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Lianger Gong – Junior Master

ACBL District 4

I started to play the pair game in my club – the Bridge Studio of Delaware in this January, where the manager, my partners and the members all help me to achieve my bridge goal – happiness in my life journey.
My playing bridge history went back to the early 1980s since I was a graduate student in Beijing, China. My roommate taught me to play the bridge with the precision bidding system. Four of us played together for a year during our lunch break time.
A few years ago I started to play online at Bridge Base Online. Now I live in Claymont, DE with my wife and enjoy to play in our club.

Below is a lesson for me missing a prospective grand slam:

The result： W (Mikaela) starts bidding 1S, N passes, E (Lianger) bids 2 D(2/1 Gaming Force), S passes; W bids 2S, N passes, E bids 3 D, All passes. N leads DJ; EW won 7 Tks.

The optimum: EW 5 NT. The biddings might be : 1s / 2D /; 2S / 4C (asking Aces) /; 4H (1 Ace) X 5C (asking Kings) /; 5H / 5NT /; all passes

The prospective game is 7D W if South leads anything except for a heart.

Gerry Kean – NABC Master

ACBL District 4

I learned to play bridge when I was 10 years old. I played social bridge through my high school and college years, and continued into my early adult life. I never played duplicate. I then stopped playing for many years, but always kept up with the bridge columns. After I retired in 2011, a friend asked me to substitute for him at a club in center city Philadelphia. I typically played one day a week, then switched clubs to the Jenkintown club. I moved to the King of Prussia arwea and also play at the Valley Forge club , but still only one day a week on average.

I have played in regional tournaments on 4 occasions, but only one day of the tournament.

Marie Duink – Club Master

ACBL District 4

I am so enjoying learning the game of bridge but must constantly remind myself I can’t learn it all at once! I wonder if there are others in the same boat as my partner and myself in not clearly understanding what needs to be alerted or bridge etiquette? For example, a player making the lead should put the card face down in case they are not the correct player to make the lead; what to say when a player places a bid that is not higher than the previous player etc. We are learning these and lots of other things but I feel somewhat uncertain about what I might be doing incorrectly. The club members are absolutely fantastic and so gracious and kind and for that we are very grateful. I wonder if 5 minutes or so before the game starts we could have teaching moments for us newbies which might also serve as a reminder to more seasoned players? I would also love to have a chance to play a few hands before or after a game where a discussion might take place on both the bidding and play of the hand with some of the more proficient players. We learned to play using certain conventions but find there are so many others and are unsure of which ones we should still be using and which ones are not used as often by better players. Convention Card changes and meanings would also be beneficial.

My partner and I are planning to attend the Rochester Tournament and look forward to this event.

Buddy Hano – Platinum Life Master

ACBL District 4

I began playing bridge in Trenton with my great grandmother at the age of 6. Honeymoon bridge was its name. Both of my parents were avid bridge players so it came easily. Friends like Hy Lavinthal were great teachers as I played in college and got my first master points.

When I moved to York, PA I joined White Rose Bridge Club which is where I met my favorite bridge partner and wife, Joann.
By 1984, I became a Life Master and certified director. Before the days of stratification, if anyone asked me to help them become a Life Master, I would play with them till they reached their goal. I did this for about 10 people including a 100 year old woman.

Over the years, another partner who helped me reach my goal was Mike Zeller. Another supporter who encouraged me was Ed Scanlon.

I remained active in bridge especially liking the Lancaster Regionals and Philadelphia Nationals.

When Covid hit, it opened a new source of online points because our local clubs were closed.  At 80, I never thought I would live long enough to reach this goal. I just want to thank all of my many partners who helped me make this platinum milestone.

Diana Kramer – NABC Master

ACBL District 4

Getting to this rank has been purely fun for me!  I just love the game and look for opportunities to play.  I feel lucky to live in an active bridge playing area and have enjoyed the many sectional and regional competitions available.

I have also been playing on the Philadelphia Woman’s League and the Main Line Woman’s league, both of which have afforded the opportunity to travel to different clubs and meet many new bridge friends who enhance my game.  A shout out to John Marks who so faithfully organizes and runs our games!
Also, included in my growth in the game is regular participation in lessons by an experienced Life Master Joanne Collins, at my club, Hershey’s Mill in West Chester, Pa.
Finally, my sincere thanks for the ACBL and particularly the fine leadership of District 4.  It is a pleasure to have so many of you dedicated to making sure the opportunities are there for all of us who look forward to another wonderful day at the bridge table, points or not!!!!!

Gerry Hoffman – Junior Master

ACBL District 4

I started playing bridge in college (Brown ’69) and accumulated something over 20 master points. But after I graduated I had no partner, so I stopped playing and got involved in my career, raising a family, and playing softball.

In November, 2022, 50+ years later, I resumed playing once or twice a month at the White Rose Bridge Club in York, PA. It’s a bit of a drive for me from my home in Gettysburg, but well worth it. I’ve now gotten used to the mini-lessons before each session, the bidding cards, and electronic scoring. I don’t have a regular partner, so I play with whoever is available when I show up. I rejoined the ACBL and I’m slowly working my way back to my previous status.

I can’t say enough good things about White Rose, and in particular, Ed Scanlon, who directs the morning sessions when I play.