I learned to play bridge as a kid and learned some basic conventions as a 20-something but didn’t really take the game seriously until the beginning of the pandemic. Stuck at home with little better to do, I spent copious amounts of time on BBO, teaching myself bridge by repeating mistakes until I stopped making them (mostly). Reading Kantar, Bird, Kokish, and the Bulletin never hurt either.

 

Of course, there’s only so much you can learn from robots or random BBOers. The people at the Portland Bridge Club took me in and treated me as one of their own from the start and exploded my bridge growth curve. I’ve received awesome mentorship, partnership, or both from David Castles, David Brower, Jamie Sparks, Carol Kilmer, Inez Weiss, Joe Habeich, Care Parker, Ron Resnick, Dr. Dave Weil, Dr. Stephen Kishner, Lynne Schaeffer, Leslie Kelinson, the late Jerry Hallee, Ric Soohoo, Alan Johnson, Connie Coquillette, ACBL’s own Amy Casanova, Joe Wilson, Kevin Marnell, Sheri Markwardt, and others I’m probably forgetting. You’ve all given of yourselves for me, and it really does take a village to make a life master. I’m very grateful to you all.

 

There are three thank yous I want to make special note of. 

 

To Krista Garver, my NABC partner, who helped me achieve my thus-far career highlight with a 15th place finish at NAP B in New Orleans – thanks for putting up with my endless crap better than any other partner could. 

 

To my family – my parents, Roy and Deborah, who have encouraged this odd quest every step along the way; my sweet kids, Leah, Eli and Anika, who have been nice enough let their dad go play bridge sometimes; and most of all my incredible wife Rachel, who has defined unconditional love by sacrificing her time to allow me to pursue this thing she doesn’t especially care for, because she knows it has meaning to me. Love you the most.

 

Last of all I want to thank my late grandfather, Marvin Pulvers. You taught me this game and showed by your example the kinds of thinking bridge encouraged, the consistent desire to learn and improve, and the relationships bridge could build. When I’m at the bridge table I’m always thinking of you and hoping you’re getting good hands up there.