Saturday, March 17, 2007 Volume 50, Number 9 Daily Bulletin 50th Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Dave Smith Defenses to 1NT Brogeland, Del Monte New partners take Ask a group of capture IMP Pairs Women’s Pairs experts about their favorite methods of Irina Ladyzhensky and Kamla Chawla, who competing when an had never played in person before the Whitehead opponent opens a Women’s Pairs, parlayed a 65% game in the first strong 1NT (15— final session to victory in the event. It was the first 17), and you will North American championship for each. receive a variety of They finished just ahead of Valerie Westheimer answers. The Daily and Migry Zur-Campanile. Bulletin has featured Ladyzhensky is a math teacher in Ellenton FL, one method each day Continued on page 7 during the NABC. Boye Brogeland and Ishmael Delmonte. Note: Players should be aware that several of Boye Brogeland and Ishmael Delmonte, who the systems described in this series use Mid-Chart play together only at NABCs, are used to leading conventions and are not permited in events that in the late stages of ACBL pairs events, but until are restricted to the General Convention Chart. Friday they had not had the experience of The director in charge can provide the information winning. you need. That changed when they had a monster first Today’s expert is Jerry Helms from Charlotte final session in the Lebhar IMP Pairs and won the NC. event going away, more than 17 IMPs ahead of the Helms, like many top players, loves to runners-up, Jonathan Weinstein of Evanston IL compete over the opponents’ opening 1NT. Before and Robert Heitzman Jr. of Suffern NY. he created HELLO, he disliked having to double Continued on page 8 or bid 2♣ with one suit. After experimenting with Kamla Chawla and Irina Ladyzhensky. various methods, he, along with co-inventor Bill Lohmann, came up with HELLO (the name is Henner-WWelland, O’Rourke Arizona pair takes formed from the first initials of their surnames). face off in Vanderbilt final Red Ribbon Pairs “The weakness of many methods is that they can’t bid 2♥ or 2♠ directly,” said Helms. “This Teams captained by Lou Ann O’Rourke and gives the opponents free rein at the two level. Christal Henner-Welland will play 64 boards today They can bid Stayman or make a transfer bid. in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams final. When we created HELLO, addressing this was our O’Rourke, originally seeded fourth, reached first priority. the championship round with a 133-102 win over “When you own a major, especially spades, the Piotr Tuszynski squad. Henner-Welland and you want to be able to bid it immediately for the company kayoed the James Cayne squad in a 120- preemptive effect,” Helms said. “We want to 114 nail-biter. interfere, but also bid accurately when it is our O’Rourke is playing with Marc Jacobus, hand. The whole idea is to be constructively Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco and Italian world obstructive. HELLO gets your partner involved.” champions Giorgio Duboin and Norberto Bocchi. The system can be used against either weak or Henner-Welland is playing with Antonio Sementa; Jack Hawthorne and Paul Spier. strong 1NT since the double is not needed to show her husband, Roy Welland, Bjorn Fallenius and one of the hand types. Paul Spier and Jack Hawthorne used four Polish stars Adam Zmudzinski and Cezary Helms points out other advantages of his solid sessions to capture the Bean Red Ribbon Balicki. Henner-Welland was seeded No. 7 at the Pairs. During the four sessions, two qualifying and Double = penalty or a strong hand. start. two final, their lowest score was 57% and their 2♣ = diamonds or a major- In both semifinal matches, the winners took highest was about 61%. minor two-suiter the lead early and never trailed, but Henner- The pair is from Phoenix AZ and have been ♦ 2 = transfer to hearts. Continued on page 7 Continued on page 7 2♥ = majors 2♠ = spades 2NT = clubs Former caddy now working ‘dream job’ 3♣ = minors 3♦ = majors, stronger a squad car for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police than 2♥ Department. That’s right – the comely caddy who made such a good impression is now packing a 9mm pistol and chasing bad guys for a living. system. In certain HELLO auctions, the unknown It’s what she always wanted to do, she says. hand, the partner of the one who bid, will be the declarer. This happens when you bid 2♦ to From childhood, Beye says she was impressed transfer to hearts, for example. The partner accepts by people in uniform and drawn to the profession. the transfer and “He might have something crazy So when she graduated from high school in St. such as a low doubleton heart and a six-card club Louis in 2000, she enrolled at the University suit or just about anything,” said Helms. Continued on page 7 The strong hand is on lead and has no idea of Officer Ann Beye with her father Rick. the strength or distribution of the declarer. The It has been some time since Ann Beye worked Smoking notice Continued on page 7 as a caddy at a tournament, but for many years she All Marriott hotels, which was one of the regulars at NABCs, running all include Renaissance properties, over ballrooms and convention centers, picking up Attendance through Friday evening: are smoke–free. Smoking is not boards and score slips. permitted inside these hotels, These days, the 25-year-old daughter of including the guest rooms. 8695.5 Tables ACBL’s Chief Tournament Director Rick Beye is The 2007 Summer and Fall NABCs will also be still doing a lot of running around, but now it’s in hosted at Marriott hotels. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Saturday, March 17 1 - 5:30 p.m. Vugraph. Internet feed is available outside the main ballroom. 8 p.m. til Vugraph. There is no live commentary. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Saturday, March 17 12:15 p.m. Barry Harper Opening Leads 6:45 p.m. Jeff Roman Game Tries Note: No speakers on Sunday, April 9 LATE NIGHT / ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, March 17 Wear your green and show up in Landmark Ballroom 4 after the evening the Brett Stamps Jazz Quartet. Bret Stamps has a long and distinguished session for “St. Pat’s Night.” Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day (and you are Irish on resume. He has performed, recorded and arranged for famous music groups March 17). Come and you can enjoy the corned beef and cabbage. This will including the Stan Kenton Orchestra. His group has performed at numerous be a great ending to the super food and entertainment we have enjoyed at prestigious events and venues. We will all enjoy the jazz of the Brett Stamps this NABC! And while you’re enjoying the food, you’ll enjoy the music of Jazz Quartet. Golder NAP Flight B Renaissance dining Baron Barclay begins play today information Competition begins today in the Golder North Breakfast Buffet available from Bridge Supply American Pairs, Flight B ? a grassroots event 6:30 am ‘till 12:30 pm limited to players with 0—1500 masterpoints. Capri Breakfast Buffet $15.95 featuring Visit our location in the America's The first stage is conducted at the local club omelets “prepared-to-order” Center, second level, level and qualifiers advance to unit competition. in the pre–function area. Those qualifiers then advance to the district finals Washington Avenue Bistro $13.95 serving ACBL members receive a where three pairs —- more, depending upon “the best Eggs Benedict in St. Louis” attendance —- qualify for the North American 10% discount. final. Capri Luncheon served 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Baron Barclay has the newest book titles Winners will have their names inscribed on Specialty Sandwiches available, including: the Golder Cup and will also receive a certificate Shaved Ham & Smoked Gouda Panini Three Notrump in Depth by August Boehm of recognition. with Pesto How You Can Play Like an Expert The trophy is presented in memory of Tuna Melt on Toasted English Muffin by Mel Colchamiro Benjamin M. Golder (1894—1946) of Chicken Salad Croissant Off–Road Declarer Play by David Bird Philadelphia, who died the day before the close of Roast Beef Po’ Boy Canada's Bridge Warriors: Eric Murray and his term as 1946 ACBL president. He was named Sami Kehela by Roy Hughes ACBL Honorary Member of the Year for 1947. Washington Avenue Bistro My System: The Unbalanced Diamond Winners: Chef McFadden’s featured dishes by Marshall Miles 1992 Peter Worley, Kevin Young served 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Back Through the Pack by Julian Pottage 1993 Robert Sewell, Paul Janicki Herb Roasted Chicken, Truffled Mashed 2006 World Championship Book: Verona 1994 Brendan Dempsey, Ian Crowe Potatoes Leading Questions in Bridge by Sally Brock 1995 Jay Levy, William Rushmore Beef Burgundy, Mashed Potatoes and Veggie 1996 Robert Johnson, David Rosenstein du jour 1997 Bill Drewett, Kirk Twiss Quiche Lorraine, Mixed Greens Salad, Plus a large selection of books 1998 Adam Beneschan, Brian Gilbert Champagne vinaigrette available at half price. 1999 Andy Kaufman, Greg Burch Spicy Ham Panini, Fries or Salad 2000 Hal Hindman, Mark Chen 2001 Walter Lee, Jonathan Weinstein Capri Dinner PLATED SPECIAL 2002 Wieslaw Kalita, Marian Krasowski serving from 4:30 pm 2003 Jordan Chodorow, Harvey Katz Smothered beef brisket with oven dried 2004 Jim Alison, Dayn Beam tomatoes, asparagus and soft cheddar 2005 Pete Whipple, Jamie Radcliffe polenta.