Tag Archives: story

Dennis Wick – Emerald Life Master

ACBL District 4

I want to thank the over 400 partners that I have played with over the 20 years of playing bridge. A special thanks to the pros with their seminars. Eric, Jeff, Chris, the late Bruce Reeves, Jerry, Chuck and Jade. A thank you to Curtis, Kevin and Pepsi. Also Charity Sack giving me her mother’s 2 pages on bidding. She said that I needed help. I handed those 2 pages out to over 400 people. They were a great resource.

I went to my first tournament with 105 points and no partners. I got lucky and was on 3 winning knockout teams. What’s so difficult about bridge?

It’s been a beautiful and memorable ride for a poor Michigan farm boy. My education for 6 years was in a 1 room country school. We rode a bicycle 1 1/2 miles to school every day.

My mentors at Central Michigan University helped me get where I am today. Just be happy, play bridge, dance a lot and live life to the fullest.

I retired in 1997 after 30 years of teaching and am a military veteran. I was the first on both sides of my family to go to college.

Thank you every one.

Jacqualyn James – Ruby Life Master

ACBL District 4

Duplicate Bridge has been a challenging, rewarding, and interesting journey. I live in the part of the country where duplicate players are few and most games are small. Nevertheless I studied and traveled to acquire the colored points needed. Then one of my favorite partners moved to another state; two of my regular partners passed away. As I tried to moved along the ranks it seemed hopeless to consider a new status.

I had decided to just stop playing bridge about the time the the Pandemic invaded our world. Games were over. A friend in Florida tried to persuade me to join Bridge Base Online. Many years ago I had ventured into that strange world, but found it to be very unfriendly so declined. My Florida friend continued to pester me and said we could partner even though we were miles apart. I finally gave BBO a try. I told my friends that I would never be able to reach the next level.

As I wandered through the steps of learning how to deal with this new concept, I found it very interesting to play with new partners!! Partners far away! I even played with my cousin in California who is a beginner. I am amazed how ACBL and BBO have worked diligently to make our bridge games work. I now have two very good partners (friends?) I’ve never seen. As I became more comfortable with this new scenario, I began to gather a few points. A new partner and I played in the recent week long tournament and we found the points I needed to be a a Ruby Life Master.

Life is good.

Andy Kaufman – Emerald Life Master

ACBL District 4

I was first introduced to bridge by my Mom, but became hooked playing during my college years at Cornell with my fraternity brothers.

After graduation I sought out games at local clubs and tournaments and soon became a frequent player at 1-2 Nationals per year.

For any aspiring player, I highly recommend reading many of the classic bridge books on bidding, play and defense. I especially recommend “playing up” against more experienced players versus only peers since this is the best way to improve your game.

I attribute my success to the many great partners and friends I have played with over the years and especially the understanding, love and support from my better half Gina.