May 2006 - 36

The Code
of Jest

Tournament directors add fun to Swiss teams with their numbers games.
By Brent Manley

You may have heard it between
rounds of Swiss teams: "Blind mice
have a piano."
Perhaps it was, "Team 14 has
never been kissed."
Or, "It's a checker board
for number 21."
What you're hearing is the
tournament directors
relaying the victory
point totals for
the teams in
the event. One
TD is sitting at
the computer
entering IMP
scores as they come
in, the other is writing
each team's new VP
totals on a sheet on the
wall as the computer
spits them out.
Doing it in code is
so much more fun
than just calling out
numbers.
Take the first one:
team No. 3 (three blind
mice) has 88 victory
points (keys on a piano).
Team No. 14 has 16
VPs ("sweet 16 and never
been kissed").
No. 21 has 64 (squares on a
checkerboard). Got it?
Says TD Olin Hubert of
Atlanta, one of the main
perpetrators, "In our stressful
jobs we are always looking for
ways to amuse ourselves."
Hubert can't remember
when or where the
36

practice started, but he gives a lot
of credit to Matt Koltnow, a fellow
TD from Redmond WA. Koltnow is
positively cerebral about it.

"Flexibility is the key," he says.
Actually, Koltnow is a purist of
sorts when it comes to the Swiss
numbers. "The more steps you
get away from the original the
better," he says.
For example, Cincinnati
equals 109, right?
Well, in the
Swiss numbers
game, "red"
automatically
adds 100
to any
number, so
the ninemember
baseball team in
Cincinnati - the Reds
- just naturally equals 109.
Not all of them are so
obscure, but Koltnow says the
main thing is that everyone
involved enjoys the process.
"The players absolutely love
it," he says.
Many of the allusions are
to bridge or cards - full
deck is 52, "not playing with
a full deck" is 51.
If a TD says, "Match
Goren's 1NT," that means
teams 16 and 18 are
playing each other.
What if your team's VP
total is Alfred Sheinwold?
Easy: that's 35 - 5 Weeks to
Winning Bridge, Sheinwold's
best-selling book, equals 35
days.
Grand slam? Why, that's 37.
Says Koltnow, "Everyone knows
Bridge Bulletin



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2006

Viewpoint - Brent Manley
Letters to the Editor
From the CEO - Jay Baum
2006 Summer NABC Chicago
Part 1 of the Dallas NABC report
Canada selects teams for World Championship
Canadians change junior roster
Big Plays - Well played deals by the stars of the game
Adam Kaplan is youngest Life Master
West hands - The Bidding box
Stronger than a Hurricane - Lousiana Bridge Association
Star Clubs
The Bidding Lab - Responding to 2NT - Marshall Miles
The Bidding Box
It's Your Call
In it together: ACBL and ABA form closer bond
The code of Jest: TD Lingo
Ruling the Game - Mike Flader
For Newer Players
Dear Diary - Marti Ronemus
Ask Jerry - Jerry Helms
Mike's Bidding Quiz
Conventional Wisdom part 22
Bridge Player's Survival Kit - Leading trumps as a defender- Leslie Shafer
Answers to Mike's Bidding Quiz
Make mine a Bergen with cheese, hold the mayo - Laura Nash
The Bidding Toolkit - Overcalls part 2
The Hat Lady - The eyes have it - Marie Sander
Tourament Terminology 101
Counting stoppers - Pat Harrington
For Intermediate Players
Boehm on Bridge - Matchpoint/IMP Strategy - part 20
No rabbi needed
The Real Deal - Larry Cohen
Claim with Colchamiro - Playing the game, Double trouble
Better Bridge with Bergen - Quality not quantity
Chalk Talk - How LSD can change your life part 2 - Eddie Kantar
It's Just MayHem - What could I have done - Marilyn Hemenway
For Advanced Players
Bidding to Play - Who has the queen? part 4 - Frank Stewart
Our Reader's Ask - Eric Kokish
Test Your Play - Eddie Kantar
Bidding Matters - 12 Habits - Karen Walker
Mike's Advice - Responding to a takeout double of a weak two-bid
Solutions to Test Your Play
East hands - The bidding Box
Bridge with the Abbot - David Bird
Winsome & Loathsome - Zeke Jabbour
Partnership Bridge - The Granovetters
Obituary - Jim Robinson
Obituary - Jerry Levitt
New Life Masters
Life Master Milestones
May 2006 - 1
May 2006 - 2
May 2006 - 3
May 2006 - 4
May 2006 - 5
May 2006 - Letters to the Editor
May 2006 - 7
May 2006 - 8
May 2006 - From the CEO - Jay Baum
May 2006 - 2006 Summer NABC Chicago
May 2006 - 11
May 2006 - 12
May 2006 - 13
May 2006 - Part 1 of the Dallas NABC report
May 2006 - 15
May 2006 - 16
May 2006 - 17
May 2006 - Canada selects teams for World Championship
May 2006 - 19
May 2006 - Canadians change junior roster
May 2006 - 21
May 2006 - Big Plays - Well played deals by the stars of the game
May 2006 - Adam Kaplan is youngest Life Master
May 2006 - West hands - The Bidding box
May 2006 - 25
May 2006 - Stronger than a Hurricane - Lousiana Bridge Association
May 2006 - Star Clubs
May 2006 - The Bidding Lab - Responding to 2NT - Marshall Miles
May 2006 - The Bidding Box
May 2006 - 30
May 2006 - 31
May 2006 - It's Your Call
May 2006 - 33
May 2006 - 34
May 2006 - In it together: ACBL and ABA form closer bond
May 2006 - The code of Jest: TD Lingo
May 2006 - 37
May 2006 - Ruling the Game - Mike Flader
May 2006 - Dear Diary - Marti Ronemus
May 2006 - Mike's Bidding Quiz
May 2006 - Conventional Wisdom part 22
May 2006 - Answers to Mike's Bidding Quiz
May 2006 - Make mine a Bergen with cheese, hold the mayo - Laura Nash
May 2006 - The Bidding Toolkit - Overcalls part 2
May 2006 - Tourament Terminology 101
May 2006 - Counting stoppers - Pat Harrington
May 2006 - No rabbi needed
May 2006 - The Real Deal - Larry Cohen
May 2006 - Claim with Colchamiro - Playing the game, Double trouble
May 2006 - Better Bridge with Bergen - Quality not quantity
May 2006 - Chalk Talk - How LSD can change your life part 2 - Eddie Kantar
May 2006 - It's Just MayHem - What could I have done - Marilyn Hemenway
May 2006 - Bidding to Play - Who has the queen? part 4 - Frank Stewart
May 2006 - Our Reader's Ask - Eric Kokish
May 2006 - Test Your Play - Eddie Kantar
May 2006 - Bidding Matters - 12 Habits - Karen Walker
May 2006 - Mike's Advice - Responding to a takeout double of a weak two-bid
May 2006 - East hands - The bidding Box
May 2006 - Bridge with the Abbot - David Bird
May 2006 - Winsome & Loathsome - Zeke Jabbour
May 2006 - Partnership Bridge - The Granovetters
May 2006 - Obituary - Jerry Levitt
May 2006 - New Life Masters
May 2006 - Life Master Milestones
May 2006 - 65
May 2006 - 66
May 2006 - 67
May 2006 - 68
May 2006 - 69
May 2006 - 70
May 2006 - 71
May 2006 - 72
May 2006 - 73
May 2006 - 74
May 2006 - 75
May 2006 - 76
May 2006 - 77
May 2006 - 78
May 2006 - 79
May 2006 - 80
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2025_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2025_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2024_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2023_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2022_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2021_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2020_01a
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2019_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2018_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2017_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2016_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2015_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2014_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2013_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2012_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2011_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2010_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2009_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2008_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2007_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2006_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_10
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_09
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_08
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_07
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_06
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_05
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_04
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_03
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_02
https://www.nxtbook.com/acbl/bridgebulletin/2005_01
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com