August 2007 - 6

Viewpoint
By Brent Manley

Don't let yesterday use up too much
of today.
- Will Rogers

Drive time
If you're like me, you spend a lot of time in your car. My daily commute to
the office is roughly 25 minutes. Much of that time, of course, is spent looking
at the rear ends of other vehicles. You can find some interesting reading on
bumpers, and it started me wondering whether some of those stickers might
have applications to bridge. Here are a few.
"I thought I was indecisive; now I'm not so sure."
Bridge application: But I don't put my hand in the bidding box until I know
what I want to do.
"Be alert. The world needs more lerts."
Bridge application: What more is there to say?
"Don't believe everything you think."
Bridge application: Overcalling on that rat‑infested suit seemed like a good
idea at the time. The opponents certainly appreciated it.
"Never believe generalizations."
Bridge application: No more eight ever, nine never? How about Larry
Cohen's eight never, nine ever?
"I know I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?"
Bridge application: Hmmm ... I wonder why my left‑hand opponent just put
me in that entry‑less dummy? That finesse sure is tempting, but ...
"When you do a good deed, get a receipt in case heaven is like the IRS."
Bridge application: You will have many chances to do good at the bridge
table: Compliment partner or the opponents, be understanding when partner
makes a mistake, be friendly, play with a newcomer. The list goes on and on.
"Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose."
Bridge application: I wouldn't need either if I could ever guess a queen.
"Errors have been made. Others will be blamed."
Bridge application: Just another day at the bridge table, but refer to the next
slogan, perhaps the best of the lot.
"Never miss a good opportunity to shut up."
Bridge application: Think how much more enjoyable the game would be
minus the lessons at the table, sniping at the opponents and/or partner, too‑
loud summoning of the director ... and I bet you could add to the list.
"Out of my mind - back in five minutes."
Bridge application: Yes, partner, my vulnerable, preemptive 3 raise with
4-3-3-3 shape and almost no high‑card points worked out very badly -
and you had to play it. But ... oh, never mind. I think I'll take this good
opportunity to shut up.
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Letters to
the Editor
In memoriam
To the Editor:
The obituary on Al Roth by Paul
Linxwiler (June, page 19) was so well
thought out and appropriately on the
"Roth" mark. How sad that so few of
the now players have ever heard of
him, and how sad that so few players
of my generation knew the real him.
Roth never enjoyed the financial
rewards from bridge as did Charlie
(Goren), Alfred (Sheinwold) and
others - nor was he ever known
outside of the inner bridge world and
its inhabitants. His love of the game
- and I mean love of the game -
remained paramount until his death.
This really sums up his singular place
in the world of bridge.
PATRICIA SHEINWOLD
New York NY

Her cranky friend
To the Editor:
I read Al Roth's obituary with spe‑
cial interest, and I would like to add
my fond recollections of his "cantan‑
kerous brilliance."
In the early Seventies, I was
the bridge writer for the Detroit
News. One day, I gathered with my
friends at the Metropolitan Bridge
Club in Oak Park MI to discuss the
Roth‑Stone bidding system.
Basic to the system was a sound
opening bid. This hand was the fea‑
ture of the day:
A K x x x A x x x x x x x.
Bridge Bulletin

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2007