Hearts Tournament Coming to Lake Forest

The Chicago Hearts Players League will make its debut on the North Shore this month with a tournament planned for the Lake Forest American Legion Hall on February 21.

“We felt that the tournaments out south weren’t as well attended lately and we didn’t see any growth for the future there,” said Harry Gold, a Deerfield resident who is organizing the tournament with his friend Larry Pasquesi, another Deerfield resident.

The league usually holds three tournaments a year, one in Chicago and others in Joliet and Thornton, southwest and southeast of the city. But after last year’s Joliet event didn’t produce as much interest as it had in recent years, Gold says a decision was made “to try the north suburbs.”

“We’re getting the word out as best we can,” Gold said. “We’re using social media in addition to attracting interest at bridge clubs and other places on the North Shore. We chose Lake Forest because it is a suitable facility and provided a good deal for us to be there for most of the day.”

While the hopes are for 40-48 to take part, the tournament will go on no matter how many register before hand or just show up. Registration at the Hall, 801 N. McKinley St. begins at 8:30 a.m., with the games set to start promptly at 9 a.m. The pre-registration cost is $15, with it being bumped up to $20 at the door. So far, Gold said 8-10 have signed up.

The tournament will include three preliminary rounds. For instance, if there are 40 players, there will be ten tables of four and then whoever finishes in the top 16 will go to the semifinal round, bringing the number of active tables to four. The winners of those four contests will play each other for the championship.

The prize, in this league, is always trophies - never money.

“A lot of the places we play at won’t let us play for money so we are content playing for bragging rights,” Gold said.

And even if you don’t advance, other tables will be available for those who wish to stick around and play for fun.

A lunch break is built into the agenda for the day, with food being served at the Hall. With downtown Lake Forest a short walk away, participants can also venture out for lunch if the weather cooperates.

Chicago Hearts Players League tournaments are officiated by tournament director Keith Reifel, but Gold and Pasquesi are responsible for providing the cards and finding the players.

“Keith does a really good job in keeping things fair,” Gold said. “Everyone knows where they stand points-wise.”

If this event is a success, Gold says the hope is for Lake Forest to become a permanent host for the February tournament.

“It’s a very interesting game,” Gold said of Hearts. “It has a lot ot do with counting cards. If you concentrate well enough, you’ll know the number of the cards out there. It is a relaxing way to spend your afternoon.”

If interested, contact Gold at 847-436-4321 or harrybgold@aol.com

Photo provided - Harry Gold shows off some of this Hearts trophies. Gold, a Deerfield resident, is co-organizing a Chicago Hearts Players League tournament in Lake Forest, the first of its kind on the North Shore.