Mike Smolen

Michael Jerrold Smolen (November 18, 1940 – November 25, 1992)^[1] was an American bridge player from Chicago.^[2]

He was the inventor of the popular Smolen convention, an extension of Stayman, which is employed when the partner of a 1NT opener shows his/her 5+ card major.[1]

Smolen, who lived in Alamo, California during his career, died in Los Angeles in 1992.

Bridge accomplishments

Awards

• Fishbein Trophy (1) 1982

Wins

• North American Bridge Championships (5)
  • Rockwell Mixed Pairs (1) 1979 ^[3]
  • Jacoby Open Swiss Teams (1) 1982 ^[4]
  • Keohane North American Swiss Teams (1) 1978 ^[5]
  • Mitchell Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1976 ^[6]
  • Reisinger (1) 1984 ^[7]

Runners-up

• North American Bridge Championships
  • Wernher Open Pairs (1) 1990 ^[8]
  • Jacoby Open Swiss Teams (1) 1990 ^[4]
  • Mitchell Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1974 ^[6]

Notes

1. California, Death Index, 1940-1997
2. Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, Dorthy A., eds. (1994). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (5th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 743. ISBN 0-943855-48-9. LCCN 96188639.
3. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-25. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
4. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-29. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
5. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-12-06. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
6. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-12-01. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
7. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-12-06. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
8. (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-07-22. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-17.