A Humble Beginning

Yan Shen Drabek

October 15, 2025

On October 7, 2014, I played my very first duplicate game at the Northampton Bridge Club. (Click here to see how you did during that time if you played on that day.)

I remember feeling nervous as I walked into the large room in Hadley, surrounded by many serious faces. There were 12 tables at play on that day, and we played 36 boards! Allison and I finished with a score of 43.52%. New players today may not fully comprehend what it was like to play 36 boards - with 7 minutes per board, that is more than 4 hours of continued grueling frustration (or elated triumph, to the fortunate few)!

My second game at the club took place on October 14, and it was a Swiss Team game. Allison and I were teamed up with Mike and Fran Becker. I earned my very first master point from the club at this game—only 0.09 MPs, but it was a milestone!

For a long while, Allison Ryan, who dragged me into this game, was my only partner, and I would fill in for her when she needed a partner.

Then winter arrived, Allison traveled to warmer places. Paul Bacon, one of my early teachers, suggested that I play with Steve Peck. Steve graciously accepted and became the first person, other than Allison, to partner with me, the newbie. I am forever grateful for his courage and support! During the winter, I had the opportunity to play with a few others, and the new experiences opened my eyes. One of these early partnerships has persisted to this day! You guessed it: Barry LaFlam! We were connected in Paul Bacon's class and have been playing together ever since.

Bridge is a journey—a journey to discover yourself, to find friendship, and to test your logical thinking, endurance, trust, and forgiveness.

(posted on the Northampton Bridge Club's website on October 15, 2025.)

and you may read people's comments there.)