Dallas Aces
Encyclopedia
The Dallas Aces were the world's first professional bridge
team, organized by Dallas businessman Ira Corn in 1968. Corn was determined to return bridge supremacy to the United States, after the long domination of the formidable Italian Blue Team
.
Corn recruited James Jacoby and Bobby Wolff
, then Billy Eisenberg
, Bobby Goldman
, and Michael Lawrence, paying salaries ($800 per month for single players, $950 for married ones) and expenses for major tournaments. Bob Hamman
at first declined an invitation, but became the sixth member of the team in 1969. Jacoby paired with Wolff, Eisenberg with Goldman, and Lawrence with Hamman. The team practiced and analyzed hands for long hours; Corn even hired coaches and provided a computer from one of his companies for analysis and to generate bridge hands to order.
In 1969, the team achieved its first major success, winning the Spingold
Knockout Teams at the fall North American Bridge Championships
. In 1970, it represented the United States at the Bermuda Bowl
, the world team championship, and defeated a team from Taiwan
in the final (the Blue Team having disbanded in 1969). The Aces defended their title in 1971, beating a French team. Afterward, Corn ceased paying salaries and only picked up some expenses.
The composition of the team began changing. In 1971, Eisenberg departed, with Paul Soloway
taking his place until 1973, when he in turn was replaced by Mark Blumenthal. That year, the Aces lost to the revived Blue Team in the Bermuda Bowl final. Lawrence and Jacoby were the next to leave, making way for the pair of Eric Murray
and Sami Kehela
. The team again came second to its nemesis, the Blue Team, in the 1974 and 1975 Bermuda Bowls. Other personnel changes followed. In 1977, the Aces recaptured the title, with the pairings Eisenberg/Edwin Kantar
, Hamman/Wolff, and Soloway/John C. Swanson. In 1981, Corn put together one final Aces team. However, he died of a heart attack in April 1982. The team went on to win the Spingold and the Bermuda Bowl, which was dedicated to Corn, then disbanded.
Duplicate bridge
Duplicate bridge is the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. It is called duplicate because the same bridge deal is played at each table and scoring is based on relative performance...
team, organized by Dallas businessman Ira Corn in 1968. Corn was determined to return bridge supremacy to the United States, after the long domination of the formidable Italian Blue Team
Blue team (bridge)
The Blue Team represented Italy in international contract bridge tournaments, winning sixteen world titles from 1957 through 1975. From 1964 to 1969 and during a 1972 comeback, the team comprised three regular pairs: Walter Avarelli–Giorgio Belladonna, Pietro Forquet–Benito Garozzo, and Massimo...
.
Corn recruited James Jacoby and Bobby Wolff
Bobby Wolff
Robert S. Wolff is an American bridge player and an original member of the Dallas Aces team, which was formed in 1968 to compete against the Italian Blue Team which was dominant at the time. The Aces were successful and won their first world championship in 1970...
, then Billy Eisenberg
Billy Eisenberg
William Eisenberg is an American bridge and backgammon professional. In bridge, Eisenberg has won five Bermuda Bowl world team titles and in backgammon he won the world title in 1975...
, Bobby Goldman
Bobby Goldman
Robert Goldman was an American bridge player, teacher and author. He won three Bermuda Bowls , Olympiad Mixed Teams 1972, and 20 North American Bridge Championships...
, and Michael Lawrence, paying salaries ($800 per month for single players, $950 for married ones) and expenses for major tournaments. Bob Hamman
Bob Hamman
Robert David Hamman is an American professional bridge player, among the greatest players of all time....
at first declined an invitation, but became the sixth member of the team in 1969. Jacoby paired with Wolff, Eisenberg with Goldman, and Lawrence with Hamman. The team practiced and analyzed hands for long hours; Corn even hired coaches and provided a computer from one of his companies for analysis and to generate bridge hands to order.
In 1969, the team achieved its first major success, winning the Spingold
Spingold
The Spingold national bridge championship is held at the summer American Contract Bridge League North American Bridge Championship ....
Knockout Teams at the fall North American Bridge Championships
North American Bridge Championships
North American Bridge Championships are three annual bridge conventions sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League . The "Spring", "Summer", and "Fall" NABCs are usually scheduled in March, July, and November for about eleven days. They comprise both championship and side contests of...
. In 1970, it represented the United States at the Bermuda Bowl
Bermuda Bowl
The Bermuda Bowl is a trophy awarded to the winners of the Open series in the World Team Championship in contract bridge and is named for the site of the inaugural tournament held in 1950...
, the world team championship, and defeated a team from Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in the final (the Blue Team having disbanded in 1969). The Aces defended their title in 1971, beating a French team. Afterward, Corn ceased paying salaries and only picked up some expenses.
The composition of the team began changing. In 1971, Eisenberg departed, with Paul Soloway
Paul Soloway
Paul Soloway was a world champion American bridge player. He won the Bermuda Bowl world team championship five times and won 30 national championships. Soloway was inducted into the American Contract Bridge League's Hall of Fame in 2002...
taking his place until 1973, when he in turn was replaced by Mark Blumenthal. That year, the Aces lost to the revived Blue Team in the Bermuda Bowl final. Lawrence and Jacoby were the next to leave, making way for the pair of Eric Murray
Eric Murray (bridge)
Eric Murray is a Canadian contract bridge player and co-founder of the Canadian Bridge Federation . Along with his partner Sami Kehela, Murray is considered one of the top Canadians ever to have played the game. The Eric R...
and Sami Kehela
Sami Kehela
Sami Kehela is a Canadian contract bridge player. A member of the Hall of Fame of both the American Contract Bridge League and of the Canadian Bridge Federation, he is considered, along with his partner Eric Murray, one of the top Canadians ever to have played the game.Between 1966 and 1974,...
. The team again came second to its nemesis, the Blue Team, in the 1974 and 1975 Bermuda Bowls. Other personnel changes followed. In 1977, the Aces recaptured the title, with the pairings Eisenberg/Edwin Kantar
Edwin Kantar
Edwin Bruce Kantar is an American bridge player, 2-time World Teams Bridge Champion and prolific author of bridge books.-Biography:...
, Hamman/Wolff, and Soloway/John C. Swanson. In 1981, Corn put together one final Aces team. However, he died of a heart attack in April 1982. The team went on to win the Spingold and the Bermuda Bowl, which was dedicated to Corn, then disbanded.