Totally Unauthorized

I’ve always loved national bridge tournaments. Travelling to yet another city, checking into yet another hotel just to play big boy bridge for a week is as good as it gets.

I drove up to Reno Thursday night because rain and snow are predicted for Friday morning and I didn’t want to deal with chains and snow and delays.  The IMP pairs start at 1:00 pm; it would be a shame to get here late and ruin the event.

One of the things I like is the feeling of an extended family coming together.  Although it was midnight when I got here, just walking from the front desk through the casino to the elevators I saw people I know from all over the country, people who are here for the same reason I am.  It’s like a gathering of the clan, and it happens 3 times a year.  We all have houses, careers,  families and friends that tie us to some city, but come alive when we get together for an NABC.

I’ve got 3 national events planned for this week, and two days of regional events as well.  As much as I will enjoy playing, I expect to equally enjoy just being around all the people I know, talking bridge in the bar or the coffee shop or the president’s suite.

If I played golf, Tiger Woods would never stoop to talk to me. Here, I can walk right up to Zia or Hamman and shoot the breeze.  Bridge is the most democratic game there is.

Reno isn’t New York or Paris, but there are a couple of decent restaurants, my room is fantastic (and cheap) and there’s a week of great bridge in front of me.  What more can a boy ask for?