JACOBS TEAM: Jacobs - Katz, Levin-Weinstein, Rosenberg-Zia

The JACOBS team earned a bye to the Quarterfinals of the 2008 USBC because 4 of the team's players won the 2006 USBC and the USBC team reached the quarter-finals of the 2008 Vanderbilt. Jacobs, Katz, Rosenberg, Zia, with Steven Garner and Howard Weinstein finished second in the 2007 Bermuda Bowl.

SYSTEM INFORMATION

Jacobs-Katz System Summary Form, ACBL Convention Card , 2007 WBF card

Levin-Weinstein System Summary Form, ACBL Convention Card

Rosenberg-Zia System Summary Form, ACBL Convention Card . 2007 WBF card

ABOUT THE PLAYERS

Biographies of George Jacobs & Ralph Katz written by George Jacobs.

George Jacobs

At the age of 26, I was sleeping in cars or wherever I could. No permanent residence, no friends, no money, no place to go. I am a compulsive gambler. I spent 2 years staying with a friend and sleeping on his couch. I was estranged from my family, stole credit cards, checks and money. At the end, I would cash winning tickets at the track for strangers and accept the tax liability. 32 years ago I joined Gamblers Anonymous and have not gambled since. I have a pretty nice life today but never forget where I came from. There are meetings every week and I go regularly. Because I choose to speak about this, many bridge players and directors have gotten help for their own problems. That makes me so proud.In 1992, I was named Entrepreneur of the Year for Illinois. This was an Academy Award type of production and I was shocked that I won. They ask you to give a speech in front of thousands of people. I started out by saying that I had lots of experiece with speaking but it usually went like this: "My name is George J. and I am a compulsive gambler." The tribune carried a feature titled; "Ex gambler wins award".If you are looking for bridge history, I have won 5 majors, 3 reisinger 2nds, won the trials once with 2 2nds, 4 other national titles. I was captain of the olympic team in Salt Lake City, played in the China Cup twice, played in the IOC olympic showcase in Lausanne. I have a bronze medal in the Olympiad and I own 3 records in bridge:1) the 21 1/2 in the final of the national BAM for 82.69%
2) the largest national pair game score in history at 78.31%
3) the largest lead ever lost in the spingold semifinal of 71 impsI am the auctioneer for the Cavendish and a viewgraph commentator at both live and on-line Vugraphs and once MC'd the Hall of fame dinner.

Ralph Katz

Ralph has probably the biggest heart in all of bridge. He makes it a point to comfort, aid and abet all those who are in any way troubled. He is a terrific father and a great husband who dotes on his son. Their entire basement is a professional batting cage. Son Sam was named King of Bridge this year and his wife Martha has a world title.

Bobby Levin

Steve Weinstein

Zia Mahmood, by Michael Rosenberg

Zia Mahmood needs a bio less than any other world-class bridge player. His name is probably the best known in the game, and his countless successes have been widely publicized.
His triumphs have come with many different partners. It seems that he plays each National Pair game with a different partner, yet his name is always up there on the leaderboard - often on top. And lest you think his main skill is taking advantage of some of the weaker parts of the field, you should note that he has won the prestigious invitational Cap Gemini tournament (which no longer exists, but was the premier pairs event in the world) SIX times, with 4 different partners.
Almost nobody can play the game on Zia's level, and just occasionally he reminds his partners of that fact. However, there is some relief for these poor souls. A support group has been formed - ziaanon - and the sharing at the twice-monthly meetings has been enough to prevent permanent scarring on the psyche of those who have had the fortune(?) of sitting opposite Zia.
Several years ago, Zia stunned millions of bridge groupies by marrying and then having two children. I believe his priorities now are family, golf, haute cuisine and bridge, in that order. However, winning this Trials would put him in the 2007 Bermuda Bowl and, if that happens, his priorities will be temporarily altered. Winning a major World Championship is the only accomplishment his resume is missing.

Michael Rosenberg

P.S. For more information on Zia, read his book "Bridge My Way" - or, better still, read MY book "Bridge, Zia.... and Me"