Number: 170 UK £3.95 Europe €5.00 February 2017 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz This month we are dealing with the 1NT response. You are West in the auctions below, playing BRIDGE‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass ? ? 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass ? ?

2. Dealer East. Love All. 5. Dealer West. Love All. 8. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ 8 7 6 ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ 6 3 2 ♠ A 9 8 7 3 ♥ 4 N ♥ A K N ♥ Q 8 5 N ♥ K Q 7 5 3 N ♦ A J 3 2 W E ♦ K Q 6 4 3 W E ♦ 3 2 W E ♦ A 2 W E S S S S ♣ Q 8 7 6 5 ♣ 7 3 ♣ A J 7 3 2 ♣ 3

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♠ Pass 1♦ Pass 1NT Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass ? ? 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass ? ?

3. Dealer East. Love All. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer East. Love All. 12. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ J 7 6 ♠ 7 ♠ 5 ♠ A Q 8 7 6 N N N N ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Q 9 4 W E A K 8 7 W E Q 8 4 3 2 W E 4 W E ♦ A 9 3 2 S ♦ A 2 S ♦ A J 6 5 3 S ♦ K 5 S ♣ K 7 6 ♣ A K 8 6 3 2 ♣ J 2 ♣ K Q 8 7 5

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♠ Pass 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass 1♠ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass ? ? 1NT Pass 2♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass ? ?

Answers on page 29 Answers on page 31 Answers on page 33 Answers on page 35 2017/18 Mr Bridge cruises

Cruise ID Date Nights Departure Port Prices from Cruise ID Date Nights Departure Port Prices from Islands of the Mediterranean (hosted by Bernard Magee) German Waterways Sold out for bridge L1718 14th Aug 2017 9 Newcastle £1,139pp Cities & Waterways of Europe Scandinavian Waterways L1706 22nd Apr 2017 8 Dover £719pp L1722 17th Sept 2017 11 Newcastle £1,169pp Fjords, Mountains & Glaciers River Seine Sojourn L1707 30th Apr 2017 7 Dover £759pp L1723 29th Sept 2017 3 Southampton £359pp Espana Verde Discover the Baltic L1708 7th May 2017 8 Dover £859pp L1724 2nd Oct 2017 13 Southampton £1,259pp Scenic Norway & Celebrations Canaries Christmas & New Year L1709 15th May 2017 9 Dover £949pp L1728 21st Dec 2017 16 Southampton £1,999pp Fred’s Favourite Fjords Rio Carnival & River Plate L1716 30th Jul 2017 7 Newcastle £999pp L1803 23rd Jan 2018 46 Southampton £4,179pp UK Scenes from the Silver Screen In Search of the Northern Lights L1717 6th Aug 2017 8 Newcastle £1,049pp L1804 10th Mar 2018 14 Southampton £1,429pp

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Fares are per person, based on twin occupancy of the lead-in twin cabin, subject to availability. Offers may be amended or withdrawn at any time without prior notice, are subject to availability &cannot be applied retrospectively. All bookings are subject to Fred. Olsen’s standard terms & conditions, available on our/their website & on request. Some ports may be at anchor, intermediate daysare at sea. FOCL reserve the right to amend itineraries for operational reasons. All Inclusive Upgrade offer covers selected beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, subject to availability.Tours, tips, premium drinks, medical facilities and other optional spend, during travel to the ship and while on board, are not included. The all inclusive drinks package on mini cruises is £29pppn. Any additional expenditure will need to be paid separately. All Inclusive Upgrade Package must be booked at least 8 days prior to departure.* The Mini cruise L1723 will offer one welcome drinks party only. E&OE.

SW cruise has a full page advertisement in this issue, Features this month include: one each for September, October and November. I 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee will limit the size of the 3 Mr Bridge bridge party on each cruise to keep it friendly. 6 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions I am really looking forward 9 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett to seeing a lot of old faces.

10 Aggressive Bidding at Pairs by Bernard Magee For the last 30 years I MORE have described myself as a CELBRATIONS 12 Gisborne’s Foolish Lead by David Bird publisher and promoter. I am also looking to be on 14 How do you Continue after Doubling? At the turn of this year, board Serenity to celebrate by Julian Pottage I metamorphosed into a Travel Consultant. This is my 30 years as Mr Bridge, 16 Missing the Jack by Michael Byrne because nowadays this is on a river cruise down the what I do, and expect to be Danube, see centrefold of 18 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions doing until I retire. BRIDGE 168. It will be a real festival of bridge 22 A History of Playing Cards by Paul Bostock I completed my first forms organised by Sandy Bell, using my new trade supported by an 24 Wendy Wensum’s Diaries description and the very experienced team. There next day learned that All 25 Autobridge by Shireen Mohandes will be time during your Leisure Group had ceased week on-board for lectures, 29 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee to trade. supervised play, duplicates The group was made up of and speed ball. River 30 Bridge Movies by Heather Dhondy Page & Moy, Just You, Swan cruises work best if the entire ship is devoted to 31 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and other bridge players’ needs and 32 Learn from the Hog by John Barr brands, all well known to requirements. Don’t allow readers of these pages over yourself to be put off by 33 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee the years, almost from its my telling you that. Just inception in 1994. However, play as much or as little 33 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage I believe in capitalism, even as you wish. 34 Catching Up with Sally Brock when it is inconvenient VALENTINE If there are not enough 35 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee customers for small ship 36 Teachers’ Corner by Ian Dalziel cruising, the assets of the unsuccessful should be sold

37 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage off and the customer base redistributed. 38 More Tips by Bernard Magee Small ship cruising is the 39 About Simple Finessing by Andrew Kambites new posh. Larger ships are an entirely different 42 Readers’ Letters market. This being the February 43 About Simple Finessing Quiz As a newly designated, issue some of you will need by Andrew Kambites self-appointed travel consultant, I will continue to be reminded that the 45 About Simple Finessing Quiz Answers to focus on putting bridge 14th is Valentines Day. If by Andrew Kambites parties on small ships. you haven’t time to make a card and you’re too mean to 47 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett CELEBRATIONS slip out to the shop and buy one, do what I used to do 48 Seven Days by Sally Brock Be assured I will be on and adapt an ace of hearts board each of the three from an old pack of cards 50 Sally’s Slam of the Month Aegean Odyssey cruises which I display for your this coming autumn. Each convenience.

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 3 2187 Mr Bridge FULL page 170417BRA_Layout 1 01/12/2016 18:12 Page 1

BRAND-NEW CRUISE SPRING 2017

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DEPARTS UK APRIL 17, 2017

APR 17 Fly to ATHENS Greece Embark Aegean Odyssey in nearby Piraeus APR 18 SANTORINI Greek Islands (Akrotiri) APR 19 HERAKLION Crete (Knossos) APR 20 SOUDA Crete (Chania) APR 21 At Sea APR 22 VALLETTA Malta APR 23 CATANIA Sicily (Syracuse) APR 24 PALERMO Sicily (Monreale) APR 25 TRAPANI Sicily (Segesta) APR 26 At Sea APR 27 At Sea APR 28 MALAGA Spain APR 29 CADIZ Spain (Jerez) 17-day cruise from £2,195 per person APR 30 PORTIMAO Portugal MAY 1 At Sea

CASMARA DE LOBOS, MADEIRA Featuring special guest speaker – John Julius Norwich MAY 2 FUNCHAL Madeira overnight MAY 3 FUNCHAL Madeira Mr Bridge is pleased to present this brand new bridge cruise that Disembark and transfer charts a course across the Mediterranean –known throughout to Funchal Airport for flight home history as ‘The Middle Sea’. Travel with famous author and AEG170417BRA historian, John Julius, 2nd Viscount Norwich, whose epic history SPECIAL FARES of the Middle Sea is the inspiration for this magnificent voyage. Standard Inside from £2,195pp Visit the classical sites of ancient Greece and explore the historic splendour of Malta and Sicily. Take a panoramic drive to some of the outstanding sites Standard Outside from £2,895pp of Malaga and Moorish Spain, before sampling sherry in Jerez. Savour the Premium Outside from £3,125pp breathtaking vistas of the Sagres peninsula and the Algarve in Portugal, then NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT arrive in Funchal, for a sightseeing tour of Winston Churchill’s favourite Odyssey Club Members enjoy an additional retreat, Camara de Lobos. 5% discount on prices shown above. All excursions are included in the fare, and with with a full bridge programme hosted by the Mr Bridge team – this promises to be the trip FARES INCLUDE: of a lifetime. • Scheduled economy class flights • Expert destination speaker programme • Mr Bridge drinks party • Morning seminars and afternoon bridge when at sea • Duplicate bridge every evening (singles will always be found a bridge partner) Cabins can be held for 7 days without obligation • Sightseeing excursions at all ports of call • Specialist excursion guides plus personal Call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk QuietVox devices • All meals on board in choice of two restaurants • Complimentary wine with dinner on board • Gratuities for on-board cabin and restaurant staff • Overseas transfers and baggage handling

Terms and conditions: All fares are per person and subject to availability. We reserve 10093 the right to use low cost airline carriers whereby one item of hold luggage is included. Regional connections are available and an additional charge applies. Full payment is ABTA No.Y2206 required to secure the booking. CALLING RESOLUTIONS 2017 ALL SPIES ADVERTISERS’ You can see I am still INDEX BRIDGE Well not spies really but working on these. Way over decoders. Shireen half a page and not one new 2 2017/18 Fred.Olsen Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Mohandes is looking out venue in sight. I am open to Cruise Summary Surrey GU21 2TH for bridge players who suggestions. There be must 4 A Voyage through the ( 01483 489961 worked at Bletchley Park be some hoteliers out there Middle Sea with [email protected] during or just after the war. who would welcome quiet Voyages to Antiquity www.mrbridge.co.uk Not just them but their parties of well-behaved descendants. No need bridge players. 10 Bernard Magee DVDs shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ Sets 1-3 mrbridge-shop to tell her about Stuart Stavely however, as this is FILMING 2018 11 Bernard Magee DVDs Publisher and included on the EBU Sets 4-6 Managing Editor website which also tells 14 Club Insurance Mr Bridge us that Stuart was 14 Travel Insurance interviewed for the job Associate Editor and 15 German Waterways Bridge Consultant by none other than Ian with Fred.Olsen Bernard Magee Fleming himself. bernardmagee 17 Canaries Christmas & Funchal Fireworks @mrbridge.co.uk GROUP AWARD with Fred.Olsen Denham Grove Cartoons & Illustrations WINNERS 22 Duplicate Bridge Marguerite Lihou 12-15 January 2018 Rules Simplifies www.margueritelihou.co.uk The 2017 filming took 22 Clive Goff’s Stamps Technical Consultant place in the middle of last 22 QPlus 12 Tony Gordon month. The 2018 headings 23 Designs for Bridge are listed below and those Typesetting & Design Table Covers Ruth Edmondson wanting to book may 28 Italian & Adriatic [email protected] now do so. Highlights with Proof Readers Teams of Four Voyages to Antiquity Julian Pottage Game Tries 34 Declarer Play Mike Orriel Congratulations to Aegean Disrupting Declarer with Bernard Magee Catrina Shackleton Odyssey on winning this Defending against High 35 Acol Bidding Richard Wheen prestigious award. My Level Contracts with Bernard Magee apologies, as in the last Customer Services Overcalling 38 Defence issue I had Fred.Olsen Catrina Shackleton Pressing the Defence with Bernard Magee [email protected] cruise lines as the winners. Oh dear! Book now to secure the 41 Designs for Bridge Tables Events & Cruises same price as this year. ( 01483 489961 £399 for three nights full 42 Mr Bridge Playing Cards Jessica Galt CHARITY BRIDGE board with no single [email protected] 43 Croatia with Mr Bridge Fund raisers still use bridge supplement, including all Megan Riccio 44 Charity Events events to raise money. filmed sessions and six [email protected] These still work but they sessions of supervised play. 44 Bernard Magee’s Sophie Pierrepont need to provide bolt-on Tutorial Software [email protected] Enjoy the atmosphere. services. Lunch, tea or Feel the buzz. 46 Scandinavian Waterways Clubs & Charities supper and be priced and Capitals with Fred.Olsen Maggie Axtell accordingly. BRIDGE WEEKENDS [email protected] 49 Fred’s Favourite Fjords The best game for fund- with Fred.Olsen Apart from new venues, Address Changes raising is rubber or 50 River Seine Sojourn I am putting together a ( 01483 485342 rubber/Chicago, so those with Fred.Olsen program of weekend Elizabeth Bryan designing a new event are bridge events. These will 51 Ancient Greece, Sicily [email protected] advised to use these and be advertised in the & Spain with not duplicates, as those next issue of BRIDGE. Voyages to Antiquity Printed in the UK by playing duplicate belong to The Magazine Watch this space. 52 Seville, Morocco a different demographic. & Canary Islands with Printing Company All good wishes, www.magprint.co.uk See the Charity Events list Voyages to Antiquity on page 44. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 5 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions on Laws and Ethics

Is Dummy Allowed to Tidy the Cards?

I find it claimed was a psychic to your system and might your system and are no distracting bid and said that if we either be with the intent to longer psyches: also psyches Qwhen people were to use psychic bids, deceive the opponents or should be made to gain touch dummy to ‘tidy it should be declared just a matter of judgement. an advantage: frivolous up’, by moving adjacent as part of our bidding Since you were two high- psyching by a pair no longer suits into the gaps system. I feel that my bid card points out of range, in contention and merely to created during play. was not a psychic bid, as it is arguable whether it is upset opponents is not legal. Is this allowed? my partner and I play a a psyche or a deviation, Vivienne Mugford by email. standard weak no-trump but it does not matter since ♣♦♥♠ (12-14) and he had no both are completely legal. Yes, it is allowed. more reason than our Of course, your opponents A pair reaches Of course, declarer opponents to doubt that have been ‘robbed’ of a a 3NT contract A should never touch I had at least 12 HCP. game by your bid, but that Qafter a negative dummy’s cards, unless Our opponents also is the intention of psyches, reply to Stayman. The dummy is absent from the claimed that if psychic deviations, weak openings, lead is ♣8. The pair play table or at rubber bridge, bids were declared weak overcalls, pre-emptive natural leads, confirmed but dummy can certainly as part of a system, raises, pre-emptive opening by their convention card. tidy dummy if he wants. So only one such bid was bids and all the other calls Dummy holds ♣A-K-Q-4 can declarer if declarer is allowed within a bridge that are made more with and declarer holds ♣10- playing the cards in dummy’s session. Is this true? the intent of obstructing 9-5. It transpires that the absence or at rubber bridge. Ken Brown, the opponents than getting lead was from ♣J-8-7-6. Balerno, Edinburgh. to your own best spot. It Declarer takes the ace ♣♦♥♠ is no more illegal than if followed by the king and Your opponents were you opened with a three- is now obliged to lose the Sitting third talking utter rubbish. level pre-empt and they fourth club. What action in hand, non- A It is true that some missed a game as a result: should be taken by the Qvulnerable people seem to have decided it is part of the game. director if any and why? against vulnerable on some invented rules and You cannot declare psyches Tim Howard by email. opponents, I held a flat they have a certain following, as part of your system hand with 10 HCP. After but they do not apply. since psyches, to be legal, The director should two passes, I decided to Psyches are legal and it is must come as much of a investigate, and open 1NT as a means illegal to stop them (except surprise to partner as to the A might adjust the of obstructing the in novice games). A psyche opponents, so are not part score if he feels declarer opposition. My bid was is a gross misdescription of of the bidding system. There has been misled, but passed out; my partner your hand according to your is no rule limiting psyches to it seems unlikely. had 5 HCP and I made system, with the intent to one per session or anything I have no idea what natural only four tricks. Our deceive the opponents. To be like that. The only worries leads are, and the EBU has opponents felt they had a legal psyche, it must also are that if psyches are too stated firmly that ‘natural’ been robbed of a game. deceive partner. A deviation frequent, partner might leads is not an adequate They were unhappy is a minor mis-description start to allow for them, and description because different about my bid which they of your hand according then they become part of pairs have different ideas

Page 6 BRIDGE February 2017 of what natural leads are. the same person) has won’t accept that whether it is in time or Nevertheless, it is usual asked what our discards explanation? whether it is an unintended to lead fourth highest are. I am sure I have In both instances, I call: it is a matter for the from an honour when read somewhere that think the director should director to decide. there is only one. once play has begun, be called, but in each Over the years, I have declarer is not allowed of the above instances ♣♦♥♠ had partners who have to ask about discards. this was brushed aside. surprised me by leading the Could you please let Lesley by email. I know that if my nine from J-9-8-x and the me know if this is so? partner removes like, but since I have never Shirley Rainbow, Cambridge. It does not matter Qa card from his understood it nor done it whether the idea hand and places it face- myself, we cannot be said Declarer has a right A of the director is down on the table and to have an agreement to to ask about your brushed aside, he must says, ‘Any questions?’ do so. Similarly, opponents A discards whenever it be called. Not calling the I can stop him from have done so but on asking, is his turn to play from either director leads to wrong playing the card if it is, it seems to be something hand. Bridge is not a game rulings at the table, bad in fact, my turn to make they decided at the time of secret agreements, so it is feeling, an unfriendly the opening lead. In rather than an agreement. important that players can atmosphere and unfairness those circumstances, it is I imagine it is quite possible always ask about bidding to other competitors. legal for me to prevent that this player did the same: or carding agreements Do not ask whether the a lead out of turn. led the eight from J-8-7-6 when it is their turn to play director should be called: What is the position, with no agreement to do so or call. The exception is just call him yourself. however, if I win a trick because it felt right. I find it that dummy may not. 1. If there is an opening in defence, but my merely confuses partner. pass out of turn then the partner thinks that he A second possibility is ♣♦♥♠ next player may accept it, has won and starts to that they have agreed to which makes it legal and withdraw a card from his lead second highest from a Is dummy the bidding proceeds from hand. This happened, poor suit (a very common entitled to say there. If he does not accept and I shouted, ‘No!’ agreement these days) and Qto declarer, it then the pass is cancelled, to prevent him from led the eight tactically, not ‘having none, partner,’ the bidding reverts to the making a lead out of because of the seven and when declarer trumps correct dealer, and the turn. He did not get it the six. In that case, your an opening lead? player who passed must more than halfway to declarer has not been misled, Raymond Cook by email. pass at his first turn to call. the table, it was seen he has merely misjudged, If there is an opening by both declarer and so long as second highest Yes, one of dummy’s bid out of turn then the dummy, but not by me. is on the system card. specified rights is to next player may accept it, The director ruled that If there is an agreement A ask declarer whether which makes it legal and it was a lead out of to lead the eight, and it is he has any cards of a suit led. the bidding proceeds from turn, told me that I had not on the system card, then there. If he does not accept it no right to try to stop there is misinformation. But ♣♦♥♠ then the bid is cancelled, the partner from making the eight is highly likely to be bidding reverts to the correct such a mistake (ie I from various other holdings, I have a couple dealer, and the partner of should not have shouted so I think the most your of bidding the player who bid must pass ‘No!’), and gave declarer declarer could hope for is Qqueries. What for the rest of the auction the various options. a weighted score of 75% or should happen if: and there may be lead As a defender, am I 80% of the actual score plus 1. Someone bids penalties. One exception: if allowed to try to stop my 25% or 20% of a better score. before dealer, both if a player bid when his right partner from making the offender passes or hand opponent dealt, and it a lead out of turn? ♣♦♥♠ makes a bid, eg 1♦? is not accepted, and dealer Tim Sharrock by email. 2. In the course of now passes, then the bid is This occurred the bidding, someone repeated without penalty. Yes, the director twice recently draws out the wrong 2. If a player makes an was wrong. A card Qat my local club. card and then corrects it, unintended call and corrects A must be played by a My partner and I were virtually immediately? it or attempts to correct it defender if it is in a position defending against a I understand that we without pause for thought, for partner to see its face, contract of 3NT and, all can be subject to it may be corrected if his and is not played and may during the course of mechanical error, partner has not called be put back into the player’s play, declarer (who but what if one of the subsequently. It is not up hand if it has not reached on both occasions was opposing partnership to the opponents to decide that position. Whether

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 7 declarer or dummy can see was the ♥10 which would fifteen. Better players tend that a pass is forcing. (or have seen) it is irrelevant. have given East two to realise that points are not So perhaps it is fairer The Law gives you the tricks. I contested saying everything and allow some to say that a forcing pass right to stop partner from South could have the leeway for judgement, but of a bid below 4♣ is committing an infraction knowledge that North less experienced players alertable if your side has not (Law 9A3) so you were within held the ♥9, particularly tend to assume points are previously forced to game. your rights and there should as declarer exposed absolute. I think safest is to have been no penalty. his hand. Both sides say, ‘twelve to a bad fifteen.’ ♣♦♥♠ were given an average. ♣♦♥♠ Was this correct? ♣♦♥♠ Could you please Ron Booth, Manchester. tell me how to I would like to What should the Qscore passed know whether The idea of giving director’s ruling out hands? We play Qfourth suit forcing averages instead Qbe when there duplicate, rate results should be alerted? It A of proper rulings is a dispute over the by percentages and is an unnatural bid. is fifty years out of date, scoring after (a) one pair use Scorebridge for the Grace Stephens by email. illegal, and dreadfully unfair has picked up their cards scoring, but there is on the side who would have and (b) both pairs have confusion about scoring Certainly, it is benefited from the ruling. picked up their cards. a hand passed out for no an artificial bid, When a player makes a George Nicolls, Liverpool. bids and scoring hands A and all artificial claim, the benefit of any passed out for lack of bids below 4♣ must be doubt goes to the other side. When there is a time to play. Should alerted (apart from those South might have led the dispute, the director there be a difference? that are announced). ♥10: he might have led the A should try and decide Jonathan Dimsdale by email. ♥4: since this is a matter of what happened by asking ♣♦♥♠ doubt the director must give questions, going through A hand that is the benefit of the doubt to the the play, and looking at any passed out is one The following non-claiming side, ie he must cards that are still in order. A where there have occurred at a assume the ♥4 is led and the The only exception to this been four passes, scoring Qbridge evening defence gets the last trick. is if there is a dispute over zero aggregate points and and I would appreciate the number of tricks and, beating all the minus scores your comments. West ♣♦♥♠ after it is disputed a player and losing to all the plus was in 3NT and had then shuffles or mixes his scores. Exceptionally, it made seven tricks so My partner and cards, then the director will could be a top or a bottom. far. South was on lead. I have always rule in favour of the other It is scored as passed Qannounced our side unless he is absolutely out. Scorebridge has a 1NT openings as 12-14. certain that is wrong. method of entering passed ♠ — With most 15-count out, as do BridgeMates ♥ 9 balanced hands we ♣♦♥♠ (use the PASS button). ♦ x open one of a suit. A hand that is not played ♣ — However, we both know Is a forcing pass because of time is not passed ♠ K Q ♠ — that with a poor 15-count alertable? out: it has not been played so ♥ — N ♥ A 7 (particularly 4333 hands the laws require averages to W E Q ♦ — S ♦ — with no more than one Tim Friedman by email. be given, normally average ♣ — ♣ — ten), partner will open minus to both sides, unless ♠ — 1NT, revaluing it as 14 Below 4♣, it is only one side is at fault. ♥ 10 4 points. Should we change alertable in theory: Scorebridge allows ♦ — our announcement? A above 3NT it is not. averages to be included, as ♣ — Philip Baxter, In practice, this makes few do BridgeMates. However, Southend-on-Sea. forcing passes alertable: if done via BridgeMates, the for example, if your partner director has to do it via the Before South made a This is always tricky. opens 1♦, and you bid a PIN number and the menu lead, West claimed and If you say, ‘twelve to game forcing 2♥, LHO which shows artificial scores. faced his cards assuming A fifteen,’ opponents overcalls 2♠ and partner South had to lead a will assume that fifteen passes, then there is no ♣♦♥♠ spade – obviously West is as likely as fourteen, reason to alert it: since had miscounted. The but if you say, ‘twelve to you have to reach game In scoring at director was called and fourteen,’ some opponents or double the opponents rubber bridge, said the natural play will complain when you have it will come as no surprise Qdo fifties go up

Page 8 BRIDGE February 2017 or down? I’ve always I accept I have gone down, but recently transgressed and a fellow players want to penalty is warranted, but DECLARER go up. I asked a county suggest it would be fairer player if he knew, but he if it only affected my PLAY said it’s ‘House Rules’. partner and myself, eg a What is your view? deduction from our total Lt Col WD Douglas, score. I mean, of course, QUIZ Pickering. after allowing the played card to be changed if by David Huggett I have checked up accepted that it was a (Answers on page 47) and agree with you genuine error and not A that it is not covered a change of mind. ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. by the laws. When the laws Bryan Leonard by email. YIn each case, what is your play strategy? were first promulgated, the norm was rubber bridge for Bridge is a game of money and perhaps it was judgement, good and included in the law books bad, memory, both 1. ♠ K 7 6 3. ♠ 6 5 4 A ♥ ♥ of the time, but not now. good and bad, and many, A 7 5 2 K 6 Unlike you, I have always many mistakes. Whenever ♦ A 8 4 ♦ A 7 5 played fifties go up. I have you or your opponents do ♣ A K 3 ♣ A K 6 4 2 checked with the most something less than perfect N N important bridge club that at your table, it affects the W E W E plays rubber bridge in my scores around the room. S S area and they say fifties go If you bid a bad slam and down but have no authority. make it, go off in a game ♠ A Q 3 ♠ K J 2 I think the county player you could have made, ♥ K J ♥ A J 5 4 was right: it is a matter misdefend to give a trick ♦ K Q J 5 ♦ K 8 2 of ‘House Rules’, ie any away or lead or bid out of ♣ 7 6 4 2 ♣ 9 5 3 group should agree turn and it affects the result, on this before play. then in each and every case, it affects the scores of every You are declarer in 6NT You are declarer in 3NT ♠ ♠ ♣♦♥♠ other pair: that is what the and West leads the J. and West leads the 7. ♠ pairs game is all about and How do you plan the play? East plays the 10. How Playing duplicate you have to accept it, or do you plan the play? at my club, I not play matchpoint pairs. Qplayed the wrong In this case, you have card by mistake and played a card which is a immediately said so. The mistake, which probably director was called and happens to most players at 2. ♠ A 10 9 2 4. ♠ 7 ruled it had to be played least thirty times a session, ♥ 8 6 4 ♥ A 10 7 as it was ‘unauthorised whatever the reason for ♦ Q 7 6 ♦ 8 7 6 4 information’. This the mistake, whether ♣ A 5 4 ♣ 8 7 5 4 2 resulted in the forgetfulness, failure to count, N N opponents making an playing the wrong card by W E W E impossible contract, accident, or any number of S S giving them credit they other happenings. Once a had not earned either card is played, it may not be ♠ K Q J 8 5 4 3 ♠ K 9 6 for bidding or play and changed and the fact that it ♥ A K 5 3 ♥ K Q J 9 8 therefore effectively affects other players is just ♦ K 4 ♦ A K 3 penalising every other bridge. The laws agree with ♣ Void ♣ A 3 E/W pair which they this and the game is played did not deserve. according to the laws. ■ You are declarer in 6♠ You are declarer in 4♥ and after West has opened a West leads the ♦Q. How weak 2♦. West leads the do you plan the play? E-mail your questions (including your postal address) ♣J. How do you plan the on bridge laws to: [email protected] play?

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 9 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Twenty-Six BERNARD MAGEE TUTORIAL Aggressive Bidding at Pairs DVDS enerally players get taught This is the hand that I use to to bid in the style of rubber demonstrate the ideas. SET 1 bridge: particularly aiming West opens 1♥ and North chooses Gto bid contracts you can make. It is to overcall 1♠ (a poor suit, but with 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks hard to explain to beginners that opening strength, he is right to bid). 2 Competitive Auctions going down is good. However, as you East shows a weak hand but heart ♥ 3 Making the Most play more bridge and, particularly support by bidding 2 and South also of High Cards club bridge, learning the tactics that shows his fit with North by competing £25 succeed at Duplicate Pairs (the normal to 2♠. West, with a flat hand and only 4 Identifying per DVD club game) is important. four hearts, passes (sometimes East & Bidding Slams The DVD focuses on a number of might have just three-card support) areas: the partscore battle, penalty and the bidding goes round to East. 5 Play & Defence doubles, sacrificing and the choice One of the guidelines I go over is: if of 1NT Contracts of game. The general message is that both sides have a fit, it is always right 6 Doubling & Defence bidding more tends to score better at to bid three-over-two. East can be against Doubled this form of the game. sure that both sides have a fit, so he ♥ ♥ Contracts I start off by showing a travelling bids on to 3 : either 3 will make in scoresheet, comparing the scores which case it is right to bid it, or if it SET 2 shown. It is important to understand does go down, the likelihood is that 2♠ that scoring ten points better than would have made, so again it is right 7 Leads everybody else gets you a top score: it to play 3♥. 8 Losing Trick Count does not matter how much you beat Here, with best defence, both sides people by, you just have to beat them. can make just eight tricks. Against 3♥, 9 Making a Plan This makes the partscore battle crucial North-South can take ♦A-K, then ♣K, as Declarer – so often, going down when your ♣A and a diamond ruff: one off. In 10 Responding to 1NT opponents can make a little contract spades, the defence should switch to will give you a profit. -100 outscores trumps after leading hearts: by draw- 11 Signals & Discards -110 for 2♠. ing South’s trumps, the defence end up 12 Endplay making ♠A-K and three heart tricks. The traveller shows 3♥ going one off SET 3 Dealer West. Love All. (-50) was better than allowing North to ♠ J 9 4 3 2 play 2♠ (-110). However, it is not easy 13 Hand Evaluation ♥ 7 4 2 to judge because bidding three-over- ♦ A K 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding three is not so good unless you have ♣ K Q 4 a bigger fit. If North pushes on to 3♠, 15 Splinter ♠ A 6 ♠ K 8 5 he would lose out, going down himself & Cue Bids ♥ A K Q 9 N ♥ J 10 8 5 instead of taking the opponents down. £105 ♦ J 9 4 W E ♦ Q 10 5 3 For the most part, on these types of 16 Avoidance set of 6 S ♣ J 9 5 3 ♣ 7 2 hands, your ambition is to try to push Play ♠ Q 10 7 your opponents from the comfort of 17 Play & Defence at Pairs ♥ 6 3 the two-level up to the three-level. ♦ 8 7 6 2 We move on to sacrificing and 18 Thinking Defence ♣ A 10 8 6 doubling: it is important to get used to doubling more, particularly when your opponents overbid. Two off non- Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 West North East South vulnerable is still a handy score, just www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ -100 when your opponents can likely Pass Pass 3♥ All Pass make more from a partscore. If your

Page 10 BRIDGE February 2017 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Twenty-Six BERNARD MAGEE Aggressive Bidding at Pairs TUTORIAL DVDS opponents never double you, then it is need to make seven tricks. right to overbid like this. However, if Give your partner just A-K-x-x-x they learn to double then your -100 will in spades and you might make seven SET 4 become -300, which is not so nice. In tricks with a couple of ruffs in your 19 Defensive Plan fact, the more you double opponents, hand, but your partner might well the more you will put them off bidding have a high card outside. It is worth 20 Further Into the Auction ♠ against you. taking the gamble and bidding 4 . 21 Weak Twos Another important element of Here is the full hand: doubling is when you are expecting 22 Trump Control to make a game contract and the 23 Sacrificing £25 opponents outbid you. Sacrificing is an ♠ 10 7 6 per DVD important aspect of duplicate bridge: ♥ A K 9 5 3 24 Improving bidding over the opponents’ game bid, ♦ A K 8 Bridge Memory hoping to give away fewer points than ♣ K 10 the worth of their game. As the strong ♠ Q 9 4 ♠ A K J 8 5 SET 5 side, it is important to do something ♥ 2 N ♥ 10 8 W E 25 Defence as Partner – either double or bid on – you must ♦ 7 6 5 4 ♦ J 10 9 3 S of the Leader not let them outbid you without doing ♣ 8 7 6 4 2 ♣ A 3 something. Otherwise you will not ♠ 3 2 26 Aggressive Bidding have any chance of getting a good ♥ Q J 7 6 4 at Duplicate Pairs enough score to make up for your ♦ Q 2 27 Strong Opening Bids game contract. ♣ Q J 9 5 As the sacrificing side, the 28 Take-Out Doubles vulnerability is key – if you are non- 29 Suit Establishment vulnerable and your opponents North doubles your 4♠ bid, but your in Suit Contracts vulnerable, then it does not require partner makes eight tricks, so you much to find a good sacrifice. You have found an excellent sacrifice: 30 Landy / Defending hold: giving just 300 points away, instead of Against a 1NT Opening allowing North to collect 620 points for making 4♥. However, North has SET 6 Dealer North. N/S Game. done the best he can – 5♥ would go ♠ Q 9 4 down, so it was no good bidding on, 31 Counting Defence ♥ 2 N instead he maximised his score by 32 Extra Tricks ♦ 7 6 5 4 W E making sure to double your 4♠ bid. S in No-Trumps ♣ 8 7 6 4 2 The DVD finishes with game bidding and, once again, a look at 33 Supporting travellers comparing the scores for Partner £105 West North East South minor suit contracts and no-trump 34 Finessing set of 6 1♥ 1♠ 4♥ contracts. The emphasis is, of course, ? on no-trumps because you need only 35 Bidding nine tricks, rather than 11 in a minor. Distributional Hands It might seem strange to contemplate a Finally the summary returns to the 36 Coping with Pre-Empts bid with such a weak hand, but feeling joys of -50 and -100: getting used to that 4♥ is sure to make (worth 620), being happy when you get these scores how many tricks would your side will improve your scores and your need to make in 4♠ doubled to score mood. Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 a profit? Three off doubled and non- Basically, bidding more tends to www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop vulnerable is just -500, so you only work out better. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 11 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Gisborne’s Foolish Lead

nce a year, the Feast of St king of diamonds. The Sheriff won with the diamond Barnabas open pairs was held ‘Five trumps for you, my Lord,’ ace and drew trumps in two rounds. in Nottingham Castle. The Gisborne announced proudly. Now, if the Gods were kind, he would OSheriff and Sir Guy of Gisborne had The Sheriff surveyed the dummy be able to remove West’s cards in won the event on the previous two with no great approval. What use were hearts and clubs. occasions. five trumps when the distribution of The Sheriff played the ace and king Many thought that a third person Gisborne’s side suits matched that of of clubs, happy to see the unkempt had participated in these triumphs ‒ his own? On the face of it, there were kitchen maid follow both times. He Charles Hatcham, the official scorer. two hearts, a diamond and a club to continued with the ♥A and exited Anyone suggesting this openly lose. What could be done? with a diamond to West’s jack. With would risk a long spell in some dank ‘Play the ten,’ instructed the Sheriff. only diamonds remaining in her hand, dungeon. It had to be admitted, Gisborne looked puzzled. ‘The king Maysie Goult exited with the ♦Q. That however, that Hatcham’s style of dress is led, my Lord,’ he replied. was her intention, anyway, but to her was remarkably smart for someone of ‘Do you think you’re partnering amazement, the queen won the trick. such lowly status. His purple velvet a half-wit?’ demanded the Sheriff. The Sheriff discarded a heart from jacket bore a remarkable resemblance ‘Anyone of my exalted station can dummy and a club from his hand. to one that the Sheriff could no longer recognise a king when he sees one.’ ‘Am I still on lead?’ queried the wear after putting on weight. ‘Of course, my Lord,’ said Gisborne, kitchen maid. Play began at mid-day and this reaching quickly for the ♦10. The Sheriff peered at her disdainfully. board saw the Sheriff facing two wenches from the Castle kitchens:

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

West North East South Maysie Guy of Loula The Goult Gisborne Beecham Sheriff 5♦ Pass Pass 5♠ All Pass

Maysie Goult, whose straw-like hair was badly in need of a comb, led the

Page 12 BRIDGE February 2017 ‘So it would seem,’ he replied. bearded Carl Blayke laid out his This was the first deal of the round. When another diamond was led, dummy. ‘No need to thank me for this the Sheriff threw dummy’s last heart hopeless collection!’ he said, laughing and ruffed in his hand. The remaining at his own joke. Dealer South. N/S Game. tricks were his. What a play he had Lady du Bois was happy with the ♠ 10 9 6 4 made! cards she saw. ‘Your cards could be ♥ K ‘Isn’t it better if you double 5♦, my quite useful, Carl,’ she replied. ♦ K Q J 6 Lord?’ Gisborne queried. ‘With my Lady du Bois ruffed the first trick, ♣ J 6 4 3 king of clubs we would have six top selecting the ♠8 for this purpose. ♠ Q ♠ A 7 3 tricks. That’s four down.’ Her two lower trumps would then ♥ 10 8 6 4 2 N ♥ 9 7 5 W E ♦ 10 9 8 5 3 ♦ 7 4 ‘Be silent!’ cried the Sheriff, causing be available for reaching the dummy S heads to turn at the adjacent tables. later. She drew the defenders’ trumps ♣ 10 2 ♣ K Q 9 7 5 ‘No other player in the kingdom would with the ♠A and led the ♠4 to dummy’s ♠ K J 8 5 2 find my ♦10 play.’ ♠5. ‘Queen of hearts, please,’ she said, ♥ A Q J 3 ‘Er... yes, indeed, my Lord,’ stuttered throwing a diamond loser from her ♦ A 2 Gisborne. He tried to recall the deal. hand. ♣ A 8 What on earth difference had playing Gisborne won with the ♥K and the ♦10 made? switched to a diamond. Lady du ‘If I leave it there, the wench can put Bois won with the ♦A and crossed to West North East South me one down by refusing to win the dummy by overtaking the ♠6 with Guy of Rev. The Rev. trick,’ continued the Sheriff. ‘Not that the ♠7. She discarded her remaining Gisborne Blott Sheriff Plante there’s a chance in a million of her diamond loser on the ♥J and claimed 1♠ finding such a defence.’ the contract. Pass 4♠ Pass 4NT Neither defender had followed a ‘What an appalling lead!’ exclaimed Pass 5♣ Dbl 6♠ word of the Sheriff’s analysis. They the Sheriff. ‘Can you not find a All Pass appreciated their jobs in the warm diamond lead? I have the queen over kitchen, however, particularly during here.’ Gisborne led the ♣10 in response to the winter months. ‘The ten of ‘It makes no difference, my Lord,’ his partner’s lead-directing double of diamonds was a fine play, my Lord,’ Gisborne replied. ‘She would throw 5♣. Loula Beecham exclaimed. clubs instead of diamonds.’ ‘Not much there for a game raise,’ A round or two later, the Sheriff ‘Heaven save me from such exclaimed Reverend Plante. faced Lady Dulcine du Bois, an elegant imbecility!’ exclaimed the Sheriff. ‘If The Sheriff smirked. No indeed and member of court known as a strong you lead either minor, or a trump, what a foolish Blackwood bid by South. player of the cards. This was the deal declarer can’t set up a discard on the Without the lead-directing double of before them: hearts.’ the 5♣ Blackwood response, Gisborne Play had paused at the adjoining would surely have led something else. tables, as the players lapped up every Declarer won with the ♣A and Dealer West. Game All. enjoyable word. Gisborne treated played the ♦A-K-Q, hoping to discard a ♠ 7 5 3 2 everyone below him in surly fashion. club. When the Sheriff ruffed the third ♥ Q J 4 It made a fine spectacle when this diamond with the ♠3, he overruffed ♦ 9 7 3 situation was reversed. and crossed to the ♥K. The♦ J was ♣ 8 6 5 ‘If you intended to defend so feebly, ruffed with the ♠7 and overruffed. The ♠ 9 ♠ J you should have sacrificed in five Chaplain then turned to the heart suit. ♥ A K 10 9 5 2 N ♥ 8 7 6 3 hearts,’ persisted the Sheriff. ‘That’s All followed to the ♥A-Q and two of W E ♦ ♦ K J 2 S Q 10 8 6 only two down.’ dummy’s clubs were thrown. When ♣ K 10 3 ♣ Q J 9 7 Gisborne leaned forward to inspect the last club was ditched on the ♥J, ♠ A K Q 10 8 6 4 the scoresheet. ‘But most players the Sheriff ruffed with the ♠A. ♥ Void went down in 4♠, my Lord,’ he said. Reverend Plante ruffed the club ♦ A 5 4 ‘Conceding 500 would be a near return and played the ♠K, drawing ♣ A 4 2 bottom.’ West’s ♠Q. The slam was home. ‘I’m not surprised they went down ‘Without your double of 5♣, I in 4♠,’ muttered the Sheriff. ‘Do you would have led a diamond,’ Gisborne West North East South think anyone else would make such a observed. Guy of Carl The Lady bone-headed heart lead?’ ‘Obviously,’ retorted the Sheriff. ‘He Gisborne Blayke Sheriff du Bois Play proceeded and on the next gets the club loser away then.’ 1♥ Pass 2♥ 4♠ round, the Sheriff faced the castle ‘But perhaps we would make two All Pass chaplain, Reverend Percy Plante. The trump tricks, my Lord,’ Gisborne con- cleric was popular on account of the tinued. ‘With the ♠A-Q-x-x missing, Gisborne led the ♥A and the black- merciful shortness of his sermons. surely declarer would run the ♠10!’ ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 13 CLUB Julian Pottage Answers your Frequently Asked Questions INSURANCE Every club should be How do you Continue covered and my inclusive package, to suit clubs of up to 300 members for less than after Doubling? £75 per year, is the right package at the right price. f you make a take-out double, most opener bids again, you might raise Contact FIDENTIA for a quote of the time partner will bid a suit. partner with a sound minimum take- Sometimes responder will bid, out double. Again the raise indicates ( 020 3150 0080 Irelieving partner of the obligation to four-card support, so passing suggests [email protected] bid. Sometimes partner will bid no- a minimum and only three-card trumps or, on rare occasions, leave support. your double in for penalties.

1. Partner has to bid Hand 3 Hand 4 ♠ A Q 9 4 ♠ Q 9 4 If partner has to bid and you plan to ♥ K 9 6 3 ♥ K 9 6 3 raise, you should bear in mind that ♦ 4 ♦ 9 4 partner might have no strength. You ♣ K 7 4 3 ♣ A K J 3 should raise to one level lower than you would have done if partner had made For those with Pre-existing health a one-over-one response to an opening You LHO Partner RHO conditions (No Age Limit) bid. A simple raise thus suggests about 1♦ l Travel Insurance with online 15-17 points or a six-loser hand; a jump Dbl Pass 1♠ 2♦ Medical Screening raise indicates about 18-19 points or a ? five-loser hand; to jump all the way to l Cover for medical conditions, game, you need an even better hand. Hand 3 should raise to 2♠; Hand 4, up to a high level of severity, Moreover, any sort of raise indicates with only three spades, should pass – even a terminal prognosis four-card support – remember your do not bid your hand twice. l No age limits take-out double has already implied support for the other suits, so anything 3. With a strong hand l Instant online cover less than four-card support would be a and a suit We fully understand that you may disappointment. wish to speak to us direct about If you doubled initially because your cover and your medical conditions hand was too strong to make a simple and assure you of the best attention Hand 1 Hand 2 suit overcall, you will show your suit by senior staff on a direct phone line ♠ A Q 9 4 ♠ A Q 9 4 on the second round. that does not require you to hold or ♥ K 10 3 ♥ K 10 3 press buttons for departments. ♦ 5 3 ♦ 5 3 ♣ A K 3 2 ♣ A K Q 2 Hand 5 Hand 6 ( ♠ K Q J 8 3 ♠ A K Q 9 4 3 01268 524344 ♥ A Q 6 ♥ A Q 6 We look forward to You LHO Partner RHO ♦ 7 4 ♦ K 4 speaking with you soon 1♦ ♣ A K 3 ♣ K 5 Dbl Pass 1♠ Pass Email: [email protected] ? Website: www.genesischoice.co.uk You LHO Partner RHO Hand 1 should raise to 2♠, Hand 2 to 1♣ Genesis Choice Ltd are an appointed 3♠. Dbl Pass 1♥ Pass representative of NDI Insurance ? and Reinsurance Brokers Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the 2. In Competition Financial Conduct Authority No.446914 Hand 5 should bid 1♠; Hand 6, which In competition, in other words if is a very strong hand with which you

Page 14 BRIDGE February 2017 Julian Pottage Answers your Frequently Asked Questions How do you Continue German after Doubling? Waterways Sails from Newcastle would have opened at the two level, You LHO Partner RHO 14th August 2017 • 9 Nights should jump to 2♠. 1♦ Balmoral • L1718 Remember, you are showing a good Dbl Pass 1♥/♠ Pass hand by bidding a new suit (except 2♦ perhaps if you convert 2♣ to 2♦ after the opponents have opened in a You LHO Partner RHO major) and that partner might have 1♦ nothing. Dbl Pass 1♥/♠ 2♦ Dbl 4. Rebid in no-trumps 6. Partner bids freely If you double and then rebid in no- trumps at the minimum level, you are If partner bids freely (responder showing a hand too strong for a 1NT having bid) or jumps, this is a different overcall. situation altogether. Now you are Newcastle • Cruising Kiel Canal Kiel, Germany • Wismar, Germany entitled to place partner with some Cruising Kiel Canal • Hamburg, values. You should treat a free bid as Germany (two nights overnight Hand 7 showing the same values as a one- on the ship in port) • Cruising ♠ K 10 2 over-one response (6-9) and a jump Elbe River • Cruising Weser River ♥ A K 4 3 N bid the same values as a two-over-one Bremen, Germany (overnight in W E ♦ K Q 4 S response (10-12) and bid accordingly. port on the ship) • Newcastle ♣ A 9 5 7. Partner cue-bids Great value Mr Bridge fares from:

Inside twin room £1,139pp You would double any one level suit Finally, if partner bids opener’s suit, Ocean view twin room £1,329pp opening with this hand and, unless this creates a force (though not a game partner bids hearts, rebid 1NT if you force). You treat this as passing the Ocean view twin room £1,919 for sole occupancy can, 2NT if partner’s reply puts you buck and asking you to bid a suit. The already at the two level. cue bid is forcing to suit agreement. Both of you keep bidding until some- Daily bridge on board, bridge fees 5. With a strong hand one raises (or you reach game). included. Mr Bridge welcome and unable to raise drinks party. Partners for single players. Special solo offers.

If you have a strong hand but do not Hand 9 Balmoral wish to raise, you cue bid opener’s suit ♠ A Q 8 4 ♠ K J 9 3 (if opener passes) or double again (if ♥ Q 8 4 N ♥ K J 10 3 W E opener bids on). ♦ 10 3 S ♦ J 4 2 Typically, these actions deny four- ♣ K Q 8 4 ♣ J 3 card support if partner bids a major.

You LHO Partner RHO To book call Mr Bridge on Hand 8 1♦ 01483 489961 ♠ A Q 2 Dbl Pass 2♦ Pass www.mrbridge.co.uk ♥ A Q 8 N 2♠ Pass 3♠ All Pass W E ♦ 9 5 4 S Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen ♣ A K J 4 If partner held the ♣A instead of the 2016/17 Worldwide brochure ♣J, he would raise to 4♠. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 15 Michael Byrne on Playing with the Odds

Missing the Jack

ften the difference between The full hand might be this: Since East has turned up with three playing a hand the right way hearts and (presumably) seven clubs, and the wrong way can be as we are worried he will be short in Olittle as a small pip card; the humblest ♠ A 7 5 4 trumps, but fortunately the nine in 8 or 9 of trumps can make all the ♥ K 6 3 dummy comes to our rescue. difference to a contract. ♦ Q 2 Cash the king and queen of trumps, This is a normal looking 4♠ contract ♣ A K 6 3 and if everyone follows, you can claim. with no traps: ♠ 8 ♠ J 9 6 2 If, instead, East shows out play a trump ♥ Q J 9 7 N ♥ A 10 8 to the nine, and now it is West who has ♦ 10 4 3 W E ♦ 9 8 7 6 his ♠J-x crushed like a grape in a wine S ♠ A 7 5 4 ♣ 10 8 7 4 2 ♣ Q 9 press. The full hand might be: ♥ K 6 3 ♠ K Q 10 3 ♦ Q 2 ♥ 5 4 2 ♣ A K 6 3 ♦ A K J 5 ♠ A 9 5 4 ♣ J 5 ♥ K 8 6 3 N ♦ Q W E ♣ A 8 6 3 S However, if we change the trump suit ♠ J 8 6 2 ♠ 7 ♠ K Q 10 3 slightly, so too does the right way to ♥ Q J 10 N ♥ A 9 7 ♥ 5 4 2 play the contract change. ♦ 9 8 6 5 2 W E ♦ 7 4 S ♦ A K J 5 ♣ K ♣ Q J 10 9 7 4 2 ♣ J 5 ♠ K Q 10 3 ♠ A 9 5 4 ♥ 5 4 2 ♥ K 8 6 3 ♦ A K J 10 3 You open a weak no-trump as South ♦ Q ♣ 5 and after partner uses Stayman, you ♣ A 8 6 3 reach 4♠. The contract looks easy but the opening lead is the ♥Q and it is not N Of course, if there had been no W E long before the opponents have taken S revealing bidding, then you would the first three tricks. East then switches have to guess which opponent you to a diamond and you win with the ♦Q ♠ K Q 10 3 thought was more likely to have four – how do you play the trump suit? ♥ 5 4 2 trumps, but generally there is a clue If trumps are 3-2 then the contract is ♦ A K J 10 3 from the auction, as bad breaks tend to simple. Can you cope with a 4-1 trump ♣ 5 encourage competitive bidding. break? The presence of the nine of trumps The answer is yes and no – if East means that you can pick up J-x-x-x has four trumps to the jack you can West North East South in either hand, providing you guess pick the jack up, if West has four to the 3♣ Dbl correctly which opponent has it. jack then you can’t. Start by cashing Pass 4♣ Pass 4♠ Let’s try a slightly different suit and the ♠K and then play low to the ♠A. All Pass also make your entries more difficult. If everyone follows you claim the This time the bidding goes 2NT- rest, and if East shows out you must Once more you are greeted with the P-3NT and you see dummy (see next concede one down. However, if West ♥Q lead and the opponents quickly column) is a little threadbare. shows out you are conveniently in wrap up the first three tricks. East You get the ♠J lead to the king and dummy to take a trump finesse, with then switches to the ♣Q and the ace which bumps you up to eight your ♠Q-10 poised like the sword of trick is completed by West’s king and tricks; you need to develop a ninth Damocles over East’s ♠J-x. dummy’s ace. What now? in diamonds. Once more, if the suit

Page 16 BRIDGE February 2017 breaks 3-2 you are home and dry, so look deeper into the hand, you pay you worry about what can be done if close attention to the diamond spots. the suit breaks badly.

♠ 5 4 3 ♠ 6 5 4 ♥ 7 6 5 ♥ 9 8 6 ♦ A K 8 4 ♦ A 7 5 4 ♣ 5 3 2 Canaries ♣ 7 6 4 Chirstmas & N W E N Funchal Fireworks S W E S Sails from Southampton ♠ K 2 21st December 2017 • 16 Nights ♠ A Q 3 ♥ A 4 3 Balmoral • L1728 ♥ A K 2 ♦ Q 9 7 3 2 ♦ K Q 9 6 ♣ A K Q ♣ A 9 5

The correct play is to cash the ♦K and Holding nine diamonds, it is true that then play a low one to the ♦A. If one if the suit is 2-2 or 3-1 you have five hand has ♦J-10-x-x then you will go tricks, but what if they are 4-0? down since you can’t pick it up, but if The important thing to appreciate West has a singleton jack or ten, then is that if East has the four missing when he shows out on the second diamonds (♦J-10-6-5) then you can’t round, you can finesse against East’s do anything and will have to lose a four-card holding headed by the other trick in the suit. If, instead, West has Southampton • La Coruna, honour. The full hand might be: the four diamonds then they can be Spain • Arrecife, Lanzarote picked up, but only if you cash the Las Palmas, Gran Canaria queen of diamonds first. When East Santa Cruz, Tenerife (Overnight) ♠ 6 5 4 shows out you can play low to the Funchal, Madeira (Overnight) ♥ 9 8 6 ♦A-K-8, West will probably split his Lisbon, Portugal (Overnight) ♦ A 7 5 4 honours, so now you come back to Southampton ♣ 7 6 4 the ♣Q and finesse in diamonds once ♠ J 10 9 8 2 ♠ K 7 more. The full hand might be this: Great value Mr Bridge fares from: ♥ Q 10 3 N ♥ J 7 5 4 Interior twin room £1,999pp ♦ J W E ♦ 10 8 3 2 S Ocean view twin room £2,299pp ♣ K J 3 2 ♣ Q 10 8 ♠ 5 4 3 ♠ A Q 3 ♥ 7 6 5 Interior twin room for £3,224 sole occupancy ♥ A K 2 ♦ A K 8 4 ♦ K Q 9 6 ♣ 5 3 2 ♣ A 9 5 ♠ Q J 10 8 7 ♠ A 9 6 Daily bridge on board, bridge fees ♥ K 2 N ♥ Q J 10 9 8 included. Mr Bridge welcome drinks party. Partners for single ♦ J 10 6 5 W E ♦ Void S players. Special solo offers. Note that you must cash a top diamond ♣ 9 4 ♣ J 10 8 7 6 ♠ when you are in hand before you cross K 2 Balmoral to dummy, because if you end up in ♥ A 4 3 your hand after cashing two rounds, ♦ Q 9 7 3 2 you can’t get back to dummy to take ♣ A K Q the finesse. Now the final suit we will look at seems to defy the logic we have seen Note that even if the auction implied so far, but thinking about it critically that East was the one with diamond To book call Mr Bridge on it makes perfect sense. length, we should still start by cashing 01483 489961 How would you play this contract of the ♦Q, because we can do nothing www.mrbridge.co.uk 3NT after the ♠Q lead to your king? to stop East making a diamond trick ♦ The contract looks very easy; assum- if he has J-10-6-5. If West has that Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen ing things break well you have ten top holding, he is doomed providing we 2016/17 Worldwide brochure tricks. However, trained as you are to play the suit correctly. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 17 Julian Pottage Answers your Bridge Questions

What are the Best opening Leads?

Although I have 4. A trump lead when the I have bid? using a wriggle? played duplicate bidding suggests the In the event I passed, Nick Goulder, Qbridge for many opponents have a 5-3 fit. East bid 2♦, South and Alresford, Hampshire. a year, I still find a 5. Against a suit contract, West both passed. What difficult part of the game a doubleton in a side should I have bid then? If the opponents is the opening lead. suit, particularly when I actually doubled for double your weak Please could you revisit holding a trump entry. take-out, but partner A 1NT, it is usual to the techniques for this Leads generally to avoid: passed thinking it was have a way to show single- defensive play, as it is 1. Against a suit contract, a penalty double so suited and two-suited hands. the first shot at defeating suits with the ace disaster all round. West One commonly played declarer’s contract but not the king. had a weak hand with variation is that redouble and you often seem to 2. Short suit leads against a six diamonds. What shows a five-card suit be leading ‘blind’? suit contract when short would you have expected somewhere while suit Philip Watson by email. in trumps or with trumps my double to mean? bids show the suit bid and that would make anyway. Mike Fairclough, Wirral. a higher suit. After the Attractive opening 3. A singleton trump lead. redouble, opener bids leads are generally 4. Suits the opponents With your hand, I 2♣ and then responder A as follows: have bid strongly. would have doubled either passes (with clubs) 1. Partner’s suit. 5. A broken suit that partner A 2♣ and doubled or shows some other suit. If 2. An ace-king combination. has failed to support again when the opponents responder bids a suit initially, 3. Other sequential despite holding values. subsided in 2♦. While the opener can pass with some honour combinations. initial double might show sort of fit or move to the 4. Against a no-trump ♣♦♥♠ a weaker hand with clubs, next suit up knowing that contract, a decent five- doubling twice makes it clear responder has another suit. card or longer suit. Sitting North, that you have a strong hand. If you are of a gambling 5. Against a suit contract, I picked up the On your actual sequence, nature, you can play that a singleton in a side Qfollowing hand your partner should have a pass from responder suit, particularly an with 19 points in it. worked out that the double forces opener to redouble. unbid suit or if you of 2♦ was for take-out. If you This way, responder has have a trump entry. had six tricks in your hand an extra way to get to two 6. Against a suit contract, ♠ A Q 7 5 with diamonds as trumps, of a suit, which makes it when holding strength ♥ K Q 5 you would have overcalled possible to add definition to in declarer’s side ♦ K 3 2♦ on the previous round. the two-suited hands. You suit, a trump lead. ♣ K Q 5 4 could, for example, play Slightly less attractive ♣♦♥♠ that pass followed (after opening leads include: opener’s forced redouble) 1. An interior sequence. East was the dealer When faced with by a suit says the second 2. A long weak suit. and opened 1NT (12- a weak hand suit is spades, while bidding 3. Against a suit contract, 14), South passed and Qand a double a suit directly after 1NT a broken suit not West bid 2♣ Stayman. of partner’s opening doubled says the other suit headed by the ace. What should 1NT, is it always worth is not spades. I do not think

Page 18 BRIDGE February 2017 the compulsory redouble ambiguity of the multi is Playing four-suit transfers is regardless. For one thing, by opener is sound (and so that responder cannot quite common in conjunction if both contracts make, the do not play it with anyone), increase the pre-empt with a strong 1NT opening major scores more. For because often responder has without support for both because the positional another, going back to the something like a 4333 six- majors and sometimes has to advantage of having the 1NT major makes it harder for count that it is quite happy to guess what to lead. Another opener declare is higher the the opponents to compete. be dummy in 1NT doubled, downside to the multi is that stronger the opener is. If At teams, I suppose you but not in 1NT redoubled. the opponent in second you do that, you will need to might pass the minor with seat can choose whether to use Stayman on hands that a lower strength hand (6 ♣♦♥♠ compete immediately or after wish to invite 3NT even if HCP) to keep the bidding opener’s suit has become you lack a four-card major. low, especially if you are An article in known. The fact that you If you wish to retain a vulnerable. You are a bit BRIDGE pointed can get to rebid 2NT/3NT natural 2NT, you could play less unlikely to pass after Qout the benefits either via a 1♣ opening or the 2♠ response as asking 1♥-1NT-2♦ than after 1♠- of playing weak and a multi 2♦ opening gives opener to bid 3♣ but not 1NT-2♣ because going strong twos. The method you very similar options promising clubs. Responder back to the higher suit to which was suggested to to Benjamin for showing then passes 3♣ (when weak keep the opponents quiet is achieve this was to play various strong point counts. with clubs) or corrects to 3♦ not a factor when partner’s Benjaminised Acol. (when weak with diamonds). suits are touching. We are trying a ♣♦♥♠ 2. Only in the Culbertson Often the situation you similar approach. We system, which was popular postulate will not arise are playing precision 1) Over 1NT, my from the 1930s through because you will have club and multi coloured wife and I play to the 1950s, are all two- already raised the major. two diamonds. Qtransfers (2♦, level openings game Generally, I would only Please compare and 2♥, 2♠ calling for the forcing. In Acol and in most respond 1NT to 1♥ or 1♠ contrast the methods suit above to be bid, contemporary systems, only when holding three-card and give your views? 2♣ being Stayman) and the system strong bid, 2♣ support if the shape is 4333 Alex Mathers, Northallerton. have always used 3♣ (or 2♦ playing Benjamin) or the hand is no-trump or 3♦ as a weak take- creates a game force (when orientated (a lot of queens Some people like out. Could you please not followed by a 2NT rebid). and jacks). You might playing a strong club clarify what are the 3. After an opening bid respond 1♠ to 1♥ of course A system while others correct bids for transfers and a two-level change of with four or five spades do not. If you play a strong after a 1NT opening? suit response, it is usual despite holding three hearts. club system and are happy 2) We have always bid these days to play that a While it is true that a 4-4 with it, then I would not on the basis that after lower suit by opener (eg fit can play better than a 5-3 want to suggest changing. a two level suit opening 1♥-2♣-2♦) creates a one- fit – even if the suit breaks When I was a junior, I bid, the partnership round force while a higher 4-1, you can take a ruff or played strong club systems, needs to bid on until suit, a reverse (eg 1♥-2♣- two without losing control precision and blue club, game is reached. 2♠), creates a game force. – this is unlikely to be the with most of my partners. 3) Also when one main factor in the particular I only changed because partner changes the suit ♣♦♥♠ circumstances you describe. my partners wanted to. at the two level or above, It is important when their partner needs to Please could you ♣♦♥♠ playing a strong club bid once more. Is this advise me on system that you have clear correct or if not what Qthe following: I was playing in and effective agreements are the rules please? my partner opens the a 3NT contract about what to do when the David and Lorraine Mason bidding with a major Qand had to opponents come in over your by email. suit and rebids in a tackle the diamonds 1♣ opening. If the opponents minor suit (eg 1♠ then for no loss with ♦Q-8-5 do not come in, a strong 1. Playing 2♠ as a 2♣) and I have a point in dummy and ♦A-J-9- club system is superior. transfer to clubs, as count of, say, 6-8 HCP. 6-4 in hand. I finessed The multi 2♦ increases the A well as 3♣ to show a On balance, what are the the jack and then re- chance that the responding weak hand with clubs, does pros and cons on going entered dummy to run hand will become declarer not sound entirely efficient. for a 5/3 fit or a 4/4 fit? the queen hoping to pin (generally a good idea) and If you really like transfers, W B Coffey, Birmingham. the doubleton ♦10 in might enable you to cater for you could play 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ the West hand, but East some awkward strong hands and 2NT all as transfers, Playing matchpoints, had ♦K-10-2. How would (4441 shapes perhaps). with 2♠ showing clubs and you are going to go you have played it? One downside to the 2NT showing diamonds. A back to the major Martin Epstein by email.

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 19 Since you have the stand to gain 8 IMPs when a doubleton heart. You You ask an spot cards to pick you are right compensates might try 3♦, I suppose. interesting question. A up not just K-10-x for the occasional time Partner would then bid 3♥, A When playing but also K-10-x-x onside, I when your sacrifice turns which you might raise. five-card majors and a would recommend taking out to be a phantom. 4♥ seems a reasonable strong no-trump, it is usual two finesses, starting with The best sacrifices of contract. You would expect for responder to have a the queen. By running all are those that push the to make it on a non-spade conventional way to show the queen and then the opponents into a failing lead. On a spade lead game invitational hands eight, you will succeed contract. This is most likely I can see the problem. after a 1NT rebid. For roughly 25% of the time. to happen if you bid as high You win, cash the two some, this is checkback; I If the spot cards were as you are willing to go, top hearts (presumably usually play a convention weaker (Q-8-2 facing A-J-9- before the opponents know finding the opener with a known as XYZ. In either 4-3) it would be a three-way too much about their hands. small singleton) and play a case, responder’s failure to guess whether to play for If the bidding starts (1♠)- diamond to the king. You are use this convention means K-x, K-10-x or K-x-x onside. 2♣-(2♥)-5♣, the opponents then in the wrong hand for that a simple repeat of the will feel under pressure to playing a second diamond suit at the two level (2♥) ♣♦♥♠ bid on if either has support towards dummy. If you give is weak, the lack of an for the other’s major. up a club, the opponents immediate weak jump shift How do you can play a second spade, notwithstanding. Responder judge whether ♣♦♥♠ giving them a spade to might have a good five-card Qa sacrifice cash when in with the ♦A. suit (and perhaps a singleton is worthwhile? Is At pairs, on the side) or have four there a set of criteria dealer (East) ♣♦♥♠ cards in the other major, we can follow? Qopened 3♣ – hence unsuitability for an Ann O’Reilly by email. standard pre-empt. Playing five- immediate weak jump shift. Partner (South) card majors, Whether a jump (3♥) A sacrifice is usually overcalled 3♥ and I Q15-17 no-trump should be invitational only worthwhile went on to game. and weak jump shifts, or forcing is debatable, A if (i) the opposing how should we bid? perhaps a matter for contract would have made partnership agreement. It (ii) the penalty you concede ♠ A K 3 sounds invitational since a is less than the value of their ♥ K 5 ♠ A J 5 forcing hand could surely contract and (iii) the field ♦ K Q 8 5 3 ♥ K 8 go via checkback, though I or the other table has bid ♣ 9 3 2 ♦ K 10 7 5 would not risk passing it if and made the contract. ♣ K 10 6 4 my partner and I had not N If you can build in a W E discussed the sequence. S N safety margin, this helps W E a lot. If you get out for ♠ 8 5 4 S ♣♦♥♠ -100 when saving against ♥ A J 8 7 6 3 2 ♠ K 2 a game, you are still ♦ 9 4 ♥ A Q 9 7 6 4 3 Standard beating pairs who have ♣ J ♦ Q J 8 American, conceded a partscore. ♣ A QStandard Acol, If you can get out for -300 Benji Acol, Acol with (or -500 if the opponents Partner had a problem three weak twos or Acol are vulnerable) when saving developing the diamonds North South with five card majors. against a slam, you are and went one off. Were 1♦ 1♥ Statistically, which of beating the pairs whose we just unlucky or is 1NT 4♥ the above is best / opponents stopped in game. this bad pairs tactics? Pass poorest for improvers At teams (or rubber Michael Hunt by email. to concentrate on? bridge), you aim for a safety North thought that, Joan Bronkhurst by email. margin in a different way Usual practice is after 1NT, South should because you have at most that you need a have bid 3♥ forcing. You ask a tricky one other table to consider. A good hand to bid South said that question. Possibly the You might save against over an opposing weak 3♥ was not forcing, A sensible thing to do a vulnerable game if you hand. Partner should not only invitational. is to visit some clubs in your expect to get out for -300 or really have overcalled 3♥. If How strong do you area and see what methods against a vulnerable slam partner did pass, you would think a 2♥ and a 3♥ are in use. Most players will if you expect to get out for face a ticklish problem. You rebid should be? not take part in tournaments, -1,100. The fact that you cannot really double with Huw Jones, Swansea. so what happens at club

Page 20 BRIDGE February 2017 level is the best guide. for a one level suit opening means denying three-card is to bid a three-card suit if In most parts of the UK, to get passed out these days. support. In short, you are most of your values are in Benji is more common A more complicated looking for a 3-2-4-4 shape that suit – at least you will get than Acol with a weak alternative to Benjamin is with stoppers in all the suits. partner off to a reasonable 2♦. I suspect that playing the multi. Weak hands with This is not going to come lead if you do not end up Acol with five-card a long major (and some up very often – and when it playing the hand yourself. majors is also a minority strong hands) open 2♦. This does you will come to little Whatever you do, it is best option in most places. leaves 2♥ and 2♠ openings harm starting with 2♣. to act confidently so that the Standard American as free for whatever use you opponents do not double! will increase the options prefer, natural and strong ♣♦♥♠ for playing online, but if you like. You should be ♣♦♥♠ might not be so good able to find something on What do I do for local club bridge. the Multi in the Mr Bridge in fourth seat I am responder library if this interests you. Qafter (1♦)-Dbl- with this hand. ♣♦♥♠ (Pass), when I have QThe bidding ♣♦♥♠ four plus diamonds and goes 1♦ – 1♠ – 2♥ – ? Bernard no major? Does 2NT suggests playing My partner promise 8-10 HCP and Qweak twos and I came to 1NT 0-7 HCP or is it best ♠ Q 4 3 2 in the majors. OK. Qgrief over a to pass with a bust, and ♥ J 5 2 I play 2♣ as 23+ and misunderstanding of use 1NT for 5-7 HCP? ♦ 6 2NT as 20-22. What if her bidding 2NT over Geoff Simpson, ♣ K 7 6 3 2 I have strong spades or my suit opening. Could Torphins, Aberdeenshire. hearts, ie 19-20 points. you please give us your I do not like the idea opinion on what I should This is a tough Partner’s rebid is a of opening 2♦. What is a expect her to hold, when one. Although the reverse, so forcing. I good alternative please? she bids 2NT over a A generally accepted am too weak to bid a Vibeke Englander by email. five-card 1♥ opening? principle is that one should new suit at the three We know the point not lie about a major – here level. A rebid of 2NT Playing either count should be 10-12 meaning you do not bid a looks like the least bad Benjamin or reverse HCP for a response of three-card major – bidding option, even though I A Benjamin, 2♣ 2NT after a partner’s 2♣ on a three-card suit is only have 6 HCP instead and 2♦ openings are both suit opening, but should unattractive too, because of 10-12 HCP and an artificial. With standard she have some sort of these days the take-out unbalanced hand. Benjamin, 2♣ shows near stopper in the three doubler might not have Anticipating opener’s game hands (those that unbid suits? Does it support for the unbid minor. possible rebid, with would open a natural strong also mean she has Leaving 1♦ doubled in a hand like this, two) while 2♦ shows game little or no support in will get you a bad score if it should I respond forcing hands. With reverse the suit opened? makes, so you will only do 1NT instead of 1♠? Benjamin, which is what you I would be grateful that if you think you have Terry Gregory by email. seem to be asking about, for your comments. a reasonable chance of a 2♣ opening is the same Pamela Hayton, Midhurst. defeating it. You might do so In standard Acol, the as in Acol while 2♦ includes a bit more readily if 1♦ did 2NT rebid is non- the eight plus playing If you play a not promise four diamonds A forcing and hence, trick hands. In reply to the 2NT response as (as would be the case if after a reverse, shows a Benjamin 2♣ or reverse A natural (not my the opponents are playing minimum responding hand Benjamin 2♦, responder recommendation – Jacoby precision or ‘better minor’) with a stopper in the unbid bids the next suit up on is much better) then yes it because then opener might suit. This seems a reasonable most hands, leaving opener should show some sort of retreat from 1♦ doubled. description of your hand. space to continue naturally. stopper in the other suits. While it is nice to have As responder with a four- While, in the UK, we are With a suit wide open, it is eight points or so to bid 1NT, card spade suit, you show used to having a specific better to start with a suit sometimes the best option is that rather than responding way to show the near game response. With a four-card to bid it with six or seven, but 1NT. Finding a 4-4 spade fit hands, much of the world spade suit, showing that is no fewer. Another possibility if there is one is important. ■ manages without. You could better too. It is also normal play 2♦ as a weak two as for a natural 2NT response well. Most hands that would to deny support for the E-mail your questions (including your postal address) open an Acol two, you open suit opened, which when for Julian to: [email protected] at the one level. It is fairly rare playing five-card majors

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 21 DUPLICATE A History of Playing Cards: Part Two by Paul Bostock BRIDGE RULES SIMPLIFIED (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) The Origins of Playing Cards

by John Rumbelow only and revised by £595 David Stevenson Earliest Records

Available from Mr Bridge Questions are frequently asked about the origins of playing cards, such as, ‘When ( 01483 489961 did playing cards begin?’ or ‘Who invented playing cards?’ or ‘Where did playing www.mrbridge.co.uk cards originate?’ These are questions of great importance to the subject and I am therefore pleased to be able to answer definitively, although the truth is quite embarrassing – no-one knows. REDUCE THE COST Let’s begin with what we do know. In several European countries – Spain, Italy, France and Germany – the evidence is that playing cards were in use by around OF YOUR POSTAGE 1377. Before this time, there is no mention of cards in places where we might expect (alongside other gaming laws for dice, for example) and there is also no mention of cards in the down-to-earth tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer. From 1377, documents do mention playing cards – typically regulating their use. As for what we do not know, there is speculation that cards arrived from China (purely because it is possible, with some credibility because they had paper before Europe). However, there are no surviving Chinese cards from before 1400 and their cards are quite different. It is also possible that they came from near Persia (now Iran). Here we do find cards a little like the European ones. However, once we bring trading routes into the argument, it is also possible that the idea spread Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, through Europe by itself. A personal view is that their popularity grew quite all mint with full gum. Quotations for commercial quantities available on request. explosively, like any new ‘craze’, which is why they are found in quite faraway Values supplied in 100s, higher values places at almost the same time. available as well as 1st and 2nd class. (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] Earliest Surviving Cards

Playing cards tend not to survive. Early cards had plain backs, and this is unfortu- nate for their longevity – if one card gains any mark or smudge on the back, it can be identified and the deck cannot be used, especially if playing for money. Many PLUS 12 of the packs that Q were once kept l Help and Hint buttons have since been lost, or ruined by l Displays on HD and large screens moisture. Only l Comprehensive manual a few very old l Feed in your own deals packs have sur- l Minibridge option vived from the l 5,000 preplayed 1400s, such as hands for teams those shown on £99 the right. The and 4,000 pre- including post played hands for and packing horseman is from matchpoint pairs the Ambras Court hunting pack of Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 around 1460. Am- www.mrbridge.co.uk bras Palace near Innsbruck was

Page 22 BRIDGE February 2017 A History of Playing Cards: Part Two by Paul Bostock luxury bridge mat Just £24.99 plus £4.99 p & p The Origins of Playing Cards

home to Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, great-grandson of Emperor Maximilian I. Incredibly, 54 of the original 56 cards remain, now in the art history museum in Vienna. The illustration is from the excellent reproduction by Piatnik of Vienna made in 1995. The style suggests that these cards were handmade as a gift for the Court – the lavish production would not be typical of those used in play. The Card on the right is from Toledo, Spain, and the date 1574 appears on one of the cards. The illustration is again a reproduction, this one by Comas as made in 1998. This is more typical of standard gaming cards – although the originals would have had square not rounded corners.

The English Standard

It is likely that the Thick woven surface makes first playing cards an ideal playing surface and used in Britain protects your table. were imported Very popular with Bridge from France. Our Clubs. 78cms wide so it fits standard English a standard 80cms card table pattern evolved from cards made Padded table bag. in Rouen, and our £39.00 + £4.99 p&p suits (clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades) are correctly re- ferred to as the French suit system. The Jack of Dia- monds, illustrated, is French and dates from around 1600. Card-makers were active in London around this time and they formed a company in 1628 with the express aim of countering imports. This com- Large enough to take a standard pany became the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards, a City of Lon- 80cms bridge table. Made from don Livery Company, which continues to flourish in the present day. tough nylon with carrying straps The King of Spades shown is English, probably from around 1730. The cards and Velcro fixing. Ideal for shown were made with wooden blocks to stamp the outlines and stencils to aid the storing or carrying your table. painting of colours. This continued to be the norm until the 1830s, when Thomas De La Rue brought in modern lithographic printing and card making began to Order online or by phone move from small artisan workshops into large industrial factories. This, and the www.designsforbridge.co.uk changes in card design that followed, will be the subject of another article. ■ 01483 270 100

The author is a Court Assistant in the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing SR Designs for Bridge Unit A1, Send Business Park, Cards – see www.makersofplayingcards.co.uk. Many more sets of cards are Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF illustrated on the author’s website www.plainbacks.com

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 23 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 58: The Alternative No-Trump

t is difficult to imagine that a few trump support, I decided on a simple hesitated before making the final years ago, Spouse abandoned approach, namely RKCB. When double. Spouse asked the other players classes and vowed he would never Millie confirmed just one key card by at the table and Kate and Wally both Iplay bridge again. Now he is addicted responding five diamonds, I thought confirmed that Jo had not bid in to the game, but unlike me he spends that it was probably the club ace and tempo. Jo recognised that this was most of his spare time studying not bid the slam in spades. Suddenly I probably the case. Spouse explained only the Red Book Laws of Duplicate realised that she might have held the that it was possible that unauthorised Bridge, but also the EBU Blue and ace of spades and a void club, and cue information had been exchanged White Books. He even logs into bidding would have been a superior between North and South. He asked for internet forums to discuss offbeat line to investigate a possible grand. the hand to be played and asked Kate aspects of the game. It was duplicate not to use any information she might pairs at the Riverside and Spouse West North East South have gathered from the hesitation was once again acting tournament Wendy Millie during the defence. He announced he director, a position he seems to relish. Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♠ would return at the end of the board to He efficiently organised the movement Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ make a final adjudication, if required. ensuring a prompt start and Millie Pass 4NT2 Pass 5♦3 Jo led the heart king and when dummy and I set forth for battle on the first Pass 6♠ All Pass went down she, Kate and declarer were board. 1Artificial 25+OP 2RKCB 31 or 4 key cards all amazed at what they saw. When Sam recovered from the shock, he However, all was well. West led a small thanked his partner, but with no real Dealer West. E/W Vul. diamond, won by Millie who removed enthusiasm. In all declarer made four ♠ K Q J 10 4 trumps and brought home the tricks, namely the ace of spades, the ♥ A 10 contract for plus 980 and a reasonable last heart, a club ruff and a spade ruff. ♦ A Q score, although six no-trumps would The contract failed by four doubled ♣ K J 6 4 have been even better. When Kate undertricks resulting in 1,100 to ♠ 9 ♠ A 5 and Jo played the board later against North-South. Sam was not impressed ♥ 8 6 4 3 N ♥ 9 7 5 2 Wally and Sam, the bidding was by his partner’s opener and suggested W E ♦ ♦ 10 8 6 5 S 9 4 3 2 quite dramatic. Wally, West, opened kindly enough that he wasn’t just an ♣ 9 5 3 2 ♣ 10 8 7 one no-trump (yes, one no-trump) idiot but a champion idiot. At Kate’s ♠ 8 7 6 3 2 announced by his partner, Sam, as request, Spouse arrived to record the ♥ K Q J 12-14. With her 20 HCP hand, Kate psyche. Sam wisely refrained from ♦ K J 7 doubled and Sam bid two diamonds taking any further action over Jo’s ♣ A Q announced by Wally as non-forcing hesitation. with at least four diamonds and four In the bar later, Spouse told us that cards in at least one major. After a there were several psyches recorded West and East passed throughout. moment for thought, Jo doubled and each season in the early years of the With a twenty count and five losers, I, the auction ended. club, but recently psyching had become North, opened an artificial Benjamin- less popular and in most seasons there style two clubs, a strong hand showing West North East South were no entries at all. He also noted at least 25 Opening Points or a Wally Kate Sam Jo that there were no previous mentions no-trump hand of 21-22 HCP. Millie 1NT Dbl 2♦1 Dbl of either Wally or Sam. Kate and Jo bid a positive two spades showing All Pass seemed unfazed by the statistics and at least five cards in that suit. I went 1At least four diamonds and at least one indeed the incident as a whole, after three spades and Millie cue bid four four card major all it worked in their favour and gave clubs to suggest a slam going hand. I them a top. As Millie noted with some was sure that further cue bids would At this point Sam called the TD and accuracy, ‘Wally by name, Wally by be more rewarding, but as I had a Spouse duly arrived at the table. Sam nature.’ Of course, that does not apply flattish distribution and fantastic explained that he thought Jo had to all Walters. ■

Page 24 BRIDGE February 2017 A Blast From the Past by Shireen Mohandes Autobridge

friend recently offered to lend me his Autobridge. I playing machine. For certain, he would have approached said, ‘Oh yes, I remember the small book-sized grey Ely Culbertson. Culbertson was a brilliant businessman, metallic thing, yes, my parents had one.’ ‘No,’ he and no doubt would have leapt on any such idea. The earliest Areplied, ‘it’s big, wooden and from the 1930s, I think.’ Well, mention of it in print I have seen is in 1937, so it was probably as you might well imagine, that caught my attention. I would designed a little earlier, and the period of manufacturing be delighted to share what I have learned about it with you. would have taken at least a few months. Let’s go back to 1937. American patent 2,096,672 lists Jack Autobridge was manufactured in many countries, using Goodson, from London, as the inventor. Yet the British one various materials for the base, including Textolite. Textolite I am looking at in my office bears the inscription ‘British was a laminate manufactured by General Electric. How Letters Patent No 453,406’. The helpful staff at the UK exciting it must have been to be able to get your hands on Intellectual Property Office don’t have that number as the a solo bridge playing mechanical device, manufactured in design of a patent. What is going on? such an appealing way. It is no surprise for me to see an advertisement in LIFE The instructions and commentary were provided by well- magazine, 1939, which asserts Ely Culbertson to be the known authors from around the world. You are informed producer of Autobridge. Curiously the actual ad is for that your phantom partner and opponents are great experts ‘Bromo-Seltzer’ a headache cure. A few more hours of of the game, such as Ely and Josephine Culbertson, P Hal research on the internet led me to find Jack Goodson’s great Sims, Waldemar K von Zedwitz, Alphonse Moyse, Charles nephew, Scott. Goren and Alfred Sheinwold. I am slowly piecing together the information. It seems The instructions (pictured overleaf) are clear and detailed. that Goodson invented a number of things, including an I like the final statement in capital letters, warning you not early type of gramophone record. Probably around the mid to place more than one deal sheet in the playing board at any 1930s, when so many people were learning and playing one time. What is the worst thing that could happen to me if bridge in London, he put his mind to inventing a bridge- I did that?

From Scott Goodson: In the 1880s, Clara De Groot and Solomon Goudeket – a diamond merchant – moved from their native Amsterdam to London, settling in the east of the city, and changing their name to the English Goodson. The couple had 11 children including Alfred, Ellis, Bessie, Harry, Jack, and my grandfather Joseph. Jack (pictured) was the founder of Autobridge, and in the 1920s Joseph and Jack also set up the Goodson Record Company of London and Montreal. This firm was one of the pioneers of the flat plastic record that we know today, superseding the old cylindrical format. Jack was based in London, but Joseph had emigrated to Montreal where he opened a publishing company, Victoria Press. Harry became an agent representing entertainers as diverse as Houdini and Johnny Cash. My father, also named Jack, was born in 1920. After one year at New York University he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force, moving to the Canadian airbase in Bournemouth, England, where he spent the war. His cousins – the three sons of Joseph’s brothers – were all RAF Spitfire pilots and all were sadly killed when their respective planes were shot down as they defended London from the Luftwaffe. After the war, Dad returned to Canada where he married my mother Sylvia. They raised four children: Anna, Joelly, Tracy and me. He took over the family firm Victoria Press, in addition to helping build the Hilton Hotel brand. He was also instrumental in the marketing of Montreal’s Expo 1963, using this knowledge to help the Japanese market their Expo 1970 in Osaka. I started the world’s first movement marketing firm, StrawberryFrog, which is based in New York City. I live just outside Manhattan with my Swedish wife, Karin, and our two sons, Jacoby and Ellis.

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 25 West North East South Pass 4♥ Dbl1 The top image shows Autobridge as though you were about Pass 4♠ Pass Pass to bid and play the first deal. The second shows the slip of 5♥2 Pass Pass Dbl paper that you place under the cover, taking care not to All pass 1Take-out sneak a look at it. 2 Not willing to give in, and even being defeated by 3 tricks is a good In the featured deal, we see some interesting, albeit save for 500. Perhaps we can push them up a bit. outdated and faulty analysis by Dr Paul Stern from Austria. Before you continue reading, take a look at the close up image of his analysis of the deal. The deal is from 1939 or early 40s. The Autobridge sheet describes the hand as being played by Rudolf Kock, from Sweden, a European Champion in 1939. Dr Paul Stern (1892-1948) was captain of the Austrian World Champion team, and a former winner of that championship in 1932 and 1933. His protégé, (Erika) Rixi Scharfstein, known to us as Rixi Markus, described him as ‘perhaps the greatest coach who ever lived’.

Dealer North. N/S Vul. Teams ♠ A 10 5 3 ♥ 8 5 3 ♦ 4 3 2 ♣ 10 5 3 ♠ Q 9 8 ♠ 6 4 ♥ J 9 N ♥ A K Q 10 7 6 4 2 W E ♦ ♦ A J 9 8 6 S 5 ♣ Q J 7 ♣ 6 2 ♠ K J 7 2 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 10 7 ♣ A K 9 8 4

It is hard to criticise Stern’s comment on the bidding. Not only is 4♠ by South an overbid, but it is also an extremely scary bid. The modern day auction would take a different course:

Page 26 BRIDGE February 2017 The ♥4 opening does pose a problem for South. Nowadays most players play double for take-out, even at the four-level. ♠ A 5 Others prefer to bid 4NT (but that is especially wasteful if ♥ 8 the best contract for North-South is 4♠). ♦ 4 3 2 Let’s look at Paul Stern’s Comments on Play. ‘The basic ♣ 10 plan is good: aim to score two heart ruffs in hand, along with ♠ Q ♠ — ♥ — N ♥ K Q 10 7 6 4 four clubs, one top diamond, and four trumps in dummy, W E bringing the tally to 11.’ ♦ A J 9 8 6 S ♦ 5 Look at the digits under the South hand to follow the details ♣ Q ♣ — of the play. So, for example, at trick four, South leads the ♠K. ♠ — Now consider a better sequence of plays. ♥ — At trick one, the player sitting East should be as helpful ♦ K Q 10 7 as possible and play the ♥A. This is a strong suit preference ♣ K 9 8 signal for diamonds. Whichever defender gets in next can play on diamonds to set the contract straight away. Are we expecting too much of Stern? Suit preference signals There is no entry to dummy to draw West’s outstanding were invented by Hy Lavinthal in 1934 (much publicised trump. Of course, a club can be ruffed, but that is giving up by William E. McKenney) but they were far from being in an established club. With the diamonds stacked on the left, common use in that era. there will be two diamond losers (as long as West is careful Stern was perhaps suggesting that West thought that South to duck the first diamond) to go with the already conceded had five spades for his overcall, and might play spades off the early club trick. top. Thus, there would be three defensive tricks coming in a So can the contract be made when East holds the actual few minutes. Even if the defence are a bit snoozy at tricks one hand? and two, as long as they don’t play hearts at trick three, the The best line is to play along the same approximate lines contract will go down. as the Stern line, but timing it better, so that the club is lost Let’s say a club is returned. Declarer wins, plays a spade to afterEast is exhausted of trumps, in other words – neutralise the ten (finessing West for the ♠Q), ruffs a heart with the ♠J, the defensive ruff threat. and plays the ♠K. These are the remaining cards: So, returning to trick one: win the heart by ruffing in hand. Immediately take a spade finesse, then ruff a heart. Now cash the ♠K (leaving one trump outstanding). Play ♣A-K and another club.

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

West is on lead. Any card results in declarer getting five tricks. If West plays a trump, then that provides declarer with the entry to draw trumps. Alternatively, ace and another diamond gives declarer an extra trick and means South can just play winners. Whenever West ruffs, overruff. The point is that West is endplayed to concede two tricks in diamonds, or to complete the drawing of trumps. So although with this ending declarer spends a winner, so to speak, to draw trumps, the endplay generated gives an extra trick to compensate. It is very easy to buy a second hand Autobridge, for example, from eBay. For less than a tenner, you’ll be

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 27 2189 Mr Bridge FULL page 170915BR_Layout 1 05/12/2016 15:16 Page 1

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10093 Mr Bridge fares are per person and subject to availability at time of booking. They may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please see website for full terms and conditions. ABTA No.Y2206 †Single accommodation is available only in certain categories and is subject to availability. guaranteed some entertainment, and you don’t even need electricity or an Answers to Bernard Magee’s internet connection. Bidding Quizzes 1-3

Paul Stern (1892-1948) was an Austrian international on the Cover bridge player, lawyer and diplomat, who fled to London in 1938. He was a bidding theorist and admin- istrator who contributed to the early Both these bids show the same growth of the game. He founded 1. Dealer East. Love All. strength: 6-9 points. So it is just a the Austrian Bridge Federation in ♠ A K 8 7 ♠ 2 question of choosing the call which best 1929 and was its first president. ♥ 9 7 4 N ♥ A K 3 suits the hand. Would you prefer to play ♦ J 9 3 2 W E ♦ Q 10 6 4 with spades as trumps or in 1NT? When Germany annexed Austria in S ♣ ♣ 1938 (Anschluss), he returned his 7 6 K 9 8 3 2 You have only three-card spade Iron Cross, awarded in World War support which is a card short, but your I, to the Nazi authorities and singleton should encourage you to go included an insulting letter. As a West North East South for the suit contract. Even if your partner result, he was placed at number 1♣ Pass turns out to have just four spades, you eleven on their death list. He went ? might find that you are able to generate into hiding and escaped to England a ruff or two from your hand in a spade in 1938. He was a major bridge 1♦. contract and this will be all-important. figure in London for the next You have 6-9 points and a balanced decade, founding a school of hand, but that does not mean you should bridge which taught his bidding respond 1NT. The rules for responding system, running a weekly duplicate are that you should show a four-card 3. Dealer East. Love All. in Hampstead during World War II suit if you can. Furthermore, if you have ♠ J 7 6 ♠ A K Q 10 and playing rubber bridge two or more suits to show, then bid the ♥ Q 9 4 N ♥ J 10 2 regularly at the Hamilton Club and lowest suit because this will generally ♦ A 9 3 2 W E ♦ K 8 4 S Lederer’s. Stern became a allow the partnership to find their best ♣ K 7 6 ♣ Q 4 2 naturalised British citizen. fit. It also allows the strong hand to rebid Source: Wikipedia no-trumps if the opener has 15-19 points Rixi Markus, in her autobiography, and a balanced hand. West North East South A Vulnerable Game, describes Here, you respond 1♦ and your partner 1♠ Pass Stern in relation to Edouard probably raises to 2♦ which finishes the ? Frischauer who, in the 1930s, was auction. Had you responded 1♠, your the number one player in Austria. partner would have rebid 2♣ to finish the 1NT. auction in an ugly place. I do not like 4-3-3-3 hands: I like to take …Even Edouard Frischauer made a full point off when I evaluate them – mistakes, however, as I brashly they are bad in suit contracts because pointed out. He made a more there is no ruffing potential and in no- famous error in the European 2. Dealer East. Love All. trumps they offer little scope for suit Championships at Brussels in ♠ 8 7 6 ♠ A K 5 3 2 development. Add to this the divided 1935. Through ignoring Blackwood ♥ 4 N ♥ Q 6 3 honours, which further devalue the hand he got himself in a grand slam ♦ A J 3 2 W E ♦ K 5 4 (it is generally preferable to have honours contract in spades lacking the ace. S ♣ Q 8 7 6 5 ♣ K 2 together which tend to help the play He converted to 7NT, but still went of a contract). Altogether, your hand is one down. Paul Stern penalised him by banning him from the balanced and worth a poor nine points, Austrian team for a year, so that he West North East South which means 1NT is a good description. missed the 1936 Championships 1♠ Pass Your partner passes 1NT and you finish at Stockholm. This seemed unduly ? at a comfortable level. harsh, but Paul Stern was a tough East also has a 4-3-3-3 hand, but with disciplinarian, and would hit me 2♠. two tens the downgrade was balanced on the hand if I made a mistake. You have only seven high card points, by an upgrade, so he was planning to During the ladies’ training sessions so you should not bid a new suit at the show 15 points. Had you responded at his mildest rebuke was to yell at us, two-level, but you should certainly make the two-level, East would have had eyes ‘Cows!’. ■ some sort of positive response. That on game, but your 1NT response stops leaves two choices: 1NT or 2♠? him in his tracks. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 29 Bridge Movies by Heather Dhondy

Remember the Bidding

t is teams; dealer West. N/S Vul- Answer: You must ruff two hearts in nerable. You are South, holding: ♠ A Q 9 7 your hand, which will take you to nine. ♥ 9 8 6 3 Clearly, in order to do this you will I ♦ A 3 not be able to draw trumps straight ♠ K J 10 8 ♣ 8 3 2 away since, even if they break evenly, ♥ J 2 it will take three rounds to draw them. ♦ K 6 2 N Instead, you should win this diamond W E ♣ A Q 7 5 S in dummy and ruff a heart. Now return to dummy with a trump and ♠ K J 10 8 ruff your fourth heart. You notice that West North East South ♥ J 2 West began with four hearts. 1♦ Pass Pass ? ♦ K 6 2 This is the position you have reached: ♣ A Q 7 5 What should South do? ♠ A 9 7 ♣♦♥♠ North’s hand is also quite slender for ♥ — the bidding, but far from disappoint- ♦ 3 Answer: Bid 1NT. A protective 1NT ing with three great cards for you; ♣ 8 3 2 overcall is wide-ranging (11-16). however, there are issues in the play. West continues with the ♥4. East N W E West North East South wins with the ace and switches to the S 1♦ Pass Pass 1NT ♦10. Pass 2♣ Pass ? ♠ K What do you do? ♥ — What’s going on? What should South ♦ K 6 call? ♣♦♥♠ ♣ A Q 7 5

♣♦♥♠ Answer: Remember the bidding. West opened 1♦, and once East shows What now? Answer: North is making an up with the ♥A, you know that all the enquiry for range and shape. It is remaining high cards must lie with ♣♦♥♠ rather like Stayman, except that West as you are only missing 16 points partner should respond at the level of and four of them were in the East Answer: It is now time to draw the 2NT or higher with a maximum. This hand. Unfortunately, this means that remaining trumps, starting with the is because the point range is very wide the club finesse is doomed to failure. ♠A. Both opponents follow. in the protective seat, and partner will It’s time to count your winners and need to narrow down the possibilities losers. What do you discard from hand on in order to decide whether game is on. Starting with the losers, you appear the next round of trumps? In response, your hand is in the to have four inescapable losers: two middle of the range, but it is worth clubs and two hearts. What about ♣♦♥♠ being bold when the opposition have your winners? The situation is even given you a clue as to where all the more bleak there. Four trumps, two Answer: You can discard a club high cards are going to be. Jump to 3♠. diamonds and a club gets you to just without giving up on any chances. East Partner will raise you to game and this seven. follows and West discards a diamond. ends the auction. It’s now time to consider your options. West leads the ♥K and this is what What is your plan for further Plan A: Throw West in with a you see: winners? diamond to lead away from the king

Page 30 BRIDGE February 2017 of clubs. Answers to Bernard Magee’s Plan B: Play West to have begun with no more than two clubs, in which case playing the ace and another club will Bidding Quizzes 4-6 fetch the king and establish the queen. on the Cover Which one takes your fancy? Bearing this in mind, you should settle ♣♦♥♠ 4. Dealer West. Love All. for a no-trump contract and invite your ♠ A K 10 9 2 ♠ 3 partner to game by bidding 2NT. Here, Answer: West began with 11 or 12 ♥ A Q 3 N ♥ 10 2 East would raise to 3NT. points, depending on the location of ♦ 7 4 W E ♦ A K 8 6 5 3 The problem with rebidding 2♠ is that S the ♣J. You also know that West began ♣ J 10 2 ♣ 9 8 6 5 East would simply rebid 3♦ and now you with two spades and four hearts, and cannot be sure whether he is weak or opened 1♦. Playing a weak no-trump, strong – you might guess to bid 3NT, but he would have opened 1NT if he held West North East South then might find just six points in dummy. just four diamonds, therefore you can 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass Better is to clarify the situation by making deduce that he began with five or more ? a straightforward invitational bid. diamonds. Pass. Your partner has shown 6-9 What does this tell you about the club points, so there is no chance for game. It 6. Dealer West. Love All. length? remains for you to pick the best partscore. ♠ 7 ♠ J 5 4 You have a balanced hand and your part- ♥ A K 8 7 N ♥ Q 6 2 ♣♦♥♠ ner has suggested a balanced hand, or ♦ A 2 W E ♦ K 9 8 S a hand that is unsuitable for playing in ♣ A K 8 6 3 2 ♣ Q J 9 5 Answer: West holds at most two spades. Bearing this in mind, you should clubs. This makes Plan B certain to look no further than 1NT. succeed, so you should choose that Your partner’s hand is certainly not West North East South option and discard a diamond. balanced, but 1NT is a good contract – 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass The problem with Plan A is if West you might well make an overtrick for 120 ? began with a 2-4-6-1 shape and the points, which outscores a diamond con- singleton king of clubs. Now he will tract. Of course, you must duck the first 2♥. What does your partner’s 1NT re- have sufficient diamonds remaining to diamond in a no-trump contract to give sponse show? take you off. yourself a chance to make the long suit. This is not as easy a question as you This was the full deal: might think because of your 1♣ opening. Your partner has failed to respond in a 5. Dealer West. Love All. suit, which means he should not hold four ♠ A Q 9 7 ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ J 5 4 cards in any suit except clubs – it is part ♥ 9 8 6 3 ♥ A K N ♥ 5 2 of your system that the responder should ♦ A 3 ♦ K Q 6 4 3 W E ♦ A 9 2 show a long suit, if he has one. Therefore, S ♣ 8 3 2 ♣ 7 3 ♣ Q J 8 6 4 he must have four or more clubs. Howev- ♠ 4 2 ♠ 6 5 3 er, he might have responded 2♣ with four ♥ K Q 7 4 N ♥ A 10 5 card club support. That is why the answer ♦ Q J 7 5 4 W E ♦ 10 9 8 West North East South to the first question is not straightforward, S ♣ K J ♣ 10 9 6 4 1♦ Pass 1NT Pass because you only respond 1NT to 1♣ with ♠ K J 10 8 ? a slightly stronger balanced hand (8-10 ♥ J 2 points), whilst with just 6-7 points you ♦ K 6 2 2NT. You have 17 HCP and your part- should simply bid 2♣. ♣ A Q 7 5 ner has shown 6-9, so there is certainly a Bearing in mind that your partner has chance for game, but you cannot be sure 8-10 points and club support, you should of it. So you would like to invite game, but be encouraged to try for more exciting Knowing nothing about the opposing are you sure of the best denomination? things – particularly hoping for a high hands, you would almost certainly The key, here, is to understand that level club contract. The way to start that have gone down in the contract by your partner has denied having a four- process is by rebidding a natural 2♥ – a taking a club finesse. However, the one card major because he would have re- strong reverse. East would rebid 3♣ (nat- simple opening bid by West told you sponded in one-of-the-major rather than ural) and then you could cue bid 3♦. With everything you needed to know both bidding 1NT. Your only weak suit is clubs, little strength in spades, East would avoid about the distribution as well as the but surely, that is likely to be your part- 3NT and might cue bid 4♦, which should location of the high cards. ■ ner’s longest suit. encourage you to go for the slam. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 31 Letters from Overseas

Learn from the Hog by John Barr

read lots of bridge books. To be require ruffing out the heart suit. I diamond loser, and if he wins, he must accurate, I re-read lots of bridge thought that if I started by drawing concede a ruff and discard, or play books. My favourite authors trumps and ruffing two hearts along another diamond, in which case I need Iare Victor Mollo and David Bird, the way, my intentions would be clear to trust my analysis that East holds the who both write amusing books that to everyone, so that when West won ♦J and run this to dummy’s ♦10. In the contain interesting and instructive the club ace the obvious diamond event, he played the ♥A, allowing me bridge hands. My hope is that by switch could kill the contract. to throw dummy’s diamond loser. regularly immersing myself in interesting hands, some of the skill of the characters in these books will rub ♠ A J 5 2 ♠ 5 2 off on me, and I might be able to work ♥ Q 5 4 3 ♥ — out how to play difficult hands at the ♦ K 10 5 ♦ K 10 5 table, instead of spotting the required ♣ K 5 ♣ — brilliance a couple of days later. ♠ Void ♠ 10 3 ♠ — ♠ — I recently played a hand (see next ♥ 10 8 7 2 N ♥ A K J 9 6 ♥ — N ♥ A column) that featured an endplay ♦ 6 4 W E ♦ A J 9 2 ♦ 6 4 W E ♦ A J 9 2 S S similar to one that I had seen the ♣ A J 10 7 6 4 3 ♣ Q 8 ♣ J 10 6 ♣ — Hog execute – it’s the first hand he ♠ K Q 9 8 7 6 4 ♠ K plays in Bridge in the Menagerie, if ♥ Void ♥ — you want to check it out. More than ♦ Q 8 7 3 ♦ Q 8 7 3 just recognising the potential for an ♣ 9 2 ♣ — endplay, it was important to see this at trick one so that preparations for the endplay could be made. So, after ruffing the opening heart Would I have anticipated this end After a spirited auction during lead, I played a club towards the king. position if I hadn’t previously seen which East showed a good hand and With nothing to guide him, West won something similar in print? No, I don’t West a long club suit, I (South) played the ace and played a second round of think so. And the preparation for the in 5♠ doubled. West led a small heart. clubs. endplay by ruffing out the heart suit – I needed the ace of clubs to be on my Now I could ruff a heart, play a as well as playing the club early before left to have any chance, which placed spade to the jack, ruff another heart, the opponents can work out your East with most – if not all – of the draw the last trump with the ace and plan – are themes that come up again outstanding high cards. ruff the last heart, which left this end and again in the books by Mollo and Finessing the ♦10 was therefore position (see next column). Bird. In addition to these two authors, likely to fail, so I had to engineer an I now play a diamond to the king. I need to thank the Hideous Hog for endplay in diamonds, which would If East ducks, I would only have one inspiring me to make my contract. ■

Page 32 BRIDGE February 2017 Answers to DEFENCE Bernard Magee’s QUIZ Bidding Quizzes 7-9 by Julian Pottage on the Cover (Answers on page 37) ou are East in the defensive positions below playing Ymatchpoint pairs with North-South vulnerable. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT and 2♣ Stayman. sponse from you. Although 7. Dealer East. Love All. you are weak, you should ♠ 2 ♠ A J 8 7 5 show something and the 1. ♠ K 10 9 7 6 3. ♠ A Q J 8 ♥ J 9 7 6 N ♥ A 5 natural thing to do is to show W E ♥ A J 10 7 3 ♥ K 9 7 3 ♦ 9 6 2 S ♦ K Q 8 7 4 your own suit. By bidding 3♣ ♦ 4 ♦ 7 4 ♣ A Q J 7 6 ♣ 3 you are showing where most ♣ 10 4 ♣ 10 8 4 of your strength lies, which ♠ Q 4 ♠ 10 9 7 5 leaves your partner in a good N ♥ K Q 9 2 N ♥ 8 2 West North East South position. W E W E ♦ J 10 5 ♦ Q J 5 ♠ S S 1 Pass Here, East may well settle ♣ K Q 3 2 ♣ Q J 3 2 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass for a club contract, perhaps ? going for 5♣. Pass. You respond 1NT to West North East South West North East South limit your strength (6-9 points) 1NT 2♠ Pass 1♥ and now your partner bids a 4NT1 5♠ All Pass Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ second suit. Your partner is not 9. Dealer East. Love All. 1Both minors All Pass showing any extra strength, ♠ 5 ♠ A Q J 8 7 3 but is simply suggesting that ♥ Q 8 4 3 2 N ♥ 7 5 Partner leads the ♣A. Partner leads the ♦A. What W E a suit contract might be bet- ♦ A J 6 5 3 S ♦ 9 4 What do you do? is your plan? ter than a no-trump contract. ♣ J 2 ♣ A 7 6 You prefer diamonds, so you should settle for 2♦ and pass. When your partner shows two West North East South suits and you are weak, it is 1♠ Pass rarely right to introduce your 1NT Pass 2♠ Pass 2. ♠ J 4 2 4. ♠ J 4 ♥ ♥ own suit unless it is very long. ? Q 9 K 7 3 ♦ K Q J 5 ♦ A K 7 4 ♣ K Q 9 4 ♣ A K 8 4 Pass. Without the strength to ♠ 10 6 ♠ Void show one of your suits over a N ♥ 8 5 4 3 N ♥ 8 6 2 8. Dealer East. Love All. 1♠ opening, you responded W E W E ♦ 10 9 8 7 ♦ Q 10 6 5 3 ♠ 6 3 2 ♠ 4 1NT, but now your partner has S S ♣ A 3 2 ♣ Q J 7 3 2 ♥ Q 8 5 N ♥ A K 9 2 annoyingly rebid 2♠. To re- W E ♦ 3 2 S ♦ A K J 6 5 peat one’s suit over a 1NT re- ♣ A J 7 3 2 ♣ K 9 5 sponse promises at least a six- West North East South West North East South card suit. With a weak hand Pass 1NT Pass 2♦1 4♠ Dbl Pass 5♥ yourself and expecting partner 2♠ Pass Pass 4♥ All Pass West North East South to have a minimum opening, All Pass 1♦ Pass it makes no sense to introduce 1Transfer to hearts Partner cashes two top 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass a ropey suit at the three-level, spades and continues with ? nor would a no-trump con- Partner leads out the three the ♠8, ruffed high. What is tract be suitable. Therefore, top spades. What is your your plan? 3♣. This time over your 1NT you should leave your partner plan? response, your partner rebids to play the contract, hope- in a higher suit than his first ful that his suit will be strong suit, which is a strong bid – a enough to give him a chance. reverse – it demands a re- 2♠ is the best of a bad lot. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 33 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE Catching Up TUTORIAL CD DECLARER with Sally Brock PLAY

ne of my fairly re- Our pair opened a strong MAC or cent responsibili- Dealer West. E/W Vul. no-trump on the East hand, Windows ties is to take charge ♠ 2 and West tried Stayman Oof our Under 26 women’s ♥ A 6 3 2 before jumping to 3NT. team. Junior bridge is di- ♦ A J 10 8 South was on lead with vided into four categories: ♣ A K J 7 ♠J-10-8-6-5 and looked no Under 26 open, Under 21 ♠ K Q 9 8 7 5 ♠ A 10 3 further than that for his

open, Under 16 open and ♥ K J 10 N ♥ 9 5 4 opening shot. Declarer won, ♦ K 9 6 W E ♦ Q 5 3 Under 26 women. As is of- S took a losing club finesse ten the case in general edu- ♣ 5 ♣ Q 10 6 2 but was soon claiming nine cation, young women tend ♠ J 6 4 tricks. Bernard develops to thrive more in all-women ♥ Q 8 7 In the other room, East/ your declarer play groups. I have a squad to ♦ 7 4 2 West were playing a weak technique in the train, from which I will ♣ 9 8 4 3 no-trump, so the East hand course of ten then pick a team for the Eu- started with 1♣. West re- introductory ropean Championships in sponded 1♠ and East rebid exercises and 120 Slovakia in the summer. West North East South 1NT. West checkbacked complete deals. One of my initiatives 1♠ Dbl 2♠ Pass with 2♣ and rebid 3♣ over l Suit Establishment is to say that any of them Pass Dbl Pass 3♣ East’s 2♠ response. What in No-trumps who can get to the Young 3♠ 4♣ Dbl All Pass should East do now? In fact Chelsea Bridge Club for a she chose 3NT, but at this l Suit Establishment duplicate on the first Mon- Things have quietened table a spade lead looked in Suits day of the month will get down somewhat after the very unattractive to South, l Hold-ups £76 the chance to play with an hectic last couple of months. who chose a diamond from l Ruffing for expert female player. Obvi- Weekends have been fairly K-Q-x instead. When de- Extra Tricks ously, only a few live in the quiet. We won a Hubert clarer was not psychic and London area, so we do not Phillips match against Irene failed to drop the ♣K off- l Entries in expect a huge turn-out, but Robinson’s Bristol team. side, that was two down and No-trumps the first time we did it we We felt a bit cocky when we 800 points to our team. l Delaying had two takers, and the sec- were +1920 after ten boards, The moral of the tale is Drawing Trumps ond time four. but not so good when we that if you are going to in- l Using the Lead Obviously, there is a lot were only +70 after twenty vestigate alternative con- that they don’t yet know, boards. Then Barry and I tracts, then you need to do it l Trump Control but we are looking for good missed a good slam and bid properly. The consensus was l Endplays & instincts. I thought my a bad one that went down that East should rebid 3♠ Avoidance partner, Helen Holmes, did on the first two boards in over 3♣, to show fairly equal l Using the Bidding well on this week’s deal (see the final set. The final board holdings in the red suits next column). was more or less the decider. and a general preparedness The double of 4♣ was The deal was: to play in contracts other Mr Bridge, Ryden a good effort, at match- than 3NT. With West’s ac- Grange, Knaphill, points especially. The hand tual hand, East must have Surrey GU21 2TH played terribly for declarer ♠ 9 7 3 2 ♠ A K 4 both red-suit aces and good ( 01483 489961 who could never get to his ♥ K J 5 N ♥ A 7 4 spades, so then it is clear to W E www.mrbridge.co.uk/ hand. When the smoke had ♦ 7 S ♦ A 6 5 bid 5♣. mrbridge-shop cleared, we had an 800 pen- ♣ A Q J 5 4 ♣ 10 9 7 2 Otherwise, life just ticks alty and a complete top. on by …. ■

Page 34 BRIDGE February 2017 Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 10-12 MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE on the Cover TUTORIAL CD

Pass. ACOL BIDDING 10. Dealer East. Love All. You have shown your two suits and your ♠ 9 8 6 ♠ A K 4 2 partner appears to have ignored you. If ♥ Q 7 2 N ♥ A K 5 4 3 he wanted to bid clubs, why did he not ♦ Q 5 4 W E ♦ 8 2 bid them on the first round? S ♣ A J 7 6 ♣ K 4 Because he is weak – he bid 1NT to slow the auction down. But why bid clubs at the three-level now? MAC or West North East South Because he has a very long suit and he Windows 1♥ Pass thinks that 3♣ will be the best contract. 1NT Pass 2NT Pass Trusting your partner, you pass and ? leave him to it. 3♣ is by far the best contract. Had 3♥. your partner responded 2♣ on the first You have nine HCP, so you are maximum round you would have placed him with a and therefore should go for game, but on stronger hand, but by bidding this way he the way, why not tell your partner what you made sure you knew he was weak. hold, so that he can make an informed decision. Although you are balanced, you Throughout 200 deals split into do have three-card support for his first ten chapters, Bernard evaluates suit and this is worth mentioning. 12. Dealer West. Love All. your bids, praising the correct Your partner will not expect you to be ♠ A Q 8 7 6 ♠ J 3 ones and discussing the wrong particularly suitable for a heart contract, ♥ 4 N ♥ Q J 8 6 ones. because with three-card support and a ♦ K 5 W E ♦ Q 9 8 7 2 S suitable hand, you might have raised ♣ K Q 8 7 5 ♣ 9 2 l Opening Bids 1♥ to 2♥. A bid of 3♥ here basically tells and Responses your partner to choose which game he l Slams and prefers. East will probably choose 4♥ on West North East South Strong Openings this occasion. 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass You might wonder why he did not rebid 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass l Support for Partner 2♠ over 1NT, but his 2NT bid is better ? l Pre-empting because he knows there is no spade fit l Overcalls (your 1NT response denies four spades). Pass. £66 Instead, he was able to invite game and You have shown your two suits and your l No-trump then of course you were able to show partner has preferred spades. Openings your delayed heart support. It is tempting to get excited; after all and Responses you have just four losers. However, how l Opener’s and likely is it that you do actually have a Responder’s Rebids spade fit? 11. Dealer West. Love All. With three-card support, your partner l Minors and Misfits ♠ A 9 8 7 3 ♠ 2 should often prefer to raise to 2♠ rather l Doubles ♥ K Q 7 5 3 N ♥ 4 2 than respond 1NT, so much of the time l Competitive Auctions ♦ A 2 W E ♦ K 4 3 he will have just two spades and, without S ♣ 3 ♣ Q J 10 8 7 5 2 a fit, your hand does not look so good. Remember, your maximum combined point count is 23 (your 14 and nine from Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, West North East South your partner). Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass With game unlikely, you should pass ( 01483 489961 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass 2♠ – eight tricks may well be the limit on www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop ? this hand. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 35 Teachers’ Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel Teaching Defence

t is generally agreed that defence lead is specified too. They don’t bid lay out the cards like four dummy is the most difficult part of bridge. the hands as that takes far too long hands and open the booklet which Do you realise that you spend and they may not reach the desired has the answer inside. If the contract Imore time defending than you do on contract. Of course, it is vital that de- is defeated, it should mean the defence any other part of the game? Improv- fenders know how the contract was was correct; if the contract made, the ing your defence will not only give you reached, so the bidding is shown in a booklet should tell them where they better results, but, as you increase your large bidding spiral on the outside of went wrong. The teacher is available to knowledge, the defence becomes more my booklets (as shown). This makes explain if necessary and, with a glance interesting. You have ‘arrived’ as a de- the bidding easy to follow and it sits at the card play record, can immedi- fender when someone says to you at on the middle of the table during play. ately see where they have gone wrong. the end of the session, ‘Didn’t we have I know the bidding record should be These hands are designed as self teach- rotten cards today?’ and you reply, ‘I withdrawn after the lead is made, but I ing so one teacher can cope with a honestly never noticed.’ make an exception. good number of tables. Opening leads excepted, I would say To save time the hands are played defence is the hardest thing to teach. to ‘the point of no return’. They stop I find students learn much more from when the contract is defeated or made, the prepared hands than from my or declarer can ‘claim the contract’. spoken lessons, no matter how well I South is always declarer so they take think I present the topic. Hence my turns to be NSEW but stay in the same spoken lessons on defence are usually seats. quite short – 20 minutes at most. Not all aspects of defence can be taught by formal lessons and prepared hands. Random hands can throw up some great teaching points, but the play needs to be recorded (as above) to facilitate post mortems, as the play- ers often won’t remember how the play went. Players will keep learning for many years using random hands with bid and play post mortems – as a teacher you have a job for life. The inside of the booklet shows the I have designed 20 hands in booklet four hands and how they should be form on basic defence to no-trumps. played (also shown). Declarer must These cover continuing the suit led, play correctly or the defenders are not switching suit and unblocking. I also properly tested. If the contract fails have another 20 hands on basic de- due to declarer error and not best de- fence to suit contracts, which include The tricky bit is designing hands at fence, then the teaching point of the ruffing (like the one shown), dummy’s the right level for the class. If they get hand is missed. Declarer, therefore, strength and weakness, forcing and most of the hands wrong, they become is given instructions in a little tent, passive defence. These are covered in disillusioned – but if the hands are too which can’t be seen by the defenders, several lessons and anyone who has easy, they don’t learn much. I do em- so the contract is only defeated if the a good grasp of the concepts in these phasise that the prepared hands are defenders play correctly. Declarer isn’t wallets has made a good start on the not a test or an exam – just a meth- being tested in this exercise and is just journey to becoming a competent de- od of learning, and they can learn as making up the numbers. fender. much by getting them wrong as right. They work in fours as dummy makes If you would like a free PDF and/or My prepared hands have a desig- a record of the card which wins each Publisher copy of the 40 booklets and nated contract which is to be defeated. trick on the yellow pages (see BRIDGE associated lesson notes, then email Unless the topic is opening leads, the 154). After they finish the play, they [email protected] ■

Page 36 BRIDGE February 2017 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 33

West North East South are on your left, your side just makes 1. ♠ K 10 9 7 6 Pass 1NT Pass 2♦1 two diamonds to hold declarer to one ♥ A J 10 7 3 2♠ Pass Pass 4♥ overtrick. ♦ 4 All Pass 1Transfer to hearts Even the ♣K in partner’s hand might ♣ 10 4 not help because you can envisage ♠ Void ♠ Q 4 Partner leads out the three top spades. discards coming on the spades. What N ♥ 8 4 ♥ K Q 9 2 What is your plan? would help is the ♣A – just about possible W E ♦ Q 9 8 7 6 2 S ♦ J 10 5 Given the bidding, and in partner’s on the bidding. In this case, you need to ♣ A 9 8 7 6 ♣ K Q 3 2 case the lack of an opening bid, you can gain the lead to switch to the ♣Q. The ♠ A J 8 5 3 2 place the rest of the high cards on your way to persuade partner to give you the ♥ 6 5 left. You also have a good idea that there lead is to drop the ♦Q under the ♦A. This ♦ A K 3 will be six hearts there. On any switch shows the ♦J (or possibly a singleton) and ♣ J 5 other than to a club at trick four, declarer suggests you would like the lead. is likely to be able to make six tricks in hearts and four in diamonds for ten in West North East South all – you can wave goodbye to the ♣A. 1NT 2♠ Playing standard discards, high 4. ♠ J 4 4NT1 5♠ All Pass encouraging and low discouraging, you ♥ K 7 3 1Both minors lack the ideal cards. Partner might read ♦ A K 7 4 the ♦7 as low or the ♣3 as high – but you ♣ A K 8 4 Partner leads the ♣A. What do you do? can hardly be sure. ♠ A K Q 9 8 7 2 ♠ Void

Inwardly you can congratulate your Can you see the easy way to ensure ♥ 9 4 N ♥ 8 6 2 partner on having found a club lead. your ♣A makes? Ruff the third round of ♦ 8 2 W E ♦ Q 10 6 5 3 S What can you do to have the suit spades, giving yourself the lead. Then ♣ 9 6 ♣ Q J 7 3 2 continued? The usual way to encourage you cannot go wrong. ♠ 10 6 5 3 a suit is to play a high spot card. Here, ♥ A Q J 10 5 the ♣3 is in definite danger of not looking ♦ J 9 very high. A much clearer and safer way ♣ 10 5 to show your strength is to drop the ♣K. 3. ♠ A Q J 8 This must show the ♣Q with it. ♥ K 9 7 3 If you fail to signal emphatically for ♦ 7 4 West North East South clubs, partner might switch to a diamond, ♣ 10 8 4 4♠ Dbl Pass 5♥ playing you for the ♦A. The contract then ♠ 4 3 2 ♠ 10 9 7 5 All Pass makes. ♥ 6 4 N ♥ 8 2 ♦ A K 8 2 W E ♦ Q J 5 Partner cashes two top spades and S ♣ A 9 7 6 ♣ Q J 3 2 continues with the ♠8, ruffed high. What ♠ K 6 is your plan? 2. ♠ J 4 2 ♥ A Q J 10 5 On the first and second rounds of ♥ Q 9 ♦ 10 9 6 3 spades, you can easily spare the fifth card ♦ K Q J 5 ♣ K 5 from each minor. The crunch comes on ♣ K Q 9 4 the third round. If you reduce your hold- ♠ A K Q 8 7 ♠ 10 6 ing to three cards in a minor, declarer ♥ 6 N ♥ 8 5 4 3 West North East South may be able to play ace, king and then W E ♦ ♦ 6 4 3 S 10 9 8 7 Pass 1♥ ruff to set up a long card in dummy. ♣ 8 7 6 5 ♣ A 3 2 Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ Although declarer will not always read ♠ 9 5 3 All Pass the position, especially if you discard ♥ A K J 10 7 2 smoothly, there is a better option. ♦ A 2 Partner leads the ♦A. What is your plan? Underruff on the third spade. You still ♣ J 10 At the four level, partner should have have the ♥8-x to prevent your opponent the ♦K with the ♦A. If the other high cards from ruffing another spade. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 37 BERNARD More Tips from Bernard Magee MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE Open in your major TUTORIAL CD DEFENCE with a strong five-card suit

strong five-card major is balanced hands that contain a five- MAC or powerful in the bidding, card major. Since you have a choice Windows A especially if the suit is spades. between two bids, use your judgement Spades win over other suits at any to decide which bid fits the hand better. particular level (forcing the other side to bid higher to win the contract in a suit), so this means that finding ♠ A K 6 5 3 a fit is imperative. When you have ♥ K 5 2 N W E ♦ a strong five-card major, open the 7 2 S bidding in the major rather ♣ Q 7 4 than opening 1NT. There are two schools of thought when it comes to choosing whether to I cringe when I see players open this Bernard develops your open 1NT or one-of-a-major holding 1NT – surely this has to be 1♠. It shows defence in the course of ten a five-card major and the values for your partner where your strength introductory exercises and a weak no-trump. Some teachers is and will often be the best lead, it 120 complete deals. advocate always opening 1NT, others introduces the spade suit and it is just suggest always opening the major. as pre-emptive as 1NT anyway. l Lead vs My advice is that you should open No-trump Contracts the major when the suit is strong and l Lead vs dominates the hand, whilst you might ♠ J 7 6 5 3 Suit Contracts consider opening 1NT if the suit is weak. ♥ K 5 2 N W E Some will ask what do you rebid? ♦ A K l Partner of Leader S ♣ vs No-trump The answer to that is simple – Q 7 4 Contracts rebid your major – you are only promising five cards in the suit. The l Partner of Leader hand below demonstrates this: This time, this is surely a 1NT opening. vs Suit Contracts Your suit is weak and the points are l Count spread throughout the hand. Signals ♠ Q 7 6 5 3 So what do I mean by strong ♥ K 5 2 N and what by weak? l Attitude £76 W E ♦ 7 Two of the top three honours is a Signals S ♣ A K 7 4 good guideline, although with 3 of l Discarding the top 5 cards I would still qualify l Defensive Plan the suit as strong (A-J-10-5-4 West North East South or K-J-10-6-5, for example). l Stopping Declarer 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass You do not have to be strict about l Counting the Hand 2♠ All Pass your requirements, but should discuss with your partner what you prefer to You open 1♠ and over partner’s 2♦ do. The majors are powerful in bridge Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, reply have to rebid 2♠. (3♣ would and you tend to gain more by finding Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH be a high reverse, forcing to game). fits in them, than by hiding them away. ( 01483 489961 As you can see, your 2♠ rebid will Therefore, you should tend to favour www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop sometimes be on quite a weak suit. opening in a five-card major, rather However let us return to more than opening 1NT. ■

Page 38 BRIDGE February 2017 All You Need to Know by Andrew Kambites

About Simple Finessing

f you take a finesse against a knew the finesse would win. It is called missing honour, you are hoping Layout B a marked finesse because the positions Ithat one particular defender ♠ 8 7 6 5 4 of the missing cards are known. Much holds that honour. N more often, you take a finesse without ♠ Void W E ♠ Q 10 9 knowing whether it will win or lose. S You have bid to 7♠ and when dummy goes down you see Layout A: ♠ A K J 3 2 ♣♦♥♠

simple finesse consists of Layout A In Layout B, West discards a club on the leading from the weaker ♠ 8 7 6 5 4 ♠A so you know that East started with A holding in a suit towards ♥ A K 6 ♠Q-10-9. If you enter dummy with the the stronger holding, hoping the ♦ A Q 2 ♣K and lead a spade from dummy, defender in-between (ie playing ♣ K 5 then East has to decide whether to play second to the trick) holds the his ♠Q before you commit yourself to missing honour(s). N W E playing from your hand. Of course, if S East plays the ♠10 you will play your Try to work out how many tricks ♠ A K J 3 2 ♠J, knowing with 100% certainty that you might expect to make with these ♥ Q 4 2 it will win the trick. On the other hand, holdings. You are allowed to lead from ♦ K 8 5 if East rises with the ♠Q, then you will either hand, so you must presume that ♣ A 8 win with your ♠K and draw East’s last the other suits (not shown) provide trump with your ♠J. you with the necessary entries.

West has led the ♣Q, so you win with the ♣A and can be justifiably pleased Layout C Suit D Suit E with your partnership’s bidding. The ♠ 8 7 6 5 4 ♠ A Q 5 ♥ A Q J only danger is that you might lose N N N a spade trick, but that is somewhat ♠ Q 10 9 W E ♠ Void W E W E S S S unlikely as you are only missing three spades. You cash the ♠A. Would it ♠ A K J 3 2 ♠ 4 3 2 ♥ 4 3 2 concern you if:

1. West discards a club? The position is hopeless with Layout Suit F Suit G 2. East discards a club? C. West will not decide whether to ♦ K 6 5 ♣ K Q 5 contribute his ♠Q until he has seen N N In both cases, we know the exact what you play from your hand. Here, W E W E S S position of the missing spade honours, the position of the missing cards so it might help to write down the determines the outcome. ♦ 4 3 2 ♣ 4 3 2 spade layouts. In Layout B, you were lucky as you

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 39 You certainly cannot expect to make Of course, the spades could be dis- an honour through an opponent, any length tricks, so it is a question tributed as in Layout J. Then playing towards a higher honour in dummy. of trying to score tricks with honour the ♠A followed by the ♠2 will estab- cards that are not direct winners. lish the ♠Q as a winner by force. So Consider Suits K and L: There is an important general why take the finesse? You don’t want a principle that, if entries permit, it lecture in advanced mathematics, but it is almost always better to lead up is a fact that while the finesse will work Suit K Suit L to honours than just to lead out the roughly 50% of the time, a doubleton ♠ A 3 2 ♥ A 3 2 honours, unless the honours are top king will occur much less frequently. N N tricks. That has the effect of making a Usually the missing seven spades will W E W E S S defender decide what to do before you break 4-3, and even if they do break commit yourself. 5-2 it is more likely that the hand with ♠ Q J 10 ♥ Q 5 4 With Suit D, you are really asking, five spades will also have the ♠K. how can you try to make a trick with This layout demonstrates a common the ♠Q? The two layouts below will theme in bridge. It is possible that you In Suit K, you should arrange for South give you some ideas. might unsuccessfully take one line of to play first and lead the ♠Q. You are play only to find that another (inferior) hoping that West has the missing ♠K. line would have worked. This happens Will it help West to cover the ♠Q with Layout H to experts. The best play doesn’t the ♠K? In this case the answer is ‘No’ ♠ A Q 5 always work, but in the long run you because you possess the ♠J and ♠10. ♠ ♠ N will gain far more than you lose by West’s K would ensure that your Q ♠ K 7 6 W E ♠ J 10 9 8 adopting the ‘percentage’ play. did not take the trick, thus promoting S One final thought on this the ♠J and ♠10 into significant cards, ♠ 4 3 2 combination. Just occasionally, it but the cards it promotes all belong to might become clear that West cannot you. hold the ♠K. Maybe East opened INT In Suit L, you don’t have the ♥J or Layout J (showing 12-14 points) and you have ♥10, so if you lead the ♥Q from your ♠ A Q 5 bought the contract in 4♥. By counting hand and West covers with the ♥K, the

N your points and dummy’s, you realise intermediate cards promoted belong ♠ J 10 9 8 6 W E ♠ K 7 that you are only missing 14 points. to the defenders. S The finesse is sure to lose. Maybe that ♠ 4 3 2 is the time to play for Layout J. If you have mastered that, try the Layout M suits E, F and G. ♥ A 3 2

With Layout H, you can make a In Suit E, you can make three tricks N second spade trick, provided you start if West has the ♥K. Following the ♥ K 8 6 W E ♥ J 10 9 7 S by leading a low spade from the South general principle of leading from the hand. The point is that West must then weaker hand towards the stronger ♥ Q 5 4 decide whether or not to play the ♠K hand, you start with South’s ♥2, If before you commit yourself to dummy’s West plays low, try dummy’s ♥J. If the card. If West plays his ♠K, you beat it ♥J wins, return to the South hand with If you hold Suit L, it can never gain with dummy’s ♠A and the ♠Q is now another suit and try again, leading up to lead the ♥Q from your hand. If a second winner. In the much more to the ♥Q. West, holding the ♥K, is the cards are as in Layout M, you are likely event of West following with helpless. unlikely to make a second heart trick. the ♠6, you will try dummy’s ♠Q. Of In Suit F, you can make a trick with Leading the ♥Q from a hand when course, if East held the ♠K your finesse dummy’s ♦K if West has the ♦A. Start it can never gain is often called an would fail, but your approach to bridge with the ♦2 from South and force West imaginary finesse or a fairy finesse. should contain a fair sprinkling of into a premature decision. With Suit L, it is far better to hope optimism and certainly should not Finally, in Suit G, you can score two that East holds the ♥K, as shown in be governed by fear. If fulfilling your tricks if West has the ♣A. As with Suit Layout N. contract requires the spade finesse E, you lead twice from the South hand to work, you must assume it will through West up to dummy’s ♣K-Q, work. There is no shame in going using other suits as entries. Layout N down in a contract when the missing ♥ A 3 2 ♣♦♥♠ cards conspire against you. That N way you win some and lose some. ♥ J 8 6 W E ♥ K 10 9 7 S Accept the outcome with equanimity f your intermediate cards (jacks, and conserve your mental energy for tens, nines etc) are good, you ♥ Q 5 4 matters within your control. Ican take a finesse by leading

Page 40 BRIDGE February 2017 Now you can cash dummy’s ♥A and lead the ♥2 towards your ♥Q. East can Suit R Suit S choose whether or not to take his ♥K ♦ A Q J 6 ♣ A Q 7 6 but whatever he decides, your ♥Q will N N be a winner. W E W E S S

♣♦♥♠ ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ J 10 9 2

f you take a finesse by leading an honour, ask yourself whether you With Suit R, you should lead towards Iare any better off if the next hand the ♦J, hoping West has the ♦K. If These English made tables covers it. the ♦J wins, return to your hand in offer superb quality and have another suit and repeat the finesse. the genuine Pelissier hinges. As you consider handling a suit, you If the diamond finesse works and Choose from the great value can often combine setting up length diamonds break 3-2, you can make Club, the Premier or the winners with finessing. four diamond tricks. elegant Royal. Consider Suits P to U: With Suit S, you have strong Special Prices for Bridge intermediate clubs, so you can lead the Club orders of 5 or more. ♣J, intending to play low from dummy Suit P Suit Q if West plays low. If West has the ♣K, ♠ A 8 7 6 ♥ A Q 7 6 you can make all four club tricks.

N N W E W E S S Suit T Suit U ♠ 5 4 3 2 ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♠ A Q 7 4 ♥ A K 7 6

N N W E W E S S Holding Suit P, you learned in my Club Table with traditional green felt playing surface £159.00 first article that if you concede two ♠ J 6 5 2 ♥ J 4 3 2 tricks, your fourth spade will become a length winner if the missing spades break 3-2. Suit Q is an improvement How about Suit T? You should on Suit P. You can finesse the ♥Q as appreciate that leading the ♠J from you try to set up the suit. If it wins, your hand is a fairy finesse, as shown that increases your winners by one in Layout V. and decreases your losers by one. Therefore with Suit Q: Layout V ♠ A Q 7 4 1. If the heart finesse wins and hearts Premier Table, bevelled edges break 3-2, you have three heart N and baize playing surface £199.00 winners and only one loser. ♠ K 9 W E ♠ 10 8 3 S 2. If the heart finesse loses and hearts break 3-2, you have two heart ♠ J 6 5 2 winners and two heart losers. 3. If the heart finesse wins and hearts break 4-1, you have two heart If you start with the ♠J, West covers winners and two heart losers. with the ♠K. You take dummy’s ♠A but 4. If the heart finesse loses and hearts all this has done is to promote a trick break 4-1, you have only one heart for East’s ♠10. You have some chance winner. of scoring four spade tricks, but you Royal Table, elegant surround and need West to hold precisely doubleton baize playing surface £249.00 Please note that there are various ♠K. Lead the ♠2 to dummy’s ♠Q and ♠ Order online or by phone ways that you can improve the odds cash the A. www.designsforbridge.co.uk still further (such as cashing the ♥A, Finally, Suit U is another example returning to the South hand with where leading the ♥J is a fairy finesse. 01483 270 100 another suit and leading towards Correct play is to cash the ♥A-K, and if SR Designs for Bridge the ♥Q). This will be examined in the ♥Q drops doubleton you have four Unit A1, Send Business Park, later articles, but would only be a heart tricks. Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF distraction at this stage. Now try the quiz on page 43. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 41 MEMORY LANE It really is not good enough. I was so pleased to read The eBook market does READERS’ Andrew Kambites’ tribute not want a straight copy to Tom Bradley in the of the book in print. December issue of BRIDGE. Publishers could do I attended Tom’s lessons in so much more to take the late 70s, little thinking at advantage of the interactive LETTERS that time what a friend and nature of the eBook device. mentor he would become Here are just a few ideas: in my bridge playing life. 1. Making images occupy LITMUS TEST at your table? They will With his encouragement, I the full width of the screen, Ian Dalziel’s articles on have no idea what you are started teaching and used to to improve their legibility. the ‘Teaching of Bridge’ in talking about and certainly accompany him to the EBUTA 2. Designing exercises this magazine have been will feel very threatened. meetings. I kept in touch with so that there is no more inspirational. His ideas are However, of course, you Tom until he died – I saw him than one question per not only innovative, but he should always politely call the for the last time in Haywards page, with the answer just has been generous in sharing director over infringements Heath hospital. It was a sad a swipe away — not at his materials with others. for a book ruling, so that day for me and I thanked him the back of the book. In last month’s issue, he new members can learn for all his help and support. 3. Making copious use of turned his attention to the the rules and overcome any Mrs V Chandler, links within the book, so that importance of introducing fear of calling the director. Nursling, Southampton. the reader can very quickly learners to club duplicate I look forward to BRIDGE refer to a specific learning sessions and the disincentive each month for the quality of WANTED point, glossary or notation when they come across what the articles and the quizzes. reference and then easily Ian called ‘table terrorists’, The glossy cover adds to IMPROVERS’ return to where they left. (TTs). He rightly points out the feeling of quality. BRIDGE BOOKS 4. Giving the author’s that most TTs are really Graham Baskerville, TRANSFERRED email address, so that, if nice people who often Kington Langley, Wilts. TO AN the reader finds an error, don’t realise the effect they ELECTRONIC he can notify the author have on new members. FULL SET FORMAT and – if the author has We would all deny that Recently, I read in these the courtesy to reply – he we are TTs, but try taking pages that a club had bought I was thinking of writing a can update the eBook on these two simple tests: a full set of your DVDs for a book about our bidding the same day (ideally). If 1. Do you talk about your lending library and I thought system for the Amazon Kindle. the eBook publisher/seller hands with your partner at it a brilliant idea. I am very In the course of researching is really switched on, this the table? If you do, then to keen to put something back the existing market — update to the book can also a new member you are a into local clubs. There are which essentially involved be electronically distributed TT. You are so keen to talk at least four that have given downloading every free to every customer who has about your previous hand, me so much pleasure. I sample I could find — I was already bought the book and that you forget to welcome wondered what a full set stunned by the poor quality wants to be kept up to date. and forget all the other would cost me? I feel that, of many of the transfers to In many ways, the eBook courtesies you should be once started, we might need the Kindle from books in is an ideal format for people extending to them. Players two sets but my pocket is not print. In some books, the to read about and learn who talk about their hands at really deep enough. I would auctions and board layouts bridge, but I have to say the table are not welcoming offer them free, as a lending have been copied across as that many British publishers to anyone and are positively library would, for a limited a microscopic image which are delivering a poor hostile to newcomers. time. I think the proposed cannot be enlarged. Sadly product which could deter 2. Do you call the director service could be popular. many of the illegible books potential buyers for good. for a judgment ruling when Mrs Jane Keatley, are published by British Gavin Wilson by email. inexperienced players are Barnstaple, North Devon. companies for British authors. [email protected] ■

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Page 42 BRIDGE February 2017 About Simple Finessing Quiz by Andrew Kambites CROATIA (Answers on page 45) 2-16 May 2017 1 With each of the following suit combinations: (i) Assuming you have plenty of entries to each hand and can afford to lose the Bernard Magee lead a sufficient number of times, how many tricks do you hope to make? (ii) Does your answer depend on the distribution of the missing cards? HOTEL From EDEN £1,499 Suit A Suit B Suit C sharing ♠ A K 7 ♥ A K 7 ♦ A K J ROVINJ

N N N W E W E W E S S S ♠ J 5 4 2 ♥ J 10 4 3 ♦ 6 5 4 2

Suit D Suit E Suit F ♣ A Q 3 2 ♠ K Q 8 3 2 ♥ Q J 3 2

N N N W E W E W E S S S

♣ 6 5 4 ♠ 6 5 4 ♥ 6 5 4 Rovinj is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula In Layouts 2-7 you have insufficient top tricks to fulfil your contract. From where on the Adriatic coastline, a one hour drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb. will you develop the necessary extra tricks? Boasting a rich, natural and cultural heritage, with beautiful landmarks such as the old town, the Golden Cape Park Forest, Layout 2 Layout 3 Layout 4 protected islands and coastal area. ♠ 5 3 ♠ 6 5 3 2 ♠ 5 4 The climate is warm and semi-dry, with ♥ A 7 6 4 ♥ A 7 6 ♥ 6 4 2 more than four months a year without wind. ♦ A K J 7 ♦ A K 7 ♦ A Q 10 Hotel Eden is wedged right between a ♣ A 3 2 ♣ A 3 2 ♣ K Q J 10 9 peninsula covered by a one hundred year old park forest and a quiet cove. The old N N N city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute W E W E W E S S S walk away.

♠ A 4 ♠ A K 4 ♠ A K Rooms: All rooms are equipped with a direct phone line, LCD SAT TV, mini-bar, ♥ K 3 2 ♥ K 3 2 ♥ K Q 7 safe, bathtub or shower, toilet, hair dryer, ♦ Q 5 4 3 ♦ 9 5 4 ♦ 7 5 4 3 balcony, air conditioning/heating. Suites ♣ Q J 5 4 ♣ Q J 5 4 ♣ A 5 4 3 are available, details on application. 3NT. Lead: ♠K. 3NT Lead: ♠Q. 3NT. Lead: ♠Q. Singles: There is a sole occupancy supplement of £12 per room per night. If you are a single bridge player, please do not worry about being on your own. We will Layout 5 Layout 6 Layout 7 always be able to find you a partner and you ♠ 5 4 ♠ A K 2 ♠ 5 4 3 can always have a game. ♥ A Q J ♥ K 4 ♥ A K 3 2 Beaches & Pools: The playful curves of ♦ Q 6 2 ♦ A K 3 2 ♦ A 9 6 the pool offer refreshment in the summer ♣ K Q J 10 9 ♣ K J 10 8 ♣ A 3 2 with a salty breeze coming from the natural stone and pebble beach only a few steps N N N away. The vast outdoor pool will cool you W E W E W E S S S down after a day of lounging in the freely available deck chairs. ♠ A 3 ♠ J 8 6 ♠ K Q J 2 Half-board only. Terms and conditions apply. ♥ ♥ ♥ 8 4 3 A 3 2 6 5 4 These holidays have been organised for ♦ A K J 10 3 ♦ J 6 ♦ K 4 3 Mr Bridge by Great Little Escapes LLP, ATOL 5933 ♣ 7 4 3 ♣ A Q 9 3 2 ♣ K 7 5 3NT. Lead: ♠K. 6NT. Lead: ♥J. 3NT. Lead: ♥Q. Details of the bridge programme ( 01483 489961

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 43 CHARITY EVENTS BERNARD MAGEE’S FEBRUARY 2017 24 MS THERAPY CENTRE INTERACTIVE Village Hall, 17 FUNDRAISING Hemingford Abbots. Bridge drive at SportsAble, 10am for 10.30am start. £15. TUTORIAL CDS Braywick Sports Ground, Jenny Lea ( 01480 455810. Maidenhead, SL6 1BN. 1.15pm for 1.30pm start. 30 RNLI ADVANCED FIVE-CARD Finish: 5.00pm. Village Hall, Roxton, Beds. £30 per table to include 10am for 10.30am start. £15. DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & excellent tea. Fun raffle. Catherine Wootton Strong No-Trump john.jenkins999 ( 01234 772127 l Making Overtricks @btinternet.com ( 01234 870234 in No-trumps l Opening Bids l Making Overtricks & Responses 21 ST NEOTS ROTARY CLUB St Neots Outdoor APRIL 2017 in Suit Contracts l No-Trump Bowling Club. l Endplays Openings 21 ST NEOTS MUSEUM 10am for 10.30am start. l Support Eacon Soton Church. l Avoidance £89 £15. for Partner Val Corrigan 10am for 10.30am start. £15. l Wrong ( 01480 213682 Jean Searle ( 01480 212298 Contract £81 l Slams & Strong Openings£66 l Simple MAY 2017 l Rebids MARCH 2017 Squeezes l 12 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES l Counting Minors Doddington Village Hall, March. the Hand & Misfits 10am for 10.30am start. £16. l Trump Reductions l Pre-empting Val Topliss ( 01354 653696 & Coups l Doubles 25 STAMFORD BURGHLEY l Playing Doubled l Overcalls ROTARY CLUB Bridge Tea in Tinwell Village Contracts l Competitive Hall, PE9 3UD. l Safety Plays Auctions 1.15 for 1.30pm. £8.00. Alan Kinch ( 01780 444276 [email protected] ADVANCED JUNE 2017 ACOL BIDDING 16 GT STUKELEY ALSO l Basics 2 ANIMALS ASIA CONSERVATIVE CLUB Bridge Masterclass Village Hall, Gt Stukeley. l Advanced with Andrew Robson. 10am for 10.30am start. £15. Basics l Acol St John’s Church Centre, Kay Brownlow Hartley Wintney, ( 01480 880663 l Weak Twos Bidding Hampshire Sheila Stephenson l Strong Hands (see p35) RG27 8ED. ( 01480 457338 10am – 3.30/4pm l Defence (Doors open at 9.45am). to Weak Twos £46 each or £184 per table l Declarer JULY 2017 l Defence to 1NT including lunch. Play Kay ( 01252 793811 14 GT BARFORD CHURCH l Doubles [email protected] Village Hall, Gt Barford, Beds. l Two-suited (see p34) Gary ( 07800 555863 10am for 10.30am start. £15. £96 [email protected] Graham Evans Overcalls ( 01832 293693 l Defences to l Defence 17 ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY Gill Wilkes ( 01234 870428 Other Systems AND LITTLE EARS [email protected] (see p38) Kenilworth Bridge Club l Misfits and Afternoon Bridge and Distributional Cream Tea. Tickets £14. OCTOBER 2017 Hands Tournament Director: Michael Sallis. 6 ST NEOTS MUSEUM Jane McClements St Neots Outdoor Bowling Club. ( 07779 799905 10am for 10.30am start. £15. ( 01483 489961 ( 01926 511066 Jean Searle ( 01480 212298 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

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Page 44 BRIDGE February 2017 Answers to About Simple Finessing Quiz on page 43

1 With each of the following suit C Cash the ♦A, then return to your hand you should be leading towards combinations: and finesse the ♦J, hoping West has honours, not leading honours. Thus, ♦Q-x-x so giving you four diamond lead the ♥4 towards dummy, playing (i) Assuming you have plenty of tricks. Even if the ♦J loses to the ♦Q the ♥J if West plays low. Subsequently, entries to each hand and can you can still make three tricks if the lead the ♥5 towards dummy’s ♥Q. afford to lose the lead a sufficient missing diamonds break 3-3. Finish by playing a third heart trick, number of times, how many hoping for a 3-3 break. There are tricks do you hope to make? D You are only guaranteed one club many possible distributions of the trick, the ♣A, but you will finesse the hearts but you might make two tricks (ii) Does your answer depend on the ♣Q (if this wins you have a second (eg If West has ♥A-10-6). Try it out distribution of the missing cards? club trick) and concede a club (if they with a pack of cards. break 3-3 you have an extra club trick). If you are really lucky you might Suit A Suit B score three club tricks. In Layouts 2-7 you have insufficient top ♠ A K 7 ♥ A K 7 tricks to fulfil your contract. From where will you develop the necessary extra N N W E W E Suit E Suit F tricks? S S ♠ K Q 8 3 2 ♥ Q J 3 2 ♠ J 5 4 2 ♥ J 10 4 3 N N W E W E Layout 2 Layout 3 S S ♠ 5 3 ♠ 6 5 3 2 A Leading the ♠J cannot gain because ♠ 6 5 4 ♥ 6 5 4 ♥ A 7 6 4 ♥ A 7 6 you don’t have good enough ♦ A K J 7 ♦ A K 7 intermediate spades. You should ♣ A 3 2 ♣ A 3 2 cash the ♠A-K and lead towards the E With these spades, you can combine N N ♠J. You make three spade tricks if the two principles. First, lead twice W E W E S S ♠Q is singleton or doubleton, if East towards dummy’s ♠K-Q, benefitting has the ♠Q, or if spades break 3-3. if West has the ♠A. Second, aim to ♠ A 4 ♠ A K 4 play three rounds of spades, losing ♥ K 3 2 ♥ K 3 2 B Any sensible play leads to three heart whatever tricks you must, in order ♦ Q 5 4 3 ♦ 9 5 4 tricks. Your best chance of four heart hopefully, to establish two length ♣ Q J 5 4 ♣ Q J 5 4 tricks is to lead the ♥J for a finesse. winners. Before trying that, it does no harm If you are lucky, with West holding Contract 3NT. Contract 3NT. to cash the ♥A just in case the ♥Q is the ♠A and spades breaking 3-2, you Lead: ♠K. Lead: ♠Q. singleton. can make four spade tricks. If you are unlucky, with East holding ♠A-J-10- 9, you cannot make more than two 2 You have eight top tricks, the ♠A, Suit C Suit D spade tricks and will need to lose the ♥A-K, ♦A-K-Q-J and the ♣A. You ♦ A K J ♣ A Q 3 2 lead three times to achieve even this need a ninth trick and you cannot modest outcome. afford to lose the lead because the N N W E W E opponents have too many spades to S S F We are now getting to the stage where cash. Win the ♠A and lead the ♣Q ♦ 6 5 4 2 ♣ 6 5 4 it is hard to know how many heart tricks from your hand, hoping West has the you will get, but on general principles, ♣K.

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 45 3 This time you have seven top tricks, working. Win the ♠A, finesse the ♥J, the ♠A-K, ♥A-K, ♦A-K and the ♣A. return to your hand with a diamond You require two extra club tricks, but and take a second heart finesse. this time you have a second spade guard so you don’t fear losing the lead. Your club intermediates are not Layout 6 Layout 7 good, so it is best to hope that East ♠ A K 2 ♠ 5 4 3 Scandinavian has the ♣K. Cash the ♣A and lead ♥ K 4 ♥ A K 3 2 Waterways towards your ♣Q-J. If that loses to ♦ A K 3 2 ♦ A 9 6 West’s ♣K, you will need the missing ♣ K J 10 8 ♣ A 3 2 & Capitals clubs to break 3-3. If the ♣Q wins, N N enter dummy again (with the ♦K) and W E W E S S Sails from Newcastle lead another club towards your hand. 17th September 2017 • 11 Nights You will make three club tricks if either ♠ J 8 6 ♠ K Q J 2 Balmoral • L1722 East has the ♣K or clubs break 3-3. ♥ A 3 2 ♥ 6 5 4 Layouts 2 and 3 make an interesting ♦ J 6 ♦ K 4 3 contrast. The club suit is the same ♣ A Q 9 3 2 ♣ K 7 5 in both cases but the correct play is determined by an overall view of the Contract 6NT. Contract 3NT. hand. Lead: ♥J. Lead: ♥Q.

Layout 4 Layout 5 6 You have 11 top tricks, the ♠A-K, ♠ 5 4 ♠ 5 4 ♥A-K, ♦A-K and five club tricks. To ♥ 6 4 2 ♥ A Q J develop a twelfth, you must use either ♦ A Q 10 ♦ Q 6 2 the ♠J or ♦J. Note that leading either ♣ K Q J 10 9 ♣ K Q J 10 9 jack won’t help you, because if it is Newcastle • Copenhagen, covered by the queen you still only Denmark (Overnight) • Cruising N N W E W E have two tricks in the suit. Better to Stockholm Archipelago S S Stockholm, Sweden (Overnight) hope that East has a queen. It won’t Cruising Stockholm Archipelago ♠ A K ♠ A 3 help you to lead a low spade from Cruising Oslofjord • Oslo, Norway ♥ K Q 7 ♥ 8 4 3 dummy towards your ♠J, because (Overnight) • Newcastle ♦ 7 5 4 3 ♦ A K J 10 3 even if East has it he can take it: your ♣ A 5 4 3 ♣ 7 4 3 ♠A-K-J are all winners, but they will Great value Mr Bridge fares from: be compressed into two tricks. Better Contract 3NT. Contract 3NT. play is to take the ♥K and lead a low Interior twin room £1,169pp Lead: ♠Q. Lead: ♠K. diamond at trick two. Ocean view twin room £1,399pp Squeeze experts will note that even Interior twin room for £1,399 if the ♦J loses to the ♦Q, you still have sole occupancy 4 You have eight top tricks, the ♠A-K, chances but that is beyond the scope the ♦A and five clubs. You need a of this article. Daily bridge on board, bridge fees ninth trick. There is potential in the included. Mr Bridge welcome hearts or a finesse of the ♦10 or ♦Q, 7 You have six top tricks, the ♥A-K, drinks party. Partners for single but the hearts offer a guaranteed ♦A-K and ♣A-K. You need three players. Special solo offers. trick so win the ♠A, enter dummy with tricks from the spade suit. Following ♣ ♥ Balmoral the K and lead a heart to your K. general principles, you should aim If it wins, you might assume the heart to keep leading towards your spade finesse works for you and re-enter honours. Win the ♥A, and lead a dummy with the ♣Q for another spade to your ♠K. If that wins, enter heart lead towards your ♥Q. dummy with the ♦A and switch back to a low spade to your ♠Q. Finally, 5 You have seven top tricks, the ♠A, ♥A enter dummy with the ♣A and repeat To book call Mr Bridge on and five diamonds. The clubs look the spade manoeuvre. 01483 489961 very tempting but to develop any club Of course, you make 3NT if the www.mrbridge.co.uk tricks you will have to lose the lead, spades break 3-3, but you also allowing the defenders to cash too succeed any time East has the ♠A, many spade tricks, even if the missing because you don’t allow the ♠A Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen 2016/17 Worldwide brochure nine spades break 5-4. You must to capture any of your spade stake everything on the heart finesse honours. ■

Page 46 BRIDGE February 2017 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 9

You are declarer in 6♠ after West has hand at trick two and if West plays low 1. ♠ K 7 6 opened a weak 2♦. West leads the ♣J. win in dummy. Return to hand with a ♥ A 7 5 2 How do you plan the play? diamond and lead another club, but this ♦ A 8 4 It does look as though you have an time if West plays the queen you duck, ♣ A K 3 inescapable loser in both the red suits, keeping East off lead. If West plays low ♠ J 10 9 5 ♠ 8 4 2 but in fact the slam is more or less you have to win and play a third round, ♥ 10 8 4 3 N ♥ Q 9 6 laydown after the weak two opening by hoping that West started with three or ♦ 10 6 2 W E ♦ 9 7 3 West. Instead of winning the opening that spades break 4-3. S ♣ J 8 ♣ Q 10 9 5 lead in dummy, ruff in hand, draw trumps You must not play clubs from dummy ♠ A Q 3 and lead the ♦4. What can West do? If because an astute West can throw the ♥ K J he plays the ace then declarer has twelve queen from queen doubleton to create ♦ K Q J 5 tricks via seven spades, two hearts, two an entry to his partner’s hand. ♣ 7 6 4 2 diamonds and a club, while if he plays low you can win with the queen in dummy and play the club ace throwing your ♦K. You are declarer in 6NT and West leads All you then concede is a heart, ruffing the ♠J. How do you plan the play? the fourth round of hearts in dummy. 4. ♠ 7 It is annoying that there are only eleven ♥ A 10 7 tricks immediately available, but both ♦ 8 7 6 4 clubs and hearts offer hope of a twelfth. ♣ 8 7 5 4 2 You have to be careful though in how you ♠ A Q 10 5 4 ♠ J 8 3 2 go about testing both options. It would 3. ♠ 6 5 4 ♥ 6 5 N ♥ 4 3 2 be a mistake to take a heart finesse ♥ K 6 ♦ Q J 10 2 W E ♦ 9 5 S immediately, in case clubs break 3-3, ♦ A 7 5 ♣ K 6 ♣ Q J 10 9 and it would also be a mistake to play ♣ A K 6 4 2 ♠ K 9 6 three rounds of clubs in case they break ♠ A Q 9 7 3 ♠ 10 8 ♥ K Q J 9 8 4-2 with the heart finesse working. So ♥ Q 9 3 N ♥ 10 8 7 2 ♦ A K 3 simply duck a club at trick two, win the ♦ J 9 3 W E ♦ Q 10 6 4 ♣ A 3 S return and try for the club break. If that ♣ Q 7 ♣ J 10 8 fails take the heart finesse. ♠ K J 2 ♥ A J 5 4 You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads ♦ K 8 2 the ♦Q. How do you plan the play? ♣ 9 5 3 The contract is a good one although, with only eight tricks on top, it looks as if 2. ♠ A 10 9 2 you may need a bit of luck in finding two ♥ 8 6 4 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads more. Maybe it looks obvious to cross to ♦ Q 7 6 the ♠7. East plays the ♠10. How do you dummy with a trump in order to lead up ♣ A 5 4 plan the play? to the spade king, but that would back- ♠ 6 ♠ 7 Even if the heart finesse works, you still fire horribly if West won and played a ♥ Q 7 N ♥ J 10 9 2 haven’t got enough tricks without making second trump. Now you would be unable ♦ A J 10 9 5 2 W E ♦ 8 3 an extra club and if you can make four to ruff two spades in dummy. S ♣ J 10 9 2 ♣ K Q 8 7 6 3 club tricks then you need only two heart Of course, that South hand is too good ♠ K Q J 8 5 4 3 tricks, anyway. Chances are that the club and the spade king is a mirage. Just lead ♥ A K 5 3 suit will break 3-2, but if East wins the a spade from hand at trick two and, even ♦ K 4 third round he can fire a spade through if they switch to a trump, you can still take ♣ Void your remaining holding and that may two spade ruffs in dummy and ten tricks not be good news. So play a club from in all. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 47 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Sunday low club immediately, putting pressure Tuesday on East. Even if he plays low, he may As part of the Under 26 training, I give away the position of the ♣K. In After a bit of work in the morning, have arranged two teams to play in order to make it on a straightforward most of my day is taken up having the Middlesex Swiss Teams Congress line, you need to overtake your ♠Q to lunch with Colin and Julianna. We today. The idea is that three squad create a second entry to hand, so you go to the Alford Arms at Frithsden members will team up with one expert can both ruff a heart in the dummy which I would recommend to anyone and play in rotation. Unfortunately, and take a diamond finesse. Surely wanting a good lunch in the area (just one squad member had to cancel at better odds is simply to draw trumps outside Berkhamsted). the last minute so my team is made up ending in hand and take a club finesse. Afterwards, they take me home and of me, Joe Fawcett, 15-year-old Megan One down. we open another bottle – so most of and 14-year-old Immy. The other Afterwards, I dash off to the Young the rest of the day is lost to posterity team is Gillian Fawcett and twenty- Chelsea for Simon Cocheme’s 70th – though I am sober enough to have somethings Laura, Helen and Hanna. birthday party celebrations (though an online session with one of my Irish We all have a jolly good time but lose he looks more like 50). The party pairs. more matches than we win. It is a well- had started earlier and by the time I run event and it is good for us all to get there, most of the food has been meet each other – I had not met Immy eaten and put away (though they had Wednesday or Hanna before. I think we all learn saved some for me) and everyone I am up early and on the train to quite a lot. is playing bridge – some of Simon’s London to play with Allie at the Acol. This deal is one of the more talked- more memorable hands, so they are It doesn’t go as well as it usually does, about: all interesting. There is a booklet but it is fun, as always. available afterwards, in which there Inexperienced players often get is a hand he apparently played with frightened to bid when an opponent Dealer South. Game All. me (I feel guilty for not remembering) opens with a strong bid – a strong 2♣, ♠ A Q 8 where I was very cross with him for or Precision 1♣ opening, for example. ♥ A doubling opponents in 4♠, as he had However, this can often be the best ♦ A K J 4 no defence to any other contract and time to bid because the opponent has ♣ A Q 9 4 2 they removed themselves to 5♦ which not yet started to describe the hand in ♠ J 3 ♠ 7 5 2 was cold. terms of suit lengths. If he has not yet ♥ J 10 9 3 N ♥ Q 8 7 4 2 As the evening goes on, everyone shown a long suit, he is unlikely to stop W E ♦ Q 10 6 3 2 ♦ 8 5 S becomes merrier and merrier and a off to double you. Taking their space ♣ J 8 ♣ K 10 6 jolly good time is had by all. away can work well – for example: ♠ K 10 9 6 4 ♥ K 6 5 ♦ 9 7 Monday Dealer East. Game All. ♣ 7 5 3 Barry has to be up at six to catch his ♠ K Q 10 5 train to Leeds for the week. He was ♥ 7 rather hoping that the judge would ♦ J 8 7 3 2 I don’t really think this is a slam you allow his submission for ‘no case to ♣ 10 9 8 would want to be in. At most tables the answer’, so he could come home, but it ♠ 9 8 7 ♠ 6 3 2 bidding starts: Pass – 2♣ – 2♦ – 3♣ – is not to be and he is likely to be there ♥ Q J 10 8 6 2 N ♥ 9 5 3 W E ♦ ♦ 3♠ – 4♠. Now, is South worth a further for at least another couple of weeks. I Void S Q 9 5 move? And if he/she bids 5♥, should spend the morning working at the flat ♣ K J 6 2 ♣ Q 7 5 3 North bid slam? Close decisions in my before meeting Toby for lunch at The ♠ A J 4 view. Gay Hussar in Soho. It’s lovely to meet ♥ A K 4 If you do end up in slam, how do up with him and hear all about his ♦ A K 10 6 4 you play it on a heart lead? I would be course at Imperial. Then I drive home ♣ A 4 tempted to win in dummy and play a and spend the evening with Briony.

Page 48 BRIDGE February 2017 West North East South realised it would be quite so difficult Pass 2♣ carrying my bags with my poorly back 2♥ Dbl 3♥ 3NT and it is quite a relief to finally arrive All Pass at the flat. Barry gets back about 8.30 – it looks as if this trial in Leeds is going North shows a few values with his to last beyond Christmas. initial double (though some people play that a double in that situation Saturday Fred.’s shows a seriously poor hand). South Favourite Fjords has a balanced 23-count, minimum A nice lazy morning. We pop in to the for his initial opening. And there they training weekend at the Young Chelsea HOSTED BY BERNARD MAGEE ♦ are in 3NT with 7 laydown. (I will be back for longer tomorrow) on Sails from Newcastle I come straight back afterwards our way to TGR’s for our NICKO final 30th July 2017 • 7 Nights as there is no bridge in the evening. match against Janet de Botton’s team. Balmoral • L1716 Briony is out, so I do a bit of bidding We gain a few on the first two sets, lose practice on BBO with Barry and a lot on the third and a few more on the some work, then try to watch TV. I fourth, leaving us 23 IMPs down when don’t know if I’m the only person in we break for some excellent food. We the world who has such trouble with pick up a few on the last two sets but actually turning the television on and eventually lose by 9. They make life getting it working. If Briony and I very difficult for us on this board: ever get around to living in separate houses, I am going to need a really good lesson or I will never be able to Dealer East. N/S Vul. watch Casualty and Holby City. ♠ A J 8 7 ♥ 5 4 ♦ K 8 7 Thursday ♣ A K 6 5 Just after nine, Briony and I set off ♠ 10 2 ♠ 5 4 for the Eurotunnel and our little ♥ Q 10 9 3 2 N ♥ A K J 7 6 Newcastle • Bergen, Norway W E ♦ A 10 9 6 ♦ J 4 Olden, Nordfjord, Norway shopping trip to France. We cross S around lunchtime and go straight to ♣ J 9 ♣ 8 7 3 2 Flam, Aurlandsfjord, Norway Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord, ♠ K Q 9 6 3 Boulogne to check into our hotel in Norway • Newcastle the old town. Then it’s off to the shops. ♥ 8 Later we go out for an excellent dinner ♦ Q 5 3 2 before settling down for the night. ♣ Q 10 4 Great value Mr Bridge fares from: All would be excellent were it not for Inside twin room £999pp the backache I’ve been suffering for Ocean view twin room £1,149pp the last couple of weeks. I have an In the other room, East opens 2♥ and Single interior room £1,699 osteopath appointment on Monday West raises to 4♥, rather remarkably but at odd times today it seemed silencing everyone. In our room, West uncertain I would last that long. is rather more imaginative. Daily bridge on board, bridge fees included. Mr Bridge welcome & farewell drinks parties. Partners West North East South for single players. Friday 2♥ Pass ♥ Up early for breakfast, and then we 4NT Dbl 5 Pass Balmoral drive to Calais. There is a Christmas Pass Dbl Pass 5♠ market there that we are going to visit All Pass – but when we get there we find that it is open from 4.30pm to 9.30pm which I am South and know that West is isn’t much good for us. Instead, we go mucking around. As it happens I to our favourite cheese shop, and then should just have passed the double of adjourn to Cité Europe. As we have 5♥, but I don’t know that and it seems To book call Mr Bridge on plenty of time, we first stop off at the to me that I probably have enough for 01483 489961 Designer Outlet and get some more 5♠. As long as East is bright enough to www.mrbridge.co.uk Christmas presents. On the way back, unblock his ♦J when I lead towards the ♦ Briony drops me at Ashford station K, I have to go down. And, yes, that Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen and I get a train back to London one board, had I passed, would have 2016/17 Worldwide brochure while Briony drives on home. I hadn’t been enough to win the match. ■

BRIDGE February 2017 Page 49 Sally Brock Looks at Your Slam Bidding Sally’s River Seine Sojourn Slam Clinic

Sails from Southampton Where did we At worst you might need to West North East South 29th September 2017 go wrong? ruff a couple of hearts in the 1♥ 3 Nights • Balmoral • L1723 dummy, but even if partner Pass 1♠ 2♣ 3♥ This month’s deal was sent does not have the ♣Q, he Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT in by Steve Lambert of St may have the ♦Q and it is Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ Albans. He and his partner easy to see thirteen tricks Pass 5♣ Pass 5♦ nearly got it right but fell at virtually on top. In my view, Pass 6♥ All Pass the final hurdle … it is old-fashioned and not helpful to play fourth-suit The bidding looks straight- forcing as anything other forward up to South’s 3♥, Dealer East. E/W Vul. than game-forcing. Here, then North has choices, ♠ K Q J 9 2 ♠ A 7 6 had West been able to raise but it surely can’t be wrong

♥ A 5 4 3 N ♥ K 2♠ to 3♠, setting the suit to rebid his seven-card ♦ K W E ♦ A J 8 6 4 S and asking for cue-bids, suit (forcing when partner ♣ A K 8 ♣ Q 7 5 3 East would sign off with a has jumped the bidding). real minimum and co-op- South’s 3NT rebid is clearcut erate with a decent hand. and then North did well to West East Then, after using RKCB, bid on to show his diamond 1♦ West would have had a bet- values. South might have 1♠ 2♣ ter idea how high to go. done more here with good Southampton • Honfleur, 2♥ 2♠ trumps and a club control, France • Rouen, France 4NT 5♥ but over his sign-off North Southampton 5NT 6♥ Slam of the bid 5♣ to show the shortage. 6♠ Pass Month A diamond cue-bid from Great value Mr Bridge fares from: South now was enough for Interior twin room £359pp West was worried that East This month’s excellent win- North to bid the slam. Ocean view twin room £409pp might not hold the ♣Q, ner was sent in by Geoff On a club lead there would Ocean view twin room £499 which is why he settled for Simpson of Banchory, Ab- have been no problems in for sole occupancy the small slam. erdeen. He was South and the play, but West astutely There are several in- Joe Duxbury was North. led a trump instead. De- Daily bridge on board, teresting issues here. The clarer won in hand, ruffed bridge fees included. Mr Bridge welcome drinks first is that West assumed a club, returned to hand party. Partners for single that partner would be 3-1- Dealer South. E/W Vul. with the ♠K, drew two more players. Special solo offers. 5-4 distribution. I would ♠ A J 9 8 5 4 3 rounds of trumps, played a have thought that East was ♥ 6 3 diamond to dummy and the Balmoral 2-2-5-4. For me, a 3-1-5-4 ♦ A Q 8 2 ♠A, discarding a club. Had minimum opening should ♣ Void the ♠Q not fallen, he would ♠ ♠ ♠ 10 7 6 ♠ Q 2 raise 1 directly to 2 , and N have ruffed a spade and with more than a minimum ♥ 10 W E ♥ J 9 8 7 crossed again to a diamond, S opening East would have ♦ J 10 7 6 3 ♦ 5 before playing an estab- bid 3♠ over the fourth-suit ♣ 10 6 5 2 ♣ A Q J 9 4 3 lished spade to discard his ♥ ♠ K To book call Mr Bridge on 2 . Never mind, as soon as last club loser as East ruffed 01483 489961 you discover that East has ♥ A K Q 5 4 2 with his trump trick. How- ♥ ♦ K 9 4 ♠ www.mrbridge.co.uk the K it doesn’t really mat- ever, when the Q dropped ter whether he is 3-1 or 2-2 ♣ K 8 7 it was all over. Well bid and Terms and conditions in the majors. well played. ■ apply – see Fred. Olsen 2016/17 Worldwide brochure I think it is well within the odds to bid the grand slam. Send your slam hands to [email protected]

Page 50 BRIDGE February 2017 2189 Mr Bridge FULL page 171018BR_Layout 1 05/12/2016 15:20 Page 1

2017 AUTUMN BRIDGE CRUISE ANCIENT GREECE, spain Greece CartagenaMediterranean Seville Athens Jerez Sea Palermo Granada Trapani Segesta Santorini SICILY& SPAIN Cadiz Malaga sicily Valletta Heraklion malta Knossos crete

DEPARTS UK OCTOBER 18, 2017

OCT 18 Fly to ATHENS Greece Transfer to Aegean Odyssey in nearby Piraeus OCT 19 SANTORINI Greek Islands (Akrotiri) OCT 20 HERAKLION Crete (Knossos) OCT 21 At Sea OCT 22 VALLETTA Malta OCT 23 PALERMO Sicily overnight OCT 24 PALERMO Sicily (Monreale) OCT 25 TRAPANI Sicily (Segesta) OCT 26 At Sea OCT 27 CARTAGENA Spain OCT 28 MALAGA Spain (Granada)

SEGESTA, SICILY 14-day fly-cruise from £2,150 per person OCT 29 CADIZ Spain (Jerez) overnight OCT 30 CADIZ Spain River cruising along the With Mr Bridge and friends Guadalquivir River SEVILLE Spain overnight Combine your desire to travel with your passion for bridge OCT 31 SEVILLE Spain on a voyage across the Mediterranean Sea. Explore Minoan Disembark and transfer to Santorini and Crete. Sail into the grand harbour of Valletta. Seville Airport for flight home Enjoy the monumental sites of Sicily and the magnificent AEG171018BR Alhambra Palace at Granada before Aegean Odyssey sails MR BRIDGE VALUE FARES inland along the Guadalquivir River to the heart of Andalusia and its splendid capital – Seville. Standard Inside from £2,150pp Standard Outside from £2,650pp Premium Outside from £2,795pp Odyssey Club Members enjoy an additional 5% discount on prices shown above. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT JUST 10%† FARES INCLUDE: • Scheduled economy class flights CALL NOW ON 01483 489961 • Expert guest speaker programme OR VISIT www.mrbridge.co.uk • Mr Bridge drinks party • Duplicate bridge every evening Cabins can be held at no obligation for 7 days • Morning seminars and afternoon bridge when at sea • Sightseeing excursions in all ports of call • All meals on board in choice of two restaurants • Complimentary wine with dinner on board • Gratuities for on-board cabin and restaurant staff • Overseas transfers and baggage handling

Mr Bridge fares are per person and subject to availability at time of booking. They may be 10093 withdrawn at any time without notice. Please see website for full terms and conditions. †Single accommodation is available only in certain categories and is subject to availability. ABTA No.Y2206 2189 Mr Bridge FULL page 171109BR_Layout 1 05/12/2016 15:29 Page 1

2017 AUTUMN BRIDGE CRUISE

SEVILLE, S PA I N Seville Jerez Cadiz Malaga MOROCCO & Strait of Gibraltar Rabat Casablanca Fez Morocco Atlantic CANARY ISLANDS Ocean Marrakesh Agadir Taroudant Canary La Palma Islands Lanzarote Tenerife

DEPARTS UK NOVEMBER 9, 2017

NOV 9 Fly to MALAGA Spain Transfer to Aegean Odyssey NOV 10 At Sea NOV 11 River cruising along the Guadalquivir River SEVILLE Spain overnight NOV 12 SEVILLE Spain NOV 13 CADIZ Spain (Jerez) NOV 14 CASABLANCA/FEZ Morocco Morning drive to Fez for afternoon sightseeing hotel* NOV 15 FEZ/RABAT/CASABLANCA Morocco Morning drive to Rabat. Rejoin ship in Casablanca overnight NOV 16 CASABLANCA/MARRAKESH Morocco Drive to Marrakesh for afternoon sightseeing hotel* SEVILLE 12-day fly-cruise from £1,795 per person NOV 17 MARRAKESH/AGADIR Morocco Rejoin ship in Agadir. With Mr Bridge and friends Afternoon sightseeing to Taroudant NOV 18 LANZAROTE Canary Islands This fascinating journey takes you from Moorish Spain to the NOV 19 LA PALMA Canary Islands NOV 20 TENERIFE Canary Islands treasures of the Canary Islands and the very best of Morocco with Disembark and transfer to a land tour to the great cities and sites, including hotels stays in Fez Tenerife Airport for flight home and Marrakesh. Cruise through the Strait of Gibraltar and inland AEG171109BR to moor in the centre of Seville. Sailing out into the Atlantic Ocean, MR BRIDGE VALUE FARES you’ll visit the sun-blessed Canary Islands and visit Lanzarote’s Standard Inside from £1,795pp famous Fire Mountains and the verdant landscapes of La Palma. Standard Outside from £2,195pp Premium Outside from £2,295pp Odyssey Club Members enjoy an additional 5% discount on prices shown above. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FARES INCLUDE: JUST 10%† • Scheduled economy class flights CALL NOW ON 01483 489961 • One night hotel stay in both Fez and Marrakesh • Expert guest speaker programme OR VISIT www.mrbridge.co.uk • Mr Bridge drinks party Cabins can be held at no obligation for 7 days • Duplicate bridge every evening • Morning seminars and afternoon bridge when at sea • Sightseeing excursions in all ports of call • All meals on board in choice of two restaurants • Complimentary wine with dinner on board • Gratuities for on-board cabin and restaurant staff • Overseas transfers and baggage handling

Mr Bridge fares are per person and subject to availability at time of booking. They may be 10093 withdrawn at any time without notice. Please see website for full terms and conditions. †Single accommodation is available only in certain categories and is subject to availability. ABTA No.Y2206 *No bridge during hotel stays.