Dayou Zhou Interview — March 25, 2007

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.

Alice Leicht congratulates Dayou Zhou, who won the National 100-200 MP Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs awards with totals exceeding the leaders for all categories within the La Jolla Unit 2006 Masterpoint Races.

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: Near term, 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.