August 2024 - 8

IN Box
few nationals. After our partnership
broke up, I played with other
Precision partners and was so grateful
for their lessons and expertise.
They were much better players than I.
I would say my success in bridge
was that I always played against the
best, never my level. I read a lot,
looking for books that improved my
game. My suggestion to developing
players: read, read, read!
I now mentor two young players
and encourage them to play in the
open games. Good players are always
ready to answer any questions. These
new players are excited when they do
well, and they get more masterpoints
playing in the tougher field. When I
first started playing, I was scared to
death, so I never forget to treat new
players kindly. They need our help
and encouragement.
Bridge has been good to me.
Although I don't believe I will reach
the 10,000-masterpoint level - because
I don't travel as much as I used
to - I still have goals, one of which I
accomplished this year: I earned my
first platinum points playing at the
Spring NABC in Louisville.
LYNN RAFFERTY
Columbiana OH
Uncommon courtesy
Following a hiatus of over 12 years,
I went back to play at the Denver
Regional in May. My partner, Debbie
Countryman, is a social bridge player,
who was attending her first ACBL
tournament of any kind. The illustrious
Jan Jansma, playing with Jay
Borker, came with a cheerful smile to
our table. My partner played a contract
of 5c making six after Jansma
had preempted in hearts. At the end
of the round, he graciously complimented
Debbie for avoiding a no-play
3NT. When I informed her that she
has received the compliments of a
world champion, Debbie was thrilled
about it.
8 | Bridge Bulletin | August 2024
I would like to thank Jan so much
for his kindness and pleasant demeanor.
Kudos to a remarkable
gentleman!
HAISAM OSMAN
Highlands Ranch CO
Bridge for all
Kudos to Patty Tucker and the
ACBL for introducing bridge to
schools through its Jump Start program.
It appears, however, that this
program is available only to gifted
students or high-ability learners.
This is a huge mistake. Clearly, one
does not need a high IQ to learn
bridge or to play it well. Open Jump
Start Bridge to all!
DOC COULTER
Hastings NE
Color commentary
I enjoy in-person bridge so much
more than playing online. However,
I never had to worry about missorted
hands playing online. Last week,
while playing at a local, sanctioned
ACBL game, one of the players missorted
their hand three times in one
session, and it affected the bidding or
the play of the hand.
I have seen playing cards where the
suits are different colors, matching
the colors of the suits in the bidding
boxes: Spades are blue, hearts are
red, diamonds are orange, and clubs
are green. Also, the numbers are
larger. With the aging of the bridgeplaying
population, the change would
be helpful to all of us. At a minimum,
the ACBL should recommend that
directors, at all levels, replace the
playing cards with the new, colorcoordinated
decks when they retire
the old cards.
ROBERT FINKELSTEIN
Reston VA
Different strokes for
different folks
I want to report a special deal that
occurred at our local club. At all eight
tables, the result was the same: 4s
making five. Six times it was played
by North, and twice it was played by
South.
The full deal:
s K 9 8 3 2
h K 9
d K 9 6
c A 9 4
s 5
h Q J 3
d J 10 7 5 3 2
c K Q J
s A Q 7 4
h A 7 5 2
d A 8
c 10 8 5
What is peculiar about the deal is
that the lead was different at each
table: s6, h10, h8, h4, h3, dQ,
cK and c7.
FRANÇOIS FALARDEAU
Repentigny QC
s J 10 6
h 10 8 6 4
d Q 4
c 7 6 3 2
Letters to the editor are welcome
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considered a virtue, as is subject matter
with relevance to a majority of ACBL
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Letters may be edited. All letters will
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editor@acbl.org.
August 2024

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