Sunday, March 9, 2008 Volume 51, Number 3 Daily Bulletin Detroit, Michigan 51st Spring North American Bridge Championships Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Dave Smith ACBL to ban Lebi, Jacob take electronic devices Silodor Pairs title in national events Canadians Robert Lebi and Leave those cell phones, iPods and PDAs at home Dan Jacob scored two 60% – or at least in your hotel room: The ACBL Board of games in the final sessions of Directors approved a sweeping ban on electronic the Silodor Open Pairs to win devices at their recently completed meetings at the the event by less than a board. It Spring NABC in Detroit. The policy goes into effect was the third NABC title for July 1, 2008. Lebi, of Toronto, (the others “This policy is designed to prevent problems and were the Fast Pairs in 2006 and protect the integrity of our top-tier events,” said Rick the Blue Ribbon Pairs in 1989) Beye, ACBL Chief Tournament Director. but the first for Jacob, of The electronics ban will apply to all NABC Vancouver. (national-level) events, but not to regional or The winners posted a Intermediate-Newcomer contests. 59.74% score in the afternoon, The text of the policy reads as follows: and had a 61.59% game in the evening. Their total score (with Electronic devices, excluding health-related carryover) was 2598.74. (Top in equipment, capable of sending or receiving the final was 77). communication, including but not limited to, In second with 2545.09 was headphones, earphones, cellular phones and mini- Ralph Buchalter of South computers: (1) shall not be allowed in the playing Orange NJ and Migry Zur- areas, adjacent hallways, restrooms or accessible Campanile of East Palo Alto CA. break areas; and (2) shall not be used during a They won the Silodor Open Pairs: Robert Lebi and Dan Jacob. session. In third with 2461.42 were These restrictions shall apply to all pairs, team GS Jade Barrett of Elk Point SD and Jim Kirkham Because the champs live far from each other, members, captains, coaches, recorders and kibitzers of San Bernadino CA. they frequently practice online. Lebi is a retired and shall apply throughout any actual playing session Lebi and Jacob were 17th after Friday’s systems analyst for the Royal Bank of Canada. Jacob or segment. qualifying round, but had moved into third place reviews construction engineering projects for the A violation of this policy shall result in a after the first final session. Canadian government. disciplinary penalty of one full board (or 12 IMPs at that form of scoring) for the first offense. A second offense shall result in disqualification from the event Passell is MP leader with 60,000 for the pair/team. Mike Passell of Las Vegas in 2001. Passell finished second Kibitzers violating this policy shall be removed NV has topped the 60,000- in the World Teams from the playing area for the remainder of the session. masterpoint level. He is number Championships twice — in two on the all-time list, trailing Valkenburg, Netherlands, in 1980 The Summer North American Bridge the late Paul Soloway by a little and in Manila in 1977. Championships in Las Vegas will be the first NABC more than 5000 masterpoints. In He has won 21 NABC impacted by the new policy. third place is Jeff Meckstroth championships. Passell is one of Participants in nationally rated events (which who has about 58,900 a few players who has won all include not only the top-level NABC+ games but also masterpoints. three major NABC team masterpoint-restricted contests such as the Mini- Passell is a perennial championships. His squad won Spingolds, Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs, National 199er contender in the Barry Crane the Reisinger Teams in 1976, and 99er Pairs and lower flights of the North Top 500 (previously called the 1988 and 1992; the Vanderbilt American Pairs and Grand National Teams) will be McKenney Trophy), winning it Knockout Teams in 1978 and reminded not to approach the playing area with a in 1976. He has been the leading 1982; and the Spingold Knockout personal electronic device in their possession, even if masterpoint winner at NABCs on three occasions. Teams in 1978, 1986 and 1987. the device is turned off. Passell is a full-time player who is a WBF World Passell and his wife, Nancy, are one of only a The new policy will be extensively publicized in Grand Master and an ACBL Grand Master. He won handful of couples who are both world champions. upcoming issues of the Daily Bulletins, the Bridge the World Open Team championship in Rio De He was recently elected to the ACBL Bridge Hall of Bulletin and the ACBL web site. Janeiro in1979 and the Transnational Teams in Paris Fame. Spring forward! The upcoming year will be an Remember Daylight Saving Time exciting one for Junior begins today. Advance your clocks and players. The United States watches one hour. Bridge Federation will send three Junior teams to championships in Beijing, Goodwill Message China, and two to Poland. Many players are now in the good The USBF held a reception habit of saying “Caddy, please” when for Junior players yesterday, calling a caddy. Do your part in hosted by Rose Meltzer. fostering a spirit of courtesy and respect Attending were USBF by remembering to say, “Please.” President Jan Martel, Justin Caddymaster Jackie Matthews says, “We all Lall, ACBL President Dan answer to ‘caddy,’ but we prefer to answer to our Morse and Dana Berkowitz. last name: Please.” Aileen Osofsky, Chairman National Goodwill Committee Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Sunday, March 9 Monday, March 10 9:30 am - Noon Board of Governors Meeting. This meeting is open to all 9 a.m. – noon Duplication seminar. Per Jannersten, of bid box and members. Room: Renaissance Ballroom, Level 4. Duplimate fame, will show teachers, club managers and 10 am - Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Marti Ronemus. Ronemus, one of tournament officials how to use software to generate deals, ACBL's well-known teachers and Bridge Bulletin columnist, how to transfer deals between different software platforms, presents a fun bridge lesson for intermediate and newer how to display deals in vugraph style and how to duplicate players. Room: Ambassador 1, Level 3. without errors. Room: Marquette B, Level 5. 10 am - Noon Reception for Bridge Teachers of Junior Players. Interested 10 am - Noon Competition and Conventions Committee meeting. Room: in teaching the game of bridge to Juniors? Currently teaching Cadillac A, Level 5. Juniors? Meet officials from The School Bridge League and 11 am - Noon Get Online with Bridge Base. Don't miss this opportunity to the ACBL Education Department staff to exchange ideas and meet with Fred Gitelman, creator of the ACBL's Learn to find others interested in pursuing Junior bridge activities in Play Bridge program. Get a guided tour of the Bridge Base their areas. Location: Marquette B, Level 5. web site and its outstanding teaching features. Room: LaSalle 10:30 am - Open Team Trials meeting. Room 6516. A & B, Level 5. 12:30 pm 5 - 7 pm Goodwill Reception. Room: Ambassador 3, Level 3. Noon - 5 pm Happy Bridge. Free game for new players. Room: Ambassador 1, Level 3. Tuesday, March 11 11 pm - 1 am ACBL Patron Member Reception. Room 7010. 10 am - Noon Senior Team Trials meeting. Room: Marquette A, Level 5. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Be sure to hear these free expert lectures daily at the Detroit NABC in the Monday, March 10 Ambassador 1 room, Level 3. 12:15 pm Haig Tchamitch Responding To a Takeout Double Sunday, March 9 6:45 pm Jakob Kristinsson Hand Evaluation 12:15 pm Allan Mazer You Have the Right to Remain Silent 6:45 pm Mel Colchamiro How to Play Like an Expert (Without Tuesday, March 11 Being One) 12:15 pm Mary Smith Responses to Takeout Doubles 6:45 pm Larry Cohen Lawful Preemption LATE NIGHT/ENTERTAINMENT Live entertainment and food will be provided each evening at 11 p.m. Monday, March 10 Variety show of local talent including a capella strolling singers from The Sunday, March 9 University of Michigan School of Music (Voice). On Level 4. Variety show of local talent including a capella strolling singers from The Food: Chili and crackers University of Michigan School of Music (Voice). On Level 4. Food: Turkey and ham sandwiches Tuesday, March 11 Motown, The Contours. Mackinac Ballroom, Level 5. Food: Sanders creampuffs Wednesday, March 12 Compuware World Detroit Tour Information Headquarters. Leave hotel at 9 a.m. Lost For all tours, meet at Tours Desk on the 4th A pair of prescription reading glasses in a black Level of the RenCen. All tours will return in time for Thursday, March 13 Henry Ford Museum. case. Last seen in the Ontario Exhibit Hall on Level the 1 p.m. game. Leave hotel at 9 a.m. Individuals pay entry fees ($14 3. If found, please call Tom Piliste at 313-278-6987. Free van transportation will be provided, when per adult maximum). needed, in 15-passenger vans. Tours are limited in size (there are three vans). Please register at the Tours Desk Friday, March 14 Detroit Institute of Arts. BARON BARCLAY at least 24 hours in advance. A $5 reservation fee is Leave hotel at 9:45 a.m. Individuals pay entry fees ($8 required; it will be refunded during the tour on the per adult maximum). BRIDGE SUPPLIES return trip. All van trips are round trips. All tours are Baron Barclay has all the new titles and a large subject to availability.