November 20-30, 2003 77th Fall North American Bridge Championships New Orleans, Louisiana DailyVolume 77, Number 2 Saturday, November 22,Bulletin 2003 Editors: Henry Francis and Jody Latham The story behind that last Bermuda Bowl deal Bermuda Bowl champions, left to right: Eric Rodwell, Richard Freeman, Jeff Meckstroth, Paul In the most dramatic finish in Bermuda Bowl Soloway, Bob Hamman and Nick Nickell. (Photo by Donna Manley) world championship history, United States I gained 12 IMPs on the last board of the event to emerge Kitty Cooper is Berkowitz, Cohen with an amazing 304-303 victory over Italy. The champions are Nick Nickell, Richard Freeman, Eric ‘planting a seed’ on top in LM Pairs Rodwell, Jeff Meckstroth, Bob Hamman and Paul David Berkowitz and Larry Cohen, who have an Soloway. Playing for Italy were Norberto Bocchi, outstanding record in major pair events, led a huge Giorgio Duboin, Lorenzo Lauria, Fulvio Fantoni, field of qualifiers into today’s final two sessions of Claudio Nunes and Alfredo Versace. the Life Master Open Pairs. What was so dramatic? Well, the issue was not Alfredo Versace of Italy, who finished second in settled until an appeals committee had rendered a the Bermuda Bowl, and George Jacobs were second, ruling on a disputed ending on the final board of the followed by Mark Dahl and David Butler. 128-board match. In the closed room, Rodwell and Meckstroth had gone plus 400 against 4♥ by Italy’s Bocchi and Duboin. Bondurant, Horn Continued on page 4 ahead in Non-LMs John Bondurant of Memphis and Paul Horn of Bradenton FL had two good qualifying sessions to Kitty Cooper plants a few seeds. lead 14 qualifiers into the two-session final of the Kitty Cooper is on a mission: “planting a seed” Skinny Miles Non-Life Master Pairs. They outdis- among young students learning the game of bridge. tanced the field by more than a board and a half. “I don’t want our game to die,” says Cooper, who Elaine Wood of Southlake TX and Claes Melin has developed a new lesson plan for school classes. of Sweden were second, followed by Rachael The ACBL School Bridge Lesson Program is partly Gosling and Craig Hutton of Bermuda. Cooper, partly Mini-Bridge and partly the Audrey Grant Lesson Series. Here at the NABC, she’s talking to 10 tables of ACBL National Tournament Director Patty would-be teachers about “building players now.” Johnson (back to camera) explains the use of With Mini-Bridge, developed in the Netherlands hand records at the NABCs to “Champions of in the Eighties, youngsters learn to play without bid- Industry” camerman Tom Voight and Robin ding. Each player counts up his points and the player Monsky, public relations consultant for ACBL. with the most points becomes declarer. The declarer decides whether to play notrump or a suit contract. ACBL: ‘Champions Continued on page 5 of Industry’ A camera crew for the Pat Summerall Berkowitz, Glasson “Champions of Industry” program spent Friday at the New Orleans Fall NABC, recording 110 min- lead LM Women’s utes of tape that will produce a two-minute segment Lisa Berkowitz and Joann Glasson will lead 64 on the ACBL. pairs into today’s two-session final of the Life The segment is expected to air on CNN Dotty Toledano (seated), a former club director Master Women’s Pairs. Their score of 780.06 gave Headline News in the spring, according to Linda and longtime worker for bridge in the New them less than a one-point lead over Linda Orleans area, will be honored when the ‘Dotty Granell, ACBL director of marketing. And there’s a McGarry and Laurie Kranyak who had 779.50. Toledano Stratified 299er Pairs’ is played today. bonus — “a five-minute segment we can use for Close behind in third place were Lynn Baker With her are her daughter, Julie Greenberg, potential sponsorship,” added Granell. and Kerri Sanborn with 776.98. Rhoda Walsh and ACBL’s Director of Education, and longtime The crew filmed a game, checked out a scoring Cindy Marshall were fourth with 756.50. family friend Marilyn Marino of Mandeville LA. Continued on page 6 Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS/SEMINARS/RECEPTIONS Saturday, November 22 9:30 a.m. - ACBL Board of Governors meeting. All members of the 9 a.m. - Noon Bridge Teachers and Bridge Cruises. Peg Cundiff, host of Noon ACBL Board of Governors are invited to attend the Fall more than 100 bridge cruises with her husband Dewy, will NABC Meeting to hear and discuss the motions passed by educate you on the ins and outs of being a successful the ACBL Board of Directors at their pre-NABC meeting. teacher/game director on a cruise ship. An interesting Acadia Ballroom. morning program for current and prospective teachers and 10 a.m. - Noon Get Online with Bridge Base. Don’t miss the opportunity directors. $25 fee at the door. Napoleon Room. to meet with Fred Gitelman, the creator of ACBL’s Learn 9 - 10 a.m. Easybridge! Presenters Meeting. Join Marti Ronemus, to Play Bridge program. Find out how you can use this Easybridge! Program Director, for an informative and fun material for promotion and get a guided tour of the Bridge get-together. Find out what’s new and network with fellow Base site and its outstanding teaching features. St. Charles EB fans. Lafayette Room. Room. 10 - 11 a.m. Coffee with Carol. Join Carol Robertson, manager of the Monday, November 24 ACBL Club Membership Department, and other ACBL 8:30 a.m. - Easybridge! Presenters Course. Marti Ronemus will pres- staff for an update on what’s new with clubs. Come net- 12:30 p.m. ent a continuing education course for club managers and work with other club managers and find out what happened teachers working with a bridge club. Learn some outstand- at the Fall Board meetings. St. Charles Room. ing promotional ploys and a new way of getting players 10 a.m. - Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant. Renowned teacher into the game. Easybridge! is especially designed to grow and author Audrey Grant offers a fun bridge lesson to Newcomer duplicate games. New streamlined course — ensure you get the most out of your I/N Program games four hours. $25 fee; $15 for optional materials. Napoleon and activities. Topic: Five Commonly Made Mistakes and Room. How to Fix Them. Complete with handout. Mardi Gras A- 9 a.m. - Noon Club Directors Continuing Education Course. Your games D. Come early (9:30 a.m.) for coffee and pastry. will grow as you update and improve your skills as a club 11 a.m. - Noon ACBLscore Q & A. If you have been using ACBLscore director. Attend one, two or all three sessions. Directors and have questions, meet with Rick Beye, Chief will receive a certificate if they attend all three sessions. Tournament Director, and Associate National Tournament Monday: Ruling the Game, a review of frequent rulings. Director Guillermo Poplawsky. They will address the new Tuesday: ACBLscore. Wednesday: The Proprieties, player and old features of this program. St. Charles Room. communication and conduct. Single-session fee: $10; three 1 - 3 p.m. Bridge Plus+. Mardi Gras A-D. sessions: $25 at the door. Lafayette Room. 5 p.m. Junior Get-Together. Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant, 841 10 a.m. - Noon ACBL Education Workshop. Unit officials, Education Iberville Street. (For Junior players, 26 and under, only.) liaisons, I/N Coordinators and teachers are invited to join 5 - 7 p.m. Newcomer Reception. Mardi Gras A-D. Julie Greenberg, ACBL’s Director of Education, for infor- Sunday, November 23 mation on ways to promote bridge and increase participa- 8:30 a.m. - The Business Side of Running a Club. Successful club tion. Learn more about the free Unit Growth Seminar. 12:30 p.m. manager Marti Ronemus will help you develop a concrete Audubon Room. plan to bring in more players, keep a higher percentage of 5 - 7 p.m. Goodwill Reception. Members of the National Goodwill your customers and have them play more. Your customer Committee are invited to a reception. Riverside Room. service will reach top-notch standards. Be prepared for a hands-on workshop that will show you the way. $25 fee. Napoleon Room. BRIDGE TALKS Saturday, November 22 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Bruce Reeve, 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Harriette Caring and Feeding of your Favorite Pet. Mardi Gras A-D. Buckman, R & R: Rights and Responsibilities. Mardi Gras Monday, November 24 A-D. 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Barbara 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Michael White, Seagram, Improve your Defense against Notrump. Mardi Stop, Look and Listen! Mardi Gras A-D. Gras A-D. Sunday, November 23 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Mike Flader, 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Billy Miller, Ruling the Game. Mardi Gras A-D. Squeeze Technology. Mardi Gras A-D. LATE NIGHT/ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, November 22 Monday, November 24 11 p.m. Frozen fruit and ice cream bars served in the Galeries; 11 p.m. Beignets served in the Galeries; Hard Hat Blues. Randy Elvis is the entertainer. Sunday, November 23 11 p.m. Baked potatoes served in the Galeries; dance band Burgundy entertains. Child care Evening session – 7 p.m. to midnight. week from today, and a sleep-over party also is After hours session – midnight to 2 a.m. planned. Child care is available every day from noon Field trips are planned for next Wednesday, Drop-ins are welcome.