Spark! 2024 Auction Information Page

Bid on an amazing array of world champions, bridge celebrities, and authors

LARRY

_Cohen

DAVID & LISA

_Berkowitz

RALPH

_Katz

BOB

_Hamman

SANDRA

_Rimstedt

ROBERT

_Todd

MIGRY

_Campanile

AMBER

_Lin

DEBBIE & MICHAEL

_Rosenberg

DEBBIE & MICHAEL

_Rosenberg

GEOFF

_Hampson

GAVIN & JENNY

_Wolpert

BRAD

_Moss

Empowering the Next Generation of Bridge Players

Your support of the ACBL Educational Foundation's SPARK! Fund directly contributes to several key programs designed to foster the growth and development of young bridge players.

Here are the major initiatives for this year:

USA Bridge Camp + Championships in December

The ACBLEF is sponsoring the Bridge Camp, while USBF sponsors the Championships. This program covers flights and lodging for around 100 players attending the camp, which includes community service activities within the bridge community

Junior Night at Every NABC

Held on the second Saturday of each NABC, Junior Night includes "junior star" panels, organized bridge games, and non-bridge activities. This initiative started at the Chicago NABC last summer.

NABC College Bridge Bowl

Sending more college teams to the NABC College Bridge Bowl, with around 130 total attendees expected this year.

University Championships in Uganda

Sending a USA student team to the FISU University Championships, combined with chess, in Uganda in June. Six college students, who have never been to a World Championship but are active in their collegiate clubs and the broader bridge world will attend.

Junior Transnationals in Poland

Sending North American juniors to the World Junior Transnationals in Poland in July. This event inspired the first charity auction in 2022, which sponsored around 25 juniors to compete at the Transnationals in Italy.

This year, we aim to sponsor approximately 25 players from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Join the SPARK! Auction and be a part of something bigger.

Bid now, donate, or participate in our events to

support youth bridge education

Monday, July 15th, 2024, 7PM EST

Celebrity Event July 15th on RealBridge

Bid on an amazing array of world champions, bridge celebrities, authors and legends to partner YOU in a 20-board online Celebrity game!

Or buy a pair ticket and play with your favorite partner.

Interact with your partner and opponent via integrated voice and video while playing on the RealBridge platform in the comfort of your home.

Commentary of the event by Bronia Jenkins and Barry Rigal and every player will receive a written analysis of all the boards by Barry Rigal. FUN with your bridge heroes and that’s not all, after the game finishes join the Zoom after-party with the experts! Bridge is never black and white - there are varying opinions and it’s a hoot to hear the Hall of Famers explain their take on each hand.

*Play the video to the left for a clip from last years event

Bid on an Exclusive Opportunity

Can’t make it to the July 15th event? No problem!

Many of the pros couldn’t either and still wanted to give back, so we have a variety of online games to choose from. The winning bidder of each pro will receive an online 18-board game, which includes a 15-minute pre-game discussion and a 30-minute post-game review. The game will be arranged at a date and time that fits your schedule after the upcoming Summer NABC. This is your chance to gain personalized insights and tips directly from bridge celebrities, enjoying a unique one-on-one game and review session with a professional bridge player.

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Evening!

Experience the Thrill of Our Exclusive Celebrity Bridge Event Watch Party

This will be kibitzing like no other-you will be at the table seeing video and voice of those playing in the event. The owners of RealBridge have made this access possible. While you watch you can chat with Bronia and Barry via texting in zoom- when a break in the action happens..our commentators will be able to communicate with the greats at their table.

And let's not forget about the "After Party" where the excitement continues! Join a distinguished panel of celebrity players as they review and discuss the most intriguing boards of the event. Engage in lively conversations, share your thoughts, and gain further insights from the experts themselves.

But that's not all! As a special bonus, you'll receive exclusive access to Barry Rigal's hand analysis, providing in-depth breakdowns and strategies to enhance your understanding of the game. Imagine delving into the minds of the pros and unraveling the secrets behind their exceptional plays.

Play with a Friend on July 15th

$500/pair

Spend an evening playing against the best.
Enjoy raising money for youth bridge.

(only 5 tickets available)

$100/pair

Next tier of pros.
Unlimited non pro-am entries.

Join Our Events

Participate in interactive online games and after-parties

Donate

Directly contribute to youth bridge programs.

Bid on Exclusive Items

From celebrity bridge sessions to unique memorabilia.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Auction Questions

Q.What is the purpose of this auction?

SPARK! Fund helps promote bridge to junior players under the age of 31, 2024 programs are listed above

Q.How do I participate in the auction?

Donate, Bid to play in either the celebrity event on July 15th or a future online game, or buy a kibitzing pass to watch the celebrity event and be entertained by Bronia Jenkins, Barry Rigal, and the fun cast of players participating. It’s all for a good cause and every year many people buy people as gifts for their bridge partners.

Q. When does the auction start and end?

9pm EST. The auction will keep going for 3 minutes after a bid is put on a player to give time for other people to bid (the end of auction fully will end at 30 minutes after the set time). I recommend using PROXY bids if you have your heart set on a specific player.

Q.What are the payment methods accepted?

STRIPE secure processing

Q. How will I be notified if I win an item?

When the Auction ends 32auctions will auto charge and send an email. We will follow up the next day with instructions and confirmation on the items you have won.

Q What happens if I have a question about an item?

Click on the Chat Widget on this page and Tracey Bauer will answer your questions.

Bidding Questions

Q. How do I place a bid?

Watch the Video on this page- you will need to create an account to place bids.

Q. What is exact bid?

An exact bid is when you place a specific amount on an item, and if you are the highest bidder when the auction closes, you win the item at that exact amount.

Q. What is proxy bidding?

Proxy bidding allows you to set a maximum bid amount, and the system will automatically increase your bid to the minimum increment necessary to maintain your status as the highest bidder, up to your maximum amount.

Q. How do I set up a proxy bid?

To set up a proxy bid, enter your maximum bid amount in the bid box and select the option for proxy bidding. The system will handle the bidding for you up to your specified maximum amount. The system bids a minimum so you win the item but if someone bid over you it will then bid until you get to your maximum. Every bid you will be notified via email.

Q: What happens if my maximum proxy bid is outbid?

A: If another bidder places a bid higher than your maximum proxy bid, you will receive a notification, and you will need to place a new bid if you wish to continue participating in the auction.

Q. Can I change or cancel my bid?

Please bid carefully but if you do make a mistake please contact Tracey Bauer through the Chat Widget on this page.

Q. What happens if two people bid the same amount?

That is not possible with the software.

Q. How can I see the current highest bid?

What is visible on the website is the current highest bid.

Q: Can I increase my maximum proxy bid amount?

Yes, you can increase your maximum proxy bid amount at any time during the auction.

Post-Auction Questions

Q.How do I pay for the items I won?

Your credit card will be charged at end of auction, you can not bid without a valid credit card

Q. How will I receive the items I won?

Follow up emails with instructions. If buying a Post Toronto game- please be respectful as the pro may not answer Emils until after the NABC as they are professional players and need to concentrate on the NABC

Q. What if I have an issue with my purchase?

Chat with Tracey Bauer and she will help fix any issues.

Q. Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

This is a charitable donation to the ACBLEF. If you decide you do not want to play with the person you bought please gift it to a friend. Once the auction closes we do not do any refunds.

Q. Can I play with my partner in the celebrity event?

YES!! We have two options to join in the fun with your regular partner

$500 Play against your heroes in Group A of the Celebrity game with your favorite partner. The two of you will have a chance to play against our highest bid professionals and

socialize with them. If your round finishes early you can ask them for advice on the hands you played. You will play 20: one board rounds and get to meet many of the top players in the game on this special night in the comfort of your own home.

Guaranteed evening of fun with at least 21 stars or more at your table during the evening plus the afterparty.
Also Bronia Jenkins and Barry Rigal will be commentating from a sky box and joining the table between the rounds.

$100

Play in Group B with also lots of Stars and also meet some of the juniors who this auction helps fund.
Group B will also join the AfterParty Zoom to celebrate the fun evening and get to hear some of our Hall of Fame players discuss the hands that were played.

Everyone will receive a detail hand analysis from Barry Rigal on the evenings hands.