The American Bridge

Teachers’ Association

Quarterly
Magazine
Summer 2015
Issue 214
 AUDREY GRANT
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 ABTA Quarterly Magazine

Regional Directors Continued

The American Bridge Teachers’ Association Quarterly Magazine (ISSN 0891-6462) is
published quarterly by The American Bridge Teachers’ Association. Office is P.O. Box South Atlantic
232, Greenwood, MO 64034-0232. Annual subscription of $40 is included in $45 an- FL GA NC SC Caribbean
nual membership dues paid to The American Bridge Teachers’ Association. Periodical LINDA GREEN
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Delray Beach, FL 33483
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the American Bridge Teachers’ Association irwinlinda@bellsouth.net
Quarterly Magazine, P.O. Box 232, Greenwood, MO 64034-0232
North Atlantic
DE DC MD NJ NY PA VA
TERRY JONES
ABTA Officers and Regional Directors 5977 Jan Mar Drive
Falls Church, VA 22041-2414
terry@fallschurchbridgeclub.com
Officers Special Officer South Central
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BRENDA MONTAGUE delmabridge@live.ca
Immediate Past President 14 Capstan Way
4 BRENDA SIMPSON
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DEE BERRY michael@jcbridge.org
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deeandduane.berry@comcast.net
 President’s Message by Chuck Hodel
“The older I grow, the more I distrust the
familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom”
– H.L. Mencken
This will be my last regular Quarterly Report. I started on this journey with hopes that
I could affect some changes for the better and to some measure some things have been
accomplished. The new Quarterly is exciting. I loved the Spring Issue with its full color
cover with a spring theme. Editor Christopher Rivera has worked hard to bring us some
new provocative articles and new features. Recently, a new teacher member suggested
that the Quarterly should publish a “New Teacher” section. The first article appeared in
the Spring issue with a second to follow in this issue. Another new feature beginning
with this, the Summer issue, will be a letters to the editor section so that members can
write in on any topic they wish. Of course, others can answer as they see fit. This year
we created a Task Force that is going to provide input to ACBL on texts for beginning
students. ACBL has always provided texts for teachers that taught school age students,
but it has become apparent that the texts that were being sent were out of date, cumber-
some, and expensive to mail. Our Task Force is made up of several members that are
preparing a recommendation to ACBL for a new text. Sheryl Mcewen has been heading
that group. I am pleased that teachers are having the opportunity to help in the decision
making process. There have been improvements in our website with the “members only”
link operational. One must activate their own access to this link, but it is not difficult.
Also, ACBL during the last year, after discussions with ABTA, has cleaned up their Find
a Teacher link on their web site. The only way one can now be listed as a bridge teacher is
to be an accredited ACBL teacher, an accredited Better Bridge presenter, an EasyBridge
presenter OR an ABTA member.
There have been some projects I wanted to work on but didn’t get to. I will discuss these
with my successor, Patty Tucker of Atlanta. If she sees merit in them perhaps she can
persue them, but I know Patty has many wonderful ideas of her own.
6 Chicago! Our convention is fast approaching and you should register as soon as possi-
ble. The dates are Aug. 4-7, just before that NABC begins. If you haven’t made travel or
lodging arrangements you should do so at once. Our Convention Chair Linda Green has
a wonderful schedule of presenters and speakers including Zia Mahmood, Larry Cohen,
Jerry Helms, John Rayner and of course Audrey Grant. ABTA stalwarts Barbara Sea-
gram, Rosemary Boden and Julian Laderman are also scheduled. Our banquet will also
feature the famous panel hosted by George Jacobs. I will be looking forward to it. There
will also be an optional Wednesday evening activity. Remember that upon the
(cont.)
Table of Contents
The American Bridge Teachers’ Association Motto is:
To help those who teach bridge to do it better— more effectively—
more knowledgeably—more professionally.
Articles:
A Bridge Too Far 10
Jump Opening Bids 12
Overbidders Anonymous 18
Chicago Conference Information and Registration 20
Apple Basket Submission Information 22
Regular Features:
ABTA Officers and Regional Directors 4
President’s Report 6
From the Editor 8
For New Teachers 16
Letter to the Editor 22
Book Reviews 24
ABTA Online Activities 26
Advertisers:
Baron Barclay Bridge Supply—Teaching Materials 2
Baron Barclay Bridge Supply— Audrey Grant 3
Beginning Bridge Using 2 over 1 19
The Rosie Way to Better Bridge 25
Masterpoint Press— The Bridge Site 27
Masterpoint Press— Declarer Play 28
executive authority vested in my office I have declared convention Wednesday (August 5)
“Wear Your Team Colors Day.” I hope at least some of you will wear jerseys, caps, tee shirts
etc., from your favorite team, be it college or pro. I will be wearing the orange and black of
the San Francisco Giants!
I will close this message with three special recognitions. There are many people that devote
7
a great deal of time and energy to our organization, but I must mention President-Elect
Patty Tucker, Convention Chair Linda Green, and Business Secretary Kathy Rolfe. Each is
hard working and dedicated to ABTA. Each has been at my side when I needed help and
advice. I have made many friends in ABTA. I look forward to seeing all of you for many
more years to come.
 From the Editor

This amusing thought popped up in my Facebook feed not too long ago. different meanings depending on when it is made, another nuance of the auction often
Let's eat grandpa. confounds them: many hands require more than one bid to describe them. I am reminded
Let's eat, grandpa. of a humorous habit my late grandfather had of jumbling syntax when speaking. He did
Correct punctuation can save a person's life. this on purpose, to get a smile from those listening to him. He would concoct sentences
such as, “throw me down the stairs my overcoat.” When you heard the whole thought, you
It was followed, a few days later, with a discussion of the importance of the Oxford com- knew what he meant. If you were too quick to assume his meaning, he might have been
ma. Consider the following two sentences. tumbling down the stairs before he finished speaking. We have all seen auctions spiral out
Jane found herself in the elevator with her ex-husband, an 800-year-old demigod and a of control because one person in the partnership didn't know when to pass. We have all
collector of dead insects. seen auctions end too soon because one player in the pair didn't understand that pass was
Jane found herself in the elevator with her ex-husband, an 800-year-old demigod, and a not an option (no matter how painful it seemed to take another bid). If you don't know
collector of dead insects. what partner is saying, it will probably lead to disaster.

The first sentence describes an awkward encounter between two people. The four people Now, what is my point? (I've been told that having a point makes my article more inter-
in the second sentence probably frequent my bridge club in Manhattan on a daily basis. esting to the readers.) Bridge may be difficult to parse, even for experienced players, but
As an editor and writer, this sort of esoteric language humor hits my funnybone. it is not indecipherable. There are logical rules governing how we communicate. If we
said we had a balanced hand, before, we can't be saying we have a void, now. If our double
There are two humorous contributions to this issue of the Quarterly, Overbidders Anon- was takeout, before, it can't suddenly be penalty, now. It all boils down to this: “What am
ymous and A Bridge Too Far. The latter piece was written by a student (Wanda Lane), I saying, and what is my partner saying?” If we know for certain what's being said in the
and is a meditation on the complexity of the game we love and teach. It started me think- auction, then the game opens up. It becomes much more enjoyable because it becomes
ing about the importance of clear communication, not only in bridge, but in all aspects understandable.
of life...but mostly in bridge. (Isn't bridge just a metaphor for life, anyway?)
In bridge as in life, good communication is a foundation to success. It may not be easy, but
When we first teach beginner students, auctions are very simple and the bids mean, more it is worth the effort.
or less, what the student might expect them to mean. If we bid a suit, we have that suit.
Very quickly, the complexity of an auction blossoms exponentially. We might try to keep
it simple, but long term, that is a fool's errand. It is impossible to keep a bridge auction
simple. The complexity is inherent in the game. It is a direct consequence of the rules
which prohibit bridge players from using anything but 38 legal calls to describe their
hands among the 53 octillion (to be exact, 53,644,737,765,488,792,839,237,440,000) pos-
sible bridge deals. That is a remarkable paucity of communication options.

I have heard from many non-bridge players that the idea of an auction is stupid. “Why
Christopher Rivera, Editor
not just tell everybody what you have in your hand?” is a question I have tried to answer
more than once. “It's part of the game,” is a very unsatisfying answer to those who have riverabridge@gmail.com
not been bitten by the bridge bug. Furthermore, as my previous examples on the im-
portance of commas demonstrate, even plain English is rife with hidden pitfalls. If the
presence or absence of one tiny, downward pen stroke can make the difference between
8 dining on your grandfather and dining with your grandfather, just saying what you mean
ATTENTION COLUMNISTS, ADVERTISERS, and CONTRIBUTORS! 9
isn't always as easy as it seems. If you would like to submit an article for the Quarterly, advertise with us, or make any
contribution to the next issue, contact me, Christopher Rivera, at riverabridge@gmail.com
I like to tell my students that bids and real estate share the same three criteria for de-
termining their significance: location, location, location. Where a bid falls in an auc- Deadlines for future submissions are:
tion informs its meaning. An opening bid of 2♣ has a very different meaning from an
overcall of 2♣ which might have yet another different meaning from a response of 2♣ FALL Issue: August 1, 2015 SPRING Issue: February 1, 2016
(particularly if responding to 1NT). Even if students appreciate that a single bid can have WINTER Issue: November 1, 2015
SUMMER Issue: May 1, 2016
 A Bridge Too Far
by Wanda Lane
Wanda Lane lives in Sun City Hilton Head
with her husband of forty-eight years and their
dachshund, Wolfgang. She is the author of two
books Wrinkles in Paradise and More Wrinkles
in Paradise and numerous articles for newspa-
pers and magazines.
Wanda is a student of veteran teacher Kathie
Walsh, ABTA Teacher of the Year, 2011.
I stand in awe of the bridges of the world. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Sidney Harbor
Bridge, the London Tower Bridge, and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge are but a few exam-
ples of mystifying modern engineering. The contributions of modern engineering to global
economies and cultures are truly incalculable.
Now, I am neither naïve nor uninformed, and I know that to build the iconic bridges of the
world takes special talents, scores of mega-math courses and years of study. I would never
aspire to build a bridge. As far as bridges go, my goals are much more modest.
Fortunately for me, I simply want to play bridge – in a ladies foursome or in a couples group
perhaps once a month. Nothing hard, nothing complicated. No tournaments, no duplicate.
Conversational, friendly. Little did I realize at the beginning of my quest, however, that even
this simple objective was as complicated as spanning river gorges and, for me, perhaps a
bridge too far.
Ironically enough, I had to cross a bridge to attend my classes. The first sessions were easy.
I got the parts about counting points, 40 points in a deck, 26 points needed for game, 13
points for an opening bid. Eventually, though, the rules got complicated and contradictory,
and as I compared bridge building with bridge playing, I became convinced that engineers
have huge advantages over wannabe bridge players.
It is common knowledge that in order to build a bridge, detailed plans must be made. Blue-
prints are drawn, redrawn, and scrutinized for error. Consultations take place. Many minds
contribute to the final design that will culminate in an engineering marvel. Engineers are
encouraged to collaborate. They talk to each other. Bridge players, on the other hand, have
10 to make their decisions virtually alone. Open, honest conferring with your partner is dis-
couraged and, frankly, frowned upon.
Further, engineers have months, sometimes years, to finalize a plan, as opposed to bridge
players who are forced to “make a plan” in minutes sometimes mere seconds. Nobody ever
tells an engineer to hurry and make up his mind. In addition, by the time engineers imple-
ment the plan, the kinks have been worked out. Bridge players, on the other hand, are not
only required to make plans quickly, but must make them with unknown variables. Import-
ant variables like what cards lie where.
by Wanda Lane
These differences, significant as they are, represent the mere tip of the iceberg, however,
when bridge building and bridge playing are compared. As mentioned previously, engi-
neers make plans and consult with each other. They then communicate with one another
in a language (I’m guessing here) utilized by roughly 90% of the world population – name-
ly, English – not, shall we say, in an encrypted code that only a few people (your partner
not being one of them) in the world understand.
Said another way: if an engineer spots a measurement that seems to be out of whack, he
says to his fellow engineer, “This beam is out of whack,” and his comrade says, “Let’s fix it.”
His comrade doesn’t reply enigmatically with a conundrum in code saying two diamonds
to your perfectly reasonable one diamond bid which leaves you wondering does he have a
weak hand; a strong hand; heaven forbid, a mini weak-freak hand; or no hand at all?
Consider this as well: when the engineer says to his associate that a particular beam is
too long, he says it in a spirit of camaraderie, of solving a mutual problem, and a collegial
conversation ensues. In bridge, when speaking the code that even you don’t understand,
you know that nothing collegial is going to happen; that in fact, those privy to your con-
versation are bent on deciphering your meaning and calculating your demise even before
you begin.
Another thing that makes me wish I had taken up bridge building instead of bridge
playing is the way bridge players speak of each other. I have yet to hear one engineer
call another engineer dummy. Engineers respect each other, but, it’s de rigueur to have a
dummy in bridge. In fact, the game can’t proceed without one, and the insult doesn’t stop
there. The dummy is further derided for being short. Adding insult to injury, the dummy’s
misfortune – shortness – is made into a jingle oft repeated. Shortness-in-the-dum-my.
One last concern must be aired before this diatribe of comparisons concludes. I’m certain
that there are catch-phrases in the world of engineering that condense complicated con-
cepts into short, quick sound bites. These are meant to be assistive. The same can be said of
bridge, except in bridge, rather than help, the catch phrases are all too often distracting.
For instance: what exactly does “five dive” mean? Into the pool? Or “four soar?” In a bal-
loon? Or the “golden fit”? A dress that actually fits? For our golden wedding anniversary?
How about Yarborough? That’s my favorite Australian wine! And quacky? Ducks under
the bridge? Take “She who knows, goes” for another example. What does she know, and
where is she going?
11
Taking all of this together, I must conclude that it truly seems easier to become a bridge
builder than a bridge player. Either way, though, I have a choice. I can go back to that
bridge or jump off!
 Jump Opening Bids by Barry Rigal

by Barry Rigal
For example, Vulnerable in Second Seat, this is a 2♠ opening.
Born in the UK but resident in the US for 20
years, Barry Rigal is a multiple national champi-
♠ K Q 10 8 7 5
on with more than a dozen books to his credit.
♥ J2
He has written extensively about deception, card ♦ K86
play technique and bidding theory. Barry lives ♣ 10 4
in Manhattan with his wife Sue Picus (a multiple
world champion). Their main interests together In my view, people get too hung up on side four-card suits. It is acceptable to open with a side
are travel and the arts but NOT playing bridge
four-card minor. This is also a 2♠ opening.
together.
♠ K Q 10 8 7 5
♥ J2
We don’t want to teach people only to preempt with the perfect hand. We don’t want to ♦ K864
teach them to open any six- or seven-card suit. What is the happy medium? ♣ 10

When we teach opening preempts, we are usually teaching what to bid in the first three But this hand is too weak given the seat and vulnerability.
seats. (Recognize that weak pre-empts in the fourth seat do not exist. Jump bids in fourth ♠ K Q 10 8 7 5
seat, assuming the auction has been passed around to that player, show intermediate or ♥ J2
strong hands, although many of those hands lack an interest in game opposite a passed ♦ 986
hand.) We begin with a concept of the ideal hand for preempting, but we rarely hold the ♣ 10 4
ideal hand. Therefore, the Theory of Flaws allows that the hand we actually hold may
differ from the ideal hand by a certain number of flaws and still allow us to preempt. Vul- A weak side four-card major is OK if the long suit is too good to pass.
nerability with respect to position should also inform the bidding. Consider the follow-
ing as to how your hand can differ from the ideal. In first seat, it might be right to pass this at unfavourable vulnerability, but bid if everyone is
equal.
In first, second and third seats, consider the following criteria for the ideal hand.
♠ K 10 9 8 7 5
♥ J2
• HAND STRENGTH [Range 6-10 for 2- or 3-level preempts; a preempt is never more
♦ K86
♣ 10 4
than 10hcp]
• SUIT LENGTH [six cards for a weak-two, seven for a weak-three]
The goal of an opening preempt is to interfere with the opponents when they have the good
• SUIT QUALITY [two top honors vulnerable, QJ9 non-vulnerable]
hands, but what happens when partner has the good hand? And what constitutes a good
• SIDE DEFENCE [No more than one honor trick outside the suit]
hand? Mel Colchamiro deserves credit for creating a very sound guideline for evaluating
• PLAYABILITY IN SIDE-SUITS [no good side four-card suit]
“good” hands opposite a preempt. When the combination of high card points and cards in
• VOIDS [shouldn't have any]
support of partner's suit equal or exceed 17, that hand must bid. Consider teaching the follow-
ing methods depending on the experience level of the student.
Vulnerability with respect to position should also inform the bidding. Consider the fol-
lowing as to how your hand can differ from the ideal.
• 2NT RELAY, Feature Ask, or Ogust? [Feature Ask is most common, and best for newer
12 • FAVOURABLE VULNERABILITY: First seat can be aggressive and third seat, any-
students; Ogust is better for undisciplined preempts, but that is a style only experienced 13
players are likely to play.]
thing goes!
• ALL NEW SUITS are FORCING
• EVERYONE EQUAL IN FIRST OR THIRD SEAT; FAVOURABLE IN SECOND
• All RAISES are NOT FORCING
SEAT (three flaws are acceptable)
• DIRECT bid of 3NT is TO PLAY; bidding the 2NT RELAY then bidding 3NT is offering a
• EVERYONE EQUAL IN SECOND SEAT; VULNERABLE IN THIRD SEAT (two
CHOICE OF GAMES
flaws are acceptable)
• DIRECT bid of 4NT is ACE ASKING; bidding the 2NT RELAY then bidding 4NT is KEY-
• VULNERABLE FIRST SEAT (one flaw is acceptable)
CARD [either 1430 or 3014, that is your prefernce]
• VULNERABLE SECOND SEAT (no flaws, this hand should be the ideal)
 Jump Opening Bids by Barry Rigal

FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS: 4♣ (or 4♦ over clubs) is ACE ASKING with the follow- GAMBLING 3NT
ing steps as responses: (0/1/1+Q/2/2+Q). Not everyone plays this pre-empt. If you do, I think it should show a solid 7+ card minor
suit. In first and second seat, it denies an outside A or K. In third and fourth seat, it is to
After the opponents Double, consider teaching the following methods depending on the play. Consider the following responses to Gambling 3NT.
experience level of the student.
• 4♣ is PASS or CORRECT [a desire to play 4 of the minor, as the gamble does not look
• NEW SUITS at the TWO-LEVEL are NOT FORCING good]
• RAISES are PREEMPTIVE and NOT FORCING • 4♦ is SINGLETON ASK: a bid of a suit shows shortness in that suit, 4NT denies short-
• NEW SUITS at the THREE-LEVEL SUITS are LEAD-DIRECTING and PROMISE a ness
FIT for the PREEMPT
• REDOUBLE shows a STRONG HAND, willing to play redoubled, or penalize the • 4♥ or 4♠ is TO PLAY
oppents • 4NT ASKS for SUIT LENGTH; bid steps to show 7, 8, or 9. [5NT asks for QUEENS].
• JUMPS in a NEW SUIT are FIT-SHOWING
4-LEVEL PREEMPTS
FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS: 2NT is LEBENSOHL [a transfer to 3♣ to get out at These are usually hands with eight-card suits, but can also have 7-4 distribution.
three-level or show high-card raise in partner’s suit]
This hand is about the bare minimum for 4-level a preempt. Vulnerable against not, this
After the oponents interfere with a suit bid, consider teaching the following methods. might be too risky.
♠ QJT87532
• NEW SUITS are NATURAL and NOT FORCING ♥ 542
• A RAISE is COMPETITIVE and NOT FORCING [not even invitational] ♦8
• JUMPS are FIT-SHOWING ♣7
• DOUBLES are PENALTY
• JUMP to 4NT is KEYCARD While this hand is too good to preempt.
♠ AK98652
FOURTH SEAT PREEMPTS ♥4
There is no point to preempting in the fourth seat. Since a pass would end the auction, ♦ A865
there is no reason for a weak hand to bid. Therefore, a jump bid in fourth seat should ♣4
show an intermediate hand, an attempt to set the contract right away. Bids at the two- or
three-level show 8-12 HCP, minimal game interest and no obvious alternative playable Play the following methods over 4-level preempts.
suit.
• 4♥/♠ is TO PLAY
• 4NT is KEYCARD [except over 4♣, then 4♦ is Keycard]
This hand is a minimum.
• BIDS at the 5-level ASK for controls in that suit [the responses are in steps and show:
♠ KJ9875 no control, second round control, first round control, total control (total = stiff A or a
♥ 42 void) – and 5NT shows a protected K]
♦ K86
♣Q4
I suggest adopting an important rule that NO hand with a good suit falls between a 1-level
14 opening and a preempt. If the hand looks like you should bid, open it one, two, or three, 15
Replace the ♣Q with the ♣A for a maximum. but don’t pass.

Play the following methods over a fourth seat jump bid.

• 2NT RELAY is a FEATURE ASK [or SINGLETON ASK if you prefer, since a decent
suit is guaranteed]
• NEW SUITS are FORCING: they show a good suit, promise a fit, and are invitational
to game.

for New Teachers
Try Some New Ideas This Summer
by Patty Tucker
It’s always difficult to arrange summer classes. Groups break-up for the summer because
of conflicts in schedule, students are reluctant to sign-up for multiple week classes due to
vacations or family visits and, just in general, people want to keep their schedule clear for
outdoor activities and fun.
The solution is to create some bridge classes that are instructive and more fun for the
students instead of the same thing they’ve been doing all year! I’ve had great success with
two types of classes.
The first is called Supervised Play. I hold a series of 8- to 12-week classes at a much re-
duced fee (some amount that when your students have to miss three or even four weeks,
they still don’t feel like they’ve wasted their money). The class consists of a 15-20 minute
lecture on some topic. Sometimes I have a lecture prepared and sometimes I just ask the
class what they’d like me to talk about. The level ranges from simple topics (like what to
open) to the sublime (like how to transfer to a minor suit after a NT opening bid). There
is no handout; the students are expected to take notes. After the lecture, the students bid
and play hands, and I walk around the room answering questions as problems arise. Play-
ing is always more fun, and the students like dealt hands that require them to figure out
what to do instead of set hands where they know what to expect.
Several things happen. Since many of the regular people with whom your students play
may not be in the class (on vacation or such), the students meet new people. Students
stuck in town for the summer while all of their friends are at their beach houses get a
chance to play and widen their circle of bridge playing friends. The beginning students
get a chance to play with some players who are a little more advanced. All your students
gain experience and begin to feel a little more confident of their bridge knowledge and
playing ability.
16 I do try to get beginners playing with people of like skill, but everyone in the class knows
that we never know who is going to show up that particular class, and they may end up
playing with someone not as far along in the learning curve as they. That doesn’t seem to
create a problem, except in rare occassions.
The best news is that for the teacher this is one of the most relaxing (and profitable)
classes that you can run: no preparation necessary. Just show up, talk for 15 minutes and
walk around the room...after 9 months of preparing lessons for classes…this is heaven! I
have had as many as 60 people sign up at roughly $10/lesson over a summer. Around 30
or so may actually show up at any one class. If you have space restrictions, you may have
to limit the number you allow to sign up. Some players who signed up missed over half of
the classes, but still felt like they had come out ahead.
The second type of class that has been successful is just a one-day, three-hour review class.
Topics you might review include:
Responding to the Opening Bid
Rebid by Opener
Rebid by Responder
Stayman and Jacoby Transfers
Takeout and Negative Doubles
You get the idea. For many years, I thought that once a student had gone through a class,
all they needed was to play and practice for it to sink in. Not true. The first time a play-
er learns even the most basic topic, all of the information is new, and they are trying to
process while you talk. Afterwards, when they start playing with others, the “experienced”
players start telling them all kinds of things, contradicting the things they thought they
had learned, telling them things they’re not ready for yet. Sometimes the “experienced
players” are telling them correctly, and sometimes not. The result is that everything they
learned has become mixed up in their heads with what you told them, what they think
they heard, and what people outside the class are telling them.
Students embrace a class where they can go for one day, ask questions and cement in their
knowledge. These classes are also easy for a teacher since the students already “know”
what you’re teaching…it’s just helping them remember what they know.
Step outside the box for the summer. Try some new classes, make a little money, give
yourself a little break… and most of all have FUN!
Patty Tucker is an ABTA Master Teacher and
an Emerald Life Master. She is also a champion
player, having won the NAOP at the 2000 Cin-
cinnati NABC. The founder of Atlanta Junior
Bridge, her passion is teaching bridge to youth.
Patty lives in Atlanta Georgia with her husband
Kevin Collins and their dog Tate. She is the 17
President-Elect of the ABTA.
 Overbidders Anonymous

by Richard Braunstein

Richard Braunstein lives in Lancaster, Pennsyl-

vania with his wife, where they play and teach
bridge. He is one of two Master Teachers in
Pennsylvania, and the winner of the 2011 ABTA
Apple Basket Contest. As a teacher, he believes
it's okay to be crazy, as long as the students have
a good time and get a good education.

We are always trying to get our beginning students to bid more aggressively, which is a
good idea for most of them. Every now and again, one of our students takes our advice
too much to heart and becomes wildly aggressive. Then we have to find a way to slow
him down.

Fortunately, there is a way to do this. He and his adventurous colleagues can join the sup-
port group Overbidders Anonymous. There's probably a chapter in your area.

When you come to the Overbidders Anonymous meeting, you enter the meeting room
and see that all of the chairs are arranged in a big circle. The leader is already seated. Be-
fore taking your place, you walk over to the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the wall and
silently read the caption. It reads, “You can outbid some of the people all of the time, and
all of the people some of the time, but you can't outbid all of the people all the time.” You
then find your seat and wait for the meeting to start.

When all of the attendees are present, the leader goes over the twelve steps in the pro-
gram. Then, in clockwise order, each attendee stands up, states his name and the fact that
he is an overbidder (the other attendees applaud), and tells which phase of the program
he is currently in. If there were any slips or mishaps since the last meeting, they are dis-
cussed at this time.

After all the members have spoken, the Bridge Players Songbook is opened and two or
three selections are sung in a group sing-along. The Bridge Players Songbook has the lyr-
ics to many of the popular songs with bridge themes. Many famous singers have had hit
bridge themed songs. For example, Elvis sang “Heart Break Hotel” and the Beatles sang
“I Want To Hold Your Hand.” Among the favorites are usually, “Ruff The Magic Dragon,”

18 “Slamee (How I Love You),” “Sixteen Points (and what do you get?),” and “The Great De-
fender.” The selections vary from meeting to meeting.

After the sing-along, the leader makes announcements, including the time of the next
meeting. Then all the participants stand, and, in unison, say out loud the motto of Over-
bidders Anonymous: Pass is not a four-letter word!

The meeting is adjourned.

 Chicago ABTA Convention Registration
________ Register me for the Convention, held at the Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Tuesday afternoon Aug. 4, 2015 to Friday morning Aug. 7, 2015. Convention Entertainment Night
Cost: US $225 or $282 CAD
DO NOT MAIL AFTER JULY 25 POSTMARK
Call (816-237-0519) or email (abtaemail@gmail.com) to register and pay in person
after this date
Cost includes: Continental Breakfast from 8 to 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday mornings.Don’t miss the Thursday night Banquet as this is when our very popular
pro-panel will be joining us!

Tues. AUG 4: 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Check-in

1:30 – 5:00 p.m.: Convention
Wed. AUG 5: 8:30-9:30 a.m. : Annual Membership Meeting
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Convention
Thurs. AUG 6: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Convention
6:30 p.m. Cash Bar Opens for Banquet Attendees
7:00 -10:00 p.m.: Awards Banquet (Buffet Dinner) & Pro Panel,
Fri., AUG 7: 9 – 10:30 a.m.: Convention

_________ I am unable to attend the Thursday evening banquet.

(deduct $25 US/$31Canadian from the above conference fee)
_________ Please register my guest(s) for the Thursday evening banquet:
$125 US ($157 CAD) per guest (list guests beyond 2 on the back)
Guest name: _____________________________________
Guest name: _____________________________________
Additional options and costs:
__________ 1st & 2nd Time Attendees Brunch, Tuesday Aug. 4, 2015
11:30 – 1:00 at the Brasserie by LM at 800 South Michigan Ave.
Cost: $26 ($33 CAD) Officers and Directors are invited to join this group as well.
__________ WED. NIGHT OUT: 4:45 -9:30 p.m. Architectural River Tour, dinner & Cabfare on your
own. 4 person shared cab should be $2.5 to $5 per person each direction. Taking the L is also
an option. Guests are welcome as well at the same price.
(Must receive your reservation by July 21)
GUEST NAME:_____________________________
LIMITED TO 57 PARTICPANTS Cost: $32 US ($41 CAD)
PLEASE PRINT:
TOTAL $____________
Name ____________________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________ email ___________________________
Please join us during the convention for the entertainment night, Wednesday, August 5,
5:30 pm, as the ABTA experiences Chicago by boat. You may already know how proud
Chicagoans are of their city's world-renowned architecture. After the famous Chicago Fire
in 1871, the great city planner Daniel Burnham said, “Make no little plans; they have no
magic to stir men's blood.” He and his architectural heirs, whose buildings line the river,
have been true to that ideal. Even New Yorker Donald Trump is in on the act (with a very
tall building, not surprisingly named “Trump”). The 90 minute tour on the Chicago Archi-
tecture Foundation's boat Chicago's First Lady will be led by a specially trained volunteer
docent who also happens to be an ACBL Life Master. Whether you're a fan of architecture,
or just come for a pleasant experience, the docent will have many informative and some-
times amusing stories about the history and growth of the city, from a small back-country
outpost to the nation's Second City, in less than 100 years. (Actually, it's now the third
largest city, but who's counting?) Voted best tour by the Chicago Reader, the CAF's boat
tour was recently featured on the front page of the New York Times.
You will need to be at the ticket booth by 5:00pm in order to sit with the group. The boat
dock on the river is about eight blocks (1 mile) from the Hilton. Those who wish to get
some exercise can walk. Taxis will be available at the Hilton to share. The group cost for 21
the tour is $32.00 per person. Travel time by taxi from the hotel is about 15 minutes.
For more information visit www.architecture.org and click on the banner for Chicago
Architecture Foundation River Cruise Aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises.
Register for the tour on the Chicago ABTA Convention Registration form in this issue or
the Spring issue of the Quarterly.

Send your registration and check to: ABTA, P.O. Box 232, Greenwood, MO 64034-0232
Or go online at abtahome.com to register and pay via Paypal in U.S. dollars
 Letter to the Editor Apple Basket Submissions

I felt very proud when some years ago I was awarded the status of Master Teacher by the Attention All Teachers!
American Bridge Teachers’ Association. I had satisfied the three requirements laid out in
Article III, Section 2.C of the Bylaws, and was duly recognized at the Annual Convention Our popular Apple Basket contest will take place again at our Conference in Chicago in
of the Association in New York. Subsequent to that time I have made presentations at two August. Please submit the method you use to interest your students in a particular concept,
Annual Conventions and have written a couple of articles published in the ABTA Quar- hand, or dilemma that they frequently encounter. An entry may be a way that you present a
terly. concept, things you do in class to hold their interest, or any other way that you make their
learning experience memorable.
About five years ago, for personal reasons, I was unable to continue my membership in
the ABTA. Approximately 18 months later I was in a position to rejoin the Association. Your successful techniques may be of great use to other teachers, so please send in your
I was staggered to find that I was no longer eligible to be a Master Teacher, UNLESS I best teaching tip!
paid the membership fees for the time I was not a Member. I was particularly surprised We request your discretion in not speaking
because the criteria spelt out in the aforementioned Article III did NOT specify contin- about your submission until the voting pro-
uous membership of the ABTA. I wonder how many Master Teachers are aware of this cess is finished. The final day of the Confer-
requirement? ence, we ask the winner and top place fin-
ishers to showcase their entries. Bring your
Article IV, Section 4 of the Bylaws deals with reinstatement of a “terminated member” own props, if needed, to our annual meeting
and a “terminated Master Teacher,” and states that the former can rejoin by paying the fee in Chicago.
of a new member. The latter can only rejoin as a Master Teacher IF he pays the dues for
when he was NOT a member. Submissions may be made by regular mail to:
I do not have a legal background, but I do indeed wonder about the legality of awarding Brenda Montague
the status of Master Teacher to an individual, and then denying him the right to retain 14 Capstan Way
that status if he ceases to be a member of the Association. As remaining a member of the Swampscott, MA 01907
Association was not stated as an eligibility criterion, I suspect such a move might be of
doubtful legality. Or you can email your submission to Brenda
at: bestbridgeteacher@yahoo.com
Nevertheless, whether such action is legal is not the most important matter. Surely, as an
Association, we should strive to provide such quality resources and services that current The deadline for submissions is July 15, 2015.
members would find it beneficial to remain members. Are we that unsure of the quality
we provide to bridge teachers that we require Master Teachers, who have been non-mem-
bers for a period of time, to pay the membership fees for the time they were non-mem-
bers IF they wish to be considered Master Teachers? I believe we should be proud of the
professional services we make available for our members. That is the “carrot” we have,
and it is a very valuable carrot indeed. Do we, in addition, need the “stick” of a financial (continued from previous page)
penalty with which to threaten our Master Teachers, who, for a variety of reasons, may Any change in the status quo would require some amendment
22 cease membership for a period of time? to the Bylaws. Such action should only be taken after careful consideration of the implica-
tions. 23
Somewhat tongue in cheek – there seems to be nothing in the Bylaws to stop somebody
in my situation from applying again to become a Master Teacher by going through the I would be happy to coordinate a move to amend the Bylaws dealing with Master Teachers
process outlined in Article III Section2.C. IF this is considered a problem by a number of members.

I really would be interested in the views of ABTA members about the matters I have Please feel free to email me at richbria1937@gmail.com
raised in this brief article.
(continued on next page) Brian Richardson
 ABTA Reviews
Book Quarterly
byMagazine
Dee Berry

“Learn Bridge the 2/1 Way”

by Mary Jane Orock with Jaqueline Montgomery, 2013

Geared to beginning and intermediate players, this softcover 269-page book was written
by the ABTA’s 2012 “Teacher of the Year” and Diamond Life Master Mary Jane Orock,
with Bronze Life Master and ACBL accredited teacher Jacqueline Montgomery.

This book will be greatly appreciated by the many teachers who believe that the earlier
2/1 is learned the better. Each of the ten chapters includes a “Play Tip” and one or more
“Defensive Tips” as well as a summary, exercises and quizzes, and two illustrative hands.
(I wish there were at least four hands on each chapter topic, but there are many sources
for hands in other bridge literature.) I like the boxed “Points of Emphasis” and “Take Note.”

The bidding structure is basically “Bergen,” with Bergen raises, and Jacoby 2NT required
(!) for all forcing raise hands with 4+ trumps (and no shortness). Nevertheless, the ab-
sence of the response structure to Jacoby 2NT is worrisome to me, as is playing jumps to
3-of-a-minor after a 1NT opening as slam tries rather than the usual invitation to game.

The authors’ progressive, modern approaches to slam bidding mean that students my
never have to “unlearn” older methods. Roman Keycard 1430 is introduced, and cue-bid-
ding is allowed with first- or second-round control after suit agreement.
The book deserves a “BRAVO” for the depth of the bidding content and the incorpora-
tion of the most important play and defense points.
Available from Baron Barclay at $15.95 and also at Amazon.com. Please contact the au-
thors for quantity discounts: mjobridge@charter.net
“Last Call in the Menagerie”
The final collection of Menagerie Stories
by Victor Mollo, 2015
Mollo’s first collection of witty bridge tales appeared in 1965, so it seems appropriate that
this last collection has been published by Master Point Press 50 years later. The 230-page
softcover book was edited by Mark Horton. questions and succinctly given answers.
“Bidding at Bridge”
A Quiz Book
By Barbara Seagram and David Bird, 2014
“No one becomes a great bidder merely by adding conventions to their card. If you were
building a house, you would start by constructing a solid foundation, not by buying a
brightly-painted weather vane for the roof!” say the authors in this ever-so-practical and
helpful paperback book.
Although it is labeled as a quiz book, the world-famous authors first give very basic guide-
lines to follow on 14 different subjects, ranging from “The Opening Bid” to “RKCB and
Cuebidding Controls.” In between, they cover responses, rebids, higher level opening bids
and competitive bidding. At the end of each chapter there are three quizzes, each with five

24 Although Mollo died in 1987, generations of bridge players have enjoyed his delightful
characters, including Hideous Hog, Rueful Rabbit, Secretary Bird and Oscar the Owl.
Bridge teachers will enjoy the book tremendously, and would find it worthwhile to intro-
duce their students to 35 charming bridge stories featuring Mollo’s colorful characters.
The book retails for $19.95US, $21.95CAN or $13.95 GBP. Contact Master Point Press,
311 Douglas Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, MSM 1H2; (416) 781-0351.
Email info@masterpointpress.com
The book is labeled “Newcomer/Intermediate” and students of those levels should both
enjoy and benefit from each chapter. This reviewer especially liked the chapter on Fourth 25
Suit Forcing which covers the bidding tool “to look for the best game,” “with a fit for
partner,” and “when responder has a good suit,” as well as the preferred responses with the
notation that “the best continuation may not be clear.” How refreshing it was to hear that
comment!
Published by Master Point Press, the retail prices are $15.95CDN, $15.95US and 9.95GBP
for the 159-page book. Ray Lee is the editor. Email info@masterpointpress.com
 ABTA Online Activities THE BRIDGE SITE
by Maggie Sparrow
FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Be sure to stay connected with other teachers through our online activities.

ABTAhome
Check our website regularly at www.abtahome.com

In particular, there is now a section of the web site reserved exclusively for ABTA mem-
bers. Click on the “Members’ Area Login” link on the left side of the home page. When
you log on as a current member, you will have access to premium content, including
conference recordings, special members-only offers, and internal ABTA material.

Are you listed on the teacher page, so that prospective new students may find you?

ABTAdiscuss
Join our email discussion list and send in questions and comments by email. This is a
great way to discuss bridge teaching with others. Sometimes the list is very quiet, other
times there is a flurry of activity. Once you have joined the group you can read all the
past messages, and we’ve had some interesting discussions. There are also some very use-
ful things for you to find in the files.

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/ABTAdiscuss

ABTAchat
Come to our once-a-month chat (usually the fourth Sunday evening) at Bridge Base On-
line. Download the windows-based BBO program ahead of time from
www.bridgebase.com
Topics are pre-set and you will receive an email reminder a few days in advance. We get
through a surprising amount in just one hour, so feel free to jump in if you have a press-
ing question. Here are the next few Chat dates and topics:
July 26, 2015
Does mentoring work for you and your students? How do you tackle it? Mentoring one
on one? Or mentoring games? Come and discuss what works or hasn’t worked with your
students.
26 August 23, 2015
What did you learn about at the ABTA Convention this year that you would like to put
into practice? Even if you couldn’t attend this year, come and hear about others’ ideas.
September 27, 2015
Do you have your fall teaching schedule in place? Are you trying anything new? What
courses seem to fit you and your students’ best?
www.abtahome.com has just been relaunched with content that is exclusive to ABTA members!
There is a ton of new material in a members-only area, including convention presentations, old quarterly issues,
monthly IBPA hands and a host of other great stuff. Here’s a taste of what else you can find on the new site:
 Stay informed about ABTA events and news, including this year’s ABTA convention in Chicago
 Learn all about the Master Teachers Program and the Teacher of the Year
 Check out the new “Find a Teacher” program - easily find ABTA teachers by name or location
 Feature articles, columns and quizzes by great bridge authors
 Apple Basket Teaching Tips from ABTA teachers
Advice & insights from featured teachers and bridge author
 Curious about teaching on cruises? Need some jokes to get your class started? You’ll find it all here.
 Bridge on the Web: Links to helpful online resources for you and your students.
 Monthly deals - just for teachers - on books and software from Master Point Press and Ebooksbridge
Stay in touch. You can share your feedback on the feedback form located on the “Contact Us” page. If you
would like to make changes to your contact information in the “Find a Teacher” program, please contact Kathy
Rolfe.

MAS T E R POI NT PR E S S
Bridge teachers and students will find