Bridge Buzz

The District 17 Bridge Buzz focuses on district and national news
and provides the links to access the details.
The Buzz is published every other month. Catch the next Buzz March 2026.

Send feedback and content suggestions to bridgebuzzeditor@gmail.com.

by Sharon Smith

sharon@steamboatbridge.com

Happy New Year, Players!

On behalf of the D17 board, I wish you a wonderful 2026, and may all your finesses work!

What are your bridge goals for 2026? Many of the Bridge Bulletin columnists have recently emphasized that concentration is the key to good bridge. I love that! Don’t worry about how fancy your system is – just take a breath and concentrate! Then smile and enjoy the game and the competitors!

Exciting news! Our D17 national director, Cindy Shoemaker, has been elected president of the ACBL board for 2026. Cindy will continue to serve as the D17 national director, and will contribute as both the president and the D17 rep. Congratulations Cindy!

If you are able to attend tournaments, please do! The tournament committees work so very hard to host fun, competitive events. For newer players, tournaments give you the opportunity to play against your peers. We are lucky to have great venues and directors! Note the new dates and locations for the Albuquerque and Tucson regionals (details below).

The District 17 board met virtually in December. We thanked our outgoing representatives, Steve Reynolds and Bill Phillips, we welcomed our newly elected members, Jack Shoemaker and Steve Western, and we said "welcome back" to Toby McEvoy, who served in 2025 as the Las Vegas representative after Liz Hamilton's resignation and has now been elected to a full term. Players, you have great representatives. We are all working for the future of bridge. You can do your part by welcoming new players, mentoring newer players, attending bridge events and tournaments, and simply being a great sport.

AND: Mark your calendars! This year, every player who participates in a D17 GNT qualifier game is eligible to compete in the finals at the Denver Regional in May. Look for a GNT qualifier game at your local club or unit before the end of February. You can also find GNT qualifiers on Bridge Base Online:

• Saturday, January 31, at 3:00 pm, sponsored by the InterMountain clubs (Frisco, Steamboat, and Vail)
• Saturday, February 7, at 3:00 pm, sponsored by the Rock, Paper, Scissors clubs (Boulder, Fort Collins, and Steamboat)

Because these clubs are sending teams, we are assured the games will fill. Please join us and make the game a great competition.

(In case you were wondering: What is GNT? ACBL has two forms of Grass Roots competition: the Grand National Teams (GNTs) and the North American Pairs (NAPs). Pre-qualification is required to play in the D17 finals. In both games, regional winners play at the National Finals. Details about the 2026 GNT and NAP competitions are below.)

I hope to see you at a game or tournament soon.

The D17 board met via Zoom on December 11. You can see the draft minutes here.

Minutes of past board meetings are posted here.

I am Toby McEvoy, and I have accepted the volunteer role of Education Chair for District 17. I will keep in close contact with Sharon Smith, the outgoing Chair, to ensure a smooth transition of the role and its responsibilities. After completing ACBL's Best Practices training in 2017, I have been teaching bridge to friends and colleagues since, many of whom continue to play duplicate bridge on a frequent basis.

District 17 is fortunate to have a variety of education initiatives, including a license for the Bridge In A Day (BIAD) curriculum, participation in the JumpStart Bridge program, and a web page devoted to bridge teachers and classes.

To sustain – as well as grow – this game, we need new players. Those prospective players need talented and eager teachers. I look forward to integrating our talents, our initiatives, and our reach to increase participation in this great game.

Please share your thoughts with me at mcevoytm@gmail.com.

Thank you, District 17, for supporting Jump Start Bridge. In 2025, we hosted three conferences in the district. Since inception, JSB has sent supplies to 607 teachers nationwide to teach 25,513 students nationwide. We are gaining traction and starting to hear from our teachers. Stay tuned.

The Alzheimer's Association offices across D17 make good use of the funds raised in D17 each year in support of families dealing with Alzheimer's and all types of dementia.

While a portion of the funds raised through The Longest Day/Do What You Love to End ALZ each June go to support national research initiatives, the 24/7 Helpline, the alz.org website, and other national concerns, the funds also support local education, care, and support programs that benefit those living with dementia, caregiving for someone with dementia, and their families in our states. Do not hesitate to reach out for information and support.

The District 17 North American Pairs (NAP) finals are fast approaching. Come to Albuquerque and play in the finals to win a chance to represent District 17 at the upcoming Spring NABC in St. Louis.

There are four flights, based on the player in the pair with the most masterpoints

• Championship Flight: unlimited masterpoints

• Flight A: fewer than 6000 masterpoints

• Flight B: fewer than 3000 masterpoints

• Flight C: Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 masterpoints

District 17 Finals for Flights A and C will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026. The Championship and Flight B Finals will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The top three pairs in the Championship Flight and Flight A will be eligible for the National Finals. The top four pairs in Flights B and C will be eligible to represent District 17 in St. Louis.

Previous qualification is required to participate in the District 17 finals at the Albuquerque Regional. Click here to see if you qualified.

For questions, please contact Julie Clark. We hope to see you in Albuquerque!

by Julie Clark

D17 GNT/NAP Coordinator

jclark9811@comcast.net

303-981-5230

Do you love team games? Have you ever wanted to play in a National Final? The Grand National Teams (GNT) may be the answer for you!

Grand National Teams (GNT) is a prestigious event where players can represent District 17 at a national tournament. This year’s qualifying period is open now. Club qualifying ends February 28, 2026, so make plans to play if you have not already qualified. Click here to see if you have qualified.

Players qualify individually, and anyone who qualifies can compete in the District Finals with a team comprised of any qualifying players. The District 17 Finals for Flights A, B, and C will be held at Denver’s Rocky Mountain Regional on Saturday May 23, 2026 and Sunday May, 24, 2026 (for those that advance). The Championship Flight will be held online on Saturday April 4, 2026 and Sunday April 5, 2026 (if needed).

The first-place teams at the District 17 finals may represent District 17 at the summer national, in Minneapolis in 2026, and compete against their peers in the prestigious GNT NABC Finals. If 8 or more teams play in the District 17 Flight B or C finals, the second-place team can also represent District 17 in Minneapolis.

There are four qualifying levels:

• Championship Flight: Open to any player
• Flight A: 0–6000 masterpoints
• Flight B: 0–3000 masterpoints
• Flight C: fewer than 750 masterpoints

Masterpoint totals as of September 1st (calculated on August 6th) are used for qualifying purposes.

If you qualified at a game outside of District 17, please email Julie Clark with the date of the game and the club name.

Please contact Julie Clark with any questions/concerns.

District 17 Conditions of Contest

by Julie Clark

D17 GNT/NAP Coordinator

jclark9811@comcast.net

303-981-5230

The first 2026 STaC (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) is set for January 26 through February 1. Click here for the flyer.

STaCs allow players to compete across clubs and win silver points. You can also win regular black points in intraclub competition. Check with your club manager(s) to be sure they're signed up, and then grab your partner and go play.

There is still time to make your plans for the

Albuquerque Regional Bridge tournament!

!New Dates: January 12–18, 2026!

Click on the link above to see the full range of events; there are games for every level of expertise.

!New Location!

We are excited about our new location at the Marriott Albuquerque at I-40 and Louisiana. This premium hotel is located within close walking distance to many restaurants and shopping.

Click here to reserve your room

!Classes by Donna Compton!

Donna Compton, well-known bridge pro and instructor, will be holding classes on all types of leads Tuesday–Thursday, January 13–15, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The classes are targeted at Intermediate/Novice players. For more information on Donna and the class, look here.

by Ellen Lyons

Tournament Chair

jblejl@gmail.com

Celebrate Presidents’ Day weekend with bridge in Fountain Hills – new times, gold points, and great food await. This tournament truly offers something for everyone: NLM players can chase gold in the Gold Rush Non-Life Master Regional, while experienced players compete in the Silver Sun Open Sectional awarding 100% silver.

New Start Times

Games now begin at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Morning players should arrive by 9:00 a.m. to register. Free donuts and coffee will be served from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. – arrive early, enjoy a treat, and be ready to play.

Gold Rush NLM Regional & Silver Sun Sectional

• Gold Rush Regional: For Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 masterpoints. Awards 1/3 gold, 2/3 red.

• Silver Sun Sectional: Open events awarding 100% silver.

Whether you’re chasing your first gold points or adding silver to your collection, this tournament has you covered.

Fees & Partnerships

• ACBL Members: $15 │ Lapsed Members: $19 │ Players with 0–10 MPs: Free

• Guest memberships available at my.acbl.org/membership/join

• Cashless payments only (credit/debit cards), except for the Sunday hot dog special

• Need a partner? Email Partnership.Unit354@gmail.com with your name, masterpoints, systems, and preferred events

Food & Festivities

• Friday: Lumpia Queen of AZ food truck

• Saturday: Batchelor’s Pad food truck

• Sunday: $5 Hebrew National hot dogs, chips, and a soda special

Patriotic? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely!

For full schedules, stratifications, fees, and menus, view the flyer here:

👉 2026 Presidents’ Day Flyer

by Julie Bosserman

Tournament Chair

julie.unit354@gmail.com

Get ready for great weather, an incredible playing schedule, and signature Tucson hospitality! Mark your calendars for April 7–11, 2026, at the Marriott Tucson University Park.

Our new host hotel has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation, ensuring maximum comfort. Every space, including the dedicated on-site playing area and rooms, features a fresh, modern design.

Our special player rate is $159/night. The booking deadline is Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Click here to view the full details.

Experience the Tucson vibe

The Marriott Tucson University Park immerses you in the vibe that is distinctly Tucson, offering unparalleled convenience:

• Ultimate Walkability in Main Gate Square: Step right into the heart of the city! Main Gate Square is just steps away, featuring diverse, affordable dining – from funky coffee shops to distinct and affordable cuisines.

• City Exploration via Sun Link: The adjacent Sun Link streetcar connects five vibrant downtown districts – from historic areas to the arts scene – for easy city exploration.

Tournament schedule (New afternoon start time!)

We are pleased to offer an earlier 2 pm afternoon session start time – a direct result of attendee feedback! Morning sessions begin at 9:30 am. Saturday session begins at 9 am. Other details:

• Daily Games: Bracketed Round Robin teams, Gold Rush pairs, and open pairs.

• Just for new players: Players with 0–20 masterpoints play for free in 299er games held Tuesday and Wednesday!

• Saturday Team Games: A/X/Y Swiss and Bracketed Gold teams (0–3000). Lunch is provided with team entry.

• Education: Free lectures will be held between sessions Tuesday through Friday.

• Cashless Tournament: Credit/debit cards only (no cash accepted).

• Zero Tolerance Policy: No smoke, no fragrance, and no bad behavior. These rules will be strictly enforced.

Proactive partnerships

Contact our Partnership Chair, Doug Cain (soazpartnership@proton.me), or click here to submit a partnership request. Doug and his team will personally work to find you a partner or team.

Join us

as we begin this exciting new chapter for the Tucson Regional. We look forward to seeing you!

by Jack Shoemaker
Tournament Chair
shoejack20@gmail.com

The historic, scenic town of Taos will once again be the site for a regional tournament! It will be held September 21–27, 2026 at the renowned Sagebrush Inn. Room rates range from $119 to $159 per night.

View Tournament Flyer Here

We hope you can join us at this fantastic tournament!

The Summer 2027 North American Bridge Championships (NABC) is returning to Las Vegas, Nevada. District 17 is energized to host the event, bringing the national spotlight back to this exciting destination from July 15 through July 25.

Held at the newly renovated Rio Hotel & Casino, the tournament will feature a diverse range of competitions, from novice games to regionally rated and NABC+ events. Best of all, hosting in Las Vegas makes this national competition accessible and affordable for our District members.

The Rio Hotel & Casino offers spacious accommodations, an excellent onsite playing area, and a variety of dining options to suit every taste, budget, and need for expediency.

A dedicated volunteer Tournament Committee has been assembled to provide you with great hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere. The leadership team includes:

• Tournament Chair: Jack Shoemaker, Arizona

• Charity Chair: Janice Evans, New Mexico

• Intermediate/Newcomer (player) Chairs: Toby McEvoy and Chris Hahn, Nevada

• Partnership Chair: Rick Weigel, New Mexico

• Publicity: Cindy Shoemaker, Arizona

• Registration/Prize Chairs: Julie Clark and Marion Brum de Barros, Colorado

• Treasurer: George Harger, Arizona

• Volunteer Chair: Jennifer O’Neill, Colorado

Don't miss this opportunity to compete nationally right here in our District! Mark your calendars, and we'll see you in Vegas!

For questions, or if you would like to participate on the committee or volunteer, please contact me at shoejack20@gmail.com.

by Jack Shoemaker
NABC Tournament Chair
shoejack20@gmail.com

A round robin is a way of structuring team events so that three teams play each other over two matches. Round robins can occur in Swiss events and in knockouts.*

To begin the round robin, each of the three teams starts out at its home table. NS stays there, and EW goes one table CLOCKWISE (if you can visualize this as a circle). Boards are distributed to the home tables.

For example: In the diagram below, the boards and the EW pairs are at their first table, ready to shuffle and play.

When it's all finished:

• Team A will have played Boards 1–8 against Team C, and Boards 9–16 against Team B.
• Team B will have played Boards 9–16 against Team A, and Boards 17–24 against Team C.
• Team C will have played Boards 17–24 against Team B, and Boards 1–8 against Team A.

This is the equivalent of two head-to-head matches, and everybody got to play and it all works out.🙂 Just make sure you go to the right table, and DO NOT SHUFFLE the second half!

* Round robins are needed in Swiss events with an odd number of teams, and in four-session knockouts that start with fewer than sixteen teams. In this case, round robins are used to get down to four teams in the semifinals.

Is something happening in your club or unit that the rest of us would like to know about? Maybe an innovative way to attract players, maybe a special event. Share your ideas and successes! Send an email to bridgebuzzeditor@gmail.com. Photos would be great! so plan ahead if you can.

We have heard from a few people that the Bridge Buzz is going into their junk folder. I realize, since you're reading this, that this probably doesn't apply to you, but, in case it's happened in the past or you know someone for whom this is happening:

It's probably an issue with your email provider not recognizing the sender. So add the Buzz to your contacts list. The Buzz sender is bridgebuzz@mailgun.smore.com.

Also, past issues of the Buzz are always available on the D17 website: d17acbl.org/d17-buzz-newsletter/.

Continuing the series on D17 board members ... this month I've asked an adjunct board member, Julie Clark, to introduce herself.

Julie Clark comes from a bridge-playing family, so her interest in the game comes naturally. Her father was a long-time duplicate player. He also served as the legal counsel for Unit 361 from 1976 until his death in 2017. Her mother was an avid party bridge player. Julie’s brother, Steve, has recently rejoined the ACBL and is becoming more active as a player.

Julie has served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President on the Unit 361 board in the past. She shifted her activity to District 17, where she currently serves as the Grand National Teams (GNT) Coordinator, North American Pairs (NAP) Coordinator, and Pianola Coordinator. Julie is also co-chairing the upcoming Taos Regional and working on the 2027 Las Vegas National Committee.

When not at the bridge table, Julie can often be found at Coors Field watching the woeful Colorado Rockies. An annual trip to Phoenix in March is mandatory, as spring training games can be viewed throughout the valley. A leisurely, non-competitive game of golf is also a frequent pastime. Gambling at the local casinos fills some time as well.

Julie truly enjoys the companionship, friendships, and opportunity to play her favorite game that bridge provides. Stop by and say hi the next time you see Julie at the table!

ACBL members receive masterpoints for winning and placing in club games and tournaments as they strive to advance through the ranks. There are sixteen ranks, from Junior Master (5 masterpoints) to Grand Life Master (10,000 masterpoints plus a victory in an eligible North American Bridge Championship). Learn rank qualifications.

Editor's note: This data comes from the ACBL database, which is updated once a month. Accordingly, if your rank advancement occurred after the update, it won't be official at the ACBL until the following month, and won't appear here until the issue of the Buzz that comes after that.

Not shown: Ellie Workman (Unit 354, Surprise, AZ), Mary Wright (Unit 361, Arvada CO), Rona Rosenberg (Unit 356, Tucson AZ)

This data comes from the ACBL tournament schedule for D17, through February 2026. To see tournaments farther out in time or more distant in space, click here, set your filters, and click Search.

Jan 8-10, 2026 – Tucson, AZ – Info – Unit 356 – Sectional – Open

Jan 9-11, 2026 – Golden [Denver], CO – Info – Unit 361 – Sectional – Open

Jan 12-18, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM – Info – Unit 374 – Regional – Open

Jan 16-17, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM – Info – District 17 – NAP District Finals

Jan 17-18, 2026 – STaC – U354 (D17) – Info – Unit 354 – Sectional – STaC

Jan 19-25, 2026 – STaC – U381 (D17) – Info – Unit 381 – Sectional – STaC

Jan 26-Feb 1, 2026 – STaC – D17 – Info – Unit 360 – Sectional – STaC

Feb 9-15, 2026 – STaC – U381 (D17) – Info – Unit 381 – Sectional – STaC

Feb 13-15, 2026 – Fountain Hills [Phoenix], AZ – Info – Unit 354 – Regional – I/N

Feb 13-15, 2026 – Fountain Hills [Phoenix], AZ – Info – Unit 354 – Sectional – Open

Feb 19-22, 2026 – Colorado Springs, CO – Info – Unit 360 – Sectional – Open

The Bridge Buzz is a bi-monthly publication of ACBL District 17. It is sent automatically to all members of D17 who have current emails registered with the ACBL, and whose privacy settings allow. It is also sent to individuals outside D17 who have asked to be on the mailing list. You can see previous issues of the Buzz on the D17 website at d17acbl.org/d17-buzz-newsletter/.

To join the Buzz mailing list, send an email to bridgebuzzeditor@gmail.com. For more information about District 17, go to the D17 website at d17acbl.org.