Derek Rimington Says with a Good Suit

he primary objectives for suit In the sandwich seat – when both the are: Hand 3 Hand 4 opponents are bidding but your partner T m K J 9 8 6 m Q J 9 8 6 has passed – the need for a good suit is 1 to direct the ; n 6 4 n 4 extra strong. For one thing, there is a 2 to suggest a ; o A 7 6 2 o 7 3 reduced chance that your side will buy 3 to crowd the opponents’ bidding, p 9 3 p A Q 9 8 6 the contract. This adds to the need to bid ideally to push them too high; a suit you want led. For another, 4 to reach a contract your way. knowing about each other’s hands, they The range for a suit overcall at the one Hand 3 is a minimum overcall of 1m not are in a good position to penalise you. level is extensive and you should count vulnerable if RHO has opened 1p points for high cards and distribution. because it stops LHO from responding Any six-card suit is suitable; with five 1n. Exchange the eight of spades for the Dealer: South. Love All. cards, suit quality is more important queen and it becomes a sound overcall at m K 9 4 than strength elsewhere in the hand. any vulnerability. n A 8 5 2 Hand 4, with the two decent five-card o 8 6 suits, justifies an overcall of 1m over 1o. p Q J 4 3 Hand 1 Hand 2 If you run into a penalty double, you m J 5 m Q 8 7 6 2 m K J 9 8 4 m K 7 5 4 2 might escape into your second suit. n J 10 7 3 N n Q 9 6 W E n 6 2 n J 6 Two-level overcalls normally require a o K 10 7 2 S o A Q 3 o 5 3 o Q J 6 good six-card suit such as Q-J-9-8-6-4 p 7 6 5 p 9 8 p A J 5 3 p K J 6 or better and the values for an opening m A 10 3 bid. A very strong five-card suit also n K 4 qualifies if it obstructs the opponents. o J 9 5 4 At love all, your right-hand opponent p A K 10 2 opens 1p. Hand 1 is worth an overcall of 1m but hand 2, with more points, is Hand 5 Hand 6 not. The reason is that (1) has the jack of m K 5 m 7 5 2 West North East South spades to support the king and good n 6 2 n 6 2 1p secondary cards in the nine and eight of o K 4 2 o A 7 2 Pass 1n 1m 1NT spades. Also, 5332 hands are not as p A J 7 6 5 4 p A K J 10 6 Pass 3NT End power ful as 5422, especially if an opponent has bid the four-card suit. With This was how the bidding went at one hand 1, your length and the 1p opening If RHO opens 1m, pass with either of table in a Crockford’s match. Goaded by make it likely partner is short in clubs, these hands if you are vulnerable. If not the overcall, West led the jack of spades. increasing the chance of a spade fit. vulnerable, you can overcall 2p. Declarer won in dummy with the king Vulnerability is an important factor – You would need a hand like hand 7 to and later finessed the ten of spades. neither hand would be worth 1m if overcall at unfavourable vulnerability: Eight tricks had become nine. vulnerable. Suit length is also most The overcall was particularly poor, as important. Substitute the jack of hearts East has a good holding in the other in hand 2 for the jack of spades and you Hand 7 unbid suit, diamonds. can justify a 1m overcall, even if m K 5 At the other table, the bidding was the vulnerable, because of the six-card suit. n 6 2 same except East passed over 1n. After Conscious competence is a valuable o 7 4 2 West led the two of diamonds, declarer attribute when overcalling. The more p A K Q 8 6 2 made only eight tricks. favourable the vulnerability and the Now for my hobbyhorse – bidding is more opposing bidding space you can more important than play! Even a near consume, the greater the case for Here you have a very good suit and six beginner would make 3NT on a spade making an overcall. likely tricks in your hand. lead but not on any other. I

Page 37

Dave Huggett Says Don’t Give a and Discard

joy as declarer is ruffing losers Let’s change the deal ever so slightly: in one hand or the other – but m K 8 7 2 Ayou just can’t on some deals … n 6 5 o K 9 6 m K 8 7 2 p 7 6 4 3 n 6 5 m K 9 7 2 m 5 3 m 6 4 o K 9 6 4 n Q 5 n K Q J 2 N n 9 8 7 4 3 p A 6 4 o o W E o m m K 8 6 Q 7 3 S J 8 4 5 3 6 4 p K 6 4 3 p J 9 8 2 p Q 10 5 n K Q J 2 N n 9 8 7 4 3 m m m o W E o 5 10 8 3 A Q J 10 9 Q 10 3 S 8 7 n A K J 4 2 N n 10 9 6 3 n A 10 p J 9 8 2 p Q 10 5 3 W E o 10 7 3 S o Q J 5 2 o A 10 5 2 m A Q J 10 9 p J 9 8 2 p Q 10 p A K n A 10 m A Q J 6 4 o A J 5 2 n 8 7 p K 7 o A 9 4 South arrives in 6m and you lead the p A 7 5 king of hearts. Declarer wins, cashes two top clubs from hand, goes over to The contract and lead are the same. If dummy with the king of spades and ruffs again declarer wins the opening lead, West North East South a club. He then draws the last trumps ruffs a club after drawing trumps and 1m and exits with the ten of hearts to your exits with a heart, there is a serious Pass 3m Pass 4m jack. These cards remain: difference. These cards now remain: End

With twenty-six points, you arrive in 4m m 8 7 m 8 7 but are sorry to see no way to obtain n n Void useful ruffs anywhere. Success appears o K 9 6 o K 9 6 4 to hinge on a 3-3 club break, in which p 7 p Void case you make five spades, two m Void m Void m Void m Void diamonds and three clubs. A glance at n Q 2 N n 9 8 7 n Q 2 N n 9 8 7 o W E o o W E o the diagram shows that this wish would Q 7 3 S J 8 4 Q 10 3 S 8 7 not come true – but just imagine that p J p Void p J p Q West mistakenly starts with three rounds m Q J m Q J of hearts. (Maybe West thought that n Void n Void East’s three of hearts on the first round o A 10 5 2 o A J 5 2 showed an odd number, while East just p Void p Void meant it as discouraging. These things happen!) This would be a serious error because declarer could ruff the third Can you see that, if you led another You as West are on lead. Here, while a heart in dummy while discarding a heart declarer would be able to throw a diamond lead would let declarer pick up losing club (or diamond) from hand. diamond from dummy whilst ruffing in the suit, a ruff and discard does him no Allowing declarer a ruff and discard is a hand? Then he would have no diamond good – with at least three diamonds left cardinal defensive sin. You should avoid losers! It would be just as fatal for you to in each hand, he will still have a this at all costs – or nearly all costs, as lead a diamond as then declarer could diamond loser! So, it would be equally we shall see later. pick up that suit without loss. safe to lead a heart or a club. This is On the next deal, move to the West The only safe thing is for you to lead rather an exceptional case, however. The seat and see how your refusal to give a your last club. Declarer can ruff in hand basic principle of never giving a ruff and ruff and discard will break the contract: but will have a diamond to lose. discard is a sound one. I

Page 40 PROGRAMME This is the format for all duplicate weekends and AT BARONY CASTLE AT rarely varies. Eddleston by Peebles, Peebleshire, Scotland, EH45 8QW BARONY FRIDAY CASTLE o Full- o All rooms with 1500 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities 2008 Welcome Desk open Afternoon Tea o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking

1745 to 1830 o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz Welcome drinks pool and fitness suite and two seminars reception ______1830 to 2000 BOOKING FORM DINNER Please book me for ..... places, 2015 BRIDGE SESSION 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... SATURDAY for the Barony Castle weekend(s) of ...... 0800 to 0930 ...... BREAKFAST

1000 to 1230 Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 1-3 February SEMINAR & Leads & Defence SUPERVISED PLAY Address...... of SET HANDS 1 DerekFULL Monk (tea & coffee at 1100) ...... 7-9 March 1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET Postcode ......  ...... Overcalls LUNCH Chris Barrable Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 1400 to 1645 but we will do our best to oblige) BRIDGE 24-26 October SESSION 2 ...... TEAMS of FOUR Doubles Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking Derek Monk 1815 to 2000 DINNER ...... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 7-9 November 2015 BRIDGE by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3 Signals & Discards your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, DUPLICATE PAIRS Chris Barrable 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST

1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 2 (tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) £209 1230 to 1400 per person CARVERY LUNCH full board , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH 1400 to 1645  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 BRIDGE No Single SESSION 4 e-mail: [email protected] Supplement DUPLICATE PAIRS website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 41 PROGRAMME This is the format for all AT THE OLDE BARN duplicate weekends and rarely varies. AT THE Toll Bar Road, Marston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT FRIDAY OLDE o Full-board o All rooms with BARN Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities 1500 Welcome Desk open o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking Afternoon Tea o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz & two seminars 1745 to 1830 pool and fitness suite (on duplicate weekends only) Welcome drinks reception ______BOOKING FORM 1830 to 2000 DINNER Please book me for ..... places, 2015 BRIDGE SESSION 1 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... DUPLICATE PAIRS for the Olde Barn weekend(s) of ...... SATURDAY ...... 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST

Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & Address...... SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 1 2008 ...... (tea & coffee at 1100) 1230 to 1330 14-16 Mar (£209) Postcode ......  ...... COLD BUFFET Declarer Play LUNCH Bernard Magee Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige) 1400 to 1645 28-30 Mar (£199) BRIDGE Improvers* ...... SESSION 2 TEAMS of FOUR Leads & Defence Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking Ray Hutchinson 1815 to 2000 ...... DINNER 16-18 May (£199) Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2015 BRIDGE Overcalls by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3 your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Alison Nicolson DUPLICATE PAIRS 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. 24-26 Oct (£199) Should you require insurance, you should contact your own SUNDAY Further into insurance broker. the Auction 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST Ray Hutchinson 1000 to 1230 No Single SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY Supplement of SET HANDS 2 Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (tea & coffee at 1100) Room upgrades and (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) special B&B rates 1230 to 1400 for Sunday nights CARVERY LUNCH , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH are available.  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE *Improvers’ Weekends are e-mail: [email protected] SESSION 4 aimed at the novice player and/or those picking up the website: www.holidaybridge.com DUPLICATE PAIRS game after a long break.

Page 42 READERS’ LETTERS

HAPPY READER your magazine that there is opponent doubled. Tactics occasions and not even Seeing the number 86 on the bridge online, which is free. are not my strong point. received the courtesy of an latest edition prompted me to Can you please give me Tony Hobson acknowledgement. have a look to see just how details? Thank you so much (‘Old York’ on bbo), York. Eryl Edwards, long I have happily been for your magazine, I really Wetherby, West Yorks. receiving your magazine. do enjoy it. BRIDGE BASE What can readers BRIDGE number 1 was in the Kath Moorhouse, In a recent issue, recommend? summer of 1994 – only 30 Bingley, Yorks. recommended pages – but even then it The best free site for dup - www.bridgebase.com for THANKS BERNARD was an interesting read. licate bridge is Bridge Base weaker players as one of the I have written to you once We do not play much now Online, which you can join best means of improving already about how good but I do enjoy reading about via www.bridgebase.com. one’s play. It certainly seems More Bidding is. the game. Many things really Within Bridge Base, there are to be an extremely versatile The main thing I would have not changed over the a number of groups and comprehensive site but now like to say is that I find I years. There might be some including a British-based my wife and I are somewhat am making unusual bids fancy bidding and a few new group called ‘Acol at BBO’. dismayed that the bidding when other people do not ideas at the table, but there You can visit this website sections it has seem to cover seem to think of them. The are still 13 cards in a suit. www.acolatbbo.org.uk but it only SAYC and not Acol. reason for this is completely Playing 3NT today is much gives little information for the Your December issue due to Bernard Magee’s the same now as when I prospective member. You can points out that it has its own teaching in More Acol played and taught endless at least see the times of their group of Acol players, but so Bidding. He has given me so years ago. tournaments. In any case, far we have not found any many ideas I cannot thank Tony North-Graves, Norwich. you will need to become a lessons, etc that cover Acol. him enough. Another point is member of BBO before you Have we missed something? my play has improved so WE LOVE can join ‘Acol at BBO’. See Terry Arthur, Stamford, Lincs. much – thanks again, YARBOROUGH also the following letters. Yes, you need to join the Acol Bernard. Please forward my compli - group ‘acolatbbo’ – see also Sheila Gillan, Thornton ments to Michael Scarrott for ACOL AT BBO the previous letter. Cleveleys, Lancs. his beautifully whimsical Would it be possible for one Christmas story about the of your writers (Stephen CLUB MANAGEMENT DECLARER PLAY bridge club dogs, Yarborough Cashmore perhaps) to do a SOFTWARE I was very impressed with and Blackwood (BRIDGE 86). feature on online play? I am the financial auditor Bernard’s latest Bridge Much better than all the I play regularly on Bridge and a member of Wetherby Program, Declarer Play. Scrooge/humbug type stories Base Online, where we have Bridge Club. We still prepare Although I teach bridge, I printed elsewhere! our own Acol Club, and enter the accounts by hand. I was do not play very often, and I hope Michael will put his free tourneys and attend wondering whether, from my card play is getting stories in a book. I am sure regular teaching sessions your experience, you could ‘rusty’. I am sure that the friends who play would be there. We even have our own suggest a computerised time that I spent familiarising delighted to receive such a website acolatbbo.org.uk. accounting package, myself with the program had light-hearted publication. My main problem concerns including membership an immediate effect. I Judith Webb, Purbeck U3A the different scoring details, which we could look managed to achieve scores ‘Bridge for Fun’, Dorset. methods. It can be frustrating at and possibly use in the of 71% and 63% with different to play a difficult game future. We have partners in the evening BRIDGE ONLINE contract with care, only to get approximately 250 members. events immediately after my I am no longer a member of a bad score, either because As a matter of interest, I have practise sessions! the EBU so would like to play others made overtricks or e-mailed the EBU on this Tony Butcher, bridge online. I have read in because a misguided subject on two or three Crowthorne, Berks.

Page 43 player can score the bonus. It Bridge Companion (letters, READERS’ LETTERS continued does not matter whether it is BRIDGE 86) is wending its declarer, dummy or defender way to a lady in Scotland. – but the cards must be held She tells me that she will use BEGINNERS PLEASE EIGHT DEALS, in one hand. Normally you it to help teach her small I have never played bridge FOUR RUBBERS score honours only in class at the local but would like to learn how Mr D Solomons asks if bridge and not at duplicate. college. to. Do you run beginners’ anyone can better a I have had subsequent courses? sequence of five contracts in BENEFITS calls and even one from an Mr A H L Anderson, a row of three no-trumps bid OF RUBBER old friend who wanted to say Abergavenny, Gwent. and made. No, if he means I could hardly agree more hello and that he was sorry Yes, the first is over the long by one declarer but, if by one with Norman Hart (Issue 86) that I was not playing any Easter Holiday weekend this partnership, yes. on the need to revive rubber more. year – see my editorial. My wife and I, while bridge, but for different Therefore, I am very playing social bridge against reasons. I do not think his grateful to you and the HOW CAN WE another couple, once bid and suggestion of established bridge players who are IMPROVE? made 3NT on six consecutive bridge clubs in dedicated clearly all benefiting from I am part of a small social deals. We made 4m on the buildings is necessarily your publication. group of older folk who get seventh deal and 3NT again practical – the finance Louis Kramer, together to play bridge. We on the eighth, making four involved, the fact that many Preston, Lancs. are conscious that we are 700 point rubbers in eight older people do not drive any playing at quite a low level, deals. more etc. Still, rubber bridge GRAND SLAM but have no wish to join a There was nothing is probably the ideal I have a more remarkable club. How can we improve knowingly odd about the transition from bridge story to tell from my 68 years our play? shuffling or the dealing. We lessons to club playing. The experience of the game than We read your magazine kept on getting about 26 pace is slower than Sam Goldman of Leeds told and are baffled and points between us and most duplicate, and you can in Bridge 85. astonished in equal of our auctions consisted of concentrate on the cards Back in probably the 1960s, proportions. We read about just two bids. I kept the score instead of trying to work out my husband Lawrence and I TDs and their problems and cards for a number of years how to fill in the initially were just playing rubber are amazed. Mind you, we but nobody was interested, confusing paperwork and bridge with our neighbours do all like the magazine, so they went in the bin. wondering what an arrow Phil and Pearl Duncan (now even though we do not Shortly after this, the other switch might be. It is also running a small club in understand some of it. husband gave up the game. less pressurised. Cardiff). Pearl went white Our problem is that no two John Hinde, Esher, Surrey. My own club positively after a deal during the books seem to say the same encourages newer players evening (not with new cards) thing – about opening points, WHO SCORES with one afternoon of rubber and we gathered that she responses etc. In addition, HONOURS? bridge and a second had a super hand so we what are the different levels I wonder if you could clear afternoon for supervised advised her to bid as normal. of conventions? Is there up something for me. At a play. These give newer She bid 7NT. some basic level that we can bridge drive yesterday, one players the opportunity to Her hand had 37 points all use and understand? of our four stated that any find their feet without having and the four-card suit was So how can we improve? player could claim honours – the sky fall on their heads. spades! What is more, to What would you – or your declarer, dummy or either of So take positive action and add insult to injury, Phil had readers – recommend? There the defenders. I had always give more power to rubber the remaining three jacks! must be other friendly little believed that to claim points bridge. Either you prefer it, as Top that one! groups like us, who play for honours the hand holding Norman Hart does, or you Janet Miller, by e-mail. grimly in two diamonds and them had to be on the enjoy it as I do and would like make a surprising three declaring side. to stay with it for a bit before DICTATORS overtricks. Kate Leonard, by email. moving on to duplicate. It is I personally feel that the Ivor Williams, Your colleague was right. In a not about money, Norman. I endless EBU discussion is Okehampton, Devon. contract, when honour am currently 7p ahead of an pointless. At the end of the You may find the Mr Bridge cards are the five top trumps old adversary… and that is day the EBU will do whatever 2008 Bridge Players Diary – A-K-Q-J-10 – you score 100 real fun! they want to. They are in a useful as it includes an Acol points above the line for Stella Burnett, by email. different world, they appear summary by Ron Klinger and holding four of these cards to have no idea how a a summary of the Laws and and 150 for all five. At no- A REAL COMMUNITY normal, average bridge club Ethics. In addition, it contains trumps, the honours are the Just a note to tell you that really works. scoring tables for duplicate and, if you hold all through the good offices of John Riddleston, and rubber. four, you score 150. Any your magazine my BBC Witnam, Essex.

Page 44 READERS’ LETTERS continued SHORT AND TO THE POINT

Please publish some Occasionally could you I am very much a beginner at RADIO FOUR inexpensive puzzle books. recognise that there is a this game, although aged 75. Mrs Plumridge, London W6. whole world out there that Mr H Walmsley, The articles in the Christmas plays 5-card majors. Mr M I would like to see the return Malmesbury, Wiltshire. edition of BRIDGE certainly Jones, Canterbury. of Dick Atkinson’s Baron. stirred up the media with We love the commemorative Mr J A Hall, Cranleigh, Thank you. I could never stamps you put on your coverage in the Daily Nr Guilford, Surrey. repay you for your kindness, correspondence. Shirley Telegraph, later picked up by so I’m asking God to. Anon. Who else will fight the EBU Paine, Barnstaple. the BBC Today programme. menace? Valerie Austin, Any chance of a weekend Please include something Well done! Haywards Heath. venue in the North? for the absolute beginner! May I make three further Mrs A Best, Northallerton. The EBU should not Kay Leedham, Oxford. observations? implement their proposals as What a splendid cartoonist Bridge should not become 1 Rubber v duplicate. By they may close many small Marguerite Lihou is – a extinct as it is far too good a definition, duplicate does Bridge clubs. Joan Coombes, genius. Dr J Turner, Colliers game. Mr K Robinson, require a club in order to Swanland, East Yorks. Wood, London. Camelford, Cornwall. play. You can play rubber The EBU only want More Mac-friendly software The friendliness of BRIDGE with as few as four ‘constructive ideas’. Those would be very welcome. shines through all the unkind players for whatever which match their proposals. Ann Franklin, Rugby. words. Tony Mitchell, Ivor Moore, Plymouth. stakes they agree, any Who needs the EBU when Shipston-on-Stour. time, any place. That is Perhaps Bridge is declining you have Mr Bridge? As a beginner I would Mr G Simpson, not to say either is the because of all the rules. appreciate some articles Mrs Jessie Woodhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon. superior form. aimed at beginners. Gill West Bridgeford. Coombs, Brockenhurst. 2 Regarding ‘personal Why not place BRIDGE in the The drawback with modern waiting rooms of your local grooming’ (EBU Thanks for mentioning bridge is the overwhelming dentist and GP’s surgery? BridgeBase. Colin Moverley, description, not mine!): burden of alerts etc. Mrs M Mr K Nuttall, Fishguard. Cheltenham, Glos. surely a simple ‘dress Willis, Stonehouse, Glos. Always very instructive. Keep code applies’ notice at I am pleased to learn that I am pleased to see your it coming! Mr J Chandler, the prize vouchers for the clubs and competitions is magazine had been Hazlemere, Bucks. bridge courses are all that you need. recognised in the national You make the EBU think hard transferable. 3 My observation (and some press. Mrs J G Griffith, about its role. Richard Bomi Kavarana, Tadworth. Hazel Grove, Cheshire. years ago Bardsley, Matlock, Derby. Less of the EBU. The whole agreed with me) is that Good to see a weekend in We in North Yorkshire would matter has become extremely the higher the level of Scotland! Kirsteen Stewart, welcome courses nearer to boring. Mrs C Maskew, competition the worse are Auchencairn, Dalbeattie. home. Mrs C Phillips, Gunnislake, Cornwall. the table manners, Can we have less of the EBU Northallerton, Yorkshire. I cringe when I read of people pettiness and calling for rules rhetoric. Michael I am so pleased you have a ‘objecting’ to advertising. Chapleo, Aberdeen. the director. Furthermore, new venue in Cheshire. Mrs Eimear Dawson, the complaints of A great treat every two Janis Forrest, Fleetwood. St Leonards-on-Sea. aggressiveness, months. Mr D Mumford, York. Looking forward to all of next Of the EBU, please, enough. particularly towards newer I miss the The Baron. year’s issues already! Ms V Cleaver, Herefordshire. devotees, one sees more Mr D Monteith, Suffolk. Joan Kelly, London NW11. As it comes free I don’t know in EBU clubs where the The two new quizzes are a You have replaced the EBU as how I can complain. masterpoint rules very good idea. Mr A Grugan, a conduit for information. Mrs A Glover, Kilmarnock. Weybridge, Surrey. Mr J Turner, Gloucester. supreme, as established No more histories of the players like to assert I really love the cover of your Some of your letters are quite origin of Bridge please. unbelievably rude. Susan Wrener, Edgware, themselves. Christmas issue. Anne Daly, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Mr S Fletcher, Stockport. Middlesex. Bridge (like golf!) is a game we should play for enjoyment not punishment. Chris Dicker, Tavistock, Devon. REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value COMING SOON Rules (all mint with full gum) Simplified. Is the up-date Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well ready yet? as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100 x 30p + 100 x 4p) Mr D Grammer, London N21. /Fax 020 8422 4906 It will be published in July.

Page 45 in 2000, when I went to the LOVELY COVER READERS’ LETTERS continued card room to play bridge. I just want to thank you for A gentleman from Preston your delightful Christmas sat opposite me and said, ‘I greetings on the cover of the 100 NOT OUT would all his aces don’t play Acol, only last magazine! Those three We were interested to read in until the last two or three Culbertson.’ The hosts were kings really made me laugh the Christmas edition (page cards! Derek and Barbara and the page now occupies 45) of Mrs Florence Hawkins, Please exclude my name Rimington. We played a prominent place in my who was 100 years old on and address because people duplicate bridge, and my kitchen. 19th September. Here in in this small town would partner and I managed to As throughout the year France, we also have a recognise him. finish in first place. It was with your splendid member of our club who was Name & Address Supplied. surprisingly easy to come magazine, you have once 100 on 23rd November. She back after such a long time. again given me a lot of plays duplicate bridge twice KEEPS ME IN TOUCH Ernie Hulme, Peterborough. pleasure. I hope you, your a week without fail, and is a This is not so much a family and all your staff have formidable opponent, never question, more a thank you! FLY PAPERS a most successful 2008! losing her way around a Apart from a few The letter from Mr Jones of Anna Pinson, hand. We celebrated with interruptions for reasons Solihull, telling about the Horley, Surrey. cake and champagne in the outside my control, I have ‘sticky’ dealing of his wife club. What a wonderful been an avid bridge player Pauline, reminds me of the TWO HANDS OF advert for our great game. since I was not much more bridge games that my wife POSSIBLE INTEREST Freda and Marc Nicholson, than a child. I am now 96 and I first started with my Firstly, LHO opened 1n and France. years old. parents well over 30 years partner made a of Unfortunately, I am much ago. My father used to hate 2n, showing a competitive HOLDING UP less able to get out to bridge dealing sticky cards. He hand with spades and clubs. For many years, I was a sessions these days. The would make a great fuss and RHO passed and I had a Bridge Teacher. Reading the mind may still be sharp but describe the cards as ‘fly- problem! With a single small letters about big hands the body is less forgiving of papers’. Any readers who spade, two small clubs, reminded me of the time the passage of time! are as old as I am will know three small diamonds and a when I noticed a nervous Fortunately, my BRIDGE what they were. We still use strong seven-card heart suit, lady who looked more magazine continues to the expression in our family what should I do? agitated than usual. The brighten my days. It gives me when the cards are After deliberation, I passed class were having one or two such a lot of pleasure – you becoming old and tacky, and left partner in 2n random deals at the end of have no idea! much to the amusement of without a trump in his hand! the evening and, when I I would just like to say a our children. With the opponents’ hearts went over to her, I found that very big ‘Thank you’ to all at We like the upgrade of splitting 4-2, he made the she had opened 2NT with Mr Bridge. That the Qplus to Version 8.8. only making contract and not 20 points but 30! Her magazine is free is an added John Newbold, gave us a clear top. partner had some values so I bonus although I would Bournemouth. Secondly, RHO opened shepherded her into 6NT. In willingly pay for it should it 1m, I passed, LHO responded fact, only the king of spades become necessary. TRIVIALISING CHRIST 2o and that was passed out! was out against her. The Vi Wintle, Newport, Gwent. This morning I received the The opener attempted to gentleman on lead led – yes magazine BRIDGE 86, justify the unusual sequence – the king of spades. CULBERTSON immediately tore it up, and by saying they should not Occasionally you come Three friends and I in the RAF then had to piece it together have opened and sought to across someone who will in 1951, who had never seen to find your address. rectify that error by passing never make a bridge player bridge, let alone played it, Jesus Christ Himself was partner’s unlimited bid for and I thought this man was were reading the 1930 born in Bethlehem and which they had a fit! one. However, he enjoyed edition of Pears Cyclopaedia. placed in a manger. It You’ve guessed, with our bridge for many years until One section described the completely belittles this fact balanced points giving good his death. Bridge weekends, rudiments of the game of to make a pictorial pun of defence to the usual no- bridge cruises the lot! My bridge. We decided to try it, this, with the Christ-Child trump contract, they made assessment was right but he borrowed a book by represented by a card, even the only making contract to was such a nice man that he Culbertson from the library, if it is a heart. give us a clear bottom. rarely lacked a partner. When and learned the rudiments of Perhaps you could have Just a pair of average I played with him, I was his system. used something with a hands then, which is what careful to ask the subject of In 1955, we learned Acol. I Christmas tree or whatever, makes duplicate bridge so the tutorial at his last bridge have never played or used the nativity scene in interesting! weekend. If it was ‘Holding Culbertson since then, until its proper context. Mr K Lamdin up your Ace,’ I knew he joining a cruise on the Aurora Mrs Hilda Carney, York. Clacton-on-Sea.

Page 46 Tips for Better Bridge and higher than you can afford. READERS’ LETTERS continued Better are Fifty years ago there was still my ‘Books at Bedtime’ and plenty of sixpence-a- that your Bidding Quiz is the hundred Rubber Bridge, but SMALL WORLD duplicate bridge? I believe icing on the cake in the the young now won’t look at How extraordinary that I many people would be . Thank you it. However, in the should be sending this to interested in this. for all your advice. meantime, a splendid new Ryden Grange – a house I Mr R Hill, Fleet, Hants. Mr T Boulton, bridge game has sprung up: knew well as a child, when it Barrow upon Humber. Chicago. belonged to friends of ours in JUST SO At an excellent London Hurstpierpoint. I wonder A few days ago after reading RUBBER FAN club where I have played what became of the Grear your excellent article 6NT In today’s Sunday Telegraph three or four times, the family who owned it then? requires 33 points, I was there is an article headed stakes vary from £1 to £100 Jane Polden, Chichester. playing a social game of ‘Bridge tables hit by outbreak a hundred, but the only They moved to Norfolk. Bridge when my partner (the of unpleasantness’. Even at permitted conventions are dealer) opened with 2NT. my club, which consists Stayman, Blackwood and INAPPROPRIATE I had a nicely balanced largely of well-mannered common sense. No hand with 13 points – a quick golden oldies, and where the transfers, no negative bit of mental arithmetic. standard of play is high, bad doubles. (A lot of money is Partner must have 20, 20 temper has increased made from penalty doubles plus my 13 gives us at least markedly over the years. And of low-level contracts). I 33 – so here goes – ‘6NT,’ I no wonder. Some auctions believe that at another said. My partner made a do not contain a single bid London (private) club, where slight grimace but it was that means what it says, the stakes are £20 a passed out and play began. except (possibly) the last one. hundred, not even Stayman I don’t think supplying these The ace of spades was led. (I contributed a spoof bidding and Blackwood are stamps in a selection One down and twelve to go. sequence to Bridge permitted. package likely to be used But from then on it was Magazine, July 1995, and Not everyone may be around Christmas time, and ‘roses all the way’ – partner two very good bridge players aware that Chicago rubbers while the inquest is still open, collected one trick after took it seriously.) consist of four hands, after is appropriate. another – until the final one The tournament director is which you change partners. Audrey Mattingly, when my partner’s queen of called several times during a You can ‘cut in’ at any table Englefield Green, Surrey. clubs fell under the king. session. Printed cards asking you fancy. The problem is, of I have sent some Disaster! members to behave nicely course, that at most clubs replacements for you. ‘Sorry, partner,’ I said – are placed on the table. you are not permitted to play Those readers requiring apologising (quite Grown men have to endure for money. But prizes can be discounted postage should unnecessarily as it ‘twelve-to-fourteen’ every few awarded, and bets can be ring Clive Goff on transpired) ‘but I thought that minutes. The problem is, of made. Try it.  0208 422 4906. with my 13 points and your course, that the EBU omit the Mr J Merz, Norwich. 20 we might have made it.’ letter D. They are really the CLUBS NOTE THE PS. ‘But I had only 19,’ was the English Duplicate Bridge SADLY NO MORE Norman Hart doesn’t want to reply! I pointed out, as Union, and the Standard I really miss the old style play Bridge, he just wants to politely as I could, that the English system propagated Daily Bridge Calendar. gamble. It’s money and difference between the by them, and the similar Please bring it back. that bring out queen of clubs and the king system propagated by Bridge Robert Owen, Exeter. the bad manners. was only one point – so that Magazine, are much too The publishers just stopped Mrs Sims, if the opening bid had been complex. This is not to producing, but I do have East Preston, Sussex. made on 20 point instead of mention the fact that at something in mind. PS. Clubs voting on the EBU 19 we would have made it! (If higher levels pretty well strategy should ensure we had had the king. . .) everything goes, leading to INTO WALES? members have a secret A perfect vindication of half-hearted ‘explanations’ Hurrah – You have an event ballot. your headline! during the auction, sour in Cheshire, though I have Also an illustration of the comments afterwards, and no idea where Wychwood ANY IDEAS point you make in your making the whole thing a Park is. Do you feel there Is there a scoring method for published works that one feat of memory. would be no support for just two tables that would should always – as far as Bridge is a game designed events in North Wales? There provide a realistic possible – give one’s partner to be played for money. I am are many Bridge players in comparative score for the accurate information – trust convinced that much the best this area. four pairs as happens in is all. way to improve your game is Jean Sumner, Flintshire. larger groups playing May I also say that your to play for stakes slightly Be assured I will look.

Page 47 letter regarding the future of another studio, probably READERS’ LETTERS continued bridge in this country. I asked London. her what she was talking All this happened because about and she said she of my letter that appeared in MY PLEASURE something going with the would e-mail the article to your magazine and which Thank you so much for older generation then the me, which she did. She went somehow managed to get continuing to send me your younger will surely follow. on to say that the main itself into the Telegraph. Of magazine. To some extent I The downside is that you reason she was ringing was course Tony Forrester should feel rather guilty, because would have to pay for the to ask me if I would take part have been a part of this now in my advanced years, I study but if handled properly in a live debate next morning debate as he’s England’s play nowhere near as much I think the amount the on the Today Programme! number one player, but I did bridge as I should like to and experts will want for helping Somewhat dazed, I said feel a little bit of an impostor. have no need to purchase the older generation will be ‘yes of course’ and we Norman Hart, further items. But I do enjoy minimal. proceeded to make Wheathampstead. receiving and reading BRIDGE. I expect this to be torn up arrangements for me to be Albert Edwards, and the death knoll of bridge picked up. She then dropped RUBBER BRIDGE Borehamwood. to continue to ring. Please the second bombshell. ‘You Do you not recognise rubber I will continue to post BRIDGE think about it. will be participating in a live bridge? There are no to you until told to stop. Mr T O’Brine, studio discussion with Tony holidays where rubber bridge Littlehampton, West Sussex. Forrester’. At this point I was is played. I would love to go MEDICAL BENEFIT This has been done. Results beginning to think I was on a rubber bridge break, OF BRIDGE of a study done in America dreaming or maybe but do not wish to play The bridge authorities need were published in 2003 and someone was playing a duplicate. I am quite to get top names in the showed that mental activities rather nasty prank on me. proficient at rubber bridge medical profession to do a such as bridge greatly However, I rushed out and despite being 80 years old. study as to the benefits that reduced the risk of dementia, bought a copy of the Sunday Pax Payton-Smart, Reading. bridge brings to the older whereas physical exercise Telegraph and there it all See page 35 for details of generation. Remembering did not. An earlier study in was on page 9. The excerpt our Rubber / Chicago breaks. that everyone feels guilty 2000 from the University of was taken from my letter that about older people but no California, Berkeley, showed appeared in BRIDGE 86. It OOPS! one wants to be bothered that both the problem solving could still have been a prank My pc detects no errors in with them. That is the truth. aspects of bridge and the but next morning, as the following rhyme; I think The study will show the social interaction bridge promised, a car arrived the total count is 24, unless enormous cost that could be involves had benefits to the outside my house at 7.20 am your readers know better! saved by the NHS, this must immune system. to take me to the studio so it Aye have a spelling chequer, be emphasised. As much In short, playing bridge was all perfectly genuine. It came with my pea see, publicity as possible – TV, reduces the risk of Our live discussion went It plane lee Marx four my papers, radio etc remember, developing illnesses like out at twenty past eight on revue, everyone feels guilty. It also Alzheimer’s disease. At the Monday morning and I Miss takes aye can knot sea. has to be done quickly – six time the studies received thought it went very well. Iran this poem threw it and, months at most. All the costs widespread coverage all Tony and I had a good five As far as eye can tell, will be shown as against the round the world and bridge minutes before we were Its letter perfect inn it’s weigh, savings. My idea is for free received a positive publicity interrupted by John My chequer tolled me sew! lessons – in old people’s boost. National bridge Humphreys with breaking Hugh Williams, Daventry. homes, clubs, wherever, also authorities often refer to the news which was a shame Hugh is a proof reader for transport to be subsidised to results of these studies in because we could easily BRIDGE. He was not given clubs. There are many other their own publicity. have talked for 20 minutes or a chance to read his name ways to encourage people. more. My other regret was misspelt in the last issue. This would then be IT MADE MY DAY that I didn’t get to meet Tony Please accept my profuse presented to the Health An amazing thing has Forrester because he was in apologies, Hugh. I Secretary again with as happened to me. On the much publicity as ever; this evening of Sunday December should be slanted at the 2nd, I received a telephone Write to Mr Bridge at: children of the ‘old uns’, call from a lady who Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH making them feel guilty as announced herself as the or e-mail [email protected]. they do. producer of Radio 4’s Today E-mail correspondents are asked to include their I think aiming at the programme. She said she name, full postal address and telephone number, younger generation will fail, was calling about the article and to send no attachments. there is too much going on in in the Sunday Telegraph that Letters may be edited for length and clarity. the world but if you get printed an excerpt from my

Page 48 More Reaction to the EBU Proposals

ALLOWING ALL A SAY rank-and-file and allowing ideas of his own. neither need nor desire to I am writing to thank you for them to be heard. The EBU has at least join any bridge club, the brilliant Christmas issue Bob Rowlands, London W14. recognised that there is a affiliated or not. (BRIDGE 86). As usual the national problem with the I would like to continue my readers’ letters are a SERIOUS DEBATE way that our game of bridge membership of the EBU, but mixture, some interesting, PLEASE is going and is trying to do it appears I shall be thrown some boring, some I am one of the many of your something about it with this out. mundane. What is important readers who admires discussion. While I do not Richard Ackland, is that your magazine allows BRIDGE magazine and fully agree with all the Kenley, Surrey. the rank and file to be contrasts it favourably with proposals, since I cannot heard. You give them a the EBU’s own in-house come up with any better BULLIED INTO voice. The other magazines publication, which has ideas, the last thing I would LEAVING print very few letters and struggled in the past to want to do is to try and snuff I am Chairman of Anlaby usually either mundane maintain the same levels of out sensible dialogue. Bridge Club near Hull. We letters, or letters praising interest and professional David G Thackaberry, now are greatly reduced in their magazine. By giving the presentation. As a member Westbury, Wiltshire. numbers and very few of the rank and file a voice, in my of the EBU, I was delighted remaining members are, like view you do more for bridge to see that Elena Jeronimidis NOT A CLUB me, members of the EBU. than the EBU, who had agreed to become Many of your They will want us to resign nowadays only seem to Editor of English Bridge. correspondents have from it. After so many years, cater for the elite and the Indeed, we are already objected, with good cause, I feel this is a great pity. regular tournament seeing evidence of to the notion that the Mrs Edna Hunter, North attendees. improvement since she potential changes in EBU Ferriby, East Yorkshire. The Christmas issue assumed the role. membership will compel contained an article by Sally BRIDGE deserves praise for them, against their wishes, VOTES FOR ALL? Bugden, which I have read its role in the continuing to become paying members Just a couple of questions several times but I am none debate about the now of the EBU. I have the for the EBU about their the wiser, merely confused. infamous ‘EBU proposals’. opposite problem! Extraordinary General In contrast, the article by Don However, I read with some I am now an individual Meeting on June 4th – we all Pearson was one of the dismay the letter on the member, a category that I know how important it is to funniest (and wickedly and subject of the ‘Strategy for understand is to be no the EBU to get a fair uncomfortably accurate) Newton Abbot Football more. So I will be excluded reflection on their proposals. articles I have ever read. Universal’ in BRIDGE 86. It from membership unless I I am sure we do not want I do not understand why treats the whole subject of join an affiliated club. At decisions taken based on BRIDGE, which is free, is the proposals as some sort present, I have a choice of the online votes of 744 almost always a better read of joke and dismisses the three duplicate sessions per members! than the other magazines, EBU’s efforts to improve the week each involving 7 to 12 In the light of this: even though we pay for service that it offers to the tables. These are run 1 Will there be postal votes them, either directly or game of bridge as a informally under the for all EBU members who indirectly via our EBU sub. worthless exercise. It is such auspices of a sympathetic cannot attend? Perhaps you should ask Sally a pity that the author, who is local bridge teacher. We do 2 As this decision will affect Bugden. On second clearly blessed with a vivid not even regard ourselves as all non-EBU members of thoughts, don’t bother. imagination and some a ‘club’. We just show up, affiliated clubs, will they Keep up the good work. At literary talent, did not further pay our table money to meet too get a vote? least somebody is standing the debate by putting the costs of hiring premises, Chris Nichols, up for the turkeys – sorry, forward some worthwhile etc. and play. So I have Bude BC, Cornwall. I

Page 49 Bridge H Cruises and Looking for a holiday, short break or a cruise? Why not choose one from our exte

FEBRUARY 2008 FEBRUARY cont MARCH cont APRIL cont

1– 3 Barony Castle 21 –19/3 Chile, Galapagos, 14 – 16 The Olde Barn 25 – 27 Latimer House Peru and 20 – 24 Staverton Park 25 – 27 The Olde Barn Ecuador Easter (4 nights) Gentle Duplicate 22 – 24 Latimer House 25 – 27 Staverton Park 22 – 24 The Olde Barn Improvers Gentle Duplicate 26 –10/5 Caribbean & 22 – 24 Staverton Park Atlantic Isles 24 – 9/3 Tunisia MAY 2008 24 – 26 Marsham Court 2 – 5 Staverton Park The Olde Barn, Marston 29 – 2/3 Staverton Park Bank Holiday Improvers (3 nights) 1– 3 Beach Hotel Marsham Court, Bournemouth 9 – 11 Harben House Gentle Duplicate 9 – 11 Milton Hill House 1– 3 Latimer House 28 – 30 The Olde Barn 9– 11 Theobalds Park 7 – 27 Antarctica Improvers Gentle Duplicate and Chilean 28 – 30 Theobalds Park 9– 11 The Olde Barn Fjords Gentle Duplicate 8– 10 Staverton Park 30 –15/4 Amazon Cruise 8– 10 The Beach Hotel APRIL 2008 8 – 10 Theobalds Park MV Discovery Gentle Duplicate 4– 6 Latimer House 15 – 17 Staverton Park Improvers 29 – 2/3 Theobalds Park Gentle Duplicate 4 – 6 The Beach Hotel Rubber Bridge 19 – 21 Marsham Court MARCH 2008 Gentle Duplicate 11 – 13 Staverton Park Gentle Duplicate 7– 9 Barony Castle Staverton Park, Daventry 11 – 13 Theoba lds Pa rk 7– 9 Harben House Gentle Duplicate 11 – 13 Wychwood Park Rubber Bridge 7– 9 Latimer House 13 – 15 Marsham Court 10 – 24 Northern Capitals Gentle Duplicate 9 – 11 Marsham Court 16 – 18 Milton Hill House Gentle Duplicate 14 – 27 Amazon and the Caribbean 16 – 18 Staverton Park 14 – 31 Cuba, Galapagos Gentle Duplicate & Panama 18 – 20 Staverton Park 16 – 18 The Olde Barn Canal Latimer House, Chesham 18 – 20 Theobalds Park 23 – 26 Staverton Park 14 – 16 Latimer House Gentle Duplicate Bank Holiday Holidays, d Weekends ensive list. Cruises are in blue, overseas holidays in green and UK breaks in black.

(3 nights) Gentle Duplicate (3 nights) Gentle Duplicate MAY cont AUGUST cont JULY 2008 OCTOBER 2008 4– 14 Fjords & 22 – 24 Theobalds Park Scottish Islands or 25 Rubber / Chicago 2– 13 Black Sea I 11 – 13 Ha rben House 24 – 4/9 Baltic Explorer 3– 5 Harben House 14 – 25 Fjords, 29 – 31 Staverton Park 3– 5 Theobalds Park Faroes, 10 – 12 Milton Hill House Fire & Ice II SEPTEMBER 2008 18 – 20 Staverton Park 4– 11 Riviera Cruise Gentle Duplicate 5– 7 Theobalds Park 25 – 27 Theobalds Park Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia 11 – 2 0 Ita lia n Odyssey 24 – 31 Norwegian 12 – 14 Milton Hill House Fjords 12 – 14 Staverton Park 31 –11/6 Fjords, Faroes, 19 – 21 Latimer House Fire & Ice I Theobalds Park, Cheshunt 19 – 21 Milton Hill House

JUNE 2008 20 –2/10 Adriatic & 10 – 12 Staverton Park Aegean 6 – 8 The Beach Hotel Barony Castle, Nr Peebles Improvers Treasures 13 – 24 Black Sea Gentle Duplicate 26 – 28 Milton Hill House Discovery II 25 – 7/8 Arctic Circle 26 – 28 Staverton Park 17 – 19 Staverton Park & Eclipse 26 – 28 The Beach Hotel Gentle Duplicate Rubber / Chicago 17 – 19 The Beach Hotel AUGUST 2008 26 – 28 Theobalds Park 17 – 19 Theobalds Park 7– 14 Fjords & 24 – 26 The Olde Barn Fairytales 24 – 26 Barony Castle 7– 24 Grand Milton Hill House, Oxon Scandinavia 24 – 26 Harben House Gentle Duplicate 6 – 8 Staverton Park 8 – 10 Harben House 24 – 26 Wychwood Park Gentle Duplicate 14 – 24 Baltic Capitals 11 – 21 Midnight Sun 15 – 17 Staverton Park 24 –4/11 Aegean Odyssey 13 – 15 Harben House Gentle Duplicate 31 –2/11 Milton Hill House Improvers 21 – 4/7 Baltic Treasures 22 – 25 Staverton Park The Beach Hotel, Worthing Bank Holiday 31 –2/11 Staverton Park 27 – 29 Theobalds Park Justin Corfield Says Combine Your Chances

hen two or more lines of play In situations where you are able to However, there is yet another chance to are possible, it is not always combine your chances in more than one make the contract. Playing off the two Wnecessary to choose between suit, you often need to do things in the top diamonds and ruffing a diamond will them. On a good day, you are able to try right order. On this deal, if you were to set up the nine of diamonds any time one one suit and, if you find it unfavourably tackle spades before clubs, for example, defender began with oQ-J-10 exactly. disposed, try another one instead! you would end up in the wrong hand to Granted, this is very unlikely, but it costs Here is an example of what I mean: take a heart if neither black suit you nothing to try. If you are able to add cooperated. just two or three percent to the odds of If you come to take the heart finesse, succeeding each time you declare a m 6 4 which card should you lead from the hand, over a year that adds up – to a lot n A J 10 5 South hand to take it? The nine of hearts of matchpoints, masterpoints, money or o 7 3 is correct – you can continue with the whatever it is you play for. p A K J 10 3 queen if it holds. (Give West nK-8-7-6

N to see why you play this way). It would Combining All W E be a shame to get this far only to fall at S Your Chances the last hurdle. m A K J 10 9 Sometimes it is harder to spot where The line of play that caters for all of n Q 9 4 your extra chances are. Take this hand: your chances is to draw trumps and then o A 5 play three rounds of diamonds, ruffing p 9 8 2 the third. If you are so lucky that the m K 2 oQ-J-10 have dropped, you can try the n 6 4 3 clubs for an overtrick (and should buy a West North East South o A 9 4 2 lottery ticket). If the nine of diamonds is 1m p Q 5 3 2 not established, try the pA-K-Q to see if Pass 2p Pass 2m N the clubs divide 3-3. If they do, you have Pass 3n Pass 3NT W E 12 tricks. In practice West shows out on S End the third round. When neither of the m A Q J 8 4 3 minor suits cooperates, your last resort West leads a low diamond against your n K 2 is to try leading a heart up to the king, 3NT contract, unkindly removing your o K 3 hoping the ace of hearts is onside. only stopper there. Since the defenders p A K 7 threaten to run the diamonds as soon as Make Your Own Luck they get in, you will need to make nine tricks without losing the lead. You have You reach 6m after an uncontested I once saw a hand where declarer, an six tricks on top and potential for three auction. West leads a club. There are 11 expert, had a diamond suit consisting of more in each of the other suits – so top winners. How many chances for a the singleton two opposite the ace, jack which suit should you try? twelfth trick do you see? and three. He crossed to the ace of The answer is to try them all! If the ace of hearts is with East, you diamonds and ruffed the three, bringing Cash the pA-K first. If the club queen will be able to lead up to your king of down the oK-Q doubleton from one of drops, you are home. If she doesn’t hearts to set up a twelfth trick. the defenders! (He was my teammate at appear, cash the mA-K. If the queen of You have an extra chance, also, that the the time, thankfully). This play made his spades drops, again you have your nine clubs divide 3-3. If they do, you will be 4m contract, and won us the match. Yes, tricks. If neither queen appears, your last able to discard your possible second heart this is very, very lucky, but how many of chance is to try the heart finesse. loser on dummy’s long club, making the us would even visualize this possibility? This line of play is much more likely contract irrespective of where the ace of Look carefully for where your to succeed than any that puts all of your hearts is. If they do not break kindly, you chances are, and then try to find a line of eggs into one basket. Three chances are can fall back on the hearts – so you play that combines them all. The effort much better than one! intend to play clubs before hearts. will be well worthwhile. I

Page 52