Memphis, Fellow Bridge Enthusiasts Perlin Beats Bots Again
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Friday, March 22, 2019 Volume 61, Number 1 Daily Bulletin 61st Spring North American Bridge Championships [email protected] Editors: Paul Linxwiler, Sue Munday and Chip Dombrowski Welcome to Edelstein-Weingarten win N.A. Pairs The Tampa-based duo of Jeff Edelstein and Memphis, fellow Matthew Weingarten narrowly captured the title bridge enthusiasts in the Baldwin North American Pairs Flight A, Thank y’all for winning the event by just 3 matchpoints (on a coming! We are very 13 top) over the second-place pair. Edelstein and pleased to have you here Weingarten represented District 9. with us. I think you will In second was the District 10 pair of Jim enjoy the convenience Munday (Southaven MS) and Larry Sealy (Owens of the bridge venue. Cross Roads AL). The Main Street trolley continued on page 8 offers easy access North American Flight A Pairs champions between the playing site, Matthew Weingarten and Jeff Edelstein. your hotel and other downtown activities. You will find quite a lot of excellent Perlin beats bots again restaurants downtown within walking and trolley Alex Perlin of Metuchen NJ won the Spring He also volunteers as a distance. Our restaurant team has spent time to Robot Individual with a three-day average of teacher for gifted students. ensure that you will be well received. Memphis is 69.71%. While he never won any single session, Perlin was surprised his consistently high scores of 71.97% in session at his results in the Robot continued on page 5 one, 67.07% in session two and 70.09% in the Individual. “I didn’t feel final session were good enough to top the field. at any point like I was Perlin clearly has a way with the robots, winning,” he said. “I felt because this is the second time he has laid claim like I was in the wrong to victory in this event. He also won the 2018 contract most of the time. Summer NABC Robot Individual. First board out, I played in 2♠ when 6♦ has play. Originally from Russia, Perlin has worked 17 Last board I played 4♦ making seven.” years as a quantitative analyst in New York since Perlin contests the idea that in robot games finishing his doctorate in mathematics at MIT. continued on page 4 Touring bridge history Don’t miss your chance to visit the ACBL Bridge Museum during your visit to the Spring NABC here in Memphis. See the premier collection of bridge-related artifacts, including spectacular collections of trump indicators and trophies, and explore the history of the game at Opening Reception ACBL Headquarters. Check out video clips from Join us after tonight’s evening session for yesteryear – some featuring Culbertson and Goren a night of fun, food, drinks and dancing as we – as well as a huge assortment of photos of all welcome you to the 2019 Spring NABC. It will the greats who have been inducted into the ACBL be in the Heritage Ballroom on the second floor of Hall of Fame. the Sheraton Hotel. Additionally, you can also see the Albert Get ready for a hair-raising experience when Morehead Library with its outstanding collection The Bouffants perform at tonight’s Welcome continued on page 7 Reception. Four vocalists backed by five musicians perform hits by The Jackson Five, The original Vanderbilt trophy is on display at Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and more. the ACBL Bridge Museum. We will also have six drawings for free bridge play in Memphis, and you must be present to win. Platinum Pairs eligibility The three-day Norman Kay Platinum Pairs Pre-registration required starts today. Goodwill Message for national knockouts Eligible players are paid-up ACBL members Practice active ethics: Pre-registration for the Vanderbilt Knockout who meet one of the following criteria: have Enjoyment and equity are the Teams is required before by 6 p.m. Sunday, earned 50 Platinum masterpoints over the three benchmarks of bridge. March 24. Teams entering the 0–10,000 Knockout calendar years prior; earned at least 200 Platinum Sandy DeMartino, Chair must pre-register no later than 10 a.m. Monday, points lifetime, or have attained the rank of Aileen Osofsky Goodwill March 25 (the day of the event). Pre-register in Platinum Life Master or Grand Life Master rank. Committee the Convention Center Ballroom. No exemptions are granted for this event. Page 2 Friday, March 22, 2019 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS All meetings are at the Sheraton Hotel unless otherwise noted. Friday, March 22 to test the waters before committing to formal classes. 8 am–Noon Best Practices Teacher Workshop. Session two of three. The concentrated course includes both class instruction Learn modern teaching techniques in this interactive and coached play. No pre-registration required. Fee: $20 course which includes hands-on experience. Pre- covers textbook and door prizes. Heritage Ballroom registration required. Assessments will be Saturday and 6–8:30 pm Learn Bridge in a Day?™ Teacher Accreditation. Sunday afternoon. Azelea Room, first floor Teacher training includes information on organizing and 4:30–6:30 pm Club and Teacher Reception. Thank-you reception for marketing LBIAD as well as maximizing retention rates, the teachers and club officials who work so hard to recruit writing effective grant requests and the presentation of the and retain our members. Heritage Ballroom seminar. Fee: $75. Heritage Ballroom 10:30 pm–1 am NABC Opening Reception. Heritage Ballroom Sunday, March 24 Saturday, March 23 8:30–10 am Audrey Grant’s Modern Techniques for Bridge 8 am–Noon Best Practices Teacher Workshop. Session three Teachers and Club Managers. Audrey Grant’s hands-on of three. Learn modern teaching techniques in this approach and creative use of the table, cards and bidding interactive course which includes hands-on experience. boxes keeps students engaged, excited and focused. She Pre-registration required. Assessments will be Saturday will share these teaching techniques in this 90-minute and Sunday afternoon. Azelea Room, first floor seminar. Fee: $20 covers materials. Gatlinburg Room 9 am-Noon ACBL Educational Foundation meeting. Chattanooga 10 am–Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant followed by a Room special game for newer players. Heritage Ballroom 10 am–11 am ACBL Charity Foundation meeting. Beale Room 10 am–Noon Board of Governors meeting. This meeting is also open 10 am–11 am Hall of Fame Committee meeting. Orpheum Room to the general membership of the ACBL. Convention 10 am–Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Patty Tucker followed by a Center, Ballroom A special game for newer players. Heritage Ballroom 1–5 pm Notrump in a Day. This workshop explores basic 1–6 pm Learn Bridge in a Day?™ This popular session is notrump bidding and the most common responses, from designed especially for true beginners, those returning raises to Stayman and Jacoby transfers. Fee: $20 at the to bridge after long absences and those merely wanting door (includes textbook). Heritage Ballroom CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the Saturday, March 23 game! Heritage Ballroom on the second floor of the Sheraton. Speakers and 9:15 a.m. Ken Monzingo Tips on Defense topics are subject to change. Friday, March 22 Sunday, March 24 9:15 a.m. Harriette Buckman Rights and Responsibilities 9:15 a.m. Patty Tucker Responding to a Preemptive Bid 6:45 p.m. Karen Walker Testing Your Game 6:45 p.m. Frank Stewart Logical Thinking HOSPITALITY Friday March 22 through Saturday March 30 Saturday, March 23 Exhibit Hall foyer 1:30 pm Ice cream bars. East Hall 8 am–11 pm Free coffee 10:30 pm Brownies and blondies. Exhibit Hall foyer 8 am–7 pm Free sweet and unsweetened tea 4–8:45 p.m. 9–11pm ACBL Shuttle Drop off and pickup at the intersection of Shuttle drop off at the following hotels: Union Ave. & Main St. Comfort Inn Downtown Bus Service Drop off and pickup at Beale St. & 2nd St. Courtyard Court Square Shuttle runs every 15 minutes (by Hard Rock Café) Moxy Court Square Springhill Court Square Friday, March 22– Saturday, March 30 Hu Hotel Pickup at Memphis Cook Convention Center Residence Inn Downtown (Main St. on Sheraton side of the street) Doubletree Downtown Daily Bulletin Friday, March 22, 2019 Page 3 JUST FOR NEW PLAYERS Tip: When two lines of Welcome, Intermediate/ Take All Your Chances play are available, take By Eddie Kantar the one that gives you a Newcomer Players, Dummy chance (keeps you alive) to Memphis! ♠ K 8 4 2 to use the other if the Starting today, Intermediate/Newcomer ♥ K 7 5 first fails. Expect this (I/N) games begin at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7:30 ♦ A Q J 10 2 theme (“staying alive”) p.m. All I/N events will be held in the East Hall ♣ A to appear time and again on the second floor of the Convention Center. in this set of hands, just The I/N Partnership Desk guarantees you Declarer (You) as at the table. Lead up a partner if you sign up one hour prior to game ♠ 3 to the ♠K to stay alive. time. ♥ A Q J 10 9 6 4 3 Percentage-wise if you lead up to the ♠K Don’t forget to pick up your welcome gift ♦ 9 8 first (and that doesn’t work) and then take the from both the Welcome and I/N desks. ♣ 10 4 diamond finesse, you have a 75% chance of Celebrity bridge speakers will give free After you open 4♥, partner checks to make making the hand (one of two finesses).