Business Notes LEISURE

Figuring the odds and bidding shrewdly are crucial skills for such high rollers as billionaire investor Warren Buffett and Bear Stearns chairman Alan ("Ace") Greenberg. That makes them all the more formidable at a favorite pastime of theirs: bridge. After the stock market closes, they bring their talents to high-powered card games at New York City's exclusive Regency Club. Their frequent opponents include CBS chairman Laurence Tisch and centillionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes.

The bridge-playing tycoons are much in demand for competitive events. This week the four cigar-chomping bigwigs and a few well-heeled friends will represent the American Contract Bridge League in a London play-off against a British team composed of one baroness, one lord and several other parliamentarians. "The opposition is in for problems," says Forbes. But then again, "the House of Lords probably has more time to practice."