North Penn Bridge Club Moves to a New, Lovely Location    

The North Penn Duplicate Bridge Club proudly announces its move to a modern facility in the Lansdale area. The new location, 298 Wissahickon Ave, Suite B in North Wales PA, has plenty of playing space, parking, and amenities that make it a first-rate destination for bridge. It is also easily accessible from the Penndale train station. See Google maps:

Games will be held at the old location through Friday evening, November 8th. Games at the new location launch with the noon game on Monday, November 11th. A Grand Reopening celebration is planned for the week of Nov 18th, with free hoagies at the afternoon games and free pizza at the evening games.

For a full schedule of game times and additional information, visit the club website:

Registration for 2014 Solomon Teams Is Still Open 

The 2014 Solomon Teams season starts soon, but entries are still being accepted for teams in any flight. This extended teams event is a competitive but social event, with matches usually played in homes. Please contact coordinator Art Korth at Artk78@comcast.net if you have questions or to register.  

Solomon Teams namesakes, Peggy and Charles Solomon

[At a recent visit to the Harrisburg Bridge club, we observed some interesting club rules about hesitations with regard to new players. Each club can set whatever rules it deems appropriate, but their rules spurred a discussion about tempo. This article reprints some recommendations about tempo, hesitations, and the best way to handles breaks in tempo.  --ED]

An issue at the table that can cause confusion and unpleasantness between opponents is "tempo." Players know that they should play in tempo--that is, that they should bid at the same, even pace each time (unless they have been halted by a Stop card). They also know, however, that bridge is a thinking game and some hands need time to figure out what to do. They want to know why some people call for the director every time a player hesitates over a bid.

Have you ever wondered: Can I take extra time to bid? When does slow bidding become a problem? What is the right way to play in tempo? Here's the short answer:

� It is ok to think and then pass.

� It is not always ok, however, for your partner to bid on after you take an unusual amount of time to pass.

When your partner takes extra time to pass, it is your responsibility to do the right thing. When you have a borderline hand, the right thing is to also pass. If your partner thinks a lot before passing, it suggests that he or she has something going--extra values or unusual shape or something else. You can't take advantage of that information and must pass unless bidding on is absolutely 100% obvious. Taking advantage of partner's slow pass would be unfair and will likely result in a director call from your opponents.

The great Larry Cohen summarizes the situation best: "It is simply UNETHICAL to take advantage of your partner's tempo." 

If you think that you have been the victim of a break in tempo, you are entitled to call the director. Do be gentle with new players, however, who might not yet understand this complicated issue. It's ok to give them some leeway and not call the director or, if you do, kindly call for the director. 

The North Penn Bridge Club moves to a new location in November. For more information, see the full article above.

Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters.