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Good luck to everyone currently e
njoying the competition
at
Spooky Nook Sports (love that timely name!) in Lancaster. It runs through November 4, so there is still time to collect those precious golds. For details, click the link under Lancaster Regional, below.
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Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Contact your District 4 board members.
PRESIDENT
Meyer Kotkin
VICE PRESIDENT
Dave Kresge
SECRETARY
Bill Bauer
TREASURER
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Joann Glasson
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I am on my way to the Lancaster Regional at Spooky Nook. It is still not too late to
come and join in the fun and exceptional hospitality, especially the first ever
Lancaster Dupli-Swiss on Sun. The full District 4 (D4) board will meet this Friday night
in Lancaster, so if there are any issues you want the board to hear contact your
Unit representatives or one of the D4 Board members.
Congratulations, and well done, to the 10 pairs who recently qualified to represent D4
in the North American Pairs Championships (NAP) in Memphis starting March 19,
2019. The NAP is a true "grassroots" competition as players first have to qualify at
club games from June through August in order to play in the D4 NAP finals for the
coveted right to represent D4 in the National Finals and pick up a nice stipend on the
way. The four-session Flight A (no Masterpoint [MP] limit) final was held on
Oct 13 -14; the two session Flight C (less than 500MP) final was held on Oct 13; and the two
session Flight B (less than 2500) final was held on Oct 27.
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Flight A
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Flight B
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Flight C
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First Place
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Jay Apfelbaum (U141)
Meyer Kotkin (U141)
$1,400 Stipend
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Thomas Salter (U141)
Kenneth Salter (U141)
$1,400 Stipend
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John Ferranti (U168)
Malin Castronuovo (U168)
$1,400 Stipend
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Second Place
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Martin de Bruin (U141)
David Hoffner (U141)
$600 Stipend
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Holli Mast (U112)
Stephen Mast (U112)
$600 Stipend
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Rich Godshall (U141)
Kay Garrity (U141)
$600 Stipend
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Third Place
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Ken Chatzinoff (U141)
Bharat Rao (U141)
$400 Stipend
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Larry Plotkin (U141)
Steve White (U141)
$400 Stipend
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Jack Thorp (U168)
Jacqueline Granite (U168)
$400 Stipend
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Fourth Place
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Only top 3 finishers qualify for National final
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Andrew Rosenberg (U141)
Wayne Rosenberger (U141)
$200 Stipend
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Holli Mast (U112)
Angie Sykes (U217)
$200 Stipend
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A special shout out to Holli Mast (U112) who qualified for both the Flight B and Flight
C finals. Outstanding, Holli. Unfortunately, the ACBL will only allow Holli to play in
one of those finals and as soon as I know what she decides, I will let you know.
Special thanks to D4 NAP Coordinator John Dickenson (U141), who did an excellent job coordinating all the stages of play involved in the three flights of the NAP. John thinks he has some time to rest, but after a couple of glasses of the finest sugar free lemonade money can buy, I need to put him to work on the NAP's sister event, the Grand National Teams (GNT). Start forming your teams now for the D4 GNT finals (which has four flights) in April 2019 for a chance to win a whopping $2,000+ stipend for the winning teams. You can find more info, including exact dates, here.
In 1954, President Dwight David "IKE" Eisenhower, who loved to play bridge, signed a bill to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. Previously known as Armistice Day, November 11 is a day to thank, honor and applaud our country's Veterans who fought to preserve our freedom, liberty and inalienable rights. The words of his proclamation are as true today as they were in 1954 when IKE wrote:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting and enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.
If you are a Veteran and meet me at the bridge table or see me in the halls of a tournament (or local pub), please introduce yourself so I can thank you personally from the bottom of my heart for your service. Until then, on behalf of myself and D4, let me use this article to say thank you, thank you.
Without a doubt, one of the most important rights we have as American citizens is the right to vote. Our soldiers fought and died to protect that right and the right to vote should never, never, be taken for granted. I am not advocating a voting choice or what stand to take on any public referendums but I am asking you to participate by voting. It is a no-lose play to vote your conscience.
During the last couple of weeks, our country has seen bombs sent to political leaders as well as racial, ethnic and religious hatred culminating in a mass shooting at a house of worship. I have no insights or solutions but I can tell by my correspondence with D4 players and my interactions in other groups that I belong to, that the level of fear of the average citizen is higher than any time since September 11, 2001. Whether you are religious, an atheist or an agnostic, I think we can all agree that we can join together both as bridge players and as members of all our other communities, to hope for the fulfillment of the vision of the prophet Micah that "each person shall sit under their vine and under their fig tree and no one shall make them afraid."
As always, I welcome all comments and suggestions on any D4 matters and issues. s
[email protected]
and my cell is 856.986.5109.
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From the District Director
When you get this report, I will be playing in the Lancaster Regional at Spooky Nook. I hope to see you all there, competing and enjoying all that Lancaster County has to offer.
When I was a young player with small children, going to the Lancaster Regional was my very special bridge vacation for the year. I have many fond memories of this tournament and wouldn't miss the opportunity to attend.
The tournament has changed over the years. It was at the Host farm for a very long time before moving to it's new location at Spooky Nook, but the wonderful hospitality of the Lancaster tournament committee has never wavered.
2018 will be the first Lancaster tournament run by our new tournament chairs, Jeanne Gehret and Tom Coxey. They are filling the big shoes left by Deb and John Klinger, who were chairs of this tournament for more than twenty-five years.
Deb and John will still be at the tournament, serving as partnership chairs. District 4 owes them a great deal of thanks for all their years of service to our players.
Jeanne and Tom will provide the same wonderful Lancaster hospitality that we all look forward to - from breakfast treats to wonderful lunches - Lancaster is a very special bridge tournament.
In last May's Bridge Bulletin, then CEO Robert Hartman said: "There may be no better place to spend Halloween than Spooky Nook, where your entry fee includes a spectacular lunch onsite."
Hope to see you there!
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October 29-November 4
Honolulu, HI
November 22-Dec 2
Bala Country Club
November 19
November 12-18
December 10-16
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The Lancaster Regional started on October 29 and runs through November 4. There is still time to enjoy this tournament. There's free morning coffee/pastries and lunch every day, and NEW! Dupli-Swiss on Sunday. For all the information, click here for the website.
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Congrats to the NAP Winners!
Getting there wasn't as simple as ABC, but here are those who made it -- We are sure they will do our district proud in Memphis!
NAP Flight A Winners
Meyer Kotkin Jay Apfelbaum
NAP Flight C Winners
Malin Castronuovo John Ferranti
You will find a full list of winners in District 4
here and
here and
here.
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Our Monthly Feature
The 4Spot features fantastic contributors, on a regular rotation:
Larry's Learning Center
by Larry Cohen:
January, April, July, October
For Novices Only by Marti Ronemus:
February, May, August, November
The ABC of Bridge by Dave Wachsman:
March, June, September, December
This month we get our tips from Marti Ronemus in
For Novices Only.
Dear New Player:
I overheard you complaining in the restaurant at the last big tournament about your trials and tribulations. You were relating how badly you played a few hands, how your partner wouldn't know what to lead if it were outlined in neon, and that someone called the Bridge Police (aka Director) on you. You were fussing that North-South got all the cards, and that these darn computer hands were awful.
I'm sorry but I just can't work up any sympathy. If you want to hear about a REALLY bad day, read on.
This is a True Story from the Las Vegas Nationals, many years ago. Gary and I were still under 20 MPs, but we were hooked, and all vacations were now planned around tournament locations.
We were playing in our third session of the day. Now, I have a confession to make. I can barely get through two sessions, even now. Two-thirds of the way through the second session, I begin to lose all interest and focus. I want a snack, some gossip, a place to put my feet up, some shopping. Can you imagine how bad I am by the
third
session?
So, anyway, here we were in our third session of the day, Gary alert, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, me having an out-of-body experience. I played a hand in notrump, forgetting I was in diamonds. I passed out of turn. I spilled water on the opponents. The director was so nice. Then I pulled the wrong card out of my hand. "Director!" The director was still kind as could be, explained all the various options, and left. He should have just parked a chair at our table. Not two tricks later, didn't I do the same thing? "Director!" Same director, same kindness, perhaps the teensiest bit strained.
I was so tired, I was having trouble seeing, and two hands later, I did it again. Everyone at the table was looking in disgust. After all, how hard is it to detach the right card from your hand and play it? This time, the call was loud and angry, and even the wonderful director had a hard edge to his voice.
I burst into tears, left the table in the middle of the round and ran into the nearest ladies' room, crying hard. My plan was to hide in a cubicle, sneak out under cover of dark, dye my hair and skulk home. Gary would know I was gone when he saw the missing suitcase.
Next thing I hear is my husband inside the ladies' room, calling for me. "Come out of there, Marti. Don't try to hide; I know your shoes!"
"No! I'm
quitting
this game. Everyone is laughing at me. The director was upset. Those people were smirking! I give up!"
I heard a woman say, "Must be one of those bridge players." I heard the ladies' room attendant encouraging my husband to leave. "Marti, come out now or we'll have to forfeit! Listen, people survive parachute jumps when the chute doesn't open."
Forfeit? I did not know that was an option. It sounded pretty good to me. "I'm too embarrassed to ever leave this bathroom. Bring me food and a double scotch. Maybe I'll come out then."
"If you don't come out right now, I'm going to rip the door off." My husband is a very powerful man. This was a real possibility. "Besides," he encouraged, "You'll never see these people again." Well, that made sense. I came out, sat down and played the next hand like a good girl. The game eventually ended, we went to the bar, I had a sandwich and a drink.
Then we went to play in a Midnight Speedball game where we got our first red points.
P.S. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. The news of my misadventures beat me home. Sheesh.
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Master Solvers Club
Moderator: Nick Straguzzi
While we take a look at the penultimate problem of the year, keep in mind that the 2018 finale (and the one that will likely decide the winners of the D4MSC Panelists & Solvers Challenge) is on the website, and it's a nasty bid-pass-double-lead one.
First,
click here to read the analysis of this month's problem.
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News from Around the Units
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Unit 112: Central New York
Unit 112 Sectional (Waterloo)
Unit 112 Congratulates their Advancing Players!
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Junior Masters
Janet Bakel, Bonita Springs, FL
Patricia Gray, Rochester
Lynn G Holter, Fishers
Carmen L Masur, Webster
Shirley Negus, Massena
Nancy Pulvino, Rochester
Dr Aaron Satloff, Pittsford
Kathryn H Wissler, Pittsford
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Club Masters
Andrew Gilbert, Potsdam
Cathie Gunselman, Big Flats
Lynda Olmstead, Utica
David Peterson, Rochester
Judith Peterson, Rochester
Peter Powers, Cleveland, NY
Diane Terry, Oneonta
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Sectional Masters
Pamela Cuda, Utica
Susan Lang, Ithaca
Dr Susan Manning, Hector
Janet McLoughlin, Fayetteville
Shawna Saunders, E. Rochester
Gay Williams, Sterling
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Regional Masters
Mary Griffith, Rochester
Richard Griffith, Rochester
Tara Holter, Rochester
Laura Iorio, Manlius
Dr Daniel Konowalow, Lansing
David Latart, Rochester
Nicholas Nelson, Rochester
Dorothy Vents, Dewitt
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NABC Masters
James Ertel, Canandaigua
Lawrence Holmes, Webster
Nancy Koch, Pittsford
Alice LeRoy, Watertown
Xiang Long, Ithaca
Gloria Rothschild, Watertown
Ann Schissel, Ithaca
Donald Yarborough, Oneonta
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ADVANCED
NABC Masters
Thomas Rusling, Pittsford
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LIFE MASTERS
Susan Barocas, Rochester
Douglas Bradley, Pittsford
Marlene Green, Sarasota, FL
Daniel Ragland, Corning
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Bronze Life Masters
Douglas Bradley, Pittsford
Rev Jan Egger, Rochester
Gary Gottermeier, Fairport
Thomas Mulgrew, Rochester
Douglas Spiker, Henrietta
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Silver Life Masters
Richard Folwell, Rochester
Jill Miller, Rochester
Lawrence Waful, Liverpool
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***********************
Note to players - when you advance your rank check your email from our secretary (sandjack) for a free play!
***********************
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Ruby Life Master
Everett Weiermiller, Elmira
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Gold Life Master
Richard Briggs, Pittsford
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Emerald Life Master
Mary Poplawski, Vestal
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Join us for our last sectional of the year -
Finger Lakes Sectional
Health & Senior Services Bldg - 2465 Bonadent Drive, Suite 4
Waterloo, New York
13165
Jim Carroll - 315-406-1711
Saturday - November 10th - Open Pairs Two Session Event 10:30
299er Stratified Pairs 10:30 and 2:45
Sunday - November 11th - Stratified Open Swiss Teams 10:30 Play Through
Stratified by Average - A 1500+ B 500-1500 C 0 - 500
Stratified 299er Swiss Teams One Session 10:30
Congratulations to our October Sectional Winners -
Utica Fall Sectional Winners
AM Open Pairs
9 tables / Based on 17 tables
Flight A 1
st
Harry Nuckols - Mary Poplawski -Vestal 61.57%
Flight B & C 1
st
John Nelson - Marc Wetmore - Rochester 60.65%
Flight C 2
nd
Debra Statton - Ornit Grossman, Ithaca 56.48%
PM Open Pairs
10 tables / Based on 16 Tables
Flight A & B 1
st
Kamal Gupta - Alka Gupta - Latham 63.66%
Flight A 2
nd
Thomas Andres, Utica - Donald Dalpe, Fort Myers, FL 60.42%
Flight B 2nd Rosemarie Mancuso - Judith Elliott, Utica 56.25%
Flight C 1st Pat Stadelmaier, Pine City - Angela Sykes, Endicott 54.40%
2
nd
Debra Statton - Ornit Grossman, Ithaca 54.17%
299er Pairs Sat Morning
- 8 tables
Flight A 1
st
Debbie Carpenter - Xiang Long, Ithaca 68.63%
Flight B & C 1st Joseph King, Manllius - William Le Beau, Jamesville 64.80%
Flight B & C 2nd Doris Ernest - Angela Van Derhoof - New Hartford 64.84%
299er Pairs Sat Afternoon
- 4 tables
Flight A & B 1
st
Jon Davidson, Cazenovia - Dee Derosa, Syracuse 63.75%
2nd Diane Redfield - William Redfield - Utica 56.67%
Flight C 1st Doris Ernest - Angela Van Derhoof - New Hartford 55.42%
Sunday Open Swiss Teams
- 13 Tables
Flight A & B Richard Hartz, Utica - Betty Youmans, Whitesboro
Richard Evans, Rome - Richard Hartz Jr, Deerfield
Flight C Stephen Mast - Holli Mast - Corning
Xiang Long - Debbie Carpenter - Ithaca
Rochester Sectional Winners
Open Pairs - 2 sessions
17 tables / Based on 29 tables
Flight A 1
st
Daniel Boye, E. Syracuse - Douglas Ross, Pittsford 62.01%
2
nd
Lois Sanders, Fairport - Richard Briggs, Pittsford 61.71%
Flight B 1st Kathleen Landon, Pittsford - Sandra Stockton, Rochester 60.08%
2nd Dick Tuttle, Cazenovia - Tom Aridgides, Manlius 56.91%
Flight C 1st John Nelson, Rochester - James Ertel, Canandaigua 52.48%
2nd Padmanabh Kamath - Edmund Reppert - Rochester 49.72%
299er Pairs
- 10 tables
Flight A 1
st
Coby Valensa, Fairport - Robert Valensa, Webster 62.92%
Flight B 1st Elizabeth Patton - James Patton - Pittsford 59.56%
2nd Dee DeRosa, Syracuse - Jon Davidson, Cazenovia 58.10%
Flight C 1st Tara Holter, Rochester - Reid Holter, fishers 55.33%
2nd Nancy Jones, Rochester - Carmen Masur, Webster 54.71%
Sunday Open Swiss Teams
- 20 Tables
Flight A & B Bruce Toder - Diane Phillips, Fairport
Barry Rudner- Barbara White, Rochester
Flight A 2nd Jerome Weiss, Penfield - Roger Woodin, Rochester
Guy Arie, Rochester - Michael Carney, Pittsford
Flight B 2nd James Carroll, Lyons - William Port, Geneva
James Ineich, Honolulu,HI - Dick Tuttle, Cazenovia
Flight C Elizabeth Patton - James Patton, Pittsford
John Nelson, Rochester - James Ertel, Canandaigua
2nd Janet Flanagan, Webster - Nancy Jones, Rochester
Craig Duncan - Marilyn Mulgrew, Rochester
Sunday 299er Swiss Teams
- 6 Tables
F
light A & B & C Andrew Tomash, Kanata, ON - Shawna Saunders, E Rochester
Xiang Long - Debbie Carpenter, Ithaca
Flight A 2nd Susan Randall, Chocton - Toni Conaway, Perry
Mary Seeman - Mary Kay Adams, Pittsford
Endwell Sectional Winners
AM Open Pairs
10 Tables
Flight A 1
st
Harry Nuckols - Mary Poplawski, Vestal 64.35%
Flight B 1st Robert Sincavage, Endicott - Edward Szymanski, Endwell 62.50%
2nd Michael Putnam, Garner, NC - Mary Jo Whitehead, Lisle 56.25%
Flight C 1st Gregory Liebner - Joseph Nicholson, Endwell 49.07%
2nd Medardo Gutierrez, Morris - Kurt Shoenhard, Coopertown 48.38%
PM Open Pairs
10.5 Tables
Flight A 1
st
Harry Nuckols - Mary Poplawski -Vestal 63.85%
Flight B 1st Michael Putnam, Garner, NC - Mary Jo Whitehead, Lisle 62.54%
Flight B 2nd Medardo Gutierrez, Morris-Donald Yarborough, Oneonta 59.87%
Flight C 1
st
Jon Davidson, Cazenovia - Dee Derosa, Syracuse 53.71%
2nd Richard Pille - Nancy Pille - Binghamton 52.61%
299er Pairs Sat Morning
- 5 tables
Flight A, B & C 1
st
Anne Field, Horseheads - Cathie Gunselman, Big Flats 63.75%
Flight A, B & C 2nd Richard Pille - Nancy Pille - Binghamton 55.63%
Sunday Open Swiss Teams
- 9 Tables
Flight A Daniel Boye, Syracuse - Barry Passer, Newfield
Roselyn Teukulsky - Saul Teukulsky, Ithaca
2nd Eleanor O'Connor - Richard Hurd - Freeville
Courtenay Footman - Lawrence Kidder - Ithaca
Flight B & C Patricia Jardin, Burlington, ON - Ray Noonan, Binghamton
Eileen Schuchman, Chenango Bridge - Alexander Jardin, Burlington, ON
Flight B 2nd Stephen Pope - Ornit Grossman - Ithaca
Ellen Ryan - Edythe Krauss - Ithaca
Now that our sectionals are winding down and snowbirds are leaving to warmer climates, check out our website and visit some local games in your area! Closer games may be across state borders!
http://www.bridgewebs.com/acblunit112
Good Luck to all of our players going to the Regional in Lancaster
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Unit 120: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Unit 120 is getting an update to our website. It will be easier to read and navigate with direct links to every club¹s current month ACBL results page. Direct links to ACBL tournaments calendar and Unit calendar displaying every club¹s games and times and a web page for each club.
Bill Burns is the new Website Administer. Bill hopes to have it up and running before the end of the year.
Unit 120 has had a website for as long as I can remember and George Marcy kept it up and running for 20 years or more. There are so many Unit members who have worked hard to keep Unit 120 running and keeping up with the times and most of you are unaware the job they are doing and most of the time - on a volunteer basis. George Marcy is one of them. George not only kept the website running, but he contributed immensely to keeping Unit 120 moving ahead. When I first became a club manager and I had a question, I called George Marcy. If I had a problem with the ACBL site or needed an answer to an ACBL question. I called George Marcy. If we needed a Director, I called George Marcy. And if George was not home, he always called me back to solve the problem. George gave his all to Unit 120. He served on the Board of Directors for many years, directed at Unit Party games for years and I am sure he did many other jobs for Unit 120 that I do not even know about. Even today, George is still setting up hands for clubs when preset hands are required. George stepped down from the website this year, but we all owe him a great deal of thanks for the wonderful job he did for Unit 120 and for all the work he did for its members for many years. THANK YOU GEORGE!!!!!!!!!
The 4Spot will have a new columnist as of the December issue. Doreese Torrey has taken on the job so please forward all your news and info to Doreese at [email protected]. Doreese you will remember as the former Secretary for Unit 120. I hope she enjoys doing the news as much as I did. I went from Dogs, Cats and Horses to Bridge and will miss turning out the monthly news. I am feeling just fine. Just need a bit more time off. You all can still send me your questions as I hope to keep up with what is going on in the Unit.
Masterpoint winners for the NEPA Fall Sectional in Wilkes-Barre October 5-7.
Friday Morning open pairs - First in A,B&C-Barbara Berk & Lois Fuini
Second in C - Mary Zabresky & Elle Preece
Friday Morning NLM Pairs - First in A Mary Ann Davies & Bernadine Luksic
First in B - Harold Koehler & Rita Groves
Friday Afternoon Open Pairs- First in A/BLarry Kemmerer & Gary Hillenbrand
First in C - Lynn Gonchar & Anne Pelak
Friday Afternoon NLM Pairs - First in A Mary Ellen Petcavage & Victoria
Tarleton
First in B Gerald Arcuri & Kathleen Arcuri
Saturday Morning Open Pairs- First in A John Schwartz & Judy Ste
First in B Zachery Madden & Zachery Sch
First in C Betsy Cutler & Elizabeth Abram
Second in C David Forth & Gillian Chase
Saturday Morning NLM Pairs - First in A- Roseann Tedesco & Anne Pelak
Saturday Afternoon Open Pairs- First in A -Barry Gorski & Andie Shaffer
First in B- Zachery Madden & Zachery Scherr
Second in B Ruth & Bill Orth
Sunday Swiss Team - First in A Judy Argento, Al Shrive, David Kresge &
Walter Bell
First in B - Walter Mitchell, Ellen Preece, Ruth & Bill
Orth
First in C Tom Henson, John Lute, Stephen & Holly
Mast
Judy Stein was the top winner in masterpoints with 16.45.
Points
awarded as follows:
16.45 Judy Stein
13.37 John Schwartz
13.22 Judy Argento
10.26 Al Shrive
9.57 Tom Henson
9.57 Gary Hillenbrand
7.00 Gene Waltz
6.35 Marlene Meyer
6.35 Dave Meyer
5.10 Ruth Orth
5.10 Bill Orth
4.95 Ellen Preece
4.38 Anne Pelak
4.30 Jeanne Fainberg
4.01 Martha O¹Connor
4.01 Carole McCallum
3.12 Steve Tillman
2.96 Judy Null
2.90 William Buchin
2.86 Walter Mitchell
2.70 Victoria Tarleton
2.63 David Forth
2.63 Gillian Chase
2.46 Roseann Tedesco
2.19 Lynn Gonchar
1.90 George Mansour
1.88 Bill Burns
1.88 JoAnn Mauger
1.68 Kathryn Shumaker
1.60 Mary Ann Davies
1.60 Bernadine Luksic
1.59 Mary Zabresky
1.49 Donald Hull
1.44 Rita Groves
1.44 Mary Ellen Petcavage
1.44 Harold Koehler
1.26 Dolores Barry
1.19 Steve Mansour
.81 Mary Ellen McCormick
.81 Joann Freeman
.71 Marie Lewis
.67 Doreese Torrey
.66 Karen Wessell
.66 Dave Wessell
.58 Joan Winters
.56 Fay Pacchioli
.35 Marianne Higgins
.35 Janet Morganthau
.35 Cecily Myers
.23 George Marcy
.23 Fran Hofherr
We have a new transfer into our unit so make Jeremy Adelman, Clarks Summit, feel welcome.
PLAYER ADVANCEMENTS
JUNIOR MASTER Micki Zack, Thompson, Lawrence Hudson, Matamoras
CLUB MASTER Rosemary Schwartz, Stuart, Fl
BRONZE LIFE MASTER Allan Trynz, Lords Valley
RUBY LIFE MASTER Peggy Yeager, Naples, Fl
EMERALD LIFE MASTER Raymond Depew
We lost one of our true ladies of Bridge on October 17th. Margaret (Peggy)
Watters passed away at the age of 89. Peggy was born in Wilkes-Barre and
raised in East End. A Silver Life Master, she was also a supervisor of
Bridge at the Wilkes-Barre CYC for several years. Until Peggy retired to
the Nursing Home at Wesley Village, she was always at our Sectionals and Unit
Parties. She will always be missed.
Judy Hofbauer, one of our summer players who ventured from Florida up to the
Honesdale Club every year, passed away in September. Judy was a devoted
Bridge player and appeared in her wheelchair during her last few years of
playing. Players in Unit 120 will remember her as the lady who knitted
while playing bridge. She partnered with Ann Gordon.
2018-2019 CALENDAR - December 10 Honesdale Holiday Party STAC Game
April 6 NLM Sectional
April 7 Pro-Am Swiss
June 7-9 Wilkes-Barre Sectional
August 5 -11 Wilkes-Barre Regional
September 8 Architzel Memorial Game, Beach Lake
October 4 - 6 Wilkes-Barre Sectional
|
Unit 121: Berks Montgomery
Brian C Snyder
484-838-0977
December 21
The Hawley Quier Memorial Unit Game was held on Tuesday October 23 at Sacred Heart Villa with a Halloween theme. Sue Wessner and Albert Bingaman came in first overall with a 66.44% game. Jana Estep won a prize for the best costume.
Our next 0-500 Sectional Tournament will be held Friday December 21 at Sacred Heart Villa. More information can be found
HERE
.
Sue Wessner is hosting a bridge cruise May 9-18, 2019.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
Congratulations to the following for advancing in the ACBL ranks:
Ms. Laura K. McCann - Junior Master
Judy Sager - Sectional Master
Linda Snyder - Sectional Master
Thomas R. Kimmel - NABC Master
Elizabeth C. Kunkleman - Bronze Life Master
Maxine G. Hornberger - Silver Life Master
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Check back next month for a Unit 133 report.
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499er Swiss Team
Unit 141 congratulates its New Life Masters and all those who reached new designation levels.
New Life Masters
William Cohen
Bruce Gorman
Fred Kurz
Claire Schrager
Donna Zebley
Emerald Life Master
Barbara Kepple
Sapphire Life Master
Frank Lipniski
Silver Life Master
Harold Singleton III
Bronze Life Master
Charlotte Garber
Salvatore Marcello
Join us at the next Unit 141 Sectional. We will be back at Bala Golf Club on January 11-13, 2019. Come play, eat and see your friends after the holidays.
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Unit 168: Central Pennsylvania
News From Harrisburg:
- Monthly evening Open Pairs Wine and Cheese game - November 7 at 6:30 p.m.
- Our next Mixer Swiss game is Thursday, November 8. Teams will be randomly drawn to pair more experienced players with players who are relatively new to the game. Advance registration is required.
- No Brunch and Bridge this month, due to the Lancaster Regional
- Continental Breakfast and Bridge game - November 24. Game time 11 a.m., food served at 10:30 a.m.
- Monthly Swiss Team dinner game - Wednesday, November 28. Dinner time is 5:45 p.m., game time is 6 p.m. Please register your teams (Open and 0-1000) in advance by e-mailing [email protected].
The HBC Annual Meeting, with election of board members and officers, will take place on Saturday,
December 8. Meeting time is 11 a.m., to be followed by a catered luncheon and an open pairs game.
Our full schedule is available on the HBC website, www.bridgewebs.com/harrisburg.
News From Lancaster:
- November 12th & 14th are Bruce MacHatton Memorial Club Championships in Lancaster! Extra points but no extra cost!
News From York:
November Special Events at the Bridge Boardroom:
- Thursday 11/8 - All games $1 Extra for Unit Games
- Tuesday 11/13, 9:30-11:30 am - workshop on Killer Opening Leads
- Wednesday 11/14, 9:30 am - Mentor Game
- Saturday 11/17, 6:00 pm - Saturday Night Special
- We will be CLOSED Wednesday evening 11/21, Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
- Tuesday 11/27, 9:30-11:30 am - workshop on Finesses
- Wednesday 11/28, 9:30 am - Mentor Game
CONGRATULATIONS to these Unit 168 members on their new masterpoint rank achievements:
Life Master: Jeffrey Stead
Ruby Life Master: Jeremy Lynch
Wacky Hands & Gadgets - by Dave Bort
Misunderstanding 2/1
In a recent club game, Board 26 was red-on-red, and our opponents held:
West: K9 742 T5 KQ9874
East: Q8765 T3 8643 T2
while partner's and my hands were:
North: JT43 K9 AKQJ72 6 South: A2 AQJ865 9 AJ53
Playing 2/1, the bidding went (opponents silent throughout, including East's initial pass):
North (me) South
1H
2D 3H
4H All Pass
Result: Making 7! What happened?! Well, unfortunately, South's jump to 3H, after a 2/1 game-forcing auction
had already been established, was confusing to partner, who at that point, could only think to bid 4H to show
their Heart support. Then, after South's pass, it's all over but the moaning (and gnashing of teeth)! The
problem with South's bid is, given that a 2H bid by South would also show 6 cards, South's 3H jump should
really be a "picture bid," usually considered to be showing a solid suit, and requesting partner to describe their
hand further, probably with an eye towards slam. Since North was looking at the Heart King, they didn't know
how to proceed. So, what would have been better for this hand? How about (hands repeated for
convenience)...
North: JT43 K9 AKQJ72 6
South: A2 AQJ865 9 AJ53
Playing 2/1, the bidding could have proceeded (opponents silent throughout, included East's initial pass):
North(me) South
1H
2D(1) 2H(2)
3H(3) 3S(4)
4C(5) 4N(6)
5H(7) 5N(8)
6D(9) 7H!(10)
All Pass
Notes:
(1) 2/1 game force
(2) Implying 6 Hearts
(3) Implying Heart tolerance (where "tolerance" means at least 2 cards)
(4) Italian Cue, implying first or second round control of Spades, after partner's Heart agreement (i.e., an A, K, singleton, or void)
(5) Italian Cue in Clubs, implying an A, K, singleton, or void
(6) Roman Keycard Blackwood (whether 0314 or 1430, by partnership agreement)
(7) Showing 2 keycards in Hearts, without the Queen of Hearts (by whichever method)
(8) King-Ask, confirming all the keycards and the Queen of trump
(9) Showing either the King of Diamonds (if playing Specific Kings) or 1 King (if playing number of Kings), by partnership agreement
(10) Looks like you can cover my Spade loser and Club losers with the King and long Diamonds (after I possibly ruff one), partner, so Let's Do This!
Comments: If South simply takes it slow, he and his partner have time to more effectively describe their hands.
References:
(1)
25 More Bridge Conventions You Should Know, Chapter 20, for Italian Cuebids. Along with its companion book,
25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, these two books quickly became the de facto introductory standards for modern bidding, upon their publication - you do, of course, have them already (if only to inform your partners)!
(2)
Roman Keycard Blackwood, the Final Word, 5th Edition, by Eddie Kantar (a required reference for all the complexities of upper-level slam bidding - all serious partnerships need this book for their library!)
Responder's Reverse, Redwood, and a Third-Round Control Ask!
From the trenches of the exciting Hagerstown Sectional last month, Board 12 on Saturday afternoon was red-on-white; our auction proceeded (with our opponents silent throughout, including West's initial Pass):
North(me) South
1C 1D
2C 2S
3N All Pass
Result: Making 7! Uh oh, that's too bad; I had just bid 3N thinking it would likely be safe enough, and would
score well enough (which turned out to be true enough, since we tied for second on the board), but it appears
that, perhaps, after 2S (Responder's reverse being game-forcing), we might bid more effectively, eh? Let's see.
Our opponents held:
West: K4 KQJ72 543 975
East: T8752 T865 82 J3,
while our hands were:
North: 963 A9 A7 KQT864
South: AQJ 43 KQJT96 A2
The bidding COULD have proceeded (after West's initial Pass):
North(me) South
1C 1D(1)
2C(2) 2S(3)
2N(4) 4D(5)
4S(6) 4N(7)
5N(8) 6D(9)
7C!(10) Pass(11)
All Pass
Notes:
(1) Implying Diamonds is a predominant feature of their hand (by partnership agreement), with either 6 Diamonds or 5 good ones (this is why people check the "Frequently bypass 4+" Diamonds checkbox in the Minor Opening section of their convention card)
(2) Implying 6 cards, not implying extra strength
(3) Responder's reverse, game-forcing (meaning forcing to at least 3N or 4 of a minor, if no major suit fit is found and NT seems unsafe)
(4) Implying willingness to play in NT (and implying a Heart stopper, since all other suits have been bid)
(5) Redwood (or Kickback), 1430 (or 0314, by partnership agreement) for Clubs - normally, I couldn't make this bid with two little Hearts, but since you showed a Heart stopper, partner, I'm going to see if we have a slam.
Yes, I'm taking a risk by bypassing 3N, but hey, let's live a little! Cue the mantras: "It's only a game!" and "It's supposed to be fun!"
(6) Two steps up, showing 0 or 3 keycards in Clubs (from among the four Aces and the King of trumps)
(7) Next step up, the Queen-Ask, in Clubs
(8) Yes, I have the Queen, but no side-suit Kings. However, I do have a third-round control (a Queen or a doubleton, or even a singleton) somewhere, if that might interest you
(9) Is your third-round control in Diamonds? If so, bid a grand slam in Clubs!
(10) Yes! So, here we go, whee!
(11) I'm going to opt for the possible extra safety of a suit contract, rather than convert to NT. Worst-case should be that we tie for second, instead of taking a cold top on the board. But, it's probably plenty good enough just to reach a minor-suit grand!
Follow-up: At the actual tournament, only one pair even managed to bid 6N, so 7C woulda/coulda been a top.
No, I didn't say "shoulda", because that would be practicing being unhappy, and the problem with that approach is: if you do it long enough, you might get good at it!
References:
1) R
oman Keycard Blackwood, The Final Word (5th Edition), by Eddie Kantar (as above). Buy it! Study it!
Stay tuned next month, for more wacky hands & gadgets.
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Alan Horowitz, past DSBA President, and my pd on
The A Team, passed away from esophageal cancer on October 25
, 2018.
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The Bridge Studio has MOVED
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To Building 1407, first floor, Room 102.
Located just across the parking lot from where you used to park, easiest entry is from the Foulkstone complex central parking spaces. Come and check it out!
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Dusted once. It came back. Not falling for that again.
PLAYER ADVANCEMENTS
JUNIOR MASTER
:
Kusum B. Patel
CLUB MASTER
:
Marcella Jackson and Ann Liarakos
REGIONAL MASTER
:
Ellen S. Meyer
NABC MASTER
:
Roberta R. Stonesifer
ADVANCED NABC MASTER
:
Nancy D. Ferguson, Donald Pyne and Karin Schwenk
LIFE MASTER
:
Lee B. Davis
GOLD LIFE MASTER
:
Mark G. Henderson and Cynthia Morris
Ocean View 299er - Top Masterpoint Winners
1 2.78 Mike Vogel, Millville DE
2 2.78 Jonathan Lawlor, Lewes DE
3 2.09 Michael Barry, Bel Air MD
4 2.09 Joann Holback, Baldwin MD
5 1.56 Roslyn Berkovitz, Dover DE
6 1.56 Deborah Flayhart, Dover DE
7 1.26 Francine Calton, New Smyrna Bch FL
8 1.26 Chuck Marginot, Bethany Beach DE
9 0.93 Ruth Bender, Rehoboth Beach DE
10 0.93 George Dellinger, Lewes DE
11 0.67 Mike Tasevoli, Dagsboro DE
12 0.67 Barbara Tasevoli, Dagsboro DE
For news and results from around Unit 190, check out the Unit 190 website and click on the links below:
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Check back next month for a Unit 217 report.
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