March 2017 - 6

IN FIRST SEAT

American Contract Bridge League

Tournament tales

When I began playing duplicate bridge, I
remember how exciting it was to play in my
first regional tournament. I was so taken with
the tournament scene that when it was over, I
immediately began looking for another nearby
regional to attend, and I pestered partners about committing to dates to
play months in advance.
Looking back at that time, I understand that part of my obsession was
rooted in the novelty of the experience. I've heard other players compare
their own early infatuation with the game to their experience of falling
in love for the fist time. It's not a bad analogy. Decades later, I find that I
still thoroughly enjoy playing in regionals, even if some of the shine has
worn off the experience. It's the natural progression for any infatuation.
Although there were more than 160,000 tables of play from regional
events in 2016, the pages of the Bridge Bulletin contain almost no news
from these events. It would be great if the editorial staff could attend the
128 regionals held across ACBL annually, but I suspect that would mean
that the magazine wouldn't get published: We'd be too busy playing.
Besides, traveling to tournaments isn't cheap. (But, hey, if any tournament chairs out there want some on-the-scene reporters for the low, low
price of airfare, accommodations, snacks, booze and entry fees, we can
be bribed.)
A more cost-effective way for regional committees to tell members
about their great tournaments is to specifically put someone in charge
of handling post-tourney press. The staff of the Bridge Bulletin would
love to see stories about unusual happenings at tournaments, fun deals
or testimonials from happy players. Photos, too. Good photos frequently
tell a story better than words can.
To be clear, there are some things we aren't looking for in the magazine: results and photos of regional winners. In the former case, the
results can already be found online. In the latter case, there are simply
far too many events for us to publish winner photos. In any case, these
aren't the types of things that will attract new attendees to future events.
The editors challenge districts to tap local, talented players to serve
as press secretaries to create travelogues of their regionals. Show those
who did not attend your tournament this year why they should attend
next year. And remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery: By
seeing what successful regionals in other areas do to attract customers,
tournament committees can adopt ideas to boost their own attendance
and player satisfaction.
Paul Linxwiler, Editor

6 Bridge Bulletin March 2017

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Bulletin
BRIDGE

Editor: Paul Linxwiler
Managing Editor: Sue Munday
Associate Editor: Chip Dombrowski
Graphic Design /Layout: Cindy Hill
BRIDGE BULLETIN (ISSN 1089-6376) is published
monthly by the American Contract Bridge League, Inc.,
6575 Windchase Blvd., Horn Lake MS 38637-1523,
662-253-3100. $5 per copy, $39 annually. Yearly subscription paid with annual dues. Periodicals postage paid
at Horn Lake MS and at additional mailing offices (USPS
488-430). Printed in the USA.
Canadian Publication rate paid at Windsor ON,
Permit #40040955. CANADIAN return address: c/o
American Contract Bridge League, P.O. Box 875, Stn A,
Windsor ON, Canada N9A 6P2.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BRIDGE
BULLETIN, P. O. Box 289, Horn Lake MS 38637-0289

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2017