If I may, I’d like to go back to the beginning 1969 at Virginia Tech. in Blacksburg VA. I was walking down a dorm hall when I peeked in an open dorm room where 4 guys had 1 suitcase standing on end and another on top playing a card game. Being from New York but going to college in Virginia, I said “what are y’all doing?” They responded, playing bridge, whereupon I responded “may I watch” and they said yes. It wasn’t long before I asked “can I join” and again they said yes, and again it wasn’t long before the game spilled out into the floor study lounge and became almost a 24 hr game.
We had a small duplicate game at the student union and played against some professors. One was a math prof., Dick Barnett. I basically had 3 partners Jim Adkins and I played S. A. Mark Bregman Precision Jannerstan style and K-S with Bill Covey. We would travel to Pearisburg and play against a Congressman, Jeff Stafford or travel to Roanoke and play against The Smoots.
We decided to go to Richmond to play in a sectional, played against Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson, I cashed 2 aces against a slam and Kit turned to me and said nice defense kid but alas we didn’t win a match, and drove back to Tech with our tails between our legs… but not deterred.
I moved back to Delmar NY, was married, and eventually had 3 wonderful daughters. I worked long hard hours but played some bridge when I could. My wife Joan was understanding, well at least I think she was. I had some good partners there Albert Ross, Tony Prindle and Rhoda Kratenstein to name a few. I also had the privilege, at the Fireside Tavern over some white wine and popcorn or pizza, of listening to Lynne Deas as she held court. She truly was a class person.
Eventually I moved to Rochester (my wife had passed away too early) to be closer to my daughter Ashley. I searched out the local games. The directors Cheryl and Duncan Doug, and Bruce were very welcoming. I have played with many players from Rochester and won’t list them all for fear of leaving someone out (after all I still see most of them except for Doug Ross). All the people in RABA, Unit 112, and District 4 over the past 9 years have been exceptional in providing a great bridge experience. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I thought it would be fun to learn to play bridge in August of 2022, after learning about Buster Keaton’s lifelong commitment to the game. I tried to teach myself, which did not go well. And so I sought out a teacher and was eventually led to Nick Nelson via Mary Miller. I attended his classes and searched for a partner, and played on BBO constantly. I had several people who were kind enough to let me drag them down for several in-person club games, and I took advantage of BBO’s daylong tournaments just to keep practicing.
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.
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 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.