The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players

Ep. 95: Cheating, Convictions, and Compassion: Inside the American Contract Bridge League’s Recorder's Office with Jeff Edelstein


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Ever feel like you have been cheated playing bridge online? Have you taken the time to report the pair by filing a player memo? Join John McAllister as he sits down with Jeff Edelstein, the ACBL recorder and a Grand Life Master, for a revealing conversation about the nuances of cheating detection, ethical prosecution, and the human stories behind bridge's biggest integrity challenges. From Edgar, the cutting-edge cheating detection software, to personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, this episode unpacks the complexities of keeping bridge fair, and human.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:
  • 🎖️ Grand Life Master: Jeff Edelstein shares his journey, including winning the North American Pairs with Matthew Weingarten.

  • 🧑‍⚖️ What Does a Recorder Do? – Edelstein explains his role in investigating player memos, and what happens once a complaint is filed.

  • 📊 Edgar's Precision – Learn about Edgar, a powerful detection software designed by Franco Baseggio and Brian Platnick, which analyzes bridge hands for cheating patterns.

  • 🕵️ Manual Investigation vs. Edgar – Edelstein describes the painstaking manual review process compared to Edgar’s lightning-fast analysis.

  • ⚠️ Real-life Consequences – Jeff shares the story of John’s misconduct, highlighting how disciplinary processes affect players.

  • ❤️ Compassion in Discipline – Edelstein discusses shifting from a strict disciplinary perspective to embracing compassion and rehabilitation.

  • 🗣️ Proper Conduct – What constitutes ethical breaches and how to appropriately address suspected cheating or misconduct at the table.

  • 🚨 Changes in ACBL Discipline – How Edgar has transformed disciplinary processes from handling a few cases monthly to managing hundreds.

Resources & Next Steps:
  • 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.

  • 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

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The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge PlayersBy John McAllister

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