Keith Eichel has played bridge since moving to Weyburn and recently attained his Silver Life Master status. Eichel is currently the only Silver Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) in Weyburn.
In tournament and club play "masterpoints" are awarded to duplicate bridge players for placing according to the number of participants in the event and one's standing. Gold points are awarded for top rankings at North American Championships; Red points are awarded for top finishers in Regional Tournaments; Silver points are awarded for Sectional Tournaments and Black points are awarded for regular club play. As an example, if there were ten pairs in club play, first place finishers would get 1.00 masterpoints, second place would be awarded 70% of first or .70 masterpoints, third would be awarded 50% or .50 masterpoints and fourth would receive 35% or .35 masterpoints. Gold points are by far the most difficult to get. To become a Life Master, you require 25 Gold, 25 Red or Gold, 50 Silver, 50 Black and a total of 300 masterpoints. A Silver Life Master requires 1000 masterpoints in total with the other Life Master requirements.
The beauty of duplicate bridge, for Keith, is the challenge to take as many tricks as possible on defence, or as declarer to get the best on each hand played. Great for the mind and great for meeting fellow bridge players in North America and the world.
In regular club play on October 17, four and a half tables were in play. Fran Franks and Gord Bell placed first, Marg Marinos and Audrey Warawa were second, Diane Bell and Barry Mactaggart finished third and Bernie and Don Dufour were fourth.
Three tables played on October 31 with Marg Stewart and Gord Bell took taking honours, closely followed by a three-way tie for second between Bernie and Don Dufour, Andy Goeres and George Gilles and Jim Brown and Diane Bell.
Only two and a half tables played on November 2 with Barry Mactaggart and Quint Patrick taking first place and a tie for second between Andy Goeres and Andy Dumba and Lucie Nickel and Keith Eichel.
On November 7, four and a half tables were in play. Jim Brown and Jean Knibbs finished first, Bernie and Don Dufour placed second and there was a tie for third between Lydia Milleker and Lucie Nickel and Warren Betker and Keith Eichel.
With four tables playing on November 9, Barry Mactaggart and Lucie Nickel placed first, Gord Freedeen and Jo Wollner placed second and Keith Eichel and Doyle Thomas were third.
The Weyburn Duplicate Bridge Club plays Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Wheatland Senior Centre. The Christmas dinner, followed by bridge, will be on December 21.
