Richard(Richie) Schwartz, born in 1943, is an ACBL Grand Life Master & WBF World International Master. He became fascinated  with the world of horse racing in high school, and was not exposed to bridge until College. After he got his BS degree in mathematics from Michigan, success  came quickly in bridge, his second lifetime passion,  playing with his peers and mentors Eddie Mansfield and Freddy Hamilton. After college he  worked in the Defense and Aerospace  Industry for 5+ years, then turned all his energies to pursuing his first passion and became one of the country's most successful horse handicappers from 1975 to 1989. During that time he played rubber bridge and put serious bridge competition on hold.

Since retiring from full time betting, Richie won the National IMP Pairs in 1989, Jacoby Open Swiss 1992, Vanderbilit KO 1997,1998 and 2005, Master Mixed Teams 2001, Mixed BAM 2002, US Team Trials 2011. Also second in Spingold KO 1996, Reisinger 2002, 2004, Vanderbilt 2000, 2004, Lebhar IMP Pairs 1990, Wernher Open Pairs 1993, Nail Life Master Open Pairs 1998, U.S. Open Team Trials 2000, Mixed BAM 2006,  and the Cavendish Invitational pairs in 1994. He  plays rubber bridge several times a week in the "Big Game" in New York's Regency and Cavendish clubs.