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Number One Hundred and Sixty-One May 2016 Bernard Magee’s Quiz This month we are dealing with doubling. You are West in the auctions below, BRIDGEplaying ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no- (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

1. Dealer East. Love All. 4. Dealer East. Love All. 7. Dealer North. Love All. 10. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 7 6 ♠ 7 6 ♠ 7 6 ♠ 7 6

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ 1♠ 1♠ 1NT 1♦ Dbl Pass 1♣ 1♠ ? ? ? Dbl 1NT Dbl Pass ?

2. Dealer East. Love All. 5. Dealer East. Love All. 8. Dealer North. Love All. 11. Dealer North. N/S Game. ♠ A 6 ♠ 7 6 ♠ K 3 2 ♠ A 2

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ 1♠ 1♠ 1NT 2♥1 Dbl Pass 1NT Dbl 2♣ ? ? ? ? 1Weak two: 6 6-10pts

3. Dealer East. Love All. 6. Dealer East. Love All. 9. Dealer North. Love All. 12. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ A 6 3 ♠ 7 6 ♠ K 8 5 4 ♠ 7 6 5

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

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

Answers on page 7 Answers on page 9 Answers on page 11 Answers on page 13 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

BEGIN BRIDGE ACOL BIDDING ADVANCED DECLARER ACOL VERSION ACOL BIDDING PLAY l Card Play Technique MAC l Basics l Suit Establishment l Planning Card Play Compatible in No-trumps l Advanced l Bidding Balanced Basics l Suit Establishment Hands in Suits l Weak Twos l Bidding Suits l Opening Bids and Responses l Hold-ups l Responding to a Suit l Strong Hands l Slams and Strong l Ruffing for l Supporting Partner l Defence Openings Extra Tricks l Responding to 1NT l Support for Partner to Weak Twos l Entries in l Stayman l Pre-empting l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 l Strong Two Opening l £66 l Doubles and Response l No-trump l Delaying l Overcalls Openings l Two-suited £96 Drawing Trumps and Responses Overcalls l Doubles £66 l Using the Lead l Opener’s and l Pre-empting l Defences to Responder’s Rebids l Trump Control Other Systems l Defence against No l Minors and Misfits l Endplays & Trump Contracts l Doubles l Misfits and Avoidance l Defence against Suit l Competitive Distributional Contracts Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding

ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD BETTER DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & BRIDGE l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks No-trump Contracts l Ruffing for in No-trumps l Opening Bids Extra Tricks l Lead vs & Responses l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Doubling and l Partner of Leader Openings Defence l Endplays vs No-trump Against Contracts l Support £89 £69 l Avoidance Doubled for Partner l Partner of Leader Contracts l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams Contract & Strong Openings l Play and Defence l Count l Simple of 1NT Contracts Signals l Rebids Squeezes l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 l Finding and Signals & Misfits the Hand Bidding Slams l Discarding l Pre-empting l Trump Reductions l Making the & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles Most of High Cards l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls Contracts l Counting l Competitive l Competitive l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions Auctions

Mr Bridge , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Any 6 ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop for £299 System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee INDEX BRIDGE 5 Mr Bridge 2 Bernard Magee’s Tutorial Software Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 6 Wendy Wensum’s Diaries Surrey GU21 2TH 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps 7 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee ( 01483 489961 4 Bernard Magee DVDs 8 Sally’s Slam of the Month 5 QPlus 11 [email protected] 9 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee 5 Mr Bridge Cruises www.mrbridge.co.uk onboard Minerva 10 An Overdose of Minor Two Suiters by John Barr shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ 7 Mr Bridge mrbridge-shop 11 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee Tutorial Weekends 8 QPlus 11 Publisher and 12 Catching Up with 8 Travel Insurance Managing Editor 13 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee Mr Bridge 8 Designs for Bridge 14 More Tips by Bernard Magee Tables Associate Editor and 15 Defence Quiz by 9 Denham Filming 2017 Bridge Consultant 11 Mr Bridge Playing Cards Bernard Magee 16 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage bernardmagee 11 Kinds of Accountant Tea Towel @mrbridge.co.uk 17 Sorry Partner! by Liz Dale 17 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett 11 Designs for Bridge Cartoons & Illustrations Table Covers Marguerite Lihou 18 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 12 Mr Bridge Tie www.margueritelihou.co.uk 19 How has Acol Changed Over the Last 50 Years? 12 Club Insurance by Julian Pottage Technical Consultant 12 Tony Gordon 20 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions Rules Simplified 13 Better 23 Everyday Bridge Adventures Typesetting & Design 14 BriAn Ruth Edmondson reviewed by David Huggett 14 Life’s a Game Tea Towel [email protected] 24 Night of the Stars by Bernard Magee 14 Stoke Mandeville Proof Readers 26 The Toys of Defence by Jeremy Dhondy Spinal Research Julian Pottage 28 Wise Wynfryth’s Birthday by 15 Bridge Events Mike Orriel with Bernard Magee Catrina Shackleton 30 Thinking Defence by Bernard Magee 24 Greece & the Richard Wheen 32 Readers’ Letters Adriatic Sea with Voyages to Antiquity Customer Services 34 Counting by Andrew Kambites 25 Madeira, Canaries Catrina Shackleton 36 On the Air by Shireen Mohandes & Morocco with [email protected] Voyages to Antiquity 38 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions Events & Cruises 30 Canaries & Madeira Winter Warmth with ( 01483 489961 42 Teachers’ Corner by Ian Dalziel Fred.Olsen Jessica Galt 44 Suit Combinations by Heather Dhondy [email protected] 31 Greece & the Adriatic Sea with Megan Riccio 46 Seven Days with Sally Brock Voyages to Antiquity [email protected] Sophie Pierrepont 32 Irish Christmas Markets with Fred.Olsen [email protected] REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE 33 Mr Bridge Just & Charities Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, Duplicate Bridge Events Maggie Axtell all mint with full gum. Quotations for 41 Charity Events [email protected] commercial quantities available on request. 42 Mr Bridge Tea Towels Values supplied in 100s, higher values Address Changes available as well as 1st and 2nd class 43 Croatia with Mr Bridge ( 01483 485342 (eg 2nd class: 100x38p+100x16p). 48 Greece & the Elizabeth Bryan Greek Islands with [email protected] (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] Voyages to Antiquity

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 3 BERNARD MAGEE TUTORIAL DVDS

SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads 13 Hand Evaluation This seminar deals with declarer’s use of Bernard takes you through the basic leads Going beyond just the point-count is ruffing to make extra tricks and then looks and the importance of your lead choice. If important. Reaching & making 3NT on 24 at how the defenders might counteract this. you start to think about your partner’s hand, HCP; and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when there (74 mins.) you will get better results. (95 mins.) are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.) 2 Competitive Auctions 8 Losing Trick Count 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding This seminar focuses on competitive auctions A way of hand evaluation for when you find The art of pre-empting is so important in the from the perspective of the overcalling side a fit. Bernard deals with the basics of the LTC modern game. Understanding the right hands and then from the opening side in the second then looks at advanced methods to hone your to bid up on and realising the importance of part. (86 mins.) bidding. (92 mins.) position and vulnerability. (96 mins.) 3 Making the Most of High Cards 9 Making a Plan as Declarer 15 Splinter & Cue Bids This seminar helps declarer to use his high Bernard explains how to make a plan then Splinter bids are a vital tool to add to your cards more carefully and then looks at how expands on how to make the most of your slam bidding armoury & try your hand at defenders should care for their high cards. long suits, both in no-trumps and suit Italian style cue bidding. (116 mins.) (83 mins.) contracts. (87 mins.) 16 4 Identifying & Bidding Slams 10 Responding to 1NT As declarer, an important tactic is to be in The first half of this seminar identifies when This seminar deals with Transfers and control of the defenders: avoiding a particular a slam might be on. The second Stayman in detail. The 1NT opening comes defender getting the lead. As a defender, you half covers some slam-bidding techniques. up frequently, so having a good, accurate can try to make sure the right player gets the (96 mins.) system of responses is paramount. (93 mins.) lead. (88 mins.) 5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts 11 Signals & Discards 17 Play & Defence at Pairs This seminar looks at the most common This seminar deals with Count, Attitude Duplicate Pairs is the game most of us play and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get and getting used to the tactics will make The first half looks at declaring 1NT and you working as a partnership in defence. a lot of difference to your performance. the second part at defending. (88 mins.) (92 mins.) (90 mins.) 6 Doubling & Defence against 12 18 Thinking Defence Doubled Contracts Bernard takes you through the basics of By far the hardest aspect of bridge, but if you The first half of this seminar explores penalty endplays before showing some hands where can improve your defence your results will doubles and the second half discusses the you can take extra tricks, then looks at how to quickly improve. Learn how to think through defence against doubled contracts. (88 mins.) avoid being endplayed. (80 mins.) the defence. (87 mins.)

SET 4 SET 5 19 Defensive Plan £25 25 Defence as Partner Looking at your own hand, then at dummy of the Leader and envisaging how partner’s hand will per DVD Defence is the hardest aspect of the game, allow you to make a plan for the defence. it is where most players can make great (112 mins.) progress. (104 mins.) 20 Further Into 26 Aggressive Bidding the Auction at Duplicate Pairs The first two bids of an auction are usually £105 Years ago, you needed 13 HCP to open the easy, but beyond that the complications bidding and rarely competed for a partscore. increase. Learn how to ‘talk’ to your partner Now its usual to open lighter and compete for during the bidding. (95 mins.) every hand. (114 mins.) 21 Weak Twos SET of 6 27 Strong Opening Bids It is important to bid more in the modern Managing your strong bids carefully can give game and weak twos are an important choice you joy, particularly when you have a neat for the competitive player. (104 mins.) bidding sequence to a lovely slam. (122 mins.) 22 Trump Control Buy a Set 28 Take-Out Doubles Handling the play of the hand when trumps Bernard deals with basic take-out doubles and break badly is an important attribute: playing Get 1 Free their responses, then progresses to talk about calmly and using a variety of tactics to pave competing for every partscore. (99 mins.) the way to success. (76 mins.) 29 Suit Establishment 23 Sacrificing in Suit Contracts An exciting aspect of the auction is Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 Long suits are powerful things: Bernard tries to outbidding your opponents and going down, get across his passion for them by showing you but gaining by doing so. Learn to bid more On-line shop: how to develop your extra tricks. (81 mins.) aggressively. (105 mins.) www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop 30 / Defending 24 Improving Bridge Memory Against a 1NT Opening Remembering every card is a dream for most Competing against a 1NT opening allows you of us. However, learn ways in which All prices include postage – UK only. to challenge for the partscore. Bernard talks to remember the important things. about competing over 1NT in general and then (90 mins.) about Landy. (85 mins.) QPLUS 12 suits you. I do hope that you will get some of your QPLUS 11 friends to try it. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE IN BATH My coming 2016/17 programmes on Really user-friendly bridge-playing Six or seven years ago, software Dennis Bernard contacted me regarding his rubber MINERVA FEATURES INCLUDE bridge sessions in Bath. He needed a few more players

l Help button – explains to make his -in bridge Johannes Leber has been the features for bidding interesting. I published his working really hard on and card play advice letter and he duly found a version 12 of QPlus. few new players. Three or l Displays on HD and large The 2016 World Bridge four years ago, I did the screens Computer Software AEGEAN CLASSICS same, with similar effect. 2-15 November 2016 l Championships are Comprehensive manual Now we are in 2016, I scheduled to be held 14 day cruise l Feed in your own deals suggested he send me in Poland this coming enough about himself and l option Autumn. This is in OLD EMPIRES his love of to conjunction with the WBF 15-27 November 2016 l 5,000 preplayed hands make an article, but I have , so for teams now included it in Readers’ 13 day cruise the timing is just right. l 4,000 preplayed hands Letters, see page 32. If you are wanting an ADRIATIC to for matchpoint pairs Please give him a ring on Acol-playing piece of bridge l Save match function ( 012325 484523. VENICE software, the best available 27 Nov - 9 Dec 2016 l Closed room – button is QPlus. Buy QPlus 11 now MINERVA 13 day cruise to view other table for £99 and immediate delivery. Receive QPlus 12 Adjacent to this column is a l Receive QPlus 11 ITALIAN now and QPlus 12 at no extra charge at the list of cruises. There will be in October end of October when it is a Mr Bridge team on board OVERTURE released for sale, see to direct the daily duplicate, 9-21 December 2016 adjacent advert. make up numbers and 13 day cruise ensure there are no half OTHER SOFTWARE tables. On days at sea there FIESTAS de £99 will be morning seminars including post and packing Bernard Magee’s Acol and some supervised play NAVIDAD Bidding has seen an with an extra duplicate in 21 Dec - 3 Jan 2017 increase in sales now that it the afternoon. In other 14 day cruise can be used on an Apple words, the full Mr Bridge Mac. Still only £66. TRADE-IN service. Do remember that Hopefully, Declarer Play ATLANTIC ISLES OFFER you can opt to play as much 3-17 January 2017 will enjoy the same success or as little as you wish. Return any QPLUS now that the Mac Version is Phone for prices, brochures 15 day cruise CD and booklet with in stock and ready to be and to check availability. a cheque for £50 and shipped. Still only £76 and ARCHIPELAGOS receive QPLUS 11 including p&p. CROATIA 2017 17-30 January 2017 now and QPLUS 12 14 day cruise when ready at the 5 ISSUES ONLY £5 Bernard Magee will be end of October. leading a bridge party to In future, I shall be Croatia in 2017. VOLCANIC printing just enough copies Bristol, Edinburgh and East ISLANDS of my monthly magazine. Mr Bridge Midlands Airports have 30 Jan - 12 Feb 2017 ( 01483 489961 However, I currently have been added to Manchester, 14 day cruise www.mrbridge.co.uk some overs, so I have made Birmingham and Gatwick. up packs of the December, Supplements may apply. MARITIME IBERIA System: 8mb RAM, CD-ROM, January, February, March See advert on page 43. 12-25 February 2017 Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10 and April issues, 5 in all for All good wishes, 14 day cruise just £5. This is a way of trying BRIDGE to see if it Mr Bridge

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 5 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 49: Stately Homes

ave and Sally were visiting completely obvious. George’s head in hearts the contract went off one Norfolk on a short break with reappeared sporting a grin like the trick for minus 100 as I lost a spade, their ramblers club. Spouse Cheshire cat. He is clearly getting used two and two clubs. In the Dand I joined them for a walk starting to Millie’s strange ways. At the time pub later, Sally and I sipped herbal tea from the seventeenth century Felbrigg I thought that Sally and I were a bit much to the disapproval of Millie who Hall near the north Norfolk coast. unlucky in this awkward little deal, had a full brandy glass in her hand. As Leaving the estate behind us, we head- but it turned out to be a good score. usual the men were drinking pints of ed south through farming country on Millie was the dealer in the West seat. beer. It turned out that when Dave and the long-distance footpath, Weaver’s Spouse played the board, North had Way. We passed through small pictur- opened one spade. With a balanced esque hamlets and stopped for lunch Dealer West. Game All. seventeen count, Spouse overcalled at a village pub. Spouse introduced ♠ Q J 6 4 3 one no-trump. South then bid two Dave to some of the beers from the nu- ♥ A 10 clubs and Dave with a singleton club merous local micro-breweries before ♦ A J 10 3 bid two hearts knowing there should we continued the walk to Blickling ♣ 10 6 be at least two hearts opposite. Hall, built in the first part of the six- ♠ K 7 5 2 ♠ A 10 9 N ♥ 9 8 6 4 2 ♥ J 7 5 3 West North East South teen hundreds and the former home W E of the Boleyn family, well known for ♦ 8 4 2 S ♦ K Q 5 Dave Spouse their activities during the reigns of the ♣ 7 ♣ A K 3 Pass 1♠ 1NT 2♣ Tudors. There was just time for tea and ♠ 8 2♥ All Pass cake before we returned to Norwich ♥ K Q by minibus. ♦ 9 7 6 North led the ten of clubs and Dave Rather than attending a seminar ♣ Q J 9 8 5 4 2 won with the ace and played a trump. in the evening with the rest of their He won the club return in dummy and group on Rambling in the Nineteenth another trump cleared the suit. In all Century, Dave and Sally joined us for Millie passed and Sally opened one he lost two trumps, a diamond and a bridge at the Riverside. While Sally no-trump. With a good hand, George spade for an overtrick and plus 140. and I went through our system card, doubled and I was unsure whether to At this point Millie, clearly looking Spouse and Dave were in the bar bid two clubs or three clubs as both through rose tinted glasses, claimed checking the real ale on offer. They were non-forcing after the double. As that she too would have bid two returned with pint glasses already I could see that a contract hearts had I only bid two clubs, but half empty and joined us for the first might be on for the opposition, I hindsight and several brandies makes round of bridge. They were now quite decided on the latter action which wise bidding much easier. The men merry and seemed set for a carefree ended the auction. had already lost interest in bridge and evening. They allowed Sally and me continued their search for the perfect to get off to a good start on the first West North East South pint. Millie, of course, had already set of boards. A little later Millie and Millie Sally George Wendy discovered the perfect cognac. Dave George arrived at our table. ‘George, Pass 1NT Dbl 3♣ and Sally enjoyed their Norfolk trip can you see my two-pound coin on the All Pass both for the walking and the bridge. floor?’ enquired Millie. George’s head Judging by the amount of real ale disappeared under the table. ‘No, I Millie led the nine of hearts and as the men had consumed I think Dave didn’t see you drop it,’ he replied with dummy went down Sally apologised for enjoyed the beer as well. As Spouse a voice muffled by the green baize. ‘No, her one no-trump bid. She explained reminded me later, Norfolk is famous I lost it last week at this table. I hoped that she had a spade in with her clubs not only for its stately homes and long it might still be here,’ she announced and with two doubletons would have distance footpaths but also for its as if her request for a search was opened one spade. With wasted values micro-breweries. ■

Page 6 BRIDGE May 2016 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Mr Bridge Bidding Quizzes 1-3 2016 Tutorial on the Cover Weekends

away by bidding the opponents’ suit, but 1. Dealer East. Love All. it is better to try to find a fit before you ♠ 7 6 ♠ 8 2 show your strength, because otherwise ♥ K 8 4 3 N ♥ A J 9 7 you might find the bidding getting out of W E ♦ Q J 4 2 S ♦ K 5 hand (your opponents might well raise in ♣ J 3 2 ♣ A K 6 5 4 ). Denham Grove You do best to take the same action Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG as the previous hand (using the negative 1-3 July £215 West North East South double): showing your four-card heart 1♣ 1♠ suit straight away to see if hearts are an Further Into the Auction ? option, then after that you can show your Will Parsons strength by bidding the opponents’ suit Double. Early on in the auction when or rebidding in no-trumps. only suits have been bid, it is best Your opponents might well raise in to use your doubles for take-out. In spades, but when your partner shows this particular situation (suit opening, heart support here, you can try for slam. followed by suit ), the double has a name: the negative (or Sputnik) double. You are suggesting to your partner that you do not want to play in spades. The 3. Dealer East. Love All. Inn on the Prom double promises at least four cards in the ♠ A 6 3 ♠ 8 2 St Annes on Sea FY8 1LU unbid major. ♥ K 8 4 N ♥ A J 9 7 W E You only have seven high card points ♦ Q 6 4 3 2 ♦ K 5 15-17 July £199 S so you might consider passing, but all the ♣ 3 2 ♣ A K 6 5 4 Signals and Discards double shows is enough points to have Gwen Beattie responded at the one-level. In fact, you are basically saying, ‘Partner, I would West North East South have responded 1♥.’ 1♣ 1♠ Your double in this auction would allow ? your partner to compete to 3♥. 1NT. Once again, the opponents are making life awkward. This time, you would have responded 1♦, so what now? 2. Dealer East. Love All. Since the double promises 4+ hearts you ♠ A 6 ♠ 8 2 cannot use that. Your two-level responses Wyndham Garden ♥ K Q 4 3 N ♥ A J 9 7 should still show 10+ points – with a ♦ A Q 4 2 W E ♦ K 5 good five-card suit you might consider Grantham S Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT ♣ J 3 2 ♣ A K 6 5 4 upgrading your hand, but your diamonds certainly do not qualify for that. 21-23 October £199 Your hand is balanced and your only Stayman and Transfers West North East South weakness is in the suit your partner tba 1♣ 1♠ opened, so respond 1NT neatly showing ? your shape and values. Full Board Your partner can pass knowing that No Single Supplement* Double. You have the same shape as game is beyond reach. Had you re- the hand in the previous question, but this sponded 2♦, your partner would expect ( 01483 489961 ♠ time you have a strong hand (16 HCP) game (15+10), so will bid 2 (asking for www.mrbridge.co.uk opposite an opening bid. You might be a stopper) trying for no-trumps. 3NT is *subject to availability tempted to show that strength straight not likely to be much fun. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 7 Sally’s Slam of the Month Q PLUS 11 l Help and Hint buttons l Displays on HD and large screens l Comprehensive manual Slams Bid l Feed in your own deals £99 l Minibridge Receive QPlus 11 option now and QPlus 12 Without l 5,000 preplayed when ready at the end of October hands for teams and 4,000 preplayed hands for matchpoint pairs Blackwood Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk nce upon a time, when bridge In a similar vein, I am involved in was young, conventions had teaching some very ‘young’ players at yet to be invented. No-one the moment. ‘Young’ both in age and Ohad heard of Stayman or Blackwood. bridge-playing experience. TR AVEL These days I feel that too many players My best hope is that they remember feel that they cannot possibly bid that they need 12 points to open and 6 INSURANCE a slam without using Blackwood, to respond, rather than vice versa. To but that isn’t true. Blackwood was raise partner’s suit, you need support For your own quote from invented as a final check that there and 6-9 points for a single raise, 10-11 were not too many aces missing, not as for a jump raise and 12+ for a triple some panacea for telling you whether raise. Blackwood is on the distant or not you have twelve tricks. horizon. I like this deal sent in by Jim Dapre. So, when my partner raised my 1♥ He held: opening to 3♥, I simply bid the slam holding:

♠ 7 6 ♥ N ♠ A J ( 01268 524344 ♦ A Q J 9 8 6 5 W E ♥ A Q 7 6 2 S www.covercloud.co.uk ♣ A K 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 3 2 ♣ 5

In a teams match, vulnerable against not, he heard his partner open 1♠ and She obliged by presenting me with: the next hand overcall 2♥. What should he bid? Obviously 3♦ is the ‘normal’ bid but he felt that there were all sorts ♠ Q 8 5 of problems with that as he was sure ♥ K J 10 5 4 the next hand was bound to support ♦ 7 4 hearts. Somewhat controversially, he ♣ A K 6 decided to leap straight to 6♦. And after much umming and aahing this was passed out. Was he lucky or did he A little more than she had promised, get what he deserved? I grant you, but also more than I needed. ■

♠ A Q 5 4 2 N ♥ 7 3 Send your slam hands to W E ♦ K 10 3 S ♣ Q J 3 [email protected]

Page 8 BRIDGE May 2016 Answers to BERNARD MAGEE Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 4-6 at Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG. on the Cover 13-16 January 2017

tracts, when a lot of tricks can £399pp Friday – Monday 4. Dealer East. Love All. be made by ruffing). £369pp Friday – Sunday ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K 8 5 4 If you have the opponents ♥ K Q 4 2 N ♥ J 3 outgunned you should double 1 W E Full Board – No Single Supplement ♦ Q 8 7 4 S ♦ K 2 them – aiming for a nice pen- Limited places for Thursday night available. ♣ 9 6 5 ♣ K 8 7 4 alty, but also informing your £65pp single, £45pp double/twin. partner that your side has the majority of the points. West North East South I have a feeling that South 1♠ 1NT has made a common mistake Topics ? – he has overcalled 1NT on 12-14 when he should really MORE SIGNALLING Pass. No-trumps change have 15-18 (perhaps he did I will be looking at different times when you and the messages you might want to give. Using signals in new ways can everything – doubles of not see the opening bid). You greatly improve your enjoyment of defence as well as pushing up no-trumps tend to be for have taken the chance to pun- your scores. penalties, so you cannot ish his mistake. 4-4-4-1 HANDS double here because you are Everybody’s least favourite type of opening hand. I will be going too weak. What else might through the methods for choosing the right suit to open as well you call? as coping with responses. As responder you need to be aware of You have no support for 6. Dealer East. Love All. the options and work out your partner’s type of hand. Strong 4-4-4-1 hands can be just as difficult and will be dealt with too. partner’s suit and you have ♠ 7 6 N ♠ A K 8 5 4 W E a which sug- ♥ K 4 2 S ♥ J 3 DRAWING TRUMPS gests no-trumps. You should ♦ Q J 9 8 7 4 ♦ K 2 This seminar sounds straightforward, but we will not be simply pass and try to defend as ♣ 6 5 ♣ K 8 7 4 drawing trumps, we will be considering the reasons for delaying. Keeping control of trumps is an important part of declarer play. tightly as possible. Knowing when to risk leaving trumps out and when not.

West North East South FIVE-CARD MAJORS 1♠ 1NT Popular around the world, this method is becoming more popular here. It is not a method I would advocate for club players, 5. Dealer East. Love All. ? however it is important to understand the method as you will ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K 8 5 4 need to defend against it. ♥ K Q 4 2 N ♥ J 3 2♦. No-trump bids transform W E FUNDAMENTALS OF DEFENCE ♦ Q 8 7 4 S ♦ K 2 the auction in more than ♣ A 6 5 ♣ K 8 7 4 one way: they change the Defence is by far the hardest aspect of bridge: this seminar seeks to show the building blocks that can start you off on a meaning of the double, but wonderful journey. If you can get the basics right then the more they also change the meaning complicated aspects of defence can follow. West North East South of subsequent suit bids. SUPPORTING MINORS 1♠ 1NT If you have 9+ points you Minors as the name suggests are not as important as majors, but ? are going to double 1NT for we have to bid them and it is important to know your system. penalties, so this means that Bidding more 3NT contracts will get you better scores, but being Double. You have 11 high 2-level suit bids are going to able to spot a slam will put you a cut above. card points and your partner be weaker than that. In fact opened the bidding. Why are any new suit by you would 2 the opponents bidding no- show a weak-take-out type of 6 seminar sessions with Bernard trumps? hand: showing a reasonable 6 sessions of supervised play3 Doubles of no-trump bids six-card suit in a weak hand. are generally penalty based This hand fits this description Contact Mr Bridge to book your place because the number of points perfectly. or for further details: ( 01483 489961 ♦ tends to dictate the number Bid 2 and expect your 1Subject to availability 2Filmed 3Not with Bernard Magee of tricks (unlike in trump con- partner to pass. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 9 Letters from Overseas An Overdose of Minor Two Suiters by John Barr

lthough players often com- difficult to convince partner you have Another unlikely minor two-suiter plain about ‘computer dealt a 5-loser hand, so I lurched on with followed just a few hands later. hands’ as if the computer de- 6♣, knowing that he could convert Aliberately deals bizarre hands, the op- to 6♦. Partner was content to play in posite is actually true. Computer dealt clubs and 12 tricks were easy. Dealer South. N/S Game. hands are truly random, but we have ♠ Void got used to the flatter type of hands ♣♦♥♠ ♥ K that result from poorly shuffled packs. ♦ Q J 10 8 7 6 2 Having said that, I think the computer A few hands later I picked up another ♣ A K Q 7 5 was having a laugh when it dealt the minor two-suiter: ♠ Q ♠ 10 8 6 4 3 2 boards for a recent duplicate session. ♥ A Q J 10 8 6 5 4 N ♥ Void ♦ 9 3 W E ♦ A K 5 4 S Dealer North. Love All. ♣ 10 4 ♣ 9 8 6 Dealer North. Game All. ♠ Void ♠ A K J 9 7 5 ♠ 7 ♥ 5 ♥ 9 7 3 2 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 5 4 3 2 ♦ Void ♦ A 9 8 7 3 2 ♣ A K Q 10 6 3 ♣ J 3 2 ♣ K 9 7 4 3 2 ♠ K Q J 10 9 4 ♠ A 3 ♠ A K J 10 6 ♠ 9 3 2 ♥ K 7 6 N ♥ A Q J 8 4 3 2 W E ♥ 10 8 7 5 N ♥ Q J 6 3 2 ♦ 10 9 6 ♦ Void S I was North, South was dealer and the W E ♦ Q 10 4 ♦ K 6 5 ♣ 5 ♣ J 9 4 2 S auction proceeded: ♣ 8 ♣ Q J ♠ 8 7 6 5 2 ♠ Q 8 5 4 ♥ 10 9 West North East South ♥ A K 9 4 ♦ A J 8 7 2♠ ♦ J ♣ 8 7 4♥ 5♦ Dbl Pass ♠ A 10 6 5 5♥ 6♣ Dbl

I dealt as North and opened 2♣ (8 After the diamond ace lead I ruffed, I dealt as North and passed. My playing tricks in an unspecified suit). cashed the spade ace to discard the partner opened 1♣ (can be short, The full auction was: king of hearts, drew trumps and gave we play 5-card majors) and West up a diamond – making 12 tricks. overcalled a spade. I bid 2♦ and the West North East South How would you have bid these auction continued: 2♣ 4♥ Pass hands? Would 4NT over 4♥ on the Pass 5♦ Pass Pass second or third hands have been ace West North East South 5♥ 6♣ 6♥ Dbl asking, or showing a minor two- Pass Pass 1♣ suiter? And, most importantly, does 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ 3♥ Partner felt that an ace opposite a 2♣ your partner agree? Pass ? opening was sufficient for his penalty In the past, my reaction would have double, but then tried to cash the dia- been to shrug and say that it’s not I thought that partner must either mond ace rather than finding the un- worth worrying about as hands like have a with clubs and hearts, likely spade lead that would have de- this only happen once in a blue moon or a strong no-trump (we play 12-14). feated the contract. A few seconds later – but I’d have been wrong as all three Whatever you bid now, it’s going to be declarer had wrapped up 13 tricks. appeared in the same session. ■

Page 10 BRIDGE May 2016 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Mr Bridge Premium Quality Cards Bidding Quizzes 7-9 on the Cover

strength of an opening hand or better. 7. Dealer North. Love All. You have opening strength as well as ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K 3 2 your partner, so you should be thinking Standard Faces, ♥ K Q 8 7 4 N ♥ J 9 3 2 of a game contract. Without length in with or without bar codes. Unboxed. ♦ 8 7 4 W E ♦ 6 spades, your choice is between clubs 6 red/6 blue £19.95 S ♣ A 6 5 ♣ K Q 4 2 and no-trumps, and generally, unless 30 red/30 blue only £60

you have extreme distribution choosing Available from The London Bridge Centre. 3NT tends to win out. Nine tricks are so ( 020 7288 1305 www.bridgeshop.com West North East South much easier than eleven. 1♦ Dbl Pass 3NT will not always make, but it is a ? reasonable contract – you have eight top tricks and you might well make a heart 2♥. trick on the lead or later on. There are Three Your partner has made a take-out double, so wants you to show your best Kinds of suit. You should certainly respond in hearts, but you also need to consider at 9. Dealer North. Love All. Accountant . . . what level to respond. A 1♥ bid promises ♠ K 8 5 4 ♠ Q J 9 3 no strength at all – even with zero points ♥ A 9 6 2 N ♥ K 5 3 your partner would want you to respond. ♦ A 3 2 W E ♦ 9 S Those who When you have a reasonable hand, ♣ 7 6 ♣ A K 9 8 2 you should try to show it by jumping a can add up and level. With a hand of about 9-11 points or holding 8 losers you can jump and West North East South those who can’t. suggest a game might be on. 3♦ Dbl Pass After your 2♥ response, your partner ? with 6 losers himself will go for game. Made in the UK However, had you bid just 1♥, then 4♦. from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge your partner would have no reason to Once again, your partner has doubled contemplate game. for take-out. Starting at the 3-level, it is rarely easy to be accurate. With only 11 HCP, it is hard to be sure that game is on, but your three high cards are of the best 8. Dealer North. Love All. variety: aces and kings are very valuable. ♠ K 3 2 ♠ A 7 6 4 A high card in each of the majors and ♥ K 10 2 N ♥ 8 the ♦A make the hand worth going for ♦ 7 6 W E ♦ A J 8 5 3 game. S ♣ A Q J 5 3 ♣ K 9 2 Remember that a simple response of 3♥ or 3♠ is likely to be passed because you are promising no strength at all. The West North East South advantage of going for game is that you 2♥1 Dbl Pass can use a bid of the opponents’ suit to ? ask your partner to choose his preferred 1Weak two: 6 hearts 6-10pts major. This guarantees that you find the best fit. Your partner chooses 4♠ and you 3NT. end up in a great contract. Your partner’s double is for take-out: A bid of the opponents’ suit is artificial, he is showing shortage in hearts and showing strength and asking partner to support for the other suits as well as the bid again. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 11 Mr Bridge Catching Up with Sally Brock Celebration ridgewise, the most significant 2♦ (without that second suit we start Party Tie event for me in this period with a 1♠ response). So Nicola’s first was the Senior Camrose Tri- response was clear; my 2♠ was natural, Bals. I have played in these for the last denying four hearts, so when she bid few years, but never with any suc- 3♥ she knew I couldn’t have four and cess. However, we’ve never been able my raise to 4♥ was easy. She racked up £15 to give it our best shot. Two years ago lots of tricks – twelve – on a spade lead. including postage & Nicola couldn’t play and I partnered In the other room, North opened packing Robert Sheehan; last year Nicola and a weak no-trump and it was harder, I had just come back from China and though it shouldn’t have been. South were pretty jetlagged. This year Nicola started with Stayman and rebid 3♦ ( 01483 489961 had a dreadful cold and I had no high over the 2♠ response. With no real club expectations, but Robert and Barry stopper, North should clearly have bid www.mrbridge.co.uk played splendidly, and Nicola and I 3♥ (as partner was marked with four of had a couple of good cards when it re- them, and he had denied four when he ally mattered, so we won the trials and responded 2♠), but instead chose 3NT thus qualified to play in the Teltscher which ended the auction and went a CLUB Trophy in Edinburgh in May. We have quick one down after a club lead. added Colin Simpson and Norman Other bridge events are sauntering INSURANCE Selway to our team and Chris Dixon along. We won a NICKO match and as non-playing captain. So we are (a) a have played a couple of matches in this pretty strong team, and (b) a very con- season’s Super League: winning one Every club should be vivial one too. narrowly and losing one narrowly. covered and my inclusive This deal from the first match, which I’ve also been working hard selling package, to suit clubs of up we won heavily, worked well for our Briony’s Big Bridge Quiz. It seems to to 100 members for less than system: be going well. When I try to sell it in person, ie take a stack to the Young £75 per year, is the right Chelsea and ask people individually, package at the right price. Dealer West. E/W Vul. I get an amazingly positive response. ♠ Q J 9 8 But it’s much harder to sell through Ring FIDENTIA for a quote ♥ A K 7 ads and write-ups in magazines and ♦ J 10 newspapers. You’ve still got time to ( 020 3150 0080 ♣ 10 8 7 6 put in a last-minute – email ♠ 7 6 4 2 ♠ K 10 3 Briony at [email protected] ♥ 8 5 4 N ♥ 10 3 2 My mother has not been well in this W E ♦ Q 8 2 ♦ 6 5 S period and we have had a couple of ♣ K 4 3 ♣ A Q J 5 2 scares recently. However, both times DUPLICATE ♠ A 5 she has rallied and I hope she will last ♥ Q J 9 6 for a while yet. The plan is that she and BRIDGE ♦ A K 9 7 4 3 my father will shortly move into a re- ♣ 9 ally fantastic retirement village which RULES will be easier for them to live in and have support on hand, if necessary, 24 SIMPLIFIED West North East South hours a day. During the first afternoon Pass 1♣ Pass 2♦ of the Tollemache (inter-county teams (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ of eight) competition I had a phone call Pass 4♥ All Pass suggesting that the end was near, so I by John Rumbelow only left the event (Barry could play with and revised by £595 We solved this in next to no time. our non-playing captain Dick Davey) David Stevenson Because of the way we play transfer and rushed to their house. It was very responses to a 1♣ opening, when we worrying for a while but by the end of Available from Mr Bridge have diamonds we can’t respond 1♦. Sunday she was beginning to eat and ( 01483 489961 Our solution to this is to play that all drink a little, and from then on con- www.mrbridge.co.uk game-forcing hands with five or more tinued to improve. I stayed there until diamonds and a second suit start with first thing Wednesday morning … ■

Page 12 BRIDGE May 2016 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Better Hand Evaluation Bernard Magee

Bidding Quizzes 10-12 Introduction

Better Hand Evaluation is aimed at helping readers to add greater accuracy to their on the Cover bidding. It deals with auc- tions in which you and your partner, against silent op- ponents, can describe your might even give you more hands fully to each other and, by evaluating them ac- 10. Dealer East. Love All. than the value of a game. 12. Dealer North. Love All. curately, find the best final ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K 4 3 ♠ 7 6 5 ♠ K Q 3 contract. The emphasis of all ♥ K Q 4 2 N ♥ A 8 ♥ A 2 N ♥ K 8 7 6 good, accurate bidding is on W E W E hand evaluation. ♦ Q J 6 5 4 S ♦ 10 9 ♦ K J 4 3 S ♦ A 8 5 2 ♣ 7 2 ♣ A J 10 5 4 11. Dealer North. N/S Game. ♣ J 10 7 2 ♣ 9 5 There are two general types of ♠ A 2 ♠ K 10 9 4 auction: a) a fit is found and b) no fit is found. ♥ 7 6 N ♥ A Q J 3 W E When you do not have a fit, West North East South ♦ J 8 7 6 3 S ♦ Q 5 4 West North East South you are aiming to describe the 1♣ 1♠ ♣ K 9 8 6 ♣ A 2 1♣ Dbl 1♠ strength of your hand as soon Dbl 1NT Dbl Pass 2♦ 2♠ 3♦ 3♠ as possible, most often using ? ? no-trump bids. This book be- West North East South gins by discussing balanced- hand bidding in Acol, as it 1NT Dbl 2♣ Pass. Double. is very important that both The longer the auction goes ? Another complicated auc- members of a partnership on, the more difficult it can tion to cope with. Your part- have an accurate knowledge of be to understand. However, Double. ner doubled 1♣ on the first how to show hands of different strengths. a good general rule is that First, you need to identify your round, showing opening val- doubles of no-trumps are partner’s penalty double and ues and shortage in clubs. You When a fit is found, there is much re-evaluation of the for penalties. Your partner then remember that after one respond 2♦, despite South’s hand to be done; point count, opened 1♣, and after South’s penalty double, all subse- interference. Now the auc- though still important, needs 1♠ you made a negative dou- quent doubles are for penal- tion escalates and you should to be evaluated together with ble, showing 6+ points and ties. Next, you need to make take stock. Surely your part- distribution. The best way of reaching an accurate assess­ 4+ hearts (the unbid major). sure you notice the vulnerabil- ner should have some length ment is to use the Losing Trick North now bid 1NT and your ity. Your opponents are vul- in spades? His double of 1♣ Count; this is an important partner has doubled, which nerable and you are not. This suggests support for all the method of hand evaluation and considering it is for penalties means that taking a penalty suits. takes up a number of chapters. should show 15+ points. He may well be worth more than You are maximum for your Finally, we move on to different is suggesting that your side making a game contract. bid and can see that the op- forms of evaluation including has the majority of points and Your partner’s double ponents are out of their depth, game tries and splinter bids. You can never know enough since you have only shown 6 shows a good 15 or more. so double. Remember 3♠-2 methods of hand evaluation; he needs 15 to guarantee the You have 8 HCP, so you know might be OK for your oppo- the more you learn, the better requisite strength. your side has a good majority nents (-100) but your double you get at judging your hand. With a reasonably bal- of the strength and along with will make sure you get a great Although the Losing Trick anced hand and two extra that you have length in clubs, score. Count is used more easily in points you should pass, hope- so you should follow up with It might seem strange how tandem with your partner, a large proportion of the ideas ful of a healthy penalty. a penalty double of your own. the opponents have bid so in this book can be used by an North has gone wrong South was desperately try- high, but I imagine North individual. For example, eval- in the auction – if he didn’t ing to escape from 1NT dou- supported on 3-card support uating your hand to be worth like spades he should have bled and you have made sure and South then pushed a little an extra point is going to help anyone you partner – as long passed your double and East that he is still caught. You hard. However, pushing like as you get it right. would have rebid 1NT. Now, should take 2♣ doubled at this works very well when non- you would have had a difficult least two off which is worth vulnerable if your opponents £14 including UK postage decision, perhaps trying for at least 500 points and more never double. Your job is to Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 game. As it is, you have been than any game you might make sure you are the type of www.mrbridge.co.uk offered a nice penalty which have made. opponent that does double! ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 13 More Tips from Bernard Magee

www.brianbridge.net With a weak hand always respond App-based scoring for duplicate bridge in a suit at the 1-level if you can Individual – Pairs – Teams Café Bridge There are two very good reasons for l Players enter scores on their trying to show any suit you can at the Dealer West. E/W Game. iPad/iPhone/Android l No startup cost 1-level rather than responding 1NT. ♠ Q 10 5 l Play, direct or watch from The first is that you would like to find ♥ K 9 8 5 2 anywhere in the world a major-suit fit if you can, and a 1NT ♦ 9 2 Step into the future response denies holding a major that ♣ Q 9 7 of could have been bid at the 1-level. The ♠ 9 7 ♠ A 8 6 2 N second reason is because you allow ♥ A Q 3 ♥ 7 6 4 W E [email protected] your partner to rebid 1NT when he is ♦ A J 5 3 S ♦ K 7 4 strong, which allows the stronger hand ♣ A K J 2 ♣ 10 6 4 to be declarer – the lead goes up to his ♠ K J 4 3 hand and his strength is concealed. ♥ J 10 Here is a hand that ♦ Q 10 8 6 Life’s a GAME demonstrates the first reason: ♣ 8 5 3

but ♠ A K 7 3 ♠ 10 8 6 2 In the top auction, East shows his ♥ 9 5 N ♥ A 6 4 major suit and West’s rebid shows ♦ A 8 5 3 2 W E ♦ K 7 4 18-19 points which East raises to S BRIDGE ♣ J 2 ♣ 8 6 4 game. Note that it is the strong hand that ends up as declarer. This contrasts with the second auction is The auction should be simple: in which East overlooks his spade suit and bids 1NT. West raises to game, West North East South but it is the weaker hand as declarer. SERIOUS 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 3NT by West has the lead coming 2♠ All Pass up to the strong hand, which will often gain a trick: North chooses the ♥5 as Made in the UK from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge As opposed to: his lead and declarer wins the ♥Q, cashes the ♣K, crosses to the ♦K and West North East South then plays a club to the jack. North 1♦ Pass 1NT All Pass wins and plays another heart, but declarer wins, crosses to the ♣10 2♠ is a reasonable contract. However, and takes a diamond . When if East responds 1NT, then West passes that wins declarer has nine tricks. because he is weak and does not 3NT by East has the lead going expect to have a fit. The contract is not through West’s strength. On this so good: the defence will make their occasion, South would lead a spade clubs and establish their hearts, leaving and declarer would probably make declarer with just his five top tricks. one fewer trick, going one off in 3NT. This hand (in the next column) Furthermore, the defence will generally demonstrates the second reason: be easier because they can see where most of declarer’s strength lies: there West North East South are 19 points on display in dummy, as 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass opposed to the two solitary high cards 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass on show when 3NT was played by West. Some rules are made for breaking, West North East South but this one is not: with fewer than 10 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass points, always show a four-card suit at 3NT All Pass the 1-level if you can. ■

Page 14 BRIDGE May 2016 DEFENCE BRIDGE EVENTS 2016 QUIZ with Bernard Magee by Julian Pottage PROGRAMME (Answers on page 16) FRIDAY 1500 Mr Bridge ou are West in the defensive positions below playing Welcome Desk open teams or rubber bridge with both sides vulnerable. Both Y Tea or coffee on arrival sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT and 2♣ Stayman. Wyndham Garden 1745 to 1830 Grantham Welcome drinks Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT reception 1. ♠ J 7 6 5 3. ♠ J 5 3 ♥ A Q J 3 ♥ Q 10 8 5 12-14 August £245 1830 to 2000 ♦ K 7 4 ♦ J 4 Competitive Bidding Dinner ♣ A 7 ♣ J 10 6 4 9-11 September £245 2015 BRIDGE 1 ♠ K 9 ♠ 10 7 6 2 Supporting Majors DUPLICATE PAIRS ♥ 9 6 2 N ♥ J 7 N ♦ Q 10 5 2 W E ♦ A Q 8 5 W E SATURDAY S Chatsworth Hotel ♣ K Q 10 5 ♣ 9 7 3 S Worthing BN11 3DU 0800 to 0930 19-21 August £245 Breakfast Supporting Majors West North East South West North East South 1000 to 1230 Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ 2NT1 16-18 September £245 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3♣2 Pass 3♥ Better Leads & Switches of SET HANDS Pass 4♠ All Pass Pass 4♥ All Pass 28-30 October £245 (tea & coffee at 1100) 120-22 2Stayman Signals & Discards You lead the ♣K: ♣A, ♣2 1230 to 1330 and ♣3. At trick two, the You lead the ♠2 (or the ♠7 Cold Buffet Lunch Elstead Hotel ♠5 goes to the ♠2, ♠Q and if you prefer), headed by 1400 to 1645 Bournemouth BH1 3QP ♠K. What is your plan? the ♠9 and ♠A. Declarer BRIDGE 2 leads the ♥A followed by a 4-6 November £245 TEAMS of FOUR low heart. Partner wins Competitive Bidding 1815 to 2000 with the ♥K and switches to Dinner the ♦7, covered by the Blunsdon ♦10. What is your plan? 2015 BRIDGE 3 House Hotel DUPLICATE PAIRS 2. ♠ K 9 7 Swindon SN26 7AS ♥ A ♦ J 7 4 4. ♠ A 8 7 11-13 November £245 SUNDAY ♣ A K Q 7 4 2 ♥ A Partner of the Leader 0800 to 0930 ♠ A 6 5 ♦ Q J 10 4 Breakfast ♥ Q 10 9 2 ♣ Q J 9 4 2 N 1000 to 1230 ♦ K 10 5 W E ♠ Q 9 6 5 3 SEMINAR & S ♣ 9 6 5 ♥ 10 4 2 N SUPERVISED PLAY W E ♦ A 6 of SET HANDS S ♣ A 7 6 (tea & coffee at 1100) West North East South 1230 to 1400 ♣ ♦ Pass 1 Pass 1 Sunday Lunch Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ West North East South Denham Grove Near Uxbridge UB9 5DG Pass 4♦ Pass 5♦ 1NT 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 4 All Pass Pass 3NT All Pass 18-20 November £245 DUPLICATE PAIRS Penalty Doubles You lead the ♥10: ♥A, ♥6 You lead the ♠5, covered and ♥4. At trick two, the by the ♠7, ♠J and ♠K. At Full Board. No Single Supplement*. ♦4 goes to the ♦8, ♦Q and trick two comes the ♦2. ♦K. What is your plan? What is your plan? See www.mrbridge.co.uk for any new dates *subject to availability

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 15 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 15

West North East South You know that the ♦A will be the third 1. ♠ J 7 6 5 Pass 1♣ Pass 1♦ defensive trick. The fourth will probably ♥ A Q J 3 Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ need to come from spades. ♦ K 7 4 Pass 4♦ Pass 5♦ The snag is that you cannot safely ♣ A 7 All Pass continue the suit. Partner’s ♠9 at trick ♠ K 9 ♠ 10 3 2 one tells you that declarer has the ♠8. N ♥ 9 6 2 ♥ 8 7 5 You lead the ♥10: ♥A, ♥6 and ♥4. At You also infer from partner’s failure to W E ♦ Q 10 5 2 S ♦ A 8 6 trick two, the ♦4 goes to the ♦8, ♦Q and continue the suit that declarer has the ♣ K Q 10 5 ♣ 8 6 4 2 ♦K. What is your plan? ♠K. ♠ A Q 8 4 On the previous deal, the balanced If you lead the ♠10, the ♠J, ♠Q and ♠K ♥ K 10 4 opposing hands made defending pas- cover to leave the ♠8 high. If you lead ♦ J 9 3 sively correct. This time both opponents low, declarer plays low from dummy and ♣ J 9 3 have a long suit. You can ill afford to sit gobbles up the ♠Q with the ♠K. back waiting for tricks. You should simply cash the ♦A after Your only real chance to beat the taking the ♦Q and exit passively in clubs. West North East South contract – your objective at teams Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ or rubber bridge – is to underlead Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT the ♠A. If partner has the ♠Q but not Pass 4♠ All Pass the ♠J, declarer must guess whether 4. ♠ A 8 7 you have led from the ♠Q (and play low ♥ A You lead the ♣K: ♣A, ♣2 and ♣3. At trick from dummy) or the ♠A (and put up the ♦ Q J 10 4 two, the ♠5 goes to the ♠2, ♠Q and ♠K. ♠K). ♣ Q J 9 4 2 What is your plan? ♠ Q 9 6 5 3 ♠ J 4 2 Your partner’s discouraging ♣2 and ♥ 10 4 2 N ♥ Q 9 7 6 3 South’s 2NT rebid suggest that the ♣J is ♦ A 6 W E ♦ 9 8 3 S on your right. You do not want to cash the 3. ♠ J 5 3 ♣ A 7 6 ♣ 8 5 ♣Q and set up the ♣J. Should you switch ♥ Q 10 8 5 ♠ K 10 to a diamond? On the bidding, partner ♦ J 4 ♥ K J 8 5 cannot really have the ♦A-J. Leading a ♣ J 10 6 4 ♦ K 7 5 2 diamond is very risky if partner has the ♠ 10 7 6 2 ♠ Q 9 4 ♣ K 10 3 ♦A but not the ♦J: your initial pass has ♥ J 7 N ♥ K 9 2 given away that you cannot have the ♠K, ♦ A Q 8 5 W E ♦ 9 7 6 3 2 S the ♣K-Q and the ♦A. You should just ♣ 9 7 3 ♣ K 5 West North East South exit passively with a trump or a heart, ♠ A K 8 1NT leaving the diamond suit alone. ♥ A 6 4 3 Pass 3NT All Pass ♦ K 10 ♣ A Q 8 2 You lead the ♠5, covered by the ♠7, ♠J and ♠K. At trick two comes the ♦2. What 2. ♠ K 9 7 is your plan? ♥ A West North East South Partner’s ♠J at trick one tells you that ♦ J 7 4 2NT1 the ♠10 is on your right. If partner holds ♣ A K Q 7 4 2 Pass 3♣2 Pass 3♥ the ♦K, you would like to and let ♠ A 6 5 ♠ Q 10 4 3 2 Pass 4♥ All Pass the next spade come through declarer. ♥ Q 10 9 2 N ♥ 8 7 6 5 3 120-22 2Stayman However, if partner holds the ♦K, declarer W E ♦ ♦ K 10 5 S 8 would surely have attacked clubs rather ♣ 9 6 5 ♣ J 8 You lead the ♠2 (or the ♠7 if you prefer), than diamonds. ♠ J 8 headed by the ♠9 and ♠A. Declarer leads You have only one real chance of ♥ K J 4 the ♥A followed by a low heart. Partner beating the contract: hope the ♠10 is ♦ A Q 9 6 3 2 wins with the ♥K and switches to the ♦7, now bare. Hop up with the ♦A (you do ♣ 10 3 covered by the ♦10. What is your plan? not want declarer to switch to clubs) and You begin by winning with the ♦Q. continue with the ♠Q. ■

Page 16 BRIDGE May 2016 Beginners’ Bridge Corner DECLARER Sorry Partner! PLAY 2NT-4NT is Quantitative QUIZ by David Huggett Not Blackwood (Answers on page 18)

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

rriving at Joan’s, Mary play in diamonds but then was even quieter than thought better of it and 1. ♠ 9 2 3. ♠ 7 6 usual. Thankfully finally bid 6NT instead. ♥ 10 2 ♥ A 8 6 4 3 A ♦ ♦ no-one noticed. Mary hadn’t North’s of the K J 8 7 5 4 K J 5 slept well at all last night. ♥K was on the table. West ♣ A 6 5 ♣ A Q 9 She kept waking up, aware counted her winners. there was a problem but ♠A-K-Q-J = 4, ♥A = 1, N N W E ♣ W E couldn’t quite fathom it A-K-Q=3. Total 8. Hope- S S out. She had a feeling that fully, she could set up two there was something wrong winners in diamonds, the ♠ A 7 5 ♠ A K 2 between Liam and Anne queen and jack, once she’d ♥ K 3 ♥ K Q J 7 2 but she didn’t quite know knocked out the ace with the ♦ A 6 ♦ A 6 4 what. She couldn’t put her king. Total 10. Even then that ♣ Q J 10 9 7 2 ♣ 8 3 finger on it. She wished would still be two whole tricks she could shake this feeling short. She really couldn’t un- ♥ off. But her thoughts kept derstand why East had gone You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 6 and ♥ ♠ coming back to last night slamming. Whatever was and West leads the 7. West leads the J. How do ♥ and her son’s visit. ‘I really East thinking about bidding East plays the Q. How do you plan the play? must concentrate,’ she said 6NT. They hadn’t got enough you plan the play? to herself as the bidding for points for a slam. West did the next hand commenced. her best but went down one, losing the ♥Q and ♦A. West North East South East said, ‘Sorry partner ♠ ♠ 2NT1 Pass 4NT2 Pass but I didn’t know what 2. A 7 4. 7 3 2 ♥ ♥ 5♦ Pass 6NT All Pass your 5♦ bid meant.’ West Q J 10 3 K 6 ♦ ♦ 120-22 said, ‘Surely you know, I K J 6 A Q 10 5 4 ♣ ♣ 2Quantitative bid. told you I’d only got one 8 7 5 4 K 7 5 Pass if minimum: 20/21 HCP; ace.’ The penny dropped! Bid 6NT if maximum: 22 HCP. Both partners apologised N N W E W E profusely, ‘Of course, I’m so S S sorry,’ West said, ‘I thought ♠ ♠ ♠ A Q J 7 ♠ K 8 3 it was Blackwood.’ Joan said K Q J 10 6 5 K Q 6 ♥ Void ♥ A 10 4 2 ♥ J 10 3 N ♥ A 9 8 7 soothingly, ‘An easy mistake W E ♦ A Q 4 ♦ J 9 3 ♦ K Q J S ♦ 8 7 4 to make. Mary can put us ♣ ♣ ♣ K Q J ♣ A 6 3 right on the bidding while I A K 3 2 A Q 2 bring in the tea and cake.’ What should West have ♠ East wriggled in the chair. bid over the quantitative You are declarer in 6 and You are declarer in 3NT ♣ ♠ She didn’t know what to 4NT bid? With 20 HCP and West leads the 9. East and West leads the 5. ♣ ♠ make of West’s 5♦ bid. After a balanced hand there was plays the 6. How do you East plays the J. How do what seemed an age, East only one correct bid and it plan the play? you plan the play? considered 6♦, thinking necessitated taking out the her partner might want to green pass card. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 17 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 17

You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads outstanding trumps. Now play the re- 1. ♠ 9 2 the ♣9. East plays the ♣6. How do you maining top spade and the losing ♥ 10 2 plan the play? spade in dummy. ♦ K J 8 7 5 4 With eleven top tricks, any hope of es- Come back to hand with the ♦A and ♣ A 6 5 tablishing that extra trick in clubs is non- lead a low club, covering whatever card ♠ K J 3 ♠ Q 10 8 6 4 existent, because the play to the first trick West happens to play. East will most likely ♥ A J 9 7 4 N ♥ Q 8 6 5 surely marks West with a singleton. In win – if he doesn’t you have your contract ♦ 10 9 3 W E ♦ Q 2 any event, there is a much better line that – but he will be hopelessly endplayed. A S ♣ 8 3 ♣ K 4 is highly likely to succeed. diamond return is up to a tenace, as is ♠ A 7 5 Win the lead and play two rounds a club, while a spade return allows you ♥ K 3 of trumps ending in dummy, then lead to ruff in one hand while discarding your ♦ A 6 the ♥Q, discarding a club if East plays diamond loser from the other. ♣ Q J 10 9 7 2 low. Suppose West wins and returns a diamond. Win in hand with the ace and draw any outstanding trumps and then You are declarer in 3NT and West leads play a diamond to the jack. 4. ♠ 7 3 2 the ♥7. East plays the ♥Q. How do you Now lead the ♥J and throw your last ♥ K 6 plan the play? small club if East plays low. If East cov- ♦ A Q 10 5 4 You need to bring one of the minor ers the heart, then trump and re-enter ♣ K 7 5 suits in for no loss but which one? In cas- dummy with a diamond to pitch your club ♠ A 10 8 5 4 ♠ J 9 es like this, it is best if you aim to combine loser on the now master heart. If East ♥ 9 7 5 N ♥ Q J 8 3 your chances and you can do that easily plays a top heart initially, then declarer ♦ 8 2 W E ♦ K 7 6 S enough here. So, win the opening lead just ruffs and later sets up a heart winner ♣ J 9 3 ♣ 10 8 6 4 and play a diamond to the king followed by force. ♠ K Q 6 by a diamond to the ace. If the queen ♥ A 10 4 2 falls doubleton you are home, but if not ♦ J 9 3 play the ♣Q and run it if West plays low. ♣ A Q 2 Even if West holds three clubs to the king, 3. ♠ 7 6 you still have a spade entry to hand to ♥ A 8 6 4 3 enjoy the rest of the suit and this is why it ♦ K J 5 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads was necessary to play the ♦K before the ♣ A Q 9 the ♠5. East plays the ♠J. How do you ♦A. Playing those cards the other way ♠ J 10 9 8 ♠ Q 5 4 3 plan the play? round might well lead to tangled entries. ♥ 9 5 N ♥ 10 If the diamonds behave you are going ♦ 9 3 2 W E ♦ Q 10 8 7 to be all right whatever you do, but you S ♣ 10 7 4 2 ♣ K J 6 5 have to address the problem of the dia- ♠ A K 2 mond finesse failing. 2. ♠ A 7 ♥ K Q J 7 2 You know from the Rule of Eleven that ♥ Q J 10 3 ♦ A 6 4 East holds at least two spades, but if he ♦ K J 6 ♣ 8 3 holds just two and returns the suit when ♣ 8 7 5 4 in with the ♦K, you will go down in a con- ♠ 9 3 2 ♠ 8 4 tract you should make. ♥ K 8 6 4 N ♥ A 9 7 5 2 You are declarer in 6♥ and West leads Simply let East win the opening trick. ♦ 10 9 7 5 2 W E ♦ 8 3 the ♠J. How do you plan the play? No switch will harm you, but now if he S ♣ 9 ♣ Q J 10 6 Although at first glance the success or gets in with the ♦K, he will either have ♠ K Q J 10 6 5 failure of this contract seems to depend no spades left or the suit broke 4-3 ini- ♥ Void upon a couple of , there are tially, which would limit your losses to ♦ A Q 4 in fact always twelve tricks there for the three spades and a diamond. It is easy to ♣ A K 3 2 taking. with the ♠A, less easy with the Win the spade lead and draw all the ♠K-Q. ■

Page 18 BRIDGE May 2016 Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions How has Acol Changed Over the Last 50 Years?

lthough the basic structure has remained the same, more bids are forcing than in days of old and the Example 1 West East range for certain bids has changed slightly. ♠ 3 ♠ K Q 9 2 1♦ 1♠ A1. A change of suit rebid by opener is now forcing either if it ♥ A Q J 2 N ♥ 10 7 3 2♥ 3♦ W E is a reverse (eg 1♦-1♠-2♥) or if the response was at the two ♦ A J 9 3 2 S ♦ Q 8 4 3NT All Pass level (eg 1♠-2♣-2♦). Playing such rebids as forcing obvi- ♣ A K 7 ♣ 8 4 2 ates the need to jump on hands with extra values and so leaves more room for exploring the best contract. 2. A two-over-one response now shows at least a good 9 If opener had to jump to 3♥ to force, it would be impossible points. Weaker hands that cannot raise or show a suit at to stop in 3NT. the one level respond 1NT. The wider range for the 1NT response adds definition to the two-level response, which makes it easier to find the best game or slam. Example 2 West East 3. An opener’s reverse after a two-level response (eg ♥1 -2♣- ♠ A 8 ♠ J 4 1♥ 2♣ ♠ ♠ ♦ ♥ K J 9 4 2 ♥ Q 10 3 2NT 3♥ 2 ) and an opener’s non-jump 2NT rebid (eg 1 -2 -2NT) N are now game forcing. It was inefficient for opener to have ♦ K 9 2 W E ♦ A 8 3 4♥ All Pass S to jump to show extra values. The extra space is useful in ♣ A Q 3 ♣ K 10 8 4 2 allowing responder to return to opener’s first suit at the three level, e.g. 1♠-2♦-2NT-3♠ shows three-card support and offers a choice of games. If opener had to jump to 3NT to show better than 15-16, 4. A double jump response to a major-suit opener is nor- there would be no space to investigate the 5-3 heart fit. mally now a splinter, showing a raise to game of opener’s major with a shortage in the suit bid. Knowing where responder’s shortage lies helps opener judge whether the Example 3 West East hands fit well. The older treatment of playing 4♣ and 4♦ ♠ 8 ♠ Q J 4 2 1♥ 4♣ as ‘Swiss’ was more complicated and the even older treat- ♥ K J 9 6 4 2 ♥ A 10 8 3 4NT 5♥ N ment of playing these jumps as pre-emptive was some- ♦ K Q 2 W E ♦ A 9 8 3 6♥ All Pass what pointless. ♣ A 8 3 S ♣ 10 5. It is now usual to play opener’s 1NT rebid (when playing a weak 1NT opening) as showing 15-17 (rather than 15-16) and a 2NT jump rebid as 18-19 (rather than 17-18). The The 4♣ splinter response, showing four hearts (at least), one big advantage of increasing the maximum point count on club (at most) and game values is music to West’s ears. A-x-x the 1NT and 2NT rebids is that opener no longer needs to is a great holding facing a known short suit. jump all the way to 3NT to show 19 points. 6. It is now common to play opening bids of 2♥ and 2♠ as weak, say 6-10 points and a six-card suit. These weak Example 4 West East hands occur more frequently than Acol strong two hands ♠ A K 8 ♠ J 9 7 4 2 1♥ 1♠ and make life difficult for the opposition. You can handle ♥ K J 9 6 N ♥ Q 8 3 2NT 3♥ W E hands that are strong but not game forcing either by play- ♦ A 9 4 2 S ♦ K J 3♠ 4♠ ing both 2♣ and 2♦ as artificial (‘Benjamin’) or by open- ♣ A 3 ♣ 10 4 2 All Pass ing at the one level. 7. Having a hand with a five-card major is now more accept- able for a 1NT opening than it used to be. The advantage The space saved with the 2NT rebid on 19 points allows of this is that when opener bids and rebids a major, part- room to explore the best game. Each player in turn is able to ner now has a good idea that opener has either six cards in show three-card support for partner’s suit. 3NT is likely to the suit or a strong five-card suit. go down – and the old 3NT rebid would have left you stuck Let us see the above in action. there. 4♠ is a much better contract. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 19 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

Who Can Point Out an Insufficient Bid?

I would which is to correct 1♠ to 2♠ this table, I have sympathy you had done so, then North appreciate without penalty (assuming for the fact that they do: would have made any legal Qyour view on both 1♠ and 2♠ are natural): if the table that is behind call, but South would have the following. As West, however the Law Book says followed correct behaviour had to pass for the rest of I opened 1♥, North that South has already made the problem would not arise. the auction and there would passed, East replied 1NT his choice and must stick to The practice is not good be lead penalties on South if and South overcalled it, so his bid becomes 2♠. but probably acceptable your side finished up playing 1♠. North pointed out in the circumstances. the contract. Perhaps North the insufficient bid and ♣♦♥♠ would not have passed South immediately ♣♦♥♠ when told of his options. corrected to 2♠. How After the director would you rule? Is North has asked We had a bidding ♣♦♥♠ permitted to point out Qplayers to move problem a few the insufficient bid? Is to the next round, can Qdays ago which I Our club uses South’s 2♠ unauthorised a player take a board hope you can help with. Scorebridge and information? If I from another table I was East and opened Qcomputer dealt accept the 1♠ bid, to pass on whilst the 1♥, South doubled, my hands but we don’t have and bid 2♥, are there players are still playing partner passed and Bridgemates. The scorer restrictions on North? or scoring the last North doubled. As we takes home the travellers David Kaye, Edinburgh. board? Personally I don’t were all staring at him, and types the declarer, like this practice, as it he then realised what contract, tricks and lead West can accept disrupts concentration he had done, apologised into the computer and the 1♠ bid and the in play. I cannot see then passed. We didn’t Scorebridge calculates A bidding goes on any advantage in it call the director, but the scores. Hence when from there without restriction, as it cannot speed up can you tell me how to the results are emailed since condoning the the play. Please could handle this situation to the members they see insufficient bid regularises you let me know the please? The result of the the full travellers, not the position. Technically, rulings (if any). board was a bottom for just the scores. However, the fact he was willing to Ron Turner by email. us as I passed. N/S were the score calculated by correct to 2♠ is unauthorised in various contracts, the computer from the to partner, but it is difficult This is tricky, because mainly 1♠ or 2♠. inputted data doesn’t to see how this information when the move is Barbara Shewan, always agree with the can affect matters. A called, politeness Birmingham. score written on the Any player may point out and good practice require a traveller. The question an irregularity during the table that is still playing or It is very difficult to is, which is correct? bidding, so North is perfectly scoring to pass one board think of any reason Sometimes it’s obvious entitled to do so. If West on immediately, but sadly A not to call the eg 4♥ makes 10 tricks does not accept the 1♠ bid players often do not. So, director for a simple technical scored as 790 on the then the director will give while players from another problem which the director traveller, clearly they the table the options, one of table should not approach will read from the book. If forgot to write X beside

Page 20 BRIDGE May 2016 4♥. What about 2♥ made should only change that played to the next trick. that allows a director to 9 tricks scored as +110, if completely obvious, for This would seem to stop play part way through is the score or the tricks example if 4♥ makes by contravene Law 66 C a board. Making you finish correct? North writes up N/S at one table, and E/W and the opponent quite a board at the end is very the traveller and East at every other table then naturally objected. The strange since what is to is supposed to check, he changes the one table. Law seems quite clear stop partners talking to but East tends to check He can use his judgement, that this is not allowed one another about it? the score and is less but his default should but it does not say what concerned about the always be to take the the penalty, if any, might ♣♦♥♠ other data, especially score. A few examples: be. Can you elucidate? if the table is running 2♥ = scored as David Barker, Aylesbury. Some weeks late. Sometimes the 140, take 140. ago you wrote score is a plus when 3♥ +1 scored as There are no laid- Qan article giving it should be a minus, 420, take 420. down penalties for guidelines on the length looking at the other 6♥ = not vulnerable scored A most infractions of of time recommended for scores on the traveller, as 1430, change to 980. the Laws. The director has various board numbers the lead and the hand 4♠ +1 vulnerable scored wide powers to penalise as per table. I note that printout might resolve as 450, change to 650. he sees fit. In this case, I in the EBU ‘Running a it. We sometimes phone As for unfair scores, that’s would admonish the player Duplicate Event’ booklet, people but they aren’t life, but there is no better and tell her not to ask the guideline states 25 always at home and you solution. No sympathy is again after her own card minutes is sufficient can’t phone everyone. required for the pairs at was face down, and would for four boards and Some clubs collect a the table, since one side admonish her partner and that it is good practice personal scorecard from writes the score, the other tell her not to accede to to announce, ‘Move,’ each pair and use that checks it. I do not approve such a request in future. when some boards to clear up any traveller of taking the scorecards A procedural penalty of are still in play. errors. However we because some people like 10% of a top (commonly One of our members don’t do that because to keep theirs, some people referred to as a fine) would insists that they should players like to keep their do not like to fill one in, be suitable if the player had be allowed 28/30 scorecard to compare it to and both seem reasonable been warned previously, minutes. We are a the hand printout given approaches to me. We but does it again. small club with various out at the end of play. always recommended a nationalities and I try to You could say that if one-week correction period, ♣♦♥♠ be fair to all. I am not a a traveller has an error ie scores may be amended, qualified director and then the players are if the director is convinced, A situation direct only because I responsible. If the error until the start of next week’s recently arose at have been asked by the can’t be resolved by the session. You will then get the Qour club where majority of the members. methods above, the club occasional late correction the director asked a table The complainant says should have a policy where pairs were unavailable to play a board at the she has written to the of either accepting the by phone but both pairs are end as they were slow contract/tricks or the in agreement it was wrong. and holding everyone who have told her that score and if this was not up. Afterwards, I said 30 minutes is the norm. what actually happened ♣♦♥♠ that, as the bidding was This problem is causing then too bad. However complete and the lead unrest. I have announced this means that one There was a had been made, this and put on the notice pair had gained a score contretemps at was not an option and I board that if any table they didn’t achieve in Qa table in the referred to your comment has not started their play and the others club when a player, in BRIDGE (April 2012). final board before all playing their way are having failed to see or Unfortunately I could not the other tables have unfairly disadvantaged. remember the cards remember the precise finished, then I will Ian Dalziel, Troon, played to the previous law that this was based move everyone on with South Ayrshire. trick, asked her partner on and would be grateful the slower table able to to show the card she had if you would clarify this. play it at the interval, It is a common played to it, which her Derek Cannell, or take an average problem, and it partner did, although Bangor, Northern Ireland. if the occurrence is A has been resolved the cards had already after the interval. over the years by accepting been turned over. There is no law that This meets with the the score written down, In fact, I believe her you can quote, just approval of our members. in principle. The scorer opponent had already A that there is no law Fred Sleight by email.

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 21 There is no accepted Should it not be universal as weak with 5-4 in a as I felt the principle norm for a round practice for the director major and a minor. involved wasn’t worth A because different to call upon any other Should N/S have fully the unpleasantness at clubs play at different speeds. director in the room and explained their new the table. I am aware If the general club players delegate the problem system before play that at the time, ‘the are happy with 25 minutes a to him to deal with the commenced? What, director is always round except one member, matter as a neutral if any, action could right,’ my gripe is he I would suggest to her that person? Anything less E/W take? Do E/W wouldn’t even consider she finds another club. than that will always have any redress? a mechanical error. The EBU has no authority be unsatisfactory. Huw Jones by email. The club doesn’t have over the detailed running Bill Acraman, Meridian BC, an appeals system and of clubs even if they are East Grinstead. It is difficult to find the director in question affiliated. I am surprised at much sympathy is the club’s most 25 minutes, though it would You may think it A for East-West. The experienced director. suit some clubs. There is unsatisfactory, but point of alerting is to tell My partner, instead certainly a tendency for A often it is the only opponents it might be worth of properly bidding rounds of fewer boards to practical solution. There asking a question, and the his hand, felt in the take longer per board, owing may be no other suitable opponents did not bother. circumstances he had to the time in moving and director, or there may be However, as regards the to bid 2♥ which wasn’t so forth. One suggestion no-one else prepared to system, do they have system makeable and we I have heard is seven help. Certainly, when it is cards? That is the normal got a bottom, which I minutes per board plus a book ruling rather than way to tell opponents your hasten to add is of no one minute, so 15, 22, 29, a judgement, most players methods in Wales. Of consequence. When 36 minutes for 2, 3, 4, 5 will be happy that the course, if no-one in your my hand went down, board rounds, respectively. director rules, especially if club does then it is difficult to the director said I had A timer helps, though it may he shows them the ruling in insist, but if some pairs do, intended to and should be impractical if you do not the book. Judgement rulings then pairs playing unusual have bid 2♦ with my have your own premises. should always be given methods should do so. As to hand, which he would It is normal to stop any after consultation anyway, announcing their approach have bid had he had it. board not started when the so others are involved. at the start of the round, as I did have the diamonds round is called, and to call Nevertheless, I have more required in Scotland, that ie A-Q-x-x-x-x, but the round when about sympathy for your position would be unusual and not my query is about 30% of tables are still in when a judgement ruling required in Wales, unless mechanical error. play. If it is not possible to is concerned. Perhaps the the club made such a rule. A few tables further play a board, it is scored fairest thing to say is that on, North bid 1NT, as average unless one side getting another director ♣♦♥♠ South pulled out 1NT was clearly at fault, in which to rule at your table is an instead of his intended case it is scored as average excellent idea if it is practical, Recently, I 2♣ and said so at the minus/average plus. but it is accepted there was bidding time. We didn’t bother I would suggest that you are times when it is not. Qand made a to call the director make a decision that suits the mechanical error. I and just said bid 2♣. I majority of club members, ♣♦♥♠ pulled out 1♦ instead of couldn’t see the point publish it, follow it, and take 1NT which was the bid of calling the director. no notice of a single person At a recent club I had intended to make Am I correct in who says it should be done duplicate the in reply to my partner’s my beliefs that: 1. a otherwise, even if they do Qbidding went: 1♥ bid. I was playing mechanical error can quote some authority. against the director who be corrected and 2. West North East South immediately classed it as that directing isn’t ♣♦♥♠ 2♣ Pass 2♦ an insufficient bid and about what the director All Pass tried to make me make would have bid with You have the bid good according a particular hand. recently dealt Both bids were alerted. to the usual conditions Name and address supplied. Qwith a number As most pairs in the club of an insufficient bid. of problems with hands play 2♣ as a game force I insisted on making The words involving the director, or some form of Benji, the my 1NT bid and the mechanical error who then proceeded opponents did not ask situation was generally A do not appear in to adjudicate on the about the bidding until unpleasant. Later, the laws. If you make an problem. The director the end of the auction, I wished I had just unintended call and change it cannot be truly impartial. when 2♣ was explained made the 1♦ bid good or attempt to change it

Page 22 BRIDGE May 2016 without pause for thought would not have led this from the realisation of the second suit. I had dif- Everyday Bridge error, and your partner has ficulty finding a ruling not called subsequently, then and concluded that the Adventures by Dennis Zines you may change it to the call incident was an unfortu- you mean to make. Perhaps nate ‘rub of the green’. Reviewed by David Huggett you should politely ask your Tony Cordery by email. Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 9781785541322 £6.99 director to read Law 25A from the Law Book if you The dummy is ennis Zines is not a get a similar case in future. required to put his name you are likely ♠ J 4 3 However, the director A hand down in a Dto have come across ♥ J 4 has to judge whether it is specific way, which he did unless you are Australian ♦ A J 9 an unintended call or not, not. Therefore, this is an and, even then, perhaps ♣ A 10 8 4 2 certainly not the player, so infraction. Since there is no not, for according to the ♠ 10 5 ♠ A K Q 8 2 you cannot change it without stated penalty or redress author he is little more than ♥ A 10 8 5 2 ♥ 9 7 6 penalty without the director’s for this infraction then Law an average player, although ♦ 7 6 5 N ♦ 8 4 3 2 W E agreement. There is a slight 12A1 applies, which says I think that statement is im- ♣ K 9 7 S ♣ J problem in that players have (paraphrased) that if there bued with a degree of mod- ♠ 9 7 6 learnt the term ‘mechanical is no stated redress in a law, esty after reading of some of ♥ K Q 3 error’ and gleefully claim then the director may give an his bridge exploits. ♦ K Q 10 any mistake of any sort adjusted score if the non- In any event, this is like ♣ Q 6 5 3 to be a mechanical error. offending side was damaged. no other bridge book you Having said that, most You were the non-offending are ever likely to have read players just change it and side: you were damaged: being more or less a com- Declarer won in hand and allow such changes, without the director thus adjusts. pendium of things that have now took the only line to involving the director. It does either gone disastrously scoop all five club tricks by not sound as though your ♣♦♥♠ wrong or miraculously right. leading the queen, smother- director understood this law The hands have been chron- ing the jack and setting up a nor was willing to apply it, One of my icled assiduously by the au- finesse position against the but he is the arbiter of the partners, thor in an attempt to garner nine. Well done declarer! game, and when he decided Qa qualified some reason as to why we I may be being fanci- to treat it as an insufficient director, claims there is continue to play this most ful but I got the feeling as I bid, whether he is right or a minimum point count frustrating of games. Most read this book that as time wrong, you have to accept it, for a one level opening of the time, the hands are went by the author was feel- subject to any later appeal. bid. I believe that there interesting but not all, and ing less and less tolerant of You cannot insist on bidding is no limit as psyches are there is a tedious section on his partners and teammates 1NT without penalty. The allowed. Who is right? hands which are bid to a whilst at the same time being director also has no right Peter Oates by email. reasonable enough contract more and more forgiving of to try to teach you, and he only for them to founder on his own ‘wrong views.’ I like should never be saying what You are not allowed the rocks of distribution. So that because it shows what you should have done. to open on less what? We all have hard luck we all believe but hardly A than 8+ HCP stories to tell and it’s a bit ever dare mention and that ♣♦♥♠ by agreement, and by like listening to other peo- is the undoubted fact that we agreement you may not open ple’s illnesses when we want would all be world champi- I led and dummy on fewer than 18 opening to talk about our own. ons but for the person sitting was tabled. I points, ie less than the rule I’m not sure what the opposite. Qwon the first of 18. Of course you may moral is concerning the fol- If you hope to be a better trick and switched to psyche any call so long lowing hand when fairly ter- bridge player after reading another suit. Declarer as partner is not aware, rible bidding is followed by this book you will probably called for a small card but when someone refers a normal, but unsuccessful, be disappointed, but you from dummy which then to minimum point counts, defence and well thought will be able to identify with exposed another high they are referring to what out declarer play. South de- the dramatis personae at the significant card of that agreements are permitted, clared 3NT after two bids table. At £6.99 it represents same suit. Had this been they are not referring to and, as the author points good value for money and visible from the onset, I psyches. ■ out, East should probably is a welcome change from double for an unusual lead, so many of the identikit E-mail your questions (including your postal address) but that didn’t happen. West bridge books which current- ■ on bridge laws to: [email protected] led a low heart. ly abound.

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 23 2129 Mr Bridge third page ad 160511BR_Layout 1 2 Night of the Stars by Bernard Magee Greece n February 25, a huge array of bridge stars gathered for a HAND 20. Dealer West. Game All. & the spectacular charity event. The ♠ J 10 9 8 4 2 Ostars included , Andrew ♥ K 8 3 Adriatic Sea Robson, and a veritable ♦ 7 who’s who of British and International ♣ A K 2 hosted by bridge, with many world champions ♠ A K Q 6 5 ♠ 7 3 N ♥ 10 9 7 ♥ Q 5 4 SHEILA ROGERS present. This was the ninth such gath- W E and GWEN BEATTIE ering and likely to be the last. However, ♦ 4 S ♦ A K 10 9 5 it was the first that I had the pleasure ♣ Q 10 9 3 ♣ 8 7 4 of attending. For the past 15 years, I ♠ Void had been leading a Mr Bridge event in ♥ A J 6 2 Tunisia in February, but the troubles in ♦ Q J 8 6 3 2 North had left me free. The stars ♣ J 6 5 are auctioned off for charity. I was paired with Colette Ray – a delightful partner who had been on a number of West North East South Mr Bridge events. 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass Competitors arrived at 6.30pm for 2♣ Pass 2♠ All Pass refreshments before play. The venue was the Royal Hospital for Neuro- The opponents were playing five-card disability. There were two large majors with a semi-forcing 1NT re- playing rooms, each holding 28 tables: sponse, but the 2♣ bid was natural Enjoy 8 included sightseeing tours four sections of 14 tables. There were and East decided to choose 2♠ as the and daily duplicates on this 56 pairs with a star involved and 56 final contract. There were quite a few fascinating bridge cruise from pairs made bad breaks classical Greece to Venice up of paying on the night guests. and de- T h e r e clarer soon May 11, 2016 - 10 days from Athens to Venice were tables knew that Fly to Athens to join Aegean Odyssey filled with this was • Cruise to Gythion (Sparta & Mystras) food: salads going to be • Katakolon (Olympia) • Ithaca of all sorts one of those • Corfu • Sarande (Butrint) • Kotor Bay • Dubrovnik (overnight onboard) as well as hands. • Split • Zadar • Ravenna • Venice meats, fish I led a • Fly home and sea- trump and Great value Mr Bridge fares food. Many C o l e t t e Premium Inside from £1,995pp of the sal- made a very Standard Outside from £2,250pp ads were clear signal Premium Outside from £2,395pp very new to which made Single supplement just 10% me includ- the defence For reservations call ing one red m u c h one, which Colette Ray with Bernard. Photo © Night of the Stars easier. We none of had agreed on 01483 489961 my table-mates could identify, but all to play reverse attitude discards, so she very tasty. Drinks were also available, discarded the ♥2 at trick one which wines, beers and soft drinks. Many meant it was safe for me to play hearts. stayed clear of the alcohol, but some of Declarer won the ♠J with his ace, the experts were glad to play a more sighing at the sight of the bad break. www.mrbridge.co.uk relaxed game than usual. Then he played two top diamonds, Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details After the socialising and jollities, it discarding a heart. I ruffed the second was time to play some bridge. diamond and led ♥K and then another

Page 24 BRIDGE May 2016 2101 Mr Bridge third page ad 161106BR _Layout 1 2 Night of the Stars by Bernard Magee REVISED ITINERARY

heart. Colette won and played a third heart. HAND 5. Dealer North. N/S Game. Madeira, Declarer ruffed and chose to lead away ♠ Q 8 2 from his clubs, which I could duck ♥ 10 7 to Colette’s jack. Colette continued ♦ 9 8 5 4 3 2 Canaries her excellent defence by playing ♦Q. ♣ J 4 Declarer ruffed low and I overruffed. I ♠ A K J ♠ 9 7 3 N ♥ ♥ & Morocco ♣ A Q 6 3 K 4 cashed the A-K and still had to make W E one more trump trick. Three off (+300) ♦ A J 7 S ♦ Q 6 hosted by was a great score. ♣ Q 10 5 ♣ A K 9 6 3 2 WILL and SYLVIA PARSONS The event was brilliantly organised, ♠ 10 6 5 4 with Judy and Martin Holcombe with most tables having a star at them ♥ J 9 8 5 2 on every round. The paying players ♦ K 10 were thoroughly entertained and the ♣ 8 7 atmosphere was superb. Raffle tickets were sold on the day to supplement the sums raised for charity West North East South – there was a huge array of prizes. Pass 1♣ Pass The endless energy of the organiser, 1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass Terry Hewett, has pushed the limits 6NT All Pass for bridge charity events each year and this time she hopes to make £65,000 The duplimate suggested that East had for the charities: Royal Hospital for played the contract quite a few times, Neuro-Disability, The National Rheu- so we joked that perhaps his leap to matoid Arthritis Society, Alzheimer’s 6NT was the archetypal ‘hogging’ Join us on a magnificent journey R e s e a r c h bid. How- from Andalusian Spain to Atlantic UK and Re- ever, it looks islands and the unique landscapes act. reasonable of the Western Sahara Desert The list enough to of sponsors me in an November 6, 2016 - 15 days from Malaga to Malaga and do- untried • Fly to Malaga (Granada) nors is very partnership. Cruise to • Cadiz (Jerez) • Funchal lengthy and I had a • La Palma • Arrecife • El Marsa so many wonderful (Western Sahara Desert) • Agadir • Marrakesh (overnight hotel*) • Casablanca people give time: Co- (Rabat) overnight onboard • Tangier up a lot of lette and • Malaga • Fly home time to al- I did not Great value Mr Bridge fares low this hit heady Standard Inside from £1,850pp event to go heights, Standard Outside from £2,450pp ahead. Over finishing Premium Outside from £2,650pp the nine well down Single supplement just 10% years the the leader- For reservations call events have Terry Hewett with Zia. Photo © Night of the Stars board, but I raised over have her to a quarter of a million pounds for vari- thank for being at the event and en- on 01483 489961 ous charities. joyed it very much. Towards the end of the event we had The organising committee deserve this abrupt auction bid against us by considerable thanks for putting on Tommy Garvey and Natasha Ceron. such an event. The directors, the cater- www.mrbridge.co.uk I led a diamond and Tommy quickly ers, the ushers, the stars and the other claimed 13 tricks when we both participants. It is a great shame that Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details followed to the first club. this is the last event of its type… ■ * No bridge on overnight hotel stay

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 25 Conventions Part 17 with Jeremy Dhondy The Toys of Defence

ast time, I suggested some rules eventually get in? You say, ‘you haven’t Partner now doubles the final contract for opening leads and signals at given me a hand so how can I decide?’ and it is your lead. You hold: trick one, but after surviving this Suppose partner had ♥8-2. If he plays Lthere is plenty of water to be crossed the 8 then 2, you should incline to the on the way to a successful defence. You higher ranked suit. If he plays 2 then ♠ 2 need to think logically but some rules 8, you should incline to the lower ♥ A 9 3 N W E and agreements can assist you. ranked suit. If it doesn’t occur to him ♦ 5 4 S You may hear some defenders say, to play his cards in anything other ♣ Q 9 8 7 4 3 2 ‘I don’t signal because I don’t want to than a random order then you need to help declarer,’ but that is tying both suggest politely that he does. hands behind your back. For sure, When partner has to make a discard, It is very likely that partner is drawing there are occasions when signalling what is your method? Attitude? Count? your attention to something unusual can help the opponents but there are Suit preference? Nearest the thumb? in his hand. You hold an ace and they equally some that can only help your The answer to this not only depends probably have 10 trumps between side. A very simple example: on your agreement with partner, but them. The most likely thing is that Dummy holds: also your inclination. Counting hands partner has a void club, so you decide is hard and requires concentration so to lead one. If you do so, which one do if you can’t easily do this for 24 or 26 you lead? You should lead the ♣9 so ♠ 6 boards, then it is best perhaps to play you can suggest to partner that your ♥ 9 7 attitude as your primary method. entry is in the higher ranking suit. If ♦ K Q J 10 9 8 7 There will be occasions though where you had the ♦A instead of the ♥A, you ♣ 9 7 5 count is essential. would lead your lowest club. Partner Sometimes, if you ask an opponent has no interest in how many clubs you what his signalling or discarding have so the traditional fourth highest The opponents are playing in 3NT and method is he looks smug and says, ‘We is pointless. If you had no entry at all your partner leads a fourth highest tell partner what he needs to know.’ you would lead a middle club. If you spade which declarer wins. Now This is, of course, an answer which lead the ♥A and then switch to a club, declarer plays a diamond towards the is economical with the truth because you will still beat the contract (by one dummy which has no entry. All you in any regular partnership you will trick instead of two), but you will have need to know is how many diamonds have experience of what you will do in shown complete distrust of partner. your partner has so you know when to certain key situations. It’s possible, of course, that the other win. You have ♦A-2. He gives a count Another very obvious signalling side should have removed to 6NT once signal (low=odd, high=even). If he situation is when partner doubles a 6♠ was doubled, but that isn’t your plays the ♦3, then you know he has slam. problem. one or three. If he has one it doesn’t Let’s suppose you are following suit matter what you do. If he has three South North as declarer cashes some tricks. Once you should win immediately to deny 1♠ 2NT1 again, you don’t have to idly flick cards declarer a trick. 3♠ 4NT2 on to the table. You defend 3NT, lead You make a lead against 4♥ which 5♠3 6♠ fourth highest of longest and strongest declarer wins and then draws trumps. 1Game forcing with at least four trumps which declarer wins and starts on what You have two small, as does partner. 1Roman Keycard Blackwood will be six club winners. Partner will What should you play when you 3Two key cards and the trump Q have to discard long before you as you

Page 26 BRIDGE May 2016 have 9-7-6-2. Let’s suppose you play playing one will allow declarer to you can play it and it will be declarer 7, then 2, or perhaps 7 then 6. What guess correctly to make the contract who is endplayed in clubs not you. are you suggesting to partner? The (one spade, one heart, three diamonds The whole hand? first card is simply suggesting your and three clubs), so instead he exits length but the second card can suggest passively and forces declarer to end strength in the lower remaining suit up playing spades from his hand. Well ♠ 9 8 3 (2) or the higher remaining suit (6). defended! Down one. This is a good ♥ J 7 4 3 This may help partner when he has to example of how signalling to partner ♦ J 8 5 make a lot of discards. where your strength lies is giving help ♣ 10 6 3 There are two problems with this. not a command. East still has to think! ♠ K 10 5 ♠ 7 6 4 2 The first is that both you and partner Have you come across a pseudo ♥ A K 5 N ♥ Q 10 9 8 2 W E ♦ ♦ must pay more attention to the cards squeeze? It happens when declarer 7 4 2 S Void than perhaps you usually do and the wins, draws lots of trumps and hopes ♣ K J 9 5 ♣ 8 7 4 2 second is that sometimes you won’t you will have to guess what to hold on ♠ A Q J have clearly differentiated cards, so to. You and your partner can counter ♥ 6 partner must look to realise that even this by giving count on such hands. ♦ A K Q 10 9 6 3 a 4 can be a relatively high card or a 6 If you see a defender in a two card ♣ A Q a relatively low card. ending with two high cards wondering desperately which to hold on to, then Putting it into practice either he has been snoozing and not It isn’t easy defending. You truly do seen the danger coming or his partner have to tell partner what he needs Time to put the ideas into the context has not told him what is going on and to know and this is not always of a real hand. In this hand South opens left him to guess. straightforward, but it is the key to 2NT (20-22) and everyone passes. You are West at game all: successful defence. ■ You hold the West hand from which you decide to lead the ♥J: ♠ 9 8 3 Summary ♥ J 7 4 3 ♠ 7 6 3 ♦ J 8 5 l It’s hard to avoid some ♥ 8 6 5 3 ♣ 10 6 3 guesswork in defence, but as ♦ Q 8 4 ♠ K 10 5 the hand continues and you ♣ 10 6 2 ♥ A K 5 N know more cards, it should W E become easier especially if ♠ A 10 9 ♠ Q 5 2 ♦ 7 4 2 S partner is there to help and ♥ J 10 2 N ♥ K Q 9 7 ♣ K J 9 5 W E you are there to look. ♦ ♦ 9 6 3 S A 7 2 ♣ J 7 5 4 ♣ 9 8 3 l Consider agreeing with ♠ K J 8 4 West North East South partner that if you have small trumps you play them ♥ A 4 1NT1 Pass 2♦2 5♦ in an order which suggests ♦ K J 10 5 All Pass where your high cards are. ♣ A K Q 112-14 2Transfer to hearts l If you lead a suit in which you You lead a top heart then switch to a expect partner to be void, ♥ then make sure the card you The J holds with partner playing an small trump which declarer wins with lead suggests where your encouraging card and you continue the ♦8 in dummy, partner showing entry is, ie play suit with the ♥10 which declarer wins with out. He ruffs a heart, crosses to the ♦J, preference. the ♥A. Now he plays on diamonds. ruffs another heart and then plays four You start with the ♦3 to show your more rounds of trumps. What do you l When following suit and you know partner will have length and partner correctly holds up keep in spades and clubs? In order to to make several discards, until the third round to deny declarer make a decision, you desperately need try to help him with the cards an entry to the dummy. When he partner to show his length in the suits. you play in declarer’s long gets in he can cash a couple of hearts, If partner throws a low spade to say suit. declarer throwing a couple of small he doesn’t like them followed by a low l If you have to follow to spades and then? club to say he doesn’t like them either, lots of declarer’s winners, Have you helped him? If you played then you will need to guess. If, instead, then be aware that in order the ♦9 to the second diamond trick, he shows you he has four spades and to make the right decision he knows you have a spade card not four clubs, then even if he has nothing near the end, your partner must signal and you must a club card. If your spade card is the of value you will beat this contract. count. king, then it doesn’t really matter After all the trumps, declarer will play what he does, but if it is the ace then ♠A-Q. If you have kept a third spade

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 27 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Wise Wynfryth’s Birthday

utumn was turning into siderably cheaper than in the alehous- ignore the bird for just two boards.’ winter and the soothsayer and es nearer to Nottingham. The room This was the first deal of the round: spell-maker, Wise Wynfryth, was consequently somewhat noisy as Ahad informed Robin Hood that her Robin Hood arrived. He had dressed 70th birthday was approaching. smartly for the occasion, wearing a Dealer South. Love All. ‘Such an important occasion must be freshly washed suit of Lincoln green. ♠ 7 6 celebrated,’ declared Hood. ‘What sort He took his seat opposite Wise Wyn- ♥ 9 8 4 of present would you like from us all? fryth and was surprised to see that she ♦ A 9 5 4 How about a side of venison, expertly had a large magpie on her shoulder. ♣ A K J 10 ‘I normally leave him at home,’ said ♠ Q J 10 9 2 ♠ K 8 4 3 Wynfryth. ‘I’m not sure if I ever told ♥ 10 3 N ♥ Q J 6 5 W E ♦ 10 8 7 2 ♦ Q you the story, but he flew into my little S house exactly twenty-four hours after ♣ 6 3 ♣ Q 8 7 2 my husband, Wainright, was buried. ♠ A 5 The poor man died from an infected ♥ A K 7 2 arrow wound, more’s the pity.’ ♦ K J 6 3 Robin Hood listened with interest. ♣ 9 5 4 Wynfryth had been married? It was news to him. ‘Some may scoff at me but I believe West North East South it’s ’im, come back from the other side. Amfrid Robin Hegelina Wise That’s why I call the bird Wainwright, Spoule Hood Spoule Wynfryth same name as my husband.’ 1NT ‘Who’s to say you’re wrong?’ declared Pass 3NT All Pass Hood. ‘I hope we can give him some butchered by our friend Nazir?’ good bridge to watch.’ Spades were led and Wise Wynfryth ‘If I told you what I’d really like, you’d ‘My husband’s favourite meal was won the second round. She had seven laugh at me,’ said Wise Wynfryth. kidneys,’ Wise Wynfryth continued. tricks on top and would need two more ‘Not a chance,’ Hood replied. ‘Tell ‘Do you know what the magpie’s tricks from the minor suits. What was me what you wish for and I’ll make favourite food is? You won’t believe me the best way to combine her chances sure it comes true.’ when I tell you, but it’s kidneys! That there? Wynfryth’s eyes lit up. ‘I’d like to proves it must be him.’ Wise Wynfryth pushed back a partner you at next week’s game in the For the first round of the evening wayward lock of grey hair. Her normal Baron of Beef,’ she said. Robin and Wynfryth were joined by practice on such hands was to play for Hood laughed. ‘Is that all?’ he Amfrid Spoule and his rather highly- the drop in one suit. If no luck came replied. ‘It would be my privilege, strung wife, Hegelina. from that quarter, she would fall back Wynfryth. We’ll add in the venison ‘I don’t want that bird watching on a finesse in the other suit. With anyway, just in case I play badly!’ me,’ declared Hegelina Spoule, as she eight diamonds between the hands The following Thursday, the players took her seat. ‘Look at its expression, and only seven clubs, diamonds took their places in the fairly cramped Amfrid. Gives me the creeps!’ offered the better chance of dropping quarters of the Baron of Beef. Many of ‘Today is Wynfryth’s birthday, my the queen in two rounds. Which the players had already taken advan- love,’ replied her husband. ‘It’s a very diamond honour should she play first? tage of the local brew, which was con- special evening for her. Surely you can If the ♦A dropped the ♦Q on the first

Page 28 BRIDGE May 2016 round, one side or the other, it would West North East South Nazir could not afford to overtake not assist her. She would score only Will Robin Nazir Wise with the ♣A, since this would give three diamond tricks and still need Scarlet Hood Wynfryth declarer two discards on the ♣K-Q. the club finesse. 1♦ Pass 1♠ 2♥ He followed with a low club and Will Looking round at the magpie, to Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ Scarlet switched to the ♠2. Wynfryth ensure that he was following her All Pass won with the ♠K and cashed her two excellent play, Wise Wynfryth played top diamonds. She ruffed a diamond the ♦K from her hand. When the Will Scarlet led the ♣J against the with the ♥10 and called for the ♣K. ♦Q fell on her right, she continued heart game and Robin Hood laid out When this was covered with the ace, triumphantly with the ♦J. East showed his cards. ‘See what magic you can she ruffed in her hand and ruffed her out, as expected, and a finesse of the weave with this,’ he said. remaining diamond with the ♥J. ♦9 gave her four tricks from the suit, bringing home the contract. Robin Hood clapped his hands. ‘Excellent play in diamonds, Wynfryth!’ he exclaimed. ‘A fine start for us.’ The magpie cawed loudly, causing heads to turn on the adjacent tables. ‘Liked that one did you, my beauty?’ asked Wise Wynfryth. Not long afterwards, tougher opposition arrived — Nazir and Will Scarlet. ‘Ah, the birthday girl!’ exclaimed Nazir, flashing his perfect white teeth. ‘You are expecting us to give you two presents on your birthday?’ Wise Wynfryth cackled loudly. ‘Certainly not,’ she replied. ‘A hard- fought battle against two strong men, that’s what I’m after.’ ‘You have an assistant today?’ queried Will Scarlet, eyeing the magpie uncertainly. ‘Don’t mind him,’ Wynfryth replied. ‘That’s Wainright, my husband. He’s only watching. Used to be a fair player of the cards, mind you, before he died. Almost as good as Robin, here.’ ‘I don’t waste my precious spells on With no need to benefit from the The players extracted their cards a ,’ Wynfryth replied. ‘Not established ♣Q, Wise Wynfryth led from the oak board and this was the unless someone pays me, anyway.’ dummy’s last trump to her nine. Two layout that faced them: Most players would have called trump tricks were lost but the contract immediately for one of dummy’s club was safely landed. honours. Wynfryth took a moment ‘Bravo!’ exclaimed Nazir, patting Dealer West. Love All. to consider what might happen after Wynfryth on her unoccupied ♠ A 8 6 5 such a start. shoulder. ‘Such a nice play you make ♥ J 10 3 Suppose East won with the ♣A and at Trick 1.’ ♦ 8 6 returned a singleton trump. West Wise Wynfryth had rarely felt hap- ♣ K Q 7 3 would be able to draw three rounds pier. The close company of three mus- ♠ Q 9 2 ♠ J 10 7 3 of the suit and she would never score cular men in their prime was a moment ♥ A Q 6 N ♥ 2 a diamond ruff. She could discard to be savoured. If she also managed to W E ♦ Q J 3 2 ♦ 10 9 5 S one diamond on the established club play a few hands well during the even- ♣ J 10 8 ♣ A 9 5 4 2 winner but she would lose a diamond, ing, that would be a bonus. ♠ K 4 a club and two trumps, going one She looked across the table at Robin ♥ K 9 8 7 5 4 down. There was no hurry to set up Hood, who was also showing every ♦ A K 7 4 a club trick; she could do that later, sign of enjoying himself. What a ♣ 6 if necessary. ‘Play the three of clubs, splendid birthday she was having! Robin,’ she said. concluded next month ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 29 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Seventeen

Canaries & Madeira Winter Warmth Thinking Defence

Sails from Southampton th 7 January 2017 • 13 nights start this DVD by saying that de- thinking about hearts. Your job when Balmoral • L1701 fence is the hardest aspect of bridge dummy comes down is to consider and by the time you get to the end the whole hand. Playing the ♥2 is the • Southampton • Funchal, Madeira Iof the DVD I am sure you will agree. correct play in hearts, but what about • Santa Cruz, La Palma • Santa Cruz, I try to get your mind into gear for spades, diamonds and clubs? Tenerife • Las Palmas, Gran Canaria • Arrecife, Lanzarote • Lisbon, defence – bidding and declarer play Spades, the trump suit, are obvious, Portugal • Southampton seem to come more naturally, but de- but what about diamonds and clubs? fence requires a mind shift. You have In clubs, if a club was led from Daily bridge on board, bridge fees to do lots of lateral thinking, trying to dummy you would duck the first round included. Mr Bridge welcome & get into declarer’s mind as well as your – making this decision now means you farewell drinks parties. Partners for partner’s. can play smoothly when it is led, rather single players. No single supplements The first ideas are simple: always than having to think and perhaps give on selected twin grades of cabin. take a little time to look at dummy and away your holding. go through every suit. Decide which In diamonds, you would contemplate Great value Mr Bridge fares: card you would play from your hand your actions whether a small diamond on each suit. This has two effects: first, was led or the ♦J was led. The ♦J would Inside twin rooms from £949pp you will be ready to play when the suit be a strange lead to make if declarer Outside twin rooms from £1,139pp is led and secondly it gets your mind did not hold the king and ten in hand, Balcony rooms from £1,809pp into gear, allowing you to predict what in which case you should duck. Make Suites from £1,949pp might happen in the play. the decision now and you will be able Twin inside room for £1,336 to follow in . sole occupancy This happens to be the key to the ♠ K 8 6 5 4 3 hand: declarer will at some stage lead Balmoral ♥ 10 4 the ♦J and if you hesitate, he will guess ♦ A J 4 you have the ♦Q and pick up the suit. ♣ 7 6 ♠ 7 2 N ♥ 8 6 5 3 2 ♠ K 8 6 5 4 3 W E ♦ ♥ S Q 6 5 10 4 ♣ A 4 2 ♦ A J 4 ♣ 7 6 ♠ 9 ♠ 7 2 West North East South ♥ Q J 9 ♥ 8 6 5 3 2 1♠ ♦ 8 7 3 2 N ♦ Q 6 5 For reservations call Mr Bridge W E Pass 4♠ All Pass ♣ K J 10 9 3 ♣ A 4 2 on S 01483 489961 ♠ A Q J 10 www.mrbridge.co.uk Your partner leads the ♥Q. On the ♥ A K 7 ♦ K 10 9 Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen first deal of the DVD, I ask the ques- 2016/17 worldwide brochure tion, ‘What do you do now?’ and a ♣ Q 8 5 lot of people fell in to the trap of just

Page 30 BRIDGE May 2016 2129 Mr Bridge third page ad 160927BR amended

Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Seventeen Greece & the Thinking Defence Adriatic Sea hosted by BERNARD MAGEE and team

LIMITED AVAILABILITY As you can see, declarer has a 50-50 ner’s holding, remember to see if it fits shot in diamonds, but by leading the with declarer’s potential holding. If ♦J he puts you to the test. If you follow your partner had a singleton then de- smoothly declarer plans to win the ♦K clarer would have four hearts. Check- and finesse your partner. However, if ing the auction you will see that South you hesitate (or cover) he will capture denied four hearts in response to Stay- your queen and make his overtrick. man, which means partner’s lead may The act of going through each suit well be from a doubleton. To give him will not only save tricks, but it will also a ruff you need to duck the first trick: get your mind into gear: going through you follow with the ♥5, the highest the various things that might happen non-honour heart you hold. and making plans for them. South wins the trick and plays a The classics of Greece and the The DVD continues on various trump, but your partner wins his ace beauty of the Adriatic combine topics including switching and the and plays a second heart to your ace on this fascinating bridge cruise analysis of the opening lead. allowing you to give him a ruff. His ♣A from Athens to Venice takes the contract down. Clearly, if you take the ♥A at trick 1 you cannot give September 27, 2016 - 10 days ♠ K 8 6 5 your partner his ruff. from Athens to Venice ♥ J 10 6 4 Fly to Athens to join Aegean Odyssey Cruise to • Gythion (Sparta & Mystras) ♦ A K 4 • Katakolon (Olympia) • Ithaca ♣ Q 6 ♠ K 8 6 5 • Corfu • Sarande (Butrint) • Kotor Bay ♠ 7 2 ♥ J 10 6 4 • Dubrovnik (overnight onboard) • Split • Zadar • Ravenna • Venice N ♥ A 5 3 2 ♦ A K 4 • Fly home W E ♦ 7 6 5 ♣ Q 6 S Great value Mr Bridge fares ♣ 9 8 4 2 ♠ A 4 3 ♠ 7 2 N Double AccomoDAtion: ♥ 9 8 ♥ A 5 3 2 Deluxe outside £2,895pp W E from ♦ Q 10 8 3 S ♦ 7 6 5 single AccomoDAtion: West North East South ♣ A 10 7 5 ♣ 9 8 4 2 Premium outside from £2,855pp ♠ Excellent single supplement 1NT Q J 10 9 rates call for details ♣ ♠ ♥ Pass 2 Pass 2 K Q 7 For reservations call Pass 4♠ All Pass ♦ J 9 2 ♣ K J 3 Your partner leads the ♥9; what is your on 01483 489961 plan? Your plan revolves around the analysis of the lead. A high lead would There is no doubt that defence is deny an honour holding and with difficult, but the more you practice and eight cards between you and dummy, learn the better you will get. The hard it looks as if partner might have led work will pay off as your scores will www.mrbridge.co.uk

from shortage. Can it be a singleton? improve and your enjoyment of the Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details Whenever contemplating your part- game will increase. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 31 READERS’ LETTERS Irish Christmas DOWN MEMORY LANE going to name-drop, make influence the bidding. No Market s sure you do it in spades. matter. We are not purists and Sad to say, rubber bridge no-one transgresses against is, today, almost extinct. the true spirit of the game. Nearly all the London Having said that, the basic clubs have gone. However, rules of bridge are faithfully duplicate bridge thrives observed backed up when – kudos and prizes going necessary, by the current to winners as opposed to International Laws of Contract When, as a Londoner, I took hard cash. This, no doubt, Bridge – end of discussion. up bridge some forty-five stems from its increasing As I told Mr Bridge, when years ago, little did I realise popularity with the young he suggested I send in a what a far-reaching effect who find it an affordable letter for his unique journal, it would have on my life. It and mentally stimulating rubber bridge has played a Sails from Southampton was virtually at the behest activity set in a socially prominent part in sustaining 14th December 2016 5 nights • Balmoral • L1629 of my vigilant mother, who harmonious environment. my mental alertness over deplored the nightly ritual Many a liaison emanates several decades. I sincerely Southampton • Falmouth, of my attendance at the from such gatherings. hope that its dwindling band England • Cork (from Cobh), poker table, that I received Here in Bath, which has of followers continue, like Ireland • Dublin, Ireland • Southampton my first bridge lesson from been my home for the past me, to find an outlet for Chris Dixon at Stefans fifteen years, I happily provide their cerebral equipment. Daily bridge on board, bridge fees Bridge Circle in Marble Arch. the facilities for weekly rubber Dennis Bernard, Bath. included. Mr Bridge welcome & What a patient and skilful bridge. The Acol system is the ( 01225 484523. farewell drinks parties. Partners teacher he turned out to be, Order of the Day. No fancy for single players. No single supplements on selected twin providing his apprehensive conventions for the likes of CHARITY APPEAL grades of cabin. pupils with a solid foundation us – just KISS (keep it simple, I do hope you will not mind that encouraged them to stupid). The stake is modest what I am going to ask you. Great value Mr Bridge pursue the most intellectually but ensures, psychologically, Eddie was finally diagnosed fares from: challenging and entertaining a disciplined approach to with Motor Neurone Disease Inside twin rooms £479pp card game devised by the game. Post-mortems (MND) in January 2015, after Outside twin rooms £529pp man: . are brief but pertinent and being ill for 18 months. He Balcony rooms £779pp From that time on, I have constructive. How else does died on 24 February aged 88. Suites £859pp revelled in the cut and thrust one improve if every boo I have had so much help Twin outside rooms of fiercely contested rubber boo goes unrecognised? from the MND Association, for sole occupancy £629pp bridge, found in abundance On occasion, the habitual that I would like to try and Balmoral at the London bridge clubs tranquil atmosphere is rudely help them to raise money of St James, St Johns Wood, shattered when firmly- for research into this cruel Green Street, The Acol, Young entrenched opinions collide; disease. I was wondering Chelsea and T.G.R.’s among playground or battlefield? if you could mention this others. As a former member Certainly, no place for those association to members who of all of these, spanning of a sensitive disposition or attend your bridge breaks/ many years, it has been my fragile ego. Meanwhile, after cruises etc., in case there is privilege to partner and play thirteen years of unarmed anyone looking for a charity against such stars as Freddie combat, we’re all still friends. to support. It may be that North, Jonathan Cansino, As one would gather, we you cannot do this and I For reservations call Mr Bridge Richard Sampson, Tim do not play behind screens would quite understand. Dean, Norman and Richard nor do we employ bidding I joined the Chippenham on 01483 489961 Selway and Colin Simpson, boxes. Inevitably, unconscious bridge club in 2012 and www.mrbridge.co.uk while rubbing shoulders with verbal inflections or facial quite recently met Mike and

Terms and conditions apply – icons , Boris expression sometimes Daphne Coggles there who see Fred. Olsen 2016/17 Schapiro, worldwide brochure. and Zia Mahmoud. If you’re Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail: [email protected]

Page 32 BRIDGE May 2016 2016 JUST DUPLICATE READERS’ LETTERS BRIDGE recognised me from one 2 shape, irrespective of suit country-wide and well Chatsworth Hotel of the bridge breaks we quality. Also that rebidding publicised, therefore, I cannot Worthing BN11 3DU attended at Staverton Park a major suit at the two level believe that you have not in 2008 – we must have promises a six-card suit. come across other forms 6-8 May £199 made an impression! Hence the difference in of disabilities which have 3-5 June £199 Mrs Muriel Poole by email. the teaching systems which been accommodated. I tried to expose originally. I look forward to 15-17 July £199 RED MIST Mr Mike Gurney, Holt hearing from you. I think I come into the Bridge Club, Holt, Norfolk. Patricia Russell. 5-7 August £199 category of ageist, and I Perhaps readers could 7-9 October £199 saw red when I saw the LITTLE VOICE STAMPS tell us how the blind are insulting remark, ‘too May I ask you to please find catered for at their bridge 11-13 November £199 upper class and ageist.’ room for a little reminder in club or when on holiday. 25-27 November £199 It is patently obvious a forthcoming magazine. the writer is a coward, It is always noticeable that BERNARD’S DVDS otherwise he or she would when there has been a I wanted to let you know how Wyndham Garden have the courage of their mention, I seem to get an useful I find all of Bernard’s Grantham convictions and allow their immediate surge of response DVDs. I have the full set so Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT name and address to be from your readers. Please far, 30 DVDs in all. I will be printed. Shame on them. send your stamps to: 8 buying the next six, filmed 13-15 May £189 Jess Nagel, Mountford House, 8 Crescent in January this year, as 16-18 September £189 Portland, Dorset. Road, Enfield EN2 7BL. soon as they are available, Malcolm Finebaum. even though I was there 14-16 October £189 SAD THANK YOU for the filming and have Can you please delete my HELP PLEASE seen him deliver some of 4-6 November £189 name off your lists as I no I belong to a bridge club the material several times, I 18-20 November £189 longer play bridge. Thank here in Weymouth and am still pick up something new you most sincerely for all the also a contributor to your every time I watch them. news, magazines etc., which No Fear Bridge. I am writing As a lead host, I deliver Denham Grove Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG I have received from you for to support a friend from the seminars quite often myself. so many years. It has been said bridge club who recently The material is excellent to 10-12 June £199 a true pleasure to be part of approached you on one of start with, but by watching your happy band. I just do your cruises. Her husband the appropriate DVD I can 21-23 October £199 not want you to waste money is blind and she telephoned see how Bernard presents 4-6 November £199 on postage and paper. about a Mr Bridge Cruise. it. I watch several times, Mr A Lightfoot, She was told that this would taking notes and adding Bourne, Lincs. not be possible because of his notes to the PowerPoint file Inn on the Prom St Annes on Sea FY8 1LU disability. I have known this on my laptop. I see what DIFFERENCES couple for quite a few years – sort of questions come up 1-3 July £189 I would like to thank Julian they supply braille cards when and how Bernard deals with Pottage for sending me his they play at our club. They them and I can also see what response to my letter of 25 play to a very good standard. sort of humorous asides Full Board February – and sorry that I feel this a form of he makes. I even include No Single I missed your telephone discrimination, bearing some of Bernard’s jokes in Supplement* call – both appreciated. in mind that my friend’s my own presentations. Regarding Julian’s response husband plays regular bridge I am sure that watching ( 01483 489961 I would point out that all of without any problems as the DVDs has improved my www.mrbridge.co.uk ’s students are opponents speak their bids delivery of these seminars Please note there are no taught to open 1NT with a and cards played quietly. substantially. It has also seminars, set hands or 5 card major and a 5-3-3- Your organisation is improved my bridge. prizes at these events. Will Parsons, Finstall, *subject to availability Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail: [email protected] Bromsgrove, Worcs. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 33 Improve Your Defence with Andrew Kambites Counting

n this series, I have examined West North East South 3. Who has the ♥A? some of the common guidelines in 1♦ Pass 1NT 4. How many certain tricks does defence, but I have already hinted Pass 2NT Pass 3NT declarer have? Ithat good defenders have far more All Pass 5. What should I do next? clubs in their bags. There are a huge number of clues available, increasing Questions Counting Shape all the time as the hand develops: who bid what, who didn’t bid, what 1. Who has the ♠K? In Example C, you are West. You cash card partner led, what suit partner 2. Who has the ♦K? the ♣A, partner following with the didn’t lead, what declarer has done 3. Who has the ♥A? ♣2. At trick 2, you switch to the ♥6. and equally significant what declarer 4. Who has the ♣Q? Declarer wins the ♥A, ruffs a heart hasn’t done. Experts notice and 5. How can I be sure of beating the and draws trumps in three rounds process these clues and often by the contract? ending in dummy (partner following middle of the defence they are playing 6. What might happen if I get this suit once and discarding two hearts). as though they can see every hidden wrong? Declarer then leads a club to his ♣10 card. This is called ‘Counting’. In and your ♣J. You successfully cash this article, I gently introduce you to Counting Tricks the ♣K, partner and declarer both counting. You will be amazed at how following suit. What next? simple it seems when you are guided The hand in Example B is very similar through the steps, though nobody can but the attempt to count points is not deny that at the table it is hard work conclusive. In Example B, West leads Example C when you first try it. the ♠Q. Declarer wins dummy’s ♠A Dealer East. N/S Game. The answers for the following and switches to the ♦K. What next? ♠ K 10 7 5 examples are overleaf. ♥ A 2 ♦ J 10 5 3 Counting Points Example B ♣ 8 7 5 Dealer North. Love All. ♠ 6 4 2 In Example A, West leads the ♠Q. ♠ A 5 ♥ 9 6 5 N ♠ ♥ Q 10 9 ♦ Q 4 2 W E Declarer wins dummy’s A, leads a S low diamond to his ♦K and continues ♦ K Q J 10 7 6 ♣ A K J 6 with a diamond to dummy’s ♦Q which ♣ A K you win with the ♦A. What next? ♠Q led ♠ 7 6 3 2 N ♥ K J 8 2 West North East South W E ♦ A 9 3♥ 3♠ S Example A ♣ 8 6 2 Pass 4♠ All Pass Dealer North. Game All. ♠ A 5 Questions ♥ Q 10 9 West North East South ♦ Q J 10 8 7 1♦ Pass 1NT 1. How many spades does declarer ♣ A K J Pass 3NT All Pass have? ♠Q led ♠ 7 6 3 2 2. How many hearts does declarer N ♥ K J 8 2 Questions have? W E ♦ A 9 S 3. How many clubs does declarer ♣ 8 6 2 1. Who has the ♠K? have? 2. Who has the ♣Q J? 4. So how many diamonds does

Page 34 BRIDGE May 2016 declarer have? ♠Q lead denied the ♠K. usually detrimental to defensive 5. What defence guarantees defeating prospects, in this case all declarer the contract? 2. Not known. can do is to discard the fourth diamond from either his hand or Answers for Example A 3. Not known. Partner might have dummy. That leaves him with at the ♥A if declarer has the ♣Q and least three diamonds in each hand, 1. Partner’s ♠Q lead denies the ♠K, so ♣J as well as the ♠K, but that is not and an inescapable diamond loser. declarer has the ♠K. certain. After cashing the♣ K, exit with a club or a heart. 2. Declarer has already played the 4. As soon as declarer regains the lead ♦K. he has at least nine tricks; the ♠A- The full deal: K, ♣A-K and five diamond tricks. 3. Partner has the ♥A. Declarer’s 1NT He has ten tricks if he also has the shows 6-9 HCP. If he has the ♠K ♥A. Example C and ♦K, he cannot have the ♥A. Dealer East. N/S Game. 5. At teams it is obvious. You can ♠ K 10 7 5 4. Declarer has the ♣Q. He needs this beat the contract if and only if ♥ A 2 in addition to the ♠K and ♦K to partner has the ♥A so switch to the ♦ J 10 5 3 justify raising 2NT to 3NT. ♥2. At pairs, it is less clear-cut. A ♣ 8 7 5 heart switch is necessary to beat ♠ 6 4 2 ♠ 3 ♥ ♥ ♥ 9 6 5 N ♥ K Q J 10 8 7 3 5. Switch to the 2. You can take four the contract if partner has the A, W E heart tricks. but if declarer has the ♥A a heart ♦ Q 4 2 S ♦ 8 7 switch concedes an extra overtrick. ♣ A K J 6 ♣ 9 3 2 6. If West returns his partner’s spade Not for the first time, pairs is ♠ A Q J 9 8 suit, declarer will take at least nine harder than teams! ♥ 4 tricks: ♠A-K, four diamonds and at ♦ A K 9 6 least three clubs. The full deal: ♣ Q 10 4

The full deal: Example B How difficult was that? All you need Dealer North. Love All. is a realisation that a bridge hand has Example A ♠ A 5 13 cards and an ability to count up Dealer North. Game All. ♥ Q 10 9 to 13. Many bridge players vaguely ♠ A 5 ♦ K Q J 10 7 6 notice how many spades, hearts and ♥ Q 10 9 ♣ A K clubs declarer has, but don’t take the ♦ Q J 10 8 7 ♠ Q J 10 9 ♠ 7 6 3 2 next step of working out how many ♣ A K J ♥ A 6 5 N ♥ K J 8 2 W E diamonds he must hold. ♠ Q J 10 9 ♠ 7 6 3 2 ♦ 8 5 4 S ♦ A 9 Interestingly, declarer could have ♥ A 6 5 N ♥ K J 8 2 ♣ 9 7 5 ♣ 8 6 2 ♦ W E made his contract by cashing the A-K ♦ 5 4 2 S ♦ A 9 ♠ K 8 4 and exiting with a diamond rather ♣ 7 4 3 ♣ 8 6 2 ♥ 7 4 3 than leading a club to his ♣10. West ♠ K 8 4 ♦ 3 2 is endplayed after winning the ♦Q. ♥ 7 4 3 ♣ Q J 10 4 3 Should declarer have got this right? ♦ K 6 3 Yes, if he was counting the defenders’ ♣ Q 10 9 5 shape. If East has seven hearts, a Answers for Example C singleton spade and three clubs, then he can only have two diamonds. So the Note that this is clearcut whether you 1. Declarer started with five spades. winning play is clear. are playing teams or duplicate pairs (where you cannot afford to concede 2. Declarer started with a singleton Conclusion soft overtricks). heart. He ruffed the second round. I can understand it if you feel that Counting is not technically difficult, leading away from the ♥K feels wrong, 3. Declarer started with exactly three but at the table it is hard work. You but as you KNOW partner has the ♥A clubs. The suit broke 4-3-3-3. don’t have a friendly guardian angel it is perfectly safe. to point you in the right direction as 4. Therefore declarer has four I have done in this article. In the end Answers for Example B diamonds. it is a personal choice whether or not you want to expand your game into 1. Declarer has the ♠K, because the 5. Although a ruff and discard is this area. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 35 A Blast From the Past by Shireen Mohandes On the Air

erence Reese and Harold BBC Publications later published a Opening lead ♣9. Franklin were regular collection of deals and articles in a Reese’s commentary on the bidding presenters of bridge on the book called Best of Bridge on the Air, was that the hand merited a strong Tradio and TV. Even before WW2 there priced 8s 6d. The book explains, ‘…On two opening, and virtually nobody were programmes about bridge on the Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm, if you would disagree with him. Yes, even TV (late 30s) and radio (late 20s). The had tuned in, you would have heard, in those days, vulnerable against not, TV programmes were all broadcast “This is Network Three. Bridge. The West pre-empted to the limit of his live. Sadly, no recordings are known programme is introduced by Terence hand. It might be tempting to double to have survived from that era. There Reese …”’. for penalties, but recognising that the was no easy, practical or inexpensive Here is a hand from the book with partnership was in the slam zone, way to pre-record TV programmes, the original auction. The title of the North bid 5♦. Reese commented that and if one did want to record TV, it original article was a clue to the theme North was unlikely to support hearts, would have to be along the lines of of the deal. To make it more fun, here so South should make the key decision the cinematography method (that is, is a clue to Reese and Franklin’s clue, himself. pointing a movie camera at the telly). in the style of The Listener Crossword. So how might this all be in 2016? The programmes were mainly Solve the clue and you’re halfway to quizzes, news, listener questions solving the bridge problem. The clue West North East South and answers, and panel discussions. was devised by England international 2♣1 Almost no recordings exist. But Paul Barden. 4♠2 5♦3 Pass 5♥4 perhaps some BRIDGE readers may ‘Turn trick in support after reverse, Pass 6♥5 All Pass know of a private recording? If you do, moving right to front to find way to please get in touch. get home.’ 1 Many players play weak two openings, so Articles to support the post war radio this hand should be opened 2♣. programmes appeared in The Listener. 2 For the same reason as Reese suggested, Dealer South. Love All. possibly even more so over a 2♣ opening, Teams. West should pre-empt. The Listener ♠ Q 5 3 North knows that opposite a 2♣ opening ♥ 4 he is in the slam zone. Nobody knows The BBC launched The Listener, ♦ A K 7 6 5 3 2 whether 5♦ is forcing, but probably nobody a weekly magazine, in January ♣ J 7 3 would risk passing it. 1929. Its aim was to be ‘…a 4 This is South’s first opportunity to show his medium for intelligent reception N suit, so he does so. Nobody knows whether W E of broadcast programmes by way ♥ S 5 is forcing, but probably nobody would of amplification and explanation risk passing it. of those features which cannot ♠ A 4 5 The North seat in 2016 is a tougher seat. now be dealt with in the editorial ♥ A K Q J 10 9 5 He could repeat the diamonds, but the suit columns of the Radio Times’. It ♦ 10 is rather empty. Supporting hearts is scary ceased publication in 1991. Those ♣ A 8 5 on a singleton, but South will probably who are fond of crosswords will, have a good suit to show it at the five level, of course, have taken comfort especially as he didn’t raise diamonds. Is all in the knowledge that the most West North East South of this encouraging you to be more brave in difficult cryptic crossword migrated 2♥ pre-empting? Let’s assume that North opts to The Times, Saturday edition. 4♠ 5♦ Pass 6♥ for a resigned 6♥. At least everyone knows All Pass that it’s non-forcing.

Page 36 BRIDGE May 2016 Let’s assume that the lead is a singleton The winning line is to draw trumps, (although Reese also considered other then play a diamond to the ♦A, cash The BBC Genome Project possibilities in the original article). A the ♦K, discarding the ♠A (and (covering 1923 to 2009) singleton is often the best lead against enjoying the moment). Now ruff a The BBC have digitised back copies a suit slam, as you hope that your diamond back to hand, setting up the of The Radio Times, and the archive partner has either the ace in that suit, suit. is searchable. or the ace of trumps. With that in Play a spade towards dummy, for mind, we can infer that West holds at it is surely West who has the ♠K. He Bridge On The least one trump. So West’s likely shape can take it, but he will be down to only Air (post war, is 8-2-2-1 or 8-1-3-1 or 8-3-1-1. spades, and then he will have to give BBC Home Trick 1: small from dummy, 10 from dummy an entry. Service): The East, win in hand. first entry is on 29th October Analysis ♠ Q 5 1945, at There are 11 top tricks. East is no ♥ 4 23:03. The doubt pleased with the lead and ♦ A K 7 6 5 3 2 synopsis reads, Maurice Harrison-Gray savouring the opportunity to take two ♣ J 7 3 ‘First of a new clubs tricks for the defence. What can ♠ K J 10 8 7 6 3 2 ♠ 9 series of broadcasts on Bridge, in be done to develop the 12th trick? ♥ 3 2 N ♥ 8 7 6 which experts will help you to The diamonds offer the best ♦ Q 9 W E ♦ J 8 4 improve your play, 1 – Bridge S opportunity. Establishing them ♣ 9 ♣ K Q 10 6 4 2 Queries Answered by Harrison with a third round ruff will suffice. ♠ A 4 Gray, , Lady Rhodes, Unfortunately, however, dummy has ♥ A K Q J 10 9 5 and S. J. Simon. Stewart no immediate entry for cashing them. ♦ 10 Macpherson introduces the There is no reason to hold back on ♣ A 8 5 programme and represents the drawing trumps, but as normal, a plan ordinary player.’ needs to be made. Have you detected the winning line? Did you solve the crossword clue? The synopsis of the 17 December If not, spend a moment to think about If not, here is another hint. It is an 1945 show is, ‘Blindfold Bridge. A putting that ♠Q to good use. anagram of: cuter knitter. ■ hand of bridge bid and played entirely from memory without sight of the cards. Players: Graham Mathieson and Mrs. Rika Markus; The BBC’s Third Programme and The Lord Reith Joel Tarlo and Guy Ramsey. Programme introduced by Stewart This was a national radio service produced and broadcast by the BBC between MacPherson. Commentator, Terence 1946 and 1970. It first went on the air on 29th September 1946 and quickly Reese.’ became one of the leading cultural and intellectual forces in Britain, playing a crucial role in disseminating the arts. It was the BBC’s third national radio network, The last entry for Bridge on The Air the other two being the Home Service (mainly speech-based) and the Light is for Wednesday 30th March 1955 Programme, principally devoted to light entertainment and music. The Third at 22:15. Programme, as a distinct service, was finally subsumed into BBC Radio 3 on 4th April 1970. There were also some pre-war programmes on bridge, but a The educational segment of programming, known as Network Three, was not different format and title. Probably without controversy, ‘… partly because of perceived “elitism” – it was sometimes all featured either Terence Reese or criticised for broadcasting programmes of “two dons talking” – and also for the Harold Franklin. cost of its output relative to a small listener reach. Its existence was against Reithian There was a Bridge Forum, Bridge principles, as Reith himself had, during his time at the BBC, been against and other magazine programmes segmenting audiences by splitting programming genres across different networks.’ such as Time At Home, which were In 1936, Reith directly oversaw the abdication broadcast of Edward VIII. He broadcast on radio and TV. One personally introduced the ex-King (as ‘Prince Edward’), before standing aside to synopsis reads, ‘…A bidding match allow Edward to take the chair. Doing so, Edward accidentally knocked the table between Henri Szvarc and Gerard leg with his foot, which was picked up by the microphone. Reith later recounted Bourchtoff of France and Bruce Bell that some headlines interpreted that as Reith ‘slamming the door’ in disgust before and Rex Evans of New Zealand The Edward began broadcasting. partners, speaking from different studios, express their thoughts Source: Wikipedia aloud….’

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 37 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions Should I have Converted to 6NT?

This problem major suit scores more and for a minimum opening after a two-level response as comes from partly to protect the ♦K. bid, more if any reply from forcing. This saves opener Qa duplicate No, you should not partner would be at the three from having to jump to session at a local bridge convert to 6NT. Indeed, level) whereas 2NT shows 3NT with 17-19 points. The club. I was South. 6NT by South is nowhere a shapely hand (possibly extra space from rebidding near as safe as 6♥ if you without the high card values a forcing 2NT allows the consider only the North- for an opening when non- partnership to find a fit, if ♠ Void South cards. You could easily vulnerable). With the hand in there is one; this not only ♥ A K Q J 8 7 2 lose the first four or five question, I would recommend makes it easier to find the ♦ K 7 5 tricks if the ♦A is offside. a 2NT overcall. This conveys best game, but also makes it ♣ Q 9 6 the shape better. Because the easier to assess slam possi- ♣♦♥♠ N hand is so strong, it would be bilities – a slam is much more W E reasonable to raise a reply likely when a fit is present. S What should of 3♣ or 3♦ to the four level. Since you do not want to ♠ A 10 5 one call with the be bidding 1♦-2♣-2NT-3NT ♥ Void Qfollowing hand? ♣♦♥♠ with 15 points facing 8, ♦ 9 3 responder needs more for a ♣ A J 10 8 7 5 3 2 Ron Klinger in two-level response than was ♠ A 6 his Basic Acol the case in olden days. How

♥ Void N Bridge Flipper much more depends upon W E Q West North East South ♦ A Q 9 6 4 advocates that you need how willing you are to play in S 4♣ ♣ A J 10 9 3 2 10 points to make a 1NT with 16 points facing 9. Pass 6♥ All Pass change-of-suit response Playing matchpoint pairs, at the two level. Others you do not mind missing the East/West had one club West North East South say that ♣A-K-J-x-x occasional game, especially each; West had the ♦A 1♠ Pass 2♥ and a bust would be if everyone else is doing so. and East, unfortunately, ? enough. Who is correct? You therefore need a good had five hearts to the ten. R J Mills, Sittingbourne. 9 points, say a five-card suit We went one down and What is the difference and average intermediates scored a bottom. Should between bidding In the early days of or a 4432 shape and good I have worked out that 2NT and double? the Acol system, 8 intermediates, for a 2-level 6NT was a safer contract? Bernard Coffey by email. A points were enough response. The average John Upson, Keswick. for a two-over-one response. 9-point hand would respond After the opponents Concomitant with this was 1NT, which is consistent From responder’s bid two suits, either playing opener’s non-jump with what you have read in viewpoint, looking A a double or a 2NT 2NT rebid as non-forcing. So Ron Klinger’s flipper and A at a probable overcall shows the other two if opener had 15 points and would hear from those diamond loser, any slam is suits. The difference between responder had 8, the bidding in the Mr Bridge team. likely to depend upon not the two actions is that double might go 1♦-2♣-2NT-End. Playing teams, especially losing a club. Your partner shows a stronger flatter These days it is usual to when you are vulnerable bid 6♥ partly because the hand (at least the values play opener’s 2NT rebid and the rewards for making

Page 38 BRIDGE May 2016 game are highest, you If North deals, the bidding taking the double out? N/S have a confident auction need to take a slightly more might start 1♠-2♦-4♣ In b) much the same – suggesting the field will aggressive view. You do not (splinter) and then South applies, the 4-4 fit be in the slam – I guess it is want to stop in a partscore takes control. Curiously, if in hearts makes it a reasonable thing to do. with 25 points between the you are using RKCB, you are difficult for South to 5. If North has bid two hands and do not mind likely to stay out of a slam bid the diamonds. no-trumps first, thereby too much being in 3NT with because the ♦Q and an ace Is there any way protecting any black tenaces, 24. You would therefore only are missing. You are unlikely 6NT can be bid South might retreat from respond 1NT with 9 points to reach a slam either if sensibly (unless North 6♥ doubled to 6NT. The if the shape is 4333 or the South opens a weak 1NT. incorrectly opens 1♠)? possibly running diamonds intermediates are poor. 6NT is better than 6♦ Mike Richards by email. and poor trumps suggest whatever the scoring 6NT could be safer. ♣♦♥♠ because you can delay 1. West’s initial pass playing the diamonds. In is overly cautious. ♣♦♥♠ At matchpoints, short, if spades are 3-3, A I would open a how would you you play for diamonds weak 2♠ but know some Please could Qbid these hands? 2-2; if spades are not 3-3, who would open 3♠ on you let me you play the defender with it: ‘six-five come alive’. Qknow whether fewer spades for the ♦Q. 2. A pudding raise you agree with my ♠ K Q J 10 3 suggests a balanced or bidding on this hand? ♥ Q 5 3 ♣♦♥♠ maybe semi-balanced hand ♦ A 9 7 4 (not a 6-4 shape) while a ♣ A This deal comes splinter suggests a limited ♠ K 9 6 3 ♥ 8 3 N from matchpoint hand (not the 5-loser hand N W E pairs. E/W pass South has here). If you are ♦ J 10 2 W E S Q S until East doubles 6♥. not playing Jacoby, South ♣ Q 9 8 4 ♠ A 6 should start with 2♦ and ♥ K 8 4 support hearts later – but ♦ K J 10 8 2 Dealer West. Love All. it is much better to play a West North East South ♣ K 10 3 ♠ A Q 9 4 2NT response as Jacoby, Pass ♥ Q J 10 7 a game-forcing raise of Pass Pass 1♣ Dbl ♦ 4 3 opener’s major. Until about 2♣ All Pass Huw Jones, Swansea. ♣ A K J 10 years ago, I used to play ♠ K J 7 5 3 2 ♠ 10 6 Baron – but the Jacoby hands After the contract made, Let us suppose first ♥ Void N ♥ K 9 6 3 2 come up far more often. my partner asked why I W E that South deals: ♦ 10 6 S ♦ J 8 7 3. You can make 6♥ did not bid my spades. A ♣ 10 9 7 6 2 ♣ Q 8 3 if you play East for three Seton Cotterill, North South ♠ 8 diamonds and West for the Great Oak, Gwent. 1♦1 ♥ A 8 5 4 ♠K. With the aid of the spade 2♠2 2NT ♦ A K Q 9 5 2 finesse, you can make three The correct action 3♦ 3NT3 ♣ 5 4 diamonds, two spades and depends really upon 4♦4 6♦5 two clubs easily enough. A your style of bidding. 6NT 6 East’s trump pips are not If you are following the 1With good spot cards and a a) Using ‘pudding raise’ good enough to stop you Mr Bridge style of playing decent 5-card suit, the hand is and Gerber the bidding from generating a total of four-card majors and too good for a weak 1NT. went: 1♥-3NT-4♣-4♠-6♥. five trump tricks by means of generally opening a four- 2A traditional jump shift, with 15+ b) Using splinters, cues ruffs or an endplay. In real card major in preference to points and support for opener. and RKCB, bidding life, you might play East for a four-card minor, your raise 3Having taken a bullish view might have gone: 1♥- two diamonds, although it seems perfectly reasonable. earlier, South shows a minimum. 3♠-4♣-4♦-4NT-5♥-6♥. does depend on the opening You are unlikely to miss a 4Facing 15 points (or the In a) 6♥ was doubled by lead, which might give you spade contract by raising equivalent), North makes a East. This cannot be made the clue or the trick you need. clubs. If, instead, you are further slam try. whether East covers the 4. At rubber bridge or IMP playing five-card majors 5The jump to 6♦ shows controls heart honours or not, scoring, doubling 6♥ would or that you only open a in both unbid suits and because there is an entry be most unwise. The extra 50 four-card major if you have reasonable diamonds. short to the diamonds. is neither here nor there while no good alternative, then 6Knowing the spades are 6NT makes with the aid pushing the opponents into that would be different and running, North converts to the of heart finesses, but can a making 6NT would be very you should introduce your higher-scoring slam. North or South justify expensive. At matchpoints, if spades.

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 39 What should In practice, few people in the protective position, 3With five-card spade support, responder do always open 1NT when you could have 13 or 14 three aces and a singleton, Qwith this hand? holding a five-card major, just points each and never South has a super hand in as few people never do. If the get into the bidding. support of spades and starts to five-card suit is very strong express this with an advance ♠ K 8 4 or if all the strength is in two ♣♦♥♠ . 4 ♥ Q 9 2 N suits, few people would open While news of the ♣A opposite W E ♦ J 6 S 1NT. Conversely, if the five- East dealt does not excite North, the ♣ A 10 7 4 3 card major is ten- or jack- and opened 6-loser hand with extra trump high, few people would open Q1NT (12-14). length justifies a return cue bid. the major. Where the Robson North/South held: 5Knowing that North has any West North East South or EBU advice comes in for sort of slam interest, South has 1♦ 2♣ most people is on hands with heard enough. ? average honour location. ♠ K 10 9 8 7 5 Opening the major does ♥ A K 3 2 On the bidding, a grand Doreen Parrington, make it easier to compete to ♦ 8 3 2 slam is quite a reasonable Lytham St Annes. two of the major if partner ♣ Void contract. As well as the ♣ has support. Realistically, you N possibility of a short K, When the opponents cannot open 1NT and then W E East will often hold the S have bid your compete to two of a major all ♦K-Q and so be subject A longest suit, it on your own with a minimum ♠ A J 6 4 3 to a in the is likely to be right to opening hand. Opening 1NT ♥ 5 minors. I do not see how defend, ideally doubled. can work better if partner ♦ A J 4 you would ever work that Since these days it is rare has no fit for the major: you ♣ A Q 10 4 out during the auction. to have a penalty double might otherwise end up in a available, you cannot double 5-1 fit if partner has enough ♣♦♥♠ directly. Assuming that a to respond initially but not All 14 N/S pairs played in double would be negative/ enough to rebid 2NT. 4♠ (6 times by S, 8 by N) I was South take-out/Sputnik, whatever I suspect there is not a making 12 or 13 tricks. playing on BBO you want to call it, you lot in it – otherwise the two Those lucky enough to Qwith a pick-up should just pass in the hope camps would agree. As you receive a club lead had partner, making 2♠+1, that partner reopens with a suggest, you can discuss the an easy path to 13 tricks. who refused to accept double. You plan to convert matter with your partner. Even on a non-club lead, that a change of suit over partner’s take-out double to 13 are still available as his overcall was forcing. a penalty double by passing. ♣♦♥♠ East held ♣K-7-6 so the king can be ruffed out. ♣♦♥♠ Can you overcall Can you suggest a ♠ J 10 with 1NT when bidding sequence to ♥ K 10 7 5 Andrew Robson Qholding fewer arrive in the small ♦ K 8 advocates that than 16 points, after or grand slam? ♣ K J 10 5 2 you should an opponent opens Paul Jesper by email. Q N open any 5332 12-14 1♠, for example? W E S point hand 1NT while Roseanna O’Regan by email. When an opponent the EBU’s advice is to opens 1NT, it is ♠ Q 9 8 7 open a five-card major For a second seat A difficult to visualise ♥ A J if you have one. Is one 1NT overcall it is a slam. Having said that, ♦ 10 5 4 of them more correct A quite common to play you might get there: ♣ A 8 6 4 and is this a matter for a range of 15-17 or 15-18, so partnership agreement? overcalling with 15 is normal West North East South Mike Gurney, Holt, Norfolk. enough. Furthermore, a 1NT Dbl1 West North East South tenace holding in opener’s 2♣ 3♠2 Pass 4♣3 1♦ 2♣ Pass 2♠ Both Andrew Robson suit like A-Q-x or K-J-x is Pass 4♥4 Pass 6♠5 All Pass and the EBU have worth more than its basic All Pass A formulated a simple point count suggests. 1With 16 points, South starts with I could have utilised rule because this makes In the reopening seat a double. UCB via a 2♦ response, it easy to teach. Simplicity (eg 1♠-pass-pass-1NT), it 2If you play , North’s but was searching does have a lot going for is normal to play a weaker jump to 3♠ is forcing (an for a double fit in the it, especially when you are strength, say 12-14. If you invitational hand would bid 2NT black suits. Is my 2♠ bid helping people to learn. do not play a weaker range first). recognised as forcing

Page 40 BRIDGE May 2016 for 1 round; does it points, virtually all in show 4+ or 5+? the black suits, should Geoff Simpson, prevent the defence CHARITY EVENTS Torphins, Aberdeenshire. running them and that MAY 2016 JULY 2016 we were much more likely It is quite common in to make overtricks in 3NT 6 STAMFORD BURGHLEY 8 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH ROTARY CLUB Village Hall, Great Barford, America (and hence than 5♦. Hence, playing Tinwell Village Hall, PE9 3UD. Beds. £14. A in an online game) duplicate I bid 3NT. Had 1.15 for 1.30pm. Derek Fordham to play a change of suit fol- I been playing rubber or Bridge Tea. £8 pp. ( 01234 870324 lowing partner’s overcall as teams, I would have bid Rtn Alan Kinch Gill Wilkes ( 01234 870428 ( 01780 444276 [email protected] ♦ non-forcing. Your partner, a safer 5 . Everybody [email protected] with a minimum overcall else was in 5♦ making 17 CHIGWELL RIDING TRUST for (for some it would be sub- exactly. We went off in 13 TWYFORD SINGERS people with special needs. Charvil Village Hall, Charvil, Abridge Village Hall, Essex. minimum – I assume your 3NT when the missing RG10 9TR. 1.30 for 2pm. 1.30 for 2pm start. £12 pp. side was non-vulnerable) was black honours were 5th Annual Bridge Drive. Duplicate/Chicago available. correct to pass 2♠ if you were unfavourably located. Tea, raffle. £32 per table. Mrs M Walker playing it as non-forcing. Was I unlucky or foolish? Gillian Matthews ( 02035 390387 ( 01189 479986 Forcing or not, a change David Lawrence, AUGUST 2016 of suit, especially at the two Hook, Hampshire. 15 CHIGWELL RIDING TRUST for level, indicates at least a people with special needs. 19 ST IVES DAY CENTRE. £15 pp. Abridge Village Hall, Essex. 5-card suit. With your hand, In traditional Acol, Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots. 1.30 for 2pm start. £12 pp. Don Moorman ♦ I would bid 2 to indicate which you seem to Duplicate/Chicago available. ( 01480 463444 a sound raise in clubs (or A be playing given Mrs M Walker just occasionally a strong the range you are using for ( 02035 390387 SEPTEMBER 2016 hand without support). the 1NT rebid, a jump to 20 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES. 8 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE three of opener’s suit (3♦) is Doddington Village Hall, March. ROTARY CLUB. 12 for 12.30pm. ♣♦♥♠ forcing. This is worth trying £15 pp. Outlane Golf Club, Huddersfield. ( and suggests that you are Val Topliss 01354 653696 £50 per table (may rise to £52) including lunch, afternoon Playing interested in a suit contract. JUNE 2016 tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. matchpoint At matchpoints, I would be Rtn Sam Smith Qpairs, I faced reluctant to insist on a minor- 1 MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT ( 01924 402540 the following decision: suit game with your hand. If & DOWNHAM MARKET ( 07968 868828 FESTIVAL COMMITTEE samuelsmith396 you have to make a decision Downham Market Festival @btinternet.com between 3NT and 5♦ at Bridge (duplicate bridge ♠ 8 6 matchpoints, I would go for with afternoon tea). 18 CHIGWELL RIDING TRUST for Town Hall. £6 pp. people with special needs. ♥ A 7 6 4 N 3NT. From your description, W E 1.15 for 1.30pm. Abridge Village Hall, Essex. ♦ S A K 9 6 5 4 your partner might have Ann Taylor ( 01366 388408 1.30 for 2pm start. £12 pp. ♣ 3 had something like this: Duplicate/Chicago available. 17 GREAT STUKELEY Mrs M Walker CONSERVATIVE CLUB ( 02035 390387 Village Hall, Great Stukeley. West East ♠ K Q 4 £14 pp. OCTOBER 2016 1♦ N ♥ K Q 3 Kay Brownlow W E ( 01480 880663 7 ST NEOTS MUSEUM. £14 pp. 1♥ 1NT S ♦ Q J 8 2 Sheila Stephenson St Neots Outdoor Bowling Club. ? ♣ K 9 2 ( 01480 457338 Jean Searle ( 01480 212298

At the table I did 23 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE NOVEMBER 2016 ROTARY CLUB. not consider looking For 3NT to fail, the opening Outlane Golf Club, 24 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE for a diamond slam, leader will need to hold the Huddersfield. ROTARY CLUB. 12 for 12.30pm. which retrospectively ♣A but not the ♠A; moreover, 12 for 12.30pm. Outlane Golf Club, Huddersfield. maybe I should have. the leader will need to find £50 per table (may rise to £52) £50 per table (may rise to £52) including lunch, afternoon However, I debated the spade lead, and the other including lunch, afternoon tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. between 5♦ and 3NT. defender find a club switch. Rtn Sam Smith Rtn Sam Smith I took the view that Much of the time you will ( 01924 402540 ( 01924 402540 I had seven tricks and make at least 10 tricks in 3NT ( 07968 868828 ( 07968 868828 samuelsmith396 partner with 15/16 and outscore those in 5♦. ■ samuelsmith396 @btinternet.com @btinternet.com

E-mail your questions (including your postal address) for Julian to: [email protected] E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 41 Mr Bridge Teacher’s Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel TEA TOWELS Estimating your Matchpoint Score

s far as I know, most bridge actual scores can lead to a large dif- clubs in England use match- ference in matchpoints and vice versa. point scoring at pairs, to such Matchpoint tactics is a vast subject Aan extent that the word ‘pairs’ is syn- and books have been written about it There are Three onymous with ‘matchpoint scoring’. so I just scratch the surface; my main Kinds of This isn’t strictly correct as there are aim of the lesson is to give them an Accountant . . . other forms of pairs scoring – some understanding of the mechanics of clubs use Butler (or cross-imp scor- matchpoint scoring. Those who ing) which is effectively teams scoring Matchpoint scoring means you get can add up and at pairs. In Scotland, many clubs use 2 points for every pair that you beat those who can’t. aggregate (total and 1 point for point scoring) every pair you and match point tie with (playing alternately. On your way) on each Life’s a GAME the other hand, board. If you beat rubber bridge is every other score but still popular in on the board you BRIDGE England but rare- get a ‘top’ which ly played in Scot- is twice the num- is land. ber of entries on SERIOUS Let’s stick with the traveller ex- m a t c h - p o i n t s cluding your own. though. When I Your matchpoints started bridge, it are totalled and took several hours converted to a Be to manually score percentage of your the weekly dupli- maximum pos- reasonable cate; now all you sible score (if you need to do is en- got a top on every ... do it ter the data in a board). Sounds computer which takes a fraction of the simple enough but how can you be my way! time – and if you have bridgemates it’s sure that everyone has understood all done automatically. Hence, no-one your presentation? Well, unless you needs to matchpoint a traveller man- are a mind reader, you can’t – the proof THE PRESENT ually any more, but it’s essential to of the pudding is in the eating. Just as know how it’s done because you need the best way to learn card play is with v v v to know what you are trying to achieve the cards in your hands, the best way Yesterday is History when playing matchpoints. to understand matchpointing is to do Tomorrow is a Mystery For this reason, I devote a complete it yourself. Today is a Gift lesson to this topic, usually in the sec- After the spoken lesson, the class That is why we call it . . . The Present ond year. I matchpoint a traveller on play random hands which have plenty the whiteboard/ with the stu- of scores on the travellers, having been dents’ help, show them the recapitula- played at other classes. The players tion sheet/matrix leading to the final stay at the same table and the boards £5.00 each. result with the percentages. We then circulate. After each board, they enter All printed on 100% cotton. look at a few matchpointed travellers their score on the traveller (shown in which show how small differences in yellow) then calculate only their own

Page 42 BRIDGE May 2016 Teacher’s Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel CROATIA 2-16 May 2017 Estimating your Matchpoint Score Bernard Magee

HOTEL From EDEN £1,425 sharing matchpoints and the current top on The first few boards will be an inspired ROVINJ the board. This is entered on a sepa- guess as there won’t be many scores on rate scorecard as shown. There is one the traveller, but towards the end of scorecard per table so it’s a combined the session your scores will be quite effort but I ensure everyone at the ta- accurate. The main benefit of this ble understands it. method is that So it becomes a it forces you to mini competition ‘think match- between NS and points’ and that’s EW at each table really important. and it doesn’t mat- You can check ter that the tops are your estimate different on each when the final Rovinj is situated on the western coast board. At the end, scores are pub- of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula the NS and EW col- lished, often your on the Adriatic coastline, a one hour umns are totalled errors cancel out drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb. Boasting a rich, natural and cultural and converted to a and you can be heritage, with beautiful landmarks such as percentage of the amazingly ac- the old town, the Golden Cape Park Forest, total TOP column. curate. If your protected islands and coastal area. It’s good fun and I club publishes The climate is warm and semi-dry, with assure you they all the results on more than four months a year without wind. understand match- their website or Hotel Eden is wedged right between a points by the end of emails them out, peninsula covered by a one hundred year old park forest and a quiet cove. The old the lesson. you can study the city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute Now let’s move travellers in more walk away. on to the bridge detail, especially Rooms: All rooms are equipped with a club; assuming you if a hand printout direct phone line, LCD SAT TV, mini-bar, don’t have Bridge- is available too safe, bathtub or shower, toilet, hair dryer, (with computer balcony, air conditioning/heating. Suites mates, you need to are available, details on application. be able to quick- dealt hands). It’s true that Singles: There is a sole occupancy ly estimate your supplement of £11 per room per night. If matchpoint score bridgemates can you are a single bridge player, please do not on each board by show your cur- worry about being on your own. We will looking at the traveller. This enables rent percentage on each board and always be able to find you a partner and you can always have a game. you to know if you have done well or you also badly and why. There isn’t enough can scroll Beaches & Pools: The playful curves of the pool offer refreshment in the summer time to work it out accurately, but an down to see with a salty breeze coming from the natural estimate is good enough. A pairs ses- the other stone and pebble beach only a few steps sion usually consist of 24-27 boards, so scores, how- away. The vast outdoor pool will cool you down after a day of lounging in the freely each board is worth about 4% of your ever, I feel I available deck chairs. total score (100/25). You score each gain more Terms and conditions apply. board according to the table shown from seeing These holidays have been organised for and write it on your personal score- the ‘old fashioned’ traveller. So if your Mr Bridge by Great Little Escapes LLP, ATOL 5933 card. At the end, you total all your club still has them, make the most of it. Details of the bridge programme pluses and minuses and add it to 50% Anyone wishing a digital master (par) to get your final percentage. You copy of my matchpoint scorecard ( 01483 489961 can keep a running score if you wish. should email [email protected] ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 43 Heather’s Private Bridge Lessons

Suit Combinations

is a layout of three tricks in this suit by making what tell you how to play the diamonds. a suit that requires playing in is known as a . Begin with Thus, with A-J-3-2 facing K-9-5-4: a particular sequence. The cor- the ace and then lead towards your For four tricks: lead the four and Arect sequence may depend on a num- hand. Assuming no-one has discarded, finesse the jack (37%). ber of things: and no high cards have appeared, you For three tricks: Play the ace, lead should play the nine from hand. If this small to the 9 (100%), the safety play. 1. Whether or not you can afford to loses, then the suit has divided and you The effect is that you reduce the lose a trick in the suit. will make the remaining two tricks in chance of making four tricks in the 2. Whether you are trying to the suit. However if West discards, you suit to guarantee making three. maximise your chance of making have successfully guaranteed your- Consider this suit combination: a certain number of tricks in the self three tricks where the pairs play, A-Q-9-8 facing x-x-x. Again, the suit, or whether you are trying to described above, would have failed. number of tricks you need in the suit make the maximum number of If East fails to follow on the second is relevant. tricks in the suit. round, you can rise with the king from For three tricks (and your best hand and lead towards the jack – still chance of maximising the number of Example 1 making three tricks in the suit. tricks you make): finesse the 8, then You are in 4♠ on the following deal: finesse the 9 (50%). Example 2 For your best chance of making You are in 6NT on the following deal: two tricks: finesse the 8, then play to ♠ A J 8 5 the ace (91%). Note, this only applies ♥ Q 7 if you can afford to lose two tricks in ♦ 8 6 4 3 ♠ A 8 the suit, and is not the play you would ♣ J 8 4 ♥ A Q J make playing pairs. ♦ K J 7 3 N Other factors to consider are: W E ♣ A Q 8 3 S

N 3. Entries to your hand or dummy. ♠ K 9 4 2 W E 4. Keeping a certain opponent off S ♥ J 10 3 lead. ♦ A K ♠ K Q J 7 5. Vacant spaces. By this we mean ♣ A K Q 3 ♥ K 10 2 that one defender may be more ♦ A 9 6 2 likely to have length in the suit ♣ 7 6 than the other, because of hold- West leads out the ace and king of ings in a different suit. For exam- hearts and switches to a diamond. ple, if one defender opens 3♥ and How do you plan the play? This is the same suit combination, but you have a choice of guarding The answer depends on the form of how many tricks should you be playing against a 4-1 break in spades by scoring. If you are playing pairs, you for? With seven major suit tricks, either defender, play the opponent would cash the king of trumps and the answer will depend on whether who hasn’t pre-empted to hold the lead towards the ♠A-J, hoping for an the club finesse is working or not. If length in spades. overtrick if the suit divides by finess- it fails, you will need four tricks in 6. The bidding (or lack of it). A ing West for the queen. However, it is diamonds and should play the ♦2 and defender who has passed as dealer different at teams scoring or rubber finesse the jack. However if the club and leads out the A-K-Q of a suit is bridge. Now you want to play as safe- finesse works, you can now guarantee not going to hold another ace! ly as possible for your contract, and your contract by safety-playing the The following hands illustrate some should consider the situation where diamonds. So the answer is, you must common suit combinations where the trumps break 4-1. You can guarantee take the club finesse first, and this will form of scoring is irrelevant.

Page 44 BRIDGE May 2016 Example 3 cashing the ace or queen and looking home, however if West discards on How do you play 3NT on the following to see whether the jack or ten falls the second round, the position is now deal after a heart lead? from either defender. If it doesn’t, you revealed and you can finesse East for will continue to cash the suit from the the jack. top and hope for a break, however if Thus holding A-Q-3-2 facing K-10- ♠ A K 9 3 it does, you have the opportunity to 5-4: cash the A and Q. ♥ J 3 2 play that defender to hold a singleton Consider this suit combination: ♦ 7 4 at no risk. Since you hold a top honour A-9-4-2 facing K-Q-10-7-3. Your only ♣ A 10 4 3 in both hands, you can pick up the problem will come from a 4-0 break.

N four card holding on either side which If you begin by cashing the king or W E is why you should begin with a top queen, you will discover if there is a S honour from the hand holding two. bad break and can take the appropriate ♠ 7 4 2 finesse. ♥ A K ♦ A K 8 5 ♠ J 6 4 Example 6 ♣ K 7 6 5 ♥ K Q 10 You are in 6♠ on the following deal: ♦ K 9 4 2 ♣ K 7 3 ♠ A Q 9 5 The relevant suit combination is in N clubs, and you need three tricks from W E ♥ K 10 9 3 S the suit to bring you up to nine. If ♦ A K Q J the suit divides 3-2, there will be no ♠ A K Q ♣ 6 ♥ J 4 2 problem, however, consider if the N suit divides 4-1? Provided it is West ♦ A Q 8 3 W E S who holds four, you will be home, so ♣ A Q 2 begin by cashing the king, to which ♠ K 8 7 4 2 both opponents follow small. When ♥ A Q 2 you lead a second club towards Thus, holding K-9-4-2 facing A-Q-8-3: ♦ 6 4 dummy, you should put in the ♣10 cash the A or Q in case a singleton jack ♣ K J 7 if West follows small. If this loses to or ten fall. an honour, you have the remaining two tricks in the suit (and you always Example 5 The lead is the ♣A followed by a heart had one loser in the suit however you You are in 6NT again on the following switch. You put up the 10 and this played it). However, if East fails to deal: holds the trick. How do you plan the follow, this is when your play gains. play? Thus, holding A-10-x-x facing K-x- With plenty of top tricks outside x-x, if you need all four tricks, you ♠ A K Q the trump suit, your only remaining must cash the king then ace, hoping ♥ K Q J problem will come from a 4-0 trump for Q-J doubleton (7%). ♦ A Q 3 2 break. On this hand, you can only pick For three tricks: cash the king and ♣ 10 9 5 up a bad break on one side, and that is if lead small to the 10 (84%). N West holds all four. If East holds them, If you hold the A-K-Q and can pick W E then when you lead towards the king, S up a bad break on either side, cash an he can insert the jack or ten, forcing honour in the hand where you have ♠ 7 5 4 2 out your king, and guaranteeing two honours. ♥ A 8 himself a trick on the suit. However, if ♦ K 10 6 5 West holds them all you can take two Example 4 ♣ K Q J finesses to pick them up, but how do You are in 6NT on the following deal you know to do that? (hand in next column). The answer is that you must begin You receive a spade lead. The key suit Again diamonds is the key suit, and with the king. If both defenders follow, here is the diamonds, and you need you need four tricks. As with the your worries are over. If, however, East four tricks from the suit. Whenever previous hand, any 3-2 break will do, discards on the first round, you must the suit divides 3-2, you will succeed by so you must consider how to guard lead towards A-Q-9 and cover West’s simply playing out your top honours, against a 4-1 break. If West holds four, card. If he splits the jack-ten, you will so don’t be tempted into taking any there is nothing you can do, however, need to cross back to hand and repeat early finesses which might result in if East holds four, you will be able to the finesse. you going down where the simple line finesse him for the jack. Begin by Thus, holding K-6-4-2 facing A-Q- would have worked. cashing the ace and queen of diamonds 9-8-3: cash the king, since you can Instead, you should begin by and if both defenders follow, you are only pick up 4-0 on one side. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Wednesday West North East South enough. It’s all we can do to spin the Pass 1♣ meal out to last an hour before going … I leave my parents’ house near Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ our separate ways. Chippenham early in the morning Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ Back at the flat, I get on with for a meeting with the company Pass 4♠ Pass 6♠ some more work – there is a lot on accountant in Maidenhead. Ever since All Pass at the moment (I am working on I was first with Raymond over twenty the Peloponnese, the Faroe Islands, years ago, I have worked through a Phil King gave me a good tip, which Mauritius, the Basque Country and company that he set up. There were I will pass on to you. When you are a book about travelling around the several tax advantages in doing this, going to pot a slam on general values UK with a bus pass) before setting off but it seems that the time has come and you have a void, you should use for the match in Gerrards Cross. We to wind it up – which we have now Blackwood anyway, because it will are playing against the Orams and agreed to do. mislead opponents. the Lindons, whom we know well – a Then I go on into London to Barry’s. Here, I don’t do that and have no dangerous team. He is working so I set up my laptop real idea of why West starts with the We limp along and the match is and get on with some stuff, until 2pm ace of hearts, but he does and for pretty flat for most of the time, but when I have a session with Richard that I am very grateful. After the ace eventually we lose by 8 IMPs. This and Gerry. We start with a robot but of hearts lead, I ruff, cash the ace of board in the last set was crucial: halfway through Barry gets back and clubs and ruff a club, come back to a joins us. These sessions are always diamond and ruff another club. Now enjoyable – I am lucky to get paid for I cash the king of hearts pitching a Dealer North. Game All. doing something that is such fun! diamond, come back to a diamond ♠ K Q J 6 2 In the evening, I have a Super League and ruff a third club with the ace of ♥ Q J 8 match at the Young Chelsea. This spades. Then I play a spade to hand, ♦ 7 6 4 2 evening Nicola is ill and drops out at draw a second round of trumps and ♣ 7 the last minute, so I play with Heather. play winning clubs until West ruffs for ♠ 10 8 5 ♠ A 7 4 We win this by the maximum, so we his only defensive trick. ♥ K 6 4 N ♥ 7 5 3 2 W E ♦ 10 9 3 ♦ A Q 8 5 are in the top half of the field. I am a S bit lucky on this deal: ♣ Q 10 4 3 ♣ J 6 ♠ 9 3 Thursday ♥ A 10 9 Dealer East. Game All. We have a Crockfords match in the ♦ K J ♠ A 9 8 5 evening, but the starting time is going ♣ A K 9 8 5 2 ♥ K J 10 9 5 to depend on Barry’s work schedule. ♦ 9 3 2 However, it turns out he is not in court ♣ 5 today so we can start early – at 5.30pm. I am pleased with our result. I open ♠ 10 6 3 ♠ J 7 I meet Toby for lunch. We miss him a strong no-trump in third seat and ♥ A 8 6 3 N ♥ Q 7 4 2 now he is not at home, and I try to Barry transfers into spades, then bids W E ♦ J 8 7 5 ♦ Q 10 6 S meet him for lunch in London once 3NT. With no inkling of my club suit, ♣ Q 10 ♣ K J 7 3 a month or so – somewhere on the West leads a low club to the jack and ♠ K Q 4 2 Central line not so far from Oxford my king. I play a spade to dummy, ♥ Void Circus. Last time we found a really which East has to duck, and then a ♦ A K 4 good Indian fusion type restaurant heart to my nine. West wins the king ♣ A 9 8 6 4 2 but today’s choice is not so good. To and, still with no idea of the club start with, it doesn’t really take long position, plays, as I had hoped, a top

Page 46 BRIDGE May 2016 club. I can now knock out the other on show. In particular, we have three playable spot and a bit unlucky when club honour and scamper home with very young girls (aged 11, 12 and 13 spades break 3-1 and it has to go down. nine tricks. respectively) who all play together and I have also been keeping an eye In the other room South opens 3♣, are going to be part of our Under-15 on the Irish women I coach. It is the showing 11–15 with a six-card suit. team for the world championships in final weekend of their trials for the This is passed around to East who Italy in the summer. European Championships and both doubles. What should West do? It In the evening we go to Alison and have been there or thereabouts for looks obvious when you see all the Mike’s bridge party in Acton. By the most of the event. When the music hands that he should pass, but he is time we get there, the bridge is nearly stops Louise and Lucy make the team, afraid 3♣ might make, so tries 3♦ over (that was the idea) and everyone but unfortunately Emer and Jeannie which is passed out. This plays terribly is eating – some very excellent food. do not. and goes four down. So we gain 5 The bridge continues after supper – I After the bridge I drive home and IMPs on the board. Had he passed and stand in for someone and play one Briony and I go out to get an Indian collected 200 the match would have hand on which we bid a grand slam takeaway from our local restaurant. been level and we would have had to on a finesse that goes down. Having We have not tried it before and are play extra boards. made my contribution I return to the pretty impressed. Then it is TV catch- kibitzer’s chair and watch everyone up time: two episodes of Casualty and else’s mistakes. two of Holby City. We stay for ages, probably outstaying Friday our welcome, as it is 1am before we I work at home in the morning and leave. mid-afternoon set off for London. I am Monday ashamed to say that I shortly expect to Monday morning is my online time lose my driving licence. Having had 9 with Allison. She has been in Florida points for a while, I acquired another 3 Sunday so I’m not quite sure if she’s back, but – I don’t really remember the occasion More of the same with the squad. Lots she texts me, and we have our usual but I imagine I really was driving 35 of playing – with only three tables we session. mph in a 30 zone. So I am making the can have an adult at each table who Other than that, it’s more Bradt most of being able to drive, as soon I talks about the problems as and when work, and Briony is working from may have to do all this travelling by they arise and are fresh in everyone’s home which is nice. We have a rather public transport. memory. lazy evening catching up on more TV. In the evening, we play in the dupli- As the weekend wears on people are cate at the Young Chelsea. The main getting tired. I thought this was a bit purpose of this is to sell the quiz, and in unlucky. that we succeed. I am pleased to sell 22 Tuesday Big Bridge Quizzes to 13 tables, when Briony is up and out early while I have at least ten or so had bought it before. Dealer South. E/W Vul. a bit of clear space which I need to However, we are not really in the mood ♠ A 8 7 5 pack for China. My taxi is booked for for playing, as our score shows! ♥ A K J 7 11.15am and I have not thought about ♦ K 10 4 packing yet. I am rather distraught ♣ A 7 to find that my ‘packing list’ has ♠ K J 9 ♠ Q somehow disappeared from the Notes Saturday ♥ 6 2 N ♥ 10 8 on my phone. So, all in a bit of a rush, W E ♦ Q 8 5 2 ♦ J 9 7 6 3 I mentioned last month that I am now S I do hope I haven’t forgotten anything in charge of the newly formed England ♣ K J 8 6 ♣ Q 10 9 4 3 serious. under-25 women’s squad. ♠ 10 6 4 3 2 I get to Heathrow in good time. Today is the start of our first training ♥ Q 9 5 4 3 Nevena is some sort of BA silver weekend and it seems to be a success. ♦ A member which means she can take We have ten young women on the ♣ 5 2 me with her into the Business Class Saturday, two of whom have only just lounge, so we drink champagne and started learning the game while the eat free food for a while. Then it is rest have been playing a while. I am North and hear my partner rather an interminable journey: ten Mostly we just play bridge and go open 1♥. With no slam convention in and a half hours to Shanghai, followed through the hands, but we also hand my armoury, it seems reasonable to by a 500km drive to Huai’an (better out some quizzes and David Bakhshi jump straight to slam. Unfortunately, than waiting five or more hours for a gives a short talk about the importance my partner has temporarily got connecting flight). of counting and the inferences that confused about 12 points to open and Finally, we arrive and wait to start can be made. 6 to respond and thinks it is the other the IMSA Elite Mind Games. I am impressed at some of the talent way round! Still, slam is a perfectly Read all about it next month. ■

BRIDGE May 2016 Page 47 2134 Mr Bridge FULL page 160905BR_Layout 1 12/04/2016 15:38 Page 1

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