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hands. Instead of putting the played card in the middle of the table, a player merely puts his card in front of him where every one can see what he played and after the bridge hand is played he places his cards in an especially designed tray and passes the tray on to the next table for others to play. If you and your partner get better results than the others who play those same hands...then you will get a higher score. Those who do less well will get a poorer score. The scores are tabulated at the end of the games and winners are decided. Duplicate players are generally far more serious about the game and the best players usually study a number of systems and books about the game to improve their play. You will notice that most daily newspapers carry a daily article on bridge.

Although the reasons for its formation no longe exist, the ABA has continued to grow due to a variety of factors...not the least of these is the social factor. Real friendships have been developed and there is a warmth and sense of concern which ABA members feel for one another. Another important reason is the founders formed a good organizational structure upon which to build. Still another is our pride in our heritage. Many players plan their vacation around the national tournaments and enjoy discount travel rates as well as discount accommodations in such places as the Waldorf Astoria, the Hyatt Regency, Stouffers on the Square in Cleveland and this year the Constellation in Toronto, Canada in April and the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

[[image - fan of playing cards, hearts, from ace to 2]]

[[image - smiling man in suit]]
Clifton Smith
Public Relations Director

[[image - man with glasses and suit]]
Robert Seymore
Treasurer

[[image - smiling man with glasses and suit]]
Ken Cox - Secretary

[[image - smiling man in suit]]
George Johnson
President-Elect 1984

[[image - smiling man in suit]]
Victor Daly
President Emeritus

FUTURE NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Spring 1984

Place   Toronto, Canada
Dates   Apr 22-28
Hotel   Constellation
Rates   $70 S or D **

MAJOR EVENTS
KO Teams
Mixed Pairs
Dan Scrivens Open Pairs
Swiss Teams

Summer 1984

Place   Hollywood, FL
Dates   Aug 9-19
Hotel   Diplomat
Ratex   $46-48, S or D

MAJOR EVENTS
Victor Daly KO Teams
National Open Pairs
National Mixed Pairs
National Swiss Teams

**Canadian dollars

The ABA in Review
Louise Conn, Kenneth F. Cox & Edris M. Sparrow

[[image - smiling woman]]
Mrs. Pauline Taylor
1st Woman President

The formation of the American Bridge Association (ABA) was another of the many movements which have developed in this country because of the prevalence of racial prejudice among a substantial segment of the population. Barred from membership and competition in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), a small determined group of non-white players in the New York area conceived the idea of a national organization to promote duplicate bridge among themselves. The prime movers in this project were M.E. DuBissette, Horace R. Miller, L.C. Collins of New York and John W. Cromwell, Jr. of Washington, D.C.

In August, 1932, the American Tennis Association held its annual national tennis tournament in Hampton - near Buckroe Beach, VA. It was the feeling at the time that many of the tennis players would enjoy the opportunity of playing bridge in the evenings. As a result of this momentous decision, the American Bridge Association was born - and the first ABA bridge tournament was held in Buckroe Beach in 1933.

Dr. DuBissette was the first President and served with distinction until 1935 when Horace "Jock" Miller became PRESIDENT. During his incumbency, Mr. Miller promoted closer relationships between the ABA and the Eastern Bridge League which operated in New York and New Jersey. The League merged with the ABA in 1936, and Morgan S. Jensen, former President of the EBL and Director of the first ABA tournament, became the Executive Secretary of ABA. 

The ABA reached a new milestone in 1936, with the election to the Presidency of E.T. Belsaw of Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Belsaw held this office for thirteen years, building the Association into a national organization of prominence and influence. The ABA was incorporated in the State of Michigan in 1945. The Association expanded into four sectional divisions stretching from coast to coast. A master point system for the rating of players was established by Arthur R. Curiel, of New York. An updated version is still in use today.

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