Norman Beck
Norman Beck is a gambler. He has worked for Bob Hamman at SCA Promotions for 33 years. Before that, he was a police officer, an insurance adjuster, a security guard, a bartender, a bouncer, a writer, a “psychic,” and a magician. Norman learned bridge in 1977 and was playing duplicate within 2 weeks. He used to hitchhike to tournaments and do a magic show to make money for food. He has played with some of the legends of the game, including Hamman, Meckstroth, Rodwell, Sontag, Goldman, Bramley.
I was introduced to Norman by Ribs LaMothe, who spoke highly of him as a teacher and mentor. After talking with him for a couple of minutes at the NABC in Memphis, I knew he would make for a great interview for the podcast.
I encourage you to watch Norman’s Ted Talk. It’s the best one I’ve seen.
Leveling Up
Adam Parrish is exploring how one gets better at bridge and advances to the next level—be that from intermediate to advanced or expert to world class. Adam is an expert player himself—a national champion and a Master Teacher—but he's looking to get to the next level, and devoting the year to figuring out what that takes. Adam will be talking to world-class bridge players about how they got to where they are and what they do to maintain and hone their game. He'll also talk to non-expert bridge players about how they work to get better, and to experts in fields outside of bridge.
Where can you listen?
