LaJollaBridge.com sat down with Dayou to find out more about his background, what he is is doing now and what his plans are for the future.
LJB: Apart from Grant Baze, who is a professional player, you beat out every other player in San Diego County for the 2006 Masterpoint races. Is it exciting to be number one?
Dayou: Yes, it is.
LJB: Has your game changed in the last year?
Dayou: It has improved a lot.
LJB: What influences your play?
Dayou: Playing with good players, reading good books (my favorite is Bridge in the Menagerie by Victor Mollo) and watching online bridge. You can see my favorites at http://www.cs.ucsd.edu/~dzhou/bridge1.html
LJB: What is your favorite?
Dayou: My favorite bridge book is the first one (in English anyway) I read, "Card Play Technique" by Victor Mollo and Nico Gardner. Beautifully written, it is not meant to be an 'advanced' book, but I dare say that not too many players can claim they have mastered all materials covered.
LJB: Where are you from?
Dayou: China, Shanghai.
LJB: How did you learn to play bridge?
Dayou: I played socially with my Dad, when I was a junior in high school. I was about 14, at the time.
LJB: How about the ACBL?
Dayou: I have been a member for four years.
LJB: What system do you play?
Dayou: 2/1 is my favorite.
LJB: You are at UCSD?
Dayou: Right, I am working on a PhD in computer science with specialty in databases.
LJB: Will you be staying here, when you finish?
Dayou: Nearterm, I expect to be in California.
LJB: Anything else ?
Dayou: I wish to thank my dad for getting me started, Eugene Hung (who was at UCSD and moved to Bay area 2-3 years ago) for getting me serious, and Joel Hoersch, Jon Wright and Roger Doughman for getting me successful !
LJB: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I'll make sure I get a copy of Card Play Technique.