Number One Hundred and Twenty-Four April 2013 BRIDGEBERNARD MAGEE at Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG

Tuesday 14 May Wednesday 15 May Thursday 16 May From 9.30 am From 9.30 am From 9.30 am Check in Check in Check in Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits 10.30 am – 12 noon 10.30 am – 12 noon 10.30 am – 12 noon Thinking Defence Splinters & Cue Bids Hand Evaluation 12 noon – 2.30 pm 12 noon – 2.30 pm (without a fit) Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 12 noon – 2.30 pm 3-Course Buffet Lunch 3-Course Buffet Lunch Supervised Play1 3 pm – 4.30 pm 3 pm – 4.30 pm 3-Course Buffet Lunch Pre-emptive Play & Defence 3 pm – 4.30 pm Bidding at Duplicate Pairs Avoidance Play 4.30 pm – 7 pm 4.30 pm – 7 pm 4.30 pm – 7 pm Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits

Day guests may stay until 7pm. Day guests may stay until 7pm. Day guests may stay until 7pm. £100 per day2. £270 for all three days3. A limited number of bedrooms are available: Dinner, bed and breakfast: £90 per person, per night. Contact Mr Bridge to book your place or for further details: ( 01483 489961 These seminars are to be filmed. When ready, a full boxed set of DVDs will be sent. 1Not with Bernard Magee. 2Includes buffet lunch. 3Day guests only. 1499 Mr Bridge final_Layout 1 28/02/2013 16:39 Page 1

ENJOY DAILY BRIDGE WHILE VISITING THE CITIES & SIGHTS OF ANCIENT ASIA

LOW SINGLE FARES China Join Bernard Magee for a spectacular voyage Hong Kong Hanoi Halong Bay HONG KONG TO BANGKOK - JANUARY 29, 2014 South Vietnam China Sea Plan for next Winter now and start 2014 in style. This is a great Hue Thailand Da Nang opportunity for you to reserve your cabin and join Bernard Magee Bangkok on this voyage to Asia’s great cities and ancient sites. Start with a Angkor Wat Nha Trang Cambodia hotel stay in Hong Kong, then join the elegant Aegean Odyssey to Ho Chi Minh City cruise through the South China Sea to the highlights and breathtaking sights of Vietnam. 17-day cruise-tour from £3,350 JAN 29 Depart UK Mr Bridge fares include: JAN 30 Arrive HONG KONG China • THE FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME • FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS Transfer to overnight hotel • EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES • SHORE EXCURSIONS JAN 31 HONG KONG China • ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS • OPEN-SEATING DINING Embark Aegean Odyssey • WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD • GRATUITIES ON BOARD FEB 1/2 At Sea • EXCLUSIVE COCKTAIL PARTY FEB 3 HALONG BAY (Hanoi) Vietnam FEB 4 HALONG BAY Vietnam FEB 5 At Sea FEB 6 HUE Vietnam FEB 7 DA NANG Vietnam FEB 8 At Sea FEB 9 NHA TRANG Vietnam Mr Bridge Passengers The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge FEB 10 HO CHI MINH CITY Vietnam bookings but is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate FEB 11 HO CHI MINH CITY Vietnam as much, or as little as they wish. There will be a duplicate session every FEB 12/13 evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made At Sea especially welcome – a playing partner will always be found. FEB 14 BANGKOK Thailand (Disembark) Transfer to airport for flight home MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES* Double cabin per person Single cabin Double cabin per person Single cabin WHY NOT EXTEND YOUR TRIP? Standard Inside £3,350 £3,450 Superior Outside from £4,245 from £4,345 HONG KONG Begin your cruise with an extra night Superior Inside from £3,550 from £3,650 Deluxe Outside from £4,995 from £5,095 to see more of this exciting city. This additional night Standard Outside £3,995 £4,095 Deluxe Balcony from £5,595 from £5,695 is available at £113pp (twin) or £227pp (single). Past passengers can SAVE EVEN MORE please call for details BANGKOK & ANGKOR WAT As a spectacular finish, you can add a 5-night extension with three Book now to take advantage of these great fares nights in Bangkok and two nights in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to explore the magnificent Angkor CALL ON Temple complex. This package is available for only £795pp (twin) or £995pp (single). 01483 489961 Enquire now for further details. * Prices are per person in double or dedicated single cabins and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. The number of dedicated single cabins is strictly limited.

10093 VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY www.mrbridge.co.uk ABTA No.Y2206 FEATURES 14 Voyages of Discovery Celtic Treasures 3 Bidding Quiz Bernard Magee’s on board Voyager by Bernard Magee Bidding Quiz BRIDGE 16 Voyages of Discovery 4 Mr Bridge Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Land of the Midnight You are West in the 7 Bidding Quiz Answers Surrey GU21 2TH Sun on board Voyager auctions below, playing by Bernard Magee ‘Standard Acol’ with a ( 01483 489961 18 Bridge Events at: 8 Declarer Play Quiz Cheltenham weak no-trump (12-14 e-mail: by David Huggett Regency Hotel points) and 4-card majors. (Answers on page 7.) [email protected] 8 Defence Quiz Elstead Hotel website: by Julian Pottage Queensferry Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel www.mrbridge.co.uk 10 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions 20 Voyages of Discovery 1. Dealer West. Love All. Publisher and Mediterranean Medley ♠ A K 7 3 12 The A ot Z of Managing Editor on board Voyager ♥ 9 8 7 6 2 N Bridge: S W E ♦ Q Mr Bridge by Julian Pottage 26 Tunisia 2013/2014 S ♣ K 3 2 Bridge Consultant 27 Julian Pottage 26 Stamps Bernard Magee Answers Your Questions 29 Begin Bridge 29 Declarer Play Answers with Bernard Magee West North East South Technical Consultant by David Huggett 30 Voyages of Discovery ? Tony Gordon 33 Readers’ Letters Voyager 2013/14 Cruises Typesetting & Design 37 Not Bridge as we Know 32 Mr Bridge 2. Dealer East. Love All. it by Mike Griffiths Just Duplicate Bridge Ruth Edmondson ♠ 3 2 39 Stayman with Fewer 32 Mr Bridge ♥ K 7 6 2 Proof Readers N than 10 hcp Christmas & New Year ♦ 7 4 2 Tony & Jan Richards by Len Hodby W E 2013/2014 ♣ K 8 3 2 S Catrina Shackleton 40 Defence Quiz Answers 34 Charity Events Richard Wheen by Julian Pottage 35 Bridge Events with West North East South Hugh Williams 44 Catching Up Bernard Magee 1♥ 1♠ by Sally Brock Office Manager 36 Venice to Rome with 2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass Rachel Everett 46 Seven Days Voyages to Antiquity ? by Sally Brock Events & Cruises 38 Rubber / Chicago Bridge Events ( 01483 489961 ADVERTISEMENTS 3. Dealer East. Love All. 38 Bridge Events at ♠ 5 Rosie Baker 1 Denham Grove Denham Grove ♥ 9 8 7 2 N Jessica Galt May Event 2013 39 Bridge Events at ♦ Q 8 4 3 2 W E Megan Riccio S 2 The Cities and Sites Ardington Hotel ♣ A 7 6 Sophie Pierrepont of Ancient Asia with Voyages to Antiquity 39 S R Designs Clubs & Charities Bridge Tables 5 Bridge Event West North East South Maggie Axtell Booking Form 41 Rome to Cannes with 2NT Pass [email protected] Voyages to Antiquity ? 5 Mail Order Form Address Changes 6 Tutorial Software 42 Global Travel Insurance Elizabeth Bryan and QPlus 47 Bridge Events at: 4. Dealer East. E/W Game. 7 Bridge Events at: The Olde Barn Hotel ♠ A 7 2 ( 01483 485342 Chatsworth House The Inn on the Prom ♥ 6 N [email protected] 48 Five-Card Majors ♦ A J 6 5 4 3 W E 9 Bernard Magee S (Strong No-trump) ♣ K 9 3 All correspondence should Haslemere DVDs with Bernard Magee be addressed to Mr Bridge. 11 Duplicate Bridge 48 QPlus Please make sure that all Rules Simplified West North East South letters, e-mails and faxes 1♣ 3♠ carry full postal addresses ? and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Page 3 DENHAM FILMING IF YOU NEED HELP QPLUS NEWS CLUB INSURANCE I have a number of ideas for Three more interesting I am still scare-mongering, those of you who are hands, numbers: 4275 – 03 trying to drum up even looking for ways of raising 8719 – 19 and 5613 – 07. more business for Moore funds for your pet good Stephens. Their insurance QPlus 11 will be available cause or charity. Give me a package, for bridge clubs of in the late summer at £92 call or send an email, but up to 100 members, at a but you can order it now be sure to include your premium of around £60 per and receive QPlus 10 right telephone number as I am annum certainly seems away. QPlus 11 will be sent still old fashioned enough good value. Why every club as soon as it is published, to want to talk to you. isn’t covered in this then you can give QPlus 10 litigious age I just do not to a friend. If you are know. ( 0208 515 5270. Last month, I announced PRIZE QUIZ looking to upgrade from an the relocation of my annual I have extended the closing earlier version of QPlus, filming programme to the SAVE USED STAMPS date for entries to last just return the disc and the DeVere Denham Grove month’s competition as instruction booklet with a Please remember to save Conference Centre. only a handful of readers cheque for £43. your used postage stamps This month I feature an managed to find it, hidden in support of Little Voice, a advertisement on the front as it was on page 17. BARON FOR MAC children’s orphanage and cover promoting the school in Addis Ababa. Full You are playing Acol with a As QPlus is based on the content of the lectures. In details in the next issue. weak no-trump. As dealer, Windows operating system, the advert, it is difficult to what is your opening bid? if you want to use it on convey the importance of your MAC, you will need GOFFIES STAMPS the supervised play which to install a Windows for previous events of this type ♠ A 9 8 MAC converter program. have not had. These ♥ A 7 However, many of you with lectures, being given at a ♦ A 7 4 3 2 MAC are reluctant to conference centre, rather ♣ 10 8 6 do that, so I have listed than in a theatre, enable Bridge Baron as the best those who attend to be MAC compatible play comfortably watered and If you want to save on Please send your answer to programme, see page 5. fed. Included in the price of me at Ryden Grange on or postage do try using Clive the ticket are tea and all before 19 April 2013. Goffs discounted stamp types of coffees as well as OTHER SOFTWARE service. biscuits and fruit and at a VOYAGER Better Bridge with Bernard Value supplied in two time to suit you, you can Magee features what is Bernard Magee is joining stamps, combined to make take a break to eat your effectively supervised play m.v. Voyager as the on up the 50p 2nd class rate, three course buffet lunch. for the first six films in our board bridge host for three 2nd class to you 41p. 1st growing DVD series. This So, to summarize, day cruises this year. class 60p, only 50p to you. guests should be able to product is really difficult to Available in lots of 100. enjoy at least three hours of Celtic Treasures describe, so I asked ( 0208 422 4906. supervised play and those 25 May – 2 June Bernard to do so. He says [email protected] staying overnight should be Prices from £849pp that the hands are a natural able to resume after dinner. See page 14 for details. extension of his original CHRISTMAS 2013 Acol bidding CD. What Midnight Sun Dress code: smart casual, more could anyone want. It is once again the time of 11 – 25 June as it is all being filmed. year to start advertising the Prices from £1869pp 2013 festive season events See page 16 for details. BACK IN STOCK ABSOLUTELY FREE and for you to be booking. Med Medley Five popular tea towels are For details, see page 32. A really big bonus for both 12 – 26 September back in stock, see page 5. day and residential guests is Prices from £1749pp that a boxed set of the 6 THANK YOU See page 20 for details. www.mrbridge.co.uk DVDs, covering all the Mrs Bridge and I have been lectures will be posted On each voyage he will sail On my webpage, there is an heartened by all your good absolutely free of charge with an experienced team open forum and I have will messages. So, it’s all when they are published dedicated to making the asked Ned Paul to answer good wishes to you too. later in the year. Applies to bridge element of your questions quickly and all filmed bookings. holiday truly memorable. succinctly on my behalf. Mr Bridge

Page 4 ✄ ✄ Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE 25 Road Traffic Signs for BRIDGE Bridge Players £7.00 ...... QPlus 10 / QPlus 11 when ready £92.00 ...... TUTORIAL DVDs QPlus 10 BREAKS Trade-in £43.00 ...... Haslemere 2011 – £25 each QPlus 9, clean, Ruffing for ♦ ♦ second-hand £49.00 ...... Extra Tricks ...... Full-board Two seminars* Bridge Baron £63.00 ...... Competitive ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised Auctions ...... en-suite facilities play sessions* TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Making the ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four bridge sessions** Most of High Cards ...... Begin Bridge Acol Version £66.00 ...... Identifying & Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, Bidding Slams ...... Acol Bidding £66.00 ...... Play & Defence of Single .... Double .... Twin .... Advanced 1NT Contracts ...... Acol Bidding £96.00 ...... Doubling & Defence Name of Hotel/Centre...... Declarer Play £76.00 to Doubled Contracts ...... Advanced All 6 DVDs Date(s) ...... Declarer Play £81.00 as a boxed set £100.00 ...... Defence £76.00 ...... Haslemere 2012 – £25 each Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Five-Card Majors with Strong Leads ...... No-Trump £89.00 ...... Address...... Losing Trick Count ...... Better Bridge with Bernard Magee Making a Plan ...... Haslemere 2011 £69.00 ...... as Declarer ...... Better Bridge with Bernard Responding to 1NT ...... Postcode ...... Magee Haslemere 2012 Signals & Discards ...... in course of preparation Endplays ...... ( ...... TEA TOWELS All 6 DVDs (boxed) as a boxed set £100.00 ...... Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Life’s a Game, but but we will do our best to oblige). Bridge is Serious £7.00 ...... MR BRIDGE TIE The Pot Boiler. A Double £15.00 ...... Dummy Problem £7.00 ...... 10 Commandments for BOOK Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. Bridge Players £7.00 ...... Duplicate Bridge ...... 10 Commandments for Rules Simplified £5.95 ...... Duplicate Players £7.00 ...... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you I enclose a cheque for £...... require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

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Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, website: www.holidaybridge.com Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH *on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes. ✄ ✄

Page 5 BERNARD MAGEE’S QPLUS 10 Really INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS user-friendly bridge-playing ACOL MORE DECLARER software BIDDING (ADVANCED) PLAY ACOL BIDDING l QPLUS 11 sent l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment when ready Responses l Basics in No-trumps l QPLUS can be l Slams and Strong l Advanced Basics l Suit Establishment passed on to a friend Openings in Suits l Weak Twos l Updated l Support for Partner l Hold-ups comprehensive l Strong Hands l Pre-empting l Ruffing for manual l Defence Extra Tricks l Displays on £92 l Overcalls to Weak Twos HD screen l Entries in l No-trump £66 l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 l Supports large Openings l Doubles screens and Responses l Delaying l Minibridge option l Two-suited Drawing Trumps l Opener’s and £96 Overcalls l Extra 500 preplayed Responder’s Rebids l Using the Lead hands for teams l Defences to making 5,000 in all l Minors and Misfits l Trump Control Other Systems l Extra 500 preplayed l Doubles l Endplays & hands for match- l Misfits and Avoidance point pairs making l Competitive Distributional 4,000 in all Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding l Improvement over two years from version 9 ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD l New save match DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & function l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks l Save deals with No-trump Contracts automatic file in No-trumps l Opening Bids l Lead vs & Responses labelling l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts l Closed room – new in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Partner of Leader button to view Openings l Endplays vs No-trump other table Contracts l Support £89 l Avoidance for Partner QPLUS l Partner of Leader l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams TRADE-IN Contract & Strong Openings l Count OFFER l Simple Signals l Rebids Return any QPLUS Squeezes CD and booklet with l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 a cheque for £43 and Signals & Misfits the Hand receive QPLUS 10 l Discarding l Pre-empting with the promise l Trump Reductions of QPLUS 11 when & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles ready later this year l Playing Doubled l Overcalls for no extra charge. l Stopping Declarer Contracts Order with absolute l Counting l Competitive confidence. l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions

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: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz on page 3

or, when 3♥ goes off, 2♠ is likely to be West North East South 1. Dealer West. Love All. making and -50 is better than letting 1♣ 3♠ ♠ A K 7 3 ♠ Q 8 6 them make 110. This is the likely outcome ? ♥ 9 8 7 6 2 N ♥ 5 on this board: both 2♥ and 2♠ can make W E ♦ Q S ♦ A 9 7 6 4 eight tricks, which means it is better for 3NT. South has made life very difficult ♣ K 3 2 ♣ A 9 5 4 you to bid on to 3♥. for you: his bid shows the same as an You may wonder why East did not bid opening pre-empt; 5-9 HCP and a again with his 15 HCP? He is very flat seven-card spade suit. West North East South and cannot be completely sure that you You have 12 HCP and a six-card suit, ? have a fit: sometimes over a 1♠ overcall so game is surely likely. You could bid you might compete to 2♥ with three-card 4♦, but where will that lead you? Your Pass. You have 12 HCP, but your support and a shortage elsewhere in aim is to find your side’s best contract singleton queen is of dubious value. your hand. However, you know that you and sometimes you have to take a bit of When opening the bidding, I always definitely have a fit, so you compete to a gamble. You have the ♠A which gives cut the value of any singleton honour 3♥ as you know you should. you control of that suit, allowing you to (excluding the ace) by half. Surely you duck if necessary, in order to cut South’s can add on for the singleton? long spade suit off from his partner. This Do not evaluate for shortages until you 3. Dealer East. Love All. makes 3NT a valid option and with club find a fit. Your five-card suit is very poor ♠ 5 ♠ A K 2 support you might hope to make plenty and your two suits are in the ‘wrong’ ♥ 9 8 7 2 N ♥ A K 6 4 of tricks from that suit. The heart suit is a W E order. If you open 1♥ and your partner ♦ Q 8 4 3 2 ♦ A J 5 worry, but you will have to hope partner S responds 2♦, you are stuck for a rebid ♣ A 7 6 ♣ J 8 5 can take care of that. – forced to bid 2♥. Furthermore, if you South has forced you to gamble and open hearts and your opponents buy the you should take him on: bid 3NT – the contract, you may well get a heart lead West North East South most likely making game – some days instead of a more promising spade. 2NT Pass you will go three off, but more often than Everything points to an opening pass. ? not you will make your side’s best pos- Later on, you might take some action, sible score. ■ such as a take-out double of a diamond 3♣. You should use similar conventions opening. to those you play over a 1NT opening. So if you play Stayman and transfers over The Inn on the Prom 1NT, you would usually play the same Bridge Events 2013 2. Dealer East. Love All. over 2NT as well. ♠ 3 2 ♠ 6 5 4 You have 6 HCP, so enough for game, ♥ K 7 6 2 N ♥ A Q J 3 but with a little distribution you would like W E ♦ 7 4 2 S ♦ A 9 8 to find a major suit fit if you can. Although ♣ K 8 3 2 ♣ A 7 5 your heart suit is weak, you should still aim to play in them if you have an eight- card fit. West North East South Therefore, you bid 3♣, Stayman, and 1♥ 1♠ over the 3♥ response you raise to game. St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU 2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass Clearly, 4♥ is a much better game than 19-21 April £245 ? 3NT. Bernard Magee Thinking Defence 12-14 July £169 3♥. You have a minimum hand so why Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge would you think of bidding? Because -50 4. Dealer East. E/W Game. 16-18 August £169 is one of your favourite scores. In fact, ♠ A 7 2 ♠ 6 3 Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge over time, bridge players have found ♥ 6 N ♥ A K 4 3 W E Full Board. No Single Supplement. that it is almost always right to compete ♦ A J 6 5 4 3 S ♦ 9 8 to the three level over the two level if both ♣ K 9 3 ♣ A Q J 7 6 Booking Form on page 5. sides have a fit. Either you can make 3♥

Page 7 DECLARER DEFENCE PLAY QUIZ QUIZ by Julian Pottage by David Huggett (Answers on page 40)

(Answers on page 29) ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your Yturn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT. ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. YIn each case, what is your play strategy? 1. ♠ Q J 7 2 3. ♠ A K Q 10 6 ♥ J 7 2 ♥ J 7 3 ♦ A Q 10 6 ♦ 3 1. ♠ 7 5 3. ♠ A 7 6 ♣ J 4 ♣ J 7 5 2 ♥ J 10 6 2 ♥ 8 3 2 ♠ A 9 6 ♠ J 9 3 N ♦ A K 7 ♦ Q 7 6 3 2 ♥ 10 9 8 5 3 ♥ A 9 6 5 N W E W E ♣ A 10 6 4 ♣ 8 5 ♦ J 2 S ♦ K 10 8 2 S ♣ K 7 5 ♣ 9 8 N N W E W E S S West North East South West North East South ♠ A 8 ♠ 5 4 1NT 1NT ♥ A K 5 ♥ A K 7 Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1 Pass 2♥1 Pass 2♠ ♦ Q J 8 ♦ A K 10 8 NTPass 2 End Pass 2NT End ♣ Q J 9 7 3 ♣ A J 9 3 1No four-card major 1Transfer to spades

You lead the ♥9. Partner You lead the ♦2. Partner You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 3NT takes the ♥A and switches plays the ♦Q, losing to the ♣ ♦ ♥ and West leads the ♠3. and West leads the ♠Q. to the 3. You take the A. Declarer leads the 2 ♣K and return the ♣7, on to the ♥J and continues How do you plan the play? How do you plan the play? which go the ♣J, ♣2 and the suit, East playing the ♣Q. Declarer leads the ♠5. ♥8 and then the ♥4. What What do you do? do you do?

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

♠ K J 10 9 3 ♠ 2 ♥ A 8 2 ♥ K 9 4 West North East South West North East South ♦ A K 5 ♦ A Q 9 8 6 4 2 2♠1 Pass 1♣ Pass 1♥ ♣ 6 4 ♣ A Q Pass 2NT Pass 4♥ 1♠ 2♣ Pass 4♥ End End 1Weak: six spades, 6-10 points You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 6♦ and You lead the ♠5: ♠J, ♠8 West leads the ♥K. How West leads the ♦5. How do You lead the ♠9. Partner and ♠3. Declarer leads the do you plan the play? you plan the play? wins with the ♠K and ♥J from dummy, playing switches to the ♦J. How do the ♥2 on East’s ♥5. What you defend? is your plan?

Page 8 BERNARD MAGEE Filmed Live at Haslemere Festival

2011 2012 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads This seminar deals with declarer’s use of ruffing Bernard takes you through all the basic leads and the to generate extra tricks and then looks at how the importance of your choice of lead. If you start to think defenders might counteract this. not just about your hand, but about your partner’s too, then you will get much better results. 2 Competitive Tricks This seminar focuses on competitive auctions from the 8 Losing Trick Count perspective of the overcalling side to start with and A method of hand evaluation for when you find a fit. then from the perspective of the opening side in the Bernard deals with the basics of the losing trick count second part. then looks at advanced methods to hone your bidding.

3 Making the Most of High Cards 9 Making a Plan as Declarer This seminar helps declarer to use his high cards more carefully and then looks at how defenders should care Bernard explains how to make a plan then expands on for their precious high cards. how to make the most of your long suits. The first half deals with no-trumps, the second with suit contracts. 4 Identifying & Bidding Slams 10 Responding to 1NT The first half of this seminar is about identifying when a slam might be on – one of the hardest topics This seminar deals with Transfers and Stayman in to teach. The second half covers some of the detail. The 1NT opening comes up frequently, so having techniques used to bid slams. a good, accurate system of responses is paramount.

5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts 11 Signals & Discards This seminar looks at the most common and This seminar deals with Count, Attitude yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. The first half and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get looks at declaring the contract and the second you working as a partnership in defence. part puts us in the defenders’ seats. 12 Endplays 6 Doubling & Defence Bernard takes you through the basics of the against Doubled Contracts technique before showing some magical hands The first half of this seminar explores penalty where you take extra tricks from defenders. In the doubles and the second half discusses the second half, Bernard looks at how to avoid being defence against doubled contracts. endplayed as a defender.

DVDs DVDs Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100 Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100

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 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics Natural 2NT or Unusual 2NT?

I was East on Your partner described differently if they had been 2♠ as the mechanism to this hand. your bid as an unusual told you had no agreement? exit from 1NT into 3♣/3♦ Q no-trump, when actually In my view, if you had with a long minor. If you meant it as natural. no agreement the bidding asked about the bid, I There are three would be the same, and the say, ‘enquiring whether ♠ Q 10 8 7 4 3 possibilities. result stands. However if opener is maximum.’ My ♥ J 1. Your bid was a #2 applies, perhaps North partner tends to give a ♦ J 5 4 2 mistake, your partner’s will pass 3♠. Even then, you somewhat long-winded ♣ 8 2 description was correct, might bid again and North explanation, describing ♠ 2 ♠ K 9 there is no infraction will probably go on to 4♠. So possible hands, such ♥ 10 8 7 6 4 ♥ K Q 9 3 and the result stands. perhaps a reasonable ruling as, ‘Could be 11-12 HCP N ♦ A Q 8 7 W E ♦ K 10 2. Your partner’s would be, assuming neither without a major or might S ♣ 9 7 3 ♣ K Q J 6 4 explanation was a mistake, side vulnerable: for both be a weak hand with ♠ A J 6 5 you play it as natural, your sides: 25% of 3♠-1, NS -50 a long minor – I do not ♥ A 5 2 opponents are misinformed. plus 75% of 4♠-2, NS -100. know which until he bids ♦ 9 6 3 If they are damaged, then Since most of the field again.’ Which is better? ♣ A 10 5 the director must assign a is in 4♥ making, this will, Alan Mansell, new score, or more usually, in fact, not be a lot better Milford-on-Sea. a variety of scores with than the very good score West North East South percentage weightings. they got for 4♠-2. Your reply is certainly 1NT1 3. Your partner’s But the amazing thing inadequate, while Pass 2♥2 2NT3 3♠ explanation was a mistake, about your director is not A your partner’s is Pass 4♠ End you have no agreement, your just that he gave a completely quite good. You are required 112-14 opponents are misinformed, illegal ruling, but from what to tell opponents what a 2alerted, transfer to spades partner should have said, you tell me, he gave one bid means; if you know that 3alerted, described as unusual ‘No agreement.’ If they that benefitted you, since it can show two types of (though meant as natural) are damaged then the the N/S score was already hand (balanced game try director must assign a new better than average. or sign-off in a minor), you 4♠ went two down and score, or more usually, have a duty to tell them so. North called the director. a variety of scores with ♣♦♥♠ ‘A balanced game try or The director awarded an percentage weightings. sign-off in a minor,’ is what I average to both sides. So let us suppose for a My regular would say. Most E/W pairs were moment #2 or #3 is correct. partner and bidding and making 4♥. Giving an average is illegal, I play a 2♠ Q David Stevenson answers all Do you believe our giving an assigned score is response to 1NT as an queries based on the facts director was correct? correct if there is damage. enquiry bid, asking supplied by the letter writer. Arthur Field, West Sussex. What would North or opener whether he Neither Mr Bridge nor South have done differently is maximum. Opener David Stevenson has any way It is difficult to offer if they had been told it replies 2NT with a non- of knowing whether those much advice beyond was natural? What would maximum and 3♣ with a facts are correct or complete. A shooting the director. North or South have done maximum. We also use

Page 10 Ask David continued There was no alert. Is just an overcall. While considers, the main ones this psychic or legal? I agree that he was being misinformation and John Dawe, Chester. entitled to bid when unauthorised information. his turn, should his As far as misinformation I was thinking I doubt that partner partner be able to profit goes, partner told the of trying for a was expecting from the unauthorised opponents the system as Qslam and knew A this. Perhaps East information? you were playing it, so my partner was void in thought it was the correct Margaret Bleakley, Belfast. they will not get any clubs, as I overheard call; perhaps he wanted to redress. Making the wrong the previous table fool everyone; perhaps he The director was bid is not a crime. discussing the hand. I was just experimenting. wrong. A bid, Your comment on partner decided not to use the You ask about psychic or A once taken from explaining your bid unasked information and just legal as though they are the box, counts as made, is interesting. Unless you are bid as I saw fit. What opposites. It is arguable so the bid out of turn laws in Scotland, your partner should the procedure whether it is psychic or should apply and they is required to announce be in a case like this? not, but it is certainly legal. tend to be quite severe. your opening immediately Barry Tyrrell by email. Players can bid as they after you have bid it. Once see fit (rightly or wrongly), ♣♦♥♠ he says that it is strong, You should tell but they must not have you have unauthorised the director once undisclosed agreements. First in hand information, reminding you A you have heard at favourable what your 2♥ shows – and the information. It is his ♣♦♥♠ Qvulnerability, you must do your best job to decide what to do. I held: to take no advantage. Usually, he will let you My left-hand If you had opened a weak play the board and see if opponent, North, 2♥, your partner had said, it makes any difference, Qwithdrew a bid ♠ 8 6 ‘weak,’ and he bid 3♦, you though he can cancel the from his box (not a stop ♥ J 9 7 5 3 2 would never pass 3♦ with board completely. He might card) and was about ♦ K 10 4 2 four-card support. This also penalise or warn the to face it on the table, ♣ 8 makes your pass illegal. I people at the other table when he was told it was would not say unethical, who caused the problem. not his turn to bid. because that suggests you The director said to I forgot that we were knew what you were doing ♣♦♥♠ proceed as normal playing strong twos was illegal. Thus, the director and no penalty and opened 2♥. LHO must give an adjusted After North was awarded. The doubled. Partner now score, disallowing your opened 1♣, bidding proceeded: said, unasked, ‘We are pass. A more usual bid with QEast doubled playing strong twos,’ your hand would be 5♦. with this hand: West North East South and bid 3♦. RHO passed. It is normal when 1♦ Pass I passed and 3♦ became giving an adjusted score 2♦ 2♥ the final contract. to provide a range of ♠ Q 10 8 7 6 5 We made this exactly. bids with a percentage ♥ J 10 8 6 4 Surely, North had given Everyone else had a likelihood of each. ♦ Void information to his plus score the other way. Note that there is no need ♣ 9 4 partner, that he had I called the director but to say what you have done opening values and not do not want to disclose until the end of the hand. the ruling. Should The opponents cannot take the result stand? their calls back since there Michael Kaye by email. was no misinformation. DUPLICATE BRIDGE Once the play is over, it is When a hand a good thing if the person RULES SIMPLIFIED does not match whose actions caused the (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) A the description problem calls the director, given, there are a number rather than waiting for the by John Rumbelow and only of things that a director opponents to do so. ■ 95 revised by David Stevenson £5

E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 [email protected]

Page 11 A to Z of Bridge compiled by Julian Pottage

and switches to the ♣2. East’s plan is J 6 4 2 clear – to get in with the ♠A, put West ♥ N in with the Q and score a club ruff. W E To snip communications, you win the S S club, cross to the ♦A and throw your A K 8 7 5 remaining heart on the ♦Q. East wins the ♦K, but cannot reach West’s hand SACRIFICE to get his club ruff. A bid made in the full expectation that If you need four tricks from the above the contract will go down, but in the holding, the safety play is leading low SCORE hope that the points lost will be fewer to the jack, catering for a 4-0 break on The written result of a contract or to than those that the opponents would either side. If West is void, you will be denote the result on a board, e.g. ‘We have scored if left to play in their own able to take marked finesses on the scored well on board thirteen’. contract. second and third rounds of the suit. SCORE CARD SAVE A card for keeping a record and used to ♠ 9 6 4 3 2 Used in the same sense as ‘Sacrifice’. score in a teams event or as a personal ♥ 9 N record in a pairs or individual event. W E ♦ 9 5 2 S SBU ♣ J 10 4 2 Abbreviation for the Scottish Bridge SCORE SHEET Union, the governing body for Sheet on which the results of each duplicate bridge in Scotland. board, the totals for each pair and the West North East South final placings are on display after a 1♥ 1♠ 4♥ SCISSORS COUP duplicate event. ? A play used, as the name implies, to cut communications between the SCORE SLIP It is a near certainty that 4♥ will opposing hands, usually to destroy 1. At rubber bridge or Chicago, printed make. West may bid 4♠, not expecting an enemy entry needed to give his paper or pad to record the score. it to make but in the belief that the partner a ruff. For example: 2. In duplicate, the traveller that penalty in 4♠ doubled will be cheaper accompanies the board. than letting the opponents make 4♥. The vulnerability is often crucial in ♠ Q 6 SCORING CORRECTIONS sacrifice decisions. At duplicate, the ♥ 6 3 It may be possible to correct an error best time to sacrifice is when only ♦ A Q 9 5 in computing or tabulating the agreed the opponents are vulnerable. In this ♣ Q J 10 6 3 score, whether by a player or a scorer, example, you could afford to go three ♠ 5 4 ♠ A 8 2 within a timescale set by the sponsor- down doubled and still show a profit ♥ K Q 8 2 N ♥ A J 10 7 4 ing organisation. If the organisers do ♦ J 7 6 2 W E ♦ K 10 8 4 (losing 500 instead of 620). If, however, S not set a time, the period for correc- only your side is vulnerable, you need ♣ 8 7 4 ♣ 2 tion is thirty minutes after the official to get out for one down to show a profit ♠ K J 10 9 7 3 score is displayed. To minimise the (losing 200 instead of 420). ♥ 9 5 risk of scoring errors, players should ♦ 3 write as legibly as possible and agree SAFETY PLAY ♣ A K 9 5 the score before returning the score A way of handling a suit combination slip to the board. to give the greatest chance of making the required number of tricks in the As South, you play in 4♠ after East SCOTTISH BRIDGE UNION suit at the expense of abandoning the opened 1♥ and West raised hearts. East Regulatory body for Duplicate Bridge possibility of gaining extra tricks. overtakes West’s ♥K lead with the ♥A in Scotland.

Page 12 A to Z of Bridge continued SECOND AND FOURTH LEADS SECONDARY SUPPORT A popular method of leading from A useful holding in a suit bid by suits without an honour sequence, by partner, often a three-card suit, as which one leads second highest from distinct from four-card (primary) SCRAMBLE poor suits and fourth highest from support. A delayed bid in partner’s A term to denote a bid in a competitive better suits. Most players treat poor suit, especially if it is a major, shows auction where one is simply trying to suits as those without an honour, secondary support because you would find a safe place to play at a low level. though some regard a ten-high suit have raised immediately with primary as poor too. For example, with 9-7-5- support. In the examples below, West West North East South 3 you lead the seven. When using the is almost certain to have exactly three 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass method, if partner leads a high spot it hearts. Pass Dbl Pass 2NT is likely to be from a poor suit. West North East South Not having a long suit to show, South SECONDARY SQUEEZE 1♥ Pass bids 2NT as a scramble, asking North A squeeze in which the opponents win 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass to suggest a suit. one or more tricks after the play of the 3♥ squeeze card: SCRAMBLED MITCHELL West North East South A method of producing a single 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass winner from a Mitchell event by arrow ♠ A 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass switching the compass points of the ♥ 10 8 7 2♥ pairs (on certain rounds). ♦ Void On such rounds, the East-West pairs ♣ 5 SECOND NEGATIVE (and the boards) move normally, but ♠ K Q In the sequence 2♣-pass-2♦-pass-2♥- they then play the North-South cards N ♥ K Q J pass-2NT, most partnerships agree W E ♦ Void and vice versa. S that the 2NT bid is a second negative, Generally, the final one or two ♣ Void showing a very poor hand. The need to rounds are arrow switched in a ♠ J 4 make a second negative arises because scrambled movement. ♥ A 6 an Acol 2♣ opening, unless followed ♦ Void by a 2NT rebid, creates a game force. SCREEN ♣ A Responder therefore needs a bid In major championships, a large to keep the bidding alive without screen rests diagonally across the table promising values. preventing each player from being South leads the ♣A. If East discards a able to see his partner and one of his heart, South continues with ace and SECOND SUIT opponents. another heart to leave dummy high. If Your second longest suit or the second A small slit in the screen allows a East discards a spade, South crosses to suit you bid. For example, if you open tray to slide from one side of the table the ♠A and later scores the ♠J. 1♠ and rebid 2♥, hearts is your second to the other. suit. The players bid, using bidding boxes, SECOND HAND LOW by placing the bids on this tray and A favourite maxim of card play which SECTION repeatedly sliding it from one side of says that, following the lead of a small If the director splits a competition field the table to the other. card, the second hand to play should into separate groups, each group is a During the play, a flap comes up to play his lowest card of the suit led. section. For example, with 26 tables, allow all players to see the dummy it would be normal to split them into and the cards the others play. One two sections with 13 tables in each, purpose of screens is to prevent K 9 4 thereby facilitating a convenient players conveying information to their N Mitchell movement in each. partners through their mannerisms or A 10 6 3 W E J 7 2 S eye contact. SEMI-BALANCED Another benefit is that if there is a Q 8 5 This refers to hands with no singleton delay in return of the bidding tray, it but two doubletons, i.e. a 5-4-2-2 or will often be unclear whether partner 6-3-2-2 shape. Players using a strong or an opponent has been thinking. If South leads low, West must duck, no-trump opening are much happier saving the ace to capture the queen. about opening 1NT on a semi- SCREEN-MATE Equally, if the lead is low from the balanced hand than are players who When screens are in use, he is the North hand, East must play low or favour a weak no-trump. Opening opponent seated on one’s own side of South could cover the jack with the 2NT on a semi-balanced hand has the screen. queen and later finesse the nine. widespread acceptance.

Page 13 Join Bernard Magee and discover Celtic Treasures

25th May – 2nd June 2013 9 days from £1,099pp elve into a trove of Celtic treasures on this voyage around a lush, green VOY130525 Dland of timeless mysteries, myths, saints and sea kingdoms. The Celts your itinerary believed life was an endless circle, a journey without end. Step ashore and Date Port arrive DePart 25 May Portsmouth, england 3.00pm discover how a rich past is part of the present, part of the people and part of a 26 May at sea vibrant culture. The Emerald Isle promises a cluster of charming towns, historic 27 May foynes, ireland 7.00am 4.00pm cities and a wealth of breathtaking landscapes and spectacular coastlines 28 May killybegs, ireland 8.00am 6.00pm

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complimentary chauffeur service to the port YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES: on higher grade cabins – see brochure for full details

included in your fare • Evening bridge† • 8-night cruise aboard Voyager including • Afternoon bridge when at sea all meals, entertainment and port charges • Bridge seminars when at sea • free parking at Portsmouth or free • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties return coach transfer from london or southampton airport • All meals, entertainment and onboard gratuities • gratuities – other lines add up to £162 per couple to your bill • Comprehensive lecture and guest • service charges – other lines add up to speaker programme 18% to your bill • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala • comprehensive guest speaker programme dinners Applies to standard fares only

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Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% The fare shown is per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, is for new bookings only, includes all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Cabin number may not be given at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. †To be part of the Mr Bridge group a supplement of £30pp will be charged at the time of booking. Terms and conditions apply. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

SPS_S13_celtic treasures_updated 26213.indd 1 01/03/2013 16:47:49 A to Z of Bridge continued is usually 2 or 3 boards in a club have a five-card suit, a four-card suit, duplicate, 8 or 16 boards in a match. a tripleton and a singleton. If there are 4. A pre-arranged rubber bridge dashes in between the numbers, this is match played between two fixed likely to indicate a specific shape. For SEMI-PSYCHIC partnerships. example, a 2-4-6-1 shape means two A ‘semi-psychic’ bid is a bid made spades, four hearts, six diamonds and deliberately with the intention of SETTING TRICK a club. confusing the opponents but which The defensive trick that ensures a Another name for shape is the only slightly misdescribes the hand. contract’s defeat. For example, against hand’s ‘pattern’ or ‘distribution’. Examples are the ‘third-in-hand a 4♠ contract, the fourth defensive opener’ on A-K-J-x-x in the suit with a trick will be the setting trick. SHARING BOARDS bust outside or a no-trump bid that is In some movements, such as a Mitchell a few points under strength or lacking SET UP with an even number of tables but no a stopper in the opposing suit. To set up a suit is to establish it. skip, it is necessary for two or more Common methods of setting up a tables to play the same set of boards SEMI-SOLID SUIT suit are knocking out the opposing on the same round. This practice is A suit that is likely to play for only one high cards, giving up a slow loser and ‘sharing boards’. loser, for example: A-Q-J-10-8-4. ruffing a suit. Of necessity, the tables sharing boards will play them in a different SEQUENCE sequence as a result. For example, if Cards in consecutive rank order, for ♣ K Q 10 4 ♦ A 8 7 6 3 2 tables 1 and 8 are sharing boards 4-6, example K-Q-J. N N table 1 might play them in the order W E W E 4, 5, 6 while table 8 plays them in the S S SEQUENCE DISCARDS order 5, 6, 4. It is important when The discard of an honour guarantees ♣ J 7 2 ♦ K 5 sharing boards that the two tables do the honour immediately below it and not leave themselves the same board to denies the honour immediately above play at the end. it. When the opening leader discards You can set up the first suit by playing an honour, it nearly always shows an high cards to drive out the ace. Once SHARK interior sequence (for example, the the ace has gone, you will have set up Colloquialism for a type of expert discard of the queen strongly suggests the suit. player who specialises in playing A-Q-J) because otherwise the initial To set up the second suit on the rubber bridge for money and who lead might have been in the suit. normal 3-2 break, you cash the king, is particularly adept at this type of ace and play a third round. In a no- competition. SELF-SUPPORTING SUIT trump contract, you will lose the third A suit that you are happy to have as the round; in a suit contract, you ruff the SHARPLES CONVENTION trump suit even facing a void. The suit third round and avoid a loser. If the A defence to 1NT whereby an overcall is likely to be solid or semi-solid, such suit breaks 4-1, you will need to work of 2♣ shows a hand of unspecified as K-Q-J-10-x-x-x. harder, playing a fourth round as well. shape but with at least four spades and In either case, once the opponents 2♦ shows a weak distributional hand SENIOR have no diamonds left, you will have with short clubs. In events with an age restriction, a set up the suit. player over a certain age. From 2010 SHIFT onwards, to qualify as a senior in SHADED In the auction, a change of suit as in a given year, the player must have A bid is said to be shaded if it is ‘jump shift’. In the play, a switch to attained age 60 by the end of the year. slightly below the normal strength another suit. requirements, for example if you open SESSION a 15-17 1NT with 14 points. While it is SHOOTING FOR A TOP A period of play during which fine to take a rosy view of your hand To make an apparently inferior bid or competitors play a given number of every so often, if it becomes a regular play in a deliberate attempt to score boards. Sessions usually consist of 24- practice then it is an agreement a top. You might employ this tactic 32 boards, lasting 3-4 hours. that you should disclose to your towards the end of a duplicate session opponents. in an attempt to convert a good score SET into a winning score. For example, 1. To set a contract means you defeat SHAPE if you were sure that a normal score it. The way in which you might arrange would be no good for you and that 2. Set of duplicate boards or wallets. your hand into suits, expressed as playing a contract normally would There are usually 32 boards in a set. the number of cards in each suit. For result in an average score, you might 3. A set can mean a stanza, which example, a 5431 shape means you take an anti-percentage play.

Page 15 Join Bernard Magee and discover

PORT OF TYNE The Land of the

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HONNINGSVÅG Why choose this cruise? STANDARD FARES ARE COVERED BY THE VOYAGES OF HAMMERFEST TROMSØ • Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road – DISCOVERY PRICE PROMISE LEKNES two contrasting but equally amazing standard fares (per person) BRØNNØYSUND scenic road journeys 2 bed inside from £1,869 • Cruise on the beautiful Lysefjord with MOLDE the famous Pulpit Rock 2 bed outside from £2,109 BERGEN balcony suite from £3,399 • The incredible scenery of the Lofoten STAVANGER HARWICH Islands Prices for all categories on request • North Cape and the ‘White Nights’ in Complimentary Chauffeur service to the port PORTSMOUTH Norway on higher grade cabins – see brochure for full details included in your fare • 14-night cruise aboard Voyager including s summer solstice approaches, treasure the experience of exploring all meals, entertainment and port charges the North Cape and the awe-inspiring scenery around Norway’s A • Your choice of cabin type, location and deeply fissured coastline. A profusion of rugged fjords, majestic mountains, number small fishing communities and remote islands are part of an ever-changing • free parking at Portsmouth or free kaleidoscope of breathtaking vistas on this voyage to the ‘Land of the return coach transfer from London or Midnight Sun’. Along the way, turn the pages on Norway’s fascinating southampton airport history, its folklore and legends as you follow in the wake of Vikings, • gratuities – other lines add up to £270 per couple to your bill adventurers and pioneers. • service Charges – other lines add up to 18% to your bill your itinerary YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES: • Comprehensive guest speaker

Date Port arrive DePart programme 11 Jun Portsmouth, england 2.00pm • Evening bridge† Applies to standard fares only 12 Jun at sea 13 Jun bergen, norway 1.30pm 8.00pm • Afternoon bridge when at sea 14 Jun at sea • Bridge seminars when at sea Lofoten, Norway 15 Jun brØnnØYsunD, norway 7.00am 1.00pm 16 Jun tromsØ, norway 12.00pm 7.00pm • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties 17 Jun honningsvÅg, norway 1.00pm 23.59pm 18 Jun hammerfest, norway 7.00am 12.00pm • All meals, entertainment and 19 Jun Leknes, norway 9.00am 7.00pm onboard gratuities 20 Jun at sea 21 Jun moLDe, norway 7.30am 8.00pm • Comprehensive lecture and guest 22 Jun at sea speaker programme 23 Jun stavanger, norway 7.00am 1.00pm • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala 24 Jun at sea 25 Jun harWiCh, england 7.00am dinners

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Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% The fare shown is per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, is for new bookings only, includes all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Cabin number may not be given at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. †To be part of the Mr Bridge group a supplement of £30pp will be charged at the time of booking. Terms and conditions apply. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

SPS_S13_land of midnight sun_updated 26213.indd 1 01/03/2013 16:39:45 A to Z of Bridge continued SHORT SUIT GAME TRY A game try whereby, after trump ♠ K agreement, opener shows his shortest ♥ A Q suit and invites responder to judge ♦ Void Suppose you have a suit combination accordingly. ♣ Void of 10-9-x facing A-K-J-x-x. You might ♠ A ♠ Void cash the ace-king in the hope of felling SHORT SUIT LEAD ♥ 6 4 N ♥ K ♦ Void W E ♦ 6 5 the doubleton queen offside. You risk 1. Against a no-trump contract, the S a bottom (when the finesse would have lead of a doubleton or tripleton, ♣ Void ♣ Void worked but the queen does not drop) usually when partner has bid the ♠ 8 for the chance of a top. suit, or the opponents have bid the ♥ 5 In the bidding, an example of other suits. Sometimes it can be a ♦ A shooting for a top is bidding a grand deceptive play hoping that declarer ♣ Void slam that you know depends upon a will think that the wrong hand has finesse. the long suit. 2. Against a suit contract, the lead of a South leads the ♦A. West must discard SHORT CLUB singleton or doubleton, trying for a a heart and dummy discards the ♠K. Some pairs using a mini (10-12) or ruff, is a short-suit lead. Then, when South leads a heart, he strong (15-17) 1NT opening, open 1♣ knows that if West has the ♥K it will on balanced hands outside the range show up because his last card must be for a 1NT opening. ♠ 10 5 2 the ♠A. When, in fact, West follows If you encounter this, even though ♥ 9 7 4 N low, he will drop East’s singleton king. W E the opener may have a doubleton club, ♦ K 8 4 2 S it is usual to treat the 1♣ opening as a ♣ 9 7 4 SHUFFLE natural bid e.g. a 2♣ overcall is a cue To mix the cards randomly. bid, not a natural bid. West North East South SHUTOUT BID SHORT HAND 1♥ Pass 2♦ Either a sign off or a pre-emptive bid. The hand with the fewer cards in a suit Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT (usually trumps). Usually, it is more End SID productive to take ruffs in the short An acronym for Stayman In Doubt. trump hand than in the long trump Since South has bid your only long hand. suit, you should make a short suit lead. SIDE As East will not hold five spades and A partnership in a rubber game, a du- fair values (no 1♠ overcall), the ♣7 is plicate game or teams-of-four match. ♠ J 2 a good choice. ♥ A 8 6 SIDE GAME ♦ K J 10 2 SHORTEN A second competition at a ♣ A 10 5 4 To reduce in length. Commonly refers championship for pairs or teams not ♠ Q 8 6 4 3 ♠ K 10 7 to the situation where a defender involved in the main event. ♥ 3 N ♥ 10 9 7 4 attacks dummy’s or declarer’s trump ♦ 7 5 3 W E ♦ 8 4 SIDE SUIT S length by leading plain-suit winners, ♣ Q J 9 6 ♣ K 8 7 3 forcing a ruff. Shortening also refers A suit other than trumps. ‘Plain suit’ ♠ A 9 5 to the situation where declarer is a synonym. ♥ K Q J 5 2 deliberately takes ruffs in preparation ♦ A Q 9 6 for a trump endplay or coup. SIGN-OFF ♣ 2 A discouraging bid suggesting that SHOW OUT the partnership should progress no To reveal a void by discarding on the further. Usually a sign-off occurs If you are South in 6♥, you can lead of a suit. after a trial bid or asking bid. When generate an extra trick by giving up a the person making the sign-off made spade and ruffing a spade in dummy, SHOW UP SQUEEZE an asking bid on the previous round, the short hand. This way, you make six A method of squeezing a player who the sign-off is more a command than trump tricks rather than five. does not guard a crucial suit, in order a suggestion. Ruffing in the long trump hand to drop a singleton honour, instead of (South) would not be a good idea. If taking a losing finesse. West East West East you ruff two clubs, you will have fewer Declarer has a count of the hand and 1♥ 1♠ trumps than East and so be unable to knows that West holds the ♠A in this 2♥ 3♣ 3♠ 4♣ draw trumps and cash the diamonds. example. 3♥ 4♠

Page 17 Cheltenham Blunsdon Regency Elstead Hotel House Hotel Bournemouth, BH1 3QP Hotel Cheltenham GL51 0ST Swindon SN26 7AS

BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 17-19 May Rubber/Chicago £ 199 BRIDGE BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 EVENTS 2013 14-16 June Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 22-24 November Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 5-7 April 17-19 May – £199 Full Board. £245 Just Duplicate Bridge Bernard Magee No Single Supplement. Losing Trick Count 12-14 July – £245 Booking Form on page 5. Bernard Magee 12-14 April Thinking Defence £199 Diana Holland 26-28 July – £199 Rubber/Chicago Just Duplicate Bridge Queensferry Hotel 5-7 July 9-11 August – £199 North Queensferry, KY11 1HP £245 Just Duplicate Bridge Bernard Magee Signals & Discards 6-8 September – £199 11-13 October Just Duplicate Bridge £245 Bernard Magee 13-15 September – £199 Splinters & Cue Bids Just Duplicate Bridge 8-10 November 11-13 October – £199 £215 Just Duplicate Bridge Stan Powell Doubles 25-27 October – £199 BRIDGE EVENT 2013 Just Duplicate Bridge 22-24 November 25-27 October Bernard Magee £245 £245 6-8 December – £199 Finding Slams Bernard Magee Just Duplicate Bridge Better Defence Full Board. Full Board No Single Supplement. Full Board No Single Supplement No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 5. Booking Form on page 5. Booking Form on page 5.

Page 18 A to Z of Bridge continued you follow with the ♠4, your lowest on the deals so that you can see where card in the suit, as an attitude signal you have done well and how you might to say that you do not like spades. De- have done better. clarer plays a club to the queen and you Bridge Great Britain organises West East West East follow with the ♣2, your lowest card in simultaneous pairs events, as do most 1♦ 1♦ that suit, as a count signal to show an of the Home Bridge Unions and some 2♥ 3♥ 2♥ 3♥ odd number of clubs. On the second county associations. In general, the 4NT 5♦ 4NT 5♥ round of clubs, having already given greater the number of participating 5♥ 6♥ count, you play the ♣8, the higher of clubs, the higher the number of master your remaining clubs, as a suit-prefer- points on offer. In each case, West’s final bid is a sign- ence signal for the higher red suit. off. In the first auction, it looks as if SINGLE-DUMMY PROBLEM East has made a game try, which West SILENT Bridge problem presented as if in the has declined. East would bid on only if To keep ‘silent’ is to pass throughout position of declarer. he had aspirations towards a slam. In the auction. the second auction, East has suggested SINGLE RAISE a slam and West has shown no interest. SILENT BIDDER A raise of partner’s denomination by In the third and fourth auctions, West Device to permit silent bidding. It is a one level e.g. 1♥-pass-2♥, 1♣-pass-1♥- has found out how many aces are board placed in the centre of the table, pass-2♥ or 1♣-1♠-pass-2♠. A single missing and placed the final contract. subdivided into labelled regions, 1♣, raise usually indicates support for 1♦, 1 ♥, 1♠, 1NT, 2♣ etc (up to 7NT), partner and minimum values. SIGNALS, SIGNALLING Dbl, Redbl, Alert, Stop and Pass. A The method of conveying information player makes his call by touching the SINGLE SUITED HAND between the defenders. You can do this appropriate region of the board with A hand with one long suit and no other both when following to a suit and when a pen or pencil, or moving a small biddable suit. Assuming you have the discarding. Common types of signal counter placed on the silent bidder. strength to bid at all, you are likely to are attitude signals – when you indicate Bidding boxes have rendered silent show a single suited hand by bidding whether you like a suit or not; length bidders almost obsolete. the suit a couple of times or perhaps by signals – when you show whether making a pre-emptive bid in the suit. you have an odd or even number of SIMPLE FINESSE cards in the suit; and suit-preference A finesse against one outstanding West East West East signals – when you show whether you card e.g. if you have A-K-J facing low 1♠ 1NT 1♣ like some other suit. Defensive signals cards, leading up to the jack is a simple 2♠ 1♠ 1NT are vital for defending accurately. For finesse against the queen. 2♠ signals to work, it is important not only that you give the right signal but SIMPLE OVERCALL West East West East also that partner is watching – and vice A non-jump overcall: if an opponent 2♠(weak) 3♠ versa when partner gives a signal. opens 1♥, any of 1♠, 1NT, 2♣ and 2♦ Here is an example where you can from you are simple overcalls. If you In each sequence, West is suggesting give all three of the common types of make an overcall, it is usual to hold a single-suited spade hand. The first signal on the same deal: at least five card suits in your bid suit, three sequences suggest a six-card often six cards if the overcall is at the suit, the fourth a seven-card suit. two level. If the suit is good, you might ♠ 7 3 2 overcall on a hand that is slightly too SINGLETON ♥ A J weak for an opening bid. For example, A holding of only one card in a suit. ♦ A J 2 with ♠K-Q-10-x-x and an ace on the ♣ Q J 10 9 3 side, it would be normal to overcall 1♠ SIT OUT ♠ Q J 9 8 ♠ 6 4 over one of any other suit. 1. If there is an odd number of pairs in ♥ 9 6 4 N ♥ K Q 10 2 a duplicate event, one pair must sit ♦ 10 9 5 W E ♦ 8 7 6 4 SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS S out each round. ♣ A K 7 ♣ 8 5 2 Event played in many different venues 2. In long teams matches, it is ♠ A K 10 5 on the same date and with identical common for a team to have more ♥ 8 7 5 3 hands nationwide or even worldwide. pairs than is required to play at any ♦ K Q 3 Scoring is on the matchpoint basis one time, typically six players for a ♣ 6 4 and calculated by computer. Clubs teams of four match. The player(s) upload their results to the organiser’s not playing in any given stanza sit computer so that competitors can see out. South plays in 3NT without having bid their results. Most organisers provide 3. It also means to wait to cut in to a any suits. When West leads the ♠Q, a booklet with an expert commentary game of rubber bridge.

Page 19 Join Bernard Magee and discover Mediterranean Medley

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Standard fareS (per person) nthralling Rome – at the heart of the mighty Roman Empire, beautiful 2 Bed inside from £2,089 EVenice – ‘the Queen of the Adriatic’ and enchanting Dubrovnik described 2 Bed outside from £2,399 as ‘heaven on earth’ by George Bernard Shaw! Three notable cities on this Balcony Suite from £3,799 voyage opening up fascinating chapters of Mediterranean history, visiting Prices for all categories on request cities reborn after recent conflict and others that nature left frozen in time. complimentary Chauffeur service to the port Immerse yourself in art, architecture and culture and enjoy the dazzling on higher grade cabins – see brochure for full details constellations of islands strung out like pearls along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. included in your fare

• 14-night cruise aboard Voyager including YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES: your itinerary VOY130912 all meals, entertainment and port charges

Date Port arrive DePart • Your choice of cabin type, location and • Evening bridge† 12 Sep MarSeiLLe, France 10.00pm number 13 Sep nice, France 12.00pm 7.00pm • Flights or eurostar London/Marseille • Afternoon bridge when at sea 14 Sep Livorno, italy 8.00am 7.00pm and flights Dubrovnik/London including • Bridge seminars when at sea 15 Sep civitaveccHia, italy 8.00am 6.00pm all pre-paid airport taxes (connecting 16 Sep caSteLLaMMare Di StaBia 7.00am 5.00pm flights from Manchester are available at a • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties 17 Sep MeSSina, Sicily 8.30am 6.00pm supplement*) 18 Sep at Sea • Gratuities – other lines add up to £270 • All meals, entertainment and 19 Sep BrinDiSi, italy 7.00am 6.00pm per couple to your bill onboard gratuities 20 Sep at Sea 21 Sep ancona, italy 7.00am 5.00pm • Service Charges – other lines add up to • Comprehensive lecture and guest 22 Sep venice, italy 7.00am 6.30pm 18% to your bill speaker programme 23 Sep SiBeniK, croatia 9.00am 11.00pm • Comprehensive Guest Speaker 24 Sep Hvar, croatia 8.00am 6.00pm • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala programme 25 Sep DUBrovniK, croatia 7.00am Overnight *Flights from Manchester may not be direct dinners 26 Sep DUBrovniK, croatia

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Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% The fare shown is per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, is for new bookings only, includes all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Cabin number may not be given at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. †To be part of the Mr Bridge group a supplement of £30pp will be charged at the time of booking. Terms and conditions apply. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

SPS_S13_meditteranean medley_updated 26213.indd 1 04/03/2013 10:21:17 A to Z of Bridge continued SLAM DOUBLES South plays in 3NT. West leads the five If the opponents bid freely to a slam, of spades, covered by the jack, queen it is most unlikely that you can collect and king. When declarer crosses to a lucrative penalty by doubling. If the the ace of clubs to take the diamond SKIP BID contract they have reached is due to finesse, East follows with the eight of This is the same as a jump bid i.e. a bid fail by several tricks, it is likely they clubs to indicate a desire for a spade at a level higher than necessary to beat have had a bidding misunderstanding continuation. Without the ten of the current bid. and have a better spot available. If the spades but perhaps with the ace of defender not on lead doubles a slam, it hearts, East would follow with the two SKIP BID WARNING calls for an unusual lead. of clubs, asking for a switch. Sponsoring organisations may require If you play Smith Peters, it is usual that players give a warning before a SLAM TRY to play that all signals at trick one are jump bid (skip bid) and require the A bid that takes the partnership count signals on the basis that you can next player to pause for a specified towards a slam but without show whether you like the suit via a period before bidding. The common committing to it. For example: subsequent Smith signal. arrangement in duplicate in the UK is that you prefix your bid with the stop West North East South SMOTHER PLAY card (if using bidding boxes) or say 1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass A rare endplay in which you can cause the word ‘stop’ (if you are not doing 3NT Pass 4♣ a seemingly certain losing trump so); the next player then waits for 10 trick to vanish. For this to work, the seconds before bidding. Without slam interest, East would defending hand with trump length pass 3NT or perhaps jump to 5♣. must have only trumps left while his SKIP ROUND partner must have the lead and be A round during a Mitchell movement SLUFF able only to play suits in which both at which the East-West pairs ‘skip’, Slang term meaning to discard a loser. declarer and dummy are void. moving two tables instead of the usual The defender with the trump length one. The boards move as normal. The SMALL CARD faces the choice of underruffing or objective of the skip is to prevent the In general, a card below honour rank, overruffing and letting you overruff East-West pairs from meeting boards sometimes denoted by an ‘x’ on a hand again. For example: that they have already played. record.

SLAM SMALL SLAM ♠ A A contract for twelve tricks (Small To contract to make twelve tricks is to ♥ Void Slam) or thirteen tricks (Grand Slam). bid a Small Slam. An alternative name ♦ 9 For bidding and making either type is a ‘Little Slam’. ♣ Void of slam, considerable bonuses are on ♠ K 7 ♠ Void offer. Slams are an exciting part of the SMITH PETER ♥ Void N ♥ J 10 ♦ Void W E ♦ Void game and, especially at rubber bridge, Against no trumps, on the lead of S a potentially lucrative event. Before declarer’s first suit, the partner of the ♣ Void ♣ Void contracting for a slam, it is normally opening leader plays high-low to show ♠ Q J a good idea to establish that the that he would like the original suit ♥ Void partnership has the playing strength continued if partner regains the lead. ♦ Void to produce at least 12 tricks as well The opening leader plays high-low to ♣ Void as sufficient high cards or shortages show a poor holding in his suit. in every suit so that the opponents cannot take two fast winners. With spades as trumps, East, on lead, With two balanced hands, about ♠ J 3 plays a heart. You, South, ruff and 33-34 points produces a small slam, ♥ J 10 2 subject West to a ‘smother play’ or 37 points a grand slam. Most slams ♦ Q J 10 4 2 coup. You will play dummy’s ace of require fewer high card points than ♣ A K J trumps on this trick if and only if West this because long cards or ruffs can ♠ A 9 7 5 4 ♠ Q 10 2 overruffs with the king. produce extra tricks. ♥ 8 5 N ♥ K 9 6 4 3 ♦ K 5 W E ♦ 6 SNAP S SLAM CONVENTION ♣ 10 9 7 6 ♣ Q 8 3 2 An acronym for Strong No Trump An agreed bidding convention, such as ♠ K 8 6 After Passing, this convention uses the Blackwood, for checking on controls, ♥ A Q 7 response of 1NT to an opening bid of trumps or other key cards held by ♦ A 9 8 7 3 one of a suit, made after partner has the partnership to investigate slam ♣ 5 4 opened third or fourth in hand, to possibilities. show 8-10 points.

Page 21 A to Z of Bridge continued SPLINTER BID SPUTNIK DOUBLE A jump response, at a level higher This is the original name for a negative than needed to create a force, showing double, so named because its launch trump support, the values for coincided with the launch of the SOFT VALUES game, and a singleton or void in the Sputnik space rocket. In the sequence These are queens and jacks. By suit bid. 1♣-1♠-double, the double suggests comparison, aces and kings are ‘hard holding four hearts rather than a values’. 1 2 3 desire to penalise spades. West East West East West East SOLID 1♥ 1♦ 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ SQUEEZE 1. Describes a suit with no losers e.g. 4♣ 4♣ 4♣ Descriptive term for a variety of plays A-K-Q-J-x-x. where you force an opponent to dis- 2. A solid contract is an unbeatable In all three auctions, West’s 4♣ is a card from a suit or suits that he wishes one. splinter, showing the support and to guard. The result is that you make values to raise to 4♥ with a shortage a trick (sometimes more) that seemed SOS REDOUBLE in clubs. Typical hands for these unlikely at the start of play. There are a A redouble suggesting that partner sequences are: great many squeeze plays, many with choose an alternative denomination set names, varying from the simple to from the one that an opponent has the complex. Here are two basic ones: doubled. Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 For example: ♠ Q 9 5 3 ♠ Q 8 5 ♠ A K 8 5 2 ♥ A J 7 4 ♥ A Q 9 3 ♥ K Q 6 3 a 1 ♠ 9 6 West North East South ♦ A J 8 3 ♦ A K Q 8 3 ♦ 8 5 3 2 ♥ 10 2 1♠ 2♣ Pass Pass ♣ 5 ♣ 5 ♣ Void ♦ A 9 7 5 Dbl Pass Pass Rdbl ♣ A K Q 7 3 ♠ K Q J 8 3 ♠ 10 7 4 2 South probably holds a fistful of cards ♥ 8 7 4 3 N ♥ 9 6 SPLIT ♦ 10 4 W E ♦ Q J 2 in the red suits and a singleton or void S in clubs. North should remove the The way a suit divides between two ♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2 redouble to 2♦ or 2♥. hands – break is a synonymous term. ♠ A 5 ♥ A K Q J 5 SOUTH SPLITTING HONOURS ♦ K 8 6 3 One of the positions at the bridge table. The play of an honour, from two ♣ 5 4 or more in sequence, in the second SOUTH AFRICAN TEXAS position. The use of 4♣ and 4♦ bids as transfers For example: b 1 ♠ Void to 4♥ and 4♠ respectively, either ♥ Void as opening bids or in response to ♦ Void 1NT/2NT. The transfer to ♥4 via 4♣ A J 4 ♣ A K Q 7 3 ♠ J 8 3 ♠ Void suggests a stronger hand than bidding N 4♥ directly. K Q 9 W E 10 8 3 2 ♥ Void N ♥ Void S ♦ Void W E ♦ Q One benefit of playing that the S transfer bid is two suits below the 7 6 5 ♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2 one shown is that it leaves room for ♠ Void partner to bid the in-between suit as ♥ 5 a slam try. Another is that partner is South leads the 5 and, if West plays the ♦ 8 6 less likely to forget the bid is a transfer. king or queen, he is said to ‘split his ♣ 5 4 honours’.

Hand 1 Hand 2 SPOT CARDS You can make 6♣, 6♦ or 6♥ without ♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2 ♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2 Cards from the 2 to the 9 inclusive. problem but go for a top score by play- ♥ 8 3 ♥ A 10 3 ing in 6NT. West leads the ♠K. You ♦ 5 3 ♦ 4 SPREAD duck the first spade (see RECTIFY- ♣ 5 ♣ 6 1. To place the cards of the dummy ING THE COUNT) and win the con- face up on the table. tinuation. You then cash the ♦A-K and 2. To lay one’s hand on the table when play off your hearts to reach the posi- Playing South African Texas, the first making a claim. tion in 1b. The last heart catches East hand would be a 4♠ opening and the 3. This can be a term for an unbeatable in a squeeze, forcing him to unguard second (stronger) hand a 4♦ opening. contract, as in, ‘4♠ was a spread’. one of his minor suits.

Page 22 A to Z of Bridge continued STACKED STAYMAN CONVENTION Having the cards ‘stacked’ against you A 2♣ response to a 1NT opening means that a single opponent holds bid, used to enquire about major-suit all or nearly all the crucial cards in a holdings. In reply, opener rebids: given suit. For example, if you hold 2♦ No four-card major 2a ♠ A K 2 A-Q-10-x-x facing x-x-x-x and there is 2♥ Four hearts ♥ 9 8 7 6 K-J-9-x over the strong holding, that 2♠ Four spades (but not four ♦ 3 2 would be a stacked suit. hearts) ♣ Q J 3 2 ♠ 10 5 4 3 ♠ Q J 7 STAKES ♥ J 4 3 2 N ♥ 10 5 Rubber bridge and Chicago players Hand 1 Hand 2 ♦ 5 4 W E ♦ J 10 9 8 ♠ Q 8 5 3 ♠ J 8 5 2 S usually play for a small amount of ♣ 10 9 8 ♣ 7 6 5 4 money, known as ‘stakes’. Although ♥ A K J 4 ♥ 10 7 4 2 ♠ 9 8 6 it is a social game, the addition of ♦ 5 2 ♦ K 9 7 5 2 ♥ A K Q a stake, even of a nominal amount, ♣ K 10 2 ♣ Void ♦ A K Q 7 6 provides an incentive to bid and play ♣ A K carefully and accurately. Stakes can vary from a few pence With the first responding hand, you per hundred in a home game to £30 have the values to raise 1NT to 3NT 2b ♠ K 2 per hundred at the top table in one of but want to play in a 4-4 fit in a major ♥ 9 the London clubs. if one exists. You intend to raise 2♥ to ♦ 3 4♥, 2♠ to 4♠ or to jump to 3NT over 2♦. ♣ J STAND A DOUBLE On the second hand, you use Stayman ♠ 10 5 4 ♠ Q J To pass your partner’s double or to intending to pass at your next turn, ♥ J N ♥ void leave in a contract that an opponent confident that a suit contract will play ♦ 5 W E ♦ J 10 9 S has doubled. better than 1NT. ♣ Void ♣ Void Responder can use Stayman safely ♠ 9 STAND UP on any hand with the values to bid ♥ Void Having a card ‘stand up’ means that at least 2NT and four cards in at ♦ K Q 7 6 it wins a trick. It is usual to use this least one major. Depending upon the ♣ Void expression when defending a trump partnership methods, responder may contract and there is doubt about also be able to use Stayman on other whether declarer will follow to the types of hands (such as a weak hand As South, you play in 7NT. West leads plain suit that you are leading. with both majors or a weak single- the ♣10. suited club hand). You have twelve top tricks and if STANDARD AMERICAN either red suit breaks 3-3 then there Nebulous term for bidding methods STAYMAN IN DOUBT (SID) will be no problem. commonly used in America, After a positive reply to the ♣2 You start by cashing two clubs and approximately those that Charles H. enquiry (2♥/2♠), a bid of 3♦ indicates three top hearts. The heart suit fails to Goren originally laid down. a four-card fit in the bid major, values break kindly but you give yourself an for game but a 4-3-3-3 or 3-4-3-3 hand extra chance by arriving in position STANDARD AMERICAN pattern. Partner chooses either to bid 2b where East has already discarded a YELLOW CARD four of the major or 3NT depending club on a heart. A standardised version of Standard on his hand pattern. Duplication of When dummy leads the ♣J, American for competitive bridge, pub- distribution may mean that 3NT is an East must discard a spade to avoid lished on a yellow ACBL convention easier game contract despite the 4-4 conceding a trick immediately. You card and often used by casual partner- major suit fit. This convention is not in throw a diamond. When you now cash ships in online bridge clubs. widespread use because many players the ♦K-Q, West must discard a spade do not use Stayman at all with a 4333 or a heart. Either is fatal and you have STANDARD HONOUR LEADS hand. squeezed both opponents. The standard lead from a sequence is the top card (e.g. king from K-Q-J) STAYMAN THREE CLUBS SQUEEZE WITH- and the standard lead from an interior The use of 3♣ in response to a 2NT OUT THE COUNT sequence is the highest of the touching opening to enquire about four-card Term for a squeeze that you can ex- cards (e.g. jack from K-J-10). majors in the same way that one might ecute even though you have to give up use 2♣ in response to 1NT. In other the lead after playing the squeeze card. STANZA words, after the 3♣ response, 3♥/3♠ Secondary squeeze is another name A set of boards played before scoring from opener shows four cards in that for this type of squeeze. or moving to another table. major while 3♦ denies one.

Page 23 A to Z of Bridge continued As South, you play in 6♠ on a diamond overtricks rather than go on to the lead. You win and draw trumps, higher-scoring slam. The convention stripping the opponents of safe exit takes it name because the doubler flees cards in spades. like a ‘striped-tailed ape’ in the face of STEP RESPONSES You next take the ace-king of clubs a redouble. The doubler will need to System of responses, especially to and a club ruff, stripping your hands have an escape suit, or a good fit for an artificial bid such as a Blackwood of clubs, thereby making it unsafe for a partner’s suit. The stripe-tailed ape 4NT enquiry, whereby you show the defender to lead a club. When you then double is a type of psychic bid. number of features (aces, controls, give up a diamond, whoever wins will For example: points etc) by steps. have no safe exit cards and you avoid having to guess who has the queen of STIFF hearts. ♠ J 7 5 Colloquialism for a singleton, usually ♥ 10 7 3 N W E a high honour card, as in ‘The stiff STRIP SQUEEZE ♦ J 8 6 4 S king’. If you strip a player of safe exit cards ♣ 8 3 2 by running a long suit to obtain one STOP or more forced discards, this is a strip A method of alerting the opponents squeeze. West North East South that a player is about to make a jump 3♠ 4♥ bid. Using bidding boxes, the player Dbl who is about to make such a jump bid ♠ 7 3 immediately precedes his bid with the ♥ K 2 West is almost certain that North- ‘Stop’ card. ♦ A K 2 South can make a slam and so doubles If you are not using bidding boxes, ♣ Q 10 9 6 5 3 4♥. If North redoubles, West retreats you use the words ‘Stop’ or ‘Skip bid’. ♠ K Q J 10 8 4 ♠ 6 to 4♠. The penalty in 4♠ doubled The next player should then pause for ♥ J 8 N ♥ 10 9 6 5 4 3 will certainly be less than that in 6♠ ♦ 10 5 W E ♦ J 9 6 4 about ten seconds before bidding. S doubled and probably cheaper than ♣ K J 7 ♣ 8 2 defending 6♥. STOPPER (A STOP) ♠ A 9 5 2 A holding that prevents the immediate ♥ A Q 7 STRONG JUMP OVERCALLS run of a suit by an opponent. Certain ♦ Q 8 7 3 A single jump overcall showing a good stoppers (if held in the closed hand) ♣ A 4 six-card suit and about 15-17 high include A, K-x, Q-J-x and J-10-x-x. card points or a seven-card suit and Certain stoppers if the holding is in about 13-15 HCP. dummy include A, K-10-x and Q-J-x. As South, you play in 3NT after West opened 1♠. West leads top spades STRAIN and you take your ace on the second Hand 1 Hand 2 A synonym for denomination, round, having seen East show out. ♠ A 5 ♠ 5 meaning clubs, diamonds, hearts, You know from the bidding that West ♥ 7 4 ♥ 7 4 spades, or no-trumps. holds the ♣K but there is no point ♦ K J 2 ♦ A J 2 playing on clubs as West has plenty of ♣ A K J 9 4 3 ♣ A K J 8 4 3 2 STRIP PLAY spade winners to cash. Instead, you try To strip a player of safe exit cards, so three rounds of diamonds and West that when you put a defender on lead discards a club on the third round. Either hand would be suitable for a he cannot avoid conceding a trick. You continue with three rounds of strong jump overcall of 3♣ if RHO hearts. Reducing to only five cards, opens one of some other suit. West cannot keep the ♣K, a club to Strong jump overcalls remain ♠ Q 10 7 5 4 2 guard the king and enough spades to traditional at the rubber bridge table ♥ A 10 5 beat you. He is likely to throw a spade. but have fallen into disfavour amongst ♦ 8 5 You then exit with a spade and score tournament players, who generally ♣ A 4 two club tricks at the end. prefer weak jump overcalls, which occur more often. N W E STRIPED-TAILED APE DOUBLE S A double of a game (or slam) contract STRONG KINGS AND TENS ♠ A K J 8 6 in the expectation that the opponents A system of honour leads against a no- ♥ K J 6 could make a Small Slam (or Grand trump contract whereby the lead of a ♦ A 10 Slam) and in the hope that they will king or 10 suggests a strong holding, ♣ K 8 2 accept the apparently good score for and the lead of an ace, queen or jack making a doubled game (or slam) with suggests a relatively weak holding.

Page 24 A to Z of Bridge continued previous bid, or at the same level in a West leads the three of spades against higher-ranking denomination. To be a heart contract, clearly a singleton. legal, a bid has to be sufficient. After winning with the ace, East returns a high spade (the nine) to ask Ace from: A K x SUICIDE SQUEEZE for the higher-ranking of the other King from: A K Q, A K J, A K 10, A squeeze when a defender, rather side suits (diamonds) or the two to ask K Q J, K Q 10 than declarer, leads the card that for the lower-ranking suit (clubs). Queen from: K Q x, K Q 9, Q J 10 inflicts the squeeze. Some pairs, by agreement, play suit- Jack from: J 10 x preference discards, usually known Ten from: A J 10, A 10 9, K J 10, as McKenney discards. Tournament K 10 9, Q 10 9 ♠ 10 9 3 players and the top rubber bridge Nine from: 10 9 x ♥ A J 3 players use suit-preference signals ♦ A 5 2 in further situations, such as when STRONG NO TRUMP ♣ K Q J 3 following to the second round of a An opening 1NT bid with usually ♠ K Q J 5 2 ♠ 6 4 suit having already given a count or 15-17 or 16-18 points and a balanced ♥ 8 6 N ♥ K Q 10 2 attitude signal on the first round. ♦ Q 6 W E ♦ J 10 9 4 hand. S ♣ 10 9 6 4 ♣ 8 7 5 STRONG PASS SYSTEMS ♠ A 8 7 ♠ Q 6 ♥ 9 7 5 4 Systems featuring an opening pass in N first or second position to show about ♦ K 8 7 3 ♠ A K J 8 5 2 W E ♠ 10 4 3 S 16+ points. Very few tournaments ♣ A 2 allow these, partly because of the need ♠ 9 7 to prepare a defence to the concomitant weak opening bids and partly because West leads top spades against South’s of their parasitic nature. 3NT. With only eight apparent tricks, West cashes top spades against a heart South wins the second spade, takes contract. On the first round, East must STRONG TWO BID four club winners, then exits with a play low (the three) so that West can An opening bid of two of a suit is used spade. If West takes his remaining work out who has the doubleton. On to show a strong hand with at least spades, he squeezes East suicidally: the second round, East has a choice. five cards in the suit named. You can forcing him to unguard a red suit. With The ten, the higher card, suggests a play them as not forcing, forcing for four cards remaining, East cannot keep diamond switch, while the four, the one round (Acol) or forcing to game three diamonds and the ♥K-Q. lower card, suggests a club switch. (Culbertson). In Acol, either of the following hands would be suitable for SUIT SUPPORT a strong two bid (2♠): Method of categorising the fifty-two 1. To raise partner’s suit (e.g. 1♥-pass- cards in a pack, identified by the shape 2♥ or 1♦-pass-1♠-pass-3♠). of the pip: spades, hearts, diamonds or 2. If you have a worthwhile holding in Hand 1 Hand 2 clubs. partner’s suit, this is support. ♠ K Q J 10 7 4 ♠ A K Q 7 4 Support can be primary (usually ♥ A K 4 ♥ K Q J 8 3 SUIT PREFERENCE SIGNAL four cards) or secondary (usually ♦ A Q 3 ♦ K 4 Defensive signal whereby the play of three cards). When evaluating sup- ♣ 5 ♣ 3 the cards in one suit indicates pref- port, length is more important than erence between two other suits. The strength. Supporting your partner’s principle is that a high card asks for a suit, especially if it is a major, is nor- SUCKER’S DOUBLE high suit, a low card for a low suit. It is mally a good idea. One of the key ob- A double of a freely bid game or slam most common to give a suit-preference jectives of bidding is to establish the contract by a player who is relying signal when you believe that partner denomination in which to play; sup- solely on defensive high-card strength. will not wish to play the suit in which porting partner facilitates this. Sup- Against good opponents, such doubles you are giving the signal, such as when porting partner’s second suit nearly can mean that declarer makes an you are giving partner a ruff. always shows four-card support. ‘unmakeable’ contract by placing the doubler with all the missing strength. SUPPRESSING THE BID ACE It is probable that the declaring side has ♠ K Q J 10 To ignore an already identified ace distributional values to compensate N (such as by a cue bid) in responding for missing high-card values. ♠ 3 W E ♠ A 9 5 4 2 to Blackwood. This convention is now S rare as many pairs cue bid both first- SUFFICIENT BID ♠ 8 7 6 and second-round controls and so A bid at a higher level than the need 4NT to identify which is which.

Page 25 A to Z of Bridge continued These days, very few than switch to a new suit. Mr Bridge pairs play Swiss, preferring This is because each time AT THE instead to use Splinters, you open up a new suit you often in conjunction with risk giving away a trick. ROYAL KENZ SURE TRICK the Jacoby 2NT raise. Common reasons to switch TUNISIA A trick that a player is are as follows: certain to make. SWISS PAIRS (i) Partner has discouraged A pairs competition where, the suit; Two-week SWING instead of using a fixed (ii) Continuing the original half-board The net difference in the movement, the scores suit would mean duplicate score on a board in a teams accumulated to the end of leading into a tenace; match. each round determine who (iii) Continuing the original bridge holiday you play on the next round. suit is too passive; SWING DEAL OR Pairs with similar scores (iv) You have run out of the SWING HAND play each other in the next original suit. A deal on which a large round. Using a Swiss Pairs swing in scores occurred, or movement is common when which had the potential for the size of the field makes ♠ K 5 2 a large swing. it impossible for each pair ♥ J 7 3 to play every other pair. ♦ K Q J 4 SWISS CONVENTION Competitors often like the ♣ 7 6 4 An old convention whereby format because playing ♠ 10 9 8 6 3 ♠ A Q 7 4 responses of 4♣ or 4♦ to an more boards against the ♥ 6 N ♥ 10 9 4 opening of one of a major same opponents adds to the ♦ 7 5 3 W E ♦ A 8 2 S show a good fit, sound game’s social element and ♣ K 9 8 5 ♣ J 10 3 values for game and some because the coveted green ♠ J interest in a slam, thus master points are often on ♥ A K Q 8 5 2 releasing the direct raise to offer. ♦ 10 9 6 ♣ A Q 2 four of opener’s major as a SWISS TEAMS pre-emptive action. There 3-17 November 2013 are many versions of Swiss. A competition for teams ♥ Golf available The two most popular were: organised in the same way South plays in 4 . West leads Tony and Jan Richards Singleton Swiss: 4♣ shows as for Swiss Pairs. the ♠10 and the ♠Q wins. two aces and a singleton, Swiss Teams and Swiss As East, you should switch. £769* after which 4♦ from partner Pairs are popular for one- There are three reasons asks responder to identify day events as they provide for this. Firstly, if the ♠J is 23 Feb – 9 March 2014 the singleton; 4♦ shows two a format different from that a true card, there are no Golf available aces without a singleton. available in club play. more spade tricks to cash. Bernard Magee Fruit machine Swiss Secondly, even if the ♠A and his team (Three-Way Swiss or Sussex SWITCH stands up, you do not want £799* Swiss): 4♣ shows either 1. Arrow-switch, an to establish the ♠K. Thirdly two aces and a singleton, adaptation towards and most importantly, you *per person half-board sharing or three aces, or two aces the end of a session want to set up some club a twin-bedded room and is ♦ inclusive of bridge fees. Single and the king of trumps. 4 allowing a single winner winners to cash when you supplement £6 per night. from opener is then a relay to be determined from a get in with the ♦A. You These prices are based on air ♣ travel from Heathrow to Tunis. requesting clarification. In Mitchell movement. should switch to the J, top Flights from other UK airports reply, 4NT shows three aces, 2. You switch if you lead a of the mini sequence. are available at a supplement. Prices for seven-night stays are a bid of four of the agreed different suit from the available on application. trump suit shows two aces one previously led. SYSTEM Pay £70 per fortnight per person and the trump king, and a Other things being equal, it The methods of bidding extra and have a garden-facing room, tea & coffee making new suit shows two aces and is usually better to continue and card play used by a facilities, bath robe and a bowl of a singleton in the suit bid. with the first suit rather partnership. ■ seasonal fruit.

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Page 26 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Should I Double or Bid My Suit?

When the asks opener to cue bid a be weak showing 6/9 weak 1NT opening. opponents open singleton (or bid the long HCP, should I bid 3♥ 2♣, as in Stayman, Qand I have minor with a singleton in the with only five hearts asks for majors with the shortage in their suit, 13 other minor). On this basis, though solid or should reply being made at the plus points, a 6-card suit a void would be a surprise I show the clubs at the two-level with a point of my own and tolerance in opener’s hand because two or three level? count of 12-13, i.e. 2♠ for the other two suits, there is no bid to show one. John Dunbar by email. (spades only); 2♥ (hearts what should I do? Should While there is little only); 2♦ (both majors) I double to show an difference between a void Since a bid of 2♥ and 2NT (neither major). opening hand or do I and a small singleton or 2♣ would be With the point count of bid my 6-card suit? in terms of providing a A non-forcing, you do 14, the replies would Patricia Wicebloom by email. stopper, a hand with a void not want to do that with 13 be at the three-level, is significantly more suitable points facing an opening bid. i.e. 3♠, 3♥, 3♦ (both If you have a 6-card for a suit contract or for a You could bid 3♣, which is majors) or 3♣ (neither suit and a normal slam than a hand without a new suit at three level and major). What reasons A opening hand, you a void. I must admit, I have so forcing. Another option make it less preferential should start by showing probably opened 3NT is to cue bid 2♠. Bidding to Stayman? your long suit. Only if your myself on a hand with a the opposing suit creates Ray Webbing, Enfield, hand is much stronger void. Even so, I agree with a force and allows partner Middlesex. (Similar than a minimum opening Klinger and Kambites that it to show a spade stopper from Eva Atkinson, bid (say 18+ HCP) should is better not to have a void. or delayed heart support. Buckhurst Hill, Essex.) you start with a double. Assuming you play low ♣♦♥♠ level doubles as generally There are two ♣♦♥♠ for take-out, a double is downsides I can What should I probably best. It is unlikely A see compared I know that a 3NT rebid as West? that you want to play in with standard Stayman: opener shows a Q clubs given that partner had (i) If responder is weak, Qsolid minor of 7 the chance to rebid 2♣, but opener’s replies to the or 8 cards, with no more ♠ 9 6 4 chose not to do so. Partner 2♣ Ritter enquiry may than one queen outside. ♥ A K Q J 5 may have four spades and take the auction to an Crowhurst said that ♦ 5 be happy to defend uncomfortably high level. the hand could have a ♣ K 10 7 4 1♠ doubled. (ii) If responder is going singleton or void; Klinger to game anyway, or is too and Kambites say no ♣♦♥♠ weak to try for game, the void. What do you say? West North East South information about whether Lloyd Lewis by email. 1♦ Pass I wonder why opener is maximum or 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass the convention minimum is irrelevant to It is traditional ? Qreferred to choice of contract; it will to play that a 4♦ as ‘Ritter’ is not in serve only to help the A response to 3NT As a rebid of 2♣ would common use over a defenders during the play.

Page 27 Ask Julian continued wide variety of hand types I am guessing a 2NT We bid as follows: too, though in practice overcall is rare and I you rarely get to play in have no idea about 3♣. e M Partner the overcaller’s minor. Steve Bailey by email. 1♠ In the auction A few players use transfer 2♦ 2♠ below, would you overcalls. Then you bid the If the opponents 2NT 3♦ Qtake the double suit below the one you have. overcall 2♦, you End as take-out or penalty? If you have a two-suited A can pass with no hand, you can show your four-card major or bid a Having made 3♦, I asked West North East South second suit next time. four-card major if you have partner why she did not 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass There is no perfect method one. If you have four or bid her spades again 2♥ Dbl or everyone would play it. five good diamonds, instead of supporting you might double my diamonds (with I was South and removed ♣♦♥♠ rather than pass. three diamonds). Her the double, crossing If the opponents overcall answer was that one is partner’s intentions. If an opponent 2♥, you can pass with no- not supposed to repeat Doreen Parrington, opens with one four card major, double spades for a third time. Lancashire. Qof a suit and I with four hearts or bid Was she right? have 17 points, should 2♠ with four spades. Pamela Ford, On this auction, I bid 1NT to suggest If the opponents Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. partner previously point count? If I have a overcall 2♠, you cannot A had the chance to 5 carder, should I bid do everything. For ease With 16 HCP, your double hearts for take-out, that instead? Should of memory, I suggest you partner should not which is why, traditionally, my partner reply if play double as showing A rebid 2♠. Repeating this is a penalty double. holding only 2 points? four spades. On grounds her suit at the minimum Bridget Constantinos, of frequency, you are more level indicates a minimum ♣♦♥♠ Seaford, East Sussex. likely to hold four hearts than opening bid (11-14). If four spades, so in theory her spade suit was six to Can you suggest Whether a 1NT it is better to play double the ace-king-queen, she an alternative overcall is suitable as showing four hearts - should rebid 3♠, not 2♠. Qdefence to a A depends upon your but there is a danger in Your partner’s bidding weak 1NT? We currently holding in the suit opened playing double as negative might be consistent with use Landy and find and whether your five-card on this sequence, but a hand like this one. that it covers only a suit is a strong five-card penalties on all the others. minority of hands. major. If you have a good If the opponents overcall Mike Bass by email. stopper (ideally one and a 2NT (minors), 3♣ or 3♦, I ♠ A J 8 5 4 2 half or two stoppers), a 1NT suggest you pass with any ♥ 9 3 Some of the top overcall may well be best. If minimum; with a maximum, ♦ A K 7 players use Multi you make a limit bid, such as you double without a four- ♣ 8 4 A Landy, rather a 1NT overcall, partner does card major or bid your four- than plain Landy. not have to bid with only 2 card major if you have one. 2♣ shows both majors points. Of course, partner Some tournament pairs On this hand, bidding 3♦ as in ordinary Landy. can make a weak take-out or would have a different rather than 3♠ on the third 2♦ shows one major transfer with suitable shape. arrangement, making round is more economical; (like a Multi 2♦ opener, If your hand is such that some actions depend upon passing 2NT would be the hence the name). you overcall in your major, whether you have a stopper alternative. While there 2♥/2♠ show that partner should not be in the opposing suit. are some hands on which major and a minor (like bidding with only 2 points. it would be right to bid a Lucas 2♥/2♠ openers ♣♦♥♠ 6-card suit a third time – for but a bit stronger). ♣♦♥♠ example, with K-Q-J-10-x-x This covers a much My partner one would not mind playing wider variety of hands What should had 16 points opposite a singleton – you than standard Landy. opener do if Qwith six spades do not want to go out of your Many club players use Qthe fourth hand topped by the A-K-Q. way to do so. ■ Astro, Aspro or a variant comes in over Stayman? thereof, whereby 2♣ shows hearts and another suit, West North East South E-mail your questions for Julian to: 2♦ spades and another. 1NT Pass 2♣ 2/3 suit [email protected] In theory that covers a ?

Page 28 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 8

With only nine tricks readily available you can pitch a diamond on the ace and 1. ♠ 7 5 you have to find another and the only the diamond suit becomes untangled. ♥ J 10 6 2 realistic place it can come from is the If the defenders switch to another suit ♦ A K 7 club suit. So win the heart, draw two after the first trick – but they won’t – you ♣ A 10 6 4 rounds of trumps ending in hand and can always duck another spade yourself. ♠ Q 10 6 3 2 ♠ K J 9 4 lead a low club playing the nine from ♥ 9 8 7 3 N ♥ Q 4 dummy if West follows with a small card. W E ♦ ♦ ♠ A 8 7 5 4 10 6 4 S 9 5 3 2 You need West to hold the ten and either 4. ♣ 2 ♣ K 8 5 the king or the queen when you can take ♥ A 6 5 ♠ A 8 a finesse against the remaining honour ♦ K J 10 ♥ A K 5 for the tenth trick. Playing the clubs in this ♣ 6 4 ♦ Q J 8 manner is much better than hoping both ♠ K J 6 3 ♠ Q 10 9 ♣ Q J 9 7 3 the king and queen are onside because ♥ J 8 7 3 N ♥ Q 10 2 W E holding the king and the ten or the queen ♦ 5 3 S ♦ 7 and the ten is twice as likely as holding ♣ K 9 7 ♣ J 10 8 5 3 2 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads both the king and the queen. Why draw ♠ 2 the ♠3. How do you plan the play? only two rounds of trumps? Because a ♥ K 9 4 The defence have found your weak cunning West might play a high club from ♦ A Q 9 8 6 4 2 spot and there is little point in holding Q10xx or K10xx thus depriving declarer ♣ A Q up because you know from the lead of an entry to dummy when you would that the spades are 5-4 one way round need that extra entry of a high trump. or another. If the club finesse is working You are declarer in 6♦ and West leads there is no problem, but, as is usual, it is the ♦5. How do you plan the play? as well to look for an improvement on 3. ♠ A 7 6 The slam is a good one and, at first, a mere 50-50 proposition. So play off ♥ 8 3 2 it looks as though you need the club fi- the top two hearts first and on a good ♦ Q 7 6 3 2 nesse to work, as there seems to be an day a defender will have a doubleton ♣ 8 5 inescapable heart loser. But just look at queen making the position of the club ♠ Q J 10 9 2 ♠ K 8 3 that spade suit. If the adverse spades king immaterial. You will have nine tricks ♥ J 9 6 4 N ♥ Q 10 5 break 4-3, you can set up a long spade W E ♦ ♦ on top with one spade, four hearts, three 4 S J 9 5 in dummy by ruffing the suit out. So win diamonds and a club. ♣ K 7 2 ♣ Q 10 6 4 the lead in dummy and play the ace of ♠ 5 4 spades and ruff a spade. Enter dummy ♥ A K 7 with a trump and ruff another spade and 2. ♠ A Q 5 ♦ A K 10 8 repeat the process, by which time that last ♥ 7 6 4 ♣ A J 9 3 spade in dummy will be a winner. Now ♦ 8 3 2 you can enter dummy with a heart and ♣ A J 9 3 pitch the losing heart from hand on the ♠ 8 2 ♠ 7 6 4 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads master spade and you can even take the ♥ K Q J 5 N ♥ 10 9 3 the ♠Q. How do you plan the play? club finesse for an overtrick. Of course, W E ♦ ♦ J 9 4 S Q 10 7 6 The contract looks so easy with one if the spades failed to break kindly, you ♣ Q 10 7 2 ♣ K 8 5 spade, two hearts, five diamonds and a would need the club finesse to work. ■ ♠ K J 10 9 3 club but appearances can be deceptive, ♥ A 8 2 even with a normal 3-1 diamond break. ♦ A K 5 Suppose you win the opening lead and BEGIN BRIDGE ♣ 6 4 play off the two top diamonds. Everything £66 will be fine if the jack appears, but if it ACOL VERSION doesn’t, you will find the diamond suit is An Interactive Tutorial You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads blocked with you having to win the fourth CD with Bernard Magee the ♥K. How do you plan the play? diamond in hand and with no route back 3NT would have been easy, but there to dummy. So duck the opening lead and See Mail Order form on page 5. is not much you can do about that now. the second round of the suit too. Then

Page 29 SUMMMER 2013 and S p R ing 2014 on boaR d VOYAGER

ll Voyager cruises will have an exclusive group on board. All clients will be ainvited to the drinks parties. For passengers that opt to pay the £30 bridge supplement; there is duplicate bridge every evening, seminars every morning and afternoon bridge each day the ship is at sea and one of Bernard Magee’s bidding quizzes. The bridge is a fully optional programme and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Singles are most welcome and will always be accommodated. If space allows any bridge playing passengers will be able to participate in the afternoon bridge session however, priority will always be given to passengers. dinner on board Voyager is open sitting which allows for greater flexibility. However, we have arranged for clients to meet up with those in similar circumstances and sit at tables together. Being part of a group means passengers should never feel they are alone. Petra, Jordan mv Voyager

Corinth a SUPErB SHiP WiTH FaCiLiTiES TO MaTCH

• Three restaurants providing a range of options including alfresco dining • 30 balcony cabins • Two lounges • Four bars • Lecture Theatre • Library • Pool with two hot tubs • Health and Fitness Centre • Beauty Salon • The Bridge Club • Medical Centre • internet Centre The Explorer Grill Cobh Harbour Inveray Castle,

BriTiSH iSLES and the HE riT agE of the iN THE FOOTSTEPS WiNDOWS on the aFRiCan and aNCiENT WOrLDS and CHELSEa FLOWEr SHOW BriT i SH iSLES of ST PaUL aNCiENT WOrLD araBiaN aDVENTUrE MODErN MaSTErPiECES bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE Tony richards To be confirmed To be confirmed To be confirmed 14th – 25th MaY 2013 Will ParsonsHOST 2nd – 11th JUNE 2013 HOST 21st OCT – 2nd nov 2013 gary ConradHOST 2nd nov– 18th nov 2013 HOST 18th nov– 4th dEC 2013 HOST 7th – 21st apRiL 2014 HOST 12 days; Saver Fares from £999pp 10 days; Saver Fares from £849pp 13 days; Saver Fares from £1,449pp 17 days; Saver Fares from £1,549pp 17 days from £1369pp 15 days; Saver Fares from £1,799pp

Portsmouth • St Peter Port Portsmouth istanbul • Canakkale • Piraeus • Valletta Sharm El Sheik Safaga • Sharm El Sheik Fowey • Waterford • Dublin St Peter Port • Holyhead Dikili • Kusadasi La goulette • Trapani Safaga • Djibouti • Salalah aqaba • alexandria Kirkwall • invergordon Liverpool • Belfast • Oban antalya • Patmos • Kavala Syracuse • Haraklion Muscat • Fujairah • Dubai Heraklion • Piraeus • itea greenwich • Dover Port of Tyne • Portsmouth Thessaloniki • Piraeus alexandria • Port Said Naples • Civitavecchia Portsmouth Jordan • Sharm El Sheik This voyage opens up Castles, cathedrals, palaces Visit sacred destinations and an archive of ancient Marvellous ancient and The rHS’s Chelsea Flower and historic landscapes – all the marvellous ruins of cities Uncover the origins mysteries and forgotten modern wonders highlight Show takes centre stage part of the rich heritage of lined with the history of and genius of western trade routes, Pharaoh this amazing voyage on this cruise around the an island nation.This cruise Christianity. There is an civilisation before and biblical sites. before that turns the pages on British isles in springtime. is in partnership with the option to visit the Holy Land following in the footsteps reaching glamorous, Egyptian, greek and National Trust. after your cruise. (Tickets to the show are not included and are subject to availalbility) of passionate Crusaders. ultramodern Dubai. roman history.

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

All fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, are for new bookings only, include all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Saver Fares do not include UK coach transfers, car parking at port or gratuities (gratuities will be added to your on board account), full payment is required at time of booking, 100% cancellation or amendment fees Corinth Canal, Greece apply and cabin number is not allocated at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% To be part of the Mr Bridge group, a supplement of £30pp will be taken at time of booking. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. Price Promise applies to Standard Fares only where the fare you have booked is reduced on the same cruise and cabin grade and does not apply to Saver Fares, group bookings, Grand Voyages or any Winter 2012-13 cruises. Full terms and conditions apply, see brochure for details. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

DPS S13_updated 26213.indd All Pages 01/03/2013 16:44:20 SUMMMER 2013 and S p R ing 2014 on boaR d VOYAGER

ll Voyager cruises will have an exclusive group on board. All clients will be ainvited to the drinks parties. For passengers that opt to pay the £30 bridge supplement; there is duplicate bridge every evening, seminars every morning and afternoon bridge each day the ship is at sea and one of Bernard Magee’s bidding quizzes. The bridge is a fully optional programme and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Singles are most welcome and will always be accommodated. If space allows any bridge playing passengers will be able to participate in the afternoon bridge session however, priority will always be given to passengers. dinner on board Voyager is open sitting which allows for greater flexibility. However, we have arranged for clients to meet up with those in similar circumstances and sit at tables together. Being part of a group means passengers should never feel they are alone. Petra, Jordan mv Voyager

Corinth a SUPErB SHiP WiTH FaCiLiTiES TO MaTCH

• Three restaurants providing a range of options including alfresco dining • 30 balcony cabins • Two lounges • Four bars • Lecture Theatre • Library • Pool with two hot tubs • Health and Fitness Centre • Beauty Salon • The Bridge Club • Medical Centre • internet Centre The Explorer Grill Cobh Harbour Inveray Castle,

BriTiSH iSLES and the HE riT agE of the iN THE FOOTSTEPS WiNDOWS on the aFRiCan and aNCiENT WOrLDS and CHELSEa FLOWEr SHOW BriT i SH iSLES of ST PaUL aNCiENT WOrLD araBiaN aDVENTUrE MODErN MaSTErPiECES bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE bRidgE Tony richards To be confirmed To be confirmed To be confirmed 14th – 25th MaY 2013 Will ParsonsHOST 2nd – 11th JUNE 2013 HOST 21st OCT – 2nd nov 2013 gary ConradHOST 2nd nov– 18th nov 2013 HOST 18th nov– 4th dEC 2013 HOST 7th – 21st apRiL 2014 HOST 12 days; Saver Fares from £999pp 10 days; Saver Fares from £849pp 13 days; Saver Fares from £1,449pp 17 days; Saver Fares from £1,549pp 17 days from £1369pp 15 days; Saver Fares from £1,799pp

Portsmouth • St Peter Port Portsmouth istanbul • Canakkale • Piraeus • Valletta Sharm El Sheik Safaga • Sharm El Sheik Fowey • Waterford • Dublin St Peter Port • Holyhead Dikili • Kusadasi La goulette • Trapani Safaga • Djibouti • Salalah aqaba • alexandria Kirkwall • invergordon Liverpool • Belfast • Oban antalya • Patmos • Kavala Syracuse • Haraklion Muscat • Fujairah • Dubai Heraklion • Piraeus • itea greenwich • Dover Port of Tyne • Portsmouth Thessaloniki • Piraeus alexandria • Port Said Naples • Civitavecchia Portsmouth Jordan • Sharm El Sheik This voyage opens up Castles, cathedrals, palaces Visit sacred destinations and an archive of ancient Marvellous ancient and The rHS’s Chelsea Flower and historic landscapes – all the marvellous ruins of cities Uncover the origins mysteries and forgotten modern wonders highlight Show takes centre stage part of the rich heritage of lined with the history of and genius of western trade routes, Pharaoh this amazing voyage on this cruise around the an island nation.This cruise Christianity. There is an civilisation before and biblical sites. before that turns the pages on British isles in springtime. is in partnership with the option to visit the Holy Land following in the footsteps reaching glamorous, Egyptian, greek and National Trust. after your cruise. (Tickets to the show are not included and are subject to availalbility) of passionate Crusaders. ultramodern Dubai. roman history.

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

All fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, are for new bookings only, include all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Saver Fares do not include UK coach transfers, car parking at port or gratuities (gratuities will be added to your on board account), full payment is required at time of booking, 100% cancellation or amendment fees Corinth Canal, Greece apply and cabin number is not allocated at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% To be part of the Mr Bridge group, a supplement of £30pp will be taken at time of booking. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. Price Promise applies to Standard Fares only where the fare you have booked is reduced on the same cruise and cabin grade and does not apply to Saver Fares, group bookings, Grand Voyages or any Winter 2012-13 cruises. Full terms and conditions apply, see brochure for details. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

DPS S13_updated 26213.indd All Pages 01/03/2013 16:44:20 JUST DUPLICATE BRIDGE 2013 Mr Bridge 5-7 April Christmas & Cheltenham Regency £199 12-14 April Ardington Hotel £199 New Year 2013/14 17-19 May Cheltenham Regency £199 17-19 May Denham The Olde Barn £169

31 May – 2 June Cheltenham Regency Hotel Grove The Olde Barn £169 Cheltenham GL51 0ST Near Uxbridge, 14-16 June UB9 5DU Chatsworth Hotel £199 27-29 September Ardington Hotel £199 14-16 June Elstead Hotel £199 11-13 October 23-27 December £495 Cheltenham Regency £199 Just Duplicate Bridge 21-23 June The Olde Barn £169 18-20 October (with a small section for The Olde Barn £169 rubber/Chicago with Diana Holland) 25-27 October Cheltenham Regency £199 27-29 December £215 25-27 October Signal and Discards Ardington Hotel £199 1-3 November 29 December – 2 January £445 The Olde Barn £169 Doubles 22-24 November Ardington Hotel £199

Ardington Hotel 22-24 November Worthing BN11 3DZ Elstead Hotel £199 The Olde 22-24 November 12-14 July The Olde Barn £169 Barn Inn on the Prom £169 29 November – 1 December Marston, Lincs, 19-21 July Ardington Hotel £199 NG32 2HT The Olde Barn £169 6-8 December 26-28 July Cheltenham Regency £199 Cheltenham Regency £199 23-27 December £495 Just Duplicate Bridge 9-11 August Cheltenham Regency £199 27-29 December £215 16-18 August Inn on the Prom £169 Finding Slams 6-8 September 29 December – 1 January £445 Cheltenham Regency £199 Leads and Defence 6-8 September The Olde Barn £169 13-15 September The Olde Barn Hotel ( 01483 489961 Cheltenham Regency £199 Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT e-mail: [email protected] Full Board – No Single Supplement website: www.holidaybridge.com Booking Form on page 5. Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events. Booking Form on page 5.

Page 32 Euros per session. There is held at The Elstead Hotel, no annual subscription and Bournemouth. The hotel was READERS’ there is no need to book. comfortable, with a varied Telephone, from England – menu and pleasing staff. ( 0034 607 311 292 or The weekend was efficiently ( 0034 96 686 6560 hosted by Kate Henderson – from Spain, drop the and both she and her team LETTERS 0034, or email created a warm atmosphere. [email protected] During the whole weekend, for more information. everyone appeared happy FUNDRAISING bid could be and is the five We look forward to hear- and relaxed and we will One autumn, a few years card major strong enough ing from you and seeing certainly plan a return visit. ago, ten pairs of local to sustain a second visit. If you in the near future. We thought you would like bridge players were invited not, then 1NT describes my Gerry Rose by email. to hear these compliments, to a meeting on a Sunday hand and there is no agonis- as no doubt you receive around noon, after church, ing over what to call next. SCHOOLS’ BRIDGE brickbats from time to time. for pre-lunch drinks. John E C Avery by email. Sorry to read in January’s We have enjoyed many We booked to play editorial that times were get- bridge holidays with you games among each other CLUB BRIDGE ting difficult for the organisa- and this weekend was a in our homes between Playing Duplicate Pairs at tion, e.g. pulling out of the delightful break in a wet September and Easter. Tamworth Bridge Club last USA, reduced interest in and dreary January. Names, addresses and week, I picked up a hand cruises and a general fall in Mr and Mrs J Lowther, telephone numbers were with no card higher than a the number of bridge play- Ferndown, Dorset. exchanged and it took off. ten. In fact, I had all four ers nationally. My wife and I After each session of tens. We then moved to the are now retired and learned PHOTO SHOOT three rubbers of bridge, next table. To my surprise, our bridge at college. We Having met Bernard Ma- changing partners each on the first hand of round recently attended an excellent gee a couple of times, I rubber, I was telephoned three, I again had no card weekend with Bernard Ma- remember thinking that he with the scores. higher than a ten. Three gee, who is inspirational. We was a nice looking chap so Each pair gave a cheque tens and a nine this time. briefly discussed the teaching I really don’t understand for £50 as ‘table money’. On round three, to my of bridge in schools and col- why you are using such a It is still going strong, with total amazement, I once leges. Apparently, because terrible picture of him (see many of the original pairs again picked up a hand bridge has been associated the back cover of February still involved. There are no with no card higher than with betting in the past, this English Bridge). I feel sure overheads, and it could be a ten. Once again, three excludes it from some educa- that this picture will hinder, set up to benefit any char- tens and a nine. It took a tional establishments. How- rather than help, your sales. ity or local organisation. gargantuan effort to control ever, if we are to encourage Mrs Jan Scoones by email. At Easter, we will have a my reactions to avoid giving a new generation of players get together and prize giving. unauthorised information. surely this must be the way JUST RIGHT (2) If you are in an area with- Mr Peter Rollin, forward. What do you think? My husband, two friends out a bridge club, this could Wilnecote, Tamworth. Mr Keith Dancer, and I returned recently be a good way of getting to Kemble, Glos. from a Just Duplicate Bridge know other players in the SPANISH PLUG weekend at The Ardington area, so here’s hoping some The International Bridge KENTISH TEACHER Hotel in Worthing. We of your readers find it useful. Club, in Benidorm, meets 3 Would you please send thoroughly enjoyed the Minda Alexander, times a week at the Parque BRIDGE to a friend who whole experience, being Weybridge, Surrey. de Loix, Calle Berlin, Rincon is just starting to learn a first for the four of us. de Loix, Benidorm every Sun- bridge and is planning to The hotel accommodation, SIMPLES day, Tuesday and Thursday attend classes being run in the food and the staff were I have been caught out sever- for Duplicate Bridge. Play this area? He is finding it all superb. The bridge al times, choosing the wrong commences at 2.30pm and difficult to find classes and sessions were excellent option as judged by the final lasts until around 6pm. We would be pleased to hear as were the organisers. (failing) outcome. Some- are a friendly club, pre- of a teacher in the area. Altogether, a very happy times, this has a bit to do with dominantly English but with Mrs M Millican, weekend and as a bonus the the guile of the opposition Spanish and French mem- Sittingbourne, Kent. snow virtually disappeared who have roundly thrashed bers. Visitors are welcome. on Sunday to ensure a an apparently poor call. The session includes a short JUST RIGHT (1) comfortable journey home. Now, however, I simply break when refreshments are Yesterday, we returned from Mr and Mrs Bawden, ask myself what my second provided – all this for just 3 a Just Duplicate Bridge event Amersham, Bucks.

Page 33 READERS’ LETTERS but such configuration of continued CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS four hands does seem to be rather contrived – there are APRIL 2013 JULY 2013 many alternative configura- 21 HOSPICARE 4 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE tions giving the same points Swiss Teams at Exeter Golf ROTARY CLUB ME TOO to each partnership where 4♥ & Country Club 11am. Outlane Golf Club. £60 per team includes a 12 for 12.30. I think the trip to Petra would have been impossible. salad platter and tea/coffee. £44 per table. finally did my knee in. Edwin Keen, Norwich. Carol Horgan Sam Smith So I had a total knee ( 01392 875513 ( 01924 492540 replacement in December ALREADY ADDICTS 26 ST WILFRID’S HOSPICE 7 RUNSWICK BAY RESCUE and I am gradually learn- We are a group of bridge Inner Wheel Club of BOAT ing to walk properly. players who met four years Chichester Bridge Drive. Bridge Day. Hinderwell Very sorry to hear your ago when we went to Lavant Memorial Hall, Pook Village Hall. 10am. £16 Lane, Laven. PO18 0AH. each to include lunch. news about Mrs B and hope the local college to learn 2pm. £24 per table (inc. Karen ( 01947 841013 she is recovering from her how to play or improve. tea). Please bring bridge 12 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH pneumonia. My thoughts We all live in the Charn- cloth and playing cards. Village Hall, Great Barford. will be with her for her wood district of Leicester- Beverly Guest 10.00 for 10.30am. ( 01243 605503 forthcoming knee op. shire, hence our name. Tickets £13.50. [email protected] Mr Ken Little, We play regularly at sev- Derek Fordham ( 01234 870324 Chippenham, Glos. eral local clubs at different MAY 2013 levels and a few of us have 9 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE AUGUST 2013 GUINEA PIGS reached Club Master rank ROTARY CLUB 16 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE I am a member of a U3A and started to play in minor Outlane Golf Club. Hemingford Abbots Village 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. bridge group of about 24 League matches. It is so nice Hall. Tickets £13.50. Sam Smith people who meet every week always to have the opportu- Don Moorman ( 01924 492540 to play bridge in a local vil- nity to play with friends and, ( 01480 463444 17 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES lage hall. I was wondering more importantly, with peo- Doddington Village Hall, SEPTEMBER 2013 whether you had any ideas ple who play in a similar way. March. £14. 10 for 10.30am. as to how we can speed We soon realised that there Val Topliss 5 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE up our bridge education. were differences of opinion, ( 01354 653696 ROTARY CLUB Outlane Golf Club. Mrs L Sidey, even amongst the experts, on 17 FRIENDS OF GIRLGUIDING 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. Penrith, Cumbria. certain aspects and decided Oxfordshire, Eynsham Sam Smith For your absolute beginners, Village Hall, 10am-3.30pm. ( 01924 492540 we all needed to be sing- £30 a pair. I will try a new scheme and ing from the same ‘song- Bridget Walton OCTOBER 2013 will report to readers once it sheet’ i.e. convention card. ( 01993 702934 has been tried and tested. After being introduced to [email protected] 4 ST ANDREWS CHURCH Mandeville Hall. Mr Bridge and his plethora 29 AFRICAN MISSIONS Kimbolton. Tickets £14.00. TOO ADVANCED of excellent material – the Bridge tea, Ladywell, Mavis Campion David Gold’s argument magazine, books and es- Godalming, Surrey. ( 01480 860477 1.30 for 2pm. £36 per table. (BRIDGE 122) does seem pecially the instructional Sr. June Shirville NOVEMBER 2013 to run counter to those CD-Roms – it wasn’t long ( 01483 419393 I learned fairly soon af- before we decided to play the [email protected] 4 RNLI ter taking up bridge. ‘Bernard Magee’ way. Once Crowborough Beacon JUNE 2013 Golf Club bridge tea. 1. In Acol an opener does some of us had started using 1.30pm for 2pm start. not promise a five-card suit. the CDs, then others followed 12 BREAKTHROUGH BREAST £26 per table. CANCER Bridge afternoon. This principle is explained at and we compared notes as Penny ( 01825 830006 Bartholomew Barn, Kirdford, length in Bernard Magee’s we worked our way through West Sussex. RH14 0LN 9 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE excellent DVD More Acol. ACOL Bidding and then 1.30pm. £20 pp (tables of ROTARY CLUB 2. Had the responder Defence followed by Declarer 4). Sumptuous tea, raffle Outlane Golf Club. and bubbles. 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. actually been the opener he Play. Bernard makes an ex- Jo Rees ( 01903 740512 Sam Smith would have pre-empted with cellent teacher, never running www.bartholomewbarn.co.uk ( 01924 492540 3♥, not 4♥. Thus he would out of patience as he is asked 14 ST MARY’S CHURCH 22 ST MARY’S CHURCH never have responded 4♥. to repeat his advice and Eaton Socon, St Neots. Eaton Socon, St Neots. A counter maxim to that of encouragement time after 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. David Gold is that, ‘One time. I confess I mostly turn Malcolm Howarth Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910 ( 01480 212910 should never pre-empt the sound off, (sorry Bernard against one’s partner.’ but my husband is watching E-mail your charity events: [email protected] It is true that in the hands the television) It is so helpful shown 4♥ was makeable, being able to replay the

Page 34 READERS’ LETTERS our way about leads and continued discards, signals and count. It was a lot for our little brains 2013 BRIDGE EVENTS to take in and understand, let alone try to use, but we all with Bernard Magee hands repeatedly, ‘if at persevered. The weather was first you don’t succeed, less clement but a few of us try, try again,’ and learn braved the drizzle for a walk October 2013 from the mistakes. along the promenade and on 11-13 Blunsdon It then seemed a natural to the pier. I was particularly House Hotel progression that we should pleased to be in Worthing £245 Splinters turn our thoughts towards again as my parents had and Cue Bids meeting the ‘great man’ in lived there and it brought person and attending one back many happy memories. 18-20 Chatsworth Hotel of the Mr Bridge weekends. We were rather selfish £245 Playing & Thus it was that in October, during the practice ses- Defending 1NT 2011 six of us turned up, sions and ‘bagged’ the best Chatsworth Hotel 25-27 Queensferry excited but full of trepida- tables in the rooms, in the Worthing BN11 3DU Hotel tion, at the Olde Barn Hotel window bays overlooking £245 Finding Slams in Lincolnshire. We needn’t the sea. It was a very nice, APRIL 2013 have worried, all the staff if distracting way to watch and Mr Bridge team soon the activities on the beach. 5-7 Blunsdon put us completely at our We now look forward to House Hotel ease. Bernard’s charm and learning more about this £245 Losing Trick enthusiasm were every bit fascinating game that has Count as charismatic as on the us all in its thrall – why did 12-14 Chatsworth Hotel screen. I remember it was no-one warn us that it would £245 Declarer Play an unusually warm weekend become so addictive? and we took every opportu- Penny Hodgson, 19-21 Inn on the Prom nity to take our refreshment Mountsorrel. £245 Thinking Defence breaks out in the sunshine. Queensferry Hotel We all thoroughly enjoyed KISS EXPLAINED North Queensferry KY11 1HP the weekend and learned a I was interested to read lot about slam bidding from Freddie North’s article on the two seminars, putting it Kiss in BRIDGE 122. NOV EMber 2013 into practice in supervised Since he does not know play sessions afterwards. The how the expression origi- 8-10 Olde Barn duplicate sessions were also nated, I am pleased to inform Hotel well organised and stimulat- him that the original expres- £245 Better Leads ing. The accommodation sion was, ’Keep it simple & Switches was very satisfactory and Simon.’ Simon in this case some of us even managed was Simon Burrage whom I Inn on the Prom a swim before dinner. The often partnered at Becken- St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU food too was excellent and ham bridge club about 25 so we were sorry when the years ago. I often picked up JULY 2013 weekend was over, but we Simon as a partner. When he vowed we would do it again. asked what system we should 5-7 Blunsdon So, in September 2012, the play I would reply, ‘Keep it House Hotel Charnwood Players were on simple Simon!’ Echoing the £245 Signals & Discards the road again, but this time well known nursery rhyme. there were ten of us travel- I soon realised that it had 12-14 Cheltenham Regency Blunsdon House Hotel ling down to Worthing on a suitable acronym. KISS. Swindon SN26 7AS the south coast. Of course, Of course, when I took £245 Thinking Defence we knew what to expect now a different partner, I had and couldn’t wait to meet to change the expression our genial host again. The to, ‘Keep it simple Stupid,’ Full Board. No Single Supplement. topic was defence and we to preserve the acronym. See Booking Form on page 5. tried hard to understand all Mr James McGrath, the pearls of wisdom coming Bickley, Kent.

Page 35 1469 Mr Bridge Venice to Rome ad_Layout 1 01/02/2013 16:51 Page 1

CRUISE FROM THE SPLENDOURS OF VENICE TO THEMYSTERIES OF POMPEII

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT* Combine the sights of Croatia, Sicily Venice Croatia and Italy on one memorable voyage Italy Split Dubrovnik 13-day cruise from Venice to Rome departs UK May 7, 2013 Civitavecchia Korcula Rome Adriatic Your daily duplicate and these special value Mr Bridge prices make this Sorrento Sea cruise irresistable. 2 days exploring Venice mark the beginning of this 2-week Tyrrhenian voyage. From there, cruise through the clear waters of the Adriatic to visit Sea the historic cities of Croatia. Explore Sicily, from the ancient Greek Theatre Palermo Syracuse at Syracuse to the Norman Palatine Chapel in Palermo. Sail past smouldering Mediterranean Sea Sicily Stromboli to the renowned Amalfi coast, then to Sorrento and an excursion to the ruins of Pompeii. MAY 7, 2013 – 13 days from £1,995pp

Mr Bridge Passengers The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART bookings but is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate MAY 7 Fly to VENICE Italy as much, or as little as they wish. There will be a duplicate session every Transfer to Aegean Odyssey overnight evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made MAY 8 VENICE Italy overnight especially welcome – a playing partner will always be found. MAY 9 VENICE Italy 2.00pm MAY 10 SPLIT Croatia 8.00am midnight MAY 11 KORCULA Croatia 2.00pm midnight MAY 12 DUBROVNIK Croatia 6.00am 8.00pm MAY 13 At Sea MAY 14 SYRACUSE Sicily 8.00am 2.00pm MAY 15 PALERMO (Monreale) Sicily 7.00am overnight MAY 16 PALERMO Sicily 1.30pm Aegean Odyssey ~ cruise in comfort, relax in style Carrying around 350 Cruising past Stromboli passengers, the atmosphere on board is relaxed with plenty of passenger space, MAY 17 SORRENTO (Pompeii) Italy 1.00pm overnight a choice of restaurants (with open-seating dining) and generously-sized MAY 18 SORRENTO Italy 6.00pm accommodations, plus the comfort and attentive service of boutique-style cruising. MAY 19 CIVITAVECCHIA Italy 7.00am Disembark and transfer to Rome Airport for flight home special fares from just £1,995 include: •FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME •SCHEDULED FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES •EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES Standard Inside £1,995pp Superior Outside from £2,650pp •SHORE EXCURSIONS IN MOST PORTS OF CALL Superior Inside from £2,150pp Deluxe Outside from £3,250pp EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS • Standard Outside £2,495pp Deluxe Balcony from £3,850pp •OPEN-SEATING DINING •WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD •GRATUITIES ON BOARD Past passengers can SAVE EVEN MORE •EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY please call for details

Prices are per person, double occupancy in double cabins; single occupancy in single cabins, and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. *The number of cabins with no single supplement is strictly limited. CALL ON 01483 489961 Please book early to avoid disappointment.

10093 VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY www.mrbridge.co.uk ABTA No.Y2206 READERS’ LETTERS continued NOIDGT BR E AS WE KNOW IT by Mike Griffiths

This fun competition should be played with duplimated boards and scored, using Bridgemates, as a duplicate pairs event. In consequence, handouts will be available FUN NOT BRIDGE and it may well be amusing to view the results and to speculate how some of the In response to Mr Poole’s more exotic contracts were reached. letter in BRIDGE 122; I have taken on the task of Before play, a set of either 2 fore the opening lead, each any bid in No Trumps. The organising a ‘fun bridge’ or 3 boards will be placed player passes any 3 cards to penalty for infringement is event for a social evening at on each table, together with the player on his or her left. (a) the NT call is cancelled Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club. an instruction card drawn Remember to reconstitute the and another bid is substi- The adjacent describes the randomly. This card will original hands before mov- tuted, and (b) the offending variations I intend to inflict on apply to the set of boards ing on to the next board. side is penalised by one trick our unsuspecting members. on the table and it must be in the play. Some of these, I think, are passed on with those boards DOUBLE TROUBLE original and I particularly at the end of each round, to A double must be added to HIJACK look forward to playing ensure that everybody plays the final contract. If the auc- This is probably the most ‘Hijack’ where players may the same hands under the tion ends with a double or wicked variation. After the need to use poker psychology same conditions. redouble (followed by three auction, but before the to outwit their opponents. Some instructions require passes, of course), the con- opening lead, the declarer Where these variations the passing or exchange tract will be played redou- may (optionally) require ANY differ from others I have of cards before play; these bled. It is important to re- two of the other players to seen is that normal duplicate hands must be recorded member that 2♥ is a game exchange hands. or Chicago scoring (remember ‘curtain cards’?) call, and that overtricks are Remember to put the applies in all cases. before they are played for valuable. hands back in the correct I do hope some readers the first time, and the origi- slots before passing on the will find all this of interest. nal hands must always be PRECISION PLAY boards. Mr Mike Griffiths, reconstituted before they are In order to register a posi- (How often, in the post Paddock Wood, Kent. passed on. tive score, the contract must mortem, has one opponent Two rules will apply be made exactly. Overtricks said to you, ‘we should have GOFFIE’S SERVICE throughout the event: (1) No will be recorded as under- been playing this hand to- hand may be passed out. If tricks, thus: 2♥+2 is scored gether.’? Here’s where it can three players pass, the fourth as 2♥-2. Doubled contracts come true – but only declarer player must open the bid- likewise (now there’s an in- and his/her partner will ben- ding. Note that bluffing (or teresting thought.....). No efit from playing the two best ‘psyching’) may, in some conferring in defence. hands at the table. I look Because of your Clive Goff situations, be sound tactics – forward to seeing the same adverts, I have been using and will not be penalised. (2) DOUBLE DUMMY slam made by both N/S and his service for many years Once a hand is withdrawn After the auction but be- E/W.....) to send the mail out for the from the board and viewed, fore the opening lead, each Magistrates Golfing Society. partners may not confer on player faces his or her cards. ADVANTAGE DECLARER He is extremely helpful and any matter, whatsoever. Then the opening lead is After the auction and the efficient. And has saved us The following ten varia- made. Declarer plays dum- opening lead, declarer ex- much money. Everyone talks tions on our noble game will my’s cards as well as his or changes 3 of his or her own about the various pictures be played: her own; the defenders must cards with 3 of dummy’s. on the stamps. Long may not confer. Remember to reconstitute his service continue. BLIND REJECTS the original hands before Janet G. Griffith, Before the auction, each WORKING DUMMY moving on to the next board. Hazel Grove, Stockport. player passes 3 cards (which The auction proceeds as must be of the same suit) to normal. During the play, ADVANTAGE DEFENDERS Fwere ADS PLEASE the player on his or her left. however, dummy does not After the auction, but before Could we have fewer Remember to reconstitute the lay down his or her cards but the opening lead, the de- advertisements please. original hands before mov- plays them as in a hand of fenders (without conferring) They interfere with the ing on to the next board. whist. No conferring. exchange 3 cards. Remem- bridge and just get in the ber to reconstitute the origi- way. In any event, I just skip INFORMED REJECTS NO TRUMP BAN nal hands before moving on through them. After the auction, but be- No player is allowed to make to the next board. Mrs M Thrower by email.

Page 37 READERS’ LETTERS Holding an annual ‘Play at the table can cross off continued RUBBER / with an Expert’ evening: very 50. Play 4 hands per table CHICAGO popular with less experienced with usual duplicate scoring players. and vulnerability; i.e. no- with Diana Holland faqs Starting beginners’ classes: one, dealer, dealer, all. I have been following the over 70 students taking part At the end of 4 hands answers to questions relating since 2011 resulting in two move people on to new to the Laws of Bridge by new members already. partners. Play continues in David Stevenson in the issues Organising improvers’ this vein all evening and of BRIDGE for the last few classes for established local gradually players need a years; they are the first pages players, this has led to new particular score e.g. 420. Blunsdon House Hotel I look at on receipt. As a TD members. Therefore, declarer is trying Swindon SN26 7AS of two clubs, I have found Finally, by fostering a hard to get exactly 10 tricks 12-14 April 2013 them invaluable. However, friendly atmosphere: easily and anyone who doesn’t keeping track of the various the most important factor. have 420 to cross off is going issues over the years has been By 2012, we were back to to try and get him down or very difficult, so I was about 7.6 tables, and last week we make him gain overtricks. to cut out these articles from had a new problem: how to The play becomes hilarious my back copies of the issues fit everyone in? Twelve tables but it also takes a lot of of BRIDGE and keep them for the second week running. thought and skill. I usually in a separate folder. Before And there are encouraging have little prizes (chocolate Elstead Hotel doing so, I wonder whether trends nationally, with the santa, Christmas drinks’ Bournemouth BH1 3QP any consideration has been EBU reporting that numbers mat) for the first line across; 17-19 May 2013 given to the publication of in their Universal Membership first line down and, at the these answers in a separate Scheme (P2P) have steadily end, the man with most £199 Full Board booklet, with an index? I am increased since it began three crossed off and woman No Single Supplement sure many other TDs would years ago. with most crossed off. Booking Form on page 5. find such a publication useful. Donald Reid, Lynda Moore, Russell Sweeney by email. Chairman, Watford & Woolpit, Suffolk. Bushey Bridge Club. CHEER UP STAYMAN In your editorial column in BRIDGE BINGO On a number of occasions, Denham BRIDGE 123, you tell us that I have run a very simple but I have come across players the numbers of UK bridge very enjoyable bridge party who are adamant that there Grove players may be falling. twice at our club with BINGO is no possible response, Our club was down to a bridge. Prepare beforehand with a weak hand, of 2♣ Denham, miserable 5.8 tables per bingo cards with about 20 Stayman to an opening bid Buckinghamshire, week by 2007, then we different achievable scores of 1NT. As I have recently UB9 5DG decided to do something on each card. Some scores come across a bridge about it. How you might ask? should be easy such as instructor who endorses this By getting members to bring 50; 420 or 100. But others view and advises his pupils their friends: making a fuss of need to be things like 720 accordingly, I thought that it the visitors when they arrive. or 800. There are examples is timely that the matter was Generating publicity in the of these bingo cards on the put before a wider audience. local media: we send them internet but they cannot be With this in mind, I submit our competition results, which downloaded. All scores are a short article on the subject they usually print together counted whether minus or for your consideration. with a short note about our plus. If North gains a score Please feel free to add, alter 4-6 October 2013 meeting times and our of 150; then everyone at or amend it in any way, shape Doubles £215 website address. the table can cross off 150 or form, as it is the concept Gary Conrad Creating a dynamic website if it appears on their card; that I wish to get across. with ever changing content: also, if North goes down Mr L Hodby by email. 25-27 October 2013 an increasingly powerful way and scores -50, everyone See facing page. ■ Finding Slams £215 to attract new members. Sandy Bell Holding an annual Open Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey Full Board Evening, promoted via the GU21 2TH or e-mail [email protected] No Single Supplement press: we have gained six E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, Booking Form on page 5. new members in the last two full postal address, telephone number and to send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. years from this alone.

Page 38 You Can Respond 2♣ Ardington Hotel Stayman to 1NT With Worthing BN11 3DZ Fewer Than 10 Points by Len Hodby

It is a widely held belief, ‘Mmm. Right, 2♣ particularly at club and Stayman it is then and I social level, that responding can pass any response to an opening bid of 1NT my partner makes.’ The (weak) with 2♣ (Stayman) is resulting contract might fail, only possible when holding but not as badly as 1NT BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 11 points or more. The would have done. 12-14 April Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 reasoning has inevitably Alternatively, suppose been, ‘I added up my points you hold: 17-19 May Stayman & Transfers £ 215 and, with fewer than 10, 7-9 June Suit Establishment £ 215 Stayman was automatically 27-29 September Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 out of the question.’ ♠ 8 5 4 3 2 25-27 October Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 Stayman simply asks the ♥ 9 4 3 2 question, ‘Do you hold four ♦ 8 5 3 22-24 November Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 hearts or four spades? Yes, ♣ 2 29 Nov - 1 Dec Just Duplicate Bridge £ 199 or no.’ It does not imply that Full Board – No Single Supplement you must end up in a game contract. Your partner opens 1NT. It Booking Form on page 5. For instance, you pick is safe to bid 2♣ (Stayman). up the following hand and If partner responds 2♥ hear partner open 1NT. or 2♠ you will pass. If he replies 2♦ (denying a four- card major), you can sign ♠ 9 7 5 3 off in 2♠. ♥ 9 6 7 4 You have given yourself ♦ 10 7 5 4 2 the extra chance of finding ♣ Void a 4-4 heart fit. Holding 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors (or with a 4-4-5-0 Before cursing your luck shape), utilising Stayman and thinking, ‘I hope things with significantly fewer than are going to get better 10 points could lead to a than this as they cannot much better part score. It get much worse,’ let’s might also compel the op- Treat yourself to a beautiful take another look. With position to bid at the 3-level no points at all, instead if they want to compete. hand-crafted bridge table. of the automatic, ‘Pass,’ Providing you can Made in France from specially selected beech our tables will how about considering the handle any response that grace any room. unthinkable, 2♣ (Stayman)? your partner may make, ‘Mmm. If partner’s reply Stayman is a powerful tool. Mahogany or cherry finish is 2♥, we do have a fit in To get the most out of Traditional green felt or luxury velour hearts. And again, if the it, instead of automatically playing surface. reply is 2♠ there is a fit passing 1NT, consider the FREE COLOUR Folds flat. Patented Hinging Device there, too. How about the idea, ‘If you can cope with BROCHURE Three different models from £149 worst case scenario, 2♦? any response, then you Well, in this case, I have can use Stayman,’ however Phone 01483 750611 a five-card suit, so things poor your hand appears to www.bridge-tables.co.uk should not be too bad.’ be. S R Designs, 1 Hook Hill Park, Woking, GU22 0PX

Page 39 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 8

West North East South playing the ♥8 and then the ♥4. What 1. ♠ Q J 7 2 2♠1 Pass do you do? ♥ J 7 2 Pass 2NT Pass 4♥ Firstly, you need to decide whether to ♦ A Q 10 6 End hold up the ♥A. While you can shut out ♣ J 4 1Weak: six spades, 6-10 points the fourth round of hearts by holding up ♠ A 9 6 ♠ 10 4 3 again, counting declarer’s tricks should ♥ 10 9 8 5 3 N ♥ A 4 You lead the ♠9. Partner wins with the tell you to win. Five spades in dummy, W E ♦ ♦ ♠ ♦ ♦ J 2 S 9 5 4 K and switches to the J. How do you the A and two heart tricks would be the ♣ K 7 5 ♣ A 9 8 3 2 defend? eight that declarer needs. ♠ K 8 5 You should begin by putting together Having taken the ♥A, you should ♥ K Q 6 what you know. The bidding and play switch to the ♣9. You know from the play ♦ K 8 7 3 to trick one marks East with six spades to the first trick that declarer has the ♦J, ♣ Q 10 6 to the ace-king. South must have six or so diamond leads need to come from seven good hearts. You seem to have partner. You can win the next diamond three top winners, so you need one more and put partner back in with a club for West North East South trick. another diamond through. 1NT There is a chance the ♦J is a singleton, Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1 in which case you can give East a ruff. Pass 2NT End So long as you can shut out the club suit, 4. ♠ A J 9 1No four-card major surely you can succeed even if the ♦J is ♥ J 8 doubleton. You know you can hold up the ♦ K Q You lead the ♥9. Partner takes the ♥A ♣A. You also need to dislodge dummy’s ♣ K J 9 6 4 3 and switches to the ♣3. You take the ♦K entry. You need to do so in such a ♠ Q 10 7 5 4 2 ♠ 8 ♣K and return the ♣7, on which go the way as to stop declarer from ruffing two ♥ A N ♥ 9 5 4 ♣J, ♣2 and ♣Q. Declarer leads the ♠5. diamonds in dummy. This means you ♦ J 9 7 W E ♦ 10 8 5 4 3 2 S What do you do? duck the first diamond. ♣ A Q 8 ♣ 10 7 2 Partner switched to a low club, the ♣3, ♠ K 6 3 and followed with a lower one, the ♣2. ♥ K Q 10 7 6 3 2 This must mean a holding of A-x-x-x-x. 3. ♠ A K Q 10 6 ♦ A 6 In this case, you can take the contract ♥ J 7 3 ♣ 5 down with two major-suit aces and four ♦ 3 clubs. You need to grab the ♠A because ♣ J 7 5 2 declarer must have the other high ♠ J 9 3 ♠ 7 5 2 West North East South cards and be ready to take eight tricks ♥ A 9 6 5 N ♥ 8 4 1♣ Pass 1♥ – a spade, two hearts, a club and four ♦ K 10 8 2 W E ♦ Q 7 6 5 1♠ 2♣ Pass 4♥ S diamonds. ♣ 9 8 ♣ A K 4 3 End ♠ 8 4 ♥ K Q 10 2 You lead the ♠5: ♠J, ♠8 and ♠3. Declarer 2. ♠ Q J 7 2 ♦ A J 9 4 leads the ♥J from dummy, playing the ♥2 ♥ A 9 ♣ Q 10 6 on East’s ♥5. What is your plan? ♦ K 6 To beat this game you need two more ♣ K Q J 9 8 tricks to go with your aces. Declarer has ♠ 9 6 ♠ A K 10 8 4 3 West North East South the king of spades and could have the ♥ 8 5 2 N ♥ 6 4 1NT other missing spade, in which case part- W E 1 ♦ A Q 10 8 4 S ♦ J 9 Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ ner can ruff. Since, when you carry on ♣ A 10 6 ♣ 7 5 2 Pass 2NT End with spades, you do so aiming to deliver ♠ 5 1Transfer to spades a ruff, you lead your lowest spade; the ♥ K Q J 10 7 3 two will be a suit-preference signal for ♦ 7 5 3 2 You lead the ♦2. Partner plays the ♦Q, clubs. This way you hope to get back in ♣ 4 3 losing to the ♦A. Declarer leads the ♥2 with your ♣A to give partner a second to the ♥J and continues the suit, East ruff. ■

Page 40 1470 Mr Bridge Rome to Cannes ad_Layout 1 01/02/2013 19:05 Page 1

CRUISE TO THE TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM RENAISSANCE ITALY TO MEDIEVAL FRANCE

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT* Enjoy your daily duplicate on this FRANCE Marseilles Sete Livorno Florence voyage through the Mediterranean Cannes Elba 11 day cruise from Rome to Cannes departs UK May 19, 2013 Spain Corsica Civitavecchia Barcelona Bonifacio Rome This voyage explores the scenery and fascinating history that this sea has to Italy offer: from the natural beauty of Corsica to the ambience of the French Riviera Mediterranean Sea and the treasures of Renaissance Florence. You will also visit Elba – the island Palma of the Emperor Napoleon's exile – and the mighty Papal Palace at Avignon, Mallorca see Gaudi’s extraordinary architecture in Barcelona, the cathedral in Palma and the medieval stronghold of Carcassonne – and have time to spend the evening strolling along the Croisette in beautiful Cannes. MAY 19, 2013 – 11 days from £1,895pp

DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Mr Bridge Passengers The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge MAY 19 Fly to ROME Italy bookings but is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate Transfer to Civitavecchia to as much, or as little as they wish. There will be a duplicate session every board Aegean Odyssey 11.00pm evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made MAY 20 ELBA Italy 1.00pm 10.00pm especially welcome – a playing partner will always be found. MAY 21 LIVORNO (Florence) Italy 6.00am 9.00pm MAY 22 Cruising the Maddalena Archipelago BONIFACIO Corsica 1.00pm 8.00pm MAY 23 At Sea MAY 24 PALMA Mallorca, Spain 7.00am 7.00pm MAY 25 BARCELONA Spain 8.00am 7.00pm MAY 26 SETE (Carcassonne) France 8.00am 8.00pm MAY 27 MARSEILLES (Avignon) France 7.00am 8.00pm Aegean Odyssey ~ cruise in comfort, relax in style Carrying around 350 passengers, the atmosphere on board is relaxed with plenty of passenger MAY 28 CANNES France 8.00am overnight space, a choice of restaurants (with open-seating dining) and generously-sized MAY 29 CANNES France accommodations, plus the comfort and attentive service of boutique-style cruising. Disembark and transfer to Nice Airport for flight home

special fares from just £1,895 include: •FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME •SCHEDULED FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES •EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES Standard Inside £1,895pp Superior Outside from £2,450pp •SHORE EXCURSIONS IN MOST PORTS OF CALL Superior Inside from £1,995pp Deluxe Outside from £2,895pp •EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS Standard Outside £2,295pp Deluxe Balcony from £3,695pp •OPEN-SEATING DINING •WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD GRATUITIES ON BOARD • Past passengers can SAVE EVEN MORE EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY • please call for details

Prices are per person, double occupancy in double cabins; single occupancy in single cabins, and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. *The number of cabins with no single supplement is strictly limited. CALL ON 01483 489961 Please book early to avoid disappointment.

10093 VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY www.mrbridge.co.uk ABTA No.Y2206 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 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 £50. Policy Excess £75. 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 £50. 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 a 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 £50 (b) only. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK. MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 Policy Excess £75 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £150 Area 4 or on a Cruise. 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 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £500 Area destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the 4 or on a Cruise. 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 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £1,000 Area strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess. 4 or on a Cruise. PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal 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 Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the Acceptance of pre existing medical conditions is made by the application of increased conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior excesses in the event of claims arising from the pre existing condition. to application. If You have ever had a circulatory, heart or blood pressure related problem, a stroke, cancer, asthma or any breathing problems, diabetes or any psychological problem, the following MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: excess will apply (other than in respect of claims that are specifically excluded) : Insurers will not pay for claims arising Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess. 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have or have had symptoms Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – which are awaiting or receiving investigation, tests, treatment, referral or the results of any of For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 Areas 1&2, £750 Area the foregoing, unless We have agreed in writing to cover You. 3, £1,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise. 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). For persons aged 61 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,000 Areas 1&2, £1,500 Area 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) 3, £2,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise. have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical Please note that we consider a Cruise to be a Trip by sea in a liner calling at a number of ports. condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention. 4. Medical conditions existing prior to the payment of the insurance premium or any consequence thereof in respect of which a Medical Practitioner would advise against travel or that treatment may be required during the duration of the Trip. Medical Screening OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Unless you are travelling to Area 4 or on a Cruise, there is no need to advise us of your Claims arising from pre existing medical conditions. 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. If You have a history of any medical condition and are travelling within Area 4 or on a 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. Cruise, you must first contact Towergate Medical Screening Line to establish whether 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, we can provide cover for your trip. The number to call is: Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this 0844 892 1698 exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such If you are accepted, the level of excess stated above will apply. You will receive losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. In the event that you are not taking place at the beginning of any Trip. accepted for cover having been screened, we may be able to offer you cover under 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. our Single Trip “PLUS” product. 5. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or Please ask us for further details or go to our website. accommodation supplier. 6. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. 7. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

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✄ 328STI12 Catching Up by Sally Brock

t’s been quite a while since I wrote adjusted back to three no-trumps, and diamond trick. On the other hand, if for these pages so there’s a lot of if that contract was making he would either spades are 3-3 or diamonds 3-2, catching up to do. probably have been able to get his I can succeed by overtaking the queen IMy team (Nicola, Chris Dixon, double removed. of spades, playing one more round of Simon Cope, Andrew Murphy, Barry trumps and playing on diamonds. So and me) did very well in this year’s that was what I did. Disaster. West Gold Cup and reached the final stages Dealer West. East-West Vul. showed out on the second round of – the first time I have done this for ♠ A Q spades and I was now three down for at least 15 years. We went to Solihull ♥ K 10 5 –500 when they were just one down for our quarter-final match against ♦ 9 7 6 undoubled in the other room. Nick Irens’ strong London team ♣ K 9 8 4 2 There were two further large (Norman Selway, Espen Erichsen, ♠ 4 ♠ 10 9 8 5 2 swings when our team was a bit too N ♥ ♥ Tom Townsend and David Bakhshi) A Q 9 4 3 W E J 6 2 conservative in the slam zone and and, rather to our surprise, won fairly ♦ J 10 5 4 S ♦ 8 missed slams bid and made by our comfortably. The prize for that was a ♣ 10 6 3 ♣ A Q J 5 opponents. And that was that. We had 64-board semi-final match against ♠ K J 7 6 3 lost by 4 IMPs. Alexander Allfrey’s England A team ♥ 8 7 I must say that this was a fantastic (Andrew Robson, Tony Forrester, ♦ A K Q 3 2 team to play for, though. We were all David Gold, Peter Crouch and Derek ♣ 7 desperately disappointed – possibly Patterson). it was worse for Simon, Andrew and We gained steadily throughout the Barry who have not won the Gold Cup match until we were 52 up with two West North East South before – but there was no flicker of sets to go. Barry and I sat out the next 2♦ Dbl 2♥ 3♥ blame for any of the errors, or might- set and they lost 22 – nothing too Pass 3NT Pass Pass have-beens. It’s a pity that, for various serious. So we went into the final set Dbl 4♥ Pass 4♠ reasons, we can’t have another crack at with a lead of 30 IMPs. Dbl All Pass it this year. Early on in the set, we had this disaster (hand in the next column): I ♣♦♥♠ was South and my three heart bid was Anyway, the play’s the thing. West led a transfer to spades. Barry forgot and the five of diamonds and of course I wo days later saw Nicola and thought it was natural, but bid 3NT could have played the nine – it was, me on a plane bound for Bei- to protect his spade holding. When after all, my only hope of scoring jing, where we played in the I passed his 3NT, I imagine Andrew a trick with it. But I thought it was TSport Accord Mindsports Games. We Robson (West) had a fair idea of what likely West had the singleton, so if I did not do particularly well, finishing had happened but he was worried played small and East played the ten, I third out of four in a strong field (USA, his partner would think his suit was would know that that was not the case France, China and us), but the shop- spades, so he doubled for a heart lead. because West would be marked with ping was good. Now Barry thought he had better show the eight. I won the diamond in hand Back from China on December his support and I was happy to convert and led a heart to the king, followed by 20th, just in time to run around madly to four spades, and rather surprised to the ace of spades. What now? If both for Christmas. This is likely to be our be doubled. suits are breaking, I have eleven tricks; last year in this house, which is the However, because of the if diamonds are 4-1 and I cash the only place the children have ever lived, misinformation, Robson had been queen of spades and play a diamond, and because of that we decided to have in a position to double fairly freely I am almost certainly down however Christmas here rather than go to my (at least that was what I thought). If spades break. This trick will be ruffed parents as usual. I had never cooked four spades made, then a director and, at best, I will still lose the aces Christmas dinner before. We were would surely have ruled the contract of hearts and clubs and a further seven for lunch – my parents

Page 44 Catching Up continued Stayman, enquiring about four- and he following weekend was the five-card majors and her three no- TGR’s Auction Pairs. This was trump response denied a major of any an event Susanna was keen to sort. Tenter but I had been a bit reluctant were here, and also Helen Schapiro Plan the play on the five of spades because my other January weekends (Kucklimu) who lives near me and is a lead. were all full and I thought I owed Bri- good friend. It all went well (we had a This is a good example of taking ony a bit of time, especially as she had capon which was delicious). your only chance – which is East some important exams. However, in On Boxing Day, there was more holding king singleton or doubleton in the end, she was happy for me to play family – 16 of us in all. We just clubs (or erroneously covering the jack (especially after a promise of some ba- managed a sit-down meal (with the when you play it) and then probably bysitting work for Susanna). At the last aid of some garden furniture). This taking the heart finesse later unless minute, Barry’s services were called time the menu was venison sausage opponents’ discards persuade you upon too. One of the top Turkish pairs casserole and/or vegetable and cheese into something else. And that is what was expected, but, at the last minute, strudel. she did. She won the king of spades, one of the players had a problem with The day after, we went to see Ben, crossed to the ace of hearts and played his visa and was not allowed into the Gemma and Hayden and were royally the jack of clubs. When East played the country. So that left Mustafa Tokay entertained by Hayden showing off all nine, she played the queen, cashed the without a partner. Zia and Artur Ma- his presents. ace and ran the rest of the club tricks. linowski decided that the best partner She followed up by taking the heart for him would be Barry and his arm ♣♦♥♠ finesse to land her game. It may seem was twisted … easy when looked at on paper, but she This is a great event and there are n the 29th and 30th, Barry was one of only thirteen declarers some excellent pairs playing (though and I played in the Year End (out of 90) to bid and make three no- some very weak ones too). It is good Congress. First, there was the trumps. fun with several meals included. All OMixed Pairs where we finished fourth. the (70) pairs are auctioned at the start, And the next day, the Swiss teams ♣♦♥♠ the top one going for £3,000 or so while where I played with Susanna Gross the weaker pairs go for the minimum and Barry played with Rob Cliffe he first weekend in January saw £100. Susanna and I went for £300 where we were ninth. Traditionally, I us on our usual trip up north to while Zia bought Mustafa and Barry play in this with Susanna as a warm- the Manchester Congress. for £600. I bought back a 25% share up for the Lady Milne Trials at the end TThis year, I drove up to Bradford of us and also decided to have 10% of of January. to take Toby back to university there. Barry and Mustafa too. Susanna and I I thought she did well on this deal. It has been great having him home started OK but went sharply downhill How would you play three no-trumps for a while (Briony went to fetch him on the Sunday. Barry and Mustafa on the five of spades lead? while I was in Beijing). Then, I went to on the other hand were always in Manchester to meet Barry (and Steve contention, eventually finishing third, Eginton) at Rodney and Lorraine but top of the unseeded pool. So Dealer East. East-West Vul. Lighton’s house. We had a great my £60 investment netted a £480 ♠ 9 8 6 evening there and the next day went return. ♥ A 7 6 5 into Manchester for the bridge. Barry ♦ 6 and I finished second in the pairs (we ♣♦♥♠ ♣ J 10 8 7 3 had an excellent score and thought ♠ A Q 10 5 4 ♠ J 7 2 we had won but were just pipped by hen there was the National ♥ 8 N ♥ Q 10 9 4 2 Tracey Capal and Liz Muir). On the Swiss Teams, but I think I shall ♦ 10 7 5 2 W E ♦ A 9 3 Sunday, there was a change of plan. draw a veil over that. S ♣ 6 4 2 ♣ K 9 On the way up to Manchester on the TWe started well but then went down, ♠ K 3 Friday evening, Barry had a call to say and down, and down. And even ♥ K J 3 that he needed to be in Brighton on further down. This was the (possibly, ♦ K Q J 8 4 the Monday morning for the start of a first, according to current weather ♣ A Q 5 trial. Had he played on the Sunday, he forecasts) weekend of the snow and I wouldn’t have been able to pick up the struggled to get from High Wycombe (substantial) papers for his case until to London on the Friday night, and West North East South well after midnight. So he drove home although the roads were OK to and Pass 2NT and worked on his case while I played from Hinckley, we slithered around Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT in the teams with Michael Newman. a bit on the Wycombe hills on the All Pass After a slightly rocky start, we return journey too. Still, I managed improved and finished a respectable to get home to Briony for our usual My three club bid was Puppet third. Sunday evening together. ■

Page 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Monday most optimistic, or take the middle – Barry’s flat. There are lots of nice probably more realistic – view. people and good food (and extremely Briony has an A-level exam tomorrow In an effort to declutter – however loud music). I stay over in preparation and so is not at school today. I have many trips I make to the charity shop for the Lady Milne trials which start masses of work at the moment so get or the tip, the house does not seem any tomorrow. down to it for most of the day, taking emptier – I have invited Mark Horton a short break for a Sainsbury’s shop (ex-husband number two) to come and around lunchtime. In the evening, help himself to any bridge magazines Friday Briony cooks chicken tikka masala he would like. So he comes, takes Unfortunately, Barry has to go down (she is a recent convert to Indian food), me out to lunch which is a pleasant to the south coast for work which which is delicious. interlude and leaves with a car full of means leaving the flat at 8. I get up boxes. Then, in the afternoon, I have too and start work on my laptop. a Richard and Gerry online teaching Barry has had a house guest all week Tuesday session – the first for a while because – Barbara’s cousin Ray who lives in Off to the gym first thing – I have been Richard has been in New Zealand on Berlin and has come over for the a bit lax about this recently. However, holiday. They do well and are slightly party. I make vaguely sociable noises I have been very good in relation to ahead of us when Richard makes the and he leaves about 11 for his flight alcohol. I now have Type 2 diabetes fatal mistake of saying, ‘Just one more home. Barry’s back in time for a bread and didn’t have a very good summer hand.’ We stay low in three diamonds and cheese lunch – accompanied diet-wise and all sorts of health issues and gain 5 IMPs to take the lead at the by pickled walnuts (a gift from Ray) have started to raise their heads. last moment. Thank goodness for that. which I have never had before (and So I went completely alcohol-free Then it’s back to work. I send off the must be something of an acquired from October until Christmas. And finished version of Nova Scotia and taste). now just have the occasional glass of then settle down to Liguria on my Before the bridge, I have arranged to wine. I am a convert to Beck’s Blue, laptop in front of the television. meet Martin and Margaret Nygren for an alcohol-free beer (that has only 53 supper with Hans and Eva-Liss Gothe, calories a bottle.). friends of theirs (whom I have also got Anyway, the rest of the day is all Thursday to know over the years) who are over work (pyjamas to gym gear and – after Today, I discover I have managed to from Stockholm for a few days. That’s a shower – straight back to pyjamas). do something incredibly stupid (even fish and chips in the pub and a good Croatia and Nova Scotia are the by my standards, as Briony says). I gossip. And then it’s off to the Young urgent titles at the moment. But there needed to transfer some money (quite Chelsea for the first session of the trials. is a long list of pending publications. a lot) from one account to another in The first thing Susanna and I And at this time of year I also have to order to cover a heavy credit card bill. discover is that we are sitting out the do the yearbook of the British Guild of I couldn’t understand why it hadn’t first round. It would have been nice Travel Writers, which is a big annual arrived (so I’m still going to be charged to know that beforehand so we could job for me. for a temporary overdraft). On going have turned up a bit later. There are to the account I was transferring from, some difficult hands in our first match I found that I had accidentally sent the and we run into time difficulties. Wednesday money to the used car company we We speed up a bit and the director Just before Christmas I had an estate had bought Briony’s car from in the announces there is one minute to go. agent come to value my house, to give summer. Luckily, a quick phonecall We speed up a bit more and finish 30 me a rough idea, but now that putting and a very nice man the other end seconds late. That gets us a 3 IMP time the house on the market is imminent, sorted it out. penalty. A wonderful start. Otherwise, I need to get some other valuations, Otherwise, a fairly standard gym the first session goes well and we are too. Last week, a different agent came and work day. Then Briony gives me a well placed but there’s a long way to round and valued it at less than two- lift to the station – it takes a while to go. I stay for a drink and then Susanna thirds of the first. So today a third has a get to Barry’s – something to do with (who lives very near Barry) and I share look and, fairly predictably, reckons its a cancelled train … We have a party to a taxi back. I text Barry to say I’m worth somewhere in the middle. Now go to. It is Barry’s best friend Barbara’s home. ‘Me too,’ he texts as he walks in I have to decide whether to go for the 50th birthday. Just a short walk from the door.

Page 46 Seven Days continued I am not sure how their bidding goes, but at our The Olde Barn Hotel table it is simply: Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Saturday West North East South Pass 1♦ 1♠ 2♥ BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 A 10.45 start and we don’t Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ 26-28 April Splinters & Cue Bids £179 have such a great time. We All Pass finish more or less level on 17-19 May Just Duplicate Bridge £169 the day having done quite At most tables, West leads 31 May – 2 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169 a lot of daft things and that the ten of spades and the leaves us fifth overall. defenders take the ace and 7-9 June End Play & Avoidance £179 After the bridge, a whole king, then West gets a spade 21-23 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169 crowd of us go out to ruff and exits with anything Benito’s, a nice family-run she likes and four hearts 19-21 July Just Duplicate Bridge £169 Italian restaurant on the goes one down. 16-18 August Declarer Play £179 Earls Court Road. It is hard to see how the defenders can let it through, 6-8 September Just Duplicate Bridge £169 but … 18-20 October Just Duplicate Bridge £169 Sunday Kitty sees that she will There are six more matches certainly be down if this 1-3 November Just Duplicate Bridge £169 today. We do well in the first normal defence happens NEW 8-10 November Bernard Magee TOPIC two and are now in a good and thinks she will have Better Leads & Switches £245 position. We are in the top better chances if East is three all the time and even- on lead at trick four rather 22-24 November Just Duplicate Bridge £169 tually finish second. than West. So, when East The winners are Jane cashes her ace and king Full Board – No Single Supplement Moore and Gillian Fawcett, of spades, Kitty unblocks Booking Form on page 5. while the third qualifying her queen and jack, so that spot is taken by Lizzie instead of West ruffing the Godfrey and Pauline third round, East cashes Cohen. That will be a nice the nine. What now? She team for the Lady Milne has no trump to exit with Chatsworth Hotel which is in Edinburgh in and has to guess between Worthing BN11 3DU April. The play of the day, the minors and when she however, was found by Kitty chooses a diamond Kitty is Teltscher. home. This hand was played in I am not sure that East’s four hearts by just about play stands up to close everybody: analysis (a club can never do more than resolve a guess for declarer, so is surely Dealer West. Love All the better choice) but that North does not detract from the ♠ Q 7 6 imaginative play. ♥ Q 6 5 I borrow Barry’s car to get ♦ K J 5 4 home by 7.30, in time for ♣ A J 10 the delicious meal Briony BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 West East has cooked me. 12-14 Apr Bernard Magee Declarer Play £245 ♠ 10 3 ♠ A K 9 5 4 She has a friend staying ♥ 10 9 4 3 ♥ Void and, while they spend their 14-16 Jun Just Duplicate Bridge £199

♦ 7 2 ♦ Q 10 9 8 3 evening booking a holiday NEW 18-20 Oct Bernard Magee Play and TOPIC £245 ♣ K 9 6 4 2 ♣ Q 8 5 in Lanzarote for the Easter Defending 1NT South holidays, I plod on with a 15-17 Nov Bernard Magee Bidding NEW £245 ♠ J 8 2 TOPIC couple of new guidebooks – Distributional Hands ♥ A K J 8 7 2 the unlikely combination of ♦ A 6 Faroe Islands and Tajikistan Full Board – No Single Supplement ♣ 7 3 are in the frame at the Booking Form on page 5. moment. ■

Page 47 BRIDGE Five-Card If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to Majors Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH with a Strong No-Trump The Interactive Way of Improving Your Five-Card Majors Bidding with Bernard Magee

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See Mail Order Form on page 5