Evening star., 1938-01-23
By Frank B. Lord.

w WASHINGTON bridge play
M ers have received with en-
wv thAlsiasm the announce
ment Of the new national
rating plan adopted by the American
Contract Bridge League, the national
organization Of the game and are
eagerly striving to take advantage Of it.
Under its provisions, which have
been worked out by the leagues offi-
cials, players will be able to earn as
much as so per cent of their national
masters qualifications in local dupli-
cate games. 1t is held that the plan
will maintain and greatly increase
interest in local duplicate games and
in sectional master point contests.
The league will issue national mas
ter points, and any player accredited
with 10 or more points becomes a
qualified master, and entitled to play
in league events, entrance to which is
restricted to masters. When player
has $50 or more master points. he is
entitled. at the pleasure Of the league,
to become life master Certain de-
ductions are made. however. where
player does not participate in ma
tional master point tournament for
period, respectively of three or five
years. National rating points and con-
vertible master points will henceforth
be awarded in all master point events
in addition to the regular master point
awards.
For years it has been the aim OF all
bridge executives to formulate a
method of rating in contract bridge, so
that comparison can be fixed as to
the relative merits of players in widely
separated sections of the country. The
old master point system was admirable,
but its scope was limited. The new
rating plan broadens the field. 1t
gives the weekly duplicate player an
opportunity to gain national recogni-
ton in the game without the trouble
and financial expense of journeying to
master point tournaments many miles
away from his home.
Under the plan the player enters a
local tournament which has been made
a unit of the national organization
and wins a certain number of rating
master points which are convertible,
in compliance with the rules of the
A. c. B. L.. into full national master
points, according to a fixed schedule.
These, together with any points won
in a master point tournament are
filed with the league toward the play
er's qualifications as a master.
II ESPONDING to a call to help in
the fight against infantile paraly-
Sis. through the Presidents birthday
ball, the American Contract Bridge
League will hold a duplicate game
at the Hotel Shoreham on Wednesday.
Commissioner Allen. national execu-
live chairman, and Commissioner
Hazen. chairman Of the District Com
mittee for the ball, extended the
invitation and it was enthusiastically
accepted by w. E. McKenney, A. c.
B. l.. secretary, and other league
officers The card fee will be 81 per
person and the prizes will be tickets
to the ball, which takes place Satur-
day. All Of the proceeds of the
game will go to the new foundation
through the Birthday Ball Commit
tee. League game directors will do
nate their services. The Washington
Bridge League, an affiliate Of the
American Contract Bridge League,
will have charge of arrangements.
The Games Committee of the Agri-
culture Bridge Club has agreed to
shift its Wednesday night game to
the Shoreham on the night of the
leagues bridge party. and the men,
bers OF its club will constitute a
special section.
The A. c. B. L. has agreed to
double its regular schedule OF ma
tional rating points to the winners
in this game. In other words, those
making top score will receive as
many points as in two ordinary games.
DISTRIBUTION is the rock upon
which contract ship often
founders, but quite as frequently
enables a declarer with good judg-
ment to make an otherwise difficult
bid. There are no rules that afford
the player denite guide to de-
termine distribution which is the
placement of the cards in the four
hands. and no convention that gives
any hint of it. The player can only
make a guess from the bidding that
has preceded reaching the contract
An example of good Judgment in