NABC Insider
At long last, the Insider returns – 2/1/2010
The Insider - with a slight nudge from the S.C - is happy to make his 2010 debut with some information on the upcoming Reno NABC. We realize that the rest of the world made their 2010 debuts about a month ago but it has taken the Insider this long to stop writing "2009" on all his correspondence. The only thing that is more important to the Insider than providing you with these informational notes from the Inside is the ACBL providing the Insider with his bi-weekly stipend. So, when the S.C. made his feelings known on both of these issues, the Insider sprung into action! The plan was to post this on Friday. But then Mother Nature intervened. She dumped over one third of an inch of ice and snow on ACBLand. This, of course, snarled traffic, led to most area businesses to close for the day and generally shut down the city not to mention forcing the Insider to delay his return until today.
Reno info:
Like so many casino hotels, there are no coffee makers in the standard rooms at the Grand Sierra. Bring your own, buy one when you get to town or make the Starbucks Stroll first thing every morning.
If you made your reservations through Mega-housing and received the ACBL rate, please be sure that the Resort Fee is not added to your room rate. The ACBL arranged to have the fee waived BUT you will still receive all the add-ons that are included in the fee - access to the health club, free valet parking, airport shuttle, free local calls, free wireless Internet and daily water provisions in your room. If you reserved your room other than through Mega-housing, the fee will be added to your daily charges.
Speaking of airport shuttle, the Grand Sierra is located right at the end of the main runway so it is only about a seven minute ride to the hotel. Please don't pull out the stop watch and question the Ask Me Girl on the veracity of the seven minutes This is just the Insider's estimate.
The Grand Sierra has many options should you decide to take a break from the bridge table. Not too many of our host hotels have a 50 lane bowling center - the GS does. Not many host hotels have a multiplex theater - the GS does. Not many host hotels have laser tag and a 40,000 square foot video arcade - the GS does. Oh, and they have a casino. And, an RV park. And a pizza joint, a sub shop and a Johnnie Rockets. The Insider loves Johnnie Rockets!
The local volunteers are putting together a nice package of food, fun and entertainment. The Insider's personal favorite is "shaping" up to be Secrets of a Show Girl scheduled for the first Sunday night. We're not sure what kinds of secrets she'll be "revealing" but the Insider hopes to have a front row seat.
Check to see if you are eligible for the new Platinum Pairs that starts on the first Friday.
Put together that killer Vanderbilt team .
(Or, that killer laser tag team.)
Book a flight and a room if you haven't already. On line hotel reservations close sometime around the 18th of February - you'd think someone who calls himself the Insider would know down to the minute when key NABC dates occur, apparently the Insider was out sick the day that was decided.
Come to Reno for Grand NABC.
A Word From the Supreme Commander – 1/28/2010
Supreme Commander here. For those of you wondering where the NABC Insider reports have been since the last San Diego Daily Bulletin, let me just say that the NABC Insider will be an ACBL Outsider if he doesn't post something here about Reno by Monday, February 1, 2010. The S. C. has spoken. Check this space Monday.
On The Way To San Diego – 11/19/2009
The Insider will be leaving for San Diego in the morning (Friday, 11/20) He watched as the trucks were loaded with all the stuff it takes to run an NABC - 21+ tons of stuff. He'll watch as the trucks are unloaded in San Diego next week. He'll watch as the ACBL Board of Directors meets. He'll watch as bridge players from all over North America and the world arrive at the incredible Manchester Grand Hyatt to take part in the NABC. He'll watch as tournament chairs, Ken and Bonnie, work with their team of local volunteers to put on one of the best NABCs ever, including great entertainment, a special Thanksgiving Buffet - Monzingo Style - and all the things players expect from an NABC. He'll watch as the Ask Me Girl provides answers to all sorts of questions. He'll watch as the tournament unfolds and wraps up with the North American Swiss and the Reisinger. Then, he'll watch as the Services crew packs it all up and sends it back to Memphis - or maybe, the new ACBL Headquarters just across the state line in Mississippi. And, of course, he'll watch as everything gets unloaded and stored for the next NABC in Reno. Who knows, maybe somewhere along the line, the Insider will stop watching and actually do something.
You can keep track of what's happening in San Diego even if you can't make the trip. The Daily Bulletins - including the ever popular NABC Insider feature - will be available on line each day. And, if you Tweet, you can follow the tournament on Twitter. Or, become a fan on Facebook and follow what is happening that way. Or, go on line to BridgeBase.com on the last weekend and follow the Reisinger as it unfolds. The ACBL is still pretty new to some of these new ways of communicating so be patient.
After it is all over in San Diego, the Insider will be back right here letting all of you know what to expect in Reno this coming March. Look for the first Reno Insider entry around December 14.