Mike Smolen
American contract bridge player
About Mike Smolen
Lived 1940 – 1992 (aged 52). Mike Smolen was an American bridge player.
Michael Jerrold Smolen (November 18, 1940 – November 25, 1992) was an American bridge player from Chicago.
He was the inventor of the popular Smolen convention, an extension of Stayman, which is employed when the partner of a 1NT opener shows his/her 5+ card major.
Smolen, who lived in Alamo, California during his career, died in Los Angeles in 1992.
Bridge accomplishments
Awards
Fishbein Trophy (1) 1982
Wins
North American Bridge Championships (5) Rockwell Mixed Pairs (1) 1979 Jacoby Open Swiss Teams (1) 1982 Keohane North American Swiss Teams (1) 1978 Mitchell Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1976 Reisinger (1) 1984
Runners-up
North American Bridge Championships Wernher Open Pairs (1) 1990 Jacoby Open Swiss Teams (1) 1990 Mitchell Board-a-Match Teams (1) 1974
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Mike Smolen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mike Smolen?
American contract bridge player (1940-1992)
When was Mike Smolen born?
Mike Smolen was born on 18 November 1940 in Chicago.
When did Mike Smolen die?
Mike Smolen died on 25 November 1992.
What was Mike Smolen's occupation?
Mike Smolen was a bridge player.
What nationality was Mike Smolen?
Mike Smolen was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mike Smolen. https://biography.guide/mike-smolen/
MLA: "Mike Smolen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mike-smolen/.
Chicago: "Mike Smolen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mike-smolen/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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