Thursday, July 24, 2014 Volume 86, Number 7 Daily Bulletin 86th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] Editors: Brent Manley, Paul Linxwiler and Rob Clark Nathan, Robles win Wernher Combining two 58% games in the final of the Wernher Open Pairs with a solid carryover from the qualifying round, Marc Nathan and Jose Robles won the four-session contest by a third of a board. Nathan, of New York City, and Robles, of Santiago, Chile, were playing together in an NABC event for the first time, but they know each other very well. Nathan’s son, expert Kevin Bathurst, is married to Robles’s daughter, Catalina. It was the second NABC title for Nathan, but the first for Robles. The winners’ four-session total was 2924.14 (top was 91). In second with 2886.88, was the Italian duo of Wernher Open Pairs champs Marc Nathan and Giuseppe Failla and Dario Attanasio. Jose Robles. Top seeds hammered Wagar final: China A match made in Spingold Rd. 3 Red vs. Baker A slew of higher-ranked teams was defeated In the final round of the Wagar Women’s in Vegas by their lower-ranked counterparts in yesterday’s Knockout Teams, China Red, captained by Wenfei When someone asks Herman Louie how he Spingold action. Wang, faces the squad captained by Lynn Baker. met his wife, Ming, he routinely quips, “I picked The top-seeded defending champions from In the semifinal round, China Red prevailed her up at the partnership desk in Las Vegas.” Poland, who added Reese Milner and captain when Beijing Huayjan, led by Sun Ming, withdrew Herman said that people initially think the worst of Hemant Lall to this year’s lineup, were taken out after three rounds. China Red was leading 138-93. him – that is, until he clarifies that it was a bridge by Pan China Red, the No. 32 seed led by Ze Jun In the opposite bracket, the Baker team partnership desk in 1985. Zhuang, 117-106. defeated China Blue, captained by Yanhong Wang, Alhough Ming and Herman lived about 10 Marty Fleisher’s team, the No. 3 seed, was 145-113. miles apart in northern Virginia, it took a series of manhandled by Martin Harris’s squad (the No. 30 events to bring them together on the other side of seed) 141-77. Mini-Spingold the country. Mark Gordon and company (No. 5) were Ming’s mother was close friends with Helen stunned by a late rally from Winthrop Allegaert’s begins QF play Utegaard, an ACBL Grand Life Master and WBF team, the original No. 33 seed. Down 40 IMPs after Eight squads remain in the Mini-Spingold I World Master. Utegaard called Ming her “adopted three quarters, Allegaert rallied to win the match (0-5000) KO Teams. Many of yesterday’s matches daughter.” 109-102. featured lopsided results, but two of the contests In 1985, Utegaard invited Ming to stay with Jimmy Cayne’s team (No. 7) trailed the entire were very close. her at the Las Vegas NABC. After Utegaard match against the original No. 35 seed led by John Matt Leung’s squad, the No. 9 seed, defeated finished playing bridge, they planned to take a McAllister. The McAllister team won 173-117. Debbie Benner’s team, the No. 8 seed, by a single vacation. Ming loved bridge but was not an active John Diamond, the No. 11 seed, was shown the IMP, 113-112. Michael Fleisher’s team (the No. 14 continued on page 10 door by Rose Meltzer’s squad, 136-127. seed) also won narrowly over Norman Schwartz’s squad, 126-121. WBF President encouraged by Micro matches: Ose vs. Lusk, youth bridge developments Chokriwala vs. Hill As the 7th The president is heartened to note that next The semifinal round of the Mini-Spingold II Youth NABC begins month’s World Youth Team Championships in (0-1500) KO Teams will feature contests between today, World Bridge Istanbul – to which the U.S. is sending five teams – squads captained by Mary Ose and Jon Lusk in one Federation President has nearly 70 teams, including eight players 14 and bracket, and Om Chokriwala and Richard Hill in Gianarrigo Rona younger who were invited. (For photos of the U.S. the other. is looking on in teams, see page 5.) appreciation. He Rona says it’s important to introduce players loves to see young to bridge at a young age. In Italy, the Italian Bridge Goodwill Message people playing Federation began its bridge-in-schools program 15 bridge. years ago. The program was developed with the Equity and enjoyment are the benchmarks of “Finally,” country’s Ministry of Education, and the Italian bridge. he says, “we are Bridge Federation is now working with universities Sandy DeMartino, Goodwill Chair completely on the same line.” to get bridge into those institutions. “The Rona is referring to the 100-plus bridge movement has gained momentum,” Rona says. federations around the world. “They finally Bridge has many selling points for ATTENDANCE understand they must promote youth bridge.” young people, Rona says. “It is a sport with through Tuesday Rona took over as WBF president at the end a comparatively low cost and there are many of the World Bridge Series tournament in 2010, elements to help young people’s growth and and he has kept track of all membership trends as continued on page 5 11,286 tables he pushes bridge officials to engage more young people. Important notices for players in national events Year to year, he says, “If we check the Playing in an NABC+ pairs game? Buy your entry early! numbers, we are more or less in the same place. NABC+ pairs events requires time to allow for proper seeding. The ACBL asks participants to What is important is a big increase in youth bridge, please buy entries at least 15 minutes before game time. This is especially true if you expect to be especially for kids in school. We have to invest in a seeded pair. this.” Page 2 Thursday, July 24, 2014 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS All events are located at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH). Saturday, July 26 Sunday, July 27 5:30-7:30 pm Youth NABC closing. First floor, Pavillion 11. TBA Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph Theater. Location TBD. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Be sure to hear these free expert lecturers by some of the best-known players Friday, July 25 and teachers in Ballrooms E-G on the first floor.* 12:15 p.m. Jennifer Jones Losing Trick Count 6:45 p.m. Josh Donn Preempting for Fun and Profit Thursday, July 24 12:15 p.m. Phillip Alder Cornerstones at Competition Bidding Saturday, July 26 6:45 p.m. Jeff Hand Play These Notrump Contracts 12:15 p.m. Ellen Kent Simple is Better 6:45 p.m. Paul Darin The Value of Shortness * Speaker schedule subject to change. ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY Don’t miss the great entertainment and treats offered every night after the evening session. Friday, July 25 Thursday, July 24 10:45-11:45 p.m. Clam chowder 10:45-11:45 p.m. Turkey burger sliders Classic Las Vegas rockin’ night R&B night with the Blues Brothers Special encore by world’s best Elvis Check cashing Golf deal for and Bridge Bucks bridge players The check-cashing and Bridge Bucks desk is Bridge players who like to take a day off for located in the Board Room on the first floor of the some outdoor activity are invited to play at the Convention Center. Hours of operation: Bear’s Best Las Vegas – at a reduced rate. The Daily Noon to 1 p.m. course features 18 of the signature holes from There is a limit of $500 per day for check courses that golf legend Jack Nicklaus designed. cashing. The book rate of $149 is reduced to $45 for Bridge Bucks are available for purchase at the players at the Summer NABC. Rental clubs – new check-cashing desk. Visa, Mastercard and Discover from Taylor Made – are available for $15. Mention can be used to purchase Bridge Bucks. the special bridge rate when you book. For more information, call 702-804-8500 or Entries Google Bear’s Best Las Vegas. 2013 Fast Open Pairs winners Larry Sealy and All North American championships with no Jim Munday upper masterpoint limit $20 Youth and Junior entries (Note: only ACBL members are eligible to play Coupons will be made available for junior Start Your Engines! in NABC+ events. $1.50 per person per session members in good standing for entry into events at The NABC+ Fast Open Pairs, which requires benefits the International Fund.) NABCs: players to finish their two-board rounds in 11 Other North American championships $17 Any player under the age of 26 years who is a minutes, begins today. The event consists of two (Note: only ACBL members are eligible to play full-time student (must provide proof of eligibility) qualifying sessions followed by two final sessions in these events.) will be entitled to coupons that can be used for any tomorrow. Regional championships $16 for ACBL event. These coupons will have a value of $10 per Previous winners: members, $20 for all others session. 2000 Chris Willenken, Aaron Silverstein All other events $15 for ACBL members, $19 Any player under the age of 21 years will 2001 Jim Robison, Mark Itabashi for all others. be entitled to coupons that can be used for any 2002 Alan Kleist, Leo LaSota event.