Thursday, December 4 2014 
ACBL Bulletins and Results ACBL Photo Album
From now until December 7, read all the news from Providence 2014 in CsbNews.org.
Hurd, Lall grab lead in Blue Ribbon Pairs
John Hurd of New York City and Justin Lall of Plano TX will start play in the Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs final with a slim lead over Joe Grue and Brad Moss. Top today for the two 18-table sections is 35. Hurd and Lall posted a 60.60% game in the first semifinal session on Wednesday and followed it with a 57.12% effort. Their carryover score is 67.95. Grue, New York City, and Moss, Denver, had their lesser game in the first set, scoring 53.85% but followed with 63.87% in the evening session to earn a carryover of 65.13. The best game of the day – 68.62% – was posted by Veronique Bessis of France and Marshall Lewis of Bloomington IN. Their big game helped them to seventh place with two final sessions to play.
Barry Bragin and Mark Laken stand atop the field of qualifiers in the 0-5000 Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs after yesterday’s semifinal round. Bragin and Laken, who won Tuesday’s qualifying game, added to their carryover by posting a 64% game in the first semifinal session. Despite a mediocre second session (51%), the duo maintained the pole position for today’s final. In second are Canadians Leigh Ives and Irfan Ashraf. Fellow Ontarians Barbara Seagram and Alex Kornel are close behind in third place.
Michelin, Rothwarf lead Senior Mixed Pairs
Marjorie Michelin of Laguna Woods CA and Rich Rothwarf of Philadelphia start play today in the final of the Senior Mixed Pairs, leading with a carryover of fewer than 10 matchpoints. Top today is 51. Michelin and Rothwarf start play with 186.39 to 176.96 for the second-place pair – Sheila Gabay of Newton MA and Victor King of Hartford CT.
Jim Wakefield of Fairfax Station VA and Helen Bauman of Arlington VA used a 68.79% first semifinal session to move into third place after four qualifying sessions.