For those of you who remember Frank Deakin ... let me rephrase this, for those of us who knew Frank Deakin (because if you ever met Frank you could never forget the crazy brit*) I exchanged emails with Frank this weekend.  Frank started the Monday Night Game, the Tuesday Afternoon Game ... was the father of Easybridge on Hilton Head Island ... and introduced us all to PIMMs.  (Which makes me think we should have another PIMMs party.)  I went through EB #1, #2 and #3 with Frank.  It was Frank's energy that really started the new boom of bridge players on the island.

Frank is alive and well back in England ... he says he missus us and the US very much, but is resigned that they will not let him back into the US for a long time.  Frank overstayed his visa in the US and is now banned from even visiting (and they let the Mexicans in by the pick-up truck full ... what a shame).  Here is a hello from Frank ...

P.S. If you would like to drop Frank a note, his email address is frankdeakin@aol.com

 * The only bar fight I was involved in on HHI (or since college) involved Frank and the correct responses to New Minor Forcing.

The Convention Card

Bridge is a game of skill not of secrets.  The winners should be determined solely by skill, flair and normal playing luck.  There are no requirements that any system of bidding agreements must be used, only that the agreements used must be disclosed.  This means that the agreements your partnership plays must be available to your opponents and visa versa.  The Convention Card (CC) formally tells opponents your partnership agreements – the general approach your partnership will use and any special bidding sequences and/or conventions you play. 

ACBL requires each player to have a completed CC on the table throughout the game.  You are going to need a CC for tournaments ... so beginning next week you will be required to have a convention card to play in the Monday Night game.

To help you and your partner prepare your CC I have completed a sample Novice CC (suitable for someone who has 20 masterpoints and has completed Easybridge! 1 and 2).  I have distributed copies at the game and posted the sample convention card and a detailed explanation of agreements with references in the Library.

Monday, October 31^st Halloween Game

Last night's game kept us at 10 full tables for the second week... we did not even need to use our guaranteed partner last night.  Congratulations to Barb and Doug Johnson who were 1^st N/S and Bill and Diane Syfer who were 1^st E/W.  The game information including the handouts from last night and the game results (with Traveler scores) can be accessed from this web site.  In the index column click on News, Handouts & Game Files. 

Last night Peter Seery came and talked to us about membership in the HHI Bridge Association.  For the lesson last night I handed out my latest update on the Novice Convention card and talked about 1 and 2 level Overcalls.   It was great to have everybody out last night   I am still new to this game, but getting to know everybody.   

Cordray and Johnson Win District 7 North American Pairs

Our very own Maurice Cordray and Ted Johnson TODAY! won the District 7 North American Pairs qualifying event in Spartanburg, SC.  By winning this prestigious event Maurice and Ted will represent District 7 (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Eastern Tennessee) in the Non-Life Master Strata at the 2006 Spring Nationals — March 30 - April 9 in Dallas TX. 

The NAP is a national qualifying event much like the US Open in golf/tennis where players have to qualify at at each level of competition in order to play for the North American Pairs.  In years past District 7 has held sub-district qualifying rounds with the final district championships in January.  This is the first year that District 7 has eliminated the sub rounds.  By winning this event Maurice and Ted win a free trip to the 'Big D' in March for the three days of competition.

I just talked to the group (Maurice, Ted, Peggy, Alan, et.al.) on their way back from Spartanburg and everyone was excited.  I will not be able to download the final scores until tomorrow but apparently Maurice and Ted topped the field of 28 teams by a full 20 matchpoints.  I hope to be able to post the qualifying scores here by Tuesday.