How did you get started in bridge? At what age? Who from?
I was around 16, I had seen some family friends play, and then two teachers at school started a course. A bunch of us schoolmates were already mad card players (Klaverjas mainly), and we got hooked pretty quickly.
What do (did) you do professionally?
I run a strategic advisory firm with two friends, specialising in Geographic Information management (basically maps in computers). I also sit on several boards and chair the Bridge NSW Events Committee.
Who is your partner and for how long? Longest partnership?
Since COVID have been playing mainly with Dagmar Neumann, who I happen to be married to. My partnerships have rarely been very long, but I have/had a very enjoyable Sydney partnership with Andre Korenhof for the best part of 8 years. We are also great friends.
If you had a choice who would you like to play with? Australia and Internationally- living or dead?
Oh, for one session with Zia, I guess that’s everyone’s dream. More realistically and closer to home: I deeply admire Michael Whibley, such a great card player, a gentleman and a lovely soul all in one.
In your playing career, what is the bridge success that has the most meaning for you?
Winning the 2024 Mixed playoffs for sure, and as a result representing Australia in Argentina. It will be only the second time in my career I represent my country, the first time being on the Dutch national junior team in 1987!
And your worst moment in bridge?
Oh, that’s hard—I have too many to choose from! One is losing the ANOT final (playing with Sartaj Hans against Mike Doecke and Will Jenner O’shea), where holding around 29HCP, we doubled the opponents in 5S. They had the audacity to redouble, and we stuck it out. You can guess the result: we lost some 18 IMPs (we make 11 or 12 tricks in hearts) on the board and the match by 13.
What do you do between sessions to put you in the best frame of mind for the following session?
Have some water, go for a walk, empty the head. Definitely not eat anything substantial!
Do you have a favourite and least favourite convention?
Non-serious 3NT is my favourite – it’s a life saver when two unlimited hands start cuebidding. My least favourite (not counting Gerber) is journalist leads (T or 9 showing 0 or 2 higher): they help the opponents far more than the partnership.
Would you prefer to have more system or less?
It may sound paradoxical, but less system, and more agreements! You can get away with very few ‘conventions’, as long as you are on very solid ground with the ones you play. What if opponents intervene? Does being a passed hand change the meaning of your bid? What is the difference if there are two ways show something?
What do you do to improve your game?
I read a lot, spend lots and lots of time on bidding practice and system discussions, and in recent years I’ve started mental preparations: being more mindful about partner’s and my own state of mind.
Favourite bridge book?
Anything by Victor Mollo or Philip and Robert King. I bought and devoured Ron Klinger’s ‘World Championship Bridge’ in my 20s, and had it autographed for my 60th birthday. ☺️
What interests or hobbies do you have besides bridge?
I used to play a lot of volleyball, both indoor and beach. Too many joint problems stop me from doing that now. All that remains is cooking.
What is the number one thing that bridge has done for you as a person and for your life?
Making lifetime friends all over the world
Bridge Results and Awards
A few first-place finishes in recent years: 2022 Australian Swiss Pairs (with Dagmar Neumann), 2023 Swan River Swiss Pairs (with David Beauchamp), 2024 ANC teams (playing with Dagmar for NSW), and the 2024 ANC mixed pairs (with Dagmar again)
National Titles
See above. And don’t forget the 1985 (or so?) Dutch national junior teams championship
State Representation
I played on the NSW open team at the 2017 ANC (Silver with Andre Korenhof, Gumby-Lazer and Lavings-Hudson) and winning the 2024 ANC open (with Dagmar, Nunn-Dalley and Milne-Coutts)
International Representation
Dutch junior team 1987, Australian Mixed team 2024. A long time between drinks…
