Dan Jacob – Hall of Fame
Dan Jacob was born in Bucharest, Romania. As many players of his generation, Dan started playing bridge in university. Shortly after graduating, and with an engineering degree in his pocket, Dan and his wife Cristina (also an engineer), running from an oppressive regime, left
Romania in 1976 for Paris, France and eventually made their way to Vancouver, Canada in 1977.
Within a week after arriving in Vancouver, Cristina and Dan went to the Vancouver Bridge Club where they met a local bridge star by the name of Allan Graves. Allan invited Dan to play in Men’s Pairs event, in the upcoming local Sectional tournament. Winning the event was an added bonus for the new comer who was now introduced to the local bridge community.
Dan’s 1st international tournament was the 6th World Bridge Championships, Biarritz, 1982. In spite of any success, Biarritz World Championships left many dear memories.
Dan’s achievements
Dan Jacob represented Canada at many other world championships and international events. Notable successes in 2014 Sanya, China, Bridge World Series, bronze medal in Sr. Teams (partner Jurek Czyzowicz), 4th in the senior pair event and more recently, 2024 at the 16th World Bridge Games, Buenos Aires, Argentina, the gold medal in Senior Pairs (playing with Piotr Klimowicz).
2 NABC’s wins (Silodor Open Pairs 2008, Fast Pairs 2010); 3 x 2nd (Noth American Open Pairs 2005, Mixed Pairs 2010, and Grand National Teams 2015)
12 Canadian Championships:
– 3 CNTC open teams (2002, 2006 and 2008)
– 4 CSTC (2011, 2013, 2021 and 2024)
– 4 COPC (1999, 2014, 2015 and 2017)
– 1 CIPC 2014
Here is a hand from The Aces on Bridge – Daily Columns, by Bobby Wolff
On this deal from last year’s Blue-Ribbon Pairs, Dan Jacob reached a delicate three no-trump after a sporting raise by his partner. Then the world-class defenders had a couple of chances to beat him, none of which was easy. See what you think.
West contemplated doubling the final contract but eventually passed and led the spade ace, shifting to the heart seven in response to East’s suit-preference spade 10. East was hoping his side could establish a third heart trick before declarer knocked out his partner’s spade king.
East took his heart king and might have contended that West’s failure to make a negative double suggested declarer had 1=4=3=5 shape. If so, only a club exit would avoid handing declarer a finesse. On East’s actual choice of the heart jack, South won his heart queen and cashed four clubs, ending in dummy.
Declarer then advanced the diamond 10, covered all around. Next came the last club winner, forcing East to pitch his spade. The heart 10 exit saw East cash two tricks, but he finally had to concede the last two tricks to the split diamond tenace.