In this day and age of uncertainty about our daily lives, I want to take an opportunity to thank some of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure with whom to share this game. I for one pray for the day that I can play “Real Bridge” face to face again. I am not a fan of playing online, not so much the specter of possible cheating. Cheaters will cheat no matter the venue. I just miss the people, and the pleasure of being in a room full of players all enjoying this pastime together. Even if it is only done in pairs of two.
While the list of players I have played with is long indeed, and I have learned things from many not mentioned here. Yet I would like to publicly thank a few that I have had the pleasure of having a working partnership with over the years. So, in no particular order these players are:
Robert Schachter – A brilliant mind that not only pays attention to all the little details, but has helped me understand the importance of paying attention to the odds when other information is not available. This may seem like a simple thing But it is something that is easy (at least for me) to forget about at times.
While using my limited Math skills is important, the greatest gift that Robert has brought to our partnership is the ability to laugh off, and forget about bad results; just focus on the next hand. Again, easier said than done, for myself and I think many bridge players.
While I will not mention all of our past successes a few stand out.
2nd in the Silidor Pairs in Philadelphia 2018
Making the 3rd day of the Platinum Pairs in Philadelphia 2018
And in general - I can honestly say a slew of + scores on defense, missed by many others!
Jim Hall – A Brilliant player, that I am fortunate to have played with and from whom I learned so much. Jim had many fine attributes and skills at the bridge table, his card play, and his defensive acumen were both top-notch. Perhaps though his best gift to me was that playing with him gave me access to many fine teammates and players I might never have gotten to know. From Jim Nash, to Bill Kent, from Alan Stout to Pierre Flatowitz (Sorry Pierre I am pretty sure I am misspelling your name) and many others. I was fortunate to have many fine results playing with Jim, some of our successes that stand out are:
9th place in our first National event together. Bobby Nail Pairs 1998 in Orlando
6th place in the Blue-Ribbon Pairs. 2004 in Orlando
Just Making the 3rd day in three other Blue-Ribbon Pairs
To name a few!
Peggy Kaplan - Without a doubt the fiercest competitor I have had the pleasure of playing with. If nothing else I always knew when playing with Peg that I was going to get her all at all times. She too has bestowed upon me the gift of introducing me to players far beyond my ability. To learn from and to have the pleasure of playing against. While mostly online this list includes, Nick Nickell, Ralph Katz, George Jacobs, Claude Vogel, Steve Beatty, Walt Schafer, Richard Pavlicek and son Rich Jr, and many others. I have many fine memories of my times playing with Peg or Pegs (my nickname for her). They include:
Our first Event together. Winning the Last day Swiss at the Fall Nationals in Boston 1998. Highlighted by bidding and making 5 slams in one 7-board round against a strong Pair.
Winning our first 11 matches in the San Francisco North American Swiss 2012
Beating Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz- Cohen, Becker-Strul in the Championship Flight of the Grand National Teams Washington 2009
Among the many!
Peg Waller – One of my longer partnerships. One of the things that I learned playing with Peg, was just learning. Let me explain. While I am sure this was not intentional on her part, I always got the feeling that she never really thought that much about my skills at the bridge table. This in turn got me thinking of ways to better my play, and accelerated my learning. So, in truth I have her to thank for probably the largest growth spurt I had playing this sport. One thing stands out from my times playing with her though; she taught me to enjoy the successes at the table and to stop obsessing about the poor results. Very keen of her to spot this quirk in my personality and point it out to me, so that I could work on it!
Our successes include:
Many top finishes in National events, including commonly being in the top 20 in the National Mixed Pairs
2nd Place finish in the 0-10,000 National Swiss in Washington 2016
My first Regional Pair Win (it was a long time coming for me) Mason City sometime in the late 90’s
Bob Balderson – A fine all-around player and one of the fiercest competitors I have played with. Bob’s strength is his ability to play effectively against the opponents. Myself, and a lot of you have learned this game as one where you work in concert with your partner, as a team. Two against two in essence. Bob has the ability to do this as well as we can, but he seems to have an innate sense of knowing when he needs to take over and “play against the opponents”. Truthfully this was at times annoying. But that was my gut reaction speaking and upon reflection I came to appreciate this skill that he has. It is hard to describe but the more you play with him, the more one appreciates it.
I had many successes playing with Bob, they include:
My partner when beating Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz-Cohen, Becker-Strul in the Grand National Teams Washington 2009
Representing District 14 in the Championship Flight of the Grand National Teams, at least 10 times!
Winning many KO and Swiss events at both the Regional and Sectional level. His specialty!
Michael Lee Howland – The most remarkable thing playing with Michael was simply his remarkable smile when at the bridge table! Michael and Carole Miner share this trait, which is what makes playing with both of them truly a treat. Michael has an innate sense at the table which is hard to define (Carole Miner has this too!) I do not know what this remarkable trait is exactly but I do know that the two of them combine to create many opportunities at the table not normally seen. Let’s just say the opponents seem to make more mistakes against these two players as anyone else I have played with. I don’t really know how to describe this skill, but one thing I am sure of, is that it is not random luck. Perhaps they just create havoc!
While I played in only one National with Michael, we did play into the 2nd day of the Blue Ribbon’s and missed day 3 by just a hair.
I did win many Regional games with Michael and enjoyed them all.
And with his help and inspiration developed my own Club system. While this system is not perfect by any sense. It has something that has given me great joy and a sense of accomplishment!
Carole Miner - I have mentioned Carole previously in my tribute to Michael Lee, as they both share similar traits. I always thought they might make a great partnership. I can envision these two creating some enormous games together!
Carole too is a tough competitor, and while she can at times be tough on her partner it is always obvious that her intent is to get the most out of her game. The best part of playing with Carole though is just simply witnessing the joy she gets out of playing. It is both evident, and greatly appreciated.
While at times I have been hesitant to put some partners in what I know will be tough contracts, I never hesitate with Carole. She loves to play hands, and does it as well as any of my other partners.
Our list of successes are:
Two top 10 finishes in National Pair games. Providence 2014, St Louis 2013
My partner finishing 2nd in the National 0-10,000 Swiss
My teammate for many Grand National Team Championships including knocking off Meckstroth-Rodwell, Berkowitz-Cohen, Becker-Strul in Washington 2009.
Sharon Smith/Snell/Meerschaert – As most of the lessons I learned from this remarkable lady have nothing to do with Bridge, they are MINE and MINE alone! She did however instill in me the wonders of getting to know as many of the remarkable people that play this game as I could. While I admit to this not being one of my strengths, it is a skill I am still working on. I have her and another lady to thank for introducing me to the importance of comradeship and appreciation for others.
Alexandra/Sandy Fisher - The second wonderful addition to my life, and also the one that reminds me how remarkable the people who share a passion for this game are. Again, most of her lessons are MINE and MINE alone. While far less experienced than me she had reminded me of the power of the preempt. Watch out folks this bundle of positive energy loves to preempt. And I love to watch the havoc that ensues!
For all those partners out there that I did not mention in this short tribute, know that I remember my times with you as well and treasure them!
That’s it, I just wanted to let everyone know that despite my, at times grumpy behavior, I appreciated everyone in our bridge community and cannot wait to be able to do so again in person. Be well everyone, stay safe, and I will see you on a better day!
Comments from peanut gallery Pegs!
In Minnesota we are blessed with all sorts of players who have passion for bridge. Some have more talent than others; some are more social than fierce. Yet so many appreciate one another and literally for decades have reaped the fun and the fascination and the wonderment of our game.
Right at the head of the class is Paul - a fellow who has super talents, loves to learn, is fun is smart and has lots and lots of friends.
Thanks to Pauls for this most interesting column - and thanks to all our Minnesotans who also have the passion and love to play The Greatest Game!