Category Archives: Stories

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.

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.

Neil Butcher – Junior Master

ACBL District 4

I played bridge in college in the early 1970’s.  After college I took a 50-year break from playing.  When my wife passed last year, I needed an outlet, so I had mentioned to a friend I played bridge years ago and she hooked me up with the Dick Bowers Bridge Club in Winchester Virginia. 

One of the members, Milan Majarov, offered a class in bidding.  So, having been away from the game for so many years, I took his class.  I began play with the club in April of this year.  Everyone welcomed me and went out of their way to make me feel at home.  I was able to accumulate a few master points, not because I’m a great bridge player, but because I had great partners.  All the players in this club are excellent bridge players and help me learn more about the game each time I play.

I look forward to playing with them and plan my schedule around sessions with the club.  My thanks go out to all of them and to the ACBL for enhancing my experience playing duplicate bridge.