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
Chicago Newsletter
August 3-6, 2015
I hope the beginning to your 2015 bridge year has been a good one. June was a busy month with the Longest Day being another huge success. Besides all the help done for Alzheimer’s this program has given bridge a great deal of publicity. If you haven’t already heard this you may want to listen to a promotional interview our CEO, Robert Hartman, did for the Marilu Henner show on June 17th. http://www.marilushow.com/?p=6562 The final count is not in but we are well ahead of last year. This year we had 196 teams compared to 153 last year and our reported total as of July 1st was $315 000.00 compared to $168 000.00 at the same time last year. A giant thank you and congratulations to all the participating clubs.
The ACBL web site has a number of new additions. I’m sure you will find many of these helpful:
· Player Duplicate Movements - http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/Player-Dup-Movements.pdf
· Instant Scorer http://www.acbl.org/acbl-content/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Instant-Scorer-560249.pdf
· Unit Bridge Mentoring Program handbook and resources http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/units/UnitMentoringProgram.pdf
· Homestyle Bridge http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/homestyleBridge.pdf
· Homestyle Bridge Scorecard http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/Home-Style-Score-Card.pdf
In addition to the new features there are other pages that have been updated. Be sure to check these out:
· The Codification has been completely reworked and posted on the ACBL website. http://www.acbl.org/about-acbl/administration/acbl-codification/
· Club Discipline Regulations - http://web2.acbl.org/documentLibrary/clubs/Club-Discipline-Regulations.pdf
· Sanction Renewal Form - http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/ClubSanctionRenew08_01.pdf
· Sanction Change Form - http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/ClubSanctionChange.pdf
· Masterpoint Report Form - http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/masterpointReport.pdf
· Fund Games Report Form- http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/clubs/fundfoundationgamereport.pdf
· Convention Charts - http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/Convention-Chart.pdf
Chicago’s Board of Directors meeting has a full agenda. In addition to the many routine motions there are a number that promise to be challenging. The most controversial appears to be 3 motions dealing with on line points. In Providence a motion was passed to have on line points listed separately when the annual lifetime total masterpoint holding list is published in the Bulletin. The two opinions in this controversial motion are at opposite ends of the spectrum. While some believe this didn’t go far enough others believe there should be no separation at all in the lists. Accordingly there is one motion asking that all lists published show on line points in a separate column while a second motion asks for no separation in any of the published lists. I am interested in your thoughts on these motions. Please let me know how you feel about on line points being included in the lifetime total master point lists.
The 20% reduction for master point awards for 5 and 6 man KO teams will receive its second reading. If this passes the change will come into effect January 1, 2016. Raising the awards from 65% to 80% for Regional side games will also receive its second reading. This is a motion that addressed the low payouts for side games at Regionals.
A motion promising term limit for the ACBL Board of Directors is very interesting. Currently there are no term limits. The motion is asking for a limit of 4 consecutive terms (a total of 12 years). This is an issue that has pros and cons for both approaches and is another motion where I am very interested in hearing what you think.
STaCs, especially the larger ones, are a controversial subject. One of the Chicago motions is asking that Non ACBL members pay the $3.00 surcharge that is charge at regular Sectional tournaments. The makers of the motion believe this is an equity issue. What do you think?
Just to let you know that everything isn`t controversial there is a discussion item on a proposed Grey Card. Over the years more and more conventions and treatments have been added to the General Convention Chart. Some people believe that the General chart has become too complicated for beginning players. They have proposed a Grey Convention Card System that would be used in 0-750 point games. The hope is that this would be a way to make the game more enjoyable for our beginning players. This promises to be a very interesting discussion.
The complete agenda will soon be posted on the ACBL web site. http://www.acbl.org/about-acbl/administration/board-of-directors/meeting-motions-and-minutes/
I am interested in your thoughts on any and all of these motions.
As always good luck in your bridge and may all your finesses be successful.
Claire Jones
District 18 Board of Directors