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(Michigan) around 1962. 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 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 U.S. Senior Team Trials 2011, 2012 and 2013, which led to winning a silver medal at the World Mind Sports games in Lille in 2012.

He also won: National IMP Pairs in 1989, Jacoby Open Swiss 1992, 2013, 2015, 2016, Vanderbilit KO 1997, 1998 and 2005, Spingold KO 2014 Mixed BAM 2002. Also second in Spingold KO 1996, Reisingers 2002, 2004, 2014, Vanerbilt 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  club.