April 9th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
15 Comments 
It is distressing for me to continue hearing bright, but unobjective and biased, individuals fallaciously sing the praises of players, directors and even appeals personnel.
Perhaps I am a ‘tough sell” because all of my adult life I have been surrounded by top players and my expectations are higher because I’ve been exposed to, shall we say, the real thing. Just because individuals have attained the five, ten or fifteen thousand master point plateau, does that make them an expert? Hell No! Many bridge players have been playing for eons and it is wonderful they receive so much joy from the game and have been so recognized. I applaud the pleasure derived. But – accept masterpoints for what they are! Amassing them is one of the satisfying rewards achieved for loving the game and by frequenting duplicates, sectionals, regionals and nationals ad infinitem, paying a pro — or even assuming the role of one! Everything is not necessarily what meets the eye. Nowadays active participants receive scads of MPs at duplicates which is more indicative of an attendance record as they have upped the ante by even rewarding under average performances – just to attract them to the game. Points in themselves do not experts make. People can and do improve, but true expertise is an inherent quality which few experience (yours truly included). I am not pooh-poohing masterpoints. Just accept them for what they are!
Being a certified director or appeals committee member does not necessarily mean that he or she understands the finer points of the game, what determines equity or justice or what is deserving of punishment. Perhaps they improve with age and sometimes not. No effort has been made by the League to further improve their educational and developmental processes and unless an individual makes a concerted effort on his or her own, the status quo will remain. From my own personal experience and following recent “bridge court” cases, I don’t buy it when I am told … “Of course, they are qualified they have been certified directors or serving on appeals committees for twenty years.” Understand, there are several for whom I have the utmost respect and are worthy of stellar recognition. However, length of service itself does not necessarily qualify them to make far reaching decisions. Some are sensational. Others lackluster. I just think it is time we were more discrete in our classification and not jump to snap decisions of one’s worth or excellence especially in the expert realm (understanding the highest level game, the psychology of playing at the top strata against the best in the world, dealing with the mind games played against you by one’s peers – as well as the traps which are set and then executed by very clever bridge thinkers). In addition, those in critical decision making roles must understand the necessity for high level ethics and yet recognize and acknowledge the various ways in which they may be breached.
Summing it up, excellence is not determined by number of sessions played, points garnered or time served. Let’s call a spade a spade.
April 5th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
2 Comments
On July 11, 2011 I published a blog identifying famous bridge players who illuminated many other fields — radio (you do remember that, don’t you?), stage, screen, TV, Broadway, sports, government, the military, industry, et al. Several learned readers enriched my list and much was to be gleaned from their knowledge and contributions If you were not on the blogging scene last year, you might enjoy flipping back and reading it. It is name-dropping at it’s height! The list appears to be unending and I wanted to add to it by sharing some recent discoveries I made:
In the realm of government, there were two British Prime Ministers – Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, the legendary Mahatma Gandhi – pioneer of Indian Nationalism, Chinese leader Ding Xiaoping who was known to have indulged in rubber bridge games at The Great Hall of China, and Malcolm Forbes (son of the founder of Forbes Magazine). Add to that silent screen star Buster Keaton.
Another interesting tidbit – Bobby told me that the creator of the Dallas Aces, Ira Corn, dated Greer Garson (of Mrs. Miniver fame) when she moved to Texas in the 1960s. Also, I believe I may have mentioned that when the Aces were in their formative stages, they would host a Sunday Brunch and Bridge arranged by Ira’s Press Agent, Jean Carpenter. She would research which bridge-playing traveling celebrities were scheduled to be featured on the Dallas entertainment circuit and extend an invitation to partake in Ira’s Sunday festivities. Coincidentally Jean’s former husband was world famous cartoonist Charles Schulz who introduced Peanuts and Snoopy to the comic world and often alluded to bridge in his columns. Because of Jean’s industrious efforts, Bobby and his teammates enjoyed bridge outings with the likes of Carol Channing, Meredith Baxter, Phyllis Diller and of course, a delightful (and pretty darned good bridge player and delightful personality) named George Burns.
And then, of course there was everyone’s favorite famous bridge player Omar Sharif whom, in passing, I casually played tribute to in my earlier blog. However, he was far from a casual, run-of-the-mill bridge lover. Back in the 80s, Omar accepted an invitation to appear in Dallas for the King Tut Traveling Exhibit. At that time he enlisted Bobby and his beautiful, lovable late wife Debby to see him through the ordeal which mandated a rather heavy social schedule. That routine included a media luncheon (hosted by the Dallas Mayor) which Omar basically emceed and both entertained and enlightened the large attendance present, relating some relatively risqué, off-color, amusing tales from his personal life.
There was also scheduled a Bridge Individual hosted by our esteemed guest which drew hordes of attendees. Omar later led an All Star panel, critiquing the deals played in the earlier event, which reminded many present of his previous appearance in Dallas as a member of the Omar Sharif Bridge Circus playing a series of traveling three-cornered matches (in the very early 1970’s) against expert local teams and the World Champion Aces. Since Omar’s team was made up principally of the fourteen-time Italian World Champions (Garozzo, Belladonna and Forquet), they presented the very summit of what our wonderful game had to offer in the way of exuding personalities — combined with the very essence of top level bridge. (It is of coincidental note that it was I, in Philadelphia, who made all the arrangements for the Circus to appear there on their seven city tour and what I, with tongue in cheek, remember most vividly was the endless line of women congregated outside his door after hours).
Both Bobby and I, through independently memorable exposure to such a great movie idol at different junctures in our respective lives, came to love and admire him as a warm, modest, outgoing human being, who always acted like just “one of the gang.” His humility was like no other universally renowned personality I had ever met or read about.
There is no doubt that Omar Sharif, known primarily as a devastatingly handsome and poignant actor, has done more to promote our game than any other celebrity in history.
March 31st, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
4 Comments
It is heartwarming for me to see Sidney and Norman honored and recognized at the Spring Nationals. Five years after my first exposure to the game, I was fortunate to have met Norman at a nearby Pennsylvania Regional. I don’t recall exactly where it was as the encounter was over fifty years ago. He was playing locally with Bobby Jordan, a close friend, but was soon discovered by the late, great Sidney Silodor who invited him onto the “big team” which included Crawford, Becker, Rapee, et al. The warm friendship and partnership lasted but four years as Sidney had a losing bout with cancer and passed away in 1963. They were an awesome twosome as they not only shared a passion for the game – but mutual love and friendship. In the interim Norman and I were engaged and I spent many a night at the Silodor home in the company of Sidney’s adorable and perky wife, Bessie, with whom I remained friendly long after his death. It looked like a once in a lifetime bridge marriage. However, as it turned out, Norman was really twice blessed.
After Sidney’s death, Norman felt lost. Mourning Sidney’s passing was tormenting for him and finding a new partner was not uppermost in his mind. As fate would have it, about a year later Edgar (with whom he had played prior to Sidney) and Norman were reunited and played together as one of the most successful and respected partnerships which graced the game from 1964 till Edgar’s death in 1997. Those thirty-three years added to the earlier partnership with Edgar (teamed with Lenny Harmon, Ivar Stakgold and Dick Kahn for about eight years) marked Kaplan-Kay as one of the longest running celebrated twosomes in the annals of the ACBL. Norman had a knack for attracting the best, producing not only great success but warmth, sincerity, love and mutual admiration. They were both partnerships made in heaven!
Looking back at the St. Louis Nationals when I noted the prestigious events named for Sidney and Norman respectively, I was prompted to present this blog as they would have burst with pride to have been recognized in the same assemblage.
March 27th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
21 Comments
There has been continuing chatter, criticism and displeasure concerning the wrongful and lethargic position taken by the ACBL Appeals Committee last week in the timing and handling of the crucial Monaco v. Auken Match. By not foreseeing the imperative need to rule on a second quarter potential infraction of the rules by postponing it until the end of the match, the board in question was now challenged and created a preventable after-the-fact action which caused the changing of the final score and the winner — AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATCH. Disgraceful for individuals who are allegedly leaders in our judicial system not to look ahead to what could happen. If at all possible (exception, of course, is if an appeal arises during the last segment of play), no impending appeal should be delayed on a “what if” (or any other excuse) basis, if only to not put maximum pressure on the Appeals Committee to come up with an equitable and accurate solution. To go further, can it ever be right, if it is determined that the baby (decision) should be split in determining the most accurate judicial compromise, when the committee no doubt would have advance information over what number would be a match changer and what number would not?
As most of you are aware, Bobby has served in an administrative capacity in both the ACBL and WBF for about sixty years. No one is more experienced or better equipped to evaluate the committee’s action than he is. For a compelling argument against the irresponsible way the Appeals Committee put itself in that No Win Position, read his answer to Jane A on my blog site entitled JUST FOR THE RECORD. It begins … ” Since I am not here to make friends …”
March 22nd, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
23 Comments
In my recent blog of March 5th, entitled THE PURPOSE OF ALERT CARDS, it might interest you to read the following which appeared in the March 21st Daily Bulletin of the NABC that is presently being held in St. Louis. What is printed below should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind how the ALERT PROCEDURE should properly be handled:
Bid Box Alerts and Announcements. When using bid boxes, the ACBL requires that players tap the Alert strip and say “Alert” at the same time. When making an Announcement, use the Announcement word (such as “transfer”) and tap the Alert strip at the same time. A player who Alerts or Announces a bid must make sure his opponents are aware that an Alert or Announcement has been made.
Since the procedure has been questioned, the above should detail the protocol involving the ALERT CARD and spell out what is expected of the user.
Enuf said!
March 19th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
2 Comments
… the words from a song in a 1944 Judy Garland film of the same name – but today more reminiscent of the hundreds of bridge players who converged on St. Louis for the Spring Nationals which are going on as we speak. I remember one tournament I attended in that city – but so long ago, I cannot be sure of the year. 1987 rings a bell. In fact, I think there were three others held there – all Spring Nationals.
I have been following some of the results via the Daily Bulletins from the ACBL NABC site. With the exception of nearby San Francisco, I have not attended a National in nearly five years when it was held here in Las Vegas. As I read some of the names and events, I felt like I have been residing in outer space and lost contact with the real world. There are so many new names with whom I am unfamiliar and for the most part – a changing of the guard at ACBL headquarters both at Horn Lake and St. Louis(with a couple of staunch exceptions like Brent Manley and Paul Linxweiler).
Few of the real old timers are still around. In particular, I scanned the names on the Vanderbilt rosters, an event I kibitzed for half a century. Though an impressively strong field, it was a muddle of American experts (some of whom have migrated here and attained citizenship) and visiting professional standouts from abroad – rounded out by some optimistic sponsors. It is a gigantic field and I look forward to watching BBO and hearing the commentary. However — not as entertaining as when Ron Anderson et al. were at the vugraph mike, always playing before a crowded and enthusiastic audience. Those are delightful memories to me – but as I have said before – things change and time marches on.
March 13th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
10 Comments
When I came into the bridge world, it seems like every time I turned a corner I ran into a well-respected top ranked expert – not only at the Nationals – but in The Big Apple as well. I can indelibly remember the stars of my generation — Howard Schenken, Alvin Roth, Tobias Stone, Sidney Silodor, Helen Sobel, Johnny Crawford, Lee Hazen, Harry Fishbein, Johnny Gerber, Edith Kemp, George Rapee, Peter Pender, Harry Harkavy, Ozzie Jacoby, Edgar and Norman – just to name a few. Forgive my missing other obvious ones which belonged in that category – but these came off the top of my head or more appropriately, the tip of my fingers. Paul Soloway would be of more recent vintage. A handful of the oldtimers remain … Eddie Kantar, Chip Martel, Lew Stansby, Billy Rosen, Sidney Lazard, Kit Woolsey, Peter Weichsel, Richard Pavlicek, Bob Hamman, Ivar Stakgold, Sami Kehela, Eric Murrray and of course, my incredible Bobby, who recently reached the tender age of 80, but hasn’t missed a beat.
In the latter group, few are still active at the table, some have ventured out in different directions such as writing, cruising or teaching and others enjoy the relaxation of semi-retirement or occasional appearances. However, they still have all their marbles – and represent what I consider the elegant days of the game. When I came upon the scene, few had succumbed to professional bridge, playing with sponsors. In my mind, they represented the very essence of bridge. The “arranged teams” were composed of all top players, with no sponsors, such as The Precision Team created by C. C. Wei and The Dallas Aces, the brainchild of Ira Corn.
I read recently of the deaths of some of the other respected heroes of the past .. Grant Baze, Kyle Larsen, Marshall Miles and just the other day – discovered that my good friend, Lenny Harmon, had joined the group.
I miss those days of yore. From my prospective, the game is no longer the one to which I was first introduced and I am saddened by the loss of its majesty and splendor. They don’t make them like they used to!
March 9th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
7 Comments
Today our club was honored by the appearance of a visitor from Chicago – modest and likeable Billy Rosen. Those oldtimers will remember Billy, who in 1954, at the age of 24, won the Bermuda Bowl, playing with Steen, Oakey, Ellenby and Bishop. Quite an achievement.
Since we finished the round early, we were reminiscing and Billy related a story I had never heard before. Over half a century ago, a lady came to Charlie Goren’s table and said, “Mr. Goren, I have been waiting thirty years for the opportunity to play against you.” He smiled … and the bidding proceeded: Pass Pass Pass Pass. So much for playing against him.
March 5th, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
24 Comments
The Alert Card was created not merely to add a blue hue to your bidding box. It was designed to IMMEDIATELY educate your opponent to the meaning of a non-standard bid – to which they are legally entitled – AND BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Over our 1NT openers, Bobby and I play major suit bids are natural (to play – and non-forcing). Your opponents MUST know this as 2D and 2H sound like transfers to hearts and spades respectively. However, our 2D bid is forcing to game Stayman. If unwarned, the opponents may be robbed of a bid to which they are entitled and if playing WEAK NO TRUMPS (12-14) it must be alertable in a timely fashion. What if the RHO has spades and thinks 2H is a transfer, he will be happy to defend against 2S (which he expects to be the last call). However, since the bid was natural, opener will pass and may have stolen the contract since partner could have made the call with few points –and a suit with as little as five cards – merely to get out of NT.
THE OPPONENTS MUST BE ALERTED IMMEDIATELY BY THE UNMISTAKABLE VISIBLE DISPLAY OF THE ALERT CARD – NOT MERELY TAPPING THE TABLE or A VOCAL EXPLANATION WHICH MAY NOT BE AUDIBLE which IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. ADHERING TO THE PROPER PROCEDURE OF WAVING THE ALERT CARD IS MANDATORY SO THE OPPONENTS ARE AWARE OF THE MEANING OF THE CALL IF IT IS NOT STANDARD. As we get older, some people have physical handicaps (like poor hearing) for which they are not responsible but nevertheless they are entitled to the information and an oral alert may not get the job done.
I speak from recent experience where the auction proceeded: 1N 2H 2S (which meant 5/5 in hearts and spades). After the fact, we were told it was alerted but neither of us heard the warning. Assuming it was hearts, my partner ventured a 2S bid only to learn after he went down two that the overcaller had 6/5, I called the director who felt we were damaged and allowed my partner to take back his card as no one in their right mind would overcall in the face of a known five bagger in his suit (especially with a four card suit). She actually had six of them.
Had I known my opponent’s bid was a two suiter, I would have read partner’s two spade call as TAKEOUT and bid one of my minors at the three level – for which we are cold. The director, after hearing the auction (and absence of the Alert card), allowed partner to take back the 2S card – which resulted in a flat board as our opponents at the other table played 2S with the same result. Thank heavens we had a knowledgeable director or we would have been jobbed!
March 3rd, 2013 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~
12 Comments
Thanks to the determination and effort of our new ACBL CEO Robert Hartman, the tribute to Peter has been restored.
Before he died in 1990, at Bobby’s urging, he bequeathed $27,500 to the Juniors, which was to be utilized for engraved trophies to be presented every two years to those young players who had achieved victories in special events. However, it was done for a year or two, but then it suddenly stopped. Because of laxity and lethargy of those administrators in charge at the time, there was no further recognition of the juniors until a keg of dynamite was placed beneath them.
The other $50,000 left to the ACBL Educational Foundation for the perpetuation of his name was buried and forgotten because it seemed no one was appointed to oversee the money trail intended to commemorate Peter’s achievements in and contributions to the game. It was the responsibility of those in charge of the bequest to see to the proper use of his money. Most of those on the Board now were not at fault for the irresponsibility of appropriately memorializing the legend of Peter Pender. Soon after, the wonderfully revolutionary BBO came upon the scene and the tribute to Peter (via The Pendergraph Room and it’s spectacular commentators) was abruptly abandoned.
Many of his friends were saddened by this ACBL move, but no one had the determination to rectify it until the disgraceful lack of attention of the Educational Foundation was discovered. Back in the sixties and seventies, my late husband Norman and I were very friendly with Peter. Many a night after a local tournament he would join us at Bobby Jordan’s apartment and play Trivia and word games, in which he excelled. Not only was he a fantastic bridge player but an Olympic Champion Figure Skater as well. He was a model superstar to represent our country and won a World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1985 .. in addition to five Vanderbilts, two Men’s Pairs and two Reisingers – plus, plus. plus. His achievements in life and bridge were ever remarkable despite his impending death.
The other day I received an email from Bob Hartman that my three year efforts were not in vain. The upcoming National in St. Louis will feature a permanent brass plaque at the entrance of the Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph Theater which displays a beautiful picture of Peter and an eloquent tribute to his accomplishments written by Tracy Yarboro, a talented member of the ACBL office in Horn Lake.
BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER!
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