July August 2002 - BridgeWebs

WWWWWashingtonashingtonashingtonashingtonashingtonBridgeBridgeBridgeBridgeBridge LeagueLeagueLeagueLeagueLeague

BBBBB♣ UUUUU♥ LLLLL♠ LLLLL♦ EEEEE♥ TTTTT♣ IIIII♠ NNNNN

��

��

��

July/August 2002

http: //wbl-unit.org

��

ThursdayThursdayThursdayThursdayThursday, July 18, July 18, July 18, July 18, July 18

thrthrthrthrthroughoughoughoughough

SundaySundaySundaySundaySunday, July 28, July 28, July 28, July 28, July 28

at theat theat theat theat the

MarMarMarMarMarriott Wriott Wriott Wriott Wriott Wararararardmandmandmandmandman

Park HotelPark HotelPark HotelPark HotelPark Hotel

(the for(the for(the for(the for(the former Sheraton)mer Sheraton)mer Sheraton)mer Sheraton)mer Sheraton)

on Connecticut Aon Connecticut Aon Connecticut Aon Connecticut Aon Connecticut Ave.ve.ve.ve.ve.

just south of the zoojust south of the zoojust south of the zoojust south of the zoojust south of the zoo

Volunteers arestill needed. For information, contactLee Ann Jensen at 301-949-7467, at [email protected],or sign up directly on our web site: dcnationals.com.

!��"��

In an effort to provide confidential feedback to the Washington Bridge League Board ofDirectors, our Board has established a position called Ombudsman. Any player with help-ful director issues including criticism or praise of the directing staff may contact the Om-budsman and be assured that the source of the information will remain confidential.

Ann Lindley serves as the first Washington Bridge League Ombudsman. Informa-tion should be provided in writing and may be handed to her at any game, or mailed toher at 18518 Grackle Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1767. Ann has served on theWashington Bridge League Board and is an experienced and regular Washington BridgeLeague player.

In most cases, comments can be transmitted to Michael Carroad, Club Manager of theWBL Unit Game, or Millard Nachtwey, Tournament Chief Director and ACBL Field Repre-sentative, rather than to Ann. Under Michael’s leadership, our game has grown to be thenumber one unit game in the United States. The Ombudsman will add a new conduit toMichael and our tournament directors for constructive progress.

♣♦♥♠ ∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼ ♣♦♥♠�#$�!%�#&��

� ��

WWWWWashington Bridge Leagueashington Bridge Leagueashington Bridge Leagueashington Bridge Leagueashington Bridge League BULLETIN BULLETIN BULLETIN BULLETIN BULLETIN (usps #861-240)VOL. 60, #4 — SUBSCRIPTION $2 PER YEAR FOR MEMBERS OF UNIT #147 (INCLUDED IN ACBL ANNUAL DUES).NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS $21 FOR THREE YEARS. PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY THE WASHINGTON

BRIDGE LEAGUE AT 14517 PERRYWOOD DRIVE, BURTONSVILLE, MD 20866. SECOND-CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT

BURTONSVILLE, MD. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE BULLETIN,ACBL, 2990 AIRWAYS BLVD., MEMPHIS, TN 38116-3847. ALL EDITORIAL AND GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EDITOR AT 901 CLIFTONBROOK LN., SILVER SPRING, MD 20905-3711.

Editor — Donna Rogall (301-421-9615), [email protected]/N Editor — Leslie Shafer (301-593-6828), [email protected]

Columnists — Steve Robinson, Richard ColkerThe opinions expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ACBL, the WBL,or even the editors of this publication. The WBL is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

Barbara Doran, President — (301-608-0347), [email protected] Wegman, Vice President — (301-365-2228), [email protected]

Steve Robinson, Treasurer — (703-379-4371), [email protected] Shaw, Secretary — (301-598-3339), [email protected]

UNIT DIRECTORSWeizhong Bao — (703-222-1470), [email protected]

Don Berman — (301-776-3581), [email protected] Jensen — (301-949-7467), [email protected] King — (703-536-1914), [email protected]

Ben Laden — (202-244-1765), [email protected] Ruderman — (301-384-8825), [email protected]

SOME KEY VOLUNTEERSFrances Burke — Membership Secretary (301-384-6103)

Michael Carroad — Unit Game Chief Director (301-322-4289)Jim Coleman — Unit Game Manager (301-434-6559)

Madge Gallant — Partnerships (301-587-6424)Kitty Gottfried — Unit Game Hospitality (301-587-3981)

Rosemary Marks — Prizes (301-598-2405)

- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -

��

��

President’s Letter ....................................................... by Barbara Doran 2

D.C. Nationals ......................................................... by Margot Henning 4

Bits and Pieces...

Editorial ............................................................................................ 7

GNT Flight A District Final Results ................................................. 7

WBL Suffers Losses...

Marge Wilson ............................................... by Nadine Wood 8

Isadore “Izzy” Elrich ................................... by Jim Coleman 9

WBL-NVBA Player of the Year ........................................................ 9

WBL Solvers’ Club .....................................................by Steve Robinson 10

Solvers’ Club’s New Problems .................................................................. 17

2002 Trophy Race Standings ....................... by Webmaster, Don Berman 18

Unit Game Schedule and Map ................................................................. 19

Unit Game Winners ................................................................................. 20

Committee Action XL, What’s the Harm, Part IV ........... by Rich Colker 22

Alertzzz!!! .................................................................... by Clyde Kruskal 25

BridgeAtSchools ................................... by Director, Beth Maloney-Refaie 28

NLMasterPointers ........................................ by I/N Editor, Leslie Shafer 30

Shutterbug Needed .................................................................................. 33

Grand LMasterPointers .................................................... by Mary Syker 34

∼ ♣♦♥♠ ∼

- 2 -- 2 -- 2 -- 2 -- 2 -

The WBL held it’s annual meeting onMay 16th. I would like to thank the manypeople who worked so hard to make thisevent a success. I would also like to wel-come our two new board members,Weizhong Bao and Ben Laden and our newVice President, Dick Wegman, who hasdone a great job as a board member overthe past two years and offer my heartfeltthanks to departing members Bill Cole andKathy Kruskal for their hard work on theboard. Lee Jensen was reelected to theboard as were myself, Barbara Shaw (Sec-retary) and Steve Robinson (Treasurer).

I want to congratulate the winners of theUnit Mini-McKenny and Ace of ClubsAwards... And, the winners are:

$��'��"�

ROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEAR1 Mr Forrest Lorz ........................... 32.912 Mr Robert R Von Moss ................. 9.673 Mr Richard E King ..................... 23.18

JUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Robert F Gemmill ................. 25.902 Mrs Muriel M Selph ...................... 5.113 Sen. Robert Packwood .................. 5.07

CLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Nancy G Smith ............................ 41.232 Mrs Joan Eisenfeld ..................... 37.433 Mr Harold T Barton .................... 36.56

SECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Bor S Hsu .................................... 63.012 Mrs Ann L Cumming .................. 43.413 Mr Dennis W Wick ..................... 43.14

REGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr John Laurim .......................... 69.942 Mrs Ann E Parrott ....................... 59.653 Mr Maurice M Greenman ............ 53.48

NABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Charles W Carrington ........... 83.642 Mr Morris F Edmundson ............. 54.633 Mr Frank T Shull III ................... 52.11

LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Doris Konecke ........................ 75.002 Mrs Martha Chen ........................ 60.833 Mr Stephen R Peet ...................... 48.71

BRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Allen D Lord ............................. 143.472 Mrs Alice Johnson ...................... 77.333 Audrey Stern ............................... 76.21

SILSILSILSILSILVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Dr D M Khambata ..................... 149.662 Mr Stuart Dunlop ...................... 127.443 Mr Jim Occhipinti .................... 100.25

GOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mrs Eileen Theimer .................. 180.242 Mrs Audrey Marbach .................. 92.553 Mrs Alice B Miller ...................... 92.16

DIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mrs Rossi Lindstrom ................ 207.432 Mr Arnie Frankel ...................... 100.943 Mr Eugene L Kales ..................... 89.10

GRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Steve W Robinson ................. 80.372 Mr William P Cole ...................... 43.133 Mr Peter A Boyd ......................... 14.60

�� !��"��

by WBL Prby WBL Prby WBL Prby WBL Prby WBL President, Barbara Doranesident, Barbara Doranesident, Barbara Doranesident, Barbara Doranesident, Barbara Doran

- 3 -- 3 -- 3 -- 3 -- 3 -

(��)�(�*��

ROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEARROOKIE OF THE YEAR1 Mr Forrest Lorz ........................... 59.152 Mr Robert R Von Moss ............... 46.613 Mr Mehmet H Bayar ................... 41.02

JUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEARJUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Sen. Robert Packwood ................ 43.942 Mr Robert F Gemmill ................. 35.363 Sherrie D Schrama ...................... 35.14

CLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEARCLUB MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Ajit S Thyagarajan ................ 71.012 Mr Juan Pardo ............................. 57.023 Dr Gerald J Steinberg ................. 56.09

SECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARSECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Ms Charity A Sack .................... 234.022 Mr Dennis W Wick ................... 227.133 Ms Cecilia A Valdivieso ........... 157.75

REGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEARREGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Hailong Ao ................................ 223.632 Richard Ferrin .......................... 147.013 Eugene A Fisher ....................... 130.40

NABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEARNABC MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Dan Moore ................................ 206.382 Mr Charles W Carrington ......... 182.143 Mr Rick Larkin ......................... 119.77

LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEARLIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Dr Josh Sher ............................. 249.452 Mrs Martha Chen ...................... 126.943 Doris Konecke .......................... 123.66

BRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARBRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Ms Peggy Allen ......................... 673.432 Tim M Crank ............................. 402.293 Mrs Lucy A Pestaner ................ 323.41

SILSILSILSILSILVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Leo K LaSota ............................ 548.412 Mr Ronald E Spath ................... 545.693 Mr Jim Pestaner ........................ 323.41

GOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mrs Barbara A Shaw ................. 794.702 Mr Alan E Kleist ....................... 519.393 Mr Fred M King ........................ 412.52

DIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARDIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Mark P Shaw ....................... 904.402 Mr Earl H Glickstein ................ 624.643 Mrs Rossi Lindstrom ................ 473.68

GRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEARGRAND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR1 Mr Steve W Robinson ............. 1317.552 Mr Peter A Boyd ....................... 798.433 Mr William P Cole .................... 486.61

��$ �

As I’m sure you are aware, the SummerNorth American Bridge Championships arehere in Washington this July. Come out andplay. Come out and work. We need volun-teers to make this the best Nationals ever.Turn to the next page for details.

��

Several issues were raised at the meet-ing and the Board is developing surveys todetermine how the members feel about vari-ous topics. These surveys will be publishedin future issues of the Bulletin and on ourweb site (www.wbl-unit.org). Please completethem… we can’t do what you want if we don’tknow what it is. If you have suggestions onhow we can better serve the membership talkto a board member. We really do want to knowwhat you think.

The Board has voted to contribute $5000to Bridge at Schools, a program aimed at in-troducing elementary school students toBridge. They hope to establish a pilot pro-gram in our area and we hope that we caninterest a new generation in the game welove. Programs such as Bridge at Schools andEasyBridge! need our support – membershipis declining and we need to find new waysto recruit and retain members.

...continued on page 6

- 4 -- 4 -- 4 -- 4 -- 4 -

��!��+

What’s the latest on our NABC this sum-mer? You know about our special late-nitespecial late-nitespecial late-nitespecial late-nitespecial late-niteenterenterenterenterentertainmenttainmenttainmenttainmenttainment—David Levy’s classical con-cert on Friday night the 19th, the CapitolSteps on Saturday the 20th, and Alain Nu’smind-bending magic on Thursday the 25th—but we have just added some special eventshave just added some special eventshave just added some special eventshave just added some special eventshave just added some special eventsfor our seniors/early game parfor our seniors/early game parfor our seniors/early game parfor our seniors/early game parfor our seniors/early game participantsticipantsticipantsticipantsticipants.On Sunday the 21st, at approximately 7:15p.m., David Levy will play a light classicalconcert just for folks who have finished play-ing bridge for the day, and on Friday the 26th,again at approximately 7:15 p.m., Bob andJane Levey, renowned Washington Post col-umnist and local historian, respectively, willpresent a close-up look at “Bob Levey’sWashington”. All late-nite and early eveningentertainment will be held in the CotillionRoom of the Marriott Wardman Park Hoteland will feature snacks, sandwiches, or des-

sert in addition to a “no-host” bar and $1beer on some occasions.

Fliers containing detailed informationabout the exciting Novice/Newcomer PrNovice/Newcomer PrNovice/Newcomer PrNovice/Newcomer PrNovice/Newcomer Pro-o-o-o-o-gramgramgramgramgram that is being hosted at our NABC havebeen distributed widely at local sectionals,to local clubs, and to local teachers. Withinthe next several weeks, you should also bereceiving a flier from the ACBL about all ofthese special events. Check out our web site(www.dcnationals.com) for all of the latestinformation! In particular, encourage yourpeers and those who would like to learn toplay to attend the WWWWWorld’orld’orld’orld’orld’s Biggest Bridges Biggest Bridges Biggest Bridges Biggest Bridges Biggest BridgeLessonLessonLessonLessonLesson on Saturday morning, July 20th. Freelessons by local teachers, coffee and dough-nuts, door prizes, and lots of give-aways toone and all promise to make this event aonce-in-a-lifetime experience!

In recent weeks, we have received a con-tribution from the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Con-ference (MABC)—you know, the organiza-

�#�#��$� ��$%��&�'(%)�*+,�+��

by Marby Marby Marby Marby Margot Hennings, Tgot Hennings, Tgot Hennings, Tgot Hennings, Tgot Hennings, Tourourourourournament Chairnament Chairnament Chairnament Chairnament Chairwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.dcnationals.com.dcnationals.com.dcnationals.com.dcnationals.com.dcnationals.com

tion behind those great District 6 Regionalsin Alexandria, Hunt Valley, Ocean City, Vir-ginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Rich-mond—to help make the hospitality at ourNABC even better! Because of this contri-bution, we are able to divert some of thefunds planned for entertainment to addressthe cost of parking for our local players.

��,��-

Parking is available at both the Marthe Marthe Marthe Marthe MarriottriottriottriottriottWWWWWararararardman Parkdman Parkdman Parkdman Parkdman Park and the Omni ShorOmni ShorOmni ShorOmni ShorOmni ShorehamehamehamehamehamHotel garagesHotel garagesHotel garagesHotel garagesHotel garages for $19 per day minus a $5rebate on weekdays only for a total of $14$14$14$14$14per dayper dayper dayper dayper day, with 24-hour access, but no in-and-out privileges. The Marriott has two garages,with entrances on both Woodley Road andCalvert Street. The Omni Shoreham garageis also accessible from Calvert Street.

The rebate works as follows: Once youpay the $19 as you enter one of the garageson a weekday, bring your parking ticket to

the main Information Desk area at the tour-nament. We will stamp your ticket again witha special stamp and hand you $5 in scrip tohelp pay for your entry that day!

Please note that strstrstrstrstreet parkingeet parkingeet parkingeet parkingeet parking is avail-able in the vicinity of the hotel only ononly ononly ononly ononly onweekendsweekendsweekendsweekendsweekends. During weekdays, zone parkingpermits must be displayed in your vehicle—you cannot park on nearby streets withoutone—this is strictly enforstrictly enforstrictly enforstrictly enforstrictly enforcedcedcedcedced!

Extra parking spacesExtra parking spacesExtra parking spacesExtra parking spacesExtra parking spaces at one of the Uni-versity of the District of Columbia’s (UDC)garages will be available for only $8 per day,again with no in-and-out privileges. Thisgarage is a short ten minutes away from theMarriott under most traffic conditions. Thegarage entrance is underneath Building 44off Van Ness. Courtesy of the ACBL, we willbe running a frfrfrfrfree shuttle busee shuttle busee shuttle busee shuttle busee shuttle bus to the hoteland back again from this garage from 11:30a.m.-1 p.m., 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and 10:30-midnight, with the possibility of extendedhours until 1 a.m.

- 5 -- 5 -- 5 -- 5 -- 5 -

- 6 -- 6 -- 6 -- 6 -- 6 -

We also encourage players to usemetrmetrmetrmetrmetrooooo—the Red Line’s Woodley Park/Zoostop is right at the edge of the MarriottWardman Park property on 24th Street, andruns until 2 a.m. on weekends—and tocarpoolcarpoolcarpoolcarpoolcarpool to help keep the costs of parking toa minimum. Check out our electrelectrelectrelectrelectronic Bul-onic Bul-onic Bul-onic Bul-onic Bul-let in Boarlet in Boarlet in Boarlet in Boarlet in Boarddddd on our NABC web site—www.dcnationals.com —for carpool informa-tion as well as the more traditional cork Bul-letin Boards on-site at the Marriott duringthe tournament.

��"��

Information about every aspect of thetournament—from mormormormormorning toursning toursning toursning toursning tours to childchildchildchildchildcarcarcarcarcareeeee to caddies caddies caddies caddies caddies to the complete schedulecomplete schedulecomplete schedulecomplete schedulecomplete scheduleof eventsof eventsof eventsof eventsof events—is available at our web site:www.dcnationals.com. There is also a “no-“no-“no-“no-“no-host” Parhost” Parhost” Parhost” Parhost” Partnership Bulletin Boartnership Bulletin Boartnership Bulletin Boartnership Bulletin Boartnership Bulletin Boarddddd for youto arrange your own partners in advance ofthe tournament (there will be a PartnershipDesk on-site, of course, to assist you in find-ing partners on the day of the event in whichyou wish to play). There are also specialprizes and e-mail messages sent to playerswho register on our web site—prizes includefree plays, free parking passes, free two-night stays at the Marriott Wardman Parkduring the tournament, cuddly stuffed pandabears, brass luggage tags, and more!

.��

And, last but not least, we need lots ofvolunteersvolunteersvolunteersvolunteersvolunteers to help make all of our planninga success during the tournament itself. Don’tmiss out—be part of the fun!! Share in theexcitement of hosting a National tournament!In addition to grgrgrgrgreat kibitzing and vu-grapheat kibitzing and vu-grapheat kibitzing and vu-grapheat kibitzing and vu-grapheat kibitzing and vu-graphwhere you can see and meet world-famousplayers, help us meet and grhelp us meet and grhelp us meet and grhelp us meet and grhelp us meet and greeteeteeteeteet everyonewho comes in from near and far—help outwith Registration, InforRegistration, InforRegistration, InforRegistration, InforRegistration, Information, Parmation, Parmation, Parmation, Parmation, Partnertnertnertnertner-----ships, Prizes, the Restaurant Guide, Morships, Prizes, the Restaurant Guide, Morships, Prizes, the Restaurant Guide, Morships, Prizes, the Restaurant Guide, Morships, Prizes, the Restaurant Guide, Morn-n-n-n-n-ing Ting Ting Ting Ting Tours, Late-Nite Enterours, Late-Nite Enterours, Late-Nite Enterours, Late-Nite Enterours, Late-Nite Entertainmenttainmenttainmenttainmenttainment—thelist goes on!! Lee Ann JensenLee Ann JensenLee Ann JensenLee Ann JensenLee Ann Jensen is our VVVVVol-ol-ol-ol-ol-unteer Coorunteer Coorunteer Coorunteer Coorunteer Coordinatordinatordinatordinatordinator—you can contact herat 301-949-7467, at [email protected], or signup directly on our web site.

President’s Letter continued...

��$��-��

The new Board Assignments for the yearwere given out at the first meeting of the newBoard and are as follows:

Dick WDick WDick WDick WDick Wegman,egman,egman,egman,egman, Vice President, Ways andMeans and Church Liaison

Barbara ShawBarbara ShawBarbara ShawBarbara ShawBarbara Shaw,,,,, Secretary and ClubManager’s Breakfast

Steve Robinson,Steve Robinson,Steve Robinson,Steve Robinson,Steve Robinson, Treasurer and RoundRobin Chairman

Don BerDon BerDon BerDon BerDon Berman,man,man,man,man, WEB Master

FrFrFrFrFred King,ed King,ed King,ed King,ed King, Education, Easy Bridge

WWWWWei Bao,ei Bao,ei Bao,ei Bao,ei Bao, Clubs Chairman and SpecialRelations (NAOP and GNT Coordinator)

Ben Laden,Ben Laden,Ben Laden,Ben Laden,Ben Laden, C & E Chairman, NoviceChairman and Charity Chairman

Lee Jensen,Lee Jensen,Lee Jensen,Lee Jensen,Lee Jensen, Tournament Chairman

Dave RuderDave RuderDave RuderDave RuderDave Ruderman,man,man,man,man, Unit Game Chairman

��/�#

We held the election of the new Conductand Ethics Committee members.

Those rThose rThose rThose rThose retiring fretiring fretiring fretiring fretiring from the committee arom the committee arom the committee arom the committee arom the committee are:e:e:e:e:

B e n L a d e n , R o n S p a t h , a n dRalph Turner

Remaining on the committee and com–Remaining on the committee and com–Remaining on the committee and com–Remaining on the committee and com–Remaining on the committee and com–pleting their 2 year terpleting their 2 year terpleting their 2 year terpleting their 2 year terpleting their 2 year term arm arm arm arm are:e:e:e:e:

Alan Tennebaum, Barbara Amesand Bob Bel l

Elected to the committee for a 2 yearElected to the committee for a 2 yearElected to the committee for a 2 yearElected to the committee for a 2 yearElected to the committee for a 2 yearterterterterterm arm arm arm arm are:e:e:e:e:

Andrew Kaufman, Kathy Kruskal ,and Kefu Xu.

- 7 -- 7 -- 7 -- 7 -- 7 -

#��

Well, my motion for a noon Sunday sec-tional start time was tabled. While I person-ally would prefer a later Sunday start time;nevertheless, I am not unhappy with the re-sult. I believe we should do what the major-ity of the membership wants and that thereis a better way to find out what that is otherthan by a vote at the meeting.

The WBL Board has appointed me, alongwith Don Berman (WBL Webmaster) and LeeJensen (Tournament Chair) to design a sur-vey. It will run here and on the website andwill cover several aspects of sectionals (in-cluding the possibility of earlier start times),in addition to as many other issues as yourinput helps us to come up with.

This method will allow us to ask you, on avariety of topics, not only what you would pre-fer, but also, how much you prefer it. It shouldalso give us time to discuss issues more fully.

One two-part question that has arisen isshould we: (a) continue to allow motions to bebrought to a vote at a membership meeting and(b) if so, change the required procedures lead-ing up to such a vote? Currently, the WBL Poli-cies seem to require an announcement of in-tent to raise a motion be published in this bul-letin only when the motion’s passage wouldchange our constitution. The wording is diffi-cult to interpret at best, but is now availablefrom Lee Jensen and on our website. WBLPresident, Barbara Doran has assigned a com-mittee to look through the entire publicationto update and clarify it.

While I agree that it is best to take issuesto board members first, (which, by the way, Idid in this case over the years) I think it wouldbe a mistake to do away with motions at mem-bership meetings. Any organization needs asystem of checks and balances. As a histori-cal note, Peter Boyd tells me that the WBLwas the first unit to go non-smoking due toconversations in the bulletin followed by avote at an Annual Meeting. Happily, taking amotion to the membership also may be a goodmethod of getting a discussion started.

On the topic of sectionals, the WBL Boardhas already raised some considerations dur-ing meetings that you should know aboutbefore responding to the upcoming survey.First of all, later start times would mean thatLee and his helpers would have to work laterto close up shop on Sunday and they alreadywork many hours past when the last hand isplayed. The directors, on the other hand,would be happy with later start times.

As a possible solution, a suggestion wasmade that we try a playthrough event with stag-gered half hour breaks for onsite sandwichesand/or pizza as Northern Virginia or Baltimoredo at their sectionals on Sundays. However,this has its own issues because we don’t havea kitchen on site like they do. President Doranhas assigned a committee to look into this.

I suggested that if half the people want onetime, and half want another, that we considerrunning half the tournaments at one time, andhalf at the other. The general consensus of theBoard was that this would be too confusing andinconsistent. What do you think?

Please send comments, suggestions, or newtopics for discussion to [email protected]. (Or,use the snail mail address or phone number listedon the inside front cover.) I am so sad that Ihaven’t received any letters to the editor yet.

0��1��

1��-��$2��)3��4��

Place Team1 Robert Bell, Fred King, Jim Houghton,

Harold Siegelman2 Ted Ying, Helene Bauman, Vincent

Wilmot Jr, Katherine Kruskal, ClydeKruskal, John Gassenheimer

3 Michael Carroad, Tim Crank, AlanKleist, Leo LaSota

4/6 Rammohan Sarangan, ElizabethNelson, Kenton Schoen, DivakarBhargava, Millard Nachtwey

4/6 James Fox, Judy Fox, Flo Heilig,Charles Heilig

4/6 Richard Wegman, David Abelow,David Ruderman, Robert Klein

� ��$�!�� -��

- 8 -- 8 -- 8 -- 8 -- 8 -

WBLWBLWBLWBLWBLSufSufSufSufSuffers Lossesfers Lossesfers Lossesfers Lossesfers Losses

($40#�%!��

August 31, 1938 - April 28, 2002

by Nadine Wood

Marge Wilson, afixture on the Wash-ington, D. C. bridgescene for 35 years,died April 28 a fewdays after being diag-nosed with cancer. Itcame right as she wasplanning to onceagain head the Work-

ers’ Hospitality Suite at the NABC this sum-mer as she had for the 1993 Summer NABC.

Marge, a native Washingtonian, graduatedfrom Notre Dame High School in Washing-ton, D.C. and attended college at GeorgeWashington University. While there she tookup bridge and Bill Wilson, to whom she wasmarried for 38 years. The couple joined ACBLin 1967. Bill passed away in May 1996.

Marge was the Editor of the WashingtonBridge League Bulletin for 12 years (1983 -1995). She then edited the District 6 Supple-ment to the ACBL Bulletin from 1996 to2001. In addition she was hospitality chair-man when the WBL hosted the annual July4th Regional tournament. In addition to herbridge jobs, she was employed full time,raised six children and always was the firstone to volunteer her help at the bridge club,the Unit, or the District. Her standard linewas, "What can I do to help you?"

All of her children took their turn work-ing as bridge caddies: William Wilson III,Centerville, MD; John Wilson, Coeurd’Alene, ID; Mark Wilson, Eureka, CA; Mar-garet Brothman, Laurel, MD; AnnemarieWilson Murray, Silver Spring, MD; andKevin Wilson, Knoxville, TN. Billy, Anne

and Kevin took up playing bridge and wenton to become ACBL members. In fact Kevinrepresented the United States in the WorldJunior Championships in 1993 and 1995.She has nine grandchildren: Ryan, Rachael,Michael, Patrick and Tara Wilson; Laura andEric Brothman and Shannon and KatyMurray. Those old enough are following intheir parents’ footsteps and will be caddy-ing this summer.

In recent years, she rarely had time toplay bridge, but when she did her distinc-tive laugh would be heard throughout theroom at some point during the game. She hada wonderful sense of humor even during themost unexpected moments. Her daughterMargaret writes, "During her brief stay inthe hospital, I can’t count how many timesshe had the nursing staff, and anyone elsein the room, in tears laughing. Most peoplewho have just been diagnosed with cancerwould not have had the demeanor that momdid. She accepted the situation and tried tomake the most of it."

It seems like whenever I spoke to her,including when she was in the hospital, shealways wanted to know how I was doing.Marge was the first appointment I made tothe Good Will Committee when I becameDistrict Director. She more than met my cri-teria for that office — someone who worksfor bridge and goes beyond what is expectedas well as having a friendly, pleasant tabledemeanor.

Marge was always very supportive ofyouth bridge programs and education. Shewas especially excited about Bridge atSchools and her family named this organi-zation, Bridge at Schools, P. O. Box 9885,Wilmington DE 19809, as the place to senddonations in her memory.

Friday, July 26, will be Marge Wilson Dayat the Summer NABC at the MarriotWardman Park. She will be remembered ata special tribute by her friends and familyin the workers’ hospitality suite, room 1021,after the evening session.

- 9 -- 9 -- 9 -- 9 -- 9 -

%��5%66�7�#��

by Jim Coleman

A long-time fix-ture at the WBL UnitGame, the JCCRockville, and theSenior Center bridgegames, has left us.Izzy died on March13th of this year.

Born in Brooklyn,NY, on Nov. 9, 1917,he served during WW

II as a test pilot/radio mechanic, in Texas.He moved to the DC area in 1946, where heworked for the US Postal Service. In hisspare time he repaired and tuned pianos.

He married Joan Workman on Nov. 13,1946. A loving father, they had four chil-dren, Marc, Stephen, Joshua, and Lisa. Fourgrandchildren joined his family, Jamie,Joshua, Jacob, and Johanna.

Izzy retired in 1973 and took up bridgeas a hobby and soon became an avid player.He was a regular at the JCC game, often help-ing Trudy by “filling in” and helping withthe game. He was a good player, always thegentleman at the table and to all that he met.His granddaughter continues his traditionin bridge by serving the Unit as a caddy atthe game every Thursday.

Izzy will be missed by all his friends andbridge playing partners.

��8)�� !)�. $

��'��

1��-�

Congratulations to Leo LaSota who hand-ily won the Open Flight this year and toAlfred Graham, who took the Non-LM Flight.

Eligibility Eligibility Eligibility Eligibility EligibilityPlayers must attend at least three WBL

and three NVBA sectionals during the con-test period (August, 2001, through May,2002). Points won on Tournament Thursdayevenings are included in the totals, but donot count towards eligibility.

AAAAAwarwarwarwarwardsdsdsdsdsTwo trophies will be awarded at the Sum-

mer Nationals, one for each flight.StandingsStandingsStandingsStandingsStandings

Here are the final standings after eleven ofeleven tournaments. The asterisk***** indicates thatthe player has met the eligibility requirements.

Open TOpen TOpen TOpen TOpen Top 20op 20op 20op 20op 20PlayerPlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer PointsPointsPointsPointsPoints

1 Leo LaSota ...................191.95 *****2 Robert Gookin ............. 159.47 *****3 Earl Glickstein ............ 144.43 *****4 Steve Robinson ........... 131.48 *****5 Fred King ....................126.72 *****6 Alfred Steinberg .......... 121.32 *****7 Robert Bell .................. 111.74 *****8 Mark Shaw ...................105.62 *****9 Janet Gookin ............... 104.63 *****

10 Eugene Kales .............. 103.06 *****11 Alan Kleist .................. 101.57 *****12 Barbara Shaw .............. 100.39 *****13 William Cole ................. 99.93 *****14 Ed Lewis ........................ 75.45 *****15 Kristene Miller .............. 74.96 *****16 Peter Boyd ..................... 73.56 *****17 John Adams ................... 70.66 *****18 Jim Houghton ................ 70.61 *****19 Thomas Wallen .............. 69.69 *****20 Steve Bunning ............... 67.37 *****

NonLM TNonLM TNonLM TNonLM TNonLM Top 20op 20op 20op 20op 20PlayerPlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer PointsPointsPointsPointsPoints

1 Alfred Graham ............... 35.86 *2 Charity Sack ................... 34.48 *3 Glenn Young ................... 30.98 *4 Richard Ferrin ............... 29.00 *5 Suzanne Abrams ............ 25.86 *6 Martha Lackey ............... 25.577 Richard Cassell .............. 25.37 *8 Michelle Cantave ........... 24.74 *9 Joseph Ogulin ................ 24.65 *

10 Don Henry ...................... 22.49 *11 Franz Delahan ................ 21.98 *12 Madeline Delahan .......... 21.98 *13 Barry Anderson .............. 19.93 *14 Barbara DiCicco ............. 19.56 *15 David Hamilton .............. 19.31 *16 Cecilia Valdivieso .......... 18.77 *17 Gordon Hatheway Jr ....... 18.53 *18 Carol Netchvolodoff ....... 18.44 *19 Frank Cardillo ................ 18.0820 T Ravi Arulnandhy ........ 17.98

- 10 -- 10 -- 10 -- 10 -- 10 -

Congratulations to Gerald Lerner whocame in first with a score of 500. He wins afree entry to the Unit Game and will be in-vited to be on a future panel. I will play withhim at a future Unit Game. Tied for secondwere Lucy Pastaner, Chuck Yaple and An-drew Brecher with a score of 490. Tied forfifth were Marshal Kuschner, Jose Cortina,Natalie Aronsohn, Randy Thompson, KenKaufman and Ransome Price with a score of480. Tied for eleventh were Ed Lewis, JohnKiebler, Bruce Swales, Helene Fornier,Audrey Warren, Paul Krueger, Peter Lo, BobKlein, Mike Kovacich, Robert Cohen and AlDunker with a score of 470. Tied for twentysecond were Ram Sarangan, Bob Boorman,Mel Yudkin, Paul Benidict, Sylvian Picard,Steve Ivins, Tom Webster, Alan Kravetz,Jonathan Siegel, Hailong Ao, Stan Schenker,Sam Gumbert and John Horst with a scoreof 460. The average score of the 177 solverswas 338. The average score of the expertswas 421.

All readers are encouraged to send an-swers and/or new problems to SteveRobinson, 2891 S. Abingdon St. #A2 Arling-ton, Va, 22206. In addition to the winner re-ceiving a free play at the WBL Unit Game,Steve will play with anyone who gets a per-fect score or who exactly matches all five ofhis answers. If you send a self-addressedstamped envelope to the above address alongwith your answers, Steve will send you a copyof the new problems to ensure that you canmeet his next deadline. You can pick up acopy of the problems at the WBL Unit Gamein Maryland, and can send answers or re-quests for problems to [email protected] Solvers Club uses Washington Stan-dard as published July 1996.

Washington Standard second edition thebook, is out. If you are a serious bridgeplayer, this book is a must. You can purchasea copy from Steve for $25.00 at the Unit

Game and at tournaments or can send him acheck for $28.95 which includes $3.95 forpriority mail.

11111) IMPs Both V) IMPs Both V) IMPs Both V) IMPs Both V) IMPs Both Vulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. You, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:

AQ/KJ632/K65/864

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST- Pass Pass 2♠

Pass Pass 3♣ Pass???

ActionActionActionActionAction ScorScorScorScorScoreeeee PanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelists SolversSolversSolversSolversSolversPass 100 6 633NT 80 6 993♥ 40 1 123♠ 20 0 3

Partner is a passed hand and is balanc-ing. While partner could have xx/xx/QJx/AQJ10xx where three notrump is on a clubfinesse, he could also have xx/xx/AQJ/QJ10xxx where three notrump is down four.These are hands with six-card club suits.There's no reason why partner can't haveonly five clubs, for instance xx/xx/QJxx/AQ1098. Since most of the hands wherethree notrump makes partner might haveopened, passing seems like the percentageaction. Bidding vulnerable games is percent-age only if the result is either making or downone. Assume the opponents are playing in3♣ making three for +110. If you go downfour hundred, you lose eleven IMPs. If youmake three notrump you gain ten IMPs.That's less then fifty-fifty.

Five experts agree with me and pass.Let's try to go plus.

BBBBBERMANERMANERMANERMANERMAN: : : : : "Pass---Partner is a passed hand.You have a minimum opening. This is yourbest opportunity for a plus score. Don't hangpartner for balancing."

LLLLLUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLIN: : : : : "Pass---Pass and go plus. Can't

��%.��"��%(/

Moderated by Steve RobinsonModerated by Steve RobinsonModerated by Steve RobinsonModerated by Steve RobinsonModerated by Steve [email protected]

- 11 -- 11 -- 11 -- 11 -- 11 -

hang partner since he is a passed hand anddidn't open 3♣ ."

WWWWWOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEY: : : : : "Pass---I have my bids -- justabout what partner is playing me for. My redkings are far too slow for notrump. There isno special inference from partner's failureto open 3♣ second seat vulnerable -- he sim-ply might not have wanted to do so on a handwhich would otherwise be a decent 3♣ .Something like xx/xx/Qxx/KQJxxx would bequite consistent with his auction."

In Woolsey's example, three notrump isdown two if you can run the clubs or downfive if someone has Axx of clubs.

PPPPPARKERARKERARKERARKERARKER: : : : : "Pass---Good controls but no realclub fit to help run the suit. Give partner agood ten count and he would always balancewith a good five-card suit. He may have xx/Ax/Qxx/KQxxxx, and we still can only takeeight tricks."

SSSSSCHWCHWCHWCHWCHWARARARARARTZTZTZTZTZ: : : : : "Pass---With no club honor andat most 24 HCPs, not going to punish part-ner for balancing. With some spade length,a heart fit is unlikely."

Six experts try for the brass ring.RRRRROMANOMANOMANOMANOMAN: : : : : "Three notrump---No guarantees,

but 3♥ isn't forcing and red at IMPs partnerdoesn't have garbage."

3♥ is forcing in principal. When an op-ponent preempts and partner overcalls, newsuits are forcing even if new suits are notforcing after overcalls of opening bids.

SSSSSHAHAHAHAHAWWWWW: : : : : "Three Notrump---A guess. 3♥could work better if partner has poor clubs."

AAAAADAMSDAMSDAMSDAMSDAMS: : : : : "Three notrump---This might havea play, so how can I not bid it?"

Just because it might have play is not agood reason. I might win the lottery but Iwouldn't bet my life savings on it. GainingIMPs in the long run is the main criteria.

AAAAABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRA: : : : : "Three notrump---I most likelyhave two spade stoppers and partner ratesto have 10-11 points with a solid club suit.Granted, my spots are of inferior quality butEast may well have one of the red aces whichwould promote one of my red kings. With fiveto six club tricks, two spade tricks and oneto two tricks in the red suits, I am biddinggame."

Even AKQxxx of clubs might not be enough.KKKKKINGINGINGINGING: : : : : "Three notrump---With two spade

stoppers and length in clubs I should havea play for this vulnerable game. Bidding 3♥may well take us past three notrump."

HHHHHOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINS: : : : : "Three notrump---Very close. Iam hoping for a reasonably good six-cardclub suit (KQxxxx or even KJ10xxx) and aside Ace. The reward for a vulnerable gameshould make this risk worthwhile."

One expert bids 3♥ . Your previous passtells partner that your heart suit might besuspect. Without heart support, he shouldbid 3♠ allowing you to try three notrump witha spade stopper.

CCCCCAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTI: : : : : "3♥ ---The fact that I ne-glected to bid the first time might hurt ourchances of getting to game. Partner mighthave either just-shy-of-an-opening bid suchas AQxxx or KQxxx with an ace, or a clubpreempt with a four-card major (such as xx/Qxxx/x/AQJxxx. Three notrump would beunlikely, especially if West has three spades.And then West might just have a lesser handaltogether."

Go out of your way to bid vulnerablegames only if making and down one are theonly possibilities. You don't want to bidgames where down three is more likely thanmaking your contract.

2) IMPs Both V2) IMPs Both V2) IMPs Both V2) IMPs Both V2) IMPs Both Vulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. You, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:

K2/-/10987/AKQJ1098

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST- - 1♠ Pass

2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass3♣ (F) Pass 3♥ Pass

???

ActionActionActionActionAction ScorScorScorScorScoreeeee PanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelists SolversSolversSolversSolversSolvers3NT 100 2 473♠ 90 8 784♣ 80 1 95♣ 40 0 156♣ 40 0 24♠ 20 0 185♠ 20 2 1

4NT 20 0 34♦ 20 0 16♠ 20 0 15♥ 20 0 15♦ 20 0 1

- 12 -- 12 -- 12 -- 12 -- 12 -

Eight experts attempt to play thishand in spades. Unless partner has goodspades, is able to win the lead, drawtrumps run the clubs, spades will notplay well. Give partner AQJxx/KQxxx/xx/x and 4♠ goes down with a club leador club switch. Notice that I gave part-ner the jack of spades. What if partner'sspades are worse? Doesn't three notrumpor 5♣ figure to make more often than 4♠ .Why support spades on a doubletonwhen partner needs very little to makethree no t rump. Suppor t ing on adoubleton, unless partner shows six,makes sense only if no other game con-tract is feasible. Axxxxx/KQxxx/J/x is allpartner needs to make three notrump.Give partner AQJxxx/xxxxx/x/x and 6♣is cold. Since I would expect partner tohave more diamonds than clubs, AQxxx/KQxxx/xx/x is a more reasonable guessof partner's hand. If you bid 3♠ and youbelong in three notrump, partner can'tbid it. If you bid three notrump and youbelong in 4♠ , partner might bid it.

One expert agrees with me and makes thepercentage bid. The clubs will run so all weneed is to avoid losing the first five tricks.

SSSSSCHWCHWCHWCHWCHWARARARARARTZTZTZTZTZ: : : : : "Three notrump---Spades couldplay poorly even if partner has six. Oppo-nents are unlikely to have five diamondtricks or opening leader might have thethree. If partner is void in clubs, the spadeking is likely to be an entry."

4♣ is my second choice. If partner bids4♦ , either as a cuebid or as keycard, I'd behappy. Solid seven-card suits are made tobe trumps.

CCCCCAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTI: : : : : "4♣ ---Slam still quite fea-sible - leaves room for 4♦ cuebid."

Eight experts head towards a likely poorcontract.

RRRRR O M A NO M A NO M A NO M A NO M A N: : : : : "3♠ ---Hmmm, bid and rebidclubs--check. Show honor doubleton forpartner's first-bid suit--check. Ahh...life isgood! All other calls get zero."

SSSSS H AH AH AH AH AWWWWW : : : : : "3♠ ---I think three notrump is

the most likely game. How does partnerknow that the stiff Jack of diamonds isall you need?"

Then why don't you bid three notrump?

BBBBBERMANERMANERMANERMANERMAN: : : : : "3♠ ---Promises only two spades.I will pass 4♠ but look for slam over anyother bid. In some sequences partner maybe able to see a grand with the spade infor-mation."

LLLLLUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLIN: : : : : "3♠ ---No other choice. Partnermight be 6-5 with no clubs."

WWWWWOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEY: : : : : "3♠ ---This is the best spadeholding partner could expect for my se-quence, so if he bids four spades it is prob-ably a decent contract. Otherwise, we'll justhave to see what he does. Three notrump andfive or six clubs are possible final contracts."

AAAAADAMSDAMSDAMSDAMSDAMS: : : : : "3♠ ---Partner knows this is adoubleton. If he has good spades, we belongin spades."

And if he doesn't have good spades?

KKKKKINGINGINGINGING: : : : : "3♠ ---Seems clear to show my spadepreference. Partner won't expect more thana doubleton."

HHHHHOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINS: : : : : "3♠ ---Temporizing. I am hopingfor a 4♦ cuebid in cases where partner hasa good hand."

Just because partner showed 5-5, doesn'tmean his spades are good. Wouldn't he bidthe same holding Qxxxx/AKQxx/Jx/x? True,if partner has bad spades, he knows 4♠ willnot play well. Over 3♠ , the bid that eightexperts made, partner would bid 4♥ attempt-ing to play the possible 5-2 good heart fitrather than the known poor 5-2 spade fit.Isn't three notrump where you belong? Whatdoes poor partner do holding AJxxx/AQxxx/xx/x? He knows 4♠ will be bad but whatchoice does he have?

Two experts break the rule on construc-tive bidding. You can't try for slam until youhave a good trump suit. If partner has badspades, 2♠ might be the limit.

PPPPPARKERARKERARKERARKERARKER: : : : : "5♠ ---We could easily have agrand. This should ask for diamond control.Give him AQJxx/Kxxxx/Ax/x they need to

- 13 -- 13 -- 13 -- 13 -- 13 -

lead a club to beat seven."

AAAAABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRA: : : : : "5♠ ---Quantitative."

When holding a solid seven card suit,make that suit trumps or play notrump.

33333) IMPs ) IMPs ) IMPs ) IMPs ) IMPs None None None None None VVVVVulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. Yulnerable. You, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:ou, South, hold:

AJ2/654/2/AKQ654

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass

????

ActionActionActionActionAction ScorScorScorScorScoreeeee PanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelists SolversSolversSolversSolversSolvers3♣ 100 7 792♣ 80 4 602♦ 70 1 02♥ 50 0 191♠ 20 1 142♠ 20 0 13♥ 20 0 21NT 20 0 2

Two and a half clubs is what this handis worth. More than a 2♣ bid but less thana 3♣ bid. 3♣ is the most popular call butthere are strong voices for 2♣ . If partnerhas a good hand, KQx/Axxx/Axxx/Jx forinstance, bidding 3♣ could lead to ahopeless slam. On the other hand, if part-ner has a reasonable hand, for instanceQxx/Kxxx/Axxx/xx, bidding 2♣ couldlead to missing a good game. If you bid3♣ , partner holding five hearts, has todecide whether or not to try for a 5-3 heartfit. Partner holding Kxx/KQxxx/Qxx/Jxmight just bid three notrump. So is it 2♣or 3♣ ?

Maybe the way to show a two and a halfclub hand is to bid 2♦ . One doesn't usu-ally reverse into a singleton but there isprotection. Rather than hang you in dia-monds, partner will usually try for threenotrump. Also holding three hearts pro-tects you. If partner has a very good hand,his hearts will be longer than his dia-monds. 2♦ allows partner to rebid hishearts holding five. The advantage of 2♦is that it might stop a killing diamondlead against three notrump.

Seven experts bid 3♣ which is a tadoverbid.

CCCCCAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTI: : : : : "3♣ ---Clearly a book bid -and you like your three hearts."

The book says 3♣ shows 16-18.

SSSSSHAHAHAHAHAWWWWW: : : : : "3♣ ---The Adams bid."

2♦ was the Adams bid which workedvery well.

BBBBBERMANERMANERMANERMANERMAN: : : : : "3♣---This is the playing strengthI expect my partner to have on this sequence.I have a strong expectation of contributingseven tricks at a notrump contract. Partnershould not be disappointed with this dummyin three notrump."

I agree with partner not being disap-pointed with this hand for three notrump butwhat if he bids a club slam?

LLLLL UBLINUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLIN: : : : : "3♣ ---Seems reasonable to mewith this hand. Can always supporthearts later."

AAAAADAMSDAMSDAMSDAMSDAMS: : : : : "3♣ ---This hand looks like an ad-vertisement for Cole, but not part of Wash-ington Standard, so 3♣ least of evils. On afrisky day, might psych a 2♦ reverse to in-hibit lead in notrump and to discover if part-ner has five hearts."

SSSSSCHWCHWCHWCHWCHWARARARARARTZTZTZTZTZ: : : : : "3♣ ---With opening bids beingso light, too much for 2♣ . Shutting out theheart fit might be OK with three little."

HHHHHOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINS: : : : : "3♣ ---Looking to get to threenotrump from my side if partner bids 3♦ ."

Four experts bid 2♣ . One could bid 2♣with as little as AJx/x/xxx/KQJ10xx.

RRRRROMANOMANOMANOMANOMAN: : : : : "2♣ ---Sometimes you're going tobe maximum for your bidding, it just can'tbe helped. I would have sympathy for stron-ger action if partner had responded 1♠ ."

WWWWWOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEY: : : : : "2♣---Somewhat of an underbid,but anything else is too much of a distor-tion. At least I know we will be getting a plusscore here. If partner passes two clubs, itmight be where we belong, and if partnertakes another call we should have little dif-ficulty reaching a decent contract."

AAAAABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRA: : : : : "2♣ ---The most descriptivebid. Minimum opening hand and a six-cardclub suit. With a five-card club suit, I would

- 14 -- 14 -- 14 -- 14 -- 14 -

have bid one notrump."

But wouldn't you open 1♣ without theclub queen?

KKKKKINGINGINGINGING: : : : : "2♣ ---I am not adverse to raisingwith three trumps, but not when the dispar-ity between the suit quality is so great. I don'tthink the hand is quite worth 3♣ ."

The following call will just confuse mat-ters. If partner has four spades, you'll haveno chance to play any contract below the fivelevel. Don't bid three-card suits unless thereis no alternative.

PPPPP ARKERARKERARKERARKERARKER: : : : : "1♠ ---Things should becomeclearer on the next round. If partner raisesspades I will raise hearts. If he rebids heartsI will raise to game. If he bids one notrump,I will raise to game. What bad can happen?"

It would be very bad if partner bids 4♠ .

Be aggressive holding seven likelytricks,


AKJ654/6/J432/54

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST- 1♥ 2♣ Pass

2♠ Pass 2NT Pass???

ActionActionActionActionAction ScorScorScorScorScoreeeee PanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelists SolversSolversSolversSolversSolvers3♣ 100 4 113♠ 90 5 102

3NT 60 2 193♥ 50 1 43♦ 30 0 94♠ 30 1 19

Pass 30 0 13

2♠ shows a reasonable hand contain-ing a five or six-card spade suit andguess what folks, that's exactly what youhave. While 2♠ is not forcing, it showssome values. When we bid 2♠ we werehoping that partner would raise and wewould get to 4♠ . However, partner's twonotrump suggests that he doesn't have aspade fit. He probably has spade short-ness which makes our hand worth verylittle. Rebidding spades or bidding threenotrump figures to get us to a minus po-

sition. If we don't have game, what is thebest partscore? What about the 6-2 clubfit. One assumes partner has a six-cardsuit for a two-level overcall. We supportand a ruffing value.

Three experts agree with me and supportpartner. Also 3♣ limits our hand.

RRRRROMANOMANOMANOMANOMAN: : : : : "3♣ ---I will bid 3♠ over 3♦ or 3♥ ,raise 3♠ to four, and put down the dummyover three notrump or pass."

WWWWW O O L S E YO O L S E YO O L S E YO O L S E YO O L S E Y : : : : : "3♣ ---It is almost alwayswrong to play in two notrumpwith an un-balanced hand when there is an alterna-tive contract available. Partner will usu-ally have six clubs, so 3♣ figures to be adecent contract."

Two notrump is usually a horrible contractsince you seldom take exactly eight tricks.

PPPPPARKERARKERARKERARKERARKER: : : : : "3♣ ---He can correct with twospades. I do not want to play notrump un-less he has running clubs. This should behigh enough. No sense in bidding spadesagain and partner should play me for thistype of hand and correct with two."

Five experts rebid their spades. Is thespade suit good enough to play opposite asingleton?

BBBBBERMANERMANERMANERMANERMAN: : : : : "3♠ ---I have little outside ofspades and my suit is pretty good. Partnercan now choose between pass, threenotrump, and 4♠ ."

CCCCCAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTI: : : : : "3♠ ---Unless partner can bidagain, we are probably high enough."

But are you in your best strain?

AAAAADAMSDAMSDAMSDAMSDAMS: : : : : "3♠ ---I know someone that bidthree notrump on these cards, found partnerwith the expected singleton spade, and couldnot use this wonderful 6-4. This is a suit ori-ented hand, and partner does not know aboutthe six-card suit, and does not know you haveno help for clubs."

You do have two clubs and a ruffing value.

KKKKKINGINGINGINGING: : : : : "3♠ ---I feel this bid best describesmy hand."

HHHHHOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINS: : : : : "3♠ ---If partner were as good asQx/KJx/Kx/AQxxxx, then he should have bidthree notrump. I am going to suggest 3♠ orpossibly 4♠ as the best contract."

- 15 -- 15 -- 15 -- 15 -- 15 -

Two experts bid three notrump. We havetwo tricks. Does partner have seven?

LLLLLUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLIN: : : : : "Three notrump---Vulnerable I bidthree notrump. Partner could have twospades or 3-3 with queen onsides. Playingfor exactly eight tricks is ridiculous and thediamond suit isn't any good."

AAAAABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRA: : : : : "Three notrump---My diamondstopper is not optimal but the quality of myspades more than makes up for it. Partnerhas hearts and clubs stopped, and his invi-tation to game should be accepted."

One expert bids 3♥ which should bechoice of games. Allows partner to supportspades with two, bid three notrump with twoheart stoppers or run out to 4♣ with onlyone heart stopper.

SSSSSCHWCHWCHWCHWCHWARARARARARTZTZTZTZTZ: : : : : "3♥ ---Partner is showing a goodhand in response to a nonforcing 2♠ so will-ing to chance game. With the lack of heartbidding, have to give notrump a chance."

One expert overbids. Didn't 2♠ showour hand?

SSSSSHAHAHAHAHAWWWWW: : : : : "4♠ ---3♥ choice of games if we areon the same wavelength which I doubt. Threenotrump has two possible sources of tricksbut opposite a stiff spade you might not beable to guess which suit to go for. If partneris void in spades unlucky. I hope they areplaying Flannery so there is less chance ofa double."

Try not to play two notrump and don't bidthe same values twice.


5/K2/K10987/Q10987

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEASTPass 1♠ Dbl Pass???

ActionActionActionActionAction ScorScorScorScorScoreeeee PanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelistsPanelists SolversSolversSolversSolversSolvers2♦ 100 8 1123♦ 80 2 292♠ 70 1 21

4NT 50 0 23♣ 50 2 12♣ 40 0 5

Pass 20 0 12NT 20 0 51NT 20 0 1

How do you show a good passed handwith two possible strains? Cuebid! Bid2♠ . 2♠ shows one of three possible handsand promises a rebid. Four hearts and aminor, four hearts with spade stoppers orboth minors. If you had just a one-suiter,you would jump in that suit. Over 2♠ ,partner bids a four-card heart suit if pos-sible. Over partner's 3♥ , your 4♦ willshow both minors.

Eight experts bid 2♦ and hope to catchup later. Suppose its partner who has a bighand and bids 2♠ . Now what? Will 4♣ dojustice to this hand?

RRRRR O M A NO M A NO M A NO M A NO M A N: : : : : "2♦ ---This isn't going to endthe auction, and jumping to 3♦ , thevalue bid for my hand, makes it verydifficult to get to clubs when we be-long there."

SSSSS H AH AH AH AH AWWWWW : : : : : "2♦ ---I'd like to bid 3♦ onjust playing strength but I will get achance to bid my club suit later with ajump to 4♣ or 5♣ over 4♠ . They havetoo many spades for the bidding to diehere. Incidentally I think 4♠ should befor the minors but you should have abit more."

Why wouldn't a passed-hand fournotrump show both minors?

LLLLLUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLINUBLIN: : : : : "2♦ ---2♦ never ends the auction.Will bid clubs next. Hand is not good enoughto jump as passed hand and take up space."

WWWWWOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEYOOLSEY: : : : : "2♦ ---When partner makes atakeout double, next hand passes, and Iam unexpectedly short in the openingbidder's suit, this is an indication thatpartner's takeout double isn't going to bemodel shape. It is best to go slowly andgive everybody a chance to tell what theyhave. If I do something else, the auctionmay get out of hand and I will not havean opportunity to show both of my suitsconveniently."

HHHHHOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINSOPKINS: : : : : "2♦ ---I expect West to bid more

- 16 -- 16 -- 16 -- 16 -- 16 -

spades and I hope to compete by showingmy club suit."

PPPPPARKERARKERARKERARKERARKER: : : : : "2♦ ---No sense in jumping whenyou are not sure what suit to play in. Whereare the spades? It seems likely they will bidagain and I can bid clubs. Partner may havea good hand and he can clarify if I keep thebidding low."

SSSSSCHWCHWCHWCHWCHWARARARARARTZTZTZTZTZ: : : : : "2♦ ---With stiff spade, its sounlikely it won't go all pass, so if partnerdoesn't have a classic double, want to givehim a chance to bid out his hand. Would bid2♠ if partner would understand 3♠ as mi-nors over 3♥ ."

If cuebids show two suits and youdon't have hearts, then you must have theminors.

KKKKKINGINGINGINGING: : : : : "2♦ ---I don't have enough to cuebidand I expect to get a chance to show my clubsbefore the auction is over."

Four experts jump. Since you are plan-ning on bidding both suits, you should jumpin diamonds and bid clubs later. Bidding

clubs first and then bidding diamonds showslonger clubs.

AAAAADAMSDAMSDAMSDAMSDAMS: : : : : "3♦ ---I hope I get to bid clubsnext. With all the spades out there, I willget the chance unless partner does some-thing first. Not good enough for 2♠ . 2♦tempting, but loses when partner not in-volved in a high level. Need to show values,2♦ does not do this."

CCCCCAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTIAPPELLETTI: : : : : "3♦ ---I have enough shapeand spots to invite."

AAAAABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRABUSHAKRA: : : : : "3♣ ---And 4♦ after partner's3♥ ."

BBBBBERMANERMANERMANERMANERMAN: : : : : "3♣ ---Just enough values for ajump but not enough for a cuebid. I chooseclubs as partner can bid 3♦ , equal- levelconversion, with no club support and a mini-mum double. With more, partner can bidsomething else."

Cuebids after takeout doubles shows agood two-suiter which is what you have.

Make every card count!

��9��:��

Hadi Abushakra 3NT 5♠ 2♣ 3NT 3♣ 290

John Adams 3NT 3♠ 3♣ 3♠ 3♦ 440

Don Berman Pass 3♠ 3♣ 3♠ 3♣ 430

Mike Cappelletti 3♥ 4♣ 3♣ 3♠ 3♦ 390

Robbie Hopkins 3NT 3♠ 3♣ 3♠ 2♦ 460

Fred King 3NT 3♠ 2♣ 3♠ 2♦ 440

Glenn Lublin Pass 3♠ 3♣ 3NT 2♦ 450

Steve Parker Pass 5♠ 1♠ 3♣ 2♦ 340

Steve Robinson Pass 3NT 2♦ 3♣ 2♠ 440

Jeff Roman 3NT 3♠ 2♠ 3♣ 2♦ 470

Alan Schwartz Pass 3NT 3♣ 3♥ 2♦ 450

Mark Shaw 3NT 3♠ 3♣ 4♠ 2♦ 400

Kit Woolsey Pass 3♠ 2♣ 3♣ 2♦ 470

- 17 -- 17 -- 17 -- 17 -- 17 -

1) IMPs, Both V1) IMPs, Both V1) IMPs, Both V1) IMPs, Both V1) IMPs, Both Vul, Yul, Yul, Yul, Yul, You, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:AK/K/10987/AKJ765

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST1♣ PASS 2♣* 2♠???

*Inverted 10+

2) MPs, V2) MPs, V2) MPs, V2) MPs, V2) MPs, Vul, Yul, Yul, Yul, Yul, You, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:J1075/A6/65/AKJ104

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST1♣ 1♠ DBL 2♠

PASS PASS DBL* PASS?????

*Takeout

3) MPs, None V3) MPs, None V3) MPs, None V3) MPs, None V3) MPs, None Vul, Yul, Yul, Yul, Yul, You, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:3/KQJ3/-/AKQ107654

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST????

4) MPs, Both V4) MPs, Both V4) MPs, Both V4) MPs, Both V4) MPs, Both Vul, Yul, Yul, Yul, Yul, You, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:-/8765/109765/Q543

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST1♦ 1♠

???

5) MPs, Both V5) MPs, Both V5) MPs, Both V5) MPs, Both V5) MPs, Both Vul, Yul, Yul, Yul, Yul, You, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:ou, South hold:K42/J4/Q432/K1032

SOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTHSOUTH WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST NORNORNORNORNORTHTHTHTHTH EASTEASTEASTEASTEAST1♥ 1♠

???

Return answers by September 2 to:Steve RobinsonSteve RobinsonSteve RobinsonSteve RobinsonSteve Robinson

2891 S. Abingdon St #A2,Arlington Va, [email protected]

��%.��"��/%�0�

September/October 2002September/October 2002September/October 2002September/October 2002September/October 2002

Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement

LLLLLONGONGONGONGONG T T T T TERMERMERMERMERM C C C C CAREAREAREAREARE I I I I INSURANCENSURANCENSURANCENSURANCENSURANCE

At least 40% of people over 65will be at risk of entering a nursing home

during their lifetime.

National average ANNUALANNUALANNUALANNUALANNUAL costfor a nursing home facility is over $40,000

and in this area it is over $50,000.

ROY BECKER INSURANCE(301) 299 2235

- 18 -- 18 -- 18 -- 18 -- 18 -

The Lovenberg Race is open to all WBLmembers; the Izzy Cohen Race is open to allWBL members who started the calendar yearwith fewer than 1500 masterpoints; the TubbsRace is open to all WBL members who startedthe calendar year as a Non-Life Master; theWoolridge Race is open to all WBL memberswho started the calendar year with fewer than20 masterpoints; the Machlin Race includesonly those points won in senior events at thefive WBL Sectional Tournaments.

Winners in each category will receivefour sessions of free plays. Second place getstwo sessions and third place gets one.

This list is up to date through Monday,June 17, 2002, including the Unit KOs to datebut not including the Round Robin. All pointsare subject to audit by the WBL Director.

LovenberLovenberLovenberLovenberLovenberggggg1 120.35 Leo LaSota2 104.64 Alfred Steinberg3 82.77 Steve Robinson4 74.01 Ellen Klosson5 72.91 Earl Glickstein6 69.84 Weizhong Bao7 68.13 Alan Kleist8 66.89 Fred King9 66.63 Peter Boyd

10 63.85 Robert Klein11 63.61 John Adams12 63.21 Yi Zhong13 61.10 Barbara Shaw14 59.44 Eugene Kales15 58.72 Donna Rogall16 55.03 Mark Shaw17 54.01 Ellen Cherniavsky18 51.61 Hailong Ao19 51.17 David Ruderman20 47.63 Clyde Kruskal21 46.16 Warren Kaufman22 43.75 Kefu Xu23 42.52 Robert Bell24 39.45 Andrew Kaufman25 39.29 Charleen Brand

Izzy CohenIzzy CohenIzzy CohenIzzy CohenIzzy Cohen1 63.21 Yi Zhong2 54.01 Ellen Cherniavsky3 51.61 Hailong Ao4 39.45 Andrew Kaufman5 38.75 John Gassenheimer6 31.38 Jill Fisch7 29.04 Tim Crank8 28.50 William Colligan9 28.25 Kitty Gottfried

10 28.01 Richard Ferrin11 25.76 Robert Ellis12 25.56 Janet Dence13 24.59 Benjamin Stauss14 23.82 William Hacker15 23.77 Diane Walker

TTTTTubbsubbsubbsubbsubbs1 28.01 Richard Ferrin2 19.98 Charity Sack3 19.47 Barry Anderson4 18.87 Dennis Serpico5 18.55 Michelle Cantave6 18.22 David Hamilton7 16.59 Carole Banks8 16.51 Robert Wissman9 15.11 Gregory Campbell

10 14.95 Edgar Mac Arthur

WWWWWoolridgeoolridgeoolridgeoolridgeoolridge1 18.22 David Hamilton2 13.65 Timothy Stewart3 8.01 Steven Sacks4 7.23 David Epstein5 5.30 Ellen Rosenthal6 5.24 Julie Oethinger7 5.24 Joan Donoghue8 5.09 Gwendolyn Harllee9 4.72 Diana Campillo

10 4.05 Azmat Ali

MachlinMachlinMachlinMachlinMachlin1 8.46 Marie Creisher2 8.30 Jeanne Stenger3 7.93 Charles Stenger4 7.67 Charles Pan5 7.67 James Rodgers6 6.92 Rosemary Marks7 6.76 Stephen Czecha8 5.86 Alice Miller

��12)��$-��$�! �3�

wwwwwwwwwwwwwww.wbl-unit.or.wbl-unit.or.wbl-unit.or.wbl-unit.or.wbl-unit.orgggggUpdated by our Webmaster, Don Berman

- 19 -- 19 -- 19 -- 19 -- 19 -

�� $0��-2�!(%�

All Games held at Christ the King Church

July 18 & July 25 ................... CLOSED for Washington NABCAugust 1 ................................. Strata-Flighted Unit ChampionshipAugust 8 ................................. Strata-Flighted Unit ChampionshipAugust 15 ............................... Stratified NAP QualifyingAugust 22 ............................... Stratified Club ChampionshipAugust 29 ............................... Strata-Flighted Unit ChampionshipSeptember 5 ............................ Strata-Flighted Unit ChampionshipSeptember 12 ......................... MBA Sectional Tournament at ClubsSeptember 19 ......................... NVBA SectionalSeptember 26 ......................... Strata-Flighted Unit ChampionshipOctober 3 ................................ Club Appreciation BAM TeamsOctober 10 .............................. WBL SectionalOctober 17 .............................. Strata-Flighted Club Appreciation Pairs

NewcomerNewcomerNewcomerNewcomerNewcomer, Novice, and Inter, Novice, and Inter, Novice, and Inter, Novice, and Inter, Novice, and Intermediatemediatemediatemediatemediate7:15pm .................................... Free Duplicate Mini-Lesson7:30pm .................................... Bridge

Get there early for a Good Partner!Call Frances Burke at 301-384-6103 for info on Newcomer Classes and Games

GAME IS TO START PROMPTLY AT 7:30PM FOR INFORMATION CALL 301-649-1812

Map to Map to Map to Map to Map to Christ the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King Churchchchchch and Parking and Parking and Parking and Parking and Parking

Christ the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King ChurChrist the King Churchchchchch2301 Colston Drive2301 Colston Drive2301 Colston Drive2301 Colston Drive2301 Colston Drive

CCCCCOLSTONOLSTONOLSTONOLSTONOLSTON D D D D DRIVERIVERIVERIVERIVE

RRRRRTTTTT. 410. 410. 410. 410. 410EEEEEASTASTASTASTAST- W- W- W- W- WESTESTESTESTEST H H H H HIGHWIGHWIGHWIGHWIGHWAAAAAYYYYY

CCCCCAPITAPITAPITAPITAPITALALALALAL B B B B BELELELELELTWTWTWTWTWAAAAAYYYYY R R R R RTTTTT. 495. 495. 495. 495. 495EEEEEXITXITXITXITXIT 33 33 33 33 33 EEEEEXITXITXITXITXIT 31 31 31 31 31

RRRRRTTTTT. 410. 410. 410. 410. 410

BBBBBRIDGERIDGERIDGERIDGERIDGE

CCCCCONNECTICUTONNECTICUTONNECTICUTONNECTICUTONNECTICUT AAAAA

VEVEVEVEVE.....

JJJJJONES

ONES

ONES

ONES

ONES M M M M M

ILLILLILLILLILL R R R R R

DDDDD.....BBBBB

EACHEACHEACHEACHEACH D D D D D

RIVERIVERIVERIVERIVE

GGGGGRUBBRUBBRUBBRUBBRUBB R R R R R

DDDDD.....

AAAAAVEVEVEVEVE.....

SSSSSUNDALEUNDALEUNDALEUNDALEUNDALE D D D D D

RRRRR.....

1616161616THTHT

HTHTH

S S S S STTTTT .....

GG GGGEO

RGIAEO

RGIAEO

RGIAEO

RGIAEO

RGIA A A A A AVEVE VEVEVE.. ...

R R R R RTTTTT. 185. 185. 185. 185. 185

NNNNN^̂̂̂̂

JJJJJONESONESONESONESONESRRRRRDDDDD.....

WWWWWASHINGTON

ASHINGTON

ASHINGTON

ASHINGTON

ASHINGTON

- 20 -- 20 -- 20 -- 20 -- 20 -

��4��

�� $0��

STRASTRASTRASTRASTRATTTTTA-FLIGHTED PA-FLIGHTED PA-FLIGHTED PA-FLIGHTED PA-FLIGHTED PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS36 Pairs36 Pairs36 Pairs36 Pairs36 Pairs

John Gassenheimer &John Gassenheimer &John Gassenheimer &John Gassenheimer &John Gassenheimer &Helene BaumanHelene BaumanHelene BaumanHelene BaumanHelene Bauman

66.27%66.27%66.27%66.27%66.27%STRASTRASTRASTRASTRAT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS

14 Pairs14 Pairs14 Pairs14 Pairs14 PairsJoan Fitzpatrick & Gail MorJoan Fitzpatrick & Gail MorJoan Fitzpatrick & Gail MorJoan Fitzpatrick & Gail MorJoan Fitzpatrick & Gail Morgenweckgenweckgenweckgenweckgenweck

58.33%58.33%58.33%58.33%58.33%B/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS

34 Pairs34 Pairs34 Pairs34 Pairs34 PairsRoberRoberRoberRoberRobert Henrt Henrt Henrt Henrt Henry & Kevin Bary & Kevin Bary & Kevin Bary & Kevin Bary & Kevin Barnesnesnesnesnes

61.74%61.74%61.74%61.74%61.74%

STSTSTSTSTACACACACAC76 Pairs76 Pairs76 Pairs76 Pairs76 Pairs

WWWWWilliam Cole & Earl Glicksteinilliam Cole & Earl Glicksteinilliam Cole & Earl Glicksteinilliam Cole & Earl Glicksteinilliam Cole & Earl Glickstein65.34%65.34%65.34%65.34%65.34%

STRASTRASTRASTRASTRAT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS22 Pairs22 Pairs22 Pairs22 Pairs22 Pairs

Dennis Serpico & BarDennis Serpico & BarDennis Serpico & BarDennis Serpico & BarDennis Serpico & Barrrrrry Andersony Andersony Andersony Andersony Anderson70.20%70.20%70.20%70.20%70.20%

��*+��

FLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS

52 Pairs52 Pairs52 Pairs52 Pairs52 Pairs

David Fleischer & Patricia ParkerDavid Fleischer & Patricia ParkerDavid Fleischer & Patricia ParkerDavid Fleischer & Patricia ParkerDavid Fleischer & Patricia Parker

FLIGHT B/C/D PFLIGHT B/C/D PFLIGHT B/C/D PFLIGHT B/C/D PFLIGHT B/C/D PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


MarMarMarMarMartin Reed & Jack Geltmantin Reed & Jack Geltmantin Reed & Jack Geltmantin Reed & Jack Geltmantin Reed & Jack Geltman

62.20%62.20%62.20%62.20%62.20%

STRASTRASTRASTRASTRAT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


FrFrFrFrFred Mobley & Frieda Joyceed Mobley & Frieda Joyceed Mobley & Frieda Joyceed Mobley & Frieda Joyceed Mobley & Frieda Joyce

61.90%61.90%61.90%61.90%61.90%

��5�*6��

FLIGHT A/X BOARD-A-MAFLIGHT A/X BOARD-A-MAFLIGHT A/X BOARD-A-MAFLIGHT A/X BOARD-A-MAFLIGHT A/X BOARD-A-MATCHTCHTCHTCHTCH

24 T24 T24 T24 T24 Teamseamseamseamseams

Ellen Klosson, Ellen CherEllen Klosson, Ellen CherEllen Klosson, Ellen CherEllen Klosson, Ellen CherEllen Klosson, Ellen Cherniavskyniavskyniavskyniavskyniavsky,,,,,WWWWWilliam Cole & Peter Boydilliam Cole & Peter Boydilliam Cole & Peter Boydilliam Cole & Peter Boydilliam Cole & Peter Boyd

60.42%60.42%60.42%60.42%60.42%

FLFLFLFLFLTTTTT. B/C/D. B/C/D. B/C/D. B/C/D. B/C/D

13 T13 T13 T13 T13 Teamseamseamseamseams

John Glynn, M CassandraJohn Glynn, M CassandraJohn Glynn, M CassandraJohn Glynn, M CassandraJohn Glynn, M CassandraSmith, CarSmith, CarSmith, CarSmith, CarSmith, Carole Banks &ole Banks &ole Banks &ole Banks &ole Banks &

Richard RegardieRichard RegardieRichard RegardieRichard RegardieRichard Regardie

64.58%64.58%64.58%64.58%64.58%



WWWWWalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafferferferferferty & Marty & Marty & Marty & Marty & Mary Lafy Lafy Lafy Lafy Lafferferferferfertytytytyty

61.90%61.90%61.90%61.90%61.90%

��5�7��

ACBL Charity GameACBL Charity GameACBL Charity GameACBL Charity GameACBL Charity Game80 Pairs80 Pairs80 Pairs80 Pairs80 Pairs

Hailong Ao & WHailong Ao & WHailong Ao & WHailong Ao & WHailong Ao & Weizhong Baoeizhong Baoeizhong Baoeizhong Baoeizhong Bao

��5��

- 21 -- 21 -- 21 -- 21 -- 21 -

FLIGHT A/XFLIGHT A/XFLIGHT A/XFLIGHT A/XFLIGHT A/X

41 Pairs 41 Pairs 41 Pairs 41 Pairs 41 Pairs

Alan Kleist &Alan Kleist &Alan Kleist &Alan Kleist &Alan Kleist &Leo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSota

68.06%68.06%68.06%68.06%68.06%

B/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


BarBarBarBarBarrrrrry James &y James &y James &y James &y James &Diane JaworiwskyDiane JaworiwskyDiane JaworiwskyDiane JaworiwskyDiane Jaworiwsky

64.20%64.20%64.20%64.20%64.20%

STRA STRA STRA STRA STRAT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PT 0-200 PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


Helene Ramo &Helene Ramo &Helene Ramo &Helene Ramo &Helene Ramo &BarBarBarBarBarrrrrry Smithy Smithy Smithy Smithy Smith

60.40%60.40%60.40%60.40%60.40%

NAOP QUALIFYINGNAOP QUALIFYINGNAOP QUALIFYINGNAOP QUALIFYINGNAOP QUALIFYING


Peter BoydPeter BoydPeter BoydPeter BoydPeter Boyd

&&&&&

WWWWWilliam Coleilliam Coleilliam Coleilliam Coleilliam Cole

71.40%71.40%71.40%71.40%71.40%

'��*8��

�'��6��

FLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PFLIGHT A/X PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


TTTTTim Crank &im Crank &im Crank &im Crank &im Crank &Millard NachtweyMillard NachtweyMillard NachtweyMillard NachtweyMillard Nachtwey

71.15%71.15%71.15%71.15%71.15%

B/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PB/C/D PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


Beta Nahapetian &Beta Nahapetian &Beta Nahapetian &Beta Nahapetian &Beta Nahapetian &Edwin Fuller JrEdwin Fuller JrEdwin Fuller JrEdwin Fuller JrEdwin Fuller Jr

61.74%61.74%61.74%61.74%61.74%

0-200 P0-200 P0-200 P0-200 P0-200 PAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRSAIRS


Jan Zaal &Jan Zaal &Jan Zaal &Jan Zaal &Jan Zaal &NorNorNorNorNorma Frma Frma Frma Frma Fryyyyy

62.80%62.80%62.80%62.80%62.80%

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPCLUB CHAMPIONSHIPCLUB CHAMPIONSHIPCLUB CHAMPIONSHIPCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP


Leo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSotaLeo LaSota& Dan Kastur& Dan Kastur& Dan Kastur& Dan Kastur& Dan Kastureeeee

67.42%67.42%67.42%67.42%67.42%



WWWWWalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafalter Lafferferferferferty &ty &ty &ty &ty &MarMarMarMarMary Lafy Lafy Lafy Lafy Lafferferferferfertytytytyty

65.18%65.18%65.18%65.18%65.18%

��5�8��

��5��8��

- 22 -- 22 -- 22 -- 22 -- 22 -

This ar t ic le cont inues the con-t inuat ion in the May/June i s sueof the cont inuat ion in the Mar. /Apr. i s sue o f the d i s cus s ion o fpoints raised by Mr. Lat to ’s l e t -t e r wh i ch was pub l i shed in theJan. /Feb. i s sue . — Ed.

��

��!�;�&

Permit me to digress for a mo-ment. As a general rule, penalt iesfor f lagrant actions based on UI arerare ly imposed on inexper iencedplayers or in lower-f l ighted games.Exper ienced Di rec to rs and Com-m i t t e e s p r e f e r t o e d u c a t e t h e s eplayers rather than penalize them.But once they are warned, i f theymake a habit of this sort of thingthey may end up the exception whoare penalized. Of course in home orsocia l games a l l o f th is becomesmoot, since then the goal is just tohave fun and socialize. And whilethis is also a major objective of theACBL (especially in club games),we should remember that bridge isa l so a compet i t i ve ac t i v i t y. In apurely social game the rules can berelaxed and winning made second-ary. But in tournaments competi-t ion is of equal importance. Just asthe more social ly-or iented playerhas a r ight to complain i f his op-ponents interfere with his fun andenjoyment of the game, so too the

more compet i t i ve p layer has theright to complain i f he believes hisopponents may have taken advan-tage of UI, whether i t was dome in-tentionally or not . Just as a negli-gent driver is responsible for anydamage he creates, even i f i t wasunintentional , so too the carelessplayer who has UI available to himis responsible for his actions. Theopponents can be damaged just asmuch by accident as by intent.

It strikes me that an UI situationis not so very dif ferent from play-ing “adject ive br idge.” Have youever played? Each player is allowedto attach one adjective to each ofhis bids. So, for example, you couldbid Two “forcing” hear ts , or One“ n o n - f o r c i n g ” s p a d e , o r T h r e e“ace-showing” clubs. You could bidTw o “ J a c o b y ” n o t r u m p , Tw o“Michaels” spades or Two “Drury”clubs. Would you ever have anotherb idd ing misunders tanding i f youcould play this way all the t ime? Isuspect not . But what i f , a t yournex t dupl ica te game, your oppo-n e n t s b e g a n p l a y i n g t h i s w a y ?Would you call the Director? Wouldyou feel you were being taken ad-vantage of? Well that ’s how manyp l a y e r s f e e l w h e n a n o p p o n e n thesitates, f ishes around in his bidbox making i t clear to his partnerwhat his al ternatives are, or makesa bid which takes advantage of hisp a r t n e r ’s A l e r t o r a n s w e r t o a n

��00 ��-� ��9�

What’What’What’What’What’s the Hars the Hars the Hars the Hars the Harm, Parm, Parm, Parm, Parm, Part IVt IVt IVt IVt IV

by Rich Colkerby Rich Colkerby Rich Colkerby Rich Colkerby Rich Colker, r, r, r, r, [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]

- 23 -- 23 -- 23 -- 23 -- 23 -

opponent ’s question. I t ’s al l i l legalin a bridge tournament and protect-ing the competit ive environment isimportant, even i f some less-expe-rienced players think that this istaking unfa i r advantage o f them.Hesitat ing or forgett ing your sys-tem and then recover ing throughmi s -A le r t s a r e j u s t a s un f a i r t omore experienced players. Knowingthe rules and playing by them is nottaking unfair advantage, no matterhow loudly and often some playersclaim it is .

In what other competitive activi-t ies is i t i l legal or unfair to knowthe rules and use them to your besta d v a n t a g e ? W h e n a d e f e n s i v eplayer jumps offside in football, theopposing quarterback tr ies to takeadvantage of i t , even by risking anin te rcep t i on o r fumble , knowingthat he has a guaranteed penalty asa safety net. When a player with theball is fouled in basketball , he willthrow up a prayer of a shot know-ing that i f he miraculously hits i the gets a bonus foul shot . Playingby the rules and using them to youradvantage is part of any competi-t ive endeavor. Sure, you can play a“ f r i e n d l y ” g a m e i n w h i c h s t r i c tru les a re r e l axed , bu t when youenter a bridge tournament you areenti t led to play by the rules—theful l rules . This is “ touch move.”B e c o m i n g a m o r e e x p e r i e n c e dplayer involves not only learning tobid and play better but also learn-ing how to play by the rules. Alert!This does not mean I am advocat-ing that players complain of a foulwhere none exis t s . But asking forpro tec t ion f rom damage when an

opponent , even an inexper iencedone, may have profi ted from UI isa legit imate part of the game.

S t i l l no t conv inced? Then t r ythis. I f i t were legal , experiencedplayers could create UI in far moresub t le f o rms and take f a r be t t e radvantage of i t than inexperiencedplayers. I f you make no attempts tocurb the possible effects of UI, tak-i n g t h e P o l l y a n n a v i e w t h a te v e r y o n e ’s a c t i o n s a r e w e l l - i n -tended, the experts wil l dominateeven more than you ever imagineda n d t h e r e w i l l b e n o t h i n g t h eweaker players wil l be able to doto combat i t . But i f you apply thelaws s t r ic t ly and uni formly, eventhough exper i enced p laye r s mayhave a “temporary” advantage, theless-experienced players will even-tually learn what they must to catchup . Un l ike becoming an expe r t ,which not everyone can do, anyonecan read the law book and learnhow to play by the rules. Eventu-ally the playing f ield wil l becomelevel. In the mean time the less-ex-perienced player can choose to playin “protected” events and the lesscut throat p layer can s t ick to themore social atmosphere of the club.But i f you want t o improve yourgame, i f you want to play competi-t ively, then you have to pay yourd u e s a n d l e a r n t o p l a y b y t h erules—the full rules.

The preceding was an unpaid po-li t ical announcement.

. . . to be continuedwith Back to Alert ing and UI

in the September/October issue

RealtyToWeb.comSpecial “Bridge Player” Deal :

- 24 -- 24 -- 24 -- 24 -- 24 -


Bridge Playerson the Team

Eva KlivingtonPrincipal Broker,

Licensed in VA, MD, DC

Steve CzechaAgent, Licensed in MD

and

Michael ChelstLoan Officer,

Serving VA, MD, DC

Trying to “Sell” your home?Want to “Buy” your

dream home?Trying to “Find” the right real

estate investment?

Get a Greater Return onYour Investment :

If you list your property with aBridge Player,

you’ll get up to $4,000 creditedto you at settlement.

If you purchase a homethrough a Bridge Player,

you’ll get up to $2,000 creditedto you at settlement.

Curious to know how muchyour house is worth?

Click on …….. ��

2557 John Milton Dr Oak Hill VA, 20171

Office Phone:703-391-7450www.broker

@realtytoweb.com

- 25 -- 25 -- 25 -- 25 -- 25 -

In the last issue of the WBL Bulletin(May/June), I described the new alert pro-cedure. There were a couple of minor er-rors (pointed out by Richard Colker andMarvin Elster) that I would like to correct,and a couple of potential errors that Iwould like to discuss. Furthermore, Rich-ard Colker felt that I should have empha-sized the changes to the alert procedurevis-a-vis doubles; I agree and will remedythat here.

��"��2

4��"��

The new alert procedure reducest h e n u m b e r o f a l e r t a b l e c a l l s . Adouble, redouble, or pass is alertableonly if it has a highly unusual or un-expec ted meaning . Nega t ive in fe r-ences from passes are typically notalertable. The following are generallynot alertable:

• Doubles that are takeout,are penalty, show generalstrength (given the contextof the auction), or relate inan expected way to the suitdoubled (ask for a lead ofthe suit or show a raise orhonor).

• Redoubles that are for pen-alty, show values, or show ordeny control in the suit re-doubled.

• Passes tha t show weak-ness , show no des i re t ob id , o r ind ica te tha t nosuitably descriptive call isavailable.

As we will see below, there is some-times a gray area where it is reasonableto alert and to not alert. I would tend tobe conservative and alert, since thesesituations arise infrequently and there isno penalty for over-alerting. On the otherhand, one should consider either choice(of alerting or not alerting) acceptableprocedure. Do not assume you know themeaning of a call in such situations; ifyou care, ask.

ExamplesExamplesExamplesExamplesExamples:::::

A d o u b l e o f a n a t u r a l o p e n i n g b i dd o u b l e o f a n a t u r a l o p e n i n g b i dd o u b l e o f a n a t u r a l o p e n i n g b i dd o u b l e o f a n a t u r a l o p e n i n g b i dd o u b l e o f a n a t u r a l o p e n i n g b i da t t h e t h ra t t h e t h ra t t h e t h ra t t h e t h ra t t h e t h r e e l e v e l o r b e l o we e l e v e l o r b e l o we e l e v e l o r b e l o we e l e v e l o r b e l o we e l e v e l o r b e l o w i s ex-pected to be for takeout. If it is some-thing else, it is alertable. In particu-lar, power doubles, which can be offshape, or doubles that just show 13HCPs are alertable.

Traditionally, d o u b l e s o f ( n a t u r a l )d o u b l e s o f ( n a t u r a l )d o u b l e s o f ( n a t u r a l )d o u b l e s o f ( n a t u r a l )d o u b l e s o f ( n a t u r a l )44444♣ , 4, 4, 4, 4, 4♦ , a n d 4, a n d 4, a n d 4, a n d 4, a n d 4♥ o p e n i n g b i d s o p e n i n g b i d s o p e n i n g b i d s o p e n i n g b i d s o p e n i n g b i d s are fortakeout and doubles of higher-levelopening bids are for penalty. If youhave a different cutoff, perhaps youshould alert. But at the four level andh i g h e r, w h e t h e r y o u p l a y t a k e o u tdoubles or penalty doubles, a doublehas to basically be card showing. Ify o u r e a l l y n e e d t o k n o w w h a t a nopponent’s high-level double means,you should ask.

Originally, in negative doublenegative doublenegative doublenegative doublenegative double situa-tions, negative doubles were alertable;more recently neither negative doublesnor penalty doubles were alertable; andnow penalty doubles are alertable. Unfor-tunately, there is no traditional standardas to at what level such doubles are nega-tive. Clearly doubles at the one and two

�%��:::::;;;;;

ParParParParPart II: Doubles, Redoubles, and Passest II: Doubles, Redoubles, and Passest II: Doubles, Redoubles, and Passest II: Doubles, Redoubles, and Passest II: Doubles, Redoubles, and Passes

by Clyde Krby Clyde Krby Clyde Krby Clyde Krby Clyde Kruskaluskaluskaluskaluskal

- 26 -- 26 -- 26 -- 26 -- 26 -

levels are expected to be negative, andprobably even at the three level. At thefour level and above doubles must be tosome extent card showing. As a guide, Iwould alert penalty doubles at the threelevel and below.

After a notrAfter a notrAfter a notrAfter a notrAfter a notr ump opening bid, nega-ump opening bid, nega-ump opening bid, nega-ump opening bid, nega-ump opening bid, nega-t ive doubles and penalty doublest ive doubles and penalty doublest ive doubles and penalty doublest ive doubles and penalty doublest ive doubles and penalty doubles a reb o t h f a i r l y s t a n d a r d . N e i t h e r i sa l e r t a b l e . A f t e r 1 N T- ( 2 ♣ ) m a n ypai rs use double fo r S tayman. I f 2♣i s a r t i f ic ia l , the double i s cer ta in lya ler table . Even i f 2♣ i s na tura l , sod o u b l e b e h a v e s v e r y m u c h l i k e anegat ive double , i t i s s t i l l conven-t ional and therefore a ler table (s incei t spec i f ica l ly asks fo r a major andopener i s expected to reb id 2♦ ona double ton) .

Responsive doublesResponsive doublesResponsive doublesResponsive doublesResponsive doubles are less univer-sally played. So, in responsive doublesituations, a double is not alertablewhether it is responsive (and thereforetakeout) or it is penalty. Of course, if adouble has some other meaning, then itis alertable.

S n a p d r a g o n d o u b l e sS n a p d r a g o n d o u b l e sS n a p d r a g o n d o u b l e sS n a p d r a g o n d o u b l e sS n a p d r a g o n d o u b l e s are alertablesince they show tolerance for part-ner ’s suit , and are therefore conven-tional. I f you play an auction such as(1♣ ) -1♦ - (1♠ ) - x as mere ly t akeou tshowing hearts and may or may nothave tolerance for partner’s suit, thenit is not alertable.

Maximal overMaximal overMaximal overMaximal overMaximal overcall doublescall doublescall doublescall doublescall doubles are a com-bination of takeout and penalty. Thereforethey are not alertable.

SupporSupporSupporSupporSuppor t doubles and rt doubles and rt doubles and rt doubles and rt doubles and r edoublesedoublesedoublesedoublesedoubles arealertable. The raise promising four-card suppor t and the pass denyingthree-card support are not alertable.

H o n o r ( o r R o s e n k r a n t z ) d o u b l e sH o n o r ( o r R o s e n k r a n t z ) d o u b l e sH o n o r ( o r R o s e n k r a n t z ) d o u b l e sH o n o r ( o r R o s e n k r a n t z ) d o u b l e sH o n o r ( o r R o s e n k r a n t z ) d o u b l e sare a ler tab le s ince they are no t fo rpenal ty o r fo r takeout , do no t show

genera l s t reng th , and do no t re la tet o t h e s u i t d o u b l e d . H o n o r ( o rH o n o r ( o rH o n o r ( o rH o n o r ( o rH o n o r ( o rR o s e n k r a n t z ) rR o s e n k r a n t z ) rR o s e n k r a n t z ) rR o s e n k r a n t z ) rR o s e n k r a n t z ) r e d o u b l e se d o u b l e se d o u b l e se d o u b l e se d o u b l e s a r e n o ta le r tab le , s ince they show con t ro lin the su i t redoubled . The assoc i -a ted passes a re no t a le r tab le .

F o rF o rF o rF o rF o r c i n g p a s sc i n g p a s sc i n g p a s sc i n g p a s sc i n g p a s s a u c t i o n s a r e n o talertable. So after you pass and thenpull partner ’s double to invite slamthe bid is not alertable. Even if youreverse the meaning, as some pairs do,so that pass-and-pull is to play, thebid is not alertable (but you shouldpost-alert it).

If the opponents sacrifice at a veryhigh level against your slam auctionwhere a grand slam is still a possibility,many pairs play that pass shows firstround control of their suit and doubledenies it. Neither call is alertable. Evenif, for some reason, you reverse the mean-ings neither call is alertable (but youshould post-alert).

Some pai rs p lay n e g a t i v e l e a d d i -n e g a t i v e l e a d d i -n e g a t i v e l e a d d i -n e g a t i v e l e a d d i -n e g a t i v e l e a d d i -rrrrr e c t i n g d o u b l e se c t i n g d o u b l e se c t i n g d o u b l e se c t i n g d o u b l e se c t i n g d o u b l e s where , i f the oppo-nents b id the pa i r ’s su i t , a doublesays , “do no t l e ad i t ” and a pas ss a y s “ i t i s o k t o l e a d i t ” . T h e s emeanings are nons tandard and un-e x p e c t e d , s o b o t h t h e p a s s a n ddouble should be a ler ted .

Cons ider the auct ion (1NT)-2♦ -(x ) where 2♦ shows d iamonds andan unspeci f ied major, as in DONT.I f a redouble now shows d iamondso r s h o w s a g o o d h a n d i t i s n o ta le r tab le , bu t i f redouble asks fo rt h e m a j o r i t i s c o n v e n t i o n a l a n dthere fore a ler tab le .

C o n s i d e r t h e a u c t i o n 2 ♣ - ( 2 ♥ ) ,where 2♣ is strong and artificial and2♥ is natural . Tradit ionally, a passhere by responder shows values and adouble denies values. Both calls arenow alertable.

- 27 -- 27 -- 27 -- 27 -- 27 -

#��

��#��

The following errata refer to my articlein the May/June issue.

In the l ist of a n n o u n c e a b l e b i d sa n n o u n c e a b l e b i d sa n n o u n c e a b l e b i d sa n n o u n c e a b l e b i d sa n n o u n c e a b l e b i d s( in Par t I I I ) , the second and th i rditems should have been a single item.This may have le f t the impress ionthat there is some announcement af-t e r a n a t u r a l n o t r u m p o v e r c a l l o rno t rump reb id by opener ; there i snone. The only announcement for anotrump bid is the range after a natu-r a l 1 N T o p e n i n g . T h e a c t u a l t e x tshould have been:

• After a natural notrump open-ing, overcall, or rebid byopener, for any diamond bidthat is a transfer to hearts orheart bid that is a transfer tospades, state “Transfer”

It is now the case that intermediateand strong opening two bids in dia-monds, hearts, and spades are alertable,which will affect the few pairs that stillplay strong two bids. Weak and interme-diate two bids in clubs are still alertable.Thus, the list of natural bids that natural bids that natural bids that natural bids that natural bids that ararararareeeeealeraleraleraleralertabletabletabletabletable should have included the fol-lowing two items:

• Intermediate and strong natu-ral opening two bids in dia-monds, hearts, and spades

• Weak and intermediate open-ing two bids in clubs

One issue where I was slightly care-less was Namyats. In order to avoid dis-cussing the nuances and the fact that itis safer to over alert, I simply stated thatopening 4♥ or 4♠ when playing Namyatsis alertable. The Alert Procedure actuallystates that the following must be alerted“4♥ ,♠ openings which are natural but are

weaker than might be expected becausethe partnership has some other method(an example is the Namyats convention)for showing a good 4♥ ,♠ opening.” So youshould only alert if your 4♥ and 4♠ open-ing bids have a different range than thosebids for pairs not playing Namyats; Iwould alert in any case.

EsotericaEsotericaEsotericaEsotericaEsotericaThe following is some esoteric mate-

rial that possibly only I care about, butfor full accuracy I think it should be in-cluded. The Alert Procedure documentstates “Opener’s rebid of two of a minorover partner’s forcing or semi-forcingnotrump response to a major does not re-quire an Alert if it shows three or moreof the suit bid (4-5-2-2 does not requirean Alert as long as responder expectsthree or more cards in the minor).” Thealert chart classifies as not alertable themore general “Two-of-a-minor after aforcing or semi-forcing 1NT response.”As long as responder expects three ormore cards for opener’s minor-suit rebidit is not alertable.

What does it mean to expect three ormore cards? I estimate that (playing stan-dard forcing notrumps) after 1♥ -1NT-2♣ ,opener has a doubleton club less than15% of the time. This seems like a rea-sonable cutoff. In some versions of BART,for example, opener is required to havefour diamonds to rebid 2♦ after 1♠ -1NT;so opener sometimes rebids 2♣ on adoubleton, which I estimate occurs ap-proximately 20% of the time. This is ahigh enough percentage that it shouldprobability be alerted.

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:I especially thank Richard Colker,

Chip Martel, and Sol Weinstein for toler-ating long conversations with me. I alsothank Rae Dethlefsen, Kathy Kruskal, andMillard Nachtway for their help.

- 28 -- 28 -- 28 -- 28 -- 28 -

BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc. is grateful and ap-preciative for the generous donation theWashington Bridge League gave us in orderto continue our mission in the Maryland/Washington area.

Duplicate bridge is in serious trDuplicate bridge is in serious trDuplicate bridge is in serious trDuplicate bridge is in serious trDuplicate bridge is in serious trouble!ouble!ouble!ouble!ouble!• 60% of ACBL members are

over 65

• 3-4 are dying dailydailydailydailydaily, and thistrend will increase andpersist for 30+ years

• Membership will dropby 50% … unless wemake a serious invest-ment in our youth

Solution cannot rSolution cannot rSolution cannot rSolution cannot rSolution cannot rely solelyely solelyely solelyely solelyely solelyon volunteer bridge teacherson volunteer bridge teacherson volunteer bridge teacherson volunteer bridge teacherson volunteer bridge teachers

• Most volunteers over 65,fewer and fewer are avail-able, and volunteers getburned out

• Programs cease when thevolunteer is no longerable to run program

• School administrationdoes not see the valuebridge has in improvingchildren’s math, criticalthinking, and social skills

KKKKKids arids arids arids arids are not enere not enere not enere not enere not energized bygized bygized bygized bygized bythe gamethe gamethe gamethe gamethe game

• Kids aren’t learning thegame at home

• Current bridge programs do notinvolve kids in live competi-tions against other schools

• Kids are not exposed to thenurturing and support frombridge community

WWWWWe have the power to change this!e have the power to change this!e have the power to change this!e have the power to change this!e have the power to change this!

��-�$��

��1��

��-�!��'��

• A new curriculum will enableschool personnel to teachbridge to 3rd-8th graders

• School personnel will have theopportunity to take continuingeducation classes to learn toteach bridge

• National educational stan-dards and learning outcomesare engineered into new cur-

�� !3��-2��%��-#

by Beth Maloney-Refaie, Dirby Beth Maloney-Refaie, Dirby Beth Maloney-Refaie, Dirby Beth Maloney-Refaie, Dirby Beth Maloney-Refaie, DirectorectorectorectorectorBridgeatschools@[email protected]@[email protected]@aol.com

22222Local SchoolsLocal SchoolsLocal SchoolsLocal SchoolsLocal Schools

Who Have Signed onWho Have Signed onWho Have Signed onWho Have Signed onWho Have Signed onto Parto Parto Parto Parto Participate articipate articipate articipate articipate are:e:e:e:e:

'�<<��

GaithersburGaithersburGaithersburGaithersburGaithersburg, MDg, MDg, MDg, MDg, MD

andandandandand

��/��%�0��

GerGerGerGerGermantown, MDmantown, MDmantown, MDmantown, MDmantown, MD

- 29 -- 29 -- 29 -- 29 -- 29 -

riculum to increase its appealto school administrations andits effectiveness in boostinggrades.

• Start-up programs will re-search and measure how muchbridge improves test scores,thus justifying its place atschool

• Inter-school competitionshosted at sanctioned tourna-ment sites will increase excite-ment and involvement amongstudents

• Special events will be held in-volving mentors and the bridgecommunity

• Bridge community will havethe opportunity to mentor kidsand their families in the game

We have begun recruiting elementary andmiddle schools in the WBL area to partici-pate in research pilot studies in which we

will quantify the impact bridge has on a va-riety of educational standards – namely,math, critical thinking, and social skills.

In order to continue with our mission westill need support from corporations, grantwriting and from individuals like you whoare interested in promoting and sustainingthe game of bridge.

We need your monetary support to con-duct research that we will use to secure par-ticipation and endorsement, develop cuttingedge curriculum and start pilot programs andwe need your volunteer support to serve as amentor to a teacher in a school or to a childat a tournament.

With your support, you willnot only be ensuring that thegame of bridge continues forgenerations to come but youwill be solving one of our manysocietal problems by improv-ing education, delivering qual-ity after-school programs, andreinforcing youth’s self-imageand confidence through thegame of bridge. To those likeyourself who love the game andwant to see it have a viable fu-ture in our country, we believethat this is the only approachthat can propagate and sustainnew membership growthneeded to offset the dramaticlosses that are imminent.

If you would like to volun-teer please contact us. In ad-dition, individual contribu-tions can be sent to our Trea-surer, Barbara HellerBarbara HellerBarbara HellerBarbara HellerBarbara Heller, , , , , at 1442

Winston Place, Decator, GA 30033.

BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.BridgeAtSchools, Inc.PO Box 9885,Wilmington, DE [email protected]

Each of these schools will beEach of these schools will beEach of these schools will beEach of these schools will beEach of these schools will be

parparparparparticipating in a pilot prticipating in a pilot prticipating in a pilot prticipating in a pilot prticipating in a pilot programogramogramogramogram

study in September to show thestudy in September to show thestudy in September to show thestudy in September to show thestudy in September to show the

benefits of bridge on the education ofbenefits of bridge on the education ofbenefits of bridge on the education ofbenefits of bridge on the education ofbenefits of bridge on the education of

youth. As paryouth. As paryouth. As paryouth. As paryouth. As part of the prt of the prt of the prt of the prt of the program, theyogram, theyogram, theyogram, theyogram, they

will be attending local WBL/MBAwill be attending local WBL/MBAwill be attending local WBL/MBAwill be attending local WBL/MBAwill be attending local WBL/MBA

Sectionals and Regionals.Sectionals and Regionals.Sectionals and Regionals.Sectionals and Regionals.Sectionals and Regionals.

- 30 -- 30 -- 30 -- 30 -- 30 -

��"��,��-

You’re probably already aware of somebasic unblocking plays such as:

(Contract: 3NT)

Partner leads: You have:

♣Q ? ? ? ♣K 4

You should overtake the Queen with theKing and lead back the four. If you play lowand it knocks out the declarer’s ♣A, won’tthe lead be trapped on your side next timethe suit is led, instead of in partner’s hand,where it should be?

Partner leads: You have:

♣K ? ? ? ♣A 4

You should overtake and lead back the♣4. Remember that by his lead (againstnotrump) Partner usually has the ♣Q and♣J too. Get out of partner’s way!

How do we know when to unblock? Askyourself the following question:

“If I play low“If I play low“If I play low“If I play low“If I play low,,,,,will the lead get trappedwill the lead get trappedwill the lead get trappedwill the lead get trappedwill the lead get trappedon my side the next timeon my side the next timeon my side the next timeon my side the next timeon my side the next time

this suit is played?”this suit is played?”this suit is played?”this suit is played?”this suit is played?”If the answer is yes, then you should un-

block and get out of partner’s way. Remem-ber, his “top of a sequence” lead should seemlike a freight train coming down the track.Get out of the way or you’ll get run over!

Note that unblocking is very similar tothe winning “high card from the short sidefirst” concept that a declarer uses all thetime. If you were the declarer with:

Dummy♣ K Q J 7

Declarer♣ A 2

Wouldn’t you win the ♣A first, then leadthe ♣2 over to the dummy? Well, when thedefenders win “high card from the short sidefirst” it is actually called “unblocking”.Simple as that.

DrDrDrDrDrop It!op It!op It!op It!op It!However, some unblocking plays are not

so obvious. Sometimes you actually have touse a little extra thought to come to the sameconclusion. Look at the following hand,taken from a recent Tuesday night game atthe WBC.

Vul: AllDealer: EastOpening Lead: ♦ K

North♠ Q 10 8 5♥ A J♦ 7 5♣ 8 7 4 3 2

West East♠ J 6 3 ♠ K 9 2♥ 10 5 3 ♥ K 9 7 6 4 2♦ K Q 10 8 6 3 ♦ 4♣ 6 ♣ K 10 9

South♠ A 7 4♥ Q 8♦ A J 9 2♣ A Q J 5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTHPass(1) 1♦ (2)

Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT(3)Pass 3NT(4) All Pass

(1) East’s suit is not good enough for avulnerable weak 2♥ opener.

(2) South’s hand is too strong to open a15-17 1NT, so she starts with 1♦ instead.

NLMasterPointerswritten and compiled by I/N Editor, Leslie Shafer

- 31 -- 31 -- 31 -- 31 -- 31 -

This silences West, who was thinking abouta diamond preempt.

(3) This shows a hand too strong to open1NT. Playing a 15-17 opening NT, this wouldshow 18-19 HCP. Note that with a 20-21 HCPbalanced hand you would usually open 2NT.

(4) With 7 HCP plus one distributionpoint (the long club), North bids game. 8+18(or 19) = 26 (or 27).

Against South’s 3NT contract, West ledthe ♦ K, which won the trick. It is impor-tant to watch your partner’s carding, espe-cially on the opening lead. It will help guideyou to a winning defense. Partner’s ♦ 4 doesnot look encouraging especially when de-clarer plays the ♦ 2 and you are pretty cer-tain that South would love for you to con-tinue with your ♦ Q. He would then win his♦ A, promoting his ♦ J. This is called a“Bath Coup.” “The play dates from the daysof whist, and is presumably named after theEnglish watering place of Bath.” (The En-cyclopedia of Bridge)

West, unless you’d like to be given thisbath by the opponents, you must find a goodswitch. The opponents bid clubs and youcan see your spade honor melt under thedummy’s spades. That brings us to hearts.With three or four to an honor, you shouldlead low, so you switch to the ♥ 3. Dummysticks in the ♥ J and partner wins the ♥ K(two honors in one trick - your ♥ 10 is set-ting up quickly!). Partner returns a lowheart, declarer dropping the ♥ Q under thedummy’s ♥ A! Your ♥ 10 has now set up inonly two tricks - wooohooo!

Now before you start tuning the instru-ments for your own parade, please tell me— where are all the missing hearts? Onlyeight cards in the suit have been played.Why would the declarer crash his ♥ Q ondummy’s ♥ A if he had been able to playsomething else? Your partner must havefour hearts headed by the nine spot left. Getthat big ♥ 10 out of the way of your partner’s

long heart suit. You need to keep the ♥ 5 toplay under partner’s ♥ 9. So on the secondheart trick, jettison your ♥ 10! I feel yourpain, really I do. I hate throwing away mywinners, too. Such a tragedy, no?

Declarer finesses once in clubs, thenplays the ♣A, hoping the King drops. Onthe third club, partner gets in with his ♣K,and runs FOUR heart tricks, mumblingsomething about tuning some instrumentswhen he gets done. Your side got one dia-mond, five hearts and a club (seven tricks)to set 3NT for +300. And all because youthrew away your good ♥ 10. It is very pain-ful to give up a winning trick in your hand,but if you get three extra tricks back be-cause of it - why not? It only hurts for amoment, so get over it.

Just because you now know about theBath Coup doesn’t mean you must always useit. Every time I teach you something, I haveto turn around and teach you when NOT todo it. What if on this hand South had openeda club and West had made a preemptive jumpto 2♦ (showing a six card suit). Knowing sixdiamonds are on his left, and seeing six morebetween North and South, the declarer wouldknow that East has no more than one dia-mond in his hand. Therefore, even if Eastgains the lead later, will never be able toreturn West’s suit. Declarer would NOT nec-essarily want to utilize the Bath Coup if Westpreempts in diamonds.

��47��$ ��.��

��1��0/��

If you have less than 50 masterpoints, youwill be eligible to compete in this event andpossibly win bridge bucks! Get your part-ners ready. September will be here beforeyou know it and you will want to compete inthis event. All clubs and managers, pleaseAll clubs and managers, pleaseAll clubs and managers, pleaseAll clubs and managers, pleaseAll clubs and managers, pleasesend me your dates for holding these eventssend me your dates for holding these eventssend me your dates for holding these eventssend me your dates for holding these eventssend me your dates for holding these eventsat your club!at your club!at your club!at your club!at your club!

- 32 -- 32 -- 32 -- 32 -- 32 -

��%!"�� 33��

�� !3��;

Date:Date:Date:Date:Date: July 20, 2002 at 10:00 AM -12 Noon

Place:Place:Place:Place:Place: Marriott Mark Wardman Hotel(Summer NABC Site,) Wash-ington, DC

You just HAVE to come to this event atthis Summer’s NABC!!! Ron Kral of Virginiahas been organizing this event. Four differ-ent teachers will be giving three differentlessons each for a total of 12 topics you canchoose from. Each topic will range about 20-30 minutes. At the end of that lesson, youhave a choice of which topic you next wantto attend. Four different topics all being pre-sented simultaneously. And the price is rightalso – FREE!!!! Here is the schedule:

(��

�+��%<��#9��

��

There are also other free lectures beforeevery afternoon and evening I/N session.Please pick up a flyer for speaker details atyour local club. Local teachers Leslie Shaferand Mary Jane Von Moss are scheduled aswell as other celebrity speakers such asLarry Cohen, Barbara Seagram, HarryLampert, Jerry Helms, Audrey Grant, ZekeJabbour and Max Hardy to name just a few.

There are special days when all 0-5 play-ers play for FREE, special hospitality days(that means food and more food), special reg-istration gifts, door prizes, and lots and lotsof fun. Honestly, if you don’t go bungeejumping or skydiving for your thrills, thenthis is the next best thing. What excitement!What fun! It only comes around this areaonce every 10 years. Some of you might bethinking - “Well, I’ll just wait for the nextone.” As I told one of my classes - “You’dbetter go to this one - you’ll be dead by thetime it comes this way again.”

��%!"�� 33��

�� !3��;

�-2�!(%�

10:15 - 11:40 AM10:15 - 11:40 AM10:15 - 11:40 AM10:15 - 11:40 AM10:15 - 11:40 AMRon Kral will present Easy-bridge! 1 (For beginners)

10:00 - 10:15 AM10:00 - 10:15 AM10:00 - 10:15 AM10:00 - 10:15 AM10:00 - 10:15 AMCoffee and Donuts

10:15 AM10:15 AM10:15 AM10:15 AM10:15 AM♣Room A - Leslie Shafer (Cross-

Ruffing and When Not To)♦ Room B - Sam McMillan (Open

First, Open Often)♥ Room C - Pat Spooner (Cue-bids)

♠ Room D - Steve Forsythe (KnowYour Objective)

10:45 AM10:45 AM10:45 AM10:45 AM10:45 AM♣Room A - Leslie Shafer (Bidding

with No Points!)♦ Room B - Sam McMillan (Accept

Your Limits - 2 Types of LimitRaises)

♥ Room C - Pat Spooner (Transfers)♠ Room D - Steve Forsythe (Using the

Principles of Mass and Eco-nomy of Force at the BridgeTable

11:15 AM11:15 AM11:15 AM11:15 AM11:15 AM♣Room A - Leslie Shafer (Reverses)♦ Room B - Sam McMillan (Flex Your

Muscles - Alternatives toBlackwood)

♥ Room C - Pat Spooner (Overcalls)

♠ Room D - Steve Forsythe (ErrolFlynn Bridge - Seize the Ini-tiative!)

11:45 AM11:45 AM11:45 AM11:45 AM11:45 AMMary Jane Von Moss presentsher famous “Bridge Rap” andDoor Prizes will be given away(you must be present to win)

�

- 33 -- 33 -- 33 -- 33 -- 33 -

The metro is right on the corner of thehotel grounds. You have no excuse for notcoming and having a marvelous time. What’sthat? You have no partner? PARTNERS AREGUARANTEED!!! Just show up and all youneed to bring is a good attitude and be pre-pared to have a great time. Party on!!

Leslie ShaferLeslie ShaferLeslie ShaferLeslie ShaferLeslie Shafer is the editor of “Bridge Students“Bridge Students“Bridge Students“Bridge Students“Bridge Students‘R Us.”‘R Us.”‘R Us.”‘R Us.”‘R Us.” A national bridge newsletter specificallyfor Intermediate and Novice players, it is re-ceiving rave reviews! Started in January 2001,hundreds of subscribers in its first year atteststo its easy-to-read format and Leslie’s famoushumor! Call (301-593-6828) or write for a freecopy of Issue #1. You may subscribe by sendingyour name, address, phone number and pay-ment of $25 for a one-year subscription (six is-sues a year) to Leslie Shafer, 690 Concerto Lane,Silver Spring, MD 20901. Her website iswww.bridgeteacher.com and her email addressis [email protected]]

��++��-��+

��;��-��

As of June 1, 2002

Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints)Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints)Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints)Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints)Junior Masters (5 Masterpoints)Herbert Kaufman Gail MorgenweckWilliam Peterson Jane Smith

Club Masters (20 Masterpoints)Club Masters (20 Masterpoints)Club Masters (20 Masterpoints)Club Masters (20 Masterpoints)Club Masters (20 Masterpoints)Michael Collier Gwendolyn Harllee

Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints)Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints)Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints)Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints)Sectional Masters (50 Masterpoints)Thavendran ArulnandhyJoy Bloomfield Lois BrockRobert Bronston Rose HadidianJulie Katzman Paul SiefringAdele Waggaman

Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints)Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints)Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints)Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints)Regional Masters (100 Masterpoints)Madeline Delahan Marian Johnson

NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints)NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints)NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints)NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints)NABC Masters (200 Masterpoints)Howard Bender Sandra ForsytheDavid Harris Mary Ann Moskowitz

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678912345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567891234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789

�2(��/(3��!�!

The WBL is looking for a photographer or teamof photographers. We need someone who is avail-able to take winners’ pictures at sectionals and atother special events. The pics will be publishedin this bulletin.

EarEarEarEarEarn frn frn frn frn free playsee playsee playsee playsee playsand contribute your talents to our league!and contribute your talents to our league!and contribute your talents to our league!and contribute your talents to our league!and contribute your talents to our league!

Contact the Editor, Donna Rogall at:(301) 421-9615

[email protected]

- 34 -- 34 -- 34 -- 34 -- 34 -

��=��>

One question I am frequently asked bymy students is,

“Can you teach us how to psych?”“Can you teach us how to psych?”“Can you teach us how to psych?”“Can you teach us how to psych?”“Can you teach us how to psych?”They then wait with rapture in their

faces for me to solve all of their bridgewoes, find a cure for losing intra-finesses,and bring peace to the Middle East.

“Psyching is easy,” I reply, “just fig-ure out what bid I would make then reachinto your bid-box and put any other bidon the table.”

“But, but, … how do I know the psychwill be successful?”

“Oh, you want to be able to make goodpsychs? That’s another matter entirely…”As Steve Robinson says, “you should onlymake good psychs.” If asked what exactlya good psych is, Stevie replies, “Any psychthat works is a good psych!”

Speaking of good psychs, a good bridgecolumn should contain a relevant joke:Albert Einstein goes to heaven and startswandering around. He meets a youngwoman with an IQ of 135. “Have you readmy latest paper on relativity?” he asks.Later he bumps into a young man with anIQ of 100. “What do you think of the Yan-kees? Did you enjoy last year’s world se-ries?” A while later he meets a young manwith an IQ of 80. “You hold AKxxx, Qxx,xxx, Ax. The bidding goes …”

��;��

Here is an example of a traditional psychfrom Fred Karpin’s classic book Psychologi-cal Strategy in Contract Bridge, The Tech-niques of Deception and Harassment in Bid-ding and Play.

Dlr: WestVul: N/S

North:♠ 2♥ 10 8 6 2♦ 10 6 5 4 2♣ K J 4

West: East: ♠ K J 7 ♠ Q 9 8 4 3♥ A J 9 4 3 ♥ K Q 7 5♦ 9 7 ♦ 8 3♣ 10 9 6 ♣ 8 2

South:♠ A T 6 5♥ —♦ A K Q J♣ A Q 7 5 3

SOUTH WEST NORTH EASTSchenkin

— Pass Pass 1♠Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠Dbl Pass Pass 2NTDbl Pass Pass 3♥3♠ Pass Pass Pass

Third seat, white vs. red, the greatHoward Schenken opens 1♠ with only 7HCPs. The bidding continues pass, 2♥ bypartner. Now what? Things are going well:He has found a nine-card heart fit, so con-tinues the psych by bidding 2♠ . It goesdbl, pass, pass. The opponents are on theropes. Schenken bids 2NT. It goes dbl,pass, pass. Time to retreat to the knownfit by bidding 3♥ . South overcalls 3♠ andWest passes. North, who has little in val-ues and very few spades, thinks that Southhas a great hand with a spade stack. (Heis half right.) Voila. The opponents play3♠ in your eight-card-fit when they arecold for slam in diamonds.

NLMasterPointerswritten by Mary SykerG��

��

^̂̂̂̂�

♣‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘

‘‘‘‘‘

♥

‘ ‘

♦ ‘‘

♠‘‘

- 35 -- 35 -- 35 -- 35 -- 35 -

These types of psychs, where you arethird seat, white vs. red, and have a badhand, are ok. They used to work in the olddays and they still work sometimes today,but modern players are expecting it. Let meshow you a hand my favorite partnerMudstuffing and I played recently. I held,fourth seat, red vs. white,

♠ A J 5 3♥ K 9 4♦ Q J 6 3♣ K 8

The auction went Pass-Pass-1♦ to me.An obvious psych. Mudstuffing and I playFishbein over psychs (so double is pen-alty and the next suit up, in this casehearts, is takeout); if you don’t play this Isuggest you add it to your arsenal. I madea penalty double. The opponents had no-where to run and were down 500 when weonly had a part score.

The modern approach is to psych with agood hand. Here’s an example where a localexpert, John Adams, playing in the annualLife Master/Non-Life Master Unit Game,psychs in first seat.

Dlr: SouthVul: N/S

North:♠ A Q J 10 x♥ x x x x♦ x x♣ Q x

West: East:♠ — ♠ x x x x x x♥ K Q 10 9 x x ♥ —♦ x x ♦ x x♣ J x x x x ♣ A K x x x

South:♠ K x♥ A J x♦ A K Q J 10 x x♣ x

SOUTH WEST NORTH EASTAdams

1♣ 2♥ 2♠ Pass6NT Pass Pass Pass

With a very good hand, a singleton club,and a running diamond suit, Adams opens1♣ in first seat. West preempts 2♥ , partnerbids 2♠ , and East passes. If partner has theace of spades and the spade suit behaves,South is looking at 13 tricks in notrump with-out a club lead (five spades, ace of hearts,and seven diamonds). Even if partner doesnot have the ace of spades, or Adams cannotquite pick up the whole suit, the opponentsmay not find the best defense. So he bids6NT. West makes the natural king of heartslead, and South claims 13 tricks. Notice thatthe seemingly better contract of 6♦ willlikely go down. In fact, on the natural kingof hearts lead (or a club lead), the opponentscan crossruff the hand and take the ace ofclubs for down four.

There is a hypermodern approachwhere you psych with a good hand, but un-derstate your values. The following handwas played at the world championshipBermuda Bowl by two of the top teams. Thepsyching team was not desperate; theywere winning the match at the time andwent on to win it handily. If you are notfamiliar with this style you might think Iam making this up — I’m not. This is howtop players bid these days.

You hold first seat red vs. red

♠ Q J 7 3

♥ J 10 3

♦ A Q 4

♣ K Q 4

A measly 15 HCP. Now is a good time topass, and see how the auction develops.World champion Marek Szymanowski did,knowing exactly what he was holding. Part-ner opens 1♠ . Back to you. Now what? Youexpect to make 4♠ , and slam is a possibil-ity. How do you set the strain and investi-gate slam. Drury? No. If partner jumps togame you will not know what to do. Pass ismuch better. If the opponents compete now,you will have a good idea of where the cardsare placed, making slam a much betterproposition. As it happens, it gets passedout. Partner makes 12 tricks for plus 230.Why is this so good?

- 36 -- 36 -- 36 -- 36 -- 36 -

Partner holds:

♠ A K 10 4 2

♥ K Q 9 5 2

♦ J 9

♣ 5

At the other table the opponents holdingyour cards were not well versed in thesehypermodern methods. They opened yourhand, used Blackwood to investigate slam,and ended up in 5♠ . This went down one ona heart ruff. Plus 100. That’s 8 well-earnedIMPs. Good job.

In summary, we have seen examples ofclassic, modern, and hypermodern psychs.This is a mere taste of this fascinating topic.Next column I will cover pseudo-psychs.

[Editor’s note: Incredible! A last minute in-vestigation revealed that there is more to thatlast hand. It occurred during the final round

of the round robin phase of the 1981 BermudaBowl. The teams were split into two leagues;the top four teams in each league would makeit into an eight-team knockout to determinethe world champion. Szymanowski and histeam were trying to lose the match in order todrop from 3rd to 4th place, which would en-able them to start the finals by playing whatthey felt was the weaker of the top two finish-ers in the other league. Despite their efforts onthis and many other hands, they failed to losethe match. Perhaps Ms. Syker did not fullyunderstand the situation.

At press time, the accuracy of the twoquotes attributed to Steve Robinson remainunconfirmed. Ms. Syker is not responding toe-mails, nor did she leave any other form ofcontact. If anyone out there knows her per-sonally, please ask her to check in. We arebeginning to worry that she may be in someway incapacitated.]


➨ Get on the internet ➨ OKBridge/OKWin➨ Computer purchase ➨ Microsoft Word➨ Computer setup ➨ Microsoft Excel/Access➨ Email setup ➨ Web Page Design➨ Software installations ➨ Uploads and Downloads➨ Programming ➨ Phone support

dibasoft Computer Consulting

301-990-8534 [email protected]

Do you get along withyour computer?

��

Diane Walker

If you arIf you arIf you arIf you arIf you are a non-member who subscribese a non-member who subscribese a non-member who subscribese a non-member who subscribese a non-member who subscribesto the WBL Bulletin, your dues arto the WBL Bulletin, your dues arto the WBL Bulletin, your dues arto the WBL Bulletin, your dues arto the WBL Bulletin, your dues areeeeecoming due. By the end of this yearcoming due. By the end of this yearcoming due. By the end of this yearcoming due. By the end of this yearcoming due. By the end of this year, all, all, all, all, allsubscriptions will need to be rsubscriptions will need to be rsubscriptions will need to be rsubscriptions will need to be rsubscriptions will need to be renewed.enewed.enewed.enewed.enewed.A forA forA forA forA form will be printed in this space inm will be printed in this space inm will be printed in this space inm will be printed in this space inm will be printed in this space inthe next issue. Renewals will be $21 forthe next issue. Renewals will be $21 forthe next issue. Renewals will be $21 forthe next issue. Renewals will be $21 forthe next issue. Renewals will be $21 for3 years.3 years.3 years.3 years.3 years.

THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE LEAGUE Second Class

14517 PERRYWOOD DRIVE Postage Paid

BURTONSVILLE, MARYLAND 20866 at Burtonsville, MD

��-��

Documents

July August 2002 - BridgeWebs