Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Jan. 3, 2026

 

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community appear weekly here at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek.

Tournament season wastes no time kicking into gear in the new year. A pair of events get things off and running today, Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4 – the Toronto Winter Non-Life Master Regional, for players with fewer than 750 master points – and the Toronto Winter Sectional, which is open to all players. Both are held in the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West. For more info on the Non-Life Master Regional, click this link. For more about the Sectional, go to this link.

Then there’s the Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional in suburban Independence, Ohio, from Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11. For more details, check this link.

The Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190, is closed whenever Buffalo schools are closed because of winter weather. When the streets are open, it offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. Next one of those is the annual meeting and game on Saturday, Jan. 24. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website at https://buffalobridgecenter.godaddysites.com/ or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Membership is $80 annually.

Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games five days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

Tournament calendar

2026

Toronto Winter Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Today, Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Winter Sectional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Today, Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Woods Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11. For info, click this link.

Niagara Winter Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Center, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, March 31, to Sunday, April 5. For more info, click this link.

Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12. For info, click this link.

 

Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Dec. 22 to Dec. 28

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. Joanne Nover and David Schott, 61.11%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 56.94%; Carol Licata and Ilene Rothman, 52.08%; Brian Fleming and Dennis Daly, 47.22%.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Joe Huber and Fritz Schweiger, 58%; Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 54%; east-west, Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 59%; Mary and Jim Atwood, 54%.

Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – Mary and Jim Atwood, 69%; Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 61%; Rich Kayton and Ted Kotlarz, 54%.

Dale Anderson made his first 3 No Trump contract as a teen and has compiled notes on duplicate bridge activities locally for more than 20 years. A Gold Life Master, he reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, last September at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament. He can be reached by phone or text at 716-860-2305 or by email at dahotwings@aol.com.

Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Dec. 27, 2025 (Updated)

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community appear weekly here at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek. 

UPDATE: The Buffalo Bridge Center announced Monday that its games on Tuesday, Dec. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 31, are canceled because of the weather. The club will be closed for the holiday on Thursday, Jan. 1, and 

Bridge club schedules elsewhere are in holiday mode as the new year arrives. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club has its open game on Tuesday, Dec . 30, but is closed Friday, Jan. 2. The Bridge Center of Niagara in St. Catharines, Ont., has a New Year's Eve Social, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a game to follow. BCON also will have an open game at 1 p.m. Wednesday, a 999er game at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, and open games at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, and 6:30 p.m. ncxt Saturday, Jan. 3.

Next weekend sees a pair of tournaments – a regional for non-life masters and a sectional for players at all levels – in the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. For more info, see the links below.

The Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190, offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website at https://buffalobridgecenter.godaddysites.com/ or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Membership is $80 annually and is due now.

Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games five days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

Tournament calendar

2026

Toronto Winter Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Winter Sectional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Woods Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11. For info, click this link.

Niagara Winter Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Center, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, March 31, to Sunday, April 5.

Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12. For info, click this link.

 

Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Dec. 15 to Dec. 21

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Joanne Nover and David Schott, 62.70%; Pat Haynes and Maryann Szafran, 61.51%; Paula Rosen and Jim McClure, 53.97%; east-west, Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 61.51%; Julie Mitchell and Brian Fleming, 59.92%; Marcia Wright and Ginger Maiman, 57.14%: Linda Milch and Susan Cardamone, 53.57%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Judy Graf and Mike Ryan, 65%; Linda Burroughsford and John Ziemer, 53%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. Pat Haynes and David Schott, 63.91%; Joanne Nover and Agi Maisel, 60.82%; Julie Mitchell and Walt Olszewski, 60.09%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 55.82%; Sharon Wilcox and Joyce Greenspan, 54.55%; Carol Licata and Ilene Rothman, 53.09%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. (Tie) Judy Graf and Mike Ryan, Jay Costello and Bud Seidenberg, 56.25%; Linda Burroughsford and Jim Gullo, 54.17%; Davis Heussler and Bert Feasley, 52.08%.

Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Nancy Kessler and Wilson McClaren, 59%; Joanne LaFay and Barbara Booi, 58%; Paula Kotowski and Ed Morgan, 53%; Mary Terrana and Gordon Crone, 51%.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 59%; Joe Huber and Fritz Schweiger, 55%; east-west, Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 64%; Mary and Jim Atwood, 57%.

Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 66%; Bobbi and Joe Huber, 54%; east-west, Carol Neuhaus and Fritz Schweiger, 59%; Walt Olszewski and Ed Drozen, 57%.

Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – Mike and Bob Rupp, 57.5%; Rose Bochiechio and Edna Fill, 42.5%.

Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Play in All Venues

Jan. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2025

0-5 Points – Julie Mitchell, 43.31; John Brennan, 8.79; Maureen Piasecki, 8.20; Joan Warren, 7.26; Susan Marin Dolce, 6.47; Arthur Ziller, 2.65; Amy Licata, 1.98; Ann Bonte, 1.81; William Kross, 1.20; Jane Arnold, 0.99.

5-20 Points – Mike Rupp, 6.32: Devon Marlette, 4.84; Fran Holmes, 3.83; David Taylor, 0.63; Amber Dixon, 0.21.

20-50 Points – Dennis Daly, 21.95; Anthony Girasole, 11.69; Molly Morris, 7.11; Gini Sicignano, 6.01; Zakie Nohra, 5.86; Maxine Johnson, 3.06; Karen Dearing, 1.57; Maureen Saab, 1.34; Phyllis Stasiowski, 0.83; Chris-Elaine Santilli, 0.57.

50-100 Points – Brian Fleming, 57.94; Ilene Rothman, 18.75; Amy Habib, 15.92; Gary Keenan, 14.83; Mike Metzger, 14.09; Candace Graser, 11.49; Donna Starnes, 10.26; Cynthia Tashjian, 10.22; John Houghtaling, 10.16; Susan Burns, 8.84; Susan Cardamone, 8.02.

100-200 Points – Mike Meacham, 34.07; Carol Licata, 18.06; Maria Schory, 16.55; Fran Schmidt, 14.41; Jim Hassett, 12.84; Betty DeFeo, 5.78; Jim Greno, 5.24; Betsy Greno, 4.61; Pam Righter, 3.16; Joan Ciszak, 2.93.

200-300 Points – Maria Amlani, 65.10; Ethan Xie, 22.79; Laura Houghtaling, 10.16; (tie) Barbara and John Scott, 7.22; Judy Babat, 1.88; Patty Porter, 1.55; Hannah Weinberg, 1.13; Tom England, 0.42.

300-500 Points – David Schott, 66.97; Pat Haynes, 55.01; Joanne Nover, 46.22; Audrey Ray, 39.92; Ruth Nawotniak, 23.06; Maryann Szafran, 21.25; Agi Maisel, 17.04; Linda Milch, 15.99; Carl Hasselback, 10.48; David Whitt, 10.40.

500-1,000 Points – (Tie) Terry and Bram Hamovitch, 77.33; Larry Himelein, 73.87; Joyce Frayer, 62.41; Linda Zittel, 48.60; Andrei Reinhorn, 46.15; Sushil Amlani, 44.03; Martha Townson, 42.63; Mary Terrana, 33.25; Richard McGowan, 30.56.

1,000-1,500 Points – Jim Lanzo, 132.82; Vic Bergsten, 85.70; Howard Foster, 66.44; Mary Ball, 62.65; Paul Zittel, 58.98; Betty Metz, 48.72; Marilyn Wortzman, 42.66; Jim Easton, 42.46; Joanne LaFay, 35.87; Bert Feasley, 32.80.

1,500-2,500 Points – Kamil Bishara, 105.25; Paula Kotowski, 58.77; Pinky Regan, 52.03; David Colligan, 50.26; Tova Reinhorn, 46.56; Walt Olszewski, 34.75; Joyce Greenspan, 33.98; Rajat Basu, 33.29; Sandi England, 28.97; Nancy Kessler, 23.25.

2,500-3,500 Points – Linda Burroughsford, 183.79; Dale Anderson, 36.37; David Turner, 27.56; Art Morth, 15.30; Elaine Kurasiewicz, 8.57; Fred Yellen, 8.09; Pat Rasmus, 1.78.

3,500-5,000 Points – Davis Heussler, 246.87; John Ziemer, 119.38; Judy Graf, 101.09; Chongmin Zhang, 74.89; Martha Welte, 59.47; Donna Steffan, 54.74; Jim Gullo, 36.97; Bill Rushmore, 20.21; Barbara Libby, 11.39; Mike Silverman, 9.93.

More than 5,000 Points – Saleh Fetouh, 895.60; Jay Levy, 270.21; Chris Urbanek, 228.59; Dian Petrov, 183.83; Mike Ryan, 134.33; Jay Costello, 86.21; Bud Seidenberg, 79.47; Kathy Pollock, 72.40; Glenn Milgrim, 31.21; Sharon Benz, 1.38; Dan Gerstman, 0.60.

Dale Anderson fell in love with this wonderful game as a teen and compiled the local duplicate bridge notes column in The Buffalo News every week for more than 20 years. He's a Gold Life Master and reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament in September. He can be reached by phone or text at 716-860-2305 or by email at dahotwings@aol.com

Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Dec. 20, 2025 (Updated)

 

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community appear weekly right here at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek. They are no longer carried on the Buffalo News website.

Looking for a face-to-face game on the day after Christmas? The only club offering play on Friday, Dec. 26, will be the Bridge Centre of Niagara in St. Catharines, Ont. The Buffalo Bridge Center and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club will be closed that day.

The Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190, also will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, or the holiday. Otherwise it offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website at https://buffalobridgecenter.godaddysites.com/ or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Membership is $80 annually and is due this month.

Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games six days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

Tournament calendar

2026

Toronto Winter Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Winter Sectional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Woods Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11. For info, click this link.

Niagara Winter Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Center, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, March 31, to Sunday, April 5.

Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12. For info, click this link.

 

Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Dec. 8 to Dec. 14

Buffalo Bridge Center Monday evening – 0-900 game online. Fran Schmidt and Richard McGowan, 58.33%; Michael and Jim Hassett, 55.56%; Laura and John Houghtaling, 52.78%; Michel Dupuis and Gary Keenan, 47.22%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Joanne Nover and David Schott, 64.58%; Betty Metz and Barbara Landree, 57.08%; Jim McClure and Richard McGowan, 50%; east-west, Agi Maisel and Pat Haynes, 58.33%; Gerry Steenberge and Mike Meacham, 53.33%; Carol Licata and Ilene Rothman, 51.25%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Judy Graf and Jim Gullo, 65.40%; Davis Heussler and David Colligan, 60.07%; Jay Levy and Kamil Bishara, 53.59%; Jay Costello and Bud Seidenberg, 52.90%; Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 49.04%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 56.25%; (tie) Julie Mitchell and Brian Fleming, Joanne Nover and Agi Maisel, 55.63%; (3-way tie) Betty Metz and Maryann Szafran, Paula Kotowski and Walt Olszewski, Joyce Greenspan and David Schott, 51.88%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 50.63%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. (Tie) Donna Steffan and Bert Feasley, Linda Burroughford and Judy Graf, 58%; (tie) Martha Welte and Larry Abate, Tova and Andrei Reinhorn, 48%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Saturday afternoon – Open game. Howard Foster and Mike Ryan, 64.02%; Chris Urbanek and Kamil Bishara, 54.76%; Judy Graf and John Ziemer, 50.53%; Joanne Nover and David Schott, 50.26%; Florence Boyd and Dale Anderson, 48.94%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 47.62%.

Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Linda Zittel and Joanne LaFay, 70%; Dan Clark and Dave Larcom, 50%; Bert Feasley and Paul Zittel, 47.50%.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 67%; Edna and Ron Fill, 55%; east-west, Connie Wilson and Miriam Regnet, 56%; Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 55%.

Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, Violet and Jasbeer Makhija, 59%; Nancy Wolstoncroft and Paul Orosz, 58.9%; east-west, Mary and Jim Atwood, 55%; Karen Synor and Jeff Peters, 54%.

Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – Mike and Bob Ruff, 58.3%; Ann Dunlop and Kay Brinkman, 50%.

 

Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Virtual Club Play

Jan. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2025

0-5 Points – Julie Mitchell, 9.66; Joan Warren, 1.80; Maureen Piasecki, 1.58; Amy Licata, 1.36.

5-20 Points – Mike Rupp, 6.32; Devon Marlette, 3.88; Fran Holmes, 3.83; David Taylor, 0.63.

20-50 Points – Dennis Daly, 4.43; Maxine Johnson, 3.06; Karen Dearing, 1.57; Maureen Saab, 1.34.

50-100 Points – Brian Fleming, 27.06; Gary Keenan, 14.83; Mike Metzger, 14.09; Amy Habib, 11.88; Cynthia Tashjian, 10.22; John Houghtaling, 10.16; Candace Graser, 9.28; Carole Sedita, 6.33; Kathleen Voigt, 4.86; Ilene Rothman 4.73.

100-200 Points – Maria Schory, 16.55; Fran Schmidt, 14.41; Jim Hassett, 12.84; Jim Greno, 5.24; Carol Licata, 4.84; Betsy Greno, 4.61; Joan Ciszak, 0.42.

200-300 Points – Maria Amlani, 63.02; Laura Houghtaling, 10.16; Patty Porter, 1.55.

300-500 Points – Pat Haynes, 12.49; David Schott, 7.03; Bob Ciszak, 6.38; Kusum Phadke, 6.14; Eugene Giorgini, 2.01; Ruth Nawotniak, 1.60; Agi Maisel, 0.85; Joanne Nover, 0.36.

500-1,000 Points – (Tie) Terry and Bram Hamovitch, 65.70; Martha Townson, 33.94; Sushil Amlani, 24.29; Ed Harman, 21.75; Richard McGowan, 16.77; Joyce Frayer, 10.89; Diana Smith, 7.64; Phyllis Wilkinson, 4.24; Jeff Bender, 4.20.

1,000-1,500 Points – Jim Lanzo, 121.75; Vic Bergsten, 65.59; Bill Rich, 15.26; (tie) Jim Easton, Marilyn Wortzman, 13.38; Mary Ball, 4.55; Paul Zittel, 2.93; Bert Feasley, 1.99; Larry Abate, 0.35.

1,500-2,500 Points – Walt Olszewski, 14.44; Pinky Regan, 10.59; Rajat Basu, 6.28; (tie) Paula Kotowski, Nancy Kessler, 2.03; Martin Pieterse, 1.12; Sandi England, 0.98; John Bava, 0.20.

2,500-3,500 Points – Art Morth, 4.07; Elaine Kurasiewicz, 1.90; Linda Burroughsford, 0.84.

3,500-5,000 Points – Chongmin Zhang, 14.81; Martha Welte, 8.42; Barbara Libby, 6.12; Ken Meier, 3.36; Davis Heussler, 0.84; Mike Silverman, 0.23.

More than 5,000 Points – Saleh Fetouh, 105.90; Jay Levy, 39.26; Dian Petrov, 38.61.

Dale Anderson fell in love with this wonderful game as a teen and compiled the local duplicate bridge notes column in The Buffalo News every week for more than 20 years. He's a Gold Life Master and reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament in September. He can be reached by phone or text at 716-860-2305 or by email at dahotwings@aol.com.

Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Dec. 13, 2025

 

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community  appear weekly right here at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek. They are no longer carried on the Buffalo News website.

 

The Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190, holds its monthly party game today, Saturday, Dec. 13, in conjunction with the District 5 Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (StaC).  Since it’s a sectional, players can win silver master points. Snacks at noon. Game at 12:30 p.m. Bring munchies to share. For partnerships and info, call Pat Haynes at 716-472-5189 or email phaynes508@roadrunner.com.

 

The Buffalo Bridge Center offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members.

 

Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games six days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

Tournament calendar

2026

Toronto Winter Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Winter Sectional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4. For more info, click this link.

Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Woods Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11. For info, click this link.

Niagara Winter Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Center, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15. For more info, click this link.

Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, March 31, to Sunday, April 5.

Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12. For info, click this link.

 

Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Dec. 1 to Dec. 7

Buffalo Bridge Center Monday evening – 0-900 game online. Candace Graser and Cynthia Tashjian, 59.72%; Betsy and Jim Greno, 54.17%; Fran Schmidt and Richard McGowan, 50%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Betty Metz and Ruth Nowatniak, 58.33%; Paula Rosen and Maryann Szafran, 50.40%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 49.60%; east-west, William and Nathan Kross, 63.49%; Agi Maisel and Pat Haynes, 63.10%; Barbara Landree and Brian Universal, 62.70%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Andrei Reinhorn and Chris Urbanek, 63%; Martha Welte and Howard Foster, 57%; Sharon Wilcox and John Ziemer, 47%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. North-south, Joanne Nover and Agi Maisel, 59.38%; Anthony Girasole and Dennis Daly, 55%; east-west, Pat Haynes and David Schott, 62.50%; Candace Graser and Cynthia Tashjian, 49.38%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. Martha Welte and Larry Abate, 62%; Vic Bergsten and John Ziemer, 55%; Linda Burroughsford and Judy Graf, 53%.

Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Linda and Paul Zittel, 58.33%; Maureen Piasecki and Sandi England, 57.29%; Jan and Carl Hasselback, 56.25%.

Unit 116 Annual Meeting and Game Saturday afternoon – North-south, Martha Welte and Howard Foster, 66.67%; John Bava and Ed Morgan, 57.87%; Tova and Andrei Reinhorn, 55.56%; Barbara Landree and Betty Metz, 54.40%; Judy Graf and John Ziemer, 54.17%; east-west, Linda Burroughsford and Davis Heussler, 62.27%; Kathy Pollock and Bert Feasley, 58.10%; Chris Urbanek and Kamil Bishara, 57.41%; Larry Abate and Jim Lanzo, 55.79%; Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 53.25%; Julie Mitchell and Brian Fleming, 49.31%.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Violet and Jasbeer Makhija, 56%; Joe Huber and Fritz Schweiger, 52%; east-west, Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 61%; Joan Stankiewicz and Ellen Lochead, 60.5 %.

Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, Jill and Bruce Brown, 67%; Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 54%; east-west, Carol Neuhaus and Fritz Schweiger, 65%; Ellen Lochead and Dan Blatz, 56%.

Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Club Play

Jan. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2025

0-5 Points – Julie Mitchell, 23.58; John Brennan, 8.79; Maureen Piasecki, 6.62; Joan Warren, 5.46; Linda Marsh, 4.83; Susan Mann Dolce, 4.10; Arthur Ziller, 2.10; Ann Bonte, 1.65: Amy Licata, 0.99; (tie) Walter Balon and Ellen Balon, 0.89.

5-20 Points – Devon Marlette, 0.96; Amber Dizon, 0.21.

20-50 Points – Dennis Daly, 12.61; Anthony Girasole, 10.59; Molly Morris, 5.53; Gini Sicignano, 5.18; Zakie Nohra, 5.15; Phyllis Stasiowski, 0.83; Chris-Elaine Santilli, 0.57.

50-100 Points – Brian Fleming, 22.82; Donna Starnes, 10.26; Ilene Rothman, 9.22; Susan Cardamone, 8.02; Pepe Justicia-Linde, 5.89; Maureen Cancilla, 5.03; Susan Burns, 2.97; Mary Berlow, 2.85; Carole Sedita, 2.83; Amy Habib, 2.56.

100-200 Points – Carol Licata, 8.42; Betty DeFeo, 5.78; Mike Meacham, 5.55; Joan Ciszak, 2.51; Pam Righter, 1.68.

200-300 Points – Judy Babat, 1.88; Ethan Xie, 1.60; Hannah Weinberg, 1.13.

300-500 Points – David Schott, 43.59; Pat Haynes, 35.37; Joanne Nover, 32.31; Audrey Ray, 30.74; Maryann Szafran, 19.17; Ruth Nawotniak, 18.35; Linda Milch, 15.03; Agi Maisel, 10.88; David Whitt, 9.12; Carl Hasselback, 8.61.

500-1,000 Points – Larry Himelein, 48.63; Linda Zittel, 39.50; Joyce Frayer, 37.68; Andrei Reinhorn, 35.64; Mary Terrana, 25.33; Jo Nasoff-Finton, 21.61; Jim McClure, 20.80; Gordon Crone, 20.12; Paula Rosen, 20.08; Dave Larcom, 19.54; Joe Miranda, 17.98.

1,000-1,500 Points – Paul Zittel, 45.79; Betty Metz, 44.43; Mary Ball, 42.49; Howard Foster, 41.23; Joanne LaFay, 30.38; Marilyn Wortzman, 26.60; Jim Easton, 26.40; Terry Fraas, 23.15; Bert Feasley, 21.24; Larry Abate, 17.85.

1,500-2,500 Points – Pinky Regan, 40.58; Kamil Bishara, 36.65; Tova Reinhorn, 33.28; Paula Kotowski, 32.99; Joyce Greenspan, 26.37; Sandi England, 22.66; Nancy Kessler, 14.01; Walt Olszewski, 13.73; David Colligan, 12.19; Judy Kaprove, 7.50.

2,500-3,500 Points – Linda Burroughsford, 40.42; Dale Anderson, 23.50; Elaine Kurasiewicz, 2.25; Art Morth, 2.07; Pat Rasmus, 1.78; Fred Yellen, 1.43.

3,500-5,000 Points – Judy Graf, 63.41; John Ziemer, 62.09; Davis Heussler, 55.26; Martha Welte, 40.19; Jim Gullo, 32.79; Donna Steffan, 31.67; Allen Beroza, 4.86; Chongmin Zhang, 0.74; Brian Meyer, 0.60.

More than 5,000 Points – Mike Ryan, 73.14; Chris Urbanek, 51.12; Jay Costello, 47.35; Bud Seidenberg, 43.19; Jay Levy, 16.54; Sharon Benz, 1.38; Dian Petrov, 1.03; Kathy Pollock, 0.75; Dan Gerstman, 0.60.

 

Dale Anderson fell in love with this wonderful game as a teen and compiled the local duplicate bridge notes column in The Buffalo News every week for more than 20 years. He's a Gold Life Master and reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament in September.

Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Dec. 6, 2025

 

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community are continuing to appear weekly right here at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek. They are no longer carried on the Buffalo News website.

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It’s a big week at the Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190, beginning today, Saturday, Dec. 6, with the annual Western New York Unit 116 meeting, luncheon and game. Meeting is at 11 a.m., lunch at 11:30, open pairs game at 12:30 p.m. Fee is $10, lunch included. Preregistration requested. Prepayment not required. Email larab1016@verizon.net or jbava@roadrunner.com.

The club is participating in the District 5 Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (StaC), which is taking place from Monday, Dec. 8, to Sunday, Dec. 14. Since it’s a sectional, players can win silver master points at the club’s regularly scheduled games.

One of those StaC games is the Bridge Center’s monthly party game, set for next Saturday, Dec. 13. Snacks at noon. Game at 12:30 p.m. Bring munchies to share. For partnerships and info, call Pat Haynes at 716-472-5189 or email phaynes508@roadrunner.com.

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We got email this week for the Rock and Roll Regional Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, from Wednesday, Jan. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 11, and the package for those staying at the tournament venue, the Embassy Suites Hotel. 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd., in suburban Independence, includes two free drinks per night at the bar and a gift bag at check-in. Deadline to sign up for a discounted room is Monday, Dec. 15. Visit https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/acblattendeesjanuary2026/ or call 216-986-9900. For more info on the tournament itself, click this link.

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The Buffalo Bridge Center offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members.

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Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games six days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

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Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

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Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Nov. 24 to Nov. 30

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Bonnie Clement and David Schott, 67.50%; Pat Haynes and Maryann Szafran, 60%; east-west, Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 61%; Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 58%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Mike Ryan and John Ziemer, 65%; Chris Urbanek and Linda Burroughsford, 60%; Judy Graf and Ed Morgan, 50%; Joyce Frayer and Mary Ball, 48%.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 61%; Jill and Bruce Brown, 51%; east-west, (tie) Angela Curtis and Shirley Cassety, Mary and Jim Atwood, 60%.

Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – Rose Bochiechio and Edna Fill, 62.5%; Judy White and Fritz Schweiger, 58.3%.

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Dale Anderson fell in love with this wonderful game as a teen and compiled the local duplicate bridge notes column in The Buffalo News every week for more than 20 years. He's a Gold Life Master and reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament in September.

 

Buffalo Niagara duplicate bridge notes: Nov. 29, 2025

 

News and notes for the Buffalo area duplicate bridge community appear here weekly at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/, usually by midweek. They are no longer carried on the Buffalo News website.

 

Western New York Unit 116’s annual meeting, luncheon and game is coming up next Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St. off Exit 1 of the I-190. Meeting at 11 a.m., lunch at 11:30, open pairs game at 12:30 p.m. Fee is $10, lunch included. Preregistration requested by Monday, Dec. 1. Prepayment not required. Email larab1016@verizon.net or jbava@roadrunner.com.

 

The next party game at the Buffalo Bridge Center, is Saturday, Dec. 13. Snacks at noon. Game at 12:30 p.m. Bring munchies to share. For partnerships and info, call Pat Haynes at 716-472-5189 or email phaynes508@roadrunner.com.

 

The Buffalo Bridge Center offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games Monday through Friday with party games once a month on weekends. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website or call 716-424-0014. Fee for games is $8 for members and $12 for non-members.

 

Other ACBL sanctioned clubs: Contact for the Bridge Club of East Aurora is Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net. Games are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora.

The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers face-to-face games five days a week at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Website is bridgewebs.com/Niagara.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bridge Club plays in the Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., on Anderson Lane off Mississauga Street on the western end of the village. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Website is bridgewebs.com/niagaraonthelake.

 

Non-sanctioned clubs: Tonawanda Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Amherst Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

 

The District 5 Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (STaC) offers silver master points in games at participating local bridge clubs from Tuesday, Dec. 9, to Saturday, Dec.13.

 

Scores from ACBL Live for Clubs

Week of Nov. 17 to Nov. 23

Buffalo Bridge Center Monday evening – 0-900 game online. Michel Dupuis and Gary Keenan, 64.81%; Fran Schmidt and Richard McGowan, 62.04%; Luara and John Houghtaling, 54.83%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Paula Rosen and Jim McClure, 67.86%; Ruth Nawotniak and Richard McGowan, 57.54%; Betty Metz and Audrey Ray, 48.81%; Gini Sicignano and Pat Wolcott, 48.41%; east-west, Joanne Nover and David Schott, 59.52%; Agi Maisel and Pay Haynes, 55.56%; (tie) Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 51.19; Alice Cooley and Mike Segal, 49.21%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 65%; Judy Graf and Mike Ryan, 55%; Howard Foster and Davis Heussler, 50%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. North-south, Pat Haynes and Audrey Ray, 56.25%; Betty Metz and Paul Zittel, 53.75%; Joyce Greenspan and Andrei Reinhorn, 50%; east-west, Larry Himelein and David Schott, 68.13%; Barbara Landree and Anthony Girasole, 60%; Bill and Nathan Korss, 50.63%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. Bert Feasley and Davis Heussler, 58.93%; Tova and Andrei Reinhorn, 55.36%; Donna Steffan and Audrey Ray, 54.17%; Terry Fraas and Ed Morgan, 52.38%: Jay Costello and Bud Seidenberg, 51.19%.

Buffalo Bridge Center Saturday afternoon – Open game. Judy Graf and John Ziemer, 62.92%; Ruth Nawotniak and Julie Mitchell, 56.67%; Florence Boyd and Dale Anderson, 56.25%; Linda Burroughsford and Davis Heussler, 52.08%; (tie) Joanne Nover and David Whitt, Tova and Andrei Reinhorn, 51.25%; Martha Welte and Nancy Wolstoncroft, 51.25%.

Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Paul Zittel and Bert Feasley, 62.50%; Joanne LaFay and Barbara Booi, 54.17%; Maureen Piasecki and Dave Larcom, 52.13%; (tie) Mary Terrana and Gordon Crone, Joyce Greenspan and Ruth Wurster, 51.04%.

Delaware Wednesday evening – 0-2,000 game online. No game.

Non-sanctioned clubs

Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Shirley Cassety and George Mayers, 59%; Violet and Jasbeer Makhija, 57%; east-west, Joan Stankiewicz and Ellen Lochead, 55%; Judie Bailey and Paul Orosz, 53%.

Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, Jill and Bruce Brown, 62%; Edna and Ron Fill, 57%; east-west, Karen Synor and Jeff Peters, 61%; Mary and Jim Atwood, 54%.

Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – (Tie) Rose Bochiechio and Edna Fill, 70.3%; Mike and Bob Rupp, 62.5%; Joanne Biondo and Ron Fill, 60.9%.

 

Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Play in All Venues

Jan. 1, 2025, to Oct. 31, 2025

0-5 Points – Julie Mitchell, 40 even; John Brennan, 8.42; Maureen Piasecki, 7.67; Joan Warren, 4.83; Susan Marin Duolce, 4.45; Arthur Ziller, 2.65; Amy Licata, 1.98; Ann Bonte, 1.65; Jane Arnold, 0.99.

5-20 Points – Mike Rupp, 5.46: Fran Holmes, 3.83; Devon Marlette, 3.07; David Taylor, 0.63; Amber Dixon, 0.21.

20-50 Points – Dennis Daly, 20.48; Anthony Girasole, 10.55; Molly Morris, 6.71; Zakie Nohra, 5.86; Gini Sicignano, 5.85; Maxine Johnson, 2.57; Karen Dearing, 1.57; Maureen Saab, 1.34; Phyllis Stasiowski, 0.83; Chris-Elaine Santilli, 0.57.

50-100 Points – Brian Fleming, 56.24; Ilene Rothman, 18.75; Amy Habib, 15.92; Mike Metzger, 14.09; Gary Keenan, 12.42; Donna Starnes, 10.26; Candace Graser, 10.07; Cynthia Tashjian, 9.26; Susan Burns, 8.84; John Houghtaling, 8.24; Susan Cardamone, 8.02.

100-200 Points – Mike Meacham, 23.28; Carol Licata, 17.72; Maria Schory, 16.55; Fran Schmidt, 13.96; Jim Hassett, 12.20; Betty DeFeo, 5.78; Jim Greno, 5.24; Betsy Greno, 4.61; Joan Ciszak, 2.29; Pam Righter, 1.76.

200-300 Points – Maria Amlani, 63.45; Ethan Xie, 22.79; Laura Houghtaling, 8.24; (tie) Barbara and John Scott, 7.22; Judy Babat, 1.88; Patty Porter, 1.55; Hannah Weinberg, 1.13.

300-500 Points – David Schott, 62.85; Pat Haynes, 52.43; Joanne Nover, 44.08; Audrey Ray, 36.71; Maryann Szafran, 20.81; Ruth Nawotniak, 19.37; Linda Milch, 15.24; Agi Maisel, 15.17; Carl Hasselback, 10/.48; David Whitt, 9.33.

500-1,000 Points – Larry Himelein, 71.38; (tie) Terry and Bram Hamovitch, 70.17; Joyce Frayer, 58.82; Linda Zittel, 46.53; Sushil Amlani, 44.03; Andrei Reinhorn, 43.90; Martha Townson, 38.41; Mary Terrana, 33.25; Gordon Crone, 28.14.

1,000-1,500 Points – Jim Lanzo, 124.10; Vic Bergsten, 79.37; Howard Foster, 64.46; Mary Ball, 59.06; Paul Zittel, 56.39; Betty Metz, 46.67; Marilyn Wortzman, 41.09; Jim Easton, 40.89; Joanne LaFay, 33.14; Larry Abate, 30.57.

1,500-2,500 Points – Kamil Bishara, 104.51; Paula Kotowski, 52 even; Pinky Regan, 47.70; David Colligan, 45.37; Tova Reinhorn, 44.19; Walt Olszewski, 34.75; Joyce Greenspan, 33.67; Rajat Basu, 29.34; Sandi England, 28.29; Nancy Kessler, 22.78.

2,500-3,500 Points – Linda Burroughsford, 174.43; David Turner, 27.56; Dale Anderson, 24.54; Art Morth, 15.30; Fred Yellen, 8.09; Elaine Kurasiewicz, 7.31; Pat Rasmus, 1,70.

3,500-5,000 Points – Davis Heussler, 229.20; John Ziemer, 108.33; Judy Graf, 94.28; Chongmin Zhang, 66.52; Martha Welte, 58.75; Donna Steffan, 52.73; Jim Gullo, 36.13; Bill Rushmore, 20.21; Barbara Libby, 10.55; Mike Silverman, 9.93.

More than 5,000 Points – Saleh Fetouh, 863.34; Jay Levy, 231.37; Chris Urbanek, 226.69; Dian Petrov, 172.63; Mike Ryan, 121.42; Jay Costello, 85.01; Bud Seidenberg, 79.47; Kathy Pollock, 64.03; Glenn Milgrim, 31.21; Sharon Benz, 1.38; Dan Gerstman, 0.60.

 

Dale Anderson was introduced to this wonderful game as a teen and compiled the local duplicate bridge notes column in the Buffalo News weekly for more than 20 years. He's a Gold Life Master and reached a career milestone, 3,000 master points, at the Buffalo Fall Sectional Tournament in September.