Warren Buffett Cup, 2010

by Paul Hackett

The greatest bridge stars in the world will be at Miskin Manor near Cardiff from the 13-16 September when Europe plays the USA for the third time for the Warren Buffett Cup.

The European team are all world champions. Fulvio Fantoni with Claudio Nunes and Giorgio Duboin with Antonio Sementa are the two pairs from Italy. Fulvio is currently ranked number one in the world and, between them, they have countless world and European titles.

Norway also has two pairs. Geir Helgemo with Tor Helness and Boye Brogeland with Erik Saelensminde. Tor has the distinction of also having won a world title at poker. Boye and Erik are playing in the teams today, though not in the same team. Germany’s representatives are Sabine Auken and Daniela von Arnim. Fitness fanatics, they have been finalists in a major world or European event every year since 1991. Jason and Justin Hackett are England’s representatives. Interestingly, Justin’s world ranking (35th) is exactly the same as that of Barbara, his wife, in the World Ladies. Their father, Paul, captains the team.

Team USA also has a fantastic line-up. Bob Hamman, ranked Number 1 in the all time world rankings, is partnering Zia Mahmood. Believed by many to be the world’s best pair, Eric Rodwell and Jeff Meckstroff (known as Meckwell) are making their first appearance in the Buffett Cup. Winners of the Cavendish five times, Bobby Levin and Steve Weinstein are back. Fred Gitelman, founder of BBO, is partnering Geoff Hampson who has played in every Buffett Cup. Jill Meyers, number 1 in the all-time Women’s world ranking, is playing with Jill Levin, who is married to Bobby. Completing the team is one of the world’s fastest players, Alan Sontag, and David Berkowitz. David came out with the classic remark “I’m not even the best bridge player in my own house”. He is married to Lisa, a world champion in her own right. For the third time running Donna Compton captains the USA team.

Do come and watch. Play is daily between 10.00 and 19.30 and, for those of you who cannot get there, please visit http://www.bridgebase.com/ where every board from every table will be shown live. The event starts with pairs, followed by teams and ending with an individual.

Visit http://www.buffettcup.com/ for more information on the Cup.

John Armstrong Memorial Award - Winner, 2010

By Danny Davies

At the Brighton Congress, it was announced that Bob Rowlands is this year’s winner of the John Armstrong Award.

'Its pretty strange being 17 and being shipped off to London on a regular basis to train to be a junior bridge international. Especially when the one thing I can't get out of my mind is, knowing most of my friends would be out in Sheffield working out which pub they could get into without having ID. It just made me feel worse, thinking pints of cider were 2 for 1 at the Beehive pub, as my train arrived at St Pancras. The tube was a gloomy place and maybe if I turned around now and got back on the train to Sheffield, would I be able to meet my mates for last orders and then see if I could get into KiKis nightclub... Having said that how would I move the business man out the way, to get off the underground. So I stayed on the train and got off at Barons Court. I followed the directions well trod by so many bridge players to Queens Club Gardens and used the key I had been sent to get into the posh building. I knocked on number 4 and heard steps coming to the door...

Looking back now I'm 38, its pretty tough to explain how amazing it is that someone would go that far out of their way... We didn't have much money at home, and I am pretty sure without the support and mentoring from Bob Rowlands, in fact I can guarantee I couldn't have afforded to go and play in Raymond Brock's Junior squad. Bob provided me with a place to stay in London, bought me take away food, gave me hands to bid and play but perhaps most importantly helped me understand how the game should be played; with courtesy, respect to partner and opponents as well as to win.

It isn't just me that Bob has provided food, shelter and coaching to... in fact it would be pretty impossible to list a Junior, Ladies or Open international team in the last 20 years that doesn't have a member of the team who Bob has helped. He is a proof there are good people playing bridge today and someone I along with many others continue to be thankful to. Bob's actions are extraordinary in his support of bridge players of all skills, ability and age. His selfless approach at the bridge table and away from it makes him the perfect winner of this years John Armstrong award...

An ash has now been planted for Bob Rowlands and an oak in memory of John. Anyone wishing to pay tribute to the late John Armstrong can visit Heritage Wood, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, where trees and bulbs are planted yearly in his memory as well as a bench placed in his name.

European Championships 2010

The Women had a good last few days - losing none of their final eleven matches - but in the end couldn't quite stay in the medals and finished fifth. Nevertheless, they qualify for next year's Venice Cup. The Open team unfortunately were 12th and the Seniors 14th so neither will be joining them.

• Selections: Open Women Seniors
• Event information
• Internationals Blog

2010 Gerard Faulkner Salver

Congratulations to the Law team who have won the 2010 Gerard Faulkner Salver playing against the Garthwaite team. The Garthwaite team conceded after 40 boards with a winning margin of 62 Imps going to Peter Law's team.

The team played in memory of their late captain, Denis O'Donovan, who sadly passed away in April.

View Team photo
View 2010 - 2011 competition details

National Final of County Teams of 8 winners 2010

The national final of County Teams of 8 winners will be taking place on Sunday 11 July 2010 at the West Midlands Bridge Club, Solihull.

Times:

12.00 - Coffee and tea
12.30 - Bridge starts
15.45 - Meal
19.15 - Finish

There will be 48 Boards.

	A	B	C
1	Manchester	Manchester	Merseyside/Cheshire	(North)
2	Berks/Bucks	Berks/Bucks	Berks/Bucks	(Metropolitan)
3	Camb/Hunt	Herts	Essex	(East)
4	Warwickshire	Oxfordshire	Derbyshire	(Midlands)
5	Avon	Avon	Cornwall	(South West)

Prizes for 1st/2nd place in each group.

Cost is only £20 per player, payable to Graham Jepson, on the day.

Non profit making event.

Senior & Lady Milne Trials

The Hackett team won the Seniors Trials final, beating O'Donovan by 235 - 168 IMPs. The Lady Milne Trials also took place. Congratulations to all the qualifying pairs!

• Lady Milne Trials
• Seniors Trials
• Tom's Blog