WIN SILVER POINTS!

9 Betty Kaplan Teams

Tired of the same old events? Enjoy the challenge of playing in a Tournament but miss the fun of social bridge?

THIS IS THE EVENT FOR YOU!

The Betty Kaplan Teams is an Open Stratified Swiss Team event unique to New York City bridge .

Each team must have exactly 4 players Six nine-board matches will be played You must play 2 of the 6 matches with each of your teammates.

Grab 3 friends and come out for a fun-filled Saturday!

Saturday, February 12, 2011 Noon and TBA

The New Yorker Hotel 481 Eighth Avenue (NW corner of 34th Street)

10 Upcoming Events

GNYBA DOUBLE KO’S Don’t miss this!

Come play in the GNYBA sponsored double elimination knockout event.

If you never played in a knockout -- this is team event. The event is divided into 3 flights, based on the masterpoint holding of the team members.

Teams may have between four and six members. Players can play on one team in each of the different brackets (as long as they don’t exceed the bracket’s master point limitations!).

Each team will play one match (24-26) boards against another team in the bracket. Matches will be played approximately once a month, scheduled at the competing teams’ convenience. Once a team has lost two matches, they are eliminated from the event. Matches continue in each bracket until there is a winner. The event will start in January. Registration form is on page 12 and also can be found at the clubs, on line at www.gnyba.org or at the Winter Regional.

Come play!!!

GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS

What began in 1973 as a “grass roots” tournament, as the ACBL calls it, has become a major annual team tournament. The Grand National Teams (GNT) culminate each year in a knock-out event at the Summer North American Bridge Championships, but they begin the preceding September in our local clubs. A team consists of four to six players, and competes against other teams in our district. There are four flights in the GNT, and the winning team in each flight earns the right to represent the district at Nationals. The Championship flight is open to all players, Flight A is open to players with fewer than 5000 master points, Flight B is open to players with fewer than 2000 master points, and Flight C is open to Non- Life Masters with fewer than 500 master points.

If you have never played in a team event before, you are missing a particularly rewarding style of play. Not only are you playing bridge with your partner, but up to two other pairs of friends are all competing together on a team. You get to pool your skills and support one another. The Grand National Teams are particularly rewarding, because your team plays together during the qualifying rounds, and, if you are good enough to win, you move on to the Nationals where your team is pit- ted against teams in your flight from across the country. At the 2010 GNT event in New Orleans, the Flight B team from our district (Randi Adelman, Ryan Connors, Stephannie Russo and Maria Tsoukalas) made it all the way to the quarter finals, winning 30 gold.

11 Double Knock Out

2011 GNYBA DOUBLE KNOCK-OUTS Entry Form

(CHOOSE ONE) ___ Von Zedtwitz (Unlimited Masterpoints) ___ Sol Seidman (0-3000 Masterpoints) ___ Harter Cup (NLM, 0-500 Masterpoints)

Captain: ______Home Phone: ______Work Phone: ______E-Mail Address: ______Home Address: ______Masterpoints: ______Assistant Captain: ______Home Phone: ______Work Phone: ______E-Mail Address: ______Home Address: ______Masterpoints: ______Team Members Masterpoints 1.______2.______3.______4.______Team Masterpoint Total: ______

To enter please return this form by January 15 with a check made out to GNYBA for $45 to:

Stephannie Russo 11 Fifth Avenue #12B New York, NY 10003

12 Grand National Teams 2011 GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS DISTRICT 24 FINALS Open & Flight B Round #1 Sunday, February 13, 2011 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM The New Yorker Hotel 481 Eighth Avenue (NW corner 34th St.) Flights A & C Round #1 Sunday, February 27, 2011 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM Cavendish Bridge Club 1556 3rd Ave or 177 East 87th Street You must be a member of District 24 to participate. Teams may include 4-6 players. Round #1 for the Open event will end with four final teams. Play will be head-to-head or round-robin, depending upon the number of teams entered. Flight A, B and C Teams surviving the Round #1 knockout or round robin will play subsequent matches as needed through May 2011 to determine a winner. The winners in each flight are eligible to compete as District 24 representatives in the Grand National Teams Final at the July 2011 Summer NABC in Toronto. Entry fees for the NABC Finals will be subsidized by District 24. Multiply your chances to win! Compete in separate flights if eligible. Red/Gold Points awarded.

Open Flight: Open to all Flight A: Players with fewer than 5000 Masterpoints Flight B: Players with fewer than 2000 Masterpoints Flight C: Non-Life Masters with fewer than 500 Masterpoints Masterpoint eligibility is as of September 1, 2010

13 Masterpoint Winners

Top Masterpoint Winners Top STaC Week Winners Eastern States Regional May 26-31 June 7-13

1 65.62 Andrew Rosenthal 1 22.56 Susan Schnelwar 2 54.56 Chris Willenken 2 17.74 Florence Wilnau 3 52.23 Bjorn Fallenius 3 17.09 Jerry Halperin 4 50.23 Michael Rosenberg 4 16.73 Yefim Shoykhet 5 49.79 Melanie Tucker 5 16.24 Billie Coopwood 6 49.79 Joe Grue 6 16.16 Lawrence Goodman 7 48.26 Steve Garner 7 16.09 Bjorn Fallenius 8 48.26 Roy Welland 8 15.73 Judith Schwartz 9 48.26 Christal Henner-Welland 9 15.62 Charles LaCerra 10 48.03 Michael Kamil 10 15.35 Sue Morris 11 48.03 John Hurd 11 15.17 Paul Cushman 12 46.53 Greg McKellar, 12 15.09 Vir Agarwal 13 46.53 Arch McKellar, 13 15.00 Arthur Loeb 14 43.19 Justin Lall 14 14.96 Eileen Lee 15 41.43 Winthrop Allegaert 15 14.45 Jesus Arias 16 41.43 Judith Bianco, 16 13.57 Richard Weissman 17 40.79 Aaron Silverstein 17 13.27 Martha Coopersmith 18 38.85 R Jay Becker 18 13.20 Anne Pidoriano 19 34.52 Richard Zeckhauser 19 12.74 Lionel Bandler 20 33.83 Yiji Starr 20 12.54 Winthrop Allegaert 21 33.83 Douglas Doub 21 12.48 Judith Berk 22 33.51 Lapt Chan 22 12.41 Michael Ehrlich 23 33.42 Beverly Perry 23 12.13 David Rosenberg Jr 24 31.78 Judi Radin 24 11.89 Cordelia Menges 25 31.73 David Moss 25 11.10 Ted Newman 26 30.77 Alex Perlin 26 10.76 Margot Kane 27 30.18 Barbara McLendon 27 10.62 Suresh Nayak 28 29.94 Scott Levine 28 10.38 Shelly Dunietz 29 28.69 Allen Kahn 29 10.23 Melanie Tucker 30 28.53 Dori Byrnes 30 10.14 Janet Pas 31 28.03 John Kranyak 31 9.93 Hank Kimeldorf 32 27.00 Michael Lipkin 32 9.77 Julian Laderman 33 26.99 Yuri Yurachkivsky 33 9.69 Penny Breiman 34 26.99 Albert Shekhter 34 9.66 Michael Lipkin 35 26.31 Kerry Kappell 35 9.65 Mark Hyman 36 26.08 Otto Adamec 36 9.52 Barbara Raynor 37 25.94 Bill Begert 37 9.51 Bill Begert 38 25.47 Susan Schnelwar 38 9.32 Josh Steiner 39 25.37 Sylvia Moss 39 9.04 Barry Rigal 40 24.80 Justine Cushing 40 9.02 Margo Sinclair 41 24.65 Alison Wilson 41 8.98 Thea Price 42 24.47 Jeffrey Rothstein 42 8.97 Francine Freeman 43 24.20 Irma Schulman 43 8.76 Aaron Silverstein 44 24.09 Michael Prahin 44 8.71 Lisa Yellis 45 24.06 Igor Savchenko 45 8.70 Patricia Hatry 46 23.44 Gavin Wolpert 46 8.69 Barbara Bertovic

14 Winner of Reisinger, KO’s and GNTs

REISINGER KO RESULTS

Winner Christal Henner-Welland - Roy Welland - Uday Ivatury - Jaggy Shivdasani

Runners-up Ira Herman - G. Margie Gwozdzinsky - Pietro Campanile - Michael Lipkin - David Gurvich - Alex Perlin

GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS WINNERS Open Flight Jared Lilienstein - Michael Polowan - Adam Wildavsky - Chris Willenken - Glenn Milgrim

Allen Kahn - Jeffrey Rothstein - David Rosenberg - Simon Erlich

Flight A David Moss - Andrew Rosenthal - Paul Bethe - Greg Reich - Alan Miller

Flight B Richard Feuer - Thomas Feuer - Harvey Schwartz - Richard Whitehead

Flight C Mila Antonova - James Stuart III - Ilana Seror - Christopher Rivera

2010 VON ZEDTWITZ DOUBLE KNOCKOUT WINNERS Undefeated Bruce Rogoff: Glenn Milgrim, Josh Parker, Jeff Aker, Phil Martin, Eric Robinson

Once Defeated - to be decided (Winner will play Rogoff and must win twice)

David Moss: Andrew Rosenthal, Greg Reich, Alan Miller, Jimmy Rosenbaum, Kevin Casey vs Jim Scott: Harry Apfel, Gene Saxe, Jim Rosenbloom

15 Masterpoint Races

Unit 155 Masterpoint Races

There are two masterpoint races in our unit, the Ace of Clubs, which is all the black points you win at the clubs and the Mini-McKenney for red, gold and platinum. The top win- ner in each of the 13 categories (from 0-5 up to over 10,000) receive a certificate for the Ace of Clubs and a medal for the Mini-McKenney. These races are still more competitive at the District and the National levels. To see how you are do- ing at the Unit level go to:

http://web2.acbl.org/As400/mpraces/unit/2010/ac155. htm#2500%20to%205000 for the Ace of Clubs or

http://web2.acbl.org/As400/mpraces/unit/2010/mm155.htm for the Mini-McKenney.

Two years ago we reinstated a Dinner to honor the winners which will be held at the Cavendish Bridge Club late in April or early May, 2011 once all the points are in. We have many people on the National list but only Jesus Arias is about to win his category, the 5000-7500 Ace of Clubs.

16 2009 Winners

2009 MINI-MCKENNEY MASTERPOINT RACES

0 to 5 Florence Zinman 89.02 5 to 20 Michael Mahony 123.73 20 to 50 Paula Brandolini 130.50 50 to 100 Martin Deneroff 159.26 100 to 200 Peggyann Klein 292.15 200 to 300 Bobbie Kramer 224.78 300 to 500 Harriet Geller 183.35 500 to 1000 Shane Blanchard 369.24 1000 to 2500 Barbara McLendon 541.77 2500 to 5000 Andrew Rosenthal 754.62 5000 to 7500 Kevin Bathurst 907.28 7500 to 10,000 John Hurd 1313.80 Over 10,000 Aaron Silverstein 1357.60

2009 ACE OF CLUBS MASTERPOINT RACES

0 to 5 Florence Zinman 59.97 5 to 20 Kiendl Gordon 71.28 20 to 50 Paula Brandolini 111.18 50 to 100 Rosette Scheib 116.40 100 to 200 Barry Lang 176.93 200 to 300 Bobbie Kramer 191.54 300 to 500 Frederic Cohen 142.58 500 to 1000 Harriet Brizell 147.40 1000 to 2500 Arthur Loeb 244.96 2500 to 5000 Susan Schnelwar 242.62 5000 to 7500 Jesus Arias 392.05 7500 to 10,000 Winthrop Allegaert 195.74 Over 10,000 Aaron Silverstein 243.48

17 Freddy North “Bridge: The Vital Principles”

!"#$%!&'(")*+%% ! ! !! #$%! ! ,'&-.% /#+-% 0'1-.% 2)+-% "! &'(! ! 0122! "!! 0122! "! #! )*&+,! /#! 0122! /!! 0122! $ ! $%! (!! ! ! ! ! ! ! 3425!64172!584!-49!:;!<41=52>! ! 7?@@A!B61A2!6:C!197!D125!CE92! ! !! )*-.'! ! 584!#1FGH!D125!F12842!584!)F4!197! "! ,%/! *E9I!:;!<41=52>!197!5849!2CE5F842! #! '(! 5:!584!J6?K!&?449H! $ ! )*+! ! ! 0619!584!061A! ! ! ! !! *$! ! ,'&-.% /#+-% 0'1-.% 2)+-% "! )+(! ! 0122! %!! ("! /! #! )*,%! (,3! 0122! $#! 0122! $ ! *&#-! '!! ! ! ! ! 3425!64172!584!*E9I!:;!<41=52H!! ! ! ! !! )#-.,'%! ! 0619!584!061A! "! %! #! &#'! $! ,(! ! ! ! ! !! ,$%/! ! ,'&-.% /#+-% 0'1-.% 2)+-% "! *.'%! ! ! ! "!! %! #! ).'! 0122! ",3! /"! 0122! $ ! .,! 0122! /!! 0122! 0122! %"! ! ! ! ! ! ! 3425!64172!584!LEM!:;!LB1742!5:! ! !! &.! ! D125N2!)F4H!D125!=45?=92!584!#1FG! " ! )#-+,! :;!LB1742>!C:9!KA!3425N2!*E9IH! # ! *#(! 3425!F:95E9?42!CE58!584!-49!:;! $ ! &-(! LB1742>!D125!7E2F1=7E9I!1!2@166! ! 7E1@:97H!! ! ! 0619!584!061A! ! 18 ! Answers

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

19 GNYBA GNYBA The Bob Factor Player of the Year Team Player of the Year Flight B Player of the Year

10/23/2010 10/23/10 10/23/10 1 Chris Willenken 163 1 Chris Willenken 163 1 Richard Feuer 118 2 Christal Henner-Welland 160 2 Christal Henner-Welland 160 2 Thomas Feuer 118 3 Roy Welland 160 3 Roy Welland 160 3 Harvey Schwartz 89 4 Michael Polowan 153 4 Uday Ivatury 110 4 Richard Whitehead 75 5 Glenn Milgrim 129 5 Jaggy Shivdasani 110 5 Ryan Connors 60 6 Doug Doub 125 6 Jared Lilienstein 100 6 Linda Connelly 50 7 Yiji Starr 125 7 Glenn Milgrim 100 7 John Dudas 50 8 Andrew Rosenthal 123 8 Michael Polowan 100 8 Linda Dudas 50 9 Uday Ivatury 110 9 Adam Wildavsky 100 9 Lynn Gilgor 50 10 Jaggy Shivdasani 110 10 Joe Grue 88 10 Irma Schulman 50 11 Jared Lilienstein 100 11 John Hurd 88 11 Jill Marshal 44 12 Adam Wildavsky 100 12 Jesus Arias 73 12 Bob Rebelein 44 13 Bjorn Fallenius 99 13 Andrew Rosenthal 73 13 Randi Adelman 38 14 Sylvia Moss 94 14 Pietro Campanile 65 14 Konrad Dziekanski 38 15 Judi Radin 94 15 Michael Rosenberg 63 15 Harriet Geller 38 16 Joe Grue 88 16 Lapt Chan 50 16 Darlene Pogrebinsky 38 17 John Hurd 88 17 Steve Garner 50 17 Igor Pogrebinsky 38 18 Jesus Arias 73 18 Bill Begert 49 18 Jeffrey Ahearns 35 19 Chris Compton 70 19 Bjorn Fallenius 49 19 Robert Bertoni 35 20 Marty Seligman 70 20 Susan Schnelwar 49 20 Stanley Kallman 33 21 Pietro Campanile 65 21 Kevin Bathurst 46 21 Bernie Weiss 33 22 Alex Perlin 63 22 Robert Blanchard 46 22 Eugene Barrack 29 23 Michael Rosenberg 63 23 Shane Blanchard 46 23 Paul Frean 29 24 David Moss 53 24 Bryan Glubock 46 24 Peter Hoffman 29 25 Richard Schwartz 53 25 Michael Kamil 42 25 John Kruettner 29 26 Lapt Chan 50 26 Melanie Tucker 42 26 Chieni Liao 29 27 Steve Garner 50 27 David Gurvich 41 27 Bruce Neiger 29 28 Bill Begert 49 28 Margie Gwozdzinsky 41 28 Sheldon Schneider 29 29 Susan Schnelwar 49 29 Ira Herman 41 29 Patricia Stacom 29 30 Kevin Bathurst 46 30 Michael Lipkin 41 30 David Carter 28 31 Robert Blanchard 46 31 Alex Perlin 41 31 Kathy Emery 28 32 Shane Blanchard 46 32 R. Jay Becker 38 32 Pat Emery 28 33 Bryan Glubock 46 33 Richard Zeckhauser 38 33 Emile Heredia 28 34 Michael Kamil 42 34 Simon Erlich 30 34 Terry Oleske 28 35 Melanie Tucker 42 35 Allen Kahn 30 35 Jeanne Perkins 28 36 David Gurvich 41 36 David Rosenberg 30 36 Bradley Calcagni 25 37 Margie Gwozdzinsky 41 37 Jeff Rothstein 30 37 Deborah Cristfield 25 38 Ira Herman 41 38 Alison Wilson 25 38 Keith Gellman 25 39 Michael Lipkin 41 39 Robert Heitzman, Jr. 24 39 Karen Haines 25 40 Marvin Deneroff 40 40 Doug Herron 24 40 Sara Kaminker 25 41 Kent Mignocchi 40 41 David Moss 24 41 Ram Morisetti 25 42 Richard Barabino 38 42 Igor Savchenko 24 42 Doug Nelson 25 43 R. Jay Becker 38 43 Daniel Wilderman 24 43 Ellyn Playto 25 44 Gail Greenburg 38 44 Dori Byrnes 16 44 Dede Pochos Staymman 25 45 Jeffrey Hand 38 45 David Hoffner 16 45 Ellen Reller 25 46 Scott Levine 38 46 Steve Landen 16 46 Margery Reyman 25 47 Ted Mao 38 47 William Pettis 16 47 Arnold Riback 25 48 Aaron Silverstein 38 48 Justine Cushing 12 48 Toby Baskind 22 49 Richard Zeckhauser 38 49 Nikolay Demirev 12 49 Marianne Beke 22 50 Franco Baseggio 30 50 Melih Ozdil 12 50 Manish Chopra 22 51 Simon Erlich 30 51 Margo Sinclair 12 51 John Forbes 22 52 Allen Kahn 30 52 Win Allegaert 10 52 Giri Giridhar 22 53 David Rosenberg 30 53 Judith Bianco 10 53 Peter Pivko 22 54 Jeff Rothstein 30 54 Justin Lall 10 54 Jack Price 22 55 Andy Stark 30 55 Beverly Perry 10 55 Clifford Reitz 22 56 Paul Bethe 29 56 Gavin Wolpert 10 56 Stephannie Russo 22 57 Daniel Wolkowitz 29 57 Valerie Tritt 22 58 Robert Gordon 28 58 Arlyne Shockman 19 59 Ljudmila Kamenova 28 59 Elaine Weintraub 19 60 Beverly Perry 27 60 Nat Zucker 19 61 Gavin Wolpert 27 61 Julia Zucker 19 62 Alison Wilson 25 62 Rozi Alhale 17 63 Robert Heitzman, Jr. 24 63 Michele Allegaert 17 64 Doug Herron 24 64 Jack Rennok, Jr. 17 65 Igor Savchenko 24 65 Cindy Zimmerman 17 66 Daniel Wilderman 24 66 John Kreuttner 16 67 Michael Prahin 22 67 Bruce Ross 16 68 John Ramos 22 68 Nicholas Bloom 14 69 Brady Richter 22 69 Sam Borenstein 14 70 Eva Graczyk 21 70 Michael Cuno 14 71 Laura Tolkow 21 71 Sharon Frankel 14 72 Albert Shekhter 17 72 William Palmer 14 73 Yuri Yurachkivsky 17 73 Leonard Adler 12 74 Dori Byrnes 16 74 MaryAnn Avazian 12

20 The Bob Factor Flight B Player of the Year Articles by New York Experts: Franco Baseggio

10/23/10 1 Richard Feuer 118 Hand from World Open Pairs by Franco Baseggio 2 Thomas Feuer 118 3 Harvey Schwartz 89 4 Richard Whitehead 75 I botched this deal in the Semifinals in Philadelphia. See if you can do better: 5 Ryan Connors 60 6 Linda Connelly 50 7 John Dudas 50 9 3 8 Linda Dudas 50 A 8 5 9 Lynn Gilgor 50 10 Irma Schulman 50 A J 3 11 Jill Marshal 44 Q 10 5 3 2 12 Bob Rebelein 44 13 Randi Adelman 38 14 Konrad Dziekanski 38 A 8 6 5 4 15 Harriet Geller 38 K Q 3 16 Darlene Pogrebinsky 38 17 Igor Pogrebinsky 38 10 9 6 18 Jeffrey Ahearns 35 A K 19 Robert Bertoni 35 20 Stanley Kallman 33 21 Bernie Weiss 33 No one Vulnerable, I opened 1N in 4th seat, West bid 2 clubs to show both majors, and then 22 Eugene Barrack 29 we landed in 3N. The SJ was led. I won and started to work on diamonds, floating the DT 23 Paul Frean 29 24 Peter Hoffman 29 to East’s DK. He cashed SQ, then played a diamond to West’s queen and my ace. Between 25 John Kruettner 29 the auction and the defense, surely East is out of spades. I cashed two clubs and West 26 Chieni Liao 29 27 Bruce Neiger 29 showed out on the 2nd, pitching a heart. Then I cashed 2 hearts to come down to: 28 Sheldon Schneider 29 29 Patricia Stacom 29 30 David Carter 28 - 31 Kathy Emery 28 A 32 Pat Emery 28 A 33 Emile Heredia 28 34 Terry Oleske 28 Q 10 5 35 Jeanne Perkins 28 36 Bradley Calcagni 25 37 Deborah Cristfield 25 8 6 5 38 Keith Gellman 25 3 39 Karen Haines 25 40 Sara Kaminker 25 9 41 Ram Morisetti 25 - 42 Doug Nelson 25 43 Ellyn Playto 25 44 Dede Pochos Staymman 25 East is known to have 3 clubs and 2 red cards. My game is secure, but I’d like to play both 45 Ellen Reller 25 red aces then exit a low club for an overtrick. Is there anything else to think about? 46 Margery Reyman 25 47 Arnold Riback 25 48 Toby Baskind 22 If East has one of each red suit, it’s easy: he’ll follow to both red aces and be known to be 49 Marianne Beke 22 50 Manish Chopra 22 left with 3 clubs, so playing the 5 of clubs will guarantee 2 more tricks. In practice, though, 51 John Forbes 22 I played the diamond ace with everyone following, but on the heart ace, East pitched a club 52 Giri Giridhar 22 (to keep the last diamond) and I could only make one more trick. Where did I go wrong? 53 Peter Pivko 22 54 Jack Price 22 Look at what happens if I play the heart ace in this position: 55 Clifford Reitz 22 56 Stephannie Russo 22 57 Valerie Tritt 22 - 58 Arlyne Shockman 19 A 59 Elaine Weintraub 19 60 Nat Zucker 19 A 61 Julia Zucker 19 Q 10 5 62 Rozi Alhale 17 K 10 - 63 Michele Allegaert 17 64 Jack Rennok, Jr. 17 J 9 - 65 Cindy Zimmerman 17 7 8 4 66 John Kreuttner 16 67 Bruce Ross 16 - J 9 8 68 Nicholas Bloom 14 8 6 5 69 Sam Borenstein 14 70 Michael Cuno 14 3 71 Sharon Frankel 14 9 72 William Palmer 14 - 73 Leonard Adler 12 74 MaryAnn Avazian 12

21 Articles by New York Experts: Franco Baseggio

If East pitches a diamond, then the DA strips him of his last diamond and the club exit suc- ceeds. If East pitches a club, then establish the long club by exiting a club. East gets that trick but must let dummy take the rest.

So, if East is 1-1 in the red suits, either order will succeed, but if East is 2-0 it is critical to play the ace of the suit in which he’s first. West’s bid showing both majors reveals that East might be void in hearts, but not diamonds, and points in the right direction.

I’ve seen this hand at the table before. From a Von Zedtwitz match in 2002, I held the South hand below:

JT8 KJ AT95 J642

A AQT8732 K63 A8

After East opened 2D, we climbed up to 6 hearts, and West led a . Trumps are 2-2. Give it a try. Even if East might have opened on a bad 5 card suit, surely West would have led a singleton diamond if he had one, so it’s clear that diamonds are 0=6. If you run all the trumps, what does East keep? He has to keep 4 diamonds or you can set up your 12th trick by ducking one while retaining both black aces for control. So, he can only keep 2 black cards. Like above, if you can get him to play both on the next 2 tricks, then DK and a diamond to the T will East into giving you a 3rd diamond trick. Also like above, if he has to follow to both black aces, it’s easy. But, if he retains, say, 2 spades and o clubs, you must start with the club ace to succeed.

Did I make this play then? No, but I still made my contract: After winning the and everyone followed to a 2nd trump, I called for the diamond five. East followed with the four and so I played the three and claimed.

22 Articles by New York Experts: Peter Bonfanti

Better Lucky...Than Good ReprintedBetter from Lucky...ThanPost-Mortem 2004 Good W N E S Pass 1C 1H1 1S2 byIn Peter an attempt Bonfanti to cope with the considerable WNESPass 2S Pass 3C3 Declarer had a chance now: after ruffing, At the time, no one at the table noticed 1 2 trauma of moving to Connecticut, my mom PassPass 1C3N4 1H Pass 1S 4S he pulled two rounds of trumps, played a this missed opportunity. East berated In an attempt to cope with the considerable 5 6 7 3 8 made the leap from social bridge to duplicate PassDbl 2SPass Pass Pass 3C Pass club to the king, and a club to the jack. himself for his ; West wondered if traumaa few ofyears moving back. to Not Connecticut, long thereafter, my momI came Pass 3N Pass 4S The position now, with West still to play, he could have worked out to play a club madehome the one leap day from to find social a familiar bridge voiceto duplicate on my 5 6 7 8 Dbl1. ClearlyPass believingPass that suitPass quality and was: at trick three; and North and South just a fewanswering years back. machine, Not longbarely thereafter, able to restrain I came its comparative vulnerability are vastly North: home one day to find a familiar voice on my looked at each other, one looking a tad glee: “Carolyn and I had a 70% game today; is overrated (P.S.: I think this is a fine ♠ A answeringthat good?” machine, barely able to restrain its � overcall,Clearly andbelieving note in that passing suit thatquality and confused, the other a bit sheepish. glee: “Carolyn and I had a 70% game today; is ♥ J East’scomparative age exceeds vulnerability my partner’s are andvastly This was one of the two doubled that good?” ♦ 97 Well, yes, it is. But, chances are, it’s also lucky. mineoverrated combined, (P.S.: lest I think anyone this make is a a fine contracts we made that session; on the ♣ Q8 Even the best partnership at your club doesn’t crackovercall, about and “youthful note inexuberance.”). passing that West: East: other one, I chose to introduce a Well,bring yes, home it is. that But, high chances a percentage are, it’s alsoevery lucky. day; Even the best partnership at your club doesn’t East’s age exceeds my partner’s and ♠ 8 ♠ diamond suit of seven-six-four-three- too many things have to align in their favor. 2. Apparently not having heard of the bring home that high a percentage every day; mine combined, lest anyone make a ♥ ♥ deuce at the three-level, red vs. white, in a And if you’re not one of the best partnerships “negative double” craze that’s T84 too many things have to align in their favor. crack about “youthful exuberance.”). competitive auction. After the resounding at the club, it helps when both of your sweeping the nation. ♦ J842 ♦ KQT And“matchpoint if you’re notdoubles” one of yield the plusbest 200;partnerships when � Apparently not having heard of the ♣ A9 South: ♣ double, partner, who had been silent in at the club, it helps when both of your you miss a 75% game and both fail; 3. Pretty routine, as game tries go. ♠ the auction, put down a ten-count with a “matchpoint doubles” yield plus 200; when “negative double” craze that’s T when an opponent passes his partner’s forcing sweeping the nation. ♥ Q9 diamond suit of king-jack-ten-eight. With youfour-club miss a bid75% (making game and six); both when finesses another fail; 4. Never met a 3NT contract he didn’t ♦ partners like that, how can you quibble whenopponent an opponent forgets he’spasses in histhird partner’s seat and forcing gives � Pretty routine, as game tries go. four-club bid (making six); when another like (Partner will take care of the ♣ about little things like negative doubles? you a top via a pass out; when the two slams T75 opponent forgets he’s in third seat and gives � diamonds,Never met right?). a 3NT contract he didn’t that you generally bid per session actually turn you a top via a pass out; when the two slams like (Partner will take care of the It feels unnatural to bare your ace here, so out to be making; and... 5. Not trusting the opponents’ bidding that you generally bid per session actually turn diamonds, right?). West took the ace of clubs, and the out to be making; and... skills (good decision), but trusting his E-W Vulnerable � partner’sNot trusting the (badopponents’ decision). bidding contract could no longer be defeated. West Dealer skills (good decision), but trusting his After a diamond return ruffed by South, E-W Vulnerable 6.partner’s Oh, God, overcalls what have (bad I done? decision). declarer had the transportation to draw West Dealer North: � Oh, God, what have I done? the last trump and cash his winners. But 7. Oh, God, what have I done? if West holds up again, South has no ♠ AJ9 � Oh, God, what have I done? ♥ KJ3 answer: he can’t afford to give up another � 8.Oh, Oh, God, God, what havehave I Idone? done? ♦ 975 heart , but drawing trumps allows the ♣ opponents to cash their diamond winners West: KQ86 East: West led his singleton heart, and his partner had to decide which card to lead when West gets in with the ace of clubs. ♠ 8654 ♠ 73 Westback. led Wehis cansingleton all see heart,the carnage and histhat A third round of clubs is no better; West ♥ 6 ♥ AT874 partnerwould had have to ensueddecide ifwhich he’d led card the tofour lead wins and plays a diamond, and South ♦ AJ842 ♦ KQT63 back.and We gotten can hisall clubsee theruff(s); carnage but what that if can’t get back to dummy to draw the last ♣ A93 South: ♣ 2 wouldSouth have had ensued the ace-ten if he’d of clubsled the for fourhis trump. ♠ KQT2 and three-clubgotten his bid? club So ruff(s); he settled but for what the heart if seven, leaving it up to partner. Now West ♥ South had the ace-ten of clubs for his Q952 had to decide what to do after taking his ♦ three-clubheart ruff; bid? not So unreasonably, he settled forhe triedthe heartto ♣ JT754 seven,cash leaving the diamond it up toace. partner. Now West had to decide what to do after taking his heart ruff; not unreasonably, he tried to 23cash the diamond ace.

4 5 Articles by New York Experts: Peter Bonfanti

Better Lucky...Than Good Declarer had a chance now: after ruffing,he At the time, no one at the table noticed pulled two rounds of trumps, played a club to this missed opportunity. East berated by Peter Bonfanti WNES Declarerthe king, had and a chanceclub to the now: jack. after The ruffing,position At thehimself time, for nohis oneovercall; at the West table wondered noticed if 1 2 Pass 1C 1H 1S henow, pulled with twoWest rounds still to play,of trumps, was: played a thishe missed could haveopportunity. worked out East to play berated a club In an attempt to cope with the considerable 3 Pass 2S Pass 3C club to the king, and a club to the jack. himselfat trick for three; his overcall; and North West and Southwondered just if trauma of moving to Connecticut, my mom The position now, with West still to play, he couldlooked haveat each worked other, outone lookingto play aa tad club made the leap from social bridge to duplicate Pass 3N Pass 4S 5 6 7 8 confused, the other a bit sheepish. This was a few years back. Not long thereafter, I came Dbl Pass Pass Pass was: at trick three; and North and South just North: one of the two doubled contracts we made home one day to find a familiar voice on my looked at each other, one looking a tad ♠ that session; on the other one, I chose answering machine, barely able to restrain its A confused, the other a bit sheepish. � Clearly believing that suit quality and to introduce a diamond suit of seven-six- glee: “Carolyn and I had a 70% game today; is ♥ J comparative vulnerability are vastly Thisfour-threedeuce was one of the at thetwo three-level, doubled red vs. that good?” ♦ 97 overrated (P.S.: I think this is a fine contractswhite, inwe a competitivemade that auction.session; Afteron the the ♣ Q8 West: East: otherresounding one, I chose double, to partner,introduce who a had been Well, yes, it is. But, chances are, it’s also lucky. overcall, and note in passing that silent in the auction, put down a ten-count Even the best partnership at your club doesn’t East’s age exceeds my partner’s and ♠ 8 ♠ diamond suit of seven-six-four-three- with a diamond suit of king-jack-ten-eight. bring home that high a percentage every day; mine combined, lest anyone make a ♥ ♥ T84 deuce at the three-level, red vs. white, in a With partners like that, how can you quibble too many things have to align in their favor. crack about “youthful exuberance.”). ♦ ♦ competitive auction. After the resounding J842 KQT about little things like negative doubles? And if you’re not one of the best partnerships � Apparently not having heard of the ♣ A9 South: ♣ double, partner, who had been silent in at the club, it helps when both of your “negative double” craze that’s ♠ T the auction, put down a ten-count with a “matchpoint doubles” yield plus 200; when diamond suit of king-jack-ten-eight. With you miss a 75% game and both finesses fail; sweeping the nation. ♥ Q9 partners like that, how can you quibble when an opponent passes his partner’s forcing � Pretty routine, as game tries go. ♦ four-club bid (making six); when another ♣ T75 about little things like negative doubles? opponent forgets he’s in third seat and gives � Never met a 3NT contract he didn’t you a top via a pass out; when the two slams like (Partner will take care of the It feels unnatural to bare your ace here, so that you generally bid per session actually turn diamonds, right?). West took the ace of clubs, and the out to be making; and... � Not trusting the opponents’ bidding contractIt feels unnatural could no to longer bare your be acedefeated. here, so skills (good decision), but trusting his AfterWest a took diamond the ace return of clubs, ruffed and theby contractSouth, E-W Vulnerable partner’s overcalls (bad decision). declarercould no had longer the be transportation defeated. After to a diamonddraw West Dealer return ruffed by South, declarer had the trans- North: � Oh, God, what have I done? the last trump and cash his winners. But if portationWest holds to draw up again,the last Southtrump andhas cashno his ♠ AJ9 � Oh, God, what have I done? answer:winners. he But can’t if West afford holds to upgive again, up anotherSouth has ♥ KJ3 no answer: he can’t afford to give up another � Oh, God, what have I done? heart ruff, but drawing trumps allows the ♦ 975 heart ruff, but drawing trumps allows the ♣ opponentsopponents toto cash theirtheir diamond diamond winners winners West: KQ86 East: whenwhen West West getsgets in withwith the the ace ace of ofclubs. clubs. A ♠ 8654 ♠ 73 West led his singleton heart, and his Athird third round round of clubsof clubs is no is better; no better; West winsWest and ♥ 6 ♥ AT874 partner had to decide which card to lead winsplays and a diamond, plays a diamond,and South can’tand getSouth back to ♦ AJ842 ♦ KQT63 back. We can all see the carnage that can’tdummy get toback draw to the dummy last trump. to draw the last ♣ A93 South: ♣ 2 would have ensued if he’d led the four trump. ♠ and gotten his club ruff(s); but what if KQT2 ♥ Q952 South had the ace-ten of clubs for his ♦ three-club bid? So he settled for the heart ♣ JT754 seven, leaving it up to partner. Now West had to decide what to do after taking his heart ruff; not unreasonably, he tried to cash the diamond ace. 24

4 5 POST-MORTEM Title Registered in U.S. Patent Office Published by the Greater New York Bridge Association

Thanks to Committee Members for all their help: Jesus Arias, Peter Bonfanti, Bonnie Gellas, Tse Mei Ling, Christopher Rivera, Stephannie Russo, Maria Tsoukalas

Post-Mortem communications can be sent to the Editor, Barbara McLendon, 180 East End Avenue, NY 10128 or at [email protected]. Post Mortem will be published twice a year and distributed free of charge to members of Unit 155. Elsewhere subscription price is $5 per year.

Advertising rates: Full Page: $400; 1/2 Page: $250; 1/4 Page: $125.

If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please e-mail the Editor at [email protected]

25 GREATER NEW YORK BRIDGE ASSOCIATION c/o Barbara McLendon 180 East End Avenue New York, NY 10128 POST MORTEM Volume 52 • Winter 2010

GNYBA

Published by the Greater New York Bridge Association