The Thursday, July 19, Island Bridge Club (IBC) game, sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), saw Mollie Whalen and partner Joe Ashcroft take first place overall with a 65.95 percent game, less than a percentage point over their closest rivals. Also playing east-west, the Nancy Neil/Bea Phear team took second place and the Barbara McLagan/Jim Kaplan team finished in third place.
Playing north-south, the team of Barbara Besse and Miles Jaffe took first place (65.31 percent average). Michael and Sandy Lindheimer came in second and Rich Colter and Barbara Silk finished third. Thirteen tables were in play.
On Saturday morning, July 21, the Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard, sanctioned by the American Bridge Association (ABA), had ten tables in play. The Jim Kaplan/Carol Butler team took first place overall with a 63.89 percent average. Also playing north-south, Duncan Walton and partner Loretta Young came in second. Stanley Kissel and Cece Dobbs took third place.
Playing east-west, Diane Wendy and Ann Brown took first (62.85 percent average), Judith Spruance and Lindsay Eakin were second and Charles Harff and Don Nelson were third place finishers.
And, on Tuesday, July 17, the MV Bridge Club (MVBC) game (also ACBL sanctioned) had 11 tables in play. Bea Phear and Nancy Neil took first place overall (59.32 percent average). Also playing east-west, the Deirdre Lang/Ed Russell team took second place and Rich Alpert and Barbara McLagan came in third.
Playing north-south, Rhonda Cohen and Eric Stricoff came in first (56.36 percent average). Gail Farrish and partner Nancy Cabot took second place and George and Susan Willoughby came in third.
On Saturday, July 29 the Bridge Club of MV will hold a memorial game to honor Island bridge legend Rosemary Taylor Day who often reminded players, “It’s a bidders’ game.”
The game will be held at the Tisbury Senior Center with continental breakfast at 9 am and play starting at 9:30 am. Players without partners are welcome. The cost is $5. For more information, contact Clara at 508-627-5463.
Tips of the week
Life Masters Mollie Whalen and Joe Ashcroft can teach bridge players a thing or two.
When playing Goren’s point count to evaluate your hands, traditionally it was thought that you needed 26 points, between the partnership hands, to bid 3NT, 4 Heart or Spades; and 29 points to bid 5 Clubs or Diamonds.
Modern computer studies have shown that you only need 25 points to make 3NT or 4 Hearts or Spades; and 28 points to bid 5 Clubs or Diamonds.
The MVBC game is held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven. Admission is $4. Contact Sue at 508-693-9396 or posturepal@aol.com for assistance in finding an available partner.
The ICB game is held Thursday evenings at 7 pm at the Up-Island Council on Aging Howes House in West Tisbury. Players needing a partner are urged to contact Bea (508-693-3791 or Beaphear2@gmail.com) by noon on Wednesday for assistance. The cost is $5 a session.
