Number: 189 UK £3.95 Europe €5.00 September 2018 Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz

This month we are dealing with auctions where the opponents make an early double. You are West in BRIDGEthe auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no- (12-14 points) and four-card majors. It is your turn to call.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49 Mr Bridge UK Events 2018

Tutorial Events with Bernard Magee PROGRAMME

Chatsworth Hotel Two Bridges Hotel DAY 1 26-28 October £258 26-28 November From £349* 1500 Mr Bridge Supporting Minors Play and Defence of 1NT Welcome Desk open Tea or coffee on arrival

Elstead Hotel 1745 to 1830 Bournemouth BH1 3QP Welcome drinks 1830 to 2000 Just Duplicate Tutorial Events Dinner Blunsdon House Blunsdon House 2015 BRIDGE 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS 9-11 November £228 19-21 October £238

Better Leads & Switches 27-29 December £228 DAY 2 30 Nov - 2 Dec £238 Chatsworth Hotel Doubles 0800 to 0930 Breakfast 12-14 October £218 Denham Grove Chatsworth Hotel 1000 to 1230 Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG SEMINAR & PLAY 23-25 November £218 28-30 September £228 of SET HANDS or Splinters and Cue Bids Denham Grove Hosted by Will Parsons (Just Duplicate Events) 14-16 September £218 Denham Grove 1230 to 1330 19-21 October £218 Cold Buffet Lunch 5-7 October £228 Elstead Hotel Declarer Play 1400 to 1645 Hosted by Sandy Bell BRIDGE 2 5-7 October £218 TEAMS of FOUR Elstead Hotel (Bernard Magee Events) Ramada Resort, Grantham 2-4 November £218 DUPLICATE PAIRS Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 16-18 November £228 (otherwise) Olde Barn Hotel Bidding Distributional (formerly Ramada Resort Hands 1815 to 2000 Dinner Grantham) Hosted by Lesley Lewis 2015 BRIDGE 3 26-28 October £208 Olde Barn Hotel DUPLICATE PAIRS 16-18 November £208 21-23 September £218 Doubles DAY 3 Hosted by John Ronan 0800 to 0930 Please note that there are no 9-11 November £218 Breakfast Chatsworth Hotel seminars, set hands or prizes Better Finessing Worthing BN11 3DU 1000 to 1230 at these events. Hosted by Michael Haytack SEMINAR & PLAY of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS (Just Duplicate Events) For Festive Events 1230 to 1400 Sunday Lunch see page 36 (weekend events only) 1400 to 1645

2019 dates now available BRIDGE 4 Blunsdon House DUPLICATE PAIRS Swindon SN26 7AS see page 50

Full – No Single Supplement* ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk *Subject to availability. Single supplement applies to all rooms at Two Bridges & Blunsdon House Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee BRIDGE 2 Mr Bridge UK Events 2018 4 Mr Bridge 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 4 Croatia 2019 Surrey GU21 2TH 7 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee 5 Tunisia 2018-19 ( 6 Rushmere Beds & Chairs 01483 489961 9 Diaries of Wendy Wensum [email protected] 8 A Voyage through the 11 Defence Quiz by Middle Sea with Voyages to www.mrbridge.co.uk Antiquity shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ 11 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett 9 Bridge Tables mrbridge-shop 10 Mr Bridge UK Events at 12 No-Trump The Chatsworth Hotel Publisher and by Andrew Kambites 14 Mr Bridge UK Events at Managing Editor The Olde Barn Hotel 15 No-Trump Overcalls Quiz 15 Acol Bidding with Mr Bridge by Andrew Kambites Bernard Magee Associate Editor 21 Bernard Magee’s 16 Wise Wynfryth’s Final Warning by Tutorial Software Julian Pottage 21 Q Plus 12 [email protected] 18 Where to See Playing Card Collections 24 A Passage to Ancient Egypt Bridge Consultant by Paul Bostock & India with Voyages to Antiquity Bernard Magee 20 Game Tries by Bernard Magee 28 Duplicate Bridge Rules bernardmagee Simplified @mrbridge.co.uk 22 Taking Control by Robert Sheehan 28 Mr Bridge UK Events at 25 No-Trump Overcalls Quiz Answers Denham Grove Cartoons & Illustrations 30 Cruise the Rhine with Marguerite Lihou by Andrew Kambites The River Cruise Line www.margueritelihou.co.uk 26 Julian Pottage Answers your Questions 34 Bernard Magee DVDs Set 8 35 Defence with Technical Consultant 29 Declarer Play Quiz Answers by David Huggett Bernard Magee Tony Gordon 36 Festive Events 2018 30 Catching Up with 38 Bernard Magee DVDs Set 7 Typesetting 38 Cruise the Danube with Jessica Galt 31 Readers’ Letters The River Cruise Line [email protected] 41 Designs for Bridge 33 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions Table Covers Proof Reading Team 35 Sally’s Slam Clinic 42 The Aegean Experience & Mike Orriel Alexandria with Voyages to Antiquity Julian Pottage 37 Strong Artificial Twos Revisited by David Stevenson 43 Re-Boot your Acol with Catrina Shackleton 39 The Power of Spot Cards: Part 5 by Mike Lawrence Bernard Magee Richard Wheen 43 Little Voice, Subscriptions, 40 Seven Days by Sally Brock Mobility Scooter Insurance Customer Services 44 Canary Islands & Winter Catrina Shackleton 43 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee Warmth with Fred. Olsen [email protected] 45 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee 45 Charity Events Events & Cruises 45 Travel Insurance ( 01483 489961 46 More Tips by Bernard Magee 45 Books on Bridge, 2019 Diaries, Bridge with Angela Jessica Galt 47 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee 46 Bernard Magee DVDs [email protected] Sets 1-3 Megan Riccio 49 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee 46 Bridge Club Insurance [email protected] 51 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 47 Declarer Play with Bernard Magee Clubs & Charities 48 Canaries Christmas & Funchal Firworks with Maggie Axtell REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Fred. Olsen [email protected] Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, 49 Bernard Magee DVDs all mint with full gum. Sets 4-6 Quotations for commercial quantities available on request. 49 Home & Contents Printed in the UK by Values supplied in 100s, higher values available, Insurance The Magazine as well as 1st and 2nd class. 50 Mr Bridge UK Events 2019 Printing Company ( 020 8422 4906 52 South Africa & the Skeleton e-mail: [email protected] Coast with Voyages to www.magprint.co.uk Antiquity

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 3 TOO MUCH SKELETON COAST INFORMATION Mr Bridge Holidays Some cruises have that extra ingredient that makes Croatia 2019 them really special. One such is the cruise from at Hotel Eden, Rovinj Cape Town all the way up the west coast of Africa to Malaga in Spain. 1-15 May 2019 from £1499 per person sharing You fly out to Cape Town and join lovely Aegean 1-8 May Odyssey to sail up the or one week from £1139 per person sharing Regular readers of this incredible Skeleton Coast of column over the years will Namibia. After stopping at be aware of the repeated some of the isolated islands, Hosted by Will & Sylvia Parsons re-invention of my way of including Bom Bom; an Rovinj is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, life. When the fun stops I idyllic setting for Aegean boasting a rich natural and cultural heritage with beautiful change. I do know how Odyssey’s magical beach landmarks such as the old town and the Golden Cape Park lucky I have been to be able barbeque, you reach the Forest. Rovinj has many loyal visitors and has developed to make a good life for souks and bazaars of into a popular tourist destination. The climate is warm and myself and my family while Morocco with their rich semi-dry, with 134 sunny days in a year, Rovinj is the third enjoying myself at the same Moorish culture. Your sunniest spot in the Adriatic. time. hosts (pictured below) Will and Sylvia Parsons, have Hotel Eden is wedged right between a peninsula covered I have written a great never sailed the full length by a one hundred year old park forest and a quiet cove. The number of unpublished of this coastline before so old city centre is just a 20 minute walk away. pages outlining my future there are places that will be plans for Mr Bridge. These new to them and probably are not really not very to you too. interesting except to me. Much of these pages are like daydreams or nightmares. The daydreams are born of enlightened self-interest: the nightmares are the counterpart of Bridge: daydreams and suffered by those fearing change or Land based holidays allow time for plenty of bridge, but there is also time to both visit the local area and just sit maybe just not wanting the back and relax. Over the fortnight the bridge programme inconvenience or lacking includes four seminar & set hands sessions, which gives the will to make the There are a substantial you the opportunity to enhance your bridge skills, as well necessary effort needed to number of sea days and this as duplicate bridge every evening. You can play as much or make the improvements. is good news for any bridge as little as you wish and the excursions* are fitted around player as it means that there the bridge programme to maximise your enjoyment. Before I lose your attention will be opportunities galore completely, I will give you a for seminars and sessions Singles: There is a sole occupancy supplement of £12 per couple of examples: of supervised play, making room per night. If you are a single bridge player please do A scheme to launch new it a truly great learning not worry about being on your own. We will always be able bridge clubs. There is a opportunity. These, in to find you a partner so you can always have a game. demand out there, but it addition to the evening For an information pack and booking form needs more daydreaming. duplicates, are the icing on Secondly, to replace the the cake. ( Mr Bridge on 01483 489961 nation’s worn-out and or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk sticky playing cards. Best Bridge players travelling quality. £1 per pack without a bridge partner Half board only, including flights from Gatwick. Selected regional flights may be available at a supplement. Terms and conditions apply. These including VAT and should not worry; they will holidays have been organised for Mr Bridge by Great Little Escapes LLP, delivery. I will have more be made to feel welcome ATOL 5933. *Excursions are not included in the price of the holiday. details next month. and always found a partner.

Page 4 BRIDGE September 2018 In addition to the bridge LITTLE VOICE programme, there will be a Mr Bridge full panel of speakers with A great big thank you from knowledge of all the everyone at Little Voice in Hotel Royal Kenz countries you visit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. examining their history as Please keep saving stamps Tunisia 2018-19 well as their prospects for in support of their work. If the 21st century. See the you have any used postage advert on the back cover. stamps please send them to: Seven Day All-inclusive Duplicate Bridge Holidays OLDE BARN Malcolm Finebaum Flat 8 Mountford House, 8 Crescent Road, Enfield, Middlesex. EN2 7BL

TUNISIA

You will see from the adjacent advertisement that we are back at the Royal It’s back to being called The Kenz Hotel this coming Olde Barn Hotel for this November for one or two friendly hostelry in weeks with golf or sight- 6-13 November 2018 from £699 Marston, near Grantham, seeing and duplicate bridge 13-20 November 2018 from £699 Lincolnshire. The in the evening after dinner. ownership remains with its Both of the above weeks from £999 friendly team, as visitors for In March next year Bernard with Gwen Beattie weekend bridge events will Magee, pictured below, will Golf is available - green fees charged extra surely testify. Do see our host a party with the full 5-12 Mar 2019 with Bernard Magee from £699 adverts on pages 2 & 50. bridge programme with speedball, whatever that is. FESTIVE SEASON

Shock. Horror. This being the September issue already I need to remind those yet to book to get a move on and do so. We are sold out of singles for New Year at Denham Grove with a long waiting list. *Prices shown are per person on an all-inclusive basis sharing a twin or double-bedded room and are inclusive of bridge fees. RIVER CRUISE 2019 NEARLY FORGOT Standard rooms all come with a private bath, toilet, balcony and tea and coffee making facilities. Sole occupancy supplement is £5 If you have yet to try one of per night. The supplement for a pool view room is £3 per person, these holidays, may I per night. To upgrade to a superior room with bath robe, bottle of remind you we are going wine and bowl of fruit on arrival is £3 per person per night. down the Rhine in May For details of what is included in the all-inclusive package, please and in October we cruise call for an information pack and booking form. the Danube. These prices are based on scheduled flights from Heathrow to Tunis. Flights from Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow can be 2019 DIARIES arranged at a supplement. Clive Goff continues to *All prices are firm until 30th September 2018. advertise in these pages. Be Terms and conditions apply. Packaged with and assured his service is legal bookings by Tunisia First ATOL 5933. and above board. ( 020 8422 4906 For details or an information pack call [email protected] Ruby red or Navy blue. See advert page 3. Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 5

Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz This month we are dealing with auctions where the opponents make an early double. You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors. It is your turn to call.

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Answers: My Answers: My Answers: My Answers:

1...... 4...... 7...... 10......

2...... 5...... 8...... 11......

3...... 6...... 9...... 12......

Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 7

The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 77 A Winter’s Tale

These English made tables offer superb quality and have illie and I were on the Glen opened 1♦. Millie and I passed the genuine Pelissier hinges. balcony at the Riverside. throughout. Choose from the great value In front of us the river was In the North seat, Phil went super- Club, the Premier or the Meerily calm under a gloomy mist. In positive with 2♠. Glen showed his elegant Royal. the distance we could see a dull glow second suit by bidding 3♥ and Special Prices for Bridge from the floodlights of Carrow Road his brother bid 3♠ confirming his Club orders of 5 or more. football stadium. It was cold and damp solid suit. With the other suits outside so we rejoined Kate and Jo in covered, Glen, counter to his normal the bar. Members had been put off by cautionary practices, jumped the wintry weather and there was a straight to 6NT ending the auction. low turnout. As we made our way to As Millie considered her lead, Glen the bridge room, drinks in hand, we announced, ‘Using four no-trumps passed brothers Glen and Phil ordering asking wouldn’t have helped,’ adding, pints of lager. Phil acknowledged us ‘Anyway, Blackwood is for wimps.’ with his usual cheerful smile, but I presumed it was the lager talking; his brother looked as miserable as he was normally so quiet. Club Table with traditional green ever. ‘No wonder he’s called Gloomy felt playing surface £159.00 Glen,’ said Jo. ‘It’s because he’s still West North East South a bachelor,’ pronounced Millie Millie Phil Wendy Glen spontaneously. ‘He just needs a good 1♦ woman,’ she continued without Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ further justification. ‘A bad one might Pass 3♠ Pass 6NT be a better choice,’ suggested Kate End mischievously. It was a multiple team event and the Millie thought a while before leading session was well underway when, as we a spade, which Glen won in dummy approached Glen and Phil’s table, Glen with the ace. He then ran the six spade Premier Table, bevelled edges still looked glum. Even a good score tricks ditching two clubs and three and baize playing surface £199.00 never seemed to cheer him up. The first hearts. two boards were fairly nondescript Next he led a diamond, and and Glen remained as morose as ever. following the four from me, finessed Then this board appeared. the ten. Millie took the trick with her king leaving this position:

Dealer South. Game All. ♠ A K Q 10 4 3 ♠ — ♥ 7 ♥ 7 ♦ 5 3 ♦ 5 Royal Table, elegant surround and ♣ J 9 6 2 ♣ J 9 6 2 baize playing surface £249.00 ♠ 9 8 6 2 ♠ J 5 ♠ — ♠ — Order online or by phone ♥ 10 6 N ♥ K J 5 4 3 2 ♥ 10 N ♥ K J ♦ K 6 2 W E ♦ J 9 4 ♦ 6 2 W E ♦ J 9 www.designsforbridge.co.uk S S ♣ K Q 5 3 ♣ 8 7 ♣ K Q 5 ♣ 8 7 01483 270 100 ♠ 7 ♠ — SR Designs for Bridge ♥ A Q 9 8 ♥ A Unit A1, Send Business Park, ♦ A Q 10 8 7 ♦ A Q 8 7 Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF ♣ A 10 4 ♣ A

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 9 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Continued...

Millie now played the king this four-card ending. of clubs, which Glen won with the ace. The five red cards gave him the contract ♠ K for plus 1440. For once ♥ — Glen looked positively ♦ — cheerful, radiant from his ♣ J 9 6 2018 2019 success. At the other table ♠ 9 ♠ — our teammates’ auction ♥ — N ♥ J 5 4 28-30 September £258 1-3 February £228 W E Splinters and Cue Bids was more restrained. ♦ — S ♦ — Hosted by Will Parsons With no interference from ♣ K Q 5 ♣ 8 Hosted by Will Parsons opponents, Jo and Kate ♠ — 12-14 October £218 29-31 March £258 played in three no-trumps. ♥ 9 8 Just Duplicate Drawing Trumps ♦ Hosted by Bernard Magee — 26-28 October £258 West North East South ♣ 10 4 Supporting Minors 26-28 April £218 Kate Jo Hosted by Bernard Magee Just Duplicate 1♦ 23-25 November £218 10-12 May £238 Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥ If she had now exited with Just Duplicate Doubling Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT a club her contract would Hosted by Sandy Bell End still have been home, but A family run, grade II listed 7-9 June £218 unfortunately she played a building, with beautiful Just Duplicate With six running spades heart and the contract was Georgian frontage. The tricks and the aces of doomed, failing by one trick Chatsworth Hotel retains 5-7 July £218 the three other suits, for minus 100. The massive much of its 19th century Just Duplicate charm and is renowned for the contract looked imp swing was decisive and 16-18 August £238 its friendly, efficient service. Leads and Fundamental straightforward. Like Millie, we lost that match by a large The hotel is backed by a West led a spade which Jo margin. Defence Silver Tourism Award for Hosted by Martin Holcombe took in dummy with the In the hostelry later, Jo Quality. Adjacent to the ace. She then intended was mortified by her lapse of seafront, it is the perfect 27-29 September £218 to run the spade suit. not testing spades initially location for a stroll. Just Duplicate However a metaphorical and her carelessness in the fog descended upon her, end game. Meanwhile I was causing her to lose the plot. pondering on the reason for After playing the ace, she both Wests to have chosen a immediately finessed the spade lead. Millie justified diamond queen losing to her decision by suggesting West’s king, simultaneously that the bidding negated a cutting herself off from red suit lead and that against Prices shown are per person, full board including tea & coffee dummy’s spade winners. a slam a club lead could be during breaks and a welcome drinks party. There is no single West returned the six of costly. A round of drinks supplement and single players will always be found a partner. hearts to the seven, king and soon cheered everyone up The Mr Bridge Team will offer support during the set hands ace. Now in panic mode, Jo and to be fair it had been sessions, on the seminar events, and make up the numbers played the ace of diamonds great to so see Gloomy in the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. hoping to drop the jack. No Glen looking so cheerful, All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and such luck, so she continued if only briefly. None of us free Wi-Fi. The venue has a lift and is located in lovely Steyne with the ten of diamonds could ever remember him Gardens, close to the sea front. Garden view or sea view won by East, who exited even smiling before. It was rooms may be available (sea view at a supplement). with a club won in hand by certainly a contrast to his the ace. Jo played out her normal demeanour and For details and bookings call two diamond winners and the prevailing Norwich Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961 the queen of hearts leaving weather. ■

Page 10 BRIDGE September 2018 DEFENCE DECLARER QUIZ PLAY by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 51) QUIZ

ou are West in the defensive positions below, playing by David Huggett Ymatchpoint pairs with only East-West vulnerable. (Answers on page 29) ou are South as declarer playing or teams. 1. ♠ J 9 8 6 3. ♠ A 10 8 YIn each case, what is your play strategy? ♥ J 8 4 ♥ J 8 ♦ J 8 4 3 ♦ A J 8 4 3 ♣ J 6 ♣ J 6 3 ♠ A Q 10 ♠ 9 6 4 3 2 1. ♠ A 2 3. ♠ K 7 6 ♥ Q 9 7 5 3 N ♥ K Q N ♥ 6 4 ♥ 6 5 W E W E ♦ A 10 ♦ 10 5 ♦ 7 6 3 ♦ A Q J 6 5 S S ♣ 10 7 2 ♣ Q 10 7 4 ♣ A Q J 8 4 3 ♣ K Q 2

N N W E W E West North East South West North East South S S 1♣ 1NT1 1♥ Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2♠2 Pass 2NT3 ♠ K 7 5 ♠ A J 9 All Pass All Pass ♥ A K 10 9 ♥ A 112-14 ♦ A J 10 2 ♦ 10 9 8 You lead the ♥5: ♥4, ♥A 2Range enquiry ♣ 7 6 ♣ J 10 9 7 5 4 and ♥6. Back comes the ♥2, 3Lower end of range covered by the ♥10 and ♥Q.

How do you continue? You lead the ♠6, on which You are declarer in 3NT and You are declarer in 3NT after go the ♠8, ♠K and ♠5. Back West leads the ♥5. East plays West opened 1NT (12-14), comes the ♥6, on which the ♥J. How do you plan the North doubled and East res- declarer plays the ♥2. What play? cued into hearts. West leads is your plan? the ♥Q. How do you plan the play?

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

S S

West North East South West North East South ♠ 2 ♠ 10 9 7 5 3 1NT1 Pass 3♦ ♥ A J 10 7 4 3 ♥ A K 3 All Pass Pass 5♦ All Pass ♦ A K 3 ♦ Q 6 112-14 ♣ A J 10 ♣ K Q 5

You lead the ♠4. Partner You lead the ♠4: ♠8, ♠A wins with the ♠A and and ♠Q. Back comes the ♥2 You are declarer in 6♥ and You are declarer in 4♠ and switches to the ♥2; you cover covered by the ♥5 and ♥Q. West leads the ♠K. How do West leads the ♥Q. How do the ♥3 with the ♥J, winning How do you continue? you plan the play? you plan the play? the trick. How should you continue?

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 11 About the Contested Auction by Andrew Kambites No-Trump Overcalls

t would be helpful for you to understand why you need more Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand D points to 1NT than open ♠ J 6 5 ♠ 7 6 ♠ 8 ♠ 9 8 I1NT. While opening 1NT carries ♥ A 8 7 ♥ A J 10 ♥ A Q 9 7 ♥ K 2 some risk, it is not always easy for the ♦ K 8 7 ♦ J 10 9 6 ♦ K Q 8 5 ♦ 9 5 4 opponents to realise that they have ♣ A K 3 2 ♣ A K Q 8 ♣ A Q 10 9 ♣ A K Q J 8 7 the majority of points, which is the best criterion for deciding to make a penalty double. One of the benefits With Hand A you should pass a 1♥ of playing a weak no-trump is that opening. This is a bad 15 points. I like Hand E sometimes opponents each have a Bernard’s advice to deduct a point ♠ 8 with 13 points but from 4-3-3-3 shape hands, becaFuse ♥ A Q J 10 9 6 cannot enter the auction. 1NT goes they have such limited trick taking ♦ K J 7 lots off, but it doesn’t come close to potential. You don’t need to worry ♣ A Q 3 compensating for a missed game. about missing game because if the However suppose South opens 1♥ and auction continues (1♥) Pass (Pass) ? West comes in with 1NT. If North to your partner he is in the protective Suppose your right hand opponent has nine or more points it is clear that seat, and very different criteria apply has opened 1♥ and you hold Hand C. North/South have the majority of to bidding in the protective position. There is no perfect bid. Thirty years ago points, making a penalty double easy. With Hand B, overcall 1♥ with 1NT. players tended to pass, hoping partner This is a far better 15 points: 4-4-3- could protect. This was called a ‘trap t is much easier to make a 2 shape, good intermediates and a pass’. Nowadays I think most experts penalty double of a 1NT overcall double heart stopper. Yes you have would regard a 1NT overcall as the Ithan a 1NT opening bid. a weakness in spades but there is a least flawed option. Note that you do principle in competitive bidding that not have the option of making a take- Note that a double of a 1NT overcall applies widely. out double of 1♥ and then converting is for penalties, just like the double of 1♠ by partner to 2♣, showing the other a 1NT opening bid. The EBU criteria hen opponents have two suits. You will see next month that for alerting doubles reflect good bid a suit, for bidding Auction F shows a hand with long practice here. A double of a natural Wno-trumps you need to clubs, too strong to overcall 2♣. suit bid below 3NT is assumed to be concentrate on the suit they have for take-out unless alerted. A double bid, not suits they haven’t bid. Auction F of a no-trump bid is assumed to be for West North East South penalties unless alerted. Suppose you overcall 1NT with Hand 1♥ Dbl Pass 1♠ B. Sometimes partner will have spade Pass 2♣ 1NT overcall shows a values. However even if spades are a good 15-18 points. It also genuine weakness, bear in mind that If you wish you can agree with partner A guarantees at least one the opening leader will feel under that this shows clubs and diamonds, stopper in their suit. some pressure to lead his partner’s but you need to be aware that if you suit, hearts. Occasionally they will make a take-out double partner will You might open 1NT with a weak find the spade lead. The right reaction expect you to have at least three cards suit but once your opponents have to that is not to worry how you could in each of the other three suits. How bid a suit, effectively telling you (and have bid better but to accept it as an are you going to feel if you double with themselves) what they are going to occupational hazard and get on with Hand C and the auction develops as in lead, you need a stopper in that suit. the next hand. Auction G?

Page 12 BRIDGE September 2018 Auction G principle you open up the likelihood If West knows that his side has the West North East South that a less clear-cut sequence will crop balance of points he doubles. West 1♥ Dbl 3♥ 4♠ up and that you and your partner will doubles with Hand J. Note that if the come to different conclusions. Having final contract is 1NT doubled, West With Hand D it is perfectly reasonable said that, it is for you to decide how leads the ♥2, usual from three to an to overcall 1♥ with 2♣, but 1NT is a you want to approach this with your honour. The old practice of leading the practical alternative that many experts partner. And don’t assume that for all highest card in partner’s suit is flawed. would choose. You may not have the their hard work experts never have It costs a trick in Layout N. usually required number of points misunderstandings. They do, and they (15), but the solid club suit suggests are sometimes spectacular! that it may be possible to bid and I will summarise my view on Layout N make 3NT on fewer than usual points. complexity, which is almost an ♥ 5 3

I would bid 1NT, but I would run to obsession with me. How ambitious you N 2♣ if doubled. are in conventions and interpretations ♥ Q 7 2 W E ♥ A 9 8 6 4 S While it is undesirable to pass 1♥ should reflect how much time you are with lots of points I think there really prepared to spend with your partner. ♥ K J 10 is no alternative with Hand E. You Any exception you make to a general are overloaded in hearts and have principle should be determined by no particular interest in suggesting how often it will occur. I frequently West also doubles with Hand K. And anything else. Suppose the auction see club players invent undiscussed I will commit another act of heresy develops as in Auction H? What do bids that they expect partner to work here. The best lead is not automatically you think 2♥ means? out, or agree specific sequences with partner’s suit. It is all too likely here partner that might crop up once that partner has mediocre hearts Auction H every five years, by which time either and that declarer’s hearts are waiting West North East South or both of them will have forgotten. to gobble them up. Lead the ♠Q. If 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass They invariably fall flat on their face. you are lucky partner has the ♠K. If 1NT 2♥ Having said this, I will no longer need declarer has it he is pretty well forced to reinforce it. I will give you lots of to take it or lose it, and hopefully In my view to pass first time and bid principles and discuss occasional partner will subsequently return a hearts at the two level second time exceptions. Otherwise depart from the spade, or if he has no spade to lead, allows no other sensible interpretation principle at your own risk. switch to a diamond. except that you have really excellent With Hand L West bids 2♠. With hearts. However, there is real danger Opener’s partner acts nine or more points West would have ♠ in this line of thinking unless you over a 1NT overcall doubled, so 2 cannot be forcing. It have lots of time and energy to discuss shows a good suit in a limited hand. numerous sequences with your Opener certainly doesn’t rebid hearts partner. Club players need general I now look at how opener’s partner bids just because he dislikes spades. When principles that guide them through over a 1NT overcall, as in Auction M. one partner has a good suit in a weak numerous sequences. Here is one. hand it is usually right to have this suit as trumps, otherwise lack of entries f your opponents have bid a suit Hand J Hand K renders the suit useless. naturally, then if you bid that suit ♠ K J 6 ♠ A Q J 9 6 5 If opener’s partner doubles does Iit is conventional. ♥ Q 7 2 ♥ 9 opener stand the double? ♦ K 5 4 ♦ K 8 7 If you adopt this principle then you ♣ 10 9 8 6 ♣ 8 7 6 will never play in a suit once it has Hand P Hand Q been bid by an opponent. Experts ♠ 9 ♠ 9 are not totally happy with that ♥ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 5 and point out that it makes it very Hand L ♦ K 10 8 ♦ K 7 difficult to overcome a psyche by an ♠ A Q 10 9 8 6 ♣ A 5 4 3 ♣ 8 5 4 3 opponent. True, but a principle like ♥ 9 this performs an invaluable role for ♦ 6 5 club players: it avoids confusion. It ♣ 8 7 6 5 is virtually impossible for experts to Hand R identify every possible sequence. It ♠ 9 is totally impossible for club players Auction M ♥ A Q J 8 7 who don’t have unlimited time at West North East South ♦ Q J 8 7 5 their disposal. The moment you 1♥ 1NT ♣ 9 4 start making exceptions to a general ? u

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 13 Auction S as opposite a 1NT opening West North East South bid, so Stayman, Transfers Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT etc. Dbl Pass ? Obviously partner will take account of the fact Hand P is a sound open- that the 1NT overcall is 3-4 ing bid. It is almost always points stronger than a 1NT correct to pass if you have opening bid. a sound opening bid, so on If the 1NT overcall is most hands you will leave in doubled you need to know the double. whether Stayman and With Hand Q, East wasn’t transfers still apply. playing weak two bids and opened 1♥ in third position 2NT overcalls for lead directing purposes. 2018 2019 With Hand Q East should This is the source of endless rebid 2♥, a strong message confusion among club play- 21-23 September £218 18-20 January £208 Doubles for West to pass. ers so let me try to explain Just Duplicate Hosted by John Ronan Equally with Hand R, the theory behind the unu- 8-10 February £218 ♦ 26-28 October £208 East rebids 2 . Again West sual no-trump (UNT). Finding Slams will normally choose be- If you are too strong for Just Duplicate Hosted by Gary Conrad tween 2♦ and 2♥ unless a 1NT overcall, you double 9-11 November £218 8-10 March £208 very strong. first and then bid no- Better Finessing Just Duplicate trumps. Hosted by Michael Haytack f opener removes re- So you have no natural 16-18 November £208 17-19 May £238 Drawing Trumps sponder’s penalty dou- use for a direct jump to 2NT Just Duplicate Ible of a 1NT overcall, over 1♥. Bridge players love Hosted by John Ronan he has a weak, probably to find uses for redundant For Festive events, see page 14-16 June £218 XX shapely hand. bids, hence the widespread Just Duplicate use of 2NT to show the This charming rustic hotel 12-14 July £264 I will end this section by lowest two unbid suits. is set in the beautiful Supporting Minors looking at how the auction How about if opponents countryside of Grantham in Hosted by Bernard Magee ♥ the heart of England. might continue after a pen- open a weak 2 ? You have 2-4 August £229 alty double if the partner of one fewer level to bid no- Comfortably furnished and tastefully decorated rooms, Masterpointed Duplicate the 1NT bidder removes the trumps, and you desperately with a traditional bar, 20-22 September £238 double. need to be able to bid a contemporary lounge, natural 2NT, showing a Further into the Auction atmospheric restaurant, Hosted by Ray Hutchinson Auction T good 16-19 points. You and health club altogether West North East South cannot afford to give up the make for an make for an 11-13 October £218 Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT natural use for 2NT. idyllic retreat. Just Duplicate Dbl 2♠ Dbl Let me try to give you a principle here. This is covered by another wide ranging principle: 2NT overcall is an unusual no-trump fter one penalty A if, and only if, it is double all subse- over a 1-level bid. Aquent doubles are Prices shown are per person, full board including tea & coffee for penalty. When we look at protective during breaks and a welcome drinks party. There is no single bidding you will learn that supplement and single players will always be found a partner. If North/South are in se- a protective jump to 2NT is The Mr Bridge Team will offer support during the set hands rious trouble then they needed as a natural bid, but sessions, on the seminar events, and make up the numbers should not be let off lightly. in the meantime the general in the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. principle should serve you All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and Bidding opposite well. free Wi-Fi. The venue has a lift. a 1NT overcall Opposite a natural 2NT overcall you should play the For details and bookings call Your system opposite a 1NT same system as opposite a Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961 overcall should be the same 2NT opening bid. ■

Page 14 BRIDGE September 2018 No-Trump Overcall Quiz BERNARD by Andrew Kambites MAGEE’S (Answers on page 25) INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD 1. At love all what should South bid with these hands if East opens 1♦? ACOL BIDDING Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand D Hand E ♠ K J 6 ♠ K J 6 ♠ K J 6 ♠ 5 3 ♠ K 3 ♥ K 6 4 3 ♥ K 6 4 3 ♥ K J 4 3 ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ K Q 7 6 4 ♦ A J 9 ♦ A J 9 ♦ 9 7 6 ♦ A 6 ♦ 5 ♣ 8 3 2 ♣ A 7 3 ♣ A K Q ♣ A K Q 6 5 4 ♣ A K J 6 4

MAC or 2. At game all what should East bid with these hands after the auction shown? Windows

Hand A Hand B Hand C West North East South ♠ K 7 6 ♠ K 7 6 ♠ K Q 10 7 6 5 1♦ 1NT ? ♥ 5 3 ♥ 5 3 ♥ 9 6 ♦ Q 4 3 2 ♦ Q 4 3 2 ♦ J 10 7 ♣ J 8 7 6 ♣ A J 8 7 ♣ 7 5

3. At game all what should West bid with these hands after the auction shown? Throughout 200 deals split into ten chapters, Bernard evaluates your bids, praising the correct Hand A Hand B Hand C West North East South ones and discussing the wrong ♠ K 4 3 ♠ 8 ♠ 6 3 1♦ 1NT Dbl Pass ones. ♥ J 7 ♥ J ♥ A 6 ? ♦ K Q 10 7 5 4 ♦ K Q 10 7 5 4 ♦ K J 10 9 7 l Opening Bids ♣ Q 4 ♣ K J 10 6 4 ♣ A 8 4 2 and Responses l Slams and Strong Openings 4. With North/South vulnerable, what should South bid with these hands after the auction shown? l Support for Partner l Pre-empting l Overcalls Hand A Hand B Hand C West North East South ♠ Q 10 9 4 3 ♠ 9 8 6 4 ♠ Q 10 9 4 3 1♦ 1NT Dbl ? l No-trump £66 ♥ 8 6 ♥ J 10 7 6 ♥ A 7 5 Openings ♦ 6 3 2 ♦ K 7 6 2 ♦ 6 3 and Responses ♣ ♣ ♣ J 10 9 2 J 10 9 l Opener’s and Responder’s Rebids

5. With North/South vulnerable what should South bid with these hands after l Minors and Misfits East opens a weak 2♥? l Doubles l Competitive Auctions Hand A Hand B Hand C ♠ 7 4 ♠ A 8 ♠ A 8 ♥ 9 ♥ A Q 4 ♥ A Q 4 Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, ♦ K Q 5 4 3 ♦ K Q 6 5 2 ♦ A K Q 5 3 Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ♣ A K 6 5 4 ♣ Q 6 5 ♣ Q 6 5 ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 15 Robin Hood's Bridge Adventures by David Bird Wise Wynfryth’s Final Warning

very now and again the Baron Geofric Lynes won with the king of Little John, who had a tankard of ale of Beef hostelry held a team- hearts and returned the ♠10. in his hand. ‘Once she does her funny of-four event. Usually held on Robin Hood paused to assess his stare into me eyes, I always seem to Ea Saturday, it consisted of 6 rounds prospects. The club loser could be play badly for some reason.’ of 8 boards. The event was open to discarded on the fourth round of Robin Hood suppressed a smile. all-comers and, as such, represented spades and it seemed that the only risk How could a towering man like John a serious security risk for outlaw was a 4-0 trump break. What could be be frightened of an elderly woman? entrants. The two roads leading to the done to guard against that? Surely he didn’t believe in magic spells hostelry, which was inside the bounds Robin Hood won the spade switch and the like? of Sherwood Forest, had outlaw with the king and led the ♦6 from his This was an early board at Little guards posted. If any soldiers were to hand. When West followed with the John’s table: approach and gain to the event, ♦5, he called for dummy’s ♦3. If East they would find a number of empty won the trick, only two trumps would places at the card tables. still be out and these would fall under Dealer North. N/S Game. Robin Hood and Nazir faced a the ace-king. When East showed out, ♠ 7 6 married couple in their first match. the ♦6 won the trick. Hood continued ♥ J 8 2 with the ace-king of trumps and four ♦ A 6 2 rounds of spades, ditching a club. West ♣ A K 10 7 3 Dealer East. Love All. scored her queen of diamonds but this ♠ 5 2 ♠ 8 4 ♠ A J 6 5 was the last trick for the defence. ♥ A 10 4 3 N ♥ Q 9 6 5 W E ♥ ♦ ♦ 6 ‘That’s why I didn’t double!’ Q 10 9 7 4 S J 8 3 ♦ A K 3 exclaimed Helga Lynes. ‘It’s absolute ♣ J 5 ♣ Q 9 8 2 ♣ A 8 5 3 2 magic how he plays the cards. How on ♠ A K Q J 10 9 3 ♠ 8 3 2 ♠ 10 9 7 earth did he know that I had all the ♥ K 7 N ♥ Q 7 5 2 ♥ A K J 9 8 4 3 ♦ K 5 W E trumps?’ ♦ Q 10 9 5 S ♦ Her husband nodded supportively. ♣ 6 4 ♣ Q 10 ♣ J 7 6 ‘Could you not have covered the ♦6, ♠ K Q 4 my dear?’ he queried. ♥ 10 ‘It makes no difference,’ said Robin West North East South ♦ J 8 7 6 4 2 Hood. ‘I win with dummy’s ace, Friar Jake Little Old ♣ K 9 4 return to a spade and lead the ♦7. Tuck D’Ath John Luella When Helga covers again, I win with 1♣ Pass 2♠ the king and my ♦J-8 are then equals Pass 2NT Pass 3♠ West North East South against her ♦Q-5.’ Pass 4♠ Pass 4NT Helga Nazir Geofric Robin ‘I believe Ethwelda is South for us at Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ Lynes Lynes Hood the other table,’ Helga Lynes observed. All Pass 3♥ Pass ‘We will just have to hope that she 4♥ Dbl Pass 5♦ finds the same play.’ Friar Tuck, who favoured safe leads All Pass Robin Hood’s team won their first against slam contracts, reached for the three matches and were leading the ♠5. The ancient woman in the South Helga Lynes had no inclination to field with +77 IMPs when they faced seat won Little John’s 8 with the 9 and double the diamond game. Robin the team captained by Wise Wynfryth. paused to make a plan. If she could Hood’s card play was legendary. Apart ‘Any preference for opponents?’ set up dummy’s club suit there would from that, there was every chance Hood asked, as they walked towards be no need to rely on luck, leading that one of the outlaws would be void the appointed table. towards her king of hearts. in hearts. She led the ♥2 and down ‘More than me life’s worth to face Old Luella crossed to the club ace went the dummy. The black-bearded the dreaded Wise Wynfryth,’ replied and played the king of clubs, glad to

Page 16 BRIDGE September 2018 see both defenders follow. She ruffed replied. ‘I was rather hoping to play had no obvious entry to the dummy. a low club with the ♠10, West showing against your other pair. I usually do All would be well if diamonds split out, and returned to dummy with the well against the tall one.’ 3-2, because he could cross to the ♦9 ♠3 to dummy’s ♠6. ‘Another time, perhaps,’ said Hood. on the fourth round. What if they Friar Tuck gasped when Little John ‘If I remember rightly, you did well broke 4-1? followed with the ♠4. Why on earth enough against me not so long ago.’ Hood drew trumps in three rounds had he played his ♠8 at trick one? He This was the deal before them: and played the ace of diamonds, two had given declarer a precious extra lowly spot cards appearing. He then entry to dummy. It was typical of John continued with the jack of diamonds to be halfway through his third pint Dealer South. E/W Game. from his hand. already. There were 365 days in the ♠ 6 4 3 Wise Wynfryth did not like the look year when a man could drink his fill. ♥ K Q 3 of this card at all. Muttering to herself Did he have to imbibe so heavily when ♦ 9 7 6 3 again, she won with the queen. East they were playing in a bridge event? ♣ Q J 2 discarded a heart on the trick and it Old Luella ruffed a club with the ♠ 2 ♠ 10 9 5 was clear to all present that, mutter ♥ J 10 9 5 N ♥ 8 7 6 4 2 trump jack and returned to dummy W E as she may, Wynfryth had no safe exit with the ace of diamonds. She ♦ Q 10 8 4 S ♦ 2 card. When she eventually played a discarded the ♥7 on the established ♣ K 7 5 3 ♣ 10 8 6 4 heart, Robin won in the dummy and ♣10 and played a heart to the bare ♠ A K Q J 8 7 discarded a diamond and a club on king, pleased to see that the ace was ♥ A the heart honours. The slam had been offside. ‘Hah!’ she exclaimed, turning ♦ A K J 5 made. towards Little John. ‘That’ll be a good ♣ A 9 ‘No-one else would have made that swing to us. Playing your ♠8 on the slam against me,’ Wynfryth informed first trick was foolish.’ the outlaw leader. ‘My spells are the If any man had spoken to him in West North East South most powerful in the shire. Those this fashion, Little John would have Wise Nazir Basil Robin who’ve aroused my ire in the past will hauled him outside for a fight. He had Wynfryth Leape Hood vouch for that. If they’re still with us.’ never struck a woman in his life and 2♣ Hood was not a great believer in the managed to restrain himself. Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ supernatural but he had no wish to ‘John wouldn’t normally make such Pass 3♠ Pass 6♠ take unnecessary risks. ‘Many speak a mistake,’ Friar Tuck informed the All Pass highly of your powers,’ he replied. declarer. ‘You can blame it on the Wynfryth raised a gnarled finger, strong ale they serve here.’ Muttering some incantation under her wagging it from side to side. ‘Don’t ‘What rubbish!’ exclaimed Little breath, Wise Wynfryth led the jack of expect to make another slam against John. ‘A few pints of ale make no hearts against the slam. Robin Hood me,’ she continued. ‘I’ll try a different difference to a man like me. What won with the bare ace, noting that he spell next time.’ n about you? You’ve stuffed yourself with two of the landlord’s beef pies. Large ones, too.’ Friar Tuck glared across the table. ‘No-one plays bridge well on an empty stomach,’ he replied. Did John not appreciate the difference between wholesome food and intoxicating liquor? If ale made no difference to him, he must play like a drunkard when he was sober. That was nothing to boast about. Old Luella looked across at her partner, an unhealthy-looking man with thinning white hair. ‘I should have gone down, Jake,’ she told him. ‘The tall man made a silly mistake.’ At the other table, the players had drawn their cards for the third board of the match. ‘Is your team doing well?’ enquired Hood, sorting through his hand. ‘Well enough,’ Wise Wynfryth

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 17 A History of Playing Cards: Part Twenty-One by Paul Bostock Where to see Playing Card Collections

here are several places where you can see impressive playing card collections – collections that cover a long history and show examples from many card-making countries. In the UK, the larger museums often have playing cards, including several in London. If you are travelling, many European countries have dedicated playing card museums and the more Tadventurous will find specialist museums in Havana (Cuba), Peterhof (St Petersburg, Russia) and Fukuoka (Japan). British Collections

One of the largest British collections is in the British Museum. The collection in the maps and prints department has standard English cards from around 1680 and onwards. In the 1890s, the Museum was bequeathed a fabulous collection by one of the pioneers of playing card history, Lady Charlotte Schreiber. Other cards are found in geographical departments, for example under the Museum’s Asian collection. It is always advisable to request a visit in advance.

The British Museum has several uncut sheets of cards similar to this one by ‘Hewson’ (unknown as a cardmaker) c 1680.

Page 18 BRIDGE September 2018 The V&A also has an excellent collection of cards with some unique handmade examples, old cards from several European countries and twenty or so Ganjifa sets from India (the subject of the next article in this series). Some of the cards are on permanent display but the majority need to be requested from their library reading room. The collection of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards (WCMPC) is kept at the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) in Clerkenwell, London. This collection is again extensive, covering both early English cards with a number of illustrated packs and cards from Europe and the far East. The collection began in 1908 with a donation from four-times Master of the Company H D Phillips. It is advisable to contact the Clerk of the WCMPC by email to enable a visit. Outside London, the Bodleian Library in Oxford and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge have collections well worth seeing. The Bodleian has two main collections ‘Johnson’ and ‘Douce’, both given by the named collectors, and again has a worthwhile number of old cards. Visitors need to become members of the Library before they can view these cards. The Fitzwilliam collection has a number of very early English and French cards, including examples found in colleges in late Victorian times, while they were being re-decorated. The Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge has cards by Nicolas Benieres of France European Collections c. 1700. This style was adopted by English makers. Several European countries have dedicated playing card museums. These typically do not require prior notice. Foremost among these are the Fournier Museum in Vitoria, Spain, the French Playing Card Museum in Issy-les-Moulineaux (a city on the edge of Paris), and the National Playing Card Museum in Turnhout, Belgium. The Fournier Museum began in 1916 as the private collection of Felix Alfaro Fournier – head of the Fournier playing card manufacturing business and grandson of the founder Heraclio Fournier. It has since become publicly-owned and has premises in a palace in north-eastern Spain. The collection includes not only playing cards from around the world, but also the tools of the trade such as wooden printing blocks and later printing machinery.

Inside the French Playing Card Museum at Issy-les-Moulineaux (southern Paris).

The French Playing Card Museum at Issy began in the 1930s with the donation of two large collections. It has an extensive collection and often hosts exhibitions with special themes. For those living in London and the South East, the Eurostar to Paris makes this a relatively easy trip to make. Turnhout, Belgium, is the home of Carta Mundi, the world’s largest playing card manufacturer. The Museum at Turnhout emphasises the manufacture of playing cards, and visitors learn about the process and can also make prints. Lastly, the playing card Museum in Havana, in the oldest building in Plaza Vieja Square, is surely a compelling enough reason for a Caribbean holiday. ■

The author is a Court Assistant in the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards – see www.makersofplayingcards. co.uk. Many more sets of cards are illustrated on the author’s website www.plainbacks.com

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 19 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Forty-Four Game Tries

his DVD covers game tries in West 1 is minimum in strength and West 3 rebids 2NT showing 17- the majors and in the minors. should certainly be worried that the 18 balanced points and now East It starts by talking about the opponents might make a contract of certainly goes for game – safest is to Tmajors, in particular when one of a their own, so raising to 3♥ is a good bid 4♥: his weak doubleton spade may major is met with a weak raise to the bid – getting in the way and not trying well supply the which gives an 2-level. At this point, the partnership for game. If he passes, the opponents extra trick over a 3NT contract. have agreed their suit – because it is a might come in to the auction and steal The second half of the DVD deals major, you want to play in that suit, so the contract. with agreement and no- your job is to decide at what level you West 2 has 17 points and has a trump game tries. There is a huge might want to play in. reasonable chance of game if partner contrast between the two halves. Over the auction 1♥-Pass-2♥-Pass. has a fitting hand – your weakness is When talking about majors you If you decide 2♥ is enough, you can in clubs, so if your partner can cover should be excited about playing in a Pass. If you decide there is a chance for your weakness you would have a good suit contract, whilst when agreeing a game, then you have a whole range of chance of game. Bid 3♣: asking your minor, you tend to be keen to play in bids available: partner to choose between 3♥ and 4♥ no-trumps. 2♠, 2NT, 3♣, 3♦. by evaluating his hand. Hence after a ♦1 -3♦ start to the What about 3♥ you might ask? West 3 has 18 points balanced and auction, your bids should be designed Duplicate pairs has changed the rebids 2NT to describe itself. Partner to guide the partnership to 3NT if you game of bridge and introduced the can then choose between 2NT, 3♥, have the necessary requirements. need to compete more: for this reason 3NT or 4♥. To make 3NT, you need the potential it will often be correct to bid to ♥3 even The DVD then covers responding for nine tricks and stoppers in all the when you know you have no chance of to these game tries. Here is a hand suits. You can have 28 points, but if making 4♥. The thing to remember is East might hold facing the respective neither player holds a high card in that 3♥ going one off may well be a West’s above. spades then the opponents can defeat good score – not as good as 2♥, that 3NT. In order to make sure you have is true, but if you leave the auction at stoppers in each suit, you aim to 2♥ your opponents should try to come ♠ 7 6 show each other suits which you have in over it. So 3♥ should be used as a N ♥ Q 9 6 2 strength in – new suits after minor W E ♦ competitive bid, not a try for game. S K Q 3 suit agreement are aimed at finding a 2NT shows a balanced . ♣ J 10 4 2 no-trump contract. 2♠, 3♣ & 3♦ are distributional game 1♣-3♣-3♦ tries – the DVD recommends using Your partnership has agreed clubs, Help Suit game tries. Bidding a suit West 1 rebids 3♥ and East passes but neither of you are that excited in which you have losers and asking – he is not being invited to game. about playing in clubs, so the 3♦ bid partner whether he feels he can get rid Hopefully the 3♥ bid is enough to keep suggests that you have the strength for of them. the opponents quiet and you make game and that you have strength in Here are three hands that have to a comfortable nine tricks in hearts. diamonds. Partner then shows what rebid after the straightforward start to Meanwhile your opponents could he has and the partnership can work the auction: have made 9 or 10 tricks in spades. out whether they have all the suits Had West 1 passed over 2♥ instead, covered: West East then North might have reopened the 1♥ 2♥ auction and his partnership would West East ? have reached a spade contract. 1♦ 2♦ West 2 rebids 3♣ which invites East ? West 1 West 2 West 3 to game, but asks him to evaluate his ♠ 5 3 ♠ K Q 2 ♠ A J 2 club holding to make the decision. ♠ A K 6 ♥ A K 8 7 4 3 ♥ A K J 7 5 ♥ A K 7 4 East’s club holding has losers, as does ♥ 6 3 N W E ♦ A 8 7 ♦ A 6 ♦ A 5 4 West’s, so East should settle for 3♥. ♦ A K 8 3 2 S ♣ 6 3 ♣ 7 5 3 ♣ Q 9 8 East is strong for his 2♥ bid (8 HCP), ♣ A J 10 but his clubs warn him to stay low.

Page 20 BRIDGE September 2018 Here we have a West hand that, with opponents bid a suit, then the emphasis BERNARD 19 HCP, wants to go for game, but with tends to be on having a stopper in that such weak hearts is worried about a one suit. If you have a stopper, then MAGEE’S no-trump contract. He rebids 2♠ to you bid no-trumps; if not, you are able show his spade strength. This cannot to make a bid in their suit to ask for a TUTORIAL CDs be aiming for a spade contract because stopper: his partner would have shown a major MAC ADVANCED compatible before supporting diamonds. A second DECLARER PLAY aspect of the 2♠ bid is the fact that you ♠ 4 ♠ Q J 2 ♥ ♥ l Overtricks in No-trumps have missed out hearts – why did you A K 6 N 8 7 ♥ ♦ A K 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ Q J 4 3 l Overtricks in Suit Contracts not bid 2 ? Because you do not have a S heart stopper – you want your partner ♣ Q 10 9 ♣ 7 6 5 4 l Endplays l Avoidance to cover that suit. £81 Here are two possible East hands: l Wrong Contract West North East South l Simple Squeezes 1♦ 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ l Counting the Hand East 4 East 5 3♠* Pass 3NT End l Trump Reductions & Coups ♠ 5 3 ♠ 4 2 l Playing Doubled Contracts ♥ K 8 7 ♥ 8 7 5 West opens 1♦ and East raises to 2♦ l Safety Plays ♦ Q J 10 6 ♦ Q J 10 6 over the 1♠ overcall. South supports ♣ 9 8 6 3 ♣ K Q 5 3 the overcall and West with a strong hand can see that a diamond contract ADVANCED will fare well, but he is right to be a ACOL BIDDING East 4 supported to 2♦ with a weak little greedier. Hoping for six diamond l Basics hand, but trusting his partner for tricks and two from hearts, if his l Advanced Basics having extra strength he is able to partner has a spade stopper there may l Weak Twos £96 show his heart stopper by bidding well be nine tricks in no-trumps. He l Strong Hands 2NT – covering the suit his partner bids 3♠ – the opponents’ suit – to ask l Defence to Weak Twos doesn’t hold. West would raise to 3NT his partner if he has a stopper and l Defence to 1NT and the best contract is found. The ♥K East bids 3NT because his queen- l Doubles might not seem much of a stopper, but jack holding is just what is required. l Two-suited Overcalls if East bids the no-trumps, the king Once again the defence might take l Defences to Other Systems is protected. Of course, if the defence 3NT down if the cards sit badly and l Misfits and make a non-heart lead and the cards they switch at the right time, but more Distributional Hands sit badly, then 3NT might go down, likely is that declarer will make nine but it is a better contract than 5♦. tricks in 3NT. East 5, on the other hand, does not If East had not held a spade stopper FIVE-CARD MAJORS ♦ have a heart stopper and so carries on he would have retreated to 4 . & Strong No-Trump by bidding what he holds: 3♣ shows The DVD concludes with a summary l Opening Bids & Responses his outside strength and West then of the differences between majors and l No-Trump Openings decides to go for 5♦ instead – just two minors. When a major is agreed, then l Support for Partner heart losers so the minor suit game we play in that and use our l Slams & Strong Openings makes easily. game tries to help us find the right l Rebids The DVD moves on to examples level. When a minor suit is agreed we l Minors & Misfits where the auctions are longer or when aim for no-trumps, so use our game l Pre-empting the opponents interfere. When the tries to facilitate finding 3NT. n £89 l Doubles l Overcalls l Competitive Auctions £99 including ALSO PLUS 12 p&p Q l Defence (see p35) l Declarer Play (see p47) Really user-friendly bridge-playing software. l Acol Bidding (see p15)

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BRIDGE September 2018 Page 21 Rubber Bridge

This article Taking Control is part of an occasional series written by Robert Sheehan by guest authors

good defender will always How should I defend? now had the entries to establish and try to guide his partner to cash the fifth club. This was the full the right defence, and take deal: Acontrol if possible, if he can see a sure ♠ A Q 8 way to beat the contract. This applies ♥ 10 particularly in rubber bridge, where ♦ 2 ♠ A Q 8 the defender’s partner will often not ♣ A Q 6 4 ♥ 10 7 3 be world-class. Here are three hands ♠ K 7 6 4 3 ♦ A 2 on this theme which I mis-defended N ♥ K J ♣ A Q 6 4 2 W E ♦ J 6 ♠ J 5 2 ♠ K 7 6 4 3 recently in the £30 game at TGRs. S ♣ — ♥ Void N ♥ K J 9 8 ♦ K Q 10 9 5 3 W E ♦ J 6 4 Hand 1 S ♣ J 10 8 3 ♣ 7 First, Gunnar was marked with at ♠ 10 9 Dealer North. Game All. most two diamonds. With three he ♥ A Q 6 5 4 2 ♠ A Q 8 would not have drawn trumps, instead ♦ 8 7 ♥ 10 7 3 setting up a diamond ruff. He is ♣ K 9 5 ♦ A 2 known to have four tricks in hearts to ♣ A Q 6 4 2 go with the ♦A and ♠A, so needs four ♠ K 7 6 4 3 club tricks. Can you see my error? N ♥ K J 9 8 The danger on the hand was that It was in cashing the second winning W E ♦ S J 6 4 Gunnar could establish the clubs if he trump after ruffing the second round ♣ 7 had three. If my partner’s ♣8 was from of clubs. an initial holding of J-10-8-3, Gunnar I should have ruffed the club with still had ♣9 and it was safe for me to the ♥K, and now if I had played a West North East South discard, and then ruff the third club. low diamond while there was still a Robert Gunnar If my partner’s ♣8 was from an trump in dummy, even this particular Sheehan Hallberg initial holding of J-10-9-8-3, (from partner would have been forced to try 1NT1 Pass 4♥ which admittedly he might have led a spade. I did not take control. All pass ♣J at trick one) there was a danger that The layout from West’s point of view 11NT = 15-17 Gunnar had ♠Jxx along with his two after having won the diamond trick: clubs. If I did not ruff the second club Gunnar Hallberg was South. He was he would discard his losing diamond in the English team that won the on the ♣A and give up a spade. ♠ A Q 8 Seniors World Championship in 2009, I thought I could cater for both ♥ 10 so he can be regarded as world-class. possibilities, by ruffing the club and ♦ — My partner led ♦K, Gunnar won in putting my partner in with ♦Q to play ♣ A 6 4 dummy, played a heart to the Queen a spade through. So I ruffed, cashed my ♠ J 5 2 N ♥ — and cashed the Ace, West discarding other top trump and led a diamond. W E two diamonds. He then cashed the ♣K Unfortunately, with dummy now void ♦ Q 10 S and led the ♣5 to dummy’s queen, as my of trumps, my partner tried to cash ♣ J 10 partner followed with the ♣3 and ♣8. a third diamond. Gunnar ruffed and

TGRs is a world famous London rubber bridge club. The original manager was Irving Rose (1938-1996), and he insisted the club be called TGR, the acronym for The Great Rose. He was a charismatic brilliant player. He was married to Jeremy Flint’s (1928-1989) step-daughter, Annette. Robert Sheehan and Jeremy Flint were silver medalists in the 1987 , held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Page 22 BRIDGE September 2018 Hand 2

This is a lead that Rixi Markus would not have got wrong.

West North East South Robert Sheehan 1♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♥ Robert Sheehan (photo credit: Nicole Cook) Pass 5♣ Dbl 5♥ All Pass Declarer took the ♣A, discarded three I knew the whole ending, except the diamonds on dummy’s spades, and location of the spade pips, put in as ♠x. I was West, holding conceded two tricks to ♥K and ♣K. The spades remaining were the 10, 5 He would have been one down on a and 4. It was obvious that even if the diamond lead. declarer had ♠A-10, if I forced the him ♠ 9 8 3 What did I do wrong? It should have to ruff, my partner would make the ♥ K 9 4 been obvious to me (though clearly thirteenth trick. ♦ 8 7 6 5 not to my partner) that the opponents Not thinking it mattered, I led ♥9. ♣ 10 9 4 were investigating whether they had a Even the kibitzer at the next table knew diamond control for slam in one of the this was the last heart, there already majors. Hence when they stopped in having been four rounds with dummy I led ♣10. This was the full deal: 5♥ I should have realised my partner and East starting with two each, with had ♦AK. What I didn’t take into me and the declarer following each account was that my partner, for some time. Dealer South. Game All. reason or another, thought they were However, as ♥9 hit the table, East ♠ A K Q 10 6 5 4 going to play in 5♣. exploded in a tirade, (quite out of ♥ 5 Why would Rixi have got it right? order) saying if I had led a diamond ♦ J 3 She famously said to a shivering he would have beaten the contract. ♣ A 7 2 partner in an individual event ‘no At least he must have realised that ♠ 9 8 3 ♠ J 7 2 signals. I will know your hand better the declarer had only two spades left. ♥ K 9 4 N ♥ 3 2 than you do’. Knowing East’s hand Now he had to play, still in a fury, and W E ♦ ♦ 8 7 6 5 S A K 10 9 better than East did, Rixi would have instead of discarding ♦A, from ♠10- ♣ 10 9 4 ♣ K 8 6 3 taken control, ignored the double of 4 he produced the disastrous play of ♠ Void 5♣ and led a diamond. ruffing with the ♠4. This enabled the ♥ A Q J 10 8 7 6 declarer with ♠A-5 to over-ruff and ♦ Q 4 2 Hand 3 draw the two remaining trumps with ♣ Q J 5 the ace and cash the winning club. This three-card ending occurred recently with spades as trumps. I was on lead as West, declarer was on my ♠ — right, as South, and he needed the rest ♥ — of the tricks: ♦ K J 3 ♣ — ♠ Q ♠ 10 4 ♠ — ♥ 9 N ♥ — ♥ — ♦ 5 W E ♦ A S ♦ K J 3 ♣ — ♣ — ♣ — ♠ A 5 ♠ Q ♠ x x ♥ — ♥ 9 N ♥ — ♦ — ♦ 5 W E ♦ A ♣ 10 S ♣ — ♣ — ♠ A x ♥ — But again, it was my fault. I should ♦ — have led my diamond. That way there Gunnar Hallberg ♣ 10 was no room for East to make an error. (photo credit: Nicole Cook) I failed to take control. n

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 23

Answers to No-Trump Overcall Quiz on page 15 1. At love all what should South bid with these hands if East opens 1♦? Hand A Hand B Hand C ♠ K 4 3 ♠ 8 ♠ 6 3 ♥ J 7 ♥ J ♥ A 6 Hand A Hand B Hand C ♦ K Q 10 7 5 4 ♦ K Q 10 7 5 4 ♦ K J 10 9 7 ♠ K J 6 ♠ K J 6 ♠ K J 6 ♣ Q 4 ♣ K J 10 6 4 ♣ A 8 4 2 ♥ K 6 4 3 ♥ K 6 4 3 ♥ K J 4 3 ♦ A J 9 ♦ A J 9 ♦ 9 7 6 ♣ 8 3 2 ♣ A 7 3 ♣ A K Q Hand A 2♦. A minimum opening with no sure entry to your diamonds. Hand B 2♣. Minimum with no way to know if your suits will run. Hand D Hand E Hand C Pass. A perfectly respectable opening bid. The two ♠ 5 3 ♠ K 3 aces will help you set up the diamonds. Remember, ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ K Q 7 6 4 leaving in the double is the normal action. ♦ A 6 ♦ 5 ♣ A K Q 6 5 4 ♣ A K J 6 4 4. With North/South vulnerable, what should South bid with these hands after the auction shown?

Hand A Pass. West North East South Hand B 1NT. 15-18 points and at least one diamond stopper. 1♦ 1NT Dbl ? Hand C Double. No diamond stopper for 1NT but too strong to feel happy about passing. Hand D 1NT. Solid clubs and a diamond stopper. The majors Hand A Hand B Hand C are unguarded but you only need to worry about the ♠ Q 10 9 4 3 ♠ 9 8 6 4 ♠ Q 10 9 4 3 suit they have bid and are likely to lead. 2♣ wouldn’t ♥ 8 6 ♥ J 10 7 6 ♥ A 7 5 be wrong. ♦ 6 3 2 ♦ K 7 6 2 ♦ 6 3 Hand E 2NT. The unusual 2NT, provided it falls within your ♣ J 10 9 ♣ 2 ♣ J 10 9 agreed range for 2NT. Showing the lower two unbid suits. Hand A 2♠. Sign off. Without the double you would sign off in 2. At game all what should East bid with these hands after the 2♠ with a transfer (if you play transfers). Play the same auction shown? system opposite a 1NT overcall as you do opposite a 1NT opening bid. West North East South Hand B Pass. Nothing you can say. 2♣ wouldn’t be Stayman 1♦ 1NT ? after the double. Hand C Pass. You expect 1NT doubled to make.

Hand A Hand B Hand C ♠ K 7 6 ♠ K 7 6 ♠ K Q 10 7 6 5 5. With North/South vulnerable, what should South bid with ♥ 5 3 ♥ 5 3 ♥ 9 6 these hands after East opens a weak 2♥? ♦ Q 4 3 2 ♦ Q 4 3 2 ♦ J 10 7 ♣ J 8 7 6 ♣ A J 8 7 ♣ 7 5 Hand A Hand B Hand C ♠ 7 4 ♠ A 8 ♠ A 8 Hand A 2♦. Show support for partner. ♥ 9 ♥ A Q 4 ♥ A Q 4 Hand B Dbl. Your side has the majority of points. ♦ K Q 5 4 3 ♦ K Q 6 5 2 ♦ A K Q 5 3 Hand C 2♠. Not forcing. Shows a good six-card suit. ♣ A K 6 5 4 ♣ Q 6 5 ♣ Q 6 5

3. At game all what should West bid with these hands after the auction shown? Hand A Pass. Or 3♦, hoping to bid clubs later. 2NT would not be the Unusual 2NT. West North East South Hand B 2NT. 16-19 points and at least one heart stopper. 1♦ 1NT Dbl Pass Hand C 3NT. Too strong for 2NT. Hope partner can provide a ? little help. n

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 25 Julian Pottage Answers your Bridge Questions What do you open on a hand with two voids?

Here is an in your letters’ column. values for game and a short- 4♣ as ace asking. extraordinary hand Is this because you think age in the suit bid. You will Is it also true to say that Qfrom our club: the convention is poor, or notice that all the bids listed a response of 3♠ over do you have a better use in 1. above are jump bids. 2NT suggests exactly five for the 4♣ bid? We do not spades and four hearts? ♠ Q 10 9 2 currently play splinters. ♣♦♥♠ Geoff Simpson by email. ♥ Void Alex Mathers, ♦ A K J 10 9 6 5 3 2 Northallerton. What other use I recommend playing ♣ Void is a 2♦ open- 4♣ and 4♦ as natural Yes, there are a ing if not for a slam tries rather than N Q A W E lot of better uses weak two in diamonds? playing the former as asking S Afor a 4♣ bid: Name and address supplied. for aces. Hands on which you ♠ J 5 3 1. 4♣ is better as a splinter would want to ask for aces ♥ K Q 6 5 2 in all these auctions: People use a 2♦ directly over 2NT are rare. ♦ 4 1♠-4♣, 1♠-2♦-2♠-4♣, opening for a wide People have various ways ♣ A 9 6 3 2♣-2♦-2♠-4♣, 1♠-2♥-4♣ Avariety of purposes. of catering for hands with 2. 4♣ is better as a cue One possibility is to use five spades and four hearts bid in all these auctions: both 2♦ and 2♣ as strong in response to 2NT. You At most tables, North opened 1♠-2♥-3♠-4♣, 2♣-2♦-3♠- artificial openings, one show- do not want to make a 3♥ 5♦ in third seat and went 4♣, 1♠-2NT(Jacoby)-3♠-4♣ ing game forcing values and transfer and follow it with a one down when East led and 3. 4♣ is better as natural the other a near game hand. 4♥ rebid, only to find partner continued spades (holding in all these auctions: 1♠-2♣- Another possibility is to with 2-3 in the majors. ♠A-K-8-7-4). Perhaps North 3NT-4♣, 1♣-1♥-3NT-4♣, use 2♦ to show a lower I normally play 3♠ as might have considered (1♠)-2♣-4♣, 1♠-2♣-4♣, end weak two in a major, showing something in both the gambling 3NT and 1♣-(2♠)-3♣-3♠-4♣ with 2♥/2♠ being more minors and put hands perhaps South might have The other fundamental constructive. A variation on with 5-4 in the majors risked passing? Would you problem with the focus on that is for 2♦ to be either a through 3♣. recommend a pre-emptive ace asking is that one side strong balanced hand or You could play 3♠ as bid if North were dealer? or the other possesses 3 a weak two in a major. 5-4 in the majors but Nicholas Beswick by email. or 4 aces just over half the Some people play 2♦ as then you have no way time, whereas a slam is only weak with both majors. to show both minors. With the extreme sensible on fewer than 1 deal Precision players use shape, 5♦ is the in 10. Having the playing 2♦ to show a three-suited ♣♦♥♠ A natural opening bid strength for 12 tricks and hand short in diamonds. for North in any position. A a decent trump suit tends There are a lot of Can responder hand with two voids is hardly to be far more important possibilities – you did ask! splinter in opener’s suitable for a 3NT opening. than whether you have at Qfirst bid suit? It was unlucky that East had least 3 of the 4 aces. ♣♦♥♠ an obvious spade lead. Splinters are really good. Opener Responder All experts, most tournament If partner opens 1♦ 1♥ ♣♦♥♠ players and many club play- 2NT 20-22 2♥ 4♦ ers use them. If a non-jump Qbalanced, how does My partner bid in a new suit would be one transfer to the minors Would 4♦ be a splinter and I note you forcing then a jump bid is a if interested in a minor or showing a double fit Qdisapprove of splinter, agreeing partner’s game/slam, especially as with slam interest? Gerber, from previous replies suit and showing both the many people use Gerber Name and address supplied.

Page 26 BRIDGE September 2018 A splinter in doubler’s partner is short just as likely to inconvenience in no-trumps. Were we just partner’s suit would in the opposing rescue suit; partner as your remaining lucky? Is 3NT biddable Aonly be possible having a opponent. Here, with four by normal methods? if you had specifically available is useful not just good spades and a void, Charles Leveson, agreed the sequence. for competing but also for your hand could make an Poynton, Cheshire. On the auction you cite, penalising when one player excellent dummy in a spade if you play 1♦-1♥-2♥-3♦ as has extra values and the contract, so I would Pass. I Yes, you were a forcing and you play that other player has length would not open 3♥ in first bit lucky here. inverted raises can include in the opposing suit. seat on this hand either, A Your double of 2♥ a four-card major, then only in third seat. The shape should not logically be for responder would have no and playing strength of penalties. If, as most people reason to bid 4♦ in a natural ♠ Q 10 5 3 the hand are too good to play, 2♥ was forcing, the op- sense. In this case, you ♥ K J 5 3 consider 2♥ despite the ponents are not going to stop could play 4♦ as a splinter. ♦ 10 2 moderate heart suit. in 2♥. The only time they will For most pairs, the 4♦ bid ♣ J 9 4 stop is if they decide that they would be showing strong ♣♦♥♠ want to play in 2♥ doubled. diamond support and slam If you play the double interest. If you do not play West North East South I was South with of 2♥ as competitive, it is inverted minor raises, or if 1NT Dbl 2♦1 the hand below: not the right bid either. You you do play them but say ? Q have a long club suit and no responder cannot have a 1Natural tolerance for spades. You 4-card major, how else Dealer West. Love All. should just have bid 3♣. would you show a strong If you cannot double 2♦ for ♠ Void Over 3♣ your partner might hand with four hearts takeout, you are rather stuck. ♥ A 8 7 5 2 have bid 3♦. When the op- and longer diamonds? If you had a similar hand ♦ 5 ponents have bid two suits, with length in diamonds ♣ K J 9 6 4 3 2 bidding one of their suits ♣♦♥♠ (swap the red-suit holdings), suggests strength in that suit you would pass; you would while implying weakness in Is there a standard expect partner to be short West North East South the other. If you read 3♦ as recognised in diamonds and thus make 1♦ 1♠1 2♥ Dbl2 showing a diamond stop- Qmechanism for a takeout double, which Pass 2NT3 3♥ 3NT per and looking for 3NT if a) penalising b) competing you could then leave in. All Pass you have a heart stopper, c) inviting when LHO opens 1 Partner’s 1♠ overcall shows at you might then bid 3NT. 1NT, partner doubles and ♣♦♥♠ least five spades and 8 points If East passed over 1♠, you RHO invokes an escape upwards. At this stage what, if would have bid 2♣. With a sequence, or is it best to You are in second anything, as South should I bid if seven-card suit and a two- just take the candy on the seat both sides East passes? card disparity in suit length, majority of hands where Qvulnerable 2I didn’t like my penalty double; you should bid the longest your combined total means and hold: far too risky and could be ex- suit. You might still find a opps are going light. pensive if passed out, but felt I heart fit if partner bids 2♥. Name and address supplied. should get into the auction. ♠ K 10 5 2 3My partner’s 2NT showed ♣♦♥♠ Some people play ♥ Q 8 7 6 5 4 2 opening points, 5 cards in that once your side ♦ Void spades and stops in diamonds What is your A has made a penalty ♣ 10 7 and clubs. bridge rule on double of 1NT, then all subse- My partner’s hand was: Q‘weak twos‘? quent doubles are for penalty. Heather Stamp, This has the merit of simplic- West North East South Great Broughton, ity and is the advice you are Pass ? ♠ A J 7 6 4 North Yorkshire. likely to receive from a bridge ♥ 6 4 teacher and would be the de- What are the merits or ♦ K 7 6 A standard weak two fault in an undiscussed part- disadvantages of Pass, 2♥ ♣ A Q 8 opening is a hand too nership. and 3♥? Aweak for a one-level Amongst expert players the Huw Jones, opening and with a six-card more common agreement Swansea. It scored a top. East led a suit. It is typical to have a is that the first subsequent diamond giving an overtrick. point count range of 5-9 or double is takeout and any Second seat is the West had a void in hearts. 6-10, perhaps the former more doubles after that are worst position for pre- 5♣ proved too tricky for non-vulnerable and the latter penalty. Often the original Aempting – you are some and no one else was vulnerable. u

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 27 Many partnerships allow is not a good time or some scope for individual place to offer advice. judgement, allowing a What should South weak seven-card suit have bid over 2♣? (especially in a 7-2-2-2 Name and address supplied. shape) when vulnerable or a strong five-card suit Bridge is in general a and some shape (maybe a bidder’s game and five-card minor on the side) A supporting partner when non-vulnerable. is usually a good thing to Aggressive players might do. Furthermore, love all more routinely allow a is a good vulnerability to five-card suit when non- be active, because you vulnerable, although I would would rather concede 50 not recommend anyone new or 100 than a making 2018 2019 to use weak two openings. contract and you would 14-16 September £218 rather make a contract 10-14 January £454 Just Duplicate ♣♦♥♠ than collect 50 or 100. Re-Boot Your Acol While a hand with only 5-7 October £228 Hosted by Bernard Magee Sitting South, I 3 HCP would not normally Declarer Play 1-3 March £228 Hosted by Sandy Bell picked up the justify a response, the five- and Avoidance Qfollowing hand: card trump support is surely 19-21 October £218 Hosted by Sandy Bell worth a couple of points. Just Duplicate 28-30 June £229 Many people I know would Masterpointed Duplicate Dealer North. Love All. see the choice between a Nestled in the heart of ♠ 9 8 2 simple raise to 2♥ and a Buckinghamshire, Denham 19-21 July £218 ♥ 9 8 7 5 2 pre-emptive raise to 3♥ (the Just Duplicate Grove has a peaceful ♦ 8 7 latter being available as a countryside setting and 42 9-11 August £238 ♣ K 6 4 weak raise because a 3♣ Responding to 1NT shows a sound raise) acres of pristine parkland Hosted by Elaine Duff – they would not consider which provides an air of Playing Acol with a weak passing. traditional tranquillity. 13-15 September £218 1NT, the bidding continued: Incidentally, although Denham Grove has free Just Duplicate you have not queried East’s Wi-Fi throughout plus many 25-27 October £218 West North East South actions, I would bid the hand onbsite leisure facilities, Just Duplicate ♥ ♣ ♥1 1 2 2 differently. In the old days a including indoor swimming Pass Pass 3♣ All Pass strong hand with a long suit 22-24 November £238 pool, gym, spa bath and 1Perhaps a little aggressive would double first and then Dealing with 1NT sauna, and tennis courts. but that’s my style; the ♣K show the suit. These days, the Hosted by Sandy Bell is still good following the range for an original overcall 2♣ call. is wider and the usual way to suggest a strong hand is to East’s hand was: show the suit first time and double on the next round. n

♠ A 4 DUPLICATE Prices shown are per person, full board including tea & coffee ♥ A BRIDGE during breaks and a welcome drinks party. There is no single ♦ A 9 6 RULES supplement and single players will always be found a partner. ♣ A Q 9 8 7 5 3 SIMPLIFIED The Mr Bridge Team will offer support during the set hand (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) sessions, on the seminar events, and make up the numbers in the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. East made 12 tricks by David Stevenson ♣ because West held J-10 FULLY REVISED All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and and ♦K-Q-10-8-3. IN 2017 only have free internet. The venue does not have a lift, but many Nobody was quite sure £595 rooms are on the ground floor. how the bidding should have Available from gone and I said I would ask Mr Bridge For details and bookings call the expert from Mr Bridge. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961 A club bridge session

Page 28 BRIDGE September 2018 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 11

You are declarer in 6♥ and West leads However it cannot hurt to play on 1. ♠ A 2 the ♠K. How do you plan the play? diamonds first and when you discover ♥ 6 4 You have a certain diamond loser and that West only started with a doubleton it ♦ 7 6 3 a potential club loser, although you do seems highly unlikely that he would have ♣ A Q J 8 4 3 have a two-way in that suit and a doubleton spade too. ♠ Q 10 8 ♠ J 9 6 4 3 on a good day you might guess who has Although East cannot possibly hold ♥ Q 8 7 5 3 N ♥ J 2 the queen. the spade queen, he could easily hold W E ♦ K Q 9 8 S ♦ 5 4 But of course you can do much better the ten, so having taken the diamond ♣ 2 ♣ K 10 9 5 than that and the contract is 100% finesse, win the third round of diamonds ♠ K 7 5 guaranteed with careful play. Simply in hand and lead the jack of spades. ♥ A K 10 9 eliminate the majors by ruffing the two When West covers, win in dummy, take ♦ A J 10 2 low spades in hand and drawing trumps your two diamond winners and finally ♣ 7 6 (you can ruff the first spade at trick two take a (hopefully) successful finesse or take two rounds of trumps first) and against the ten. then play ace, king and the low diamond. You are declarer in 3NT and West Whoever wins will then find themselves leads the ♥5. East plays the ♥J. giving a ruff and discard if they lead 4. ♠ A Q J 8 How do you plan the play? spades or diamonds, while a club switch ♥ 6 4 2 Although both red suits offer the pos- will locate the position of the queen. ♦ K J 7 sibility of extra tricks, it is the club suit that ♣ J 6 4 will surely provide the four extra tricks ♠ 4 2 ♠ K 6 that you need. But you do have to be a 3. ♠ K 7 6 ♥ Q J 10 7 N ♥ 9 8 5 bit careful. Suppose you play a club to ♥ 6 5 ♦ A 10 9 2 W E ♦ 8 5 4 3 S the jack at trick two and that wins. You ♦ A Q J 6 5 ♣ 10 8 3 ♣ A 9 7 2 might be tempted to return to hand and ♣ K Q 2 ♠ 10 9 7 5 3 hope to repeat the finesse, but your plans ♠ Q 8 2 ♠ 10 5 4 3 ♥ A K 3 would be scuppered if West shows out. ♥ Q J 8 2 N ♥ K 10 9 7 4 3 ♦ Q 6 W E ♦ ♦ ♣ Nor would it do you any good to play K 2 S 7 4 3 K Q 5 clubs from dummy. With East holding two ♣ A 8 6 3 ♣ Void stops and with only one entry to dummy ♠ A J 9 the suit would provide no more than two ♥ A You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads tricks. The answer is to a round of ♦ 10 9 8 the ♥Q. How do you plan the play? clubs first, making the opponents win the ♣ J 10 9 7 5 4 You have a potential loser in each suit. trick. Now you will be able to set up the So if you cannot avoid a trump loser, you club suit for four tricks while you still have must get rid of the heart loser. If you take the ace of spades as an entry. You are declarer in 3NT after West a losing trump finesse at trick two and opened 1NT (12-14), North doubled a heart is returned, you are likely to be and East rescued into hearts. West leads defeated because your heart loser will 2. ♠ A 7 3 the ♥Q. How do you plan the play? be established before you have a chance ♥ K Q 9 8 You know from the to discard it. Instead play the queen of ♦ 8 6 4 that East holds the king of hearts and diamonds and play another if the ace is ♣ K 6 3 therefore that West (to have 12 points) not taken. Win the return and now play ♠ K Q J 6 ♠ 10 9 8 5 4 must hold every other high card, making a spade to the ace and discard the heart ♥ 5 N ♥ 6 2 the normal spade finesse a non-starter. loser on the master diamond in dummy. ♦ J 9 7 2 W E ♦ Q 10 5 So with only eight tricks (counting five Note that it would do you no good to S ♣ Q 9 7 2 ♣ 8 5 4 diamonds, as the finesse will be right) play the ace of trumps at trick two as a ♠ 2 and the defenders ready to run the sort of , because you would ♥ A J 10 7 4 3 heart suit if you play on clubs, it looks as have no quick way of getting back to ♦ A K 3 though you need the queen of spades to dummy if the diamond ace is held up for ♣ A J 10 be doubleton, giving you three tricks in one round, so there would be no heart that suit. discard. ■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 29 Catching Up with Sally Brock

his month the ‘Catching Up’ is hand with the minors’. South thought more significant than the ‘Seven Dealer South. Game All. her 4♠ showed a void and agreement Days’. Pretty much all that ♠ A Q 7 6 3 for one of the minors; North thought it Thas happened since I last wrote is the ♥ K 3 was a self-agreeing void (ie for hearts). teams at the European Championships ♦ 8 7 5 3 North thought 4NT was natural; not in Ostend. It is never quite clear what ♣ J 9 quite sure what South thought. North our goal should be for a European ♠ K J 10 8 2 ♠ 9 5 4 thought 5♦ was a cue-bid; South Championship since as well as getting ♥ J 9 5 N ♥ Q 10 8 thought it was to play. North thought W E a medal in the event itself, we want to ♦ J 4 S ♦ 9 6 5♥ was a sign-off; South hadn’t a be in the top eight in order to qualify ♣ Q 10 4 ♣ A 8 7 5 2 clue but thought it was unlikely to for next year’s world championships ♠ Void be a making contract, hence the final in China. According to our coach, the ♥ A 7 6 4 2 choice of 6♦. Of course, with both red number one goal is to do better than ♦ A K Q 10 2 suits breaking kindly the slam was Scotland. Then to qualify for the world ♣ K 6 3 cold. championships and only then to win a The last match of the second day saw medal. That said, we were the holders, a good win against the Netherlands albeit in a weakened team with two West North East South and we were up to 10th, a great newish partnerships. 1♥ improvement on what had gone before. The first match, against middle-of- 1♠ Pass Pass Dbl Our third day (which happened to the-road Greece, went well enough as Pass 2NT Pass 4♠ be my birthday) started with a match we won 15-5 (scores are approximate Pass 4NT Pass 5♦ against the strong eventual winners, as in reality there are two decimal Pass 5♥ Pass 6♦ Poland. After a poor start we had a places). However, we lost the next two All Pass good match, eventually winning by 16 matches and at the end of the first day IMPs. I enjoyed this deal which we bid were lying 18th (out of 23) with only Everything was fine for the first round in simple style: 25 VPs (out of 75). but the misunderstanding started A lot of IMPs changed hands in our with North’s 2NT bid: ‘Natural’ match against Germany, a team we according to North (2NT over 1♠ Dealer South. E/W Game. expected to be threatening to qualify, would not have been natural); ‘Can’t ♠ A Q 9 8 3 but who in practice were not playing be natural’ or North would have bid ♥ J 3 well. This was a misunderstanding 1NT/3NT over 1♠ or over the double, ♦ 2 that saw us come up smelling of roses. so must be some weak distributional ♣ A K Q J 3 ♠ 6 5 4 ♠ K J 7 ♥ 9 8 4 N ♥ 10 6 2 ♦ A K 9 W E ♦ Q J 10 7 6 Mr Bridge Holidays S ♣ 8 7 6 5 ♣ 10 2 Cruise the Rhine from ♠ 10 2 Amsterdam to Basel aboard ♥ A K Q 7 5 ms Serenity ♦ 8 5 4 3 ♣ 9 4 by coach: 8-17 May 2019 by air: 9-16 May 2019 West North East South 2♥ Cabins from £1249 pp Pass 4♥ All Pass Sole occupancy supplement from Our weak twos are generally only 25%. Call for prices. five-card suits in first and third seat

Page 30 BRIDGE September 2018 Catching Up continued... at favourable vulnerability, dummy, I thought I was READERS’ and certainly could be a lot worth a double, and so it weaker than this. However, turned out. Fiona led her my partner, Fee, was in an singleton diamond to the optimistic mood and found jack and my queen, and I me with a good hand for returned a trump which LETTERS my bidding. ran to Fee’s queen. She now In the other room they played a club and declarer bid: played a second round of PATIENCE CARDS improvers classes at the club diamonds. I was fairly sure Shireen Mohandes, BRIDGE usually get plus 500 when West North East South that Fiona had a singleton 187, writes of the problem they start. This is an incentive 2♥ (else she would surely have that young people with for the better players to play Pass 2NT Pass 3♦ led something else), but I small hands may have with the weaker players as Pass 3NT All Pass knew that if I played low and holding thirteen full-sized they will be getting bonus for let her ruff the diamond, we cards. Shireen’s solution the pair as well. It also means Here South’s 2♥ showed wouldn’t be able to get in a was to press a box of that if a strong pair is drawn hearts and a minor – second round of trumps, tinfoil into service as an against a weak pair in the diamonds, yes, but a so I won the diamond and impromptu card holder. first round, they may have to stopper, no. 4♥ made with played another trump. There is another solution give them up to 1700 points. an overtrick while 3NT Declarer won in dummy – play with smaller cards. Players who are known failed by one trick on a and could cash one good ‘Patience cards’ are to do well usually start with diamond lead. diamond, but then I ruffed approximately half-sized a handicap of up to minus After a reasonable third the next one and we had playing cards and are 600. Each year we have an day we were up into 6th three outside winners to perfect for small hands. informal “handicap commit- place and from then on come for three down, +500. Cards are 44mm x 66mm tee” where we look at the hovered between 5th and In the other room, South compared with 57mm x results from previous years 6th, never quite making the opened 3♥ and East raised 89mm for regular bridge- and agree the handicaps for surge needed to get into a West’s 3♠ overcall to 4♠. sized playing cards. Most the next season. We monitor medal position. One down. card manufacturers include results closely and the handi- Our last match on the It was something them in their product cap lasts for one season only. penultimate day was against of a theme of these range and they should As an aside, the results Sweden, who were vying for championships that be available from your from each match are “victory the lead with Poland. We whoever opened at the favoured bridge supplier. pointed” giving a score out started with a bang: higher level tended to get Ned Paul, Twickenham. of 20, so that wildly one- the swing. sided matches do not score Going into the last day HANDICAP OPERATOR proportionally as well as Dealer South. Love All. we were lying 5th, some 9 I organise the bridge at those which are close-fought. ♠ J 10 7 VPs away from the bronze a local golf club and we I would be happy to share ♥ J 9 medal and we had a fairly operate a handicapping this scoring system with ♦ K J 10 9 6 4 3 easy draw. However, a poor system for a Chicago Swiss anyone who is interested. ♣ A first match against Portugal Pairs. This is a competition This is a popular competi- ♠ A 9 8 6 5 4 ♠ Q 3 2 was not a good start and where pairs play 4 rounds tion, entered by most of the

♥ Q 8 N ♥ 4 3 2 even two good wins in the of 24 boards of Chicago regular players at the club. ♦ W E ♦ 8 S A Q 5 last two matches were not in their own homes against This is partly because anyone ♣ K J 6 3 ♣ Q 10 9 8 enough to get us there. Still, another pair on the can win it and although ♠ K we fulfilled two of our aims: same score (after the first good players tend to do ♥ A K 10 7 6 5 we qualified for the Venice randomly assigned match). well, less strong pairs can ♦ 7 2 Cup and we beat Scotland, We have a wide range of also make a good showing. ♣ 7 5 4 2 who also qualified. ability and experience in the Lyn Fry by email. I then had just under two club. The best players start weeks at home – time to do with a handicap of minus APPRECIATION West North East South lots of writing, sorting out 1200. That is, they must score I would like to express my 2♥ practice for my U26 girls 1200 points before they are appreciation to Ian Dalziel for 2♠ 3♦ 3♠ Pass and earning some money even with their opponents. his excellent series of articles. Pass 4♥ Dbl All Pass from online teaching Pairs which include players Although really intended for sessions – before flying off with less experience or those teachers of bridge – which I With diamond values over to … ■ who attend beginners or am not – they certainly u

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 31 held much of interest and Anna Pinson in the October interesting part of the UK LAST POST useful information for 2017 issue of BRIDGE. and duplicate bridge. I enclose the last package of me, an ordinary player. She asks about the pos- I have noted Mr Bridge stamps that my late mother, Ann Stevenson by email. sibility of printing your but the hat discouraged me Ann Mansel, collected for magazine less often than at from booking the holidays. you to send to Little Voice. TALK OF THE DEVIL… present, because she does Tonight I have been Kate Dilnott-Cooper, I was delighted to see not have the time to read it. watching one of a series of Devizes, Wiltshire. that Shireen’s column this I would like to put in a DVDs presented by Bernard month (July 2018) was heartfelt plea for this not to Magee, available from the A great big thank you about who is happen. library at my bridge club. It from everyone at Little one of my bridge heroes Like Anna Pinson, I find has been amazing viewing. Voice in Addis Ababa, and I enjoyed reading it. your magazine quite ex- I am so disappointed Ethiopia, Africa. Please Victor featured in one of cellent, informative and that each year I have been keep saving stamps in the TV bridge programmes entertaining. Even the discouraged by the hat. support of their work. of the 1980s. thought of it arriving less As I will probably not If you have saved any used He came over as a slightly often is depressing. be able to afford another stamps please send them to: cantankerous older I possibly have more time holiday in England, I do Malcolm Finebaum man and didn’t really on my hands than others be- hope he will be considering Flat 8 Mountford House, endear himself to me. cause of health constraints, a tour of Australia, especially 8 Crescent Road, Enfield, However, Shireen’s photo but even when my health was Western Australia. Middlesex, EN2 7BL. on page 33 shows a very robust I still just piled up your Of course, he will require good looking young man. magazine waiting for a ‘rainy a hat if travelling outdoors Used stamps have also been I enjoyed the extract from day’ and the time to read. during summer in Australia, received from the following: his autobiography and I am sure I speak for but we have wonderful Mrs C Pengelley, Lewes. look forward to episode many with this letter. venues indoors and many Mrs S Paine, Taunton. 2 next month. Indeed, I Geraldine Lewis, players interested in learning Mrs G Clarkson, Liverpool. might buy a copy of the Bath, Somerset. more about duplicate Mrs Pilche, Hythe, Kent. book from Amazon. bridge. I will be first in line. Mrs S Ritchie, Surbiton. He was a prolific writer NEW SERIES Jan McNab, Jolimont, Mrs G Waddell, Teesdale. and Shireen listed a few I would like to suggest that Western Australia. Mrs K Rock, Towcester. of his books. She couldn’t you consider a few articles Mrs Hill, Worthing. mention them all of course, on suit preference signals. MAYBE Mr Shotter, Brighton. but I think she missed his Mr & Mrs Quiton by email. Please find enclosed my Mrs W Harknett, Huntingdon. two best books which in New series next issue. renewal subscription for Mrs M Moore, Londonderry. my opinion were..... the next 3 years. I am, like Mrs Bowen, Southsea. 1. Victor Mollo’s Winning MIXED UP a number of your other Mr & Mrs Joyce, Chipping. Double with 150 quizzes I am rather confused subscribers, well behind with Mr G Hay, Aberdeen. on declarer play (first regarding “Mr Bridge”. Is my reading; currently about Mrs B Stickland, Colchester. published in 1968). Bernard Magee the same 7 issues to be precise. Mr D Peters, Ramsbottom. 2. Case for the Defence person as Mr Bridge, the Three years ago I decided Mrs L Davis, Swanwick. with 150 quizzes on declarer man in the hat advertising to drop my subscription to Mrs S Landamore, Derbys. play (first published in 1970). Bridge Holidays in the UK? The Economist and take up Mrs S Lake, London. I have read both books so If so, I am absolutely dev- a subscription to BRIDGE in Mrs Wray, Wooton Bassett. many times I’ve lost count. astated. My husband and its place. My reasoning was Mrs C Lawrence, Woking. They have definitely improved I travelled to England from that though The Economist is Mrs S Keast, Gainsborough. my game but I still get some Australia, many times over a fine publication and full of Mrs J Berker, Norfolk. quizzes wrong. the years. Unfortunately, good information, the infor- Mrs Breeze, Wolverhampton. Both books would it has only been since my mation I gather from BRIDGE Mrs Lane, Buckinghamshire. improve the game of all husband died that I have had is more useful and practical, Mrs B Welsby, Wigan. aspiring bridge players. the opportunity to consider as playing bridge is an im- Mrs M Dyer, Stroud. Some of his quizzes are a bridge holiday in Europe. portant part of my busy life. Mrs M Rainbow, Brandon. real masterpieces; indeed I have holidayed in the Maybe, as I am past the Mr D Turner, Ware. some of his creations could UK and France five times age when one starts to Mrs P Cobham, Weybridge. n be called beautiful. His since 2012. Due to my love receive the state pension, I imagination was incredible. of bridge, I have checked should work less and then Ian Dalziel by email. the website thoroughly in I might be able to catch up Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, order to book a holiday with my reading. Just maybe? Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail MONTHLY FIX which involves bridge Henryk Klocek, [email protected] In response to the letter from lessons, a holiday in an Wimbledon, London SW19.

Page 32 BRIDGE September 2018 David Stevenson Answers your Bridge Questions

Are Partners Allowed To Play Different Systems?

Are partners calls that does not mean the later, the same outside suit the only fair judgement allowed to play other partner is required to. was played by our side – in a club – is to suggest Q different systems? and declarer promptly to the player that their For example; in response ♣♦♥♠ ruffed to win that trick. action is unethical and to to an opening of 1NT, can Maybe trumps were refrain from this where North play 2♣ as promising Can you look drawn and discards feasible. Reconstructing any Stayman (11+ and a 4 card at or refer to achieved somewhere to other outcome is almost Major) while South plays Qyour convention claim the rest. When the hes- impossible, especially ‘non promising Stayman‘? card between hands? itation was commented on, since the director needs Another example; Ron, Alton Bridge Club. the reply was – I am allowed to get back to their own responding to 1NT, North time to think. Yes, but only table to continue play. playing transfers while South Certainly. You may after taking the trick with the Name and address supplied. playing weak take-out? look at it after the king when you had no other Alun Williams, A last card is played option. This clearly misleads You cannot and must Llanfairpwll. until you or your partner at least one of the opponents not accuse anyone takes the cards out of the – unless the remaining five A of unethical behaviour The laws allow board for the next hand. cards are visible in dummy. when they have done nothing organisers to Whether this was a wrong. A forbid this, and ♣♦♥♠ deliberate deception is Players have a perfect the impossible to judge. I have right as explained in the (EBU) in common with I have read your a feeling that this player article “Hesitating with a most other organisers piece in July 2018 does not intend to deceive, Known Singleton”, BRIDGE does not allow this. So you Q (issue 187) headed but doesn’t seem to grasp 187, July 2018, to stop to are not allowed to play ‘Hesitating with a Known that it could be a damaging think about the hand at different arrangements Singleton’. In contrast deception. It can be difficult any time when it cannot in England or Wales. your answer to a query to envisage what the play mislead opponents. The fact Some people wonder in September 2017 (issue would be if a defender was that it might sometimes be why EBU pronouncements 177) is headed ‘Hesitat- unable to judge whether difficult for a director is no have force in Wales. The ing with a Singleton’. the king was declarer’s last reason whatever to accuse Welsh Bridge Union (WBU) Important difference? card or not. Since it might be, a player of doing something has stated that the EBU I agree with your answer maybe a different defence wrong when he has not. regulations contained in to Richard Hainsworth – if in another suit might lead In your example of a their Blue book (primarily declarer is counting, the 2 to defeat. However, it looks player who often hesitated for players) and their is the last card. No damage like declarer does have when he had nothing to White book (primarily for should occur. However, in my another card in that suit. think about and it might directors) apply in Wales previous club there was one In summary, my view is easily mislead, that should unless they state otherwise. declarer who was prone to that whether a singleton is just lead to a director call Apart from allowing the hesitate when their holding known or might be known and an adjusted score. Newport Club system there was not known. Thus in a is irrelevant. Any original His excuse that he is are no things that are stated suit contract at trick three/ singleton or last card in a allowed to think makes no otherwise at this time. four, I led the second round suit must be played by a difference: the law makes it While different partners of an outside suit. Declarer, defender or declarer in even clear you may not mislead. must play the same system last to play, paused for a tempo. A player cannot Furthermore, you should they are not bound to play considerable time before be ‘thinking ahead’. If the be careful about the terms the same style. So if one playing the King to win director is called to such unethical or deliberate partner makes daring over- the trick. A couple of tricks an alleged infringement, attempt to mislead. u

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 33 If a player hesitates and eventually penalising what? Could you explain with a singleton when it is them if they do not. please? Finally, how should BERNARD known and he is thinking any of these be entered about the hand, he has ♣♦♥♠ on the scoring device? done nothing wrong. Name and address supplied. MAGEE If a player hesitates with a At a recent club singleton otherwise, perhaps evening, we came The decision by the TUTORIAL because he thinks he has a Q to the last of three director was illegal right to think whenever he boards with our opponents. A so it was certainly DVDS likes, then he is committing When we counted our cards not correct. When a board an infraction and is liable one of our opponents had 12 is scheduled to be played to get the score adjusted, cards and the other 14. We and it cannot be played SET 8 but he has not necessarily called for the director. The for any reason, averages 43 TEAMS £25 done anything wrong. director spent a very long must be given. Entering Not per DVD OF FOUR If a player hesitates time sorting it out. First he Played is thus illegal. As Great fun to play at club with a singleton when he asked the previous people the four of you said, since level and even in the knows it might mislead who had played it, and they it was not your fault, both home. Bernard discusses and does so deliberately couldn’t remember the hands sides should get average the format and then looks at the tactics you might use and understands he is not well enough to correct it. plus. Furthermore, since in the bidding and play. allowed to, then and only Then he got the computer the previous table played then has he been unethical. print-out of the cards (he the board, they cannot get 44 GAME TRIES said he would be on a sit-out average minus: they get When your partner raises ♣♦♥♠ for these particular boards, their score and possibly your suit to the two-level, you have a variety of so there was no problem). He a procedural penalty. options available to you. One pair at my spent a while looking at the Averages are covered club repeatedly print-out and eventually said by the laws and must be 45 DISRUPTING Q gather up their the hands bore no relation to given when a scheduled DECLARER bidding cards and put them the sheet. Then he realised board cannot be played. A defender needs to try in their boxes immediately he was looking at the wrong The director determines and predict what declarer might want to do. Your job bidding is completed. hand on the print-out. Once fault and gives average plus is then to disrupt declarer’s Their bidding is occasionally he found the right one and if the pair is not at fault, plan. artificial (correctly alerted) had corrected the hands, the average if the pair is partly 46 DEFENDING and lengthy. I often ask electronic timer had already at fault, and average minus VS HIGH them to replace their bidding called the move, and so if the pair is fully at fault. CONTRACTS cards because I believe there was no time to play it. Fully at fault means they did Making the right plays that, where used, they must He told us to enter the hand something without which against high level contracts be left out until after the as ‘not played’ on our tablet the board could have been can make a huge differ- opening lead. But is it a system and that both pairs played, even if someone else ence. contributed. Partly at fault is rule or just a convention? would be given averages. 47 OVERCALLS Name and address supplied. All four of us said, surely given where it required two Duplicate bridge is so much we should get average- different actions by different more competitive now and The use of the cards plus, given that it was not pairs to lose the board. it is important you are part in bidding boxes is the fault of any of us. His When a pair gets average of this. A covered by regulation. reply was that the previous at matchpoint pairs they get 48 PRESSING Nearly every club in the pair who had messed up 50% of a top on the board. THE DEFENCE EBU uses EBU regulations, the hands would get an When they get average plus There are ways you can although they could invent average-minus, but we they get 60%, or their session make life more awkward for their own, but no-one does. would all get an average. average, whichever is higher. the defenders, particularly by disguising holdings in One of the rules is that I have several questions. When they get average minus your hand. Bernard explores the bidding cards remain Firstly, on this particular they get 40%, or their session a number of tactics that on the table until the occasion, was the director average, whichever is lower. will help you to exploit the defenders. opening lead is faced. correct? Secondly, a more How averages (and Not £105 If this is a common general question, I suspect Played, which is used in Set of 6 problem with this pair, as that like many people, different circumstances) are you suggest, then it is time I’m not really sure what put into the scoring device Mr Bridge that it is dealt with. Ask the average, average-plus and differs between different ( 01483 489961 director to be firm about it, average-minus actually devices but it should always www.mrbridge.co.uk/ making sure they understand mean - average of what, be put in by the director, shop they have to follow the rules, and plus what, or minus never the players. n

Page 34 BRIDGE September 2018 Sally Brock Looks at Your Slam Bidding BERNARD MAGEE’S Sally’s Slam Clinic INTERACTIVE Where did we go wrong? Slam of the month TUTORIAL CD

Alun Williams, from Beaumaris Audrey Bain and her partner did well Bridge Club, asks about this deal where to bid these two hands to slam. DEFENCE he and his partner missed a good slam.

♠ Q 10 8 4 2 ♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ K 5 ♠ A ♥ K 7 3 ♥ A 6 2 ♥ A 7 6 5 2 ♥ K Q J 10 3 ♦ A Q 7 6 ♦ K ♦ 4 ♦ J 10 9 ♣ 9 ♣ A Q 7 3 2 MAC or ♣ K 9 6 4 2 ♣ A Q 10 3 Windows

This was their auction: This was their auction: West North East South West North East South 1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦ Pass All Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ Pass 6♠ All Pass The ♥2 opener showed either 6-9 HCP with a six-card heart suit or 8-11 with I’m not sure why East started with 1♠ five hearts and at least a four-card rather than the more normal 1♣, but it Bernard develops your minor. certainly made life simple here. West defence in the course of ten These methods are unfamiliar to responded with a of 4♣. In introductory exercises and me and I imagine that East could have my view, this West hand is a maximum 120 complete deals. asked his partner, but chose not to. for that bid and with more in the way I would have thought that the of high cards he should start with a l Lead vs West hand was just about worth a 1♥ different bid (2NT is my favourite). No-trump Contracts opening playing Acol, especially non- Because of this, when East cooperated l Lead vs vulnerable. In which case the auction with a cue-bid of 4♦, West could use Suit Contracts might have proceeded: Roman Key Card Blackwood and bid l Partner of Leader the small slam when only one ‘ace’ was vs No-trump West North East South missing. Contracts 1♥ Pass 2NT Pass If East had started with 1♣, perhaps 3♣ Pass 3♠ Pass the bidding would have gone: l Partner of Leader 4♥ Pass 5♣ Pass vs Suit Contracts 5♦ Pass 6♥ All Pass West North East South l Count 1♣ Pass Signals Most tournament players these days 1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass l Attitude £76 ♣ use a 2NT response to show a game- 4NT Pass 5 Pass Signals forcing hand with four or more cards 6♠ All Pass in partner’s suit. There are many l Discarding different ways to bid over such a With a singleton top honour I prefer l Defensive Plan response, but simplest is to keep it to describe the East hand as balanced l Stopping Declarer natural. So West rebids 3♣. If East had (rather than making a splinter bid). In a balanced hand he could keep things principle, the 4♠ bid should show 18- l Counting the Hand low by rebidding 3♥, so the 3♠ cue-bid 19 balanced points (a small overbid). shows a singleton. That puts West, who With a known nine-card fit and all is very minimum anyway, right off so suits controlled, RKCB would seem Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, he signs off in ♥4 . However, East is not appropriate and the good slam bid. Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH done yet and proceeds with a 5♣ cue- At the table, South held ♠K-J-x and ( 01483 489961 bid, almost commanding West to cue- North ♣K-J-x, so declarer could set up www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop bid a diamond control if he has one. clubs and make the slam. ■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 35 Mr Bridge Festive Season 2018-19 Full board. No single supplement*.

Christmas 2018 Denham Grove Blunsdon House Near Uxbridge UB9 5DG Swindon SN26 7AS 23 December 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open Tea or coffee with mince pies 1745 Welcome Reception followed by Dinner and then BRIDGE Christmas Eve 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 23-27 December £495 27-29 December from £228* Hand Evaluation and Transfers Just Duplicate 1745 Mulled Wine Reception hosted by Sandy Bell hosted by Val Heath 1830 Dinner then BRIDGE Christmas Day 27-29 December £258 Defence as Partner of the Leader 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands hosted by Bernard Magee 1230 Christmas Lunch 1500 Queen's speech displayed 29 December - 2 January £499 New Year 2018-19 1530 BRIDGE Limited availability 1830 Buffet Dinner followed by BRIDGE Drawing Trumps 29 December hosted by Bernard Magee 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open Boxing Day Tea or coffee with mince pies 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1745 Welcome Reception followed by 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE The Olde Barn Dinner and then BRIDGE Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE 30 December 27 December 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 1230 Lunch 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE Denham Grove - all depart New Year's Eve 1400 Afternoon BRIDGE at Olde Barn only 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands Twixmas 2018 23-27 December £425 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE Just Duplicate 1745 Gala Reception 27 December hosted by Sheila Rogers 1830 Gala Dinner followed by BRIDGE 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open 2345 See in the New Year drinks Tea or coffee with mince pies 27-29 December £215 0030 Optional Speedball pairs at Denham 1745 Welcome Reception followed by Losing Trick Count Grove only Dinner and then BRIDGE hosted by Elaine Duff New Year's Day 28 December 29 December - 1 January £345 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands Suit Establishment 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE hosted by Ray Hutchinson Olde Barn - all depart 1745 Mulled Wine Reception 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE at The example programmes shown are to give 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE Denham Grove only an idea of what is included in the full itinerary. 29 December Please note there are slight differences between 2 January 2019 programmes at each venue. 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands Denham Grove only * Subject to availability. Single supplement 1230 Lunch followed by Duplicate Bridge applies to all rooms at Blunsdon House. 0800 Brunch Style Breakfast Details & Bookings ( 01483 489961

Page 36 BRIDGE September 2018 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions Strong Artificial Twos Revisited

wrote about Strong Artificial Twos Let us look at some more examples: us who play in England or Wales (the in BRIDGE 167 in November 2016. WBU has adopted the EBU rule) have The rules in England and Wales to follow them. Ihave changed. To remind everyone Hand A Hand B In bridge clubs throughout the what the problem is, a strange fear ♠ A 3 2 ♠ A K 3 British Isles, the Benjamin 2♣ opening of opening at the 1-level with a seven ♥ K J 10 9 6 5 4 2 ♥ K Q J 6 5 4 2 has become very common whereby card suit has grown up in many British ♦ Void ♦ 3 it replaces the old Acol Two opening. bridge players so they look for an ♣ A 4 ♣ 5 2 That showed “a hand of power and alternative. Consider these hands: quality with at least eight playing tricks”. Modern club players seem to have forgotten the hand of power ♠ A 6 ♠ 6 5 Hand C and quality part of the definition, ♥ K Q J 9 8 6 3 2 ♥ K Q J 9 8 3 2 ♠ 5 and often open ♣2 with any hand ♦ J 4 ♦ A J 2 ♥ K Q J 10 6 5 with eight playing tricks, even a hand ♣ 5 ♣ 5 ♦ A Q J 10 suitable for a pre-emptive opening. ♣ Q J Consider these three hands:

I would open 1♥ with both hands, but if either hand was dealt in the club I Which of these are legal Benjamin 2♣ Hand A Hand B am sure some people would open 2♣ openings? ♠ K Q 10 9 8 7 6 5 3 ♠ K Q J 6 5 4 2 (Benjamin) on the first one and ♥3 on Hand A has 12 HCP and 5 controls; ♥ J 3 ♥ A K 3 the second – or even possibly the other Hand B has 13 HCP and 4 controls; ♦ 5 ♦ 3 way round. What is wrong with that? Hand C has 16 HCP and 3 controls. ♣ 10 ♣ 5 2 Whether it is good bridge or not to So (A) and (C) are legal Benjamin 2♣ open 2♣ on the first one is somewhat openings, (A) because it has 5 controls misleading when your partner and 12 HCP, (C) because it has 16 HCP. describes the hand as “strong”. It has a If you play that any Benjamin bid has Hand C lot of playing strength certainly – eight to have at least 16 points then you call ♠ A Q J 10 6 5 playing tricks – but it is not strong in it “Benjamin” or “Strong, showing ♥ A K the normal understanding of the term eight playing tricks in any suit or a ♦ A J 6 which refers to top cards. strong balanced hand”. If you include ♣ 6 5 The new rule introduced by the hands like (A) you need to qualify it, English Bridge Union (EBU) is that for example saying “Benjamin, may you may agree to open a strong be weaker with good distribution” or These hands have all got eight playing opening if you have 16 HCP (high “Strong, may be weaker with good tricks, and I know some people who card points) or more; alternatively if distribution, showing eight playing would open them all with a Benjamin you have at least 12 HCP and at least tricks in any suit or a strong balanced 2♣ because of that. But the first hand five controls. HCP is the normal point hand”. is a 4♠ opening, the second a 1♠ count (A=4, K=3, Q=2, J=1) with no Why do they need all these rules? opening, and only the third is a 2♣ adjustment for distribution. Controls You have to get fairness between what opening. Why? Because only the third are just top cards, A=2, K=1. Both the people want to play and what people is a strong hand. If you open all three examples above have three controls, can understand and defend against. I with 2♣ then your partner will find and neither has 12 HCP, so you may am not saying that the EBU has got its game and slam bidding impossible not agree to open a Benjamin 2♣ on rules perfectly right (this is their third to judge, also when to penalise the either. attempt to stop an abuse) but those of opponents if they get in on the act. u

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 37 There is, however, one advantage a strong hand. If you make such an in opening all three with 2♣: while opening on what is not considered you may mislead your partner into a strong hand then you are playing BERNARD thinking you have a strong hand an illegal method, and the hand will you also mislead your opponents. be cancelled and you get average Consider a hand with about 16 points. minus, unless you got a bad score MAGEE Your RHO opens 1♥ and you bid 1NT anyway. While Scotland and Ireland or you double and if there is a game do not have such strict rules, it must TUTORIAL on now you will reach it. But suppose be realised that to open with a weak he opens 2♣, alerted and when you ask hand which is described as strong may he says Benjamin, strong? Very few constitute misinformation and lead to DVDS people know what to do with a lot of an adjustment (and is bad bridge as points over a strong opening. The EBU well). £25 per DVD and WBU have rules for what you are Until recently the EBU had rules SET 7 allowed to play in England and Wales that included “clear-cut tricks”, “Rule 37 MORE SIGNALLING and they allow nearly anything that of 25” and “Extended Rule of 25”, but Bernard looks at different times shows a strong hand, but there are all these rules have gone because they when you and the messages severe limits on bids that show weaker excluded some hands which better you might want to give. hands because they believe it is unfair players thought were an automatic to allow too many bids that can cause strong opening and so have decided 38 4-4-4-1 HANDS trouble. So if you play Benjamin or any on a policy more in line with what Everybody’s least favourite type other convention designed to show a experts feel are strong hands. Now it of opening hand. Bernard goes strong hand then you have to follow is based on points (which everyone through the methods for choosing the rules as to what is considered understands) and controls. So to the right suit to open as well as coping with responses. strong. understand and apply these rules you This has been a growing problem have to understand controls, but that 39 DRAWING TRUMPS over the last twenty years as the is relatively easy. My advice is that This seminar sounds straightfor- traditional ideas on Acol Twos have sticking to a minimum 16 HCP for any ward, but we will not be simply been forgotten, and a lot of club ‘strong’ bid makes life easier and you drawing trumps, we will be con- players seem to think you cannot open will not fall foul of any rules. sidering the reasons for delaying. simple bids, like 1♠, when you have What about strong twos, ie bids Keeping control of trumps is an a seven-card suit. So they open 2♣, which show the suit, like Acol Twos? important part of declarer play. fool partner, and fool the opponents You can play them perfectly legally 40 FIVE-CARD MAJORS unfairly. whether strong or not but you must Popular around the world, this The basic rule for what is allowed in a announce them carefully. If it is method is becoming more popular Benjamin 2♣ opening (or a Benjamin normal for you to open these two here. 2♦ opening, or an Acol 2♣ opening, bids on fewer than 16 points, best is 41 FUNDAMENTALS or any other strong artificial opening to announce them as “Intermediate to OF DEFENCE for that matter) is that it has to show Strong, forcing” (or not forcing). n Defence is by far the hardest aspect of bridge: this seminar seeks to show the building blocks that can start you off on a wonderful Mr Bridge Holidays journey. If you can get the basics Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest aboard ms Serenity right then the more complicated aspects of defence can follow. By coach: 19-28 October 2019. By air: 20-27 October 2019 42 SUPPORTING £105 Cabins from £1149 pp MINORS set of 6 Minors are not as important as Sole occupancy supplement from 25%. Call for prices. majors, but we have to bid them and it is important to know your system. Bidding more 3NT contracts will get you better scores, but being able to spot a minor suit slam will put you a cut above.

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Page 38 BRIDGE September 2018 Fireside Chats with Mike Lawrence The Power of Spot Cards Part Five

orth-South are playing a West North East South Here is the complete deal. strong no-trump (15-17) and 1♦ South plays in 3NT after Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Nopening 1♦ and rebidding 1NT over Pass 3NT All Pass ♠ A K Q 2 North’s 1♠ response. ♥ 8 3 2 Now back to the play. North raised ♦ K 7 5 to game and West leads the ♥J. This ♣ 10 9 6 Dealer South. Love All. looks like a good contract given that ♠ J 10 ♠ 8 7 6 4 ♠ A K Q 2 there are eleven potential tricks. ♥ J 10 9 4 N ♥ Q 7 6 5 W E ♥ 8 7 6 ♥ ♦ J 9 6 3 ♦ 10 South wins the K and tries the S ♦ K 7 5 diamond suit. This runs into a bad ♣ K 5 2 ♣ A Q 4 3 ♣ 10 9 6 diamond break, West having four to ♠ 9 5 3 the jack. Does this mean that 3NT is ♥ A K N W E down? ♦ A Q 8 4 2 S It means that the contract is not as ♣ J 8 7 ♠ 9 5 3 good as it was before because South ♥ A K will get only three diamond tricks. He ♦ A Q 8 4 2 could set up the long diamond but that If you are not a spot watcher, read on. ♣ J 8 7 is fatal if the defenders get around to Note the spade suit. Look at all four their club tricks. hands. South is the recipient of a small Note, by the way, that good miracle. On this hand spades divide Some players would choose to rebid defenders will spot that South has the 4-2, but it does not matter because 2♦ wishing to emphasise the diamond ♦A-Q and likely the ♥A-K as well. This West was dealt the ♠ J-10 doubleton. If suit but since the hand is balanced will account for thirteen high card South plays the ♠A-K, the ♠J-10 drop with honours in all of the unbid suits, points. If South gives up a diamond, and South’s ♠9 is good. South can cash 1NT is best because it is so descriptive. the defence should know to switch the ♠9 and go to dummy to win the As an aside, if South rebids 1NT, he to clubs even if neither defender has last spade trick. Nine in all. shows a hand with 12-14 high-card signalled for a club switch. Some plays There is one little catch, however. points and a balanced shape, just like are obvious if you look at the evidence. On this hand, like on many hands, a weak no-trump opening. North So, having played the three top the issue has to be noted in time to knows pretty much what South has. diamonds, you are committed to cater for it. South has to win the heart If South rebids 2♦, North will be getting four spade tricks. If spades lead and play on spades immediately. entitled to expect six diamonds (or divide 3-3, you have nine winners. Do When he sees the spade honours come perhaps a 1-4-5-3 shape). As you can they? When South plays on spades, down, he can come to the ♠9 and go see, South does not have six diamonds. he will find that East has four of to dummy with the ♦K. Only if South Further, North cannot tell if South has them. They are not very big but East’s saves the ♦K as an entry will this hand 12 high card points or 15 high card holding will stop South from cashing come home. It costs nothing to play points. Also, South’s 2♦ bid would four tricks. Does this mean that 3NT this way. If everything behaves, there not be very descriptive. His shape can was fated to go down? are eleven tricks and in the event that range from something close to what he If you are a spot watcher, you will spades are as they are, South will get at has to 1-2-7-3 distribution. He might see the answer. Hopefully you saw the least nine of them. even have a void. answer in time. Plan ahead. ■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 39 Seven Days by Sally Brock

a paid tour, it seems good to do it this full but the second is lovely – several FRIDAY way. It feels as if you can leave when romantic candlelit rooms, though we I start by walking to Kensington you want because you haven’t paid for opt to sit outside in the mild weather. Olympia to get an overground train it. We do cut it short as it is hot and to Clapham Junction and then on there is little shade. We have some MONDAY to Gatwick. Barry is catching the lunch – dumplings and sausage with I leave Barry to pack up his things and 10.22 from Shepherds Bush that goes mustard, Slovenian specialities – and go for a walk on my own. I am trying to Clapham Junction and stops at then go back to the flat to change for to find the jewellery shop I discovered Kensington Olympia at 10.24 – I am the wedding. David and Marusa were last time I was in Ljubljana – it had to meet him in the front carriage. actually married in the UK last year, so many beautiful things it took at However, when I get to the station but their official Slovenian wedding least four visits for me to make up my there doesn’t seem to be a train has been looming for a while. We mind. I am successful and of course, scheduled at 10.24, only one at 10.19 decide to walk through the park – the earrings I like best are the most or 10.43. I try ringing but of course no probably not the brightest of ideas in expensive in the whole shop, but I reply. The safest thing to do seems to be the hot weather, and we arrive a bit hot decide to treat myself. to catch the 10.19, so I do and then he and sticky. It is a delightfully informal I go back to the flat and eventually rings: ‘Where are you?’. It seems that ceremony in the garden of a restaurant. we leave, walking up the road to the there was a 10.24 after all and he got We are all given a glass of champagne railway station where, after various off the train to look for me. By the time and watch as Marusa’s father and small setbacks, we pick up our hire we had spoken, the train left without David’s mother read the vows (in car. First we visit the Postojna Caves him! However, we meet at Clapham Slovenian and English respectively). where we descend via a train deep Junction and proceed to Gatwick Then the couple say their bit and we underground and then walk for a without further incident. Early signs all throw rice over them. There is a while admiring all the fantastic rock that our flight will be delayed seem bit more drinking outside before we formations. Next stop is a cup of tea unfounded as we board on time – but all move indoors for a leisurely meal at Predjama Castle. We don’t actually then sit on the tarmac for an hour. with plenty of entertainment between go in, but a cup of tea (and pancake) We eventually land at Ljubljana courses. There is masses of food – all while admiring the view is well worth Airport and get a shuttle to our Air delicious. We are some of the first to it. We continue driving west and stop BnB. It is in a good location and quite leave (at 11pm) when there is not the for the night at Hotel Maestoso on the romantic (called the ‘Downtown Love slightest spare centimetre inside of me Lipica Stud Farm. Nest’) but rather small. Why would for any more food or drink. We walk anyone want to sit on the toilet and back through the park to work off TUESDAY shut the door, after all? We go for some it before retiring for the night. At 10 o’clock we go on a tour of a quick food shop and have a cup of the stables at the stud farm. The tea before proceeding to the riverside SUNDAY Lipizzaner horses are magnificent. We bar where lots of our friends are We get up and leave the flat at about leave about 11.30 on a scenic route to already gathered. We have a couple of 11 again. After a short walk through Bled; lots of hairpin bends. We stop for beers and then go out to dinner with the Old Town, we take the funicular coffee in Planina and lunch in Topol, Americans Michael Polowan and Haig up to the castle and have a coffee. before arriving at Bled at around Tchamitch. Pretty good meal, on a We wander around for a while before 16.00. The lake is spread out before us lovely outside terrace. coming back down and having a – so beautiful. However, we’re getting corn-on-the-cob from a street vendor, old, so it’s time for a snooze. We walk SATURDAY followed by an ice cream for lunch. out to dinner and afterwards sit in a After a not-so-brilliant night’s sleep Then we go on a boat trip, seeing all bar watching the England v Colombia we get up and start the day with a free the sights from a different angle, before game – pretty boring until it got to the walking tour of the town. We have going back to the flat for a siesta. We penalties. done this before in other European consult the guidebook for restaurant cities and although you probably end recommendations and choose a couple WEDNESDAY up spending as much as you would for in a different direction – the first is In the morning we visit the Vintgar

Page 40 BRIDGE September 2018 Gorge where, for a couple of We meet Jovi in a big outdoor eating/ kilometres, wooden walkways and drinking space – a kind of food court. I luxury bridges criss-cross the gorge with its go and get us some Vietnamese spring succession of rapids and waterfalls. rolls as a starter, but then we decide bridge mat Then it’s lunch before setting off on to go over the road to a traditional Just £24.99 the drive to Bohinj, where the lake is Viennese coffee house for the rest of plus £4.99 p & p bigger and less developed than Bled. dinner. An inspired decision really, as In the evening we walk further round the heavens open and we are glad to be the lake to a really lovely restaurant under more substantial cover. We also with a terrace and watch the sun set get to watch Belgium beat Brazil in the over the water as we eat. World Cup. THURSDAY SATURDAY Up early to drive back to Ljubljana to We are on our own this morning. return our hire car and get the bus to First, we take the metro out to the Vienna. I can’t say it is much fun being Schönbrunn, the summer palace. We on a bus for five hours or so but it is start by doing a walk from a book quicker and much cheaper than the around the town near here. As usual train and seems the best way to go. we are soon completely lost but it Still, it has Wi-Fi and we manage to is fun and we get to see some of the bid some hands on BBO. My friend less well-known areas. Then we enter Jovi meets us at the international bus the grounds of the palace where station in Vienna and we get a cab to everything is magnificent. The palace our apartment. Briony was in Vienna itself is fantastic – apparently it has in the spring and she organised 1,441 rooms. Then we get the metro where we were going to stay and did back to the Stadtpark and have some spectacularly well in terms of location lunch before doing another walk Thick woven surface makes – we are slap bang in the middle of around the park back in the direction an ideal playing surface and town. We settle in and shower/change of our apartment. The guidebook tells protects your table. and then Jovi meets us to go out to us all about the statues we see and Very popular with Bridge dinner with Tom and Adele (who were something of the history. After a short Clubs. 78cms wide so it fits also in Ljubljana for the wedding) rest at the apartment where we both a standard 80cms card table and Terry who for years played on the do a little work, we set off for Jovi’s successful Austrian women’s team, but apartment by tram. It is a nice big airy Padded table bag. who I’ve never really had the chance to space and we enjoy watching England £39.00 + £4.99 p&p get to know before. We go somewhere beat Sweden in the World Cup. Then where we sit outside and try many we go to dinner to have a Viennese different sorts of local wine. Then we speciality – boiled beef. You choose take it in turns to go inside to get a your cut (or in our case an assortment) trayful of food for the table. A lovely and first have the broth they have evening aided by an extraordinarily cooked the beef in, then the beef itself large amount of nice wine. accompanied by various vegetables and sauces. Delicious and very filling. FRIDAY We decide to walk home, but stop off Jovi comes to pick us up with her for coffee while we watch the closing Large enough to take a standard stages of the Russia v Croatia match. friend Joe and he drives us somewhere 80cms bridge table. Made from northwards where we can walk tough nylon with carrying straps around in woodland and look out over SUNDAY and Velcro fixing. Ideal for the city. We have an excellent lunch We set the alarm for 7.45 and by 9 storing or carrying your table. (unfortunately inside as the weather is o’clock are on the street corner (our not so good today), then back to town road itself is pedestrianised) ordering Order online or by phone where we browse some auction rooms our Uber to get to the airport. As on www.designsforbridge.co.uk before going back to our apartment for the way here, there is much talk of the a snooze. Later we go out and saunter flight being delayed but in the end it 01483 270 100 (or amble or stroll – we discuss the lands at Luton only a few minutes SR Designs for Bridge nuances of difference in meaning of behind schedule. Then it’s a bus to the Unit A1, Send Business Park, the three words!) around through the station, the train to West Hampstead Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF various civic gardens, looking at the and the London Overground to splendid buildings in central Vienna. Kensington Olympia and home. ■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 41

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Re-boot your Answers to Bernard Magee’s Acol with Bidding Quizzes 1-3 Bernard Magee Denham Grove, Uxbridge, on the Cover and page 7 Bucks UB9 5DG 10-14 January 2019 N Your job with support is to buy another bid – usually 2NT is W E S 1. Dealer East. Love All. the contract. used for that type of hand. £454pp Thursday – ♠ J 7 6 5 ♠ K Q 4 2 Your opponents are Monday ♥ K 2 N ♥ A 6 5 trying to enter the auction: W E Four Nights ♦ K 3 2 S ♦ A 8 7 6 5 South has made a take-out 3. Dealer East. Love All. Full Board – No Single ♣ ♣ ♠ ♠ 9 7 6 5 4 double, inviting his partner A 4 2 K Q 7 Supplement1 to bid a suit and hoping that ♥ K 5 N ♥ A 9 8 4 2 W E their side can find a fit and ♦ J 8 7 3 S ♦ K Q 6 2 West North East South compete for the contract. ♣ Q J 8 7 ♣ 10 N 1♦ Dbl You have an advantage W E S ? because your side has already found a fit. A good West North East South 1♠. tactic is to stretch a little over 1♥ Dbl How should an opponent’s a take-out double, to make it ? double affect your response? difficult for your opponents. Without support for part- Here, with 7 HCP and a Redouble. ner’s suit you generally make singleton you are between Most balanced or semi- the bid you would have usually a 2♥ and 3♥ response; the balanced hands of 9 or more made, although with stronger losing trick count would points, without support for Topics hands you might well use a suggest a 2♥ response. your partner’s suit, tend to OPENER strong redouble to show your However, over the double start with a redouble. strength. you should stretch to 3♥. This call tells the partnership RESPONDER Here you bid 1♠ as you This may well keep the that you have the majority RESPONDING TO would have done if South had opponents quiet and win of the points and should 1NT passed and your partnership your side the contract. either be playing the hand OVERCALLS finds its fit. 3♥ may well make whilst or doubling your opponents. LAWS & ETHICS the opponents might be able So, instead of a possible 2NT to make 4♦. response to show 11 points, IMPROVING 2. Dealer East. Love All. Bidding over 3♥ will not be you redouble. This frees up BRIDGE MEMORY ♠ J 8 7 ♠ A 4 2 easy for North – with a spade the 2NT bid for other uses,

♥ J 8 4 2 N ♥ A K Q 6 5 fit he might bid 3♠, but risking as mentioned in the previous ♦ 2 W E ♦ 8 7 6 ♦ Sessions of S 4 is less likely. answer. ♣ A J 9 6 5 ♣ 4 2 Over 2♥, North is much The redouble also puts the supervised play more likely to make a bid pressure on your opponents – follow each and then the opponents can they have to find a save haven lecture. West North East South compete fully. to play in, which might not be 1♥ Dbl The opening bidder should easy. 2♣ doubled could easily ? take into account your stretch go three off for 500 points, Optional and be very wary of bidding and 1♠ doubled could also go duplicate session ♥ 3 . game unless he is particularly three off – 500 is worth more every evening2. This time you have support for strong. than a game contract. hearts, so some might think With a genuine raise to After a redouble, it is easi- redoubling would be a good 3♥ (11 points or 8 losers) est to play all subsequent Contact Mr Bridge to idea, but that is not correct. the responder needs to find doubles for penalties. ■ book your place or for further To support Little Voice, Subscriptions to BRIDGE Mobility Scooter Insurance send your used stamps to: An ideal gift ( 0333 003 3186 details. Malcolm Finebaum 1 year £49 www.genesischoice.co.uk ( 01483 489961 Flat 8 Mountford House 2 years £79 8 Crescent Road 3 years for £109 1Subject to availability. 2Not directed by Bernard Magee. Enfield EN2 7BL ( 01483 489961

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W Answers to Bernard Magee’s CHARITY EVENTS SEPTEMBER 2018 13 GT BARFORD BOWLS CLUB Bidding Quizzes 4-6 Gt Barford Bowls Club, MK44 3BG. £15. Beryl Seymour on the Cover and page 7 ( 01767449116 [email protected] Pat Martin-Moran be a big risk. work because your opponents ( 01234 870198 4. Dealer East. Love All. When you get doubled in ‘forget to double’ your final [email protected] ♠ 3 2 ♠ A 9 8 7 1NT and you have a decent contract. However, against OCTOBER 2018 ♥ A 8 6 N ♥ K 3 2 hand, you will often want to experienced opponents 2♥ 5 ST NEOTS MUSEUM W E St Neots Outdoor Bowling Club ♦ ♦ 9 7 6 S A 3 2 stay in the contract and reap will be doubled and may cost PE19 1AP. £15. ♣ K Q 10 5 4 ♣ J 9 3 the benefits. 800 points. Jean Searle ( 01480 212298

NOVEMBER 2018 6, 7, 8 BIRKHOLM MANOR West North East South 5. Dealer East. Love All. 6. Dealer East. E/W Game. Corby Glen, Grantham, 1NT Dbl ♠ 8 7 2 ♠ 9 6 5 ♠ K Q J 9 6 5 ♠ 10 8 Lincs, NG33 4LF. £18.50. In aid of The Red Cross. ? ♥ A 8 6 5 N ♥ K 2 ♥ 4 2 N ♥ A K J 3 W E W E Penny Hedley Lewis ♦ 4 3 2 ♦ A K Q 5 ♦ A K 2 ♦ Q J 4 3 S S ( 01476 550255 Pass. ♣ 8 7 5 ♣ J 9 4 3 ♣ 6 5 ♣ J 9 4 [email protected] Your partner has opened a weak no-trump which has To advertise your charity been doubled for penalties by West North East South West North East South events, please email [email protected] South. The risk of playing a 1NT Dbl 1NT Dbl weak no-trump is that you can ? ? get doubled and go a long way off. However, there are Pass. 4♠. also the perks, one of which is This time your partner gets Your partner’s 1NT is doubled that they double you and you doubled and you are looking once again, but this time you make. at an awful hand: weak and are looking at a lovely hand. With 9 HCP and a decent flat. 1NT doubled might well make five-card suit, it is not However, it is important to given that your side has a For those with Pre-existing unreasonable to think of your note that if you were asked healthy majority of the points, health conditions side as being favourites to which denomination you but with your side vulnerable (No Age Limit) make 1NT. You have 21-23 preferred, you would surely you want to make sure of your l Travel Insurance points and your partner will choose no-trumps because of game bonus. Redoubling with online Medical also know where most of the the even distribution of your 1NT is an option (that is a Screening l opposing points are. hand. Bearing this in mind, game contract after all), but Cover for medical Some players will play a you should pass and leave with your hand having such conditions, up to a high complicated form of wriggle your partner to his fate. potential in one suit it makes level of severity, even a (a way of escaping 1NT 1NT will probably go two sense to bid the obvious (and terminal prognosis doubled) – the problem with off, but your opponents might safer) game. Your partner’s l No age limits l this is that you might be forced set up a club trick for you, or opening 1NT promises at Instant online cover to play in 1NT redoubled, diamonds might break 3-3 least two spades, so you jump We fully understand that which is quite a gamble or and you could escape for to 4♠ knowing there is a fit. you may wish to speak to us direct about cover and you might choose the relative just one off: -100 would be a Sometimes you may find your medical conditions safety of 2♣. great score. that the double of 1NT is and assure you of the best Here, 1NT is likely to make Escaping to a different based on a long suit as well attention by senior staff on a direct phone line that so you will score +180 for a place could result in a horrible as strength. South held six does not require you to great score. For the gamblers contract – 2♥ might yield clubs headed by the AKQ and hold or press buttons for departments. 1NT redoubled making is an just four tricks. Wriggles and the ♠A as well, so he would even better score – you make other escape mechanisms have defeated 1NT, but 4♠ is ( 0344 249 1701 game for +560 – but it would over 1NT doubled tend to a comfortable make. ■ [email protected] www.genesischoice.co.uk Books on bridge. Mr Bridge 2019 diaries Bridge with Angela. Genesis Choice Ltd are an appointed ( Only £14.95. representative of NDI Insurance Gordon Bickley 07530553594 A beginners guide to Acol and Reinsurance Brokers Ltd who Navy blue or Ruby red. or email [email protected] are authorised and regulated by the ( 01483 489961 £7.95 ( 01483 489961 Financial Conduct Authority No.446914

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 45 More Tips from Bernard Magee BERNARD As declarer, play the lowest of MAGEE touching cards to aid TUTORIAL your memory. DVDS

ow this really is a There is a lot going on into your diamond tenace. straightforward tip, during this hand and your When he threw his spade SET 1 but the simplest memory will be tested. Is winner you suspected he had N 1 Ruffing for things are often the ones that the ♥10 a winner? To know something else to look after. Extra Tricks pay the most dividends. the answer to that ques- tion, you have to identify if 2 Competitive four cards have gone: the ♠ 8 7 4 Auctions ♠ 8 7 4 ace, king, queen and jack. ♥ K Q J 10 3 Making £25 per DVD ♥ K Q J 10 Now, since this is an article ♦ 9 5 4 the Most ♦ 9 5 4 and you can go back to the ♣ Q 5 3 of High Cards ♣ ♠ ♠ Q 5 3 original layout, it is obvious Q 9 5 3 K 6 2 4 Identifying N that the ♥10 is a winner. ♥ 7 4 3 N ♥ A 9 5 & Bidding Slams W E W E S However, with every suit led ♦ Q 8 3 ♦ 10 7 6 2 S 5 Play & Defence ♠ A J 10 since you played on hearts ♣ A J 10 ♣ 8 7 6 N of 1NT Contracts W E ♥ 8 6 2 and a lot of tricks gone, you ♠ A J 10 S ♦ A K J could be excused for forget- ♥ 8 6 2 6 Doubling & ♣ K 9 4 2 ting in a real time game. ♦ A K J Defence against However, what if you ♣ K 9 4 2 Doubled Contracts had chosen to lead the You are declarer in ♥10, then the ♥J, then SET 2 ♥ 3NT and West leads the Q from dummy? This tip is simple but 7 Leads the ♠3 to East’s king. Now the cards left at practical – keeping the 8 Losing Trick Count You win your ace straight the end would be: higher of equals in your away because you have a hand or dummy will help you 9 Making a Plan second stopper with your remember whether you have as Declarer jack-ten holding. You then ♠ — winners left or not. ■ 10 Responding to 1NT play hearts. East wins the ♥ K 11 Signals & Discards third round of hearts with ♦ 9 5 his ace and then plays a ♣ Q 5 CLUB 12 Endplay diamond. Happy that spades N W E INSURANCE have not been continued you S SET 3 decide to take your ♦K and ♠ — 13 Hand Evaluation then lead the ♣K. West wins ♥ — Every club should his ace and plays the ♠Q ♦ A J be covered and my 14 Pre-Emptive followed by another spade. ♣ 9 4 2 inclusive package, Bidding Here is what is left: £105 to suit clubs of up 15 Splinter set of 6 to 300 members & Cue Bids The question now is whether for less than £75 16 ♠ — the ♥K is a winner? All per year, is the ♥ 10 you have to remember is right package at 17 Play & Defence at ♦ 9 5 whether one card (♥A) has the right price. Pairs ♣ Q 5 gone. Surely that gives you 18 Thinking Defence N a much better chance? W E Remembering the heart is S Contact FIDENTIA ♠ — a winner, you cross to the ♣Q Mr Bridge ♥ — and cash it. When West dis- for a quote: ( ♦ A J cards the last spade, you play 01483 489961 ( 020 31500080 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop ♣ 9 4 2 a third club, leaving poor West to win the trick and lead [email protected]

Page 46 BRIDGE September 2018 Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 7-9 MAGEE’S on the Cover and page 7 INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD You have 16 points so you might be 7. Dealer West. Love All. tempted to try for game. However, there ♠ A 4 3 ♠ 9 8 7 5 are a lot of signposts directing you to the DECLARER ♥ A J 7 6 5 N ♥ 3 2 pass card. You have an absolutely flat ♦ K 2 W E ♦ 10 8 7 5 hand: 4-3-3-3 hands should be your least PLAY S ♣ A 9 7 ♣ Q 3 2 favourite and it often pays to downgrade them by a point. Most important, though, is your partner’s failure to redouble West North East South North’s takeout double. With 9+ points 1♥ Dbl Pass 1NT he will often choose this option to show ? your side has the majority of strength. This means that the range of his 1NT MAC or Pass. response is closer to 6-8 points, which Windows You have 16 points and a five-card in turn means that game is likely to be suit and are probably tempted to make beyond the partnership. another bid. Your partner does have 8 HCP, but However, your partner has shown together with your bare aces, 1NT is nothing and one opponent has shown likely to be the limit of the hand. heart strength (South should hold a stopper in hearts). You are not strong enough to double because if your 9. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ ♠ partner is weak, the opponents will be in 7 6 10 9 5 Bernard develops your the box seat. ♥ A K 6 5 ♥ Q J 3 2 N declarer play technique in It is important to remember that your ♦ K Q 5 2 W E ♦ A 6 S the course of ten partner has another chance to bid – if he ♣ K 9 7 ♣ J 8 3 2 introductory exercises and has any length in hearts, he might come in later, or if he has a very long suit of his 120 complete deals. own, he might reopen the auction. More West North East South l Suit Establishment likely is that he holds a miserable hand 1♥ Dbl 3♥ Pass in No-trumps and he is hoping that you do not overbid. ? As you can see, any bid from you l Suit Establishment in Suits is going to get your partnership into Pass. trouble. 2♥ might well go round to South With 15 HCP and your partner making l Hold-ups ♥ and get doubled. You will struggle to get a jump raise, bidding 4 looks right, but l Ruffing for to dummy and might find that 2♥ goes that is overlooking the impact of North’s Extra Tricks three off, or on a really bad day, four off. double. £76 East’s raise to 3♥ over the double is l Entries in No-trumps usually played as a slightly weaker bid 8. Dealer West. Love All. than usual – a stretch raise – you should l Delaying ♠ A 4 3 ♠ K 7 5 expect fewer than 11 points (see question Drawing Trumps ♥ A 8 6 5 N ♥ 4 3 2 2 on page 43). With a genuine raise to l Using the Lead ♦ A 9 2 W E ♦ K Q 3 3♥, he has to bid some other way (using S ♣ A 9 7 ♣ 8 5 4 3 a 2NT bid is one option). l Trump Control Bearing in mind that your partner l Endplays & Avoidance may well be weaker than usual and that l Using the Bidding West North East South North’s strength might be sitting over 1♥ Dbl 1NT Pass your strength in the minors, you should ? choose to pass 3♥. Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Your partner has done well to keep Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Pass. the opponents out of the auction. 2♠ ( 01483 489961 This time it is your partner who has bid could make, as well might 3♥, so you are www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop 1NT and the auction comes back to you. definitely in the right contract. ■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 47

Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 10-12 MAGEE on the Cover and page 7 TUTORIAL DVDS

SET 4

10. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer East. Love All. 12. Dealer East. Game All. 19 Defensive Plan ♠ 6 3 ♠ A J 9 5 2 ♠ Q 8 7 6 ♠ A K 9 5 3 2 ♠ 5 2 ♠ A K 3 20 Further Into ♥ 5 4 3 N ♥ 9 ♥ 4 2 N ♥ J 6 ♥ 8 5 4 3 N ♥ A 9 7 6 the Auction W E W E W E ♦ 9 4 3 S ♦ A K J 2 ♦ K 4 3 S ♦ A 6 5 ♦ A 9 8 5 4 S ♦ 2 21 Weak Twos ♣ Q 8 7 6 5 ♣ A 10 2 ♣ K 7 6 5 ♣ 4 2 ♣ K 5 ♣ Q J 8 6 2 22 Trump £25 Control per DVD West North East South West North East South West North East South 23 Sacrificing 1♠ Dbl 1♠ Pass 1♣ Dbl 24 Improving Pass 2♥ Dbl Pass 2♠ Dbl 3♠ Pass 1♦ 1♠ Pass Pass Bridge Memory ? ? ? SET 5 3♣. Pass. Double. 25 Defence as Partner You have a pretty miserable You make a normal raise You do not have a great deal of the Leader hand. Your partner opened to 2♠ and only then does a of strength, but do have rea- 26 Aggressive Bidding the bidding and was doubled double come from North: as sonable distribution – giving at Duplicate Pairs by South: a take-out double. usual this is for take-out. Your in to 1♠ would seem a little North takes the contract out partner now raises to 3♠: meek. Perhaps you should 27 Strong Openings to 2♥ and then your part- what do you do? show your second suit with 28 Take-Out Doubles ner doubles – what does he Basic losing trick counters 2♥? 29 Suit Establishment mean? will get over-excited and The problem with bidding in Suit Contracts Generally, on early rounds might have tried 3♠ on the hearts is that it takes the of the auction, when only suits previous round. However, you auction rather high. If you do 30 / Defending Against a 1NT are bid (that is, there are no have an aceless hand with an not have a fit, your partner Opening no-trump bids), you should unguarded queen – the hand would have to bid to 3♣ or 3♦. play your doubles for take- is closer to nine losers than Instead of pushing your side out – it allows the partnership eight losers. too high, you would simply SET 6 to work together to find their Your 2♠ was right on the first like to invite your partner to 31 Counting Defence best fit. East has the perfect round and now your partner is compete for the hand – you 32 Extra Tricks hand for a take-out double NOT inviting you to bid again. do this by doubling. in No-Trumps – shortage in the opponents’ His 3♠ is an attempt to keep Doubles in auctions suit and support for the other the opponents quiet – he will where only suits are bid are 33 Supporting Partner suits – he wants you to look have long spades in a weak generally for take-out. Here, £105 at your hand and choose the hand. you are suggesting that your 34 Finessing set of 6 best denomination for the You pass and hopefully partner choose between 35 Bidding partnership. You bid 3♣ and North gives in leaving you clubs, heart and diamonds, Distributional you have found your best fit – making 8 or 9 tricks in spades. bearing in mind that you have Hands well done to your partner for Meanwhile your opponents denied four clubs and shown 36 Coping with including you in the decision- can make 9 or 10 tricks in diamond length. Pre-Empts making process. hearts. Here, your partner has a If your partner had a comfortable 2♥ bid and your Sagic Home & stronger type of hand, he fit is found without pushing Mr Bridge could have made any other your side too high. As the Contents Insurance ( bid at the 3-level and also cards lie, your partner has a 01483 489961 ( 0333 003 3196 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop had redouble available to little extra strength and hearts show strength. will make a good trump suit.■

BRIDGE September 2018 Page 49

Mr Bridge UK Events 2019

Just Duplicate Tutorial Events Tutorial Events Blunsdon House Blunsdon House with Bernard Magee 25-27 January from £228* 5-7 April from £238* Blunsdon House Defence to Weak Twos 15-17 March from £228* Hosted by John Ronan 8-10 February from £258* 6-8 September from £228* Ruffing for Extra Tricks Elstead Hotel Chatsworth Hotel Bournemouth BH1 3QP 1-3 November from £228* 28-30 June from £264* 1-3 February £228 4-4-4-1 Hands 22-24 November from £228* Hand Evaluation Chatsworth Hotel Hosted by Will Parsons 8-10 November from £264* 10-12 May £238 Game Tries 26-28 April £218 Doubling Chatsworth Hotel 7-9 June £218 Hosted by Sandy Bell 5-7 July £218 16-18 August £238 29-31 March £258 Drawing Trumps 27-29 September £218 Leads and Fundamental Defence Denham Grove 1-3 November £218 Hosted by Martin Holcombe Denham Grove Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG 15-17 November £218 Denham Grove 10-14 January £454 Re-Boot Your Acol Denham Grove 1-3 March £228 28-30 June £229 Endplay and Avoidance Elstead Hotel Hosted by Sandy Bell Masterpointed Duplicate 15-17 November £264 19-21 July £218 9-11 August £238 Responding to 1NT Key Card Blackwood and Slams 13-15 September £218 Hosted by Elaine Duff 25-27 October £218 Inn on the Prom Olde Barn, Grantham Elstead Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Elstead Hotel 8-10 March £228 1-3 February £258 Counting Defence 22-24 February £218 Overcalls Hosted by Hilary Levett 31 May - 2 June £218 Olde Barn Hotel 26-28 April £238 (formerly Ramada Resort 4-6 October £218 Suit Establishment Grantham) Hosted by Will Parsons 8-10 November £218 12-14 July £264 21-23 June £238 Supporting Minors Olde Barn Hotel Hand Evaluation (formerly Ramada Resort Hosted by Will Parsons 1-3 November £264 Grantham) Defence as Partner of the Chatsworth Hotel Leader Worthing BN11 3DU 18-20 January £208 Olde Barn Hotel 8-10 March £208 8-10 February £218 Two Bridges Hotel 14-16 June £218 Finding Slams 3-5 April from £349* Hosted by Gary Conrad Better Finessing 2-4 August £229 Masterpointed Duplicate 17-19 May £238 Trouville Hotel Drawing Trumps 11-13 October £218 Hosted by John Ronan 15-19 February from £399** Competitive Bidding 15-17 November £218 20-22 September £238

Further into the Auction **Price includes ferry fare for two Blunsdon House Hotel Please note there are no seminars, set hands or prizes at these events. Hosted by Ray Hutchinson adults in one car Swindon SN26 7AS

Full Board – No Single Supplement* ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk *Subject to availability. Single supplement applies to all rooms at Two Bridges & Blunsdon House Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 11

1. ♠ J 9 8 6 West North East South and ♠5. Back comes the ♥6, on which ♥ J 8 4 1NT1 declarer plays the ♥2. What is your plan? ♦ J 8 4 3 All Pass The normal rule, when playing an ♣ J 6 112-14 honour in third seat in an attempt to win ♠ A Q 10 ♠ 7 5 4 2 the trick, is to play the lower of touching ♥ Q 9 7 5 3 N ♥ A 2 You lead the ♠4. Partner wins with the honours. If you play the higher honour ♦ A 10 W E ♦ 7 6 5 2 ♠A and switches to the ♥2; you cover the first, this denotes a special holding, typi- S ♣ 10 7 2 ♣ Q 9 5 ♥3 with the ♥J, winning the trick. How cally doubleton honours. ♠ K 3 should you continue? Here it could be useful for partner to ♥ K 10 6 Since partner’s hearts cannot be par- know that you have a doubleton because ♦ K Q 9 ticularly brilliant, the switch has come overtaking the second heart makes it ♣ A K 8 4 3 either because the ♠A was singleton or, possible for him to drive out the ♥10 and more likely, as an attempt to dislodge the make four heart tricks in all. So play the entry to the diamonds. ♥K and then the ♥Q. West North East South If you do play a second heart, you 1♣ will indeed remove the ♥A. Then, unless 1♥ Pass Pass 1NT declarer has four diamonds, you can 4. ♠ J 8 All Pass the ♦A to kill most of dummy’s ♥ J 8 diamond winners. ♦ A K 8 You lead the ♥5: ♥4, ♥A and ♥6. Back Should you lead the ♥K or ♥5?. Since ♣ A K Q 10 4 3 comes the ♥2, covered by the ♥10 and you have a source of tricks in spades, it ♠ K 9 6 4 3 ♠ A 10 7 5 2 ♥Q. How do you continue? could be useful to keep the high heart ♥ A Q 7 4 3 N ♥ K 9 6 2 W E ♦ ♦ You can work out that declarer has only yourself. As the cards lie, declarer could 5 S 7 2 one heart left, the king. You can drive this get home if you led the ♥K, eventually ♣ 7 6 ♣ J 8 out whichever heart you play next. endplaying your partner to concede ♠ Q Can you see why it might matter which a trick to the ♥10. Therefore, best is to ♥ 10 5 heart you play? continue with the ♥5. ♦ Q J 10 9 6 4 3 On the bidding, you expect declarer to ♣ 9 5 2 attack clubs, a suit in which your partner will be the one with the entry. 3. ♠ A 10 8 Holding the ace and queen of spades, ♥ J 8 West North East South you would like a spade switch. ♦ A J 8 4 3 Pass 3♦ To signify interest in this highest ♣ J 6 3 Pass 5♦ All Pass ranking suit you should lead your highest ♠ 9 6 4 3 2 ♠ K 7 remaining heart, the nine. Getting an ♥ K Q N ♥ A 9 7 6 3 You lead the ♠4: ♠8, ♠A and ♠Q. Back W E extra undertrick after partner’s spade ♦ 10 5 ♦ K 7 2 comes the ♥2 covered by the ♥5 and S switch could be useful at pairs. ♣ Q 10 7 4 ♣ 8 5 2 ♥Q. How do you continue? ♠ Q J 5 The strong holdings in dummy in both ♥ 10 5 4 2 minor suits tell you that you had bet- 2. ♠ 9 8 6 ♦ Q 9 6 ter win the next trick if you are going to ♥ A 8 ♣ A K 9 make another trick. ♦ Q J 8 4 3 You have the boss card in both majors: ♣ 10 9 6 the ♠K and the ♥A. You can see seven ♠ Q J 7 4 3 ♠ A 2 West North East South cards in each suit between your hand ♥ K J 5 N ♥ Q 9 4 2 1NT1 and dummy, so that will not help you de- W E 2 3 ♦ A 10 5 S ♦ 7 2 Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT cide which card to cash. ♣ J 7 ♣ Q 8 5 4 2 All Pass The fall of the ♠Q suggests a single- ♠ K 10 5 112-14 ton, although it could be a falsecard ♥ 10 7 6 3 2Range enquiry from Q-x. The biggest clue of all is that ♦ K 9 6 3Lower end of range if the ♥2 is fourth highest then partner ♣ A K 3 started with four hearts. You lead the ♠6, on which go the ♠8, ♠K So try the ♥A. n

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