November 18-28, 2004 78th Fall North American Bridge Championships Daily Bulletin Orlando, Florida Volume 78, Number 6 Wednesday, November 24, 2004 Editors: Brent Manley and Henry Francis Gitelman is 2005 Honorary Member “If you’re not careful, bridge could ruin your life.” That’s the warning that Ted Horning gave Fred Gitelman many years ago. Gitelman ignored that advice, and now he is the 2005 Honorary ACBL Member of the Year. Gitelman is special. His bridge programs have made a major difference for hundreds of thousands of bridge players. He has been active in promoting Junior bridge. He is a talented writer. He has served on many important bridge committees. He has coached some of America’s international teams. And he’s a fine bridge player as well – he placed second in the 1995 Bermuda Bowl, for example. But this article isn’t about Gitelman’s’s accomplishments. It’s about Fred – the real Fred. Most bridge players have heard that Gitelman plays bridge with Bill Gates of Microsoft fame. How did that ever come about? Italy’s Lauria now Surprisingly it started with Warren Buffett, the internationally famous financial guru. One day Gitelman got a phone call from No. 1 in the world someone who said, “I really like your software. Lorenzo Lauria of Italy has taken over the No. 1 position in the World Bridge Federation as a Continued on page 4 result of his remarkable series of performances in major European and world competition. He also has been very successful at North American Ames holds on, wins championships. He displaced Bob Hamman, who was the top Senior KO Match player in the world in WBF rankings for 20 years. Lauria was a member of the victorious Italian The squad captained by Carolyn Lynch almost team at the World Team Olympiad in Istanbul did it. Going into the final 16 boards of their Senior earlier this month. That victory was the one that Knockout Teams match they trailed by 65 IMPs. moved him ahead of Hamman. They pummeled the Tony Ames team, 67-4, over He has won two World Team Olympiads (2000 the final segment, but that wasn’t enough – Ames and 2004) and two Rosenblum Teams (1998 and advanced, 143-141. Playing with Ames are John 2002. Add to that four triumphs in the European Koch, Rod Beery and Mary Egan. Team Championships (1979, 1995, 1997 and 2002) The Marc Low team was trailing by 4 IMPs three consecutive wins in the European Bridge going into the last segment, but they came back to League Challenge Cup (2002 to 2004) and a win in eke out a 148-141 victory over the David Blum the International Olympic Committee Grand Prix in team. Also on the Low team are Sandra Low, 1999. Strangely enough, he has never won a Norman Coombs and Bruce Parent. Bermuda Bowl, although he has three seconds The teams captained by George Rosenkranz (1979, 1983 and 2003). Wendy Wheeler and John Chapman Continued on page 4 His international career first blossomed in 1979 in the Bermuda Bowl in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His Playing here makes partner was the incomparable Giorgio Belladonna. Lights, camera. his birthday happy The Americans were well ahead going into the final In the next couple of days, you will be seeing 16-board segment, but Lauria and Belladonna had a When Wendy Wheeler and John Chapman television cameras around the hotel. The Canadian superb final set. They were sure they had overcome arrived in Orlando for the Fall NABC, the bridge Television Network is developing a documentary the Americans’ lead, but they missed by 5 IMPs. lessons they had just completed were still fresh in about some of Canada’s brightest bridge players. Belladonna was so disappointed that he cried as he their minds. They had about half a masterpoint Director Andy Pedersen and cinematographer Mike rode the elevator away from the playing area. each. Nolan will be shooting in and around the hotel Lauria once again is here for the North In the three days they spent in Orlando, the through the weekend, especially during the American Championships. He has become a married couple, who live in Little Rock AR, played Reisinger Board-a-Match Teams. If you have any regular at NABCs. in eight sessions in the newcomer games, more than questions, contact Andy in room 41501. quadrupling their masterpoints totals. They left their first bridge tournament with a Greco, Hampson Thanksgiving note conviction that taking up the game was a very good Noon today is the deadline for you to purchase decision. “We have had a blast,” says Wheeler. lead Blue Ribbon tickets for the Thanksgiving Day buffet. For details, The two, married a year in August, met on the Eric Greco and Geoff Hampson, runners-up in see page 2. job. They both work for Alltel Communications, a the Blue Ribbon Pairs last year, took a narrow lead wireless company. into the second day of play in the event, which They got their introduction to bridge when they concludes on Thanksgiving Day. Closing in on 10,000 went to a family get-together in Las Vegas, where a Greco and Hampson, already established as one The attendance for Orlando 2004 rose to 9523 bridge tournament was going on. Wheeler’s sister, of ACBL’s top pairs, held a lead of slightly more yesterday. The total will pass 10,000 sometime this Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 afternoon. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS Bridge Today Daily To Cover or Not MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS By Matthew Granovetter Wednesday, Nov. 24 Rules don’t work always at bridge. Situations change and then there are mistakes to worry about. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Club Directors Update Course with Guillermo Poplawsky. Continuing education for bridge directors to increase their skills. Certificate given for Not every declarer plays perfectly. The right play successful completion of all three days. Wednesday: “Advanced against the wrong person could be the wrong play. ACBLscore.” Fee varies. Atlanta Room. Try this one. The ♠Q is led from dummy, do you cover or not? Thursday, Nov. 25 Dummy 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner. Canary Room. ♠ Q J 9 7 6 4 You ♠K 10 BRIDGE TALKS Suppose South has opened 1NT and North Wednesday, Nov. 24 transferred to this suit. When the queen is led from 9:15 a.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Lynn Berg, New Minor Forcing and Other dummy, declarer may hold the ace-doubleton. In Considerations. Crystal G. Berg is the manager of the DeLand Bridge Club, an this case, you had better cover, and you’ll have a Accredited Teacher and a One-Star Teacher. She is the IN Program Coordinator for the good chance to score the 10 on the next round. Orlando NABC. Even if South holds A-x-x, it pays to cover, giving 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: John Solodar, Slam Bidding the Fun Way. declarer a guess on the next round. If declarer holds Crystal G. Solodar taught bridge in New York City for more than 15 years. He won the A-x-x-x, it probably won’t matter whether you Bermuda Bowl in 1981. cover or not - he’s going to finesse. Probably. Here Thursday, Nov. 25 was an interesting position from the afternoon pair 9:15 a.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Jim Priebe, Thinking on Defense. Crystal G. games yesterday. Priebe devotes his time to writing, playing golf and playing as much bridge as possible Dlr: East ♠ Q J 9 7 6 4 with Joan, his wife of 45 years. Vul: E-W ♥ Q 9 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Jeff Roman, After You’ve Filled out your ♦ A3 2 Convention Card. Crystal G. Roman, Alexandria VA, is a professional bridge player and ♣ K 4 teacher. ♠ 8 ♠ K 10 Friday, Nov. 26 ♥ 10 8 3 2 ♥ J 7 5 9:15 a.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Sterling Odom, Reverses, the Problem ♦ K Q J 4 ♦ 9 7 6 Child. Crystal G. Odom is a professional bridge player and teacher. She is the IN ♣ Q 9 7 3 ♣ J 10 8 5 2 Chairman of the Orlando NABC. ♠ A 5 3 2 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Zeke Jabbour, Winsome and Loathsome. ♥ A K 6 4 Crystal G. Jabbour, a professional player, is a world medalist and a Grand Life Master. ♦ 10 8 5 He and his wife, Sharon, are popular bridge cruise hosts. ♣ A4 West North East South Pass 1NT LATE NIGHT / ENTERTAINMENT Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass All entertainment and food events are scheduled for the Canary Room. I was West and led the ♦K. Declarer won in dummy and called for the ♠Q. My partner Wednesday, Nov. 24 played the 10. This turned out to be a crucial Bingo is scheduled for 2 p.m. play. Declarer was suddenly faced with a matchpoint decision: to play for 10 tricks, 11 Two outings are scheduled: 6:30 p.m. bus to TGI Friday’s for a buffet dinner and comedy club with tricks or 12 tricks. a magician and hypnotist for $25.50 per person. 8 p.m. bus goes to the Arabian Nights — $45 for If he finessed, he would make 10 or 12 tricks – dinner and a show. if the finesse won, he would draw trumps and discard a diamond on the third round of hearts, but Make your reservation and buy your ticket at the NABC registration and information desk.