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OnBOArd CrediT £200 up TO wHen BOOked BY 15TH OCTOBer

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt Minerva Lofoten Islands, Norway Alhambra, Spain Exceptional value Bridge cruising aboard Minerva At Swan Hellenic we will always go further and delve that bit deeper. Our on board guest speakers and inclusive excursions ashore take you behind civilisations both ancient and modern, with fascinating results. You will travel in country-house style with around 320 other like-minded passengers. Choose to dine in the restaurant of your choice and in the company of your friends and you will still be assured of exceptional value for money, including all tips on board and ashore. Travel with a truly great British company, established in 1954, and enjoy an experience that will live with you forever. All passengers who have booked and registered through will be eligible to partake in the late afternoon bridge sessions, held on days when the ship is at sea. There is no bridge supplement as, like most of the excursions, it is included in the price. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game.

Departs Cruise Spring 2012 11 Apr EGYPT AND THE LEVANT 15 days from £2,255pp YOur VOYAge Sharm el Sheikh, El Sokhna, Alexandria, Tartous, Latakia, Antalya, Fethiye, Santorini, Piraeus inCLudeS: 25 Apr A CLASSiC SPriNG 14 days from £2,155pp Piraeus, Corinth Canal, itea, Katakolon, Argostoli, Preveza, Kotor, Korcula, Dubrovnik, Palermo, • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks Civitavecchia parties* 8 May A MEDiTErrANEAN MASTErPiECE 15 days from £1,990pp Civitavecchia, Portoferraio, Nice, Port Vendres, Mahon, Malaga, Cadiz, Portimao, Vigo, • Travel in country-house style St. Peter Port, Portsmouth comfort with around 320 22 May ST PETErSBurG AND THE BALTiC 16 days from £2,495pp like-minded passengers Portsmouth, Kiel Canal, rønne, Visby, Stockholm, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdansk, Copenhagen, • Discover the history and Portsmouth culture of civilisations ancient Summer 2012 and modern 6 Jun TrEASurES oF THE BriTiSH iSLES 15 days from £2,175pp Portsmouth, Port of Tyne, Edinburgh, Scrabster, Stornoway, Tobermory, oban, Anglesey, • Enjoy a tailor-made Belfast, isles of Scilly, Dartmouth, St Peter Port, Portsmouth programme of inclusive 20 Jun MiDSuMMEr iN NorwAY 16 days from £2,450pp escorted shore excursions Portsmouth, Bergen, Kristiansund, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Alta, Cruising Trollfjord, Leknes, worth up to £500pp Geiranger, Cruising Akrafjord, Portsmouth • Travel with eminent Guest 5 Jul A FrENCH ACCENT 15 days from £2,150pp Speakers, who bring you Portsmouth, Amsterdam, ostende, St Malo, Bordeaux, La rochelle, Belle Île, Brest, St Peter Port, Honfleur, Portsmouth closer to each destination 19 Jul GArDENS oF THE CELTiC FriNGE 14 days from £1,995pp • Dine in the restaurant of Portsmouth, Dublin, Portrush, Killybegs, Glengarriff, Cork, isles of Scilly, Falmouth, your choice in the company St Peter Port, rouen, Portsmouth of your friends 1 Aug SouTH To THE MEDiTErrANEAN 15 days from £1,995pp Portsmouth, St Peter Port, La Coruña, oporto, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, Palma, Cagliari, • Be assured of exceptional Trapani, Valletta value for money, including 15 Aug VENiCE AND THE ADriATiC 15 days from £2,170pp all tips on board and ashore Valletta, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Split, Trieste, Venice, Pula, Kotor, Sarande, itea, Corinth Canal, • Travel with a British Piraeus company, established in 29 Aug HELLENiC HiGHLiGHTS 15 days from £2,095pp 1954 Piraeus, Souda Bay, Gythion, Nauplia, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, Chios, Symi, Fethiye, Kusadasi, istanbul 12 Sep BLACK SEA oDYSSEY 15 days from £2,550pp To book or request a brochure call istanbul, Samsun, Trabzon, Batumi, Sochi, Yalta, Sevastopol, odessa, Nessebur, izmir 26 Sep AEGEAN AND LEVANT 15 days from £2,275pp 01483 489 961 izmir, Thessaloniki, Kavalla, rhodes, Antalya, Tasuco, Latakia, Tartous, Limassol, Syros, Piraeus www.bridgecruises.co.uk

Fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing a category 12 inside cabin and include all fuel supplements (correct at time of printing but subject to change). Offers apply to new bookings only, are capacity controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Fares shown include all applicable discounts and are not combinable with any other offer. £200 onboard credit applies when booking a category 8 to 3 cabin; or £100 onboard credit when booking a category 2 to 1 cabin. Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and non-refundable. Booking terms and conditions apply. All fares shown are guarantee fares – cabin number will be allocated approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. *Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge guarantee participation in the on board Mr Bridge programme, subject to availability. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Limited ABTA W0392 ATOL 3897.

SH_W11-W12_A4.indd 1 04/08/2011 10:48:47 FEATURES 46 Seven Days 4 Mr Bridge by Sally Brock 9 Bernard Magee says 39 Jeremy Dhondy says Mr Bridge BRIDGE Once they Start A 4NT Opening Asks for Specific Aces Publisher and Running, Doubles are for Penalties Premium Managing Editor 10 Julian Pottage ADVERTISEMENTS Mr Bridge Answers Your Questions Quality Ryden Grange 2 Summer 2012 Knaphill, Surrey 18 Justin Corfield says on board mv Minerva Cards GU21 2TH Don’t Abuse 3 Mr Bridge Conventions Playing Cards ( 01483 489961 19 Derek Rimington says 4 Voyages to Antiquity Use the Rule of Cruise to the Red Sea e-mail: Two and Three 5 Haslemere 2012 [email protected] 21 Bidding Quiz 6 Haslemere 2011 DVDs by Bernard Magee website: 6 Multi-Suited 22 Bidding Quiz Answers www.mrbridge.co.uk Design Pens by Bernard Magee 7 Mail Order Form Associate Editor 23 Defence Quiz 8 QPlus 10 Julian Pottage by Julian Pottage 24 Defence Quiz Answers 11 Bridge Event Technical Consultant by Julian Pottage Booking Form Tony Gordon 25 Declarer Play Quiz 12 Cut-out Form by Dave Huggett 14 Voyages of Discovery Standard Faces Bridge Consultant 26 Declarer Play Answers 2012 Summer Cruises with or without Bernard Magee by David Huggett 17 Charity Bridge Events bar codes. 27 Lead Quiz 20 Bridge Weekends Proof Readers by Andrew Kambites with Bernard Magee Unboxed. Tony Richards 28 Lead Quiz Answers 22 Bernard Magee’s Danny Roth by Andrew Kambites Begin Bridge – Hugh Williams 29 Logical Bridge Play Acol Version Richard Wheen reviewed by 23 Mr Bridge Rubber/ David Huggett Chicago Events Office Manager 30 David Stevenson 25 Mr Bridge Christmas Answers Your Questions Catrina Shackleton and New Year 35 David Gold says 27 Mr Bridge Tutorial Events & Cruises Better to be in the Bridge Breaks Right Suit than at a ( 01483 489961 29 Bernard Magge’s Lower Level Tips for Better Bridge Jessica Galt 36 Prize Crossword Rachel Everett 31 Duplicate Bridge by Sputnik Rules Simplified Megan Riccio 37 Michelle Brunner 33 Stamps 6 red / 6 blue Obituary Clubs & Charities 34 Voyages of Discovery £19.95 38 Heather Dhondy says Winter 2011/12 Cruises Maggie Axtell When Giving a 36 Tunisia 2011/12 [email protected] Ruff, Give a Suit 30 red / 30 blue Preference Signal 36 Egypt 2012 only £60 Address Changes 39 David Huggett says 37 Bernard Magee’s Elizabeth Bryan A Bid of the Opponents’ Better Hand Evaluation ( 01483 485342 Suit is Forcing 42 Global Travel Available from 40 Julian Pottage says Insurance The London All correspondence should Use the Clues from 48 Bernard Magee’s be addressed to Mr Bridge. the Bidding Interactive Software Bridge Centre Please make sure that all 44 Catch Up by Sally Brock 48 QPlus 10 Offers letters, e-mails and faxes ( 020 7486 8222 carry full postal addresses and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not www.bridgeshop.com necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3 0897 Mr Bridge Red Sea ads_Layout 1 28/07/2011 18:08 Page 1 ANTIQUITY CRUISES TO CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS THE RED SEA, PETRA & SUEZ CANAL

If, in the course of your lifetime, you have yet to see The Pyramids, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings or the wonderful surprise that is Petra, you can do so in the course of this Join this exciting voyage to the ancient wonders thirteen day cruise-tour of Jordan, Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean advertised on this page. BOOK NOW FOR SPECIAL FARES The icing on the cake NO SINGLE is sailing through the A 2-night stay in Amman, the bustling capital SUPPLEMENT CYPRUS ON CRUISE* Suez Canal into the Med of Jordan, contrasts with visits to the ancient Limassol city of Jerash and the hidden treasure of along the Lebanon coast Baalbek Petra. Join Aegean Odyssey in the Red Sea Mediterranean Beirut and popping in to have a Sea LEBANON port of Aqaba and sail to Safaga, gateway to Jerash Amman quick look-see at beautiful ancient Egypt and the city of Thebes. From Cairo JORDAN Beirut. A short voyage here visit the magnificent sites of Luxor and Suez Canal Petra Aqaba the Valley of the Kings. Then sail through the Suez across to Limassol, Cyprus EGYPT Sharm el-Sheikh Suez Canal on your way to the ancient city Safaga and then flying home. Luxor Red of Baalbek in Lebanon before reaching the Sea final port of call in Cyprus and the end of 13-DAY CRUISE-TOUR FROM JORDAN TO CYPRUS Mrs Bridge and I are this remarkable 2-week journey. DEPARTS NOVEMBER 19, 2011 really looking forward Cruise in comfort, relax in style HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Guided tour of Jerash and to what promises to be a Aegean Odyssey is a premium ship carrying morning tour of Petra in Jordan; overnight excursion to wonderful opportunity just 350 passengers. The atmosphere on visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak and the Valley of to visit these iconic board is relaxed with plenty of passenger the Kings including evening sound and light show; full day excursion to the Pyramids; transit the Suez Canal; attractions. In addition, space, a choice of restaurants (with open- ancient Heliopolis (Baalbek) in Lebanon. seating dining) and generously-sized for most of us, a large part accommodations, plus the comfort and of the fun comes from a attentive service of boutique-style cruising. MR BRIDGE FARES* Standard Inside £2,195pp Superior Outside from £2,550pp daily game of duplicate. Superior Inside from £2,350pp Deluxe Outside from £2,950pp Standard Outside from £2,450pp Deluxe Balcony from £3,595pp Past passengers of Aegean Odyssey receive an extra 10% DISCOUNT OVERLOOKED NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON CRUISE When I began promoting FARES INCLUDE: Voyages to Antiquity SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS AT ALL PORTS onboard Aegean Odyssey, EXPERT ANTIQUITY LECTURE PROGRAMME I forgot to mention that WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES ON BOARD there were free connecting EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTIES SCHEDULED AIR & TRANSFERS domestic flights to London There is a supplement of £30 for those wishing from the following airports; to participate in the duplicate bridge programme BOOK EARLY – THIS SPECIAL OFFER IS or learn to play bridge. Singles are made especially SUBJECT TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY Manchester, Edinburgh, welcome and a playing partner will always be found. Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, CALL ON 01483 489 961 Jersey and Newcastle, subject to availability and suitable connection times. Some of these may TO 10093 VOYAGES ANTIQUITY require transfers between Heathrow and Gatwick. ABTA No.Y2206 www.voyagestoantiquity.com Do remember that if overnight accommodation * Prices are per person, double occupancy, and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. Singles only pay £295 extra for sole occupancy in hotels. The bridge programme is completely is required, this would be at optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little as they wish. This offer is subject to availability, capacity is controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. additional cost.

Page 4 CLASSIC GREECE 2012 DIARIES JUST BRIDGE As advertised on the front There are two types: From popular demand, Bernard cover of last month’s issue, Standard covers are Black, I am relaunching these Magee you can also join Mrs Navy, Light Blue, Green, events right away. Bridge and I on March Red, Ivory, Maroon and The first will be at at 21 next year, sailing Tan. £6.75 each, Brook Waterloo Hotel Haslemere from Athens to Rome. Ten for £35 or pro rata. Crowthorne, Berkshire. See the map below. Hall 2012 The Luxury version is Friday 28 October to £14.95 each. Features Sunday 30 October. Haslemere, Surrey include a built-in ball Six sessions of point pen and soft kidrell duplicate bridge. covers. Choice of Ruby No prizes, no tuition, Tuesday Red, Bottle Green and just bridge. new for 2012, Navy Blue. 8 May The regular price for these weekend events Morning Session: This cruise is offered with BRIDGE & GOLF no single supplement for will be £199 per person, 11.00 – 12.30 single bookings. Cabins full board with no single Leads from £1495 per person. supplements. This includes We leave the ship at the a roast for Sunday lunch. Afternoon Session: 15.00 – 16.30 end of the cruise to fly Special offer – strictly Losing Trick Count home along with most of subject to availability. the guests. However, some will be staying on board to cruise from Rome around £150 Wednesday Italy and up to Venice. per person Tony and Jan Richards 9 May will be hosting the bridge Payment in full by cheque onboard both these cruises Tony and Jan Richards will or debit card. Ring Morning Session: ( 01483 489961 to 11.00 – 12.30 notching up their 50th be at the Royal Kenz Hotel, Making a Plan sailing for me in so doing. Port al Kantoui this coming avoid disappointment. as Declarer November. There are three The package includes all first class eighteen hole Afternoon Session: excursions and onboard discovery golf course in the vicinity 15.00 – 16.30 lectures, scheduled return of this delightful resort. I have made a recent visit Responding to 1NT flights, gratuities onboard to have a look at all the and local wine with Until Tunisian tourism refurbishing that has dinner. There is, however, a recovers, the golf courses been going on. So pleased supplement of £30 for those will remain delightfully am I with the progress Thursday wishing to play bridge. empty and the weather that I am planning to 10 May in November is just sail onboard at the end GOFF STAMPS right. Do try it. of April from Istanbul Morning Session: In February, Bernard back to Portsmouth. 11.00 – 12.30 Magee will, as usual, be Fares are from £999per Signals and Discards going with a splendid person sharing including team. See the advert on the onboard bridge. Afternoon Session: page 36. Bring your golf 15.00 – 16.30 There will be two separate Endplays playing friends with you. bridge groups. One for bridge before second sitting Conventional postage BRIDGE ROAD dinner, the other for bridge after first sitting dinner, £10 per ticket will never get cheaper, so A three day programme of buying valid British stamps There will also be daily For advanced bridge seminars is planned booking, please call below face value must be opportunities for tutorials. for 2012. Just the topics Haslemere Hall a bargain. It also helps are being changed. Once Bridge onboard will be Box Office support this magazine. For again the proceedings are entirely exclusive to the Clive Goff’s unique service, being filmed. Bookings Mr Bridge party. For the ( 01428 642161 telephone him on: can now be made with the record, this cruise celebrates Please note that all sessions ( 020 8422 4906. Haslemere Hall box office. my 25 years working as will be filmed. [email protected] For details see the advert. Mr Bridge.

Page 5 BETTER BRIDGE coincidence BRIDGE WITH MAC Bernard It’s an odd thing that As a service to readers, I Magee Haslemere Hall is now stock the very latest located in Bridge Road version of a Mac bridge play at or so it seems to me. program, Bridge Baron 21, Haslemere for only £63. I also offer TUTORIALS to take a cheque for £36 Hall 2011 and any piece of old bridge DVDs Some of the first editions of software in part exchange. these wonderful products Offer ends 30/09/2011. Six DVDs record the were made just before 2000, seminars from Haslemere. so they are almost antique BUNDLEWARE Each seminar is divided as far as modern IT goes. into two halves: designed Using this offer, a number to look at subjects from Until now, I have supported of you took the opportunity two different perspectives. every title with each new to buy another piece of As you will have already version of Windows, but 1. Ruffing for Bernard Magee’s tutorial extra tricks £25 read on page 5, the Bernard from now I am supporting software. Some have This seminar deals with declar- Magee bridge seminars only Windows XP, Vista er’s use of ruffing to generate ex- even completed their staged in Haslemere Hall as and 7. Nor can I provide tra tricks and then looks at how collection to date so I have the defenders might counteract part of the 2011 Haslemere replacements for discs that extended the expiry date. this. 74 mins. Festival, turned out to have been stolen, scratched, be even more successful 2. COMPETITIVE cracked or misused. In If you have made a AUCTIONS £25 than I had hoped for, even future the charge for a purchase in the past This seminar focuses on in my wildest dreams. replacement pack is £35. six months or so, do competitive auctions from the perspective of the overcalling And, believe me, that really draw it to my attention side to start with and then from is saying something. QPLUS NEWS and claim your bundle the perspective of the opening discount, if applicable. side in the second part. 86 mins. All the happenings have QPlus version 10 been recorded and made remains the leading 3. MAKING THE MOST EXPERIMENT OF HIGH CARDS £25 into a series of six DVD’s Acol playing bridge This seminar helps declarer to by an experienced film software programme. This copy of BRIDGE is use his high cards more carefully crew directed by Hugh an extra edition of this and then looks at how defenders Go to my web site and Dehn, the well known now famous promotional should care for their precious enjoy a test run. high cards. 83 minutes. television director. magazine. I am trying out For those who already have several new ideas and if you 4. Identifying A hall filled with QPlus, here is another list & BIDDING SLAMS £25 enthusiasts, eager and have received this it means The first half of this seminar is of hands which I do hope willing to learn. The you have been chosen as about identifying when a slam you will find interesting. technical support of the a guinea pig. So do have a might be on – one of the hardest Do send me details of topics to teach, because as soon theatre and several of our go at the prize crossword any you have come across as you announce the topic experienced office staff and send in your answer. everybody is looking for slams. and I will include them on hand to cope with And your comments... The second half covers some of in the November issue. the techniques used to bid slams. almost anything. Add in I need to know. 96 minutes. Bernard Magee on top form 0500 / 02 9028 / 13 All good wishes. 5. PLAY & DEFENCE and you have six highly 9423 / 02 4048 / 02 OF 1NT CONTRACTS£25 entertaining DVD’s. 2406 / 13 2406 / 14 Mr Bridge This seminar looks at the most common and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. The first half looks at declaring the contract and the second part puts us in Multi-suited Design Ball-point Pens the defenders’ seats. 88 minutes.

6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE AGAINST DOUBLED£25 Boxed Set of Four CONTRACTS The first half of this seminar £19.95 explores penalty doubles and the second half discusses the defence against doubled contracts. Four Refills 88 minutes. £2.99 All 6 for £100 See Mail Order Form on page 7. See Mail Order Form on page 7

Page 6 ✄ Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs QPlus 10 £86.00...... Number 1. Ruffing for Extra Tricks £25.00...... QPlus 9.1 (second hand) £62.00...... Number 2. Competitive Auctions £25.00...... Bridge Baron 21 Number 3. Making the The latest version – Mac compatible £63.00...... Most of High Cards £25.00...... Number 4. Identifying & Bidding Slams £25.00...... TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Number 5. Play & Defence £66.00 Begin Bridge – Acol Version ...... of One No-trump Contracts £25.00...... £66.00 Acol Bidding ...... Number 6. Doubling & More Acol Bidding £96.00...... Defence to Doubled Contracts £25.00...... Declarer Play £76.00...... Numbers 1-6 £100.00...... Advanced Declarer Play £81.00...... Defence £76.00...... 2012 Bridge Players’ Diaries Standard: SOFTWARE BUNDLE OFFERS Navy Blue ...... Light Blue ...... Any two software pieces £120.00...... Ivory ...... Red ...... Tan ...... Green ...... Burgundy ...... Black ...... £6.95...... Any three software pieces £175.00...... 10 or more each £3.50...... Any four software pieces £220.00...... Luxury cover with ball point pen: Any five software pieces £265.00...... Ruby Red ...... Navy Blue...... Bottle Green ...... Any six software pieces £310.00...... £14.95...... BOOKS LUXURY PLAYING CARDS (UNBOXED) Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95...... 60 Packs – 30 red / 30 blue £60.00...... Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee £14.00...... 60 Packs, bar coded – 30 red / 30 blue £60.00...... Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book £14.00...... 12 Packs – 6 red / 6 blue £19.95...... Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book £14.00...... TABLES AND CHAIRS Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge £14.00...... Mr Bridge exclusive design black metal PENS chairs, padded back and seat Multi-suited Ball-point covered in black vinyl Set of four £199.00...... Pens boxed set of four £19.95...... Mr Bridge exclusive black metal tables, Refills set of four £2.99...... padded and covered in black vinyl £63.50......

Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. I enclose a cheque for £......

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Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302 ✄

Page 7 QPLUS 10 Really user-friendly bridge-playing software

NEW FEATURES l Updated comprehensive manual l Extra 500 preplayed hands for match-point pairs making 4,000 in all l Displays on HD screen l Improvement over two years from version 9 l Supports large screens l New save match function l Minibridge option l Save deals with automatic file labelling £86 l Extra 500 preplayed hands for including VAT & UK postage teams making 5,000 in all l Closed room – new button to view other table

QPLUS TRADE-IN OFFER SECOND HAND OFFER Return any QPLUS CD and booklet with I have some clean copies of QPlus 9.1 that I a cheque for £35 and receive the latest have previously accepted in part exchange version of wonderful QPLUS Bridge. for the latest version. Order with absolute confidence. Excellent value at only £62.

Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302 System Requirements: WindowsPage XP, 8Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Bernard Magee Says Once They Start Running, Doubles are for Penalties

ost doubles of low-level suit contracts are for take-out. Layout 2. Dealer North. Love All. Layout 3. Dealer North. Love All. However, once you have used ♠ A K 4 ♠ 4 2 Mone penalty double, all further doubles ♥ A K 7 6 ♥ A 7 6 3 should be for penalties. A common oc- ♦ 8 4 3 2 ♦ 4 3 2 currence of this arises after you or your ♣ 7 6 ♣ A K Q 2 partner doubles a 1NT opening: if the ♠ 9 8 7 ♠ Q J 10 ♠ A K 9 8 7 ♠ Q J 10 N N ♥ 3 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 4 ♥ K 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 4 opponents run from 1NT, you must not W E W E let them get away – use your doubles for ♦ 10 9 7 5 S ♦ A K Q ♦ 10 9 7 5 S ♦ A K Q penalties. A word of warning here: to ♣ A K Q 10 ♣ 9 3 ♣ 7 6 ♣ 9 3 double low-level suit contracts for pen- ♠ 6 5 3 2 ♠ 6 5 3 alties you do need length in the trump ♥ 8 5 ♥ 8 5 suit – high cards are not enough. ♦ J 6 ♦ J 8 6 ♣ J 8 5 4 2 ♣ J 10 8 5 4

Layout 1. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ K Q J 10 West North East South West North East South ♥ K J 3 1NT Dbl Rdbl 1NT Dbl Rdbl ♦ 9 5 Pass 2♣ Pass Pass Pass 2♣ Pass Pass ♣ Q J 10 4 Dbl End 3♠ Pass 4♠ End ♠ A 4 2 ♠ 8 5 3 ♥ 10 9 5 N ♥ A Q 7 6 Many players use a wriggle to escape After the same start to the auction – ♦ Q 10 4 3 W E ♦ A K 2 from 1NT doubled: this is not always South redoubles and North bids 2♣ as S ♣ 6 5 3 ♣ A 9 8 best, but it tends to work because their per their convention: once again, both ♠ 9 7 6 opponents are not patient enough to West and East are patient hoping for a ♥ 8 4 2 wait and double them. Here, North penalty. Then, when ♣2 comes round to ♦ J 8 7 6 opens 1NT and East doubles. South has West, he can see he needs to take some ♣ K 7 2 a five-card suit and so plans to take-out other action. He has enough strength for to 2♣, but in their system he starts with game (10 points and partner has 15+), a redouble, which asks North to bid 2♣. but, without enough trumps, it cannot West North East South You do not need to worry about their be right to defend 2♣, so he shows his 1NT Dbl 2♦ system, just be patient. own suit instead. It is important to make Dbl End West with a good hand considering a jump bid to show his strength: 3♠. East his partner has shown 15+ should pass, then chooses 4♠ rather than 3NT. 2♣ North opens 1NT and East doubles for happy to play in 1NT redoubled. North doubled would have gone one off, but penalties. South has a horrible hand and does as requested and bids 2♣. This is +100 is nowhere near as good as the should just leave his partner in it – he when many an East would lose patience, +420 available in 4♠. will go two or three down. This South bidding 2♥, but whenever you have felt the need to rescue his partner and so described your hand neatly, you should Conclusion bid his longest suit: 2♦. This would work trust your partner to find the right call: against many a West because he would West knows East is strong. South passes Once you have made one penalty double, fail to find the correct call. From West’s 2♣ confirming that he holds five clubs all subsequent doubles should be for point of view, his side has the majority and now West pounces: double. East penalties. Doubling is not antisocial; it of points, he has good diamonds and the trusts his partner and declarer scrapes is a normal part of the game of bridge. It opponents are running: double. together five tricks – two ace-kings and is especially important playing duplicate On the ♥10 lead, the most accurate one trump – three off is worth +500, pairs, when +100 can be a poor score, defence will make nine tricks leaving which is more than 3NT making your whilst +200 or +300 will score so much declarer four off for 800. way (+400). better, let alone +800 and +1100. ■

Page 9 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions How do you Reach a Grand Slam?

We play a 20- sequence 2NT-3♦-3♠ shows me 14) and missed 3NT. you will need to agree them 21 2NT open- five spades and a doubleton Where did we go wrong? with your partner before Qing with puppet heart (or a singleton in this Alan Blackburn, Brighton. making another one. Stayman and transfers. instance). While this is fine We open 2♣ with 22+. if you have agreed on the Notwithstanding that ♣♦♥♠ matter, it sounds like you 1♣ might be pre- and your partner had not A pared, without any Opener opened ♠ A K Q 4 2 ♠ J 8 5 discussed the sequence. In prior discussion, your raise to 1♦ and the next

♥ A N ♥ Q J 5 4 3 general, it is best to avoid 2♣ is a weak bid, inconsistent hand bid 3♣ W E Q ♦ K J 7 S ♦ A Q 6 5 4 making undiscussed bids be- with the hand you actually (meant as a pre-empt). ♣ A 10 7 2 ♣ Void cause you never know wheth- held. Often the solution is The 3♣ hand had 11 er partner has understood to bid some other suit and HCP. Is this too much? them correctly. Apart from bid 3NT on the next round. Name and address supplied. West East your partner’s 4NT, which I If you do not have another 2NT 3♦1 do not understand, I have a four-card suit to show, you You can use your 3♠2 4♦ degree of sympathy with all can either bid 3NT straight judgement in decid- 4♠ 4NT of the subsequent actions. away or manufacture a 1♦ A ing how strong you End The message here is that response on a three-card can afford to be when you 1Transfer to hearts you need to discuss your suit. Even a raise to 3♣ does pre-empt. If partner has 2Intended to show five spades partnership’s attitude to not do justice to your hand. passed, you have consid- opening 2NT with this shape It certainly is possible to erable latitude because With grand slams on, and what the sequences play that 2♣ is a forward you will often be able to this was a disaster. 2NT-3♦-3♠ and 2NT-3♥- going bid, forcing for one tell that your hand facing How should I have 3NT show (if you play the round – this is an inverted a hand too weak to open bid as West? former as five spades and raise, whereby 3♣ is weaker will not produce game. Howard Smith by email. two hearts, you might wish to than 2♣. The big advantage The fact that the suit is a play the latter as five hearts of playing inverted raises is minor is also a factor. The For an opening, and a doubleton spade). that you can make the strong chance of having game on neither 2NT nor 2♣ single raise (2♣) on both when your long suit is a A is perfect. Partner ♣♦♥♠ invitational and game-forcing minor is lower than it would will not expect so much hands. The fact that you have be if the suit were a major. shape for 2NT while you Playing a pre- to jump to 3♣ on weak hands There is also a greater are a fraction light for 2♣. pared club is no bad thing. If your side chance that the opponents I would not argue seriously Qand a strong has a club fit, the opponents have game their way. with either choice. My per- no-trump, my partner will have a fit in some other So, while the textbooks say sonal preference is to open opened 1♣. I responded suit, which you want to make that 11 points is a little too 2♣ as I would rather tell a 2♣, which ended the it hard for them to find. strong for a pre-emptive bid, small lie about my strength auction. We both had Since inverted raises, useful many players these days like than distort my shape. weak no-trump hands though they can be, are not to vary their pre-empts, often Some pairs play that the (partner 12 HCP and part of standard methods, with a successful outcome.

Page 10 Ask Julian continued that you have all the key cards and only bid the grand slam once you find out about BRIDGE partner’s king of hearts. We started to bid these hands ♣♦♥♠ BREAKS Qas follows: Playing Acol, ♦ ♦ social rub- Full-board Two seminars* ♠ Q 9 ♠ A 4 Qber, vulner- ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised ♥ K J N ♥ A 8 3 able, part score 40, en-suite facilities play sessions* W E ♦ K 8 4 2 S ♦ A Q J 7 5 partner opens 3♠. ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four duplicate sessions** ♣ A J 9 6 3 ♣ K Q 4 Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, ♠ 8 5 West East ♥ A J 10 7 5 Single .... Double .... Twin .... 1♣ 2♦ ♦ A K Q 5 3♦ 3♥1 ♣ A K Name of Hotel/Centre...... 3♠2 1intended as a cue bid Date(s) ...... 2intended as asking for a spade How should the bidding Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... stopper proceed? Is the part score material? Address...... How would you reach 7♦? Julian Tasker, John Dunbar, by email. Northallerton......

I doubt that I would Not having played Postcode ...... reach the grand much rubber bridge A slam as I am sure A recently, I cannot ( ...... I would open 1NT on the say for sure. My instincts tell West hand. The suits are me the part score may be Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, the wrong way round to material. Partner may have but we will do our best to oblige). show easily and almost half a hand on which he would the values are in the short have opened 4♠ at a love ...... suits. The actual 1♣ should score. Facing A-K-Q-x-x-x-x have been a lucky choice. and a bust, you want to be Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. The usual rule is that in a grand slam, so a slam ...... when you have agreed a try certainly seems in order. minor then a bid below I would probably bid 4NT, Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by 3NT shows a stopper (or planning to sign off in 5♠ if cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent a bid in the fourth suit partner shows zero key cards, with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, asks for a stopper). I do to bid 6♠ facing one key 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent not see why this sequence card and to continue thinking together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you would be an exception. of a grand slam if partner require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Given that you have a shows more than that. control in every suit, I do not think you need to make any ♣♦♥♠ cue bids. You can just bid 4NT over 3♦. When partner What are your shows two key cards, you views on open- can reasonably bid 7♦ if you ing 2NT (20-22) Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... Q (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) are playing Acol because with a 4441 shape where partner is likely to have a the singleton is an ace? Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. five-card club suit. You can Stephen Lamley, Lancaster. ( 01483 489961 then count 12 tricks and assume partner has to have It is common practice e-mail: [email protected] some other values to justify to open 2NT on such website: www.holidaybridge.com the opening bid. If you like, A hands as there is no *on tutorial weekends. **6 sessions on rubber & Just Bridge events. you can bid 5NT to confirm other suitable bid.

Page 11 ✄

Ask Julian continued is an extreme action that If you have not contacted us in the last two you should not take under years, please enter your details in the box normal circumstances. below to re-register: 6♥ went two off ♣♦♥♠ on these hands. Q Reading an old article Name (Mr, Mrs, Miss)...... Qby Bernard Address ...... West East on Asptro defence ♠ A ♠ Q 6 to 1NT, does this ...... ♥ A K Q 9 5 3 2 ♥ J 6 defence apply also to ♦ J 8 7 6 3 ♦ Q 9 4 a strong NT opening? Postcode ...... ♣ Void ♣ A K Q J 9 2 Huw Jones, Swansea.

Telephone ...... Indeed, it must West East be an old article E-mail ...... 1♥ 2♣ A since these days 3♥ 4NT Bernard and I recommend 5♠1 6♥ Landy rather than Asptro. Please send BRIDGE to the following enthusiasts: 12 key cards and the queen of However, to answer your trumps (West downgraded) question, yes you can play the same defence over either Mr/Mrs/Miss...... What would constitute a weak or a strong 1NT. a sensible bidding Address ...... sequence to stop in 4♥? ♣♦♥♠ Sati McKenzie by email...... I read with

Postcode ...... (...... This is a difficult hand interest your to bid because you Qarticle about the E-mail ...... A have plenty of tricks Landy defence to 1NT. on a non-diamond lead. This is fine if you are at The first bid with which to least 4-4 in the majors disagree is 4NT. When you – but what do you do bid 4NT, you should have with 4/5 in the minors Mr/Mrs/Miss...... first- or second-round control and 4/5 minor/major? in any unbid suits – without John Pelley, Watford. Address ...... it, there could be two fast ...... losers even if only one ace is If you have a missing. Here East has only good 5-card Postcode ...... (...... third-round control in the A major, it is fine to two unbid suits (spades and overcall in the major. E-mail ...... diamonds), which is not good Lacking that, one option enough for slam purposes. is to pass on the first round, If East rebids 4♣, that knowing that often responder would slow the auction will retreat to two of your down. West bids 4♥ over shorter major. In that case, Mr/Mrs/Miss...... that. East would seem to be you can double for takeout Address ...... worth a further move, though on the second round. If it is unclear what that should you have a good 5-card ...... be. 4NT is out for the same diamond suit, you may be reason as before and East able to bid 2♦ first time. Postcode ...... (...... has nothing to cue bid. This It is fair to say that nothing E-mail ...... leaves 5♥. Whether West is perfect, which is why passes this is a close decision. we promote the weak I cannot agree with no-trump as it maximises the Please complete all or part of this form and return to West’s decision to show times that a 1NT opening Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. only two key cards either. creates problems for the Giving an incorrect reply other side. ✄

Page 12 Ask Julian continued latter, reasoning that What should might then bid higher. 3NT was only makeable North In any case, you should if my partner had Qrebid in the not worry overly about three clubs, which was situation below? missing game. The cards Both sides are against the odds. do not have to lie so well. playing 5-card As it happens, Qmajors: my partner had Dealer West. Love All. ♣♦♥♠ ♣A-K-x. Should ♠ 7 5 West North East South I have made the ♥ Q 10 6 4 3 2 I held the East 1♥ 2♣ 2♦ ? ‘field’ bid of 3NT? ♦ 10 hand below. Michael Whitfield, Solihull. ♣ K J 8 5 QCould you please South has 8 points ♠ J 9 4 3 ♠ K 10 6 comment on the bidding? ♥ A 8 5 N ♥ K 9 7 and two reasonable On a quick computer W E four-card majors. Must simulation, 3NT ♦ J 8 3 2 S ♦ K Q 7 5 4 South have a five-card A made 46% of the ♣ 10 2 ♣ Q 4 West East suit to bid 2♥ or 2♠? time and 5♣ 39% of the ♠ A Q 8 2 ♠ K J 8 ♠ A 7 6 5 Ken Butcher, time. I suspect that when ♥ J ♥ Void ♥ A K Q 7 Ealing, London W5. both contracts are making ♦ A 9 6 ♦ K J 10 9 6 4 3 2 ♦ Void you are going to do better ♣ A 9 7 6 3 ♣ Q 6 ♣ A K J 8 3 Since West has bid in 3NT. However, when hearts already, South 3NT fails, it may go down A would not want to quite a few. It seems a close West North East South West East introduce the suit even with decision and it is a little Pass 2♥1 Dbl 2NT2 1♣ five. A 2♥ bid from South surprising that nobody else Pass ? 1♦ 3♥1 would not be natural. did the same thing as you. 1weak 2enquiry 4♦ 4NT If South bid 2♠, this would 5♣ 6NT indeed show at least five ♣♦♥♠ Name and address supplied. 1I should have bid 2♥ spades. A competitive double would be the normal way to We were playing North should bid Peter Hargreaves by email. show a hand that is worth rubber bridge in accordance with bidding but with only four Qand had agreed A the partnership If you open 2♣, it spades. 8 points sounds a bit to use 4♣ to check on agreement to show a may be difficult to light, however. South should aces and bid as follows: minimum: although the A show all of your bid 3♣ with three-card club shape is good, with only 6 suits, so opening 1♣ seems support or pass without it. 1♠ 3♠ HCP you have to treat it as a reasonable despite the Incidentally, whether you 4♣ 4♦ minimum. In the Blue Club/ strength of the hand. Over play five-card majors for your 5♣ 6♠ Ogust style, North rebids the 1♦ response, you should opening bids is irrelevant 3♣ to show a minimum indeed rebid 2♥. Partner to whether South needs five What do you think of point count and a poor suit. rebids 3♦ and you rebid 3NT or more spades to bid 2♠. the unusual 6♠ bid? If you play that a new suit – your partner’s repeated John Fogden, shows a feature and a non- diamond bids really have ♣♦♥♠ Stogumber, Somerset. minimum, North rebids 3♥. not improved your hand. The By the way, both East’s bidding becomes murkier I received a Playing Gerber and South’s actions are after that. With an 8-card bottom after is unusual these questionable. East does not suit, partner is likely to bid Qresponding A days. Certainly have the right shape for a the diamonds a third time, 5♣ to my partner’s if you were using some takeout double. The double 4♦. Since all you need in 2NT opener. form of Blackwood then if should show a shortage partner’s hand to make 6♦ you follow 4NT with 5NT in hearts, ideally with four is a semi-solid diamond suit, you are saying that your spades, not a weak no-trump you would cue bid 4♥ over ♠ 8 6 side has all the aces. hand. South, with a singleton 4♦. (This must be a cue bid ♥ 7 Partner may then (when heart, should redouble rather since if you wanted to show ♦ J 9 8 3 holding the right hand) than bid 2NT. The redouble five hearts you would have ♣ Q J 10 7 6 5 decide to place the contract shows a good hand and no bid 3♥ over 3♦). Partner rather than showing kings. particular interest in partner’s makes a return cue bid of 4♠ I do not see why your suit, which is what South and you a further cue bid of The only bids I sequence, which also asks has. If South redoubled, 5♣. Partner might then bid considered were 3NT for aces followed by kings, North might bid 3♣ to 6♣. This seems to be the best and 5♣; I chose the should be any different. show the second suit. South spot if you are in a slam.

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Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available, are subject to availability and include all applicable discounts, for new bookings only. Savings shown apply to guarantee fare, where a cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. Fares shown include current fuel supplements correct at time of printing, but subject to change. Onboard credit offer applies per outside cabin on Summer 2012 cruises departing 11th May 2012 to 30th October 2012, for new bookings made by 15th October 2011. £200 onboard credit applies when booking a category A to F cabin; or £100 onboard credit when booking a category G to K cabin. Onboard credit offer is not combinable with Discovery Club Double Discount offer and is non-transferable and non-refundable. All offers are subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other offer or loyalty offer, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. ^On fly cruises, flights from Manchester incur a £20pp supplement (£10pp each way). See brochure for full terms and conditions. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. *Those wishing to play evening bridge, please note that there is a bridge supplement of £30 per bridge player to be confirmed at the time of booking. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

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VOD_Summer2012_DPS.indd 1 04/08/2011 12:09:16 Ask Julian continued My husband and I use than makes up for the you have, so with 9 tricks 2♦ to mean ‘strong two unguarded club honours, you contract to make 11. in a minor.’ Nobody in so I would treat the North You overcalled 5♦, which is our U3A bridge group hand as a balanced 23 and consistent with opening 5♦. In second seat at has heard of this. open whatever you do with With next to no defensive love all, I held: Bonny Ambrose, Lincoln. that. If 2♦-2♥-2NT is 21-22 values and nothing outside Q and 2♣-2♦-2NT is 23-24, of the suit, I would not In original Acol, I would open 2♣. If 2♦-2♥- consider an Acol 2♦ or hands with long 2NT is 22-23 and 2♣-2♦- Benji 2♣. My second choice ♠ 7 5 A clubs that are strong 2NT is 24+. I would open would be a gambling 3NT. ♥ 8 4 but not strong enough for 2♦. Unless diamonds are 3-0 ♦ Q 6 a game force are difficult with the queen offside, you ♣♦♥♠ ♣ A K Q 10 6 3 2 to bid. Either you open 1♣ can make 6NT. On standard and hope to catch up or methods, unless North Please can you you open 2♣ and hope treats the hand as diamonds explain how I considered opening 1♣ the auction does not spiral rather than balanced, I do Qquantitative (little defence), then a out of control. There is no not see how you get there. bidding works? gambling 3NT (lacking perfect solution. Fortunately, This is a good hand for Brian Griffith by email. an eighth club) and such hands are rare. playing control-showing though I realised that If you play Benjamin, you responses to a game-forcing In simple terms, I probably had enough can open 2♣ and rebid 3♣ opener. If South shows three quantitative bidding for 3♣ rebid after a to show a near game hand controls (ace is two, king is A means that you bid 1♣ opening, I opened with long clubs. If you play one), North will re-evaluate according to the quantity 3♣, which was not a a Multi 2♦, you can include and go looking for a slam. of high cards you hold. roaring success. 3NT eight plus playing trick hands As a partnership, you rolled in at the other amongst the strong options. ♣♦♥♠ need in the region of 25-26 table. Partner held: I must admit I have not high card points for game come across the way you My wife and or 33-34 high card points play a 2♦ opening either. I, in different for small slam. Adding ♠ K J 8 2 Qpartnerships, your points to those your ♥ Q 10 7 3 ♣♦♥♠ held this hand: partner has shown helps you ♦ A J 10 5 decide how high to bid. ♣ 7 North dealt Most writers use the term playing reverse ♠ 8 5 quantitative in relation to QBenji. ♥ Void slam invitational sequences, David Briggs by email. ♦ A K Q 9 8 7 6 5 3 especially to 4NT bids, ♣ 9 2 though it could apply to If you are playing ♠ A Q 4 game invitational sequences. a gambling 3NT, ♥ K 7 Suppose partner opens A you do not need an ♦ A K J 10 8 5 Playing Benji, my wife 2NT, showing 20-22 eight-card suit. If you do not ♣ K Q opted for 2♣ and found points. If you have 11-12 open it on this hand, there her way to 6♦ which points, you do not know N is little point in playing it. W E made. Not playing Benji, whether the partnership You would also reach game S I would have opened has sufficient values for if you opened 1♣. Partner ♠ K 6 2 4♦, but did not get the a slam. It all depends would respond 1♦, you would ♥ A 10 2 option since West opened upon whether partner is rebid 2♣ (you should not ♦ 6 4 3 2 1♠. I overcalled 5♦ and maximum or minimum. To jump to 3♣ with 11 HCP) ♣ 8 6 2 we took 800 from 5♠ find out, you bid 4NT, a and partner would rebid doubled. What would quantitative or invitational 2NT. With your running suit, you have opened? raise. Partner passes 4NT you would raise to 3NT. What should be the Richard Ackland, if minimum and otherwise opening and the rebid? Kenley, Surrey. bids on. A quantitative 4NT ♣♦♥♠ Patricia Wicebloom. bid is therefore natural With 9 tricks in and invitational. This How should I am unsure from my hand, I would distinguishes it from a 4NT you open the your question how A open 5♦, not 4♦. bid in an auction where the Qbidding with A strong your no-trump Vulnerable, it is usual to partnership has agreed a 20-22 points with clubs ranges are. The semi-solid pre-empt two tricks higher suit, when 4NT would be ace- as your strongest suit? six-card diamond suit more than the number of tricks asking or key card asking.

Page 16 Ask Julian continued takeout – East has support for three suits, not one. With seven good spades, North CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS should not bother showing The bidding the hearts on the second OCTOBER 2011 28 CHESHIRE HOMES Village Hall, Hartford, Hunts, at our table is round, especially as East’s 5 RNLI (EPSOM BRANCH) Cambs. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. Qshown below. double tends to suggest Leatherhead Institute. 2-5.30pm. Malcolm Howarth four hearts. In the olden Includes afternoon tea. ( 01480 212910 days, South would redou- £30 per table, £15 double ticket. Ann Chapman( 01372 720020 28 OUR KINDERGARTEN IN BOSNIA ♠ K Q J 10 9 8 2 ble rather than bid 2♣. HERZEGOVINA ♥ A J 8 5 7 ST ANDREW’S CHURCH Our Lady Queen of All Creation The Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton. ♦ 8 7 West North East South RC Church, Rant Meadow, 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. Hemel Hempstead. ♣ ♠ ♣ Void 1 Dbl 2 Mavis Campion 9am tea/coffee. 9.45am bridge ♠ 6 5 3 ♠ 7 Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦ ( 01480 860477 starts. Hot lunch. £15pp. Pat Henry ( 01442 391087 ♥ 6 4 3 N ♥ K Q 10 2 Pass 4♠ End 7 DROITWICH LADIES’ LIFEBOAT ♦ W E ♦ GUILD. Bridge Drive at Salwarpe K J 4 3 S A Q 10 28 WESSEX CANCER TRUST ♣ J 10 2 ♣ 8 7 5 4 3 Your lead was just unlucky. Village hall, Salwarpe. SOUTHAMPTON GROUP Coffee at 10.30 am, bridge at ♠ A 4 Most people (me included) Rubber bridge at Highfield 11am. £10 includes buffet lunch. Church Centre, Highfield Lane, ♥ 9 7 would lead the same as you. Pam Main ( 01905 381395 Southampton. 7pm for 7:15pm. ♦ 9 6 5 2 8 SWINDON CARES £6pp . Light refreshments. ♣ A K Q 9 6 ♣♦♥♠ Bridge drive. The Conference Gwen Pearce ( 02380 236145 Room, Arkell’s Brewery, 31 RNLI. Bridge at Crowborough Please could Kingsdown. 10.30 for 11am. Beacon Golf Club. £26 per table. £15pp including coffee and West North East South you help with Penny Eliot ( 01825 830006 lunch at The Kingsdown Inn. 4♠ Pass 6♠ Qreference to cue- Margaret Bracher 31 FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX End bids showing first- and ( 01793 729970 HOSPICE. Glyndebourne Opera House, The Mildmay Hall. second-round controls? 14 WOOLPIT VILLAGE HALL FUNDS 5.15pm Bridge Supper with I would want to open Opener has denied An afternoon of bridge with a champagne reception. delicious tea. 2.00pm. more than 1♠ on the first-round control Dianne Steele ( 01435 813630 North hand but can see (say hearts) and partner Lynda Moore ( 01359 241534 15 RNLI. Cheltenham Bridge Club. that nothing is correct. As did not have the op- NOVEMBER 2011 East, I led the ♥K, allow- portunity to bid the suit. 10.30am-4pm. Lunch & glass of wine. £15pp. ing declarer to make 6♠ When the opportunity 7 St Teresa’s HOSPICE Margaret Beverley Bridge at St George’s Bridge by discarding diamonds arises, how does opener ( 01242 510193 Centre, Darlington. 1.15pm. £5 on the clubs. Nobody know if it is a first- or 15 ST ANNE’S CHURCH to include bridge, tea and prizes. else bid the slam. At second-round control? Kew Green, Richmond. Christine Bainbridge another table, the open- This was the sequence: 1.30 for 2 - 5.30pm. £12.50. ( 01325 469785 Ian Lewty ( 020 8876 3681 ing was 1♠, which East 11 HEMINGFORD VILLAGE HALL & overcalled with 2♣! 1♠ 3♠ 15 CHRISTIAN AID ADDENBROOKES HOSPITAL How should the bid- 4♣ 4♦ Bridge event in Church CANCER UNIT. Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots. ding have gone? 5♣ 5♥ Rooms, Church Road, Preston, Weymouth. 1.45 for 2.00pm. 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. Martin Plane, Julia Moore ( 01305 776138 Ann Tooher ( 01480 352789 Great Yarmouth. J Vanner by email. [email protected] 12 FREINDS OF WELCARE IN 21 ST LAWRENCE CHURCH BROMLEY. Bridge afternoon. I agree nothing is The usual rule is that Village Hall, Napton. 10 for St George’s Church Hall, Bickley perfect with the cue bids are always 10.30am. £30 per pair includes Park Road, Bickley. 2 to 5.30pm North hand. If you first-round controls hot lunch with wine and prizes. £6 per person, including tea/ A A Geoffrey Jerrom-Pugh coffee with light refreshments. ♠ ♠ open 1 and rebid 2 , above 4NT (unless you have ( 01926 815737 Gillian Scales you understate the play- previously denied holding ( 0202 8663 3173 21 VICTORIA SCHOOL’S ing strength, while if you first-round control). You can SPARKLE APPEAL 16 NORFOLK HOSPICE open 1♠ and rebid 3♠, you afford to be more flexible at Lytchett Matravers’ Village Hall, Bridge drive at South Wootton overstate the high cards. the four level because part- Dorset. 2pm. Village Hall. 2pm. £75.0 per Given this, opening 4♠ has ner can bid 4NT to check that £24 per table, includes prizes, player including sumptuous tea. raffle and afternoon tea. The Fundraising Team some merit. Assuming North there are not too many aces Stella Brake ( 01202 624224 ( 01485 542891 opens 1♠, East doubles for missing. ■ [email protected] or ( 01553 671571

E-mail your questions for Julian to: E-mail your charity events: [email protected] [email protected]

Page 17 Justin Corfield Says

Don’t Abuse Conventions

ome players like conventions so Do not blame the convention for this much that they use them on any outcome. Conventions are like guns, Game All. Dealer East. Pairs. hand, however inappropriate. blameless in themselves – it is all about ♠ A J 10 4 SHere is a novel way to lose points: whose finger is on the trigger. ♥ K 7 Here is another lovely use (should I ♦ Q 9 2 say abuse) of conventional bidding: ♣ A J 10 6 Game All. Dealer East. Pairs. ♠ Q 5 ♠ 8 7 6 N ♠ Q 10 8 ♥ ♥ 10 9 4 W E J 8 6 5 2 ♥ K Game All. Dealer East. Pairs. ♦ K 5 S ♦ J 10 6 3 ♦ A 10 7 6 2 ♠ Q 8 7 ♣ K Q 9 5 3 2 ♣ 8 ♣ A J 7 2 ♥ A K 7 ♠ K 9 3 2 ♠ K J 3 ♠ A 7 6 5 4 2 ♦ Q J 10 9 2 ♥ A Q 3 ♥ J 8 4 3 N ♥ A Q 2 ♣ J 6 ♦ A 8 7 4 W E ♦ 5 ♦ K J 9 3 ♠ K J 5 ♠ A 9 6 4 2 ♣ S 7 4 ♣ Q 9 8 6 4 ♣ Void ♥ 10 8 4 3 N ♥ J 2 ♠ 9 ♦ K 5 W E ♦ 6 3 S ♥ 10 9 7 6 5 ♣ 10 9 8 5 ♣ K 7 4 2 West North East South ♦ Q 8 4 ♠ 10 3 Pass 1NT ♣ K 10 5 3 ♥ Q 9 6 5 2♣1 Dbl 2♥ Pass ♦ A 8 7 4 3♣ Dbl End ♣ A Q 3 West North East South 1Landy, the majors 1♠ Pass 2♠ 2NT1(?) 4♠ 5♣ West North East South West overcalled 2♣, either forgetting the Dbl End Pass 1NT agreement that this showed the majors, Pass 2♠1(?) Pass 2NT2 or choosing to ignore the fact. North 1The unusual 2NT – both minors – but it Pass 3NT End swung the axe and the carnage began. should be at least 5/5 in the two suits. 1,400 later (I kid you not), West still 1How good is your 12-14 opening? thought his 2♣ bid was ‘unlucky’. Take a moment to appreciate just how 2Minimum, 12 or poor 13 It is not only poor bidding to bid awful a bid this is: as West did here; it can cause ethical North could raise 1NT to 3NT but was problems too. If an explanation, alert or l Neither of North’s suits is good; unable to resist asking first whether the the like tells you that there has been a l One of the suits is too short; opener was maximum or minimum. misunderstanding, you have a duty to l With equal length in the minors, West led the ♣10, covered by the ♣J, ignore it. Arguably, West should have partner will pick the wrong one; ♣K and ♣A. Declarer crossed to dummy passed 2♥ as that is what he would have l North has a lot of defence against a in hearts and ran the ♦Q, losing to done if East had said 2♣ was natural. spade contract and so does not want West’s ♦K. to encourage a save. Since declarer was marked with the Summary ♣A-Q and appeared to have the ♦A, So enamoured was North with the West realized that he could not also It is unfair to blame a convention if you unusual 2NT overcall that he perpetrated have the ♠A, as that would give him a use it on the wrong hand. Play only it with only 5/4 in the minors. South maximum for his 12-14 1NT. Thus, West those conventions you need, discuss took the obvious save (needing only to switched to the ♠K and then led the ♠J, them in detail with your partner and be opposite something like ♦A-K-x-x-x, defeating the game. If North had simply then use them only on the right hands. ♣ A-J-x-x-x and a singleton heart for raised to 3NT, the best defence would Otherwise, conventions are not an asset, the ‘save’ to make). The result was 1,100, have been much less clear. they are a liability. Never use a conven- against a game that was not ironclad. Here is an even worse form of abuse: tional bid ‘because it is there’. ■

Page 18 Derek Rimington Says

Use the Rule of Two and Three

ule is a bit of a misnomer. It is a an ace on the side. There is almost a double into one for penalties by passing. guideline from the 1930s about guarantee of six tricks facing a bust. You The score of 800 was his just reward. overcalls and pre-emptive bid- take this risk to obtain the best lead from In match-point pairs, 500 and 800 Rding. Paraphrasing the advice – a player partner and perhaps to compete for the would be the difference between bottom cannot afford to be doubled and lose part-score. Change the vulnerability to and top scores. The extra 300 could also more than 500 unless the opponents game all and I would pass even on that be significant at teams or rubber. have a slam – hence two off doubled hand. My final deal is from matchpoint vulnerable or three off non-vulnerable. On my next deal from a teams-of-four pairs: Many deals bid to game at rubber duplicate event, East had an ideal hand bridge would rest in a part-score at for opening 3♥, with six tricks. duplicate. The reason is that each deal E/W Vul. ♠ J 8 4 3 stands alone in duplicate. At duplicate, ♥ 4 you may need a more conservative N/S Vul. ♠ A K 8 2 ♦ J 10 5 4 3 approach – 500 represents more than a ♥ 2 ♣ A K 10 non-vulnerable game. At rubber bridge, ♦ A K 8 5 ♠ A K Q 9 7 5 2 ♠ 6 honours are an added factor. ♣ A 10 6 2 ♥ 10 7 6 N ♥ K 3 ♠ Q 5 4 ♠ 10 9 7 ♦ 9 6 W E ♦ K 7 2 S ♥ 3 N ♥ K Q J 9 8 6 5 ♣ 3 ♣ Q 9 7 6 5 4 2 N/S Vul. ♠ 9 7 ♦ Q J 9 3 W E ♦ 6 4 2 ♠ 10 ♥ A K J 8 5 ♣ Q J 8 7 3 S ♣ Void ♥ A Q J 9 8 5 2 ♦ 10 ♠ J 6 3 ♦ A Q 8 ♣ Q 10 9 5 3 ♥ A 10 7 4 ♣ J 8 ♠ K 10 6 4 ♠ 8 5 ♦ 10 7 ♥ 10 9 6 3 ♥ Q 7 ♣ K 9 5 4 N ♦ 9 4 W E ♦ A J 7 5 3 2 West North East South ♣ 8 7 6 S ♣ A J 4 1♥ ♠ A Q J 3 2 Table 1 4♠ Dbl End ♥ 4 2 West North East South ♦ K Q 8 6 3♥ Pass At adverse vulnerability, West’s 4♠ is far ♣ K 2 Pass Dbl End too risky. When the opposing game – if there is one – is worth only 420, you Table 2 cannot afford to lose even 500. West’s West North East South West North East South overcall should have been 1♠ – even 3♠ 1♠ 4♥ Pass would be too much. Pass 2♥ 3♦ Double Pass Dbl End 4♠ doubled went for 1,100 when the End opponents took all their tricks. West At table 1, South had a difficult decision thought this was very unlucky. This was a ridiculous overcall, partly at his second turn. If he had bid 3NT, How would South have fared in 4♥? because North’s 2♥ was forcing. It even the safe lead of the three of If West takes a top spade and continues deservedly ran into a double. After hearts would not have kept him from with a low one, East can ruff high – the the lead of the four of hearts taken by making nine tricks, scoring 600. North, so-called uppercut – to promote West’s North’s king, a careful switch to the ten however, held a near maximum hand ten of hearts. -450 would have given of clubs achieved four down, costing for a takeout double. The safer action East-West a good matchpoint score. 800. East’s bid was a clear violation of for South is to pass, but a score of 500 In summary, you can afford to lose 500 the Rule – he did not have six tricks. missed the par of 600. if the opponents can make a vulnerable If North had simply raised South’s At table 2, disregarding the rule, game, but even 200 is too much if all opening bid to 2♠, the minimum to East opened with 4♥ and South had they can make is a part-score. Take great overcall 3♦ would be ♦A-Q-J-9-x-x and no problem in converting the takeout care when you are vulnerable. ■

Page 19 PROGRAMME This is the format for all Bernard Magee hosted events. 2011/12 BRIDGE WEEKENDS with Bernard Magee FRIDAY 1500 Mr Bridge September 2011 Welcome Desk open

Afternoon Tea NEW 30 - 2/10 The Olde Barn SEMINAR 1745 to 1830 Welcome drinks £235 Finding Slams reception 1830 to 2000 DINNER 2015 BRIDGE 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS Denham Grove Near Uxbridge UB9 5DU SATURDAY 0800 to 0930 November 2011 BREAKFAST The Olde Barn Hotel 4 - 6 Inn on the Prom Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 1000 to 1230 £235 Hand Evaluation SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS October 2011 11 - 13 Blunsdon House (tea & coffee at 1100) £245 Suit Establishment 1230 to 1330 7 - 9 Blunsdon House COLD BUFFET £245 Stayman & Transfers 18 - 20 Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR LUNCH Improver Section £245 Finding Slams 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 2 14 - 16 Chatsworth Hotel 25 - 27 Denham Grove TEAMS of FOUR NEW NEW £245 Squeezes SEMINAR or FURTHER £245 Playing Suit SEMINAR SUPERVISED PLAY Combinations of SET HANDS JANUARY 2012 1815 to 2000 21 - 23 Denham Grove DINNER £245 Game Tries 6 - 8 Chatsworth Hotel 2015 BRIDGE 3 DUPLICATE PAIRS £245 Leads and Defence SUNDAY 0800 to 0930 MARCH 2012 BREAKFAST NEW 1000 to 1230 23 - 25 Chatsworth HotelSEMINAR SEMINAR & £245 Squeezes SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) Blunsdon House Hotel 30 - 1/4 Blunsdon House NEW Swindon SN26 7AS SEMINAR 1230 to 1400 £245 Finding Slams CARVERY LUNCH 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 4 FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY Full Board - No Single Supplement - See booking form on page 11 of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS

Page 20 Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz 2011/12 BRIDGE WEEKENDS with Bernard Magee You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 October 2012 points) and four-card majors. 5 - 7 Denham Grove (Answers overleaf) £245 Splinters & Cue-bids

12 - 14 Blunsdon House 1. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ £245 Landy Defence to 1NT K 10 6 5 ♥ K 9 5 4 N ♦ 3 W E Inn on the Prom 19 - 21 Chatsworth Hotel ♣ K 9 6 4 S St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU £245 Signals and Discards

West North East South APRIL 2012 1NT Dbl 2♦ ? 20 - 22 The Olde Barn Hotel NEW £245 Squeezes SEMINAR 2. Dealer West. Love All. 27 - 29 Inn on the Prom ♠ A 7 6 ♥ K Q 10 3 £245 Losing Trick Count ♦ A J 7 6 ♣ K Q The Olde Barn Hotel June 2012 Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

West North East South 8 - 10 Blunsdon House 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass NEW November 2012 £245 Playing Suit SEMINAR ? Combinations NEW 2 - 4 Blunsdon HouseSEMINAR 15 - 17 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Squeezes 3. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ Q 10 8 3 £245 Doubles 9 - 11 Inn on the Prom ♥ 10 7 N ♦ A 9 6 4 W E £245 Declarer Play S ♣ 9 8 2 NEW 16 - 18 Chatsworth Hotel SEMINAR £245 Finding Slams West North East South 1NT Dbl 2♠ NEW 23 - 25 Denham GroveSEMINAR ? £245 Playing Suit Combinations 4. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ 4 2 Chatsworth Hotel 30 - 2/12 Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU ♥ K Q 9 6 N £245 Endplay & Avoidance ♦ A J 7 6 W E S ♣ A Q 10

West North East South Full Board - No Single Supplement - See booking form on page 11 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass ?

Page 21 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz on page 21

1NT. When you open the bidding, you penalty. 1. Dealer North. Love All. make a plan: open 1♥ and rebid with a You are likely to make six tricks outside ♠ K 10 6 5 ♠ A J 9 3 jump to 2NT (18-19). However, this plan spades and hopefully one or two trump ♥ K 9 5 4 N ♥ A 8 7 presupposes that your partner responds tricks too. Two off doubled gets you a ♦ 3 W E ♦ A 5 2 showing 6+ points. You must be careful great score +300; undoubled, +100 S ♣ K 9 6 4 ♣ Q J 5 if your partner passes because he could would not have looked so good. When be very weak. Generally, you should your side has the majority of points and downgrade your rebid by one level. In- you have good trumps, penalty doubles West North East South stead of rebidding 2NT, you should re- can be desirable even at low levels. 1NT Double 2♦ bid 1NT, which ends the bidding. If your ? partner did turn out to have 6+ points, he can bid on subsequently – more often 4. Dealer West. Love All. 3♦. Your partner has made a penalty dou- than not your partner will be glad you do ♠ 4 2 ♠ 10 6 5 3 ble of North’s 1NT opening; this shows a not bid too high. ♥ K Q 9 6 N ♥ 8 7 good 15 points or more and South has With shorter spades and support for ♦ A J 7 6 W E ♦ 3 S ‘escaped’ to 2♦. You have nine points with the two unbid suits, you might have tried ♣ A Q 10 ♣ K 9 7 6 5 3 a singleton, so your hand combined with a reopening double – but not with this your partner’s should have the potential shape. for game. Any double after a penalty dou- West North East South ble is also for penalties, so you must not 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass double: your partner will pass. Instead, 3. Dealer North. Love All. ? you should make a bid that forces your ♠ Q 10 8 3 ♠ 7 5 partner to show his best suit – bid the op- ♥ 10 7 N ♥ A Q 8 Double. On the first rounds of bidding, ponents’ suit: 3♦ – this shows the strength ♦ A 9 6 4 W E ♦ K 10 8 2 (when there have been no no-trump S for game while asking for help in choos- ♣ 9 8 2 ♣ A K 5 3 bids), doubles of suit bids are for take- ing the denomination. East shows his four out: this is an excellent example of a situ- spades and you can then raise to 4♠. This ation where a take-out double is invalu- should make comfortably for at least 420, West North East South able. How can you possibly have a hand whilst 2♦ will go two off at most. 1NT Double 2♠ that can know that it is right to make a ? penalty double of 1♠? You cannot – so the modern style is to use a double of the 2. Dealer West. Love All. Double. Your partner has made a overcaller’s suit (when your partner has ♠ A 7 6 ♠ J 9 3 penalty double of North’s 1NT open- passed) as a reopening double: it shows ♥ K Q 10 3 N ♥ J 2 ing: this shows a good 15 points or more a strong opening hand with shortage in ♦ A J 7 6 W E ♦ 9 8 4 and South has ‘escaped’ to 2♠. After a the opponents’ suit (two or fewer). S ♣ K Q ♣ 10 7 6 5 4 penalty double, all subsequent doubles East would show his best suit and are also for penalties. Although it does you would finish in 2♣. If you make the not look like you have the strength for mistake of rebidding 2♦, this promises West North East South game, you certainly have the majority of five hearts (your first bid suit), so your 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass strength: add this to your excellent hold- partner will sign off in 2♥ – not a great ? ing in spades and you should go for the contract. ■

BEGIN BRIDGE – ACOL VERSION An Interactive Tutorial with Bernard Magee Learn to play bridge from the very beginning with Britain’s best-known teacher £66

System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM See Mail Order form on page 7.

Page 22 Mr Bridge DEFENCE RUBBER / CHICAGO QUIZ Ardington Hotel by Julian Pottage Worthing BN11 3DZ (Answers overleaf)

ou are East in the defensive positions below. It is your turn Yto play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

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

30 Sept-2 Oct 2011 West North East South West North East South hosted by Diana Holland 1♠ 1NT Pass 3♠ End Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ 20-22 April 2012 Pass 3♥ End West leads the ♦9 (second hosted by Sheila Rogers and fourth leads). You West leads the ♦9 (second capture the ♦J with the and fourth leads). You 3-5 August 2012 ♦Q. How do you proceed? capture the ♦J with the hosted by Sheila Rogers ♦Q. How do you proceed? 23-25 November 2012 3. ♠ J 10 9 2 4. ♠ J 10 6 hosted by Sheila Rogers ♥ 7 6 4 2 ♥ A J 3 ♦ Q 4 ♦ 10 5 3 Please note there are no seminars ♣ 8 6 2 ♣ K J 10 8 or set hands at these events. ♠ K 8 ♠ Q 9 N ♥ A 5 3 N ♥ Q 4 £199 Full-board W E ♦ 10 9 6 3 2 W E ♦ K Q J 8 4 2 S ♣ K 7 5 S ♣ A Q 6 No Single Supplement

West North East South West North East South 2♣ Pass 1♦ 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass 2♦* Pass 4♠ Pass 3♣* Pass 3♥ End Pass 4♥ End *Sound raise in spades *Stayman West leads the ♦7; your West leads the ♣Q fol- jack loses to the ace. De- lowed by the ♣10. Declar- clarer cashes the ♠A-K – er takes the ten with the West discards the ♥10 on ace, cashes the ♦A-K and the second round. After leads trumps from the top. that comes a club to the You win the second round. seven, jack and queen. Please see booking form on page 11. How do you defend? What do you return?

Page 23 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 23

leads). You capture the ♦J with the ♦Q. West leads the ♣Q followed by the ♣10. 1. ♠ A 9 7 2 How do you proceed? Declarer takes the ten with the ace, ♥ 10 2 The situation is similar to the previous cashes the ♦A-K and leads trumps from ♦ K J 10 7 4 deal. You can envisage two diamonds, a the top. You win the second round. How ♣ J 2 diamond ruff and two tricks in your oth- do you defend? ♠ J 4 ♠ 10 8 er strong suit. This time, you cannot tell You have the lead but do not want ♥ Q 8 6 4 N ♥ J 7 5 3 partner that you have good spades by it. You must not play a diamond, which W E ♦ ♦ 9 5 S A Q 6 cashing the ace. You need to save your would give a ruff and discard – the crash ♣ Q 8 6 4 3 ♣ A K 7 5 ace of spades to capture the king. Unless of honours has marked the position. ♠ K Q 6 5 3 your partner is a good guesser, you will Nor must you play a spade: declarer is ♥ A K 9 need to find a way to signal for a spade. likely to have the ace-queen and will be ♦ 8 3 2 You do this by the way that you play your keen to take the finesse. You should cash ♣ 10 9 diamonds. your king of clubs and exit with your last On the second round, you have no trump. Declarer ends up playing spades choice but to cash the ace. On the third from hand, letting your king make. West North East South round, you do have a choice. You can 1♠ lead the eight or the two. Since partner Pass 3♠ End clearly cannot play back a diamond, this 4. ♠ J 10 6 is a suit-preference situation. ♥ A J 3 West leads the ♦9 (second and fourth With a suit-preference signal, a high ♦ 10 5 3 leads). You capture the ♦J with the ♦Q. card asks for the higher of the remaining ♣ K J 10 8 How do you proceed? side suits; a low card would ask for the ♠ 4 ♠ Q 9 Assuming the lead is from a singleton lower side suit – a suit-preference signal ♥ K 10 9 7 6 5 N ♥ Q 4 W E ♦ ♦ or a doubleton and South has at least never asks for trumps or the suit that you 7 6 S K Q J 8 4 2 two clubs, you can see five tricks. How- are leading. ♣ 9 7 4 3 ♣ A Q 6 ever, partner does not know whether you As spades rank higher than clubs, you ♠ A K 8 7 5 3 2 have good clubs or good hearts. So, be- lead the eight of diamonds on the third ♥ 8 2 fore going on to give partner a diamond round. This way, partner knows to lead a ♦ A 9 ruff, cash a top club. spade after ruffing the diamond. ♣ 5 2

2. ♠ K 9 2 3. ♠ J 10 9 2 West North East South ♥ J 8 3 2 ♥ 7 6 4 2 Pass 1♦ 1♠ ♦ K J 10 4 ♦ Q 4 Pass 2♦* Pass 4♠ ♣ K 2 ♣ 8 6 2 End ♠ J 7 4 3 ♠ A Q 8 5 ♠ 7 5 4 ♠ K 8 *Value raise ♥ 10 6 4 N ♥ Q 7 ♥ 10 8 N ♥ A 5 3 W E W E ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 9 5 S A Q 8 2 J 8 7 5 S 10 9 6 3 2 West leads the 7; your jack loses to the ♣ Q 8 6 4 ♣ 10 9 5 ♣ Q J 10 4 ♣ K 7 5 ace. Declarer cashes the ♠A-K – West ♠ 10 6 ♠ A Q 6 3 discards the ♥10 on the second round. ♥ A K 9 5 ♥ K Q J 9 After that comes a club to the seven, jack ♦ 7 6 3 ♦ A K and queen. What do you return? ♣ A J 7 3 ♣ A 9 3 You can cash one diamond. When all follow, you know a third round will not stand up. If you play another, declarer West North East South West North East South ruffs and sets up the clubs. 1NT 2♣ Then, the only hope left – a very good Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT one in view of partner’s ten of hearts – is Pass 3♥ End Pass 3♣* Pass 3♥ to switch to a heart. Your queen drives Pass 4♥ End out the ace, establishing the king as the West leads the ♦9 (second and fourth *Stayman setting trick. ■

Page 24 DECLARER Mr Bridge PLAY Christmas & QUIZ by David Huggett New Year 2011

(Answers overleaf)

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

1. ♠ K 9 6 5 3. ♠ A J 10 ♥ 8 6 4 ♥ Q 6 4 ♦ A Q 2 ♦ 8 2 ♣ Q 7 6 ♣ A 7 6 4 2

N N W E W E S S Denham Grove ♠ Q J 10 8 3 ♠ K Q 9 7 5 4 3 Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU ♥ K 5 2 ♥ A K 3 ♦ K 7 ♦ A Q ♣ A K 3 ♣ 8 24-27 December £355 Just Bridge & Any Questions You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 7♠ and West leads the ♣J. How West leads the ♣K. How Jo Walch do you plan the play? do you plan the play?

27-29 December £199 2. ♠ A J 4 4. ♠ A 8 6 Suit Establishment ♥ J 8 7 5 3 ♥ K 10 7 5 ♦ 4 ♦ A 7 4 Alex Davoud ♣ A K 7 3 ♣ A 6 4

N N W E W E 29 Dec – 1 Jan £355 S S Develop at Duplicate Pairs ♠ K Q 10 5 ♠ K 5 4 ♥ A 4 ♥ A Q J 9 3 Crombie McNeil ♦ K J 6 ♦ K J 10 ♣ 9 8 6 5 ♣ K 2 ( 01483 489961 You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 6♥ and e-mail: [email protected] and West leads the ♦7. East West leads the ♣J. How follows with the queen. do you plan the play? website: www.holidaybridge.com How do you plan the play? Please call if you would like a sample copy of the programme

Page 25 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 25

the ♦7. East follows with the queen. How dummy with a trump and ruff another 1. ♠ K 9 6 5 do you plan the play? club high, before repeating the process ♥ 8 6 4 yet again. ♦ A Q 2 You have four spade tricks, one heart By this time, dummy will have a winning ♣ Q 7 6 trick and a diamond trick on the lead; club if the suit broke no worse than 4-3 – ♠ 2 ♠ A 7 4 this means that if you can make three and you have both a trump entry and a ♥ A 10 7 3 N ♥ Q J 9 club tricks, you will be successful in your heart entry to get back to dummy. Once W E ♦ ♦ 10 8 5 3 S J 9 6 4 contract. You could just bang out three there, you play the winning club and ♣ J 10 9 2 ♣ 8 5 4 rounds of clubs and hope that West discard the queen of diamonds. If the ♠ Q J 10 8 3 started with three because your jack of clubs break badly, you will have to rely ♥ K 5 2 diamonds is safe from attack as long as on the diamond finesse – two chances ♦ K 7 West is on lead. are better than one. ♣ A K 3 Can you see how to do better than that? Win the first diamond and lead a club, winning with the ace if West plays 4. ♠ A 8 6 You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads low. Return to hand with a spade and ♥ K 10 7 5 the ♣J. How do you plan the play? lead another club; when West plays ♦ A 7 4 the queen, simply duck. If West (with a ♣ A 6 4 It looks for all the world as though there different holding) plays low a second ♠ Q 9 3 ♠ J 10 7 2 are ten easy tricks available via four time, you have to win and play a third ♥ 4 N ♥ 8 6 2 spades, three diamonds and three clubs. round, hoping West has to win that. You ♦ Q 9 6 3 W E ♦ 8 5 2 S Indeed, there might be – but you could have to play the clubs from hand because, ♣ J 10 9 7 3 ♣ Q 8 5 also have four losers in the shape of the if you played the ace from dummy first, ♠ K 5 4 ace of trumps and three hearts. an astute West might jettison the queen. ♥ A Q J 9 3 This will be the unfortunate case if East ♦ K J 10 holds the ace of trumps and West holds ♣ K 2 the ace of hearts. So win the club and, 3. ♠ A J 10 before embarking on the trumps, play ♥ Q 6 4 three rounds of diamonds, discarding a ♦ 8 2 You are declarer in 6♥ and West leads heart from hand. Only then is it safe to ♣ A 7 6 4 2 the ♣J. How do you plan the play? draw trumps because, even if the ace is ♠ 6 ♠ 8 2 with East and West does have the ace of ♥ 10 8 5 2 N ♥ J 9 7 You have eleven tricks immediately avail- W E ♦ ♦ hearts, you have assured that you can K 7 6 3 S J 10 9 5 4 able; a successful finesse in diamonds lose only two hearts and a trump. ♣ K Q J 3 ♣ 10 9 5 will provide the twelfth. The trouble is, ♠ K Q 9 7 5 4 3 you could play either defender for the ♥ A K 3 queen in that suit – an altogether better 2. ♠ A J 4 ♦ A Q idea would be for the defenders to find ♥ J 8 7 5 3 ♣ 8 the queen for you. ♦ 4 So, simply win the club lead in hand, ♣ A K 7 3 draw trumps and eliminate clubs by play- ♠ 8 6 3 ♠ 9 7 2 You are declarer in 7♠ and West leads ing the ace and ruffing the remaining ♥ 10 9 2 N ♥ K Q 6 the ♣K. How do you plan the play? one. Then play three rounds of spades. W E ♦ ♦ A 10 8 7 3 S Q 9 5 2 You have now achieved a double void ♣ Q 2 ♣ J 10 4 With twelve tricks on top, you are look- in both black suits and thrown the op- ♠ K Q 10 5 ing for the thirteenth; that could certainly ponents on lead. Whoever wins the third ♥ A 4 come from the diamond suit if the king round will have either to play diamonds ♦ K J 6 were onside. for you – hence finding the queen – or ♣ 9 8 6 5 Nobody likes to rely on a finesse in a play a black card – which will furnish you grand slam though – a better plan is to with a ruff and discard, enabling you to try to establish a long club in dummy. So ruff in one hand while throwing a dia- You are declarer in 3NT and West leads win the club and ruff a club high. Enter mond away from the other. ■

Page 26 Andrew Kambites’ Tutorial Bridge Breaks Lead Quiz You are West in the auctions below. It is your DECEMBER 2011 lead. (Answers overleaf.) 2-4 The Ardington £215 Game Tries Ned Paul 1 ♠ A J 6 ♥ A 6 N W E ♦ 10 8 7 6 January 2012 S ♣ 10 9 8 7 13-15 The Ardington £245 Declarer Play Sandy Bell West North East South Ardington Hotel Staverton Park 1♠ Nr Daventry NN11 6JT Worthing BN11 3DZ Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ OCTOBER 2011 MARCH 2012 Pass 4♥ End

14-16 The Ardington 9-11 The Ardington £215 Losing Trick Count £245 Hand Evaluation Sandy Bell Crombie McNeil 2 ♠ J 9 6 ♥ A 6 4 N 14-16 The Olde Barn 9-11 Blunsdon House Hotel W E ♦ 10 8 7 2 £199 Sacrificing £245 Signals and Discards S ♣ 10 8 3 Gary Conrad Alison Nicolson The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 28-30 Staverton Park 23-25 The Ardington West North East South £199 Better Defence £245 Sacrificing 1♠ Alex Davoud 20-22 The Ardington Ned Paul £245 Further Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ NOVEMBER 2011 into the Auction 30-1/4 The Ardington Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Alex Davoud £245 Stayman & Transfers Pass 4♥ End 18-20 The Olde Barn Ned Paul £199 Endplay & Avoidance Crombie McNeil APRIL 2012 3 ♠ Q 9 6 18-20 Staverton Park 27-29 Blunsdon House Hotel ♥ K 6 4 N £199 Stayman & Transfers £245 Game Tries W E ♦ 10 8 7 6 S Improvers Alison Nicolson ♣ 10 8 6 Stan Powell JUNE 2012 25-27 The Ardington £215 Take-out Doubles 8-10 The Ardington West North East South Improvers £245 TBA 1♠ Crombie McNeil Blunsdon House Hotel Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ Swindon SN26 7AS Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ End FEBRUARY 2012 10-12 The Ardington £245 Take-out Doubles 4 ♠ J 10 2 Improvers ♥ K J 6 N Alex Davoud ♦ Q 10 5 W E S ♣ A J 3 2 24-26 The Ardington £245 Suit

The Olde Barn Hotel Establishment Blunsdon House Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Gary Conrad Swindon SN26 7AS West North East South 1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ See booking form on page 11. End

Page 27 Answers to Andrew Kambites’ Lead Quiz on page 27

West North East South The question is whether leading a trump 1. ♠ 10 9 1♠ from king and two small trumps is safe. ♥ J 9 5 Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ It is well known that underleading a ♦ J 5 Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ side suit king is dangerous. This is less ♣ A Q 6 5 4 2 Pass 4♥ End true with the king of trumps. Usually if ♠ A J 6 ♠ 7 4 2 the ace is in declarer’s hand then the ♥ A 6 N ♥ 8 7 4 As in example 1, you expect declarer to king will always score, while if the ace is W E ♦ ♦ 10 8 7 6 S A 9 4 3 2 have a 5-3 heart fit and a 5-2 spade fit. in dummy your king was never going to ♣ 10 9 8 7 ♣ K 3 Neither minor suit stands out so it might score anyway. So you lead the ♥4. Part- ♠ K Q 8 5 3 be worth trying to prevent a spade ruff in ner takes the ace and returns a trump, ♥ K Q 10 3 2 dummy. Your trump holding should give allowing you to draw two more rounds. ♦ K Q you hope. Lead the ♥4. Declarer wins Subsequently, declarer loses a spade ♣ J in hand and leads a spade to dummy’s trick and the ace of diamonds. queen and your partner’s ace. Partner now leads back his last trump, which al- West North East South lows you to cash the ace of trumps and 4. ♠ A 9 4 3 1♠ play a third round. Declarer loses two ♥ 9 3 2 Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ spade tricks and two red aces. ♦ A 7 6 Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ i) It is almost never right to underlead a ♣ K 7 4 Pass 4♥ End side suit ace against a suit contract at ♠ J 10 2 ♠ Q trick one. This does not apply to the ♥ K J 6 N ♥ 10 8 7 5 4 W E ♦ Q 10 5 ♦ 9 8 4 3 South’s second bid suggests he has five ace of trumps. S spades and four hearts. At this stage, ii) There are two reasons for leading ♣ A J 3 2 ♣ 9 8 6 North prefers spades as trumps, but, a small trump rather than the ace if ♠ K 8 7 6 5 when South bids the hearts again, mak- you have the ace and two more. First, ♥ A Q ing a game try and showing a fifth heart, partner is known to have shortage in ♦ K J 2 North decides he prefers hearts. North trumps and might have a singleton ♣ Q 10 5 has two spades and three hearts. West honour. Second, if he has two trumps, has every reason to believe that declarer he might be able to lead his second has five spades in his hand and two in trump, allowing you to play two more West North East South dummy. It might be possible to prevent rounds. 1♠ declarer from ruffing his third round of Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ spades in dummy. Lead the ♥A, followed End by ♥6. When you get in with the ♠A, a di- 3. ♠ A 4 amond to partner’s ace will allow him to ♥ 9 8 5 As you can see, any side suit lead costs a play a third round of trumps. Declarer will ♦ J 5 trick immediately. Therefore, you should lose two spade tricks and two red aces. ♣ Q J 9 5 4 2 lead a trump. In a side suit, leading the ♠ Q 9 6 ♠ J 8 2 jack from a holding of J-10-2 would be ♥ K 6 4 N ♥ A 7 obvious. In trumps, you must bear in W E ♠ ♦ ♦ 2. Q 4 10 8 7 6 S A 9 4 3 2 mind there is a real danger that your ♥ K 9 5 ♣ 10 8 6 ♣ K 7 3 partner has a singleton honour. If that is ♦ J 5 ♠ K 10 7 5 3 the case, you do not want his singleton ♣ Q J 6 5 4 2 ♥ Q J 10 3 2 honour to crash with your jack. The cor- ♠ J 9 6 ♠ A 8 2 ♦ K Q rect lead is the ♠2. ♥ A 6 4 N ♥ 8 7 ♣ A Does leading the ♠2 seem dangerous W E ♦ ♦ 10 8 7 2 S A 9 6 4 3 to you? Look at it this way. If partner’s ♣ 10 8 3 ♣ K 9 7 singleton or doubleton trump includes ♠ K 10 7 5 3 West North East South an honour, you will make a trump trick. ♥ Q J 10 3 2 1♠ If partner’s singleton or doubleton does ♦ K Q Pass 1NT Pass 2♥ not include an honour, your jack and ten ♣ A Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ were only ever likely to be losers. Leading Pass 4♥ End the ♠2 is a reasonably passive lead. ■

Page 28 Logical Bridge Play Bernard Magee’s Tips by Hugh Kelsey, reviewed by David Huggett for Better Bridge Weidenfeld & Nicolson in assoc. with Peter Crawley ISBN 978-0-297-86092-1 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages

£12.99 from The London Bridge Centre Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises ( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com 1 Always consider bidding length and an honour spades if you can 34 When declaring 1NT, 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient when non-vulnerable 35 Duck an early round when his book has been re- club return looks suspicious. 3 Always double when the you are short of entries opponents steal your deal 36 Lead up to your published many times If it is a singleton and East 4 A take-out double shows two-honour holding since its first appear- holds three spades to the shortage in the suit doubled 37 Do not always assume Tance in 1988 and if you are king then he might be able to 5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card prepared to do a modicum of engineer a club ruff if he can 6 After a penalty double, to put off the defence work, you will see why. This put his partner in with the don’t let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to tempt book particularly appeals to ace of diamonds. 7 Halve the value of a singleton a defender to cover honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you me, dealing as it does with the 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to logical thought processes that suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps ♠ A 7 4 9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone defen- an assured declarer should go except in partner’s suit sive trump winner out through to give himself the ♥ K J 6 3 10 Use the jump shift sparingly best chance of fulfilling his ♦ K 10 4 11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips 43 Keep four-card suits intact contract. As a bridge teacher ♣ K 10 7 partner decide 12 You need two top honours whenever possible myself, I know only too well for a second-seat pre-empt 44 Give count on declarer’s leads N 45 Keep the right cards that most people who are W E 13 Put the brakes on if you have a S misfit rather than signal starting out want to be told 14 Strong and long minors work 46 Take your time a set of sacrosanct rules that ♠ Q J 9 8 5 2 well in no-trumps when dummy is put down they can learn parrot fashion ♥ 7 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing other high cards ♦ 3 can be enough for no-trumps if you will, as a substitute for 16 Keep your two-level 48 Do not waste logical thinking. Of course, it ♣ A Q J 6 4 responses up to strength intermediate cards does not work like that and 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to concen- response to a 1NT overcall trate on during the play it would be a much poorer 18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour game if it did, but in every South North you have opening points with an honour hand you play there are clues 1♠ 3NT 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, 51 If a lead is from two honours, it so be prudent when responding is best not to cover 4♠ End coming at you from many 20 Weak overcalls must be based 52 Keep your honour to kill directions to guide you to a on strong suits dummy’s honour satisfactory outcome. As Kel- The answer is simple enough 21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner not 4 aces and 4 kings your solid honour sequences sey points out, there are clues though, simply win the club 22 Raise immediately, if weak 54 Lead the normal card when from the bidding, both from in dummy and lead the king with four-card support leading partner’s suit 55 Never underlead an ace at trick what the opponents have bid of hearts discarding the 23 In a competitive auction, show support immediately one in a suit contract and from what they have not three of diamonds when East 24 Bid to the level of your fit 56 Be wary of leading from bid, and there are certainly produces the ace, the card quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour 57 Lead a higher card from many inferences you can he is known to hold. In this 25 With strength and support, use the opponents’ bid suit a suit without an honour make from the cards they way, you not only exchange 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ do not play. Take the follow- one red loser for another strength and up to weakness Declarer-play Tips 59 Cash your winners before trying hand for example, which but also will have performed 26 When your contract depends ing for a trump promotion I suspect almost everyone the Scissors Coup and can on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ 60 Be patient when defending 27 Consider what a defender would get wrong at the table, consequently dine out for 1NT might be thinking about 61 Trump leads can be safe but which is not too difficult months. 28 Always take your time throughout the play as long as you give it a bit of I cannot pretend that at trick one 29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips thought. this book is an easy read, cashing your winners 62 Do not put important cards West leads the ten of hearts for bridge is not an easy 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand which you cover with the jack, game; at the very least, it bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy but it loses to the queen with will encourage the reader to gaining the lead 64 Before you lead ask for a East who returns the eight of develop new ways of thinking 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction clubs. What do you do next? at the table. Application of holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game! It might seem that there are those ways will undoubtedly £14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge, only three losers in a spade, a transform an average player Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961 heart and a diamond, but that into a good one. ■

Page 29 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

How Long Should Bidding Cards Stay Out?

A question stay out in a complicated ‘oh I meant to bid 6♣.’ Can it really be has come to auction: my American Was it too late to good bridge to Qme via a blog partner occasionally does change the insufficient suggest opening a to which both English so and most people do so 5♣ bid as West had 10-loser hand? and American players when asked: a minority just already condoned it? Peter Oates, Bognor Regis. post comments. ignore her completely. Laws 25A and 27 appear When the auction In England, players to be in conflict. I have no idea: it was over, three players leave out the bidding cards Hugh Arnold by email. is not up to me to gathered up their until the opening lead A judge whether what bidding cards. The fourth is face up. This is much Law 25A allows a people wish to play is good left his in place, waiting more satisfactory really. player to change an bridge, merely whether it for the opening lead. In the actual case quoted A inadvertent call if he is legal. However, as an One of the opposition above, I do not know where changes it without pause for aggressive and scientific asked him to pick them it was; either way, if an thought from the realisation player personally, a number up; when he replied opponent shouted then that of the mistake: an attempt to of the things I play meet that he was waiting for is completely unacceptable change is good enough. This with disapproval by some the opening lead, she whatever the rules are. applies until partner calls. people, as is their right. If, shouted at him to pick Failure to follow the rules If the 5♣ was inadvertent, however, someone asks them up as she found is never a justification for the correct call was 6♣. Since whether they are legal, the them distracting (she rudeness. The director should 6♣ is a sufficient bid, Law 27 answer is and should be was the one on lead). have penalised the player does not apply. You cannot ‘yes’ – whether they are Mark Pharoah by email. with a Best Behaviour at condone an inadvertent good bridge is irrelevant. Bridge penalty in England, call by an opponent: he I might point out that I think there is a slight or a Zero Tolerance citation has the right to change it. at one time many players confusion between and penalty in the ACBL. disapproved of some of the A Laws & Regulations. ♣♦♥♠ most common agreements There is a Law book, which ♣♦♥♠ now played. People thought is the same everywhere in Using the Banzai that weak twos, Sputnik the world and there are The bidding us- evaluation doubles and transfers were Regulations that differ in ing bidding box- Q(5 for an ace, not ‘good bridge’; only a different jurisdictions. Use Qes was as follows: 4 for a king, 3 for a small minority played these of bidding boxes is a matter queen, 2 for a jack, 1 when I took up the game. of regulation not law so is West North East South for a ten) the following not the same everywhere. 1♣ hand has 19 points: Furthermore, the laws 3♥ 4♣ 4♥ 4NT David Stevenson answers all queries based on the facts do not refer to them. Pass 5♦ Pass 5♣* supplied by the letter writer. In North America, players Pass ♠ K Q J 10 Neither Mr Bridge nor ♥ J 10 2 return the bidding cards to David Stevenson has any way the box immediately after *After West had passed ♦ J 10 2 of knowing whether those the auction is over. You over 5♣, but before ♣ J 10 2 facts are correct or complete. could ask for the cards to North called, South said,

Page 30 Ask David continued excellent and free. It appeared, West called answer that situation and will let you arrow-switch the director, saying my not different situations, even whatever you want. partner had made an if they are related, because http://homepages. illegal bid, as he did giving two different answers I held the nildram.co.uk/~jasmith/ not have five clubs, but may confuse some readers. following hand Note that when playing had bid the suit twice. However, you are correct to Qand opened three-board rounds, it Alex Mathers by email. say that dummy can attempt 2♣ (Benji Acol): is better to arrow-switch to prevent an irregularity one round not two. It is legal to make before it has occurred. If you do score it by any bid you like, ♠ A Q 2 hand, it is not difficult. On A except that there ♣♦♥♠ ♥ 9 the final round, the North are certain rules about ♦ A 6 5 player should score it on opening bids. Thus, After the auction, ♣ A K J 7 3 2 the traveller opposite his your bidding is legal. defenders have pair number, even though Nevertheless, it is a most Qthe chance to he is a moving pair and you unusual way to bid and if study the bidding cards The opponents protested matchpoint the travellers you are going to bid in this prior to their first play that my 2♣ bid was the same as usual. The only fashion, you should alert and – the opening lead – illegal as I did not problem is that when you describe the bids differently. whereas the declarer have 8 playing tricks. put the scores on a recap It is reasonable for does not. Is this fair? Was the bid illegal? chart the two check totals, players to expect five clubs Should the bidding Dewi Jones by email. one for moving pairs, one when you bid them twice. cards not stay out until for stationary will not work. If this is not the case, you after the first play While I would not However, the two together must tell opponents. from dummy so that open 2♣ myself, should come to whatever declarer can properly A since I do not think it should normally be. ♣♦♥♠ plan his play on seeing it strong enough, your the opening lead? opponents’ protests are ♣♦♥♠ In the question David Noble, without basis. They should raised by Doug Ponteland, Northumberland. not be giving you rulings This is my QReed concerning anyway and I hope the partner’s a lead declarer had You could suggest director set them straight QSouth hand for made when he was not to the English Bridge when you called him. the events below: on lead, you advised A Union that they To be legal, a strong that dummy (le mort) change their bidding box artificial opening must have must stay silent. I believe regulations if you like. I doubt at least sixteen points, or ♠ 9 3 that dummy is allowed that they would change two other possibilities. Thus, ♥ K 10 2 to try to prevent an them: it is hard enough to a strong artificial two-level ♦ A Q 5 2 irregularity by declarer make players leave them out opening (or a strong one of ♣ Q 7 4 3 and could have told until the lead is face up. a minor) with at least sixteen declarer he was not on As to whether it is points is always legal. lead as soon as he saw inequitable, yes, but trivially West North East South him about to lead? so in my opinion. There are ♣♦♥♠ 1♦ 1♠ 2♣ Roger Grimsdick by email. several differences in the Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ rules between the declaring Please advise Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT When someone side and the defending side; how to score a End writes to me with since everyone defends one Qpairs’ competition A a situation, I try to hand in two, it evens up. with an arrow switch for After East placed a the last two rounds. It card on the table, face was a 9 table movement down, West asked about DUPLICATE BRIDGE (Mitchell) 27 boards. the 2♣ bid. I indicated it Margaret Kelly, was natural, showing 9+ RULES SIMPLIFIED Monkstown, Newtownabbey. points. Then West asked (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) about 3♣. I indicated Certainly best is that following the 2NT by John Rumbelow and only to get a scoring bid, we try to bid suits revised by David Stevenson £595 A program. I up the line, to check we recommend Jeff Smith’s have adequate stoppers Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 PairsScorer, which is both for 3NT. When dummy

Page 31 Ask David continued to issue penalties for this restore equity so dummy trump. Could she do so? sort of thing in clubs un- cannot gain from this. Jack Ridpath by email. less misboarding is com- Even if there is no revoke, mon – or at least common the director will adjust if not The low diamond We play a strong for these specific players. seeing the thirteenth card does not count as no-trump and There is no reason, for that misled the defenders. A played – declarer did Qnatural bids in matter, that North should do not hold it stationary touch- every suit apart from the scoring. South could do it. ♣♦♥♠ ing or nearly touching the clubs. With 12-14 table – so she could change it balanced we open 1♣, ♣♦♥♠ What do you do to a trump. It does not matter having at least three about a revoke whether anyone has seen it. clubs, usually to an 1. I had revoked Qwhen the play- honour. Should we without realis- ers discover it dur- ♣♦♥♠ describe this as Pre- Qing; the oppo- ing the next trick? pared Club, Phoney Club nents went down two in Velma Lindsey by email. If a defender’s or something else? 3NT. Afterwards they revoke causes Mr W A Cooper, could not understand If it is at duplicate, Qdeclarer to lose Liphook, Hants. why they went down. you summon the 3 tricks that he would We checked the cards; I A director once some- not have lost on nor- So long as your was leaving so left them one has drawn attention to mal play, is it correct for 1♣ opening al- to it. They insisted they the revoke. Assuming either the director to award A ways shows at least would have made it had the revoker or her partner only a 2-trick penalty? three clubs then the correct I not revoked and told has played to that trick, the Jill Clarkson by email. name is ‘Prepared Club’. the director to adjust revoke is established. Play It is not alertable, though the score; he did and continues and there might be No, assuming some- it should be on the sys- all went home happy. a transfer of penalty tricks – one notices, a player tem card. A ‘Phoney Club’ 2. My friend overcalled this may or may not restore A can never gain from means that the clubs can be 1NT with 1♠; opponents equity, or there may be a revoke. Thus if the revoke shorter than three cards. never remarked until penalties in excess of equity. gains three tricks, the penalty the 1♠ bidder’s partner These will be two penalty will always be three tricks. ♣♦♥♠ called; who was at fault? tricks if the revoker won the Doreen Parrington by email. revoke trick and her side ♣♦♥♠ Is North solely won a subsequent trick – or responsible 1. This sounds rea- one penalty trick so long as Declarer was Qfor seeing that sonable enough. the revoking side won the playing in the cards go back into A 2. If you do some- revoke trick or a subsequent Q6NT. He had the correct slots in the thing wrong, the next player one. The director will also run out of diamonds, board? When this did not can accept it either inad- restore equity if the non- the suit led and mis- happen, the director said vertently or purposefully. offenders suffered damage takenly discarded the he was going to penalise despite the penalty tricks. ace of spades from his us as my partner was ♣♦♥♠ It is much the same at hand. Although it was North. As North, he was rubber, except there is no lying flat on the table, also scoring, using the Declarer in 4♥ director to summon. he said he had the right Bridgemate, making a drew 3 rounds of to pick it back up and penalty seem harsh. Qtrumps, dummy ♣♦♥♠ put it back in his hand. Christine Nicholson by email. discarding on the third I objected but did not round. At trick eight, When South call the director, which The director was play of the last spade was playing in I realise I should have quite wrong. The from dummy uncovered Q5♣, West led done. I thought a card A idea that North does the ♥3. Am I right in and continued spades. flat on the table counts everything is about forty thinking there is no pen- Declarer’s card wavered, as played whether the years out of date. The only alty if dummy revokes? with the face exposed as player is declarer or not. responsibility the laws give to John Traill by email. the ♦4, about three inch- Agnes Fayden. North is moving the boards. es from the table, but Players are responsible This is an old almost instantaneously You are right: he for their own hands; so chestnut. Cer- lifted back towards her is wrong. Once he the fault lies with the play- A tainly, there is no hand. Declarer explained A has played a card, ers whose hands went in revoke penalty for a dummy she had pulled the accidentally or not, he may wrong. Even so, it is unusual revoke, but the director will wrong card meaning to not change it.

Page 32 I use the bidding correct to tell them what diamonds, it is legal but them as follows is illegal: box to help the possibilities are with you were misinformed and 1 2 3 4 Qme remember respect to choices of could get an adjustment 8 7 6 5 the contract. Once the 4441 and 4432 hands. if you suffered damage. Cards 4 and 5 would bidding is finished and go to the same player, the contract declared, ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ as would 8 and 9. I stand the relevant However, dealing them bidding card at the front Someone opened Can I play into five piles along and of the bidding box. Am 2♦, described Helvic after back as follows is legal: I breaking rules here? Qas strong, Qan opponent 1 2 3 4 5 Jan Free-Gore by email. forcing with only 13 doubles even if partner 9 8 7 6 HCP; she did not have opened one of a suit 10 11 12 13 You may be breaking 8 playing tricks in rather than 1NT? 17 16 15 14 the rules. However, diamonds. Is this legal? John Reeves, Solihull. At the finish, you put the A the rules for bidding Linda Wilson by email. two endmost piles together. boxes are a matter for the Any responses are This is very quick. Tournament Organiser, It depends whether permissible to an which generally means the the strong two is A opening bid, whether ♣♦♥♠ club. Therefore, if the club A natural or artificial a takeout double intervenes decides it is all right to leave – you have not said whether or not, at Level 3 and above, Usually we have the last bid out (or even to 2♦ was natural or reverse i.e. in club bridge or better. only 5 or 6 tables require it) then that is fine. Benjamin. If it is artificial, Qat our club. While as something like reverse ♣♦♥♠ the majority of people ♣♦♥♠ Benjamin is, it has to be would prefer to play a ‘strong’. For a hand to For duplicate Mitchell movement, we Andrew Robson be ‘strong’ it has to have bridge, law 6B have a member who is recommends one of the following: Qstates that ‘The very vocal and insists Qa method he (i) at least sixteen recommended procedure that we play a Howell. calls TAPS for opening high-card points; is that the cards be dealt She says the Mitchell is on 4441 hands: bid 1♣ (ii) Rule of 25, also called in rotation, clockwise’, not a legal movement with red suit singleton 25 Opening points implying that this with fewer than 7 tables. and 1♥ with a black (adding points to the is not the only legal Roy Ward, suit singleton. number of cards in the procedure. Why then Great Harwood, Does this need to two longest suits); is it the case that you Lancashire. be on my system card (iii) subject to adequate cannot deal consecutive or require an alert? disclosure, points for cards to a player? A Mitchell is a What should we say an opening bid and L Jackson, Hull. sensible and legal if anyone asks? eight clear-cut tricks. A movement from Wilfred Jones, Clear-cut tricks are Law 6B also states three tables upwards. Many Longlevens, Gloucester. the number you would that you must clubs play them with small take opposite a void A deal the cards numbers, especially if there No: it does not need if the suit breaks in ‘one card at a time into is an even number of pairs. to be on your system second-best fashion. four hands’. The accepted With an odd number of pairs, A card nor does it If it does not have the international interpretation players have to sit out for too need an alert. It is merely a above, it is not a strong of this is that consecutive long with a Mitchell; a Howell rule for a choice of openings hand, so you may not open cards must not go into the movement is better in those with more than one four- an artificial strong bid with it. same pile. Thus dealing circumstances. ■ card suit. Similarly, I expect A natural 2♦ opening does Andrew has rules for what not have to be strong, so to open on 4432 hands. your opponent could open REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE It is very rare for anyone 2♦ legally with less than to ask details of a normal the above so long as the Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, opening bid at the one-level; description is ‘Intermediate all mint with full gum. if they do, it is probably to Strong’. If it showed Quotations for commercial quantities available on request. Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100x37p+100x5p) [email protected] (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

Page 33 No Single Supplements on selected I & G cabins ** Winter Cruise Sale Incredible cruise offers from only £999pp

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All passengers will be eligible for seminars, drinks parties, quiz competitions, daily evening bridge after first dinner sitting and occasional afternoon bridge sessions. The bridge programme is fully optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. YOUR

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VOD_Winter11-12_A4.indd 1 04/08/2011 10:45:22 David Gold Says

Better to be in the Right Suit than at a Lower Level

eft-hand opponent opens 3♣ and there are two passes to you. What ♠ 4 ♠ A Q 7 6 5 is the right bid with this? ♥ 5 ♥ 3 L ♦ A K J 8 7 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 3 ♣ K Q 10 6 5 4 ♣ 4 ♠ A K 9 3 2 ♥ A Q 6 5 3 ♦ 9 2 At game all, your right hand opponent Just your side is vulnerable; RHO deals ♣ 10 deals and opens 2♠ (weak). Your bid? and opens 3♥. Bravely, you try 4♥ Well, let us look at the alternatives: showing spades and a minor (at least 1) Double – not with a singleton heart. 5-5). Partner bids 5♣, pass or correct, Let us look at the alternatives: 2) 2NT – this would be nice if it showed and you bid 5♦ dutifully. LHO doubles 1) Double – reasonable, but too likely both minors (unusual) as it would and leads a heart. Partner puts down: that you will miss a 5-3 major fit, say over 1♠. Sadly, over a weak two it is a opposite: natural bid (15-18 balanced). 3) 3♣ – fair but partner could have: ♠ 8 ♥ Q J 10 Hand A ♦ J 10 9 2 ♠ 10 4 ♠ Q 7 6 5 ♣ A 7 6 5 3 ♥ K J 7 ♥ Q 10 7 6 ♦ K Q 7 6 5 ♦ Q 10 9 3 ♣ Q 3 2 ♣ 2 You realise you have chances. In fact, with careful play, the contract proves to be making. The full deal: 2) 3♠ – OK if partner can support, but Now, you will usually make 10 tricks no good if partner holds Hand A. in diamonds and 3♣ will need some 3) 3♥ – OK if partner has Hand A, but fortunate breaks to scrape home. ♠ 8 what if the major suits are the other 4) 4NT (both minors) – now we are ♥ Q J 10 way round and partner has Hand B? talking. This call brings both your suits ♦ J 10 9 2 into the auction and offers partner a ♣ A 7 6 5 3 choice. Opposite the hand above, 5♦ ♠ K J 10 2 ♠ 9 4 3 Hand B will go one off but 3♣ was probably ♥ 4 2 N ♥ A K 9 8 7 6 5 W E ♠ Q J 7 failing too! If partner is kind enough ♦ K 4 S ♦ 7 ♥ K 4 to put down a slightly better hand: ♣ K Q J 10 9 ♣ 8 2 ♦ K Q 7 6 5 ♠ A Q 7 6 5 ♣ J 3 2 ♥ 3 ♠ A 7 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 3 ♥ J 10 7 6 ♣ 4 4) 4♣ – both majors – this will get you to ♦ Q 10 9 3 the right contract opposite both hands ♣ 2 A and B. By bidding 4♣, you focus on Had you overcalled 3♠, trying to stay your main hope on this hand, which low but hoping partner would have a fit is to find 3+ card support for one of He will still pass 3♣ if you bid it but now and raise, you would have played there your suits. Occasionally, you will miss 5♦ is almost laydown. and gone down. By risking a slightly 3NT or even a penalty against 3♣, of Certainly, bidding 4NT can run into higher level to bring both of your suits course, but that is less likely. a misfit and be badly wrong but bidding into the game, you recorded +750! With the hand above in mind and 3♣ and missing game is a disaster too. So remember: Better To Be In The feeling optimistic, you pick up: Now you get the idea, you pick up: Right Suit Than At A Lower Level! ■

Page 35

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ACROSS 25 Play in this and lose! (5) 1 A card to threaten and 26 One hopes for lucky ones squeeze (6) (6) 4 Nine of diamonds, DOWN Duplicate Bridge the _____ of Scotland (5) 2 After a misdefence, post- 6 Twenty? Usually more (5) mortems _____ (5) Bernard Magee 8 The game that Culbertson 3 A follower of British 6-20 November 2011 15-29 January 2012 learned to play in a bridge? (7) Golf available Tony & Jan Richards from £1099* Russian prison in the 4 A system to take you for a early 20th C. (6) ride (3) 19 Feb – 4 March 2012 All inclusive board 10 A way to say ‘no’ at the 5 Get a lift in the bidding (5) Golf available includes: buffet-style break- card table (4) fast, lunch, dinner, snacks 7 In which we intend Bernard Magee 11 First in hand, perhaps (6) served at selected times players will cope finally between meals, ice cream 12 One aspires to achieve (7) *per person half-board sharing this (3) a twin-bedded room and is served in the afternoon and 9 For everyone after amber inclusive of bridge fees. Single afternoon tea. An unlim- 13 Ring of bells for the (5) supplement £6 per night. These prices are based on air travel ited amount of hot, soft and director? (6) 11 After the deal, before the alcoholic drinks (excluding from Gatwick to Enfidha. Flights 15 React if under attack (6) bidding, hands should be from other UK airports are international brands and _____ (7) available at a supplement. All cocktails) served 10am to 17 One to be found among prices are firm until the end of midnight. the face cards (3) 14 Thoughts on sight of October 2011. Prices for seven- dummy (5) night stays (November only) are *per person full-board sharing a 18 A play to ensure the available on application. twin-bedded room and is inclusive desired outcome (6) 16 What some make at the Pay £70 per fortnight per person of bridge fees. Single supplement 20 Maybe a winner, but you table (7) £220 per fortnight. These prices are extra and have a pool-facing based on air travel from Gatwick. got it in the neck in days 19 Leaving cards (5) room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of Flights from Manchester, Newcastle long ago (4) 21 An extraordinary and East Midlands are available at a seasonal fruit. supplement. 22 Pass is the bid in which distribution (5) These holidays have been organised help is provided (6) 23 Equality in play... for Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, This holiday is arranged in conjunction ATOL 5933, working in association with Thomas Cook Holidays 24 Expression of frustration it’s capital to interest with Thomas Cook Tour ATOL1179. at such a little card? (5) enthusiasts (3) Operations Limited, ATOL 1179.

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Page 36 Michelle Brunner Better Hand 31 December 1953 – 24 June 2011 Evaluation by Rodney Lighton from the Manchester Bridge Club Website Bernard Magee

Introduction ichelle Brunner events, most often with her textbooks on Acol for begin- Better Hand Evaluation is was one of Eng- great friend Rhona Golden- ners and improvers and an aimed at helping readers to land’s and Man- field. In Women’s events she excellent column for Bridge add greater accuracy to their Mchester’s best known bridge won a World Championship Plus for many years. bidding. It deals with auctions players, a former World and in 1985 with Gill Scott-Jones In 2000, she was treated in which you and your partner, against silent opponents, can European Ladies’ Champion and European Champion- for breast cancer and recov- describe your hands fully to and a many-capped interna- ships in 1979 with Rosie ered. She was ill before the each other and, by evaluating tional as well as a winner Hudson and in 2001 with 2007 Venice Cup in Shang- them accurately, find the best of many national and local Rhona Goldenfield. The hai and her doctor sug- final contract. The emphasis of all good, accurate bidding is on events. Posterity will doubt- 2001 European was possibly gested that she didn’t go. Of hand evaluation. less remember Michelle the pinnacle of her achieve- course, Michelle wanted to play and went. She was pos- There are two general types of for her many achievements ments, when she and Rhona auction: a) a fit is found and b) playing bridge; however, all were the best pair from any sibly the best player on the no fit is found. those who had the pleasure country and played the last English team and produced When you do not have a fit, to know her will remember eight matches in the event a brilliant defence that was you are aiming to describe the her for her warmth, humour, without a break. She played written up in English Bridge strength of your hand as soon beauty and friendliness. in the Lady Milne Trophy in December 2007. On her as possible, most often using Michelle was born on New many times and represent- return, a diagnosis of ter- no-trump bids. This book be- gins by discussing balanced Year’s Eve 1953, the middle ed Britain in mixed teams minal cancer was made. She hand bidding in Acol, as it daughter of three from a events. She also competed at decided that she was going is very important that both North London Jewish fam- the top level in open events, to live life to the full while members of a partnership ily. She learned bridge at winning four Camrose caps she could. She gave up work, have an accurate knowledge of how to show hands of different home at the age of 14 and in partnership with John. went on holidays to Europe strengths. played at school in the sixth At the domestic level, she and Australia and had many When a fit is found, there is form. In 1971, she arrived at won many national titles trips to the theatre and mu- much re-evaluation of the Manchester University os- with John, most notably the sicals. She also continued hand to be done; point count, tensibly to study Italian. At Hubert Phillips six times, the playing bridge at the high- though still important, needs that time, the University had Portland Pairs three times est level, winning selection to be evaluated together with distribution. The best way of a strong and thriving bridge (a record) and Crockfords with John for England twice reaching an accurate assess club which she joined, and once. The Gold Cup eluded in the Camrose Trophy. She ment is to use the Losing Trick her standard improved rap- her, but she came very close, won two ‘defence of the year’ Count; this is an important idly. The Italian was rather losing by two IMPs in the awards given by the IBPA method of hand evaluation and takes up a number of chapters. neglected and she left Uni- 2006 final. In the Manches- for the best reported de- versity to work for Thomas ter area she won everything, fence in the world. She was Finally, we move on to different forms of evaluation including Cook. In the mid-seventies, including the strong Man- immensely proud of John’s game tries and splinter bids. she and John Holland be- chester league with 16 wins achievement in winning You can never know enough came life and bridge part- in the last 32 years. two World Seniors’ Cham- methods of hand evaluation; ners, they married quietly in As a player, her strengths pionships, although disap- the more you learn, the better you get at judging your hand. 2008. were great concentration, pointed that she was unable Michelle was a true bridge a will to win, excellent de- to travel with him. In early Although the Losing Trick addict; she played all over clarer play and defence and 2011, she undertook the Count is used more easily in tandem with your partner, a the world with great distinc- good bidding judgement. arduous trip to Australia to large proportion of the ideas tion and since 1995 worked Michelle was bright, beau- play in the Gold Coast Con- in this book can be used by an as a bridge professional, tiful and bubbly. Everyone gress and have a holiday. individual. For example, eval- teaching in the Manchester who met her will remember Despite being in consider- uating your hand to be worth an extra point is going to help area and writing books and her friendly manner and hu- able pain from back prob- anyone you partner – as long articles about the game. mour. Along with her me- lems, her team reached the as you get it right. It would be impossible to ticulous preparation, these finals of this strong event. list in an obituary all Mi- qualities made her an out- We send our condolences £14 including postage chelle’s honours at the game. standing teacher. Her class- to John Holland, her sisters See Mail Order Form She represented her country es and seminars were hugely Susan and Gillian and all her on page 7 40 times in international popular. She also wrote two friends. ■

Page 37 Heather Dhondy Says

When Giving a Ruff, Give a Suit- Preference Signal

uit preference signals have many So should we go ahead and cash his uses. The most classic of all is ♠ K J 10 4 ace of diamonds for him? He did, after when delivering a ruff. Consider ♥ 5 all, play a high heart on his return…or Sthe following problem as West on this ♦ K Q J 10 was it? deal: ♣ K Q 9 5 In order to defeat this contract, we ♠ 8 3 ♠ 7 5 will need to cash, not only this ace, but ♥ K Q 9 7 6 4 2 N ♥ A 10 another trick as well. It is very unlikely W E ♠ K J 10 4 ♦ 3 ♦ A 9 6 5 2 S that partner has two more aces since ♥ 5 ♣ J 10 4 ♣ 8 7 6 3 this would leave declarer with just ten ♦ K Q J 10 ♠ A Q 9 6 2 points for his opening bid. However, it is ♣ K Q 9 5 ♥ J 8 3 possible – indeed likely – that he holds ♠ 8 3 ♦ 8 7 4 the ♥Q and that card as well would be ♥ K Q 9 7 6 4 2 N ♣ A 2 sufficient to beat the contract. It seems a W E ♦ 3 S much better prospect to play him for this ♣ J 10 4 card. With this in mind, let us return The next one is a little trickier. You are to the question of his suit-preference vulnerable and the scoring is teams. signal. It now seems a lot less clear that West North East South the jack was a high card: holding both 3♥ Dbl Pass 4♠ the queen and the jack, he would need to End ♠ A J 7 3 2 return one of them to establish the third ♥ 10 9 2 round of the suit, so, in fact, his jack was You lead the ♦3; partner wins with the ♦ K Q low! ace and gives you a diamond ruff. What ♣ K Q J Play back a club to his ace. He will card do you play now? ♠ 5 then cash the queen of hearts for one It is certainly possible that partner ♥ 8 N down. holds a second ace; if you can ‘guess’ ♦ J 10 9 7 4 2 W E This was the full deal: S which one to play him for, you can ♣ 10 9 7 5 2 collect a second ruff and defeat the contract. How do you know which suit ♠ A J 7 3 2 he wants? West North East South ♥ 10 9 2 The answer is that partner’s diamond 1♠ ♦ K Q return should be a suit-preference Pass 2NT1 3♥ 4♠2 ♣ K Q J signal. If his entry is in the lower of the End ♠ 5 ♠ 6 4 two remaining suits, (discounting the 1Jacoby, showing four or more spades and ♥ 8 N ♥ A Q J 7 5 3 W E game values ♦ J 10 9 7 4 2 ♦ 8 5 one led and trumps, so clubs) he should S return his lowest diamond – and if his 2Weakest action ♣ 10 9 7 5 2 ♣ A 8 3 entry is in the higher suit (hearts), he ♠ K Q 10 9 8 should return a high diamond. You lead the ♥8; partner wins with the ♥ K 6 4 Be very careful to examine all the ace, declarer following with the four. ♦ A 6 3 cards played on the first round of Partner returns the jack, declarer puts ♣ 6 4 the suit, so that you can tell whether up the king and you ruff. What card do partner’s card on the next round of the you return? suit is high or low! This time you cannot collect a second Summary On this deal, partner’s suit-preference ruff so must think of other ways to beat card is nice and clear; he returns the the contract. Partner’s signal will still be When partner gives you a ruff, play nine; so you can play back a heart to his a suit-preference and it seems likely that his card to be a suit-preference signal, ace and receive your second ruff. he will hold one of the aces given his telling you where his entry lies. With Here is the full deal: overcall and South’s 4♠ sign off. luck, you can get a second ruff. ■

Page 38 David Huggett Says A Bid of the Opponent’s Suit is Forcing

here are times when we have to This is not the only time when you use our imagination to convey a might wish to bid the opponents’ suit: N/S Game. Dealer South. particular message… ♠ J 8 3 T ♥ Q 2 E/W Game. Dealer West. ♦ K 6 5 Love All. Dealer North ♠ A 7 5 ♣ J 9 7 6 2 ♠ 6 4 ♥ K Q J 8 6 ♠ K Q 9 4 2 ♠ 10 N ♥ K Q J 9 3 ♦ 7 3 ♥ ♥ A J 10 6 3 W E K 9 8 7 4 ♦ J 8 ♣ J 6 4 ♦ 3 S ♦ 10 9 4 2 ♣ A K 8 4 ♠ Q 10 3 ♠ J 4 ♣ 8 5 ♣ A 10 4 ♠ A J 3 ♠ K Q 10 9 7 ♥ 7 4 N ♥ A 9 2 ♠ A 7 6 5 W E N ♥ 7 6 5 ♥ A 2 ♦ A Q J 9 8 2 S ♦ K 10 6 4 ♥ 5 W E ♦ ♦ ♣ ♣ A K 10 3 S 9 5 4 A K 9 7 3 2 ♦ A Q J 8 7 ♣ J 7 6 ♣ 10 5 2 ♠ K 9 8 6 2 ♣ K Q 3 ♠ 8 5 2 ♥ 10 5 3 ♥ 10 8 4 ♦ 5 ♦ Q 7 6 2 ♣ Q 10 8 5 West North East South ♣ Q 9 3 1♦ ? West North East South West North East South 1♦ 1♥ 2♦ 2♥ In the old days, an immediate cue-bid 1♥ 1♠ Pass ? of the opponents’ suit signalled a huge ? hand. The trouble was that you might After his partner has raised his opening wait forever for such a bid to come along. One reason to overcall is to get in the bid, West should not give up hopes of Nowadays, clever ways of showing two way of the opponents. At the one-level, game with his above average hand. 5♦, suits at the same time have become very you might have fewer high-card points needing eleven tricks, seems a long way popular. Perhaps the most frequent is the than an opening bid, but you would off, however and the most likely game ‘Michaels’ Cue-Bid’ where a cue-bid of hold at least a decent five-card suit, so contract – if indeed one exists – is 3NT. an opening minor shows both majors in East bids 1♠. Can you see a drawback Clearly, West cannot bid that because he a hand of previously discussed strength. to this approach? Well, partner cannot does not have a stopper in the overcalled In the example above, West would tell whether you have genuine strength suit, but he can ask his partner whether bid 2♦, the opponents’ suit, forcing of or a weak hand with a good suit. That is he does by the simple expedient of course and showing both majors. North the case here. West knows of an eight- bidding the opponents’ suit! So a 3♥ bid would pass and East would bid 4♥ with card spade fit but not whether they have by the West player in the example above the huge fit, an easy game to make on game values. To find out, he bids ♥2 , the is simply a way of asking his partner limited values. opposition’s suit! This is forcing and it whether he has a stopper in that suit and, What does a cue-bid of an opening asks the overcaller for more definition. if so, to bid 3NT. East would be happy to major show? It shows the other major With a weak hand, he rebids his suit oblige and nine tricks would be an easy and an unspecified minor and is perhaps at the lowest level, while if he has an make. Note that a contract of 5♦ stands beyond the scope of this maxim. opening hand, he makes some other very little chance, with two spades and a descriptive bid – maybe a new suit or heart to lose. Conclusion maybe a jump or perhaps even a no- This cunning bid of the opponents’ trump bid. Here, East would rebid 2♠ suit to ask about a stopper is called a In all these sequences, you must be and West would pass and eight tricks ‘Directional Asking Bid’ – or DAB for aware that a bid of the opposing suit would be the limit of the hand. This short. is forcing. No matter what else it fancy bid of the opponents’ suit has the Sometimes you can use a bid of the means, partner wants you to keep on name ‘Unassuming Cue-Bid.’ opponents’ suit from the word go! bidding. ■

Page 39 Julian Pottage Says

Use the Clues from the Bidding

n many contracts, you face a guess as Now, suppose I say that you opened 1NT The full deal could be like this: declarer. Sometimes you know little in second seat. In this case, East would and must rely on simple odds. These hardly pass as dealer with 12 points. You Idays, this is rarely the case. People are therefore put West with the king of clubs ♠ 8 5 getting busier and busier in the bidding. and play to drop it singleton. Although ♥ K 8 5 While this makes it harder for you to the chance of success would be low, ♦ A J 10 9 6 5 find the right contract, what they did or some chance is better than none. You ♣ 10 3 did not bid often helps you in the play. hope the deal looks something like this: ♠ K J 10 6 3 ♠ Q 9 2 ♥ 10 6 4 N ♥ Q J 9 3 2 W E ♦ ♦ 8 3 2 S K 4 ♠ 6 5 ♠ 6 5 ♣ K 8 ♣ 7 5 2 ♥ K 8 5 ♥ K 8 5 ♠ A 7 4 ♦ A K J 5 ♦ A K J 5 ♥ A 7 ♣ J 10 7 3 ♣ J 10 7 3 ♦ Q 7 ♠ 10 9 8 3 ♠ A K Q 4 ♣ A Q J 9 6 4 N W E ♥ Q J 6 3 N ♥ 10 4 2 S ♦ 9 6 4 3 W E ♦ 8 7 S ♠ J 7 2 ♣ K ♣ 8 6 5 2 It does not matter that the diamond ♥ A 9 7 ♠ J 7 2 finesse loses. East has no more spades ♦ Q 10 2 ♥ A 9 7 and you make nine tricks. You would go ♣ A Q 9 4 ♦ Q 10 2 down if you took the club finesse. ♣ A Q 9 4 Now, if I tell you that East overcalled 1♠, you put the long spades on your You are South in 3NT. right. In this case, you cross to dummy West leads the spade ten and you lose More commonly a positive action by an and finesse in clubs instead. You are four tricks when East has A-K-Q-x. opponent is what gives you a clue. catering for a layout like this: West shifts to a diamond. If the bidding tells you nothing – say you dealt, opened 1NT and received a ♠ 8 5 ♠ 8 5 raise to 3NT – you will no doubt take ♥ K 8 5 ♥ K 8 5 the club finesse and make nine tricks if ♦ A J 10 9 6 5 ♦ A J 10 9 6 5 East holds the king. ♣ 10 3 ♣ 10 3 ♠ J 10 3 ♠ K Q 9 6 2 You hope the full layout is like this: N W E ♥ J 10 6 4 2 N ♥ Q 9 3 S ♦ 8 3 2 W E ♦ K 4 S ♠ 6 5 ♠ A 7 4 ♣ K 8 ♣ 7 5 2 ♥ K 8 5 ♥ A 7 ♠ A 7 4 ♦ A K J 5 ♦ Q 7 ♥ A 7 ♣ J 10 7 3 ♣ A Q J 9 6 4 ♦ Q 7 ♠ 10 9 8 3 ♠ A K Q 4 ♣ A Q J 9 6 4 ♥ Q J 3 N ♥ 10 6 4 2 W E ♦ ♦ 9 6 4 3 S 8 7 You are in 3NT once more. West leads ♣ 8 6 ♣ K 5 2 the spade jack and you hold up the ace You do not much mind that the club ♠ J 7 2 until the third round (all follow). finesse loses. This time West has no ♥ A 9 7 If the opponents never bid, you may more spades. Again, you make the ♦ Q 10 2 well place West with long spades and contract in comfort. Now you would go ♣ A Q 9 4 take the diamond finesse into what you down if you finessed West for the king think is the safe East hand. of diamonds.

Page 40 Use the Clues from the Bidding continued ♠ K J 8 ♥ J 8 5 ♦ A J 9 5 4 2 ♣ Q

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

♠ K 10 9 7 6 4 2 ♠ A Q 9 7 6 2 ♥ A ♥ Q 7 You are in 4♠ after West opened 1NT ♦ 9 ♦ K 7 (12-14). West leads the ♥A-K-Q and you ♣ Q J 6 4 ♣ K J 6 ruff the third round. You still have a club to lose and must find the queen of spades. You are in 6♠. West leads the heart You are in 4♠. West leads a low heart. East You do not know yet who holds the queen to your ace. The key thing here is wins the first two tricks with the king and queen of spades. To find out, you knock not to lose two trumps if someone has ace of hearts before switching to a low out the ace of clubs. If West has it, this is A-J-x. club. You must guess whether to put up thirteen points accounted for and East Suppose first that West opened ♥3 . the king, playing East for the ace, or to try must hold the missing queens: With long hearts on your left, you put the jack, playing East for the queen. the spade length on your right and lead If East-West never bid, you would try to the queen: the jack of clubs. For one thing, East’s ♠ K J 8 silence in the bidding (despite holding ♥ J 8 5 seven points in hearts) slightly raises the ♦ A J 9 5 4 2 ♠ Q 8 5 chance that West holds the club ace. For ♣ Q ♥ K 8 6 4 another, West might have led a club with ♠ 7 3 ♠ Q 5 ♦ A J 5 out the ace. The other hands could be: ♥ A K Q 2 N ♥ 10 6 4 3 W E ♣ A K 9 ♦ 10 7 6 3 ♦ Q 8 S ♠ Void ♠ A J 3 ♣ A 8 5 ♣ 7 6 4 3 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 7 5 2 N ♥ 3 ♠ 10 4 ♠ 5 3 ♠ A 10 9 6 4 2 ♦ K 8 4 2 W E ♦ Q 10 7 6 3 ♥ J 9 6 3 N ♥ A K 10 4 ♥ 9 7 S ♣ 10 5 ♣ 8 7 3 2 ♦ 10 6 4 W E ♦ 9 3 2 ♦ K S ♠ K 10 9 7 6 4 2 ♣ A 10 5 2 ♣ Q 9 8 4 ♣ K J 10 9 ♥ A ♦ 9 ♣ Q J 6 4 Now, if I tell you that East opened 1♥ or If East has the club ace, West will need 1NT, you need to reassess. East surely the queens to have enough points: needs the ace of clubs to open, so you go Now, suppose East opened 3♦. This up with the king. The full layout (with makes West favourite for the long spades the 1♥ opening) could be: ♠ K J 8 and you lead the king. In this scenario, ♥ J 8 5 the full layout would more likely be as ♦ A J 9 5 4 2 follows: ♠ K J 8 ♣ Q ♥ 8 5 2 ♠ Q 5 3 ♠ 7 ♦ A Q J 8 5 ♥ A K Q 2 N ♥ 10 6 4 3 W E ♠ Q 8 5 ♣ 7 3 ♦ Q 8 7 ♦ 10 6 3 S ♥ K 8 6 4 ♠ 10 4 ♠ 5 3 ♣ 8 5 2 ♣ A 7 6 4 3 N ♦ A J 5 ♥ J 6 3 ♥ A K 10 9 4 ♠ A 10 9 6 4 2 W E ♣ A K 9 ♦ 10 6 4 2 S ♦ 9 3 ♥ 9 7 ♠ A J 3 ♠ Void ♣ Q 9 5 2 ♣ A 10 8 4 ♦ K ♥ Q J 10 7 5 N ♥ 9 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 7 6 2 ♣ K J 10 9 W E ♥ ♦ 8 4 S ♦ K Q 10 7 6 3 2 Q 7 ♣ 10 5 3 ♣ 8 7 2 ♦ K 7 ♠ K 10 9 7 6 4 2 ♣ K J 6 If you have ever wondered how good ♥ A players manage to get their guesses right ♦ 9 rather more than half the time, now you ♣ Q J 6 4 At times, the bidding alone does not know. They do not play blindly but use resolve a guess. You must dig deeper. the clues from the bidding. ■

Page 41 GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE A1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ GLOBAL TRAVEL GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE ( INSURANCE Services Limited 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 Email [email protected] Services Limited

SINGLE TRIP INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY

This insurance is suitable for persons whose Demands and Needs are those of a traveller whose Individual round trip starts and finishes in the UK and is of no more than 122 days duration, and whose age is 90 years or less and is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom and Channel Islands. As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs. This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK.

SINGLE TRIP SUMMARY OF COVER

The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.

CANCELLATION OR CURTAILMENT up to £1,500 PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000 If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs, covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs. etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £75. Policy Excess £50. Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £75. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150. No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery. excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200 PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000 If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess. disablement. No Policy Excess. DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500 MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £10,000,000 If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from Including FIRSTASSIST 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled (a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. outward trip from the UK. Policy Excess £75 (b) only. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK. Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 a Cruise when increased to £150. Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 unless travelling within destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500. vehicle in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250. (b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300 An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000 No Policy Excess. To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.

MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS Medical Screening The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior there is no need to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. Please note that to application. we consider a Cruise to be any international sailing or sea voyage travelling international waters but not River Trips. MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: If You have a history of any medical condition and are traveling to North or Central Insurers will not pay for claims arising America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, you must first contact the Medical Screening 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) are undergoing tests for the Line to establish whether we can provide cover for your trip. If you are accepted, the presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need following levels of excess will apply. You will receive written confirmation that you are for treatment at a hospital or nursing home. covered for the trip. The number to call is: 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). 0844 8921698 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) If you are not accepted for cover having been screened, we may be able have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical to offer you cover under our Single Trip “PLUS” product. condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention in a hospital. Please ask us for further details or go to our website. 4. If You are travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner. OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Claims arising from Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising. 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, For claims arising from any medical condition, other than those that are specifically excluded, Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this the excess is further increased as follows: exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess. losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – taking place at the beginning of any Trip. For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. 5. Consequential loss of any kind. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within 6. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £2,000. accommodation supplier. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within 7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £3,000. 8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

POLICY EXCESSES: The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under each section where an excess applies. ✄

Single Trip travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Single Trip Travel Insurance Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Suitable for individual round trips up to 122 days duration Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA that start and finish in the UK arranged by on 0845 606 1234. This insurance is underwritten by ETI International Travel Protection Global Travel Insurance (ETI) the UK branch of Europäische Reiseversicherung A.G. Munich, an A1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ ERGO group Company, incorporated and regulated under the laws of ( 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 Germany, Companies House Registration FC 25660 and Branch Reg- istration BR 007939. ETI is licensed by the Bundesanstalt für Finanz- SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM dienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and approved by the Financial Services Authority to undertake insurance business in the UK. Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance with a cheque If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance you must first or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. issued. Please allow at least 5 days before you need to travel. Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to Details of the Applicant compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further Surname advice. Telephone No. Single Trip PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE House Number/Name GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 1. United Kingdom Street Name England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Town Name Republic of Ireland). (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2). 2. Europe Postcode Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Date of leaving Home Jordan, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons Date of arrival Home residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips). 3. Worldwide excluding North America Screening Ref Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries comprising Central America and the Introducer Mr Bridge Caribbean Islands). 4. Worldwide including North America Geographical Area – See Premium Panel Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other (1,2,3 or 4) countries comprising Central America, Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands. Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS 1 £

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✄ 239STI11 Catching Up by Sally Brock

he ongoing background to my My birthday was on June 12th, but life since last I wrote has been the celebrations did not start well. ♠ K the children’s public exams. We had a first-round Hubert Phillips ♥ A K 8 3 2 TBriony has had GCSEs this summer match on the Friday against local ♦ 10 8 3 2 and Toby AS levels. friends Peter & Dee Lindon and Derek ♣ 10 9 3 Briony is very good at planning her & Celia Oram. I managed to play the revision: she has plastered post-its all worst bridge I can remember and over the kitchen, containing what she single-handedly threw nearly 3,000 That was the most difficult of my needs to do and when she is going to aggregate points to lose by 200 or so. mistakes. For the second year running, do it. She even planned a day’s history This was a particularly bad error of we have failed to win a match. revision with friends which revolved bidding judgement in the first set. The following day, the Saturday, I around a batch of fairy cakes, with You, South, hold: spent with Barry in London. We had dates written on the bottom of each an enjoyable wander around Camden of the cases – in order to get the cake Market – have you been recently? All you had to say what happened in that ♠ A J 7 6 the bronze horses are simply stunning year. However, how much real work ♥ 5 – where he bought me some fabulous she actually did is another matter. It is ♦ 7 silver earrings for my birthday. In the another month or so before we find out. ♣ A K Q J 7 5 4 evening, we went out to dinner with Toby’s style is more to shut himself friends. On the Sunday morning, I in his room and hope that I think he went home and the children and I is revising. His university choice will West North East South went out to lunch in Maidenhead, to depend on how well he does, so again Pass Pass 1♣ the Blue River Café overlooking the fingers crossed. 1♦ 1♥ Pass 1♠ river. In May, my calendar was full of Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ Perhaps the most significant event in weekend dates I had to keep open in Pass 3♥ Pass ? this period has been the deterioration case we got to the finals of things – in health and eventual death of our which we did not. Consequently, it was I foolishly thought that I was never friend Michelle Brunner. She has been mainly free. I helped Simon Cope with going to find out whether or not in most of the international women’s a training weekend for the Under-25 partner had the right cards for slam teams I have played in, including my team who, as I write, are playing in the and I was unsure whether partner first outing in 1979. Barry has been European Championships in Bulgaria. would think 4♣ forcing on this a good friend of hers since they were It is early days but they have not made sequence, so I simply jumped to 5♣. both at Manchester University in 1971. a great start. However, on reflection, partner has She had breast cancer about ten years Nicola and I played in the Spring no points in clubs and not many in ago (though she kept it very quiet and Bank Holiday Swiss teams at the end diamonds. Surely, he is more or less most of us did not know it then) from of May with Simon Cope and Marion marked with the ace of hearts and king which she seemed to have recovered, Robertson. This is a regular date for of spades, and his spades are likely to but in 2007 her cancer returned and us and we usually do fairly well. This be quite short. the prognosis was bleak. In fact, her year we actually won, which was very His actual hand is what I should illness was diagnosed at roughly the pleasing. have expected: same time as Raymond’s.

Page 44 Catching Up continued played another club; then declarer, not expect to do well but were anxious expecting this to be ruffed, played that they should not make fools of low from dummy. Of course, Michelle themselves. To that end, they asked me promptly won with her king and gave to help them: first to do some training, Though he died in early 2008, she her partner a club ruff to beat 4♠. then to organise trials, then to select a battled for much longer; she was team and finally to captain them in the living quite a full life up to the first European Championships. Obviously, few months of this year (including a Dealer East. Game All. this programme necessitated several trip to Australia in February). Alas, trips to Malta; while there, I made finally her time ran out. We went up ♠ J 8 7 4 many friends and visit most years. My to Manchester to see her and although ♥ A 5 particular friends are Mario Dix and she was sleeping for most of the time ♦ A J Margaret Parnis England. We usually we were lucky enough to have an hour ♣ A Q 10 7 4 stay in Mario’s flat but this year they or so with her when she was conscious ♠ K 9 5 ♠ 3 2 had other ideas… and we were able to remember some of ♥ J 10 9 4 N ♥ K 7 6 2 A number of years ago Mario took ♦ 9 5 4 3 W E ♦ Q 10 8 7 the good times. S on a project involving a luxury yacht. I remember the EU Championships in ♣ 8 6 ♣ K 9 3 He did not own it but had the task to Vilamoura, Portugal, in 1993. Raymond ♠ A Q 10 6 supervise its refitting, to move it from actually danced with Michelle (which ♥ Q 8 3 Turkey to Malta and eventually to sell is more than he ever did with me). He ♦ K 6 2 it. The current financial climate is not came back a little shame-faced because ♣ J 5 2 very suitable for the trading of such a he had shared with her our great secret luxury item so it is sitting idly in the (actually I think she had guessed) – marina in Malta waiting for something that I was pregnant with Toby. She was West North East South to happen. Therefore, this time we the first person other than my mother Pass 1NT* were to stay on the yacht. It is a very who knew. Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ grand affair. There is a huge stateroom She was one of the best women Pass 4♠ All Pass on the deck level, and four double players in the country. There were en-suite rooms below – in which we a couple of years when she won the *12–14 stayed. My bedroom there was bigger Worldwide Prize for the Best Defended than my room at home – none of this Hand. The second of those was one of Sadly, the following Friday we heard skimping on space I had grown used the best thought-out defences I have that she had died and on the Sunday to on other boats. We had a great time. ever seen. we went back up to Manchester for It was lovely to be able to sunbathe on It is not easy to see how declarer the funeral. Despite the speedily deck when and where we wanted. The could go down when looking at all made arrangements, there was a huge only criticism was that the interior four hands – but read on… turnout, with the bridge world very designer was clearly keen on the use of West, John Holland, Michelle’s well represented. mirrors to make the limited space look partner both at the table and in life, The following day Briony and I bigger. Every surface in the bathroom led the jack of hearts which declarer went to Malta. In 1999, the European had a mirror covering it. I cannot say ducked to Michelle’s king. At trick Championships took place in Malta, that I was delighted to see my naked two, Michelle switched to the nine of and the Maltese were determined to reflection hundreds of times from clubs, which looked like a singleton. participate in the event. Although they every possible angle every morning – Declarer won in dummy and, fearing were entitled to play any time, they though I guess that if I had been there a club ruff, played the ace and queen only have a small bridge federation any longer then I might finally have of spades. West won with the king and and had never done so before. They did been motivated to keep to my diet. ■

FOR NEW READERS AND ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN… Sally Brock lives in High Wycombe with her teenage children Toby (17) and Briony (15), her husband Raymond having died in early 2008. She now has a new partner, both at and away from the bridge table, Barry Myers, a barrister who lives in Shepherds Bush. She works partly as a bridge professional, occasionally playing for pay but more often writing (she is the bridge columnist for The Sunday Times) and teaching online; the rest of the time she works on the production of travel guides – hence the occasional reference to rather obscure countries. Sally has been a member of the British/English women’s team on and off since 1979. These days, she partners Nicola Smith in these events.

Page 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Monday we open 1♣ on all flat hands the last time that I went, so I culate to my family. After a week lazing around outside our no-trump range, found myself driving to the Then it is back to Barry’s in Malta, a gym session is we do not need a 1NT rebid other side of Corby (more for tea prior to playing at the well overdue. However, first to be natural after a 1♦ open- than two hours away). Still, Young Chelsea. Not one of I have to take the car to the ing and 1♥/1♠ response. We as Briony puts it, they will our better evenings, but it is garage – the most horrible use 1NT in this position to not all be alive forever so it always good fun no matter screeching sound developed show various sorts of strong is good to make the effort. how we do. on the way back from Gat- hand. Although we both Today (or should it be wick. Luckily, the garage is think this is a good idea, it tomorrow?) is the day that not too busy and can lend takes some getting used to. all the teenagers have been Saturday me a spare car (number Then there is a quick lunch waiting for… At midnight, I At lunchtime, Barry and I plate PA55 MOT) for a few and a dash to the garage to take Briony and two friends go to a barbecue lunch at days. Then back for a bit of get the car back. I suppose to see the new Harry Potter Colin and Juliana Simpson’s. catching up, currently North £315 is not too bad as car movie. They are so excited. On the journey there and Cyprus and Palestine. In repairs go. Then another ‘It is better than Christmas.’ for the early part of the af- the evening, Briony has her online session, this time I hear one of them say. ternoon it pours down with cricket practice, after which Barry and I playing against rain, though it brightens up we have friends for dinner. Richard and Gerry. Honour later so we spend some time is satisfied on this occasion. Friday in their beautiful garden. It Then there is a mad dash to We all have a bit of a lie-in. is a good party with a vast Tuesday the hairdressers for all three Then I need to get on because amount of excellent food, Up early for an online ses- of us. Finally, home at five I am going into London drink and company. We stay sion with new clients at o’clock in time to start work for lunch, meeting another until it is nearly eight o’clock; 9am. It seems to go well – (Guyana today). Briony Margaret and her daughter the rest of the evening pass- they have booked a course cooks an excellent dinner Ana. I have not seen Ana es in a vaguely philanthropic of five two-hour slots. Af- (I pay her for kitchen duties for a while and she is grow- post-alcoholic haze. terwards, I pop around the when I am busy). ing so fast. Only twelve, and corner for coffee with a already taller than me. We neighbour who is organis- go over the road to the local Sunday ing a charity bridge even- Thursday deli for lunch, but they are We have been looking for- ing in November and wants My father (aged 81) is the full so we take the food back ward to watching Briony’s my advice. Then lunch with youngest of four. The eld- to Margaret’s place to eat. team play cricket today – Briony (who has finished est died some years ago but I have an appointment in a crunch match that will school, having done her the other two are still go- at three in Wardour Street. give them a chance of win- GCSEs). In the afternoon, ing strong. Once every two In 1992, my sister and her ning the league should they I have a weekly counselling or three months they get husband Martin won a win. She sets off in the team session. Life is good now but together for lunch. My par- camcorder in a raffle. For coach at eight, but is soon I have no idea whether that ents live in Wiltshire, Aunt the first six months or so, texting me to say that the has anything to do with the Patricia in Sutton Coldfield Martin seemed to point it pitch is waterlogged and the counselling, though I do like and Uncle Roger near Wis- non-stop at anything that match cancelled. Later we to talk about myself for an bech; the lunch takes place moved. Sadly, my sister died drive back to the Simpsons’ hour each week. At 4pm, I at a midway venue, usually two years ago but, when to pick up Barry’s car, after settle down for some proper in Northamptonshire. Oc- Martin last came to see us, which Briony and I go to work and manage to finish casionally Briony and I join he brought a tape showing Waitrose. The rest of the day, this stage of North Cyprus. them. Today is such a day. Amanda with her children we spend peacefully chilling The trouble starts when I and the rest of our family, as out – bits of work, lots of ask my father where I am well as the celebrations after TV, plenty of time with the Wednesday supposed to be going – he my wedding to Raymond. newspapers and Saturday’s After an early gym session, I had told me it was where My date is at a studio where puzzle pages. The high spot have a practice with Nicola we went last time; this was a sympathetic film editor sits of the evening is The Ap- (Smith) online. We have near Silverstone, about an with me while we cut two prentice final – at least for changed a major bit of our hour from High Wycombe. hours of monotony down to Briony and me; Barry goes system and need to famil- Apparently, he meant the an interesting 15 minutes, into the other room to watch iarise ourselves with it. As last time that he went, not which I aim to copy and cir- Cool Hand Luke. ■

Page 46 Jeremy Dhondy Says

A 4NT Opening asks for Specific Aces

ow do you play a 4NT open- West North East South The requirements for a 4NT opening ing – an enormous balanced 4NT Pass 5♥ are very specialised. Expect no more hand – both minors with game Pass 7♦ End than two of them in the next decade: Hvalues or better? Traditionally, since early Acol days, it is a specific ace-asking Swapping partner’s clubs and hearts l You have a hand that will be safe to bid. It does not happen often but, when gives us: play at the five level if partner shows it does, it can be worth gold dust. You no ace – a long suit and great playing need a huge hand with just an ace or two strength as losers. Suppose you hold: ♠ 5 4 3 l You have a hand on which the only ♥ K J 8 5 4 likely losers are aces ♦ 5 4 l Your partner is on the same ♠ A K Q ♣ A 7 5 wavelength! ♥ 6 ♦ Void This hand would breach the ♣ A K Q 10 9 6 4 3 2 West North East South requirements for a 4NT opening: 4NT Pass 6♣ Pass 6♦ End All you really want to know is whether ♠ K Q J 10 8 4 your partner holds the ace of hearts. If Now we give our partner both of the ♥ 8 4 he happens to have both missing aces, missing aces: ♦ A K Q J we can get to find this out too. We open ♣ A 4NT and partner has to respond as follows: ♠ 5 4 3 ♥ A 7 5 If you have this and partner bids 5♣ 5♣ = No ace ♦ 5 4 to show no ace, you would probably 5♦/♥/♠ = That ace ♣ A J 8 5 4 be going off at the five level. Partner 5NT = Two aces might have the ♥K-Q to cover your 6♣ = Ace of clubs weakness there but you will never know West North East South and you should open something else What does partner do with three aces? 4NT Pass 5NT such as 2♣. If this happens, then you did not have Pass 7NT End What should you do if the opponents your bid in the first place. intervene? As opener has a shapely Here are some examples of the 4NT Partner does not always have a useful ace! hand, opponents may choose to make opening at work: your life difficult. As this is such a rare bid, it is a mistake to agree anything too ♠ K Q J 10 8 4 hard to remember. I suggest that, if you ♠ A K Q J ♥ 8 can, you show an ace; if they bid the suit ♥ 2 ♦ A K Q J 7 where you have an ace, you double. If ♦ A K Q J 9 7 6 3 ♣ A the auction goes: ♣ Void West North East South N W E You open 4NT again. If your partner 4NT S responds 5♣ with no ace, you know to 5♥ ? ♠ 5 4 3 stop in 5♠. If partner shows either the ♥ A 7 5 heart ace or the spade ace, you know to Double with the ♥A, bid 5♠ with the ♠A, ♦ 5 4 bid 6♠. If, joy of joys, partner responds bid 6♣ with the ♣A and pass with no ♣ K J 8 5 4 5NT to show both missing aces, then ace or the ♦A. If they double 4NT, then you know to bid 7NT. just ignore them. ■

Page 47 Defence, Declarer Play, Advanced Declarer Play BRIDGE If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH by Bernard Magee

as reviewed in ACBL Bridge Bulletin

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