Parent - Child Duplicate
June 18, 2017
Ten tables of Parent-Child and Grandparent-Child pairs came out for the special Fathers Day game co-sponsored by Unit 503 and SiVY Bridge. Five tables competed in Section A, for more experienced players. Five tables participated in Section B, where at least one member of each partnership was a newer player.
It was an honor to welcome Grand Master Ed Barlow to the Parent-Child game for the first time, partnering his adult son, Jeff Barlow. Ed was proud of a brilliant and necessary defensive play Jeff made, discarding the Ace of spades to guard his diamonds. In Section B, there were several first time duplicate players, including Cadir Lee's mother-in-law, Barbara Fry, who was in town visiting family. When asked at halftime how she liked duplicate bridge, she said simply "It's fun!."
Many thanks to tournament director Will Watson for preparing lunch, and providing another fantastic tournament experience for the players.
SiVY Parent-Child games are held every 2-3 months. Normally at these games, the child in the partnership must be age 25 and Under. This special Fathers Day game was an exception.
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Young players play with a parent or grandparent as partner, trying to win American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) masterpoints and enjoying each other's company. Director Will Watson plans the game so that each pair would be able to meet and play against almost all the others.
Duplicate bridge is one of the few competitive activities in which people of all ages can participate as equals. Participants in the Parent-Child duplicate range from youth to seniors, but each pair has to work together to score well. Bridge is also one of the few games in which new players have the opportunity to compete against and learn from established stars.
Participants in our events range from duplicate bridge novices to experienced ACBL Life Masters to a world champion--all enjoying the company as well as the challenge of the game itself. A typical reaction was one youth's first words as he and his father left, "Can we do that again?"
Grandparents and parents looking for ways to connect with their young family members and entice them away from their iPods and their Game Boys should consider taking up bridge as a family activity. The youngsters may end up teaching them a few things, and that's a great feeling for everyone.
Bridge games at our events are American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) sanctioned awarding masterpoints (MP) to high scorers. ACBL membership is not required for our games but is strongly suggested. You can join online or at the Bridge Center on the night of an event. Adult membership is $29 for the first year and junior membership only $15 per year. Both include a monthly print magazine and registration of masterpoints (start earning towards becoming a Life Master!).