B. Jay Becker
B. Jay Becker (May 5, 1904 – October 9, 1987) was an American lawyer and bridge champion from Flushing, Queens. Biography He was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he trained as a lawyer at Temple Law School, graduating in 1929; he lived there until 1937. Turning to a career in contract bridge, he became a top player, columnist and teacher, twice winning world championships in the Bermuda Bowl events of 1951 and 1953. After playing on the Vanderbilt Trophy-winning team at age 81 in 1976, he was both the oldest player to win the Vanderbilt teams tournament and the winner of the greatest number of "national" (North American) team championships. Alan Truscott described him as "Among the handful of American experts who are legitimate candidates for the title of 'best player of all time.'" A conservative bidder, Becker had a careful style, avoided most bidding conventions and relied instead on his technical skills and judgment; he was admired and respected for his quiet demeanor at the table. Over the years, Becker managed three New York bridge clubs (the Cavendish 1942–47, the New York Bridge Whist 1948–50 and the Regency 1951–56) and for thirty years was a nationally syndicated columnist.