March 27th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
6 Comments 
The Glitter Gulch Las Vegas Sectional is being held from the 26th to the 30th of March at the glamorous Bally’s (connected by a fascinating hallway to the famed Paris Hotel) with tons of shops and restaurants – not that Bally’s would not have sufficed in itself. The rooms are enormous with all the amenities (and a spot for my computer)! The games began on Monday at 9:00 a.m. 1:15 p.m. and will continue to 7:00 (last ditch), ending Friday at 10 a.m. with Stratfied Swiss Teams and FastPairs. They are a mixture of Pairs, Knockouts and Swiss events (bracketed and knockout). Something for everyone!
The gambling tables are plentiful and they feature Bobby’s and my favorite .. Blackjack Switch. For those who enjoy venturing the twenty-one variety love BJ Switch as it is hard to find in Vegas. Most of the casinos do not feature them. Everyone loves winning and moving forward in the tournament but being relegated to relaxing dinners and BJS could be worse. Today we start another knockout and hopefully this time we will will win more master points than money – but that ain’t bad either.
March 26th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
13 Comments
For those who have been following the Meckwell story on Bridge Winners (a site I always have a problem logging in) about the opponents not having written defenses on a routine convention, I find it nauseating to see so many blind a#!%-kissers and the backing up of the intimidation of opponents which went on all too often in bygone days. Fortunately, that practice has lessened in the last numbers of years, since back then it caused lesser experienced players to lose their concentration and become even easier prey to their famous opponents.
However, in this recent case, occurring during the Vanderbilt, where the heavily favored team was losing (and BTW went on to lose by 70+ IMPs), it was again attempted and while the offense was not what could be considered grounds for severe discipline, the aforementioned blind supporters came out of the woodwork to back up their well-known heroes. Finally. when two unimpeachable live kibitzers related and confirmed that the famous partnership, after causing an unwarranted commotion demanding written defenses to which the TD jumped tall buildings to get them, the ACBL defenses (which their opponents were supposed to provide) then instead pulled out their own defenses they had been using for years and went on from there.
To those fantasy hero followers, “There are none so blind as those who refuse to see” and without their unjust support may someday convince the intimidators that perhaps what they are doing is a long way from they should be representing because of their stature — “ACTIVE ETHICS”, not the opposite.
March 21st, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
3 Comments
who have done an amazing job with their site as far as easy readable information – but far more impressive is the lightning fast publication of the Vanderbilt current scores from Memphis. They are clear, easy to decipher and contain all the team players’ names as well as team scores. If I am not mistaken this is the undertaking of Gavin Wolpert and Jason Feldman at the helm. You have my admiration and appreciation! It is quite a conscientious undertaking and appreciated by all interested parties.
March 17th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
17 Comments
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the above is a “frequent subject of complaint” When it comes to bridge quirks, my ‘issue repertoire’ is plentiful. First and foremost are cheats. Who can argue with that? I don’t think there is a close second. Next come gloaters and high-fivers. Behind them in my book are huddlers who take their fair time but pass – while getting the message across to their partners in a non-forcing auction that there is safety in balancing. And how about those who either fail to alert or offer extraneous information to help their partner? I resent brazen young players without the years of experience who act like know-it alls and it irks me out of my mind when those who profess to be mavens, offer strong analytic expert opinions when half the time they are way off base. I know it is a free country (or used to be), but it better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt.
March 17th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
4 Comments
I am honored and elated that the above event is going on at the Nationals as I write. According to the Bridge Encyclopedia ..
Kay was arguably the greatest bridge player who never became a world champion. He was known for both the remarkable accuracy of his card play and for his even temperament at the table. Away from the table, he was widely respected as an exceptionally kind and humble gentleman.
He and Edgar Kaplan were partners for the better part of forty years and it is fitting that they both have been honored (with the above for Norman and the Blue Ribbon Pairs for Edgar).
March 15th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
4 Comments
Early every spring the Rosens (Eunice and Billy) — old friends of Bobby and relatively new ones of mine pay a visit to see all their buddies who have settled in Las Vegas and we usually get to spend an evening or two with them. Last night was the designated date but we all went in different directions before our dinner date at The Suncoast Cafe Sienna. Billy and I played at our favorite table (Superfun double deck BJ); Eunice dabbled at video poker and Bobby headed for the Sports Book to watch the endings of several basketball games. Then at the appointed time the four of us met for a fun-packed dinner.
I don’t know many of the Chicagoans from the old days but I always enjoy listening to new and different stories from the fifties and sixties of names who were legends but I did not know personally. Last night was a bittersweet adventure — with Bobby checking about his old bridge friends from the early days. “How is Milt Ellenby?” asked Bobby. “Oh,” replied Billy, he died last year.” Oh, I’m sorry to hear that — and what’s become of Gerry Caravelli? Billy replied he had just passed on almost two weeks ago — but added an interesting apropos tidbit. Speaking of friends who are no longer with us, he mentioned every few years he would telephone his old buddy Burt Norton but had to find his number on the Internet and had been successful several times. However, the last time he made the effort, he found no telephone number — just an obit — which goes to prove nobody lives forever.
I must admit Billy, whom Bobby remembers when he won a world championship at the tender age of 24 (they became friendly at the time Billy was serving his stint in the Army at Fort Sam Houston located in San Antonio) and used Bobby’s parents’ home as his main base, and they got to see a lot of each other. Eventually Billy and Eunice married, raised a lovely family and Billy gave up bridge and ran a very successful business for many decades. Bobby, who has been friends with Billy for at least sixty years, is amazed Billy still looks so great (per Eunice’s good care), is so resilient and has retained his marvelous sense of humor witnessed last evening.
Looking forward to next year.
March 5th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
23 Comments
I have been pent up here at Wounded Knee after a much needed leg scope which has put me out of commission for a few weeks. Seems like time to get back into action after purveying all the comments on Google, Bridge Winners, et al. It’s bad enough that fairly often people sit on and chair committees and panels without qualifications or experience, but the latest is an enormously wide open forum — one of which subjects is eliminating the most prestigious event in all of U.S. Bridge – the Reisinger Board A Match Teams which originated back in 1929 (formerly called "The Chicago.").
Quite a few of the combatants are relative newcomers and wet behind the ears who know little about the background and tradition of the game although many pros are fighting tooth and nail for the change as well. The early superstars of the forties, fifties and sixties at that time (and even the old timers of today) still consider it the toughest event — three two-session per day skirmishes which are held in the Fall and usually culminate the tournament. It is no doubt the most difficult event to capture and requires the very best of the best. Qualities mandatory are patience, exacting accuracy, technical skills and mental toughness at its extreme.
All sorts of suggestions have been made — including doing away with the specific event – mostly pressed for by the professionals. These events lead to playoffs to represent Zone 2 and NOTHING LESS THAN THE THREE BEST PARTNERSHIPS ARE WHAT WE OWE OUR COUNTRY AND OUR GAME. Sadly, the elegant majesty of Bridge for Ladies and Gentlemen has fallen into Second place with personal aggrandizement and money capturing First!
February 20th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
10 Comments
I received the following comment from an interested reader regarding the passing of Tobias Stone:
NS February 19th, 2012 at 12:08 am
Was Tobias Stone the last living member of the exclusive “First 100 Life Masters” club?
I couldn’t find info for only seven people (all seven earned the rank in 1947):
#63 Louis Newman
#66 Miss Florence Stratford
#67 Jules Bank
#68 William McGhee
#73 Dr. A. Steinberg
#86 Mark Hodges
#97 Linda Terry (Mrs. W. L.)
It was followed up with a verification that Jules Bank was deceased. If you know of the whereabouts of any of the others above (Louis Newman, Florence Stratford, William McGhee, Dr. A Steinberg, Mark Hodges or Linda Terry), it would take some of the mystery out of the air.
I found the following on the internet and was amazed how many of the first 100 I knew personally or by sight (and even had the thrill of playing with six of them on occasion an eternity ago).
The rank of Life Master was once the highest rank any bridge player could achieve. The designation was created by the American Bridge League in 1936 and the selection of the first Life Masters was based on national tournament successes. Below is a list of the very first 100 bridge players, on whom the rank of Life Master was bestowed.
As early as 1934, each of the three competing Bridge Organizations in the United States had a system of Master Point Awards in effect. Points won in one organization event, however, were not recognized by another organization, and as a result there was no uniform Master Point Program until the merger of the three organizations in 1936, under the name of the American Contract Bridge League. These bridge organizations were United States Bridge Association (Ely Culbertson), American Bridge League (formerly the American Auction Bridge League), and American Contract Bridge League.
As an interesting side note, the one person who brought the game of bridge to the American and European bridge playing public, Mr. Ely Culberson never attained the level of an ACBL Life Master, but he was named Honorary Member in 1938. Source: Biography of Mr. Ely Culbertson by ACBL. Mr. Alan Truscott addresses this fact also in his bridge article appearing in The New York Times, July 14, 1991, where he states: This was partly because his tournament appearances were rare and his victories very rare, but also partly because he was the head of a rival organization, the United States Bridge Association. The two bodies merged a year later, becoming the American Contract Bridge League.
1936 1. David Bruce
1936 2. Oswald Jacoby
1936 3. Howard Schenken
1936 4. Waldemar K. von Zedtwitz
1936 5. P. Hal Sims
1936 6. B. Jay Becker
1936 7. Theodore A. Lightner
1936 8. Richard L. Frey
1936 9. Michael T. Gottlieb
1936 10. Sam Fry Jr.
1936 11. Merwin D. Maier
1937 12. Charles S. Lochridge
1938 13. Charles H. Goren
1938 14. A. Mitchell Barnes
1939 15. Harry J. Fishbein
1939 16. Charles J. Solomon
1939 17. Sally Young
1939 18. Fred D. Kaplan
1939 19. John R. Crawford
1939 20. Walter Jacobs
1939 21. Morrie Elis
1940 22. Phil Abramsohn
1940 23. Edward Hynes Jr.
1940 24. Alvin Landy
1941 25. Helen Sobel Smith
1941 26. Sherman Stearns
1941 27. Robert A. McPherran
1942 28. Jeff Glick
1942 29. Arthur Glatt
1942 30. Dr. Richard Ecker Jr.
1942 31. Albert Weiss
1942 32. Lee Hazen
1942 33. Peggy Solomon
1942 34. Alvin Roth
1943 35. Sidney Silodor
1943 36. Olive Peterson
1943 37. Margaret Wagar
1943 38. Peter A. Leventritt
1944 39. Edson T. Wood
1944 40. Ralph Kempner
1944 41. Arthur S. Goldsmith
1944 42. Simon Becker
1944 43. Stanley O. Fenkel
1944 44. George Rapee
1944 45. Ruth Sherman
1945 46. Robert Appleyard
1945 47. Mr. A. Lightman
1945 48. Samuel Stayman
1945 49. Edward N. Marcus
1945 50. Charles A. Hall
1946 51. Emily Folline
1946 52. Joseph E. Cain
1946 53. Harry Feinberg
1946 54. Ambrose Casner
1946 55. Samuel Katz
1946 56. Jack Ehrlenback
1946 57. J. Van Brooks
1946 58. Simon Rossant
1946 59. Edward G. Ellenbogen
1946 60. Sidney R. Fink
1946 61. Bertram Lebhar Jr.
1947 62. Meyer Schleifer
1947 63. Louis Newman
1947 64. Elinor Murdoch
1947 65. Paula Bacher
1947 66. Florence Stratford
1947 67. Jules Bank
1947 68. William McGhee
1947 69. Maynard Adams
1947 70. Edith Kemp
1947 71. David Carter
1947 72. Jack Cushing
1947 73. Dr. A. Steinberg
1947 74. Jane Jaeger
1947 75. Cecil Head
1947 76. S. Garton Churchill
1947 77. Edward S. Cohn
1947 78. John Carlin
1947 79. Lawrence Welch
1947 80. Frank Weisbach
1947 81. Charlton Wallace
1947 82. Dr. Louis Mark
1947 83. Edward Taylor
1947 84. Dan Westerfield
1947 85. Tobias Stone
1947 86. Mark Hodges
1947 87. Leo Roet
1947 88. Sol Mogal
1947 89. Herbert Gerst
1947 90. Lewis Mathe
1947 91. Ludwig Kabakjian
1947 92. Gratian Goldstein
1947 93. Allen P. Harvey
1947 94. Lewis Jaeger
1947 95. Mildred Cunningham
1947 96. Elmer J. Schwartz
1947 97. Linda Terry
1948 98. Maurice Levin
1948 99. Dave Warner
1948 100. Ernest Rovere
February 16th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
4 Comments
I am saddened to report that our good friend known throughout bridgeland as the fabled “Stoney” passed on this morning at St. Joseph Traditional Rehabilitation Center in Las Vegas after a brief illness at the age of 92.
A native New Yorker, he was the co-inventor of the Roth-Stone system with his partner of many years, Alvin Roth. Stoney was a quite visible successful bridge figure for many decades in the Manhattan area and the NABCs with an incredible lightning-like sense of humor. It was traditional for him to entertain after-hours crowds at P. J Clarke’s famous eatery in New York on Third Avenue with his hilarious repertoire.
Stoney was also a champion backgammon player. He retired from bridge some forty years ago and eventually migrated to Las Vegas in the eighties. Stoney also had a tremendous winning baccarat streak at Caesar’s Palace and loved all types of sports betting. Life was never dull for him or his many friends by whom he was surrounded during the greater part of his life.
Bobby and I made weekly visits to see him after his confinement at St. Joe’s. Although practically bedridden, his mind was sharp as ever and he never lost his sense of humor. In fact, last week I told a ‘funny’ when we arrived, to which he replied in a stern voice and serious demeanor, “I tell the jokes around here!” and indeed he did! We shall miss him.
January 26th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
28 Comments
Since the pros and cons of psychic bidding have been the subject of discussion on my blogging comments below, I asked Bobby if he had any close up and personal opinions and if he had ever been involved in any action in favor of or against it happening.
His answer caught me by surprise since he immediately related what happened at the World Bridge Championships in Geneva, Switzerland in 1990, the same tournament he wrote up under the chapter heading in his book, "Losing Team Wins" about Canada being jobbed out of reaching the finals of the Rosenblum because of a score correction which was not allowed.
When he arrived in Geneva several days before the tournament was supposed to start, there was a hotly contested election for President of the WBF going on between the incumbent, Denis Howard from Sydney, Australia and Jose Damiani from Paris, France. However, according to him, several European tournament directors (TD) searched Bobby out, whom they had gotten to know as a bridge lover activist, a bridge appeals guru, and someone with immense energy and strong desires to right wrongs. The TDs all confirmed that during the previous few months and during various European tournaments there had been a great deal of psychic bidding, which, of course, has always been a legal and traditional part of all forms of competitive bridge, but in the recent cases appeared to be done in very timely situations (when partner was also weak) and even when they appeared there was possibly some illegal communication going on between the psycher and his partner, more or less warning him (or her) to tread carefully. With the format for the Geneva tournament scheduled to contain many very important pair games (including the World Open Pair, the World Women’s Pair, and the World Mixed Pair) there appeared to be a worry that basically, if their fears were well founded, and they thought they were, they needed to be prepared and if so, what should be done.
Since he was up to his neck in other issues, he asked them to give him a day or so to think about it and then he would meet with them. A couple of days later he complied and suggested the following plan:
Psyching is still very much allowed and not to be discouraged. HOWEVER …
When a psyche is made, the pair making that bid was expected, under the threat of some kind of penalty, to report it to a special psychic desk set up in a convenient area, whereupon the pair against whom the psyche was made was also expected to check on whether the pair had reported it and if they had not, then, after a brief investigation, a penalty might be issued.
The first day in use, the World Open Pair, there were about 35+ psychics reported (and corroborated by their opponents). Those particular psychics were on file and ready to be used if any illegal activity was suspected.
Every day after that, at least for the next few days, the number of psychics went down, almost in a geometric progression. until starting with the 5th day there were absolutely none reported. It stayed that way for the whole tournament and there were no complaints nor any action taken, at least none which were reported back to Bobby.
The basic fear of complicity with psychics, faded out with the sunset, since no one who had evil intentions could stand up to the investigation which would be transparent to all who would be privy to the facts involved. While none of the recent psychic chatter had complained about partners being in cahoots, nevertheless it could happen anywhere, since, if left unattended could be the source of great results against inexperienced or unknowledgeable opponents; and even if no great illegal signaling system was in place it would (could) be noticed whether lesser players were targeted for their antics.
This comment is made only to suggest to many players that there are various ways to fight back against possible wrongdoing without causing a great deal of negativity.
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