As technology advances, so must rules and regulations at bridge tournaments.
The proliferation of cellphones, small computers and various other electronic devices unfortunately raises the specter of funny business at bridge tournaments. The American Contract Bridge League board of directors has addressed the issue.
New rules take effect only for national championship events, starting with this month’s North American Bridge Championships in Las Vegas.
All electronic devices will be banned from the playing areas, adjacent areas, restrooms and break areas, even if turned off. The ban includes any electronic devices capable of sending or receiving communications, including but not limited to cellphones, headphones, earphones and minicomputers. Health-related equipment is excluded.
The restrictions apply not just to the players, but also to nonplaying team captains, coaches, recorders and kibitzers.
The first violation fetches a stiff scoring penalty; the second, ouster from the event.
In a famous cheating scandal many decades ago, a top pair was accused of signaling each other by the number of fingers they held up behind their fanned hands — such a primitive method.
Unfortunately for the small handful that might be tempted, the opportunities for unethical actions today are far greater thanks to modern technology, thus the league’s recent actions.
Now what do we do about the telepaths?
Durango tournament: These Colorado players took the top spots in upper-division events at Durango’s sectional tournament last month.
Pair events: Joe and Virginia Sewall of Denver won the second single-session Stratified Open Pairs, with the double-session event going to Patricia Fisher of Ridgway and Elizabeth Hirst of Montrose.
Team games: James Fisher and Barry Hillmer, both of Durango, won the top bracket of the Bracketed Knockouts, playing with Karin Griffin and Ann Economidy, both of Albuquerque. The same foursome also won the upper division of the Stratified Swiss Teams.
Upcoming tournaments: Grand Junction’s annual summer Peach Sectional is Aug. 8-10 at the Country Inn, 718 Horizon Drive.
Aug. 8 has single-session Stratified Open Pairs and Stratified 199’er Pairs at both 1 and 7 p.m. Aug. 9 has double-session Stratified Open Pairs at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and single-session Stratified 199’er Pairs, same times. Aug. 10 has playthrough Stratified Swiss Teams and 199’er Swiss Teams at 9:30 a.m. and “to be announced.”
Upcoming lessons: A four- week series of lessons (2 1/2 hours each) on defense is on tap at The Bridge Club, 2040 S. Oneida St., No. 101, Wednesdays at either 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., each running July 30 through Aug. 2. Topics include opening leads, signaling and counting. Call owner-director Marvel Heinsohn at 303-300-4850 for more information.
Youth competition: In its continuing bid to attract younger players, the ACBL wrapped up its Youth North American Bridge Championships earlier this month in Atlanta. Still concerned about the graying of the game, the league has made numerous efforts to get younger players interested in duplicate and tournament bridge.
