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Unit 141 Kicks of 2014 Schedule with Bala Sectional on Jan. 10-12
 2014's first Unit 141 sectional kicks off the year on January 10-12 at Bala Golf Club. The second sectional follows closely on its heels--February 7-9. At the February sectional, the 3rd Annual Jane Segal Pro-Am will also take place on Friday February 7 (read more about this event below). All Unit 141 sectional tournaments for 2014 will be held at Bala.
The golf club will be closed for the season in January and February, so bridge players will have full access to the parking lots. Valet parking, as always, will also be available. The usual hospitality, including breakfast, lunch, drinks, and snacks, will be offered.
For additional information, please see the flyer
at the Unit 141 website or contact Tournament Chair Meyer Kotkin (guymath@comcast.net) or Unit 141 President Mike Giesler (mgiesler@comcast.net). We look forward to seeing you at the January sectional, and all Unit 141 sectionals this year!
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Third Annual Jane Segal Pro-Am Takes Place on Fri., February 7
 I/N players with fewer than 500 masterpoints are invited and encouraged to play in the 3rd annual Jane Segal Pro Am on Friday, February 7 as part of the Unit 141 Sectional. The event begins at 7:30 PM and takes place at Bala Golf Club.
Each I/N "Am" will be assigned by random draw to a pro at the start of the event. The winning pair earns the Hugh Trophy. Homemade desserts and a coffee bar will be offered to all.
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact event coordinator Joan Brandeis at joan.brandeis@verizon.net or 215-884-4076.
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 This month, we begin a three-part series by Unit 141 Club Liaison April Apfelbaum. In it, she provides tips for club managers and owners, but these ideas apply to players too because when they are applied make the playing experience better for all. Anyone who would like more information or has questions can contact April at mysticalapril@verizon.net.
Part 1: The "Rules of the Road"
Post the "Rules of the Road" specific to your club - each club has a distinct personality that makes it special. Share your unique style!
Here are some examples of reminders you can post for your players:
- Introduce yourself and your partner at the table if you are new or visiting.
- Politely answer questions regarding carding, leads and general style, if asked.
- Clean up after yourself.
- Be especially nice to new players.
- Club games are meant to be fun. Consider whether a minor problem is worth making a fuss over, especially with a new or aging opponent.
- Be nice to your partner. If s/he is not nice to you, find another partner.
- Do not gloat over results or a particular play.
- Compliment the opponents if they do something well.
- Make East/West pairs feel welcome when they come to the table.
- Encourage director calls and give some general instructions.
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Need Teammates or a Partner? Visit the Online Partnership Desk
In case you missed the announcement last month, be aware that you can now access a new online partnership desk service via the Unit 141 and District 4 websites. Read on for instructions and here is a direct link: http://www.bridgefinesse.com/D4PDeskIndex.
At the home page, first select the event for which you need a partner or teammates.
Then enter your information and register. Or, if you had already registered, just enter your ACBL player number to re-enter the site.
Enter your "needs" and then you will see who might be available to play. There is also an online tutorial to explain anything about the site that might be unclear. The service is operational for the January sectional at Bala and events beyond that date. |
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Howie Cohen, National Champion, Died on December 19
 | | Tournament Chair Meyer Kotkin and Howie Cohen after their victory in Wernher Open Pairs (Toronto, July 2011) |
Long-time bridge player and Cavendish club employee Howie Cohen died on December 19.
Cohen was a National champion, having won the prestigious Wernher Open pairs with Meyer Kotkin at the Toronto Nationals in 2011. The win merited a mention in the bridge column of the New York Times:
Cohen was an easy-going player at the table, with a patient demeanor and friendly word for all. He will be missed by his many friends in the Unit 141 bridge community, many going back decades.
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Table Tips: Fill Out a Card
 Did you know that the rules of bridge require that a pair of players have two identical cards completed and available at the table. If not, they incur a penalty and must play SAYC and standard carding. Does that rule seem Draconian or unnecessary? Perhaps, but the rule exists to insure that the game remain open and fair to all. As bidding systems become more and more complicated, it seems even more important that players make their systems known.
In short, fill out a card with each of your partners. You can store and easily revise multiple cards on bridgewinners.com or hand-write one with the rudiments of your system even at the last minute if you need to. If you encounter a pair that lacks a card, whether it's a local game or the most competitive NABC+ event, we suggest you call the director and let him or her sort it out for your protection and the fairness of the game for all.
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Club News
Former BCDC owner Paula Oldfather died December 26. A memorial service will be held on January 11 at Donohoe Funeral Home in Upper Darby.
Just a reminder that the North Penn Bridge Club has moved to a new location. For more information, visit http://www.northpennbridge.com/.
Yorktown Bridge Club has moved its monthly Swiss Teams game to the second Wednesday of each month. Also, it has introduced the Common Game to most of its regular games. See the website for details and more information:
Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters.
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