Sunday, March 23, 2014 Volume 57, Number 3 Daily Bulletin 57th Spring North American Bridge Championships [email protected] Editors: Brent Manley and Sue Munday Martha Powell, center, president of Paws in the City, a Dallas pet adoption agency, accepts a check for $5000 from the ACBL Charity Foundation. The foundation allows an NABC host city’s organizing committee to select a charity for the donation. With Powell are 2014 ACBL President Phyllis Harlan, left, and They won the Lebhar IMP Pairs: Radu Nistor and George Heth, Charity Iulian Christian. Foundation chair. With the two-legged posers are Romanians triumph in Winter, left, a pit bull mix, and Kimber, an Australian Lebhar IMP Pairs shepherd mix. Two friends from Romania who played together for the first time at the Spring NABC posted two big sets in the final of the Lebhar IMP Pairs to win by more than 12 IMPs, an impressive margin. The winners are Radu Nistor, who has lived in Edison NJ for about a month, and Iulian Christian, who lives in Bucharest. The young players make their living playing bridge. Star TAP trainer retires Second place went to two Danes, Hans Christian Graverson and Henrik Casperson. in favor of more table time continued on page 11 Betty Starzec, one of ACBL’s ace trainers of A spike in bridge teachers for the last 20 years, is retiring from membership – Rosen, Sutherlin to enter teaching. The reason is simple: “I miss playing traced to Starzec’s ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame bridge.” volunteer work at Billy Rosen, one of the top players from the The ACBL developed its Teacher Accreditation the local level as 1950s, and Peggy Sutherlin, winner of a world Program (TAP) more than 25 years ago. The 10- educational liaison championship and nine North American titles, hour curriculum, offered at every NABC and many and Intermediate/ will join the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame during regionals, teaches teachers how to teach bridge. Newcomer ceremonies in Las Vegas. Starzec took the course for the first time in 1987. coordinator – Rosen has eight North American championships “I read an article about turning your pastime into brought her to the to his credit, including two in the Spingold Knockout your career,” says the trainer, who holds a degree in attention of ACBL Teams, plus a Bermuda Bowl victory in 1954. He education from the Northern Illinois University. She management. was named recipient of the von Zedtwitz Award. That took the TAP seven more times before making her Then-ACBL chief award goes to a world-class player not well known continued on page 5 debut as a TAP teacher at the Atlanta NABC in 1995. at present. Rosen’s last big win came in 1980. The award also recognizes longtime service to bridge. Sutherlin will receive the Blackwood Award for Bathurst, Hurd ahead service to bridge not necessarily accompanied by expertise at the game. In Kay Platinum Pairs Sutherlin has an enviable record in high-level Kevin Bathurst and John Hurd will start play Fleisher, 2013 Player of the Year, and Chip Martel, competition, her most recent win coming in 2006 in today in the final two sessions of the Norman Kay newly elected to the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame. Jill continued on page 12 Platinum Pairs with a lead of 8.34 matchpoints on a Meyers, also recently elected to the Hall of Fame top of 13. and longtime partner Mitch Dunitz are only about 1 Close behind are the new partnership of Martin matchpoint out of second. Goodwill Message Maintain a courteous attitude toward both your Grainger squeaks out 10K Swiss win partner and opponents. The team captained by David Sandy DeMartino, Chair Grainger went into the last round of Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee the 0-10,000 Swiss Teams with an 8.25 Victory Point lead. Despite losing their Vanderbilt and 0-10,000 last match, the 6 IMPs they picked up were enough to stave off Kimberly KO Pre-registration Whipple’s squad. Pre-registration, required for both the Grainger finished with 124 points to Vanderbilt Knockout Teams and the 0-10,000 Whipple’s 123.75. Just 3 more IMPS for Knockout Teams, has been extended from 6 continued on page 12 p.m. (as announced in the Conditions of Contest), to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 23. They won the 0-10,000 Swiss Teams: To register, see Steve Bates in the Dallas David Grainger, Tom Breed, Jackie Ballroom of the Sheraton Conference Center Macchi, Ira Chorush, Roger Lee and (first floor). Daniel Korbel. Page 2 Sunday, March 23, 2014 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Sunday, March 23 registration required. Fee: $20 covers textbook and door 8-10 am Audrey Grant’s Modern Techniques for Bridge Teachers. prizes. (Sheraton Hotel, 2nd floor, Austin 1) Audrey Grant’s hands-on approach and creative use of the table, cards and bid boxes keeps students engaged, excited Monday, March 24 and focused. She will share these teaching techniques in this GOODWILL DAY breakfast seminar. Fee: $20 covers breakfast and materials. 10 am-Noon Competition and Conventions Committee. (Sheraton Hotel, (Sheraton Hotel, 2nd floor, Austin 1) Central Tower, 37th floor, Majestic 4) 9:30 am- WBF Meeting. (Sheraton Hotel, Central Tower, 37th floor, 10 am-Noon Zero Tolerance workshop. The lively two–hour workshop, 12:30 pm Majestic 6) developed for club managers and directors, goes well beyond 10-11:30 am Board of Governors/ACBL General Membership Meeting. the Laws to address how to communicate with problem All members of the ACBL Board of Governors are invited to players. TD Dan Plato’s presentation incorporates real–life attend the Spring NABC meeting. This meeting is also open to experience dealing with club players, the differences between the general membership of the ACBL. (Conference Center, 1st club and tournament situations and suggestions for how to floor, Dallas Ballroom BCD) be proactive. The goal is to make the club experience more 10 am-Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant. Grant has an inviting for new members and more pleasurable for everyone international reputation in the field of bridge education. Her by encouraging and empowering directors and managers to vision and commitment have been key to the success of her deal with unacceptable behavior. (Sheraton Hotel, 2nd floor, official Better Bridge series textbooks, TV shows, lectures, Pearl 3) the Better Bridge magazine and the Better Bridge Teacher 5-7 pm Goodwill Reception. Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Accreditation Program. (Sheraton Hotel, 2nd floor, Committee members only. (Sheraton Hotel, 2nd floor, Austin 1) Austin 2) Noon-2 pm Bridge+ Game. A special game for newer (0-20 MP) players. 14 boards, no card fee. (Conference Center, 3rd floor, San Tuesday, March 25 Antonio Ballroom) 9 am-Noon Club Director Refresher Course. A continuing education 1-6 pm Learn Bridge in a Day?™ This popular session is designed course for club directors to increase their skills. Participants especially for true beginners, those returning to bridge after must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both days. Sign long absences and those merely wanting to “test the waters” up at the door. (Sheraton Hotel, Central Tower, 4th floor, before committing to formal classes. The concentrated course Remington) includes both class instruction and coached play. No pre- CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the game! (Conference Center, 3rd floor, San Antonio Ballroom) Tuesday, March 25 Sunday, March 23 9:15 a.m. Emily Harrell Mental Skills Training for Bridge 9:15 a.m. Robert Todd Hand Evaluation and Re-Evaluation 6:45 p.m. George Jacobs Having More Fun at the Table 6:45 p.m. Ellen Kent Minor-Suit Slam Bidding Wednesday, March 26 Monday, March 24 9:15 a.m. Phillip Alder Play the Right Card 9:15 a.m. Kevin Wilson Fitting Honors 6:45 p.m. Jeff Hand Play These Notrump Contracts 6:45 p.m. Ken Monzingo Aunt Lucy ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY Late-night snacks served at 10:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall on the first floor Monday, March 25 of the Conference Center. Cup cakes Sunday, March 24 Tuesday, March 26 Ham and cheese wrap Southern-fried chicken and slaw sandwich Check cashing and Traffic advisory – Parking Discounted parking is available for all bridge bridge bucks Sunday, March 23 players: $15 a day if you self park, $20 a day valet. The check-cashing desk, located on the second floor Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas is sponsoring a marathon on If you are staying at the Sheraton, the cost will be of the conference center, will be open between noon Sunday, March 23. There will be street closures and applied to your room charges. If you are not staying and 1 p.m. every day through Sunday, March 30. traffic slow-downs that will impact players driving to at the hotel, you must pick up a parking validation. There is a limit of $500 per day for check cashing. the game that morning. You can get your parking validation at the Members must provide their ACBL number. Maps posted in the hotel lobby show some of the Information Desk on the third floor of the Conference Bridge bucks are available for purchase at the check- streets that may be blocked. Additional information is Center. cashing desk. Visa, MasteCard and Discover can be available on the organization’s website: runrocknroll. The Information Desk is open 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., used only to purchase bridge bucks. competitor.com/dallas noon to 1 p.m.