Cavendish Invitational
Encyclopedia
The Cavendish Invitational is the largest money bridge
tournament in the world. The 2011 pairs event is in progress May 6–8, which concludes the tournament.
. Its membership featured some of the most famous names in bridge, including Ely Culbertson
, Charles Goren
, Oswald Jacoby
, Howard Schenken
, Sam Stayman
, Zia Mahmood
, Bobby Levin
and Steve Weinstein. It moved a few times from the Mayfair House to the Ambassador Hotel, thence to the Ritz Tower Hotel and the Carlton House.
In 1975 the Club began hosting the prestigious Cavendish Invitational Pairs but in 1991 the New York club was forced to close its doors due to rent increases and flagging membership. The tournament continued to be held in New York City until 1997 when World Bridge Productions took over the Invitational Pairs tournament and moved operations to Las Vegas
, an action which greatly increased the visibility and purse size for the event.
The WBP added an Open Pairs event to broaden the field for more players. The Invitational Pairs is an auctioned event where the top pairs are acquired by the highest bidder at a black tie cocktail party a day before the event starts. The auction pool for the Pairs event has recently been running around a million dollars and has been as high as 1.5 million. Each pair must purchase a minimum 10% share in itself and may exercise its right to own as much as 40% of itself or more if permitted by the winner of the bid. At the conclusion of the tournament 95% of the auction pool is distributed in a scaled payout to the bid winners. Each pair plays three boards against all the other pairs with a time limit of 25 minutes per round. Up to 45 rounds are played to decide the winner. The tournament begins on a Friday and traditionally ends on Mother's Day
.
five, Fred Stewart and Kit Woolsey
three times each.
At least three women have finished second —Jacqui Mitchell 1979 and Judy Radin–Kathie Wei 1981.
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
tournament in the world. The 2011 pairs event is in progress May 6–8, which concludes the tournament.
History and format
The Cavendish Club, whose name is associated with the event, was founded in 1925 in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Its membership featured some of the most famous names in bridge, including Ely Culbertson
Ely Culbertson
Ely Culbertson was an entreprenurial American contract bridge personality dominant during the Thirties and Forties. He played a major role in the early popularization of the game, and was widely regarded as "the man who made contract bridge"...
, Charles Goren
Charles Goren
Charles Henry Goren was a world champion American bridge player and bestselling author who contributed significantly to the development and popularization of the game following upon the heels of Ely Culbertson in the 1940s and rising to prominence in the 1950s to the early 1960s.-Early years:Goren...
, Oswald Jacoby
Oswald Jacoby
Oswald Jacoby was an American contract bridge player and author, considered one of the greatest bridge players of all time. He also excelled at, and wrote about, other games including backgammon, gin rummy, and poker.Born in Brooklyn, he was taught to play whist at the age of six and played his...
, Howard Schenken
Howard Schenken
Howard Schenken was an American bridge player, writer, and long-time columnist. In his career, Schenken won three Bermuda Bowl titles, and set several North American records: he won the Life Master Pairs five times, and the Spingold and Vanderbilt Trophy twelve and ten times, respectively...
, Sam Stayman
Samuel Stayman
Samuel M. Stayman was an American bridge player, author and administrator. A graduate of the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, he was also a successful textile executive and portfolio investment manager.He was the eponym of the Stayman convention...
, Zia Mahmood
Zia Mahmood
Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game...
, Bobby Levin
Bobby Levin
Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein...
and Steve Weinstein. It moved a few times from the Mayfair House to the Ambassador Hotel, thence to the Ritz Tower Hotel and the Carlton House.
In 1975 the Club began hosting the prestigious Cavendish Invitational Pairs but in 1991 the New York club was forced to close its doors due to rent increases and flagging membership. The tournament continued to be held in New York City until 1997 when World Bridge Productions took over the Invitational Pairs tournament and moved operations to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, an action which greatly increased the visibility and purse size for the event.
The WBP added an Open Pairs event to broaden the field for more players. The Invitational Pairs is an auctioned event where the top pairs are acquired by the highest bidder at a black tie cocktail party a day before the event starts. The auction pool for the Pairs event has recently been running around a million dollars and has been as high as 1.5 million. Each pair must purchase a minimum 10% share in itself and may exercise its right to own as much as 40% of itself or more if permitted by the winner of the bid. At the conclusion of the tournament 95% of the auction pool is distributed in a scaled payout to the bid winners. Each pair plays three boards against all the other pairs with a time limit of 25 minutes per round. Up to 45 rounds are played to decide the winner. The tournament begins on a Friday and traditionally ends on Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
.
Invitational Pairs
The Invitational Pairs or "the Cavendish" is the main event of the annual tournament. Steve Weinstein is the winner seven times, Bobby LevinBobby Levin
Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein...
five, Fred Stewart and Kit Woolsey
Kit Woolsey
Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965....
three times each.
At least three women have finished second —Jacqui Mitchell 1979 and Judy Radin–Kathie Wei 1981.
| Year | Winners | 2nd place | 3rd place | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | James Jacoby, Jeff Westheimer | Alberto Calvo, Jeff Hand | Matt Granovetter, Ron Rubin | |
| 1976 | Alan Sontag Alan Sontag Alan M. Sontag is a world champion American bridge player and author of bridge books.-Bridge career:Although he is a six-time world champion in contract bridge, winning the prestige Bermuda Bowl twice, Sontag is best known as the author of The Bridge Bum, a book "on everybody's list of the top ten... , Peter Weichsel |
Jimmy Cayne James Cayne James E. "Jimmy" Cayne is an American businessman, a former CEO of Bear Stearns, founder of TalkGeek.org and world-class bridge player. After losing about one billion dollars in net worth from the collapse of Bear Stearns' stock, he sold his entire stake in the company for $61 million... , Billy Eisenberg Billy Eisenberg William Eisenberg is an American bridge and backgammon professional. In bridge, Eisenberg has won five Bermuda Bowl world team titles and in backgammon he won the world title in 1975... |
Paul Trent, Sandy Trent | |
| 1977 | Alan Sontag Alan Sontag Alan M. Sontag is a world champion American bridge player and author of bridge books.-Bridge career:Although he is a six-time world champion in contract bridge, winning the prestige Bermuda Bowl twice, Sontag is best known as the author of The Bridge Bum, a book "on everybody's list of the top ten... , Peter Weichsel |
Ronald Blau, Marty Ginsberg | Omar Sharif Omar Sharif Omar Sharif is an Egyptian actor who has starred in Hollywood films including Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won two Golden Globe Awards.-Early life:... , Leon Yallouze |
|
| 1978 | Roy Fox, Paul Swanson | Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg is one of the top bridge players in the United States. He moved to Scotland as a child and returned to New York in 1990 where he lives with his wife Debbie, also a top player.... , Barnet Shenkin |
Alan Sontag Alan Sontag Alan M. Sontag is a world champion American bridge player and author of bridge books.-Bridge career:Although he is a six-time world champion in contract bridge, winning the prestige Bermuda Bowl twice, Sontag is best known as the author of The Bridge Bum, a book "on everybody's list of the top ten... , Peter Weichsel |
|
| 1979 | Ed Manfield, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... |
Jacqui Mitchell, John Roberts | Juan Manuel Nuñez, Jaime Roitman | |
| 1980 | Roger Bates, Dan Mordecai | Ed Manfield, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... |
Phillip Martin, John Lowenthal | |
| 1981 | Lou Bluhm, Tom Sanders | Judi Radin, Kathie Wei | David Berkowitz, Harold Lilie | |
| 1982 | Jimmy Cayne James Cayne James E. "Jimmy" Cayne is an American businessman, a former CEO of Bear Stearns, founder of TalkGeek.org and world-class bridge player. After losing about one billion dollars in net worth from the collapse of Bear Stearns' stock, he sold his entire stake in the company for $61 million... , Fred Hamilton |
Paul Chemla Paul Chemla Paul Chemla is a famous French bridge player.Chemla was born in Tunis. He studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris where he took up playing bridge. His wins include three European Pairs Championships , two World Team Olympiads , and the 1997 Bermuda Bowl... , Robert Reiplinger |
Alan Sontag Alan Sontag Alan M. Sontag is a world champion American bridge player and author of bridge books.-Bridge career:Although he is a six-time world champion in contract bridge, winning the prestige Bermuda Bowl twice, Sontag is best known as the author of The Bridge Bum, a book "on everybody's list of the top ten... , Peter Weichsel |
|
| 1983 | Robert Lipsitz, Neil Silverman | David Berkowitz, Harold Lilie | Billy Eisenberg Billy Eisenberg William Eisenberg is an American bridge and backgammon professional. In bridge, Eisenberg has won five Bermuda Bowl world team titles and in backgammon he won the world title in 1975... , Edwin Kantar Edwin Kantar Edwin Bruce Kantar is an American bridge player, 2-time World Teams Bridge Champion and prolific author of bridge books.-Biography:... |
|
| 1984 | Marty Bergen Marty Bergen Marty A. Bergen is an American bridge player and writer. A 10-time national champion and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master he retired from active competition in 1993... , Larry N. Cohen |
Jeff Meckstroth Jeff Meckstroth Jeffrey John Meckstroth is a multiple world champion in contract bridge, winning the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times. He is one of only ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
David Berkowitz, Harold Lilie | |
| 1985 | Irving Litvack, Joey Silver | Billy Cohen, Ron Smith | Bob Blanchard, Drew Casen Drew Casen Drew Ara Casen is an Armenian-American professional bridge player.He is a native of Forest Hills and was raised in the Lenox Hills neighborhood of Farmingdale which abuts Bethpage State Park golf course, site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open... |
|
| 1986 | Matt Granovetter, Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg is one of the top bridge players in the United States. He moved to Scotland as a child and returned to New York in 1990 where he lives with his wife Debbie, also a top player.... |
Fred Stewart, Steve Weinstein | Harold Rockaway, Bobby Wolff Bobby Wolff Robert S. Wolff is an American bridge player and an original member of the Dallas Aces team, which was formed in 1968 to compete against the Italian Blue Team which was dominant at the time. The Aces were successful and won their first world championship in 1970... |
|
| 1987 | Drew Casen Drew Casen Drew Ara Casen is an Armenian-American professional bridge player.He is a native of Forest Hills and was raised in the Lenox Hills neighborhood of Farmingdale which abuts Bethpage State Park golf course, site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open... , Jim Krekorian |
Gene Freed, Mike Passell | Marc Jacobus, Paul Lewis | |
| 1988 | Björn Fallenius, Magnus Lindkvist | Harold Rockaway, Bobby Wolff Bobby Wolff Robert S. Wolff is an American bridge player and an original member of the Dallas Aces team, which was formed in 1968 to compete against the Italian Blue Team which was dominant at the time. The Aces were successful and won their first world championship in 1970... |
Steve Burgess, Paul Marston | |
| 1989 | Marty Bergen Marty Bergen Marty A. Bergen is an American bridge player and writer. A 10-time national champion and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master he retired from active competition in 1993... , Larry N. Cohen |
Ain Otstavel, Hilar Sula | Brian Glubok, Michael Radin | |
| 1990 | Piotr Gawryś Piotr Gawrys Piotr Gawryś is a Polish bridge player. Gawrys, WBF Grand Master, has won 3 world championships; World Team Olympics in 1984, Transnational Mixed Teams 2000 and Transnational Open Teams 2005. His other first places include; World Masters Individual in 1992 , European Teams Championships 1993 and... , Eliakim Shaufel |
Jón Baldursson, Aðalsteinn Jörgensen | Ron Andersen, David Berkowitz | |
| 1991 | Johan Bennet, Anders Wirgren | Neil Chambers, John Schermer | Russ Ekeblad, Ron Sukoneck | |
| 1992 | Amos Kaminski, Sam Lev | Piotr Gawryś Piotr Gawrys Piotr Gawryś is a Polish bridge player. Gawrys, WBF Grand Master, has won 3 world championships; World Team Olympics in 1984, Transnational Mixed Teams 2000 and Transnational Open Teams 2005. His other first places include; World Masters Individual in 1992 , European Teams Championships 1993 and... , Krzysztof Lasocki |
Neil Chambers, John Schermer | |
| 1993 | Fred Stewart, Steve Weinstein | Ron Gerard, Mike Kamil | Mike Albert, Paul Soloway Paul Soloway Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002... |
|
| 1994 | Neil Silverman, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... |
Sam Lev, Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... |
Garey Hayden, Gaylor Kasle | |
| 1995 | Paul Soloway Paul Soloway Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002... , Harry Tudor |
Richard Schwartz, Peter Weichsel | Perry Johnson, Jeff Meckstroth Jeff Meckstroth Jeffrey John Meckstroth is a multiple world champion in contract bridge, winning the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times. He is one of only ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
|
| 1996 | Fred Stewart, Steve Weinstein | Neil Chambers, John Schermer | Lorenzo Lauria, Alfredo Versace | |
| 1997 | Michael Seamon, Harry Tudor | Andrea Buratti, Massimo Lanzarotti | Lorenzo Lauria, Alfredo Versace | |
| 1998 | Bob Hamman Bob Hamman Robert David Hamman is an American professional bridge player, among the greatest players of all time.... , Nick Nickell |
Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game... , Steve Weinstein |
Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman is a leading American bridge player, as well as the founder and manager of , a bridge playing site.... , Brad Moss |
|
| 1999 | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Curtis Cheek, Billy Miller | Billy Cohen, Ron Smith | |
| 2000 | Martin Fleisher Martin Fleisher Martin Fleisher is an American bridge player, employee benefits attorney, manager of investments in life insurance policies and investment advisor.... , Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
Steve Garner, Howard Weinstein | David Berkowitz, Larry N. Cohen | |
| 2001 | Michał Kwiecień, Jacek Pszczoła | Billy Cohen, Ron Smith | Björn Fallenius, Roy Welland Roy Welland Roy Welland is the owner of New York restaurant Lotus of Siam NY, wine connoisseur, and world class bridge player... |
|
| 2002 | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Walid Elahmady, Tarek Sadek | Eric Greco, Geoff Hampson | |
| 2003 | Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman is a leading American bridge player, as well as the founder and manager of , a bridge playing site.... , Brad Moss |
Walid Elahmady, Tarek Sadek | Ross Grabel, Jon Wittes | |
| 2004 | Sam Lev, Jacek Pszczoła | Fulvio Fantoni Fulvio Fantoni Fulvio Fantoni is an Italian international bridge player. He is a six-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF first-ranked player as of April 2011... , Claudio Nunes Claudio Nunes Claudio Nunes is an Italian bridge international. He is a five-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF second-ranked player as of April 2011... |
Bob Hamman Bob Hamman Robert David Hamman is an American professional bridge player, among the greatest players of all time.... , Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game... |
|
| 2005 | Andrea Buratti, Massimo Lanzarotti | Cezary Balicki Cezary Balicki Cezary Balicki is a Polish bridge player holding the title of World Grand Master. Balicki won the World Transnational Open Teams in 2000 and 2009, European Open Teams in 1989 and 1993 as well as the prestige London Sunday Times Invitational Pairs in 1994. His team finished second in the 2000 World... , Adam Żmudziński Adam Zmudzinski Adam Żmudziński is a Polish bridge player holding the title of World Grand Master. Żmudziński won the World Transnational Open Teams in 2000 and 2009, European Open Teams in 1989 and 1993 as well as the prestige London Sunday Times Invitational Pairs in 1994. His team finished second in the 2000... |
Pablo Lambardi, Juan Carlos Ventin | |
| 2006 | Ton Bakkeren, Huub Bertens Huub Bertens Hubertus Bertens"Huub" is a Dutch bridge player from Tilburg, Netherlands. Huub has won numerous national and some international tournaments including the Cavendish Invitational, NEC Cup, the Yeh Brothers Cup, the European Open Team Championships... |
Geoff Hampson, Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
Gary Cohler, Howard Weinstein | |
| 2007 | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Drew Casen Drew Casen Drew Ara Casen is an Armenian-American professional bridge player.He is a native of Forest Hills and was raised in the Lenox Hills neighborhood of Farmingdale which abuts Bethpage State Park golf course, site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open... , Mike Passell |
Bruce Rogoff, Louk Verhees | |
| 2008 | Geoff Hampson, Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
Gary Cohler, Sam Lev | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
|
| 2009 | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Geoff Hampson, Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... |
Roy Welland Roy Welland Roy Welland is the owner of New York restaurant Lotus of Siam NY, wine connoisseur, and world class bridge player... , Chris Willenken |
|
| 2010 | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Tor Helness, Geir Helgemo Geir Helgemo Geir Helgemo is a Norwegian professional bridge player. As of April 2011 he ranks number 11 among Open World Grand Masters.... |
Josef Piekarek, Alexander Smirnov | |
| 2011 | Fred Stewart, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... |
Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Billy Cohen, Ron Smith |
Invitational Individual
In 1978 the Cavendish Club introduced a two-day singles contest which it called the "world individual championship"(1979). Regular partners Harold Lilie and David Berkowitz finished first and second in 1980(1980) and Berkowitz won the fourth and last rendition next year.| Year | Winner | Runner-up | 3rd place | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Tom Sanders | B. Jay Becker | Ira Rubin | |
| 1979 | Mike Moss | John Solodar | Mark Cohen | |
| 1980 | Harold Lilie | David Berkowitz | Gail Moss | |
| 1981 | David Berkowitz | Peter Czerniewski | Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... |
Invitational Teams
The John Roberts Teams is named for World Productions co-founder John Roberts. The field of eight (2011) is filled by invitation only but teams may register to be considered.(2011)| Year | Winner | 2nd place | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | David Berkowitz, Harold Lilie, John Solodar, Bart Bramley, Rich Friesner | Paul Trent, Sandra Trent, Pamela Bridson, Matt Granovetter, Jimmy Rosenbloom, Billy Cohen | |
| 1984 | Paul Marston, Steve Burgess, Brian Glubok, Edgar Kaplan Edgar Kaplan Edgar Kaplan was an American bridge player and one of the principal contributors to the game. His career spanned six decades and covered every aspect of bridge. He was a teacher, author, editor, administrator, champion player, theorist, expert Vugraph commentator, coach/captain and authority on... , George Berger |
? | |
| 1985 | Michael Becker, Ron Rubin, Mike Lawrence, Peter Weichsel, David Berkowitz, Harold Lilie | Billy Eisenberg Billy Eisenberg William Eisenberg is an American bridge and backgammon professional. In bridge, Eisenberg has won five Bermuda Bowl world team titles and in backgammon he won the world title in 1975... , Kyle Larsen, Ira Rubin, Fred Hamilton |
|
| 1986 | Matt Granovetter, Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg Michael Rosenberg is one of the top bridge players in the United States. He moved to Scotland as a child and returned to New York in 1990 where he lives with his wife Debbie, also a top player.... , Pamela Granovetter, Jimmy Cayne James Cayne James E. "Jimmy" Cayne is an American businessman, a former CEO of Bear Stearns, founder of TalkGeek.org and world-class bridge player. After losing about one billion dollars in net worth from the collapse of Bear Stearns' stock, he sold his entire stake in the company for $61 million... , Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game... |
Eddie Wold, Marty Bergen Marty Bergen Marty A. Bergen is an American bridge player and writer. A 10-time national champion and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master he retired from active competition in 1993... , Larry N. Cohen and others |
|
| 1987 | Joel Friedberg, Ethan Stein, Neil Chambers, John Schermer | Björn Fallenius, Magnus Lindkvist, Anders Wirgren, Mats Nilsland | |
| 1988 | Cliff Russell, Larry T. Cohen, Dan Rotman, Brian Glubok, Marty Bergen Marty Bergen Marty A. Bergen is an American bridge player and writer. A 10-time national champion and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master he retired from active competition in 1993... , Larry N. Cohen |
Jens Auken, Dennis Koch, Akio Kurokawa, Robert Geller | |
| 1989 | Tom Smith, Henry Meyer IV, George Tornay, Saul Bronstein, John Solodar, John Roberts | ? | |
| 1990 | Paul Marston, Steve Burgess, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... , Ed Manfield |
Jill Blanchard (captain) and others | |
| 1991 | David Birman and others | ? | |
| 1992 | Russ Ekeblad, Sheila Ekeblad, Barry Goren, Peter Weichsel | Larry N. Cohen , David Berkowitz , Ron Andersen , Tony Forrester | |
| 1993 | Brian Glubok, Matt Granovetter, and others | ? | |
| 1994 | Rita Shugart, Bobby Goldman Bobby Goldman Robert Goldman was an American bridge player, teacher and author. He won three Bermuda Bowls , Olympiad Mixed Teams 1972, and 20 North American Bridge Championships... , David Berkowitz, Larry N. Cohen |
? | |
| 1995 | Sam Lev, Michael Polowan, Piotr Gawryś Piotr Gawrys Piotr Gawryś is a Polish bridge player. Gawrys, WBF Grand Master, has won 3 world championships; World Team Olympics in 1984, Transnational Mixed Teams 2000 and Transnational Open Teams 2005. His other first places include; World Masters Individual in 1992 , European Teams Championships 1993 and... , Krzysztof Lasocki |
Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game... (captain) and others |
|
| 1996 | Andrea Buratti, Massimo Lanzarotti, Lorenzo Lauria, Alfredo Versace; Carlo Mosca (npc) | Marcelo Branco Marcelo Branco Marcelo Branco is famous Brazilian bridge player. Among other successes, he was the winner of World Team Olympiad in Monte Carlo 1976, Bermuda Bowl in Perth 1989, and World Open pairs Championship in New Orleans 1978 and Geneva 1990. He is one of 10 players who collected the Triple Crown of Bridge... , Gabriel Chagas Gabriel Chagas Gabriel Pinheiro Chagas Filho is a famous Brazilian bridge player. He was the winner of World Team Olympiad in Monte Carlo 1976, Bermuda Bowl in Perth 1989, World Open Pairs Championship in Geneva 1990, as well as Transnational Teams in Paris 2001... , Eddie Wold, Mark Lair |
|
| 1997 | Andrea Buratti, Massimo Lanzarotti, Lorenzo Lauria, Alfredo Versace | Bob Hamman Bob Hamman Robert David Hamman is an American professional bridge player, among the greatest players of all time.... , Barry Goren, Jeff Meckstroth Jeff Meckstroth Jeffrey John Meckstroth is a multiple world champion in contract bridge, winning the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times. He is one of only ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Perry Johnson |
|
| 1998 | Jan van Cleeff, Jan Jansma, Bauke Muller Bauke Muller Bauke Muller is a Dutch bridge player living in Hoorn.Muller was World Champion Open Teams in 1993 and European Champion Open Teams in 2005. In 2007 he won the bronze medal at both the European Open Team Championships in Antalya and the World Open Teams Championships in Shanghai... , Wubbo de Boer |
Jim Mahaffey, Paul Soloway Paul Soloway Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002... , Gene Freed, Mike Passell, Harry Tudor, Michael Seamon |
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| 1999 | Steve Weinstein, Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Chip Martel, Lew Stansby |
Peter Boyd, Steve Robinson, Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965.... , Fred Stewart |
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| 2000 | Perry Johnson, Jeff Meckstroth Jeff Meckstroth Jeffrey John Meckstroth is a multiple world champion in contract bridge, winning the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times. He is one of only ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco |
Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein, David Berkowitz, Larry N. Cohen |
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| 2001 | Roy Welland Roy Welland Roy Welland is the owner of New York restaurant Lotus of Siam NY, wine connoisseur, and world class bridge player... , Björn Fallenius, Brad Moss, Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman Fred Gitelman is a leading American bridge player, as well as the founder and manager of , a bridge playing site.... , Howard Weinstein, Steve Garner |
John Onstott, Chris Compton, Jim Robison, Roger Bates, Jon Wittes, Ross Grabel | |
| 2002 | Bob Blanchard, Sam Lev, Piotr Gawryś Piotr Gawrys Piotr Gawryś is a Polish bridge player. Gawrys, WBF Grand Master, has won 3 world championships; World Team Olympics in 1984, Transnational Mixed Teams 2000 and Transnational Open Teams 2005. His other first places include; World Masters Individual in 1992 , European Teams Championships 1993 and... , Krzysztof Jassem |
Alain Lévy, Hervé Mouiel, Pierre Saporta, Pierre Zimmermann | |
| 2003 | Perry Johnson, Jeff Meckstroth Jeff Meckstroth Jeffrey John Meckstroth is a multiple world champion in contract bridge, winning the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times. He is one of only ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco |
Malcolm Brachman, Mike Passell, Eddie Wold, Fulvio Fantoni Fulvio Fantoni Fulvio Fantoni is an Italian international bridge player. He is a six-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF first-ranked player as of April 2011... , Claudio Nunes Claudio Nunes Claudio Nunes is an Italian bridge international. He is a five-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF second-ranked player as of April 2011... |
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| 2004 | Charles Wigoder, Gunnar Hallberg, Michael Cornell, Ryszard Jedrychowski | Seymon Deutsch, Paul Soloway Paul Soloway Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002... , Billy Cohen, Ron Smith, Cezary Balicki Cezary Balicki Cezary Balicki is a Polish bridge player holding the title of World Grand Master. Balicki won the World Transnational Open Teams in 2000 and 2009, European Open Teams in 1989 and 1993 as well as the prestige London Sunday Times Invitational Pairs in 1994. His team finished second in the 2000 World... , Adam Żmudziński Adam Zmudzinski Adam Żmudziński is a Polish bridge player holding the title of World Grand Master. Żmudziński won the World Transnational Open Teams in 2000 and 2009, European Open Teams in 1989 and 1993 as well as the prestige London Sunday Times Invitational Pairs in 1994. His team finished second in the 2000... |
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| 2005 | Roy Welland Roy Welland Roy Welland is the owner of New York restaurant Lotus of Siam NY, wine connoisseur, and world class bridge player... , Björn Fallenius, Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
two teams | |
| 2006 | Wafik Abdou, Connie Goldberg, Steve Landen, Pratap Rajadhyaksha | two teams | |
| 2007 | Gaylor Kasle, John Diamond, Drew Casen Drew Casen Drew Ara Casen is an Armenian-American professional bridge player.He is a native of Forest Hills and was raised in the Lenox Hills neighborhood of Farmingdale which abuts Bethpage State Park golf course, site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open... , Jim Krekorian, John Schermer, Neil Chambers |
Seymon Deutsch, Paul Soloway Paul Soloway Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002... , Billy Cohen, Ron Smith, Valerio Giubilo, Alfredo Versace |
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| 2008 | Lou Ann O'Rourke, Marc Jacobus, Geoff Hampson, Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Cornell Teodorescu, Ionut Coldea, Paul Chemla Paul Chemla Paul Chemla is a famous French bridge player.Chemla was born in Tunis. He studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris where he took up playing bridge. His wins include three European Pairs Championships , two World Team Olympiads , and the 1997 Bermuda Bowl... , Michel Lebel |
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| 2009 | Jim Mahaffey, Mike Passell, Sam Lev, Jacek Pszczoła, Jack Zhao, Zhong Fu | Marc Jacobus, Geoff Hampson, Eric Rodwell Eric Rodwell Eric Victor Rodwell is an American professional bridge player. He has won the Bermuda Bowl representing the U.S. five times and is one of ten players who have won the so-called triple crown of bridge: the Bermuda Bowl, the World Open Pairs and the World Team Olympiad... , Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein; Lou Ann O'Rourke (npc) |
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| 2010 | Pierre Zimmermann, Franck Multon, Michel Bessis, Thomas Bessis, Geir Helgemo Geir Helgemo Geir Helgemo is a Norwegian professional bridge player. As of April 2011 he ranks number 11 among Open World Grand Masters.... , Tor Helness |
Kevin Bathurst, Daniel Zagorin, Bart Bramley, Nicolay Demirev | |
| 2011 | Lou Ann O’Rourke, Marc Jacobus, Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco, Bobby Levin Bobby Levin Robert J. Levin is an American professional bridge player. He is best known as the youngest winner of the world championship for national teams, namely the 1981 Bermuda Bowl, and as five-time winner of the Cavendish Invitational with his regular partner Steve Weinstein... , Steve Weinstein |
Roy Welland Roy Welland Roy Welland is the owner of New York restaurant Lotus of Siam NY, wine connoisseur, and world class bridge player... , Bart Bramley, Josef Piekarek, Alex Smirnov, Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game... |
World Bridge Productions Open Pairs
First prize in the open pairs includes free entry to the next Invitational Pairs with options regarding the auction. There is an auction for the WBP pairs, minimum bid $1000.(2011)| Year | Winners | 2nd place | 3rd place | Source |
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| 1998 | Joe Jabon, Billy Miller | Nell Cahn, Petra Hamman | Lea Dupont, Benito Garozzo Benito Garozzo Benito Garozzo is one of the most famous bridge players in the history of the game. He has won 13 world championship titles with the Italian Blue Team, playing with Pietro Forquet and later Giorgio Belladonna... |
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| 1999 | Rob Crawford, Dan Jacob | Dennis Clerkin, Brenda Jacobus | Leonard Ernst, Richard Halperin | |
| 2000 | Larry T. Cohen, Jill Levin | Benito Garozzo Benito Garozzo Benito Garozzo is one of the most famous bridge players in the history of the game. He has won 13 world championship titles with the Italian Blue Team, playing with Pietro Forquet and later Giorgio Belladonna... , Richard Reisig |
Petra Hamman, Nancy Passell | |
| 2001 | Barry Schaffer, Colby Vernay | Ken Kranyak, Keith Wolff | Richard Coren, Fred Hamilton | |
| 2002 | Barry Schaffer, Colby Vernay | Rob Crawford, Dan Jacob | George Mittelman, Peter Nagy | |
| 2003 | Russell Samuel, Shawn Samuel | Leslie Amoils, Darren Wolpert | Lynn Baker, Debbie Rosenberg | |
| 2004 | Ishmael Del'Monte, David Stern | Allan Cokin, Harold Lilie | Sheila Ekeblad, Michael Seamon | |
| 2005 | Blair Seidler, Kevin Wilson | Wafik Abdou, Connie Goldberg | Mike Cappelletti Jr., Doug Levene | |
| 2006 | Wafik Abdou, Connie Goldberg | Fred Hamilton, John Jeffrey | Mike Cappelletti Jr., John Morris | |
| 2007 | Ira Chorush, Hemant Lall | Tom Carmichael, Joel Wooldridge | Fred Hamilton, John Jeffrey | |
| 2008 | Tom Carmichael, Joel Wooldridge | Wojciech Kurkowski, Roger Lord | Billy Eisenberg Billy Eisenberg William Eisenberg is an American bridge and backgammon professional. In bridge, Eisenberg has won five Bermuda Bowl world team titles and in backgammon he won the world title in 1975... , Connie Goldberg |
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| 2009 | Leo Bell, John Jones | Wafik Abdou, Gaylor Kasle | Leonard Ernst, Fred Hamilton | |
| 2010 | Magy Mohan, Miriam Rosenberg | Howard Parker, David Siebert | Fred Hamilton, John Jeffrey | |
| 2011 | Barry Schaffer, Colby Vernay | Reese Milner, Matt Granovetter | Laurie Kranyak, Frank Treiber |