In August, we will once again serve as Host Unit for the District #3 Secaucus Regional. Please put those dates on your calendar now - August 13-19. The schedule is quite different from last year, so check the ad in this newsletter.
I would like to thank Tod Thorgersen and Ruth Bernstein for organizing and running a very successful Bob Johnke team event. We had 24 teams participating, and a great time was had by all.
Also thanks go to Andy Lohan for the Life Master Pairs event. It was a fun afternoon for all who participated. This event is one, which was once a regular part of the yearly schedule, and Andy volunteered to resurrect it.
We continue to encourage new players with the early Saturday morning breakfast, lecture and play at our Sectionals under the capable leadership of Jean Mazouat. We've had good response to this program, averaging 7 tables of people new to the world of duplicate bridge. If you know of anyone interested, let them know about this, or contact Jean so that they can receive an invitation.
On the electronic front, our web page continues to improve and results are posted earlier than ever before. Thanks to Arnie Bergen, we have the capability of having results from Unit Wides, Johnke, Life Master Pairs, etc. posted within 24 hours. The technology makes this easy to do; our biggest challenge now is to have the club owners and directors of special events develop the habit of getting their results to Arnie as soon as possible.
I wish you all a happy and safe vacation season. I look forward to seeing you at the tables, in the clubs as well as at the upcoming tournaments.
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Our Members Score
Kansas City, MO.NABC (March)
Sun. OP 56 pairs
4C Lee Ohliger, Jeanifer Brockman
Mon. OP 216 pairs
3CLee Ohliger, Jeanifer Brockman
Mon. OP Women 52 pairs
2A Janet Rush
4A Tues. Strat.Pairs (202) Fred Paul
KO Wed. 0-7500
3/4 Sandra Zellner, Eileen Whitney
Andy Muenz, Bob Zehm
KO Thurs. Bracket 1
3/4 Blair Seidler
Woodbridge NJ. Sectional (May)
Fri. Eve. Fl. B/C 30 Pairs
3B Jonathan Ohliger, Lee Ohliger
Fri./Sat.
K0 , Bracket I -6 Teams
2 Burrell Humphreys, Bruce Humphreys
Eastern States Regional, New York,NY (May)
hurs. OP 68 pairs
7/8A Robert Heitzman Jr., Charles Friedman
Fri. Seniors 67 pairs
1A Sara Weiner, Ros. Elk
5A Barbara Deutch, Charles Friedman
8A Sam Aldenderfer
9A David Weisman
10A Judith Weisman
5B Bob Vogel, Len Helfgott
Goldman OP Sunday Finals
13 Irina Levitina
22 Cheryl Angel, Jesse Reisman
25 Robert Heitzman, Helen Raleigh
Mon. Side Game 32 pairs
5A Lydia Bass
Mon. OP 58 pairs
3A Len Helfgott, Paul Quodomine
Orlando Reginal, (May)
Sat Seniors
1A William Alexander, Arnie Bergen
Watch for Saratoga Results in Oct. Newsletter
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The Lady in Red Frank Grunebaum
Do you remember the old ditty "The Lady in Red, the
Boys are all crazy about the
Lady in Red" Perhaps!!
An imp game was played at a local club. Both teams were vulnerable. The Bidding
S W N E
P 1C 1S 3C *1
4S *2 P P P
*1 weak
*2 An overbid perhaps - but a vulnerable game is enticing.
North
S K J X X
H J X X X
D A 10 9
C Q X
West East
S X X X S X
H A K X X H Q 10 X X
D ? ? X D ? X X X
C A K X X C J X X X
South
S A Q X X X
H X
D K J 8 X
C X X X
The opening leads consist of club Ace & King followed by heart Ace & King. The latter trumped by declarer.
The contract depends upon the diamond Queen. I reduced the hand to:
NORTH
S J
H J
D A 10 9
C
WEST EAST
S S
H X H Q
D ? X D ? X X X
C X X C
SOUTH
S X
H
D K J 8 X
C
Where is the elusive Lady in Red? In my novice days (which ended recently) the decision was easy West opened the bidding, which indicated values, a natural place for the Queen to reside. However experience enabled me to reason with facts:
1 West has 3 spades and East only l; therefore East has more diamonds.
2. West hand was flat and 14 points were produced in clubs and hearts. Two points in diamonds would result in a one no trump opening bid.
Armed with confidence I played the 10 and back to the 5-8 and Queen.
Knowledge is worth - 100.
P.S. I asked West why not a one no trump bid? The reply - I never bid no trump with only two 2 suits stopped.
These are the clues I so fully embrace
Given an opportunity to fall flat on my face.
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Keeping Control Fred Weidmann
North Deals Bidding
None Vulnerable N E S W
1D 1H 1S 2H
3H P 4S P
P P
S A J 2
H 5 3
D A K 9 6 4 3
C K 7
S 9 7 6 4 S Q
H Q 9 8 7 H A K J 10 4 2
D Q 10 2 D J 8
C Q 8 C J 10 6 2
S K 10 8 5 3
H 6
D 7 5
C A 9 5 4 3
South reaches four spades on the bidding shown. The defense leads two rounds
of hearts with south ruffing the second round. The hand looks relatively simple
with the only problem locating the Queen of spades. South can either try
finesse or play A, K and then go about setting up diamonds with a ruff.
But when a spade is played to the Ace, East drops the Queen and everything
changes. West is now known to hold four trumps.
If you pull trumps, the diamonds cannot be established without losing the lead and the nasty opponents will cash several hearts. As the cards lie, you can play Ace, King, and a diamond immediately. West can win but has no effective return. A heart can be ruffed in dummy and the Jack of spades cashed followed by a club to the Ace. Trumps are drawn and a club to the King to cash good diamonds. Better yet is a low diamond from dummy at trick 4. First, you don't want one of dummy's high diamonds ruffed; and second, if diamonds are 4-1, East might win and make the mistake of giving West a ruff in which case you have no further problems. Finally if West is 4-5-1-3, East must lead a club, North wins the King followed by a club to the Ace and a club ruff. The Jack of spades is overtaken and the ten cashed after which good clubs are played. West's spade 9 is the last trick for the defense.
If your West started with 4-4-1-4 pattern, you aren't going to make this hand.
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The Rime of the Ancient Bridge Player Elaine Berger
... with apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge
There was an ancient bridge player,
He stoppeth players three,
"Where can I get a game?" he asked.
"Why come to District Three.
"All the club doors are open wide,
May'st hear the merry din?
The players are met; the hands are set-"
The player walked right in.
Day after day, day after day,
He toiled, nor breath nor motion,
But of how to bid and how to play,
He'd not the slightest notion.
His partners bemoaned his every move;
They were exceedingly cross.
You'd think he'd done an awful deed
Like shoot an albatross.
And then there came another voice
As soft as honeydew:
"This player hath made many a mistake
And many more will do.
"But he playeth best who lovest best
This game at which we toil.
There's room for players of all ilk-
And that's according to Hoyle.
"This game, it is a wondrous thing,
Beloved from pole to pole!
So let us welcome all who play
With all our heart and soul."
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Life Master Pairs Game
On Sunday May 6th the Life Master Pairs game was revived. It was held at at the Bergen Bridge Center and planned by Andy Lohan. It was a one-session event for Life Masters only. A brunch which was enjoyed by all was served during the game. Winners were:
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THIS 'N THAT FROM YOUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Joan Gerard
By now many of you may know that there has been very exciting news about
Bridge becoming
part of the Olympic movement. Mr. Jose Damiani, President of the World
Bridge Federation
issued a Press Release on March 21st stating, "Bridge will be an
Attraction Sport in the Salt Lake
City 2002 Winter Olympics." Let no one think that this means Bridge is
part of the Olympics. It
is not. What we hope to do is show various bridge competitions to the
Olympic Committee and
hope that we make a great impression so that we can be considered for the
Winter Olympics in
Torino, Italy in 2006. It is an unbelievable opportunity for the bridge
world to take a giant leap
forward. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!
The ACBL Board of Directors has authorized the formation of a United States Bridge Federation. Proposed By-Laws were passed at our meetings in Kansas City. All bridge players in the United States belonging to a recognized bridge organization - The ACBL or the ABA will become member of the USBF, providing of course that they are US citizens. The USBF will be responsible for International Competition, Team Trials, etc. much like the Canadian Bridge Federation is responsible for International Bridge in Canada. Once our USBF is operative, we will be able to apply for recognition by the US Olympic Committee. One of the important benefits of this recognition, besides the prestige, is that bridge would then be eligible to receive funding for special educational projects.
The Grand National Teams for our District have just concluded and I am unhappy to report that we had almost no attendance. A grand total of 26 teams participated with the new "Super Flight", unlimited, having only one team show up. Flight B had the best showing with 14 teams from all of District 3. It is sad to think that a team event, which once had more than 800 teams in our district participating at the clubs, the units and the district, is now down to this. It's hard to understand why players don't want to come out and have an easy chance for extra points and earn Gold points for finishing in the overalls.
We hope that we will see many of you in Secaucus at the Crowne Plaza August 13-19. There's a great schedule of events including EARLY Senior events on the weekdays, many KO's, a compact KO and a full schedule of Newplicate Games. An Easybridge presenter course will be given on Friday and Saturday mornings, also lessons and special games for caddies and youngsters will be had.
Don't miss out on this glorious location in our own backyard to have fun
and earn masterpoints.
Be there! It's the in place to be! Have a great summer.
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Newcomers Game Jean Mazouat
Unit 106 hosted the 3rd Saturday Morning Game for newcomers at the Allendale June Sectional. Alfred Delio and Amy Nellissen assisted Jean Mazouat Seven tables of Newcomers were treated to a light breakfast and a morning of supervised bridge. This has been a popular event and will be done again on Saturday morning at the September Sectional.
14 Pairs
1 Valerie Florstedt - Hazel Molzan
2 Sarah Scillieri - Rose Giarratana
3 Carol Fitzgerald - Austin Fitzgerald
4 Ryan Humphreys - Jonathan Ohliger
5 Berthold Kuerer - Anne Rosenberg
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Bob Johnke 2001 Thorgersen & Bernstein
The annual Bob Johnke tournament was held on April 28th. What a wonderful turnout this year! Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, facility, and the two sessions of bridge. These along with the planning of Ruth Bernstein and Tod Thorgersen, and the directing of Jerry Goodman made this year's event a huge success. 24 teams played in the handicapped Swiss team stage of the event, and two emerged to play in the Knockout.
The results for the day were as follows:
1st Andrew Lohan, Franklin Grunebaum
Fred Weidmann, Donald Margolin
2nd William Alexander, Arnold Bergen
R Barkley & Glenda Calkins
3rd Michael Jeshion, Joseph Pospis
Lisa Insolera, Henry Stadelmann
4th Herbert Gillies, Henry Gibson
Susan Green, Elson Blunt III
5/6 Michael Smalline, Barbara Smalline
Natalie Cohen, Nicholas France
Elaine Meyers
5/6 Lee Ohliger, Sonja Spieker
Isaac Eskenazi, Jennifer Broekman
The Lohan team Survives as Champs by defeating the Alexander team in the knockout stage of the Johnke.
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Reitman Double Knockout Teams Update Tod Thorgersen
This year's Reitman Double Knockout Teams continue in contention. At this point in the tournamnent there are 2 undefeated teams and 5 once-defeated teams. The event is moving along nicely. The games will continue until a survivor is determined.
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Ace of Clubs Winners for 2000
As explained in the April ACBL Bulletin, the Ace of Clubs contest was started in 1984. It's purpose is to recognize the achievement of individuals at the club level. The points considered are those won at the clubs including points for NAOP, Grand National Teams and STAC. Those winning for 2000 were:
Rookie of the Year Beverly Kaufman
Junior Master of the Year Mark Koenigsberg
Club Master of the Year Sue Steckler
Sectional Master of the Year Kenneth Jeffrey
Regional Master of the Year Michel Cheny
NABC Master of the Year Mike Gellar
Life Master of the Year Myron Rimer
Bronze Life Master of the Year Lisa Insolera
Silver Life Master of the Year Jesse Reisman
Gold Life Master of the Year Cheryl Angel
Diamond Life Master of the Year Rosalind Elk
Grand Life Master of the Year Kerry Sanborn
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Be Careful of Those Ingrained Habits Barkley Calkins
Any of us who have played bridge for some time have learned the "normal " way to handle certain card combinations. However, it is always important to consider whether any information from the bidding or play indicates that some other play is appropriate.
Consider the following card combination:
Dummy
J92
Declarer
K10863
In the absence of any information to the contrary, normal play is to run the jack or nine from the dummy, limiting losers in the suit to one whenever the queen in on side.
However, in a recent team game, the bidding and opening lead gave declarer good reason to play that combination in a "nontraditional" manner.
NORTH
S A1053
WEST H J92 EAST
S KQJ974 D Q9 S 86
H Q4 C K1073 H A75
D 10752 D AJ863
C 9 SOUTH C 864
S 2
All vulnerable H K10863
Dealer: West D K4
C AQJ52
Bidding:
West North East South
2 spades pass pass 3 hearts
Pass 4 hearts all pass
At four hearts, West's opening lead was the club nine. Noting 1) West had chosen NOT to lead what was surely a strong spade suit, and 2) the nine clubs held between his hand and dummy, declarer concluded the club lead was probably a singleton.
Following the normal process for planning the play of the hand in a suit contract, declarer counted losers, a spade, and possibly two hearts. If EW also engineered a club ruff, the contract would be set.
West's preempt in spades suggested a minimum of high cards in the other suits. So based on the bidding and the opening lead, declarer should assume 1) West's club is probably a singleton, and 2) East probably has the heart ace. Armed with these inferences, declarer should recognize it is essential NOT to play the trump suit in the normal way. If declarer wins the opening club lead in dummy and runs the nine or jack of hearts, West will take the queen, and lead a diamond to put partner on lead to return a club to be ruffed; later East will take the setting trick with the heart ace.
Declarer must win the opening lead in the dummy and lead a low heart toward the KING; if East plays low, the king will win and a low heart lead from hand will now be won by West who is no longer a threat to ruff a club. When the low trump is led from dummy, if East rises with the ace and leads a club, partner's ruff will be with the queen and the contract is safe.
If West turns up with three trumps to the queen. Perfect defense will always beat the contract - do you see how? - But note how the nontraditional handling of the trump suit substantially improves declarer's chances of making the hand.
MORAL: Don't be a slave to the normal way of playing specific card combinations. Sometimes the bidding or the play or both will strongly suggest that something out of the ordinary is indicated.
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Club Winners
Maywood
Club Championship: Fred Weidemann, Julian Katz; Myoko Boswell, Julian Katz; Helen Rennert, Vivian Grossman; Pam - Mark Gorbics; Phyllis & Mike Camp; Fran Cohen, Mike Jeshion; Lisa Insolera, George Wang; Judy Fine-Myra Lawrence; Shirley & Milton Gralla Club Charity Game: John Hogan, Stefano Coppola; Ann Mancini-Tess Siegel; Mike Jeshion, Roger Nortman, Super Club Championship: Elaine & Shelly Berger, ACBL-Wide Senior Pair: Lila March, Fred Paul. ACBL Wide Charity: Joe Pospis, Mike Jeshion. Unit Wide: Ann Taylor, Stefano Coppola; Dorothy Van Dalinda, Ken Jeffery; Jaime Roitman, Fred Paul International Fund Game: Bill Alexander, Kirti Patel, District Wide Charity: Marilyn Marion, Jim Jensen; Joan Hausmann, Barbara Rahuba Internet Interclub Championship: Al Schwarz, Gene Norton
Sparta
Club Championship: Rena and Larry Pigula; Larry Anker, Davor Zidovac
Wyckoff
Club Championships: Cyrus Whitney, Eileen Whitney; Norah Osborne, Rosalind Vidair, Nicholas France, Andy Muenz, St Patrick Charity Bob Zehm, Andy Muenz, Abby Brawer, Jo Ann Van Delft, Katherine & Wayne Roelke Club Championship:Anita Andrews, David Megibow, Abby Brawer, Bonnie Wener, Unit Wide: Rosemarie Conroy, Betty Price, Charlotte Piuck, Barbara Dahl, Frederick Young, Mary Young
Bergen
Club Championships: Marty Bock & Richard Rosner, Eva Scatassa & Tod Thorgersen, Leonard Karp & Lenore Server, Sandy Burns & Tod Thorgersen, Sarah Wiener & Rosalind Elk, Sandy Burns & Joe Adamo, Charlie Friedman & Barbara Deutsch
Non-Smoker's
Club Championship: John Delistovich , Rhoda Ferat Charity: Frank Grunebaum, Jim Wolff Miyoko Boswell & Doree Sobel
Rockland
Club Championship - Janet & Rolf Paul, Sue DePuyt & Allan Rosenblum, , Irving & Stella Blasenheim Charity: Phyllis Resnick & Ruth Bernstein, Harriet Allen & Elaine Wilson, Ed Katten & Harold Bernstein, Eva Scatassa & Stephen Warner, Charles Samburg & Natalie Cohen, Florence Silver & Edward Gaines, Idelle Bloom & Beatrice Sabin ACBL-Wide Senior Pairs - Abe Jakob & Irene Schwartz Unit Wide:Jonathan & Lee Ohliger International Fund Game:Jules Shapiro & Gabe Weingarten, Fred Cohen & Pat Lamb
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Life Master Pairs Game
On Sunday May 6th the Life Master Pairs game was revived. It was held at at the Bergen Bridge Center and planned by Andy Lohan. It was a one-session event for Life Masters only. A brunch which was enjoyed by all was served during the game. Winners were:
1 Isaac Eskenazi-Sonja Spieker
2 Caryll & Harris Schenker
3 Rosalind Elk-Len Helfgott
4/5 Irene Poonarian-Mel Baranoff
4/5 Bob Heitzman-Helen Raleigh
6 Joe Adamo-Tod Thorgersen
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Trust Your Partner Stan Fink
Since my partner, Mike Brown, passed in first seat and I was staring at a balanced 8-count, I was certain we were going to be defending this hand. My expectations appeared to be confirmed as my right-hand opponent opened 1 no-trump and his partner raised to 3 no-trump.
While I pondered my opening lead, Mike suddenly surprised everyone at the table (shocked would probably be a more accurate description) when he bid 4 spades. West was the first to recover as he hurriedly fumbled through a batch of bidding box cards until he located the "double," which he confidently placed on the table. Since both sides were vulnerable, I of little faith began to visualize a score in the neighborhood of -1400. This was the complete hand:
NORTH
S 5 2
H A Q 8 6
D 963
C Q763
WEST EAST
S K4 S QT
H KJ9 H 10
D KJT5 D AQ8742
C AKT8 C J952
SOUTH
S AJ9876
H 75432
D
C 4
Inasmuch as the spades split 2-2 and the king of hearts was onside, partner made his contract, losing 1 club, 1 heart, and 1 spade. "Why didn't you open with a bid of 1 spade," I asked?
"I only had 5 high-card points." Mike explained.
"Then why didn't you start with a bid of 3 spades," I persisted?
"I couldn't preempt with an outside 5-card major."
Both of partner's answers were right on target. I confess that had I been sitting in the south seat, I would have passed 3 no-trump.
(No imagination, I guess.)
The hand was played twelve times with east-west winning the auction on 5 occasions. Curiously, the opponents always played in diamonds, rather than in no-trump. I suspect the reason that no one played in a no-trump contract is that most west's opened 1 diamond with 18 high-card points and his respective partner raised diamonds as they explored for a game or a slam in the minor suit. The two east-west pairs that became overly ambitious did not fare too well. The three pairs that stopped below game shared an east-west top because the hand made 10 tricks in a diamond contract.
Which brings us to my last question? What would I have led against 3 no-trump, if partner had passed. Probably a club, giving declarer a free finesse and a minimum of 9 sure tricks, 3 in clubs and 6 in diamonds. Instead of sharing a top, we would have had a zero.
Great bid, partner!
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Opening Weak Becomes a Winner Al Pagan
Opening Weak Becomes a Winner
Both Vulnerable
Dealer is east
NORTH (Marty Weiss)
S A Q 10 X X
H A K Q J X X
D X X
C
SOUTH (Al Pagan)
S K J X X X
H 10
D K Q J X X
C X X
I was criticized for opening this hand (I was south) in second seat. It turned out to be a top for us.
After I opened (admittedly, light) as south, one spade, the opponents competed and Marty drove us to 6 spades. West took his Ace of diamonds, and continued diamonds. East could not ruff, and 12 tricks were easy to make.
I would like to defend my action, opening one spade with 10 points and nice shape. I believe aggressive play is important in duplicate bridge. As it turned out, 6 hearts by north can go down with a spade lead, since east has 3 and west is void.
My hand is better than some 12-point hands I have opened. If I am penalty doubled, I may be able to escape into 2 diamonds.
Consider this hand (14 points) S K X X,
H K J X., D K X X X, C K J X, most people would open such a 14-point hand, but it is not as good, in my opinion, as the hand I opened. I rest my case!
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