By Mary Ewing
The acronym AID stands for Addiction Interaction Disorder. People with this disorder have a compulsive physiological or psychological dependence on one or more things: alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, gambling, sex, texting and so forth.
Not all addictions are bad. I share an addiction with some famous personages — President Dwight Eisenhower (1890 -1969), actors Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) and Omar Sharif (1932-2015), Warren Buffet (b. 1930), tennis star Martina Navratilova (b.1956) and Bill Gates (b. 1955). The addiction is duplicate bridge.
Keith Ewing (1936-2000), my meteorologist husband, was in complete agreement with Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway fame. Warren is quoted as saying, “If I’m playing bridge and a naked woman walks by, I don’t even see her.” Navratilova’s take on this addictive pastime is, “No matter where I go, I can always make new friends at the bridge table.”
Yes, I’m hooked! Once cards are in my hands, all other concerns go to the back burner of my mind.
Since 1946, widower Fred Warner has avidly played bridge. Duplicate caught his interest in 1950; he attained Life Master status in 1970. During their 54 years of marriage, he and Adele played duplicate on numerous cruise ships and in 15 foreign countries. A four-year Everett resident retired from his position as associate superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools, Fred now runs our club’s informal bridge classes.
The duplicate bridge convention card was covered by Fred’s first two classes. When participating in an ACBL sanctioned game, each partnership must have an identical one of these in place so everyone can read which standard conventions and leads their opponents are using. Opening notrump and negative double bids were the subject of classes three and four. Those attending Fred’s class can suggest the day’s topic even if that topic was addressed during a prior class. As each session ends, he has a few hands dealt. His analysis of the bid and play of these hands is a very effective way of teaching the game.
Fred often partners with beginning players. He’s played with our Mary Kate Feie. She placed second in the beginner’s section of the regional Penticton bridge tournament on June 17. Congratulations, Mary Kate!
Please call George, 425-422-7936, if you are interested in going to Fred’s free classes. George will establish a Tuesday date and time and will also tell you about our upcoming 11 a.m. July 18 summer potluck. You’re invited.
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