Player

Bid (DKK)

Alfredo Versace, Italy

A man with that name is born to be a star. Versace is blessed with a bridge talent so unique that his destiny was sealed in his early teenage years. His merits are too many to list and it is doubtful whether he himself recalls how many championships he has won.

And two years ago he added one to the list by winning the CBI 2015 with Mustafa Cem Tokay, with whom he is back to defend their title.

As a bridge player he has no flaws and a gentle temper rare for his southern heritage, making him a patient and popular partner - along with his characteristic Italian charm (and accent). 

Closed

4500

Partner

Peter Haff

Mustafa Cem Tokay, Turkey
Tokay came to the CBI in 2015 relatively unknown compared to his Italian partner and most of his fellow competitors. Then he won the event with Versace in a most convincing manner, and during the past two years his stardom has exploded and he is now widely recognised as a world class player. 

We are proud to welcome back Tokay and Versace.
And as you will see, he has not become less handsome during the past two years... 

Closed

Bid

2400

Partner

Ulla Korre Pedersen

Sabine Auken, Germany

Sabine is the only woman in the bridge world to have achieved the goal of being regarded as a peer by her male competitors.

To put it in the words of an anonymous top player with a glimpse in his eyes: "Roy and Sabine shouldn't be allowed to play in the mixed." 

When she is not attending a tournament somewhere in the world, Sabine lives in Denmark with her two adolescent sons. Thus she is thrilled to have a tournament like the CBI so close to home, though Roy and her have so far been much less victorious than usually, and they will keep fighting till they succeed.

Among their many victories, the highlights were capturing the Vanderbilt in 2013 along with the European Open Pairs, Sabine being the first woman ever to win the event.

Closed for bidding

Partner

Nils Foss

Roy Welland, USA

Roy Welland has probably won more titles with Sabine than with all his previous partners combined, starting with their Vanderbilt Victory in 2013. Three months later the pair won the European Open Pairs, and they keep adding titles to their resumé. It is difficult to find a tournament without them placing either first or second.
Well - besides in the Danish 1. Division, which they quit after being below average in the butler two years in a row - something the Danish bridge players are not too polite to point out at every occasion...

Although a modest consumer himself, Welland is a wine enthusiast with an outstanding collection and owner of a vineyard in Italy.

Roy has seen most parts of the world and according to him, Copenhagen with its combination of charming canals, history and fine dining is the best city in the world.

Closed for bidding

Partner

Mikael Warberg

Ola Rimstedt, Sweden

Only 21 years of age, the Rimstedt twins are already on their way to the top of the world. As youngsters (U21) they won both the European and the World Championship with the dominating Swedish U21-team with each their partner. Entering the junior stage the brothers' temperaments and mutual respect had reached a level making it possible for them to play together (again).

They celebrated their renewed partnership by winning the World junior pairs in 2015.

Ola's personal trademark is his hair; he often wakes up girls early in the morning to borrow their hair aids. But since Ola spends most of his time on BBO, he rarely finds time to fix it, as illustrated in his picture.

Closed

Bid

3500

Partner

Håkan Wallmark

Mikael Rimstedt, Sweden

Despite their young age, the twins have an extremely self-confident aura at the bridge table. After having beaten their entire generation, their are in the middle of their major break through among the grown-ups. In 2016 they have dominated several open events, such as the Slava Cup (second), the Neighbour Challenge crushing the national teams of Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands and most recently the American Fall Nationals.

As a result, the Rimstedt twins only 20 years old were selected to represent the Swedish open team in the European Championships 2016.

Mikael still thinks he will find a "normal" job when he has time between bridge tournaments. However the US are calling for the twins, and once they enter the professional bridge environment, there is no way back. The young Swedes are only going one way, and that is up.

Closed

Bid

3500

Partner

Christer Enkvist 

Geir Helgemo, Norway

An introduction is hardly necessary, however should anyone not be acquainted with the wizard of Norway, here goes:
Geir Helgemo has won all there is to win in and beyond in this world. He is one of the few players who invents entirely new ways of treating the cards. Who ridicules BBO-commentators (able to see all four hands) by making contracts doomed by the all-seeing experts. 
He likes hunting (animals too) and hiking and having fun with friends, which is why the CBI is his favourite event. Geir is almost as big a fan of the Danes as we are of him...

Closed for bidding

Partner

Hans Christian Graversen

PharmaService

Simon De Wijs, The Netherlands

Since the last CBI, Simon added a World Championship (winning the World Bridge Games in Wroclaw) and a medal in the European Championships in Budapest to his way too long and boring resumé to list here.

And the best part about Simon isn't even his bridge play. He is the kind of guy that everyone likes to be around. Always in a good mood telling a bad joke.

Here is his version of the first meeting with his CBI-partner, David Bahkshi.
"We met as juniors and immediately got into a fight - I remember trying to slam down the screen aiming at David's nose. I also hit on his girlfriend at the time. Luckily for David I missed twice and we have been friends since."

Closed

Bid

2400

Partner

Anne Mette Staugaard

David Bakhshi, England

David has squeezed himself into the money in fourth place in all the CBI's, he has attended. All his other results seem to fade in the light of this. As in 2015 he is pairing up with his long time friend, the Dutch world champion Simon de Wijs, both deciding to dump their regular partners for the CBI to defend their 4th place.
Bakhshi fell in love with the game at the age of 15 and has represented England as a junior and currently on the open team. His daughter Jasmine just made her debut on the English U16-team in the Junior World Championships, so far following her father's footsteps.

Though he has dedicated his life to bridge, he still managed to squeeze in a psychology degree that is of much use to him at the bridge table.

Closed

Bid

2200

Partner

Lene Fiorini

Meike Wortel, The Netherlands

Meike and Marion Michielsen is the strongest female partnership in the world. They became European Champions with the Dutch women in 2014, won the women's teams at the Open World Championships in Sanya a few months later, and less than a year after they won the Open European women's teams in Tromsø, making Meike the queen of Europe as she also won the mixed teams.

Meike is a part time bridgepro and has a Ph.D. (not even in bridge), currently living and working in Norway. And in the fall she became a mother for the first time. Her son's name is Lars, named after two of her Danish competitors here at the CBI. 

Closed

Bid

2500

Partner

Niels Danhøj

Ida Grönkvist, Sweden

Ida Grönkvist is with her 21 years one of the greatest future stars. She has already won the World Youth Championships in 2014 (along with the Rimstedt twins) and several national events in USA, where she plays professionally.

She is participating in the side event this year and agreed to participate in the pro/am last minute, when Marion Michielsen had to drop out (Marion will still be playing the main event with Meike Wortel).

It is not unlikely we will see Ida in the main event some years from now. 

Ida speaks Danish fluently, since she was obducted by former Danish junior Matias Rohrberg during a junior event some years ago, and they now live together in Sweden.

Closed

Bid

3000

Partner

Lars R. Mathiesen

Frederic Volcker, France

If you think Thomas Bessis is charming - then you should meet his partner! With an even stronger French accent and a solid portion of humour, Frederic is the new superstar on the block.

Frederic and Thomas won a European Junior Team Championship when they were young, but their ways parted for a time. Thomas played bridge full time internationally with different partners and Frederic was busy having a life outside of bridge.

But two years ago the best friends paired up again and celebrated their reunion by winning the European Open Pairs in Tromsø. In broad northern daylight at 3 in the morning you could still hear the Marseillaise in the streets of Tromsø.

We are 'appy and 'onoured to welcome les charmeurs francaises.

Closed for bidding

Partner

Michael Krogh Andersen

Boye Brogeland, Norway

He used to be a bridge star like everyone else in the field, but after the Summer of Scandals in 2015, Boye's new nickname is - The Sheriff. He rode in on one angry horse to clean up the game. All players with a bad conscience had nightmares about The Call from Boye Brogeland.

He is one of the few bridge players famous outside of bridge circles. He has been featured in magazines and documentaries all around the world, and of course we did not dare not inviting him again.

When he is not catching bridge cheaters, in his spare time he likes to play bridge for money, write his own magazine Bridge i Norge and spend time with his wife and children.

Closed

Bid

5000

Partner

Henning Jacobsen

Espen Lindqvist, Norway

A quiet, gentle young man with astonishing results. Espen is Boye's partner and though the deputy is not half as famous as The Sheriff, reliable Norwegian sources report he is even better. :-)

He represented Norway on the junior team for many successful years but quickly started to play among the grown ups. Still a junior, he won the European Teams in 2008 partnering Boye, with whom he has also won several American titles.

He comes across as a bit shy at the table, almost innocent, but don't be fooled: his innoncent appearance is a mere camouflage for his aggressive play.

Closed

Bid

3000

Partner

Per Ove Grime

Bob Drijver, The Netherlands

Until recently known as the most handsome Dutch bridge player. But since pairing up with partner Bart Nab, the Junior World Champion had the adult breakthrough everyone always saw in the cards for him.

In Tromsø in 2015 Bob and Bart won the open European Championships, and they are now both reigning European and Olympic Champions. Then they have some bronze medal from the European Championships last summer in Budapest, but who is counting anymore...?  

More importantly (at least to some of us) Bob can make any boy band-member envious when he hits the dance floor, which is yet another reason the young Dutchman is perfect for the CBI... 

Closed

Bid

3000

Partner

Are Sivertsen

Fredrik Nyström, Sweden

Nyström is one of the few to have attended the CBI all four times. He won the first edition but since then the competition has increased...

So Fredrik has been aiming at some inferior tournaments and won gold in the World Championships in 2012, Bermuda Bowl silver in Chennai 2015 and silver in the European Championships 2016.

Fredrik is built like a viking with a more gentle temper. When he doesn't play bridge, he likes to beat other bridge players at armwrestling.

He loves everything about Denmark besides the language - if you speak to him in Danish, his eyes turn with fear, his head shoves forward while he says: "Huh?" 

Closed

Bid

4600

By

Malerfirmaet Justensen & Nielsen

Partner

Rikke Capion

Johan Upmark, Sweden

About ten years ago, Johan Upmark was a frequent guest at Danish bridge events. He would come to Copenhagen to play and hang out with his Danish friends.

Not much has changed since then. Besides a handful of medals and the title of a World Champion. 

Upmark has partnered Fredrik Nyström in the past 5 years, and they keep climbing towards the top. Sweden is a nation to be reckoned with in any major bridge tournament.

Unlike his partner, Upmark understands Danish very well, and his favourite words are the ones with flat A's (for faan maand).

Closed

Bid

5000

Partner

Stefan Linde

Zia Mahmood, USA

The man hardly needs an introduction. The charismatic Pakistani is perhaps the most famous bridge player in the world, known for his imaginative play and sparkling personality.

He sensationally led Pakistan to the final of the Bermuda Bowl in 1981. 

Since the early 90'es Zia has represented the United States, most recently on the senior team (causing a funny remark or two), winning the World Championships in both 2015 and 2016. 

Kibitzers love Zia, and he loves them. He possesses an air most actors can only dream of. 

And you can be certain that Zia is always the best-dressed mand of the room. 

Closed

Bid

15.000

Partner

Elisa de Paola

Andrey Gromov, Russia

Gromov has been Russias biggest star since his junior years. In the recent World Bridge Games in Wroclaw he won silver in the Mixed teams, knocking out the Danish team on his way. 

In the CBI he plays with Zia, and to phrase it with Zia's words: "It will be the first Russian-Pakistani partnership in history."

If you have the patience to wait for the point, Gromov is very funny. But like all Russians he speaks veeery slooowly. He once shared his knowledge of Russian-Danish history:

A Russian czar wanted to invade a country and set his eyes on Denmark. His counselors asked why not Germany or some other country, and the Czar replied: "Because it is easy."
 

Closed

Bid

2000

Partner

Eric Korre Horten

John Carroll, Ireland

As the runner-up in CBI 2015, Carroll has declared his only goal this year is to grab that top spot. Should he enjoy himself in Copenhagen while doing it, it is merely a bonus.  

2017 is his fourth appearance at the CBI, and since the first edition in 2010 it has been his favourite event (but he says that to all the organisers...)

His partnership with Tommy Garvey is older than his marriage, partly due to a common interest for Danish beer and an irresistible sense of Irish humour making them the obvious choice for an evening in good company. When not playing bridge, John is usually surrounded by a group of fans.

Closed for bidding

Partner

Charlotte Brandgaard

Tommy Garvey, Ireland

The Irish musketeers are present at all major bridge events, the CBI no exception. You can always recognise them by the laughing people surrounding them.

Though he is trying to hide it with sarcasm, Garvey's Irish charm is irresistible.

As a semiprofessional bridgeplayer, Garvey is struggling to attend both his bridge and business career as well as family life with two young children.

Despite fine international results and a medal here and there, the highlight of Garvey's career was undoubtedly the second place in the CBI 2015.

Closed

extended till 23:00

Bid

3000

By

SmileDesigns

Partner

Daniel Brandgaard

Cédric Lorenzini, France

Only 26 years old, Lorenzini was the first ever foreigner to become player of the year 2015 in the United States. His personal record is so impressive his friends make fun of him by using him as a benchmark to determine bridge skills. 

When he partnered Thomas Bessis, they won one of the toughest pair events in the world. Bessis already being an established star surely received his amount of the credit. Then Lorenzini won again, this time with Quantin, and the same friends now amused themselves that Lorenzini was the real genius and Bessis just good at picking his partners...

And in addition to all this - he is ridiculously 'andsome.

Closed

Bid

3000

Partner

Susanne Buus Thomsen

Jean-Christophe Quantin, France

Quantin has been a regular on the French open team since his junior days, when he began his collection of medals.

Despite a long career, it was not until the summer of 2016 Quantin's dreams came true as France won the European Championships. Tears of joy were streaming like a fountain of victory.

Quantin and Lorenzini have only been partners for a few years, however they have quickly become one of the most acknowledged pairs in the world. A fan of the CBI commented: "If you invite them, the others will only fight for second place."

Closed

Bid

2500

By

Jan Nielsen

Alon Birman, Israel

As the son of two prominent Israeli bridge players, learning to play bridge was as natural a thing for Alon as learning how to read. 

His international debut was in 2004 in New York in the first U21 World Championships, where Israel came second. Two years later the event had become a real championship, and Alon won his first world title. His current partner Dror Padon was also on the team. 

In 2011 the two Israeli super talents paired up and at the age of 29, Alon is destined to remain a professional bridge player for the rest of his life. Luckily for Alon, his bridge skills are much better than his reading skills... 

He also organises a popular international bridge festival taking place in Eilat by the Red Sea in November every year.

Closed

extende till 22:45

Bid 

3000

Partner

Thomas Schønfeldt

Dror Padon, Israel

Dror made his international debut at 15 years old on the Israeli schools team winning a silver medal. 

He paired up with Alon Birman in 2011 and since then the pair has become a highly respected international pair. They play together professionally in the US and participate in all major bridge events.

But fame and fortune is not all bridge has brought Dror Padon. He met his German fiancé Cristina through bridge. Their relationship has survived the long distance and he is also bringing her along for some great days in Copenhagen during the CBI.

Closed

extended till 23:45

Bid 

3600

Partner

Jeppe Juhl

Vincent Demuy, USA

Originally from Canada, Vince became famous early this century, when a Canadian TV-station made a legendary documentary about him and his junior partner back then, Gavin Wolpert. Vince was portrayed as a bad boy card playing genius. A description most would also find appropriate today. 

Three years ago he changed citizenship from Canada to USA, and at his first attempt, his team won the trials to represent USA in the Bermuda Bowl in 2015, winning the bronze medal.

He has been friends with CBI-partner Tom Hanlon for many years and what Tom lacks in armwrestling skills, Vince can compensate for. 

Closed

extende till 22:15

Bid 

3700

Partner

Michael Fiorini

Peter Bertheau, Sweden

Bertheau is Sweden's self-appointed superstar. Among his results are European silver, world silver, olympic gold - and - his personal favourite - the victory in the very first Copenhagen Bridge Invitational.

He has done a lot for juniorbridge in Sweden, which also means that Peter and his family usually have 2-3 juniors sleeping in the basement...

We leave it to one of his apprentices to describe him: "He is not that bad a loser, but he is a VERY good winner." 

It is less apparent and only known in certain circles that he is also a very skilled dancer...

Closed

extende till 22:15

Bid

5000

By

Peter Graversen

Stig Werdelin, Denmark

Werdelin has won so many Danish championships, that he at 79 years old has forgotten how many, but he believes it is about 30. And though his junior years are distant, he keeps winning.

In the 1970's, Werdelin together with Steen Møller was one of the strongest pairs in the world. Dressed in smokings and with a cigaret hanging from the corner of their mouth, they competed in the invitational events such as the Sunday Times (coming second all 3 times they participated), inspiring the CBI we have today. 

It is a pleasure to welcome one of the Godfathers of Danish Bridge to the CBI.

Closed

Bid

2400

By

Per Skov

Sigurd Lauge Pedersen, Denmark

A player in the Danish bridge elite for many years. In his partnership with Stig Werdelin they have won the Danish Cup and the Danish Senior Teams and now the CBI-qualification.

Pedersen is also the author of the Danish bridge book "Skviser på 200 måder" (Squeezes in 200 ways), so when you make a squeeze, Pedersen can tell you which kind.

Apart from playing bridge, he is a physicist working for Energistyrelsen.  

Closed

extende till 23:45

Bid

3600

Partner

Birte W. Lindegaard

Lars Lund Madsen, Denmark

In the 2015 CBI Lars finished in fifth place, just outside the prizes. This year he is back, once again through the Danish qualification, this time with another Lars (Blakset). 

Back in the mid-90'es he together with younger brother Morten Lund Madsen formed one of the world's most successful junior pairs, claiming medals at all events, the highlight being the victory in the World Junior Championships in 1997.

He only represented Denmark twice after exiting the junior league, then children and career demanded his attention.
Lars has a subtle sense of humour and is a very pleasant partner who does not utter a word upon his partner's mistakes (but avoid counting the lines on his forehead...)

Closed for bidding

Partner

Villy Christensen

Lars Blakset, Denmark

Lars Blakset is among the most influential bridge players ever in Denmark. Apart from having one of the biggest bridge clubs in the world with more than 2000 members, he has written several books. "The Red Book" has introduced thousands of Danes to bridge. 

As juniors Lars and brother Knut Blakset were the biggest talents of their generation and quickly made it to the open team. Talented and tempered, the stories of the Battles of the Blakset Brothers are many and true. 

Lars has represented Denmark on the national team with many different partners and has an wide collection of international Bronze medals, including an olympic one. 

Closed

extende till 22:15

Bid

2900

By

Leif Øgaard

Bjørg Houmøller, Denmark

In her junior years Bjørg together with younger brother Jonas Houmøller formed a very succesful partnership, winning silver medals in the European Junior Championships 2002 and the World Junior Championships in 2003.

In the following years Bjørg attended to her professional carreer and only played bridge sporadically. After pairing up with Signe Buus Thomsen she is back in the top of Danish bridge.

The female partnership won the Danish qualification in Jutland with a gigantic last round, bringing them to the top of the scoreboard and through to the CBI 2017 as the first Danish female pair in the history of the event. We are thrilled to have them with us.

Closed

Bid

3500

By

Brink Plast

Partner

Helle Krogh

Camilla Krefeld, Denmark

From 2001 till 2006 Camilla represented Denmark on the women's team. Since she has only played in open events and is one of only two women in Denmark who have played in the first division year after year.

Since they have children together, Camilla is forced to play with Johan Hammelev. So far it has brought them gold medals in the Danish mixed pairs, mixed teams, but also a silver medal in the open pairs and a bronze in the open teams.

Camilla is known for providing medals for her entire family. Her husband, her mother, her father... her younger brother is still waiting, but apparently he had his chance back in the junior days...  

Closed

Bid

1800

By

Michael Krefeld

Johan Hammelev, Denmark

Hammelev has been a part of the Danish elite longer than he can remember. However he remembers exactly how he and Camilla fell in love. 

It was a night after the local bridge club's anniversary. After months of courting her, Camilla finally agreed to sit on the back of Johan's bike in the middle of the night. Short of breath after riding up the endless hill of Longlandstreet, Johan finally stuttered: "I would ride up the Alpe D'Huez if you asked me to." 

Luckily for Johan, she never did. 

Closed

Bid

1800

By

Lars Peter Damgaard

Signe Buus Thomsen, Denmark

Signe is the biggest female talent in Danish bridge. In 2015 she won the Radisson Blu Scandinavian IMP Pairs with Swedish fellow junior Mikael Rimstedt. This year both of them play in the main event.

Signe won several medals in her junior years and went straight to the Danish national womens team with partner Bjørg Houmøller after ending her junior years. 

Still a junior, she impressed  by winning the Danish Cup and the Danish mixed pairs championships. At the table Signe is a fierce and fearless opponent. She is not scared of anything, and we can hardly wait to see what she will do to the world class players in the CBI 2017.  

Closed for bidding

Partner

Karsten Hansen-Nord

Private sponsor

Per-Ola Cullin, Sweden

Partner Peter Bertheau described Per-Ola in this manner back in 2014: "He is the smartest guy in the Bridge World. He is 35 years old, he is a father, he is a World Champion and he is a judge."

One year later Cullin was the guy breaking the "Israeli code" and thus providing Boye Brogeland the proof to back the accusations.

Besides putting criminals behind bars and catching cheaters and winning World Championships, Per-Ola is a completely normal charming guy with a girlfriend and two cute children.  

Closed for bidding

Partner

Christian Lahrmann

Anonymous sponsor

Tom Hanlon, Ireland

Hanlon is a professional bridge and poker player. He is also Gus Hansen's first choice for the pro/am, and lucky for Tom, since it means we had to invite him for the fourth time in a row... Gus and Tom still struggle to repeat their pro/am win from the first edition. Gus has improved quite a bit since then. Tom... well.   

He has been part of Irish national teams since his debut on the junior team as a young lad in 1986 and deserves his part of the credit for the good Irish results.

Outside of bridge, his humour and card skills are highly regarded, his armwrestling skills less so...

  Closed for bidding

Partner

Gustav Hansen

Tor Helness, Norway

Following a heart attack in 2003, Helness within an instant went from being the star of the financial industry to shine on the bridge world.
He quit his 15-hour workdays for good to resume his bridge career; he appeared for the first time on the Norwegian open team at the age of 20 and has assisted his country in winning all imaginable titles until his emmigration to Monaco.
Tor and Geir are known worldwide as "Helgeness" and one of the most popular pairs in the world thanks to their imaginative card play and frequent explosions of good mood.
Tor is a gambler by profession and nature, so when he heard that the CBI was once again held at the Casino Hotel, he said something incomprehensible in Norwegian and immediately accepted the invitation.

Closed for bidding

Partner

Nell Rindahl

Private Sponsor

Thomas Bessis, France

He is young, he is brilliant, he is French and he used to be goodlooking.

Despite having won several World and European Championships, Thomas is still as happy as the first time when he wins. Of all his titles, the European Championships in Budapest this year was the highlight. In this video you can see the joy of Thomas and the French open team.

His favourite second place was in the CBI 2013, where he was also lucky to partner His Royal Highness Prince Henrik in the Pro/am.

This year Thomas and his French accent is back to conquer Danemark. However not with his father, Michel Bessis, with whom he played the two previous editions of the CBI. Au contraire avec...

Closed for bidding

Partner

Niels Lund

Private Sponsor

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and snacks after the tournament for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Closed for bidding

Stig Farholt & Peter Fredin

All who have contributed to Bridgefonden in 2016 have been part of a draw to play the pro/am with Mathias Bruun. The winner was found early January.

Closed for bidding

Mathias Bruun and Skafti Jonsson

Play with a partner of your own choice

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and snacks after the tournament for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Closed

extende till 22:45

Bid 

6000

By

Birgitte og Finn Thunbo

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and snacks after the tournament for both players.

The spots will

be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Closed

extended till 22:45

Bid 

5500

Lone Kiær & Morten Bilde