↓
 

ACBL District 4

4 THE LOVE OF BRIDGE

  • Home
  • Play
    • Find a Club
    • D4 Units and Clubs
    • Zero Tolerance
    • BBO
    • D4 Monthly BBO Games
  • Learn
    • Bridge Teachers
    • New Players
    • Intermediate Players
    • Find a Teacher
    • Teacher Resources
  • News
    • 4Spot
    • District Director News
    • Articles & Videos
  • Races
    • Mini-McKenney
    • Ace of Clubs
    • Dave Treadwell
    • Jeanne Fisher
    • Jane Segal
    • Franni Stutman Youth Award
  • NAP/GNT
    • NAP
    • GNT
  • About
    • District Map
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Committees
    • Past Presidents
    • D4 Bylaws
    • Tournament Policies & Procedures
  • ACBL + other links
    • ACBL Website
    • BBO
    • District 3
    • Region 3 Info (D4 & D3)
    • Bridge Winners
  • D4 Calendar
    • 2025 Calendar
    • 2026 Calendar
    • 2027 Calendar
    • 2024 Calendar
    • 2023 Calendar
    • 2022 Calendar
    • 2021 Calendar
    • 2020 Calendar
  • Our Players’ Stories

Category Archives: Stories

Post navigation

← Older posts

Bob Finn – Life Master

ACBL District 4

When I was in college, I had no interest in bridge. When I saw the other students playing at lunch time, I would keep walking. I graduated, married, and got hired by Kodak. A beginning bridge class was being offered by the late, and very great John Donovan. My wife and I signed up. Soon, I started playing at lunch time with co-workers. My partner was Steve, and he would be my regular partner for the next 45 years.

Then came the Finger Lakes Regional of 2023. I was lacking only 12 gold points to become life master. Steve and I did well, earning 6 gold points. I was psyched up now. Over the following year I picked up fractions of gold points here and there, and I waited in anticipation of the next regional. The 2024 Finger Lakes Regional finally arrived, and I signed up for 3 of the five days, expecting to be a life master by the end of the week. Alas, it was not to be. I couldn’t do anything right. My bidding was bad, my declarer play worse, and I won’t even mention my defense. I booted a 3 No Trump contract that was making 5 by everyone else in the room. A player suggested that I was trying too hard.

Another year of picking up fractions of gold here and there. The wait was almost unbearable. I had played enough in special games that I now needed only 1.4 gold points to make life master.  Finally, Finger Lakes Regional 2025 arrived. By now, I had three regular partners, and I signed up to play all 5 days. The first day I played with Vinnie. I never can tell how well we are doing until the results come out. By the end of that first day I was exhausted and just went home right after the game. A couple of hours later, Vinnie calls me and says “Guess what, you’re a life master!”. We had won 3 gold points!

By the end of the week I had accumulated 8 gold points with my three partners. My club threw me a party at our next game. I was getting congratulations all around. It was so gratifying, and so motivating. Now I am determined to improve all aspects of my game.

Shao Huang – Club Master

ACBL District 4

I played my bridge when I was in college in the early 80’s in China. I hadn’t played for a long time since I emigrated to the USA.

By chance, I found the Harrisburg Bridge Club nearby and I went there taking the lessons offered. After taking Bridge Basis 1,2 & 3 and 2/1, I started to play bridge again. Most times I played on BBO using 2/1 and Bridgefriends using precision. I occasionally played at the local club which is well managed and a friendly place.

Also, I have played on-line tournaments organized by several different North American Chinese Bridge associations. I am getting older and not that sharp anymore. I will attend the teacher training program at the NABC in Philadelphia this summer. Hopefully I can get a teacher certificate. My goal is to become a volunteer bridge teacher and teach bridge in the Chinese community here.

Linda Blickman – Life Master

ACBL District 4

I attribute my success to the wonderful teachers, whom I have had through the years. Lessons from Joann Glasson, Bobbie Gomer and John Dickenson, have been the most foundational and impactful for developing as a bridge player.  I was also so lucky to start with a group of women, who have become wonderful life-long friends, and we journeyed through the lessons and games together.  Bridge continues to be an enriching experience both socially and intellectually, and I feel so lucky to have the challenge and a passion for the game.

Michael Shuster – Emerald Life Master

ACBL District 4

D4 is a fantastic experience for players.  At a high level, there are some things done in D4 that are not my preference, such as conditions of contest in the GNTs and NAPs, but those are completely irrelevant to 99.9% of the players here and does not detract from the hard work our district administrators have done to make the general experience for the players positive.

ACBL District 4

I am a Bridge student just completing my first year of lessons and I wanted to share with you the adventures of my journey so far.  Bridge is such a fascinating game:  complex, thought provoking and challenging – to say the very least.  Of course, I am not telling you anything you don’t already know.Together with the many challenges also comes the satisfaction when one finally understands when to use Stayman, can bid a contract to game and yes, can finesse that Queen!  Ah- the sheer joy of it all.

Not that Bridge is limited to trick-taking or the implementation of the myriad of Conventions, but what also makes it so enjoyable is the socializing with other players, the mishaps which usually result in much laughter, finding that perfect partner with whom you can silently communicate your 4-Spade hand and lest we forget the constant question:  “What’s the contract, again?”

Yes, those are the small pleasures that result in great gratification.

With Bridge I have found the perfect combination of intense concentration and infinite fun.  It has become a welcomed addiction and I play it whenever I can.

I would also like to share with you where my journey began.  It was at Game Friendzy in Cherry Hill, NJ with my wonderful Bridge teacher, Bernadette Hennessy May.

No matter what the subject or academic setting, a great teacher is a great teacher and that is Bernadette!  To be able to communicate the intricacies of this game with such patience and calmness is a gift in itself considering the variety of students she has to tackle every week, (myself included).  She is truly supportive and encouraging and she gives us the confidence we all need – that gentle “push” always telling us how far we’ve come since that first lesson a year ago.  It was because of Bernadette that I played in my first local tournament only four months after taking my first lesson with her and I even earned some points (or fractions thereof)!  I was in shock at the results and I would have never participated in the tournament if it weren’t for Bernadette and my wonderful partner, Rodica, who is also a student of Bernadette’s.

Bernadette is a knowledgeable teacher to be sure but let’s not forget the humor she also introduces into her lessons.  We all have such a great time when we gather at the tables and all of her students are a testament to her excellent teaching skills and methods.

My fellow students would agree with me as they too are avid and enthusiastic fans of Bernadette.  Rodica and I work full time and always make sure we schedule her lessons into our weekly routines, Mary takes lessons in the morning and evenings throughout the week, Joyce is there almost every day, Cliff, Ron and Rick even give up golf to come and play and Tony comes all the way from North Jersey, every Saturday, just to attend Bernadette’s classes.  This is our way of showing our appreciation for our superb teacher.  We do this because we know how very, very fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary teacher.

Bernadette is the best “Ambassador” you could have for Bridge and I just wanted you to know it.

Mark McDaniel – Junior Master

ACBL District 4

While I had played some bridge before COVID, when COVID started I began playing about four times a week on Trickster Cards, with my good friend Dave Predmore. Last year we played in our first tournament which was the Rochester Regional held in August at the Jewish Community Center. We had some success there and have since played a few tournaments online through Bridge Base Online. I also played a tournament in Oswego last month with my son Cody, who while very familiar with card games is relatively new to bridge.

The pleasure of playing bridge and learning to be a better player is what I enjoy most.

Post navigation

← Older posts

D4 Mailing List

Click Here to Sign up

D4 Admin

Login

Logout

Contact Us

Click here to send us an email!!!

©2025 - ACBL District 4
↑