David Berkowitz (bridge)

David L. (Dave) Berkowitz (born November 23, 1949)^[1] is an American professional bridge player.

In 1998, he came as close as it is possible to come to a world championship without winning it. In the World Open Pairs, he and Larry Cohen led throughout the five-session final, only to be overtaken on the last two boards. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2000 World Team Olympiad in Maastricht, The Netherlands. He was elected to the American Contract Bridge League Hall of Fame in 2010^[2].

Berkowitz whose wife, Lisa, is a former women's world champion, often comments, "I am not even the best player in my own house." They reside in Boca Raton, Florida.

Bridge accomplishments

Awards

• Mott-Smith Trophy (Spring NABC) 1982
• Fishbein Trophy (Summer NABC) 2011
• Herman Trophy (Fall NABC) 1991
• Digital Fountain Award (Best Played Hand of the Year) 2001
• Romex Award (Best Bid Hand of the Year) 1995, 2000
• Precision Award (Best Defended Hand of the Year) 1996
• Elected to the American Contract Bridge League Hall of Fame in 2010

Wins

• North American Bridge Championships (27)
  • Vanderbilt (1) 2005
  • Reisinger (1) 1991
  • Grand National Teams (4) 1994, 2007, 2008, 2011
  • Open Board-a-Match Teams (2) 1991, 2007
  • Men's Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1982
  • Roth Open Swiss Teams (1) 2011
  • North American Swiss Teams (1) 1999
  • Master Mixed Teams (3) 1986, 1993, 1995
  • Mixed Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1998
  • Blue Ribbon Pairs (2) 1978, 1995
  • Life Master Pairs (2) 1987, 1996
  • North American Pairs (1) 1995
  • Open Pairs I (3) 2004, 2006, 2009
  • Open Pairs II (1) 1996
  • Men's Pairs (1) 1982
  • Mixed Pairs (2) 1986, 1987
• United States Bridge Championships (1)
  • Open Team Trials (1) 2000
• Other notable wins:
  • Buffett Cup (1) 2006
  • Cavendish Invitational Teams (3) 1983, 1985, 1994
  • Pan American Open Teams (1) 1992
  • Reisinger Knockout Teams (2) 1990, 2001
  • Cap Gemini World Top Invitational Pairs (1) 1999
  • Cavendish Invitational Individual (1) 1981

Runner-ups

• World Open Pairs (1) 1998
• North American Bridge Championships (24)
  • Vanderbilt (7) 1979, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2004
  • Spingold (3) 1976, 2009, 2010
  • Reisinger (4) 1987, 2002, 2004, 2007
  • Open Board-a-Match Teams (1) 2008
  • Men's Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1989
  • North American Swiss Teams (1) 2006
  • Mixed Board-a-Match Teams (1) 2011
  • Blue Ribbon Pairs (2) 1976, 1996
  • Life Master Open Pairs (1) 1991
  • Open Pairs (2) 1983, 1985
  • Open Pairs I (1) 2002
• United States Bridge Championships (5)
  • Open Team Trials (5) 1987, 1989, 1998, 2002, 2008
• Other notable 2nd places:
  • Buffett Cup (1) 2008
  • Cavendish Invitational Teams (1) 2000
  • Reisinger Knockout Teams (2) 1973, 1981
  • Cavendish Invitational Pairs (1) 1983
  • Cavendish Invitational Individual (1) 1980

References

External links

• David Berkowitz international record at the World Bridge Federation
• USBF profile of David Berkowitz