103.pdf

BRIDGE .

Number One Hundred and Three

Winter 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 39 to send in your answer.

Fjord, Norway

Ancient City of Petra, Jordan

Venice, Italy

Ephesus Theatre, Turkey

The Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim

Summer 2011 – Exceptional Cruises aboard Minerva At Swan Hellenic we go further and dig deeper. Our onboard Guest Speakers and excursions ashore help you gain fascinating insights. You travel in country house-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 sessions, held on days when the ship is at sea. 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. Departs

No. of days

Inside from

Mar 16 ANCIENT CITIES IN THE SAND Muscat, Sur, Salalah, Massawa, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba 2011

Cruise

15

£1,330pp*

Mar 30 CRUSADES OF THE LEVANT Aqaba, El Sokhna, Suez Canal Transit, Alexandria, Beirut, Tartous, Latakia, Alanya, Antalya, Piraeus

15

£1,845pp*

15

£1,775pp*

15

£1,895pp*

May 11 AN ITALIAN SERENADE Venice, Ravenna, Kotor, Crotone, Palermo, Cagliari, Naples, Gaeta, Bonifacio, Civitavecchia

15

£1,965pp*

May 25 A MEDITERRANEAN PALETTE Civitavecchia, Portovenere, Livorno, Nice, Sete, Barcelona, Alicante, Tangier, Seville, Lisbon

15

£1,775pp*

15

£1,695pp*

FLOWERS OF THE AEGEAN Apr 13

Piraeus, Corinth Canal Transit, Katakolon, Kalamata, Monemvasia, Aghios Nikolaos, Delos, Tinos, Symi, Rhodes, Fethiye, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Dardanelles Transit, Istanbul

Apr 27

Istanbul, Santorini, Souda Bay, Nauplia, Corinth Canal Transit, Itea, Preveza, Sarande, Dubrovnik, Korcula and Stari Grad, Rovinj, Venice

GREECE AND THE ADRIATIC

Jun 08

RIVERS AND VINEYARDS Lisbon, Oporto, Gijon, Bilbao, Bordeaux, St. Peter Port, St. Malo, Rouen, Portsmouth

NO FLY CRUISES FROM PORTSMOUTH FREE complimentary pre and post cruise coach transfers from London Victoria Coach Station, Southampton Airport, Bournemouth and Poole Railway Stations. Reduced Rates on Pre cruise stay and Parking also available, see page 21 of the new Winter 2011/12 brochure for further details.

COAST OF A KINGDOM Jun 22

Portsmouth, Leith, Kirkwall, Scrabster, Dunvegan, Tobermory, Portrush, Cobh, Pembroke, Isles of Scilly, Falmouth, St. Peter Port, Portsmouth

Jul 06

EMPIRES OF THE BALTIC

Jul 21

CALL OF THE ARCTIC TERN

Portsmouth, Elsinore, Karlskrona, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Ronne, Kiel Canal Transit, Portsmouth Portsmouth, Dublin, St. Kilda, Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Siglufjordur, Akureyri, Torshavn, Portsmouth

Aug 05 THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS Portsmouth, Farsund, Stavanger, Hardangerfjord, Flåm, Olden, Åndalsnes, Trondheim, Ålesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Portsmouth

15

£1,875pp*

16

£1,995pp*

16

£1,895pp*

15

£1,895pp*

*Guarantee Fares – Cabin number will be allocated approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. For passengers interested in a higher grade or single cabin, please contact our friendly team who will gladly assist with current availability and fares.

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing an inside category 12 cabin. Prices apply to new bookings only, are subject to availability, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Booking terms and conditions apply. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Limited ABTA W0392 ATOL 3897. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge guarantee participation in the onboard Mr Bridge programme, subject to availability.

FEATURES

BRIDGE Publisher and Managing Editor Mr Bridge Ryden Grange Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

( 01483 489961 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.mrbridge.co.uk

Associate Editor Julian Pottage Technical Consultant Tony Gordon Bridge Consultant Bernard Magee Proof Readers Tony Richards Danny Roth Hugh Williams Richard Wheen Office Manager Catrina Shackleton Events & Cruises ( 01483 489961 Jessica Galt Rachel Everett Megan Riccio Zoe Wright Clubs & Charities Maggie Axtell [email protected]

Address Changes Elizabeth Bryan ( 01483 485342 All correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bridge. Please make sure that all letters, e-mails and faxes carry full postal addresses and telephone numbers.

3 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee

6 Tunisia 7 Egypt 2011 8 Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book

5 11 Double Dummy Quiz by Richard Wheen 15 Julian Pottage says Raise a Forced Bid Cautiously 17 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions 21 Bernard Magee says Bidding Two Suits Shows Five Cards in the First 22 Dave Huggett says A Reverse Shows a Strong Hand and the Right Shape 23 Double Dummy Answer by Richard Wheen 26 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 29 Declarer Play Quiz by Dave Huggett

9

Credit Card

10 Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book 11 Bernard Magee Tips for Better Bridge 12 Bernard Magee at Haslemere Hall 13 Just Bridge 14 Bernatd Magee’s Interactive Tutorial Software 16 Voyages of Discovery Winter 2010/11 Cruises 18 Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified 19 Rubber/Chicago Bridge Events 20 Bridge Weekends with Bernard Magee

BIDDING QUIZ by Bernard Magee

Y

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 38) 1. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ QJ76 ™ 98 © AJ954 ® 98 West North East South 1© Pass ?

2. Dealer East. Game All. ♠ AJ987 ™ K42 © Q92 ® 98 West North East South 1™ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass ?

23 Christmas 2010 30 Heather Dhondy says Undertricks Matter at Pairs

23

31 Your Questions and Suggestions

24 Voyages of Discovery 2011 Summer Cruises

33 Readers’ Letters

32 Charity Bridge Events

37 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage

33 Stamps

38 Bidding Quiz Answers by Bernard Magee 43 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 45 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 46 Seven Days by Sally Brock

ADVERTISEMENTS 2 Summer 2011 on board mv Minerva

36

Single -Suited Design Pens

3. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ AJ96 ™ 2 © KQ73 ® KJ87 West North East South 3™ Pass ?

Playing Cards

39 Cut-out Form Mail Order Form 40 Global Travel Insurance

4. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ 964 ™ AK75 © A9853 ® 2

42 2010/11 Bridge Breaks 44 Voyages of Discovery Winter 2011 Cruises 47

2011 Bridge Players’ Diaries

48 Luxury Folding Bridge Table

4 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. A 10 9 7 5 K94 2 J985

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

Q PLUS 9.1 Still the very best Acol-playing Software available Happy BRIDGE reader, Gill Smith of Thames Ditton writes: I love my QPlus Bridge. As a learner, I always have a faithful partner whenever I want one. She is always available (late at night too) and she bids and plays perfectly. She has never kicked me under the table, rolled her eyes or taken a sharp intake of breath. If I bid or play badly she is on hand with sound advice yet she doesn’t take offence if I ignore it.

FEATURES l

The Usual Friendly Interface (see above)

l

Hint and Help Buttons – always at hand

l

Easy Windows Installation

l

Comprehensive Manual

l

Rubber, Duplicate and Teams Scoring

l

Instant results playing in teams mode

l

2,500 pre-played hands for teams

l

2,000 pre-played hands for match-pointed pairs including 1,000 new hands

W NE

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS l

8mb RAM

l

Pentium or equivalent

l

CD-ROM

l

Windows XP or Vista

SECOND HAND OFFER I still 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.

l

£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

SURPRISED

Life is full of surprises. Certainly I never ever expected to go into the furniture trade. However, I find myself awaiting delivery of two very different types of table, both designed and made to my exacting and precise specifications. My luxury table, pictured on the back cover, is really lovely. Made from stained and polished wood, it is both stylish and solid. The playing surface is covered with a very hard wearing mock-baize fabric. Delivery of these will be in late October but I am taking orders now. Just ring or email your order. As usual it will not be processed until we have labelled up your table for delivery. £142 anywhere in the UK.

The club table is now in stock. It is designed to have a wider market than just bridge. It is ideal for those who need a second bridge table when you have a party at home. Indeed, ours serves to extend the dining room table when some of children and grandchildren come for Sunday lunch. It has a strong metal frame, and a padded working surface with a good quality black vinyl. £60 delivered anywhere in the UK.

COMFY CHAIRS

REPLACEMENTS

BERNARD’S BOOKS

I have perfected a chair to match. Black metal, folding with the same strong black vinyl seat and back, both padded. The seat of the chair is higher than similar types, and the back is more upright and with a gentle curve, as can be seen in the picture below.

If through constant use or by accident, any of your Bernard Magee software CDs are damaged, return the disc and send it with your name and address together with a cheque for £10. Do not return your instructional booklet or box in which the CD came. You will be sent a new disc and security code by return.

As you will gather, Bernard Magee has been really busy this year and hasn’t had time to work on any new books. However, there are four in print to choose from:

TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Acol Bidding is intended for those playing bridge but who feel that they could improve. More Acol Bidding, will be renamed next year as Advanced Acol Bidding as it is a much more appropriate name. Why? Because it runs on from Acol Bidding.

They are made to match the club tables but complement the luxury table if needs be. The chairs will not be available until the last week of November. We will hold your order before cashing your cheque or charging your card.

QPLUS The QPlus bridge software package continues to be the Acol players’ best friend. Not only is it the best Acolplaying bridge software on the market but it had great graphics and a useful 52 page booklet. Be assured, this incorporates most of the technical information that you might want. I sell second-hand versions of QPlus 8.8 for just £54. This is a worthwhile saving when buying something one is not quite sure about.

SUPPORT My back-up service to both QPlus and Bernard Magee software goes without saying and I have trained almost everyone in the office to help with any problems. Nothing is too much trouble. If you want help, just ask. It was all gobbledegook to me once.

If you have to make a choice between the two, I suggest you start with Acol Bidding. If you are going to learn something, it would be best to start at the beginning. Declarer Play. Advanced Declarer Play. Choose Declarer Play so that you can grasped the basic concepts fully before buying the other discs. Defence. This CD is about just what it says it is. Being by far the most neglected part of the game, this package will have something of value, even for county players. Finally, if you could only have one of these to improve your game, then your choice has to be Defence.

Tips for Better Bridge. 65 tips to help you improve. Bernard Magee. Quiz Book. It is exactly what it says it is. Quiz and Puzzle Book. A unique publication in that it has a whole variety of different kinds of puzzles as well as 80 bridge quizzes. Hand Evaluation. This is Bernard Magee’s text book on bidding. £14 each including postage and packing. All 4 for £50.

DISCOVERY BOOKINGS Great news. From the start of the next summer season, number of inside and outside cabins for twin occupancy will be kept available at the lead-in price, to ensure that there are sufficient numbers for the duplicate evenings after first sitting dinner. Those taking up these cabins at the special prices will be expected to pay the bridge supplement for one if not both passengers and play duplicate on some if not every evening.

ASSURANCE For bookings on board Discovery, we are able to match any advertised offer in papers and periodicals or by Voyages of Discovery themselves. Please do consult us first. Thank you.

RE-REGISTRATION All follow the same tutorial style, with Bernard Magee’s clarity a real boon.

COMING SOON Begin Bridge software with Bernard Magee. Page 5

Re-registration is essential to receive each and every copy of BRIDGE. To extend your registration please telephone, email or write. It helps to save a lot of disappointment.

YELLOW BOOK

AT THE ROYAL KENZ TUNISIA 2010/2011

Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified is back in print. Hooray! This invaluable booklet is still only £5.95. Club offer. 10 for £35.

OVER SIMPLIFIED DIRECTING Could I please ask those of you who are waiting for this booklet to be patient for just a little longer? Thank you.

JUNK MAIL Most of us complain, at some time or another, about unsolicited mail. To stop most of yours, you need to register with: Mailing Preference Service, DMA. 70 Margaret Street, London. W1W 8SS.

Two-week half-board duplicate holidays

SATURDAY

After three months most of it should have dried up. You can also do the same for telephone calls and faxes.

My office is now open on Saturday mornings. Readers will be able to speak to me if they wish, as the normal bustle of the week is completely absent. It is also easier to have your cruise and holiday questions answered by Megan Riccio, pictured here with her daughter, Annabel.

BIDDING ANSWERS Last issue, I asked what you would open as dealer on the following hands. Remember, you are love all playing Acol, 12-14 no-trump.

NOT ALL BRIDGE Hand 1 ♠ A 10 9 7 ™Q654 © K76 ® 10 9

31 Oct – 14 Nov £749* Tony and Jan Richards Golf available

Answer: Pass

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

If you have yet to try a bridge holiday abroad, let me suggest one at the Royal Kenz, Port El Kantoui. There are several dates for this tried and tested venue.

*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 October 2010. Prices for seven-night stays are available on application.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS ( 01483 489961

Hand 2 AK8 QJ3 954 K 10 7 2

Answer: 1NT

All quite straight forward. Prizes have been sent to most, but not all, correct entries. Those without legible addresses and those sent in with no addresses at all will not have heard for obvious reasons.

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.

♠ ™ © ®

Golfers will find Tony and Jan Richards, pictured above, great company this coming November as they really do enjoy both their golf and their bridge. Page 6

Next time, entries by email should include your full postal details. The new competition is on the front cover. Do have a go. Entries close 31 October 2010.

UNAFFILIATED

SHETLAND SILVER

There would appear to be quite a few clubs who do not wish to be part of the EBU Universal Membership scheme, so I will provide a free notice board service for clubs who wish to advertise. This column will work in the same way as the Charity Events’ column.

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

MAGEE WEEKENDS Because of his workload, the number of his weekend events for 2011 has been reduced considerably. A full list is published on page 20 together with the subjects he plans to discuss.

The earrings, dangly or otherwise, or the pendant and chain, illustrated above, or both make super Christmas gifts and birthday presents. Ring Ken Rae on ( 01595 830275. www.shetlandjewellery.com

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.

...AND HIS CRUISES Quite a change for Bernard Magee in 2011 as he hosts three entirely different cruises, on Discovery, all sailing out of Harwich. One to magical Norway, one to St Petersburg and another to Lisbon. Ring for a brochure to make your choice.

QUIZ BOOK Dealer South. East-West Game. Rubber Bridge. ♠ AK43 ™ AK7 © J62 ® 974

SHARM

N E

W S

♠ ™ © ®

Duplicate Bridge

86 Q63 AQ75 AQJ3

with Bernard Magee 17-31 January 2011 £1079*

Bernard Magee, pictured above, really enjoyed this year’s inaugural trip to Egypt and is repeating it in 2011. Price includes bridge, full board, local wines and beer.

However old you are, you are still young enough to bathe in the Red Sea and have a look at the corals and fantastic underwater life.

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.

South West North East 1NT1 Pass 2® Pass 2© Pass 3NT All Pass 1 strong no-trump (15–17)

West leads the ♠Q. With a maximum of 32 points and such uninviting shape, North was happy to settle in an easy (?) 3NT. Had he found an eight-card spade fit, he might have looked for a slam.

The bridge itinerary consists of four seminars and set hand sessions, a quiz with an answer session and a varied evening programme. *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.

So, 30 points, surely this is going to be easy? Seven top tricks and plenty of high cards in the minors. Can we make certain of our contract? (Answer on page 8.)

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

DETAILS & BOOKINGS ( 01483 489961 Page 7

Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book (Question on page 4)

Dealer South. East-West Game. Rubber Bridge.

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ® Q J 10 9 5 10 8 4 2 K9 K5 ♠ ™ © ®

E

W S

♠ ™ © ®

TOO SLIPPERY

This publication specialises in providing answers. Julian Pottage is our resident expert on bidding, play and defence. Send your letters or emails to: julianpottage @mrbridge.co.uk

My card promotion has been a huge success. Please see the advertisement on page 37. The only complaint I have had so far is that they are too new. That is just how I like them. Indeed, they are changed on my weekends and cruises when they are not so. However, I have allowed a full refund on the return of 60 packs but that will be the last. They are priced ultra competitively in order to promote the Mr Bridge brand. These are the best quality cards on the market. When they are new, they will be slippery. You have been warned. Barcoded cards are available at the same price.

On matters of the laws and the etiquette of bridge, you should write to David Stevenson or email him on: davidstevenson @mrbridge.co.uk

AK43 AK7 J62 974 N

YOUR QUESTIONS

72 J95 10 8 4 3 10 8 6 2

86 Q63 AQ75 AQJ3

General matters should be sent to me at Ryden Grange. Do email me if you prefer: [email protected] but please also provide a phone number.

TEA TOWELS South 1NT1 2©

West Pass Pass

North 2® 3NT

East Pass All Pass

strong no-trump (15–17)

1

West leads the ♠Q. The only danger is a 5-2 spade break, making it possible to lose two minor suit kings and three spade tricks. So, assuming the worst (spades 5-2), we should duck the first round so that East will be out of spades if we lose a minor suit king to his hand. We need two extra tricks, but we must avoid West getting the lead twice. That may not be easy – if West holds both minor kings we cannot help it, but can we establish two tricks by losing to only one king? That is the crunch: we have to make West play his king on thin air and so we need to lead up to an honour in dummy and the jack of diamonds is the only one there.

All matters relating to the club directory or charity events should go to Maggie Axtell picture above. Email [email protected]

DISCOUNTED STAMPS If you still send greeting cards and letters, do buy your British postage stamps from Clive Goff, whose unusual service helps pay for this publication and whose support is much appreciated.

So win the second round of spades, cash the ace of diamonds and lead a small diamond towards dummy. If West hops in with the king we have two more diamond tricks, but if West ducks, we can simply switch to clubs and establish the ninth trick there. Of course, if East had held the king of diamonds all along, he can do no harm, for he has no spades left. There are many other possible lines of play, but none of them are failsafe like the 100% method outlined above.

Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book is available at £14 including post and packing from , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk

You may use these unused British postage stamps to pay for any order under £15 from our mail order list. ( 0208 422 4906 [email protected] Page 8

As previously announced, I no longer stock tea towels but with the club party season imminent, you may wish to know who does. You may order direct from Art Screen Print, but do say you heard it from Mr Bridge. ( 01287 637527. £5.95 each. Any four for only £19. Designs include: Ten Commanments for Bridge Players Life’s A Game – but Bridge is Serious Traffic Signs for Bridge Players

WEAK TWOS Weak Twos and Defence to Weak Twos are being covered by our seminar programme only once in the coming year. As this convention is becoming increasingly popular, even if you don’t wish to adapt your game to include Weak Twos, I really do recommend that you should at least learn how to defend against them. Consider Weak Twos with Bernard Magee at the Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing 18-20 March 2011.

LITTLE VOICE

BRIDGE WEEKLY

I appeal to all readers to save their used stamps in support of Little Voice, a tiny charity that does great work with children in Addis Ababa.

This comes to you free every Tuesday by email. In addition to last minute bridge holiday opportunities, you will find quiz questions, and a tip of the week.

The seemingly worthless pieces of paper are sold to stamp collectors. You and I play bridge; others collect stamps. No difference really. More details in the next issue.

QUIZ AND PUZZLE BOOK Dealer South. Love All. ♠ KQ76 ™ AJ86 © 75 ® KJ3 ♠ A853 N ™ 72 E W S © A 10 6 ® 10 9 8 2

TALKING POINT Slowly, the re-launch of my Credit Card gathers pace. The service provider is MBNA. I ask you to take up one as a visual promotion of both card-playing and of Mr Bridge. It also works efficiently as a credit card as you would expect it to. The 2% loyalty spending money is not provided by MBNA but comes from my promotional budget, showing your card will catch the eye and provide great gossip value, hopefully bringing bridge to the attention of some who had never given the game a thought before. Please consider taking-up one of these. The 2% may be put towards one of my weekends, mail order services or as a cheque from me in favour of Discovery Cruises when your final balance is due.

Credit Card

The Benefits

0% 0% 15.9%APR

for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 90 days from the date your account is opened (3% handling fee)

South West North East 1NT1 Pass 2® Pass 2™ Pass 4™ All Pass 1 strong no-trump (15–17)

for 3 months* on card purchases from the date your account is opened†

Partner, West, leads the ♠2. Declarer plays the ♠6 from dummy at trick one. One look at dummy suggests that you will need a little luck to defeat this contract – it is surprising that North did not make a slam try.

typical rate (variable)

Added Extras... l Manage your account online l No annual fee l Free fraud protection and text alert service

What is partner’s lead? And where are your four tricks going to come from? (Answer on page 10.)

l 24 hour customer helpline l Free additional card holders for family members

What do I need to apply? l Personal details eg. home address

Credit Card

l At least 3 years address history l Details of your present employment

Terms and Conditions for your 2%

l Details of any current borrowings l Your bank account details

l Mr Bridge credit will be available for the value of 2% on retail spend

using your Mr Bridge credit card l Mr Bridge reserves the right to cancel this offer at any time

To apply ( 0800 028 2440 and quote 31CVST2R

l This offer applies to Mr Bridge MBNA credit cards used from 1 Jan 2010 l Credit statements will be sent out twice a year l Only one credit per account l There will be no monetary alternative to this offer

The credit card is issued by MBNA Europe Bank Limited, Registered Office: Stansfield House, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QQ. Registered in England number 2783251. Credit is available, subject to status, only to UK residents aged 18 or over. You cannot transfer balances from another MBNA account. We will monitor or record some phone calls. MBNA’s consumer credit activities are licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and our general insurance activities are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) CP0909_SMP_MB_A

l Credit can only be used for payments made to Mr Bridge, in payment for

weekend events and/or mail order purchases

†

l Any credit given will be valid for 6 months only, or at the discretion

of Mr Bridge

If you do not pay your balance in full we will use your payments to reduce lower rate balances before higher rate balances. If promotional rate balances are the same we will repay them in the following order: first, the one with the earliest expiry date; if the expiry dates are the same then the one which started first; if the expiry dates, and the start dates are the same then the one with the lowest standard rate. Promotional rates will no longer apply from the beginning of any statement period during which you have breached your terms and conditions.

* From the date your account is opened.

Page 9

WORTHING

Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book

This is a litigious age and committee members could find themselves collectively responsible for some currently unimaginable incident, the possibility of which is the very reason for taking out such a policy. In these fraught days of health and safety, we should all be alert and aware.

(Question on page 4)

Dealer South. Love All. ♠ ™ © ® ♠ ™ © ®

2 10 9 5 J8432 Q764

KQ76 AJ86 75 KJ3 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

A853 72 A 10 6 10 9 8 2

J 10 9 4 KQ43 KQ9 A5

South

West

North

East

1NT1 2™

Pass Pass

2® 4™

Pass All Pass

strong no-trump (15-17)

1

Partner leads the ♠2 and declarer plays the ♠6 from dummy.

I have selected two new venues for 2011. The Grade II listed Chatsworth Hotel in The Steyne, pictured above, is the larger and Bernard Magee will be hosting three events there in the course of the year.

Every committee has a duty to see that everyone is well and truly protected, so that members do not have to feel embarrassed should they have reason to sue the club committee for damages or proper compensation. Things happen.

The subject matter of the first event will be Weak Twos and Defence to Weak Twos in March. Even if you do not play Weak Twos yourself, they are becoming more and more popular, so it is vital to grasp a few ideas as to how to defend against this variation of basic Acol.

Club members, at your next AGM, seek reassurance that your committee has the club covered, reminding them that the terms of insurance of the owner of the club premises, will certainly not meet all the requirements of the club.

You have very little chance of getting this contract down, with partner having only a possible 3 points in his hand (dummy has 14 plus your 8 and declarer’s minimum 15 = 37). The only chance is that the lead is a singleton and you can give partner two spade ruffs. Win with the ♠A and play back a spade – but which one? It is very important to choose the right spade. In these situations, the spade you play back tells partner what to lead next – a high spade would ask for the higher non-trump suit, a low spade would ask for the lower non-trump suit. You have the ©A so you want him to play diamonds (the higher suit), so you should play back the ♠8. Partner ruffs the spade and obeys your signal by returning a diamond. You win and play back another spade for partner to ruff and set the contract. Your play at trick two (the ♠8) was a suit-preference signal; without it, partner would have been guessing and might well have chosen a club, following the old maxim of leading through dummy’s strength.

Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book is available at £14 including post and packing from , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk

CLUB INSURANCE

If you already use Moore Stephens, ask for your policy to be included with the Mr Bridge group, as I hope further to improve the terms and conditions. However, any change can only be negotiated successfully when the group is larger. The annual premium for all bridge clubs is still only £62.25.

Secondly, there is the cozy and compact Ardington Hotel, pictured above, which is opposite the Chatsworth in The Steyne.

Ring Moore Stephens on ( 0207 515 5270 and please mention Mr Bridge.

It will be used for all our other events in Worthing including the rubber/Chicago weekends. Both the Chatsworth and Ardington are family owned hotels, just like the Beach. It is my belief that these new venues will enable our service to be even better than before. Indeed, the change should be noticeable only by way of the perceived improvement.

Having started something, I was stricken with a nasty bug which laid me low for a while and I failed to keep this service going once I had recovered.

Page 10

TWITTER

Truth to tell, I forgot all about it. Readers can be assured that this failure has now been rectified and I have started regular tweets albeit a little croakyspluttery-muttery.

DOUBLE DUMMY by Richard Wheen

♠ ™ © ®

♠ Q32 ™ 3 © 2 ® 9 10 9 8 7 ♠ N J ™ W E S Void © 8 ® ♠ AJ4 ™ A2 © Void ® 6

BOXED PEN SETS

Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages

K65 KQ Void 7

North is on lead in a no-trump contract and North/South need to make all six tricks against any defence. How should you go about it? (Answer on page 23)

MINERVA From spring 2011, there will be a resident bridge host on Swan Hellenic’s Minerva. The host’s duty will be to provide bridge, adjusted to suit the numbers on board who wish to play. Phone for the Minerva brochure and see the advert on page 2.

FIT FOR A QUEEN

The ball pens, illustrated above, are great favourites both to give and to receive. £19.95 per boxed set of four. See form on page 39.

CHRISTMAS/ NEW YEAR As the programme follows the same format as previous years, most of you will know what to expect. If this is, as yet, unknown to you, do ring 01483 489961 but if it is just dates and timings you need, then just turn to page 23.

CHRISTMAS CRUISE Once again there will be a fair-sized group coming together for the Christmas cruise onboard Discovery, so please don’t set yourself up for a big disappointment by leaving it too late to make a booking. 18 days covering both Christmas and New Year, cruising across the balmy Caribbean from Havana to Barbados.

MY TIP

Hebridian Princess, pictured above, has been acquired by Discovery Cruises and is now part of their growing fleet. It carries a maximum of 49 passengers and was recently chartered by HM The Queen for her summer hols. I shall be offering a week onboard in 2013, cruising round the Highlands and Islands, from around £1800 per person sharing. Bernard Magee will be hosting the onboard bridge. Do telephone or write in to register your interest.

I am often asked to give tips for better bridge. May I make this suggestion. Buy Bernard Magee’s book Tips for Better Bridge. It is a really readable read. Ideal for players either for their own enlightenment or to give as a gift. All 65 headings are listed on the adjacent column. Most make stand-alone sense, so my tip is that you should cut out and keep the list, committing the headings to memory and later on, relate the solution to the problem at the table when the problem arises.

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

Page 11

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

LIVE AND UNCUT

Bernard Magee Haslemere Hall 17 – 19 May 2011 Tuesday 17 May Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Ruffing for extra tricks Afternoon Session: 15.30 – 17.00 Competitive auctions

Wednesday 18 May Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Making the most of your high cards in play and defence Afternoon Session: 15.30 – 17.00 Finding and bidding slams

HAPPY FAMILIES

Bernard Magee will be giving a series of six selfcontained seminars over three days at Haslemere Hall as part of the 2011 ‘Haslemere Festival’. Full details are provided in the adjacent advertisement. Each of these seminars is being filmed. Try to come to at least one. Do book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Haslemere will be quite busy during the festival fortnight, so if you are planning to come any distance, be sure to book-up your hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation early. For those coming on a day trip, there are lots of eateries around the town.

Leanora, pictured above, is going on maternity leave but will continue to be involved from afar with strategic planning as part of the long term continuity plan for the Mr Bridge Organisation.

WAKE OF THE BEAGLE At the end of January, I am flying out to Buenos Aires with Mrs Bridge to once again join Discovery. I look forward to seeing the Falkland Islands and sailing round Cape Horn and viewing the odd iceberg while cruising through the Chilean Fjords. Magic.

2011 DIARIES

Thursday 19 May

She is being replaced by Catrina Shackleton, who has already been her understudy for the past three months. I have every confidence she will fit in really well. You may email her on: [email protected]

RUBBER BRIDGE

Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Play and defence of 1NT Afternoon Session: 15.30 – 17.00 Doubling and defence against doubled contracts £10 per ticket For advanced booking, please call Haslemere Hall Box Office

( 01428 642161 Please note that all sessions will be filmed.

2011 diaries are now in stock. The standard covers are in a choice of bright red or navy blue. The luxury version is covered in bottle green or ruby red kidrell and fitted with a useful ballpoint pen. See the order form.

CHARITY CUP DATE The 2011 heats will be held on Thursday, 17 March. Page 12

Rubber/Chicago weekend events for 2011 are advertised collectively on the adjacent page. These are structured for those who enjoy the leisurely social bridge that this allows.

HOLIDAY COVER Do remember you need to have holiday insurance if you want to make a cruise booking. So find out what insurance is available, if any, as well as the cost, before getting too excited, as obtaining cover on reasonable terms is becoming more and more difficult. Global Travel advertise in these pages. Please mention Mr Bridge if you use their services.

CHARITY EVENTS On page 35 are featured all the coming bridge events for good causes known to me. There must be others. Contact me now so that they may be included in the 2011 listings. Do remember, I am always happy to provide prizes, all you have to do is ask. Readers, please support these events as and when you can.

DISCOVERY 2012

PARTY TIME

JUST BRIDGE

I have a good quiz (not bridge-based) which is ideal for your coming club Christmas party. Shock horror! Don’t tell me you don’t have one? You don’t? Well, you still have time to get one organised. Do let me know and I will post you the questions on one sheet for you to photocopy and hand out, and one sheet with the answers. If you didn’t have last year’s bridge-based quiz then I can send you that one too with the questions and answers in the same manner. No excuses now.

Scalford Hall, Melton Mowbray LE14 4UB

JUST BRIDGE

© £165 full board. No single supplement

There does seem to be some demand for Just Bridge events, as mentioned in this column last month. Their development will be a hurry– slowly affair as they cannot be priced sensibly much lower than those with tuition. Leaving out lunches just isn’t on, as a traditional Sunday roast is what people want and expect as part of such a weekend.

© Six sessions of duplicate bridge © No prizes or masterpoints © No tuition, seminars or quizzes, just bridge

28-30 January

25-27 February

11-13 March

25-27 March 15-17 April

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Please book me for .... places, Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....

IDEAS PLEASE for the Just Bridge event(s) of ..........................................

2012 sees Discovery visiting the Far East and Japan, ending up in Manila. The next leg continues down through the Philippines, all the way to Sydney, where a number of passengers on that cruise will leave the ship to stay with family and friends, so would-be passengers should take a credit for the cruise flight from the cruise price and make their own way home at a time to suit themselves. The same applies but in reverse for those joining the ship for the Sydney to Singapore leg.

It is said frequently that there is nothing much new under the sun. However, I need to be reminded sometimes about what there is. Please help to enliven these pages further for the enjoyment and enrichment of other readers as well as advertisers, future players and me.

Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... Address............................................................................... ............................................................................................ Postcode ............................................................................ ( ...................................................................................... Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed)

LAST MINUTE

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

When there are places available at the last minute on weekends or cruises, I will be offering them in my new emag, Bridge Weekly. Do register to avoid missing what you might never have known anything about, especially singles willing to share.

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.

Page 13

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

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

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

l

Suit Establishment in Suits

Making Overtricks in No-trumps

l

Making Overtricks in Suit Contracts

l

Basics

Slams and Strong Openings

l

Advanced Basics

l

Hold-ups

l

Support for Partner

l

Weak Twos

l

l

Endplays

l

Pre-empting

l

Strong Hands

Ruffing for Extra Tricks

l

Avoidance

l

Overcalls

l

No-trump Openings and Responses

Wrong Contract

l

Defence to 1NT

Entries in Notrumps

l

l

Defence to Weak Twos

l

Simple Squeezes

l

Counting the Hand

l

Trump Reductions & Coups

l

l

£64

Opener’s and Responder’s Rebids

l

Minors and Misfits

l

Doubles

l

Competitive Auctions

l

l

£74

£79

£94

l

Delaying Drawing Trumps

l

Two-suited Overcalls

l

Using the Lead

l

Defences to Other Systems

l

Trump Control

l

l

Endplays & Avoidance

Playing Doubled Contracts

l

Safety Plays

l

l

Doubles

Misfits and Distributional Hands

l

Using the Bidding

DEFENCE

£74

l

Lead vs No-trump Contracts

l

Attitude Signals

l

Lead vs Suit Contracts

l

Discarding

l

Partner of Leader vs No-trump Contracts

l

Defensive Plan

l

Partner of Leader vs Suit Contracts

l

Stopping Declarer

l

Count Signals

l

Counting the Hand

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

Make your cheque payable to

( 01483 489961

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

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

Fax 01483 797302

System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM

Julian Pottage Says

Raise a Forced Bid Cautiously f you open one of a suit and partner responds in a new suit, this shows some values. Your opening was not forcing, so partner could have passed with a very weak hand. You can judge how high to raise (if you like partner’s suit) or what other action to take in the knowledge that you are not facing a near bust. This does not apply when you have done something that has forced your partner to bid. A common situation for this is after you have made a take-out double.

I

West

North

East

Dble ?

Pass

1♠

South 1© Pass

If you had opened (1® or 1™) and partner had responded 1♠, you would raise to 2♠ (if you like spades) with a minimum opening hand. Indeed, you would have to bid because partner’s response would be forcing. The actual position is different. You forced your partner to bid, not the other way round. You do not need to raise if you have a minimum take-out double. Partner had stronger actions available (a jump to 2♠ or a cue bid of 2© for instance). If you have 12-14 HCP and a 4-4-1-4 shape, you are not going to miss game by passing 1♠. The rule here is to bid one less than you would if you had opened and partner had responded. In other words, if you would have raised to 2♠ after 1®-1♠, you pass. If you would have raised to 3♠, you raise to 2♠. If you would have raised to 4♠, you raise to 3♠. You need an exceptionally good hand to justify raising partner’s forced response all the way to 4♠ – most hands that you would open one of a suit will not be good enough. Let us see how this translates into hands, losers and points.

West

North

East

Dble ?

Pass

1♠

Hand A ♠ KJ63 ™ J85 © 5 ® AK872

South 1© Pass

Hand B ♠ KJ94 ™ KQ92 © K ®A932

With hand A you should pass. On the losing trick count, you have seven losers (two in spades, three in hearts and one in each minor). Counting points, even allowing three for the singleton, you have 15. On both types of valuation, this hand is in the lower end of the range for a take-out double. With hand B, you raise to 2♠. You are a bit better than minimum. You have six losers (two in each black suit and one in each red suit). Point count is a little harder to judge. I knock one point off for a singleton honour. This gives you 15 in high cards plus three for the singleton to total 18.

Hand C ♠ KJ94 ™ KQ92 © A ® A932

Hand D ♠ KQJ4 ™ KQ92 © A ®A932

On hand C, you raise to 3♠. This is a good hand with five losers and 20 points. Hand D is even better with four losers and 22 points. This is what you need to bid 4♠. In summary: Simple raise: 16-18 points or six losers Jump raise: 19-20 points or five losers Double jump: 21-23 points or four losers

Page 15

You may have noticed that the examples have had four-card spade support. Since your double suggested support for the suit, partner will often have only four spades. If you have a big hand (19+ points) but only three spades, you cue bid opener’s suit (2©). This shows significant extra values but tends to deny primary support. Bear in mind as well that sometimes partner has to bid a threecard suit if holding four cards in the suit opened and no other four-card suit! Take-out double sequences are not the only situations in which you may have forced partner to bid:

♠ ™ © ®

You 2® 2♠ 3© ?

AKQ74 K 10 5 AQJ4 A

Partner 2© 2NT 3™

This is no time to launch into some sort of Blackwood just because you like hearts. Your first three bids were all forcing. Partner has shown hearts, yes, but values, no. Indeed, the second negative (2NT) definitely denied values. A simple raise to 4™ does justice to the hand. You have shown a huge hand already by opening 2®. Partner can infer your shortage in clubs from the later bidding. Partner actually held ™J-x-x-x-x and a bust, making 4™ the last making contract.

Summary When you have forced your partner to bid, raise cautiously. Usually you raise to one level lower than you would have raised a voluntary bid. ■

’œŒ˜ŸŽ›¢ȱ •ž‹ȱŽ–‹Ž›œ ȱ œŠŸŽȱŠ—ȱ Ž¡›ŠȱśƖ

’—Ž›ȱŘŖŗŖȬŗŗȱ˜ěŽ›œȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’‹‹ŽŠ—ȱ Š—ȱ˜ž‘ȱ–Ž›’ŒŠȱ›˜–ȱ˜—•¢ȱǡŞşş™™ Join Discoveryȱ‘’œȱ’—Ž›ȱ˜ȱŽ¡™Ž›’Ž—ŒŽȱ‘Žȱ›Ž–Š›”Š‹•Žȱ‘’‘•’‘œȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’‹‹ŽŠ—ȱŠ—ȱŽ—“˜¢ȱœ™ŽŒŠŒž•Š›ȱœŠŸ’—œȱ  ’‘ȱ˜ž›ȱ›ŽŠȱœŠ•Žȱ˜ěŽ›œǯȱ’‘ȱ ›Š—ȱ˜¢ŠŽœȱ›˜–ȱž›˜™Žȱ˜ȱ‘ŽȱŠ›’‹‹ŽŠ—ȱ˜›ȱœ‘˜›Ž›ȱŒ›ž’œŽœȱ‘˜™™’—ȱ‹Ž ŽŽ—ȱ œž—Ȭ”’œœŽȱ’œ•Š—œǰȱ‘Ž›Žȱ’œȱœ˜–Ž‘’—ȱ˜›ȱŽŸŽ›¢˜—Žǯȱ˜ȱ˜‘Ž›ȱŒ›ž’œŽȱ•’—Žȱ˜ěŽ›œȱ’œȱ™ŠœœŽ—Ž›œȱ‘ŽȱŒ‘Š—ŒŽȱ˜ȱœŽŽȱœ˜ȱ –Š—¢ȱž—žœžŠ•ȱ™•ŠŒŽœȱ’—ȱœžŒ‘ȱŠȱ›Ž•Š¡ŽȱŠ—ȱ Ž••ȬŠ™™˜’—ŽȱŽ—Ÿ’›˜—–Ž—ǯȱ˜ ȱ ŽȱŠ›ŽȱŠ•œ˜ȱ˜ěŽ›’—ǰȱ˜—ȱ‘ŽȱœŽ•ŽŒŽȱ Œ›ž’œŽœȱœ‘˜ —ǰȱŠȱFREE UPGRADEȱ˜ȱŠȱ ȱ˜›ȱ ȱ›ŠŽȱ˜žœ’ŽȱŒŠ‹’—ȱ ‘Ž—ȱ¢˜žȱ‹˜˜”ȱŠ—ȱ’—œ’ŽȱŒŠŽ˜›¢ȱȱ˜›ȱȱ ŒŠ‹’—ȱ›Žœ™ŽŒ’ŸŽ•¢ǯȱ‘ŽœŽȱ˜ěŽ›œȱŠ›ŽȱŠŸŠ’•Š‹•Žȱ˜›ȱŠȱ•’–’Žȱ’–Žȱ˜—•¢ǰȱœ˜ȱ‹˜˜”ȱ—˜ ȱ˜›ȱ‘ŽœŽȱŽ¡ŒŽ™’˜—Š•ȱŠ›ŽœǷ Fares from

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Grand Voyage to Cuba November 18, 2010 – 32 days

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Alexandria ~ Barbados (See individual cruises for full itinerary details).

Alexandria (overnight) ~ Benghazi ~ Al Khums ~ Valletta ~ Trapani ~ La Goulette ~ Cagliari ~ Cartagena ~ Malaga Malaga ~ Gibraltar ~ Cadiz ~ Funchal ~ Antigua ~ St. Kitts ~ Dominica ~ St. Lucia ~ Barbados (2 nights) ~ Grenada Tobago ~ Trinidad ~ La Guaira ~ Curacao ~ Aruba ~ Montego Bay ~ Santiago de Cuba ~ Havana (overnight)

Discovery of the New World November 18, 2010 – 18 days

Malaga ~ Gibraltar ~ Cadiz ~ Funchal ~ Antigua ~ St Kitts ~ Dominica ~ St Lucia ~ Barbados (overnight) Extremely limLWHGFUXLVH ÁLJKWDYDLODELOLW\

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Tales of the Old Spanish Main December 18, 2010 – 18 days

SPECIAL SINGLE FARE £1,561pp

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Havana (overnight) ~ Progreso ~ Belize City ~ Puerto Cortés ~ Puerto Limon (overnight) ~ Cartagena Maracaibo (overnight) ~ Barbados

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Grand Brazilian Discovery January 3, 2011 – 31 days

Barbados (overnight) ~ Trinidad ~ Orinoco River ~ Devil’s Island ~ Amazon River ~ Santarém (overnight) Amazon River ~ Fortaleza ~ Natal ~ Recife ~ Salvador de Bahia ~ Rio de Janeiro (2 nights) ~ Ilhabela Montevideo ~ Buenos Aires (overnight) Barbados (overnight) ~ Trinidad ~ Orinoco River ~ Devil’s Island ~ Amazon River ~ Santarém (overnight) Amazon River ~ Fortaleza ~ Natal ~ Recife Recife ~ Salvador de Bahia ~ Rio de Janeiro (2 nights) ~ Ilhabela ~ Montevideo ~ Buenos Aires (overnight)

In the Wake of the Beagle January 31, 2011 – 21 days

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Grand Voyage from the New World March 21, 2011 – 34 days Barbados ~ Portsmouth (See individual cruises for full itinerary details).

Legends of the Caribbean March 21, 2011 – 16 days

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On the Trail of the Treasure Fleets April 4, 2011 – 20 days

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DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws

An Explanation Jogs Partner’s Memory

Q

As West, I forgot what defence we were playing to

1NT:

West North East South 1NT1 2 3 2® 2© 2´ Pass 3® 3© 4® 4© 5® Double End 12-14 Intended as natural. (West had five clubs) 3 Bid after explaining 2® as Landy (both majors) 1 2

When 5® doubled made, North/South were furious. They called the director and claimed I had made an illegal bid. They also said they would not accept any adjustment that gave our side a plus score. The director initially allowed the result of 550 to stand. Our opponents later telephoned the director and said they were still unhappy. The director then adjusted the score to an average minus for us. Peter Bramley, Finstock, Oxon.

A

If you had overcalled 2® with only five clubs, your partner had explained it as ‘natural: shows clubs’ and then bid 2´, what would you have done? With

only five clubs you would probably have passed. The only reason you know something has gone wrong is his explanation and the rules do not allow you to use that. In fact, you have a duty to go further and make every effort not to gain from his explanation. If I had been the director, I would have changed the result back to a contract of 2´, going a few down I suspect. When you receive unauthorised information from partner – an unexpected explanation is typical – you must strain not to use it or to benefit in any way. Clearly your 3® used it and you benefitted from his explanation. I am afraid the director did not handle things well. Giving you average minus is illegal. More importantly, he should not allow himself to be bullied. If the opponents did act as you said, I would have fined them a disciplinary penalty: their actions are inexcusable. Asking for a ruling is fine: harassing the director is not. ®©™´

Q

I (South) opened 1™. My LHO passed and my partner bid 3´. I alerted this bid and announced it

as a splinter. My RHO protested stating that I should not have explained the alert as I was conveying to my partner what I understood his bid to be. Can you please tell me whether my alert and announcement were incorrect? Gordon Carr, Swanley, Kent.

A

Alerting was correct – the bid was conventional and not above 3NT. The announcement was incorrect. Announcements apply only in specific situations; this is not one of them. It is never correct to make an alert and an announcement at the same time. Having alerted, you should have waited for one of the opponents to ask about the bid and explained its meaning only if they did. ®©™´

Q

As North, I dealt and opened 1´, holding 9 points and 7 spades on ‘rule of 20’. We ended in 4´ doubled, which made 11 tricks. Although neither opponent commented, the director came and asked how many points I had. After my reply, he said my opening was in breach of

Page 17

the rules, though went quiet when I mentioned it was a ‘rule of 20’ hand. On rechecking, I found that I had miscounted and had only 19 opening points (7 spades, 3 diamonds and 9 points). 1. Has the director the authority to ask about a player’s hand when there has been no request from opponents? 2. Was my opening bid legal? Glenn Rogers, Brighouse, Yorkshire.

A

1. The director has the authority to investigate anything he sees fit and can always look at a player’s hand. 2. Your opening bid with 19 opening points was legal and quite normal. I have no idea how your director arrived at his ruling. Openings on nine points and excellent distribution have been part of the Acol system for fifty years or more. 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.

Ask David

continued

Q

My partner was in 3NT. In the play, her LHO led the ten of hearts. My partner pulled out the nine. Then, still holding the card, she said ‘I have pulled out the wrong card.’ She had intended to play the queen. As declarer and the last player, could she have done so? Pauline Cope, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire.

A

Certainly – declarer’s card counts as played when she holds it touching or nearly touching the table – until that time she may change it, whether for a mechanical error or a change of mind. ®©™´

Q

With no alerts or announcements, the bidding went:

as strong, but non-forcing, she only knows that a wheel has come off when partner explains it. That explanation is unauthorised and she must take no advantage, and the director should adjust if he feels she has. Instead, if opener believed they were playing Acol twos, which are forcing, the pass will tell her a wheel has come off, and a 4™ rebid is normal whatever happens. Furthermore, the director should try to find out what they had really agreed. If they were playing Acol twos, but responder had forgotten, you had the right to know the system before your bid. If you knew they were Acol twos, you might easily have passed if 2™ reached you, so he should adjust because of misinformation to 2™ +2. ®©™´

Q

´ ™ © ®

West North East South Pass 2™1 Pass Pass End 4™ 3® 1 Explained as weak

The director ruled that as the explanation was correct there was no penalty, even though I would not have reopened the bidding had I suspected the opening was a strong bid. 4™ made when dummy put down a 9 count with ™Q-x-x. Peter Taylor by email.

A

It is slightly strange that you needed to ask since all opening bids of two of a suit require an announcement or alert, so why did responder not say ‘Weak’? The ruling is possible, but there are worries. If opener believed that they were playing twos

As North (playing a weak NT), I held:

Both minors Anti systemic!

2

Clearly, the wheels have come off. I thought that the safest ethical thing to do was to pass, which I did. However, I suspected that partner had not seen the double and was bidding Stayman so I would have liked to bid 2´. What should or can I do? Incidentally, LHO ended in 3©, going three down vulnerable and was unhappy with the situation, saying he would have not

neither an alert nor an announcement; any other meaning requires an alert. ®©™´

A

You can bid anything you like. If partner makes an impossible bid then you can make any deductions you like. Of course, if you have explained 2® correctly, the opponents should also be able to work out it is impossible. The complaint about the misbid has no basis, I am afraid: making mistakes is part of bridge. Your opponents would have a complaint if they had been misinformed, but not for a misbid.

Q

South arrives in 4NT. West leads a low diamond won by South with the ©K.

´ ™ © ®

A982 75432 A8 K8 N E

W S

´ ™ © ®

Q J 10 AJ6 KQJ AQ76

®©™´

Q

Please remind me about the legality and rules for alerting or announcing weak take-outs or transfers in response to 1NT. Gordon Humble by email.

A

K 10 8 6 QJ K J 10 9 Q J 10

West North East South 1NT Double 2®1 Pass 2™2 2© Pass ? Pass 1

have bid this after a normal auction. Helen Ackroyd, St. Leonards, Dorset.

You may play any system of responses that you like to a 1NT opening, so people may play a weak take-out or not as they wish. A weak takeout of 2©, 2™ or 2´ was almost standard when I was young; the growing use of transfers has made this much rarer. This change has nothing to do with announcing or alerting. All responses are legal. A transfer response of 2© or 2™ requires an announcement, a weak takeout of 2©, 2™ or 2´ requires

Page 18

When West regains the lead, he continues diamonds. Dummy wins with the ace as declarer discards a heart – revoke number one. A few tricks later, declarer is back in dummy and leads a heart, discarding the ©Q whilst still holding the ™J – revoke number two. David Drinkwater, Staffordshire.

A

Each revoke is treated and assessed separately since they are in different suits. The first one is a onetrick penalty since the revoke card did not win the trick. The same applies to the second revoke. Therefore, the defenders get two tricks at the end of the hand.

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Ask David

continued

Q

During the play West leads the ten of clubs through dummy’s jack. Playing the jack reveals the previously hidden queen of clubs in dummy. Although no revoke had occurred, should West (as happened) be able to change his lead? John Shepherd, Isle of Wight.

A

No, the Laws do not permit a change of lead. That said, putting dummy down with one card hidden is an infraction and the director can adjust at the end if he believes the defence have suffered damage. Some people will say that everyone is responsible for dummy; this is not true: dummy is responsible for putting his hand down correctly with all cards visible.

means players have to sort things out themselves, so it is difficult. 2. Dummy should keep quiet. It is not up to dummy to interfere. Since declarer plays dummy’s cards physically at rubber bridge, the best thing dummy can do is to put the kettle on for a cup of tea. 3. When there is a dispute as to whether there has been a revoke, the players look at the cards only after the play. Players must not mix the cards at the end if a question of revoke exists. The Laws are quite clear about this.

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®©™´

Q

Does a 2NT opening require an announcement, stating point count and that it may contain a singleton? If not, is this fair in a club that does not require players to have system cards? Audrey Stewart by email.

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Q

In friendly rubber bridge, my RHO was playing in 6´. When she led a diamond to dummy’s ace, my partner asked whether she had trumped a diamond earlier; dummy said she had not. My partner asked if she would check her cards, to which dummy said she would not as she is trying to play 6´. What do the rules say about this? Pat Brown, Bedfordshire.

A

1. There is a Law book for rubber bridge but very few players ever see it or worry about it. There is no director in a home game, which

A

Announcements apply only to 1NT openings. People play 2NT openings with various ranges; some players allow a singleton, though usually only a singleton honour, and this is legal. Sadly, many people think other people should play their way, but it is normal, despite playing Acol, to play slight differences. One of the most annoying things about people who teach bridge is that some of them fail to mention that their way is not the only way! As for your club not having system cards; while that is a matter for the club, it would be unfair to limit people’s ranges for 2NT for n that reason.

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Page 20

14 - 16 October Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR £245 per person Declarer Play 21 - 23 October Denham Grove £245 per person Game Tries 4 - 6 November Inn on the Prom £235 per person Leads and Defence 11 - 13 November Blunsdon House Hotel £245 per person Suit Establishment 18 - 20 November Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR £245 per person Finding Slams 25 - 27 November Denham Grove NEW £245 per person SEMINAR Squeezes

Bernard Magee Says

Bidding Two Suits Shows Five Cards in the First hen you open the bidding, you should plan your rebid – this is crucial to most bidding systems. You aim to use two bids to describe your hand and answer these questions: (1) Am I balanced or unbalanced? (2) How strong am I? With a balanced hand, you should bid no-trumps on the first or second bid. If you do not, you should be unbalanced and hold five cards in the first suit.

W

Hand A ´ K76 ™ AK832 © AJ92 ® 4 Hand B ´ K76 ™ AK32 © AJ92 ® 43

Hand D ´ A876 ™ 5 © AQ62 ® 8765

East 1´ 3©

West opens light, but still rebids 2© as it shows no extra strength. If hand C had rebid 2™, Hand D might well pass, giving you six trumps instead of eight. If opener bids two suits, responder can support the first bid suit with just three cards, especially when it is a major:

Hand E ´ 4 ™ AKQ84 © K987 ® J 10 2

West 1™ 2© 4™

Hand A: I am unbalanced, so I plan to show two suits. I open 1™ and plan to rebid 2©. Hand B: I am balanced, so I plan to bid no-trumps on the first or second round. With 15 HCP, I am too strong to open a weak no-trump, so I open 1™ and plan to rebid 1NT. Hand A could show five hearts with a 2™ rebid, but that is unhelpful – when you are unbalanced, show a second suit if you can. A rebid of 2© (below 2™) shows no more strength than does 2™:

Hand C ´ 432 ™ AKJ84 © K987 ® 4

West 1™ 2© End

Hand F ´ AJ765 ™ J95 © A632 ® 8

East 1´ 3™ End

East has four diamonds, but he knows about the more important eight-card heart fit. West has promised five hearts so East can set hearts as trumps and evaluate his hand – with his singleton, he jumps to 3™; West goes for game on the back of his own singleton.

Hand G ´ K7 ™ AK32 © AJ92 ® 432

With a balanced hand like Hand G, when the auction starts 1™-1´, you are right to worry about your lack of cover in clubs, but your system overrules your worries! You must show your balanced hand so you rebid 1NT despite your weakness.

Page 21

Trouble Hands Any 4441 shape is the only type of hand on which you can open in one suit and show a second suit, when you will not hold five cards in the first suit. As opener, you need to consider that you are going to end up lying to your partner – in which case you should try hard to open a minor so that your lie ends up being a minor lie rather than a major lie! Your partner is less likely to be excited by a minor. The only hand on which you might have to open with a major is when you have a singleton club.

Hand J ´ 4 ™ K942 © KJ97 ® KQJ4

West 1© 2® End

Hand K ´ A K 10 6 ™ A75 © Q4 ® 9876

East 1´ 3NT

West suggests he has five diamonds and four clubs but, in the long run, no harm comes because 3NT is the right contract. However, if West had opened 1™ and rebid 2®, East would have jumped to 4™, expecting his partner to hold five hearts.

Conclusion It is important that your bidding system differentiates between balanced hands and unbalanced hands. When you bid two suits, you are suggesting that you are unbalanced and would prefer to play in a suit contract – partner will assume that you have five cards in the first suit you bid. n

Dave Huggett Says

A Reverse Shows a Strong Hand and the Right Shape s Acol is mainly a natural system, it demands that you bid long suits before shorter ones; the concept of ‘reversing’ thus becomes an issue. What is ‘reversing’? Think of it as follows: If you bid two suits in such a way that partner can give preference to your first suit only at the three-level, you have reversed. More graphically, imagine that the two-level of the suit you have opened is a physical height – like a high-jump bar perhaps. Then, if your rebid takes you over that bar, you have reversed. As responder might have a minimum hand in terms of points, say six or seven, if he can go back to his partner’s first suit only at the three-level then it makes sense that the opener must have extras. He should be a trick stronger than a minimum opener or you will be too high with too few points! In other words, he should have at least about a sixteen count. An example will make this clear:

A

´ ™ © ®

AJ73 963 J 10 3 J76

West 1´ 2™

N W

E S

´ ™ © ®

64 AK875 KQ85 52

East 1™ 2© Pass

Knowing that his partner will most likely have five hearts and four diamonds for this bidding, West is very pleased to give preference to hearts at his second turn. Even though they are at the two-level, declarer is likely to lose only one spade, one heart, one diamond and two clubs on normal breaks. Now suppose that the red suits are the other way round and the bidding proceeds as follows:

´ ™ © ®

AJ73 J 10 3 763 J76

N E

W S

West

´ ™ © ®

64 KQ85 AK875 52

East 1© 2™ Pass

1´ 3©

East has gone over his high-jump bar of 2© and West has decided to play in his side’s longest trump suit, but there are at least five losers. If, instead, West decides to pass 2™, they are in a 4-3 fit, which you want to avoid. However, if East held a stronger hand, say the ace of clubs in addition, 3© would be an acceptable contract. The fact is that, on the given hand, East should not reverse but simply rebid 2©, which West would be happy to pass. While it is true that you need a strong hand to reverse, you should not forget that you should still be bidding your suits in the right order. In fact, it is never right to distort the bidding in an effort to show strength. Imagine that you have this hand:

´ ™ © ®

A3 AKJ83 KJ764 6

Some people might open 1© and, over a 1´ response, rebid 2™ to show the sixteen count. This is wrong and, if you do that, partner will think you have only four hearts. Instead, open 1™ and rebid 2© over a 1´ response. Partner will know the importance of trying to keep the bidding open – if he passes 2©, you should not have missed game.

Page 22

As a reverse shows anything from sixteen points upwards (or a very good fifteen) responder must make another bid. If the initial response was at the one level, the reverse is not game forcing, merely forcing for one round, but it becomes game forcing if the initial response came at the two-level. It is easy to see that this makes good sense. If the opener is strong enough to reverse and the responder has enough points to raise the level of the bidding, then between them they must have the values for game. You might be able to use this information to explore the possibility of a slam when having lots of bidding space is at a premium:

´ ™ © ®

AK76 K Q 10 7 5 A3 95

West 1™ 2´ 4© 4´ 5™ Pass

N W

E S

´ ™ © ®

842 A9 KQJ954 K2

East 2© 3© 4™ 4NT 6©

As West has reversed, showing a good hand, East should want to explore for a slam. The ace of his partner’s first suit and the semi-solid diamonds are both positive factors but, even so, it might be hard to know how to proceed unless you were confident that 3© was game forcing. West should be happy to agree diamonds as trumps and, again, a single raise is adequate because he too understands that they are in a game forcing sequence. After an exchange of cue-bids – perhaps some would skip this – a Blackwood enquiry confirms that a slam should be a good bet. n

DOUBLE DUMMY SOLUTION by Richard Wheen

Christmas & New Year

(Problem on page 11)

´ ™ © ®

´ Q32 ™ 3 © 2 ® 9 10 9 8 7 ´ J ™ N W E Void © S 8 ® ´ AJ4 ™ A2 © Void ® 6

S

K65 KQ Void 7

o there we were, my new partner and I, playing in a South-East Surrey Senior Novices’ competition, hoping for promotion from Novice to Improver. My partner had very kindly allowed me to play South (who, as you know, not only does not have to score but also tends to end up as declarer in these competitions). On the hand shown above, I was indeed declarer in a no-trump contract, with dummy to lead and needing all six tricks for the contract (we had wheeled out the Extended Balham convention yet again, so were in too high a contract for comfort). Clearly the spade finesse needed to work, but even if it did, where were the remaining tricks to come from? To play for time I adjusted my wheelchair, my spectacles, my false teeth and my hearing aid … then I led a small spade from dummy. When East played low, I followed with the jack, which won the trick (that was a

winning finesse, in case you are new to the game). I realised suddenly that if the spade king were now singleton on my right I would be able to collect a third spade trick so I cashed the spade ace, though everybody followed small. Pity. Where should I go from here? Perhaps if I played off my winners, this would squeeze one of the defenders. With that in mind, I led my club to dummy’s winning nine, East and West following suit. I now led the diamond from dummy. East started looking uncomfortable and threw a heart eventually. There was no point in keeping my last spade as East still had the king, so I threw that and made the last two tricks with the heart ace and two. In the post mortem, after partner had kindly pointed out that there were several other ways of achieving the same result, I discovered that I had indeed squeezed East, as he alone controlled the hearts and spades. So squeezes are not so difficult after all – perhaps even you could do one. Nevertheless, I fancy it will be many years before another one comes my way. Meanwhile, with luck this squeeze should qualify me as an Improver in the South-East Surrey Seniors hierarchy. At this rate, I shall reach Advanced status not long after my 115th birthday. Dream on!

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Ask Julian Pottage

What are the Responses to Keycard (Five Ace) Blackwood?

Q

In a quiz auction to 6®, you had a 5® reply to 4NT as showing 0 or 4 key cards. Is this correct? Martin Kennedy Bell, Chiswick W4 (similar from John Shaw).

A

One of the beauties of Keycard Blackwood (also known as Five Ace Blackwood) is that the replies are very similar to ordinary Blackwood, making it easy to remember if you switch from one to the other. 5® shows 0 or 4, 5© 1 or 5, 5™ 2 and 5´ 3. Since it is extremely rare for someone to call 4NT without any key cards, the 5© reply nearly always shows 1 rather than 5, making the replies effectively identical to those in ordinary Blackwood, save that the king of trumps counts as a key card. Possibly you are confusing Keycard Blackwood with Roman Keycard Blackwood. Roman Keycard Blackwood uses a different set of replies. In the most common variant, 5® shows 0 or 3 key cards. However, some people use 1430 replies, in which 5® shows 1 or 4 key cards while 5© shows 0 or 3. A further group of people use both 3041 and 1430 replies depending upon the auction

(such as which suit will be trumps or who is doing the asking). Even experts can come unstuck with Roman Keycard Blackwood. I can recall having had a slam bid against me missing two aces and having played in a slam missing two aces, both on Roman Keycard Blackwood sequences. The greater complexity of Roman Keycard Blackwood is why we do not promote it generally in BRIDGE. ®©™´

that ‘strong’ in the context of a strong 1® is 16+ or 17+ points. Names you might hear for such an arrangement include Precision Club and Blue Club. In some places, players use an ‘either-or’ club. The 1® opening then shows either a genuine club suit or any strong hand. In the not too distant future, we expect to publish some articles on the above. ®©™´

Q

2´ doubled made on the auction below. Who was at

Q

fault?

A

South presumed the double was for penalties as double would have been for takeout on the first round. John Dunbar by email.

In my local club, a number of players use an artificial 1® opening. Why do the explanations differ from one person to another? Trevor Day, Warwick. Yes, several methods involve an alertable 1® opening. This is why the explanations differ. Some people play a 10-12 or 15-17 1NT opening and open 1® on 13-14 or 12-14 balanced hands even if they contain a doubleton club. This is one possibility. Some people play a strong club system, whereby a 1® opening promises a good hand (nothing to do with clubs). This is a bit like an Acol 2® opening, except

West North East South 1´ Pass 2´ Pass Pass Dbl End

A

When the opponents find a fit and yet subside at a low level, you can count on them generally to have limited values. With a fit and anything approaching 25 HCP, they would be bidding game or at least trying for it. If they have a fit and about 20 HCP, your side will have similar strength

Page 26

and will usually have a fit too. In this case, you may well want to compete. Even if you push them up just one level, this could significantly increase your chance of defeating them. It is thus sensible to play North’s double as take-out (rather than penalty). North is likely to have similar shape to that required for an initial double but two or three points fewer. South should show a suit (usually without jumping – North has bid South’s values already) or, with two or more places to play, bid 2NT. South would tend to need five strong spades to leave the double in. Obviously, it is not right to reopen on all hands. The fact that East-West own the spade suit means North-South cannot buy the contract below the three level. North needs a bit of shape to be doubling 2´ (typically a singleton spade). One must also take into account the vulnerability. If you are vulnerable and playing pairs, your opponents will be quite willing to double your eventual contract in the hope of collecting the magic 200. Another factor to consider is the calibre of the opposition. If they are poor at judging their hands, they might have underbid initially but come to life after the reopening double, going on to 4´. 

Ask Julian

continued

Q

What is the Intra Finesse and how should one play it? Michael Feldman, Edgware, Middlesex.

A

The Intra Finesse is a finesse against a lower honour held by one opponent as a prelude to finessing against a higher honour held by the other opponent.

while squashing West’s honour. Note that it does not help West to play high on the first round. You cover with dummy’s queen to draw the king. Later you lead the nine to pick up East’s remaining honour. As with simple finesse positions, there are quite a large number of intra finesse positions. The more you play, the easier they will be to recognise. ®©™´

Q

Where did we go wrong? With clubs 2-2, we made all 13 tricks.

™ Q94 N W

E S

for the fact that the losing trick count slightly overvalues three-suited hands, 3® is a serious underbid. 5® would be a better bid than 3®. Better still is to take things more slowly to see what develops. South might rebid 1´ (natural) or 2´ (fourth-suit forcing). North then bids diamonds, allowing South to work out opener’s shape as 1-4-3-5. A possible auction is: West North 1® Pass 1™ Pass 2© Pass 4© Pass 4´ End

East South Pass 1© Pass 1´ Pass 4® Pass 4™ Pass 6®

™ A872

Suppose you want to play this heart suit for three winners and one loser. One option is to hope for a 3-3 break with the king in the West hand. You lead up to the queen, possibly having cashed the ace first. Now let us say you know West cannot hold three hearts including the king – perhaps East bid hearts or needs the king to justify some other bid. In this case, you should play the intra finesse. You play West for the doubleton ten or jack.

™ Q94 N

™ J5

W

E S

™ K 10 6 3

™ A872

You lead low from hand and, if West plays low, finesse dummy’s nine. You expect this to lose to the ten or jack in the East hand. After regaining the lead, you cross to dummy if need be and lead the queen. This picks up East’s king on a finesse

´ ™ © ®

The early auction is natural while the 4©, 4™ and 4´ bids are all control-showing cue bids.

A Q743 A 10 5 KJ743

®©™´

N W

E S

´ ™ © ®

Q

Using the losing trick count, why do we subtract from 18 in deciding how high to bid? Andy Eames, Hastings.

Q654 Void KQJ63 A852

A

West North East South 1® Pass 1© Pass 1™ Pass 3® Pass End

M S Kington, Newcastle upon Tyne.

A

While reaching a slam is hard, you ought to reach at least game. North might have scraped up another bid over 3®, presumably 3©. However, this is not clearcut. South was really the one at fault. The non-forcing jump preference to 3® suggests an 8-loser hand. South’s hand actually has five and a half losers (two and half in spades, two in clubs and one in diamonds). Even allowing

The maximum number of losers any player can have is 12, so the partnership has at most 24. With two 12-loser hands facing each other, you would not expect to take any tricks at all. This tells you that 24 losers = 0 tricks. By reducing the number of losers, you should add to the number of tricks. Reducing the losers by 6 will add 6 to the trick count. So 18 losers = 6 tricks. To make a contract, you need to make more than 6 tricks, so having 18 losers is no good (just). For every loser that the partnership has fewer than 18, you would be able to make an extra trick and

Page 27

hence a contract at a higher level. 17 losers = 7 tricks and a 1-level contract, 16 losers = 8 tricks and a 2-level contract, 15 losers = 9 tricks and a 3-level contract and so on. From this pattern, you can see that taking the number of losers from 18 gives you the level of the contract. ®©™´

Q

The suggestion in ‘Bid Your Games Especially when Vulnerable’ that one usually gets a bonus of 350 or 500 for making game perplexes me. Please explain. Douglas Yiend, Rickmansworth (similar from Geoff Longman).

A

If you look carefully, we did not say that you get such a bonus. Instead, we said that a game is worth 350 or 500, which is a different thing. Bonuses at rubber bridge arise at the end of the rubber. We had to put some value on the games during the course of a rubber in order to make a valid assessment on the benefit of bidding to game. The rationale for setting the value of game all at 500 is clear. When both sides are vulnerable, neither side has an advantage. Therefore, the whole of the 500 bonus for a 3-game rubber derives from the second game bid. The figure of 350 for other games is half the value of a 700-point rubber. If you get a 700 bonus for two games then, logically, each is worth 350. The reason why we used the word ‘usually’ is that in an incomplete rubber, there is a set 300 bonus if only one side has a game.

Ask Julian

Q ´ ™ © ®

continued

Do you agree with West’s final pass in this auction?

J754 84 9852 Q83

´ ™ © ®

A8 A J 10 7 K3 K7654

West North East South 1® Pass Pass 1© 1™ End

East thought 2® would be correct while West said he did not want to raise the level. Paul Smith, Coventry.

A

When opener bids two suits, responder usually chooses between those suits, taking into account that opener’s first suit will always be longer, or at least as long, as the second suit. Holding equal length in the suits or greater length in the first suit, responder has a duty to give preference to the first suit – a lack of values is no excuse for giving preference to the second suit, which is what passing does. West should indeed have taken 1™ out to 2®. ®©™´

Q

Please remind me of the benefits of using 18-19 as the range for a jump 2NT rebid. Raymond Weiner, Leeds.

A

The huge advantage of playing 1x-1y2NT as 18-19 rather than 17-18 is that you do not need to jump all the way to 3NT to show 19 points. The 3NT rebid makes it hard for responder to

investigate other contracts, which is why one wants to avoid it. By contrast, after the 2NT rebid, responder has room to show a new suit or bid one of the suits bid already without going past 3NT. Playing 18-19 for the 2NT rebid means playing 15-17 for the 1NT rebid (or using a strong no-trump with a 15-17 1NT opening). Having a 3-point range for a 1NT rebid is clearly not a problem as almost everyone plays a 3-point range for a 1NT opening. ®©™´

Q

Playing basic Acol, with a weak notrump, what do you think of a 1´ opening on this hand?

´ ™ © ®

10 8 7 6 A98 AKQ8 K8

Sidney Barrat, Leyton, London.

A

For many years in the game’s history, the concept of a biddable suit was important. Nobody would have opened 1´ on 10-8-7-6, still less when holding A-K-Q-8 in another suit. Even today, many people would consider it unthinkable to open 1´ on this hand. There are several reasons for this. 1. You do not want to play in a 4-3 spade fit, which might well happen after opening 1´ because you are not quite good enough to rebid 2NT over a simple raise. 2. If a slam is on, it is likely to be because partner has a diamond fit rather than a spade fit. 3. If your side’s best fit is in

hearts, you want partner to regard a spade shortage as an asset and a diamond shortage as a liability rather than the other way round. 4. If your side has a 5-3 heart fit, you may miss the fit altogether if partner is not strong enough to bid 2™ over 1´. 5. If you play 2® in sequences like 1©-pass1™-pass-1NT-pass- 2® as an enquiry (Checkback, Crowhurst etc) about opener’s range and shape, you are still likely to find a 4-4 spade fit if you have one after opening 1©.

This necessitated using 3NT or some other bid for take-out. Nowadays, it is almost universal to play double as for take-out (informatory being an old word for take-out). With K-Q-x-x-x in the suit opened, you would like to make a penalty double but are unable to do so. You should pass and hope that partner reopens with a double. That would be for take-out but you would convert it to a penalty double by passing.

Notwithstanding the above, some people say you should always open the major when holding a 4-4 major/minor hand. Indeed the Standard English approach is to open the major on such hands. That method has the advantage that you will never miss a 4-4 spade fit and saves you from a decision each time as to which suit to open. If you and your partner have an agreement that you always open the major on this type of hand, 1´ is fine – otherwise, I recommend 1©.

or 4™?

®©™´

Q

Holding 9 points in all including ´A-J-x-x-x-x, South opened a preemptive 3´. West had 14 points including ´K-Q-x-x-x. Would a double be penalty or informative in this situation? What is the correct call? Dr Oliver Hunter, Belfast.

A

Once upon a time, people played penalty doubles of pre-emptive 3-level openings.

Page 28

®©™´

Q

What should responder rebid in this situation, 3NT

´ ™ © ®

You 1™ ?

76 AKQ652 743 84

Partner 1® 2NT (18-19)

Alan Mansell by email.

A

Usually it would be right for responder to place the contract in a six-card major, even at matchpoint pairs. Having a trump suit gives you time to set up winners that you might not have time to develop in 3NT. This hand is an exception – one would expect the hearts to run whatever the contract, while playing in no-trumps will protect whatever tenaces the opener has. You have suggested the choice is between 4™ and 3NT, presumably because you play 3™ as non-forcing. I think it is much better to play 3™ as forcing, allowing responder to consult opener about the best contract.

Ask Julian

continued

Q

Can you make a 3® pre-emptive bid in response to a 1©, 1™ or 1´ opening, or would my partner view this as a strong bid? Rita Prosser by email.

A

Some people who play a strong notrump and 5-card majors use weak jump shifts, especially if they also play a two-over-one response as a game force. It would be most unusual to play weak jump shifts within an Acol style. Without agreement, partner would take the bid as strong. In general, when partner opens the bidding (and the next hand passes) you want to engage in a constructive dialogue with your partner. Unless you have agreed otherwise, a single jump response shows a very strong hand. ®©™´

Q

What is the advantage of a weak no-trump 12-14 over a strong 16-18 no-trump opening? R A Longstaff, St Ives, Cambs.

A

Although you have asked about a 16-18 range for a strong no-trump, I shall answer in respect of a 15-17 range. Not many bridge players still use a 16-18 range. Few people like to play a 12-15 range for a 1NT rebid or pass 12-point hands, which is one reason why 16-18 has fallen so much out of favour. With a 1NT opening, you limit both the strength and shape of your hand. This

makes it easy for partner to judge both the correct denomination and correct level. Since hands in the 12-14 range are more common than 15-17 hands, this is one advantage for the 12-14 range. If you play a strong no-trump, you have to open prepared bids in a minor on 12-14 points. This makes it easy for the opponents to enter the bidding. It also makes it more difficult for the opening side to compete: responder does not know whether opener has a balanced hand or a genuine suit. This is another advantage of the weak no-trump. While it is true that, when you play a weak no-trump, you need to open in a suit on 15-17 hands, this is far less of an issue. For one thing, you can open a major, if that is your suit, knowing that you are strong enough to rebid 2NT over a two-level change-ofsuit response. For another, intervention is less likely when the opening hand is stronger. If it does occur, it will often help you in the play – you are more likely to buy the contract when opener is stronger. Of course, the weak no-trump has some disadvantages – otherwise the whole world would play it. Sometimes the opponents have enough to double and defeat you by several tricks. This is a particular issue when you are vulnerable, especially at rubber bridge. At pairs, even if the opponents do not double, you might score poorly, going down 200 or 300 undoubled. On a part-score deal, you would rather let the opponents play in a part n score than lose 200.

E-mail your questions for Julian to: [email protected] Page 29

DECLARER PLAY QUIZ by David Huggett (Answers on page 45) ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. In each case, what is your play strategy?

Y 1.

´ ™ © ®

Q96 AQ863 843 A3

3.

´ ™ © ®

AK3 AQ 986 K5432

N W

N E

W

S

´ ™ © ®

´ ™ © ®

´ ™ © ®

A K J 10 8 54 A65 865

You are declarer in 4´ and West leads the ©K. How do you plan the play?

2.

J76 K Q 10 9 A8743 6 N

W

Q94 K7 Q J 10 5 4 3 A8

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ™5. How do you plan the play?

4.

´ ™ © ®

K63 A 10 8 AQ94 654

E

N

S

´ ™ © ®

E S

AK8 AJ6542 2 A75

You are declarer in 7™ and West leads the ™8 with East following suit. How do you plan the play?

W

E S

´ ™ © ®

A54 643 753 AKQ2

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ™K. How do you plan the play?

Heather Dhondy Says

Undertricks Matter at Pairs t matchpoint pairs, it can matter not just whether you defeat the contract but by how much. Consider the following defensive problem as West playing pairs:

A

´ ™ © ® ´ ™ © ®

J 10 9 7 A42 Q J 10 3 84

A652 876 K42 A52

for the time being? Declarer has two diamonds, and, at most, five trumps. Holding six cards in the other two suits, there is no prospect that any heart tricks will disappear. Therefore, you should continue with a third diamond and await whatever heart tricks are coming to you. This was the full deal:

´ ™ © ®

N E

W S

West

North

East

Pass End

3´

Pass

South 1´ 4´

You lead the queen of diamonds, which holds the trick, partner following with the nine. You continue with the jack, holding the trick again, and partner follows with the five. What card do you play now? It is clear that partner holds the ace and therefore his peter has indicated four; you know the next diamond will be ruffed. You can see a sure way of beating this contract by cashing the ace of hearts, so what is the problem? The problem is that it may not be good enough simply to defeat a contract in order to score well at pairs. If this is a normal auction (and we have no reason to believe otherwise – we can see that dummy’s bidding is clear-cut) this is going to be a popular contract and the cards are lying unluckily for declarer. Not only is he about to run into a bad trump break, but the ace of diamonds was wrong and it is possible that hearts also lie poorly for him also. Can it ever cost you to hold onto your ace of hearts

´ ™ © ®

J 10 9 7 A42 Q J 10 3 84

A652 876 K42 A52 ´ ™ © ®

N W

E S

´ ™ © ®

Void Q J 10 5 3 A975 10 7 6 3

KQ843 K9 86 KQJ9

You will see that declarer has little option but to try a heart towards the king and, if you have not cashed the ace prematurely, he will have to go two down. Collecting a mere one down will get you a well below average score. This is because the contract is a fair one, needing just one ace onside and trumps no worse than 3-1 and the opponents have game values and a nine-card fit. On the deal above, there was no danger at all in defending for an extra undertrick. Unfortunately, things are not always so simple. Withholding a winner often entails some risk. On the next deal, you elect to lead the jack of spades, having a complete guess between the majors on the auction: West

North

East

Pass

3NT

End

Page 30

South 1NT (12-14)

´ ™ © ®

´ ™ © ® J 10 9 7 2 J 10 9 7 2 A5 8

Q5 AK3 10 9 3 2 A754 N E

W S

Partner takes the king, cashes the ace, and returns a spade to your hand to cash five rounds of the suit, partner discarding a low club and a low heart. Are you going to lay down your ©A? Partner could hold two more points, which could be the queen of diamonds, in which case you may remove a guess that declarer had to make for his eighth trick. The danger is that if declarer began with five clubs, he will have eight tricks if you do not cash your ace now. Playing distributional discards, you would know; if not, given the danger and that, at best, you are only giving declarer a guess, you should cash your ace. Here is the full deal:

´ ™ © ®

´ ™ © ® J 10 9 7 2 J 10 9 7 2 A5 8 ´ ™ © ®

Q5 AK3 10 9 3 2 A754 N W

E S

´ ™ © ®

AK6 865 J864 632

843 Q4 KQ7 K Q J 10 9

In summary, try to be as greedy as you can sensibly at pairs. Do not always be content to cash the contract down if there may be a way to get an extra trick. n

YOUR QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS Any information on the Gazzilli convention please? Richard Jarvis, Essex. Some short, sharp tests of 20 questions, like flash cards, with answers on another page. R Talbot, Chorleywood. Is it possible for Mr Bridge to promote programmes about bridge on terrestrial television? Mr Evans, Cheshire. Too little interest. Loved Bernard Magee’s invaluable tips, but what does he mean by No. 63. Avoid being declarer when you are dummy? Susan Reeve by email. Buy the book – the tips are all explained within it.

Cartoons, please. Mr P Lal, Epping, Essex. I would like more gentle duplicate events please. Miss E Bond, SW14. More bidding quizzes by Bernard Magee please. Mrs O Oliver, Stanmore. David Stevenson is good. More on laws please. Mr H Brown, Ulverston. Could you please include regular items for beginners particularly suitable for older people? Mrs S Paine, Barnstable, Devon. Why for older people? I wish there were some bridge holidays in Scotland. Mrs A Moss, Glasgow. I would like to know about Just Bridge in Leicestershire. Mrs H Colpman, Leicester. See my editorial pages.

Were the two hands on the cover of Autumn 2010 meant to have been on the April cover? Ruth Watson, West Yorks. Certainly not. They are frequent hand types.

Could someone explain ‘negative doubles’ please? I know ‘stayman’ but I am confused by people saying ‘We do negative doubles’. Mrs Wilkinson, Manchester.

Please could we have the odd ‘pullout’ lesson to be filed and later learnt. Mrs Fisher, South Petherton. See my web library pages. Do you ever hold one day tuition in Gloucesterhire? Miss J Price, Cheltenham. Try Haslemere in 2011 and I’ll do Cheltenham in 2012. Wonderful, enjoyed by so many. Thank you. Mrs Gregory, West Midlands. Introduce re-registration through email contact. Mr D Woodhead, Dunblane. I would like an article on duplicate scoring. Space permitting, pass outs and other rarities could be included. John Douce, Coventry. This has been covered. See my web library. Please comment on strong and weak no trump openers. Dr Shariatmadari, Lincoln. Plenty of letters please. Mr D Green, Pinner. I don’t control the supply of letters. You, the readers, do.

An article on UCB please. Mrs A Wayman, Suffolk.

More weekends at Staverton Park please. Mrs M Rice, Bedford.

Would you not sell more of your 6/6 premium cards if they were boxed? Mr G Wiseman, Edgware. They would cost more.

It would be nice if you could arrange bridge weekends in the South Wales valleys. Mr R Cox, Cardiff. Could we have bridge holidays/weekends in Scotland please? I see it is planned for 2011. When will they be advertised? Mrs S Henderson, Aberdeen. I love the bidding quizzes; it would be nice if you could devote a page to it. Mrs S Grant, London, N2. Keep the letters coming. Most interesting. Mrs A Chapman, Kent. Chicken and Egg.

Some articles with a young readership as the target group, perhaps. Mr C Rees, Devon. No readership. I am sorry that your bridge weekends are becoming more expensive. Mr D Harrison, Aylesbury.

Do you post your magazine to Australia? Dr P Pfeifer, Carnforth. Yes.

Answers to quiz pages on following pages please. Mr R White, Beaminster. Is it possible to go to bridge weekends on one’s own? Mrs M Ashford, Orpington, Kent. Of course it is. That’s why our events have no single supplement.

EBU is not such a bad thing. Mr B Lewis, Exeter.

Interested in Just Bridge in Buckinghamshire. Mrs J Butfield, Pinner. Coming soon.

What happened to your directory of bridge clubs? Mr P Dunham, Shrewsbury. Still working on it because of the P2P effect.

Would it be possible to play a misère in bridge? Mr F Platt, Stoke on Trent. Isn’t bridge complicated enough already?

A Scottish bridge weekend. Scottish bridge players are in harmony with SBU. Mr J Williams, Montrose.

Would be nice to have a page for beginners. Mrs J Brumble, Eastbourne. See the Easy Peasey page in the coming issue.

Wish you could produce QPlus for Macs. Mrs P Rennie, Edinburgh. Sorry, but it won’t happen.

I would like to see more ‘Just Duplicate’ weekends. Mrs Prouse, Gloucester.

Please could we have articles on hand evaluations? Mr P Turner, Sandhurst, Berks. Buy Bernard’s book.

Is QPlus bridge compatible with windows 7? Mrs B Nickels, Bedford. Yes.

Can you recommend a book on the bridge statistics ie. chance of success in no-trumps with 25 HCPs? Mr L Bean, Cottingham. Ring London Bridge Centre ( 0207 4868222.

So often the bid that partner does not make (and I do not mean ‘pass’), carries as much information if not more than the one he/she does. How about a series of articles along that theme? Dr P Burville, Dover.

I understand losing tricks; but what about an article on its application? Sylvia Webb, Sutton, Surrey.

Bridge holidays from Sunday till Thursday. Mrs S Dunstan, Edgware. Relatively little demand.

Bidding, declarer play and defence quizzes fine. How about an opening lead quiz? Mr M Reid, Hoylake, Wirral. Now in hand. Thanks. Bridge weekends in the South West, please. Mr Frank Holden, Devon. Limited market. Bridge venue wanted in Hertfordshire please. Ms T Humphrey, Hatfield. Denham Grove is quite close. Are there any memory tips or short cuts to help with the play of the hand. Mr Basin, Harrow. Readers might like to send in their suggestions.

Page 31

Suggest you ask David Bird to contribute. He is both amusing and instructive. Mr J Styles, Bristol. An article on signals and discards would be welcome. Mr K Mayhew, Reigate. Venues in the North West please. Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Cheshire, Lancashire etc. Mrs P Turner, Altrincham and from Mrs B Dicke, Hale, Cheshire. See Lytham St Annes and Wychwood Park. More on the actual sequence of the play of a contract. Mr B Grace, Eastbourne. What was the point of the article on the rule of total tricks? Mr J Law, Shipston on Stour. Read it again. A ‘back to basics’ feature concentrating on avoiding common mistakes. Mr J Stone, Woodmansterne. Another new feature for 2012. How about bridge cruises on larger ships i.e. P& O Azura/Ventura. Mr A Mann, Warwickshire. It’s hard enough on Discovery. An article on how to score duplicate travellers when showing ‘passed out’, ‘average’, ‘average plus/minus’ scores. Mr N Scott, Crook, Co. Durham. Already covered, see my web library. More bidding quiz questions – e.g. 10 questions at least. Mrs P Gunn, Rainham, Kent. I miss the bridge cartoons. Mr J Foley, Portishead. Why no Mr Bridge events in Scotland or Ireland? Mrs J Girvan, Co. Down. Working on it. Weekends in Scotland. Mr M Green, Glasgow. Bridge holidays/weekends in the North of England. Mrs E Bielby, Halifax, Yorkshire. The only thing I would change is Seven Days. It just doesn’t seem to fit. Mr A Perry, Flackwell Heath. For over 10 years now I have received your magazine. Please keep sending it, it’s so enjoyable. Mr A Robinson, Lancs. Love the newsletters from Bernard Magee. Mrs Bowman, London, N10.

CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS NOVEMBER 2010 1 CHARITY DUPLICATE BRIDGE DRIVE. Wentworth Golf Club 7pm £15 per pair inc. tea & coffee. Roger Corbally ( 01753 546130 2 EAST SUSSEX HOSPICES. Glyndebourne Opera House, The Mildmay Hall. 5.30pm. Bridge supper, champagne. Dianne Steele ( 01435 813630 6 CYSTIC FIBROSIS. Nailsea Methodist Church Hall. 10-4. £22.50 including coffee, lunch and tea. Liz Frier ( 01275 856947 Maureen Dickens ( 0117 9043008 8 RNLI. Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, Crowborough. 2pm. £26 a table includes tea and prizes. Penny ( 01825 830006 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 13 SHAFTESBURY YOUTH CLUB. Rubber bridge drive at Shaftesbury Youth Club, Birkenhead 7.15pm Tickets £60 per table, includes supper. Mike Fairclough( 07805 778531 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 23:24:25 THREE BRIDGE DAYS IN AID OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS. 10.00 for 10.30 £15.00 Birkholme Manor Grantham Beryl Hutchinson ( 01476 572938 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]

QUESTIONS & SUGGESTIONS

continued

Love the quizzes. Excellent value bridge holidays. Mrs L Dale, Harrogate.

We love the cartoon comps. Any chance of more please? Mrs N Anderson, Stomford.

Bridge Weekly is great. Hopefully you will develop this further. Dr P Lee, Teddington. How? Please advise.

Any chance of a return trip to Montreaux, Switzerland? Mrs F Rew, South Devon.

You never mention ‘Blue Chip Bridge’, an excellent computer teaching/playing programme. Mr J Harrop, Tetbury. I sell only the best. Excellent magazine. But I’m not so keen on the ‘stories’. Mrs K Street, Woking. Love our QPlus 9.1. I can now see my overbidding is not such a good idea. Mr P Hazelton, Newport.

As a Mr Bridge credit card holder, how is the 2% rebate to be notified to us? Mr & Mrs Goddard, Herts. By post, every six months. Sally Brock’s diary is not interesting and The Old Baron is too way out. Mr R Spottiswoode, Herts. Can’t please everyone. Do you have a range of bridge CDs for an Apple mac? Mrs Hawkins, Llantwit Major. All you have to do is install Windows on your Mac.

Why do I only get your magazine for about 3 months then it stops? Ms L Currie, Fife. I have no idea.

‘Catching Up’ and ‘Seven Days’ are not a good idea. Mr A Peel, Leeds.

Refresher for simple rules e.g. Rules of 11, 20 and similar. Mrs M Stephens, Ferndown.

Extracts from Sally Brock’s diary are of little interest. Mr D Ferriss, Lincs.

Can we have bridge weekends near us? Mr A Stone, Dorset. Running bridge weekends successfully is not straightforward.

It was a good move to put the answers next to Bernard Magee’s bidding quiz. Mr T Boulton, Hull.

More help for beginners please. Mrs M Harris, Devon. ‘Ask Julian’ 10/10, Catching Up 0/10, ‘David Stevenson’ 10/10, ‘Seven Days’ 0/10. Mr C Chambers, Perth. I get the message.

Perhaps occasional articles about bridge outside the UK. Mrs B Grassick, Cheshire. You promised some articles on Precision in 2010. Mr M Taylor, Ballymena. So I did.

Love the magazine. I do wish moaners would give it a rest and just ‘enjoy’. Mrs E Trippett, Tonbridge.

I cannot imagine why you think Sally Brock’s diary is of interest to your readers. Mr G Fairhall, Kent.

I am really enjoying Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding. Miss J Wadey, Sutton. Good for you.

More hands to illustrate bidding and play. Mr K Dixon, St Neots.

Wonderful good basic teaching, very helpful. Mrs V Delahunt, Purley.

You need an Easy Peasy page for beginners. Mrs S Elton, Cambridge. Great idea and name.

Wish I had started playing 50 years ago not just 5. Mrs P Fairs, Wilmslow. Pleased to read about new venue for weekends at St Annes, much more convenient for us. Mr & Mrs Brammer, Lancs. What an excellent freebie. Mr A Stevenson, Lerwick.

Your bridge laws make very interesting reading. Mr R Heard, West Sussex.

Get Bernard Magee to print all his bidding quiz posers and others in book form. I think they are of prime interest. More please. Mr Howard Baker, Sussex. Anyone else like the idea?

I love reading about your forthcoming holidays. Mrs M Blackwell, Cheshire.

Many thanks for bridge articles and quizzes. Fewer stories and diaries please. Miss V Cleaver, Hereford.

Your QPlus bridge 9 has proved invaluable. Thanks. Mrs M Wemyss, Staffs.

I am using Global Travel Insurance and recommend the company. Mr Hartwell, Glos.

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

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Your articles on tips, conventions and play are very informative. Dr R Ehsanullah, Bucks. I do enjoy the question and answer sections and also the very useful tips, advice and analyses. A splendid publication. And my sister and I much enjoyed the bridge weekend with Bernard Magee. Miss C Gibbons, Guildford. Thank you for restoring the Dick Atkinson Baron column – always a delight. Prof. P Aston, Norwich. Sadly the repeats are finished. Also letters from Mr K Turner, Chesterfield and Mrs M Molesworth of Yorkshire. Enjoy your magazine, you’ll survive the EBU. Dr Carmichael, Basingstoke. I always look forward to BRIDGE and am never disappointed. Mrs J Bailey, Ewell. More bidding quizzes please. Mr D Rosser, Bristol. Stay as sweet as you are. Mrs E Blackburn, Pinner. I read every word – so it must be the best bridge magazine. Mrs M Pemberton, Essex. A magazine enjoyed by even ‘kitchen-sink’ players. Mrs C Bush, Old Windsor. With Marsham Court back in business, any hope of weekends there again? Mrs P Morgan, West Sussex. Watch this space. Thoroughly enjoying QPlus 9.1 – a good investment. Mr R Taylor, Lincoln. Delighted to learn that you are coming to Scotland. Mrs H Marten, Edinburgh. Any chance of more northerly bridge weekends? Mrs K Reeves, Cheshire. More articles for improvers, please. I fail at most bidding questions but enjoy the magazine very much. Mrs R Hunt, Lichfield. Thank you for my first online Bridge Weekly. Margery Levinson, by email. Bridge Weekly - what excellent articles. I use them to teach my other half. Norman Hart by email. Found the reasoning by Bernard Colvin most interesting. Must try it. Mr P Brackfield, Haslemere. ‘Seven Days’ not very interesting. Mr B Howard, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Keep going with the mag but I like Bridge Weekly on the internet too. Mr H Wilkinson, Cheltenham. Are you going to sell cloths and card tables? Mrs A Moffett, Hants. Card tables for now. n

READERS’ LETTERS REVIEW REVIEWED I'm fascinated by your review of the Banzai Method by David Jackson and Ron Klinger. I've believed for a long time that aces are overvalued and that it would be more sensible to count honours 5-4-3-2-1. I shall certainly buy the book. Jim Seddon by email.

THANKS My computer tells me it is time to re-register for the Mr Bridge magazine so please keep sending this super publication to me along with the weekly e-letter. Peter Vincent, Sutton Coldfield.

NEW CLUB We are a new non EBU bridge club. We have newly refurbished premises with a good sized modern venue. We are a very friendly bridge club and welcome players at all levels. We have been piloting 2 sessions per week with limited table numbers for approximately 3 months. We are now set to open after refurbishment on 27 September with membership commencing 1 October. Initially, opening times will be 7 for 7.15pm start on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for duplicate bridge. We will also be running a drive on Wednesday afternoons and Improvers’ classes on Thursday afternoons. Single players are welcome, as a partner will always be available.

YVIE MAGEE

if you'd like to mention this in your excellent magazine, BRIDGE, as the QPlus manual only suggests playing as N/S. Marjorie Gibbens by email.

Suggest you wait and upgrade to QPlus 10 in Summer 2011.

LIKED IT I found the ‘One Table’ duplicate style scoring article excellent.

Mr A Gaiger, Windmill Gallery Bridge Committee, Waltham.

Many thanks for the infomation in BRIDGE, issue 101 about Bernard's sister’s performance in the Henley Fringe Festival. We went to see ‘Teechers’ and had a lovely evening.

NEW LIFE

Colin & Jeannine Smith by email.

I note in your last edition of BRIDGE magazine that Betty Ellson had died unexpectedly in a road accident. Her name brought back many happy memories for my husband and me when we stayed at The Holt. Her cheerfulness was infectious and her way of teaching was a little unconventional to say the least. However, it didn’t stop us enjoying our many bridge breaks there and she certainly helped the mealtimes go by quickly. She had a very quick wit and life was never quiet or boring when Betty was around.

For further information, phone Chris ( 01472 580528 or Lynne ( 01472 276178.

I was getting somewhat annoyed with my QPlus software because it was running so slowly. Then I read your tip (Bridge – Summer 2010) on getting the optimum performance from it. In no time at all, after setting the configuration in the way you suggested, all was fine and it is now well up to speed. I also re-set the deal, as in your second tip, and it is great to see what contract and score Qplus would make on each deal. It really is an excellent piece of software, and my congratulations go to Johannes Leber for designing it – and to you for marketing it! Mr John Summers by email.

RECYCLED You will be interested to know that just prior to Dickie Wakeford’s letter (from Braunton) to you recently concerning used playing cards, I had just initiated a collection in North Devon to hand to the local Marines unit at Chivenor. So far only 250 packs have been delivered but it is early days. An extremely pleasing letter of thanks has been received indicating they can distribute as many as we can collect.

VARIATION At present we have the QPlus 8.1 disc which we have updated to 8.8. We are thinking of upgrading to QPlus9.1 and would like to know what this would cost and if it would be worthwhile. I have been playing bridge for many years and my husband is now learning, with me as his teacher! We have been using QPlus on our 2 linked computers and have played as a N/S partnership. The computer bids and plays the E/W hands then, of course. This is very good, but we have discovered that by playing at S and W instead, one of us gets an opportunity to be declarer on every hand. This makes the play and bidding more interesting. It has only just occurred to us that we could do this! We wondered

Mrs R Skinner, Draycott, Cheddar.

MEMORIES 1

Mrs M Poole, Chippenham, Wiltshire.

MEMORIES 2 How sad the news of the death of Betty Ellson. I was a pupil of Betty’s at the Wessex and I have never forgotten her. She was Charisma Personified. Mr Clifford Morton, Llandrindod Wells.

REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE

Mr Eric Brace, Braunton, North Devon.

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] Page 33

READERS’ LETTERS continued

AT ODDS I must take issue with Julian Pottage over his article on the odds in your Autumn magazine, in which he says that computer dealt hands are ‘normal’ and that, once people get used to them, they won't find them such a challenge. Although presented as gospel, this is a view which does not give full weight to the history of the game and that of its ancestor, whist. Throughout most of this long history, hands were hand dealt and would not have been truly random, even if the players had "shuffled the spots off the cards" in an attempt to achieve this. Hand dealt hands, therefore, arguably represent the true form of the game and long may they be used in most clubs, leaving computer dealt hands for experts and avant garde clubs. John Sheridan by email.

THUMBS DOWN SALLY I really enjoy the magazine, but particularly the bridge hands, quizzes and tips and the Baron. I don't mind some personalisation either, the Ned Paul piece was interesting for example. However, I have somewhat less interest in the Sally Brock articles; the bridge parts and 'Catching Up' are OK, but 'Seven Days' provides too much extraneous information about Sally's family and friends. Michael Hall, Middlesex.

older person unable to book bridge breaks months and months ahead, I am continually disappointed in not being able to get on a Bernard Magee break. Could you consider a little more flexibility in your cancellation policy? For example, months ago I was able to book a cruise in late November and have cancellation (no penalty) rights up to the end of Sept/Oct. The older person always has pre-existing conditions, hence insurance costs are tremendous and out of proportion for a weekend break. Just a comment.

HELP PLEASE I'm the treasurer of our local duplicate bridge club and I am writing to ask for your help or advice. One of our members has M.S. and is becoming more affected by his condition, particularly with his manual dexterity. He struggles to sort, hold and play his cards and I wondered if you had any experience with other bridge players having this kind of disability and how they resolved this problem. We are aware of devices that hold cards but feel that might cause as many problems as it solves with the device having to be loaded with cards initially etc. I would like to help this person remain a playing member of our club for as long as possible – any help or advice is very welcome. Name & address supplied.

SUPERIOR As many players these days play SAYC / strong NT, why no articles on this important facet of the game?

Gerry Hughes by email.

I’VE HAD ENOUGH TWO DAVIDS I have been meaning to congratulate you on retaining the services of two contributors of the calibre of David Stevenson and Dave Huggett. Ken Lane, Poole, Dorset.

WEBSITE INSTEAD

You would only lose your deposit if you cancelled fewer than 30 days before the event.

or insist that he produces a final article with all the details as soon as possible? It would be an extremely useful alternative to a rotten evening of poor cards when playing skill would still enable a 'losing' team to come out ahead.

Mr B Cooper, London, NW11.

Maura Manocha by email.

LOST DEPOSIT I thought Hand 1 was a bit unusual for the question – I presume the points are correct and not a misprint. Just one problem, as an

I can appreciate that most of your software deals with Acol, but I have found after playing Acol several years that SAYC etc turns out to be a superior system. Most international players seem to have adopted this system. How about the pros and cons between the two systems?

I really enjoy receiving your magazine, but as I am now overseas have been looking at your website instead. I am playing twice weekly at the Bahamas’ Bridge Club. American Standard (5 card majors) is the norm and 15-17 points for a 1NT opening bid. Susan Hope by email.

FULL MONTY Over the years we have played a lot of single table bridge with different couples. My wife and I play Chinese precision while around us most play Acol in some form or another. We have experimented with many different systems for scoring, starting with Chicago and then Russian Chicago. However none of them seem to allow for the fact that HCP should not be the only criterion. Cliff Hancock's system seems to be a possible answer, but unfortunately not in the form in which it was published in your Autumn 2010 edition number 102. We have started to evolve our own version of it, but would prefer to experiment with Cliff's full system. Can you please persuade, cajole

Page 34

I would like to endorse the views stated by Tony Stevens (letters, BRIDGE 102). The tone adopted by Mr Stevenson’s answers will drive even more players away from the small friendly clubs of this country. No wonder at least 40% of them have left the EBU and there could be many more when all the implications of 29p per game unfold. (£0.29*5*50 = £72.50.) Rather a lot to pay per year. Then you get ‘A well deserved telling off’. I do not play for such offence, I play for enjoyment. I stopped playing seriously over 15 years ago. If I am told off for a trivial matter, there will be a furious row (or worse) and I would NEVER visit that club and its rude, overbearing officials again. Entering an American SAYC event you read, ‘Be nice to opponents, they may be friends that you have not met yet’. And as they all play exactly the same simple system there is no need for alerts, announcements and directors for this kind of thing. A A Allsop, Guisborough, Cleveland.

BACK COPY SERVICE Many thanks for sending me the back copies of bridge weekly as requested. They provide additional informative reading and challenging exercises so proving to be an extremely valuable extension to the already proven magazine. Harry Healey by email.

READERS’ LETTERS continued

NOT LIKE FOR LIKE While we appreciate that you are running a business, with all that that implies, some of us feel that you are in danger of losing loyal clients because you are charging too much. We have booked a four night break with a rival company for £199 and later in the year are going to a good hotel for three nights’ bridge for £73ppn. Do you really need to have full board or so many ‘helpers’? Hence our plea for Just Bridge to return – a lot of us just don’t want seminars – we just want to play bridge and socialise. Mr J Turner, Hucclecote, Glos.

There are still a few small companies for the weekend bridge market. We do not try to compete but provide something quite different. The work of the helpers is vital to ensure speedy supervised play and no half tables.

LIFE AFTER P2P I was a member of EBU for many years but I always thought ‘BRIDGE’ to be the better magazine. Now that my club (Keswick) has, by unanimous vote, disenfranchised from the EBU, your magazine assumes even greater importance and I look forward to tackling the problems and reading the views presented therein. Mr Alan Rutherford, Keswick, Cumbria.

SAD CLOSING I would like to thank you for the weekend which my husband and I spent at the Beach Hotel, Worthing. We very much enjoyed the bridge sessions which we attended. Diana Holland and her helpers ran them very

efficiently. It is disappointing that the hotel is closing at the end of the year, as there are many hotels thriving which are not as well run and the staff not as eager to please. We both thoroughly enjoyed the food which had plenty of choice, all beautifully cooked. Mrs C M Blackwell, Ruislip, Middlesex.

ALTERNATIVE VIEW Most unusually, I find myself in disagreement with David Stevenson. The bone of contention is David's advice to a reader, in your Autumn 2010 edition, that if a board is not played because of lack of time then the director should award an Average Minus to both pairs. Now I know that David is a key member of the EBU Laws and Ethics committee so what he says is, almost by definition, the letter of the law but we have adopted a different policy at my club. This is not a simple act of unreasoned rebellion on our part. There are good reasons for our club policy and I would welcome the opportunity to explain why we have adopted a different approach. Interestingly, not even the EBU Directors’ White Book seems to support penalising both pairs. Section 81.4.2 recommends a simple average be awarded if blame cannot be apportioned, but even that, in my view, is a step too far. At my club, the computer is set to issue an audible warning at the point after which players should not start a new board. Unfortunately, as a playing tournament director, I am rarely in a position to police this. In all practical terms it is down to the players to decide whether or not there is time to start the last board

of each round. Our members have paid good money to participate in a session so having to scrap a board is a playing opportunity squandered, resulting in less bridge for your money. There is, therefore, already an incentive for players to try to play every board if at all possible. Who is it, though, who creates the most disruption to the smooth running of a session? It is those players who embark upon a board when they don't have time to finish it and are therefore still playing when the movement is called. Once play of a hand has started, the tournament director cannot routinely instruct a table to abandon a board. If that were club policy then an unscrupulous player who felt they were destined for a poor result might feel they could partially rescue the situation by playing slowly enough to run out of time. Tables still in play at the end of the round are the bane of my life. They delay the start of the next round, requiring me to add time to the clock and, ultimately, extend the session end time. In stark contrast is the table where the players decide there isn't time to start the last board of the round. This is a noble and altruistic decision. It is a community spirited action that enhances the smooth running of the club - something to be commended and encouraged, not penalised. Even a simple average may be a disincentive for some players. If a good pair are playing a much weaker pair then they will probably expect to score much better than average. The two pairs at the table may therefore have different motivations when it comes to deciding whether or not to play the

Page 35

last board of the round. In pure score terms, it is in a weak pair's interest to scrap a board and a strong pair's interest to play it. None of these problems occur if a board is marked as Not Played. That way it doesn't contribute to the two pairs' scores in any way. For the final result, scores are factored to take into account the number of boards actually played, so no one gains and no one loses out. Moreover, ‘Not Played’ is an accurate reflection of what happened. Finally (although, perhaps, trivially), it is simpler for me as director because it is a result the players can enter into the Bridgemate themselves, without having to ask me to assign awarded scores. OK, nothing is perfect. In theory a weak pair might improve their prospects by playing the early boards slowly to ensure they play as few boards as possible against stronger opponents but in my experience the weaker pairs aren't there to maximise their scores. Generally they enjoy playing against the better pairs for the opportunities afforded them to watch and learn. I therefore strongly defend my policy of marking boards as ‘Not Played’ when players have insufficient time to play them. It encourages members to act for the common good and enhances the smooth running of the club. It is self administering and fits in well with our club ethic of being a friendly environment where we avoid applying unnecessary penalties for minor transgressions. I am struggling to think of any disadvantages of such a policy. Keith Sheppard (Tournament Director, Bracknell Forest Bridge Club), Wokingham.

OUTPOST

all our club members.

WELL DONE

Mr P Tyers, Glenfield, Leicester.

How’s this for a small duplicate club – 14 tops out of 20 = 81%.

WELL SAID TONY

Mr J Frampton, Cambridge.

No questions, just a comment; I have enjoyed QPlus 9.1, but had North been my life partner, I would have given up Bridge for Snap or Shove Ha'penny long ago.

A little thank you note for posting Bridge Magazine No.102. It's a wonderful magazine. Would it be possible to receive a copy of each one published - I would be more than happy to pay postage and any other cost? Again, many thanks.

At last someone talks sense. Congratulations Tony Stevens (etters BRIDGE 102).

CONTINUATION AFTER PREEMPTS

Dell Finnett, Balerno, Midlothian.

Rita Jone, Lynwood, Western Australia.

CRUISING ON

BRIDGE WEEKLY

Looking forward to Amazon River in January 2011.

Love the weekly e-magazine. Long may your organisation prosper.

READERS’ LETTERS continued

OTHER GAMES

Dr I Gordon, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Mr A Snarey, Glemsford, Suffolk.

JUST RIGHT We started playing just over 3 years ago and your tutorial software has been invaluable. Mrs B Harding, Harwood, Bolton.

Miss H Morley, Grimsby.

HAPPY HUBBY ALMOST

ANTICIPATION

Many years ago, my then bridge partner and I used the (Joshua) Crane system of bidding which came out in the 1920/30’s. The merits of the system were simplicity and the near certainty of not missing a game call. Beyond game other systems were required. Do you know whether this system is ever used nowadays or has it been consigned to the ‘bridge scrap heap’?

Your magnificent magazine is eagerly awaited by an 86 year old, living alone, partly disabled and a beginner.

Mr D Rooney, Glasgow.

Very absorbing read. My husband can’t believe that something that keeps me so quiet for so long comes free.

Mr Bailie, Perth.

Mrs C Nixon, Chipping Campden.

TOPPING

GREAT RECIPE

This is the best bridge magazine but the icing on the cake is now Bridge Weekly online. Brilliant.

What a treat, BRIDGE and a sunny summer day. Mr T Mitchell, Shipston-on-Stour.

Mr P Roberts, Downham Market, Norfolk.

ALWAYS GOING UP

GOOD TO HEAR EBU P2P seems to be working to the satisfaction of

I am delighted with stamps from Mr Goff but am never sure of the correct price for 2nd class as it rises so often. Mrs B Hickling, Malvern, Worcs.

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.bridgeshop.com ( 020 7486 8222

RULES You did not give a closing date for the competition – nor what the prize/s might be. Mr J Bailey, Goucester.

Nor I did, so let’s say that all correct entries received by September 2 qualified for a prize, whatever that might be.

JUBILEE

For some time now, my regular partner and I have been using the Ogust Convention (2NT response to a major weak-2 opening, asking for clarification of the strength of opener’s hand and of the bid suit). We find it useful and it has pointed us towards several good ‘tops’. It occurred to us the other day that it might work equally well over a preemptive-3 opening. Currently, our system would take a 3NT response to an opening 3-bid as indicating a wish to play in 3NT, but neither of us can recollect any occasion when we have even been tempted to use that bid. (Presumably, responder would need stops in the other 3 suits and enough in opener’s suit to enable reentry to dummy once the suit has been established). We feel it would be much more useful to use 3NT as an enquiry about the strength of opener’s hand and bid suit. Very often, after an opening bid of 3™, for example, it would be very helpful to find out immediately if partner is opening on the basis of 7 hearts to the ™AK with little outside, or with 7 hearts to the ™Q with outside values. I’m sure this is not a novel suggestion, and it must have been tried before. Any comments or suggestions would be very welcome. Mr Laurence Williams, Biggar Bridge Club, Scotland.

Wombourne Bridge Club held their 25th anniversary in April and has done very well without being members of the EBU.

QPlus 9.1 purchased last year is excellent value.

Mr A McCumiskey, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.

Mr B Marshall, Mackworth, Derby.

Page 36

GOOD FOR YOU

READERS’ LETTERS continued

GRADING You will, I hope, know how appreciative my wife and I have been over the years of many of your activities, especially the bridge weekends at Hopcrofts Holt. We were sorry when this venue ceased and last year we tried the Olde Barn at Marston. While the bridge was excellent, as usual, and the accommodation acceptable, the standard of food was so poor that we will not consider going there again. We are thinking of trying a visit to Denham Grove later in the year, but would appreciate an assurance from you about the catering before booking. An afterthought. Have you considered asking us, your customers, for feedback on the different venues, even awarding stars and possibly varying prices? Colin Harbury, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Your comments are valued. However, I suggest you may be surprised by the Olde Barn this year. As for Denham, this continues to improve and we shall have successful events this October and during the coming Christmas season.

PART 2 WANTED I was very interested in the article by Cliff Hancock in BRIDGE on a fairer method of scoring. The article gave a

general outline. I hope that you will be publishing a follow-up article by Cliff giving details of the full system.

DEFENCE QUIZ

Graham Baskerville, Kington Langley.

WELCOME BACK We are finding all the articles useful as we return to the game after 25 years.

by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 43)

Mr A Coulson, Pinner, Middlesex.

ou are East in the defensive positions below. It is your turn to play.

Y

NEARLY ‘A’ LEVEL I read 80% of your magazine. That means it must be good.

1. ♠ ™ © ®

Q 10 5 4 2 7 A9864 Q4 ♠ 9 N ™ A9653 W E S © Q 10 3 ® K 10 7 2

Mr B Meadows, Ashperton, Ledbury.

TIPS AND QUIZZES I thoroughly enjoy reading BRIDGE and appreciate all the tips and quizzes. Mrs M Milne, Brixham, Devon.

West North East South

3. ♠ ™ © ®

742 A6 K AKJ75 ♠ N ™ W E S © ®

32 AJ3 K2 10 7 6 4 2 Q64

West North East South

1♠

1®

Pass

1™

HUMOUR

Pass

4♠

Pass

4NT

Pass

3®

Pass

3™

I keep passing signs that tell me ‘weak bridge’. How they know that is a puzzle to me but, honestly, I am trying to improve. Your magazine helps me.

Pass

5©

Pass

6♠

Pass

4™

End

Mr G Beales, Lowdham, Nottingham.

FIVE-CARD MAJORS We are looking forward to reading articles on ‘five-card majors for the 21st Century’. My wife and I switched from Acol in 2001. It is very accurate and interesting. Bernard Magee’s book is long overdue. Mr P Hooper, Sidmouth, Devon.

■

End

West leads the ®3: ®Q, ®K, ®A. Declarer crosses to dummy with a trump and calls for a heart. What do you do?

2. ♠ ™ © ®

J 10 5 10 7 2 Q2 Q 10 7 4 2 ♠ K3 N ™ AK864 W E S © 9863 ® A8

West North East South 1™

1NT

West leads the ♠10. What do you do after dummy plays low?

4. ♠ ™ © ®

985 J8 A Q J 10 7 3 KJ ♠ 72 N ™ K94 W E S © 9842 ® 9852

West North East South 1©

Pass

2♠

Pass

3♠

Pass

4NT

Pass

5©

Pass

6♠

End

End

Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail [email protected]

West leads the ♠6. You cover the ♠J with the ♠K, which loses to the ♠A. Declarer leads the ®J: partner plays the ®6, dummy the ®2. What do you do?

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 37

West leads the ™3. What do you do after dummy covers with the ™8?

ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE 1. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ QJ76

♠ A K 10 4 N

™ 98

W

™ 2

E S

© AJ954

© K Q 10 7 6

® 98

® J 10 2

West

North

East

South

1©

Pass

spades if he has three of those; otherwise he bids 3NT: here, of course, he would bid 4™. While 3™ might appear to be a strange bid with only three cards in the suit, with fourcard heart support you would have raised straight away – delayed support almost always shows just three cards. 4™ is a good contract, while 3NT is likely to go down.

?

1♠. Show a major before supporting a minor – this is one of the basic rules of responding. The reason is simple: majors are worth more and game is easier to make. If you raise diamonds, you will finish in that suit or perhaps defend an opposing heart contract. If, instead, you respond 1♠, partner will jump to 3♠; then, with a double fit (diamonds and spades), you can go for game. 4♠ makes in comfort, even though you have just 21 HCP between you.

2. Dealer East. Game All. ♠ AJ987

♠ K2 N

™ K42

W

© Q92

™ A8765

E

© K J 10

S

® 98

West 1♠

® A53

North Pass

3. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ AJ96

♠ 2

™ 2

™ AK98753

N

© KQ73

W

E

© 42

S

® KJ87

West

® 653

North

East

South

3™

Pass

how high you should bid. With 11 HCP and a singleton, your hand is worth 14 points; your partner should have the values for an opening bid. Putting both together suggests you should be in game: you need to convey this. When you do not know quite where you want to play, the best way of showing a strong hand after your opponents have bid is to use a bid in their suit: 2♠. Your other option is a jump straight to 4™. Other bids are no good because they are non-forcing: 3™, 3© and 4© are all passable. One advantage of 2♠ over 4™ is that it gives a little more room to explore greater things – your partner might have an even stronger hand and a slam might be on – another is that you might not want to play in hearts if partner has only three hearts.

?

5. Dealer East. N/S Vul.

Pass. Your partner’s 3™ bid shows a weak

♠ A 10 9 7 5

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.

™ K94

I know that it is hard to pass when holding a good 14 points but, with a poor fit for your partner’s suit, you are unlikely to make more than 3™. If hearts break 3-2, partner should scrape together nine tricks.

♠ 2 N W

© 2

™ AQJ832

E

© AJ93

S

® J985

West 1♠

® 72

North Pass

East

South

1™

Pass

2©

Pass

?

East

South

1™

Pass

3™. On most auctions when partner bids

1NT

Pass

two suits, he promises at least five cards in the first suit – this is a fundamental rule of bidding. Knowing your partner has a minimum of five hearts allows you to evaluate your hand fully in the light of your eight-card or better fit. With a singleton and 8 HCP, you assess your hand as 11 total points (8 losers) – this means you should jump in support of your partner.

?

3™. You have two decisions to make: the level and the denomination. The first is straightforward: since partner has shown 15-17 points and you have ten, you should be going for game. The second decision is not so straightforward: you have five spades and your partner might have five hearts, so you would like to continue to explore for a majorsuit contract before settling for 3NT. You should jump to 3™, which allows your partner to choose hearts if he has five, or bid

4. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ 964

♠ 2 N

™ AK75

W

© A9853

™ QJ98

E

© KQ42

S

® 2

West

® KQ76

North

East

South

1♠

Dbl

Pass

?

2♠. Your partner’s double is for take-out, asking you to bid a suit. However, you need to assess the strength of your hand to decide

Page 38

3™ gives your partner the push he needs to bid game – 4™ is easy because your hand can contribute at least two ruffs – showing the value of a singleton in the hand with the shorter trumps. If you give simple preference to 2™, partner will pass. ■

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

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( 01483 489961 Page 39

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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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Premium

1

£

2

£

3

£

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£

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

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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.

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

2010 and 2011 Bridge Breaks

BRIDGE BREAKS © Full-board

© Two seminars

© All rooms with en-suite facilities

© Two supervised play sessions

© No single supplement

© Four duplicate sessions

OCTOBER 2010 15-17 Wychwood Park £199 Signals & Discards Ray Hutchinson 22-24 Staverton Park £199 Hand Evaluation Alex Davoud

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

29-31 The Olde Barn £199 Slam Bidding Ray Hutchinson

Single .... Double .... Twin .... Name of Hotel/Centre ........................................................

Staverton Park Nr Daventry NN11 6JT

Dates ..................................................................................

NOVEMBER

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

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

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

continued

JANUARY 2011 Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3DZ

Postcode ............................................................................ ( ......................................................................................

14-16 Ardington Hotel £215 Signals & Discards Ned Paul

NOVEMBER 2010

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

5-7 £199

Wychwood Park Declarer Play Gary Conrad

5-7 £199

Staverton Park Leads & Defence Alex Davoud

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

12-14 The Olde Barn £199 Better Defence Crombie McNeil

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.

19-21 Wychwood Park £199 Slam Bidding Gary Conrad

Wychwood Park Near Crewe CW2 5GP

21-23 Ardington Hotel £215 Suit Establishment Alex Davoud

FEBRUARY 2011

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302

25-27 Ardington Hotel £215 Doubles Ned Paul

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com

MARCH 2011 Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3QJ

Staverton Park Near Daventry NN11 6JT

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Wychwood Park Near Crewe CW2 5GP

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

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

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

Page 42

ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON PAGE 37 by JULIAN POTTAGE ♠ ™ © ®

1.

♠ ™ © ®

J J J J

Q 10 5 4 2 7 A9864 Q4

3 42 752 863

N E

W S

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

9 A9653 Q 10 3 K 10 7 2

AK876 K Q 10 8 K A95

West

North

East

Pass Pass End

4♠ 5©

Pass Pass

South 1♠ 4NT 6♠

West leads the three of clubs: queen, king, ace. Declarer crosses to dummy with a trump and calls for a heart. What do you do? With the singleton heart in dummy, it is tempting to grab your ace. Sometimes the obvious thing is the right thing. If South has the ™K – likely on the bidding – you risk losing your ace if you duck. Having taken the ™A, there is only one sensible thing to do. This is to return a club. The lead of the ®3 appears to show an honour, which can only be the ®J.

♠ ™ © ®

2.

♠ ™ © ®

J 10 5 10 7 2 Q2 Q 10 7 4 2

Q9764 5 10 7 5 K653

N W

♠ ™ © ®

West

E S

East 1™

Note that it would be a mistake to cash a high heart before returning a spade. From the bidding and non-heart lead, you can guess that partner has a singleton. If you did, you would be in a dilemma. If you cashed the other one too, you would set up South’s hearts; if you did not, you would lose it.

3.

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

K3 AK864 9863 A8

South 1NT

End

West leads the six of spades. You cover the jack with the king, which loses to the ace. Declarer leads the jack of clubs. Partner plays the six, dummy the two. What do you do?

Pass Pass

North 1® 3® 4™

East Pass Pass End

AJ3 K2 10 7 6 4 2 Q64

South 1™ 3™

West leads the ten of spades. What do you do after dummy plays low? The lead might be from a ten-high suit or an interior sequence – K-10-9 or Q-10-9. You cannot tell which. Of course, you hope it is from K-10-9. South’s queen will then be a dead duck. If you can cash the first three tricks, you can be sure the contract is going down because your king of hearts is a sure winner. In any case, there is nothing better for you to try. If, for instance, partner is void in clubs, a ruff will not help since your queen would be a natural winner without the ruff. If partner has the ace of diamonds, there should be time to play diamonds later. Having put up the ace of spades, should you return the jack or the three?

Page 43

While it makes no difference in terms of picking up South’s queen, you should follow the normal rule and return the higher of two remaining cards. You do not want partner to think you started with four spades and switch to some other suit at the third trick.

4.

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

A4 Q7632 5 10 7 6 4 3 ♠ ™ © ®

West

♠ ™ © ®

742 A6 K AKJ7532 K 10 9 5 ♠ N 973 ™ W E J853 © S 10 9 ® ♠ Q86 ™ Q J 10 8 5 4 © AQ9 ® 8

West

A82 QJ93 AKJ4 J9

North

Since dummy has a long suit and few obvious entries, you might consider holding up. It should not be too difficult to decide against this. Declarer will not have blocked the suit by leading the jack from K-J doubleton. So, unless partner has the ®K, the suit will run. If partner does have the ®K, you do not want to be cutting your own side’s communications by ducking. You should take the ®A at once and return a spade – since nobody leads the six from 9-8-7-6, West surely holds the ♠Q.

Pass Pass End

985 J8 A Q J 10 7 3 KJ ♠ N ™ W E S © ® K Q J 10 6 3 A 10 5 K6 AQ

North 1© 3♠ 5©

East Pass Pass Pass

72 K94 9842 9852

South 2♠ 4NT 6♠

West leads the three of hearts. What do you do after dummy covers with the eight? As on the previous deal, you cannot quite work out the strength of partner’s holding in the suit led. The lead might be from the queen, the queen-ten or the ten. It should not be from the ace. Underleading an ace would be highly unusual against a slam. Since your play probably makes no difference if partner has both the queen and ten, let us assume that declarer has one of those cards. If the lead is from the ten, playing the nine to finesse against the jack is in theory a good idea. The ace and queen will be winners whatever you do; retaining the king will allow you to nullify the jack. In practice, it would not help even if that were the layout. Declarer could either ruff the third round of hearts in dummy or throw a heart on the diamonds. A better idea is to put up the king, hoping the lead is from the queen. This sets up the queen as a winner. If partner has a fast entry – in trumps presumably – you may well defeat the slam. Unless declarer can discard one of dummy’s hearts on a thirdround club winner, a heart will be the second defensive trick. Note the choice of lead: with a sure winner, it would be futile ■ for West to lead the singleton.

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Winter Winter 2011/12

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M MR RB BRIDGE RIIDGE R ••ȱ›ȱ›’Žȱ™ŠœœŽ—Ž›œȱ ’••ȱ‹ŽȱŽ•’’‹•Žȱ˜›ȱœŽ–’—Š›œǰȱ›’—”œȱ™Š›’Žœǰȱšž’£ȱŒ˜–™Ž’’˜—œǰȱŠ’•¢ȱ ŽŸŽ—’—ȱ‹›’ŽȱŠĞŽ›ȱꛜȱœ’Ĵ’—ȱ’——Ž›ȱŠ—ȱ˜ŒŒŠœ’˜—Š•ȱŠĞŽ›—˜˜—ȱ‹›’ŽȱœŽœœ’˜—œǯȱ‘Žȱ‹›’Žȱ ™›˜›Š––Žȱ’œȱž••¢ȱ˜™’˜—Š•ȱŠ—ȱ¢˜žȱ–Š¢ȱ™Š›’Œ’™ŠŽȱŠœȱ–žŒ‘ȱ˜›ȱŠœȱ•’Ĵ•ŽȱŠœȱ¢˜žȱ ’œ‘ǯȱ›ȱ›’Žȱ ŠŒ’ŸŽ•¢ȱŽ—Œ˜ž›ŠŽœȱœ’—•Žœȱ˜ȱ“˜’—ȱ‘Žȱ™Š›¢ȱŠ—ȱ‘Ž¢ȱ ’••ȱŠ• Š¢œȱ‹Žȱ˜ž—ȱŠȱ™Š›—Ž›ȱ˜›ȱŠȱŠ–Žǯ

DISCOVERY D ISCOVERY CL CLUB UB M MEMBERS EMBERS SA SAVE VE A AN NE EXTRA XTRA 5% The The Holy Holy Land Land & R Red ed S Sea ea 31 31 O Oct ct 2 2011– 011– 1 15 5d days*^ ays*^

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Empires Empires of of the the Sun Sun 3rd 3rd Jan Jan 2 2012 012 – 2 20 0d days ays

Hong Kong ~ Xiamen ~ Shanghai ~ Nagasaki ~ Hiroshima ~ Osaka ~ Nagoya ~ Keelung ~ Manila

South South East East Asia Asia & Australia Australia 21st 21st Jan Jan 2 2012 012 – 2 23 3d days ays

Manila ~ Sandakan ~ Bitung ~ Ambon ~ Darwin ~ Port Douglas ~ Brisbane ~ Newcastle ~ Sydney

A Australia ustralia & The The Indonesian Indonesian Islands Islands 7 7th th February Februar y 2012 2012 – 24 24 days days

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Singapore ~ Langkawi ~ Phukkeet ~ Yangon ~ Porrtt Blair ~ Cochin ~ Marmagoa ~ Mumbai

Tales T ales of of India India & Arabia Arabia 1 19th 9th M March arch 2 2012 012 – 1 17 7d days ays

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ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ ON PAGE 29 by DAVID HUGGETT ♠ ™ © ®

1.

♠ ™ © ®

542 972 KQJ7 K97

N E

W S

♠ ™ © ®

You are declarer in 7™ and West leads the ™8 with East following suit. How do you plan the play?

Q96 AQ863 843 A3 ♠ ™ © ®

73 K J 10 10 9 2 Q J 10 4 2

A K J 10 8 54 A65 865

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ©K. How do you plan the play? Obviously, you have reached a sound contract, but you do have five potential losers in a heart, two diamonds and two clubs. Suppose you win the first diamond and play two rounds of clubs immediately, intending to ruff the third club in dummy and later take the heart finesse. This plan is clearly better than just drawing trumps, which would probably lead to defeat even if West had the king of hearts. Can you see an even better plan? After getting in, you should take the heart finesse. If it loses, you have to give up on ruffing a club and must hope that both majors divide evenly. Let us say they win the heart, cash two diamonds and play a club. You win, play the ace of hearts, ruff a heart and then draw trumps ending in dummy. If everything behaves, you make five spades, three hearts and two minor-suit aces.

♠ ™ © ®

2.

♠ ™ © ®

Q 10 4 2 87 K96 Q984

J76 K Q 10 9 A8743 6 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

AK8 AJ6542 2 A75

The grand slam is a reasonable shot, but you have to be careful as to how you go about making thirteen tricks. You can ruff the two losing clubs in dummy, but that still leaves a potential losing spade in hand. You cannot ruff it, but you might be able to discard it on dummy’s fifth diamond if that suit breaks 4-3. For that to happen, you need plenty of entries to dummy, not only to ruff out the diamonds but also to get back there to enjoy the last one. If you mistakenly draw a second round of trumps, you will fail in your endeavour. Instead, win the heart lead and play ace and another diamond immediately, ruffing. You re-enter dummy with a trump and ruff a third diamond. After that, you play the ace of clubs and ruff a club. You then ruff a fourth diamond, setting up the fifth in the process. A second club ruff sees you back in dummy, when you can play the long diamond and throw your losing spade.

♠ ™ © ®

3.

♠ ™ © ®

J75 J9853 72 J 10 6

AK3 AQ 986 K5432 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

953 3 Q J 10 5 K J 10 3 2

♠ ™ © ®

10 8 6 2 10 6 4 2 AK Q97

Q94 K7 Q J 10 5 4 3 A8

5© is virtually laydown but minor-suit games are notoriously hard to bid. As it is, on any lead other than a heart, you would have no trouble establishing enough tricks. The sad fact is that they have attacked your weakness and you have a horrible duplication in hearts. At first sight, it might seem right to attack diamonds because we learn that it is often right to try to establish

Page 45

♠ ™ © ®

4.

♠ ™ © ®

982 KQJ92 KJ6 83

K63 A 10 8 AQ94 654 N W

E S

♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

Q J 10 7 75 10 8 2 J 10 9 7

A54 643 753 AKQ2

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ™K. How do you plan the play?

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ™5. How do you plan the play? ♠ ™ © ®

tricks in our longest suit. Just see what will happen if you do. The defence will win the diamond and play back another heart; then you dare not lose the lead again because they will have enough tricks to defeat you. The reluctant conclusion is that the diamonds are a mirage and you have to ignore them. Instead, you have to hope for a 3-3 club split, so win the heart and play three rounds of clubs. On a good day, they will divide evenly and you make game with three spades, two hearts and four clubs. The diamonds never get a look in at all.

You duck two rounds of hearts but win the third as East shows out, pitching a spade. If clubs divide 3-3, you still need to make two diamonds, while if clubs are not going to break kindly, you will need to make three diamonds whilst making sure to keep West off the lead. So, at trick four you come to hand with a club and play a diamond, finessing dummy’s nine. As it happens, East will win cheaply and play a spade, but you win in hand and then play a diamond to the queen. When this wins, you are home if either diamonds or clubs break evenly. If the queen of diamonds lost to the king, you would still be safe if both minor suits broke evenly. If you had mistakenly played a diamond to the queen earlier, you would have been unable to establish three tricks in the suit without letting West gain the lead (and you would have blown a diamond ■ trick if West had J-10-x).

Seven Days by Sally Brock For a change, I thought I would give you a taste of what it is like to play in an international bridge event.

Monday This is the second week of a European Championship. I am not at home, but in Ostend, staying in a nice hotel next door to the tournament venue. We are lying fourth (out of 28). Nicola and I have yet to hit top form and perhaps one could say the same of Nevena Senior and Heather Dhondy, but our youngsters, Susan Stockdale and Fiona Brown, are playing fantastically well. Our first match (20 boards, starting at 10am) is against Portugal and I am unhappy with our card. We bid a dreadful slam that goes down, get on the wrong end of a couple of partscores and miss a thin non-vulnerable game. All we have in compensation is a 500 penalty when I took a good decision to defend after my RHO opened a weak 2™. Luckily, the slam is flat and we lose narrowly, 14-16. Nicola and I now go and sit on the sea wall looking at the beach, eating sandwiches we made at breakfast. It is nice to get away from all the bridge players and watch the world going by. I give a busker a few euros to play Lara’s theme from Dr Zhivago – Nicola and I are still arguing about whether or not that was what he played!

We play Finland next. This time I like our card. We win 23-7 and have finished for the day and I can do my normal sitting-out activities of 40 minutes in the gym, followed by a swim and then a bath. It seems strange, but I get much more time to myself when I am away at a championship than I do at home! The girls have a storming match against Hungary, trouncing them 25-0. We have had a better day than our rivals and move up to the silver medal position, 17 VPs behind the Netherlands. It is Greek food for dinner – pretty good but the only Greek restaurant I have ever been to that does not serve hummus or pitta bread!

Tuesday A tough day: we play first France and then Italy. Neither team has hit their top form yet, but it is only a question of time… We start against Benedicte Cronier and Sylvie Willard, one of the top French pairs. We start OK, bidding and making a waferthin game on Board 1. We then take a couple of wrong high-level decisions. Things go quiet then but we are 40 down. Thank heavens for the last two boards. On the first Benedicte holds:

♠ ™ © ®

AKQ74 5 A875 KQ3

She is vulnerable against not and hears me, on her left, open 2♠ which shows about 9-12 points and a six-card suit, pass, pass to her. She decides to pass and I go a couple down. This is the full deal:

North 2 K J 10 8 2 Q J 10 10 8 7 6 West East 6 ♠ AKQ74 AQ764 ™ 5 K96432 © A875 9 ® KQ3 South ♠ J 10 9 8 5 3 ™ 93 © Void ® AJ542 ♠ ™ © ®

♠ ™ © ®

Teammates bid 6©, which is down on a club lead, but the lead is a spade so the slam rolls home despite the 3-0 trump break. 15 IMPs for us. We gain another 7 IMPs on the last board, reducing the deficit to 21 IMPs and a 2010 loss. Back to the seafront for

Page 46

lunch and then we play Italy. They start well against us, but then the tide turns and, although it is quite a lowscoring match, we win 19-11. The third match is against the Czech Republic, one of the weakest teams in the field. Again, teammates do us proud and win 25-2. Although we have slipped to the bronze position, we are only 4 VPs away from the lead. In the evening, I visit my Welsh friends. My particular friend is Gilly Clench who is playing on the women’s team and her daughter, Mel, who is friendly with my children, is here. The Welsh have taken two adjacent apartments, a 10-minute walk away. I go back to their place for a home-cooked fish dinner.

Wednesday It has become clear that Nicola and I do not seem to be at our best in the first session of the day. We point this out to our captain Richard Bowdery, so we wait on the bench for the first match against Sweden on VuGraph. It is exhausting watching your own team so I go for my usual gym, swim, and bath routine. I do all this quickly because I want to find out how the match is going.

Seven Days

continued

You may remember that in the last issue I talked about romance being in the air. Well, it has arrived and settled: Barry and I have become an item and he is going to come out at the weekend. My best way of finding out how we are doing is to phone him in England! Our teammates have a good match, beating the Swedish team (who were lying fifth) 19-11. That leaves Spain and Turkey whom we beat 21-9 and 22-8 respectively. There is no change in the order at the top but France had a great day, dropping only 2 VPs, leaving them 15 VPs ahead of us. I go out to dinner with a group of people including Barry Rigal, a long-time friend and bridge journalist who lives in New York. After wandering around for a while looking for a Chinese restaurant, we give up and settle for a Spanishstyle tapas place where we can sit outside.

Thursday If we are going to get a medal, we need to score well against decent teams for the next two days. Nicola and I continue our policy of sitting out for the first match and teammates win 17-13 against Austria. A reasonable result

against a dangerous team, but we really need more. Scotland next. The standard of play is not high at our table, with errors all over the place from both sides. On the last board, Nicola holds:

♠ ™ © ®

KJ853 J54 AKQJ8 Void

She opens 1♠ and hears me respond 2NT, game-forcing agreeing spades. She bids 4® showing her void and I bid 4NT (Roman Key Card Blackwood). She bids 5♠ to show two ‘aces’ but denying the queen of spades and I bid 5NT. This confirms that we hold all the relevant ‘aces’ between us: she can either respond with her lowest king or bid the grand slam if she feels like it – and she feels like it! 7♠ it is. Dummy was a disappointment:

♠ ™ © ®

AQ74 A Q 10 8 3 2 874

She wins the diamond lead and plays a trump. If they break 2-2 and the diamonds come in, life will be very easy. However, her RHO shows out. Nothing for her to do now but to draw trumps and take the heart finesse.

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Phew! It holds and she makes her grand slam. 13 IMPs on that board and still a win by only 10 IMPs, another 17-13. The Bulgarian match was also a scrappy affair resulting in a third 17-13 win. 51 VPs on the day is not enough but we hold our position: Netherlands 449, France 446, England 441, Sweden 434, Poland 429, Germany 426, and Italy 418. Dinner is a happy (though slow) affair with Maltese friends Mario and Margaret, along with Heather and Jeremy Dhondy, Andrew (Tosh) McIntosh from the open team and David Burn (our coach).

Friday Our first match is against the Netherlands: again, Nicola and I sit out the first match. After a quick session in the gym, I ring Barry to find out how it is going. It is close when I phone but there are still several boards to go and he must leave to catch the Eurostar. It ends as a draw but the big news is that Sweden beat France 21-9 and we have moved up to second. The bad news is that in the next two rounds we have much tougher teams to play than the other teams in contention. I am pleased with our match against Denmark but, as is often the case, the hands were just as difficult for teammates and we have to settle for 16 VPs. Unfortunately, France, Sweden and Germany all win big and we are now lying equal fourth. Richard decides that our best chance for a big win in the last match is with the other four and we have to be content with watching on BBO. All the teams ahead of us are piling on the points and although we win 20-10, the others do better so we finish fifth. Even 25 VPs

Page 47

would not have given us a medal. In the evening, Barry arrives and we have a team dinner. Overall, spirits are high. Although we arrived with high hopes of a medal, at least we were never in danger of failing to qualify for next year’s Venice Cup.

Saturday After a lie-in, we explore Ostend for a while before a moules-and-frites lunch in a seafront restaurant. In the evening, there is a medal ceremony. Always at these affairs, there is some entertainment provided, which, generally, the players would much rather do without. This time we have to endure a rather aged woman, very scantily clad, singing Andrew Lloyd Webber songs along with James Bond theme music. At last, we get to the medal presentations and national anthems – this is not very exciting either but you feel you have to turn up and applaud loudly because you would like people to do the same for you! Then there are free drinks, and a big buffet supper. I am at a fun table with members of our team and other Brits. I sit between the two Barrys and we all have a good time. So ends another championship.

Sunday Train to Brussels, followed by Eurostar to London. As it happens, Briony has been to Alton Towers with friends and is due to arrive at Euston ten minutes after we get to St Pancras, so we walk along and meet her for coffee. She has made plans to go to the cinema in the afternoon so Barry and I go out to dinner. Then I get a cab to pick her up and go on to Marylebone for the train home. ■

LUXURY FOLDING BRIDGE TABLE £142 including delivery

l Polished

mahogany-style finish l Full 33 inch

square top l Comfortable

27 inch height l Hard wearing green

cloth playing surface

l Strong, click

and lock fastening legs l Tapering,

fluted wooden legs l Quick action

to set up & fold down

Book your table now by ringing ( 01483 489961 email: [email protected] by post from Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, GU21 2TH