Silicon Valley Youth Bridge


Parent - Child Duplicate

June 17, 2018

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. six tables competed in Section A, for more experienced players. Four tables participated in Section B, where at least one member of each partnership was a newer player.

First timers to the game included ACBL grandmaster Diane Shannon, and her accomplished (adult) daughter, Lynn Shannon.   Vicki Strotz came down from Marin to play with her dad, Rich Nielsen.   Teenager Max Fiedler has attended several prior SiVY tournaments, while this was the first one for his dad, Jeff Fiedler.

After the game, players were welcome to ask questions of Debbie Rosenberg, who had played with her mom, Judy Zuckerberg.  Nathan Gennaro and his grandma, Carol Gennaro, discussed forcing vs. non forcing bids with Debbie, as well as how to play a tough 6NT contract.

There was lots of laughter and smiles, along with deep concentration.

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.

If you'd like to be added to the list to receive notifications about these events, please email debbie@siliconvalleyyouthbridge.org

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!).