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Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Contact your District 4 board members.
PRESIDENT
Betsy Cutler
betsy2955@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Ala Hamilton-Day
alabridge@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Bill Bauer
william.baueriii@verizon.net
TREASURER
Pat Civale
patcivale@gmail.com
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Joann Glasson
joannglasson@msn.com
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How is it possible that we are moving the clocks again this year – at least this time we get an extra hour of sleep!
Congratulations to Stephen and Holli Mast who won the NAP Flight B in District 4. There was quite a large field at three locations throughout the district. Next year we will be competing in four flights like the GNT, with new point limits. This will mean that Flight A will not be quite so scary for those who have just over 3000 MPs. The new system will take effect for both GNT and NAP events in 2025.
The week of November 11-17 is the final Royal StaC for 2024. We will be joined by clubs from District 6 which means more points available to all. These points will be ¼ black, ¼ silver, ¼ red and ¼ gold. Remember that they will initially show up as all silver but once the StaC is totally submitted they will resolve into the color mix shown above. This is a wonderful opportunity to get your first gold points, or the last sprinkle needed for your next rank advancement.
There are a few more sectionals before the end of this year – first the Finger Lakes in Lyons, NY on November 9&10 and then the Dave Treadwell Sectional in Wilmington, DE on December 13-15.
Our Non-Life Master players have multiple chances in Camp Hill, PA to earn silver, red and gold. On November 22 there is a Sectional, followed by a Regional on November 23-24, and another Sectional on December 22. All these events are only for those with fewer than 750 masterpoints who have not achieved Life Master status. Please note that the number of gold points awarded is not what would be awarded at an open regional, but it is still a great way to earn those coveted gold points.
Finally, with the help of BBO, we have figured out how to make sure our monthly online game is only open to players in District 4 (only offered to outsiders when fill ins are needed to make full tables). The new hack worked very well in October, but attendance was way down. Now that we have control over who plays, we hope everyone will come back, especially those with fewer than 750 MP. This game is 18 boards and finishes in about 2 hours - plus you can play in your jammies! Next game is November 30 at 3:30 pm.
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Betsy
betsy2955@gmail.com
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From the Regional Director | |
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I hope we are spending time together in Lancaster as you read this. The Lancaster Regional Tournament is always so much fun – we call it “bridge camp”. We play bridge together, enjoy meals together and enjoy dining in the wonderful restaurants in beautiful Lancaster County. It is a highlight of our bridge year.
EDGAR and the Code of Disciplinary Regulations
Since early this year ACBL has used an online detection tool called EDGAR that provides great accuracy in finding players who are exchanging information inappropriately online. When players are flagged as collusively cheating with EDGAR, they are subject to discipline under the CDR (Code of Disciplinary Regulations).
Last month, the ACBL Board of Directors approved a revised CDR (Code of Disciplinary Regulations) that you can access in the Discipline Section of the ACBL website.
The reason for the current revisions is to increase the masterpoint levels for receiving a warning and/or “Fast Track Discipline.” Fast Track Discipline offers the player the ability to accept the penalty for their infractions while also allowing the player the right to appeal the case to the IBA (Institute for Bridge Arbitration) if they feel that their rights have been violated in any way.
These masterpoint level adjustments were necessary because the number of cases that were being processed by ACBL under the former CDR became an administrative burden and management realized that changes needed to be made to complete the goal of cleaning up the online game.
There are two other changes that have been made to the CDR. One is the elimination of additional discipline for ACBL officials that have been found to be cheating and the other is to base discipline on the masterpoint level of the player at the time the cheating occurred instead of when the charges were brought.
All these changes will facilitate the efforts to provide a clean online game for all players.
Contact me with any questions at joannglasson@msn.com
Joann
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The 4Spot features fantastic contributors on a regular rotation: | |
January, April, July, October:
Larry's Learning Center by Larry Cohen
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February, May, August, November:
For Novices Only
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March, June, September, December:
Schwaidelson's Fractured Four-Hand Tales
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For those who keep hearing Mel's Rules at the table and wish you had a summary, consider buying his book (what a concept):
How You Can Play Like an Expert (Without Having to Be One)
by Mel Colchamiro.
For impatient people like me, here's a taste of the first two rules I learned:
Mel's Rule of 17: Partner opens a weak 2-bid. You have a good hand but need help deciding whether or not to try for game. Add your high card points to the number of trump in your hand. If you reach 17, bid game.
Mel's Rule of 9: Partner makes a takeout double. You think it might be smart to pass for penalty because you have a lot of their trump suit. Add the number of cards you hold in their suit to the number of honors you hold in their suit, including the 10, and the level of the contract. If you reach 9, pass.
There's so much more, and they really do work most of the time. Now go get that book! (Mel: You're welcome.)
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If all you're up for this month is fun facts about Linda Ronstadt and Randy Newman, skip to the end. For a really good time, start from the top here. | |
Visit the MSC website to read next month's problem and submit your answers online here. | |
Get Ready for Philly - Summer 2025 NABC News | |
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Travel for Free to the Philadelphia Summer NABC
Whether I'm going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, an Eagles game, trying out a new restaurant in Fishtown, or taking the train to Glen Mills, I travel using my SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card. It is FREE for any person over 65 years of age, regardless of where you reside. Taking the train to the Downtown Philadelphia Marriott, at 12th and Filbert Streets where the Philadelphia Summer NABC is being held, is a breeze. The Jefferson Station stop is right next door! With the earlier scheduling of bridge games, a free train ride is an option which should not be ignored.
Don’t have a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card? If you're 65+ it's yours for the asking. No charge, you just need to show proof of age with a document such as a driver's license or passport. You can get one on the spot at SEPTA Headquarters (1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA) but keep in mind, it's by appointment only: Call 215-580-7145 and choose option 6, or request an appointment online. You can also request one at your local legislator's office if you live in PA. (Check with your legislator’s office for times and requirements. If you opt to visit your legislator, it could take several weeks to receive your card via mail.)
And it's good for four years! If you are over 65 and want to take a free train, subway, bus, or trolley in Southeast Pennsylvania, grab your SEPTA Senior Fare Card and come explore!
Ala Hamilton-Day
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News from Around the Units | |
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Congratulations to the Unit 112 players who competed in the District 4 North American Pairs Finals. Stephen Mast and Holli Mast of Corning came in first in Flight B! Dan Boye of East Syracuse and his partner finished third in Flight A. The winning pairs will represent District 4 at the Spring NABC in Memphis, TN.
Mary Miller and Jim Carroll, Information and Partnership Chairs, invite you to the Finger Lakes Sectional on November 9 and 10 in Lyons, NY. Saturday will feature Open and NLM/499er Pairs. Sunday’s event will be Stratified Open and NLM/499er Swiss Teams. Lunch, at no cost, will be provided both days. The Lyons Memorial VFW is a new site for this tournament. Please plan to attend!
The Rochester Area Bridge Association held a local sectional on October 19 and 20. Many thanks to Denise Slattery, Tournament Chair, Jim Patton, Partnership Chair, Sally Hill who provided Saturday’s lesson and all who assisted with this event as well as the participants.
Numerous clubs in Unit 112 will participate in the District 4 STaC during November 11-17. Our unit awards a trophy to the unit player who accumulates the most masterpoints in the District 4 STaCs throughout the year.
Unit 112 Congratulates its Advancing Players
Club Masters
Susan Calcagno
Ruth Sklarsky
Sectional Master
Michael Nupuf
NABC Masters
Tom Hubbard, Jr.
Stephen Koob
Barbara Shapiro
Daniel Sverdlik
Jeff Tonole
Bronze Life Master
Barbara McIver
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Unit 120: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Doreese Torrey
doreeset@gmail.com
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Hello Unit 120!! Let's start with recognition of achievements for October. Please join me in congratulating:
Club Master
Marc Alpert
Junior Master
Jacob Albano
Well done!!
Honesdale bridge club hosted a fall bridge game and turkey dinner on October 13.
Great turnout and great food, as always.
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Hope you all had a fun Halloween!!
See you at the virtual and face to face bridge games!
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Check back next month for Unit 121 news. | |
Unit 133: Lehigh Valley
Lois Fuini
lafuini@yahoo.com
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Congratulations! New Rank Achievements
Junior Master
Robert Rianzo
Ruby Life Master
Mike Kohler
Annual Meeting and Holiday Party Saturday, November 9, 2024
WHERE: Brookside Country Club 901 Willow Lane, Macungie PA
WHEN: Saturday, November 9, 2024 12:00 PM Social and Cash Bar
12:30 PM Dinner and Meeting
2:00 PM Bridge Games - 0-200, 0-750 & Open (attendance permitting)
FEE: $30 members
$45 non-members
How do I make a reservation?
Mail checks payable to LVBA - one form per pair to Betsy Cutler
1383 Deerfield Dr.
Allentown PA 18104
Pay by cash or check (payable to LVBA) at club games. Include name, partner and emails.
If you have questions please email:
Lois Fuini at lafuini@yahoo.com
In Memoriam Games Saturday, December 14, 2024
The In Memoriam Game is scheduled for December 14 at Lehigh Valley Active Life at 12:30pm. Please join us to recognize the members of Unit 133 who have passed away in the last year. We will celebrate their lives and achievements by playing a charity game of duplicate bridge in their honor. Proceeds from the games will benefit active older adults at Lehigh Valley Active Life.
Please join us at one of these games:
There is a chance that this game will be changed to a team game, but we want you to save the date. We’ll notify you if there is a change.
November 2024 Royal STaC Games
WHERE: Lehigh Valley Active Life
1633 W Elm Street
Allentown PA
WHEN:
Monday, November 11, 12:30pm
Friday, November 15, 12:30pm
WHO: All games will follow current formats:
Monday - 0-750 game
Friday - Open game
WHY: Royal STaC games provide players the opportunity to earn 1⁄4 black, 1⁄4 silver, 1⁄4 red and 1⁄4 gold points at the club level. Increase your pigmented point count in a comfortable atmosphere with no additional travel time or expense.
COST: $8 per person
REFRESHMENTS: Free bagged snacks and water/soda will be provided.
MORE INFORMATION: If you have additional questions, please email:
Betsy Cutler at betsy2955@gmail.com or Lois Fuini at lafuini@yahoo.com.
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Unit 141: Philadelphia
John Dickenson
dickenjb@gmail.com
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In April of this year, the ACBL switched from rebating 11% of member dues to the Units to a performance-based award system. I am pleased to report that for the second quarter in a row, Unit 141 has received the highest dollar award for recruiting new members out of ALL 288 units in the ACBL! Who says bridge is dead? | |
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A warm welcome to our newest PCBA members! They number 17 this month!
Michael Barnet
Debra Brackett
Rita Davis
Robin Fischer
Maryann Heimark
Kathaleen Kaczur
Joyce Kerpan
David Klaus
Shashi Kumar
Lynn McGrath
Melissa McGrath
Rodica Musat
Raymond Schreyer
Barbara Sentel
Christine Spirgel
Joseph Vargo
Radu Vasilescu
Congratulations to our members who achieved a new rank!
Junior Masters
David Ellison
David Frank
Yaacov Garini
Ellen Goldman
Vallabhdas Patel
Sarah Whalen
Club Masters
Alice Hennessy
Cliff Retzlaff
Deborah Robinson
Sectional Masters
Margaret Dooley
Tykie Knight
Regional Masters
Gerald Feldman
Leslie Marshall
NABC Master
Anna Swartz
Life Master
Barbara Daly
Bronze Life Master
Marc Topaz
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Unit 168: Central Pennsylvania
Ben Hawn
bwhawn@bellsouth.net
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What to do as dealer, white, holding a six-card heart suit and ten “points”? Open 2♥️, I guess. But what if the hand has a four-card spade suit? I pass every time, right or wrong. What about two outside aces and a second suit of five decent diamonds? Those are closer. I ran across both hands recently.
Case one:
♠️ 763
♥️ QT9862
♦️ A94
♣️ A
In a large BBO game, it was almost an even split among the three obvious possibilities: pass, 1♥️, 2♥️. Pass seems reasonable but timid. Chances are you can get in later, right? 1♥️ is fine - fine except partner will be expecting slightly more in high cards. 2♥️ seems dicey to me. It describes the nature of the hand fairly well, but preempting with two outside aces just can’t be right. At my table my RHO dealt and passed. By his next turn, we had bid to 4♠️, so he quit. I went down two undoubled with 6♣️ and 6♥️ both cold.
Case two:
♠️ T
♥️ AJ9843
♦️ KQ642
♣️ 9
With only one spade, it feels like we should strike the first blow. I guess 1♥️ is about as good as 2♥️. I almost always used to pass these hands. If, and when, 4♠️ comes back to me, I’ll bid 4NT and partner will work it out when I correct clubs to diamonds. At my table my LHO opened 2♥️ and eventually ended in 6♥️ doubled, which was a phantom over our 5♠️.
As always, one hand - or as here, two hands - proves nothing. But I’m rethinking how I should handle these “in between hands” with a six-card heart suit.
Congratulations to the following Unit 168 players moving up the ACBL rankings ladder:
Junior Masters
Susan Campbell
Sarah Mentzer
Steven Mentzer
Club Master
Russell McKnight
NABC Masters
Constance Foster
Thomas Neiper
Virginia Stayman
Patricia Wong
Life Masters
Lois Anderson
Judy Parsons
Bronze Life Master
Judy Parsons
Silver Life Master
Michael Mendelson
Ruby Life Master
John Ferranti
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Delaware Clubs
The Bridge Studio of Delaware, Wilmington
Harold Jordon
302-479-5431
club@bridge-studio.org
MOT, Middletown
Cheryl Shields
302-602-1638
c.shields@mehrs.com
Monday Morning Bridge Club
Friday Nooners
Dover
Clare O’Brien
410-310-0549
Clare758@outlook.com
Shore Bridge
Lewes
Anna DeLapo
302-236-0346
Anna7nt@gmail.com
Shuffles2
Ocean View Presbyterian Church
Thursday @ 12:30
215-817-2465
Shuffles2023@gmail.com
MOVING ON UP
NABC Master
Carl Coen
Ruby Life Master
Christine Sullivan
THE WELCOME MAT
New Members
John Noble
Nadine Noble
Cynthia Williams
New Transferred Members
Andrea Malinowski
Susan Shea
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Check back next month for Unit 217 news, and please keep our sectional in Boalsburg May 30 to June 1, 2025 in mind. | |
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