[hallway]

BRIDGE in the AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
from the diary of a 'nameless' bridger
in the Blue Opal Mining Town of Lightning Ridge


Since I am a fan of online bridge – I took my new laptop with me – remote connection to Internet. Of course it started to work with interruptions the very first day. So I gave up and decided to connect by normal telephone line. I added a zero to the usual provider phone number with no result. Contacted supplier - add a comma!

Upon arrival I started to install the laptop to read the email – to realize that with comma in place and connected to the phone it does not work again. I called for a coffee – I got my coffee but the laptop still did not work. So I decided to give it another try and read carefully this time the message on the screen – "phone line unplugged"……SAID THE COMPUTER……the motel reception forgot to connect the phone to my room!…

The laptop has own mouse. What a disagreeable gadget if one is not used to it. Mis-clicked a few times decided to install a conventional mouse. It worked for half an hour- a brand new transparent cute looking mouse – it does not work anymore…… I think I will give up on it or else I might throw the laptop into the hot pond

Well the laptop called “Shi-sho” performed relatively well – got on and off – telephone – satellite - I could look at an event of bridge- quite unique it seems.

Event is called “Cavendish” Tournament – it took place in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.

The Tournament is not between Bridge Federations, Countries or Regions. It is privately owned. Principle pairs and participants are invited. And believe it or not - they are bought and sold on auctions – something like horses and dogs. Bookmakers work and it seems One million USA Dollars were at stake divided between different places and pairs. ( I hope I did get all that right – if I misrepresented something I apologize – that is how I understood it). There were also some side events. Bridge players can pay to participate in side events. If I understood correct an Australian pair won a side event. (I just learned that such events are called Calcutta events, and that there are several organized around the World, but Cavendish is the best known).

Well that was none of my concern, but some of the World best players were there and the Defender of last year First place was the Genius with his Team-mate who invented the Internet site where I play bridge and on which we could watch the games directly with some of the world best bridge players as commentators.

Mr. Fred Gitelman, a 39 year fantastic bridge player, excellent computer wiz – created a site Bridgebase.com – where top world players occasionally play and we simple mortals have the privilege to watch them and enjoy the “best bridge show on the earth”.

He is also one of the best commentators – and you can detect I am his devoted fan.

When I was not dumping my bones in the hot pond, I was watching the event. 14 hrs differences between Australia and USA created a jetlag state and I was sleeping and eating odd hours. No regrets. I am learning a new system of playing bridge (for me) with a sweet teacher, a young gracious lady. She was on the USA Junior Bridge team, and is such a good teacher and very patient lady. During the Cavendish event – she was the person who put the games directly to computer and we could watch the game and commentators from all over the world comment the happenings. It is like watching any sports event direct. She did so well and I was very proud of my Teacher. Very exciting for fans of course, sometimes there were almost 3000 bridge players from all over the globe connected.

The commentators – all top bridge players and experts – some with a great sense of humor – told stories from past events, life of those participating and of course professionally commented the games.

I was glued to the computer – “Shi-sho” a few times was on the verge to get a bang – connection lost – I tried to talk to him nicely –even offered a drink – but in vain – “Shi-sho” went nuts – blank screen. Reboot, get connection satellite, phone whatever and in meantime a game would finish. Since the next was as exciting as the one I missed I would calm my anger with a good piece of black chocolate or Hamurabi would produce a good cup of Turkish coffee. ................

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So there you are - where ever you are there is BBO BRIDGE, yes even in the Australian Outback !
The rest of the diary made very enjoyable reading too
and yes I do know who the author is but have been sworn to secrecy