October 2023 - 9

A MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
So many people contribute to running a game of bridge at a regional or sectionPRESIDENT
Joann
Glasson
VICE PRESIDENT
Margot Hennings
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bronia Jenkins
CHAIR, ADVISORY COUNCIL
Doug Couchman
Board of Directors
Region 1 * Jonathan Steinberg
Region 2 * Mark Aquino
Region 4 * Margot Hennings
Region 5 * Dennis Carman
Region 6 * Barbara Heller
Region 7 * Larry Sealy
Region 8 * Jeff Overby
Region 9 * Paul Cuneo
Region 10 * Cindy Shoemaker
Region 11 * David Lodge
Region 12 * Jacqueline Zayac
Region 13 * Tim White
District 2 * Flo Belford
District 3 * Carlos Muñoz
District 4 * Joann Glasson
District 8 * Georgia Heth
District 14 * Deana Liddy
District 21 * Stu Goodgold
To contact a district director,
visit acbl.org/boardofdirectors.
al tournament. Volunteer organizers and tournament chairs provide the venue so
that we can play, and amenities to make the day enjoyable,
but the real unsung heroes of our bridge tournaments
are the tournament directors who provide the
glue that make it all work.
ACBL tournament directors bring their experience,
professionalism and expertise to their job to make it
look easy, but it is no small task to keep everything running
smoothly at a bridge tournament. The job is multifaceted,
requiring the tournament director to manage
varying space requirements and multiple events at the
same time.
Tournament directors need many skillsets to perform
their job effectively. They must be knowledgeable
about the rules of the game, but that is just the beginning.
They also need to be counselors, psychologists,
computer savvy and sometimes a referee. Many are expert bridge players.
Tournament directors arrive hours before game time to make sure that everyJOANN
GLASSON
thing is set up before the crowds emerge. They patiently register players for the
game, dealing in today's cashless society, with requests for discounts, special
seating and players wanting to pay for only half an entry.
In addition, tournament directors field players' questions about the location of
the bathrooms, where to find supplies, complaints about the temperature of the
room, etc., etc.
When the game begins, the TDs respond to lots of director calls and police slow
players to keep the game moving. Bridge is a competitive game, and occasionally
a player can be particularly cranky, requiring the directors to use all their personal
skills to calm the situation.
At the end of the game, they tabulate the results and record the winners, but
their work is still not done. Required paperwork for ACBL and tournament
chairs can extend their day even longer.
ACBL tournament directors are the true unsung heroes of our game. Without
them, we wouldn't get to play the game we love.
Tournament directors deserve our respect and our gratitude. So, the next time
that you see one of these talented men and women making their very complicated
job look easy and providing you with a wonderful bridge experience, let them
know how much you appreciate them.
As always, I am available for your questions and suggestions at
joannglasson@msn.com. 2
October 2023 | Bridge Bulletin |
9
http://www.acbl.org/boardofdirectors
October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023
