102.pdf

BRIDGE .

Number One Hundred and Two

Autumn 2010

Hand 1

Hand 2

PRIZE BIDDING QUIZ At love all, playing Acol with a 12-14 no-trump, what would you open as dealer on each of the above hands? Use the form on page 6 to send in your answer.

Last

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Cruise to the Riviera with Bernard Magee two-part two Follow Discovery to the sun on this tw o-part cruise that opens with tw o full days at sea, the chance ˜ȱœŠŸ˜ž›ȱŠȱ‘˜œȱ˜ȱœ‘’™‹˜Š›ȱŽ•’‘œǯȱ’œ‹˜—ȱ’œȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ˜ȱ˜ž›ȱŒŠ••œȱŠ›˜ž—ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž›’Š—ȱ™Ž—’—œž•Šǯȱ ˜ȱœŠŸ˜ž›ȱŠȱ‘˜œȱ˜ȱœ‘’™‹˜Š›ȱŽ•’‘œǯȱ’œ‹˜—ȱ’œȱ‘Žȱꛜȱ˜ȱ˜ž›ȱŒŠ••œȱŠ›˜ž—ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž›’Š—ȱ™Ž—’—œž•Šǯȱ Our voyage you Gibraltar,, y you’ll voyage then takes y ou through the Strait of Gibraltar ou’ll relish the views of Africa from the Nice’ss elegant seafront, our visit to Almeria leads top of the Rock. En route to the Côte d’Azur and Nice’ inland to Andalusian Granada and the Moorish Alhambra, built against the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. Nevada.

MR BRIDGE – DUPLICA DUPLICATE ICA ATE TE BRIDGE GUARANTEED Ž›—Š›ȱŠŽŽȱŠ—ȱ‘’œȱŽŠ–ȱ ’••ȱ•˜˜”ȱŠĞŽ›ȱ¢˜žȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱŞȱŠ¢ȱŒ›ž’œŽǯȱ—ȱŠ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‹›’ŽȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱ  Ž›—Š›ȱŠŽŽȱŠ—ȱ‘’œȱŽŠ–ȱ ’••ȱ•˜˜”ȱŠĞŽ›ȱ¢˜žȱ˜—ȱ‘’œȱŞȱŠ¢ȱŒ›ž’œŽǯȱ—ȱŠ’’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‹›’ŽȱŽŸŽ›¢ȱ ŽŽŸŽ—’—ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŚȱ–˜›—’—ȱœŽ–’—Š›œȱŠ—ȱřȱŠĞŽ›—˜˜—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱ˜ȱ‹›’Žǯȱ—ȱ‘’œȱŒ›ž’œŽǰȱ‘Žȱ ŸŽ—’—ȱ‘Ž›Žȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŚȱ–˜›—’—ȱœŽ–’—Š›œȱŠ—ȱřȱŠĞŽ›—˜˜—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱ˜ȱ‹›’Žǯȱ—ȱ‘’œȱŒ›ž’œŽǰȱ‘Žȱ ŽŽŸŽ—’—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱœ™•’ȱ’—˜ȱ ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ˜—Žȱꗒœ‘’—ȱ’—ȱ’–Žȱ˜›ȱ‘˜œŽȱ ’œ‘’—ȱ˜ȱœŽŽȱ ŸŽ—’—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱœ™•’ȱ’—˜ȱ ˜ȱœŽŒ’˜—œȱ ’‘ȱ˜—Žȱꗒœ‘’—ȱ’—ȱ’–Žȱ˜›ȱ‘˜œŽȱ ’œ‘’—ȱ˜ȱœŽŽȱ ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—’—ȱœ‘˜ ǯȱ‘¢ȱ—˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ›’Ž—œȱ ‘˜ȱŠ›Žȱ•˜˜”’—ȱ˜ȱ•ŽŠ›—ȱ‹›’Žȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž’——’—ǵȱ—ȱŠ—ȱ ‘ŽȱŽŸŽ—’—ȱœ‘˜ ǯȱ‘¢ȱ—˜ȱ‹›’—ȱ›’Ž—œȱ ‘˜ȱŠ›Žȱ•˜˜”’—ȱ˜ȱ•ŽŠ›—ȱ‹›’Žȱ›˜–ȱ‘Žȱ‹Ž’——’—ǵȱ—ȱŠ—ȱ member,, to teach beginners and improv improvers entirely separate section, there will be a Mr Bridge team member ers ’’—ȱŠȱ›ŽŠ••¢ȱ›’Ž—•¢ȱŽ—Ÿ’›˜—–Ž—ǯȱ••ȱœŽ–’—Š›œȱŠ—ȱŠĞŽ›—˜˜—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱŠ›Žȱ‘Ž•ȱ ‘’•Žȱ‘Žȱœ‘’™ȱ’œȱŠȱ —ȱŠȱ›ŽŠ••¢ȱ›’Ž—•¢ȱŽ—Ÿ’›˜—–Ž—ǯȱ••ȱœŽ–’—Š›œȱŠ—ȱŠĞŽ›—˜˜—ȱœŽœœ’˜—œȱŠ›Žȱ‘Ž•ȱ ‘’•Žȱ‘Žȱœ‘’™ȱ’œȱŠȱ everyone player sea, so ev eryone is able to enjoy all the ports of call. There is a £30 per bridge play er supplement for you those wishing to join in with the bridge programme. The programme is fully optional and y ou may ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱŠœȱ–žŒ‘ȱ˜›ȱŠœȱ•’Ĵ•ŽȱŠœȱ¢˜žȱ ’œ‘ǯȱ›ȱ›’ŽȱŠŒ’ŸŽ•¢ȱŽ—Œ˜ž›ŠŽœȱœ’—•Žœȱ˜ȱ“˜’—ȱ‘Žȱ™Š›¢ȱ ™ Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱŠœȱ–žŒ‘ȱ˜›ȱŠœȱ•’Ĵ•ŽȱŠœȱ¢˜žȱ ’œ‘ǯȱ›ȱ›’ŽȱŠŒ’ŸŽ•¢ȱŽ—Œ˜ž›ŠŽœȱœ’—•Žœȱ˜ȱ“˜’—ȱ‘Žȱ™Š›¢ȱ always and they will alw ays be found a partner for a game.

Your Y our V Voyage oyage includes: in Ȋȱ ȱ —œ™’›’—ȱŽœ’—Š’˜—œ —œ™’›’—ȱŽœ’—Š’˜—œ Ȋȱ Ȋ –™›Ž‘Ž—œ’ŸŽȱ•ŽŒž ž›ŽȱŠ—ȱ Ȋȱȱ ȱ˜ ˜–™›Ž‘Ž—œ’ŸŽȱ•ŽŒž›ŽȱŠ—ȱ Guest Speaker programme Ȋ ›ŠŸŽ•ȱ ’‘ȱŠ›˜ž—ȱŜśŖȱ•’”ŽȬ–’—Žȱ Ȋȱȱ  ȱ ›ŠŸŽ•ȱ ’‘ȱŠ›˜ž—ȱŜśŖȱ•’”ŽȬ–’—Žȱ passengers in 4-star comfort Ȋ —‹˜ž—ȱ̒‘ ‘ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ȱ Ȋȱȱ ȱ —‹˜ž—ȱ̒‘ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ ȱ ǻǻŠ—Œ‘ŽœŽ›ȱǡŝǯśŖ™™ȱœž™™•Ž–Ž—Ǽ Š—Œ‘ŽœŽ›ȱǡŝǯśŖ™™ȱœž™™•Ž–Ž—Ǽ

Ȋ Ȋȱȱ  ȱ ••ȱ–ŽŠ•œǰȱŽ—Ž›Š’—–Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ ••ȱ–ŽŠ•œǰȱŽ—Ž›Š’—– –Ž—ȱŠ—ȱ gratuities on-board included with no hidden extras Ȋ Ȋȱȱ  ȱ ›’Ž—•¢ȱŠ—ȱ›Ž•Š¡ŽȱŠ–˜œ™‘Ž›Žȱ ›’Ž—•¢ȱŠ—ȱ›Ž•Š¡ŽȱŠ–˜œ™‘Ž›Žȱ on board Ȋȱȱ  ••ȱ™›’ŒŽœȱ˜—ȱ‹˜Š›ȱ’—ȱ›’’œ‘ȱ™˜ž—œ Ȋ ••ȱ™›’ŒŽœȱ˜—ȱ‹˜Š›ȱ’—ȱ›’’œ‘ȱ™˜ž—œ Ȋ Ȋȱȱ  ȱ Š™Š’—ȂœȱŒ˜Œ”Š’•ȱ™Š›’ŽœȱŠ—ȱŠ•Šȱ Š™ ™Š’—ȂœȱŒ˜Œ”Š’•ȱ™Š›’ŽœȱŠ—ȱŠ•Šȱ dinners Ȋȱȱ  ••ȱ™˜›ȱŠ—ȱ™›ŽȬ™Š’ȱŠ’›™˜›ȱŠ¡Žœ Ȋ ••ȱ™˜›ȱŠ—ȱ™›ŽȬ™Š’ȱŠ’›™˜›ȱŠ¡Žœ

An exceptional voyage of 8 days Departing September 6, 2010 Date

Port

6HS

HARWICH, England Embark on mv DISC COVERYY &UXLVLQJWKH$WODQWLF2FHDQ &UXLVLQJWKH$WODQWLF2FHDQ LISBON, Por tugal GIBRALTAR ALMERIA6SDLQ &UXLVLQJWKH0HGLWHUUDQHDQ6HD NICE, France Disembark and transfer to airpor t IRUÁLJKWKRPHWR*DWZLFNRU0DQFKHVWHU

6HS 6HS 6HS 6HS 6HS 6HS 6HS

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45 Making Stayman better after 1NT by Bernard Colvin

3 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee

46 Double Dummy Answer by Richard Wheen

4 Bidding Quiz Answers by Bernard Magee

47 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage

7 7 Double Dummy Quiz by Richard Wheen

ADVERTISEMENTS 2 Cruise to the Riviera with Bernard Magee on Board Discovery

12 Justin Corfield says Establish Dummy’s Suit 13 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage

5 Voyages of Discovery 2011 Cruises

15 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions

6 Cut-out Form Mail Order Form

18 How to Score Duplicate Style in a One-Table Situation by Cliff Hancock

20 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 26 Declarer Play Quiz by Dave Huggett

13 Bernard Magee Tips for Better Bridge 14 All Roads Lead to Rome on board Minerva 16 Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified

27 David Gold says Bid Weak Over Strong and Strong Over Weak

23 Rubber/Chicago Bridge Events 24 Voyages of Discovery 2010/11 Winter Cruises

31 Catching Up by Sally Brock

26 2011 Bridge Breaks at Ardington Hotel

32 Seven Days by Sally Brock

30 Bridge Software

33 Harold Schogger says Lead Through Strength

35 Stamps 37 Playing Cards

44 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett

ou are West in the auctions below, playing 'Standard Acol' with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

(Answers on page 4) 1. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 64 ™ 953 © 5 ® AQ87654 West North East South 1© Pass ?

2. Dealer South. Love All. ♠ A97 ™ 75 © AK42 ® AQ53 West North East South 1NT Dbl 2™ Dbl Pass ?

3. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ AK76543 ™ 42 © 97 ® K8 West North East South 3™ Pass ?

4. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ J964 ™ K75 © 643 ® 982

39 2010/11 Bridge Breaks

35 Readers’ Letters

42 The Old Baron Triumphs Again by Dick Atkinson

Y

17 Christmas 2010

28 An Interesting Spring by Ned Paul

38 Betty Ellson 1934-2010

by Bernard Magee

9 Egypt 2011 10 Bridge Weekends with Bernard Magee

19 Jeremy Dhondy says Don’t Fight Partner in the Auction

34 Andrew Kambites says Use the Rule of Total Tricks

8 Tunisia

BIDDING QUIZ

40 Global Travel Insurance 43 Charity Bridge Events 46

Single -Suited Design Pens

48 QPlus 9.1

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3

West North East South 1♠ Dbl Pass ?

5. ♠ ™ © ®

Dealer East. N/S Vul. K3 764 KQ4 AK765

West North East South 1♠ Pass 2® Pass 2© Pass ?

ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE ♠ ™ © ®

1. Dealer East. Love All. 64 ♠ AK53 N 953 ™ AJ2 W E S 5 © KQ876 AQ87654 ® 2

West 1NT

North Pass

East

South

1©

Pass

2♠

Pass

some strength. Whenever your side has the majority of strength and reasonable trumps, your opponents will struggle and penalty doubles work wonders! One problem with penalty doubles is that, whenever your partner has a good one, you will have shortage in the suit, which makes it difficult to pass – partnership trust is the key to good bridge! On this hand, you will take 2™ doubled three off, for a penalty of 500.

3®

1NT. Two rules: with six high-card points, you should always respond; and you need 10 total points (at least 9 HCP) to bid a new suit at the 2-level. If you have to respond, but are not strong enough to bid your suit at the two level, you have only one choice: 1NT. Your aim is to slow the auction down – if you respond 2®, it will not be a surprise to hear 3NT from your partner and you will be stuck! After a 1NT response, you have shown your weakness: if you bid clubs on the next round, you will be showing a long suit in a weak hand. Over the 2♠ reverse (or raise to 2NT), your 3® rebid should end the auction – although you do need a trusting partner! 3® is a reasonable contract; even if it goes down, it will go down a lot less than most other contracts.

♠ ™ © ®

2. Dealer South Love All. A97 ♠ 8643 N 75 ™ K Q J 10 W E S AK42 © 53 AQ53 ® J86

West

North

East

South

Dbl

2™

Dbl

Pass

1NT ?

Pass. This hand is a question of accurate analysis of the auction. Your first double was for penalties – it was a good call, in essence showing a stronger hand than South. Whenever your side makes a penalty double, all later doubles should be for penalties – this is to stop your opponents from escaping too easily. Thus, East’s double was for penalties too – he should have at least four hearts and

♠ ™ © ®

3. Dealer East. AK76543 42 N E W 97 S K8

West

North

Love All. ♠ 2 ™ AK98753 © 42 ® 653

East

South

3™

Pass

?

Pass. Your partner’s 3™ shows a weak hand with a seven-card heart suit. In general, when responding to a pre-empt without good support, you need 16+ HCP to go for game. Always try to avoid fighting with your partner! He has shown a seven-card heart suit, so you have found a good fit already – there is no need to mention your spade suit. Note also that a bid of 3♠ would not show a weak hand; it would be a strong and forcing bid – it would take you too high. 3™ might scrape home, while contracts any higher will probably go down.

♠ ™ © ®

4. Dealer North. Love All. J964 ♠ 2 N K75 ™ AJ64 W E 643 © AJ82 S 982 ® KQ76

West

North

East

South

1♠

Dbl

Pass

?

2®. Your partner has made a take-out double – you should only pass this if you think that 1♠ doubled would be a good contract for your side to defend. That is certainly not the Page 4

case here – it is likely to make with a few overtricks. While you have not picked up the most desirable hand, do your best to obey your partner – take the bidding out of spades. However, do not bid no-trumps because that is simply asking for trouble – your opponents will double you and down you will go – with these two hands, you will probably be three off doubled: -500. Pick a suit and, if you have to tell a lie, you should choose a minor; with both suits equally poor, choose the lower: 2® and hope your partner does the right thing! Over your 2® call your partner should pass, since you have promised no points – you might escape for just a couple off if you play there: a loss of -100 is better than -360 for 1♠ doubled with two overtricks.

♠ ™ © ®

5. Dealer East. N/S Vul. K3 ♠ AJ842 N 764 ™ K3 W E S KQ4 © A765 AK765 ® 82

West 2®

North Pass

East

South

1♠

Pass

2©

Pass

?

2™. You have a powerful hand considering that your partner opened the bidding, yet, with no fit found, slam is likely to be out of the picture. When there is no fit, no-trumps usually fit the bill, though, with no stopper in the unbid suit, you cannot bid no-trumps yourself. What you would like to do is ask your partner if he has a heart stopper: the way to do this is to use the fourth-suit forcing convention. A bid in the fourth suit (the only suit not bid: hearts on this deal), does not need to be natural because a fit is highly unlikely in the suit. Instead, it is a general strong and forcing bid, one that asks partner to show something else about his hand: a stopper in the fourth suit, support for a suit, or extra length in his own suits. On this hand, East would show his stopper by bidding notrumps and West would raise to game. With East as declarer, the lead will come from ■ South and the ™K will be safe.

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Fares Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest inside twin-bedded cabin category categor y as shown and include all applicable discounts for new bookings only only.. All offers are subject to availability, availability, are FDSDFLW\FRQWUROOHGDQGPD\EHZLWKGUDZQDWDQ\WLPH2QÁ\FUXLVHVÁLJKWVIURP0DQFKHVWHULQFXUD…SSVXSSOHPHQW…SSHDFKZD\ 6HHEURFKXUHIRUIXOOWHUPVDQGFRQGLWLRQV2QO\ERRNLQJVPDGH FDSDFLW\FRQWUROOHGDQGPD\EHZLWKGUDZQDWDQ\WLPH2QÁ\FU XLVHVÁLJKWVIURP0DQFKHVWHULQFXUD…SSVXSSOHPHQW…SSHDFKZD\ 6HHEURFKXUHIRUIXOOWHUPVDQGFRQGLWLRQV2QO\ERRNLQJVPDGH GLUHFWO\ZLWK0U%ULGJHDUHHOLJLEOHWREHSDUWRIWKH0U%ULGJH*URXS 7KRVHZLVKLQJWRSOD\EULGJHSOHDVHQRWHWKDWWKHUHLVDEULGJHVXSSOHPHQWRI…SHUEULGJHSOD\HUWREHFRQÀUPHGDWWKHWLPHRIERRNLQJ GLUHFWO\ZLWK0U%ULGJHDUHHOLJLEOHWREHSDU WRIWKH0U%ULGJH*URXS 7KRVHZLVKLQJWRSOD\EULGJHSOHDVHQRWHWKDWWKHUHLVDEULGJHVXSSOHPHQWRI…SHUEULGJHSOD\HUWREHFRQÀUPHGDWWKHWLPHRIERRNLQJ V oyages of Discover Voyages Discoveryy is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

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MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE QPlus 9.1 QPlus 8.8 (second hand)

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£84.00 ....... £54.00 .......

TUTORIAL SOFTWARE

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BOOKS

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Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95 ....... Club Offer 10 for only £35.00 ....... Simple Directing at the Club – Dr Gurr £4.75 ....... Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee £14.00 ....... Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book £14.00 ....... Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book £14.00 ....... Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge £14.00 .......

Answers to the Prize Bidding Quiz on the front cover: Hand 1 opening bid ............................................. Hand 2 opening bid .............................................

SINGLE-SUITED BALL-POINT PENS Ballpoint Pens. Boxed set of four

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2011 DIARIES

If you have any comments, queries or points of interest, please use this panel and post them in:

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, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. Please complete all or part this form and return to , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH.

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

Page 6

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( 01483 489961

PRIZE BIDDING

QPLUS

FESTIVAL BRIDGE

I have some second-hand copies of QPlus 8.8 for only £54. Should you at some later date wish to upgrade to 9.1, just return the 8.8 with a cheque for £32.

Next May, the Surrey town of Haslemere holds its festival and I am joining in with a three day series of tutorials to be given by Bernard Magee. These will be on 17, 18 and 19 May at 11am and at 3pm each day in Haslemere Hall, the town’s well-appointed theatre. Each tutorial will cover different subjects and tickets are £10 per session. For those wanting to stay overnight there are several local b&bs and hotels in the area. It also supports lots of pubs and eateries for those wanting to visit for a day ot two and water and feed themselves. It promises to be a novel experience. For details and booking forms ring the office on ( 01483 489961.

Only a few new hands for you to look at this time: Please send in an entry for the prize bidding quiz using the form on page 6 or send me an email. While doing so, perhaps you will send in your suggestions for any changes you would like to see in this magazine.

THANK YOU The promotion of my Premium Quality Cards has got off to a flying start. Orders for standard and barcoded cards for use with Duplimate machines should now be placed directly with

1600-01 8771-13 5387-06

1370-20 7212-15 8584-06

One of the useful features of QPlus is that every possible combination of 52 cards has its own serial number. This enables me to talk to you about any particular deal, as I can put it up on my own screen by pressing a button, confident that I have the whole deal reproduced accurately, with dealer details as well as the vulnerability. Great.

DIARIES

See advert on page 37.

NEW PROMOTION My 2011 bridge diaries are now in stock. The standard version is £6.95 and the luxury version is £14.95. Club orders, ten standard for only £35 and pro rata. Prices include postage and VAT.

WORTHING 2011

BOOKINGS The Bridge Centre is also helping me launch a general purpose table that I have had designed and made in China. It is 85cm square, about 33 inches in old money, has a strong vinyl top, tubular black metal frame and packs flat to 4cm (1½") so it’s easy to fold and store. These are offered for only £60 including delivery. Stock available from mid September. Quotations for clubs on application. Order with confidence.

We are not travel agents but work with Discovery to try to ensure parties of sufficient size are on board for a duplicate session. I have arranged that all bridge players who wish to book for Discovery are able to do so at the best price available at the time of making their booking and that includes newspaper promotions. However, you cannot be part of our exclusive group if you don’t book your cruise on Discovery with us.

♠ ™ © ® ♠ ™ © ®

87 3 K J 10 Void ♠ ™ © ®

432 Void AQ5 Void ♠ ™ W E S © ® A Q 10 2 32 Void N

KJ9 Void 4 AK

North is on lead in a no-trump contract. How can North/South make all the six remaining tricks against any defence? (Answer on page 46.)

LOST IN TRANSLATION

FUND-RAISING Christians in Iraq and Little Voice shared the proceeds (nearly £4000) of the 2010 bridge day out at Bishops Waltham hosted by Bernard Magee. The event was run by a wonderful team once again co-ordinated by Margaret Cochrane.

London Bridge Centre 44 Baker Street, London W1U 7RT ( 0207 486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com

DOUBLE DUMMY by Richard Wheen

The Beach Hotel will be closed but time does not stand still. Bernard Magee will make his inaugural appearance at The Chatsworth Hotel on 18 March 2011. For full details see page 10. He will be hosting only three weekends in Worthing in 2011 as he is working hard on the American equivalent of Acol Bidding.

Page 7

While on holiday with cousins in Brittany, I told those with whom we were staying, all about our cruise from Malaysia to Mauritius. And the story about the pirates really grabbed their attention, especially Yann Drévès, pictured above. Yes, the ship had to be blacked out at night whilst approaching The Seychelles. For pirates? Yes. Safety was of paramount importance to Voyages of Discovery. All the surrounds of the decks were draped with razor-sharp barbed-wire. Mais alores! For pirates? Yes, absolutely. That’s incredible. I assure you it was so – and Mrs Bridge adds her bit. Yes and radio silence was maintained with no email or satellite phone connection either just in case it was picked up by the Pirates.

Unbelievable! All this for parrots – no, pirates.

STAMP SAVING

TUNISIA 2011

AT THE ROYAL KENZ TUNISIA 2010/2011

Bernard Magee is once again at the Royal Kenz Hotel, Port El Kantaoui. Two weeks for £799 per person sharing. Singles have a modest supplement. Phone for details. ( 01483 489961.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Once again we offer two venues for this year’s festive season. Denham Grove near Uxbridge, and The Olde Barn Hotel, Marston, near Grantham, in Lincolnshire. Derek Monk is hosting at Denham and Alison Nicolson at The Olde Barn. Full programme on request.

MINERVA

20 February – 6 March £749* Bernard Magee 6 March – 20 March £749* Chris Barrable and Ann Pearson 20 March – 3 April £749* Chris Barrable and Ann Pearson

Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool-facing room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of seasonal fruit. These holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS ( 01483 489961

I loved my tea towels but coach said it was just a diversion. I’ve given them over to Art Screen Print who will be pleased to send you a list and fulfil your orders. They make great little prizes. ( 01287 637527

USED STAMPS All Roads Lead to Rome, Swan Hellenic’s Minerva relocation cruise is priced to lure you into trying out this wonderful small ship. Inside cabins are from £1294 sharing. You will experience a degree of pampering which is hard to describe. As nearly all the excursions are included in the price, games of bridge are organised to fit in with the ship’s programme.

BRAVE OLDIES *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £6 per night. These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to Monastir. Flights from other UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices are firm until the end of July 2010. Prices for seven-night stays are available on application.

MUCH LOVED

Do say you heard it from Mr Bridge.

Two-week half-board duplicate holidays 31 Oct – 14 Nov £749* Tony and Jan Richards Golf available

Do take advantage of Clive Goff’s special stamp service. Ring him on ( 0208 4224906 or email [email protected]

I am encouraged by the spirit of a lot of older readers, who are slowly learning the new technology and finding it really fun. Many have Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding, whose over your shoulder teaching method makes you believe he’s in the room. If you can no longer get out and about much or are recovering from illness, this young man is just the tonic you need. Page 8

Please keep saving your used stamps to help Little Voice, a small charity supporting a home for children in Addis Ababa. Ask your friends and neighbours to do so too. See the letter on page 35. Those recently sending stamps will be listed in the next issue.

RE-REGISTRATION You need to re-register every two years to receive BRIDGE and can now do so online. Go to my website: mrbridge.co.uk/contact us/more_details.php and complete the form. This will serve to ensure you receive Bridge Weekly which is emailed out every Tuesday.

RUBBER BRIDGE Diana Holland is our rubber/Chicago hostess with the mostess. It is not duplicate but if you enjoy playing the cards and meeting like-minded people, you should give it a try.

RIVIERA You can still book a place onboard Discovery’s Cruise to the Riviera. This relocation cruise is really popular with bridge players for two very good reasons. Bernard Magee is on board with his experienced team and as there are several days at sea, there is plenty of time for morning lectures, afternoon play sessions and after dinner duplicates. Inside cabins are still available from £499 sharing, £599 outside sharing. Good prices for singles on application. See advert on the inside front cover.

HOLIDAY INSURANCE You should consider holiday insurance, most especially when you are travelling abroad, an absolute must even if the holiday provider does not make it mandatory.

CREDIT CARD

At long last I have been able to clarify the terms and conditions that relate to the 2% turnover rebate that holders will receive to use towards payment for their weekend events or mail order purchases. Do ring for an application form.

SHARM EL SHEIK

AT THE 5* KIROSEIZ THREE CORNERS, NA’AMA BAY, EGYPT 2011

With this year’s experience at Sharm under his belt, Bernard is really looking forward to introducing you to the colourful fish in the amazing Red Sea.

A 5* spacious resort hotel complex with a friendly atmosphere situated 3km from the resort centre of Na’ama bay and a 15 minute courtesy bus ride from the hotel’s private beach.

Last year’s freak storm, so bad that it made national television news here in the UK, was, I am sure, a one off. Telephone for our information pack, read it through and then book with confidence.

LAST MINUTE There are always last minute cancellations for cruises and weekends. Give my office a call to see what is available. At the time of writing there are still cabins on Discovery. Fly to Iceland and cruise to Greenland and back to Harwich. Or from Harwich to Nice for seven nights for only £499 per person sharing. There are also some spaces at Blunsdon House Hotel 6-8 August with Bernard Magee or at the Beach Hotel with Chris Barrable the same weekend. No single supplements.

2011-12 WINTER

I am planning these events regionally: North Yorkshire, Leicestershire, North Devon and Buckinghamshire.

with Bernard Magee 17-31 January 2011 £1079* All inclusive board includes: buffet-style breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks served at selected times between meals, ice cream served in the afternoon and afternoon tea. An unlimited amount of hot, soft and alcoholic drinks (excluding international brands and cocktails) served 10 am to midnight. The bridge itinerary consists of four seminars and set hand sessions, a quiz with an answer session and a varied evening programme.

JUST BRIDGE From my postbag, I can see that there is a demand for Just Bridge.

Duplicate Bridge

*per person full-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £220 per fortnight. These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick. Flights from other airports are available at a supplement, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle.

The arrival of this brochure is imminent and includes a Japanese adventure as well as a cruise from Manila to Sydney and a cruise from Sydney to Singapore. Real Discovery Cruising.

This holiday is arranged in conjunction with Thomas Cook Holidays ATOL1179.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS ( 01483 489961

Give my office a call if you are interested. Page 9

HOTELS BRIDGE WEEKENDS with Bernard Magee © Full-board

© Two seminars

© All rooms with en-suite facilities

© Two supervised play sessions

© No single supplement

© Four duplicate sessions

Blunsdon House Hotel, near Swindon, is a four-star hotel. It boasts a heated indoor swimming pool and a nine hole, par three golf course, as well as a one mile woodland walk. Ardington Hotel is Worthing's leading privately owned and managed hotel. It occupies an Edwardian terrace situated in a prestigious town centre location overlooking Steyne Gardens.

Please book me for ..... places at £..... per person, or ..... places at £145 per person as day guests. Single .... Double .... Twin .... Sea View1 .... Executive2 .... Venue .................................................................................

Denham Grove is set in 42 acres of grounds just northwest of London. It combines a modern design with a rural setting and is the ideal place to unwind. Walk through the verdant grounds or simply relax in the indoor pool or spa.

Dates .................................................................................. Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... Address............................................................................... ............................................................................................ Postcode ............................................................................ ( ......................................................................................

The Olde Barn Hotel, Marston, Lincs, is an idyllic retreat set in beautiful countryside in the heart of England. The emphasis is on quality and the state-ofthe-art Health Club and Spa has something for everyone.

Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige) ........................................................................................... Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking ........................................................................................... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 1£30 supplement per room (Beach Hotel only). 2£50 supplement per room (Blunsdon House and Denham Grove only).

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com

Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3DZ

Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU

Denham Grove Near Uxbridge UB9 5DU

The Inn on the Prom St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU

Chatsworth Hotel is Worthing's most prestigious hotel and is a Grade II listed building with a gorgeous Georgian frontage. Retaining its 19th Century charm, and offering impeccable service and a warm welcome, the hotel is backed by a silver tourism award for quality. The Inn on the Prom has a superb sea-front location on the St Annes-on-Sea Promenade. Following their refurbishment programme, their stunning new boutique bedrooms offer contemporary luxury at an affordable price – an experience not to be missed.

Page 10

PROGRAMME This is the format for all Bernard Magee hosted events.

FRIDAY 1500 Welcome Desk open Afternoon Tea 1745 to 1830 Welcome drinks reception 1830 to 2000 DINNER 2015 BRIDGE 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS

SATURDAY 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) 1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET LUNCH 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 2 TEAMS of FOUR or FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 1815 to 2000 DINNER 2015 BRIDGE 3 DUPLICATE PAIRS

SUNDAY 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) 1230 to 1400 CARVERY LUNCH 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 4 FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS

2010 and 2011 BRIDGE WEEKENDS with Bernard Magee Full Board. No single Supplement. 6 - 8 August 2010 Blunsdon House Hotel £235 per person Hand Evaluation

26 - 28 November 2010 The Beach Hotel £235 per person Further into the Auction

20 - 22 August 2010 Blunsdon House Hotel £235 per person Better Defence

3 - 5 December 2010 The Beach Hotel £235 per person Sacrificing

1 - 3 October 2010 The Beach Hotel £235 per person Declarer Play

18 - 20 March 2011 Chatsworth Hotel £245 per person Weak Twos

21 - 23 October 2011 Denham Grove £245 per person Game Tries

8 - 10 October 2010 The Olde Barn Hotel £235 per person Game Tries

25 - 27 March 2011 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 per person Sacrificing

4 - 6 November 2011 Inn on the Prom £235 per person Hand Evaluation

22 - 24 October 2010 Denham Grove £235 per person Doubles

8 - 10 April 2011 Inn on the Prom £235 per person Leads and Defence

11 - 13 November 2011 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 per person Suit Establishment

29 - 31 October 2010 Denham Grove £235 per person Splinters and Cue-bids

15 - 17 April 2011 The Olde Barn Hotel £235 per person Doubles

18 - 20 November 2011 Chatsworth Hotel £245 per person NEW SEMINAR Finding Slams

12 - 14 November 2010 The Beach Hotel £235 per person Better Defence

30 September - 2 October 2011 The Olde Barn Hotel NEW £235 per person SEMINAR Finding Slams

Page 11

7 - 9 October 2011 Blunsdon House Hotel with Improver £245 per person Section Stayman and Transfers 14 - 16 October 2011 Chatsworth Hotel £245 per person NEW SEMINAR Delarer Play

25 - 27 November 2011 Denham Grove £245 per person NEW SEMINAR Squeezes

Justin Corfield Says

Establish Dummy’s Suit key technique in declarer play is to know when, and how, to set up a long suit in dummy.

A

♠ ™ © ®

AJ2 65 J63 AK642 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

K Q 10 7 5 4 A9 10 7 4 85

West

North

Pass

4♠

East Pass End

South 2♠

Partner decided simply to raise your weak two opening to game. Even if 4♠ went off, it might be a good save against 4™ the other way. The defenders take three rounds of diamonds before switching to a heart. How can you find 10 tricks? Since dummy cannot ruff anything, a careless declarer might well start by drawing trumps. If you do that, though, the contract will be in severe danger. If the trumps turn out to break 3-1, there are only 9 tricks. Even if the trumps are kind enough to break 2-2, you will still need an unlikely 3-3 club break if you try to set up the suit at that point. There is a better way to play this hand. The correct play is to try to set up dummy’s club suit for a heart discard before drawing trumps. Most days, the clubs will break 4-2 – so you should assume that you need two club ruffs to set up a third club trick. This, in turn, means that you need three entries to dummy, two to ruff clubs and another to get back to the long club.

Appreciating this, you draw just one round of trumps, with the king of spades (both defenders follow), and then start on the club suit, cashing the ®A-K. If East or West can ruff one of these, the clubs were 5-1, and you could never have made the contract. After the ®A-K both survive, you ruff a club with the ten of spades. If everybody follows, the clubs were 3-3, and you can claim at this point. If there is still a high club out, you are still OK. You continue setting up the clubs by crossing back to the jack of spades and ruffing yet another club, this time with the queen of spades. Finally, you can cross back to the ace of spades and cash dummy’s established fifth club, discarding your heart loser. Of course, some suits need more setting up than others:

♠ ™ © ®

10 9 8 96 75432 K83 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

AKQJ632 AK 6 A64

West

North

East

Pass Pass End

2© 4®

Pass Pass

Look at the Diamonds There is nothing else for it but to try to establish dummy’s rather diminutive diamond suit. Needing to preserve entries to the table, you win the lead with the ace of clubs and play the six of diamonds. Believe it or not, so long as the diamonds are 4-3, the defenders are powerless, and cannot stop the world’s worst suit from being established. Say they win and return a trump. You can win this with the ten of spades and ruff a diamond with the ace of spades. After this, you cross to the nine of spades and ruff a second diamond with the king of spades. If both defenders follow to this trick, you are home. Cross to the eight of spades and ruff yet another diamond with the queen of spades. When the diamonds were 4-3 it only remains for you to cash your major suit winners, cross to the king of clubs and cash the long diamond, discarding the club loser. It is amazing what suits you can set up once you put your mind to it!

Entries Are Important South 2® 3♠ 6♠

After you showed your solid suit with 3♠, partner’s club cue bid was all the encouragement you needed to jump to 6♠. Dummy, alas, is not all you hoped for. ®K-Q-x or ®K-x would have given you twelve easy tricks.

Page 12

As things are, West leads the queen of clubs and you need to find a way to get rid of one of your minor suit losers. What are your thoughts?

It is worth noticing that an initial trump lead would have beaten this contract. You needed four entries to dummy – three to ruff diamonds, and a fourth to get to the established diamond. A trump lead removes one of those entries before you are ready to use it. Even on the club lead, if you were to win it in dummy, you would be an entry short for your diamond ruffs. Setting up a long suit is a close cousin to another bridge maxim that is well worth knowing – watch your entries. ■

DEFENCE QUIZ by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 47) ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your turn to play.

Y

♠ ™ © ®

1.

♠ ™ © ®

10 5 3 AKJ62 J AQ72

AQ9 10 7 Q9653 K95

♠ ™ © ®

N W

E S

West North East South

♠ ™ © ®

3.

A94 Q873 J5 9872

Q83 J 10 2 AQ74 J54 N W

E S

West North East South

3♠ Pass

4♠

End

You lead the ©5: ©J, ©A, ©K. Partner switches to the ®3, covered by the ®4. What do you play?

♠ ™ © ®

2.

♠ ™ © ®

K53 J 10 6 2 AQ962 Q

A74 97 853 K9752

N W

E S

1™ Pass

2©

Pass

Pass

4™

End

3™

You lead the ®8: ®4, ®A, ®K. Partner switches to the ♠J and declarer plays low. What do you play?

♠ ™ © ®

4.

♠ ™ © ®

AJ8 873 KJ5 J972

Q43 AK62 AQ974 5 N W

E S

West North East South Pass

1©

Pass

1™

2™

Pass

4™

End

West North East South Pass

1©

Pass

1™

3™

Pass

4™

End

You lead the ®5. Partner wins with the ®A and switches to the ♠J. What do you do when declarer plays low?

You lead the ®2. Partner wins with the ®A and switches to the ♠2, on which declarer plays low. What do you do?

Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages Bidding Tips 1 Always consider bidding spades if you can 2 Bid more aggressively when non-vulnerable 3 Always double when the opponents steal your deal 4 A take-out double shows shortage in the suit doubled 5 ‘Borrow’ a king to keep the auction open 6 After a penalty double, don’t let the opponents escape 7 Halve the value of a singleton honour when opening 8 Only add length-points for a suit that might be useful 9 Isolated honours are bad except in partner’s suit 10 Use the jump shift sparingly 11 Consider passing and letting partner decide 12 You need two top honours for a second-seat pre-empt 13 Put the brakes on if you have a misfit 14 Strong and long minors work well in no-trumps 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit can be enough for no-trumps 16 Keep your two-level responses up to strength 17 Use your normal methods in response to a 1NT overcall 18 Don’t overcall just because you have opening points 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, so be prudent when responding 20 Weak overcalls must be based on strong suits 21 6NT requires 33 points not 4 aces and 4 kings 22 Raise immediately, if weak with four-card support 23 In a competitive auction, show support immediately 24 Bid to the level of your fit quickly with weak hands 25 With strength and support, use the opponents’ bid suit Declarer-play Tips 26 When your contract depends on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ 27 Consider what a defender might be thinking about 28 Always take your time at trick one 29 Establish extra tricks before cashing your winners 30 Use your opponents’ bidding to your advantage 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ gaining the lead 32 Use the Rule of Seven when holding up in no-trumps

33 A low lead usually promises length and an honour 34 When declaring 1NT try to be patient 35 Duck an early round when you are short of entries 36 Lead up to your two-honour holding 37 Do not always assume a suit will break well 38 Drop a high card to put off the defence 39 Play your highest card to tempt a defender to cover 40 Draw trumps first unless you have a good reason not to 41 Do not waste your trumps 42 Consider leaving a lone defensive trump winner out Defence Tips 43 Keep four-card suits intact whenever possible 44 Give count on declarer’s leads 45 Keep the right cards rather than signal 46 Take your time when dummy is put down 47 High cards are for killing other high cards 48 Do not waste intermediate cards 49 Pick two key suits to concentrate on during the play 50 If in doubt, cover an honour with an honour 51 If a lead is from two honours, it is best not to cover 52 Keep your honour to kill dummy’s honour 53 Try to show partner your solid honour sequences 54 Lead the normal card when leading partner’s suit 55 Never underlead an ace at trick one in a suit contract 56 Be wary of leading from four cards to only one honour 57 Lead a higher card from a suit without an honour 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ strength and up to weakness 59 Cash your winners before trying for a trump promotion 60 Be patient when defending 1NT 61 Trump leads can be safe throughout the play General Tips 62 Do not put important cards at either end of your hand 63 Avoid being declarer when you are dummy 64 Before you lead ask for a review of the auction 65 Enjoy the Game!

£14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961

Page 13

Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruising

For people with a mind to travel

At Swan Hellenic, we go further and dig deeper. Our on-board guest speakers and excursions ashore, help you gain fascinating insights. You travel in country-style comfort with no more than 320 like-minded passengers and dine in the restaurant of your choice with your friends. Be assured of excellent value for money, including tailor-made shore excursions and all tips on-board and ashore. Travel with a renowned British company, established in 1954, and enjoy an experience that will live with you forever.

Mr Bridge All passengers who have booked and registered through Mr Bridge will be eligible to partake in the exclusive late afternoon duplicate session. There is no Bridge supplement, as like most of the excursions, it is included in the price. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME MIN100826 15 days departing August 26, 2010 from £1,282pp* (inside), £1,995pp (outside) or £1,538pp* (inside single) Follow in the wake of Pilgrims, maritime explorers and gentlemen on the Grand Tour from Dover to St Peter Port to the magnificent cathedrals of Santiago de Compostela and St Peter’s in Rome. Share in their fascination and wonder as you explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, taste port and sherry in Oporto and Jerez, and marvel at the Moorish Alhambra and the Rennaissance cities of Florence, Pisa and Rome. A tailor-made excursion programme, entrance fees and all gratuities are included. *Fares exclusive to Mr Bridge FREE Complimentary pre-cruise transfer from London Gatwick to Dover (please request at the time of booking). For Airport parking details please see Terms and Conditions below

01483 489961

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DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws

AnExplanation JogsPartner’s Memory

Q

The bidding went as follows:

West North East South 1NT1 2©2 Pass 2™ Pass 3©3 12-14 Alerted; explained as diamonds and hearts 3 South had forgotten 1

2

The director was called and South was told to play in 3©, which made. The director came back and adjusted the score to 3™-1. Is this right? Ian Dent, Desford, Leicester.

A

It is unfortunate that players think doing well is more important than following the rules. South bid 2©, which showed diamonds and hearts. If his partner had said it showed diamonds and then bid 2™, no doubt South would have passed. So why did he not? Because

David Stevenson answers all queries based on the facts supplied by the letter writer. Neither Mr Bridge nor David Stevenson has any way of knowing whether those facts are correct or complete.

he based his next bid on his partner’s explanation and that is not allowed. Only very inexperienced players fail to realise they may not use information from partner. The adjustment should no doubt have been to 2™. Since the director believed this would have made, it probably would have cost nothing. South should merely have received a well-deserved telling off. It is a great shame that players do not follow the rules. You must not base your calls and plays on anything partner says, or any other indications from partner like alerts, sighs, groans and hesitations.

they play transfers, opener will announce ‘Hearts’ or ‘Spades’ respectively. This does not apply to other artificial bids, even if they are transfers. For example, if responder bids 2♠ as a transfer to clubs, or 2NT as a transfer to diamonds, opener alerts and explains only if asked. ®©™♠

Q

Please could you advise on an ethical problem?

♠ ™ © ®

K KQ9 K98753 K 10 2

®©™♠ West North East South 1NT1 2 3 4 Pass 2™ Dbl Pass 3™5 Pass 4™ End

Q

If opponents are playing transfers, should one of them alert? Mrs SF Joyce, Market Harborough.

A

When a player opens 1NT, his partner should state the range immediately without prompting: that is an announcement. In a similar fashion, if his partner bids 2® and it is Stayman, the 1NT opener should announce ‘Stayman’. If the responder bids 2© or 2™ and

12-14 Playing Astro, I could not bid 2© 3 Transfer to spades 4 Alerted: we play this as a penalty double of 1NT 5 Realising that partner cannot have 15+ points 1 2

Before the lead, I explained that I knew my partner did not have a penalty double, but was showing a heart suit. Was this right? Rosemary Spencer by email.

Page 15

A

You did more than you needed to. Your opponents have a right to know your agreed system, nothing more, so you did not need even to explain your bidding. You have made life easier for them unnecessarily. Of course, you are likely to have to explain at the end of the hand, as is your partner. ®©™♠

Q

West deals and passes. North and East also pass. North calls the director and says, ‘I have found a card; can I change my bid?’ Roger Grimsdick by email.

A

You should explain that he cannot change his call once he has made it – ie once it is clear of the bidding box – and that, in future, he should not make a remark once he has made a mistake, but should keep quiet. I would then read Law 73C out to South and explain to him that he must do his very best to take no advantage from anything North has said. I would tell the opponents to call me back if they have any worries that South may have taken advantage unintentionally or otherwise.

Ask David

continued

Q

Halfway through the play, as declarer (East), I asked my partner to play the ♠Q from dummy; without playing this card my partner pointed out that my hand was on lead. Before I could make a lead from my hand, North demanded that he wanted the queen of spades led from dummy. Can he do this? Mrs C Lambert by email.

A

Well, I never like the word ‘demand’, which gives the wrong impression of what should happen, but essentially the answer is ‘Yes’. When you asked for the spade queen, it became a played card. Your partner had no right to say anything. I know dummies often do say something, but, while they have the right to prevent or try to prevent an irregularity, they have no right to point it out once the irregularity has occurred. Once pointed out, of course, you should summon the director. Yes, I know people do not do so, but they should. The director will give both defenders the chance to accept or reject the lead out of turn – but without conferring. So, if an opponent says he accepts the lead out of turn, that is his right and he is merely shortcutting the process. ®©™♠

Q

East was in 2®. After a few tricks, declarer led a diamond towards dummy’s K-Q-x-x. South followed but North discarded the ™Q (the top card in the

suit). When South said ‘no diamonds partner’ North produced the ©A, thus winning the trick. North duly led the ™Q. Declarer ruffed and, when South overruffed, finished two down for -200. Any lead other than the ™Q would have saved declarer a trick. The defenders benefitted from the requirement to play the major penalty card at the first legal opportunity. Should there have been any adjustment to the score? Derek Partridge, Sidmouth.

A

There is no reason to adjust the score. If North does not revoke, he might easily have played the same way for the same result. Anyway, once a penalty has applied, if the offenders do not lose, that is merely the luck inherent in the game. ®©™♠

Q

Play on the internet is different from in a club, as partnerships often have little chance to agree their system. This means bidders explain their own bids (partner cannot see the answer). I held:

♠ ™ © ®

opponents missed game and accused me of lying. Michael Canton by email.

A

You did exactly right. Your opponents have a right to know your agreements as distinct from what is in your hand. Thus, if you tell them your agreements, it does not matter if the hand disagrees. They were out of order in accusing you of lying. This shows two of the disadvantages of playing on the internet. Firstly, ‘self-explanations’, when the bidder explains the meaning of his own call, create a problem when the bidder has not followed his agreements, or, as here, when he has applied judgement. Psyches, which are legal, lead to furious arguments when a player explains his system but does not follow it. Many think self-explanations (and selfalerts) are one of the advantages of playing on the internet, though this is a recurrent problem. Secondly, without a director easily on call, unnecessary rudeness from an opponent is difficult to deal with. ®©™♠

Q

K 10 7 K 10 3 K J 10 6 A 10 4

RHO opened 1©. Deciding that my strong diamond holding and various tens compensated for the deficit in points, I bid 1NT. An opponent asked me what the bid meant. As we were playing Acol, I replied ‘about 16 points and at least one diamond stopper’, which is what my partner would have said in a club situation. The

I opened 1NT, duly announced as 12-14. In fact, I had 15 HCP but did not like my doubleton queen and poor spot cards (no tens and only one nine). I ended up as dummy. When

Page 16

I put down my hand, the opponents complained. They thought an adjustment to the score was in order. AR Bond, Southport.

A

Judgement is always permissible; if you regarded your hand as worth only 14 points, this should have been the end of the matter. Your opponents have no right to an adjusted score when you have done nothing wrong. ®©™♠

Q

The bidding went as follows:

West North East South Pass Pass 1™ 1♠ Dbl End

North turned up with a strong 5-card spade suit. Could East have asked the meaning of the double? As North had passed initially, was it obvious that the double was for penalties? Ben Travis-Perkins, Surrey.

A

Players can always ask the meaning of calls when it is their turn to call. However, if the double was penalties, South should have alerted: doubles of natural suit bids without an alert are for takeout. As for the suggestion that after you have passed, double is for penalties, this makes little sense: once you have passed, a double is less likely to be for penalties.

DUPLICAT EBRIDGE RULESSIMPLIFIED

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Ask David

continued

Q

1. Is declarer entitled to see all the defenders’ cards? Clearly, if the play goes to a finish, this happens naturally. To save time, declarer may choose to make a claim for the last few tricks. However, declarer may already be three down, or deprived of overtricks, because a long suit failed to run. If nobody contests the claim, some defenders place their remaining cards face down on their stack. Can declarer ask to check that there has not been a revoke? As a defender, I make a practice of displaying my hand for anyone to inspect. 2. Although dummy has few rights during the play, is dummy likewise entitled to see the defenders’ cards as played? A few players angle their cards towards declarer, especially if they are small and their side is losing the trick. Surely, dummy should be able to monitor the play. Club Player, Liverpool.

A

Declarer has a right to see all the defender’s cards. If the defenders will not show them at the end, he should call the director who will instruct the defenders to show their hands. Cards played correctly are flat and thus visible to all. If this is not happening, again the director will insist on it. Against most players, the director need not be involved since defenders will show their cards when asked and

play them properly if asked. The director is required only when the opponents are ill mannered.

Christmas & New Year

®©™♠

Q

What is the correct way to deal with the situation where one table does not play a board because the pairs have been playing too slowly? Can one just count the board as unplayed and factor up their scores on the remaining boards? Tammy Wilcote by email.

A

You just give both pairs Average Minus on the board, normally 40% of a top, unless you judge one side only was at fault.  No, there is no situation when you use the average of the other scores; ‘not played’ is only for boards that pairs are not due to play.

Denham Grove Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU 24-27 December £395 Derek Monk

®©™♠

Q

I am not an experienced bridge player but people have told me that a double after a 1NT bid is always for penalty. Is this correct? Martin McNeill, Richmond.

27-29 December £199 Chris Barrable & Ann Pearson 29 Dec – 1 Jan £355 Chris Barrable & Ann Pearson

A

Players do not have to use penalty doubles of 1NT bids. It is popular to play that 1♠-pass-1NT-double is take-out of spades, for instance. If the 1NT is a strong no-trump opening, it is also quite common to play the double as something conventional rather than for penalties. As I have said many times before, not everyone uses the same bidding system. ■

E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: [email protected]

The Olde Barn Marston, Lincs, NG32 2HT 24-27 December £395 Alison Nicolson

( 01483 489961 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com Please call if you would like a sample copy of the program

Page 17

How to Score Duplicate Style in a One-Table Situation by Cliff Hancock ere is an idea for scoring bridge in the one table situation that closely reflects the scoring of a session of duplicate bridge. The basis is a few simple precepts:

H l l l

l l

l l

there are only four different types of contract (part score, game contract, small slam, grand slam) each type should have its own range of high-card points (HCP) for which the contract should be made if a side has fewer than the indicative range and still makes the contract, then they have done better than ‘par’ and so should record a positive score; if they have more than the indicative range and make the contract, then they should record a negative score overtricks should be rewarded (although there should be an upper limit to ensure that underbidding is not encouraged) if a contract is not made, then the side failing should be penalised, except in the case where they have made a valid sacrifice the advantage of long trump suits and side suit voids should not have an undue influence vulnerability, doubling and redoubling should have the same effect as in the duplicate situation

You can achieve these requirements (and more); here is how: Bid and play normally and, after the deal, note how many HCP the declaring side held. Compare this number with the table below: Contract type

Part score

Game contract

Small slam

Grand slam

HCP Par range

21 – 23

25 – 28

32 – 34

36 – 40

Upper limit on counting overtricks

1

2

1

0

Thus, for example, 2™ has par range 21 – 23; 3NT has par range 25 – 28 and so on. If the side has fewer HCP than the lower value, they score a positive number of standard points equal to the difference between their HCP and the lower value. Example: 2 hearts made 8 tricks with 19 HCP would score +2 standard points. If they hold more than the upper value, they score a negative number of standard points equal to the difference between their HCP and the upper value. Example: 3NT made 9 tricks with 29 HCP would score -1 standard point. Overtricks are easy to score. Each one counts +1 standard point – with an upper limit as set out in the table above. The thinking here is that making two overtricks in (say) 3NT is

good play but 3 overtricks would be bad bidding; you should be in a small slam. Example: 2 hearts made 9 tricks with 22 HCP would score +1 standard point. Undertricks, similarly, are easy. Each one counts -1 standard point – but with no upper limit (go 6 off, you will score -6). Example: 4 spades made 9 tricks with 26 HCP scores -1 standard point. For both overtricks and undertricks, the part about the ‘penalty’ for exceeding the upper limit of the par range remains. Example: 4 spades made 11 tricks with 29 HCP scores -1 (29 HCP) + 1 (overtrick) = 0 standard points. Example: 2 diamonds made 6 tricks with 24 HCP scores -1 (24 HCP) – 2(undertricks) = -3 standard points. To adjust for the fact that it is easier to make contracts with a long trump suit and/or with a side suit void then there are penalties for having those. Any declaring side that has one hand with 7 or more cards in the trump suit scores -1 standard point. In addition, any declaring side that has a void in a nontrump suit scores -1 standard point for each such void. Example: 4♠ made 10 tricks with 23 HCP when declarer holds 7 spades and dummy with a club void scores +2 (23 HCP) – 1 (7 spades) – 1 (club void) = 0 standard points. Note that these adjustments are only for trump contracts – there is no penalty for holding a long suit (or a void) in notrumps. The familiar ‘gambling 3NT’ opener on a long, solid minor suit is not penalised. An essential element of contract bridge is the sacrifice bid. We safeguard this by giving a declaring side failing to make the contract but holding the minority of HCP a bonus of +1 standard point for every HCP fewer than 20, but with an upper limit of +3. Example: 3 spades made 7 tricks with 17 HCP scores -2 (undertricks) +3 (17 HCP) = +1 standard point. This is the bare bones of the system (doubling including ‘doubling into game’, redoubling and vulnerability are included in the full system), a scoresheet template is available from the author, please email [email protected] Does it work? A measure of its accuracy would be its deviation from zero over a large number of hands. After all, performing at par scores zero and doing better gets a positive score while doing worse gets a negative score. Well, a group of us (around 10 – 12 players) have been using it for around five years and, for the first three years it seemed to be OK, so I started recording more detailed information over the last two years. The current overall score after 1866 hands is -9 standard points, so it is accurate to around ½%! I have also scored some recent Bermuda Bowl finals and it gives a result similar to the net IMP scores. It seems to work at all levels of the game. Below are a few sample deals from an evening of bridge.

Hand

Dealer

Vul

Contract

By

Result

HCP NS

HCP EW

7+ suit void

Par range

NS Score

NS Cumulative

EW Score

EW Cumulative

1

N

-

4S

W

+2

15

25

-

25 - 28

0

0

+2

+2

2

E

NS

2H

S

-1

22

18

-

21 - 23

-1

-1

0

+2

3

S

EW

3NT

E

=

11

29

-

25 - 28

0

-1

-1

+1

4

W

ALL

4H

N

=

20

20

7

25 - 28

+4

+3

0

+1

Page 18

Jeremy Dhondy Says

Don’t Fight Partner in the Auction t is your turn to bid and it seems that, no matter how many times you bid your hand, partner does not get the message! The problem is that he is thinking the same thing. Suppose the auction goes like this:

I

West 1♠ 2♠ 3♠

East 2♦ 3♦ 4♦

If you are North-South, do you smile inwardly? Do you wonder whether EastWest will stop before the seven level? Do you think they are having a sensible auction? Before you laugh too much, consider whether this could actually be your auction, when you and your partner do not have a fit. This auction is the classic fight with a one suiter. You are East and hold:

N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Void 752 K Q J 10 9 8 7 K93

Partner opens 1♠ and you respond 2♦. After partner rebids 2♠, what do you do? At this point, partner could have a five-card suit, maybe not a great one at that. It is clear to bid 3♦. This is not forcing but partner can go on with a very suitable hand. He might hold, for example, a hand with ♦A-x and other top cards. Now a pot at 3NT might be right. All too often, partner bids 3NT when holding a hand like:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K J 10 9 4 3 Q93 Void AQ72

N W

E S

If partner has this hand, it is 100% clear to pass after you have bid 3♦. To bid 3NT shows a distrust of your bidding and a desire to go for a penalty. Note that, on that pair of hands, 3♦ will make and 3NT will certainly go down and may go several down. At least nobody has doubled – yet. If you keep bidding your suit and it breaks badly, then eventually you will find that the doubling starts.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

83 62 A Q 10 9 6 5 3 K8 75 ♠ KQ92 N K Q 10 4 ♥ 87 W E 7 ♦ KJ842 S A J 10 6 3 2 ♣ 95 ♠ A J 10 6 4 ♥ AJ953 ♦ Void ♣ Q74

West

North

East

2♣ Pass Pass Dbl

2♦ 3♦ 4♦ 4♠

Pass Pass Dbl Dbl

South 1♠ 2♥ 3♥ 4♥ End

North has been guilty of bidding his diamonds too many times. He should have bid 3♠ over 3♥ – he had already denied having three spades by bidding 3♦. Likewise, South is just insulting his partner with his 4♥ bid. He has only two five-card suits yet he insists in playing in one of them, despite the message from North that there is no fit. At the end of the carnage, South is likely to go at least three down. What should you not do when partner pre-empts? It is frequently a mistake to fight. Partner opens 3♠ and you hold:

Page 19

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Void AQ65 K J 10 9 4 3 AJ7

N W

E S

Are you tempted to bid? If so. what? A poor player will bid 3NT. If you find partner with the ♦A, the ♦Q is onside and the lead is kind, you might make it, but the odds are much against this. If you pass 3♠ and let partner play, it may well go down but you will have escaped before the doubling starts. The worst form of fighting comes from the player who wants to announce his hand twice. We have all come across this type. You hold these West cards:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

5 32 K J 10 9 5 AJ765

N W

E S

West

North

East

2NT

Pass

4♠

South 1♥ Pass

? You have bid 2NT to show the minors and heard partner jump to 4♠. If you bid again, you may have to find a new partner! You have shown 5-5 in the minors, which is just what you have. Partner knows this, yet has bid 4♠. He will have at least seven of them and it will be a good suit. Not only do you have one, but you have an ace as well. It is rarely right to keep bidding with a misfit. A good rule is to be a touch conservative when you diagnose a misfit and, if you overrule your partner, it should be only with a good suit. If partner knows your distribution and continues to bid, respect his decision. ■

Ask Julian Pottage

How Should One Calculate the Odds?

Q

With reference to your recent article on odds, please can you explain why a 1-1 break is more likely than a 2-0 break? Assuming the two cards missing are the king and the two of spades, there are four possible holding for one defender: (i) K-2, (ii) K, (iii) 2, and (iv) a void. In half the split is 1-1; in half the split is 2-0. John Hinde, Esher, Surrey.

A

In isolation, a 1-1 and a 2-0 split would appear to be equally likely. However, bridge players have a finite number of cards, thirteen. The more cards they have in one suit, the fewer they can have in the other suits. To calculate the odds of various splits, one needs to take account of this. A player with one spade has twelve non-spades. A player with two spades has eleven nonspades. Suppose the ace of spades is in dummy. You lead a spade from hand and West follows with the two. You now know the exact location of all the spades bar the king, excluding cases (ii) and (iv) above. You also know one of West’s cards but none of East’s. This means West has twelve other cards and East

has thirteen. This means East should be a 13:12 favourite to hold the king of spades. This is indeed the case as this is the same 52%:48% ratio that a 1-1 split is the favourite compared to the 2-0. Mathematics confirms the above logic. If East-West have two spades, they have 24 non-spades. There are 2,704,156 (24C12) ways West can have 12 non-spades and 2,496,144 (24C11) ways West can have 11 non-spades. These figures are again in the ratio 13:12. ♣♦♥♠

Q

What should I rebid on this hand?

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

1♠ ?

AKQJ65 863 Void AQ52

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

74 A74 K 10 6 4 K 10 6 4

A 3♣ rebid from you is forcing – it is a new suit at the three level in a constructive auction. If partner does not have a club fit, a slam is less likely, so bidding 3♣ is a good idea anyway. Why might a club fit be crucial? For one thing, a fourth club in partner’s hand is likely to mean your fourth club will be a winner rather than a loser. For another, a diamond ruff in your hand (with clubs as trumps) could be the twelfth trick. ♣♦♥♠

Q

2NT (limit)

If I bid 4♠, we miss a possible slam; if I bid 3♠, partner may pass, which is worse. John Eagle, Chelsea.

A

likely to have some diamond wastage, this hand is possible:

I agree that a slam might make. Although partner is

My local club now uses a Duplimate machine. Some people say they find the hands challenging and have commented that one is constantly trying to outguess the machine. I understand the hands are random but notice few ‘average’ hands and many skewed deals. Barbara Hill by email.

Page 20

A

If the members find the deals a challenge, this goes to prove that they did not shuffle properly previously. Once players get used to normal deals – the ones that a computer produces – rather than the abnormally flat ones they had before – I suspect you will find any adverse comments will disappear. Many people underestimate how shapely normal deals are. Suppose your side has two 8-card fits – hardly an unusual occurrence. The chance in either suit of a 3-2 split is 68%. The chance both suits split 3-2 is thus 68% of 68%, which comes to 46%. In other words, 54% of the time – a majority of the time – one or other of those 8-card fits will not split 3-2.  Let us look at another common situation. The chance an individual player picks up a hand without a singleton or void is about 64%. However, on any deal, there are four players, any of whom might hold a short suit. If you multiply 64% by itself for four players, you get about 17%. While this slightly underestimates the frequency of deals with no singleton or void, you get the picture. Deals on which nobody holds a singleton or void are very much a minority.

Ask Julian

Q

continued

My partner opened 1♠, RHO passed and I held:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Void 54 QJ9632 A Q 10 8 6

I responded 2♦. Partner rebid 2♥, which I passed – it looked like a misfit and 3♣ would have been Fourth Suit Forcing and committed us to game. In the event, 3NT would have made 11 or 12 tricks. Is 2♥ forcing? Peter Rowlett, Halesworth, Suffolk.

A

These days, it is normal to play that after a two-level response, a new suit by opener is forcing. This being the case, you should rebid 3♦ (or possibly 2NT). As you say, 3♣, being fourth suit forcing, would overstate your values. Passing 2♥ is rather like admitting that you were not strong enough to bid 2♦ in the first place. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Friends of mine bid 1♥-pass-2NT. One thought that 2NT gave point count of 10-12 and was not forcing. The other thought that it was a jump in new suit and showed a strong hand (the bidder had 20 points).   Esther Crossley by email.

A

Firstly, a 2NT bid cannot be a jump in a new suit; notrumps is a denomination rather than a suit. This may explain how the confusion has arisen. No-trump bids often differ in meaning from

suit bids at the same level. In traditional Acol, a 2NT response is non-forcing and shows about 11 points. However, not everyone plays this. Until quite recently, a fair few people played Baron, whereby 2NT showed 16+ and was forcing. Fashions are changing again and an increasing number of pairs are playing a 2NT response to 1♥ or 1♠ as a game-forcing raise, agreeing the suit opened (ie not necessarily a balanced hand). As you will gather from the above, there is not really a right or wrong answer – it is just a question of knowing what system you and your partner are playing. If you were playing rubber bridge with no discussion, the 10-12 non-forcing interpretation would be the norm. 

more trumps than the level at which you are bidding – an eight-card suit to bid at the four level, a seven-card suit to bid at the three level or a six-card suit at the two level. You should also take account of suit quality and vulnerability. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Do you agree with the bidding below and was 3♥ forcing? 3NT went one down despite the initial club lead because South had the ♠Q.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

West J85 82 AK762 AQ6

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

East K 10 9 3 AK973 94 95

likelihood of getting a club lead into the ace-queen, as indeed happened at the table. I would bid 3NT, as would most players. Once declarer can count two club tricks, all depends on the position of the ♠Q – three spades and two tricks in each of the other suits would come to nine. We have all been in worse games than this. I think the result is just unlucky. ♣♦♥♠

Q ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Who went wrong on this deal?

KJ86 AJ97 K4 J87

N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Q73 62 AQ75 A 10 6 4

♣♦♥♠ West 1NT 2♦ 3NT

Q

Can you make a pre-emptive bid after an opponent opens the bidding, say, with eight diamonds and very few points? William Thomson, Glasgow (similar from Nicholas Beswick).

A

Yes, you can preempt after an opponent opens. Although a pre-empt is slightly less effective after the opponents have begun to exchange information, a leap of several levels still makes things difficult for them. Indeed, if the opening is in second seat, after partner has passed, you know that you are pre-empting them rather than your partner. By tradition, you need to jump two levels for a preemptive bid e.g. 1♠-4♦. However, many pairs these days play weak jump overcalls, allowing you to come in with a weak hand via a single jump eg 1♠-3♦. A good rule is to have four

East 2♣ 3♥

West 1NT 2♥ 4♠

East 2♣ (Stayman) 3NT

Mrs B Green, Flex Bourton, Bristol.

Anne Jenks, Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hants.

A

A

On this side of the Atlantic, East’s 3♥ is not forcing. A 2♥ rebid might be a very weak hand with the majors, so East has to jump to invite game. With a stronger hand, East would start with 2♦, a transfer to hearts, and then bid the spades. Should West accept the invitation? Despite the raw 14 HCP, it is not really a maximum, though clearly it is better than minimum. The holdings in the majors are poor, as are the intermediates – not a single nine or ten in the hand. The fifth diamond is a very slight plus – I say very slight because East’s known length elsewhere reduces the chance of being able to set up a long diamond. The one genuine plus about West’s hand is the

Page 21

Stayman is partly an asking bid and partly a telling bid. Before using Stayman, you need to check that you can cope with whatever partner does. If you intend to play in 3NT whatever opener holds, you should just raise to 3NT. Using Stayman benefits only the opposition, disclosing information about declarer’s shape and possibly allowing the opponents to make a leaddirecting double. Perhaps the raise all the way to 3NT was a tad aggressive, though this does not detract from the main point. With a balanced hand and no 4-card major, East should raise no-trumps. West’s bidding is impeccable. Once East does not raise hearts, West believes that East has four spades and so corrects 3NT to 4♠.

Ask Julian

Q

continued

♣♦♥♠

I picked up the following: 

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 5 A7 A K Q J 10 8 4 3 4

Do I open 2♣ or 4♦ as even though there are only 14 HCP, there are at least 8 playing tricks? We play ‘weak twos’ in three suits, so 2♦ is not an option. Steve House, Newport Pagnell, Bucks.

A

Given the constraints of your system, 1♦ is the best choice.

I am afraid I do not like either of the choices you have offered. To open 4♦ with so many high cards would be misleading and take you past 3NT; you also have too much playing strength to open 4♦ – partner expects you to be two or three tricks short of your bid, not to have nine tricks in your hand. 4♦ is not close to being the best opening on the hand. If you are going to pre-empt, 5♦ is better than 4♦. Even an offcentre gambling 3NT, with the unexpected ♥A on the side, seems better than 4♦. If you do not have a way of showing a strong two, it is usual to shade the requirements for an Acol 2♣ slightly. I stress the word slightly. You might open 2♣ with four-and-a-half quick tricks rather than the customary five. If you have game in your own hand (that would mean eleven playing tricks when your long suit is a minor), you might even shade it to four quick tricks. Here, you have only three defensive tricks and you certainly do not have game in your own hand, so you are well short of an Acol 2♣.

Q

If partner opens 1NT and I have 12 points with 6 clubs, how do I respond? Mrs Williams, Sevenoaks, Kent.

A

There are many hands with 6 clubs and 12 points. If your hand is relatively flat, say a 6322 type, then you would ignore the clubs and simply raise 1NT to 3NT. The sixth club is worth at least one point, if not two, which is why you would go straight to 3NT. It is unlikely that a suit contract (5♣) is better than 3NT – you would have to make several more tricks playing in the suit for it to be better. If instead you have 6 clubs and a 4-card major, a raise to 3NT would be wrong; in this case, a suit contract might well play better than 3NT; you would generally start with Stayman. ♣♦♥♠

Q

If my partner opens one of a suit and then makes a simple rebid of that suit, should I assume that the suit contains 6 cards? What should my partner rebid, if the suit contained only 5 cards, with a (12-14 point) balanced hand? One surely does not have to open 1NT when holding a good 5-card major. Michael Wilson, Radnage, Bucks.

A

Whether a rebid of opener’ suit suggests a six-card suit very much depends on the actual suits bid. Suppose the bidding starts 1♠-2♥-2♠. In this case, opener might have a 4-card

or even 5-card holding in one of the minors but be unable to show it with a minimum hand. The response in the suit that ranks just below the suit opened reduces opener’s options. Opener will often bid this way with only five spades. There are only six simple auctions on which you can be more or less certain that opener has six cards in the suit opened. Two of these are 1♣-1♦-2♣ and 1♦-1♥-2♦. In these cases, opener had an easy chance to show a second suit and undoubtedly would have either opened or rebid 1NT with a 5332 type. The other four auctions are 1x-1NT-2x: having opened with a 5332 shape, opener would happily pass 1NT. As you point out, opener might prefer to open a strong 5-card major in preference to 1NT. In this case, after a suit response, the inference is less strong than when the opening is a minor. After 1♠-2♣-2♠, opener is likely to have six spades but it is not a certainty.  In summary, the more economical the response, the likelier it is that a rebid of the suit opened shows six, especially when the opening is in a minor. ♣♦♥♠

Q

One side bids 1♦-1♥-2♦-2♥-End. Does 2♥ show abject weakness? The principle that one should stop bidding on a misfit rather than fight partner suggests it should not. J V Hartley by email.

A

In normal Acol, the 2♥ rebid is mildly encouraging. Once opener has rebid 2♦, promising six diamonds on this particular sequence, responder should pass 2♦ with a bare minimum response. I accept that

Page 22

sometimes at duplicate pairs you might wish to correct 2♦ to 2♥ in the hope of getting 110 rather than 90. It is fine if you want to play 2♥ as a sign off – so long as you agree this with your partner. ♣♦♥♠

Q

On the hand below, East-West missed 6♠ (1♣-1♥1♠-2♦-3♣-4♠). How should they get there and how should East show the heart control?

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

West AQ86 KQJ2 K J 10 3 7

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

East KJ43 Void Q42 AKQ965

Peter Marrison by email.

A

Up to the point West bid 4♠, the bidding was reasonable. West correctly judged that the hand was too good simply to raise 1♠ to 4♠. However, having set up a forcing auction by going through the fourth suit, West undid the good work by jumping to 4♠. West should follow up with 3♠, forcing, agreeing spades and allowing a cue bidding sequence to start. I am not sure that East does show the heart control. One does not usually cue bid a shortage in partner’s suit. Perhaps East bids 4♣ over 3♠ and, upon hearing a return cue bid of 4♦, jumps to 5♠ to ask West for good trumps. Since 6♦ might be on when East has diamonds but is too weak to reverse, West might have responded 1♦ rather than 1♥. This is not to say 1♥ is without merit, especially at pairs, when making an extra trick if you finish in 3NT (if you get a lead into one of your tenaces) could be important.

Ask Julian

continued

Q

As East-West, we reached 5♣, making an overtrick. How should we bid a slam?

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

98653 10 8 3 10 8 7 2 7 K ♠ 72 KJ97 N ♥ A2 W E S AJ5 ♦ KQ964 A K 10 6 3 ♣ Q J 4 2 ♠ A Q J 10 4 ♥ Q654 ♦ 3 ♣ 985

Q

I do not understand a couple of points in ‘Preference is Different to Support’ in BRIDGE 99; they concern the West-East sequence 1♣-1♠-2♣-2♥-2♠. You say that East’s 2♥ is forcing for one round; I thought one reason for West not to reverse into hearts unless she has a strong hand is that she can rely on her partner to bid out a 5-4 spade-heart shape even with a minimum responding hand. Secondly, can West really hold only two spades on this sequence? How about the hand:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Dr Tim Honey, London W13.

A

RUBBER / CHICAGO Hosted by Diana Holland

16-18 November 2010 (Tue-Thu) The Beach Hotel, Worthing BN11 3QJ 11-13 March 2011 (Fri-Sun) Ardington Hotel, Worthing BN11 3DZ Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events

£199 – Full-board – No Single Supplement

A54 6 A6 Q J 10 9 7 5 3

Here is one possibility:

West North East South 1♦ 1♠ 2♣1 3♠2 4♣3 Pass 4NT4 Pass 5♦ Pass 6♣ End Being strong enough for a responder’s reverse, this is better than a negative double. 2 Some might bid all the way to 4♠. Any jump raise is pre-emptive. 3 The usual rule is to stretch one level in the face of competitive bidding if you have a bid that describes your hand well. 4 Unlikely that two aces are missing but West checks anyway. 1

If North bids 4♠ rather than 3♠, East would not raise clubs straight away. West would reopen with a double and East would then bid 5♣. After that, it would be more of a gamble for West to bid the slam – it might well depend upon a finesse.

This seems perfect for this sequence. Dick Heasman, Fareham.

A

Bidding is not an exact science. You cannot guarantee to find a 4-4 fit every time you have one. Most people open 1NT holding a 4-card major knowing that sometimes responder will be too weak to use Stayman. It is similar here. Following my advice, you will never miss game in hearts – either opener will be strong enough to reverse or responder will be good enough to show both suits. Your example hand is not consistent with the sequence. Holding three spades and a singleton, opener would give jump preference to 3♠. Since 2♥ is forcing for one round only, opener needs to do something extra to indicate such great suitability for a spade contract. ■

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E-mail your questions for Julian to: [email protected] Page 23

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DECLARER PLAY QUIZ

ARDINGTON HOTEL Worthing BN11 3DZ

NEW VENUE

by David Huggett (Answers on page 44) ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. In each case, what is your play strategy?

Y 1.

2011 Weekends 14 - 16 January £215 Signals & Discards Ned Paul

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Q 10 7 5 3 A 10 9 3 A63 5

3.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

AQ73 Q95 653 Q 10 7

N W

N E

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

21-23 January £215 Suit Establishment Alex Davoud

S

11-13 March £199 Rubber & Chicago (no seminars or set hands) Diana Holland

2.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

A9864 7 KQJ4 A63

You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads the ♣K. How do you plan the play?

25-27 February £215 Doubles Ned Paul

86 A75 8764 AQJ6

J 10 9 8 2 AK A74 KJ2

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♦Q. How do you plan the play?

4.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

975 K 10 K97 AQJ64

N W

N E

W

S

25-27 March £215 Pre-emptive Bidding Crombie McNeil

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Full-board – No Single Supplement See pages 38 &39 for programme and booking form.

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

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Page 26

E

W

S

AQ5 K92 KQJ 10 9 8 2

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠4. East plays the ♠J. How do you plan the play?

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

KQ3 A952 A 10 3 532

You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the ♠6, East playing the ♠J. How do you plan the play?

David Gold Says

Bid Weak Over Strong and Strong Over Weak obody is vulnerable and RHO deals and opens 3♥. What do you do with this?

N

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

KQJ7654 3 765 98

You have a hand on which you would happily open 3♠ non-vulnerable but you should not overcall 3♠ because they opened with a weak bid. Say you bid 3♠ and LHO raises to 4♥, which partner doubles (cards, not strict penalties) – what now? Have a look at the full deal:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Do not make the mistake of bidding on a weak hand over their weak bid. (I remember learning: ‘don’t pre-empt over a pre-empt’!) Another example:

2 A84 Q J 10 8 3 K765 A 10 8 3 ♠ 9 N J2 ♥ K Q 10 9 7 6 5 W E S AK9 ♦ 42 A Q J 10 ♣ 432 ♠ KQJ7654 ♥ 3 ♦ 765 ♣ 98

If you bid 4♠ at this point, you will be doubled and lose six tricks (two diamonds and a ruff, two spades and one club) costing 500. If you pass, you will concede 4♥+1 for minus 690. Yet partner surely was entitled to double because you overcalled at the three level and he had 10 points with a singleton in your suit. The point is that, when the opponents make a weak bid, then your side should bid constructively hoping to reach game (or sometimes a slam).

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

2 A Q 10 7 6 5 J742 74

RHO opens 2♠ (weak) at game all. Do not make the mistake of overcalling 3♥. If you do, this could be the layout.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

864 KJ94 Q6 AQJ3

N E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K Q 10 9 7 5 3 K 10 9 865

2 A Q 10 7 6 5 J742 74

Partner will try 3NT and with some confidence! West will double and you will go for 500 on a soft defence and possibly 800 or 1100, yet partner could hardly pass 3♥. Remember it is important when bidding over a weak bid that partner can trust that you will not be weak too. The opposite is true when bidding over a strong bid. You do not want to bid on a good hand and tell them where the cards are or concede a penalty when you had enough to beat them. Now your aim is not to get to game but to obstruct the opponents’ bidding or, occasionally, to find a good sacrifice.

Page 27

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

982 K J 10 7 6 5 4 9 32

RHO opens 2♣ (game force or 23-24 balanced). Your side is at favourable vulnerability. Do not be afraid to get in their way. Try overcalling 3♥ (‘weak over strong’). Maybe the full deal is something like:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

AJ3 82 A853 K 10 9 2

W

For example:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

4 82 A7654 Q 10 7 6 4 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Q J 10 7 6 5 Q3 10 8 3 J5 ♠ AK3 ♥ A9 N W E ♦ KQJ2 S ♣ AK98 982 K J 10 7 6 5 4 9 32

Opponents are cold for 7♣ or 7♦ or 7NT. Good luck to them in finding it; they will struggle even to reach the small slam after your 3♥ bid. If you pass, West can respond 2♦ and over East’s 2NT rebid can bid 3♠ showing a slam try with both minors (a 3♥ transfer would show spades); now they are well on their way.

Summary The point is to bid destructively when they make a strong bid and to bid constructively when they make a weak bid. In other words: Bid Weak Over Strong and Strong Over Weak! ■

An Interesting Spring by Ned Paul

B

ridge is a social game. Bidding and playing your cards to the best of your ability is important, but just as important is to enjoy the company of the other players. Throw in a comfortable place to play and something nice to eat and drink and you have, at least for me, the perfect formula. This Spring, I had the chance to indulge myself by organising several innovative events in which the social side of the game came to the fore. These included a charity club night and, not one, but two ‘Café Bridge Drives’.

something for St George’s Day? April 23rd this year fell on a Friday, which just so happens to be duplicate night at the Ruff Club. Why not, I thought, celebrate St George’s Day with a

Charity Night At The Ruff Club If you are a club secretary, you will receive a fair number of letters during the year from different charities asking you to support their cause. Usually there isn’t any organised bridge to back it up; the letter simply suggests you hold a bridge evening and send them a donation. This type of letter is, to put it, well, charitably, pretty open-ended; and in consequence it is very easy to put such letters in the bin. This time I didn’t. This particular letter was from the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) and urged us to play ‘Bridge for Bones’. The day it arrived was St Patrick’s Day and pubs everywhere were inviting us to come out and celebrate our Irish side. Well, as an Englishman, I don’t have an Irish side. Instead, I thought, why not do

charity bridge night? I would have a party and at the same time ask people to get themselves sponsored to play bridge. I let NOS know what I intended doing and they kindly supplied a sponsor form. Getting sponsorship for bridge is apparently something not widely done. But if your kids can ask you for somuch-a-lap for walking round the park and your colleagues can sign you on for so-much-a-mile for running marathons, why can’t you get your own back at somuch-a-board for bridge? A bridge club party is easy to set up. The club provides a couple of boxes of wine and the paper plates and the players bring a contribution to the table. This is how we run our Christmas

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parties. And it worked just as well for St George’s Day. Sue brought some St George’s Day bunting; Edd helped hang it up and we soon had the hall in good shape. People brought lots of goodies and the buffet table was soon groaning. Attendance was great – 50% up on our normal club evenings – and all the players really entered into the spirit of the occasion with significant sums of money being raised. Sheila alone raised £155 of sponsorship and some of those who came brought a donation with them. Some players who couldn’t come sent a donation anyway. As for the bridge, we played the normal 24 boards. Surprisingly, only one pair bid a slam on this deal (rotated for convenience):

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Dealer East. Game All. ♠ A3 ♥ 9 ♦ K97642 ♣ 9764 QJ92 ♠ 10 8 7 6 5 4 N 8532 ♥ K 10 7 W E Q 10 5 ♦ J3 S J2 ♣ K 10 ♠ K ♥ AQJ64 ♦ A8 ♣ AQ853

An Interesting Spring continued

West

North

Pass Pass

2♦ 4♣

East Pass Pass Pass

South 1♥ 3♣ 6♣

Well, that’s how the bidding eventually went. Edd, North was playing only his second ever bridge tournament, having learnt bridge the previous month, and initially passed his partner’s 3♣ bid. Life masters Anne and Colin, sitting East and West, both sat up and in unison said, ‘You can’t do that, it’s forcing!’, so Edd found a a 4♣ raise and Ros, South, bid a slam without giving partner another chance to pass. Colin led a spade and, with the help of the favourable trump position and the diamonds ruffing out, Ros soon wrapped up 13 tricks. ‘Well done’, said both Anne and Colin. Well, we’re that kind of club, where encouragement of new players is just as pleasurable as winning. I think the slam is a good slam and should have been bid at more tables, even after a 1♥-1NT start. The bidding might continue 3♣-4♣-4♦-4♠-6♣. During the evening Jo Ellams of NOS popped in to say ‘hello’ and when all the donations and sponsorship were added up, we had painlessly raised the magnificent total of £868.20.

Café Bridge St George’s Day at the Ruff Club was actually the second charity event of the week for me. Earlier in the week, I had helped run a ‘Café Bridge Drive’ in Wandsworth. Café Bridge is an idea from Holland and Belgium, countries where the café culture is more strongly established than in Britain. A few years ago, I had taken part in a café drive in Cardiff, organised in part by bridge journalist Patrick Jourdain. This stirred my own interest in putting on such an event. That interest lay dormant until Rex joined the Ruff Club. Rex joined us on moving back to London, after retiring as a logistics specialist for NATO in Holland. He had played in several café drives and asked me if I had any interest

in putting one on. We agreed to try to do so and fixed a date in May this year. I told the EBU London committee (‘LMBA’) of our plans and this brought another offer. Actor James Smith (Glenn Cullen in ‘The Thick of It’) lives in Old Wandsworth, which, like many localities in London, has a village-y feel to it. He immediately said we should come and run a drive in Wandsworth in an area known to the locals as ‘The Tonsleys’. James also involved the local charity, Wandsworth Age Concern. I signed on as honorary co-organiser and Chris Duckworth, long-time mainstay

of LMBA, took care of all the event literature. For the day, the Monday Club in Tooting lent us tablecloths and the Ruff Club lent bidding boxes. Café Bridge works like this. The boards are distributed across a number of different cafés, restaurants or pubs, and the players visit each establishment in turn. Unlike a normal duplicate, it’s the boards that stay put. North-South move in one direction; East-West in the other. James found us six venues, starting with the Alma pub opposite the station. In five of these, we had two tables and in the sixth, only one. We arranged an out and back circuit and that gave us an 11-table duplicate. Players arrived at the Alma to be given their starting positions and movement cards and then walked up the road to where their starting table was located. After four 3-board rounds it was lunchtime. The entry fee included lunch at whichever place you were in at

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the time. I joined the players for lunch at Brady’s, a fish restaurant where Luke the owner made a particular effort to welcome us. His fish and chips were delicious. Four more rounds and it was time for everyone to make their way back to the Alma for results and prizes. Rex and Mike had won. Norma Spence from Age Concern came along to present the prizes and draw the raffle and we were able to present her with £320 raised for charity. It made a small profit for LMBA as well.

Canary Wharf Buoyed by the success at the Tonsleys, Rex and I pushed ahead with our own event in the Canary Wharf district of London’s Docklands. We chose this area, not only because of the modern developments around the docks and riverfront, but also because we thought it would be quieter at the weekend. In fact, all the bars and cafés get very busy on a Sunday. This time, we had fewer venues and the players played seven 4-board rounds distributed across four different establishments. Two, Café Rouge and Henry Addington, were in the heart of the business district overlooking West India Dock and two, Café Brera and Zizzi, overlooked the River Thames. Cloths came from Putney Bridge Club and bidding boxes from the Ruff Club and also my Thursday improvers’ group. We had 16 tables in play. Everyone got a goody bag: Mr Bridge donated a key ring for each player and Young Chelsea BC gave everyone a pen. The winners, Mike and Lyn, got a nice £100 prize. It was hard work for three of us – my partner, Hazelle, joined Rex and me in the organising team – and there were a few glitches, but on the whole, it went well. The players were a more social cross-section than is usual at EBU-style weekend events and we were pleased to be bringing bridge to what has really turned out to be a new market sector. Post event feedback has encouraged us to continue and we will be putting on another Café Bridge Drive soon. If any reader feels something similar could happen in their own town, do feel free to contact me for any advice you ■ might need.

BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS ACOL BIDDING l

Opening Bids and Responses

MORE (ADVANCED) ACOL BIDDING

DECLARER PLAY l

ADVANCED DECLARER PLAY

Suit Establishment in No-trumps

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Suit Establishment in Suits

Making Overtricks in No-trumps

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Making Overtricks in Suit Contracts

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Basics

Slams and Strong Openings

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Advanced Basics

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Hold-ups

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Support for Partner

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Weak Twos

l

l

Endplays

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Pre-empting

l

Strong Hands

Ruffing for Extra Tricks

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Avoidance

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Overcalls

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No-trump Openings and Responses

Wrong Contract

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Defence to 1NT

Entries in Notrumps

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l

Defence to Weak Twos

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Simple Squeezes

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Counting the Hand

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Trump Reductions & Coups

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l

£64

Opener’s and Responder’s Rebids

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Minors and Misfits

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Doubles

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Competitive Auctions

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l

£74

£79

£94

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Delaying Drawing Trumps

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Two-suited Overcalls

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Using the Lead

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Defences to Other Systems

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Trump Control

l

l

Endplays & Avoidance

Playing Doubled Contracts

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Safety Plays

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l

Doubles

Misfits and Distributional Hands

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Using the Bidding

DEFENCE

£74

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Lead vs No-trump Contracts

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Attitude Signals

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Lead vs Suit Contracts

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Discarding

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Partner of Leader vs No-trump Contracts

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Defensive Plan

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Partner of Leader vs Suit Contracts

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Stopping Declarer

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Count Signals

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Counting the Hand

Sharpen your defence in the course of 20 introductory exercises and 120 complete deals

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Catching Up by Sally Brock

I

guess the most exciting bridge event since I last wrote was the Lady Milne in Manchester. If you remember, a little while ago, I played in the England trials with Susanna Gross and we finished fourth, qualifying us to be part of the England B team for the Lady Milne (women’s home international). Well, this took place in the middle of April. It was the weekend after the eruption of the Icelandic volcano and the Irish teams were not able to travel to Manchester in time for the proposed Friday night start, so the organisers shortened the event a little to start on the Saturday instead. The bridge on Saturday was unexciting, but we moved up a gear on the Sunday. Susanna played like an Italian Blue Team member and consequently, we played throughout, eventually winning the event in some comfort. Have to confess to feeling quite pleased with ourselves! Early in May, I went to Cambridge to play in the President’s Teams. I had been going to play with Margaret but she severely dislocated her ankle after my bridge party and had her leg in plaster making travel difficult. Instead, I played with Nicola, with Jon Cooke

and Cameron Small as teammates. It took only one board to tell me that it was not my day! You hold, as East:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 8 7 AQ95 75 J 10 8 7

hearts? He now lacks the entries to set up his hearts, provided I take one of them out now, before he has unblocked his king. All I needed to do was switch to a spade and the slam still goes down. –1540 was not a good start. This was the full deal:

Dealer North. Game All.

You hear the bidding go: West North 1♥ Pass 2NT Pass 4♣ Pass 5♣ Pass Pass

East South Pass 2♦ Pass 3♣ Pass 4NT Pass 6♣ ?

North AJ4 J 10 7 6 4 A KQ96 West East KQ9632 ♠ 10 8 7 83 ♥ AQ95 10 9 8 6 ♦ 75 4 ♣ J 10 8 7 South ♠ 5 ♥ K2 ♦ KQJ432 ♣ A532 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Well, I fell for it. I thought partner would surely lead a spade that could easily let the slam through. I knew South might retreat to 6♦ but reckoned we could beat that too. So I doubled. South bid 6♦ and I doubled that as well. After a lot of thought, partner led a heart. Declarer (who, to be fair, had arrived late and out of breath and been confronted with this as his first board) played the jack from dummy and I won with my ace. What should I return? Can you see what a bad mistake declarer made by playing dummy’s jack of

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

I have to say it takes my bad experiences with Lightnertype doubles from about 284 to 285, with no good experience I can ever remember to counterbalance! Afterwards, we all enjoyed a splendid formal dinner at Jesus College and I was fortunate enough to stay with Jon Cooke and meet his family.

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The following week, I went to Bonn to play in a bridge event with Nicola, Heather and Nevena. There is an annual open event there called the Nations Cup to which the EBU had their usual invitation. Because most of the open players were involved in Crockfords final at the weekend, the EBU decided to give the invitation to us instead; we were all looking forward to what would perhaps be the highest standard open event we had ever played in. However, when the time came, because it was the 25th anniversary of the event, the organisers had decided to have a parallel women’s event and we had to play in that event instead. It is quite easy to see why they would want to do that, and, indeed, it was probably better practice for us to play against some of our main rivals for the European Championship, but it was still a trifle disappointing. Well, that is my excuse for why we all played so badly! Still, we had a good time and the practice will stand us in ■ good stead in Ostend. Contact Sally at [email protected]

Seven Days

Afterwards, I go back to Margaret’s for dinner, and stay over because of needing to be in London tomorrow …

by Sally Brock Monday The children both have exams. Toby is now on study leave with GCSEs dotted through his calendar until mid-June. Briony mostly has internal end-of-year exams with the odd GCSE paper in amongst. This morning, she has French, one of her favourites. I travel in to London to have lunch with my friend Debbie who wines and dines me royally at her flat in Tufnell Park. Later, I get the tube to TGR’s for some rubber bridge. I am having a terrible run at the moment and today is no exception. I don’t think I did a lot wrong so I shall just blame the cards like everyone else. Later, I have dinner with a friend but manage to miss the last train home …

Tuesday … That means I had to get up at 5.30 in order to get home in time to take Briony to school. What a start to the day! Work is quiet just now. The only book on the go this week is Bosnia, but it is being project-managed by a new editor so there are a few teething problems and things don’t arrive when they should. In the evening, I play bridge with Barry Myers. We are doing OK until the last round when we score almost no matchpoints at all. Still, it is fun and good practice for the weekend (see later).

Wednesday Online bridge session with Richard, who lives in London, and Gerry, who lives

Saturday in Toronto (though he was over here a few weeks ago and became stranded by the volcanic ash). Once a week, I play online against them, giving them practice and general advice. It’s amazing how well I can play when I can see all four hands!

Thursday Another online session today, this time one-to-one. However, my student needs to start late and I need to leave early (something to do with ferrying kids about for both of us), so it is hardly worth doing. Anyway, we do it for a little while for fun and she books two sessions for next week when life should be easier.

Friday I have been looking forward to today all week. First, I go in to London to meet some old school friends for lunch. Three of us meet regularly but this time, a fourth has managed to meet with us too. It’s always amazing to me that it’s immediately how it was when were at school. Everyone seems happy and willing to discuss the most personal topics with no difficulty at all. Later, I play with Margaret at the Young Chelsea. She’s not been playing a lot recently because of her leg (see Catch-up) so it was really good to see her and have a game. We play well too, just dropping down into second place on the last board (still don’t quite understand that because it seems to be the flattest 3NT you could imagine!).

This is the Garden Cities regional final, which is a competition for the winners of each county’s team-of-eight championship. No doubt, you remember references to teamof-eight matches for New Amersham in the Berks & Bucks League. Well, we won the league, this year without losing a match, and so qualified for the Garden Cities. It is played at Richmond Bridge Club this year – which is an excellent venue. The weather is glorious and, in perhaps typical English style, there is a bowling match going on outside. 24 boards before tea and then another 24 afterwards. Barry and I may not have played particularly well in the matches that resulted in our league win but we make up for it today. New Amersham win the event with more than a match to spare. This is an interesting defensive hand from the second session:

Dealer East. E/W Game. ♠ A 10 ♥ 4 ♦ J732 ♣ A86432 ♠ 9 5 2 WN E ♠ K J 7 4 S ♥ J76 ♥ Q9832 ♦ A 10 8 5 ♦ 96 ♣ KQ5 ♣ J7 ♠ Q863 ♥ A K 10 5 ♦ KQ4 ♣ 10 9

We bid 1NT (14–16) – 3NT. Personally, I would not lead a four-card minor on this auction, but here West leads a diamond. Barry wins with the king and runs the ten of clubs to East’s jack. How do you

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defend as East? This is a classic example of a Merrimac Coup. East should switch to the king of spades in order to knock out the crucial entry from the dummy before declarer can get the clubs going. In practice, he switches to a heart instead. Barry wins with the ace and knocks out West’s remaining club stopper. West can still beat the contract by switching to a spade (the defenders can establish five tricks before declarer can get nine), but he plays another heart and now three no-trumps rolls home. Briony cooks us a delicious chicken risotto, which is waiting for us when we get home. Did you notice the subtle use of the words ‘us’ and ‘we’ in that previous sentence? Yes, romance is definitely in the air!

Sunday Another glorious day. Ben, Gemma and Hayden come for a barbecue lunch. The plan was to go for a walk before lunch but they are running late and it is a bit hot so we all vote for staying in the garden instead. The good thing about barbecues from a female point of view is that you can usually persuade a bloke to do the cooking. Ben takes charge with his usual organisational and culinary skills and we have a great lunch. At the risk of sounding like a bragging granny (OK, I am a bragging granny) this boy – Hayden – is rather extraordinary. He is walking (well, I’m not quite sure you would really call it walking, but he has certainly taken a few steps on a number of occasions) and he is not yet 10 months old. Next week (half-term) Briony and I are going to Malta for a few days. Then life will be hectic leading up to the European Championships at the end of June. ■

Harold Schogger Says

Lead Through Strength ometimes you might not know what to lead at trick one and be unhappy with the ‘usual suspects’. You might have Q-x in the only unbid suit, for example. Sometimes later in the play, you are unsure what to lead next. In each case, you might like to try a ‘Lead through Strength.’ You do this in the hope that your partner has a good holding over dummy (or declarer). In the layouts below, you lead through strength for a finesse against dummy.

S

a)

♣ K752

Note the risks on C. If declarer has the queen, your lead gives him a trick. If he has a singleton, you might lose your ace. Now let us study three common cases: 1 You have the opening lead and the opponents have shown strength in all four suits. You will do better to lead through strength rather than up to it.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 9 5 Q653 J64 A 10 4

N W

E S

West leads the jack of hearts to the ace, three (discouraging) and queen. Declarer then calls for the jack of spades, which runs to the king. It looks as if there are no more tricks to come in the majors, so West looks for three tricks in the minors. East is quite likely to hold club values but club values are no good. Any honours partner has in clubs will be sitting under declarer’s strength. Even the ace-queen will not be good enough. Diamond values, over dummy’s strength, will be more useful. West should switch to the jack of diamonds.

N

♣ J 10 4

E

W S

♣ AQ9 West

♣ 863 Pass End

b) ♣ 10 9 4

N W

E

♣ KJ8

♣ 763

♣ K752 N

♣ A 10 6 3

East Pass Pass

South 1♥ 3NT

3 You gain the lead with dummy on your right. You might switch to a suit bid or implied by declarer.

♣ AQ52

S

c)

North 1♣ 1♠

W

E

♣ Q94

S

♣ J8

Layout A: leading the jack lets you cash three tricks. Layout B: the ten lead puts your side well on the way to two tricks. Layout C: needing two quick tricks, you decide to underlead your ace. You would not employ this tactic very often in a suit contract. To ensure one trick and not expecting you to have underled the ace, declarer is likely to play low from dummy. Trustworthy partner plays third-hand high and gets a pleasant surprise when the queen wins.

South should have diamonds well held to leap to 3NT. If the opponents have a weak spot, it is likely to be in dummy’s second suit. Lead the ten of spades. 2 You may be on declarer’s left and have won a trick. Now seeing dummy, you can judge whether a lead through its strength might achieve something. On this example, South plays in 4♠ after a 20-22 2NT and a transfer.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K85 J 10 9 6 J 10 9 J 10 9

J 10 6 4 2 A2 K83 854 N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

AQ93 KQ 654 AKQ2

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♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

7 87543 AQ72 763

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

95 K94 10 7 2 J 10 8 6 2 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K76 A52 KQ9543 3 ♠ N ♥ W E S ♦ ♣ A Q J 10 3 Q873 J Q54

West

North

East

Pass Pass

2♦ 4♠

Pass End

842 J 10 6 A86 AK97

South 1♠ 2♥

Partner leads the jack of clubs, which you win with your king. You look to the dummy and see no future in the minors. So, you switch to the jack of hearts, South’s second suit – through strength – and are pleased when your side can make four tricks with two hearts, a club and a diamond. ■

Andrew Kambites Says

Use the Rule of Total Tricks n this article, I intend to look at some seemingly mundane hands on which each side holds around half the points. Each side finds a fit. Although neither side intends to bid game, each wants to buy the auction in its chosen trump suit, or at least push the other side to a level at which they might go off. The auction starts like this:

I

West

North

East

1♠

2♥

2♠

South 1♥ ?

South has to decide whether to sell out to 2♠ or compete to 3♥. There is a very useful guideline called the Law of Total Tricks (or LTT). The total number of tricks that North-South can make if hearts are trumps, added to the total number of tricks that East-West can make if spades are trumps, gives you the total number of tricks. The number of hearts held by North-South, added to the number of spades held by East-West, gives you the total number of trumps. The LTT states that the total number of tricks equals the total number of trumps.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

AKQJ9 32 J94 953

Deal A 52 J 10 6 5 K762 J 10 8 N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

which works for North-South. This seems only fair: each side has one success and one failure. North-South can make 2♥, losing two spades and three diamonds. East-West can make 2♠, losing two hearts and three clubs. Each side has eight cards in its best fit: each side can make eight tricks. Total tricks and total trumps both equal 16.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 7 4 987 A Q 10 K762

863 AKQ4 853 AQ4

On deal A, there is a finesse position in diamonds, which works for East-West; there is also a finesse position in clubs,

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ AKQJ92 3 J94 953 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Deal B 5 J 10 6 5 2 K762 J 10 8 N W

E S

West 1♥

North 1♠

East 4♥

South ?

South has this hand: ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 7 4 987 A Q 10 K762

863 AKQ4 853 AQ4

Deal B has just a minor change from deal A. North-South can make 3♥, losing one spade and three diamonds. East-West can make 3♠, losing one heart and three clubs. Each side has nine cards in its best fit – each side can make nine tricks. Total tricks and total trumps both equal 18. Points do not tell you whether to bid on. It is shape, or length in the trump suit. The player who bids on should be the one with undisclosed trump length. On deal A, there is little case for South to bid 3♥ over 2♠. He has no reason to believe that his side has more than eight hearts, or that East-West have more than eight spades. However, North, if nonvulnerable, should bid 3♥. Even if there are only 16 total trumps, it is better to go one down (even doubled) in 3♥ than let the other side make 2♠. On deal B, South will pass but, with extra trump length, North competes to

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3♥. Now the spotlight falls on West. West has six good spades when he has shown only five so he competes to 3♠. Each side has good reason to suspect that it has nine trumps, and that the other side probably also has nine trumps. 18 total trumps means 18 total tricks and indicates competing at the three level. The law of total tricks works well at game level. The bidding starts:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

KJ542 8 QJ43 952

He knows that his side holds ten spades because North’s overcall guarantees a 5-card suit. East-West probably have nine hearts to justify bidding to 4♥ when each side has roughly half the points. So South assumes there are 19 total trumps. If there are 19 total tricks, it is quite likely that either 4♥ makes with 4♠ going one off or 4♠ makes with 4♥ going one off. Whichever is true, it is correct for South to bid 4♠. The only time you might be a little more cautious is if only your side is vulnerable and your opponents clearly have the majority of points. A large adverse penalty is painful, even if your opponents can make their game. Finally notice one point that hugely helps your judgement in estimating total trumps. On deal A each side had eight trumps. On deal B each side had nine trumps. It is often the case that your opponents have the same length of fit in their best suit as you do. ■

READERS’ LETTERS CAPTION PRIZE Thank you for awarding me a weekend at one of your venues, one of ten runner-up prizes in your recent caption competition. I thought you might like some feedback. I have never been on one of your weekends before. As my wife doesn’t play bridge and has no interest at all in card games, it seemed unreasonable either to drag her along, or to leave her at home while I went off to enjoy myself. However, receiving the generous caption competition runnerup prize of a Mr Bridge weekend, the lure of a free lunch was too good to refuse. Mrs C volunteered to accompany me so that we could see for ourselves what such a weekend had to offer. If you are in a similar position, I can only say, ‘Give it a try.’ We both enjoyed it so much. Our venue, Beach Hotel in Worthing, is full of character to say the least. Although the hotel is in need of some renovation, the bedroom was large, double aspect, lofty and eminently comfortable and very clean. No frills, but TV and radio, courtesy tray, en-suite, all you could need. The public rooms are large and comfortable, the staff helpful and attentive. The food was superb – we had feared for the idea of mass catering (there were apparently 90 in the bridge party) but there was a choice of four items for each of two

courses (including one fish and one vegetarian), plus two for dessert, with coffee and mints to follow. It was all such good quality, efficiently served, with your choice of vegetables. We found it hard to imagine how they could do it so well, but Mr Bridge regular guests assured us it was absolutely standard for Mr Bridge weekends elsewhere. The bridge was a mixture of duplicate and seminars, all excellently presented by Mr Magee and his band of helpers, partners found if needed with a minimum of fuss, participate as much or as little as you wish. Mrs C was able to sit in the sun painting (we were blessed with good weather), wander down into town for a little retail therapy, paddle and join me for morning and afternoon coffee if it suited. I could be sure she returned in time for the meals. The end result I could not have predicted – Mrs C said as we arrived home, ‘We must do this again!’ I’m sure we will. Alan Chapman, Marlborough, Wiltshire.

machines also had a facility to play in a ‘teams of four’ format, so that we could compare our play to the computers play. We have had hours of pleasure playing at home (as well as playing at a bridge club) but, unfortunately, the Probridge 510 has developed a fault, and Saitek's UK agent tells me that the machine is no longer in production, and that they cannot carry out repairs. I am therefore looking to see whether I can find a software package that fulfils the same requirements that could be played by linking two laptop computers. Do you have any experience with this, and if so could you please advise? Mr Dave Morris, Findern, Derby.

QPlus Bridge does all this and a lot more if required.

NEVER TOO OLD 1 Thank you for sending me BRIDGE 100. The last one I had was issue 96 and I thought that as I had not contacted you in any way I was now omitted from your register. The situation at present in Merlewood is that out of 12 people classed as residents, only two including myself are bridge players. This makes arranging a game difficult, requiring two volunteers, usually from the organisation’s committee. There are two members available but not always at

the same time, so our games are very irregular. However, April 21 was the charity’s Annual Bridge Drive and I offered to play. Nevertheless, at the age of 95, I found it rather embarrassing to be joining three players who were complete strangers to me. I think it was by studying pages of your publication that I had the courage and ability to make a success of the occasion. Mr Roger P Stokes, Virginia Water, Surrey.

NEVER TOO OLD 2 I am finding Bernard Magee's ‘Declarer Play’ utterly invaluable – it's wonderful. I'm also keen to hear that perhaps next year there can be more ‘Improvers’ weekends – we've done Stayman and Transfers with Sandy Bell, which was super and are keen to do more. All in all, learning bridge at our tender age of 80 is the best thing that's happened to us – no more tennis and no more cricket unfortunately, but it matters not – we are hooked and this week we even came off the bottom of our Club's result sheet. We're on the way up. Pat Trickett, by email.

MEMORY LOSS I wish I could remember what I read in your magazine when I come to the table. Mrs Maureen Cliff, Lechlade, Gloucs.

Great feedback. Thanks.

REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE NEW LINK Many years ago, my wife and I invested in two bridge computers, a Saitek Probridge 510 and a 310. These could be linked and the two screens allowed us to play as a partnership against the computer. The

Page 35

Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, all mint with full gum. Quotations for commercial quantities available on request.

Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100x37p+100x5p)

(/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

READERS’ LETTERS continued

CASH FOR STAMPS Here is another cheque from sales of used stamps. This time £189. Colin Bamberger. 179 High Road, Trimley St Mary, IP11 0TN.

Thank you on behalf of Jenna Hoyt of Little Voice. If readers have any used stamps, send them to Colin at the above address.

explanation attached beside it) to emphasise the main points? The verbiage can often be off-putting to beginners. Mrs T Summers, Tiverton, Devon.

I think most readers are happy as it is.

REMINDER Thank goodness you introduced me to Donald Russell. Mrs S Smith, Corsham.

You agreed to run a paragraph on ‘The Association of Bridge Clubs and Groups’ with website: www.abc.org.uk in BRIDGE. I have not been able to devote much time to this and the website is therefore not yet operational. I will let you have the material in due course.

Imagine my surprise on receipt of your letter saying that my caption had won the above competition. Thank you for such a generous prize – I can only assume that your business is flourishing. I will contact your office as soon as I have decided upon the particular cruise and my travelling companion.

Mr Trevor Livesey, Benfleet, Essex.

Mrs Jill Clark, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

SHARED DELIGHT

Real winners. Runners-up too. Do have a go at the front cover prize bidding quiz.

One of us is a beginner, the other an improver – this magazine is looked forward to by both of us equally.

GOFF SERVICE

Mr & Mrs Constantine, Teignmouth, Devon.

Stamps offered at a good reduction with remarkable pictures.

ONLINE 1

Mrs S Crosher, Ruislip, Middlesex.

Please consider setting up a play online service? I've valued your bridge mag and holidays and would trust you to run such a programme better than anyone else. Mrs P Ellis, Aberystwyth.

ONLINE 2 Any chance of an internet playing site for your readers? Mr & Mrs J Hutchinson, Rudgeway, Bristol.

There are lots already.

MATTER OF TASTE Is it possible to reduce the written words by using bullet points (perhaps with a brief

A few more articles for beginners like my grandson. Mrs E Dickens, Norwich. I will feature an ABC of Bridge in 2011. Having only recently begun to play bridge, I would find a beginners’ guide article on a regular basis very helpful. Mr L R Cunningham, Ballymena, Co Antrim. See above.

WINNING CRUISE NEW GROUPING

Your Questions and Suggestions

I find the magazine invaluable and wish you did more weekends for novices. G Jackson, Cockermouth. I will advertise weekends for novices in 2011. Are there weekends for new, older players who have progressed but not a lot? Mrs G White, Billericay. See above. More teaching, less humour. Dr J Latham, Richmond. Beginners class in south Lanarkshire. M Thornthwaite, Bothwell. If you weren’t ex-directory, I would have given you a call. Please could we have more ‘Just duplicate’ weekends? We do not want seminars and find the usual weekends are too expensive. Mr J Turner, Gloucester. I will advertise a few Just Bridge in 2011. I really miss the Daily Bridge Calendar. Mr D. Archibald, Morpeth. Mine could be out next year, just watch this space.

BROCK REMINDER When the 100th issue arrived I realised that I might not have been receiving recent issues, and it was like meeting up with a long-lost friend. I was reminded to send this request after reading about Sally Brock's success in the Lady Milne championship. Congratulations to her. The reported hand could be entitled ‘fortune favours the brave’. John Gillbe, Guildford, Surrey.

Page 36

Can we have Mr Bridge weekends in Scotland? Mr Ian Pascoe, Milngavie. Planned for 2011. More explanation of words and phrases for beginners. J W Clifford, Chippenham. Note coming ABC.

Could Bernard Magee do a calendar from his quizzes? Good large print. Quiz on one side, answer on reverse. Mrs E Grimmer, Sherbourne, Dorset. I should think so. What a good idea. More articles on 5-card majors and strong no trump (Standard American). Mr B Elliot, Abergele. I will feature a four-part series in 2011. I still buy from a mail order booklet. Doesn’t this count as being re-registered? Mrs B John, Heswall. How can it? The booklet has nothing to do with me. Please discuss computer dealt hands. Mr L E White, Beckenham. What is there to discuss? More about rubber please. Mrs S Mayer, Middlesex. Much the same as duplicate or teams bridge really. Have you/will you review the bridgemate system? Mr A Naish, Salisbury. I’m sure I will in due course. Some examples using 5-card majors and strong no-trump. Also standard American. Mrs P Smith, Fife. See above. More on rules re revoking, bids out of turn, etc. Mr J C V Lang, Colchester. Perhaps you should buy the Yellow Book. The ‘chatty’ storyline articles leave me cold. Mr D Norris, Peterborough. Excellent publication. Could we ‘review’ online? Mr Keith Mackenzie, Jersey.

Could you cover the Ghestem system at some time please? Mrs P Houlden, Liverpool.

Please give address for used stamps for charity. Mrs C Impey, Bonvilstone. Mr Colin Bamberger, 179 High Road, Trimley St Mary, IP11 0TN.

Very good articles, but too much on cruises. Would welcome return of offers on bridge equipment etc. Mr S Cowherd, London.

Please can you tell me if the used stamps you want are foreign or English or both. Mrs P Wormleighton, Ealing. Both kinds please.

Send me Your Questions and Suggestions using the form provided on page 6.

READERS’ LETTERS continued

For more details please visit: www.istartapp.com

MISSING LINK

Stefano Tosi [email protected] mob +(00)39 335 354568

Missed your publications, was it something I said?

CYBERSPACE

Mr F Gardner, Penarth.

No, more likely was something you didn’t say.

BRIDGE WEEKLY Recently have been getting your emails. Lovely, but I prefer this magazine.

With regard to the second to last article of the editorial in Bridge 101. QPlus and the associated tutorial software can be used on a Mac using Parallels Desktop for Mac. Eric Smith, Crowthorne, Berkshire.

As a not particularly advanced player, an explanation of some regularly used terms would be useful. Mr A Malpass, Dudley, West Midlands.

A detailed ABC of bridge words, terms and expressions will be published throughout 2011 and 2012.

FUNDRAISING Bishops Waltham was great. Is it on again next year? Mrs Robinson, Bournemouth.

Regretfully, no. All good things come to an end.

THAT’S ALL When my copy stopped coming last year, I thought it was due to the recession. Mr Brookfield, Cleckheaton.

No, just your failure to re-register.

I have just joined a group of ladies in my area who play bridge once a month. The lady who runs this group starts us at 10.30am and we carry on until lunch time when we have sandwiches and cakes with tea/coffee. We carry on playing until approx 2.30pm and then we go home. There are always three tables (and a waiting list) and the session is really lovely, with the entrance money sent to charity. I understand that they have been trying to find some inexpensive 'boxes' to play with and I was wondering, if through your magazine, we could ask if there are any clubs who are buying new boxes and could therefore sell us theirs? We need twelve and would happily pay postage.

Thanks for the software voucher. The CD is great, a real help. It’s as if I have my own teacher at home. Mrs Claudette Storer, Southport, Lancs.

MORE RUBBER/CHICAGO I just wanted to write and tell you how much my husband and I enjoyed our Chicago weekend in Worthing. It was so well organized by Diana Holland. It made for a most relaxed enjoyable break. The Beach Hotel and staff were excellent – it is such a pity it will be closing down. Could we have more Chicago/rubber bridge breaks, as you seem to favour duplicate, which is not

Sara Starr, by email.

MORE I.T. I wish to make you aware of a new, just-released, iPhone application for Bridge players, named ‘iBid’, that brings a lot of bidding conventions directly into their pocket. With iBid, Bridge players can access descriptions, examples and anecdotes of the most important conventions, without the need of any Internet connection.

Mr & Mrs K Speyer, New Barnet, Hertfordshire.

POINT COUNT

PRIZE CHARITY REALLY BEGINS AT HOME

to everyone’s liking. Particularly over the Christmas period. We could not find any Chicago/rubber breaks last Christmas, which was most disappointing. We have been on many of your pleasurable events and would like to take more, so please, consider our request.

Stella Burnett, by email.

Yes.

Mrs Edmond, Potters Bar.

GLOSSARY NEEDED

As we all know each other well, when we had finished laughing about the dreadful unfairness of the penalty incurred (massive!), I added fuel to the flames by wondering if, even as a defender, I could have claimed honours on top. The club chairman thought I could, but we weren’t 100% sure. Could I have claimed?

Surcharge or add to the table money to buy the equipment you need. Similarly for clean playing cards.

AND HONOURS TOO? Playing rubber bridge, my unfortunate opponent opened 1NT followed by two passes. With 20 points, I doubled. She attempted to escape into two clubs. I had 6 of these, including 4 of the 5 honours. So I doubled her clubs, as you would.

Page 37

The brief account of this ‘new’ point count evaluation was very interesting - but hardly new. I used a similar evaluation back in the mid 1950s with the Hester bidding system. This also included points for voids etc. A bid of 1 club showed 12 15 Hester points, 1 diamond 16 - 18 points etc. Partner's response also showed a point count and a simple maths formula gave the number of likely tricks; all you then needed was a fit. Then along came this new bidding system with light interference bids (called Acol or something like that) and the Hester system could not cope. But this point count evaluation really works. Brian Roberts, Cullercoats, North Tyneside.

Premium Quality Playing Cards Standard Design. Unboxed. 6 red 6 blue £19.95 30 red 30 blue only £60 Available from The London Bridge Centre 44 Baker Street, London W1U 7RT. www.http://www.bridgeshop.com ( 020 7486 8222

BETTY ELLSON (1935-2010)

READERS’ LETTERS continued

WHAT’S ITS NAME

I am saddened to report the recent untimely death of Betty Ellson, who was killed on her way home from a bridge session just after midnight when she was involved in a road accident. The other driver, allegedly having earlier failed to stop for the police, ignored the red light at the crossing through which Betty was innocently driving. Betty taught bridge for nearly 20 years at the Wessex Bridge Centre before hosting at least twenty bridge cruises for my organisation. Black Watch, Black Prince, Albatros, Ocean Majesty, Marco Polo and Discovery. It was she who introduced me to the Bournemouth bridge mafia and it is from among these people that I have been able to build my wonderful team of helpers. Betty was a proud mother and grandmother. She was also a great hostess, so that after our first visit we knew what to expect and always went on a visit with an empty stomach. We were never disappointed. Wherever Betty is remembered or talked of in bridge circles, it will never be said that she knowingly underbid.

May I describe a convention then ask your readers if they know the history of it? A 4♣ asks for aces and kings in one reply. For the purpose of replying an ace = 2 and a king = 1. A 4♦ reply is the negative showing 2 or fewer ie, one might hold 2 kings or an ace but no more and perhaps none. 4♥ shows 3 meaning AK or KKK; 4♠ shows AA, AKK or KKKK. 4NT – AAK or AKKK and so on up the ladder. Responder's double of an intervention shows that the intervening bid was the intended reply. I am aware of the similarities between this and ‘Norman’, which was a 4NT bid and used king = ½ and ace = 1. The 4♣ trigger means that a slam enquiry can be made below game especially in a minor. It is also occasionally very useful to be able to stop in 4NT.

many pointless and trivial questions to answer i.e. hesitation, delay and minor rule infringements. Why? People make mistakes. Surely the only answer to many questions of this type should be: l Relax.

l l

l

the rules. Be forgiving of your opponents’ mistakes. Play to the best of your ability. Do not suspect your opponents are unethical in their approach to the game. And above all – enjoy yourself.

FRIDAY Welcome Desk open Afternoon Tea 1745 to 1830 Welcome drinks reception 1830 to 2000 DINNER 2015 BRIDGE 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS

SATURDAY 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST

Tony Stevens, Linslade, Bedfordshire.

RECENTLY MARRIED

1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) 1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET LUNCH 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 2 FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS

Mr Allan James by email.

HELPFUL ADVICE Many thanks for the recent copy of your excellent magazine – do please put me back on your mailing list. However, reading David Stevenson's section caused me to despair for the game. Surely bridge is a game which at club level should be played for pleasure, entertainment and nothing else. What we see are

This is the format for all weekend tutorial events except those hosted by Bernard Magee.

1500

l Do not be hidebound by l

PROGRAMME

1815 to 2000 DINNER 2015 BRIDGE 3 DUPLICATE PAIRS

SUNDAY We met on board Discovery sailing Cape to Cape. David and Pauline Howard, Abingdon, Oxon.

Congratulations.

Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail [email protected] E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone number and to send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Page 38

■

0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) 1230 to 1400 CARVERY LUNCH 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 4 FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS

2010 and 2011 Bridge Breaks

BRIDGE BREAKS

AUGUST 2010 6-8 £215

The Beach Hotel Leads & Defence Chris Barrable

♦ Full-board

♦ Two seminars

♦ All rooms with en-suite facilities

♦ Two supervised play sessions

♦ No single supplement

♦ Four duplicate sessions

SEPTEMBER 2010 3-5 £215

Please book me for ..... places at £....... per person,

The Beach Hotel Dealing with 1NT Sandy Bell

17-19 Blunsdon House £215 Take-out Doubles Improvers* Alison Nicolson

Single .... Double .... Twin .... Sea View1 .... Executive2 .... Staverton Park Nr Daventry NN11 6JT

Name of Hotel/Centre ........................................................ Dates ..................................................................................

NOVEMBER

continued

Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................

26-28 The Olde Barn £199 Stayman & Transfers Alison Nicolson Improvers*

Address............................................................................... ............................................................................................

JANUARY 2011

Postcode ............................................................................

14-16 Ardington Hotel £215 Signals & Discards Ned Paul Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

OCTOBER 2010 15-17 Wychwood Park £199 Signals & Discards Ray Hutchinson 22-24 Staverton Park £199 Hand Evaluation Alex Davoud 29-31 The Olde Barn £199 Slam Bidding Ray Hutchinson

NOVEMBER 2010 5-7 £199

Wychwood Park Declarer Play Gary Conrad

5-7 £199

Staverton Park Leads & Defence Alex Davoud

( ...................................................................................... Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige)

21-23 Ardington Hotel £215 Suit Establishment Alex Davoud

...........................................................................................

FEBRUARY 2011

Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking

25-27 Ardington Hotel £215 Doubles Ned Paul

........................................................................................... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 1£30 supplement per room (Beach Hotel only). 2£50 supplement per room (Blunsdon House and Denham Grove only).

MARCH 2011 25-27 Ardington Hotel £215 Pre-emptive Bidding Crombie McNeil

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com

12-14 The Olde Barn £199 Better Defence Crombie McNeil 19-21 Wychwood Park £199 Slam Bidding Gary Conrad

The Beach Hotel Worthing BN11 3QJ

*aimed at the novice player and/or those picking up the game after a long break

Page 39

Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3DZ

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

Staverton Park Near Daventry NN11 6JT

The Beach Hotel Worthing BN11 3QJ

Wychwood Park Near Crewe CW2 5GP

GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE

Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing West Sussex, BN11 1RL. ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106 Email [email protected]

Services Limited

GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Services Limited

INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY This insurance is suitable for persons whose Demands and Needs are those of a traveller whose Individual round trip starts and finishes in the UK and is of no more than 122 days duration, and whose age is 90 years or less and is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom and Channel Islands. As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs. This and needs. This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK.

SUMMARY OF COVER The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.

CANCELLATION & CURTAILMENT up to

£1,500

If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs. Policy Excess £50. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150. See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to

£15,000

A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total disablement. No Policy Excess.

MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to

£10,000,000

Including FIRSTASSIST 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE

(a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK. Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £150. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. (b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300 An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. No Policy Excess.

etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50. Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50. No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery.

PASSPORT EXPENSES up to

£200

If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess.

DELAYED DEPARTURE up to

£1,500

If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the outward trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only.

MISSED DEPARTURE up to

£500

Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the vehicle in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess.

PERSONAL LIABILITY up to

£2,000,000

Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250.

LEGAL EXPENSES up to

£25,000

To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.

SCHEDULED AIRLINE FAILURE up to PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to

£2,000

Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs,

£1,500

Covers scheduled airline tickets cancelled prior to departure and cost of replacement equivalent tickets incurred in order to return to the UK due to bankruptcy/liquidation of the airline. No Policy Excess.

MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS

Medical Screening

The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior to application.

Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, there is no need to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. The term ‘Cruise’ does not include River or other Inland cruises or boat trips.

MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: Insurers will not pay for claims arising 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) are undergoing tests for the presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need for treatment at a hospital or nursing home. 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention in a hospital. 4. If You are traveling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner.

OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Claims arising from 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 - Medical Expenses unless such losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already taking place at the beginning of any Trip. 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. 5. Consequential loss of any kind. 6. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or accommodation supplier. 7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. 8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

POLICY EXCESSES: The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under each section where an excess applies.

If You have a history of any medical condition and are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, you must first contact the Medical Screening Line to establish whether we can provide cover for your trip. If you are accepted, the following levels of excess will apply. You will receive written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. The number to call is:

0844 8921698 Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising. For claims arising from any medical condition, other than those that are specifically excluded, the excess is further increased as follows: Under the Cancellation & Curtailment section – double the normal excess. Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £2,000. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £3,000. MEMBER OF THE

✄

Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

This insurance is administered by FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited on behalf of the insurer Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC registered in England No. 2189462. Registered address: Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3AJ, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority other than Scheduled Airline Failure which is underwritten by IGI Insurance Company Ltd. Registered address: Market Square House, St James’s Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FG.

Suitable for individual round trips up to 122 days duration that start and finish in the UK arranged by

Global Travel Insurance Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106

If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance, you must first write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance with a cheque or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been issued. Please allow at least 5 days before you need to travel.

If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice.

Details of the Applicant

Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss)

PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE

Surname

GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 1. United Kingdom England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland). (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2). 2. Europe Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips). 3. Worldwide excluding North America Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries comprising Central America and the Caribbean Islands). 4. Worldwide including North America Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other countries comprising Central America, Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands.

Telephone No. House Number/Name Street Name Town Name Postcode Date of leaving Home Date of arrival Home Mr Bridge

Introducer

Geographical Area - See Premium Panel (1,2,3 or 4)

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS

Names of all persons to be insured

Valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2011 and for travel completed by 31/12/2011. Areas 1 & 2 - Applicable per person up to age 90 years on the date of return to the UK. Areas 3 & 4 - Applicable per person up to age 80 years on the date of return to the UK.

1 - 3 days 4 & 5 days 6 -10 days 11-17 days 18-24 days 25-31 days Each + 7 days or part thereof

Initials

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 £13.80 £21.20 £44.40 £63.90 £16.60 £26.60 £55.80 £80.30 £19.40 £35.90 £75.60 £108.30 £22.10 £39.30 £84.10 £121.20 £24.90 £45.20 £94.70 £136.40 £27.70 £51.40 £107.80 £155.20 £ 5.00 £10.10 £25.30 £36.50 (maximum period of 122 days)

Age

Premium

1

£

2

£

3

£

4

£

5

£

6

£

Credit/Debit Card Details

TOTAL PREMIUM £

Card No Start Date

All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), which is 17.5% and is subject to variation.

End Date

Issue No

Security Code

PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS

DECLARATION

All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK The following adjustments apply ONLY to trips in excess of 31 days for all persons aged 65 years and over Premium Increase Plus 50% (1.5 times) Plus 100% (2 times) Plus 200% (3 times)

On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood the terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in agreement and for whom I am authorized to sign.

Infants up to 2 years inclusive are FREE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium.

Signed ............................................................. Date.......................

Geographical Area Area 2 Europe Area 3 Worldwide excl. North America etc Area 4 Worldwide incl. North America etc

The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured.

Group Discounts – Contact us for discounts available starting at 10 persons.

✄

Children 3 to 16 years inclusive are HALF PRICE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Unaccompanied children pay the adult rate.

is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 136STI10

The Old Baron Triumphs Again by Dick Atkinson

‘A

ch, mein Papa!’ intoned the Baron soulfully, holding out a large sheet of slightly yellowed parchment. I glanced at it and, deciphering the large gothic characters among the fancy scrolls and curlicues, realised it was a certificate for a block of ten thousand shares in De Beers. My uncle had often bewailed the loss of the family estates, confiscated by the Russians in 1945, but obviously his father had not left him destitute. ‘A handsome bequest,’ I replied. ‘Bequest? Nein, nein! The bridge hand in the margin . . . Somehow the old man always got the better of me. Always.’ I looked more closely, and sure enough there was a deal neatly recorded in black ink. It was typical of Uncle Leo to jot a bridge hand down, oblivious at the moment to the importance of the paper it was written on.

Uncle Beats His Papa ‘Cover the West and South hands.’ I obediently obscured those twentysix cards with my right thumb. ‘North was my mother. Julius, our butler, was making up the table, and opened 1♣. Mutti overcalled with 1♥, giving me my first problem. Well?’ This was the hand:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

987652 84 A Q 10 7 4 Void

‘I . . . Obviously there is a danger of being shut out. They may reach 4♥ when you have a game in spades or even diamonds, so –’ ‘Nevermind. You pass, of course, to await developments. My father leapt to 4♠ which was passed round to me. I doubled and Julius led the ace of clubs, rather than the obvious and lethal diamond. I discarded the four of hearts, and Papa ruffed low, then cashed the ace of hearts before starting on trumps, Julius discarding a club on the first round. Analysis?’

How to Beat the Contract ‘Well. I suppose -’ ‘Keep those hands hidden! To have any chance, you must assume that my father holds only a singleton heart, otherwise eleven tricks are easy.’ ‘Er –’ ‘So if you can beat it at all, you have a 33% chance of defeating the contract.’ ‘Er –’ ‘Come, come. Since declarer must be 7-1-5-0 if we are to defeat him, then partner has just one diamond. Provided partner holds the nine or eight rather than one of the four little cards . . .’ I cunningly varied my interjections: ‘Ah!’ ‘You see it!’ I didn’t. ‘I unblocked defensively in trumps – five times – to avoid the throw-in. After taking his six further trump tricks, Papa had to lead a diamond to the king and ace. I cashed the queen, and threw my father in with my four of diamonds to lead back into my ten-seven. One down.’ ‘Then, surely, on this occasion you

Page 42

got the better of your father?’ ‘My father was quick to point out that 5♣ must make on normal defence . . .’ And so it would, with that perfect lie of the diamond honours.

Dealer: West. East-West Vul. Baroness ♠ Void ♥ K Q 10 6 3 2 ♦ KJ ♣ 86532 Julius Uncle Leo ♠ Void ♠ 987652 N W E ♥ J975 ♥ 84 S ♦ 9 ♦ A Q 10 7 4 ♣ A K Q J 10 9 7 4 ♣ Void Old Baron ♠ A K Q J 10 4 3 ♥ A ♦ 86532 ♣ Void

Intellectual Victory ‘But there was worse to come. I was unwise enough to claim an intellectual victory in the post-mortem. After all, it seemed that five defensive unblocks in a single suit must be an unprecedented coup . . .’ ‘You mean your father claimed to have achieved the same feat? Surely the precise circumstances, almost, would have had to be duplicated. It seems hard to credit.’ ‘No. It was worse than that. On the next deal my mother made 4♥ on a simple hexagon squeeze. And then . . .’ The Baron turned the fancy share certificate over. ‘This was the third deal.’

The Old Baron Triumphs Again

Papa Gets His Revenge

Dealer: East. Game All. North Baroness ♠ AKJ87 ♥ Void ♦ 8532 ♣ 9862 West East Julius Uncle Leo ♠ Q109 ♠ 65432 ♥ J1095 ♥ AKQ ♦ AKQJ109 ♦ Void ♣ Void ♣ AKQ54 South Old Baron ♠ Void ♥ 876432 ♦ 764 ♣ J1073

‘I opened 1♣, Julius responded 2♦, a ridiculous over-valuation with that void in my suit, and I rebid 2♠. Julius made the easy I-don’tgive-a-damn-how-you-takeit bid of 3♥, and I settled for 3NT, well aware that it was an underbid, but happy to conclude the rubber since my partner and I were obviously not in tune. Papa led his eight of hearts, and Mutti discarded the eight of diamonds. She played two more diamonds on my remaining hearts, and it was apparent that there was a very similar blocked position to that other hand. I started the clubs from the top. With the clue of that previous position fresh in their minds, there was no chance that they would go wrong, so between them my parents unblocked the clubs six times! I was unable to use

continued

CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS

either of them as a stepping stone to that dummy. Eventually the three and two fell under my five, I cashed the four, and lost the last five tricks to my mother’s spades. My father was cocka-hoop, I remember, about that sextuple defensive unblock.’ It certainly seemed unfortunate. ‘I see what you mean. Presumably Julius could have made 4♥?’ ‘Pshaw! Perhaps – if he hadn’t been at the brandy that night! But my father had a different contract in mind.’ I was mystified. ‘4♠ must be two down . . . 5♦ could be, oh, four down easily . . . 5♣ must be even worse –’ ‘Six down, I think. But my father felt that I was guilty of a serious faux pas in the auction. He was scathing about my strong call in a suit with no card above the sixspot.’ ‘But how can it help to do anything else?’

Epilogue The Baron folded the certificate neatly into four, and tucked it back inside the priceless first edition of Goethe’s Faust, where it had been doing duty as a bookmark. ‘Papa suggested I should rebid 2♥, a much more natural bid.’ ‘But then you would probably end up in 5♥, or even . . .’ ‘Nincompoop! 6♥ is unbeatable played by East – in fact you can make the Grand if you don’t get a trump lead. Ach, mein Papa!’ I decided, tactfully, not to inquire who won the rubber. ■

AuGuST 2010 15 MACMILLAN CANCER SuPPORT St George’s Bridge Centre, Darlington. Duplicate Pairs 2pm. Prizes, masterpoints, meal. £12.50. ( 01325 360340 Details 25 EAST ANGLIA AIR AMBuLANCE Dick Powell Charity Bridge Event 2-5pm at South Wootton Village Hall, Kings Lynn. £5.00 entry includes a cream tea. Ivan Gerstel ( 01553 768236

SEPTEMBER 2010 10 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES Doddington Village Hall. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. ( 01354 653696 Val Topliss 16 HuDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLuB. Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30pm. £44 a table, inc lunch. Brian Noble ( 01484 427356 17 ST MARY’S CHuRCH EATON SOCON, St. Neots 10 for 10.30am. £13. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910 23 uPWOOD CHuRCH RESTORATION FuND. upwood Village Hall Chicago Bridge Day. 10 for 10.30am. £15pp includes lunch. Chris Bruce ( 01487 812327 Peter Somerfield ( 01487 812167 24 SAM BEARE HOSPICE. Christ the Prince of Peace Church Hall, Portmore Park Road, Weybridge. 2pm. £7pp includes tea. Please bring tables, scorers and cards. Claire Bartoli ( 01932 855799 Susan Hanrahan ( 01932 400009 28 ST TERESA’S HOSPICE. Hudswell Village Hall, nr Richmond, N. Yorks, £10pp. Bridge the Gap duplicate directed by Mr M Baker. 1.30-4pm followed by tea Mary Lovell ( 01748 850208 29 PRINCESS ALICE HOSPICE Putney Leisure Centre. 10.30am for 11am. £64 per table inc. lunch. Pam Turner ( 0208 995 2270

OCTOBER 2010 1 RNLI. Salwarpe Village Hall, Droitwich, Worcs. 10.30 for 11am £10pp including buffet lunch. Mrs P Main ( 01905 381395 7 WEST WIRRAL INNER WHEEL Charity Bridge Drive. Heswall Hall, Heswall, Wirral at 6.45pm. £50 per table including supper. Ruth Foggin ( 0151 6254201

16 THE FRIENDS OF ST ANNE'S CHuRCH. Kew. Church Hall. 1.30pm for 2-5pm. £25 per pair. Ian Lewty ( 020 8876 3681 16 CHRISTIAN AID. St Andrew's Church Rooms, Preston, Weymouth. 1.45 for 2pm, £6.50pp includes tea. Julia Moore ( 01305 776138 [email protected] 16 RNLI Cheltenham Bridge Club. £15pp. 11am-4pm. Lunch & glass wine. Margaret Beverley ( 01242 510193 21 HELP FOR HEROES Congregational Church Hall, Market Harborough 2pm. £7.50pp. ( 01858 464777 Margaret Ann ( 01858 465508 22 CHESHIRE HOMES. Village Hall, Hartford. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. M Howarth ( 01480 212910

NOVEMBER 2010 2 FRIENDS OF EAST SuSSEX HOSPICES. Glyndebourne Opera House, The Mildmay Hall. 5.30pm. Bridge supper, champagne. Dianne Steele ( 01435 813630 10 FRIENDS OF LEATHERHEAD PARISH CHuRCH. Parish Church Hall. 1.45 for 2 p.m. £32 per table inc tea. Fran Fleming ( 01372 375957 11 ST MARGARET’S SOMERSET HOSPICE. Oake Village Hall. 10.30am for 11am. £15 includes coffee and lunch with glass of wine. Audrey Pike ( 01823 256059 15 RNLI. Village Hall, Swanmore, Hants. 1.30 for 2pm. £40 per table including tea and prizes. Sue Carpenter ( 01489 893843 16 CANCER RESEARCH uK. Memorial Hall, Christchurch Road, West Parley, Dorset. 6.30pm for 7.00pm. £24 per table includes refreshments. Joyce Earll ( 01202 894319 25 HuDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLuB. Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30pm. £44 per table, including lunch. Brian Noble ( 01484 427356 26 ALZHEIMER’S CARE & RESEARCH FuND. Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots. 10 for 10.30am. £14. Sheila Poval ( 01480 395394 28 DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBuLANCE. Batcombe Village Hall. 2pm £32 per team inc tea. John Perry ( 01373 467508

E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

Previously published in BRIDGE 52.

Page 43

ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ ON PAGE 26 by DAVID HUGGETT ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

1.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Void Q864 10 8 7 2 KQJ82

N E

W S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠4. East plays the ♠J. How do you plan the play?

Q 10 7 5 3 A 10 9 3 A63 5 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

KJ2 KJ52 95 10 9 7 4

A9864 7 KQJ4 A63

You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads the ♣K. How do you plan the play? The slam you have reached is undoubtedly a good one and it would be a shame if careless play led to defeat. With no losers in the red suits and with the two losing clubs in hand capable of being ruffed in dummy, the only concern is not to lose two trump tricks and there can only be a chance of that if the suit breaks 3-0. It would be a mistake to cash the ace first if the East hand has all three missing trumps cards; better is to lead a low card from hand at trick two. If West follows with a low card, you simply cover in dummy; if East wins that, then the suit will have broken 2-1. If West discards, you play dummy’s ♠Q and can later finesse against the ♠J. There is a slight improvement on this play however by entering dummy with the ♥A at trick two and leading a low spade, covering whatever East plays. So, if East should have a singleton king, you do not lose a trump trick at all.

2.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ K 10 7 4 3 Q4 A53 754 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

N E S

AQ5 K92 KQJ 10 9 8 2

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

3.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

64 J862 Q J 10 8 A98

AQ73 Q95 653 Q 10 7 N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K5 10 7 4 3 K92 6543

J 10 9 8 2 AK A74 KJ2

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♦Q. How do you plan the play?

86 A75 8764 AQJ6

W

There can be no reason not to win the first trick with the ♠Q. With the lead in your hand, it might seem right to finesse in clubs. Just see what might happen if you do. East will return a spade, which you can duck if you like, but you will have to win the third round. With nowhere near enough tricks without attacking diamonds, you now have to hope that it is East – the hand without the spade winners – who has that card. On the actual layout, you would be defeated. Now try things the other way round and attack diamonds first. Whoever wins will carry on with spades and again you hold up the ace as long as possible. Now when you take the club finesse, it can lose only to East, who probably has no more spades. (If he does have another spade, the suit will have broken 4-4 and all you would lose are two spades, a diamond and a club.)

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

J92 J 10 8 6 3 10 9 2 K3

The diamond lead has attacked a weakness and you have to be careful as to how to proceed. It might look right to win the diamond and immediately take the trump finesse: if the finesse works, you will not lose a trump trick and make the contract with ease. Can you do better than that? You have a third-round heart winner in dummy on which to throw a losing diamond. The trouble is the defenders can probably cash two diamonds when they gain

Page 44

the lead. While holding up the ♦A might help if East holds a doubleton diamond and the ♣A, better still is to eschew the trump finesse. You win the diamond lead and cash the aceking hearts. Now lead the jack of trumps if you wish but, if West follows with a low card, rise with the ace in dummy and play the master heart on which you throw a losing diamond. You would be unlucky to find the hearts 6-2 (and the ruff not to be with the ♠K), which constitutes a lower risk than finding the trump finesse failing. On a good day, you will drop the singleton king of trumps offside!

4.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ A 10 8 6 4 Q73 Q84 10 8 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

975 K 10 K97 AQJ64 N W

E S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

J2 J864 J652 K97

KQ3 A952 A 10 3 532

You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the ♠6, East playing the ♠J. How do you plan the play? The rule of 11 tells you that East holds only one spade higher than the six, which you have seen at trick one. This marks the ♠A-10 with West. As you have to rely on clubs to provide you with four tricks in order to succeed in your contract, the most obvious – and correct – way is to finesse against the king. However, if the finesse fails, East will return a spade and you will go down if West started with an original holding of five. Of course, all this presupposes that you won the first trick! If you had ducked, East would have returned a spade – no other return is any better – and West could have cleared the suit; that way, when the club finesse fails, East has no further spade left. If you had started with the ace of spades in your hand instead of the king and queen, the hold-up play would have looked obvious. Somehow, it is much more difficult to spot with the actual holding. ■

Making Stayman better after 1NT by Bernard Colvin

W

hen you have a weak hand and your partner opens 1NT there is a danger that a 1NT contract fails, possibly quite badly. When the partnership has few high cards, the extra control afforded by having a trump suit can be vital. Furthermore, when one hand is weak, playing with a trump suit has another benefit. A ruffing entry to the weak hand may enable declarer to take a finesse or reach a winner, a chance that would not exist in 1NT. No longer does the 1NT opener struggle by having to keep leading out of the same hand. Clearly, a 4-4 fit will nearly always score better because you have trump control and will gain tricks by ruffing in either hand. However, you will often gain by playing in a 4-3 fit too. While you cannot make an extra trick on quite a few deals, in which case clearly you would prefer not to be a level higher, quite often you can make an extra trick. If trumps break 3-3 or you manage a ruff in the short trump hand, even a 4-3 fit can be more productive than no-trumps. Traditionally, you will have heard that you should only use Stayman with 11+ points – but then it seemed sensible to include some weak options: hands that could easily deal with any response:

1 5-4 or Longer in the Majors and Weak

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

J8765 Q987 4 K54

2 Shortage in Clubs and Weak

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

J876 Q976 K876 4

With hands of type 1, you can bid Stayman and then rebid 2 of the longer major if partner replies 2♦. With hands of type 2, you simply pass any rebid by opener. Extensive research supports my belief that we can take things a step further: It is correct to use Stayman with two 4-card majors whatever your strength

and a weak hand then bid Stayman. If opener replies in a major, you are happy because you have a fit and can pass. If the reply is 2♦: Now you rebid in your longer major, if you have one, while with equal length you must bid 2♥. Over 2♠, when responder shows longer spades, opener passes as usual. The key difference is the progression over a rebid of 2♥: Opener passes with 3 cards in hearts or converts to 2♠ with only 2 hearts. This ensures there will be at least a 7-card fit. This idea allows the partnership to escape on many hands and find any 4-4 major fit that is available. The hand below shows a prime example where the system gains:

Either you will find a 4-4 fit or you will find a 4-3 fit; computer simulations suggest the resulting suit contract will play better than 1NT most of the time. To play this method requires only a slight change to your methods: When you have two long majors (4+ cards in each)

Page 45

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ 10 9 7 654 AK2 KJ97 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

AKQ2 Q87 Q4 8642 ♠ J3 ♥ J 10 9 ♦ J 10 9 8 3 ♣ AQ3 8654 AK32 765 10 5

In this example, if North plays in 1NT, he should make only 4 tricks (3 undertricks) because the defenders can run both minors. If he plays in 2♠, he should make 9 tricks (1 overtrick). Clearly, things are much easier when you find a 4-4 fit. Let us also see how things would progress otherwise:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

8654 AK32 765 10 5

This is the responding hand from the above diagram: you should bid 2♣ Stayman to check on the opener’s shape. Here are four examples of hands for opener:

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Hand A AKQ2 Q87 Q4 8642

Hand C ♠ AKQ ♥ Q8 ♦ Q94 ♣ 98642

Hand B ♠ AKQ ♥ Q87 ♦ Q94 ♣ 8642 Hand D ♠ Q7 ♥ Q87 ♦ Q9843 ♣ AK2

With Hand A, opener should rebid 2♠, and you can pass knowing that there is at least an 8-card fit. The opener should reply

Making Stayman Better continued 2♦ to your 2♣ on the other three hands, after which you call 2♥. This is not a weak take-out, rather it asks opener to choose hearts or spades. With Hand B, the opener should pass. He has equal length in the majors and he should disregard the fact that his spades are stronger. He knows there is at least a 7card fit. He also knows that if you had 5 spades and 4 hearts you would have rebid 2♠ rather than 2♥. With Hand C, the opener should convert to 2♠; with Hand D, he should pass. In each case there will be at least a 7-card fit at the two level. After the sequence 1NT2♣-2♦-2♥, opener will pass whenever he holds 3 hearts. Therefore, if opener has 3 hearts facing responder’s 5 hearts and 4 spades, they will get to the same contract on the recommended method as they would if the 2♥ rebid forced opener to pass. If the opener has only 2 hearts, he will have 3 spades. He will then convert to 2♠. This puts them in a 7-card fit if responder is 4-5 or 4-4 in the majors and in an 8-card fit if responder is 5-5. Again, you never end up with fewer trumps than if opener had to pass 2♥, as some methods require and you might end up with more. As suggested in the introduction, Acol usually treats the sequence 1NT-2♣2♦-2♥ as a weak take-out (i.e. obliging opener to pass) showing at least 5 hearts and 4 spades. This prevents the

possibility of catering for situations when responder has 4 cards in each major. It is also inefficient if responder has 5 cards in each major because it means you may play in 2♥ on a 5-2 fit when a 5-3 fit is available in spades. In the new system this sequence asks opener to ‘pass or correct’ so that he always has three cards in the final trump contract. Computer simulations show that, with the above responding hand, 1NT makes about 34% of the time but two of a major 43% of the time. This confirms that playing in a suit is quite often worth an extra trick. However, one important proviso is that the play of the contracts can be difficult, and the defence too!

Conclusion This system does not suggest wholesale changes – it is adding only one tiny chink to the Stayman convention. You can use Stayman in the normal way with 11+ points. It just adds to the number of weak hands on which you can use it – 0-10 points and 4-4 in the majors – as well as the usual hands with 9+ cards in the majors or short clubs. The only change you need to make to your system is when the Stayman bidder rebids 2♥: 1NT-2♣-2♦-2♥. In this sequence it is important for the opening bidder to bid 2♠ if his spades are longer than his hearts (otherwise he passes). It is a minor change to have to make, for what appears to give major gains. I would suggest having a go and seeing how you get on! ■

DOUBLE DUMMY SOLUTION by Richard Wheen (Problem on page 7)

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

87 3 K J 10 Void ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

432 Void AQ5 Void ♠ ♥ W E ♦ S ♣ A Q 10 2 32 Void N

KJ9 Void 4 AK

o there we were, in another South-East Surrey Senior Novices’ event. I was South in a notrump contract and, as is the custom in such events, my partner had manoeuvred his Zimmer frame behind my electric buggy to watch me play. With dummy to lead, I needed the last six tricks. With luck, I would make three spades (with two finesses) and two diamonds (with another finesse). That (and I write as someone who passed maths O Level 60 years ago – grade C) made at most five tricks. Where was the other to come from? As so often, I would have to rely on my opponents to discard badly. Not knowing what else to do I led a spade off dummy and took a deep finesse, covering East’s nine with the ten, which held – so far so good. I returned to dummy with a successful diamond finesse – so far even better – and took another winning

S

spade finesse (put my queen on East’s jack – brilliant!). Now, since I did not need further entries to hand, I played my ace of spades, to fell East’s king. After some thought, West threw a diamond. With limited options, I led a diamond to the king and ace. When I played dummy’s five of diamonds to the last trick, I found, to my astonishment and delight, that it won – contract made. What chuffed me most was that I had spotted and successfully taken three finesses – that being about the limit of my bridgeplaying ability. The mathematician within me later worked out this was a 1 in 8 chance, so I had been very lucky. ‘Bother’, said West, ‘I must throw my heart, not a diamond.’ I was about to commiserate when North weighed in: ‘My partner squeezed you! If you throw your heart, he cashes his heart before taking the last trick with the ace of diamonds.’ It was news to me that I had executed a squeeze. Would I have known my two of hearts was good if West had thrown his three? I doubt it (O level maths does not equip one to deal with such a conundrum) but, for the sake of a few minutes’ glory, I kept quiet. We S-ESSN’s do that sort of thing.

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Page 46

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ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON PAGE 13 by JULIAN POTTAGE 1.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

10 5 3 AKJ62 J AQ72

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ Void ♥ Q43 E W ♦ A 10 8 7 4 2 S ♣ 10 8 6 3 KJ87642 985 K J4

AQ9 10 7 Q9653 K95

N

West

North

East

Pass

4♠

End

South 3♠

sure where the queen is – on your right. The rules for switches are similar to leads – top of a sequence. If you grab the ace, declarer will make two spade tricks – the king in dummy and the queen in hand. It is another story if you withhold your ace, saving it to capture the queen. So long as partner has the nine of spades as well as the presumed ten, this restricts declarer to one spade trick.

3.

With the ace-queen of clubs poised over your king, it might appear that it does not matter what you do. In the sense that your king will not make while the ace and queen always will, this is true. However, by saving your king to play on declarer’s possible jack, you can make a difference overall. You should play the nine, taking a finesse against the jack. This way, declarer ends up losing a heart as well as two trumps and a diamond.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K53 J 10 6 2 AQ962 Q

A74 97 853 K9752

N W

E

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

J 10 9 6 43 K4 A 10 8 6 3

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ A94 Q873 J5 9872

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

E

W S

J 10 6 5 Void 10 8 3 2 A Q 10 6 3

K72 AK9654 K96 K

West

North

East

Pass Pass

2♦ 4♥

Pass End

South 1♥ 3♥

You lead the eight of clubs: four, ace, king. Partner switches to the jack of spades and declarer plays low. What do you play?

From partner’s switch to the jack, you can be

You want to save your ace to capture the king.

West Pass End

Q82 AKQ85 J 10 7 J4

North 1♦ 2♥

East Pass Pass

South 1♥ 4♥

Page 47

N

West Pass End

E

W S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

K 10 6 2 94 832 A863

975 Q J 10 5 10 6 K Q 10 4

North 1♦ 3♥

East Pass Pass

South 1♥ 4♥

You lead the two of clubs. Partner wins with the ace and switches to the two of spades, on which declarer plays low. What do you do?

You lead the five of clubs. Partner wins with the ace and switches to the jack of spades. What do you do when declarer plays low?

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

Q43 AK62 AQ974 5

AJ8 873 KJ5 J972

Q83 J 10 2 AQ74 J54 N

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

This time the spade honour you can see in dummy is the queen. This means you cannot so quickly deduce the spade position. Could partner possibly hold the ♠K? You need to count the points to work this out. If you assume the ♣K at trick one is a true card, partner has 6 points in clubs and you have seen the ♠J, giving 7 in total. The unseen hands have 23 points between them. If partner has 3 more points (with the ♠K), South’s jump rebid with 13 points is looking very skinny. Besides, if holding a spade suit headed by the king-jack, partner could have led low to avoid giving you a guess. Now that you are sure the ♠K is on your right, the position is much the same as on the previous deal.

S

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

4. You should play the seven of spades to encourage spades. You hope that partner will gain the lead, perhaps with the ♥A or, as here, the ♦K and play a second round of spades. You defeat the contract with a club, a diamond and two spades.

You lead the five of diamonds: jack, ace, king. Partner switches to the three of clubs, covered by the four. What do you play?

2.

This time, however, you do not try to encourage with the nine. For one thing, you do not expect partner to regain the lead. More importantly, you do not signal with winners. You need to keep the ace-nine as a tenace over the king.

You are probably into the habit of finessing by now. If you do not play the ace then you will play the eight rather than the jack. The eight is just as good as the jack in forcing out the queen and you would want to keep the acejack over South’s possible K-9. This time, you need to study the dummy before reaching a decision. The diamond position is horrible, with the ace-queen over your king-jack. The trump position does not seem good either – it looks like whatever partner has there will fall under the ace-king. What is more, if declarer can get to hand, one of dummy’s spades will go away on the ♣K (partner has denied holding the ♣K by winning the first trick with the ♣A). By far your best chance of defeating the contract is to find partner with the king (and ten) of spades. In this case, you can cash three spade tricks straight away. You go up with the ace and continue with the jack. Whether dummy covers or not, declarer cannot make a spade trick. You know that the third round of spades will stand up since the switch to the ■ two indicates a four-card suit.

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8mb RAM

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Pentium or equivalent

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CD-ROM

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Windows XP or Vista

SECOND HAND OFFER I have some copies of QPlus 8.8 that I have accepted in part exchange for the latest version. Excellent value at £54.

Check your pairs percentage and ranking

Order with absolute confidence.

W Systems NE

include: several versions of Acol, including Bernard Magee’s system, Standard American or create your own.

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£84 including p&p Make your cheque payable to

( 01483 489961

There is also a use which I didn’t realise when I bought the CD. It is the facility to feed in the real hands that we deal, and see how it would have bid and played them. I have done this on arriving home, usually cross with myself, after a duplicate session. My faithful friend gives me a sensible perspective on the matter. When playing Chicago or rubber at home, at the end of the bidding and playing a difficult hand, I have opened up my laptop and switched on QPlus. With fellow learners, I have looked at hands and seen how our electronic friend would have bid and played. We still have lots to learn. I bracket my QPlus disc together with the dishwasher – an essential luxury that I would find difficult to live without.

and send to: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

Fax 01483 797302