July 2013 - 8

Letters to the Editor

the morning but won their first two in
the afternoon.
One of the visiting players was
heard telling a TD that his team had
lost a match "to that boy with one
masterpoint"!
DAVID PENNINGTON
Temple TX

Try IMP pairs
To the Editor:
I would like to see more local clubs
scheduling IMP pairs games. It might
attract rubber bridge players to the
club. Furthermore, most players
nowadays seem to prefer knockouts
at tournaments, so scheduling IMP
pairs games would give them more
practice at the type of bidding and
play that they need to win.
I'm guessing that one of the deterrents to having IMP pairs in the past
was the difficulty in scoring them.
Computers and ACBLscore have
made that a moot point. Why don't we
give it a try?
JERRY UNGAR
Port Charlotte FL

The right stuff
To the Editor:
In the March issue, Viewpoint
highlighted your 14-year-old granddaughter and her demeanor during
a volleyball tournament. When our
teammates and partners make mistakes, it's too bad that most of us can't
have the same maturity, sportsmanship, focus and support that young
Faith Wells displayed. She gets it, as
does Joe Grue.
His team lost the final of the 2011
Vanderbilt Knockout Teams when his
teammates bid 7 missing the ace of
trumps. Joe went to them and said,
"Good game, guys. You played well."
We should all strive to play with the
kind of attitude displayed by Joe and
your granddaughter.
EDDIE HURT
Lake Havasu City AZ

8 Bridge Bulletin July 2013

Mastering life

Look in the mirror

To the Editor:
Shortly after becoming a Life Master, I was in Texas visiting family and
friends. None of them plays bridge,
but they were all excited about my
achievement. As usual when I visit,
I had lunch with my mom's two best
friends. When the check came, one
of them picked it up, and I said, "Hey,
I was going to get that!" She argued
that she was the oldest and should
take care of it. Then I said, "But I'm a
Life Master!" She laid her hand gently
on my arm and said, "Aren't we all,
honey?"
SUSIE HUNTER
Redmond WA

To the Editor:
As the winner of the thrown-underthe-bus award more times than I can
count, there are a number of reasons
partners dump their regulars. That
said, the key line in Ms. Turkin's letter
(March, page 8) was that "they just
think they might do better with a
change."
I would like to suggest that before
dumping partner for someone who
can "help" win every time, try playing better yourself or work with your
partner to improve the partnership.
DON DAIGLE
New Orleans LA

Too high tech

To the Editor:
For those who believe "super"
Senior bridge players (80 or older)
should have greatly reduced entry
fees and other charges, I have a better
idea. Well, why don't we just let them
play for free, give them free meals,
free lodging and free booze after
bridge?
RICHARD LEONARDON
Santa Fe NM

To the Editor:
The use of Bridgemate in the Swiss
teams at the Spring NABC in St. Louis
was disappointing. I know the use
of these electronic scoring devices
speeds up the game, but it takes away
the fun of comparing scores. Bridgemate showed your score immediately and where to sit the next round.
There was no time to discuss any of
the boards.
If this is the coming trend, I don't
know how many people would want
to play Swiss teams (especially newer
players). Feedback from some members at my club was, "Swiss teams
wouldn't be fun anymore."
ANITA CARLSON
Hickory NC

Breaking up
To the Editor:
Regarding the question of how to
break up with a partner, what worked
for me was to say, "You're a fine
player, but we don't seem to be on the
same wavelength." This is most effective after a session in which there has
been a serious bidding disagreement.
LUCIE ABRAHAM
Reston VA

Not convinced

Bridge ambassadors
To the Editor:
Bridge players often let the stress
of competition cause them to display
less than cordial demeanor. At the
Spring NABC in St. Louis, I had the
pleasure of facing Jim Johnsen and
Paul Darin of San Diego CA in two
knockout events.
The two players exemplified what
we all wish to be at the table. They
played well both times we faced them
and were as gracious in defeat (the
first time) as they were humble in
victory (the second time). They were
also fun to be around.
Bridge needs more players like
these two. Just knowing that there
are at least two players of such fine
character makes me want to attend
future NABCs.
FRED DISCHMAN
Kansas City MO

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2013