January 2023 - 8

IN Box
The ACBL is correct to continue
to require F2F tournament players
be vaccinated. The reasons given in
the recent Letters to the Editor from
those arguing to the contrary seem
specious or just personal preference.
This is not about personal freedom
or political leanings but the health of
bridge players and their families.
Vaccines and clean drinking water
are generally credited with being the
two items that have most reduced
human mortality in the last two
centuries. After two years of COVID
vaccines, it's clear that they are safe
and effective.
Recent spikes in COVID, seasonal
flu and respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV) are killing our children and
seniors. In many countries, death
rates from these are higher in 2022
than 2020.
Given the demographics of ACBL
members, the League's policy decision
is clear. Those who choose not to
get vaccinated can play online. If F2F
events remove the vaccine requirements,
many of us will be forced to
play online bridge only.
PETER HAMBLY
Hanover ON
Contra join-date
rank requirements
In the November's Letters to the
Editor, Sue Murphy wrote, " At this
stage, allowing players to [still] get
awards on the old rules is unfair to
newer players, and it distorts the
awards that are being given. "
She is absolutely correct. It devalues
the awards received by newer
players by intentionally hiding their
accomplishments. I took little pleasure
in receiving my 500-masterpoint
Life Master rank in 2019 after
six years of duplicate because my
grandfathered club-mates presumably
assumed that I had only earned
the 300 points and only 25 gold that
they had needed.
8 | Bridge Bulletin | January 2023
I will shortly earn a 750-masterpoint
Bronze Life Master rank
(despite the ACBL limiting the
masterpoints that those of us who
have health concerns can earn
online), but the ACBL has removed
any possible anticipation from that
as well, because the Bridge Bulletin
hides whether the Bronze LMs are
750-pointers or 500-pointers and
how many gold points were required.
ALAN WHITMAN
Okanagan Falls BC
Attitude, not count
I recently read several articles in
the Bridge Bulletin that promote the
following defensive mistake: When
partner leads a suit against notrump,
and you started with five cards in the
suit, you should return your original
fourth-best. I disagree.
Say you started with A-9-7-5-2.
They say that you should win the ace
and return the 5. The problem with
that is that partner might think you
started with A-9-5. Partner might
duck, which is not what you want.
I don't know who the expert was
who stated " return your original
fourth-best, " but this is not right.
Your return should show attitude, not
count. In other words, you should return
the 2. That would force partner
to win the trick and return the suit,
which is what you want.
We should remove the idea of
returning original fourth-best from
bridge books.
STEVE ROBINSON
Arlington VA
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. Send emails to editor@acbl.org.
Exec Director Jones resigns
In an email sent to all ACBL staff
on Nov. 28, Joe Jones announced
that he is stepping down as executive
director of the ACBL.
Jones has
worked for the
League for 12
years. Originally
hired for his
experience in
finance, Jones
became the ACBL's
controller in
September 2010
and was promoted
to chief financial
officer in October 2013. With the
departure of previous CEO Bahar
Gidwani in 2018, Jones was named
interim CEO in May of that year. In
December 2018, Jones was hired by
the Board as full-time ACBL chief, but
with the title of executive director.
In his message to staff, Jones wrote,
" During my tenure, I learned to play
bridge, I met many interesting people,
I grew to be more than a financial
executive, and, most importantly, I
got to know you. Your passion for the
game and the excellent service you
provide our members is the reason I
chose to continue my career at ACBL.
I am honored that I got to be part of
the bridge community, if only for a
relatively short time. I will be forever
grateful that I was part of this fantastic
organization. Thank you for all you
do to support bridge and the ACBL. "
ACBL President Joann Glasson
said, " Joe has led the organization
through some difficult times, and we
are grateful for his years of leadership.
The Board of Directors wishes
Joe success as he pursues opportunities
in the private sector.
" I have appointed Paul Cuneo as interim
executive director. Paul has graciously
agreed to serve in this capacity
without compensation. Paul is the
ACBL Region 9 Director and a former
senior management executive. "
January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2023
