I believe Al “The Plumber” Stauber is just joking around — see the comments about being drunk, etc.

I would not believe a word Al Stauber writes.

He is fool under the misapprehension that what he writes is funny.

I too, found the article incomprehensible. I think the Emperor has no clothes.

BTW, is Bobby aware that Allan Colin is no longer with us? Another one rides the bus…

JRG and Rick,

Thanks for the clarification. Like most bridge players, it is a salvation at times to have a good sense of humor .. but the “Plumber’s” reference was carrying it a bit too far. Pure sacrilege IMHO!

and ANW . . I loved your description re the cladding of the Emperor. As to Allan, we were sad to read of his passing. Thanks for your input.

This is what I think happened:
In a Swiss team one board had two CAs and a different board had none. Presumably all hands had 13 cards. The boards had the same colored decks. Stauber thought this was funny and wrote it up.

Hi ANW,

Yes, I did hear of the death of Allan Cokin.

He was one of a kind, at least in my life, one, after he was caught cheating, tried (and to me succeeded, if there is such a thing) to redeem himself by serving as an unpaid big help in many things bridge, including helping American juniors with their bridge games and volunteering much time and his own money in his effort.

Also, he was instrumental in forcing his sociopath partner, Steve Sion, to officially confess (along with his own) and have that confession recorded, so that bridge could never again be victimized by him.

A very sad thing indeed, but one which ended similar to the crime mysteries of CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds, often seen on TV, with the bad guys (and girls) getting their due.

That sad chapter in bridge history has apparently lessened, but until every bridge partnership which has proven to cheat, or still does, has been brought to justice, we should not rest.

I thot Stauber’s post was funny, if barely comprehensible, because he has a history of humorous posts. Check his archives; I am a follower. Tomorrow I’ll be 82 so I try to get a lot of laughs; in fact I find tons of things funny.

Hi Jody:

I am not a disciple of Mr. Stauber’s postings and since I do not know him, would have no reason to suspect his usual rantings are in jest. I am unfamiliar with the incident provoking the article and the factual basis for the remarks. However, I am led to believe that the site on which it appeared has ten thousand subscribers and the caption drew a great deal of universal attention. If one did not suspect that it was an attempt at humor, it would appear that the two individuals named were guilty of some irreparable behavior and were facing termination by the ACBL. To some that may be amusing, but I see nothing funny about character assassination .. or whatever was intended.

Hi Judy and Jody,

I do not know Mr. Stauber but I think that the subject line of his posting was totally offensive. From what he wrote later in his blog, he meant it to be humorous. I believe he has an exaggerated view of his own sense of humor, although some of the commenters enjoyed it.

Hi Paul:

Perhaps I am just getting old and crotchety, but my reaction to the caption (intended to be funny) was a shocker. I do not know John Kranyak well but he appears to be a young up and coming superstar and has always conducted himself in good taste. Richie Coren’s dad was an usher at my wedding in 1963 and comes from a very respectable family so I found it unfathomable that he could do anything so heinous that would warrant censure.

I guess one must ‘consider’ the source. Next time I will be prepared.