AMERICAN CONTRACT BRIDGE LEAGUE
6575 Windchase Blvd. Horn Lake, MS. 38637
Claire Jones
District 18 Director
(901) 332-5586
2708 Lakeview Ave FAX: (901) 398-7754
Regina, Sk. S4S 1G3
Canada
H: (306) 584-3516
F: (306) 585-1443
Email: stats@accesscomm.ca
District 18 Phoenix Newsletter
December 16, 2013
It’s hard to believe another year is almost over. The Phoenix NABC’s were very successful with an increase of more than 100 tables over the last time we hosted in Phoenix. Phyllis Harlan, from Oklahoma City (District 15), was elected the ACBL president for 2014. The Phoenix board meeting had a number of interesting motions. One of interest to the NABC players is suggested changes for the NABC schedule. In addition to adding new 10 000 point events some of the traditional championship would be moved to new time slots. I am posting a link to the new schedule and I am interested in any reactions you may have. Please share your comments.
Aside from the addition of the new 10 000 point events, the main changes are the moving of the North American Swiss from the last week-end of the Fall to and last week-end of the Summer and the moving of the Blue Ribbon pairs from the middle of the Fall to the first week-end of the Fall. The ultimate hope is to create an improved schedule.
So far this year the League has increased by of over 1500 members. There have been a number of new hires in our Horn Lake headquarters and I think you’ll agree that there have been very positive changes in the membership service. The January Bulletin will display a new format. Be sure to send your comments to the editor. The Longest Day program, which raised more than $500 000.00 for the Alzheimer Association, was an unqualified success. There are plans underway to see how we can repeat this in 2014. Be sure watch for this and have your clubs be a part of 2014. The League is in the process of developing a Learn To Play Bridge program. This will be available on line early in 2014, check the ACBL web site for its release. Another new initiative will be On Line partnerships. It is hoped that this will be available to both tournament and club players. Watch the ACBL web site for its release. If you are doing some long range planning the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas has been selected as the host Hotel for the Summer of 2019 and the Fall of 2024 NABC’s.
Here are some motions that may be of interest to you:
Item 133-82: Electronic Smoking Devices
1.16 Smoking Policy at NABCs
1.16.1 Smoking is not permitted in the playing area during any bridge playing event at an
NABC. This includes electronic smoking devices.
Effective: Immediately
Carried unanimously.
Item 133-21: ACBL General & Mid Chart Conventions
The ACBL General & Mid-Chart Convention Charts is amended as follows:
Item #12 of the ACBL Mid-Chart, “Opening two hearts or two spades showing a weak two bid, with a “four-card minor” be moved to the Opening Bids section of the ACBL General Convention Chart: This convention requires an alert.
Effective: January 1, 2014
Carried: Nay: District 7
Item 133-50: Micro-Spingold NABC KO Teams
Micro-Spingold NABC KO Teams, now restricted to players with fewer than 1500 masterpoints, is increased to include players with fewer than 2000 masterpoints.
Motion failed. Aye: 2, 7, 9, 20, 24
This event was developed as an introduction to team play. It was felt that increasing the masterpoint limit would go against the intent of its creation.
Item 133-72: Junior Fund
Moved that: The Junior Fund be abolished, and all references to it shall be moot. Any funding that is the responsibility of the Junior fund shall be assumed by the ACBL general revenue budget.
This motion was withdrawn in committee due to lack of support.
A large majority of the business in Phoenix dealt with housekeeping issues. The complete Phoenix minutes will be posted on ACBL web sites. (Phoenix Minutes)
Best wishes to everyone for the upcoming holiday season and as always may all your finesses be successful,
Claire Jones
District 18 Board of Directors