VOL .13, #4 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 see 2015-2016 NAP on the back 2015-2016 North cover 2015-2016 North ““American Pairs Gold Points! Red Points! Green Points ! 4 Pairs Qualify in the 0-2500 and NLM! (3 in the Open) SPLIT SITE FINALS for 0-2500 and NLM! WWW District 6 of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference of the American Contract Bridge League Websites §www.districtsix.org ¨www.mabcbridge.org ©www.acbl.org ª District 6 TableTALK EDITORIAL B OARD Bill Cole, PUBLISHER Any requests for changes to Donna Rogall, CREATIVE DIRECTOR , E DITOR Lucy McCoy, MANAGING EDITOR the mailing list must be sent Steve Robinson, CIRCULATION MAN.AG.ER. ..d. irectly to the ACBL at: Ellen Cherniavsky , MAILING LIST . ... [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS : Barbara Doran, Margot Hennings DISTRICT OLUMNISTS 6 C : Steve Robinson, Alan Schwartz, Don Berman, Margot Hennings, Barbara Doran, Lynn Jones, Vince Wilmot Tabl e . DISTRICT S IX O FFICERS ACBL District 6 Director: Margot Hennings PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE [email protected] As mentioned in my previous letter my tenure as your President ends August 31. It has been President: Don Berman a pleasure to serve. Thank you. The next President will be elected by the Board of Directors at [email protected] our meeting in Hunt Valley. I wish whoever is chosen the best, and will continue to work on Vice President: Richard Deyerle [email protected] your behalf in whatever capacity I am asked. I do expect to continue as District 6 webmaster. Secretary: Julie Marquette So where do we go from here? Our population is aging. While I do not have numbers for [email protected] the entire district, my unit (the Washington Bridge League) began 2004 with 1,703 mem - Treasurer: Ron Spieker bers averaging 64.08 years of age. As of June 1, 2015 we had 1,707 members averaging [email protected] 69.33 years, an increase of over 5 years. I expect the numbers are similar for the District UNIT P RESIDENTS as a whole. The handwriting is on the wall. We need to recruit new and younger players or Unit 109: Richmond: Harry Gellis our game will just fade away. While the primary focus of generating interest in the game [email protected] falls with the ACBL, we in District 6 can do our part in supporting their efforts. Especially, Unit 110: Peninsula: Ron Alldaffer we can make the experience of playing in our games at all levels friendly and welcoming. [email protected] Unit 135: Maryland: Suellen Poland To that end we need to concentrate on the quality of the product we deliver. I respect - [email protected] fully request that all persons interacting with the players, directors and volunteers Unit 139: Piedmont: Ed Tomlinson alike strive to make all interactions memorable in a good way, especially for new [email protected] players. Behind the scenes we will be working to ensure materials (playing Unit 146: VA State: Brian Boyce [email protected] cards, bidding boxes, convention cards, etc.) are available in sufficient sup - Unit 147: Wash. DC: Ellen Cherniavsky ply and are clean and presentable. We will be upgrading our signage so [email protected] that all can find their way. Unit 218: Northern Va: Ron Kral Some changes to note: TableTALK will be published four times [email protected] Unit 231: SW Virginia: Rich Rio a year rather than six, with a goal of going online in the not too [email protected] distant future. It is available online now on the D6 website. Send comments or inquiries to Lucy McCoy, We have started selling entry vouchers at regionals that Managing Editor at [email protected] can be purchased with a credit card. This reduces the need to handle cash, and one can realize whatever rewards the card offers. I wish all a good time and an exciting future. TO GET ON AN EMAIL LIST FOR BRIDGE N EWS & B RIDGE P ROBLEMS , SEND A —Don Berman NOTE REQUESTING SUCH TO STEVE ROBINSON AT ROBINSWR 1941@ GMAIL .COM “ 5 D ” “ 3 N T ” “ 1 C ” ocating . ”” . LGames ““ppaassss . REGIONALS page . Hunt Valley, MD Aug 17-23 . .2 . idbids Cambridge, MD Nov 9-15 . .5 . T . .. Ace SECTIONALS page Analyses Williamsburg, VA Aug 28-30 . .6 eeping District 6 President’s K Kensington, MD NLM Winners Message . .inside cover page Jun 5-7 . .7 Don Berman Norfolk/Va Beach, VA page InVINCEable IMPs Sep 11-13 . .8 District 7 Regional: Richmond, VA Be Prepared! . .7 Richmond, VA NLM .. Charlotte, NC Sep 19-20 . .9 D6 Regional Winners . .9 by Vince Wilmot Oct 26-Nov 1 . .3 Fairfax, VA Sep 24-27 . .10 Gatlinburg, TN District 4 Regional: Robinson’s Roundtable Kensington, MD D6 Regional Winners . .19 Lancaster, PA Defense Against Oct 26-Nov 1 . .4 Oct 8-11 . .11 Notrump . .10 Richmond, VA The 2016 NABC is Coming by Steve Robinson Oct 16-18 . .12 to DC —Naming Rights Fairfax, VA Available! . .6 Oct 22-25 . .13 Williamsburg, VA Grand National Teams 2015- Oct 23-25 . .14 District 6 2016— Get Your Team Baltimore, MD TableTALK Together . .8 Nov 20-22 . .15 (ISSN#1543-3978) District 6 STaCs: Charlottesville, VA Dec 4-6 . .16 TableTALK cannot guarantee Sep 28-Oct 4 and postal delivery. If you miss an Dec 14-20 . .10 Silver Spring, MD Jan 7-10 . .17 issue, please see: 1-Year District 6 Norfolk/Va Beach, VA www.districtsix.org Calendar of Events . .20 Jan 8-10 . .18 www.mabcbridge.org Richmond, VA or www.acbl.org 2015-16 North American Jan 22-24 . .19 for tournament information. Pairs . .back cover Baltimore, MD Feb 5-7 . .20 1 BALTIMORE, MD MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL MONDAY, AUGUST 17 e Kickoff Knockout . .1 & 7 r CONTINUES 1 & 7 T UESDAY o m Open Pairs 1500/3000/3000+ . .1 & 7 i t Black Eyed Susan GOLD RUSH Pairs I l a ª 0-300/300-750 . .1 & 7 B Fox Hunt Side Series (1st, 2nd of 4) 1 / 7 f 6 o I/N Pairs 5/20/50 & 100/200/300 . .1 / 7 t Educational Foundation Swiss Teams . .7 m c 245 SHAWAN ROAD, HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND 21031 i AFTERNOON GAMES BENEFIT ACBL E D. F OUN- r a r DATION ; E VENING GAMES BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITY t h s TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 Picturesque Countryside and the . i O–5 MP PLAYERS FREE TODAY C D Fort McHenry Compact Knockout . .9 TWO 12- BOARD MATCHES ; CONTINUES 9 AM WED © Ravens Morning Side Series (1st of 5) .9 Early Bird Pairs 50/100/300 . .9 5 Stratified Swiss Teams . .10:30 & 3 Terrapin Knockout . .1 & 7 1 CONTINUES 1 & 7 W EDNESDAY 0 Open Pairs 1500/3000/3000+* . .1 & 7 2 Black Eyed Susan GOLD RUSH Pairs II , 0-300/300-750 . .1 & 7 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 Fox Hunt Side Series (3rd, 4th of 4) 1 / 7 elcome to an elegant and upscale retreat at the 3 National Aquarium Stratified Swiss . .9 I/N Pairs 5/20/50 & 100/200/300 . .1 / 7 4 SIX -BOARD MATCHES EACH MORNING 2 W 0-5 Trophy Pairs . .1 CONTINUES 9 AM SATURDAY completely renovated Hunt Valley Inn. Rooms, lobby, - Stratified Swiss Teams . .7 Ravens Morning Side Series (4th of 5) .9 ballroom and restaurant all redone in grand style. 7 I/N Swiss Teams 100/200/300 . .7 Early Bird Pairs 50/100/300 . .9 1 Daylight Open Pairs . .10:30 & 3 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 Hunt Cup Knockout . .1 & 7 Enjoy the updated fitness center and pools T Preakness Compact Knockout . .9 CONTINUES 1 & 7 S ATURDAY Plus high speed Internet and free parking for all! TWO 12- BOARD MATCHES ; CONTINUES 9 AM THURS Open Pairs 1500/3000/3000+* . .1 & 7 S Ravens Morning Side Series (2nd of 5) .9 Black Eyed Susan GOLD RUSH Pairs IV —Terrific room rate of $109 — U Early Bird Pairs 50/100/300 . .9 0-300/300-750 . .1 & 7 Call 866-764-8359 by July 17 and mention “BRIDGE” to reserve G Daylight Open Pairs . .10:30 & 3 Orioles Side Series (1st, 2nd of 6) . .1 / 7 Maryland Knockout . .1 & 7 I/N Pairs 5/20/50 & 100/200/300 . .1 / 7 Plenty of fun restaurants nearby U CONTINUES 1 & 7 T HURSDAY Stratified Board-a-Match Teams . .7 A Famous Baltimore attractions accessible by car or light rail Open Pairs 1500/3000/3000+* . .1 & 7 I/N Swiss Teams 100/200/300 . .7 Black Eyed Susan GOLD RUSH Pairs III SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 Tournament Chair ¨ 0-300/300-750 . .1 & 7 Ravens Morning Side Series (5th of 5) .9 § Expert Lectures Tuesday through Diane Jaworiwsky Hunt Valley Side Series (1st, 2nd of 4) 1 / 7 Early Bird Pairs 50/100/300 . .9 y Saturday [email protected] I/N Pairs 5/20/50 & 100/200/300 . .1 / 7 Daylight Open Pairs . .10:30 & 3 b 703-395-7796 Stratified Board-a-Match Teams . .7 Weekend Knockout . .1 & 7 ¨ FAMOUS Panel Show Friday at 6pm CONTINUES 10:00 & TBA S UNDAY d I/N Swiss Teams 100/200/300 . .7 Open Pairs 1500/3000/3000+* . .1 & 7 Partnerships e Renowned Intermediate/Novice pro - © Zeke Letellier t THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 Black Eyed Susan GOLD RUSH Pairs V gram with special reception on Friday s Ravens Morning Side Series (3rd of 5) .9 0-300/300-750 . .1 & 7 410-451-1772 o Early Bird Pairs 50/100/300 . .9 Orioles Side Series (3rd, 4th of 6) . .1 / 7 I/N Pairs 5/20/50 & 100/200/300 . .1 / 7 ª Five days of GOLD RUSH Marie Burgess-Strauss H Stratified Pairs .