NABC Reno Day 1: Big Apple Making a Big Impact

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Lee Lin

So it’s not really Day 1 of the NABC. Officially March 9th was the first day, which kicked off the Flight A NAP tournament. However, this is the first day for a large part of the NYC crew and the first we will be reporting daily happenings.

Joel Wooldridge and Kent Mignocchi Win NAP Flight A

The North American Pairs is one of the two premiere grassroots events each year (the other being Grand National Teams). The event comes in 3 different tries or brackets. The President’s Cup is for non life masters with 0-500 masterpoints, also known as NAP Flight C. The Goldner North American Pairs is for 0-2500 players, also known as NAP Flight. The most prestigious of all is the Baldwin North American Pairs, previously known as the North American Open Pairs, aka NAP Flight A.

The event is a 4-session pairs event, with 3 pairs competing from each of the 25 districts. This year, the winners are Joel Wooldridge and Kent Mignocchi from Unit 155. If that wasn’t enough, they also led on the end of Day 1 of the extremely prestigious Platinum Pairs event.

Featured In The Daily Bulletin: Anthony and Damon

Front page of the Daily Bulletin

Hat tip to Nikki Hudak for calling out this very cool article about our prior year D24 GNT Flight C champions (along with Mo, Benjamin, and Margot). NABCs are a great time to explore new types of games and unique events. A 4-session limited to 0-10K players certainly qualifies as a game you won’t find at most clubs, sectionals, or regionals. But it is one of the unique events during the Spring nationals, and one of the few events per year that pays both platinum and gold points (10% platinum). It also does not use the general masterpoints formula; it is one of the events the masterpoints committee designates as having an “arbitrary award”, paying the overall winners 63 gold points and 7 platinum points.

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Upcoming 2022 NYC Sectionals and Regionals

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Lee Lin

The cat is out of the bag. ACBL just granted our Unit and District a few tournament sanctions, and amazingly some members are already inquiring about them! It seems the “Find a tournament” section on ACBL.org attracts a decent following. See below for items on the docket:

Royal STaC?

You might have missed it because it happened during the Omicron scare, as well as the bomb cyclone that shut down our local club on Saturday. However, for those who braved the elements, we held a very successful special STaC Mon-Fri in conjunction with several other neighboring districts. The prize in each game paid 25% gold, 25% red, 25% silver, and 25% black points. For example, our own Unit 155 pair Mindy Fleder and Florin Neamtu scored a 70% game to win over 16 Masterpoints in a game of 110 tables on one of the days.

Regular STaC – Mar 28th – Apr 3rd

This is going to be a little more special than a normal silver point STaC. The GNYBA Tournament committee, along with Bridge and Games, will be cooking up some special events during this STaC. If all goes well, we might even get a 2-session bracketed swiss game.

Downgraded Sectional?? April 8th to April 10th

I’ll admit, even I’ve never heard of this one until recently. Don’t let the name full you, it’s actually a very cool format that allows GNYBA to hold a silver point sectional using the same directors that we are all used to seeing at the club. It’s a very economical compromise that ACBL allows as long as our table count does not exceed a certain threshold. In the past, we had trouble hosting a sectional given the extreme expenses required in finding a venue and scheduling ACBL directors.

Hilton regional, October 6th – Oct 10th

This is exciting. We are finally bringing back the Midtown Hilton Regional. Instead of holding it between Christmas as New Year’s Eve, we managed to book a new slow in early October. Hopefully that appeals to a larger crowd, as the previous schedule made for inconvenient and expensive travel (and drove our non-bridge playing relatives crazy).

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Happy Hour Swiss: Friday 6PM, March 25th, 2022

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Lee Lin

GNYBA and Bridge and Games is holding a Happy Hour Swiss, Friday 6:30pm on March 25th, 2022. Beginners and newcomers are welcome! 

The goal for the evening is to introduce you to team play and to HAVE FUN!

Happy Hour Swiss Teams Event Info

1) Registration:
a) Register as a pair and we will match you with another pair.
b) Alternatively, register a team of 4 (max 2 life masters).
c) You may also register as a single and we will find you a partner.

Teams will be placed in brackets based on average experience.

2) For newer players, we will provide a brief introduction to Swiss Teams and IMP scoring at 6pm with pizza. Wine and snacks served shortly afterwards.

3) Then we’ll play Swiss Teams at 6:30pm! After each round, you compare scores to see how you did (3 or 4 rounds total).

Why Play Swiss Teams?

Many players of all skill levels prefer “teams” instead of “pairs” when playing bridge. With 4 players on your team, there is a lot more fun and potential to learn from each other.  At ACBL bridge tournaments, team events pay significant Masterpoint awards.  You don’t even need to win or place.  Every round is a separate match that awards points to one of the two teams.

Register or Ask for more info: teams@gnyba.org

More Info and FAQ:

Where is the event?

The event is live at Bridge and Games, the club at 177 East 87th Street, New York, NY. Conveniently, this is the same club that holds live face-to-face games 6 days a week, Mon-Sat, and likely soon to be 7 days a week.

Do I need a team or just a partner?

We prefer you sign up as a pair, but we can do our best to accommodate any configuration. If you have 3 and need a 4th, we’ll find you one. If you are just solo, we can make it work. We expect most people to sign up as a group of 2 and we will merge you with another pair to four a team of 4.

I don’t know anything about teams. I am a beginner. Is that a problem?

Not at all. One of the best things about bracketed teams is that you will be playing against other people at the same skill level. Plus, we will have experienced players on hand to guide you through the process. The most important part is your willingness to learn and have fun.

Will there be food or snacks?

We plan to provide pizza, wine, and snacks.

Will this game pay ACBL masterpoints?

This will be a sanctioned club game and pay black pigmented masterpoints. If there is a group of newcomers that prefers a supervised play format, then we can form a special bracket for them that will focus on teaching with supervised play that does not pay masterpoints.

What will it cost?

The cost is $35 per person, the normal card fee for Friday nights. GNYBA is supplying pizza and some volunteers to help the newer players.

What if I already have a team of life masters ready to go?

This event is designed to give beginner and intermediate players a chance to learn or play teams. If you have a group of 4 life masters, go ahead and register. For creating fair brackets, it might be more fun to split your group up and combine with other teams, but we’ll welcome anyone.

Register or Ask for more info: teams@gnyba.org

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District 24 GNT Dates 2022

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Lee Lin

These are the opening round District 24 GNT dates for the 2021-2022 season:

Championship Flight: May 7th + May 8th (Semi-final if needed on May 15th)

Fight A: May 14th + May 15th

Flight B: Apr 30th + May 1st

Flight C: May 14th + May 15th

Team that survive the first two days will play in the final KO match on Sunday, June 5th

Changes from the Prior Year

Starting times are 10am ET for all opening rounds. Due to uncertainties surrounding Covid-19, the location is still to be determined. We will announce the final venue and details by early April.

The travel subsidies are back. In Flight B and C, the top ranked team that represents the district in the national finals will receive a $1000 travel subsidy, paid to the team captain during the Providence NABC in July. Teams that qualify but choose not to play in the national finals will still receive the masterpoint awards from the District finals, but will not receive the travel subsidy.

Substitution rules are slightly more generous this year. For teams of 5 and 6 players, it is possible for a player to miss one of the dates in the opening round. However, all players must play at least half the sessions of the event and half of the final KO. For flights B and C, all players must also play half of the semi-final if the district is eligible to send two teams to the national finals.

Partnership Desk?

For Flight C only, the District will operate a virtual partnership desk. Email gnt@gnyba.com if you are a pair looking to match with another pair and compete in the District opening round on May 14th and May 15th.

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Sectional Cancelled But Swiss Teams Still On

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Lee Lin

Unfortunately, the GNYBA Winter Sectional did not generate enough pre-registrations to hold a viable sectional. In order to award those precious silver points with a standalone sectional rating, we need to use an ACBL approved director and pay various other expenses. The math and economics just wasn’t going to work.

Swiss Teams Dec 29th

Fortunately, the most popular event based on pre-registration was the Swiss Teams. It is still a go, starting at 10:30am at Bridge and Games with 13 teams already pre-registered (hopefully more to follow). That’s enough for at least 2 brackets, maybe even 3 if we can find enough teams. It is a full-day, two-session swiss that will pay an extra load of black points. Assuming all goes well, this should be the first two-session swiss most people have played in years (unless you went to Austin or did the online GNTs).

Also still on the docket is our GNYBA Annual Meeting, where we will approve the amended Bylaws and approved the new slate of officers and board members. Normally, this is also the time we recruit a lot of new board members. Given the very disruptive 2020-2021 we have all faced, we are more or less keeping the board and officers the same.

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Annual ACBL Unit 155 Membership Meeting Dec 29th, 2021

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Lee Lin

As everyone knows, 2020 and 2021 were sort of mulligan years for all things bridge. We did not have a GNYBA player of the year, Goldman Pairs, Countess Cup, or any of the other normal New York events. But don’t worry, we are slowly walking the path towards the new normal. Bridge and Games has a live game 7 days a week, and for the first time in over a decade, we have a Winter Sectional that offers team games and awards silver points.

What Is The Annual Meeting? Should We Go?

Yes! The annual meeting will be conveniently held on the same day as the Winter Sectional swiss teams event, shortly after round 4 (official time is 2:30pm ET). This is probably the first live ACBL swiss event that most of us have had a chance to play in almost two years (unless you went to Austin NABC). So come sign up for the Swiss teams and attend the very brief annual meeting for fun. How brief? I’d be shocked if it is longer than 15 minutes.

What Will Be Discussed?

What actually happens? We are approving some changes to the Bylaws to give future boards more flexibility. First, some rules to make running GNYBA more convenient. Future boards no longer need a minimum of 24 board members. We can manage with as few as 12 and as many as 30. Meetings may be held on Zoom and future annual meetings do not have to fall strictly in the calendar year.

We also propose to eliminate term limits. Currently, no one may serve as a board member for more than 7 consecutive years (but can resume after taking a 10 month break). The new proposal eliminates any mention of term limits.

Finally, we are approving the board members and officers for next year. No one is running opposed. In fact, there is room for more, if anyone is interested, you may nominate yourself. You mist collect 50 signatures from GNYBA members in good standing, then submit to a board member at least 10 days prior to the annual meeting (if you go through that much trouble, you have my vote!).

For those who are curious, here are the existing Bylaws.

Notice to the Greater New York Bridge Association Membership

The GNYBA will be holding its annual membership meeting on December 29 between sessions of the sectional at Bridge and Games 177 East 87th Street, Northwest corner of 87th and 3rd Ave, Suite 302A.You can also participate via Zoom; the zoom link and info is at the bottom of this mail.

Due to the special circumstances presented by the pandemic, the board proposed and approved changes to the GNYBA bylaws to provide more flexibility in board meetings and operations. Other changes were made to update and modernize some language. These changes must be ratified by the membership at the annual meeting. A copy of the amended bylaws is attached below.


The annual meeting will also approve the slate of officers and directors nominated by the board. This slate is:


Proposed Slate of Officers

Adam Parrish, President
Lee Lin, Vice President
Katherine Todd, Vice President
Marla Lawson, Tournament Chair
Jeffrey Rothstein, Treasurer
William Sigward, Secretary

Proposed Board of Directors Slate

Jeff Bayone
Alan Davidson (**)
Jin Hu
Marla Lawson (**)
Phil Lentz
Francine Levine
Stephen Levine
Lee Lin
Richard Marchione
Mark Mariaschin
Rachel Moller
Adam Parrish
Melanie Petsch (*)
Amy Rhodes
Andrew Rosenthal
Jeffrey Rothstein
Allison Rudary
William Sigward
Aaron Silverstein
Katherine Todd
Norman Trabulus
Gail Wallach
Jacqlyn Wank
Mee Warren
Abigail Weinshank (**)



(*) Beginning a new 1-year Term
(**) Beginning new 2-year term
Zoom Link and Info:


Topic: GNYBA Annual MeetingTime:
Dec 29, 2021 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88460394083?pwd=aTJoQ2tqWDRVTXZGR2p4bUwrR2c2dz09

Meeting ID: 884 6039 4083
Passcode: 435858
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,88460394083# US (New York)
+13126266799,,88460394083# US (Chicago)


Amended Bylaws

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GNYBA Winter Sectional! Dec 27-30th 2021

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Lee Lin

The winter tournament is on! Instead of the usual gold and red points at the Hilton, it will be silver points at Bridge and Games. This is an exciting, somewhat last-minute development, with many thanks to our District Director, Unit President, Tournament Committee, and club owners. It is also the first non-STaC NYC sectional in years.

First off, reservations will be required. You can sign up for the tournament through Bridge Winners. There is one day of Swiss on Dec 29th, and 3 days of pairs. All of the pairs events are single session events, because as we know that pays more. The swiss is a two-session, all day event as we expect from a sectional, sans the commute to Woodbridge.


A December In-Person Sectional!

Monday, December 27 – Thursday, December 30
At Bridge and Games
Bridge and Games is at 177 East 87th Street,
Northwest corner of 87th and 3rd Ave, Suite 302A

Monday, December 27
10:30am Open Pairs
3:00pm Open Pairs
7:00pm Open Pairs (20–21 boards)
7:00pm 99er Pairs (20-21 boards) 

Tuesday, December 28
10:30am Open Pairs
1:00pm 99er Pairs
3:00pm Open Pairs
7:00pm Open Pairs (20–21 boards)
7:00pm 499er Pairs (20-21 boards) 

Wednesday, December 29
10:30am and TBD Bracketed Swiss Teams (two sessions with lunch break)
7:00pm Open Pairs (20–21 boards) 

Thursday, December 30
10:30am Open Pairs
1:00pm 499er Pairs
3:00pm Open Pairs

———————————————————-
As space is limited, pre-registration and prepayment are required and will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Last minute walk-ins will be permitted, if space allows.  To register and pay online, in advance, visit us at https://bridgewinners.com/tournament/view/gnyba-winter-sectional/ 

YOU MUST SHOW PROOF OF FULL COVID VACCINATION, NO EXCEPTIONS. Masks optional in accordance with CDC, NYC, and ACBL rules and guidelines regarding limits on positivity rates, which are subject to change.

Entry Fees
Each daytime session: $25 per player
Evening sessions: $20 per player
Teams: $200 per team (for two sessions)

Questions? Contact: Tournament Chair Marla Lawson at 917-951-1676 or marla3notrump@gmail.com   

Stratification
Pair events are stratified by Master Point average

Open Pairs: open/3000/1000
499er Pairs: 500/300/100 (all players <500)
99er Pairs: 100/50/20 (all players <100)   ·        

Wednesday’s Bracketed Teams is open to all.
Teams will be grouped into brackets by average masterpoints.
Each bracket plays a separate Swiss or round-robin competition.     
All events except for Wednesday’s Swiss teams, are single session.

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District 24 NAP Results

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Lee Lin

Apparently, I have a bad habit of posting only the half-time results but not the final results for District grass roots events. Apologies all for the long delay, but official NAP results are in and for the winners, it’s time to make plans for Reno! The top 3 pairs in Flight A, as well as the top 4 pairs in Flights B and C are invited to represent New York and Long Island at the Spring 2022 Nationals in Reno, NV.

Official Event Winners and Alternates

Flight A (Top 3 pairs invited to national finals)

1.) Michael Lipkin and David Gurvich
2.) Leonardo Fruscoloni and Ettore Bianchi
3.) Joel Woodridge and Kent Mignocchi
4.) Bart Cirker and Bill Dinner (Alternate 1)
5.) Radu Nistor and Iulian Rotaru (Alternate 2)

Flight B (Top 4 pairs invited to national finals)

1.) Janie Woo and Michael Schwartz
2.) Richard Morici and Silvana Morici
3.) Alan Davidson and Lee Lin
4.) Susan Calabro and James Knopf
5.) Mee Warren and Monique France (Alternate 1)

Flight C (Top 4 pairs invited to national finals)

1.) Christine Flynn and Deborah Tormey
2.) William Nealon and Maria Lawson
3.) Erica Hennings and Carl Sievert
4.) Irma Hilton and Barbara Schwartz
5.) Joshua Allen and Seth Shepetin (Alternate 1)

A link to the ACBL live D24 NAP event shows a full event recap, sans the GNYBA commentary we all hopefully love.

Please contact Bill Dinner, bdinner@yahoo.com, your District 24 NAP Coordinator with questions.

Awards and Travel Subsidy

As usual with all grass roots events such as GNT and NAP, the District winners in each flight also win lots of gold points. Masterpoints this year were reduced to 80% of the normal award (a 20% reduction), given that our District NAP finals were entirely online.

1st Place in each flight is expected to receive a travel subsidy of $700 per player
2nd Place in each flight is expected to receive a travel subsidy of $300 per player

In Flight A, top pair Michael Lipkin and David Gurvich won 25.60 gold points, a $700 per player travel subsidy for Reno, and a blue ribbon qualifier to play in the Blue Ribbon pairs in any future NABC (usually fall NABC, such as Austin coming up).

In Flight B, limited to players with no more than 2500 masterpoints, top pair Janie Woo and Michael Schwartz won 18.0 gold points, a $700 per player travel subsidy for Reno, and a blue ribbon qualifier to play in either the mini-blue ribbon pairs or the full Blue Ribbon Pairs in any future NABC (usually held in the Fall NABC).

In Flight C, consisting entirely of non life masters with 0-500 masterpoints, first place pair Christine Flynn and Deborah Tormey won 12 masterpoints, half red, half gold, a $700 per player travel subsidy for Reno, and a red ribbon qualifier to play in any future Red Ribbon pairs event (usually held in the summer NABC just after GNT). The red ribbon qualifier must be used before the players exceed 2500 masterpoints.

If any of the top pairs choose not to represent the District in Reno, the next pair from the October 24 event overalls will have the option of going. Unlike GNT, substitutions and augmentations are NOT allowed.

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D24 NAP 2021 Halftime Results

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Lee Lin

After getting off to a slightly delayed start due to technical issues, the first session completed with a total of 40 pairs entered.

Flight A NAP 1st Session Results

Flight B NAP 1st Session Results

Flight C NAP 1st Session Result

Result Highlights

In Flight A, Joel Wooldridge and Kent Mignocchi are in the lead by a full board with a 60.54%. Remember that is the highest flight unlike GNT which has a higher Championship Flight. Amusingly, their BBO handles are “fireitup” and “firechief”, perhaps coordinated from back in 2005 when they both created their BBO accounts. In 2nd place, David Gurvich and Mike Lipkin with a 56.2% score.

Interestingly, the N/S direction saw a much tighter field, with 55.16% taking the top N/S pair spot by Sam and Dan Lev, but only 4th overall. The E/W field saw far greater volatility.

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Confirmed, Dist 24 NAP Registration Open!

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Lee Lin

As discussed yesterday, you and your partner must sign on to BBO and register together for the District 24 NAP game inside the ACBL World section. See screenshot below:

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