JUNE 2017 ACBL UNIT 505 SACRAMENTO

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1 Ted Muller photos White Cascade of the Tuolumne River Katherine Ewing President Ed Estberg Vice President Jim Coke Secretary Joyce Sweeney Treasurer Jim Chenu Co-Treasurer Dave Willmott Tournament Chair Sam Sandusky Education, co-tournament Ch Pat Ingoglia Membership/Parliamentarian Miriam Steinberg Publicity/Partnerships Marie Leonardini Hospitality Table of Contents Page 2-3 Page 4-7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 President s Message Sectional Game photos June Unit Game Calif. Capital Regional 199 r Table News You Can Use Page Folsom BC Page Foothill BC Page 17 Page 18 Sun City Lincoln Hills Bridge Works Club Page Sacramento Bridge Club Page Gary & Jan Soules Pages Travels with Teri & Mary District 21 Reps Katherine Ewing, Pres turtle7nt@att.net Sally Wheeler-Valine Board Member sallywvaline@aol.com JUNE 2017 ACBL UNIT 505 SACRAMENTO Highlights In This Issue CA Capital Regional May 29-June 4 Folsom Bridge Club Grand Opening June 5 Unit Game Folsom June 25 Newsletter Created by MoraBeyondMarketing.com Gold Express Dr. # Gold River, CA emorab@comcast.net Phone:

2 Hello Unit 505 Members, Katherine Ewing, President Unit 505 Board of Directors You will be receiving The Kibitzer during the Regional in Sacramento. Hope you find time to read it before you take off to play at the Regional. It s at the same place, Doubletree, so will look forward to seeing you there. SECTIONAL THANK YOUs and FEEDBACK REQUEST Our 2 day Sectional turned out to be wonderful. Please note all future Sectionals will be three days. Thank you all who attended, you helped fill the playing area. Our Chair, Dave Willmott and Co-Chair, Sam Sandusky did a grand job working with the facility folks, planning the events and getting volunteers to help set up and take down the tables and chairs. Thank you all who helped, many hands made lighter work for all. On Sunday we had so many helpers that we finished and were out of the facility over an hour earlier than the last Sectional. Again thank you. In thanking folks, we can t leave out Sally Wheeler-Valine and her helpers for serving food, keeping coffee in the pots, hot/cold water handy and goodies available. Also thank you to all who helped and those who brought in goodies for us to eat. YUM YUM YUM! We can t leave out our Partnership Chair, Miriam Steinberg. Many volunteer jobs are thankless and she worked so hard to pair folks up of equal points, which is not an easy job. We thank you Miriam for your diligence and keeping a smile on your face. 2

3 All the Board members attended, helped where needed to keep things running smoothly and clean. Thank you Board members and Unit members for helping. FEEDBACK REQUEST: There have been inquiries about changing the starting times for our Sectionals to 10:00 am. If not for Friday / Saturday at least on Sunday. Please let the Board members know if this is something you would be happy with. We would like a straw vote to know if this is a viable or not. BOARD ELECTIONS See Pat Ingoglia Election of Board members will be coming soon. Some have fulfilled their two term limit while others are not able to run again. Please think about running for the Unit Board. Pat Ingoglia is in charge of our elections, you may talk with her or any Board member about running. New people on the board will bring new ideas which are always appreciated. JUNE UNIT GAME NEW FOLSOM BRIDGE CLUB Sunday, June 25th I m looking forward to seeing everyone at the new Folsom Bridge Club for our June Unit Game. Congratulations to Folsom for this accomplishment, I m sure we will all appreciate it. Stay cool in the warm weather and remember bridge clubs are air conditioned. Be sure and stay hydrated as well. See you at the bridge table, Katherine 3

4 Garth Gregory, Jan Soules, Judy Pede taking a break. (Above) Ray Holmes, caddie (Below) Matt Doucette, Caddie and Pam Hughes, Director Diane Barton-Paine, Director 4

5 Scott Ewing, Nancy Cook and Katherine Ewing enjoying the day! Anita Bill and Jean Tull are ready to play! Terry Miladinovich getting a refill on Coffee lots of choices! Barbara Wheeler, Sam Sandusky and Zelna Morrow relax between rounds. Yes, caddy Matt Doucette is Sam s grandson. Dave Willmott is seriously considering his next move! 5

6 Sally Wheeler-Valine, in spite of an injured knee and ankle, provided the Hospitality and meals for the Tournament. Margaret stepped up to ensure the food was ready at every break or meal. Thank you Sally and Margaret! Bill Martin waves a welcome all players are welcome! Join us for great bridge at the 3 day Fall Sectional September 8 10,

7 JOY O DELL S CLASS CELEBRATES THEIR FIRST SECTIONAL Here is a photo taken after the Sectional May 6th. These ladies played in the 0 to 20, flight F group. Along with these five there were also, Sandy Lawson, Geri Douglas, and Page O'Conner who played. They were having a post tournament celebration. Unfortunately all 8 of them could not go for dinner. These ladies are having a great time finally playing duplicate bridge and loving every minute of it. Sandy Lawson and Betty O'Hara were 3rd overall in Section F. Becky Tindell and Mary Hogarty were 2nd in session for E/W in Section F. Sandy just received her notice of Junior Master - 5 pts. Way to go ladies! Here s to many more great times at the bridge table! In the picture from left to right is: Linda Murray, Leslie Caldwell, Becky Tindell, Betty O'Hara (standing up) and Mary Hogarty. 7

8 Unit Game SUNDAY, June 25, 2017 FOLSOM Bridge Club Cost $10 Pot luck 11:30 am Game at Noon Games include: Stratified Pairs A/1500+, B/ , C/750-0 / or by attendance Separate NLM Game (under 300 pts) with 3 or more tables NEW LOCATION at California Family Fitness Center 8680 Greenback Lane Orangevale, CA Director: Charles Smith See website for details at: www. playbridgesacramento.org For Partnerships call: Miriam Steinberg mirsteinbergsac@gmail.com or Contact Folsom Bridge Center at

9 2017 CALIFORNIA CAPITAL REGIONAL BRIDGE TOURNAMENT MAY 29 JUNE 4 This is your annual chance for more points right here in Sacramento! From Monday Sunday at the Double Tree (Hilton Hotel) 2001 Point West Way (click here for directions) Click here for more information, games and game schedules Join us for upbeat bridge in a low-key atmosphere!

10 Your place for events, lessons and recognition of achievements! Welcome! 199 rs are IMPORTANT to our Unit! Each club has daily open and stratified games. 199 r games are: Folsom Bridge Center Tuesday, 10:10 am Wednesday, 9:00 am Thursday, 11:00 am Fridays, 9:00 am Foothill Bridge Center Wednesday Non-Life Masters (0-500) 10:00 am Thursday Non-Life Masters (0-500) 10 am Sacramento Bridge Center Tuesday, 11:00 am Go to: www. playbridgesacramento for more information. Club Championship and Unit Games award more points! Invite a friend! A lively, vibrant community is continually growing its membership. What can you do? Try some of these suggestions: Talk up duplicate bridge and your club to your friends Publicize the Unit website: and be sure your group s information there is current Are you on Facebook? Why not post something about an event on your page. Include a picture to be more effective. Volunteer to speak at a club or other group about your fun experience playing duplicate bridge. Give your ACBL magazine to the Library or Dr. office. Cover your address label with your club s contact info Phone past guests invite! Put flyers at local businesses see flyer pages in The KIBIZER Newsletter Create a club business card (website/club location) to give anyone interested Treat guests like royalty provide distinctive name badges. Have informational pieces at your club, such as a brochure from ACBL or contact editor Beth Mora to create one, and flyers for upcoming events. Have a copy of The KIBITZER available at your club Help new people complete membership forms on-line at the club. Forward to a Friend the Kibitzer Newsletter . Have Fun! It s contagious! 10 RACE FOR THE POINTS! Mini-McKinney top 3 in each category: 0-5 Benjamin Tong 5.34 Page O Connor 4.17 Betty O Hara Kevin Smith Mike Edelstein Lou Wiles Jack Reichel Julie Chenu Kenneth Reiss Gary McCormick Josh Haskett Robert Berg Joel Lesser Claes Harde James Chenu 30.91

11 CONGRATULATIONS! NEW RUBY LIFE MASTER Robert Koedel NEW SECTIONAL MASTER Doreen Thornhill NEW CLUB MASTER Mary Quinn NEW JUNIOR MASTER Joan S Lawson Ted Muller and Phil Schiffert 72.53% Game On Monday, May 15th. They were 1st overall in the 12 Table Open game at the Sacramento Bridge Center. Gerre Buehler & Jesse James 73.40% Game May 19th Ted Muller and John Blubaugh 72.64% Game Earlier in the month during STAC week, Ted playing with John Blubaugh, had a 72.64% game winning the whole Western Conference in the Tues. May 9th am STAC session. They earned silver points for being 1st of 347 pairs. Ronnie McMurdie and Dick Jones were 2nd out of the 347 pairs in the Western Conference STAC game on May 9th s am session with a 69.74% game. Dave Vidaver and Denis Racine On May 28th they had a 70.54% game playing in the 5 table Sunday Afternoon Charity Game at SBC! Congratulations! 11

12 8680 Greenback Ln., Suite 107 In the California Family Fitness Center Phone: Website: bridgewebs.com/folsombridge Note: We Are Moving to Orangevale Grand Opening Day June 5th There is ample parking both in the front and the rear of the new building. * * * We are planning to begin a Coaching Sunday once a month for Non-Life Master partnerships, beginning July 9th. It will be similar to the Mentor/Mentee game, but the coach will not be playing, just advising the partnership or the table. Folsom Bridge Center is a Non-Profit, Mutual Benefit Corporation. It was incorporated in No One Owns the Club; It has an unpaid board of directors. Cabinets Being Installed May 8th Special Dates for June May 29th June 4th Regional at Doubletree June 5th Monday Grand Opening June 5th to June 8th Unit Games All Week June 6th Taco Tuesday June 8th Thursday Swiss Teams June 11th Sunday Mentor/Mentee June 13th Tuesday Adv. Beg. Lessons June 14th Wednesday New Beg. + Adv.Beg. Lessons June 15th $5 Thursday June 22nd $5 Thursday June 24th Saturday Hot Dogs and Chili June 26th Monday Club Championship June 29th Pot Luck Swiss Lessons Beginner Lessons Start Again Wednesday, June 14th at 2:30 Bidding in the 21st Century Advancing Beginner Lessons Continue Starting Tuesday June 13th at 2:30: Play of the Hand Wednesday, June 14th at 2:30: Commonly Used Conventions in the 21st Century $79 for 9 Lessons or Drop Ins Welcome, $10 Instructors Susan Haynie & Cynthia Fredrickson, Books available $15.00 Note: The New NLM Game follows the Wednesday lessons at 5:30 (includes a light dinner) Ongoing Lessons Tuesdays at 10:15 Free Open Forum by Al Beckner Fridays from 9 to 10:30 Intermediate Lesson By Al Beckner $5 Game Times Monday thru Friday: 11 am Saturday and Sunday: 12 Noon Wednesday afternoon NLM: 5:30 pm Call the Center for partnerships

13 WELCOME TO THE NEW FOLSOM BRIDGE CLUB Susan Haynie welcomes you to the really big! new space Beth needed a panoramic camera as it took 2 pictures to capture the main room! First cup of coffee in the new digs enjoying the first but certainly not the last cups are (L-R): Debbie Bolduc, Lori Choplin, Phil Schiffert, Claes Harde, Karen Nelson and Jim Loftus 13

14 Congratulations, Dave Willmott and Susan Haynie for a great job with help from supportive spouses Jim and Evelyn! Thank you! Large food serving area all set for pot lucks! Classroom has 3 tables ready! Alcove beside the main room with more space for annual plaques! Kitchen is already in use! Custom ordered clocks! Thanks, Susan!

15 CONGRATULATIONS! JUNE EVENTS June 15, Thursday, NLM Club Champion ship at 10 am June 25, Sunday, Swiss team game, Club Championship, 1 pm May Swiss Team winners: Cynthia Turner, Sqeak Connor, Sheldon & Piper Fein April Foothiller-of-the- Month is Jim Coke. May bingo winners: Vinnie Papa, Connie & Juri Randmaa Shirley Nielsen, an NLM player, recently passed. Our condolences to her family. 15

16 Paul Vevera & Ken Chengrian 70.83% Game STaC week was a real success. Many players earned silver points. In Wednesday evening s game Paul Vevera and Ken Chengrian, with a 70.83% game, tied for first place. 138 tables were in play. They earned Silver Points for their efforts. The Foothill Bridge Center Barry Wold, Manager Foothill Bridge Center, Durock Rd, Shingle Springs CA foothillbridge Partnership Barry Wold Sandy Wold Boohoo. Connie and Juri Randmaa are exiting California. They re relocating to the Lone Star state, Austin to be precise. The Randmaa s threw a pizza party for the Thursday NLM group as a Thank You for several years of enjoyable bridge. 13 tables enjoyed their hospitality. 16

17 by Dick Proffitt The California Capitol Regional Tournament is now in progress at the DoubleTree Hotel through Sun., June 4, If you are interested in competing in tournament play, you and your partner should be there pronto. You won t have another chance for tournament play in June and July without a long drive. The next district regional, the All-Western Championships in Santa Clara, won t begin until Aug. 29, As always, additional tournament details may be found in the ACBL website: ( If you want to play more bridge than the trice weekly games at SCLH, don t forget the BridgeWorks Tuesday game, conveniently held at The Granite Springs Church at 1170 E. Joiner Pkwy, just across the street from SCLH. Registration for the day s game begins at 11:00 am and play starts at 11:30 am. Also, you can purchase a hot dog and bag of chips for just one buck what a bargain! The SCLH duplicate bridge club is an invitational club with games open to SCLH residents and their invited guests. Our open games are played in the Kilaga Springs Lodge on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm (also includes a 199er section), Fridays at 5:00 pm, and Saturdays at 12:30 pm (also includes a 299er section). Table fees are $2.00 per person for members and nonmember residents (3 games). The fee for a non-resident invited guest is $5.00. If you need a bridge partner for any of the open games, call Barbara Dorf ( ), Squeak Conner ( ) or Lynne White ( ). For a partner in the Wednesday or Saturday limited games, call Sheila Ross ( ) or Lynne White ( ). For more information, visit the club website at: or call club president Jim Collart ( ). 17

18 Bridge Works ACBL Unit 505 GAME LOCATION Granite Springs Church Main Conference Room 1170 E. Joiner Pkwy Lincoln, CA TUESDAY GAME Sign in 11:00 Game 11:30 QUESTIONS? Contact Manager/ Director Joe Blackford at: CLICK HERE for Game Results PARTNERSHIP DESK: Contact Joe Blackford at: bridgeworks May 16th Pot Luck Game Winners Section A: 1st A-----N/S-----Ann McClelland / David Russell % 1st A-----E/W------Dave Whitman / Rich Fabbre % Section B: 1st B-----N/S-----Tina Amerio / Linda Marsh % 1st B-----E/W-----James Kraus / James Giroud % Combined Team Score: 1. Bob Rouse/Joan Rouse : James Kraus/James Giroud 60.63% 2. Bob Elliott/Joanne Mitchell : Dave Whitman/Rich Fabbre 58.51% 3. Ann McCelland/Dave Russell : Jim Collart/Steve Anderson 56.20% 4. Marvin Arnold/Debbie Bolduc : Lydia King/Nancy Rice 54.35% 5. Bill Carli/Rich Simmons : Tina Amerio/Linda Marsh 52.90% Bridge Works Hat Drawings: 1. Rick Shipley 2. Tom Rosen 3. Susan Bogan Bottle of Wine Drawings: 1. Sandra Burkett 2. Sheila Ross 3. Sharon Neff 4. Bill Carli 5. Biii Huber 6. Kay Kerenyi Prizes will be available at any Bridge Works game Bridge Works Home of the $1 hot dog on Tuesdays. 18

19 Ted Muller John Hughes SUNDAY - 12 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs Ted Muller, Director ted@winfirst.com MONDAY - 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs & Invitational Pairs John Hughes, Director Ojoy24u@aol.com TUESDAY - 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs & 199'er Pairs Albert Chow, Director albertchow@sbcglobal.net WEDNESDAY - 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs & Invitational Pairs Albert Chow, Director albertchow@sbcglobal.net WEDNESDAY - 6:30 pm Stratified Open Pairs David Vidaver, Director dvidaver@hotmail.com THURSDAY - 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs Ali Topcu, Director havut@yahoo.com THURSDAY - 6:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs Charles Smith, Director smithec@pacbell.net FRIDAY - 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs & Invitational Pairs Albert Chow, Director David Vidaver Ali Topcu Albert Chow SATURDAY - 12 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs Ali Topcu, Director Charles Smith 2035 Hurley Way, Suite

20 On Monday, May 15th, the Sacramento Bridge Club celebrated Logue Malouf s birthday (2 days early). The beautiful cake was provided by Karen Key. Karen and Logue commute together from Elk Grove, so Karen had to have Joy O Dell pick up the cake so that it could be a surprise for Logue. Logue had a 64.92% game that day playing with Betty Travis in the Invitational game. 6 loaves of bread prepared by Barney for one of Albert's amazing lunches. The Sacramento Bridge Club celebrated Myrna Rudman becoming a Life Master this past month. Myrna played with Joel Lesser in the sectional in Carmichael, and on Sat., May 6th, in the morning session of the 499ers they came in 1st of 26 pairs with a 63.62% game and won 2.64 silver. Myrna had needed 1.76 silver. 20

21 Don t miss out on these SPECIAL GAMES at Sacramento Bridge Club Tuesday, June 6 11 am Membership* Friday, June 9 11 am Membership* Saturday, June 10 Noon Club Championship Wednesday, June 14 6:30 pm Membership* Thursday, June am Membership* Sunday, June 18 Noon Club Championship Wednesday, June am Membership* Sunday, June 25 Club closed Unit Game at Folsom Monday, June am Membership* *Membership Games are 81.8% of Sectional Rating Black Desi Soto becomes Bronze Life Master During May Desiree Desi Soto became a Bronze Life Master while playing at the Sacramento Bridge Club with Ted Easley. The Thursday night Arden Manor Bridge Club celebrated with Desi s favorite lemon cake from Ettore s Bakery, provided by Elizabeth Sachs. Elizabeth is one of Desi s frequent bridge partners. Desi has more opportunity to play bridge now since retiring March 1st from First 5 California. 21

22 This class will include: leads, signaling, counting and 2 nd and 3 rd hand play. Some defensive tidbits: *the best lead? Partner s Suit! Keep them happy (or you can at least complain about their poor bidding) *The opponents have bid three suits and have avoided no trump, lead the fourth suit! *Leading away from a King can prove valuable against a suit contract but be prepared to be embarrassed on occasion. *Listen to the bidding, the clues are there! New Class DEFENSE with Sam Sandusky Starting Friday, July 7 for 8 weeks 9am to 10:30am Sacramento Bridge Center 2035 Hurley way Sacramento Cost $50 and does not require a book although Kantar s Modern Bridge Defense is recommended. Contact Sam Sandusky at samelayne@gmail.com or

23 Joy O Dell is starting a NEW CLASS Saturday, June 10 RSVP Contact Joy O'Dell for more information SBC Bridge Center 2035 Hurley Way, Suite 270 Play Some Pre-Made Hands Saturdays at 11 a.m. The hands deal with lessons from these series: Bidding in the 21st Century Play of the Hand More Conventions The cost is $5.00 per session Anyone is invited to attend

24 Joy O Dell s Final class session of Play of the Hand Arden Manor Thursday Night 6:30 pm Sacramento Bridge Center Charles Smith, Director On Saturday, May 27th, 5 tables of players packed into the lecture room at SBC for the final class on Play of the Hand taught by Joy O Dell, standing right. SACRAMENTO BRIDGE CENTER The Saturday and Sunday afternoon games currently pay 3-4 times as many Masterpoints per table as the other weekly sessions. That is possible because the directors contribute $4 per table to an ACBL-designated charity. Let's reward this enterprise by supporting those games! 24

25 Gary Soules Advises Disciplined Weak 2 or 3 Pre-empts On Sat. May 13, 2017, Gary Soules spoke about pre-empts to Joy O Dell s class on Conventions at the Sacramento Bridge Club. In 1 st or 2 nd seat, Gary advocates that you should make disciplined pre-empts so that you don t pre-empt your partner if he has a strong hand that might want to play in game, or even in slam. You can do whatever you want in 3 rd seat since your partner has already passed. A disciplined weak 2 has: ` A 6-card suit. (Never 7 cards! If you have a 7-card suit, open 3, but follow these guidelines.) At least 2 of the top 3 honors. No voids. If vulnerable, an Ace or a King outside your suit unless you have a solid suit. This is optional non-vulnerable. You may not have 2 Aces or 3 Kings. These would constitute an opening bid. 25

26 A 2NT bid by the responder asks for a feature. If the pre-empter bids 3NT, it shows a solid suit. Suppose your partner opens 2S non-vulnerable in 1 st seat and you hold: Kxxx Axx Axx Axx You know that partner has 6 spades headed by the A and Q, so between you will take 6 spades and the 3 Aces in the side suits. That is 9 tricks. So, bid 3NT! If vulnerable, then you know that the Opener had a side K, so you will take 10 tricks. Here s another hand. Suppose partner opens 2S non-vulnerable in 1 st seat and you have: Kxxx AKx Qxx AJ10 You wonder if the Opener has the K of D. You know that the Opener has the A, Q of Spades, so he doesn t have the A of D. (He can t have 2 Aces!) You bid 2NT to ask because you are interested in game. If the Opener has the K of D, then you will at least get 6 spades, 2 hearts, 1 diamond and 1 club trick. So, you should bid 3NT. If the Opener doesn t have the K of D, then you should bid 3 S. As Responder, don t bid 2NT unless you have about 15 High Card Points and are interested in game. Barbara Wheeler 26

27 This quilt Jan Soules calls Sunrise, Sunset. There are Flying Geese all around the edge. In the center is a Mariner s Compass with Flying Geese around the circumference. These quilts add a lovely touch of color to the beautiful new bridge center. The Sacramento Bridge Center now has 2 of Jan Soules quilts on display. Jan calls this quilt Spring Fever. A few years ago Jan was driving up the highway to Oroville in the spring time and she saw many trees in bloom with pink and yellow blossoms. There were also white fences which you can see in the quilt. This quilt has an improvised pattern, an original created by Jan. 27

28 The United States Bridge Championships for the Open and Women's teams were held in Schaumburg, Illinois in early May. Team OSMO had entered teams into both the Open and Women's Championships. Unfortunately, Mary and Teri had to pull out of the Open Championships but our teammates (and fellow OSMO'ites) Paul and Brenda Pugsley were able to find two other teammates and they played in the Open. And, by the time the Women's Championships rolled around, Teri was able to join Brenda (and a couple of late recruits) and play in that event. Playing in the United States Bridge Championships is unlike playing bridge at your local club or even at any nearby tournament. The closest most players might get to playing at this level is to enter the Vanderbilt or Springold at National tournaments. Here, you are playing the best of the best (imagine playing tennis against Venus Williams, golf with Tiger Woods, shooting hoops with LeBron James, etc.). And you are playing on their turf and by their rules. Screens are common, you must explicitly disclose your requirements with "System Summary Forms", etc. Paul and Brenda (see a picture below of them playing behind screens; each table was in a separate hotel room with its own bathroom, etc.) advanced out of the initial round robin stage of the Open event into the first days of the USA2 trials. Although we really don't expect to win these events, we are happy when we play competitively and they finished the Round Robin in twelfth place (of thirteen teams). Happy to have competed and competed well (or at least not embarrassed themselves). Jan Martel is the USBF manager of the team trials and they are run extremely well. There is a hospitality room that is always open, Bulletins are published every day, there is a break room for resting between rounds, etc. A wonderful experience all around. Paul and Brenda 28

29 After the Open Championships, Brenda paired with and they partnered up with Toni Bales and Kimberly Music (from the Midwest) for OSMO's return to the Women's Championships. Here, we had Paul as our very capable non-playing captain. Again, after a few initial jittery boards, our team played well. We finished seventh (out of seven teams) but by less than one victory point. Again, we were competitive and competed well (and won some masterpoints at this level). Some pictures from this event are shown here. These include our team (Brenda, Teri, Toni, Kimberly, and Paul), one of the rooms in which we played. The Baker team comparing scores. 29

30 Captainly guidance sessions with some of the players. Teri Smoot and Paul Pugsley discuss their next strategy. A picture of a couple of our directors. The directors also did a masterful job. As Mary and I said when we competed in this event last year, all serious bridge players should take advantage of these opportunities. You meet some wonderful people and get a real taste of what it is like to play bridge at the top level. And you learn lots! On to the Open team trials in Orlando in the spring of next year (no women's next year but you can compete in global events in Orlando). Teri Smoot 30