Barbara Seagram seminar

There is still time to register for this special seminar. It will be held this Thursday, beginning at 8:45 am. For $40 you will get to learn from one of the greatest bridge teachers discussing Defensive Maneuvers plus a free lunch and a free entry to the afternoon's Club Championship. The seminar is hands-on — you will be playing hands throughout the lesson. Thinking and doing is a much better way to learn and remember than merely listening. To learn more and register, head over to the club's store by clicking here.

By the way, Barbara Seagram and Alex Kornel played in last Wednesday's game. They took it easy on us and topped the North-South pairs with a mere 61% game. The joined us again on Friday and this time took first overall with a 64% game. Close the borders!!

Important! Barbara will be selling scarves which are handmade at their weaving center in Cambodia. Proceeds support Barbara's Cambodian charity work. Also on sale will be a selection of her books. So, bring cash or your checkbook as credit cards will not be accepted.

On a somber note, Barbara's brother passed away Friday. We extend our heart-felt condolences to Barbara and Alex and a virtual hug from all your friends and fans at the St. Petersburg Bridge Club.

At the club this week

Lots of opportunities for extra masterpoints at the club this week. We start off with a Unit Pair Championship on Monday at 12:30 pm and follow up with Club Championships Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:30 pm.

Sunday, December 5 at 1:00 pm will be an ACBL Membership game. This means extra masterpoints for ACBL members only.

Equity versus punishment

The Laws of Bridge are designed to restore equity, not to punish those who unintentionally break the rules. In many cases the director has the right to adjust the results to restore equity as best as they can. This is not always possible and is almost always a judgement call.

This is covered in Law 12 Directors discretionary powers. which starts with:

A. Power to Award an Adjusted Score On the application of a player within the period established under Law 92B or on his own initiative the Director may award an adjusted score when these Laws empower him to do so...

Punishment is handled through Procedural Penalties. These are applied for actions that disrupt the game or for purposeful infractions. Examples of the former are arriving late to the game, touching cards belonging to another player, and failure to comply promptly to director's instructions.

A purposeful infraction (knowingly breaking a law) is much more serious. The director can assess a scoring penalty or, in serious cases, suspend a player from the current session.

Note that Procedural Penalties up to and including suspension for the current session can not be appealed.

Key points to remember

It is never permissible to purposely break a Law of Bridge. To do so is a gross violation of the game's ethics.

If, after a director's ruling is made and the play of the hand is completed, you think that equity was not restored for the non-offending partnership, you should call the director and explain in full how your side was harmed above and beyond relief granted by the normal ruling.

Happy Hanukkah

The Jewish Festival of Lights begins tonight and ends at sundown December 6. The club's self-appointed theologian, Guido, points out that paying your 2022 club dues and playing several times a week is the accepted way of celebrating this holiday.

Winter Party

Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with a special game at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 18.

Festivities begin at 6:00 pm. Bring some food and/or drinks to share

Volunteers in action

The Order Fulfillment committee makes sure that the club's store is kept up-to-date and orders are quickly and accurately handled.

Thank you for keeping us well-stocked with goodies.

Order Fulfillment Committee

Valerie Broughton

Don Aschenbrenner

Gloria Dodson

Lee Taylor

Thanks for your on-going and never-ending work.

Bridge trivia answers

Question 1: The first post-war world bridge championship was held in 1950 in Hamilton, Bermuda. This event became known as The _______ Bowl. Fill in the blank.

The event is cleverly called The Bemuda Bowl.

Question 2: In the 1950 championship, there were three teams. One team had players from two countries. Name the four countries.

United States, Great Britain, and the European team consisting of Swedish and Icelandic players.

Question 3: Nowadays, team events are usually scored in IMPs (International Match Points), but the 1950 world championship used a different scoring method. What was it?

Total Points. IMPs compresses the value of large differences in scores between the two tables, Total Points does not. The scores even included bonuses for honors, something only rubber bridge players even know about.

Questions for this week

1. Bob Hamman is considered by many to be the greatest bridge player ever, His most recent Bermuda Bowl victory was in 2009. In what year did he first play in the Bermuda Bowl and in what year did he first win the championship.

.

2. There is a check box on the convention card for Maximal Doubles. What are they?

3. There is no check box for Snapdragon Doubles, but they can be useful and you have to love the name. What are they?



Word of the week

suasive

Definition: Having the power to persuade or convince; persuasive

Example: When you trump your partner's ace, you better have a suasive reason.