Tom Sez

After pestering Director Tom for some time, he finally asked husband/partner and I to attend one of his series of classes.  People from his former classes drop "Tom says" at the table regularly and I wanted to hear what it is that Tom actually says.  I find, so far, that he is often misquoted. 

The thought that any bridge player can figure out where all the high cards are after the bidding and first lead comes down is mind boggling.  He has proven in class that it is possible.  Possible for him, anyway.  I can see it all so clearly in class.  I could get the same exact hand at the table though, and not figure out where the queen of clubs is.  You may remember that it is almost always the queen of clubs that is the problem card.  Okay, sometimes it's the king or queen of trump but, in my experience, I'd like to club the club queen for hiding out so often.

It's a work in progress but Tom is a great motivator for improving one's game.  I'm waiting for the results of his deductive reasoning system to show improvements in my game.  I wish I were a more patient person.

Bridge Kids

Zach is a bridge whiz at eight years of age.  I call him the Mozart of bridge. He and 92 year old Bill Scarpero, (bridge harem Bill), played knockouts together at the last sectional.  As Bill wandered by me later in the day, he mumbled, "that kid is the strongest player in the room".  Having played against Zach and his Mom, Christy, several times, I agreed with him. 

Zach has a seven year old sister.  She is a slip of a girl who can easily "slip" behind players packed back to back in chairs.  Therefore, she is the perfect caddy.  When Director Tom asked her to pick up the entry slips one day when caddies weren't really needed she said, "Do I get paid?"  Tom laughed admiringly and paid her.  During a Swiss team event, my Tuesday partner Carol asked her if she were getting paid to caddy.  She answered, "Do you think I would do this if I weren't?"  She may not have her brother's bridge skills but she has a great future on Wall Street.

I mentioned to Zach that, should he continue to become a bridge master,  people would pay him to partner with them.  He said, "Do you think Eddie Wold would pay me?"  "Well", I replied, "maybe not Eddie but someone like me would."  He looked disappointed.  If I had his skills, I'd look disappointed with that news too.

They are a lovely family with great kids.  If you haven't played against him yet, you are in for a treat.  Watch Zach fly.