Jim's memory with his dear friend, Bernie

A story by Jim Phillips (BBO: JimPh)

In the 60s I had a partnership with Bernie Chazen who later became a famous expert and bridge Travel Agent.

Bernie was from Brooklyn and probably hadn't traveled further north than the Bronx when we traveled to Swampscott Massachusetts to play in a regional.

First round of the pairs we started against two young men who looked like MIT grad students. After kidding around for a while Bernie's RHO picked up his cards and said, "One Hat" (AKA 1 heart). The conversation proceeded:

Bernie: What did you say?
RHO: "One Hat"
Bernie: "Fine. I say two shoes"
RHO: "This is a Regional. Stop joking and bid"
Bernie: " Who's joking? If you can bid hats I can bid shoes."

Now RHO got mad and called for the Tournament Director. He turned out to be Henry Francis (later to become Editor of the ACBL Bulletin). Henry listened to the complaint and explained to Bernie, in his best Boston Accent, "You don't understand, Sir, He didn't bid '1 Hat' he bid '1 Hat'."

This, of course, set Bernie off once again...

Have you ever had a situation where your accent (or someone else's) resulted in a misunderstanding at the bridge table? If so, please share it with us below 😉

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