SharonRoeAnderson

Counting with Larry Cohen

One of the most critical skills you can develop when declaring or defending is counting hands.  If you know who has more spades or diamonds - or who is likely to have more - your odds of knowing what line to take increases dramatically.

Sometimes, however, when you have counted the hands, counter-intuitive action is required.  Today's column by Larry Cohen highlights just these types of hands.

If you want to take the total number of tricks which are due to you - heed Larry's lessons!

Youth and Junior Bridge Ambassadors

As part of the ACBL's ever-expandng Junior Bridge Program, a new award for Youth and Junior members was established in 2009.  It's time to consider appointments now for 2010.

Do you know someone who should be appointed as a Youth of Junior Ambassador?

Nominations are now being accepted for appointment to the ACBL Ambassador program. The ACBL Youth Ambassadors and the ACBL Junior Ambassadors are groups of young players fitting the profiles shown below.

If you know any youth or junior players who fit the profile and you are interested in nominating them, please submit in writing a one page or less description of each individual and your reasons for selecting them by June 1st.

Nominations can be made by e-mail to education@acbl.org or by mail to The ACBL Ambassador Program, ACBL, 6575 Windchase Blvd. Horn Lake MS 38637-1523 or by submission directly to me, Sharon Anderson, District 14 Director.  Nominations can come from any ACBL member in good standing over the age of 25.  We look forward to your nominations!

Profile of an ACBL Youth Ambassador:

• Must be under 20 years of age
• Must be an ACBL member in good standing for over one year
• Must be willing to support promotional efforts to advertise and promote the ACBL Junior Division and the ACBL Youth Division
• Must be approved by their District Director

Criteria to be considered for nomination:

• Encouraging and supportive of youth activities
• Inspires younger players
• Mentors other youth players
• Participates in ACBL sanctioned events
• Works within their community to expand awareness of bridge
• Creates learning opportunities in their school or community
• Assists adult teachers in bridge classes and camps
• Displays ethical behavior and good sportsmanship

Profile of a Junior ACBL Ambassador:

• Must be 20 to 25 years of age
• Must be an ACBL member in good standing for over one year
• Must be willing to support promotional efforts to advertse and promote the ACBL Junior Division and the ACBL Youth Division
• Must be approved by their District Director

Criteria to be considered for nomination:

• Encouraging and supportive of junior activites
• Inspires younger players
• Mentors other junior or youth players
• Participates in ACBL sanctioned events
• Works within their community to expand awareness of bridge
• Creates learning opportunites in ther school or community
• Assists adult teachers or teaches bridge classes and camps
• Displays ethical behavior and good sportsmanship

If you know youth or junior players who fit the descriptions above, then please share your nominations with me!  I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Who Made My Bed?

The name "Don Horowitz" may not mean a lot to many of today's duplicate bridge players.  But, in his heyday, Donny was one of the Twin Cities' finest.  A whiz at math, Don played with the best and was one of them.

Donny and his talented wife, Dee Horowitz, moved away from the Twin Cities some years ago.  Yet they's continued to play bridge as long as Don's health permitted.

Now, Dee has written a book about their families, their company and bridge:  Who Made my Bed?

If you would like to read about history in Minnesota and a guy who excelled at and loved this game, do consider getting a copy!

New Life Master Requirements

All District 14 members who joined the ACBL as of January 1, 2010 or later should be aware that we now have new requirements for achieving Life Master status.

Please check out the details below.  Have a wonderful time earning the various points you need to become a Life Master!  As exciting as it is to earn that status, the fun is in the road along the way!

District 14 Masterpoint Races

One of the methods we bridge players use to gauge achievement is how many masterpoints we earn.  Every year, players are ranked for their success with overall masterpoint rankings, and for their efforts in club games.

Posted below are how the players are doing in the various categories throughout District 14. Well done, all!  Of course, much of 2010 is still to come - good luck to all!

Shining in Reno

Congratulations to the top 30 players in District 14 who won masterpoints at Reno's Spring NABC.  Particular applause for Linda Lewis, who won another national title to top the list!

ACBL Educational Foundation

The ACBL Educational Foundation has a new incoming president:  Flo Belford.

Below you will find a great article about Flo in Ontario's "Kibitzer" magazine.

The Educatonal Foundation's goals are to teach bridge and encourage players of all ages and from all walks of life to learn and love our game.  We welcome Flo to her new position, and we are glad that she will be overseeing this critical component to the promotion of bridge!

Reflections Post Reno NABC

In an effort to keep District 14 members up-to-date with what's happening with the ACBL, here are some reflectons from ACBL President Rich DeMartino and my own report from Reno.

As always, I very much appreciate the time that people take to write a comment on the blog.  Several District members have also been helpful in phoning me or sending me an email with their thoughts regarding individual motions or issues weighed by the board.

Our District has well informed and active members on the ACBL Board of Governors.  Hats off! 

 

And - please do review the reports below.  Thanks!

Following the Law

Most of us have heard of Larry Cohen and The Law of Total Tricks that Larry has made famous in bridge theory.

But, like almost all laws, even the law that Larry has immortalized sometimes can bite back. Larry shares with us such a moment.