March 2022 - 7

IN Box
Safety play
I am dismayed that online tournaments
have been curtailed. I don't understand
how so many in our bridge
community can be opposed to them.
The online games have been one of
my few joys during this lockdown
due to COVID-19. Playing for gold,
silver and red points is an unexpected
treat. Would I like to play in-person
at a local club? Of course. But this is
my dilemma: Although I have had
three Moderna vaccines, I still have
a compromised immune system.
More importantly, my 20-month-old
grandson is not qualified (age-wise)
to receive a vaccine. If I become a carrier
and transmit this virus to him,
will he have a mild case or might he
die? So will I play in person? Obviously
not.
ACBL: Please rethink your strategy
for tournament players who cannot
risk playing in person. Continue to
host tournaments online that award
gold, silver and red points.
NANCY GREENBERG
Boynton Beach FL
Online games attract youth
I write in support of the well-written
letter by Rodger Archer in the
January issue of the Bridge Bulletin,
with an additional point of emphasis.
Today's youngsters are fully comfortable
with computers, including
doing research and playing games.
Online games are played by the tens
of thousands of hours every day, and,
of course, there are the endless hours
of trading pictures and messages by
social media.
We want to bring young people into
bridge to introduce them to its fine
attributes. The way to do that is to
make online games as available and
low cost as possible.
I echo the sentiments of those who
miss F2F games. I absolutely agree.
While there can be a bit of chatting
during the BBO games, it is nowhere
near the friendly teasing, laughter,
sharing of family information and
other human elements that take place
at our regular club game. That just
doesn't happen online, and I regret
that, as do we all. But if we want to
get through this and come out with
good membership numbers on the
other side, we need to open wide the
electronic portal. Many future tournament
players will come from those
who first fell in love with the game
via BBO and other online forums.
EDWARD M. KRAUSS
Grandview Heights OH
Clarity
The funny story by Christopher
Jones in the January issue ( " Clarity
at the High End " ) was entertaining.
The article revolves around the question
of how many possible auctions
exist.
The answer to this is known:
It's about 1.3 x 10^47. I say " about "
because it's unlikely I could copy all
48 digits without error. I published
a formal piece on this topic 50 years
ago in the American Mathematical
monthly publication.
The answer requires a full line of
type!
WILLIAM LANGLOIS
San Jose CA
KC Regional was tops
In December, my spouse and I
slaked our bridge thirst at the Kansas
City Regional, playing in 12 of 14
sessions.
Everything was perfect. The organizers
were warm and thoughtful,
the facility clean and spacious, the
amenities generous and delicious,
the directors courteous and helpful.
The tournament drew players from
Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa
and Illinois by my own count. This
was a reflection of the tournament's
well-earned reputation, and of how
eager we all are to play live bridge.
This regional set a standard for
successful live bridge, one I hope
other clubs (including my own) will
follow. Proof of vaccination was
required and players respected the
mask rule. Directors were diligent
in reminding us of how to wear our
masks. (Not hanging from the chin!)
My congratulations and thanks to
the KC organizers for all they did. I
feel nothing but gratitude for a great
week of fun.
MICHAEL SHERBERG
St. Louis MO
Watch your language
Playing against two animal lovers
at our local club, my partner mentioned
how she got " fixed " by two
novices on the previous round. One
of these opponents was a cat lover
and the other was a veterinarian.
They informed us that they did not
appreciate the terminology. So, as a
former horse owner back in the day,
I propose the term " getting gelded "
instead.
CARL GUELI
Great Neck NY
Wise guy
Maybe the greatest bridge coup of
all time was that of the Bridge Bulletin
gaining the services of Simon
Cocheme, a great writer. I loved the
article in the January issue on fooling
the opponents, but someone should
tell Mr. Cocheme that he did not fool
any English majors with his " quote "
from King Lear, Act 14, Scene 30.
RIBS LAMOTHE
Coppell TX
March 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
7
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March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022
