March Madness
 Going on now--the Valley Forge Regional. Note that this tournament, normally held in the summer, has been rescheduled for end of February/early March because of the summer Nationals being held this summer in Philly. The location, the Dolce Hotel, is the same though the name has changed to the Doubletree Hotel.
The 2012 Glenside Sectional has ended; complete results are available at the District 4 website under the Tournament Calendar and Results link, www.district4.info, or on the ACBL website under Tournaments Results, www.acbl.org.
And remember that the Philadelphia Summer Nationals arrive in just a few months--July 12-22. If you have questions or an interest in volunteering for one of the many ways you can help pull off this massive undertaking, please contact one of the Tournament co-chairs Joann Glasson (joannglasson@msn.com) or John Marks (jgmmarks@aol.com).
Here's wishing you the luck of the Irish at the bridge table. |
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Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney
 Each year, the ACBL honors players in each unit who earn the most masterpoints in various point categories. The Ace of Clubs award recognizes the players who earned the most points in club games. The Mini-McKinney acknowledges points earned in all events. Congratulations to the Unit 141 2011 winners.
Ace of Clubs
0-5 Richard Rosenfeld
5-20 Joseph Delikat
20-50 Nancy Chorpita
50-100 Kathy Kutschera
100-200 Kenneth Harris
200-300 Barbara Gordon
300-500 Ralph Collins
500-1000 Sy Silverman
1000-2500 Elaine Clair
2500-5000 Jeremiah Williams
5000-7500 Arnold Selig
7500-10,000 Rhoda Kauffman
10,000+ Ken Cohen
Mini-McKenney
0-5 Richard Rosenfeld
5-20 Mark Beifermanhaines
20-50 Nancy Chorpita
50-100 Kathy Kutschera
100-200 Kenneth Harris
200-300 Christina van Leeuwen
300-500 Ralph Collins
500-1000 John Dickenson
1000-2500 Elaine Clair
2500-5000 Corey Krantz
5000-7500 Carl Berenbaum
7500-10,000 Craig Robinson
10,000+ Ken Cohen
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Rich Rothwarf Is Teacher of the Year
Our own Rich Rothwarf is the Northeast Region Teacher of the Year and among seven finalists across the United States and Canada for the 2012 Teacher of the Year Award sponsored by the American Bridge Teachers Association (ATBA) and Master Point Press.
 | | Rich Rothwarf (right) with partner Dave Smith after winning the Bracket 1 Knockout at the Seattle NABC. |
Teachers are nominated by their students and nominations are submitted in the form of words of praise for excellence in teaching. Five finalists are chosen from the among nominees in four geographic quadrants of the United States and one from Canada. This year, there were ties in two of the regions. Over 500 nominations were received.
Joyce Penn, chairman of the Teacher of the Year Award, said, "A good teacher is a very important person who stays updated with the game's constantly changing methods, and enthusiastically shares his or her love of the game with students. They present bridge material in an interesting, original way, encouraging their students to learn more and take the next step to becoming better players."
Criteria for the award are:
Teaching Excellence (50%)
Innovation (25%)
Service to bridge (20%)
Service to Community (5%)
More details can be found on the ABTA website at www.abtahome.com.
The third annual "Teacher of the Year" plaque and cash award will be presented at the ABTA Conference on March 15, 2012 in Memphis held during the ACBL Spring Nationals (March 15-25).
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FYE: Woodstock Cuts the Cards
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Annual Meeting
Unit 141 will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday April 14, 2012 at 6 PM. It will take place after Saturday's play during the Glenside Sectional. Events will include the Annual Meeting, Awards Ceremony, and Sonny Jaspan Trophy Pairs game. Tickets, which cost $25 for Unit 141 members and $30 for guests, include a "light dinner." There will also be a cash bar.
Reservations must be made by March 31. For more information or to make reservations, contact Ricki Rogers (rickirog@gmail.com). Here is the link to information about the Glenside sectional, which includes information about the Annual Meeting. |
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Improve Your Play: Suit Combinations
 Assuming all the necessary entries you want to either hand and wanting to maximize the total number of tricks, how should you play these suit combinations? (Answers are given at the bottom of the newsletter.)
1. AQTx
Jxxx
2. AQTxx
Jxx
3. AQTx
Jxx |
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Table Tips: Zero Tolerance
 The ACBL and its clubs maintain a Zero Tolerance policy designed to improve "acceptable player behavior" and ultimately create a pleasant playing atmosphere for all. While the Z-T policy recommends certain "commendable" behaviors, such as greeting opponents and praising their worthy plays, it is more important to know which behaviors are not tolerated and what to do if you should experience them.
Here are some of the behaviors that are not acceptable:
- badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats, or violence
- negative comments concerning opponents' or partner's play or bidding
- constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table
- loud and disruptive arguing with a director's ruling
It might be uncomfortable, but your role if clear if you should experience any unacceptable behavior at the table: call the director immediately. Do not become embroiled in an argument or discussion with the offending party. Law 74A prohibits any behavior, remarks, or other conduct that interfere with the enjoyment of the game and directors have the authority to assess penalties for these offenses.
For a complete explanation of the Zero-Tolerance policy, see the ACBL website.
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Club News
Raffles to Start Newcomers' Game
 Beginning March 7, Raffles Bridge Club introduces a special Newcomers' game each Wednesday evening open to all players with 0-20 masterpoints. The session begins with a lesson at 6:30 PM followed by a 12-board, sanctioned game at 7 PM that awards masterpoints. Each game will provide hand records, a chance to ask questions about the hands, and will finish by 9:15 PM. For additional information, contact Sue Jacobs at sue.jacobs@gmail.com or visit the Raffles website at http://bridgescore.com/mgm/.
Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters. |
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Answers to Improve Your Play
1. AQTx
Jxxx
Finesse the ten. Don't lead the jack in case West has the singleton king.
2. AQTxx
Jxx
Finesse the queen (or ten). Don't lead the jack in case West has the singleton king.
3. AQTx
Jxx
Lead small to the ten, then small to the queen. Don't lead the jack in case West has a singleton or doubleton king. |
