Tournament Schedule: Intermediate/Novice

October 30, 2015
Volume 20, Issue 5
Tournament Schedule:
MONDAY, October 26
7:30 0-499 Non-LM Stratified Charity Pairs
7:30 Stratified Education Charity Pair
Education Charity Knockout
Intermediate/Novice
TUESDAY, October 27
9:30 Morning Side Game Series
Monday 7:30 pm
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 Players’ Choice (PC) Stratified Pairs (A/AX)**
I/N Stratified Charity Pairs
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 PC Gold Rush Pairs**
Stratified Pairs 0-100, 100-300, 300-499
(B: 300-750, C: 0-300)
2:00, 7:30 Side Game Series I, Sessions 1 & 2
Thursday 9:30, 2:00 & 7:30 pm
7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams, 1 Session
Single Sessions
Stratified Pairs 0-100, 100-300, 300-499
WEDNESDAY, October 28
9:30 Morning Compact Knockout 1 & 2
9:30 Morning Side Game Series
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 PC Stratified Pairs (A/AX)**
9:30, 2:00, 7:30, PC Gold Rush Pairs**
(B: 300-750, C: 0-300)
2:00, 7:30 Side Game Series I, Sessions 3 & 4
7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams 1 session
Saturday 9:30
Single Session
Stratified Pairs 0-100, 100-300, 300-499
Free Intermediate/Novice Dinner
(Thursday between sessions)
Daily Speakers
THURSDAY, October 29
9:30 Morning Compact Knockout 3 & 4
9:30 Morning Side Game Series
2:00, 7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams
2:00 , 7:30 Side Game Series II, Sessions 1 & 2
7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams, 1 Session
Registration Gifts
Chairman : Bob Young
Partnership Chairman Sharon Pobloske
FRIDAY, October 30
9:30 Morning Swiss Team, Session 1
9:30 Morning Side Game Series
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 PC Stratiflighted Pairs (A & AX)**
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 Players’ Choice Gold Rush Pairs**
(B:300-750, C: 0-300)
2:00, 7:30 Side Game Series II, Sessions 3 & 4
7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams, 1 session
Masterpoint Averaging is in effect for all
Pair Games and Swiss Team Events
where permitted.
Saturday, October 31:
District 13 Board Meeting
All District Board members are expected
to attend. A full breakfast will be served
in the coffee shop at 9:15 am before the
meeting in the Westgate Rooms at 10am.
SATURDAY, October 31
9:30 Morning Swiss Teams, Session 2
9:30 Morning Side Game Series
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 PC Stratiflighted Pairs, (A/AX)**
9:30, 2:00, 7:30 Players’ Choice Gold Rush Pairs**
(B: 300-750; C: 0-300)
2:00, 7:30 Side Game Series II, Sessions 5 & 6
7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams, 1 Session
Hospitality
Suite
SUNDAY, November 1
10:00 Stratiflighted AX Swiss Teams, Playthrough, 20 VP*
B/C/D Swiss Teams*
**9:30, 2:00, 7:30 Players’ Choice (PC) Pairs
Play any 2 of the 3 sessions…You must
specify which two when purchasing your entry!
Stratification: A 2000+, B:
750-2000, C: 0-750
*Stratiflighted: A: 3000+, AX:
0-3000: 40% of field for
higher awards; Play Separate
*B: 750-2000; C: 300-750;
D: 0-300
Read your
Daily Hand-Out!
Pick up your copy
at the hospitality
desk.
h
unc
L
e
Fre esday
n
Wed nday
u
&S
Regional Knockout Schedule
*Compact Knockout
Mon
Tues
Wed
A2
CKO1*
A3
C1
B1
B3
7:30
A1
A4
C2
B2
B4
One-Session Evening Games
7:30
Swiss
Swiss
9:30
2:00
1
Thur
CKO1*
C3
C4
Swiss
Fri
Sat
Fri-Sat Swiss Teams
D1
D3
Compact KO 2
D2
D4
Compact KO 2
Swiss
Swiss
The Daily Hand-Out
Where to Eat in Lake Geneva
A Mansion's Long Journey:
From Redwood Cottage to Gilbert's Restaurant
1885 - 2001 … a history ...
In a community where wealth has always been conspicuously displayed, the 1885 mansion now known as
"Gilbert's" has undergone an extensive renewal. Originally called the "Redwood Cottage," the 30 room
mansion was built as a summer home residence for the family of industrialist Robert H. Baker of Racine.
Mr. Baker was an early stockholder in the JI Case Co. and later a prominent politician. His father, a
prominent attorney and founder of the Baker and McKenzie Law Firm of Chicago, once owned a beautiful
mansion next door to the south (which has been demolished for about 10 years).
Emily Baker, wife of Robert Baker, played an important part in the design of the whimsical "Queen Anne"
style Victorian home. Robert died at the very young age of 43 before the home was completed, leaving
Emily the daunting task of designing and overseeing the construction of this beautiful mansion.
However, Robert, during his relatively short life accomplished much. By the year 1882 Robert Baker had
served as a school commissioner, alderman, mayor and was twice elected to the state senate. He was once
elected the republican candidate for lieutenant governor and by age 24 owned over 25% of JI Case. Robert
and Emily Baker were devout family people with great interest and concern for their community and
country. They loved Lake Geneva, as we discovered after reading many letters written to friends and family
back home in the east. The letters included poetic descriptions of the beautiful area around the lake and
took great pains to name the trees, plants and animals of the region.
The warmth and respect of this family can be felt throughout the home with its rich woods of cherry,
walnut, oak, maples, mahogany and fir. The unusual one-of-a-kind craftsmanship found in the 13 hand
carved fireplaces which are inlaid with the original Mediterranean tiles are now lit nearly every night in
winter for guests. The grand solid cherry stair case extending the full three stories of the great hall is
breathtaking and only to be out done by the magnificent parquet floors and massive oak doors
ornamented by intricate detailed brass hinges and closures, each one different in pattern and design. The
open foyer with its stained glass windows and crystal chandeliers give a cathedral-like appearance to the
great hall. The bar having been the family formal dining room remains almost in its original state with the
exception of the cherry and marble bar addition. Then there are the dining rooms each with their own
unique fireplace, ornate mantels, intricate Rocco plasterwork on walls and ceilings, antique mirrors and
sparkling crystal chandeliers. A pair of huge matching oak doors lead out to the wrap around porch with
its panoramic view straight up Lake Geneva. Truly a sight to behold.
In summer the home stands proud- sandwiched between the hotels on the prominent "Wrigley Drive". Her
seven different patterns of fancy cut redwood shingles, copper roof and brightly painted gingerbread trim
are often photographed by tourists and artists alike. Her tall tower a spectacle in the harbor among the
municipal boat area, the Riviera Ballroom and famous boardwalk. Her gardens designed by one of her
owners (an award winning landscape architect) are irresistible to passers by. Filled with many of the areas
indigenous flowers and grasses much loved by her original owners. The gardens have quickly become a
most desired spot for weddings and the renewing of vows. A kitchen garden offers fresh herbs for the
evening fare picked daily by the chef and kitchen staff. Fall finds her surrounded by autumns color
turning the view for diners into a collage of brilliant reds, yellows, orange and brown. The water fowl fill
the shore and air with sound and movement causing diners to linger long sipping wine from their award
winning wine list or perhaps cappuccino made with fresh organic coffee beans ground to order. Winter is
absolutely magical at the mansion. All trimmed, thousands of lights turn her stately form with " witches
cap tower" and "gingerbread" trim into a "fairy tale like castle". Upon entering, one will hear the live music
of strings and woodwinds, harpists and piano. Her walls responding with the music of the holidays. The
rooms and halls filled with boughs, wreaths, trees and trimmings. A family collection of angels, bright
ornaments and flowers adorn every corner. A holiday treasure chest! The third floor "known as the
servant's quarters" for at least a month in advance becomes " the elves workshop" Busy hands construct,
glue, weave and tie till all is ready for December 1. Then we pull out all the stops with Holiday Tea, live
music, Gilbert's Gift of Gold, extravagant holiday meals and a gala New Years Eve. January also brings
Winterfest. February we feature special wine dinners, and a romantic Valentines day celebration. Spring
bursts forth with blossoms galore! Tulips, daffodils,2magnolia and flowering crabs to name a few fill the
The Daily Hand-Out
(Continued from page 2)
front lawn, gardens and lakes area complimenting her grandness from every angle. The lake stretches out
on clear view of her creating a most welcome site.
Chef Hnilo believes the health of the world depends on the health of its inhabitants. With his craft refined
in some of the world's finest restaurants, Chef Hnilo has brought his talents and artistry home to where it
belongs, with friends and family. Gilbert's offers healthful, tasty selections made with organic products.
Every item on the menu has a reason for being there, with each dish balancing another, each flavor
enhancing the last, and each texture leading to the next. This is true, modern cuisine. Having a collection
of seasonal elements in perfect balance, every dish a symphony of herbs, spices and oils, in concert with
meats, fowl, and fish into a splendid whole.
Chef Ken Hnilo believes in using the freshest, organic ingredients whenever possible, preferring those that
are locally grown and raised. As a result, the Gilbert's menu changes daily. Sample Menu:
First Course
Potato leek soup with braised pork belly and serrano chile
Hawaiian big eye tuna with pulped avocado, orange cells, pickled ginger and wasabi oil
Duet of Lazy Lady Farm organic cheeses with housemade honey crisp apple butter,
raisin-pecan bread and balsamic cream
Grilled rabbit loin with baby beets, local ramps and spicy carrot broth
Caramelized onion tart with pickled beet salad and red wine syrup
Second Course
Hearts of romaine with marinated white anchovies,
crispy garbanzo beans and grainy mustard dressing
Organic green and red leaf salad with candied pecans, Maytag bleu cheese
and balsamic reduction
Third Course
Grilled Hawaiian red snapper with lemon scented orzo, crispy capers
and micro radish salad
Black pepper crusted beef tenderloin with herbed potato puree,
wild mushroom ragu and merlot sauce
Cannelloni of Maui onions, local baby bell peppers, organic ricotta cheese
and red bell pepper broth
Organic Amish chicken with first of the season autumn vegetables,
apple wood smoked bacon and savory chicken broth
Pan seared wild Alaskan halibut with sun dried tomatoes, eggplant caviar,
braised artichokes and citrus butter sauce
Grilled pork loin with butternut squash puree, wilted greens, roasted nectarines
and soy-maple syrup
Irish organic salmon with seared Canadian foie gras, braised organic cabbage
and foie gras sauce
Trio of Grains: caramelized onion strewn toasted quinoa,
green garlic studded pearl barley
and chive Arborio rice
Butter poached lobster with mitake mushroom & sweet pea fricassee,
pea shoots and lemon nage
For the gastronomically adventurous, Gilbert's also offers a four or six-course surprise Chef's Tasting or
Vegetable Tasting, as well as a wine flight to accompany.
327 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262.248.6680
3
The Daily Hand-Out
The 2016 World Bridge Games, Wroclaw, Poland
The 2016 World Bridge Games will be staged in Wroclaw, Poland, from 3rd - 17th September at the
magnificent Hala Stulecia, or Centennial Hall
The event comprises National Open, Women's, Senior and Mixed Teams and Pairs Championships.
Each WBF Member Country is entitled (and will be invited to) send one team to participate in each of the
four series.
There will be no limit on the number of pairs that each NBO may nominate to participate in the each of the
four National Pairs events.
Note there are no Transnational events of any kind during these Championships.
The time schedule is :
Saturday 3rd September - Opening Ceremony
Sunday 4th - Friday 9th September - National Teams round robin
Saturday 10th - Saturday 17th - Teams Knock-Out starting with a Round of 16
Monday 12th registration for the National Pairs Championships
Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th National Pairs Championships Qualification
Thursday 15th Pairs Semi-Finals A & B
Friday 16th Pairs Finals A & B
Saturday 17th Pairs Final A
Saturday 17th Closing Ceremony
Having recently returned from the World Championships in Chennai, India, I can tell you that
experiencing the excitement and enthusiasm at a World event is definitely worth the cost of attending.
Whether you play or you watch, you feel a part of something amazing.
Cheering on the “home team” … comiserating on difficult hands … congratulating those who qualify … It
is all part of the big picture.
Next year’s tournament looks to be great. I highly recommend it as an “alternative” vacation to your usual
events!
Suzi
4
Tournament Information
No Smoking Policy: No smoking is allowed in the
convention center, lobby, washrooms, fire exits, or
service areas. Smokers must go outside to puff.
Partnerships: Singles should check in at the
partnership desk 45 minutes before game time to
allow those attending to arrange partnerships.
Sharon Pobloske is in charge of the partnership
desk and will do his best to arrange suitable
liaisons. The desk will be open prior to the
morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. If no
one is at the desk, leave a note, or contact Sharon
in person please.
Partnership Desk/Daily Bulletin Distribution:
Check the Partnership Desk for hand records,
tournament schedules, area info, and pick up your
copy of the Daily Hand-Out each morning.
A bulletin box on the table is available for you to
submit any interesting hands, amusing bridgerelated stories, or puzzles for publication in the
daily bulletins. If you become a new life master
while at the tournament, please drop a note in the
bulletin box. Include your name, home town, and
the event in which you went over please.
Check your Daily Hand-out for specific hospitality
information for the weekend and any other special
events or tournament news during your stay.
Recorder Slips, should you need them (and we
hope you don’t), are available from the directors.
Score Corrections: For pair events, the score
correction period expires at the start of the next
session. For the last session of an event, the
correction period expires after twenty-four hours or
thirty minutes after the end of the tournament,
whichever is earlier. See the director as soon as
possible if you discover an error in your score. The
appeal period for a director’s ruling expires thirty
minutes after the completion of the session.
Tournament Chairman:
Bob Young
Hospitality: Adrienne Cohen
Partnerships: Sharon Pobloske
Newcomer Chairman: Mike Cochran
Daily Hand-Out Editor: Suzi Subeck
5
Brilliancy at bridge does not need to be based on perfection. The actual bid, play or defense
that is involved should include a moment when something astonishing, beautiful and inspiring
occurs at the table.
It might be an imaginative opening lead, (say the A from AQ6) an out of the blue sacrifice of
a high card (such as a Deschapelles or Merrimac Coup) or an unusual maneuver (perhaps an
Intra Finesse).
Here is a deal from the 2008 World Bridge Games where a defender combined two of the above
in a single play:
Dealer North, None Vul
When South elected to lead the queen of clubs he dealt the contract a mortal blow. This was a
remarkable example of a brilliant lead that was also a Merrimac Coup, destroying a vital entry
to dummy’s diamonds.
It does not in any way detract from South’s brilliance that North subsequently misdefended,
allowing declarer to score a couple of diamond tricks.
Brilliant declarer play frequently relies on a defensive mistake. The following deal appeared on
the front cover of the May ACBL Bulletin.
(continued on page 7)
6
(continued from page 6)
The deal took place during the Bermuda Bowl in Hammamet, Tunisia, in 1997. Meckstroth’s
play at trick one earned him the International Bridge Press Association Hand of the Year Award
for 1998. The deal is rotated to make Meckstroth South. Did you find the key play at trick one
after West started with a low diamond?
It is clear that 3NT is a much easier contract, which no doubt was obvious to Meckstroth at
trick one. That fact, of course, was irrelevant – his job was to take 11 tricks in clubs.
One reason that Meckstroth won the top declarer play award is that he made his trick-one play
in tempo. Smooth as silk, he called for the 10!
Helgemo won the queen and could have scuttled the contract by switching to a spade or a
heart, but it looked as though Helness had hit declarer’s soft spot. Back came a diamond – and
the contract could no longer be defeated.
Meckstroth discarded the
3 from hand, won the
A and led a low heart from dummy.
Helgemo played low (it would not have helped for him to play the ace). Helness took the Q
with the king and fired back a spade, but Meckstroth went up with the ace and played the J
from dummy. Helgemo covered with the ace, ruffed by Meckstroth. Now the A and a club to
the king took care of the Norwegians’ trumps. The 10 went on the 10 for 11 tricks and plus
600.
7
Sudoku 2
Sudoku 1
Solution: Puzzle 2
Solution: Puzle 1
8
Puzzle Page ...
WHAT'S YOUR GAME?
Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.
BACCARAT, BLACKJACK, BRIDGE, CANFIELD, CASINO, CHICAGO, CLOCK, CRIBBAGE, ECARTE,
EUCHRE, FANTAN, GO FISH, HEARTS, KLONDIKE, MICHIGAN, NEWMARKET, OLD MAID, PATIENCE,
PIQUET, POKER, PYRAMID, SEVENS, SNAP, SOLITAIRE, SPIDER, STOPS, TWENTY-ONE, WHIST.
9
Hands of the Day from Matt Granovetter
Dealer: South Vul: N-S
North
QJ7642
10 9 4
J93
Q
West
10
8762
A542
K973
East
AK
QJ3
10 7 6
J 10 8 5 4
South
9853
AK5
KQ8
A62
West
-pass
pass
North East South
--1NT
2
pass 2
pass pass
Opening Lead:
10
Yesterday we looked at the problem of whether East should cover
a singleton 10 of trump in dummy with his Q-J-8-7. Today East
had a similar type of problem. The game was matchpoints and
South was Bob Hamman. West led his singleton spade against
the 2 contract and East, Faith Pritchard, won the trick with the
king and switched to a diamond. The king was taken with the ace
and a diamond returned to the queen. Now the ace of clubs was
cashed and a club ruffed in dummy. Then Hamman called for the
10 of hearts. Crunch time.
Should East cover? It's difficult to say. From declarer's
perspective, he was trying to set up an endplay on East. Since
East still held the ace of spades, declarer had two possible
endplays available. First, he could play East for the queen-jack of
hearts (a 25% chance). After East covers the 10 of hearts,
declarer wins in hand, ruffs his last club, cashes his last
diamond and leads a trump. East is endplayed.
Another version is for declarer to play East for a doubleton or
singleton heart. In this scenario, declarer leads a heart to the
ace, ruffs the last club, leads a heart to the king, cashes the jack
of diamonds and leads a trump. East is endplayed. It's not as
easy to calculate the chance of East holding specifically one or
two hearts, but the Mathematics section of the Encyclopedia of
Bridge gives some percentages. Holding six cards in the suit (in
this case, three in dummy and three in hand), the chance of a
specific opponent holding a doubleton is 15.26%. The chance of a
specific opponent holding a singleton is 3.39%. This adds up to
18.65%. The play of the ace-king also works when West has the
queen-jack doubleton, but this is an extremely small chance. So
playing for the queen-jack of hearts onside is the better
percentage play.
At the table, however, when Hamman led the 10 of hearts, Mrs.
Pritchard played the 3. Hamman, a practical player, decided a
few percentage points does not outweigh the chance that an
opponent would duck with the queen-jack. So he went up with
the ace and played East for a doubleton heart instead. Hamman
made 140 instead of 170, paying off to Mrs. Pritchard's smooth
duck.
10
Dealer: South Vul: E-W
North
Q8
762
A98
A K 10 7 2
West
East
J95
76
KQ5
A 10 8 4
Q4
10 7 6 3 2
QJ863 95
South
A K 10 4 3 2
J93
KJ5
4
West
-pass
pass
pass
North East
--2
pass
4
pass
South
1
2
pass
Opening Lead:
West
East
KQ762
A 10 9
Q 10 9 7
86
10
Q97
754
QJ962
South
4
AKJ532
J62
K 10 3
North East
-pass
2
2
4
pass
Opening Lead:
Anders Wirgren, of Sweden, had a bright idea. He realized there
were no more legitimate tricks to be taken, but perhaps he could
conjure one up in the trump suit, if partner had the right
holding. He led the thirteenth heart. Declarer discarded a
diamond and West ruffed with the 9 of spades, overruffed with
dummy's queen.
Now declarer thought that this desperate sluff-ruff-ruff must
have something substantial behind it. What would give East the
idea to uppercut the queen of spades? Obviously, possession of
the jack. So declarer finessed East for the jack-third of spades
and West took the setting trick.
K
Dealer: East Vul: N-S
North
J853
4
AK8543
A8
West
-1
pass
pass
Desperation on defense can be fun, because if you can't see any
way to beat a contract legitimately, you might come up with a
bright idea. For example, put yourself in the East seat in today's
diagram. After the opponents reach 4 , partner leads the king of
hearts, continues with the queen and a third heart to your ace.
Three trick in the bag! Now what?
South
1
3
pass
K
Alain Levy was declarer on this hand from one of the famous (and
now extinct) Cap Gemini invitational events in Holland. West led
the king of spades and switched to a club at trick two. If you look
at the four hands, you see four tricks for the defense: one spade,
two hearts and a diamond. But Levy made one of these losers
disappear.
He won the club shift in dummy and ruffed a spade in his hand.
Then he cashed the king of clubs and ruffed the ten of clubs in
dummy with the 4 of hearts, justifying North's raise to 4 -- he
had ruffing power! Then a third round of spades was led from
dummy, ruffed in hand. A diamond was played to the ace and
dummy's last spade was led. East made a good play by ruffing
with the 8 of hearts. Levy overruffed with the jack. That was his
seventh straight trick and there were now five cards remaining in
everyone's hand.
Levy held the A-K-5 of hearts and the J-6 of diamonds. So he had
two sure tricks with the ace-king of trump and needed one more
to make 10. West held the queen of spades and four trumps.
Levy cashed the ace of hearts and then led the 6 of diamonds.
West had to ruff this to prevent declarer from scoring the king of
diamonds. (Suddenly the diamond loser disappeared.)
Now West had to lead from the king of spades and Q-10 of trump
into Levy's K-5 of trump and jack of diamonds. If West led the
king of spades, Levy would trump it with the 5 of hearts. So West
led a trump to South's king, but Levy led the jack of diamonds at
trick 12 and West had to use his last high trump to win the trick.
Levy's 5 of hearts scored trick 13.
11
Dealer: West Vul: N-S
North
9832
K652
K96
Q7
West
East
10 5 4
KQJ7
A Q J 10 7 9 8 4
J 10 8 2
A75
4
865
South
A6
3
Q43
A K J 10 9 3 2
West North East South
pass pass pass 3NT
pass pass pass
Opening Lead:
Q
The VuGraph show at international tournaments can be an
exciting affair or rather dull, depending on the hands and the
scores. Here's an exciting one (you didn't think I would show you
a dull one, did you?) from the 1996 Team Olympiad in Greece. It
was the last round of the qualifying and two teams were locked in
a close battle. At one table, the result was in. South had bid and
made 3NT. At that table, West had opened the bidding 2 ,
showing a weak two-bid in spades or a weak 5-5 shape with
hearts and a minor. He didn't have either, but that's besides the
point. It went pass, pass to South, who took the plunge with a
bid of 3NT. West led the queen of hearts and declarer thought a
long time about it before calling for the king. It won and he
claimed nine tricks.
On the VuGraph screen, West began with a pass in first seat. It
went three passes to South, who opened the bidding 3NT. Again,
West led the queen of hearts, but this declarer decided to duck
the first round, calling for dummy's 2. When the queen held, the
VuGraph commentators pointed out that West could now defeat
the contract by switching to a spade. But West was far from the
VuGraph room and all he could see was the heart position, and it
was the position of his dreams as he confidently led the jack of
hearts to the next trick.
Declarer wasn't about to cover and lose to East's ace, so he
ducked again. Now West paused and the VuGraph room was still.
He had a second chance to find that spade switch. But, no, out
came the ten of hearts! Declarer now thought about this while
the audience buzzed. Did East have ace-third of hearts? Then all
he had to do was play low again. People started wagering on what
he would do. Finally, he called low and everyone started
shouting! West tabled the ace and another heart and the contract
went two down. As an aside, neither team qualified.
Dealer: East Vul: None
North
K765
KJ4
J7543
J
West
Q 10 8 2
Q982
10 8 2
53
East
J93
75
AK6
KQ964
South
A4
A 10 6 3
Q9
A 10 8 7 2
West
-pass
pass
pass
North East
-1
2
pass
3NT pass
Opening Lead:
South
1NT
2
pass
5
Here's a nicely played hand by Sabine Auken, reported from the
2002 McConnell Cup, a women's team competition. It illustrates
a beautiful thought process. If you want to try it yourself, decide
how you would play 3NT after a club lead to the queen, and give
some good reasons. Here's what may have gone through
declarer's mind:
I must set up diamond tricks. There are two ways to play this
combination: (1) low to the queen, hoping East holds A-K-x; (2)
low to the 9, hoping East holds A-10-x or K-10-x. The second
play is twice as likely, but it will require that I reach dummy
three times: once to lead to the 9, once to play the third round
(assuming the 9 or queen is allowed to win), and once to get back
there to enjoy the fourth and fifth diamond tricks. There are two
sure entries to dummy (the two kings) and the third entry must
be the jack of hearts. I can play for the finesse or hope East has
the singleton or doubleton queen. The finesse is a much better
chance.
But if West holds the queen of hearts, that leaves 15 points, and
East has at least 12 of them for her opening bid. Then there's
very little room in the West hand for the king of diamonds, so I
should play East for the A-K-x of diamonds instead of A-10-x or
K-10-x.
Declarer led a heart to the jack at trick two and a diamond to the
12
queen at trick three. Diamonds were continued and she had nine
tricks: two spades, three hearts, three diamonds and one club.
12
Bridge players who wanted the popular card game recognized as a sport have lost their High Court battle.
The English Bridge Union had challenged a decision by Sport England not to recognize it as a sport
because it does not involve physical activity.
But Mr Justice Dove ruled against the union, dismissing its bid for a judicial review.
The union said it was “very disappointed” and was reviewing its options for its next course of action.
Bridge is played by four players in two partnerships. It uses a standard 52-card pack and involves
predicting the number of tricks each side will win.
‘Erred in law’
The English Bridge Union (EBU) had wanted Sport England to reclassify the game, which would have
made it eligible for government and lottery funding.
It had claimed the ordinary and natural meaning of “sport” in the 1996 Royal Charter, which established
Sport England, was sufficiently broad that it did not necessarily require physical activity.
The international game of bridge
The English Bridge Union has about 55,000 members although it is thought about 300,000 people in
England play on a regular basis
At the 2015 World Championships England’s Women’s team won bronze while the Open team came fourth
Bridge is recognized as a sport by the treasury departments of Poland, Netherlands, France and Belgium,
according to the EBU
Famous players include Bill Gates, Martina Navratilova and members of the band Blur
Organisers of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo have invited both bridge and chess to apply for inclusion.
The decision will be made next year.
Lawyers told the High Court the game was based on rules, fairness and competition like other sports and
was available to older people, to whom it brought a sense of inclusion and community.
But the judge said Sport England’s current policy defined sport as involving “physical activity” and its
move to reject reclassification of bridge was right.
The issue he had considered was whether Sport England officials had “erred in law” when refusing to
classify bridge as a sport, the judge said – not the “broad, somewhat philosophical question” as to whether
or not bridge is a sport.
During the case Sport England had argued bridge was no more of a sporting activity than “sitting at home,
reading a book”.
‘Fight against inactivity’
Speaking after the decision, Sport England’s director of sport, Phil Smith, said: “Sport England’s job is to
help the nation to be more physically active, a role given to us by our Royal Charter.
“We recognise that many people enjoy playing bridge, but that’s not going to play a part in the fight
against inactivity.”
Ian Payn, vice-chairman of the EBU, said the organisation was “very disappointed” about the decision
which “affects participants in many sports other than bridge”.
The EBU’s legal representative Alex Peebles said: “We feel that we put forward a strong case.”
13
The Sydney Morning Herald – 8 Oct 1978
How you avoid losing a trump trick when you hold KJ102 in hand opposite A983 in dummy?”
It is tempting to answer, “Tell me that and you tell me the secret of life.” The question, however,
is a serious one, reflecting a typical confusion among beginners between good management and
good guessing. This is a guess situation – a standard two-way finesse. In the absence of clues
from the bidding or the table, a view has to be taken.
There are those who believe in the theory of imperfect shuffle
snuffle, which states that the queen is
more likely to sit over the jack. Then there was the famous American player of the thirties. P.
Hal Sims, who claimed that the first defender to speak, light a cigarette, order a drink or react
in similar fashion could be expected to hold the queen.
This would be an attempt to show non-chalant disinterest but would in fact betray
nervousness. Make what you want of that advice. You can’t sue Sims if it doesn’t work. He died
of a heart attack in 1949 while bidding a hand at the Havana Colony Club. In practice, the best
way to start a suit as good as this is to lead the jack.
The principle is that, when you want an opponent to cover an honour, you lead as high as
possible. If West plays small without pain you have to decide whether to run the jack or go on
with the ace and finesse through East.
When the jack is led, ethical problems can arise. Even though declarer draws inferences at his
own risk, it is a breach of the properties for a defender to hesitate unduly when following suit
with insignificant small cards. The ideal scheme for West is to play his card in rhythm, neither
too slowly our too quickly. Which brings to mind an Albert Dormer story reported by British
writer Derek Rimington. Some years ago Dormer sat East defending a contract of 6 . The
trump layout was as follows:
A985
Q63
72
K J 10 4
Winning the first trick in an outside suit, declarer shrewdly continued with the jack of trumps.
West, the club smart-aleck, hesitated before playing low. South was fooled and finessed but he
won the trick when Dormer contributed the three.
Declarer then cashed the king of trumps and claimed his contract, conceding a missing sideace. West inspected Dormer’s cards. You had the queen of trumps, partner, and did not make
it?”
“Sorry.” said Dormer drily, “you hesitated to long I was fooled into thinking you had it!”
14
Stupidity Quotes… as opposed to Stupid Quotes…
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
-- Albert Einstein
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.
- Pope John Paul II
--
-
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
Bertrand Russell
--
The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.
-- Harlan Ellison
Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.
-- Friedrich von Schiller
Insanity is just what we call stupidity when it doesn't make sense.
- Josh Lieb
-
Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and higher education positively fortifies
it.
-- Stephen Vizinczey
One should commit no stupidity twice, the variety of choice is, in the end, large enough.
-- Jean-Paul Sartre
Ignorance can be educated. Crazy can be medicated. But there is no cure for stupid.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
It is only the wisest and the stupidest that cannot change.
-- Confucius
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
-- Percy Bysshe Shelley
When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty.
George Bernard Shaw
--
Obstinacy and vehemency in opinion are the surest proofs of stupidity.
-- Bernard Barton
There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Man has made use of his intelligence; he invented stupidity.
-- Remy de Gourmont
(Continued on page 16)
15
(Continued from page 15)
He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.
-- Groucho Marx
To be stupid and selfish and to have good health are the three requirements for happiness, though if
stupidity is lacking, the others are useless.
-- Gustave Flaubert
Stupidity isn't punishable by death. If it was, there would be a hell of a population drop.
-- Laurell K. Hamilton
Stupidity is the same as evil if you judge by the results.
-- Margaret Atwood
The more stupid one is, the closer one is to reality. The more stupid one is, the clearer one is. Stupidity is
brief and artless, while intelligence squirms and hides itself. Intelligence is unprincipled, but stupidity is
honest and straightforward.
-- Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Stupidity combined with arrogance and a huge ego will get you a long way.
-- Chris Lowe
The doctor sees all the weakness of mankind; the lawyer all the wickedness, the theologian all the
stupidity.
--Arthur Schopenhauer
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
-- Napoleon Bonaparte
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom
use.
-- Soren Kierkegaard
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
-- George Carlin
Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.
-- Oscar Wilde
Stupidity is much the same all the world over. A stupid person's notions and feelings may confidently be
inferred from those which prevail in the circle by which the person is surrounded. Not so with those whose
opinions and feelings are an emanation from their own nature and faculties.
-- John Stuart Mill
For at least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great
motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity, idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of
religious or political idols
-- Aldous Huxley
16
Grand Café Lunch and Dinner Specials for Bridge Players:
Today:
Friday:
Lunch = Cup of Minestrone + 1/2 BLT
$9
17
In Memoriam
For those who may not know, Bill Erickson, well liked and respected player from the Milwaukee area,
passed away earlier this year. He will be missed by his many friends and bridge partners.
From Louise Clark: How to Diffuse a Tense Situation…
Bill McFall had a lapse in memory in a bidding situation with partner, Tomas Szabot. After the hand,
opponents Steve and Louise Clark asked for further clarification…
Said Bill: The dog ate my homework!!
A
1
B
2.22
1.55
2
1
1.11
3
2
0.78
4
0.85
C
1
SIDE GAME SERIES II THURS EVE SESSION
NORTH-SOUTH
SECTION L
EAST-WEST
A
B
C
Mark Patton,
2.22 1
1
Dubuque IA;
Robert Shapley,
64.25%
Daniel Wright,
1.55 2
2
1
Deerfield IL;
Bill Sack,
58.70%
Robert Young,
1.11 3
Northfield IL;
Harry Gaples,
53.23%
Michael Cochran,
0.78 4
3
2
Oak Park IL;
Matthew Staman,
50.17%
Maila Kuhn Kenneth Kuhn,
Tomah WI
47.26%
Barbara Chasnoff
- J Thomas
Johnson, Chicago IL
Christie Clark Cindy Hermel,
Wausau WI
Brian Carlson,
Monona WI; Mike
VanVleck, Madison WI
Ronald Niesing Judy Niesing, De
Pere WI
58.16%
54.34%
52.76%
52.11%
THURSDAY AFT 499ER PAIRS ONLY SESSION
NORTH-SOUTH
1.68
A
1
B
1
1.18
2
2
0.84
3
0.48 4/6
3/5
0.48 4/6
3/5
0.57 4/6
3/5
C
1
2
Margaret Meyer Gwen Rieser,
Madison WI
Caron Espinosa,
Mokena IL;
Patrice
Norma Postudensek
- Jim
Postudensek,
Maila Kuhn Kenneth Kuhn,
Tomah WI
Kathleen Gerbosi
- Sandra Sweet,
Glenview IL
James Casserly Mary Molzahn,
Bloomington MN
SECTION K
EAST-WEST
A
B
1.68 1
1
C
1.18
2
2
1
0.84
3
3
0.59
4
4
0.34
5
5
61.55%
57.95%
54.17%
52.46%
52.46%
0.57
2
52.46%
Wilma Tunick,
Highland Park IL;
Frieda Brown,
Karen Ann Miller
- Susan Seaver,
Crystal Lake IL
Richard
Pleniewicz, Byron
IL; Karen
Ruta Smulkstys Louis Smulkstys,
Lemont IL
Ronald Niesing Judy Niesing, De
Pere WI
Sally Heraty,
Palatine IL;
Nanci McKeon,
62.31%
57.95%
53.98%
53.22%
52.84%
50.00%
THURSDAY AFT SIDE GAME THURS AFT SESSION
NORTH-SOUTH
B
1
C
2.45
A
1
1.72
2
2
1
1.23
3
0.86
4
Phyllis Bartlett,
Northbrook IL;
Barbara Sacks,
Phyllis Chambers,
Winnetka IL; Dee
Coats, Houston TX
George Urquhart,
Kenosha WI; John
Winter, Racine WI
Mark Patton,
Dubuque IA;
SECTION L
EAST-WEST
A
B
2.45 1
1
C
1
1.72
2
2
2
1.23
3
3
0.86
4
4
66.73%
57.41%
56.60%
18
Joanne Rattan Annie Krause,
Kenosha WI
Daniel Wright,
Deerfield IL;
Bill Sack,
Bhadra Chheda,
New Berlin WI;
Terry Halmstad,
Sandy Brown,
Brookfield WI;
59.55%
57.38%
56.17%
0.86
Robert Shapley,
Ted Pristash William
Sommerfield,
3
55.35%
54.77%
STRATIFIED SWISS TEAMS
17.50
A
1
13.13
2
7.68
3/5
7.68
3/5
7.68
3/5
5.00
6
4.14
7/8
4.14
7/8
3.34
9/10
3.34
9/10
B
6.37
1
4.78
2
3.86
3
2.69
4
2.12
5
Suzanne
40 Tables
C
1
2.90
2
2.17
3
1.46
4/5
1.46
4/5
Judy Zhu - Jack Snyder, Naperville
IL; Joan Stein, Milwaukee WI;
Chris Benson, Leroy IL
Howard Engle - Jim Humphrey,
Highland Park IL; Mark Weisman,
Glenview IL; Samuel Miller,
Glencoe IL
Suzi Subeck, Glenview Nas IL;
Stanton Subeck, Glenview IL; Larry
Cohen, Elmhurst IL; Serdar Ogut,
Darien IL
Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV;
Lynne Rosenbaum, Glencoe IL; Jacob
Morgan, Madison WI; James
Melville, Springfield IL
Rick Schoenfield, Westchester IL;
Shannon Cappelletti, Delray Beach
FL; David Bogolub, Deerfield IL;
John Goring, Frankfort IL
Patt Quinn, La Grange IL; Carol
Crossman, Wheaton IL; Rosanne
Schabinger, Mount Prospect IL;
Keith Bach, Bensenville IL
Lucille Jenkins - David Jenkins Richard Whitsitt, Rockford IL;
Meyer Abarbanel, Belvidere IL
James Dressler - Hal Stern,
Rolling Meadows IL; Craig Allen,
Glen Ellyn IL; James Phillips,
Park Ridge IL
Roger Hendrick, Western Springs
IL; Max Madsen, Naperville IL;
Carl Federl, Willowbrook IL; Bob
Meixner, Hinsdale IL
William Malesevich, Mayville WI;
Michele Foran, Oconomowoc WI;
Michael Kutska, River Forest IL;
Suzanne Dunaway, Oak Park IL
Rosalie Rappin, Buffalo Grove IL;
Arlene Karel - Georgann Humphrey,
Highland Park IL; Nancy Frank,
Glencoe IL
Marc Passman, Skokie IL; Ronna
Warshauer, Highland Park IL; Merle
Levy, Northbrook IL; Steven
Tucker, Arlington Hgts IL
Genny Cesario - Mary Schultz,
Elmhurst IL; Arlene Doyle, La
Grange IL; Carol Gross, Naples FL
Kimi Lambert, Austin TX; Laura
Scholten - Gilda Singer, Saint
Charles MO; Kelly Moses, Biloxi MS
Judith Freeman - Theresa
Schneider, Northbrook IL; Audrey
Gordon, Lincolnshire IL; Jan
Ratliff, Highland Park IL
Jenny Schwartz - Kandy Ginsburg Mady Elman, Highland Park IL;
Holly Rozner, Glencoe IL
Janice Koerner, Huntley IL; Susan
Powers, N Barrington IL; Janet
Brandt, Elgin IL; Linda Brubaker,
Geneva IL
James Sauer - Helen Sauer,
Bloomington IN; Carolyn Pfeiffer Lee Schultz, Arbor Vitae WI
Ronald Frick, Madison WI; Betty
19
118.00
106.00
105.00
105.00
105.00
103.00
96.00
96.00
95.00
95.00
90.00
89.00
86.00
78.00
76.00
73.00
69.00
65.00
55.47%
Salber, Saint Paul MN; Carrie
Kaplan, Hudson WI; Angela Minto,
Apple Valley MN
THURSDAY MORNING 499ER PR
3.35
A
1
B
1
2.51
2
2
1.45
3/5
3/5
1.45
3/5
3/5
1.45
3/5
3/5
1.75
6
6
1
2
0.98
3
0.74
4
Caron Espinosa, Mokena IL; Patrice
Princehorn, Homewood IL
Richard Pleniewicz, Byron IL; Karen
Girardy, Rockford IL
Ruta Smulkstys - Louis Smulkstys,
Lemont IL
Rita Hampton, Mc Farland WI;
Phyllis Kenseth, Madison WI
Barbara Stoe - Ellen McGregor,
Mundelein IL
Ray Parnell, Wonder Lake IL; Eric
Mayer, Richmond IL
Mary Molzahn - James Casserly,
Bloomington MN
Margaret Meyer - Gwen Rieser,
Madison WI
Sharon Jane Goggins, Oconomowoc WI;
Jayne Parpovich, Pewaukee WI
THURSDAY MORNING SIDE PRS
B
4.93
3.98
2
1
2.77
3
2.08
4
2.12
5
2.99
6
3
1.68
4
2.45
5
0.94
6
1
1.84
2
1.38
3
1.03
4
A
1
B
2.73
2
1
2.22
3
2
1.84
4
3
1.15
5
4
1.38
1.04
5
60.23%
58.71%
58.71%
58.71%
57.39%
52.08%
50.19%
49.81%
15.5 Tables
John Russell, N Barrington IL;
Norman Coombs, Brookville IN
Mark Boswell, Clarkson Valley MO;
Harry Gaples, Libertyville IL
Bert Newman, West Bloomfield MI;
Roberta Toll, Bloomfield Hls MI
Nancy Ogreenc, Wautoma WI; Thomas
Rowe, Stevens Point WI
Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV;
Lynne Rosenbaum, Glencoe IL
Thomas Aldrich III, Palatine IL;
Gordon Parks, Long Grove IL
Charles McDonough, Carol Stream IL;
Earl Smith, Romeoville IL
Joseph Browan, Maplewood MN; Jim
Hacker, Faribault MN
Charles Butler, Chicago IL; Ron
Blouin, Blue Island IL
Lee Schillinger, Exeland WI; Mike
Jones, Villa Park IL
Jeffrey Copsey - James Bloedorn, La
Crosse WI
Ted Pristash - William Sommerfield,
Grayslake IL
Sandy Brown, Brookfield WI; Suzanne
Haidinger, Wales WI
SIDE GAME SERIES II
3.60
62.50%
C
2
2.24
13.0 Tables
C
1.31
A
1
65.00
63.33%
58.89%
57.98%
57.70%
56.92%
56.45%
56.21%
55.14%
52.77%
52.06%
51.35%
48.90%
48.54%
8.5 Tables
C
1
2
3
Mark Patton, Dubuque IA; Robert
Shapley, San Diego CA
Daniel Wright, Deerfield IL; Bill
Sack, Elmhurst IL
Barbara Chasnoff - J Thomas
Johnson, Chicago IL
Christie Clark - Cindy Hermel,
Wausau WI
Robert Young, Northfield IL; Harry
Gaples, Libertyville IL
Ronald Niesing - Judy Niesing, De
Pere WI
E Ann Tippy, De Pere WI; Marjorie
Swelstad, Green Bay WI
20
64.25%
58.70%
58.16%
54.34%
53.23%
52.11%
52.04%
24.38
1
17.07
2
WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY BRACKE
7 Tables
Jay Whipple III, Boca Grande FL; Michael Kamil Gabrielle Sherman, Delray Beach FL; Matt
Granovetter - Pamela Granovetter, Cincinnati OH
Forrest Schneider, Northbrook IL; Donald
Grenesko, Winnetka IL; Steve Brown - Caryl Brown,
Highland Park IL
THURSDAY MORNING 499ER PR ONLY SESSION
NORTH-SOUTH
A
1
B
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
SECTION G
C
1
2
Caron Espinosa, Mokena
IL; Patrice Princehorn,
Homewood IL
Ruta Smulkstys - Louis
Smulkstys, Lemont IL
Ray Parnell, Wonder
Lake IL; Eric Mayer,
Richmond IL
Marla Engbloom - Mary
Bolen, La Crosse WI
Margaret Meyer - Gwen
Rieser, Madison WI
A
1
62.50%
2/3
58.71%
2/3
57.39%
4/5
50.76%
4/5
50.19%
EAST-WEST
B
C
1
Richard Pleniewicz,
Byron IL; Karen
Girardy, Rockford IL
2/3
Rita Hampton, Mc
Farland WI; Phyllis
Kenseth, Madison WI
2/3
Barbara Stoe - Ellen
McGregor, Mundelein IL
4/5
1 Mary Molzahn - James
Casserly, Bloomington MN
4/5
Barbara Hospel, Cottage
Grove WI; Cindy
Alvarez, Madison WI
2 Karen Ann Miller Susan Seaver, Crystal
Lake IL
60.23%
58.71%
58.71%
52.08%
52.08%
49.05%
THURSDAY MORNING SIDE PRS 2ND OF 4 SESSION
NORTH-SOUTH
A
1
B
2
3
1
4
2
SECTION H
C
5
6
3
4
1
2
John Russell, N
Barrington IL; Norman
Coombs, Brookville IN
Valentin Kovachev, Las
Vegas NV; Lynne
Rosenbaum, Glencoe IL
Thomas Aldrich III,
Palatine IL; Gordon
Parks, Long Grove IL
Charles McDonough,
Carol Stream IL; Earl
Smith, Romeoville IL
John Winter, Racine WI;
George Urquhart, Kenosha WI
Charles Fortney,
Wheaton IL; Leigh Anne
Shafer, Winnipeg MB
Phyllis Bartlett,
Northbrook IL; Barbara
Sacks, Buffalo Grove IL
Ted Pristash - William
Sommerfield, Grayslake IL
Phyllis Chambers,
Winnetka IL; Dee Coats,
Houston TX
A
1
63.33%
2
56.92%
3
56.45%
4
56.21%
5
54.88%
6
53.02%
51.12%
48.90%
46.81%
EAST-WEST
B
C
1
Mark Boswell, Clarkson
Valley MO; Harry
Gaples, Libertyville IL
Bert Newman, West
Bloomfield MI; Roberta
Toll, Bloomfield Hls MI
Nancy Ogreenc, Wautoma
WI; Thomas Rowe,
Stevens Point WI
2
Joseph Browan,
Maplewood MN; Jim
Hacker, Faribault MN
Ronald Lampe - Beverly
Lampe, Monona WI
Clay Cuthbertson,
Quincy IL; W Harris Jr,
Lombard IL
3
1 Charles Butler, Chicago
IL; Ron Blouin, Blue
Island IL
4
Lee Schillinger,
Exeland WI; Mike Jones,
Villa Park IL
2 Jeffrey Copsey - James
Bloedorn, La Crosse WI
THURSDAY AFT 499ER PAIRS
13.0 Tables
A
3.35
1
B
1
C
1
2.51
2
2
1.65
3/4
3/4
1.65
3/4
3/4
1.06
5
2
Wilma Tunick, Highland Park IL;
Frieda Brown, Glenview IL
Margaret Meyer - Gwen Rieser,
Madison WI
Caron Espinosa, Mokena IL; Patrice
Princehorn, Homewood IL
Karen Ann Miller - Susan Seaver,
Crystal Lake IL
Norma Postudensek - Jim
21
62.31%
61.55%
57.95%
57.95%
58.89%
57.98%
57.70%
55.14%
55.11%
54.95%
52.77%
52.06%
51.35%
0.91
6
0.69
5
6
0.92
3
Postudensek, Duluth MN
Richard Pleniewicz, Byron IL; Karen
Girardy, Rockford IL
Ruta Smulkstys - Louis Smulkstys,
Lemont IL
James Casserly - Mary Molzahn,
Bloomington MN
54.17%
53.98%
53.22%
52.46%
THURSDAY AFT SIDE GAME
11.0 Tables
A
3.98
1
B
1
C
2.99
2
2
1
2.24
3
3
2
1.72
4
4
3
1.26
5
1.23
6
5
4
Phyllis Bartlett, Northbrook IL;
Barbara Sacks, Buffalo Grove IL
Joanne Rattan - Annie Krause,
Kenosha WI
Phyllis Chambers, Winnetka IL; Dee
Coats, Houston TX
Daniel Wright, Deerfield IL; Bill
Sack, Elmhurst IL
George Urquhart, Kenosha WI; John
Winter, Racine WI
Bhadra Chheda, New Berlin WI; Terry
Halmstad, Brookfield WI
66.73%
59.55%
57.41%
57.38%
56.60%
56.17%
Someone left some sort of hand warmers (?) under a chair… please go to the director’s table to
collect them if they are yours!
The Caddies: Max, Mike, and Stella
22