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Summertime, and the living is easy....
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| Vacations, backyard barbeques, beaches and bridge. Yes, bridge. Vacations are the perfect opportunity to visit other clubs and make new friends. Last year Jim and I visited the Asheville club on the way to our daughter's house in North Carolina. We were warmly welcomed and met the nicest group of people. One charming couple offered us their personal calling card (what a great idea!) and invited us to contact them for dinner on our way back through Ashville. We did. Our friendship was immediate and they are now amongst our list of very good friends. While on our way to Dallas a few months back we stopped in Canton and called a couple we met at a sectional tournament in Athens. They invited us to lunch followed by a game of social bridge. We now meet them whenever we are in the Texas vicinity. The game of bridge provides endless opportunities to meet new friends, socialize and have an enjoyable time while trotting across the globe. So before summer winds down, plan a trip around an upcoming sectional, regional or national tournament; or just drop in to visit local clubs on your itinerary route. Use the ACBL Mobile App "Club Finder" feature on your phone or tablet to locate bridge clubs as you travel across the United States and Canada. Find the nearest club using the app's GPS tracking capability or conduct a manual search by City/State or Zip/Postal Code. Traveling alone? The ACBL Partnership Desk will help you line up a partner for games at units anywhere in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Before you leave, be sure to print a supply of social calling cards so you can network with everyone you meet. Social business cards can be elegant and simple or casual and fun. Most cards contain a name (or couple's names), phone number and email address. Be sure to include our club's Facebook page and website addresses. It's a wonderful way for us to gain social media visibility, new bridge players and future social media sponsors. Wherever your travels take you, be safe; have fun. Marianne Archibald, Trumpet Editor TrumpetEditor@suddenlink.net PS: While away, be sure to take lots of photos and post them on our soon to be launched Facebook Page. |
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Thanks for helping trump Alzheimer's
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A big thank you to all the bridge players who supported the Alzheimer's Association by participating in Unit 170's Longest Day bridge marathon. There were 25 ½ tables in play throughout the day representing 102 bridge players, resulting in charity play fees and personal contributions totaling $157 toward Alzheimer's research.
In the last two years bridge players have donated more than $1 million to Alzheimer research and care, but there is still more work to be done. With the baby boomers entering their mid-60s, an Alzheimer's tsunami is about to hit, with the number of people with the disease expected to triple to 16 million by 2050. Your continued support of The Longest Day helps to eliminate Alzheimer's disease and to provide the best care and support to those living with Alzheimer's disease.
There is still a month remaining to turn in donations for this year's event, but so far we bridge players have raised well over half a million dollars. View the ACBL 2014 Longest Day highlights to see how clubs across the nation joined together to make a difference.
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Finding a bridge partner is easy as
1-2-3
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| You've heard the old adage that it's easier to find a compatible spouse than a bridge partner... until now! The ACBL's new online Partnership Desk is open for business and attracting players from across the globe. More than 3000 members have checked out the Partnership Desk, accessible by logging into your MyACBL account, and nearly a quarter have posted partner requests. You can use the Partnership Desk to set up your partnership before you arrive at the Summer NABC in Chicago; or line up your partner at clubs across America as you make your travel plans this summer. The Partnership Desk is available to help find a compatible partner for club games, sectionals, regionals and nationals, making it one of the handiest tools available.
Using the ACBL Partners
hip Desk in easy as 1-2-3...
1. Create a detailed Profile Your profile is what people see when they are looking for a partner. Make it as informative as possible. By sharing more information, you increase the chance of finding a compatible partnership. 2. Search for Partners After creating your profile, you can search for partners in three ways: Sanctioned Clubs, Tournaments and Online Clubs 3. Tell the world you need a Partner You must add yourself to the list, telling people you are in need of a partner. The partnership desk has a built-in message system where you can exchange messages with other players before deciding to share your contact information and taking the partnership conversation offline. You can see the profiles of everyone who has created partnership requests. Click on their user name to see their profile and determine who might be a good partner for you. The partnership desk message system provides three ways for everyone to get their messages. They can be forwarded to your email, sent to you as a text, and through the partnership desk system. The partnership desk messaging system is a quick and secure way to make your initial connection with others looking for partners. If you have questions or need help please contact the ACBL Partnership Desk |
Chicago in summer is a sight to behold -- the parks are lush, Lake Michigan glimmers in the warm sun, and the streets bustle with energy and excitement! Better yet, the North American Bridge Championships (NABC) will only enhance that feeling.
The Summer NABC will be held August 6 - 16 at the Chicago Hilton located at 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The Hilton is located within walking distance to many Chicago attractions, so before or after you play enjoy some sights and sounds of Chicago. Step outside the front door and walk through Grant Park to Chicago's Lakefront, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium or Soldier Field. Soar to new heights while riding the iconic 150-foot Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, or sit and soak up the always-present lake breeze while enjoying a famous Chicago-style hot dog or a savory slice of classic Chicago deep-dish pizza from one of the city's celebrated street vendors.
Chicago loves families, so by all means bring the grandkids from youngsters to tweens and teens. The NABC is a great place to introduce them to bridge, while also providing action packed activities for a vacation experience they will long remember.
The Summer NABC offers bridge players the chance to have it all: endless tournament play, seminars, workshops and non-stop food and fun in the city that Sinatra called "My Kind of Town."
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| Sorry to break it to you, bridge players, but your shuffling skills probably are incorrect. That's the takeaway from a fascinating new video from Persi Warren Diaconis, Professor of Statistics at Stanford University. Diaconis is a mathematician and former professional magician. His career as a professional magician began more than five decades ago, when he ran away from home at age 14 to go on the road with the sleight-of-hand virtuoso Dai Vernon. But unlike most magicians, Diaconis eventually found his way into academia, lured by an even more powerful siren song: mathematics. At 24, he started taking college classes to try to learn how to calculate the probabilities behind various gambling games. A few years later he was admitted to Harvard University's graduate statistics program on the strength of a recommendation letter from the famed mathematics writer Martin Gardner that said, more or less, "This kid knows everything there is to know about cards." Diaconis famously proved that it takes about seven ordinary riffle shuffles to randomize a deck. According to Diaconis, the familiar "riffle method" of shuffling trumps all the others. It involves holding half of the deck in each hand and then using the thumbs to alternate the cards. But you've got to shuffle seven times to get the job done. If you shuffle fewer times, say five or six times, the cards are not randomly mixed. If you shuffle 10 or 11 times, it's not worth the wear and tear on the cards. And if decide to use the "overhand method" you will me shuffling a very long while. It takes 10,000 overhand shuffles to randomly mix a deck of cards. Watch as Professor Diaconis shows the right and wrong way to shuffle a deck of cards.
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We're joining the revolution! To build better relationships with our members, Unit 170 is launching its own Facebook page and you're invited to join the celebration at a special "Facebook Launch Party" at 12:30PM on Saturday, August 15 at the Bridge House. Mix and mingle, enjoy cake and refreshments, have your photo taken to appear on our new Facebook page and find out how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Superior Steak House, compliments of our friends at Eco Mulch& Sod.
The Facebook Launch Party will be filled with fun, special surprises and best of all, bridge! The bridge game will be a club championship event earning extra points. Game time is 1:00PM. Cost is $6 per player.
So begin the amazing "Facebook Launch" countdown. Once launched, our new Facebook presence will enable us to communicate with players about upcoming lessons and events; share bridge tips and provide a fun place for players to interact with one another virtually.
Additionally, our Facebook page will provide an opportunity for club growth. As more players begin to interact with our unit by "liking" or "sharing" what we post, our news becomes visible to their friends and family who are also on Facebook resulting in thousands of users learning about our club and the fascinating game of bridge.
If you are not on Facebook, it's easy to sign up and join the party. There will be handouts available at the Launch Party with detailed instructions on joining Facebook. There will also be information available on what you can do to help promote our new Facebook page.
Don't miss the party! Mark your calendar to attend Unit 170's "Facebook Launch" on Saturday, August 15 at the Bridge House. Party begins at 12:30PM. Bridge begins at 1:00PM. Fun lasts all day!
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This hand, often referred to as the 'Duke of Cumberland' hand, was featured in the James Bond movie "Moonraker" and just may be the most famous hand in bridge.
Our dear 007 holds South's unusual hand. South deals and opens 7♣. This is passed around to Drax, who doubles and our unflinching Bond redoubles.
7♣ doesn't look like the obvious contract, and the villainous Drax sitting East must have fancied his chances of defeating this one. Of course, Bond brilliantly made the grand slam, proving beyond all doubt that it's not the cards that you are dealt that matters, it's the way you play them.
So go ahead - mix yourself a nice martini, ignore your better judgment, and start the bidding with 7♣. Can you make your daring contract?
The Deal of the Cards
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North Partner ♠ 10987 ♥ 6543 ♦ ♣ 76532 |
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| West Partner ♠ 65432 ♥109872 ♦J109 ♣ |
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East Drax ♠ AKQJ ♥ AKQJ ♦ AK ♣ KJ9 |
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South Bond ♠ ♥ ♦ Q8765432 ♣ AQ1085 |
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South
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West
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North
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East
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7♣
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Pass
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Pass
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Double
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Redouble
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Pass
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Pass
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Pass
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As the cards lie, West has to lead, and it does not matter what West leads, the contract of 7-Clubs redoubled cannot be defeated. Bond takes the first trick, ruffs a diamond in dummy, finesses Drax's clubs, ruffs another diamond, and finesses clubs again. Now Bond's hand becomes good, and Drax is apoplectic. James Bond smiles and orders another martini... shaken, not stirred.
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Win the North American Pairs National Championship
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Kudos if you have already qualified for North American Pairs and plan to compete and potentially WIN a national title at the March 2016 NABC in Reno.
North American Pairs is played in three stages: club level qualification, district level competition and national level competition at the annual spring NABC, where representatives from all 25 ACBL districts compete.
If you have not qualified to play at the North American Pairs you still have several chances to qualify in August. Club level NAP games earn points, half red/half black.
UNIT 170 CLUB LEVEL QUALIFICATION
Sunday, August 2, 16, 30
Tuesday, August 11, 25
Wednesday, August 5, 19
Thursday, August 13, 27
Friday, August 7, 21
DISTRICT LEVEL COMPETITION FINALS
The District finals for NAP-A will be held during the Tunica, MS Regional Tournament on Sunday, September 20, 2015. It will be a 2-session play-through event. ACBL Mid-Chart applies.
The District finals for NAP-B and NAP-C will be held during the Jackson, MS Sectional Tournament on January 30-31, 2016. It will be a 2-session qualifying with a 2-session final. ACBL General Convention Chart applies.
The top four pairs in each flight will be eligible to play in the National finals. The first place pair will receive $700 per person. The second place pair will receive $300 per person. The third and fourth place pairs will receive no compensation.
NATIONAL LEVEL COMPETITION
The finals of the NAP will be held during the Reno, NV NABC in March of 2016.
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Between 1974 and 1994, Bols Royal Distillers, a Dutch company, sponsored a competition in which the world's best bridge players submitted bridge tips to a panel of International Bridge Press Association members.
Panel members voted and chose the best tips of the year. The competition started in 1974, was discontinued in 1976, then restarted in 1987 and ran until 1994. During that time virtually all the world's greatest bridge players and writers contributed their ideas to the series "Bols Bridge Tips."
Not sure what to lead? Can't decide the right bid? Want to make morecontracts? Get pointers from the all-time greatest names in bridge - Reese, Rodwell, Zia, Flint, Goren, Hamman, Wolff, Schenken, Garozzo, Belladonna, Chagas and many more - they're all represented in BOLS Bridge Tips.
The winner of the first BOLS contest was Terence Reese of England who advised, "The discard tells the story." Bob Hamman, the No. 1 player in the world for many years, was also in the first group of BOLS tip winners. His winning tip was, "If you ever want to amount to anything in this game you must build up a picture of the unseen hands. The idea is to know what the problem is before you try to solve it."
Mike Lawrence advices, "Keep your level of attention constant for any drifting of concentration can cost the board."
The last contest winner in 1994 was Jean Besse of Switzerland who advised players "not to play idle cards thoughtlessly." Besse's BOLS Bridge Tip, "Beware of Your Trump Tricks" appears here courtesy of the IBPA. Future tips will appear on the Shreveport Bridge Association's new Facebook page. "LIKE US" to never miss a tip, and tell your bridge friends to like us too!
Download Jean Besse's BOLS Bridge Tip
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Dastardly Deception
By: Brian Gunnell
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♠ Q4 ♥ J93 ♦ AQJ5 ♣ 7643 |
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| ♠ K852 ♥ K862 ♦ 9 ♣ A985 |
North West East Declarer |
♠ AT973 ♥ T75 ♦ 842 ♣ T2 |
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♠ J6 ♥ AQ4 ♦ KT763 ♣ KQJ |
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N-S Vulnerable
South
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West
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North
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East
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1nt
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Pass
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3NT
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Pass
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Pass
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Pass
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What did you lead? When this was played in a team game, 3NT was reached at both tables, and both West players failed to find the lethal opening Spade lead. Instead, they led their fourth-best Heart, and we can report that one Declarer made her contract, the other didn't. Here's how. At Table 1, the opening Heart trick went: Two, Nine, Ten, Queen. Declarer could count just seven top tricks and at Trick 2 he played the ♣K in an attempt to set up two more. It was a futile effort, of course. West took his Ace and, not wanting to give Declarer a third Heart trick, he shifted to a Spade. Down two. At Table 2, Declarer was more resourceful. She realized that, if she took that first trick with the ♥Q, the defense would probably find the Spade shift. So, in an attempt to muddy the waters, she squandered the ♥A! Now Declarer played a Club to West's Ace. Picturing East to have started with ♥QTx and Declarer with ♥Axx, West continued with a low Heart to East's supposed Queen. But it was Declarer who produced that card, and who promptly claimed nine tricks. That was dastardly play by Declarer, but could West have seen through the deception? To West it seemed that Declarer might well have held something like: ♠Axx, ♥Axx, ♦Kxxx, ♣KQJ. Would Declarer not hold up in Hearts with such a hand? Not necessarily, if she did she might fall prey to a deadly Spade shift, allowing West to win his King and revert to Hearts for down one. Postscript: There is a signaling device that could have saved E-W. It's the Smith Echo, whereby at Trick 2 East gives his attitude to the opening lead ... he plays a high Club to say "I like the opening lead" ... and a low Club to say "I don't" Here the message will be "I don't", so East plays the Two, after which West will presumably shift to a Spade. Or maybe not as, after the play to Trick 1, he might already have lapsed into auto-pilot mode. Bridge Bites will appear each Monday on our new Facebook Page. Another reason to Follow Us on Facebook! Download a copy of Bridge Bites |
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