Daily Bulletin - ACBL

Saturday, M arch 1 7, 2 007DailyVolume 5 0, N umber 950th S pring N orth A merican B ridge C hampionshipsDefenses to 1NTAsk a group ofexperts about theirfavorite methods ofcompeting when anopponent opens astrong 1NT (15—17), and you willreceive a variety ofanswers. The DailyBulletin has featuredone method each dayduring the NABC.Note: Players should be aware that several ofthe systems described in this series use Mid-Chartconventions and are not permited in events thatare restricted to the General Convention Chart.The director in charge can provide the informationyou need.Today’s expert is Jerry Helms from CharlotteNC.Helms, like many top players, loves tocompete over the opponents’ opening 1NT. Beforehe created HELLO, he disliked having to doubleor bid 2 with one suit. After experimenting withvarious methods, he, along with co-inventor BillLohmann, came up with HELLO (the name isformed from the first initials of their surnames).“The weakness of many methods is that theycan’t bid 2 or 2 directly,” said Helms. “Thisgives the opponents free rein at the two level.They can bid Stayman or make a transfer bid.When we created HELLO, addressing this was ourfirst priority.“When you own a major, especially spades,you want to be able to bid it immediately for thepreemptive effect,” Helms said. “We want tointerfere, but also bid accurately when it is ourhand. The whole idea is to be constructivelyobstructive. HELLO gets your partner involved.”The system can be used against either weak orstrong 1NT since the double is not needed to showone of the hand types.Helms points out other advantages of hisDouble 2 2 2 2 2NT 3 3 penalty or a strong hand.diamonds or a majorminor two-suitertransfer to hearts.majorsspadesclubsminorsmajors, strongerthan 2 system. In certain HELLO auctions, the unknownhand, the partner of the one who bid, will be thedeclarer. This happens when you bid 2 totransfer to hearts, for example. The partner acceptsthe transfer and “He might have something crazysuch as a low doubleton heart and a six-card clubsuit or just about anything,” said Helms.The strong hand is on lead and has no idea ofthe strength or distribution of the declarer. TheContinued on page 7Attendance through Friday evening:8695.5 TablesBulletinEditors: B rent M anley a nd D ave S mithBrogeland, Del Montecapture IMP PairsBoye Brogelland and Ishmaell Dellmonte.Boye Brogeland and Ishmael Delmonte, whoplay together only at NABCs, are used to leadingin the late stages of ACBL pairs events, but untilFriday they had not had the experience ofwinning.That changed when they had a monster firstfinal session in the Lebhar IMP Pairs and won theevent going away, more than 17 IMPs ahead of therunners-up, Jonathan Weinstein of Evanston ILand Robert Heitzman Jr. of Suffern NY.Continued on page 8Henner-WWelland, O’Rourkeface off in Vanderbilt finalNew partners takeWomen’s PairsIrina Ladyzhensky and Kamla Chawla, whohad never played in person before the WhiteheadWomen’s Pairs, parlayed a 65% game in the firstfinal session to victory in the event. It was the firstNorth American championship for each.They finished just ahead of Valerie Westheimerand Migry Zur-Campanile.Ladyzhensky is a math teacher in Ellenton FL,Continued on page 7Kamlla Chawlla and Iriina Ladyzzhenskky.Arizona pair takesRed Ribbon PairsTeams captained by Lou Ann O’Rourke andChristal Henner-Welland will play 64 boards todayin the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams final.O’Rourke, originally seeded fourth, reachedthe championship round with a 133-102 win overthe Piotr Tuszynski squad. Henner-Welland andcompany kayoed the James Cayne squad in a 120114 nail-biter.O’Rourke is playing with Marc Jacobus,Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco and Italian worldchampions Giorgio Duboin and Norberto Bocchi.Henner-Welland is playing with Antonio Sementa;her husband, Roy Welland, Bjorn Fallenius andPolish stars Adam Zmudzinski and CezaryBalicki. Henner-Welland was seeded No. 7 at thestart.In both semifinal matches, the winners tookthe lead early and never trailed, but Henner-Paul Spier and Jack Hawthorne used foursolid sessions to capture the Bean Red RibbonPairs. During the four sessions, two qualifying andtwo final, their lowest score was 57% and theirhighest was about 61%.The pair is from Phoenix AZ and have beenContinued on page 7Continued on page 7Jackk Hawthorne and Paull Spiier.Former caddy now working ‘dream job’a squad car for the St. Louis Metropolitan PoliceDepartment.That’s right – the comely caddy who madesuch a good impression is now packing a 9mmpistol and chasing bad guys for a living.It’s what she always wanted to do, she says.From childhood, Beye says she was impressedby people in uniform and drawn to the profession.So when she graduated from high school in St.Louis in 2000, she enrolled at the UniversityOffiicer Ann Beye with her father Rickk.It has been some time since Ann Beye workedas a caddy at a tournament, but for many years shewas one of the regulars at NABCs, running allover ballrooms and convention centers, picking upboards and score slips.These days, the 25-year-old daughter ofACBL’s Chief Tournament Director Rick Beye isstill doing a lot of running around, but now it’s inContinued on page 7Smoking noticeAll Marriott hotels, whichinclude Renaissance properties,are smoke–free. Smoking is notpermitted inside these hotels,including the guest rooms.The 2007 Summer and Fall NABCs will also behosted at Marriott hotels.

Page 2Daily BulletinSPECIAL EVENTSMEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONSSaturday, M arch 1 71 - 5:30 p.m.8 p.m. tilVugraph. Internet feed is available outside the main ballroom.Vugraph. There is no live commentary.CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAMSaturday, M arch 1 712:15 p.m.6:45 p.m.Barry HarperJeff RomanOpening LeadsGame TriesNote: No speakers on Sunday, April 9LATE NIGHT / ENTERTAINMENTSaturday, M arch 1 7Wear your green and show up in Landmark Ballroom 4 after the eveningsession for “St. Pat’s Night.” Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day (and you are Irish onMarch 17). Come and you can enjoy the corned beef and cabbage. This willbe a great ending to the super food and entertainment we have enjoyed atthis NABC! And while you’re enjoying the food, you’ll enjoy the music ofthe Brett Stamps Jazz Quartet. Bret Stamps has a long and distinguishedresume. He has performed, recorded and arranged for famous music groupsincluding the Stan Kenton Orchestra. His group has performed at numerousprestigious events and venues. We will all enjoy the jazz of the Brett StampsJazz Quartet.Golder NAP Flight Bbegins play todayRenaissance dininginformationCompetition begins today in the Golder NorthAmerican Pairs, Flight B ? a grassroots eventlimited to players with 0—1500 masterpoints.The first stage is conducted at the local clublevel and qualifiers advance to unit competition.Those qualifiers then advance to the district finalswhere three pairs —- more, depending uponattendance —- qualify for the North Americanfinal.Winners will have their names inscribed onthe Golder Cup and will also receive a certificateof recognition.The trophy is presented in memory ofBenjamin M. Golder (1894—1946) ofPhiladelphia, who died the day before the close ofhis term as 1946 ACBL president. He was namedACBL Honorary Member of the Year for 1947.Winners:1992Peter Worley, Kevin Young1993Robert Sewell, Paul Janicki1994Brendan Dempsey, Ian Crowe1995Jay Levy, William Rushmore1996Robert Johnson, David Rosenstein1997Bill Drewett, Kirk Twiss1998Adam Beneschan, Brian Gilbert1999Andy Kaufman, Greg Burch2000Hal Hindman, Mark Chen2001Walter Lee, Jonathan Weinstein2002Wieslaw Kalita, Marian Krasowski2003Jordan Chodorow, Harvey Katz2004Jim Alison, Dayn Beam2005Pete Whipple, Jamie Radcliffe2006Fletcher Thompson, Bruce ToddBreakfast Buffet available from6:30 am ‘till 12:30 pmCapri Breakfast Buffet 15.95 featuringomelets “prepared-to-order”Washington Avenue Bistro 13.95 serving“the best Eggs Benedict in St. Louis”Capri Luncheon served 11:00 am - 3:00 pmSpecialty SandwichesShaved Ham & Smoked Gouda Paniniwith PestoTuna Melt on Toasted English MuffinChicken Salad CroissantRoast Beef Po’ BoyWashington Avenue BistroChef McFadden’s featured dishesserved 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Herb Roasted Chicken, Truffled MashedPotatoesBeef Burgundy, Mashed Potatoes and Veggiedu jourQuiche Lorraine, Mixed Greens Salad,Champagne vinaigretteSpicy Ham Panini, Fries or SaladBaron BarclayBridge SupplyVisit our location in the America'sCenter, second level,in the pre–function area.ACBL members receive a10% discount.Baron Barclay has the newest book titlesavailable, including:Three Notrump in Depth by August BoehmHow You Can Play Like an Expertby Mel ColchamiroOff–Road Declarer Play by David BirdCanada's Bridge Warriors: Eric Murray andSami Kehela by Roy HughesMy System: The Unbalanced Diamondby Marshall MilesBack Through the Pack by Julian Pottage2006 World Championship Book: VeronaLeading Questions in Bridge by Sally BrockPlus a large selection of booksavailable at half price.Capri Dinner PLATED SPECIALserving from 4:30 pmSmothered beef brisket with oven driedtomatoes, asparagus and soft cheddarpolenta. 14Lost and foundBooks have been turned into the lost andfound at the Daily Bulletin office. One set had noname, while the other had a credit slip with JulianWernick listed as the buyer. The Daily Bulletinoffice is on the mezzanine level of theRenaissance Hotel.Goodwill messageFlletcher Thompson and Bruce Todd tookk the2006 NAP Flight B in Dalllas.Visit our vendors!For all of your bridge-related shopping, besure to check out the vendors here at the St. LouisNABC.Visit the America’s Center, second level, inthe pre-function area next to where the regionalgames are being played.I’d like to issue aninvitation —- and a challenge—- to all of you. Join me andother members of the NationalGoodwill Committee inpromoting better bridge.Improved behavior toward partner andopponents can produce better results and amore enjoyable game for everyone. Giveit a try.Aileen Osofsky, ChairmanNational Goodwill CommitteeCheckout timeCheck-out time Sunday is at 12noon. All items need to be removedfrom the room at noon and items canbe stored at the bell stand in the mainlobby. Bell Stand can be reached forarrangements at 7202.RefrigeratorsThe Renaissance hotel has no morerefrigerators for guest rooms. They were given outon a first come, first served basis and theirinventory is depleted.