www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org July/August 2007

62ND ANNUAL POTOMAC VALLEY TOURNAMENT B August 9-12, 2007 ♣ Silver Spring, MD U Take a W

♥ SUMMER ASHINGTON HOLIDAY L in the ♠ POTOMAC VALLEY!

L B RIDGE ♦

E L EAGUE ♥ T S

♣ Don’t miss the ECTIONAL 2:30pm Saturday Panel Show!

I There are events throughout the tournament for players of all levels including a full schedule of inter- ♠ mediate and novice games. Enjoy the usual famous Washington hospitality from Nadine and Kitty including free lunches on the weekend. N For the complete schedule, see page 3. WBL OMBUDSMAN CONTENTS Any player with helpful director SUGGESTION BOX issues including criticism or praise of the Do you have a suggestion that directing staff may contact the might help to increase membership or Ombudsman, Ann Lindley and be otherwise improve the Washington assured that the source of the informa- Bridge League? Give any and all tion will remain confidential. Information ARTICLE PAGE ideas to Don Berman, 301-776-3581, should be provided in writing and may [email protected], 13707 be handed to her at any game, or mailed President’s Letter ...... by Fred King 2 Engleman Dr., Laurel, MD 20708, or to her at 8822 Fircrest Pl., Alexandria, 62nd Annual Potomac Valley Tournament — August 9-12, 2007 ...... 3 www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org. VA 22308. 76th D.C. Championships — October 4-7, 2007 ...... 4 ♣♦♥♠ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ♣♦♥♠ deadline: August 6, 2007 Bits and Pieces... to submit new articles to the editor for the September/October 2007 issue Welcome to the WBL; Congratulations to the 2007 Unit KO Winners; 2007-2008 District 6 North American Pairs Final; ...... 5 Washington Bridge League BULLETIN (usps #861-240) VOL. 65, #4 — SUBSCRIPTION $2 PER YEAR FOR MEMBERS OF UNIT #147 (INCLUDED IN ACBL ANNUAL DUES). Leslie Shafer’s Bridge Festival a Success; Summer Bridge NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS $21 FOR THREE YEARS. PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE AT 14517 PERRYWOOD DRIVE, BURTONSVILLE, MD 20866. SECOND-CLASS POSTAGE PAID Classes ...... 27 AT BURTONSVILLE, MD. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE BULLETIN, ACBL, 2990 AIRWAYS BLVD., MEMPHIS, TN 38116-3847. ALL EDITORIAL AND GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE WBL Solvers’ Club ...... by Steve Robinson 7 SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EDITOR AT 901 CLIFTONBROOK LN., SILVER SPRING, MD 20905-3711. Thursday Night Unit Game... Editor — Donna Rogall (301-421-9615), [email protected] I/N Columnist — Sandy Forsythe (301-592-9177), [email protected] 2007 Trophy Race Standings ...... by Webmaster, Don Berman 14 Columnists — Steve Robinson, Richard Colker, Fred King, Barbara Summers, Barry Bragin The opinions expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ACBL, the WBL, 0-20 Game & Lesson Thursday Nights, Carpools ...... 14 or even the editors of this publication. The WBL is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers. Schedule, Upcoming Sectionals, Map, Guaranteed Fred King, President — (703-536-1914), [email protected] Don Berman, Vice President — (301-776-3581), [email protected] Partner Program, ...... 15 Steve Robinson, Treasurer — (703-379-4371), [email protected] Richard Ferrin, Secretary — (202-265-0718), [email protected] It Takes a Village to Run a Bridge Club; Spare Brains or Muscle? ...... 16

UNIT DIRECTORS Committee Action #57 ...... by Rich Colker 19 Carole Banks — (301-622-0923), [email protected] Ellen Cherniavsky — (301-649-1350), [email protected] The Gadget-Matist ...... by Barry Bragin 21 Clyde Kruskal — (301-927-1023), [email protected] Linda Marshall — (301-320-6057), [email protected] NVBA September Sensations Sectional Tournament — Sept. 6-9, 2007 22 Shlomit Rind — (301-315-2211), [email protected] Ellen Rosenthal — (301-299-9298), [email protected] NVBA Fall Sectional Tournament — October 18-21, 2007 ...... 23

SOME KEY VOLUNTEERS WBL Board and Member Responsibilities: May 2007 - May 2008 ...... 25 Nadine Wood — Tournament Chair (301-565-9555) Ann Lindley — WBL Ombudsman (703-360-9087) Call for Nominations for the Machlin Trophy ...... 26 Frances Burke — Membership Secretary (301-384-6103) Ted Ying — Unit Game Chief Director (301-490-3154) NLMasterPointers ...... by I/N columnist, Sandy Forsythe 28 Michael Carroad — Unit Game Manager (301-322-4289) Stepping Up to New Heights ...... 29 Barbara Doran — Unit Game & Tournament Partnerships (301-608-0347) Kitty Gottfried — Unit Game and Sectional Hospitality (301-587-3981) Sunday Bridge Fiesta ...... 29 Dick Wegman, Past President — (301-365-2228), [email protected] Need a Partner or a Ride to the Unit Game? ...... back cover WBL WEBSITE: DISTRICT 6 SITE: www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org www.districtsix.org Solvers’ Club’s New Problems ...... back cover - 1 - PRESIDENT’S LETTER Silver Spring, MD: August 9-12, 2007 by WBL President, Fred King Take a Summer Holiday in the Potomac Valley! When asked to describe duplicate bridge WBL game that is actually in the W of our players, words that often come to mind are name. As this bulletin goes to press, it looks “competitive”, “intelligent”, sometimes like they may be moving from the Washington Thursday, August 9 ‘s “aggressive”, “arrogant” or even “obnox- area some time this summer. Even though ♣ StrataFlighted Open Pairs (A/X unlim/3000, B/C/D Separate 1500/1000/500) ious”. All too seldom does one hear, “polite, they are not yet gone, all of us who care about (both sites); Stratified NLM Pairs (NLM/100/50) & 0-20 Pairs (Christ the King nd considerate, ethical and a real lady or gentle- bridge in this area are dreading their leaving Church only); Stratified 199er Pairs (First Presbyterian only) man.” Yet surely we all know people who fit and our having to find some way to replace NEW: First Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Vermont St, Arlington 7:00pm 62Annual this latter set of descriptions. Last year, the them. We want to wish them well in their new Off Carlin Springs Rd just before Ballston (can walk from Ballston Metro) WBL decided to start endeavors, tell them Christ the King Church, 2301 Colston Drive, Silver Spring ...... 7:30pm recognizing these that we will miss them Capital Beltway to Connecticut Ave. South. Left on East-West Hwy. Right on Potomac st people who display Help Wanted very much and ask our ECTIONAL Grubb Rd. 1 left on Colston. Church is on the left before the next intersection. exemplary sports- membership for vol- S Friday—at Christ Friday, August 10 Valley manship by creating Do you have the patience of unteers or suggestions the King Church Only Tournament the new Machlin on whom we could ♦ Stratified Pairs (unlim/2000/500) ...... 10:00am Sportsmanship Job, the wisdom of Solomon find to replace this ♥ StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C/D Pairs (1500/1000/500) ...... 2:00pm Award. You will and a director’s certificate irreplaceable pair. ♠ Bracketed Pairs and computer assigned Board-A-Match Teams ...... 7:30pm see on p. 26 a fuller Friday nights are your chance to try a different form of the game. This tourna- from the ACBL? Then you Let me close this EAGUE 2 chances to win! description of the cri- column by offering ment, you and your partner will play in a pair game. In addition, the computer will assign you team- L teria used for this might be interested in join- our unit’s thanks to mates. You’ll compare your scores on each board with them (after the whole pair game) as a win (1 award. Last year’s ing our directing crew for Leslie Shafer and point), loss (no points), or tie (half a point). Add up your points to see if your team placed in the team winner was Charlie Charlie Williams. A event for extra masterpoints. Stenger, a worthy the Unit game. Ted Ying couple of months ago ♣ Intermediate/Novice Pairs (300/200/100/50/20)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 2:00pm, 7:30pm recipient who has set needs capable, eager, they approached us RIDGE ♦ Sat. & Sun. Only at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center ♥ a high standard for with the idea of intro- friendly assistants to help B others to follow. If ducing some of their 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD: From Beltway exit Georgia Avenue you know of someone him run the best game in students to duplicate north (toward Wheaton). Turn right at first traffic light onto Forest Glen Rd. Saturday, who you feel is the country. If you are bridge before the 4th The Senior Center is .7 mile on your right. August 11 deserving of this of July Regional with ♣ StrataFlighted A/X Pairs (unlim/3000) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm honor, please send interested please let me or the hope of inducing ♦ StrataFlighted B/C/D Pairs (1500/1000/500)(single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm me or any other board Ted know. a number of them to ♥ Intermediate/Novice Pairs (300/200/100) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm member a short para- attend this tourna- ♠ Newcomer Pairs (50/20/5) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm graph describing why ment now that it has ♣ Don’t miss the between sessions Panel Show ...... 2:30pm you think this person is worthy. Please get returned to our side of the river. Working ASHINGTON Sunday, August 12 your nominations in by September 1. with Shlomit Rind from our board, a mock Joni Mitchell says “You don’t know what W ♦ A/X Swiss Teams, (unlim /3000, 7 round playthru w/short break) ...... 11:00am & TBA regional was run on the evening of June 20 ♥ you’ve got til it’s gone.” Well, we have known B/C/D Swiss Teams, VPs (2000/1000/500, 7 round playthru w/short break) ...... 11:00am & TBA and the morning of June 27. There were 20 ♠ for a number of years that what we had was a tables of newcomers at the first session and 300/100/50 Swiss Teams, VPs (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:00pm pair of real jewels in Steve and Sandy 19 at the second. They were introduced to ♣ Full Schedule of Intermediate and Novice Events ♥ Forsythe. They have added greatly to our bidding boxes, keeping score on tickets, I/N events: 0-5, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300; Stratification at Director’s Discretion. bridge playing family through their efforts in duplicate movements, directors, etc. There Famous Washington Hospitality includes snacks, drinks and Friday, Saturday and Sunday bringing new players into the game. Their les- were selling desks, partnership desks, etc. lunch free of charge. Chair: Nadine Wood, 301-565-9555, [email protected]. Volunteer sons and games on Thursday nights have fed Most of them seemed to have a good time Coordinator: Barbara Summers, 301-598-5838, [email protected] Hospitality: Kitty a steady stream of new players into the “big and now we just need to see how many of Gottfried, 301-587-3981, [email protected] Partnerships: Barbara Doran, 301-608-0347, Sectional room.” The Sunday “Bridge Fiesta” them came to the regional. [email protected] or try the easy Online Partnership Bulletin Board: www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org they started not long ago has been the only —Fred King - 2 - - 3 - BITS AND PIECES Silver Spring, MD: October 4-7, 2007 Come to an Octoberfest of Bridge! WELCOME TO THE Flight B Winners WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE Thursday, October 4 1 Albert Lauber, Steve Fox, The WBL welcomes the following new ACBL Ned Griffith, Walter Smith ♣ StrataFlighted Open Pairs (A/X unlim/3000, B/C/D Separate 1500/1000/500) ‘s members: JMs Barbara Bloomfield, Lenore A 2 Dan Koch, Hirsh Davis, Prem Garg, (both sites); Stratified NLM Pairs (NLM/100/50) & 0-20 Pairs (Christ the King Breen, Mr Stewart S Bushman, Mr Larry L Steven Schatzow Church only); Stratified 199er Pairs (Beth El only) th Hieb, Ms Yasmin C Jiwa, Della Morris, Daniel 2007-2008 D 6 Beth El Congregation, 3830 Seminary Rd, Alexandria ...... 7:00pm 76Annual Rubin, Ms Eleonore Wotherspoon, Ms Beverly ISTRICT Christ the King Church, 2301 Colston Drive, Silver Spring ...... 7:30pm 76 NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS FINAL M Bachemin, Mrs Heide Blaker, Matthew Capital Beltway to Connecticut Ave. South. Left on East-West Hwy. Right on Czhecha, Mr H Bruce Edkins Jr, Mrs Brenda P st The District 6 North American Pairs club Grubb Rd. 1 left on Colston. Church is on the left before the next intersection. D.C. Hoit, Anna L Kassinger, Peggy A Marshall, Ms ECTIONAL Friday—at Christ Championships qualifying has begun. The District Final for Friday, October 5 Susan M Morris, Mr William Morris, Mr Robert all flights will be held on the weekend of S the King Church Only ♦ Stratified Pairs (unlim/2000/500) ...... 10:00am P Murphy, Nancy A Patch, Mr David R Pugh, September 29-30, 2007. The Open Flight and ♥ StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C/D Pairs (1500/1000/500) ...... 2:00pm Agee G Springer, Mr Gerald Tolpin, Richard A 0-2000 Flight Finals will be 4-session ♠ IMP Pairs, Beer & Bratwurst ...... 7:30pm Watts, and Sally W Watts. events, with roughly half the field qualifying StrataFlighted A/X (unlim/3000) & B/C/D (1500/1000/500) In addition, we welcome the following trans- for the second day. The NLM Flight Final The Friday Night Imps are back! Friday nights are your chance to try a differ- fers from other units: Robert D Abbo, Mrs will be a 2-session event held on Saturday, EAGUE ent form of the game. With IMP pairs, you only need one partner, but it scores like a Sonny F Adelson, Mrs Elsie B Anderson, Mr September 29 at the Northern site and on L team game. Your score will be averaged with all the other scores from your direction Thomas W Conley, Mr Patrick M Frye, Michael ...continued on p. 27 on each board.. A Gill, Catherine McHugh, Julie L Shalack, Mrs adAvrieetPaid Advertisement Paid Advertisement ♣Intermediate/Novice Pairs (300/200/100/50/20)(single sessions) ...... 10:00am, 2:00pm, 7:30pm Ruby R Tierkel, Mr Andrew B Francis, Mrs ♦ Sat. & Sun. at the Elinor L Kollins, Mrs Margaret B Mentzer, Mr How You Can Play 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD: From Beltway exit Ronald H Mentzer, Mr Ilya O Podolyako, and RIDGE Margaret Schweinhaut Georgia Avenue north (toward Wheaton). Turn right at first traffic Mrs Betty T Simpson. Like An Expert B Only ♥ light onto Forest Glen Rd. The Senior Center is .7 mile on your right. Senior Center Saturday, October 6 Please join us at our weekly Unit (without having to be one) Game on Thursday evenings and frequent ♣ StrataFlighted A/X Pairs (unlim/3000) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm the local bridge clubs in the area. by ♦ StrataFlighted B/C/D Pairs (1500/1000/500)(single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm ♥ Information can be found on our website, Intermediate/Novice Pairs (300/200/100) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org. Mel Colchamiro ♠ Newcomer Pairs (50/20/5) (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:30pm $21.95 (276 pp. soft cover) ♣ Machlin Sportsmanship Award Presentation & between sessions Panel Show . . .2:30pm CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007 UNIT KO WINNERS! “Mel combines an easy reading, easy Sunday, October 7 to understand personal style with real ASHINGTON ♦ Eynon Trophy Open Winners insights. Believe me he knows. And First awarded in 1931— Try to add your name to the famous names inscribed here! 1 Bill Cole, Peter Boyd, after reading this book, you will, too.” W A/X Swiss Teams, VPs (unlim /3000, 7 round playthru w/short break) ...... 11:00am & TBA Mark Shaw, Steve —Paul Soloway ♥ B/C/D Swiss Teams, VPs (2000/1000/500, 7 round playthru w/short break) ...... 11:00am & TBA Robinson ♠ World Champion and 300/100/50 Swiss Teams, VPs (single sessions) ...... 11:00am, 3:00pm 2 Fred Steinberg, Dave Ruderman, #1 ACBL masterpoint holder ♣ Full Schedule of Intermediate and Novice Events ♥ Alan Tenenbaum, Andy Gofreed, Leo I/N events: 0-5, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300; Stratification at Director’s Discretion. Lasota, Barb Shaw Buy it at Famous Washington Hospitality includes snacks, drinks and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3/4 Robbie Hopkins, Joan Lewis, Barry www.melbridge.com lunch free of charge. Chair: Nadine Wood, 301-565-9555, [email protected]. Volunteer Falgout, Rusty Krauss, Bill Pettis, (Fun free stuff there, too. Coordinator: Barbara Summers, 301-598-5838, [email protected] Hospitality: Kitty Kent Goulding Check it out!) Gottfried, 301-587-3981, [email protected] Partnerships: Barbara Doran, 301-608-0347, Sectional 3/4 Noble Shore, Jeff Roman, David questions: [email protected] [email protected] or try the easy Online Partnership Bulletin Board: www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org Rodney, Mike Gill - 4 - - 5 - WBL SOLVERS’ CLUB Great Game Products 7825 Tuckerman Lane, Suite 206, Potomac, MD 20854 Moderated by Steve Robinson 1-800-GAMES-4-U or 301-299-9005 [email protected] For more information or to order, visit our website at www.bridgebaron.com. *All prices in US dollars. [email protected] Congratulations to JJ Wang who came in and the answer is reasonable I will give that first with a score of 500. He wins a free entry answer 100 points. I will not give 100 points Bridge Baron 17 to the Unit Game and will be invited to be on to an answer that I consider bad no matter $64.95 plus shipping for first-timeBridge Baron owners. a future panel. I will also play with him at a how many experts vote for it. There are times Upgraded version - $32.95 plus shipping future Unit game. Tied for second were Lloyd when I want to make a point. I will give that ♠ Bridge Baron is a five-time winner of the World Computer Bridge Rawley, Enid Hughes, Frank Cardillo and Dave answer 100 points and will therefore give the Championship Smith with a score of 490 Tied for sixth were majority answer 90 points. For the other ♥ NEW! 4 new Bridge Tournaments, including the 2006 Noble Shore, Joe Lentz and Rick McDaniel answers I consider how good the answer is Cavendish with cross-IMPs scoring, the 2006 NSWBA ANC with a score of 470. Tied for ninth were Paul and how many experts vote for it for its Butler Open Selection with Butler IMPs scoring, the Fall 2005 Diamond State Benedict, Len Helfgott, Francis McMullan, score. If you submitted an answer that got 20 Sectional, and the Winter 2006 Blue Hen Sectional. points, that bid would get a bad score at the ♦ NEW! 24 Bridge Challenges have been added, totaling 216 problem deals in all to Rusty Krauss, Michael Polunin, Ron Zucker, help you sharpen your declarer play John Sommer and Sam Keiter with a score of table. A good exercise would be to figure out ♣ NEW! 4 new bidding conventions: Namyats, Lead-Directing Doubles, Wolff Sign-Off 460. Tied for seventeenth were Hank Meyer, why I gave your answer 20 points. You might Bids, and Artificial Minor Bids after 1M-X Richard Freedman, Fred Wagner and John have misread the problem. ♠ IMPROVED! Bidding and play Kloke with a score of 450. Tied for twenty- The book Washington Standard second ♥ IMPROVED! Now chose to open 1NT with a 6-card minor or a stiff honor first were Yi Zhong, Rick Bingham and Mark edition is out. If you are a serious bridge ♦ IMPROVED! Now chose to play Puppet Stayman after 1NT, after 2NT, or both Chen with a score of 440. Tied for twenty- player, this book is a must. You can pur- ♣ IMPROVED! Graphical user interface fourth were Perry Khakhar, Barry Bragin, chase a copy from Steve for $25.00 at the Available on CD-Rom for Windows 95/98/2000/Me/NT4.0/XP (English, Français and Deutsch) Rossi Lindstrom, Pete Hughes and Mark Shaw Unit Game, at tournaments or can send him Available on CD-Rom for Macintosh/iMac/MacOS 8.6 or later (English/French). Built for MAC OS X with a score of 430. The average score of the a check for $29.60 that includes $4.60 for Learn and Practice Bidding Conventions 288 solvers was 336. The average score of priority mail. - $29.95 plus shipping. the experts was 458. 1) Matchpoints, None Vulnerable Available on CD-Rom for Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT/XP. All readers are encouraged to send ♥ Practice conventional bids, responses, and rebids on thousands of answers and/or new problems to Steve ♠KQJ4♥Q6543♦K94♣2 deals with feedback tailored to reinforce conventional understandings Robinson, 2891 S. Abingdon St. #A2 and correct bidding mistakes. Either learn a convention from scratch SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST Arlington, VA, 22206-1329. In addition to or practice using a convention you already know. Learn and practice 1♣ six bidding conventions with detailed explanations and interactive quizzes: Stayman, Jacoby the winner receiving a free play at the WBL DBL PASS 2♣ 3♣ Transfers, Weak Two-Bids, Michaels Cue-Bids, Jacoby 2NT, Negative Doubles. Unit Game, Steve will play with anyone who 3♥ PASS 3NT PASS American Contract Bridge League Tournaments gets a perfect score or who exactly matches ???? all five of his answers. If you send a self- Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 - $29.95 addressed stamped envelope to the above Action Score Votes Solvers ♣ SPECIAL!!! Tournament CDs 1 – 8 only $21.00 each. address along with your answers, I will send 4 100 5 12 ♠ Available on CD-Rom for Macintosh/iMac you a copy of the new problems to ensure 4 90650 and Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP. that you can meet his next deadline. You can Pass 50 2 197 ♠ See how you would have scored in ♥ pick up a copy of the problems at the WBL 4 40028 thetournament with Bridge Baron as 4NT 20 0 01 your partner Unit Game in Maryland, and can send answers or requests for problems to robin- In response to your takeout double, part- Bridge Baron Companion: How to Get the Most out [email protected]. You can also see and answer ner cuebid. Cuebids after takeout doubles of Your Computer Bridge Game - $24.95 plus shipping. the problems at the WBL web site. WBL show two places to play. If you know where ♣ If you are new to Bridge Baron, this book will help you get up and Solvers Club uses Washington Standard as you want to play you bid it. Holding running quickly; if you are a long-time user, this book will point you ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ to parts of the program you may not have previously explored and help published July 1996. xx Ax AQJxxx KJx, you know you you to use Bridge Baron to improve your bridge game. I personally score all the problems. If a want to play in 3NT opposite a takeout dou- majority of the solvers vote for an answer, ble. Bid 3NT. Holding ♠AQxxx♥Kx♦Kxx Paid Advertisement- 6 - Paid Advertisement - 7 - ♣xx, you want to play in 4♠ opposite a take- Six experts unilaterally bid 4♠. Doesn’t have passed and given partner a chance to chances either in 3NT or 4♠. See what part- out double. Bid 4♠ On the other hand, sup- take into account the possibility of partner bid his major. If he had four spades he sure- ner bids.” pose you hold ♠10xxx♥AK♦Axxx♣QJx. being 3-3 in the majors. ly would have bid 3♠ rather than 3NT, since Cappelletti: “Double—Too powerful for Opposite a takeout double, you want to be in Cappelletti: “4♠—When partner bid 2♣ I wouldn’t be making a takeout double with any other action. I would bid 4♠ over the game. You probably don’t want to play a 4-3 instead of 3NT, he indicated interest in other five hearts and fewer than four spades — I expected 4♦.” spade fit. Cue bid to find out if the doubler contracts. So he probably has four spades.” would have overcalled instead. Therefore we Woolsey: “Double—Over 4♦ I can afford has four spades. Otherwise play 3NT. A Probably means 15 % of the time he do not have an eight-card major-suit fit, so to bid 4♠, which shows a flexible hand takeout double only promises three spades. doesn’t have four spades. If he doesn’t have 3NT it is.” since I didn’t rebid spades immediately. The Wouldn’t you double 1♣ with ♠Axx♥Qxxx four spades, maybe he has three hearts. You I don’t agree that 3♥ shows five hearts. double brings clubs into the picture as well ♦KQxx♣Kx? If the doubler has only three can bid 4♠ if he always has four spades. 2♣ asks you to bid a major. Your first prior- as 3NT or the outside possibility that partner spades you probably want to play in 3NT. Abelow: “4♠—First reaction was to pass ity is to bid a major. After showing your can pass 3♥ doubled. It is worth taking a On this hand, we’ve made a takeout dou- 3NT since partner heard his RHO bid Clubs majors, your second priority is to bid slight overbid in order to maximize the ble with four spades and five hearts. Partner twice and should have two stoppers. On fur- notrump with a stopper in opponent’s suit. chances of getting to the best strain.” obviously doesn’t have four hearts but he ther review with no major suit support, part- Cue bids should be choice of games. Abelow: “Double—Will bid 4♠ over should have either have four spades or a ner would just bid 3NT therefore his cue bid four-of-minor. The diamond card and spade hand where he doesn’t want to play 3NT must be support for at least one major. He 2) IMPs, None Vulnerable Jack will make 4♠ ok and a good partner opposite a singleton. ♠KQx♥AKx♦Jxxx couldn’t afford to bid 3♠ himself since that ♠AKQ95♥54♦Q2♣AKQ10 will hold at least that.” ♣Jxx is a possibility where you need to play would bypass 3NT.” If you’re going to bid 4♠ over 4♣, why SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST a 4-3 major suit. Paulo: “4♠—Bidding 3 NT after the cue- not jump directly to 4♠. 1♠ 2♥ Pass 3♥ Four experts agree with me and ask part- bid, partner shows some doubt about this Two experts will pass 4♦. Could be a ????? ner to choose another strain. 4♣ is better contract.” silly contract if partner is 2344 but could be than 4♠ since partner could be 33 in the Schwartz: “4♠—Partner is likely to have Action Score Votes Solvers right if partner is 2263. The reason why you majors with a weak club stopper. spades for this bidding. Would like to bid Dbl 100 7 58 should pass 4♦ is that with 2344, partner Hopkins: “4♣—I play a cue bid fol- 4♣ just in case partner doesn’t have four 4♣ 70 3 145 might just bid 3♠. lowed by 3NT offers a choice, as partner spades, but that could be taken as a cue bid 3♠ 70 3 43 Schwartz: “Double—Partner should could have immediately bid 3NT initially with slam interest.” Pass 40 0 33 have at least a decent five-card suit to bid with ♠Axx♥Jx♦AJxx♣AQxx or ♠xx♥Jx Likely means 15 % of the time he does- 4♠ 30 0 06 diamonds and I have to leave 3♠ as a rest- ♦ ♦AQJxxx♣AQx to end the auction. I pic- n’t have four spades. If he doesn’t have four 4 20 0 02 ing place.” ♠ ture a hand with one club stopper and either spades, maybe he has three hearts. 6 20 0 01 Landen: “Double—I’m too strong not to a good diamond suit or giving me the option Roman: “4♠—Partner has asked me to You have a very good hand with no clear act. I could bid 4♣, but that gives up on to play in my five-card major, say ♠Axx♥x choose between 4♠ and 3NT, and with action. A new suit at the four-level such as 3NT. If partner bids 4♦, I’ll pass. It could be ♦AQxxxx♣Kxx or ♠Axx♥KJx♦AJxx♣Kxx.” strong spades, a singleton club, weak long 4♣ shows at least a five-card suit. Maybe the right contract and partner, with equal King: “4♣—If partner unequivocally suit, and no aces, I have an obvious prefer- AKQ10 will play like a five-card suit. minor suit length, will bid clubs.” wanted to play 3NT he would have bid it ence.” Rebidding a major at the three-level shows Three experts bid 4♣. Partner will directly. To bid like this he should have Landen: “4♠—Partner doesn’t guarantee at least a six-card suit. Maybe AKQ9x will expect you to have at least five clubs. doubts or another place to play. I want him four spades for his cuebid, but he usually play like a six-card suit. Double is a takeout Hopefully AKQ10 will play like a five- to choose another strain.” has them. I can’t afford to play 3NT when double asking partner to bid his longest suit. card suit. Parker: “4♣—Partner would have bid 4♠ rates to be a superior contract, even if If partner bids diamonds, maybe Qx will be Hopkins: “4♣—I am bidding what I 3NT immediately if they good stoppers. He both make.” good enough support. A good partner will have. I do not picture this as forcing on part- must have a major to bid 3NT, so I will now Usually means 15 % of the time he does- have six diamonds to the J10. Of course, you ner as I did not open a strong 2♣. I don’t bid 4♣ to see if he has four spades or three n’t have four spades. If he doesn’t have four can always chicken out and pass. I’ve said expect partner to trot out Diamonds unless or hearts or five diamonds.” spades, maybe he has three hearts. before that this is a bidders game so pass is he is showing his presumably six+ card suit Adams: “4♣—We do not know partner’s Two experts pass 3NT. out. When you have a choice among calls, on the way to a preference of 4♠.” major suit shape? What would he do with Schoenfeld: “Pass—With no eight-card none of which are clear, make the cheapest Paulo: “4♣—With only four losers I can ♠xxx♥AKx♦QJx♣Axxx? We do know that major fit likely, 3NT offers our best chance and most flexible call. bypass their security level.” partner has a desire for something other than for game. Partner likely has long diamonds Six experts join me and double. Four Parker: “4♣—I don’t want to be shut out NT, therefore so do we. Maybe partner has and a double club stopper.” experts will correct 4♦ to 4♠. and no one is going to double since I have four spades and is offering choice. 4♣ lets Woolsey: “Pass—I would not have bid Schoenfeld: “Double—With as little as such good suits. Partner needs the Diamond him bid his spades.” 3♥ if I didn’t have five hearts, since I could one red suit trick and a jack, there are game King and three little spades to make a game - 8 - - 9 - so I bid.” five hearts, you have at least a 5-2 heart fit. have you ever opened a five-card weak two then bid 5♥? On this hand I’m interested in Three experts rebid their spades. Partner Partner could easily have two spades and in third seat? I would open 2♦ with strong hearts, but could I be looking for a will expect you to have at least six spades. then you would have a 5-2 spade fit. ♠xx♥xx♦KQJ10x♣Qxxx, assuming, of club control?” Hopefully AKQ9x will play like a six-card Assuming two 5-2 major suit fits, you want to course, I was playing weak 2♦. Have you Cue bids below game when two suits are suit. If partner has two little spades, there is play in the fit with the strongest middle ever raised partner’s vulnerable weak two in the picture ask partner to choose. a chance, probably small, that you have no cards. If partner’s spades are Q9 and his with a doubleton? I would bid 3♦ with Parker: “4♥—I know partner did not spade losers. hearts are AK432 you want to play in ♠xx♥xxx♦Ax♣KJ10xxx. So maybe partner open a weak two but he can still have King: “3♠—I could make this opposite spades. If his spades are 54 and his hearts is 2533 which is the reason why he didn’t Q10xxxx and my aces will do nicely in a suit a flat Yarborough from partner. I would not are AQ1087 you want to play in hearts. open 2♥ or make a responsive double. contract rather than 3NT.” like to double and have him pass or bid There’s a call that wasn’t made. Responsive Schoenfeld: “4♥—EW bidding tells you Cue bids should be choice of games. diamonds. “ double. Partner is not 5-5 or 5-4 in hearts about North’s singleton diamond. With If I doubled and partner passed I would and clubs. There are two possibilities for no points in the other suits, game has a good 4) IMPs, You’re Vulnerable be ecstatic. I wouldn’t be very happy if he responsive double. Partner has six hearts or chance.” ♠9♥A53♦AKJ5♣AK872 bid 4♦. he is 2533. If he’s 2533, you need partner’s Abelow: “4♥—-If you trust the vulnera- SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST Roman: “3♠—Partner is likely broke, so help in finding which is the stronger major- ble opponent’s bidding, partner should Pass Pass I see no reason to introduce the club suit. I suit fit. Bidding 4♦ will get partner to have a stiff diamond but only five hearts (no 1♣ 2♠ Pass 3♥ could easily make 3♠ opposite a choose the best game. Over your cuebid, he weak two opener). Most likely distribution ????? Yarborough, so pass is out.” shouldn’t rebid a bad heart suit especially if is 2515. I think with diamond taps threat- Adams: “3♠—Double is not going to get he has two spades. If he has honor doubleton ening both major suit contracts, partner Action Score Votes Solvers partner to pass with diamond values. I sus- in spades and only five hearts he’ll prefer- may be able to scramble more tricks in Double 100 10 170 pect partner is broke, so game unlikely. ence spades. Using a cuebid as a choice of hearts. 4♦ could lead to a better 5♣ con- 3NT 50 1 01 Pass hoping both Hearts and Spades go games is more important then using it as a tract if partner is 1516 but a worse 4♠ if he 3♠ 40121 down is silly, as the gain is small when slam try. has two spades.” Pass 40 1 49 ♦ right. 3♠ may well push them to 4♥, which Four experts join me and bid 4♦. If partner were 2515, he would have dou- 4 30035 ♥ we rate to beat. 4♣ rates to have the same Whatever partner bids over 4♦ will be OK bled 3♦. 4 30003 ♣ losers, less maybe a trump trick, so 4♣ has with me. Paulo: “4♥—With controls, a suit to set 4 30004 no advantage.” Cappelletti: “4♦—Will be the popular, up and some fit, I envisage game.” 4NT 20 0 03 ♠ When you have choice of bids, all of obvious, choice - does everything and choice Schwartz: “4♥—Prefer raising hearts 4 20001 ♥ which have faults, make the cheapest of games.” even with a choice-of-games cue bid avail- 5 20001 faulty call. Hopkins: “4♦—Partner shouldn’t have able.” In the above sequence West bid 2♠, both Hearts and Clubs as he would have ♥ ♥ 3) IMPs, There’re Vulnerable Woolsey: “4 —Yes, it’s probably a 5-2 partner passed and East bid 3 . There are made a responsive double. The question fit since partner didn’t open 2♥. But it’s still two possible explanations of this auction. ♠AK1032♥J9♦A53♣A72 becomes why didn’t partner open 2♥? I am probably better than 4♠ in a 5-2 fit since One is that East is also short in spades and SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST going to show a good hand and let partner entries to partner’s hand would be a problem is running to hearts. A second possibility is Pass Pass 2♦ place the contract.” in spades and the spade suit has secondary that East has a spade fit and is making a fit- ♦ 2♠ 3♦ 3♥ Pass King: “4 —Even though partner is a losers.” showing lead-directing bid. What options ♥ ????? passed hand and didn’t open 2 , slam is Landen: “4♥—Even if partner only has do we have? Double of 3♥ is an extra- still possible and I will make one try for it. “ five, 4♥ rates to play well and 3NT doesn’t strength takeout double of spades. When Action Score Votes Solvers Adams: “4♦—Expecting a singleton dia- ♥ look to be better.” you double spades for takeout, you general- 4 100 8 119 mond. If 3NT makes, then 4♥, 4♠, or 5♣, Roman: “4♥—This is a tough one ly have at least three hearts. If your major- 4♦ 90 5 11 ♠ also makes. Partner likely 2515, but other because I’d like to make a slam try, but I suit holding were reversed, this would be a 3 50 0 12 shapes possible. Give partner a decent hand have bad hearts and even if I was willing to harder problem. 3NT 40 0 91 ♠ that is not good enough to open, such as ignore that, the meaning of our various pos- Nine experts join me and double. 4 30 0 05 ♠xx♥K109xx♦x♣KQJxx. We have eight sible continuations such as raising to 5♥, or Cappelletti: “Double—Much too power- Pass 20 0 46 tricks in NT, and 4♥ or 5♣ are good spots. bidding 4♦ and then bidding 5♥, are ful for any other action and partner might 4NT 20 0 01 ♠ ♥ ♣ Give partner a spade honor, and 4 is OK.” unclear. Does 5 ask for a diamond control? pass with misfits.” 4 20 0 03 Eight experts make the final decision. I think it’s just invitational, but partner may Hopkins: “Double—This should show a You have enough strength to be in game Assuming the opponents are sane, partner think differently. 4♦ would be a choice of good hand. I am hoping for a pull to 3NT but which game? Since 3♥ shows at least should have at least six hearts. However, games cuebid, so what does it mean when I when partner has a reasonable, as opposed - 10 - - 11 - to desperation/nowhere to go penalty pass of the queen of diamonds and a spade stopper. for bidding 4♠ was to preempt the oppo- Adams: “4♠—3♠ does not preempt 2♠. And if partner is not short in Hearts ♠Qxxxx♥xxx♦Qxx♣xx is not enough for nents. If you bid 3♠, they could make a enough, and might miss magic game ♠KQxxx ♠K10xxxx♥Jxx♦xx♣xx, then perhaps we game to be made. takeout double or bid 4♥. ♥xxx♦Kx♣Axx. Would not surprise me to can defend.” Adams: “3NT—Our most likely making Eight experts join me and bid 4♠. go minus, but might be OK anyway. Minor Abelow: “Double—-Partner will pull with game is 3NT, and Double does not get us Abelow: “4♠—-Lots of minimum hands risk of missing slam, but showing my single- length in either minor - I may have to guess there. 3♥ is probably fit showing/lead will give us play for 4♠ and keep opponents ton likely will not help in that evaluation, whether to bid game over a minimum directing (by passed hand), thus I expect a from finding their Heart fit if they have it.” and might get us too high when partner response- possible partner has a penalty heart lead, and I expect to have a minor-suit Schoenfeld: “4♠—Although I like expects nine+ HCP.” pass of 2♠- with two or more hearts, we fit. I also expect that many players here, with Bergen, with two suits, LHO may bid Three experts bid 3♠. If partner has should do well against 3♥ doubled.” a spade fit, will save over 3NT. Why double Hearts or double the artificial bid and ♠KQxxx♥xxx♦Kxx♣Ax, he will pass 3♠ King: “Double—Willing to defend or 3♠, when we might get to double 4♠, or we find a sacrifice. Make it as hard as possi- and you’ll miss a cold game. You might even play a high level minor, depending on part- might get to make 3NT. Let them make the ble!” make it possible for the opponents get to ner’s input.” last guess.” Paulo: “4♠—The six diamonds should their cold 5♥contract. Paulo: “Double—If opponents are in Takeout doubles are flexible bids compensate the lack of the fifth trump.” Cappelletti: “3♠—The infamous “tacti- misfit, partner can convert; if not, he has Woolsey: “4♠—It doesn’t make sense to cal limit raise” is just about right here.” 5) IMPs, None Vulnerable some clubs or diamonds.” try to be scientific with a hand such as this, Hopkins: “3♠—About right on values. Schwartz: “Double—Double might be ♠A654♥3♦QJ10765♣87 since the success or failure of 4♠ by us or And too good for 4♠.” taken two ways. Its either takeout, or a heart ♥ ♠ SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST possibly 4 by them depends on the dia- Schwartz: “3 —Game unlikely to be card trying to get to 3NT. Luckily I have both.” 1♠ Pass mond fit which we can’t find out. This hand cold if partner passes and other bids are too Woolsey: “Double—I’m way too strong to ????? could be a double game swing, and it is best misdescriptive.” sell out. Anything partner does will be fine.” to force the opponents to guess at a high One expert bids 2♦. Give partner ♠KQxxx Good reason to double when anything Action Score Votes Solvers level. The best game try is to bid game and ♥KQJx♦Ax♣Ax and you’ll end up in a partner does including pass will be fine. 4♠ 100 9 108 try to make it.” 50% slam Bidding two-over-one with only Landen: “Double—Clearly takeout. 3♠ 70 3 76 Landen: “4♠—A trump short, but com- seven HCP could easily get you too high. Partner will expect primary clubs and sec- 2♠ 40 0 18 pensating distribution.” King: “2♦—I won’t stop short of game, ondary diamonds. For once, I have what my 2♦ 40 1 38 Roman: “4♠—I don’t know who can so I might as well bid where I live.” bid shows.“ 4♥ 40 0 09 make what, but I do know that lefty won’t be This problem has two good points. Roman: “Double—Utterly routine. I have 1NT 40 0 13 bidding 4♥.” When you can give partner a minimum a fine hand, and I’ll be happy with whatever 3♦ 30 0 14 Main reason for bidding 4♠ is that lefty hand, and game is cold, game should be partner does.” 4♦ 20 0 01 won’t be bidding 4♥. bid. When you can give partner a minimum One expert bids 3♠. Not sure what 3♠ 3♥ 20 0 02 Parker: “4♠—Either it is their hand or hand and the opponents can make game, means but it is forcing. 3♣ 20 0 05 we can make a game so I bid it now.” game should be bid. Schoenfeld: “3♠—If partner has a spade 2♣ 20 0 02 stopper, three notrump will be the game of 3NT 20 0 01 SOLVERS’ SCORES choice. Otherwise retreat to a minor.” Pass 20 0 01 One expert fails to follow the ‘when in You could treat this as a limit raise and Dave Abelow 4♠ Dbl 4♥ Dbl 4♠ 500 doubt bid rule’. bid 3♠. Opposite ♠KQxxx♥KQJx♦xx♣Qx John Adams 4♠ 3♠ 4♦ 3NT 4♠ 410 Parker: “Pass—They are probably in you could easily be held to eight tricks. You Mike Cappellett 4♠ Dbl 4♦ Dbl 3♠ 460 trouble so why disturb them? A double could treat this as a preemptive raise and Robbie Hopkins 4♣ 4♣ 4♦ Dbl 3♠ 420 should be for penalty, but I will settle for a bid 4♠. You go down two in 4♠ opposite the Fred King 4♣ 3♠ 4♦ Dbl 2♦ 390 small plus rather than have partner pull with above example but make slam opposite Steve Landen 4♠ Dbl 4♥ Dbl 4♠ 490 a bad hand and three or four clubs.” ♠KQxxx♥Axxx♦Kxx♣A. You could bid Steve Parker 4♣ 4♣ 4♥ Pass 4♠ 400 If partner passes the double, why do you 4♥. Jumping to 4♥ over 1♠ shows a game- Manuel Paulo 4♠ 4♣ 4♥ Dbl 4♠ 470 think you won’t beat them? You do have forcing four-card spade raise with a single- Steve Robinson 4♣ Dbl 4♦ Dbl 4♠ 480 what looks like five tricks. ton or void in hearts. All of these construc- Jeff Roman 4♠ 3♠ 4♥ Dbl 4♠ 470 One expert bids what he thinks he can tive bids could be correct assuming if it were Alan Schwartz 4♠ Dbl 4♥ Dbl 3♠ 470 make. Partner promises a spade stopper on guaranteed that the opponents would not Brian Schoenfeld Pass Dbl 4♥ 3♠ 4♠ 390 this auction. The question is, does he have a enter the auction. But there are opponents Kit Woolsey Pass Dbl 4♥ Dbl 4♠ 450 minor-suit queen? He needs more than just out there and they do bid. The main reason - 12 - - 13 - ♣ UNIT GAME ♦ WBL ♥ UNIT GAME ♠ THURSDAY NIGHT ♣ UNIT GAME ♦ WBL ♥ UNIT GAME ♠ THURSDAY NIGHT

2007 TROPHY RACE STANDINGS ∼ ♣ ♦ SCHEDULE ♥ ♠ ∼ WBL GUARANTEED www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org 0-20 Updated by our Webmaster, Don Berman LESSON All Games held at Christ the King Church PARTNER PROGRAM The Lovenberg Race is open to all WBL members; the Izzy Cohen & GAME You never need to miss the Race is open to all WBL members who started the calendar year with less 07/26/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship unit game because you don’t than 1500 masterpoints; the Tubbs Race is open to all WBL members 08/02/2007 ...... StrataFlighted NAP have a partner at the last who started the calendar year as a Izzy Cohen CURRENTLY 08/09/2007 ...... WBL Sectional minute! The WBL has a guaran- Non-Life Master with less than 500 1 65.92 Michael Gill teed partner (GP) program for masterpoints; the Woolridge Race IN FLUX 08/16/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Club Championship 2 51.19 Angeliki Magklara 08/23/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship players who occasionally need a is open to all WBL members who 3 48.53 Lloyd Rawley partner for the unit game. Here’s started the calendar year with less 08/30/2007 ...... StrataFlighted NAP 4 48.23 Barry Bragin CHECK THE how it works: we provide a than 20 masterpoints. 09/06/2007 ...... NVBA Sectional 5 34.97 Linda Marshall standby partner; if an odd num- Winners in each category will WEB FOR THE 09/13/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship 6 30.72 Steven Schatzow ber of people in need of a part- receive four sessions of free plays. LATEST INFO: 09/20/2007...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship 7 28.09 Arun Guha ner arrive, we match the players Second place gets two and third 8 26.73 Shyamalendu Pal 09/27/2007...... Stratified STaC Pairs as best we can, and the GP plays place gets one. www.Washington 9 25.51 Ellen Rosenthal 10/04/2007 ...... WBL Sectional with the one who is left. (If there This list is up to date through BridgeLeague.org 10 25.27 Richard Ferrin 10/11/2007 ...... StrataFlighted A/X BAM; B/C/D Swiss is an even number of players June 28. All points are subject to 10/18/2007 ...... NVBA Sectiona looking, the GP goes home). You audit by the WBL Director. 11 25.08 Charity Sack ∼ ♣♦♥♠ ∼ 12 25.01 Katherine Rabenstein 10/25/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Appreciation Pairs can always get a game. Lovenberg 13 24.22 Mirsad Mujezinovic 11/01/2007 ...... StrataFlighted GNT Swiss Teams Players in search of partners 1 103.75 Alfred Steinberg 14 24.20 Neal Rosenthal 11/08/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship should try to arrive between 2 101.40 Steve Robinson 15 23.35 Edwin Fuller Jr 11/15/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship 7:00 and 7:15 (or call ahead). 3 101.20 William Cole 11/22/2007 ...... Closed Thanksgiving The partnership desk closes at 4 80.07 Mark Shaw Tubbs 7:25. You can call the WBL cell 11/29/2007 ...... StrataFlighted Unit Championship 5 70.11 Peter Boyd 1 34.97 Linda Marshall phone (301) 395-2760 at the last 6 69.78 Arnie Frankel 2 28.09 Arun Guha UPCOMING 12/06/2007 ...... StrataFlighted GNT Swiss Teams minute if are on your way and 7 67.72 Noble Shore 3 26.73 Shyamalendu Pal SECTIONALS 12/13/2007 ...... Holiday Party Stratified STaC know you’ll be at bit late. 8 67.58 Leo LaSota 4 24.22 Mirsad Mujezinovic To find a partner at least a 9 65.92 Michael Gill 5 22.61 Calvin Konner August 9-12 For a Last-Minute Partner, to tell someone you’ll be day in advance, contact Barbara 10 65.58 Robert Bell 6 21.22 William Kingery Jr Silver Spring, MD late, to hear announcements, or to contact the Unit Game Doran (see below). or log on to 11 63.78 James Geist 7 18.99 Alfred Liepold ♣ for any reason, call the WBL Cell Phone: the Online Partnership Bulletin 8 17.11 Daniel Koch Board at: www.Washington 12 63.66 David Ruderman September 6-9 13 63.32 Benjamin Brill 9 16.92 Larry Moran (301) 395-2760 BridgeLeague.org. 14 62.31 John Adams 10 16.63 Namik Haverich Fairfax, VA You might want to volunteer ♦ 15 55.70 Earl Glickstein Woolridge for the GP program yourself. It’s 16 53.26 William Hacker 1 28.09 Arun Guha October 4-7 MAP TO CHRIST THE KING CHURCH a great way to meet people. If 17 51.19 Angeliki Magklara 2 26.73 Shyamalendu Pal Silver Spring, MD you play on the night you’re the 18 48.53 Lloyd Rawley 3 15.11 Garry Grossman ♥ GP, you play free. If you volun- 19 48.23 Barry Bragin teer, you receive a free play for 4 13.57 Frank Hatten October 18-21 20 47.26 Fred King 5 13.08 John Horner any future unit game whether or not you play that night. 21 46.70 Richard Wegman 6 9.61 Alan Walter Fairfax, VA ♠ Email Barbara Doran at 22 45.92 Clyde Kruskal 7 9.58 Jeanne Ferraro UnitGamePartner@DistrictSix 23 42.19 Alan Tenenbaum 8 9.50 Beth Wisinski January 3-6, 2008 .org or [email protected], 24 42.09 Donna Rogall 9 8.28 Andrew Jacknain Silver Spring, MD 25 34.97 Linda Marshall or call her at (301) 608-0347 10 8.26 Elizabeth Nash ♣ between 9am and 10pm. UNIT GAME CARPOOL AVAILABLE February 21-24, 2008 Fairfax, VA Partnerships Close AT 7:25pm To arrange a carpool, contact Don Berman, Carpool Coordinator, at TO START THE GAME PROMPTLY 301-776-3581 or [email protected]. ....Or log on to the WBL’s ∼ ♣♦♥♠ ∼ AT 7:30PM. CALL IF YOU’RE LATE, new Online Carpool Notices at: www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org. OR YOU MAY NOT BE ACCOMMODATED.

- 14 - - 15 - Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMITTEE ACTION #56 MUSCLE OR BRAINS IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO Part 2 R B L TO SPARE? UN A RIDGE EAGUE by Rich Colker, [email protected] by Barbara Summers, Volunteer Coordinater, The Washington Bridge [email protected] League could use a little of Last issue, we began consideration of an appeal from the first qualifying session of the Behind the scene volunteers are helping keep either! In order to keep events exciting and entry fees low, the Blue Ribbon Pairs in Hawaii last November. this game we love alive and thriving. This month: WBL relies on the goodness of Recall the auction: SPREADING THE WORD! our members to volunteer for West North East South Try convincing others that duplicate players are not 1♥ Dbl 2NT(1) Pass small jobs at the Unit Game ♣ ♥ all exceptionally skilled, but that bridge is a fun expe- and Sectional Tournaments. 3 Pass 3 All Pass rience for all ability levels. The Forsythes, Steve and Some jobs require brains while (1) Explained as a relay to 3♣ Sandy, give a lesson followed by a teaching duplicate others require muscle. We’ll be and what occurred: North led the ♣A against game in a side room of Christ the King Church. This happy to employ either. From setting up and game is limited to players with under 20 masterpoints breaking down tables, to pub- and has a separate stratum for players with under 5 licity and events develop- masterpoints. Our regular unit game has sections for ment, a little effort from you players with less than 50 masterpoints, less than 100 will make our bridge commu- masterpoints, and less than 299 points and allows each nity even better. Busy sched- player to play against their peers. Our unit hosts three ule? No worries. Most volun- separate games each week on Thursday evening. One teer assignments take only 15 separate Open game has strata for players with over minutes to 1 hour a month. 3000 masterpoints (Flight A) and players under 3000 Here’s how to help: 1. Reply by email, phone masterpoints (Flight X). A second Intermediate game or in person if you are willing has strata for players under 1500 masterpoints (Flight to help in any way. B), under 1000 masterpoints (Flight C) and under 500 2. Please indicate if you can masterpoints (Flight D). And then we have a separate offer any special skills (such as game only for players that have not yet achieved life marketing or a strong back). master, with strata for non-Life Master (NLM), for play- 3. Someone will contact you ers under 100 masterpoints and another for players shortly with a choice of assign- under 50 masterpoints. ments you can pick from. We have ready to distribute a pamphlet, “Enjoy BONUS – You will be invit- Playing Bridge in the Washington Area” written by ed to the summer Volunteer Gathering and BBQ Party. Alice Wegman with drawings by her daughter. The flyer explains why we love duplicate and where to go and Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. whom to contact for all the games in the area. I will be asking you each to take some flyers to your friends, Barbara Summers, Volun - teer Coordinator, 301-598- doctors, lawyers, Indian chiefs, business friends, co- 5838, [email protected], workers, organizations to which you belong. The flyers have been distributed to the Montgomery County libraries and Mary Jane Von Moss reports that one player came to her game after reading the flyer. We need all players to be informed and your help in distributing the flyers. Call me at 301-598-5838 or email [email protected] with your offer of help.

- 16 - - 17 - Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement COMMITTEE ACTION #57

by Rich Colker, [email protected]

3709 Center Way, Fairfax, VA 22033 This past February I was in Australia to 6♥ made six, +1430 for E/W. The 703-391-7450 (PHONE) ♣ 703-391-7455 (FAX) ♦ 703-201-5132 (CELL) edit the daily bulletins at the Gold Coast Director was called to the table during the Email: [email protected] Congress (the equivalent of a regional tour- auction and told that East had taken as nament) held on Australia’s Gold Coast, a much as 1 minute to double 6♦. E/W agreed famed resort area just south of Brisbane. (For to the BI. The Director decided that the BIT m ♥ o those unfamiliar with Australia Brisbane is suggested bidding 6 (he assumed the dou-

c Eva Klivington . in Queensland, located on Australia’s North- ble was penalty and did not inquire as to its b 3

e Principal Broker

0 East coast.) The final event of an exciting meaning) and that pass was a LA. He adjust- 1 W VA, MD, DC

- week of bridge was the Ivy Dahler Open ♦ o ed the contract to 6 doubled down two, 2 T

5 Swiss Pairs, a Butler-scored event won this y –300 for N/S. 4 t l

- year by Ron Klinger and Jamie Ebery. My a

Michael Chelst 7 e 6 reward for kibitzing the next-to-last session E/W appealed the Director’s ruling. East 3 R Vice President of Fidelity and Trust 6 was being asked to serve on the Committee said her double of 6♦ was takeout (respon- that heard the following appeal. (Well, at sive) and that during her hesitation she was Title Company Advantage: Michael gives free appraisal least I got a column out of it.) thinking that she would have bid 4♥ over Bd: 3 4♦—maybe even 5♥ over 5♦—but that Dlr: South bidding 6♥ was a bit much. She also said Vul: E/W that a pass by her over 6♦ would have meant only that she had nothing to say; in North these types of auctions her partnership ♠ K107652 played all doubles for takeout so neither ♥ —- partner could have doubled 6♦ for penalty ♦ AJ107 but either could have passed partner’s take- ♣ 982 Special Bridge Player Deal! out double. She added that the 6♦ bid was FOR CUSTOMERS ♥ SERVING VA, MD, DC West East made quickly, almost before West’s double ♠ J98 ♠ AQ3 was written on the bidding pad. (In Trying to Sell your home? Want to Buy your dream home? Trying to Find ♥ AKQ94 ♥ J10653 Australia they use bidding pads, not bid the right real estate investment? Foreclosures Bank Owned & HUD? ♦ 9 ♦ 3 boxes, with each player writing his/her call Eva will list your property for 2% and if Eva sells, she will only charge ♣ AK64 ♣ J1053 in the appropriate space on a pad located in you 3% total at settlement. If you purchase a home, Eva will credit you the center of the table.) N/S declined to add 1 rd South up to /3 of Eva’s commission at settlement. ♠ 4 anything to what they had told the Director We have successfully SERVICED MANY OF YOUR FELLOW ♥ 872 at the table: namely, that there had been a BRIDGE PLAYERS. We will sell your home fast with our profes- ♦ KQ86542 BIT and that they believed passing the dou- sional full service and offer you a great commission deal. View ♣ Q7 ble was a LA. our web site 800,000+ MLS properties. West North East South Well, how would you have decided this ♦ Curious to know how much your house is worth? Visit our web- 3 case? Think about it and when you’re ready, ♦ (1) site RealtyToWeb.com or call for free no obligation Market Dbl 6 Dbl Pass read on. Analysis. 6♥ Pass Pass Pass (1) BIT (as much as 1 minute) The Committee determined that there - 18 - - 19 - was nothing at all about the BIT that sug- with the West cards rather than bidding 6♥. THE GADGET-MATIST gested bidding with the West hand. A BIT by East was not unexpected in an auction that Indeed, West’s 6♥ contract was a terrible Transfer Responses to Takeout Doubles, Part 2 had reached the six level before East had one: For starters, he needed the ♣Q to fall by Barry Bragin, [email protected] made her first call. Indeed, in such a situa- doubleton (or to be onside doubleton or tion an in-tempo (or quick) pass would have tripleton) plus he needed to be bring in the been much more cause for concern. spades (J98 opposite AQ3) for no losers— In my last article, I described how to use spades plus diamond stopper) Moreover, whatever E/W claimed their dou- i.e., he needed both the ♠K and ♠10 to be transfer responses to a take-out double of • bid 3♥ game invitational, 6-card suit ♥ 1♣. Just by giving up the natural meaning of bles meant in this type of auction East must onside. All of this made 6 a very low per- • higher suit bids are splinters with a 1♦, you can accrue such benefits as: double with any hand that is not a unilateral centage proposition (probably somewhere in 6-card suit slam bid (i.e., a distributional hand with a the low to mid single-digit range). • Making the stronger hand declarer more • 3NT is 4-card suit, game values, with good suit and reasonable high-card struc- often, diamond stopper • Show both majors and invitational values ture). In fact, a double tends to imply useful The bottom line is that East’s “BIT” here •4♥ is a balanced slam try (use Texas at the 1-level, high cards (i.e., transferrable values) and was more-or-less normal and tended to sug- for game only hands) • Right-side no-trump when appropriate probably not a very distributional hand. The gest values in a relatively balanced hand, ♥ and avoid it with no stoppers, •2 shows 4 spades or 6 spades with at Committee believed the BIT suggested val- which is precisely what East’s double • Describe those difficult hands with a 4- least invitational values; over partner’s ♠ ues in a more-or-less balanced hand—that showed. Therefore, the Committee restored card major, longer minor and invitational 2 response: is, in a hand that is not suitable for a takeout the table result of 6♥ by West making six, strength without going overboard. • pass with minimum double—and if anything suggested passing +1430 for E/W. This article will lay out similar • bid 2N with a diamond stopper, invi- sequences for auctions that begin with a tational double of 1♦, 1♥, and 1♠. Because bid- • bid 3♣ with 5 clubs, invitational ding a major at a low level is too important to •bid 3♦ game force no diamond stopper give up, the transfer responses, for the most • bid 3♥ game force 4-4 in majors, no part, begin with opener’s suit.

adAvrieetPaid Advertisement Paid Advertisement diamond stopper GROUND RULES: • bid 3♠ game invitational, 6-card suit Do you get along with • As before, these methods are on only when • 3NT is 4-card suit, game values, with the auction begins 1x – double – pass diamond stopper your computer? • NT responses are standard • higher suit bids are splinters with a • An immediate 4♦ or 4♥ response is a 6-card suit Texas transfer •4♠ is a balanced slam try (use Texas Help is here! •3♠ shows a solid 6-card suit (doubler for game only hands) can figure it out) and nothing else ♠ ➨Get on the internet ➨OKBridge/OKWin •2 shows a balanced 11-12 without a ➨ ➨ (xx/AKQxxx/xxx/xx); doubler sets the diamond stopper or game forcing hand Computer purchase Microsoft Word final contract ➨Computer setup ➨Microsoft Excel/Access with clubs; doubler bids 2NT with mini- mum and stopper, 3NT with extras and ➨Email setup ➨Web Page Design Over a double of 1♦: stopper, or naturally without a stopper; ➨Software installations ➨Uploads and Downloads ♥ ♠ ♣ •1/1 /2 = natural 0-8 HCP responder bids on w/club hand. ➨Programming ➨Phone support ♦ •2 shows 4 hearts or 6 hearts with at • 2NT shows a balanced 11-12 with a dia- least invitational values; over partner’s mond stopper. 2♥ response: dibasoft •3♣ is standard: invitational with clubs, • pass with minimum no 4-card major. Computer Consulting ♠ •bid 2 w/4-4 in majors, invitational •3♦ shows exactly 5 hearts with 10+ 301-990-8534 • bid 2N with a diamond stopper, invi- HCP. Doubler must bid beyond 3♥ with [email protected] tational anything above minimum. Responder Diane Walker •bid 3♣ with 5 clubs, invitational continues with game going hand (3♠ is •bid 3♦ game force (may still have 4 natural, 4/5). - 20 - - 21 - •3♥ shows exactly 5 spades with 10+ •2♣ shows HCP. Doubler must bid beyond 3♠ with • a weak hand with diamonds (pass 2♦ ♣ Arlington, VA ♦ SEPTEMBER 6-9, 2007 ♥ anything above minimum. Responder or re-transfer over doubler’s 2NT) or ♥ continues with game going hand (4 is • invitational with 4 diamonds and no NORTHERN VIRGINIA BRIDGE ASSOCIATION natural, 5/4). spade stopper (pass 2♦; didn’t bid Over a double of 1♥ 1NT; if opponents compete, double to SEPTEMBER SENSATIONS (works exactly as over 1♦): distinguish from above hand) SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT • invitational with 6 diamonds (raise to 3♦) •1♠/2♣/2♦ = natural 0-8 HCP At our New Location: • invitational 5-5 in minors (bid 3♣) •2♥ shows 4 spades or 6 spades with at The Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge #2188 least invitational values; over partner’s • forcing 5-5 in minors (bid 2NT) 8421 Arlington Boulevard, 2♠ response: • forcing with 5+ diamonds and 4 Fairfax, VA; 703-560-2213 COME CELEBRATE WITH ♥ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 US AT OUR NEW SITE! • pass with minimum hearts (bid 2 ) Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA (NVBA) • bid 2N with a heart stopper, invitational • forcing with 6 diamonds (splinter or bid 3NT – does not show spade stopper) Christ the King Church, one block south of East-West Highway on •bid 3♣ with 5 clubs, invitational Colston between Washington and Grubb, Chevy Chase, MD (WBL) NVBA (Beth El) WBL •2♦ shows **Novice/Intermediate Lecture ...... 6:30 p.m.** •bid 3♦ with 5 diamonds, invitational • any weak hand with hearts (pass 2♥ STRATAFLIGHTED OPEN PAIRS (A/X=3000+/3000; B/C=2000/750) . . .7:00 p.m. . . . .7:30 p.m. •bid 3♥ game force no heart stopper or re-transfer over 2NT) NVBA 199ER PAIRS (200/100/50/20); WBL NLM PAIRS (NLM/100/50) . .7:00 p.m. ....7:30 p.m. •bid 3♠ game invitational, 6-card suit NEWCOMER PAIRS (0-5) ...... 7:00 p.m. • invitational with 4 hearts, balanced, ...REST OF TOURNAMENT AT ELKS LODGE... • 3NT is 4-card suit, game values, with no spade stopper (pass 2♥; if oppo- Plenty of free heart stopper nents compete, double to distinguish FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 parking! On-site snack bar plus lots of free • higher suit bids are splinters with a from above hand) STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 2 p.m. treats! Many great 6-card suit restaurants nearby! • invitational with 4 hearts, balanced, 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) ...... 2 p.m. ______•4♠ is a balanced slam try (use Texas with spade stopper (bid 2NT) 49ER PAIRS (50/20/5) ...... 2 p.m. Championship Events for game only hands) • invitational with 4 hearts and 5+ STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 7:30 p.m. and a Full Schedule of 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) ...... 7:30 p.m. 299er Events for Novice and •2♠ shows balanced, 11-12 HCP, no stopper minor (bid 3 of your minor) Intermediate Players! or 10+ HCP hand w/clubs; will next pass, ♥ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Players with 0-5 Masterpoints • invitational with 6 hearts (bid 3 ) FREE ALL STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 9:30 a.m. play in games! bid 3C over 2NT w/invite or higher with • forcing with 4 hearts, balanced, no ______forcing club hand; doubler bids 3m to play. ♠ STRATIFIED SENIOR PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 9:30 a.m. Mid-Chart Conventions spade stopper (bid 2 ) 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) and 49ER PAIRS (50/20) ...... 9:30 a.m. permitted in all A/X & •3♣ shows 5+ diamonds, 10+ HCP. Will • forcing with 4 hearts, with spade 0-5 PAIRS ...... 9:30 a.m. Open Stratified Events pass 3♦ response with minimum or bid ______stopper (bid 3NT) FLIGHT A/X PAIRS (3000+/3000; 2-session Play-thru event) 2 & 7:30 p.m. Tournament Chairs on w/game-going hand (3♥ w/no stopper, • forcing with 6 hearts (splinter or bid 4♥) —Single session pairs accommodated during the evening session Margot Hennings, 3♠ natural 4/5, 3NT w/stopper). STRATIFIED B/C PAIRS (2000/750; 2 single sessions) . . . .2 & 7:30 p.m. 703-560-0245 •2♥ shows balanced 11-12 with no spade •3♦ shows a balanced game force, no heart STRATIFIED SIDE GAME (3000+/3000) ...... 2 p.m. Kathryn Kiley, stopper 703-758-0366 stopper (perhaps 3334 or 3244 etc.). 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100; 2 single sessions) ...... 2 & 7:30 p.m. •2♠ shows clubs, either weak (I told you Partnership Chair •3♥ shows exactly 5 spades with 10+ 49ER PAIRS (50/20/5) ...... 2 p.m. not to pick up this hand!) or forcing (pass Mary Ann Kral, HCP. Doubler must bid beyond 3♠ with SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 703-437-0342 or 3♣ or convert 2NT to 3♣; bid beyond NVBA cell: 703-869-0852 **Novice/Intermediate Lecture (Jeff Roman) ...... 10:15 a.m.** anything above minimum. Responder with forcing hand: 3♦/3♥ natural, 3♠ ...or check out our continues with game going hand. asks for stopper, 3NT shows stopper) FLIGHTS A/X (3000+/3000) & B/C (2000/750) SWISS TEAMS . .11:00 a.m. On-line Partnership “Desk” Both Flights are 2-session events, with one break—information concerning meal at www.nvba.org ♠ • 2NT shows balanced 11-12 with a spade ______Over a double of 1 : options available in August Next NVBA Sectional stopper Here is where you have to make a deci- 299ER SWISS TEAMS (300/200/100; Single session) ...... 11:00 a.m. Oct 18-21 '07 at Arlington/ •3♣ is standard: invitational with clubs, 49ER SWISS TEAMS (50/20/5; Single session) ...... 11:00 a.m. Fairfax Elks Lodge sion. If you are willing to give up the natural, (Thurs at Beth El) weak 2♣ response, you can gain all the ben- no 4-card heart suit 299ER SWISS TEAMS (300/200/100; Single session) ...... 3:30 p.m. efits alluded to above. If you do pick up •3♦ shows exactly 5 hearts with 10+ HCP DIRECTIONS: (NEW!) From Route 50/Arlington Boulevard heading west from DC and Arlington AND from Route ♥ 495/Beltway: Continue on/Take Route 50 West about one mile outside the Beltway, and turn left at Javier Road (the second xxx/xx/xxx/Jxxxx, you may end up in 3♣ (doubler must bid beyond 3 with extras) stoplight after the intersection of 50 and 495). Take an immediate right onto the access road that runs parallel to Route 50. The doubled rather than 2♣. My advice is: play •3♥ shows a balanced game force with no Elks Lodge will be two buildings down on your left—parking on the side and in the rear. From Fairfax, heading East on Route 50: Pass the intersection of Route 50 and Prosperity Avenue—the Prosperity Medical Center will be on your right. Between the the system and don’t pick up that hand (or stopper (likely 2344 or similar); 3♠ by first and second lights after Prosperity, turn right into the access road that runs parallel to Route 50 and look for the Elks Lodge maybe RHO will bid). doubler asks for ½ stopper immediately to your right—parking on the far side of the building and in the rear. - 22 - - 23 - WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE ♣ Arlington, VA ♦ OCTOBER 18-21, 2007 ♥ BOARD & MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES NVBA FALL SECTIONAL May 2007 - May 2008 COME TOURNAMENT PLAY BRIDGE WITH US AT At our New Location: Awards ...... Fred King, Barbara Shaw Round Robin Committee . . . .Richard Ferrin (Chair), Steve Robinson, John OUR NEW The Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge #2188 Bridge in Schools ...... Ellen Rosenthal, Shawn Stringer, Elaine Conway Adams, Barbara Doran, Earl SITE! 8421 Arlington Boulevard, Glickstein, Dave Ruderman, Fred Fairfax, VA; 703-560-2213 Bulletin Editor ...... Donna Rogall King, Bill Cole, Arnie Frankel Bulletin Committee . . .Don Berman (Chair), THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 Scheduling . . .Fred King, Don Berman, Ted Richard Ferrin, Donna Rogall, Steve Ying, Carole Banks (ABA Liaison) Robinson, Nadine Wood Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA (NVBA) Special Events Coordination Christ the King Church, one block south of East-West Highway on Calendar of Obligations ...... Don Berman Colston between Washington and Grubb, Chevy Chase, MD (WBL) NVBA (Beth El) WBL GNT (unit level) . . . .Ellen Cherniavsky **Novice/Intermediate Lecture ...... 6:30 p.m.** Car Pool Assistance ...... Don Berman NAP (unit level) . . . .Ellen Cherniavsky STRATAFLIGHTED OPEN PAIRS (A/X=3000+/3000; B/C=2000/750) . . .7:00 p.m. . . . .7:30 p.m. Charity ...... Linda Marshall OTHER ...... Ellen Cherniavsky NVBA 199ER PAIRS (200/100/50/20); WBL NLM PAIRS (NLM/100/50) . .7:00 p.m. . . . .7:30 p.m. Cheer & Sympathy ...... Frances Burke STAC Coordination . . . . .Ellen Cherniavsky NEWCOMER PAIRS (0-5) ...... 7:00 p.m. Club Relations Committee . . . .Ellen Cherni- ...REST OF TOURNAMENT AT ELKS LODGE... Plenty of free avsky (Chair), Carole Banks Tournaments parking! On-site COMMITTEE ...... Nadine Wood (Chair), FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 snack bar plus lots of free Conduct & Ethics Committee ...... Richard Ferrin (Chair), Carole Banks (Board), Richard Ferrin, Kitty Gottfried STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 2 p.m. treats! Many great restaurants nearby! Ellen Cherniavsky (Board), James CADDIES ...... Kitty Gottfried 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) ...... 2 p.m. ______Geist (elected ‘07), Noble Shore CHIEF DIRECTOR . . . . .Millard Nachtwey 49ER PAIRS (50/20/5) ...... 2 p.m. Championship Events (elected ‘07), Peter Boyd (elected and a Full Schedule of HOSPITALITY ...... Kitty Gottfried STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 7:30 p.m. 299er Events for Novice and ‘07), Jerry Miller (elected ‘06), Mark 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) ...... 7:30 p.m. Intermediate Players! Feldman (elected ’06), Kathy Hilbers PARTNERSHIPS ...... Barbara Doran (elected ’06). Players with 0-5 Masterpoints VOLUNTEERS ...... Barbara Summers, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 play FREE in ALL games! ______Education . . .Steve Forsythe, Clyde Kruskal Shlomit Rind, Clyde Kruskal STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 9:30 a.m. Mid-Chart Conventions Elections ...... Jim Allen (Chair), Unit Game STRATIFIED SENIOR PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 9:30 a.m. permitted in all A/X & Richard Ferrin, Shlomit Rind 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100) and 49ER PAIRS (50/20) ...... 9:30 a.m. Open Stratified Events COMMITTEE . . .Fred King (Chair), Clyde ______Electronic Communications ...... Steve Kruskal, Don Berman 0-5 PAIRS ...... 9:30 a.m. Tournament Chairs Robinson, Don Berman CADDIES ...... Kitty Gottfried STRATAFLIGHTED PAIRS (A/X=3000+/3000; B/C=2000/750) . .2 p.m. Margot Hennings, 703-560-0245 Executive Committee . . . . .Fred King, Steve 299ER PAIRS (300/200/100; 2 single sessions) ...... 2 & 7:30 p.m. CHIEF DIRECTOR ...... Ted Ying Kathryn Kiley, Robinson, Don Berman, Richard 49ER PAIRS (50/20/5) ...... 2 p.m. 703-758-0366 Ferrin CHURCH LIAISON ...... Fred King STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS (2000+/2000/750) ...... 7:30 p.m. Partnership Chair Historian ...... Peter Boyd FACILITY OPERATIONS . . . .Clyde Kruskal Mary Ann Kral, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 Membership Committee . . . . .Ellen Cherni- HOSPITALITY . . . . .Kitty Gottfried, Ellen 703-437-0342 or Cherniavsky **Novice/Intermediate Lecture (Jeff Roman) ...... 10:15 a.m.** NVBA cell: 703-869-0852 avsky, Frances Burke, Ed Burke ...or check out our Membership Growth . .Dick Wegman (Chair), ANNUAL MEETING ...... Kitty Gottfried, FLIGHTS A/X (3000+/3000) & B/C (2000/750) SWISS TEAMS . .11:00 a.m. Nadine Wood, Millard Nachtwey, Both Flights are 2-session events, with one break —Look for more info about lunch On-line Partnership “Desk” Shlomit Rind, Barbara Summers, at www.nvba.org Ellen Cherniavsky in upcoming issues. ______Ellen Rosenthal, Carole Banks Next NVBA Sectional 299ER SWISS TEAMS (300/200/100; Single session) ...... 11:00 a.m. Membership Secretary ...... Frances Burke HOLIDAY PARTY ...... Kitty Gottfried, Feb. 21-24 '08 at Arlington/ Nadine Wood, Millard Nachtwey, 49ER SWISS TEAMS (50/20/5; Single session) ...... 11:00 a.m. Fairfax Elks Lodge Novice Program ...... Steve Forsythe Ellen Cherniavsky 299ER SWISS TEAMS (300/200/100; Single session) ...... 3:15 p.m. (Thurs at Beth El) ...... Ann Lindley Ombudsman MANAGER ...... Ted Ying DIRECTIONS: (NEW!) From Route 50/Arlington Boulevard heading west from DC and Arlington AND from Route Parliamentarian ...... Richard Ferrin 495/Beltway: Continue on/Take Route 50 West about one mile outside the Beltway, and turn left at Javier Road (the second PARTNERSHIPS ...... Barbara Doran stoplight after the intersection of 50 and 495). Take an immediate right onto the access road that runs parallel to Route 50. The Player Achievement (Trophies) . .Don Berman Ways and Means . . .Fred King (Chair), Don Elks Lodge will be two buildings down on your left—parking on the side and in the rear. From Fairfax, heading East on Route 50: Pass the intersection of Route 50 and Prosperity Avenue—the Prosperity Medical Center will be on your right. Between the Publicity and Marketing . . .Ellen Rosenthal, Berman, Barbara Ames, Steve first and second lights after Prosperity, turn right into the access road that runs parallel to Route 50 and look for the Elks Lodge Linda Marshall, Charity Sack Robinson immediately to your right—parking on the far side of the building and in the rear. Recorder ...... Don Berman Webmaster ...... Don Berman - 24 - - 25 - Bits & Pieces, continued from p. 5... points. Everyone was given information about bridge clubs in the area and about the CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE Sunday, September 30 at the Southern site. July Regional. It was the hope of Leslie, MACHLIN TROPHY Three pairs in each flight will qualify for Charlie and the Unit that many of the stu- the National Finals, to be held at the Spring dents would be inspired to attend the 2008 NABC in Detroit, MI. The qualifiers Regional in North Bethesda, a location very Last year, with our 75th Anniversary, the WBL initiated a new annual will be subsidized (to various extents) for close to where most of Leslie’s students live. award, the Machlin Trophy for Sportsmanship. The trophy is travel expenses and hotel rooms by the The festival was designed to resemble a named in honor of Jerry Machlin, whom many of you will remember as one ACBL and/or District 6. Membership dues novice section at a Regional. The events had a partnership table, a selling table, of the greatest directors the game has ever known. Jerry served as Chief or Life Master service fee must be current and continuous from the start of the District trophies and section top prizes, refresh- Director for games in the Washington area during the 1950’s, 1960’s and Final to the completion of the North ments, pre-duplicated boards with hand 1970’s and probably contributed more to the growth of tournament bridge American Pairs Final at the NABC in order records, a flyer table, decorations and in our area during the three decades following World War II than any other to play in the National Final. much more. There were also two 50-50 raf- For more details visit districtsix.org or fles that raised almost $400 for ICARE, a single individual. Jerry also founded the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference contact Barbara Doran by phone at (301) 608- cancer research organization and the des- (the organization that hosts all of the regionals in our area), and he organ- 0347 or by email to [email protected]. ignated charity of the festivals. Many of the ized and staged matches in which Members of Congress competed against students vis- LESLIE SHAFER’S BRIDGE ited the corporate leaders and members of the British Parliament. These matches FESTIVAL A SUCCESS ICARE infor- helped to promote the game among the country’s political and corporate mation booth leadership and demonstrated the wide appeal of tournament bridge. which was run by Dr. In 2006, the award went to Dr. Charles Stenger a worthy choice as the Dave Hankins first recipient and someone who sets an example that we all should strive from Johns Hopkins. to emulate. Their website is www.icare.org A committee has been appointed to consider this year’s nominees and SUMMER BRIDGE Unit 147 lent make a selection for this second year of the trophy. The criteria for award- CLASSES the tables, bidding ing the trophy are as follows: As a way to intro- Leslie Shafer and her husband, Charlie boxes, sanction, duce many of their "Studmuffin" Williams, will be offering sev- boards and sup- “The candidate should (1) demonstrate strong ethical standards and a students to tourna- eral summer classes this year! All of them plies. Many board commitment to active ethics (i.e., full disclosure of systems and agreements ment bridge, Leslie will be on a "drop in" basis (pay as you go) members and other to opponents, etc.); (2) behave graciously at the table after bad results or Shafer and Charlie of $20 per class. Unit members vol- Williams hosted two We will be offering morning, afternoon unteered their time good results; (3) exhibit exemplary behavior at all times toward partner and duplicate games to and evening "brush up bridge" for beginner, and ideas to make opponents; (4) demonstrate an ability to get along with multiple partners; celebrate the ending intermediate and advanced levels. the events a suc- and (5) demonstrate a willingness to help mentor other players in the game. of Leslie’s spring Because everyone has so many schedul- cess. Fred King, classes. The Tuesday ing conflicts during the summer, it is Dick and Alice A player wouldn’t necessarily have to satisfy all five, but these are the main night game had a impractical to offer a course that has a 4-, 6- Wegman, Schlomit the criteria that the selection committee will consider.” total of 20 tables and or 8-week commitment to attend. This is why Rind, Ted Ying, the Wednesday we will be going on a "drop in" basis for all Steve Robinson, We welcome nominations from the membership of the WBL. Please morning game had of the classes. If you're in town and want to Frances Burke, send your suggested candidate to Fred King at [email protected] or 19 tables. Since participate, then we invite you to attend. You Barbara Shaw, Clyde in person at the unit game or the August Sectional. It would be appreci- many of the students do not have to notify me in advance, just Kruskal, Steve and were new to dupli- Sandy Forsythe, Jim ated if you would indicate in two or three sentences why you think your show up! cate, they were intro- Visit our website for times and location: Coleman, Mike nominee is a good candidate for the award. We would like to hear from you duced to bidding www.bridgeteacher.com. You may also email me Henderson and Alan by September 1, 2007. boxes, keeping score at [email protected] or call 301-977-0314. Crank all deserve a and the excitement — Leslie Shafer round of applause of winning master- for their efforts. - 26 - - 27 - A) Contract: 4♠ B) Contract: 4♠ SUNDAY Dummy Dummy ♠ 983 ♠ KJ9 BRIDGE FIESTA! aster ointers ♥ ♥ NLM P — 765 by I/N Columnist, Sandy Forsythe, [email protected] ♦ AKQ964 ♦ — ♣ — ♣ — ♣♦♥♠ As we went to press, this popular game, start- Declarer Declarer ed by Steve and Sandy Forsythe, was look- “THE REST ARE MINE” The director will listen to your claim and ♠ KQ4 ♠ QT8 ing for a new home and parents. Please IS NOT A CLAIM! decide whether or not your line of play will ♥ 75 ♥ — check the WBL website: districtsix.org/WBL work. What if you made a mistake? Maybe ♦ T532 ♦ 9 or washingtonbridgeleague.org for the latest When you’re the declarer and you know information. We will miss Steve and Sandy you forgot there was a high spade out, or ♣ — ♣ 87 you’re going to take the rest of the tricks, or and the great contributions they make for there’s still a trump out that you forgot to you know exactly which tricks you’re going In example A, your diamonds are sure to bridge in our area. They are leaving for a pull. The director will sort it out and deter- new home themselves, but we are glad to to take and which you’re going to lose, you run, since there are only three missing and mine how many tricks each side gets. You report that we will continue to hear fron can claim. Claiming speeds up the game and you’ve got the top three honors. A proper will almost always get the same tricks you Sandy in the NLMasterPointers column. gives you more time to play the next deal, or claim would be: “I’ll cash the trump king to ♣♦♥♠ would have gotten if you’d played it out. The take a break. Not even your partner enjoys pull your last trump, then run the diamonds only time you might run into trouble is if watching you continue to play when every- from the top, unblocking the suit by drop- you’ve claimed without stating your line of STEPPING UP TO NEW HEIGHTS: one knows you have nothing but winners in ping the ten under the ace.” play. In that case, if there’s a way to play the your hand! In example B, suppose you’ve already As of July 1, 2007 cards that would allow the opponents to But, as with just about everything in played your side suit winners but you score another trick, the rules say the direc- Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints) duplicate bridge, there are rules about the haven’t pulled the trump and you’re not tor must give it to them. If there’s no “possi- Rosalie A Caltabiano proper way to claim. “The rest are mine” is planning to: you need all of your trump to Alan M Walter ble rational” way that you could play so as to not a proper claim. The laws of duplicate cross-ruff the rest of the hand. You can show Mrs Christa Storm lose a trick you didn’t expect to lose, then require you to state a line of play. That the opponents your hand and say, “I’m going Isabelle M Thabault your claim stands. means you must tell the opponents what to cross-ruff the rest. You’ll get your ace of Ms Sandra J Thompson tricks you’re going to take and in what order Make sure you’ve accounted for the trump trump, but the rest of my trumps are high, so Club Masters (20 Masterpoints) you’re going to take them. If you don’t say If the opponents still have trump, make you only get one more trick.” Mr John R Horner how you plan to play the rest of the hand, sure you say exactly what you’re going to do Ms Suzanne K Kilczewski “Beam me up, Scottie!” Fernando Lecaros you might end up having to give up a trick about them. “I’ll pull all the trump and then There’s no transporter in bridge, so make Catherine McHugh that you didn’t need to lose. play the top diamonds and top clubs,” is a sure your claim accounts for transportation. Mr Tom Palagano good claim. (“Pulling trump” implies that The mechanics of a claim For example: “I’m going to run all the clubs, Mr Herbert Rubinstein you’ll play your trumps from the top, not When you’ve decided to claim, wait ending in dummy, then cash the top spades.” Mr James A Summers Jr from the bottom.) It’s also okay to say, “I’m until it’s your turn to lead, either from your Sometimes it’s important to take your tricks Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints) going to run the hearts from the top, and then hand or the dummy. Show the opponents in the right order so as not to block your suit, Mr Jerome Gumbiner your cards and tell them how you plan to play my top clubs, and you can take your Noah R Calhoun or play the suits in the right order to make play the rest of the tricks. All play must high trump whenever you want to.” Ms Louisa Duemling sure no winners are stranded in the dummy. cease at that point. If the opponents ask you If there are any outstanding trump and Damian Kulash Marjorie Kulash Be careful when you claim! to explain further, you can restate your you don’t mention how you’re going to deal Ms Sylvia J Miller Stephen R Salitrik claim trick by trick, but you’re not allowed with them, the director is apt to give a trump It’s courteous and smart to claim when Mrs Mary Anne Shull to change your plan once you’ve made your trick to the opponents if there’s any reason- you can… you give yourself more time for the Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints) claim. Most of the time everyone will agree, able way they could get one. Sometimes it’s tough deals, and your opponents will appre- Mrs Joan M Anania Mrs Amy J Bloom but if the opponents still have objections easier just to pull all the trump before you ciate the chance to give their brains a rest! Mrs Roberta Feldman Mr Robert J Smigal after you’ve explained your claim, you claim. If you’re not sure whether or not there Why would you want to give them a break? should call the director. You are not are any trump still out, you might pull one Because soon they’ll be playing at the next NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints) allowed to “play it out” once you’ve more round just to make sure, unless you table against your real opponents: the people Juanita F Beeson claimed, even if the opponents ask. need all your trump to carry out your plan. whose scores will be compared to yours! - 28 - - 29 - W 1) IMPs, You’re Vulnerable 3) IMPs, None Vulnerable 5) IMPs, Both Vulnerable ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ B J4 K1094 108765 Q2 N

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NEED A RIDE OR A PARTNER FOR THE THURSDAY UNIT GAME?

Contact Barbara Doran [email protected], (301-608-0347 between 9am and 10pm) to find a partner in advance or go to www.washingtonbridgeleague.org to try the On-Line Partnership Bulletin Board. For a last minute partner, call the WBL cell phone (301-395-2760). Don Berman, Carpool Coordinator can be contacted at 301- 776-3581 or ([email protected]) or log on to the On- Line Carpool Notices at www.WashingtonBridgeLeague.org. Good luck! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evenings.