Can You be Top of Your Class ? By Barnet Shenkin

I am indebted for the following hand to the late Hugh Kelsey, Scotland’s finest bridge author, and Dr. John Matheson , a successfull teammate of mine in times gone by. The deal comes from the Aces, against Omar Sharif Circus, which included the great Italians, Belladonna and Garozzo. I played against the Circus in the late seventies, in Glasgow, Scotland.

N/S vulnerable You

North

P P P

2♥ 4N 6♠

East 1♥ 3♥ P X

South X 3♠ 5♣ all P

Your hand is ♠87, ♥J72, ♦1092, ♣K9865 Your lead, make your mind up, before reading on.

Partner’s double asks for a non heart lead. He can’t have ♦AK, as that would leave no values for opponents to bid slam. So, partner must have a void, and a side ace. As you have more clubs than diamonds, it would seem more likely he has a club void. However North must have a long strong minor to bid slam, and he has likely 4 trumps. It is more likely North has diamonds than clubs. If he has 6 diamonds and 4 spades ,he likely has only 2 clubs. This would seem to indicate a diamond void for partner, rather than a club . So, taking all the reasoning into account ,you can pin everything on a diamond. But just in case your reasoning is wrong,how about the lead of the ♣K? If partner is void he can ruff and cash his side Ace. If your ♣K wins the trick, you can give partner his diamond ruff. ♠A1054 ♥A3 ♦AJ8543 ♣J ♠87 ♥J72 ♦1097 ♣K9865

♠J2 ♥KQ109865 ♦void ♣A732

♠KQ963 ♥4 ♦KQ62 ♣Q104 So, if you led a diamond, or the ♣K, down one for +200. If you led a low club, you're -1540. For more tips, stories and live online For the record, both teams led a low club, against lessons, join Barnet's FREE online 6♠X. How did you do? club at www.shenkinbridge.com 22

ACBL District 9

What is The Common Game? The Common Game is a service offered through local clubs which provides bridge players the opportunity to compare their results with players at other clubs, playing the same hands, in Florida and across the country.*

The Common Game Congratulations to Our February & March Winners! FEBRUARY WINNERS Open Game - Most Points earned: Lyle Price - Temple Sinai DBC 299er Game - Most Points earned: Vin Riccardi - Jourdans Most Top Twenty Finishes Open: Barry Patten - Temple Sinai Most Top Twenty Finishes 299er: Richard Frisina - St. Andrews CC Joan M. Vanek - Jourdans Attendance - Most Plays: Etta Sklar - Hollywood BC

MARCH WINNERS Open Game - Most Points earned: Diane Shaffer - Hollywood BC 299er Game - Most Points earned: Shirley Molot - Jourdans Most Top Twenty Finishes Open: Melanie Tucker - Honors Most Top Twenty Finishes 299er: Raye Lundrigan - Solivita BC Attendance - Most Plays: Kenneth Wagner Jr - Ft. Lauderdale BC

What does it offer to clubs and players? • Players can compare their results with players in Florida and across the country. • Pro analysis of many of the interesting hands played • Individual play analysis (if your club uses Bridgemates/ BridgePads) • Prizes awarded monthly, quarterly, and annually for both performance and attendance. • New Contests coming soon.

How can you participate in the Common Game? Enrolling in the Common Game is simple! Ask your club manager to contact us at 941-404-6600 or email us at [email protected] *Participation in the Common Game does not affect a player’s score or masterpoint award at the local club. The ACBL masterpoints continue to be scored and reported as always. Common Game awards are based on match-pointed results across the larger field.

www.District9ACBL.org 23

Director's Corner By Lynn Berg

The Multi-Purpose Convention Card The convention card serves three functions—all important to you. 1—You and your partner should discuss your agreements and record them on the card. If you have several partners, go through this process with each of them. You should be thorough and accurate. ACBL requires that each of you have a card and that they be identical. Even if you only play with one partner, you should review your agreements a few times a year. Have you added any new agreements? Lowered or raised the requirements for some bid? The card should accurately describe what you do. Don’t forget—practice can establish an agreement even when you haven’t discussed a situation. ACBL has a great series called Conventional Wisdom, available on the website at www.acbl.org/play/ conventionwisdom.html. This 24 part series will answer many questions you and partner might have, not only about your own agreements but also what other players mean by what they’ve put on their cards. 2—Each of you should display an up-to-date card at the table. Once you have playing cards in your hand, the convention card is there for the benefit of the opponents. You may not consult your own card as you bid or play. Opponents may ask you about an agreement, but they should also be able easily to consult your card. It should be on the table, not in a back pocket or purse. If neither of you have a card, you could be subject to penalties, even told that no conventions may be used until you both have cards available—not even Stayman. It’s not just bad etiquette for convention cards to be missing, it’s against the rules. As you encounter new opponents, you should look at their cards: what systems are they playing? What is their carding? What are their ranges for opening 1NT and balancing in NT. You will be better prepared for the match(matchpoints—remember?) if you are aware of their style and methods. If the opponents are playing something unnfamiliar to you, you’re allowed to ask about it. You should also discuss with your partner how you handle something unusual—maybe they play 1NT openers at 11-14: do you play the same competitive methods as over a strong 1NT opener? 3—Use the card to keep an accurate record of the session’s scores. At least one of you should keep a record in case of scoring errors. At the least, record the contract and result. For your own benefit you might also want to record the opening lead, handy for later discussions. Keep the card folded or turned over so that your private scores are private. It’s the outside the opponents want to see. Convention cards are such a familiar part of playing duplicate that it’s easy to take them for granted. But they are a useful tool for your partnership and an essential source of information for your opponents. It’s important to keep them current. Lynn Berg has been an ACBL member for over 50 years, a club director for almost 40 and a tournament director for over 10. She's also done quite a bit of directing on cruise ships and is a teacher trainer for ACBL and for EasyBridge. Lynn says: “I am of the firm opinion that we can adhere to the rules, be completely ethical and still have a great time (and even win!). Civility and good humor go a long way at the table.” 24

ACBL District 9

Survey Sez Thank you to our readers who have answered our two most recent surveys. As often happens, the pattern continues when we leave a survey up after already reporting the initial results to you. Again, well over half of our new respondents have not played in any non-sanctioned bridge games in the year prior to answering the question. Our March/April question asked if you have family members or dearly loved companions who also play duplicate bridge. More than half of you have none at all. Some of you have just one. It’s evidently rare to have two or more. Now please go to www.District9ACBL.org and tell us this: I have canceled _____ scheduled sessions of bridge in the past year due to inclement weather. I have canceled _____ scheduled sessions of bridge in the past year due to illness. Dr. Stephen Warner passed away in late February at the age of 89. He had 9920 masterpoints at the time, having played bridge for 77 years. Steve was a dentist who served in the US Army during World War II and in the Navy during the Korean conflict. Steve was District 9 Recorder for many years. He had been appointed to the ACBL Goodwill Committee and the ACBL Charity Committee, many years ago. In fact, at the 2012 District 9 Goodwill Committee gathering, it was reported that Steve had been a Goodwill member for 50 years! Some of Steve’s favorite partners through the years were Jayne Thomas, Helen Shanbrom, Jerry Friedlander, Fred Paul, Warrner Kornfeld, Ritchie Reisig, Barbara Nudelman, Dr. Welton Gersony, Joe Steuer, Bob Cloutier and Ellie Hanlon. Condolences to Steve’s wife of over 30 years, Caroline Varon Warner, who owned the Rockland Bridge Center in Pearl River, NY, when they met in 1979. Rest in peace, Steve.

Play in your club’s North American Pairs club qualifying sessions during June, July and August! You, too, might win the right to represent District 9 at the NAP Finals next spring. Players who earn the right may also receive financial assistance to play in those finals. In 2013, the winners of Flight A were from District 9, and in 2014, the winners of Flight C were from District9!

ATTENTION - DISTRICT 9 PLAYERS

If you serve on an Appeals Committee at any District 9 Regional, you will be thanked with scrip for a free play, good for one year from the date you serve on the committee. www.District9ACBL.org 25

The Basic Bridge Protocol By Peter Jargowsky

Advice on bidding, defense and the play of the hand is plentiful. But, regardless of the bidding system, carding or technical aspects of the play, the basics of tempo, observation and decision making don’t change. Does your hesitation give away your hand to the opponents? Do you miss things in the auction, play or defense? Do you take advantage of all of the information given to you?

How many tricks do you need? Where will they come from? Update and verify these counts as the hand unfolds. Think when you need to but think ahead so you don’t need to hesitate.

Be ready for whatever declarer plays; don’t I wrote this protocol to reduce my errors and be surprised. improve my consistency. I wanted a systematic series of steps to apply on each hand. Think about Defense each of the items on this list; do you apply all Respect partner's signals. of them? On every hand? Study and follow the Attitude, count or suit preference? protocol and your adventures will improve. • Which is partner giving you?

The Auction

• Maintain a slow steady tempo.

• Which should you give him?

• Verify each bid from brain to bidding box to table.

• Think… Do not follow partner’s signal blindly.

• Be sure you see all the bids, look twice!

• Diverge if you have a reason.

• Think when you need to but think ahead so you don’t need to hesitate.

Direct the Defense. Signal when there is a reason to do so.

• If your hesitation may bar partner, tend to take action, not pass.

Take time to understand the position, especially in the end game.

• Take all the time you need in the balance seat.

Overall

The Play

Trust partner, not opponents.

Maintain discipline throughout; don’t try to Maintain a slow steady tempo. Beware of getting compensate for mistakes or fixes. rushed by the opponents' pace. Stress is the enemy of clear thinking; most Estimate the high card points and distribution for important -- stay calm and focused! the hands you cannot see. Observe all cards played, adjusting your count as You are now empowered to play more the play proceeds. Take extra time at trick one to thoughtfully and consistently than those who note the cards played. have not persisted to this paragraph of the article! 26

ACBL District 9

A Thoughtful Partner by Dick Wegman

Would you rather have a partner who defends bridge hands by rote and usually (but not always) comes up with the right play? Or, would you rather have a partner who thinks through various options, identifies lines of play and defense that many ordinary players would miss, and occasionally misses a line of play to defeat a contract? I know which one I would choose. In the recent Silver Ribbon Pairs Championships, my partner Arnie Malasky and I were defending against a fairly routine 4♥ contract. The bidding, however, was anything but routine, and as a result the hand that held the long trumps was in the dummy, making things considerably more difficult for the defense. Here was the hand (positions rotated for convenience): ♠K7 ♥AQJ9763 ♦76 ♣85

author) would likely get it anyway, and if not the declarer would probably have time to draw trumps and discard dummy’s second club on South’s spade winners. Suppose, however, that declarer’s trump holding consisted of one or two small hearts (a likely holding, in light of the bidding). In that event, Malasky reasoned, the defense could manufacture an extra trick with an uppercut. This could be achieved if Malasky led a third round of diamonds and West ruffed in with his presumed king of hearts, a card that would otherwise be lost to a finesse by declarer. (To encourage West to ruff high, Malasky returned the four of diamonds, rather than playing another top diamond.) Malasky hoped that his partner’s king of hearts would force dummy to overruff with the ace. Declarer could then cash two rounds of trumps (with the queen and the jack), but the uppercut would promote Malasky’s innocent-looking heart ten to a winner. Pretty clever.

Unfortunately, because declarer was void in trumps, West’s heart king was a natural winner, and Malasky’s gambit didn’t produce an extra trick. Even more unfortunately, the contract could have been defeated ♠AQ943 with a different, far-less-imaginative line of play. If East ♥--shifts at trick three to his singleton spade, the defense ♦J832 ♣AK107 would eventually score the setting trick with a spade ruff East dealt and opened 2♦. North-South were employing after West wins his heart king. an unusual transfer system, and after South overcalled So, in practice, the imaginative play failed, and our side 2♠, North bid 3♦, transfer to hearts. South dutifully bid received a below average result on the board rather 3♥, and North carried on to 4♥. I was sitting in the West than a near top. But would I rather have a partner who is seat, and led the nine of diamonds, my partner’s suit. capable of this kind of analysis, and most of the time gets ♠J10865 ♥K82 ♦95 ♣QJ2

♠2 ♥1054 ♦AKQ104 ♣9643

Malasky, in the East seat, cashed the first two diamond tricks, and stopped to think. He was keenly aware, of course, that we were playing in a pairs event, and that every overtrick could be vital. He reasoned as follows: a club return, which on the surface appears to be the natural return, would not be likely to gain anything additional, because if West held the club ace he (I, the

things right? You bet I would. The writer, who lives in Bethesda, MD, and his partner Arnie Malasky, who lives in Longboat Key, FL, placed third overall (out of 294 pairs) in the Leventritt Silver Ribbon Pairs that was held at the Spring North American Bridge Championships in Dallas TX in March, 2014.

www.District9ACBL.org 27

UNIT 102 President Carol Hamilton 941-371-0949 [email protected] Vice President Sandi Murray 941-302-3448 [email protected] Secretary Sandy Lewis 941-923-6335 [email protected] Treasurer Sandra Fleischman 941-580-3719 [email protected] Board Members Harriette Buckman 941-355-7011 [email protected] Merle Greenwald 941-366-1106 [email protected] Cynthia Murphy 941-355-3160 [email protected] Jim Russell 941-592-8117 [email protected] Tom Lordi 941-351-6869 [email protected]

28

President's Message I would very much like to extend best wishes to Merle Greenwald, our newly appointed member of the Unit 102 Board of Directors. I know that his expertise and enthusiasm will be a great addition to our group, and we all look forward to working with him.

Welcome aboard, Merle!

I thought you all should know that our Sarasota-Manatee Regional this year was a record-breaker. We had over 3400 tables, the largest Regional in recent Florida history! Congratulations to all who made it happen! And thanks to all of you who attended and gave us those great numbers. We will continue to work together with Unit 128 to make everything even better in the future. We held our first Unit-wide Unit Game on Friday, March 14, 2014. We needed to have at least three locations to qualify to run this event. Thanks to Margaret Tominosky for coordinating this effort. 68 tables participated at the In-Between Club, the Field Club, and the East Side DBC. First place went to Elaine McClure & Pat Lennon. In second were Mary & Roger Thibault, and Flight C winners were Sue Ruhle & Diane Nalls. Congratulations to all! We are planning to run three more such events on May 9, October 3, and November 14. We have two upcoming events for May and June. Our Spring Sectional will be held at the In-Between Club May 22 –25. Please get your partners and teammates lined up and plan to attend. Our Annual Awards Luncheon and two-session Swiss Teams will be held at Misty Creek Country Club on Sunday, June 8, at 11:00 A.M.. We will have a complimentary lunch for Unit members. Cost of the Swiss Teams will be $60 per team. Non-member guests may pay a $15 guest fee for lunch. We will honor our Unit Award winners during lunch. There is limited space available at this lovely venue, so attendance will be limited to the first 28 teams who register. Contact me at 941-371-0949 or [email protected] to make your reservations. Keep up the good work on great behavior at the table. Remember the new motto – Play Nice!!

Unit 102

CLUBS IN THE UNIT 102 AREA (see also www.Unit102.com ) Bradenton Bridge Assn.* and East Side DBC* Oneco Kiwanis Community Center, 1720 53rd Ave. E., Oneco, FL 34203 Nan Meyer, Director - Tel: 941-739-1100 Mobile: 941-773-2543 email: [email protected]. In-Between DBC, Town & Country Plaza, 501 N. Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34232 Michelle Golden, Director - Tel: 941-365-7875 or 941-355-6940 email: [email protected] Club Website: www.inbetweenbridge.com InterCity DBC, Temple Sinai of Sarasota, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34231 Sue Marshman, Director Mobile: 941-716-0383, email: [email protected] Results posted on www.Unit102.com Longboat Key BC and Merrill Bridge Club Bayfront Park Rec. Ctr. of LBK, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228 Larry Auerbach, Director - Tel: 941-567-8115 *Club Website: www.District9acbl.org. Scroll down to District 9 Club Game Results

Open Club Games Schedule Day Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday Saturday

Sunday Unit 102

Time 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM

Venue In-Between DBC: Open Stratified & 0-199 Bradenton Bridge Assn.: Open Stratified In-Between DBC: Open Stratified & 0-499 & 0-49 InterCity Bridge Club: Open Stratified Longboat Key Bridge Club: Open Stratified In-Between DBC: 0-2000 0-20 Newplicate Game In-Between DBC: Open Stratified & 0-199 Merrill Bridge Club: Open Stratified In-Between DBC: Easybridge In-Between DBC: Open Stratified Merrill Bridge Club: Open Stratified East Side Bridge Club: Open Stratified In-Between DBC: Open Stratified & 0-199 In-Between DBC: Easy Bridge In-Between DBC: Open Stratified & 0-199 Longboat Key Bridge Club: Open Stratified No Games Scheduled 29

Anniversary Swiss Teams Twenty-two teams turned out for this annual event that has traditionally been held to support a worthy local charity. A raffle was organized and conducted by Sandra Fleischman and Carol Hamilton to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Local experts were recruited to serve as prizes to play a local duplicate game with the lucky(?) winners who were drawn to partner them. Participating experts were Larry Auerbach, Gloria Bart, Les Bart, Sandra Fleischman, Dick Fleischman, Irina Kislitsyna, Jim Russell, and David Wicentowski. The triumphant teams in the Anniversary Swiss were: • First in A: Dianne & Jack Bonney, Nie-Lih Kalat, and Ed Spear • Second in A: Madi Drimmer, Paul Eberman, Gen Geiger, Terry McHenry • First in B: Peter Cleaves, Henry Corwin, and Sherry & Peter Tracy • Second in B: Marcia Clark, Charlie Harff, Gail Farrish, and Connie Queller • First in C: Marlene & John Green, Paula & Rob Smith • Second in C: Barbara English, Carlene & Don Judge, and Jan Lazar

Congratulations to all the winners! A check for $1,000 was sent to the food bank.

Unit 102 Board of Directors Jottings Merle Greenwald was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board. Welcome aboard, Merle! Sandy Lewis has taken over the position of Unit Board Secretary from Harriette Buckman. She also holds the position of Tournament Coordinator. Other Chairmanship appointments were Cynthia Murphy as Membership chair, Martha Marsh as Publicity chair, the venerable Doug Drew is Disciplinary chair, Gloria & Les Bart were named co-chairs of the Tournament Appeals Committee succeeding Jane Wicentowski who was thanked for her many years of service to the Unit, and Harriette Buckman carries on as Unit Recorder. Sandi Murray and Russ Delaney were accorded kudos for their tireless work as co-chairs of the SarasotaManatee Regional. Under their leadership, the table count rose to 3,402 this year from 3,097 last year. Jim Russell was selected to be Unit 102 representative to the District 9 Board. He replaces Bette Cohn who has served in that capacity for many years. The Anniversary Swiss Teams will be changed to a two session pair game in 2015. Please remember to make your teams for the Awards Swiss on June 8 at the Misty Creek Country Club. Please make reservations with Carol Hamilton by phone at 941-371-0949 or by email at [email protected]. 30

Unit 102

Bridge Players in the News Unit 102’s young superstar, Asya Ladyzhensky, traveled to the Youth Team Trials in Atlanta where her team qualified to represent the United States in the Rona Cup at the World Youth Team Championships in Istanbul this coming August. The Rona Cup is for young women under the age of 26. For fuller details, see the March ACBL Bulletin. Congratulations, Asya, on your achievement and the best of luck going forward! Retraction: In the last issue of the SBN, John Burrill was identified as the Mini-McKenney winner for Unit 102 in the 200-300 masterpoints category. Later information revealed that John had been edged out by Anita Smith by 0.31 masterpoint. Congratulations go out to Arnie Malasky of Longboat Key and Dick Wegmen of Bethesda, MD for their third place overall finish in the Leventritt Silver Ribbon Pairs at the Dallas Nationals.

72% Club %

Players

Venue/Level

Date

72.73

Nancy Dane & Mary Ruggles

Field Club (Inv.)

March 7

72.71

Susan Gilbert & Suzan Lordi

In-Between (Open)

March 9

New To Unit 102 The Sunshine Bridge Unit welcomed the following 10 new ACBL members in January and February:

Elizabeth Bond



Michael Bryant



Yoon Jhee



Steven Ludmeyer



Sharon McDermott



Susan Miller-Thompson



Stanley Regenbogen



Jean Rightmeyer



Sandy Rollings



Robert Smith

Unit 102

31

District 9 Tournament Calendar MAY

Jun 30-Jul 6 JACKSONVILLE REGIONAL

Aug 29E-Sep 1 St. Pete Bridge Club Sectional

Oct 7-11 Jourdans 499ers Sectional

Aug 29-31 Melbourne Sectional

Oct 10-12 Jacksonville Sectional

JULY

SEPTEMBER

May 6-10 Jourdans 499ers Sectional

Jun 30-Jul 6 JACKSONVILLE REGIONAL

Aug 29E-Sep 1 St. Pete Bridge Club Sectional

Oct 10-12 McGregor Point 299ers Sectional

May 8-10 Palm Coast Sectional

Jul 1-31 NAP CLUB QUALIFYING

May 15-18 Naples Sectional

Jul 10-14 Pompano Beach NLM Sectional

Sep 1-30 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

Apr 28-May 4 SOUTHEASTERNS REGIONAL May 2- 4 Tallahassee Sectional

May 16-18 Jacksonville Sectional

Jul 11-13 Orlando Sectional

May 19-23 Pompano NLM Sectional

Jul 11-13 Pensacola Sectional

May 22E-25 Sarasota Sectional

Jul 17-20 St Petersburg NLM Sectional

May 23-25 Orlando Sectional May 26-Jun 1 TAMPA REGIONAL JUNE May 26-Jun 1 TAMPA REGIONAL Jun 1-30 NAP CLUB QUALIFYING Jun 5- 7 Bridge Deck Sectional Jun 6-8 The Villages Sectional Jun 14-15 Daytona Beach 299er Sectional Jun 20-22 Gainesville Sectional 32

Jun 23-29 Unit 128 STaC

Jul 17-27 SUMMER NABCLAS VEGAS

Sep 1-30 International Fund Games Sep 4-7 Daytona Sectional

Oct 17-19 Orlando Sectional Oct 24-26 NAP Finals + Sectional Oct 27-29 Miami Sectional

Sep 5-7 WINinc Sectional

Oct 30-Nov 2 Lake Park Sectional

Sep 9-13 Jourdans 499ers Sectional

NOVEMBER

AUGUST

Sep 11-13 Citrus Bridge Sectional

Aug 1-31 NAP CLUB QUALIFYING

Sep 11E-14 Venice Sectional

Aug 1- 3 Ft. Myers Sectional

Sep 15-21 NAPLES REGIONAL

Aug 8-10 Tallahassee Sectional

OCTOBER

Aug 9-10 Deland 199ers Sectional

Oct 13-19 Units 243, 102 & 219 STaC

Oct 1-31 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

Oct 30-Nov 2 Lake Park Sectional

Nov 1-30 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING Nov 3-9 DAYTONA REGIONAL Nov 9-13 Pompano NLM Sectional Nov 14-16 Clearwater Sectional Nov 14-16 Ft. Myers Sectional

Aug 11-17 District 9 STaC

Oct 3- 5 Ft. Walton Beach Sectional

Nov 14-16 Pensacola Sectional

Aug 18-24 PALM BEACH GARDENS REGIONAL

Oct 3-5 Deland 499ers Sectional

Nov 17-23 Units 240, 102 & 219 STaC ACBL District 9

Nov 20-23 St Petersburg NLM Sectional Nov 20E-23 Sarasota Sectional Nov 27-Dec 7 FALL NABCPROVIDENCE,RI DECEMBER Nov 27-Dec 7 FALL NABCPROVIDENCE,RI

Dec 1-31 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING Dec 1-5 Lake Park NLM Sectional Dec 5-6 Naples 299ers Sectional Dec 5-7 Vero Beach Sectional Dec 5-7 St. Augustine Sectional Dec 8-14 BONAVENTURE REGIONAL Dec 15-21 Unit 128 STaC

Jan 15-18 Daytona Sectional Jan 15E-18 Lake Park Sectional Jan 15-18 St. Petersburg Bridge Club Sectional Jan 19-23 Pompano NLM Sectional Jan 19-25 SAN DESTIN REGIONAL

Feb 6-8 Sun City Center Sectional

Mar 21-22 Deland 199ers Sectional

Feb 13-15 Vero Beach Sectional

Mar 27-29 Rockledge Sectional

Feb 13-15 Winter Haven SR/ NLM Sectional Feb 16-22 SARASOTA-MANATEE REGIONAL

Jan 22E-25 Sarasota Sectional

Feb 23 ACBL Wide Seniors Game

Jan 26-Feb 1 U240, 102, 243 STaC

Feb 23-Mar 1 Unit 128 STaC

Jan 30-Feb 1 Margret Bridge Club Sectional Jan 31 International Fund Game#1 FEBRUARY Jan 26-Feb 1 U240, 102, 243 STaC Jan 30-Feb 1 Margret Bridge Club Sectional

Feb 27-Mar 1 Orlando Sectional MARCH

Mar 1-31 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

Mar 27-29 Bradenton Sr/ NLM Sectional Mar 27-29 Pensacola Sectional Mar 29-31 Temple Sinai Sectional APRIL Apr 6-12 SOUTHEASTERNS REGIONAL Apr 17-19 Bridge Deck Sr/ NLM Sectional Apr 17-19 Ocala Sectional Apr 24-26 Vero Beach Sectional

Mar 2-8 Units 243, 102, 240 STaC Mar 5-7 Palm Coast Sectional

JANUARY

Feb 1-28 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

Jan 1-31 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

Feb 6-7 Ft. Myers 299er Sectional

Jan 2-4 N. Palm Beach Sectional

Feb 6- 8 Ft. Lauderdale Sectional

Mar 13-15 St. Augustine Sectional

Jan 5-11 ORLANDO REGIONAL

Feb 6-8 Jacksonville Sectional

Mar 20-22 Venice Sectional

Mar 6-8 Ft Myers Sectional Mar 12-22 NEW ORLEANS NABC

www.District9ACBL.org 33

UNIT 128

Unit 128 territory includes all red areas on the map plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

President's Message Jacksonville hosts 4th of July Regional.

Put on your Red, White and Blue and come to the first Annual Jacksonville Fourth of July Regional, June 30 – July 6. The Tournament will be held at the Jacksonville Marriott located at the intersection of I-95 and Butler Boulevard. The hotel affords plenty of free parking and the room rate is $99 per night. Call 904296-2222 for a reservation. I know bridge players like to eat and our hotel location is only 15 minutes from the Town Center Mall which features restaurants of all types and price range. At the Registration Desk you will receive a Restaurant Guide, a special tournament sticker, and best of all…a warm chocolate chip cookie. Craig Hemphill will begin Monday morning with a Free Novice Lecture at 10, followed by a Free Relaxed Rules 0 – 25 Stratified Pairs game at 1. Florida Gold Pairs will be featured on Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 & 7. Florida Gold Pairs will be held on Thursday and Friday at 10 & 3 for those of you who prefer earlier starting times. Also, Florida Gold Swiss is offered on Sunday with a playthrough starting at 10. There is a game for everyone with the varied list of events offered each day. Check the complete tournament schedule in this publication. Jacksonville is noted for its Hospitality and as the Friendliest Tournament in District 9. Free Coffee and Orange Juice is served each day along with an Open Hospitality Suite open Monday – Friday evenings. Ice Cream and/or Desserts, Pizza , Hot Dogs and Subsidized Sundays Snacks complete the list of hospitality for the week. Peggy Higginbotham is on duty daily to assist you in finding a Partner. Call 888-360-2590 or [email protected]. I hope to see many of you at the tournament. We promise you a week full of bridge and fun. Bring your best game to the tournament. If you win Overall in a two-session event, you receive a Scrip for a free play in one session of any event. This Free Scrip applies to Overall winners in ALL two session events... Seniors, Gold Rush Pairs and Open Games. Scrip is also given to winners in all Brackets of Knockouts. Another note of interest for bridge players in Florida. The ACBL membership in Florida continues to grow. March 31 membership was 19,716 ....an increased 587 members over a year ago this time.

Shirley Seals, President Unit 128 34

Unit 128

Betty King at Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club Who would you vote as the most AWESOME player at your club? I would pick the person I could talk to, ask questions of and admire - also someone I could relate to and walk the walk to Life Master. At Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club in Daytona Beach, FL this is Betty King who started taking lessons and playing duplicate bridge when she was in her late 70s (isn’t that when people start getting old? not our Betty). Betty traveled the regionals from Gatlinburg, TN to south Florida and never said she was giving up if the gold points did not come easily. She reminded us all that it is the great camaraderie of friends that make the journey. Also, we cannot forget eating, she knows the BEST restaurants in every city.

Betty King

All of us whose lives have been touched by this remarkable person will pass on her advice and wisdom every time we share our own experiences with others at the bridge table. Betty will be 87 this May and she became a Life Master at the Orlando Regional on Saturday night, January 4, 2014. With .40 gold points to go, she made it happen. When you speak with Betty she will tell you that it was the great teachers, partners and mentors at our club that helped her on her journey. We all applaud her for a job well done. The important message is never give up and best of all, dreams and accomplishments are possible at any age. YES, YOU CAN DO IT.

Betty King is our AWESOME PERSON... Who’s yours? Leone Goldsmith celebrated her 100th Birthday at the Boca Raton Duplicate Bridge Club on March 20th. She’s a regular at the club, usually playing two or three times a week, and a frequent point-getter, currently having amassed over 1700 masterpoints. Her son Jimmy flew in from his home in New Orleans to attend this momentous occasion.

Unit 128

35

SUBMIT 72% CLUB GAMES

by email to: [email protected] All submissions must contain THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: 1. the club’s full name 2. the town in which the club is located 3. the director’s name 4. the names of both partners 5. an electronic link to the club results for the day of the big game No Club Name, No Club Location, No Listing, So Sorry. No 72% games in a field smaller than six tables will be published. Please do not send us any.

BOARD MEMBERS - UNIT 128 PRESIDENT Shirley Seals P.O. Box 1534 Ponte Vedra, FL 32004 904-285-7767 Fax: 904-285-7783 [email protected] VICE-PRESIDENT Charles Gill PO Box 66039 St Petersburg, Florida 33736-6039 727-363-1136 [email protected] SECRETARY Jeff Overby P.O. Box 429 Key West, Florida 33041 [email protected] Fax: 305-296-0207 TREASURER Adrienne Muslin 4510 W. Fig St, #E Tampa, Florida 33609 [email protected] 813-286-8126 Fax: 813-288-0688

BOARD MEMBERS Jack Bonney 3113 Meadow Run Drive Venice, Florida 34293 941-492-3791 [email protected] Bruce Greenspan 12022 Covent Garden Court #402 Naples, Florida 34120 617-510-8405 [email protected] Marshall Hall 764 NE Harbour Drive Boca Raton, Florida 33431 [email protected] 561-367-9080

Ray Wise 406 W Azeele Street Tampa 33606 813-215-6623 Jay Whipple III PO Box 2113 Boca Grande Florida 33921-2113 [email protected] EXECUTIVE MANAGER Shannon Cappelletti [email protected] 423-400-0269

Harriet Morris 7575 S.W. 134 Street LEGAL COUNSEL Miami, Florida 33156 Craig Hemphill [email protected] [email protected] 305-233-0940 • Cell: 404-731-4259 Charlene Predmest 15976 Double Eagle Trail Delray Beach, Fl. 33446 561-496-4700 • Cell: 561-756-4444 [email protected] Betty Sandifer 386-795-7423 [email protected]

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Marianne Timmons 140 Kendale Drive Safety Harbor, Florida 34695 727-725-3006 [email protected]

UNIT 128 WEBMASTER Larry Rich [email protected] SBN EDITOR Muriel Altus 2301 Lila Lane Tampa, Florida 33629 813-251-0315 [email protected] Unit 128

February 2014 Unit 128 72% Club % 79.17% 79.14% 77.78% 77.55% 77.17% 76.59% 76.40% 76.20% 76.19% 76.01% 75.95% 75.29% 75.05% 75.00% 74.89% 74.70% 74.60% 74.54% 74.38% 74.31% 73.81% 73.69% 73.51% 73.48% 73.40% 73.31% 73.30% 73.21% 73.21% 73.13% 73.13% 73.02% 72.92% 72.92% 72.92% 72.92% 72.79% 72.78% 72.75% 72.73% 72.72% 72.62% 72.45% 72.36% 72.32% 72.16% 72.12% 72.07% 72.06% 72.04% 72.02%

Unit 128

Players Kaye McGlothin / Jim Dukes Paula Coleman / Edith Huber Trixie Germer / Jim Loffree Steve Brower / Gerry Kuttas Roger Coffman / Jan Vandersluis Pat Madge / John Madge Arlene Frank / Gerald Steinberg Sam Brenner / Irving Klein Louis Goldberg / Leon Goldstein Christine Matus / Peter Vanbennekom Irene Musinsky / Charles Musgrove Marty Fox / Bert Saxon Gladys Mikel / Colleen Treanor Myra Kolton / Dan Colatosti Joyce Calcagnini / Marilyn Whims Janet Laudenslager / Jay Whipple Sarah Bellesheim / Nancy Anderson Sally Meckstroth / Jeff Meckstroth Jo Anne Casen / Jean Irwin Jean Irwin / Gene Koch Mona Watson / Elwood Godlewski Barbara Mackle / Bob Mackle Evelyn Kleinsasser / Jon Schuster Sheila Halperin / Ellie Spiegel Pat Denapoli / Bonnie Elliott Janet Dunn / John Dunn Jay Moorehead / Suresh Sane Sharon Jabbour/ June Nathanson Sandy Gilbert / Fred Gilbert Casey Segal / Barry Segal Kathleen Keller / Laura Munro Nancy Moyer / Ann Wimpfheimer Joyce Calcagnini / Marilyn Whims Elaine Katzman / Charlene Predmest Judith Simon / Harvey Wolf Myra Kolton / Carolyn Sessler Ethel Friedman / Estelle Kluger Simone Liebling / Richard Rudikoff Elaine Marsh / Myra Marsh Barbara McCallon / John Brady Linda McGarry / Dennis McGarry Shirley Rogers / Marc Spellman Carol Clifford / Doug Kramer Doreen Connell / Dan Bady Joe Degaetano / Bill Irvine Myra Rosenberg / Marie Wolfson Flavia Robertson / Janet Selavka Doris Rodgers / Paul Cohen Gudrun Wallace / Al Shrive Joan Macholl / John Macholl Arnold Kimmel / Lenny Kimmel

Venue Ocala DBC Country Club of Florida, Village of Golf Pelican Bay DBC, Naples Ocala DBC Jupiter BC Jonathan’s Landing CC, Jupiter Valencia Isles BC, Boynton Beach Temple Shaarei Shalom, Boynton Beach St Catherine DBC, West Palm Beach River Walk DB, Ft Pierce St Catherine DBC, West Palm Beach WIN the bridge club, Boca Raton The Villages DBC, The Villages Boca Raton DBC Lost Tree CC, North Palm Beach Boca Grande DBC Jonathan’s Landing CC, Jupiter St. Petersburg BC Country Club of Florida, Village of Golf Country Club of Florida, Village of Golf Marion Oaks DBC, Ocala WIN the bridge club, Boca Raton Gatorbridge Club, Gainesville Rainberry Bay BC, Delray Beach Punta Gorda Isles DBC, Punta Gorda The Villages DBC, The Villages St. Augustine DBC WIN the bridge club, Boca Raton Kings Point DBA, Sun City Center Valencia Isles BC, Boynton Beach Deland DBC Banyon Golf Club, West Palm Beach Lost Tree CC, North Palm Beach Boca Raton DBC Boca Raton DBC Boca Raton DBC Temple Sinai, Delray Beach Ballen Isles CC, Palm Beach Gardens Frenchmans Creek Club, Palm Beach Gardens St. Augustine DBC Khatib Bridge and Ed. Center, Stuart The Bidding Box DBC, Pinecrest Bridge with Chef Alan, Miami Shores Grand Slam BC, Boca Raton Boca Raton DBC WIN the bridge club, Boca Raton Kings Point DBA, Sun City Center St Catherine DBC, West Palm Beach Bonita Bridge at Wiggins, Naples Sun City Center DBA Boca West CC, Boca Raton 37

Tampa Bay Bridge Center recently had a celebration to honor its newest Diamond Life Master, Jim Relihan.

L. to R., Laura Tallarico, Betty Wilton and Al Levine (far right) congratulate Jim Relihan.

Jim is a Certified Director and long time member of the club. He plays several times per week at the club with players of all levels of experience. He has won thirty Regional titles and multiple Sectional titles over the years. By achieving the rank of Diamond Life Master Jim is in the top one and one half percent of all ACBL members.

Congratulations Jim. Pat Krout from Key Colony Beach, FL and Indianapolis, IN was surprised with a cake and congratulations March 20th at the Keycard Duplicate Bridge Club in Marathon. Director Jean Tout was happy to announce that Pat (on right), while playing with partner Jackie Snow (left), recently achieved ACBL’s rank of Gold Life Master for earning 2500 masterpoints.

Congratulations, Pat!

CANDIDACY DEADLINE LOOMS Unit 128 members who would like to be considered for the Board of Governors have until May 20 to declare their candidacy. Elections will be held at the Daytona Regional in November. These members’ four year terms are expiring: Area 1: Harriet Morris Area 2: Charlene Predmest Area 3: Betty Sandifer Area 4: Ray Wise Area 5: Charles Gill Area 6: Jack Bonney Area 7: Jay Whipple III

Board of Governors members volunteer at various jobs during regionals and are responsible for the running of the unit. Attendance at regionals by board members is crucial to the success of our tournaments. Anyone wishing to be considered for a board position should write by either email or snail mail to Secretary Jeff Overby at [email protected] or P. O. Box 429, Key West, FL, 33040. Your declaration must include your name, address, the area in which you reside, and your expressed desire to represent that area on the Unit 128 Board of Governors. If you have any questions, you may call Marshall Hall at (561) 367-9080. Declarations must be received by May 20, 2014, for consideration. 38

Unit 128

4801 Linton Boulevard Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-498-9811 www.jourdansbridge.com

Bridge Club

Non-Life Master 0-500 Sectional Silver Points May 6-10 Tuesday thru Saturday Saturday Morning with a 15 minute lesson. Tuesday Evening

12:30 pm 9:00 am 7:00 pm

All pairs games are single session Strats to be determined at the time of event by Director-in-Charge Tournament Director: Ora Lourie

DAYTONA BEACH 299er SECTIONAL SANCTION # 1406133

Location: DAYTONA METROPOLITAN BRIDGE CLUB 600 Driftwood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 (386) 255-7744 • [email protected]

Saturday, June 14th & Sunday, June 15th SATURDAY: SUNDAY: ENTRY FEE: STRATIFICATION: TOURNAMENT CHAIR: PARTNERSHIP CHAIR: DIRECTOR IN CHARGE: HOTEL:

10:00 am - STRATIFIED PAIRS 2:15 pm- STRATIFIED PAIRS 10:00 am - STRATIFIED PAIRS 2:15 pm- TEAM GAME $12.00 per session – Includes lunch $3.00 additional per session for non or unpaid ACBL members A – 200-300 • B - 100-200 • C - 50-100 • D - 0-50 Donna Benoy, [email protected] Jim Geary, [email protected] Donna Benoy Hampton Inn: (386) 944 2570 1024 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl 32118 Across the street from the Club

SIZZLING SUMMER SECTIONAL Open Pairs & 299ers

Bridge Deck Club of Naples ST. PETER'S CHURCH PARISH HALL 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. Naples, FL 34113

June 5 - 7, 2014

THURSDAY JUNE 5 - 10:00 AM & 2:30 PM Stratified Open Pairs - single session • Stratified 299er Pairs - single session FRIDAY JUNE 6 - 10:00 AM & 2:30 PM Stratified Open Pairs - single session • Stratified 299er Pairs - single session SATURDAY JUNE 7 - 10: AM & Play through Open Swiss Teams - Stratified by AVERAGE Masterpoints ENTRY FEE:

$ 10.00 per person/per session $ 96.00 per Team - Lunch Included $ 3.00 additional per person/per session for non or unpaid ACBL members

LUNCH:

Available Thursday & Friday Between sessions @ $5.00

STRATS:

Open A=1500+ B=500-1500 C=0-500 299er Limits A=200-300 B=100-200 C=0-100

DIRECTOR:

Karl Miller

CHAIRMAN:

Bob Parlin

239-262-5334

PARTNERSHIP:

Glenda Armstrong

239-963-7470

BRIDGE DECK CLUB:

239-262-5334

[email protected]

DIRECTIONS: FROM NORTH NAPLES - take US 41 south to Naples, then East 2 miles to Rattlesnake Hammock & turn left. Parish Hall is 1/4 mile on left - (Just after 1st traffic light). FROM I-75 NORTH - Take EXIT 105 (Golden Gate Boulevard). Go 1 mile east to Santa Barbara. Turn right & go south 4 miles to Rattlesnake, turn right. Parish Hall is on right 2 miles west. FROM I-75 EAST - Take EXIT 101 (State Road 951). Go South 4 miles to Rattlesnake, turn right - go 4 miles west.