July - ACBL District 23

Southern CaliforniaBridge NewsVolume 49, #7 July 2013 Published By ALACBUPresident’s MessageA Place to Stay Forever... Pentictonby Becky Clough, ALACBU PresidentAfter returning from Pentictonearlier this month I thought I’d sharethe experience with you. Pentictonis located in the Okanagan Valleyof Southern British Columbia about90 minutes north of the UnitedStates border. Penticton, known forits wine, is a charming, sun-soakedtown, nestled between two beautiful lakes: Skaha Laketo the south and Okanagan Lake stretching 100 milesto the north. Penticton is derived from the Okanaganlanguage and is conventionally translated as “a place tostay forever.” Last year, it was named one of the Top 10Places to Visit in the world according to Facebook. Thesecond week of June each year, Penticton is host to thelargest bridge regional in Canada.We first visited Penticton in June of 2002. We’dmade some Canadian bridge friends the previoussummer at the Red Deer tournament and were lookingforward to playing with them again. Since then we havebecome honorary members of their bridge community.Housing for the Penticton tournament is unique. Thetown has one upscale hotel/casino and dozens of Momand Pop style motels along a 3 or 4 block expanse onthe shores of Okanagan Lake. Most Canadians actuallycook in their motel kitchens most nights and invite awide variety of friends to join them. Roger and I use ourkitchen primarily for breakfast and enjoy dinner in oneof Penticton’s interesting restaurants. For several yearswe rented a motel unit with another couple with whomwe cooked and entertained as well.Another draw to Penticton is its close proximity tothe Canadian wine industry. At last count, there weremore than 50 wineries within a 20 minute drive or 130wineries within an easy one-hour drive. Heading out onthe wine trail is one of the best ways to get a first tasteof the Valley. The scenery is magnificent and gettingPRESIDENT continued on page 16LA Regional at the Westinby Rand Pinsky, District DirectorBeginning July 1 is our SummerBridge Week Regional. See the adon page 3 for more detail or visitthe LosAngelesRegional.com website for more information.Robert Hartman, CEO of theACBL will be attending ourRegional and will be present forthe ALACBU board meeting on Saturday. He will bearriving Wednesday night and will be leaving on Sundaymorning. I am trying to arrange a time (probably Fridaybefore the afternoon session) for Robert to be availableto meet many of our players and to answer any questionsthat our membership may have about the ACBL. I willalso be present to answer any of the easy questions.Some possible question areas for Robert can betaken from the latest CEO update I recently received.The highlights include:• Over 150 ACBL teams are registered for the LongestDay program with pledges of over $120,000.• The 2013 Regionals at Sea still have available spacefor cruising.• Membership grew by 193 members in May andtotal membership now stands at 167,215.• Work continues on ACBLscore+ and we arecurrently in Phase 4 of the project.DIRECTOR continued on next pageInside This IssueAround the Units.......................................... page 4District 23 Regional - July ........................... page 3District 23 Regional - October..................... page 6Glendale Verdugo Sectional......................... page 7Las Vegas Sectional ..................................... page 5Orange County Regional ........................... page 10Orange County Regional - 299ers ............. page 14Problem Solvers Panel ............................... page 13Rank Changes............................................ page 17The Longest Day.......................................... page 2

July 2013 page 2DIRECTOR continued from page 1Unit 551 Comes Up Big on "The Longest Day"The Pomona –Covina Unit, #551, came up with a championshipperformance in the recent ACBL “The Longest Day” charity eventfor the Alzheimer’s Association. District 23 Director Rand Pinskysingled out the unit for its extraordinary effort. Though one of thesmallest units in Southern California, this group raised more than$3,025 in the one-day event.Chairwoman Cordell Goode, Penny Barbieri, Gino Barbieri,Susan Emminger, Roger Boyar, Tom Lill, and Vic Sartor formeda charity committee that provided an early brunch, a variety ofsnacks, and appetizing box lunches that sustained the participantsthrough three long sessions of bridge. Many players started theearly morning session at 8:45 and finally staggered home after10:00 p.m. Directors Boyar, Lill, and Denise Morgan donated theirfees, and many members made generous donations of food andcash in addition to their card fees.Local merchants Party City, Von’s Grocery Company, SmartAnd Final, and the San Dimas Subway provided generous discountson food and party supplies. At day’s end, despite the many blearyeyes and weary bodies, the event was celebrated as a great success.For a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL MembersCarolyn Taff & Marion NapierREALTORSYour Real Estate Partners for LifeRelocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and FirstTime Buyer Specialists Representing Buyers andSellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate,Condo and Investment Properties; Complex RealEstate Matters; Referrals; and Executive TransfersCarolyn 310-871-5051Marion 310-721-77822444 Wilshire Blvd.Santa Monica, CA 90403DRE # 01074069 / 00413050ALABU ElectionsEvery two years during our Julyregional ALACBU holds elections for newofficers. This July we are scheduled to holdour bi-yearly election. Our current officersare Becky Clough – president, PennyBarbieri – vice president, Roger Clough –treasurer and Sheila Bozin – secretary.As chair of the Nominating Committeethe bylaws state that I need a committee of 5members of different units to serve. Anyoneinterested in serving on this committee,please contact me immediately. So far, Ihave had inquires from Ellen Kent andCandy Scott.Currently, Becky has volunteered toserve as president, Penny has volunteeredto serve as vice president, Roger hasvolunteered to serve as treasurer, and JoanRubin, a member of the San FernandoValley Unit, has volunteered to serve assecretary. If anyone wishes to run for office,please let Carolyn me know. Taff Also, & Marion if you Napier know ofanyone who will make REALTORS a good officer, let meknow. Besides Your from Real officers, Estate Partners there for are Life manycommittees that one can serve. Bridge is avolunteer Relocation, organization Seniors, Luxury and Properties if you care and First forthe game,TimepleaseBuyer Specialistsstep upRepresentingand get involved.Buyers andFor a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ASellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate,Condo and Investment Properties; Complex RealEstate Matters; Referrals; and Executive TransfersIt's a Different View from DummyCarMarSanDRESouthern California Bridge NewsPublished monthly by ALACBU, Inc.For a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL Members11033 Barman Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230 Phone: 310-836-1235email bridgenews@acbldistrict23.orgEditor/Designer… ............................ Jennifer EinbergManaging Editor ..............................Rebecca CloughContributing Editor ................................John JonesCarolyn Taff & Marion NapierREALTORSYour Real Estate Partners for LifeSubscription Rates: $12.00 per year, private; $2.00 as portion of DistrictRelocation, 23 dues; $3.00 Seniors, Units Luxury outside Properties District and 23 if First subscribed Carolyn by entire 310-871-5051 unit. CopyTime deadlines: Buyer advertising Specialists Representing and editorial Buyers material and by 10th Marion of month; 310-721-7782 unit columnsSellers by 15th in Probate of month. & Trust Classified Transactions; ads are Estate, payable in advance 2444 and Wilshire only Blvd. for aCondo 6-month and period Investment or more Properties; with no Complex changes Real in content. Santa Opinions Monica, expressed CA 90403Estate in the Matters; Southern Referrals; California and Bridge Executive News Transfers are those of DRE the # authors 01074069 and / 00413050 do notnecessarily reflect those of ALACBU, Inc., The Bridge News or the Editor.The Bridge News reserves the right to reject material it considers to be inpoor taste or deems otherwise unsuitable for publication.For a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL MembersABA/ALACBU Bridge Game ReportThere were 23 tables of bridge atthe June 2 ABA/ALACBU bridge game.Approximately one half of the table countCarolyn Taff & Marion Napierwere ALACBU/ACBL members. The gameREALTORSwas dividedYourintoRealtwoEstatesections,Partnerstherefor Lifeweremany door prizes given out, and the lunchthey served Relocation, was Seniors, exceptional. Luxury Properties If you and missed Firstthis one, Time watch Buyer Specialists for details Representing of the Buyers next one andSellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate,tentatively set for August.Condo and Investment Properties; Complex RealLooking Estate Matters; forward Referrals; to seeing and Executive you in Transfers LongBeach. Until next month, you can reach meat Pinsky4Bridge@earthlink.net.For a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACarMarSanDREFor a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own A

July 2013 page 3Monday, July 1, 201310:15: 299er Free Lesson1:15 PMPro Am GameEducational Foundation Stratified Charity Pairs7:00 PMEducational Foundation Stratified Charity Pairs299er GameMike Pudlin Memorial KO Session 1Tuesday July 2, 20139:00 AMAM Side Game Series 1 of 5Mike Pudlin Memorial KO Session 2Single Session Swiss299er Game1:15 PMMidday Side Game Series 1 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 1 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 1 of 2Mike Pudlin Memorial KO Session 3Minute Men KO Session 1299er Lecture (12:15) & Game7:00 PMPM Side Game Series 1 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 2 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 2 of 2Mike Pudlin Memorial KO Session 4Minute Men KO Session 2299er GameSingle Session Stratified SwissWednesday, July 3 20139:00 AMAM Side Game Series 2 of 5Summertime AM Single Session Swiss299er Game1:15 PMMidday Side Game Series 2 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 1 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 1 of 2Minute Men KO Session 3Paul Revere Compact KO Sessions 1 & 2299er Lecture (12:15) & Game7:00 PMPM Side Game Series 2 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 2 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 2 of 2Minute Men KO Session 4Paul Revere Compact KO Sessions 3 & 4299er GameSingle Session Stratified SwissThursday, July 4, 201310:00 AMAM Side Game Series 3of 54th of July Stratified Swiss 1 of 2299er Game3:00 PMMidday Side Game Series 3 of 54th of July Stratified Swiss 2 of 2299er Game10:00 AM & TBAMiriam Collup Fast Pairs7:30 PMPM Side Game Series 3 of 5Single Session SwissFriday, July 5, 20139:00 AMAM Side Game Series 4 of 5Marian Beerman AM Swiss 1 of 2299er Game1:15 PMMidday Side Game Series 4 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 1 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 1 of 2Benjamin Franklin KO Session 1299er Lecture (12:15) & Game7:00 PMPM Side Game Series 4 of 5Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 2 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 2 of 2Benjamin Franklin KO Session 2299er GameMike Emminger Single Session Stratified SwissSaturday, July 6, 20139:00 AMAM Side Game Series 5 of 5Marian Beerman AM Swiss 2 of 2299er Game1:15 PMMidday Side Game Series 5 of 5Benjamin Franklin KO Session 3Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 1 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 1 of 2Samuel Adams Compact KO Sessions 1 & 2Marshall Miles 4-Session Swiss Qualifying299er Lecture (12:15) & Game7:00 PMPM Side Game Series 5 of 5Benjamin Franklin KO Session 4Flight A/B Pairs (0-2000/2000+) 2 of 2GOLD RUSH PAIRS(100/300/750) 2 of 2Marshall Miles 4-Session Swiss QualifyingSingle Session Stratified Swiss299er GameSunday, July 7, 201310:00 AM & TBAMarshall Miles 4-Session Swiss FinalsFlight A/X Swiss (0-2000/2000+)Bracketed B Swiss Teams ( no player over2000)$124 per team includes lunch10:00 AM & TBAMary Jane Farell Stratified Fast Pairs$62 per pair includes lunchStratified games: 0-750/750-2000/2000+Flight A/B and Flight A/X: 0-2000/2000+Gold Rush: 0-100/100-300/300-750Bracketed B Swiss: 0-2000LosAngelesRegional.com

July 2013 page 4Around the Unitsin District 23Antelope Valleyby Brad WardThis column last month stirred only a fewcomments and a bit of interest. The biggest interestcentered around the statement that District 23 didnot have a disciplinary committee. Well, it turnsout that is not true anymore. Mr. Robert Shore hasassembled a committee and will start hearings duringthe upcoming Long Beach Regional. Rats beware!Two big Regional competitions will be completedsoon... Vegas and Long Beach. Look for resultsfrom our unit to lead off the column next month.The dates for our Sectional have been set (Oct.5-6), so please make your plans to come to the MagicMountain area on the first weekend in October and bagsome yummy Silver Points. A barometer pairs eventwill highlight Saturday’s activities and the SundaySwiss will feature a few pairs that traveled quite a longdistance just to feast on Antelope Valley competition.Kathy, Rita, and Paula have all got theirrespective clubs doing well. The contractionof the Lancaster Club is almost complete anda new venue location will be available soon.The results from the Santa Clarita activitiesshows that Russ Buker has done quite well at Paula’sClub with wins chalked up with Kristi Kubo andCarol Provost as partners. Additional pairs joiningthe winners circle on Mondays were Ron & SandiOest, Albert Stock & George MacDonald, BasantShah & Jerry Burrill and Roy Ladd & Paul Gill.At Rand’s Club, Betty Pavey, and Basant Shahrecorded two solid wins. The partnerships of RoyLadd-Paul Gill, Nell Schantz-Paula Olivares, PhyllisSeeder-Ed Berliner, Rita Vanatter-Albert Stock, BillBrodek-Kristi Kubo and Ted Maki-George MacDonaldall notched wins in this tough, competitive game.Rita’s Club saw the partnership of MargueritePinkers-Albert Stock bag two victories. The partnershipsof Paul Gill-Nell Schantz, Hansford & Mira Rowe,Lamonte Johnson-Basant Shah, Paula Olivares-Vibeke Gilbreath, Ted Maki-George MacDonald,C.K.Kennedy Ross-Kathy Swaine and Basant Shah-Lamonte Johnson all tallied hard-earned victories.The Lancaster Club saw Ron Oest dominate withthree wins, two with his wife Sandi and one withLouise Levein. Marlene Warren Gasper garnered twowins, one partnered with Lola Messiha and the otherwith her husband Dave. The Unit game was won bythe partnership of Barbara Shuping-Doris Thompson.Good luck to all that venture out to the upcomingregionals.Glendale Verdugoby Sharon WolfJuly 13, 2013Board of Directors meeting at 11:30Lunch at noonUnit Game at 1:00Another reminder about our annual sectional,which will once again be held at the Scottish RiteTemple in Pasadena on August 9, 10, and 11. This year,we have added a stratified pairs game on Sunday tocoincide with the traditional Swiss event.The June Unit game was an old-fashioned summerBBQ, with hamburgers, hotdogs, and the works. Hereare the results:N/SA1A2A3A4B1Mike Doll & Patrick CardulloTemo Arjani & William BrodekPhil Dessert & Steve ShankerPat Abbey & Merry BesvoldKaren Alpert & Rufus RhoadesE/WA1 B1 C1 Ann Raymond & Sandra RuckerA2 Brad Beland & Cathy Martin →

July 2013 page 7me your email address, and I’ll put you on the list. Myemail is jyinger1@gmail.com.Pasadena San Gabriel Valleyby Chuck CordaroSeveral of our members have ties to John Muir Highhere in Pasadena. One of our newest members is EddieNewman, who was the principal at Muir for 8 years.Mary Falvey and I graduated from there in 1959, andJanet Bennett put me in touch with a classmate namedCookie, who told me that another alum, Ruthie, iswaitressing at Conrads on Lake Ave. here in Pasadena.One morning I was having a cup of coffee there and Iasked the waitress, “Does Ruthie still work here?” Shelooked up at me and said, “I’m Ruthie.” I apologizedfor not recognizing her, but she was understanding,considering 54 years had passed since we last saw eachother.Jeanne Dea taught math at Muir, and did it so wellthat one of her students was accepted at CalTech— avery selective school.My sister Andrea had a Spanish class at Muir withSirhan Sirhan, and also had the same school bus stop.She was living in Massachusetts when Sirhan shotBobby Kennedy; she recognized him immediately onthe newsreels, hours before they announced his name.She ironically remembered him not as the wild-eyedassassin being held down by Rosie Grier, but as a sweetand shy young man. It’s a cliché that after such a tragedysomeone always says, “He was such a nice, quiet youngman.”Most people remember John Muir as a naturalistwho persuaded Teddy Roosevelt to establish ourNational Parks system. And the John Muir Trail is oneof the most famous in the country. Our Doug Campbellwill be hiking it this summer. He will catch the trail juststeps from his door in Eagle Rock and plans on meetingMike and Maryann Newman at June Lake along hisway up the Sierras, which were given that name becausetheir jagged peaks reminded early Spanish explorers ofan upturned serrated knife.You would think a naturalist outdoorsman likeMuir would get up with the birds, but he could not. Hewas, however, a master woodworker with a genius forinvention. He could even make his own wooden →Friday, Aug. 9 Saturday, Aug. 10 Sunday, Aug 1110:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am and TBAStratified Pairs Stratified Pairs Stratiflighted Swiss0-750, 750-2000, 2000+ 0-750, 750-2000, 2000+ 0-500, 500-1250,**299er **299er 1250-2000, 0-3000/3000+Merry BesvoldTournament ChairmanPeter KneeTournament DirectorSanction #51308049GLENDALE-VERDUGO SECTIONALAugust 9, 10, 11, 2013Scottish Rite Temple150 North Madison Avenue, Pasadena, California, 911012:30 pmStratified Pairs0-750, 750-2000, 2000+**299er*1st Session Compact KO7:30 pmStratified Pairs0-750, 750-2000, 2000+**299er*2nd Session Compact KO* 1st Session Compact KO2:30 pmStratified Pairs0-750, 750-2000, 2000+**299er*2nd Session Compact KO*may be handicappedPartnership DeskKaren Alpert(818) 441-2424Tournament CommitteeLeon Alexander, Karen Alpert, Gloria Balfour,Merry Besvold, Steve Guerrero, Betsy Josias,Nancy Lyon, Margaret Mataga,Barbara McKissick, Eva Seri, Sharon WolfEmergency # (818) 441-2424or (818) 400-0755A non-smoking tournament with smoking breaks, food available - snacks and coffee134 Fwy useFair Oaks/MarengoOfframp134 FreewayWStratified Pairs Game11:00 amN210 FreewayFair Oaks AveMarengo Ave210 FreewayWalnut St.Colorado Blvd.SLos Robles AveEntry Fee: $10.00, Under 18: $2.00Non & unpaid ACBL members: $11.00**299er game when possibleMadison Ave210 Fwy East & Westuse Lake AveOfframpLake AveE

July 2013 page 8gears, which he used to propel himself out of bed ata preset hour, much to the amazement of his wife,who gained a new understanding of Ruth’s pledge,“for wither thou goest, I will go.” I don’t know if sheever contemplated divorce, but she made no strenuousobjections when he announced he was leaving on a tripto the Sierras.Robert ChiuJeanne Dea lost one of her favorite partners lastmonth when Dr. Robert Chui passed away. When Iasked how she remembered him, she said, “Put downthat he was a kind and generous man.”Las Vegas TournamentAfter scanning down the list of participants, I seewhere Joe Viola and occasional guest Roger Lee tookhome 4.5 gold points in the very competitive flight A-XSwiss game. Our pair of Miriam Harrington and SusanJones earned almost 22 gold. Several others also camehome with points These were Mike Marcucci, ShuMing Huang, Sandra Ricker, and Ann McClelland.Dates to RememberJuly 4: ClosedJuly 9: North American pairs 1st round at 7:15 p.m.July 12: Beat the House Night at 7:15 p.m.July 14: Winners and Losers tourney at 1:00 p.m.July 18: STAC game at 11:00 a.m.July 19: STAC game at 7:15 p.m.July 23: North American pairs at 7:15Pomona Covinaby Tom LillUnit Game – Saturday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.Individual – not held in July (see below)In the June Unit game, the top spot was capturedby Ann McClelland – Susan Emminger, who edgedout Cordell Goode – Bill Papa by just 1/2 match point.Next up were Roger Boyar – Richard Patterson, tied forthird with Gayle Ginsburg – Hanan Mogharbel (Gayleand Hanan were first E-W); Clinton Lew – PatriciaRadamaker; and Fredy Minter – Lulu Minter.The June Individual was captured by RichardPatterson, with Bob Kakade, Steve Mancini, KarenMcCarthy, and Larry Clark close behind.There will not be an Individual in July. The dateconflicts with the Bridge Week Regional in Long Beach.This is our standard practice, by the way. It is toughgetting enough players together for a game under thesecircumstances, especially with the regular Directorgoofing off at the District Board of Directors meeting atthat time. No sense of perspective, I guess.We have a small problem with our Individual. Ourprimary playing site no longer wishes to host the gameeach month, and our first alternate site has had to dropout too. That leaves us with one alternate site, whichcan’t always host either. So, we are looking for anotherGood Hearted Person willing to host a game at leastevery other month. Your Correspondent is willing tohost the game on occasion, but he lives so far from mostof the players (it’s not at the end of the world, but it’sonly a short commute) that the turnout tends to be verysmall. If you are willing and able to host a game nowand then on the first Saturday of the month, please getin touch with anyone on the Unit Board of Directors.The top game this month was “only” 69.3%, by AnnMcClelland – Susan Emminger. Others taking a topspot were Paul Chrisney, Gino Barbieri, Larry Clark,Karen Olin, Georgiana Battuello, Paule Ford, RogerBoyar, Hanan Mogharbel, Don Naf, Richard Patterson,Bill Papa, Tim and Eileen Finlay, Kurt Trieselmann,Freddy and Lu Minter, Vic Sartor, Gayle Ginsburg,Mary Miller, and Dave Ruoff.One promotion this month: Marty Husted is now aJunior Master.Our hand for this month is a real rock crusher. Youpick up the following collection: ♠AJ ♥A ♦AKQTx♣AKQTx .RHO is the dealer, and to your dismay, he opens 1♥!No matter how optimistic a bidder RHO is, he shouldhave at least 11 HCP, leaving a Queen or two Jacks tobe shared by the other two players. So you had bettermake some sort of loud noise (so to speak) if you don’twant to play this thing at 2♦ or 2♣ with your one-loserhand. So what’s your call?At the table, it was 5NT – pick a minor suit slam.Partner jumped to 7♣ (!) which you saw no reason todisturb. Pard held: ♠xxx ♥xxx ♦xx ♣Jxxxx.Declarer’s spades losers go on the diamonds (oneruff brings down the Jack) and the contract rolls →

July 2013 page 9home. Afterward, there was some discussion of themerits of 2NT instead of 5NT – on the remote chancethat RHO opened on tram tickets and pard holds the ♠K– but 5NT worked just as well.So remember all this next time you pick up a27-count and RHO opens. Don’t hold your breath,however.Last – sometimes, directing does have its rewards.Directing the June unit game, Your Correspondent (YC)was kibitzing at a flight C table when the followingsequence occurred: 1♥ – 1♣ – ummm, insufficientbid (by the next player). As the 1♣ bidder started tocorrect the call, YC said, “ah, no, not with the directorwatching.” And proceeded to make the usual ruling. HisLHO proceeded to accept the call, whereupon he bid 1♠.The 1♣ bidder said he was unaware of that rule. Later,his partner expressed an interest in obtaining a copy ofthe Laws! Now, if all advancing players would do that,how much more enjoyment they would get! No needto memorize all the obscure and hardly-ever-invokedlaws, it’s just a good idea to be aware of the commonsituations. Did you know, for example, that one of theLaws of Duplicate Bridge states that you must examinethe faces of your cards before making your first call?Honestly, now! For all you Secretary Birds out there,it’s Law 7.B.2. (The reason YC intervened? There’salso a provision in the Laws that states “The Director’sduties and powers normally include… to rectify anerror or irregularity of which he becomes aware in anymanner …”)Quote for the month: “I have yet to see any problem,however complicated, which, when you looked at itthe right way, did not become still more complicated.”(Poul Anderson)Until next month …San Fernando Valleyby Deborah LevinsonGreetings and Salutations!AchievementsThe Top Ten Masterpoint Winners for May 2013750 Bridge Club1. Ron Malkin - 9.002. Gloria Malkin - 8.453. Margie Bulmer - 5.364. Bunnie Roth - 5.155. Linda Silvey - 4.496. Paul Endler - 4.377. Mike Klemens - 4.368. Ellen Carrier - 4.309. Vera Mandell - 4.1910. Lilli Kalmenson - 4.15The Bridge Academy (Open)1. Deborah Levinson - 13.902. Leda Danzig - 10.743. Tom Wylie - 8.994. Marel Bates - 8.765. Seymour Zemlyn - 8.726. Ellen Anten - 8.597. Gilbert Stinebaugh - 8.588. Armand Szulc - 7.959. Gary Frans - 7.7010. Dick Lum - 7.22The Bridge Academy (

July 2013 page 11May 28:June 4 :June 11:Jeff Strutzel, Ed Piken, Steve Ramos,Cecil CookMary Ann Coyle, John Farr, Bo Bogema,John J. McDermottMary Ann Coyle, John Farr, Bo Bogema,John J. McDermottSectional WinnersUnit members who won events at the recentTorrance South Bay unit sectional are listed below.Flight AFlight BFlight CFlight AFlight BFriday Evening PairsChiye and Bruce HoriguchiClaire Hulett/Steven DagelBarbara Shortwell/Ralph Moscowitz, Jeanand Harold Brunner (tie)Saturday PairsGary King/Mike SavageMasae Kato/Andy AndersonSaturday Afternoon 299ersFlights DEF Tajie Major/Ellen TarlowSunday Morning 299ersFlights DE Joyce Klossner/Roberta BrownFlight F Pat Berg/Petra Greennumber of pairs showed up on Saturday morningwithout reservations and had to be turned away. Acouple pairs did sacrifice their reserved positions andstepped aside to let pairs without reservations to playand we thank them. The unit apologizes to those whodid not get the message about reservations. Hopefullythings will be a lot better in this regard next year.GUV Memorial AwardAt the recent Torrance South Bay Sectional Swissteam event the following hand came up in one of myteam’s matches. My LHO held ♠AKQJTxxxxx ♥x♦-- ♣xx. At my table, I opened 2♥ and the opponentsbidding got a bit off the track and they wound up in 6♠doubled down 2. It might be mentioned here that 5♥can be made with my cards and some good guessing.Teammate Aaron Jones held this hand and after a 2♥bid on his right jumped to 4♠ which was doubled byhis LHO. Aaron must have won some kind of greed,insanity and chutzpah award all in one when instead ofsettling for a sure plus 590 he redoubled. He deservedto lose a bushel of IMPS by having the opponents smella rat and pull to 5♥, possibly making. But the gods ofBridge were kind to Aaron and the opponents did notpull the redouble.Na ZdrowieFlight CFlight FSunday PairsCarolyn Heyn/Joan JohnsonSunday Afternoon 299ersTajie Major/Ellen TarlowWest LAby Robert ShoreSad DeparturesFlight AFlight BFlight CMonday Swiss TeamsJeff Strutzel. Steve Ramos, Cecil Cook,John PetrieJoanne and Cal Waller, Paula Olivares,Gerri Soffa CarlsonCasey Stiers, Susan Hoose, Sandy Slotkin,Sandra StewartThis column and the flyer put out advertisingthe sectional did say that due to limited space phonereservations were required at the sectional. Due tofinancial considerations, a number of units are facedwith this problem of late. Unfortunately the sectionallisting on the ACBL website did not mention this. AA long-time favorite and familiar face has left us.We recently received the news that Gerson Rapfogelpassed away. I knew Gerson at the table as a savvyplayer of invariably sunny disposition and a fearlessopponent whose “swing for the fences” approach to thegame handed me my share of both tops and bottoms.Some who knew Gerson away from the table describehim as a lovely man and a classical music afcionado.Our sympathies go out to Adele Katz and the rest ofGerson’s friends and family.We also received word of the death of Dr. HenryMoghtader. We pass along as well our sympathies to hisfriends and family.→

July 2013 page 12Rooting for an Atlanta RepeatOur defending Flight A Grand National Teamschampions are at it again. Fred Zhang, Howard Einberg,and Bob Kent won the District’s Grand National Teamscompetition, and so will head to Atlanta in an effort todefend their title. The Flight C (non-Life Master) turnoutof two teams was, frankly, disappointing to me, althoughit resulted in the selection of a worthy team. I hope thatnext year sees some of our less experienced players putteams together and compete for the opportunity for anational title.A Full SlateThe Unit’s Board is again at its full complement.Please join me in welcoming Donna Castor to the Board,to take the position opened by Jeri Berger’s decision tostep down. Donna is a familiar face at the Beverly Hillsclub, and her perspective will be a valuable addition tothe Board.Show OffsA number of our Unit’s players showed off theirtable skills with multiple tournament wins during thepast month. Bill Schreiber went to Denver to find asuitable partner (also surnamed Schreiber) and won theMaroon Peak Open Pairs and the Red Cloud Peak OpenPairs. Mike Mikyska topped Bill’s double, though, witha triple of his own, heading to Sacramento to win theTuesday Stratified Pairs, the Delta Knockout Teams,and the Saturday Open Pairs.A little closer to home, Mike Savage won theSunday A/X Swiss at the Temecula Sectional, theSaturday Open Pairs at the Torrance/South BaySectional, and the Saturday Compact Knockout at theBalboa Sectional. The latter win made Mike one of thetop master point winners at the Balboa Sectional.Returning to the Torrance/South Bay Sectional,our Unit made a concerted effort to make it our own. Inaddition to Mike’s win, Marlene Felix and Sue Hunterwon the Saturday morning 299er game, Roger andBecky Clough won the Sunday Open Pairs, and CecilCook won the Monday Swiss. Roger and Becky alsoheaded the list of master point winners at that Sectional.In Times to ComeThere’s still plenty of time remaining to play a NorthAmerican Open Pairs qualifying game and compete forthe chance to win a nice fat check from the ACBL tohelp you get to the Dallas Nationals next spring. OurUnit’s July qualifying games will be held on July 13 atBarrington and the evening of July 24 at Beverly Hills.August qualifiers are scheduled for August 10 and 17at Barrington and the evenings of August 12 and 26 atBeverly Hills.I hope all of you are planning to spend much timeat the Long Beach Regional. The tournament starts July1 with a Pro-Am game, and continues all week, endingSunday, July 7. We are extremely fortunate to live inLos Angeles, because there are three regionals eachyear within our county. Demonstrate your support forLos Angeles bridge (and grab the opportunity for goldpoints) by making a date to play.In July, we will hold our usual Unit Championshipgames on Tuesday, July 23. The afternoon game will bea Unit-wide game held at Barrington and Beverly Hills,and the evening game will be a split-site game held atCyma’s game and at the Marina.Finally, to demonstrate that turnabout is fair play,those who attended the June ABA/ACBL game at theABA’s Inglewood club house know that the ABA set avery high hospitality bar for us to clear. But we’re goingto try. Barrington has agreed to host the game at 1:00p.m. Saturday, August 17, following a 12:00 lunch. Thegame is also a North American Open Pairs qualifyinggame.In with the NewWe welcome three new members— MargaretKerr, James Morrow, and Paula Nataf— to our Unit. Inaddition, Vijay Bal, Brenda Kristensen, Sandy Schmitz,and Gail Stone have joined us as transfers from otherUnits. We look forward to seeing you at the table.Around the ClubsWinning the Unit Championship team game at theend of Unit Championship Week were Bruce Altshuler,Bud Bates, Becky Clough, and your Humble Scribe.Friday’s finale saw the game claimed by Joyce Lelahand Chuck Fonarow.Barrington saw Chuck Maltz and Paul Smithleave with a Club Championship, while Ted Glaesser,Michael Nash, Aram Bedros, Art Zail, Ken Gross, AlexWest LA continued on page 15

July 2013 page 13Problem Solvers’ Panel1IMPsNS vulModerator: Leo BellPanelists: Mitch Dunitz, John Jones, Adam Meyerson, Mike Shuster,Bill Wickham, and Jon WittesDUNITZ: 3♦. I believe the opponent's limit raise.I have so many HCP on this auction that partner'sovercall is likely based on a good spade suit and verylittle else. A spade lead could be disastrous for us, so Iscream for a diamond lead.JONES: 3♦. Normally, I am reluctant to bid in thisposition without tolerance for partner’s suit, but thediamond suit is too good not to be mentioned. If I’mwrong, the diamond spots will make it hard for theopponents to double us. Against that, if we catch a redsuit fit, we could make game.MEYERSON: 3♦. I play that double and 3♣ are raises.With this much shape and the opponents’ finding a fit,it pays to get into the auction, so I bid my best suit.SHUSTER: 3♦. I’m pretty safe naming my best,longest suit. 3♥ aiming at game is unnecessary, sincewe rate to be doubled in anything at the 4-level anyway.WICKHAM: Pass. I will pass, but will not sell outto 3♣, over which I bid 3♦. If the opponents bid 3NT, Iwill double to discourage a spade lead.WITTES: 2NT. This should show the two lowestunbid suits. I know I don't have a fit for spades, butwith the opponents’ showing at least a 9-card fit,West North East South1♣ 1♠ 2♠* ? * Limit raise+You South hold:♠-- ♥KT975 ♦KQT963 ♣53What call do you make?partner rates to fit one of my suits, and this hand hastoo much offensive potential not to act.Jon’s meaning for 2NT is quite useful on the actualhand, because 4♥ is the best contract. If we haven’tagreed on that convention, however, I think 3♦ is thebest action.Novice game andProblem Solver's Panel Showby candyOn Sunday, June 9 the WLA Unit will berunning a special Stratified Intermediate/NoviceChampionship game (0-99, 0-49, -19) with a panelshow by John Jones at the Beverly Hills Bridge Club.The panel show is the first “Master Solvers Live” andwill start at 12:15 with game time at 1:00.John has taken his wit and wisdom as moderatorof the ALACBU column Problem Solver’s Panel inthe Bridge News and turned it into a live show. Ayellow card event, the show and bridge cost just$10.00. Join in the fun, points, and pointers.For reservations call the Beverly HillsBridge Club (310) 657-6933. With questions orreservations call or email Candy (310) 652-6116 orcandysbridgeclub@aol.com.What do you think? Send letters to the editor to: bridgenews@acbldistrict23.org

July 2013 page 14West North East South1♦ pass 1♥4♠ pass pass ?2IMPsNS vulYou, South, hold: ♠AK ♥AK642 ♦Q87 ♣K98What call do you make?DUNITZ: 5NT. I am requesting achoice of slams and am giving upon 7. I am not willing to settle for amodest penalty in 4♠x.JONES: 6NT. I’ll bid what I thinkI can make. If I catch poorly andpartner has an ill-fitting minimum,RHO may still fall victim to someFree Lesson & 299er ReceptionOrange County RegionalHyatt Regency Irvine 888-421-1442, September 2-8•Free 90-minute bridge lesson on Monday, Sept. 2,at 1:00 p.m. Marjorie Michelin’s lesson will get yourbridge week off to a winning start.•Charity 299er Pairs 3 p.m., after Monday’s lesson.•Free post-game 299er Reception & Ask the Expert!Enjoy light refreshments and “Ask the Expert!” whowill help prepare you for the Monday evening game.•Star Speakers will present helpful bridge tips beforemost morning and afternoon sessions.•The Orange County Regional is loaded with GoldPoint events including the popular Gold Rush Pairs,in which you can win Gold Points and nobody youplay against will have more than 750 masterpoints,plus Bracketed B Knockout Teams on Sunday, 9/8.Free Bridge, Free Gold Points, Free Red PointsNon-Life Masters under age 30 Play Free at allOrange County Regional evening games!More info: teriatk@sbcglobal.net or call Teri: 661-664-1678.OrangeCountyRegional.comsort of squeeze.MEYERSON: Dbl. This is anormal card-showing double. Thevulnerability is a concern, but it'snot clear where our fit is or whetherwe can make slam, and any otheraction is unilateral. Partner can seethe colors, too, and needn't leave inthe double if he has an unbalancedhand. What if partner has a semibalancedhand, for example, 1-3-5-4? He’ll pass the double.SHUSTER: Dbl. With bad breakslooming and no clear way toproceed, I might as well take themoney. Second choice is 6NT.WICKHAM: Dbl. Showsconvertible values, and partner willpass with a balanced minimum. Ifpartner pulls, I will bid 5♠ and findout best slam.WITTES: 5♠. This should bepick a slam, showing a very goodhand with five hearts and threediamonds, probably with firstround spade control. [That seemslike a very specific hand. Howwould you ♣show 2-5-2-4 or 2-5-1-5?]

July 2013 page 15South West North East1♥ dbl?3MPsno vulYou, South, hold:♠AQ64 ♥JT3 ♦J42 ♣J75What call do you make?DUNITZ: 2♥. A simple raise. I like to play transfersin this sequence. If transfers were available, I wouldbid 2♦ to show a good single raise in hearts. I am nota fan of 1♠.JONES: 2♦. Almost all expert pairs have someartificial method to show a constructive raise. I’lluse whichever sequence shows a constructive raisein my partnership. I like to play all calls startingwith redouble as transfers, so 2♦ is my constructiveraise. Once I let partner know about the heart fit, Iam willing to double 2♠ or anything higher, countingon partner to make an intelligent decision. If I wasn’tgoing to double 2♠ and up, I would consider startingwith 1NT.MEYERSON: 2♥. Usually I play 2♦ here as a goodheart raise (about 8-11), which describes this handperfectly. Lacking that, I bid 2♥ (and have a max).Raising partner directly pays in competitive auctions.West LA continued from page 12Wiles, Marty Blain, Andy Vinock, Check Maltz, andPaul Smith all scored up 70% games. Adding to the list,Becky Clough, Jordan Chodorow, Danny Kleinman,and John Lu all hit the 70% mark at Cyma’s game.Beverly Hills Club Champions were Don Kraussand Phyllis Kantar, Mario and Phyllis Mory, Lew andRhoda Himmell, Sally Karbelnig and Danny Kleinman,and Chuck Fonaror and Sam Namer. Picking up 70%games at Beverly Hills were Joyce Lelah and ChuckFonarow, Constance Fishbach and Sally Aminoff, andSam Haveson and David Segal.SHUSTER: 2♥. A completely normal call. If partnermakes a game try, I'll suggest notrump, but it iscritical to start by raising partner’s suit.WICKHAM: 1NT. I will bid 1NT natural and nonforcing,or the equivalent in my system. If partnermoves at all, I will bid 3♥.WITTES: 2♦. With most of my partners, I play thisis a constructive three-card raise in hearts. It is closeto a limit raise, but with no distribution and most ofthe opponents’ cards lying behind partner, this seemssufficient.Most panelists favor using transfer responses to 1of a major. It solves the problem of differentiating a“courtesy raise” of partner’s suit from a solid 3-cardraise, just short of a limit raise.Climbing the LadderStepping onto the ladder as new Junior Masters areBrenda Berlund and Robert Eisenstein, while PamelaBoyer and Ian Kravitz are now Club Masters. CarolynBloom, Marilyn Flekman, and Homa Nasseri havereached Sectional Master status, and Carol Bell is nowan NABC Master.Mim Spertus has become a Silver Life Master.Congratulations to all on your accomplishments.Got news? Send it to me at Bob78164@yahoo.com.

July 2013 page 164MPsNS vulSouth West North Eastpass 1♠pass 2♠ 3♥ pass?You, South, hold:♠9752 ♥8 ♦K843 ♣AKQ7What call do you make?DUNITZ: Pass. Partner has a weak two-bid with apoor suit. I'm happy to go plus.JONES: 4♣. This is “pass or correct.” My partnerpassed in first chair and thereafter entered at thethree-level. This shows two suits, so we must beclose to making game in a minor, but I don’t want torisk going minus, since partner’s courage may havealready allowed us to find a minor suit fit that manypairs will miss.MEYERSON: 4♣. This is an interesting auction.Partner bid 3♥ at unfavorable vulnerability despitebeing unable to open or preempt in first chair. Istrongly expect a two-suiter for this sequence, inwhich case we may well make five of a minor. I hopeto hear 4♦ from partner which I shall raise.SHUSTER: Pass. Did partner's opening pass denylong hearts? What else would I possibly do? [Holmes:“This is a case of the dog’s barking during thenight.” Watson: “But the dog didn’t bark.” Holmes:“Exactly.”]WICKHAM. Pass. Should I really punish partnerfor a pre-balance when he is short in the enemy suit?WITTES: Pass. This is by far the toughest problemin this set. Partner couldn't open or preempt in heartsyet was able to bid 3♥ vul vs. not. We rate to havea minor suit fit, but with partner’s being a passedhand, bidding is fraught with peril. 4NT is possibleif partner will read it correctly. Even if he does, weare playing to make 11 tricks with only a 4-4 fit and apassed partner. Alternatively, partner could be 0-7-3-3with a bad heart suit, one unworthy for a 3♥ opener.If that's the case, 4♥ may make with no losers otherthan three trumps. If I bid anything, however, and amwrong, we could go for a number, so pass is prudent.Partner must have weak hearts but a hand goodenough to bid at the 3-level. So, envision a handpartner might have. ♠x ♥Qxxxxxx ♦AQxx ♣x? Adamraises 4♦, but the other panelists are pessimistic. Ithink cue bidding 3♠ should cause partner to bid 4♥with seven hearts or his second suit if he is 6-5.PRESIDENT continued from page 1to know each of the wine routesintimately is just as much fun astasting the wide variety of winesproduced there.Though one can certainlyplay bridge morning noon andnight, we’ve often spent morningsexploring the town. You can play around of golf on one of 27 courses,stroll through the Saturday Farmer’sMarket, hike a trail or visit one often public parks. We also got ourdaily exercise walking to and fromour motel and the playing site. Eachyear, I visit the town’s large usedbook store to find Canadian, Irishand Engish authors. One gem of abook found this year was The OtherSide of the Dale by Gervase Phinn.He chronicles his experiences asa School Inspector in NorthernEngland with great wit.The best part of playingbridge in Canada is the Canadiansthemselves. We’ve found themto be friendly and welcoming.They happily include you intheir celebrations and are greatcompetitors at the bridge table.This year was especially gratifyingbecause Roger was number oneon the masterpoint list for thetournament.

July 2013 page 175IMPsNS vulWest North East South1♦ pass 1♥pass 2♦ pass 2♥pass 3♣ pass ?You, South, hold: ♠98642 ♥AKJ643 ♦9 ♣4What call do you make?DUNITZ: 3♦. We have an awful misfit. I'm happy togo plus.JONES: 3♦. We’ll be over the first hurdle if everyonepasses. We’ll be over the second hurdle if the openingleader doesn’t lead a trump. We’ll cross the finish lineif partner can somehow get to my ♥AK.MEYERSON: 3♦. I expect partner to have 6-4 ormore extreme shape with very good diamonds andshort hearts. 3♥ could be better.SHUSTER: 3NT. Partner has a good 6-4...likely2-1-6-4. I’m greeding it out for the game bonus. Icould possibly be down a lot, even undoubled. [Yourprediction will come true!][Partner cannot have a good 6-4 and bid 2♦. He’slimited to a so-so 15. With the top of that range, mostbid 2♣ - John Jones, PSP editor.]WICKHAM: 3♦. The tough problem comes laterwhen I have to decide what to do if the opponents bid3♠. Partner shows a good 6-4 in context. I would bid3♦ if I trust this to be true.WITTES: 3♦. Without a fit and with my valuesopposite shortness, extreme caution seems in order.I thought more panelists would view this handoptimistically, but the conservatives won out. Somepairs play a gadget where 2♥ over one of a minorshows an invitational hand with at least five hearts andfour spades. That would have been very succesful onthis hand, because partner held ♠KQT ♥-- ♦KQJxxx♣QTxx.Junior MasterEdward AstrinJane BarnaElva DeDeurwaerderRay FisherBarbara FullerMelody HarperJohn JohnsonGeorge KoehmGloria Lee RayColleen MulvanyPaula NatafBruce ThompsonKaitlin ThompsonDistrict 23 Rank Changes May, 2013Club MasterSusan ChapmanDalia HernandezLisa KarakoNancy KarnesH David LawMarlene LouterCarol ReukaufWendy WandermanSectional MasterPatricia BergJoann JubasNancy KossRoman SydorakWilliam Warren, JrMadge WeinsteinRegional MasterBarbara AstrinClaudia CochranLinda KrauseTerry MortonBridget O'SullivanMichael PikenRichard SchaefferPatricia SerioDavid SternDustin StoutKathleen TejedaNABC MasterMeredith MuradSherry NewmanBronze Life MasterJoel SandbergSilver Life MasterSally KarbelnigGold Life MasterDean Kaloudis