128

BRIDGE Number One Hundred and Twenty-Eight

MEDITERRANEAN ISLES & CLASSICAL SITES Great value bridge cruises on board Aegean Odyssey in 2014 SEE CENTRE PAGES

August 2013

JUST DUPLICATE BRIDGE 9-11 August £199 Cheltenham Regency

10-12 January £199 Blundson House Hotel

16-18 August £169 Inn on the Prom

10-12 January £199 Elstead Hotel

6-8 September £199 Cheltenham Regency

17-19 January £169 The Olde Barn

6-8 September £169 The Olde Barn 13-15 September £199 Cheltenham Regency

Ardington Hotel Worthing BN11 3DZ

Cheltenham Regency Hotel Cheltenham GL51 0ST

25-27 October £199 Cheltenham Regency

31 Jan – 2 Feb £199 Elstead Hotel 31 Jan – 2 Feb £199 Chatsworth Hotel

21-23 February £199 Blundson House Hotel

25-27 October £199 Ardington Hotel

28 Feb – 2 March £199 Chatsworth Hotel

1-3 November £169 The Olde Barn

28 Feb – 2 March £199 Blundson House Hotel

15-17 November £199 Elstead Hotel

14-16 March £199 Blundson House Hotel

22-24 November £199 Ardington Hotel

Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU

27-29 September £199 Ardington Hotel

7-9 February £199 Denham Grove

11-13 October £199 Cheltenham Regency

14-16 February £199 Chatsworth Hotel

18-20 October £169 The Olde Barn

14-16 February £199 Elstead Hotel

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

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Elstead Hotel Bournemouth, BH1 3QP

14-16 March £169 The Olde Barn

Denham Grove Denham, Bucks, UB9 5DG

22-24 November £199 Elstead Hotel

21-23 March £199 Chatsworth Hotel

22-24 November £169 The Olde Barn

28-30 March £199 Denham Grove

29 Nov – 1 Dec £199 Ardington Hotel

28-30 March £199 Elstead Hotel

6-8 December £199 Cheltenham Regency

Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

25-27 April £199 Blundson House Hotel

Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 8. Please note there are no seminars, set hands or prizes at these events.

BRIDGE

Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

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

Publisher and Managing Editor Mr Bridge Bridge Consultant Bernard Magee Technical Consultant Tony Gordon Typesetting & Design Ruth Edmondson Proof Readers Tony & Jan Richards Catrina Shackleton Richard Wheen Hugh Williams Office Manager Rachel Everett Events & Cruises ( 01483 489961 Rosie Baker Jessica Galt Megan Riccio Sophie Pierrepont Clubs & Charities Maggie Axtell

[email protected]

Address Changes ( 01483 485342 Elizabeth Bryan

[email protected] All correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bridge. Please make sure that all letters and e-mails carry full postal addresses and telephone numbers.

11 Mr Bridge Christmas & New Year 2013/2014

FEATURES 3 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee

12 Eric Hill – Kalinda

5 Mr Bridge 9 Bidding Quiz Answers by Bernard Magee 10 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum 11 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage 13 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions 18 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett

16 Tunisia 2013/2014 17 Voyages of Discovery Mediterranean Medley on board Voyager 18 Rubber / Chicago Bridge Events

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

20 Eric Hill – Joanna

22 Letter from Overseas by John Barr 27 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 32 Bridge and Travel Tip 33 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 34 Julian Pottage Says Hold Up a Stopper 35 Readers’ Letters 38 Harold Schogger Says Lead Up To Weakness 39 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 42 Catching Up by Sally Brock

23 Mr Bridge 2014 Bridge Player’s Diaries 24 2014 Mediterranean Cruises with Voyages to Antiquity 26 Tutorial Software and QPlus 29 Bridge Events at: Cheltenham Regency Hotel Elstead Hotel Queensferry Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel

31 S R Designs Bridge Tables

ADVERTISEMENTS

West North East South ?



33 Begin Bridge with Bernard Magee 36 Stamps 37 We Are Survivors 40 Global Travel Insurance

7 Mail Order Form Cut-out Form

45 Charity Events

8 Bridge Event Booking Form

46 Voyages to Antiquity Terms & Conditions

8 Bridge Events with Bernard Magee

47 Voyages to Antiquity Booking Form

9 Bridge Events at The Inn on the Prom

48 Venice to Rome with Voyages to Antiquity

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

2. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ A 2 ♥ 7 6 2 N W E ♦ K Q 4 2 S ♣ 9 8 3 2

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

31 Bridge Events at: Ardington Hotel Chatsworth House 31 QPlus 10

43 Seven Days by Sally Brock

4 Bernard Magee Haslemere DVDs

You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and 4-card majors. (Answers on page 9.)

15 Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified

18 Bridge Events at: Denham Grove The Olde Barn Hotel

19 The Long March or ‘What the Deuce . . .’ by Dick Atkinson

2 Mr Bridge Just Duplicate Bridge

Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz



3. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 5 4 3 ♥ 9 8 N ♦ Q 7 4 3 2 W E S ♣ J 7 6

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



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

West North East South 1♣ 1♥ Pass ?

BERNARD MAGEE Filmed Live at Haslemere Festival 2011

2012

1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks

7 Leads

This seminar deals with declarer’s use of ruffing to generate extra tricks and then looks at how the defenders might counteract this.

Bernard takes you through all the basic leads and the importance of your choice of lead. If you start to think not just about your hand, but about your partner’s too, then you will get much better results.

2 Competitive Tricks 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.

3 Making the Most 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.

4 Identifying & Bidding Slams The first half of this seminar is about identifying when a slam might be on – one of the hardest topics to teach. The second half covers some of the techniques used to bid slams.

5 Play & Defence 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.

8 Losing Trick Count A method of hand evaluation for when you find a fit. Bernard deals with the basics of the losing trick count then looks at advanced methods to hone your bidding.

9 Making a Plan as Declarer Bernard explains how to make a plan then expands on how to make the most of your long suits. The first half deals with no-trumps, the second with suit contracts.

10 Responding to 1NT This seminar deals with Transfers and Stayman in detail. The 1NT opening comes up frequently, so having a good, accurate system of responses is paramount.

11 Signals & Discards This seminar deals with Count, Attitude and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get you working as a partnership in defence.

12 Endplays

6 Doubling & Defence against Doubled Contracts The first half of this seminar explores penalty doubles and the second half discusses the defence against doubled contracts.

Bernard takes you through the basics of the technique before showing some magical hands where you take extra tricks from defenders. In the second half, Bernard looks at how to avoid being endplayed as a defender.

DVDs

DVDs

Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100

Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100

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

( 01483 489961

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

Fax 01483 797302

CROATIA FOR 2014

QPLUS 11

RUNNING SCARED

I have been playing on the computer, using my QPlus software and as usual give you a few more hands to try out. I certainly found them interesting.

I am still scare-mongering, trying to drum up even more business for Moore Stephens. Their insurance package, for bridge clubs of up to 100 members, at a premium of around £60 per annum certainly seems good value. Why every club isn’t covered in this litigious age I just do not know. Club secretaries need to protect their committee members. Ring Moore Stephens ( 0207 515 5270.

0393-02 0097-11 0393-03 6172-11 8949-07 8495-03

I am planning to add an exciting destination for 2014 – Croatia. Our parties will fly from London to Croatia for an eight day holiday to a country that is a treat for all your senses. Croatia has a scenic coastline, washed by the sparkling waters of the Adriatic, and is full of Roman ruins and charming old towns. Based at a hotel complex in the delightful resort of Rabac on a half-board basis, the complex boasts two outdoor swimming pools, gym, sauna, and solarium. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and telephone. There is an optional excursion programme and the hotel itself is situated close to the historic town of Rabac. I am planning departures for Bernard Magee and his team in both mid and late April as well as October, subject to flights. Do telephone my office for further details and register your interest on a without obligation basis. I know Bernard Magee is popular. I also know if you don’t get on to the list, you won’t be part of the 2014 Croatia programme. We will both be disappointed. Register by telephone or email. Action this day.

I have spoken recently with Johannes Leber who has high hopes of success in the coming World Computer-Bridge Championship at the end of September in Bali, Indonesia. He will be incorporating all the improvements during the last couple of years as part of QPlus 11.

BRIDGE ON BOARD

Those readers who would like to buy QPlus now, should send £92 NOW and receive the current version, QPlus 10. I promise to send you QPlus 11 as soon as it is ready. Both versions are self-contained products, so you will be able to give QPlus 10 to a friend once you receive your QPlus 11. If you are looking to upgrade from an earlier version of QPlus, just return the disc with its instruction booklet and a cheque for £43.

I have a team on every mv. Voyager (pictured above) sailing, up to but not including the Eclipse cruise in March 2015. Those wishing to be part of the on board bridge party must make their booking with Voyages of Discovery via my office and pay a £30 Bridge supplement. I repeat, the booking must be made via my office. ( 01483 489961.

GOFFIES STAMPS

If you want to save on postage you should try Clive Goff’s discounted stamp service. Value supplied in two stamps, combined to make up the 50p 2nd class rate, 2nd class to you 41p. 1st class 60p, only 50p to you. Available in lots of 100. ( 0208 422 4906. [email protected]

DAY GUESTS An increasing number of readers tell me they would be interested in coming to our weekend events, if they could come as day guests. I have consulted our hotels and they seem to be keen to welcome them as well, so we have amended our tariff and hope this will help and/or please some of you. Here is the revised tariff: £99pp Just Duplicate £99pp Ruber/Chicago £129pp Tutorial Events £145pp Bernard Magee

BARON FOR MAC As QPlus is for Windows only, to use the software on your Mac, you will need to install a Windows for Mac converter. However, I now stock the latest version of Bridge Baron, number 23, as the best Mac compatible Acol playing program. To trade-in earlier versions of Bridge Baron, send in an old version and a cheque for £25. You will receive Bridge Baron 23 by return.

The arrangements on board mv. Aegean Odyssey, (pictured above) are slightly different as there are only bridge parties only on selected cruises. The bridge fees are built in to our special prices. Once again, those wishing to be part of the Mr Bridge party can only be booked with Voyages to Antiquity via the Mr Bridge office. I repeat, they must be made via the Mr Bridge office.

Page 5

Guests will be eligible for the Friday evening reception drink and dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday roast lunch. Tea and coffee are served as and when. All the bridge elements are, of course, included.

2014 DIARIES Next year’s diaries are now in stock. All colours are available, see order form.

LITTLE VOICE

CHRISTMAS PLUS

Do please continue to save your used postage stamps for my chosen charity, Little Voice. At some stage in the not too distant future, I hope to arrange a tour of Britain and collect them all up. Watch this space.

We are filling up for the festive season earlier than usual this year. As a result, we have decided to put on a Twixmas 2-night event and to try a location in the North West.

2014 FILMING The next six films in the Better Bridge with Bernard Magee series are to be shot in the course of a 3/4 day Mr Bridge event at our Denham Grove venue. 10–13 January 2014. I will give you further details next month along with the lecture headings. The course, which includes three nights full board, starts on the Friday morning at 10.15am and finishes with a lazy Monday breakfast. Those coming a distance may wish to book for the Thursday overnight stay. £60 per person, dinner, bed and breakfast.

Inn on the Prom, Lytham 27-29 December 2013 Signals and Discards Gwen Beattie. £215.

Special Offers on board m.v Voyager Special Singles Prices Discovery Club members save an extra 5%

TREE SURGERY Over the last year, I have used a tree surgeon whose help and advice I have come to respect.

21 October – 2 November 2013 In The Footsteps of St Paul

You may well be in need of such a service for your garden. I will be happy to provide further details.

Outside Saver Fares from £1399 per person sharing

12 days – Sailing from Istanbul to Piraeus

Outside Saver Fares for singles – from £1599

2-18 November 2013 Windows on the Ancient World

WEB PAGE FORUM www.mrbridge.co.uk

Ned Paul answers questions quickly and succinctly on my behalf. Do use this helpful service.

16 days – Sailing from Piraeus to Sharm El Sheikh

COVER STORY

3-19 December 2013 Tales of India and Arabia

This is extra to the special early booking price of £299 per person. No single supplement. However, full payment must be made at the time of booking.

Outside Saver Fares from £1499 per person sharing Outside Saver Fares for singles – from £1699

15 days – Sailing from Dubai to Colombo Outside Saver Fares from £1699 per person sharing Outside Saver Fares for singles - from £1999

To join our bridge parties with these really good deals, please call the Mr Bridge office ( 01483 489961.

PLAYING CARDS The cover introduces our Voyages to Antiquity 2014 programme. Details can be found in the centre fold.

For those wishing to paticipate in the bridge programe there is a £30 supplement per bridge player. Please quote: ESUP105

BACK COVER My wonderful premium quality playing cards are back in stock. I confirm that they are available from the London Bridge Centre at £60 for 60 packs unboxed with or without barcodes. ( 0207 288 1305.

STOP PRESS

This once again promotes the October cruise, which I still hope to be able to join in October. For a brochure, give the office a call. All good wishes

Mr Bridge Page 6

Terms & Conditions: Fare stated is based on the lowest outside cabin category available. There are a strictly limited number of cabins for single travellers at these prices and all prices quoted above are available on Saver Fares only. Offers apply to new bookings from 10 July 2013 and is subject to availability and may not be combined with any other offer or discount. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Fares correct at time of sending. Saver Fares: These fares are not protected by the Voyages of Discovery Price Promise. Saver Fares are guaranteed cabins; you cannot choose your cabin type, location or number. Full payment is required at time of booking and 100% cancellation and amendment fees apply.

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Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE

TEA TOWELS

BOOK

QPlus 10 / QPlus 11 when ready £92.00 .........

10 Commandments for Duplicate Players £7.00 .........

Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95 .........

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If you have not contacted us recently, please enter your details in the box below to re-register:

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Club Prices 10 for £35 ......... and pro rata

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

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( 01483 489961

Page 7

✄

BRIDGE  BREAKS ♦ Full-board

♦ Two seminars*

♦ All rooms with en-suite facilities

♦ Two supervised play sessions*

♦ No single supplement

♦ Four bridge sessions**

BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee NOVEMber continued 15-17 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Bidding Distributional Hands

Please book ..... places for me at £....... per person, Single .... Double .... Twin .... Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU

Name of Hotel/Centre............................................................. Date(s) .................................................................................... Mr/Mrs/Miss ......................................................................... Address................................................................................... ................................................................................................

22-24 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Better Defence

October 2013

JANUARY 2014

11-13 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Splinters and Cue Bids

10-13 Denham Grove NEW £299 Filming Weekend

18-20 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Playing & Defending 1NT

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

25-27 Queensferry Hotel £245 Finding Slams

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

Queensferry Hotel North Queensferry KY11 1HP

NOVEMber 2013

................................................................................................ 8-10 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Better Leads & Switches

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

17-19 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Better Leads & Switches

March 2014 21-23 Inn on the Prom £245 Doubles

April 2014 Expiry: ................................. CVV......................... Issue No.................... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)

Blunsdon House Hotel Blunsdon, Swindon SN26 7AS

Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH.

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

Full Board. No Single Supplement. See Adjacent Booking Form. ✄

*on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes.

4-6 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Finding Slams

Page 8

Answers to Bernard Magee’s  Bidding Quiz on page 3

1. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ A K 7 3 ♠ 9 8 6 N ♥ A K 6 2 ♥ 9 7 5 W E ♦ Void S ♦ J 9 7 6 4 ♣ A K 9 3 2 ♣ 5 4

West ?

North

East

South

1♣. 21 HCP and a void, but remember not to count for your void until you have found a fit. You do not have the strength for a 2♣ opening, and you cannot open a strong two either. This is true for Benji players as well: it is no good opening 2♣ and rebidding 3♣, your partner will almost always feel obliged to bid and you end too high. One of the gaps in most 2♣-systems (Acol, Standard American, etc.) is that they have to open a lot of strong hands with clubs at the one-level. On occasion this will result in missing a good game, but more often than not, either your partner or one of your opponents will come in to the auction, or you will end up at a safe level as you do here.



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

West North 1NT Pass ?

game. However, before you bid 3NT you should consider any other options. If your partner has five hearts, surely 4♥ will be the best game? Bid 3♥, this gives your partner the choice of games: he should either bid 3NT or 4♥. In this case, he would raise to 4♥ and the correct game is reached.



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

4♠. After an Acol 2♣ opening and a rebid in a suit, you are forced to bid until game is reached: you must not pass. You have spade support, which will be good news for your partner, but there is little else in your hand. When supporting a bid which is forcing to game, it is important to understand that a jump to game shows a weak hand, whilst a simple raise is a stronger hand, allowing your partner room to explore for slam if he wishes. A bid of 4♠ says to your partner that you are sure that slam is not on. East will pass, trusting your judgement.

East South 1♥ Pass 2NT Pass

3♥. First of all, you need to analyse your partner’s bidding. He has raised your 6-9 1NT response to 2NT. This means he feels there is a chance for game. Your first decision is to decide whether you bid game or not. With 9 HCP you are maximum, so you should go for

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



4. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ K Q 9 8 ♠ 10 6 3 N ♥ 7 6 ♥ AQJ43 W E ♦ 5 4 3 S ♦ A 8 ♣ A K 8 2 ♣ 9 7 6

West ?

North East South 1♣ 1♥ Pass

Page 9

1NT. Your partner has made a nonvulnerable one-level overcall: he is not promising much. You have a reasonable hand: 12 HCP, but pretty flat and just a small doubleton in your partner’s suit. Because you can simply pass (unlike with 6+ points opposite an opening bid) it is important to understand that any response to an overcall is a positive bid. A 1♠ response would promise five cards: unlike the four promised opposite an opening bid. A 1NT response shows 9-12 points and a stop in the opponents’ suit: a full trick more than a 1NT response to an opening bid. Your hand fits the bill for a 1NT response and your partner would pass. The reason for the extra strength for the 1NT response is because your partner could be quite weak: a 1-level overcall can be made on as few as 7 HCP: take away the ♦A and East might still have overcalled 1♥ – he would be showing a good suit to lead and aiming to compete for the ■ hand.

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

16-18 August Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge £169 21-23 March 2014 Bernard Magee Doubles £245 Full Board No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 8.

The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 16: The Singing Cowboy

N

o one could have been more surprised than me when Spouse announced he was playing at the Riverside Bridge Club that evening. I was even more startled to learn that his partner was to be Travis. The name rang a bell in my head. ‘Is that the Travis from our university days?’ I inquired. Spouse answered in the affirmative and recalled that we had first met him in the student bar where he used to sing for drinks by strumming on an ancient acoustic guitar. ‘Remind me; was he any good at it?’ I asked. ‘No, I shouldn’t think so. He always seemed sober to me,’ Spouse responded with some logic. Even so, it transpired that he had made a reasonably successful career performing as a singing cowboy and had just played a gig at a local folk club. He had phoned Spouse and discovered that they both had taken up bridge. That evening, a pale-faced tournament director whispered to Spouse that there was a visitor waiting for him in the bar. At that moment an older but still bearded Travis appeared at the doorway. He was wearing full cowboy regalia complete with Stetson hat, fancy side-guns and boots. ‘Good gracious, where did he park his horse?’ observed Millie in amazement, ‘I hope someone will feed it some hay and water.’ ‘Hey, buddy, how’s it going? Give me high fives,’ Travis instructed as he spotted Spouse. Spouse looked stunned but gallantly attempted the manoeuvre only to fail miserably. After greeting each other with a rather onesided manly hug, Spouse introduced me with, ‘You will remember Wendy; we’re married now.’ ‘Sure, buddy, wow!’ was the cowboy’s response as he embraced me as a long lost friend. I was embarrassed (or at least pretended to be), but secretly I was enjoying the attention.’ ‘Did you ever graduate?’ I asked in a poor attempt at light

conversation. ‘No I didn’t; it wasn’t a shock though. I never went to a single lecture or submitted any work,’ was the reply. ‘That would be a factor,’ said Spouse sympathetically. I introduced Travis to Millie and innocently he asked, ‘How many play bridge at the club?’ ‘Oh, I should say less than half,’ conceded Millie drily and definitely unfairly. As Spouse and Travis discussed systems and conventions, I heard Travis confide that he tended not to conform to precise sequences, but preferred to let his bidding flow like his music. I smiled to myself; Spouse was in for an interesting evening. Millie and I have recently switched to Roman Key Card Blackwood where the king of the proposed trump suit counts as a fifth ace and the trump queen can also be shown. On the following deal, I had the chance to use our new toy. Dealer North. N/S Vul. ♠ J 10 5 ♥ A Q J 10 7 ♦ 7 ♣ A 8 4 2 ♠ 9 7 ♠ Q 6 4 3 ♥ 8 6 5 3 2 N ♥ 9 W E ♦ K 9 6 S ♦ Q 5 4 3 ♣ 9 7 3 ♣ Q J 6 5 ♠ A K 8 2 ♥ K 4 ♦ A J 10 8 2 ♣ K 10

North (Millie) South (Wendy) 1♥1 4NT2 5♥3 6NT End 1 2 Five-card majors RKCB 3 Two of five ‘aces’ without the ♥Q

In a short and uncontested sequence, Millie opened 1♥ and I jumped to 4NT. I immediately recognised that Page 10

this was a spectacularly bad bid, but I was carried away by the number of aces and kings in my hand. A simple 2♦ would have been much more constructive. On the ♦6 lead from West, East went up with the ♦Q and I won with the ♦A. I played the ♦J to set up a trick in the suit. West won with the ♦K and when the ♦9 appeared on the next round, the slam came home with five hearts, four diamonds and three black suit tricks. ‘Sorry, we were very fortunate. My bidding was awful.’ I confessed to Millie, adding inadvisably, ‘It was lucky you got the 5♥ bid wrong. You should have bid 5♠ to show two aces and the ♥Q. I might then have bid the grand in hearts.’ Millie looked aghast and retorted, ‘What are you like, girl? A bid of 5♠ shows three aces.’ I sighed inwardly, but decided not to take the matter further. Millie had clearly forgotten the system, again. ‘Why on earth did you lead a diamond?’ asked East of his partner. ‘Hearts had been bid and diamonds were my next best suit,’ announced West looking ruefully at the traveller. In the post-bridge discussion in the bar, it emerged that on the same board, Travis, in the North seat, had played in six hearts. Unfortunately, he had ruffed a diamond in his hand before discovering the unkind heart split and had gone one off for the only negative score on the board. To be fair to Travis, he was the first to spot that the best result possible on the deal was a grand slam in spades. Not surprisingly nobody had bid it. Spouse and his cowboy partner did not have a good session, finishing bottom of the field. Later that evening, I asked Spouse if he was going to see Travis again. ‘Not in the near future,’ was the simple diplomatic reply, before adding as an afterthought, ‘the way he murders reasonable contracts could land him in the High Court as a criminal.’ ■

DEFENCE QUIZ by Julian Pottage



Mr Bridge Christmas & New Year 2013/14

(Answers on page 39)

Denham Grove

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

Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU

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

23-27 December £495 Just Duplicate Bridge (with a small section for rubber/Chicago with Diana Holland)

27-29 December £215 West North East South 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass 3NT End

You lead the ♠6. Partner wins with the ♠K, cashes the ♠A and continues with the ♠10. Declarer, having won the third round with the ♠Q, leads the ♦2. What do you do?

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

Signals and Discards

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ End 1 Asking for four-card majors

29 December – 2 January £445 Doubles

You lead the ♥8: ♥3, ♥6, ♥A. Declarer now leads the ♠3. How do you defend?

The Olde Barn Marston, Lincs, NG32 2HT

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

23-27 December £495 Just Duplicate Bridge

27-29 December £215 Finding Slams

29 December – 1 January £445 West North East South 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1 Pass 3NT End 1 No four-card major

You lead the ♠6: ♠4, ♠Q, ♠A. Declarer, leads the ♦2. What do you do?

Leads and Defence

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

( 01483 489961 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com Booking Form on page 8.

You lead the ♦6: ♦4, ♦2, ♦10. Declarer now leads the ♠3. What is your plan?

Page 11

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WILLOW PATTERN

David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

When Does a Hand Start?

Q

At a normal club session where the director is using the clock; the clock sounds and the director calls, ‘No more boards to be started.’ When is a board deemed to have been started? Is it: (a) when a hand is removed from the board, (b) when the bidding has commenced or (c) when the opening lead has been selected? I have asked a couple of directors with varying replies. An informed response may help me keep out of an argument. Alan Birch, Downend, Bristol.

A

As a matter of Law, the Auction Period and thus the hand generally commences for each side when one of the players withdraws his hand from the board. Thus the director has no right to stop play once one player has taken his hand from the board. However, while of dubious legality, it is normal practice to allow a board to be stopped when no-one has made a call. Once a call has been made, the director certainly must not stop play.

I appreciate that some clubs allow directors to stop play before the opening lead is made if they are bidding when the announcement is made. This is not just illegal, it can be very upsetting for the players. ♣♦♥♠

Q

1. Playing duplicate bridge recently I was declarer and, in the middle of a hand, I led from my hand when the lead was with dummy. My RHO immediately drew my attention to the error, but almost at the same time my LHO played a card though was unable to follow suit. I called the director who allowed my lead and my LHO’s card to remain without penalty. Was this the correct decision? 2. Bidding went around the table in a duplicate bridge game as follows: 1♥-1♠-2♦-2♠-2♥. If the insufficient bid is altered to 3♦, partner’s suit, is this a case where no further bids are permitted by partner or does this not apply where a new suit has not been introduced

by the pair? Your guidance would be appreciated. Gordon Tate, Watford, Herts.

A

1. The next player may accept any lead out of turn by playing to it and, if he does, it has been accepted. This applies whether he did so intentionally or not. 2. If 2♥ is changed to 3♦, then the player who bid 3♦ may make any call he likes on future rounds, but his partner is silenced for the rest of the hand. His partner is silenced unless he corrects it to 3♥, or another bid that means the same as 3♥, which seems unlikely. Of course, any insufficient bid may be condoned, that is treated as legal, by LHO, so the next player will be given a chance to accept 2♥ by the director. ♣♦♥♠

Q

We play in two bridge clubs, one is EBU affiliated, the other isn’t. The second club has introduced some local club rules (re-deals after four passes, nonannouncing of 12-14

Page 13

no-trump openings and non-alerting opening 1♣/1♦ with fewer than three in the suit). Do you know how far they can go with local rules? Bob Bates, North Birmingham BC.

A

The Laws of bridge are worldwide, and if they are not followed it is not bridge. But Regulations and Conditions of Contest are what the Tournament Organiser or Regulating Authority decides and clubs may do as they like. Announcing and alerting are subject to Regulation, so clubs can make their own rules. Of course, this will often upset people who play at other clubs, but it is perfectly permissible. Re-dealing pass-outs is illegal since it is against the Laws of bridge and should not be done by anywhere that calls its game bridge.

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

I was puzzled by one of your answers in issue 126 (June 2013) where you said that an Acol gambling 3NT opening should be alerted. This is contrary to advice I have received from other directors and is puzzling (to me at least) as the bid is a genuine suggestion for a contract and it is perfectly legitimate for the opener’s partner to pass. The only other alertable bid I can think of that may be passed is a double of a low level suit contract for penalties, but there a pass is expected and the EBU deal with this explicitly. There may be others, in which case I am just showing my ignorance. I suppose what I am trying to say, in the nicest possible way, is, ‘Are you sure?’ Trevor Hobson by email.

A

Yes, I am sure. It does not matter whether partner often passes it, it is not a natural bid and so alertable. A 3NT opening with no alert would show something like 24-26 balanced. ♣♦♥♠

Q

A situation arose recently when declarer was leading from dummy which, after several tricks, contained three spades (trumps) to the jack; two hearts, the queen and jack; and three minor cards. Declarer asked for the ♥J then said immediately,

‘No, the ♠J.’ I know the Yellow Book states that a card in dummy must be played if declarer has named it, but as the call for a different card was immediate, should the change have been allowed? The defenders at the time held one trump, had cashed the ♥A, but still held the ♥K. Norman Scott, Crook, Co. Durham.

A

As with an inadvertent call or card from a bidding box, an inadvertent call of a card from dummy may be corrected if the change is made or attempted without pause for thought and before declarer plays from hand. So if declarer meant the ♠J, but said the wrong thing he may change it and play the spade, but if he changed his mind he may not change it once it has been named. The director will have to decide which applies. ♣♦♥♠

Q

The expectation in your helpful 2008 Duplicate Rules Simplified book was that, from August 2009, ‘Doubles should only be alerted if they are highly artifical or strange.’ This doesn’t seem to have happened. The on-line version of the Orange Book (pp 16, 17, 26 and 29) deals with distinctions between ‘penalty’, ‘co-operative’, ‘optional’, ‘competitive’ and ‘protective’ doubles, which I find impenetrable. In particular, p29 gives various examples of alertable penalty doubles (which must imply that others are

not alertable), but elsewhere implies (but doesn’t state) that all penalty doubles of suit bids below 3NT are alertable. In particular, I see no distinction between ‘co-operative’ doubles (alertable) and ‘protective’ doubles (apparently not alertable). This doesn’t matter at club level, because we all rub along happily, but at higher level events we less experienced minnows are at the mercy of the more canny sharks, as a failure to get the ‘alert’ or ‘not alert’ decision correct will always work against us. Is there a page of simple guidance somewhere? Richard Rees by email.

A

a bit more frequently and co-operative doubles are not pure take-out doubles. A typical holding in the opponent’s suit for a protective double is a void or singleton: for a cooperative double is honour doubleton or three small. I am also a little surprised at your understanding of the word ‘example’. Examples are merely meant to be helpful and do not provide an exhaustive list. All penalty doubles of natural suit bids at the one, two or three level are alertable. I think your idea of canny sharks is completely misplaced. Players in tournaments are much more tolerant of ignorance over alerting rules for doubles, the strongest arguments over such matters come from selfstyled experts at club level. ♣♦♥♠

The rules for doubles are very simple indeed. If your partner doubles a natural suit bid at the one, two or three level you alert it unless it is just a take-out double. This applies whatever the auction was until that point. So all penalty, optional, co-operative and artificial doubles are alerted. The difference between protective and co-operative doubles is that protective doubles are take-out doubles in a position where players realise that partner passes

Q

I trumped the first round of clubs and then led my singleton club. Could I correct the revoke or is there a penalty? Margaret McMahon by email.

A

When you played to the next trick, you established the revoke. There is a two trick penalty when you win the revoke trick by ruffing and revoking, so you will lose that trick and one of any subsequent tricks.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE  RULES SIMPLIFIED

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(otherwise known as the Yellow Book) by John Rumbelow and revised by David Stevenson

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Page 14

Ask David continued

Q

There was a hand played at the club last night when, at trick 9, dummy was asked to play the ♥A and found the ♥9 hidden behind. What ruling should I have made? Had hearts been led previously and had dummy perhaps trumped (and therefore revoked), what ruling should I have then made? Roy Lambert by email.

A

Dummy is required to put the hand on the table in a particular way and thus his side is at fault if he puts it down with a card hidden. Forget the saying, ‘Everyone is responsible for dummy,’ it is not true and probably never was. There is no specific penalty for this, but if one of the defenders has lost a trick through not realising what was in dummy, the director can give an adjusted score, giving him the trick (or tricks) back. Similarly if dummy is found to have revoked, there is no trick penalty, but equity is restored, so if the revoke has cost the defence a trick, they get it back via an adjustment. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Please could you clarify – if partner hesitates is one supposed to bid what one would bid without the hesitation, or is one supposed to guess what other members of the same rank would bid? The illustration below shows how unreasonable this is:

In a pairs tournament I sat North with:

Dealer South. Love All. ♠ 10 9 2 ♥ 10 7 3 2 ♦ A 9 7 ♣ A 10 3

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

4♥ made. Because of the hesitation the director was called. After the play, I explained why I had chosen the call, but was ruled against on the basis that most people of my competency would have passed. What worries me is that, in Somerset, there is a great tendency to pass immediately after partner’s hesitation. This is rarely questioned, but it leaves the system open to terrible abuse because all partner has to do is hesitate to shut you up. A pass may still herald a bad outcome for the opposition if it was not the option that would genuinely have been chosen. They may mis-read the cards in play etc. In my view, choosing to pass because partner hesitated is definitely choosing an option based on the hesitation and that contravenes the law. However, if this is the case the EBU needs urgent guidance because it has never considered the ‘hesitate to make partner pass’ convention. The county director continues to quote Law 16 B1(b). He claims that it says that if

some people would pass then a pass must stand. I think Law 16 B1(b) only serves to provide a definition of what a ‘logical alternative’ is. I said to the county director that there will always be people who pass, and his reply was, ‘not if you have 21 points.’ I think my 2♥ bid was unlikely in that instance, but yes he has a point. Perhaps I should change my convention sheet to, ‘Pass on a marginal hand partner, if I hesitate.’ I think this should also be alerted. Partner hesitates, you should alert and say, ‘I am going to pass as my partner hesitated, but it has nothing to do with whether it is my natural bid.’ Lou Hobhouse by email.

A

You were ruled against in a marginal judgement decision, which happens to everyone from time to time. If you do not like it, you can always appeal. When your partner hesitates, you should make every effort to avoid taking advantage. If you feel you have done so – and many, many players do not bother or do not understand they should – then you have nothing to reproach yourself for. If a director or appeals committee disagrees with your judgement of the hand, so be it: this happens to all of us. Certainly there are always some players who believe that when a player hesitates then passes, his partner has to pass. All we can do is to continue to teach people that this is not the case. Your suggestion that some players cheat by deliberately hesitating to silence partner is unwarranted. You need extremely strong evidence

Page 15

before you accuse anyone of cheating: if you feel you have such evidence then you should submit it to your county or area or district, or to your country and let them deal with it. But cheating in bridge in the British Isles is fortunately very rare. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Playing duplicate at a local club and on lead, I selected a card, but had not yet put it face down and my partner said, ‘Yes please.’ I changed my mind and selected another card and placed it face down on the table. Declarer said, ‘You can’t do that. You should really lead your original choice,’ but then said, ‘Carry on.’ The director should have given that ruling, but was declarer correct? Joe Fagan, Walsall.

A

This is somewhat complicated by your side’s failure to follow the rules. The correct method is for you to lead face down, and then and only then should your partner indicate whether he has questions. So, since he has not waited, your partner has made life difficult for you. While the rules are not clear, I think as a director I would not allow you to change your card once your partner has spoken. While the fact that he has no questions does not tell you much, it is still communication between partners that is allowed only after you have led. Assuming your partner does not say anything then you are certainly allowed to change your mind until your card is placed face down on the table.

Ask David continued

Q

I am one of the directors at a small bridge club. We have a couple of players who persistently remove their bidding cards from the table before the first card is faced, thus depriving all players of the opportunity to review the bidding and the defender on lead to decide what to lead. They have been told several times that this should not be done, but they continually ignore instructions to follow the rules. I would be grateful if you could suggest what can be done. It seems to me that part of the problem lies in the way the specific rule is stated in ‘Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified’, ‘The bidding cards should remain in place until the opening lead has been made face down and all explanations have been obtained, after which they should be returned to their boxes.’ My difficulty lies in the use of the word ‘should’. Grammatically, it is the past of shall and is therefore obligatory. However it can be used in a conditional sense, depending on another factor. No other factors are indicated in this case, so it is assumed that it is used

in the first sense and is obligatory. There seems to be an ambiguity, so might it not have been better to use the word ‘must’ in the rule, rather than ‘should’? Russell Sweeney by email.

Mr Bridge AT THE ROYAL KENZ TUNISIA 2013/2014

A

No, I do not think so. The word ‘should’ requires it to be done, as does the word ‘must’. Neither gives any option or ambiguity. However, the lawmakers in the law book defined ‘must’ as meaning that it is normal to penalise for a breach, but in the case of ‘should’ it is not normal to penalise. Suppose you are called to the table and a pair has not kept the cards out, though you have had no problem with them before. Do you expect to penalise? No, of course not, not for a single occasion. But if the word ‘must’ was in the rule you should do so. The word ‘should’ is exactly the right level. It gives the players an instruction which is not optional at all, but does not suggest penalising. As with any breach of the rules, if a player does it repeatedly after warnings, then you start to penalise. That is exactly what ‘should’ implies. In this case you have given several warnings, so now is the time to penalise. Tell the players that you will now fine them a procedural penalty of 10% of a top every time you are called and they have taken their cards away and do so. They will soon start to follow ■ the rules.

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Denham Grove

DECLARER PLAY QUIZ

Denham, Bucks, UB9 5DG

The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

by David Huggett 4-6 October – £215 Doubles – Gary Conrad

(Answers on page 33)

Y

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

1.

♠ K 9 7 3 ♥ Q J 6 4 ♦ 8 6 4 ♣ K Q

2.

N

After three initial passes, you are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the top two diamonds and follows with a third diamond to East’s knave. How do you plan the play?

7-9 February 2014 – £199 Just Duplicate Bridge

♠ K Q 7 6 ♥ 6 ♦ A Q J 9 6 ♣ K 7 4

28-30 March 2014 – £199 Just Duplicate Bridge 4-6 April 2014 – £169 Rubber / Chicago Diana Holland

W E

S

♠ A J 10 8 2 ♥ A K 8 ♦ 10 3 ♣ J 8 3

10-13 Jan 2014 – £299 Filming Weekend Bernard Magee

N

W E



25-27 October – £215 Finding Slams – Sandy Bell

S



♠ A 5 4 ♥ Q 10 4 3 ♦ 10 8 4 ♣ A 5 3

Full Board No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 8.

♠ J 10 9 7 5 ♥ A K 3 ♦ A 8 ♣ K 7 5

RUBBER / CHICAGO

After West opens with a weak 2♥, you find yourself as declarer in 3NT. West leads the ♥8 and East plays the ♥J. How do you plan the play?

4.

N



♠ A K Q 6 3 ♥ 8 2 ♦ Q 7 ♣ A J 10 4

You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads the ♦2. How do you plan the play?

1-3 November £169 Just Duplicate Bridge

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Worthing BN11 3DU

♠ Q J 7 ♥ A 9 7 5 ♦ K 9 2 ♣ Q 6 5

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17-19 January 2014 £169 Just Duplicate Bridge 21-23 February £179 Stayman & Transfers

W E

S

6-8 September £169 Just Duplicate Bridge

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N

W E

16-18 August £179 Declarer Play

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Chatsworth Hotel 3.

BRIDGE EVENTS

S



♠ K 2 ♥ Q J 10 8 3 ♦ A 7 6 ♣ K J 2

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

Denham Grove Bucks UB9 5DG

4-6 April 2014 with Diana Holland

14-16 March £169 Just Duplicate Bridge 25-27 April £179 Further into the Auction

£169 Full Board

No Single Supplement

Full Board No Single Supplement

Booking Form on page 8.

Booking Form on page 8.

Page 18

From the Baron’s Archives by Dick Atkinson

The Long March or ‘What the Deuce . . .’

M

y uncle Leopold von Münchausen, the seventh Baron, was holding forth one day about the inferior quality of American players. ‘What can you expect? Bad breeding, you see. Not a drop of noble blood among them.’ ‘Surely they virtually invented the game. And what about Stayman? Lavinthal? Lightner?’ He almost choked on a piece of smoked salmon, then quickly scribbled down this deal. ‘I was East, don’t you see? It must have been in the mid-20s, at the Whist Club in New York. West was Vanderbilt, keen to teach us all his ‘new’ game. North was Hy Lavinthal, and South was Theodore Lightner, both younger players like myself. Both sides were vulnerable. Lavinthal passed as dealer, despite having game in his own hand, because under the system they were trying out he was too weak to bid, having only two Honour Tricks. Americans . . . ‘I opened 5♣, exactly the same call I would make today. Lightner held the best hand at the table – the South hand in the diagram below. ‘Lightner’s obvious call was 7NT, but, of course, if it should fail, it might fail spectacularly. If I held something like: ♠ Q 3 2 ♥ — ♦ — ♣ K Q 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 the contract would fail by ten tricks (unless declarer opted for a ‘safe’ eight down, and cashed his red aces). The three outstanding spades should break 3-0-0 about 9% of the time, so each opponent has a spade trick 3% of the time. The chances of an opponent ruffing one of those singleton aces, on the other hand, are only a fraction of one percent, negligible as far as this decision is concerned. Calling 7♠ will cost on average 94% of the extra 50

for honours and the extra 35 for trick scores (no-trumps counting 35 per trick in those days), or about 80 points. Calling 7NT will cost 6% of however many extra points the second, third and so on undertricks amount to and a double was not inconceivable if Vanderbilt held something like: ♠ Q 3 2 ♥ K Q J 10 x x x x ♦ K x ♣ — and there would be nowhere to run . . . Dealer: North. Game All. Lavinthal ♠ — ♥ K Q J 10 9 8 ♦ K Q J 10 9 8 ♣ K Vanderbilt Baron ♠ 3 ♠ Q 2 N ♥ 7 6 5 4 3 2 ♥ — W E ♦ 7 6 5 4 3 2 ♦ — S ♣ — ♣ Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Lightner ♠ A K J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 ♥ A ♦ A ♣ A

So Lightner decided to call 7♠, which was followed by two passes. I thought for a second or so. The hand type had to be as obvious to Vanderbilt as it was to me. If Lightner had a loser at all it would probably be because his hand was something like: ♠ A K Q 10 x x x x ♥ A K Q 10 ♦ A ♣ — Vanderbilt might well lead a trump, if he held one, to protect a holding like J-x-x-x in a red suit in his own hand or, for that matter, mine. Then I conceived the brilliant idea of doubling. ‘I was hoping my partner would take Page 19

me for Q-x-x or J-x-x-x in trumps and avoid leading the suit. That would give me at least a 67% chance of beating the slam – that is, when a red suit was led rather than clubs. Lightner, believing I must hold all the outstanding trumps, stood the double, nodding to himself in a rather self-congratulatory fashion, I thought. ‘Vanderbilt duly led the seven of hearts, which I ruffed gratefully. It was obvious that Lightner’s ace was a singleton, since he could hardly have a suit headed by A-6 at best on the bidding. It was also obvious that my partner might well be able to ruff a club. Somehow, though, I had to maintain his interest in the hand and provoke a diamond return. What would you do? I selected the three of clubs, which I hoped would look very odd. Vanderbilt ruffed and stopped to think about that missing two of clubs. I must have it, but why not play it? Either top or bottom of my suit would be natural. Why should I set him a problem? He got it right, of course, switched to a diamond and Lightner suffered the unique indignity of having his three singleton aces ruffed. ‘Vanderbilt suggested at this stage – correctly – that Lightner had got his calculation wrong and that the extra points should outweigh the tiny extra risk in 7NT. I agreed with him, though Lightner was inclined to cite the ‘Law’ of Symmetry, claiming that his own freak made other freaks much more likely. ‘Nevertheless,’ Vanderbilt remarked, ‘that choice of slam has cost you both a small fortune, thanks to the Baron’s ingenuity.’ He was wrong, of course. Absolutely no imagination, those Americans.’ ‘You’re far too modest, Uncle Leo,’

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The Long March continued

I told him. ‘I agree – it really was quite ingenious, you know.’ He paused with the generously capacious brandy balloon half-way to his mouth. ‘Half-wit! Of course it was! No, Vanderbilt’s lack of imagination was in his assessment of the impact on Lightner’s and Lavinthal’s finances. They each made a small fortune out of that deal ultimately – it sowed the seeds of their ‘Lightner’ Slam Double and ‘Lavinthal’ Suit Preference Signal . . . Pshaw! Americans . . .’ A few days later, I mentioned in passing that another great uncle had left me several cases of pre-war Champagne in his will and that I was hanging on to them as an investment. Being something of an expert, he kindly offered to test a bottle for me, just to check its condition. As it happened, the first bottle proved inconclusive, so it was at some stage during the second that, finding himself in mellow and expansive mood, he brought up the subject of Lightner Doubles and Lavinthal Signals once again. ‘I have played bridge for over eighty years against the best in the world, but I have never found the need for artificial signals when playing with a strong partner.’ He glanced again at the tall flute glass. ‘I have never approved of these things. The bubbles should tickle the nose, rather than inflate the stomach. However. Signals. With a good partner, you signal only to draw his attention to the unexpected, by playing an unexpected card. That was the principle of the original ‘Blue Peter’ at Whist. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.’ He took another sip. ‘Surely, Uncle Leo, even if a player of your calibre can get by without a conventional agreement, it can’t hurt to play the convention? Can it?’ ‘Hmmph!’ He plucked a silverbarrelled Parker from his inside pocket and scribbled this hand in the broad margin of the Financial Times:

Previously published in BRIDGE 54

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

‘This is from a match about forty years ago. East was the dealer and started with . . .’ ‘4NT,’ I interrupted. ‘If partner has two aces you can bid 7NT.’ ‘. . . with the obvious 6♣.’ ‘But . . .’ The Baron poured the last glass from the heavy green bottle. ‘Obviously the aim must be to call 7♣ as an apparent sacrifice. To start as low as 3♣ might be suspicious. Also, after a 3♣ start, the opponents might stop at, say, four of a major and then a jump to 7♣ would be a complete giveaway. If you start with 4NT, you will have the worst of both worlds: you will advertise your genuine power and you will allow opponents in to explore their own potential. No, it must be either 5♣ or 6♣.’ I was not convinced. ‘What happened in the other room?’ ‘Sometimes,’ smiled my uncle, ‘there seems to be a divine providence which watches over the innocent and punishes the guilty. My team-mate in the East seat in Room 1 opened 4NT. South saw no reason not to eavesdrop and passed for the moment. West bid 5♣, denying any ace, North bid 5♠ and East came clean with 7♣. South made the easy Lightner Double and East was left to enter an embarrassing minus 200 on his score sheet.’ ‘So you must agree that the Lightner Double was valuable. It was worth over 2,000 points on that occasion.’ ‘Oh no, only 100. A good South player not using the convention would pass unless he wished to direct his partner away from the bid suit.’ ‘But you lost on the board, anyway.’ Page 21

‘As I said, things went rather differently in Room 2. East opened 6♣ and I overcalled 6♥. My partner called 6♠ and East went to 7♣. I guessed that he must have twelve top clubs and an odd card. If it were the ace of spades, we should be sacrificing; should it be any loser, we ought probably to be making a Grand our way. I bid 7♦, which my partner converted to 7♥. This gave East a problem. He did not want a club lead, since, if his partner had the remaining club, I would be presented with a ruff and discard. A Lightner Double would prevent that, but would also promise the ability to ruff some suit – difficult with a trump void. Still, he produced the double – just as a natural bidder would have done. ‘The unexpected call – an againstthe-odds double of a slam – works just like the unexpected card in signalling: it alerts partner to the advantages of an unexpected play. Playing Lightner, this was always going to result in a diamond lead, not a spade. In spite of my redouble, West assumed that his partner held the obvious twelve top clubs and a little heart as advertised, so he rather casually led the eight of diamonds, since he ‘knew’ there would be a club return. You perceive the sequel? ‘I took my twelve red-suit tricks, and West helplessly squandered his many chances to signal, since he could not decide on the correct Lavinthal signal to indicate possession of a deuce. If I had been sitting West, of course, I would have played my cards in any surprising order to suggest that partner should do the surprising thing and he would simply have hung on to his long suit.’ ‘You mean . . .’ ‘Of course. 7♥ redoubled, just made, after East discarded twelve times from the same suit to promote my deuce. That must establish some kind of record; but I blame Messrs Lightner and Lavinthal for converting natural, flexible inferences into rigid conventional agreements.’ I nodded my head numbly. ‘Well, what did you think of the Champagne, Uncle Leo?’ ‘The Champagne? Oh, yes. I’m afraid, with all that conversation, I seem to have forgotten. I suppose I could . . .’ ‘Of course,’ I said and popped down to the cellar for a third bottle. ■

Letters from Overseas

An Exile Explains

M

y wife and I used our love of Austria and the fanciful idea that we might one day emigrate there as an excuse for some fabulous holidays. We had been married in Zell am See in 2005 and visited two or three different Austrian regions each year in search of our ideal home. In the summer of 2007, almost by accident, we found a plot of land in an excellent location near the centre of St Johann in Tirol, the town that we had decided had the potential to be our future home. If we had had a week or two to make the decision, we would undoubtedly have realised that building a house in a country where we spoke little of the native language and could only visit a few times during the building construction was completely unreasonable. But we had only 24 hours to make the decision, which was long enough to see the fantastic possibilities, but not to consider the potential pitfalls, so we said yes – and two years later we emigrated to St Johann in Tirol, to live in our newly built, chocolate-box style chalet. The outdoor life that we experience here – both in the summer and in the winter – is fantastic and the people are very friendly and understanding of our difficulty in understanding the strong local dialect. After we had been here a year, I decided to join the bridge club in

Kitzbühel, a ten minute drive away. While I looked forward to playing bridge again, my main motivation was to expose myself to German conversation beyond the simple situations I encountered in shops, restaurants or while travelling. I was

quickly struck by how kind everyone at the club was in accommodating someone who had only a rudimentary grasp of German. As soon as it was clear that I was having difficulty answering a question about a bidding sequence everyone would switch seamlessly to English. On one occasion, as I sat down at a table, the opponents (who were obviously not native English speakers) were conversing in English. I worried that they were doing so because of me and urged them to speak in German, but one of them replied, ‘I am from the Netherlands and my partner is from Chile. English is our common language.’ Over time my German has improved – but it is Page 22

by John Barr still embarrassingly poor. In addition to pairs sessions at the Kitzbühel club on Sunday and Tuesday evening, there is a rubber bridge session most afternoons at a local bar or hotel. The location varies with the time of year, as many hotels are closed out of the main tourist seasons in summer and winter. A hand I played during a recent rubber session proved to be a very expensive mistake. At game all, I picked up the North hand b e l o w. P a r t n e r opened 1♠ (playing five card majors and a strong no-trump), I responded 3♦ and he bid 3NT (showing 1214 points). I bid Blackwood and partner admitted to one ace and two kings, so I closed the auction with a bid of 6♠.



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



♠ K 7 6 5 2 ♥ Q 8 4 ♦ A ♣ K Q 10 8

There is always a spade to lose and the lead of the jack of hearts made it

An Exile Explains continued

almost certain that there was a heart loser. Partner won the ace, cashed the top two spades (opponents following) and cashed the ace of diamonds – planning to cross to the club ace and cash two more diamonds for heart discards. However, the ace of diamonds was ruffed on his right and the king of hearts was cashed

Kitzbühel Bridge Club runs an International Bridge Tournament. The week starts with Open and Mixed Pairs events, Thursday and Friday is the Teams Tournament, with the Championship Pairs being on Saturday and Sunday. The winning team share €600 and the winning pair share €700. There are also placing prizes, as well as prizes for the best female, mixed, foreign, Austrian, Viennese, Tyrolean and Kitzbühel pairs. The one

Mr Bridge 2014 Bridge Players’ Diaries

Contents include ♦ Acol Summary by Bernard Magee. ♦ Guide to the Laws. ♦ Scoring Tables for duplicate and rubber bridge. ♦ Distributional odds. ♦ Hand patterns and fascinating figures. ♦ Cover colours: Red, Navy, Tan, Black, Ivory, Green, Burgundy , Cambridge Blue. for one down. Moments later, the opponents had bid and made 3NT so we lost the rubber by 600 points. It was only half way through the next hand that I realised that 6NT is solid, and with the rubber and slam bonus that would have added up to a winning score of around 1,400 points. Even at the relatively low stakes we play for, the 2,000 point swing cost me and my partner €10 each. That has taught me to think carefully before placing the final contract at rubber bridge. In March each year, the

international angle that has been sadly missing in recent years is the participation of bridge players from the UK. Most of the bridge sessions start at 3pm, so there is plenty of time to go skiing or explore the shops before settling down to a relaxing game of bridge. Next year’s event runs from Tuesday March 25 to Sunday March 30, 2014. For more information, email [email protected] or go to www.bridge.kitzcam.net/ turnierprogrammEnglish. html. I look forward to seeing you in Kitzbühel. ■ Page 23

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Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Phoney Club or Better Minor?

Q

At our club, we discussed the relative merits of opening a phoney club or better minor when holding a balanced 12-14 HCP and playing 5-card majors and a 15-17 no-trump. I can see no merit in the better minor approach, though I was in a minority of one. As I understand it, Standard American uses better minor. Could you enlighten me as to its advantages? To me, it seems to be adding complexity for no obvious advantage. As responder, I am profoundly disinterested in whether my partner has opened with xx in clubs and xxx in diamonds, or xxx in clubs and xx in diamonds. Alan Mansell, Milford-on-Sea.

A

Over here, most people feel the same way as you do, that it is better to play 1♣ as possibly a balanced hand and keep other bids natural. I struggle to see the benefit in better minor

myself. I suppose it makes it a fraction easier to compete with a long club suit if you know partner has three. ♣♦♥♠

Q

What do you think of the sequence below? Is 4NT quantitative?



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

would treat 4NT as an enquiry. This being the case, 4NT is not going to help because responder wants to know about playing strength and filling cards rather than aces. The two alternatives to a pass are thus a cue bid of 5♣ or a raise to 5♥. With so many high cards in the red suits, opener is probably going to accept the invitation either way. This suggests that responder should not be making a slam try in the first place; it is all rather marginal. ♣♦♥♠

West East 2NT1 3♦2 3♥ 4♦ 4♥ 4NT3 5♠4 6♥ 1 20-21 2 Transfer to hearts 3 Intended as quantitative; interpreted as RKCB (1430) 4 2 key cards and trump queen.

John Marron, Lancashire.

A

Whether 4NT is quantitative or an enquiry is a grey area for many partnerships. Once West shows some hearts by bidding 4♥, most

Q

Could I have advice on the point count for a pre-emptive three opening? I understood it was 6-9 points. Pat Evans by email.

A

The idea of a preemptive opening is to make life difficult for the opponents. Having a hand that will make a lot more tricks with its long suit as trumps than it will defensively is the main requirement, so having strength in your long suit is

Page 27

a good idea. Point count is only a guide. Most hands with a seven-card suit and 10 HCP would be strong enough for a one-level opening, hence the upper limit of 9 points suggested to you.



♠ K Q 10 8 5 3 2 ♥ 5 ♦ 8 3 ♣ 9 6 3

This hand has only 5 points, yet almost anyone would open 3♠ non-vulnerable and plenty would vulnerable too. In third seat, the range becomes wider. If you have a very weak hand, you can be sure (given partner’s inability to open) that the opponents have game on. You can also afford to preempt with a slightly stronger hand. If you have 10 or 11 points and partner could not open, game is unlikely to be available your way. In fourth seat, you do not open a weak hand – you pass out the deal. Thus, the range is roughly 5-9 in first and second seat, 3-12 in third seat and 10-12 in fourth seat.

Ask Julian continued

Q

Years ago, I recall Terence Reese indicating that overcalling with 4-card suits was acceptable. It may prevent the opponents playing in no-trumps, fearing that you hold a 5-card suit or better and indicate a safe lead for partner if your LHO become declarer. Do you agree that there are hands where it is sensible to overcall on a 4-card suit? John Martin, Glendale, Ross-Shire.

A

Most of the time, when your longest suit is only four cards, there is a better call than an overcall: pass, 1NT or double depending on strength and shape. Even so, I agree there are some exceptional hands on which the best action is to overcall at the one level with a strong four-card suit.



♠ A K J 10 ♥ A 5 2 ♦ 10 4 3 ♣ 10 7 4

With a suit of this quality, you are happy for partner to lead the suit or to play in a 4-3 fit. I hope this clarifies this position.

Arnie George, Wokingham, Surrey.

A

At one time, it was usual to play that redouble (and 2NT) covered good hands, with other bids non-forcing. If that is your agreement, it is indeed acceptable for East to pass. The more modern style is that you only redouble on hands where you wish to penalise the opponents and that change of suit bids are the same as without the double i.e. forcing. Whether West should ignore the double is therefore a matter of partnership agreement. As mentioned above, most people now play a new suit as forcing. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Can you find a foolproof way to reach 7♥ or 7♠ with these hands? In fact, 7♣ also makes. North is the dealer.



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



♠ Void ♥ A K 9 7 4 3 ♦ 10 7 ♣ A Q 9 8 3

♣♦♥♠

Q

Is it ever acceptable for East to pass in the sequence below? Should West have bid exactly as he would have if South had passed?

up in a black suit. Here is a possible sequence:

West North East South Pass 1♦ Dbl 1♥ Pass ?

Elli Rogers, Yorkshire.

A

Using a splinter bid and cue bids, I think you can reach 7♥ with confidence. You are most unlikely to end

North South 1♠ 2♥ 4♦1 5♣2 5NT3 7♥4 1 Raise to 4♥ with a singleton or void in diamonds. 2 Cue bid, showing the ace (or void) in clubs. 3 Grand Slam Force. 4 2 of the top 3 trump honours.

Once South cue bids 5♣ to show the ace of clubs, North can see there are no possible losers outside the trump suit and so uses the Grand Slam Force. You might still reach the grand slam if North continued cue bidding. However, when you have the right hand to take control, you should do so. ♣♦♥♠

Q

I need some advice about the meaning of the double on this sequence.

West North East South 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♥ Dbl

Is the double still a take-out double? Trudie Daly by email.

A

I am not sure I have come across this situation before. If 3♥ were a game try, it would make no sense to be doubling for penalties. Then again, if 3♥ is preemptive, the opponents must have a big fit, in which case it would still be unlikely you would want to make a penalty double. This suggests the double should be for take-out, though how can you have a hand strong

Page 28

enough to double 3♥ yet not strong enough to act over 1♥? I am afraid the double does not seem to make sense either way. If I was East, I suspect I would look at how many hearts I hold and decide from that. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Playing splinters, I opened 1♠ with this hand:



♠ A K 8 5 3 ♥ K Q 9 2 ♦ Q ♣ A 7 4

Partner responded 4♦ (raise to 4♠ with short diamonds). I rebid 5♣ and partner jumped to 6♠. This made when spades split 2-2 and the queen dropped. Partner argued that I should have rebid 4♠ to show the ace of spades. I prefer to keep 4♠ as a shut-up with a suit like K-x-x-x-x or worse and measly opening points. What are your thoughts? Bob Bates, Birmingham.

A

If you are looking for a slam, a bid in the agreed trump suit at the lowest level is a sign off, denying interest in a slam. Here, you would sign off on any minimal opening with wasted diamond values whatever the strength of your trumps. In any event, you cannot cue bid the ace of trumps. Your hand is so strong that despite the duplication of a singleton diamond in each hand it warrants a slam try. You do not want to be signing off in 4♠.

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Ask Julian continued

Q

Would 2♣ be a reasonable bid on the auction below?



♠ 8 ♥ K 9 8 N W E ♦ A Q J 9 4 S ♣ A J 8 3

♠ A K 6 3 ♥ J 10 7 3 ♦ K 6 ♣ 9 7 6

West North East South 1♣ 1♦ Pass ?

At tables where South did not open 1♣, EastWest sailed into 3NT and made 10 tricks. Mary O’Connor by email.

A

With no five-card suit to bid, only two diamonds and no club stopper, East indeed has a difficult call. I would probably bid 1NT, the lack of club cover notwithstanding. 2♣ is a reasonable alternative. With 15 HCP, far more than one needs for a onelevel overcall, West will be showing some strength on the next round anyway, so you should reach game whichever bid you make. ♣♦♥♠

Q

How should you compete after opponents bid 1NT followed by a transfer? I have given the actual auction and the North hand.



♠ Q 6 5 4 3 ♥ 9 3 ♦ A K 9 7 ♣ A 9

hearts are longer, which is significant because partner is likely to give preference to hearts with equal length.

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ End

East-West went one off in 2♥, while North-South, luckily, can make 4♠. Stan Powell by email.

A

When the opponents are playing a weak no-trump and responder uses a transfer, opener’s completion often ends the auction unless the opponents compete. With the hand given, North should bid 2♠ over 2♥. North has 13 HCP, the same as West is likely to have, as well as the higher-ranking suit. Selling out to 2♥ is losing tactics. Indeed, some people would bid on the first round with this hand, which would be easy for those playing Asptro. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Playing Michaels cue bids, what would you do on this hand as West?



♠ K Q J 2 ♥ K Q 10 9 4 ♦ A 6 5 2 ♣ Void

Q

Nowadays people open light and competitive obstructive bidding is effective. The problem that arises is whether a poor opening bid should further compete when perhaps a pass is a better description of the hand. By making a free bid; should partner assume you have better values?



♠ Q 10 7 4 ♥ Q ♦ K J 7 ♣ K J 9 7 4

N W E S

West North East South 1♣ 2♥* 3♦ 3♥ ? *Weak

It is tempting to bid 3♠ or 4♦ as the hands seem to be fitting well with the singleton heart. Kevin Elstow by email.

West North East South 1♣ ?

A

At the table, West bid 2♣, which turned out well because the opponents took out a phantom sacrifice. Huw Jones, Swansea.

A

♣♦♥♠

I would start with a double rather than 2♣. 5440 is threesuited rather than two-suited. Partner will tend to assume you have 5-5 in the majors if you bid 2♣. At least, the

With no aces and only 12 HCP, including a singleton queen, I would pass. Partner can probably deduce from the opposing bidding that you are short in hearts. If the hand were a fraction better, I would double (for take-out), which seems more flexible than 4♦ or 3♠. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Page 30

South said she was playing Acol and that

4NT was Blackwood. Is a 4NT overcall Blackwood in Acol? I did not think it was. Someone asked, ‘What else could it be?’ Do you know the answer? West North East South Pass Pass 1♥ 4NT

A Michael Dunne.

A

4NT could be an extremely shapely minor two suiter (two 6-card suits). In Acol, the extreme two-suiter is the normal interpretation, though admittedly it does not come up very often. If you want to check on aces, you can start with a double and bid 4NT later. ♣♦♥♠

Q

How should the bidding have gone?



♠ A 10 ♥ A K Q J 7 6 ♦ 9 7 3 ♣ Q 10

I opened 1♥, my partner replied 2♠. I rebid 3♥ and partner passed. I made all 13 tricks. Heather Thomson, Huntingdon.

A

Your partner’s jump shift creates a game force, so stopping in 3♥ should never happen. The traditional meaning of a jump in a bid suit in a forcing situation is to show a solid suit, so you might have rebid 4♥. It sounds as if partner could continue with 4NT and 5NT and you would reach the grand slam.

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Ask Julian continued

Q

How could we have reached 6♠ or 6NT with the hands below?



♠ J 6 2 ♥ K J 10 ♦ K Q J 10 8 5 2 ♣ Void N W E S



♠ A K 7 5 3 ♥ 6 ♦ A 4 ♣ A Q J 10 2

North South 1♠ 2♦ 3♣ 3NT 4NT 5♣ 5♠ End

When partner did not have the missing ace, I chickened out of bidding the slam as I had only one king. I made 13 tricks in 5♠. Jill Clarkson by email.

A

On the hand you cite, North’s rebid of 3NT is a poor choice. The two main features to describe are the semi-solid diamond suit and the secondary spade support. 3NT describes neither of these. Since it is quite easy to envisage hands on which you can make 6♦ but not 6♠ (if there is an ace and ♠Q-x-x-x-x missing for example), 3♦ seems the best rebid. You do not want to reach 6♠ with the actual hands, which relies on a doubleton ♠Q. 6NT

is also a poor spot, again relying on a very helpful spade position. If you are going to reach a slam, 6♦ is the place to be. This is why it is so important for North to rebid the diamonds. A possible auction is 1♠-2♦3♣-3♦-4♣-4♠-5♦-6♦. A further point is this: on your actual sequence, 4NT should have been natural rather than asking for aces. You had not agreed a suit. If you check on aces before you have agreed a suit, you can find yourself with a horrible guess, as you discovered. Partner had not shown spade support at any point; you were lucky to find three trumps in dummy. 4♣ would have been a better third bid from you in any case. ♣♦♥♠

Q

Playing pairs, the following shape (6 minor, 5 major) has cropped up three times recently. Each time, the opening bid (twice 1♦ and once 1♠) has turned out to be the wrong choice. Is there a rule of thumb, or is it a guess each time?



Bridge and Travel Tips

INTO THE UNKNOWN Bridge tip from Sally Brock: Lead up to the closed hand

W

hen you, declarer, lead a card towards the dummy, both defenders can see the card you have played and dummy’s holding. Usually it is fairly easy for them to work out who should win the trick. But when you lead a low card from a singleton or doubleton in the dummy, it is a different matter. This is a typical defensive problem:

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



Suppose your opponents reach 6♠ after opening a strong no-trump. Partner leads a trump. Declarer wins the lead in the dummy and leads a diamond. What do you do? On the first deal, if you rise with the ace, West’s high diamonds are ruffed and the ♦Q is established for a club discard. On the second deal, you need to rise with your ace, or declarer will play his king and all you will take is a heart trick. If you win your

♠ A 8 6 4 2 ♥ K 7 ♦ K J 9 5 4 3 ♣ Void

♦A there is also a defensive heart trick for you to make.

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

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

Do you see my point? On the first deal the advantages of playing a diamond from dummy rather than your hand may not have been obvious, but it gives you an extra chance and makes it difficult for your right-hand opponent to do the right thing. ■

Travel tip from Emma Thomson:

Richard Rees by email.

A

I suggest you make it a rule always to open your longest suit. Then you will not have to guess each time and you will not keep guessing wrong. ■

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

Page 32

T

ravelling to foreign lands exposes you to new cultures, experiences ... and pathogens. Vaccinations may be a pain in the arm (or buttocks), but they are essential, so make an appointment with your GP at least a couple of months prior to a big trip to find out what vaccinations you require and book in for any boosters. Websites such as www.netdoctor.co.uk or www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk will also give you recommendations. Holidays are expensive. Don’t let them be ruined by pesky parasites.

Answers to David Huggett’s  Play Quiz on page 18 1. ♠ K 9 7 3 ♥ Q J 6 4 ♦ 8 6 4 ♣ K Q ♠ 5 N ♥ 9 7 5 3 W E ♦ A K 9 2 S ♣ A 5 4 2 ♠ A J 10 8 2 ♥ A K 8 ♦ 10 3 ♣ J 8 3

♠ Q 6 4 ♥ 10 2 ♦ Q J 7 5 ♣ 10 9 7 6

After three initial passes, you are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the top two diamonds and follows with a third diamond to East’s knave. How do you plan the play? With a certain loser in the ace of clubs, you have to avoid losing a trump trick. The odds would favour playing the spades from the top but you can do something to improve your chances. You ruff the third diamond, of course, and play a club to the king and although this might not seem to achieve anything it does tell you who has the ace. If West has it, he cannot possibly hold the queen of spades as well because he passed at his first turn. So now you finesse against that card in the East hand.

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

♠ J 10 8 3 ♥ J 7 ♦ K 5 2 ♣ Q 10 8 6

After West opens with a weak 2♥, you

find yourself as declarer in 3NT. West leads the ♥8 and East plays the ♥J. How do you plan the play? A count of the tricks needed should confirm that you have to play on diamonds at some stage and it is clear that you need only four tricks from that suit to ensure success. But you have to be a little careful. West is very unlikely to hold the diamond king together with the top two hearts for his weak two bid and if East holds that card you have to be sure he does not have another heart when the diamond finesse loses. So simply duck the jack of hearts. Whatever happens next, you can eventually take a diamond finesse into the safe hand. It may be counter-intuitive but it is in fact just a simple hold up play.

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

♠ 8 2 ♥ J 9 7 ♦ K 10 5 4 3 ♣ 8 6 2

You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads the ♦2. How do you plan the play? You must resist the temptation to play low from dummy at the first trick, for if East wins the king of diamonds success or failure depends on whether you can locate the queen of clubs. In fact, the contract is guaranteed if you win the lead in dummy, draw trumps and play three rounds of hearts ruffing the last in hand. You can then exit safely with the queen of diamonds, not caring at all who wins the trick for they will be hopelessly endplayed. They will either have to concede a ruff

Page 33

and discard or open up the club suit, thus finding the queen for you.

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

♠ 10 8 5 4 3 ♥ K 6 ♦ 5 4 3 ♣ A 9 8

You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads the ♦Q. How do you plan the play? You have four potential losers, consisting of a trick in each suit. If you win the lead in hand and rush to take the heart finesse, East might win and return a diamond when you would have to be extremely lucky not to lose four tricks. Instead, win the lead in hand and play the king of spades and another if that is ducked. They will win and play another diamond most likely but now you can pitch your losing diamond on the winning spade in dummy after cashing the ace of hearts for extra security. Now you knock out the trump king and eventually ■ the ace of clubs.

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Julian Pottage Says

Hold Up a Stopper

W

hen you first learned bridge or whist, you probably took every chance you could to win a trick. Why lose a trick that you could win? Well, if you have a winner, you can win it only once. If it is a sure winner, such as an ace in a no-trump contract, there is no rush to take it. The winner will not run away. The idea of a hold up (refusing to win) is to cut the opposing communications.

♠ J 9 ♥ A 8 5 ♦ Q J 9 8 5 ♣ K Q 7 N W E S



♠ A 7 5 ♥ K 9 7 ♦ K 10 7 2 ♣ A 6 4

You are South in 3NT. West leads the six of spades and East plays the king. You have six top tricks (one spade, two hearts and three clubs). You therefore need three more tricks. The diamond suit will be more than adequate for this purpose. You need to knock out the ace of diamonds, which means losing the lead. You want to guard against losing four (or more) spades and a diamond. You will need luck and skill to do this. If someone (West you imagine) has five or six spades and the diamond ace, you will go down no matter what. To succeed when the missing ace and long spades are in opposite hands, hold up your ace until the third round. With any luck, whoever wins will be out of spades. If spades are 4-4, the hold up will fail but you will lose only three tricks in the suit. Holding up can also be correct when you have two stoppers.

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

♠ J 8 ♥ Q 8 6 2 ♦ A 8 ♣ 10 9 8 3 2

You are in 3NT. West leads the six of spades and East plays the jack. Suppose that you are blasé through having two stoppers and win the first trick. When you play on diamonds, East comes in with the ace of diamonds and clears the spades while West still has an entry. Down you go. Now try ducking the first trick. No switch can harm you and, since East will have no spade to lead when in with the ace of diamonds, you make 3NT. ♠ 9 4 3 ♥ A ♦ Q J 9 5 ♣ A Q 10 8 3 ♠ Q 10 7 6 2 N ♥ K 10 4 3 W E ♦ 6 4 S ♣ 5 4 ♠ A J 5 ♥ 9 7 5 ♦ A K 10 3 2 ♣ J 6

♠ K 8 ♥ Q J 8 6 2 ♦ 8 7 ♣ K 9 7 2

This time you are in 5♦. West leads the spade six and East plays the king. This is a suit contract and a hold up is still a good idea. Do you see why? You have no need to cut out the long Page 34

spades – you can ruff them – but you do want to avoid losing two spades. You can do this with the 5-2 break. Another factor is relevant. If you duck the first trick, you will have a tenace. Holding up is only right because you expect to lose the lead to East. If the club finesse went into the West hand, you would win the first trick. Is it ever wrong to hold up? Yes, here are common reasons to win quickly: 1 You are weak or wide open in another suit. 2 The suit led is not dangerous. 3 A switch could attack a vital entry. 4 Holding up would cost a trick. 5 Winning blocks the opposing suit. ♠ 9 6 ♥ 7 5 3 ♦ K ♣ K Q 10 8 7 3 2 ♠ K J 7 2 N ♠ Q 8 3 ♥ K 9 4 2 W E ♥ J 10 8 6 ♦ Q 9 4 S ♦ J 8 7 6 ♣ 5 4 ♣ A 9 ♠ A 10 5 4 ♥ A Q ♦ A 10 5 3 2 ♣ J 6

You are South in 3NT. West leads the two of spades and East plays the queen. There are many reasons for winning the first trick. The first is that, if the two is fourth best then West has only four spades – you do not mind losing three spades and a club. The second is that you may well have a double spade stopper if you win. The third is that a heart switch will surely be deadly if West holds the king of hearts. Last but by no means least, a diamond switch terrifies you – this will kill the club suit if someone can hold up the club ace. ■

READERS’ LETTERS

IN TEMPO NOT

PLEASE READ The following letter was included in the July issue, but I had omitted to give the writer’s email address and telephone number. My apologies to those of you who wanted to contact Jack Clayton.

A bonus would be a sunny garden with nice open views. Note: Although I am very keen, no-one would ever suggest I am anything but average as a player.

WANTED

SECOND HAND

My travelling abroad days are over and as a widower with 51 years of happy married life behind me, I have only myself to consider. So, having thought about things I wonder, Mr Bridge, if you might include this plea in one of your readers’ letter pages: I am looking for a residential home which has regular contract bridge (preferably duplicate) games. I am 85, live alone and have been diagnosed as having Parkinson’s disease. I still drive but find it harder and harder to travel. So I am thinking of going into a place where I can use a scooter to get around but where I can have my car (for a year or so) and have my own home. Although I believe many of the people I play with are in my position, there seems to be nothing locally. There is no reason for me to live in Suffolk (apart from the peace, the people and the climate) – I grew up in Cumbria and my parents hailed from Yorkshire. So, perhaps one of your readers could suggest somewhere. Ideally, I would like a quiet home with a terrace or balcony and plenty of bridge.

I would like to buy a Saitek Pro Bridge 310 computer, the hand-held one. Please call ( 0208 343 1703.

Jack Clayton by email. ( 01986 872425. [email protected]

Mrs C Bearman, London N3.

EASY BRIDGE It is planned to repeat our weekly ‘group’ sessions, which were held last spring to improve the playing and understanding of basic Acol Bridge for players who feel they need a bit of help.  The six sessions will include etiquette and rules as well as bidding and scoring. The aim is to help players of different abilities to become more competent and to play with confidence and knowledge. The sessions will start on Monday 9th September and finish on 21st October 2013. They will be held at The Burley Memorial Hall, Old Waverton Village, Chester, CH3 7QN from 1.30-3.30pm. Cost £3.00 per session (for hire of hall). Please contact me for more information. Gill Harrand by email. ( 01244 332105. robertharrand259@ btinernet.com

Sally Brock is an eminently readable and instructive writer on the game, as well as an undisputed member of an elite group of British bridge players. That being so, I was just a little disappointed to see that she apparently quite unashamedly took ‘at least five minutes’ to make a bid. Perhaps this is quite acceptable conduct in the white hot arena in which she was playing, but such a practice is sadly an albeit minor reason why newcomers to the game are being put off a continually and inexorably dying activity at competitive club level. Over the years I have seen the irritation which such trances engender and perhaps, with the greatest respect, Sally could have made an appropriate comment on the inordinate time factor in this particular case. Ian Lineker, Hagley, Worcs.

TREASURE HER I was delighted to read your article giving support to Sally Brock. I turn to her pages before anything else in BRIDGE. I just love reading about all her escapades. Please don’t ever drop her, just drop the people who complain about her. Wendy Gardner, Poole, Dorset.

HIP HIP HOORAY In the late evening of 17 June your email arrived entitled ‘BRIDGE 127’ and I noted regretfully that I was probably not going to receive a printed version as it was not my turn. This meant that my sequence of copies since number 59 would be broken. But, this morning the sun shone and the postman delivered a copy

Page 35

of ‘BRIDGE’ – three rousing cheers and thank you. Richard Lockyer, Bournemouth.

The ratio is one hard copy every three months or so, any more is really lucky. The next two will need to be read online. If you want to continue receiving hard copies you should take up my special introductory offer for a subscription.

PLUMBER NEEDED I remarked to my doctor that my memory was showing sign of a leak. His reply, ‘just keep on with the bridge.’ At 92 I am more than happy to follow his advice. Mrs K Flood, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

UNSUPPORTABLE Some years ago I used to partner Jo Dos Santos before he got too good for me. However, he once suggested a game at Chislehurst Bridge Club and said he would pick me up. ‘Well, what system are we going to play?’ came up in conversation during the journey. When we got that sorted out, I said, ‘Remember Jo, if you lead the ace of spades and I play the nine, then it is a singleton.’ He said ‘That is not right. It is impossible.’ ‘Doubting Thomas,’ I said, ‘Don’t forget.’ We got to the club and on the first hand we had to defend. He led the ♠A and I played the nine. He stared and stared and eventually played a second spade which I ruffed. So remember everybody. You should not lead an unsupported ace of spades unless you are partnering me (or anybody). Mr James McGrath, Bickley, Kent.

READERS’ LETTERS continued

MEMORABLE As a passenger on the unfortunate ‘Celtic Treasures’ cruise on Voyager, May 25-31, I would like to thank Bernard Magee and his team for making the cruise less of a disappointment for those passengers booked with the bridge party. While we were stranded in Killybegs, Bernard arranged an extra seminar and additional bridge in the afternoon. Although I was disappointed to miss our stops in other Irish ports and St Peter Port, the free bar and extra bridge helped to make the cruise more enjoyable. Mrs M Dennett, Wimborne, Dorset.

DO YOU OPEN... I noted Chris Chatfield’s letter (BRIDGE 127) on the wisdom of opening 1NT with only three bare aces. I have a couple of comments to make, one concerning the best evaluation of a hand for notrumps and the other of an occurrence in practical play. Several years ago, Prof Cowan of Sydney University, Australia (a mathematician as well as a bridge player) demonstrated that the 4321 count often gave an imprecise valuation of the trick-taking power of a balanced hand and came up with a much more accurate 54321 count, where 10s were included. This was taken up by an Irish international, ‘Banzai’ Jackson who put his name to the idea and wrote a book. Be that as it may, it has not been taken up very widely because of the built-in inertia of most bridge players. However whilst still using the 4321

count, I agree wholeheartedly with Chris Chatfield that one should consider the stuffing of a hand with 9s, 10s and low honours as well as the nominal 4321 point count. In other words, for balanced hands only, the more honour cards (including 10s) the better the value for a given 4321 count. One should also give plus points to cards such as 9s and even 8s in conjunction with an honour and consider a 5-card suit worth an extra point. So 12 points made up of:



♠ Q 10 9 2 ♥ K 10 8 ♦ K J 10 ♣ K 10 9

(12 points but with 9 honour cards rather than a measly 3, plus 9s and 8s) is much more valuable than any balanced hand with only three aces and no card above, say, a 7. This hand should take at least one more trick than the three ace hand. Indeed, on the Cowan valuation translated into the familiar 4321 context, it would count not as 12 but 14 (i.e. a maximum rather than a minimum 1NT). In the same way, the three ace hand would count only 10 – way below the valuation of a standard weak no-trump. I agree that one bids 1NT in Acol partly as a pre-empt, but it must also provide a sound trick taking estimate for partner to make an intelligent judgement as a basis for action if any. Possibly, one could get away with 1NT on 3 bare aces non-vul against vul, but vul against non-vul it would be extremely foolhardy. If you do not wish to adopt 54321, at least count your honour cards, remembering 10s are honours too, and

consider the stuffing of your hand before bidding. Note that when considering hands with long suits and a possible trump contract, then aces are much more valuable cards – but this is not so for balanced hands in a no-trump contract. In a tournament recently, my son had taken this valuation to heart and did indeed pass on a balanced hand with three unsupported aces. An English international playing against him, noted the play of two aces from him. He decided that as my son had not opened he could not have the outstanding ace. Unfortunately, he did and the international consequently went down in a makeable contract. Moral – it can sometimes pay to pass such a hand and reap the benefit in defence. Dr G Dearing, Liverpool.

MORE MATHS I am always interested in the odds of obtaining different hands. I calculate that a Yarborough is 1828 to 1 rather than 1847 to 1. Possibly I am working to a different number of decimal places? Lloyd Lewis asks for the chance of holding one 6-card suit or two 5-card suits after RHO’s weak no-trump. That is tricky. Disregarding the notrump, in the first case I get about 5.2 to 1 against, but this reduces to near 15 to 1 if you include higher suit numbers or 6-6-1. (Can this

be right?). In the second case I get a figure of about 33 to 1. The no-trump bid, being flattish, will increase the odds, but it would be difficult to work out by how much. I would be interested to hear of results from your mathematical readers. John Watts, Congresbury, North Somerset. tickenham0505 @btinternet.com

MORE ODDS Lloyd Lewis asks about the probabilities of one and two-suited hands after an opening no-trump.  A good place to start is Wikipedia Bridge_probabilities. While it talks in terms of probabilities within one hand (eg how likely is 5332), the odds apply almost equally to the split of a suit across the four hands.  Holding 6 cards in a suit leaves 7 cards of that suit for the other hands so the no-trump bidder will certainly have enough. 22% of hands have a 6-card suit and (except for extreme freaks) all are consistent with an opponent having a no-trump hand. The odds of holding two five-card suits are around 10%. Again the no-trump opening won’t alter the odds markedly. But 12 HCP in opener’s hand will somewhat reduce the chance of having enough HCP to compete. Mr T Smith by email.

REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE

Page 36

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 2nd class: 100x37p+100x13p)

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

READERS’ LETTERS continued

FIVE-CARD MAJOR In reply to your question about opening 1NT holding a 5-card major, I say yes, providing your bidding system has a method of locating it, so the 2♣ Stayman is changed to 5-card Stayman.



♠ Q 8 6 4 3 ♥ A Q 6 ♦ K 7 ♣ J 8 6

LAST MINUTE Readers may be interested in our Summer Workshops: Card Reading & Inferences Monday 29 July 2013 Camberley 1.30-4.30pm To enrol ( 01932 794524 The Losing Trick Count Wednesday 31 July 2013 Esher 1.30-3.30pm To enrol ( 01372 832583 Splinter & Cue Bids Thursday 15 August 2013 Farnham 1.30-4.30pm To enrol ( 01483 518558 Miranda Harrison. Surrey Adult Learning, Camberley, Surrey.

MAC AGAIN On the above hand, would you open 1♠, and if so what would you rebid over partner’s response of 2♦? A hand of this type with 5332 distribution may be opened with 1NT and partner may respond with 2♣ requesting a 5-card major; a negative response of 2♦ may be followed with 3♣ requesting a 4-card major. This system gives a responder with game-going values all the information needed to select the optimum contract. Obviously weak take-outs, transfers, forcing 3 bids and pre-emptive 4 bids are still allowed, but partnerships would need to understand the implications of other variations. Mr G Ellis, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.

I have 5 of the Bernard Magee discs and want to buy a new laptop. I would consider buying an Apple laptop but am restricted because it would not support my collection of discs. I am therefore interested in a Mac version. Is this a likely option in the near future? Margaret Cook, Knowle, Solihull.

Consider investing in a piece of software – there are several on the market – which will enable you to run Windows on a Mac. Windows for Mac is one that springs to mind but there are at least two others out there. Apple Macs have many useful features and are the industry standard for writers and publishers but at least 90% of the world’s computers ■ use Microsoft Windows.

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

We Are Survivors (For those born Before 1940 . . .)

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, videos and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens, before dish-washers, tumble driers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes . . . and before man walked on the moon. We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you be?). We thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized raincoat and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We existed before house husbands, computer dating and sheltered accommodation was where you waited for a bus. We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable nappies. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, word processors, or young men wearing earrings. For us ‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or fried potato, ‘hard­ware’ meant nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a word. Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to how you did in your exams, ‘stud’ was something that fastened a collar to a shirt and ‘going all the way’ meant staying on a doubledecker bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette smoking was ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the coalhouse, a ‘joint’ was a piece of meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something you cooked in. ‘Rock Music’ was a fond mother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice-cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life and soul of the party, while ‘aids’ just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble. We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think of the way in which the world has changed and the adjustments we have had to make. No wonder there is a generation gap today . . . BUT

By the grace of God . . . we have survived!

E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone number and to send no attachments.

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Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Page 37

Harold Schogger Says

Lead Up To Weakness

Y

ou gain the lead with dummy on your right and declarer on your left and you are not sure what to play next. You look at dummy for guidance and see dummy’s weak suit. If you now play this weak suit, this is leading up to weakness. You do so for some of the following reasons: 1 By playing the weak suit in dummy, you are playing it safe and unlikely to be giving away a trick. 2 You have a good holding in dummy’s weak suit, when you may be able to put declarer to an early wrong guess in the suit. 3 The switch to this weak suit may find partner with a tenace over declarer and so produce defensive tricks. 4 You sometimes need to lead up to weakness before declarer has the chance to endplay your partner.

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

West Pass

♠ J ♥ 10 7 6 4 3 2 ♦ 8 3 ♣ K 9 4 3

North East 3NT End

South 1NT

West leads the four of spades and declarer plays low from dummy. After winning the trick with the jack, East has to find a switch at trick two. Looking at dummy overall, its flat

shape and minimum values for the raise to 3NT suggest that this is a time to play safe. The heart and club suits look unappealing and could well cost a trick. Therefore, he uses the ‘lead up to weakness’ maxim and switches to the eight of diamonds. As predicted, this switch is safe and gives nothing away. Declarer will have to make his own running. He has seven tricks and can probably wangle one more, but he should be going down. In our second example, we see how a shift up to weakness quickly yields the tricks needed to beat the contract. ♠ K 7 6 4 ♥ 7 5 4 ♦ A K Q 5 ♣ 5 3 ♠ 10 9 N ♥ A Q 8 W E ♦ 10 7 2 S ♣ Q J 8 6 2 ♠ A Q J 5 3 ♥ K 9 3 2 ♦ J 3 ♣ K 4

♠ 8 2 ♥ J 10 6 ♦ 9 8 6 4 ♣ A 10 9 7

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

After a Delayed Game Raise sequence, partner leads the queen of clubs. You win this with your ace and consider what to play back. With no future in clubs, you look to dummy and see that dummy’s weak suit is hearts. Even though declarer bid this suit, you make a lead up to weakness switch – the jack of hearts. You get a pleasant surprise when this enables your side to take the first four tricks. Any other defence would see declarer Page 38

get home with five trumps, four diamonds and the club king. In our final example, we see how a switch up to weakness gives declarer a guess, a guess he may well get wrong. ♠ 8 3 ♥ K 8 7 6 ♦ A K 4 ♣ J 10 5 3 ♠ Q 9 6 2 ♥ 10 9 N W E ♦ J 10 8 2 S ♣ 8 6 4 ♠ K J 4 ♥ A Q J 4 2 ♦ Q 5 3 ♣ Q 2

West Pass End

♠ A 10 7 5 ♥ 5 3 ♦ 9 7 6 ♣ A K 9 7

North East South 1♥ 3♥ Pass 4♥

Partner leads the six of clubs and you take stock, after winning the first trick. The lead might be from a doubleton, so you try the ace next but partner plays upwards. On the bidding, partner has very little and you surely need two spade tricks straight away. Partner might have the spade queen and, if this is the case, you need to put declarer to the guess now. You underlead your ace and hope that declarer misguesses, trying the jack. Partner wins with the queen and your side makes the first four tricks. The maxim of leading up to dummy’s weakness in spades has helped you defeat the contract. You will see from these examples that leading up to weakness can be a good thing to do whether you are looking to play safe or get busy. This is why lead up to weakness is such an important maxim. ■

Answers to Julian Pottage’s  Defence Quiz on page 11 1. ♠ 5 4 ♥ 9 7 3 ♦ A 8 6 5 4 ♣ A Q 9 ♠ J 8 7 6 3 N ♥ K 10 W E ♦ Q 9 3 S ♣ 6 5 2 ♠ Q 9 2 ♥ A Q 8 2 ♦ K 10 2 ♣ K J 10

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1 Pass 3NT End 1 No four-card major ♠ A K 10 ♥ J 6 5 4 ♦ J 7 ♣ 8 7 4 3

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

You lead the ♠6. Partner wins with the ♠K, cashes the ♠A and continues with the ♠10. Declarer, having won the third round with the ♠Q, leads the ♦2. What do you do? If declarer is going to dummy to finesse in hearts, you can relax. However, as dummy has five diamonds, declarer may be trying to set up the suit – and trying to keep you off lead. To ensure that it is not possible to play the ♦8 to duck a diamond into East, you need to insert the ♦9. Declarer may then play the diamonds from the top – but you will be able to win the third round and run the spades.

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

♠ Q 2 ♥ Q 6 5 4 ♦ A 7 ♣ 9 8 7 4 3

You lead the ♠6. Declarer, having captured your partner’s ♠Q with the ♠A, leads the ♦2. What do you do? Since the rule is to play the lower of equals in third seat, you know from the play to the first trick that declarer has the ♠J. This means your spades are not ready to run. This in turn indicates that you want to conserve your ♦K entry until declarer’s remaining spade stopper has gone. You need to duck the first diamond so that East can take the ♦A and return a spade. While this may seem risky, declarer’s play of the suit from hand strongly suggests that East has the ♦A.

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

♠ A 2 ♥ J 9 6 4 ♦ 7 5 2 ♣ J 8 7 3

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ End 1 Asking for four-card majors

You lead the ♥8: ♥3, ♥6, ♥A. Declarer now leads the ♠3. How do you defend? You should begin by counting points. South has shown 12-14 points; you can see 9 in your hand and 13 in dummy. This leaves a maximum of 6 points for partner.

Page 39

If these include the ♠A, which is certainly possible, you should be able to score a heart ruff. Since you are not yet in a position to take the ruff, you need to conserve partner’s entry. Doing this means going in with the ♠K. You can then continue hearts. When, as hoped, partner does have the ♠A, you can ruff a heart and cash the ♣A to beat the contract by a trick. It would not matter if South has a doubleton heart because you can overruff declarer with the ♠J.

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

West Pass End

♠ K 2 ♥ 9 6 ♦ J 7 5 3 2 ♣ A Q 8 3

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

You lead the ♦6: ♦4, ♦2, ♦10. Declarer now leads the ♠3. What is your plan? You led your singleton diamond to get a ruff. Of course, you would much rather ruff with your low spade than with the ace. This indicates that you go in with the ♠A. You need not worry that partner has the ♠Q but not the ♠K. With a finesse position in trumps, declarer would have started the suit from dummy. Having taken the spade, you lead a club. Whether or not you read the ♦2 as a suit-preference signal for the lowranking club suit, a glance at dummy tells you that you cannot put partner in with a heart. ■

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Age

Mr Bridge is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 429STI13

Catching Up by Sally Brock I would say that in the last month my star has not been in the ascendant – the bridge has been less successful than usual and various other things have not been going well either. However, we did win a Hubert Phillips match. And that is something to write home about. Since I started playing with Barry three years ago, it is only the second match we have won. This year, as usual, we are playing with Robert Sheehan, but have a new team member: Gunnar Hallberg. He is someone we have long admired but never played with before, so we are optimistic about this year’s competition. This was the board that clinched the match: Dealer North. N/S Game. ♠ J 9 4 3 ♥ J 8 2 ♦ 4 ♣ A Q 8 7 2 ♠ K 8 5 2 ♠ A Q 10 7 6 ♥ K 4 N ♥ 5 W E ♦ J 10 9 8 7 S ♦ K Q 5 3 2 ♣ 9 4 ♣ 10 5 ♠ Void ♥ A Q 10 9 7 6 3 ♦ A 6 ♣ K J 6 3

At our table, Barry passed as North and East opened one spade. Although I was a bit good, I overcalled four hearts and West bid four spades. Barry now made the excellent bid of five clubs. As a passed hand this could not be natural, but showed his club suit and heart fit. This was primarily to help me with the lead if the opponents pressed on to five spades, but on this occasion it enabled me to bid the slam. West doubled but there were no problems in the play and that was 1,660. In the other room, everyone passed four spades and it went a quiet one down. Nicola and I have been working

hard on getting the minutiae of our system sorted for our upcoming events. We spent a hard day with our coach Simon Cope, trying to make some general partnership rules that would apply throughout our system and make it easier to remember. It was very successful and we achieved a lot at the end of the day. Exhausted, I went off with Barry to play in the annual Berks v Bucks match. This involves teams of 48 representing each county. There are three sections: A, B and C, each with eight pairs from the two counties. The winner is the county who wins two (or three) of the sections. A win by 1,000 IMPs is no compensation for losing the other two by 1 IMP. Bucks have been successful for the last few years. This year, the A group won its section comfortably, by almost as many as the Bucks B team lost their section. As Berks won the C division narrowly, the overall trophy was won by Berks. The following day, I drove up to Bradford to collect Toby. I stopped over in Nottingham on the way to see one of my best friends. I lived in Nottingham for 20 years from 1971 to 1991 and it has changed a lot, but I still have quite a few friends there. Carol has moved to a flat by the river. She has a balcony on the eighth floor where you can sit and watch the Trent and the city laid out before you. From her back door you can see one of the goals of the Nottingham Forest football ground and the scoreboard of the Trent Bridge cricket ground. The Garden Cities semi-final was at the weekend. That’s for all the winners of the county team-of-eight competitions. We (New Amersham) won the Berks & Bucks league very easily this year – with two matches to go. However, not all our players were able to play in the semi-final (and there would be even more absences if we reached the final). We managed to miss qualifying by 1 VP. Had we done better on this board, it would have been a different story. Page 42

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

We did well in the bidding – there were similarities with the previous hand. Barry opened one heart as South, West passed and I raised to two hearts. East came in with two spades and Barry had to decide what to do next. The obvious thing is to bid three clubs but he felt that slam might be good if I had cards in either minor. Consequently, he preferred three spades, which, as well as implying very short spades and fairly equal minors, also made it clear he had some slam interest. West now bid four spades and I rather liked my hand. We play five-card majors so he would not be expecting more than three-card trump support and I had a good source of tricks for him. Consequently, I bid five diamonds and he jumped to the good six hearts. However, you only do well in the bidding if you match it in the play. He took a very sensible line – playing West for one of the red-suit queens, but we ended up with a negative score. The other thing that has happened (or rather not happened) is that there has been very little interest in my house. I have not been pleased with my estate agents, so after giving them the statutory two weeks’ notice, I have changed. The new agents have taken some more photos, compiled fresh details and lowered the price. Hopefully, this will encourage someone to make an offer or I might be here for a bit longer yet. ■

Seven Days by Sally Brock

Monday

Wednesday

We’ve had a fairly lazy Bank Holiday weekend. Yesterday, Ben and Hayden came for lunch and then Briony and I went out to Odds Farm Park with them to ride on tractors, feed animals, play in the sandpit, etc. Today, we all get up late and then Barry goes back to London while Briony and I go to the gym. In the evening, Nicola and I practise against Cameron and Phil – the hands are fairly quiet and honours are just about even (though, now you mention it, we win by 1.6 IMPs).

In the afternoon, I go into London to meet Nicola for supper. Then there’s the last London Super League match of the season. For some reason this season has been a disaster for us. Nicola and I didn’t manage to play most of the matches. It was easy to grumble when they lost most of the matches without us, but then we lost most of them when we played too. We do have an off chance of avoiding relegation: first, we need to win heavily; then the leading team have to win heavily against one of our contenders for relegation; then the other contender for relegation has to lose too. In fact, none of these things happen. But we do win the match at least. So next season, we may either move down to Division Two, or perhaps join one of the teams that are still in Division One. The LSL is our main regular practice and is much more useful to us if we are playing against better opposition. Let me give you a defensive problem from the match:

Tuesday I spend all day working on my system with Nicola. First, I need to go through the main version and make all the changes we agreed with Simon. That all takes a while and raises another host of queries, all of which have to be sorted. So Nicola and I Skype for several hours to iron out the details. And then I have to make sure our international system card is up to date. And when I’ve finished this I need to make a system card for Barry and me too. Then all we need do is to remember what we’re doing. Toby is home now and has professed a wish to learn how to cook. So we have decided on a plan for the summer whereby we take it in turns to be in charge of the kitchen. This involves planning and cooking the evening meal and leaving the kitchen tidy afterwards. Today is Toby’s day and we have chicken legs with Marmite, wrapped in bacon. Actually, it’s delicious – the Marmite adds a subtle flavour that is not at all Marmitey.

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

West North East South Pass 1♣ 1♦ Dbl 1♠ 2♣ 2♦ 3NT All Pass

Page 43

You lead the king of diamonds which holds the trick. What now? This is a rare example of a famous coup: the Merrimac Coup, named after an American coal-carrying ship that was sunk in Santiago harbour in 1898 in an effort to bottle up the Spanish fleet. You must switch to the king of spades. You can see that the fate of the contract is likely to depend on whether or not declarer can make use of dummy’s clubs. If you take the entry out now, your Jxxx means that he won’t be able to enjoy the suit, whatever his original holding. This was the full deal: ♠ A 3 ♥ 6 2 ♦ J 6 ♣ K Q 9 8 7 5 2 ♠ K 9 6 4 2 ♠ 10 5 N ♥ Q 9 3 ♥ K J 10 4 W E ♦ K S ♦ A 10 8 7 5 4 3 ♣ J 6 4 3 ♣ Void ♠ Q J 8 7 ♥ A 8 7 5 ♦ Q 9 2 ♣ A 10

Declarer won the ace of spades, but there was no way he could make more than three spades, a heart, a diamond and three clubs.

Thursday My birthday is on the horizon. I am in countdown before being officially old. The next time I write I will be 60, eligible for seniors bridge and a bus

Seven Days continued

pass. My best friend Margaret takes me out for the day as a birthday treat. We meet at Sloane Square tube and first go for a Lebanese lunch (my favourite). Then she takes me to Rigby and Peller and has me properly measured for the couple of bras she buys me. Then we do a bit of window shopping before walking to Harrods where we have our eyebrows threaded. A good example of having to suffer to be beautiful (or not too bushy). A girl plays cat’s cradle with something that looks like dental floss around your eyebrows and somehow catches the odd one here and there and plucks it out. Not too bad to start with but after she’s been doing it for a few minutes you have tears in your eyes and wonder how you are possibly going to put up with it any longer. Anyway, it seems to have the desired effect and I feel a lot tidier. We then walk in Hyde Park and end up at Marble Arch tube station. I go back to the flat, have a quick nap and then change to go out to dinner with some girlfriends at Zing, an Indian restaurant in Hammersmith. A group of us have started doing this on a semi-regular basis and each time we all have a really good time: delicious food, plenty to drink and excellent company.

Friday In the European Open Championship in Ostend at the end of June, I am playing in the Women’s Pairs with Anita. We need a system discussion so she picks me up from Barry’s and takes me home, which is en route to her home in Oxfordshire. We talk in the car and work on the system for two or three hours in my house. It is mostly a case of simplifying her regular system. After she goes, we have a snack lunch, I do some work, and then later on, after his day in court, Barry arrives. Then we are off to Reading Bridge Club for the final of the Berks &

Bucks Knock-Out Competition. With the aid of the satnav on Barry’s new phone we manage to get there without getting lost (a first – we usually nearly get ‘divorced’ when trying to find Reading Bridge Club). Despite a useful early lead, we manage to lose this match by a dozen or so IMPs, so we don’t qualify for the Pachabo which we couldn’t have played in anyway. This is a deal I screw up, another defensive problem: Dealer South. N/S Game. ♠ A ♥ Q J 6 4 2 ♦ 9 5 4 2 ♣ 10 7 6 ♠ J 7 4 N ♥ A W E S ♦ J 6 ♣ A K 9 5 4 3 2

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

I lead the ace of clubs and Barry plays the queen. The first thing to decide is whether or not to continue with the king. If I try this and declarer started with a singleton, I will set up dummy’s ten for a discard. However, it seems to me that defensive prospects are not great and will probably be completely hopeless if we don’t have two club tricks. So I get the first bit right and continue with the king of clubs, on which Barry discards a low diamond. It seems a good idea to kill that ten of clubs in the dummy, so I continue with a third club and Barry ruffs with the nine of hearts. Declarer overruffs with the king and plays a low heart. You win your ace, but now what? It seems to me that there is no point in trying to promote a trump trick in Barry’s hand because he will only have one trump left. If I give declarer a ruff and discard, declarer may be able to ruff high in the dummy and discard a key diamond from his hand, so I switch woodenly to a diamond and Page 44

find that this is the full deal: ♠ A ♥ Q J 6 4 2 ♦ 9 5 4 2 ♣ 10 7 6 ♠ J 7 4 N ♥ A W E ♦ J 6 S ♣ A K 9 5 4 3 2 ♠ K Q 10 9 8 ♥ K 8 3 ♦ A K 7 ♣ J 8

♠ 6 5 3 2 ♥ 10 9 7 5 ♦ Q 10 8 3 ♣ Q

I had overlooked the possibility of declarer holding only three hearts. But when you think of it, declarer can hardly have enough to justify his bidding without the ace of diamonds. The trump promotion is much the most likely way to defeat the game. By the time we get home, have a cup of tea and go through the hands it is 1.15am, a bit late considering ….

Saturday … we need to leave by 7.30am for Dover to catch a 10.15am ferry to Calais. My father is taking me, my siblings and their partners (and my brother-in-law and his new partner) to dinner at his favourite restaurant, Le Cygne, in St-Omer, 40km or so south of Calais. Our ferry arrives at 12.45pm and we take the slow road south, stopping for a light lunch on the way. We then go to one of my favourite shops, the Crystal d’Arques glass and kitchenware showroom in Arques. We browse for a while and buy some bits and pieces. Just as we are at the checkout, my parents and sister Kate and her husband John arrive – it’s a family favourite. Barry and I take my mother with us to our hotel and leave the others shopping happily. Later on, we all meet at the restaurant where we have an excellent meal, with plenty of wine, and slowly saunter back to the hotel. Here, disaster strikes as my mother falls. It doesn’t seem to be too bad, though, so we borrow a chair to sit her in and after she has rested for a

Seven Days continued

while a couple of strong guys lift her up to her room.

Sunday My mother has not had a good night and can barely walk. We ring for a doctor who comes and thinks she may have broken her leg. We get an ambulance and she is transported efficiently to the local hospital. The others are all booked on to the Shuttle in the morning but we are on an evening ferry. So the others go back to England (including the car my parents came in) and off we go to the hospital, where we stay for most of the day with very little happening as it is a Sunday. We have several conversations with the travel insurance company and others in broken Franglais with medical staff. Eventually, it is decided that my mother needs to stay and have her bone set in some way on Monday and then towards the end of the week she will come home in an ambulance. My father will stay in France and travel back with her. We check him into the local Ibis and then set off for our ferry (we actually miss the one we are booked on to, but the next one works fine). Luckily, Barry snoozes enough in the hospital waiting room to be okay to drive from Dover to High Wycombe as I am completely exhausted. We finally get home about 10.45pm and after a quick cup of tea he is off again back to London, while I crawl into bed with my book. ■

CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS AUGUST 2013 16 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE Hemingford Abbots Village Hall. Tickets £13.50. Don Moorman ( 01480 463444

SEPTEMBER 2013 3 LILAC (Ladies in league against cancer) Chicago Bridge Drive. Afternoon tea. Weston Park Golf Club 1.45 for 2pm. £12.50. Christine Buchanan ( 01603 712307 [email protected] 4 GYDA. Corn Exchange, Faringdon. £15. Steve Braithwaite ( 01367 240929 5 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLUB Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30pm. £44 per table. Sam Smith ( 01924 492540 20 ST JOAN OF ARC CHURCH REFURBISHMENT FUND FARNHAM Bridge tea. 1 for 1.30pm. £34 per table including a sumptuous tea. Please bring cards and table cloths. Elsie Kearney ( 01252 782494

OCTOBER 2013 4 ST ANDREWS CHURCH Mandeville Hall. Kimbolton. £14.00. Mavis Campion ( 01480 860477 4 RNLI Bridge drive. Salwarpe Village Hall, Droitwich WR9 0AH. 10.30 for 11am £12pp inc. buffet lunch. Pam ( 01905 381395 5 Treetops Hospice Rubber bridge tournament. 10 for 10.30am till 3pm. Treetops Hospice, Derby Road Risley Derby DE72 3SS. £10 inc. buffet lunch. Barbara Saville ( 0115 9282689

11 ST MARGARET’S SOMERSET HOSPICE. Wedmore Village Hall. 10.30 for 11.00am. £16 each to include lunch. Brian Moreton ( 01934 713854 brianjillmoreton @btinternet.com 13 BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN 1.00 for 1.30pm. £20 each. Blue Pointed Duplicate Pairs, sponsored by Billericay Mayflower BC. Two-course buffet supper. First Class Bridge Academy, Barleylands Centre, Billericay. Marcia ( 07789003284 marcia @newdirectionstudio.co.uk 19 SALTERS HILL CHARITY Cheltenham Bridge Club 10.30am-4pm. £15pp £60 per table including lunch. Mary Ann Rust ( 01242 245392 21 Macmillan Cancer Care The Mary Rose Charity Bridge Luncheon. 12.00pm. Balmoral Golf Club, Belfast 9. Duplicate/ Rubber. £50 per table. Rosarie Heatherington ( 07790 483999 26 THE FRIENDS OF THE DOLPHIN (a sailing boat run on behalf of the local community). Bridge drive. Horton & Chalbury Village Hall, Wimborne, Dorset. 2pm. £28 per table to include cream tea. Stella Brake ( 01202 624224 26 PHYLLIS TUCKWELL HOSPICE Guildford Café Bridge. £22 per player to include coffee and 2-course lunch. Play will take place at various venues in the town centre. [email protected] polly.youngs2 @hotmail.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2013 7 EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice) Bridge Drive, 2.00pm. Rysbygate Club, Westley Rd, Bury St Edmunds  IP33 3RR. Lynda Moore ( 01359241534 [email protected]

14 RNLI Crowborough Beacon Golf Club bridge tea. 1.30 for 2pm start. £26 per table. Penny ( 01825 830006 14 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLUB Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30pm. £44 per table. Sam Smith ( 01924 492540 22 ST MARY’S CHURCH Eaton Socon, St Neots. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910

DECEMBER 2013 1 EDP WE CARE APPEAL

which benefits the Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers. 1.30pm. The Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, Old Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk NR8 5AH. Sue Hutchings ( 01508 494522

MARCH 2014 11 ST NEOTS BOWLING CLUB St Neots, Cambs 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. John Shaw 01480 475454.

APRIL 2014 25 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES Doddington Village Hall, March. 10.00 for 10.30am. Tickets £14.00. Val Topliss ( 01354 653696.

MAY 2014 16 MS THERAPY CENTRE Huntingdon, Cambs. £14.00. Hemingford Abbots Village Hall. 10.00 for 10.30am. Jenny Lea ( 01480  455810.

JUNE 2014 13 ST MARY’S CHURCH Eaton Socon, St Neots. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910

E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

Page 45

AEGEAN ODYSSEY DECK PLAN CATEGORY GUIDE 404#

403

507

CAT G

Premium Outside

CAT H

Premium Outside Premium Outside

CAT J

Standard Outside

CAT K

Premium Inside

CAT L

Premium Inside

705

706

707 808

807

LIDO BAR

714

711

716

713

718

715

720

717

722

719

Standard Inside

• Single cabins

723

• •

521

517

520

523

524

518 522

525 ▲ 526 ▲ 527 528

529

531

530

532 534

533

RECEPTION

536

535 537 CHARLESTON LOUNGE

721

POOL

KEY

519

539 543

541

538

545

549

540

INTERNET

542

728

551

544

■ Third/fourth pullman berth

727

730

553

546

555

548

812

813

814

815

816

732

731

734

733

736 735

738

817

818

737

740

819

820

739

742

LIBRARY

821

822

741

744

824

743

746

825

826

745

748

BAR

827

828

747

750

THE TERRACE

LIDO DECK TERMS & CONDITIONS please read carefully: 1. The contract The contract exists between you and Voyages to Antiquity (UK) Limited (the Company) once we have received your signed booking form and the required deposit payment and we have sent you a confirmation/invoice. The terms and conditions apply to all passengers named on the booking form and the person signing the booking form warrants that he or she is authorised to do so. All correspondence will be conducted with the lead person named on the booking form. 2. Deposits and final payment The deposit is 10% of the total holiday cost. Final balance is due 75 days prior to departure. Full payment must be made at time of booking if made within 75 days of departure. We reserve the right to cancel your booking and apply the relevant cancellation charges (detailed in paragraph 4) if we do not receive all payments at the due time. There is no charge for payment of deposit by credit card but a charge of between 1.7% and 2.5% is made for balance payments. No charges are made for payments by debit cards. 3. Changes by you Should you wish to make a change to your confirmed reservation you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will try to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. When we can, a £50 per person amendment fee (£100 within 60 days) is payable plus any other charges imposed by the airline. A change of departure date within 60 days prior to departure will be treated as a cancellation. 4. Cancellation by you You need to notify the Company in writing as soon as possible if you or any member

BRIDGE DECK

PROMENADE DECK

of your party needs to cancel your cruise holiday. Cancellation charges payable to the company are shown here: Period before departure when written notice is received by the Company more than 75 days between 61 to 75 days between 31 to 60 days between 16 to 30 days 15 days or less

Cancellation charge per person cancelling 10% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The cancellation charge is based on the total invoice charge. 5. Insurance We do not sell insurance as there are many good deals available in the market, plus many people now have annual policies. It is however a requirement that all passengers have adequate insurance cover against possible cancellation charges, medical treatment and repatriation and loss of baggage. Details of your policy need to be entered in your booking form in the space provided. 6. Changes and cancellation by us The holidays featured in this brochure are planned many months in advance. Occasionally we have to make changes and alterations to the published itineraries both before and after bookings have been confirmed, as circumstances may change and also to correct possible errors in the brochure. Most changes are minor but occasionally we may have to make a ‘significant change’. A ‘significant change’ before departure is deemed to be: a change to your initial embarkation or disembarkation port to a different geographical area or a change in the duration of your cruise holiday by more than 12 hours. Itinerary or other timing changes are not considered to be

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MARCO POLO RESTAURANT

460 ATHENA HEALTH SPA

464 466

467

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474

475

476

477

478

MEDICAL

554

565

823

415

412

556

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TERRACE CAFE

414

▲

552

561

SHOP

408

413

550

559

• •

•

• 811

729

557

406 409 410

• •

# Cabin for passengers with disabilities Please note: Category GG, I, II and some HH cabins have partially restricted view Elevator

• •

725

• •

▲ Third pullman berth in these cabins

*

411

463

HAIR DRESSER

547

726 •

CAT M

AMBASSADOR LOUNGE

708

709

•

CAT I*

806

805

704

514

• •

Deluxe Stateroom, Outside

703

712 • 710 •

CAT F

804

803

510

513 516

•

Deluxe Stateroom, Outside

702

724 •

CAT E

515

701

810 •

Deluxe Stateroom, Balcony

809 •

CAT D

508

509 512

511 802

801

407

•

Deluxe Stateroom, Balcony

505 506

•

CAT C

504

•

Junior Suite, Balcony

503

•

CAT B

405

BRIDGE

■

Owner’s Suite, Balcony

■

CAT A

558

567

560

569

562

571

564

573

566

575

568

577

570

BELVEDERE DECK

COLUMBUS DECK

‘significant changes’. We might also have to cancel a cruise in cases of force majeure (war, civil unrest, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions) in the area the cruise is scheduled, or where a travel advisory has been issued by a governmental organisation (UK or US) against travel there. We also reserve the right to cancel a cruise at any time up to ten weeks before sailing if we consider there are insufficient bookings for the cruise to be viable. If we have to make a significant change or cancel a cruise, we will advise you as soon as possible with any alternate arrangements that may be available. You can choose to either accept these alternate arrangements or cancel with a full refund. In the unlikely event that a ‘force majeure’ situation occurs after a cruise has started, causing us to change the itinerary, we would not be liable to pay any compensation other than pass on any refunds received from suppliers. The ship’s captain is responsible for the safety of the ship, passengers and crew and has absolute discretion in making any alterations to the cruise he considers necessary. 7. Consideration for others We expect all passengers to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion the behaviour of any passenger is likely to cause damage, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, the Company reserves the right to terminate that passenger’s cruise without prior notice. In these extreme circumstances no refunds will be made and the Company will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination of the cruise. The departure of the ship from any port will not be delayed for passengers who are not on board by the published departure time.

MARCO POLO DECK

8. Fitness and Eligibility The focus of the cruises featured in this brochure is on the extensive programme of included sightseeing and to fully participate in this you need to be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties. In any event your mobility should not be an impediment to others on the guided tours. We also reserve the right to refuse to accept a booking without giving a reason. 9. Liability The liability of the Company and any other party that may be involved in providing services in connection with any of the holidays in this brochure may be limited where international conventions apply. These include the Warsaw Convention which relates to carriage by air and the Athens Convention which relates to carriage by sea. Travel on board the Aegean Odyssey is subject to the conditions of carriage issued by the ship operating company and travel on board aircraft to join the Aegean Odyssey is subject to the airline’s standard ticket conditions. Full details are available on request. The Company is not to be held responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the vessel. The Company acts only as an agent for the supplier of off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulance and shore-side physicians. These may limit or exclude liability. Claims other than for personal injury, death and illness are limited to a reasonable amount. 10. English Law These conditions form part of the contract with the Company and any disputes arising out of it are governed by English Law. All proceedings shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY BOOKING FORM CRUISE NAME

UK Departure Date

Booking Reference

Preferred Dept. Airport PASSENGER DETAILS

Lead Name (A)

2nd Passenger (B)

Surname (as shown on passport) First Names (as shown on passport) Mr/Mrs/Miss/other Nationality Date of Birth Place of Birth Occupation Passport Number Expiry Date Issuing Authority Country of Issue Issue Date Home Address

Postcode Telephone Number E-mail address Emergency contact name and relation (next of kin) Contact Number Cabin Grade & Number

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

PAYMENT DETAILS Non-refundable deposit of 10%. Cheques to be made payable to Voyages to Antiquity (UK) Limited

£

INSURANCE Lead Passenger (A), Second Passenger (B) All passengers must be adequately insured and you should provide your policy details below:

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS

(A) Policy issued by

Policy No:

MasterCard

Policy No:

Card No:

Policy emergency contact No: (B) Policy issued by

Visa

American Express

Expiry date:

Visa Debit

Name on card: Security code:

Policy emergency contact No:

MEDICAL DECLARATION All the above named persons are fit to travel and are not travelling contrary to medical advice. All pre-existing medical conditions which may require treatment aboard ship must be declared.

NB. A charge of between 1.7% and 2.5% is made for final payments made by credit card

SIGNATURE On behalf of the persons named above, whose authority I have to sign this agreement, I have read the information on this cruise and accept the Terms and Conditions. Name (please print) Signature

Date

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY ABTA No.Y2206

MAKING YOUR RESERVATION • Select your Voyages to Antiquity cruise and preferred cabin category. • Contact Mr Bridge office on 01483 489961 who can take care of your booking. • Once you have been given a booking reference number, please complete the booking form, as soon as possible to avoid delays, and send it with a 10% deposit to Voyages of Antiquity (UK) Ltd., 8 South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JL. • An invoice will be issued within one week of confirmation and the balance of your holiday must be received 75 days before departure. • Your documents will be sent approximately two weeks before departure once full payment has been received.

#

NB. If there is a change in the general health of any of the above named, medical advice should be sought before taking the proposed holiday. A medical certificate may be requested.

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MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES

Fly to VENICE Italy Transfer to Aegean Odyssey overnight VENICE Italy overnight SPLIT Croatia KORCULA Croatia DUBROVNIK Croatia At Sea SYRACUSE Sicily PALERMO (Monreale) Sicily overnight SORRENTO (Pompeii) Italy overnight SORRENTO Italy CIVITAVECCHIA Italy Transfer to airport for flight home

13 days departing October 4, 2013

Mediterranean Sea

If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH

fares from just £2,150 include:

ON 01483 489961

Mr Bridge Passengers The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge bookings but is completely optional. Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little as they wish. There will be a duplicate session every evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made especially welcome – a playing partner will always be found.

•FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME •SCHEDULED FLIGHTS •EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES •SHORE EXCURSIONS IN ALL PORTS OF CALL •EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS •WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD •OPEN-SEATING DINING • GRATUITIES ON BOARD •EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY

CRUISE FROMVENICE TO ANCIENT SICILYAND POMPEII

Enjoy a daily duplicate while exploring dramatic Croatia, monumental Sicily and the Amalfi Coast Spend two days exploring Venice then sail south via the Adriatic's beautiful cities and around the heel of Italy to Sicily. Visit the ancient Greek Theatre at Syracuse, the extraordinary Palatine Chapel in Palermo and explore the ruins of Pompeii from Sorrento while enjoying daily bridge.

Call Mr Bridge to reserve your cabin and take advantage of these special fares, or for a brochure to find out more about our ship, Aegean Odyssey.

www.mrbridge.co.uk

V OYAGES TO A NTIQUITY

All prices, savings and offers shown are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and available only on certain cabin grades and the sailings shown, and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Single accommodation is available only in certain categories, and subject to availability.

10093

ABTA No.Y2206