In the beginning it was the Old Spice guy – look at your old man, now back to ME…

Not to be outdone, the good folks at Sesame Street had Grover take on the challenge with their own meme parody:

So how about it Bridge players? Look at your partner, now look at ME… (Wink)

Our special October happy birthday congratulations goes out to Lucille “Bucky” Buckner from Lake Havasu City AZ. At 102, in the last two years Bucky picked up over 40 masterpoints! And while reaching Grand Life Master (10,000 MP) may still take her some time, who could think of a better way to enjoy the good life?

http://www.acbl.org/news_archive.php?id=550

Go get ’em Bucky!

Following up on the American Contract Bridge Leagues “ZT” (Zero Tolerence), the European Bridge Union as initiated its own version with a more positive spin. The EBU’s “Best Behavior at Bridge” focuses more on the carrot than the stick, offering this handy code of conduct:

http://www.ebu.co.uk/publications/Laws%20and%20Ethics%20Publications/BBandB.pdf

• Greet others in a friendly manner prior to start of play on each round.
• Be a good ‘host’ or ‘guest’ at the table.
• Make your convention card readily available to your opponents and fill it out completely.
• Make bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.
• Give credit when opponents make a good bid or play.
• Take care of your personal grooming.
• Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.
• Enjoy the company as well as the game.

The EBU’s BB@B offers a refreshingly positive perspective to Law 74, Conduct and Etiquette:
http://www.bridgehands.com/Laws/ACBL/Duplicate/Proprieties.htm#law74

A. Proper Attitude
1. Courtesy
A player should maintain a courteous attitude at all times.
2. Etiquette of Word and Action
A player should carefully avoid any remark or action that might cause annoyance or embarrassment to another player or might interfere with the enjoyment of the game.
3. Conformity to Correct Procedure
Every player should follow uniform and correct procedure in calling and playing.

B. Etiquette
As a matter of courtesy a player should refrain from:
1. paying insufficient attention to the game.
2. making gratuitous comments during the auction and play.
3. detaching a card before it is his turn to play.
4. prolonging play unnecessarily (as in playing on although he knows that all the tricks are surely his) for the purpose of disconcerting an opponent.
5. summoning and addressing the Director in a manner discourteous to him or to other contestants.

Ditto on the ACBL’s no-nonsence clear yet more somber Zero Tolerence guidelines:

http://www.bridgehands.com/Z/Zero_Tolerance.htm

The ultimate purpose of the Z-T policy is to create a much more pleasant atmosphere in our NABCs. We are attempting to eradicate unacceptable behavior in order to make the game of bridge more enjoyable for all. Below are some examples of commendable behavior, which, while not required, will significantly contribute to the improved atmosphere:

Being a good ‘host’ or ‘guest’ at the table.

Greeting others in a friendly manner. Praising the bidding and/or play of the opponents.

Having two clearly completed convention cards readily available to the opponents (This one is a regulation, not just a nicety).

The following list are some examples of behavior which will not be tolerated:

Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats, or violence.

Negative comments concerning opponents’ or partner’s play or bidding.

Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table.

Loud and disruptive arguing with a director’s ruling.

If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner, the director should be called immediately. Annoying behavior, embarrassing remarks, or any other conduct which might interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director the authority to assess disciplinary penalties.

The following procedures have been given to the tournament directors for implementation.

At the start of each event, the director shall make an announcement that the tournament will be observing ZERO TOLERANCE for unacceptable behavior. It is requested that the director be called whenever behavior is not consistent with the guidelines outlined above.

The director, when called, shall make an assessment of the situation. If it is established that there was unacceptable behavior, an immediate ¼ board disciplinary penalty (3 IMP in team games) shall be assigned to all offenders. This may involve any one or all four players at the table irrespective of who initiated the unacceptable behavior. If both members of a partnership are guilty, the penalties are additive (¼ board EACH = ½ board!). The Board of Directors strongly believes that assignment of disciplinary penalties will improve the overall behavior at our tournaments.

If it is determined that the same offender is responsible for a second offense in the same event, then the offender(s) shall be ejected from future competition in that event. An offender removed from an event shall be deemed to have not played in the event, no masterpoints will be awarded and no refunds will be made. All previously-obtained results shall, however, remain valid as to their effect upon other competitors. In the case of a serious offense and in the case of multiple offenses (three) during a tournament, a disciplinary committee may be convened to determine whether the offender(s) should be allowed to play in other events at the tournament and/or whether additional sanctions may be appropriate.

Warnings are strongly discouraged and will be given only when there is no clear violation or in cases where the facts cannot be determined. Offenders are to receive immediate penalties. Regardless of who may have initiated unacceptable behavior, ALL offenses are punishable. Retaliatory behavior is a punishable offense. Frivolous accusations will also be considered as offenses under this policy.

In accordance with the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, a director’s decision to impose a disciplinary is final; however, all such decisions may be appealed. An appeals committee may not overturn the director’s decision, but could recommend that the director reconsider the imposition of a penalty. It should be noted that the committee may feel that the penalty assessed was not severe enough and may refer the matter to a disciplinary committee.

A Zero Tolerance Report Form shall be available for players to report incidents which occur away from the table; and for directors to document complaints and action taken. The DIC shall provide a summary report of all behavioral penalties to the Tournament Chairman and/or Recorder.

By the way, here’s a few additional ACBL tips on etiquette:

1. Not paying sufficient attention. See Slow Play
2. Making gratuitous comments during the play as to the auction or the inadequacy of the contract
3. Detaching a card from the hand before it is the players turn
4. Arranging the cards played from a previous trick in a disorderly manner or mixing the cards together before the result has been agreed by all players
5. Making a questionable claim
6. Prolonging play unnecessarily

For the latest on the ACBL’s Zero Tolerence policy, see:

http://www.acbl.org/play/zeroTolerance.html

Is Warren Buffet becoming the white knight to champion Bridge in the new millenium? No doubt, Warren’s efforts to promote his new Warren Buffett Cup in Dublin, Ireland from September 18-21, 2006 was a step in the right direction. Promoting Bridge has always been a challenge so why not have a tourney to mimmick golf’s Ryder Cup. That’s right, Warren’s genius setup the United States to compete against Europe in head-to-head matches. Going into the last day, the Europeans had a slight leads, but alas, the Americans scrambled to win the tourney by an equivalent of 6 matches including an awesome sweep on the last 5 rounds). Next September the Europeans will have the opportunity to extol their revenge in Kentucky.

Europe:
Sabine Auken-Daniela Von Arnim (Germany)
Jan Jansma – Louk Verhees (Netherlands)
Norberto Bocchi-Giorgio Duboin (Italy)
Jason and Justin Hackett (England)
Tom Hanlon- Hugh McGann (Ireland)
Geir Helgemo-Tor Helness (Norway)

United States
David Berkowitz-Larry Cohen
Bob Hamman-Paul Soloway
Geoff Hampson- Fred Gitelman
Bobby Levin-Steve Weinstein
Jill Levin-Jill Meyers
Zia Mahmood- Roy Welland

We welcome your constructive comments and feedback regarding the game of Bridge.