Bridge Buff September/October 2009

Bernie and Dick Czarnecki, Editors - Phone: 731-1707 A Publication of Unit 116, Buffalo, New York Email: [email protected] Bernie and Dick Czarnecki, Editors President’s Message Your 2009 Unit 116 Member It is the Monday after our September sectional Bailey, Judie 636-6148 [email protected] and I am so pleased with how successful it was. We had a great location and a turnout that was Czarnecki, Dick 731-1707 [email protected] the largest in years. With Richard Rasmus Danielson, Luke 632-5309 [email protected] doing his usual outstanding job in directing and Lederhouse, Bob 625-9443 plenty of food to eat it was a very entertaining Levy, Jay 689-2110 [email protected] week-end. I had nothing but compliments for Marvin, John 836-2803 [email protected] those who played. Much of the success was due Metz, Betty 773-7398 [email protected] to all of the individuals who brought in food but Rasmus, Pat 649-4634 [email protected] the biggest reason was the hard work and Toy, John 885-5364 [email protected] planning done by Judie Bailey. Thanks Judie. Members who have e-mail addresses are .On November 14th at 7:00 PM at the Bridge requested to go to Unit 116 website Center we will be honoring Joel Wooldridge and www.arejayare.net/u116off Danny Gerstman for their recent success at the And enter their names so Unit Games and Sec- National and World bridge levels. Please plan on tional flyers can be e-mailed to them electronically. coming and honoring them. That's all for now You can also download the Bridge Buff from this Jay Levy, website.

Your President UNIT 116 - Presidential Race SINGLE SITE UNIT GAMES RUN - 2009 0 to 100 MP's 12/6 Knights of Columbus- 11:00 – Lunch / 1 12.78 Franklin Kidd Union Rd 12:00 mtg 2 10.97 Florence Boyd 3 10.86 Peter Patterson Buff by E-Mail - Notice! 100 to 300 MP's Important! Please Read 1 16.44 Carol Bedell Editor’s Note 2 15.36 George Donsky 3 14.46 Gary Schmidt To accommodate members without e-mail access, there will be limited printing of the Buff. 300 to 1000 MP's PLEASE READ AND RETURN COPY TO DESK 1 14.34 Richard Czarnecki OR TABLE. 2 14.25 Dale Anderson 3 11.05 Alberta Brown Judy Bailey asks that anyone with an e-mail address contact her at [email protected] and 1000 to 2500 MP's they will receive the Buff by electronic delivery. 1 31.05 Judith Padgug 2 28.16 Dian Petrov The Buff is also available on the Unit 116 website 3 24.36 Kathy Pollock courtesy of Dick Rasmus. It can be read or 2500 + MP's downloaded from that facility. 1 59.58 Jim Mathis Thanks for your attention. 2 47.96 Randolph Seidenberg, Jr. 3 38.64 Saleh Fetouh

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George J. Donsky

Editor’s Note

I’d like to congratulate the Board for the success of the last two sectionals. The most recent had a To for Unit large number of people attending from Canada, 116 Board member at your California and Central New York. Thanks to the local club! tireless effort of director Dick Rasmus and Judie Bailey who chaired the event and the many volunteers who help contribute food for hospitality, set ups, and cleanups which made this Sectional a huge success.

The Board appreciates suggestions to make future events more successful. Some I am interviewing a man for whom I have suggestions were made “it was too cold”, “not great respect. Over the years he has been enough printouts”, “not enough refreshments” on the Unit 116 Board several times and and “bracketed vs. stratified”. You can always volunteers for projects that benefit Unit bring a sweater or jacket to an event. If you’re not members when they come up. This person is happy with hospitality, bring an extra dozen donuts Jay Levy. or cookies or a cake to share. As to “not enough Bridge: printouts” or “bracketed vs. stratified”, it’s a Directors call and given the large number of 1. When Jay returned to Penn State for his senior year, one of his roommates read a people attending, Dick did an excellent job. book about bridge and decided to teach

Perhaps it is time for you to run for the Board or him and two other persons. Jay got volunteer to help the Board when Unit events are hooked on the game and spent most of planned. Volunteering is hard work but there is his senior year playing bridge including immense pleasure in a job well done. duplicate. 2. Jay moved around with his jobs and when Bernie Czarnecki, Editor he settled in Glens, NY, he played more and eventually became ATTN: All Unit 116 Members President of Unit 115 in the Capital District. I was looking forward to running for our Unit 116 3. He never took lessons but the book that Board of Directors in December. However, it is helped him the most was Sheinwalds’ “5 now clear that I am not fully recovered from the Weeks to Winning Bridge.” stroke I had on February 4, of this year. The 4. In 1985 when he came to Buffalo, he therapy people say it takes at least a year to get served two terms on Unit 116 Board and 4 back to “normal”, if you ever will. The subsequent years as President. His last 2 years have left eye retina problem, which the doctors say is been the most enjoyable since the Board unrelated (sure), is also affecting my near vision. really worked cooperatively to help bring I would not be able to give the Board my best the Unit together. effort, so I must withdraw my candidacy. Perhaps 5. The two (2) bridge accomplishments he is I was over optimistic due to some good results really proud of are: First, winning the early on in this period. with his good friend, rd Bill Rushmore. They were 3 with one Those of you that had the misfortune to be at the round to go and moved up to first. The table with me during the recent Sectional were Second was winning 4 events at a Buffalo perhaps victims of an overflow of my frustration in Regional with different partners in each not being able to play at the level (although only event, including one game with Brian “C”) of pre-stroke tournaments. I am sorry, and I Meyer that was literally arranged in the will try very hard to keep it more under control in parking lot as he was pulling out of the the future. hotel.

Respectfully, 2

6. Now that he has retired, he would like to 8. Ken feels that as a bridge community and do some teaching, principally to newer Unit 116, the people at the helm of the players who are trying to reach various Unit are first-class and the people he has goals, concentrating on the mental met and played either with or against are approach to the game. among the finest people he has the

pleasure of meeting. Personal: 9. He hopes that someday the various clubs 1. Jay has been married for 16 years to that form Unit 116 will become more Linda and has five (5) children and six (6) cohesive and bind together rather than (soon to be 7) grandchildren. They are fighting each other. They basically have located in San Francisco, Charlotte, the same players who only want to play Washington, DC, Saratoga, NY and bridge. Buffalo. 2. He has been blessed to have two (2) living Personally: parents aged 97 and 91; unfortunately 1. Ken has been a Court Reporter for almost they are both in skilled nursing facilities in 50 years working primarily in the major Florida. felony parts and before that in Washington 3. He has had three careers; Financial DC in the House and Senate. Management with GE, Financing auto 2. He retired from the Unified Court System dealers with Marine Midland Automotive some 8+ years ago. and 18 years as a Financial Advisor. 3. He has one living son who owns and 4. With his job at GE, his assignments took operates a Karate School in Lockport him to Schenectady, NY, Milan, Italy, and is also a full-time Buffalo school Ponce, Puerto Rico and finally in Glens, teacher. NY. 4. He still plays the piano (stenotype) in

The editor interviewed a soft-spoken talented Lackawanna City Court on Thursdays. bridge player. His name is Ken Meier. 5. Ken is not married but has a long-time companion. They enjoy many things Bridge: together but she is not into bridge. 1. Ken started playing bridge when he retired 6. As a golfer, Ken has made 3 holes-in- 8+ years ago. His dad asked him to play one. and learn the game at the Cheektowaga Senior Center. It was an old Goren style Editor’s Note: Ken is a very successful major party bridge. league bowler with many 300 games The 2. Within a few months he teamed up with American Bowling Congress has awarded Ken Dotty May and they took beginner’s many rings to commemorate his accomplishments lessons at the Orchard Park Senior Center. They, thus, formed the “M&M” Bridge is a Partnership partnership team which still exists today. By Carl Stone They play regularly at least twice a week. 3. Ken considers himself an “average player” Being an intermediate player at and likes to be competitive. best, my greatest skill is not in 4. Ken plays with a variety of players at all bidding, or playing. It is in levels. picking my partners. Needless 5. He enjoys playing at the Whist Club on to say, they are all intelligent. Monday evening or the Bridge Center on But more importantly, they are tolerant and kind. Wednesday. Both games feature the best When I make an error, they are usually sure that I players in the area! knew it almost as soon as it was made. If not, 6. Ken feels he is still learning some-thing they gently point it out or ask me a leading new especially in games or tournament question; and always away from the table, out of play. earshot of opponents. 7. He recently accumulated enough points to become a Bronze Life Master and in his The only downside to bridge that I have found is words –“whoopee the criticism from opponents. Certainly, I will make errors. But the criticism is a detraction from 3

my enjoyment and rarely leads to enlightenment. David Berkowitz , If I have a dilemma and feel that a skilled as USA 2 will be opponent can ease my quandary, I will ask them. representing the USA in the World I wish everyone a 70+% game soon, and hope Senior they appreciate their partners as much as I do Championships in mine. I LOVE THIS GAME!!! Brazil this year. Congratulations to Below is what the Buffalo Bridge Center does for all. inappropriate behavior. If this occurs at a clubs where you play, encourage the Director to use At the 2009 World Bridge Championships in Sao these guidelines. Paulo, Brazil, USA2 defeated Italy in the final of the , 285.33–249. This makes the Call the Director If 18th time the U.S. has captured the gold medal in the prestigious contest, first played in 1950. • Negative comments are made concerning partner’s or opponent’s play or bidding Unit 116 Summer Finale • There’s badgering, intimidation, rudeness, Williamsville (Buffalo) NY insinuations, profanity, threats or violence. Sept. 11-13, 2009 • There are constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table. Friday AM Stra tified Pairs – 34.5 tables • There is loud and disruptive arguing. MP’s A B C Names • There is annoying behavior or 7.50 1 Sharon Benz, Judy Marshall embarrassing remarks made. 5.63 2 Dian Petrov, John Toy 4.22 3 Chris Urbanek, Joan Rose Penalty: ¼ of board’s points. 5.08 4 1 S. Luke Danielson, Bob Andersen 3.80 2 1 Dede Kluckhohn, Paula Kotowski Director, Please...and Thank you! 2.85 3 Laurette Oak, Pinky Regan 1.87 4/5 2 Ruth Kozower, Nadine Stein Earlier this year, I passed my ACBL director's exam, and this summer I finally made the plunge Friday P M S tratified Pairs – 21.5 tables into the world of directing bridge games! From a MP’s A B C Names player's viewpoint, I guess I didn't realize all the 5.33 1 1 William Rushmore, Art Morth time, work, and energy required to run a game, but 3.00 3 Saleh Fetouh, Jim Mathis let me tell you -- I know it now! So after my 2.63 2 Fred Schenker, PA, Dian Petrov "adventures" in directing, I thought I would send a 1.97 3 Jeanne Gladys, Joyce Kindt quick THANK YOU to all the directors out there! 2.06 1 Diane Lyons, Marietta Kalman All of you deserve a pat on the back for the hard 1.55 2 Tova Reinhorn, Carol Bedell work you devote to this game! Keep up the great Satur day AM S tratified Pairs – 32.5 tables job! MP’s A B C Names Eugene Harvey 7.17 1 Judy Marshall, John Toy Congratulations 5.38 2 Robert Cannizzaro, John Kilmer 4.03 3 Jay Levy, Jay Costello At the Summer Nationals held in 4.92 5 1 Beverly Dale, Dolores Warmuz Washington, DC, with a total of 5794 3.69 6 2 1 Mary Ann Byers, Margery Geyer players earning Master Points, Joel 2.77 3 Dian Petrov, Fred Schenker, PA Wooldridge earned 279.38 master 2.08 4 2 Betty Mets. Penny Shui points. Other local players who earned MPs are: 1.58 5 3 Stewart Brenner. H. Ronald Helfman Daniel Gerstman – 50.31, Saleh Fetouh – . Judith Marshall – Glenn Young - Dian Petrov Satur day PM Stratified Pairs – 22.5 tables – , Margaret Klamp & Christine Urbanek – , MP’s A B C Names Kathy Pollock – Robert Feasley – and 5.50 1 Saleh Fetouh, Jim Mathis Chongmin Zhang -. 4.13 2 Pat Rasmus, Dorothy Boyd 3.51 3 1 Alice Lind, Robert Feasley 2.63 2 Fred Schenker, PA, Dian Petrov Also Dan Gerstman along with Mike Passell, 1.22 3 Barbara Lan dree, Carol Bedell Mark Lair, John Sutherin, Carolyn Lynch & 4

stratified pair games. Both games are preceded by a free Mini-Lesson a half hour before game time on Thursday evening or before lunch on Tuesday morning. Sunday Bracketed Swiss – 3-8 tables MP’s Rank Names Do You Like 3NT – Try SUTL 2.80 1 Ruth Kozower, Mike Kozower, Sandra By Lou DiLorenzo Scheff, Bruce Bronstein 2.10 2 Dale Anderson, Don Grant, Marie If 3NT is the preferred contract, a fit can be Suprinick, James Jacobi determined at the one level by bidding Stoppers 1.58 3 Peter Patterson, ON, Larry soong, Up The Line (SUTL). In its simplest form, opener Dorothy Soong, Henry Chudy, Jr. bids one club,, partner bids one diamond, opener bids one heart and partner bids one spade; Each Sunday Brack eted Swiss – 2-8 tables/b ased on 16 of these bids shows a stopper in that suit and tables needs to be alerted. Any interference by the MP’s Rank Names opponents negates the rise of SUTL. The 4.68 1 Robert Padgug, Judith Padgug, absence of any interring bids is a good indication Jean Macdonald, David Milward that game should be reached in 3NT or in a 2.63 3 Ken Meier, Dorothy May, Walter major. Olszewski, Tom Gibbons There are several prerequisites for the use of Sunday Bracketed Swiss – 1-8 tables/based on 24 SUTL a n d several conditions that deny its use. tables These are: MP’s Rank Names 8.50 1 Jay Levy, Tom Donnelly, Brian Meyer, 1. A combined holding of 22-23 HCP is Jay Costello, Donna Steffan required for 3NT to succeed 2 out of 3 6.38 2 Saleh Fetouh, Jim Mathis, Randolph hands. Opener should have 13-14HCPs Seidenberg, Jr., Chris Urbanek and responder at least 9 HCP. 4.78 3 Bert Hargesheimer III, Chris Kellougg. 2. When opener has 15-17 or >20 HCP AND John Kilmer, Robert Cannizzaro A 5-card major, SUTL is off, although 3NT may still end up as the contract. Congratulations-New Life Master 3. For 3NT to succeed at the 75% level, Jean Macdonald SUTL should not be used when: 1. Opener holds a , two singletons or two doubletons. New Silver L ife Master 2. Holding a 6+ cards in a major in John Lewis either hand. 3. Qxx is the only stopper in a suit. New Bronze Life Master The probability the two top Nancy Kessler honors in that suit are split between the opponents is > 50% Sad Tidings when opponents have not bid. Tom Evans 4. No SUTL when opener lacks a stopper in three suits. Bridge Club News Anytime after the first bid, a bid of 1NT indicates Bridge Center of Buffalo all the conditions (stoppers, HCPs, etc.) for a 3NT Phone # 834-4222 for contract have been met. A jump to 1NT may be reser-vations and bid by either the opener on the responder. To information. illustrate (West dealer):

MENTORING ON WEST EAST Tues. & Thurs. @ BCB S –A63 S-K5 H-63 H-AQ876 Newcomer Games, 0-20 master points, are held D-K84 D-A86 on Tuesday morning and Thursday evening, and C-AQJ62 C-643 are "mentored" games running in parallel with 5

Bidding: N-1D, E-P, S-1S, W-P 1C, 1NT, 3NT. 1N or 3N (3N) Although 3NT may be reached without a SUTL bid, one very common scenario should be Dealer opens 1D showing lack of a club stopper. avoided. The following is a Frank Stewart hand: South’s bid of 1S tells partner he has stoppers in both clubs and spades but none in hearts and at South Dealer least 9 HCP. N bids 1N or 3N leaving an option to explore slam by S. N There are other nuances to SUTL that become S-K53 obvious as one gains familiarity with the H-764 system. Would you like to try SUTL? Join me! D-QJ108 C-A106 “The Bridge “Gene-ie” E S-J1o4 W S-872 By Eugene Harvey H-KJ1052 H-AQ3 D-K-3 D-642 I really enjoy playing with my bridge students! I’m C-854 C-9732 at a point in my “bridge life” where I neither need S nor want any more master points, so, to me, being S-AQ96 able to help others learn this fascinating game is a H-98 reward in itself, not to mention a way of growing D-A975 our family of local bridge players. Playing with one of my students, we encoun tered the following C-KQJ hand: ♠10 9 2 Bidding: ♥A J 8 7 2 S-1NT, W-P, N-3NT, E-P ♦K J 10

The contract, despite 26HCP. Is doomed from trick ♣6 one, even Stewart can’t salvage this one! With a K 4 3 Q 8 7 3-3-4-3 split, 10 HCP and no suit to bid, the 3NT is K 10 6 4 9 the usual response. SUTL would uncover the lack 9 7 2 8 6 5 3 of a heart stopper and 3NT would never be the A 9 4 Q 10 8 5 3 contract if opener bids 1 Club. A J 6 5 Q 5 3 SUTL is not always bid consecutively. The A Q following hand shows the bidding when each K J 7 2 partner lacks a stopper. N E S W P P 1NT P Deal #23 – North Dealer 2♦* P 2♥ P

3♦ P 3NT Passed out North S-K5 Bidding Commentary: I was North and H-AQ875 *transferred* to ♥s, then bid ♦s. My partner was D-A65 confused by the 2nd bid and retreated to 3NT. After C-843 a transfer, a bid of a 2nd suit is 100% game- West East forcing. Although we should be in 4♥, it’s not the S-J10984 S-Q72 end of the world. Hey, don’t pick on us! When was H-92 H-KJ104 the last time YOU were in the wrong contract?! D-Q10732 D-J9 *wink* It happens! No looking back now… C-6 C-K1097 South : ♥4 – 4th best from longest S-A63 H-63 Declarer Play: This hand has a lot of things that D-K84 need to be worked upon, so I’m going to help my C-AQJ52 student analyze it step by step. First is the opening lead. The defenders were playing 4th best 6

leads, so after seeing the ♥2 and ♥3, the lead of ♥-AJ4 the ♥4 should be from a 4-card suit. This is VERY ♦-KJ983 important! It means East likely has only 1 heart. ♣-KQ8 This lead is favorable; in other words, we can capitalize on their misfortune. When you get a This hand is from the Tuesday 299er game at the favorable lead, it’s important to know how to use Bridge Center of Buffalo. Everything depends that to your advantage. Knowing that East likely upon whether East loves his hand enough to open has only 1 heart, she should let the lead ride the bidding. e.g.: around to her ♥Q, then she should lead a low ♥ and to the ♥7 – see how good intermediate N E S W cards (8s, 9s, 10s) can be helpful sometimes! P 1♠ 2♦ 3♦!

Now she must find an back to her hand, E&W get to game for +650 which means a small ♦ back to the ♦A. Then she takes another ♥ finesse to pick up the entire ♥ suit! or (worst case scenario): Woo hoo! P P 1NT P Now for the next step. ♦s are established, and 2♦ P 2♥ All pass EW +100 there are no dangerous suits, but it’s good to prevent East from gaining the lead and leading Why should E open? 10 black cards; rule of 20, 7 thru her ♣K-J, just in case West has the ♣A-Q. loser hand, now or never, and of course, “I’m a With all suits adequately guarded, she has the Montague damn it!” timing to try for more. The ♣ suit offers a 50% [[Actual results: only 2 of 12 EWs bid game]] chance of another trick by leading toward the ♣J, but that is a scary situation if it loses! That suit is Buffalo’s Spooktacular anemic, at best. Instead, let’s check out that ♠ suit. Missing 2 honors, she could take a double Regional finesse, which will succeed 75% of the time, so Holiday Inn she should play the ♠10 and finesse. If East does Grand Island NY ♣ October not cover the honor, West will win the ♠K. Then, 20th to 25th, 2009 depending on what suit West uses to exit his hand, later my partner will use the ♦Q as an entry TUESDAY – October 20th to dummy by overtaking it with the ♦K, then Tuesday Bracketed KO's cashing the ♦J-10. Being brave – and playing the nd 9:00A 1:30P 7:30P percentages – she will take the 2 ♠ finesse and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of 3 Sessions bring home the ♠ suit when the suit is divided 3-3! 299er Stratified Pairs (Single Session) 9:00A It will be important for her to recognize this source 1:30P 7:30P of tricks EARLY in the hand, though, since she will Morning Side Series Pairs 9:00A be forced to discard from her hand when playing Tuesday Stratified Open Pairs the ♥ and ♦ suits. Discarding ♠s will result in some (2 Sessions) 1:30P 7:30P lost tricks! Afternoon Side Series Pairs 1:30P Evening Side Series Pairs 7:30P (*in a booming voice* ‘Genie HAPPY! Send more!’ Eugene @ [email protected] ) WEDNESDAY – October 21st

Wednesday/Thursday Compact KO’s 9:00A “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.” 299er Stratified Pairs (Single Session) Romeo and Juliet II.2 9:00A 1:30P 7:30P by John Marvin with apologies to W.S. Morning Side Series Pairs 9:00A Wednesday/Thursday Bracketed KO’s ♠-93 1:30P 7:30P ♥-Q8732 st nd 1 and 2 of 4 Sessions ♦-642 Wednesday Stratified Open Pairs ♣-T42 (2 Sessions) 1:30P 7:30P ♠-KJ64 N ♠ -AT752 Wednesday Stratified Swiss Teams ♥-KT95 W E ♥-6 (1 Session) 7:30P ♦-AT7 S ♦-Q5 Afternoon Side Series Pairs 1:30P ♣-J9 ♣-A7653 Evening Side Series Pairs 7:30P ♠-Q8 7

nd THURSDAY – October 22 $10.00 per session Wednesday/Thursday Compact KO’s 9:00A $12 for non & unpaid ACBL members 299er Stratified Pairs (Single Session) 9:00A 1:30P 7:30P INFORMATION: Morning Side Series Pairs 9:00A Wednesday/Thursday Bracketed KO’s Stratified Events 1:30P 7:30P Stratum "A" 2000+ 3rd and 4th of 4 Sessions Stratum "B" 750-2000 Thursday Stratified Open Pairs (2 Sessions) Stratum "C" 0-750 1:30P 7:30P Stratified Swiss Teams (2 Sessions) 299er’s - Faith Perry 1:30P 7:30P 716.681.5251 Afternoon Side Series Pairs 1:30P Partnerships Evening Side Series Pairs 7:30P Mike (The Matchmaker) Ryan FRIDAY – October 23rd 716.626.9332 or 716.645.6029 Friday/Saturday Compact KO’s 9:00A E-Mail: [email protected] 299er Stratified Pairs (Single Session) 9:00A 1:30P 7:30P Tournament Morning Side Series Pairs 9:00A Pat Rasmus 716.649.4634 Friday/Saturday Bracketed KO’s E-Mail: [email protected] 1:30P 7:30P John Toy 716.885.5364 1st and 2nd of 4 Sessions E-Mail: [email protected]

Friday Stratified Open Pairs Hotel (2 Sessions) 1:30P 7:30P Holiday Inn -100 Whitehaven Road Friday Stratified Swiss Teams Grand Island NY 14072 (1 Session) 7:30P 716.773.1111 - 1.800.HOLIDAY Afternoon Side Series Pairs 1:30P

Evening Side Series Pairs 7:30P Ask for American rate

th $86.00 Single or Double SATURDAY – October 24 st Friday/Saturday Compact KO’s 9:00A (available until October 1 )

299er Stratified Pairs (Single Session) Great Hospitality! 9:00A 1:30P 7:30P Morning Side Series Pairs 9:00A Free Parking! Friday/Saturday Bracketed KO’s 1:30P 7:30P UNIT 116 BOARD AND EDITORS OF THE BUFF rd th 3 and 4 of 4 Sessions WISH EACH AND EVERYONE Saturday Compact KO’s 1:30P 7:30P “A HAPPY THANKSGIVING” Saturday Stratified Open Pairs (2 Sessions) 1:30P 7:30P Afternoon Side Series Pairs 1:30P Evening Side Series Pairs 7:30P

SUNDAY – October 25th Stratiflighted Swiss Teams 10:00A PLAYTHROUGH 7-7 Board Matches Stratum "A1" 3000+ Stratum "A2" 0-3000 Stratum "B" 1000-2000 Stratum "C" 300-1000 Stratum "D" 0-300

District 5 Continues The Tradition! Low, Low Entry Fees!

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