ACBL - District 9 • www.district9acbl.org

July-August 2014 Volume 10 - Number 6

PAGE 14

Retired & Playing Bridge!Check out District 9 Online:

13 Clubs in the Top 50 CLUB NAME CITY # OF TABLES

The In Between DBC Sarasota 13,552 ½

Jourdan's BC Delray Beach 12,753

Vero Beach Bridge Center Vero Beach 10,907 ½

Boca Raton DBC Boca Raton 9874 ½

Naples Bridge Center, Inc. Naples 9324 ½

The Villages DBC The Villages 8887

Fort Lauderdale BC Fort Lauderdale 8831 ½

Bonita Bridge @ Wiggins Naples 7775

McGregor Point BC Fort Myers 7481

Pompano Beach DBC Pompano Beach 6727 ½

Temple Sinai DBC Delray Beach 6371

WIN “The Bridge Club” Boca Raton 6228

Hollywood BC Hollywood 6179 ½

Wealth Management, Investments & Income

� A Partner You Can Trust �

Peter JargowskyVice President, Investments

www.PeterJargowsky.info 954-278-8099

Complimentary Assessment!Call Today to Improve Your Investment Portfolio

1451 W Cypress Creek Road • Suite 204 • Fort Lauderdale FL 33309Main: 954-334-3450 • Fax: 954-229-9937

Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

MemberSIPC.

Member ACBLSince 1973

South leads the ♠6 and wins

all the tricks in NT

Wealth Management, Investments & Income

� A Partner You Can Trust �

Peter JargowskyVice President, Investments

www.PeterJargowsky.info 954-278-8099

Complimentary Assessment!Call Today to Improve Your Investment Portfolio

1451 W Cypress Creek Road • Suite 204 • Fort Lauderdale FL 33309Main: 954-334-3450 • Fax: 954-229-9937

Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

MemberSIPC.

Member ACBLSince 1973

South leads the ♠6 and wins

all the tricks in NT

Go Away Travel Bridge Cruises

Sail Away with Go Away and experience the Best Bridge At Sea!

Western CaribbeanJanuary 18–25, 2015

with Eddie Wold & Bob Morrison the RCCL Navigator of the Seas

Round-Trip Galveston

Panama CanalApril 14–May 1, 2015

Sectional at Sea (NC)on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator

Miami to San Francisco

For more details or reservations, call John Sobel at Go Away Travel954-349-2800 or 1-800-721-5927

www.BestBridgeAtSea.comTo participate, reservations must be made with Go Away Travel.

Western CaribbeanMarch 1–8, 2015Sectional at Sea (NC)on the Emerald Princess

Round-Trip Houston

MediterraneanApril 20–30, 2015

with Eddie Wold & Bob Morrison the Regent Seven Seas Mariner

Barcelona to Venice

Western CaribbeanMarch 1–8, 2015with Mike Lawrence

on the Holland America Ryndam

Round-Trip Tampa

Canada & East CoastOct. 18–Nov. 12, 2015

with Larry Cohenon the Regent Seven Seas Navigator

NY to Montreal & Montreal to Miami

MONAUG18

10 am Free Novice Lecture - Shirley Levy 1 pm Free Relaxed Rules 0-25 Stratiÿed Pairs1 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Bracketed Open Knockouts, Round 1 (cont'd Tues. 9 am, 1 pm, 7 pm)9:30 am Morning Stratiÿed Open Fast Pairs Series (1 of 5)10 am Stratiÿed 49er Pairs (one session, if attendance warrants)10 am Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (two-session event)1 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series I (1 of 6)1 & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750; 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two-session event)1 & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000 (two-session event)1 & 7 pm Primetime KOs I, Rounds 1&2 (cont'd rounds 3&4 Weds. 1&7 pm)3 pm Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)7 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series (2 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Team (one session event)9:00 Compact KOs I, Rounds 1&2, 4-person teams (cont'd rounds 3&4 Thurs. 9 am)9:15-9:45 Guest Speaker9:30 am Morning Stratiÿed Open Fast Pairs Series (2 of 5)10 am Stratiÿed 49er Pairs (one session, if attendance warrants)10 am Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (two-session event)12:15-12:45 Guest Speaker Marty Bergen 1 & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750; 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two-session event)1 & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000 (two-session event)1 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series I (3 of 6)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs II, Rounds 1&2 (cont'd rounds 3&4 Thurs. 1&7 pm)3 pm Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)7 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series I (4 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Team (one session event)9:00 am Compact KOs II, Rounds 1&2, 4-person teams (cont'd rounds 3&4 Fri. 9 am)9:15-9:45 am Guest Speaker 9:30 am Morning Stratiÿed Open Fast Pairs Series (3 of 5)10 am Stratiÿed 49er Pairs (one session, if attendance warrants)10 am Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750; 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two-session event)10 am & 3 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000 (two-session event)1 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series I (5 of 6)1 & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs (two-session event)1 & 7 pm Primetime KOs III, Rounds 1&2 (cont'd rounds 3&4 Fri. 1&7 pm)3 pm Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)7 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series I (6 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Team (one session event)9:00 Compact KOs III, Rounds 1&2, 4-person teams (cont'd rounds 3&4 Sat. 9 am)9:15-9:45 Guest Speaker 9:30 am Morning Stratiÿed Open Fast Pairs Series (4 of 5)10 am Stratiÿed 49er Pairs (one session, if attendance warrants)10 am Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)10 am & 3 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750; 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two-session event)10 am & 3 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000 (two-session event)1 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series II (1 of 4)1 & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs (two-session event)1 & 7 pm Primetime KOs IV, Rounds 1&2 (cont'd rounds 3&4 Sat. 1&7 pm)3 pm Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)7 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series (2 of 4)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Team (one session event)9:30 am Morning Stratiÿed Open Fast Pairs Series (5 of 5)10 am Stratiÿed 49er Pairs (one session, if attendance warrants)10 am Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (two-session event)1 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series II (3 of 4)1 & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs (two-session event)1 & 7 pm Bracketed Flight B Swiss Teams, no player over 3000 MPs (two-session event)1 & 7 pm A/X Swiss Teams, X=0-5000 (two-session event)3 pm Stratiÿed 299er Pairs (one session)7 pm Stratiÿed Open Side Game Series (4 of 4)10 am FLORIDA GOLD Swiss Teams, two-session playthrough with short break, top strat pays gold10 am A/X Swiss, X=0-5000, two-session playthrough with short break, six 8-board matches

TUEAUG19

WEDAUG20

THUAUG21

FRIAUG22

SATAUG23

SUNAUG24

HOSTSShannon Cappelletti 888-360-2590 shannoncapp@gmail.comCharlene Predmest 888-360-2590charlenepredmest@yahoo.com

PARTNERSHIPSPeggy Higginbotham888-360-2590phiggin@comcast.net--or--Visit the District 9 Online Partnership Desk at:bridgeÿnesse.com/D9PDeskIndex

HOSPITALITYCo° ee & Orange Juice DailyMonday-Friday Evenings Open Hospitality Room Everyone WelcomeIce Cream and/or DessertsSubsidized Sunday Snacks

STRATAOpen & Senior EventsA=2000+, B=750-2000, C=0-750Florida Gold Strats:Top=300-750, Bottom=0-300A/X Strats:A=5000+, X=0-5000299er EventsA=200-300, B=100-200, C=0-100299er Strata May Be Changed at Director's DiscretionTop KO Bracket May Be HandicappedAll Pairs Games Stratiÿed; All KOs and Sat. 2-Session B Swiss are Bracketed; All Other Swiss Stratiÿed by Masterpoint Average

DIRECTIONSFrom I-95, take Exit 78B onto PGA Blvd., travel west 2 ⁄̨˙ miles then turn left onto Avenue of Champions.From Florida’s Turnpike, take Exit 109 to Palm Beach Gardens and turn right, a mile, turn left into resort.

PGA National Resort & Spa400 Avenue of Champions

Palm Beach Gardens, FL(800) 633-9150(561) 627-2000

PALM BEACH GARDENS REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

August 18-24

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REGIONAL TOURNAMENTWaldorf Astoria Naples • 475 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL • 888-722-1270

September 15 - 21

MONSEP15

TUESEP16

WEDSEP17

THUSEP18

FRISEP19

SATSEP20

SUNSEP21

HOSTSShannon Cappelletti – (888) 360-2590shannoncapp@gmail.comBruce Greenspan – (888) 360-2590greenspanbridge@yahoo.comTOURNAMENT CHAIRBruce Greenspan – (617) 510-8405greenspanbridge@yahoo.comPARTNERSHIPSPeggy Higginbotham – (904) 334-5272phiggin@comcast.netNeed a partner or teammates?Visit the District 9 Online Partnership Desk at: bridgeÿnesse.com/D9PDeskIndexHOSPITALITYCo° ee & Orange Juice DailyMonday–Friday EveningsOpen Hospitality RoomEveryone WelcomeIce Cream and/or DessertsPost-Game SnacksSubsidized Sunday SnacksSTRATAOpen & Senior EventsA=2000+, B=750-2000, C=0-750Florida Gold Strats:Top=300-750, Bottom=0-300A/X Strats:A=5000+, X=0-5000299er EventsA=200-300, B=100-200, C=0-100299er Strata May Be Changed at Director's Discretion. 49er Pairs: A=25-50, B=10-25, C=0-10. 49er Strata May Be Changed at Director's Discretion.Top KO Bracket May Be Handicapped. All Pairs Games Stratiÿed by Masterpoint Average of the Pair (both players must ÿt under the upper limit of the strat or event); All KOs and Sat. 2-Session Swiss are Bracketed; All Other Swiss are Stratiÿed By Team Masterpoint AverageDIRECTIONSI-75 to exit 107, go west on CR 896/Pine Ridge Road about 4 miles. Pine Ridge Road becomes Seagate Drive; go less than half mile into resort on the right.RESERVATIONS(888) 722-1270Ask for the ACBL group rate or ask for group code ACBL14. See listing in calendar at www.FloridaUnit128.org for link to make hotel reservations. Our rate is not subject to the $30/night Daily Resort Charge. Our discounted room rate is $145 until the room block is ÿlled or until the cut-o° da te of Sept. 1st, whichever comes sooner.

10 am-noon Free Bruce Greenspan Lecture1 pm-3:30 pm Free 0-20 MP Pairs Game, Relaxed Rules1 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Bracketed Open Knockouts, Round 1 (cont’d Tues. 9 am, 1 pm, 7 pm)

9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (1 of 5)10 am Strati�ed 49er Pairs (single session, if attendance warrants)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs I, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Wed. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (1 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (2 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)

9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (2 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am Strati�ed 49er Pairs (single session, if attendance warrants)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs II, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (3 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (4 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)

9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (3 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Fri. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am Strati�ed 49er Pairs (single session, if attendance warrants)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs II, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (5 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (6 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)

9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (4 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs IV, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series II (1 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (2 of 4)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)

9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (5 of 5)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Bracketed Flight B Swiss Teams, no player over 3000 MPs (two-session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Swiss Teams, X=0-5000 (two-session event)1 pm Side Game Series II (3 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (4 of 4)

10 am Stratiÿed S enior Swiss Teams, Two-session Playthrough with short break10 am Stratiÿed Open Swiss Teams, Two-session Playthrough with short break

SECTIONAL AND DISTRICT 9 NAP FINALAT ST. PETERSBURG BRIDGE CLUB

9103 US Highway 19 N. • Pinellas Park, FL 33782

October 24-26, 2014SECTIONAL

Friday Oct. 24 10:30 AM Stratified Open Pairs Intermediate Pairs (NLM)

3:00 PM Stratified Open Pairs Intermediate Pairs (NLM)

Saturday Oct. 25 10:30 AM Stratified Open Pairs Intermediate Pairs (NLM)

3:00 PM Stratified Open Pairs Intermediate Pairs (NLM)

Sunday Oct. 26 10:30 AM Stratified Swiss – 2 session play through NLM Swiss – Play through

DISTRICT 9 NAP FINALSSaturday Oct. 25 1:00 PM Round 1 – A, B & C

7:00 PM Round 2 – A, B & C

Sunday Oct. 26 10:00 AM Round 3 – A, B & C (if necessary)

TBA Round 4 – A, B & C (if necessary)

Sectional Strata: A=2000+; B=750-2000; C-0-750NLM Strata: A=200-NLM; B=100-200; C=0-100

Free co�ee, orange juice and snacks at all sessionsLunch during Sunday’s Swiss Teams game.

Hotel: La Quinta Hotel, 5000 Lake Blvd., Clearwater 727-299-9800

For more information or Partnership requests:Charles Gill 727-363-1136 cfgill@verizon.net

St. Petersburg Bridge Club is located just o� I-275. From I-275, take Exit 28 and drive west on Gandy/Park approx 11/2 miles to US Highway 19 N. (34th Street). Turn north (right) on US Highway 19

N. 9103 is 3/4 mile up on the right in Mainlands Plaza..

DAYTONA REGIONALNovember 3-9

Daytona Beach Plaza Resort & Spa600 N. Atlantic Ave. • Daytona Beach • 866-500-5630

MONNOV

3

TUENOV

4

WEDNOV

5

THUNOV

6

FRINOV

7

SATNOV

8

SUNNOV

9

HOSTSShannon Cappelletti – (888) 360-2590shannoncapp@gmail.comRay Wise – (813) 215-6623rtwise59@msn.com

TOURNAMENT CHAIRBetty Sandifer – (888) 360-2590bsandifer@c˜ .rr.com

PARTNERSHIPSPeggy Higginbotham – (904) 334-5272phiggin@comcast.net

Need a partner or teammates?Visit the District 9 Online Partnership Desk at: bridgeÿnesse.com/D9PDeskIndex

HOSPITALITYCo˛ ee & Orange Juice DailyMonday–Friday EveningsOpen Hospitality RoomEveryone WelcomeIce Cream and/or DessertsAfter-game SnacksSubsidized Sunday Snacks

STRATAOpen & Senior EventsA=2000+, B=750-2000, C=0-750Florida Gold Strats:Top=300-750, Bottom=0-300A/X Strats:A=5000+, X=0-5000299er EventsA=200-300, B=100-200, C=0-100299er Strata May Be Changed at Director's Discretion. Top KO Bracket May Be Handicapped. All Pairs Games Stratiÿed by Masterpoint Average of the Pair (both players must ÿt under the upper limit of the strat or event); All KOs and Sat. 2-Session Swiss are Bracketed; All Other Swiss are Stratiÿed By Team Masterpoint Average

DIRECTIONSFrom I-95 Northbound or Southbound: Take exit 261 to eastbound US 92, east through business district to A1A. Turn left (north) and hotel will be approximately 1.2 miles on the right.

RESERVATIONSOur discounted room rate is $109 until the room block is ÿlled or until the cut-o˛ da te of October 3rd, whichever comes ÿrst.

10 am-noon Free Novice Lesson1 pm-3:30 pm Free 0-20 MP Pairs Game, Relaxed Rules1 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Stratiÿed Open Charity Pairs7 pm Bracketed Open Knockouts, Round 1 (cont’d Tues. 9 am, 1 pm, 7 pm)9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (1 of 5)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs I, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Wed. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (1 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (2 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (2 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs II, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (3 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (4 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (3 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Fri. 9 am, 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs III, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Fri. 1 pm & 7 pm) 1 pm Side Game Series I (5 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (6 of 6)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (4 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 9 am, 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strat Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs IV, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series II (1 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (2 of 4)7 pm Stratiÿed Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (5 of 5)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratiÿed S enior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Stratiÿed Open Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Bracketed Swiss Teams (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Swiss (X=under 5000 avg. per player) 1 pm & 7 pm B Bracketed Swiss (no player over 3000)1 pm Side Game Series II (3 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (4 of 4)10 am FL Gold Swiss Teams, 0-750, top strat pays gold points, Playthrough with short break10 am A/X Swiss Teams, X=0-5000, Playthrough with short break

8 ACBL District 9

REMEMBERJuly 1-31 • NAP CLUB QUALIFYING

August 1-31 • NAP CLUB QUALIFYINGAugust 11-17 • DISTRICT 9 STaC

District 9 President’s MessageBill Rauld, District 9 President - wrauld@bellsouth.net

Summer is finally here, and it appears with a vengeance. While it is oppressively hot outside, it is a great time to be indoors, playing our favorite game. Just think how much faster it is to get to your local club for a game now that the students are not in school. By the same token, it should be much quicker to attend a local Sectional or Regional in District 9.

I wanted to take this opportunity to explain some changes you might have noticed in the scheduling and locations of regionals in Florida. You may have noticed that some of the tournaments that you were used to attending aren’t there any more, or conversely, there is a new tournament in your area. As I have mentioned before, District 9 has nine regionals every year. While we are glad to have so many tournaments, we also have to try to plan where to hold them and when. One of District 9’s goals is to support our players in the best way we can. It is not an easy task to coordinate tournaments, as the planning that goes on several years before the tournaments is quite involved. Hotels tend to get booked around the dates we have Regionals so we have to plan way in advance. We also realize that many of our players are on a tight budget, and so we try to find venues that are not cost prohibitive and at the same time, have good playing space and lighting. Based on your attendance at the tournaments we currently have, we try to manage the locations the best we can. Your attendance at these tournaments will dictate where and when we hold them, so please support the Regionals in your area.

We have many new players to our game, and many are very enthusiastic and want to learn the game. It is the responsibility of the more seasoned players to encourage the newer players to continue playing and be a positive influen e on them. We also need to be mindful of those players who might not be as mobile as we are, or as fast at bidding or playing. Please show the same consideration that you would wish to have if you were in the same position.

See you at the bridge table soon!!!! Stay cool.

Bill

www.District9ACBL.org 9

17,930 District 9 Members!

District 9 Membership by Unit as of 05/31/2014

Unit Name Members

102 ACBL Unit 102 1108

128 Florida 13110

219 NW Florida 678

240 Central Florida 2026

243 Gold Coast 1008

Total Members 17,930

District 9 President's Message by Bill Rauld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8District 9 Director’s Message by Jay Whipple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10District Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Communicating by Muriel Altus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Our Readers Write/Survey Sez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Cover Story: Retired and Playing Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Tournament Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17KISS! What Should We Play? by Larry Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18The Kibitzer is Shirley Wright by Jon Shuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20The Phantom Split (Sweet Deception?) by Michael Donnelly . . . 21Trials and Tribulations by Barnet Shenkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Director’s Corner by Lynn Berg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23TENSION Transfers by Peter Jargowsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24The Common Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25You passed a 30-Pointer!!! by Jim Somma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Overcoming the odds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Unit 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28District 9 Tournament Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Unit 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Unit 219 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Unit 240 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Unit 243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Rank Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Olin Hubert’s Retirement Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Table of Contents

TOURNAMENTSPALM BEACH GARDENS REGIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REGIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Sectional and District 9 NAP Final at St. Petersburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6DAYTONA REGIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Ft. Myers McGregor Point Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39St. Petersburg Bridge Club Labor Day Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40WIN "the bridge club" Silver Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Daytona Beach Fall Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Citrus Bridge Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Tallahassee Summer Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Orlando Sizzling Summer Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Brevard County Labor Day Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

PAGE 14

Retired & Playing Bridge!

10 ACBL District 9

IF YOU RUN A SECTIONAL!All changes to sanctioned sectionals require approval from the District 9 Tournament Committee as well as our District Coordinator, Patty Johnson. If you change anything, whether it be your dates or the type of sectional or the location, or if you decide to cancel an already-sanctioned tournament, please let Patty Johnson know immediately by emailing her at pattyjohnson@centurylink.net. Information should also be sent to Shirley Seals, Chair of the Tournament Committee, at ShirleySealsFL@aol.com.

ACBL District 9 DirectorAll Quiet on ACBL National board front. We are between our March Meeting in Dallas and our upcoming meeting in July at the Vegas NABCs. This is a time when agenda items are proposed and preliminarily vetted by board committees for consideration by the full board. Stay tuned for updates.

Robert Hartman, the ACBL CEO, reports that Sectionals are still seeing a notable decline. Average Regional table count is down 4% (total Regional table count is up 14%), Average Sectional table count is down 8% (total Sectional table count is down 5%), and average StaC table count is up 1% (total StaC tables up 5%). The new ACBL.org website was launched June 5th with a focus on marketing to new players. The new internet-based Learn to Play Bridge formal launch is expected by the end of the summer. The ACBLScore+ development effort is undergoing a complete review process to determine the next step.

Meanwhile, back in Florida, our latest Regional Tournaments attracted a wide range of dignitaries and HQ staff. The hotel accommodations may have been lacking in Ft. Lauderdale but the world-class competition was not. Silvia Hardin, head of HR from ACBL HQ, was on hand to interact with tournament directors and tournament sponsors as part of the tournament director strategic project. She was impressed by our support and recognition of the critical role our tournament directors play in providing a great experience for all players. With our snow birds back north, Tampa Regional had a relatively small turnout but attracted many VIPs including current ACBL Board President Phyllis Harlan and her husband Bill, Past ACBL Board President Harriette Buckman, fellow District 7 Director Bob Heller, and former ACBL CEO Jay Baum.

The wonderful stories from our players achieving new ranks continue to light up my district director web page : https://sites.google.com/site/district9director/. Come and read the stories and be inspired. Have you reached out recently and started a new player along the road to gold?

Sincerely Your Representative,

Jay N. Whipple III, District9Director@acbl.org

Jay

New, for your enjoyment.District Director Jay Whipple has invited our members who are celebrating rank

changes to send him a note about their bridge experience. Read them here:https://sites.google.com/site/district9director/home/stories-from-rank-changers

www.District9ACBL.org 11

District Board of DirectorsUnit 102 Carol Hamilton jimandcarolh@comcast.netUnit 102 Jim Russell Rusty1950@verizon.netUnit 128 Muriel Altus msa1289@yahoo.comUnit 128 Jack Bonney Jacbon2@gmail.comUnit 128 Charles Gill cfgill@verizon.netUnit 128 Bruce Greenspan greenspanbridge@yahoo.comUnit 128 Marshall Hall newburyrco@msn.comUnit 128 Craig Hemphill RCraigH@aol.comUnit 128 Harriet Morris Forever2@bellsouth.netUnit 128 Adrienne Muslin Treas128@aol.comUnit 128 Jeff verby Jeff verby@aol.comUnit 128 Charlene Predmest charlenepredmest@yahoo.comUnit 128 Betty Sandifer Bsandifer@cfl.rr.comUnit 128 Shirley Seals ShirleySealsFl@aol.comUnit 128 Marianne Timmons gretchen34695@aol.comUnit 128 Jay Whipple III jay3@ospreypartners.comUnit 128 Ray Wise Rtwise59@msn.comUnit 219 Jeri Edge jeriedge@cox.netUnit 219 Sue Smith Sue.smith@mchsi.comUnit 240 Jane Formet janeformet@yahoo.comUnit 240 Susan Rowley susan@therowleys.comUnit 243 Bill Rauld wrauld@bellsouth.netUnit 243 James Walker Hcp07@comcast.net

OFFICERSBILL RAULD

District 9 PresidentPhone: 305-219-2800wrauld@bellsouth.net

BETTY SANDIFERDistrict 9 Vice President

Mobile Ph: 386-795-7423bsandifer@cfl.rr.com

SHIRLEY SEALSTournament Committee Chair,

Secretary & Treasurer Home Ph.: 904-285-7767Mobile Ph.: 904-563-0470

Fax: 904-285-7783ShirleySealsFL@aol.com

PUBLICATION STAFFRICHARD FLEISCHMAN

Unit 102 LiaisonPhone: 941-580-3719fleischman@j u.edu

MURIEL ALTUSSBN Editor & Unit 128 Liaison

Phone: 813-251-0315sunshinebridgenews@gmail.com

SUE SMITHUnit 219 Liaison

Phone: 850-995-7125sue.smith@mchsi.com

JAN GREENEUnit 240 Liaison772-299-4301

jnjgreene@bellsouth.netDOLLY DELLONUnit 243 Liaison

Phone: 954-484-5006doldel98@aol.com

For more contact informationlook on the District 9 web site,

www.District9ACBL.org.

The Sunshine Bridge News is mailed six times a year to households of paid- up members of District 9 of the ACBL. The mailing list is prepared about a month before the publication arrives in your mailbox. Mailing is by bulk mail.

ACBL members of other districts and non-members residing anywhere in the U.S. may subscribe.

Subscriptions to the SBN are available at a cost of $15 for six consecutive issues. A check made out to Sunshine Bridge News should be sent to Shirley Seals, P.O. Box 1534, Ponte Vedra, FL 32004 with address information.

Subscription issues will be mailed by first class mail, a few days after the full District 9 mailing list goes to the Bulk Mail Office for distribution. Address changes for subscriptions may be sent by email to Shirley at ShirleySealsFL@aol.com.

©2014 by Sunshine Bridge News (aka ACBL District 9). All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Mention of any product does not constitute endorsement by the SBN. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or advertising materials.

Find us on FaceBook! Look for ACBL District 9 and hit the Like button.

12 ACBL District 9

CommunicatingBy Muriel Altus

Who is Muriel Altus really? When you go to www.District9ACBL.org and answer one of our surveys, dear reader, you are sometimes able to leave comments. For our last survey, a respondent asked that question: who is Muriel Altus really? I am really a 67-year-old WJF who has been playing bridge since around 1971. I joined the ACBL in January of 1974 and earned my 300th point, including my last .07 of a gold point, in an event at the Southeasterns Regional in April of 1978, the Mixed Pairs. Actually, husband Phil and I each needed the .07 gold, and he needed 10 any color points to go over 300, while I needed 20. For our second overall in that event, we earned 24 gold points (of course, wouldn’t you know that you’d get 24 when you need .07?) and we both became LMs at the same time.

And just to show you how far back this was, there were no stratified events, no flig ted events, no electronic score pads, no silver points, no (so named) black points, and I don’t even think there were bid boxes! Sounds like the dark ages, doesn’t it?

And now, allow me to shuck my Sunshine Bridge News hat for a moment and don my Partnership Chair hat. I had the pleasure, and the challenge, of being responsible for partnerships at the District 9 Tampa Regional. In the process, I talked by phone and emailed with many players I wouldn’t ordinarily meet, and some of you were really my “favorites”. I wanted so much to find you good partners or teammates. When I was successful, it was great, but when I failed, I failed abysmally, and for this I request your forgiveness.

Also, I’d like to mention that sometimes we answer emails or try to phone you back, but you don’t respond to our emails or, in one frustrating case, your cell phone wasn’t set up for voice mail and I never got you at a time when you could answer the phone! I hope you’re reading this and will get somebody to set up your voice mail for you! or perhaps you saw my number as a missed call, but didn’t know who I was? Anyway, I wish I could help every single bridge player find a g eat partner or teammates.

If you ever want to tell me anything, feel free to email me to msa1289@yahoo.com, or if you wish to remain anonymous, go onto www.District9ACBL.org and answer a survey!

And yes, dear reader, if YOU were the one who asked, who is Muriel Altus really?, I seriously do not know who you are. That’s how anonymous you are when you answer our surveys.

Oh! one last thing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, to those of you who mentioned seeing my letter to the editor in the June ACBL Bulletin.

--Muriel

NOTICEFrom the ACBL Handbook of Rules and Regulations When a sectional (excluding STaCs) or higher rated event is being conducted within 25 miles of a club game’s playing site, the club is permitted to hold only its regularly scheduled club masterpoint games (i.e., no special games).

Tournament Attendees Please summon a director should you encounter a deck of cards which is very far past its prime. Every once in a while we miss replacing a really icky deck, but we are happy to do it if we know about it at the time. Please also call about bidding box cards which need to be replaced.

www.District9ACBL.org 13

Survey SezThank you for answering our questions in the May/June survey about how many bridge dates you’ve had to cancel for weather or illness. It was as we suspected, that inclement weather hardly ever gets in the way of our bridge games in Florida, while about 1/3 of our respondents have had to cancel one or more bridge dates due to illness.

One of you mentioned that work obligations sometimes mean canceling a bridge date, also.

A new group of responses came in about how many family members or loved ones you have who play duplicate, and those of us who are fortunate to have more than two started answering. Some of you have three, four and even fi e loved ones or family members who also play. Good luck to the player who is trying to get a son interested!

For the respondent who asked how this info will be used to improve duplicate bridge, I wish we had the answer to that question! Sometimes our surveys are designed to satisfy our own curiosity. We see a comment from somebody and wonder how widespread it is among our own players. Sometimes two of us are having a discussion and we disagree about what is true among Florida players, so we ask you!

This brings us to our new survey.

At this point in your life, how could District 9, or the individual units, or your local bridge club, improve your bridge-playing experience? Go to www.District9ACBL.org to tell us.

Our Readers WriteWhen all goes smoothly, players who advance to a new ACBL Rank receive a congratulatory email from District Director Jay Whipple III. Some players respond back by email.

The earliest rank a player achieves is Junior Master. Here’s one player’s bridge story.

Jay Whipple,

I learned to play Bridge from my mother when I was about 12 (ie, 1945). I later read a paperback on “The Goren Method” in about 1958 and played socially for about ten years until my wife refused to play as my partner any longer. My wife played for fun and I played aggressively (ie, with passion). Bridge kind of fell out of favor with me primarily because I was busy trying to earn a living and because my social circle just didn’t play Bridge.

I retired in 1998 and settled in Sun City Center, Florida in an over-fi ty development. In 2013 I thought it would be good for my mind to get back to playing Bridge again; but I found out Goren was “out” and Duplicate was “in.” What a culture shock.

Fortunately, Sun City Center had an active Duplicate Bridge club that offered lessons called “EZ Bridge” and I took advantage of that. My major stumbling block was unlearning Goren and contract bridge.

I am still working on this, but with the help of these EZ Bridge lessons and dedicated teachers I’m coming along nicely. (PS- my wife still will not play with me.)

Art Swallow

ATTENTION - DISTRICT 9 PLAYERSIf 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.

14 ACBL District 9

Thirteen bridge clubs in Florida are among the top 50 in the ACBL in total table count for 2013. They seem to have one common thread! It isn’t that they’re all member-owned; it isn’t that they’re all proprietary; it isn’t that they’re all the only show in town; it isn’t that they all have a huge teaching program; it isn’t that they’re all full of social events; it isn’t that they all have charismatic managers/owners. Many of them do have the teaching or the social or the charisma, but the one common thread, in every single case, is that they are all in a community that’s teeming with retirees.

Congratulations to the clubs, with their table counts for 2013:

CLUB NAME CITY # OF TABLESThe In Between DBC Sarasota 13,552 ½Jourdan's BC Delray Beach 12,753Vero Beach Bridge Center Vero Beach 10,907 ½Boca Raton DBC Boca Raton 9874 ½Naples Bridge Center, Inc. Naples 9324 ½The Villages DBC Villages 8887Fort Lauderdale BC Fort Lauderdale 8831 ½Bonita Bridge @ Wiggins Naples 7775McGregor Point BC Fort Myers 7481Pompano Beach DBC Pompano Beach 6727 ½Temple Sinai DBC Delray Beach 6371WIN “The Bridge Club” Boca Raton 6228Hollywood BC Hollywood 6179 ½

These 13 clubs also made the top 50 in 2012! Special recognition to the four clubs whose table count increased from ‘12 to ‘13: Boca Raton DBC, Naples BC, The Villages DBC and Bonita Bridge at Wiggins.

For those of you who are not familiar with the geography of our fine state, four of these clubs are all in Palm Beach County! Three are in Broward County! And, those counties are contiguous. Pretty neat, hmmm?

We wrote to congratulate the club owners and managers and asked if they’d like to comment on the success of their club. We hope you enjoy their comments.

Neil Evangelista, one of the owners of the Boca Raton Duplicate Bridge Club, says:

It’s always a joy to be in the “top XX anything” listings (as long as it’s not the FBI’s Most Wanted list.) We feel very lucky to be in the center point of Palm Beach County, as the esteemed Zeke Jabbour once put it “the Bridge Capital of Florida.” We want to thank our loyal patrons who helped us move up from 13th in 2012 to 10th in 2013, even though we are not a full-time duplicate club. However, looking at it from another perspective, if rankings were based on the number of tables PER SANCTION, we would probably be number one. We only have six sanctions, and only run six games a week (and not even every week.) That computes to 1646 tables/year/sanction, and I don’t think anyone else comes close. You do the math and tell me how it works out.

Retired and Playing Bridge!

www.District9ACBL.org 15

Hollywood Bridge ClubThe Hollywood Bridge Club was founded in May 2009 by two semi-retired bridge players, who knew nothing about running a bridge club,but who were both successful businessmen in their previous lives. We had met several years earlier (thru bridge, of course) and it turned out that we had many things in common-we were expert bridge players (Sedat had played internationally for Turkey), excellent tennis players, loved classical music and were both 70 years old.

At the start, it was more difficult than we realized. We had both just passed the Director’s exams and had no experience, so we hired some seasoned directors to assist us. For the last two years, we have been one of the top 50 clubs in the country. If you use an alternate way of measuring, we were 8th in the country for 2013. In season we average 30 tables a day, while in the summer we average 15. We are continuing to look for ways to grow our business.

Sedat and David

David Reiter, one of two owners of the Hollywood Bridge Club, has indeed done the math.

2013 TOP TEN CLUBS BASED ON TABLES PER GAME INCLUDE FIVE FLORIDA CLUBS

1. Boca Raton 9874 tables/ 6 games avg

= 1646 per game

4. Vero Beach 10907 tables/ 10 games

= 1091 per game

5. Jourdans 12753 tables/ 12 games

= 1063 per game

6. Temple Sinai 6371 tables/ 6 games

= 1062 per game

8. Hollywood 6179 tables/ 6 games

= 1030 per game

David also sent a brief history of his club and a photo of him and co-owner Sedat Nassi.

Jeanni Blume is the manager of the member-owned Pompano Beach Duplicate Bridge Club. Jeanni writes:

The Pompano Beach Duplicate Bridge Club is proud and plans to be in the top 50 every year. We boast a dedicated group of players who are friendly and advancing at Duplicate. We celebrate many milestones, both age and masterpoints. We have games every holiday and serve many meals at our club. We have a talented staff who cater to our valued customers. Pompano has low rates while offering first class teachers, directors and equipment. Our Board of Directors plans to improve our clubhouse as we continue to grow. Thanks for the recognition. Our website is www.pompanobridge.com.

Jamie Portell is the manager of the 1000-member Vero Beach Bridge Club. She very proudly reports to us about the success of their club.

VBBC is very proud to have made it on the list of Top 50 Clubs for 2013. We were 8th in 2012 as well and attribute our success to the many volunteers who donate much time and energy in making our club the place in which bridge players in this area want to play.We have many special events throughout the year. Marge Desmery is instrumental in the implementation of our July 4th party, the Eleanor Baum birthday celebration in October, and the season kick-off celebration we hold each November.

16 ACBL District 916 ACBL District 9

Bonita Bridge @ WigginsSix years ago the Bonita Bridge Club got new owners, JoEllen and Richard (Butch) Blandford. Hard working and personable, with a credo of “Customer Service,” they launched one of the best games in the Bonita Springs/Estero/Naples area. The location at that time was such that they could only operate Monday through Friday, missing all weekends and even having to close on Election Days. Despite all this, the club grew to 41st in the country by offering a clean, inviting room, and providing fresh, delicious complimentary snacks and great coffee. Most of all they brought organization, zero tolerance, and excellent director’s calls. Their table numbers grew steadily as did their reputation.

On January 1st of 2013 they moved to a new location in Naples. They invested in wonderful lighting and a beautiful new playing space. Players from all over the area have floc ed to this new club and in just one year Bonita Bridge has moved from 41st nationally to number 21. Its friendly and hospitable staff make everyone feel at home in this “Club with a Heart.” If you visit, see if you can see why this club has grown with such speed and acceptance.

Our hard-working Board members, led by President David Garfi ld, are LeAnn Arsenault, Richard Crannell, Dell Hatten, Raleighine Hoppe, Max Hughes, Rob Middleman, Bill Poole, and Nancy Raftery.We are truly blessed to have so many generous volunteers who unselfishly give their time, effort and money for our enjoyment at the Vero Beach Bridge Center.

Michelle Golden, owner of the In Between Club in Sarasota, was featured in the January 2013 ACBL Bulletin. At that time, Michelle was being honored as top star recruiter for ACBL and indeed many of the other proprietors and club managers of our highly successful 13 clubs have also received ACBL checks for achieving star recruiter status. The In-Between Club celebrated its 25th anniversary in August of 2012 with a free catered brunch and Swiss team game for its members. In the beginning (1987), Michelle had only one sanctioned game a week, but she started teaching bridge right away, figuring that was how she’d grow her club. As you can imagine, it worked in a way that Michelle probably never dreamed could happen. Her past students, who have moved on to open games, will tell you what a great teacher she is. The In-Between Club’s games, like perhaps every single one of the games in our 13 in the top 50, are seasonal. In February 2012, there were 1618 tables; in July 2012, there were 871 ½. But most importantly, as Michelle told the ACBL Bulletin, “There is a constant influx of afflu t young retirees [into Sarasota] looking for something new.”

We look forward to publishing comments from other owners and managers in our September/October Sunshine Bridge News. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy adding to the table count at your own favorite club, be it large or small, but one thing we know (thank you, Jim Walker) is that you’ll enjoy the air conditioned comfort your club provides for every game.

www.District9ACBL.org 17

Tournament TrailHenry Trautwein of Naples attended the recent Sarasota sectional wearing his Youth Bridge t-shirt from last summer. He’s looking forward to this year’s event, in Las Vegas. Have a blast, Henry! With Henry are his mom and dad, Helena Fine-Trautwein and Lou Trautwein.

One Month Down, Two to GoHave you qualified in your club’s North American Pairs Qualifying games? Flights for this year’s event are as follows:

Flight A: Unlimited

Flight B: Players who have up to 2500 masterpoints as of the June masterpoint cycle (May 6th, 2014)

Flight C: Non-Life Masters who have up to 500 masterpoints as of the June masterpoint cycle (May 6th, 2014)

In order to play in the District 9 Finals October 25-26, you must first qualify at a local club qualifying game, between now and August 31st. You must be a member in good standing of District 9. This year we again plan to hold a split-site final , and the more players that play (at both sites), the better the contest. Help us have a good field! elp us send the best players! Play at the finals if t all possible!

Try to match the results of Sharlene Tyler and Donald Richards, who earned the right to represent District 9 at the Finals in Dallas in March and then WON THE ENTIRE EVENT!

We are pleased to announce the sites for the split-site district finals: Mandell JCC in Palm Beach Gardens on the east coast and St. Petersburg Bridge Club in Pinellas Park on the west coast. Mark your calendar for this event, October 25-26.

The site of the ACBL Finals, for those of you who earn the right to represent us, will be the Spring NABC in 2015, New Orleans, LA.

Sharlene Tyler and Donald Richards

From our District 9 Education ChairThis year District 9 is supplementing the expenses for 22 young people ages 10 to 18 to attend the Youth Nationals in Las Vegas. They come from 6 different counties here in Florida. We can be proud of what our District is doing for these youth. They are the future of bridge.

Our District has established a foundation that gives each young person up to $500.00 for expenses. We would love to see that foundation fund grow. Please consider donating to this great bridge 501c.3 cause. If you are attending the NABCs and are there on the 24th, 25th or 26th of July, stop in and see the kids in action. I know you will be awed with their enthusiasm and competitive spirit.

Nancy T. Hagertynancy.t.hagerty@gmail.com407-366-0320

18 ACBL District 9

KISS! What Should We Play? By Larry Cohen

Contact Larry: bridgecruises_lessons@larryco.com – You can join Larry’s email list (www.larryco.com) –

You’ll receive a free monthly newsletter to entertain and enlighten you.

I am a staunch advocate of “less is more.” My observation is that at every level of the game, players are using too many conventions. Too often I see players (from beginner to world champion) misusing or forgetting their methods. Everyone would benefit if they would just KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).If I had to choose just 4 conventions, this would be my list:A)1. Negative Doubles2. Blackwood3. Stayman4. Jacoby transfersIf you forced me to choose 4 more, this would be the next group:B)5. 4th Suit GF6. Methods (I prefer “DONT” ) vs.

Opponents’ Notrump7. Weak jumps in competition8. 2NT ask after our Weak 2-bidsIf you insisted I fill my convention card with 12 conventions, these would be the next four:C) Unusual notrump/Michaels, New Minor Checkback, Jacoby 2NT, Support DoublesAnd, since people just love to learn/play/teach conventions, these would be my D-list -- choices 13-16:D) lebensohl, Drury, Inverted Minors, Splinter BidsHonestly, I think it would be counterproductive for 99% of players to go any further than this. The memory strain is not worth it. Someone once said, “The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Conventions.”Let’s explore these various conventions one or two at a time.

Negative DoublesThe first important double to discuss with partner is the NEGATIVE DOUBLE. Many years ago, after we opened the bidding and the opponents overcalled, a double was for penalty. This ineffective method was overturned when Al Roth invented what was first called Sputnik, named after the Russian satellite in the late 1950s. Now, when the opponents overcall, our responder’s double is not for penalty. It is “takeout” or “negative” with the focus on the other major.There are two crucial issues to discuss and two smaller ones. First the big stuff:1. Through what level?Many players mark their convention card: “through 2♠” or “through 3♠.” This is not a good agreement. If you are writing “through 3♠,” do you mean to tell me that when the opponents overcall, say, 4♣, that you all of a sudden expect to have a trump stack and want to double 4♣ for penalties? Pretty silly. I recommend Negative Double “through infini y.” In fact, the higher they bid, the less likely you are to ever be dealt a penalty double. Doubles on any level should NOT show length/strength in the opponent’s suit. They should all be takeout/cards. So, don’t limit yourselves by marking through 2♠ or 3♠.2. What suits does the negative double show?In general, the other major(s) is promised. If responder can’t stand a suit that opener selects, he needs to have a backup plan (often tolerance for opener’s first suit). If the opening is 1-of-a-major and they overcall the other major, a negative double typically shows both minors.Special SequencesThe “smaller” issues are the following two specific auctions, which unfortunately require memorization:1♣ (1♦) X

In this exact auction, the double promises both majors (at least 4-4). With only one 4 card major, the responder simply bids it (promising at least 4).1-minor (1♥) X On this specific auction, the double promises exactly 4 spades. With 5 or more, the responder bids 1♠.These 2 auctions cause confusion among inexperienced players. There is no substitute or shortcut for these 2 “special” rules. They simply need to be studied, studied again, then practiced and memorized.OtherWhen playing Negative Double, what if the responder happens to have a penalty double? The way to “get them” is to pass (in tempo is a good idea) and hope the opening bidder can reopen with his own takeout double, to be converted for penalties.Wrap-Up:There is plenty more on this topic (such as follow-ups by opener and responder)—but this is your basic starting place. I couldn’t live without Negative Doubles. Everyone should play them, and they should be played on all levels (not just the 2- and 3-level). In general, the negative double shows the unbid suits, with the focus on the majors.BlackwoodOnce a partnership is in the slam zone, either player might use Blackwood.“Regular” (or “Plain”) Blackwood:4NT asks for aces and then:5♣ = 0 or 4 aces5♦ = 1 ace5♥ = 2 aces5♠ = 3 acesThe asker can then bid 5NT to ask for kings, with the same schedule of replies, one level higher.

www.District9ACBL.org 19

KISS! What Should We Play? By Larry Cohen

This convention has been around since the 1940s. It is a most helpful convention, but is often misused and abused. Blackwood should not be used as a crutch to determine if there is a slam, but more to make sure that you don’t reach a slam off two aces (nor a grand slam off one a e).A good rule of thumb:If the answer to Blackwood won’t tell you if you belong in slam, then don’t use it.What is RKC and why use it?Just as we don’t want to bid a slam off two aces, neither do we want to bid a slam off an ace and the trump king. Such a slam would be at best 50-50 -- and there is no need to bid it. Also, we would never want to bid a grand slam off an ace. Nor, would we want to bid seven if missing the trump king. RKC is used to make sure we never reach a slam if missing too many “key” cards (aces and the trump king).RKC stands for Roman KeyCard Blackwood. There are several variations, but the mainstream method in use today is :4NT asks for “aces” and then:5♣ = 1 or 4 “aces” (note: some players reverse the meanings of 5♣ and 5♦)5♦ = 0 or 3 “aces”5♥ = 2 or 5 “aces” (no trump queen)5♠ = 2 or 5 “aces” (with trump queen)Why the “quote” marks? Therein lies the essence of “keycards.” Instead of “aces,” RKC is used to ask about keycards. What are keycards? The four aces and the trump king. So, there are fi e “key cards.” What is the trump king? There will always be a “trump king.” Common practice is to assume the trump suit is the suit the partnership first agreed on (bid and raised). If no suit was agreed, it is assumed to be the last-bid suit. (There are several variations and trouble areas, but usually there is no problem knowing which suit contains the trump king.)

So, after 1♠-3♠-4NT, the responder with each hand below would use the chart above to make the response shown:

♠K 10 9 3♥K Q J 2♦Q 5♣7 4 2

Answer: 5♣ to show 1 Keycard (that “key” card is the ♠K)

♠Q 10 9 3♥K Q 4 2♦K 5♣7 4 2

Answer: 5♦ to show 0 Keycards

♠K 10 9 3♥A K 4 2♦J 5♣7 4 2

Answer: 5♥ to show 2 Keycards (♠K, ♥A, no trump queen)

♠A Q 10 9♥A 4 3 2♦J 5♣7 4 2

Answer: 5♠ to show 2 Keycards (♠A, ♥A trump Queen)

Notes:Some players invert the responses of 5♣ and 5♦ (they use 5♣ to show 0 or 3 and 5♦ to show 1 or 4). This was the way the convention was first published (it was more in line with the responses to “regular” Blackwood). The method shown at the top of this article (5♣ = 1 or 4, 5♦= 0 or 3) is becoming the more popular way. Sometimes, it is referred to as “1430” -- because the responses in order show 1-4 and 3-0. Also, 1430 is the score for 6♥ or 6♠ vulnerable.

This method (1430) is recommended, because the 5♣ response (one ace) comes up much more frequently than the 5♦ response (zero aces). It is best to have more room for follow-ups (and to stop in 5♣ if clubs are trump).

After the 5♣ and 5♦ response, Blackwooder can ask for the trump queen. The most common way is to bid the next step (5♦ over 5♣, 5♥ over 5♦) to ask. The answerer then signs off in 5-of-the-trump-suit if he lacks the trump queen. With the trump queen, he jumps to 6 of the trump suit (if he has no kings to show). With the trump queen and kings to show, he bids the cheapest suit in which he has a king. This queen-ask mechanism confuses most intermediate-level players. I’d recommend avoiding it unless you are quite used to RKC and very experienced.

5NT (by the 4NT bidder) asks for kings (aside from the already accounted for trump king). Some people show the number of kings. Others bid the suit in which they have the cheapest king. The former is simpler. The latter is more effective, but complex. Also, the latter is hard to use unless spades (or sometimes hearts) are trump--there isn’t enough space.

RKC is a useful tool for experienced players. It is probably the method that causes the most accidents. Be prepared to have some catastrophes if you use this convention.

Watch for our future articles on the basic conventions, or go to www.Larryco.com and go to

the link to Bridge Articles to read ahead.

20 ACBL District 9

Staying AwakeHere is a hand I watched North play April 22 at the Gator Bridge Club in Gainesville.

Board 4 (Matchpoints)

Dlr: W

Vul: Both

♠Q8

♥AKQ72

♦A93

♣A65

♠752

♥109653

♦87

♣Q108

West North East SouthP 1♥ P 1NT (1)

P 2NT P 3♥P 4♥

(1) NS play constructive raises so 2♥ would have meant 8-10 support points including distribution.

East led the ♦5 to West’s ♦K, North ducking. West led two top ♠’s getting EW to book, East playing the ♠4, 5 (regular count). A third ♠ was ruffed by North. North next played the ♥AK, West following with ♥J8 and East sluffing a ♦ on the second. North led the ♥7 to dummy’s ♥10, and led the ♣Q to East’s K♣. East exited in ♦ and declarer had to lose one more ♣ for down 2. -200 NS was worth 0.5 MP on a 6 top, whereas -100 would have been worth 3.5 (or half a board better).

Can you spot any errors in North’s bidding and play?Bidding errors: Actually, the 2NT bid was a great call showing 18-19 HCP, and most players would jump to 3NT (also a perfectly good call). Bidding 4♥ over 3♥ was clearly wrong, and shows lack of trust in South. South knows the nature of North’s hand much better than North knows the South hand. Although North has 19 HCP, the hand has six losers. On any hand where South has a fit and can cover even two losers, South would bid 4♥. North went through a stop sign.

Play Errors: North also was not paying enough attention to either the opposition bidding or the environment. North even commented that the ♣Q play was to try to make the hand, but there is no way to make the hand on that play. Let us count HCP from West, a passed hand: ♠(7), ♥(1) ,♦(2) for a total of 10. The ♣K is virtually sure to be in the East hand. Good technique is to ruff the ♦ after drawing trump (stripping the hand), and play the ♣8 to the ♣A. (Once in a million a West player might pass with 13 HCP and the singleton ♣K, in which case declarer actually makes 4♥ (5♥, 1♦, 1♦ ruff, and 3♣). But otherwise, declarer leads a ♣ to the Q, and goes up if East plays low (the correct play if East started with ♣Kxx ).

Lessons: (1) Setting a target is a great strategy. You do not have to make 4♥ to get a decent score, as you will not only have company, but the opponents might be able to make 3♠, so going down 2 (-200) is sure to be a virtual zero. Even if North thought there was a miracle that could lead to 10 tricks, the risk was not worth it if it costs a trick. (2) Counting is extremely valuable, not only in suits, but in point count. Late in hands, important cards can often be placed for both the declarers and defenders.

The ibitzer is Shirley WrightBy Jon Shuster, Gainesville, FL

www.District9ACBL.org 21

The hantom Split (Sweet Deception?)By Michael Donnelly - bridgerun49@gmail.com

Phantom: An illusion, of or like an apparition; illusionary.The two hands below are identical except that dummy’s eight of spades has been replaced with the spade ten.

(Hand A) North (Hand B) North ♠ AJ8 ♠ AJ10♥ QJ6 ♥ QJ6♦ KQ32 ♦ KQ32♣ KQ5 ♣ KQ5South South♠ 432 ♠ 432♥ AK5 ♥ AK5♦ AJ76 ♦ AJ76♣ AJ9 ♣ AJ9

Experienced declarers appreciate how this seemingly minor alteration signifi antly affects their probability of success when declaring a contract of 6NT. With only ten tricks available from the combined holdings in hearts, diamonds and clubs, declarer must generate two tricks from the spade suit in order to succeed. In the first example, declarer’s probability for success is 24%, needing to find West holding both spade honors. However, the mere presence of dummy’s ten of spades in the second example increases declarer’s likelihood of success to 76%, as repeated spade finesses will generate an extra trick unless East holds both honors.

(Hand C) North♠ AJ9♥ QJ6♦ KQ32♣ KQ5South ♠ 432♥ AK5♦ AJ76♣ AJ9

The dummy in Hand C is identical to that found in Hand A except for the slight upgrade of the eight of spades to the nine spot. This minor improvement also signifi antly improves declarer’s likelihood of success, although not nearly in the dramatic fashion afforded by the spade ten. Once again, making this 6 NT

contract depends upon playing the spade suit for two winners. In the absence of any signifi ant indications from an opponent’s bid or play, declarer gives himself the best chance for two tricks from the spade suit by playing West for the ten of spades, along with at least one of the two missing high honors. Specifi ally, declarer should lead a low spade toward dummy and insert the nine if West plays low. If the nine loses to the ten, declarer is pretty much destined to lose two spade tricks, along with his contract. However, if the nine forces out a high honor from East, declarer may reenter his hand in order to repeat the spade finess , playing West for the remaining high honor. By playing the suit in this manner, declarer increases his probability of success by 50%.Appreciating how an accomplished declarer is likely to approach dummy’s spade holding in Hand C may prompt a savvy defender to counter declarer’s tactics when their spade holding is appropriate. Specifi ally, when declarer plays a spade toward dummy’s AJ9, West should play low when holding KQX, expecting declarer to insert the nine, frequently losing to partner’s ten. However, when holding the ten of spades, along with either the king or queen, (K10X or Q10X), West should play his high honor, hopefully looking like someone attempting to secure one trick by “splitting” the non-existent high honor combination. Unless declarer reads the situation correctly, he is likely to return to his hand in order to “safely” lead toward dummy’s jack. When that loses to partner’s remaining high honor, West’s ten is promoted to a winner. Perhaps a cautionary word is in order. “Don’t bother making a million dollar play against a dollar-fi ty opponent.” In effect, sometimes the correct play of your cards depends upon your opponents. If for some reason you suspect that declarer is unlikely to appreciate the value of dummy’s nine spot in Hand C, then playing low is likely to be the winning action. However, if you suspect declarer to be skillful enough to utilize all of dummy’s resources as in Hand C, then the phantom “splitting” of your high honors may produce a better result for the defense. © 2014 Michael L. Donnelly • Bridge Matters (954) 646-5285 • Bridgerun49@gmail.com