Richmond Bridge Association

Unit 109 is proud of the steps we have taken to help our bridge players to continue to grow in their knowledge of bridge.

Mondays at 4:45–Linda MacCleave and Bob Pustilnik present on Zoom an overview of the hands that players played on Sunday afternoon at 1:15. Players are sent a copy of the pdf of the hands prior to the class and are encouraged to choose the numbers of the hands they want to talk about. (Cost: free)

Tuesdays at 9:00 am–Chris D’Ambra and Linda MacCleave work together to run a virtual game on BBO that is designed for learning. Participants check in at 8:30 on Zoom and then register on BBO for the game. They play 10 hands and take notes on questions or problems the hands presented for them. The players then return to Zoom. The hands that the players choose to analyze are then presented again to demonstrate suggested bidding and play. Players are encouraged to make comments and ask questions about the hands. (Cost: Game $5, Lesson free)

Thursdays at 6:35 pm: M&M Game (Mentor-Mentee). Beginners are paired with Life Masters for a game and are encouraged to schedule the game two times per month. Mentors take notes on specific areas that the mentees need to have reinforced and schedule a meeting some time after the game to talk to the mentees about specific problems. Mentees pay for their Mentors’ game fee two times a month. Mentees have the fees that they paid for the Mentors reimbursed at the end of the month by the Unit. This game is invitational, so only those who have signed up can play. This game is managed by Chris D’Ambra and is directed by Anne Atwood or Linda MacCleave. We currently have a waiting list of mentees wanting mentors. Let us know if you are available to mentor. (Cost: Game $5 per person)

Saturdays at 1:15: Linda MacCleave presents lessons on topics chosen by the class members each week. The topics are presented clearly using Powerpoint slides. Participants are encouraged to ask questions during the presentation and will receive the complete presentation after the lesson on request. (Cost: free)

Sundays at 8:50 pm: Ed Kinlaw presents on Zoom an overview of the hands that players played on Sunday evening. Players are send a copy of the pdf of the hands prior to the class. (Cost: free)

Any time: Past videos of Ed Kinlaw’s Green Book Lessons can be found in a link on this website under Lessons: Ed Talks.

Any time: View the articles written by Bob Pustilnik, as entertaining as they are informative. You can find them all on this site–Bob’s Articles.

For more information about these learning opportunities, contact Linda MacCleave.

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season from all the Richmond area clubs: The Bridge Center, Friendly Bridge, and Colonial Heights.

We will not have games on the following dates: Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, Thursday, December 31. However, we do hope to welcome the new year in with a game on Friday, January 1 for the 0-500 group at 1:15, sponsored by the Bridge Center.

A close friend of Mark’s once wrote to him that “he lived life with a warm, caring heart, an open mind, and a sincere interest in the happiness and well being of others.” This sums up well this wonderful man who will no longer be in our lives.

Mark died on November 18, after having suffered a massive stroke on October 17. For weeks we hoped and prayed for his recovery, but this was not to be.

Mark’s mother was a bridge player. He was curious about the game and started accompanying her to the Bridge Center in Richmond as a teenager. He wanted to watch. He watched the greatest players in Richmond at the time play and soaked up the strategy and logic of the game instinctively. He ultimately became one of the finest players in Richmond or anywhere.

He and Steve Shapiro played together when they were young novices. There is still a trophy awarded yearly called the Rosenbloom-Shapiro trophy for players with 0-20 masterpoints.

He was also a good teacher, sometimes showing impatience with partners who could not grasp a concept that seemed so easy to him. Unlike some other players who helped newer players learn, he would not take money from anyone; he would not even let his partner pay for his entry.

Outside of the bridge world, there is nothing that he would not do for anyone. If he knew someone needed help, he was there.

Mark’s friend Martha shared a story that illustrates who he was as a bridge player and a person.

“We were playing in a local tournament and this guy comes to the table that we didn’t know. He hands us this piece of paper with all this weird bidding stuff on it and includes suggested defenses. Mark glances at it and puts it to the side. The bidding starts and they alert every single bid. Mark passes in tempo but I ask for explanations. The guy says to me, ‘Sorry, I assumed you could read.’ Mark’s eyebrows went up. Then he starts bidding and doubling and interfering. They finally end up in a contract of 4 clubs, doubled. Mark leads and the dummy comes down. He studies the dummy, and I can see his mind whirring. I swear I also saw a smile tug at his lips. As I struggled just to follow suit, Mark had a plan.

“He underled aces, held up taking tricks, and even threw his king under the guy’s ace. When the dust settled, the guy was down 3. Afterward, I asked Mark about the king under the ace thing. He explained to me, it was the only way to endplay him. ‘But,’ I asked, ‘doesn’t he always go down three?’ Mark said, ‘Yes, but this was better because there is nothing more annoying than being endplayed.’

Then, with that twinkle in his eye he said ‘Did you really think I would let him get away with saying that to you?’

Mark was a shining star in the Richmond bridge community. He was loved by many, and he will be missed by so many people.