July 13-23

The Summer NABC is back in Chicago, July 13 to 23, 2023! Join us in the windy city for bridge in a city known for its beautiful architecture, world famous museums, fabulous restaurants and lots of exciting gameplay.

Held three times a year, the North American Bridge Championships offer a thrilling place to join thousands of bridge fans to play, learn, make friends and win masterpoints.

Proof of Vaccination will be required by all attendees at the 2023 Chicago Summer NABC. ACBL is no longer using the VOW Health Verification Software. Every attendee must provide proof of vaccination and a state or federal I.D. at one of the designated Covid Check-In Desks located in the Chicago Sheraton.

• Hotels & Transportation
• Fees & Schedules
• Newcomer Events
• Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
• Seminars & Meetings
• Around Town
• Restaurant Guide
• Contacts
• Bridge Bowl
• YNABC

All bridge play will be at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.

Reservations through our housing bureau ConferenceDirect close June 22, 2023. After this date please contact the hotel directly for your reservation. Please note you may not get the bridge rate if you reserve after June 22, 2023.

Host Hotels

 

Chicago Transit Authority Information

The nearest CTA stations to the Sheraton Grand Chicago are State/Lake, with access to the Green and Brown lines, among others, and Grand (at State), with access to the Red Line. Single-trip ($3) or one-day ($5) tickets and reusable Ventra cards are available at all stations and may be purchased with cash or card. See www.transitchicago.com for more information.

Blue Line

The CTA Blue Line provides 24-hour rapid transit train service between Chicago-O’Hare International Airport(Opens in a new window) and the Forest Park terminal, via downtown Chicago.

Green Line

The Green Line route provides rapid transit train service between Harlem in Forest Park, IL and Oak Park, IL to 63rd Street on Chicago’s South Side, through downtown via the Lake and Wabash sides of the Loop ‘L’. Trains leave every 15 minutes.

Brown Line

The Brown Line runs north through Lincoln Park. Enter at State/Lake. Trains run every 15 minutes.

Red Line

The Red Line provides 24-hour train service between Howard on the North Side and 95th/Dan Ryan on the South Side via subway through downtown Chicago. Trains leave every 7-8 minutes.

Parking

All players must have an ACBL member number to participate in any event (ACBL member numbers are valid for life, even if your membership is inactive). Not a member? Join now!

• Full Schedule
• NABC/NABC+ Events Schedule
• Intermediate/Newcomer Schedule
• Vugraph Schedule
• Conditions of Contest

Buy Entries  

Full Tournament Schedule

• Print/View Schedule as PDF

Schedule of Events 

Revised 1/11/2023

Stratification for open regional events is unlimited/2500/750 unless otherwise noted.

Regional top-flight, mid-flight, and side pair events play 26 or 27 boards per session. Gold Rush pairs play 24 boards per session. Swiss and Round Robin team events typically play 24 boards per session, depending on the event or bracket size.

In gold-point events of two or more sessions, overall awards and section tops are paid in gold to any strat that has a maximum of 750 or higher. Side Pairs Series pay gold only to the open strat, and it is necessary to play two or more sessions in the series to earn gold.

All regional team events use the 20-point VP scale.

I/N events are stratified as appropriate at the discretion of the director. No player may be over 300.

Conditions of Contest

Like all sports, bridge has a precise set of rules for competition. The Conditions of Contest detail these protocols and regulations for every event played at the NABC. Whether you need to know the rules for General Knockout Teams or you are looking for specific information about Blue Ribbon Pairs, the Conditions of Contest will guide you.

Coverage of the Grand National Teams (GNT) and Spingold. A twitch stream for commentators will be available for the Spingold starting with R16 and can be found at twitch.tv/acblbridge

Beyond the games at the NABCs, members can enjoy educational programs. Below is a listing of the seminars being offered in Chicago. Please check the NABC Daily Bulletin for the exact location of each session.

Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony

Honoring the Class of 2023: Gaylor Kasle, Howard Weinstein, Jay Whipple, John Carruthers, and Sidney H. Lazard, Jr. Sportsmanship award recipient Fred Stewart.

Date:Thursday, July 13
Time: 7:30pm-10:30pm
Location:Sheraton Grand Chicago, Chicago Ballroom 6
 

Contact Hall of Fame

Best Practices Teacher Workshop

Friday–Sunday, July 14-16
This workshop covers proven techniques that help teachers be more effective in their classroom. The focus is on how, rather than what, to teach. Participants may opt to demonstrate their Best Practices proficiency on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning to earn certification as an ACBL Best Practices teacher. For more information visit acbl.org/bpteacher.

Workshop fee: $125
Time: 1–5 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.–noon Saturday and Sunday

Reception for Club Officials and Teachers

Friday, July 14, 6:30 – 8pm
The ACBL hosts this reception to say thank you to the club officials and teachers who recruit and retain our members. We invite club managers, teachers and club directors to attend. A light meal and adult beverages will be served. Event is free, but registration is required

Register

Learn Bridge in A Day? Instructor Accreditation

Saturday, July 15, 12:30 p.m.–8 p.m.
A light meal will be provided 6–6:30 p.m.
This program instructs teachers in methods of administering and presenting LBIAD.
Fee: $75. To register, email Patty Tucker at patty@whirlwindbridge.com

Annual Membership Meeting

Date: Sunday, July 16
Time:8 PM CT/9 PM ET
Location: Superior Room A & B, Sheraton Grand Chicago

To accommodate members who will be unable to attend in person, we have arranged a Zoom Q&A session for Sunday, July 16, at 6 p.m. Central. This will provide an opportunity for you to engage with management informally. Please preregister for the Zoom Q&A using the following link ACBL Zoom.

Advisory Council Meeting

Tuesday, July 25, 6 PM CT/7 PM ET (via zoom)

Just getting started? Try the friendly bridge experience of the Intermediate/Newcomer Area at the NABC! This welcoming area features many chances to learn more (often for free) and practice with players at your skill level. Stop by the Intermediate/Newcomer Desk for more information.

• Newcomer Schedule

Learn Bridge in A Day?^®

Saturday, July 15, 1– 6 p.m.
You’ll nail the basics of bridge in this interactive class that has both instruction and coached play. If you’re just starting, returning to the game or wanting to test the waters before taking formal lessons, this course is for you. Leave the class and take on a newcomer game!
Fee: $20 pre-registered or $25 at the door – includes textbook

Register

Notrump in A Day

Sunday, July 16, 1–5 p.m.
This workshop explores basic notrump bidding and the most common responses, from raises to Stayman and Jacoby transfers. Course includes student workbook, presentation and practice hands.
Fee: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door; includes textbook.

Register

Free Lessons

Both lessons will be followed by a free 12-board game for newer players (0-20 masterpoints).

Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 8am -9:45am
Speaker: Audrey Grant

Date: Sunday, July 16
Time: 8am -9:45am
Speaker: Barbara Seagram
Topic: Killer Defense

Frequently named “Best Big City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler readers, Chicago is a vibrant, one-of-a-kind city you’ll truly enjoy. Be sure to explore its many unique neighborhoods, museums, restaurants and landmarks while you’re there.

Here are some things you might want to explore away from the bridge table. For a detailed list and more information, visit choosechicago.com

Bus Tours (July 18, 19 and 20)

• Bus tour flier

Buses will start at the Sheraton at 6:30pm. There will be two buses each of the three nights and they will travel in a loop between 6:30 and 9:30, picking players up at the Sheraton, dropping them at the stops indicated above and then picking them up at the stops indicated above and returning them to the Sheraton.

The buses will be at the stops at approximately 15 minute intervals.

Tickets for the buses will be available at the Tour Desk. We are using the tickets to be sure those who board the buses are part of our group. Chuck and DeMaris Johnson are the tour chairs and will be running the Tour Desk.

Millennium Park

Not only home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (better known as “The Bean”), Millenium Park features interactive fountains, public art, tranquil gardens and plenty of green space.

Website

Skydeck Chicago

Sitting atop Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago offers spectacular views of the city as well as a Chicago-centric museum. If you dare, step out on one of four thrilling glass viewing boxes. Just be sure to buy tickets in advance.

Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
233 S. Wacker Dr.
(312) 875-9696

Website

Chicago Architecture Tours

Chicago is famous for its history-defining architecture beyond Willis Tower, too, try one of the many architecture tours of the city. Whether you’re walking the streets or touring from a boat, these sites are not to be missed.

Website

Chicago Cultural Center

Set in the heart of downtown, the Chicago Cultural Center takes up an entire block and features the world’s largest Tiffany stained glass dome, gorgeous mother of pearl mosaics and a new space giving local artists a place to showcase and sell their goods.

Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
78 E. Washington St.

Website

Wrigley Field

Known for its treasured traditions and charm, Wrigley Field was built in 1914 and is home to the Chicago Cubs. Non-gameday tours take you through the seating bowl, press box, outfield ivy, Cubs’ dugout and more.

1060 W. Addison St.
800-THE-CUBS

Website

Guaranteed Rate Field

Home of the Chicago White Sox, Guaranteed Rate Field(https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/ballpark) is another Major League Baseball ballpark you’ll want to explore. Tours must be prearranged by calling the Chicago White Sox at 312-674-1000, ext. 7182. Donations are requested.

333 W. 35th St.
312-674-1000

Website

Restaurant Guide

Don’t forget to check out the local committee bus tours to Chinatown, Little Italy and Restaurant Row

Chicago Restaurant Guide

Weather

Click here for the most recent weather update.

Tournament Committee

Position	Name & Email
Tournament Chair	Suzi Subeck stansubeck@prodigy.net
Intermediate/Newcomer	Ginny & Jeff Schuett jgschuett2@comcast.net
Partnership	Yvette Neary yneary@gmail.com
Registration	Mike & Linda Saltzman saltzman@gmail.com
Information	Adrienne & Larry Cohen dolly370@aol.com
Treasurer	Stan Subeck thesubecks@sbcglobal.net
Tours	Demaris & Chuck Johnson demaris_j@hotmail.com
Prizes	Marge Morgan mumorgan55@gmail.com
Volunteers	Kathy Fortney kathleensfortney@gmail.com
Charity	John Goldstein johnagoldstein@yahoo.com
Transportation & Parking	George Jacobs gjacobs@windycitylimos.com Stan Subeck thesubecks@sbcglobal.net
Hospitality	Suzi Subeck stansubeck@prodigy.ne
Restaurant Guide	Ron Smith smithron@icloud.com
Sponsorship	Guy Franklin guyfranklinchicago@gmail.com
Publicity	Patt Quinn pattjq@gmail.com