Reading Eagle – 20 Mar 1931 by David Burnstine
Many players have peculiar idiosyncrazies while absorbed in their game, and it may amuse you to know of the habits of some of our experts.
Sidney Lenz enjoys his game most if he has an interested audience around him. He is a wizard at making small cards good by tricky plays and the gallery seems to stimulate him.
Mrs. Josephine Culbertson, on the other hand can’t stand an audience.
Hal Sims does not like any player to even accidentally touch his legs under the table while the game is in progress. It is the only thing he objects to, but his objection to it is strong. He has another peculiarity: He is fond of music while playing. Either the radio or phonograph keeps grinding away while he concentrates on his game.
Von Zedwards. a champion tournament player, pulls his ear while cogitating about his plays, thereby earning the reputation of being the only man who plays bridge by ear. It might be mentioned here that Von Zedwards sued the government years ago for German properties he owned which were confiscated during the war and won several million dollars. He is the donor of the famous Masters trophy, competed for annually. It is a great gold cup and the only gold trophy put up for tournament play. The kasters trophy is valued at $4.000.
E. V. Sheppard is probably the greatest card mathematician that bridge has developed. Among his calculations is one which has determined that out of 1,000 cases your partner will hold:
Fewer than 3 tricks 332 times
Just 3 tricks 310 times
More than 3 tricks 333 times