VOL. 56 No. 2 JUNE 2015 Tales from the front By Marty Hirschman a Swiss team at the February sectional. My partner, North, Triple Delight was Lynne Schaeffer. This kind of triple squeeze Tr. 1: 4♥ - 8 - 9 - Q pretty much plays itself… 2: 2♠ - 9 - 10 - K IMPs. Neither vul. 3: K♥ - 2 - 3 - J 4: 5♥ - A - 3♣ - 4♣ NORTH 5-7: Spades, leaving: ♠AQ1054 ♥J8 ♠5 ♦1064 ♥ ♣J74 ♦1064 WEST EAST ♣J7 ♠J98 ♠K3 ♠ ♠ ♥43 ♥K109765 ♥ ♥107 ♦732 ♦QJ98 ♦732 ♦QJ9 ♣Q10832 ♣A ♣Q108 ♣A SOUTH ♠ ♠762 ♥ ♥AQ2 ♦AK2 ♦AK5 ♣K96 ♣K965 Tr. 8: 5♠ - 10♥ -2♦ - 3♦ WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Tr. 9: 7♣ - A - 6 - 8. East had ------1NT only one heart left to cash. Pass 2♥ 3♥ Pass Making 3. +400. We won 6 Pass Dbl Pass 3NT IMPs when South played 2♠ Pass Pass Pass +170 at the other table. : 4 of hearts (When in with K♠, West cashed A♣. Declarer later led This hand came up during (Continued on page 16) Second Annual MBA/SOMBA Sectional June 25-28, 2015 Bridge Connection (248-356-6254) 26776 Twelve Mile Road, Southfield (just west of Northwestern Highway)

Thursday, June 25 Swiss Team Lesson for New Players ...... 12:30 p.m. Stratified Swiss Teams ...... 1 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Swiss Teams ...... 1 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 7 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 7 p.m. Friday, June 26 Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs...... 7 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27 Stratified Open Swiss Teams playthrough-7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 2 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28 Stratified Open Swiss Teams playthrough-7 matches ...... 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 11 a.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs ...... 3 p.m. Stratified 0-300 Pairs ...... 3 p.m.

Stratified Events: Open Pairs A = 3000+, B = 1000-3000, C = 0-1000 0-300 MP Events: (0-20) (20-50) (50-100) (100-300) (as attendance warrants) Average MP will be used to determine your strat except in 0-300 events.

Tournament Chair: Posh Gulati, 248-390-7438, [email protected] Co-Chair: Dick Temkin, 248-568-6599, [email protected] Manager: Dave Fletcher, 586-786-0811, [email protected] Partnerships: Marilyn Crane, 734-591-3431, [email protected] Rosanne Winokur, 248-661-3567, [email protected] Bill Goodman, 586-243-9918, [email protected] Lynn Root, 248-770-4456, [email protected]

Food will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. NO SMOKING IN THE BUILDING

PAGE 2 TABLE TALK Michigan Bridge Association’s Russell Roosen Sectional August 27-30, 2015 Bridge Connection (248-356-6254) 26776 Twelve Mile Road, Southfield (just west of Northwestern Highway)

Thursday, August 27 NOTE NEW THURSDAY SCHEDULE Stratified Open Pairs...... 10 a.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Swiss Team Lesson for New Players ...... 2:10 p.m. Stratified Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Swiss Teams ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs...... 7 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs ...... 7 p.m. Friday, August 28 Stratified Open Pairs...... 10 a.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs...... 2:30 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs ...... 2:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs...... 7 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs ...... 7 p.m. Saturday, August 29 Stratified Open Swiss Teams playthrough-7 matches ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs (single session) ...... 10 a.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs (single session) ...... 10 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs (single session) ...... 2 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs (single session) ...... 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30 Stratified Open Swiss Teams playthrough-7 matches ...... 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs (single session) ...... 11 a.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs (single session) ...... 11 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs (single session) ...... 3 p.m. *Stratified Non-LM Pairs (single session) ...... 3 p.m. *Starred events are open only to non-Life Masters with fewer than 500

Stratified Events: A = 3000+, B = 1000-3000, C = 0-1000 Non-LM Strats: (0-20) (20-50) (50-200) (200-499) (as attendance warrants) Average MP will be used to determine your strat.

Tournament Chair: Richard Temkin, 248-568-6599, [email protected] Partnerships: Marilyn Crane, 734-591-3431, [email protected] Rosanne Winokur, 248-661-3567, [email protected]

Food will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. NO SMOKING IN THE BUILDING

TABLE TALK PAGE 3 TABLE TALK MBA Officers Official publication Kurt Dasher...... president of the Michigan Bridge Association Richard Temkin ..... president-elect 30660 Woodgate Dr., Martin Hirschman ...... chairman Southfield MI 48076 Stacey Tessler ... recording secretary 248-646-3967 Bob Webber ...... treasurer e-mail: [email protected] of Directors MARTIN HIRSCHMAN, Editor Julie Arbit, Shelley Boschan, Mari- Production editor: Marcia Abram- lyn Crane, Kurt Dasher, Jonathan son Fleischmann, Martin Hirschman MBA Corresponding & Mem- (non-voting), Robert Katz, Grant bership Secretary: Paul Pome- Petersen, Paul Pomeroy, Patti roy, 34069 Hathaway St., Livonia Stoner, Richard Temkin, Stacey MI 48150, [email protected], Tessler, Rosanne Winokur, Willie 734-421-0193 Winokur

MBA CLUB DIRECTORY ■Ann Arbor BC, Walden Hills Cheryl Perna, 248-887-9283. Clubhouse, 2114 Pauline, Ann Ar- Thursday, 6 p.m. bor. Ray Gentz, 734-769-3994. ■Neighborhood Club, 375 Lo- Wednesday 7 p.m. throp, Grosse Pointe Farms. ■Burns Center Bridge, 1320 James Schmidt, 586-463-9835. Baldwin, Ann Arbor. Dick Fortune, Thursday 12 p.m., Sunday 1:30 5674. Wednesday 12 p.m. p.m. ■Plymouth Community BC, 525 ■Burns Park Bridge, 1320 Bald- Farmer, Plymouth. Jim & Cheryl win, Ann Arbor. Stacey Tessler, Perna, 248-887-9283. Tuesday 734-623-8050. Thursday 12 p.m. 11:30 a.m., Wednesday 11:30 a.m. ■Downriver BC, Southgate Civic ■Thursday Evening Bridge, 1830 Center, 14700 Reaume Pkwy., Washtenaw, Ann Arbor. Dorothy Southgate. , 519-969- Kuhn, 734-761-6691. Thursday 7 4441. Tuesday 10:30 a.m. p.m. ■Ford DBC, Ford Motor Compa- ■Trenton DBC, 2700 Westfield, ny World Headquarters, Michigan Trenton. Charles May, 734-301- Ave., Dearborn. Ellen Silverest, 3872. Thursday 7 p.m. 810-225-2278. Tuesday 7 p.m. ■War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore, ■Friendly Friday BC, St. Grosse Pointe. Judith Thomas, 313- Paul's Evangelical Lutheran 372-4218. Monday 12 p.m. Church, 375 Lothrop, Grosse ■Young Center BC, R.A. Young Pointe Farms. Ed Anthony, 248- Recreation Center, 5400 McKinley, 648-0989. Friday 12 p.m. Dearborn Heights. Joyce Kozma, ■Huron Valley Bridge Club, 9525 313-274-5587. Wednesday 11 a.m. E. Highland Rd., Howell. Jim &

PAGE 4 TABLE TALK IT’S YOUR BID By Marty Hirschman

Aim for a small plus? Invite game? Bid game? Invite slam? Bid slam? Invite a grand? We’ve got it all in this challenging set. Congratulations to Bob Katz for his perfect score and to Sandy Birnholtz, Seymour Mandell and Ken Van Cleve for high score among readers. You too can have it all. Just send in your answers to next is- sue’s hands, found at the end of this article.

1. IMPs. N-S vul. As SOUTH, Joe Chiesa (3NT): Clearly I you hold: advertise a more formidable ♠AQ10 ♥AK10 ♦K ♣KJ8543 club suit, but life can be unfair WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH and we may yet reach 6♣ as Pass Pass Pass 1♣ partner will know I have long Pass 1♦ Pass ? clubs and a hand too good for 3♣. 2♥ or 2♠ might be irreme- Action Score Votes diable, and to what end? Too 3NT 100 17 good for 2NT, and even I 2♥ 50 3 wouldn’t bid 3♣! 2NT 40 2 1♥ 20 0 Sam Hirschman (3NT): I 3♣ 20 0 hate making a jump-shift into

In modern expert practice, a major on 3 cards. I hate this when you open one of a mi- less. Maybe a 4-3 major fit nor, partner responds in one would play better, but it’s not of a suit and you jump to 3NT like I need to try to eke out 420 to beat the 400s. it shows a semi-solid 6-card suit, stoppers in the unbid Marilyn Maddox (3NT): Part- suits and about 18 or so ner as a passed hand did not HCPs. KJ8xxx doesn’t qualify bid a major, so I want the lead as semi-solid, but we have 2+ to come into my hand. stoppers in each major and 20 HCPs. Close enough. Howard Perlman (3NT): A bit of a distortion as this typi- Chuck Burger (3NT): Usual- cally is a semi to solid minor, ly better suit, but best slam try but the major 10s make this when pard has good clubs hand too good to chance not and max cards. The club 10 getting to game. would help if he doesn’t.

TABLE TALK PAGE 5 SCORES Experts: Marlene Mandell ...... 440 Bob Katz ...... 500 Patty Becker ...... 390 Brenda Bryant ...... 490 Gerald Wahl ...... 390 Sam Hirschman ...... 490 Sy Goodman ...... 380 Chuck Burger ...... 480 Dave Graff ...... 380 Bob Cappelli ...... 480 Bob Ondo ...... 380 Don Rumelhart ...... 470 Elmer Winkelman ...... 360 Gene Benedict ...... 460 J. Morris Swiger ...... 340 Sheldon Kirsch ...... 450 Doris Jefferies ...... 330 Readers: Peter Bolgar ...... 320 Sandy Birnholtz ...... 460 Valentin Enache ...... 320 Ken Van Cleve ...... 460 Bob Solomon… ...... 320 Seymour Mandell ...... 460 Irv Hershman...... 300 Margaret Carden ...... 450 Jerry Jefferies...... 280 HOW THE PANEL VOTED 1 2 3 4 5

Julie Arbit 2♥ 2♥ 2♠ 4NT Dbl Gene Benedict 3NT 3♥ 3♠ 4♣ 6♥ Norm Bolton 3NT 3♥ 3♣ 4♣ 5♦ Bob Brent 3NT 3♣ 3♠ 6♣ Dbl Brenda Bryant 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 3NT 6♥ Chuck Burger 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 4NT Dbl Suzy Burger 3NT 3♥ 3♠ 4♠ 5♦ Bob Cappelli 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 4NT Dbl Joe Chiesa 3NT 2♠ 3♣ 4♣ 6♣ Jonathan Fleischmann 2♥ 2♠ 3♠ 4♣ 5♠ Sam Hirschman 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 3NT 6♥ Bob Katz 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 3NT 6♣ Sheldon Kirsch 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 5NT 6♣ Morrie Kleinplatz 2♥ 2♥ 2♠ Dbl 6♥ Marilyn Maddox 3NT 4♥ 4♠ 4NT 6♣ Myles Maddox 3NT 3♥ 3♠ 3NT 6NT Howard Perlman 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 3NT Pass Irv Rosenstein 2NT 3♥ 3♠ 4♠ 6♣ Don Rumelhart 3NT 4♥ 3♠ 4♠ 6♣ Dick Temkin 3NT 2♥ 3♠ 6♣ 6♥ Bob Webber 3NT 2♠ 3♠ 4♣ Dbl Willie Winokur 2NT 4♥ 3♠ 4NT Dbl

PAGE 6 TABLE TALK Other ideas: 2♣ and rebid 2NT. When this hand came up on Julie Arbit (2♥): Partner Bridge Base, partner held should not have a 4-card scant values: ♠962 ♥92 heart suit, and it is the least of ♦97432 ♣A76. That, nonethe- evils. less, was good enough to Jonathan Fleischmann (2♥): manage 9 tricks when clubs I am usually loath to jump- ran. shift into a three-card major, but I must force to game 2. MTPTs. Both vul. As somehow. 3NT shows a dif- SOUTH, you hold: ferent club suit. ♠AJ102 ♥AQJ2 ♦9 ♣10953 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Irv Rosenstein (2NT): I -- Pass 1♣ Pass would have bid 3NT with bet- 1♠ 1NT 2♣ ? ter club spots. Action Score Votes It seems odd to me, but a 4♥ 100 10 few panelists said they would 3♥ 70 5 have opened 2NT (Suzy 2♥ 60 3 Burger, Perlman) or might 2♠ 60 3 have (Fleischmann), while 3♣ 50 1 Norm Bolton liked the hand so Dbl 10 0 much he would have opened Partner’s passed-hand 1NT shows the two unbid CADDIES WANTED suits. Should be a decent

MBA needs caddies for passed hand at the vulnerabil- upcoming tournaments. The ity, but might be just 5-4 or 4- pay rate is $35 per session, 5, and can’t be 5-5 with a plus $10 for lunch when the good 10 HCPs since partner works two consecu- would have opened with that tive sessions in one day hand. and lunch is not otherwise So I would be reluctant to provided. go all the way to game, partic- If you or someone you ularly at matchpoints. And I know wishes to caddy, con- have too much defense to tact caddy co-chair Marilyn worry about the opponents Crane at 734-591-3431 or making a lot of tricks in a [email protected]. black suit. I am worth a strong advance, possibly 3♣ because

TABLE TALK PAGE 7 3♥ might be viewed as pre- higher-ranking of his suits or emptive. just more stuff in spades than Staying low: clubs, I have him covered.

Julie Arbit (2♥): I will com- Going all the way: pete to 3♥ if they bid 3♣. Brenda Bryant (4♥): Tough. I Dick Temkin (2♥): Given part- would probably punish partner ner’s opening pass, 1NT and bid 4♥. should be lighter and possibly Don Rumelhart (4♥): I can’t more distributional than a imagine a hand where a vul- . In any event, nerable partner would come I’ll try to buy it with 2♥. Double into an auction where 4♥ is not in the picture. doesn’t have an excellent Morrie Kleinplatz (2♥): Plenty play. opposite passed hand. I will Chuck Burger (4♥): Could decide what to do if they com- invite in hearts after a 2♠ bid pete further. At matchpoints, I or 3♣ bid when I correct dia- will probably double and aim monds to hearts. Partner did at 200. My singleton diamond not double, but his bid (vul.) is a negative for game. showed 5-5 or 5-6. I might Middling: even be defending.

Gene Benedict (3♥): Invites Sam Hirschman (4♥): I have game, lets partner off the great values, so I’m planning hook with a bad hand. on losing something like two clubs and one of something Irv Rosenstein (3♥): Partner else. has no more than 3 black cards. My stiff diamond and 4 Bob Katz (4♥): Partner should hearts are pure. be 5-5 in the red suits with something reasonable when Bob Webber (2♠): Followed vulnerable. Maybe ♠xx by 3♥. Strong with ♥K10xxx ♦KQxxx ♣x. spade value. Marilyn Maddox (4♥): Partner Jonathan Fleischmann (2♠): doesn’t need much to make This auction has me in murky game on a cross-. territory with most partners. I want to encourage game in Joe Chiesa (2♠): I intend to hearts. Whether partner inter- bid 4♥, but want to preclude prets this as showing the partner from being brilliant

PAGE 8 TABLE TALK and saving over 4♠ or 5♣ as I tional. Fear a misfit, but 2♠ have an answer to those bids. just seems too conservative.

When this hand came up on Don Rumelhart (3♠): Invita- Bridge Base, partner had tional. My lack of a fit with “committed” (as Edgar Kaplan partner’s suit prevents me used to derisively write) the from forcing to game. Sandwich NT with ♠Q65 ♥8763 ♦AK743 ♣4. No wor- Sam Hirschman (3♠): It’s not ries: With Kxx of hearts on- IMPs, thank God. If partner side and the queen of spades passes, I might be lucky to filling out your holding in that make 3. My spades are just suit, 4♥ sailed home. good enough.

Chuck Burger (3♠): Invita- 3. MTPTs. N-S vul. As tional. The spade 8 got me. SOUTH, you hold: Pard will bid game on short ♠KJ10852 ♥K ♦62 ♣A632 spades with good hand, but WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH not bid over 2♠ . Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ? Dick Temkin (3♠): Invitational with a good six-card suit. If we Action Score Votes belong in NT, partner needs a 3♠ 100 17 club card and it may need to 2♠ 40 2 play from his side. 3♣ 40 2 4♠ 30 1 Bob Brent (3♠): Going plus at 2NT 30 0 matchpoints. Would go to game at IMPs. You have 11 HCPs, also known as invitational values, Note that some of the 3♠ and a good 6-card suit. Con- bidders felt they were close to veniently, a jump rebid of 3♠ bidding only 2♠ , while others shows exactly those things. almost decided to force to game. That fits right in with Gene Benedict (3♠): Invites some of the other panelists’ game, shows a 6-card suit. answers: Bob Katz (3♠): Shows six Morrie Kleinplatz (2♠): At pretty good spades and invita- matchpoints I will stay low, as tional values, which is exactly I’d rather risk missing game what I have. than risk getting a minus. Howard Perlman (3♠): Invita- Partner should raise with

TABLE TALK PAGE 9 more than a minimum and ad- nents has left us in a tough equate spade support. But if spot since we have slam- he has ♠x ♥Axxxx ♦KJxx invitational values (or out-and- ♣Kxx, I’ll be glad we stopped out slam values if we have a at the 2-level. At IMPs, I fit) and are not sure what suit would bid 3♠ . or notrump to play in. Let the guessing begin. Norm Bolton (3♣): Let’s find out what’s going on. Sam Hirschman (3NT): I have the spade stopper. Part- Marilyn Maddox (4♠): Too ner probably has some medi- good to just invite. ocre 12-count, so I’m not wor- Joe Chiesa (3♣): Don’t do ried about missing a slam this at home if you have mis- (though sometimes I’ll be cold for 6♣ and go down in 3NT). allied with a partner who opens “good” 9-counts. Al- Bob Katz (3NT): Partner though the hand may only be could have most anything and invitational, I am forcing as yet not have a good enough 2NT misaligns NT (Qx of hand to bid over 3♠. Maybe a clubs opposite), and 3♠ may 2-4-5-2 hand, for example. On fetch a pass where partner is these types of auctions, you short in spades and we have just cannot worry about a 9 tricks at NT. heart stopper.

4. IMPs. None vul. As Howard Perlman (3NT): It’s SOUTH, you hold: heavy, might make a slam, ♠AQ ♥Q ♦A42 ♣KQ97652 but it’s my last chance. Wish I could bid an invitational 4NT. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Pass 1♦ 2♠ 3♣ Julie Arbit (4NT): Should be 3♠ Pass Pass ? quantitative, and partner will

Action Score Votes rate club honors highly in evaluating his hand. 3NT 100 5 4NT 100 5 Bob Cappelli (4NT): This 4♣ 100 5 hand may well make 6♣, but I 4♠ 70 3 am going to make the quanti- 6♣ 60 2 tative bid of 4NT. 5NT 50 1 Dbl 50 1 Chuck Burger (4NT): Black- wood. Pass with 0, or bid 6♣ The barrage by the oppo- with 1 or 2 and expect to

PAGE 10 TABLE TALK catch 2+ clubs. I like 4♣ if Joe Chiesa (4♣): Ace of forcing. Too good for 3NT, hearts KQ of diamonds and Jx which could be best. of clubs makes 6♣, or we may have a diamond slam. 4♣ de- Marilyn Maddox (4NT): Will- scribes my hand and keeps all ing to take a chance partner contracts in play. If 3NT is our could have either A or J of last plus, mea culpa. clubs. Jonathan Fleischmann (4♣): Willie Winokur (4NT): Vanil- Natural and forcing. I expect la variety. to play this hand in a club or Gene Benedict (4♣): I hope notrump slam so that my 3♣ established a game-force. spade holding is protected.

Partner’s next bid will clear Morrie Kleinplatz (Dbl): Just things up. too good for 3NT. Over 4♣ or Norm Bolton (4♣): Too much 4♦ I will bid 4♠. Over 4♥, I will potential for slam to bid a dull bid 5♣, which should suggest 3NT. clubs with diamond tolerance and at least interest in slam. Bob Brent (6♣): May miss a grand but partner’s pass indi- Don Rumelhart (4♠): I think cates minimum values. Part- that slam is extremely likely. ner should have some clubs 4♠ tells partner this and asks as he is short in spades. him to describe his hand fur- ther. Suzy Burger (4♠ ): Looking for minor slam. Will raise ei- Irv Rosenstein (4♠): Let part- ther minor to 6. ner tell me more about his hand. We should have a play for 6♣ or 6♦.

CANDIDATES WANTED Dick Temkin (6♣): if we give

The annual MBA board EW the spade KJ, it’s hard to election will be held at the construct a hand for partner Motor City Regional in Oc- that doesn’t have a decent or tober. If you are interested better play for this. Not bid- in running for the board, ding 5NT for minors: No way he’d expect a 3-7 hand. contact election chair Martin Hirschman at 248-646-3967 Sheldon Kirsch (5NT): Pick or [email protected] a slam…and I hope he picks clubs.

TABLE TALK PAGE 11 Some comments on the 5. MTPTs. N-S vul. As above comments: SOUTH, you hold:  Assuming the opponents ♠K7 ♥A972 ♦KQ32 ♣A53 have 9+ spades as adver- WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH tised, partner almost has to -- 1♠ 2♦ Dbl have at least two clubs. Oth- Pass 4♥ 5♣ ? erwise he is 2-4-6-1 and prob- ably would have bid 4♦ over Action Score Votes 3♠. With 2+ clubs opposite, 6♣ 100 6 we are worth a shot at slam. 6♥ 90 5 Dbl 80 6 That slam should be 6♣,  5♦ 50 2 which will play easily. We 5♠ 40 1 should not be offering partner 6NT 40 1 a choice of strain. Pass 40 1  Unless you have a special 5♥ 20 0 agreement, 4NT is Black- wood, probably RKC for clubs I slightly demoted double — the only suit you have because of the strong majority shown. for bidding a slam.  Notice how good it is here to That doesn’t mean I’m confi- play regular RKC rather than dent about 6♥ making: 1430: First of all, the zero re- There’s the danger of a dia- sponse to 1430 commits you mond ruff, and quite possibly to slam off two aces. And a bad break. But we whether partner thinks it is have an awful lot of material RKC or regular Black, you’ll opposite partner’s presumed get a response you can un- 17+ points (or equivalent play- derstand. ing strength) to give up on When this hand came up on slam.

Bridge Base, partner held: ♠K Brenda Bryant (6♥): I am ♥10754 ♦K109876 ♣AJ. Ace nervous hearts are bad. But of diamonds-x-x-Q, followed partner must either have a by the against the jack good hand or 5-5 or 6-5 in the — the standard “Restricted majors. Choice” play, made even more likely than usual to suc- Sam Hirschman (6♥): Part- ceed because East is known ner bid 4♥ when I showed 8+ to be long in spades — points with four hearts and brought in 6♣ for a 10-IMP nothing more. We should pickup. make this. I have the minors

PAGE 12 TABLE TALK fairly well covered. Might go Our trumps are too thin for down on ace of diamonds and that. Also 5♦ ought to show a diamond ruff. first-round control, which we don’t have. Dick Temkin (6♥): Even if we have all the key cards, suits Norm Bolton (5♦): Worth a rate to be breaking badly, so cue. I’ll settle for six. Suzy Burger (5♦): Slam invi- Gene Benedict (6♥): We tational. could be off the ace of dia- Irv Rosenstein (6♣): Casting monds. a rosy glow over the auction Morrie Kleinplatz (6♥): (Sec- [Another Edgar Kaplan quote; ond choice, 6♣.) The hand see the last issue of Table makes me nervous (diamond Talk–M.H.]. Should be able to ace and a ruff), but the odds make at least 6♥. favour slam. If I bid 6♣ and Sheldon Kirsch (6♣): Might partner bids 6♦ we may have be a grand slam here. a grand. Still, the heart weak- ness worries me. Partner Marilyn Maddox (6♣): On the might be bidding on shape: way to 6♥. Doesn’t cost any- ♠AQJxxx ♥K10xxx ♦Ax thing to show club ace. ♣, in which case we have a likely heart loser. Since Don Rumelhart (6♣): Grand there is no room to find all this slam try. Partner will need to out, 6♥ leaves them in the infer that I don’t have first- blind, and even with a ruff round control of diamonds or coming RHO might not lead spades, but should assume the unsupported ace. that I don’t have two losers in either suit. I definitely disagree with one part of the previous answer: I’d be nervous about risking East will lead the ace of dia- the following bid: monds about 110 percent of Jonathan Fleischmann (5♠): the time that he has it. (N.B., I I don’t fancy defending at didn’t take the “u” out of Mor- these colors. Trumps are set rie’s “favour” since he is from since I promised hearts for my south of the Detroit River, eh.) double, so 5♠ should be con- I’m not crazy about the idea trol-showing. of cue-bidding, which is basi- cally an effort to get to 7♥. These panelists won’t run

TABLE TALK PAGE 13 into a ruff, but they could go sider whether to bid 6♥. down multiple tricks: Chuck Burger (Dbl): Since Myles Maddox (6NT): Hearts pass isn’t forcing. If pard is 6- don’t figure to split favorably. 5 or 5-6, he may pull. Other- Should be a squeeze on East wise I’m looking at a club and and West. a diamond [loser] or diamond ruff and bad suit breaks, if that Joe Chiesa (6♣): I don’t have matters. to live in Copenhagen to know there is something rotten in Pass ought to be forcing, the state of Denmark. I intuit since partner’s jump to game partner may have a minimum presumably announced that opener with 6-5, 5-6 or 5-5 in this is our hand. Apparently the majors. Although I secretly agreeing with me on this point believe double is best, I will is a frequent Burger partner: bid 6♣ as I have a 16-count when I could have a 6- Howard Perlman (Pass): In- count…I am not playing 6♥ or tend to play at least 6, but 7♥ on a 4-4 fit as suits may maybe partner has a diamond not split well. Shooting for void? Would bid a grand over 6NT. If partner bids 6♦ I partner’s 5♦, and if partner should bid 7♥ as partner has passes LHO’s correction [to heard the auction, knows I 5♦, I guess—M.H.] I would bid have but four hearts and, on a 6♣ giving him another chance. good day, will know how More doublers: many hearts he has. Bob Brent (Dbl): Our suits The doublers: are going to break badly. Tak- Julie Arbit (Dbl): I’m terrible ing a small plus, hopefully. at matchpoints, but with things Funny. If I doubled I’d be breaking badly I’d rather de- hoping for a large plus. fend. Bob Webber (Dbl): Slam is Willie Winokur (Dbl): And unclear with bad splits certain. lead a club. Can we make a Unless East has a sixth club, slam with everything foul? If we may hold them to four we can, my bid is bad. clubs and the ace of dia- Bob Cappelli (Dbl): Don’t monds. think we have enough trumps, but if partner pulls, I must con-

PAGE 14 TABLE TALK NEXT ISSUE’S HANDS Gone but not forgotten

1. MTPTs. N-S vul. As SOUTH, Last issue we printed the list you hold: of the top 100 masterpoint ♠QJ74 ♥AQ92 ♦9842 ♣J holders in MBA. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH That list did not include our 2♥ Dbl Pass ? top players who have passed from the scene. 2. IMPs. Both vul. As SOUTH, you Here is a list of deceased hold: N-S vul. players who would have made ♠AKJ54 ♥void ♦A ♣Q1096542 the top 100 list, along with WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH their final masterpoint total: -- -- 3♥ ? Joan Remey Moore, 18,901 Phil Leon, 18,041 3. MTPTs. Both vul. As SOUTH, Rick Kaye, 9,382 you hold: Vince Remey, 8,935 ♠K96 ♥A ♦KJ1096 ♣A1043 Sylvia Stein, 6,269 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Mike Graham, 5,757 -- Pass 3♠ ? Richard Mydloski, 5,180 Richard Goodwillie, 5,072 4. MTPTs. None vul. As SOUTH, Beverly Bluth, 4,968 you hold: Albert Silber, 3,836 ♠AKJ6432 ♥KJ96 ♦void ♣87 Dorothy Morochnick, 3,227 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Curt Muller, 2,988 -- 3♥ 4♦ ? Gerald Dillon, 2,883 Harold Weinstein, 2,836 5. IMPs. N-S vul. As South, you Raymond Jacobstein, 2,773 hold: Edith Jones, 2,696 ♠1098432 ♥AK6 ♦4 ♣AJ10 Audrey Melander, 2,657 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Isabel Pingel, 2,297 3♦ Dbl 4♠ Dbl Marge Lewan, 2,271 Pass Pass 5♦ ?

Mail your answers to:

Table Talk Magazine IN MEMORIAM 30660 Woodgate Dr. Southfield MI 48076 Mickey Bowman Or email to: [email protected]

TABLE TALK PAGE 15 FRONT, from page 1 er an to declarer’s hand, and he wound up down one. to J♣ for 10th trick.) Declarer would have been Passing 3♥x would have well advised to take the dia- been better. mond finesse before playing both high spades from his hand. This hand came up in an +50 was worth 78 percent ACBL matchpoint mini- of the matchpoints on the tournament on Bridge Base. deal.

MTPTs. Neither vul. Undershooting NORTH This one is from a Swiss ♠Q743 teams at the Toledo sectional ♥A2 in March. ♦J5 ♣A9763 IMPs. E-W vul. WEST EAST NORTH ♠862 ♠J109 ♠KQJ9 ♥K109543 ♥Q87 ♥AK743 ♦K6 ♦973 ♦Q92 ♣85 ♣KQJ2 ♣3 SOUTH WEST EAST ♠AK5 ♠A4 ♠53 ♥J6 ♥J82 ♥Q10965 ♦AQ10842 ♦AJ653 ♦K8 ♣104 ♣Q97 ♣10865 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH ♠108762 ------1♦ ♥void 2♥ Dbl 3♥ 3♠ ♦1074 Pass 4♠ All Pass ♣AKJ42 Opening lead: 10 of hearts WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH I was West. -- 1♥ Pass 1♠ Declarer won the A♥, Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ cashed three spades ending All Pass in dummy, then ran the J♦, Opening lead: A of spades which I ducked in . De- clarer repeated the finesse, I was West. My partner was which lost. There was no long- Ed White.

PAGE 16 TABLE TALK Tr. 1: A♠-K-3-2 Letter: No points 2: 3♦-2-K-4 for online play 3: 8♦-7-A-9 4: 5♦-Q-5♠-10 To the Editor: Down 1. You are one of the MI At the other table, West led bridge players I truly admire, A♦, then J♦-Q-K-7. East next but I feel a need to rebut your returned a club. Declarer editorial on the first two pages cashed two clubs, throwing a of the March 2015 issue of diamond from dummy before Table Talk. leading a trump. Making 4, so I am one of the players who our team won 10 IMPs. is on the opposite end of the You can draw your own pendulum on this issue from conclusions about my choice you. I feel that online bridge is of lead and continuation, and similar to party bridge, fun and about whether East at the oth- social, but does not have the er table should figure out from elements of tournament play the J♦ to return a trump in- that merit masterpoints. stead of a club. I enjoy playing with friends online occasionally, especially TOURNAMENT because we are limited by CALENDAR much distance and this makes for great opportunities to June 14-19: FLINT REGIONAL spend time playing ‘bridge June 25-28: Southfield sec- with friends.’ I especially like tional (MBA & SOMBA) watching World events and July 10-12: Toledo sectional competitions that BBO broad- July 13-19: LANSING RE- casts which enable kibitzers GIONAL to learn from and hear discus- Aug. 27-30: Southfield sec- sions about the many interest- tional (MBA) ing hands shown. Sept. 11-13: Traverse City I recently found several club sectional masterpoint certificates from Sept. 20: NAP district finals 1993 that I had neglected to (Lansing) turn in to the ACBL. This find- Oct. 2-4: Midland sectional ing gave me the opportunity to Oct. 12-18: MOTOR CITY note how hard I worked at REGIONAL, Farmington Hills these club games to come in (MBA) the top 5 pairs to earn partial Oct. 23-25: Toledo sectional points – always playing at

TABLE TALK PAGE 17 least 24 boards a ses- award listing for online points sion. One of the certificates only (if one doesn’t already showed a club championship exist). As it stands now, a at which there were 10 tables player who earns enough and my partner & I placed points to become a Life Mas- third, earning .33. ter including online points Yes, masterpoints are easier should get a certificate which to come by at local clubs and has an “*” denoting that fact tournaments today than they (as used in sports statis- were 30 years ago, but online, tics). they’re almost meaning- less. As you stated, people Thanks for your time, can play less than an hour or Julie Kraus 12 hands and amass points. And there is good rea- EDITOR’S NOTE: The March son to discuss the ‘cheating’ 2015 article regarding online element. bridge was the opinion of the I have played online with editor. Michigan Bridge Asso- married couples who have 2 ciation has taken no particular computers in 2 different position regarding online play. rooms (or even in the same room) who are able to discuss hands while in play, and I will LIKE US ON admit to the time when I was FACEBOOK!!! so surprised by the bid or play made by a partner that I have MBA has a new page on called him/her on the phone Facebook, with lots of inter- while still online as a part- esting features, results and ner. I’m sure I’m not the only links. one… To view the page, go to Since I don’t agree that Facebook.com, then type there should be any points “Michigan Bridge Associa- awarded for online bridge, I tion” into the field at the top am totally in favor of separat- and hit enter. Be sure to ing points earned online from “Like” the page. points earned at club games The administrator of the and tournaments and not page is Marilyn Nathanson. counting online points for any You can contact her at: award. [email protected] In fact, I suggest a new

PAGE 18 TABLE TALK White washes field at Michigan State Sectional Ed White of Grand Blanc Ciaramitaro, Warren Block. 3, won two events and over 30 Lakshmi Vora, Naresh Kapila, masterpoints to lead the field Deepak Dighe, William Lan- at the Michigan State Section- drum. al, held March 26-29 at the THURSDAY NIGHT PAIRS Bridge Connection in South- FLIGHT A: 1, Jonathan field. Here are the results of Fleischmann, Kurt Dasher. 2, the tournament: Donald Rumelhart, Clark Mal- MASTERPOINT LEADERS: colm. 3, Kathy & Curt Hofer. 1, Edward White, 30.65 FLIGHT B: 1, Rumelhart, Mal- 2, Julie Arbit, 24.54 colm. 2, Hofers. 3, Renata Was- 3, Jerrold Grossman, 22.85 serman, James Walter. FLIGHT 4, Bert Newman, 22.14 C: 1, Hofers. 2, Wasserman, 5, Jack Shartsis, 21.07 Walter. 3, Daniel Schiffer, Rita 6, Robert Katz, 20.94 Rubin. 7, Larry Cohen, 20.89 FRIDAY AM PAIRS FLIGHT A: 8, John Koschik, 18.61 1, Jerrold Grossman, Julie Arbit. 9, Frank Treiber III, 18.17 2, Donald Rumelhart, John 10, Lynne Schaeffer, 17.05 Koschik. 3, Larry Cohen, Ste- THURSDAY AFTERNOON ven Kaplan. FLIGHT B & C: 1, SWISS TEAMS FLIGHT A: 1, Cohen, Kaplan. 2, Fran & Ger- Debra Eaves, Norman Bolton, ald Wigod. 3, Richard Cantley, Marilyn & Myles Maddox. 2/3, Dennis Waniolek. Ronald Horwitz, Steven Wino- FRIDAY AFTERNOON PAIRS kur, Brenda Jaffe, Steven FLIGHT A: 1, Edward White, Shumer. 2/3, Jack Shartsis, Wil- Bert Newman. 2, Jerrold Gross- liam Winokur, Lynne Schaeffer, man, Jack Shartsis. 3, Robert Walter Goldsmith. FLIGHT B: 1, Katz, Julie Arbit. FLIGHT B & C: Horwitz team. 2, Brad Dracka, 1, Edward Lough, Paul Grant Petersen, Bob Rasmus- Chirgwin. 2, Steven Shumer, sen, Arthur Wasserman. 3, Steven Winokur. 3, James Wal- Robert Raf, Georgene Cronin, ter, Genie Baker. Michael McGaw, Steven Jacob. FLIGHT C: 1, Dan Sutherland, FRIDAY NIGHT PAIRS Thom Allen, Fred Goodell, FLIGHT A: 1, Bert & Kathy Frederick Sill. 2, Thomas King Newman. 2, Steve O’Guin, Joe III, Victoria Vallone, Thomas Monro. 3, Steven Kaplan,

TABLE TALK PAGE 19 Randy Rodnick. FLIGHT B: 1, ki Neiberg. 2, James Walter, O’Guin, Monro. 2, Kaplan, Rod- Martha Toon, Stuart Dombey, nick. 3, James Walter, Genie Chris Brewer. 3, Richard & Lucy Baker. FLIGHT C: 1, Kaplan, Peacock, Fred Batten, Martha Rodnick. 2, Walter, Baker. 3, Henkel. FLIGHT C: 1, Walter David McIntyre, Tracey King. team. 2, Peacock team. 3, Deepak Dighe, Thomas Ciar- SATURDAY AM PAIRS amitaro, John Vollmayer, FLIGHT A: 1, Steven Jacob, Naresh Kapila. Curt Hofer. 2, Kathy Newman, Denise Brown. 3, James & SUNDAY AM PAIRS FLIGHT Cheryl Bloom. FLIGHT B: 1, A: 1, Jane Gardner, Barb Fer- Jacob, Hofer. 2, Blooms. 3, Lar- rera. 2, Sarah & Richard Fur- ry Cohen, George Christian. low. 3, J. McConkie, Joyce FLIGHT C: 1, Cohen, Chris- Bear. FLIGHT B: 1, Gardner, tian. 2, Jeffrey London, Robert Ferrera. 2, McConkie, Bear. 3, Solomon. 3, Robert Shubow, Jane Lehman, Joan Capuano. Ronna Galin. FLIGHT C: 1, Lehman, Capu- ano. 2, Mary Robinson, Jill Ras- SATURDAY AFTERNOON telli. PAIRS FLIGHT A: 1, George Christian, Larry Cohen. 2, SUNDAY AFTERNOON PAIRS James & Cheryl Bloom. 3, FLIGHT A: 1, Seymour & Mar- Brenda Bryant, Jim Fatka. lene Mandell. 2, James Egan, FLIGHT B: 1, Christian, Co- Graham Putnam. 3, Jane Gard- hen. 2, Blooms. 3, William ner, Barb Ferrera. FLIGHT B: 1, Landrum, Allan Tushman. Egan, Putnam. 2, Gardner, Fer- FLIGHT C: 1, Christian, Co- rera. 3, Kai Liu, Xingjicin Ma. hen. 2, Michael Moore, Charles SUNDAY SWISS TEAMS Royer. 3, William Niemczyk, FLIGHT A: 1, Chuck & Suzy Phyllis Cohn. Burger, Robert Mendelson, SATURDAY SWISS TEAMS Marvin Zucker. 2/3, Martin FLIGHT A: 1, Edward White, Hirschman, Lynne Schaeffer, Gene Owens, Gary Brinker, Jo- Susan & Gordon Parnes. 2/3, seph Ernsthausen. 2, Sheldon Leonard Melander, Brenda Bry- Kirsch, Henry Shevitz, Robert ant, Joe Chiesa, Jim Fatka. Katz, Frank Treiber III. 3, Rich- FLIGHT B: 1, Julie Arbit, Jon- ard Temkin, Irving Rosenstein, athan Fleischmann, Ed Her- John Koschik, Michael Crane. stein, Jordan Kaye, Kurt Dash- FLIGHT B: 1, Suzanne Baker, er. 2, Michael McGaw, Robert Jagjit Singh, Darryl Haynes, Vic- Raf, Steven Jacob, Sandy Birn-

PAGE 20 TABLE TALK holtz. 3, D. Abraham, Patti Ston- GNT UPDATE er, James Gruenberg, Dennis Ebendick. FLIGHT C: 1, Abra- Here are the winners of the ham team. 2, Deepak Dighe, district John Vollmayer, Lakshmi Vora, level, held April 11-12 at the Vishwas Gadgil. Bridge Connection in South- field. The winners have Non-life master winners earned the right to represent District 12 in the national fi- THURSDAY AFTERNOON nals at the Summer NABC in SWISS: David & Barbara Dur- Chicago in August. sum, Neal Gehring, Germaine OPEN FLIGHT: Robert Men- Hegarty delson, Allan Falk, Suzy & THURSDAY NIGHT PAIRS: Chuck Burger, Howard Perl- John Vollmayer, Larry Cohen man, Martin Hirschman FRIDAY AM PAIRS: Barb Fer- FLIGHT A: Jonathan Fleisch- rera, Jane Gardner mann, Yi Ouyang, Kurt Dash- FRIDAY AFTERNOON PAIRS: er, Julie Arbit, Jordan Kaye Julian Prince, Steven Miller FLIGHT B: Steven Winokur, SATURDAY AM PAIRS: Samuel Hirschman, Robert Warren Block, Thomas King III Trenary, Beth Armstrong SATURDAY AFTERNOON FLIGHT C: Martha & In- PAIRS: Fred Goodell, Allen derpal Bhatia, Reuven Anaf- Taylor Shalom, Timothy Romlein

2015 STEIN WELCOME, TROPHY RACE NEW MEMBERS Vyto Dailide Compiled by Patti Stoner Wendy Dendel

1, Julie Arbit, 34.53 Richard Fruehauf 2, Bob Katz, 32.10 Mary Macdougall 3, Susan Parnes, 26.83 Wendell Smitherman 4, Lynne Schaeffer, 24.01 5, Jerrold Grossman, 22.07 WELCOME, 6, Bert Newman, 21.62 TRANSFERS 7, Jordan Kaye,18.57 Janet Abramson-Borson 8, John Koschik, 18.23 Joyce Bell 9, Sheldon Kirsch, 18.08 Martina Garland 10, Martin Hirschman, Steven Garland 17.87. Gordon Moore

TABLE TALK PAGE 21 21st Century methods for dealing with Interference over our 1NT opening bid using negative doubles and 3-level invitational transfers

By Marty Hirschman last quarter of the 20th centu- ry, changed 2NT (after an (Note: Thanks to Ed Her- overcall of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠) into a stein and Jonathan Fleisch- relay to 3♣. After opener mann for providing much of takes the relay, responder the material in this article. I then either 1) passes 3♣, 2) am presenting a somewhat bids a new suit, just to play simplified, though not sim- there (“competitive”), 3) bids ple, version here.) 3NT, showing values for Introduction game with a stopper in the We have our methods down opponent’s suit, or 4) bids 3 of pat when partner opens 1NT the opponent’s suit for Stay- and the next player passes. man with a stopper in the op- But when RHO , it ponent’s suit. If instead of bid- often takes us out of our com- ding 2NT, responder directly fort zone. The modern meth- bids three of a new suit, that ods outlined below aim at is forcing, while cue-bidding making us feel at home again. the opponent’s suit is Stay- man without a stopper, and Old Methods bidding 3NT directly over the The traditional approach to overcall shows values for dealing with overcalls of our game without a stopper. 1NT opening is to play double This was an improvement as penalty, two of a new suit over the old methods, but left to play there, 2NT as competi- responder with few game- tive (about 7-9 HCPs), a bid of invitational auctions. Also, 3 of the opponent’s suit as keeping double as penalty Stayman, and a non-jump bid leaves responder at a com- of 3 of a new suit as competi- petitive disadvantage in find- tive (somewhere between ing a playable fit with modest “just to play there” and invita- values (about 4+ to 8 HCPs). tional). Negative Doubles We long ago gave up penal- The Lebensohl Convention, ty doubles when we open one which became popular in the of a suit and the opponents

PAGE 22 TABLE TALK overcall. Adopting negative solved by playing our three- doubles there solved all the level new-suit bids as trans- problems we used to have fers to the next highest unbid competing with modest values suit, promising invitational or and no long suit. The same better values. Each such advantages are available us- three-level new-suit bid trans- ing negative doubles after fers to the next suit up, except partner opens 1NT and the the suit below opponent’s suit next hand overcalls 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ transfers to the suit above the or 3 of any suit. Double is for overcalled suit. Opener takes takeout, usually with 4 of the the transfer if he has a mini- unbid major, and shows mum and therefore does not enough values to be comfort- wish to play in game opposite able forcing partner to bid at invitational values. With ex- whatever level the auction is tras, opener jumps to game in at. the suit shown by responder, Although we are giving up bids 3NT or makes another the penalty double, we some- bid in the absence of a stop- times will be able to punish per in opponent’s suit. the overcaller if we pass. If opener takes the transfer, Opener will reopen with a showing a minimum, and re- double with a healthy-looking sponder actually has more hand and just two pieces in than invitational values, he the opponent’s suit. That’s ba- bids again, just as he would sically the same thing we do playing regular Jacoby Trans- when partner opens one of a fers. suit and the next player over- calls in a suit we would like to Sample auctions double for penalty. 1NT (2♥) Dbl = Negative, usually with 4 spades and We can still play Lebensohl about 5 or more HCPs, but to cover the single-suited possibly any balanced 8-9 “competitive” hands as well as 1NT (2♥) 2♠ = 5+ spades, to the Stayman and 3NT hands, play with or without a stopper, as 1NT (2♥) 2NT = Lebensohl set forth above. relay to 3♣ with some 5+-card Three-level Invitational suit and competitive values, or Transfers a stopper plus game-forcing The remaining problem is values (see above) the invitational hands with a 1NT (2♥) 3♣ = Transfer to dia- 5+-card suit. This is now monds with 5+ diamonds and TABLE TALK PAGE 23 at least invitational values with 5+ hearts and at least invi- 1NT (2♥) 3♦ = Transfer to tational values spades with 5+ spades and at 1NT (2♦) 3♦ = Stayman without least invitational values a stopper in diamonds 1NT (2♥) 3♥ = Stayman with- 1NT (2♦) 3♥ = Transfer to spades out a heart stopper with 5+ spades and at least in- 1NT (2♥) 3♠ = 5+ clubs with at vitational values least invitational values 1NT (2♦) 3♠ = 5+ clubs and at 1NT (2♥) 3NT = To play, but least invitational values without a heart stopper 1NT (2♦) 3NT = to play, but without a diamond stopper 1NT (2♠) Dbl = Negative, usu- ally with 4 hearts and 8+ HCPs, 1NT (3 of a suit) Dbl = Nega- possibly any balanced 8-9 tive, with at least 8 HCPs 1NT (2♠) 2NT = Lebensohl re- 1NT (3 of a suit) 3 of a suit = lay to 3♣ with some 5+-card 5+ of that suit, forcing suit and competitive values, or Odds and Ends a stopper plus game-forcing ■All the above applies when values (see above) the overcalled suit is natural, 1NT (2♠) 3♣ = Transfer to dia- whether or not the bid promis- monds with 5+ diamonds and es a second suit. at least invitational values ■We still play Texas Transfers 1NT (2♠) 3♦ = Transfer to hearts (4♦ to 4♥ and 4♥ to 4♠), on with 5+ hearts and at least invi- after interference through 3♣. tational values If the overcall is 3♦, 4♦ is “pick 1NT (2♠) 3♥ = 5+ clubs with at a major” and 4 of a new major least invitational values is to play. 1NT (2♠) 3♠ = Stayman without ■After a 2♣ overcall of 1NT, a spade stopper whether natural or artificial, 1NT (2♠) 3NT = To play, but double is Stayman. Other bids without a spade stopper are what they would have 1NT (2♦) Dbl = Negative usu- been had there been no over- ally with at least one 4-card ma- call. jor and about 5 or more HCPs, ■After a double of 1NT, re- possibly any balanced 8-9 double is a relay to 2♣ to play 1NT (2♦) 2♥ = To play 2♣ or 2♦ with a weak hand 1NT (2♦) 2♠ = To play and 5+ of that suit. Other bids 1NT (2♦) 2NT = Lebensohl, as are what they would have above been had there been no dou- 1NT (2♦) 3♣ = Transfer to hearts ble. (“Systems on.”)

PAGE 24 TABLE TALK Solution to tion has pinpointed this de- At the Wheel fense. From back page A better approach is to play on hearts, despite the lack of NORTH high cards there. Eventually ♠QJ5 you will score the 5th heart for ♥98642 the game-going trick. ♦A This assumes that West’s ♣A942 lead of the 9 of diamonds de- WEST EAST nies a higher card. If the op- ♠1082 ♠964 ponents persist with dia- ♥KQ ♥AJ107 monds, you will score your ♦98753 ♦Q642 jack for the 9th trick. ♣Q86 ♣J5 In the unlikely event that the SOUTH opponents play on clubs, you ♠AK73 will be in no worse shape than ♥53 you would have been playing ♦KJ10 on them yourself, and proba- ♣K1073 bly much better. Either you You have 8 tricks on top. It may pick up the suit for no is tempting to play on clubs losers or, if you’ve played two for the 9th, but there is a dan- rounds of hearts and then ger that the opponents will win have to lose a club, the de- a club trick and cash four fender you lose the club to hearts to beat you (if they are may not have any more 4-2). Unfortunately, the auc- hearts to play.

MOVING Ann Solomon Dennis Ebendick Paul Temple Norman Rotter UP… Mary Jane Zorzit Susan R. Smith

JUNIOR SECTIONAL NABC MASTERS MASTERS MASTER Michael Boland Sally Carter Rekha Dave Maria Conti Patty McCracken SILVER LIFE Jamie Ling Craig Ross Jane Monnich MASTER Carrie Osborne REGIONAL Ellen Silverest MASTERS Michele Rambour Mary Robinson Michael Betzold

TABLE TALK PAGE 25 MBA/SOMBA JOINT ONLINE DIRECTORY OPENING FOR BUSINESS The MBA/SOMBA Joint ry unless the individual mem- Online Member Directory was ber gives us explicit permis- expected to be open for busi- sion to do so. ness by early June. If your information does not You can reach the directory appear in the directory, the in one of three ways: most likely explanation is that ■Through the District 12 web- you did not sign and turn in a site at: district12bridge.org permission form. If you wish ■Through the SOMBA web to have your information page at: listed, print out, sign and send http://ww.district 12bridge.org/ in a permission form. The unit203/ form appears on the facing ■Through the Michigan Bridge page. Association page on Face- If you find an error in YOUR book at: facebook.com personal record, or if you wish You will have to put in your to make a change in YOUR name and ACBL number to personal record, then please access the information in the send the information to Bill directory, then punch in at Landrum at: least the first three letters of [email protected] the last name of the person via email, and he will make you are trying to look up. the correction to your person- If no phone number or email al record. address appears next to the player's name, that means March sectional they probably did not grant attendance up permission for this information to appear in the directory. At Attendance was 316.5 total this time, only about 30 per- tables at MBA’s Michigan cent of our members have au- State Sectional, held March thorized use of their information. 26-29 at the Bridge Connec- Although most players have tion in Southfield. That was up provided their phone numbers from 246.5 tables at the previ- to ACBL, and many have pro- ous running of the tourna- vided their email addresses, ment, in January 2014 at the ACBL will not allow us to use Knights of Columbus hall in this information in the directo- Livonia.

PAGE 26 TABLE TALK MBA-SOMBA JOINT MEMBER DIRECTORY

NOTE: The Michigan Bridge Association (MBA) and Southern Michigan Bridge Association (SOMBA), American League (ACBL) units 137 and 203, respectively, are launching a joint Member Directory. The initial plan is to provide the directory online, to be posted on the SOMBA website with a link on the District 12 website. The online directory will be accessible by MBA and SOMBA members on the inputting of their ACBL numbers. In addition, we may later print the directory and dis- tribute it to members of MBA and SOMBA. If you wish to have your phone numbers and/or email address appear in the directory, you must fill out, sign, date and submit this form. Make sure to print carefully and include all punctuation. Phone listings must include area code and number.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name: Phone number: Additional phone number: Email address: I hereby give permission to Michigan Bridge Association and Southern Michigan Bridge Association to publish the above information about me in the Joint MBA-SOMBA Member Directory and any republication, update, portion or excerpt thereof, and to pub- lish any phone numbers and/or email address that I have provided or will provide in the future to MBA, SOMBA and/or the American Contract Bridge League. I understand that all members of Michigan Bridge Association and Southern Michigan Bridge Association will have access to the directory, and that other individuals or enti- ties, while not intended users, might gain unauthorized access to the directory. Further, I hereby release Michigan Bridge Association and Southern Michigan Bridge Association, their officers, agents, employees, volunteers and contractors, from liability for any direct or indirect damages that I may suffer as a result of the publication of my phone numbers and/or email addresses in the directory, including but not limited to dam- ages caused by any use made of the published information by members and/or non- members of MBA and SOMBA.

SIGN HERE: DATE:

PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR COMPLETED FORM IN THE DESIG- NATED BOX AT AN MBA OR SOMBA TOURNAMENT. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU MAY MAIL OR EMAIL A SIGNED COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORM TO: Shelley Boschan, 4228 Sedgemoor Lane, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302, [email protected], 248-225-1700 OR Posh Gulati, MD, 521 S. Spinningwheel Lane, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, [email protected], 248-335-3246 H/ 248-390-7438 Cell

TABLE TALK PAGE 27

AT THE WHEEL By Marty Hirschman

IMPs. E-W vul. NORTH ♠QJ5 ♥98642 ♦A ♣A942

SOUTH ♠AK73 ♥53 ♦KJ10 ♣K1073

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH ------1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: 9 of diamonds (standard leads) East follows to trick one with the 2 of diamonds. Plan the play. Solution, page 25

PAGE 28 TABLE TALK