Abstract: We introduce a new method to rate individual bridge players. We have implemented the method on real-world data. The new rating method leads directly to an interesting problem in matrix theory studied by Hadamard, Minkowski, Taussky, and others: Which diagonally dominant matrices are singular? (joint work with Tom Quint)

We discuss the speaker's new method for selecting first-round byes in wrestling tournaments. The Eastern wrestling coaches voted to adopt the new method for the NCAA qualifier meet held in March 2006. We discuss the implementation and the real-world results.