Bridge Blog 1099: Happy Return

I didn’t realize how much I missed my Canadian partner, Selina Volpatti, and her fearless bidding, until I sat down across from her Friday afternoon, Aug. 16, at the Bridge Center of Niagara in St. Catharines, Ont.

This was my Canadian birthday game, where I pay everyone’s entry fee in gratitude for another trip around the sun, and a much belated birthday celebration it was. It had been postponed until Selina returned from Brazil, where she had been for most of a month visiting friends of the family. She was tan. She was chipper. She looked great.

We hadn’t played together since July 17, my American birthday game at the Airport Bridge Club, where we managed a 50.42% game to come in third North-South. Would we be rusty? Out of sync? After all, she hadn’t played in weeks.

Not to worry. It didn’t take long to find the groove – 58.63%. Third North-South in an 11-table game, 0.55 of a point.

That was quickly overshadowed when Selina came to the Airport Bridge Club on Saturday. This was only a four-table game (Saturdays have been sparse) and we dominated our opponents, even the estimable pair of Nancy Wolstoncroft and Alan Greer. I had visions of my first 70% game since …. Maybe ever.

In fact, we came into the final round with an amazing 72.91%. But our last opponents, the Weltes, Martha and John, snuffed us. Our high-flying percentage deflated to 66.67%. Still first overall, though. And, thanks to the Airport Club’s extra point awards, 2.04 points.