Thursday, March 13, 2008 Volume 51, Number 7 Daily Bulletin Detroit, Michigan 51st Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith Hand and Greenberg win Seeds 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 exit Vanderbilt Mixed in a squeaker The high seeds took a pounding in yesterday’s Boosted by a huge carryover from the qualifying husband-wife pairs to win by about one-fourth of a Round of 16 in the Vanderbilt Knockouts. round of the Rockwell Mixed Pairs, Jeffrey Hand and board. Jimmy Cayne’s top-seeded team (Weed, npc) lost Gail Greenberg withstood a challenge from two Hand and Greenberg had a maximum carryover of narrowly to Jim Mahaffey’s 16-seeded team, 126- four boards. Their score of 50.12% in the first 123.5. (The odd amount was the result of an appeal find dropped them to fourth place. “We were adjustment.) Mahaffey —Gunnar Hallberg, Fredrik depressed,” said Hand, “but we didn’t give up.” Nystrom, Peter Bertheau, Zhao Jie and Fu Zhong — The pair rallied to score 57.66% in the becomes the 1 seed. evening session. Even so, they were only ahead The No. 3 seed led by Lou Ann O’Rourke could by 1 matchpoint with one round to go. not hold on against a late-charging John Onstott, the “We knew we were back in contention,” 14 seed, losing the match 135-114. Onstott’s lineup said Hand, “and we were playing hard at the includes Jim Krekorian, Tarek Sadek, Walid end.” Elahmady, Terje Aa and Joergen Molberg. The winners’ final tally was 2049.50. In No. 4 Ralph Katz trailed Andrew Rosenthal’s second place were Steve and Kerri Sanborn. squad by 19 IMPs after three quarters, but won the last Their score was 2030.62, just ahead of the set by 27 IMPs to advance to the quarterfinal round, third-place pair of Tobi and David Sokolow 139-131. The Katz roster features George Jacobs, who finished with 2028.04. (Top on a board Robert Levin, Steve Weinstein, Zia Mahmood and was 64.) Michael Rosenberg. The winners have been partners for nearly Aubrey Strul (No. 5) fell behind early in their four years. He is a full-time player and match against Ron Rubin’s team (No. 12), and despite Greenberg owns Honors Bridge Club in her narrowing Rubin’s lead in the second quarter, faded in hometown of New York City. Hand lived in the second half. Rubin advances 155-119. Team Panama for 19 years, but moved to Florida Rubin: Russ Ekeblad, Peter Weichsel, Marcin after leaving. He now resides in New York Lesniewski, Louk Verhees and Jan Jansma. The Rockwell Mixed Pairs winners: Jeff Hand, wearing his trademark coat and tie, and Gail Greenberg. Continued on page 5 The Russian/Polish Gromov team (No. 6) had a dreadful first quarter against the all-Polish Martens team (the original No. 22 seed), and did not recover. Tobi Sokolow advances Memories of Detroit Martens won 125-97. to 15,000 MPs By Chuck Said No. 8 Connie Goldberg lost to No. 9 Barnet Coming to Detroit Shenkin 139-101. Tobi was not just a trip to Sokolow has attend another bridge passed the tournament, but it also E-ban takes effect at 15,000 marked my return to a masterpoint grand city with great Summer NABC level. She is a history and tradition. It Players are reminded that a new ban on four-time world was here that my bridge electronic devices goes into effect for all champion story began to take shape, nationally rated events at the 2008 Summer winning the where my exposure to NABC. The new policy reads as follows: Women Teams good bridge started a Electronic devices, excluding health-related in Tunisia in long and gratifying equipment, capable of sending or receiving 1997, in Monte journey. And although I lived in Ann Arbor and communication, including but not limited to, Carlo in 2003 loved that magical university town, its people and headphones, earphones, cellular phones and and in Verona, the fine quality of bridge that was played in its mini-computers: (1) shall not be allowed in the Italy, in 2007. clubs, my fondness for Detroit, my second home, playing areas, adjacent hallways, restrooms or She also won will endure as long as I live. No matter where I am, accessible break areas; and (2) shall not be used the World Masters Individual for Women in 2004. I’ll always cheer the city, root for its sports teams during a session. Sokolow is a WBF World Grand Master and ranks and cherish my many wonderful memories, These restrictions shall apply to all pairs, number 8 in the world in the women’s category. especially those with the bridge crowd. team members, captains, coaches, recorders and In ACBL play, Sokolow has won all five kibitzers and shall apply throughout any actual women’s national titles at least once and holds the Rubber bridge with Fred Hamilton playing session or segment. rank of Grand Life Master. She lives in Austin TX Before there was Cobo Hall, the Silverdome or A violation of this policy shall result in a and is a former realtor and social worker. the Palace, there was the Metro Bridge Club in disciplinary penalty of one full board (or 12 Southfield. The elite of Detroit bridge played at that IMPs at that form of scoring) for the first Goodwill Message club during its heyday (in the late Sixties), and on offense. A second offense shall result in I’d like to issue an any given day, you could find such greats as Chuck disqualification from the event for the pair/team. invitation — and a challenge — Burger, Sylvia Stein, Fred Hamilton, Bud Smith, Kibitzers violating this policy shall be to all of you. Join me and other Joan and Vince Remey, Howard Perlman, Judy removed from the playing area for the remainder members of the Goodwill Radin, the legendary Helen Sobel Smith, Cliff of the session. Committee in promoting the Bishop and many others. These devices are not permitted near the game we love. One day, I drove to Detroit (from Ann Arbor) playing area, even if they are turned off. Improve your behavior early. I had lunch at the deli across the street from toward your partner and your opponents — this will the bridge club, then waited at the door for Russell Smoking notice produce better results for your side and a more Roosen, the manager and noted bridge player, to All Marriott hotels, which include enjoyable game for everyone. arrive. As he let us in, some of us decided to play Renaissance properties, are smoke-free. Do your part. money bridge, Chicago style. Smoking is not permitted inside these Aileen Osofsky, Chairman During one rotation, Fred Hamilton became my hotels, including the guest rooms. National Goodwill Committee Continued on page 5 Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Friday, March 14 Saturday, March 15 11:30 pm - 2 am Women's Team Trials meeting. Room: Marquette B, Level 5. 1 - 5:30 pm Vugraph. Ambassador Ballroom, Level 3 8 pm til Vugraph. Ambassador Ballroom, Level 3 CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Be sure to hear these free expert lectures daily at the Detroit NABC in the Ambassador Ballroom, Level 3. Thursday, March 13 6:45 pm Barry Harper Cue Bids & Q Bids 12:15 pm Brenda Bryant Signals Saturday, March 15 6:45 pm Zeke Jabbour Winsome & Loathsome 12:15 pm George Jacobs Have Fun with Bridge Friday, March 14 6:45 pm Jeff Roman The Differences Between Pairs 12:15 pm Jim Priebe Matchpoint Defense and Teams LATE NIGHT/ENTERTAINMENT Live entertainment and food will be provided each evening at 11 p.m. Friday, March 14 Shady the Clown (strolling). Door prizes: Local Michigan products. Thursday, March 13 Food: Boston Coolers (read your Restaurant Guide) and Better Made chips Motown, The Miracles (w/o Smokey Robinson). Mackinac Ballroom, Level 5. Saturday, March 15 Food: Michigan Coney Island hot dogs and Vernor's Gingerale VuGraph (if available); Shady the Clown (strolling). Door prizes: local Michigan products. Food: Cherry and apple strudel with vanilla sauce Entertainment at the Detroit NABC Detroit Tour Information Detroit is home to one of the world’s most justly signature songs, “Ooo Baby Baby,” “Tears of a For all tours, meet at Tours Desk on the 4th famous music scenes, and the staff of the Clown” * and “Love Machine.” (Songs with an * Level of the RenCen. All tours will return in time for the 1 p.m. game. Compuware Spring 2008 has lined up a sampling of have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.) Free van transportation will be provided, when some of the outstanding musical talent that the With a polished stage presence that is at once both needed, in 15-passenger vans. Tours are limited in size Detroit area has to offer. smooth and exciting, The Miracles will make (there are three vans). Please register at the Tours All performances will be held in the Thursday night a delight. Desk at least 24 hours in advance. A $5 reservation fee Mackinac Ballroom on Level 5 and will begin Friday, March 14: Gia Warner is one of those is required; it will be refunded during the tour on the shortly after the end of the evening session. These artists you have undoubtedly heard but rarely heard return trip. All van trips are round trips. All tours are artists have been carefully chosen to make the 2008 of. She has performed in film scores for composers subject to availability.