Ninety-five individual players played 1,959 games in season 52, winners averaging 397.4 and losers 327.2. We reached a total of 97,313 games played in club history. Rafi Stern returned to the USA after wowing us for the better part of two seasons, but was ably replaced by Abba Hydara, who promises to stay with us a bit longer than could Rafi.

There were some fine performances and surprises this season. In A division, Ron took a giant leap towards the top rank, finishing in 4th place. DavidS finished in 2nd place after a 5th and a 3rd in his first two A seasons. Zev returned to the top spot for the first time since season 49. Hadassah spent the entire season in the top half, only to fall out of a playoff spot in the last week. DavidL did the opposite – spent the whole season below 8th place and only managed to clinch a playoff spot in the last session. Pamela, due to weak attendance, was relegated to B1, her home away from home. Steve, Ami and Sara will join the playoff group A-B1 for the right to stay in A.

In B1, a great battle for the top was waged throughout the season. Roger and Madeline led the way for about 2/3 of the season, and then Joel joined the fray, followed by Abba. Bernard and Heather were also always lurking near the top, and in an amazing finish, Joel squeaked past Bernard on W-L percentage, as Bernard's final week WWWW tied him with Joel in points (90). Abba had been voted by his peers in B1 to take first place, but nobody bothered to check with Heather, who knocked him out of the race in the second game of session 52/25. So Bernard, Abba and Roger will join the A-B1 playoff group. Liran also had a fine season, finishing in 7th, and Mia seems to be regaining the form which we remember from her days in A. RuthO, Hilda and Elana finished in the B1-B2 playoff spots. Rose, who won the B2 title two seasons ago and even challenged for the B1 title in season 51, struggled all season long, and is relegated to B2.

In B2, Charles and Nechama led the way all along, with Charles settling it only in the last session by 5 points. Taffy enjoyed a fine season, and just missed out on a playoff spot, which was earned by Nechama, Eddie and Peggy…..Congratulations to our division winners, Zev, Joel and Charles.

And we must share with you the most unusual game played by Steve this week. He opened with 5 bingos, ORATORIA*, DOUBTERS, REACTION, RATCHED#, and (FA)VOURItE# (hard to believe this one is not acceptable). Three phoneys! For his 6th rack, he held JEWELE?, but could find no place to put another phony. He later played a 6th bingo, aTONING, and finished with a win of 564-332.

Many thanks again to all who make our club run. To Hilda and Taffy who run the bank, to Wendy, Zelig, Aryeh and Madeline who fill in for the director as needed and also help with pairings, to Zev for computer help, and to Heather, Wendy and Abba who are ever-reliable with the wrapup and cleanup each evening.

52/25, Stats of the week: Attendance: 51.........All-Time Total Club Games Played: 97,313……..High triple: 1329 (Abba, 540-414-375)..... High games: 564 (Steve), 540 (Abba).……High Loss: 422 (Tzilla)……4W: Bernard…...3W: Peggy, Taffy, Etta, Ron, DavidL ...Players of the week: Zev, Joel, Charles

WOW: DIAPA(S)oN (DavidL)….Others: RETINOID (Abba), DIALYSE (Dahlia), DISTRAIT (Sara)