February 2025 - 8

handful of overall placements.
However, the Gold for Good games
required participants to play in at
least two sessions (a novelty for
special games), and one of these sessions
had to be face-to-face: Skill is
required. And even with gold-point
awards going to top finishers, the
total number of gold points earned
from this contest was a tiny percentage
of what a typical regional would
generate.
Night games needed
Sarah Springer's Letter to the
Editor in the December issue ( " The
way forward " ) is spot on. If the game
is to survive as we know it, younger
members need to be brought in.
Bridge did not used to be an old person's
game, but it has become that
way. The attrition rate (death, retirement
to warmer climes) is otherwise
irreversible.
I sit on the Advisory Council at the
national level, I'm the vice president
of District 3 and I'm past president of
Unit 188. At all three levels, it is hard
to fill vacant positions. It has been
suggested in my unit that I and the
current president (who was VP under
me) just keep alternating terms as
president, as we are young enough
and committed enough to keep
things going for a while; except attrition
is likely to hit me (for good personal
reasons) in the next couple of
years, and I will have to serve bridge
far away from District 3. Something
needs to be done to replace me, with
someone like me who is not eligible
for the Senior Pairs.
At all three levels of bridge administration,
I advocate for the younger
player. You must have weekend
games and evening games that
younger players can attend.
But the district runs no night
games at regionals. The unit clubs
run no weekend or night games. This
is based on shortsighted monetary
8 | Bridge Bulletin | February 2025
policy. The night games make less
money or lose money. But if you don't
have opportunities for younger players,
how do you grow or maintain
the game? Younger players cannot
play during the day during the week.
I play in weekend regional and unit
games, but that is the extent of my
in-person play. How am I being regularly
served other than by BBO?
(A club three counties away in a different
district has welcomed me for
night games, but the drive is off-putting
because of tolls and distance.)
I urge all bridge administrators and
club owners to address this problem
for a long-term solution.
JASON FUHRMAN
Yonkers NY
Bridge in literature
In my very favorite short story,
John O'Hara's " The Pig " appearing in
the collection " The Horse Knows The
Way " from 1964, there is a two-paragraph
throwaway about bridge.
The story is only 13 pages long, but
in the author's unique style, we are
treated to life, death, friendships,
relationships, responsibility, respect,
honesty, heroism, bravery and bridge.
In regard to the latter:
" Where the hell were you? " said
George Adams. " Look who I have to
play with. This guy just made a little
slam, and we only bid four. I showed
the son of a bitch my aces and he
stopped at four. "
This guy, Harold Liggett, said,
" Hello, Lawrence, You can have my
place, if you like. It's yours anyway.
And let me point out to you, Mr.
Adams, if Mike had returned John's
heart lead we'd have been set four
tricks. Which, doubled and vulnerable,
would have cost us plenty. Mike
had the ace of hearts by itself. "
The full story is worth a read by
everybody.
STEVE SILLS
Sarasota FL
Taking care of business
Members of Unit 154 (NW Indiana)
are fortunate to have a board of
directors who truly serve their
players.
Their stewardship and fiduciary
accountability are evidenced by the
cost containment of tournaments.
The board members and tournament
chairs have secured space at no
cost. Players willing donate food and
preparation time to contain the cost
of refreshments.
The board members are well
known and accessible to members as
they frequent the local clubs.
To promote enjoyment for the players
and club managers, they recently
provided every Unit 154 club a generous
Baron Barclay gift card in hopes
of refreshing the bidding boxes and
playing cards. This was a kind gesture
to promote the continued operation
and success of our clubs.
I am fortunate to manage a club in
Unit 154. Support of my club by the
board ... priceless.
MARY SCHULTZ
Elmhurst IL
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.
February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
