Nationals is approaching and will be here July 12-22. You might be making plans to play. If you want to do more than play, there are numerous ways to get involved:

❖ Participate in the Player Variety Show! Send a demo tape of your "act" to Walter Mitchell at waltermitc@aol.com.   

❖ Name an event! For a small donation, you can name a regional event after a family member, your favorite bridge partner, or teacher. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email April Uhlenburg at auhlenburg@gmail.com for more information.  

❖ Lend a hand! If you want to help with the Youth NABC, registrations, caddying, etc., the NABC committee will be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate coordinator. Email John Marks at jgmmarks@aol.com.
 
Keep current on latest news and insider tips by "liking" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PhillyBridgeJuly2012.

This month, we debut a multi-part series from Director Marc Labovitz. In this issue, Marc discusses the basics: what, when, and how. In future issues, he will tackle specific violations and how to say within the "law." The series will finish with answers to your questions, so please send your questions and comments to Marc at man_o_bridge@msn.com.

What is a Director?

Directors are like referees at a sporting event. At our best, we keep the game running smoothly and are hardly ever noticed. We never want to interject ourselves into the outcome of the game. When an irregularity occurs, we are guided by law, though sometimes we have to make judgment calls. These decisions are made to maintain the flow of the game and are subject to appeal by committee. Matters of law are not subject to appeal.

When to Call a Director

When an irregularity or infraction occurs at the table, a director should be called always and immediately. At this point, everyone at the table can be advised of their rights and responsibilities so they gain full protection under the law.

Players sometimes 'self-rule' or 'self-correct' rather than call for the director. This maneuver, which might be well-intended or seemingly innocuous, can create additional problems or a loss of options for the offended side. A salient example is the insufficient bid. Often, I come to a table and an offending player has already changed the call when an opponent told him the bid was not sufficient. Perhaps you don't even call the director at all. Pointing out that a bid is insufficient merely acknowledges that an irregularity has taken place; it is not an endorsement for a correction in the absence of a director. An insufficient bid activates a whole new set of issues, which a director can clarify.

How to Call a Director

Directors understand that bridge is highly competitive and that players can feel the pressure. We prefer heading off the volatility that can result. You should think of director calls like preventive healthcare. In that spirit, I suggest that when you call for a director, do not make it sound as if somebody has been kidnapped. Instead, alert your opponents of your intent and call calmly, "Director, please." These two simple steps will go a long way to defusing the friction and I won't be associated with any hostility when I arrive at your table.

In the next column, we'll talk about Zero Tolerance and Etiquette. In the meantime, send your questions.

[In Part 1 of a two-part series continuing next month, Tournament Chair Meyer Kotkin informs us about a wonderful improvement to the Unit's tournaments. --Ed.]

Unit 141 is pleased to announce the purchase of the Bridgemate II electronic scoring system for use in all of the Unit's Sectional Tournaments. The Unit's first use of the Bridgemates was the Spring Sectional in April in Glenside where the electronic scorers:

• significantly reduced the number of scoring errors when compared to hand written pick-up slips
• significantly reduced the time to post final results at the end of the session
• eased the clerical burden on the directors, allowing them more time to concentrate on running and ruling the game
• enhanced the playing experience (based upon feedback from the players)
• eliminated the need for caddies

The Bridgemate scoring system is very powerful and the Unit will use its features to:

• post detailed information about contracts, opening leads, and scoring on each board to the 141 website
• allow players to get individual scores and recaps from the tabletop terminals at the end of a session so that players do not have to crowd around the stations to get individual board scores
• coordinate with our move to duplicated boards in Swiss Teams events so that we can post results and leads at all tables as well as provide hand records 
• score Swiss Team events and give each team its next assignment so the captain will not have to crowd the Director's tables and assignment pad to report results and see their next assignment

The player and director feedback on the use of the Bridgemates in Glenside was excellent, so come try the electronic scorers at our remaining 2012 tournaments: Mays Landing, NJ (May 18 - 20); Conshohocken, PA (Sept 7 - 9); and Glenside, PA (Oct 12 - 14).

Play bridge and support a good cause! The 10th Annual Bridge Tournament for Lupus at the Green Valley Country Club takes place on September 24th at 10:30 am. The event includes a fantastic luncheon, sanctioned bridge game, and renowned raffle with fabulous prizes.

For information or reservations, contact Cate Meeker at 215-517-5070 or cmeeker@lupustristate.org.