Category Archives: Stories

Robert Leiter – Club Master

ACBL District 4

I am recently retired from my Federal Service government job of 45 years in April 2025.  In May of 2025 I started playing bridge at Game Friendzy in Cherry Hill. What a great decision that was to begin playing at Game Friendzy! I have attended several entry level training classes in bidding, playing, defending, carding and scoring of the hands.

The willingness to teach and train of the directors Bernadette Hennessy, Cliff Sokolic, Bruce Pedretti and all the club members has been awesome for my bridge advancement.  With so much to learn.

I have played at several District 4 locations along with NABC Tournament in Philadelphia this past summer.  Always with a challenging, learning and humbling experience.

My Masterpoint accumulation has always been secondary to my learning priority.  I have accumulated this milestone with many different partners, who always give instruction and accolades where warranted.

This has been the best decision to involve myself with ACBL District 4 Game Friendzy Bridge Club.  What a great experience this has been socially and mentally for me!

Steve Binnick – Life Master

ACBL District 4

My Life Master story began several years ago with beginner lessons from Deb Crisfield at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.  She was and still is a superb teacher- extremely organized, motivated, and made the lessons fun!!  Many of her students have gone on to become accomplished players.

My first master points were obtained at a local tournament with Clair Rolan, a life master at that time and my first mentor as my partner.  She was a wonderful lady who loved to play any new convention!  We became good friends, and when she was courageously dying from cancer, I got an urgent phone call when I was vacationing in the Jungles of Mexico.  She had stopped all of her treatments and wanted to talk to me before she passed away.  She wanted me to promise her that I would play bridge with her in heaven!!! (I told her that I would, but there was one problem – I may not reach heaven.  That may have resulted in her last laugh!).

I would like to thank all of the bridge players at the Philadelphia Cricket Club who put up with me as their partner, as well as Wes Powers, the superb director of the Philadelphia Cricket Club and Whitemarsh Valley Country Club games.

Alvin Guo – Junior Master

ACBL District 4

I’m Alvin Guo, 12 years old, living in Beijing with my family, I am studying at International School of Beijing, will be on Grade 7 by this Sept.

By achieving “Junior Master”, I would like to summary how I prepare and perform in YNABC, there are a few key factors I would like to share:

Firstly, very well rest before the competition made me stay fully focused during the games which could make a good use of my skills. For instance, together with my peer we stopped the contact at 7NT. But we noticed that the opponent’s card may block us from doing so afterwards, I use a safety play to make it then.

Secondly, my partner, Oscar Deng (a China Hongkong youth team member), performed amazingly, we worked together perfectly.

Last but not the least, the daily review sessions organized by Coach Yin and Coach Li helped us cut down on mistakes—they were huge helpers.

I owe my love for bridge to my mom—she introduced the game to me and made me fall in love with it. And I’ve been incredibly lucky to join SMZY Bridge Club. They’ve gave me solid bidding system and declare skills, most importantly, when I was struggling, Coach Yinghao Liu gave me invaluable guidance, he just won the first place of NABC Spingold with his team. Looking back, it feels like everything fell into place perfectly: joining SMZY, meeting Coach Yinghao Liu, and compete in Youth NABC tournaments.

Robert Moskowitz – NABC Master

ACBL District 4

Reaching this level has been a long time coming.  I have played very little face to face bridge since the Pandemic, so it’s been a slow grind.  Shout out to my buddies at South Jersey Bridge Club.

I Iearned bridge from my uncle, Merle Moskowitz and didn’t play much after he passed away.  I took it up again about 6 years ago with a college friend and then the Pandemic hit.  Played a lot on BBO and really got smitten!

Robert Leiter – Junior Master

ACBL District 4
What a ride!.. across this exciting and new learning experience of the “game of bridge.”

I recently retired from my government job after 45 years in April of 2025.  Prior to retiring I was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer and needed a total laryngectomy in August of 2025.  I am unable to speak without using a Electro-Larynx Device, and bridge has been a great socially active experience for me.

In May of 2025 I wanted try and play bridge.  What a great decision that was getting involved and learning the game.  I stopped by Game Friendzy in Cherry Hill and started playing and learning immediately.  I have attended entry level brdige classes in bidding, playing, discarding and defense.  Bernadette Hennessy May, Cliff Sokolic and Bruce Pedretti are awesome bridge instructors and directors…along with club members who always offer valuable knowledge and advice.

I have played at other District 4 locations in West Deptford and Cinnaminson, always with the same fun and challenge.  I also attended the NABC in Philadelphia with much excitement……and learning.

This has been a great ride being a part of the District 4 bridge clubs, and what a great experience it has been!

Deborah Farkas – Sectional Master

ACBL District 4

It took a long time to reach this level, at least it felt like it. I was discouraged sometimes, being stuck in a bridge slump, and not getting any points for weeks. I kept going because I enjoy playing, I have a very nice steady bridge partner and I play at a great bridge club, the KoP bridge club. The people who run it are very nice and encouraging. I also enjoy the company of the other players. I’ve played at the North Penn club a few times and find that club also very pleasant. I don’t go there much because of the distance.