BRIDGE Number Ninety-two Christmas 2008

I have a list of people, all of whom are entered in a database. Every year, as Christmas approaches, I take a good look And I realise that these names are a part Not just of a database but of everything I do. Each name stands for someone who has somehow crossed my path. Then the memory of an email or a memo, A friendly face or strongly worded letter is conjured up before me. Still, when I send this magazine to you, It is because you are in this database and one of the many With whom I have had contact and don’t wish to forget. Whether I have known you for many years or just a few months You have had a part in shaping the things I do. So, as Christmas approaches, may its spirit, in whatever shape it takes for you, Leave its richest blessings in your heart. Now QReady PLUS 9.1 The very best -playing Software available

FEATURES SYSTEM HANS LEBER l The Usual Friendly Interface (see above) l 8mb RAM l Hint and Help Buttons – always at hand l CD-ROM l Easy Windows Installation l Pentium or equivalent l Comprehensive Manual Windows XP or Vista l Rubber, Duplicate and Teams Scoring l l Instant results playing in teams mode l 2,500 pre-played hands for teams l 2,000 pre-played hands for match-pointed TRADE-IN pairs including 1,000 new hands Trade-in any previous version of Check your pairs percentage and ranking W NE Systems include: several versions of Acol, Q Plus. Just post in the booklet and EW N including Bernard Magee’s system, Standard disk and a cheque for £32. American or create your own.

l £82 including postage

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

( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302 FEATURES BRIDGE 3 Bidding Quiz 56 Dave Huggett says BIDDING QUIZ by Bernard Magee Don’t Rush to by Bernard Magee 4 Take Publisher and 57 Andrew Kambites says ou are West in the auc - Managing Editor 6 Double Dummy Quiz by Richard Wheen Look Before Ytions below, playing Mr Bridge You Leap to 4NT 7 Bidding Quiz Answers 'Standard Acol' with a weak Ryden Grange by Bernard Magee 58 Defence Quiz Answers no- (12-14 points) and Knaphill, Surrey by four-card majors. 8 Cruise to the Riveria GU21 2TH by Bernard Magee 59 Mike Wenble says (Answers on page 7) Count Your Losers 13 Defence Quiz ( 01483 489961 as Declarer 1. Dealer West. N/S Vul. by Julian Pottage ♠ A K 8 7 6 4 3 2 e-mail : 14 Declarer Play Quiz [email protected] ♥ 4 by Dave Huggett ADVERTISEMENTS ♦ 7 6 website : 15 The Advantages 2 QPlus 9.1 ♣ 5 3 of Transfers www.mrbridge.co.uk 4 Charity Bridge Events by Freddie North West North East South Christmas 2009 ? 16 A Slam for Santa Associate Editor by Michael Scarrott Tutorial Software & Julian Pottage Mail Order Form 2. Dealer East. Game All. 19 Double Dummy Answer ♠ by Richard Wheen 9 Better ♥ K 9 8 7 Technical Consultant 20 David Stevenson 10 Tunisia 2009 Tony Gordon ♦ K 7 6 3 2 Answers Your Questions 13 Marsham Court ♣ 10 4 3 2 26 Bubble Captions Bridge Weekends West North East South Bridge Consultant 28 A Walk at Christmas 14 Beach Hotel 1♠ Pass Bernard Magee by Countryman Bridge Weekends ? 32 Julian Pottage 15 2009 Diaries Proof Readers Answers Your Questions 21 The New Yellow Book 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Danny Roth 38 Benjaminised Acol and 21 Rubber/Chicago ♠ A Q J 10 5 Hugh Williams the Lion of the North Bridge Events ♥ K Q 3 Freddie North by Ned Paul 22 Blunsdon House Hotel ♦ K Q 2 40 The Baron Outwits Bridge Events ♣ 7 4 the Grand Duke 25 The Olde Barn Hotel Software Support West North East South by Dick Atkinson Bridge Events 01483 485340 1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ( 41 Declarer Play Answers 26 Wychwood Park ? by David Huggett Bridge Events Events & Cruises 44 Julian Pottage says 29 Staverton Park 4. Dealer West. Love All. ( 01483 489961 Attitude on Bridge Weekends ♠ K Q 9 Jessica Galt Partner’s Lead 30 2009 Summer Cruises ♥ K Q 8 7 Holly Cobbett 45 Jeremy Dhondy says On Discovery ♦ A 8 3 2 Don’t Run from the Rachel Everett 39 Denham Grove ♣ K 2 Frying Pan into the Fire Bridge Weekends 46 says Don’t West North East South Club Directory 42 Holiday Diary Underbid Small Hands 1♥ 2♣ Pass Pass [email protected] 47 Stamps ? 47 Readers’ Letters 50 Barony Castle 51 Readers’ Letters Address Changes Bridge Weekends 5. Dealer West. Love All. on the EBU P2P ( 01483 485342 50 Single-Suited Pens ♠ Q 3 53 Freddie North says ♥ 7 6 5 The Five Level Belongs 54 Global Travel Insurance All correspondence should ♦ A 9 4 3 to the Opponents Club Insurance Form be addressed to Mr Bridge. ♣ A K 8 7 Please make sure that all 55 Liz McGowan says 60 Voyage to Nice West North East South letters, e-mails and faxes Second Hand Plays Low on board Discovery 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass carry full postal addresses 2♦ Pass 2♠ Pass and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not ? necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3 CLUB INSURANCE DEAD HORSE CHARITY I am glad to say that Moore BRIDGE EVENTS Stephens were so pleased with the response to the little NOVEMBER 2008 mention I gave them in the last issue that they have 14 DISPLACED PEOPLE IN BOSNIA prepared an annual policy Parish Centre, St John’s Road, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead. for £65 to cover clubs of up 9.30am-2.30pm. Includes lunch. to 100 members. See the cut- Pat Henry ( 01442 391087 FUND RAISING out page opposite page 55. 21 AIR AMBULANCE. £13.00. Last issue I invited readers These days, when legal Village Hall, Hemingford Abbotts. to send in postage stamps in actions are part of everyday Sheila Poval ( 01480 395394 support of Little Voice, a life, committee members 28 WATERAID & CHESTERFIELD charity devoted to supporting should insist that the club I feel like I’m flogging a CHILDREN’S CHARITY an orphanage and school in has public liability cover. dead horse compiling my St John’s Church Hall, Ethiopia. I have been directory of bridge clubs and Chesterfield. 12.30 pm. £12. heartened by your response SECRET SANTA Wine on arrival & luxury tea. teachers. Mrs P Bown ( 01246 200211 and I have sent all I have received to Mr Bamberger of However, I intend to devote Trimley St Mary, Suffolk the next four working weeks, DECEMBER 2008 who is handling their sale. with two or three assistants, to get on top of what is 1 ST. TERESA’S HOSPICE When sending me packages Christmas Bridge Party at turning into hard work. St. George’s Bridge Centre, please do not enclose any Please make sure that your Darlington. 1.15pm £5. correspondence as some may club downloads and Generous prizes & afternoon tea. remain unopened. completes the form found at Mrs Bainbridge www.mrbridge.co.uk. ( 01325 469785 Please keep saving stamps, especially over Christmas. If you are having a club I will tell you what further party, why not have some ANOTHER OLD JANUARY 2009 arrangements I will make fun with a Secret Santa. All NAG those due to attend put their 29 THE HARPENDEN FRIENDS OF for their collection. names on a piece of paper You will see that there is no CANCER RESEARCH & THE LADY Little Voice is part of panel in this issue for the TAVERNERS and drop them into a hat. L.U.C.I.A. Charity Number details of your friends or Park Hall, Harpenden. These are then drawn and First session 10am – 1pm. 1112674 registered with the indeed registration. If you everyone has to buy a gift Second session 2pm – 5pm. UK Charity Commissioners. would like any of your £40 per table inc. refreshments. If you would like to send a for the person they have friends to receive copies, Tickets from the Town Hall. donation, as some of you drawn. A modest price limit send in their full details already have, please make it should be set which should including postcode and FEBRUARY 2009 payable to LUCIA and not be strictly adhered to and telephone number and if a to me. It is just about the completely spent. friend complains that they 5 THAMES VALLEY ADVENTURE poorest country in the world, Wrap it and put it into the haven’t received their copy PLAYGROUND recently then they probably Eton College Rowing Centre, but every little helps. sack for distribution by Santa at the party and haven’t reregistered. Dorney. 10.30am – 4pm. CHARITY STRIP £17 per person to include believe me, it should create POSTAGE SAVINGS coffee on arrival and lunch. Alongside is the current strip a lot of fun and laughs. ( Rosemary 01753 642515 of fund-raising bridge dates. Jane ( 01753 644490 Fund-raisers should send in SIGNS OF THE 17 RIDING FOR THE DISABLED details as far in advance as TIMES (COURT MEADOW GROUP) possible and always ask for Until further notice the Millennium Hall, Scaynes Hill, some prizes. I never say no. Sussex. 11am – 3pm £50 per bubble caption and the prize table inc. good lunch. bidding competitions have GLOBAL TRAVEL Clive Goff is a loyal Carolyn Hawkins been discontinued. I need to ( 0845 2414346 I am pleased to find space to find new sponsors, which advertiser. He supports this Email: promote Global Travel believe me, are hard enough free publication by providing [email protected] insurance. The policy to find let alone sign up. The an unusual service. advertised should suit those bubble caption competition, He supplies readers with a MARCH 2009 who are ill but whose in particular, attracted an discount of at least 10% off symptoms are under control. 26 FRIENDS OF FARLEIGH HOSPICE enormous number to take British postage stamps. Ring Luncheon Bridge Drive. Global Travel understand part and I really have him on ( 0208 422 4906. Julie Renvoize ( 01245 258067 and cater for this segment enjoyed reading all the Do say you heard it from of a growing market. entries. Thank you. Mr Bridge.

Page 4 VENUES 2009 BACK COPIES ERIC HILL CRIB SHEET The joy that bubbles out of As I hate to throw anything Eric Hill has a specialist At last, as promised, Bernard the “Ode to Oxford” makes away, I can tell you that I do catalogue acting as a mail Magee’s crib sheet. It can be my job all worthwhile. have some back numbers order boutique offering the found in my website library. While I cannot promise (from 83 onwards) for which best European Fashion mrbridge/co.uk/library.php. everyone the same level of readers should send three brands including Grazia, experience, we do try to first class stamps each. Finnkarelia and Brandtex. NORWAY AGAIN He offers £10 Off to readers, make it so. I also have some earlier FREE p&p, FREE The venues for 2009, some issues. 10 different for £5. alterations and FREE old and some new, are listed Only a few lots available. returns. This means that in this issue. Details of hosts readers can try his goods out and seminar subjects will be OTHER for FREE – at no risk. And announced later. I have other magazines – what’s more, can place their DIRECTORS English Bridge, Bridge order for FREE. It is a I’m going up to the Fjords twice this coming summer to COURSES Magazine and ACBL. Any pleasure to enclose his three different for £2. First booklet. Do say you heard of see the scenes and breathe come, first served. his service from Mr Bridge. the air and rest. If you haven’t yet tried a bridge cruise on Discovery, you really should try one of these ODE TO OXFORD short breaks. I look forward by Carolyn Rayner to meeting you on board. We’ve just got back from Oxford, JUST DUPLICATE from a weekend filled with fun, Following on from the we’re not entirely truthful, enormous success of Gentle ‘bout just how well we’ve done. Duplicate Weekends, I am introducing Just Duplicate Our resident bridge laws We left our homes on Friday, Weekends at several venues. expert, David Stevenson, is all packed in Patrick’s car, £150 for the weekend, full to host a series of bridge complete with crisps and wine and port, board. Six sessions of social weekends which involve the we wouldn’t need the bar. training of directors for duplicate. No prizes, no bridge clubs. We spent a happy weekend master points, no seminars, learning signals and discards, no tuition. Payment in full at Four sessions of training and when partner plays the eight of spades the time of booking, either two evening duplicates. you must be on your guard. by debit card or by cheque. These are designed so that the course student can bring We listened to the seminar, TUNISIA 2009 a companion who does not then played a few set hands, As the party hosted by share the same interest, but I don’t think that we did them, Bernard Magee at The Royal would enjoy playing bridge quite as Bernard planned. Kenz is now fully booked, in the evening. Full board at I have added a further only £199 per person. This is The afternoon was long and hard, fortnight towards the end of an important subsidised opponents came and went, the year. initiative. Those interested did I bid clubs or one no trump, 15-29 November 2009. should register immediately it was three of hearts I meant. £749 per person inclusive. so that I can plan out the venues and the number of The hammer blow came quickly Holidays outside the euro courses. there was no going back, currency area are proving to we saw that we’d been shuffled be really good value, so I LAITHWAITES £50 to the bottom of the pack. have added another bridge One of the inserted OFF We were a bit downhearted and golf fortnight hosted by advertisements is for a case but with a bit of luck Tony and Jan Richards. 1-15 November, £699 pp. of 15 bottles of red wine for when we played again on Sunday only £39.95 if you use the there was only one way – up! CHRISTMAS GIFT voucher. With delivery at less than £7 per case, it is a And so it proved we all won through Send in your friends’ names really reasonable price for and left for home on top and addresses, so that they such a selection. Do please weighed down with ties and diaries can have their own copy of mention Mr Bridge if you we journeyed back non-stop. BRIDGE in 2009. Make sure take up the offer. to include the postcode.

Page 5 COMING SOON. RECOVERY FOR BUBBLE CAPTIONS CHRISTMAS Several new series for 2009. DISCOVERY Our wonderful cartoonist Here is a taster. Marguerite Lihou has chosen the following six captions as winners in the bubble caption competition. DOUBLE Christmas this year is hosted DUMMY by Sandy Bell. She is PROBLEM The good ship Discovery supported by the usual team. had a number of engine Denham Grove, Uxbridge is by Richard problems earlier this year. a comfortable conference All is now repaired and a centre set in 40 acres. Wheen programme of refurbishment (Answer on page 19) is in hand. These smaller All bedrooms are within the ships really are so much main building and half are more friendly than the so on the ground floor. There is called giants of the sea. easy access to all the bridge rooms, leisure pool and other BERNARD’S CRUISE Don’t bother, you can’t facilities, making this an outbid her. ideal Christmas venue. George Wells, Olney. Hosted rubber or Chicago Waiting for the queen to bridge will be provided for drop. all those who would like it. Joy Furness, Epsom. I can just afford a limit TWIXMAS ♠ A 3 2 bid. Chris Barrable and Ann ♥ 2 Anne Thomas, Taunton. Pearson host 27-29 ♦ 2 Picture cards always have December. This will follow ♣ 2 value. the established pattern of a ♠ 10 ♠ K Q J Alan Hobday, Solihull. two night weekend event. ♥ Void N ♥ Void W E See the adjacent programme. ♦ A S ♦ K Artful Bidding. You will no doubt read all ♣ K Q J 10 ♣ 9 8 Mr W Huggan, Bromley. NEW YEAR ♠ 6 5 4 about this year’s cruise from Whatever he’s bid, I’ll ♥ 4 3 Harwich to Nice with Chris and Ann also host 29 double it. ♦ Void Bernard Magee. (See page 8.) December to 1 January, see Richard Thorne, Rochdale. ♣ A He repeats the same itinerary adjacent advert. As always, for 2009. Fares from £499 Congratulations. Mrs Bridge and I will be sharing. Each winner has been sent a present to greet everyone at ou are South , During the eight-day cruise boxed set of four Single- the Gala Reception on the evening of 31st. Ydeclarer, in a there are several days at sea, suited Ball Point Pens. with lots of time to attend heart contract. You seminars and play bridge. MATERNITY LEAVE DAY GUESTS have arrived at the There will be tutors on board Do give the office a ring if position shown above, to teach those wishing to you would like to attend any needing to make five learn to play bridge. of our weekend events, of the last six tricks, THE RIGHT PATH without bed and breakfast. with dummy on lead. This can also be arranged for How do you avoid Freddie North first published any part of the Christmas two spade losers? The Right Path in 1988. and New Year programme, subject to availability. He tells me he still has some Leanora Adds has started her copies of this splendid primer maternity leave and we are SEASONS Q PLUS 7.5 and they are available from all patiently awaiting word him at £4.50 plus 50p for GREETINGS Following recent trade-ins, of the new arrival. postage and packing. I wish you all I wish for I now have a small stock of QPLUS QUIZ second hand QPlus 7.5 Write to him at: 14 Hammy myself. Love, peace and on sale at only £32. Please Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, Solution and winners will blessings. phone before ordering to West Sussex, BN43 6GG. be published in full in the avoid disappointment. ( 01273 464204 next issue.

Page 6 CHRISTMAS AT DENHAM GRoVE Tilehouse Lane, Denham, Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire. UB9 5DU.

Eight executive rooms: £50 supplement CHRISTMAS per event. Half the bedrooms are on the ground floor. Please advise if you 24-27 DECEMBER 2008 require a ground-floor room. £395 – Duplicate with Sandy Bell Rubber is also an available option _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ Example Programme

ChRiStMAS EVE Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 1500 Welcome Desk open. Address ...... Mulled wine and mince pies 1745 Welcome Reception (Black Tie ...... optional) followed by DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) NEW YEAR ...... ChRiStMAS DAY 29 DEC 2008 -1 JAN 2009 1030 SEMINAR or other games Postcode ...... (...... £355 – Duplicate with Chris Barrable (Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble etc) Please book me for ...... places, 1230 CHRISTMAS LUNCH Example Programme 1500 BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) Single ..... Twin ..... Double ..... or Queen’s speech 29 DECEMBER 1830 Festive Buffet DINNER followed by 1500 Welcome Desk open. Executive (twin or double) ..... BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) Mulled wine and mince pies 1745 Welcome Reception followed by 24-27 Dec ...... 27-29 Dec ...... BOXiNG DAY DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) 1000 SEMINAR followed by 29 Dec-1 Jan ...... All ...... Supervised Play 30 DECEMBER 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play 1000 SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play Please give the name(s) of all those covered or (“novelty” bridge, duplicate pairs) 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play by this booking 1830 DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) or duplicate pairs ...... 1830 DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) 27 DECEMBER 1000 Informal Prize-Giving SPECIAL REQUESTS NEW YEAR’S EVE These cannot be guaranteed, for Duplicate Section 1000 SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play but we will do our best to oblige. SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play 1230 Buffet LUNCH followed by or “novelty” bridge or duplicate pairs ...... BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) 1745 GALA RECEPTION (Black Tie optional) followed by a GALA DINNER then EXTRA NIGHT 27-29 DECEMBER 2008 BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) Dinner, bed & breakfast Single £55pp, Double £35pp, £199 – Duplicate with Chris Barrable 2345 See in the New Year payable to the hotel on departure. Example Programme NEW YEAR’S DAY 23 Dec ...... 1 Jan ...... 27 DECEMBER 1000 SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play 1500 Welcome Desk open. 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 Mulled wine and mince pies or duplicate pairs per person per event by cheque payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your 1745 Welcome Reception followed by booking confirmation. On receipt of your DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) final payment, 28 days before the event, a pro - gramme and full details will be sent together 28 DECEMBER with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. 1000 SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play or duplicate pairs 1830 DINNER then BRIDGE (duplicate pairs) , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 29 DECEMBER Surrey GU21 2TH 1000 SEMINAR followed by Supervised Play ( 01483 489961 1230 LUNCH then further Supervised Play Fax 01483 797302 or duplicate pairs [email protected] ( 01483 489961 TUTORIAL PLAY SOFTWARE SOFTWARE QPlus 9.1 £82.00 ...... Trade-in any previous QPlus Book & Disk and just send ONLY £32.00 ...... with Bernard Magee QPlus 8.8 £52.00 ...... ACOL BIDDING DECLARER PLAY TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Acol Bidding £62.00 ...... l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment More Acol Bidding £92.00 ...... Responses in No-trumps Declarer Play £70.00 ...... l Slams and Strong l Suit Establishment in Advanced Declarer Play £75.00 ...... Openings Suits BOOKS l Support for Partner l Hold-ups Rules Simplified £5.95 ...... £70 Hand Evaluation £14.00 ...... l Pre-empting l Ruffing for 2009 DIARIES Extra Tricks l Standard £62 l Entries in No-trumps Pillar Box Red ..... Navy Blue ..... Ivory ..... £5.95 ...... l No-trump Maroon ..... Cambridge Blue ..... Openings l Delaying Luxury with Kidrell Cover and Responses Drawing Trumps & Ball-Point Pen l Opener’s and l Using the Lead Bottle Green ..... £12.95 ...... Responder’s Rebids l Trump Control PENS l Minors and Misfits Boxed Set of Four Ball Point Pens £19.95 ...... l Endplays & (Heart, Club, Diamond, Spade) l Doubles Avoidance BONE CHINA MUG l Competitive Auctions l Using the Bidding Bidding Sequence £14.35 ...... TEA TOWELS MORE ACOL ADVANCED Tea Towels – Any four for £17.00 ...... BIDDING DECLARER PLAY We are Survivors £5.95 ...... Ten Commandments for Bridge Players £5.95 ...... l Basics l Making Overtricks How to know you are growing older £5.95 ...... in No-trumps l Advanced Basics Ode to a Pill £5.95 ...... l Making Overtricks Thoughts of an older person £5.95 ...... l Weak Twos in Suit Contracts Bridge Traffic Signs £5.95 ...... l Strong hands Life’s a game, but bridge is serious £5.95 ...... l Endplays

Recipe for a happy marriage £5.95 ...... l Defence to Weak l Avoidance £75 TIES Twos l Wrong Players Ties. Red or Navy £11.95 ...... l Defence to 1NT Bridge Players Novelty Tie (Big Cards) £11.95 ...... l Simple Squeezes l Doubles All prices are fully inclusive. I enclose a cheque for £...... l Counting the Hand l Two-suited Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Overcalls l Trump Reductions & Address ...... £92 Coups l Defences to ...... Other Systems l Playing Doubled Contracts Postcode ...... ( ...... l Misfits and Distributional Hands l Safety Plays , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. www.mrbridge.co.uk System Requirements: Windows XP or Vista, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE

out of control. Bidding 1NT is a bit like a Double. You have a strong hand and the 1. Dealer West. N/S Vul. negative bid – with a weak hand (6 or 7 HCP) temptation is to bid your hand out by ♠ A K 8 7 6 4 3 2 ♠ 9 5 and a distribution you cannot show: respond rebidding 2NT. However, your partner might ♥ 4 N ♥ 7 6 2 1NT first and then, if partner shows a second be very weak, as here, and 2NT will make W E ♦ 7 6 S ♦ K Q 9 4 3 2 suit, you can play there. only 5 or 6 tricks. ♣ 5 3 ♣ Q 9 On this hand, if you respond 1NT, your partner In the early rounds of bidding, when just suits will pass – his flat 16 points does not merit any have been bid and nobody has limited their more action. Finishing at the 1-level is just hand, doubles are generally most useful as West North East South what you hoped for. 2 ♦ is a better contract, take-out bids, asking partner to show his best ? but you cannot bid to it! If you respond 2 ♦, suit. This is a prime example illustrating when your partner would rebid 2NT, taking you you can use such a double. Your double 4♠. The vulnerability is in your favour – North- much too high. Note how much better 1NT is expresses to your partner that you are strong South are vulnerable, you are not – and you than 1 ♠ – passing would be cruel to your and want to bid on, but you must also be are first to speak. You should certainly make a partner – after all, would you want to play in short in the opponents’ suit and have some pre-emptive bid, but at what level? It is a 1♠ with these two hands? support for the unbid suits. choice between opening 3 ♠ and 4 ♠. When your suit has good quality then the level of With four cards in diamonds and three in your pre-empt should depend on the length spades you have enough support for 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. of the suit. With seven you should open 3 ♠, whatever he chooses, so this hand is ideal for ♠ A Q J 10 5 ♠ K 9 8 7 6 but with eight, as here, you should open 4 ♠, a take-out double. Your partner responds 2 ♦ ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ 2 putting the maximum pressure on the W E and now you should keep your peace – 2 ♦ is ♦ K Q 2 S ♦ 5 4 opponents. A 4 ♠ opener is difficult to deal an excellent contract. ♣ 5 4 ♣ A 7 6 3 2 with because the opponents may be unsure Note that, once one member of the what a double means – is it penalties or take- partnership has bid no-trumps, doubles will out? West North East South more often be for penalties. On this particular hand, you would probably go 1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass one off in 4 ♠, whilst your opponents can make ? at least eleven tricks, if not twelve, in hearts or 5. Dealer West. Love All. clubs. At this vulnerability, one off doubled Pass. A direct raise to 4 ♠ over a 1 ♠ opening is ♠ Q 3 ♠ J 10 9 8 7 costs just 100 points, whilst a vulnerable game generally a pre-emptive bid, cutting out the ♥ 7 6 5 N ♥ K Q 4 2 W E is worth at least 600. When you are non- opponents. Bearing this in mind, you should ♦ A 9 4 3 S ♦ 2 vulnerable, pre-empt to the maximum! be wary of going on past game. This hand ♣ A K 8 7 ♣ 4 3 2 exhibits the need to differentiate between pre-emptive raises to game and genuine 2. Dealer East. Game All. strong raises. For slam to be a good prospect West North East South ♠ Void ♠ K 9 8 7 opposite your hand, you would require at 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass ♥ K 9 8 7 N ♥ A 4 2 least two aces and the king of trumps, but 2♦ Pass 2♠ Pass W E ♦ K 7 6 3 2 S ♦ A 8 5 with such a hand, your partner should take ? ♣ 10 4 3 2 ♣ K Q 5 his time, by delaying his raise to game. Pass. What does your partner have for this East’s 4 ♠ response was excellent – had you auction? Usually one would need 11 points or had a weaker hand – your opponents might West North East South more for Stayman, but, on a couple of hand have been able to make something and it cut 1♠ Pass types, one can use it with weaker hands. out their suit. Note that 10 tricks are all you ? can make, so 5 ♠ is too high. Here is one of those types: 5-4 in the majors and a weak hand. Rather than transferring (or 1NT. You have 6 HCP, so you must make a making a weak take-out) the best option is to response. How much strength do you need to 4. Dealer West. Love All. use Stayman to see whether opener has a fit bid at the two-level? You need ten points ♠ K Q 9 ♠ 4 3 2 in responder’s four-card major: the plan is to including length and at least 9 HCP. You do N ♥ K Q 8 7 ♥ 3 2 pass if opener shows a four-card major and not have enough, so your choices are coming W E ♦ A 8 3 2 S ♦ J 7 6 5 4 otherwise to rebid with two of the five-card down! If you have to respond, but cannot bid ♣ K 2 ♣ Q 4 3 major, which opener should pass. Here East at the two-level, you have Hobson’s choice tried for a heart fit, but failing that, he ‘signed and must bid 1NT. off’ in 2 ♠. Although it does not look pretty Although you do not have a , West North East South from your side, once again trusting partner sometimes when you are weak, you have to 1♥ 2♣ Pass Pass pays dividends because 2 ♠ is the best tell little lies to stop the auction from getting ? contract. ■

Page 7 Cruise to the Riviera by Bernard Magee

n 2007, the sea was calm and the sun explained. The beginners would be shone throughout. The 2008 cruise looked after by Carol during the cruise Iwas very different indeed! The cruise and would play on Deck 7 in the card ship was ailing with engine problems room, whilst the Showstoppers and the winds were getting up. (relaxed) section would play in the Palm Having had such a success in 2007 Court and the main section would play and with an aggressive pricing in the Bridge Club. The Showstoppers structure, Mr Bridge decided to expand may sound a grand name, but it means the bridge group on board: taking over exactly what it says: it stops for the 2nd two lounges, we took a party of 160 sitting show. I introduced the Mr Bridge players and there were also 30-40 non- Team, which included helpers from players in the party. across the country and also a troupe of actors. My sister was on board: Yvie West North East South Magee and with her fellow performers, 1♠ they were to put on two plays but more Pass 2♦ Pass 3♣ of that later. Pass 4♠ End After dinner, a few players were starting to sense the ship’s motion, but The declarer on this hand really felt the most made it to the first evening, which effects of the sea. In the bidding, once I promised would be a little shorter than North knew his partner had five spades usual. 37 tables in play and what is (because of his rebid of 3 ♣), he decided wonderful about bridge is that, once you to jump to 4 ♠. start playing, you do not notice the Declarer won the ♣Q lead in dummy I was excited about the cruise and was motion of the ship at all. The standard and decided to play on diamonds before determined to make sure everybody else of play was a little variable due to trumps. He played the ♦A, ♦K and a was too! The ship was late in, but I tiredness. Up and down was perhaps the third diamond which was ruffed high at made sure I persuaded everybody that best description. the same time as the boat moved things would get better when we were upwards: all followed and it looked as on board. though overtricks were there: time to The sun was half out when we left Dealer South. Love All. draw trumps ending in dummy. The ♠K Harwich and the waves were visible but ♠ A 7 5 and then the boat sunk down into the not overly dismaying. However, if you ♥ 6 4 waves, as West discarded on the second can see the waves when close to port, ♦ K 9 8 7 6 round of trumps and now the diamonds beware the open seas! ♣ A 7 6 were stranded. A third round of trumps With everybody on board, we had our ♠ 6 ♠ 9 8 4 3 could be won in dummy, but when a welcome meeting in the Carousel ♥ K 9 8 3 2 N ♥ Q J 10 7 winning diamond was played East W E Lounge, many still clutching their life ♦ 10 5 3 S ♦ Q J 4 ruffed. Although declarer could overruff, jackets – not because we thought the ♣ Q J 10 9 ♣ 8 3 he had to settle for ten tricks. Declarer’s ship was going down, but because the ♠ K Q J 10 2 fortunes fluctuated through out the hand, boat drill had been fitted into a tight ♥ A 5 but he had a certain to dummy in timing schedule. ♦ A 2 the ♣A and that is what he should have We have a beginners’ section, a ♣ K 5 4 2 conserved. Win the lead in hand with relaxed section and the main section, I the ♣K, then play on diamonds,

Page 8 Cruise to the Riviera and the news that we were set for a third continued day at sea did not cheer many up. However, more sea means more Better Hand bridge and if you wanted to, you could ruffing the third round, as before. Now nearly have managed to do bridge, non- Evaluation you can draw four rounds of trumps and stop. The second day brought our first then cross to the ♣A to enjoy the two set of set hands and a chance to practise Bernard Magee diamond tricks: 12 tricks made for a top the subject of the morning’s seminar: 16 score – plain sailing. tables tried their hand, whilst 14 tables The next morning brought a very busy played a duplicate. Here is a deal from Introduction day: seminar, welcome party, afternoon the duplicate that could easily have Better Hand Evaluation is aimed at bridge and evening bridge. I emphasized featured in the set hands on overcalling. helping readers to add greater accuracy to their bidding. It deals with auctions in which you and your partner, against silent opponents, can describe your hands to each other fully and, by evaluating them accurately, find the best final contract. The emphasis of all good, accurate bidding is on hand evaluation. There are two general types of auction: a) A fit is found and b) No fit is found. When you do not have a fit, you are aiming to describe the strength of your hand as soon as possible, most often using no-trump bids. This book begins by discussing balanced-hand bidding in Acol, as it is very important that both that all the bridge was optional because, members of a partnership have an accurate knowledge of how to show as always on cruise ships, there are Dealer North. E/W Game. hands of different strengths. plenty of other things going on. ♠ A Q 7 The seminar went well, but in the ♥ 9 When a fit is found, there is much re- Carousel, we were at the very front of ♦ K Q 8 7 6 2 evaluation of the hand to be done; point the ship and the motion caught a few ♣ 10 9 6 count, though still important, needs to out. However, the advantage of being in ♠ J 9 6 4 ♠ 3 2 be evaluated along with distribution. the Carousel is that you are videoed for N ♥ Q 10 W E ♥ J 8 7 6 5 4 The best way of reaching an accurate the cabin television, so a number of ♦ J 3 S ♦ A 5 assessment is to use the Losing Trick clients, who were stuck in bed, were ♣ Q J 4 3 2 ♣ K 8 7 Count; this is an important method of able to watch me from the comfort (or ♠ K 10 8 5 hand evaluation and takes up a number discomfort) of their own cabins. ♥ A K 3 2 of chapters. Next followed our welcome drinks ♦ 10 9 4 Finally, we move on to different forms for which the turnout was about 50%, ♣ A 5 of evaluation, including game tries and which, considering there were free splinter bids. You can never know drinks on offer, will tell you that it was enough methods of hand evaluation; getting rough. The singles got together West North East South the more you learn, the better you get at for a meeting to arrange partners for a 1♦ 1♥ Dbl judging your hand. few different bridge events: this gives Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT everybody the chance to try a few End Although the Losing Trick Count is different bridge partners before settling used more easily in tandem with your down with one or other. West led the ♥Q against 3NT and partner, a large proportion of the ideas Surely, by the second day, the sea will declarer made an easy eleven tricks. The in this book can be used by an have quietened, the engines would be overcalling seminar focussed on the individual. For example, evaluating roaring and all would be well – not reasons for overcalling. Why had East your hand to be worth an extra point is quite! The wind was roaring and the overcalled this hand? His answer would going to help anyone you partner – as engines were spluttering – I went out on probably be because it was only at the long as you get it right! the starboard side at the stern of the ship one-level. Never forget that there are and could barely stand. The wind was two players in each partnership and you £14 including postage holding us back and at Force 9 with a are speaking to your partner. You are from , Ryden Grange, big swell, it was tossing us this way and vulnerable against not, so you are not Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH that. Undoubtedly an impressive sea, looking for a . You are not ( 01483 489961 but less so for those stuck in their beds causing much disruption as 1 ♥ over

Page 9 AT THE ROYAL KENZ, TUNISIA

Two-week half-board duplicate holidays 2009

FULL 22 Feb – 8 March with Bernard Magee - £699* 8 March – 22 March with Ray Hutchinson - £699* 22 March – 5 April with Chris Barrable - £699* 1 November – 15 November with Tony Richards - £699* 15 November – 29 November with Bernard Magee - £749*

*per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £5 per night. These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to Monastir. Flights from other UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices are firm until 31 October 2008. Prices for seven- night stays are available on application. Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool-facing room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of seasonal fruit.

These holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. DETAILS & BOOKINGS ( 01483 489961 Cruise to the Riviera bridge players, endlessly entertained, recognition skills are none too good. continued but for many other passengers, it had We also had time for a software been rather glum! Another seminar and demonstration. We had two computers more set hands and then, at 4.15pm, the available for clients to try out the 1♦ does not consume space. When it first play: Shakers . various pieces of software that could be turns out you can have only 7 or 8 points I managed to get the play put on after bought from the on-board boutique, tax- (West hears the opponents bid to 3NT the bridge had finished, so the players free. There was plenty of interest, and he holds 7 points which does not could watch it if they wished. I thought especially in the Acol Bidding and the leave you with much) it means you were I would fall asleep, having been doing Declarer Play. Jessica, from the office, unlikely to be focussed on competing bridge non-stop, but I enjoyed every was on hand to take questions about Mr the hand. So that leaves just one good moment: the four actresses were Bridge’s activities on land and at sea. It reason: you must have been overcalling extremely professional and the John was a good chance for her to see how a because you wanted the suit led! Godber Play was entertaining, if a little cruise really works and how bridge I love to bid; I love to on risqué for some. sessions run – it was also a good chance weak hands, but I only bid on weak Everybody was emerging from for her to have some fun! hands if my suit is of high quality – I below: one player who had not yet Land ahoy! The welcome shape of the want my partner to think, Rock of Gibraltar ‘He overcalled on a weak brought us our first hand so I must lead his landfall of the cruise. suit.’ If you want your Lisbon was missed out partner to think this, then because of foul weather make sure you only bid and engine trouble, but with strong suits if you the Captain had done are weak. Had East well to get us to passed with this hand, Gibraltar. Most of the West would have led the clients swayed gently as ♣3 against 3NT and they walked off the ship declarer would have – trying to walk the sea been one down, losing from their legs. four clubs and the ♦A. There were plenty of All I need to do is stories to tell when back change one card and the on board, especially of 1♥ overcall is fine: make wonderful bargains in the ♣K the ♥K instead, the shops. Clearly a now the heart suit is number of players felt decent and the chances the need of retail therapy are that a heart lead is to recover from the sea’s best. With the king rocking. The first port of bolstering your suit, the call is always wonderful ♥Q lead would be because it gets people perfect and would defeat talking about the things 3NT. The only time I overcall with a made the bridge room appeared and was they have done during the day. They weak suit is when I have a strong all- welcomed with open arms and a kiss! compare prices for taxis and talk about round hand that needs to compete (12+ The atmosphere on board was of relief their tours and walks. The atmosphere points), but it must be at least five cards and excitement. With excess energy to at bridge that evening was heightened – long. disperse after the evening’s bridge, it and we would have a full day in port the Learning 160 names was certainly was dance time. The young actresses next day. testing me, but for the men, there were were up on the floor and I could not Our main stop of the cruise was so many Johns that if I was in any doubt resist joining them, and quite a few of Almeira and everybody enjoyed it I could always call them John – easier the bridge group joined in too – little thoroughly: blazing sunshine and searing for me perhaps, but it did cause some did they know that they would get a heat in the middle of the day. Plenty of problems for the singles. When they prize for it – San, Hilary, Jean, Gwen people went off to the Alhambra Palace; said they were playing with John, it was and Gaynor to name but a few. meanwhile I went off with Jo, one of not always easy to partner them up – The next morning brought dreams of my helpers and we ventured round the quite often we were searching from stepping on dry land, but there was still streets of Almeira to find a bar and have room to room to find the right partners time for a seminar and plenty of dolphin a beer! ‘With olives,’ w e said to the invariably partnering up helpers with watching. Great numbers of the barman and olives and sardines some of them – none of the helpers was mammals were leaping out of the water appeared. It was a wonderful scene, called John, thankfully! on both sides of the ship. Groups would leaning back in the chair in the shade of Day four and the sun was out, the sea stay for a while, swim off and then olive trees, eating fresh fish and drinking was calm and the mood on board rejoin us later on – although they may cold beer. At the table next to us were lightened. After all, it was fine for us have been different ones; my dolphin two Australians, who had as much

Page 11 Cruise to the Riviera continued Dealer North. Love All. ♠ K Q 6 4 3 trouble as us ordering their drinks and ♥ A 7 5 snacks. They ordered the same as us, but ♦ K Q 6 5 then another lady came and although ♣ 2 they tried to say they had already ordered, she misunderstood! They got the same as us, but then two minutes West North East South later a huge platter of seafood arrived. 3♥ Dbl Pass Having just eaten a big lunch around the ? corner, they had not been prepared for this, but Jo and I were glad to come to I will give you a little time to decide the rescue. We joined their table and what you bid, as West, with this hand. shared calamari, whitebait, sardines and The play on the last afternoon was squid with more beer, of course. another by John Godber, Teechers . Back to the hand above. Most players Unfortunately, it was scheduled at the bid 4 ♠, but you have a very strong hand: same time as bridge, but many of the your partner’s double is for take-out and group chose to see the play and they suggests an opening hand at least. Fully were rewarded by another excellent evaluating your hand including shortage show. The feedback about the acting and length, gives you 17 points (or five was brilliant and congratulations are losers), which opposite an opening hand due to their great efforts. After the first is enough to think about slam. Your two days, the actors were wondering partner is quite likely to hold a singleton why they had come, but by the end of heart for his double, so the hands may the cruise, they were on their best form well fit together beautifully. If he holds – having enjoyed a wonderful ride. two aces then 6 ♠ should have a good Whilst all this bridge was being chance of making, so you should ask played by the more experienced players, your partner how many aces he has: bid Carol had four absolute beginners who 4NT. had had five days at sea to get their teeth This was your partner’s hand: into the game and they made great progress. By the end, they were playing a game of Chicago in the bridge room ♠ A J 9 5 with the rest of us! ♥ 2 Captain’s cocktails arrived and ♦ J 9 3 2 everybody was looking splendid, all ♣ A Q 8 4 dressed up with plenty of places to go; including the bridge room, of course. The bridge games finished with no big It is the very minimum for a take-out bangs and the dance floor was waiting. double at the three-level and yet when More champagne for me as I shared a he shows two aces, you can bid 6 ♠ and Farewell drinks already, but with the bottle with Ethel and Tony as we looked expect to make it. sea calm and the sun going slowly Finally we reached Marseilles, by down, the Carousel lounge was filled which time I was very tired. A coach and the atmosphere was excellent. took me through the French countryside There were plenty of prizes to to Nice airport in the morning. Along distribute, from the best of the bridge with Liz, Rosemary, Stephanie and players in both sections (Tony & Jo, Sandra we made our way back to Dave & Derek) to the best drinkers . (Jane & Judi) and the best dancers (the What a cruise: the seas and the actresses). Plenty of drinks were drunk engines added to the entertainment, but and with wine at dinner too, there was the bridge group was buzzing and it was some innovative bidding and play later a great pleasure to be involved. The on that evening. good news is that the engines are all Of course, there was still a day at sea back working and the ship is cruising in to go: seminar, bridge, bridge, parties, at some of his ideas on the relationships style again. I cannot wait until next plays and dancing! The last seminar between high-card points and ability, on year, when the skies will be blue, the was on the Bidding Quiz and included the performance in a duplicate. Mean- sun bright and the sea calm and we will some very difficult decisions, one of while they got up on the dance floor for all be wondering what the fuss was which was: a jive. about! ■

Page 12 DEFENCE AT MARSHAM COURT East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB QUIZ Duplicate Bridge Breaks 2009 3-5 Feb (Tue-Thu) £199 1-3 Jun (Mon-Wed) Slam Bidding - Chris Barrable £199 by Julian Pottage 1-3 Mar (Sun-Tue) £199 2-4 Jul (Thu-Sat) £150 Just Duplicate (Answers on page 58) Declarer Play Chris Barrable 17-19 Jul (Fri-Sun) £199 You are West in the defensive positions below. It is your 3-5 Mar (Tue-Thu) £199 22-24 Jul (Wed-Fri) £199 turn to play. Further into the Auction 23-25 Sep (Wed-Fri) £150 Chris Barrable Just Duplicate 1. ♠ A Q J 9 4 3. ♠ 10 2 26-28 Apr (Sun-Tue) £150 30 Oct-1 Nov (Fri-Sun) £235 ♥ Q 9 ♥ A 9 Just Duplicate Bernard Magee ♦ A 8 4 ♦ K Q J 10 8 4 ♣ K J 3 ♣ Q 6 2 ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with ♠ 10 5 2 ♠ K 8 7 4 No single en-suite facilities ♥ A 10 6 4 2 N ♥ 10 8 7 5 2 N ♦ W E W E supplement ♦ J 7 2 S ♦ A 7 5 S ♦ Venue non-smoking ♣ 10 8 ♣ 10 ♦ Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars except on Just Duplicate events

West North East South West North East South 1♠ Pass 1NT 1NT ______Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Pass 3NT End BOOKING FORM End Please book me for ..... places, Day Guests (£115pp) ...... You lead the ♥5. Partner You lead the ♥4, which wins with the ♥K and Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* ..... goes to the ♥9, ♥K and returns the ♥6, as South ♥5. Partner returns the follows with the ♥3 and at the Marsham Court date(s) of ...... ♥8, to which South fol - ♥J. After the ♥A wins, lows with the ♥7. How do declarer calls for the ♦K Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... you defend? from dummy, on which partner plays the ♦6. What do you play on this Address ...... 2. ♠ 9 trick? What do you expect ♥ A 9 6 4 2 will determine your play to ...... ♦ Q J 10 8 4 the next trick? ♣ 6 3 Postcode ...... ♠ Q 10 5 2 N ♥ 10 W E 4. ♠ J 7 2 ( ...... ♦ S ♥ A 7 5 A 6 Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, ♣ Q 10 8 5 2 ♦ K Q J 10 8 4 but we will do our best to oblige) ♣ J 9 ♠ 10 8 3 West North East South N ...... ♥ 10 4 W E 1♠ ♦ A 7 5 S Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ ♣ K 10 8 5 2 place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent Pass 4♥ End with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details You lead the ♣5. Partner West North East South will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - wins with the ♣A and 1♦ Pass 1♥ able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your South drops the ♣K. Back Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room. comes the ♦9, covered by End the ♦K. How do you defend? You lead the ♣5. Partner , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH wins the ♣9 with the ♣A ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 and returns the ♣7, as e-mail: [email protected] South follows low once more. Your defence? website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 13 AT THE BEACH HOTEL DECLARER Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3QJ PLAY Duplicate Weekends 2009 with Bernard Magee QUIZ 30 Jan-1 Feb (£209) Leads & Defence 6-8 Feb (£209) Declarer Play by David Huggett 5-7 Jun (£235) Splinters & Cue Bids (Answers on page 41) 12-14 Jun (£235) Overcalls 2-4 Oct (£235) Stayman & Transfers ou are South as declarer playing teams or . with Improver section YIn each case, what is your play strategy? 16-18 Oct (£235) Hand Evaluation

4-6 Dec (£235) Signals & Discards 1. 3. ♠ K 5 3 ♠ K 9 8 4 ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with ♥ 7 6 2 ♥ A 2 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities ♦ J 5 ♦ A K 7 6 3 ♣ A Q J 6 2 ♣ J 5 ♦ No single supplement ♦ Venue non-smoking Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars N N ♦ W E W E S S ______BOOKING FORM ______♠ A J 7 ♠ Q J 10 7 5 3 ♥ A K 5 ♥ 3 Please book me for ..... places, ♦ A 10 8 3 2 ♦ 9 5 4 ♣ 5 3 ♣ K 8 3 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* .....

at the Beach Hotel weekend(s) of ...... You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 4 ♠ and and West leads the ♠6. West, who bid hearts, Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... East plays the ♠9. How leads the ♥K. How do you do you plan the play? plan the play? Address ......

......

Postcode ...... 2. 4. ♠ Q J 9 8 ♠ J 4 ( ...... ♥ A 6 2 ♥ 7 Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) ♦ A K 7 5 2 ♦ A 8 7 5 4 3 2 ♣ 9 ♣ 8 4 3

...... N N W E W E Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per S S place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - ♠ A K 10 7 3 ♠ A Q 6 2 ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details ♥ 8 4 3 ♥ A K Q J 10 8 will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - ♦ 4 ♦ Void able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your ♣ K Q J 10 ♣ A 6 2 own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room.

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH You are declarer in 6 ♠ and You are declarer in 4 ♥ West leads the ♥K. How and West leads the ♣K. ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 do you plan the play? How do you plan the e-mail: [email protected] play? website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 14 It Happened That Way by Freddie North 2009 The Advantages Bridge Players’ of Transfers Diaries

he advent of transfers all sounds very iffy. might endanger the plus has unquestionably Now let us see how score and there is a smidgeon Thelped the bidding transfers might help as we of sense in this suggestion – machinery of ambitious look at the bidding from one but only a smidgeon! A much players, especially where table in the weekly club more potent argument is that close contracts are con- duplicate. the 3 ♠ bid feeds partner with cerned. In pre-transfer days, enough information to try for how would we have coped game on minimal values ♦ Acol Summary with these two hands? Dealer North. whenever that is appropriate. by Ron Klinger. You might like to put Furthermore, if partner is as E/W Vul. ♦ Updated Laws and yourselves in South’s shoes Pairs. poor as the proverbial church Ethics by Mike with this hand: ♠ A J 7 4 3 mouse, then the opposition Swanson. ♥ 10 4 2 will surely have a part-score ♦ Scoring Tables for ♦ contract of their own, if not a 3 2 Duplicate and Rubber. Dealer North. ♣ A 10 8 game. E/W Vul. ♠ 9 8 5 ♠ Q Although understandable, ♦ Choice of red, navy, ivory, pale blue or Pairs. ♥ 3 N ♥ K J 9 7 6 East’s double was unfortun- W E maroon covers. ♠ A J 7 4 3 ♦ A 8 4 S ♦ K J 7 6 5 ate as it further ensured that ♥ 10 4 2 ♣ Q J 7 6 5 2 ♣ 9 3 the hand would play well ♦ All covers printed in ♦ 3 2 ♠ K 10 6 2 when West led the three of gold-coloured ink. ♣ A 10 8 ♥ A Q 8 5 hearts, an obvious single ton. ♦ Individual diaries ♦ Declarer won the nine with N Q 10 9 £5.95 each inc p&p. W E S ♣ K 4 the queen and laid down the king of spades, dropping the ♦ Special concession to singleton queen (with heart bridge clubs. 10 or ♠ K 10 6 2 more copies £3.50 ♥ A Q 8 5 West North East South shortage in the West hand, each including p&p, ♦ Q 10 9 Pass Pass 1NT West was favourite to hold subject to availability. ♣ K 4 Pass 2♥1 Dbl 2 3♠3 length in trumps). Trumps Pass 4♠4 End were drawn and then a small diamond to the ten fetched After two passes, South 1Showing five spades and asking the ace. Not liking the look of would, no doubt, open 1NT, partner to transfer, usually to 2 ♠. the club suit, West returned a giving North a small 2I have a heart suit. If you have a diamond and there was an problem. Perhaps North fit, maybe we can compete. easy parking place for would settle for 2 ♠ (usually 3I have a maximum no-trump dummy’s losing heart on the no need to push for thin with four spades. queen of diamonds. Had West Luxury version with super-soft games at pairs), or maybe he 4Then let us try for game. not played a second diamond, kidrell cover, gilded page would bid 2 ♣ (Stayman) and declarer could have reached edges and a ball-point pen attached. then, over 2 ♥, bid 2 ♠ Probably because of lack of dummy and done so himself, Cover colour: bottle green. (showing a hand a bit better teaching, South’s jump to 3 thus ensuring the handsome ♠ £12.95 each than a direct sign-off in 2 ♠). (maximum with four trumps) score of +450 for making including postage There the bidding might end, is not part of many players eleven tricks. n and packing. although, if South was having equipment. On this particular a good day, he might raise to evening, only one pair reached Exclusively available 3♠ and give North a further the spade game, which seems Freddie North is one of from decision. If North was also to confirm this observation. Britain’s most pop ular ( 01483 489961. having a good day, perhaps Of course, one could argue bridge writers. www.mrbridge.co.uk they would reach game, but it that South’s enthusiasm

Page 15 A Slam for Santa

by Michael Scarrott

bet Ted Branch would come as batch of heart-shaped tarts and hand This was the deal in question: the Marquis de Sade,’ chuckled them round when guests arrive.’ ‘I’ll ‘IDavid. ‘Stop right now,’ think about it,’ answered Velda, interrupted David’s wife Velda. ‘Keep a dismissing this suggestion instantly Sue reign on that active imagination of from her mind. ♠ A J 4 yours. I like the idea and fancy dress ♥ K 10 9 would certainly be a change from our Approval for Fancy Dress ♦ 6 5 2 usual Christmas Bridge Party. Let’s also ♣ A Q J 6 make a stipulation that members and ‘We should have a full house for this Don Pru guests have to remain in their costume evening’s duplicate, so let’s put the idea ♠ 10 8 5 2 ♠ K 9 3 persona for the duration of the evening.’ up for approval.’ Members gave the ♥ 5 2 N ♥ 7 4 3 W E suggestion a wholehearted thumbs-up ♦ A 9 3 S ♦ Q J 10 8 Yarborough and Blackwood and it became a conversation theme ♣ 10 8 5 3 ♣ 9 4 2 throughout the evening. ‘You two might Colin Readers of BRIDGE may be familiar as well dress up as Bonnie and Clyde,’ (Dealer) with David and Velda’s Park Drive said a disgruntled Delia Pain to Jack ♠ Q 7 6 Bridge Club through the exploits of and Janet Brown. ‘You robbed us on ♥ A Q J 8 6 their famous ghostly dog, Yarborough, that last contract when you led your ace ♦ K 7 4 last year. Readers will further be of clubs. You are not supposed to lead ♣ K 7 pleased to learn that his successor at the out an unsupported ace. Everyone club, Blackwood, is also proving a very knows that.’ ‘I can only apologise for popular and intuitive dog! my error,’ replied Janet with just a hint Colin opened 1 ♥ and, when Sue ‘We can’t leave Blackwood out,’ said of pleasure. ‘It’s such a pity it took your responded 2 ♣, he decided to give a David while giving the little dog a singleton king!’ good impression of his all round friendly scratch behind the ears. strength with a rebid of 2NT. Sue next ‘Maybe something like a little green Maggie Thatcher bid 3 ♥, which offered Colin the choice waistcoat would look appropriate?’ of game in 3NT or 4 ♥, depending on Yarborough looked across at ‘I have just overheard a threat to come whether he held four hearts or five. Blackwood and gave a transparent as Margaret Thatcher by Maggie Colin closed the auction with a bid of wink. ‘Maybe I could come as the Warner,’ said a bemused David. ‘Now 4♥ and Don led the two of spades. ‘Hound of the Baskervilles,’ he thought. that should create quite a stir. Poor old Blackwood thumped his little tail with John had better be on his metal or he’ll Careless Play delight as he sensed this idea. be out of the Cabinet and onto the back benches in next to no time!’ Without stopping to think or to take Fancy Dress heed of Blackwood’s warning cry, Colin The Joker called for the four of spades from Delighted to have his wife’s approval dummy with every expectation of for the concept, David continued in an Colin Sims joined in the fun. ‘Don and winning the first trick with the queen. innocent tone, ‘perhaps someone will Pru seem to win most weeks, so, When Pru played the king, he did his come as Moll Flanders? I believe she perhaps, they should come as the best to mask his disappointment. Seeing was an enthusiastic card player.’ Velda Dynamic Duo – Batman and Robin?’ ‘If no future in leading back into the spade gave an indulgent smile and asked what that’s the case, then you should come as strength, Pru returned the diamond costume he might favour? ‘Well, I was The Joker,’ said Colin’s long-suffering queen to the weakness on the table. This thinking we should come as the King wife, Sue. ‘The way you played that last proved the fatal blow. Colin’s king fell and Queen of Hearts. You could make a contract was nothing but a joke!’ to Don’s ace and two more diamond

Page 16 A Slam for Santa continued two of that strong-looking brew, bubbling away on the stove.’ ‘Answer the door, David,’ shouted Velda, ‘I just knew someone would losers put the contract one down. what a distraction – it’s the last thing make a late appearance.’ ‘It’s only Santa ‘Bad luck old chap,’ said a delighted you want to look at when playing a Claus and a pixie friend,’ called David Don anticipating a good board for them. tricky hand. As a matter of fact, I’m from the front door. ‘Come on in and ‘Yes,’ agreed Sue in her best sarcastic seriously thinking of banning it from get yourselves a glass of mulled wine; tone. ‘You need to be particularly the club and having it put down play’s just about to start.’ David winked careful if you’ve only 30 points split humanely!’ at Santa and said in a not so sober tone: evenly between the two hands, a solid Velda chose to ignore David’s riposte ‘parked your transport on the roof, I five-card trump suit, four club winners and continued, ‘Did you know that the suppose?’ ‘Yes we did, but we managed and the spade ace.’ Even little playing cards themselves are rife with to slide down without mishap. The Blackwood had a despondent look on superstition? Some people refer to them reindeers are happily munching the his face at this unexpected outcome. as the “devil’s picture book” due to their grass in the next door garden.’ ‘Oh, Yarborough floated over to have a look connection with fortune telling. I’d be that’s a good one,’ replied David, at the devastation. Go up with the spade willing to bet all manner of lucky walking away to join Velda. ace at trick one and draw trumps in charms are worn or carried by ‘Everyone’s really getting into the spirit three rounds. Take the club winners and members.’ of things.’ discard two diamond losers from hand. Played that way, you lose only to the The King & Queen of Hearts Santa and Rusty Play Doctor spade king and the diamond ace. ‘It’s a Who and Cyberwoman good job it’s not raining,’ thought The big day arrived and following the Yarborough, ‘Colin could well be in for usual last minute panic, everything was Fully fortified with a glass or two of a long walk home if I’m not mistaken!’ ready for the members and guests. David’s potent wine, Santa and Rusty David looked splendid as the King of found themselves facing Doctor Who Party Plans Hearts and Velda appeared very regal as and a sinister looking Cyberman. The Queen. Blackwood came dressed in ‘That’s a really splendid costume,’ said The party would take place on the a specially made waistcoat, while an a cultured voice from across the table. Saturday before Christmas. Members unseen Yarborough took in the You could easily get some part time offered to bring a selection of proceedings with his usual pleasure and work in one of the local department homemade goodies to go along with wagged his phantom tail for all it was stores. I understand they are always on David’s mulled wine and to make worth. the lookout for someone to play Santa at Velda’s sumptuous seasonal buffet this time of the year. You could even complete with legendary mince pies. Santa and Rusty take your little friend along with you. He has the most marvellous rubber ears The Identity Club Now it may come as quite a surprise for I have every seen. You might even get some, but at this very time, Santa Claus the prize for the best costume.’ ‘I suppose fancy dress is a bit like a was passing over the Park Drive Bridge role-playing game,’ reflected David. Club along with Rusty, his trusted elf. Best Costume? ‘You become someone else for a short He was on one of his many period of time and can act completely reconnaissance missions, checking out Santa looked up and gave a big smile out of character without causing the rooftops for any potential problems before speaking. ‘That’s very kind of offence.’ Velda raised her eyebrows at well before his big day. He parked his you. We really like to look the part this, but David continued, ‘if you really sleigh on a nearby roof and took a clear when we go out.’ Rusty looked across at do your research, you can say things look at what was going on inside the the Cyberman and waggled his pointed and blame it all on the person you’re club. ‘That looks like fun,’ he said in a ears. ‘How amazing,’ said a female masquerading as. In fact, I read recently deep ho, ho, ho type of voice. voice from behind the Cyberman’s tin- about a group of people in New York ‘Everyone is dressed up in different foil helmet. ‘Now don’t you worry who have taken this to the extreme. costumes and I can see a long table about my partner,’ interrupted Doctor They call themselves ‘The Identity filled with my favourite mouth-watering Who, ‘I made a few adjustments with Club’ with members adopting the dress goodies.’ Rusty took a small spyglass my sonic screwdriver and now she’s no and mannerisms of long dead poets, out of his tunic and looked more trouble at all. In fact, she is the first ever writers, musicians and artists. It really is closely. ‘I think they might be about to Cyberwoman!’ quite bizarre as most were chosen for start playing cards. We had such a good their extreme and ritualistic behaviour.’ game last week when we beat the polar Final Board of the Round ‘That sort of thing might well suit bears. Maybe we could just go down, some of our members,’ answered Velda. knock on the door and join in.’ ‘Sounds Play progressed smoothly with both ‘Have you noticed how Tom Wise like a great idea,’ replied Santa. They sides making a couple of part-score always wears the same tie, week after won’t have a clue who we really are and contracts. The final board of the round week?’ ‘I should say so,’ chuckled no one will take much notice of your involved some competitive bidding. David. ‘Bright blue with big red dots – pointed ears and nose after a glass or This was the deal in question:

Page 17 A Slam for Santa continued said a well-dressed Nick trying his best not to laugh. ‘This is my able assistant, Miss Moneypenny.’ Joan giggled and added for good measure, ‘we’ve parked With the danger now gone, the contract the Aston Martin outside the front Santa came home to generous praise from door!’ ♠ J 7 both opponents. ‘Where on earth does ‘You’ll like this,’ said Nick. ‘We’ve ♥ Q 5 an Elf learn to play such a clever just played against young Tim Wilson. ♦ Q 9 8 4 2 game?’ said an inquisitive Doctor Who, You know whom I mean. He has only ♣ A 10 5 2 looking closely at Rusty’s finely woven been playing for a short time. Well, Doctor Who Cyberwoman tunic. ‘He’s my regular partner,’ apparently he was up against Alice (Dealer) announced Santa from across the table. Sykes sometime last month and she ♠ K 9 8 6 5 2 ♠ A 3 We play most weeks at a club up near gave him quite a ticking off for slow ♥ Void N ♥ A 8 6 the Arctic Circle. Current club play, poor concentration and a heap W E ♦ A K 3 S ♦ J 10 7 6 5 champions are a couple of long-toothed more. When Tim enquired politely how ♣ 8 6 4 3 ♣ Q J 9 narwhals.’ long she had been playing bridge, she Rusty ‘I like that,’ joined in an amused seemed to take exception and told him ♠ Q 10 4 Cyberwoman. ‘Before I teamed up with in no uncertain words that she had been ♥ K J 10 9 7 4 3 2 Doctor Who, I played at a rather select playing for 52 years. Tim pondered this ♦ Void club run by a couple of Daleks. for a while and replied, in a hardly ♣ K 7 Behaviour at the club was nothing but audible tone, that he, in fact, had been exemplary at all times. Yes, it’s quite playing for only 52 weeks!’ Amazingly, amazing how the word “exterminate” they seem to be getting on quite well Doctor Who opened 1 ♠, Santa Claus can focus the mind!’ now. They are even considering playing passed and Cyberwoman responded 2 ♦. together at some time in the future. With his eight-card suit and diamond Successful Evening ‘Probably the distant future,’ added a void, Rusty bid stop 4 ♥. Doctor Who sceptical David. looked dismissively at the stop card, ‘What a successful evening!’ exclaimed as time after all was his to control, a delighted David. ‘Is that Keith West Final Round and passed. The auction finished with over there in the very impressive Henry an ominous double from the VIII costume?’ asked Velda. ‘It most ‘Looks like we’re up against Santa Claus Cyberwoman. definitely is,’ replied David, ‘he’s on the final round,’ interrupted Velda, ‘so Doctor Who led the diamond ace; usually such a quietly-spoken chap, so that should be a really cheerful end to Rusty trumped in hand and took time to it’s quite a surprise to everyone when he the evening.’ Friendly chatter and assess his chances. At first glance, there shouts “off with her head” every time he laughter echoed round the room as appeared to be only three losers – two takes an opponent’s queen. ‘It’s such a players waited for the last boards to spades and the trump ace. With his long, shame Yarborough can’t be here to join arrive. Velda looked across at Rusty and pointed, green fingers ready to chase out in the fun,’ continued David with a hint congratulated him on his marvellous the heart ace, a movement next to his of sadness. Yarborough’s wraithlike outfit. Rusty gave a shy smile and chair distracted him briefly. Blackwood, outline floated across the room and he thanked Velda for such a lovely meal. intrigued by the big jolly man in the red laid his big shaggy head on David’s lap. As Santa gazed across the room, the costume and his rather strange looking ‘I wish I could find some way of letting movement of a shadowy outline across companion, had wandered over to see him know I’m still here,’ thought the floor startled him for a moment. His what was going on. Yarborough. He raised his head and extra sensory perception soon made out looked about the room. His phantom the shape as that of a disembodied dog. hairs stood on end when he spied Santa ‘Looks very much like the dog in the Cutting Communications Claus and Rusty. ‘Maybe there is a photograph on the wall,’ he thought, ‘It way,’ he thought. must be Yarborough. His spirit never Rusty took in the mournful expression really left the place.’ He gave a on the little dog’s face and decided to Velda’s sympathetic sigh and wished there was give a little more thought to his line of Mouth-Watering Banquet something he could do. play. Cyberwoman was marked with the ace of hearts. If she holds up until the ‘Come on,’ said Velda in an effort Yarborough Appears second round and then plays on spades, to cheer David up, ‘it’s time we all she may well score a fourth trick for the stopped for something to eat. If we Yarborough stared up into Santa’s large defence with a spade . Rusty break off now, we can have one final friendly face and quivered his whole decided the safest way to overcome this round to end the evening.’ The sound of body with celestial pleasure. Santa threat was to lead spades, with the merry chatter was soon heard as looked across at an unaware David and intention of cutting communications members and guests tucked into Velda’s gave a warm smile before speaking in while still retaining the queen of trumps mouth-watering banquet. Their good an uncharacteristically soft tone, ‘he’s in dummy to protect against an over- friends, Nick and Joan, soon joined always close by and knows just how ruff. them. ‘The name’s Bond, James Bond, much you miss him.’ David looked

Page 18 A Slam for Santa continued DOUBLE up in alarm. ‘Yarborough,’ continued made up, he played the jack from Santa. ‘He wants you to know he is still dummy and trumped Velda’s ace in DUMMY having a great time and keeps a special hand. His next move was to draw watch over little Blackwood.’ David trumps ending in hand and lead the SOLUTION gazed around the room as he took in the eight of hearts. When David played the implication of this rather unexpected ace, this set up his own jack as well as by Richard Wheen revelation. He glanced across at Santa, the king-queen in dummy. The two who was nodding his head and peering heart winners in dummy, together with (Problem on page 6) intently at a spot on the carpet just the king of clubs, were sufficient to take alongside his chair. He looked down and care of the losing diamonds. imagined the old dog keeping a ♠ A 3 2 watchful eye on the evening’s play. Hold-up? ♥ 2 ‘Well, I never!’ was all he could mutter. ♦ 2 Yarborough looked up at David and David gave Velda a crestfallen look. ♣ 2 gave a wolfish grin. ‘Perhaps I should have held onto the ♠ 10 ♠ K Q J heart ace?’ Santa came to David’s N ♥ Void W E ♥ Void The Last Board rescue. ‘If you the ace, I simply ♦ A S ♦ K discard my remaining heart on the club ♣ K Q J 10 ♣ 9 8 With honours just about even, the last king. I would concede a diamond trick, ♠ 6 5 4 board saw a competitive auction: as the fails, before claiming the ♥ 4 3 contract.’ ‘Maybe I should not have ♦ Void played the club ace on the first round,’ ♣ A Rusty said Velda, ‘I read somewhere about ♠ A K 7 5 doing the unexpected in an effort to ♥ K Q 6 2 confuse declarer. You wouldn’t have was kibitzing one of my pupils playing ♦ 7 4 known what to discard, would you?’ this hand in the South-East Surrey ♣ K J 4 ‘Quite right,’ continued David with I Senior Novice qualifiers and saw that David Velda newfound confidence in his voice, declarer could easily make four tricks – (Dealer) ‘Expert players occasionally come a two aces and two trumps. He also had ♠ Void ♠ 9 4 cropper against complete beginners two spade losers, and I whispered to ♥ A 10 9 7 4 N ♥ 5 3 because they just play out their aces and W E him that, to save time, he accept one off ♦ K 10 8 5 3 S ♦ J 6 kings at the first opportunity! This often (we are quite relaxed about protocol in ♣ Q 8 6 ♣ A 10 9 7 5 3 2 ruins their careful subterfuge when these events). Declarer gave me a look Santa trying to slip a crafty trick through their of thunder and led a club promptly to ♠ Q J 10 8 6 3 2 opponents’ defences.’ the ace and then a spade to the ace ♥ J 8 (the cashing of aces, without first ♦ A Q 9 2 Memorable & Magical Party considering where the other tricks were ♣ Void Santa winked at Rusty and said, in a to come from, is one of the hallmarks of jovial tone, ‘I know just what you mean. South-East Surrey Senior Novices). Now Velda opened a pre-emptive non- It was only last week that we had a he led a diamond from dummy and I grimaced: I had surely taught him that vulnerable 3 ♣. Santa overcalled 3 ♠ and couple of juvenile snowmen pop in for a ruffing cards in the long trump hand David went straight to 5 ♣. With four- game. They confused our best players card support and a strong hand, Rusty and eventually had to be escorted from does not create extra tricks? However, declarer did not ruff: instead, he threw raised Santa to 6 ♠. David led the six of the premises when they were threatened clubs and Santa took time to assess his with melt down by a couple of angry a spade. West, who won the trick chances. polar bears!’ David gave a friendly perforce, led a club. Dummy ruffed this, chuckle before speaking. ‘A Slam for while declarer discarded his last spade. South’s two trumps won the remaining Santa – this was such an appropriate end Santa Avoids tricks. Declarer had made his contract to such a memorable and magical Too Many Losers with the aid of a loser-on-loser party!’ n and forced ruff-and-discard, a play Santa knew that the lead marked Velda even I had not envisaged. Not only had with the ace of clubs, which meant that he not lost two spade tricks, he had not both the ace of hearts and the king of lost even one! As I congratulated him diamonds were most likely with David. Michael Scarrot lives in Cromer, on his card play, I gained the distinct He scratched his luxurious white Norfolk and teaches bridge impression that he would shortly be whiskers as he tried to fathom a way of in nearby West Runton. looking for a new bridge teacher. avoiding one loser too many. His mind

Page 19 DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws 2♣ over 1NT by Partner or Opponent

I opened 1NT and clubs. Some say this is legal. the World War II, it included Playing duplicate, my partner took it Others say it is not. this sequence. So playing we had finished a Q out into 2 ♠. In all Stayman to include a weak Q round, scored up good faith, I explained, (b) N/S are playing take-out in clubs has been our boards and heard the ‘weak take-out’, and over a 1NT opening. legal and in use in England call to move. passed. The opposition re- for the last seventy years! Our opponents had been opened with 3 ♦ and my West North East South Your second sequence, discussing one board and partner competed to 3 ♠, 1NT* 2♣2 Pass 2♥ with the 2 ♣ overcall, is suggested that one of us making four. She had five Pass 3♣3 End different. For many years, had revoked. After a short, spades (king high) in a 112-14 there were restrictions on friendly, discussion, we ten-point hand with a 2Alerted by South as Landy defence to 1NT. agreed that my partner singleton – too weak for a (both majors) There still are restrictions had indeed done so. We jump to 3 ♠, and unsuited 3Wrong major partner – he had at Level 2, which is drew the matter to the to play in 1NT – so 2 ♠ six clubs and four spades generally holiday and attention of the director, seems an intelligent bid. novice bridge. At Level 3 who deducted two tricks Did we do wrong? (i) With ‘Landy’ on the and above, i.e. club and from our result. Is this Simon Loveday by e-mail. , was this event bridge, there are no right? legal? (I was South and restrictions so you can play Jane Hickey, The term ‘weak thought partner had whatever defence you like. Horsell, Surrey. take-out’ means the forgotten we were playing In club play, it is thus legal A response of 2 ♠ Landy). to play 2 ♣ as the majors or Especially with a shows a hand that is too (ii) If the convention card clubs, or perhaps the majors, new Law book, it is weak to expect to make had ‘Landy or natural’, or one major and clubs. A important that game. This is what your would that make it legal? If you do play it that way, directors read rulings from partner had, so there could Some say the sequence, you must still keep the the Law book – it sounds be no complaint if the with Landy on the opponents fully informed, so like yours did not! If he had, opponents had convention card, is illegal you must not call this he might have read Law misunderstood. and that South must not Landy. It is not Landy, 64B5, which says that there pass 3 ♣. One director where 2 ♣ shows the majors. are no penalty tricks ♣♦♥ ♠ says that ‘any defence ‘Landy or natural’ will not deducted after the end of the to 1NT is acceptable’ and do; it is not Landy. You round. What is your the sequence was should say ‘the majors or Of course, if the opinion on the acceptable. clubs’. has gained you tricks then Q bidding below? David Hughes, It is not illegal to pass 3 ♣, the director should make (a) E/W are playing non- Worthing, West Sussex. since it is legal to play it this sure these go back to your promissory Stayman and way. However, if you have opponents. transfers over 1NT. You can play any described it as Landy, either responses to 1NT, in answer to a question or West North East South A so you can use a on your convention card, it E-mail your questions 1NT 1 Pass 2♣2 Pass Stayman 2 ♣ response with a is misinformation. The 2♥ Pass 3♣3 End weak take-out in clubs. What opponents will get an on bridge laws to: 112-14 is more, when adjusted score if they can davidstevenson@ 2Stayman invented the convention, now show that they have suffered mrbridge.co.uk. 3Actually, it is a weak take out in called Stayman, just before damage.

Page 20 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued

RUBBER / CHICAGO 2009 Playing with a Whenever you have competent partner unauthorised information Hosted by Diana Holland Q for the first time, from partner, you must do we had only a brief system your best to take no 1-3 April (Wed-Fri) Marsham Court £199 discussion. On the fifth advantage; I am afraid that board, North (my partner) bidding 2NT does not do 24-26 April (Fri-Sun) The Beach Hotel £199 dealt and opened 1NT. I this. You said yourself that announced 12-14. East your 2NT was ‘an effort to 11-13 Sep (Fri-Sun) The Beach Hotel £199 passed. I bid 2 ♥, which correct the misunderstanding’, 30 Sep-2 Oct (Wed-Fri) Marsham Court £199 North announced as a but you only knew of the transfer to spades. West misunderstanding because of Full-board – No Single Supplement hesitated and then passed. the announcement, so you North bid 2 ♠. East passed should not have bid 2NT. Please note there are no seminars or set hands on these weekends and I bid 2NT, which The director’s adjustment made. West called the seems fair to me. director claiming that I had received ‘unauthorised ♣♦♥ ♠ information’. The director looked at the hands. I had My partner, East, 9 points including ♠K-x-x opened 2 ♦, Multi, and ♥Q-x-x-x-x. Q when I, West, was He decided that we should dealer. North noticed the be one down (in 2 ♠). I error. Marsham Court The Beach Hotel East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB Worthing, BN11 3QJ explained that we were a South did not want to new partnership and had accept the bid and called ______not agreed to play the director. The director BOOKING FORM transfers. I bid 2NT trying said that the 2 should ♦ Please book me for .... places, Single .... Double .... Twin .... to correct the mis under- remain on the table and standing over my bid of that I should pass for the Rubber/Chicago weekend(s) of 2♥. throughout. This left my A Newsome, partner playing in the ...... Bury St Edmunds. wrong contract and we got a poor result. Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... When your partner Name address supplied. announced your 2 ♥ Address ...... A bid as a transfer, you When the next knew that you and he were player does not ...... not on the same wavelength. A accept a call out of His announcement thus gave turn, it is cancelled. Postcode ...... you unauthorised As the director ruled information. Without it, you correctly, you must pass ( ...... might have thought he was throughout if your partner’s showing five spades and a bid out of turn was at your Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) doubleton heart. With it, you turn to call, but he should ...... knew that your partner had have let your partner call misunderstood your bid. whatever he liked. Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. DUPLICATEBRIDGE Should you require insurance, you should contact your own only insurance broker. RULESSIMPLIFIED £595 (otherwiseknownastheYellowBook) , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH by John Rumbelow and David Stevenson ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 NewEdition.Includes2008LawRevisions. e-mail: [email protected] from ( 01483 489961 website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 21 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued

I read somewhere notice. It ran: ‘If anyone that you do not feels aggrieved at the Q need to alert if action or inaction of their Duplicate Weekends 2009 partner replies 2NT to 1NT opponents, they should call as a transfer to diamonds. the director. As a with Bernard Magee (£235 per person) Is this correct? I thought committee, we will not all artificial bids up to 3NT tolerate outbursts, rude 19-21 June require alerting. behaviour or a lack of Margaret Harris, normal courtesy towards Suit Rochester. opponents.’ My partner Establishment wants to continue I am not sure what it attending the club but I 6-8 November is that you have feel very reluctant to do so A read. A 2NT in the continuing absence Game response to 1NT as a transfer of an apology. Tries to diamonds is alertable, as Margot Chapman, is a 2 ♠ response as a transfer Letchworth, Herts. to clubs. ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities It would have been ♣♦♥ ♠ better to call for ♦ No single supplement ♦ Nine hole golf course A the director ♦ Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars On the first two immediately. The English boards of a round, Bridge Union is trying to Q our opponents provide a nicer environment, BOOKING FORM (two men we used to get on especially by stopping well with) went eight down rudeness; they advise always Please book me for ..... places at Blunsdon House Hotel, doubled and then five down calling the director. He can The Ridge, Blunsdon, Swindon, SN26 7AS . doubled. On the third, my apply disciplinary penalties. partner played in 3NT. Players have no right to be weekend(s) ...... With about five cards left rude to each other. to play, my RHO (the Having not done so, your Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... unsuccessful declarer on next stage is a written Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... the two previous boards) complaint to the club announced ‘this is so slow, committee. Do not try to Address ...... so boring; it is always so settle this by talking to the slow and boring.’ I said, Chairman...... ‘perhaps we had better not Not having heard the other come again’, to which he side, I cannot say for sure Postcode ...... replied, ‘good – that should that the committee would speed things up a bit.’ decide in your favour, ( ...... I felt so upset that I though it seems that they wanted to go home. Our should. I would abandon the Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) next opponents (our club only if they fail to deal Chairman and his wife) at all with a written ...... persuaded us to stay. complaint: that is Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per During the evening, my unforgivable. place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent partner asked the offender with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - for an apology. Apparently, ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details he was rude again and David Stevenson answers will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - would not apologise. The able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your all queries based on the next day, I telephoned the own insurance broker. facts supplied by the Chairman, saying I still letter writer. Neither Mr wanted an apology, and , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Bridge nor David asked what action the club 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Stevenson has any way of ( would take. knowing whether those e-mail: [email protected] The following week (the facts are correct or website: www.holidaybridge.com offender was not present), complete. the Chairman read out a

Page 22 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued succeeds than when an transferred. The offender opponent’s pre-empt scored a joint top. What is succeeds. your view on the decision and the change in ruling? At my local club, I Keycard Blackwood, hence ♣♦♥ ♠ David Jones, encountered a very the confusion. Bernard Ellesmere Port by e-mail. Q aggressive oppon- Magee advocates the use of In a ‘friendly’ Acol ent. Firstly, she asked me Keycard Blackwood because game, at love all, Unless declarer what my partner’s 4NT it is simple and yet still a Q partner opened finished with more meant, to which I replied step beyond normal Black- 1NT; RHO passed; I had A tricks than he would Keycard Blackwood asking wood. Both conventions are one point and ♥9-x-x-x-x-x. have made without the for aces and king of trumps. legal, as is any other 4NT Knowing the opposition revoke (in which case the She informed me that this slam convention. had at least 25 HCP and director restores equity), the was Roman Keycard and I As to your 2 ♥ bid – that not wishing to tell them ruling seems to be correct. should sort it out. Secondly, seems normal enough: even anything, I passed only for Certainly, it has changed my partner opened 1 ♦ and if it was not, you can legally my LHO to do the same! from the last law book – she overcalled 1 ♥, after play 2 ♥ any way you like. Partner went five down are now less likely which I went 2 ♥ as I had So please try to put this in and all turned on me to hand out tops but they 11 points and three hearts. the past: it is not your saying that I should have will make life harder for She told me that this was opponent’s place to criticise bid 2 ♥. I argued that I had directors, especially if there an unacceptable bid. I you and if done aggressively, saved at least 200 points are more revokes! came away feeling upset as it is illegal. since they should have got I felt sure that I had bid to game in a variety of ♣♦♥ ♠ correctly. I try to follow the ♣♦♥ ♠ ways if I had bid. They books that Bernard has both had flat hands with I claimed (by written (also Andrew North opened one 13 and 14 HCP and said cross-ruffing) the Robson) so could not of a suit. East, they could not bid. Sour Q rest of the tricks understand where I had Q having 23 points, grapes . . . does anyone playing in hearts holding gone so wrong. What do doubled. West took out the agree with me? ♥K-Q and two winning you think? double and the final Ken Russam, clubs in dummy – Heather Vale, contract was 3NT+4. What Bracknell, Berks. opponent on my right held Street, Somerset. came to light after the play ♥10-8-x and a spade – I, was that North had opened Hardly a friendly declarer, held two hearts Let me first consider with three points. East was atmosphere, I think! and two good diamonds. I the behaviour issue. disgruntled because he A Of course, 2 ♥ is the miscounted trumps and my A Bad manners and believed that his side had book bid on your hand, but RHO claimed two tricks, aggression that upsets others missed a slam (6NT was you made a different call, which were impossible to is illegal at this game. the top contract) because were lucky, and got a good make. Was he correct? Whether you were in the of North’s opening. Could result. For the opponents to Pat Watson, right or in the wrong does you please give a ruling? complain is very rude and Ottershaw, Surrey. not justify the opponent’s Mr L Borrett, against the laws of bridge. rudeness in any way. If this Middlecombe, Somerset. Was this rubber happens again, do not worry ♣♦♥ ♠ bridge? At duplicate, whether you are right or Psyches are legal. I A your opponent has wrong; just call the director presume the player East played in no right to claim anything: if and say ‘This opponent is A who opened on 3NT and made 10 he disputes your claim, he being aggressive and has three points did so Q tricks. At trick six, calls the director, who sorts thoroughly upset me and deliberately and that is a he called for the ten of it out: similarly the club host spoilt my game for me.’ The psyche. While players diamonds from dummy in a rubber bridge club. director will issue psyche quite rarely and discarded a spade In practice, it is not disciplinary penalties to your nowadays, it is still part of from hand. The ten of entirely clear from your opponent. the game, adding some diamonds won the trick. description. If you just try to As to your actual bids, I interest because it is a Declarer then came to crossruff and keep on suspect your opponent gamble. It gives a lot of hand and won the next two crossruffing, perhaps he will expected you to be playing pleasure to opponents who tricks with two top get both the ten and eight of Roman Keycard Blackwood, get a good score because of diamonds. At the end of trumps. All I can say is that, a very popular convention or despite the psyche, and play, the director ruled if it is impossible for him to amongst top club and pleasure to the psycher when that only one trick should get two tricks, he does not tournament players. Many his bid succeeds in transfer to our side now get two tricks; but if the way players will not have come deflecting opponents. There that law 64A2 had you have said you will play across the simpler and older is no reason to be any more changed. Under the old might give him two tricks, version of the convention, upset when a psyche laws, two tricks would have he will get two tricks.

Page 23 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued life of the cards but also could only ask the bidder’s because players knew that partner or consult the they often gave rise to flat, convention card. When the dull hands. director learnt of this, he One of our convention card, turning Jonathan Goodall, said that she should read members is their head (if deaf on one Lyncombe Vale, Bath. the law book as he was Q registered blind side) or writing on a pad. correct. but still able to play. As a All this is unchanged. It all sounds very John Dawe, by e-mail. help, the relevant player at Announcements apply only persuasive. the previous table sorts the in specific common auctions A However, every Sometimes one can hand for her before and so players expect them; authority without exception, ask a player the passing on the board. Will most deaf players accept apart from you, agrees that A meaning of a call the new rule, for players to that announcements are no riffle shuffles are far fairer she has made if the partner shuffle their cards at the worse than alerts and are than overhand shuffles. A is unsure. The director end of play, preclude this? often better. few riffle shuffles produce should send the partner John Josephs, Northampton. I agree it can be hard for quite a random pack: seven away from the table so that deaf players to discover or so produce as near to she does not hear the An organisation can their opponents’ methods, complete randomness as answer. Furthermore, the make special rules but announcements do not possible. Certainly, you may director should warn the A for players disabled seem to have added to these get strange effects with player that she should reply in any way and that includes difficulties. My deaf friends perfect riffles but, since you only as to their agreements: sorting cards for blind agree. do not get perfect riffles, if they have no agreement, players. why worry? she should just say ‘no ♣♦♥ ♠ In contrast, the overhand partnership agreement’. ♣♦♥ ♠ shuffle does very little Your director’s attitude David Stevenson’s shuffling and you need to worries me. I would never I have just found assertion in shuffle for ten to fifteen insist on this for my benefit out that alerting Q BRIDGE 88, that minutes for decent if I were a playing director; Q Stayman with the the riffle shuffle is far randomness. The two or also, if a director wishes to silent bidding boxes has preferable to the overhand three shuffles common in show that what he has said been abolished in favour of shuffle, is only true when clubs do nothing for is correct, he should read it speaking – another new done badly. Expertly done, randomness, but lead to from the law book, not tell rule! Is the EBU breaking the opposite is the case. foreseeable and flat someone to do so. the law? You can easily distributions. Experience I understand that the demonstrate this by shows the exact opposite of ♣♦♥ ♠ Disability Discrimination sorting a pack into suit what you say: hands with Act 2005 prohibits and rank order, dividing it riffle shuffles get more Could you please discrimination against exactly in half and then interesting because they clarify the deaf people. reassembling the pack by follow expected statistical Q counting of Mrs Anne Coupe, taking one card from each distributions reasonably: honours? In the Ron Felpham, Bognor Regis. half in turn. It makes no overhand shuffles lead to Klinger flippers, it says difference whether you flat hands. ‘either side can score After discussions shuffle four, five, six seven honours’. What does with various deaf or eight times. In each ♣♦♥ ♠ ‘either side’ mean? A organisations and a case, the result is a flat Mrs H Dirckze, number of deaf players, the 4333 distribution. One or A lady friend of London, SW15. EBU decided that three riffles produce two- mine bid 2 ♦; her announcements were an suited 7,600 distributions Q LHO, who was If a player has, for improvement. Most of the and two riffles produce also the TD, asked her example, four feedback they have received four straight single-suit partner its meaning. A trump honours in supports this view. hands. Even worse, eight Partner replied that she his hand, he scores a bonus Therefore, the introduction perfect riffle shuffles was unsure. The director of a 100 for honours. Some of announcements is not restore the pack to its then turned to the bidder assume this only applies to discriminatory. original form – like no and asked the strength of declarer and dummy, but It is unclear how an alert shuffle at all. the bid. Bidder replied this is not so. While it is of Stayman is any better for In the days before that she thought he could rare for a defender to hold a deaf player than an plastic-coated cards, and not ask her, only her four trump honours, it is announcement. If the player when social rubber bridge partner. The director possible and he can get needs to know what the 2 ♣ was the norm, players replied that he was entitled honours. In this instance, means, they have to make frowned upon riffle to ask her. Bidder stuck to ‘either side’ means either some arrangement, whether shuffles. This was mainly her guns. The lady later declarer and dummy, or the lip-reading, reading a because they shortened the asked me, and I said he defenders.

Page 24 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued

AT THE OLDE BARN North opened 2 ♥, information and it would be weak. My partner normal to disallow your bid. Toll Bar Road, Marston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT Q considered his Bidding 2NT with 12 points hand (allegedly) for some is not normal; most people Duplicate Weekends 2009 10 seconds before passing. have a strong no-trump South passed too. I was when they bid 2NT over a 20-22 Feb (£199) 16-18 Oct (£199) West and had a nice 12 weak two: if you had Slam Bidding - Ray Hutchinson Doubles points. I bid 2NT, which unauthorised information 13-15 Mar (£199) Improvers* 30 Oct - 1 Nov (£199) my partner raised to 3NT. that partner had values, you Stayman & Transfers Declarer Play Although he thought I had may not bid 2NT with only Ray Hutchinson a bit more than I did, as he 12 points. 13-15 Nov (£199) had 14 points, I made the 3-5 Apr (£199) Hand Evaluation contract. Our score of 3NT ♣♦♥ ♠ End Play & Avoidance Ray Hutchinson was a top. Several pairs 9-11 Oct (£235) 27-29 Nov (£199) had defeated 2 ♥ by two or Sometimes a table Leads & Defence Signals & Discards three tricks. The director does not play all Bernard Magee Ray Hutchinson ruled that my partner’s the boards in a Q *Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player hesitation had influenced round. How do you score a and/or those picking up the game after a long break. my bid and adjusted the board not played? Which score to 150 (2 ♥ down of the scoring programs ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with en-suite facilities three). best handle this? ♦ No single supplement L Chandler, Surbiton. Mr Geoff Bishop, Room upgrades available ♦ Use of swimming ♦ Fairford, Glos. pool and fitness suite ♦ Bidding quiz & two seminars If all is as you describe, you had a When pairs do not ______BOOKING FORM ______A raw deal, but it does play all their sound a little strange. 2 ♥ is A scheduled boards, Please book me for ..... places, a stop bid, so the stop card the laws say to award must be on display, for 10 averages to them. If both Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... seconds not just for a pairs are at fault, you could at the Olde Barn weekends of ...... moment. Since your partner give average minus (and may not call before the stop should do if these pairs are Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... card goes away, a pause for slow repeatedly) but it is 10 seconds by him is not a normal to give average, Address ...... hesitation. saying both pairs are partly Of course, many people at fault. Of course, if they ...... put the stop card back in the are late because of someone box too fast; in fact, some else’s interference, they Postcode ...... do so immediately. No should get average plus matter when the stop card because neither is at fault. If ( ...... goes back, partner should you judge only one pair is at wait for 10 seconds after the fault, they get average Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, bid. As long as he always minus, their opponents but we will do our best to oblige) follows this rule, you cannot average plus...... tell whether he was thinking All good software allows or just waiting the required averages to be entered, Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per time. Thus, you have no average, average plus and place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent unauthorised information average minus. If it does not, with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details and can call whatever you get some different software. will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - like. Personally, I advise Jeff able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your I wonder why the director Smith’s software: it is good. own insurance broker. ruled as he did. Did he If there is a problem, Jeff forget 2 ♥ was a stop bid – deals with it, even re-writing , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or did he consider that your the program if need be, and partner hesitated for 10 it is completely free. It ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 seconds beyond the required works with Bridgemates and e-mail: [email protected] 10 seconds? In the latter Anna Gudge’s Simultaneous website: www.holidaybridge.com case, you have unauthorised Pairs. n

Page 25 BRIDGE COVER CARTOON BUBBLE CAPTION COMPETITION

Trumped again! Diana Parish, Crieff. Is she bidding Roman Key Card? AT WYCHWOOD PARK Vivien Greenow, Worcester. Any more bids? Miss J M Blankhard, Cheadle Holme. Competitive auction ends with a Slam. Valerie Harrison, Weston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5GP Burnham-on-Crouch. Is that a bid, Mrs Yarborough? Peter Ayres, Bedford. Do I alert or announce this bid? Peter Harrington, Stockport. Surely you can bid over one spade? Mr R J Groom, Kidderminster. Do you always Duplicate Weekends 2009 overbid? Kenneth Paver, Northallerton. Uncontested auction. Mr M Hall, Llandudno. I hope she passes one this one! Jill Smith, Brentwood. Auctions are all about limit bids. Mr W Roberts, Thornton-Cleveleys. 3-5 Apr (£199) 23-25 Oct (£199) Insufficient bid. Mr R F Kitchener, Biggleswade. She is making a takeout Leads & Defence Signals & Discards bid! Mr P Skinner, Ipswich. Bid high and bid often. Dr & Mrs Whelan, Woodstock. Is it my turn to bid . John Davies, Eastbourne. The final bid. John Wootton John Wootton Mr A W Moore, Alva, Clackmannanshire. Singleton spade opens the bidding. Dr V Navaratnam, Cambridge. Alert, shall we bid for the queen? 17-19 Apr (£215) 20-22 Nov (£199) Improvers* Jenifer Nixon, Ponteland. Sold to the highest bidder. Gayda Young, Beaumaris. Never hang on to your queen. Mrs J Gwinnett-Sharp, Bury st. Game Tries Stayman & Transfers Edmunds. Think carefully before you bid. Mrs E S Fuller, Kidderminster. Bernard Magee John Wootton Don’t over bid your hand darling! Joseph Humber, Thornton-Cleveleys. Partner bidding? Derek Notman, Moffat. Too many jokers. Denis Meadows, Dawlish Warren. Bid double at auction. Patti Parker, Great Shelford. No, 16-18 Oct (£199) 27-29 Nov (£199) No! I said where’s the action! Joan Dudley, Hertford. Going! Going! Hand Evaluation Doubles Gone! Mr & Mrs R F Pierrepont, Ludlow. Pre-empting the bidding Madame. Mrs M E Muntus, Swaffham. Spades outbids clubs. Mike Leonard, Northampton. Beware Overbidding. Mr & Mrs I Nunn, Romsey. *Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player You won the frame, a great deal. Mrs L M Rule, Weymouth. Not bidding and/or those picking up the game after a long break. but waving. Chris Peeler, Wendover. Opening bid. Miss Y Dingwall, Upton- by-Chester. Any chance of a trial bid? Mr & Mrs R Salmon, Wilmslow. I Full-board All rooms with say, she’s bidding for her double! Ann Eastham, Bury St. Edmunds. It’s ♦ ♦ not that kind of auction! Mr K G Berry, Crawley Down. Finessing the en-suite facilities No single supplement queen. Mrs P A Wood, Beaminster. Either red queen for a small slam. ♦ Mrs E Kasket, Hitchin. Double trouble. Frieda Simmons, Stanmore. It’s Venue non-smoking Use of jacuzzi, sauna, ♦ north. Another bid. Lydia Stanford, Hove. I won’t be outbid! L ydia ♦ Stanford, Hove. She’s been framed. Mr J J Wood, Torquay. Bidding over. steam room and gym ♦ Bidding quiz & two seminars Spades are trumps. Peter Stonehouse, Burnley. Is that a double? Jean Fagan, Hertford. Any more bids. Peter Brackfield, Haslemere. Opening bid. Martyn Lewis, Masham. You should have bid higher. Mrs P S Inkley, ______BOOKING FORM ______Loughborough. It has to be an interference bid. Monica Davies, Sutton. Are you bidding or passing? Roly Burn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Who taught her to pre-empt? Mr d H Child, Guernsey. Interference bid! Mike Please book me for ..... places, Brady, Sheffield. Auction over spades come up trumps. Zena Learner, Ware. A transfer bid? Brian Isherwood, Chalfont St Peter. Going, going, gone! Bought by Mrs Spades. Ms V A Peck, London N19. I shall open Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... the bidding. Dr S E Heath. What do you mean, my bid? Mr P Collins, Selsey. Openers Rebid. Dorothy Dickinson, Cuddington. You always did at the Wychwood Park weekends of ...... overbid. Jennifer Broster, Deer Park, Henfield. One down doubles at 200. Clive Hutchinson, Crewe. Rescue bid. V L Prowse, St Albans. Artful Bidding. Mr W Huggan, Bromley. Picture cards always have value. Alan Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Hobday, Solihull. Over bidding my dear will cost double. Frank Conlan, Mersyside. Wowee, a bid in spades! Graham Warren, Quorn. Whatever he’s bid, I’ll double it. Richard Thorne, Rochdale. I overcall. Mrs B Curtis, Address ...... Kirkcaldy. Are you bidding or overbidding? Mrs H R Dirckze, London SW15. What’s the value of the Jack? Mr & Mrs G E Burdett, South Anston...... Four Spades has won the auction. Mrs M V Coop, Emsworth. A Dutch auction, no hearts! Mr R M Stokes, Chester. Poised for Slam. Alan Chalmers, Kirkintilloch. A always has precedence. Mr P A Birch, Postcode ...... Leamingotn Spa. Talk about sixes and sevens. Mr Ganks, Maidstone. I’ll bid but I know it’s duplicate! Irene Diebelius, Romford. Bridge auction. Going to the highest bidder. Mrs M Balen, Newton Mearns. Grossly ( ...... Overbid! Ron Holton, Stoke on Trent. Six spades, all done? Slam. Mrs M a Jackson, Stamford. Winning bid. Mrs R A Spottiswoode, Letchworth. Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Does she think it’s a family relation? Ruby Green, Flax Bourton. The queen has it, seven spades, gone! Della Nicholson, Brentwood. Bidding but we will do our best to oblige) one spade! David Boobier, Plymouth. Any old queen will do. Mrs B Carlyle, Shrewsbury. There’s that queen. Stephen Dixon, South Harrow. Going, ...... going, gone to the highest bidder. Mrs M Hunter, Overstrand. Best bid. Ronald Carlisle, West Ferry. High card signal Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per provokes diamond response. Dave Bryan, Chester. Her bidding deserves place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent to be hammered. Alan Chapman, Marlborough. She always overbids. Mr F Price, Swindon. Your play was a picture. Mr J Carew, Northampton. The with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - art of bidding. Sheryl Prince, Batheaston. That’s her double. Mrs K R ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details Street, Woking. Bid out of turn. Mr J M Burrell, Silchester. Learn from the will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - mistakes of others. Ian Dent, Desford. Silent bid. Dr A Paterson, East able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your Lothian. No more bids? Contract to you! Mrs H Connors, Shanklin. Too many faces, not enough aces. John Williams, Angus. I can just afford own insurance broker. a limit bid. Anne Thomas, Taunton. Going, going, gone, 3 spades the contract. Dr I Gwyn Evans, Llandeilo. Excellent but insufficient bid Madame! John Wood, Largs. Did she just pre-empt us? Irene Pilbrough, , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Newcastel-upon-Tyne, Home I bid out of turn? Mr J A Rutherford, Lenzie. Damn spades; they always win the auction. Judy Benson, Sandwich. ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Hope they don’t drop the bare queen. Ian Taylor, Stratford-upon-Avon. What am I bid. Mr P B Picthall, Storrington. I’m not bidding on that. e-mail: [email protected] Mr L Simpson, Macclesfield. Over bidding again! We’ll pay for it. Daphne website: www.holidaybridge.com Lally, Amersham. Yes dear, it’s a ruff painting. Penny Bele, Stoke Bishop. Good card player. Poor bidder. Jean Bowles, Brighton. Ban doubles. Doreen Godfrey, Sunderland. Anyone for auction bridge? Andrew

Page 26 BRIDGE COVER CARTOON BUBBLE CAPTION COMPETITION

Fairclough, Mulberton. No, stay man! I prefer black wood! Richard she’s over bid again. Michael Horton, Newton Longville. The double Turlington, Hook. Did I hear ‘double’? Elaine Vinten, Bury St. Edmunds. I prompts a spade bid. Eva Tucker, Portishead. Was your bid really am the director! Michael Bickers, Letton. Sold to the highest bidder. double Madame? Phillip Aelberry, King’s Lynn. She’s always overbidding. Linda Coombes, Chilworth. Looks like the queens off-side again. Mr M Rosemary Wheeler, Shipston-on-Stour. I have a bid of five diamonds. Roy Brennan, Rotherham. Not a real queen. It’s a dummy. Mrs B M Smith, Horsnell, Maldon. Would you bid for me. Sandra Dennison, Horsham. Bishop’s Stortford. Stop, I have another bid. Margaret Peck, Holywood. Oh Auction...bid...contract. Bert Howard, High Peak. Did I hear four spades dear, she’s overbidding again. Alan Perry, Flackwell Heath. Well bid Madam? Miss K H McIntosh, Canterbury. Takeover bid in spades. Mr S J partner. Mr & Mrs Methven, Deal. . Barry Henderson, Darwen. Connor, Stevenage. Who is that upstart outbidding me? David Barrows, The spade bid was not challenged. Mr M J Bell, Didcot. Trust her, Lymington. Sorry, you were outbid. Michael Percik, Bolton. Auction lot overbidding again. Mary Hopper, Chathill. The play’s the thing. David sold to highest bidder. Mrs R L Legg, Caterham Valley. Don’t bother, you Stirling, Westbury-on-Trym. Intervening bid. Mr P Cook, Leatherhead. Do I can’t outbid her. George Wells, Olney. An overbid in spades wins the hear seven spades? Mrs G Goldwater, Chathill. Is that jack a master? contract! Margery Miles, Minehead. Did you double Madame? Effie Brian Sinfield, St Albans. This lot will drop the queen. Colin Thomas, Robertson, Chorley. Someone’s got an ace up their sleeve! Colin Taylor, Newport. Surprisingly she’s not underbidding today. Morag Smith, Bollington. Do I hear 7 Diamonds? Dr D O Wilkes, Oxted. Sold to the Edinburgh. Overbidding again, another 1100 given away. Mr I Hill, St highest bidder. Mr G Drayton, Liphook. Dummy queen for auction. D J Ives. Over bid again. Robert Russell, Burgess Hill. Spades bid and two Coltart, Castle Douglas. No hearts! Mrs J Croud, Sidmouth. Insufficient bid passes. Your call? Geoffrey Fairhall, Folkstone. We are always outbid at Ma’am! Else Baker, Borehamwood. This will surely be a grand slam. these auctions. Anon. Sorry, the jacks are not for sale. Mrs M E van John Over, Oxshott. Making an overcall. Marina Palethorpe, Rees, Grange-over-Sands. Insufficient bid. Mr J Rogers, Frodsham. Bridge Verwood. Grand slam for my queen of hearts. Mr H Marsh, Post-mortem. Mrs D Azariah, Stockport. Competitive Bidding. Mr D J Brighton. Defiantly no bid! Mrs B Barraclough, Bournemouth. No Fishley, Chalfont St Giles. Another successful bid! Mrs P Tillett, Ashford. Bid. Sylvia Lowther, Poynton. Highest bid. Mrs M D White, Godstone. Madame, that is a bid! Mr D O Parker, Havant. Is that a spade No Bid. Mrs B Braithwaite, Ruislip. Over bid in hearts. Anne Smith, Bristol. bid? Mr J Hall, Bolton. Careful before bidding! Could be a transfer! Mr Am I bid two spades? Miss S V Rothman, Sevenoaks. Any advance on A J France, Birstall. Honours worth bidding for. Steven Hirst, Huddersfield. one no trump? Miss J Crossfield, Carnforth. Grand slam contract bid and She has just bid three diamonds! R R Davis, Upton-on-Severn. Don’t made! June Chaplin, Eastbourne. I intend to win this auction. Mr R M compete dear, she always overbids. Alex Wiseman, Whitefield. Just one Palmer, Sevenoaks. So you want a competitive auction? Doreen Elliott, Malvern. No bid for this one. Hanna Goldsmith, Edgware. Forcing bid over a weak two. Mr G F Day, Bideford. It’s a genuine Yarbrough! Tony Mitchell, Shipston-on-Stour. Double the last bid for takeout. Brian Holland, Camberley. Raise her bid and I’ll double him. Mrs V A Golding, Faversham. Contract completed! Mrs A Steele, Ascot. Your bid is psyche. Mrs M Taylor, Stockport. Her bidding was always outrageous. Jay Sutherland, London NW7. That’s right! The higher of a doubleton. Joyce Mitton, Chichester. Alert! Diana Sendall, Farnham. That’s another good auction of royalty. Mr P Sheldon, Barnet. Bidding again more money than sense. Janet Dineen, Eastbourne. I’ll bid one heart. Mr I C Wells, Market Harborough. After bidding, she’ll get the picture. Ray Cornish, Haddenham. Going, going, 6 spades! Lynda Mitchell, Sheffield. Are you bidding this time? Mr B P Heal, Gillingham, Dorset. I have a very strong opening bid. Pamela Gold, Bushey. Your bid. Mr O G Teller, London N21. Insufficient bid. Christine Jack, Bridge of Weir. Auction . Marion Smith, Beaconsfield. Double! Dr M Wood, Stapleford. Please use the . George Conn, London NW3. That’s not the Mona Lisa. Mr R F Campion, St Neots. What is your bid? Mrs P M Jackman, Newbury. It’s a duplicate, not worth a bid. Mr J R Smith, South Petherton. Jack makes his point. Margaret Morgan, Chichester. Going, going, gone. Spades have it. Patricia Ollerton, Knutsford. Is that your final bid? Ann Best, Northallerton. That’s an insufficient bid. Peter Gooch, Bath. Bidding is fun, try a jump bid. Mr A G North, Glenfield. How much are you bidding! Derek Wood, New Malden. Bidding a transfer to spades. Michael Tudor-Craig, Petersfield. Have you forgotten your bidding box? Anthony Wann, Nuneaton. Any advance on 7NT? Mrs Beagle, London SW2. Let’s tell her to try contract bridge. Mrs S Rowan, London W14. Spade overcall wins auction. Mr S Lawer, Ipswich. Queen of spades wins competitive auction. Dawn Wheeler, St Albans. Is this what they call auction bridge? Mrs A Roberts, Worcester. Is that you final bid? Mrs M Kaye, Watford. Outbid by spades. Richard Tempest, Othery. The royals usually control the bidding. Mr J Hempshall, Leeds. Going for a slam. Andrew Heaver, Brixworth. Single queens are difficult to bid on. Mrs J W Coalbran. She’s Bid too high again. Joy Rowe, Wroughton. That’s never worth two clubs. Grahame Mabel, Oakmoor. Transfer to the Antiques Roadshow. Ruth Evans, London. Apprentice. Stop! I have a bid. Susan Pople, Enfield. Last bid for the heartless queen. Maggie face card between them. Mrs S Thomas, Littlebury. . Patrick Beecher, Cardif. I knew all along where the queen was. Jean Cobral, Dunham, Coleorton. Auction won by the spade raised bid. Mrs Y G Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Under bid: Failed to make reserve. Ted Mattingley, Horritt, Preston. That bidder certainly has it in spades! Mr D H Linton, Littlehampton. I bid seven spades. Mr R Hill, Basildon. I knew she would London SE9. Sold to spades. Dr J H Naysmith, Cynoed. Four spades has double your bid. Mrs Sims, Littlehampton. Bidding with an isolated it then. J Twyford, Brentwood. Are you bidding or just waving? queen. Sue McFarlane, Tonbridge. Singleton queen is valueless in an Christopher Sales, Totteridge. She never stops bidding. William Holden, auction. David Maloney, Vale of Glamorgan. One of 52 from the Sale. Insufficient bid. Paul Doe, Exeter. Is that a conventional bid? Eva Waddington collection. Mary Butt, Reigate. It’s your bid, Madame. Adamson, Dumfries. Not quite Acol but very effective. Brian Rayment, You’ve been doubled! Mrs V M Rhind, Southbourne. That is an Ealing. Is that your final bid? Dr R Ehsanullah, Chalfont St Giles. A bid insufficient bid. Mr A K Salvage, Canterbury. Everyone loves a last too far? Sybil Cooper, Sutton. I’m told she has it in spades. Pauline minute bidder. Mrs M Dent, Uckfield. I think mine is the winning bid. Bell, Alderley Edge. Is that your final bid? Mr D Siddall, Brighton. Is it Mrs R Thorne, Uckfield. Auction or contract? P amela Wright, Mowbray. Stop Duplicate or Auction bridge? Marie Bowers, Haslemere. My Goodness, Bidding. Mrs S Bloomsfield, Chelmondston. Spades over bidding again. she has doubled their bid. Joyce Knight, Hatfield. Higher than a queen. Joyce Bailey, Cheddleton. Not a lot for a jump bid. Joan Positive, Christine Leader, Mountsorrel. I think she has stolen my bid. Mr M Churchdown. We’ve gone back to action bridge. John Kelly, Walsall. Jennings, Reigate. A Spade bid. Peggy Thompson, Bracknell. The bids with Pulling rank. Luce Green, Reading. Call the Director. Derek Pratt, you Madame. Richard Barratt, Quorn. There! Told you so, overbidding Upminster. Suits you, Sir! Richard Welch, Denbigh. I have another bid again! Mrs P Schurmann, Highgate. Should I declare my ? in this auction. Sue Hall, Southport. That must be a take-out bid. Mrs Maurice Phillips, Henfield. Waiting for the queen to drop. Joy Furness, T A Crossling, Poole. I’ll bid having noticed that picture. Mr R G Epsom. Single queen. Betty Thorne, Vale of Glamorgan. Any questions Robinson, Harpenden. That was some overcall. Mr H Small, Shoreham-by- partner? Eileen Bushell, Sudbury. Queen high, bidding over, contract Sea. No bid, it’s a fake. Mrs D Martin, Portsmouth. Another pre-emptive agreed. Valerie Wallbank, Sunderland. Do I hear four no trumps? Joan bid from spades, I see! Rev J Torr, Tewkesbury. But you should have England, Radlett. Well! I declare! Mrs J Stockbridge, Abingdon. Looks like shown Alert. Ilkley. Double the last bid. Epsom.

Page 27 Seasonal Walks with Countryman

A Walk at Christmas

his little piece of England Gung-ho Bridge somewhat nettled when another player where the birds are singing, the told her that one declarer in 4 ♠ had T sun shining and the air Gloria, referred to irreverently in the made twelve tricks after the same lead. seriously intoxicating – it is all too easy club as ‘Jolly Hockey-sticks’, perhaps What did I think? We will come back to to fall under its magic spell and dream because of her somewhat gung-ho this hand later. on, contentedly… approach to bridge, is a delightful It would be a lie if I claimed that the character who always has a bridge deal Christmas Wildlife sun was shining today. It is up there that she wants to talk about. Today, somewhere, no doubt looking down on Christmas notwithstanding, is no Even though there is little colour around us lovingly as, after all, it is Christmas; exception. This is it: at this time of year, Gloria is most for the moment, it is conspicuous by its impressed with the bright scarlet of the absence. No matter, Christmas is special, rose hips in the hedgerows. They reach regardless of the weather because there Dealer North. Game All. their peak in December and, although always seems to be a kindly, friendly air they are favourite delicacies for some of goodwill to everyone. It may not last ♠ A 9 4 species of wildlife, who have already but, for the time being, let us be happy ♥ A J 8 6 been dining out on them, there is plenty with that mystical glow of benevolence. ♦ Q 8 4 2 of colour remaining. Birds, especially Even Cindy, my gorgeous golden ♣ K J those of the thrush family, and wood retriever, seems to know that there is ♠ J 7 5 ♠ Q 8 mice, who curiously do not hibernate something rather special about this time ♥ 7 4 3 N ♥ 9 5 2 during the winter, are the main W E of year and is very happy to join in the ♦ J 10 9 7 S ♦ A K 5 3 enthusiastic consumers. celebrations. She is impervious to the ♣ 9 7 4 ♣ Q 10 6 3 I notice a plentiful supply of mistletoe weather. Walkies is her thing and the ♠ K 10 6 3 2 this year, another favourite with bird life national obsession with climatic ♥ K Q 10 when those luscious white berries conditions is really beneath her sniff. ♦ 6 develop gradually. However, we should ♣ A 8 5 2 not begrudge the birds their tasty snack Gloria and Mitzi Join us as they are themselves responsible for 6♠ by South. Lead: ♦J. spreading the seeds around as they Today, Gloria, a keen member of the scrape sticky leftovers off their beaks local bridge club, and her black spaniel, and onto branches of other trees. Mitzi, have joined us. Cindy and Mitzi Let us draw a veil over the bidding get on well together, but very much in because Gloria was alone amongst the Twelve Tricks Made their own way. As we walk across the South players in arriving in 6 ♠. West led fields, they hare around enthusiastically, the jack of diamonds, which won the Time to get back to Gloria’s hand and each enjoying the countryside to the full. first trick. Subsequently Gloria lost an see how one declarer made twelve There has been quite a dry spell recently ‘inevitable’ trump trick for one down. tricks. After winning with the jack of so perhaps the scent is good. The diamonds, West continued with a outlook this year is very different from Impossible Slam? second diamond, ruffed by declarer who all those white, snowy scenes on so continued like this: the king of clubs, many of my Christmas cards; the dogs ‘It was impossible to make the slam’, ace of clubs and a club ruff. Now a are certainly making the most of it. complained Gloria, but she was second diamond ruff, followed by

Page 28 Christmas continued 2009 AT STAVERTON PARK Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT three rounds of hearts, finishing in dummy, and a third diamond ruff leave the ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with following position: Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities

♦ No single supplement ♦ Venue non-smoking ♠ A 9 Use of swimming ♥ J ♦ ♦ Bidding quiz and pool and fitness suite two seminars ♦ Void ♣ Void ______♠ J 7 5 ♠ Q 8 BOOKING FORM

♥ Void N ♥ Void W E 23-25 Jan (£209) ♦ Void S ♦ Void Please book me for ..... places, Suit Establishment ♣ Void ♣ 10 ♠ K 10 Bernard Magee Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... ♥ Void 30 Jan - 1 Feb (£199) ♦ Void Signals & Discards for the Staverton Park weekend(s) of ...... ♣ 8 27 Feb - 1 Mar (£199) ...... Leads & Defence South is on lead and plays the 13-15 Mar (£199) Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... eight of clubs. If West ruffs Slam Bidding low, the nine of spades wins Address ...... and declarer must take the 27-29 Mar (£209) last two tricks. If West tries Sacrificing the jack of spades, the ace Bernard Magee ...... wins and then a simple 3-5 Apr (£199) finesse against East’s queen is Postcode ...... ( ...... equally productive. The name Further into the Auction Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, for this particular gambit – as 25-27 Sep (£199) but we will do our best to oblige) I explain to Gloria – is the Declarer Play Devil’s . To succeed, the ...... side suits always have to be 16-18 Oct (£199) kindly distributed. Take-out Doubles Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking Improvers* ...... Devil’s Coup 13-15 Nov (£199) Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place Game Tries When we get home, I inform by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with Cindy that Gloria could have 27-29 Nov (£199) your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be made her contract via the Overcalls sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Devil’s Coup. Maybe I am Should you require insurance, you should contact your own imagining it, but I think insurance broker. Cindy gives me a disapproving look. Ah! The Devil at Christmas, I see; that is what Cindy thinks is inappropriate. Maybe she is right. ‘I’ll tell you what,’ I say to her, ‘Let’s give it our Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... own name. How about (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) calling it the Paul Daniels Coup in honour of that , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH famous magician? After all, declarer did make that trump ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 trick disappear!’ *Improvers’ Weekends are aimed e-mail: [email protected] at the novice player and/or those Cindy wags her tail, which picking up the game after a long break. website: www.holidaybridge.com settles it. n

Page 29

Ask Julian Pottage Bidding the Opponents’ Suit

On the following Lacking three-card support, partner to bid). However, if make a general force, you hand, I was North but with a maximum for the your partner has not bid and bid opener’s suit, 2 ♦. Q and, being baffled 10-12 range, South would you have previously turned and suspecting a misfit, I then bid 3NT. down the chance to double ♣♦♥ ♠ left my partner in a On your actual sequence, the suit for take-out then the hopeless contract. you had a misunderstanding bid is natural: 1. On page 47 of I suspect we were both about what the double of 2 ♦ BRIDGE 89 why partly at fault. How would meant. You must have West North East South Q does West not you have bid the hands? meant it for penalties while 1♣ lead the ace of clubs (from partner took it for take-out. Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT A-x-x-x) rather than a As both of you have bid, the 2♣ diamond from Q-J-10-x-x? ♠ 7 normal meaning of the 2. On page 17 of ♥ K J 10 6 5 double is for penalties, in 2♣ is natural. If you did not BRIDGE 89, when East ♦ A Q 10 7 2 which case South has an have clubs, you might have plays the ten from ♣ 7 5 easy pass. doubled 1 ♣, bid one of the K-10-x-x when dummy As you suggest, your final red suits or an unusual 2NT. has Q-x, is this not N W E pass was wrong. Even if finessing against partner? S you thought partner had a West North East South Mrs P A Bailey, Guildford. ♠ A 10 6 4 lot of black cards, you 1♦ Pass 1♥ ♥ Q 7 could have given preference Pass 2♦ Pass Pass 1. With some ♦ 8 4 3 to 3 ♣ or tried to say you 2♥ opponents, it can ♣ A Q 6 3 thought the deal was a A be a good idea to misfit by bidding 2NT. 2♥ is natural. If you did not bash out an ace against a Unless you have agreed to have hearts, you could have slam since they might be West North East South the contrary, a bid in the doubled at either turn, bid missing the ace-king of the 1♥ 1♠ 2♣ opponent’s suit is forcing. one of the black suits or suit. In general, however, it 2♦ Dbl Pass 2♠ made an unusual 2NT. works better to try to set up End ♣♦♥ ♠ A bid of the opposing suit a winner in some other suit W E Kaye, is also natural if the suit is that you can cash when you East Wickham, Kent. If partner bids a responder’s and partner has get in with your ace. Here suit that an doubled opener’s suit for West hopes to set up a For a start, I would Q opponent has bid take-out: diamond trick. have responded 2NT already, how do you know 2. When the player in A on the South hand if partner has the suit West North East South third seat has K-10-x-x, rather than 2 ♣. With one bid, also? 1♦ Dbl 1♠ playing the ten is a finesse this shows the values (10-12 David and Janet Strange, 2♠ against dummy if dummy points), the shape (balanced) Ipswich. has the queen or jack (i.e. a and the spade stoppers. If the East is likely to have spades card ranking above the ten correct contract is in clubs, Without partnership for the double, so you may but below the king) but a opener can bid 3 ♣ over 2NT. agreement, a bid of want to play in the suit even ‘finesse against partner’ if In theory, North should pass A the opposing suit is if South has four (and 1 ♠ dummy has only low cards over 2NT, though I suspect I rarely natural (it usually might be a psyche, of (or the ace but neither the would rebid 3 ♦ (forcing). shows strength and forces course). If you want to queen nor the jack).

Page 32 either opponent has four clubs, East could bash 6 , continued ♠ Ask Julian Pottage cards in the suit, then they expecting to ruff any club are likely to be in a position losers in dummy and to double. Therefore presuming that West will Playing rubber key cards (to bid 5 ♥) was if partner’s overcall suggests a have a high card to cover bridge in an un- one was the king of strong six-card suit. You one of the red losers. It Q familiar partner - diamonds: you had three would need a very good would be more scientific for ship, my partner and I bid aces and both black kings. reason not to lead it. East to proceed with 4NT, these hands to 7NT: Having shown the king of Secondly, knowing that since if West has an ace and diamonds already by bidding dummy is very likely to have a king then 7 ♠ could be on. 5♥, I would expect partner four spades, a spade lead is It is debatable over 4NT ♠ A K 7 5 3 to deny any kings in highly risky. Very often, whether West tries to show ♥ A response to 5NT – perhaps when the ten of spades is in the club void as well as the ♦ A Q J 7 4 3 you had agreed that the way dummy, the lead is going to ace (by jumping to 6 ♠ ♣ K to show no kings was to sign cost a trick. For example, the perhaps); simplest is just to off in six of the agreed suit, opposing holding could be bid 5 ♦ to show one ace. N W E in which case I agree with K-10-x-x facing A-x or Then East checks on kings S the 6 ♦ bid. A-10-x-x facing K-x-x. with 5NT and gives up on a ♠ Void Apart from the final bid, By the way, the opposing grand slam when West ♥ 9 5 4 3 which should have been 7 ♦ bidding is unusual. In Acol, shows none. ♦ K 8 5 2 rather than 7NT, you seem to the 2 ♣ Stayman enquiry ♣ A J 7 5 3 have had a very good auction. does not promise any values ♣♦♥ ♠ – opener cannot possibly ♣♦♥ ♠ rebid 3NT! I was on lead after North South the opponents bid 2♣1 3♣ This was my hand ♣♦♥ ♠ Q 1NT-2NT-3NT. I 3♦ 4♠2 (West) at a local had ♠8-7-5-3 and ♦J-5-4-2. 4NT 3 5♥4 Q club duplicate: At a duplicate I led a diamond, which was 5NT 5 6♦6 session at a small, disastrous as declarer won 7NT End Q friendly bridge cheaply with the ten in 1Acol 2see below ♠ Q J 9 8 7 club in Quainton, my hand, having ♦A-K-Q-x in 3KCB 4two key-cards ♥ 10 partner and I held: dummy. A spade lead 5for kings 6one king ♦ K 8 7 2 would have worked better ♣ 10 7 5 because my partner had Clearly, we should have West East ♠K-Q-J-x. What would been in 7 ♦, which I would ♠ 9 8 5 4 ♠ A K Q J 7 2 you have led, and why? have bid if partner had bid West North East South ♥ A 7 5 3 ♥ 8 James Galmont, Leeds. 4♦ instead of 4 ♠ (though 1NT ♦ 10 9 6 5 3 ♦ A 7 we had agreed to play Pass 2♣ 2♥ 3NT ♣ Void ♣ A J 7 3 I would have led a splinters). How should we End spade (the seven). have bid? A Firstly, the bidding Dr Segall, London. I led the queen of spades The bidding went 2 ♠ by suggests leading a major. and declarer made the East, 4 ♠ by West. How This is because with a five- It is marginal contract. Partner said I should we have reached card major, two four-card whether you open should have led a heart. 6♠? majors, or a four-card major A 2♦ or 2 ♣. If you The contract would still Beryl Williams, and a ruffing value, count the singleton king as have made on a heart lead. Whitchurch, Bucks. responder would surely have half a quick trick, you have Only a diamond lead investigated a possible fit in the requisite five quick would have worked. What By tradition, the one of the majors. tricks for 2 ♣. was the correct lead? jump raise of a Secondly, the bidding If, as you say, you had Mike Rennolds, A strong two shows suggests a passive lead, as agreed to play splinters, East Wickham, Kent. positive values but no ace or the opponents clearly do not partner’s 4 ♠ was an void. have values to spare. excellent bid. It showed the I would have led a With both an ace and a The lack of intermediates diamond support and the heart, the result void, I would not bid 4 ♠. A in your diamond suit spade shortage at one go – A notwithstanding. jump to 4 ♣ used to show a provides a third reason for 4♦ would show the diamond There are two main points solid club suit, but nowadays not leading the suit. There is support, but is less helpful here. it is more common to play a a big difference between overall. On the next round, Firstly, it is very jump to 4 ♣ as a splinter bid, J-5-4-2 and J-9-7-2 in terms you could work out that 4 ♠ dangerous to bid a major agreeing spades and showing of what you need from agreed diamonds: the only after an opponent has used a singleton or void in clubs. partner to set up tricks in the way partner could have two Stayman. This is because, if Facing a singleton or void in suit.

Page 33 guide for pre-emptive singletons (or a doubleton continued Ask Julian Pottage bidding, though if you have and a void) is likely to be enough points to open at the too strong for a three-level one level (about 10 or 11 pre-empt (or to pass). For My RHO opened three-card suit. Even then, with a 7-card suit) you instance with ♠K-J-x-x and 1♣. I had 17 the lead gives information to would tend to do that. I ♦A-Q-x-x-x-x-x, you should Q points with five declarer as well as partner. would put the range for pre- open 1 ♦, not 3 ♦. It would clubs and overcalled 2 ♣. Is empting at more like 5-10 be quite easy to con struct a this correct in Acol? ♣♦♥ ♠ than 7-11. hand for partner that would Mrs C Cheney, Similar rules apply if the pass a 3 ♦ opening but Emberton, Bucks. What are the opponents open, though would give good play for a guidelines for the many play a single jump slam in spades. I am afraid you Q number of points (e.g. they open 1 ♥ and you cannot make a and shape in a hand when overcall 3 ♦) as a strong bid. ♣♦♥ ♠ A natural overcall in a pre-empting. Is it correct If the overcall is a double suit the opposition has bid. to say it should be between jump (e.g. they open 1 ♥ and At love all, rubber The traditional meaning of a 7 to 11 points and at least 7 you overcall 3 ♠), or if you bridge, I opened bid in the opponent’s suit is cards in the suit called? play weak jump overcalls, Q 4♣ on the North to show a very strong hand, Does it matter whether the the rules are the same for a hand below. Partner took like an Acol 2 ♣ opener. pre-emptor is the first to pre-emptive overcall as for it as Gerber and we ended Nowadays, most tournament bid or overcalling? Finally, an opening. in 6 ♣. East did not lead a and club players use the cue- is it wrong to pre-empt if spade and we made all 13 bid to show a two-suited one holds an outside ace? ♣♦♥ ♠ tricks (West had ♣K-x). hand, the majors in this D Cook, Holmfirth, Yorks. Someone said I should instance. Depending upon At my local club, have opened 2 ♣ rather the actual hand and the The idea of a pre- my partner (West) than 4 ♣. Who was right? vulnerability, I would either emptive bid is to Q opened a pre- pass (what Culbertson called A make life difficult emptive 3 ♦; North a ‘trap pass’), in the hope for the opponents because doubled for take out; I, ♠ 8 3 that the opponents go too you believe they can make a East, passed and South ♥ Q 7 high, or overcall 1NT. contract and you do not jumped to 4 ♠, which was ♦ 9 mind going down a few passed out. My partner ♣ A Q J 10 5 4 3 2 ♣♦♥ ♠ tricks. You want to have as had four spades, N many values in your suit as which surprised our W E S From Dave possible and as little outside opponents. 4 ♠ went two Huggett’s play as possible. The better and off. At most other tables ♠ Q 10 7 5 Q quiz, I have the longer your suit is, the North was in 5 ♣, making. ♥ A K 8 5 4 impression that leading the greater the chance that Was my partner wrong to ♦ A 8 4 fourth-highest card of the playing in the suit will be a pre-empt with seven of the ♣ 9 longest suit against NT good idea. A textbook three- suit and 10 points? helps declarer more than level pre-empt when non- Maureen Crick by e-mail. partner. What do the vulnerable is K-Q-J-x-x-x-x Mrs M Schwartz, Ilford. experts think? in your suit and nothing of The idea of a pre- James Seddon, Kenilworth. value outside. Nobody will emptive bid is to Non-vulnerable, argue if the suit is ‘only’ A make life difficult your 4 ♣ opening Fourth-highest leads K-Q-x-x-x-x-x. Vulnerable for the opponents and to tell A seems fine to me. are common the you would like to have some partner that you are keen on You have an eight-card club A world over. If they chance of making seven having your long suit as suit and seven playing tricks were so bad, they would be a tricks, so A-Q-J-x-x-x-x trumps. If you have a four- (thereby obeying the rule of lot less popular! Most people would be preferable. card major on the side, you two and three). A 4 ♣ take the view that defending On your ace question, risk missing a contract in opening is a pre-emptive is difficult and that it is Q-J-10-x-x-x-x and an the major. Of course, the bid, like 3 ♣ but with more better to give some signals to outside ace would be fine to weaker your hand playing strength, not Gerber. help partner even if it means open at the three level when (particularly in values I shudder at the suggestion giving information to non-vulnerable. Vulnerable outside your long suit), the that you might open 2 ♣. In declarer also. you would again be looking less the chance that the deal Acol, a 2 ♣ opening shows a In expert circles, it is quite for some chance of making belongs to your side, in very strong hand, 23 points common to switch to third seven tricks for such an which case it will not matter in high cards or a powerful and fifth leads if you are opening, so K-J-10-x-x-x-x if you miss a fit in a game-going hand. Had your leading a suit partner has bid or better and a trick on the major. In answer to your partner understood your bid – this is because you will side would be preferable. question, a hand with 10 correctly, a raise to 5 ♣ often be leading from a Point count is not the main points in high cards and two would seem in order.

Page 34 There are a variety medicine, but hoping that continued Ask Julian Pottage of methods on LHO removes the double. If A offer. In most, the you decide to run (the right basic idea is that immediate thing to do against If you had fewer weekend, the teaching style bids by responder show two opponents too polite to than 23 points in is to open the major, so other suits (including the suit bid) double anything other than Q an unbalanced players are likely to be doing and with a single-suited 1NT), you either redouble hand and three or four the same thing. hand responder redoubles. (planning to show just losers, would you open 2 ♣? The redouble asks opener to clubs) or bid 2 ♣ (pretending Mrs Freeman, Chigwell. ♣♦♥ ♠ bid 2 ♣ and responder then you have diamonds as well passes (to show clubs) or as clubs). In general, a 4-loser With a balanced bids the suit held. If SWINE, which you may hand is more likely 4432 with two responder bids a suit come across if you play on A to be an Acol Two Q 4-card majors and directly (showing two suits), the Internet, is slightly and a 3-loser hand a 2 ♣ 16 points, which of the what opener does depends different: a direct 2 ♥/2 ♠ is opening. Having five quick majors do I open, before on how specific the single suited (and or defensive tricks are also re-bidding no-trumps? response is; if it just shows constructive). You have to important – A-K is two, A-Q Eddy Kent by e-mail. the lower of two suits, use the pass as forcing to is one and a half, A or K-Q opener passes with tolerance redouble with SWINE, so I is one and K is a half. You You should open for the suit and otherwise would not recommend it. need five quick tricks in a 1♥. This way you bids the next suit up. I like powerful game-going hand A will not miss a 4-4 to play that responder can ♣♦♥ ♠ to open 2 ♣. The losing trick fit in either major because pass over 1NT doubled to count tells you only whether you make it easy for partner play there, but in some I am confused the hand is ‘game-going’. either to raise to 2 ♥ or to bid methods, pass forces opener about when a bid 1♠. If you open 1 ♠ to redouble. I regard it as Q is forcing in a ♣♦♥ ♠ mistakenly, you will often unsound to play the pass as competitive auction. If the miss a 4-4 heart fit. You may forcing. With something like bidding round the table is I read with even miss a 5-4 heart fit if a flat 6 points you do not 1♥, 2 ♦, 3 ♣, is 3 ♣ forcing, interest your reply partner lacks the 9-10 points mind playing in 1NT and does it show support Q to a query in required for a 2 ♥ response doubled (rather than play in for hearts? BRIDGE 90, as your to 1 ♠. a 4-3 fit at the two level, Alan Hanson by e-mail. advice differs from what I possibly also doubled) but have seen elsewhere. The you really do not want to In normal advice to open the major West East play in 1NT redoubled. circumstances, 3 ♣ with four clubs and a four- ♠ A K 6 5 ♠ J 7 A is forcing but does card major can cause rebid ♥ K J 6 3 ♥ Q 10 7 5 4 not indicate support for problems. ♦ A 6 5 ♦ K Q 4 A ♠ 9 7 4 hearts. In general, a new suit John Martin, Dingwall. ♣ J 5 ♣ 9 6 4 ♥ J 8 6 4 3 at the three level after ♦ 9 6 3 partner has bid is forcing. Players divide into ♣ 7 2 3♣ would only be non- three camps on the With these hands, I much forcing if 3 ♣ gave you A question of what to prefer the auction B ♠ 9 5 game (for instance if you open when holding a four- 1♥-3 ♥-4 ♥ to 1 ♠-1NT. ♥ J 8 6 4 were playing rubber bridge card major. Some always ♦ J 10 4 3 and already had a part-score open the major. Some ♣♦♥ ♠ ♣ 5 3 2 of 40 or more) or perhaps if always open the minor. the player who bids 3 ♣ had Some vary, depending upon My partner C ♠ 9 6 3 passed previously. the quality of suits or ease of opened a weak no- ♥ 10 7 5 Some people play that 3 ♣ rebid. The three methods all Q trump. It was ♦ J 6 4 by a passed hand would have their benefits and doubled and I, with a very ♣ J 6 4 3 show heart support (on the drawbacks. In each case, you weak hand – one point and basis that you had the will usually show a balanced no five-card suit, passed; chance to open 3 ♣ and hand on the next round the opposition got a very With hand A, you redouble, chose not to), but this would rather than introducing the good score. I understand planning to bid 2 ♥ over be a matter of partnership second suit. The most there was a way out of the opener’s forced 2 ♣. With agreement. If you were important thing is that you situation. hand B, you bid 2 ♦, doing this, 3 ♣ would be and your partner know what Can you help? planning to play in 2 ♦ or forcing if it showed club you do and that you do the J. F. Lambert by e-mail. 2♥. With C, you have no length and 4-card heart same thing to avoid the risk (Similar from Michael Rice, ideal action. If you play a support but non-forcing if it of a misunderstanding. On a Chichester and Carmen pass as non-forcing, you can showed club length and Mr Bridge cruise or Issacharoff, London NW4). pass, ready to take the 3-card heart support.

Page 35 false preference to 2 ♠. The UK, and even many US Ask Julian Pottage continued thinking is that if opener is experts regard it as unsound. 5-4 or 6-4 then the contract If you search for ‘two-over- is likely to play better in the one bidding’ on the internet, Below are the 7NT is better if you swap first suit than the second. you can find further details. hands that my North’s red suits (when a Only if opener is 5-5 is the Its lack of popularity in Q partner and I held. 4-1 heart split would beat second suit likely to play the UK and its relative How should we have bid? 7♥) and on the actual better. complexity make it unlikely layout. That said, I might well we will do an article on it. At rubber bridge, scoring have passed 2 ♥ on your ♠ 10 7 3 150 for honours is another partner’s hand. With 6 ♣♦♥ ♠ ♥ K Q J 10 9 reason for bidding 7NT. points, there is no hope of ♦ K Q 8 5 2 game, so responder does not At our club, some ♣ Void ♣♦♥ ♠ want to give opener the use a response of chance to bid again. 2♠ to a 12-14 1NT N Q W E I picked up the as 11 points (balanced), S following hand: ♣♦♥ ♠ and a response of 2NT as ♠ A K Q 12 points. Others use 2 ♠ ♥ A 6 4 I have heard of the as 11 or 12 points, and ♦ A 7 system ‘2 over 2NT as a transfer to ♣ A K Q 10 8 4 ♠ K Q J 5 4 Q 1.’ Do you publish minors. ♥ K 7 5 3 any articles on it? I believe Michelle ♦ A 6 3 Can you include Brunner recommends a Mrs A Carter, Carlisle. ♣ 7 something on this in Mr variation: 2NT as natural Bridge? Do you think it a and 2 ♠ for the minors. If North deals, you good system? Which do you can more or less bid I opened 1 ♠ and my Christine Townend, recommend? A 1♥-7NT. It is hard partner replied 1NT. What Chalfont St Giles, Bucks. Tony Betts, Northallerton. for South to envisage an would you have done (Similar from J F Lambert). opening bid for North that next? I rebid 2 ♥ and my The ‘2 over 1’ does not offer at least partner passed with: system means that a It is wasteful to use reasonable play for a grand A change of suit both 2 ♠ and 2NT as slam. It is tougher if South response at the two level, e.g. A ways to invite 3NT. opens: ♠ 10 9 1♠-2 ♦, creates a game force. With a good 12 points (e.g. ♥ Q 8 4 The idea is that, by creating nice intermediates or a North South ♦ 9 7 5 2 a game force at a low level, decent five-card suit) just bid 2♣ ♣ K J 8 5 you leave the partnership 3NT. With a poor 12 points 2♥ 3♣ maximum room to explore (e.g. 4333 shape or 3♦ 3♥ the right strain and level. unsupported honours), treat 4♦ 5NT Hearts split 5-1 and we When you have the it as 11 points. 7♥ 7NT went one down. Most strength to make the two- However, rather than End played in 2 ♠ and did over-one bid (i.e. an opening playing that 2 ♠ shows better. bid yourself), the system specifically a game- 2♣ is Acol, forcing to game Simon Loveday, usually works well. The invitational hand, you can unless followed by a 2NT Wells by e-mail. problem arises when use it to show either game rebid over a 2 ♦ negative. responder has 6-11 or 6-12 interest or slam interest. North gives a positive Your rebid of 2 ♥ is points, as then the range for Opener has to bid again over response of 2 ♥ and then correct. With the a 1NT response becomes 2♠ (2NT with a minimum shows the diamonds on the A singleton, a suit very wide. and 3 ♣ with a maximum), next round. South gives contract should play better Normal in the 2-over-1 so responder will get another preference to 3 ♥ and North than 1NT. Besides, if partner system is to play that a 1NT chance. shows more diamonds (the really likes hearts, you might response is forcing. This If responder does anything ace or king) with a cue bid make game. A 2 ♠ rebid way, with 10-12 points other than pass 2NT or of 4 ♦. South then bids 5NT, would be poor. By opening responder will be able to bid convert 3 ♣ to 3NT, it the grand-slam force, asking 1♠ and rebidding 2 ♥, you again over opener’s rebid. shows a four-card suit North to bid 7 ♥ if holding promise at least five spades Another snag with 2-over-1 (usually a good one) and two of the top three hearts. and four hearts. It is much is that, in all but the most slam interest. Whether South converts better to show two features experience partnerships, it The option to use 2 ♠ on 7♥ to 7NT is a moot point. than one. can be difficult to tell both game and slam hands 7♥ is better if the clubs are I suspect that most of the whether partner is trying to illustrates why it is better to not solid and North does not pairs who played in 2 ♠ got show extra values. play it this way round rather have the queen of diamonds. there because responder gave ‘2 over 1’ is rare in the than Michelle’s.

Page 36 First, I would like best (or least bad) slam, Ask Julian Pottage continued to make a plea to all making about 50% of the A readers. In card time – though that assumes diagrams, spades always double-dummy play. What would you By my reckoning come at the top, then hearts, If South opens 2NT, North open on this the chance that the then diamonds and finally should bid 3 ♣, whether you Q hand? A opponents have all clubs. (I misread the play it as Baron (asking 40 points between them is question originally as the opener to bid four-card suits 1 in 1,951,000. This is 36 clubs were at the top.) up the line) or Stayman. 4 ♣, ♠ A K J 10 7 choose 10 divided by 52 This is a very tricky hand Gerber, is not the right bid ♥ Void choose 26. The 36 is the to bid in Acol. A possible (indeed, it rarely is). You ♦ A 10 8 7 5 3 2 number of non-picture cards, sequence is this: only check on aces when ♣ A of which the opponents must you know what suit you have 10 if they have all 16 North South intend to play in. You say picture cards. 2♣1 that you played 6 ♣ the B Nothern, 36 choose 10 means 2NT 2 3♣ wrong way up, but most Mobberley, Cheshire. 36! / (10!x(36-10)!) and 3♦3 3NT contracts play better by 36! (36 factorial) means 6NT 4 North to protect the Playing standard 36x35x34 ... 3x2x1 and diamond tenace. Acol, I open 2 ♦. An likewise for 52 choose 26. 1 If South’s long suit were A Acol Two does not anything other than clubs, an ♣♦♥ ♠ have to be a single-suited ♣♦♥ ♠ Acol two would fit the bill. hand. With three losers and 20 My bridge partner You have far more play - What should I HCP, South is too good to has posed me a ing strength than partner have opened on open 1 ♣. 2NT is wrong with Q problem. He said would expect if you opened Q the South hand the singleton and this much that it was in BRIDGE a 1♦, but not enough quick below and was a slam playing strength, while 2 ♣ few issues ago. tricks to open an Acol 2 ♣. makeable? None of our is a bit of a stretch with only The contract is 7NT by Playing Benjamin, the foursome came up with the four and a half quick tricks. South and West leads the best opening is less clear. If same answer. Out of 1 ♣, 2NT and 2 ♣, I four of spades. I cannot the bidding starts 2 ♣-2 ♦, rate 2NT least highly as it is seem to see how I would you cannot show your long both an underbid and wrong get back to my hand! suit below the three level; Dealer South. N/S Vul. on shape. I prefer 2 ♣ to 1 ♣ also, partner will get to play ♠ J 9 8 5 as 2 ♣ is less of an overbid the hand if you end up in ♥ J 8 6 4 than 1 ♣ is an underbid. ♠ 6 diamonds. I would probably ♦ A Q 9 7 Moreover, with 3-card ♥ A K open 2 ♣ despite this. If the ♣ K support for both majors, ♦ A K Q bidding goes 2 ♣-2 ♦-3 ♦-3 ♥- ♠ 6 3 ♠ 10 7 4 2 game chances seem very ♣ A 9 8 7 4 3 2

3♠-3NT-4 ♠ or 2 ♣-2 ♦-3 ♦- ♥ A 9 7 3 N ♥ 5 2 good. W E N 3NT-4 ♠, partner will get the ♦ 8 5 4 S ♦ K J 10 6 3 2 This shows positive W E S idea of a big two-suited ♣ 9 4 3 2 ♣ J 10 values and no five-card suit. hand with longer diamonds ♠ A K Q 3 Since South could have ♠ A K Q than spades. ♥ K Q 10 a second suit, North keeps ♥ Q J 10 ♦ 2 the bidding low. ♦ J 10 9 8 7 6 ♣♦♥ ♠ ♣ A Q 8 7 6 5 4 North knows that South ♣ 6 might have had to open 2 ♣ Have you ever a little light, but often the heard of a deal on I cannot remember all the singleton king of clubs will Susan Lee, Q which one pair calls. I, South, opened be enough to make the suit Christchurch, Dorset. had all 40 points between 2NT. We did not mention solid. them? This happened to any majors. North at some As the cards lie, you can There is a neat way our opponents in the point called 4 ♣ asking for make 11 tricks playing in around the penultimate deal during a aces, then 5 ♣ asking for any denomination other than A blockages. Take friendly bridge evening. Is kings and we ended up in diamonds. I am not sure you three rounds of spades, this as rare as I believe it 6♣ (played from the wrong really want to be in a slam – discarding dummy’s hearts must be? hand!) going down two. the blocked major suits on the second and third Gerald Sacks, Mrs G R Menzies, make life awkward. 6NT by rounds. Then take three West Byfleet, Surrey. Lyme Regis. North would fail here even if rounds of hearts, discarding East kindly leads a diamond dummy’s three diamonds. E-mail your questions for Julian to: into the ace-queen. I did a After that, run the [email protected]. computer simulation and 6 ♠ diamonds and take the last by North seems to be the trick with the ace of clubs. n

Page 37 Conventions and Conventioners with Ned Paul Benjaminised Acol and the Lion of the North

onsider your opening bid on Which of these treatments of Two Bids The rise of the Weak Two gave European these hands: came first? I am sure that most readers bridge players a problem. Should they C would find the answer surprising. Weak start playing the clearly successful Twos appear in the literature as far back as ‘American Weak Two Bids’ or stick with the 1920s. If Harold Vanderbilt, the the traditional strong two bids, on which a) ♠ A ‘inventor’ of modern contract bridge, had most European experience was based? ♥ A K Q 7 6 had his way, then we would all be playing The Scottish bridge international, Albert ♦ A Q J 5 a . Indeed, in his book, Benjamin, devised the solution. ♣ A 10 3 Contract Bridge, published in 1929, he Benjamin realised that if it was inefficient clearly sets out a form of Weak Two. to play the Forcing Two with separate b) ♠ 8 Vanderbilt’s ideas did not hold sway in the natural bids for all the rare forcing-to- ♥ A K J 10 7 6 3 golden era of bridge in the 1930s. game hands, so it was just as inefficient to ♦ A K 2 Americans en masse followed the ideas of have separate natural bids for the just as ♣ K 6 . Culbertson espoused the rare ‘nearly-a-game’ hands. What was his ‘Forcing Two’. Using the Forcing Two, all solution? Make 2 ♣ and 2 ♦ the big bids, c) ♠ 7 6 opening two bids were strong, natural and and free 2 ♥ and 2 ♠ to be Weak Twos. For ♥ K J 9 8 3 2 forcing to game. Thus Culbertson would reasons I discuss below, 2 ♣ became the ♦ 6 4 2 have recommended an opening bid of 2 ♥, hand for 8+ tricks, with 2 ♦ the outright ♣ K J forcing to game, on Hand a) above. force to game. The Acol group of players, led by Jack The system, which Benjamin Marx and SJ Simon, recognised that described in a short published article, Hand a) is the classic game-going hand, Culbertson’s idea of having four separate some time in the 1960s, became known a 2 ♣ bid in standard Acol. Such a bid bids for forcing-to-game type hands was in Britain as ‘Benjaminised Acol’ – or compels partner to keep bidding until inefficient use of precious bidding ‘Benji’ for short and is certainly one of you reach game. As you can see, as little resources – you have only 35 different the more common systems you will as three small hearts in partner’s hand bids to describe all the hands you might encounter in duplicate bridge clubs. This will make game playable; any useful hold. They devised the Acol 2 ♣ bid for system of two bids is also normal in honour card would make it certain. hands such as a) above and invented the France, where, although not attributed to Hand b) is the classic Acol Two Bid. strong Acol Two Bid for the ‘I have Benjamin, it is included as part of the The hand will play for in excess of eight nearly a game’ hands. Acol Two Bids are modern French ‘Super Majeure tricks, but partner does need something forcing for at least one round, but the Cinquième’ as taught throughout France. to convert this hand to game. Pick what bidding may stop below game if partner So much for the Benjamin bids, what you would like partner to have by way of is completely unsuitable. Acol Two Bids of Benjamin the man? support: a few hearts; the queen of became, and remain, the basis for was one of the foremost figures of diamonds; a black ace. Any one of those standard bidding in Britain. Scottish Bridge. He became known as will be enough for you to make game, In America, the Acol Two Bid never ‘the Lion of the North’. Born in 1909, he yet partner can hold an ace without caught on. In the 1950s, it was the new discovered bridge at Glasgow University having the six points needed to scrape up American ‘Mr Contract Bridge’, Charles and soon immersed himself in bridge a response to a one-level bid. Goren, who brought journalism, even launching Scottish Hand c) is a standard , a up to date. The popularity of Weak Two Bridge Weekly. After the war, he opened hand too weak to open with a normal Bids began to rise at the same time and the Ken Muir Bridge Club in Glasgow, 1-of-a-suit bid, but at the same time, a eventually Culbertson’s Forcing Two which quickly acquired the nickname constructive limit bid. Rather like when was consigned to history. Modern ‘Benjamin’s’. He continued writing also, you open 1NT, a Weak Two bid describes Standard American has adopted the Acol contributing a daily hand to a Glasgow your hand within tight parameters at one 2♣ for forcing-to-game hands; it uses the newspaper as well as weekly and go and leaves further action to partner. other bids as Weak Two Bids. Players at monthly columns in other publications. Weak Twos are an effective competitive your club, who say they use ‘Three Weak As a player, he represented Scotland in weapon. Twos’, play in this style. the home internationals for the

Page 38 Conventions continued 2009

Camrose Trophy, mostly in partnership AT DENHAM GROVE with Victor Goldberg. Tilehouse Lane, Denham, Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire UB9 5DU. A Scot through and through, Benjamin’s greatest moment came when Duplicate Weekends 2009 his beloved Scottish team bested England and won the Camrose for the first time in 1964. An amusing incident ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with happened during the late stages of the en-suite facilities close-fought match against the ‘auld ♦ No single supplement enemy’. Benjamin actually dozed off ♦ Room upgrades available Bidding quiz and two during a deal. A nudge from the table 30 Jan-1 Feb £150 ♦ seminars except on ♦ Use of swimming recorder woke him up with a start. ‘No Just Duplicate bid’ he said out of turn and without Just Duplicate events pool and fitness suite looking at his hand. He now had to pass 13-15 Feb £150 despite holding a good take-out double Just Duplicate Eight executive rooms: £50 supplement per event. of 1 , and his opponents then reached ♠ 17-19 Apr Half the bedrooms are on the ground floor. 4 unopposed. Albert fell asleep again ♠ £199 Please advise if you require a ground-floor room. (metaphorically only this time) and missed the killing defence. It looked like 15-17 May a poor time to let chances slip. In £199 ______BOOKING FORM ______the other room, the English pair did 19-21 Jun double and reached a contract of 3 ♦ redoubled with a trump suit of jack to £199 Please book me for ..... places, four opposite four low. The contract 10-12 Jul collapsed when Scotland’s Sam Leckie, £199 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... holding A-K-Q-10 was able to draw trumps. The penalty was 2200 and 24-26 Jul at the Denham Grove weekend(s) of ...... Scotland won the match. £199 ...... A word about the system – ‘Benji’, as 7-9 Aug £150 devised, uses 2 ♣ for the 8+ trick ‘nearly- Just Duplicate a-game’ hands. Usually partner makes a Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 2♦ relay response to enable opener to 21-23 Aug specify the suit opener actually holds. An £199 Address ...... opening 2 ♦ is the ‘big’ bid, the equiv alent of 2 in traditional Acol. Some club 23-25 Oct ♣ ...... pairs play ‘Reverse Benji’, keeping the £199 2♣ bid unchanged and using 2 ♦ for the 30 Oct-1 Nov Postcode ...... 8+ trick hands. In my opinion, this is un - £199 sound. The 2 ♦ bid tends to trigger a 2 ♥ relay and opener if holding hearts, one of 13-15 Nov ( ...... the important major suits, now has to bid £199 Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 3♥ to show his suit naturally, a dread - 27-29 Nov but we will do our best to oblige) fully high level at which to start bidding £199 a strong hand. Not only that, responder ...... has also ‘wrong-sided’ the contract with 4-6 Dec £150 the relay. No, Albert was right to publish Just Duplicate Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per it how he did and we should all bow to place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be his superior technical insight. sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final Benjamin was a great raconteur and payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full loved to jest. He loved also to mentor details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not younger players. He helped launch the refundable. Should you require insurance, you should contact bridge careers of Michael Rosenberg and your own insurance broker. Barnet Shenkin, both of whom became , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH USA-based bridge professionals. By all accounts, he decried his own bidding ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 system and did not play it. Albert e-mail: [email protected] Benjamin died in 2006, aged 96, but website: www.holidaybridge.com Benjaminised Acol lives on. n

Page 39 The Baron Outwits the Grand Duke by Dick Atkinson

veryone has his favourite partner. easy option of returning his top club. Most of us, I suspect, also have a ♠ K Q J 5 3 Having analysed the hand to his own Efavourite opponent. My uncle. ♥ J 3 satisfaction, the G.D. led a small club Baron von Münchausen, is no ♦ J 5 2 immediately towards the nine. My uncle exception. Every year, he plays in a ♣ 9 6 3 followed low smoothly. Well now, could discreet but prestigious event held in ♠ 6 4 2 ♠ 10 9 8 7 it be right to put up the nine? The G.D. Luxembourg, the Almanach de Gotha ♥ Q 7 N ♥ 9 8 6 5 4 2 realised that would ruin his throw-in Tournament. There it used to be his W E line. The six lost to the seven, and back ♦ 9 8 7 6 4 3 S ♦ K pleasure, in the middle years of the ♣ 10 2 ♣ 8 7 came the eight! The G.D. hesitated only century, to meet Grand Duke Vassily ♠ A a second before following low, losing to Romanov at a green velvet battlefield. ♥ A K 10 the ten. One down. Even those timid I get the impression that their enmity ♦ A Q 10 souls in 6 ♣ plus one outscored the is not unconnected with the fair sex and ♣ A K Q J 5 4 Grand Duke. perhaps, with that mysterious duelling scar. This, as you will remember, Two Tricks Lost in Easy Slam disfigured the Grand Duke’s otherwise The Grand Duke’s Analysis handsome features. ‘You seem a little agitated, Vassily The deal below illustrates the Baron’s The lead was the ♠2 to the ♠A and the Vassilievitch. Perhaps you foresee some ability to reject smoothly a play that an G.D. was horrified to find that the B.M. embarrassment in explaining to our opponent tries to force on him. had virtually nothing outside his acquaintance how you managed to lose On this particular occasion, from the advertised suit. He fingered the ♣A for a two tricks in a suit holding nine cards to final session of the pairs, my uncle held moment, before absorbing the fact that the A-K-Q-J? Don’t give it a second a particularly moderate hand as dealer 7♣, a likely contract, would presumably thought. Have no fear – it shall be my at Game All: be rock solid if the ♣10 fell in two pleasure to explain – to everyone. It was rounds. This made that line a poor one in just that unfortunate break. Two-two... terms of profit and loss. 7 ♠ would be the You know, I thought I’d gone to bed ♠ 6 4 2 likely top score for anyone who with my ten for a moment there! I ♥ Q 7 N stumbled into it. 6NT would be solid on would have had a hard time explaining W E a friendlier lead. that one away.’ ♦ 9 8 7 6 4 3 S ♣ 10 2 The G.D. considered playing the ♦Q, ‘Sorry partner,’ piped up the B.M. at but that would be rather obvious and last, anxious to justify his positive whoever held the king would presum - response. ‘If I’d only stuck to my guns He passed, as did North and East, the ably hold off. Then he conceived a and bid 7 ♠, we’d probably have a top!’ Marquis de Sade. The Grand Duke was simple plan to get back into the money. ‘Come, come, mein Herr, you insult playing with an exiled Baltic Margrave, 6NT could be an excellent score, if the me,’ returned the Baron. ‘I am capable and their auction was allegedly majors broke badly and one opponent of ruffing the third heart high in a good Culbertson: held, say, ♣10-x-x and a double ton in cause!’ His little ♠6 would promote a one of the majors. Still, it couldn’t hurt trick in the Marquis’ hand. ‘No, it’s only West North East South to take the ♣A first, could it? It certainly in no-trumps that you have 17 tricks on Baron B.M. M.S. G.D. couldn’t gain in the scen ario envisaged; top... and clubs, of course.’ n Pass Pass Pass 2♣ but what if East held ♣l0-8-7, and also Pass 2♠ Pass 4NT the red suit honours? He could be Pass 5♣ Pass 5NT thrown in, with the lead of any of the Previously published in BRIDGE 39. Pass 6♦ Pass 6NT four suits providing access to dummy. Reprinted to satisfy popular demand. End Cashing the ♣A first would give him the

Page 40 ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ ON PAGE 14 by DAVID HUGGETT

You are declarer in 6 ♠ and West leads the ♥K. diamond loser if he has the queen or any three 1. ♠ K 5 3 How do you plan the play? diamonds, keeping East off lead. Fortunately, ♥ 7 6 2 there is a much better way that offers a good Clearly, you cannot afford to the opening ♦ J 5 chance of success. Just duck the first trick! Then lead. With the ace of clubs to knock out at ♣ A Q J 6 2 you can discard a diamond on the ace of some stage and the player with that card very ♠ Q 10 8 6 2 ♠ 9 4 hearts later and ruff the third round of likely to have a second heart to play, you have ♥ Q 8 N ♥ J 10 9 4 3 diamonds. As long as West has the ace of W E to rid yourself of the two losing hearts before ♦ K 9 6 4 ♦ Q 7 trumps, you will find that East is effectively out S touching clubs. One will go on a top diamond ♣ 8 4 ♣ K 10 9 7 of the game and therefore unable to make a and the other will go on dummy’s fifth ♠ A J 7 damaging club switch. In the meantime, you diamond if you can establish the suit. ♥ A K 5 will discard the two low clubs in hand on the ♦ A 10 8 3 2 So win the lead, play the two top diamonds two established diamonds in dummy. ♣ 5 3 and ruff a diamond high. Re-enter dummy with a trump and ruff another diamond high, establishing the fifth diamond in the process. 4. ♠ J 4 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the Then you can enter dummy once more with a ♥ 7 ♠6. East plays the ♠9. How do you plan the trump and dispose of your losing heart on the ♦ A 8 7 5 4 3 2 play? long diamond. All that then remains is to ♣ 8 4 3 knock out the ace of clubs. The lead has done you no harm and a quick ♠ 7 5 3 ♠ K 10 9 8 tally of the tricks shows that if you can make What do you need to make the plan work? Well, ♥ 6 3 2 N ♥ 9 5 4 W E three club tricks you will make the contract. diamonds have to be 4-3 but trumps have to ♦ K J 9 S ♦ Q 10 6 That is true but you have to be careful how break 2-2 as well or the closed hand will run ♣ K Q J 7 ♣ 10 9 5 you go about trying to achieve this aim. out of trumps before the clubs are good. Note ♠ A Q 6 2 Suppose you win the first trick in hand and also that you cannot afford to draw trumps ♥ A K Q J 10 8 play a club to the jack, which wins the trick before playing on diamonds. Having a top ♦ Void when East correctly holds up. What do you do diamond ruffed is not a worry here because ♣ A 6 2 now? You might come back to hand with a you need the suit to break kindly anyway. spade and repeat the finesse. Unfortunately, if it now fails and it turns out that East started You are declarer in 4 ♥ and West leads the with four clubs, you will never be able to 3. ♠ K 9 8 4 ♣K. How do you plan the play? establish the clubs and enjoy them because ♥ A 2 This hand is frustrating because you can you will be an entry short to dummy. ♦ A K 7 6 3 count ten tricks via two spades, six hearts, ♣ J 5 The key is to duck a club at trick two, making one diamond and one club. The trouble is that ♠ A ♠ 6 2 the opposition win the trick. Then, when you you are isolated from dummy and unable to ♥ K Q J 9 7 4 N ♥ 10 8 6 5 regain the lead, you can take a club finesse, W E gain access to the ace of diamonds – or so it ♦ 10 2 S ♦ Q J 8 not minding if it loses. As long as clubs break seems. One plan might be to win the club and ♣ A Q 10 2 ♣ 9 7 6 4 no worse than 4-2, you will be able to make play a low spade in the hope that West holds ♠ Q J 10 7 5 3 three tricks in the suit. If dummy had started the king. Even if East holds this card, there is ♥ 3 with ♣A-K-x-x-x, the initial duck would the chance that he might not have the nous to ♦ 9 5 4 somehow seem much easier. return a trump, in which case you could ruff ♣ K 8 3 the third round and reach dummy that way. The opposition would have to be poor for that second option to work and there is in fact a 2. ♠ Q J 9 8 You are in 4 ♠ and West, who bid hearts, leads neat solution. Win the club and play the ♥ A 6 2 the ♥K. How do you plan the play? queen of spades! If this loses to the king, you ♦ A K 7 5 2 Apparently, you have an inescapable loser in can gain access to dummy with the jack later. ♣ 9 trumps and diamonds, so you have to hope If instead the queen holds, you can play the ♠ 6 4 ♠ 5 2 that you can restrict your club losers to just one. ace of spades and ruff one in dummy. ♥ K Q J 7 N ♥ 10 9 5 W E East might hold the ace, though, with West in ♦ Q 10 8 3 S ♦ J 9 6 It would take a very hostile break somewhere the bidding, perhaps this is wishful thinking. Of ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ A 7 6 3 2 or a defender with only two spades and the course, you could establish the diamond suit if ♠ A K 10 7 3 nine of hearts to thwart this plan. they break 3-2, but then you have to lose one in ♥ 8 4 3 the process; if you lose that trick to East then a All the examples this time involve a long suit ♦ 4 club through your king could prove embarrass - in dummy that you need to utilise in the most ♣ K Q J 10 ing. You might manoeuvre to let West win the efficient manner. ■

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5 – 7 The Beach Hotel 19 – 2/8 North Cape, 25 – 27 Staverton Park 16 – 18 Wychwood Park 12 – 14 The Beach Hotel Arctic Circle 23 – 25 Barony Castle & Russia 23 – 25 Denham Grove 22 – 24 Marsham Court 23 – 25 Wychwood Park 24 – 26 Denham Grove 30 –1/11 Denham Grove AUGUST 2009 30 –1/11 Marsham Court 2 – 13 British Isles 30 –1/11 The Olde Barn Discovery NOVEMBER 2009 Antarctica 1 – 15 Tunisia Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia 30 –2/10 Marsham Court 2 – 14 North African Rubber/Chicago Treasures 14 – 24 Land of the Midnight Sun 6 – 8 Barony Castle OCTOBER 2009 19 – 21 Blunsdon House 1 – 12 Black Sea 19 – 21 Denham Grove Discovery

Barony Castle, Nr Peebles 2 – 4 The Beach Hotel 9 – 11 The Olde Barn 7 – 9 Denham Grove 12 – 26 Black Sea & Aegean 13 – 26 Baltic Capitals Adventure 21 – 23 Denham Grove 16 – 18 Staverton Park 26 – 3/9 Norwegian The Olde Barn, Marston 16 – 18 The Beach Hotel Fjords 2

6 – 8 Blunsdon House Blunsdon House, Swindon SEPTEMBER 2009 3 – 10 Cruise to the 13 – 15 Denham Grove Riviera 24 – 6/7 Faroes, Fire & Ice 13 – 15 Staverton Park 10 – 19 Italian Odyssey 13 – 15 The Olde Barn JULY 2009 11 – 13 The Beach Hotel 15 – 29 Tunisia Rubber/Chicago 2 – 4 Marsham Court 20 – 22 Barony Castle 19 –1/10 Adriatic 6 – 19 Baltic Treasures 20 – 22 Wychwood Park & Aegean The Beach Hotel, Worthing 10 – 12 Denham Grove Treasures 27 – 29 Denham Grove Julian Pottage Says

Signal Attitude on Partner’s Lead

ne thing that makes defending You play the two of spades – your This time, you cannot offer any help in hard is that you cannot see all of lowest card in the suit. It says, ‘sorry spades and play the two on the first trick. Oyour side’s assets. One way the partner; I cannot help you in this suit. Partner, if holding Q-J-9-x-x, may well ♠ defenders make life easier for each other Please try something else.’ On this hand, switch to a heart after getting in to put is with a signal. Most signals involve the you hope for a diamond switch. you in for a lead through South’s play of cards that cannot win a trick – On layout A, you held the king of remaining ♠K-10. usually spot cards. The most basic signal spades – the highest card you could Attitude signals can apply after the is of attitude – you encourage or possibly hold in the suit given the first trick and to either defender. The discourage a suit that partner has led by dummy. You do not have to have a top rule is that, if your side leads the suit playing high or low respectively. card to encourage partner to lead the suit before declarer does, a signal usually again. indicates your liking or otherwise for the On C and D below, South is in 3NT. suit. Layout A Partner leads the queen of spades and ♠ A 8 5 dummy’s ace wins. ♥ A 8 5 2 Layout E ♦ K 5 ♠ J 8 ♣ Q 10 7 3 Layout C ♥ 8 5 ♠ K 7 2 ♠ A 8 ♦ K Q J 10 5 N ♥ K 9 7 ♥ Q J 5 ♣ K 9 7 3 W E S ♦ Q 10 7 2 ♦ Q J 10 5 ♠ K 9 4 2 ♣ J 6 4 ♣ Q 10 7 3 ♥ J 9 7 6 2 N W E ♠ 10 7 2 ♦ 8 7 S N ♥ K 9 7 ♣ 4 2 W E South’s exact contract is not critical to S ♦ 9 7 6 2 your play on layouts A and B. It might ♣ A 6 4 be 3NT or 4 ♥. Partner leads the queen of South plays in 5 ♣. You lead the six of spades and dummy’s ace wins. hearts to the five, king and ace. Declarer On A, you should play the seven of Your ten of spades will help to set up the plays a trump. Partner wins with the ace spades – this is the highest spot card you spades. If you get in with the ace of and switches to the ace of spades. can afford to play. It says ‘I like spades, clubs, you intend to return the suit. You would very much like to see spades please continue the suit.’ Perhaps declarer will play on diamonds continued and encourage with the highest before clubs and partner will gain the card you can afford, the nine. If you do lead first. In this case, you are still happy not encourage spades, partner may well Layout B to see spades led again. To tell partner revert to hearts, playing you for the queen ♠ A 8 5 this, you play the seven of spades on the of hearts rather than the king of spades. ♥ A 8 5 2 first trick. Indeed, if you held J-9-4-2 of spades and ♦ K 5 a queen-high heart suit, you would play ♣ Q 10 7 3 the two of spades to discourage spades. ♠ 7 4 2 Layout D Looking at dummy, partner would surely N ♥ K 9 7 ♠ A 8 get the right message. W E S ♦ A Q 10 7 ♥ Q J 5 ♣ J 6 4 ♦ Q J 10 5 Summary ♣ Q 10 7 3 ♠ 7 4 2 To recap, usually you signal your liking Again, partner leads the queen of spades N ♥ A 9 7 (attitude) for a suit if partner leads it. W E and dummy’s ace wins. This time you S ♦ 9 7 6 2 You play a high spot card to say that you have no help in spades and so send a ♣ A 6 4 like the suit (encourage) or your lowest very different message on B. card to say that you do not. ■

Page 44 Jeremy Dhondy Says Don’t Run from the Frying Pan into the Fire

omething bad has happened. The b) What is everyone else playing? If and you have no hearts. This is going to opponents have sharpened their nearly everyone in your club plays a be awful. Partner might hold a minor to Sdoubling axes and are looking to 12-14 1NT, then you are likely to be go with his hearts, but if he does not (and penalise you. What should you do? As a in good company and taking a big that will be more often), you will be rule, it is rarely right to try to escape: risk is not worthwhile. If many of the turning a penalty into a very big penalty. you may make things even worse. pairs play strong no-trump, you are Partner knew he was vulnerable when he Suppose you pick up this: more exposed and likely to get a poor bid. He should have a six-card suit of result in 1NT doubled. decent quality. Take your medicine and go quietly. By contrast, now suppose you ♠ 4 3 2 held this as South: ♥ 9 8 5 3 E/W Vul. ♠ K 8 6 ♦ J 6 3 Pairs. ♥ A 2 ♣ 7 6 5 ♦ K Q 10 4 ♠ K J 7 4 3 ♣ Q 10 4 2 ♥ 6 5 ♠ Q 10 ♠ A J 9 7 5 ♦ Q 10 8 5 4 3 Your partner opens 1NT (12-14) and the ♥ Q 10 7 6 4 N ♥ K J ♣ Void W E next hand doubles. Do you run? It is ♦ 9 8 7 2 S ♦ A 5 likely that the opponents have game on, ♣ K J ♣ A 9 8 3 so a penalty of 500, if you are not ♠ 4 3 2 The auction goes like this: vulnerable against vulnerable, is not the ♥ 9 8 5 3 end of the world; even 800 at teams ♦ J 6 3 West North East South scoring will see you lose only a few ♣ 7 6 5 1♥ 2♣ Pass Pass imps. If you decide to run away, then the Dbl Pass Pass ? downside is that -300 in 1NT doubled on a low spade Now you have such good length in the a) You may not find a fit lead was a joint top. Those who ran other suits that the fire may well be more b) Going to the two level will see you conceded a bigger penalty or a game. attractive than the frying pan. In having to make one more trick before Another common time when you have addition, any escape will be at the same you start – unlikely with a hand so flat. to decide whether to run arises when level (i.e. still at the two level). On this partner has overcalled and someone has sort of hand, an SOS redouble (i.e. Some of the time when it is right to doubled. You hold as South: asking partner to rescue you) is ideal – move from 1NT doubled, your partner but be aware that such hands are rare. may do so anyway: he may have a five- Finally, here are some points to card minor, for example and bid it. ♠ 7 5 3 2 consider on whether to run when The plus side of removing arises when ♥ Void someone doubles your partner. you believe your opponents do not know ♦ K J 7 4 2 what they are doing and may let you off ♣ Q 10 8 5 l Are you playing teams or pairs? Be the hook. much less willing to run at teams. The Things to think about if you decide to upside is very much smaller. run are: Your left-hand opponent opens 1 ♠ at Game All and the auction continues: l Are you playing with a sound a) What are the conditions of contest? If overcaller? Be more inclined to let it is teams, then running away and West North East South him have his way if you are. getting it wrong can be very 1♠ 2♥ Pass Pass expensive. If it is pairs then, of Dbl Pass Pass ? l Are you at least 5-5 and preferably 6- course, a bottom is a bottom so you 5 in the other suits? Do not run unless may take a bit more of a risk. Now what do you do? You are vulnerable you have extreme distribution. ■

Page 45 David Gold Says

Don’t Underbid Small Hands

ometimes you pick up a hand that Still in a money game, you pick up: South was in fact looking for a grand looks small but, as the auction slam with his 4 ♣ cue-bid. Once he Sproceeds, it can grow. In a money heard you show your spade shortage, he game as dealer at game all, you pick up: ♠ 3 knew that the small slam was a virtual ♥ Q J 4 3 certainty. ♦ 6 5 4 3 2 Now that you are getting the idea: ♠ Q 10 6 5 3 ♣ 7 5 2 ♥ 6 5 4 3 ♦ 7 6 3 ♠ J 7 6 5 3 ♣ 5 This is typical, another small hand! Your ♥ 10 9 2 gloom is short-lived when your partner ♦ 6 5 2 deals and opens 2 ♣ (your big bid). You ♣ Q 2 West North East South respond 2 ♦ (negative/waiting) dutifully Pass and partner surprises you again by re- 1♥ 2♣ 2♦ Pass bidding 2 ♥. Now it is time to re-evaluate. Partner opens 1 ♥ and RHO overcalls 2♥ 2♠ 4♥ 4♠ Partner has announced a game-forcing 1♠. You pass and LHO passes too. 5♥ Pass Pass ? hand with hearts as its primary suit. In Partner bids 3 ♣ and RHO passes. It that context, your hand has become very looks natural to give preference to three The hand is weak but you bid 4 ♠ last powerful as you have four-card trump hearts, but think! Re-evaluate your time as your prospects seem to have support and a singleton. Do not hand. You have three-card support when improved. It is your turn again after 5 ♥ underestimate the power of this hand. you might not have and you have a from LHO and two passes. Best is 3 ♠, a ‘splinter bid’ showing a useful card in partner’s second suit so Well, you have only a queen but spade shortage and good heart support. you should take the pressure off partner partner has bid twice vulnerable and is Partner next bids 4 ♣ as a cuebid; now and bid 4 ♥. The full deal: favourite to be 5-6 in the blacks. You try you have nothing more to say so should 5♠ bravely, which RHO doubles on the sign off in 4 ♥. To your surprise, partner way out. This is the full deal: leaps to 6 ♥! Fear not, the full deal: ♠ J 7 6 5 3 ♥ 10 9 2 ♦ 6 5 2 ♠ A J 9 7 4 ♠ 3 ♣ Q 2 ♥ Void ♥ Q J 4 3 ♠ A K Q 10 9 ♠ 8 4 ♦ 4 2 ♦ 6 5 4 3 2 ♥ 7 6 N ♥ A 8 5 W E ♣ A 10 8 7 4 3 ♣ 7 5 2 ♦ K J 9 8 S ♦ Q 10 4 3 ♠ K ♠ 8 2 ♠ Q 6 5 2 ♠ K J 8 7 4 ♣ 10 3 ♣ 7 6 5 4 ♥ A Q J 10 9 7 N ♥ K 8 2 ♥ 5 N ♥ 6 2 ♠ 2 W E W E ♦ K J 8 S ♦ A Q 10 9 5 ♦ K J 7 S ♦ Q 10 9 ♥ K Q J 4 3 ♣ J 9 2 ♣ K Q 6 ♣ J 10 9 8 6 ♣ Q 4 3 ♦ A 7 ♠ Q 10 6 5 3 ♠ A 10 9 ♣ A K J 9 8 ♥ 6 5 4 3 ♥ A K 10 9 8 7 ♦ 7 6 3 ♦ A 8 ♣ 5 ♣ A K As you can see, partner really does not have anything special for his actions and 4♥ is a great contract, making easily 5♠ makes easily and 5 ♥ will make too if North South with the even heart break. you miss your club ruff. Your hand grew 2♣ So remember; be prepared to re- in value once you knew that partner had 2♦ 2♥ evaluate your hand as the auction a black two-suiter, so do not underbid 3♠ (splinter) 4♣ progresses and ‘don’t underbid small just because it is small! 4♥ 6♥ hands’! ■

Page 46 calculate the scoring (which find a lot of it hard to grasp! is done the next day and So your new bridge player transmitted via email to all should hear how I got to READERS’ members. We don't have grips with bidding. A set of Bridgemate or any equivalent blank postcards with all the so everything is ‘Hands On’). calls listed, sheet by sheet, We do not have a director as starting with opening bids such, but any problem and responding bids. LETTERS arising during play is quickly You can refer to these each discussed and a solution time, if other players have no arrived at which is binding. objection. It certainly helps to So what am I trying to say fix the bids in your mind. CORRECTION It seems that in all things, here? We are proud to say Hope this helps. While it is good to see Mr people are ready to go into there is a bridge club on Koh Mrs M Christie, Chingford. Atkinson's Uncle Leo print with criticism, but rarely Samui, even though it is very returning to your pages, it is praise… you may not be a small. We are pleased to JUDICIAL sad that he seems to be golfer, but the negatives accept visitors and we will In response to Mr R Hill of losing his memory, though about the European team in find a partner for single Fleet, BRIDGE 91, ‘Over the fortunately not for the cards. the recent Ryder Cup Match, visitors. We feel an affection Limit’ I expect good entries In his Elegy Thomas Gray were rather sad: our team with Mr Bridge even though are granted a bit of judges’ wrote: ‘Full many a flower played well, but the we are far from (UK) home. license. (not ‘Rose’) is born to blush Americans just played better. We appreciate the advice, Mr John Crosher, unseen....’. The good Baron It was a super week’s golf. articles, comments, stories Royston, Herts. might find it helpful to Mr Gordon Lawrence, and advertisements from Mr remember that ‘Full’ and Wilmington, Kent. Bridge. Long may you MORE CORRECTION ‘Flower’ are nicely alliterative. continue. The quotation from Gray’s John Field Evans, Cambridge. BRIDGE OVERSEAS Martin Bagnall, Elegy on page 38 of the Apologies if this isn't the Koh Samui, Thailand. current issue is incorrect. NO RE-DEALS correct site for my comments. It is: I was surprised to read that A varying number of ANY OLD IRON ‘Full many a flower is born to the prevention of re-dealing international bridge 'Die I have today posted to you a blush unseen. of flat hands could generate Hards' who are partially packet of used stamps – And waste its sweetness on such objections. resident on this Island get freepost. I would also like to the desert air’ When I used to direct, I did together each Tuesday, in the know if you collect silver foil, If Baron Leopold von not support such re-deals afternoon, to play bridge. such as milk bottle tops etc., Munchausen had any because I thought it arrogant Two (at least) of us receive or maybe you could tell me academic qualifications, they to assume that everyone BRIDGE every other month, who will accept such? certainly weren’t in English would bid in the same way but only if we are lucky as P Ward, Nuneaton, Warwicks. literature! as the first table. But from my Thailand’s post is at best Let me see what I can raise He has used the incorrect viewpoint, it also to helped to unreliable. It tells us, when with used stamps before quotation once before in your speed up play. There was reading the magazine, that starting into the salvage and publication and this is the usually one table persistently we are not alone, other recycling business. second time I have written to behind in play and a blank players have the same correct it. hand could bring the circuit problems and experience AIDE MÉMOIRE Mind you, I think the back into line without the the same difficulties as As a new reader I find your aristocratic gentleman is a need to be dictatorial. ourselves. Mr Bridge, magazine very interesting. better player than I am! Brian Isherwood, especially your on-line But as an average player I Mr Peter Mohan, Bedford. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks. version, helps us to understand the problems LET’S BE MORE and read the possible REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE POSITIVE solutions, as published by Keep up the good work, we your experts, of bridge Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, always enjoy the magazine, players throughout UK. all mint with full gum. Quotations for although perhaps getting a My part in our 'Club' is one commercial quantities available on request. little tired of all the bad of administration. I suggest Values supplied in 100s, higher values comments about the EBU movements and available as well as 1st and 2nd class P2P proposal from ‘readers’, competitions, depending on (eg 1st class: 100 x 35p + 100 x 1p) but these comments are how many members arrive (/Fax 020 8422 4906 perhaps preferable to those for a session, print out e-mail: [email protected] about ‘dress in the club etc’. relevant documents and

Page 47 READERS’ LETTERS DON’T BIN THEM continued In answer to ‘Bin Them’ letter from Patrick Littlejohns, may I SHORTIES suggest that readers don’t UNBIN THEM throw all their cards away Please delete my name from Useful advice from pleasant I was a little surprised to read once they’ve got beyond a your database, as I have experts. Fair balanced ‘Bin Them’ (Pamela Littlejohn’s few uses; instead, send them recovered from bridge. coverage of the EBU ‘Wars’. off to some of our Mr T. Johnson, Leicester. Mr Ian Potts, Harrogate. Letter, October 2008). Our used cards are welcomed by servicemen fighting abroad, Can we have a bridge poetry I miss the small adverts competition? listing items ‘For Sale’. local whist drives, jumble with a friendly note attached. Mr W F McCloskey, Belfast. Mr Nightingale, Maidstone. sales, old people’s homes Mrs Hilary Hefferman, Details next year. If there are financial prisons and playgroups. Welling, Kent. Do you know how many problems with free Mrs Anthea Carmichael, players under the age of 30 distribution I, for one, would Barnstable, Devon. LITTLE VOICE AID are sent copies of BRIDGE? willingly pay a regular sub. Hope the enclosed used Miss Cook, Macclesfield. Mr R. Knight, Harlow. MORE PASS OUTS postage stamps will be of I look forward to receiving Do you ever hold bridge your magazine and the first weekends at Bournemouth? With reference to Mr Hugh use for your new charity, thing I do is Bernard Magee’s Mrs Potter, Burgess Hill. Williams’ letter in BRIDGE 91 which I consider is a very Bidding Quiz. See Marsham Court Hotel about re-dealing passed good one. Mrs Johnson, Amersham. ads. hands, he writes ‘the re-deal In the 1960’s, a friend of Could David Stevenson give An article on ‘Leading from prevents anybody who plays mine spent several years in a full description of the law weak suits when you have Ethiopia working for the on revokes? dangerous suits’ please. even small variations to Mr W. J. Bartlett, Harrow. Mr Peel, Horsforth, Leeds. standard Acol from using WHO, building and Fewer bubble cartoons. An article on duplicate their bidding judgement. This developing the new medical Mr George Thornton, Colne. scoring would be is obviously to their facilities there, which appreciated. Any chance of including a disadvantage’. I fail to see unfortunately were destroyed Mr Delaney, Taunton. regular cryptic bridge- what possible disadvantage subsequently in the troubles. themed crossword? How about asking Andrew there can be in not seeing a Heather Briggs, Portsmouth. Mr A Davies, Brixham. Robson to contribute? He Starts in the next issue. may not be the ‘cruising’ type hand which has been re- but he has so much to offer dealt, but seeing a different RE-REGISTRATION On your weekends it would the aspiring player. Mrs G be appreciated if you deal instead, on which Maybe you could put some Yardley, Wirral. sometimes played bidding judgement can be sort of code or date on the rubber/Chicago bridge. Can you please make the exercised. address label to tell people Mrs Fromm, London, N14. pictures of the contributors The other day, on two when they need to ‘renew’. See the regular advert. less dark and glowering? Mr A Low, Croydon, Surrey. successive boards where I This would help those like me Please stop the silly stories. who have no idea when they They detract from the quality Freddie North to explain had passed with a flat hand of the magazine. more conventions used in and 9 or 10 points, the deal last contacted you. Mr Campbell, West Kilbride. the modern game. The page was thrown in (and I noticed Mr J Jennings, Holt, Norfolk. heading could be ‘The I would like a brief ‘Rules for in the traveller that the deal I have found the best Locksmiths Key’. Rubber Bridge’. Is there such Mr Drummond, London NW1. had been thrown in at most memory jolt is not sending it a thing? tables). We got an above – it is free after all. Mrs Cumming, Edinburgh. Adverts listing people needing partners by club or average score on the first Please accept a quiz entry area. YUK from a recycled teenager. deal and a below average Mrs Gunn, Gillingham, Kent. Mr Juggins, Strood, Kent. score on the second. It was Re Irritating Habits, BRIDGE BRIDGE has improved I am delighted that Andrew sheer chance what score we 91. One of the worst habits recently and is full of Kambites has joined the got, and the only chance I that I have come across is interesting and useful magazine. His articles are a material. Rather too many had to exercise my ‘bidding the person who licks his joy to read. letters, though. judgement’ was in making a finger before taking out his Mrs A Buston, Banchory. Mr L Less, Suffolk. routine pass. I feel I have bidding card. Glad ‘Bubble’ captions down Quite So. Name and address supplied. to one page. Sorry you plan more reason to feel hard I would like to buy eight to put it back to two! done by than a person who bidding boxes, any chance Mrs S Knapman, Dunblane. of buying them through your would have objected to CAREFUL NOW Try to carry on your magazine? having the hand re-dealt I went for a restful read of magazine. If in trouble, Mrs J Parsey, Northwood. originally, despite being then BRIDGE on my swing launch a plea to readers. Try 01689 891122. given a probably more hammock in the sunshine Mr Airey, Pangbourne. 99.9% of the caption interesting hand in which (like one does) – when my List long established adages comments are a waste of eyes rested on my name in often proven wrong. eg. space. We suggest you only to exercise ‘bidding ‘Declarer can do no wrong’. print the best three. judgement’. print I nearly fell off. Mr Taylor, East Grinstead. Mr and Mrs Potter, Seaton. Peter Calviou, Mrs Julia Farmer, Amersham, Bucks. Truro, Cornwall.

Page 48 READERS’ LETTERS friendly level. I wonder if we could have a bit more about continued rubber bridge. Mrs Janet Johnson, Reading. SHORTIES HAVING NONE It really is the same game I would be grateful if any of and there is nothing much When will defence software I found a link to bridge your educated readers could different to say except when be available? articles in newspapers (free). it is played for money. Mrs Cartwright, Balsall. http://bridgeindia. tell me how one can possibly homestead.com I so look forward to the have ‘none’. Should the /bridgecolumns.htm . stamps from Mr Goff. It’s TEXT ENLARGEMENT Mr Bastable, Portsmouth. opposition be entitled to ask then fun matching them to players to produce ‘none’ as Thank you very much for your the addressee! I love your coverage of the proof that there is no revoke? kindness ringing me and Mrs Carmichael, Devon. P2P issue. Mr Mullen, Basingstoke. I wonder also whether any of trying to help me with the I like to follow the debate on your readers might be enlargement of your the revision of the rules. Could you please arrange magazine print. I really feel Mr Derek Carter, Chester. more holidays in Scotland? interested in my own Mrs M Miners, Glasgow. variation of Basic Acol? so sorry that I was not able Entry for your forthcoming Dictionary of Bridge Terms . Are you going to sell cards to do the work on the Endplay: v.intr. Knowing and cloths again? BASIC ACOL computer that you suggested when to stop. Mrs Ross, Leatherhead. My Blackwood’s Roman Key but did pass your information Mr Holden, Ottery St. Mary. I will only sell my unique products and services. Card on, which I was so grateful to It is refreshing to see bridge And my diamond’s you for. Alas, I feel it wasn’t players stand up against the I have read all the letters on possible without a great deal pomposity of decisions, often P2P and the only comment I multi-two made unilaterally by the EBU. have to make is that I shall And my bidding might be of effort, I was told. Mr Harris, Eastbourne. be paying at least four times Since that time I have my present subscription. splintered I have a copy of Freddie Mrs P Davies, Sandbach. If it hasn’t got a cue contacted our local library North’s’ book Learning Bridge And if I’ve got two unbid suits and joy, they told me that it – The Right Path Vol. 1 I am very interested in I use a Sputnik double would be possible for them Bidding. Are there any further hearing about non-EBU club volumes and can you director training. And I always blame my to enlarge on the photo provide them, please. Mr Barker, Bridport, Dorset. copier from A4 – A3 size. Mr H Heath, Reigate, Surrey. partner Remember we are not all Sorry, no others. If I get myself in trouble Mrs Gardiner, Bognor Regis. interested in the EBU. And I use this complex Thoroughly enjoyable Mr Paterson, Perthshire. publication – I hope the bidding LIKE A PHOTO Could you insert a permanent economic downturn won’t appendix containing ‘Cos I like to win you see As I am not an e-mailer, may affect you too much. Mrs J definitions of such things as So if we don’t get any tops I use you to thank John Clark, Sawbridgeworth. rule of 15/20/11 etc. It would It can’t be due to me. Gardener most sincerely for Looking forward to my first be handy for quick reference. Jack Bignold, South Croydon. his reply to my query about Mr Bridge weekend at Mr Garnett, Keighley. Barony Castle. Lord Yarborough. I think the EBU changes Mrs Hosie, West Lothian. STILL TRYING It was exactly what I recall, things too often. I started playing in the Army and its origin comes as no You will never be able to Mr Thompson, Birmingham. retire. Is the EBU the Enron for the at 18. I am now 85 and still surprise to me, though the Mrs E Salter, Christchurch. no good. I particularly like the detail is more specific. I came card-playing world? I do hope I can find some Mr Aris, Axbridge, Somerset. easy to read bold print in to know it in Beverley, East social chatty afternoon I started to learn to play Yorkshire, in the 1950’s. players as I have moved to your magazine, such a boon bridge when I retired and I Botley, near Southampton. for the over 80’s’ with Tony Barrett, Ipswich, Suffolk. wish I had not left it so late. Hilary Taylor Mrs B Stamper, Wirral. macular degeneration. ( 01489 786930. Mrs M Norman, Kettering. A YEAR ON Is it possible to find a partner How about setting up an in the Enfield area? We would like to go on one on-line service for Margaret ( 0208 366 1518. CARD RELEASE of your holidays – maybe re-registration? Can nothing be done to stop abroad but we are Mr Hamilton, Solihull. I am also a fan of Clive Goff’s inexperienced players – No, please write in. discounted stamps! a player just displaying the Mrs Kath Street, Woking. Have you stopped doing the hand-held card towards the having only been learning 12 Ring him on 0208 4224960 tea towels? months. Any ideas? table centre? Placing the card Mrs Nattrass, Pinner. An article on Keycard down on the table is so Iain Kirkman, No. Some are still listed. Blackwood please. Mrs E N Lindley, Watford. much more acceptable. Bovey Tracey, Devon. Do you sell duplicate bidding Mrs M D Jones, Hove. Plan to go to Tunisia with boxes? Mrs Hoy, Cardiff. We enjoy your magazine and Bernard Magee next No, try ( 01672 519219. also Mr Goffs stamps. Mary Pickering, Haslemere. SAME GAME November or even on the To whom do I send used Many of us retired and older Harwich to Nice cruise. There postage stamps? Not so keen on all the letters Mrs Farmery, Stockport. and EBU stuff. will be a tutor on board players enjoy playing rubber To me, c/o Ryden Grange. Dr A Millar, Edinburgh. and Chicago bridge at a dedicated to beginners.

Page 49 READERS’ LETTERS serve as the receipt. Ken Griffiths by email. continued DON’T WORRY AT BARONY CASTLE MEMORABILIA I play rubber and Chicago. I Eddleston by Peebles, Peebleshire, Scotland, EH45 8QW J We have a set of score cards find when I go to charity manufactured by Printator, drives or other events where Duplicate Weekends 2009 England. Two red, two blue rubber is played, people say £209 per person full-board casings, they are in the style ‘Stop’. I do not play duplicate of the old-fashioned and do not approve of this! 6-8 Feb Slam Bidding - Ray Hutchinson schoolroom slates with Mrs Eileen Barber, Moulton. individual markers, all 6-8 Mar Doubles unused. Do they have any COMPENDIUM value? We do not want the Not all your articles are on 23-25 Oct Suit Establishment money for ourselves, but the website. I would be 6-8 Nov Stayman & Transfers would donate any payment interested in the explanations Improvers* - Ray Hutchinson to a local hospice. behind bridge sayings like Ken Day by email. ‘eight ever, nine never’, ‘one 20-22 Nov Hand Evaluation Bridge players like to play up, shut up’ being collected bridge – and are not together. *Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player and/or those picking up the game after a long break. generally collectors. Mrs Ann O’Reilly, Bath.

♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with WHY ALERT? RE-USE THEM en-suite facilities ♦ No single supplement When and how should one Sorry to disagree with your Venue non-smoking editor but please don’t throw ♦ Use of swimming ♦ alert? Surely, if everyone is pool and fitness suite ♦ Bidding quiz & two seminars listening carefully, there is away your old packs of cards no need to alert. Or, am I – put them to use. ______BOOKING FORM ______missing something? Your local infant school will Please book me for ..... places, Mrs C J Brooke, West Yorks. probably take them for use in their junior classes – they Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... USEFUL DRAW help children enormously The McMillan Nurses came with number appreciation. at the Barony Castle weekend(s) of ...... up with an idea to make use Alternatively your local of old playing cards. Use HMP will almost certainly Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... them as raffle tickets (which jump at the chance to cost money), and tear each provide its inmates with an Address ...... card in half as and when it is alternative pastime to sold, pop one half into the watching TV...... hat and the other half can Mr Brian Welch by email. ■ Postcode ......

( ...... Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige) Single-Suited Design Pens ...... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund - able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker.

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Boxed Set of Four £19.95 ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Available from Ryden Grange, e-mail: [email protected] Knaphill GU21 2TH ( 01483 489961 website: www.holidaybridge.com www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

Page 50 democratically as to regards Clubs still have a chance to P2P. Actually the committee change their final vote, when READERS’ decided that this was not a contracts are sent out to county committee one, and them in 2009. They alone that it was up to the clubs to choose whether to re- consider the proposals and affiliate. LETTERS ON reply accordingly. At no time have the All affiliated clubs were personal opinions of the sent a letter inviting Essex Committee members representatives to a meeting been taken into account, THE EBU P2P last September to discuss except through their clubs. and give their opinion as to Right from the start, from the what they thought their club first letter sent to the clubs in SUSSEX SHAME narrow margin, whilst would do. Twenty-one clubs July 2007, the views of the I couldn’t agree more with another club whose attended and a straw vote clubs have been paramount. ’s article on P2P members had voted taken. A brief report and the The letter stated ‘Naturally, in your August issue. As she overwhelmingly against, is result of the vote were put the Essex Committee is comes from Sussex I hope also counted as one vote. on the Essex website anxious to have the views of she will put some pressure The only true democratic immediately and a copy sent all its members and in on the county to think again. vote is by all individual to each club. particular those of its Mrs Glynn, Shoreham, members. The EBU questionnaire affiliated clubs...’ ‘We do West Sussex. I am a club member, with was sent to all clubs with a need your involvement in no aspiration to play at covering letter, and when this. It is vital to know your WHAT DEMOCRACY? county levels (much less returned their replies views’. Would the Chairman of the anything higher), so am not analysed. Fifty-one out of Mrs M Curtis, EBU enlighten us with a few elite. The status quo, if that is sixty clubs replied. General Secretary, Essex details to support his claim what he means by the ‘old A further meeting was Contract Bridge Association. that ‘a truly democratic EBU’ suits me very well, and, held after the AGM in May, process has taken place’? I believe, many club to which all members were SADLY LEAVING Who comprised those who members. Indeed, in the invited, and again those Oh, that there were more produced the 2-1 majority? If absence of comprehensive clubs represented were Sandra Landy’s...page 5 of it was counties – it is proof to the contrary, I believe invited to confirm or BRIDGE for August. worthless and irrelevant, and that we non-elitist, status- otherwise their possible The club of which I am reminds me of the big union quo preferring club members decision as to affiliate from secretary (and generally ‘block votes’ at Labour Party are the majority. 2010 or not. Those not does everything) will conferences. Edward Gibbins, present were sent a further definitely be disaffiliating if If it is 2-1 in terms of club Alsager, Staffs. letter asking if they were still P2P is introduced. This will committees, it is no better. If of the same opinion as to result in the EBU losing out it is club committees, may we SHAME that given in the on one club affiliation fee, 15 see a comprehensive list of It was kind of you to print questionnaire. This was (or so) membership fees and clubs so that their individual such a flattering portrait of stated in the latest the sale of circa 4 books of members, who will pick up Mr Stocken to accompany his Newsletter sent to all Essex local master points annually. the tab, can see how their self-congratulatory reply to members personally. The Ok, so that’s only about committees voted? Sandra Landy. What is truly last sentence reads ‘It is very £400 to £450 per annum Neither counties nor club astonishing is that by calling important to get the most and this will, in part, be committees will pay for the process truly democratic up-to-date information from mitigated by the P2P fees members to play; it is he seems to think that makes clubs, before the Essex that some of our EBU individual members who it so. shareholders vote at the members will pay when they would pay. A vote in favour Thank you for providing a EGM in June’. play at another club (which by a county or club forum, which English Bridge A final figure for Clubs’ would be affiliated) of which committee representing a failed to do – shame on you, opinions, who surely they are also members. smaller than average Elena. consulted their members, However, I can assure the number of members cannot Lesley Colligan, was arrived at by two EBU that P2P income from be deemed equal to a vote Godalming, Surrey. different methods – firstly a our club and its members against by similar bodies straight vote per club, and would, under the proposed representing a higher than MORE DEMOCRACY secondly a method of votes new regime, be nowhere average number of Two letters in the October by size of club membership. near what they are getting members. A similar disparity issue seemed to imply that By both methods the answer at the moment. occurs when a vote in favour the Essex Committee did not was a large percentage in Mr Peter Travers, is carried in one club by a consult its members favour of the new proposals. Oddby, Leicester.

Page 51 EBU LETTERS combined with the county clearly not anti the EBU but one and have long since continued concerned for its survival. stopped registering my local She is against the ‘Pay to THe Book points, but I will rejoin Play’ proposals and she oF T RUTH MINORITY VOICE willingly if my club approves makes her case by Victor Savage Re the EBU P2P proposals, it P2P as I hope they will. persuasively. seems to me we have a Mr A J Glasgow, Birmingham. Peter was wrong to And it came to pass that similar situation here as we introduce an unwarranted in the land where the have nowadays whenever DOING THE SUMS personal comment in his granary stores were nearly empty and life was any new proposal is made, So the secret is out, the EBU response to her article. And constrained by ASBOs whether it is for forty two wishes us to pay 29p per so to my tale; one of biblical and ebays there lived a days detention for terrorist player, per session. So the proportions. sect called EBU. The club that I play at, will now suspects, the MMR vaccine, Mr Victor Savage, leader of the sect was a GM crops, a coal-burning have to find some extra Hazlemere. Stocken from the Shire of power station or a new by- hundreds of pounds per year See adjacent column. York whose command pass somewhere. A number depending on how many was that all members of people will be actively tables are in play for that LAST WORD should pay a tax called promoting the project, a particular night. Our club On September 22nd the P2P. Many members of large number, probably the does not issue master points, slate of nominations for the the sect were troubled by majority, will be more less in nor are they worried about EBU Board and Officers was this. Many were favour but not strongly so, getting a magazine every posted on the EBU website. saddened, many could and a number will be ‘don’t two months, or even a diary. There had been no previous not pay the tax. Many know’ or ‘couldn’t care less’. So as we average announcements to the were old, fragile in health Then there will be a minority approximately twelve tables members at large of the and weak. who are so vehement and per evening of play, we will elections and certainly no But one member, young vociferous in their opposition, have the dubious honour canvassing the membership in mind and active in so determined to impose now of giving the EBU at large for nominations – it spirit resolved to protest their views on the majority monies that our club can use would take detailed studying against the edict. She was that they will go to almost in a more social way. We of the company articles and Sandra, wife of Landy. any lengths to stop the have a Christmas lunch plus the board procedures for an Her testament was that as project even, as in the case two wine-and-eats evenings outsider to intervene. Why the chariot of the EBU of Lord Melchett and GM and I know that the should the Officers bother to grew in size, its wheels members of this club prefer crops, committing acts of tell the members anyway? would fall off, and it illegal vandalism. this to having master points Ordinary members have no would no longer bridge I don’t think any opponents and this is why we are one of votes and they seem only to the gap between High of P2P have gone that far but the successful clubs in want us for our money, or as Peter and his congress they do seem to me to be Somerset. statistics to show what a big table and lowly completely OTT. Ignoring all 12 tables (48 Players) * 50 midden they crow over. conference pairs who the arguments as to whether weeks *29p =£696.00 Using this morally would be banished to the a proper democratic process This is not a bad little bankrupt method of wilderness. was followed by the EBU, it earner for doing so little; I nomination, Sally Bugden, And yet, it may be – is wonder now that the cat is who is driving perhaps the seems to me that a system the fancy fond – out of the bag whether, when which says ‘the more times most potentially damaging Pure play awaits them in you play the more you pay other affiliated clubs do their and divisive changes in EBU the great beyond for membership’ is fairer than sums, as we have, will they membership policy that And they’ll be found the present system, where stay with the EBU? I believe could be thought up, is to be when that bright morning someone who plays just that answer will be a returned unopposed to breaks, once a week pays the same resounding ‘no’. become chairman. Outbidding seraphs for amount in subscription as Les Borrett, Not in my name, Sally. celestial stakes. someone who plays five Bawdrip, Somerset. Ned Paul, Twickenham. ■ times. I just cannot see why Sandra Landy and so many NOT A PERSONAL or perhaps so few others ISSUE Write to Mr Bridge at: have got their knickers in Peter Stocken criticises Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH such a twist over such a Sandra Landy because she or e-mail [email protected]. simple proposal. I allowed points out that players whose E-mail correspondents are asked to include their my membership of the EBU club disaffiliates can join an name, full postal address and telephone number, to lapse as I don’t play very affiliated club and play there and to send no attachments. often, didn’t like the amount once a year, thus becoming Letters may be edited for length and clarity. of the annual subscription an EBU member. Sandra is

Page 52 Freddie North Says The Five Level Belongs to the opponents

here are good reasons for leaving My next deal, from a teams’ match, gave My last deal raises several key points. the five level to the opponents – scope for shrewd judgement. Tunless they make exactly eleven tricks, you should do OK. If they make ♠ 2 twelve tricks, they have missed a slam; Dealer East. Game All. ♥ 4 if they make ten, they are going down. ♠ A Q 8 5 3 ♦ A K Q 10 9 6 Rarely do you want to bid one more. ♥ 7 5 ♣ J 10 6 4 3 We are going to concentrate here on ♦ 3 ♠ A Q 8 5 ♠ J 10 9 4 3 the norm rather than the exceptions. A ♣ Q J 10 8 4 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 2 N ♥ J 5 3 common scenario is the battle of the ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ Void ♦ J 2 W E ♦ 7 5 3 S majors. Here is a typical example. ♥ 6 2 N ♥ K Q 9 4 3 ♣ A ♣ 8 7 W E ♦ A K Q 6 4 2 S ♦ 10 9 8 7 ♠ K 7 6 ♣ K 5 ♣ 9 7 6 2 ♥ K 9 7 Dealer South. Love All. ♠ K J 10 9 6 ♦ 8 4 ♠ 5 2 ♥ A J 10 8 ♣ K Q 9 5 2 ♥ K Q J ♦ J 5 ♦ K Q J 10 6 ♣ A 3 ♣ 8 3 2 West North East South ♠ A K J 9 8 4 ♠ Q 10 7 1♥ 2NT 1 Pass 4♣ ♥ 3 N ♥ 6 2 West North East South Dbl 2 Pass 4♠ 5♣3 W E ♦ 9 4 S ♦ A 8 7 3 2 Pass 1♠ Dbl End ♣ Q 9 6 4 ♣ J 10 5 2♦ 4♠ 5♦ Pass ♠ 6 3 Pass 5♠ End 1This shows at least 5-5 in the minors. ♥ A 10 9 8 7 5 4 2 West has a good hand with both majors ♦ 5 At the first table, West led the ace of and doubles for take-out. ♣ A K 7 diamonds and everything hinged on his 3Since the major-suit kings may be no use next play. After some thought, he found defensively, South bids one more. the heart switch. Declarer had to go West North East South down when the club finesse failed. With no void in dummy, declarer had to 1♥ lose three aces to go one down in 5 ♣. 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ 3♥ West North East South This raises the question ‘was the bid a 4♠ 5♥ End Pass 1♠ good save or was it a phantom?’ 2♦ 4♠ 5♦ Dbl Suppose the defenders lead three After a routine first round of bidding, End rounds of diamonds against 4 ♠. Best is West embarks on an advance sacrifice as to ruff with the queen and knock out the he thinks that 4 ♥ will succeed. This At the second table, South took the view king of spades. This creates a trump makes life difficult for North, who has that his two outside aces and lack of entry for leading the jack of hearts. not yet shown the heart support. extra shape augured against the five Can declarer recover if dummy ruffs Seeing all four hands, West was right. level. He doubled in advance of his the diamond low? Yes, but he must time 4♥ does succeed, declarer’s losers being partner to express such thoughts. things differently. Dummy leads the two spades and a diamond. The spotlight was now on North, who queen of spades, which holds. Next On another layout, 5 ♥ would make, found the only killing lead – a trump. comes the queen of hearts, which also though it might still be right to defend. South ducked and declarer overtook to holds. South must then capture the ten of Trade the black threes and 5 ♥ is cold, lead a heart to the king. South ducked hearts. Now declarer has an entry to with just one spade and one diamond to again, won the first club with the ace and finesse in trumps and can win the third lose. 5 ♠ doubled would then go down returned a trump. Unable to ruff three round in dummy to reach the hearts. three (because North can ruff a club) – spades in dummy or to set up the hearts, We may not know whether 5 ♣ was on too expensive at equal vulnerability. declarer finished one down. target but the final double was spot on. ■

Page 53 GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing West Sussex, BN11 1RL. ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106 Email [email protected] Website www.globaltravelinsurance.co.uk

SUMMARY OF COVER MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS

The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. all of the conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available A full copy of the policy document is available on request. on request in writing prior to application.

CANCELLATION & CURTAILMENT up to £1,500 MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police Insurers will not pay for claims arising requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are 1. Where you or any person upon whose health the trip depends are undergoing tests for the covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs. presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need Policy Excess for treatment at a hospital or nursing home. Standard Policy Excess £50. 2. From any terminal illness suffered by you or any person upon whose health the trip depends. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. 3. From any reoccurrence of any psychiatric disorder, anxiety state and/or depression suffered by For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150. you or any person upon whose health the trip depends. See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses 4. From pregnancy or childbirth. applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. 5. If you are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment abroad. PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000 6. From any medical condition for which you or any person upon whose health the Trip A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total depends has within 12 months prior to the date of booking of each Trip (for Cancellation) disablement. No Policy Excess. or the date of departure of each Trip (other sections) been diagnosed with a medical condition or have received treatment in a hospital. MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £5,000,000 OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Including LIFELINE 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE Claims arising from (a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment 2. Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. Limit £1,000 for transfer of remains to your home if 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, you die in the UK. Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean when exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such losses increased to £150. are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already taking For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 unless travelling within place at the beginning of any Trip. North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500. 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within 5. Consequential loss of any kind. North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £1,000. 6. Bankruptcy / liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses accommodation supplier. applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. 7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. 8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line if travelling in North or Central America or the (b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300 Caribbean. An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. No Policy Excess. POLICY EXCESSES: PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000 The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any each section where an excess applies. one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs, etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50. Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft If you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean you must first contact (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50. the Medical Screening Line in order to establish whether we can provide cover for your No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft trip. If you are accepted then the following levels of excess will apply and you will receive not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery. written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. The number to call is: PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200 0870 9063142 Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean, there is no need If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess. Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500 application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising. If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from For claims arising from the any of your pre-existing medical conditions, other than those that are UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled specifically excluded, the excess is further increased as follows: to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum of Under the Cancellation & Curtailment section – double the normal excess. £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the outward Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only. For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £1,000. MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £2,000. destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the vehicle For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, strike, North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £3,000. industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess.

PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal expenses (subject to the laws of England and ). Policy Excess £250. GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 1. United Kingdom LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000 England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess. Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland). 2. Europe Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the MEMBER OF THE Mediterranean Sea (except Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. 3. Worldwide excluding North America Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries comprising Central America and the Caribbean Islands). 4. Worldwide including North America Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other countries comprising Central America, Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands. SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS ✄ Valid for policies issued up to 31/3/09 and for travel up to 31/12/09. Areas 1 & 2 - Applicable per person up to age 90 years on the date of return to the UK. Areas 3 & 4 - Applicable per person up to age 80 years on the date of return to the UK. Single Trip Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 1 - 3 days £11.70 £17.90 £37.60 £54.20 Travel Insurance 4 & 5 days £14.10 £22.60 £47.30 £68.10 Suitable for individual round trips up to 4 months duration that start and finish in the UK arranged by 6 -10 days £16.40 £30.40 £64.10 £91.80 11-17 days £18.80 £33.30 £71.30 £102.70 Global Travel Insurance 18-24 days £21.10 £38.30 £80.20 £115.60 Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL 25-31 days £23.40 £43.60 £91.30 £131.50 ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106 Each + 7 days £ 4.20 £ 8.60 £21.50 £30.90 SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM or part thereof (maximum period of 120 days) Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance which is 17.5% and is subject to variation. with a cheque or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been issued. Please allow at least 5 days before you need to travel. PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK Details of the Applicant The following adjustments apply ONLY to trips in excess of 31 days for all persons aged 65 years and over Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials Geographical Area Premium Increase Area 2 Europe Plus 50% (1.5 times) Surname Area 3 Worldwide excl. North America Plus 100% (2 times) Area 4 Worldwide incl. North America Plus 200% (3 times) House Number/Name Infants up to 2 years inclusive are FREE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Street Name Children 3 to 16 years inclusive are HALF PRICE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Unaccompanied children pay the adult rate. Family Rate is 2.75 TIMES that of the adult price. A FAMILY is 2 adults and Town Name their dependant children under the age of 16 traveling with the adults residing at the same address. Postcode Sports & Activities – Contact us for a quotation as we can cover a wide range of sporting and other activities. Telephone No. Group Discounts – Contact us for discounts available starting at 10 persons. Date of leaving Home STATUS DISCLOSURE Date of arrival Home Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234. Introducer Mr Bridge This insurance is underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc. Registered in England No. 78950. Registered address: 5 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1AD. AXA Geographical Area - See Premium Panel Insurance UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. (1,2,3 or 4) If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance, you must first write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. Subsequently, Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. 1 £

INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY 2 £

This insurance is suitable for persons whose Demands and Needs are those of a 3 traveller whose: £ 1 Individual round trip starts and finishes in the UK and is of no more than 4 months duration. 4 £ 2 Age is 90 years or less and is normally a resident of the United Kingdom. As this leaflet contains the Key Features of the cover provided, it constitutes 5 provision of a statement of demands and needs. £ If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice. 6 £

INSURANCE PRODUCT DISCLOSURE Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM £

Cancellation Rights Card No This is your insurance summary. A full policy wording will be sent to you on receipt of your application form and the required premium. Please read it carefully to ensure it meets your requirements. Start Date End Date Issue No If the cover does not meet your requirements, please notify us within 14 days of receiving your policy documents and return all your documents for a refund of your Security Code premium. If, during this 14-day period, you have travelled, made a claim or intend to make a claim, then we can recover all costs that you have used for those DECLARATION services. Please note that your cancellation rights are no longer valid after this initial 14 day period. On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall Claims be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange Claims are handled by Towergate Chase Parkinson, PO Box 416, West Byfleet, information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood the Surrey KT14 7LF who act on behalf of the Insurers and not the customer in terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in relation to any claim. The telephone number is 0870 906 3144. agreement and for whom I am authorized to sign. Applicable Law You and we are free to choose the laws applicable to this policy. As we are based Signed ...... Date ...... in England, we propose to apply the laws of England and Wales and by purchasing this policy, you have agreed to this. The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured. For essential travel advice and tips visit the Foreign Office website, Recommended by www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or call 020 7008 0232. ✄ t d i a C P C E B e a C r C M a D E B C c A F H P W W W D p w O P E o B i m A ...... M n o n p e a o f

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✄ ✄ Liz McGowan Says

Second Hand Plays Low

econd hand plays low’ means Removing the ten, as on E and F, alters that the second player to a trick ♣ Q 6 5 the picture. This time, you hop up with ‘S plays a small card. This lets dummy’s honour. You hope that West N partner, who plays last to the trick, make Lead: ♣3 W E has led from K-Q-x-x on E or, on F, the best use of his high cards, while you S from K-x-x-x. If the honour does not keep yours for later use. Take this layout: ♣ K 10 4 score at trick one, it never will. If, on F, East has the king, he will not play it on a low card but will finesse instead. ♣ A 10 6 2 Playing low from dummy ensures two This deal shows both sides of the coin:

N tricks. Playing the queen will yield just ♣ W E ♣ one if West holds the jack or ace-jack. K 8 4 S J 9 3 Second hand low is also wise here: . ♠ A J 7 5 ♣ Q 7 5 ♥ J 4 ♦ J 9 6 AB ♣ J 8 4 3 If South leads the five and West plays ♣ J 5 ♣ K 5 ♠ K 10 3 ♠ Q 9 8 6 the king ‘to force out the ace’, declarer ♥ 10 8 6 5 3 N ♥ Q 9 7 N N W E makes three club tricks instead of two. W E W E ♦ Q 4 2 S ♦ K 10 S S Declarer probably plans to play the ace ♣ 10 5 ♣ Q 9 7 2 and back towards his queen. If so, West ♣ Q 6 2 ♣ J 8 4 ♠ 4 2 makes his king and East makes his jack ♥ A K 2 later. If, instead, declarer intends to ♦ A 8 7 5 3 finesse the ten, East makes the jack and Playing low on West’s three ensures you ♣ A K 6 the defenders still make another trick. one trick – dummy only plays high if Playing second hand low ensures that you are desperate for an entry or, on B, partner’s cards pull their weight. If East if you are very keen to gain the lead. West North East South cannot beat dummy’s ten, declarer has 1♦ ♣Q-J-5, his finesse will succeed which- Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT ever card West plays. Another example: CD Pass 3NT End ♣ J 5 ♣ Q 5 West leads the heart five and declarer N N ♣ Q 10 W E W E tries dummy’s jack – his only chance to S S N score a trick with it is that West has led ♣ K 9 4 3 W E ♣ J 7 6 ♣ A 10 4 ♣ A 10 6 away from the queen. This time, East S covers with the queen, so declarer wins ♣ A 8 5 2 with the ace and leads a low diamond On C and D, low from dummy on West’s towards dummy. West must remember three lead ensures a second trick because the maxim and play low nonchalantly: if If South, playing in 4 ♠, leads the two of of the power of the ten. he grabs his queen, the defenders make clubs, West may be tempted to grab his only one diamond trick – and declarer king before the rats get at it. That is not makes his contract. the optimum play. Most likely East has EF Of course, West may not make a trick the jack – with A-J-x-x, declarer would ♣ J 5 ♣ Q 5 at all if South has led from ♦A-K-8-3. surely finesse. If West plays second hand Even in that case, all is not lost. So long N N low smoothly, dummy plays the ten and W E W E as West plays low smoothly, declarer East scores his jack – declarer makes S S may conclude that West cannot have the only one club trick with his ace. ♣ A 4 2 ♣ A 6 2 queen and insert dummy’s nine, losing Declarer plays second hand low also. to East’s ten. ■

Page 55 Dave Huggett Says Don’t Rush to Take Finesses

t takes a new player ages to gain the You take this finesse early because it confidence to take a finesse for the ♠ K Q 6 dictates how you should play the hearts. Ifirst time but, once the habit kicks in, With now only two losers outside of ♥ 7 6 4 it can become an obsession. Look at the ♦ A K 6 5 trumps, you can afford a trump loser. following deal, playing teams or rubber: ♣ 7 6 3 The is to lay down the ace ♠ 8 3 ♠ J 10 7 4 2 first, not to take the finesse. The ♥ A Q 10 5 2 N ♥ 9 3 singleton king offside means you hold W E ♠ A 7 3 ♦ 8 3 2 S ♦ Q 7 your trump losers to one, while taking ♥ J 7 6 ♣ J 10 5 ♣ Q 9 8 2 the unnecessary finesse would cause you ♦ Q 6 4 ♠ A 9 5 to have two. ♣ A J 7 5 ♥ K J 8 Of course, if the play of the trump ace ♠ K J 9 2 ♠ Q 10 8 ♦ J 10 9 4 draws small cards, you would cross to ♥ Q 3 N ♥ K 10 9 5 2 ♣ A K 4 dummy with a spade and lead towards W E ♦ 9 8 5 S ♦ J 10 2 the queen of hearts. If the spade finesse ♣ 10 9 6 2 ♣ Q 3 failed, you would need East to hold king ♠ 6 5 4 You are in 3NT. The lead is the five of doubleton in trumps. ♥ A 8 4 hearts, which goes to the nine and your ♦ A K 7 3 jack. It looks like West has all the top ♣ K 8 4 hearts, making it your priority to keep ♠ A Q 10 6 East off lead. Again, if you count your ♥ 8 7 5 winners, you can see that you need only ♦ A 7 5 3NT looks obvious. West leads the two of three diamond tricks, not four. This ♣ K 6 4 spades, bringing good news and bad means it must be better to play off the ♠ 9 2 ♠ 8 3 news. The bad news is that they have two top diamonds in case the queen is ♥ K J 4 2 N ♥ 9 6 3 found your weakest suit; the good news is doubleton offside. You do not mind W E ♦ Q 9 8 2 S ♦ J 10 6 3 that you expect the suit to break 4-3 as losing a trick if West has Q-x-x. ♣ J 7 5 ♣ 9 8 3 2 they are playing fourth-highest leads. ♠ K J 7 5 4 There can be little point in holding up, so ♥ A Q 10 you win and play three rounds of ♠ A Q 5 3 ♦ K 4 diamonds, happy to see the diamond suit ♥ 8 6 4 2 ♣ A Q 10 break evenly. A count of top tricks reveals ♦ Q 7 that you need only three clubs for your ♣ 6 5 3 contract. The correct way to do this is to ♠ K 10 7 2 ♠ J 9 6 You arrive in 6 ♠ and get a trump lead. play off the ace and the king; after that, ♥ K N ♥ J 10 9 With eleven tricks on top, it ought to be lead low towards the jack if the queen W E clear that the extra trick can come only ♦ 9 8 4 3 S ♦ A 6 5 hasn’t appeared. This means that you can ♣ Q J 10 2 ♣ K 9 7 4 from hearts. However, if you take two cater for queen doubleton offside as in the ♠ 8 4 heart finesses early on, you will find the diagram. If the diamonds had not broken ♥ A Q 7 5 3 outcome disappointing. You have to take evenly, you would have needed clubs to ♦ K J 10 2 a finesse in hearts it is true – but only at break 3-3 with the finesse working. ♣ A 8 the right time. So draw trumps, play the The above example was a matter of two top diamonds and ruff a diamond in playing with the odds, but sometimes hand; then play three clubs ending in there are other factors to consider. You are in 4 ♥ and win the club lead with dummy. Only now, lead a heart to the It may well be that you are anxious to your ace. You have two losers in the ten. West wins cheaply but has no safe keep one particular hand off lead. This minors and maybe a spade loser. If you exit: a heart lead is into your tenace, objective might cause you to think twice have to lose a spade, you cannot afford while anything else gives you a ruff and about finessing. Assume rubber or teams to lose a trump. So test the spade suit by discard. Either way, you will have scoring on our next deal. playing a spade to the queen. ensured your contract. ■

Page 56 Andrew Kambites Says

Look Before You Leap to 4NT

uctions that start 1 ♠-Pass-4NT In the absence of any special methods, (Blackwood) make me cringe. North should have responded with a ♠ 2 AThis is not the usual preaching quiet 2 . South would then have rebid ♦ ♥ K Q 4 3 on the faults of using Blackwood 2♠, showing a minimum opening bid. ♦ A K Q J without a control in every suit. North should then bid just 4 ♠. ♣ A K Q 3 Most good bridge auctions take place To see just how bad this use of 4NT is, N when one player makes a limit bid, the layout could have been as below and W E telling partner his strength. His partner, the bidding would be identical. S knowing the combined assets, becomes ♠ A Q J 6 5 the boss. Blackwood takes control of the ♥ A J 10 2 auction. If you use Blackwood, you ♠ K 8 6 5 ♦ 4 2 reduce partner to the role of answering ♥ A 7 6 ♣ 8 4 your questions and accepting your ♦ K 6 5 4 decisions. How can you do this when ♣ A Q you have no idea whether he has a bare N minimum or a strong opening hand, one W E West North East South S almost worth an Acol two-bid? 1♠ The upcoming layouts show how ♠ A Q 10 4 3 2 Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ players misuse Blackwood regularly. ♥ 2 Pass 5NT Pass 6♣ ♦ A Q 3 Pass 6NT End ♣ K J 2 ♠ K 8 6 5 North is guessing when he bids 6NT. No ♥ A 7 6 doubt he congratulates himself when he ♦ K 6 5 4 Although 7 ♠ is cold, what could South takes the spade finesse for thirteen tricks ♣ A Q do but pass his partner’s sign off in 5 ♠? and it fails. I am not suggesting North should bid the Of course, once South has opened the N W E grand slam over 5 ♠. Indeed, my general bidding, North knows there are ample S stance is to stress the desirability of points for a slam. However, not only did ♠ A J 4 3 2 avoiding grand slams unless you are North not wait for South to show his ♥ Q J 4 100% sure. However, a sensible start to strength; he committed the cardinal sin ♦ A 3 2 the auction should get you to at least 6 ♠. of taking control of the auction with ♣ 4 3 Blackwood before trumps were settled. West North East South Now see what happens if North bides his 1♠ time. West North East South Pass 2♦ Pass 3♠ 1♠ Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ West North East South Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Pass 5NT … 1♠ Pass 5♠ End Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Do you see the difference? This time, Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Presumably, North thinks he is too South has had a chance to show that he Pass 5NT Pass 6♣ strong just to insist on game. However, has better than a minimum opening bid Pass 7♥ End to ask for aces and then sign off in 5 ♠ with a six-card spade suit. Now North when the response confirms they are all has every reason to believe his side is in It might not have turned out so well for present, means that the partnership will slam territory and can rebid 4NT North. If South had rebid 2 ♠ then North always play in 5 ♠ whatever partner sensibly. Even if an ace was missing, he would have bid to 6NT as he did in our holds! As it happens, 5 ♠ is too high. should later bid 6 ♠ on general values. first auction. In practice, when South Indeed, it is easy to envisage how Here is our last premature leap to rebids hearts, North can envisage a declarer could lose a trick in each suit. 4NT: thirteenth trick if hearts are trumps. ■

Page 57 ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON PAGE 13 by JULIAN POTTAGE

You lead the ♣5. Partner wins with the ♣A To shut out the diamond suit you want to play 1. ♠ A Q J 9 4 and South drops the ♣K. Back comes the ♦9, your ace on the same trick as declarer runs ♥ Q 9 covered by the ♦K. out of the suit. The 1NT opening tells you that ♦ A 8 4 this is not the current trick. If anyone has a Do you want to grab the ace of diamonds in ♣ K J 3 singleton diamond, it is East. Having ducked case the king is bare? This is not a good idea. ♠ 10 5 2 ♠ K 7 6 the first diamond, you expect to see a second N For one thing, partner would most likely return ♥ A 10 6 4 2 ♥ K 8 3 round of the suit. To know what to play you W E the six from 9-6-3-2. For another, it is not very ♦ J 7 2 S ♦ Q 6 3 simply watch to see whether all follow. When likely that South has two singletons. Taking ♣ 10 8 ♣ Q 9 5 4 they do, you take your ace. It would be wrong the ace in case partner is the one with the ♠ 8 3 to hold up twice as then declarer might switch singleton is not a good idea either. South, ♥ J 7 5 to clubs, making four tricks in clubs, two who has shown five spades and four hearts ♦ K 10 9 5 hearts and a spade. Only if East shows out on in the bidding and has already played a club, ♣ A 7 6 2 the second diamond do you hold up your ace cannot have four diamonds. until the third round. The thing to do is to play for the nine to be top West North East South of a doubleton diamond. Duck the trick, play - 1♠ Pass 1NT ing the seven to encourage. This way, partner 4. ♠ J 7 2 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT can come in with the king of hearts, play a dia - ♥ A 6 End mond to your ace and score a diamond ruff. ♦ K Q J 10 8 4 ♣ J 9 You lead the ♥4 to the ♥9, ♥K and ♥5. ♠ 10 8 3 ♠ Q 9 6 4 N Partner returns the ♥8, to which South follows 3. ♠ 10 2 ♥ 10 4 W E ♥ J 8 7 3 2 with the ♥7. ♥ A 9 ♦ A 7 5 S ♦ 9 3 ♦ K Q J 10 8 4 ♣ K 10 8 5 2 ♣ A 7 Firstly, who do you think holds the jack of ♣ Q 6 2 ♠ A K 5 hearts? This is easy. With the king-jack, ♠ K 8 7 4 ♠ Q 9 6 3 ♥ K Q 9 5 partner would win the first trick with the jack, ♥ 10 8 7 5 2 N ♥ K 6 4 ♦ 6 2 not the king. You cannot, therefore, run the W E ♦ A 7 5 S ♦ 6 3 ♣ Q 6 4 3 first five tricks. You can hope, though, to find ♣ 10 ♣ A 8 7 4 partner with the three of hearts. The return of ♠ A J 5 the eight is consistent with K-8-3. Of course, if ♥ Q J 3 West North East South you take your ace and clear the suit, you will ♦ 9 2 1♦ Pass 1♥ never get in to make your long hearts. ♣ K J 9 5 3 Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT The solution is to duck. This way, when End partner gets in with the spade king or (on another layout) the club ace, you will make West North East South You lead the ♣5. Partner wins the ♣9 with the three more heart tricks to beat the contract. 1NT ♣A and returns the ♣7, as South follows low Pass 3NT End once more.

On each of the first three deals, you held up 2. ♠ 9 You lead the ♥5. Partner wins with the ♥K and (ducked) an ace. On the first two, you did so ♥ A 9 6 4 2 returns the ♥6, as South follows with the ♥3 to maintain a link to partner’s hand. On the ♦ Q J 10 8 4 and ♥J. After the ♥A wins, declarer calls for third, you did so to cut declarer off from ♣ 6 3 the ♦K from dummy, on which partner plays dummy. Do you want to duck again? A glance ♠ Q 10 5 2 ♠ J 8 6 the ♦6. at the diagram should tell you the outcome if ♥ 10 N ♥ K 7 3 W E Have you worked out the heart position? With you duck. Partner does not have the hoped- ♦ A 7 5 S ♦ 9 3 the king-queen, partner would have played for third club. After the jack wins the second ♣ Q 10 8 5 2 ♣ A J 9 7 4 the queen at trick one (lowest from touching trick, declarer still has a stopper with Q-x and ♠ A K 7 4 3 honours in third seat). Clearly, you cannot makes the contract. ♥ Q J 8 5 take the ace of diamonds and run the hearts. ♦ K 6 2 Here your good club spots (the ten and eight Since you are going to have to part with your ♣ K are equals with the nine gone) and your sure ace of diamonds before South’s second heart entry in the ace of diamonds mean you need stopper has gone, you must accept that the not worry about trying to give partner a way to heart suit is not going to run. West North East South reach your hand. You should win the club 1♠ Perhaps you can arrange for a similar fate to return with the king and continue with the eight Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ befall dummy’s diamonds. If partner has the (or ten). When you come in with your ace of Pass 4♥ End king or ace of clubs, declarer has no way of diamonds, you can play clubs from the top and getting to dummy except in diamonds. run enough tricks to beat the contract. ■

Page 58 Mike Wenble Says

Count Your Losers as Declarer

n some deals, it is better to count on a spade. For this plan to work, declarer No matter what the heart layout, the losers than winners. This is not would need to play on spades before defenders could cash no more than two Osimply because there are fewer losing the lead. He would need to win the tricks by attacking the suit. This meant of them; counting losers can often be the club and play a spade to the queen. If that declarer could afford two spade prelude to devising a plan for disposing West held the king of spades, the finesse losers. A moment’s thought would tell of them. Take this deal: would win – he could then discard his him that, by playing the nine from losing club on the spade ace. When, in dummy at trick one, he could limit his fact, East has the spade king, he would be spade losers to a maximum of two. Dealer South. Love All. Teams. out of luck and lose three tricks. The following deal shows how ♠ A Q In a no-trump contract, it can be harder determining the number of losers in one ♥ A K 10 to count losers. However, this does not suit can dictate the play in another. ♦ K 7 6 3 mean that you should make no effort. On ♣ 9 8 7 2 the next deal, declarer’s failure to count ♠ J 10 9 8 3 2 ♠ K 7 6 5 losers led to immediate disaster. ♠ A 9 7 6 5 ♥ 3 2 N ♥ J 8 7 5 4 ♥ A 8 7 5 W E ♦ A S ♦ 9 ♦ J 10 ♣ K Q J 5 ♣ 10 6 4 Dealer South. Love All. ♣ A Q ♠ 4 ♠ K 9 N ♥ Q 9 6 ♥ J 8 4 W E ♦ Q J 10 8 5 4 2 ♦ K J 3 S ♣ A 3 ♣ A J 10 9 5 ♠ Q J 3 2 ♠ Q 10 8 7 3 2 ♠ A 6 ♥ Q J 10 9 6 ♥ A 10 7 N ♥ K 9 5 2 ♦ A Q The bidding was fast and furious. South W E ♦ 8 4 S ♦ 9 7 5 2 ♣ K 4 opened 3 ♦, West bid 3 ♠, North bid 3NT ♣ 8 6 ♣ 7 4 2 and East 4 ♠. This went round to North, ♠ J 5 4 who bid 5 ♦. All passed and West led the ♥ Q 6 3 South declared the fine contract of 6 ♥, king of clubs. ♦ A Q 10 6 and West led the club jack. Declarer South counted his losers. One in clubs ♣ K Q 3 could see a possible loser in trumps, and (the three), one in diamonds (the suit is a possible loser in spades. He did not solid apart from the ace) and none in the count a possible diamond loser, as he majors (the hearts are solid and the ace South opened 1NT and North raised to knew he could throw a diamond on the of spades faces a singleton) gave a total 3NT. West led his fourth-highest spade. fifth spade. of two. In 5 ♦ at teams or rubber bridge, South counted nine top winners: five in To find out whether he could afford to having two losers was fine. Declarer clubs and four in diamonds. Perhaps lose a spade, his correct line of play is to simply won the first club and knocked distracted by this good news, he win the lead in hand and run the queen of out the ace of trumps. West won and neglected to count his losers. hearts. If West turns up with the king, the cashed a club, but declarer could ruff the In an attempt to gain the lead to cash all contract is 100% secure. Declarer can third round of clubs and claim the rest of his winners, he hopped up erroneously draw trumps ending in dummy and make the tricks. with dummy’s king of spades at trick one. the safety play of a low spade away from Now suppose that the contract was 6 ♦ East won and returned a spade. When the ace to cater for K-10-8-x on either or that, at matchpoint pairs, declarer took West captured the jack with the queen side. If, instead, the heart finesse loses the view that 400 for 5 ♦ just made would and the suit broke 6-2, declarer finished then declarer cannot afford the luxury of not be enough for a good score. In this with six losers and hence seven winners. a safety play in spades. In this case, he case, two losers would be too many. Declarer should have counted that he had must finish drawing trumps and run the Declarer would need to aim to dispose of no losers in the minors; he could thus queen of spades, hoping to find West one of his club losers by discarding a club afford four losers in the majors. with the doubleton king or K-8-4. ■

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