October 2014 - 7

➺ InBox
Play before bidding

David Silber's article (August, page
35) points out the virtue of teaching
the fun of card play before teaching the
rigors of bidding. The article is aimed
at teaching children, but could be generalized to the early bridge education
of all potential players. In the world
of games, adults are not very different
from children.
Many bridge teachers first introduce
some form of a pseudo whist-style
game in order to delay introducing
bidding methods. Actually, this goal
can be achieved by merely teaching the
original form of bridge.
Before 1910, the game of bridge used
the mechanics of present-day card
play, but without any bidding component. The dealer, after seeing his hand,
would have the options of announcing a trump suit for the deal, choosing notrump or passing the choice to
partner.
In the last case, the partner of the
dealer had to decide on the trump suit
or notrump for that deal. The nondealer partnership would have to wait
patiently till the next deal to obtain the
power to determine the trump suit (or
notrump). There was no form of competitive bidding and no need for bidding
levels. The dealer was not bidding but
literally "declaring" the trump suit.
JULIAN LADERMAN
Bronx NY

Overwhelmed

The "Respect for others" letter in the
August issue (page 7) brought attention to a serious issue for some of us.
I have had good results with card
snappers, but it's a different matter
getting through to those who wear perfume and highly perfumed products.
Far too many people (mainly women)
pay no attention to the information
published in the Bridge Bulletin and in
the Daily Bulletin at NABCs. It was a

Letters to the Editor

terrible problem for me at the tournament in Las Vegas.
It is extremely difficult to play in
knockouts and Swiss teams when you
have to play so many boards against
someone wearing these strong scents. I
get an immediate unpleasant reaction.
My partner has asthma and suffered
several attacks because of the heavy
scents.
I mentioned my problem to one offender, pointing out the article in the
Daily Bulletin, and she told me that I
shouldn't come to games if perfume
bothers me.
It is time for stronger action to be
taken. Perhaps more information could
be published and signs posted at the
entrance to games.
PHYLLIS BURNETTE
Greenville SC

Novel approach

The Bridge Center in Toledo OH
has a regular player who wears a "Mr.
Happy" baseball cap to most games
and is known for saying, "Remember to
love, care, listen, encourage and forgive
at the beginning of each round or during the round if needed."
What would happen if we all said
these words to our partners, opponents
and everyone in the room at the start of
each game. It would be Zero Tolerance
in spades!
BOB MOYERS
Liberty Center OH

Future stars

It was apparent that the future of the
ACBL was alive and kicking as bridge
players aged 7 to 19 arrived at the Las
Vegas Youth NABC from all over the
world in July. Some of the players
didn't understand English, but they
communicated through the bidding
boxes. Their enthusiasm for the game

was infectious.
This annual event is the result of
Patty Tucker's vision to expand and
encourage bridge among our youth.
Thanks to CEO Robert Hartman, Las
Vegas NABC Chair Bonnie Bagley, the
ACBL Education staff and the Daily
Bulletin staff, the ACBL has embraced
the importance of Patty's mission.
Master Point Press, Bridge Base
Online and Baron Barclay Bridge
Supply are generous sponsors of the
youth bridge program and deserve our
individual and collective thanks for
their efforts. Great Game Products
also chipped in with some goodies for
the kids in Las Vegas.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of the parents,
grandparents and dedicated teachers
who take the time to encourage the
wonderful Youth NABC participants.
This year's Sportsmanship Award
finalists were Brandon Harper, Nolan
Chang and Catherine Fay. These three
players epitomize what we all should
aspire to be at the bridge table. They
are positive and supportive of the
inexperienced players and respectful
of their peers, partners and teammates.
Contract bridge is in very good hands
with their generation.
I hope we can build on the lessons
learned in Las Vegas. Readers, your
homework assignment is to make a
difference in your community. Take a
page out of the playbook of District 9
and encourage your units and districts
to provide financial support for youth
players and programs in your area.
Follow the example of members of
Letters to the editor are welcome by regular mail and email.
Brevity is considered a virtue, as is subject matter with relevance
to a majority of ACBL members. Unsigned letters are not
considered for publication, so please include your name and
hometown. Letters may be edited. All letters will receive a
response. Email editor@acbl.org.

October 2014 Bridge Bulletin

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2014