Number One Hundred and Thirty-Eight June 2014 Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz BRIDGEYou are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no- (12-14 points) and 4-card majors.

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

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

2. Dealer East. Love All. 5. Dealer West. N/S Game. 8. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer West. N/S Game. ♠ A 9 8 ♠ A 5 ♠ 6 5 ♠ A 3 2

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

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

3. Dealer South. Love All. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer South. E/W Game. 12. Dealer East. Game All. ♠ A 6 ♠ A K 7 6 5 ♠ K 4 3 ♠ 7 6 ♥ 7 3 N ♥ 4 2 N ♥ A K 7 N ♥ 4 3 N ♦ K 10 3 2 W E ♦ A Q 4 2 W E ♦ A 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ A K 8 3 W E S S S S ♣ A 9 8 7 3 ♣ 4 3 ♣ Q 2 ♣ K 9 8 5 3

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

Answers on page 6 Answers on page 9 Answers on page 11 Answers on page 13 1664 MR Bridge ship ad final1_Layout 1 21/11/2013 19:00 Page 1

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ABTA No.Y2206 For reservations call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS 1 Bidding Quiz 2 Cruise to Ancient by Bernard Magee Civilisations with Bridge BRIDGE Mr Bridge Voyages to Antiquity 4 Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 6 Bidding Quiz Answers 3 Mr Bridge Tie Tie Surrey GU21 2TH (1-3) by Bernard Magee 4 Tips for Better Bridge ( 01483 489961 9 Bidding Quiz Answers 6 Bridge Events at [email protected] (4-6) by Bernard Magee Elstead Hotel www.mrbridge.co.uk 11 Bidding Quiz Answers 7 Mail Order Form (7-9) by Bernard Magee Names and Addresses shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ mrbridge-shop 13 Bidding Quiz Answers 8 Bridge Event (10-12) by Bernard Magee Booking Form Managing Editor Mr Bridge 14 Guy of Gisburne’s 8 Bridge Events with Assignation Bernard Magee Bridge Consultant by Bernard Magee 9 Subscriptions 16 : What to BRIDGE [email protected] Happens? Is it Fair? 10 Bernard Magee DVDs Cartoons & Illustrations by David Stevenson 11 Tunisia with Mr Bridge Marguerite Lihou 17 www.margueritelihou.co.uk Answers Your Questions 12 Bernard Magee’s Tutorial Software Commissioning Editor 23 The Diaries of David Huggett Wendy Wensum 13 Bridge Events at davidhuggett Blunsdon House Hotel 24 Readers’ Letters @mrbridge.co.uk 19 Bridge Events at 26 Declarer Play Quiz The Olde Barn Hotel Customer Services by David Huggett Catrina Shackleton 20 S R Designs [email protected] 27 Fall from Grace Leather Gifts by Richard Wheen Technical Consultant 22 Genesis Choice 29 Declarer Play Answers Tony Gordon Travel Insurance by David Huggett Typesetting & Design 24 Clive Goff’s Stamps 30 Defence Quiz Ruth Edmondson by Julian Pottage 28 2014 Festive Season [email protected] with Mr Bridge 30 Bridge and Travel Tips Proof Readers 29 Mr Bridge £15 Tony & Jan Richards 31 David Stevenson Playing Cards Answers Your Questions including Richard Wheen 32 postage Hugh Williams 36 Splinter Bids Rules Simplified by Andrew Kambites & packing Office Manager 33 Charity Events Rachel Everett 38 Splinter Bids Quiz 34 Bridge Events at [email protected] by Andrew Kambites Clifton Park Hotel 39 Defence Quiz Answers From Events & Cruises 35 Rubber/Chicago ( by Julian Pottage 01483 489961 Bridge Events Rosie Baker 40 June 2014 Mr Bridge [email protected] by Jeremy Dhondy 38 S R Designs Bridge Tables Jessica Galt 41 Answers to [email protected] Splinter Bids Quiz 42 QPlus 11 ( 01483 Megan Riccio by Andrew Kambites 42 We Are Survivors [email protected] 43 Mary’s Sixth Lesson Teatowel Sophie Pierrepont 489961 by Liz Dale 43 Better [email protected] 44 Catching Up 47 Mr Bridge www. Clubs & Charities by Just Duplicate Bridge Maggie Axtell 45 Seven Days mrbridge.co.uk [email protected] 48 Denham Grove by Sally Brock Filming Weekend 2015 Address Changes ( 01483 485342 Order Form Elizabeth Bryan All correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bridge. on page 7 Please make sure that all letters and e-mails carry full [email protected] postal addresses and telephone numbers.

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 3 CLEARANCE TRADE IN Bernard Magee’s Tips If you are tired with your old software, send it in for Better Bridge part-exchange for a new 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages piece. You can then practise declarer play or improve Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises your defence. Go for it. 1 Always consider bidding length and an honour spades if you can 34 When declaring 1NT, 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient TUNISIA ALL IN when non-vulnerable 35 an early round when 3 Always double when the you are short of entries From this coming opponents steal your deal 36 Lead up to your November, our policy is to 4 A shows two-honour holding have bed, board, beverages shortage in the suit doubled 37 Do not always assume 5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well I am back safe and sound and bridge combined in an to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card after being away from the all inclusive package. I had 6 After a penalty double, to put off the defence don’t let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to tempt office for four weeks. What thought this would be 7 Halve the value of a singleton a defender to cover a lot to catch up with, inappropriate for bridge honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you especially as I promised a players as they wouldn’t 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps Spring sale on my return. want to drink too much 9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone defen- This is now well and truly and spoil their game, but it except in partner’s suit sive trump winner out overdue, so this is how I seems that every hotel in 10 Use the jump shift sparingly 11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips propose to handle it. On Tunisia is going all in and partner decide 43 Keep four-card suits intact the back of your carrier really, it is by far the most whenever possible 12 You need two top honours (address) sheet, I have cost effective option. See for a second-seat pre-empt 44 Give count on declarer’s leads 13 Put the brakes on if you have a 45 Keep the right cards provided a list of the page 11 for our November misfit rather than in-house merchandise I and March dates and prices. 46 Take your time 14 Strong and long minors work want to clear, but I only well in no-trumps when dummy is put down 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing have limited quantities, POSTAGE SAVINGS can be enough for no-trumps other high cards mostly of shop soiled or 16 Keep your two-level 48 Do not waste Following last month’s rise intermediate cards second hand products, responses up to strength in postal charges, Clive 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to usually taken in part response to a 1NT concentrate on during the play exchange. If it’s books, you Goff’s discounted stamp 18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour service is worth a try. Value with an honour can send in postage stamps. you have opening points supplied in two stamps, 19 can be quite weak, 51 If a lead is from two honours, it But if it is software, you can so be prudent when responding is best not to cover phone to check what is combined to make up the 20 Weak overcalls must be based 52 Keep your honour to kill 53p 2nd class rate, 2nd class on strong suits dummy’s honour available before sending 21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner your your payment. This will to you at 44p. 1st class 62p, not 4 aces and 4 kings solid honour sequences avoid the expense of me still only 50p to you. 22 Raise immediately, if weak 54 Lead the normal card when Available in lots of 100. leading partner’s suit having to write back with a with four-card support ( 23 In a competitive auction, 55 Never underlead an ace at trick double-whammy negative: 0208 422 4906. show support immediately one in a suit contract having to pay the postage to 24 Bid to the level of your fit 56 Be wary of leading from quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour return your payments as CLUB INSURANCE 25 With strength and support, 57 Lead a higher card from well as disappointing you. use the opponents’ bid suit a suit without an honour Members need to be sure 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ their club is covered by strength and up to weakness SERENITY Declarer Play Tips 59 Cash your winners before try- insurance for small losses 26 When your contract depends ing for a of cash and their club on a , think ‘’ Dealing with computers 60 Be patient when defending equipment as well as public 27 Consider what a defender 1NT and helping people with might be thinking about 61 Trump leads can be safe software has made me liability. Just over £63 for a 28 Always take your time throughout the play twelve month period for a at trick one patient to the point of 29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips serenity and it has rubbed club of up to 100 members. cashing your winners 62 Do not put important cards off on all the team here. If There are over five hundred 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand clubs in my scheme bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when you have a problem with 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy your QPlus or Mr Bridge enjoying peace of mind. gaining the lead 64 Before you lead, ask for a software, please do not There is a new contact at 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction managing brokers, Moore holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game! hesitate to ask for help. We will see that your programs Stephens. Ring Tom Harvey £14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge, are reinstalled and you are ( 0207 515 5270. Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961 able to go back to enjoying It is the unexpected that them. you need to have covered.

Page 4 BRIDGE June 2014 VERY MODERN STILL SPACES £50 OFF Readers may have noticed Interesting I am still committed to the the new advertisement for promotion of Just Duplicate Genesis Choice, which has Bridge Events. The Clifton QPlus appeared in our recent Park Hotel, Lytham St. issues. Genesis Choice are Annes, has been added to Hands currently advertising their Bernard Magee will be our list of venues, see page travel insurance in again travelling on lovely 47. The price includes two 2424-13 7792-13 BRIDGE for the season m.v. Aegean Odyssey, flying night’s full board and a 1600-01 8771-13 and as part of a special to Istanbul on 30 July from traditional Sunday roast. It 5387-06 1370-20 promotion they will be whence the ship sails across is further reduced by £50 7212-15 8584-06 giving Policy holders a the Aegean, around Athens per person to ensure 8724-04 7370-08 very special type of and into the Adriatic, success (now £149). All 8827-05 9355-10 traceable luggage tag in visiting Dubrovnik before early bookers will have 8288-01 9162-04 appreciation of their sailing on to Venice. their invoices adjusted. 0219-08 0680-11 business. To re-coin a 8924-13 0680-10 phrase, ‘The Acumen BACK COVER AD 1151-03 6722-82 PIX ‘N’ MIX 0001-11 4139-07 Luggage Tracker Tag does The fifth in the series of 3430-07 9474-11 what it says on the label’. these filmed events, in 4953-06 4139-03 With a unique bar code on which Bernard Magee deals 9885-04 6625-09 the label, you can add your with specific subjects of real 0007-02 4576-08 contact details online. interest to improving 3212-13 0500-02 Without the security risk of bridge players, is set for 9423-02 2406-13 putting ones name and next January. The price 9028-13 4048-02 address on a suitcase, an includes 6 lectures, 6 2406-14 2828-09 owner can be quickly and sessions of supervised play 5390-11 9460-16 All three series of six DVDs easily identified and and 3 nights full board. For 2829-11 5290-05 are listed on page 10 with contacted wherever their only £399 per person, you 5290-100 5290-54 thumbnail descriptions of bag is found. The tag is not will share an experience 5290-169 2941-02 their content. Playing time 1978-13 4616-06 limited to air travel, but can that you will never forget. is an average of 90 minutes. 6529-11 6656-01 be used by all and any The wonderful thing about 302-09 5464-09 travel services worldwide. QPLUS HANDS a tutorial DVD is that 4607-06 4275-03 The great thing is that if As promised, all the strange, viewers have a permanent 8719-19 5613-07 you register bag ‘A’ and the weird and wonderful hands record which they can 0265 -11 611- 01 on the next trip decide to that I have drawn to readers re-visit over and over again. 6598-05 1762-10 take Bag ‘B’, it is no attention in the course of Individual DVDs, £25 each. 611-12 5464-09 problem as in a matter of the last 3 years are listed in Boxed sets of six, £100. Pick 2769-11 5929-05 5060-07 9680-05 seconds online, you are able the adjacent column. I do and mix. Six for only £105 9680-06 3515-04 to re-assign your personal think you should try some including postage. 0721-08 0878-04 information to the new bag. of these and let me know 2471-14 2471-15 You can also renew the how you get on with them. DIANA HOLLAND label cover annually. 4205-04 5276-09 This is one of the beauties 8605-01 8605-09 If you want to know more of QPlus. You can type in 0393-02 0097-11 about this label go to www. the number and the same 0393-03 6172-11 bridge hand will come up acumenluggagetracker.co.uk 8949-07 8495-03 on your as on mine If you have ever lost your 4810-09 3390-04 becoming something we 9101-14 5031-01 luggage, you will be only can talk about. 3059-01 6755-13 too aware of the agony, 0841-01 0244-10 time and stress caused in TRAVEL TIP The last of our Rubber 6756-10 4498-01 searching for and retrieving Bridge Events is at The Olde 4498-11 9142-08 the lost item. Using this When you go on holiday, Barn from 29-31 August. 3033-11 7354-05 21st century technology try to resolve any problems This will be hosted by 8462-07 9910-14 nobody should ever lose while you are with the Diana Holland. If you 8495-04 8901-04 their luggage again, as one airline or hotel at the time. haven’t been to one yet, 2263-04 6001-13 swipe of the bar code by a It may sound obvious, but this is your chance. 2683-13 8677-12 baggage attendant at any all too often, the first we All good wishes, 6071-05 6071-10 airport worldwide will hear is when it is too late to solve the problem. do anything about it. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 5 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 1-3 on the Cover

contract. For this reason, without a fit for to bid on to the 3-level: either you go off 1. Dealer West. Love All. your partner, you need about 16 points (-50 or -100) and get a better score than ♠ K Q J 9 8 7 6 4 ♠ 3 2 to go forward. them making (-110) or you might even ♥ 3 2 N ♥ A 8 It is quite possible that 3♥ might be a make your contract. It is understanding W E ♦ 8 2 ♦ A 9 7 6 5 slightly better contract than 3♣, but you that going off will give you a good score, S ♣ 4 ♣ J 10 8 7 cannot play in 3♥ because any change that should persuade you to bid more. of suit is forcing for one round. If you bid But how do you find your fit? 3♥, your partner will bid 4♣ and you will A take-out double is the usual option, West North East South end up in 4♣-1 instead of 3♣ making. but this will not work if you are short in ? Your partner pre-empts to disrupt your an unbid major, because your partner opponents, but sometimes it does disrupt is likely to bid it (here he would reply 4♠. You have a beautiful pre-emptive you – these are things you just have to 3♥). There is one other option which you hand: you expect to make seven tricks put up with – taking the rough with the might not have thought of: 2NT. When a if you play in spades, but do not expect smooth. bid cannot possibly be natural, you hope to make one trick against any other that your partner will try to work out what contract (someone will have at most a you mean. There is no way you can have singleton spade). If you play weak twos, 3. Dealer South. Love All. a genuine 2NT overcall when you passed you will know that you can open a weak ♠ A 6 ♠ 7 4 3 on the first round, so you hope your hand with six cards at the 2-level. At the ♥ 7 3 N ♥ A 9 8 2 partner will understand that you want W E three-level, you open a weak hand with ♦ K 10 3 2 ♦ A 8 7 6 him to bid a minor – it is similar to an S a seven-card suit, so naturally, you open ♣ A 9 8 7 3 ♣ 4 2 unusual 2NT overcall, but in the pass-out an eight-card suit at the four-level. seat it is just for take-out, not necessarily The reason for this extra level is showing 5-5. because of your potential for seven West North East South Here, your partner should bid 3♦. Both tricks as well as your lack of potential 1♠ 2♠ and 3♦ are likely to make: a swing of elsewhere. Either you will make, in which Pass 2♠ Pass Pass 220 points from +110 to -110. case you get the game bonus, or, as ? You might respond that, surely this is here, you will go down, but with only two not part of natural Acol? tricks from your partner it will not be a 2NT*. When the auction dies out at the You would be right in part, but when surprise to find your opponents able to 2-level and your opponents have a fit, a bid cannot be natural, then you hope make game. It is not easy for them to bid then you should try very hard to compete that partner will find a bid in response. over 4♠ and not even easy to double. -50 for the deal. If they have a fit, then you However, I cannot promise that your will look very good instead of -450 for usually have a fit and it tends to be right partner would respond! ■ 4♥ making with an overtrick.

2. Dealer East. Love All. Elstead Hotel ♠ ♠ A 9 8 4 3 Bournemouth BH1 3QP ♥ Q 9 8 7 6 4 3 N ♥ 2 W E ♦ A K ♦ 7 6 5 S 10-12 Oct Just Duplicate Jo Walch £199 ♣ 3 ♣ K Q J 8 7 6 5 31 Oct-2/11 Just Duplicate Val Passmore £199

West North East South 14-16 Nov Just Duplicate Mary Stebbing £199 3♣ Pass ? 21-23 Nov Doubles Bernard Magee £245

Pass. In question 1, you had the perfect example of a pre-emptive hand and here Full Board – No Single Supplement is another: hands that make a lot of tricks Booking Form on page 8. in their own suit, but very few in any other

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BRIDGE June 2014 Page 7 ✄ BRIDGE BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee BREAKS 21-23 Elstead Hotel £245 Doubles ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* 28-30 Blunsdon House ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised £245 Distributional en-suite facilities play sessions* Hands ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four bridge sessions** JANUARY 2015 NEW 23-25 Blunsdon House Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, £245 Competitve Single .... Double .... Twin .... Chatsworth Hotel Bidding Worthing BN11 3DU Name of Hotel/Centre...... June Date(s) ...... 6-8 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Distributional Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Hands NEW Address...... 20-22 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Finding Slams ...... Elstead Hotel Postcode ...... Bournemouth BH1 3QP

( ...... 30-1 Holiday Inn Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, £245 Finding Slams but we will do our best to oblige). FEBRUARY 2015 ...... 20-22 Inn on the Prom £245 Better Leads Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. Holiday Inn and Switches Newport, S Wales NP18 2YG ...... APRIL 2015 17-19 Olde Barn Hotel Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by SEPTEMBER £245 Better Finesssing cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent 26-28 Holiday Inn with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, £245 Doubles 24-26 Queensferry Hotel 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent £245 Declarer Play together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you OCTOBER require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 3-5 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Game Tries 10-12 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Endplay/Avoidance NOVEMber Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... 7-9 Chatsworth Hotel (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) £245 Hand Evaluation Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. 14-16 Blunsdon House £245 Further into The Olde Barn Hotel ( 01483 489961 Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT e-mail: [email protected] the Auction website: www.holidaybridge.com Full Board. No Single Supplement. *on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes. See Adjacent Booking Form. ✄

Page 8 BRIDGE June 2014 Answers to Bernard Magee’s BRIDGE Make sure you don’t miss Bidding Quizzes 4-6 your favourite monthly articles by taking out an on the Cover annual subscription.

l Acol Bidding Quiz & ♣ Pass. Your partner’s 2 response Answers by Bernard Magee 4. Dealer East. Love All. shows a good hand: 10+ points, so it ♠ 10 9 4 2 ♠ A 3 seems to be your hand, but be careful. l Ask Julian Pottage ♥ A 2 N ♥ K Q 10 9 5 Your partner knows the same as you – W E ♦ Q J 3 ♦ 4 2 he has seen you open the bidding so will l Julian’s FAQs S ♣ 9 7 6 5 ♣ A K Q 2 also know that it is your hand. You need l Misleading Cases as reported to make a bid only if you have something by our court correspondent important to say. Here, you have little to West North East South say: you have a minimum hand with just l Ask David Stevenson 1♥ Pass a little distribution. l David’s 1♠ Pass 3♣ Pass Your partner will be in a good position FAQs ? to compete for the deal if he feels the SPECIAL need to: either making a take-out l Mary’s OFFER 3NT. A new suit at the three-level is double, or bidding 3♣ as here. First Lesson PRICE unconditionally forcing: your partner A take-out double from you is OK but, should have about 19 total points for his with a minimum hand, you do better to l Helpful bid, underwriting a game contract (East leave things to your partner. Conventions has 18 HCP and a strong five-card suit). and Related Quiz Trusting your partner, you should show l Defence Quiz an important aspect of your hand if you can. You do have a fit in clubs, but more 6. Dealer West. Love All. l Tales from important is your stop in the fourth suit. ♠ A K 7 6 5 ♠ 2 Sherwood Forest Your side has bid three suits so, with your ♥ 4 2 N ♥ Q J 10 6 5 3 by David Bird W E holding in diamonds, you can suggest a ♦ A Q 4 2 ♦ K 6 5 S l Things You Should Know... no-trump contract: your 3NT bid ends ♣ 4 3 ♣ 9 8 7 the auction. l Catching up You can see why your partner needs to be so strong, since you are allowed West North East South l Seven Days ♠ ♥ to bid 3NT with such a weak hand. East 1 1NT 2 Pass l Jeremy Dhondy does not disappoint: you hope to make ? four clubs and four more top tricks, with l Sally Brock Tip the ninth trick coming from diamonds or Pass. What does your partner’s 2♥ bid hearts. mean? l Travel Tip Usually, two-level responses are l Readers’ Letters strong, but no-trump bids change all auctions. If your partner opens 1NT, two- Special 5. Dealer West. N/S Game. level responses are weak and the same is ♠ A 5 ♠ 7 6 true if there is a 1NT overcall. With strong Introductory ♥ K Q 9 3 2 N ♥ 6 5 hands, you can double your opponents’ Subscription: W E ♦ K 9 3 2 ♦ A 8 6 no-trump overcall for penalties. S £20 for twelve ♣ J 7 ♣ K Q 10 9 6 2 So your partner’s 2♥ bid is an attempt to compete for the contract: it shows a monthly issues. long suit and a relatively weak hand, See mail order West North East South 5-8 points. Generally, you should pass 1♥ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ unless you have a lot of strength or a lot form on page 7. ? of distribution. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 9 BERNARD MAGEE Boxed Sets of six DVDs

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads 13 Hand Evaluation This seminar deals with declarer’s Bernard takes you through all the Going beyond just the point-count use of ruffing to make extra tricks basic leads and the importance of is important if you want to improve. and then looks at how the defenders your choice of lead. If you start to Reaching & making 3NT on 24 HCP; might counteract this. (74 mins.) think not just about your hand, but and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when about your partner’s too, then you there are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.) 2 Competitive Auctions will get much better results. (95 mins.) This seminar focuses on competitive 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding auctions from the perspective of the 8 Losing Trick Count The art of pre-empting is so important overcalling side and then from the A way of hand evaluation for when in the modern game. Understanding perspective of the opening side in you find a fit. Bernard deals with the the right types of hand to bid up the second part. (86 mins.) basics of the losing trick count then on and realising the importance of looks at advanced methods to hone position and vulnerability. (96 mins.) 3 Making the Most your bidding. (92 mins.) of High Cards 15 Splinter & Cue-Bids This seminar helps declarer to use 9 Making a Plan Take your slam bidding to another his high cards more carefully and as Declarer level. Splinter bids are a vital tool to then looks at how defenders should Bernard explains how to make a plan add to your armoury & try your hand care for their high cards. (83 mins.) then expands on how to make the at Italian style cue-bidding. (116 mins.) most of your long suits. The first half 4 Identifying deals with no-trumps, the second with 16 & Bidding Slams suit contracts. (87 mins.) As declarer, an important tactic is The first half of this seminar is about to be in control of the defenders: identifying when a slam might be on 10 Responding to 1NT avoiding a particular defender getting – one of the hardest topics to teach. This seminar deals with Transfers the lead. As a defender, you can try to The second half covers some slam- and Stayman in detail. The 1NT make sure the right player gets the bidding techniques. (96 mins.) opening comes up frequently, so lead at the right time. (88 mins.) having a good, accurate system of 5 Play & Defence responses is paramount. (93 mins.) 17 Play & Defence at Pairs of 1NT Contracts Duplicate Pairs is the game most of This seminar looks at the most 11 Signals & Discards us play and getting used to the tactics common and yet most feared This seminar deals with Count, will make a lot of difference to your of contracts: 1NT. The first half Attitude and Suit-preference signals: performance. Making more overtricks looks at declaring the contract and aiming to get you working as a and making sure you do not give the second part puts us in the partnership in defence. (92 mins.) away tricks as a defender. (90 mins.) defenders’ seats. (88 mins.) 12 Endplay 18 Thinking Defence 6 Doubling & Defence Bernard takes you through the basics By far the hardest aspect of bridge, against Doubled Contracts of the technique before showing some but if you can improve your defence The first half of this seminar magical hands where you take extra your results will quickly improve. explores penalty doubles and the tricks from defenders. In the second Learn how to think through the second half discusses the defence half, Bernard looks at how to avoid defence and get your mind in gear for against doubled contracts. (88 mins.) being endplayed. (80 mins.) the decisions that await you. (87 mins.)

Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each. Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100.

PICK AND MIX. A BOX OF ANY 6. £105 Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 email: [email protected] ALL Answers to Bernard Magee’s Mr Bridge INCLUSIVE Bidding Quizzes 7-9 AT THE ROYAL KENZ on the Cover TUNISIA 2014/2015 Double. Everybody has managed to 7. Dealer North. E/W Game. show their suit at the one-level, your ♠ A 7 6 2 ♠ 9 partner has continued the process by re- ♥ A 5 4 2 N ♥ K 3 bidding 2♣ and South has followed in his ♦ 4 2 W E ♦ Q 9 8 7 wake. Should you continue the pattern? S ♣ K Q 3 ♣ A J 10 9 7 4 To rebid your suit in an auction like this, you would need a six-card suit. However, do you expect 2♦ to make? West North East South With all the suits bid and partner 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ having rebid 2♣, there is no possible ? need for a take-out double; your double would be for penalties and you should 3NT. I hope you noticed the vulnerability: use it now. Do not worry about North your side is vulnerable. This means running to spades, because it is unlikely that your partner should have a decent they have a fit there either. hand for his 2♣ overcall: about the On a good day, you might take 2♦ equivalent of an opening hand with a doubled three off for 500 points. six-card suit. Two-week Listening to the auction and noting your 13 points suggests that someone All-Inclusive is a little short of strength: if it turns out 9. Dealer South. E/W Game. Duplicate Bridge to be your partner, then he will have a ♠ K 4 3 ♠ Q J 9 8 7 6 Holidays strong six-card suit, which means your ♥ A K 7 N ♥ 2 ♣K-Q will be like gold dust. ♦ A 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ 9 4 3 S 2-16 November 2014 £899* You have a stop in spades and expect ♣ Q 2 ♣ 6 5 3 to have eight running tricks – these tricks Golf available are much more valuable in no-trumps Tony and Jan Richards than in clubs. Surely your partner will West North East South supply an extra trick given his vulnerable 1NT 1-15 March 2015 £935* overcall, so bidding 3NT has to be a Dbl 2♥ 2♠ Pass Golf available good gamble. Your partner is minimum ? Bernard Magee and his team so he would pass a 2NT response.

Your diamonds are weak, but you Pass. Another question that relies on *The prices shown are per person on an all inclusive basis, sharing a twin-bedded standard room and are expect a spade lead and some outside you identifying your partner’s bid. You inclusive of bridge fees. Standard rooms all come strength in your partner’s hand. have made a penalty double of 1NT with private bath, toilet and balcony. Single rooms are double rooms for sole occupancy at a supplement of £6 showing 16+ points: it is important to per night. You can add a pool view supplement for £3 per person per night or a superior garden view room remember that your partner knows this with bath robe, tea/coffee making facility for £5 per person per night. These prices are based on air travel too. Your partner will add his strength to from Heathrow to Tunis. Flights from other airports 8. Dealer East. Love All. your strength and bid to the appropriate are available at a supplement. For details of what is included as part of the all inclusive package please call ♠ 6 5 ♠ A K 4 2 level (or perhaps even double 2♥ for for an information pack or view the website. Prices for seven-night stays are available on application. ♥ A K 8 7 6 N ♥ 2 penalties). If your partner chooses the ♦ Q J 8 7 W E ♦ 3 2 two-level, he does not expect a game These holidays have been organised for Mr S Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933. ♣ 4 3 ♣ A J 10 6 5 2 to make, he is merely competing for the partscore. East can see that the points are relatively evenly divided between the DETAILS & BOOKINGS West North East South two sides, so it makes sense for him to 1♣ 1♦ bid 2♠ to compete for the partscore. With ( 01483 489961 1♥ 1♠ 2♣ 2♦ a minimum hand, you should pass: with www.mrbridge.co.uk/abroad ? 19+ you could try for game. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 11 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

BEGIN BRIDGE ACOL ADVANCED DECLARER ACOL VERSION BIDDING ACOL BIDDING PLAY l Card Play Technique l Opening Bids and l Basics l Suit Establishment l Planning Card Play Responses in No-trumps l Advanced l Bidding Balanced l Slams and Strong Basics l Suit Establishment Hands Openings in Suits l Weak Twos l Bidding Suits l Support for Partner l Hold-ups l Responding to a Suit l Strong Hands l Pre-empting l Ruffing for l Supporting Partner l Defence Extra Tricks l Responding to 1NT l Overcalls to Weak Twos l Entries in l Stayman l No-trump £66 l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 Openings l Strong Two Opening l Doubles and Response and Responses l Delaying l Two-suited Drawing Trumps l Overcalls l Opener’s and £96 Overcalls l Doubles £66 Responder’s Rebids l Using the Lead l Defences to l Pre-empting l Minors and Misfits l Trump Control Other Systems l Defence against No l Doubles l Endplays & l Misfits and Trump Contracts Avoidance l Competitive Distributional l Defence against Suit Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding Contracts

ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD BETTER DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & BRIDGE l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks No-trump Contracts l Ruffing for in No-trumps l Opening Bids Extra Tricks l Lead vs & Responses l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Doubling and l Partner of Leader Openings Defence l Endplays vs No-trump Against Contracts l Support £89 £69 l Avoidance Doubled for Partner l Partner of Leader Contracts l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams Contract & Strong Openings l Play and Defence l Count l Simple of 1NT Contracts Signals l Rebids Squeezes l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 l Finding and Signals & Misfits the Hand Bidding Slams l Discarding l Pre-empting l Trump Reductions l Making the & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles Most of High Cards l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls Contracts l Counting l Competitive l Competitive l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions Auctions

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

System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Answers to Blunsdon House Hotel Bernard Magee’s Swindon SN26 7AS Bidding Quizzes 10-12 on the Cover

Pass. You open the bidding with a plan: 10. Dealer East. Love All. you expect to rebid in no-trumps to show ♠ 4 3 ♠ Q J 2 your balanced 15 points, but, when your ♥ 2 N ♥ A 9 7 6 3 partner responds 2♥, the situation has W E ♦ K Q 9 8 7 6 5 ♦ 4 changed. S BRIDGE EVENTS ♣ 6 3 2 ♣ A K 8 4 He has shown his strength, so you take control. 2♥ shows 6-9 points, which 18-20 July £199 means you can be sure that game is not Just Duplicate West North East South on and should therefore pass. 1♥ Pass Remember that after the first limit bid John Ronan ? in an auction, the partner usually takes 10-12 October £199 control. Just Duplicate 1NT. An interesting hand, which was prompted by a similar example from Sheila Rogers a recent bridge weekend. You have a 14-16 November £245 choice between two calls: Pass or 1NT. 12. Dealer East. Game All. Yes, that is right, there is no sensible ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K J 3 Bernard Magee diamond bid available because you are ♥ 4 3 N ♥ A 9 8 7 6 Further into W E ♦ ♦ playing in a partnership. 2♦ and 3♦ show A K 8 3 S 9 4 the Auction strong hands and 4♦, even if you do not ♣ K 9 8 5 3 ♣ 4 2 play Splinters, is much too high. Passing 28-30 November £245 is perfectly reasonable and will work fine Bernard Magee NEW as long as the opponents bid again, but, West North East South Bidding TOPIC ♥ with a singleton heart, it is quite possible 1 Dbl Distributional Hands to imagine them being happy to leave ? 1♥. I prefer to bid 1NT and then follow 23-25 January 2015 £245 with a diamond bid. When you bid this Redouble. This answer is often Bernard Magee way, you show a hand with a long minor overlooked by many players because it but without the strength to bid at the two- does not occur to them to use the dark Competitive Bidding level. Here the auction will be: 1♥-1NT- blue card in the . When 2♣-2♦. Your partner should really pass your opponents double your partner’s 2♦, but even if he bids 2NT, you can then opening suit bid, your set of responses rebid 3♦ and now he will surely pass. changes. With support, you tend to stretch a little, supporting your partner to half a level higher (or even a whole level if 11. Dealer West. N/S Game. the vulnerability is in your favour) than ♠ A 3 2 ♠ 8 7 6 without the double. ♥ K Q 4 2 N ♥ A 10 8 7 Without support, you can respond W E ♦ A 8 S ♦ Q 6 5 2 naturally, but with 9 or more points, you ♣ Q 9 8 7 ♣ 4 2 should give your partner the message that your side has the majority of points Full Board by redoubling. This allows your side to No Single Supplement West North East South pursue a penalty from your opponents – 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass any double after a strong redouble is for Booking Form on page 8. ? penalties. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 13 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Guy of Gisburne’s Assignation

he Sheriff of Nottingham sat with reasonable breaks, thirteen tricks back in his chair with a look Dealer North. Love All. would be easy. ‘Ace,’ he said. ‘And the of great satisfaction. Five tops ♠ A K Q 2 ace of spades.’ Tabove average already and three ♥ 3 When West showed out on this trick, rounds still to be played. Anyone who ♦ A K J 10 3 Gisburne was somewhat alarmed. Was could achieve such a score opposite ♣ A K 2 it his fault if trumps broke 5-0? Surely that miserable under-performer, Guy ♠ ♠ 10 8 6 5 3 his Lordship wouldn’t blame him for of Gisburne, must surely be the finest ♥ 10 8 7 5 4 N ♥ Q 6 that? W E ♦ Q 9 8 6 ♦ 5 4 player in the land. S The Sheriff paused to assess the The castle servants valued their ♣ J 10 9 7 ♣ Q 8 5 3 implications of the bad trump break. employment and usually made no ♠ J 9 7 4 If the three side-suit AK combinations attempt to score well against him. That ♥ A K J 9 2 could be cashed without an adverse much was true. Still, had he not scored ♦ 7 2 , he would have to score six more just as highly against members of the ♣ 6 4 trump tricks on a cross-ruff. He court? With a less imbecilic partner, would need to ruff the third round of his score would have been close to 80% hearts with the ♠2. If East’s shape was on this occasion. West North East South something like 5-3-2-3, it seemed it Two malodorous serfs took their Percy Guy of Fred The could be done. places at the table, not daring to look Halfpiece Gisburne Graines Sheriff The Sheriff cashed dummy’s re- up at their illustrious opponents. 2♣ Pass 2♥ maining club honour. He then crossed ‘You do not greet his Lordship?’ Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ to the ♥K and played the ♥A, discard- demanded Gisburne. Pass 4NT Pass 5♦ ing dummy’s last club. On this trick, ‘Er… yes, it’s an honour to play Pass 7♠ All Pass East followed with the ♥Q. The Sheriff against you, my Lord,’ said Percy winced. It could hardly be more obvi- Halfpiece. West led the ♣J and Gisburne looked ous that East had begun with only two ‘Please forgive our appearance, my nervously across the table before hearts. The plan of ruffing a heart with Lord,’ said Fred Graines. ‘The price of displaying the dummy. ‘I’ve taken a the ♠2 would have to be abandoned. soap and fresh clothing is beyond our slight risk in the bidding, my Lord,’ he What else could he try? means in these troubled times. Only said. ‘My diamonds are not exactly…’ The Sheriff led a low diamond yesterday my wife was telling me…’ ‘You appear to be confused,’ from his hand. ‘Play the jack,’ he ‘Be silent!’ commanded the Sheriff. intervened the Sheriff. ‘It is sheep that commanded. What interest did he have in such are meant to bleat pathetically. The When East followed impotently with scum? If they couldn’t manage their sole purpose of the dummy is to lay a low diamond, the Sheriff returned to finances properly, it was hardly a down his cards, preferably as quickly his hand with a trump to the nine and concern of his. as possible.’ repeated the diamond finesse, East fol- This was the first board of the The Sheriff was relieved to see such lowing suit. round: powerful trumps hit the table. Yes, These cards remained:

Page 14 BRIDGE June 2014 Robin Hood continued we’re likely to come second.’ plan the contract. If trumps were 2-2 Gisburne leaned forward. ‘Name and clubs 3-2, he could simply draw the man who tells such lies and before trumps and establish the club suit with nightfall he’ll be suspended by his a ruff. Still, there might be a better line. thumbs in the castle dungeon!’ he Perhaps he could give up a spade trick declared. and discard all his club losers on the ♠ K Q The Bishop chuckled to himself. spades. ‘Win with the ace,’ he instruct- ♥ — ‘Very well,’ he replied. ‘It was Lady ed his partner. ♦ A K 3 Berenice de Gautoy.’ The Bishop discarded the ♠A on this ♣ — ‘Er… well, it was surely remarked trick and then ran the ♠Q, discard- ♠ — ♠ 10 8 6 in jest,’ stuttered Gisburne. ‘My Lord ing a club. Gisburne won with the ♠K N ♥ 10 8 7 ♥ — W E Sheriff’s cardplay is the finest in the and had no constructive return. The ♦ Q 9 S ♦ — land. It is well known.’ Bishop ruffed the diamond continu- ♣ — ♣ Q 8 The players drew their cards for this ation, drew trumps with the ace, king ♠ J 7 board: and queen and then discarded his re- ♥ J 9 2 maining club losers on dummy’s spade ♦ — winners. ♣ — Dealer South. E/W Game. ‘Lead a club!’ cried the Sheriff. ‘Then ♠ Q J 10 9 3 2 he has no chance.’ ♥ Q 4 3 ‘But, my Lord, he bid clubs,’ Gis- ‘Diamond ace,’ said the Sheriff. ♦ A 7 burne replied. ‘I took your diamond The defence was at an end. If East ♣ 10 3 bid as asking for a lead.’ ruffed one of the top diamonds, ♠ K 8 6 4 ♠ 7 5 The Bishop turned towards Gis- declarer would overruff and draw the ♥ 6 N ♥ J 10 7 burne. ‘It should go down, anyway,’ he W E ♦ 10 9 8 3 ♦ K Q J 6 5 4 2 ♠ remaining trumps. Dummy would S said. ‘You must let my Q win.’ then be high. If, instead, East declined ♣ K J 8 4 ♣ Q Gisburne’s mouth fell open. ‘But you to ruff either diamond, declarer would ♠ A continue with the ♠J,’ he replied. discard two hearts and score his three ♥ A K 9 8 5 2 ‘Let that win too,’ said the Bishop. trump honours with a high cross-ruff. ♦ — ‘Surely you continue with the ♠10,’ The Sheriff displayed his cards. ‘The ♣ A 9 7 6 5 2 persisted Gisburne. rest are mine,’ he said. ‘Would my Lord Sheriff not then ‘Yes, indeed, my Lord,’ said a discard his singleton club?’ retorted relieved Fred Graines. His five-card West North East South the Bishop. ‘If I run the ♠10, then you trump holding had been burning like Guy of Father The Bishop of will give him a club ruff.’ hot coals in his hand. Just imagine the Gisburne Locke Sheriff Leicester The Sheriff glared blackly across the consequences if they had caused the 1♥ table. ‘I have rarely seen such an obvi- downfall of the Sheriff’s grand slam! Pass 1♠ 2♦ 3♣ ous defensive hold-up!’ he exclaimed. His wife would be lucky to see him 3♦ 4♥ Pass 6♥ ‘What think you, Lord Bishop? Should again. All Pass I have my partner suspended along- ‘But the serf still has three trumps, side Lady Berenice de Gautoy tonight? my Lord,’ said Gisburne. Gisburne led the ♦10 and down went What a handsome couple they would ‘Yes, also sufficient grey matter to the dummy. The Bishop paused to make!’ ■ realise that he will have no defence when I play dummy’s top diamonds,’ retorted the Sheriff. Gisburne blinked. ‘Quite so, my Lord. You played it well.’ The last round of the evening saw the arrival of the Bishop of Leicester at the Sheriff’s table. A larger than life character, with his midriff swathed in purple, he was a respected player of the cards. ‘Is Your Worship enjoying his session with us?’ enquired the Sheriff. ‘Well enough,’ replied the Bishop. ‘Four tops over would win any game back in Leicester. I hear that the serfs toss in their cards against you and

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 15 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions Revokes: What Happens? Is it Fair?

ou reneged!’ ‘No, I didn’t!’ it must be corrected by changing it for a tricks? Then the director adjusts the ‘Yes, you did!’ ‘I am afraid legal card. If the revoker was a defender, score to give the four tricks back. Note, you did, partner.’ ‘Well, I then the card becomes a major he does not add any penalty tricks: he ‘Ydidn’t mean to.’ ‘That’s two tricks to us!’ penalty card and the penalties for that adjusts it for redress only. When your ‘No, it isn’t, it’s one trick.’ ‘Well, anyway, apply. Any cards played after the revoke opponents revoke, you may or may not it made no difference, it isn’t fair.’ by the other side may be changed and, gain, but you can never lose. Does any of this sound familiar? In if they are changed, subsequent cards Some players think it is ridiculous my fifty-plus years of playing bridge, I played by the revoking side may also that you could lose your ace of trumps have heard these sort of things many be changed, again defender’s changed when defending a grand slam if you times and many such arguments have cards becoming major penalty cards. or your partner revoke. But it is a been made. So let us consider what If the revoke is established, the penalty and you can never lose it if should really happen. revoke card remains played and the you and your partner always follow Let us look at the basics. First, ‘renege’ hand is played out. At the end of the suit. Perhaps safest is to lead your ace is a very old term. The modern term hand, the director decides on the of trumps before your partner can is ‘revoke’; it changed in about 1940 automatic penalty tricks. Tricks won revoke! Remember that tricks won but the old term is still occasionally before the revoke are safe and are never before any revoke are safe and will used. Second, never argue with your transferred. If the revoker won the never be transferred. opponents in a duplicate: just call the revoke trick and his side won another, ‘Dummy can’t revoke.’ This is a well- director and let him sort it out. It can then two tricks are transferred. Note, known but totally incorrect saying. be more difficult in , or it has to be the actual revoker: for If dummy fails to follow suit when in a match played privately: then the example, if declarer revokes and the able, then he has revoked. However, players will have to sort it out. trick is won by dummy, then this is automatic revoke tricks are not Following suit is the most basic not a two trick revoke. If the revoker transferred, but redress may be given. rule in the game and players who fail does not win the revoke trick, then ‘There is no such thing as a revoke at to follow suit spoil the hand for other only one trick is transferred, assuming trick twelve.’ Again, this is an incorrect players. As a result, it was decided he or his partner win either the revoke saying, since if someone does not that there would be some sort of trick or a later trick. Also, only one follow suit at trick twelve then he has automatic penalties for players who trick is transferred if the revoker wins revoked. But the rules dealing with it revoke to persuade them to take more the revoke trick but that is the last trick are different: after a trick twelve revoke, care. However, it was also realised his side wins. Finally, if the revoking the last two tricks are replayed without that they should never gain, so if they side win neither the revoke trick nor the revoke, though an adjustment will have gained any tricks because of the any subsequent tricks, no tricks are be given if a defender has gained from revoke, these should be given back and transferred. So the automatic revoke seeing his partner’s revoke card. the Laws allow for that. So, if a player tricks might be none, one or two. Finally, let me return to the argument revokes and it is established, then there In some cases, the revoke makes no that it is not fair. Sadly, in the modern is a combination of penalty and redress difference and any automatic tricks are era, players often think that they that can lead to none, one, two or more to penalise the revoker. In other cases, should not suffer even when they do tricks being transferred. the revoke made a difference of one something wrong. But bridge is a much If a revoke is discovered in time it or even two tricks and the automatic better game if the rules are followed can be corrected and in time means tricks give those tricks back. So the au- and the rule about following suit is before it is established: but when is it tomatic tricks sometimes penalise and so important that the law makers feel established? Normally, it is established sometimes give redress for tricks lost. some sort of real penalty is a good idea. when the revoker or his partner plays What happens if a revoke costs more It also means that life is much easier to the next trick; though the revoking tricks, for example, when declarer is for directors: rarely do they worry side claiming, conceding or agreeing to able to run a long suit in dummy that about redress for revokes because a claim will also establish it. would not run without the revoke, the automatic penalties usually cover If the revoke is not established, then costing the other side, maybe, four redress as well as penalise. ■

Page 16 BRIDGE June 2014 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Should I Respond in a 4-Card Major or a Longer Minor?

If partner opens In a teams quite likely to lose three heart pass. Responder will often one of a minor, event, I held the tricks and the two black aces. try to keep the bidding alive, Qshould I respond QNorth hand: If the diamond finesse loses partly in case opener has in a major even if I or if hearts are 5-3, even 2NT a good hand and partly to have a longer minor? might fail, as happened. keep the opponents out. Name and address supplied. ♠ J 2 ♥ J 3 2 ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ The correct approach ♦ A Q J 3 depends upon the ♣ Q J 5 3 At a class at the If partner opens strength of your Deva Bridge Club, a minor and I A N hand and whether you W E the principal said have support S Q Q can show your minor that you need 19 HCP to for partner and a at the one level. ♠ K Q 9 4 give a jump rebid 3♣, i.e. 4-card major, should I If, as is the case facing ♥ A 9 1♥-1♠-3♣. I know the 1♠ bid the major even if a 1♦ opening, you would ♦ 10 9 8 2 might be on 6 points only, I hold 5 (small) cards need to go to the two level ♣ K 7 4 but partner can have in partner’s suit? to show your minor, you more. Someone thought John Hamilton by email. need to be strong enough you could jump in a new for a responder’s to North South suit with 16+. When did With a weak respond- justify showing your clubs. 1NT this change please? ing hand, one where In traditional Acol, 11 points 2♣1 2♠ Kate Beckett by email. A game is only likely is enough for a responder’s 2NT End if partner is strong enough reverse. If, as some do The requirement to to bid again after a single these days, you play a 1Non-promissory Stayman have 19+ points for raise, I would feel inclined responder’s reverse as game A an opener’s jump to raise the minor. This is forcing, you would need The bidding led to a shift is not a new one. All especially the case if your opening values to do that. non-spade lead, which About Acol, published in style is to open the major on If partner has opened ensured that 2NT went 1969, gives three examples hands with 4-4 major-minor. 1♣ and your long suit is off. Should I have bid of such a rebid, all of them With a stronger hand, one diamonds, the situation is 3NT with 12 points? containing 19 points in where you are happy to bid slightly different because Martin Epstein by email. high cards alone. As I was three of partner’s minor next you can respond 1♦ and not playing then, I cannot time, I recommend showing still find a 4-4 fit at the one Given how poor your answer your question the major first. If you have a level. In this case, if you are intermediates were, exactly but can tell you it game going hand and are strong enough to rebid 1NT A merely inviting game was at least 45 years ago. not playing inverted raises (if partner rebids in the major seems reasonable, certainly Remember, other change then you have no choice you do not have), it is fine to if you were not vulnerable. of suit rebids, despite being in the matter – you have respond in the minor. So 8 3NT does not seem a very non-forcing after a one- to respond in the major points would be fine in the good contract with these two level response, are not a because a limit raise would case of a 1♦ response to 1♣. hands in any case. You are command for partner to not do the hand justice.

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 17 Ask Julian continued aces might be missing? not pre-empt facing an to . It would not be If your partner really opening bid, especially with impossible to construct a needed to know about the misfit. It is very hard hand for partner where 6♥ aces, it would have been for West to avoid the fatal is cold but a 3♠ opening I opened 1♣ sensible to bid a suit first 4♥ rebid over South’s 3♠. would end the auction. sitting South (jumping to create a force) The table results give Hand B, despite the Qand West before bidding 4NT. a fair reflection of the outside ♥K, seems a textbook overcalled 1NT. difficulty of the deal. 3♦ opening to me. My partner, North, ♣♦♥♠ doubled – is this for ♣♦♥♠ take-out or penalties? The following Hand A Beryl Pattinson by email. deal, caused Guidance for ♠ 10 7 6 5 4 3 2 Qproblems at a 3 level pre- ♥ A 9 4 It is customary to play almost every table: Qempt states ♦ A 2 that doubles of no- that there should be ♣ 2 A trump bids, especially no 4 card major on the after your side has bid, are Dealer East. Game All. side, (I understand why) for penalties. The double ♠ A Q 10 8 6 but no outside aces or Hand B suggests 9+ points and ♥ K J 3 kings. Please can you ♠ 7 almost any shape. It would ♦ 6 4 3 explain why not? ♥ K 4 be impractical to play a take- ♣ 10 8 Kevin Dawson, Nantwich. ♦ K J 10 8 6 4 2 out double in this situation ♠ K 5 ♠ 9 3 ♣ 8 5 3 because partner can hardly ♥ A 10 9 7 5 4 2 ♥ 8 The idea of a pre-

hold support for all four suits. ♦ Void N ♦ A K J 10 emptive bid is to W E 9 8 7 5 make life difficult for ♣♦♥♠ S A ♣♦♥♠ ♣ J 9 5 2 ♣ A 3 the opponents. On occasion, ♠ J 7 4 2 rather than making life My partner I opened 1NT ♥ Q 6 hard for them, it poses a and I (North) (12 points); ♦ Q 2 problem for your partner. Qgot into a mess Qmy partner ♣ K Q 7 6 4 The latter is an especial with these hands: responded 2♣ (Stayman); consideration in second I replied 2♦. My partner seat after one opponent then bid 4NT and I The only making contract, has already passed. ♠ 8 7 5 passed, thinking this was at 1 table out of 7, was If you have a weak hand ♥ K Q J 4 quantitative as there 4♦ by East. How should with too many values outside ♦ J 9 2 was no suit agreement. the bidding have gone? your suit, your long suit is ♣ J 5 4 If I had 14 points, I Margaret Williams by email. necessarily going to be weak. N would have raised her The ideal hand for a W E S 4NT to 6NT. I made 12 If North-South pre-emptive bid has good tricks. Partner (who had enter the bidding, playing strength, poor ♠ A K 9 2 22 points) said that her A which you would defence against opposing ♥ 6 4NT was Blackwood. expect them to with their contracts and poor suitability ♦ A Q 8 3 What should the nine-card spade fit, this as dummy. If your values ♣ A 8 7 2 raise to 4NT mean? is a difficult hand to bid. I are outside your suit, this Doreen Brewer by email. see that nobody played in reduces your playing 3NT at the table, not that strength while increasing North South As you had not 3NT is a great contract – it your defence to an opposing 1♦ agreed a suit, indeed happens to make because contract and increases 1♥ 2♠1 A you had not even the ♦Q drops doubleton. your hand’s usefulness in 3♦2 End mentioned a suit, treating Here is a possible auction: support of partner’s suit. 4NT as natural seems A requirement to 1Reverse, I think entirely reasonable. Too West North East South have no aces or kings 2Unable to bid 3NT with no club many players are obsessed 1♦ Pass outside does seem a stopper with checking on aces. 1♥ 1♠ 3♦ 3♠ little extreme however. Having the right values is 4♥ All Pass With Hand A (below), What point count the most important thing. it would indeed be poor should 3♦ show? Would With 34 points between With only 12 HCP, East is judgement to open 3♠. 1♦-1♥-1♠-1NT-2NT-3NT the two hands, how did too weak to make a strong You do not want partner to be a better auction? your partner think two opening bid. West does lead a spade from K-x or John Dunbar by email.

Page 18 BRIDGE June 2014 Ask Julian continued player had a hand with two voids (7600 shape). Ivor Moore, Plymouth. The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Partner’s 2♠ rebid You need to bear in is not what most mind that unusual A people understand A things do happen. by a reverse. It is a jump People buy lottery tickets each rebid or opener’s jump shift week. They know that, while rather than a reverse. they have a minuscule chance In answer to your question, of winning the jackpot, it is since 2♠ creates a game possible. Likewise, if enough force, there is no specific bridge hands are about, point count for your 3♦ rebid. some of them will contain If you had four diamonds the rare shapes. It would be and clear slam interest, you abnormal if the freak shapes would jump to 4♦. However, never came up. Ruffing if you have only three values are a factor in making diamonds, you might have a slam, so it is no surprise 6-8 June Bernard Magee NEW £245 quite a strong hand for 3♦. that a shapely set contains Bidding Distributional Hands With the hands you more slam deals than usual. give, I would recommend On average, a slam is 13-15 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169 1♦-1♥-1♠-2♦-2NT-3NT. makeable (double dummy) John Ronan Although the responding on about 1 deal in 10. I 20-22 June Bernard Magee £245 ♣ hand is flat, J-x-x is reckon that the chance that a Finding Slams a rather shaky stopper set of 30 boards contains 7 in the unbid suit. makeable slams is thus about 27-29 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169 The auction you suggest is 1 in 55 (.1^7 x .9^23 x Patrick Dunham not a bad one. I agree that 30! / (23! x 7!)). Given that with 17 HCP and no 5-card there are far more than 55 11-13 July Just Duplicate Bridge £169 Sheila Rogers suit, opener is too weak clubs in the UK, there must to jump to 2♠. While 1♠ is be sets of boards dealt every 1-3 August Just Duplicate Bridge £169 not forcing, responder will day on which 7 slams are Patrick Dunham pass only with a minimum available. In other words, it responding hand and little fit. is an everyday occurrence 29-31 August Diana Holland £169 The only significant improve- – not always at your club of Rubber / Chicago ment I can suggest is that be- course – but somewhere. 12-14 September Just Duplicate Bridge £169 cause the 1NT rebid should Although the high card Sheila Rogers show 8-10, opener should distribution does not bother raise all the way to 3NT. you, it may provide the 26-28 September Gwen Beattie £179 answer. Some card-dealing Declarer Play ♣♦♥♠ programs allow the user to select a strong equality of 10-12 October Bernard Magee £245 Endplay & Avoidance I am begin- high cards between E/W ning to wonder and N/S. It is possible that 17-19 October Just Duplicate Bridge £169 Qwhether the selecting such an option Patrick Dunham computer my club uses makes the hands shapelier is producing truly ran- than you might expect. I do 31 Oct – 2 Nov Just Duplicate Bridge £169 dom deals. On a Friday not use that option myself, June Dixon and Carol Fisher session, there were two even when I need a set with 14-16 November Will Parsons £179 hands where a player the high cards evenly split; Doubles had 12 cards in two suits I simply keep dealing until I and a slam was make- get the desired set. If this is 28-30 November Just Duplicate Bridge £169 able on 7 deals out of 30. not the answer, my advice is Michael Haytack The high cards points, to enjoy the shapely hands however, were very even; while you have them. Believe Full Board - No Single Supplement N/S averaged 19.93, me, they are more fun to E/W 20.07. Then, on the play than 4333 and 4432 Booking Form on page 8. next Wednesday, one shapes.

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 19 Ask Julian continued 3♥ – rebidding 3♠ would have shown the sixth spade.

♣♦♥♠ How should this hand have This deal Qbeen bid? comes from Qrubber bridge:

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

West North East South ♥ K Q 8 3 N ♥ 5 ♥1 ♦ ♠ ♦ W E ♦ 1 2 2 Pass K 7 6 5 S 9 3 3♣2 Pass 3♥ All Pass ♣ A Q 9 3 ♣ K J 7 6 5 ♠ 8 4 2 1Playing 5-card majors ♥ 9 2 2Not wishing to rebid the hearts ♦ 10 8 4 2 ♣ 10 8 4 2 Real Leather Gifts 3♥ went two off. A spade The perfect gift for your bridge-playing friends. Beautiful contract was better. My leather zipped cases in burgundy red or deep blue containing partner says that I should West North East South two packs of cards and a set of our bridge design ballpoint have known he had six 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass pens. £39.00 spades. Is that right? 2♣ 2♥ Pass 2♠ Serena Court by email. Pass 3♥ End A set of four scorepad holders - two burgundy and two blue made from top quality leather. (Scorepads not included) You have said you The contract made Offered at this special price of £39.00 were playing five- with an overtrick. A card majors but not What do you think of what no-trump range you North’s bidding, particu- were playing. If you were larly the 1♠ bid rather playing a weak no-trump, than double or 4♥? you should have opened Chris Dicker, Tavis- 1NT rather than the mouldy tock, Devon. heart suit to avoid any rebid problems. If you were Nothing fits perfectly playing a strong no-trump, – I suspect I would you should have rebid 2NT, A bid 1♠, too – partner which would not show any is likely to be short in hearts extra values. Opening 1♥ and therefore have some fit and rebidding 3♣ hardly for spades. With a collec- describes your hand. tion of low spades, partner is Your partner might have unlikely to get very excited. bid differently as well. As- North seems to have bid suming you play disturbed the hand as well as seems bids as forcing, which most possible under the circum- people do, 2♠ was a very stances. North must have aggressive move. It shows had some assistance to make Exclusive to S R Designs. Despatched by first class post or DPD Courier service for at least game invitational 10 tricks. It looks as if there values (say 10+ points) but are two hearts, one spade just £4.99 per order. promises only five spades. and one diamond to lose. PHONE 01483 750611 Pass would have been a Finally, I must comment or order online at reasonable alternative. Your on West’s reopening action. partner might also have Double is a far better call www.bridge-tables.co.uk chosen to rebid 3♠ rather than 2♣; it brings three suits than give you preference to into play rather than two.

Page 20 BRIDGE June 2014 Ask Julian continued 2Intended as natural (preference Is it possible to reach The usual meaning for diamonds over clubs) but 6NT? Can you suggest an of this double is announced as a transfer alternative sequence? A take-out, showing the Mike Pinnington by email. sort of hand you would have What would Please could you advise? doubled 1♣ for take-out – you bid on Heather Vale by email. If you do not play perhaps a fraction more as Qthe following inverted raises partner cannot bid at the one matchpoint pairs deal? Since it is rare to A (whereby a raise to level – a 4-4-4-1 12-count hold a hand with 20 2♦ is stronger than a raise would seem acceptable. A points when both to 3♦ and is forcing for at Although almost all Dealer West. Game All. the opponents are bidding, least one round), South has doubles of no-trump bids are ♠ 10 8 7 4 3 2 a natural 2NT overcall does no good response to the penalties, this one is not. ♥ A not come up very often. A 1♦ opening. Your actual ♦ 10 6 two-suited hand will come sequence, even if it was a ♣♦♥♠ ♣ J 10 7 5 up much more frequently. little agricultural, got you to ♠ Q 9 5 ♠ K In a tournament, almost a decent spot. If you invent Neither North ♥ K 4 2 N ♥ Q J 10 8 7 3 everyone would play 2NT a 1♠ response, partner will nor South knew W E ♦ J 9 4 S ♦ A 8 3 2 as the minors. However, in raise vigorously, perhaps Q the strength of ♣ 8 4 3 2 ♣ A 9 a casual game, many would with a 4♥ splinter. You will South’s no-trump bid ♠ A J 6 play it the way you intended, then have to jump to 6♦ to below. This resulted ♥ 9 6 5 as a natural overcall – tell partner that you were not in a missed game. ♦ K Q 7 5 though in such circumstances serious about the spades. ♣ K Q 6 it might be uncommon to Whether you want to reach play transfers as well. 6NT is debatable, given ♠ A 10 9 5 3 As usual in cases of a that the laydown 6♦ will ♥ 5 Lloyd Lewis by email. misunderstanding, I suggest surely score above average. ♦ A Q 6 you discuss with your partner Assuming North declares, ♣ K 10 7 3 This looks like a how you will play the bid if you might make 6NT if the N competitive part- it comes again. In this spades play for four tricks W E S A score deal: situation, I recommend or if the ♣A is onside. playing it the way However, you cannot ♠ K J West North East South your partner does. necessarily combine your ♥ Q 10 8 7 3 Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT chances. Suppose you get ♦ K 9 4 Pass 2♥1 Pass 2♠ ♣♦♥♠ a heart lead, cash a few ♣ Q J 4 Pass Pass Dbl2 Pass diamonds and test the 3♥ 3♠ All Pass The following spades. If you find West hand comes from with precisely four spades, West North East South 1Transfer to spades; with the Qa duplicate pairs. you may go down even 1♣ 1♥ poor suit, North did not open a with the ♣A onside. Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT weak 2♠. Pass 2NT End 2Take-out – with a 6-4 shape, ♠ A Q 9 2 ♣♦♥♠ East does not want to defend ♥ A Should the players have 2♠. ♦ Q J 10 5 4 2 On this sequence, known better? ♣ K 7 should the R Timpson, Chipping Norton. ♣♦♥♠ double be N Q W E take-out or penalty? It is usual to play S I was playing the 1NT rebid by the North with 20 ♠ K 8 3 West North East South A overcaller as showing Qpoints and a ♥ K 5 1♣ Pass 1NT Dbl a hand a bit too weak for a flat hand. The bidding ♦ A K 9 8 7 3 1NT overcall, say about weak proceeded as follows: ♣ 6 2 If for take-out, what no-trump strength. Partner, is the minimum sort of with 13 points, should West North East South hand you would have? therefore be raising to 3NT 1♠ Pass North South Keith Rickson by email. rather than 2NT. ■ 2♠ 2NT1 Pass 3♦2 1♦1 5♦ Pass 3♥ … 6♦ E-mail your questions for Julian to: 1Intended as natural but taken 1Playing five-card majors and a [email protected] as both minors prepared 1♣

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 21 Clarence Court Tel: 01702 343496 10 Clarence Street Email: [email protected] Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 1BD www.bridgetravelinsurance.co.uk Genesis Choice is a trading name of Acumen Insurance Services Limited

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ate and Jo had just returned West found two hearts and my three It was an optimistic contract to say from a Mr Bridge weekend. clubs ended the auction. the least. East led the king of hearts, ‘It was great,’ announced Kate following it with the ten, won by Kexcitedly. ‘We met Bernard Magee. West’s ace. West now took his ace of He was very nice and knows all about Dealer South. N/S Vul. spades and returned the heart queen. bridge,’ Jo interjected. ‘All the ladies ♠ Q J 8 6 4 Already one off, Jo panicked and love him.’ Kate added. ‘That’s a song ♥ J 4 trumped with the king. Now, hoping from Pickwick,’ observed Millie drily. ♦ J 5 clubs were two-two, she played for the Kate and Jo looked at her, clearly none ♣ K Q 9 2 drop. the wiser. ‘All the ladies love him is a ♠ A 10 5 ♠ 9 7 3 2 When this ploy misfired, she lost line from a song about Mr Jingle in the ♥ A Q 9 7 6 5 N ♥ K 10 a trump and a diamond trick. The W E ♦ ♦ musical Pickwick,’ continued Millie 8 6 2 S K Q 9 4 contract failed by three tricks for by way of explanation. Kate and Jo still ♣ J ♣ 10 6 5 minus 300. Perhaps rather tactlessly, looked mystified. ‘Oh, never mind, we ♠ K Millie noted that ditching a diamond aren’t all opera buffs,’ Millie admitted ♥ 8 3 2 from dummy on the third heart could briskly with a hint of impatience. We ♦ A 10 7 3 have saved a trick. were in the bar before a session of si- ♣ A 8 7 4 3 The deal had caused problems all multaneous charity pairs. ‘Can we get evening. The traveller had showed started? Seats everyone, please.’ called heart and club contracts at all sorts of the director in a vain attempt to start West North East South levels, some doubled, some making, on time. ‘Our TD is a bit of a hunk too,’ George Wendy Sarah Millie some not. Millie decreed without any sign of em- 1♣ It was time to look at the barrassment. ‘Millie, behave, you’re 1♥ 1♠ Pass 2♣ accompanying booklet and Kate and engaged to be married to Justin,’ I re- 2♥ 3♣ All Pass Jo were particularly delighted to find torted, admonishing her with mock the commentaries had been written horror. Millie and I sat at a table with George led the jack of clubs. Millie by Bernard Magee. His suggested George and Sarah. ‘Table money ready removed trumps in three rounds and sequence was: please,’ shouted the treasurer over the played the king of spades to knock out general hubbub. ‘I think this pound the ace. Our opponents then took two West North East South coin is a forgery,’ proclaimed Millie hearts and a diamond, giving us nine Pass as three extra pairs of eyes peered at tricks for plus 110. In the hostelry later, 1♥ 1♠ 1NT Dbl it inquisitively. ‘It’s a funny colour and Kate explained that, on the same board, 2♥ Pass Pass 3♣ there’s no queen’s head,’ she contin- she had passed as South. West opened Pass Pass 3♥ All Pass ued. ‘That’s because it’s not a coin; it’s one heart and Jo, in the North seat, bid a key-ring disc for releasing supermar- an artificial two hearts showing five Bernard noted that three hearts should ket trolleys,’ observed George with au- spades and at least four cards in an be defeated by one trick and that three thority. Play started and this deal ap- undisclosed minor. East passed and clubs was making the other way. peared (below). Kate enquired with two no trumps ‘His bidding was not much like Millie in the South seat was dealer asking for the minor. Jo bid three clubs. ours,’ said Kate rather despondently. and opened the bidding with one club With a near opener, five clubs and the Jo agreed sadly. ‘No problem, we do on her poor eleven count, a bid she king of spades, Kate bid game. it differently in Norfolk,’ responded justified later on the grounds that it Millie with unusual sensitivity, met the rule of 20. George overcalled West North East South continuing with, ‘Bernard Magee’s one heart and I had a dilemma. Jo Kate booklet will be very useful.’ At the Should I show my five-card spade suit Pass mention of his name, both Kate and or support clubs? I decided on the 1♥ 2♥1 Pass 2NT2 Jo perked up visibly, murmuring, former as, if necessary, I could try to Pass 3♣ Pass 5♣ ‘Ah, Bernard,’ simultaneously. At show clubs later. East passed and with All Pass that response, Millie ordered another remarkable circumspection Millie 1Spades and a minor round of drinks decisively, but this rebid clubs at the minimum level. 2Enquiry time included a double brandy. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 23 We are all different and the dogsbody who puts out maybe a contact telephone the tables, distributes the READERS’ number attracts others, but boards and travellers while for me, email is adequate. keeping an eye on the clock Dave Simmons, to ensure a smoothly run Buntingford, enjoyable evening. When Hertfordhsire. called upon, it is more LETTERS than likely that it will be TWO WORLDS for a lead out of turn or a David Stevenson’s article in revoke, rarely to decide on WHAT SUITS that goes into a black hole, BRIDGE 136 on the subject higher matters which are There has been a long- or a telephone call to a of dealing is no doubt usually settled amicably by running saga in both the help line that takes forever flawless, but it shows up the the players concerned. Readers’ Letters and Editorial to get past an automated differences which exist in the I am an avid reader columns of BRIDGE to the call centre dialogue, ending world of bridge players. of your magazine in its effect that a bridge club up nowhere. So long as the I do not know how many entirety. However, I do find should have a telephone bridge club responds to an bridge clubs there are in the David’s style in responding number on its website if enquiry in a timely manner, UK, be they EBU affiliated or to queries rather pompous it wishes to attract new I fail to see the problem. not, but I am sure the major- and superior. A relative members. The most recent I have looked back at the ity of them meet once a novice reading the column was in Mr Bridge’s response letter that prompted the week in rented premises, could at worst be put off to a letter from Hart Bridge entire saga, a call for new such as church halls. The the game and certainly Club in BRIDGE 136 members from Orpington cost and storage of comput- might doubt the wisdom of page 35. I, too, welcome Bridge Club way back in er-based dealing progressing to a higher level Mr Bridge’s concern with December 2013 (BRIDGE and/or table-scoring equip- club where competitiveness declining numbers at 132 Editorial, page 5). Using ment is out of the question. outweighs enjoyment. some clubs, but feel he is Google to search for that Bridge, like many other Christopher Dicker, somewhat missing the point. club by name, I have found sports and pastimes, is Tavistock, Devon. It is self-evident that, in out everything I needed to dividing into two or more today’s world, a bridge club know from their excellent strata. Those who are WHAT A DEAL should have an attractive BridgeWebs website within a ultra-competitive and A few days ago, whilst and informative website minute or two (session days will do anything legal playing rubber bridge, which includes a means to and times, location, how to to win and those who I dealt myself the most contact the club if necessary. find a partner, recent results play for the enjoyment unusual hand I have ever Telephones have their place etc). I even noticed that there and social interaction. had in over 50 years – chatting to an old friend or is now a prominent telephone Stevenson’s regular column of playing bridge. calling an ambulance in an number on their home page, answers queries, most of emergency are two obvious as suggested by Mr Bridge. which are from readers who and contrasting examples. For me, the two top appear disgruntled, maybe ♠ A K x x x x x However, email is fine in priorities when I was looking because they fell foul of rules ♥ Void other situations, especially for a bridge club were: they didn’t understand, or by ♦ K Q x x x x where an immediate a) Some sort of host system, the attitude of other players ♣ Void response is not required. so I could turn up initially or even the director. I think The key thing is surely the without a partner and there are few clubs who can word ‘contact’ and getting b) results available have the luxury of a non- I would like to know what you a reply. We must all have on a club website, playing director and in many would open? All I will say is had experience of an email complete with deals. clubs the director is that my partner gave my bid a positive reply and at game- all I raised to 6♠. My right REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE hand opponent doubled as Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, all mint she had two aces, I redoubled with full gum. Quotations for commercial and made the contract. Wow. quantities available on request. Mr Peter Green, Values supplied in 100s, higher values available Barnet, Herts. as well as 1st and 2nd class (eg 2nd class: 100x37p+100x16p) I will ask Julian Pottage, Bernard Magee and Sally (/Fax 020 8422 4906 Brock for their suggestions e-mail: [email protected] and include them in the July issue.

Page 24 BRIDGE June 2014 READERS’ LETTERS are an integral part of his of directing and I played I leaped from being a junior, continued excellent teaching method. regularly with Bill. Those past the intermediates, to Mr Hugo Simpson, games were some of the become an open player – top St. Albans, Herts. most enjoyable I have had rank here. As a result, many SET HANDS Noted. I will as we just seemed to click as of the ‘big boys’ want to play I am an enthusiastic and long re-assess the project. a partnership. I still use the with me which is gratifying. standing attendee at Bernard Orient Lines leather luggage There are 3 sessions a Magee’s seminars and of CROATIA 2015 tag we were awarded for top week, plus one on Wednes- sessions of set hands, used I am so sorry not to be on the pair, Barbados to Manaus. day afternoons from March to illustrate and reinforce trip to Rovinj with Bernard I wonder if Bill still has his? until August, as well as a the ideas and techniques next week. I love Croatia, it Tony Richards, learners’ class, which brings covered in the seminars. is such a beautiful place and Woking, Surrey. new blood into the club. At Bernard has always stressed I so wanted to do this trip. the Monday and Thursday the importance of the ‘set I am sure I was one of the PARANOID evening session there is a hands’ sessions and from first to respond to the original I cannot avoid the paid, non-playing director. my experience he is right suggestion of this holiday. impression, shared by I was very surprised to find to do so. It is regrettable, I really do not know why I others that I know, that that the Monday director therefore, to find that you did not book immediately but the QPlus distributions are chooses to play one board seem to have decided not to a subsequent family bereave- consistently ‘unfavourable’ per table – a movement I produce the ‘set hands’ CDs ment eventually made a ie too many four and five have never met before. which should accompany later decision impossible. -nil trump splits sitting over For every session except the excellent tutorial DVDs I send my very best wishes declarer. Is this because the Wednesday afternoon, (2012 series and 2013 to Bernard and his team and these are competition boards players must put their names series). People who attended hope they have a wonderful designed to test the best down beforehand, so that the DVD recording sessions time. This opportunity may declarers? If this is the case, the director knows how did have the advantage of not come up next year but if I pat myself on the back many tables there will be. I complementary ‘set hands’ it does, I will be first in line. for avoiding congresses have never met this custom sessions; this experience is Gwen Raison by email. or is it simply paranoia on before either and would be denied to those who did not We await your booking. my part that the cards are interested to know of other attend but have subsequently Dates are 5-20 May, 2015. loaded against declarer? clubs using these practises. purchased a DVD. Still, the program is Thursday evening, with I possess both the DVD MARCO POLO great and much used but 8-12 tables, is the most and CD for the 2011 I was delighted to see there is still this lurking competitive session, but series and they form a from his email, BRIDGE impression that the normal Monday evenings and Friday well matched pair. When I 137, that Bill Howe is alive distributions are not present. afternoons are the most purchased the DVD for the and well. I have very fond Roy Howgill, sociable. There are normally 2012 series, it was with the memories of the Marco Canterbury, Kent. 18-24 tables. On Friday expectancy as advertised Polo cruise he describes. and Wednesday afternoons, in BRIDGE in December It was the first we hosted LETTER FROM NZ the director calls a break 2012 that the Better Bridge after I retired. Escaping an I emigrated last year to somewhere around half- 2012 CD would be available English November for the New Zealand, at the age time. One person at each eventually. It is extremely sunshine of the Caribbean of 80 plus – a time of life table takes the orders for tea disappointing to find that this and the Amazon was so when one normally does not and coffee from the other appears to have been quietly exciting, especially when make new friends. One has three and fetches these on dropped from your plans. the five days crossing the to join a club where there a tray; everybody makes Although the 2011, 2012, south Atlantic were hot and are like-minded people a contribution by bring- 2013 series DVDs and sunny with a flat calm sea. and what better club to ing sandwiches, cakes or CDs can be used stand Several of the Mr Bridge join than a bridge club? biscuits. Sticky cards often alone, they are much more group were real bridge So I joined the Upper Hutt result from the breaks, but valuable when used in addicts. They regularly Bridge Club as a junior play- the players at each table chat tandem. The longer term played in the after-lunch er. When I left Australia after and exchange gossip. It’s attractiveness of the DVDs duplicate run by the ship’s 30 years, to live in Carlisle, very sociable and pleasant. will surely be enhanced bridge host, Bill MacDonald, England, the I Most of the club members if each is supported by then went straightaway into had earned in Australia were are friendly and helpful; I am a corresponding CD. the Mr Bridge duplicate not recognised, but here in very happy to belong and The importance of the set between tea and dinner. The New Zealand, they are. The to be making new friends. hands is eloquently explained after lunch sessions were secretary learned that I had Peggy Millidge, by Bernard at the start of an opportunity for me to represented W.A. in national South Island, every session. Indeed, they play without the distractions competitions, so immediately New Zealand.

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 25 READERS’ LETTERS FOR ANDROID? continued Will QPlus 11 in the future be available to download for a tablet like an iPad? DECLARER PLAY CHARITY SUPPORT Rolf Ramsenius, John and I had an extra Teignmouth, Devon. QUIZ week in Tunisia again this year to celebrate our 55th SALLY BROCK WRITES Wedding Anniversary. On by David Huggett our return, we were delighted (Answers on page 29) to receive prizes from you supporting our charity event. ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. What a super team you YIn each case, what is your play strategy? had representing you this year – we think the best ever. Bernard is always I thought your readers superb – such a wonderful might be interested to hear 1. ♠ J 4 2 3. ♠ 8 5 3 teacher and so kind and about the latest bridge ♥ K J 10 ♥ K 8 6 4 2 considerate to all the guests, project I am working on. ♦ K J 7 4 ♦ 7 6 especially the very elderly. Simon Cope, Ben Green ♣ K Q 2 ♣ J 9 2 We would like to have and I have set up a profes- N N gone to Croatia in May but sional bridge agency. The W E W E had already booked to visit idea is that all bridge S S family in Bratislava at that professionals, whether they time. Whatever, Tunisia and play for pay or teach, either ♠ A 9 6 3 ♠ A K 2 the Royal Kenz will always be online or face to face, sign up ♥ A 9 8 ♥ A 9 a favourite with us – such an to the agency and have their ♦ A Q 9 5 3 ♦ 9 4 easy and good value holiday, profiles on our website. ♣ A ♣ A K Q 10 6 3 good hotel and staff to whom Potential clients can then nothing is too much trouble. browse the profiles and find Jill Blanchard, Secretary, the professional who matches You are declarer in 6♦ You are declarer in 5♣. Wolborough Bridge Club. their needs. We are making it and West leads the ♣5. West leads the ♦K-Q and much easier for bridge How do you plan the play? switches to the ♣5. How QMAIL PERHAPS? enthusiasts to find out what do you plan the play? We much enjoyed Bernard professional bridge services Magee’s DVDs (series 1) are available and how to purchased in the recent access them. Some people clearance sale. might like to play a local We viewed them with duplicate with an expert; 2. ♠ K Q 5 4. ♠ 6 3 friends and debated others may like the idea of ♥ 7 5 ♥ A K 7 5 3 the content over drinks online lessons while staying ♦ 9 7 6 3 ♦ Q 6 afterwards. We thought in the comfort of their own ♣ A 6 3 2 ♣ Q J 10 4 of a few questions of our home. N own. How about offering a Our website is now up N W E W E line of contact to Bernard and running, so any readers S S Magee? He could find interested should visit such feedback useful. www.pro-bridge.co.uk ♠ A 10 8 ♠ A K 5 4 Mr M Steward by phone. and have a look. ♥ A 4 2 ♥ 8 Norwich, Norfolk. Sally Brock, ♦ A K 5 ♦ A K 10 3 2 [email protected] High Wycombe, Bucks. ■ ♣ K J 5 4 ♣ 9 8 3

Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 3NT Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH and West leads the ♥6. and West leads the ♠2. or e-mail [email protected] East plays the ♥K. How do How do you plan the play? E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone you plan the play? number and to send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Page 26 BRIDGE June 2014 Misleading Cases Number Six Fall from Grace Plaice v. Erehwon Duplicate Bridge Club before Mr Justice Coeur in the High Court of Justice in the Strand

After the evidence and Counsels’ closing speeches, his Lordship gave judgment as follows:

n 31st April last, an el- of Cheam. He had no qualifications be appropriate to consider the hand derly widow, Mrs Grace whatsoever, unless membership of in question (below), in a bit more Plaice (née Dace), was the Association of Croydon Butchers detail. “Oplaying bridge at the Erehwon Dupli- counts as a qualification. She phoned cate Bridge Club. Normally, she sat back and politely told him to take a South, so that she would have neither running jump. As a result, you might Dealer South. Game All. to move nor score. But, on this occa- think that Claims ‘R’ Us should not be ♠ K sion, a Howell movement was in op- involved in this case, but their Counsel ♥ K 10 9 6 eration so she had to change tables says that they gave Mrs Plaice the idea ♦ Q J 10 4 2 after each round. While moving to a of seeking compensation in the first ♣ A K 2 different table late in the evening, she place and should therefore receive a ♠ 7 2 ♠ Q J 10 9 4 fell and broke a big toe and both hips substantial part of any ‘winnings’. ♥ Q 5 3 N ♥ J 8 2 and was soon thereafter carted off to Thereafter, and as a result of ♦ K 7 6 5 3 W E ♦ 9 8 S hospital. A couple of weeks later, she numerous phone calls, emails ♣ 7 4 3 ♣ J 8 5 emerged to, first, a nursing home, then and letters, she involved, in this ♠ A 8 6 5 3 (as a temporary resident) to an old matter, both the Bridge Club and ♥ A 7 4 people’s home, then to her own home its Committee and the Erehwon ♦ A with a live-in carer. I was pleased to Community Centre (the charity which ♣ Q 10 9 6 hear her Counsel say that she has re- owns the Clubhouse) and its trustees, covered completely, is looking after all of whom (along with their – and her her former carer and has resumed her – respective insurers) deny liability. West North East South bridge-playing career. Her Counsel also alleged (though 1♠ This case is all about who, if this was disputed) that somebody Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ anyone, should be liable to Mrs Plaice (unspecified) had left a handbag on Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT for causing this accident (or not the floor, over which she thought she Pass 4NT* Pass 5♠ preventing it). Her expenses and claim might have tripped. Pass 5NT* Pass 6♣ for pain and suffering come to some So what are we to make of all this? Pass 6NT £100,000. Before going into the legalities, I *Blackwood Mrs Plaice had no idea that she would like to point out that Mrs Plaice might be entitled to compensation is a very promising bridge player. West led ♦5, ♦2 from dummy, ♦9 from until, a week or two after the accident, Indeed, in her evidence, which I East and Mrs Plaice won with her she received a telephone call from an accept entirely, Mrs Plaice said that, singleton ace. She crossed to the ♠K, organisation calling itself ‘Claims ‘R’ on moving to the next table, she still next leading the ♦Q, won by West with Us’, who offered to take on her case and had her mind on the very tricky hand the ♦K (South discarding a spade). obtain enormous compensation for she had just played so successfully West now led a small club to the ♣2, her from whomsoever was liable. Mrs and was not concentrating on looking ♣J and ♣Q. Mrs Plaice cashed the ♣A Plaice did a bit of investigation into where she was going. and the ♣K, all following, then the ♦J the credentials of this firm and soon In case there are any bridge players and the ♦10 (South discarding the ♠6 discovered that the owner and sole in the jury or among the public in and the ♥4), resulting in the position employee was a Mr Arthur Sweetbread, the Courtroom, it would, I think, shown below:

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 27 Misleading Cases continued or loss. I have heard nothing in this case which leads me 2014 FESTIVE SEASON to believe that anyone was negligent (except possibly, I regret to say, Mrs Plaice Denham Grove ♠ — herself). Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU ♥ K 10 9 6 The second common ♦ 4 cause of action in accident ♣ — cases of this kind arises un- ♠ 7 ♠ Q J der the Occupiers’ Liability ♥ Q 5 3 N ♥ J 8 2 Act 1957, described as, ‘An W E ♦ 7 S ♦ — Act to amend the law ... as ♣ — ♣ — to the liability of occupiers ♠ A 8 ... for injury ... to persons ... ♥ A 7 lawfully on any ... property Christmas 23-27 December ♦ — from dangers due to the Just Duplicate Bridge £495 ♣ 10 state of the property or to Jo Walch things done or omitted to be done there.’ So, if the Bridge Twixmas 27-29 December Mrs Plaice now led the ♥6 Club, or the Erehwon Com- to the ace, all following and munity Centre, had, for in- Doubles £245 cashed the ♣10. West threw stance, left a carpet in such Bernard Magee the ♠7 on this, North the a state that people might ♥9 and East (needing to trip over it, they would be New Year 29 Dec – 2 Jan keep his spade guard) the liable to anybody who did Hand Evaluation £445 ♥8. Declarer now cashed trip over it. In the present her ♠A and the spotlight case, there was no carpet in Bernard Magee was on West. If he threw that area of the building and the ♦7, North would discard there is no such allegation. the ♥10 and declarer would These days, people often The Olde Barn make the last two tricks with forget that the occurrence of Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT the ♥K and the ♦4. In the an accident does not neces- event, West threw the ♥5, sarily connote legal liability. so declarer pitched the ♦4 Those ambulance chasers and made the last two tricks advertising their services with the ♥K-10. A textbook on television would do well positional squeeze. to bear this in mind. (These For my part, keen but days some of the advertisers poor bridge player that I are solicitors – can you be- am, I can well accept that, lieve it?) after playing that tricky In the circumstances, I Christmas 23-27 December contract so cleverly and still hold that this was a genuine Just Duplicate Bridge £495 mulling it over in her mind, accident, for which there Sheila Rogers Mrs Plaice was not concen- was no ‘guilty party’ and, trating on her route to the accordingly, I dismiss the Twixmas 27-29 December next table. Although it was case. All costs to be paid by suggested that she tripped Claims ‘R’ Us for having so Further into the Auction £215 over a handbag, no evidence unnecessarily provoked this Patrick Dunham was given about this and, long and complicated case. even if it had been, I am not It only remains for me to New Year 29 Dec – 1 Jan persuaded that the owner wish Mrs Grace Plaice (née Declarer Play £345 of the handbag would have Dace) all the best in her been liable. In this sphere promising bridge-playing John Ronan of the law, there are two of career. Who knows, with a what we lawyers call ‘causes bit more practice she may Back to Back bookings save £50 per booking. of action’. The first is negli- find herself playing for Eng- Booking Form on page 8. gence, in other words where land in due course.” See www.mrbridge.co.uk/ukbreaks for details and itineraries. somebody does something Reporter: Richard Wheen, careless which causes injury after A.P. Herbert ■

Page 28 BRIDGE June 2014 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 26

plan the play? to gain access to the winning heart. If, 1. ♠ J 4 2 With eight tricks on top you have to mistakenly, you had drawn all the trumps ♥ K J 10 find only one more but the danger is that, earlier, you would lack sufficient entries ♦ K J 7 4 in setting up that extra trick, you might to cater for the 4-2 heart break. ♣ K Q 2 allow the opposition to cash too many ♠ Q 10 8 7 ♠ K 5 hearts. It would certainly be right to hold ♥ Q 5 3 2 N ♥ 7 6 4 up the ace of hearts until the third round W E ♦ 8 6 S ♦ 10 2 but you must not take the club finesse in 4. ♠ 6 3 ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ J 10 9 7 6 3 case it loses to West. Basically, if the club ♥ A K 7 5 3 ♠ A 9 6 3 finesse works you do not need to take it ♦ Q 6 ♥ A 9 8 and, as a safety precaution, you should ♣ Q J 10 4 ♦ A Q 9 5 3 play out the king and the ace first. On a ♠ Q 10 8 2 ♠ J 9 7 ♣ A good day, the queen will be doubleton ♥ 9 4 N ♥ Q J 10 6 2 W E with West. If all follow low to the first two ♦ J 9 7 4 S ♦ 8 5 rounds, you have to hope that it is East ♣ K 7 2 ♣ A 6 5 You are declarer in 6♦ and West leads who has the queen. ♠ A K 5 4 the ♣5. How do you plan the play? ♥ 8 It looks at first as though you have to ♦ A K 10 3 2 find the queen of hearts but maybe you ♣ 9 8 3 can do better than that. Draw trumps end- 3. ♠ 8 5 3 ing in dummy and throw two low spades ♥ K 8 6 4 2 on the king and queen of clubs. Now ♦ 7 6 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads play ace and another spade and, if East ♣ J 9 2 the ♠2. How do you plan the play? started with a doubleton king or queen, ♠ 10 4 ♠ Q J 9 7 6 You are looking for two extra tricks he will be endplayed to give either a ruff ♥ J 10 7 5 N ♥ Q 3 and it might look tempting to play on W E ♦ ♦ and discard or open up the hearts. As an K Q J 8 2 S A 10 5 3 the diamond suit in the hope of making alert West might pitch the king or queen ♣ 5 4 ♣ 8 7 five tricks there. But, if you fail, you are of spades from a doubleton to avoid this ♠ A K 2 in danger of losing two spades, two endplay, it would be good technique to ♥ A 9 clubs and a diamond. If you can believe cash the ace of spades at an early stage ♦ 9 4 West’s lead, he will not have more than – before the defence have latched on to ♣ A K Q 10 6 3 four spades, in which case it is right to your plan. win the and play on clubs. Most likely, they will clear the spades. You are declarer in 5♣. West leads the Then, you knock out the remaining top ♦K-Q and switches to the ♣5. How do club and all you will lose are two tricks in 2. ♠ K Q 5 you plan the play? each black suit. ■ ♥ 7 5 You have ten easy tricks and the elev- ♦ 9 7 6 3 enth can really come only from the heart Mr Bridge ♣ A 6 3 2 suit. As long as the hearts do not break ♠ 7 6 2 ♠ J 9 4 3 worse than 4-2, you will be fine but you Premium Quality Cards N ♥ Q 10 8 6 3 ♥ K J 9 must be careful. Win the trump lead in Standard Faces W E ♦ ♦ with or without Q 10 8 S J 4 2 hand with the ace and cash the ace and ♣ Q 7 ♣ 10 9 8 king of hearts and ruff a heart high. If bar codes. Unboxed. ♠ A 10 8 both defenders follow, then you just draw 6 red / 6 blue ♥ A 4 2 the remaining trumps ending in dummy £19.95 ♦ A K 5 and throw your spade on a heart winner. 30 red / 30 blue ♣ K J 5 4 But, more often than not, one defender only £60 will still have a heart left, in which case you enter dummy with the nine of trumps The London Bridge Centre You are declarer in 3NT and West leads and ruff another heart high. Finally, you ( 020 7388 2404 www.bridgeshop.com the ♥6. East plays the ♥K. How do you re-enter dummy with the jack of clubs

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 29 Bridge and Travel Tips DEFENCE DON’T DESPAIR QUIZ Bridge tip from Sally Brock: However badly a hand is progressing, it’s not over until it’s over. Don’t by Julian Pottage give up as there may still be a way to recover. (Answers on page 39) he Netherlands faced looked straightforward enough ou are West in the defensive positions below playing USA2 in the semi-final of for West to continue with a Ymatchpoint pairs. Tlast year’s world champi- low diamond and for the de- onship. With two boards to go, fence to make five diamond USA2 had a 4 IMP lead (though tricks. But this West looked a they did not know it). This was little deeper and realised that the penultimate board: her partner might hold ♦J-x, in 1. ♠ A 10 5 3. ♠ J 10 5 3 which case it would be neces- ♥ 10 5 ♥ A K Q 9 7 sary for her to continue with ♦ ♦ A Q 4 ♦ Q Dealer South. N/S Game. the Q. After all, if her partner ♠ J 10 had the ♦A-x-x that she actu- ♣ Q J 10 3 2 ♣ 9 6 3 ♥ 9 5 ally had, she would be able ♠ K Q J 8 ♠ 8 6 ♦ 6 5 4 to overtake. Time stood still N ♥ K J 9 6 N ♥ 10 6 2 ♣ A K J 7 3 2 while East contemplated the W E ♦ 7 6 5 W E ♦ A 7 6 5 ♠ 9 7 5 ♠ Q 6 2 ♦Q – her partner’s logic was S N S ♣ K 4 ♣ A K 10 4 ♥ 7 W E ♥ Q J 10 not obvious from her side of S 8 3 2 the table. Eventually, she let the ♦ K Q 10 8 3 ♦ A 7 2 ♦Q hold. West continued with ♣ Q 9 8 6 ♣ 4 a third diamond and East was West North East South West North East South ♠ A K 8 4 3 on lead, now painfully aware 1NT1 1♥ Pass 1♠ ♥ A K 6 4 of what she had done. At this Pass 3NT All Pass Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ ♦ J 9 stage, she switched to a heart 112-14 All Pass ♣ 10 5 which declarer won with the king and played the ♣10, cov- ered by the queen and king. You lead the ♠K, which You lead the ♣A, on which West North East South When clubs did not break, de- holds, partner playing the partner plays the ♣2 (low 1♠ clarer had no option but to try ♠2. How do you continue? discourages). How do you Pass 3♣ 3♥ 3NT the spade finesse and, when continue? All Pass that suit provided five tricks, she had the rest, plus one, I am not quite sure whether +630 and 12 IMPs when de- North’s 3♣ was weak or invi- clarer went one down in 3♣ in tational, but it makes little dif- the other room. 2. ♠ Q 10 5 4. ♠ 10 9 5 3 ference. We can imagine how fed up ♥ A K J 5 ♥ A K Q 9 7 Quite reasonably, West East must have been when she ♦ J 8 4 ♦ J 8 decided to lead her own dia- was on lead at trick four, but monds rather than her part- surely a heart switch is giving ♣ 10 3 2 ♣ Q 6 ner’s hearts. She chose to lead up. Just think what would have ♠ ♠ 8 6 A 6 the ♦K, which did not invite happened if she had switched ♥ 9 6 2 N ♥ 10 6 2 N her partner to unblock (as is to a spade instead. Surely de- W E ♦ A 7 6 5 W E ♦ 9 7 6 the widespread practice in this clarer would have risen with S S ♣ A K J 9 ♣ A 9 5 4 3 country). When East followed the ace and pinned her hopes with the ♦2 (encouraging), it on the club suit. ■

West North East South West North East South 1♦ 1♥ Pass 1♠ Travel tip from Emma Thomson: ♥ 1 ♠ ♠ Pass 1 Pass 1NT Pass 2 Pass 4 eing approached by touts or hawkers on holiday Pass 3NT All Pass All Pass can be annoying and, at times, intimidating, but 115-17 Bdon’t despair. Be polite, but firm. Look them in the You lead the ♦7, covered eye, say, ‘Sorry, no thank you,’ smile and walk way. Avoid You lead the ♣A, on which by the ♦J, ♦K and ♦A. De- shaking hands, or anything that could be misconstrued partner plays the ♣4 (low clarer crosses to the ♥A as making an agreement. Most will give up at this point. to discourage, high to and runs the ♠10. Having But if they don’t, don’t feel guilty for ignoring them. Never lose your temper, or shout. If you’re arriving at encourage). How do you won, what do you do? continue? a major tourist destination, book a hotel room and ask your hotel to pick you up from the airport.

Page 30 BRIDGE June 2014 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics May a Defender Hesitate with Two Small Cards?

I have a question to an adjustment. This So a lecture or a different, it is generally for one of your applies whether the action is penalty is reasonable, accepted that this means QLaws & Ethics deliberate or accidental and but not an adjustment. once the first call is made. experts. In a recent the director does not need to In a normal club, with a congress my partner, decide which it was. All he ♣♦♥♠ competent director, he moves South, had to play: needs to decide is whether the room when between the action happened and Can you offer a quarter and a third of whether the player might some advice tables are still playing. It is ♠ K Q 10 5 have realised it could mislead Qplease? perfectly normal, therefore, declarer. Wondering whether A club I go to has had for tables to keep playing the N W E to play high or low from a rule for some time last board for a few minutes S a doubleton in a position that, once the move- after the round is called. ♠ 8 7 6 4 2 where the player knows ment is called, an aver- Taking boards away is declarer might be misled is age is given unless the very upsetting for players. certainly such an action and, declarer can claim or You reach a perfectly good for one loser (entries at the very least, the player there are fewer than 5 6♣ contract and you are just were not a problem). He involved should get a strong cards to play. There is starting to play when the led ♠2 towards dummy lecture, possibly a penalty a new proposal that, director takes it away from and LHO hesitated for if he has done this before. instead of an average, you. Why were you late? a noticeable time and But to get an adjustment, it the board will be treated Because, on the previous actually ‘fiddled’ with also requires declarer to have as unplayed. I believe board, declarer, with nine his cards before playing been misled. What did your that unplayed should perfectly good top tricks, low. The ♠K was played partner think was happen- be reserved for three played them out very slowly. from dummy and RHO ing? Did he really think that, situations: when the What about delaying won with the ♠A. How on the first lead, his oppo- board cannot be physi- the room? Moving when should my partner cope nent was considering playing cally started (lights fail, boards are still being played with this situation? He the jack from J-x-x with someone taken ill etc), is faster than waiting for chose to play low to the K-Q-10-x in dummy? That is when there is a sit-out, everyone to finish and ten which lost to the not credible, so while LHO or when the TD calls on leads to less waiting time jack. Afterwards, he should not be hesitating with the last round, ‘play only and happier players. said, ‘What else could a doubleton, declarer cannot the first board of the set.’ So both your current LHO be thinking about reasonably claim to be mis- Bob Parker by email. arrangement and your if he did not have the led. If, in a slightly different proposed arrangement delay ace?’ LHO held ♠9-3. arrangement, declarer had Both the current and the room unnecessarily and Your guidance would played LHO for A-x-x and he the proposed rule upset players unnecessarily be appreciated. did not have the ace, then A are completely illegal and both are illegal. It is Kevin Jones, Wrexham. an adjustment would follow and totally unnecessary. true that marking the board because it is reasonable to Once a board is started, unplayed, instead of average, It is illegal to play him for the ace when he it is not permitted for is a further illegality. It is mislead declarer hesitates, but it is not reason- the director to stop it. easier to win if you play fewer A by unnecessary able to play him for the jack In practical terms, while boards, so this provides an actions and they may lead in the actual arrangement. the law might be slightly incentive to play slowly.

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 31 Ask David continued ing moved and people Of course, it is true that so they are definitely and were changing tables. helping people to enjoy intentionally penalised for I told him that as direc- themselves is part of the not playing to time and why tor this was my decision. job. But different people not? If you do not give a pair Last night, we He told me that if I had have different wants and it is Average Plus when they are had six tables – a been on a director’s the director’s job to decide not at fault, you are illegally QMitchell with four course – which I have between them. It is time taking a chance away from boards a round. Things – I would know that it someone told him this. them to improve their score. were moving well. A was my responsibility maximum of 25 minutes to ensure that players ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ was allowed per round, enjoyed their game and but we were playing he couldn’t do this if he Could you please If a playing faster than this and was waiting for a move. explain how director is called were finishing the play This is not the first time Qboards unplayed Qaway to resolve of the twentieth board he has done this and due to insufficient time an issue at another (and had enjoyed a 10 two other directors have should be scored? I know table and as a result minute coffee break) been over-ridden by him. some directors give there is not enough after two hours and 20 As it was, play during averages and others give time to play a board at minutes. One table – not the whole session took not played. If the board his table, how should slow usually – had only only 145 minutes plus is treated as not played, this board be scored? just started their final coffee time. If you have a then the percentage Trevor Hobson by email. hand. We had plenty chance, I would be grate- for both pairs would be of time and in normal ful for guidance please. calculated using only This has been circumstances, I would Pat Maycock by email. the actual boards they discussed many have allowed them a played. Giving them A times, but agreement little more time and then It is quite normal to an average introduces has never been reached. moved the boards and move when there an artificial score for a The opponents get Average players when they had A are tables in play board they did not play. Plus, that is clear, but some about 6-8 cards left to rather than to wait for them. Name and Address Supplied. directors give themselves play. (If they had not So it could be argued that Average, some give started, I would have he may have a point. There are two an- themselves Average Plus. An awarded an average However, he is way out of swers to this. First, argument can be made both and moved them along). line in his actions. While it is A giving not played is ways. I take Average myself. A member indicated not unreasonable for him to illegal. It is like deciding that, to me that we should all indicate to you that he thinks if someone leads out of turn, ♣♦♥♠ move. I said I wanted it ought to be done differently, you will apply the penalties to give a couple more he has no right to move only if the director feels like it: Declarer called minutes as it was still the room and to do so was perhaps he will not penalise for a card from early and we had plenty completely unacceptable. If people he likes. Second, it Qdummy and of time. I was surprised he does it again, you should is easier to get big scores if ruffed low in hand before then to find that he had issue him a disciplinary you play fewer boards. So, his RHO played. His RHO organised boards be- penalty of 20% of a top. if you give not played, then then played a higher pairs who want to win should trump. What is the ruling deliberately play slowly so on this? Would the ruling they lose boards and increase be different if a defender DUPLICATE BRIDGE their winning chances. had prematurely A pair who loses a board played a card and his where they are not at fault RHO then played? RULES SIMPLIFIED gets Average Plus, the better Graham Lavender by email. (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) of 60% or their session score, so they are never penalised The cards they have by following the laws. Only played stands. If pairs partly at fault get they want to tell by John Rumbelow and only A 95 Average and if that decreases their opponents what card revised by David Stevenson £5 their score then that is a they are going to play that penalty for being slow. If they is their choice and they may are completely at fault they not change it. The ruling Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 get Average Minus, the worse is the same for declarer or of 40% or their session score, dummy.

Page 32 BRIDGE June 2014 Ask David continued It transpired that the 2♣ bid was made on a three card suit which is CHARITY EVENTS part of the Forcing 1NT I am confused. system but I am sure JUNE 4 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE Recently, my this is not widely known, ROTARY CLUB opponent therefore is ‘unexpected’. Outlane Golf Club. Lunch with Q 7 46th NORWICH SCOUT GROUP afternoon tea. 12 for 12.30pm. revoked and I was told I think I was entitled Felmingham Village Hall. £48.00 per table. that because he had to an explanation of 1.45 for 2pm start. £8. Rtn Sam Smith Janet Bartram won the trick it was a the two club bid. What ( 01924 492540 ( 01263 732974 two trick revoke, but is your opinion? samuelsmith396 we were only given one Graham Clements by email. @btinternet.com 13 ST MARY’S CHURCH trick. Is this right? Eaton Socon, St Neots. 12 ST MARY’S CHURCH Jackie Smith, The reasons for 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. Eaton Socon, St Neots. Malcolm Howarth Blue Jackets BC. alerting are twofold: 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. ( 01480 212910 A you alert if either Malcolm Howarth The revoke Laws it is not natural or it has ( 01480 212910 JULY often seem quite a potentially unexpected OCTOBER A complicated and it is meaning. When playing 3 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE probably easiest if directors five-card majors and a ROTARY CLUB. 3 RNLI. Salwarpe Village Hall, and players realise there are forcing no-trump, a 2♣ rebid Outlane Golf Club. Droitwich, WR9 0AH. really two basic revokes. after a forcing no-trump Lunch with afternoon tea & 10.30 for 11am. biscuits. 12 for 12.30pm. If a player wins a trick by response shows three or £12 including buffet lunch. £48.00 per table. Pam Main revoking, ie he ruffs when he more cards: this is natural but Rtn Sam Smith ( 01905 381395 could have followed suit, it is unexpected so is alertable. ( 01924 492540 called a ‘Two trick revoke’. If samuelsmith396 @btinternet.com 3 ST ANDREWS CHURCH he revokes but does not win ♣♦♥♠ Mandeville Hall, the revoke trick that is called Kimbolton, Cambs. 10 MY SIGHT (formerly Notting- 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. a ‘One trick revoke’. But that At a local club ham Society for the Blind) Mavis Campion does not mean the opposition duplicate, I Grange Hall, ( 01480 860477 always get two tricks for the overcalled with Radcliffe-on-Trent. 1-5pm. Q £10 (includes afternoon tea). ♠ NOVEMBER first type and one trick for the 2 , weak, holding: Diana Jackson second type. What it means ( 0115 7529371 is that there is the potential 1 EYE CANCER. Reynolds Institute, Upwey, Weymouth. ♠ J 7 5 4 3 2 11 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH for two penalty tricks with the 1.30 for 2pm. £30 per table Village Hall, Great Barford. first type, but only one with ♥ 9 5 includes tea and cakes. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. ♦ Val Pierce the second. Why do I say the 9 2 Derek Fordham ( 01305 833686 potential? Because tricks are ♣ 10 8 2 ( 01234 870324 Gene Hill ( 01305 786509 transferred only if they are the revoke or later, so if a AUGUST player wins a trick by revok- After the event, the 13 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ing and his side win no more opponents said I had 15 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE ROTARY CLUB Hemingford Abbots Village tricks, only one trick is trans- psyched and they Outlane Golf Club. Lunch with Hall. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. afternoon tea. 12 for 12.30pm. would put it in the ferred. Similarly, no tricks Don Moorman £48.00 per table. are transferred in a ‘One book next time. ( 01480 463444 Rtn Sam Smith trick revoke’ if the revoking How often can one ( 01924 492540 side win neither the revoke psyche before it becomes SEPTEMBER samuelsmith396 @btinternet.com trick nor a subsequent one. part of the system? 3 FARINGDON QUAKER AID What is the penalty for (Supporting Gulu Youth 22 RNLI ♣♦♥♠ a repeat offender? Development Association, Cheltenham Bridge Club Huw Jones by email. Northern Uganda). 1-5pm. Includes tea & cakes. After the Corn Exchange, Faringdon. £10 per person. Margaret £15 per person. Beverley sequence: Psyching is legal, so Steve Braithwaite ( 01242 510193 Q there is no question ( 01367 240929 margaretbeverley A of an offender [email protected] @dsl.pipex West North East South because no offence has been 1♠ Pass 1NT* Pass committed. Your opponent 2♣ Pass 2♠ All Pass who said, ‘it would be put in E-mail your charity events: [email protected] *Alerted as forcing the book next time,’ is

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 33 Ask David continued The director must the first table had bid Clifton be called. He will and made 5♦. This was A tell your partner impossible because, not to interfere in future: as well as having Park merely being offensive dummy is not allowed to call spades, we also had and trying to gain a psy- attention to an irregularity most of the diamonds. Hotel chological advantage. that has occurred. We called the director St Annes on Sea Assuming you are playing Once he has been called, who found that N/S FY8 1HN weak jump overcalls, your he will deal with it by offering on the first table had bid is merely rather weak, your opponents the chance spent time discussing probably better described to accept the lead from the the hands and then as a deviation not a psyche. wrong hand. If they do not do swapped N/S and E/W If you want to bid 2♠ on it so, then the card is replaced hands when putting every time, then just make and you may lead any card them back in the board. it part of your system and from the correct hand and The director decided describe your jump overcalls play any legal card from to put the cards back as, ‘weak or very weak.’ the other hand after the to how they were at the Some clubs do keep a next opponent has played. start, giving both pairs at psyche book. If so, then our table Average Plus. it is up to your opponent ♣♦♥♠ At the end, we found to draw the director’s that we had received attention to it and he will The majority seven matchpoints and decide whether to put it in of players at the offending pair a the book or not. I would Qmy club select top with twelve. It does £50 not bother with this one. dummy’s cards by not seem right that the Frequency of psyching is touching them. I find this offending pair received a difficult to judge, but really irritating. Is there a case top while my partner and OFF does not matter on minor for requesting that they I (playing in a superior deviations like this. But if change such behaviour? and higher-scoring Now £149* partner expects it, then it has Brian Moakes, contract) were penalised. become part of your system Paraparaumu, New Zealand. As they were hand- and must be disclosed. dealt hands, would it JUST BRIDGE Certainly: it is illegal, have been fairer to 27-29 June ♣♦♥♠ and has been for keep the hands as we Kay Adamson A many years, except had played them for My partner at rubber bridge. Since it is the remainder of the 11-13 July and I open 1NT illegal, it is reasonable to ask play and penalise N/S TBA Qwith a possible people to follow the rules. on the first table? 8-10 August 5-card major and have The only times declarer is Ken Goddard, Sunderland. been told that we should allowed to touch dummy’s Kay Adamson alert this. Is this so? cards at duplicate is either There is no set Janet Nicolas by email. if dummy is not present, way to correct being outside having a A this, though some No, a 1NT that smoke, getting a drink, would argue that people may contain a finding out the rugby scores should play the board as A five-card major is or whatever; or if dummy originally dealt, which is not alertable. You should has a medical problem, for what your director decided. merely announce the range. example if dummy is deaf Once he had decided or disabled in some way. this, he has no option but ♣♦♥♠ to give you Average Plus; ♣♦♥♠ he has to cancel the result I called for you obtained on a board Full Board a card from Playing duplicate, that nobody else played. No Single Qdummy. Dummy my partner and Note that it is normal Supplement then pointed out that I QI, E/W, reached for the director to issue should have led from 5♠ doubled. We made procedural penalties to both Booking Form on page 8. my hand. How is this eleven tricks but on pairs at the offending table *call for terms and conditions situation resolved? filling in the traveller, it and I am surprised if he John Dunbar by email. appeared that N/S on did not.

Page 34 BRIDGE June 2014 Ask David continued mean that a ruling should let the score stand, or that have gone in your favour. there was misinformation RUBBER / Let us consider the and adjusted to a new procedure. When your score, or, more usually, a CHICAGO We were playing partner said he was not sure, group of likely scores with five-card majors the director should have sent a weighting to each. 2014 Qand a prepared him away from the table As to the ruling, I cannot be club when I, West, held: and asked you if you had an sure what was right without agreement. If you had said seeing the hands and talking the agreement was penalty, to the players. It is unusual ♠ Q J 7 there would have been no for people not to have an ♥ K 10 9 7 3 further problem: your LHO agreement over a double ♦ K 7 could do whatever she liked. of an overcall. Most people ♣ J 10 6 If you felt there was no play it as take-out; any other agreement, then you would meaning requires an alert. have said so and the matter In this instance, it seems

West North East South would have been dealt with likely that the correct expla- The Olde Barn 1♣ 1♥ at the end of the hand. nation was either showing Marston, Dbl At least your director did hearts or no agreement, Lincs NG32 2HT one thing right: he did not with the former more likely North asked whether look at the hands at the in my view. If so, the director the double was for time, which would be very should adjust the score on penalty or take-out; East poor practice indeed. the basis that North would replied, ‘not sure.’ North Having not sorted the have bid her spades. Only called the director, who matter out then, when we if there was no agreement said, without looking got to the end of the hand, would the result stand. at any of the hands, the director should not have ‘play on and I will been taking evidence without ♣♦♥♠ decide after the play.’ all four of you present. When Eventually, North the player spoke to him If a player makes decided to pass. 1♥ privately, he should have a mistake in 29-31 August doubled went three brought the player back to Qhis/her call, Hosted by down. This gave us 800. the table and listened to such as calling 1♦ Diana Holland North said that she him in front of you and then when they meant 1♣, would have bid (she asked you for your comments. are they obliged to had five spades but no He made his ruling without say, at any time, that hearts) had she known hearing all the facts, ie they made a mistake? my double was for anything the remaining three It seems to me that if penalties. She did not of you wished to say and they say anything, it call the director back, without knowing whether constitutes unauthorised but did walk away at the facts were correct. information. the end of the round to One of the main questions Derek Allum, Tring, Herts. speak to the director. he should have asked This did not seem to be your partner is, ‘If you did No, you do not correct procedure. The not know what the double have to change £169 Full Board director came back to the meant, why pass?’ A an inadvertent No Single table, turning down the He then gave an illegal designation. However, if you Supplement chance to see my hand ruling of Average. I am afraid do, unauthorised information and spoke privately with this was a very poor ruling is not involved. If you mean South. He then awarded by the director. He should to bid 1♣, bid 1♦ by accident an average to both sides. have found out all the facts, and then change it to 1♣, Anthony Rogers, considered and consulted partner knows nothing about Leigh on Sea. and then either ruled there your hand except that you was no misinformation and have a 1♣ bid. ■ The procedure by the director was definitely incorrect A E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: and his ruling illegal. [email protected] Booking Form on page 8. However, that does not

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 35 Things You Should Know by Andrew Kambites About Splinter Bids

onour cards opposite a ♣K-Q-J but the singleton club in your natural jump shift, not a splinter. shortage in a suit con- hand means it doesn’t matter. You are In Auction D, 4♣ is a double jump. Htract are often wasted. missing all the diamond honours but It is a splinter, showing 11+ HCP, 4+ dummy’s singleton diamond leaves spades, 6-7 losers and a singleton club. The concept of wasted values is very you with just one diamond loser. Note that this means that you cannot important in hand evaluation. Sup- You have an excellent trump fit: in play 4♣ as Gerber as well in this se- pose spades are trumps and you have particular, you have enough trumps quence. a singleton diamond. You can win the in dummy to take care of all your There are two sequences that you second diamond trick by ruffing. Sup- diamond losers. need to be particularly aware of: 1♥- pose your partner also has the ♦K-Q. With Layout B, you would not want 3♠ and 1♠-4♥. Both are double jumps He can win the second diamond trick to venture beyond 4♠. and should be played as splinters, with the ♦K. Both of you can win the Comparing these two layouts, you however both sound natural and late second diamond trick. In most cases, will see that in Layout A West’s ♥K- at night your concentration may wa- it would be far more helpful if your Q-5 are excellent cards, but in Layout ver. You don’t really need these bids as singleton could do something that B West’s ♦K-Q-5 are wasted opposite pre-empts. Pre-empts are most effec- your partner couldn’t do. When both a singleton. tive before your side has bid. partners can win a trick in this way, Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some Suppose partner opens 1♥ and you we say there are wasted values. method of bidding which enabled have the ‘perfect’ spade pre-empt with With the sight of both hands, what West to know which singleton East ♠K-Q-J-9-4-3-2 and nothing else. contract would you choose for Layouts has? Read on. Why not start with 1♠? You have the A and B? highest ranking suit. Opponents are ♣♦♥♠ unlikely to be able to outbid you. Equally, suppose partner opens 1♠ Layout A double jump in an unbid and you are convinced you want to ♠ A K 8 6 5 4 ♠ Q 10 9 7 suit can be convention- play in 4♥. You can easily start with ♥ K Q 5 N ♥ A J 8 4 ally played as a splinter 2♥ and then bid 4♥ next time. W E A ♦ 7 6 3 S ♦ 2 bid, showing four-card sup- Now, I return to Layouts A and B. ♣ 7 ♣ A 8 4 3 port for partner’s last bid suit, the high-card values for game (11+ HCP) and a singleton (or Layout A Layout B possibly void) in the suit bid. ♠ A K 8 6 5 4 ♠ Q 10 9 7 ♠ A K 8 6 5 4 ♠ Q 10 9 7 ♥ K Q 5 N ♥ A J 8 4 W E ♥ 7 6 3 N ♥ A J 8 4 The word splinter suggests something ♦ 7 6 3 S ♦ 2 W E ♦ K Q 5 S ♦ 2 narrow; a singleton seems to fit the bill. ♣ 7 ♣ A 8 4 3 ♣ 7 ♣ A 8 4 3 Auction C Auction D West East West East Layout B With Layout A, 6♠ is trivial. It is worth 1♠ 3♣ 1♠ 4♣ ♠ A K 8 6 5 4 ♠ Q 10 9 7 understanding the ingredients that ♥ 7 6 3 N ♥ A J 8 4 W E make a slam good with just 23 points. We must start by being absolutely sure ♦ K Q 5 S ♦ 2 You have no wasted honour cards. when a bid is a splinter. ♣ 7 ♣ A 8 4 3 In particular, you are missing the In Auction C, 3♣ is a single jump, a

Page 36 BRIDGE June 2014 About Splinter Bids continued does not worry too much about his Layout H weak hearts and clubs. East has shown ♠ K Q 5 3 ♠ A 10 7 6 4 2 high values, his points must ♥ A Q 10 8 7 N ♥ 9 6 5 be somewhere. Where else can they be W E Auction E Auction F ♦ 2 S ♦ K Q 3 except in hearts and clubs? West East West East ♣ A Q 6 ♣ 2 3Partner knows about my singleton 1♠ 4♦1 1♠ 4♦ spade. If he judges 3NT is best, who 4NT2 5♥3 4♠5 am I to argue? 6♠4 West East Note that, on a heart lead, 5♦ has lit- 1♥ 1♠ tle chance. Layout A should be bid with Auction E. 4♦ 4♠4 14♦ shows 11+ HCP, 4+ spades, 6-7 los- End here are a number of is- ers and a singleton diamond. sues which divide expert 2Key Card Blackwood. ♦7-6-3 opposite 4East has more points than in Layout Topinion. a singleton implies no wasted diamond G but they are not the right points for values. If East has two key cards, West slam. The ♦K-Q opposite a singleton a) Should you splinter with a hand can almost count 12 tricks. are unlikely to be of any use. that is too strong to raise just to 3Two key cards. game and then bid on over partner’s 4Excellent. A perfect slam on relatively Of course, if opener raises responder sign off to show extra strength? few points. to game without a splinter you can b) Should you splinter with a void? deduce a lot. A sequence like 1♦- c) Should you splinter with a singleton Layout B should be bid with Auction F. 1♠-4♠ is certainly not pre-emptive. honour? 5♦ K Q 5 opposite a singleton diamond Opponents have shown no inclination If these issues were clearcut, they is likely to be wasted. No interest in a to bid at a cheap level, they are highly wouldn’t generate so much hot air. I slam. unlikely to venture in over, for will not express an opinion because it example 3♠. So opener has enough probably depends on the rest of your ♣♦♥♠ high cards for game but didn’t splinter. system. He is likely to be 4-2-5-2 shape. For example, if you play Jacoby raises pener can splinter after of a , you may have other partner’s response. ♣♦♥♠ ways of expressing these hands. You O can get along perfectly well without nitially agreeing partner’s deciding these issues because they are In Layouts G and H, West’s 4♦ rebid is with a splinter can comparatively infrequent. a double jump, a . Ilead to no-trumps if opener can tell there are wasted val- ♣♦♥♠ ues. Layout G plinters should be alert- ♠ K Q 5 3 ♠ A 10 7 6 4 2 If you agree partner’s major suit with ed, even if they are above ♥ A Q 10 8 7 N ♥ K 4 a splinter, it would be very unusual for 3NT, if they occur on the W E S ♦ 2 S ♦ 9 6 5 3 the major not to be trumps but look at first round of bidding. ♣ A Q 6 ♣ 2 this hand. Thus ♠1 -4♦ needs alerting, 1♣-1♠- 4♦ does not, but 1♣-1♥-3♠ does need West East ♠ K Q 10 ♠ 3 alerting (artificial and below 3NT).

1♥ 1♠ ♥ 6 4 N ♥ A J 7 1 2 W E 4♦ 4NT ♦ A Q J 7 6 2 S ♦ K 10 9 8 3 ♣♦♥♠ 5♠3 6♠ ♣ 6 2 ♣ A J 7 5 on’t pass a splinter bid. 116+ HCP (you need enough to bid game opposite partner’s possible 6 West East D HCP), 4+ spades, 4-5 losers and a sin- 1♦ 3♠1 gleton diamond. 3NT2 End3 Am I being serious? Yes. On more 2Key Card Blackwood. East doesn’t than one occasion at international have many points but he knows of 1Game values in diamonds. Singleton level, the following sequence has oc- a 10-card spade fit and no diamond spade. curred: 1♠-4♦-Pass. Did opener for- wastage. If partner has three key cards 2If we play in diamonds, West’s ♠K-Q- get he was playing splinters? No, he slam should be excellent. 10 seem wasted opposite East’s single- agonised about whether to sign off in 3Three key cards: the ♠K, ♥A and ton spade. Maybe it makes sense to try 4♠ or try for a slam, decided to sign ♣A. for the nine trick game. Note that West off and instead he passed! ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 37 Things You Should Know About Splinters Quiz by Andrew Kambites (Answers on page 41)

1 Your partner opens 1♥. What do you respond with hands A to D?

Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand D ♠ 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ 2 ♠ A ♥ K 9 7 6 5 4 ♥ A Q 6 2 ♥ A Q 6 2 ♥ A Q 6 2 ♦ K 7 4 ♦ 2 ♦ K Q 3 2 ♦ K Q 3 2 ♣ 8 5 3 ♣ J 10 7 6 ♣ J 10 7 6 ♣ Q 10 7 4

2 You are West. What is your next bid with hands E to H?

West East 1♥ 4♦* ?

Hand E Hand F Hand G Hand H ♠ J 8 7 ♠ 2 ♠ 2 ♠ 3 2 ♥ A Q 6 5 ♥ A K 8 7 5 4 ♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 ♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 ♦ K Q 6 ♦ 9 8 7 6 ♦ A 9 8 6 ♦ K Q 8 ♣ K J 7 ♣ A Q ♣ A Q ♣ A J

3 You are West. What is your next bid with hands J to M?

West East 1♦ 1♠ ?

Hand J Hand K Hand L Hand M ♠ 2 ♠ A Q 10 9 ♠ A Q 10 9 ♠ A Q 10 9 2 ♥ A J 10 ♥ A J 8 ♥ A J ♥ 9 ♦ A K J 7 5 ♦ A K J 7 5 ♦ A K J 7 5 ♦ A K 7 5 4 3 ♣ A Q 10 9 ♣ 2 ♣ 9 2 ♣ 2

4 You are East. What is your next bid with hands N to R?

West East 1♦ 1♠ 4♣ ?

Hand N Hand P Hand Q Hand R ♠ A J 4 2 ♠ K Q 4 3 2 ♠ A 8 7 6 5 4 ♠ K Q 4 3 2 ♥ 9 7 5 ♥ A Q 6 ♥ 7 ♥ A Q 6 ♦ 8 7 ♦ 8 7 ♦ 6 ♦ 8 7 ♣ K Q 8 3 ♣ 8 3 2 ♣ A 5 4 3 2 ♣ K Q 8

Page 38 BRIDGE June 2014 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 30

West North East South finesse is working for declarer, you need 1. ♠ A 10 5 1♦ to get busy. Dummy’s heart suit will ♥ 10 5 Pass 1♥ Pass 1NT1 surely take care of declarer’s club losers. ♦ A Q 4 Pass 3NT All Pass Although you would prefer the next club ♣ Q J 10 3 2 115-17 lead to come from the other side of the ♠ K Q J 8 ♠ 7 3 2 table, if you are playing matchpoints you ♥ K J 9 6 N ♥ 8 4 2 You lead the ♣A, on which partner cannot afford to risk underleading your W E ♦ ♦ ♣ ♦ 7 6 5 S J 9 8 3 plays the 4 (low to discourage, high to A. Declarer, who has shown opening ♣ K 4 ♣ 9 8 6 encourage). How do you continue? values, probably holds the ♦K, in which ♠ 9 6 4 Partner’s discouraging ♣4 tells you case twelve tricks and a bottom (for your ♥ A Q 7 3 that declarer holds the ♣Q, in which side) will result. Just cash the ♣K and ♦A. ♦ K 10 2 case playing another club will concede You still have some chance of beating the ♣ A 7 5 an immediate trick. Nevertheless, at contract if partner has the ♠A or ♣Q-x or matchpoints, this is what you should do a singleton club. (♣K then ♣J). By doing so, you can be West North East South sure of stopping any overtricks. 1NT1 Again, while point count makes it just 4. ♠ 10 9 5 3 Pass 3NT All Pass possible to find the ♥Q opposite, this ♥ A K Q 9 7 112-14 might be too little to beat the contract. ♦ J 8 Partner would also need the right shape, ♣ Q 6 You lead the ♠K, which holds, partner two diamonds as well as five spades, ♠ A 6 ♠ Q 4 N ♠ ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 8 5 4 playing the 2. How do you continue? to stop declarer from making nine easy W E Playing matchpoints, the right tricks. Trying to beat the contract with ♦ 9 7 6 S ♦ K 10 5 4 3 continuation should be clear. Carry on a passive switch is far more likely to ♣ A 9 5 4 3 ♣ J 8 2 with high spades to drive out the ace. concede an overtrick than defeat the ♠ K J 8 7 2 This is likely to give your side four tricks contract. ♥ J 3 and a reasonable score. ♦ A Q 2 Although a count of points tells you ♣ K 10 7 partner just has room to hold the ♥Q, 3. ♠ J 10 5 3 in which case a heart switch could beat ♥ A K Q 9 7 the contract, this is an unlikely situation. ♦ Q West North East South A desperate heart switch is more likely to ♣ 9 6 3 1♥ Pass 1♠ allow one or more overtricks, especially ♠ 8 6 ♠ Q 4 Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ since declarer might have won the first ♥ 10 6 2 N ♥ 8 5 4 All Pass trick if fearful of a heart switch. ♦ A 7 6 5 W E ♦ J 9 8 4 3 S ♣ A K 10 4 ♣ J 8 2 You lead the ♦7, covered by the ♦J, ♦K ♠ A K 9 7 2 and ♦A. Declarer crosses to the ♥A and 2. ♠ Q 10 5 ♥ J 3 runs the ♠10. Having won, what do you ♥ A K J 5 ♦ K 10 2 do? ♦ J 8 4 ♣ Q 7 5 As on the previous deal, dummy’s heart ♣ 10 3 2 suit poses a threat. Prospects are bleaker ♠ 8 6 ♠ J 9 4 3 2 this time because the diamond finesse ♥ 9 6 2 N ♥ 10 7 4 West North East South has already worked for declarer and it W E ♦ A 7 6 5 ♦ 9 3 1♥ Pass 1♠ looks as if a trump finesse is working too. S ♣ A K J 9 ♣ 8 6 4 Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ At matchpoints, you should simply cash ♠ A K 7 All Pass the ♣A and continue the suit just in case ♥ Q 8 3 partner holds the ♣K. ♦ K Q 10 2 You lead the ♣A, on which partner plays If you lead a low club before the ♣A, ♣ Q 7 5 the ♣2 (low discourages). How do you playing partner for ♣K-x (and the ♠J or continue? the ♠Q with which to overruff), you risk Since you can see that any trump losing your ♣A. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 39 2014 with Jeremy Dhondy, Chairman of the EBU June 2014: No News is Good News

ast time, I spoke about the EBU’s events in last year’s World Champion- and Ethics Committee, the use of such VAT claim getting bridge some ship in Bali, where there was an allega- machines would have avoided at least publicity. Although we didn’t tion of cheating by a pair of German two cheating cases where the chosen Lwin in the first appeal, nonetheless the Seniors. It led to a hearing and a find- method was alteration of travellers. majority of publicity was good. Pub- ing of guilt earlier this year. An appeal The likely success of such methods re- licity for bridge is hard to achieve, cer- is possible. The alleged code was based lies, of course, on players not checking tainly at national level but, of course, on a series of coughs relating to suit the scores and when they are all avail- bad news often gives an impetus to shortages and likely successful leads. able on the web, checking becomes our media. I remember bridge making This might strike some as a bit crude, both easier and more likely. I can also the news programme (Tonight) after but it seemed to have worked for a think of two cases when the chosen the six o’clock news back in 1965. Cliff while. The biggest problem with this method was to insert a fixed hand into Michelmore (remember him) intro- sort of occurrence is the lack of trust a set in a knock out match. Of course, duced an item featuring an allegation that follows. No athletics performance you and I would not do this, but if we of cheating in the World Champion- can ever be regarded as honest again, did, we would choose a hand where ships in Buenos Aires. The accusation no cricket match is free from taint- we knew where one or two cards were. led to hearings by the World Bridge ing by illegal betting and so it goes Both cheats caught, that I know about, Federation, an enquiry in England on. They’ve won at the club five weeks chose to insert hands where they could and the consequences reverberated running so they must be cheating! play an obscure squeeze to demon- for some time. A bit later, screens were In bridge, such allegations are not strate how clever they were. introduced in international events. confined to international events and Last year, the EBU ran a trial online At first, these were only on top of the the EBU has a Laws & Ethics Commit- knock-out tournament. The reason for bridge table but some optimistic foot tee which occasionally has to concern having online knock-out tournaments tapping by one pair in a World Cham- itself with allegations of unfair play at is that, if difficulties can be overcome, pionship led to them going down to the club level. Sometimes, the problem can players may find this more attractive floor after this. There are two things be that people are too quick to accuse. than travelling to a remote part of that come to mind about all this. The A lucky lead, dropping a singleton the country on a wet Thursday even- first is that it is hard to stop cheating if king, bidding an extraordinary slam ing. Just as there are opportunities people are determined enough. In oth- are not prima facie evidence of unfair for foul play face to face there are also er sports, there is often the incentive of conduct. They could be indicators, of opportunities, albeit different ones, a lot of money. Winning an Olympic course, but only as part of a pattern. online. Having two computers is the title may bring a huge amount in en- One ought to consider the role of pull- most likely one. You can overcome dorsements so some illegal drug tak- ing the wrong card, making a poor this to some extent by having East and ing may be thought to be worth the bid which works and taking an anti South and also North and West with risk. In bridge, that is almost never the percentage line which, by the very na- a Skype connection and camera, but case, simply because there is little seri- ture of anti percentage lines, will work this becomes technologically daunt- ous prize money. However, there is no sometimes. Making a false allegation ing for many. Having said this, the 16 accounting for people’s pride and de- can be very damaging for the person teams who played in the online tour- sire to show how good they are even accused and it also brings the whole nament reported a pleasant game with if the route they take is not an hon- game into disrepute. However, there no problems other than a few minor est one. Many of us will say, ‘What is are times when some investigation technical ones and the option of play- the point?’ If you win or seek to win needs to happen. Just as the burglar ing online is likely to come to one or by dishonest means, then surely that who takes a bag marked ‘swag’ to his two knock-out tournaments this year. takes away the thrill of winning. Per- burglaries is adding to the chances of I stress ‘option’. It will not be compul- haps it does for most of us but there being caught so is the potential cheat sory. are enough cases of dubious conduct who chooses a poor method. You often If you have constructive comment to show that it is not the case for eve- hear about how good Bridgemates are or feedback on these or other topics, ryone. at getting the scores out accurately and I will be pleased to hear from you at The media had a strong interest in quickly, but in my time on the Laws [email protected]. ■

Page 40 BRIDGE June 2014 Answers to Splinters Quiz on page 38

1 Your partner opens 1♥. What do you Hand E: 4♥. You have 16 points with suit) you are worth 4♠ but the danger of respond with hands A to D? no shape, giving you a combined 28- splintering is that partner will think you 30. Your diamond honours may well be have more high card points. However, I wasted opposite his singleton. don’t strongly object to 4♣. Hand A Hand B Hand F: 4NT, Key Card Blackwood. ♠ 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 You have just 13 points but the hands fit 4 You are East. What is your next bid ♥ K 9 7 6 5 4 ♥ A Q 6 2 beautifully. You have no wasted values in with hands N to R? ♦ K 7 4 ♦ 2 diamonds and a 10+ card trump fit, al- ♣ 8 5 3 ♣ J 10 7 6 lowing you to ruff at least two diamonds West East in dummy with the expected 2-1 trump 1♦ 1♠ break. If partner has one of the two miss- 4♣ ? ing key cards, you can be confident of Hand C Hand D making 6♥. ♠ 2 ♠ A Hand G: 4NT, Key Card Blackwood. Hand N Hand P ♥ A Q 6 2 ♥ A Q 6 2 Again, the hands fit well. Note that your ♠ A J 4 2 ♠ K Q 4 3 2 ♦ K Q 3 2 ♦ K Q 3 2 ♦A is not wasted opposite a singleton ♥ 9 7 5 ♥ A Q 6 ♣ J 10 7 6 ♣ Q 10 7 4 diamond: it is secondary honours (K, Q, ♦ 8 7 ♦ 8 7 J) that are wasted. ♣ K Q 8 3 ♣ 8 3 2 Hand H: 4♥. Ignore the wasted ♦K-Q Hand A: 4♥. Pre-emptive. Get the bid- and you have only nine points. ding high before opponents introduce Hand Q Hand R the spades. 3 You are West. What is your next bid ♠ A 8 7 6 5 4 ♠ K Q 4 3 2 Hand B: 4♦*. A double jump and typical with hands J to M? ♥ 7 ♥ A Q 6 splinter: 4-card heart support. 12 HCP, ♦ 6 ♦ 8 7 six losers and a singleton diamond. West East ♣ A 5 4 3 2 ♣ K Q 8 Hand C: 3♠*. It sounds natural, but 3♠ 1♦ 1♠ is a double jump and shows a high-card ? raise to 4♥ with a singleton spade. Partner’s splinter shows 4-card spade Hand D: 2♣. Too strong for a splinter. support, four or five losers and a single- I would just wait to hear partner’s rebid. Hand J Hand K ton club. ♠ 2 ♠ A Q 10 9 Hand N: 4♠. The ♣K Q are not particu- 2 You are West. What is your next bid ♥ A J 10 ♥ A J 8 larly useful opposite a singleton. with hands E to H? ♦ A K J 7 5 ♦ A K J 7 5 Hand P: 4NT. You have a 9+-card ♣ A Q 10 9 ♣ 2 spade fit and no wasted values in clubs. West East Despite your two losing diamonds, it is 1♥ 4♦* reasonable to bid Key Card Blackwood; it ? Hand L Hand M is not possible for partner to have enough ♠ A Q 10 9 ♠ A Q 10 9 2 for his splinter unless he has the ♦A or ♦K. ♥ A J ♥ 9 This sort of hand is often referred to as Hand E Hand F ♦ A K J 7 5 ♦ A K 7 5 4 3 a ’30 point pack’, meaning that the ten ♠ J 8 7 ♠ 2 ♣ 9 2 ♣ 2 missing points in clubs will cost you only ♥ A Q 6 5 ♥ A K 8 7 5 4 one trick. Your side must surely have virtu- ♦ K Q 6 ♦ 9 8 7 6 ally all of the remaining 30 points. ♣ K J 7 ♣ A Q Hand J: 3♣. The single jump is a game Hand Q: 4NT. Key Card Blackwood. forcing jump shift, showing clubs. You may easily find out enough to guar- Hand K: 4♣. The double jump is a antee 13 tricks. Hand G Hand H splinter bid agreeing spades. five losers Hand R: 4NT. Key Card Blackwood. Of ♠ 2 ♠ 3 2 (really better than that with three aces, course, the ♣K-Q may be wasted, but ♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 ♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 only one queen and useful intermedi- you have enough strength outside. Re- ♦ A 9 8 6 ♦ K Q 8 ates) and a singleton club. member that your 1♠ response promised ♣ A Q ♣ A J Hand L: 4♠. Often, you will have a 4-2- only 6 HCP, opposite which your part- 5-2 shape if you have enough for 4♠ but ner went for game – you have 10 more cannot splinter. points. You will notice that without the Partner has shown 4+ hearts, 11-15 HCP, Hand M: 4♠. No bid describes this hand ♣K-Q, you have Hand P. Hence, you can 6-7 losers and a singleton diamond. well. With only four losers (one in each carry on looking for slam. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 41 We Are Survivors (For those born Before 1940 . . .) We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, PLUS 11 Xerox, contact lenses, videos and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split Q atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens, before dish-washers, tumble driers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes Really user-friendly . . . and before man walked on the moon. We got married first and then lived bridge-playing software together (how quaint can you be?). We thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized FEATURES INCLUDE raincoat and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We existed before house husbands, computer dating and sheltered accommodation was l Help button - explains the features for bidding where you waited for a bus. and card play advice We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable nappies. We never l Displays on HD and large screens heard of FM radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, word processors, or young men l Comprehensive manual wearing earrings. For us ‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’ was a piece l option of wood or fried potato, ‘hardware’­ meant £92 nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a l Save match function including word. UK post and packing l Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant Feed in your own deals junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to how you did in your exams, ‘stud’ was l 5,000 preplayed hands for teams something that fastened a collar to a shirt and ‘going all the way’ meant staying on l 4,000 preplayed hands for match-point pairs a double-decker bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette smoking was ‘fashionable’, l Pre-programmed systems include Acol, ‘grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the and many more or coalhouse, a ‘joint’ was a piece of meat you create your own system. ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something you cooked in. ‘Rock Music’ was a fond l Closed room – button to view other table mother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice- cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life and soul of the party, while ‘aids’ just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble. We who were born before 1940 must be a QPLUS TRADE-IN OFFER hardy bunch when you think of the way in which the world has changed and the Return any QPLUS CD and booklet with a adjustments we have had to make. No cheque for £50 and receive wonderful QPLUS 11. wonder there is a generation gap today . . . BUT Order with confidence. By the grace of God . . . we have survived! System: 8mb RAM, CD-ROM, Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8 Printed in the UK on a 100% cotton tea-towel £7 from Art Screen Prints See Mail Order Form on page 7. ( 01287 654481

Page 42 BRIDGE June 2014 Beginners’ Bridge Corner Better Hand Evaluation Mary’s Sixth Lesson Bernard Magee Introduction

by Liz Dale Better Hand Evaluation is aimed at helping readers to add greater accuracy to their or heaven’s sake, as important as the bidding, round. A successful finesse. bidding. It deals with auctions Mother, it’s only if not more so, and that If, however, East plays a in which you and your partner, a game of cards. real enjoyment of the game low club, declarer, South, against silent opponents, can ‘F describe your hands fully to It can’t be that difficult for stems from developing your plays the ♣Q and West each other and, by evaluating you to cancel,’ Liam said. card play.’ He said, ‘You can plays the ♣K, the finesse them accurately, find the best Mary dug her heels in. gain an enormous feeling of has been unsuccessful but final contract. The emphasis of These were Mary’s first nights satisfaction when you make at least there has been a all good, accurate bidding is on hand evaluation. out in two years. It would a contract that seemed 50% chance of success.’ have been very awkward unlikely when dummy There are two general types of auction: a) a fit is found and b) for her new bridge friends went down.’ So this was no fit is found. if she hadn’t turned up what they were going to Finesse Wins When you do not have a fit, last night for their practice work on today, in particular you are aiming to describe the session. Mary seemed to developing their finesse ♣ 8 5 2 strength of your hand as soon be upsetting Liam and skills. as possible, most often using N no-trump bids. This book be- Anne quite a lot these Alasdair explained again, ♣ 10 4 3 W E ♣ K J 7 6 S gins by discussing balanced days. Somehow, she hadn’t ‘Counting top tricks is the hand bidding in Acol, as it expected to be so involved in first priority of declarer after ♣ A Q 9 is very important that both the childcare arrangements. dummy has gone down members of a partnership Although Mary was very and the etiquette of, ‘thank have an accurate knowledge of how to show hands of different quiet during last night’s you, partner,’ observed. If strengths. play, she didn’t mention you were, for example, one Finesse Loses When a fit is found, there is the fact to Joan and the trick short after counting much re-evaluation of the others that there had top tricks, then you could ♣ 8 5 2 hand to be done; point count, been a bit of an ‘upset’ try a finesse which had a though still important, needs N before turning up for 50% chance of winning. ♣ K J 7 6 W E ♣ 10 4 3 to be evaluated together with S distribution. The best way of the practice session. The idea was that you reaching an accurate assess­ Alasdair (teacher) said, assessed which card you ♣ A Q 9 ment is to use the Losing Trick ‘Today the group is going were trying to promote and Count; this is an important to work on developing their you led from the opposite method of hand evaluation and takes up a number of chapters. playing techniques so that side, the opponents holding Mary could see the they can reinforce the bidding a higher card in that suit. importance of counting top Finally, we move on to different strategies learnt to date.’ Declarer is hoping that tricks and she was getting forms of evaluation including game tries and splinter bids. Good! Mary was relieved. No the missing higher card used to this in the planning of You can never know enough new bidding techniques to is held in the hand of the the play, but she was not too methods of hand evaluation; take on board this week. The second player, allowing thrilled with this new finesse the more you learn, the better group relaxed visibly, heaving declarer to win the trick.’ strategy. Mary still liked to you get at judging your hand. one enormous sigh of relief. ‘So, for example, if North play out her top winners. Although the Losing Trick Lots of quick repartee and is dummy and declarer plays What if the finesse was Count is used more easily in tandem with your partner, a ♣ laughter. Mary did so enjoy the 2 from dummy towards unsuccessful, allowing the large proportion of the ideas coming to these Tuesday the ♣A-Q in declarer’s hand, winning opponents to play in this book can be used by an morning sessions. Alasdair, he plays the ♣Q first. If East out their winners, leaving individual. For example, eval- handing a crib sheet to each has the ♣K and doesn’t play the contract one down? uating your hand to be worth an extra point is going to help of the mentors, said, ‘The it, then declarer, South, wins Alasdair explained, ‘The anyone you partner – as long mentors at each table will both the ♣Q and the ♣A as contract would have gone as you get it right. ensure that the learners are long as declarer plays the down anyway but at least this in the right contract.’ Alasdair ♣Q first. If East plays the way there was a 50% chance £14 including UK postage pointed out, ‘It is important ♣K, then declarer overtakes of success.’ Mary said, See Mail Order Form to remember that the the ♣K with the ♣A and wins ‘Ummm.’ She would have to on page 7. playing of the hands is just with the ♣Q on the next think about this.’ ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 43 Catching Up by Sally Brock

he big issue since I last wrote is West North East South out, 1,200 was worth 44 MPs and the Briony. She went to India but Pass 3NT* overtrick would not have beaten the was very unhappy. The slum Pass Pass Dbl Pass 1,700 scored by the pair who defeated Tschool she went to help with in Jaipur Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦ 3♠ doubled by six tricks. was a disappointment. She was in Pass 5♦ All Pass the suburbs and everyone told her it was too dangerous for her to go into My 3NT opener showed a solid minor Dealer West. Game All. the city on her own. The promised with nothing outside. Barry, thinking ♠ K Q J 4 internet was patchy at best and there I had clubs, was prepared to gamble, ♥ A Q 8 7 4 was very little for her to do. After but not when we were doubled. When ♦ A Q 8 2 a week, she left and went to Jaipur it transpired that I had diamonds, he ♣ Void itself but she was not happy on her knew it was unlikely that game was ♠ A 9 8 3 ♠ 7 6 5 2 ♥ K 3 N ♥ 9 own and, after a couple of days seeing cold our way, but he thought that West W E the sights of Jaipur and then the Taj might be tempted to lead an ace if she ♦ K 9 6 S ♦ J 4 3 Mahal, she went on to Delhi. That was had one. That tipped the scales for him ♣ A Q 9 4 ♣ K J 10 5 2 saved from disaster by a wonderful so he bid the game. West did lead the ♠ 10 Indian family, friends of friends, who ace of hearts, giving us the game. We ♥ J 10 6 5 2 were marvellously hospitable, but gained 12 IMPs, to win the match by 6. ♦ 10 7 5 they could not solve the underlying We had our last team of eight league ♣ 8 7 6 3 problem which was that she was match of the season and lost our first unhappy travelling on her own. So she match in four years – to Reading A, came home. She is now a lot happier our main rivals. They need 9 VPs from West North East South and looking forward to starting work their last match, against Amersham 1♣ Dbl 2♣ Pass in May. Community Centre, to win the league Pass Dbl Pass 2♥ Bridge-wise, the first event was and thus qualify for the regional final 3♣ 4♣ Pass 4♥ our semi-final match of the Garden Cities tournament. Pass Pass 5♣ Pass against Phil Norman’s team from Our great triumph in this period was Pass 5♥ Pass Pass Blandford Forum. We travelled there to win the Portland Pairs, the National Dbl Pass Pass Rdbl and won the match easily. Our friends, Mixed Pairs Championship. We played All Pass Jeremy and Heather, have moved out at Richmond Bridge Club and put of London to Blandford recently, so we together two 67% sessions to head the Away from the table, life trundles on. took the opportunity to visit and spent field of 376 pairs. I have won this event I have instructed some more agents an enjoyable evening catching up. before but it was a first for Barry. Our to try to sell the house. Let’s hope We also won our second-round performance over the last two years something good happens now the Crockfords match, but not quite so had been rather disappointing, so it weather is improving. I am finding easily. We were a little down with eight was good to win eventually. that estate agents are not very good boards to go and it all came down to We started well. On the first board, at their job, but perhaps that is just a this deal: our opponents went three down in personal experience. They don’t seem 3NT and we scored 45 MPs out of 46. to turn up to see me at the agreed Then I made a couple of overtricks in time, they forget to tell me viewings Dealer East. Game All. 1NT for another 150 and 39 MPs. are cancelled and as for making ♠ A J 6 5 This was the third board (shown in any positive suggestions because we ♥ K Q 8 7 2 the next column). It was all a bit of fun haven’t had any viewers for a while – ♦ J 6 5 really. We pretty much knew what each well, that’s a complete non-starter. ♣ 6 other had and West was a bit silly to The professional bridge agency ♠ Q 8 3 ♠ K 10 9 4 double. I knew Barry, South, wouldn’t project that I mentioned last month, ♥ A J 3 N ♥ 10 9 6 5 W E have a useful high card, but that he is progressing apace now. The plan is ♦ 9 4 S ♦ 2 would have five hearts (he did make a to have the website finished by Easter ♣ Q J 8 7 2 ♣ A K 10 4 over five clubs). West led and then test it for a couple of weeks ♠ 7 2 the ace of spades, and perhaps Barry before launching the site on the first ♥ 4 should have risked the trump finesse weekend of May. As that is before the ♦ A K Q 10 8 7 3 for the overtrick (to beat any pairs publication date of this article, I can ♣ 9 5 3 actually bidding slam), but he decided tell you that the website to look for is to settle for his contract. As it turned www.pro-bridge.co.uk ■

Page 44 BRIDGE June 2014 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Wednesday West leads a spade and I make eleven against them. However, Richard has tricks by finessing the ten of hearts in double booked himself. He is in a Up early and off to the gym. I am not the ending. business meeting, but we manage doing as much work for Bradt as I used In the other room, the bidding is with a frequent smooth interchange to as they now have someone inhouse, the same, but East doubles the final between Richard and a robot. Though but there is some overflow and at the contract to suggest a non-spade lead (if I think Gerry is happier with the robot moment I am working on North Korea he had wanted a spade, he could have who is on fine form today. – a truly fascinating country. So that is doubled two spades). West had the I have started fasting on most days the main task for the rest of the day. ten of diamonds in his hand (maybe), when I have no particular eating Briony goes off to see Ben, Gemma but South removed the double to four commitments out of the house (not and Hayden in their new house. clubs, which made exactly for 8 IMPs that often). So this is a fasting day. Later on, I drive in to meet Nicola for to us. The idea is to keep under 500 calories supper prior to playing in the London Afterwards, I decide to stay at Barry’s and actually it isn’t hard (not for the Super League at the Young Chelsea. as Briony is away. I arrive to find him occasional day anyway). Brunch We play OK but nothing special. asleep on the sofa – he claims that the is scrambled eggs with tomatoes, Somehow our uninspiring results bottle of wine he opened so he could mushrooms, onions and peppers. combine with those of our team-mates put some in his risotto must have had Supper is a huge mound of stir fry to win by 62 IMPs. Richard Hillman a hole in it as it seems to be empty. – mostly vegetables but with some and Keith Bennett have a tremendous prawns and scallops thrown in for game. good measure. This is one of their good boards: Thursday In the evening, we finish a jigsaw we I have either to leave by nine or go bought the other day from a charity down and feed the meter. As Barry has shop. It is rather disappointing to find Dealer South. E/W Game. work to do, I leave early and am home that there are three pieces missing. ♠ A 8 6 5 by ten. Briony arrives home an hour ♥ Q 8 4 2 or so later. At lunchtime, we have a ♦ A 8 4 visit from yet another estate agent who Friday ♣ Q 3 thinks he can sell the house. Everyone The first job of the day is to go shopping ♠ K J 10 9 7 4 ♠ 3 thinks my house is lovely and will for some of the stuff we need for a ♥ 7 N ♥ A J 9 5 3 W E sell easily – except anyone who is in dinner party I am hosting tomorrow ♦ Q 10 3 S ♦ K 9 7 5 2 the market for such a property. I tell evening. We go to our local butcher to ♣ J 5 4 ♣ 10 8 him that he is welcome to give it a go pick up the meat I have ordered, then ♠ Q 2 provided I pay him only 1%. He tries the supermarket for other bits and ♥ K 10 6 to persuade me to let him take it on for pieces. We do some odd bits of cooking ♦ J 6 1.6%. I hold out. He says he will ring and then it is off to Rickmansworth to ♣ A K 9 7 6 2 me tomorrow. He leaves it a couple of meet a bank manager. We have had a hours but I still hold out for 1% and terrible time trying to open a business get quite short with him on the phone. account with Lloyds. It has been more West North East South Five minutes later, he rings back and than a month already and they said 1♣ agrees to 1%. Ooh, that feels good! that if we each went to a branch with 1♠ Dbl Pass 2♣ In the afternoon, I have a session various pieces of identification, then it Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT with Richard and Gerry. Barry is would only be another ten days or so. Pass 3NT All Pass working so Nicola plays with me A swift phonecall to Santander

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 45 Seven Days continued and a wonderful salad that includes and Peter Lindon who top the table. roasted grapes. Then to follow she has You might think it slightly unethical made a rhubarb tarte tatin. When we to play for the C team in the hope of a are all too full to move, we start work good personal score, but they have also established that if all three of us turned again. Now is the time to discuss the played a match for the C team so I feel up to this branch armed with our pass- design details with Paul. He leaves it is OK. ports, then we would walk away with after a couple of hours, but there are We start off firing on all cylinders, an account. So that seems the thing to still several things Ben, Simon and I bidding a couple of slams missed do. Briony comes with me for the ride need to iron out. Eventually, they leave by the rest of the field. It is all going and we pop into the local Waitrose af- at about 6.30 and Barry goes shortly swimmingly, but the tide turns at half terwards for other bits of shopping. thereafter. Briony and I settle down to time. First, they bid a thin but excellent We start off some of the cooking a jigsaw and some TV, pleased to be on slam against us, missed by both our for tomorrow and then my friend Roz our own for a change. pairs; then I underbid rather foolishly arrives for supper. We have a great and we miss a good slam our way. evening catching up with this and Then, there is this lead problem: that. Monday One of the very long jobs we have had to do for ProBridge is to get all the Dealer East. N/S Game. Saturday information we can on bridge clubs ♠ K Q 10 9 Tea and hot cross buns for breakfast across the country. We are copying all ♥ Q 9 N ♦ A Q J 8 4 W E and then Roz gets on her way. She lives those details on to the site. This is for S on Jersey and when she is over here two reasons: first, when people have ♣ J 6 there are always lots of people for her agreed to play together, they need to to visit and chores for her to do. Bri- know where they can play, so all that ony and I then start cooking in earnest. information needs to be available on West North East South As well as today’s dinner, we have to- the site in an easy-to-use way; second, 2♦ Pass morrow’s lunch. Cooking is one of the we want to send information about 2♥ Pass Pass 3♣ things we really enjoy doing together. the agency to all the bridge clubs in Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ Meanwhile, Barry decides to break the the hope that it will generate clients Pass 5♣ Pass Pass habit of a lifetime and wash his car. (and maybe some pros) for the site. But Dbl All Pass Everything is pretty much under locating and copying all that data is a control. It makes such a difference pretty long-winded and tedious affair. Partner’s two diamond opening is having Briony to help me. Our guests And Briony and I have volunteered. a Multi and often only a five-card arrive at seven and we have a really That is the chore for today. suit at the prevailing favourable good evening. There is a suggestion In the middle of the day, we have a vulnerability. Your opponents’ auction that we play some bridge after dinner visit from the aforementioned estate does not sound too convincing so you but the general conversation is too agent. He arrives (an hour and a half decide to double. What do you lead? absorbing for anyone to want to do earlier than agreed) with a camera and It’s all too easy to lead partner’s suit, that. The food goes down well and the we have to clear each room as he gets isn’t it? And that’s what West does at wine flows prolifically. When everyone there so he can photograph it at its best. the table. A second thought should goes home just after midnight, I just He is young and confident. Maybe he is perhaps persuade you that, as you have the energy to fill the dishwasher the one who will sell it for us. have spades and diamonds tied up and and then my head hits the pillow. I referred earlier to the Berks & presumably partner has hearts, then a Bucks league of eight. Well, the rules trump lead is called for. of the league are that you are allowed Sunday to play as many matches as there are Although it is hardly the crack of and do not necessarily have to play ♠ 8 6 5 4 3 2 dawn, I have to get up reasonably them all for the same team. As we ♥ A 8 7 early to put the house to rights. have missed the odd A-team match ♦ 2 Simon arrives first, then Ben with this season, when there is a desperate ♣ K Q 9 his girlfriend Dana. We all have our plea for extra players for our C team, ♠ K Q 10 9 ♠ A 7 laptops open on the dining room table we jump in to the rescue. A second ♥ Q 9 N ♥ J 10 6 5 4 3 and get down to sorting out the details reason for doing this is the Richard ♦ A Q J 8 4 W E ♦ 9 7 5 S of the ProBridge website. At around Palmer Trophy, which is awarded each ♣ J 6 ♣ 8 5 1pm, Paul, the web designer, arrives year for the New Amersham player ♠ J and we have lunch. This is all done by who scores most Butler IMPs in the ♥ K 2 Briony and she has surpassed herself: league matches in the season. I won ♦ K 10 6 3 as well as yesterday’s leftovers, we have that in some comfort last year, but ♣ A 10 7 4 3 2 chilli with jacket potatoes, guacamole this year I am 30 IMPs short of Dee

Page 46 BRIDGE June 2014 Seven Days continued JUST DUPLICATE BRIDGE

Declarer wins the heart lead 13-15 June £169 31 Oct – 2 Nov £199 with the king and plays a The Olde Barn Elstead Hotel spade. West wins the queen and plays a trump. Declar- er wins in dummy, ruffs a 27-29 June £169 7-9 November £199 spade, then plays a heart to The Olde Barn Denham Grove the ace and ruffs another spade. Now a club to dum- 27-29 June £199 14-16 November £199 my and another spade ruff Clifton Park Hotel Chatsworth Hotel sets up the suit. With clubs Chatsworth Hotel breaking, declarer cannot 4-6 July £199 Worthing BN11 3DU 14-16 November £199 be prevented from reaching Denham Grove Elstead Hotel dummy with a diamond ruff 1-3 August £169 to make the doubled game. The Olde Barn An initial trump lead takes an out prematurely. 8-10 August £199 Declarer wins the lead and Clifton Park Hotel plays a spade. West wins and plays a second club. De- 12-14 September £169 clarer wins in dummy, ruffs The Olde Barn a spade, plays a heart to the ace and ruffs another spade, but the spades are not set up Elstead Hotel Denham Grove and declarer has only one Bournemouth BH1 3QP Denham, Bucks UB9 5DU more dummy entry. To get out for one down, he has to cash the king of hearts and 11-13 July £169 21-23 November £199 exit with a diamond, even- The Olde Barn Chatsworth Hotel tually endplaying West. In practice, declarer might well 11-13 July £199 28-30 November £199 have gone for 500 instead of Clifton Park Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel Chatsworth Hotel making 750 – a big swing. Blunsdon, Swindon SN26 7AS 18-20 July £199 28-30 November £169 Tuesday Blunsdon House Hotel 10-12 October £199 The Olde Barn Blunsdon House Hotel Nothing much is planned for today, so it’s a fasting day. I 10-12 October £199 wait as long as I can before I Elstead Hotel have my eggs and then go off to the gym. I’m getting near the end of my book now, so 17-19 October £169 exercise with more enthu- The Olde Barn siasm. In the afternoon, I continue to enter hundreds 24-26 October £199 of bridge clubs into the data- Chatsworth Hotel base. Late afternoon, I have an online session with Pe- The Olde Barn Hotel Clifton Park Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 31 Oct – 2 Nov £169 St Annes on Sea FY8 1HN ter – just for an hour. In the The Olde Barn evening, after my exciting supper, Briony and I watch TV and do a jigsaw – our Full Board – No Single Supplement latest thing is to buy jigsaws Booking Form on page 8. from charity shops. If they are complete, we take them Please note there are no seminars, set hands or prizes at these events. back and buy more. ■

BRIDGE June 2014 Page 47 BERNARD MAGEE at Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG. 9-12 January 2015 £399 Friday – Monday, £369 Friday – Sunday, full board Limited places for Thursday night available. £45pp single, £65 double/twin.

Defence as Partner of the Leader Aggressive Bidding AT PAIRS Defence is the hardest aspect of the game, but the one Forty years ago, duplicate pairs was in its infancy and you that I love to teach the most: it is where most players can needed 13 HCP to open the bidding and rarely competed make great progress. You are often taught about opening for a partscore. Now the norm is to open with 11 HCP and leads, but what about as the leader’s partner? How do you compete for every hand. The reason is largely because of play to trick one and then what do you do later? Should the scoring system. -50 and -100 can score very well, when you continue with your partner’s suit or switch? I will try your opponents can make a contract of their own. Since to give you the answers to all of these questions and more. going off can score well, you should bid more.

Strong Opening Bids Take-Out Doubles Much focus is placed on weak opening bids in the Take-out doubles are an increasingly important aspect of modern game which means many strong hands are hard duplicate bridge. I will deal with basic take-out doubles to bid. Managing your strong bids carefully can give and their responses and then progress to you great joy, particularly when you have a neat talk about competing for every partscore. bidding sequence to a lovely slam. I will talk about Aiming to push your opponents higher or your strong opening options and show you how to looking to get the magic -50, which scores so well when make the most of them. your opponents can make a contract of their own.

Suit Establishment / Defending Against 1NT Five-card suits (and longer) are powerful things: I will Competing against a 1NT opening allows you to chal- try to get across my passion for them by showing you lenge for the partscore and also disrupts your opponents’ how to develop your extra tricks through establishment. conventions. I will talk about competing over 1NT in Every five-card suit merits your attention, however general and then talk about the Landy Convention, weak. Once you have seen the opportunities for extra which is a relatively simple method of competing over tricks, you will understand why it is important to add 1NT. The weak no-trump is a powerful pre-emptive strength on for long suits during the auction. opening, so you need to try hard to overcome it.

6 seminar sessions with Bernard1 6 sessions of supervised play2 Contact Mr Bridge to book your place or for further details: ( 01483 489961 1Filmed 2Not with Bernard Magee