I am a retired teacher. By night, (bridge) blogger, writer, editor, director, occasional teacher and social player.
I wrote Collateral Damage, the sordid story and cold case of a stolen National title. You can see it and other essays here;
http://cam.bridgeblogging.com/2008/04/06/collateral-damage-i/
http://cam.bridgeblogging.com/2008/02/17/barry-and-me/
I and a few others fail to grasp why the ACBL cannot hear and appeal that was filed in 1979 at the event in question. By that abdication, they have conspired to deny the title to the rightful winners and thereby endorsed self-confessed and convicted cheaters.
Have had the joy of discussing the integrity of our game with many of our elite. I thank them for their encouragement and support.
I have a fabulous son with the greatest name in Negro League history. You can figure that out.
I reside in suburban Toronto, happy in love and life. New spouse, two new sons, alas, no card players, yet.
Anyone is invited to contact me at dancesavecwords@gmail.com.
Love the MSC. Feel TBW & our game can always use more humour.
Love Kantar, Philip and Robert King, Mollo, the Abbot and Right Through the Pack.
Miss Fred.
C
Read more »Many moons ago, near the end of a sectional pairs event which we were well out of contention my partner (Vince Oddy) decided to psych and opening bid AND he rebid. I placed the contract at 3NT and with the 3 count in the dummy finished an inglorious 7 X 50 down. They were cold for 3/4 NT vul.
My opps were Rick Derlagio on my left and Chuck ("Squeezer") Messinger.
Chuck should have whacked us as he had KQJX in Vince's first bid suit and a side ace.
Rick was incensed when he saw the dummy.
He asked Vince - "do you always psyche when you're having a bad game?"
Vince, grabbed the bait and said - "what makes you think we are having a bad game?"
Rick said - "I saw your afternoon scores." (we were below average)
Vince said "we made it all up and more, including this hand."
Rick muttered something inaudible to me (Chuck and I are speechless) and Vince tells him, "if you have a problem - call the director."
Rick says - "if I did that - I'd be just a big a prick as you". (Chuck and I fear hand to hand, mortal combat pending)
Vince calls the director - who did zero to chastise Rick for his inappropriate language.
At the end of the day, after seeing the results, this poor result knocks them from 3rd to 5th, and a normal result would have secured second, but of course a double and huge plus would have won them the event. Vince, unable to resist gloating - said "I handed you chance to win the event and you blew it."
Chuck and I were silent.
I was stunned by the anger of one player at a legal play.
Still, we agree to disagree.
And I hope there are no hard feelings.
Maybe only about mentioning names. I think the names add veracity.
And yes, it was a different game with a different culture back then - probably at least 20 - 25 years ago. Maybe more....can't recall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdqoNKCCt7A
C
