110

BRIDGE Number One Hundred and Ten

October 2011

HISTORIC

ITALY

& THE BEAUTY OF

Venice

CROATIA Cruise to classical civilisations on board Aegean Odyssey on this 13-day fly-cruise from Rome to Venice

CROATIA

Split Korcula A Dubrovnik

Brac Hvar

dri

ITALY

Civitavecchia

Rome Pompeii

Sorrento

ati

cS ea

Tyrrhenian Sea Palermo Sege�a

SICILY

Valle�a

Taormina Ionian

MALTA

Sea

NO SINGLE

SUPPLEMENT MR BRIDGE EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS See page 4

“ Join Tony and Jan Richards on a Voyage to Antiquity

from Rome on April 1, 2012. Excursions, dinner with wine, scheduled return flights and gratuities on board are all included from just £1,750pp.” .

up He TO £2 n BO 00 Ok O ed nBO Ar BY d 15 TH Cr OC edi TO T Be r

Dubrovnik, Croatia

w

Minerva

Alhambra, Spain

Midnight Sun, Norway

Hvar, Croatia

exceptional value Bridge cruising aboard Minerva At Swan Hellenic we will always go further and delve that bit deeper. Our on board Guest Speakers and inclusive excursions ashore take you behind civilisations both ancient and modern, with fascinating results. You will travel in country-house style with around 350 other like-minded passengers. Choose to dine in the restaurant of your choice and in the company of your friends and you will still be assured of exceptional value for money, including all tips on board and ashore. Travel with a truly great British company, established in 1954, and enjoy an experience that will live with you forever. All passengers who have booked and registered through will be eligible to partake in the late afternoon bridge 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

Cruise

25 Apr

A ClAssiC spring 14 days from £2,155pp

8 May

A MeDiTerrAneAn MAsTerpieCe 15 days from £1,990pp

SprinG 2012

piraeus, Corinth Canal, itea, Katakolon, Argostoli, preveza, Kotor, Korcula, Dubrovnik, palermo, Civitavecchia Civitavecchia, portoferraio, nice, port Vendres, Mahon, Malaga, Cadiz, portimao, Vigo, st. peter port, portsmouth

22 May sT peTersBurg AnD The BAlTiC 16 days from £2,495pp

portsmouth, Kiel Canal, rønne, Visby, stockholm, st petersburg, Tallinn, gdansk, Copenhagen, portsmouth

Summer 2012 6 Jun

TreAsures of The BriTish isles 15 days from £2,175pp

20 Jun

MiDsuMMer in norwAy 16 days from £2,450pp

portsmouth, port of Tyne, edinburgh, scrabster, stornoway, Tobermory, oban, Anglesey, Belfast, isles of scilly, Dartmouth, st peter port, portsmouth portsmouth, Bergen, Kristiansund, Tromsø, honningsvåg, Alta, Cruising Trollfjord, leknes, geiranger, Cruising Akrafjord, portsmouth

5 Jul

A frenCh ACCenT 15 days from £2,150pp

19 Jul

gArDens of The CelTiC fringe 14 days from £1,995pp

1 Aug

souTh To The MeDiTerrAneAn 15 days from £1,995pp

portsmouth, Amsterdam, ostende, st Malo, Bordeaux, la rochelle, Belle Île, Brest, st peter port, honfleur, portsmouth portsmouth, Dublin, portrush, Killybegs, glengarriff, Cork, isles of scilly, falmouth, st peter port, rouen, portsmouth portsmouth, st peter port, la Coruña, oporto, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, palma, Cagliari, Trapani, Valletta

15 Aug VeniCe AnD The ADriATiC 15 days from £2,170pp

Valletta, Dubrovnik, Korcula, split, Trieste, Venice, pula, Kotor, sarande, itea, Corinth Canal, piraeus

29 Aug helleniC highlighTs 15 days from £2,095pp

piraeus, souda Bay, gythion, nauplia, Delos, Mykonos, paros, Chios, symi, fethiye, Kusadasi, istanbul

12 sep

BlACK seA oDyssey 15 days from £2,550pp

YOur VOYAGe inCLudeS: • exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties* • Travel in country-house style comfort with around 350 like-minded passengers • Discover the history and culture of civilisations ancient and modern • enjoy a tailor-made programme of inclusive escorted shore excursions worth up to £500pp • Travel with eminent guest speakers, who bring you closer to each destination • Dine in the restaurant of your choice in the company of your friends • Be assured of exceptional value for money, including all tips on board and ashore • Travel with a British company, established in 1954

istanbul, samsun, Trabzon, Batumi, sochi, yalta, sevastopol, odessa, nessebur, izmir

To book or request a brochure call

01483 489 961 www.bridgecruises.co.uk Fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing a category 12 inside cabin. Offers apply to new bookings only, are capacity controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Fares shown include all applicable discounts and are not combinable with any other offer. £200 onboard credit applies when booking a category 2 to 1 cabin; or £100 onboard credit when booking a category 8 to 3 cabin. Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and non-refundable. Booking terms and conditions apply. *Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge guarantee participation in the on board Mr Bridge programme, subject to availability. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Limited ABTA W0392 ATOL 3897.

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 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.

FEATURES

ADVERTISEMENTS

4 Mr Bridge 10 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 15 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions 19 Prize Crossword 1 by Sputnik

2 Summer 2012 on board mv Minerva 3 Mr Bridge Playing Cards 4 Voyages to Antiquity Cruise to Croatia 5 Egypt 2012

22 Bidding Quiz Answers by Bernard Magee 23 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage 24 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage

7 Mail Order Form 8 Voyages of Discovery 2012 Summer Cruises 11 Bridge Event Booking Form 12 Cut-out Form

25 Declarer Play Quiz by Dave Huggett

14 Bernard Magee’s Interactive Software

26 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett

17 Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified

27 Lead Quiz by Andrew Kambites

19 Tunisia 2011/2012

28 Lead Quiz Answers by Andrew Kambites

20 Bridge Weekends with Bernard Magee

29 Bernard Magee says Overtricks Matter at Pairs

22 Bernard Magee’s Begin Bridge – Acol Version

32 Average Age at Bridge Clubs

23 Mr Bridge Rubber/ Chicago Events

32 Readers’ Letters

25 Mr Bridge Christmas and New Year

19 Haslemere 2012

33 Little Voice Used Stamp Contributors

36 Seven Days by Sally Brock 40 The A to Z of Bridge E, F by Julian Pottage 47 Prize Crossword 1 Solution 47 Guide to Better Card Play reviewed by Sandra Landy

Premium Quality Cards

6 Haslemere 2011 DVDs

21 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee

35 Catch Up by Sally Brock

Mr Bridge

27 Mr Bridge Tutorial Bridge Breaks 31 Voyages of Discovery Winter 2011/12 Cruises 33 Stamps 34 Charity Bridge Events 38 Global Travel Insurance 48 Voyages to Antiquity Ancient Egypt Cruise 48 QPlus 10 Trade-in Offers

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor. Page 3

Standard Faces with or without bar codes. Unboxed.

6 red / 6 blue £19.95 30 red / 30 blue only £60 Available from The London Bridge Centre ( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com

0921 Mr Bridge Italy ads_Layout 1 16/08/2011 17:34 Page 1

ANTIQUITY

CRUISES TO CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS

HISTORIC ITALY

& THE BEAUTY OF CROATIA

Explore the fascinating history of Sicily, the palaces of Malta and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum

BOOK NOW FOR SPECIAL Cruise from Rome to Venice aboard Aegean Odyssey and discover the architectural and artistic legacies of the classical civilisations of the Mediterranean. Board the ship in Rome’s port of Civitavecchia and cruise to Sorrento to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum. Visit the monumental temples of Sicily and enjoy the natural beauty and historic cities of the Dalmatian Coast on our way to Venice on this remarkable cruise. Cruise in comfort, relax in style Aegean Odyssey is a premium class ship that has been especially refitted for cruising in the Mediterranean. Carrying just 350 passengers, the atmosphere on board is relaxed with plenty of passenger space, a choice of restaurants (with open-seating dining) and generously-sized accommodations, plus the comfort and attentive service of boutiquestyle cruising.

FARES

NO SINGLE

SUPPLEMENT Split Brac Korcula Hvar Dubrovnik CROATIA

Venice ITALY

Civitavecchia Rome Sorrento Pompeii Tyrrhenian Sea

Palermo Taormina SICILY

Ionian Sea

Valle�a MALTA

13-DAY FLY-CRUISE FROM ROME TO VENICE DEPARTS APRIL 1, 2012 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Pompeii and Herculaneum; Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo and Monreale Cathedral; the well-preserved Greek temples of Segesta; Graeco-Roman Theatre in Taormina; Dubrovnik, Split and island cruising in Croatia; tour of Venice and exclusive evening visit to St Mark’s Cathedral.

MR BRIDGE FARES* Standard Inside Superior Inside Standard Outside

£1,750pp from £1,950pp from £2,250pp

Superior Outside Deluxe Outside Deluxe Balcony

from £2,350pp from £2,695pp from £3,395pp

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

FARES INCLUDE: SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS AT ALL PORTS EXPERT ANTIQUITY LECTURE PROGRAMME WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES ON BOARD EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTIES SCHEDULED AIR & TRANSFERS

There is a supplement of £30 for those wishing to participate in the duplicate bridge programme or learn to play bridge. Singles are made especially welcome and a playing partner will always be found.

10093

ABTA No.Y2206

BOOK EARLY – THIS SPECIAL OFFER IS SUBJECT TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY

CALL

ON 01483 489961

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY www.voyagestoantiquity.com * Price is per person, single or double occupancy, and includes MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVING. The bridge programme is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little as they wish. This offer is subject to availability, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time.

Page 4

The series of introductory offers featuring Aegean Odyssey has been well received, especially by those who want single occupancy. Tony and Jan Richards will lead the cover cruise from Imperial Rome to magical Venice. As usual, a programme of excursions is included in the fare. Highlights this time include Pompeii and an exclusive evening visit to St Mark’s Cathedral. See the adjacent advertisement.

BACK COVER

A shorter version of the November holiday to the Red Sea is featured on the back cover. It enables me to offer readers a lead-in price of £1350, with no single supplement. Travellers will still enjoy an overnight stay in Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings, still see the Pyramids in Cairo, cruise the Suez Canal, and savour a short visit to Beirut before flying home from Cyprus.

2012 DIARIES There are two types. Standard, whose covers are Black, Navy, Light Blue, Green, Red, Ivory, Maroon and Tan. £6.75 each. Ten for £35 or pro rata. The Luxury version has a built-in ball point pen and a soft kidrell cover. Choice of Ruby Red, Bottle Green and new for 2012, Navy Blue. £14.95 each.

better safe With the new season just started, Club Insurance is coming up for renewal and if it isn’t, it should be. Cover for the average club is around £63 per annum from 1 November each year. If your club wants to start right away, a pro rata payment for the weeks up to the annual commencement will ensure you are covered.

GUINEA PIGS

JUST BRIDGE

Some of you will have received an experimental September issue of this magazine. However, I will continue to send BRIDGE bi-monthly to all who have re-registered. Further experimental issues will be sent randomly selected bridge players from time to time.

These events are £199 per person full board, no prizes, no tuition, just bridge. They are supported by many who will have received tickets as prizes or at reduced rates. Future offers are continually being made by direct phone call, post or email. Please advise me if you would like to hear of these offers as I am trying to cover the whole of the United Kingdom. It is not appropriate to publish them in BRIDGE as they sell out so fast.

GOFF STAMPS

Over 400 clubs use the Mr Bridge service. To learn more, please ring Simon at Moore Stephens. ( 020 7515 5270.

If you are tired of junk mail, send your details to: Mailing Preference Service, Freepost, 29 LON 20771, London, W1E 0ZT. After three months, there should be an improvement.

ADVERTISING BRIDGE is sent to you free of charge, paid for by advertisers and sponsors. If you really don’t like adverts, tell me and I will cancel your subscription.

AT THE 5* KIROSEIZ THREE CORNERS, NA’AMA BAY EGYPT 2012 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.

Brook Waterloo, Crowthorne, Berks.

RE-ASSURANCE Readers should be confident that their names, addresses, phone numbers and email details are held securely and are not sold, traded or given to other companies. If you have reason to believe otherwise, please tell me so the matter may be investigated.

Mr Bridge

28-30 October 2011 4-6 November 2011 11-13 November 2011 27-29 January 2012 3-5 February 2012

Conventional postage will never get cheaper, so buying valid British stamps below face value must be a bargain. It also helps support this publication. For Clive Goff’s unique service, telephone him on: ( 020 8422 4906.

Brook Beverley Arms, Beverley, East Yorks. 4-6 November 2011 Brook Tewkesbury Park, Tewksbury, Glos.

[email protected]

4-6 November 2011

WINTER SUN Bernard Magee will once again go to Na’ama Bay, Sharm-el-Sheik, in January where the bone-warming sun will revive the spirit. Last year several in the party enjoyed a set or two of tennis every day. Pack your racquet.

BRIDGE & GOLF

Bridge Weekly, my e-mag, is paid for likewise. It cannot be written and edited without proper advertising and sponsorship.

Tony and Jan Richards will be at the Royal Kenz Hotel, Port El Kantoui, this coming November. There are three firstclass eighteen hole golf courses in the vicinity of this delightful resort.

If adverts really are too intrusive, do please inform me and I will immediately cancel your subscription. [email protected]

In February, Bernard Magee will be going with his team, see page 19. Bring your golf playing friends with you.

MY REWARD One of the most rewarding aspects of my job as publisher of BRIDGE is to hear how pleased you are to learn about the likes of Clive Goff’s Service and Donald Russell’s Beef. The support of these companies is fundamental to the success of this magazine and why I try to make it better and better.

YOU HELPED ME Well over 100 clubs sent in their average ages on a chosen club night. The overall average was 72 years 8 months. Some clubs have asked not to be included in the list, which you will find squeezed into page 32. Thank you. Page 5

Duplicate Bridge Bernard Magee 15-29 January 2012

from £1099* 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 10am to midnight. *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 Manchester, Newcastle and East Midlands are available at a supplement. This holiday is arranged in conjunction with Thomas Cook Holidays ATOL1179.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS

( 01483 489961

Bernard Magee at Haslemere Hall 2011 DVDs Six DVDs record the seminars from Haslemere. Each seminar is divided into two halves: designed to look at subjects from two different perspectives. 1. Ruffing for £25 extra tricks This seminar deals with declarer’s use of ruffing to generate extra tricks and then looks at how the defenders might counteract this. 74 mins. 2. COMPETITIVE £25 AUCTIONS This seminar focuses on competitive auctions from the perspective of the overcalling side to start with and then from the perspective of the opening side in the second part. 86 mins. 3. MAKING THE MOST £25 OF HIGH CARDS This seminar helps declarer to use his high cards more carefully and then looks at how defenders should care for their precious high cards. 83 minutes. 4. Identifying £25 & BIDDING SLAMS The first half of this seminar is about identifying when a slam might be on – one of the hardest topics to teach, because as soon as you announce the topic everybody is looking for slams. The second half covers some of the techniques used to bid slams. 96 minutes. 5. PLAY & DEFENCE £25 OF 1NT CONTRACTS This seminar looks at the most common and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. The first half looks at declaring the contract and the second part puts us in the defenders’ seats. 88 minutes. 6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE AGAINST DOUBLED£25 CONTRACTS The first half of this seminar explores penalty doubles and the second half discusses the defence against doubled contracts. 88 minutes.

All 6 for £100 See Mail Order Form on page 7.

Q PLUS NEWS

BETTER BRIDGE The Bernard Magee bridge seminars, staged at Haslemere Hall as part of the 2011 Haslemere Festival, proved to be a really great success.

For those who already have QPlus, here are a few more hands that I think you might enjoy.

All the bridge happenings have been filmed and edited to make a series of six entertaining tutorial DVDs. See the adjacent advert.

HASLEMERE 2012 Book early – book now. For subject matter, see the advertisement on page 19. All six seminars will again be filmed in full.

2828/09 9460/16 5390/11 2829/11 I should explain for those without QPlus that every possible deal of 52 cards has a reference number. Put that number into the program and hey presto, the hand comes up on your screen at the touch of a button. Magic. Special QPlus trade-in deals on the back cover.

DISCOVERY I have made a recent visit to the ship to have a look at all the refurbishing. So pleased am I with the progress, that I am planning to sail onboard at the end of April from Istanbul back to Portsmouth. Fares are from £999 per person sharing including the onboard bridge. Single supplement only 25%. There will be two separate bridge groups. One for bridge before second sitting, the other for bridge after first sitting dinner. There will also be daily opportunities for tutorials instead of excursions.

MINERVA NEWS This well-loved ship is being taken into dry dock at the end of November for a three month refit. Brochures are now available for the 2012/2013 sailings.

MAC FOR BRIDGE If you’ve a Mac and want a play program, then Bridge Baron is for you. £63.

OLD POT BOILER By popular request, the double dummy problems previously printed on tea towels are being repeated for your interest and amusement. The solution is in the next issue. ♠ A Q 7 ♥ A K Q J ♦ Q J 10 9 8 7 ♣ Void ♠ K J 10 8 6 ♠ 9 5 4 3 2 N ♥ 5 4 3 2 W E ♥ Void ♦ Void S ♦ 6 5 4 3 2 ♣ K Q J 10 ♣ 4 3 2 ♠ Void ♥ 10 9 8 7 6 ♦ A K ♣ A 9 8 7 6 5 Contract 7♥ by South. West leads the ♣K.

For a full range of bridge tea towels, ring Art Screen Print on ( 01287 637527. www.artscreen.co.uk/ customizeArea/shop.html

NEW TO SCOTLAND

yellow book Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified, also known as the Yellow Book, has been reprinted and is now back in stock. £5.95 each. Club deal, 10 copies for £35.

Bridge onboard will be exclusive to the Mr Bridge party. This cruise is to celebrate my 25 years working as Mr Bridge.

GOLDEN TWIN BOX

free In another spell of rampant re-organisation, I am clearing out the remains of my stock of Freddie North’s 70-page booklet, Bidding. Just send two second-class stamps to cover postage and packing.

A pair of red/blue backed Mr Bridge Premium Quality Cards, in a goldcoloured drop-lid box, makes an ideal Christmas gift. £10.95 per box. Two boxes for just £20.

THE FINAL DEAL A murder mystery with a bridge slant by Len Armstrong. £7.95.

Page 6

By popular demand, Bernard Magee will be hosting his first weekend in Scotland, 2-4 December this year at the Brook Queensferry Hotel.The event will feature Signals and Discards as the subject matter of his lectures and of the supervised play. I have already e-mailed out news of this inaugural event. You should book right away to avoid any disappointment. All good wishes.

Mr Bridge

✄

Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE

TUTORIAL DVDs

QPlus 10 QPlus 9.1 (second hand) Bridge Baron 21 The latest version – Mac compatible

£86.00....... £62.00....... £63.00.......

TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Begin Bridge – Acol Version Acol Bidding More Acol Bidding Declarer Play Advanced Declarer Play Defence

£66.00....... £66.00....... £96.00....... £76.00....... £81.00....... £76.00.......

SOFTWARE BUNDLE OFFERS Any two software pieces Any three software pieces

£120.00....... £175.00.......

BOOKS Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge The Final Deal (fiction) – Len Armstrong

£5.95....... £14.00....... £14.00....... £14.00....... £14.00....... £7.95.......

Ruffing for Extra Tricks Competitive Auctions Making the Most of High Cards Identifying & Bidding Slams Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts Doubling & Defence to Doubled Contracts All 6 DVDs as a boxed set

£25.00....... £100.00.......

2012 Bridge Players’ Diaries Standard: Navy Blue ...... Light Blue ...... Ivory ...... Red ...... Tan ...... Green ...... Burgundy ...... Black ...... £6.95....... 10 or more each £3.50....... Luxury cover with ball point pen: Ruby Red ...... Navy Blue...... Green ...... £14.95.......

LUXURY PLAYING CARDS One red back / one blue back in a gold-coloured drop-lid box 2 boxed pairs of luxury cards 10 refill packs (5 red / 5 blue)

£10.95....... £20.00....... £20.00.......

PENS

TABLES AND CHAIRS Mr Bridge exclusive design black metal chairs, padded back and seat covered in black vinyl Set of four £199.00....... Mr Bridge exclusive black metal tables, padded and covered in black vinyl £63.50.......

£25.00....... £25.00....... £25.00....... £25.00....... £25.00.......

Multi-suited Ball-point Pens Boxed set of four £19.95....... Refills

set of four £2.99.......

Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. I enclose a cheque for £.......... Mr/Mrs/Miss .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Address................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Postcode................................................................................................. ( ...........................................................................................................

Expiry: .......................... CVV .......................... Issue No. ..........................

(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)

Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

✄

( 01483 489961

Page 7

Fax 01483 797302

Inspiring Summer Cruises Experience Voyages of Discovery’s Summer 2012 programme, encompassing 15 captivating cruises around Northern Europe, The Baltic, The Mediterranean & The Black Sea. Next Summer, Discovery’s exciting cruise itinerary includes a National Trust cruise around the British Isles, a three day stay in glorious St Petersburg, with the unique opportunity of spending a day in Moscow and, on the anniversary of D-Day, an inspirational journey of remembrance and discovery to the landing beaches of Normandy, little-visited Heligoland in Germany and beautiful Amsterdam. All passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks parties. When Discovery is at sea there are morning seminars and afternoon bridge sessions. Those Mr Bridge passengers choosing to pay the £30 per bridge player supplement will be eligible for the evening duplicate after the first dinner sitting. The bridge programme is fully optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game.

YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES: • Seminars and exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties* • Inspiring destinations • Comprehensive lecture and Guest Speaker programme • All meals, entertainment and gratuities on board included with no hidden extras • Travel with around 650 like-minded passengers • Free parking for no-fly cruises • Flights from/to the UK for fly-cruises (supplement applies for Manchester)^ • Friendly and relaxed atmosphere on board • All prices on board in British pounds • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners • All port and pre-paid airport taxes

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings

£ 20 0

UP TO

only O NBOA R

CREDI D T when b

ooked by 15th O ctober

Discovery club members save an extra 5%

Summer 2012 No~fly cruises

Bridge Hosts

Fares From

Gary Conrad

£1,549pp

Alison Nicolson

£1,639pp outside cabin

Stan Powell

£899pp

Tony & Jan Richards

£1,749pp

Crombie & Helen McNeil

£1,649pp

NORDIC NATURAL WONDERS

July 12, 2012 ~ 14 days Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Flåm ~ Akureyri ~ Ísafjördjur ~ Grundarfjördur ~ Reykjavik ~ Tórshavn ~ Harwich

Alex Davoud

£1,499pp

A NORDIC and WHITE SEA ADVENTURE

July 25, 2012 ~ 20 days Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Bodø ~ Murmansk ~ Solovetsky Islands (overnight) ~ Archangel ~ Kirkenes ~ Hammerfest ~ Trondheim ~ Ørsta ~ Florø ~ Harwich

Gary Conrad

£2,199pp

AROUND BRITAIN and EDINBURGH TATTOO

August 13, 2012 ~ 13 days Harwich ~ St Peter Port ~ Fowey ~ Cobh ~ Galway ~ Killybegs ~ Oban ~ Portree ~ Scrabster ~ Kirkwall ~ Rosyth (Edinburgh) ~ Harwich

Alex Davoud

£1,399pp

OSLO and the MAGIC of NORWAY August 25, 2012 ~ 10 days Harwich ~ Oslo ~ Kristiansand ~ Stavanger ~ Flåm and Gudvangen ~ Ålesund ~ Bergen ~ Harwich

Alison Nicolson

£1,049pp

Tony & Jan Richards

£1,599pp

Sandy Bell

£699pp

Tony & Jan Richards

£1,449pp

Crombie & Helen McNeil

£1,849pp

Sandy Bell

£1,649pp

Alex Davoud

£1,999pp

BALTIC ICONS May 11, 2012 ~ 16 days Portsmouth ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Copenhagen ~ Stockholm ~ Helsinki ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~Tallinn Warnemünde (Berlin) ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Portsmouth HERITAGE of the BRITISH ISLES

May 26, 2012 ~ 11 days Portsmouth ~ Isles of Scilly ~ Douglas ~ Belfast ~ Oban ~ Port of Tyne ~ Greenwich ~ Dover ~ Portsmouth

cabins selling fast

D-DAY, NORMANDY, DUNKIRK and BEYOND June 5, 2012 ~ 9 days Portsmouth ~ Cherbourg ~ St Peter Port ~ Rouen (overnight) ~ Dunkirk ~ Heligoland ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Harwich SPITSBERGEN and the NORTH CAPE

June 13, 2012 ~ 16 days Harwich ~ Trondheim ~ Leknes ~ Honningsvåg ~ Magdalenafjord ~ Ny-Ålesund ~ Longyearbyen ~ Barentsburg ~ Tromsø ~ Bergen ~ Harwich

BALTIC TREASURES

June 28, 2012 ~ 15 days Harwich ~ Kristiansand ~ Copenhagen ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin) Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich

TIMELESS BALTIC September 3, 2012 ~ 15 days Harwich ~ Copenhagen ~ Saaremaa ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin)~ Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich

Summer 2012 Fly cruises VOYAGE to the MEDITERRANEAN^ September 17, 2012 ~ 8 days Harwich ~ Leixoes (Porto) ~ Gibraltar ~ Cartagena ~ Barcelona A PORTRAIT of the MEDITERRANEAN^

September 24, 2012 ~ 12 days Barcelona ~ Sète ~ Rapallo ~ Livorno (Florence/Pisa) ~ Civitavecchia (Rome) ~ Castellammare di Stabia ~ Messina ~ Brindisi ~ Dubrovnik (overnight)

ADRIATIC and AEGEAN ODYSSEY^ October 5, 2012 ~ 15 days Dubrovnik ~ Pula ~ Venice ~ Koper ~ Hvar ~ Kotor ~ Durres ~ Itea ~ Katakolon ~ Piraeus (Athens) ~ Canakkale ~ Istanbul (overnight) BLACK SEA EXPLORER^ October 19, 2012 ~ 12 days Istanbul ~ Trabzon ~ Sochi ~ Novorossiysk ~ Yalta ~ Sevastopol ~ Odessa ~ Nesebur ~ Istanbul EAST to the HOLY LAND and RED SEA October 30, 2012 ~ 16 days

Istanbul ~ Canakkale ~ Antalya ~ Haifa ~ Ashdod (Jerusalem) ~ Port Said ~ Suez Canal transit ~ Safaga (overnight) ~ Aqaba (overnight) Sharm el-Sheikh (overnight)

For passengers interested in a higher grade or Sole Occupancy, please contact our friendly team who will gladly assist with current availability and fares.

Further combinations and grand voyages available ~ please call for details

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Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

How do I avoid defending redoubled contracts?

Q

Twice recently, I have had problems with redoubled contracts. In each case, the bidding went:

West North East South 1♥ Dbl Redbl End

The first time we held:

should retreat to 1NT. On the second, the doubler should retreat to 1♠. In each case, it looks as if the doubler read East’s pass to mean, ‘I would have left in 1♥ doubled.’ You can play the pass as a penalty pass, if you wish, but the two members of the partnership need to be playing it the same way. ♣♦♥♠



♠ A 8 2 ♥ K 8 2 N W E ♦ Q J 9 S ♣ A 8 5 4

♠ 9 7 5 ♥ A J 6 4 ♦ 6 2 ♣ 10 7 3 2

The second time we held:



♠ K Q 4 2 ♥ 7 3 N W E ♦ A 8 4 S ♣ K 10 3 2

♠ 10 9 8 ♥ 8 6 4 ♦ 10 5 2 ♣ Q 8 5 4

Name and address supplied.

A

If the bidding goes 1♥-double-redoublepass, it is usual to play that the pass simply says, ‘I have no strong preference – you pick a suit’ – the doubler then bids again, normally a suit. On your first hand, the doubler is unusually flat and

Q

I used to play reverse attitude signals. If partner led the top of a sequence, a small card would indicate that you liked the lead (or had no better suggestion to offer).  When discarding, you played a small card from the suit you wanted led. On the few occasions when you did not have a card low enough for a signal, you could discard a high card from another suit, which partner could usually work out. Should I start playing them again? John Martin, Evanton, Inverness (similar from Barbara Goodwin, Dinas, Pembrokeshire).

A

With the notable exception of Zia and Hamman, many top players use reverse signals for both attitude and count (the Americans call them upside down signals). You can correctly infer from this that reverse signals have a slight technical superiority, so the answer is yes.  When you have rubbish in a suit, you can usually afford to part with any of your spot cards. When, however, you have a useful holding, you are far less likely to want to part with a high spot card. This is the case whether you are following suit or discarding.   West leads the queen of spades against a heart contract on this layout:  

♠ K 6 4

♠ Q J 8 7 2

N W E S

♠ 10 3

♠ A 9 5

  Playing standard attitude, East cannot afford to play the ten to encourage because West would then be unable to continue the suit safely, defeating the

Page 10

point of giving a signal. If you are playing reverse attitude, East plays the three, which West easily reads as encouraging.  Suppose the layout in the spade suit (a side suit in a heart contract) is this:  

♠ K 6 4 N

♠ J 8 2 W E S

♠ A Q 10 3

♠ 9 7 5

  Playing standard attitude and discarding on a heart, East could encourage spades by discarding the ten. Unfortunately, that will keep the defenders to two spade tricks. With reverse attitude, East can encourage spades by discarding the three.  Speaking from personal experience, it is quite easy to switch from standard attitude to reverse attitude (rather easier than switching your opening no-trump range, for instance). In some countries, like Norway, reverse attitude signals are popular with many players. You just need to find a partner willing to give it a go.

Ask Julian continued

Q

We were playing Acol with negative doubles here:





♠ 8 7 ♥ A 8 3 ♦ K Q 10 7 5 ♣ J 8 4 N W E S

♠ A K 9 2 ♥ J 2 ♦ 4 2 ♣ A K Q 10 3

West North East South 1♣ 1♦ Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ End

How should the bidding have gone? Mike Fairclough, Caldy, Wirral.

A

The opening bid and initial pass (hoping to defend 1♦ doubled) seem impeccable. With extra values and the benefit of the highest-ranking suit, South could reopen with a double rather than 1♠. If North bids 1♥ (or even 2♥), South can correct to spades without raising the level. It is very unlikely that North is going to bid a high number of hearts, having been unable to bid even 1♥ over 1♦. On the actual layout, North will leave in the double. Whether East will elect to pass out 1♦ doubled is another matter. If East retreats to 1♥, South bids 1♠ and you will surely reach 3NT. Once South elects to reopen with 1♠, North has to do a bit more than bid

2♣. The 2♣ bid is consistent with holding a Yarborough. 2NT is a strong candidate. Bidding 2♦ would show a hand that was planning to leave in 1♦ doubled but it is something of a grey area as to quite what else it shows. With a stopper in hearts and the diamonds well held, 2NT seems to be the value bid. South would raise to 3NT. Most probably, you would make 10 tricks in 3NT (you would hold up the ♥A until the third round, just losing two hearts and the ♦A).

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I was fourth in hand. My RHO opened 3♦. I held 15 points with five diamonds to the ace and doubled. My partner was unsure what to do, but passed. We collected 800.  Was our bidding correct?  Maureen Jones by email.   These days, most people play that a double of a pre-empt is for takeout. Indeed, when English Bridge wanted to do a debate about whether to play it as takeout or penalties, they were unable to find anyone to argue in favour of penalties.  When you have length in the suit opened, it is usually wrong to make a takeout double. Your partner will normally take out the double, often into your shortest suit. Unless you have agreed that this is a penalty double, you should pass smoothly and hope that your partner reopens with a double.  This time, you struck lucky when your partner did not seem to understand your bid but you should not expect to be so lucky again.

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Ask Julian continued

Q

My right-handopponent plays in a no-trump contract. I hold A-K-J-10-x in an unbid suit. What is the best lead? If RHO has bid my suit, does this affect my lead? Frank Turner by email.

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A

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If nobody has bid the suit, you should lead whichever card your partner would take as a request to unblock (i.e. drop the queen). By tradition, this was the ace. Nowadays it is more common to play ‘strong tens and kings’, in which case the king is the strong lead. If you are not playing either the king or the ace as an unblocking lead, you should lead the ace, top of a sequence. If RHO has bid the suit, you have to consider the possibility that the shape is 5224 round the table, in which case you would prefer the first lead to come from partner (the nine if it is your lucky day) in case declarer has Q-x-x-x. Whether you would lead another suit rather depends upon your hand and the bidding.

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In BRIDGE 108, you say, ‘Another (less common) reason for starting with your middle trump is that you then have the option of leading the high or the low one when you want to give a suit-preference signal on the opening lead.’  Does this apply a) when the defence decide

Page 12

to lead out a trump or b) when declarer first tackles trumps or c) both? Please could you give an example? Paul Green by email.

A

If you play suitpreference signals in the trump suit, which as I have suggested only a minority of players do, you can play them both when leading and when following suit.  Here is an example:   ♠ A 10 9 ♥ K ♦ 9 7 5 4 3 ♣ J 8 4 2 ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ J ♥ Q 7 6 N ♥ A J 8 4 2 W E ♦ A Q 10 2 S ♦ J 8 6 ♣ Q 9 5 ♣ 10 7 6 3 ♠ K Q 8 6 5 3 ♥ 10 9 5 3 ♦ K ♣ A K

  West North East South 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♠ End

  With a view to playing safe and possibly preventing ruffs in dummy, West leads a trump. Since South has bid hearts, it is reasonable to give suit preference between the minors. West therefore leads the seven of spades. East soon gains the lead with the ♥A and will want to put West on lead to play a second round of trumps.  Reading the seven of spades as high, East leads the higher minor, diamonds, which defeats the contract. If you swap West’s minors, West would lead the two of spades rather than the seven – again, East would know what to do.

Ask Julian continued

Since your first double is for takeout, the second double cannot be for penalties as you must have the same hand as you had first time. The second double just shows extra values, typically an ace more than you needed for your initial double, so about 17+.

check on aces later. If you played in a tournament, you would not find a single pair using a 4♣ opening as asking for aces. As you found out, using 4♣ as an asking bid causes problems when your long suit is clubs. On this hand, you wanted to know about other features in partner’s hand besides aces: whether she had the black queens or length in one of the black suits. If she had five spades to the queen and a small singleton club, you would want to play in spades, not clubs. If she had both red suits held but no aces, you would want to play in 3NT, which would probably outscore 5♣. You should just have started quietly with 1♣. When your hand is so shapely, this is most unlikely to end the auction.

♣♦♥♠

♣♦♥♠

Q

In this auction, my first double is clearly for takeout, but what is the second double?

West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♥ Dbl 2♣ Pass 2♥ Dbl

Name and address supplied.

A

Q

Playing matchpoint pairs and Gerber, I held:



♠ A K J 2 ♥ 5 ♦ 6 ♣ A K J 8 6 3 2

I opened 4♣. My partner responded 4♥ (one ace). Knowing that if I rebid 5♣ partner would take it as asking for kings, I went 6♣. This went one off. What should I have done? Geoff Pritchard, Crewe.

A

Playing a 4♣ opening as asking for aces is most unwise. On the rare hands when all you want to know about is aces, you can either open 4NT or open 2♣ and

Q

As East, I picked up this hand:

♠ K J ♥ A 10 5 ♦ K Q 9 6 ♣ A K 7 3

The bidding was:

♣♦♥♠

Q

I had 17 points with six diamonds and two doubletons. As dealer, I opened 1♦. My partner had 10 points with the other suits stopped and responded 2NT. I wondered if there might be a slam in diamonds and, as I was in a quandary as to how to find out, I ended up rebidding 3♦. My partner passed, thinking it was a weak bid. Should I have rebid 3NT? Molly Megson by email.

A

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♥1 ? 1 transfer

I doubled, knowing that did not really fit the bill; the opponents finished in 2♠ – making. What is the correct call? Belinda Amon by email.   It is quite common, when the opponents are playing a weak no-trump, to play that the

A

double of a transfer (or Stayman) shows a hand with which you would have doubled 1NT. Your initial double therefore seems fine, assuming, of course, you have not agreed with your partner that the double just shows hearts. Since your initial double suggests 15+ points and you actually have 20, it seems reasonable to take some further action. I would double again, which just shows extra values, not spade length. 2NT is the alternative, but that could go horribly wrong if partner has nothing.

In traditional Acol, the 2NT response is a limit bid, showing 10-12 points and is not forcing. If you rebid your own suit, that is not forcing – if you wish to create a force, you need to bid a new suit. With 17 points, you have to find another bid – assuming you have no second suit to show, a raise to 3NT is in order. It is unlikely that a slam is

Page 13

making with 27-29 points between the two hands, the 6-card suit notwithstanding.  I do not play a limit 2NT response and you will find very few good players who do. With 10-12, there is always something else partner can bid – if her only 4-card suit is diamonds, she can raise your diamonds; if her 4-card suit is anywhere else, she can bid that. ♣♦♥♠

Q

If you open 1♣ (could be a natural club but more likely a balanced hand out of range for a 1NT opening and without a five-card major), can responder pass this holding fewer than 6 points? Anna Bartlett, Luton.

A

It is usual to play a prepared 1♣ opening as not forcing. However, as responder, if you are short in clubs, you will strain to keep the bidding open. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Can you use Stayman and transfers on this auction?

West North East South 1NT Dbl ?

Anne Burnett by email.   You can use your normal system – but only if that is what you have agreed. If you bid 2♣ or 2♦ undiscussed, partner is going to think it is ■ natural.

A

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David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

If you Produce a Stop Card Without Jumping, What is the Ruling?

Q

Playing duplicate, using bidding boxes, the bidding started:

West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♠ 2NT1 1 Unusual, minors

South bid ‘stop 3♥.’ It was clear that South, despite the 2NT bid, (maybe she had not noticed it) thought she was making a jump rebid showing a strong hand. Her partner noted the stop bid and they eventually reached a making slam. Had South not displayed the stop card, it is arguable whether they would have bid the slam. Having displayed the stop card incorrectly, what should have happened then? What action if any should her partner have taken regarding the knowledge he gained (was it unauthorised information)? Jake Henry by email (similar from Norman Scott, Crook, Co. Durham).

A

When someone exhibits the stop card before a non-jump

bid, the bid stands – it is not an insufficient bid; however, the use of the stop card is unauthorised information to partner, though authorised to opponents. If your director thought they might not have reached the slam if the partner had ignored the use of the stop card, he should have adjusted the score to a game contract. ♣♦♥♠

Q

With North as declarer, West led a spade, East said, ‘It is not your lead,’ and led a diamond. The director was called to the table and ruled that West’s card was a major penalty card and that East’s diamond was the legal lead. Declarer complained that he had lost some of his options for penalising a lead out of turn. John Dawe by email (similar from George Pilcher, Deal, Kent).

A

West led out of turn so declarer does have the usual five mutually exclusive options (accept the lead, choose to be dummy, prohibit a spade lead, require a spade

lead or have the card as a major penalty card). East’s card is a major penalty card as well, being out of turn once West has led. Of course, if declarer refuses West’s lead out of turn, East’s lead will stand unless declarer requires a spade lead. ♣♦♥♠

Q

If you want to see another player’s hand at the conclusion of play to see whether a different line of play might have worked better, what is the procedure? Roger Grimsdick (similar from Iain Duncan, Norwich).

A

You may not touch the cards of another player during or after the play. Obviously, I am not counting when declarer touches dummy’s cards, which is a special case. After the play, if you wish to see what another player had, you ask him or her to show you his or her cards. Unless there is a valid reason, usually because you are running late, it is ill-mannered of someone to refuse to show them. If a player refuses to show them,

Page 15

you should call the director, who will insist that the player shows them to you unless there is a valid reason. When I play in clubs and even in events, players often ask an opponent if they may see his cards; he gives permission; the player takes the opponent’s cards and looks at them. This is illegal because it often leads to a fouled board. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Should I alert our 3NT opening, which is strong, holding the minor suits and asks partner to bid his longer minor? Jerry Hathorn, Sawston, Cambridge.

A

Since your 3NT is not a natural opening (not showing a big balanced hand), you should alert it and explain it fully if asked.

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 RHO led the ♦10, which I covered with the ♦J. My LHO played the ♦2 before exclaiming, ‘I pulled out the wrong card – I meant to play the ♦Q!’ The director ruled that she could change the card to the ♦Q and that the ♦2 should become a penalty card. Was this ruling right? Enid Emanuel, Ramsey, Huntingdon.

gently added that this was what I had tried to point out myself, as RHO re-adjusted her cards. There was no response or apology. RHO continued to play and made the contract. Name and address supplied.

A

I am afraid it is time your director learnt to read rulings from the law book. Once one defender has placed a card in such a way that the other defender could see it, no change is permissible. The two was therefore the played card and the queen should have been the penalty card.

Being rude to someone is against the laws of the game – and only one person can apply those laws. If someone is rude, you must call the director immediately and tell him what has happened. It makes no difference whatever whether you are in the right or the wrong; being rude is unacceptable. Since she was rude to you and you took no action, she will no doubt be rude to someone else unless she reads this first. Incidentally, since she was declarer, no penalty applies for the card she showed; it just goes back in her hand.

♣♦♥♠

♣♦♥♠

A

Q

My RHO (declarer) thought she had won a trick and placed the card upright and began to lead to the next trick. My partner politely told her that he had in fact won the trick. RHO then righted the played card, while also placing in front of her the card she had been about to lead to the next trick, as if it was a played card. I noticed this and tried to point out the error. Before I could finish, my RHO forthrightly asked, ‘Will you shut up?’ Shocked by such rudeness, I kept quiet. LHO, (dummy), then pointed out the same error to her partner. I

Q

My partner (my husband) was in 6♣. He had lost one trick and ruffed two rounds of diamonds to set up my ♦2 as a winner. This was the position:



♠ A 5 ♥ Void ♦ 2 ♣ Void N W E S



♠ 6 3 ♥ Void ♦ Void ♣ 2

My partner crossed to the ♠A. Unfortunately, my hand moved

towards the ♦2 before my partner called for a card for the next trick. He then paused and called for the losing ♠5, thus allowing the contract to go off one and a bottom board. I asked, ‘What did you do that for?’ He said, ‘because I didn’t want the opponents to think we were cheating.’ Opponents said, ‘You didn’t have to do that but we understood why you did.’ I was quite shocked. I felt accused of cheating before the whole table but my husband said he was just honouring our partnership. What do you think? Justine Thompson by email.

A

I think your partner was over-sensitive to the situation and somewhat misguided. Firstly, cheating is an intended, knowledgeable and serious breach of the rules with intent to gain. Your suggested play is not that. Although it is wrong for dummy to take any sort of active part in the play, playing an obvious card is only a misdemeanour. Second, it is obvious that he would have got it right without your suggestion. Thus, there is no need for him to fall on his sword. Note that it might be different if there had been some doubt. When a card is the thirteenth of a suit and everyone should know it is a winner, dummies who attempt to play it, or even say ‘dummy is good’, are doing something wrong: declarer may not have realised it was a winner. At such a time, a director might rule the winner be not played, or an honest declarer, like your husband, might

Page 16

not cash it and then I applaud his ethics – but not in a completely obvious situation. While I approve of his attempt to be very ethical, I feel it was unnecessary on this occasion. ♣♦♥♠

Q

I appeared to have picked up a balanced hand of 13 high-card points and duly opened 1NT. I then realised that my 4-3 in the red suits was in fact 0-7. The bidding went round to RHO, who bid 2♠; when I passed, this became the final contract. Was I right in not bidding again after such a misleading opening bid? (5♦ was on our way.) Should I have said something when I realised my mistake before RHO had bid? Chris Constable by email.

A

You certainly should say nothing whatever. You communicate at bridge by calls and plays, not by remarks, so keep your comments and explanations for the end of the hand. However, you can bid what you like. Over 2♠, I would have bid something like 4♦ and left the other three to guess what I was doing. ♣♦♥♠

Q

How does one alert when not using bidding boxes? Someone said  you knock on the table. D Wingrave by email.

A

What you say is correct. A notifying knock on the table is the official way of alerting, though some people just say ‘alert’.

Ask David continued

Q

I play a lot of rubber bridge, when declarer always plays dummy’s cards by touching them. I like to do the same at duplicate and nobody has objected. Could they have done so? Ben Lee, Wellington, Shropshire.

A

Touching dummy’s cards is illegal at duplicate bridge unless there is a solid reason, normally because dummy has left the table to go to the toilet, bar, coffee machine or outside for a smoke. Sometimes, it might be because dummy has a disability. Players do not object in many cases when opponents do not follow the rules. I have always hated that obnoxious term ‘Zero Tolerance’: to get the best out of bridge, players should have ‘Maxi Tolerance’ for everything opponents do apart from rudeness: most opponents are pretty tolerant but sadly not all. If you played dummy’s cards when I was an opponent, I would say nothing but neither would I like it. ♣♦♥♠

Q

As West, a defender, I had ♠K-x-x-x. North, dummy, had ♠A-Q-J-10. Early in the play, declarer played a spade to the ten and my partner followed. At the end of trick 10, when I still held K-x and dummy ♠A-Q-J, declarer tabled her remaining three cards and said the rest are good without any

mention of finessing. She was holding two low spades and the one outstanding trump. When I contested her claim, she said, ‘Oh yes the king is out – I shall take a finesse.’ Alan Mansell by email.

A

Different procedures apply for claims at rubber bridge and duplicate bridge. If this was rubber bridge, declarer plays on face up but may not take an unproven finesse. If it was duplicate, when someone claims you should do one of two things: either agree to the claim or call the director. Never argue with the claimer. The director will decide how many tricks to award declarer, being as equitable as possible, but resolving doubtful points against the claimer. Unless the director considers it obvious that she will finesse again, he will not allow this claim. If you play in a rubber bridge club with a host, it is normal to call the host, who acts like a director in duplicate. ♣♦♥♠

Q

With a new partner, we had agreed to play transfers, rather than his usual weak takeout. When I opened 1NT, to which my partner responded 2♥, I said that we had agreed to play transfers and bid 2♠. My partner realised he had bid wrongly and promptly rebid 3♥. I had strong hearts in my hand and, realising that he might have a weak takeout bid, I bid 4♥. An opponent challenged me saying

I had given wrong information; I said I thought it was a transfer bid and acted accordingly. He said I could not think and must give correct information. The director said I might suffer penalties, depending on the result. I failed to make the contract and so matters rested there. Did I do anything wrong? John Olrog, Virginia Water, Surrey.

A

I think your opponent’s and the director’s comments were unfair. If you agreed to play transfers, you agreed to play transfers and you have not given anyone wrong information. However, you based your raise from 3♥ to 4♥ partly on your uncertainty and you should probably have made that uncertainty clearer. A better form of words might have been, ‘We agreed to play transfers but I am not quite sure whether this is one.’ Still, your wording did show some doubt. As a director, I would have been more interested in your partner’s actions not yours. I would have asked him why he bid 2♥ and why he did not pass 2♠. I might have adjusted the contract to 2♠ because he probably based his bid on unauthorised information (your explanation).

Page 17

Your partner caused all the problems here, so it is very harsh that everyone blamed you. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Playing weak twos in three suits and 2♣ as strong, South opens 2♣ with this:



♠ A 6 ♥ 3 ♦ A K J 9 8 7 6 4 ♣ Q 10

What action should the director take if the opponents claim that the hand does not meet the opening bid minimum requirements? Chris Catchpole, Normandy Bridge Club, Somerset.

A

If a player opens a hand that is not a legal opening as an artificial strong two bid, the director investigates to find out whether this is the normal opening for this pair on the hand. Assuming it is, they are playing an illegal method, so he cancels the board and gives Average Minus to them, Average Plus to the opponents, unless the opponents have already got a score better than this.

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Ask David continued

Q

On the deal below, 2NT doubled made. The director allowed the result to stand. Gaining by an incorrect bid seems unfair. What do you think?

♠ K 10 9 8 2 ♥ Q J 9 7 ♦ Void ♣ Q 8 7 6 ♠ J N ♠ Q 7 6 5 W E ♥ A 8 6 3 S ♥ 5 ♦ A K J 9 5 3 ♦ Q 8 7 2 ♣ 10 2 ♣ J 9 4 3 ♠ A 4 3 ♥ K 10 4 2 ♦ 10 6 4 ♣ A K 5

West North East South Pass 1NT 2♣1 Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Dbl End 1 Alerted and explained as Landy (majors)

Michael Hall, Surrey.

A

You say that East thought they were playing Landy; was that actually the agreement? If so, there is no misinformation. It is fair to gain by an incorrect bid: it is normal bridge. When you make a mistake, a lot of the time the opponents gain and do not complain; occasionally they lose; that is life. Nevertheless, there is a problem: why did West bid 2NT and not pass 2♠? He has heard the explanation, which is unauthorised information. It may depend on what he thinks he has shown by 2♣, or why he bid 2♣. Did he pull the wrong card? Did he think he was playing something

else? The first question I would ask as a director is, ‘Why did you bid 2♣?’ Dependent on the answer, I might allow the result to stand – or I might adjust by disallowing the 2NT bid, so ruling it as 2♠ doubled making not very many tricks. ♣♦♥♠

Q

We play that the bidding sequence 1NT – double – pass asks opener to redouble. Responder then either passes (to play in 1NT redoubled) or describes his hand further. Does this pass need an alert? Ronald Barker, Verwood, Dorset.

A

Q

The 2008 yellow book says that weak jump overcalls are not alertable. Why is this when rule 5E1 in the orange book says ‘a bid is alertable if it may have an unexpected meaning’? The EBU publication on Standard English states ‘a good suit and opening values’, surely making 5/9 points an unexpected meaning. Rodger Burnett, Evesham (similar from Gordon Carr, Swanley, Kent).

A

A

No – it is an infraction for dummy to put his cards down wrongly. Since there is no specific penalty, the general Law 12A1 applies; if the defenders suffer damage, an adjustment is in order. ♣♦♥♠

South was playing in a heart slam and dummy came down as:

♣♦♥♠

If alerting depended upon the experience of each individual player, it would be an incredible mess. For example, in some clubs, you would find almost everyone plays weak jump overcalls. This means, if it was up to individual players, the

switched to a diamond away from his king had he known that the acequeen was in dummy. Even though declarer (who held the ace of hearts) knew that dummy had sorted his hand incorrectly, the director allowed the result to stand. Was this correct? Jackie Collins, Basingstoke.

♣♦♥♠

Yes, forcing passes require an alert.

Q

players there would alert intermediate or strong, you would alert weak and nobody would have the first clue what was happening. Quoting ‘Standard English’ as an authority is unhelpful as well. The publication has been around only a few years and the system it advocates is not as standard as its name suggests. Many players would be unfamiliar with it. The rules as to what is alertable are all in the Orange book. No natural jump overcall qualifies as extreme enough for a ‘potentially unexpected meaning’.



♠ 2 ♥ A K J 8 7 5 ♦ Q 7 6 3 ♣ 7 3

West led a club. East won the first two tricks with the ace-king of clubs and switched to a diamond from K-10-9-x. This ran round to the queen. Declarer then led a low trump to her ace, which surprised the defenders. Dummy then realised he had put the ♦A in the wrong place. The defenders had not spotted the mistake before because the ‘A’ of the ace was visible but not the diamond symbol. East pointed out that he would never have

Q

Is it permissible to ask your opponents what their leads mean and must they answer? For example, if they say ‘4th highest from longest suit’ and they lead the ♠8 to 3NT, I can guess it is from K-J-10 if I can see A-Q-9. Is this fair? Guy Arnoux by email.

A

Yes, you can ask them. Yes, they must answer. Card reading is a normal part of the game and thus fair. Some people who answer, ‘fourth highest from longest suit,’ mean fourth highest from an honour. If you have any doubts, you can ask further. For example, if they lead the ♠8 and you hold A-Q-9, I would expect it to be a short suit lead from a doubleton or a tripleton – most people lead the jack or ten from ■ K-J-10-8.

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

Page 18

Bernard Magee at Haslemere Hall 2012

PRIZE CROSSWORD 1 set by Sputnik 1

Haslemere, Surrey

Tuesday 8 May Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Leads Afternoon Session: 15.00 – 16.30 Losing Trick Count

2

3

6

7

Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Making a Plan as Declarer Afternoon Session: 15.00 – 16.30 Responding to 1NT

Thursday 10 May Morning Session: 11.00 – 12.30 Signals and Discards Afternoon Session: 15.00 – 16.30 Endplays

£10 per ticket For advanced booking, please call Haslemere Hall Box Office

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

5

8

10

9

11 12

13

14

15

AT THE ROYAL KENZ TUNISIA Two-week half-board duplicate holidays

£769*

16

17 18

19

22

Wednesday 9 May

4

Mr Bridge

20

23

21

24

25

26

ACROSS

25 Play in this and lose! (5)

1 A card to threaten and squeeze (6)

26 One hopes for lucky ones (6)

4 Nine of diamonds, the _____ of Scotland (5)

DOWN

6 Twenty? Usually more (5) 8 The game that Culbertson learned to play in a Russian prison in the early 20th C. (6) 10 A way to say ‘no’ at the card table (4)

2 After a misdefence, postmortems _____ (5) 3 A follower of British bridge? (7) 4 A system to take you for a ride (3) 5 Get a lift in the bidding (5)

11 First in hand, perhaps (6) 12 One aspires to achieve this (3)

7 In which we intend players will cope finally (7) 9 For everyone after amber (5)

13 Ring of bells for the director? (6)

11 After the deal, before the bidding, hands should be _____ (7)

15 React if under attack (6) 17 One to be found among the face cards (3)

14 Thoughts on sight of dummy (5)

18 A play to ensure the desired outcome (6) 20 Maybe a winner, but you got it in the neck in days long ago (4) 22 Pass is the bid in which help is provided (6) 24 Expression of frustration at such a little card? (5)

16 What some make at the table (7) 19 Leaving cards (5) 21 An extraordinary distribution (5) 23 Equality in play... it’s capital to interest enthusiasts (3)

Reprinted from Bridge 109. Solution and winners on page 47.

Page 19

6-20 November 2011 Golf available Tony & Jan Richards 19 Feb – 4 March 2012 Golf available Bernard Magee *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 Enfidha. Flights from other UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices are firm until the end of October 2011. Prices for sevennight stays (November only) are available on application. 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 Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS

( 01483 489961

PROGRAMME

2011/12 BRIDGE EVENT

This is the format for all Bernard Magee hosted events.

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

SATURDAY 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100)

October 2011

MARCH 2012

21 - 23 £245

23 - 25 £245

Denham Grove Game Tries

November 2011 4 - 6 £235

Inn on the Prom Hand Evaluation

18 - 20 £245

Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR Finding Slams

25 - 27 £245

Denham Grove Squeezes

NEW SEMINAR

1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 2 TEAMS of FOUR or FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS

Brook Queensferry Hotel Fife KY11 1HP

2015 BRIDGE 3 DUPLICATE PAIRS

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

Denham Grove Near Uxbridge UB9 5DU

APRIL 2012

1815 to 2000 DINNER

0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST

30 - 1/4 Blunsdon House NEW £245 Finding SEMINAR Slams

11 - 13 Blunsdon House £245 Suit Establishment

1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET LUNCH

SUNDAY

Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR Squeezes

20 - 22 £245

The Olde Barn Hotel NEW SEMINAR Squeezes

27 - 29 £245

Inn on the Prom Losing Trick Count

DECember 2011 2 - 4 £245

Brook Queensferry Hotel Signals and Discards

JANUARY 2012 6 - 8 £245

Chatsworth Hotel Leads and Defence

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Full Board - No Single Supplemen Page 20

Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz

S with Bernard Magee

You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors. (Answers overleaf)

MAY 2012 8 morning £10

Haslemere Hall Leads

8 afternoon Haslemere Hall £10 Losing Trick Count 9 morning £10

Haslemere Hall Making a Plan as Declarer

9 afternoon Haslemere Hall £10 Responding to 1NT 10 morning Haslemere Hall £10 Signals and Discards 10 afternoon Haslemere Hall £10 Endplays

1. Dealer West. E/W Game. ♠ J 7 6 4 3 N ♥ 7 W E ♦ A K J S ♣ Q 6 3 2

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

October 2012

West North East South ?

5 - 7 £245

Denham Grove Splinters and Cue-bids



12 - 14 £245

Blunsdon House Landy Defence to 1NT

19 - 21 £245

Chatsworth Hotel Signals and Discards



2. Dealer East. Game All. ♠ A 8 7 5 N ♥ J 3 2 W E ♦ Q 10 7 4 S ♣ 7 3

West North East South 1♣ Pass ?

November 2012 2 - 4 £245

Blunsdon House NEW SEMINAR Squeezes

9 - 11 £245

Inn on the Prom Declarer Play

June 2012

16 - 18 £245

Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR Finding Slams

8 - 10 Blunsdon House NEW £245 Playing Suit SEMINAR Combinations

23 - 25 Denham Grove £245 Playing Suit Combinations

15 - 17 £245

30 - 2/12 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Endplay & Avoidance

Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU

Chatsworth Hotel Doubles

nt - See booking form on page 11

NEW SEMINAR



3. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ A K Q 9 3 N ♥ A K Q 7 5 W E ♦ 2 S ♣ A Q

West North East South 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass ?

4. Dealer North. E/W Game. ♠ K 9 4 N ♥ A 7 3 W E ♦ K Q 9 S ♣ 10 7 5 3

West North East South 1♠ 2♦ Pass ?

Page 21

Answers to Bernard Magee’s  Bidding Quiz on page 21

1. Dealer West. E/W Game. ♠ J 7 6 4 3 ♠ K 5 N ♥ 7 ♥ J 9 4 3 W E ♦ A K J ♦ 8 6 5 S ♣ Q 6 3 2 ♣ K J 7 5

West Pass Pass

North East South 1♥ Pass 1♠ 2♥

Pass. You have eleven high card points and a five-card suit – should you open the bidding? Generally, the answer depends on the strength of the suit. This is for two reasons. Firstly, is the suit likely to be worth an extra point in the play? Secondly, if your opponents win the contract, will it make a reasonable suit for your partner to lead? The answer to both questions is no. Your spade suit is so poor that it does not merit an extra point, but the main theme of this hand is to see what can go wrong. If you pass correctly as opener, North opens 1♥, his partner responds 1♠ and they finish in 2♥. East leads one of the minors, a neutral ♦6 or an attacking ♣5. You will find that your side makes three diamond tricks and one trick in each of the other suits because South holds three queens. You would not want a spade lead.



2. Dealer East. Game All. ♠ A 8 7 5 ♠ K 3 ♥ J 3 2 N ♥ 8 6 W E ♦ Q 10 7 4 ♦ K J 8 5 S ♣ 7 3 ♣ A K 8 6 4

West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass

1♦. When responding to a 1-level opening, if you have more than one four-card suit that you can show at the 1-level, bid the lower ranking first. This gives room for your partner to show another suit and allows the partnership to find any fit. Responding 1♦ on this hand allows your partner to show a major if he has one, helping you to find any fit you have. However, if you respond 1♠ on this hand, your partner is stuck. He cannot bid 2♦ as that would be a ‘reverse bid’ so he has either to rebid 2♣ or tell a little lie and rebid 1NT; either way, your partnership will not find the diamond fit. If your partnership follows my advice, you are not going to miss a spade fit by responding 1♦. Since you expect partner to open the major with 4-4 in a major and a minor (and too many points to open 1NT), if you do have a spade fit, partner will be unbalanced and so be rebidding 1♠ over 1♦.



3. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ A K Q 9 3 ♠ 6 5 ♥ A K Q 7 5 N ♥ 9 8 3 2 W E ♦ 2 ♦ 7 6 5 S ♣ A Q ♣ 9 8 7 6

West North East South 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass ?

2♠. First and foremost, you have no reason to jump – by opening 2♣ and fol-

lowing with either 2♥ or 2♠ (indeed anything other than 2NT), you are forcing your partner to bid to game; therefore, it is a choice between bidding 2♥ or 2♠. Generally, you should bid two five-card suits in the same way in all sequences, especially when they are touching: bid the higher suit first, this allows you to bid the second suit on the next round to give partner the choice of your two suits at the same level. 2♠ followed by 3♥, instead of the more awkward 2♥ followed by 3♠.



4. Dealer North. E/W Game. ♠ K 9 4 ♠ 3 2 ♥ A 7 3 N ♥ K 6 4 W E ♦ K Q 9 S ♦ A 10 8 7 6 2 ♣ 10 7 5 3 ♣ A 8

West ?

North East South 1♠ 2♦ Pass

3NT. Your partner has made a vulnerable two-level overcall in a minor suit – this should show 11+ points and a six-card suit, or a stronger hand with a good five-card suit. Whenever you have a fit for your partner’s minor with a good high-card holding, you should contemplate a no-trump contract. If your partner has the weaker type of hand, you expect to have eight tricks in your hand on a likely spade lead: six diamonds, the ♠K and the ♥A; that is without giving your partner any more than the ♦A. Bid 3NT: it is very likely to make. Here, it makes ten tricks on a spade lead, or nine on any ■ other.

BEGIN BRIDGE – ACOL VERSION

An Interactive Tutorial with Bernard Magee



Learn to play bridge from the very beginning with Britain’s best-known teacher

£66

See Mail Order form on page 7.

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

Page 22

DEFENCE QUIZ

Mr Bridge

RUBBER / CHICAGO

by Julian Pottage



(Answers overleaf)

Y

ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your turn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

1. ♠ Q J 10 6 ♥ J 9 2 ♦ K 10 7 2 ♣ K 6 ♠ K 2 N ♥ 10 5 W E ♦ J 8 4 S ♣ 10 8 7 5 4 2

3. ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ Q 10 9 2 ♥ 4 2 ♦ 9 6 3 ♣ 10 6 5 2

West North East South Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT End 1 Stayman

West North East South 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ End

You lead the ♥10; the jack wins as East plays the eight. The ♠Q runs to your king. What do you lead next?

2. ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ J 8 5 ♥ K 10 6 5 ♦ A K J ♣ 9 6 3

K96 Q4 Q87 A8752 N

W E S

K843 10 8 7 K852 AJ

Brook Waterloo, Crowthorne RG45 6DW hosted by Diana Holland

N

W E S

17-19 February 2012

You lead the ♦6; the ten draws the ace. Declarer plays a club to the jack. Taking this with the king, partner plays ace, king and a third trump. What do you discard?

Ardington Hotel, Worthing BN11 3DZ hosted by Sheila Rogers

4. ♠ K 9 ♥ 9 8 ♦ A K Q 8 4 2 ♣ J 8 2 ♠ Q J 10 7 N ♥ J 6 4 2 W E ♦ 7 5 S ♣ A Q 4

West North East South 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ End

West North East South Pass Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣ End

You lead the ♦A-K. Partner plays the two and then the ten; South plays the five and four. What do you lead next?

You lead the ♠Q, covered by the king and ace. Partner switches to a club. Your queen wins. How should you continue?

20-22 April 2012 3-5 August 2012 23-25 November 2012 Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events.

£199 Full-board No Single Supplement Please see booking form on page 11. Page 23

Answers to Julian Pottage’s  Defence Quiz on page 23

You lead the ♥10; the jack wins as East plays the eight. The ♠Q runs to your king. What do you lead next? You must not think, ‘partner was unable to beat the jack of hearts. I had better try a club.’ The eight of hearts, though not a winner, was encouraging. Partner has ducked to maintain communications. Play a second heart.

You lead the ♦A-K. Partner plays the two and then the ten; South plays the five and four. What do you lead next? The bidding and partner’s failure to play high-low in diamonds tell you that no ruff in the suit is available. If you play a third round of diamonds, the queen will win for sure. This seems rather pointless. It is tempting to think, ‘a lead from the king of hearts is very risky. Declarer may hold the ace, in which case dummy’s queen scores and I shall never make my king.’ There are two reasons why this thinking is wrong. Firstly, if declarer has the ace of hearts, your king is not making anyway. Dummy’s fifth club will provide a discard for any heart loser declarer may have. Secondly, the ten of diamonds partner played at trick two should be a suitpreference signal (because you are not going to want to play a third diamond). A high card asks for the higher of the remaining side suits – a suit-preference signal never asks for a trump. As hearts rank higher than clubs, the ten of diamonds is asking for a heart. If you want to show off, you can switch to the king of hearts. If you prefer to cut partner some slack, you can switch to the five. Either way, two heart tricks defeat the contract.

2. ♠ K 9 6 ♥ Q 4 ♦ Q 8 7 ♣ A 8 7 5 2 ♠ J 8 5 N ♥ K 10 6 5 W E ♦ A K J S ♣ 9 6 3 ♠ A Q 7 4 3 ♥ J 3 ♦ 5 4 ♣ K Q J 10

3. ♠ K 8 4 3 ♥ 10 8 7 ♦ K 8 5 2 ♣ A J ♠ Q 10 9 2 N ♥ 4 2 W E ♦ 9 6 3 S ♣ 10 6 5 2 ♠ A 7 ♥ Q J 9 5 3 ♦ A 7 ♣ Q 9 7 3

1. ♠ Q J 10 6 ♥ J 9 2 ♦ K 10 7 2 ♣ K 6 ♠ K 2 N ♥ 10 5 W E ♦ J 8 4 S ♣ 10 8 7 5 4 2 ♠ A 8 3 ♥ Q 7 6 ♦ A 9 6 5 ♣ A Q 9

West Pass Pass Pass 1 Stayman

♠ 9 7 5 4 ♥ A K 8 4 3 ♦ Q 3 ♣ J 3

North East South Pass 1♥ 1NT 2♣1 Pass 2♦ 3NT End

♠ 10 2 ♥ A 9 8 7 2 ♦ 10 9 6 3 2 ♣ 4

West North East South 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ End

4. ♠ K 9 ♥ 9 8 ♦ A K Q 8 4 2 ♣ J 8 2 ♠ Q J 10 7 N ♥ J 6 4 2 W E ♦ 7 5 S ♣ A Q 4 ♠ 6 4 3 ♥ A K 10 3 ♦ 6 ♣ K 10 9 6 3

♠ A 8 5 2 ♥ Q 7 5 ♦ J 10 9 3 ♣ 7 5

West North East South Pass Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣ End ♠ J 6 5 ♥ A K 6 ♦ Q J 10 4 ♣ K 8 4

West North East South 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ End

Page 24

You lead the ♦6; the ten draws the ace. Declarer plays a club to the jack. Taking this with the king, partner plays ace, king and a third trump. What do you discard? With four spades in dummy, your instincts should tell you to keep all your spades. If you throw a spade, declarer might cash the ace-king and ruff a third round to set up a winner in dummy. The bidding tells you the position in clubs is similar – South must have started with four, meaning that you need to keep all of your clubs. You must discard a diamond; the nine accords with Middle Up Down and is safe; the three is also effective.

You lead the ♠Q, covered by the king and ace. Partner switches to a club. Your queen wins. How should you continue? You know that declarer has four hearts. It is tempting, assuming partner has the diamonds covered, to play the ace followed by another trump to stop any ruffs in dummy. Unfortunately, if you do so, declarer throws two spades on the diamonds and runs the nine of hearts. You make a heart, two clubs and a spade but lose your second spade trick. You must cash a spade while you can and only then, draw dummy’s last two trumps. ■

Mr Bridge Christmas & New Year 2011

DECLARER PLAY QUIZ by David Huggett (Answers overleaf)

Y

ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. In each case, what is your play strategy?

1.

♠ 8 2 ♥ 7 6 4 ♦ K Q 7 3 2 ♣ 8 5 4

3.

N

N

W E

♠ A K 7 3 ♥ A 9 2 ♦ A 8 4 ♣ A K 3

S



4.

♠ A 6 5 4 ♥ A J 4 ♦ 9 7 5 ♣ K Q 2

Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU

♠ A 8 2 ♥ Q J 8 4 3 ♦ Q 10 6 ♣ K 7

24-27 December £355 Just Bridge & Any Questions Jo Walch

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

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

2.

Denham Grove

W E

S



♠ K 7 3 ♥ 10 9 6 2 ♦ K J ♣ A 8 6 2



27-29 December £199 Suit Establishment Alex Davoud

♠ 8 6 2 ♥ K J 10 4 ♦ A 5 4 ♣ K 9 2 N S

W E S



♠ K Q 9 7 3 ♥ K Q 10 6 5 ♦ A K ♣ 3

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

29 Dec – 1 Jan £355 Develop at Duplicate Pairs Crombie McNeil

W E

N



♠ K J 3 ♥ A 9 3 ♦ K 7 6 3 ♣ A Q 5

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

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠5. East plays the ♠10. How do you plan the play?

Please call if you would like a sample copy of the programme

Page 25

Answers to David Huggett’s  Play Quiz on page 25 1. ♠ 8 2 ♥ 7 6 4 ♦ K Q 7 3 2 ♣ 8 5 4 ♠ J 6 N ♥ K Q J 8 W E ♦ J 10 9 5 S ♣ J 7 6 ♠ A K 7 3 ♥ A 9 2 ♦ A 8 4 ♣ A K 3

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

♠ Q 10 9 5 4 ♥ 10 5 3 ♦ 6 ♣ Q 10 9 2

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♥K. How do you plan the play? There are eight tricks immediately available. Therefore, as you really need to make only four diamond tricks, you can afford the luxury of ducking one – but only if the defenders are unable to cash enough winning tricks to defeat you. So duck the opening lead and the next one too. When you win the third round of hearts, you can afford to duck a diamond if the heart suit has broken kindly because all you can possibly lose are three hearts and a diamond. If the hearts break 5-2 or worse, you must hope the diamonds break 3-2 or it is East who has the fourcard suit when you can duck a round after first cashing the ace.

2. ♠ A 6 5 4 ♥ A J 4 ♦ 9 7 5 ♣ K Q 2 ♠ Void N ♥ 9 7 3 2 W E ♦ Q J 10 8 S ♣ A 10 8 6 4 ♠ K Q 9 7 3 ♥ K Q 10 6 5 ♦ A K ♣ 3

You have done well to bid the slam and things are looking good with a likely twelve tricks coming from five spades, five hearts and two diamonds. Still, you have to be careful and not get too carried away with the joy of having bid the slam. The only danger can come if trumps break 4-0 – and if West holds the four-card suit, you can do nothing about it. Fortunately, if East started with four spades, you can overcome this bad break by playing a low spade to the ace at trick two. Suppose West discards. Then you lead a low spade from dummy and win with the king if East splits his honours. You re-enter dummy with a heart and lead another low spade. Whatever East chooses to do, you can pick up the suit without loss.

3. ♠ K 7 3 ♥ 10 9 6 2 ♦ K J ♣ A 8 6 2 ♠ Q J 10 6 N ♥ A 5 W E ♦ 9 7 4 3 S ♣ J 9 5 ♠ A 8 2 ♥ Q J 8 4 3 ♦ Q 10 6 ♣ K 7

♠ 9 5 4 ♥ K 7 ♦ A 8 5 2 ♣ Q 10 4 3

You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads the ♠Q. How do you plan the play? ♠ J 10 8 2 ♥ 8 ♦ 6 4 3 2 ♣ J 9 7 5

While the contract is sound enough, West has started well by leading a spade. Suppose you win in dummy and play a trump. Whoever takes that trick will play another spade and then when you force out the other high trump, the opposition will be in a position to take a winning spade. As they still have the ace of diamonds, you

Page 26

will suffer a one-trick defeat. It is imperative that you get rid of your losing spade before tackling trumps, so, with this in mind, you should lead the king of diamonds at trick two and follow up with another if they should duck. Although they can lead another spade, you can win and dispose of the losing spade in dummy on the queen of diamonds. Only after that, is it safe to lead trumps.

4. ♠ 8 6 2 ♥ K J 10 4 ♦ A 5 4 ♣ K 9 2 ♠ A Q 9 5 4 ♥ 8 2 N W E ♦ 10 9 8 S ♣ 10 7 3 ♠ K J 3 ♥ A 9 3 ♦ K 7 6 3 ♣ A Q 5

♠ 10 7 ♥ Q 7 6 5 ♦ Q J 2 ♣ J 8 6 4

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠5. East plays the ♠10. How do you plan the play? You cannot afford to duck the opening lead because, if you do, you will never make a trick in spades, with West marked with the ace and the queen. You will have eight tricks on top after winning the opening lead and a ninth can surely come from the heart suit. What you must not do is play a low heart to the jack at trick two because, if it loses, East will fire back a spade and you are in danger of losing four spades and the heart. As you do not mind if West gains the lead – because if he does your king of spades is safe from attack – you should cross to dummy in a minor and lead the jack of hearts. Whether it wins or not, you will have ■ established your ninth trick.

Andrew Kambites’

Tutorial Bridge Breaks

Lead Quiz You are West in the auctions below. It is your lead. (Answers overleaf.)

DECEMBER 2011

Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3DZ

OCTOBER 2011 14-16 The Ardington £215 Losing Trick Count Sandy Bell 14-16 The Olde Barn £199 Sacrificing Gary Conrad 28-30 Staverton Park £199 Better Defence Alex Davoud

2-4 The Ardington £215 Game Tries Ned Paul

1 ♠ A 9 4 3 2

January 2012

♦ 8 7 6 S

♥ 9 8 7 N

W E

♣ 6 3

13-15 The Ardington £245 Declarer Play Sandy Bell 20-22 £245

Staverton Park Nr Daventry NN11 6JT

The Ardington Further into the Auction Alex Davoud

The Ardington Take-out Doubles Improvers Ned Paul

24-26 £245

The Ardington Suit Establishment Gary Conrad

MARCH continued

APRIL 2012

♦ 8 7 6 S

8-10 The Ardington £245 Endplay & Avoidance Gary Conrad

SEPTEMBER 2012

18-20 Staverton Park £199 Stayman & Transfers Improvers Stan Powell The Ardington Take-out Doubles Improvers Crombie McNeil

2 ♠ J 5 4 3 2

JUNE 2012

18-20 The Olde Barn £199 Endplay & Avoidance Crombie McNeil

28-30 The Ardington £245 Leads & Defence Crombie McNeil

OCTOBER 2012 12-14 The Ardington £245 Losing Trick Count Sandy Bell

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

♥ 9 8 7 N

W E

♣ 6 3

West North East South 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT End

3 ♠ J 5 4 3 2

N

♥ A 8 7 W E ♦ A 7 6 S ♣ 6 3 West North East South 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT End

MARCH 2012 9-11 The Ardington £245 Hand Evaluation Crombie McNeil

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

End

30-1/4 The Ardington £245 Landy Defence to 1NT Ned Paul

27-29 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Game Tries Alison Nicolson

NOVEMBER 2011

25-27 £215

1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT

FEBRUARY 2012 10-12 £245

West North East South

4 ♠ A Q 10 7 ♥ 9 8 7 N

W E

9-11 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Signals and Discards Alison Nicolson

♦ 8 7 6 S

23-25 The Ardington £245 Sacrificing Ned Paul



♣ 6 3 2

Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

West North East South 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT

See booking form on page 11.

Page 27

End

Answers to Andrew Kambites’  Lead Quiz on page 27 1. ♠ Q 6 ♥ J 3 2 ♦ K Q 10 4 ♣ K J 4 2 ♠ A 9 4 3 2 N ♥ 9 8 7 W E ♦ 8 7 6 S ♣ 6 3 ♠ K J 8 ♥ K Q 10 4 ♦ J 9 5 ♣ A 7 5

West North East Pass 2NT Pass End ♠ 10 7 5 ♥ A 6 5 ♦ A 3 2 ♣ Q 10 9 8

West North East Pass 2NT Pass End

South 1NT 3NT

It is a sound principle not to underlead side suit aces against suit contracts at trick 1. So often, you give an easy trick to declarer’s king. The same does not apply in a no-trump contract; indeed, leading from a five-card suit like ♠A-9-4-3-2 gives excellent prospects. West leads a fourth highest ♠3 to partner’s ♠10. Declarer wins and plays a red suit to East’s ace. East returns the ♠7. With four-card spades East would have returned his original fourth highest, so it looks as though East started with three (or maybe two) spades. West allows declarer to win the second spade trick to preserve communications. When East regains the lead, another spade defeats 3NT.

2. ♠ Q 7 ♥ J 10 3 ♦ K Q 9 4 ♣ K J 4 2 ♠ J 5 4 3 2 N ♥ 9 8 7 W E ♦ 8 7 6 S ♣ 6 3 ♠ A 10 8 ♥ K Q 2 ♦ J 10 5 3 ♣ A 7 5

While I cannot say that West is wrong to lead a spade, the prospects are not good. See what happens here. On the ♠3 lead, declarer will play low from dummy and get to make a second spade trick. If East tries the ♠K, declarer simply withholds his ♠A. Because West has no entry, the defenders can establish long spade tricks but never enjoy them. Declarer can drive out the two red aces and make nine tricks. Note that West’s spade lead opened up a frozen suit and gave declarer his ninth trick. Since West has no entries, I advise a passive lead, a heart (the eight, second highest) rather than a diamond because with four hearts North might have used Stayman.

3. ♠ 9 7 ♥ K 10 3 ♦ K Q 9 4 ♣ K J 4 2 ♠ J 5 4 3 2 N ♥ A 8 7 W E ♦ A 7 6 S ♣ 6 3 ♠ A Q 8 ♥ Q J 2 ♦ J 10 5 3 ♣ A 7 5

♠ K 10 6 ♥ 9 6 5 4 ♦ 8 2 ♣ Q 10 9 8

South 1NT 3NT

Although West has the same anaemic spade suit as in hand 2, this time the two outside entries make it obvious to lead the ♠3. Declarer has two spade stoppers but, as long as West perseveres with spades whenever he regains the lead, this defeats the contract with three spade tricks and the two red aces. Note that underleading a jack is not

Page 28

risk free. It can cost a trick as in hand 2. If you take that risk, you should have reason to feel that you will get something worthwhile back. Leading from length is altogether more attractive if you have entries that will allow you both to establish and cash your winners.

4. ♠ 5 4 3 ♥ A J 2 ♦ K Q 10 4 ♣ Q 9 4 ♠ A Q 10 7 N ♥ 9 8 7 W E ♦ 8 7 6 S ♣ 6 3 2 ♠ K J 8 ♥ K Q 10 4 ♦ J 9 5 ♣ A 7 5

♠ 9 6 2 ♥ 6 5 3 ♦ A 3 2 ♣ K J 10 8

West North East South 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT End

West North East Pass 2NT Pass End ♠ K 9 6 ♥ A 6 5 4 ♦ A 2 ♣ Q 10 9 8

South 1NT 3NT

This may look similar to hand 1 when leading from your ♠A gave you ‘excellent prospects’. This time, if you lead your longest suit (spades), you just present declarer with his ninth trick. I would recommend a passive heart lead (second highest eight). While this achieves nothing in itself, declarer has only eight tricks and will have to struggle for his ninth. East will gain the lead with the ♦A and lead a spade up to dummy’s weakness. Leading from a five-card suit against no-trumps is far more attractive than leading from a four-card suit. Your chance of finding no opponent with four cards in the suit are higher because you are missing only eight cards (rather than nine) – and if you do succeed in setting up length winners you will have two tricks to cash (rather than one). Note that, if you had a fifth spade, a spade lead would give declarer a trick but a spade from East on winning ■ the ♦A would beat 3NT.

Bernard Magee Says

Overtricks Matter at Pairs

I

t can be difficult to persuade players of the importance of overtricks when playing Duplicate Pairs (normal club bridge). It is often just as important to make an overtrick as it is to make a contract itself. Have a go at this first example and then I will analyse the traveller afterwards. The contract and lead are routine:

♠ A 2 ♥ A Q J ♦ 7 6 5 2 ♣ K Q 7 3 ♠ 7 6 5 N ♥ K 9 3 W E ♦ Q 10 8 S ♣ J 10 9 8 ♠ K Q 4 3 ♥ 7 6 4 ♦ A 4 3 ♣ A 4 2

♠ J 10 9 8 ♥ 10 8 5 2 ♦ K J 9 ♣ 6 5

Contract: 3NT. Lead: ♣J.

Many declarers would be satisfied with ten tricks when the heart finesse works – three spades, three clubs, three hearts and the ace of diamonds. To beat the other pairs, you want an eleventh trick, which you can make by setting up dummy’s long diamond if the suit breaks 3-3. You win the first club with the king and duck a diamond in both hands. You win the next club with the ace, finesse in hearts and duck another diamond. After this, you win the third club in dummy, cross to the diamond ace and take another successful heart finesse. Finally, you cash the ace of hearts and long diamond; the ace, king and queen of spades take care of the rest of the tricks. At rubber bridge or IMP scoring, the overtrick would be of minimal value.

How much does this overtrick matter at duplicate pairs? Here is the traveller for the board played by 11 tables. Everybody finished in 3NT. Nine declarers made ten tricks, one made just nine tricks and one made 11 tricks. Pairs

Tricks

Score

Match points

1

9

600

0

2

10

630

10

3

10

630

10

4

10

630

10

5

10

630

10

6

10

630

10

7

10

630

10

8

10

630

10

9

10

630

10

10

10

630

10

11

11

660

20

Not many travellers look as neat as this, but I hope this exhibits the difference overtricks make. The scorer, usually using a computer, gives each pair that has played the board a matchpoint score. The calculation for this is to give each pair two points for every pair they beat and one point for any pair they equal. Pair 11 beat the other 10 pairs to get (10x2) 20 points, the maximum possible score, often called ‘a top’. Pairs 2-10 beat one pair and drew with eight others (1x2 + 8x1 = 10). Finally, Pair 1 did not manage to beat anybody and so got 0. Players often ask how one arrives at a percentage score: if you played 11 tables of two-board rounds, (22 boards), your

Page 29

maximum possible score overall is 22 x 20 (the ‘top’) = 440. The scorer totals your matchpoints and expresses them as a percentage of the maximum. On the single board above, pair 11 got 100%, whilst pair 4 got 50% and Pair 1 got 0%. There is so much to note from the traveller. First of all, the fact that Pair 1 bid and made game was worth nothing. They made +600, yet scored 0%. Your aim is not only to score points but also to outscore everybody else. In fact, consider Pair 1’s opponents: their score was -600, but that was the best any East-West pair managed so they got 100% for losing 600 points. This is not easy to grasp for many players. As you learn to take on board the nuances of the scoring, you will understand that your aim is simply to beat everybody else. Pair 11’s brilliant declarer play in squeezing out one extra trick showed only an extra 30 points on the scorecard but scored a ‘top’ on the traveller. On many deals, you need to try to put as much energy into making overtricks as you do into making the contract itself. Have a go at this easy 4♠ contract: ♠ A 10 6 ♥ 4 ♦ A 7 6 5 ♣ A 9 8 4 3 ♠ 4 3 N ♥ K Q J 10 9 W E ♦ J 10 4 2 S ♣ 7 6 ♠ K Q J 9 8 7 ♥ A 3 2 ♦ 9 8 ♣ K 2

♠ 5 2 ♥ 8 7 6 5 ♦ K Q 3 ♣ Q J 10 5

Contract: 4♠. Lead: ♥K.

Overtricks Matter at Pairs continued You have ten top tricks so making the contract is not difficult and in fact making two overtricks is relatively straightforward by ruffing two hearts in dummy: 4♠ +2 should get you a fair score, but it will not get you the top score. You cannot beat anyone who bids 6♠, but can you make 4♠ +3? When declaring a contract at duplicate pairs, you need to explore every chance for extra tricks. This should always include any long suit you have. The club suit may well supply you a thirteenth trick on this deal – it will be relatively easy to develop the suit with a 3-3 break. However, if clubs are 4-2, you need to check you have the entries. If you need two ruffs to establish the suit, you require three entries in all to be able to make the winner at the end. You have one entry in the suit and the ace of diamonds, so you need to use one of your ruffing entries. This means you have to develop clubs at the same time as ruffing hearts. All of your trumps are high so you can ruff quite safely. You win the heart, ruff a heart, play the king of clubs, a club to the ace and ruff a club. Then you ruff another heart, cash the ace of spades, ruff another club and draw trumps. Finally, you cross to dummy’s ace of diamonds and cash your winning club, discarding your diamond loser. With a bit of luck, 4♠+3 earns you a top. Pairs

Tricks

Score

Match points

1

10

620

0

2

11

650

5

3

11

650

5

4

11

650

5

5

11

650

5

6

12

680

14

7

12

680

14

8

12

680

14

9

12

680

14

10

12

680

14

11

13

710

20

This time, making twelve tricks would have got you a reasonable score 14/20 (70%) on the board, but making only one overtrick scores very poorly 5/20 (25%) and, once again, even though Pair 1 managed to make 4♠ and +620 points they get 0 from the scorer. The first two examples showed how, by making more overtricks, you outscore those in the same contract as you. Extra tricks to outscore players in different contracts can also be vital: Dealer East. Game All. ♠ 6 ♥ K 7 5 4 ♦ 10 9 3 ♣ Q 9 8 4 3 ♠ 9 7 3 ♠ K 10 8 5 4 2 N ♥ J 10 W E ♥ Q 9 6 ♦ K 6 5 2 S ♦ A 7 ♣ 10 6 5 2 ♣ A J ♠ A Q J ♥ A 8 3 2 ♦ Q J 8 4 ♣ K 7

West North East South 1♠ 1NT End

You finish in 1NT and, when dummy comes down, you are surprised to see that your opponents have a nine-card spade fit. Some will certainly play in 2♠ and perhaps some will play in hearts your way. It is not always easy to judge what will happen in other contracts, but 2♠ is likely to go one down for +100 to your side. This means you aim to make at least eight tricks. You will see the relevance of this as you make your plan. You win the spade lead and, guessing that the defenders are going to keep leading spades, you count three spade tricks and two hearts. Two extra tricks in diamonds will make your contract secure, but that is not your aim: you are aiming for at least eight tricks. This means you need to pursue three extra tricks and the best chance for that is playing on clubs – you are putting your 1NT contract at risk if things go wrong, but it is surely worth it as the traveller will show. You win the spade lead cheaply and, with so few entries

Page 30

to dummy, you need to play the king of clubs right away. If East held ♣A-J-x, he might duck the club, after which you would do best to play diamonds. In practice, East wins the club and continues with a spade, which you win and play a club to the queen: hoping for a 3-3 break or for one of the jack or ten to fall. When East’s jack does fall, you can develop the club suit by leading the nine. West wins the club this time and plays a third spade. You win this and take your tricks making eight in total: three clubs, three spades and the ace-king of hearts. Pairs

Contract

Tricks

Score

Match points

1

1NT by S

7

+90

0

2

3♥ by N

9

+140

18

3

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

4

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

5

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

6

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

7

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

8

2♠ by E

7

+100

7

9

2♠* by E

7

+200

20

10

1NT by S

8

+120

15

11

1NT by S

8

+120

15

Look at the difference between 1NT just made and 1NT+1. You were quite right to risk your contract in the quest for an overtrick. The difference between making 1NT exactly and going one off is very little: a bottom is a bottom. The overtrick changed 0% in to 75%. It is no surprise to see that the usual contract was 2♠, though one enterprising NorthSouth doubled this to get an outright top.

Conclusion Knowing how the scoring works in duplicate is not necessary to enjoy your bridge. Having said that, if you want to understand how valuable overtricks are, you need to try to understand a little about the scoring. If you find it too complicated or simply do not like arithmetic, you need to take my word for it: overtricks are extremely important at Duplicate Pairs. ■

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Name of Club

Average Age

Aberaeron 75.00 Aboyne Community 69.01 Acolites 72.11 Alternative 67.01 All Saints 73.11 Ampfield 72.02 Andover 69.02 Ampthill 68.04 Ardeer 71.02 Ashby 68.11 Beaumaris Duplicate 67.00 Bickerley Ringwood 81.06 Bradford on Avon Club Tue 72.03 Bradford on Avon Club Wed 68.00 Brevion 66.07 Briarley 71.03 Bridge at Dunscar 74.02 Burton Joyce 74.05 Callander 72.05 Canvey Island Conservative 74.03 Cheam 74.00 City 75.03 Corsham 69.00 Dalkeith 70.05 Danetre 67.08 Dartmount & Distict 75.01 Deal Duplicate 73.05 Dinnington, Sheffield 67.03 Downham Market 71.01 Eccleshall 66.07 Esher Bowling Club 76.04 Fordingbridge 72.00 Fort Matilda 72.00 Fraserburgh 75.00 Godalming 76.01 Goring and Streatley 68.06 Harkquin 65.04 Hartley Wintney 72.08 Hatton 70.08 Heanor 69.06 Hexham 74.07 Iminster 72.08 Kingskerswell 70.01 Kingsley, Northampton 71.86 Knaves 71.01 Lawn, Swindon 67.05 Lincoln (Eastgate) 72.11 Liversey 72.04 Lordshill 77.11 Lower Sunbury 75.00 Montrose 60.03 Newmarket 70.50 Newport (IOW) 62.08 Nidd Valley 74.00 Oakfield 65.06 Oakwood 73.06 Old Woking 72.02 Phoenix (Rotherham) 70.06 Plymouth 58.10 PM Bridge 71.00 Priory, Cambridge 72.03 Richmondshire 69.04 Rossendale 73.08 Rugby 65.11 Saddleworth 71.01 Saham Toney 72.05 Scunthorpe & District 68.09 Sedgley 75.05 Selsdon 68.02 Silverton 72.10 Simmons 69.08 Sole Bay Duplicate 76.07 South Petherton 74.03 Southwell, Nottingham 74.00 St John the Baptist, Newport 80.00 St Marks Surbiton 78.00 Sutton Coldfield U3A 74.00 Swanland Thursday 76.00 Tamworth 69.04 Tatsfield 70.00 Tawton 72.05 Thamesdown 70.03 The 2220 Club 73.60 Thurnby 76.01 Tiverton 68.00 Tonbridge 70.07 Towcester, Northampton 64.09 Verwood 76.05 U3A Bridge Group 72.05 W.A.M.D.S.A.D. 75.01 Wadebridge 68.04 Waltham Forest 59.04 Warwick 71.02 Wendover Afternoon 72.04 Wendover 73.00 Westmeads Duplicate 76.08 West Horndon 70.06 Whitenapp 73.05 Worksop Monday Club 69.09 Worth 66.00 Worthy Down 71.08

READERS’ LETTERS THE DEBATE GOES ON To affiliate or not to affiliate is not simply about masterpoints, which Ned Paul’s reply to a recent query suggests. There is a general principle that relates to being part of the official structure of the game and contributing to its regulation and on-going development. We all enjoy the fruits of past investment of time and money by others and we should possibly feel a moral obligation to contribute to the future in some small way. I would, in particular, point to the EBU youth programme that supports bridge in schools. County leagues is an issue that splits the membership of many clubs that debate affiliation. When a club disaffiliates, its county team must find another club to represent and if they play a limited amount of bridge, that means changing clubs. Mike Bennett by email.

 

ASK AROUND Further to John Pettet’s letter in BRIDGE 108, I have a problem with the tone of Ned Paul’s reply. Ned is right in that there are a wide variety of games available in South London, including his own, but it is rather offensive to imply that only non-affiliated clubs, Ned’s in particular, have a special monopoly on table manners and good social atmosphere. I would like to see Mr

Pettet recommend that his club joins the EBU, but if he is still in doubt why doesn’t he canvass opinions from one or two clubs that have. Mr J Smith, Press Officer, London Metropolitan Bridge Association.

ANSWERS PLEASE The question by John Pettet in Reader’s Letters, BRIDGE 108, was not fully answered. He asked specifically for information on the success or otherwise of P2P – but did not get any. Could you find out the answers? Mr M Gurney, Chairman, Holt Bridge Club, Norfolk.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE We do not like the new format of your publication. As we cannot read the solutions in an easy chair or in bed, we have cancelled. Thanks for past enjoyment.

like some or all of my back numbers, they should call on ( 01730 233530. Mrs T Erskine-Tulloch, Petersfield, Hants.

GOOD ADVICE Reference your readers letters see BRIDGE 108, ‘Help Please’ from Mr Chasmer, I pass on the advice given to my late husband many years ago by the late David Lovedon of Preston. Occasionally, he ran team events and for those who were not familiar with the format, he advised, ’Make certain of your contract, don’t try for overtricks and don’t, whatever you do, double’. Mrs J Gordon, Hexham.

ANYONE THERE? My wife and I have been using a worn out Fidelity Bridge Computer for many years – the type that uses magnetic cards. It is unfortunately nearing the end of its useful life and I am wondering if you know of any suitable replacement available? I know that software products are popular but we prefer the ‘old-fashioned’ idea of actually using cards.

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Mr R Cross, Woodhall Spa, Lincs.

SOLID PLUG

SOLID GOLD

We are a friendly duplicate bridge club and would welcome new members. We meet every Monday evening at 7.15pm at Doddridge Centre, St. James Road, Northampton. Please contact Geoff on ( 01604 713916.

Bernard Magee is to be applauded for his excellent tip in Bridge Weekly 63. Partner does not need to be reminded that his weak play has resulted in a poor score, especially across the table and opponents should not have to tolerate the inevitable stress that such comments cause. Many thanks to Mr Magee for reminding us that bridge would be a much more enjoyable game if his wise words were followed.

SPRING CLEAROUT I have been having a spring clean and I am loath to throw away any back numbers of your hugely entertaining magazine, BRIDGE. I live in the Petersfield area. If there is anybody who would

Page 32

Jim Parlour, Dibenden Purlieu, Hants.

READERS’ LETTERS continued

HOLIDAY BRIDGE When on holiday, we often go to the local bridge club. This year, we spent five nights on the Isle of Arran. We were pleased to see in the local paper that, in summer, bridge is played at the secondary school in Lamlash. We went and were made most welcome. Elizabeth Calvert by email.

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raised for ‘Little Voice’ so far to around £3,000.

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Jill Russell, On behalf of the LUCIA Trustees.

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WELL MET Since recently making his acquaintance, I have revised my opinion of Bernard Magee and will be more tolerant of him telling me ‘....you may need this card later...’ when using my Declarer Play CD. I now know what a nice guy he is. Mr V Salmon, Potters Bar, Herts.

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This isn’t a question, it’s a rave notice. I’m into chapter two of the Declarer Play CD. It is unbelievably good. I have found, in other areas as well as bridge, that most teaching CDs are terrible. On the other hand, yours is a knockout and is one of the few programs that are worth their price...if not more.

Like Mr E Noble (BRIDGE 108, Letters p35), I too was surprised to read David Stevenson say that pointing out established revokes by one’s self or one’s partner

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Herewith, a further useful cheque, this time for £352 – bringing the total

The Association of Wrens, London, SW1. Mr G C Warren, Falmouth, Cornwall. B. O’Connor, Norwood Green. Mrs J Banks, Leeds. Dr A Biswas, Nottingham. Mr & Mrs P Norman, Woking. Mrs M Morley-Pegge, London W2. Mr F Lockyer, Bournemouth. Mrs G Shaw, Twickenham. Mrs Fitzgerald, Cheshire. Mrs D Scott, London SW16. Mrs K Adamson, Oxton. Mr A Connel, Dunmow. Mr G Jupp, Cambridgeshire. Mr P Cobham, Weybridge. Mrs S Paine, Barnstaple. Mrs D Ireland, Worthing. Mr & Mrs Potter, Burton on Trent. Mrs N Peckerell, Belper. Mr & Mrs A Marley, Middlesbrough. Mr M Spooner, Nottingham. Ms S Edwards, Swadlincote. Mrs B Wallace, Kirkcaldy. Mrs M Stanton, Fareham. Mrs J Alexander, Bushey. Mrs J Davies, Leicester. Mr V Rainbow, Brandon. Mr B Palmer, Hastings. Mrs D Lord, Southampton. Ms S Deaker, Woking. Mrs B Marks, London N2. Mrs P Charteris-Black, Woking. Mr & Mrs S English, Glasgow. Mr & Mrs G Andrews, Enfield. Mrs M Kaye, Watford. Mrs M Morland, Glasgow. Mrs B Warnett, Ashford. Mrs E Bowen, Southsea. Mrs K Tuck, Usk. Mrs M Hewitt, Whitchurch. Mrs M Wightman, Bromsgrove. Mr J Gifford, Oxted. Mrs D Kell, Goring by Sea. Mr G Greenwell, Edinburgh. Mrs H Mitchell, Cranleigh.Mr J Hurry, Orpington. Mrs K Lester, Newton le Willows. Please keep saving your used stamps to support Little Voice in Addis Ababa.

is a matter of personal choice, not required by either, ‘the Laws or the general ethics’ of bridge.  Law 79 states, ‘A player must not knowingly accept ... the score for a trick that his side did not win.’ Surely keeping silent and taking credit for what one knows was a revoke violates that Law? John MacLeod, Wimbledon, SW19.

REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE

Mr Bruce Evans, Ontario, Canada.

RE-REGISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS

Used stamps have been sent in from:

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

CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS OCTOBER 2011 15 CHRISTIAN AID Bridge event in Church Rooms, Church Road, Preston, Weymouth. 1.45 for 2.00pm. Julia Moore ( 01305 776138 [email protected] 21 ST LAWRENCE CHURCH Village Hall, Napton. 10 for 10.30am. £30 per pair includes hot lunch with wine and prizes. Geoffrey Jerrom-Pugh ( 01926 815737 21 VICTORIA SCHOOL’S SPARKLE APPEAL Lytchett Matravers’ Village Hall, Dorset. 2pm. £24 per table, includes prizes, raffle and afternoon tea. Stella Brake ( 01202 624224 [email protected] 28 CHESHIRE HOMES Village Hall, Hartford, Hunts, Cambs. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910 28 OUR KINDERGARTEN IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA Our Lady Queen of All Creation RC Church, Rant Meadow, Hemel Hempstead. 9am tea/coffee. 9.45am bridge starts. Hot lunch. £15pp. Pat Henry ( 01442 391087 28 WESSEX CANCER TRUST SOUTHAMPTON GROUP Rubber bridge at Highfield Church Centre, Highfield Lane, Southampton. 7pm for 7:15pm. £6pp . Light refreshments. Gwen Pearce ( 02380 236145 31 RNLI. Bridge at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club. £26 per table. Penny Eliot ( 01825 830006 31 FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX HOSPICE. Glyndebourne Opera House, The Mildmay Hall. 5.15pm Bridge Supper with champagne reception. Dianne Steele ( 01435 813630

NOVEMBER 2011 7 St Teresa’s HOSPICE Bridge at St George’s Bridge Centre, Darlington. 1.15pm. £5 to include bridge, tea and prizes. Christine Bainbridge ( 01325 469785

11 HEMINGFORD VILLAGE HALL & ADDENBROOKES HOSPITAL CANCER UNIT. Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots. 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. Ann Tooher ( 01480 352789 12 FRIENDS OF WELCARE IN BROMLEY. Bridge afternoon. St George’s Church Hall, Bickley Park Road, Bickley. 2 to 5.30pm £6 per person, including tea/ coffee with light refreshments. Gillian Scales ( 020 8663 3173 16 NORFOLK HOSPICE Bridge drive at South Wootton Village Hall. 2pm. £7.50 per player including sumptuous tea. The Fundraising Team ( 01485 542891 or ( 01553 671575 18 BALSCOTE VILLAGE HALL & RED CROSS BANBURY. In the Brand New Village Hall. 2.15pm start  £9 inc. teas. David Stead ( 01295 730230 [email protected] 18 THE NATIONAL TRUST Bridge drive at Little Hallingbury village hall. 1.15 for 1.30 start. Tickets £7.50. Brenda Hope ( 01279 758414 [email protected] 19 Ocular oncology equipment (eye cancer). Reynolds Institute, Dorchester Road, Weymouth Dorset. Bridge starting at 2pm. £30 per table including afternoon tea. Gene Hill ( 01305786509 24 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLUB. Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30pm. £44 per table including lunch. Brian Noble ( 01484 427536 26 VILLAGE HALL Hemingford Abbots. 10 for 10.30am. £14.00. Carol Ombler ( 01480 819307

DECEMBER 2011 5 St Teresa’s HOSPICE, DARLINGTON. Christmas party at St George’s Bridge Centre, Darlington. 1.15pm. Only £5 to include festive tea and luxury prizes. ( 01325 469785

E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

GOOD PRACTICE

(and I appreciate that you cannot please everyone) I miss the walk with that lovely Labrador as the author discusses a hand.

Yesterday you were kind enough to ring back to answer my question regarding putting alternate coloured playing cards in the duplicate boards: eg. red cards in odd numbered boards and blue in even numbered boards. You explained there is no rule that this should be done, however, it is interesting that at least two Exeter clubs do this, primarily to reduce the likelihood of a mix-up.

Mr B Lupton, Callington, Cornwall.

Oliver Amor, Cullompton, Devon.

VIVA LA DIFFERENCE

CLUB PLUG The Riverside Bridge Club in Chiswick London, well-known for its social atmosphere, is now offering new-style weekly fun bridge competitions on Tuesday evenings. The emphasis is on enjoyment. The club also offers Gentle Duplicate on Monday afternoons, as well as supervised play sessions for beginners/intermediates on Monday evenings. No membership fee. Ring Malcolm on ( 07957 577810. 

GUINEA PIG Today I received the September edition of BRIDGE and sighed with relief as I have been meaning to write to ask to be kept on the mailing list. I do enjoy reading the various articles although

Sadly, my contributor died.

DOUBLE DUMMY Quite a few years ago, you published a series of puzzles on tea towels. Might I suggest respectfully that you publish them once again for a new generation of readers? Sidney Barratt, London, E10.

I certainly shall.

In issue 108 of BRIDGE, Ned Paul writes about the ‘intellectual interest’ shown in different systems and at his club that...‘even strong club systems are tolerated’. I find the different systems fascinating, confounding (when they work) and amusing (particularly when there seem to be three systems being played at one table). Indeed, I think the game is richer for them. Mr A Williams, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey.

SEATING I have been unable to find rules on seating assignments for duplicate bridge sessions. Apart from accepted practice which recommends that people with mobility problems should be allowed to sit N/S, are there any other rules that govern who should sit where – E/W or N/S? Mr G McRobbie, Broughton, Preston.

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

Page 34

■

Catching Up by Sally Brock

I

n early July, we went up to Scotland for the Peebles Summer Congress. I have not played in this for many years (more than thirty); we have an invitation to stay with Alan and Monica, who live about an hour away from Peebles near Hawick in the Scottish borders. After a lot of umming and aaghing, we decided to drive up. The trouble with going on any form of public transport is that you are a bit stuck when you get there: either dependent on others for getting around, or having the extra expense of hiring a car. We left High Wycombe on Thursday afternoon and stopped for the night with my friends Carol and François in Nottingham. They bought a house in France fairly recently and have decided to sell their house in Nottingham; they rent a flat there to release some capital, while still retaining a base in England (where their younger son is at university). I was keen to see their flat, which overlooks the river at Trent Bridge. From one window, you can see one of the goals at the Nottingham Forest football ground; from another, you can see the replay screen of the Trent Bridge cricket ground. On Friday, we had lunch in Darlington with friends I have not seen for a while. David is my proofreader. He was one of Raymond’s greatest friends (they once played a Camrose match for Scotland when they were both working there) and he was our best man. Then it was onward and upward. At one stage, when Barry suggested stopping to fill up with petrol, I said that we had plenty and should wait a while. A small setback was to find ourselves driving across the Northumberland hills getting progressively low on petrol. When we did find a petrol

station, one pump outside a general store, it did not have any. They said that it was about 40 miles further north to the next petrol station and we were doubtful that we would make it, so we had to turn around and go 17 miles back to Newcastle Airport. You can imagine the slight hitch in our harmonious partnership. Remember who said it was a bit early to fill up when we were leaving Darlington? We arrived at Alan’s with 10 minutes to spare before we needed to leave for the trip to Peebles. The Friday night saw the pairs’ qualifying round. Luckily, the standard was weak and more or less half the field qualified for the semifinal. Neither of us played very well. How would you play this hand at matchpoints? Dealer East. N/S Game. ♠ A K J 2 ♥ A 4 ♦ 2 ♣ K J 7 6 5 2 ♠ 6 5 ♠ 10 9 8 7 4 N ♥ 6 3 2 ♥ 95 W E ♦ K J 7 6 3 S ♦ A Q 5 ♣ A 10 8 ♣ Q 9 3 ♠ Q 3 ♥ K Q J 10 8 7 ♦ 10 9 8 4 ♣ 4

At most tables, South opened a weak 2♥ and North raised straight to game. West led the six of spades. At teams, you have ten top tricks: four spades and six heart tricks. However, it seems a bit feeble just to settle for this at matchpoints. Think again… Suppose you win the lead and play a Page 35

club at trick two; further suppose that West goes in correctly with the ace and continues with a second spade. You cash the king of clubs and ruff a club, then cross to the ace of hearts and cash a spade (suppose they break 4-3). With all this good stuff happening – the ace of clubs right and spades 4-3 – you have now got back to the number of tricks you could have claimed at trick one simply by drawing trumps and claiming. If you think it through, all the alternatives – playing a club at trick two, playing spades immediately to pitch your club, or playing a diamond to try for a ruff in dummy – should never result in more than ten tricks and would often lead to fewer. The answer then is: win the lead, draw trumps and claim ten tricks. We had a great weekend, enjoying wonderful hospitality at Alan and Monica’s idyllic mill conversion with the river at the bottom of their garden. Our bridge performance was moderate: sixth in the teams and third in the pairs. Still, it is good to be playing bridge solely for the enjoyment of the game, in pleasant surroundings with nice people. We left on that day and drove all the way home, stopping at Shugborough near Stafford to take advantage of our National Trust membership for lunch. The other significant event in this period was our family holiday in Crete. This was the third year in a row we have been away for a week with my friend Debbie and her family. Her eldest daughter Tess is the same age as Briony. Then there is Beth, who has a birthday during the holiday each time – this year she is twelve and Tom who, at eight years-old, is very nearly the youngest person to have played in a Young Chelsea Friday night pairs.

Catching Up continued

Seven Days

by Sally Brock

Toby and his friend Big Tom (he is not particularly big, except in relation to Little Tom) make up the party. Two years ago, we went to a modest establishment in northern France; last year, it was Rye in East Sussex; this year, the first idea was the Isle of Wight but somehow (something to Barry met us at the airport last night do with Briony googling and coming and brought us home; we have a lot to up with the ideal place) we ended do today. Briony has an appointment up in Crete. It was a bit of a pain to with the orthodontist (her braces get there: non-direct flight and a came off the day before we went to two-hour drive in the dark along Crete). Then I take her to Maidenhead very windy roads. Fortunately, once station and put her on a train to Carwe did, it was perfect. The villa was diff to stay with Gilly and Mel. From fabulous: just the right size for us there we go back to HW for my weekly with five double bedrooms (mostly counselling session. After lunch, I get en-suite), wonderfully appointed in a the train into London where I am gomodern style, great view of the sea in ing to spend a few days while Briony is the middle distance, and a great pool. away (I can work nearly as well on my The beach at Makrygialos was perfect: laptop as I can on my home computer soft sand, not too many people (sun nowadays). Lovely relaxing evening beds always available – usually free being looked after and cooked for. provided you bought a drink from the taverna behind), perfect sea – not too deep and not too shallow, and water sports (maybe not exactly cheap but First thing, I decide to investigate the jet-skis were €20 compared with €50 Shepherd’s Bush branch of my local in Malta). gym –  exercise is well overdue. I try Our days consisted of getting up at to persuade Barry to come with me, 11ish (well, the others did – I am an without success. I fear he has wasted early bird and had taken work with his £300 for the second year running. me), generally chilling around the (Well, I suppose his membership did pool and having some lunch, then come in handy when his block of flats going down to the beach at about four, was without hot water for a week and ending with a drink, and then dinner he needed a shower.) I spend the rest in some beachside taverna. Every now of the morning pottering in the flat and then, someone suggested a daytrip and doing a bit of work. After lunch, – perhaps on a boat to a local island – we go to get our Chinese visas sorted but nobody could be bothered to get out. I had to wait until after the Crete up in time. trip because they need my passport; ■

Wednesday

Thursday

only just over a month until we go to Beijing. In the evening, Barry plays bridge, and I go to a ‘girls only’ party in Belsize Park. This is a bit scary as the only person I will know is the hostess. Maggie used to be the advertising manager for Bradt Travel Guides; we have always got on well. I have a good time. The weather is lovely that evening; most of us cram into her tiny garden, eating her delicious food and drinking too much wine – and a remarkably large number of people are smoking. Although it is eighteen years or so since I have stopped smoking, I have never minded other people smoking around me – indeed, I have found that I rather like smokers. I like the generosity with which they treat each other – I guess they are always so delighted to find someone who shares their habit.

Friday In the evening, we play at the Young Chelsea. I sense that we do not really do as well as we should in these Butler drives. We end up with a small plus. This deal was not without interest. It seems to be fashionable these days to upgrade just about every 11-count to a weak no-trump (and I must admit I am partial to adding on a point for A-J-10-x) but Barry decides to pass.

FOR NEW READERS AND ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN… Sally Brock lives in High Wycombe with her teenage children Toby (17) and Briony (15), her husband Raymond having died in early 2008. She now has a new partner, both at and away from the bridge table, Barry Myers, a barrister who lives in Shepherd’s Bush. She works partly as a bridge professional, occasionally playing for pay but more often writing (she is the bridge columnist for The Sunday Times) and teaching online; the rest of the time she works on the production of travel guides – hence the occasional reference to rather obscure countries. Sally has been a member of the British/English women’s team on and off since 1979. These days, she partners Nicola Smith in these events.

Page 36

Seven Days continued

Dealer South. E/W Game. ♠ K 4 3 ♥ 4 3 ♦ A 9 4 3 ♣ A Q 9 7 ♠ Q 9 8 6 5 ♠ 7 N ♥ 5 ♥ A Q J 10 8 7 6 W E ♦ Q 10 6 2 S ♦ J 8 ♣ K 6 4 ♣ J 10 8 ♠ A J 10 2 ♥ K 9 2 ♦ K 7 5 ♣ 5 3 2

We play a weak no-trump and fivecard majors generally; in third seat, we play a strong no-trump and four-card majors (partly because we do not like to open a vulnerable weak no-trump in third seat and partly because it is nice to get majors in – perhaps on less than opening values – in third seat). Therefore, I open 1♦. East overcalls 3♥, giving Barry a problem. Double or 3NT? Double works well if partner has four spades or a heart stopper – but what happens if she does not? Barry knows that a lot of the time I have four spades I would open 1♠, so he opts for 3NT, the right choice this time. West leads the five of hearts and East plays the ten. From declarer’s point of view the five is a clear singleton, so Barry wins with the king; then, not wanting to risk immediate defeat, he plays a spade to the king and a spade back to his jack. West takes the queen and continues the suit. The contract now depends on making three club tricks without letting East in, so Barry wins the spade and plays a club to dummy’s queen. He then plays a diamond to his king, cashes the ten of spades and plays another club. Had West played the king he would have ducked; when West plays low, he puts up the ace and continues with a club, setting up his ninth trick with dummy’s nine. Had West’s singleton heart been the two, the defenders might have had a better chance of success. Suppose East, knowing it is pointless to duck,

puts up the ace of hearts at trick one and continues with the ten of hearts (surely the lowest of several touching honours, and thus a suit-preference signal for a club). West then discards his king of clubs. After that, declarer cannot make a third club trick without losing the lead to East. Usually, we go out to eat with friends after the Butler drive; today, we have to dash to Maidenhead station to pick Briony up from her Cardiff visit.

Saturday Briony has found herself a holiday job, waitressing in a shopping centre café. Today is her first day – exciting. It seems to go well. She likes the people she works with and she earned some extra in tips. We pick her up just after five and head off around the M25 to visit Ben, Gemma and grandson Hayden. Toby and Briony are going to stay with them for a couple of days. Everyone is well – but it is potty training time. While I remember this as quite stressful, perhaps modern methods will work better than whatever I did with mine. Barry and I stay for a cup of tea, leaving as food appears on the table. On the way into London, we stop to eat at Adam’s Café – a regular winner of the best budget food in London award. They would certainly get my vote. We have a delicious North African meal. I settle for three starters (I always like starters best) while Barry has a lamb tagine.

Sunday Although it is a bright sunny day, it does not tempt us out. I have work to do (I seem to have so many holidays and days out that I have to work at weekends and evenings to get things done), and Barry is in seventh heaven – test cricket, a grand prix, world swimming championships and athletics in the evening. In the evening, we meet Margaret and Martin for dinner, taking up a Top Table offer at a restaurant called Colony in Marylebone. I suppose you would call it Indian/British fusion. Indian flavours but served in a more British way – delicious food. I would Page 37

certainly recommend it if you are looking for something a bit different.

Monday I drive out to Waltham Abbey for lunch to pick up the kids. Ben is at work but we enjoy seeing Gemma and Hayden. The children seem to have had a good time. We get home about two. Now the time has come to do some work: countries I am working on just now include Kyrgyzstan, Guyana and Argentina. Then in the evening, I catch up on several weeks’ worth of Holby City and Casualty.

Tuesday After a much needed gym session (I have decided to try reading Briony’s A-level English books in the gym on my bike, so today it was A Streetcar Named Desire – I am not entirely sure that a 15-year-old is going to be able to appreciate it fully), it is nose to the grindstone. I have an online bridge session at ten with two new clients who live in Spain. Then a short break for lunch with Briony before another session with Richard and Gerry (they are going to play in the North American Nationals in Toronto next week and want to get in some last-minute practice), this time with Barry too. We do well this time. On one deal, I hold the West hand and Barry the East:

♠ 6 5 ♥ A K 6 2 N W E ♦ A J 7 6 3 S ♣ A 7

♠ A K J 3 ♥ Q 10 8 7 3 ♦ 4 ♣ K 4 2

I open 1♦ and Barry responds 1♥. I choose to raise to 3♥, which, in our style, is a slight underbid – I would choose this with just about any decent hand and 5-4 distribution. Barry moves with 3♠, I cue bid 4♣ and he tries to sign off in 4♥. Well, I cannot conceive of having a better hand so I leap straight to slam which is a pretty good contract, and makes in comfort. We are the only pair who bid it. I shall look forward to hearing all their table tales from Toronto. ■

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Medical Screening

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. Please note that we consider a Cruise to be any international sailing or sea voyage travelling international waters but not River Trips. 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:

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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 or 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.

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A to Z of Bridge compiled by Julian Pottage

E EAST

One of the positions at the bridge table. ECHO

The play by a defender of an unnecessarily high card on the first round of a suit followed by a lower card on the second round is an ‘echo’ (e.g. the seven followed by the two). In the UK, the more common term is a ‘peter’ or ‘high-low’; you usually use it as a signal to partner that you like the suit, or that you have an even number of cards in it. ELIMINATION

The process of removing neutral cards from defenders’ hands so that they have no safe exit when they are thrown in (given the lead). You can bring about elimination by cashing winners or ruffing losers.

♠ 7 5 ♥ A J 6 ♦ K 10 7 4 2 ♣ K 8 5 W



N S

from having to guess who holds the queen. Before giving up the lead, you must play three rounds of clubs, ruffing the third, to eliminate the suit. Then, when you concede a spade, the defenders will have no safe exit. ENCOURAGING

A term applied to a bid or a card that urges partner to bid on or to continue leading a suit. Any bid that is not a sign off, limit bid or a pre-emptive bid is likely to be encouraging. Some limit bids are encouraging too. ENDPLAY

A term used when an opponent is given the lead at a vital stage of the play and, with his subsequent lead, is forced to concede a trick or tricks and is therefore ‘endplayed’. The vital point is more likely to occur in the end stage of the play, hence the name. For example:

As South, playing in 6♦, you receive a spade lead. You win with the ace and draw trumps. You want to make the opponents lead hearts, saving you

A card you can use to enter a particular hand. In most cases, an entry is a winner facing a low card, though sometimes you can create an entry by overtaking a high card or by ruffing. Entries are important for declarer and the defenders. The need to retain entries means that it is rarely right to begin the play by cashing all your side’s top winners. ENTRY KILLING PLAY

A defensive manoeuvre designed to destroy entries either in declarer’s hand, or in dummy. This may be via a lead or by timing when you cover an honour.

♥ Q ♦ K J

N

W E 4 K752 S

♥ 8 ♦ 10 8

♥ J ♦ Q 4

E

♠ A 10 ♥ K 10 2 ♦ A Q 9 8 6 3 ♣ A 9

ENTRY

Q J 10 6 ♥ 9 ♦ A 6 N W E S



in England. It keeps masterpoint records for its members and organises National tournaments in England. It has a headquarters in Aylesbury and a staff of around 20.

South, on play in no-trumps, needs two of the last three tricks. If he leads a diamond, West will win two tricks. Instead, he uses an ‘endplay’ by putting West on lead with ♥Q. West is now ‘endplayed’, forced to lead diamonds, conceding the last two tricks. ENGLISH BRIDGE UNION

Regulatory body for Duplicate Bridge Page 40

A 9 8 3

East, if trying to deny declarer a second entry, should not cover any of dummy’s honours, instead saving the king to play on the six. This way, the ace is an entry but the nine is not. EQUALS

A holding of cards in sequence at the start of play, or of the same value as the play progresses, is a holding of ‘equals’. For example, at the start of play the queen and jack in a suit are equals; once the jack has gone, the queen and ten become equals.

A to Z of Bridge continued

ESCAPE MECHANISM

If West leads low and East takes the ten with the ace, South can drop the king to leave the queen as an established entry.

A bidding method used to locate the safest fit after the opponents have doubled for penalties. Often applied after the double of a weak or mini no-trump opening. For instance, some play that after 1NTdouble, responder redoubles with a single suited hand (and shows the suit after opener’s forced 2♣) while an immediate bid after the double would show the lower of two suits. An SOS redouble is another example.

ESTABLISHED REVOKE

ESCAPE SUIT

ESTABLISHED SUIT

West North East South 3♥ 3♠ 4♥ 4NT 5♦

J 10 6

South wants a diamond lead against a spade contract and intends to retreat to hearts, the escape suit, if doubled in 5♦. A gambling 3NT is a systemic bid with an escape suit.

Q 8

ESTABLISHED CARD

ESTIMATE YOUR SCORE

A suit held in reserve by a player making a lead-directing or psychic bid.

A card that has become a winner. Q76 N W E S

J 10

After the ace and king have gone, the queen will be an established card. ESTABLISHED ENTRY

A card that has become a winner and that faces a low card for leading to it. Q 10 N

W E J 8 4 3 2 A976 S

K 5

A revoke becomes established (i.e. it cannot be corrected) when one of the offending side leads or plays to the next trick. A revoke on the twelfth trick never becomes established. Penalties apply to revokes and one should try hard to avoid making them. If partner shows out of a suit, you may enquire ‘having none?’ to check that the play is not a revoke. This applies whether you are a defender or dummy. A suit where a partnership holds all the remaining high cards.

N

W E 7 S

Void

With the ace and king having gone, this is an established suit. Some players like to record on their scorecards an expected number of matchpoints or percentage on each board as they play them. In the early rounds, you will base your estimate largely on general bridge knowledge and the difficulty or otherwise of achieving the result. As the rounds progress, the other scores on the traveller will play a greater part in the estimate. Different methods are in use for estimating your score. Some players score on a scale of 0-4; 0 for a bottom, 1 for average minus, 2 for average, 3 for average plus and 4 for a top. Others use a scale of 1-10. One advantage of estimating your score is that towards the end of the event, if you think your score is not good enough, you can vary your tactics to obtain abnormal scores. Another advantage is that knowing your estimated score can highlight Page 41

any scoring errors. For example, if you think you have had a 55% session and the posted score shows you with 50%, it may be worth your while to check the scores very carefully for possible errors. ETHICS

The Proprieties of the game now form part of the actual Laws. Bridge is a game in which players should make an active effort to play in an ethical way. As far as you can, try to make each bid and play in an even tempo. Avoid displaying any emotion whether the play of the cards is more or less favourable than you expect. Personal Ethics, also known as Active Ethics, are the efforts that many players make beyond what the laws require. For example, you are not required to point out your own revokes; many players in fact do so because their own ethical approach, i.e. their Personal Ethics, require it. ETIQUETTE

In general, good manners at the bridge table. (For example, declarer thanks partner when dummy appears). Be courteous to your opponents – remember they want to enjoy the game too – and avoid taking a disproportionate amount of the time on your own bids and plays. If you play more slowly than anyone else does, this disrupts the movement and affects everyone’s enjoyment of the game. EVEN

1 Term applied to an even division of the outstanding cards (3-3 is the even break with six cards outstanding; 4-3 an even distribution of seven). 2 An even number of cards in a suit (2, 4, 6 etc.). 3 An even card is one with an even number of pips (2, 4, 6 etc.). EXHAUST

To draw all the outstanding cards in a (trump) suit from a particular hand. EXIT

To surrender the lead. The term usually applies when you do not want the lead. For example:

F

A to Z of Bridge continued



N S



FALSE PREFERENCE

♥ 5 4

♥ Q 10 9 6 W E

♥ Void

♥ A K J 3

You cash the ace of hearts and find East now void. You then ‘exit’ with a low heart leaving West to return a heart into your tenace. EXIT CARD

A card used to exit in the hope of a favourable return or a safe card with which to exit. In the above example, your exit card is the three of hearts. EXPLANATION OF A CALL

If an opponent asks you to explain a call that your partner has made, you should explain the partnership agreement fully according to the system you are playing. It is wrong to say what the call ought to mean, or to say how one proposes to interpret it. If the partnership has no agreement (explicit or implicit) then you should say so. You should not offer an explanation unless opponents ask. EXPOSED CARD

A card wrongly or inadvertently exposed during the auction or play. Penalties apply for cards exposed during the auction or by a defender. EXPOSED HAND

1 The dummy is the exposed hand (as opposed to declarer, the closed hand). 2 Declarer or a defender may expose their hand when making a claim. EXTENDED STAYMAN

In this side suit, West might drop the queen under the ace. This may dissuade declarer from playing a second round while any trumps are still out.

After a 2♦ response to the 2♣ enquiry, a further enquiry bid of 3♦ asks about three-card major suits. In reply, 3♥ shows three hearts while 3♠ shows three spades. Some people play that opener has two further options, to bid 3NT with 2-2 in the majors or 4♣ with 3-3 in the majors.

FACE

To turn a card so that its front is visible to the other players. Unless you are the dummy, facing a card usually means that you are playing it. FACE-TO-FACE BRIDGE

Bridge played at a bridge table, where you can see and or hear the other players, as opposed to online bridge, where players connect via computer. FACED LEAD

In duplicate bridge, the opening lead must be made face down. This is to allow partner to ask questions regarding the auction without influencing the choice of lead. When these questions and replies are over, the leader turns the lead over to make it ‘faced’. FACTORING

The process of adjusting a matchpoint score. If, for example, some pairs have played fewer boards than the rest of the field then the scorer must factor up their scores by the appropriate fraction. Alternatively, the scorer may factor down the scores of the pairs playing more boards. Expressing scores as a percentage (matchpoints scored compared to matchpoints available) is another way of factoring the scores. FALL OF THE CARDS

The disposition of the cards as ordained by fate. FALSE CARDING

Deceptive play of a card in the hope that the opposition will misread the holding in the suit.

After partner has bid two suits, responder may choose to play in the first suit bid despite the fact that he is longer in the second. West North 1NT Pass 2♥



N

W E Q 3 J87 S

9 5

Page 42

♠ A 10 8 5 ♥ Q 6 ♦ Q 10 3 ♣ 9 7 5 3

West bids 2♥ rather than passing 2♦ for several reasons: 1 If East has a good hand (one almost worth 3♦ over 1NT), game may be on; 2 If East has more hearts than diamonds, as is certainly possible, a 5-2 fit may play better than a 4-3 fit; 3 At matchpoints, if both 2♦ and 2♥ are making, the difference between 110 and 90 may be crucial. FARRINGTON, FRANK

Author of the first book of Duplicate Bridge Movements, once considered the definitive work on the subject. FEATURE

A holding in a suit, such as the ace, king, or maybe the queen, that is likely to be important on the given hand. If you and your partner agree a minor suit below the level of 3NT, it is usual to play that bidding a new suit shows a feature (stopper) rather than length in the suit; e.g. 1♦-3♦-3♠ shows strength in spades (and by inference weakness in hearts). FIELD

A K 10 6 4 2

East South 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass

In a pairs’ event, the field is the players at the other tables, in other words your competitors. You will often see the word field preceded by an adjective such as strong or weak to describe the strength of the competition.

A to Z of Bridge continued

FIELDING A PSYCHE

If a player makes a psychic bid and his partner takes a subsequent action that illegally takes into account that the first player has psyched, he is ‘fielding’ the psyche. To allow for a psyche is not in itself illegal, either if the subsequent auction has exposed partner’s psyche, or if the call that allows for the psyche is the normal action anyway. To ‘field’ a psyche before it has been exposed by an abnormal action is illegal. Auction 1 West North East South 1♣ Dbl 1♠ Pass 2♣ Auction2 West North East South 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass Pass

In auction 1, if West has four spades and East does not, West has fielded the psyche by failing to support spades. In auction 2, West’s pass of the forcing response exposes the psyche. East can legally proceed on the assumption that West has psyched. FIFTH ACE As the trump king is often as important as an ace, especially when it comes to bidding a slam, some conventions (such as key-card Blackwood) treat the king of trumps as the ‘fifth’ ace. FILM

A rare conventional defence to an opening pre-emptive three level bid. The acronym stands for FIshbein and Lower Minor. Over an opening 3♦ or 3♥ bid, Fishbein (the next suit up) is a take-out request guaranteeing at least four cards in the major you bid, while 4♣ is for takeout denying four cards in that major. Over an opening 3♣ or 3♠ bid, the lower minor is a takeout request. FINAL BID

The last bid, normally the bid before three consecutive passes end the auction.

FINESSE

An attempt to win a trick with the lower ranking card when leading towards a tenace. For example: A Q N

K 7 6 5 W E S

J 10 9 8 4

partner’s long suits and low cards in his partner’s short suits. FIT NON JUMP

This is a bid showing values in the suit bid as well as support for partner. It usually occurs after the bidder has already passed or taken some other action that precludes a purely natural interpretation of the bid.

3 2

If West has the king, this suit will yield two tricks if South leads towards the tenace, playing the queen unless the king appears. A finesse position arises in a number of different forms, but all of them depend on the assumption that a particular missing card or cards lie in a certain hand. FIRST IN HAND

The dealer, the first player to have the opportunity to open the bidding. FISHBEIN CONVENTION

A rare convention that uses a bid of the next higher-ranking suit after an opposing three-level pre-emptive opening bid as a take-out request (e.g. 3♥-3♠). Sometimes wrongly called ‘Herbert’. The hand will normally contain at least four cards in the suit bid. FISHBOWL

Method of allowing an audience to view tournament bridge. The players sit inside a large glass surround, enabling the spectators to watch without disturbing the players. The use of a fishbowl is now rare. FISHING CLUB

This 1♣ opening does not promise length in the suit – typically used with a mini or a weak no-trump. The idea is that by opening 1♣ you can be sure of being able to rebid 1NT over any change-of-suit response. The fishing club differs from ‘better minor’ in that only 1♣ is a prepared bid. FIT

1 The combined holding in a suit e.g. K-8-7-3 facing Q-J-9-2 is a 4-4 fit. 2 The two hands of a partnership are said to fit well if, for instance, one player has high cards in his Page 43

West Pass 4♣

North East South 1♠ 2♥ 3♠

Having turned down the easy chance to bid some number of clubs as dealer, West can hardly mean 4♣ as showing just clubs. It shows values in clubs and support for hearts. If North passes over 4♣, East normally corrects 4♣ to 4♥. If North bids 4♠, East can compete further if holding a club fit or lead a club against 4♠ if not. FIT SHOWING JUMP (FIT JUMP)

This is a single jump, in a competitive auction or by a passed hand, showing length and strength in the suit bid and primary support for partner (nine or more cards between the two suits). It is forcing for one round. West Pass 3♣

North Pass

East South 1♥ Pass

West North East South 1♥ 1♠ 3♣

In the first auction, 3♣ cannot be a strong jump shift because West passed as dealer. In the second auction, many pairs are happy to give up on the strong jump shift after the overcall and play this as a fit-showing jump. In either auction, West might hold:

♠ 7 5 ♥ K 8 5 3 ♦ 7 4 ♣ A Q 10 6 3

One benefit of the fit-showing jump is that it enables partner to judge whether a two-suit fit is present.

A to Z of Bridge continued

to 2NT, few pairs use it in response to 1NT. Here is an example of the convention in action:

FIVE ACE BLACKWOOD

FLAT BOARD

A version of Blackwood in which the king of the agreed trump suit counts as a fifth ace, also known as Keycard Blackwood. In response to 4NT:



5♣ 5♦ 5♥ 5♠



Shows zero or four aces Shows one or five aces Shows two aces Shows three aces

Except that 5♦ might show five aces, the responses are the same as those to normal Blackwood. FIVE-CARD MAJORS

Some systems require that you need a five-card suit to open 1♥ or 1♠. Standard American, Precision and the standard system in many countries in continental Europe use five-card majors. Responder can happily give a single raise from 1♥ to 2♥ or 1♠ to 2♠ with three-card support. Opinions vary about the wisdom of making a jump raise with the necessary values and three-card support for partner’s major. When playing five-card majors, you often have to open 1♣ or 1♦ with fewer than four cards in the suit. Responder generally strains to show a four-card major in response to 1♣ or 1♦ as otherwise the partnership might miss a 4-4 major-suit fit. FIVE-CARD SPADES

Some people play that you have to have a five-card suit to open 1♠ but you can open 1♥ with only four hearts. With such a method, the only hand shape that may require a prepared opening in a minor is 4-3-3-3, where the fourcard suit is spades. FIVE-CARD STAYMAN

After a 1NT or 2NT opening bid, 2♣ or 3♣ asks partner to bid a five-card major. The diamond response (2♦ or 3♦) denies the holding. If responder has a four-card major, he bids it on the second round and opener will confirm a 4-4 major suit fit if one exists. In the UK, while it is quite common to play five-card Stayman in response

suit of A-8-7-6 facing J-5-3-2, it would be a fix for you if it makes because one of you holds K-Q doubleton.

♠ A Q 9 5 3 ♥ A K 4 N W E ♦ J 7 4 S ♣ A K

♠ K 10 4 ♥ Q 8 2 ♦ 8 3 ♣ J 8 6 3 2

West East 2NT 3♣ 3♠ 4♠

FIVE OF A MAJOR OPENING

This very rare opening shows an eleven playing-trick hand missing both top trump honours. Responder passes with neither top honour, raises to six with one of the two top honours, and to seven with both top honours. FIVE OR SEVEN DEAL

If the likely outcomes are that declarer makes either eleven tricks (a five-level contract) or thirteen, this is a five or seven deal.

♠ K 10 5 ♥ A Q 9 6 5 2 ♦ 8 5 ♣ 7 2 W



N S

E

♠ A Q J 9 7 6 ♥ J 10 4 ♦ A 10 ♣ A J

Assuming the opening lead is a minor, a contract in one of the majors is likely to yield thirteen tricks if the heart finesse works but only eleven if it fails – in the latter case, the defenders score the winner they set up at trick one as well as the ♥K. A grand slam is the best contract on this type of deal, though this can be hard to diagnose in the auction. FIX or FIXED

A colloquialism meaning that a pair has received a bad score through no fault of its own. For example, if your opponents bid a slam with a trump Page 44

In duplicate pairs, a deal on which all the contestants record the same result. In teams, a deal on which both sides record the same score or a score that differs by only 10 is flat. FLAT HAND

A balanced hand, particularly the 4-3-3-3 pattern. FLINT CONVENTION

A convention invented by the English player, Jeremy Flint, designed to allow the partnership to play in three of a major after an opening bid of 2NT. Immediate responses of 3♥ and 3♠ are natural and forcing, promising at least five cards but 3♦ is an artificial request for opener to bid 3♥. With long hearts and a weak hand, responder then passes; with long spades, he converts to 3♠. A development of the convention allows the partnership to play in 4♣ or 4♦ (responder converts 3♥ to 4♣ or 4♦). Nowadays, transfer bids have rendered Flint almost obsolete. FLITCH

A competition for married couples. FLOGGER

A sheet recording the results of previous rubbers. FORCE

1 To make a forcing bid e.g. 1♥-pass3♦ 2 To make an opponent ruff in order to shorten trumps in one of their hands – it is a common defensive manoeuvre. FORCED BID

A bid that a player has an obligation to make, usually because the system played so requires. Forced bids are very rare in natural systems like Acol but do exist in relay systems. Forced passes are far more common. Suppose you open 1NT and partner raises to 3NT. You are always going to pass because you have already described your hand and your partner has chosen the contract.

A to Z of Bridge continued

FORCING DEFENCE

A strategy whereby the defenders keep playing cards that declarer must ruff until declarer runs out of trumps and the defenders gain control. ♠ 9 8 6 2 ♥ K 9 6 ♦ 10 5 2 ♣ Q J 6 ♠ Q J 10 3 ♥ 10 8 2 N ♦ A 6 4 3 W E S ♣ K 4 ♠ Void ♥ A Q 5 ♦ K Q J 9 8 7 ♣ A 10 9 3

♠ A K 7 5 4 ♥ J 7 4 3 ♦ Void ♣ 8 7 5 2

South plays in 5♦. West leads a spade at trick one and continues spades after getting in with the ♦A and ♣K. Having started with two trumps more than West, ruffing three times means that declarer ends up with one trump fewer and the contract fails. FORCING 1NT

A convention whereby a response of 1NT to an opening of one of a major is forcing for one round. It is usual to use this in conjunction with the Precision system or with game forcing two-overone responses. After the forcing 1NT response, opener has to find a rebid even with a 5332 hand type, bidding a three-card minor as necessary. FORCING BID

A bid that requires partner to make at least one further bid. Forcing bids include a change of suit response to an opening bid, an Acol 2♣ opening and a 4NT ace enquiry. FORCING PASS

1 A forcing pass forces partner to bid on or to double the opponents. Often, when a player has to make the decision between doubling a sacrifice bid made by an opponent and bidding on, he may pass and let his partner make the final decision.

West North East South 1♥ Pass 3♦ 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

After East’s strong response, it would be unthinkable to stop short of game or allow the opponents to play undoubled. Both West’s pass over 3♠ and East’s pass over 4♠ are forcing. 2 Systems utilizing the opening call of ‘Pass’ as a positive bid. Such systems are legal only in very few competitions and you are unlikely ever to encounter them. FORCING SEQUENCE

A bidding sequence, which by partnership agreement, is forcing.

West East 1♦ 2♣ 2♠ 3♠ 4♣ 4♥ 4NT 5♥ 6♠

West’s 2♠ creates a game force, allowing East to make a simple raise setting spades as trumps. If East had to jump to 4♠ over 2♠, it would be hard for West, looking at three fast heart losers, to explore for slam. FORCING TWO BID

The use of an opening two-level bid as an unconditional force. Playing it as a game force was a feature of the Culbertson and Goren systems. In Acol, it is usual to play a strong two bid as forcing only for one round.

West North East South 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass FORFEIT 2♠ West 2♦

North East South 1♦ Dbl Pass

FORWARD GOING

It is usual to play the first sequence as forcing to game and the second sequence as forcing to suit agreement. The partnership should keep open the bidding as long as necessary. FORCING TO GAME

A forcing to game bid is a bid indicating that both members of the partnership should keep bidding until they reach game. Once a game-forcing situation is in place, the partners can take the bidding slowly to explore for the best contract, knowing that the other will not drop the bidding short of game. Examples of bids that create a forcing to game situation in Acol are: a jump shift by opener or responder, opener’s reverse after a two-level response, fourth suit forcing at the three level, a 2♣ opening with a suit rebid. Here is an example of a forcing to game bid in action:

Cancellation of rights, as appropriate under the Laws, after a misdemeanour.

♠ K Q 9 4 ♥ 7 4 3 N W E ♦ A K Q 7 3 S ♣ K

Page 45

♠ A J 8 3 ♥ A 2 ♦ J 2 ♣ Q 10 7 3 2

A description of an encouraging bid. FOULED BOARD

A board in which one or more cards have gone back into the wrong place, meaning the next table cannot play the board. FOUR-CARD MAJORS

Systems that do not guarantee more than four cards in the suit when you open one of a major suit. Acol and Blue Club are examples of systems utilizing four-card majors. FOUR DEAL BRIDGE

This is another name for Chicago, whereby a ‘rubber’ consists of exactly four deals with pre-assigned vulnerabilities. In most rubber bridge playing clubs, four-deal bridge has replaced traditional rubber bridge. This benefits players waiting to cut in because rubbers finish more often. It also means that if you cut an unfavoured partner, you do not have to wait long for a change. FOUR SUIT TRANSFERS

A method of showing length in any suit by means of a transfer used in conjunction with simple red suit

A to Z of Bridge continued

(Jacoby) transfers. After 1NT, 2♦ = hearts 2♥ = spades 2♠ = clubs 2NT = diamonds In the cases when responder shows a minor, opener has to choose whether to complete the transfer by bidding responder’s suit or to bid the suit/ denomination below that. It is usual to play one action as showing support for responder’s suit and the other as denying it. As is the case with red suit transfers, responder may have a weak hand (intending to pass opener’s transfer completion) or a strong hand.

♠ 9 4 ♥ 5 N W E ♦ J 10 6 2 S ♣ Q 9 8 7 4 2

♠ 9 4 ♥ A J 7 4 ♦ A ♣ A Q J 10 4 2

On both hands, responder starts with 2♠, showing clubs. On the first hand, responder intends to play in 3♣. On the second hand, the rebid will be 3♥. If you play four-suit transfers, you cannot bid 2NT to show a balanced hand wishing to invite game. The popular solution is to play nonpromissory Stayman, starting with 2♣ on such hands. An alternative solution is to play that a 2♦ response is either showing hearts or a balanced hand; with the balanced hand, responder has to make a specific rebid, normally 2♠. FOUR NO-TRUMP CONVENTION

Since 3NT suffices for game, one rarely wants to play in 4NT. 4NT is usually a conventional move towards a slam. The most common uses are variations of the ace asking convention, Blackwood. FOURTEEN THIRTY (1430) RESPONSES

Some users of Roman Keycard Blackwood play, either always or in specific situations, that a 5♣ reply shows 1 or 4 key cards while 5♦ shows 0 or 3. The idea is that the 4NT bidder

is more likely to wish to investigate further facing 1 key card than none. FOURTH-HIGHEST LEAD

The lead of the fourth highest card in a suit. This lead is standard unless the suit contains no honour or contains an honour sequence. From Q-10-6-5-3, you lead the five; from K-9-7-6-3-2, you lead the six; from J-8-4-2, you lead the two. By leading low, you keep your honours to capture those that declarer holds and as entries. By leading specifically fourth highest, you help partner gauge your holding in the suit.

FRAGMENT BID

An unusual jump or double jump bid showing a fit for partner’s suit, a few cards in the suit bid and shortage elsewhere. In terms of concept, a fragment bid is very similar to a splinter, except that you are not bidding your shortest suit. Playing fragment bids, 1♠-2♦-2♠-4♣ suggests that responder has a main suit of diamonds, spade support and three or four clubs, hence a heart shortage. FREAK

FOURTH IN HAND

The player who is fourth to call, i.e. the player to the dealer’s right.

A hand or complete deal with an extremely abnormal distribution. The traditional definition of a freak hand for an individual player is one with a void or two singletons.

FOURTH-SUIT FORCING

FREE BID

After a partnership has bid three suits, it is unlikely that the fourth suit is the best fit. Therefore, you can usefully play a bid of the fourth suit as an artificial force, asking partner to describe his hand further. The bid does not promise any particular holding in the bid suit. Traditionally, fourth-suit forcing is forcing for one round only, though it is becoming quite common to play it as forcing to game.

♠ K J 9 4 3 ♥ 9 5 3 ♦ K 5 ♣ A Q 9

West North East South 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass ?

No natural bid describes your hand: 3NT is very risky without a stopper in the unbid suit; both 3♦ and 3♣ are underbids as well as overstating your support for partner; 3♠ is also an underbid and overstates your spades. The fourth suit bid of 2♥ is perfect. FOXU

A rare conventional defence to an opening three level pre-emptive bid. Fishbein applies sitting Over the bidder and double (X) sitting Under, as take out requests. Page 46

A ‘free bid’ is one that you make after your right hand opponent has overcalled your partner’s bid. The overcall ensures that your partner will have another chance to bid and therefore you have the option of passing. A ‘free bid’ in a suit will normally show a better than minimum suit or extra values. West North East South 1♥ Pass 2♣ 2♦ 2♥

Since West could pass over 2♦ knowing that East will have another call, 2♥ shows either a six-card heart suit or perhaps a very good five-card suit e.g. with 100 honours. FREE DOUBLE

At rubber bridge, it refers to the double of a game bid (or a partscore contract which, if successful would make game whether doubled, undoubled or redoubled). It is not of course ‘free’ but is likely to be less costly than doubling the opposition into game. FREE FINESSE

Term used to describe a finesse you can take as declarer without losing the trick should it fail. For example, in the first layout below, when West leads low, you can finesse dummy’s jack. Should East produce the queen, you can capture it with the ace.

A to Z of Bridge continued

strength in the suit. If West or East leads this suit, North-South make three tricks. If North or South leads the suit, EastWest make a third-round winner.

In the second layout, assuming this is a side suit, you can finesse the queen when West leads it, knowing that you can ruff if East produces the king.

A 10 5 N W E S



K J 2

Q 7 4 J 8 6 3



K 9 2

N W E S

N W E S



AQ5

A 3

FRUIT MACHINE SWISS

Void

A convention for replying to partner’s 1♥ or 1♠ opening that has fallen into disuse. It uses both 4♣ and 4♦ as conventional raises of opener’s major, both with four trumps, game values and two aces. The 4♣ bid shows an extra feature: a third ace, a singleton or the king of trumps. The 4♦ bid denies those extra features. ■

FRIGID

Slang term for a contract that is certain to make. ‘Cold’ and ‘Icy’ are similar terms. FROZEN SUIT

A suit that is disadvantageous to lead. Frozen suits commonly occur when each of the four players has some

PRIZE CROSSWORD 1 – Solution M

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The winners, listed below, will receive a free place at a Brook Hotel Just Bridge Event: Mr S Mattinson, Reading, Berks; Mr B Brown, Glasgow; Mrs V Parkes, Sheffield, Yorks; Mr Stoyle, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks; Mrs P Turner, Sandhurst, Bucks.

Page 47

Guide to Better Card Play (New Edition) by Ron Klinger, reviewed by Sandra Landy Cassell in assoc. with Peter Crawley. ISBN 0-304-35769-3.

£14.99 from The London Bridge Centre ( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com

F

irst published twenty years ago and winner of the Bridge Book of the Year in 1991, Klinger’s Guide to Better Card Play has been reissued to include recent changes in bidding and defensive methods. The bidding methods are traditional Acol (weak no-trump, 4-card majors) and no complicated bidding. It is a text on card play but most people will benefit from seeing the simple auctions to the best contract. Its 200 pages cover declarer play and defence, with about 100 pages on each. As a teacher, I always found suitable hands in this book to illustrate my lessons. In my view, every teacher should have a copy; I have two because one lives with my assistant in case we need extra deals. The book is just as good to read on your own as each of the 24 chapters includes an explanation of the topic, exercises on the principles discussed and many example deals. The appendix contains sets of practice deals you can play as a foursome. Each player takes a pack of cards and a sheet of their hands to make up before bidding and playing the deal. When you and your partner have played all the hands as N/S, swap the sheets round so you can play E/W and you have another 10 sets of deals. Here is an example entitled ‘Consolidate your Defensive Play’. You are East. You win the first three spade tricks, partner discarding the ♦2 on the third round. How do you read partner’s discard of the ♦2? Might he have the ♦A? Does he want a club ruff?

Has he a trump trick that you could promote? Every card should carry a message; does that apply to the ♦2?

♠ Q 10 9 ♥ 10 7 5 2 ♦ K ♣ A K Q J 3 N ♠ 8 4 W E ♠ A K J 7 2 ♥ J 8 6 S ♥ 3 ♦ J 10 9 7 2 ♦ Q 6 5 4 ♣ 8 6 4 ♣ 9 7 2 ♠ 6 5 3 ♥ A K Q 9 4 ♦ A 8 3 ♣ 10 5

West North East South 1♣ 1♠ 2♥ Pass 4♥ End

If partner had the ♦A, his best defence would be to ruff your spade trick and cash his diamond ace. If partner has a natural trump trick, it will not matter what you do. Can you see how continuing with a fourth heart could beat the contract? Suppose partner’s hearts are J-x-x – he does not have a natural trump trick. However, if you lead a fourth spade, you guarantee a trump trick for the defence. You need no complicated manoeuvres, just a bit of common sense – and this is true of the whole book. The chapters alternate between improving your declarer and your defensive play, with exercises and quizzes to keep you alert. I really like this book and I could not find even one error in the proof reading and analysis. Work through it carefully and you will become a much better player and defender.

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