MSO World: Bridge Articles

Omar Too Far
At a private dinner during the Orbis World Bridge Championships, film star Omar Sharif is alleged to have head butted Paul Chemla, who had the temerity to interrupt the maestro in the middle of a conversation. The outraged Sharif, then smashed some glasses and stormed off.

He is due to partner Chemla in the Orbis Transnational Teams Championship starting on Sunday 19 January. Our reporter will be at the table!

Delay Delight?
Competitors arriving for the Orbis World Transnational Teams Championship were dismayed to hear that the plane carrying Great Britain's Tony Forrester to Bermuda was forced to turn back because of dangerous high winds. There is no truth in the rumour that the other players are hoping that high winds persist for several days!

Coach Reproach
Canada's Eric Kokish is probably the world's best known bridge coach. He is a VuGraph commentator at the Orbis World Bridge Championships in Bermuda.

When one of his fellow commentators asked why Norway were doing so well in the Championships, another replied 'Because they are the only team not coached by Eric Kokish.'

Boards in Bermuda
One of the most popular features in the Daily News has been the limerick competition. Two of the best entries so far have come from Seamus Dowling and Sidney Lazard.

There was a young girl from Bermuda
All the bridge players in town so amused her
        She made a blind date
        With Meckwell quite late
When they both came it really confused her

There was a young girl from Bermuda
Who was wooed by a dude from Barbuda
        Till she trumped his ace twice
        And abided no vice
The dude who had wooed her eschewed her

Improve? Remove!
At the Orbis World Bridge Championships in Bermuda, commentator Bobby Wolff asked VuGraph audience to let them know how the presentation could be improved. The response was immediate - 'Take away Barry Rigal's microphone!'

Blue Chip Bytes Back
In the Orbis Computer World Bridge Championships the British progamme Blue Chip Bridge has lodged a protest against the American programme Meadowlark Bridge. They were due to meet in Round 1, but the US contender failed to appear. When it turned up to play it's two remaining matches on day one, it was clear it was not functioning properly and it lost both matches 20-0.

With the aid of overnight adjustments, the programme is now back to normal, but Blue Chip are not happy at having to play it under different terms to two of the other contenders. The result of their protest is still pending.

Time Trials?
In the Orbis Bermuda Bowl, Poland were unhappy at the speed of play by Zia & Rosenberg in the last session of their quarter final, and they called for a time monitor. Although the session finished ten minutes late, the monitor ruled both sides were equally to blame.

To the huge audience in the VuGraph theatre, it seemed clear that most of the time had been used by the American's especially Rosenberg. If a five minute time penalty (one IMP per minute) had been assessed against USAII then Poland would have won by one IMP.

Clubs anyone?
Golf and bridge have always had a close relationship, and that is why Larry ‘the law’ Cohen recently played golf with Swedish star Jesper Parnevik.

After the golf Larry and Marty ‘Points Schmoints’ Bergen took on Jesper and his Swedish buddy Pontus Bruno at bridge. I would love to tell you that Larry won at golf and lost at bridge, but it didn’t quite happen like that!