Bridge Blog 1125: Is virtual really real?

       Even after two months of playing in the online bridge games, I’m having a hard time overcoming a deep suspicion that the points they say that I’m winning aren’t real points. Especially the ones from OK Bridge, although my constant partner Selina Volpatti and I play only the ACBL matches there.

       But if these successes are solid, then Selina and I have had a super week. On OKB, against scads of competitors in the ACBL game at noon Eastern Time, we came in second in B on Monday for 1.13 points, then were first in B on Thursday and Friday for 1.50 each time. Or did we?

If we did, then this week could add up to almost 7, once all the fractional points from half a dozen other games are tallied. And here comes Silver Linings Week, beginning Monday, when all the virtual club games on Bridge Base Online award triple silver points. I'm virtually pumped. 

Bridge Blog 1124: Abridged April

I have created a virtual replica of my pre-pandemic bridge-playing routine online, hopping into a 12-board ACBL game on OKBridge at noon with my Canadian partner, Selina Volpatti, and then joining an 18-board ACBL game on Bridge Base Online at 1:30 p.m. that’s sponsored by the Bridge Centre of Niagara, the club where I play in St. Catharines, Ont. Then I wander downstairs for a quick bite of lunch and rush back to the computer to commence working from home at 4 p.m.

I like not having a commute to the game or the office. And I’m happy to continue to collect master points, albeit fractions of them. My total for the month – 3.42.

       And all the while, I’ve been wondering if the other players out there are doing the same thing. Now that the ACBL has updated its master point races, let’s find out.

       Ace of Clubs (Club Play Only). Unit 116 (Just Buffalo). Gold Life Masters (2,500 to 3,500 master points). 

       Here’s where we discover that snowbird David Millward is back in town, even if we don’t get to see him in person. He’s accumulated lots of points in Florida, enough to land himself right on top of the Golds.

       His arrival nullifies my move ahead of Fred Yellen in the rankings. I’m still third. Fred apparently didn’t play online in April, since he still has the 37.67 points he had a month ago. Same with last month’s leader, Allen Beroza, and Mike Silverman, who was nipping at my heels. Here’s the list.

       David Millward, 51.34 (fifth overall among all Unit 116 players). Allen Beroza, standing pat at 43.63 (eighth overall in the unit, down from sixth). Me, 38.41 (#13 overall, up from #14). Fred Yellen, still at 37.67 (#14 overall, down from #10). Mike Silverman, still 34.67 (#17 overall, down from #15). Ken Meier, who added 3.51 points to reach 31.19 (#25, down from #24); Art Morth, 22.97, increasing  6.91 points for the month (#34, up from #49). John Sinclair, still at 15.88 (#52, down from #50). Bill Rushmore, 10.52, adding 3.67 points (#84, up from #109). Chongmin Zhang, no longer last with 3.51 (#184, up from #187). And not to be forgotten, Pat Rasmus, at 2.79 for the third month in a row (#194, down from #185).

       If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be a distant fourth, way behind Nancy Wolstoncroft and John and Martha Welte, but ahead of Linda Burroughsford, who apparently did not venture online.

       Ace of Clubs. Unit 116. All players.

       Suspended animation here. Alan Greer still has 100.85. Nancy Wolstoncroft still has 72.31. And then there are the Weltes, who now hold 67.23 each, having increased their point count by 22.64. How did they do that?

       Migrating snowbird David Millward lands in fifth place with 51.34, while Mike Ryan, who was third a month ago, is now sixth with his same old 50.35.

       Larry Abate, having collected 11.38 points somehow, is seventh, up from #16 a month agao. Then there are Allen Beroza and John Ziemer, frozen at 43.63 and 43.41; and Barbara Libby rounding out the Top 10 with 42 even.

       Bubbling under from 12 to 26 are Bud Seidenberg, 40.62; moi, 38.41; Fred Yellen, 37.67; Linda Burroughsford, 37.60; Ten-Pao Lee, 35.70; Mike Silverman and Saleh Fetouh, tied for #17 at 34.67; Davis Heussler, 33.51; Ed Morgan, 33.48; Bob Sommerstein, 32.73; Jay Levy, 32.36; Joyce Greenspan, 31.91; Bert Hargeshimer, 31.31; Ken Meier, 31.19; and at #26, Walt Olszewski, 30.65.

       Mini-McKenney (All points earned everywhere). Unit 116. Gold Life Masters.

       Newly-returned snowbird David Millward rules the roost here, too. With 56 points even, he eclipses first-quarter leader John Sinclair, who’s standing pat at 55.32. David is #13 overall among all Unit 116 players, while John is #14.

       Also without additional points are Fred Yellen, 53.07 (#15 overall, down from #13); and Allen Beroza, 49.80 (#18 overall, down from #15).

       My 3.42 points for the month let me maintain my perch in fifth place with 42.96 (#24 overall, down from #23). Mike Silverman, inactive in April, stays at  39.83 and drops from fourth place to sixth (#25 overall, down from #22).

       Then it’s Ken Meier, 33.84 (#33, same as last month); Art Morth, 28.27 (#41, up from #47); Bill Rushmore, 16.36 (#65, up from #85); Chongmin Zhang, 5.87 (steady at #147); and Pat Rasmus, 2.79 (#200, down from #191).

       If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be sixth on the list, far, far behind David Heussler, Linda Burroughsford, John and Martha Welte, and Nancy Wolstoncroft.

       Mini-McKenney. Unit 116. All players.

       No movement at the top here. Still in the lead is Saleh Fetouh with 124.53, followed by Davis Heussler, 115.06; Linda Burroughsford, 109.84; and Alan Greer, 100.85.

       Moving up are John and Martha Welte, tied for sixth 30 days ago, now tied for fifth with 94.41. They passed Nancy Wolstoncroft, who still has 72.95.

       Another mover is Bud Seidenberg with 62.76, vaulting from #11 to eighth place, past Mike Ryan, who stays at 61.01 and slips from eighth to ninth. Sitting tenth is Larry Abate with 60.67. Before the Gold Life Masters begin to show up, there’s David Colligan at #11 with 58.91 and John Ziemer at #12 with 57.90.

        Ace of Clubs. District 5 (Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh). Gold Life Masters.

       The Pennsylvanians, banished from the upper reaches of this division a month ago, have returned. Here’s the list:

       Landing on top after flying in from a winter in Florida is David Millward with 51.34. He’s ninth overall in the district. Allen Beroza, in front a month ago, is still second, standing still with the same 43.63 points he had at the end of March. He’s #14 overall, down from #10.

       On the rise are Allen Selling of Erie, Pa., and Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., third and fourth with 40.11 and 39.97, respectively. They’re #24 and #25 in the district.

       The two of them crept ahead of me, leaving me in fifth place with my 38.41. I’m #29 overall, down from #26.

       From there, it’s Kenneth Eichler of Murrysville, Pa., hot on my heels with 38 even and #30 in the district. Fred Yellen, standing pat with 37.67, is seventh and #32 overall, down from #19.  

       Rounding out the list are Brenda Merkich of Cortland, Ohio, with 36.74 (#36, down from #21); Mike Silverman, 34.67 (#42, down from #27); and Ronald Sain of Indiana, Pa., unchanged at 33.05 (#48, down from #31).

       Ousted from the Top 10 is January’s leader, Marcella Retetgos of Pittsburgh. She now sits at #12 (#55 overall, down from #34) with the same 32.10 she had a month ago.

       Ace of Clubs. District 5. All players.

       Though he didn’t collect any points in April, Alan Greer sits serenely on top with 100.85. Coming up fast, however, is Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, who managed to add 22.10 points to reach 91.25. She vaulted ahead of Nancy Wolstoncroft, also motionless with 72.31.

       Tied for fourth are John and Martha Welte with 67.23, up from an eighth-place tie a month ago. Then it’s W. (William) Tordella of Bemus Point, standing pat with 61.46, followed by Paul Holmes of Wadsworth, Ohio, 55.76; Barbara Belardi of Pittsburgh, unchanged with 52.28; and two more Buffalonians, David Millward with 51.34 and Mike Ryan with 50.35.

       Buffalo is well represented in the 11-20 range, as well. There’s Larry Abate, #13 with 45.26; Allen Beroza, #14 with 43.63; John Ziemer, #16 with 43.41; Barbara Libby, #19 with 42 even; and Sharon Benz, #20 with 41.49.

       Mini-McKenney. District 5. Gold Life Masters.

       It’s Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., with 151.83, having added 15.97 points in April, leaving the rest of us wayyyy behind. He continues to be third overall in the district.

       David Millward, with a mere 56 points even, is a very distant second and #45 in the district. Then it’s Gary Sikon of Cleveland, 55.46 (#47); John Sinclair, 55.32 (#49, down from #41); Barry Boyd of Wheeling, W.Va., 54.24 (#51); Fred Yellen, 53.07 (#53, down from #45); Allen Beroza, 49.80 (#60, down from #51); Kenneth Eichler of Murrysville, Pa., 47.16 (#71); Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh, 44.98 (#78); and me in tenth place with 42.96 (#88 overall, down from #86). Next Buffalonian on the list is #13 (#100 overall) – Mike Silverman with 39.83.

       Mini-McKenney. District 5. All players.

       Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, with those 22.10 club points, increased her lead over Sue Lan Ma of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, who stood pat with 178.47.

       Continuing third and fourth are Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., with 151.83, and Buffalo’s Saleh Fetouh with 124.53.

       Then it’s Phillip Becker of Beachwood, Ohio, 117.52; Buffalo’s Davis Heussler with 115.06 and Linda Burroughsford with 109.84; Robert Flynn of McDonald, Pa., 109.07; Richard Katz of North Versailles, Pa., 108.77; and Fleur Howard of Gates Mills, Ohio, 108.54. Buffalo’s Alan Greer is #11 with his 100.85. The Weltes, with 94.41, are tied for #14. Nancy Wolstoncroft is #25. Bud Seidenberg is #29. Mike Ryan is #32. Larry Abate is #33. David Colligan is #38. 

       Ace of Clubs. Nationwide. Gold Life Masters. 

       Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., apparently has found a treasure trove of points online. He added 45.50 of them to his total and now tops all the Goldies with 147.47.

       But hey, here’s Dolores Aquino coming on strong in second, amassing 51.94 points in April to reach 132.54. Mason Barge of Atlanta collected 45.76 to leap from sixth to third place with 123.97. Maybe there was no social distancing in their precincts. 

       Then come David Morse of New Minas, Nova Scotia, with 114.51. Michael Reesland of Nashville, 95.57. Jonathan Williams, also of The Villages, 95.32. David Schapira of Delray Beach, Fla., 90.21. Wendy Lee of East Hanover, N.J., 88.40. David Woods of Sarnia, Ont., 86.34. and Misuzu McManus of Ormand Beach, Fla., 84.83. 

       Among Unit 116 players, David Millward is #92 with 51.34. Allen Beroza is #165, down from #93, with 43.63. I’m at #262, down from #212, tied with Ed Chajkowski of Kemptville, Ont., with 38.41. Fred Yellen is #282, down from #163, with 37.67. Mike Silverman is #344, down from #217, with 34.67. And Ken Meier is in a three-way tie for #473, down from #465, with 31.19.

Ace of Clubs. All players. Nationwide. 

Neil Silverman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., still reigns. He had a 27.16 point month to reach 192.18. Next is a fellow who wasn’t among the Top 10 a month ago – Jack Jones, also of Fort Lauderdale, with 169.90. He slipped past Gillian Miniter of New York City, who has 169.21.

Then come Bella Ionis-Sorren of Fort Lauderdale with 165.45; Milton Neher of Richardson, Texas, with 159.86; Stephen Garreffa of Randolph, N.J., with 154.27; Ann McClelland and Philip Benner, both of The Villages, Fla., with 152.63 and 151.24, respectively; Goldie leader Russ Pearly, also of The Villages, with 147.47; then a pair of Chicagoans, Robert Kent with 143.12 and Ellen Kent with 137.73.

Unit 116’s Alan Greer is #64, down from #22, with 100.85. Nancy Wolstoncroft is #245, down from 105 with 72.31. And Martha and John Welte debut on the list as two-thirds of a three-way tie at #308 with 67.23. Mike Ryan, who slipped onto the list at #482 last month, has slipped off again.The list ends at 59.21.

Mini-McKenney. Gold Life Masters. Nationwide. 

Dolores Aquino’s big month was more than just a club triumph. She picked up 56.23 points overall in April and supplanted Ann Buchholz of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., who managed only 37.76. Aquino has 240.21. Buchholz follows with 224.32.

Then it’s newcomer Lynn Leisy of Amelia Island, Fla., 199.49; Mason Barge of Atlanta, rising like the tide from eighth to fourth with 198.05 after a 58.76 point month; Anne LaCour of Georgetown, Texas, 183.80; Kevin Rosenberg of Sunnyvale, Calif., 172.25; Daniel Jablonski of Stoneham, Mass., 171.40; good old Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., 170.70; Gordon Zind of Ottawa, Ont., 158.03; Mark Henderson of Wilmington, Del., 152.19; and District 5’s Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., at #11 with 151.83.

Unit 116 is represented. David Millward is #336 with 56 even. John Sinclair is tied for #346 with his 55.32, down from #260. Fred Yellen is #388 with 53.07, down from #291. Allen Beroza is #447 with 49.80, down from #349. The list ends at 46.46.

Mini-McKenney. All Players. Nationwide.

It was a quiet month for the two top dogs in this division, but Robert McClendon of Ponte Vedra, Fla., picked up enough scratch to nudge Jacob Morgan of Madison, Wis., out of the top spot. McClendon had 43.59 points to reach 689.09, while Morgan won just 4.39 to stand at 658.41.

Joe Grue of New York City jumped from eighth to third with 560.22, thanks to a 110.32 point month. He passed James Melville of Springfield, Ill., who stood pat at 515.85.

Also making hay was Gillian Miniter of New York City, who cracked the Top 10 to land in fifth place with 507.64. She passed Mark Itabashi of Murrieta, Calif., who still has 483.14. Ditto for Shan Huang of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., still at 481.21. John Hurd of New York City stakes a claim on eighth place with 473.22. Alex Hudson of Raleigh, N.C., steps up to ninth from tenth with 460.39 after a 22.96 point month.

Sitting in the next three spots are Kevin Bathurst of Palm Beach Gardens with 454.68; Kevin Dwyer of Port Richey, Fla., with 452.07; and the legendary Jeff Meckstroth of Clearwater Beach, Fla., with 448.17. Amazing. I earned more points in April than Meckstroth did.

Former Buffalonian Joel Wooldridge, who now hangs his coat in Jackson Heights, Queens, slipped to #89 from #85 with 232.11 after a 9.31 point month.

District 5 leader Reanette Frobouck holds her place at #106 with 218.79. District 5 runner-up Sue Lan Ma, who added no points to her 178.47, slips to #177 from #149. Unit 116’s Saleh Fetouh is #436, down from #378, with his 124.53. The list cuts off at 118.18.

Bridge Blog 1123: Almost like being in love

My friend Cathy Hetzler sent this inquiry the other day:

Sent: Fri, Apr 10, 2020 5:54 pm
Subject: Live game

A friend asked me about a live game of bridge. Can you send info, esp cost. Thanks. Also, she asked if you thought it was a “good bang for the buck?”

It turns out that I just had some experience in this arena. My answer:

Hey, Cathy!

When you say "live," I presume you mean online, via your computer. If so, I've had some experience with two online bridge sites this week as I'm sheltering in place. 

First I went to Bridge Base Online, which is collaborating with the ACBL to have virtual club games. Not sure if the Bridge Center of Buffalo is taking part in it, but I was invited by my Canadian partner to play in the Bridge Centre of Niagara (the St. Catharines club) virtual game at 1:30 p.m. daily. $5 a game and I've already spent $20. 

It's an 18-board game, lasting almost 2 hours. There's strict time rule of 7 minutes per board and then they whisk it away. We've had two good games (Friday we were first North-South) and two bad ones. If the master points count as real points, then I think we've earned a couple. 

My Canadian partner, who seems to be bingeing online bridge, also lured me into Okbridge, which has new games constantly, but is not affiliated with clubs. These are 12-board games, lasting a little longer than an hour, also with strict time rules. Okbridge has a free two-week trial, a day pass for $1.95 and monthly and premium plans. 

We've been hitting Okbridge at noon and it's over in time for us to pick up the BBO game at 1:30. 

At this point, I kind of prefer the BBO game and either one is cheaper than playing a real club game. However, I'm still awkward at signing in and getting settled into these sessions. 

The BBO game allows you to sign on two hours before it starts, but your partner must be online to sign in with you. The Okbridge games don't take signups until 10 minutes before you start, which can be a little frenzied. 

On both sites, however, you can ask to be paired up with a partner and it doesn't look like it's much a problem to find one. 

I find the play easier on BBO. Okbridge makes you double check your bids in order to make them and all the cards you play, which involves a couple extra clicks and slows down your response. And I still haven't figured out how to do in-game chatting on Okbridge or how to claim the rest of the tricks in a hand. Maybe it will be better now that I've done the Okbridge download. I don't recall BBO insisting on a download. 

Bridge Blog 1122: Macerated Month of March

Like everything else in New York State, my bridge world ground to a halt in the middle of March, just as I was hoping to make up for a dismal couple of early weeks. Then again, I imagine everyone’s game was stymied unless they tucked themselves right away into the online games. (More on that to come in Blog 1123)

So my total haul in club play was a mere 3.52 points and club points were all I got. Overall for the first quarter of the year, it’s 39.54. Now let’s look at the world outside (from a safe distance, of course):

Ace of Clubs (Club Play only). Unit 116 (Buffalo only). Gold Life Masters (2,500 to 3,500 master points).

Fred Yellen somehow picked up 11.58 points and zipped past me. Now I’m third. Only 10 players on this list. Here they all are:

Allen Beroza, 10.05 points for the month for a total of 43.63. He remains at sixth overall in the Unit. Then Fred Yellen, 37.67, tenth overall, up from #18. Me, 34.99 (#14 overall, down from eighth), barely staying ahead of Mike Silverman, who added 5.25 points to reach 34.67 (#15 overall, down from #12).

Then it’s Ken Meier, 27.68 (#24, up from #28); Art Morth, 16.06 (#49, up from #52); John Sinclair, 15.88, down from sixth to seventh (#50, down from #43); Bill Rushmore, still with 6.85 (#109, down from #92); Pat Rasmus, still with 2.79 (#185, down from #164); and finally joining us on the list, Chongmin Zhang, 2.74 (#187).

If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be fifth, behind Nancy Wolstoncroft, John and Martha Welte, and Linda Burroughsford.

Ace of Clubs. Unit 116. All players.

Don’t even need to look to know who the leaders are.

Alan Greer got 20.15 points before things shut down and he’s reached the century mark – 100.85. Nancy Wolstoncroft added 14.71 to reach 72.31. Mike Ryan managed 10.65 for 50.35. The Weltes picked up 11.61 and are tied for fourth at 44.59.

Then it’s Allen Beroza, 43.63; John Ziemer, 43.41; Sharon Benz, 41.49; Barbara Libby, 39.97; and Fred Yellen, 37.67.

Bubbling under from 11 to 25 are Linda Burroughsford, 36.65; Ten-Pao Lee, 35.70; Bud Seidenberg. 35.04; moi, 34.99; Mike Silverman, 34.67; Larry Abate, 33.88; Davis Heussler, 32.16; Joyce Greenspan, 31.91; Jay Levy, 30.56; Bert Hargeshimer, 29.27; Saleh Fetouh, 28.76; Ed Morgan, 28.59; Walt Olszewski, 28.08; Ken Meier, 27.68; and Christy Kellogg, 27.38.

Mini-McKenney (All points earned everywhere). Unit 116. Gold Life Masters.

Leader John Sinclair only added 3.42 points in March, but it was enough to keep him ahead of Fred Yellen. In the overall rankings, however, he slipped. Here’s the list:

John Sinclair, 55.32 (#12 overall, down from #9); Fred Yellen, 53.07 (#13, up from #14); Allen Beroza, 49.80 (#15, up from #17); Mike Silverman slipping past me into fourth place, 39.83 (#22, just like last month); moi, 39.54 (#23, down from #20); Ken Meier, 30.33 (#33, up from #38); Art Morth, 21.36 (#47, same as last month); Bill Rushmore, unchanged at 12.68 (#85, down from #66); Chongmin Zhang, up from tenth place, 5.10 (#147, up from #216); and Pat Rasmus, unchanged at 2.79 (#191, down from #172). And there’s just 10 of us.

Mini-McKenney. Unit 116. All players.

Even with a shortened month, three more managed to join Saleh Fetouh beyond the century mark.

Saleh is still on top, though. He accumulated another 7.65 points to reach 118.62. Davis Heussler and Linda Burroughsford had a big tournament week somewhere and vaulted into second and third place, respectively. He gained 47.78 points to reach 104.78. She picked up 48.39 for a total of 104.58.

Then it’s the Ace of Clubs leaders – Alan Greer, 100.85; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 72.95; John and Martha Welte, both with 71.77; Mike Ryan, 61.01; David Colligan, 58.91; John Ziemer, 57.90; and Bud Seidenberg, 57.18, before we reach Gold Life Master leader John Sinclair with his 55.32 at #12 and Fred Yellen with 53.07 at #13. 

Ace of Clubs, District 5 (Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh). Gold Life Masters.

Unit 116, with the help of an Ohioan, has banished all the Pennsylvanians from the top tier of this division and left them bunched in the lower half of the Top Ten. Here’s what it looks like:

Still on top is Allen Beroza with 43.63. He’s tenth in the entire district, up from #14. Fred Yellen, meanwhile, climbs to second from ninth with his 37.67. He’s #19 overall, up from #44. Third is the Ohioan, Brenda Merkich of Ohio’s Cortland, jumping to third from fifth with 36.11, for which she needed only a 7.59 point month. She’s #21 overall, up from #28.

I’m fourth, down a notch, with 34.99, and #26 overall, down from #17. On my heels here, too, is Mike Silverman with 34.67 (#27, down from #24).

Then it’s PA the rest of the way. Ronald Sain from Indiana moves from seventh to sixth with 33.05 (#31 overall, up from #39). Marcella Retetagos of Pittsburgh, January’s leader and February’s runner-up, plummets to seventh with 32.10, barely gaining a point in March (#34 overall, down from #16).

Kenneth Eichler of Murrysville, second in January and tenth in February, gets a bounce to eighth with 31.31 (#38 overall, up from #45). Philip Goulding of Wexford slides to eighth from sixth with 30.30 (#46 overall, down from #35). Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh has 30.25, down to tenth from eighth (#47 overall, down from #42). Buffalo’s Ken Meier is #11 with 27.68 and is #62 overall.

If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be eighth on that list. Buffalonians hold four of the top five spots there, too.

Ace of Clubs. District 5. All players.

Sure enough, Alan Greer and Nancy Wolstoncroft – 100.85 and 72.31, respectively.

Then Reanette Frobouck moves from fourth to third, displacing W. (William) Tordella of Bemus Point. 69.15 for the lady. 61.46 for the gentleman.

Barbara Belardi stays put in fifth with 52.28 after a 4.96 point month. Mike Ryan retains possession of fifth with 50.35, having a 10.65 point month. Bruce Cahoon of Akron, Ohio, tenth a month ago, is seventh now with 45.35, thanks to a 9.89 point month. The Weltes, tied for #11 a month ago, are tied for eighth with 44.59. Allen Beroza, #14 in February, is now tenth with his 43.63.

Keeping a safe social distance from each other in the second ten are John Ziemer, #11 with 43.41; Sharon Benz, #13 with 41.49; Barbara Libby, #15 with 39.97; Fred Yellen, #19 with 37.67; and Linda Burroughsford, #20 with 36.65, not so distant in the standings, but a world away these days since she lives in Fort Erie, Ont., and can’t cross the border.

Five of us also populate the third ten – Ten-Pao Lee at #23, Bud Seidenberg, me and Mike Silverman, #25, #26 and #27; and Larry Abate #30.

Mini-McKenney. District 5. Gold Life Masters. The top three hold their places for another month – Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., 135.86 after a 30.69 point month (third among all players in the district, up from fourth); our John Sinclair, 55.32 (#41 overall,  down from #30); and Barry Boyd of Wheeling, W. Va., 54.24 (#43 overall, down from #31).

Moving up one notch are Buffalonians Fred Yellen with 53.07 (#45, up from #57) and Allen Beroza with 49.80 (#51, up from #63). Gary Sikon of Cleveland, fourth a month ago, is sixth with 49.19 (#54, down from #47).

Then we have Leroy Hackenberg and Robert Zimmerman, both of Pittsburgh, with 44.98 (#65, up from #83) and 42.21 (#73, new to the top ten). Kenneth Eichler of Murrysville, Pa., sits ninth with 40.47 (#80, also new to the list), followed by Mike Silverman, 39.83 (#83, down from #76); and me, 39.54 (#86, down from #69). If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be #15 on that list instead of #11.

Mini-McKenney. District 5. All Players.

Continuing on top are Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh with 196.69 after a 20.42 point month and Sue Lan Ma of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, with 178.47 following a 9.60 point month.

Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., is third with 135.86, swapping places with Buffalo’s Saleh Fetouh, who has 118.62.

Then it’s Robert Flynn of McDonald, Pa., 109.07; Phillip Becker of Beachwood, Ohio, 107.48; Buffalo’s Davis Heussler and Linda Burroughsford, 104.78 and 104.48, respectively; Fleur Howard of Gates Mills, Ohio, 102.02; and Buffalo’s Alan Greer, 100.85.

Nancy Wolstoncroft is #20. The Weltes are tied at #21. Mike Ryan is #29. David Colligan is #32. John Ziemer is #34. And Bud Seidenberg is #38.

Ace of Clubs. Nationwide. Gold Life Masters.

Topping the list again are Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., 101.97 (#21 overall in the nation), and David Schapira of Delray Beach, Fla., 90.21 (#31 nationally).

David Woods of Sarnia, Ont., third in January, sixth in February, is third again with 83.04, thanks to a 21.84 point month (#55 nationally). Dolores Aquino stays fourth with 79.60 (#66). Fifth is Judi Besmer of Lake Worth, Fla., new on the list with 79.46 (#67).

Then it’s Mason Barge of Atlanta with 78.21 (#80); Michael Reeslund of Nashville, 71.80 (#110); Jonathan Williams of The Villages, Fla., 70.30 (#119); Misuzu McManus of Ormond Beach, Fla., 69.98 (#123); and Charles Quenneville of Sun Lakes, Ariz., 68.42 (#137).

Of us Buffalonians, Allen Beroza is #93, Fred Yellen is #163, I’m #212, Mike Silverman is #217 and Ken Meier is #465. The list ends at 27 even.

Ace of Clubs. Nationwide. All Players.

Neil Silverman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is still king here with 165.02 after a 33.65 point month. Philip Benner of The Villages, Fla., third last month, is second with 127.56, notching 20.35 points in March. He bumped Robert Epstein of Atlanta, who has 125.68.

Then it’s Bill Kulbersh of Atlanta with 122.13, Sanford Robbins of Pompano Beach, Fla., 121.14; Bella Ionis-Sorren of Fort Lauderdale, 120.51; Sheila Gabay of Newton, Mass., 116.55; Bill Osborn of Frisco, Texas, 114.77; Marla Chaikin of Savanna, Ga., 113.67; and Roberta Trayman of Naples, Fla., 109.40.

Unit 116 and District 5 leader Alan Greer is #22 with his 100.85, up from #27. Nancy Wolstoncroft is #105 with her 72.31, up from #127. And Mike Ryan slips onto the list this month, tied at #482 with 50.35. The list ends at 49.62.

Mini-McKenney. Nationwide. Ruby Life Masters.

January leader Ann Buchholz of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., second in February, is back on top in March with 186.56 after a 40.45 point month. Second-place Dolores Aquino of Houston, up from eighth, is the list’s big gainer with 183.98 following a 68.51 point month.

Anna LaCour of Georgetown, Texas, had almost as big a month, advancing to third from seventh with 181.25 after a 63.34 point month. Fourth is last month’s second-place guy, Kevin Rosenberg of Sunnyvale, Calif., 160.85, having only a 12.60 point month.

Fifth is Gordon Zind of Ottawa, Ont., 158.03. Sixth is Alex Khrakovsky of Columbus, Ohio, down from fourth with 144.58, picking up only 1.58 points in March.

Rounding out the top ten are David Woods of Sarnia, Ont., 144.19; Mason Barge of Atlanta, 139.29; Mark Henderson of Wilmington, Del., 136.54; and District 5 leader Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., 135.86.

Unit 116 leader John Sinclair is #260 with his 55.32. Fred Yellen is #291 with 53.07. Allen Beroza is #349 with 49.80. The list ends at 42.59.

Mini-McKenney. Nationwide. All Players.

Here are the folks who had 100 point months regardless of how much play was shortened.

One-two once again are Jacob Morgan of Madison, Wis., and Robert McClendon of Ponte Vedra, Fla. Morgan had a 116.62 point month to reach 654.02. McClendon won 157.89 points and has 645.50.

Then it’s James Melville of Springfield, Ill., 515.85; Mark Itabashi of Murrieta, Calif., 483.14; Shan Huang of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 481.21; Kevin Dwyer of Port Richey, Fla., 452.07; Kevin Bathurst of Palm Beach Gardens, 450.48; Joe Grue of New York City, 449.90; the legendary Jeff Meckstroth of Clearwater Beach, Fla., 445.79; and Alex Hudson of Raleigh, N.C., 437.43.

Former Buffalonian Joel Wooldridge, now operating from Jackson Heights, Queens, advances to #85 from #95 with 222.80.

District 5 leader Reanette Frobouck is #118, down from #106, with 196.69. District 5 runner-up Sue Lan Ma is #149 with 178.47, down from #118. Unit 116’s Saleh Fetouh is #378 with his 118.62, down from #311. Davis Heussler and Linda Burroughsford miss the list by less than a point. It cuts off at 105.41.

Bridge Blog 1122: A dangerous game

Airport Bridge Club manager Bill Finkelstein, who showed great foresight and got out ahead of the curve when he announced he was closing his game last Thursday, March 12, has passed along this alarming news story from Colorado Springs, Colo.:

Dozens in high-risk age group possibly exposed to coronavirus at Colorado Springs card tournament

LIZ HENDERSON liz.henderson@gazette.com

Mar 14, 2020 Updated Mar 15, 2020

The state's first coronavirus death — an 83-year-old woman who died Friday at a Colorado Springs hospital — may have exposed dozens of the most vulnerable to the flu-like disease at a west-side card tournament nearly two weeks ago.

The Colorado Springs Bridge Center, one of the city's largest and oldest bridge clubs, posted on its website Saturday that the woman was one of its members.

That other card players were exposed was confirmed with the announcement Saturday that a man who had played bridge with the woman at the club had tested positive for coronavirus, the third presumptive case in El Paso County. The first reported coronavirus case in El Paso County, a man in his 40s who had returned from travel abroad, has fully recovered, a public health official said Saturday.

“We’re extremely concerned about possible transmission both at the tournament and in communities after they went home,” said Kimberly Pattison with El Paso County Public Health. “Many attendees were older people who might be especially vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.

At a news conference Saturday at the regional emergency management building, officials said the public health department is attempting to contact all those who had contact with the woman.

"Several of the individuals we know had contact with the woman have tests that are pending for COVID-19 and are currently under medical evaluation," Dr. Robin Johnson with county public health said.

Johnson said the woman may have come into contact with someone who had recently traveled, but she couldn't say when or where.

"My understanding is that she was unaware at the time that she was playing bridge that she had symptoms that she would have been concerned about," Johnson added.

The woman most recently played on March 3, when nearly 70 other players attended, said club director John Dukellis.

News of the woman's death spread fear among members of the bridge club, which has been shut down at least through the end of the month, he said.

Her bridge partner self-isolated Saturday, telling Dukellis that the woman had looked "flush" and "not herself" the day of the March 3 tournament, he said.

Most of the club's members, according to Dukellis, are over 60, the age group most at risk of having severe cases of coronavirus, along with those with diabetes and heart or lung disease.

"Everyone at our club would be at high risk," he said.

       The woman also was at a Feb. 29 tournament where about 85 people from around the state — including Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo and Buena Vista — played in morning and afternoon sessions, Dukellis said. He was unsure if she had symptoms at the time.

The club hosts tournaments and afternoon card games every day except Sunday at 901 N. 17th Street. Dukellis said Westside Community church holds services in the building Sunday and Wednesday nights.

       County public health officials said in a news release that those who attended games at the Bridge Center on Feb. 27-29, March 1 or March 3, and are experiencing symptoms, should call their health care provider.

Public health officials were given the roster from the woman's last several tournaments, Dukellis said.

El Paso County Public Health officials have not released the woman's name, but said Friday that she died at UCHealth Memorial Central Hospital.

The hospital received confirmation that the woman tested positive for COVID-19 after she died, a UCHealth statement said.

Cary Vogrin, a hospital spokeswoman, said Friday privacy laws prevent her from saying when the woman was admitted to the hospital, if she was thought to have coronavirus at the time and if medical staff and others in the hospital are being contacted or tested for the disease.

Gov. Jared Polis, who held a news conference Friday in Colorado Springs at which the death was announced, said the woman lived by herself and had not been in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Bridge Blog 1121: Plague season

       

           

      Coronavirus struck home Thursday, March 12. In club manager Bill Finkelstein’s remarks before play started, he announced that, because all the players are in their 70s and 80s and are most at risk from the disease, the Airport Bridge Club will be closed until Monday, March 30.

       That prospect hung over the game like a shroud of doom, a shadow that darkened further as me and my last-minute substitute partner, Bill Boardman, slogged to a 38% finish. It dashed my hopes that my fortunes were brightening after a couple 50+ games broke that succession of games in the 40s last week.  

What happened to my regular Thursday mate, Marietta Kalman? I missed her phone message, I learned when I just called her. She canceled – afraid of the virus. Same with my Saturday partner, Sharon Chang, who turned down my invitation to play this week at the Bridge Center of Buffalo.

So what’s a gamer to do? So far, the Bridge Center is open. The club in St. Catharines seems to be running, too. I’ll find out more Friday afternoon when I go play there with Selina Volpatti.

Bridge Blog 1120: February's Short Shrift

Sure, February was a day longer than usual, but for me at the bridge table, it was a week shorter. The first 22 days were stellar – I had visions of a 25-point month – but the final week was an almost total bust.

Nevertheless, those early days were highly rewarding. I picked up 20.36 points in club play and 20.66 overall, thanks to a fractional return from Friday at the St. Catharines Sectional. My totals for the year so far – 31.47 Ace of Clubs, 36.02 overall. So let’s look at the big picture:

Ace of Clubs (Club play only). Unit 116 (Buffalo only). Gold Life Masters (2,500 to 3,500 master points). 
Still second behind Allen Beroza. Only nine players in the Top 10:

Allen Beroza, 33.58 (sixth overall in Unit 116); moi, 31.47 (eighth overall); Mike Silverman, 29.43 (#12); Fred Yellen, 25.99 (#18); Ken Meier, 18.19 (#28); John Sinclair, 13.29 (#43); Art Morth, 12.22 (#52); Bill Rushmore, 6.84 (#92); Pat Rasmus, 2.79 (#164).

If I were still a Ruby Life Master (1,500 to 2,500 points), I’d be fourth, impossibly behind leader Nancy Wolstoncroft (57.60, #2 in the unit); and nestled behind Martha and John Welte (tied for second at 33.98, tied for #4 in the unit) and ahead of last year's champ, Linda Burroughsford (30.19, #11 in the unit).  

Ace of Clubs. Unit 116. All players. 
Once again it’s Alan Greer and Nancy Wolstoncroft.

Alan Greer, 80.70, after a 50.05 point month; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 57.60, after a mere 32.77 point month; Mike Ryan, 39.70; Martha and John Welte, tied at 33.98; Allen Beroza, 33.58; John Ziemer, 31.89; moi, 31.47; Larry Abate, 30.88; and Sharon Benz, 30.60.

Bubbling under: Linda Burroughsford, 30.19; Mike Silverman, 29.43; Joyce Greenspan, 28.88; Barbara Libby, 27.21; Ten-Pao Lee, 26.82; Davis Heussler, 26.31; Ed Morgan, 26.08; Fred Yellen, 25.99; Bud Seidenberg, 25.39; and Jay Levy, 24.16. Any one of them could be in the Top 10 next month.

Mini-McKenney (All points earned everywhere). Unit 116. Gold Life Masters.

John Sinclair’s big month in January keeps him on top, but because it was only a 6.69 point month for him he dropped from second to ninth overall in Unit 116. Here’s the list:

John Sinclair, 51.90 (ninth overall); Fred Yellen, 41.39 (#14 overall, down from #13); Allen Beroza, 39.75 (#17, up from #21); moi, 36.02 (#20, up from #29); Mike Silverman, 34.59 (#22, up from #44); Ken Meier, 20.84 (#38, up from #72); Art Morth, 17.52 (#47, down from #32); Bill Rushmore, 12.68 (#66, down from #51); Pat Rasmus, 2.79 (#172, not on the list in January); and Chongmin Zhang, 0.78 (#216, down from #182).  

Mini-McKenney. Unit 116. All players. 
Big shake-up here. Last month’s leader, David Colligan, picked up only 2.52 points in February and fell to sixth place. Saleh Fetouh, on the other hand, earned 85.05 and vaulted to the top from #11. Here are the leaders:

Saleh Fetouh, 110.97; Alan Greer, 80.70; Martha and John Welte, tied with 61.16; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 58.24; David Colligan, 57.86; David Heussler, 57 even; Linda Burroughsford, 56.19; John Sinclair, 51.90; and Mike Ryan, 50.36.

Bubbling under: Bud Seidenberg, 47.53; John Ziemer, 46.38; Chris Urbanek, 45.80; Fred Yellen, 41.39; Christy Kellogg, 40.28; Bert Hargeshimer, 39.86; Allen Beroza, 39.75; Larry Abate, 38.92; Sharon Benz, 37.83; moi, 36.02; and Ten-Pao Lee, 35.73.
(Continuing on a different laptop, hence the different font style.)

Ace of Clubs. District 5 (Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh). Gold Life Masters.

Buffalo breaks Pennsylvania’s grip on the upper reaches of this division. Instead of two of us in the Top 10, there are four and we claim three of the four uppermost positions, including the lead. Here it is:

Allen Beroza, 33.58 (up from sixth among the Golds and #14 overall in the district, up from #35); last month’s leader Marcella Retetagos of Pittsburgh, 31.49 (#16, up from #22 overall); moi, 31.47 (up from tenth among the Golds and #17 overall, up from #58); and Mike Silverman, 29.43 (#24 overall).

The rest: Brenda Merkich of Cortland, Ohio, 28.52 (up from seventh and #28 overall, up from #37); Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., 26.85 (down from third and #35 overall, down from #28); Ronald Sain of Indiana, Pa., 26.44 (down from fifth and #39 overall, up from #43); Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh, 26.15 (up from eighth and #42 overall, up from #47); Fred Yellen, 25.99 (#44 overall); and last month’s No. 2 guy, Kenneth Eichler of Murrysville, Pa., 25.73 (#45 overall, down from #23).

If I were still a Ruby Life Master, I’d be fifth in the district, behind Nancy Wolstoncroft, W. Tordella of Bemus Point and the Weltes. 

Ace of Clubs. District 5. All players.

Here we Buffalonians have five of the top 12, plus there's that guy from Chautauqua County.

Alan Greer continues on top with 80.70. Nancy Wolstoncroft advances from fourth to second with 57.60. W. (William) Tordella of Bemus Point slips to third with 52.80. Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh moves up from fifth to fourth with 48.73. And Barbara Belardi of Pittsburgh also climbs a notch to fifth with 47.34.

Sixth is Buffalo’s Mike Ryan with 39.70. Then its Gladys Martin of Hudson, Ohio, 39.12; D. Pierce of Parkersburg, W. Va. (third last month), with 36.65; Arlene Port of Pittsburgh, 35.64; and Bruce Cahoon of Akron, Ohio, 35.46. Tied for #11 are Martha and John Welte with 33.98.

Five other Buffalonians show up in the second tier. Allen Beroza is #14 with 33.58. John Ziemer is #15 with 31.89. I’m #17 with 31.47. Larry Abate is #19 with 30.88. And Sharon Benz is #20 with 30.60. Next are Linda Burroughsford, 30.19, at #21; and Mike Silverman, 29.43, at #24.

Mini-McKenney. District 5. Gold Life Masters.

Here Unit 116 holds five of the Top 10 places, but not the lead. It goes like this:

New leader is Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., with 105.17 after a 62.98 point month. He’s fourth among all players in the district, up from #20 in January.

Runner-up is last month’s leader, Buffalo’s John Sinclair with 51.90. He’s #30 overall, down from #13.

Then it’s Barry Boyd of Wheeling, W. Va., with 51.07 (#31 overall, up from #93); Gary Sikon of Cleveland, 45.56 (#47 overall, down from #23); Fred Yellen, 41.39 (#57); Allen Beroza, 39.75 (#63, up from #104); Peter Merker of Mentor, Ohio, 37.31 (#67, down from #30); moi, 36.02 (#69, up from #136); Mike Silverman, 34.59 (#76); and Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh, 33.40 (#83, up from #90).

Mini-McKenney. District 5. All players.

Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, who wasn’t on the leaderboard a month ago, pole vaults to the top with 176.27. She passes perennial district champ Sue Lan Ma of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, who is second, up from sixth, with 169.87 after a 94.57 point month.

Third is Buffalo’s Saleh Fetouh with 110.97, followed by Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., 105.17; Phillip Becker of Beachwood, Ohio, 101 even; and January’s leader, Robert Flynn of McDonald, Pa., 98.78.

Then come Fleur Howard of Gates Mills, Ohio, 98.16; Richard Katz of North Versailles, Pa., 88.32; and Don and Kathleen Sulgrove of Twinsburg, Ohio, both with 83.87. Buffalo’s Alan Greer is #12 with his 80.70. The Weltes are tied at #20. Nancy Wolstoncroft is #23. David Colligan is #24. Davis Heussler is #26. Linda Burroughsfold is #27. Did I mention that I’m #69?

Ace of Clubs. Nationwide. Gold Life Masters.

Russ Pearly stays on top with 86.66 after a 40.28 point month. David Schapira of Delray Beach, Fla., climbs to second from fourth with 85.58, thanks to a 47.45 point effort in February.

Third is a newcomer to the Top 10 – Larry Anfinson of Sun Lakes, Ariz. He has 65.32. Then it’s Dolores Aquino of Houston, 64.33; Misuzu McManus of Ormond Beach, Fla., 61.69; David Woods of Sarnia, Ont., dropping from third to sixth with 61.20, Ricky Dashefsky of Delray Beach, Fla., 60.55; last month’s No. 2 guy, Mason Barge of Atlanta, now eighth with 59.98; Alvars Lapins of San Luis Obispo, Calif. 58.41; and Paul Hassett of The Villages, Fla., down from sixth to tenth with 57.19.

Allen Beroza’s 33.58 places him at #118. He’s way up from #315. After not making this list in January, I’m #152 with 31.47. Mike Silverman is #201 with 29.43. Fred Yellen is tied for #314 with 25.99. The list cuts off at 21.96.

Ace of Clubs. Nationwide. All players.

Not a big month for Neil Silverman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – just 48.24 points – but he maintains his national lead with 130.37. Moving up to second place from seventh is Robert Epstein of Atlanta. A 52.57 point month brings his total to 109.59.

Then it’s Philip Benner of The Villages, Fla., new to the Top 10 with 107.21. Also new is Marla Chalkin of Savannah, Ga., with 105.21. Second in January, Bill Kulbersh of Atlanta is fifth with 104.67, after a mere 43.08 point month.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Bella Ionis-Sorren of Fort Lauderdale, 103.68; Bill Osborn of Frisco, Texas, 100.18; Sheila Gabay of Newton, Mass., 96.54; Sanford Gibbons of Pompano Beach, Fla., 94.56; and Terri Verret and Pierre Daigneault, both of Montreal, tied for tenth with 92.71. Sitting at #11 is last month’s fifth-place guy, David Hudson of The Villages, Fla., with 92.26.

Gold Life Master leader Russ Pearly is tied for #16 with 86.66. Unit 116 and District 5 frontrunner Alan Greer is #27 with his 80.70. Nancy Wolstoncroft is #127 with her 57.60. If Buffalo’s Mike Ryan, with 39.70, had just one more point, he would have made the list. It stops at 40.68.

Mini-McKenney. Nationwide. Gold Life Masters.

Kevin Rosenberg of Sunnyvale, Calif., wasn’t in the Top 10 a month ago. Now he’s on top with 148.25. He displaced Ann Buchholz of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., who has 146.11 after a 49.93 point month. It turns out she’s the only member of the Top 10 who was there a month ago.

Alex Khrakovsky leaps on board in third place with 143 even, followed Mark Henderson of Wilmington, Del., with 133.85, and David Woods of Sarnia, Ont., with 122.26.

Then come Mason Barge of Atlanta, 121.06; Anne LaCour of Georgetown, Texas, 117.91; Dolores Aquino of Houston, 115.47; Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., 109.89; and Jim Liu of Saratoga, Calif., 109.15.

District 5 leader Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., is #13 with 105.17. Unit 116 pacesetter John Sinclair is #194 with 51.90. Fred Yellen is #359 with his 41.39. Allen Beroza is #396 with his 39.75. And OMG, there I am, tied for #496 with Ann Taylor of Port St. Lucie, Fla., with 36.02. The list stops at 35.66.

Mini-McKenney. Nationwide. All players.

Trading places at the top. January’s runner-up, Jacob Morgan of Madison, Wis., is now No. 1. Last month’s leader, Robert McClendon of Ponte Vedra, sits at No. 2.

Morgan had a 260.18 point month to reach 537.40. McClendon accumulated 141.74 and has 487.61.

Then we have Kevin Bathurst of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla, 444.65; the legendary Jeff Meckstroth of Clearwater Beach, Fla., 441.41; Alex Hudson of Raleigh, N.C., 416.58; James Melville of Springfield, Ill., 406.72; a pair of New York City residents, Joe Grue and John Hurd, with 396.74 and 396.65, respectively; David Grainger of Etobicoke, Ont., 388.25; and Greg Hinze of San Antonio, 385.09.

Last year’s national champ, Mark Itabashi of Murrieta, Calif., is #11 with 382.38.

Former Buffalonian Joel Wooldridge, who now hangs his hat in Jackson Heights, Queens, is #94, down from #40 after a 24.16 point month, with 185.07.

District 5 pacesetter Reanette Frobouck is #106 with 176.27. D-5 runner-up Sue Lan Ma is #118 with 169.87. Gold Life Master leader Kevin Rosenberg is #157 with his 148.25. Unit 116’s Saleh Fetouh is #311 with his 110.97. Is Alan Greer here? Nope. Cut-off is at 90.20.