Here - Mr Bridge

Transcription

Here - Mr Bridge

BRIDGE
Number One Hundred and Thirty-Three
January 2014
Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz
You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and 4-card majors.
1. Dealer West. Love All.
♠ A K
N
♥ 9 7
WE
♦ A K 4 3
S
♣ A Q 5 3 2
WestNorth East South
?
4. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ 8 6
N
♥ A K 8 7 6
WE
♦ A J 8 2
S
♣ Q 2
7. Dealer East. Game All.
♠ A K 7 6
N
♥7
WE
♦ 9 8 3
S
♣ J 9 8 7 3
10. Dealer North. Love All.
♠ A 3 2
N
♥ K 8 6 5
WE
♦ 9 3
S
♣ A 9 7 6
1♥Pass
1♠Pass2♦Pass
?
2♠1 DblPass
?
1
Weak two: 6-10 HCP.
1♥1NT2♠Pass
?
2. Dealer East. Love All.
♠ 10 5
N
♥ 4 2
WE
♦ A 8 7 6 5 4 2
S
♣ Q 2
1♠Pass
?
3. Dealer South. Love All.
♠ A 8 2
N
♥ A K 6
WE
♦ Q 5 4
S
♣ J 8 4 2
1♥
?
Answers on page 9
♠ A 3 2
N
♥ 8 7 3
WE
♦ 4 3 2
S
♣ J 8 5 4
3♠ DblPass
?
♠ 3 2
N
♥ A J 9 6 5 3
WE
♦ A 7 2
S
♣ A 9
1♥1♠2♥Pass
?
Answers on page 11
♠ A 7 6 5
N
♥ 6 4
WE
♦3
S
♣ K Q 9 8 7 5
Pass Pass 1♠Pass
?
♠ J 9 8 5 4
N
♥ K Q 2
WE
♦ A K 7
S
♣ 6 2
1NTPass2NTPass
?
Answers on page 13
♠ 3 2
N
♥ 8 7
WE
♦ K 5 4 3
S
♣ K 10 9 5 2
2♣Pass
2♦ Pass3NTPass
?
♠ A 4 2
N
♥ 4 2
WE
♦ 8 3
S
♣ A Q J 6 5 3
1NTPass
?
Answers on page 15
BERNARD MAGEE
Boxed Sets of six DVDs
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks
7Leads
13 Hand Evaluation
This seminar deals with declarer’s
use of ruffing to make extra tricks
and then looks at how the defenders
might counteract this. (74 mins.)
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. (95 mins.)
Going beyond just the point-count
is important if you want to improve.
Reaching & making 3NT on 24 HCP;
and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when
there are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.)
8 Losing Trick Count
The art of pre-empting is so important
in the modern game. Understanding
the right types of hand to bid up
on and realising the importance of
position and vulnerability. (96 mins.)
2 Competitive Tricks
This seminar focuses on competitive
auctions from the perspective of the
overcalling side and then from the
perspective of the opening side in
the second part. (86 mins.)
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 high cards. (83 mins.)
4Identifying
& 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 slambidding techniques. (96 mins.)
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. (88 mins.)
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. (88 mins.)
Individual DVDs. £25 each.
Boxed Set of 6. £100.
A way 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. (92 mins.)
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. (87 mins.)
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. (93 mins.)
14Pre-Empting
15 Splinter & Cue-Bids
Take your slam bidding to another
level. Splinter bids are a vital tool to
add to your armoury & try your hand
at Italian style cue-bidding. (116 mins.)
16Avoidance
As declarer, an important tactic is
to be in control of the defenders:
avoiding a particular defender getting
the lead. As a defender, you can try to
make sure the right player gets the
lead at the right time. (88 mins.)
17 Pairs Play & Defence
This seminar deals with Count,
Attitude and Suit-preference signals:
aiming to get you working as a
partnership in defence. (92 mins.)
Duplicate Pairs is the game most of
us play and getting used to the tactics
will make a lot of difference to your
performance. Making more overtricks
and making sure you do not give
away tricks as a defender. (90 mins.)
12Endplays
18 Thinking Defence
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. (80 mins.)
By far the hardest aspect of bridge,
but if you can improve your defence
your results will quickly improve.
Learn how to think through the
defence and get your mind in gear for
the decisions that await you. (87 mins.)
11 Signals & Discards
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
BRIDGE
Ryden Grange, Knaphill,
Surrey GU21 2TH
( 01483 489961
e-mail:
bridge@mrbridge.co.uk
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
maggie@mrbridge.co.uk
Address Changes
( 01483 485342
Elizabeth Bryan
elizabeth@mrbridge.co.uk
All correspondence should
be addressed to Mr Bridge.
Please make sure that all
letters and e-mails carry
full postal addresses and
telephone numbers.
BRIDGE January 2014 FEATURES
1 Bidding Quiz
by Bernard Magee
5Mr Bridge
9 Bidding Quiz Answers
(1-3) by Bernard Magee
12 Christmas in Austria
by John Barr
14 January 2014
by Jeremy Dhondy
16 What are the Features
of Playing Five-Card
Majors?
by Julian Pottage
17 Fisticuffs at the Club
by Richard Wheen
19 David Stevenson
Answers Your Questions
21 Mary’s First Lesson
by Liz Dale
22 Mr Bridge Club Quiz
23 Bridge and Travel Tips
23 Defence Quiz
by Julian Pottage
24 New Year’s Day in
Sherwood by David Bird
26 Julian Pottage
Answers Your Questions
28 Declarer Play Quiz
by David Huggett
30 David Gold Says
Assume You Can
Beat the Contract
31 Declarer Play Answers
by David Huggett
32 Defence Quiz Answers
by Julian Pottage
33 The Diaries of
Wendy Wensum
34 Key Card Blackwood
by Andrew Kambites
Quiz by Andrew Kambites
37 Readers’ Letters
42 Catching Up
by Sally Brock
44 Seven Days
by Sally Brock
46 Answers to Mr Bridge
Club Quiz 2013
Answers
by Andrew Kambites
ADVERTISEMENTS
2 Bernard Magee DVDs
3 Mr Bridge 2014 Diaries
4 Cruises with
Voyages to Antiquity
5 Bridge Events at
The Olde Barn Hotel
7 Mail Order Form
Cut-out Form
8 Bridge Event
Booking Form
8 Bridge Events with
Bernard Magee
9 A Journey to
Jerusalem with
10 Bernard Magee’s
Tutorial Software
11 Treasures of the
Aegean with
13 Classical Greece
and Turkey with
15 Sail Around
the Black Sea with
18 Mr Bridge
Just Duplicate Bridge
20 Rubber / Chicago
Bridge Events
20 Bridge Events at:
Denham Grove
20 Duplicate Bridge
Rules Simplified
22 Tips for Better Bridge
29 Bridge Events at:
Elstead Hotel
Blunsdon House Hotel
Chatsworth House
Ardington Hotel
31 Mr Bridge Playing Cards
36 Bridge Tie
36 Better Hand
Evaluation
37 Stamps
39 Charity Events
40 Global Travel Insurance
46 S R Designs
Bridge Tables
48 Christmas 2014 with
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 remaining:
Red and Navy.
♦ All covers printed in
gold-coloured ink.
♦ Individual diaries £6.95
each including p&p.
♦ Special concession
to clubs and teachers.
10 for £35,
thereafter £3.50 each
including p&p.
♦ Luxury version with supersoft kidrell cover, gilded
page edges and
a ball-point pen attached,
in ruby red, navy blue
or bottle green.
£14.95 each including p&p.
See Mail Order
Form on page 7.
Page 3
V OYAGES A NTIQUITY
TO
bridge cruises to
ancient civilisations
Combine a daily duplicate with the best of cultural travel
and the comfort of small-ship cruising
The philosophy of our bridge cruises is simple – to relax
and play bridge with like-minded people in comfortable
surroundings while sampling the culture and the history
of each daily destination.
With the experience gained from several seasons of working
with Voyages to Antiquity, each new itinerary offers the
chance to indulge your passion for bridge in comfortable
and welcoming surroundings while exploring many of the
great classical sites and fascinating cultures of the world.
Classically elegant, but far from formal, Aegean Odyssey
provides gracious public rooms, a choice of two restaurants
with open-seating dining, generously-sized suites and
cabins, and outstanding, friendly service. Her size means
she has the ability to visit ports that are too small for larger
vessels – from the classical sites of the Mediterranean,
Aegean and Black Sea to the great cities of Asia.
Accommodating around 350 guests, with a casual and
relaxed atmosphere on board, Aegean Odyssey offers the
bridge player every comfort at sea.
Cruising with Mr Bridge: Exclusive Benefits
Special Mr Bridge fares across all cabin categories – Daily bridge on board and bridge fees included in the fare.
Each voyage accompanied by bridge team – Exclusive Mr Bridge cocktail party on board ship.
Friendly fares for single travellers (a bridge partner will always be found) – Extra discounts for previous passengers
Also included in your fare:
10093
• SCHEDULED FLIGHTS FROM UK & REGIONAL CONNECTIONS
•TRANSFERS AND BAGGAGE HANDLING ABROAD • SHORE EXCURSIONS IN MOST PORTS
• EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS • OPEN-SEATING DINING
• WINE INCLUDED WITH DINNER ON BOARD • ON-BOARD TIPS & GRATUITIES INCLUDED
ABTA No.Y2206
For reservations call
on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk
WORK IN
PROGRESS
I answer. Why? Because all
my spare love, care and
enthusiasm must be
channelled into securing
the future of BRIDGE; it is
a formidable commitment.
OLDE BARN
Marston,
Lincs NG32 2HT
JUST IN TIME
In some ways it would
have been good to have
started the New Year with
a great big bang and
launched an entirely new
magazine. However, lots of
the regular content of
BRIDGE is so loved by its
readers, I feel obliged to
keep change to a minimum
and very carefully broaden
its content in order to
attract new subscribers.
This New Year issue was
supposed to be posted
exclusively to subscribers,
but Voyages to Antiquity
wanted to reach a wider
audience. If you are not
already a subscriber, it is
them you should thank.
Going forward, this
publication has to be a
subscription magazine if
it is to enjoy a future,
although it may currently
still be viewed free on my
webpage along with back
issues in my library:
www.mrbridge.co.uk/library
The special rate of £20 per
year does not fully cover
costs but I am keeping the
offer going as support
gathers momentum.
Indeed, it is most
heartening how many of
you have responded.
THE END
The end of what you might
ask? My subsidised Just
Duplicate weekend events,
BRIDGE January 2014 This new venue has been
added to our listing of
Just Duplicate events.
31 January – 2 February
Clifton Park Hotel,
Lytham St Anne’s, Lancs.
Readers from the northwest, here is your chance.
JUST DUPLICATE
Nothing in the 2014
programme has been
cancelled, but if you had
thought of booking one or
two of these dates, you do
need to do it right away.
I keep extending the final
date of the £50 off offer, but
it must stop sometime.
Once the first tranche of
places are filled, later
bookers are expected to
pay the regular price. This
is still great value and just
to remind you, the price
includes full board and six
sessions of bridge. And
full board includes a roast
on Sunday. The £50 off
makes below cost which is
why, after five years, these
events must start to thrive
without subsidy.
LEFT OUT
One hotel that does
understand is the
Ardington in Worthing.
They are feeling quite
neglected at the moment
with all this promotion of
Just Duplicate. They have
asked me to promote their
tutorial events which are
priced at £215, no single
supplement and offer twin
occupancy for only £35
more to include full board
for both occupants.
Almost too good to be true.
The Olde
Barn
Hotel
Adjacent to this column is
the 2014 programme of
events at the Olde Barn at
Marsden, near Grantham.
They understand the
weekend bridge events and
how they work. The hotel
provides comfortable
accommodation for bridge
and bridge players. It has
become a trusted venue.
ANTIQUITY
On the facing page,
Voyages to Antiquity give
the what, how and why you
should cruise with them
and Mr Bridge.
A small enough ship to be
considered intimate, it
really has lots going for it.
On the back cover of this
issue, I am promoting the
2014 Christmas Cruise. I
am not able to offer a zero
single supplement as the
costs of overnight
accommodation in Nairobi
and while out on safari
are outside the
cruise company’s control.
This cruise is something to
book now and enjoy
looking forward to. A must
do if you can afford it.
BLACK SEA 2014
Mrs Bridge and I are
circumnavigating the Black
Sea in October. The ship is
almost fully booked, but I
still have a few cabins, held
for my party, but only for
twin occupancy.
17-19 January 2014 £169
21-23 February £179
Michael Haytack
Stayman & Transfers
14-16 March £169
25-27 April £179
Will Parsons
Further into the Auction
9-11 May £179
Gwen Beattie – Overcalls
16-18 May £169
6-8 June £245
NEW
Bernard Magee
TOPIC
Bidding
Distributional Hands
13-15 June £169
20-22 June £245
Bernard Magee
Finding Slams
27-29 June £169
11-13 July £169
1-3 August £169
29-31 August £169
Diana Holland
Rubber / Chicago
12-14 September £169
Stan Powell
Declarer Play
10-12 October £245
Bernard Magee
Endplay & Avoidance
14-16 November £179
Will Parsons – Doubles
Full Board
No Single Supplement
Booking Form on page 8.
Page 5
BRIDGE
Make sure you
don’t miss your
favourite monthly
articles by taking
out an annual
subscription.
SPECIAL
OFFER
PRICE
l
Acol Bidding
Quiz & Answers
Bernard Magee
l
Ask Julian Pottage
l Julian’s
FAQs
l
Misleading Cases as
reported by R Wheen
l
Ask David Stevenson
l David’s
FAQs
l
Mary’s First Lesson
l
Helpful Conventions
and Related Quiz
l
Defence Quiz
l
Tales from
Sherwood Forest
by David Bird
l
Things You
Should Know...
l
Catching up
l
Seven Days
l
Jeremy Dhondy
l
Sally Brock Tip
l
Travel Tip
l
Readers Letters
Special Introductory
Subscription: £20 for
twelve monthly issues.
See page 7.
Page 6
ROBIN HOOD
GOFFIES STAMPS
2014 DIARIES
There are a few bridge
players’ diaries still in
stock. Standard or luxury
versions as per mail order
form on page 7.
EVEN BETTER
Last year’s Christmas
present was to provide
readers who sent 4 second
class stamps with copies of
either Robin Hood’s Bridge
Memoirs or Bridge
Adventures of Robin Hood.
Both previously written
and published by David
Bird back in the 1990’s.
These have been revised
and reset as a way of
promoting the further
adventures of Robin Hood.
New stories will be
recounted every month
within the pages of
BRIDGE. Indeed, the first
can be found on pages 24
and 25 of this issue.
Those not wishing to send
postage stamps may use
our shop to take up this
offer paying by PayPal,
adding a 20p service charge
making each book £2.20.
Hot off the press.
PICK ‘N’ MIX
All the three series of
DVDs are listed on page 2
of this issue, with
thumbnail descriptions.
Playing time is an average
90 minutes per disc.
The wonderful thing about
a tutorial DVD is that
viewers have a permanent
record which they can
re-visit over and over again.
These are the very best
available in their field, but
as the proud producer, you
would expect me to say
that, wouldn’t you?
Individual DVDs £25 each.
Boxed sets of six £100. Pick
and mix any six for only
£100. Including p&p.
With ever-increasing
postal costs, Clive Goff’s
discounted stamp service
will save you some money
while brightening up your
envelopes.
Value supplied in two
stamps, combined to make
up the 50p 2nd class rate,
2nd class to you at 41p. 1st
class 60p, only 50p to you.
Available in lots of 100.
( 0208 422 4906.
FIRTH OF FORTH
Bernard Magee goes to
The Queensferry Hotel on
14-16 March. This venue
overlooks the magnificent
Firth of Forth and is now
well and truly under new
management. So you may
book with confidence and
you should book early to
avoid disappointment.
SURPRISED
Expecting the twin packs of
my lovely premium quality
playing cards to be sold out
very quickly, I did not see
the point of including them
on my sales list, so I have
missed the seasonal sales
and still have stock in hand.
That will learn me. While
stocks last, £7 per box.
2 boxes for £12.
BARON FOR MAC
Bridge Baron 24 was
published at the beginning
of December. See the mail
order form for details and
trade-in terms.
QPlus 11 has been really
well received. Its graphics
are even better and there
are more hands from
tournaments, both pairs
and teams of four.
The new initial activation
procedure has now been
made a once only action.
This will please users of
earlier versions of QPlus,
who regarded the monthly
need to enter a password as
a real negative.
The playing strength of
QPlus has improved by an
average of 1 IMP per deal
on QPlus 10.
BRIDGE TABLES
Those looking for a good
quality bridge table should
turn to page 46 where you
will find a choice of three
qualities to choose from.
I’LL BE THERE
As usual I am going to the
New Year’s Eve Gala
Dinner at Denham Grove.
As last year, I will be
staying on for a game
afterwards and look
forward to meeting as
many of the guests as
possible. See you there.
Happy New Year,
Mr Bridge
BRIDGE January 2014
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Mr Bridge
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Bernard Magee
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Acol Bidding
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Tips for Better Bridge
Bernard Magee
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Declarer Play
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Robin Hood’s Bridge Memoirs
David Bird
£12.00 ........
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Five-Card Majors with
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BRIDGE January 2014 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop
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( 01483 489961
Page 7
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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
June 2014
6-8 Olde Barn Hotel
£245 Bidding NEW
20-22Olde Barn Hotel
£245 Finding Slams
Please book ..... places for me at £....... per person,
Single .... Double .... Twin ....
Chatsworth Hotel
Worthing BN11 3DU
Name of Hotel/Centre.............................................................
OCTOBER 2014
Date(s) ....................................................................................
JANUARY 2014
3-5Chatsworth
Hotel
£245 Game Tries
Mr/Mrs/Miss .........................................................................
10-13 Denham Grove
£399 Filming
Weekend
10-12 Olde Barn Hotel
£245 Endplay & Avoidance
Address...................................................................................
Postcode .................................................................................
17-19 Chatsworth Hotel
£245 Better Leads
& Switches
( ...........................................................................................
March 2014
................................................................................................
21-23 Inn on the Prom
£245 Doubles
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
but we will do our best to oblige).
14-16 Queenferry Hotel
£245 Endplay &
Avoidance
................................................................................................
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking.
April 2014
................................................................................................
4-6 Chatsworth Hotel
£245 Finding Slams
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
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BRIDGE January 2014
Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 1-3 on the Cover
♠ A K
♠ 9 8 7
N
♥ 9 7
♥ 8 6 4 2
WE
♦ A K 4 3 S
♦ Q 8 2
♣ A Q 5 3 2
♣ K 8 7
West
?
North
East
South
Pass.
2♣ and now you can bid 2♦ and if he
bids again, bid 3♦. This shows a weak
hand with very long diamonds.
The problem with responding 2♦ immediately is that your partner will want
to finish in a game contract: with 15 HCP
opposite a 2♦ response (10+), he will
push the bidding on. By responding 1NT
first, you show your weakness and slow
the auction down.
You were planning to open 1NT, but
your right-hand opponent opens 1♥.
The important thing to note, now, is
that you do not have to bid. Too many
people feel the need to tell their partner
that they have an opening hand, but that
is not what a double is used for. A first
round double of a suit bid is for take-out,
suggesting shortage in the first bid suit
and a hand that wants to play in a suit
contract.
Your hand definitely does not want to
play in a suit contract – it is horribly flat.
So how about overcalling 1NT?
The 1NT overcall shows a stronger
hand: once one opponent has shown
strength by opening, it is dangerous to
start bidding no-trumps unless you are
stronger because you are likely to find
yourself doubled. That is exactly what
would happen here: 1NT doubled would
■
not be fun to play.
2NT.
A 1NT opening is used for balanced
hands of 12-14 points. However, the
2NT opening is used for balanced and
semi-balanced hands of 20-22 points.
This addition of ‘semi-balanced’ to the
definition is important. Often there will
be no satisfactory opening available for
20 point hands with poor five-card suits,
so you will generally do best to open 2NT
on them.
Note also, that your weak hearts are
nothing to worry about either – on a bad
day, your opponents will run a long heart
suit, but bidding no-trumps will generally
give you the best results.
♠ 10 5
♠ A K 9 4 2
♥ 4 2 N
♥ J 5
WE
♦ A 8 7 6 5 4 2 S
♦ 9 3
♣ Q 2
♣ A K 4 3
West North
?
East
South
1♠Pass
1NT.
With 6 HCP, it makes sense to keep the
bidding open. However, you need 10
points to respond at the 2-level, so that
means you have only one choice: 1NT.
The 1NT response is sometimes called
the rubbish-bin bid because you have to
throw all your weak hands into it.
On this hand, your partner will rebid
BRIDGE January 2014
3. Dealer South. Love All.
♠ A 8 2
♠ 10 6 4 3
♥ A K 6 N
♥ 8 5 3
WE
♦ Q 5 4 S
♦ A 3 2
♣ J 8 4 2
♣ 9 7 6
West North
East
?
South
1♥
1662 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x113_Layout 1 21/11/2013 18:51 Page 1
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INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS
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BEGIN BRIDGE
ACOL VERSION
l Card
Play Technique
l Planning
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Card Play
Balanced
Hands
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Suits
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l Supporting
to a Suit
Partner
l Responding
to 1NT
l Stayman
l Opening
Bids and
Responses
l
Slams and Strong
Openings
l
Support for Partner
lPre-empting
lNo-trump
Openings
and Responses
Two Opening
and Response
l Overcalls
£66
l Doubles
l
Opener’s and
Responder’s Rebids
l Pre-empting
l
l Defence
lDoubles
against No
Trump Contracts
l Defence
against Suit
Contracts
ADVANCED
DECLARER PLAY
l Making
Overtricks
in No-trumps
l
Making Overtricks
in Suit Contracts
lEndplays
Contract
£81
lSimple
l
l
l
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& Coups
Playing Doubled
Contracts
Safety Plays
Lead vs
No-trump Contracts
l
Lead vs
Suit Contracts
l
Partner of Leader
vs No-trump
Contracts
l
Advanced Basics
l Weak
l
Twos
Partner of Leader
vs Suit Contracts
lCount
l
Defence to 1NT
lDoubles
lTwo-suited
Defences to
Other Systems
l
Misfits and
Distributional
Hands
l
Opening Bids
& Responses
l
No-Trump
Openings
l
Support
for Partner
l
Slams & Strong Openings
lDiscarding
l
Pre-empting
l
Defensive Plan
l
Doubles
l
Stopping Declarer
l
Overcalls
l
Competitive Auctions
lCounting
the Hand
Suit Establishment
in Suits
l
Ruffing for
Extra Tricks
l
Entries in
No-trumps
£76
lDelaying
Drawing Trumps
Using the Lead
l Trump
Strong No-Trump
Minors
& Misfits
£76
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Endplays &
Avoidance
l
Using the Bidding
FIVE-CARD
MAJORS &
l
Signals
Establishment
in No-trumps
l
l
Rebids
lAttitude
£96
Overcalls
l
Signals
l Suit
lHold-ups
Strong Hands
to Weak Twos
DEFENCE
the Hand
l
l
Auctions
Squeezes
lCounting
Minors and Misfits
lCompetitive
lAvoidance
lWrong
£66
DECLARER
PLAY
l Basics
lDefence
lOvercalls
l Strong
MORE
(ADVANCED)
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BRIDGE
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Extra Tricks
l
Doubling and
Defence
Against
£69
Doubled
Contracts
l
Play and Defence
of 1NT Contracts
l
Finding and
Bidding Slams
l
Making the
Most of High Cards
£89
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Auctions
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4. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ 8 6
♠ Q J 10 9 5 3
N
♥ A K 8 7 6
♥ 4 2
WE
♦ A J 8 2 S
♦ K 7 6
♣ Q 2
♣ 9 8
West North
East
South
1♥ 1NT2♠Pass
?
Pass.
What does the auction mean so far?
North has shown a strong balanced
hand and your partner has made a bid
at the 2-level, so surely he must be strong
too.
Bridge is a difficult game. Rules can
change after each bid in the auction: once
your opponents have shown strength, the
definition of your bids changes. If your
partner is strong in this auction, he doubles the 1NT bid, expecting to defeat the
contract comfortably. Any suit bid is a
weak bid: an effort to compete for the
part-score. It should show a six-card suit
and a weak hand: generally, you are expected to pass.
As you can see, 2♠ is an excellent contract, but any other contract will struggle, since you will be unable to reach the
spades in the East hand.
♠ A 3 2
♠4
N
♥ 8 7 3
♥ A 9 6 5
WE
♦ 4 3 2 S
♦ K Q J 5
♣ J 8 5 4
♣ K Q 9 7
There is no chance for game: you have
13 HCP and your partner has shown
6-9. You do have a six-card suit but that
is what should be leading you down
another path.
When you have a big fit, you should
be aware that your opponents might also
have a big fit. They have not found a fit
as yet, but if you give them the chance
they may well find it.
Since you cannot make game, there is
a temptation to pass, but then North will
double, which allows your opponents to
find their diamond fit. They can make 3♦
or even 4♦ comfortably.
However, if you bid on to 3♥, North
may well be kept quiet and you win the
contract.
♠ 3 2
♠ 9 8 7 6
You have plenty of bids available to
♥ A J 9 6 5 3 N
♥ K Q 4
show a good/strong hand where game
WE
♦ A 7 2 S
♦ 4 3
might be on: in fact, any bid other than
♣ A 9
♣ J 7 6 5
3♥. It is important to understand that 3♥
is not invitational – it is a competitive bid.
Note East’s response of 2♥ over the 1♠
West North
East
South
overcall – trying hard to show support in
1♥1♠2♥Pass
a competitive auction is so important:
?
here, it allows you to bid on to 3♥. 140
points for 3♥ is much better than -130 for
3♥.
■
making 18:40
4♦.
1662 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x91_Layout 1N/S
21/11/2013
Page 1
contract, but it is the best of a bad lot.
Do not be tempted to pass – your partner has not promised four tricks, so they
may well make their contract and score
game. 3NT is no good either – you cannot rely on partner having 20 points.
Your partner makes the normal call
with his hand, but, unfortunately you
have a pretty awful hand – we cannot
always fit perfectly together. However, it
is important to trust each other and respond in the normal way. 4♣ going one
or two off will be an OK score. -100 is
better than -140 for 3♠ making.
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West
?
North
East
South
3♠DblPass
4♣.
Your partner has made a take-out
double. You should take him out to your
best suit: clubs. Bid 4♣ – it is not a great
BRIDGE January 2014
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Page 11
Letters from Overseas
Christmas in Austria
by John Barr
B
efore moving to Austria, I
thought Christmas was Christmas – a mix of religious ceremony and commercial exploitation.
But it’s all different here. The first difference is the lack of wall-to-wall TV
adverts for children’s toys, perfume
and fancily wrapped chocolates starting in September.
The second difference is the 5th of
December – and I’ll
come back to that
later. The third difference is that many
Austrian
towns
and villages have
Christmas markets
where you can buy
local arts and crafts
as presents, and (of
course) drink wine,
beer and glühwein
to keep the cold
weather at bay.
Christmas Eve is
a family celebration,
when the Christmas tree is dressed
and the Christkindl (Austria’s version of Father Christmas) brings presents for the children. The traditional
Austrian Christmas meal is eaten on
Christmas Eve and is usually baked
carp or sausages.
The 5th of December is Krampusnacht (Krampus night) when villages are visited by St Nicholas (this
is good) and Krampuses (part man,
part goat, part monster and not good
at all). St Nicholas and his angels bring
presents for children who have been
well behaved, while the Krampuses try
to capture children who have behaved
badly, to take them away and eat them.
I defended this hand during a recent
teams evening at the Kitzbühel club:
♠ A 8
♥ K 9 7 3
♦ 9 4
♣ K Q J 10 9
N
WE
S
Page 12
♠ K J 6 3
♥ A J 8 6
♦ A K 7 6
♣3
North South
1♣1♥
3♥4NT
5♦5♥*
*after a long think.
Declarer won the diamond lead,
played a heart to the king and a second heart from
table. When East
showed out, declarer turned to
me (West) and
looked at me as
if I was wearing a Krampus
costume. A few
minutes
later,
she had to lose
two hearts and
the ace of clubs,
going one off, an
early Christmas
present for my
partner and me.
Had declarer
been in slam, her
play would have been absolutely right.
Even playing in 4♥ or 5♥ at pairs, it
is probably the correct play. But at
teams (or rubber bridge), the onus is
on making your contract.
With only one loser outside the
trump suit, the key to the hand is to
avoid two trump losers. The correct
safety play for the contract of 5♥ at
teams is to cash the heart ace and play
low to the 9. If it loses then the suit has
split 3-2 and you are home and dry. If
West shows out on the second round,
you go up with the king and play back
through the queen towards your jack,
guaranteeing only one loser in the suit.
I like to think I’d have got this right
if I had been declarer, but I usually
spot these lines of play seconds after
I’ve taken the wrong line and gone
off.
■
BRIDGE January 2014
♠ A K 7 6
♠2
N
♥7
♥ A J 10 8 3
WE
♦ 9 8 3
♦ A K 5 4
S
♣ J 9 8 7 3
♣ 5 4 2
West North
East
South
1♥Pass
1♠ Pass2♦Pass
?
Pass. Your partner bids a new suit at the
2-level: this promises at least five cards
in his first bid suit and four cards in the
second suit. The key issue here is whether
you have to make a bid: is 2♦ forcing?
The answer depends on the level
of your original response: if you had
responded at the two level, then you will
have promised 10 points and can be
expected to make another bid. However,
here, you have responded at the one level,
promising just 6 points. Your partner has
rebid below his barrier (two of the suit he
opened), which promises just 12 points.
With the partnership unsure of a majority
of points, you certainly do not want
to be forced to bid again. Hence, you
can pass if you want to. With two more
diamonds than hearts, it is exactly what
you should do here, keeping the auction
at a manageable level and playing in a
reasonable fit. Of course, your best fit is
in clubs, but you cannot always locate
your best fit.
2♦ will score well – many pairs will bid
one level too high with these cards.
♠ A 7 6 5
♠ K Q 9 8 4 2
N
♥ 6 4
♥7
WE
♦3 S
♦ A 7 4
♣ K Q 9 8 7 5
♣ A J 2
West
Pass
?
North
Pass
BRIDGE January 2014
East
South
1♠Pass
3♣. You passed at your first turn, which
means you have a maximum of 11
points. It also means that jump responses are available to be used for different
meanings. They cannot show the usual
strong responding hands (16+) because
you cannot be that strong.
The jump responses are generally reserved for hands with support for opener’s suit but with a long and strong side
suit, with all the high cards in the two
long suits. The idea being that, if there
is a double fit, then there is the potential
for a slam. 3♣ is a beautiful descriptive
bid which allows East to dream of slam –
he can envisage 12 tricks in a black suit
contract and should therefore bid to the
excellent 6♠.
You might have tried a splinter response of 4♦, but it is hard for East to
envisage a slam opposite a passed hand
unless there is a double fit. The splinter
might work, but 3♣ is a much better descriptive bid.
West
1NT
?
North
Pass
East
2NT
South
Pass
3♠. When I have a five-card major in
a 12-14 point balanced hand, I assess
its quality. If I am happy to bid it twice,
then I open 1-of-the-major, but if the
suit is too weak, I open 1NT. Hence, with
this hand, you chose to open 1NT. Your
partner has raised to 2NT, inviting game
and suggesting about 11 points. Should
you accept his invitation?
You have 13 HCP with a five-card suit
and your high cards are working together in the red suits. Generally with 13
points, you have to decide whether it is
a good 13 or a bad 13 and this is certainly a good 13, which should push you
towards bidding game.
However, there is one more thing to
consider, rather than simply bidding
3NT, try the effect of bidding 3♠. By bidding 3♠, you are accepting your partner’s invitation, but showing your fivecard spade suit just in case it influences
your partner’s choice of game.
♠ J 9 8 5 4
♠ K Q 2
It must promise five cards because
♥ K Q 2N
♥ 8 7
your partner would have used Stayman
WE
♦ A K 7S
♦ Q 9 8 4 3
if he was interested in four-card majors.
♣ 6 2
♣ A 5 3
Here, your partner will raise to 4♠ and
■
the right game is reached. 1662 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x77.5_Layout 1 21/11/2013 18:34 Page 1
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Page 13
2014 with Jeremy Dhondy, Chairman of the EBU
January 2014
I
n October, I was elected Chairman
of the English Bridge Union.
It’s a big responsibility with the
organisation having some 54,000
members and growing. I’m allowed
to be chairman for a maximum of
six years and before that time is up I
hope to have made the organisation
stronger, to have more people playing
more bridge and enjoying it more.
I’d like to share with you some of
my ideas for both of these tasks and
I know I’ll be talking both to people
playing under the auspices of the EBU
and also those who play in clubs that
are not affiliated.
The first question is, ‘why join the
English Bridge Union?’ It’s been asked
and answered many times before,
but it is key to the progress needed
to ensure that the organisation is a
strong and successful one. If you play
bridge in the comfort of your living
room or tennis in the local park, you
don’t need to join any organisation but
play tennis in any club at any level and
you will become a member of the LTA.
If you play bridge in any affiliated club
you will become an EBU member. Is
that bad or good? I think you get good
value for the 35p or so you pay to the
EBU each time you play and will look
to improve services that you get as a
member. One benefit is a members’
magazine given to all who play a dozen
times per year or more at any affiliated
club, county or national event. This
magazine is now available online with
additional content and there are plans
to make it even easier to read on the
tablets which you may have received
as presents. You can now also read
past magazines, including some of the
really early ones from just after World
War II. In 1946 the magazine couldn’t
be published for all 12 months because,
Page 14
after ten issues, the printers ran out
of their paper allowance imposed by
post-war rationing. In my view, the
history of our game is very important
and is a theme to which I will return
in a future article because a national
organisation has a big responsibility
in this area and one I want to develop.
Although modern technology is not
an immediate pleasure for everyone,
it is going to play an increasing part
in the life of a bridge player. Many
clubs already use Bridgemates or some
other form of computerised scorer and
many of us are used to being able to
see the scores by the time we get home.
And not only the scores, but the hands
and, ‘yes I did have a doubleton club
on Board 9 and yes partner could
have given me a ruff to beat 4♠.’ There
is even a little box to tell you which
contracts can be made, although the
software that does it is double-dummy
perfect and always drops the singleton
king offside, but it still offers surprises
even to experienced players. Training
is offered by the EBU to those in clubs
who direct and score. The training is
cheap (even without two for the price
of one which is on offer to all affiliated
clubs) and means that club volunteers
provide a better service to other
members at the club.
In the past few years, people have
started to play and watch online. The
EBU is involved in two experiments.
The first is a recently started online
game. Via Bridge Base Online (BBO),
you can play an EBU game six times
per week and earn master points. You
don’t have to be an EBU member to
play if you want to give it a try. The
other experiment is a small online
knock-out tournament started this
year to see what problems there might
be in bringing this idea to one of our
established tournaments (if we do, it
will be voluntary). The attraction of
being able to play in your own home
instead of travelling to a match on a
cold winter evening may be seen as one
plus. The early signs are promising.
The very same BBO attracts a larger
audience each year to watch anything
from a World Championship to a
Home International or trial and it is
all free. Not perhaps something for
everyone, but attracted audiences
of 5,000+ for the latter stages of the
last world championship in Bali. You
don’t have to be a top player to watch
or compete, some players use online
services to have lessons and to practice.
I remember watching TV as a young
child. The TV did not have a channel
selector as there was no choice when
it was manufactured, but it did have
a box next to it with a 1 and 9 on it
so you could switch from BBC to ITV.
It doesn’t take much to see how that
aspect of life has changed and bridge
will also not stand still. Some decry
it (500 channels and still nothing
worth watching), but generally we can
watch what we want in tremendous
clarity and quality. One job of the
EBU is to manage the technological
changes that affect our game whilst
still allowing players to have a good
time. So dig out your £2.50 and pop
off to have a game at the local club
including tea and biscuits and reflect
that you are getting about the best
value pastime imaginable. Be grateful
to the volunteers in your club who help
make it cheap and enjoyable. Reflect
that no-one has to take the travelling
score sheets home and work on them
by hand the next day and if you have
constructive comment or feedback on
these or other topics, I’ll be pleased to
hear from you at jeremy@ebu.co.uk.■
BRIDGE January 2014
spade, which will make up for a lack of
points. Adding your hand to his should
suggest a game contract and 4♥ is surely
the right place.
When responding to a take-out double
remember to show your strength as well
as your best suit.
♠ A 3 2
♠5
N
♥ K 8 6 5
♥ A Q 3 2
WE
♦ 9 3 S
♦ A 7 4 2
♣ A 9 7 6
♣ K 10 8 2
West North
East
South
2♠1DblPass
?
1
Weak two: 6-10 HCP.
4♥.
North opens a weak two: showing 6-10
points and a six-card spade suit. Your
partner doubles: this is a take-out double
asking you to bid your best suit.
3♥ looks like the obvious bid, but remember that you are forced to respond,
so a 3♥ bid can show zero points. You
have 11 HCP and your partner should
have a good opening hand, or if he is
borderline he should have a singleton
♠ 3 2
♠ A K Q 5
N
♥ 8 7
♥ A K Q 5
WE
♦ K 5 4 3 S
♦ A 2
♣ K 10 9 5 2
♣ A 4 3
West North
East
South
2♣Pass
2♦ Pass3NT Pass
?
4NT.
Strong
hand
bidding
is
all
1662 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x108_Layout 1 21/11/2013 18:46 Page 1
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BRIDGE January 2014
describing your hand and understanding
your partner’s description. East opened
2♣ and rebid 3NT: this means he does
not have 23-24 (he would have rebid
2NT), so he must have 25+ points.
You have six points and a reasonable
5-card suit. Surely, there is a reasonable
chance for slam and you should express
this by inviting slam with a 4NT bid. A
4NT bid directly after a no-trump bid is
quantitative – asking partner to assess
his strength and bid 6NT if he is stronger
than promised.
With 26 points, East will accept your
invitation and raise to 6NT. Your club suit
helps bring the slam home.
♠ A 4 2
♠ K 8 7 3
N
♥ 4 2
♥
A83
WE
♦ 8 3 S
♦ Q 9 7 6
♣ A Q J 6 5 3
♣ K 2
West North
?
East
1NT
South
Pass
3NT.
You have a hand of great potential, but
clubs do not score well – you are going to
score so much more in no-trumps. How
high should you bid?
11 HCP with a strong six-card suit
makes 13 total points, which suggests
going for game. The theory is simple:
if the club suit makes, you are likely to
make nine tricks, if it doesn’t make, then
you might not make 1NT.
In a sense you are gambling, but it
often pays off when you gamble 3NT
with long minors.
Here, your partner has as bad a hand
as he can hold: but you still make a comfortable 9 tricks.
With long minors, if you are thinking of
game, then go for it – especially if the suit
■
is strong.
Page 15
Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Features of
Playing Five-Card Majors?
P
laying five-card majors means
that an opening bid of 1♥ or 1♠
promises five cards in the suit
bid. This enables you to find 5-3 fits
quickly because responder knows that
three-card support is adequate for a
known five-card suit.
♠ K 8 4
♥ A K J 8 2
♦ Q 5
♣ 10 4 3
N
WE
S
♠ A Q 6
♥ Q 7 3
♦ 9 6 3 2
♣ J 7 5
Playing five-card majors, West opens
1♥ and East raises to 2♥, which is an
easy make. Playing four-card majors,
you might well play in 1NT, often failing. Early knowledge of a 5-3 fit helps,
particularly on competitive auctions.
♠ 7 3
♥ Q 8 4
♦ A 8 4
♣ K J 9 4 2
Suppose partner opens 1♥ and the
next hand overcalls 3♦. Playing fivecard majors, you have an easy raise
to 3♥. Playing four-card majors, you
would have a problem. Of course, you
can still find 4-4 fits when playing
five-card majors. While opener does
not bid a four-card major initially,
responder certainly can. Indeed,
responding in a four-card major
is more important than ever when
playing five-card majors.
♠ J 4
♥ A Q 10 3
♦ K 8 3
♣ A K Q 2
Page 16
N
WE
S
♠ 10 5 2
♥ K J 5 2
♦ Q 7 4
♣ J 7 5
Playing five-card majors, West opens
1♣ and East responds 1♥, at which
point West knows of the 4-4 fit (and
can raise to 4♥). This time, there is
no gain compared with playing fourcard majors. What happens with those
hands if North overcalls 1♠? Can you
still find the 4-4 heart fit after the 1♣
opening? Yes, you still find the 4-4 fit
since East makes a negative (Sputnik/
take-out) double. This double suggests
four cards in the unbid major.
What are the downsides to playing
five-card majors? The main one is that
when you lack a five-card major and
are out of range for 1NT, you have
to open something else. This applies
even when your only four-card suit
is a major. You must make a prepared
opening in one of the minors. By
opening in a short minor, you make it
easier for the opponents to intervene
while making it harder for partner to
judge what to do. If you are opening
1♣ on balanced hands and hands with
clubs, partner must guess and will
sometimes guess incorrectly.
♠ 10 6 2
♥ A 3
♦ Q 8 5 4
♣ K J 9 3
Suppose (using five-card majors)
partner opens 1♣ and the next hand
overcalls 2♠. If partner has clubs, you
want to bid 3♣. If partner has short
clubs, however, you do not want to play
at the three level with two flat hands.
You have a guess, with no good answer.
In the UK and France, it is usual to
play a prepared 1♣, which may be as
short as two cards (a doubleton); a 1♦
opening stays as natural (4+ cards).
In North America and much of the
world, it is usual to play ‘better minor’.
The better minor title is a slight
misnomer (suit quality is irrelevant)
but seems to have stuck. With ‘better
minor’, you open the longer minor
with 4-3 or 3-2 in the minors; with 3-3,
you open 1♣; with 4-4 you open 1♦.
This means that a 1♦ opening playing
better minor will be a four-card suit
unless you have four cards in each
major and a doubleton club.
♠ 9 5 3
♥ K J 6
♦ A Q 3 2
♣ K 6 3
Playing a prepared club, you open 1♣.
Playing better minor, you open 1♦. (I
have assumed that this hand would be
out of range for a 1NT opening – most
people playing five-card majors also
play a strong no-trump.)
The rarer downside to five-card
majors is that the partnership can
find itself locked into a 5-3 major-suit
fit even when a more productive fit is
available. This is most likely to be an
issue at the slam level.
♠ A 10 7 4 2
♥5 N
WE
♦ A Q 5 S
♣ K 9 8 2
♠ K 8 3
♥ A K J 3
♦ K 2
♣ Q J 10 3
After West opens 1♠, East might think
‘whoopee, we have a spade fit’. Even if
it is just psychological, it is harder to
reach 6♣ on these hands playing fivecard majors than it would be playing
four-card majors.
In summary, playing five-card
majors works well when you have one
to open. Most of the world favours
five-card majors. ■
BRIDGE January 2014
Misleading Cases: Number One
Fisticuffs
at the Club
Regina v. North and others
before Mr Justice Ebu, at the Old Bailey
After the evidence and Counsels’ closing speeches,
Mr Justice Ebu summed up to the jury as follows:
“T
his case involves a well
known bridge club whose
name, to protect the
innocent, I shall not disclose. The case
concerns the conduct of the players
at a particular table in that club one
evening a few months ago. All four
players have since been charged with
affray during the play of hand 17 and
you, the jury, now have to determine
their guilt or innocence. This is, I
believe, the first time in this country
that a jury has consisted entirely of
bridge players, that being necessary so
that you can knowledgeably consider
the ramifications of the bidding and
card play.
You have a copy of the hand in
question, and the bidding, but I will
repeat them for posterity:
Dealer North. Love All.
♠ 4 3 2
♥ A Q 2
♦ 5 4 3 2
♣ A Q 10
♠ K Q 10 7 6
♠ A 8
♥ 5 4 N
♥ K J 9 7 6
WE
♦ Q 6 S
♦ 10 9 8
♣ K J 9 2
♣ 8 5 4
♠ J 9 5
♥ 10 8 3
♦ A K J 7
♣ 7 6 3
West North
East
South
1♦*Pass 1NT
*Playing 12-14 1NT opening
All Pass
You will recall the bidding: it was
BRIDGE January 2014
very simple. North, as dealer, opened
1♦, East passed and South bid 1NT.
And there the matter rested. In your
deliberations, you may wish to take
into account the fact that neither East
nor West made an overcall in their respective major suit. If either had, then
probably none of what followed would
have happened. You may feel (I do not
wish to influence you in either direction) that that fact alone may (or of
course may not) affect the culpability
of one or more of the defendants.
West made the obvious opening lead
of ♠K and dummy’s hand went down.
South thanked his partner but went on
to suggest that he should have opened
1NT. North said he had read that 4333
hands should be downgraded by one
point, so he decided not to open 1NT,
but queried later why his partner did
not respond 2♦ to the 1♦ opener (to
which question he received no reply).
Dummy played low to the opening
trick and so too did East and South.
Seeing East’s ♠8, West continued with
♠6, won by East with ♠A. East looked
through his hand two or three times
for another spade to lead, but, finding none, he led ♥7 (fourth highest
of his longest suit) to ♥3, ♥4 and ♥Q.
Declarer now led ♦2 from dummy to
♦A and led back ♣3. West contributed
♣2 and declarer finessed ♣Q successfully. He then led back ♦3 to ♦9, ♦J and
West’s winning ♦Q.
Now West cashed his three winning
spades and when East failed to follow
to the first of these, West enquired
whether (and I am omitting the adjectives and bad language which this
Court had to endure at this juncture) it
might not have been a touch better for
his partner to overtake the ♠K opening
lead with ♠A and return a spade. You
will recall East’s reply (with almost as
many adjectives) that that might have
promoted a spade trick for South, but
West would have none of it. He said,
rightly in my view, that his spade suit
must have been K Q 10 (x ..) for such
a lead, in which case, after East takes
trick 1 with ♠A, West wins the spade
return as cheaply as possible and reels
off his remaining spade winners, thereby making (in the event) the first five
tricks, with no doubt a couple more
later after West switches to a heart.
And talking of hearts, West added,
why did his partner switch to that suit?
He must have seen that it would give
away a trick. At this point, South asked
the others to leave the post mortem till
the end of the hand, but was then told
by East and West to shut up.
By this stage, North wanted to get
into the blame game and asked why
his partner had not won trick 3 with
♥10 (or indeed ♥8), having regard to
the Rule of 11? And why he took the
diamond finesse but not the deep club
finesse?
That was when the trouble really started. You have heard the evidence on that and I do not need to go
through it again. It was never decided
whether South made his contract because, by the time the police arrived
to separate the combatants, the table
had been knocked over and the cards
and all four bidding boxes were on the
floor, their contents scattered far and
wide. I might add, however, that from
where they had got to before Page 17
Misleading Cases continued
the fracas, it looks to me as if
North/South were heading
to make 1NT for an above
average score. Hardly worth
fighting about, methinks,
and in any case the director
awarded both pairs a bottom
for their sins.
For some reason, none of
the players called for the director until things got physical. In this respect, they all
accept that they made a mistake but claim (and I agree)
that they did not thereby
commit an offence.
It is up to you, members
of the jury, to determine on
these facts which, if any, of
the players is guilty of the
charge of affray. Each player
believed that he had bid or
played correctly but that his
partner had not and each
thought someone other
than himself had started
the fracas. Self-defence is,
of course, a complete defence, but so too can be a
justifiable defence of one’s
own cause. You should ignore the fact that all four
players ended up in hospital
overnight. That is one of the
hazards of playing a potentially dangerous game such
as bridge.”
His Lordship then read
out to the jurors the normal
language as regards the burden and standard of proof
and what their duties were
once they retired to the jury
room. He went on to inform
them that if they reached a
unanimous decision quickly,
a three-table duplicate session in his Lordship’s rooms
would follow (four tables
if all four defendants were
found not guilty). His Lordship would gladly be the
tournament director.
Reporter: Richard Wheen,
after A.P. Herbert
■
Page 18
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BRIDGE January 2014
David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics
Can Declarer
Change
His Card?
Q
I was declarer
in 3NT and had
reached a four
card ending. On the table
were ♦Q-J and ♣K-Q –
all winners. In my hand
I had the ♠3-2, the ♥7
and the ♣9. I played
the ♠2 and immediately
said, ‘Oh, I have played
the wrong card.’ I lost
two tricks because of my
mistake, but could it have
been a mechanical error?
Kit Gow by email.
A
It does not sound like
a mechanical error:
at the time you led
the ♠2 you meant to lead the
♠2 so it is not a mechanical
error. In fact, it makes no
difference: once declarer has
played a legal card it may
not be changed, whether
it was intended or not.
♣♦♥♠
Q
Playing South at
the club recently,
I opened 1♦,
West passed, my partner
bid 1♠ and East bid 2♥.
I meant to bid 3♦, but
pulled out 3♣ by mistake.
I apologised immediately,
‘wrong suit.’ I was then
told by our opposition
that I could not change
my bid to 3♦. Were our
BRIDGE January 2014 opponents right?
Maria Leathers by email.
A
No, they were not
right and I am surprised you are letting
opponents give rulings. They
are likely to take advantage.
If you pull out the wrong
card and change it, or try
to change it, immediately,
it may be changed, as the
director would have told you.
had overcalled a natural
2♣, not alerted, and partner had bid a natural 2♦.
So 3♣ is reasonable with:
♠x
♥ Q x x
♦K
♣ K J 10 x x x x x
but with:
♣♦♥♠
Q
My partner and
I play Landy. My
RHO opened 1NT
and I, having a long club
suit (and forgetting our
system) bid 2♣, which
my partner alerted and,
on being asked, told the
opponents that it showed
both majors. My partner
then bid 2♦, asking me
to choose a major. Aware
now that I was playing
Landy, what should I
do? Can I rebid clubs?
A
You must make every
effort not to gain
from the unauthorised information, which in this
case is the alert and answer
which have reminded you.
So you may bid 3♣ if and
only if you are sure that it is
what you would bid if you
♠x
♥ Q J x x
♦ Q x
♣ A J x x x x
3♣ is not allowed since you
would bid 2♥ and with:
♠x
♥ Q J x
♦ Q x x
♣ A J x x x x
3♣ is not allowed since you
would bid 3♦ (or pass).
♣♦♥♠
Q
My RHO (East),
opened 1NT and
his partner announced 12-14. I held 10
HCP with six good hearts
so I overcalled 2♥, which
was doubled by my LHO
and then passed out. I
went down two for -500.
At the end of play, I
noticed that my RHO
had 19 points. At other
tables, the contract was
3NT making by East. As a
result, we had a bottom.
I did not call the director, but I would like to
know what the ruling
would have been had
I called the director.
Iraj Darvish by email.
A
The first thing a
director does is to
try to find out what
happened. If, for example,
he decided that East had
miscounted his points and
opened 1NT by accident,
or intended to open 1♠ and
opened 1NT by accident,
then nothing illegal has happened and the result stands.
He could even have decided
to open 1NT as a psyche.
Again there is nothing wrong.
If they do not play a 12-14
1NT opening and you were
told the wrong thing, or if
they have changed to 16-19
but West has forgotten and
misinformed you, then the
director might adjust depending on what he thinks might
have happened without the
misinformation.
Page 19
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Ask David continued
Q
At the clubs I
attend in Surrey,
several players pull out the card
slightly from the bidding
box when the contract
has been agreed. They
then have a personal
reminder of the contract
throughout the play.
I’m not sure if there
is any wrongdoing with
this but can you clear
it up for me please?
Carol Holloway by email.
A
It is illegal unless the
regulating authority deem otherwise,
so a club could require it,
ban it or even mandate it. In
practice clubs do not bother
and it is a very minor abuse
which is generally tolerated.
♣♦♥♠
RUBBER /
CHICAGO
EVENTS
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7-9 February 2014
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29-31 August
with Diana Holland
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Page 20
Q
I would like
to ask you if
this was a correct decision? I was
West, playing in 5♦,
doubled by South.
I was playing the
tenth trick and about
to make my contract
when South noticed that
he had only two cards
left. The director found
the missing card to be
the ♠7 and replaced it
from another pack.
We were told an average score would be
given. I was disappointed. Surely South (a very
good player) should have
counted his cards before
we started the hand.
Pauline Wilkinson by email.
A
No, it was not a correct decision and it
was most remiss of
the director not to read the
correct ruling from his law
book. The card is assumed
to have belonged to the
deficient hand throughout
and, if at any time that hand
has failed to follow suit to a
spade, revoke penalties will
follow. The result stands.
sible doubles’ (Law 36) and
read it out to the table.
Putting it simply, the doubler replaces the double with
any legal call and his partner
must pass for the rest of
the auction. If they finish up
defending, there will also be
lead penalties.
♣♦♥♠
Q
Recently, we
had a very odd
situation. North
and East passed, then
South doubled. West
called the director
who was rather
flummoxed. As there
was nothing to double,
could this be construed
as unauthorised
information? Should the
director have allowed
the bidding and play
to continue unhindered
and returned at the
end of the hand to see
if any score adjustment
was needed? Or is
there some other
rule to deal with this
unusual bidding?
Lynda Moore, Suffolk.
A
I am always a little
surprised that directors are flummoxed
by matters which are covered
perfectly clearly in the Law
book. He should open the
Law book, find ‘Inadmis-
♣♦♥♠
Q
I was playing
in a team event
at the club and
our team finished with
55 IMPs. Another team,
who had also apparently scored 55 points,
had one hand thrown
in – they said the opposition should have opened.
They claimed they had
been denied the opportunity to score points.
The tournament director gave them 2 IMPs,
so they now had 57 and
they were declared the
winners. I have never
heard of this rule and
do not understand the
logic of it. Is it correct?
Colin Shaw,
Goring-by-Sea, East Sussex.
A
Certainly not. You
cannot say a team
should have bid anything: they can judge to bid
how they like. I am afraid you
were harshly treated there.
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BRIDGE January 2014
Ask David continued
Q
1. Recently,
declarer (North),
on lead, claimed
the last three tricks of
a hand holding three
trumps J-x-x. At this
juncture, West showed
her hand saying she still
held the 10 of trumps.
Only then did declarer
say he would have
played the jack first.
West was deemed to
have won a trick. Was
that the correct decision?
2. What should be the
correct procedure once
a player claims the last
several tricks of a hand?
N Scott, Crook, Co Durham.
A
There always have
been and probably
always will be
disagreements over claims
like this, since a large
majority of players will always
cash their trumps from the
top. But a large majority
does not mean everyone
and some players might
play a small one when they
think they are all winners.
In my view, the decision
was correct since playing a
small trump when believing
them all to be good is
careless, not irrational. It
is very much a matter of
judgement: for example,
I would probably give a
player all the tricks with
A-K-2 and an outstanding
forgotten 6. Certainly, the
director was not wrong to
make the judgement he did.
The procedure after
a claim is simple: the
opposition either accept
it or call the director. The
director gets the claimer to
repeat (but not embellish)
his statement at the time
of the claim (if any) and
decides how many tricks,
giving the benefit of any
doubt to the non-claimers.
One unfortunate
happening, that is sadly
far from rare, is that some
strong-minded and offensive
players interrupt the claimer
and start telling him he is
wrong and arguing before
he has had any chance
to make or complete his
statement of how he is
playing it. If the director
judges this has happened,
he silences the other side
and invites the claimer to
make a full statement now.
♣♦♥♠
Q
I have some
queries on
Law 27,
Insufficient Bid.
1. If the insufficient
bid is changed to a
pass then the partner
is required to pass
throughout, but can the
insufficient bidder
re-enter the
auction later?
2. If 1♥ is followed by
1♣ condoned, would
a following bid of 1♦
be insufficient?
3. If 1♥ is followed
by 1♣, condoned, can
opener repeat 1♥?
Lionel Avery,
Amersham, Bucks.
A
The player who
made the insufficient
bid can call
whatever he likes later,
knowing that his partner
must pass throughout. If
1♣ is condoned, then calls
of 1♦ and 1♥ are legal and
■
sufficient.
E-mail your questions on bridge laws to:
davidstevenson@mrbridge.co.uk
BRIDGE January 2014 Beginners’ Bridge Corner
Mary’s First Lesson
by Liz Dale
M
ary took one last
look in the mirror.
Why on earth
was she so nervous about
attending the first session
of Beginners’ Bridge, which
was being introduced at the
local bridge club through
the U3A? Was it because
she didn’t want to look
silly? Was it because she
really didn’t want people to
‘find her out’? Oh how she
wished Peter was here to
say, ‘Go on – you’ll be fine.’
Mary was impressed with
the welcome. Tea, coffee
and biscuits, together with
a first name identification
label for everyone’s lapel.
Within minutes, introductions had been made and
all new learners were sitting
at tables for four with an
identified host ‘mentor’
from the club at each table.
The place was buzzing.
Hands were dealt, honour cards identified, and
minibridge commenced.
Partnership point counts
were identified and Mary
was told how many tricks
should be made on a
particular contract. Nothing too daunting for the
first lesson. Lots of new
words to remember: dealer,
opener, responder, partner,
dummy, contracts, declarer,
defender, suits, trumps, no
trumps, tricks and ruffs.
Partnership points was
identified as the most
important principle,
linked to the number of
tricks that were able to
be made (see Table 1).
Having a host ‘mentor’ at each table certainly
was reassuring and meant
that Mary really could play
a lot of hands in the first
three hours. Problems and
misunderstandings were
sorted out immediately.
Homework handout sheets
were being distributed. Mary
had not only to learn the
Partnership Points Table (see
below) linked to makeable
tricks, but also the meaning of all the new words.
The three hours had
passed swiftly. Already
Mary had made some new
friends. She really liked the
people on her table. Everyone seemed so nice. Perhaps, like her, they were a
little nervous about coming,
but it didn’t show. She was
really glad she had plucked
up the courage to come.
Yes, she was going to come
back and yes, she was going to learn her homework.
Already, she was looking
forward to the second ses■
sion next week. Table 1. Partnership Points.
21/22 high card points
The partnership should be in a contract to make 7 tricks.
The partnership should be in a contract to make 8 tricks.
The partnership should be in a contract making 9 tricks in
no trumps or 10 tricks in hearts/spades
Page 21
MR BRIDGE
CLUB QUIZ 2013
Bernard Magee’s Tips
for Better Bridge
65 invaluable tips in 160 pages
Bidding Tips
1 Always consider bidding
spades if you can
2 Bid more aggressively
when non-vulnerable
3 Always double when the
opponents steal your deal
4 A takeout double shows
shortage in the suit doubled
5 ‘Borrow’ a king
to keep the auction open
6 After a penalty double,
don’t let the opponents escape
7 Halve the value of a singleton
honour when opening
8 Only add length-points for a
suit that might be useful
9 Isolated honours are bad
except in partner’s suit
10 Use the jump shift sparingly
11 Consider passing and letting
partner decide
12 You need two top honours
for a second-seat pre-empt
13 Put the brakes on if you have a
misfit
14 Strong and long minors work
well in no-trumps
15 One stop in the opponents’ suit
can be enough for no-trumps
16 Keep your two-level
responses up to strength
17 Use your normal methods in
response to a 1NT overcall
18 Don’t overcall just because
you have opening points
19 Overcalls can be quite weak,
so be prudent when responding
20 Weak overcalls must be based
on strong suits
21 6NT requires 33 points
not 4 aces and 4 kings
22 Raise immediately, if weak
with four-card support
23 In a competitive auction,
show support immediately
24 Bid to the level of your fit
quickly with weak hands
25 With strength and support,
use the opponents’ bid suit
Declarer Play Tips
26 When your contract depends
on a finesse, think ‘endplay’
27 Consider what a defender
might be thinking about
28 Always take your time
at trick one
29 Establish extra tricks before
cashing your winners
30 Use your opponents’
bidding to your advantage
31 Avoid the ‘baddie’
gaining the lead
32 Use the Rule of Seven when
holding up in no-trumps
33 A low lead usually promises
length and an honour
34 When declaring 1NT,
try to be patient
35 Duck an early round when
you are short of entries
36 Lead up to your
two-honour holding
37 Do not always assume
a suit will break well
38 Drop a high card
to put off the defence
39 Play your highest card to tempt
a defender to cover
40 Draw trumps first unless you
have a good reason not to
41 Do not waste your trumps
42 Consider leaving a lone defensive trump winner out
Defence Tips
43 Keep four-card suits intact
whenever possible
44 Give count on declarer’s leads
45 Keep the right cards
rather than signal
46 Take your time
when dummy is put down
47 High cards are for killing
other high cards
48 Do not waste
intermediate cards
49 Pick two key suits to
concentrate on during the play
50 If in doubt, cover an honour
with an honour
51 If a lead is from two honours, it
is best not to cover
52 Keep your honour to kill
dummy’s honour
53 Try to show partner your
solid honour sequences
54 Lead the normal card when
leading partner’s suit
55 Never underlead an ace at trick
one in a suit contract
56 Be wary of leading from
four cards to only one honour
57 Lead a higher card from
a suit without an honour
58 Lead through ‘beatable’
strength and up to weakness
59 Cash your winners before trying for a trump promotion
60 Be patient when defending
1NT
61 Trump leads can be safe
throughout the play
General Tips
62 Do not put important cards
at either end of your hand
63 Avoid being declarer when
you are dummy
64 Before you lead, ask for a
review of the auction
65 Enjoy the Game!
£14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge,
Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961
Page 22
CARDS
1 Which card is the title of a short story
by Agatha Christie?
2 Which card appears to be holding a leaf?
3 Counting the values of the tiles, which card
would be worth the most at Scrabble?
4 Which card was the ‘highest’ of the gardeners
for the Ace of Hearts?
SCORES
5 Making 13 tricks in a particular vulnerable small
slam gives a score which matches the year in which a
particular English king came back to the throne.
Which king?
6 How much are spades worth (for each odd trick won)
in Auction Bridge?
72♣ doubled, 2♦ doubled, 1NT + 3, 2NT + 2: all these
score the same. Which other result can get this score?
8 What do the scores 230, 520 & 560 have in common?
DIRECTING
9 The opening leader leads the ♥A and wins the first
trick. However, at trick two at the same time as he
leads the ♥K, declarer leads the ♣A from his hand.
What is the ruling?
10 The bidding progresses: 1♥, Pass, Double and you
are called to the table. What is the ruling?
CARD GAMES
11 What poker hand (2 cards) is sometimes called ‘the
gay waiter’.
12 In Happy Families, what is the Baker’s son’s name?
13 How many cards are dealt to each player in Gin
Rummy?
14 In what year did Edmund Hoyle write his ‘Short
Treatise on the Game of Whist’?
ODD ONE OUT (Which is the odd one out in each case?)
15 TRANSFER, RELAY, INVERTED MINOR, WEAK
TWO, STRONG TWO, BALANCED INVITE.
161♣-3♣; 1♥-4♥; 1NT-2NT; 2♣-2♦-2♠; 2♣-2♦-2NT;
1♠-2♠.
17 FRENCH, EXCLUSION, ROLLING, BYZANTINE,
ROMAN.
18 Belote, Skat, Piquet, Briscola, Ecarté.
ANAGRAMS on a ‘BRIDGE’ theme.
19
RAFT FOR HOUSE.
20 BLUE ROSES DO.
Answers on page 46.
BRIDGE January 2014
Bridge and Travel Tips
DEFENCE
QUIZ
LENGTH IS STRENGTH
Bridge tip from Sally Brock:
When you have four trumps, lead from
your longest suit not from shortage.
W
hat would you lead
from the following
hand?
Dealer West. Game All.
♠ K 3 2
♥ 10 7 6 4
♦ K Q 10 5 4
♣9
PassPassPass 1♥
Pass1NTPass 2♠
Pass 3♥Pass4♥
All Pass
Your singleton club is an obvious possibility, but it could easily pick up cards in partner’s
hand. A better choice is your
longest suit, a diamond, hoping to force declarer to ruff.
Then, when you get in with the
♠K, you can hope to force him
again, ultimately promoting a
trick for your long hearts. (See
full deal below.)
On a club lead, declarer
simply wins, draws trumps
and gives up a trick to your
♠K. Ten tricks made.
I
Dealer west. Game All.
♠ Q 9 6
♥ Q 5
♦ 9 8 7 2
♣ K 10 8 4
♠ K 3 2 N
♠ 8 7 4
♥ 10 7 6 4 WE ♥ 3 2
S
♦ K Q 10 5 4
♦ A J 3
♣9
♣ Q J 5 3 2
♠ A J 10 5
♥ A K J 9 8
♦6
♣ A 7 6
On a diamond lead, declarer
is sunk. He ruffs the second
(best play is to discard a club
here, but on this layout it
doesn’t make any difference),
plays the ♥A and a heart to
the queen and runs the ♠9.
You win your king and play
another diamond. Now, you
have one more trump than
declarer and the contract
eventually drifts two off.
When you’re considering
whether or not to lead a singleton, choose your long suit
instead when you have four
■
trumps.
Travel tip from Emma Thomson:
f you’re planning a big trip, taking in several countries,
buy a round-the-world ticket (RTW). By purchasing all
your tickets in advance and in bulk, you’ll save money
on the total price of the ticket. Routes flying west to east
taking in the major cities, for example, London–Bangkok–
Singapore–Sydney–LA, are cheaper than choosing more
unusual destinations and you can save even more by booking through third-party agents, instead of with the airline
alliances direct. A few rules apply: you have to follow one
global direction (no backtracking), start and finish in the
same country and the minimum trip duration is ten days.
BRIDGE January 2014 by Julian Pottage
(Answers on page 32)
Y
ou are East in the defensive positions below. It is your turn
to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.
1. ♠ K Q 9 2
♥ A K J 10
♦ 9 5 4
♣ K 7
♠
N
♥
WE
♦
S
♣
54
962
QJ6
J 10 4 3 2
1♥Pass1♠
Pass 3♠Pass4♠
All Pass
Partner leads the ♦2. What
do you do?
3. ♠ J 5 2
♥ A K Q
♦ J 10 9 6 3
♣ A Q
♠ A K 8 7 4
N
♥ 6 3 2
WE
♦ K 7
S
♣ J 9 4
1♦1♠1NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
Partner leads the ♠9 and
dummy plays low. What
do you do?
2. ♠ A K Q 9 2
♥ K Q 7
♦ 5 4
♣ 9 7 3
♠ 8 5 4
N
♥ 6 3 2
WE
♦ K Q 7 6
S
♣ J 8 4
4. ♠ A 10 5 2
♥ K Q J 2
♦ 6 4 3
♣ 10 7
♠
N
♥
WE
♦
S
♣
1♠ Pass2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
1♠
Pass 3♠Pass4♠
All Pass
Partner leads the ♦10.
What do you do?
J74
10 8 6 5 3
AK
542
Partner leads the ♦J. What
is your plan?
Page 23
Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird
New Year’s
Day in
Sherwood
I
t was early morning in a small
glade deep in Sherwood Forest.
Those outlaws still asleep were
aroused gradually from their dreams
by the wonderful smell of bread cooking over the open fires.
‘Any idea what day it is, Tuck?’ asked
Robin Hood, who was stoking one
of the fires. Friar Tuck was never at
his best before mid-day. ‘I believe it
may be the day celebrated for Saint
Almachius the Martyr,’ he replied. ‘I
wouldn’t wager my life on it, though.’
Hood laughed. ‘The answer I was
looking for is New Year’s Day,’ he said.
‘You know, the day when we’re all
expected to give up some undesirable
habit, like… well, like gluttony, for
example.’
‘No need to look at me as you say
that,’ Friar Tuck replied. ‘It’s common
knowledge that a large man requires
more food than a small man.’
‘He’s right,’ added Much the Miller’s
son. ‘My father has two horses, one
twice as big as the other. The big one
eats at least twice as much.’
‘Not a convincing proof,’ an amused
Robin Hood replied. ‘You might as
well say that a drunkard needs twice
as much beer as someone who drinks
modestly.’ He sprang to his feet.
‘Anyway, Nazir and I need to hone our
bridge skills before we play in the big
money game at Nottingham Market
tonight. Who among you are willing
Page 24
to take us on?’
Young Much was inexperienced at
‘Count me in,’ said Friar Tuck. ‘Are
the game and out of his depth in this
you with us, John?’ exalted company. They would forgive
Little John wiped the sleep from his
him if he made a silly mistake or two,
eyes. ‘Not until I’ve ’ad me breakfast,’
yes, but how much better it would
he replied. ‘Let Much ’ave a go.’
be to gain their respect with a sound
Much’s eyes lit up. He had never
performance. Now, what should he
before been allowed to play against
lead against 4♥? His spade honours
Robin Hood. Perhaps he would teach
were nearly in sequence. Perhaps the
him some of the game’s secrets.
♠K would be a good lead? Yes, let’s try
A coarse-woven blanket was laid out
that.
on the ground and the four players sat
Nazir looked into Robin Hood’s eyes
down cross-legged. This was an early
as he displayed his dummy. ‘Good
deal:
hand,’ he declared. ‘Perhaps in future
times, if Allah wishes it, there will be
some special bid to show such power.
Then we could bid more slams when
Dealer South. Love All.
your hand is also good.’
♠ 6 4 2
Hood nodded. ‘Perhaps that should
♥ A 6 5 3
be our New Year’s resolution,’ he
♦ K Q 4
suggested. ‘To improve our slam
♣ A Q 10
bidding!’
♠ K Q 10 8
♠ 9 7 3
‘It would make more sense than any
♥ 10 8 4 N
♥2
WE
silly ideas about eating less,’ declared
♦ 8 7 5 3
S
♦ A 10 9 6
Friar Tuck. ‘Why would the bountiful
♣ 6 2
♣ K 9 7 5 3
Lord provide us with the means to
♠ A J 5
cook joints of meat and make fruit
♥ K Q J 9 7
pies if he did not intend us to enjoy
♦ J 2
them to the full?’
♣ J 8 4
Friar Tuck played the ♠3 on the first
trick and Robin Hood contributed the
♠5. Much was pleased with the success
West North
East
South
of his opening lead. What a great start
Much
Nazir
Friar
Robin
he had made in this high-level game!
Tuck Hood
He was about to play another spade
1♥
when Hood leaned towards him. Pass
4♥
All Pass
BRIDGE January 2014
Robin Hood continued
‘You saw Tuck’s ♠3?’ he said. ‘It was a
signal to tell you he has nothing good
in the suit. You should play something
different now.’
Much could not believe what he was
hearing. The defenders could signal to
each other? If only he could learn such
secrets from these great players, he
would become an expert himself.
As instructed, Much looked for a
different suit to play. His father, the
miller in Gorsthorpe Village, had
often mentioned how well it worked
to ‘lead through dummy’s strength’.
Maybe a club would be a good idea.
Robin Hood paused for thought
when the ♣6 appeared. If he took the
club finesse and it lost, Tuck would be
able to return a spade through his ♠A-J.
This would set up a fourth trick for
the defence before he could establish a
discard on the diamonds.
Hood reached forward to play the
♣A. After drawing trumps with the
king, queen and jack,
he led the ♦J. When
Friar Tuck allowed this
to win, he continued
with a second diamond
to the queen and ace.
Robin Hood won the
spade return with the
ace. He then crossed to
the carefully preserved
♥A to discard his spade
loser on the established
♦K. The game had been
made.
‘You defended well,
young Much!’ Robin
Hood exclaimed. ‘That
club switch made it
awkward for me.’
Much looked modestly
downwards.
His defence had been
praised by none other than Robin
Hood himself! It was a moment to
savour. How proud his father would
be.
The winter sun was soon in evidence
and several other outlaws had gathered
round to observe the play.
Robin Hood reached another game
contract on this deal:
BRIDGE January 2014
Dealer East. E/W Game.
♠ A J 9 2
♥ K Q 8 3
♦ 10 5
♣ 10 6 4
♠ 6 4 3
♠7
N
♥ 9 5 ♥ A J 7 6 4 2
WE
♦ J 8 7 6 4 2 S
♦ K Q
♣ 8 3
♣ K Q J 9
♠ K Q 10 8 5
♥10
♦ A 9 3
♣ A 7 5 2
West
Much
North
Nazir
East
South
Friar
Robin
Tuck Hood
1♥1♠
Pass
3♠Pass 4♠
All Pass
This time, Much had little to think
about when choosing his opening lead.
It was more than his life was worth
not to lead the suit that Friar Tuck
had bid. Imagine how the onlookers
would laugh if he chose instead to lead
diamonds, his own suit!
The ♥9 appeared on the coarselywoven, grey blanket and Hood
studied the dummy that Nazir put
down. It seemed natural to play one
of dummy’s honours on this trick, but
that would waste the power of his ♥10.
He leaned forward and played the ♥3
from dummy.
Several of the onlookers exchanged
glances. What a strange play to make!
Still, Robin must know what he was
doing. Friar Tuck won the trick with
the ♥J and switched to the ♣K. After a
few moments, Hood played a low card
from his hand.
A puzzled Little John, who had
joined the group of outlaws watching
the game, nudged Will Scarlet. Why on
earth had Robin not won with the ♣A?
Robin Hood won the second round
of clubs with the ace and drew trumps
with the king, ace and jack. He then
played dummy’s ♥K. Friar Tuck
covered with the ♥A and Hood ruffed
with his penultimate trump. He then
gave up a club trick, won by Friar Tuck
in the East seat.
‘I guess I’m too late to play this card,’
said Friar Tuck, switching to the ♦K.
‘Afraid so,’ Robin Hood replied. He
won with the ♦A and ruffed his last
club to reach the dummy. Away went
his two diamond losers on the established ♥Q-8 and the game was made.
Nazir flashed his perfect white teeth
by way of congratulation. ‘Nice move, ducking first club,’ he said.
Few of the onlookers had understood the
play. Maybe someone
would explain it.
‘Yes,’ agreed Friar
Tuck. ‘If he takes the
ace immediately, I can
set up a diamond winner to go with two club
tricks.’
Little John nudged
Will Scarlet again. ‘You
see it now?’ he asked. ‘I
was going to tell you
before but I thought
they’d hear.’
Will Scarlet had not
been paying attention.
‘Yeah,
clever,’
he
replied.
‘It was difficult for our young friend
here,’ Friar Tuck continued. ‘If Much
happens to lead a diamond, the
contract can’t be made.’
‘That’s really unlucky,’ Much
replied. ‘Just this morning, I made my
New Year’s resolution. Always lead
partner’s suit!’ ■
Page 25
Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions
How Should We
Reach the Best
Contract?
Q
How should
we bid the
following hands,
playing Benji Acol?
♠3
♥ A K 9 7 6
N
♦ K Q J WE
S
♣ 10 5 4 2
♠ A K J 8 6
♥ 8 4
♦ 10 9 3 2
♣ Q 8
West East
Pass
1♥1♠
2♣2♦1
2NT 3NT
All Pass
1
Fourth suit forcing
East disagreed with 2♣
by West and thought
2♥ was a better rebid.
Huw Jones, Swansea.
A
While you ask about
West’s actions, East
seems to be the one
out of line. East has overbid, using fourth suit forcing
and then raising to game.
A simple 2NT rebid would
have sufficed; even that
would be on the aggressive
side if East had not passed
originally: some would just
give preference to 2♥.
West had a tricky choice
Page 26
of rebid. 2♦ shows where
the values lie, whereas 2♣
shows the length. Bearing in
mind that you do not really
want to be ruffing with the
high diamonds, 2♣ seems
OK. 2♥ would be only my
third choice. By opening
one suit and rebidding in
another, you suggest a 5-4
shape. A 2♥ rebid would
both overstate the hearts
and understate the minors.
♣♦♥♠
Q
On this deal,
most pairs at our
club bid a part
score in clubs, making
at most 10 tricks with
the club king offside.
♠ A 8 4
♥ A K
♦ 8 4
♣ A Q J 10 9 6
N
WE
S
in 1♥ when South decided to pass North’s
rebid of a phoney heart
to try to keep the bidding open. It was not
a great success.
How would you bid?
Nicholas Beswick,
Blaenau, Gwent.
A
Bidding a major with
a doubleton is not
sensible, especially
as it is a non-forcing bid.
South should have raised
1♥ to 2♥ on this deal.
Partnering myself, I am
sure I would bid 1♣-1♦-3NT.
This would not be a success
on a spade lead but makes
on any other lead. With 8
sure tricks, a rebid of 3♣,
even though it is a jump,
does not do justice to the
North hand. It surprises me
to hear that so many people played in a club partial.
You must have some cautious bidders in your club.
♣♦♥♠
♠7
♥ 10 7 4 2
♦ A Q 7 6 5 2
♣ 8 2
My partner and I ended
Q
Please can you
help me with this
ticklish opening lead decision?
Playing matchpoints, I was dealer:
Dealer West. Love All.
♠ K J 10 4
N
♥ Q 10 6
WE
S
♦ 9 8 2
♣ J 8 4
PassPassPass 1♦
Pass 1♠ Pass1NT1
1
All Pass
15-17
What would you
lead and why?
Keith Hawkins,
Chippenham, Wiltshire.
A
The ♥6 would be my
choice. The spade
spots are not good
enough to lead the suit
when you know dummy has
four. A diamond, though
probably safe, is going to
help set up declarer’s suit.
As for the unbid suits, I do
not like leading from J-x-x.
An added reason for preferring a heart to a club is that
North is unlikely to have four
hearts but could have four or
even five clubs: with 4-4 in
the majors, it is customary to
respond 1♥; with 5-4 in the
majors, North would probably have removed 1NT to
2♥.
BRIDGE January 2014
Ask Julian continued
Q
With EastWest silent,
North opens
1♥, South responds 1♠
and North rebids 2♥.
South holds:
♠ J 8 7 6 4
♥ 5 4
♦ Q 7 5
♣ K Q J
Should South rebid
his spades and, if
so, what point count
would he show?
Name and address supplied.
A
Partner is quite
likely to have six
hearts to open 1♥
and rebid 2♥ over a 1♠
response. You would need
six goodish spades to rebid
2♠. Here you have five
poor spades. The decision
is therefore not close. You
should pass. While nine
points would be consistent
with 2♠, this spade suit is not.
She felt that without
a singleton or void in
hearts she was not
qualified to double.
Which of us, if either,
should have doubled?
Vicky Fisher by email.
A
With opening values,
four spades and 0-2
hearts, it would be
clear to double 1♥ rather
than pass. With three hearts,
it is less clear. While the textbooks say you should pass,
some players successfully
adopt a policy of doubling
on such hands – the Italian
Blue team was famous for it.
Had you been a passed
hand, you could have
doubled 2♥ yourself with 10
points, four spades and two
hearts. I agree that it would
be rather aggressive to do
that on the actual auction.
Perhaps your partner
should have doubled the
second time around. Assuming the opponents
know what they are doing,
if they have bid and raised
a suit but not attempted to
look for game, they have a
fit but limited values. This
being the case, you were
likely to be short in hearts
and have a few values.
♣♦♥♠
Q
The dealer
opened 1♥; my
partner in second
seat passed with 14 HCP,
four spades and three
hearts. Responder
raised to 2♥. I had
10 HCPs, four spades
and two hearts but
said nothing, fearing
that partner might
have very little.
Most people played in
2♠ and made three. We
had 24 HCP between us.
If my partner had
doubled, I would have
taken her to be asking
me for a spade fit.
BRIDGE January 2014 ♣♦♥♠
Q
I am giving a
lecture on notrump bidding
to an audience of
duplicate players. How
many points does a
partnership need to
have a better than 50%
chance of making 3NT,
assuming that both
hands are balanced?
My view is that 24 HCP
is likely to fail, while 26
HCP is likely to succeed,
with a big question
mark over 25 HCP.
Alan Mansell,
Milford-on-Sea.
A
This evening I ran
a quick simulation
using Dealmaster Pro
with 1,000 deals each time.
With 24 HCP, 3NT made
36% and went down 64%.
This simulator assumes
double-dummy play. That
tends to help the defenders with the opening lead,
but thereafter works more
to declarer’s advantage.
You seem to be right that
25 is the critical number.
♣♦♥♠
Q
Please could you
help me with a
bidding issue?
♠ A Q 9 6 2
♥ K 5
♦ K 8 6
♣ K 10 3
I opened 1♠ and my
partner responded 2♠.
I added my 6 losers
to partner’s 9 losers,
which told me to bid
to the 3 level. As there
was nothing to gain by
bidding to the 3 level,
I passed – and made
10 tricks. Other pairs
bid and made 4♠.
Was I right to pass
my partner’s 2♠ bid?
My partner had 9 HCPs
and a 9-loser hand.
Anthony Shaw by email.
A
Your bidding and
reasoning seem fine
to me. If you bid on
over 2♠, it is because you can
see a realistic prospect of 10
tricks facing the right hand,
not because you are hopeful of making 9. Sometimes,
both players are maximum
for their bidding. If you aim
to reach every single makeable game, you will bid
a lot that are not there.
♣♦♥♠
Q
Vulnerable, my
partner opened
1NT (12-14). RHO
then overcalled 2♦. I was
holding a balanced 13
points with four hearts,
four spades, two diamonds and three clubs
– a textbook case for
Stayman. However, we
play that an intervening
bid switches conventions
off, leaving me with a
quandary. In the event,
I decided not to bid 3NT
directly because of my
diamond weakness.
Instead, I doubled hoping that partner might
realise that my 2♣ bid
had been ‘stolen’. In the
event, she understandably passed. It turned out
that we had an excellent
heart fit and 4♥ would
have made comfortably.
The result was 300 points
for 2♦ two down doubled,
instead of 620 points
for 4♥ made. Is there
a way of dealing with
such a situation after
a no-trump opening?
Chris Brown, Woking.
A
The customary
way to handle this
sort of intervention
with the hand you held is
to cue bid the opponent’s
suit, 3♦. Opener can then
show a 4-card major or
bid 3NT without one.
You certainly can play
double of 2♦ as take-out,
though traditionally doubles
after a no-trump opening are
for penalties, so you would
need to have discussed the
situation with partner before
trying a take-out double.
Page 27
Ask Julian continued
Q
Playing standard Acol, what
is the best
response to 1♥ with
the following hands?
Hand 1
♠ A Q 9 8
♥ 3 2
♦ K 4
♣ Q J 9 3 2
Hand 2
♠ A 9 4 3
♥ 3 2
♦ 4 3
♣ Q J 4 3 2
Lindsey Barnes, Knutsford, Cheshire.
A
With Hand 1, you
are worth two bids
and should start
by bidding your longest
suit. Respond 2♣.
With Hand 2, you are
worth only one bid and
should respond in your
major. In any case, with only
7 HCP, you are too weak
to respond 2♣ whether
you have four spades
or not. Respond 1♠.
♣♦♥♠
Q
I held the
following
South hand:
♠ Q 10 7 4
♥ 8 5
♦ K 9 7 5 3
♣ 8 5
1♣ DblPass 1♦
2♣2♦ All Pass
My first instinct was
to bid 1♠ but then I
thought, ‘Why conceal a
5-card suit?’ On reflection, I may have been
wrong. I had 5 HCP,
not entirely a bust.
Should I have overlooked the 5-card diamond suit and bid 1♠?
Partner’s hand was:
♠ K J 8 2
♥ A J 10 7
♦ A Q J
♣ A 9
We missed 4♠ as did
several other pairs.
We play Michaels cue
bids. Is the North hand
too strong for Michaels?
Alternatively, might
partner have doubled
2♣ for take-out?
Margaret Bleakley by email.
A
With your hand,
you might have
anticipated that there
would be further bidding.
If you bid 1♠ first time, you
can plan to compete with
2♦ on the next round. That
is better than bidding 1♦
and then 2♠ or doing what
you did, which was not to
show the spades at all.
Yes, partner could and
should have doubled 2♣ as
a second take-out double (or
maybe cue bid 3♣) to show
the significant extra values.
A Michaels cue bid shows
5-5 in the majors, not 4-4, so
would not have been a good
idea, whatever the strength of
■
her hand.
E-mail your questions for Julian to:
julianpottage@mrbridge.co.uk
Page 28
DECLARER
PLAY
QUIZ
by David Huggett
Y
ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge.
In each case, what is your play strategy?
1.
♠ 7 3
♥ A 8 5
♦ A Q 5
♣ K 6 5 4 3
3.
N
N
WE
WE
S
♠ K 4
♥ K Q 6
♦ J 10 9 6 2
♣ A 8 2
You are declarer in 3NT
and West leads the ♥J.
How do you plan the play?
2.
♠ A 7 5 3
♥ 8 5
♦ K 10 8 6 4
♣ 7 4
S
4.
N
You are declarer in 5♦ and
West leads the ♥K. How
do you plan the play?
♠ 6 3
♥ K Q 5 4
♦ J 10 5
♣ 8 7 6 4
N
WE
S
♠ 6 4
♥ A 7 3
♦ Q J 9 7 3
♣ A K J
♠ A Q J 10 7 2
♥3
♦ A 9 2
♣ A 5 3
You are declarer in 4♠ after
West dealt and opened 4♥.
West leads the ♥K. How
WE
♠ K 8 4
♥ A 7 6 4
♦ K 6 5
♣ 7 6 4
S
♠ A K Q
♥ A 9 8 7 6
♦ K Q 9 2
♣A
You are declarer in 6♥ and
West leads the ♣K. How
BRIDGE January 2014
Elstead
Hotel
Chatsworth Hotel
Worthing BN11 3D
7-9 Feb £169
Sheila Rogers
Rubber / Chicago
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BH1 3QP
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House
Hotel
Swindon SN26 7AS
14-16 Feb £199
Just Duplicate
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Finding Slams
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Bernard Magee
NEW
Better Leads TOPIC
& Switches
BRIDGE
EVENTS
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Bernard Magee
Game Tries
7-9 November £245
Bernard Magee
Hand Evaluation
Full Board – No Single Supplement
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31 Jan – 2 Feb £199
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Bernard Magee
Leads & Defence
28-30 March £199
25-27 April £199
11-13 April £215
Stan Powell
Signals & Discards
Bernard Magee
Doubles
Full Board
BRIDGE January 2014 14-16 November £245
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Further into the Auction
BRIDGE EVENTS
24-26 Jan 2014
Declarer Play
£215
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Overcalls£215
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Take-Out Doubles
(Improvers)
£215
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Full Board – No Single Supplement
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Full Board
Page 29
David Gold Says
Assume You Can
Beat the Contract
T
his maxim applies mainly when
playing teams or rubber, when it
is essential to defeat contracts.
♠ Q 3
♥ A Q 10 5
♦ 5 2
♣ A 10 9 8 3
♠ A K J 10
♥ J 6 4
♦ A K Q
♣ 7 6 4
♠ A 10 8 3
♥ K 6 4
♦ J 10 9 8
♣ 3 2
N
WE
S
You open 1♣ and LHO doubles. RHO
bids 1NT and LHO raises to 3NT. You
lead the ten of clubs.
On the first trick partner plays the five
and declarer wins with the jack. Next
declarer plays the queen of clubs. You
had better not duck that as you can see
declarer can simply run for home with
four spade tricks, three diamond tricks
and two club tricks. Having taken the
ace you can see that declarer has nine
tricks ready to run. There is only one
chance to beat the contract, which is
to cash four heart tricks. This dictates
putting partner with the king of hearts;
you should ‘assume you can beat the
contract’ and lead the heart five.
The full deal:
♠ A K J 10
♥ J 6 4
♦ A K Q
♣ 7 6 4
♠ Q 3
♥ A Q 10 5 N
WE
♦ 5 2
S
♣ A 10 9 8 3
♠ 9 8 4
♥ 9 8 2
♦ J 7 6 3
♣ K Q J
You risk giving an overtrick but, at
teams, it is a small price to pay for the
chance of defeating the contract.
♠ 7 6 5 2
♥ K 7 3
♦ 10 9 8 4
♣ 5 2
♠ J 6 5 2
♥ J 10
♦ K 6 3
♣ A K Q J
N
WE
S
RHOLHO
1♥1♠
1NT (15-17) 3NT
You lead the jack of diamonds. Declarer
wins with the king in dummy and, at
trick two, runs the jack of hearts to your
king, partner following with the two.
Declarer surely has plenty of tricks for
his contract so desperate measures are
called for. If you ‘assume you can beat
the contract’, there is only one chance
and it may seem unlikely. You can play
declarer for a bare king of spades and lay
down the spade ace hoping to take four
spade tricks. The full deal:
♠ J 6 5 2
♥ J 10
♦ K 6 3
♣ A K Q J
♠ A 10 8 3 N
♥ K 6 4WE
♦ J 10 9 8 S
♣ 3 2 ♠K
♥ A Q 9 8 3
♦ A Q 2
♣ 10 7 6 5
♠ Q 9 7 4
♥ 7 5 2
♦ 7 5 4
♣ 9 8 4
Now you are playing rubber bridge:
Page 30
♠ A J
♥ A 4
♦ K Q J 10 9 4
♣ 10 4 3
♠ 8 7 5 2
N
♥ 6 5 3 2
WE
♦A
S
♣ K J 9 2
Your LHO opens 1NT (12-14) and RHO
raises to 3NT. Partner leads the spade
nine (top of nothing).
Declarer wins the first trick with the
king. At trick two, you are in with the
diamond ace. Desperate measures are
in order. Declarer again has plenty of
tricks so you must take at least four now
if you are to beat the contract. You must
try a club hoping partner holds the ace
but does it matter which? If partner has
fewer than three clubs, it is hopeless
and, if partner has four clubs, it does
not matter which one you lead. So focus
on three clubs with partner. It is vital to
switch to the club jack – a ‘surrounding’
play. The full deal:
♠ A J
♥ A 4
♦ K Q J 10 9 4
♣ 10 4 3
♠ 9 6 4 3 N
♠ 8 7 5 2
♥ J 8 7 WE
♥ 6 5 3 2
♦ 8 7 3 S
♦A
♣ A 6 5 ♣ K J 9 2
♠ K Q 10
♥ K Q 10 9
♦ 6 5 2
♣ Q 8 7
On the jack of clubs switch, you cash
four clubs to defeat the contract.
So (playing rubber bridge or teams):
‘assume you can beat the contract!’ ■
BRIDGE January 2014
Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 28
1.
♠ 7 3
♥ A 8 5
♦ A Q 5
♣ K 6 5 4 3
♠ A 8 2
N
♥ J 10 9 4
WE
♦ 8 7 4 3 S
♣ 9 7
♠ K 4
♥ K Q 6
♦ J 10 9 6 2
♣ A 8 2
♠ Q J 10 9 6 5
♥ 7 3 2
♦K
♣ Q J 10
You are declarer in 3NT and West leads
the ♥J. How do you plan the play?
At first glance, it might seem a good
idea to play on the club suit, but that line
is flawed for two reasons. First, even if
the suit breaks 3-2, you will still have to
find another trick either from spades or
diamonds but, more pertinently, if you
ever lost the lead to East, he might be
able to find a lethal switch to spades.
However, a quick tally of the number of
tricks available outside diamonds comes
to five, meaning you have to make only
four diamond tricks to fulfil your contract.
However, there is the danger of East gaining the lead and switching to a spade, so
eschew the diamond finesse and play the
ace first. This gives you the extra chance
of finding East with a singleton king.
2.
♠ A 7 5 3
♥ 8 5
♦ K 10 8 6 4
♣ 7 4
♠ K J 2
♥ K Q J 4 2 N
WE
♦ 5 2 S
♣ 8 6 5
♠ 6 4
♥ A 7 3
♦ Q J 9 7 3
♣ A K J
BRIDGE January 2014
♠ Q 10 9 8
♥ 10 9 6
♦A
♣ Q 10 9 3 2
You are declarer in 5♦ and West leads
the ♥K. How do you plan the play?
3NT is likely to fail, so if you can make
your 5♦ you are sure for a good swing.
With so many trumps, it looks instinctive
to play on that suit immediately, but just
think what will happen if you do. Someone will win and cash a heart no doubt
and, with an inescapable spade loser,
the contract will flounder eventually. So,
although it might lead to an eventual
second undertrick, you have to be brave.
Win the opening lead and play a spade
to dummy in order to finesse the clubs. If
the jack wins, you aim then to cash the
ace and king, throwing the heart loser
from dummy. Only then is it safe to play
on trumps.
3.
♠ K 8 4
♥ A 7 6 4
♦ K 6 5
♣ 7 6 4
♠Void
♠ 9 6 5 3
♥ K Q J 10 9 8 5 2 N
♥Void
WE
♦ Q 10 3 ♦ J 8 7 4
S
♣ Q 10
♣ K J 9 8 2
♠ A Q J 10 7 2
♥3
♦ A 9 2
♣ A 5 3
You are declarer in 4♠ after West dealt
and opened 4♥. West leads the ♥K. How
With ten top tricks, there doesn’t seem
to be a problem and the reality is that
there isn’t – as long as you don’t play
the ace of hearts from dummy at trick
one. West is likely to hold all the missing hearts for his four-level preempt, in
which case the ace will be ruffed by East.
So, play low from dummy and do the
same on the heart continuation, but ruff
in hand instead.
Now draw trumps, enter dummy with
the king of diamonds and finally cash the
ace of hearts throwing a minor suit loser
from hand.
4.
♠ 6 3
♥ K Q 5 4
♦ J 10 5
♣ 8 7 6 4
♠ 8 7 5
N
♥ J 10 3 2WE
♦ 8 6 4 S
♣ K Q 10
♠ A K Q
♥ A 9 8 7 6
♦ K Q 9 2
♣A
♠ J 10 9 4 2
♥Void
♦ A 7 3
♣ J 9 5 3 2
You are declarer in 6♥ and West leads
the ♣K. How do you plan the play?
It looks as though there is only one loser – in diamonds – but it is at times like
these that you have to be most vigilant. If
East has all four missing trumps, you are
bound to lose a trick in that suit, but if
West holds them all, you are safe as long
as you cash the ace from hand first. Now,
you can pick up West’s holding by taking
two finesses against the jack, ten combination. Somehow, our instincts tell us to
play the top card from the shorter holding first and in this case it would prove
■
fatal.
Mr Bridge
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Page 31
Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 23
1.
♠ K Q 9 2
♥ A K J 10
♦ 9 5 4
♣ K 7
♠ A 7
N
♥ 8 4 3
WE
♦ K 10 8 2 S
♣ A 9 8 5
♠ J 10 8 6 3
♥ Q 7 5
♦ A 7 3
♣ Q 6
West
Pass
All Pass
West
Pass
North
East
South
1♠Pass 2♥
4♥
All Pass
Partner leads the ♦10. What do you do?
♠ 5 4
♥ 9 6 2
♦ Q J 6
♣ J 10 4 3 2
North
East
South
1♥Pass 1♠
3♠Pass 4♠
The situation is similar and the solution
the same.
You need to play an honour to stop
South from scoring a cheap trick (here
with the ♦J). You need to play the lower
honour, the ♦Q rather than ♦K, to help
partner judge the location of the diamond honours.
Partner will soon gain the lead with the
♥A and should work out to play you for
the ♦K rather than the ♣K. This is because
with the ♦A-K-J, declarer would probably
play to get rid of one of dummy’s clubs
on a diamond.
Partner leads the ♦2. What do you do?
In third seat, you usually play high – you
want to do that here. When your highest
cards are of equal rank, you should play
the lower or lowest of them, here the ♦J.
Once this forces out the ♦A, it will be obvious that you have the ♦Q as well since
declarer would not waste the ♦A from
A-Q. If you played the ♦Q, partner would
place declarer with the ♦J and might think
that the best chance of defeating the contract is to underlead the ♣A when in with
the ♠A, hoping for the ♣Q in your hand
and a misguess by declarer.
3.
♠ J 5 2
♥ A K Q
♦ J 10 9 6 3
♣ A Q
♠ 9 6
N
♥ J 9 7 4WE
♦ Q 5 4 S
♣ 10 6 5 3
♠ Q 10 3
♥ 10 8 5
♦ A 8 2
♣ K 8 7 2
♠ A K 8 7 4
♥ 6 3 2
♦ K 7
♣ J 9 4
ducking the first round of spades?
If you duck the first spade, playing the
eight to encourage, you will force out the
stopper at once. Then, assuming partner
has a second spade and an entry, you
will get to run the spade suit later.
Taking the first two spades and then
giving up the third round will not work
so well because partner will be unable to
continue spades.
While your ♦K might be an entry if
partner happens to hold the ♦A, you do
not need to take that chance.
4. ♠ A 10 5 2
♥ K Q J 2
♦ 6 4 3
♣ 10 7
♠9
♥ 9 7 4 N
WE
♦ J 10 9 5 S
♣ A J 9 8 6
♠ K Q 8 6 3
♥A
♦ Q 8 7 2
♣ K Q 3
♠ J 7 4
♥ 10 8 6 5 3
♦ A K
♣ 5 4 2
West North
East
South
1♠
Pass
3♠Pass 4♠
All Pass
Partner leads the ♦J. What is your plan?
2.
♠ A K Q 9 2
♥ K Q 7
♦ 5 4
♣ 9 7 3
♠ 7 6
♥ A 4 N
WE
♦ 10 9 8 3 2 S
♣ A Q 5 2
♠ J 10 3
♥ J 10 9 8 5
♦ A J
♣ K 10 6
Page 32
West
Pass
♠ 8 5 4
♥ 6 3 2
♦ K Q 7 6
♣ J 8 4
North
East
South
1♦1♠1NT
3NT
All Pass
Partner leads the ♠9 and dummy plays
low. What do you do?
Although the usual rule is to play high
in third seat, this is not a command. You
need to think about the play in the context of the hand as a whole. South has
shown a spade stopper and is going to
make a spade trick at some point whatever you do. Can you see the benefit in
There is a time when you should play
the higher of touching honours. This is
to alert your partner to the fact that you
have a doubleton. By playing the ♦A
and then cashing the ♦K, you are drawing attention to your unusual holding.
Then, when you play a club, your partner
knows to switch back to diamonds to give
you a ruff.
If you played the diamonds in the usual
fashion, king before ace, your partner
will probably play you for a club honour
(whichever of the ♣K and ♣Q declarer
■
does not play). BRIDGE January 2014
The Diaries of Wendy Wensum
Episode 21:
Engaging Celebrations
I
t was a last-minute decision to
take a bridge mini-break to celebrate the New Year in the Peak
District with Millie and Justin. Under overcast skies, Spouse and I set
off early on our drive from Norfolk,
picking up Millie en route. Riding in
state in the back seat with the maps,
her navigating skills proved less than
adequate. The maps were transferred
to me in the passenger seat, but following an unintentional diversion,
surprise, surprise, my ability was also
found to be wanting. I have suggested
we buy a SatNav but to no avail. Most
males seem to love electronic gadgets,
but not Spouse. Anyway, without any
democratic authority, he took on the
navigational role in addition to that
of driver. ‘That load looks top-heavy,’
he observed as we were overtaken by
a car with two bicycles strapped precariously to its roof. I remarked on the
positive environmental impact of cycling. Millie was less sure. ‘I would be
more impressed if the bikes were towing the car,’ she quipped sagely.
On our arrival at the hotel for
lunch, it began to snow. Justin was
making his own way to the venue
and by the time he appeared in the
afternoon, the clouds had parted and
the surrounding moor glowed in
unison with the setting sun in cold
anticipation of the passing of another
year. During pre-dinner drinks, we
mingled with our fellow guests and
from the bar, proceeded to the elegant
dining room. The white countryside
was now a picture worthy of a painting
as a bright winter moon rose over
distant hills. After an excellent meal,
everyone was in holiday mood. Most
guests took to the ballroom, but some
of us settled for duplicate bridge in the
card room. As chance would have it,
Spouse and I played the last set against
BRIDGE January 2014
Millie and Justin. Nearing midnight,
this was the final board:
Dealer South. N/S Vul.
Spouse
♠ 10 7 6 5
♥Void
♦ Q 7 3
♣ A 9 8 4 3 2
MillieJustin
♠ A J 9 8 N
♠ K Q 4 3 2
♥ A K Q 7 3WE
♥ J 9 8 5 4 2
S
♦K
♦Void
♣ Q 10 5
♣ K 7
Wendy
♠Void
♥ 10 6
♦ A J 10 9 8 6 5 4 2
♣ J 6
Wine and spirits were flowing freely,
but, as dealer, I was still taken by surprise when I found I had shown a green
pass card. On my left, with a brandy
glass at the ready, Millie opened 1♥.
Spouse passed and Justin made a pragmatic bid of 4♥, simultaneously taking
a sip of claret. I took a deep breath
and overcalled 5♦. Millie seemed surprised and took a large swig of brandy,
but was sufficiently composed to bid
5♥. Spouse, who had been increasing
both his alcohol and merriment levels
steadily during the day, took account
of his void in our opponents’ suit and
joined the fray with a bid of 6♦. After
a further two passes, Millie doubled.
Spouse, still with a silly party hat
perched precariously on his head, entered the spirit of the occasion with a
redouble. At this point, much laughter
engulfed the table in anticipation of a
good result for one pair at least, almost
certainly in contravention of rule 74.
The complete sequence was:
West North
East
South
Millie Spouse Justin Wendy
Pass
1♥ Pass4♥5♦
5♥6♦PassPass
Dbl
Rdbl
All Pass
Millie led the ♥A and Spouse tabled
dummy. I ruffed. Being able still
to count to thirteen, I led a trump
felling the singleton king. I ruffed
another heart and conceded a club
making twelve tricks in all. More
hilarity ensued as the other three
players congratulated me. Of course
East-West will make 6♥ only on a
favourable lead, as the ♣A and a
spade ruff will defeat the contract.
The TD came over to our table, but his
comments were rendered inaudible
by the chimes of Big Ben striking
midnight. Spouse paused only to
thank the director for his tolerance of
our exuberant behaviour and to order
a bottle of champagne from a passing
waiter. Smiling cheerfully, Spouse
removed his party hat, took my arm
gallantly and led me to the dance floor
in the adjoining ballroom. Balloons
and streamers were cascading down
from the hotel ceiling. ‘Happy New
Year, darling,’ he whispered in my ear
as we waltzed romantically from the
Old Year to the New.
As the celebrations subsided, Millie
and Justin came over to wish us the
season’s greetings and Spouse and
I reciprocated. ‘Wendy,’ said Millie
excitedly, ‘You two must be the first
to know; Justin has just asked me to
marry him and I said yes.’ A sumptuous
engagement ring on Millie’s finger
confirmed the happy outcome of the
proposal. Much hugging, kissing and
a few tears followed and Spouse gladly
ordered another bottle of bubbly as we
celebrated into the small hours. ■
Page 33
Things You Should Know by Andrew Kambites
About Key Card
Blackwood
A
fter the partnership has
agreed a suit, a bid
of 4NT asks about key
cards.
There are 5 key cards: the 4 aces and
the king of trumps. The responses are
as follows:
5♣ shows 0 or 4 key cards. If you
cannot tell whether partner has 0 or 4,
you shouldn’t be using Blackwood.
5♦ shows 1 or 5 key cards.
5♥ shows 2 key cards.
5♠ shows 3 key cards.
♠ A Q J 10 7
♥ K Q J 8 7 N
WE
♦ A K S
♣A
♠ 6 4 3 2
♥ 10 9 6
♦ Q J 2
♣ K 3 2
West
East
2♣12♦2
2♠3♠3
4NT45♣5
5♠6Pass
Game forcing. 2Negative: 0-7 points.
No need to hurry. 2♣ was game forcing. 2NT would have been a second
negative: 0-3 points
4
Key card Blackwood.
5
6
No key cards
High enough
1
3
Generally speaking, you are happy
to be in a small slam if the chances
of making it are higher than 50%.
Conversely, you would prefer to stay
out of a slam if the prospects are less
Page 34
than 50%. If it is genuinely 50%, you
probably don’t mind whether or not
you bid it, however, in practice a slam
that seems to be 50% is usually worse
than that. West can certainly argue
that if East has either the ♠K or ♥A
the slam will be excellent. Superficially,
it seems that if both of these cards are
missing, it is on the spade finesse, but
in practice, 6♠ is most unlikely to make
even if the spade finesse is right. First,
there are no entries to dummy to take
the finesse. Second, it is quite possible
that North will lead a singleton heart
and find a ruff. As usual, if two key
cards are missing, give up on the slam.
In the next hand, East gives a
more helpful response to key card
Blackwood.
♠ A Q J 10 7 2
♥ K Q J 10 N
WE
♦ A K S
♣A
♠ K 4 3
♥ A 6 3
♦ J 8 3 2
♣ 10 3 2
West
East
2♣ 2NT9
3♠4♠
4NT 5♥10
7NT 11
2NT shows a balanced positive, 8 or
more points.
10
5♥ shows two key cards, the ♠K and
♥A.
11
West can count thirteen tricks.
9
♣♦♥♠
♠ A Q J 10 7 2
♥ K Q J 10 N
WE
♦ A K S
♣A
♠ K 4 3
♥ 9 6 3
♦ J 4 3 2
♣ 9 3 2
WestEast
2♣ 2♦
2♠3♠
4NT 5♦7
8
6♠ Pass
One key card, the ♠K.
West does not know whether East has
the ♥A or ♠K, but either way, 6♠ will
be excellent.
7
8
If East had the ♠K and ♥A, then it
would have been easy to reach a grand
slam.
I
f you use key card Blackwood,
it is essential that both
partners know the trump
suit.
Key card Blackwood really concentrates
the mind. Using ordinary Blackwood,
you can get away with not knowing,
but now the king of trumps is a key
card there will be chaos unless trumps
are known.
I can readily sympathise with partnerships that take a practical view that
4NT is always Blackwood. It may not
be the best practice but it avoids ambiguity, a huge advantage. However,
without more sophistication, you cannot effectively play key card Blackwood. I would suggest you might
BRIDGE January 2014
About Key Card Blackwood continued
Game forcing.
Positive. 8+ points. At least 5 spades.
3
Key card Blackwood. Spades are
agreed as trumps.
4
1 or 5 key cards (here one, the ♠K).
5
Asking for kings, but also guaranteeing all the key cards are present. 6
This doesn’t answer the Blackwood
question but it does show initiative. If
partner has the 4 aces, East can count
13 tricks.
1
2
like the following simple guidelines.
(i)If a suit has been agreed by both
players bidding it, 4NT is key card
Blackwood with that suit agreed.
(ii)If no suit has been agreed, then the
last bid suit is the agreed trump
suit.
(iii)If the last bid was no-trumps, then
4NT is not Blackwood.
Auction A
Auction B
West East
West East
1♠2♣1♠2♣
2♦4NT
2NT 4NT
In Auction A, the agreed suit is diamonds. The ♦K is a key card.
In Auction B, 4NT is quantitative.
West passes if minimum for 2NT or
bids 6NT if maximum.
♣♦♥♠
A
fter the response to
4NT, a continuation of
5NT asks how many of
the remaining kings partner
holds (ie. excluding the king of
trumps).
♣♦♥♠
Y
ou should normally not
use Blackwood without
having some idea of how
strong partner is.
The reason is that, when you use
Blackwood, you are taking complete
control of the auction. Partner will
answer your questions, showing his
key cards and maybe outside kings.
He will never have a chance to show
if he has extra points, or extra shape.
The next hand illustrates some all too
common horrible bidding.
Common sense dictates that such a
5NT continuation must be a try for a
grand slam because, whatever the response, you can never stop below a
small slam. Therefore, it guarantees
that all of the key cards are present.
♠ A Q J 6 N
♥ A Q 2
WE
♦ A K Q 3 S
♣ A 2
♠ K 10 7 5 4 3 2
♥8
♦7
♣ K Q J 10
WestEast
2♣12♠2
4NT35♦4
5NT57NT6
BRIDGE January 2014
Just to make sure you understand: 4NT
was a truly awful bid. East virtually
admitted it when he hesitated after
the reply before bidding 5♠. If you use
Blackwood properly, you should know
what to do after all possible responses.
I can give you very specific advice:
If you use Blackwood, you should
have worked out what to do next
without needing to hesitate.
If your partner uses Blackwood,
hears your answer and then hesitates
before signing off at the 5 level, you
should almost certainly pass.
A far better auction would have been
Auction D.
5
Far too early for Blackwood. If all
partner can do is rebid 2♠, I have no
reason to venture beyond game.
6
Partner is now known to have a strong
hand with 6 spades. We certainly have
the values for slam, I will make sure 2
key cards are not missing.
7
2 key cards, the ♠K and ♣A.
8
Obvious.
♣♦♥♠
♠ K Q 10 9 6 4
♥ Q J 8 N
WE
♦ K J S
♣ A Q
♠ A J 3 2
♥ K 7 ♦ A 8 7 6
♣ K J 2
The responses are as follows:
6♣ shows 0 kings.
6♦ shows 1 king.
6♥ shows 2 kings.
6♠ shows 3 kings.
unauthorised information so West
was ethically obliged to pass.
Auction C
Auction D
West East
West
East
1♠4NT11♠2♦5
5♥25♠33♠4NT6
Pass4
5♥76♠8
At the table, Auction C was chosen.
1
East argued: I am an ace stronger than
I might be to bid game, so I must use
key card Blackwood to try for slam.
2
Two key cards, the ♠K and ♣A.
3
Oh dear, a key card is missing. I must
think what to do now. Long hesitation,
then sign off in 5♠.
4
With considerable frustration. West
had 18 points when he might have
had 12. He had six excellent spades
when he might have had only four.
It is incredibly annoying to have a
strong hand and be deprived of the
opportunity to tell partner. The long
hesitation had made West aware that
two aces were not missing. This is
Y
ou
should
normally
not
use
Blackwood
without having given the
partnership every opportunity
to find a fit.
Below, you see two possible auctions
for the layout shown. I think you will
agree that Auction F is far superior.
♠ A Q J 6 5
♥ 8 7 N
WE
♦ A 8 6 2 S
♣ 9 2
♠3
♥ A K Q 2
♦ K Q J 4
♣ A K Q J
Auction E
Auction F
West East
West
East
1♠4NT11♠2♣4
5♥26NT32♦54NT6
5♥77♦8
Auction E:
1
Key card Blackwood with spades as
the trump suit. Certainly, a slam is
inevitable with 25 points opposite an
opening bid. However, to use Blackwood now makes it certain that
Page 35
About KCB continued
the correct contract of 7♦
can never be reached.
2
2 key cards
3
Stuck. A key card is
missing. For one thing, East
has no idea whether it is an
ace or the ♠K.
Auction F:
Wait to see what partner
does. If the best he can do
is 2♠, I will know more
(ie partner is minimum
without a second suit) and
can always bid Blackwood
then.
5
4 diamonds as well as
5 spades. Just what East
wanted to hear.
6
Key card Blackwood with
diamonds (the last bid suit)
as the trump suit.
7
2 key cards.
8
East can count 13 tricks.
That includes a ruff in
dummy.
4
♣♦♥♠
Y
ou should normally not use
Blackwood if you
have 2 top losers in
an unbid suit or a side
suit void.
In these situations, it is
important to know not how
many aces partner has, but
which aces. Cue bidding is
more helpful and we cover
this in the next edition of
BRIDGE. ■
Things You Should Know About
Key Card Blackwood Quiz
by Andrew Kambites
£15
inc p&p
See mail
order form
on page 7
Page 36
Bernard Magee
Introduction
1 What would you bid with Hands A,B,C and D if your
partner opens 1♠? If you use key card Blackwood
consider your continuations after all possible replies.
Hand A Hand B
♠ A 6 5
♠ K J 5 2
♥ A K 9 6 5
♥ A 6
♦ A K 8
♦ K 7 6 3
♣ K 8 ♣ A Q 2
Hand C Hand D
♠ A Q 10 3 2 ♠ A Q 10 3
♥7
♥ Q J
♦ A K Q J 10 9 ♦ A K Q J 10
♣9
♣ A K
Better Hand Evaluation is
aimed at helping readers to
add greater accuracy to their
bidding. It deals with auctions
in which you and your partner,
against silent opponents, can
describe your hands fully to
each other and, by evaluating
them accurately, find the best
final contract. The emphasis of
all good, accurate bidding is on
hand evaluation.
There are two general types of
auction: a) a fit is found and b)
no fit is found.
2 You are East. The bidding starts as shown.
WestEast
1♠2♣
2♦4NT
?
(i) What is your next bid with Hands E, F, G and H?
(ii) If your partner hears your answer and continues with
5NT, how do you respond to that?
Hand E Hand F
♠ A 8 6 5 4
♠ A K 8 6 4
♥ 8 7
♥ 8 7
♦ K J 7 6
♦ K J 7 6
♣ K 6
♣ K 6
Hand G Hand H
♠ A 8 6 5 4
♠ A K 6 5 4
♥ K 8
♥ K 8
♦ J 10 7 6
♦ J 10 7 6
♣ K 6
♣ K 6
3 You are South. You have Hand J.
Hand J
♠ A J 7 6 5
♥8
♦ K Q J 10 3
♣ K Q
Bridge Tie
Better Hand
Evaluation
The bidding starts as shown below.
West North East South
3♥4♠ Pass4NT
Pass
?
How should you continue if partner responds:
(i) 5♣? (ii) 5♦? (iii) 5♥? (iv) 5♠?
When you do not have a fit,
you are aiming to describe the
strength of your hand as soon
as possible, most often using
no-trump bids. This book begins by discussing balanced
hand bidding in Acol, as it
is very important that both
members of a partnership
have an accurate knowledge of
how to show hands of different
strengths.
When a fit is found, there is
much re-evaluation of the
hand to be done; point count,
though still important, needs
to be evaluated together with
distribution. The best way of
reaching an accurate assess
ment is to use the Losing Trick
Count; this is an important
method of hand evaluation and
takes up a number of chapters.
Finally, we move on to different
forms of evaluation including
game tries and splinter bids.
You can never know enough
methods of hand evaluation;
the more you learn, the better
you get at judging your hand.
Although the Losing Trick
Count is used more easily in
tandem with your partner, a
large proportion of the ideas
in this book can be used by an
individual. For example, evaluating your hand to be worth
an extra point is going to help
anyone you partner – as long
as you get it right.
£14 including postage
See Mail Order Form
on page 7.
BRIDGE January 2014
READERS’
LETTERS
In BRIDGE 132, I included
the following letter in my
page 5 editorial. It arrived
too late to be included with
Reader’s Letters, but I seized
upon it for inclusion in my
editorial and I print the letter
and comments below.
Now, please read on.
DESPERATE
We are a very small club
with an ageing membership
and we are in dire need
of new members.
Could you give us a plug
and tell your readers of our
predicament, giving them
our website address.
www.bridgewebs.com/
orpington
Bill Seymour,
Secretary, Orpington BC.
Sorry to have to tell you
this Bill, but until your club
becomes new-membership
friendly, it will continue
its downhill spiral. I could
find no means of making
quick human contact to
discuss your predicament.
A dedicated membership
secretary and an oddbod service will help, but
the most important thing
is a telephone number.
If this comes across as
being rude, it is because
I truly care. A beautiful
website is boring when
it doesn’t provide the
information you need
quickly and easily. Other
bridge clubs in the same
predicament please note.
BILL’S QUICK
RESPONSE
Many thanks for your two
communications. I would say
that your comments were
forthright rather than rude.
I will discuss the question
of telephone contact with
the committee. As you are
well aware, we live in an
age where digital contact
rules and our website reflects
that. I look forward with
great interest to reading
your advice on ‘Buildup and revitalisation’.
Bill Seymour,
Secretary, Orpington BC.
REDUCE THE COST
OF YOUR POSTAGE
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:
clive.goff@londonrugby.com
BRIDGE January 2014
Readers, Bill Seymour and
his club deserve your helpful
comments and ideas, so
let’s be hearing from you.
GREAT NEWS
I have been advised that,
with immediate effect, the
bridge room on m.v. Voyager
will be relocated to the
Lookout Lounge. I do not
have any more information
yet regarding the ins and outs
– I will source this when our
directors return from the ship.
Needless to say, the ship will
provide full co-operation, but
I wanted you to be among
the first to know about the
decision that has been made.
I am sure you will agree
that this is a good move and
one you have been looking
forward to for quite a while.
Glen Thomas,
Group Sales Manager,
m.v. Voyager.
BAD MANNERS
I have returned recently from
a bridge holiday, where once
again, I am appalled by the
bad manners of married
couples. It is usually the
man who behaves in such a
terrible way towards his wife.
One such comment was,
‘you silly cow.’ I objected
to his bad manners and
told the director. He said
he would have a word with
him but the next night, he
was just as terrible, so I told
him that this was no way
to talk to his wife. The next
morning he did apologise,
giving me an explanation
regarding his manners,
but really there can be no
excuse for such language.
The point I am making
is, why is this allowed to
happen? Why are they not
banned from the bridge
table, at least for a couple of
days, as a punishment? I am
fed up with sitting at a table
where such bickering occurs.
I realise that married
couples do not always
play bridge together at
their club, but I should
like them to realise how
uncomfortable they make
others at the table feel.
Name & address supplied.
IMPROVEMENTS
I just wanted to give you
some feedback on your
Ruffing for Extra Tricks DVD.
It is, of course, excellent but
it would help if you were
able to put more ‘stops’
onto the disc, so that I
could watch one hand at a
time. As it is, I have to fast
forward at the beginning of
each viewing which is time
consuming and irritating....
possibly something you could
build into future discs?
Whilst writing, I would like
to extend my thanks to you,
as without your software, I
should never have learned to
play this wonderful game.
Pat Colledge,
Burgess Hill, Sussex.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
I am just writing to say
how much I enjoy BRIDGE.
I am not an experienced
bridge player, but I do love
playing and go regularly
to the U3A class.
In BRIDGE 132, I
particularly appreciated the
article, Things you should
know about by Andrew
Kambites. There are so many
things I need to learn and the
pages on Red Suit Transfers
were really helpful. I hope
that the Losing Trick Count
can be explained in due
course as there seem to be
a couple of ways of using it.
Mrs V Galvin,
Peterborough.
Page 37
READERS’ LETTERS
continued
MISLEADING
In the Tunisia holiday advert
on page 3 of BRIDGE 131, it
states that prices for sevennight stays are available
on application. Last year,
a friend went for the seven
nights and we would both
very much like to do this from
2-9 March 2014. Tunisia First
have told me that a sevennight stay is not on offer. I
would be most grateful for
your comment on this.
Mrs Elizabeth Marr,
London.
Sorry, the advert was wrong.
Bernard Magee plans the
holidays he hosts based on a
two-week stay and asks my
office to refuse shorter stay
bookings. We can, however,
cater for seven nights in
April and November.
Malcolm Finebaum.
Send your used stamps and
collections in support of Little
Voice to: Mr M Finebaum,
8 Mountford House,
Crescent Road,
Enfield, EN2 7BL.
GREAT IDEA
We have all sat in the waiting
rooms of doctors, dentists
and hospitals with tables full
of a variety of magazines. As
many of us are concerned
with the falling numbers in
our bridge clubs, why not
deposit, when read, our copy
of BRIDGE in these rooms?
It might encourage some to
return to this wonderful game
or even stimulate the curiosity
of potential beginners. Much
better than putting them in
the dustbin and certainly
less boring for readers.
Brian Meadows,
Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Surplus copies of the
EBUs English Bridge could
likewise be recycled.
CRYSTAL BALL
I have your Begin Bridge,
which I have found extremely
helpful. Do you have
a CD that will help me
with what comes next?
Barbara Lumsden,
Aberdeen.
Just follow on with
Bernard Magee’s Acol
Bidding. Simple.
LITTLE VOICE
Further to our chat yesterday,
I would like to assure you
that I am continuing with my
efforts to raise money for
Little Voice. Indeed, I would
confess to enjoying what I do,
though it takes a lot of time.
Sadly, donations of used
stamps have dropped off
over the summer months and
I feel that we could benefit
from a little reminder in your
magazine in the next issue
especially as the Christmas
season sees every home
receiving lots of post.
Page 38
OTHER THINGS
TO KNOW
You asked Andrew Kambites
to write a new series
entitled, Things You Should
Know About... The article
on Stayman was excellent,
but he wrote it only in the
context of a weak no-trump.
It would be helpful, in
future articles, if he could
write an extra paragraph
or two on how the system
varies when playing a
strong no-trump, five-card
majors and a short club, a
variation which I am sure
a large number of your
readers play nowadays.
Wg Cdr P D Cliff, OBE.
Uckfield, East Sussex.
Andrew Kambites replies:
A bidding system based on
a strong no-trump is not
just a variation of a weak
no-trump, it is an entirely
different system. In many
countries, the strong no-
trump is common, but it is
no coincidence that 5-card
majors and opening a minor
suit with fewer than four
tend to go hand-in-hand
with the strong no-trump.
The idea is certainly worthy
of consideration, but it is
not as easy as it sounds.
With some topics, one
extra paragraph might be
fairly easy. The articles
on Stayman and Red Suit
Transfers can be adapted
to the strong no-trump, just
by arguing that if his notrump opening is four points
stronger (16-18 rather than
12-14) he requires four fewer
points in response to make
a game try or bid game.
However, with other topics
that will follow in the series,
the whole article would need
rewriting because some of
the conclusions reached
simply do not apply if you
play the strong no-trump . . .
And even that wouldn’t
totally solve the problem.
My All You Need To Know
About articles are necessarily
long. However, if they get
too long, the main points are
diluted. I have already had
to make judgements about
how much to include. For
example, before writing my
article on Red Suit Transfers,
I gave careful consideration
as to whether to include
black suit transfers as well
and call it All You Need To
Know About Transfers. Bridge
students in England are
taught the weak no-trump.
The vast majority of readers
of BRIDGE play the weak
no-trump and I must stick
to the brief given to me by
Mr Bridge at the outset.
GREAT PLUG
Please, please don’t stop
producing the Bernard
Magee interactive CDs.
They are by far the best
way of improving one’s
game that I’ve come across,
as Mr Magee explains
everything really clearly.
One can practice with the
hands over and over.
I have six of them and
have saved the money for
two more, but you haven’t
brought out a new one
for such a long time.
The Better Bridge No. 1
CD is marvellous. It is the
logical follow-on from his
Defence, Acol Bidding and
Declarer Play interactive
CDs, taking one’s skills a
stage further. For example,
after using it, I have a much
clearer understanding of
when a slam is likely and
my declarer and defensive
play in 1NT is much, much
stronger than it was.
It is particularly valuable
for those who, like myself,
are unable to join your
cruises and courses.
Mrs Carol Moore,
Hereford.
AND ANOTHER...
I have just spent a very enjoyable ‘Just Bridge’ weekend
at the Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth. May I congratulate
you on finding such an
excellent hotel. It is the best
hotel we have stayed at with
you. The food was brilliant,
the rooms luxurious and
hotel staff so helpful and
welcoming. Even the bridge
was good and Mary Stebbing’s direction was just right.
Friendly and encouraging
to the slower players so the
bridge went smoothly. We
certainly hope to go again.
Mrs Pamela Child,
Weymouth, Dorset.
GIVE HER A RING
I live in Highgate, London
N6 and would like to
hear from other ladies
with a view to playing
rubber bridge at home.
Mrs Trixie Sadler,
Highgate, London.
( 0208 444 6775.
BRIDGE January 2014
READERS’ LETTERS
continued
REAL RESULTS
My wife and I have
just received BRIDGE
132 and I managed to
gain the first look.
I was really interested in
Hugh Tarrans article, ‘Real
Results at our Club’ and,
in particular, his concluding remarks. These must
be music to the ear’s of so
many players, particularly
those who have just started
or not been playing for very
long. Making or not making a contract depends on
a number of factors, which
actually makes bridge the
fascinating game that it is.
So often players blame
themselves for not making
a contract barely realising that but for a different opening lead or the
distribution of the cards,
they would have made it.
Michael Bassett by email.
DIFFERENT COLOURS
I and three friends have had
a friendly bridge afternoon
for a few years. We have all
passed our 70th birthdays
and bridge has become a
wonderful pastime for us
all. Unfortunately one of
our four has developed a
severe sight problem (macula
degeneration) which is not
operable and is not now
responding to treatment. She
can still see but is having
great difficulty distinguishing
the four suits. Having been
a competent player she
is disheartened that she
has dropped out of bridge
afternoons – despite our
pleadings to continue – we
can still have tea together,
but the bridge made it fun.
The purpose of this letter
is to see if you or your
colleagues know if any
BRIDGE January 2014 enterprising card maker
has produced a deck of
cards with each suit in a
different colour. It would
be so much easier for
her to sort her cards and
then play the hand.
It might be a boon to many
other older players with failing eye sight. ( I frequently
have to check my red suits).
If you can help us with this
dilemma we would all be
very grateful. We already
use the large print cards.
Mrs Hilary Chaplin,
Chelford, Cheshire.
EBU MEMBER?
I had been a member of
the EBU for more than 20
years and had not envisaged
being a non-member.
However, I discovered
that last year I had played
once short of some new
standard they have and
was no longer a member.
I received no communication about this from the
EBU, not even a note to say
why I have lost my membership or to thank me for my
many years of support.
What a way to run a
national organisation. It’s
time we had an alternative,
one that allows us to play
as much or as little as
we like, but still remain a
member, and which takes
the trouble to notify me to
explain why I had suddenly
lost my membership.
Peter Mohan, Bedford.
Jeremy Dhondy,
EBU Chairman replies:
become a member
of the EBU you join any
affiliated club in England
and as long as you remain
a member, you are a
member of the EBU. Thus
the EBU could not have
told Mr Mohan he was
no longer a member
because he still is.
lTo receive benefits such as
the magazine and diary,
you must earn magazine
points which you do by
playing in any affiliated
club or EBU or county
event. If you fail to do so
then you will remain a
member but not receive
the magazine or diary.
You will retain such things
as your access to the
members’ area of the EBU
and masterpoint record.
lMr Mohan can play as
frequently or infrequently as
he wishes. It is his choice.
If he has not played very
often recently and starts
to play more, then his
magazine will be delivered
again. If he plays once per
month or more, none of
this will be an issue (nor
even if he plays twice in one
month and none the next).
lIf he does not play very
often but would still like
to retain benefits, he
can become a direct
member for one single
payment per year.
lTo send magazines and
diaries to those who did not
play and did not contribute
would not be a sustainable
■
economic model.
CHARITY
EVENTS
lTo
Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange,
Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
or e-mail letters@mrbridge.co.uk
E-mail correspondents are asked
to include their name, full postal
address, telephone number and to
send no attachments.
Letters may be edited for length
and clarity.
FEBRUARY 2014
14 CROSSROADS, South
Ayrshire, Caring for Carers.
Bridge Drive 2pm,
St Ninian’s Church,
Bentinck Drive, Troon.
Sue Williams
( 01292 317534
Lois Martin
( 01292 267530
27 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE
ROTARY CLUB
Bridge Lunch with tea and
biscuits £48 per table.
12.00 for 12.30. Outlane
Golf Club, Huddersfield.
Rtn Sam Smith
( 01924 492540
samuelsmith396 @btinternet.com
MARCH 2014
11 ST NEOTS’ BOWLING CLUB
St Neots, Cambs.
10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00.
John Shaw
( 01480 475454
12 WIMBORNE ROTARY CLUB
Allendale Community Centre,
Wimborne, Dorset. 2p.m.
£28 per table, including tea
and good prizes.
Don Phillips
( 01202 972211
12RICHMOND SUPPORT GROUP
FOR ST TEREAS’S HOSPICE
‘Bridge the Gap’, Hudswell
Village Hall, Richmond,
North Yorks. 2-4pm followed by afternoon tea.
Tickets £10.
Mary Lovell
( 01748 850208
APRIL 2014
4Conservative Association
Gt Stukeley Village Hall.
Tickets £13.50.
Sheila Stephenson
( 01480 457338
Kay Brownlow
( 01480 880663
25 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES
Doddington Village Hall,
March. 10.00 for 10.30am.
Tickets £14.00.
Val Topliss
( 01354 653696
E-mail your charity events:
maggie@mrbridge.co.uk
Page 39
G L O B A L T R A V E L I N S U R A N C E
T h e T u r r e t , 2 5 F a r n c o m b e R o a d , W o r t h i n g , BN 1 1 2 A Y .
( 01903 235042 Fax 01903 229389 Email info@globaltravelinsurance.co.uk Website www.globaltravelinsurance.co.uk
SINGLE TRIP SUMMARY OF COVER
The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that
apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.
CANCELLATION OR CURTAILMENT up to £1,500
If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury
service, the police requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious
damage to your home, you are covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs.
Policy Excess £75.
For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100.
For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150.
See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased
excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000
A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total
disablement. No Policy Excess.
MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £10,000,000
Including a 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE
The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including additional
accommodation and repatriation expenses.
Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains.
Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK.
Policy Excess £75 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £150 Area 4 or on a Cruise.
For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £500 Area
4 or on a Cruise.
For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £1,000 Area
4 or on a Cruise.
See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased
excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300
An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient.
No Policy Excess.
MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS
The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the
conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior
to application.
MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS
Insurers will not pay for claims arising
1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have or have had symptoms
which are awaiting or receiving investigation, tests, treatment, referral or the results of any of
the foregoing, unless We have agreed in writing to cover You.
2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends).
3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends)
have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical
condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention.
4. Medical conditions existing prior to the payment of the insurance premium or any consequence
thereof in respect of which a Medical Practitioner would advise against travel or that treatment
may be required during the duration of the Trip.
OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS
Claims arising from
1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature.
2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease.
3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion,
Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this
exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such
losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already
taking place at the beginning of any Trip.
4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program.
5. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or
accommodation supplier.
6. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel.
7. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.
POLICY EXCESSES:
The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The
excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under
each section where an excess applies.
PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000
Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any
one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs,
etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50.
Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft
(cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50.
No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft
not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery.
PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200
If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and
accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess.
DELAYED DEPARTURE up to
£1,500
If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from
UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled
to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum
of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the
outward trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only.
MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500
Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas
destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the
vehicle in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather,
strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess.
PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000
Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal
expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250.
LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000
To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.
Pre Existing Medical Conditions
You only need to undergo medical screening if You are travelling to Area 4, on a Cruise,
or for a period in excess of 31 days. For all other Trips there is no need to advise us of
your pre existing medical conditions.
If you have a history of any medical condition and are travelling within Area 4 or on a Cruise,
you must first contact Towergate Medical Screening Line to establish whether we can provide
cover for your trip.
The number to call is: 0844 892 1698
If you are accepted, the level of excess stated below will apply. You will receive written
confirmation that you are covered for the trip. In the event that you are not accepted for cover
having been screened, we may be able to offer you cover under our Single Trip “PLUS”
product. Please ask us for further details or go to our website.
INCREASED EXCESS FOR Pre Existing
Medical Conditions
Acceptance of pre existing medical conditions is made by the application of increased
excesses in the event of claims arising from the pre existing condition.
If You already suffer from or have a history of any medical condition, the following excess will
apply (other than in respect of claims that are specifically excluded) :
Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess.
Under the Medical & Other Expenses section –
For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 Areas 1&2, £750 Area 3,
£1,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise.
For persons aged 61 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,000 Areas 1&2, £1,500 Area
3, £2,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise.
Please note that we consider a Cruise to be a Trip by sea in a liner calling at a number of ports.
✄
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who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
and our status can be checked on the FCA Register by visiting
www.fca.org.uk or by contacting the FCA on 0845 606 9966. This
Insurance is underwritten by ETI – International Travel Protection, the
United Kingdom branch of Europäische Reiseversicherung (ERV) A.G..
ERV is authorised by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht
(BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and the Prudential Regulation Authority and
subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and
Prudential Regulation Authority.
Single Trip Travel Insurance
Suitable for a single round trip starting and finishing in the UK
and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration,
for persons whose age is 90 years or less.
Global Travel Insurance
The Turret, 25 Farncombe Road, Worthing, BN11 2AY.
( 01903 235042 Fax 01903 229389
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As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it
constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs.
This insurance is suitable for a single round trip starting and finishing
in the UK and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration, for
persons whose age is 90 years or less.
Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently
resident and domiciled in the UK and Channel Islands.
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all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel,
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of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons
residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips).
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The following Premiums are valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2014
and for travel completed by 31/12/2014. Maximum age is 90
years. For periods in excess of 31 days please call for a quotation.
Maximum period of insurance is 94 days. All premiums include the
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Area 1
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Persons Aged up to 80 Years
1 – 3 days
£16.10 £24.70 £51.80
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£19.40 £31.10 £65.10
6 -10 days
£22.60 £41.90 £88.20
11-17 days
£25.80 £45.90 £98.10
18-24 days
£29.00 £52.70 £110.40
25-31 days
£32.30 £60.00 £125.70
£74.50
£93.80
£126.30
£141.30
£159.10
£181.00
Persons Aged 81 to 90 Years
1 – 3 days
£24.15 £37.05 £103.60
4 & 5 days
£29.10 £46.65 £130.20
6 -10 days
£33.90 £62.85 £176.40
11-17 days
£38.70 £68.85 £196.20
18-24 days
£43.50 £79.05 £220.80
25-31 days
£48.45 £90.00 £251.40
£149.00
£187.60
£252.60
£282.60
£318.20
£362.00
Names of all persons to be insured
1
£
2
£
3
£
4
£
5
£
6
£
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TOTAL PREMIUM
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On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall
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PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS
All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK
Signed........................................................... Date...................................
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Mr Bridge
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Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
429STI13
Catching Up
by Sally Brock
J
ust because the world championships had finished didn’t mean
there was time to relax. It seemed
that, almost as soon as I was home I
was off again. This year, we have joined
a team in the Premier League for the
first time. There are two divisions of
the League each year and the prize for
winning the first division is to play
in a Camrose weekend (the Camrose
is the competition between the home
unions: England, Ireland, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales). At the
end of the season, the top two of Division Two go up and the bottom two
of Division One go down. Because we
are a new team, we start automatically
in Division Two. When we agreed to
play, the team was Barry, me, Heather
and Binkie (Brian Callaghan). But …
Heather had a prior commitment for
the first weekend, so Binkie played
with Heather’s husband, Jeremy. And
this weekend was in Manchester.
Barry went up on the train, while I
drove up via Bradford to take Toby his
stuff for university (I was in Bali when
term started so he had to go on public transport with only what he could
carry). We (that is Barry and I) played
just about acceptably (I was still pretty
tired – my body clock was still in Bali)
while Jeremy and Binkie had a good
weekend and we were lying above average, well placed for a change.
The following Monday, I went into
London for a session with a new client, Jenny, then Briony came home for
a few days as she was not very well. As
we talked about this and that it became
apparent that she was not happy with
her course: too much maths, too much
theoretical stuff. I tried to persuade
her to persevere with it a little longer
but … On the Friday she dropped me
Page 42
at Heathrow as the England women’s
team was going to Beijing for six days
to play in the Hua Yuan Cup. There
were eight teams in total: us, USA,
Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, Indonesia, China and Beijing. There was a
total round robin over two and a half
days, then one and a half days of pairs
(the Capital Cup Pairs). In the teams,
we did well and were leading with one
match to go, against the Dutch. We
did OK, scoring 12.55 VPs (out of 20),
but the Americans had a terrible time
against China so China overtook us
and we had to settle for second.
We particularly like this Chinese
tournament because it is held in the
centre of town and we can easily get
the underground to wherever we like
(this is unlike the Sport Accord event
later in the year which is out near the
Olympic Village and a 45-minute
traffic jam in a taxi – at least – before
you can get anywhere). The relaxation
of choice when not playing bridge
was, of course, shopping. This time,
Nicola has upgraded herself to
Premier Economy which seemed to
give her a virtually unlimited baggage
allowance. So I could bring back a new
suitcase filled with goodies.
While I was in China, Barry started
what is expected to be quite a long trial
in Manchester. And, after discussion
with her tutors, Briony decided
that she definitely wanted to leave
university. There was also another
Premier League weekend, this time
in London. I missed out on this one,
Barry playing with Frank To instead
of me. The team played very well and
at the end of the weekend we were
lying second. Heather and Nevena
meanwhile did play in the Premier
League but then left immediately for
the airport, arriving in Beijing to play
on the second day.
Briony picked me up from Heathrow
on the Friday afternoon and took me to
Barry’s. Then went on to her university
to spend her last night and load up all
her stuff. Meanwhile, we went home
on the Saturday in preparation for
a Hubert Phillips match (that is a
national mixed pivot teams knockout). Robert (Sheehan) and Gunnar
(Hallberg) came to pick us up and
we went to a pub for lunch and a
reminder of the team system before
going to Carole Mueller’s house for
this match. I have a lot of respect for
our opponents – after me, Carole was
Raymond’s partner of choice when
playing locally – she is a good player,
as are the rest of her team. But this just
wasn’t their day. We did everything
right and they did everything wrong
and in the end we won by over 7,000
aggregate points. However, they were
still gracious enough to entertain us to
an excellent dinner.
This was an interesting deal. I’ll
start off by presenting it as a simple
cardplay problem:
Dealer East. Game All.
♠ A 2
♥ A Q 10 4
♦ A K Q 10 2
♣ Q 10
N
WE
S
♠ 9 8 4 3
♥ K J 7
♦ 9 6 4
♣ 8 4 2
BRIDGE January 2014
Catching Up continued
West North
East
South
1♠Pass
Pass
Dbl
Pass
2♣
Pass
2♠Pass 3♣
Pass
3♦Pass 3♥
Pass
4♥
All Pass
You have done rather well in the
bidding to bid to game in your 4-3 fit.
How would you play on the lead of the
ten of spades?
The first thing to do is to win
quickly, as three rounds of clubs
might scupper you. It looks now as if
you are favourite because all you need
is to make four heart tricks and five
diamonds. All will be well if both suits
break favourably, but can you think of
anything to do to cater for bad breaks?
The best line is to win the lead and
cash two top hearts. Now try two top
diamonds. If diamonds break, you
draw the remaining trumps and claim.
But if the layout is as it is here …
♠ A 2
♥ A Q 10 4
♦ A K Q 10 2
♣ Q 10
♠ 10 7
♥ 9 6 5 3 N
WE
♦ J 7 5 3 S
♣ K J 7
♠ 9 8 4 3
♥ K J 7
♦ 9 6 4
♣ 8 4 2
♠ K Q J 6 5
♥ 8 2
♦8
♣ A 9 6 5 3
… and East shows out on the second
diamond, you can cross to hand with a
trump and take the sure finesse before
drawing West’s last trump.
The following day was another tough
match, this time a Gold Cup quarterfinal against Richard Butland, John
Reardon and Norman and Kay Selway.
This was a 64-board match and both
teams were playing four-handed. I
don’t know about anyone else but at
the end of it, I was nearly dead.
At the halfway stage, we were 15
IMPs up and happy that things were
more or less going our way. But the
BRIDGE January 2014
beginning of the fifth set went very
badly for us.
On the first board, at Love All, Barry
had to decide what to do with neither
side vulnerable holding:
♠ A K
♥ 8 6 5 3
♦ A K J 8 7
♣ Q 5
His left-hand opponent (LHO) opened
a weak no-trump, I passed and his
RHO bid two clubs, Stayman. For
us, a double would show clubs, so he
passed, thinking that he might get the
chance to double two spades on the
next round, but, in fact, his LHO bid
two hearts which was passed round
to him. He tried three diamonds but I
had no idea he had such a good hand
and we missed game.
That was a paltry loss compared
with the next deal:
Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A K J 10 9 6 2
♥ Q 5 4
♦ A J 10
♣Void
♠ 8 5 4 3
♠7
N
♥ 8 7WE
♥ K 3
♦ Q 6 4 S
♦ 7 5 3
♣ Q J 5 2
♣ A K 9 8 6 4 3
♠Q
♥ A J 10 9 6 2
♦ K 9 8 2
♣ 10 7
West North
East
South
1♣2♥
Pass
5NT
Pass
6♥
Pass
7♥
All Pass
North meant his five no-trump as
a ‘grand slam force’, asking partner
about trump honours. However, the
response of six hearts showed no
honours in their system and North did
not think that possible for a vulnerable
weak jump overcall. He knew there
had been some misunderstanding, so
guessed to bid the grand slam. As our
other pair missed the slam altogether,
that was 17 IMPs out.
There was more to come. North held:
♠ K 10 4
♥Void
♦ A K 10 9 7 3
♣ A K 9 5
And heard his partner open four clubs,
showing, in their system, either solid
hearts, or a hand with the ace of hearts
missing but with an ace outside. What
could be better? He went straight to six
hearts, making comfortably when his
partner had a solid eight-card suit. Our
team-mates play different methods (as
do I) and the slam was missed. We had
lost 34 IMPs in three boards.
Luckily, things improved thereafter.
We bid a slam missed in the other
room and had a delicate auction to a
making five diamonds when three notrumps went down in the other room.
At the end of the set, we were just 1
IMP down. The rest was a bit up and
down and we entered the final set with
a lead of 23 IMPs. As it happened,
there were a couple of swings out that
we had not anticipated in our room,
so it actually came down to the wire.
On the last board, their declarer went
down in a game that our pair didn’t
bid. We gained 5 IMPs on the board to
win by 7 IMPs.
Phew! It is nice to have played the
match early so we can sit back and
watch everyone else fight for their
semi-final place.
Briony has always been very
interested in cooking and her
intention, when leaving university,
was to concentrate on that. While she
is waiting to do some sort of training,
she has decided that she will have a
market stall. So we went and looked at
various markets, found out what was
needed, made lists of what she had to
do and she experimented with making
various types of small cakes. That kept
her very busy for most of the week and
I helped out as much as I could while
frantically finishing off Iran, Sri Lanka
and Uruguay.
Barry was back from Manchester
on Thursday night this week so I went
over there to join him for dinner. On
the Friday, I met Margaret for lunch
and then we spent the evening in. ■
Page 43
Seven Days by Sally Brock
Saturday
I get up reasonably early and go to
meet Briony in Ealing to go to an
Open Day at the University of West
London where they have a couple of
degree courses in culinary arts. It
looks good to me, but she will have to
decide for herself. It was probably my
intervention that contributed to her
doing a course that she was unsuited
to previously.
The weekend bridge competition is
the Lederer. This is an invitation teams
event and always excellent. Pretty
much all the top players in the country
are there and a few international stars
as well. In the past, this has been held
at the Young Chelsea, but their new
premises are not big enough so this
year we play in the rather splendid
RAC Club in Pall Mall. We are there as
England Women, but there are other
constraints. Heather can’t play on the
Saturday and Nicola can’t play on the
Sunday. However, a few days before
the event, Nicola rings me to tell me of
the trouble she is having with her eyes.
I don’t understand fully but she has
had a lot of problems over the years
and certainly needs an operation.
There were times in Bali/China when
she called for a card from dummy that
she didn’t have or didn’t realise that
her hand had come to her mis-sorted.
Anyway, the upshot is that she needs
to put drops in her eyes at regular
intervals and they make it even harder
for her to see. By now Nevena has made
other plans, so we agree that Barry
will substitute. His shoulders are wide
enough to take all the jokes he will get
when people see he is playing for the
English Women!
We start off with a terrible match
against the European Aces. It’s not that
we do anything particularly stupid,
but everything we do is wrong and
everything they do is right. Though,
curiously, one of our few good boards
is when I make 2NT with an overtrick
and Gunnar Hallberg goes down in
3NT. You may find it hard to believe,
but this hand earns him the BestPage 44
Played Hand award.
Dealer East. Love All.
♠ 6 3
♥ 10 9 6 3
♦ Q J 7 5
♣ 9 6 2
♠ 10 9 7 5
♠ A Q 8 2
N
♥ K Q 5 2WE
♥ J 7
♦ 10 9 4 S
♦ 8 3 2
♣ Q J
♣ 10 8 5 4
♠ K J 4
♥ A 8 4
♦ A K 6
♣ A K 7 3
In our room, I open the South hand
with 2NT. I know I am maximum and
have excellent controls, but I don’t like
4333 distributions and I am allowed
to be maximum occasionally. Barry
also takes a conservative position
with his 3 HCP, not wanting to push
for a non-vulnerable game, especially
at this form of scoring. The Lederer
is scored on point-a-board scoring:
as well as the normal IMP scale,
there is a matchpoint element – two
points available for every board, on
a straightforward win, draw or lose
basis. At my table, West leads the ten
of spades to East’s ace and a spade is
returned and finessed. This effectively
gives me nine tricks on top and
nobody goes wrong in the endgame so
that is all I make.
In the other room, Gunnar’s 2NT
opening is a point lighter so he opens
two clubs and soon finds himself in
game and Susan Stockdale finds the
good lead of the ten of diamonds.
Declarer wins with the king and ducks
a club. Another diamond comes back
and declarer wins in hand and cashes
his minor-suit winners, pitching a
club from his hand. By now, he is fairly
confident about East’s distribution, so
he plays a heart to his eight. Susan wins
the queen and plays another heart to
the jack and ace and another heart
gives West the lead again. If West,
who had two spades and a low heart
left, had held the ♠A-x, declarer would
have been home, but in practice, East
wins the ace of spades and cashes the
long club for one down.
Anyway, after this match things
begin to improve. We have a good win
against the Premier League team and
then three very narrow losses. At the
end of the day we are just a little below
average.
In the evening, Fiona and Susan
have to dash off and we stay at the
RAC Club where we have been invited
to dinner with Richard (of Richard
and Gerry) who has been watching for
most of the day.
Sunday
Now the cavalry (in the form of
Heather and Nevena) arrive and we
start to race up through the field: a
narrow win against Norway, followed
by a large win against the Young
Chelsea team.
Strictly speaking, I don’t really need
to play today at all, but Susan and
Fiona have both said that they would
like to play a set with me, so I turn up
for Match 8 to play with Fiona against
the strong de Botton team. Nothing
terribly exciting seems to happen at
our table, but there is a lot going on at
the other and we win that heavily too.
Our last match is against the
President’s team (the President is
Bernard Teltscher, without whose
generous sponsorship each year the
event would not take place). They have
a large lead (it might have been even
larger had they not played in the same
direction at both tables in the previous
round). If we can win very heavily, then
we have an outside shot at winning the
event; on the other hand, we do not
have a very big lead over third so a loss
could easily send us sliding down the
table. The boards seem rather flat to me,
but in practice, there are large swings
in and large swings out, resulting in
a very narrow loss for us. That keeps
everyone happy. The President’s team
wins and we retain our second place.
After a glass of wine and the
BRIDGE January 2014
Seven Days continued
presentation, when we each receive a
bottle of champagne, we drive back to
Barry’s. He is off to Manchester and
we were intending to go straight to
Euston but he has forgotten a vital bit
of kit. Then I drive him to Euston and
then back to High Wycombe for my
weekly dose of Downton Abbey.
Monday
The weather forecast was one of fearful
storms, but nothing too terrible seems
to have happened here. I wake up
before seven and suddenly remember
that this is the first day of our new
recycling waste collection. I should
have put the bins out last night but
forgot. So there I am in my pyjamas
and slippers rushing to put out the
bins: this week a green one for garden
rubbish, a brown one for food rubbish,
a blue one for cans and bottles and
another green one for paper.
Briony gets up at about nine and we
have a couple of hours of cooking before we leave to meet my parents for
lunch at The Crab at Chieveley (an
excellent fish restaurant I thoroughly recommend), a favourite midway
venue. We arrive at one o’clock as arranged but then worry for an hour as
my parents get stuck in accident traffic and don’t arrive until two. Still,
it’s good to catch up and we spend an
enjoyable couple of hours before heading back for more cooking and general
preparations for tomorrow’s market
stall. We have no idea what to expect.
Will anyone buy Briony’s cakes?
Tuesday
Up at 6.30am to get ourselves ready
and out of the house by 7.30am. Minor
glitch in that we can’t find Briony’s
car keys, so in the end we have to
move everything from her car into
mine which makes us a bit later than
we would have liked. We put up our
gazebo and display our wares without
too many problems. The weather is
good, mostly sunny without too much
wind. Business is slow to start with,
but soon we realise we should cut
BRIDGE January 2014
up some of the cakes and offer free
tasting. This stimulates much more
interest and, although there is room
for improvement, we are quite happy
with our first outing. We will make
improvements next time but feel there
is definite potential. Everything seems
to shut down at about two and we get
home by three – both of us exhausted.
After a short sleep, we spend the next
few hours trying to find Briony’s car
keys – to no avail. There is a second
set which used to be in my possession,
but we have no idea where those are
either. This might prove to be a serious
problem. Looking online, we can
expect to spend in excess of £500 to
get another set.
Wednesday
Up early to the gym. As I collect my
hoodie from the back of the chair
in the kitchen, an apron falls to the
floor and with it is the clatter of keys.
Thank heavens for that. I’ve been a bit
too busy to go to the gym as much as
I would like recently, so I need to get
back into the habit.
Then I try to sort through some of
my emails before a snack lunch and
then a teaching session with Richard
and Gerry. Because Barry is in Manchester, I have to play with a robot
which isn’t as much fun, but honour
is satisfied all round as we finish with
an exact tie. Any readers interested in
online bridge teaching are welcome to
contact me on sally@sallybrock.com. I
then drive into London in Barry’s car.
I have supper with Nicola and then
move on to the Young Chelsea for a
duplicate with Jenny. She is a pretty
decent player who would like to improve her game a bit so we are going to
play on a roughly once-a-month basis.
I psyched on one hand. In the fifties
and sixties, psyching was very common and considered a normal part of
the game, some of the very best players
having strong reputations for ‘tricky’
bidding. Then things went full circle:
there were two camps: those who still
thought it was part of the game and
those who thought it was tantamount
to cheating. We went through a phase
where all psyches had to be recorded
so that it could be seen that a partnership did not build up a pattern of
psyching often in a particular situation. These days, real psyching is rare,
but occasionally a situation occurs
when it is hard to resist.
My partner opens a weak two hearts
at favourable vulnerability, the next
hand passes and I hold:
♠3
♥ A J 10 6 5 2
♦ 10 7 5
♣ A Q 8
What should I bid? Surely, the
opponents can make more in spades
than we can in hearts and any bid I
make in hearts will only goad them
into action. Accordingly, I decide to
bid a natural two spades myself. This
is how the bidding continues:
West North
East
South
2♥
Pass
2♠Dbl 3♠
Pass
Pass
Dbl
Pass
Pass
4♥
All Pass
♠3
♥ A J 10 6 5 2
♦ 10 7 5
♣ A Q 8
♠ K 5 4 2
♥Void N
WE
♦ A K Q 9 6 4 S
♣ 9 5 2
♠ Q 10 9
♥ K Q 9 8 7 4
♦ J 3
♣ J 4
♠ A J 8 7 6
♥3
♦ 8 2
♣ K 10 7 6 3
I’m not sure I entirely understand the
opponent’s bidding but am pleased
with our score of -50 in four hearts
when, in practical terms, East-West
are going to make ten or eleven tricks
in spades.
This evening, Jenny plays well and
we have a good lead on the field going into the last round – which is just
as well as we barely score any matchpoints at the end. The Young Chelsea
is no longer licensed to serve alcohol
so we can’t get a drink there and can’t
find a pub locally either (perhaps we
looked in the wrong direction). Page 45
Seven Days continued
Anyway, we get the tube
back to Hammersmith and
have a drink there to round
off the evening. Then I go
back to Barry’s, although he
is in Manchester.
Thursday
I sleep well and it’s nearly
9.30am before I get up. I settle down to going through
the hands of some recent
events to pick out some of
the more interesting for my
articles here and in the Sunday Times. That keeps me
busy for a couple of hours
and then I go to Westfield
to meet Debbie for lunch.
It’s a while since we met
and there’s a lot of catching up to do. Then it’s home
by train (it will be easier for
Barry to come out to me at
the weekend if I leave him
his car). Briony picks me up
from the station and then
there’s a bit of excitement
as we show a viewer around
the house. She seems to like
it so we are in optimistic
moods.
Friday
Up and out to the gym for
my second session of the
week. Then back for some
more writing of bridge articles. Actually, I have a very
productive day, transferring
lots of hands and information from various scattered
bits of paper into some sort
of order on my computer. In
the evening, Briony goes out
to see some fireworks while
Barry, who is in London after his week in Manchester,
bids a few hands on BBO.
Later, we watch TV and
write letters on the bunting we bought for Briony’s
stall.
■
Page 46
Answers to
Mr Bridge
Club Quiz 2013
on page 22
1 ♣K.
2♥J.
3 Jack (17) of (5)
Diamonds (12): 34.
4♠7 (the ♠2 and ♠5
were also there).
5 Henry VI.
1,470 for 6NT + 1.
69.
7 1NT doubled, making.
8 They are the scores
for making one-level
redoubled contracts
non-vulnerable.
9 Declarer replaces the
♣A and there is no
penalty. Declarer does
not have penalty cards.
10 The double is
inadmissible, so
must be cancelled.
The offender can call
anything he wishes, but
the offender’s partner
(the opening bidder)
must pass for the rest
of the auction.
11 Q-3.
A ‘queen with a tray’.
12 Master Bun.
13 10.
14 1742.
15 BALANCED INVITE.
The rest are all possible
descriptions of 2♦ bids.
16 2♣-2♦-2♠ is the only
forcing sequence (the
partner should bid
again).
17 FRENCH. The rest are
forms of Blackwood.
18 BRISCOLA is an
Italian card game
which uses 40 cards,
the other games use
32 card packs.
19 FOUR OF HEARTS.
20 SOS REDOUBLE.
BRIDGE January 2014
Answers to Key Card Blackwood on page 36
1 What would you bid with Hands A,B,C
and D if your partner opens 1♠? If you
use key card Blackwood, consider your
continuations after all possible replies.
Hand A
♠ A 6 5
♥ A K 9 6 5
♦ A K 8
♣ K 8
Hand B
♠ K J 5 2
♥ A 6
♦ K 7 6 3
♣ A Q 2
Hand C
♠ A Q 10 3 2
♥7
♦ A K Q J 10 9
♣9
Hand D
♠ A Q 10 3
♥ Q J
♦ A K Q J 10
♣ A K
Hand A: You are almost certainly going
to play in a slam but you don’t yet know
the denomination. Start with 2♥ and
see what partner rebids. If he rebids 2♠,
showing a minimum opening bid with at
least five spades, you can jump to 4NT,
key card Blackwood, and try 6♠ unless
two key cards are missing.
Hand B: You are hopeful of slam, but it
is too early to jump to 4NT because you
don’t know how strong partner is. Your
correct call is the waiting bid of 2♦. If
partner rebids 2♠, showing a minimum
opening bid, you should settle for 4♠.
Hand C: 4NT, key card Blackwood. Of
course you don’t know how strong partner is, but it hardly matters because you
know what to do whatever his answer.
The five key cards are the four aces and
the ♠K.
In the unlikely event that he answers
5♣, which shows 0 or 4 key cards, you
will know he has none (because you have
two). You will then just have to sign off in
5♠ and hope the spade finesse is right.
If he answers 5♦, showing one key
card, you will sign off in 5♠. Note that, if
the partnership is missing an ace and the
♠K, a slam is at best 50%.
If he answers 5♥, showing two key
cards, then jump to 6♠.
If he answers 5♠, showing three key
cards, you can count 13 tricks so you can
bid 7NT confidently.
Hand D: 4NT, key card Blackwood. Yes,
BRIDGE January 2014
I know you have two losing hearts, but
you have 26 points. If partner was missing the ♥A-K, he would have opened the
bidding on seven points, hardly likely.
It is inconceivable that partner will
show no key cards with 5♣.
If he answers 5♦, showing one key
card, you will jump to 6♠.
If he answers 5♥, showing two key
cards, you should make 7♠ or 7NT easily. Note that partner cannot have a balanced hand too strong to open 1NT, so
he will have five spades, enabling you to
count 13 tricks: 5 spades, the ♥A, 5 diamonds and the ♣A K.
2 You are East. The bidding starts as
shown.
WestEast
1♠2♣
2♦4NT
?
(i)What is your next bid with Hands E, F,
G and H?
(ii)If your partner hears your answer
and continues with 5NT, how do you
respond to that?
Hand E Hand F
♠ A 8 6 5 4
♠ A K 8 6 4
♥ 8 7
♥ 8 7
♦ K J 7 6
♦ K J 7 6
♣ K 6
♣ K 6
Hand G Hand H
♠ A 8 6 5 4
♠ A K 6 5 4
♥ K 8
♥ K 8
♦ J 10 7 6
♦ J 10 7 6
♣ K 6
♣ K 6
Before answering to partner’s key card
Blackwood, you must know the agreed
trump suit. You and your partner have
not agreed a suit by both of you bidding
it, but in that case the last suit bid is assumed to be the agreed trump suit. Diamonds are trumps so the five key cards
are the four aces and the ♦K.
Partner’s follow up bid of 5NT asks
how many kings you have, excluding the
king of trumps.
Hand E: (i) 5♥, showing two key cards,
the ♠A and ♦K.
Hand E: (ii) 6♦, showing one additional
king, the ♣K.
Hand F: (i) 5♥, showing two key cards,
the ♠A and ♦K.
Hand F: (ii) 6♥, showing two additional
kings, the ♠K and ♣K.
Hand G:(i) 5♦, showing one key card,
the ♠A.
Hand G:(ii) 6♥, showing two additional
kings, the ♥K and ♣K.
Hand H:(i) 5♦, showing one key card,
the ♠A.
Hand H:(ii) 6♠, showing three additional kings, the ♠K, ♥K and ♣K.
3 You are South. You have Hand J.
Hand J
♠ A J 7 6 5
♥8
♦ K Q J 10 3
♣ K Q
West North
East
South
3♥4♠Pass 4NT
Pass
?
ow should you continue if partner reH
sponds: (i) 5♣? (ii) 5♦? (iii) 5♥? (iv) 5♠?
It is not 100% safe to commit your partnership to the 5-level, but you would be
very unlucky to fail, so using key card
Blackwood is justifiable. The five key
cards are the four aces and the ♠K.
(i)5♣ shows 0 or 4 key cards. It is inconceivable that partner has no key
cards for his jump to 4♠, so he has
the ♠K and all the side suit aces. You
can bid 7NT confidently.
(ii)5♦ shows 1 or 5 key cards. He cannot
have five because you have one, so
he must have just one. You will just
have to hope you can make 5♠.
(iii)5♠. Partner has two key cards so two
are missing.
(iv)6♠. Partner has three key cards so
■
only one is missing.
Page 47
3-day
safari
Sri Lanka
Colombo
Maldives Galle
Seychelles Kuda Bandos
Nairobi
Praslin/La Digue
Tsavo/Amboseli
Mahe
Mombasa
Kenya
Zanzibar Indian Ocean
Tanzania
Mayotte
Comoros
included
20-day cruise-tour departs December 19, 2014
CRUISE FROM
AFRICA
TOASIA
DATE
PORT
DEC 19
Fly to NAIROBI Kenya
Transfer to hotel
overnight hotel
DEC 20
NAIROBI Kenya
overnight hotel
DEC 21
NAIROBI/AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Kenya
Morning drive from Nairobi to Amboseli
for afternoon game drive
game lodge
DEC 22
AMBOSELI/TSAVO NATIONAL PARK Kenya
Morning game drive at Amboseli
Afternoon game drive at Tsavo
game lodge
DEC 23
TSAVO/MOMBASA Kenya
Morning game drive. Continue to Mombasa
to embark Aegean Odyssey
6.00pm
DEC 24
ZANZIBAR Tanzania
DEC 25
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DEC 26
Join our bridge team on this celebration voyage taking you
from the magnificent game parks of Kenya to the exotic shores
of Sri Lanka via the islands of the Indian Ocean.
DEPART
MAYOTTE Comoros
8.00am 1.00pm
7.00am 6.00pm
DEC 27/28 At Sea
DEC 29
MAHE Seychelles
2.00pm overnight
DEC 30
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6.00pm
DEC 31
PRASLIN/LA DIGUE Seychelles 8.00am 6.00pm
New Year’s Eve celebrations
JAN 1-3 ‘15 At Sea
JAN 4
KUDA BANDOS Maldives
JAN 5
At Sea
JAN 6
GALLE Sri Lanka
JAN 7
COLOMBO Sri Lanka
7.00am
Disembark and transfer to airport
NEXT WINTER
Enjoy a daily duplicate on board this unique
Christmas voyage across the Indian Ocean
ARRIVE
1.00pm 10.00pm
8.00am 8.00pm
fares from just £3,895pp include:
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V OYAGES TO A NTIQUITY
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Here - Mr Bridge

Transcription

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