Welcome to the Gateway to the West Regional! TGI Friday

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° ° August 14-20 High 90 Low 70 Daily Bulletin

Welcome to the Gateway to the West Regional!

Calling all 0-750MP Players Kudos to Our Gold Rush Pairs Today Newest LM! CharityCookie Stratifie Arnesodn 1 -Session Open Pairs at 9 AM The ACBL offers this gold pairs game at Saturday… set your alarm! See you there. tournaments for 0-300 and 300-750 MP players; b bbbbbbbb these games are scored over the two sessions, not as two separate games. You will only play against No 5:00 PM Mass Tomorrow other 0-750 MP players. Gold points paid to section Because of dwindling attendance, we will not hold top and overall winners. Players are competing in a Saturday afternoon Mass onsite this year. We 0-750 game, but the 0-300 MP players can win apologize for any inconvenience. Gold points by placing in the overalls (as there are no gold points given for finishing overall in the 0-300 games.) You must play in both THIRD IN a series of 5 sessions. The best things about this event: it’s a one-day event and The Solar Eclipse the level of the competition is not prohibitive. See you at 1 & 7PM.

Total Eclipse of the Sun - 941 AD & 2017 AD from Southern Illinois Tourism Rusty Weisman, an archaeologist at the MO Dept. of Transportation, has researched and lectured on beliefs about astronomical events like eclipses. “They are not Late Night Hospitality something archaeologists can really dig up -they are not St. Louis offers serious hospitality for all. Join us for snacks after the evening session. Tonight’s Chat & Snack treat: Hot Dogs Night direly preserved in the archaeological record – so we can with condiments, including relish, diced onion, and sauerkraut, only approach them indirectly through inference,” he said. assorted Pepsi® and Coke® soda products, and a keg of Kraftig Light®. “But it is possible to look at the beliefs of descendant people for some ideas about what the Missippians might have believed.” Another source he noted is prehistoric rock art, Adult Bridge Boot Camp #7 some of which may be been created along the paths of 7h Adult Boot Camp October 23-26, 2017 eclipses to communicate or mark these events. “There is an A Learn & Play Adult Bridge Camp for 0-499 NLMs, focusing unusual concentration of ‘ogee’ petroglyphs and pictographs on the needs of the intermediate player, and those newer in the Mississippi River Valley south of Cahokia. to Duplicate. Lake Williamson in Carlinville, IL Contac Mary Beth Shaw, 217-825-7248, or [email protected]; Newb Life Masters! also information is posted on the Unit 143 website.

None to report Please take conversations to the hallways

SO THOSE PLAYING ARE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE.

Today’s Events

2-SESSION MORNING SWISS 2 Session 1 of 2 9 AM

199er Pairs Single Sessions 1 PM, 7 PM

2-SESSION GOLD RUSH PAIRS 0-300/750 2 Sessions 1 PM & 7 PM 2-SESSION FRIDAY A/X PAIRS 0-2000/2000+ 2 Sessions 1 PM & 7 PM FRIDAY-SATURDAY SIDE SERIES 3 Pairs Sessions 1 & 2 of 4 1 PM, 7 PM FRIDAY-SATURDAY KO 4 Sessions 1 & 2 of 4 1 PM, 7 PM 1-SESSION EVENING SWISS Single Session 7 PM

For the Advancing Player Today’s Expert Guest Speakers I/N Room Karen Walker “Q & A: Bring your questions, bidding and play problems” 12:15 PM Surprise Speaker “TBA – announced at afternoon session” 6:15 PM

Stratified Events: 0-750/750-2500/2500+; I/N Pairs: Stratified 0-20/20-100/100-200; Bracketed Swiss: Bracketed from Bottom Up; Barometer Pairs: Flt A unlimited; Strat B/C/D: 0-300/300-750/750-2500. All Stratifications by Average MP’s in all events.

Eligibility for flighted events based on highest MP player. Bracketed KO’s/Swiss may be handicapped.

Zero Tolerance is in place!

Intermediate/Novice Players Page Notrump Slam Bidding by Richard Pavlicek

This lesson pertains to two related areas: slam bidding in notrump (6 NT or 7 NT), and investigating a suit slam after your side has already bid notrump. It is essential to have a firm understanding of the available tools. You should be familiar with the point-count requirements of 33-36 points to bid a slam (any six-bid) or 37+ points to bid a grand slam.

Quantitative Bidding

An important aspect of bidding is the quantitative nature of notrump bids once your partner has already bid notrump (as a natural bid) and no major suit is agreed. These bids are summarized below:

Quantitative Notrump Bids 2 NT Invitational to game 3 NT Sign-off 4 NT Invitational to slam 5 NT Forcing to slam 6 NT Sign-off

The point-count system is very accurate when balanced hands are concerned. This can simplify the bidding of many strong hands:

A K 7 Q J 6 3 West North East South K J 4 Q 9 3 3 NT Pass 6 NT All Pass A K 3 10 8 2

A Q J 5 K 8 3 The bidding may not be elegant, but there is no better auction. Opener shows 24-26 HCP and responder adds his own 8 HCP to determine that 33 HCP are held. The only thing easier than the bidding is the play.

It is interesting to note that if you replace the J with the two, reducing the total to 32 HCP (without a 5-card suit), the slam then becomes inferior — you would need a 3-3 spade break which is only a 36% chance. A similar case exists if you replace the J or the J with a low card of the same suit.

Natural 4 NT Bid

Many players are brainwashed by Blackwood — whenever they hear 4 NT they answer aces — because they learned bridge by copying the bad habits of others. Unfortunately, the natural (quantitative) 4 NT bid is crucial to accurate bidding. If you belong to the “Blackwood camp” I suggest you repeat 100 times: 4 NT is not always Blackwood.

Even experts do not exactly agree when 4 NT should be natural. Here is the rule I use, based on 36 years of bridge playing:

4 NT is natural if your side has made a natural notrump bid and no major suit is agreed.

Conversely, 4 NT is Blackwood if your side has never bid notrump naturally, or if a major suit is agreed. Exception: An overcall of 4 NT after an enemy bid is a special case (it is for takeout).

8 4 A K Q 2 West North East South K Q 5 3 A 2 1 Pass 1 Pass K J 6 2 8 5 3 1 NT Pass 4 NT All Pass

A 7 4 K Q J 3 The 1 NT rebid shows 12-14 HCP and 4 NT is invitational to slam. Opener uses good judgment to pass.

A J 2 K Q 8 4 West North East South K Q 8 6 4 3 2 NT Pass 3 Pass K Q 4 A J 6 2 3 Pass 4 NT Pass

A K 8 J 10 2 6 NT All Pass Responder first uses Stayman to check for a spade fit, then invites slam with 4 NT. Opener, having shown 20-22 HCP, has the tiptop maximum so he accepts.

K 8 3 A 10 4 West North East South A K J 9 8 2 1 Pass 2 Pass 2 K Q J 10 9 4 3 Pass 3 NT Pass

A K 9 3 J 5 2 4 NT Pass 6 All Pass Opener invites with 4 NT. Responder is low on point count but high on playing strength, so he accepts the invitation by bidding slam in his self-sufficient suit.

4 NT Discouraging

In examples 2-4, the natural 4 NT bid was made by the partner of the original notrump bidder; hence it was a slam invitation. A different meaning should be apparent from the other side of the table:

If the original notrump bidder retreats to 4 NT, it discourages slam (assuming no major raise).

K Q J 7 4 West North East South K 5 2 A Q 8 4 2 NT Pass 3 Pass A Q J 7 8 6 2 3 Pass 4 Pass

A 4 K J 9 7 6 4 NT Pass Pass Pass Responder first uses Stayman and then bids 4 (natural) to try for slam. Opener’s bid of 4 NT suggests minimum values and no club fit. If opener wished to encourage slam, he could bid an unbid suit (a control-bid), 5 NT (pick a slam) or 6 .

K J 10 8 2 West North East South K Q J A 8 4 1 Pass 2 Pass A 8 7 4 K 9 6 3 3 NT Pass 4 Pass

A 5 K J 10 8 2 4 NT Pass Pass Pass

Opener’s heavy values in the major suits make slam unlikely so he discourages with 4 NT. Note the importance of being able to stop in 4 NT rather than 5 .

Forcing 5 NT Bid

The classic meaning of a 5 NT response to a notrump opening bid is to invite a grand slam. Opener is supposed to bid 6 NT if minimum, or 7 NT if maximum. Since I can’t remember the last time I used this bid, I will not waste your time with an example. (If you get these hands a lot, I recommend you play money bridge for big bucks.)

A far more practical use of 5 NT occurs when both notrump and a suit have been bid:

5 NT “Pick a Slam” 5 NT is forcing and asks partner to pick a slam, provided your side has bid notrump, at least one real suit has been shown,

and no major suit is agreed.

K 10 9 6 A Q J 4 West North East South A K 9 3 8 2 2 NT Pass 3 Pass A 4 Q 8 6 2 3 Pass 5 NT Pass K Q J A 8 2 6 All Pass After using Stayman responder has the strength to bid 6 NT, but that would preclude playing in 6 if opener also held four spades. The problem is neatly solved with 5 NT.

A Q J 4 K 8 2 West North East South 10 2 A K 9 7 4 1 NT Pass 2 * Pass *Jacoby transfer K Q 10 3 A 8 4 2 Pass 5 NT Pass

Q J 10 K 3 6 NT All Pass After transferring to his five-card major, responder next bids 5 NT (forcing) to ask opener to choose between 6 and 6 NT. Opener lacks heart support so he bids the slam in notrump.

The Gerber Convention

In situations where 4 NT would be natural it may be possible to ask for aces with the Gerber 4 bid. The following rule dictates when 4 is Gerber.

If partner has bid notrump as a natural bid, a jump bid of 4 is Gerber to ask for aces.

Important: The Gerber bid must be a jump. Hence, on some auctions there is no ace-asking bid available.

The responses to Gerber are by steps, as in regular Blackwood:

Responses to Gerber 0 or 4 aces 4 1 ace 4 2 aces 4 3 aces 4 NT

4 K Q 8 West North East South K 7 4 Q J 9 1 Pass 3 NT Pass A K J 9 8 6 4 10 5 2 4 Pass 4 Pass

K 2 A Q 9 3 4 NT Pass Pass Pass Opener asks for aces with 4 and discovers that two are missing. Opener could sign off in 5 but prefers to play 4 NT to try for a better score at matchpoints.

A K 8 4 West North East South Q J 6 5 A K 9 4 1 NT Pass 2 Pass A 2 K J 8 5 4 3 2 Pass 4 Pass

Q 7 6 2 K 3 4 Pass 6 All Pass After finding the heart fit with Stayman, responder has enough distributional points to warrant a slam bid; but it is possible that two aces are missing so he uses Gerber to check for aces.

Gerber in Action:

West North East South 1 NT Pass 4 Pass 5 ? Pass 5 Pass 6 ? Pass 6 Pass 7 ? Pass Pass* *resigned, not wanting to play eight clubs

A K 8 4 3 — West North East South A J 5 4 3 2 1 Pass 2 Pass J 3 A Q 10 6 5 3 NT Pass 4 Pass

A J 10 K Q 9 5 4 4 Pass 6 All Pass Not Gerber. Since 4 is not a jump, it is a natural bid (forcing). Opener’s 4 is a control-bid showing the A, so responder is encouraged to bid the slam.

Asking for Kings

If the Gerber bidder continues to 5 at his next turn, it guarantees that all the aces are held and that a grand slam is possible. This asks for kings in the same manner that 4 asked for aces, except the bidding is one level higher. (Note that 4 NT by Gerber bidder is always a sign-off in notrump.) Over 5 the Gerber responder is allowed to bid a grand slam directly with an exceptional hand instead of answering how many kings.

West North East South A J 9 7 K 1 Pass 1 Pass A J 8 K 7 2 NT Pass 4 Pass K 3 A Q 8 6 5 4 2 4 NT Pass 5 Pass

A J 8 7 K 6 2 5 Pass 7 NT All Pass Responder’s 4 bid is Gerber. Opener shows the three missing aces, so responder asks for kings with 5 . The 5 response shows one king. Responder now can count 13 tricks barring a 4-0 diamond break.

WARM-UP DEFEINSIVE TIPS from Eddie Kantar

1 Never, but never forget you are playing with a partner. It pays to consider what things may look like from partner’s point of view, particularly when you are privy to information that partner isn’t. 2 You cannot defend properly unless you remember the bidding. 3 You cannot defend properly unless you know what system the opponents are playing. 4 You cannot defend properly unless you watch the cards, particularly the little fellows. 5 You cannot defend properly unless you count. 6 You cannot expect your partner to defend properly if you make faces or show other signs of disapproval. 7 Keep one goal in mind: DEFEAT THE CONTRACT. Do not worry about overtricks unless you are defending a doubled contract or are playing tournament bridge.

2-SESSION MORNING SWISS 1, WED-THUR FINAL 9 AM 24 Tables A B C 11.90 1 Jack Bryant - Ralph Behrens - Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO; Mark Boswell, Clarkson Valley MO 192.00 8.93 2 Clay Cuthbertson, Quincy IL; Norman Goldman, Chesterfield MO; Mike Giacaman, Saint Louis MO; Debra Romero, Clarkson Valley MO 167.00 6.69 3 Rod Beery, Saint Charles MO; Susan Wolff - En Xie, Saint Louis, MO; Virgil Stets, Lincoln NE 159.00 5.02 4 Dick Bruno, Des Plaines IL; Robert Gardner, Glenview IL; Colby Verna, Lacan IL; Mark Kessler, Springfield IL 153.00 3.97 5 Susan Perez, Maryland Hats MO; John Samsel, Chesterfield MO; James Melville, Springfield IL; Jacob Morgan, Madison WI 152.00 6.86 6 1 Mel Volmert - Timothy Luke, Springfield MO; Robert Murphy - Kathleen Kelly, Englewood CO 148.00 5.15 2 Nancy Tiller, Battlefield MO; Carol Vinegar - Bernita Webster -Jill Nance, Springfield MO 131.00 3.86 3 1 Thomas Keplin, Lexington KY; Alice Faintish, Crozet VA; Stanford Zelda - Joyce Zelda, Kansas City MO 130.00 2.59 4/5 2/3 Stuart Ray - Connie Noel - Ann Brown - Kay Omanson, Louisville KY 128.00 2.59 4/5 2/3 John Hagedorn - Kathy Hagedorn - Caroline Gunter, St Louis MO; Michael Schneider, Wentzville MO; Dan Waeltermann, StCharles MO 128.00

REGIONAL SIDE GAME SERIES 2 PAIRS FINAL 38.00 Tables / Based on 19 Tables 8.88 1/2 Karen Coe, Edmond OK 119.67% 8.88 1/2 John Coe, Edmond OK 119.67% 5.00 3/4 Robert Murphy, Englewood CO 114.49% 5.00 3/4 Kathleen Kelly, Englewood CO 114.49% 4.55 5/6 Katy Mullins, Saint Louis MO 114.15% 4.55 5/6 Kenneth Bland, Saint Louis MO 114.15% 4.38 7/8 Alan Lemley, Saint Louis MO 113.09% 4.38 7/8 Mark Ludwig, Maryland Hgts MO 113.09% 2.85 9/10 Donna Compton, Dallas TX 111.65% 2.85 9/10 Kay Moran, Dallas TX 111.65%

REGIONAL SIDE GAME SERIES 2 Pairs cont. Sessions 3 of 4 1 PM 14.0 Tables A B C 4.55 1 1 Estella Lau, Saint Louis MO; Jan Potts, Chestefield MO 61.06% 3.41 2 Kenneth Bland - Katy Mullins, Saint Louis MO 58.49% 3.13 3 2 1 Nancy Galvin - Walter Galvin, Saint Louis MO 58.17% 2.35 4 3 Kathleen Kelly - Robert Murphy, Englewood CO 57.53% 1.76 5 4 Jo Chorpening, Ellisville MO; Jay Shah, St Louis MO 56.41% 1.50 6 5 Richard Booker - Robert Harris, Columbia MO 55.93% 2.07 6 2 Rochelle Popkin, St Louis; Roberta Glaser, C Cr MO 55.29% 1.55 3 Karen Brucks - Judy Freeman, Arlington Hgts IL 54.49% 1.16 4 Mary Jo Wilson - Mary Gaines, Saint Louis MO 51.44% 0.87 5 Judith Milton - Judith Glaser, Saint Louis MO 49.68%

NORTH-SOUTH SECTION C EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 Kenneth Bland - Katy Mullins, Saint Louis MO 58.49% 1 1 Estella Lau, Saint Louis MO; Jan Potts, Chestefield MO 61.06% 2 1 1 Nancy Galvin - Walter Galvin, Saint Louis MO 58.17% 2 2 Kathleen Kelly - Robert Murphy, Englewood CO 57.53% 3 2 Richard Booker - Robert Harris, Columbia MO 55.93% 3 3 Jo Chorpening, Ellisville MO; Jay Shah, Saint Louis MO 56.41% 4 3 2 Rochelle Popkin, Saint Louis MO; Roberta Glaser, Creve Coeur MO 55.29% 4 4 1 Karen Brucks - Judy Freeman, Arlington Hgts IL 54.49% 5 Suzi Shymanski Moore - Doug Moore, Ballwin MO 53.53% 5 Tom Oppenheimer, Clayton MO; Shelley Sarver, Saint Louis MO 51.92% 6 4 3 Judith Milton - Judith Glaser, Saint Louis MO 49.68% 6 5 2 Mary Jo Wilson - Mary Gaines, Saint Louis MO 51.44% 3 Lois Frank - Audrey Friedman, Saint Louis MO 47.76%

REGIONAL SIDE GAME SERIES 2 Pairs cont. Sessions 4 of 4 7 PM 10.5 Tables A B C 3.98 1 1 John Antognoli, Clayton MO; Doug O'Leary, Saint Louis MO 71.63% 2.99 2 2 1 Michael Mitra, Chesterfield MO; Sean McCracken, Ballwin MO 60.00% 2.24 3 3 2 Simeon Prager - Michael Sherberg, Olivette MO 58.84% 1.72 4 4 Kay Moran - Donna Compton, Dallas TX 58.42% 1.26 5 5 Jerome Shen - Beryl Shapiro, Saint Louis MO 58.12% 1.23 6 6 Nancy Tiller, Battlefield MO; Carol Pinegar, Springfield MO 54.31% 1.20 3 Jerry Hoog - Mary Lois Hoog, Chesterfield MO 51.09% NORTH-SOUTH SECTION M EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 1 John Antognoli, Clayton MO; Doug O'Leary, Saint Louis MO 71.63% 1 1 1 Michael Mitra, Chesterfield MO; Sean McCracken, Ballwin MO 60.00% 2 2 1 Simeon Prager - Michael Sherberg, Olivette MO 58.84% 2 2 Kay Moran - Donna Compton, Dallas TX 58.42% 3 3 Nancy Tiller, Battlefield MO; Carol Pinegar, Springfield MO 54.31% 3 3 Jerome Shen - Beryl Shapiro, Saint Louis MO 58.12% 4 4 Jason Clevenger - Wojciech Golik, Saint Louis MO 53.36% 4 4 Marie Smerjac, Castle Rock CO; Therese Koller, Pueblo CO 50.65% 2 Jerry Hoog - Mary Lois Hoog, Chesterfield MO 51.09%

THUSDAY STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS OVERALLS 7 PM 22.0 Tables A B C 14.00 1 Clay Cuthbertson, Quincy IL; C Lee Hastings, Saint Louis MO 63.75% 10.50 2 Noel Helmink - Randy Helmink, Avon IN 60.26% 7.88 3 Jack Bryant - Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO 58.63% 5.91 4 Paul Chan - Lily Chan, Columbia MO 58.57% 4.90 5 Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV; Nancy Phillips, Tulsa OK 58.16% 4.00 6 Arbha Vongsvivut, Godfrey IL; Krzysztof Jarosz, Grantham NH 57.35% 3.97 7 Sharon Anderson - Roger Anderson, Eagan MN 56.64% 4.67 8 Rod Beery, Saint Charles MO; Virgil Stetz, Lincoln NE 56.23% 6.74 9 1 J Alex Maloney - John Maloney, Champaign IL 55.59% 2.55 10 Chris Benson, Leroy IL; John Seng, Champaign IL 54.75% 2.33 11 Nancy Wilson, Carmel IN; Richard Ellis Jr, Kokomo IN 54.43% 5.06 2 Susan Kilo, Saint Louis MO; Anne Agovino, Chesterfield MO 53.59% 3.90 3 1 Jayna Buck, Hurdland MO; Michael Pierce, Saint Louis MO 52.35% 2.84 4 Elizabeth Meteer, Wildwood MO; Becky Hubert, Saint Louis MO 50.97% 2.25 5 Tommye Fleming, Saint Louis MO; Anne Leverone, Douglas MI 50.04% 2.93 6 2 Ann Lemp - John Levis, Saint Louis MO 49.88% 2.19 3 Beverly A'Hearn, Sarasota FL; Harry Rosenberg, Chicago IL 48.76% 2.46 4 John Belfi, Chesterfield MO; Darlene Trenholm, Saint Louis MO 48.46% 1.30 5 Mary Dolan - Carol Layton, Saint Louis MO 48.19%

THUSDAY STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS 1 PM NORTH-SOUTH SECTIONS I J EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 Clay Cuthbertson, Quincy IL; C Lee Hastings, Saint Louis MO 66.08% 1 Noel Helmink - Randy Helmink, Avon IN 59.76% 2 Paul Chan - Lily Chan, Columbia MO 62.88% 2 Denny O'Connor, Saint Louis MO; Judy Eaton, Edwardsville IL 57.64% 3 1 J Alex Maloney - John Maloney, Champaign IL 61.89% 3 Sharon Anderson - Roger Anderson, Eagan MN 57.07% 4 Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV; Nancy Phillips, Tulsa OK 55.52% 4 Emory Whitaker, Macon GA; Bob Etter, Sacramento CA 56.33% 5 Rosanne Schabinger, Mt Prospect IL; Susan Finkelman, Glenview IL 55.08% 5 Arbha Vongsvivut, Godfrey IL; Krzysztof Jarosz, Grantham NH 56.32% 6 Nancy Wilson, Carmel IN; Richard Ellis Jr, Kokomo IN 54.62% 6 Judy Cardin, Bonita Springs FL; Bruce Greenspan, Chesterfield MO 55.71% 7 2 Elizabeth Meteer, Wildwood MO; Becky Hubert, Saint Louis MO 52.92% 7 1 Marie Sander, Saint Louis MO; Edward Wang, Chesterfield MO 54.16% 8 3 Susan Kilo, Saint Louis MO; Anne Agovino, Chesterfield MO 52.71% 8 Chris Benson, Leroy IL; John Seng, Champaign IL 54.09% 9 Jack Bryant - Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO 52.36% 9 Judy Riehs - David Langer, Buffalo Grove IL 53.47% 4 1 John Belfi, Chesterfield MO; Darlene Trenholm, Saint Louis MO 48.61% 2 Tommye Fleming, Saint Louis MO; Anne Leverone, Douglas MI 51.81% 5 Linda Mize, Florissant MO; Alan Lemley, Saint Louis MO 48.17% 3 1 Jayna Buck, Hurdland MO; Michael Pierce, Saint Louis MO 51.43% 2 Jeff Kopolow - Jackie Schroeder, Saint Louis MO 44.66% 4 2 Linda Helm - Phillip Helm, Manchester MO 49.97% 3 Beverly A'Hearn, Sarasota FL; Harry Rosenberg, Chicago IL 47.88%

THUSDAY STRATIFIED OPEN PAIRS Session 2 7 PM NORTH-SOUTH SECTIONS I J EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 Rod Beery, Saint Charles MO; Virgil Stetz, Lincoln NE 65.32% 1 Jack Bryant - Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO 64.90% 2 Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV; Nancy Phillips, Tulsa OK 60.80% 2 Clay Cuthbertson, Quincy IL; C Lee Hastings, Saint Louis MO 61.41% 3 Noel Helmink - Randy Helmink, Avon IN 60.75% 3 Arbha Vongsvivut, Godfrey IL; Krzysztof Jarosz, Grantham NH 58.38% 4 Dorsey Brown, Prospect KY; E Bruce Neikirk, Louisville KY 56.22% 4 Sharon Anderson - Roger Anderson, Eagan MN 56.20% 5 Loughery Hawkins, Creve Coeur MO; Alice Kerckhoff, Saint Louis MO 53.51% 5 Chris Benson, Leroy IL; John Seng, Champaign IL 55.40% 6 1 1 Ann Lemp - John Levis, Saint Louis MO 53.33% 6 1 Susan Kilo, Saint Louis MO; Anne Agovino, Chesterfield MO 54.47% 7 2 2 Jayna Buck, Hurdland MO; Michael Pierce, Saint Louis MO 53.27% 7 Paul Chan - Lily Chan, Columbia MO 54.25% 8 3 3 Mary Dolan - Carol Layton, Saint Louis MO 52.79% 8 Nancy Wilson, Carmel IN; Richard Ellis Jr, Kokomo IN 54.23% 9 Harley McCabe - Janet Neel Fleenor, Bowling Green KY 50.61% 9 2 Robert McDill - Tom Cadwell, Saint Louis MO 53.96% 4 Beverly A'Hearn, Sarasota FL; Harry Rosenberg, Chicago IL 49.63% 3 J Alex Maloney - John Maloney, Champaign IL 49.28% 4 1 John Belfi, Chesterfield MO; Darlene Trenholm, Saint Louis MO 48.30% 5 Tommye Fleming, Saint Louis MO; Anne Leverone, Douglas MI 48.26%

2-SESSION PRIME TIME SWISS TEAM FINAL 50 Tables A B C 21.00 1 Karen Walker - James Ward, Champaign IL; Tod Moses – Alan Popkin - Nancy Popkin, Saint Louis MO; William Doroshow, Skokie IL 178.00 15.75 2 Cindy Harris - Joe Harris - Jill Burtram - Mary Udell, Albuquerque NM 174.00 11.81 3 Chris Champion - Wendy Turk - Cheryl Schwartz, Colorado Spgs CO; Mary Olson, Annandale MN 169.00 7.29 4/6 Dick Bruno, Des Plaines IL; Robert Gardner, Glenview IL; Mark Kessler, Springfield IL; Colby Vernay, Lacon IL 165.00 7.29 4/6 Tom Kniest, Brentwood MO; Don Stack, Kansas City KS; Jack Spear, Shawnee Mission KS; Ed Schulte, Tampa FL; Jonathan Weinstein, Saint Louis MO 165.00 7.29 4/6 Richard Brummer, Effingham IL; Ronald Brockman, Paducah KY;Dennis Rose, Boaz KY; Thomas Cox, Mount Juliet TN 165.00 5.25 7 Roger Lord - Jacqueline Sincoff - Arthur Seltzer – Marvin Shapiro, Saint Louis MO 153.00 10.78 8 1 John Welte, Ballwin MO; Jill Padua, Saint Louis MO; Steve Singer - Gilda Singer, Saint Charles MO 150.00 4.20 9 Donald Florida, Indianapolis IN; Rod Van Wyk, Alton IL; Joanna Hebermehl, Paris IL; Milt Van Reed, Terre Haute IN 146.00 8.09 10 2 Mark Schollenberger - Elizabeth Zalar - Sandra Stults, Springfield IL; Mark Beattie, Sherman IL 144.00 3.50 11 Debra Romero - Mark Boswell, Clarkson Valley MO; En Xie – Mark Ehret, Saint Louis MO 141.00 6.06 12 3 Diana Votaw, Chesterfield MO; Judy Pass - Helene Siegfried Dianne Glick, Saint Louis MO 140.00 5.15 13 4 1 Nancy Erwin - Sheryl Alexander - Jane Perkins - Peggy Kincaid, Evansville INq 137.00 3.59 5 Mark Ziegelman - Gloria Spitzer - Ken Schwartz – Linda Leinicke, Saint Louis MO 136.00 3.86 6 2 Michael Schneider, Wentzville MO; Dan Waeltermann, Saint Charles MO; John Kraemer - Jerry Kraemer, Ballwin MO 132.00 2.70 7 Phyllis Siegel, Ballwin MO; Roseann Stice, East Alton IL; DorisSchwartz, Chesterfield MO; Susan Rosenthal, Saint Louis MO 130.00 2.40 8 Thomas Shedlock, Danville IL; Dennis Balfe, University City MO; Stephen Zenk - Jonathan Goldberg, Saint Louis MO 126.00 2.16 9 Ronnie Frank - Judy Putzel, Saint Louis MO; Judith Inker, Chestnut Hill MA; Marvin King, Creve Coeur MO 125.00 2.90 3 Carol Manning, Gates Mills OH; John Gillis Jr, Saint Louis MO; Linda Patterson, Des Peres MO; Mary Menousek, Kirkwood MO 120.00 2.17 4 Kevin Clarkin, Florissant MO; Douglas Larson - Kelly White - Paul Radzom, Saint Louis MO 114.00 1.72 5 Robert Griffin, Saint Louis MO; Navin Shah, Maryland Hgts MO; Stephen Russell, Fenton MO; Dennis Abeln, Ballwin MO 113.00

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY KO 3 FINAL Bracket 1 9 Tables 39.00 1 Kimberly Whipple, Boca Grande FL; Cookie Potter, Sunset Beach CA; Justin Lall, Charlotte NC; Shan Huang, Toronto ON; Kevin Dwyer, Melbourne FL 27.30 2 Ron Smith - Oren Kriegel, Chicago IL; Chris Compton, Dallas TX; Adam Kaplan, Stanford CA; Christian Jolly, Charlotte NC; Marie-France Benoit, Gatineau QC 15.60 3/4 Joshua Stark, Grayslake IL; Will Engel, Rockford IL; James Melville, Springfield IL; Jacob Morgan, Madison WI 15.60 3/4 Michael Carmen, Saint Louis MO; Kathleen Safranski, Chesterfield MO; Deborah Avery, Champaign IL; Martha Leary, Urbana IL

Bracket 2 9 Tables 16.04 1 Leonard Kaufman - Mary Allen - Charles Young - Patrick Moos, Peoria IL 11.23 2 Deborah Pirkle, Clearwater FL; Carol Wilson, Rolla MO; Chris Buck - Leon McCarty, Hurdland MO 6.42 3/4 Helen Walz, Madison IN; Shirley Mueller, Louisville KY; Marie Smerjac, Castle Rock CO; Therese Koller, Pueblo CO 6.42 3/4 Jerome Shen - Doug O'Leary - Beryl Shapiro, Saint Louis MO; John Antognoli, Clayton MO

Thursday199er Pairs Afternoon 1 PM 21.0 Tables Winners! A B C Kathy Schneider & Nancy Bartel 3.84 1 1 Nancy Bartel - Kathryn Schneider, Saint Louis MO 66.96% 2.88 2 Ann Ross, Ballwin MO; Marilyn Morton, StLouis MO 62.76% 2.16 3 Michael Albers, St Louis; Mark Behling, Fenton MO 61.82% 2.27 4 2 Michael Pinney, Chesterfd MO; Jeffrey Pass, St Louis 59.82% 1.84 5 3 1 Rosemary Galmiche - Audrey Holdsworth, Saint Louis 58.63% 1.28 6 4 Aloys Faenger - Jim Bowers, Saint Louis MO 57.18% 1.38 5 2 Alinda Power, Ballwin MO; Mary Dunger, St Louis 57.14% 1.04 6 3 Joan Wentz - Al Wentz, Edwardsville IL 56.85% 0.78 4 Bob Barley - Lesley Hanson, Saint Louis MO 54.46% 0.58 5 Semon Powell, St Louis; Yvonne Patton, Florissant MO 52.68%

NORTH-SOUTH SECTION K EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 Ann Ross, Ballwin MO; Marilyn Morton, Warson Woods MO 62.76% 1 Michael Albers, Saint Louis MO; Mark Behling, Fenton MO 61.82% 2 1 Maureen Curran, St Ches MO; Linda Whitaker, Manchester MO 53.06% 2 1 Aloys Faenger - Jim Bowers, Saint Louis MO 57.18% 3 Mary Joan Woods, St Louis MO; Cathy Paulsmeyer, Chestereld MO 52.34% 3 Joan Clark - George Bowman, Vero Beach FL 54.35% 4 2 1 Deborah Matson, Saint Louis MO; Angela Dalton, Kirkwood MO 52.17% 4 2 Mary Volmert, Chesterfield MO; Janice Anderson, Saint Louis MO 54.08% 3 Terry D'Amato, Saint Louis MO; James Cooper, Manchester MO 51.91% 3 Marlene Isaacs - Barbara Boxer, Saint Louis MO 47.32% 1 Janet Eveans - Rocky Eveans, Brighton IL 44.22%

NORTH-SOUTH SECTION L EAST-WEST A B C A B C 1 1 Nancy Bartel - Kathryn Schneider, Saint Louis MO 66.96% 1 1 Michael Pinney, Chesterfield MO; Jeffrey Pass, Saint Louis MO 59.82% 2 2 1 Rosemary Galmiche - Audrey Holdsworth, Saint Louis MO 58.63% 2 2 1 Alinda Power, Ballwin MO; Mary Dunger, Saint Louis MO 57.14% 3 3 2 Bob Barley - Lesley Hanson, Saint Louis MO 54.46% 3 3 2 Joan Wentz - Al Wentz, Edwardsville IL 56.85% 4 Ruth Bosse, Ellisville MO; Linda Kamler, Chesterfield MO 51.49% 4 4 Semon Powell, Saint Louis MO; Yvonne Patton, Florissant MO 52.68%

Thursday199er Pairs Evening 7 PM 5.5 Tables A B C 1.98 1 Michael Albers, Saint Louis MO; Mark Behling, Fenton MO 59.25% 1.52 2 1 Robert Tucker, Chesterfield MO; Gerald Greiman, Saint Louis MO 56.52% 1.11 3 Ken Deutch - Bertram Risch, Saint Louis MO 55.34% 1.14 4 2 David Poos, Crestwood MO; Bob Schaefer, Chesterfield MO 54.69%

SECTION L A B C 1 Michael Albers, Saint Louis MO; Mark Behling, Fenton MO 59.25% 2 1 Robert Tucker, Chesterfield MO; Gerald Greiman, Saint Louis MO 56.52% 3 Ken Deutch - Bertram Risch, Saint Louis MO 55.34% 4 2 David Poos, Crestwood MO; Bob Schaefer, Chesterfield MO 54.69% A B C

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bb MASTERPOINT RACE through THURSDAY: Top 255 of 786 players (82% won pts) 5019.51 MPs

1 65.71 Clay Cuthbertson, Quincy IL 86 16.50 James Nunn, Chesterfield MO 171 8.92 Helene Siegfried, Saint Louis MO 2 65.31 Jack Bryant, Saint Louis MO 87 16.44 Mike Vontz, Lake St Louis MO 172 8.80 Jan Potts, Chesterfield MO 3 65.31 Milton Zlatic, Saint Louis MO 88 16.44 Janet Vontz, Lake St Louis MO 173 8.80 Estella Lau, Saint Louis MO 4 56.60 Kimberly Whipple, Boca Grande FL 89 16.04 Patrick Moos, Peoria IL 174 8.58 Irene Hommert, Kirkwood MO 5 56.60 Kevin Dwyer, Melbourne FL 90 16.04 Leonard Kaufman, Peoria IL 175 8.56 Joseph Butkiewicz, Chesterfield MO 6 56.60 Justin Lall, Charlotte NC 91 16.04 Mary Allen, Peoria IL 176 8.41 John Hagedorn, Saint Louis MO 7 56.60 Cookie Potter, Sunset Beach CA 92 16.04 Charles Young, Peoria IL 177 8.35 Shirley Mueller, Louisville KY 8 56.60 Shan Huang, Toronto ON 93 15.88 Jane Ettelson, Saint Louis MO 178 8.35 Helen Walz, Madison IN 9 56.50 Rod Beery, Saint Charles MO 94 15.75 Cindy Harris, Albuquerque NM 179 8.35 Becky Hubert, Saint Louis MO 10 55.37 Virgil Stetz, Lincoln NE 95 15.75 Mary Udell, Albuquerque NM 180 8.31 Kay Omanson, Louisville KY 11 47.36 Jack Spear, Shawnee Mission KS 96 15.75 Joe Harris, Albuquerque NM 181 8.31 Ann Brown, Louisville KY 12 46.69 Nancy Popkin, Saint Louis MO 97 15.75 Jill Burtram, Albuquerque NM 182 8.25 Krzysztof Jarosz, Grantham NH 13 46.69 Alan Popkin, Saint Louis MO 98 15.60 Deborah Avery, Champaign IL 183 8.19 John Seng, Champaign IL 14 46.01 James Ward, Champaign IL 99 15.60 Martha Leary, Urbana IL 184 8.19 Chris Benson, Leroy IL 15 45.81 Tom Kniest, Brentwood MO 100 15.57 Sharon Anderson, Eagan MN 185 8.10 Gary Hargrove, Walnut Creek CA 16 45.54 Don Stack, Kansas City KS 101 15.57 Roger Anderson, Eagan MN 186 8.01 Ken Deutch, Saint Louis MO 17 44.91 William Doroshow, Skokie IL 102 15.51 Donald Chase, O Fallon MO 187 7.86 Elizabeth Meteer, Wildwood MO 18 44.90 Chris Compton, Dallas TX 103 15.51 Delano Sylvester, Lake St Louis MO 188 7.82 Susan Wolff, Saint Louis MO 19 44.90 Adam Kaplan, Stanford CA 104 14.95 Mary Kernan, Saint Louis MO 189 7.81 Bruce Greenspan, Chesterfield MO 20 44.90 Ron Smith, Chicago IL 105 14.68 Alan Lemley, Saint Louis MO 190 7.81 Judy Cardin, Bonita Springs FL 21 44.90 Oren Kriegel, Chicago IL 106 14.58 Stephen Zenk, Saint Louis MO 191 7.68 Beryl Shapiro, Saint Louis MO 22 44.90 Christian Jolly, Charlotte NC 107 14.39 Ann Lemp, Saint Louis MO 192 7.68 Doris Schwartz, Chesterfield MO 23 44.49 Karen Walker, Champaign IL 108 14.39 John Levis, Saint Louis MO 193 7.56 Farid Azzam, Chesterfield MO 24 43.99 Ed Schulte, Tampa FL 109 13.95 Kathleen Kelly, Englewood CO 194 7.56 Barbara Azzam, Chesterfield MO 25 43.39 Tod Moses, Saint Louis MO 110 13.95 Robert Murphy, Englewood CO 195 7.46 Jennifer Luner, Saint Louis MO 26 42.16 Jonathan Weinstein, Saint Louis MO 111 13.68 Tom Cadwell, Saint Louis MO 196 7.44 Gayle McLean, Saint Louis MO 27 35.96 Nancy Phillips, Tulsa OK 112 13.57 Mark Ludwig, Maryland Hgts MO 197 7.43 Marie Sander, Saint Louis MO 28 35.96 Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas NV 113 13.48 Mike Arnheim, Saint Louis MO 198 7.42 Jane Bright, Paducah KY 29 35.54 Mark Boswell, Clarkson Valley MO 114 13.44 Leon McCarty, Hurdland MO 199 7.42 Judy Harralson, Princeton KY 30 32.83 Ron Ashbacher, Saint Louis MO 115 13.44 Chris Buck, Hurdland MO 200 7.35 Mark Behling, Fenton MO 31 32.83 Stephen Stewart, Overland Park KS 116 12.44 Robert McDill, Saint Louis MO 201 7.34 Stephen Russell, Fenton MO 32 32.57 Debra Romero, Clarkson Valley MO 117 12.05 Marie Smerjac, Castle Rock CO 202 7.27 Diana Votaw, Chesterfield MO 33 31.28 Mike Cappelletti, Delray Beach FL 118 12.05 Therese Koller, Pueblo CO 203 7.27 Jason Clevenger, Saint Louis MO 34 31.28 Jay Whipple III, Boca Grande FL 119 12.01 Vicki Valley, Edwardsville IL 204 7.15 Sidney Levin, Saint Louis MO 35 27.53 Noel Helmink, Avon IN 120 11.98 E Bruce Neikirk, Louisville KY 205 7.15 Mark Stein, Skokie IL 36 27.53 Randy Helmink, Avon IN 121 11.98 Dorsey Brown, Prospect KY 206 7.12 Kathy Hagedorn, Saint Louis MO 37 27.02 Richard Brummer, Effingham IL 122 11.90 Ralph Behrens, Saint Louis MO 207 7.04 Douglas Larson, Saint Louis MO 38 27.02 Thomas Cox, Mount Juliet TN 123 11.72 Emil Strotheide, Saint Louis MO 208 7.01 Nancy Bartel, Saint Louis MO 39 27.02 Dennis Rose, Boaz KY 124 11.72 Ralph Rotter Jr, Granite City IL 209 6.89 Allyson Wolfe, Saint Louis MO 40 27.02 Ronald Brockman, Paducah KY 125 11.46 Steve Singer, Saint Charles MO 210 6.79 Dennis Balfe, University City MO 41 26.40 Mike Giacaman, Saint Louis MO 126 11.46 Gilda Singer, Saint Charles MO 211 6.77 Aloys Faenger, Saint Louis MO 42 25.64 En Xie, Saint Louis MO 127 11.36 Nancy Tiller, Battlefield MO 212 6.74 J Alex Maloney, Champaign IL 43 24.54 Michael Pitonak, Valley Park MO 128 11.36 Carol Pinegar, Springfield MO 213 6.74 John Maloney, Champaign IL 44 23.97 John Antognoli, Clayton MO 129 11.33 Loughery Hawkins, Creve Coeur MO 214 6.68 Melvin Patterson, Omaha NE 45 23.97 Doug O'Leary, Saint Louis MO 130 11.25 Hong Liu, Frontenac MO 215 6.68 Carroll Frogge, Kansas City MO 46 23.70 James Melville, Springfield IL 131 11.25 Deborah King, Creve Coeur MO 216 6.47 Jayna Buck, Hurdland MO 47 23.70 Jacob Morgan, Madison WI 132 10.95 Susan Kilo, Saint Louis MO 217 6.47 Michael Pierce, Saint Louis MO 48 23.24 Mary Olson, Annandale MN 133 10.89 Robert Wheeler, Florissant MO 218 6.41 Andrew Carver, Saint Louis MO 49 23.24 Chris Champion, Colorado Spgs CO 134 10.89 George Hawley, Florissant MO 219 6.36 Tommye Fleming, Saint Louis MO 50 23.24 Cheryl Schwartz, Colorado Spgs CO 135 10.79 Anne Agovino, Chesterfield MO 220 6.28 Kenneth Bland, Saint Louis MO 51 23.24 Wendy Turk, Colorado Spgs CO 136 10.78 Jill Padua, Saint Louis MO 221 6.26 Karen Coe, Edmond OK 52 22.14 Mark Zellmer, Creve Coeur MO 137 10.78 John Welte, Ballwin MO 222 6.26 John Coe, Edmond OK 53 21.47 Arbha Vongsvivut, Godfrey IL 138 10.76 Jerry Kraemer, Ballwin MO 223 6.25 Nancy Erwin, Evansville IN 54 21.25 Jerome Shen, Saint Louis MO 139 10.76 John Kraemer, Ballwin MO 224 6.25 Sheryl Alexander, Evansville IN 55 21.19 Michael Schneider, Wentzville MO 140 10.53 Stuart Ray, Louisville KY 225 6.20 Kathryn Schneider, Saint Louis MO 56 21.19 Dan Waeltermann, Saint Charles MO 141 10.53 Connie Noel, Louisville KY 226 6.20 Louann Yates, Saint Louis MO 57 21.15 Donald Florida, Indianapolis IN 142 10.39 Judith Shepherd, Paducah KY 227 6.20 Don McLean, Saint Louis MO 58 21.15 Rod Van Wyk, Alton IL 143 10.39 Mary Parker, Minnesott Bch NC 228 6.20 Julie Woods, Chesterfield MO 59 19.73 Will Engel, Rockford IL 144 10.23 Roseann Stice, East Alton IL 229 6.15 Mary Dolan, Saint Louis MO 60 19.73 Joshua Stark, Grayslake IL 145 10.16 Denny O'Connor, Saint Louis MO 230 6.08 Kenneth Eiger, Saint Louis MO 61 19.60 C Lee Hastings, Saint Louis MO 146 10.13 Bernita Webster, Springfield MO 231 6.07 Patricia Steiner, Saint Louis MO 62 19.28 John Samsel, Chesterfield MO 147 10.13 Jill Nance, Springfield MO 232 5.98 Marcee Silverstein, Clayton MO 63 19.28 Susan Perez, Maryland Hgts MO 148 10.07 Jane Perkins, Evansville IN 233 5.91 Paul Chan, Columbia MO 64 18.61 Dick Bruno, Des Plaines IL 149 10.07 Peggy Kincaid, Evansville IN 234 5.91 Lily Chan, Columbia MO 65 18.61 Robert Gardner, Glenview IL 150 9.98 Dolores Hill, Chesterfield MO 235 5.84 Nancy Cadwell, Saint Louis MO 66 18.61 Mark Kessler, Springfield IL 151 9.98 Brenda Hoffman, Saint Louis MO 236 5.60 Michael Albers, Saint Louis MO 67 18.61 Colby Vernay, Lacon IL 152 9.95 Kevin Clarkin, Florissant MO 237 5.54 Linda Patterson, Des Peres MO 68 18.54 Ronnie Frank, Saint Louis MO 153 9.85 Pamela Ames, Maryville IL 238 5.54 Mary Menousek, Kirkwood MO 69 18.54 Judith Inker, Chestnut Hill MA 154 9.85 Steven Clements, Wildwood MO 239 5.50 Charles Ries, Saint Louis MO 70 17.75 Carol Wilson, Rolla MO 155 9.80 Susan Finkelman, Glenview IL 240 5.50 George Juenger, Saint Louis MO 71 17.75 Deborah Pirkle, Clearwater FL 156 9.80 Rosanne Schabinger, Mt Prospect IL 241 5.45 Mark Ehret, Saint Louis MO 72 17.72 Mel Volmert, Springfield MO 157 9.56 Janet Neel Fleenor, Bowling Green KY 242 5.43 Hall Whitaker, Rolla MO 73 17.72 Timothy Luce, Springfield MO 158 9.56 Harley McCabe, Bowling Green KY 243 5.43 Marcia Ridley, Rolla MO 74 17.64 Kathleen Safranski, Chesterfield MO 159 9.50 Patricia Berger, Chesterfield MO 244 5.36 Mary Joan Woods, Saint Louis MO 75 17.64 Michael Carmen, Saint Louis MO 160 9.50 Donald Nies, Saint Louis MO161 245 5.25 Jacqueline Sincoff, Saint Louis MO 76 17.60 Richard Edwards Jr, Florissant MO 161 9.50 Veena Uberoi, Saint Louis MO 246 5.25 Marvin Shapiro, Saint Louis MO 77 17.46 Dianne Glick, Saint Louis MO 162 9.40 Norman Goldman, Chesterfield MO 247 5.25 Arthur Seltzer, Saint Louis MO 78 16.97 Bill Bulfer, East Peoria IL 163 9.31 Phyllis Siegel, Ballwin MO 248 5.25 Roger Lord, Saint Louis MO 79 16.97 Jim Heller, Petersburg IL 164 9.29 Harry Rosenberg, Chicago IL 249 5.18 Bob Etter, Sacramento CA 80 16.97 Ron Sholes, Springfield IL 165 9.29 Beverly A'Hearn, Sarasota FL 250 5.18 John Belfi, Chesterfield MO 81 16.97 William Evans, Bonne Terre MO 166 9.19 Dee Adams, Memphis TN 251 5.18 Emory Whitaker, Macon GA 82 16.96 Mark Schollenberger, Springfield IL 167 9.19 Alvin Stone, Memphis TN 252 5.17 Maureen Curran, Saint Charles MO 83 16.96 Sandra Stults, Springfield IL 168 9.03 Donald Klingsick, Edwardsville IL 253 5.14 Ed Howard, Lawrence KS 84 16.96 Mark Beattie, Sherman IL 169 9.03 Glenda Klingsick, Edwardsville IL 254 5.14 Karen Erlanger, Saint Louis MO 85 16.96 Elizabeth Zalar, Springfield IL 170 8.92 Judy Pass, Saint Louis MO 255 5.14 John Burgener, Saint Louis MO

Intermediate/Novice Players Page

DEFENSIVE AGREEMENTS: TEN PLUS

Successful partnerships have lots of agreements for both bidding and defending. Here’s a dozen suggestions for Defensive Agreements: notice they are not “conventions” and so are not alerted. You may not agree with all these suggestions; the important thing is to have your own set and follow them. Yours will be a better partnership for doing it.

1. Leading Aces in We won’t lead away from a side-suit Ace. Period. We will lead it or lead another suit. We will lead an Ace a Suit contract with AK(x) or with good reason to think declarer or dummy will be short in the suit. E.G. We have Ace – sixth.

2. Leading Trump We won’t shy away from leading trump, and will actively lead it when dummy might ruff declarer’s losers. Trump is the suit least likely to be a “bad lead” for us.

3. Making Bad Breaking a new suit is our worst error on defense. We will go to great lengths not to lead new or unbid Leads suits.

4. Trump Echo We play high-low from 3 trumps and low-high from two, enabling partner to get a count on declarer’s shape - - not because we expect to get a ruff. (It doesn’t matter that we tell declarer who has the 3rdtrump).

5. Giving Count We give – and expect – count signals only when it can clearly help us take a trick, not when it helps declarer take an extra trick. Otherwise we give false count.

6. Grabbing Tricks We are patient on defense when declarer will have to eventually play to our strength; we won’t lay down Aces to collect declarer’s deuces.

7. Leading We lead partner’s bid suit unless there’s clearly a better alternative, such as leading trump. With honor Partner’s Bid doubleton, we lead the honor. With 3 to an honor, we lead low. Without an honor, we lead 2nd highest, and Suit give count on the 2nd round if appropriate.

8. Returning We (remember and) return partner’s leads, unless there’s a clearly better lead, such as trump. Especially, Partner’s we won’t mastermind by leading a new suit, unless leading from something totally safe, like King Leads from KQJ.

9. Signals We understand and consistently use our agreed signaling system for count, attitude and suit preference. We mislead declarer with wrong signals whenever possible. We will use upside down attitude only 10. Passive vs. We are passive on defense unless there’s a clear reason to be active. This means we wait for the declarer Active Defense to come to use far more than we attack her. Passive defense is the best choice most of the time. Style

11. Behavior We don’t talk about our defense or declarer’s play while at the table, whether we think it was good or bad. We don’t congratulate our partner on her “good defense” when it was declarer’s bad play that beat her.

Learn to Play Bridge and Solve Puzzles

Researchers have found some very good reasons to play bridge:

♣ Those who play more frequently score higher on cognitive tests. ♦ Bridge games offer intellectual and social stimulation on a routine basis. ♥ An area in the brain used in playing bridge stimulates the immune system. Researchers suggest that is because players must use memory, visualization and sequencing. ♠ Any activity from which you derive pleasure prevents the onset of classic depression. Players are less likely to be depressed; hence, they sleep better, tend to exercise more and have a better life in general. ♣ Multiple changes in lifestyle (e.g. cognitive training and social activity, two of bridge’s chief benefits) can improve memory and thinking in those at risk for cognitive decline. ♦ Playing bridge can help older people retain their mental sharpness. ♠ The frequency of playing games is associated with greater brain volume in several regions that are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are considered to be two of the smartest entrepreneurs in America. Both are also very accomplished bridge players. Buffett once said that he wouldn’t mind going to jail — but only if he had three cell mates who were capable bridge players.

“Bridge is more than just a card game. It’s a cerebral sport. Bridge teaches you logic, reasoning, quick thinking, patience, concentration and partnership skills.” Hall of Fame tennis star, Martina Navratilova.

Summarized from an article in the AARP Bulletin: “A Bridge to Brain Power” March 2015 Intermediate/Novice Players Page

DEFENSIVE AGREEMENTS: TEN PLUS

Gateway to the West Regional

bbbbb This Week’s Events

All PAIRS EVENTS FEATURE PRE-DUPLCATED BOARDS

I/N 199er Pairsbbbbbbbb Gamesbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb (Single sessions)bb Everyday Expert Guest Speakers before each session Monday - Saturday

Friday through Saturday: 199er Pairs, Single Sessions 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Friday: 2-Session Gold Rush Pairs* 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM *Must play in both sessions of Gold Rush Pairs. Only play vs. other 0-750 players. Pays Gold for Section Tops (300-750) & Overalls. Sunday: 199er Pairs, Single Sessions 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Regional Side Game Series (Single Sessions)

Series 3: Friday & Saturday 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Can play in 1 or more games of a series. Must play at least 2 games of same series for overall gold.

Knockout Teams (4-Session events)

Friday-Saturday Knockout 4 Both days 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Saturday-Sunday Knockout 5 Sat. 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM, Sun. 10:00 AM & TBA

Swiss Teams (Stratified, unless noted)

Single Session Evening Swiss: Tuesday – Saturday (Wednesday Charity) 7:00 PM 2-Session Morning Swiss: Friday – Saturday 9:00 AM 2-Session Bracketed Swiss (0-3000): Sunday, Play through, finishes by 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 2-Session A/X/Y Swiss (0-4000/6000/6000+): Sunday, Play through, finishes by 5:30 PM 10:00 AM

Pairs (All 2-Session events, except Saturday AM Charity)

Friday Gold Rush Pairs (0-300, 300-750) 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Friday A/X Pairs (0-2500, 2500+) 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Saturday Stratified Open Pairs (Charity Game) single session 9:00 AM Saturday Barometer Pairs, 2 sessions (Qualifying) 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Saturday BCD Pairs (0-300, 300-750, 750-2500) 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Sunday Fast Pairs, 2 sessions over by 5 PM 10:00 AM

Stratified Events: 0-750/750-2500/2500+ I/N 199er Pairs: Stratified 0-20/20-100/100-200 Bracketed Swiss: Bracketed from Bottom Up Barometer Pairs: Flt A Unlimited Strat B/C/D: 0-300/300-750/750-2500 All Stratifications by Average MP’s in all events. Eligibility for flighted events based on highest MP player. Bracketed KO’s/Swiss may be handicapped. -----

The doctor was checking up on three elderly bridge players who had head injuries from a car accident. Serene inquired "Doctor, Will I still be able to play bridge?" The Doctor asked "How many high card points in a deck of cards?" "60!" Serene replied. Worried, the doctor turned to Wayne "How about you? How many high card points in a deck of cards? “ "Uh, Wednesday!" he shouted. Even more concerned, the doctor motioned to the other lady. "Well, what do you say, madam? How many high card points in a deck of cards?" "Forty!" Sheryl replied. "Excellent!" the doctor exclaimed. "How did you get that?" "Oh, it's pretty simple," she explained. "You just subtract the 60 from Wednesday!"