How did you get started in Bridge? At what age? Who do you learn from?
After I finished University, I met Simon Hinge at Telstra where we both worked. I was 21 when Simon took me under his wing.
What do (did) you do professionally?
IT professional, now retired
Who is your partner and for how long? Longest Partnership?
My current partner is Avi Kanetkar. My longest partnership was my first with Simon Hinge. We played for several years in Adelaide until he moved to Melbourne and I to Canberra. We continued to play the occasional national event. I have had partnerships for several years with various partners including Paul Marston, Margaret Bourke, Ian Robinson, George Smolanko and Avi Kanetkar.
If you had a choice who would you like to play with? Australia and Internationally – living or dead.
In Australia, I wish Paul Marston would come out of retirement. Internationally there are too many to choose from.
In your playing career, what is the bridge success that has the most meaning for you?
Winning my first national event, the ANC open pairs, with Bobby Richman in 1985.
And your worst moment in bridge?
Losing a quarter final match at the NOT, I think in 1996. I was on a team with Paul Marston – Malcom Mayer, George Smolanko – Paul Wyer, Joe Haffer and myself. We were leading and Paul asked me if I wanted to play the last set and I said yes. I then had the worst set of my life against Ishmael DelMonte and Ashley Bach. On one hand I was in 5♦x and carelessly ruffed with a low trump which was necessary to get to dummy. Paul and Malcom came to score up smiling as they thought we could not lose with their score card but we lost by a few IMPs.
What do you do between sessions to put you in the best frame of mind for the following sessions?
I have a quiet time usually going for a walk.
Do you have a favourite and least favourite convention?
I would say my favourite is 2♣ showing the majors over the opponent’s 1NT allowing a 2♦ response with no preference, very frequent and effective. Least favourite is extended stayman over our 1NT which limits your options to escape 1NT with a weak hand.
Would your prefer to have more system or less?
I like to have good but simple understandings for most system continuations and in competitive auctions.
What do you to do to improve your game?
Read bridge magazines, especially the bidding forums and watch world class matches via Youtube or Twitch with expert commentary.
Favourite bridge book
My favourite bridge book is Reese on Play by Terrence Reese. I must have read that book over a dozen times, mostly in the lead-up to major bridge events.
What interests or hobbies do you have besides bridge?
I like to keep fit, mainly cycling, but also walking, running and swimming.
What is the number one thing that bridge has done for you as a person and for your life?
I guess it highlights we all make mistakes!
National Titles
Several national titles including GNOT, Spring Nationals, ANC open teams
State Representation
NSW Open team 1995, 1996
ACT Open team 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022
ACT Seniors team 2018
National / International Representation
Open team 1995, Seniors team 2022, 2025
