October, 2002 Newsletter

 top of page

President's Letter Glenda Calkins

Once again it is that time of year, when we say goodbye to Summer and look forward to a Fall season which is full of bridge activities.

Looking back, I would like to say a special thanks to all who helped at the Summer Regional in Secaucus. The turnout exceeded expectations, and once again many of the people from NJBA came through to help make it such a success. Read Joan Gerard's letter for more details.

The Nominating Committee has been at work and has selected a slate of officers for the 2003-4 term. You will find the slate in a separate article. I would like to thank the Committee for their work, and also the people who have expressed a desire to serve on the Board.

Please read the rest of this Newsletter carefully so that you don't miss any of the special events that are coming up:
* For those who qualified at the club level for the Unit final of NAOP, it will be at Rockland Bridge Center on October 6; those surviving that event will compete in the District final on October 12, in Mahwah.
* The District 3 Autumn Leaf Regional will be in Kerhonkson October 14-21.
* Our Pro-Am is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at all the clubs.
* Our Early Winter Sectional at Guardian Angel is November 15-17.
* The final special event is the annual dinner to be held on January 5, 2003.

Both the Pro-Am and the Annual Dinner are events that are highly subsidized by NJBA. The Pro-Am is an opportunity for new players (with less than 50 master points) to play with a "Pro" (Life master). This is a fun day with lunch furnished by the Unit. Look for the signup sheets in your local club or call Elaine Meyers.

The grand finale of the year is the Annual Dinner on January 5. This is the most highly subsidized event of the year - a time when we gather for the annual membership meeting, socialize, thank the current Board members for their hard work, and welcome the new Board members. This year we are in a new location, which I have visited, and I can tell you it is beautiful. See the full-page announcement elsewhere in this newsletter. After the meeting and dinner we play bridge. Since this is a stratified game, everyone should feel comfortable being a part of it. Don't delay returning your reservation form - Mary Giannella and Frank Grunebaum have great plans for the evening.

I am now in the fourth quarter of my third year as President, and feel gratified about all that has transpired during this time. Our Board and its committees are working hard and effectively. I hope many of you will start now to think about ways in which you might be helpful to the current Board members - perhaps offering to serve on a committee - and keep in mind that the Nominating Committee will be formed again next year when just possibly you might want to put forth your name as a possible candidate.

See you at the table!!

Glenda
top of page

THIS 'N THAT FROM YOUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR Joan Gerard

This has been a good Spring and Summer for District 3. The Saratoga Springs Regional in June was a booming success breaking 1000 tables for the first time in many years and the recent Secaucus tournament was a wonderful surprise. Even though the Washington NABC was only two weeks earlier and the World Championships in Montreal started one week later, we managed to be up over last year by 38 tables. The Crowne Plaza was able to, for a reasonable price, add two sections of the ballroom to our space making it possible for everyone to be comfortable. Although we may not have the ballrooms next year, we will have additional space. The greatest news is that our Newplicate Program is growing in leaps and bounds. The new 10am and 3pm games have more than doubled our attendance, particularly at the 3pm game. I attribute it all to the tuna fish snack that we offer to all Newplicate players who play in two sessions. They are invited to our hospitality suite for a mini lesson and tuna fish.... We've figured it all out, ... early games, fast games, get everyone out quickly and give tuna fish to the Newplicate players! Many thanks to the 106 members who helped make the tournament the success that it was: Glenda Calkins, our tireless tournament Chairman;and Barkley Calkins who gave bridge lessons to our caddies as did Mary Giannela, who not only gave lessons but ran the mini caddy tournament on Saturday. Harris and Caryll Scheker, Jerry Goodman, and Marilyn Marion.

Our Championship Flight GNT team, Kerri and Steve Sanborn, Michael Kamil, Irina Levitina, her brother Ilya and someone I know pretty well, Ron Gerard, finished tied for 3/4 and our Flight B team, all from unit 140 had a fine 5-8 finish. Congratulations to all.

Watch for a brand new Bridge Bulletin the first of January. It is going to be the size of Time magazine and will include the Play Bridge magazine that is for our newer players. Plans are to have new, exciting bridge articles. Hopefully, we will be able to keep the interest of all our members as well as possibly be attractive to advertisers.

Visit our web site for updated news about happenings in District 3. www.bridge-district3. We have a Partnership Desk on the site if you are looking for partners for the upcoming tournament in Kerhonkson, October 14-20. Don't miss the opportunity to win red and gold in the beautiful mountains during Fall foliage season. Hope to see you there!

Joan Gerard, District Director
top of page

ACBL Charity Foundation Joan Gerard

The ACBL Charity Foundation allocates $1000 to each District Director to disperse in any way the Director sees fit. I divide the monies amongst our various units... the larger units get $500 to give to a Charity of their choice and the smaller units get $250. The Charity Foundation feels that dispersing money locally will increase interest in participation in more Charity events.

Unit 106 selected the Canine Companions for Independence NJ Chapter. This worthwhile charity trains dogs to help handicapped people who would otherwise be confined to their homes.

The check was presented to Debbie Alexander, who is a volunteer for Canine Companions and who is training Mystic. Debbie is also a bridge player and hopefully Mystic will not only be able to help a handicapped person to be useful but will also be able to play bridge with this person! Debbie is one of our very avid bridge players and we are proud and pleased to be able to help this worthwhile Charity.
top of page

North American Open Pairs Andy Muenz

Sectional Qualifiers - Sunday, October 6
At the Rockland Bridge Center
Lunch 12:00- Game 12:30

If you qualified in an NAOP qualifying game at your local club over the summer, you are eligible to play in the Unit final on Sunday, October 6 at the Rockland Bridge Center. If you do well there, you'll be able to play in the District finals on Saturday, October 12 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mahwah, NJ

The top 3 pairs in each flight will qualify to play in Philadelphia next March. Flight A is open. Flight B is limited to players who had fewer than 2000 master points as of June 1. Flight C is limited to non-life masters with fewer than 500 points as of June 1. For more information, please call Andy Muenz, 484-494-4271, andymuenz@yahoo.com.
top of page

An Ordinary Dummy Reversal Fred Weidmann

            S  A K 5
            H  K J 4
            D 10 8 7 6
            C K 10 6

S Q J 9 2                S 6 3
H 7 3                    H 10 6 5
D K 4 3                  D Q J 9 5 2
C J 8 7 4                C 5 3 2

            S 10 8 7 4
            H A Q 9 8 2
            D A
            C A Q 9
Previously I wrote about an Unusual Dummy Reversal. Here is more like one should look like. North South reached 6 hearts and west not liking any lead, led a heart. East played the ten and was won by the Queen. At first glance, one sees only eleven tricks and hopes for a 3-3-spade break. Then you realize the heart lead has been very helpful. If hearts break 3-2, you can ruff three diamonds in hand there is sufficient entries to end up in dummy to pull the last trump. Cash the Ace of diamonds and lead a heart to dummy. Ruff a diamond, spade to dummy, ruff a diamond, spade to last trump, discarding a spade. Cash two clubs and concede a spade. *Note that it is important to use trumps as the first entry to dummy. That is because you need to find out if trumps are 2-1. If one opponent shows out, you must draw trumps and hope for a favorable lie in spades. In addition to 3-3, you can get home if West holds QX or JX or if East holds specifically 9 doubleton. Note your holding of 10 8 7. Finally if West leads something other than a heart or if East withholds the 10, the reversal still works, but is a little trickier. The only lead that gives South any problem is the Queen of spades (small spade anyone), but dummy wins, pulls trump and can lead the 10 of spades, to the Jack and King but 8 7 can force the slam fulfilling trick.
top of page

Slate for 2003 Election

Nominating Committee Announces Slate for 2003 Election of Board Members for Unit 106

The committee consisting of Board Members: Chairman: Lee Ohliger, Tod Thorgersen, Richard Rosner, and Members at large: Faith Eckberg, Miyoko Boswell, Betty Ann Smith and Eileen Whitney selected the following slate for the 2003 election of board members. 

Glenda Calkins    Mary Giannella   Gerald Goodman    Betty Hough
Betty King        Marilyn Marion   Carol McMackin    Elaine Meyers
Betty Price       Blair Seidler
Ballots are due prior to the annual meeting, which is on January 5, 2003. It is important to vote, so please return you ballot quickly after you receive it.

Send to: Penny Paikin, PO Box 479, Pomona, NY 10970-0479
top of page

NEWLETTER MAILING 106 MEMBERS Betty Price

There has been some confusion regarding the newsletter. Michael Jeshion normally mails the newsletter by the first of the month. Some of you are fortunate to receive your copy with in one or two days, while some of us wait eight to ten days. The reason for this is the mailing is done by bulk mail and is delivered at the discretion of the local post office. We regret this but sending by first class would be impossible due to the cost. Please be patient and if you do not receive a copy by the 15th of the month either call Mike or myself.
top of page

Don't Panic - A Case Study - Part II Blair Seidler

In the last newsletter, I wrote up a hand from 1992 in which my partner put down an unexpected dummy, but careful declarer play was sufficient to bring home a sketchy contract. In this installment of the series, the scene is the Spingold Knockout Teams at the 1994 San Diego NABC. I was playing with Rich Pavlicek, Jr. in a round of 16 match against a team which included Rich's father. The following deal came up in the second quarter:

Not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents in fourth chair, I held: S AKQT8 H J62 D AQT5 C A. The auction started 1H on my left, pass by partner, 4H on my right. I certainly wanted to bid a lot on this hand, but I had no sensible action other than bidding 4D. Two passes followed, and RHO now came back to life with 5D, which I promptly doubled. After two more passes, RHO retreated to 5H, which I also doubled. LHO passed, partner pulled to 5S, and I started thinking. Partner really had to have a heart void and four or more spades to pull this double against vulnerable opponents. Was I supposed to bid a slam now? RHO relieved me of having to make that decision by doubling 5S. Virtually certain that I could score at least ten tricks in the form of three heart ruffs, five spades, and two aces, I redoubled in tempo. I was never going to go for more than 200, and I wanted to protect my slam bonus in case I really did have twelve tricks. Knowing the scoring table is very important for these decisions. The difference between -100 and -200 can never cost more than 3 IMPs, and may cost less. If I do actually have 12 tricks available, I might lose 6 IMPs for +750 against -980 if I don't redouble. If I do redouble, I can win 6 IMPs for +1200 against -980. The D4 was led, and dummy tabled:

            S J742
            H
            D 8632
            C Q8643

            S AKQT8
            H J62
            D AQT5
            C A
The dummy certainly met with my expectations, at least as far as the majors were concerned. When RHO not unexpectedly ruffed trick one Dthe 5D bid was purely lead-directional, given that they already had located a 10-card fit), I was still in search of an eleventh trick. RHO returned a club, which I won in hand perforce. I wasn't certain about how the hand was going to develop, but I knew that ruffing a heart in dummy was probably the right way to start. For want of anything better to do, I ruffed a club back to my hand with the ST, on which LHO produced the CK! Now this was just an exercise in counting to 13. LHO was known to have started with 5 diamonds, at least 5 hearts, and exactly 2 clubs. This left room for at most one spade, so I had a play to guarantee my contract at this point. I ruffed a second heart to dummy, crossed to the SA as both opponents followed, and ruffed my last heart with dummy's last trump, arriving at this ending:
            S -
            H -
            D 863
            C Q86
S -                   S 9
H AQ                  H KT
D KJ97                D
C -                   C JT9
            S KQ8
            H -
            D AQT
            C -
I cashed the CQ, discarding the DT as RHO followed and LHO discarded. I played a diamond off dummy, and it would do RHO no good to ruff away my diamond loser, so he discarded, I won DA and I drew his trump conceding a trick to DK at the end for +1000. Once again, patient declarer play (Don't Panic!) had saved the day. The full deal:
            S J742
            H
            D 8632
            C Q8643
S 5                   S 963
H AQ984               H KJT53
D KJ974               D
C K5                  C JT972
            S AKQT8
            H J62
            D AQT5
            C A
At the other table, the opponents got to 6S after a similar start to the auction, and could not avoid losing two diamonds on a neutral lead. +50 and +1000 resulted in a 14-IMP gain. Sadly, we went on to lose the 64-board match by 2 IMPs.
top of page

CLUB WINNERS - May 15 - August 15

Bergen
Club Championships: Charlie Friedman & Barbara Deutsch, Sandy Burns & Tod Thorgersen, Marty Bock & Richard Rosner, Irene Poonarian & Rena Harris, Leonard Karp & Lenore Server

Maywood
Club Championships: Michel Cheny & Marty Weiss, Stefano Coppola & Fred Paul, Ken Jeffery & Joe Pospis, Jay Kundu & John Kolvek, Adam Nicozwecki & Wes Ostrowski, Sonya Spieker & Ike Eskenazi, Ruth Chester & Fran Cohen, Kara Beck & Ann Muldoon, Millie Hersh & Lorraine Liebowitz, Enid Steinmark & John Hogan Charity : Stan Seeb & Harry Greenbaum, Lila March & Rhoda Paul, Fran Cohen & Bernie Kaufman, Roz Rosen & Phyllis Dubetsky, Phyllis & Dick Baker, Peck Klose & Betty Heald, Lisa Insolera & Johyn Kuharetz Unit Wide: Rena Harris & Jim Metzger International Fund: Kara Beck & Marie Speziale Unit Wide Charity: Myra Lawrence & Debbie Alexander World Wide Pairs: Miyoko Boswell & Sarah Wiener, Norma Gartner & Janis Rush NAOP: Carryl & Harris Schenker, Edith Klinger & Martha Troxell, Barbara Infeld & Felix Arroyo, Roger Nortman & Hank Satadelmann

Non-Smoker's
Club Championships: Sarah Wiener & Ros Elk, Phyllis Solomon & Eileen Cohen, NAOP: John Delistovich & Ruth Van Dam, Sarah Wiener & Ros Elk, Jay Kundu & Ella Effros

Rockland
Club Championship: Ira Birnbaum & Keith Thornton, Burrell Humphreys & Gerald Kirk, Carol Tarkan & Rosemarie Kassel, Hank Epsteen & Stan Hirschman, Myron Rimer & Roz Abel, Elaine Meyers & Harold Bernstein, Ros Elk & Sara Wiener, Pat Lamb & Lorraine O'Laughlin, Terri Howard & Paul Silver, Charity: Elaine Meyers & Shelly Schneider, Andy Lohan & Paul Silver, Harriet Allen & Elaine Wilson, Eva Scatassa, Tod Thorgensen Unit Wide Charity: Tuck Howe & Phyllis Resnick, Districty Wide Charity: Ed Gaines, Florence Silver Senior's Game: Hugh Durlack & Betty Rose

Wyckoff
Club Championship: Andy Muenz & Amy Nellissen, Greta Delaney & Raffie Jenco, Shirley Horowitz & Marie McPherson, Linda Dudas & Marilyn Clark, Carolyn Landi & Raffie Jenco, Dorothy Hanratty & Charlotte Piuck NAOP: James Michaelis & Walter Stephan, Susan Simon & Sydne Simon, Ruth Pepitone & Carolyn Landi World Wide Pairs: Amy & Steve Nellissen, Betty & Bob King, Betty Price & Barbara Dahl, Sydne Simon & Katie Friedland

Sparta
Club Championship: Jon Catlin & Jim Porges, Jim Porges & Nina Monahan
top of page

Our Members Score Lee Ohiliger

Saratoga Regional                   Secaucus Regional - Continued

Monday Eve. Charity Pairs (20)      Saturday Aft. Side Game (24)
5A Caryll and Harris Schenker       4/5A Rhoda Paul, Lila March
Tuesday Open Pairs (34)             4B Monique Copeland
3A Fred Paul                        5B Marie Speziale, Lydia Bass
1B Norma Gartner, Janis Rush        Saturday Aft. 99er (18)
3B Caryll and Harris Schenker       5A J. Osso, Jaydeb Kundu
4B R. Rosen, Milly Curman           Saturday Flt. A/X Pairs (56)
Tuesday Senior Pairs (60)           1A Fred Paul
5/6B P. Profita, Myra Bachman       3A Roz Elk, Len Helfgott
Wednesday Aft. Side Game (20)       Saturday Flt. B/C Pairs (56)
3A R. Rosen, Milly Curman           3B Barkley and Glenda Calkins
Wednesday Open Pairs (34)           4B Caryll and Harris Schenker
5A Fred Paul                        5B M. Deneroff, Michael Gellar
Wednesday Senior Pairs (46)         3C John Wasa, Tom Tomsa
2A Gerald Goodman                   Saturday Senior Pairs (40)
Wednesday Eve. Side Game (35)       1A E. Scatassa, Tod Thorgersen
6A Ros Abel, Renee Blank            Saturday Eve. Side Game (14)
Thursday Aft. Side Game (28)        3B Nick France, Marie Speziale
3A Steven Wheeler                   Saturday Eve. 99er (12)
Thursday Open Swiss (40)            2A J. Osso, Jaydeb Jundu
2/3A Brian Schroeder                3A Felix Arroyo, Barbara Infeld
3B M. Bachman, P.Profita,           Sunday Flt. A/X Swiss (35)
     Renee Blank, Ros Abel          2A Robert Heitzman, Jr.
Thursday Senior Pairs               8/9A Caryll and H. Schenker
2A William Alexander, Arnie Bergen  Sunday B/C Swiss (53)
Fri. Compact KO, Bkt 1 (9)          4B F.  Cohen, Edward Gaines
2 Ros Abel, Renee Blank                   Miyoko Boswell, Rolf Paul
Friday  Open Pairs (36)             5B Ron Nelken
5B Caryll and Harris Schenker       6/7B Lee &Jonathan Ohliger
Friday Senior Pairs (34)                 Bruce & Ryan Humphreys
4B Natalie Cohen, Penny Paikin      8/10B Susan Green, E.Blunt III
Fri.-Sat. KO, Bkt 1 (9)                   Hedy Seeger, R. Wengert
3/4 Burrell & Joy Humphreys         8/10B B.& Glenda Calkins
Saturday Aft. Side Game (32)            R. Schwartz, R.Blank, Lan Go
4B Natalie Cohen, Penny Paikin      8/10B M. Deneroff, John Wass
Saturday Aft. 299er Pairs (12)          Michael and Marilyn Jeshion
2A P. Solomon, Mary Giannella       4C Robert Parisi
Saturday Open Pairs (50)            5/7C Tom Tomsa
4B Caryll and Harris Schenker       Sunday Senior Swiss (28)
5B Steven Wheeler                   2A Janis Rush, Fred Paul
Saturday Senior Pairs (40)          4A G. Goodman, R. Whitmore
2/3A Richard Avazian                5A Roz Elk, John Kuharetz
                                          Fred Weidmann
Secaucus Regional                   6A Rose and Al Tauber
                                    1B C. Field, Betty Ann Smith
Monday Eve. Charity Pairs (19)         R. Rosen, Phyllis Dubetsky
1A C. Friedman, B.Deutsch           3/4B R.Tuck-Sherman, C.Ferat,
4A Caryll and Harris Schenker            R.  Sterling, Frances Goldsmith
6A Roz Elk and M.  Boswell
Tuesday Morning 99er (16)          Woodbridge Sectional
1B Linda Dudas, Marilyn Clark
Tuesday Aft. Side Game (10)        Friday Aft. Open Pairs (44)
1A Paul Shapiro                    6/7B R.T.Sherman, J. Mazouat
4A Katie Friedland                 Saturday Aft. Open Pairs (50)
Mon.-Tues. KO Bkt 1 (10)           4A Len Helfgott
 3/4 B., Joy & R. Humphreys        6A Sidney Kanter
Bkt 2 (16)                         Saturday Aft. 199er (24)
3/4 Florence Gellman               5A F. Arroyo, John Dell Osso
3/4 R. Tuck-Sherman, R. Ryan,      Sat. Eve. Flt. A Pairs (24)
      R. Bortz                     5 Sidney Kanter
5/8 M. Marion, J. Jensen, Al       Saturday Eve. 200/100/50 (14)
      Pagan                        4A J Osso, Felix Arroyo
Bkt 3 (10)                         Sunday Open Swiss (28)
1 Raffie Jenco, Carolyn Landi      6A Joy &Burrell Humphreys
2 B. Kaufman, P. Paikin            5B Jonathan & Lee Ohliger
   S.Colton, B. Gorlitsky                Ryan  & Bruce Humphreys
Tuesday Senior Pairs (117)         1C H. Gillies, Robert Wengert
2A C. Friedman, B. Deutsch         Sunday 299er Swiss (16)
4A Rhoda Paul                      1A M. Marion, C. McMackin,
6B Werner Housman                       James Jensen, Ralph Meyer
7B M. Jeshion, M. Deneroff         2A William Lambert
Tuesday Aft. 99er (15)
2A Nita Cohen                      Summer NABC  Washington D.C.
3A Daniel Wolf
4A Linda Dudas, Marilyn Clark      GNT Championship Fl. (22)
Tuesday Open Pairs (62)            3/4  Irina Levitina, IlyaLevitina
1A Ron Nelken                             Kerri Sanborn
2/3C Joseph Pospis, John Wass      Fri. Morning Side Game (26)
5C Zohreh Ghazi, Dolores Glayat    3A  T. Seng Tjoa
Wednesday Morning 99er (13)        Sat. Evening Side Game (92)
2A Daniel Wolf, Faye Sloan         5C  Irving &  Stella Blasenheim
Wed. Aft. Side Game (16)           Sat. Senior Stratified Prs. (80)
2A Cheryl Porter                   1B Nicholas France
3A V. Cilli, Helene Emanuel        Saturday Morning 299er (30)
4A J. Van Delft, Doree Sobel       2A G. Jr. & George Mann III
5A V. Grossman, R. Rubinson        Saturday Aft. 299er (84)
3B Dana Berkowitz                  3A G. Jr. & George Mann III
4B Eugene and Irene Frisch         Saturday Evening 299er (56)
Wednesday Senior Swiss (55)        5C G. Jr. & George Mann III
1A G. Goodman, R. Rosner           Red Ribbon Pairs (182)
   Marty Bock, C. Davidson         48 Sidney Kanter, Ron Nelken
2A N. Nathanson, C.Friedman        1st Sunday Imp Pairs (114)
      R.Paul, B.Deutsch, L.        2/4B Amy Nellissen
      Server                       1st Sunday Flight A Swiss (98)
3A J/ Kuharetz, Roger Nortman      20/23 Robert Heitzman, Jr.
      F/Grunebaum, Lisa Insolera   1st Sunday B/C/D Swiss (88)
8/9A F. Cohen, Betty King          10/11B Lee & Jon..  Ohliger
      Rolf Paul, Edward Gaines      J. Broekman, Ryan Humphreys
3B Susan Green, Elson Blunt III    1st Sunday Senior Swiss (40)
     R. Wengert, Hedy Seeger       1B Norma Gartner, Janis Rush
5C Penny Paikin, B. Kaufman,       5B Irving & Stella Blasenheim
     B. Millman, L. O'Loughlin     Ed. Foundation KO Teams
Wednesday Aft. 99er (14)           Bracket 2 (16)
3A Michael Flaster                 2 B. Joy and Ryan Humphreys
3B F. Cannizzo, C. McMackin        Side Series - Sun. Aft. (68)
Wed.  Eve. Side Game (26)          4A Werner Hausman
2A P. Quodomine, Len Helfgott      Sunday-Monday KO III
Thursday Morning 99er (21)         Bracket 1 (13)
5A J/ Osso, Felix Arroyo           2 Cheryl Angel, Jesse Reisman
1C Carol McMackin                  Bracket 5 (16)
Thursday Aft. Side Game (21)       1 G. Jr. & George Mann III
2B H.Stein, Renee Rubinson         Saturday-Tuesday KO Teams
Thurs. Eve. Side Game (25)         Bracket 1 (9)
2A Sidney Kanter, Ron Nelken       3/4  T. Seng Tjoa
5A P. Quodomine, Len Helfgott      Congressional KO Teams
5C Zohreh Ghazi, Lila Fine         Bracket 4 (16)
Thursday Open Swiss (61)           3/4  Neale &Jo Ann Van Delft,
5A Fred Paul                           James Michaelis, E. Gilbert
9A N. Nathanson, C. Friedman       Bracket 5 (16)
    Tod  Thorgersen, Joe Adamo     3/4 Marilyn Marion
     Eva Scatassa,                 Stratified Women's Pairs (38)
10/12A B., J. & B. Humphreys       5B S. Hisayama, M. Boswell
10/12A R. Nortman, J. Elkin        Tuesday Evening Swiss (80)
       John Wass                   3A Robert Heitzman, Jr.
3/4B S. Dutta, Sally Sonne         Wed. Eve. Side Game (132)
       M. Boswell, Gene Barrack    6C B. Humphreys, Jon. Ohliger
5B  J.  Pospis, Lisa Insolera,     Wed. Flight A/X Pairs (134)
        Saeko Hisayama             2A  Robert Heitzman, Jr.
Fri. Compact KO, Bkt 1 (6)         15A Burrell - RyanHumphreys
1     C. Friedman, B. Deutsch      Senior Swiss Teams (32)
       Caryll and Harris Schenker  21 John Kuharetz
Bkt 2 (12)                         Wednesday Senior Pairs (168)
1 F.  Shaw, Rosemarie Conroy       8A Robert King, Rolf Paul
Bkt 3                              Wednesday Aft. 0-20 (10)
2 R.Remer, K. Jeffery              3/4 Carol McMackin
   Vivian Grossman                 Wed. Fast Open Pairs (116)
4 S.Schneider, B. Kaufman          4A Tina Gordon, David Daly
   Penny Paikin                    3B Julian Lighton, Andy Muenz
Bkt 4 (11)                         Wed. Thurs. KO VI Teams
4 Robert Weiss, B. Feldman         Br. 5 (16) 2 Marilyn Marion
   F Higham                        Thurs. Aft.  Side Game (52)
Compact KO Cons. Bkt 1 (6)         4C Marvin Brown
1 Burrell Humphreys                199er Pairs (104)
Bkt 3 (6)                          6/7 G. Jr. & George Mann III
1 M. Marion, James Jensen          Thursday Senior Pairs (130)
    Ralph Meyer, Randolph Bortz    1A Marvin Brown
Friday Morning 99er (13)           Thursday B/C/D Swiss (59)
5A Hank Epstein, Daniel Wolf       8B Steven Wheeler
Friday Aft. Side Game (28)         6C M &  Marilyn Jeshion
5/6A J.Hogan, Jr., M. Speziale     M. Boswell, , S.  Hisayama
Friday Senior Pairs (61)           Fri. Morning Side Game (46)
6A Wm. Alexander, A.Bergen         5C 6/7 G. Jr. & G. Mann III.
3C Monique Copeland                Friday Senior Pairs (134)
4C L. O'Loughlin, L. Wilson        3A Betty and Bob King
Friday Aft. 99er (18)              2nd Friday Mixed Pairs (108)
1A J. Osso, Felix Arroyo           4B Tina Gordon, G. Kramer
4A Hank Epstein, Daniel Wolf       Thurs.  Zip KO Bracket 2 (16)
Friday Open Pairs (78)             1 Ros Elk, Sarah Wiener
5C Lydia Pignata, David Ryan       Morn.KO  III Br/ 2 (16)
Friday Eve. Side Game (34)         3/4 S. Hisayama, M. Boswell
2A Betty and Bob King              2nd Friday Swiss Teams (72)
5A Ron Nelken
6A J. Hogan, Jr., Marie Speziale
8/10A Stephen Cooper
2nd Fri. Zip KO Bracket 3 (12)
3/4 Sarah Wiener
Friday-Sat.KO Bracket 2 (16)
3/4 Steven Wheeler
Sat. Morning Side Game (44)
6A Steven Wheeler
Capital Side Game Series (46)
1A Stefano Coppola
US Junior Championships (4)
4 George Mann  Jr.
NABC Fast Pairs (78)
10 Fred Paul
26 Blair Seidler
44 Andy Muenz, N. France
2nd Sat. Eve. Stratified Swiss (62)
3A Stephen Cooper

top of page

Unit 106 Charity Events Helen Wallach

The first unit wide charity game of the year was held at the afternoon clubs on Friday, August 16th. It was a benefit for the Twin Towers Orphans Fund, the ACBL's charity of the year. Many members participated in these games at our local clubs.

Unit 106 sponsored the second unit wide charity game at the Allendale Sectional on Saturday evening, Sept 21. The unit's charity is Meals-on-Wheels. A special dessert was provided for the players.

These events are two of the many charity happenings in the clubs. Check your Tournament and Club Calendar for other charity games.
top of page

Tips for New Players Barkley Calkins

Continuing the theme from the last newsletter of combining your chances as declarer, the timing of key plays can be crucial. Consider the following: 
                NORTH
                S  AK53
WEST            H  KJ4              EAST
S  Q94          D  AJ5              S  J102
H  10987        C  752              H  652
D  942                              D  1086
C  Q83          SOUTH               C  10964
                S  876
                H  AQ3
                D  KQ73
                C  AKJ
Vulnerable: NS
Opening lead:  H10
Bidding:
South       West     North    East
1 diamond   pass     1 spade  pass
2 notrump   pass     4 clubs  pass
(18-19 HCP)          (Gerber)
4 spades    pass     5 clubs  pass
(2 aces)             (more Gerber)
5 spades    pass     6 notrump    all pass
(2 kings)
The use of Gerber here is academic and unnecessary; holding sixteen high card points opposite partner's known 18-19, North can count a combined 34-35 HCPs, more than the 33 required for small slam, and less than the 37 required for grand slam. With no long suit that might produce extra tricks, the six notrump contract is automatic once South jumps to two notrump, and North should simply bid it directly; why inform the opponents - who are also listening to the bidding - how many aces and kings your partner has when you already know what the final contract will be.

After the opening lead, declarer can count eleven top tricks; the crucial extra trick can come from either a 3-3 spade break or a successful club finesse. Before reading further, do you see how to time the play in order to combine these two chances?

If you play ace-king and a small spade first, defenders will cash two spade tricks if the suit breaks 4-2, as it is likely to do. If you try to avoid this fate by taking the club finesse first, it will be disappointing if that loses and you later discover the spades were 3-3; a good general principle of declarer play is that finesses should usually be deferred for as long as possible.

Timing is crucial. The key play is to LOSE THE FIRST SPADE TRICK, win any return, and try the ace-king of spades; when the suit breaks 3-3, you have your twelfth trick without the club finesse. Had the suit not broken 3-3, you would then fall back on the club finesse as a last resort.

Something in human nature - at least in this human's nature - resists losing the first trick in a suit headed by the ace-king; there are many situations, however, where losing the first trick in such a suit is advantageous, and we all need to work at overcoming that innate resistance.

MORAL: When there is more than one way to make a contract, watch for opportunities to combine your chances!
top of page

All Alone Frank Grunebaum

The perils of bridge produce an occurrence that all participants share. I specifically refer to that horrible moment when a partner makes a confusing bid. No matter your deity there is no ally. The good Lord I am sure is involved with more crucial problems.

Recently I visited for the first time a Manhattan Bridge Club. I arrived 5 minutes after the first round started. A partner was available, the only information we exchanged was me, Frank, you, Helen.

The first board I had the following hand and opened 1 No Trump. 

           S 9 5 2
           H A Q X
           D A K X X
           C A X X
This was followed by:
  	West	North	 East	South
	  --	1 NT	 Pass	3S*
    Pass    4 H      Pass   4S
*What did that bid indicate? Normally a good hand with 5 hearts and 5 spades
 - Perhaps as a preempt- perhaps a transfer. Well, I decided to alert the bid as a good hand with 5 hearts and 5 spades, forcing to game. Since my hearts were stronger then my spades, I bid 4 hearts - my hearts were overruled to 4 spaded.
The Full Hands:
                  North
                  S  9 5 2
                  H A Q X
                  D A K X X
West              C A X X            East
S A K                                S Q  J
H K 10 X X                           H J X X X
D X X X                              D X X X
C J 10 X X        South              C K Q X X
                  S 10 8 7 6 4 3
                  H X X
                  D Q J X
                  C X X
Her bid was intended for a 3-spade contract. As it developed based on the distribution 4 spades was cold. A game contract with 20 points ended with an excellent Match point score.

Thru the next 23 boards, I will spare you the topsy turby results.
All I have to say
I try not to be a boaster
But I survived this roller coaster.
top of page

New Members and Milestones Kay Roelke

NEW MEMBERS  through October                TRANSFERS IN

Muriel Corbett       Mildred Campbell       Martin Berkman
Jean Frey            Andrew Carlin          Maureen Berkman
Phyllis Gargano      Nicholas Flowers       Barbara Cooper
Barbara Manginelio   Marc Julius            Patti Humphreys
Ann Nardo            Arlene Friedman        Eilene Pierson-Howe
Sheldon Siegel       Barbara Powers         Lois Herzog
Lilo Soder           Lynn Shaw              Clair Marione
Eugene Mendelson     Betty  Rosen           Ethel Sigmar
Jeanette Seggebruch  Stanley Rosen          Ann Taylor
Shirley Waller

New Life Master      New Bronze Life Masters    Silver Life Master
Eileen Whitney       Marilyn  Hirschhorn        Ilya Levitin
                     Lee Ohliger
                     Eva Rubach
                     Henry Stadelmann

Top of Page       Back to newsletter index       Return to the Unit's main page