I am enjoying your book and I am finishing the chapter with the Italians playing footsie…

What are your views on the current cheating allegations with the Israeli pair?

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the kind words about the book. Writing it, with much help from others, was, of course a labor of love. You can rest assured, some 20 years after it was first begun, every event mentioned was as close to 100% true, as possible and so represented by many still alive witnesses to that effect.

Not every name mentioned, especially the culprits, were specifically named, but
I didn’t see a major plus in forcing others to make excuses, where in actuality, no valid ones would ever exist.

While I have not had the opportunity to play against the pair in question, I, because of the side fanfare by high-level bridge players of honor do suggest probable guilt.

However, as for effective bridge detective work, I sincerely believe that “stings’ rather than hypothetical statistical analysis, no matter how thorough, serve a better vehicle to prove guilt, especially when non-playing bridge juries may at one time be forced to enter the scene. However it is not a good idea to make those “stings” public knowledge.

The sad thing of course, is the total degradation of our game which accompanies stealthy cheating, which only proves to me how much those who do, really hate our game.

In actuality, there is probably no punishment adequate to compensate the huge percentage of honorable great players who have been ravaged by those miscreants.

Strong letter to follow but I advise patience in the hearts and minds of those who are waiting to see the final solution since plea bargains are often the result to restore a sort of status quo and to avoid great cost.

At least to me, a lifetime ban is perhaps a little too lenient.

Hi Lee,

Couldn’t restrain myself from sticking my two cents into this current focused-upon discussion. I totally agree about the inadequate methods of accusing, trying and eventually finding guilty those who vandalized and raped honorable, ethical and revered bridge contestants. However, Bobby is crying with several loaves of bread under his arms (more specifically eleven world championship trophies or plaques to commemorative his incredible achievements).

I personally mourn for my late husband Norman Kay who died in 2002 (whom according to Bobby was a more-than-worthy world class opponent who ranked up there with the very best of his time). Norman suffered the indignity and disappointment of never being once victorious .. merely serving as cannon fodder during countless deserving victory attempts which fell by the wayside .. over which he and his partner/teammates had no control.

I have no idea regarding the truth or non-credibility of these recent rumors as to whom may or may not be guilty and to what extent.

MY SOLE COMFORT MANIFESTS ITSELF BY THE EXPOSURE OF OTHER LONG BURIED HORRENDOUS INCIDENTS KNOWN TO TOP EXPERTS UNIVERSALLY FOR OVER SIX DECADES … NOW FINALLY BEING EXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

At least it is a start .. albeit too long overdue!!

I appreciate you both taking the time to candidly feedback on this

Is there a way to review (online) the prize money achieved by the accused pair? I realise their main income is from the relationship with Vainikonis however would you expect if found guilty that all prize money be repaid?

That is way beyond my scope of knowledge and there is so much involved that I doubt anyone would have the time to calculate such expenditures.

As far as I am concerned .. IF any cheaters are found guilty (beyond a doubt), they should be REMOVED FROM THE ARENA POST HASTE and not given the opportunity for a repeat performance. To me, money is down the line in importance. In fact, perhaps it was the lure of acquiring sponsors in the first place that created the possible actions alleged by so many.

Unless stringent controls are executed, we are inviting more trouble and the potential destruction of our once marvelous game.

Amazing now whats come out on Fantoni and Nunes