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Home , Acol, Avoidance play, Bath coup, Boris Schapiro, Bridge Base Basic, Bridge ethics

Number One Hundred and Fifty-Two August 2015 Bernard Magee’s 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 North. Love All. 7. Dealer West. Love All. 10. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ K 7 6 4 ♠ 2 ♠ A 2 ♠ A 9 8 3 2 ♥ K 8 3 2 N ♥ K 10 3 N ♥ K Q 9 6 5 ♥ K 2 N N ♦ W E ♦ W E ♦ ♦ W E A J 4 2 A J 6 5 4 3 9 8 7 6 W E 7 6 S S S ♣ J ♣ 7 6 3 ♣ A K S ♣ J 8 7 6

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South ? 1♣ 1♠ Pass 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 1♥ Pass ? ? 1♠ Pass 2NT1 Pass ? 118-19

2. Dealer East. Game All. 5. Dealer North. Love All. 8. Dealer South. Love All. 11. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ 9 4 ♠ 2 ♠ K Q 8 7 6 5 ♠ Q J 9 5 N ♥ A K 5 4 3 N ♥ K 10 3 N ♥ A K N ♥ K Q 7 W E ♦ A K 2 W E ♦ A K 6 5 4 W E ♦ A 7 4 W E ♦ A K 8 7 6 5 S S ♣ 7 6 5 S ♣ J 10 6 3 S ♣ 8 3 ♣

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

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 2♠1 2NT Pass 1♣ 1♠ Pass 1♠ Dbl 1♠ 1NT 2♥ Pass ? 16-10pts & 6 ? ? ?

Answers on page 10 Answers on page 12 Answers on page 14 Answers on page 16 BERNARD MAGEE TUTORIAL DVDs

1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 11 Signals & Discards 21 Weak Twos This seminar deals with declarer’s use of This seminar deals with Count, Attitude It is important to bid more in the modern ruffing to make extra tricks and then looks and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get game and weak twos are an important at how the defenders might counteract you working as a partnership in defence. choice for the competitive player. (104 mins.) this. (74 mins.) (92 mins.) 22 Trump Control 2 Competitive Auctions 12 Handling the play of the hand when This seminar focuses on competitive Bernard takes you through the basics of trumps break badly is an important attrib- auctions from the perspective of the endplays before showing some hands ute: playing calmly and using a variety of overcalling side and then from the opening where you can take extra tricks, then looks tactics to pave the way to success. (76 mins.) side in the second part. (86 mins.) at how to avoid being endplayed. (80 mins.) 23 Sacrificing 3 Making the Most of High Cards 13 An exciting aspect of the auction is outbid- This seminar helps declarer to use his high Going beyond just the point-count is ding your opponents and going down, but cards more carefully and then looks at important. Reaching & making 3NT on 24 gaining by doing so. Learn to bid more how defenders should care for their high HCP; and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when aggressively. (105 mins.) cards. (83 mins.) there are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.) 24 Improving Bridge Memory 4 Identifying & Bidding Slams 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding Remembering every card is a dream for The first half of this seminar identifies The art of pre-empting is so important most of us. However, learn ways in which to when a slam might be on. The second in the modern game. Understanding the remember the important things. (90 mins.) half covers some slam-bidding techniques. right hands to bid up on and realising the (96 mins.) importance of position and vulnerability. 25 Defence as Partner (96 mins.) of the Leader 5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts Defence is the hardest aspect of the game, This seminar looks at the most common 15 Splinter & Cue Bids it is where most players can make great and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. Splinter bids are a vital tool to add to your progress. (104 mins.) The first half looks at declaring 1NT and slam bidding armoury & try your hand at the second part at defending. (88 mins.) Italian style cue bidding. (116 mins.) 26 Aggressive Bidding at Duplicate Pairs 6 Doubling & Defence against 16 Years ago, you needed 13 HCP to open Doubled Contracts As declarer, an important tactic is to be the bidding and rarely competed for a The first half of this seminar explores in control of the defenders: avoiding a partscore. Now the norm is to open lighter penalty doubles and the second half particular defender getting the lead. As and compete for every hand. (114 mins.) discusses the defence against doubled a defender, you can try to make sure the contracts. (88 mins.) right player gets the lead. (88 mins.) 27 Strong Opening Bids Managing your strong bids carefully can 7 Leads 17 Play & Defence at Pairs give you great joy, particularly when you Bernard takes you through the basic leads Duplicate Pairs is the game most of us have a neat bidding sequence to a lovely and the importance of your lead choice. play and getting used to the tactics will slam. (122 mins.) If you start to think about your partner’s make a lot of difference to your perfor- hand, you will get better results. (95 mins.) mance. (90 mins.) 28 Take-Out Doubles Bernard deals with basic take-out doubles 8 Losing Trick Count 18 Thinking Defence and their responses, then progresses to talk A way of hand evaluation for when you By far the hardest aspect of bridge, but if about competing for every partscore. (99 mins.) find a fit. Bernard deals with the basics of you can improve your defence your results the LTC then looks at advanced methods to will quickly improve. Learn how to think 29 Suit Establishment hone your bidding. (92 mins.) through the defence. (87 mins.) in Suit Contracts 5-card suits (and longer) are powerful things: 9 Making a Plan as Declarer 19 Defensive Plan Bernard tries to get across his passion for Bernard explains how to make a plan Looking at your own hand, then at dummy them by showing you how to develop your then expands on how to make the most and envisaging how partner’s hand will extra tricks through establishment. (81 mins.) of your long suits, both in no-trumps and allow you to make a plan for the defence. suit contracts. (87 mins.) (112 mins.) 30 / Defending Against a 1NT Opening 10 Responding to 1NT 20 Further Into the Auction Competing against a 1NT opening allows This seminar deals with Transfers and The first two bids of an auction are usually you to challenge for the partscore and Stayman in detail. The 1NT opening comes easy, but beyond that the complications disrupts your opponents’ conventions. up frequently, so having a good, accurate increase. Learn how to ‘talk’ to your part- Bernard talks about competing over 1NT in system of responses is paramount. (93 mins.) ner during the bidding. (95 mins.) general and then about Landy. (85 mins.)

£25 EACH. PICK AND MIX. A BOX OF ANY 6. £105

Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 On-line shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee INDEX BRIDGE 5 Mr Bridge 2 Bernard Magee DVDs Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 6 The 1NT Helicopter by Ned Paul Surrey GU21 2TH 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps 9 Sally’s Slam of the Month ( 01483 489961 4 Central America & 10 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee The Mardi Gras [email protected] with Fred.Olsen www.mrbridge.co.uk 11 Readers’ Letters 5 Mr Bridge shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ 12 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee Tutorial Weekends mrbridge-shop 14 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee 7 Mail Order Form Publisher and 16 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee 8 Bridge Event Managing Editor Booking Form Mr Bridge 17 Teacher’s Corner by Ian Dalziel 8 Bridge Events 18 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions Associate Editor and with Bernard Magee Bridge Consultant 20 Catching Up with 9 Christmas Cruise Bernard Magee to Cape Town and bernardmagee 21 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett South Africa with @mrbridge.co.uk 22 Answers Your Questions Voyages to Antiquity Cartoons & Illustrations 25 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 10 Cape Town to Marguerite Lihou Colombo with Voyages to Antiquity www.margueritelihou.co.uk 26 Wendy Wensum’s Diaries 27 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage 12 Ancient Jordan & Technical Consultant Classical Greece with Tony Gordon 28 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage Voyages to Antiquity

Typesetting & Design 29 Psyches and Misbids by David Stevenson 14 Festive Season 2015 Ruth Edmondson 30 Losing and Love’s Law 15 Charity Events [email protected] by David Holden and Roy Rowe 16 Travel Insurance Proof Readers 32 The First Sunday Times Invitational Pairs, 1963 19 Brigid McElroy by Shireen Mohandes Rules Simplified Mike Orriel Catrina Shackleton 35 Losing Trick Count by Bernard Magee 19 Baltic Capitals Richard Wheen & Stockholm 36 Nazir’s Contribution by Archipelago Customer Services 38 Ducking by Heather Dhondy with Fred.Olsen Catrina Shackleton 40 Sorry Partner by Liz Dale 22 Rivers, Canals & [email protected] City Overnights 41 Leading Partner’s Suit by Andrew Kambites with Fred.Olsen Events & Cruises ( 01483 489961 43 The Unusual No-Trump by Jeremy Dhondy 23 France Mini-Cruises Jessica Galt with Fred.Olsen 45 More Tips by Bernard Magee [email protected] 24 Croatia with Mr Bridge Megan Riccio 46 Seven Days with Sally Brock [email protected] 27 Denham Grove Sophie Pierrepont Filming Weekend 2016 [email protected] REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE 34 Bernard Magee’s Tutorial Software & Charities Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, Maggie Axtell all mint with full gum. Quotations for 42 Just Duplicate [email protected] commercial quantities available on request. Bridge Events Values supplied in 100s, higher values 47 Better Hand Evaluation Address Changes available as well as 1st and 2nd class ( 01483 485342 (eg 2nd class: 100x38p+100x16p). 48 India and the Red Sea Elizabeth Bryan with Voyages [email protected] (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] to Antiquity

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 3 Miami, USA Central America & the Mardi Gras th 4 February 2017 • 46 nights Southampton Sails from Southampton • Balmoral • CRUISE ID: L1703

Charleston Ponta Delgada Key West Jacksonville Tampa Hamilton Madeira New Orleans (2 nights) Port Canaveral Miami Cozumel Key West Tortola Belize City Antigua Falmouth St. Lucia Banana Coast Barbados (Trujillo)

Date Arrive Depart Destination host of incredible experiences are packed into one truly FEBRUARY 2017 Sat 04 PM Southampton stunning holiday. The Caribbean, North America and Central Sun 05-Tue 07 Cruising America: this fantastic trip takes you to some of the world’s most Wed 08 early am late pm Funchal, Madeira A Thu 09-Tue 14 Cruising beautiful, exciting and interesting destinations in a once-in-a-lifetime Wed 15 early pm late night Bridgetown, Barbados Thu 16 early am late pm Castries, St. Lucia adventure you will never forget. Fri 17 early am late pm St. John's, Antigua Sat 18 early am late pm Road Town, Tortola Visit Road Town, Tortola, rich in pirate history. mile upon mile of untouched golden beaches Sun 19-Mon 20 Cruising Here you can ride into the rugged inland and two awe-inspiring, world famous rocket Tue 21 early am late pm Falmouth, Jamaica landscapes on our Jeep Safari tour, or head launch sites – the Kennedy Space Centre Wed 22 Cruising out into the warm, crystal clear waters and and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Thu 23 early am late pm Banana Coast (Trujillo), Honduras swim with dolphins. Tortola was voted the Contrast the fiercely modern architecture Fri 24 early am late pm Belize City, Belize best port of call in the Caribbean by Fred. of Jacksonville with the gentler Georgian Sat 25 early am late pm Cozumel, Mexico Olsen guests, though Barbados, Antigua buildings of Charleston. Southern charm Sun 26 Cruising and St. Lucia aren’t bad either. marks departure from the shores of the Mon 27 late pm New Orleans, LA, USA US as the British charm of Bermuda beckons. Tue 28 New Orleans, LA, USA Honduras, Belize and Mexico all follow in MARCH 2017 quick succession: bathe in tropical sunshine, Wed 01 early pm New Orleans, LA, USA Latin culture and fascinating indigenous Thu 02 Cruising history. Little can match two nights in New early am late night Fri 03 Tampa, FL, USA Orleans though, especially as this is perfectly Sat 04 Cruising timed so you can join the colourful fun at the Sun 05 early am late pm Key West, FL, USA annual Mardi Gras. Collect symbolic colourful Mon 06 early am late pm Miami, FL, USA Tue 07 early am late pm Port Canaveral, FL, USA beads as the revellers (known as ‘krewes’) Wed 08 early am late pm Jacksonville, FL, USA parade their hand-crafted floats and Thu 09 early am late night Charleston, SC, USA costumes through the city. Fri 10-Sat 11 Cruising Sun 12 early am late pm Hamilton, Bermuda In Florida, enjoy Fred.’s maiden call into Mon 13-Fri 17 Cruising Tampa, followed by the party atmosphere, Sat 18 early am early pm Ponta Delgada, Azores relaxed mind-set and beautiful beaches of Sun 19-Tue 21 Cruising Key West, Miami and Port Canaveral. This Wed 22 AM Southampton is the chance to explore floral national parks, New Orleans Up to £250 per person On Spend For adult travellers only The extended length and nature of this Prices per person sailing are suited to the adult traveller, REDUCED SOLE OCCUPANCY therefore only those over 18 are able SUPPLEMENTS ON SELECTED Cabin type Prices from to join. TWIN GRADES Inside £3,999 Outside £4,699 Superior Balcony £7,599 Your Price Includes: Suites £8,499 Daily evening bridge on board and bridge fees included in the fare • Morning seminars and Single £6,749 afternoon bridge on days at sea • A bridge partner will always be found for solo travellers • Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, a five-course a la carte dinner, late night buffet and self-service Prices are correct at time of going to print, but tea & coffee • Mr Bridge Welcome and Farewell Drinks parties• Varied daytime activies, lectures may change at any time. Call for latest prices. and talks • Choice of live evening entertainment

Contact Mr Bridge to book now on 01483 489 961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

FOC307429_Mr_Bridge_FP_4x_210X295_Ads_W.C.18.05.15_FV4.indd 2 10/06/2015 12:10 UNSETTLED T R AV EL ALTERNATIVES INSURANCE 2. Magellan, pictured Mr Bridge One cannot sail anywhere below, these days without travel 2015 insurance, but I would

recommend you turn to Tutorial page 16 and read about Genesis Choice. I have had several thank you Weekends telephone calls and yours For ten days, I have been This is the flagship of might be one more if what kept out of my office for a Cruise & Maritime they have to offer suits complete spring-clean and Voyages. First indications your requirements. redecoration. This has are really positive. resulted in uninspired Two further autumn advertorials for the past few AEGEAN 2016 voyages are scheduled, issues, until my recent priced two for the price clearance email, that is. of one. This produced a great 9 October for 14 nights response. I now realise I Land of the Northern should have sent this to you Lights from £1849 sharing. Wyndham Garden first and will endeavour to 23 October for 14 nights Grantham do so in future. (formerly the Olde Barn) Canary Islands and At long last my 2016 Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT All the remaining shop Madeira from £1719 Voyages to Antiquity cruise soiled and clearance sharing. programme has been 30 Oct – 1 Nov £199 material is listed on the posted. If you haven’t yet Competitive Bidding left-hand side of the carrier received your copy, please DISCOUNTED sheet. Most of the stock is don’t hesitate to give my 7-9 November £199 in single figures, very office a call. Leads and Defence slightly shop-soiled but the software is unwrapped and Aegean Odyssey is a lovely unsealed. Cellophane compact ship and her wrappers apart they are deserved popularity with completely perfect. bridge players grows and grows. Hardly surprising as SUBSCRIBERS the cruise company provides for our needs. Clive Goff’s stamp service One offer that I can make could be of use to you as he to you, is to provide an ALTERNATIVES supplies British postage exclusive opportunity to stamps at a discount. enrol your friends, family 1. Balmoral, pictured below, members and/or bridge These are supplied as two Blunsdon House partners with a subscription stamps, combined to make Swindon SN26 7AS at the founder members up the 54p 2nd class rate, rate. 12 issues for £20, 24 2nd class to you at 44p. 1st 13-15 November £215 class at 63p, still only 50p, for £35 or 36 for £50. Offer Suit Combinations ends August 2015. available to you in 100s. Will Parsons ( 0202 422 4906 or email [email protected] 20-22 November £215 2016 DIARIES is part of the Fred.Olsen His service is to be trusted. Finding Slams Both versions of the 2016 cruise fleet. She has a lovely See his advert on page 3. Patrick Dunham Bridge Players’ diaries are bridge room and we plan now in stock. The standard 14 cruises during 2016, JUST DUPLICATE version has navy, red, green sailing to destinations not Full Board or maroon covers, £6.95 visited by lovely Aegean All the 2015 Just Duplicate No Single events are to be found on each. The luxury version, Odyssey. The owners are Supplement* with ball point pen and very keen to cater for bridge page 42. players and our first kidrell cover, come with All good wishes, Booking Form on page 8 ruby red or bottle green voyages on this ship have *subject to availability covers at £14.95 each. been a real success. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 5 Maxims from Ned Paul The 1NT Helicopter

he history of the weak no-trump hand and as little as two aces and a king, for 1NT still had merit, provided it is quite interesting. In the days you could open 1NT. Culbertson, the was handled correctly. Far from an of – pre-1925 – if American bridge guru, thought that opening 1NT being a ‘demand’ bid, it Tyou won the auction in 1NT and made the new made things could be passed if it seemed the right nine tricks, you scored a game. If you different. He thought an opening 1NT contract. If the partner of the 1NT won the auction in 2♥ and made ten should be a ‘demand’ bid, requesting bidder responded with a minimum tricks, again, that was a game. Make partner to show his best suit. As this suit bid, this was a rescue bid, the weak twelve and you would score a slam might be dangerous if partner had take-out. These agreements enabled bonus. You had to bid high only when a weak hand, he told the American them to standardise 1NT as 12-14 the opponents competed or when you public that it needed a monster 4½ HCP non-vulnerable and 16-18 (later were sacrificing – ‘flag flying’ as it was quick tricks, about 19 high card points 15-17) when vulnerable. Remember called in those days. In 1925, contract (HCP) in today’s money, to open 1NT. that most of the bridge they played was bridge – the game we play today – Even then, only to do it on 4-3-3-3 teams bridge or money came along and now you had to bid hands and then only if the 4-card suit so 1NT doubled could be expensive. These days, many team players and pretty well all serious money players use a strong no-trump, but the weak no-trump is superbly effective in ordinary duplicate pairs, which is why the EBU standardised it for their teaching. I think of responding to 1NT as trying to navigate a helicopter to the right landing ground. There is a choice of four fields to land in: game in no- trumps, game in a suit, part-score but leave it in no-trumps, or part-score but choose a trump suit. It is partner who has put the helicopter in the air, but it is you as responder who is in charge of landing it. Simply ask yourself these two questions: Does the team have a combined 25 HCP? If so, game; if not, no game. Does my hand need or warrant a trump suit? If it does, then chart the course to get there. Opposite a weak no-trump, this up to score the game bonus. If you was worse than Q-J-9-8. He followed hand warrants a game in hearts: didn’t bid 3NT, you couldn’t score a his own advice: in the week-long 1937 no-trump game and so on. World Championships in Austria, In auction bridge, the obstructive Culbertson’s American team never ♠ A 3 value of an opening 1NT was well- opened 1NT. ♥ K Q 8 7 6 5 recognised. The normal requirement In Britain, the all-conquering Acol ♦ 6 for the bid was 2½ ‘quick tricks’ and team of 1936 thought differently. They ♣ A 10 9 4 three suits stopped, so, with a balanced considered the auction bridge style

Page 6 BRIDGE August 2015 ✄ The 1NT Helicopter Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER

PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs – £25 each QPlus 11 £92.00 ...... 1. Ruffing for 16. Avoidance ...... ♥ Extra Tricks ...... Simply bid 4 , either direct- QPlus 11 17. Pairs Play & Defence ...... ly or, if this is your agree- Trade-in £50.00 ...... 2. Competitive Auctions ...... 18. Thinking Defence ...... ment, by transfer. With: QPlus 10 3. Making the 19. Defensive Plan ...... (Second Hand) £50.00 ...... Most of High Cards ...... 20. Further Into 4. Identifying & the Auction ...... ♠ Q 10 8 5 TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Bidding Slams ...... ♥ A J 3 Begin Bridge/Acol £66.00 ...... 21. Weak Twos ...... 5. Play & ♦ K Q 7 Acol Bidding £66.00 ...... Defence of 1NT ...... 22. Trump Control ...... ♣ Q J 8 Advanced 6. Doubling & Defence 23. Sacrificing ...... Acol Bidding £96.00 ...... to Doubled Contracts ...... 24. Improving Declarer Play £76.00 ...... 7. Leads ...... Bridge Memory ...... fly directly to the ‘game in Advanced 8. Losing Trick Count ...... 25. Defence as Partner no-trumps’ field. It’s so bal- Declarer Play £81.00 ...... of the Leader ...... anced it doesn’t even war- 9. Making a Defence £76.00 ...... Plan as Declarer ...... 26. Aggressive Bidding rant a Stayman enquiry. at Duplicate Pairs ...... Strip out 3 or 4 HCP though Five-Card Majors with 10. Responding to 1NT ...... Strong No-Trump £89.00 ...... 27. Strong Opening Bids ...... and it falls below the 25 11. Signals & Discards ...... 28. Take-Out Doubles ...... HCP requirement for game TEA TOWELS 12. Endplays ...... and becomes a pass. Here’s 29. Suit Establishment Life’s a Game £5.00 ...... 13. Hand Evaluation ...... an interesting hand from the in Suit Contracts ...... Ode to a Pill £5.00 ...... 14. Pre-Empting ...... EBU Bridge For All course: 30. Landy/Defending The Present £5.00 ...... 15. Splinter & Cue Bids ...... against a 1NT Opening ...... Be Reasonable £5.00 ...... PICK ‘N’ MIX FROM THE ENTIRE RANGE Dealer West. Game All. The Pot Boiler £5.00 ...... Any 6 DVDs in a display box £105.00 ...... ♠ A 8 7 The Horse £5.00 ...... ♥ J 4 3 2016 DIARIES - £6.95 SUBSCRIPTIONS 10 Commandments New subscribers ♦ K Q 4 Red ...... Green ...... for Bridge Players £5.00 ...... ♣ J 9 7 6 1 year (12 issues) £45.00 ...... Navy ...... Maroon ...... ♠ Q 3 ♠ J 10 9 6 4 2 Road Traffic Signs £5.00 ...... 2 years (24 issues) £75.00 ...... Club Prices 10 for £35 ...... ♥ K Q 2 N ♥ 9 8 6 European 3 years (36 issues) £100.00 ...... W E ♦ A 10 8 3 S ♦ 6 5 Language Directive £5.00 ...... Luxury Kidrell Cover Founder Renewals with pen: £14.95 ♣ K 5 4 2 ♣ Q 8 We Are Survivors £5.00 ...... 1 year (12 issues) £20.00 ...... Ruby Red...... Navy Blue ...... ♠ K 5 Recipe for a 2 years (24 issues) £35.00 ...... ♥ A 10 7 5 Happy Marriage £5.00 ...... Club Prices 10 for £90 ...... 3 years (36 issues) £50.00 ...... ♦ J 9 7 2 ♣ A 10 3 Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland.

I enclose a cheque for £...... West North East South 1NT Pass 2♠ All Pass Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address...... West’s 1NT bid pre-empts North-South out of the bid- ...... ding. East correctly chooses to fly to the ‘part-score but Postcode...... ( ...... with trumps’ field, choosing spades as trumps and, by drawing trumps and lead- ing towards West’s kings, Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... eight tricks can be made. (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) This hand is a good advert for the merits of the weak Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH no-trump system as South ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop ■ can make 2NT. ✄

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 7 ✄ BRIDGE EVENTS BRIDGE with Bernard Magee BREAKS Inn on the Prom St Annes On Sea, FY8 1LU PROGRAMME ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* 18-20 September 2015 FRIDAY ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised Finding Slams en-suite facilities play sessions* 1500 Mr Bridge 19-21 February 2016 Welcome Desk open ♦ ♦ No single supplement Four bridge sessions** Suit Establishment Tea or coffee on arrival Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, 1745 to 1830 Blunsdon Welcome drinks reception Single .... Double .... Twin .... House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS 1830 to 2000 Name of Hotel/Centre...... Dinner 9-11 October 2015 Better Defence 2015 BRIDGE 1 Date(s) ...... DUPLICATE PAIRS 16-18 October 2015 Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Doubles SATURDAY Address...... 29-31 January 2016 0800 to 0930 Endplay & Avoidance Breakfast ...... 26-28 February 2016 1000 to 1230 Game Tries SEMINAR & Postcode ...... ( ...... SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS Email ...... Elstead Hotel (tea & coffee at 1100) Bournemouth, BH1 3QP 1230 to 1330 Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 6-8 November 2015 Cold Buffet Lunch but we will do our best to oblige). Suit Establishment 1400 to 1645 ...... BRIDGE 2 Chatsworth Hotel TEAMS of FOUR Worthing BN11 3DU Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. 1815 to 2000 30 Oct - 1 Nov 2015 Dinner ...... Sacrificing 2015 BRIDGE 3 Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by 4-6 March 2016 DUPLICATE PAIRS cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent Thinking Defence with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, SUNDAY 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you Ardington Hotel 0800 to 0930 require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Worthing BN11 3DZ Breakfast 22-24 January 2015 1000 to 1230 Pre-Emptive Bidding SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS Denham Grove (tea & coffee at 1100) Worthing BN11 3DZ 1230 to 1400 Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... 15-17 April 2016 Sunday Lunch (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) Splinters & Cue-Bids 1400 to 1645 Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. 22-24 April 2016 BRIDGE 4 DUPLICATE PAIRS ( 01483 489961 Suit Establishment e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com £245pp. Full Board. No Single Supplement*. *on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago & Just Duplicate events. See www.mrbridge.co.uk for new dates Please note: Just Duplicate events contain no seminars and do not award prizes. *subject to availability ✄

Page 8 BRIDGE August 2015 2011 Mr Bridge third page ad Cape-cape_Layout 1 0

Sally’s Slam of the Month One Slam The ultimate Christmas & Missed, New Year in One Bid South Africa hosted by KATE & KEITH HENDERSON y first hand this month was is all South needs to know to bid the sent in by Alun Williams grand slam. from Anglesey and comes Mfrom a friendly club Chicago. North/ ♣♦♥♠ South were not a familiar partnership. The second slam this month was sent in by Eileen Davies of Teignmouth, ♠ A 6 5 4 Devon. ♥ K 8 7 5 4 ♦ A Q 10 6 ♣ Void ♠ A J 10 9 8 6 5 4 ♠ 7 ♠ 8 7 2 ♠ 10 9 3 ♥ A 6 ♥ K Q J 10 ♥ J 6 N ♥ 3 N 9 8 3 2 W E W E ♦ 9 8 7 4 3 ♦ K 5 2 ♦ 7 6 ♦ A S S ♣ 8 7 3 ♣ A K Q 9 6 4 ♣ K ♣ A 9 7 ♠ K Q J ♥ A Q 10 9 2 Enjoy daily duplicates on this ♦ ♠ J Eileen’s partner, West, opened 4 . celebratory bridge cruise to the ♣ J 10 5 2 What should East bid? I think it is natural wonders of South Africa tough and may well have chosen to pass, but Eileen decided that her part- December 18, 2015 - 19 days At the table, East opened 1♣, South ner’s spades were probably as good as from Cape Town to Cape Town overcalled 1♥, creating a problem her hearts, so she bid 4NT and, hear- Fly to Cape Town and join Aegean Odyssey ♠ Cruise to Port Elizabeth (Addo Elephant for North. He started with a simple, ing of two key cards opposite, bid 6 . Park) • Richards Bay (Hluhluwe Game artificial ♣2 . East’s 3♣ rebid was West won the diamond lead, crossed Reserve & St Lucia Nature Reserve) passed to him and he settled matters to her king of clubs to a diamond Mossel Bay (Garden Route, above) with a leap to 4♥. How could they have in the dummy and then crossed back Luderitz (Namibia) • Cape Town • Fly home done better? to her hand with a club ruff to play ace Great value Mr Bridge fares In my opinion, North should have and another trump. When the spades Standard Inside from £3,795pp splintered with a jump to 4♣, showing behaved, the slam was home. Standard Outside from £4,650pp a good hand in support of hearts with This was a good practical shot. Al- Premium Outside from £4,895pp a singleton or void club. Then, South though 6♥, or even 7♥, is a better con- Low Single fares should cooperate with a cue-bid of tract it is not so easy to bid. If East tries in selected cabin categories 4♦. North is too good to sign off and 6♥ over the 5♥ response to RKCB, then For reservations call can now cue-bid 4♠. This should be West might interpret this as some sort enough for South to try 4NT (Roman of grand slam try. Of course, 7♥ is so Key Card Blackwood). In order to good only because West’s singleton king on 01483 489961 show that you have a void when you of clubs, unknown to East, is worth two have already splintered, you should tricks. ■ make the same response you would have made at the five level at the six Send your slam hands to www.mrbridge.co.uk level, so here North bids 6♣ showing [email protected] 0 or 3 key cards and a void club. That Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 9 2011 Mr Bridge third page ad Cape-colombo_Layout Answers to Cruise across Bernard Magee’s the glorious Bidding Quizzes 1-3 Indian Ocean on the Cover JOIN MR & MRS BRIDGE

The general rule opposite a pre-empt is 1. Dealer West. Love All. that you need 16 HCP to go for game. ♠ K 7 6 4 ♠ 3 2 However, that is slightly simplified be- ♥ K 8 3 2 N ♥ J 5 4 cause queens and jacks are not so valu- ♦ A J 4 2 W E ♦ Q 8 6 able opposite a pre-emptive hand, whilst S ♣ J ♣ A K 7 6 5 aces and kings are much more valuable. You are looking for about four quick tricks opposite a pre-empt to make game West North East South worthwhile. ? You have four obvious quick tricks in your hand and so should raise to 4♠, Pass. expecting your partner to come up with 4-4-4-1 hands with a singleton club are six tricks. the least desirable hands to open with. In 4♠ should be relatively straightfor- fact, with a full 12 points you might con- ward: losing two clubs and perhaps one sider passing. The reason why they are trump. Limited space in bridge party so undesirable is because you have to open 1♥ and since you are unbalanced you will plan to rebid in another suit and Enjoy daily duplicates on this thus imply that you have five cards in 3. Dealer North. Love All. exotic bridge cruise from your heart suit. ♠ 7 6 ♠ A K 2 Africa to Asia However, this hand is not worth a full ♥ K Q 3 2 N ♥ A 8 7 6 January 16, 2016 - 24 days twelve points: your ♣J should not be ♦ 5 3 2 W E ♦ Q 4 S from Cape Town to Colombo counted at full value, for it is likely to fall ♣ K Q 5 3 ♣ A 9 7 4 Fly to Cape Town and join Aegean Odyssey cheaply. I tend to count a singleton hon- Cruise to Port Elizabeth (Addo Elephant our (excluding the ace) at half its value on Park) • Richards Bay (Hluhluwe Game Reserve & St Lucia Nature Reserve) the first round of the auction. Until you West North East South Mayotte • Mahe • Praslin/La Digue find a fit, you cannot add on any strength 2♠1 2NT Pass Kuda Bandos • Colombo (Kandy) • Fly home for your singleton, so your hand is worth ? 16-10pts, 6 spades Great value Mr Bridge fares 11½ points and you should therefore Standard Inside from £3,995pp pass on the first round. 3♣. Standard Outside from £4,950pp North has opened with a weak pre-emp- Premium Outside from £5,295pp tive bid of 2♠. Over weak openings, your Single Supplement just £200 no-trump bids should be natural: 2NT in selected cabin categories 2. Dealer East. Game All. would show 16-19 HCP and a spade For reservations call ♠ 9 4 ♠ A K 8 7 6 5 2 stop. ♥ A K 5 4 3 N ♥ 9 2 All natural no-trump bids which are the ♦ A K 2 W E ♦ 8 7 first bid of your side should be treated in S on 01483 489961 ♣ 7 6 5 ♣ 4 2 the same way: using all the conventions that you would usually use. With plenty of strength for game, you West North East South should use Stayman to check for a 4-4 ♠ ♣ www.mrbridge.co.uk 3 Pass heart fit. Over your 3 , partner responds ? 3♥ and you reach the right game con- Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details 4♠. tract. ■

Page 10 BRIDGE August 2015 When you include all the On a different subject, stuff about movements, (and one I have bored READERS’ alerting of doubles, you with before) how is it announcing etc, it is clear that both the BBC and the that the EBU has presided commercial channels have over an escalation of managed to ignore this great complexity. The full rules game played by millions of LETTERS and rectification procedures people. After all, the cost of of duplicate bridge, as filming four players is hardly MORE no public debate about this governed by the EBU, are excessive. From a different OPENNESS PLEASE new rule and one of the two now ridiculously complicated, point of view, I hope I am not I am often surprised that you official reasons given by the and act as a strong deterrent being ageist in suggesting publish letters from readers EBU – that the 75% Rule will for many beginners, except that advertisers could reach that are critical of some enable better conversations the most enthusiastic and many of the older generation aspect of your magazine. In about the hands afterwards capable, from joining a selling products which that regard, BRIDGE must – seems particularly feeble. bridge club. They also would particularly appeal to be one of the most openly Another example, this time deter experienced players such people among which democratic publications in from personal experience: I from learning to become I include myself. Anything the UK. The contrast with am a little resentful that the directors. No you can do to push this idea the EBU’s censorious style EBU should have any control wonder many famous clubs, forward would be great and could not be more clear. over any natural bids that I such as the perhaps you might even get As an example, the EBU may wish to use in duplicate. Bridge Club, choose not to be a ‘plug’ in for yourself. has a web page dedicated to I recently proposed via the affiliated to the EBU, thereby Well, enough of that. I will the articles of in official channel – the EBU’s gaining the freedom for their end by saying how wonderful its English . Laws and Ethics Committee members, to be more helpful it is to know that, even if I (Sandra Landy is an important – that players should be able to opponents in explaining end up being the oldest man figure who lead the team that to open any hand at the their partner’s bids. in Britain, I shall still never devised the Standard English one-level that they would be Thank goodness for the master this wonderful game. System and the Bridge For happy to with – for openness of the Readers’ Mr J Stanton, All teaching platform for the example, an 8 HCP hand Letters page of BRIDGE. Chairman U3A Alton. EBU.) The articles start in containing ♠A-K-J-x-x should Something I never ever Consider taking up a 1997 and end abruptly in be able to open 1♠. Back thought I would be saying. sub yourself and pass 2006. What happened? My came a rejection from the Gavin Wilson by email. it around once you’ve guess is that the article she Committee without any real read it. Meanwhile, I am wrote for the 2008 issue of explanation, except to suggest REDISCOVERED sending you a pack of 50 BRIDGE, in which she urged that it was not ‘good bridge’, First of all let me say how recycled copies to distribute clubs to vote against the whatever that is, and that delighted I was to receive to your members. EBU’s proposed Play-to-Play such an opening would not your magazine after a scheme, was pivotal. In that be in the ‘Spirit of Level Two’, long gap, during which I JUST BRIDGE article she also noted that no which is intended for ‘newer came to believe that you I was delighted when discussion of the issue was and less experienced’ players. and it had gone forever. you announced the re- permitted in English Bridge. (This seems inconsistent with As you will guess from this instatement of your popular I sense that the EBU the EBU’s advice that it would notepaper heading, I am Just Bridge weekends, but persists in its habit of be content to see this hand writing on behalf of our many less thrilled at the prices stifling debate and not opened 2♠ at Level Two, but bridge playing members you feel you have to charge explaining its decisions. that’s not my point here.) (around a sixth of our 600 for them. Although I have One example: the EBU My point is that the EBU strong membership), who I always understood your will enforce its new ‘75% seems to be acting like the am sure would be delighted ‘no single supplement’ Rule’ from August, in which Inquisition-era Church: to receive your magazine, if policy, I wonder if the time players will find they do not stifling debate, stifling they are not already doing has come to consider a Mr get the their attempts at innovation, so. Would you be prepared Bridge ‘special’ for those performance deserves if their convinced it is right, and to send me a bulk delivery occupying a twin or double club does not use one of the seeing no need to provide of say 50 copies which room. I think this might go movements prescribed by explanations of substance for I could then distribute? down well with fans of these the EBU. (The movements its decisions. Its terse answers You won’t be surprised to events, if an acceptable insisted upon for 11 tables almost suggest to me that know that over the last few discount can be negotiated. and 17 tables will strike the EBU may have forgotten years, I have (or my wife Mr John Turner by email. many as bizarre.) There itself the justifications for has) played with all of them Thanks for the suggestion. seems to have been almost each aspect of its orthodoxy. at one time or another. See my notes on page 5.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 11 2011 Mr Bridge third page ad Amman-Athens_Layou Answers to Ancient Jordan to Bernard Magee’s Classical Bidding Quizzes 4-6 Greece on the Cover hosted by BERNARD MAGEE is important to remember that he can be 4. Dealer North. Love All. quite weak for this kind of bid. Perhaps ♠ 2 ♠ A K 5 4 3 as few as 7 or 8 points. Bearing this in ♥ K 10 3 N ♥ J 8 2 mind, the 1NT response is a reasonably ♦ A J 6 5 4 3 W E ♦ 9 positive bid, showing 9-12 points and a S ♣ 7 6 3 ♣ 9 8 5 2 stop in the opponents’ suit. Any change of suit after an overcall should also be a relatively positive bid: constructive but West North East South non-forcing. 1♣ 1♠ Pass Your hand seems to fit the bill for a 1NT ? response – your partner has shown five spades so the singleton spade should not Pass. be a worry. Keeping the auction at the Your partner has made a 1♠ overcall: it 1-level is certainly the best policy. is important to remember that he can be quite weak for this kind of bid. Perhaps Enjoy daily duplicates and 8 as few as 7 or 8 points. Bearing this in included sightseeing tours on this mind, the 1NT response is a reasonably 6. Dealer North. Love All. fascinating bridge cruise through positive bid, showing 9-12 points with a ♠ 4 3 2 ♠ A K 8 7 6 the Suez Canal to the Aegean stop in the opponents’ suit. Any change ♥ K 3 N ♥ A 8 2 of suit after an overcall should also be ♦ J 6 5 4 3 W E ♦ 9 March 21, 2016 - 14 days S from Amman to Athens a relatively positive bid: constructive but ♣ 7 6 3 ♣ 9 8 5 2 Fly to Amman and transfer to hotel* non-forcing. • Drive to Petra (overnight hotel stay and Your hand does not suit any of these sightseeing) •Drive to Aqaba to join Aegean Odyssey in Aqaba • Cruise the Red Sea responses, so you should simply pass West North East South and Suez Canal • Limassol (Kourion) and leave the auction at the 1-level. The 1♣ 1♠ Pass Antalya (Aspendos) • Rhodes • Kusadasi auction might not die here, as North ? (Ephesus & Aphrodisias) • Delos & Mykonos • Santorini (Akrotiri) might try to reopen, but that should not Athens • Fly home be a worry. 2♠. Great value Mr Bridge fares Spades are the most powerful suit in Standard Inside from £1,850pp bridge because they win the auction (for Standard Outside from £2,350pp suit contracts) at any given level. Premium Outside from £2,695pp 5. Dealer North. Love All. You should always try hard to show Single supplement just 10% ♠ 2 ♠ A K 5 4 3 support if you have it, irrespective of your For reservations call ♥ K 10 3 N ♥ J 8 2 strength. You have three-card spade ♦ A K 6 5 4 W E ♦ 9 2 support so you should raise to 2♠ – bid- S ♣ J 10 6 3 ♣ 9 5 2 ding to the level of your fit: partner has 5 on 01483 489961 + 3 = 8; bid to make eight tricks. It might seem a pointless action, but West North East South North, who probably has 18-19 points, 1♣ 1♠ Pass has now to bid at the 3-level and the ? auction might get out of control. If you www.mrbridge.co.uk pass 1♠, North will find it easy to show Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details 1NT. any suit he holds or will be able to rebid * no bridge on overnight hotel stay Your partner has made a 1♠ overcall: it in no-trumps. ■

Page 12 BRIDGE August 2015 READERS’ LETTERS demonstrates the advantages the minor. I am not: Acol is missed. Players who bid continued of ‘up the line’ bidding at a 4-card major system and I this way, then have to use a the first response to opener. believe that if you are playing convention called Checkback On page 47 Julian Pottage’s a 4-card major system, when Stayman to discover that WORST HAND answer to his first problem you have a 4-card major you they have a spade fit. This Last Thursday those sitting in the Defence Quiz is bid should open it. The reason for is all very well, but North East at my local club, exactly in the opposite way. this is simple: with a balanced has to be strong enough Market Rasen, picked up I realise the point counts are hand you are going to rebid to use it. Effectively you are the following hand. different in the responding no-trumps at your next turn. If going to need Stayman to It is the worst that I hands and the hearts stronger you do not get your major in sort out your fits have ever come across in Julian’s example, but do straightaway at the beginning, over a 1NT opener and – and I have been either of these matter? Julian you may never get it in at all. Stayman to sort out major playing for 43 years. is obviously concentrating Here is the deal that suits over a 1NT rebid as Can anyone beat this? on a different aspect of the Mr Higgins queries: well. Are you handicapping game, but right now I can’t yourself or what? see why the response is 1♥ My auction on these hands ♠ 6 5 in the Defence Quiz and 1♦ Dealer North. Game All. would go as follows: ♥ 7 5 2 in the Maxim article. I would ♠ 10 5 ♦ 8 7 5 4 be grateful if you could offer ♥ Q 9 7 6 West North East South ♣ 8 6 5 4 further guidance as to the ♦ K Q 10 7 1♠ reasons for the different bids. ♣ K 8 7 Pass 2♦1 Pass 2NT2 Kelvyn Higgins by email. ♠ K 9 6 2 ♠ A Q 7 Pass 3NT3 All Pass Guy Grainger, ♥ J 4 N ♥ 10 8 5 3 110+ HCP W E Market Rasen. ♦ 5 4 3 S ♦ J 9 6 2 215-19 HCP, forcing Don’t all rush to put pen to ♣ J 9 6 2 ♣ Q 3 3No need for checkback. Knows paper, but I do agree with Mr ♠ J 8 4 3 there can be no 8-card major fit. Grainger that it’s pretty poor. ♥ A K 2 ♦ A 8 The given bidding shows how SALLY WRONG ♣ A 10 5 4 far 5-card major thinking I enjoyed reading Sally has invaded Acol. I am very Brock’s offering in your happy to play 5-card majors, excellent magazine. However, West North East South but when I am playing I feel I must comment on the Ned Paul replies. 1♣ Acol I will always open a hand she discusses on page What an eagle eye Pass 1♥ Pass 1NT 4-card major in preference 47 of the June issue (BRIDGE Mr Higgins has. Pass 3NT All Pass to a 4-card minor. And, 150). Barry and Sally arrived Acol bidding was described for goodness sake, if you at an unmakeable 5♥ by its founder Skid Simon as, South opens 1♣, preferring are playing with me, then contract simply through poor ‘not so much a system, more this to 1♠, and North when responding please bid bidding. Barry responded 1♠ an attitude of mind.’ There is responds 1♥, skipping over 4-card suits up-the-line. to Sally’s opening 1♥ when no official Acol system – even the diamond, and with the he was strong enough to bid the EBU’s ‘Standard English’ greatest respect to Julian, this EXPLANATION his length in clubs first. I am system provokes discussions, is exactly the bidding style I have recently returned only a moderate player but disagreement and I was preaching against in from one of your bridge it is clear to me that after 2♣ sometimes, heated debate. my article. In my opinion, cruises. In the course of from Barry, Sally should bid One of the biggest most chances of a diamond play, I learned of the phrase 3♥ (not 2 or 4) to show her debating points is what contract are now lost for ever. ‘mechanical error’ and the 6 loser hand with at least 6 to open when you have a South with a definition of the term. hearts. It would be so easy balanced hand that contains chooses to rebid 1NT. This Since arriving home, I for Barry to close with 4♥, both a four-card major and ignores the spade suit but at have tried to explain to which is the correct contract. a four-card minor (and is least shows the shape. To bid fellow club members what Frank Salt, Deva BC outside the range of your ‘up-the-line’ by rebidding this means. Indeed, they all I have forwarded your 1NT bid). There are those 1♠, would keep spades in the keep saying I am making it comments to Sally. who advocate opening the frame but suggest that the up and will not believe me major and those who prefer clubs were at least five cards until they see it in print. POINTS OF VIEW the minor. Views are strongly long. All the bidding shown Please write an explanation In BRIDGE 147, March 2015, held on this – it’s almost a works fine on this layout but of this term in BRIDGE so on page 19 in the series matter of religion. Julian change North’s spades and I can redeem myself in the Maxims from Ned Paul, is obviously in the camp of over and now an eyes of my fellow members. Step On Every Stair clearly those who prefer to open 8-card spade fit has been Marie Taylor by email.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 13 2015 FESTIVE Answers to Bernard Magee’s SEASON EVENTS Bidding Quizzes 7-9 Denham Grove on the Cover Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU

Double. South opens 1NT and it is your 7. Dealer West. Love All. turn to call. It is tempting to overcall in ♠ A 2 ♠ 8 7 5 spades, but that would understate your ♥ K Q 9 6 5 N ♥ A 10 4 3 hand. Any overcall suggests less strength ♦ 9 8 7 6 W E ♦ A 2 than a penalty double, which in turn S ♣ A K ♣ 9 8 4 2 means that your partner will not raise to Christmas game. 23-27 December £495 Over 2♠ on this hand, East would sim- Further into the Auction West North East South ply pass. 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ Instead, when you hold a good 15 (or Just Bridge) with Will Parsons ? points or more, you should be making a Twixmas penalty double. ♦ ♥ 27-29 December £245 3 . You opened 1 , North overcalled On many occasions, your opponents 1♠ and then your partner supported, might escape (perhaps to 2♥ on this Splinters & Cue Bids ♠ with Bernard Magee creating a very competitive auction. What hand), but then when you rebid 2 , your are your ambitions on the board? partner will place you with the equivalent New Year You have a pretty good hand: 16 HCP, of 16 points and, with his 9 points, he 29 Dec – 2 Jan £445 a reasonable five-card suit and two aces. would go for game. Better Leads & Switches The losing trick count gives 5 losers, but with Bernard Magee this is an over-statement of the hand’s values – always be wary of hands with 9. Dealer East. N/S Game. two doubletons when using the losing ♠ K Q 7 6 ♠ A J 10 3 2 Wyndham Garden trick count. However, although the hand ♥ 9 N ♥ 7 6 2 Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT is not worth a jump to game, it is cer- ♦ Q 7 6 5 W E ♦ K 9 2 S tainly worth inviting to game. ♣ 6 4 3 2 ♣ A 7 It is important to note that 3♥ does not invite game – it is a competitive bid – instead, you must choose another bid West North East South below 3♥: 2NT, 3♣ or 3♦. These bids 1♠ Dbl are called game tries and I usually like ? to bid the suit I need help in – where I Christmas have the most losers. Here you should bid 3♠. Your partner opens 1♠ and South 3♦ which says, ‘Partner, I think there is a doubles for take-out. Holding a weak 23-27 December £495 chance for game in hearts, particularly if hand with 4+ spade support, you must Signals & Discards and TakeOut you can get rid of my losers in diamonds.’ bid spades – your job is to make it difficult Doubles with Shelia Rogers Your partner has a particularly good for your opponents to enter the auction. Twixmas holding in diamonds – just the one loser, South wants his partner to bid his best so he jumps to 4♥. suit and you do not want him mentioning 27-29 December £215 hearts. Game Tries Just 7 HCP, but you do have a 8. Dealer South. Love All. singleton: against that you have an New Year ♠ K Q 8 7 6 5 ♠ 9 3 aceless hand that should slow you down. 29 Dec – 1 Jan £345 ♥ A K N ♥ 7 6 4 However, when deciding between a raise Suit Establishment ♦ A 7 4 W E ♦ 9 8 6 5 to 2♠ and 3♠ after a take-out double, S ♣ 8 3 ♣ A K Q 5 you should always opt for 3♠ because of Back to Back bookings its pre-emptive value. You hope that 3♠ will win the auc- save £50 per booking. West North East South tion because North might find it difficult Booking Form on page 8. 1NT to bid 4♥ when vulnerable – he will not ? have too much strength after all. ■

Page 14 BRIDGE August 2015 READERS’ LETTERS the call that you intended. continued Since this sort of mistake is often made while reaching CHARITY EVENTS for a card but pulling out the AUGUST 3 SPRING. Poole based charity I have asked David wrong one, the popular term supporting parents through Stevenson to explain. for it is a mechanical error. 20 Kettering Homestart loss of their baby in pregnancy There is no official The director will have to Soroptimist International, or just after birth. Kettering, Non Progressive Bridge drive at Horton Village definition of mechanical decide whether a call (or Bridge drive & tea at Hall, Wimborne, Dorset. Coffee error. It is a means play) was unintended or Lubenham Village Hall. at 10.30am, lunch with wine of explaining the not, without ever looking 1.45 for 2pm. £30 per table. and tea at 3.15pm. difference between two at the player’s hand. In Cath Marlow ( 01858 462622 £60 per table. Stella Brake sorts of mistakes. most situations it is fairly 26 The Rotary Club of Howden ( 01202 624224 Suppose you reach for obvious and in fact the Shire Hall, Howden. 10.30 for [email protected] the and pull director is rarely called. The 11am. £12.50 per person to 23 Wessex Cancer Trust out a 3♣ bid. Looking down change is permitted by the include coffee/tea on arrival and lunch. Prizes and Raffle. Rubber bridge night at you realise that 3♣ is not opponents without comment. Michael Merrett The Dovetail Centre, the correct bid. There are ( 01430 431604 Chandlersford Methodist two possible things that NEW SERIES [email protected] Church, Winchester Road, Chandlersford, Southampton. may have happened. I have been a regular reader £8 per person. First, you may have meant of BRIDGE since it first SEPTEMBER Mrs Christine Pennell to bid 3♣ at the time you appeared in 1994 and over ( 02380 791046 2 GYDA. Corn Exchange, reached for the bidding the years have had many Faringdon, Oxon. £15 includes NOVEMBER box, but now realise it is letters published. Although lunch. 10.30 for 11am to 4pm. a mistake. Maybe you I had articles published in Steve Braithwaite 3-5 British Red Cross are playing and Bridge Plus, I have never ( 01367 240929 Birkholme Manor, Corby, Grantham NG33 4LF. intended to show clubs: submitted an article to 3 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE 3 & 4 Nov. 10 for 10.30am maybe you have realised BRIDGE. You have some of ROTARY CLUB to 3.15pm. 3-course lunch, Outlane Golf Club. your hand is too strong or the top bridge writers in the glass of wine, raffle. £17.50pp 12 for 12.30pm. £50 per table too weak to bid 3♣: players world and it would be hard 5 Nov. 1pm for 1.30pm to including lunch, afternoon 4.30pm. Tea, raffle. £10pp. have even been known to to emulate them, so until tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. Penny Hedley Lewis think ahead (more often now I have confined myself Limited to 22 tables. ( 01476 550255 Rtn Sam Smith when playing cards from to letters. However, you have penny.hedleylewis ( 01924 492540 dummy than when bidding said you are looking for new @farmline.com samuelsmith396 but the rule is the same) and writers and implied that they @btinternet.com 16 Riding for the Disabled were going to bid something need not be bridge experts. Newcastle Bridge Club 11 St Mary’s Church else this round and 3♣ next My current submission is President’s Charity Night. Eaton Socon Mourne Golf Club, Newcastle, round. This is a change of 520 words and also includes Church Hall Eaton Socon Co Down. 7-10pm. mind and the call (or play) a graphic, so I wondered if I 10 for 10.30am. £14. Tea, sandwiches & cakes. Malcolm Howarth may not be changed since could submit it as an article? £20 per table. ( 01480 212910 3♣ was what you intended If you feel 520 words is too Mrs Patricia Fitzpatrick- ( 07751 584258 to bid (or play) at the time. much I can reduce it or you 26 St Peters Church Second, when you may wish to edit it yourself. Bridge drive at Leire Village 14 RNLI reached for the bidding box Ian Dalziel, Hall. 12.30 to 4pm. £14.50. Cheltenham Bridge Club Chrissie Taylor you meant to bid 3♦ but Troon, Ayrshire. 1-5pm. £10. ( 01455 202165 pulled the 3♣ bid out by Thank you. Go to page 17 Tea/coffee & cakes. Margaret Beverley ♣ mistake. Now the 3 bid for the first of a regular OCTOBER ( 01242 510193 was unintended and the law column of ideas for bridge allows you to change it to teachers. ■ 2 St Andrew’s Church Funds 19 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE St Neots Bowling Club, Anselm ROTARY CLUB Place, St Neots PE19 1AP. £14. Outlane Golf Club. Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Jean Searle 12 for 12.30pm. £50 per table including lunch, afternoon Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ( 01480 212298 tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. or e-mail [email protected] 2 RNLI. Salwarpe Village Hall, Limited to 22 tables. E-mail correspondents are asked Droitwich, Worcs. WR9 0AH. Rtn Sam Smith to include their name, full postal 10.30 for 11am. ( 01924 492540 address, telephone number and to £12.50pp includes buffet lunch. samuelsmith396 Pam Main ( 01905 381395 @btinternet.com send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 15 TRAVEL INSURANCE Last month I told you that I have been Answers to Bernard Magee’s planning my personal travel arrangements for the coming year and my travel insurance cover. I am sure you are aware that when Bidding Quizzes 10-12 we reach a certain age, as I have, insurance premiums start to rise, especially with pre-existing medical conditions. I have had on the Cover to seek out a new policy provider as my insurer for many years no longer wants my business. I have embarked upon researching this with my usual energy. As Acumen but also denying length in either major. Insurance Services Limited advertise their 10. Dealer East. Love All. When a minor is supported, then both Genesis brand, there are some points on their Cover Cloud travel insurance product ♠ A 9 8 3 2 ♠ K 5 4 members of the partnership should have that I am sure will be of particular interest. ♥ K 2 N ♥ A Q J 3 aspirations towards no-trumps and all Under their trading names, Genesis ♦ 7 6 W E ♦ 8 4 their bids will be directed in that direction S and Cover Cloud, they are able to ♣ J 8 7 6 ♣ A K Q 9 until they get to the 4-level (above 3NT). cover any age of traveller and most Bearing in mind the above, the most pre-existing medical conditions. Cruise Cover is standard to all Cover sensible bid with your hand is a Cloud policies and Ski cover can be taken West North East South which expresses your desire to play in di- right up to 69 years of age, which is quite 1♥ Pass amonds right away: 4♣. This would sug- unusual. They have also negotiated with 1♠ Pass 2NT1 Pass gest a distributional hand which was not their underwriters on the medical side of ? 118-19 interested in playing in 3NT but was very the policy and if you fit into the following criteria you may be able to take advantage interested in trying for slam. of this low cost policy on Annual and Single 3♣. Your partner rebids 2NT which, in Your plan will be to follow up a cue bid Trips up to a maximum age of 79 years. modern Acol, shows 18-19 points. Any from partner with a 5♣ cue bid which Basically the definitions of pre-existing bid from you now is forcing to game, would suggest a void in clubs. Your part- medical conditions is as follows: ‘Any past which means that you can discuss the ner would bid 4♥ on this hand and over or current medical condition that has given best option rather than having to guess. 5♣, he should go for the slam, with his rise to symptoms or for which any form of treatment or prescribed medication, You would like to play in a spade contract control in spades. medical consultation, investigation or if your partner has three-card support, follow-up/check-up has been required but rather than simply rebid spades, or received during the 24 months prior you do best to make your natural rebid 12. Dealer West. Love All. to the commencement of cover under in your second suit to make the situation ♠ A K 5 4 3 ♠ 7 6 this policy and/or prior to any trip.’ Therefore, if you have not experienced clear: 3♣. Your partner will be worried ♥ 8 6 N ♥ K Q 10 9 7 3 any of the above within the 24 months prior about diamonds now, but his first duty is ♦ 5 2 W E ♦ J 7 4 S to the commencement of cover, you will to show his delayed spade support and ♣ K Q J 7 ♣ 10 8 be accepted. However, great care should you would end in 4♠. be taken in checking your medical history The strong 2NT rebid gives you room to ensure that you fit the criteria exactly. I am now a Cover Cloud Policy holder, to explore, rather than a 3NT rebid which West North East South but this is in no way a recommendation ends the auction. 3NT would have failed 1♠ 1NT 2♥ Pass as you would have to check the policy on a diamond lead, whilst 4♠ should ? to ensure it suits your particular make comfortably on a normal trump requirements in every way. break. Pass. What does your partner’s 2♥ bid Putting travel to one side for a moment, when you click onto the Genesis logo from mean? my website and select ‘Get Quote’, you Not an easy one this one, because will see that there are now a wide range of North’s 1NT overcall disrupts the mean- insurance products available to members 11. Dealer West. Love All. ings of all your bids. Had your partner including Home Emergency, Mobile ♠ Q J 9 5 ♠ K 7 6 been strong, he should have doubled Phone/Gadget, Home Appliance plus Pet ♥ K Q 7 N ♥ A 2 1NT for penalties, which means all the Insurance. I am sure you will find some of ♦ A K 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ Q 10 9 4 3 2-level responses show weaker competi- interest. If you are interested in any of the S above do email me at bridge@mrbridge. ♣ Void ♣ J 8 2 tive hands. 2♥ means that your partner co.uk giving me your name, address and thinks playing in 2♥ will give your side telephone number and I will ask the very the best score – you should pass unless helpful people at Genesis Choice Travel West North East South you have a very long suit or extremely Insurance Specialists to ring you and answer any questions you might have. 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass distributional hand. This is as enthusiastic an endorsement as I ? No-trump bids define a player’s hand dare make without getting into trouble. accurately and once they are bid (from Ring 01702 345032. Mr Bridge 4♣. Your partner has raised to 3♦ either side) many of the meanings of sub- showing 10-12 points and 4+ diamonds, sequent bids are different. ■

Page 16 BRIDGE August 2015 Teacher’s Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel Class Photos

any people who learn to play the start. ing on stools or chairs. It is best if you bridge at a class will remem- Modern cameras can produce quite don’t need a flash as that can cause red ber their classmates for the good photos even if you are unskilled eye, but that will depend on the light- Mrest of their lives, hence the impor- as a photographer. Since everyone, in- ing. Do make sure everyone is smiling tance of a class photograph. As well cluding the teacher, will need to be in when the camera is about to shoot. as reminding you of the friends you the photo, it can be taken by the hus- There is lots of laughter when we made, it is good to be able to show the band or wife of a class member; they take the photos. At my classes, they picture to your family. The picture can will usually bring their own camera. I draw for partners and tables so in a be e-mailed to everyone in the class have, however, bought a tripod (£10- few weeks everyone knows everyone. along with a ‘name plan’, very useful £15 from Amazon) so that I can take If your class self-selects their tables, if you aren’t too good at remembering the photos and be in them myself. I you might not get the same camarade- names. People can print it or view it get everyone positioned with a space rie in the photo. on their laptop, tablet or smartphone. for me in the centre and use the cam- Try and take the photo when a near The photo can be published on the era timer to give me time to get in the full turnout is expected, otherwise club or county web site which might shot. My camera normally takes 10 add individual photos on the name encourage others to take up the game. shots at 5 second intervals – that way, plan when you email the main photo. Friends and acquaintances, who may you get a least one photograph where I either email the ‘best photo’ or be more experienced players, may rec- no-one has their eyes closed. send them all and let each person ognise someone and can then mentor You need 3 rows for a class of 20-24. choose the one they think is best. The them, at least on their first club visit. The bottom row sit cross-legged on the photos will be 4-8 MB and therefore Be assured, these class photos really floor, the middle row are seated and the too big for e-mailing so I reduce them are very much appreciated. Although back row standing. This way, no-one to 200 KB before sending; that’s good I have been teaching bridge full time gets hidden by someone else’s head. enough for most people, but I always for 38 years, I have taken photos only If you have a really big class, you can offer a full size photo by request, espe- recently, but I wish I had done so from have another row at the back stand- cially if they want to print it. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 17 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics An Inadvertent Jump in the Bidding?

Would you was in the wrong: if a I played the ♦8 from my decide whether it was please advise player asks an entirely hand and my left hand inadvertent and allow the Qme on the law inappropriate question opponent played the change only if he believes regarding this situation of partner, she should ♦10. I intended to play it to be inadvertent. From that occurred at our ignore it, not answer it. a heart, but called for your description, I cannot club. North dealt and So, West has unauthorised the spade inadvertently tell whether the director opened 1♣; East bid 2♦ information and he must and then, realising my misunderstood the law in without using the stop do his absolute best not to error, corrected the call. this position, or whether card; South passed; West benefit from it in any way. My right hand he decided that it was not asked his partner if she If West had a hand that opponent said nothing, inadvertent. If the former had intended to jump, should not or even might but my left hand he made a mistake, but if East answered, ‘No.’ not be passing a jump to opponent called the the latter, it is a judgement then West passed; North, 2♦, then the director should director who ruled decision that he has made. having 4-4-1-4 shape, adjust the score accordingly, against me. I conferred doubled and the bidding assuming West would not get with another director ♣♦♥♠ ended with South playing a better score by bidding. after this ruling who in spades. Should East Of course, if the 2♦ bid agreed that I was At a local club, have been allowed to was inadvertent then East able to correct my call. I held the West change her bid, though it is allowed to change it. Can you kindly give Qhand below: was inadvertent but only The trouble is that I do not your ruling on this? pointed out by West? believe it was inadvertent. Ronald Gibbons by email. Do any other sanctions Probably she did not mean Dealer South. E/W Vul. apply as a result of to jump, but that does not If you call for a card ♠ A 4

West’s comment? mean it is inadvertent. If, at inadvertently, and ♥ A Q J 4 N Nicholas Beswick, Brynmawr. the moment her hand went correct or attempt ♦ A J 6 2 W E A S to the box, she meant to to correct it without pause ♣ A Q 10 First and foremost, bid 2♦, then the bid is not for thought, then you may ♠ Q J 7 6 3 the director needs inadvertent and may not be correct it to the card you ♥ Void A to tell West firmly changed. Bidding 2♦ over intended. So, if you intended ♦ Q 8 7 5 3 that the game is played 1♣, but not meaning to jump, to play a heart but called ♣ K 6 4 through interchange of calls: is a very common mistake. for a spade inadvertently, you are not allowed to ask then you may correct it. your partner questions and ♣♦♥♠ However, if you changed West North East South it was very wrong to do so. your mind, or were thinking 1♠ No doubt this was not a very As declarer, I a trick ahead and actually Dbl 2♠ Pass 3♠ experienced player otherwise was playing meant to say a spade at the Dbl All Pass I would suggest a procedural Qin a contract time you said it, however penalty against West. of 4♥. I drew all the poor a play that is, then 3♠ doubled made. At Second, the director trumps and apart from you may not change it. It the other tables, E/W needs to tell East, much a winning spade had has to be inadvertent. made 3NT or 4♥. more mildly, that she only trumps in dummy. The director has to My partner

Page 18 BRIDGE August 2015 Ask David continued is legal and not alertable. had a balanced 12 HCP If they have a system card but decided not to open they should write ‘possible as her intermediates very light openings’ on it were all small. After complained that the and show the range for the last card had been opening bid was a opening bids as 8-20. played, my LHO, who psyche, with which happened to be the Baltic Capitals I disagreed. The ♣♦♥♠ director, questioned the & Stockholm opponents do not play legality of my opening weak twos. Apparently, After fifty years bid. He ruled himself out Archipelago South has bid previously of playing and called his deputy on these values. Is the Qsocial bridge, I who listened to what bid legitimate? If so, decided to join a local had happened, looked should it have been bridge club to see how I at my cards and ruled alerted as part of the fared against duplicate that I should be awarded system? Personally, I players. I came in on 40% of the average for thought it was a very their ‘improvers session’, that hand. I accepted clever, instinctive bid where the conventions his decision, but in my from a player with that may be used are defence I said I always good card sense. printed on the score understood that, after Departs Newcastle Margaret Bleakley by email. card. One of which states three passes, fourth seat 30th July 2016 • 13 nights that 11+ HCP are needed could protect if the hand Balmoral • L1617 It is legal to play an to open the bidding. On warranted it. He replied opening bid as weak the hand in question, that if I wished to play • Newcastle • Cruising Stockholm Archipelago A as eight or more after three passes, I like that, I should go and • Stockholm, Sweden points and also eighteen found myself looking at: play in one of the more (overnight) • Cruising or more ‘Opening points’, advanced sessions. Stockholm Archipelago • Tallinn, Estonia where opening points are My question is: did • St. Petersburg, Russian defined as the number of ♠ J 10 6 5 3 all parties concerned, Federation (overnight) points plus the number of ♥ Q J 6 including me, act cor- • , • Copenhagen, Denmark • Newcastle cards in the two longest ♦ Q 9 2 rectly? I have no wish to suits. This hand just qualifies, ♣ A 10 ‘score points’ off anyone, Daily bridge on board, bridge having eight HCP and two only to learn and im- fees included. Mr Bridge welcome five-card suits making 18 prove myself and to drinks party. Partners for single players. Special solos offers. (8+5+5) opening points. At love all, I opened understand the mysteri- Whether it is a psyche or 1♠ with the intention ous ways of directors. Great value Mr Bridge fares: not depends on whether it is of stealing a small Name and address supplied. normal for this pair to open part score. My partner Inside twin cabins from £1,259pp Outside twin cabins from £1,489pp such a hand, but it would not jumped to 2NT. I I am shocked that the Superior Balcony cabins from £2,429pp really matter since psyches reasoned that if she director is prepared are legal. Since you say the could not open the to give an average Solos offer – A Outside twin cabin for opener has bid before on bidding, we did not have minus in an improvers sole occupancy from £2,209pp these values, it seems to be enough to continue. She session for being one point part of their system, which made 3NT. Actually, she out of range. Since you seem Balmoral to have some reasonable idea of bridge, I suggest you find a better class of DUPLICATE BRIDGE duplicate and try that. Whatever the rules, being one point out of your RULES SIMPLIFIED announced range is never (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) illegal and it is quite wrong to adjust the score for it. ■ For reservations call Mr Bridge by John Rumbelow and only on 01483 489961 95 revised by David Stevenson £5 E-mail your questions www.mrbridge.co.uk on bridge laws to: davidstevenson Terms and conditions apply – see Fred.Olsen 2016 brochure or Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 @mrbridge.co.uk www.fredolsencruises.com for details.

BRIDGE August 2015 FOC308983_MR_BRIDGE_Mag_June_strip_ads_W.C.15.06.15_FV2.inddPage25/06/2015 19 16:23 4 Catching Up by Sally Brock

allinn was wonderful. We rather have shown my longest suit stayed in a ground floor studio already). West overcalled 2♠ (3♠ would Dealer West. Love All. apartment just opposite St perhaps have been more effective) and ♠ J 10 8 7 TOlaf’s Church, which, until the mid- North volunteered 3♦. I think I would ♥ A J 10 6 5 18th century, was the tallest building have raised straight to the grand slam ♦ Void in the world. One day, we even climbed with the South hand but somehow ♣ J 8 7 2 to the top of it – it certainly seemed a they got into Exclusion Blackwood ♠ 6 5 3 ♠ K ♥ Q N ♥ K 8 7 3 2 long way up to our ageing, creaking and, when asking for the queen of W E knees, but we didn’t (couldn’t, thank trumps, a misunderstanding ensued ♦ A 9 8 7 5 3 S ♦ K J 10 4 goodness) go up into the spire, so it that left them in the small slam. ♣ 10 9 3 ♣ A 6 4 wasn’t really that far. ♠ A Q 9 4 2 We went to quite a lot of fascinating ♥ 9 4 small museums, ate a lot of interesting Dealer East. N/S Game. ♦ Q 6 2 food – maybe the highlight was a big ♠ 9 7 4 ♣ K Q 5 bowl of elk soup for €2 in the town ♥ J 9 8 3 hall one lunch time. We went to the ♦ K Q J 5 4 Modern Art Museum and then for a ♣ 6 At our table, South opened 1♠ and I long walk along Tallinn Bay. All in overcalled 3♦. North bid 4♦ and East N ♦ all, a really nice break and a fantastic W E 5 . After two passes, North pressed on Christmas present. S to 5♠, a contract we couldn’t beat (I led the queen of hearts but I don’t think ♣♦♥♠ ♠ Void anything else is any better). ♥ A K Q 10 7 In the other room, South opened a For most of the month, it has been ♦ A 6 3 2 weak no-trump (as I would have done pretty quiet bridge-wise. We won a ♣ A K Q 5 – the style these days is to open 1NT match, though again made with 5-3-3-2 hands with a five-card heavy weather of it. We were at home, major when you are in range). West but since we were playing a team from However, two sets later at half-time we passed and North bid 2♣. East joined Bath and our other pair (Chris and were only 32 IMPs up. After the break, in with 2♥ and South bid 2♠. West Taf/Pat) live there, it seemed sensible we had another good set and were now bid 3♦ and North 3♠. East bid 4♦ and to travel there for it. We were playing 54 IMPs up, but proceeded to lose 18 everyone passed. After a club lead, this a team we should have beaten easily IMPs in each of the last two sets to went one down and was a big loss for and, indeed we were 33 IMPs up after hang on to win by 18 IMPs. our team. eight boards. We had one of our nice slam ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ auctions in this first set, though how they managed to miss the grand slam After struggling in two knock-out Otherwise, life ticks along. Briony has in the other room, I will never know matches recently (that Gold Cup and finished her internship with Child (see next column). last month’s Crockford’s), we finally Bereavement UK and soon starts her Barry chose to open 1♥ and I raised succumbed and lost a match – a first ‘proper’ job doing corporate fund- to 4♥. He bid 5♦ which we play as a NICKO match. We were 24 up at half- raising for Stoke Mandeville Spinal second suit, I raised to 6♦ and he bid time against Malcolm Harris’s team, Research charity. 7♥. It took about 20 seconds. who staged a spirited recovery to beat In the other room, the South us by one. hand opened 2♣ (I prefer 1♥ – even This was a terrible board for our If you’d like to play in the ProBridge online club, visit www.pro-bridge.co.uk though the hand is very strong, if the team-mates, but it is easy to see why or email Sally at [email protected]. opponents bid lots of spades I would they went wrong:

Page 20 BRIDGE August 2015 Catching Up continued Dealer North. Love All. ♠ A 8 6 4 ♥ A J DECLARER Toby is home from ♦ 8 7 6 university for good (well, ♣ A K 8 3 PLAY maybe) and we are waiting to hear what level of degree N W E he has achieved (fingers and S QUIZ toes all crossed for him). No real news on the ♠ J by David Huggett house-selling front, though ♥ K 9 8 3 2 we have had a woefully in- ♦ A K 10 5 3 2 (Answers on page 25) adequate offer. However, ♣ 10 that is the first offer we have ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. had so it’s progress. Now YIn each case, what is your play strategy? Briony has a job near Ayles- West North East South bury, I’m not so sure it’s such 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass 3♥ a good idea to move. If I did 1. ♠ A J 10 3 3. ♠ 6 5 4 3 Pass 4♦ Pass 4NT sell, I would probably rent ♥ 7 5 3 ♥ J 10 7 Pass 5♣ Pass 6♦ somewhere near High Wy- ♦ A 8 3 ♦ 6 5 All Pass combe for the time being. ♣ 6 5 2 ♣ A 10 7 5

N ♣♦♥♠ West led a club, unsurpris- N W E ingly and it is a question of W E S We have been busy with the combining as many chances S ProBridge Online Bridge as possible. I won the club ♠ K 9 8 5 4 ♠ A K 2 Club. I would really like to and played a diamond to my ♥ K 6 2 ♥ K Q 8 encourage you to come and ace, West playing the queen, ♦ K Q J 5 ♦ A K 8 join us. We have extended so I was probably going to ♣ A ♣ Q J 9 8 our taster session offer, so play East for J-x-x. Then, I everyone’s first session is played a heart to the ace and free. If you are frightened the jack from the dummy, You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 3NT by the idea of playing on- covered by the queen and West leads the ♣J. How and West leads the ♦3 with line or using Skype we also king. What now? I crossed do you plan the play? East playing the ♦J. How offer an introductory one- back to dummy and played do you plan the play? to-one session to help you a diamond to my ten and get used to it all. For further lost to West’s jack. He exited information you can email in a black suit and I had to me ([email protected]) decide whether to play for 2. ♠ 5 4 4. ♠ 7 6 4 3 or ProBridge direct (info@ hearts 3-3 or take a ruffing ♥ K 7 2 ♥ A 6 3 2 pro-bridge.co.uk). . And, you’ve guessed ♦ Q 6 3 ♦ J 9 6 4 it, I went wrong (by playing ♣ J 7 5 4 2 ♣ 9 ♣♦♥♠ for a 3-3 break). That was N a very big swing in a short N W E Then, I went to Spain for six match when they stayed in W E S days to stay with my friend game in the other room. S Roz who has a house there, This is a really beautiful ♠ A J 10 9 8 2 ♠ A K Q near La Manga. Also stay- part of the world and not ♥ A 6 3 ♥ 7 4 ing were our friends Gilly very touristy at all. We had ♦ A J ♦ Q 7 and Jane. We had a fantas- so many meals outside over- ♣ A 3 ♣ A K Q 10 3 2 tic time, relaxing, eating, looking the sea. It was such drinking, playing bridge and a success, I think it might shopping in markets. We well become an annual fix- You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 3NT played a two-session teams ture. Even swimming was West leads the ♥J. How do and West leads the ♠J. (consecutive evenings) in too much effort – we did get you plan the play? How do you plan the play? which we didn’t do very well into our swim suits once but but had a lot of fun. How after that put them in the would you play this slam? boot … just in case! ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 21 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions What Should I Rivers, Canals & Overcall with City Overnight s 16-17 Points?

These were the If North does decide to ment is that a bid in the other hands from a double, which is an aggres- major (eg 2NT-3♣-3♠-4♥) Qduplicate game: sive, but not a wildly aggres- agrees opener’s suit, leav- sive action, a later bid of 2♥ ing 4NT free as invitational. is natural, even if East has ♠ A J 9 bid hearts. After a take-out ♣♦♥♠ Departs Southampton ♥ A K J 9 8 6 double, only bids in opener’s 18th March 2016 • 7 nights ♦ K J 4 first suit are cue bids; bids I had always ♣ 2 in other suits are natural. been led to Balmoral • L1604 ♠ 6 5 3 2 N ♠ 8 7 4 believe that W E Q • Southampton • Cruising ♥ Q S ♥ 10 7 5 3 2 ♣♦♥♠ an Acol strong two did Western Scheldt river ♦ A Q 9 8 7 ♦ 2 not promise any spe- • Antwerp, Belgium • Hamburg, Germany ♣ A 9 5 ♣ K Q 8 3 What response cific point count but was (overnight) • Cruising Elbe ♠ K Q 10 should I make based on about 8½ to River • Cruising North ♥ 4 with a balanced 9 playing tricks. Is this Sea Canal • Amsterdam, Q ♦ Netherlands (overnight) 10 6 5 3 11 points over part- now old-fashioned? • Cruising North Sea Canal ♣ J 10 7 6 4 ner’s opening 2NT? John Hankin by email. • Southampton Bernadette Gilmer, Dublin. Playing Acol twos is Daily bridge on board, bridge After South passes and If you have a 4333 a little old fashioned fees included. Mr Bridge welcome West opens 1♦, what type, you should in itself. These days, drinks party. Partners for single A players. Special solos offers. should North bid? A either pass or bid many people play Benja- I found an article by an invitational 4NT depend- min or have only one way Great value Mr Bridge fares: Bernard which cov- ing upon the quality of your of showing a strong hand.

Inside twin cabins from £589pp ered the 8-15 overcall intermediate cards. A 4333 Traditionally, an Acol two Outside twin cabins from £719pp situation extensively 11 point hand with poor shows a near game hand. In Superior Balcony cabins from £1,079pp and included a brief intermediates does not of- terms of point count, it has Solos offer – paragraph about hands fer good play for a slam always been stronger than Outside twin cabin for with 18+ HCP, but could facing 20-22 balanced. a pre-emptive hand. One sole occupancy from £839pp not see mention of the If you are not 4333, it is famous textbook describes 16-17 HCP hands. usually right to use Stayman the strong openings as, Balmoral Chris Williams, or whatever convention you ‘reserved for hands of power Crowthorne, Berkshire. are playing to investigate and quality that do not qualify a fit. With 31-32 points for a 2♣ opening.’ While An unbalanced hand between the two hands, the I agree there is no specific with 18+ points is extra trick-taking potential point count, the words ‘near A generally going to be of playing in a suit contract game’ as well as ‘power and too strong for a simple suit in which your side has a fit quality’ give you the flavour. overcall. With most 16-17 often makes the difference A couple of ways of testing point hands, it is OK to make between 11 tricks and 12. the suitability of a hand are to For reservations call Mr Bridge a simple overcall. You can If you do use Stayman, it ask yourself (i) if I had an ace also make a strong jump is important to agree with more, might I open 2♣? (ii) If on 01483 489961 overcall if you are playing your partner whether a my hand had less potential, www.mrbridge.co.uk those. This North hand has six subsequent 4NT is asking would I open one of my suit

Terms and conditions apply – losers on the losing trick count for key cards with opener’s and rebid three of it? You see Fred.Olsen 2016 brochure or and is not going to make suit agreed or whether it is would be looking for a yes in www.fredolsencruises.com for details. game without some help. quantitative. A useful agree- both cases.

FOC308983_MR_BRIDGE_Mag_June_strip_ads_W.C.15.06.15_FV3.inddPage 22 29/06/2015 14:47 3 BRIDGE August 2015 Ask Julian continued with five-card heart 2. When LHO as dealer support and intended opens the bidding with her bid as forcing. one of a minor, do you What is the best way double or bid 1NT in Please could to bid these hands? protective fourth seat you tell me Angela Horsfall, Edinburgh. (11-14 HCP), holding both Qabout inverted majors and a minor stop? France minor-suit raises? A very long time ago 3. Similarly to 2 Mini-Cruises Len Macauley, (I am talking 50 years above, but holding 5-4 Staining, Lancashire. A or so) it was quite in the majors, do you common to play a jump raise double or overcall in The concept is that a as forcing. Nowadays, more the five-card major? raise of 1♣ to 3♣ or or less everyone plays the Geoff Simpson by email. A 1♦ to 3♦ is weaker raise as non-forcing. Indeed, than a raise to the two level. it is probably more common 1. On many hands When you are weak, this to play the raise as pre- where you have a full Departs Southampton helps keep the opposition emptive than it is to play it as A value opening and 25th March 2016 • 2 nights out of the bidding. However, forcing. In the absence of any would have passed a penalty Balmoral • L1605 the main advantage comes agreement to the contrary, double, it is likely to be right with stronger hands. You the jump raise is a limit raise, to reopen with a double. • Southampton can use the forcing single about 11 points or 8 losers. If you have a pronounced • Boulogne-sur-Mer, France • Southampton raise on both invitational and Your partner should have two-suiter or you are void game-forcing hands. With made a different bid. One in the overcaller’s suit, you Great value Mr Bridge fares: standard methods, one can solution is to play a 2NT reply probably would not have Inside twin cabins from £189pp be a bit stuck with a game- to one of a major as showing passed a penalty double Outside twin cabins from £219pp forcing hand in support of a game-forcing raise. If you and so you do not reopen Superior Balcony cabins from £339pp partner’s minor: you either play in a tournament, almost with a double either. Solos offer – invent another suit (gener- everyone will be doing that. In If you have opened light, I Outside twin cabin for ally the other minor) or bid the absence of a conventional would not reopen at all. While sole occupancy from £229pp 3NT and hope for the best. option, your partner needs partner might have a massive If you are combining Acol to make some other forcing penalty double hand, more Departs Southampton and a weak no-trump with bid, perhaps a jump shift to likely the opponents have 21st October 2016 • 2 nights inverted minor raises, you can 3♣ or 3♦ – at any rate, some more strength than you do. Balmoral • L1625 play 1♣-2♣-3♣ and 1♦-2♦- bid that you cannot pass. 2. With two four-card • Southampton Bernard ♦ 3 as weak, all other continu- majors, I would double. With • Honfleur, France Magee ations being game forcing. If ♣♦♥♠ only one, it would depend on board • Southampton L1625 you allow responder to make upon whether I have a Great value Mr Bridge fares: an inverted raise when hold- 1. Suppose you, doubleton in opener’s suit. ing a four-card major, you as dealer, open On hands with a doubleton in Inside twin cabins from £189pp will probably wish to play a the bidding opener’s suit, I would double. Outside twin cabins from £219pp Q Superior Balcony cabins from pp rebid of 2♥ or 2♠ by opener with one of a suit, LHO On 4333 hands or hands £339 as natural. If you do not allow intervenes, and the with a doubleton in an unbid Solos offer – responder to hold a four-card auction is passed around suit, I would prefer 1NT. Outside twin cabin for sole occupancy from £229pp major, a new suit by opener to you. With shortage in 3. Unless the five-card shows strength (stopper) rath- LHO suit, regardless of major is poor, I would Daily bridge on board, bridge er than necessarily four cards. strength, distribution or probably overcall in that and fees included. Mr Bridge welcome vulnerability, is your first aim to show the other major drinks party. Partners for single ♣♦♥♠ priority now to double? later (if there is a later). players. Special solos offers. Playing four-card I opened 1♥ majors, our auction ♣♦♥♠ with 11 points proceeded as below, for Qand a five-card a positive partscore. We At trick one and heart suit. My partner missed the possible +500 during the play, For reservations call Mr Bridge ♥ raised to 3 . Having 7 for doubling opponent’s Qwhen should on 01483 489961 losers on the losing trick vulnerable overcall. you play the higher of www.mrbridge.co.uk count and taking my touching honours and partner’s bid as inviting West North East South when should you play the Terms and conditions apply – game, I passed. My 1♠ 2♣ Pass Pass lower? This was the club see Fred.Olsen 2016 brochure or www.fredolsencruises.com for details. partner had 17 points 2♦ Pass 2♠ All Pass layout in a hand

BRIDGE August 2015 FOC308983_MR_BRIDGE_Mag_June_strip_ads_W.C.15.06.15_FV2.inddPage25/06/2015 23 16:23 1 Ask Julian continued

partner and I defended: CROATIA 2016

♣ 9 5 2 HOTEL EDEN ROVINJ

N ♣ Q J W E ♣ K 8 6 4 S

♣ A 10 7 3

On a club lead from the North hand, South (declarer) played the ace and West the queen. At From some point, on a second £1,399 club lead from North, East played the king and sharing crashed West’s jack. Huw Jones by email.

If you are trying to win the trick (at trick A one or otherwise), you follow (or win) with the lower of touching honours. If you are playing an honour, but making no attempt to win the trick, you drop the highest 3-17 May 13-27 September card from a sequence. In each case, this helps partner with with to judge your holding. Bernard Magee Mr & Mrs Bridge On the ace lead (or whatever you normally lead from ace-king), partner’s Rovinj is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula on the Adriatic play of the queen promises coastline, a one hour drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb. Boasting a rich, natural and cultural heritage, with beautiful landmarks such as the old town, the Golden Cape Park Forest, protected the jack or a singleton; islands and coastal area. the play of the jack denies the queen and usually The climate is warm and semi-dry, with more than four months a year without wind. indicates a doubleton. Hotel Eden is wedged right between a peninsula covered by a one hundred year old park forest On the example you quote, and a quiet cove. The old city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute walk away. we can give South some cred- it for making the second club Rooms: All rooms are equipped with a direct phone line, LCD SAT TV, mini-bar, safe, bathtub play from dummy. Even so, or shower, toilet, hair dryer, balcony, air conditioning/heating. Suites are available, details on East’s decision to rush in with application. the king was poor. If West’s Singles: There is a sole occupancy supplement of £10 per room per night. If you are a single bridge queen really was a singleton, player, please do not worry about being on your own. We will always be able to find you a partner South would have started with and you can always have a game. five clubs and the king would Beaches & Pools: The playful curves of the pool offer refreshment in the summer with a salty not be running away. ■ breeze coming from the natural stone and pebble beach only a few steps away. The vast outdoor pool will cool you down after a day of lounging in the freely available deck chairs. E-mail your questions Terms and conditions apply. Packaged with and bookings by Tunisia First LLP. ATOL 5933. for Julian to: julianpottage Details of the bridge programme ( 01483 489961 @mrbridge.co.uk

Page 24 BRIDGE August 2015 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 21

You are in danger of losing at least one the third diamond lead in hand and take 1. ♠ A J 10 3 trick in each suit and will need a bit of the club finesse. Either it works or East ♥ 7 5 3 luck. If you win the lead on the table and will have no diamond to return if the suit ♦ A 8 3 take a diamond finesse, then you will be broke 5-3. If the diamonds were 4-4 all ♣ 6 5 2 defeated if it loses and most likely if it along, there is no problem. ♠ 6 ♠ Q 7 2 wins too! Instead, win the However, if the first heart is ducked, ♥ A J 8 4 N ♥ Q 10 9 in hand and play ace of diamonds fol- then you need to use your card-reading W E ♦ ♦ ♥ 10 9 6 2 S 7 4 lowed by the jack. No doubt, that will skills to assess who has the A – keep a ♣ J 10 9 4 ♣ K Q 8 7 3 lose but now you can win the return of close eye on the defenders. If you think it ♠ K 9 8 5 4 a heart, say, in dummy, pitch a loser on is West, then you carry on with a second ♥ K 6 2 the queen of diamonds and play a spade heart, but if you think it is East, you need ♦ K Q J 5 to the jack. Now, you will make as long to switch to clubs because otherwise East ♣ A as East started with honour doubleton in might be able to set up his own heart suit. trumps or three including the king and queen. You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♣J. How do you plan the play? 4. ♠ 7 6 4 3 You are going to make your contract as ♥ A 6 3 2 long as you don’t lose three hearts and 3. ♠ 6 5 4 3 ♦ J 9 6 4 a trump. You can lose three hearts only ♥ J 10 7 ♣ 9 if East gains the lead, so prevent this by ♦ 6 5 ♠ J 10 9 8 2 ♠ 5 crossing to the ace of trumps and leading ♣ A 10 7 5 ♥ K J 5 N ♥ Q 10 9 8 W E the jack, intending to run it if East plays ♠ J 9 8 7 ♠ Q 10 ♦ K 8 3 2 S ♦ A 10 5 low. It might lose to West’s now singleton ♥ A 6 N ♥ 9 5 4 3 2 ♣ 4 ♣ J 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ ♦ ♠ queen, but the contract is assured as you Q 10 7 3 2 S J 9 4 A K Q can pitch a heart from dummy on the ♣ 6 4 ♣ K 3 2 ♥ 7 4 long diamond and later ruff a heart in ♠ A K 2 ♦ Q 7 dummy for your tenth trick. ♥ K Q 8 ♣ A K Q 10 3 2 ♦ A K 8 ♣ Q J 9 8 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads 2. ♠ 5 4 the ♠J. How do you plan the play? ♥ K 7 2 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads Maybe this looks too easy. Certainly, ♦ Q 6 3 the ♦3 with East playing the ♦J. How do you would be unlucky to fail, but that ♣ J 7 5 4 2 you plan the play? doesn’t mean you can afford to be lax. ♠ K 6 3 ♠ Q 7 Even if the club finesse is wrong, there If you play clubs from the top, then you ♥ J 10 9 5 N ♥ Q 8 4 appear to be nine easy tricks via two would run aground against a 5-1 break, W E ♦ K 10 4 S ♦ 9 8 7 5 2 spades, two hearts, two diamonds and unless the singleton happened to be the ♣ 10 8 6 ♣ K Q 9 three clubs, but there is a problem. Sup- jack. Instead, since you need only five ♠ A J 10 9 8 2 pose you win the opening lead and take club tricks for your contract, you can use ♥ A 6 3 an immediate club finesse. If it loses, East the value of that nine in dummy and play ♦ A J will return a diamond and now you will a low club from hand. Sure it will lose but ♣ A 3 fail if West started with five diamonds now, even if the suit originally broke 5-1, and the ace of hearts. Instead, you have ensured your contract. Should the opening lead, win the continuation the ♣9 win, then simply cross to hand You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads and play a heart. If they take the ace of with the ♠K and play clubs from the top, the ♥J. How do you plan the play? hearts, you can get home safely – win establishing the ♣3 eventually. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 25 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 40: The Mystery of the Illusive Slam

he bridge room at the Riverside three hearts. Millie’s four no-trump Millie admitted that she had looked was crowded. The President’s bid was RKCB, nominally agreeing at the curtain cards, but maintained Cup was up for grabs and the hearts, so I replied five hearts showing she had not touched any of the hands. Tusual pot-hunting suspects had put in two aces without the heart queen. The director concluded on the balance an appearance. The tournament direc- With the other two aces and rightly of evidence that Millie was the likely tor was busy organising extra tables. A assuming that I had five spades, Millie cause of the problem. He announced, prompt start was unlikely, providing bid the slam. to the amusement of the room, that Millie with the opportunity to sneak the traveller for that board would back to the bar for a refill. On her re- West North East South be scored in two halves, namely pre- turn, I waved her to a newly erected Millie Wendy Millie and post-Millie. Millie took table where I was sitting with Jon and 1♦ Pass 1♠ that as a compliment. Jane. She greeted them with, ‘Nice to 3♣ 3♦ Pass 3♥ In the hostelry later, Jo and Kate see you both; it’s been ages.’ Turning to Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ confirmed that at their table, Jon in me she remarked, ‘It must be a trophy Pass 6♠ All Pass the North seat had declared in five event this evening, Wendy.’ Subtlety diamonds. Jo, as East, had led the is not Millie’s strength but Jon didn’t West led the king of clubs; dummy’s king of clubs. Jon won with the ace, seem to notice. ‘We nearly stayed at ace won the trick. There were the ob- crossed to dummy, finessed the ten of home. There’s a huge jigsaw puzzle vious possible losers, a club and the diamonds losing to the singleton king. we want to complete, Daisies on the king of diamonds. The opponents’ Then, Jo played the queen of clubs, Lawn,’ he confessed. ‘Nice,’ said Millie outstanding trumps were removed in holding the contract to eleven tricks. with raised eyebrows and a facial ex- three rounds finishing in hand, the Millie and I still could not see how pression to suggest a contrary view. Fi- spades breaking kindly. I continued the switch had happened. ‘You need nally, the director got everyone seated with the ten of diamonds, intending to Sherlock Holmes to investigate,’ and play was underway. About mid- finesse. West produced the king, over- suggested Kate. ‘No, he’s no good,’ session, this deal appeared. taken by the ace. The slam was home explained Millie. ‘Duplicate bridge with an overtrick. Millie was incensed. hadn’t been invented. He only took on ‘Why weren’t we in a grand slam? And cases.’ Dealer North. Love All. in no-trumps?’ she demanded after ‘What about the Italian detective, ♠ Q 7 6 she had looked at all the curtain cards Inspector Montalbano?’ I mused ♥ K 2 with the permission of the opposi- aloud. ‘Montalbano,’ my companions ♦ A Q J 9 7 3 tion. The traveller revealed that thir- repeated, sighing in unison, their eyes ♣ A 8 teen tricks had been made at all the glazing over simultaneously. They ♠ J 3 ♠ 10 9 8 previous tables, either in diamonds were each in a world of their own, N ♥ 9 7 4 ♥ Q J 8 6 W E or spades, mostly in game contracts. dreaming of their TV hero on the ter- ♦ K S ♦ 8 6 4 2 Several rounds later, the tournament race of his villa by the sea in sunny ♣ K Q 10 9 5 4 3 ♣ 7 6 director arrived at our table. Follow- Sicily. ♠ A K 5 4 2 ing our play of the board, the travel- I considered the situation again, but ♥ A 10 5 3 ler showed that fewer tricks, typically to no avail. Millie had definitely not ♦ 10 5 eleven, were being made on the board. switched the East-West hands. She may ♣ J 2 He explained that the East-West hands have replaced the curtain cards into had been switched. They were now: the wrong slots accidentally, but how did the cards follow them without the Millie, in the North seat, opened TD being called? We shall never know. the bidding with one diamond. I ♠ 10 9 8 ♠ J 3 Jo, Kate and Millie had lost interest in responded one spade. West entered ♥ Q J 8 6 N ♥ 9 7 4 such a mundane matter, having been W E ♦ 8 6 4 2 ♦ K the fray with three clubs which Millie S transported metaphorically to faraway brushed aside with three diamonds. I ♣ 7 6 ♣ K Q 10 9 5 4 3 Italy sunning themselves on romantic felt my values were good enough for beaches of golden sand. ■

Page 26 BRIDGE August 2015 DEFENCE BERNARD MAGEE QUIZ at Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG. by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 28) 8-11 January 2016

ou are West in the defensive positions below playing £399pp Friday – Monday Yteams or rubber bridge. It is your turn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT and 2♣ Stayman. £369pp Friday – Sunday full board 1. ♠ K 9 6 3 3. ♠ 10 3 Limited places for Thursday night available. ♥ J 8 5 ♥ K Q J 10 5 £65pp single, £40pp double/twin. ♦ K J 7 ♦ Q 10 6 ♣ K J 5 ♣ J 5 4 ♠ J 5 2 ♠ J 7 2 N N Topics ♥ Q 9 4 3 ♥ A 4 W E W E S ♦ 9 5 2 S ♦ J 9 COUNTING DEFENCE ♣ 9 4 2 ♣ A K Q 8 7 3 Defence is the hardest aspect of bridge, but if you can learn to defend in conjunction with your partner, it becomes the most rewarding element at the same time. West North East South West North East South Extra TRICKS in NO-TRUMPS 1NT 1♣ 1♥ Pass 4♠ Long suits are an integral part of the bidding and the play – Pass 2NT All Pass All Pass developing extra tricks from them will often be the difference between making or going down in your contract. ♥ You lead the 3. East You start with three top SUPPORTING PARTNER holds ♥A-K-x, giving your clubs. Partner peters before When you hold support for your partner, the two hands can fully side the first four tricks, discarding the ♥2. Declarer evaluate, often allowing the partnership to bid much higher than East discarding the ♦8 and ruffs and cashes the ♠A-K- the high card points might suggest. We will look at a number South the ♦4. Are you Q. Partner follows once be- of conventions that can help you bid to good games and bid to happy so far and how do fore discarding the ♦2 and great slams. you continue? ♥3. What do you do when FINESSING declarer leads the ♥7? come in all sorts of different varieties and come up on almost every hand you play. Getting the most out of your honour 2. ♠ J 9 7 6 5 combinations is a crucial part of declarer play. Should you lead ♥ 10 8 5 4. ♠ J 8 6 3 high or low, finesse to the right or to the left? ♦ A 10 7 ♥ K 10 BIDDING DISTRIBUTIONAL HANDS ♣ Q 9 ♦ A Q J 7 Distributional hands can be great fun to bid and to play, ♠ Q 10 2 ♣ 10 5 4 particularly when you find a fit. And how do you find a fit… by N ♥ J 9 7 2 ♠ A 7 2 bidding more! W E N ♦ ♥ J 5 2 S Q 8 4 3 W E COPING with PRE-EMPTS ♣ J 7 4 ♦ 8 5 2 S How do you defend against pre-empts and weak twos; how do you ♣ A J 2 cope with weak and jump support? When your bidding space is taken away you have to use a few extra techniques, but West North East South most of all you have to use your judgement. Improving your 1♦ West North East South understanding will allow you to collect the big penalties and better scores. Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT1 1♠ Pass 3NT All Pass Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ 118-19 All Pass 6 seminar sessions with Bernard1 You lead the ♥2: East plays You lead the ♥3, covered the ♥Q, the ♥A winning. by the ♥10, ♥J and ♥A. 6 sessions of supervised play2 Declarer leads the ♠A, the Declarer now leads the ♠K. ♠K and then a third spade What is your plan? Contact Mr Bridge to book your place on which East discards the or for further details: ( 01483 489961 ♣2. How do you continue? 1Filmed 2Not with Bernard Magee

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 27 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 27

West North East South attitude, common sense tells you that this 1. ♠ K 9 6 3 1♦ is not always the case. The strong heart ♥ J 8 5 Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT1 suit in dummy makes it obvious that a ♦ K J 7 Pass 3NT All Pass heart switch will not get your side very ♣ K J 5 118-19 far. So what do you make of partner’s ♠ J 5 2 ♠ 10 8 7 ♥2 discard? In a suit where attitude is ♥ Q 9 4 3 N ♥ A K 2 You lead the ♥2: East plays the ♥Q, the obvious, the should be count. W E ♦ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♥ 9 5 2 S A Q 8 3 A winning. Declarer leads the A, the The lowly 2 indicates an odd number ♣ 9 4 2 ♣ 10 8 6 ♠K and then a third spade on which East of hearts. If it is three, holding up the ♥A ♠ A Q 4 discards the ♣2. How do you continue? will not help. If it is five, you had better ♥ 10 7 6 The ♣2 discard, which discourages grab the ♥A. You then exit safely with a ♦ 10 6 4 clubs, should dissuade you from club. ♣ A Q 7 3 switching to the suit. With declarer having bid diamonds, there is little to be gained by switching to that suit. The play West North East South to the first trick leaves open the possibility 4. ♠ J 8 6 3 1NT of finding partner with the ♥K. Go for it! ♥ K 10 Pass 2NT All Pass You continue with the ♥7, win the heart ♦ A Q J 7 return with the ♥J and cash the thirteenth ♣ 10 5 4 You lead the ♥3. East holds ♥A-K-x, heart. Whichever suit dummy discards ♠ A 7 2 ♠ 9 N ♥ Q 8 4 3 ♥ J 9 6 5 2 giving your side the first four tricks, East on the long heart, you then switch to, W E discarding the ♦8 and South the ♦4. leading low. Your side will make another ♦ 8 5 2 S ♦ 10 6 3 Are you happy so far and how do you trick to go with the three heart tricks and ♣ A J 2 ♣ K 9 8 6 continue? the spade. ♠ K Q 10 5 4 The lead was fine – it was an unbid ♥ A 7 major and your best suit in any case. ♦ K 9 4 Cashing the long heart was right too ♣ Q 7 3 because you have no side . The real 3. ♠ 10 3 question is your next play. Partner’s first ♥ K Q J 10 5 discard should usually express attitude. ♦ Q 10 6 West North East South The high ♦8 asks for a diamond. You ♣ J 5 4 1♠ should oblige. The diamond switch allows ♠ J 7 2 ♠ 6 Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ partner to cash two diamond tricks and ♥ A 4 N ♥ 9 8 6 3 2 All Pass defeat the contract. A switch to a spade ♦ J 9 W E ♦ K 8 4 3 2 S or a club would let declarer make four ♣ A K Q 8 7 3 ♣ 9 6 You lead the ♥3, covered by the ♥10, tricks in each suit and the contract. ♠ A K Q 9 8 5 4 ♥J and ♥A. Declarer now leads the ♠K. ♥ 7 What is your plan? ♦ A 7 5 If partner holds the ♣K, you want to ♣ 10 2 switch to clubs when you get in with the 2. ♠ J 9 7 6 5 ♠A. If declarer holds the ♣K, you want to ♥ 10 8 5 continue hearts or switch to diamonds. ♦ A 10 7 West North East South How can you tell what to do? ♣ Q 9 1♣ 1♥ Pass 4♠ If, as is likely, South holds five trumps, ♠ Q 10 2 ♠ 8 3 All Pass you can wait to see partner’s discard ♥ J 9 7 2 N ♥ K Q 3 by holding up the ♠A until the second W E ♦ J 5 2 ♦ Q 8 3 You start with three top clubs. Partner round. Here, partner discards the ♣9 on S ♣ J 7 4 ♣ K 8 6 5 2 peters before discarding the ♥2. Declarer the second trump. Such a high card asks ♠ A K 4 ruffs and cashes the ♠A-K-Q. Partner for a club switch. To pick up declarer’s ♥ A 6 4 follows once before discarding the ♦2 possible ♣Q, you switch to the ♣3. If, ♦ K 9 6 4 and ♥3. What do you do when declarer instead, partner discarded a low club or ♣ A 10 3 leads the ♥7? a high diamond, you would try something Although a first discard is usually else. ■

Page 28 BRIDGE August 2015 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions Psyches and Misbids

uppose your RHO opens 1♣, you bled, the chance of partner bidding 60% or better on the board, he cancels double, LHO bids 1♠, partner 4♠, getting doubled and going for a the board and gives them average plus bids something and you finish large penalty is much greater than it and the psycher or misbidder average Sin 3NT which goes off. Then, you re- used to be. minus. If he decides it was a psyche, he alise that 4♠ makes eleven tricks and The third reason is more complex. I also tacks on a penalty of 10% of a top the opponent who bid 1♠ has only two have written that psyches are legal but for the psycher. spades: what happens now? There are there are two exceptions to this. They How about Amber? The director really three different possibilities. must come as much of a surprise to does nothing with a single case: it is First, perhaps 1♠ is artificial, maybe partner as to the opponents. If partner like a warning, but if the pair have an- showing a raise in clubs, but it was not allows for the possibility of 1♠ being a other Amber or Red psyche or misbid alerted. This is called misinformation, psyche in the above sequence, perhaps within a reasonable time, then all Am- since you had a right to know and usu- by bidding only 2♠ not 4♠, as his part- ber psyches or misbids become Red. ally the director will adjust the score in ner has psyched 1♠ in this sequence so He should keep a record of all Red and your favour. Second, perhaps the play- often, then he is said to have ‘fielded’ Amber psyches or misbids and also er who bid 1♠ made a mistake: maybe the psyche and that is illegal. In effect, any Green psyche or misbid if the op- he mis-sorted his hand, or maybe he it has become part of their system that ponents request it or he sees fit. Clubs meant to bid 1NT but bid 1♠ by mis- the 1♠ is either natural, or an attempt should have a psyche book for the take. While he is allowed to change an to fool the opponents. Now it should purpose, though there is no need to unintended call, many players are not be alerted and described as such. The record most Green psyches or misbids. aware of this. This is called a misbid. other exception is that the reason for Frivolous psyches are rather differ- Finally, perhaps the player deliberately psyching must be an attempt to win. ent, since they cause upset, but often bid 1♠ on a doubleton to try and get If a pair psyches four times in the last the pair would not care if they got bad your side to go wrong. This is called a five boards of a club evening ‘just for scores. This is really a disciplinary psyche. fun’, knowing that their final score matter and they should be warned There is nothing illegal about a psy- that evening will be 35%, at best, then that another bout of frivolous psych- che (or a misbid). While players often that is called frivolous psyching and is ing may lead to expulsion from the get very heated about opponents who also illegal. club. A formal written warning from psyche, saying they have been cheated Why does this lead to fewer psyches? the club is suitable. out of their correct contract, that is not Because these rules were not well un- Note that some people get quite so. When you make a call your oppo- derstood in the early days and field- upset when a player deviates slightly nents have a right to know what your ing and frivolous psyching were often from his agreements, for example agreements are, but if you have not unpunished. Nowadays, the rules are opening a 12 to 14 1NT with 11 points. followed your system and if partner is much clearer so psyches are rarer. This might be because he upgrades the fooled just as much as your opponents, The question remains, what does hand, or might be a very mild psyche that is part of the game. The real prob- the director do? Well, first he finds out where he just takes a risk because he lem is that psyches are so rare people whether there was misinformation, feels like it. This is called a deviation, have forgotten they are legal. or whether it was a psyche or misbid. which is legal and generally it should If psyches are legal, why do players Assuming there was no misinforma- be treated very leniently. not use them more frequently? There tion, his next question is whether the When a player makes a call com- are three answers: one is that they have partner fielded it. Many years ago, it pletely against his system, either in- gone out of fashion. When top play- was decided that each psyche or mis- tentionally to mislead (a psyche), or ers used to psyche frequently, others bid should be categorised as Red; Am- unintentionally (a misbid), it is not would learn to psyche and do so occa- ber or Green, dependent on partner’s illegal. Fielding such calls, ie allow- sionally. Generally, it was considered a actions. If his action appears to have ing for them, is illegal and directors matter of fun to see what would hap- fielded it, then it is Red: if partner’s assess them as Red, Amber or Green, pen. Now that top players hardly ever actions clearly have not allowed for adjusting the score if they are Red. psyche, lesser players rarely psyche. a psyche or misbid, then it is Green; Opponents should accept it is part of The second reason is that players at all and if his actions are somewhat dubi- the game and try merely to outdo the levels tend to push the bidding to the ous, but could be innocent, then it is psycher. Of course, psyches are dan- limit more than they used to. In the Amber. The director changes the score gerous and opponents often get a very sequence above, if a player bids 1♠ as only for Red psyches or misbids. As- good score after a psyche, but then a psyche after his partner’s ♣1 is dou- suming the non-offenders did not get they never complain. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 29 Bridge Adventures by David Holden and Roy Rowe Losing Hearts and Love’s Law

he dying sun cast cliff shadows rocking halt in the waves I could see it, it is the duty of all those captured on the ebbing tide and the soft that it was a Messerschmitt HE 111 to try to escape. I must have your waves ran up the sand to melt twin engine bomber and I drew my word, as gentlemen, that you will not Tin a mixture of softer foam and minia- handgun, clicked off the safety and try to do so while in my captivity and, ture explosions from the secret hiding stumbled into the water. therefore, request that you place all places of myriad buried creatures. I Three men dropped into the waves weapons carefully on the sand.’ Three never tired of this time of the evening, from the fuselage and seeing my pistol pistols and six knives were produced the peaceful prospect of Broadhaven extended their hands skywards. ‘Don’t and I was careful to ensure that they was balm to any fighting man’s soul shoot,’ shouted the tallest man seeing stood apart as I gathered them into the and I had been in the thick pockets of my tunic. ‘Please of it over southern England proceed to that light in the in 1940, before receiving a dunes and we will all receive bullet in the thigh and being some warmth and shelter.’ drafted out to Pembrokeshire ‘Herr Knight, you have my to convalesce as a coastguard. word as a gentleman and that At least I was still helping the of my friends,’ said Dieter. war effort and my sister June ‘Very well,’ I replied, ‘come was stationed only a few miles and warm yourselves at the away at RAF Brawdy. A pair fire and help yourselves to of mallards whirred by over- the soup. I have to make a head, looking for their night- call.’ I picked up the phone time roost at Bosherston and reported my activities. Ponds and I followed them A casual voice at the other with my binoculars, sunlight end informed me that as I ap- pinking their wings, until they peared to have matters under were swallowed up in the sea control, the Station would mist. I shivered and was glad send transport first thing in that I had stoked the wood the morning to pick up my burner in the hut in the dunes and left that I was alone and may wish to even captives and provide a guard on the a vegetable stew bubbling gently on up the odds. I waved my gun and the plane; unlit and un-signposted lanes the hotplate. I swung the glasses by three exhausted flyers walked through in Pembrokeshire were such a hazard habit to scan the obscured horizon. the sea and lined up on the foreshore. after dark. Flying slowly parallel to the shore ‘Dieter König,’ said the pilot, Twenty minutes later, the door swung and heading north was the dark outline ‘and my colleagues Max and Rudi. open and in walked June, her pistol of a plane with red sparks dropping Luftwaffe. My other crew jumped at the ready. ‘I say, Richard, have you into the ocean from its twin engines. when we gave them our parachutes as seen the kite in the surf?’ She stopped For some seconds it seemed that the theirs had been burnt when we were when she saw the three Germans who pilot was uncertain whether to try his hit. We are not in Normandy then?’ he jumped to their feet and saluted again, luck inland or on the shallow water. added, looking at my uniform in the which June returned with the RAF The undercarriage was not down and half light. I shook my head. The three salute. She took off her cap and tossed a pancake landing was inevitable. As came to a smart address clicked their it onto the table. ‘I see that you have I stood up, feeling that sharp pain in heels on the damp sand and saluted. things under control, Richard. I have my right leg again, the plane dropped I nodded in return being hatless and brought some more supplies from the low and made a perfect splashdown hoped they understood. Mess including instant coffee,’ she said one hundred yards from the high tide ‘Gentlemen, my name is Squadron with a smile and all of us men could mark. It was the landing of not only an Leader Richard Knight and I must not resist reacting to the news. I had extremely competent, but also a very ask you to follow me. You are now read that the ordinary Germans had brave aviator. As the plane came to a prisoners of war and as I understand been making coffee from acorns.

Page 30 BRIDGE August 2015 Adventures continued instruments are totally destroyed.’ The final hand of the evening was ♠ — quite memorable. ♥ — ♦ Q 8 ‘Sit down, please and I will make ♣ — the coffee,’ announced June. ‘You look ♠ A Q 10 ♠ J ♠ — as though you have been through a ♥ 10 7 ♥ — N ♥ K 6 hard time. My name is June, Rich- ♦ A Q 8 3 2 ♦ J W E ♦ S ard’s sister,’ she added, glancing at the ♣ J 9 3 ♣ — ♣ — foreign airmen. I noticed that Dieter ♠ J 9 7 5 ♠ 6 4 3 ♠ — held her look for a few seconds and ♥ 4 N ♥ K 8 6 2 ♥ A Q W E ♦ J 7 6 5 ♦ K 10 9 ♦ — a half formed thought came to me, S which I put away as being fanciful. ♣ A K Q 2 ♣ 10 6 4 ♣ — I had heard of love at first sight but ♠ K 8 2 under these circumstances it would ♥ A Q J 9 5 3 be remarkable. Still, strange things ♦ 4 On the lead of a diamond from happen in wartime. As if to read my ♣ 8 7 5 dummy, June picked up the last two thoughts Dieter spoke in a low tone, tricks. ‘Well played,’ I offered. ‘Yes,’ ‘War does bad things to us, Fräulein added Dieter, ‘that was brilliant the June,’ he said passing her four chipped West North East South way you won my heart,’ somewhat enamel mugs. He looked round at his Rudi Me Dieter June pointedly. June added modestly, ‘It colleagues, who nodded and he went Pass 1♥ was something my father taught me. on, ‘As a religious man, I hope this war Dbl Rdbl Pass 2♥ He called it Love’s Law, an acronym. will be over soon, but I fear that thou- Pass 4♥ L, Your trumps must be shortened sands, if not millions, will die before to the same Length as defender. peace is established. There have been The bidding was perhaps not to every- O, You must be in the hand Opposite purges in Poland and Russia and in one’s taste, but I was not stopping short your long trump for final move my own country, too, where people of game with my 13 points and 7 loser V, Defender’s Valued card must be disappear overnight, good patriots hand. Rudi took his top three clubs and finessable. like my cousin and Rudi’s uncle who then exited with a diamond. June won E, You must Extract all the cards did not actively support the regime. with the ♦A, and ran the ♥10. Then she that defender holds in side suits.’ There is little we can do except fight on played the ♥7, Dieter played the ♥8 Next morning, ten heavily armed and hope that, if captured, our oppo- and she finessed the ♥9, Rudi discard- RAF Regiment serviceman arrived by nents are as genuine as you and your ing the ♣2. The position was now: truck and took the Germans away for brother. It was a relief not to be shot,’ interrogation. The officer debriefed me he added, with a smile. He sat before before they left and a guard was posted the fire and in minutes fell fast asleep. ♠ A Q 10 on the shore to keep the curious away ‘You must excuse him,’ said Rudi, ♥ — from the plane. ‘but he always speaks his mind. The ♦ Q 8 3 2 Two days later, June called again other day we were visited by Göring ♣ — with bread, milk and corned beef who tapped us on our chest with ♠ J 9 7 5 ♠ 6 4 3 and, before leaving, popped into the his gold stick and asked if there was ♥ — N ♥ K 6 bathroom when I said that someone W E ♦ ♦ anything we needed. “Yes,” said Dieter J 7 6 S K 10 had left a message there for her. There “two squadrons of Spitfires.” I have ♣ — ♣ — was a small piece of paper – probably a never seen the Feldmarschall look so ♠ K 8 2 scrap from a flyer’s logbook – that had angry, but he knows Dieter is right!’ ♥ A Q J 5 been wedged into the corner of the Some thirty minutes later, Dieter ♦ — mirror with the letter J just visible. She woke and produced a pack of cards ♣ — opened it and the message read: from an inside pocket. ‘We may never After the war, may we meet again,’ he said, ‘but would you meet again? Perhaps you like a game of whist to pass the hours June had to pick up the trump king could teach me more about ■ before I feel sleepy again?’ and a trump was the only way. Love’s Law? DK. ‘I prefer bridge if you know the She played the ♠K and overtook with game,’ responded June, ‘Richard plays the ♠A and ruffed a diamond, then the and one of you will have to sit and ♠2, finessing the ♠10 and another dia- June subsequently made contact with watch.’ ‘That will be Max,’ replied mond ruff, reducing her trump hold- Dieter at the POW Island Farm Camp, Dieter, ‘he never plays or takes a risk. ing to the same length as Dieter. Then, Bridgend – after the war they married That’s why he is my favourite navigator, she returned to dummy with the ♠Q and now are settled in a small village to except you can do little when your leaving the two card ending: the north of Cologne.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 31 A Blast From the Past 14 by Shireen Mohandes The First Sunday Times Invitational Pairs, 1963

he first ever Sunday Times Invi- 1Playing a weak no-trump and 4-card balanced hand or more points. It would tational Pairs tournament took majors. invite partner to bid 3♥ with 3 card support. place in 1963. Only 14 pairs 2Enough to bid at the 2 level. Twere invited. First were Pierre Jais and 3A 3NT rebid shows 15-16 balanced. 2NT On the actual hand, South was declarer Roger Trezel. In joint second place by would be forcing showing either a less and Trezel led ace and another spade. the smallest of margins were Peter Swinnerton-Dyer and Ken Barbour, and and Boris Schap- The Sunday Times and later The Macallan iro. This board saw Boris on top form Between 1963 and 1981, the Sunday Times sponsored one of the against the eventual winners. most prestigious invitational pairs . The tournament was resurrected in 1990 and ended finally in 1999. In the latter half of the second stint, the main sponsors were Macallan Whisky. Dealer South. E/W Game. Pierre Jais (1913-1988), a physician, and his regular partner ♠ K 10 5 Roger Trezel (1918-1986) were the first pair to win the triple ♥ K Q 5 3 crown of bridge. The triple crown is: The , World ♦ A 10 5 Mind Games Open Teams (formerly The Olympiad) and ♣ A 9 8 the World Open Pairs. Only 10 players have achieved this. ♠ A 6 ♠ Q J 8 4 2 Peter Swinnerton-Dyer (1927-) is a world-famous mathematician ♥ N ♥ 7 J 9 6 4 2 specialising in number theory. He is the Swinnerton-Dyer ♦ Q 9 8 6 4 2 W E ♦ 3 S of the famous, or for its challenging nature, perhaps infamous ‘Birch ♣ K 10 7 2 ♣ J 5 and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture’. He was a fellow of Trinity College ♠ 9 7 3 Cambridge and vice-chancellor of the university from 1979 to 1983. ♥ A 10 8 Ken Barbour (1938-), an engineer, and also a graduate of ♦ K J 7 Cambridge, went to the USA later in 1963 for professional ♣ Q 6 4 3 reasons. He returned to in the late 60s and then returned to the USA, living in Boston and finally settled in Phoenix, Arizona. He retired in 1993 and began to play The 1963 auction is not known, but bridge more seriously. He had a good partnership with this is how it might have gone: (who, amongst other notable achievements, was the bridge correspondent for the New York Times). West North East South I managed to get in touch with Ken. He was pleased to know that people have an Jais Reese Trezel Schapiro interest in him and his successful partnership. He told me that, at the time of the Pass Pass event, was running a book, so Ken put a decent bet on his Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT partnership. At the end of the first day, they were leading, so he thought he had Pass 3NT All Pass better hedge it. 1963 was certainly the high point of his bridge career as he had recently How fashions change ... an equally won the Gold Cup, Crockfords, Tollemache and the teams at Eastbourne, simple auction that you might see in and had been runner-up at the European Open Teams to name a few. 2015: He added, ‘I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing by moving, and ending my bridge activities, but you see, we were not bridge professionals West North East South and living in London was expensive. It was hard to keep a career and Pass Pass fund living in London, as well as taking part in all of these bridge events. Pass 1♥1 Pass 2♣2 So when the opportunity to move to the USA came up, I took it.’ Pass 3NT3 All Pass

Page 32 BRIDGE August 2015 Sunday Times Invitational continued (1909-2002) Like many of his circle of bridge players, (SJ Simon, , , to name a few) Boris was Russian. His family settled in England when he was eight Analysis years old. South has seven top tricks (1 spade, 3 I’d need maybe 20 pages to do full justice to a description of Boris and his hearts, 2 diamonds and 1 club). There achievements. There is plenty of information available on the internet or in books. are plenty of chances for two more Instead, this article will be limited to some short quotes and anecdotes about him. tricks, but as we all know, 3NT is a ‘There is a touch of horsiness about his appearance …’ (Guy Ramsey, Aces All, race between defenders and declarer 1955) and there could well be 5 defensive tricks before the extra 2 tricks mature. Reese had been picking up the partnership’s collection of trophies from Schapiro’s Belgravia flat in a pillow-case and was stopped in the street by a curious According to Harold Franklin, who policeman. Reese explained eagerly that his rightful claim to the silverware could reported on the event in The British be supported by a nearby resident. When Schapiro answered the door he sized up Bridge World, this is how Boris played the situation speedily. ‘I have never seen this man before,’ he told the policeman. the hand. His fellow competitors must (Obituary, The Telegraph). have been envious of his declarer play, because he was the only person to bid He attended Clifton College, Bristol briefly and later studied at the Sorbonne. In 1935, while working for his father in and make 3NT. ♠ Hamburg, he travelled to to act as an interpreter* for Boris held off winning his K in Viscount Castlerosse in the latter’s audience with Hitler. In a dummy until the third round. He restaurant, Brownshirts, mistaking Schapiro for a non-Jew and would have wondered why his left Castlerosse for a Jew, abused the latter for drinking with an hand opponent chose a short-suit lead. Aryan; a fight broke out and Schapiro spent two nights in a Perhaps, somehow, Boris and Terence Gestapo prison, after which he returned to Britain swiftly. (The had actually bid both minor suits. We Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History). shall never know. Anyway, on the third told me this amusing anecdote, ‘Boris Schapiro and I used to play with round, West discarded a diamond. In and , who were a very volatile pair, in the . these situations, although it’s not a Rixi and Fritzi were such fierce competitors, that even when playing with screens certainty, normally an early discard they really scared their opponents. Anyway, Rixi once called me a ‘Hudson Bay would have been from a 5-card or Trapper’ and then told Boris and me, “it’s hopeless, quite hopeless, you will never longer suit. Next, the ♥K and ♥A learn. And I will never play with you again.”’ were cashed. Again, LHO discarded a Boris was a talented tennis player and won a trophy for mixed doubles when he diamond. lived in Germany before WW2 (he did play at Wimbledon, but he did not take part East is the danger hand: if he gains in THE Wimbledon championships, as is stated in a few sources). the lead, he will take two more spades Boris Schapiro and Irving Gordon were to defeat the contract. But Boris knew winners of the World Seniors Pairs the odds: with West short in spades championship in Lille, 1997. Boris is and long in diamonds he is much seen wearing a dinner jacket which he more likely to have the queen. The ♦K also wore when he won the Bermuda was cashed and was followed by the Bowl back in 1955 along with Leslie ♦J, finessing. When East showed out, Dodds, , Adam Boris knew that West was exactly 2-1- Meredith, Jordanis Pavlides and Terence 6-4. Now he played a third diamond to Reese. In those days, it was a two-team the ace. Here is the ending: event, and the ‘Europe’ team beat the USA team. The scoring was total points, and honours counted towards the score. ♠ — *I contacted Helen Schapiro, Boris’s wife, to enquire about the accuracy of the ♥ Q 5 interpreter role. Helen told me that she had known that he had travelled with ♦ A Castlerosse and that Boris had told her of the fight story. But she very much ♣ A 9 8 doubted the report that Boris would have been granted an audience with Hitler. ‘In ♠ — ♠ Q 8 any case,’ she added, ‘I am certain he would not have taken part in the meeting. If ♥ — N ♥ J 9 this part of the entry in Palgrave Dictionary was true, Boris would have told me ♦ Q 9 W E ♦ — about it and he didn’t.’ She also said that Ramsey’s comment was because Boris S ♣ K 10 7 2 ♣ J 5 always wore tweeds. Finally and most interestingly, she explained that the escape ♠ — route after the fight incident was via Denmark. Boris travelled to Europe frequently ♥ 10 to purchase horses and conduct business for the family. His normal route out of ♦ 7 Germany was via Denmark. So after the fight incident, the least obtrusive route ♣ Q 6 4 3 was to leave the country in the normal way.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 33 Sunday Times Invitational BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS What could East play on this trick? A spade winner? ACOL ADVANCED DECLARER Unguard the hearts? Or a BIDDING ACOL BIDDING PLAY club? The report is unclear, but I l Opening Bids and l Basics l Suit Establishment think a spade was discarded. Responses l Advanced in No-trumps l Slams and Strong Basics l Suit Establishment Openings in Suits ♠ — l Weak Twos ♥ Q 5 l Support for Partner l Strong Hands l Hold-ups ♦ — l Pre-empting l Defence l Ruffing for ♣ A 9 8 Extra Tricks l Overcalls to Weak Twos ♠ ♠ — Q l l l Defence to 1NT Entries in ♥ — N ♥ J 9 No-trump W E Openings £66 No-trumps ♦ Q S ♦ — l Doubles £76 and Responses l Delaying ♣ K 10 7 2 ♣ J 5 l Two-suited Drawing Trumps ♠ — l Opener’s and Overcalls ♥ 10 Responder’s Rebids £96 l Using the Lead l Defences to ♦ — l Minors and Misfits Other Systems l Trump Control ♣ Q 6 4 3 l Doubles l Misfits and l Endplays & Avoidance l Competitive Distributional Hands Boris was reading the cards Auctions l Using the Bidding through their backs. He played the ♣8 from dummy and East played the jack. ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD He was trying to make it DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & look as if he had exactly J-10 l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks doubleton and to persuade No-trump Contracts in No-trumps l Opening Bids Boris, on the second round l Lead vs & Responses of clubs, to go up with the l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts ♣ in Suit Contracts l No-Trump A. The play continued like l Partner of Leader Openings this: West won his ♣K and l Endplays vs No-trump cashed the ♦Q. East must l Support l Avoidance Contracts £89 have been feeling a bit more for Partner l Partner of Leader uncomfortable. He cannot l Wrong Contract vs Suit Contracts l Slams let go a heart, and parting & Strong Openings with a club would expose l Simple l Count £81 Signals l Rebids the layout and make the Squeezes £76 l Minors club finesse a certainty (re- l Counting l Attitude member that Boris knows the Hand Signals & Misfits West’s shape). I don’t know l Pre-empting l Trump Reductions l Discarding what he discarded, but I ex- & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles pect it was the ♠Q. West exited with a small l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls Contracts club and Boris played the l Counting l Competitive … yes the 9. The article em- l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions phasises that, again, Boris ‘played the odds’. As you may know, Boris was a high- Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, ly accomplished equestrian Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH and knew a thing or two ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop about gambling on horses, System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM amongst other things. ■

Page 34 BRIDGE August 2015 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Eight Losing Trick Count

o form of hand evaluation is I put across the comparison method for this hand merits only a 2♠ response. perfect, so it pays to use as the LTC: comparing your hand with many as possible to help you its minimum. The opener compares Nhone your bidding. The first part of with 7 losers and the responder with ♠ A 9 8 7 ♠ J 6 5 2 this DVD deals with basic losing trick 9 losers. So, the thinking in the above ♥ Q 7 N ♥ A K 4 3 count: introducing the concept of auction goes: ♦ 2 W E ♦ 6 5 3 S counting losers and then explaining Responder has four-card support so ♣ A K 5 4 3 2 ♣ 8 7 when we can use the technique to he wants to raise: he counts 8 losers best advantage. The Losing Trick which is one better than his minimum Count works best when you have a fit: (9 losers), so instead of making the West East combining the value of your high card minimum response of 2♠, he bids 1♣ 1♥ point strength, your lengths and your one more: 3♠. Opener has six losers, 1♠ 2♠ shortages and giving it one value. one better than his minimum (7 4♠ Count the number of losers here: losers), so he bids one more too and the partnership finishes in 4♠. Just Here, you see West’s hand change its 19 HCP, but with a good fit and good evaluation as the auction progresses. ♠ A Q 4 3 2 distribution, 4♠ is a comfortable game. He opens 1♣ and rebids 1♠ over East’s ♥ Q 9 7 In the second part of the DVD, I take 1♥ response. East has a fit, but with ♦ J 5 the losing trick count a step further. nine losers, he is minimum so he ♣ K Q J Showing how you need to tailor the raises simply to 2♠. system to increase its efficiency. Aces West recounts his losers, being were given a starring role – I talk of careful to upgrade his heart holding: I talk in detail about queens: by aceless hands, as well as hands that a queen doubleton is not usually a themselves, they are weaker than the have all the aces. Extra trumps also desirable holding, but in partner’s other winners, so it is necessary to need accounting for; leading finally to suit it can be invaluable – solidifying downgrade them. listening to the full auction and how his holding – so you count just one Only the A-K-Q can be winners; your evaluation changes as the auction loser in the suit. Counting five losers only the first three cards are counted progresses. suggests bidding two more and hence in each suit and a queen by itself Here is a simple example: he raises to game. counts as half a loser. If in doubt of bidding boldly: check l 1 loser in spades (only the first 3 the quality of your suits because that cards count) ♠ K 9 3 2 is where your tricks will come from. l 2½ losers in hearts (queen by itself) ♥ K 6 2 Here, West’s suits are great and so he l 2 losers in diamonds (jack is a loser) ♦ 8 4 should be confident. 4♠ is an excellent l 1 loser in clubs (jack is a loser) ♣ Q J 7 2 contract: hopefully he will be able to establish his club suit. The losing trick count is a very ♠ A K 7 6 3 ♠ Q J 9 8 How do you respond to 1♠ with this valuable form of evaluation, but it ♥ 5 N ♥ 9 7 6 hand? is also important to take it a step ♦ 9 8 3 W E ♦ 2 The basic Losing Trick Count further and evaluate your hand fully. S ♣ K Q 4 3 ♣ A 9 8 7 5 would yield 8 losers which suggests This DVD will give you the chance to a 3♠ response. However, enhancing learn or revise the Losing Trick Count your evaluation technique will mean and then learn about the extensions West East that you take account of this hand’s that will allow you to make the extra 1♠ 3♠ lack of aces. Aceless hands should step in evaluation and improve your 4♠ downgrade: worth about 8½ losers, bidding further. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 35 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Nazir’s Contribution

obin Hood and Nazir were deep Hood was happy to raise to game. pick up the game so well in a tiny into a high-stake rubber game Nazir won the ♦K lead with the hamlet?’ in Peterborough. This was a ♦A and drew trumps in two rounds. ‘We only play once a month,’ Hood Rgood half-day’s ride from Sherwood If West held both the missing club replied. ‘Makes a change from tending Forest. The advantage was that the honours, twelve tricks were available. the pigs.’ local high-stake players would not What could be done in the worst case ‘Yes, it would do,’ replied Gallowes, recognise the two outlaws for the scenario, where East held the king and not believing a word that he had heard. experts that they were. jack of clubs? In that case, he would Cossett and Gallowes settled Their current opponents were good be at risk of losing two tricks in each their dues and, against their better players but the outlaws had won three black suit. judgement, agreed to play one more rubbers out of five and were nearly Nazir ran the ♣9, losing to the ♣J. rubber. A considerable sum down four sovereigns each to the good. East switched to the ♠8 and the key on the evening, they were hoping the These cards had just been dealt: moment of the deal had been reached. cards would offer them some respite. Suppose declarer played low from his There was no such indication on the hand, winning with dummy’s ♠Q. If first deal: Dealer West. Game All. a subsequent finesse of the ♣Q failed, ♠ Q 4 2 East might be able to lead through ♥ 10 4 3 declarer’s ♠K-6, giving West two tricks Dealer South. Love All. ♦ 10 7 3 in the suit. ♠ 2 ♣ A Q 10 3 Nazir, who was familiar with the ♥ A 7 5 ♠ A J 10 9 7 ♠ 8 5 spade situation, rose with the ♠K on ♦ A 9 7 6 5 2 ♥ J 8 N ♥ 6 2 the first round of the suit. West had ♣ J 5 4 W E ♦ K Q J 6 ♦ 9 8 5 4 2 ♠ ♠ J 10 9 7 6 3 ♠ 8 5 4 S to win with the A or declarer would ♣ 6 5 ♣ K J 7 4 score tricks with both his honours. He ♥ K 9 3 N ♥ Q 8 2 W E ♠ K 6 3 ♠ ♦ J ♦ Q 10 3 exited with the J, won with dummy’s S ♥ A K Q 9 7 5 ♠Q. Nazir returned to his hand with ♣ A 10 8 ♣ K 7 6 2 ♦ A a diamond ruff and played a club ♠ A K Q ♣ 9 8 2 to the 10. East won with the ♣K but ♥ J 10 6 4 had no spade to play. Nazir ruffed the ♦ K 8 4 diamond return and discarded his last ♣ Q 9 3 West North East South spade on the fourth round of clubs. Percy Robin Hal Nazir The game was made. Gallowes Hood Cossett Percy Gallowes recognised a well West North East South 1♠ Pass Pass Dbl played hand when he saw one. ‘I Percy Robin Hal Nazir Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ haven’t seen you two before,’ he Gallowes Hood Cossett Pass 4♥ All Pass declared. ‘Where are you from?’ 1NT ‘A few miles away,’ Hood replied. ‘A Pass 3NT All Pass Nazir judged that he was too strong to small village called Hurdleton. You bid 2♥ in the protective seat. He began know it?’ Regretting his decision to continue with a double and then bid his hearts. ‘I don’t expect anyone knows it,’ the game, Gallowes led the ♠J. Nazir This showed a strong hand and Robin Gallowes retorted. ‘How would you won with the ♠A and paused to plan

Page 36 BRIDGE August 2015 Robin Hood continued a chance to switch to hearts, removing overruff immediately. What would the ♥A entry while the diamonds happen then if he ran into a 4-1 trump were blocked. If, instead, declarer break? If he drew all the trumps, he continued with the ♦K and a third would have to overtake the ♠J with the play. round of diamonds, there would be no the ♠Q on the third round and would If diamonds broke no worse than entry to the good spades. need a 3-3 spade break. If, instead, 3-1, he would have five diamonds, After a couple of failing part-scores, he didn’t draw all the trumps, a three spades and one heart. There Nazir ended in another game, one that defender might ruff one of dummy’s was a potential problem with entries, might end the rubber. top spades. however. If his next move was to play Once Nazir had foreseen the king and another diamond, he would potential problem, it was not too have no entry to his hand to reach Dealer West. North-South game. difficult to spot the solution. At Trick the ♠K-Q. If, instead, he cashed the ♠ A K J 3, he discarded a diamond from his two spade winners before playing ♥ 7 5 4 hand instead of ruffing. diamonds, the defenders might be ♦ A 5 2 The contract could not be beaten able to take too many tricks when they ♣ J 9 8 5 then. Nazir won East’s diamond return gained the lead in diamonds. What ♠ 3 ♠ 10 9 8 6 4 with dummy’s ace and drew trumps in could be done? ♥ 10 8 3 2 N ♥ 6 four rounds. Then, he played dummy’s W E ♦ K J 6 ♦ Q 10 7 4 3 Nazir soon spotted the solution. He S three spade honours and reached his must duck the first round of diamonds ♣ A K Q 10 3 ♣ 6 4 hand with a diamond ruff to score the in both hands. That would set up the ♠ Q 7 5 2 ♠Q for his tenth trick. suit against a 3-1 break. It would also ♥ A K Q J 9 It was another costly rubber for the leave a diamond entry to both hands. ♦ 9 8 pair from Peterborough. They paid Nazir led the ♦4 from his hand and ♣ 7 2 their dues and Robin Hood called for allowed West’s ♦J to win, playing more tankards of ale to round off the the ♦2 from dummy. The game was evening. guaranteed then. Whatever suit the West North East South ‘You lads play a strong game,’ Percy defenders played next, he could use the Percy Robin Hal Nazir Gallowes observed. ‘Perhaps I can ♦K as an entry to play his two spade Gallowes Hood Cossett interest you in a proposition – one that winners. Then, he would cross to the 1♣ Pass Pass 1♥ might earn us all a fair return.’ ♦A to enjoy the remaining diamonds. Pass 4♥ All Pass Robin Hood took a deep draft of ‘A pretty one,’ observed Robin Hood. ale. ‘What do you have in mind?’ he He had no intention of mentioning it Gallowes cashed two top clubs, enquired. but playing a low diamond to the ace everyone following and continued ‘In two days time, the Bishop of would not have been good enough. with the ♣3. The ♣9 was played from Peterborough is holding a team Then, if declarer ducked the second dummy, East ruffing with a low trump. championship to raise money for round of diamonds, East would have Nazir resisted the temptation to cathedral repairs. Half the entry money goes to the church, the other half to the winners of the event.’ ‘The Bishop’s team won a similar event a year ago,’ said Hal Cossett, taking up the story. ‘That was twenty pounds for the cathedral and another twenty to line their own pockets.’ ‘If we entered the event,’ said Gallowes, ‘we would have a good chance of diverting the prize money in an altogether more desirable direction.’ Robin Hood looked across the table. ‘What say you, Nazir?’ Nazir nodded his agreement and the four players shook hands on the arrangement. ‘The event is played in the nave of the cathedral itself,’ said Gallowes. ‘Shall we see you there at noon?’ The outlaws rose to their feet. ‘At noon!’ they replied. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 37 Heather’s Private Bridge Lessons Ducking

ow do you plan the play in 3NT at Declarer Hgame all on the following hand? Dummy 1. Setting up a suit in dummy ♠ 5 2

N ♠ J 10 9 5 It is frequently important to duck a W E ♥ Q J 8 4 round; especially if there is no other S ♦ J 10 8 7 entry to dummy. You ♣ 8 ♠ A 7 4

N Dummy W E ♥ K 8 6 4 2 ♠ S On the lead of the K, you will normally duck twice and take the N ♠ K Q 7 W E third round with your ace. Your hope ♥ K 7 2 S is that your right hand opponent is ♦ K Q 6 2 You now out of the suit and will be unable ♣ A J 10 ♥ A 7 3 to return it when on lead.

Contract: 3NT by South. 3. To avoid a particular Lead: ♣5. If you have no entry to dummy, opponent from play the ♥A and then duck a round. obtaining the lead Providing the opposition hearts break West North East South 3-2, you will now make 4 tricks in the Pass Pass 3♣ 3NT suit. ♠ A K 10 9 All pass Sometimes, you may need to duck ♥ 5 4 3 2 twice. ♦ 5 3 West’s initial pass will tell you that ♣ 6 5 3 he does not hold all three of the remaining aces and you will need to Dummy N W E ♣ K 8 6 4 2 lose the lead to all of them in order to S establish nine winners. If you win this N trick and guess to play on a suit that W E ♠ 7 5 3 2 West holds the ace in, he will play a S ♥ A K Q J second club, establishing his partner’s You ♦ A K suit and East will still have an entry. ♣ A 7 5 3 ♣ K 8 7 Instead, you should duck this trick. You still have two stoppers in the Contract: 4♥ by South. suit if it is continued because you are If, when you play the ♣A, one of the Lead: ♦Q. sitting over East. However, now when opposition shows out, you will need you lose the lead to West, he will not to duck twice if there is no entry to have another club to return, assuming dummy in order to make 3 tricks. Start by cashing two trumps, to which that East began with a seven card suit both opponents follow. Now lead a for his vulnerable opening pre-empt. 2. Eliminating the spade towards dummy. Too often declarer or opponents danger suit from You do not want your right hand will duck without having a good an opposition hand opponent to gain the lead and play reason. Try and work out if there is an a club through your king, so if West advantage to ducking. (Sometimes it is This will occur frequently when plays low, you should rise with the ♠A important that you do not duck). playing no-trumps. or ♠K and return to hand with a

Page 38 BRIDGE August 2015 Ducking continued Defence ♦ J 10 8 6 5 4 1. The entryless dummy N W E S It is often important to the ace third trump to lead toward the spades ♦ A when declarer is trying to establish a again, but if the ♠Q is played by West, suit in a dummy with no outside entry. then duck. With six cards out against you, they 4. Ducking in one suit will usually break 4-2 and the honours ♠ 7 6 in order to throw an are most likely to be split. Your best ♥ 8 4 3 blocking card percentage line to make four tricks ♦ K Q J 10 8 from another is to play the ace and then lead a low ♣ 9 5 2 one from dummy on the second round ♠ J 8 4 ♥ A 6 2 N Contract: of the suit, hoping that either the suit W E ♠ A 6 5 divides three-three, or you lose to ♦ A 7 5 S 3NT by S ♥ 5 3 honour doubleton. ♣ J 10 8 6 ♦ J 5 3 ♣ A Q 4 3 2 6. Keeping control of a suit When declarer leads a diamond to N dummy, you must duck and watch W E S You may well find in a trump contract your partner’s count signals to know that you wish to draw trumps, but do how long to hold up the ace. ♠ 3 2 not wish to allow the opposition to ♥ A K 4 2 draw all your trumps if the suit breaks 2. Duck as part of ♦ A 9 4 badly. a forcing defence ♣ K 9 8 7 Reducing declarer’s trumps in a forc- Contract: 3NT by South. ♠ A K 8 6 ing defence is not possible if dummy Lead: ♠K. N still has some trumps and is out of the W E suit you are using to force. S

Begin by holding up until the third ♠ 7 5 3 2 round and discard the ♣7. The club ♠ Q 7 6 suit is now unblocked and you will ♥ Q 9 5 make all five club tricks, barring a 4-0 If you and dummy hold these cards in ♦ K Q break. trumps, it is not always wise to cash the ♣ K Q J 8 6 ♠A and ♠K since, if the suit breaks 4-1, ♠ 5 ♠ A 4 3 2 5. Suit combinations you may find your remaining trumps ♥ A 4 2 N ♥ K J 10 6 3 drawn and the opposition may now be ♦ 10 8 7 5 4 2 W E ♦ J 6 S Some suit combinations are best able to run their own suit. Therefore, ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ 7 3 played by ducking at some point. consider playing one top honour only ♠ K J 10 9 8 How do you tackle this suit? and then duck a round. You know now ♥ 8 7 whether the opposition cards break ♦ A 9 3 3-2 or 4-1 and you still have control of ♣ A 10 2 ♦ K 4 3 2 the suit.

N W E 5. The The contract is 4♠ by South. East has S overcalled a heart. West leads ♥A and ♦ Q 7 6 5 on the third round South’s spades are N ♣ K Q 10 W E reduced to four. South will try and S draw trumps. East should see that Lead towards either the ♦K or ♦Q, ♣ A J 6 any further forcing defence cannot depending upon whether you have any take place while there are trumps in guidance as to where the ace might be. dummy and must therefore hold up If this trick holds, then duck a round As discussed last month, on the lead the ace until the third round. He can and hope that the holder of the ace of the ♣K, it is frequently best to duck, now continue the forcing defence, began with ♦A-x. since any continuation of this suit by playing another heart and will be left How do you tackle this suit? West will give you two tricks. with the only remaining trump.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 39 Ducking continued Beginners’ Bridge Corner Sorry Partner! 3. Giving declarer a guess Are we Playing ♠ K Q 10

N ♠ A 5 4 W E S Transfers?

As West, when declarer leads towards spades in dummy, you should duck by Liz Dale smoothly, hoping that partner holds the jack. If declarer puts up the king, oan had a regular four for bridge Mary made a transfer to hearts, but was crosses to hand and leads the suit on Mondays. They were great fun. left playing in 2♦. She smiled: usually it again, make declarer guess as to which JJoan was so inclusive, making sure was her making the mistakes. As soon one of you has ducked the first trick. that everyone in the Tuesday beginners’ as the auction had finished and the ♦A He will not know whether to finesse group had an invite at some time or was led, her partner became aware of you for the jack. other. We were still struggling with her error. ‘Oh, Mary, I am sorry.’ ‘Don’t many of the ideas, but everybody was worry, Joan. It is usually me!’ 4. Duck to avoid an end-play so friendly – all of our mistakes were Smiles all round, which left me calm met with smiles and laughs rather than to take on the play. After three rounds shrugs and sighs. Goodness! Mary had of trumps, South switched to the ♠K. N ♥ A J 9 W E never made this many friends in the I won this, drew the last trump and S whole of her married life. There was played hearts. The defence took one ♥ K Q 10 always something going on within the more spade, but with the ♣K to reach group. Invitations to accept, theatre dummy, I had made my eight tricks. visits, films and even the odd birthday ‘Well done, Mary. That was brilliant.’ You are West and declarer is South lunch. Everyone was talking about My partner was overjoyed that I had with the ♥K-Q-10. Suppose you are the forthcoming visit to London. Mary managed to make 2♦, ‘rescuing’ her down to the last three cards to be hadn’t been able to accept the invitation mistake. played. If, on the play of the king, you because she wouldn’t be back in time It is wonderful to play in such an at- take the trick, you have end-played to pick David up from school. Walking mosphere. Our mistakes are taken in yourself and will lose the next two. to Joan’s she felt quite light-headed. stride, but most important is to learn However, if you duck the first trick, Peter would have been so proud of her. from them. All four players love the so- you have now end-played declarer and Here is a typical mistake that occurred cial get-togethers, making them great he will lose the next two. last week. fun. Everyone looks forward to the af- ternoon – it has actually become one of 5. Duck for a signal the highlights of the week. We all want ♠ 7 4 to get better. ♥ K 10 ♥ K Q 8 ♦ 10 9 7 4 The Moral of the Story ♣ Q J 10 9 4 Before the start of each game, why N ♥ A 10 7 5 W E ♥ 4 2 ♠ A 5 3 2 ♠ J 10 9 not take a few minutes to agree the S ♥ A 3 N ♥ Q J 9 8 7 5 4 systems you are playing: Stayman W E ♥ J 9 6 3 ♦ J 5 3 2 ♦ 8 6 and transfers, or perhaps simply weak S ♣ A 6 5 ♣ K take-outs. Discussing systems prior to ♠ K Q 8 6 play takes only a short while and the You lead the ♥5 against a contract of ♥ 6 2 benefits are threefold: 3NT. Not a very good lead as it turns ♦ A K Q l an excellent warming up exercise, out and declarer continues the suit. ♣ 8 7 3 2 jolting the memory It seems likely that he has four or five l focuses the mind on the game hearts. Duck the second round in case which is about to be played and partner has two and when you take West North East South l partnership results will improve the third round, partner can give you 1NT Pass 2♦ All Pass dramatically. a signal with his discard. ■

Page 40 BRIDGE August 2015 Improve Your Defence with Andrew Kambites

Leading Partner’s Suit

Should I lead the highest common but mistaken belief that he Partner has overcalled spades, your card in partner’s suit? should lead the highest card in his opponents are in 3NT and you may partner’s suit, in this case, the ♠Q. have no attractive alternative to Look at the deal below. Do you think That gave declarer a second spade leading the ♠Q. that declarer should succeed or fail in stopper and he made his contract his no-trump game contract? with two spade tricks, three hearts Not leading partner’s suit and four diamonds. I can understand West North East South why defenders like leading their top No doubt you regard it as one of 1♦ 1♠ 1NT card in partner’s suit, because it clears the basic principles of defence that, 2♠ 3NT All Pass up that they have that card, however, if partner has entered the bidding it costs a trick too often. Consider before your opponents bought the the bidding. In bidding 1NT over 1♠, contract, you should lead his suit. ♠ 5 3 declarer has advertised that he has Certainly, partnership morale can be ♥ A K 3 at least one spade honour. He might undermined if you ignore his bidding, ♦ K Q 6 5 4 have two and in that case West’s ♠Q particularly if he overcalled. He might ♣ K Q J has a crucial role to play in ensuring have to open the bidding with a poor ♠ Q 7 2 ♠ A 10 9 8 6 that the second spade honour doesn’t suit, but he should strive to avoid ♥ 10 8 5 4 2 N ♥ 9 6 turn into a second spade stopper. My overcalling a suit he doesn’t want led. ♦ 9 W E ♦ A 8 7 3 advice is: from any holding, lead the Bearing this in mind, consider your S ♣ 9 5 4 2 ♣ A 7 same card whether or not partner has choice of leads from the hand below ♠ K J 4 bid the suit. Admittedly, if partner had after each of the bidding sequences ♥ Q J 7 not overcalled spades you probably shown. ♦ J 10 2 wouldn’t have led from a suit like ♠Q- ♣ 10 8 6 3 7-2. However, if you choose to lead this suit you would lead the ♠2, not the ♠Q. ♠ A 6 3 That is West’s correct lead here. ♥ 9 7 6 N W E West should lead spades, the suit his Of course if you choose to lead ♦ 5 3 2 S partnership has bid and supported. If, partner’s suit from a holding such as ♣ 9 8 4 2 correctly, West leads the ♠2, East takes doubleton ♠Q-2, you lead the ♠Q, top the ♠A (third hand high) and returns of a doubleton. You might be aware a spade. Even if declarer reads the that your lead could cost a trick, for Sequence A spade position correctly and rises with example on this layout: West North East South the ♠K, blocking the suit, he cannot 1♦ 1♠ 1NT succeed. He drives out the ♦A but Pass 3NT All Pass East perseveres with another spade to ♠ J 5 4 West’s ♠Q, regains the lead with the Sequence B N ♣A and cashes two more spade tricks ♠ Q 2 W E ♠ A 9 8 7 6 3 West North East South S to defeat the contract by two tricks. 1♥ So how did declarer make his ♠ K 10 Pass 2♥ 2♠ 2NT contract at the table? West held the Pass 4♥ All Pass

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 41 Leading Partner’s Suit you what may be the most perhaps the highest JUST expensive opening lead ever standard event in the seen at the bridge table. country. DUPLICATE 2) Every match played the BRIDGE After Sequence A, it is natu- same boards and the ral to lead your partner’s North identical auction and re- 2015 suit. You should start with ♠ 4 2 sult happened at two oth- the ♠3. Declarer certainly ♥ 7 2 er tables (possibly more). has one spade stopper. If he ♦ A has two honours, you need ♣ A K Q J 6 4 3 2 3) All the players made to keep your ♠A to prevent West East close but reasonable deci- his holding becoming a sec- ♠ 3 ♠ A K Q J 6 5 sions. South had a diffi- ond stopper. ♥ A Q J 10 4 3 ♥ 8 6 5 cult choice of bid and was How about after Se- ♦ 10 9 5 2 ♦ 8 7 6 4 correct that, most of the quence B? In general, my ♣ 9 8 ♣ Void time, his partner would very strong advice is that South provide enough in spades you should not underlead ♠ 10 9 8 7 to make his ♠10-9-8-7 side suit aces against a suit ♥ K 9 into a full stopper. North contract. Equally, it can be ♦ K Q J 3 could see that, provided costly to cash unsupported ♣ 10 7 5 his partner had the ad- Wyndham Garden aces. However, I have also vertised spade stopper, Grantham advised you to lead part- his nine running tricks ner’s suit, so something has West North East South would ensure 3NT. (formerly the Olde Barn) 1♣ 1♠ 1NT Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT to give. Here you would be most unwise to lead a spade. Pass 3NT All Pass 4) Despite the absurd re- 14-16 August £189 Here is the full layout. sult, I believe my thought I was on lead. Should I processes were correct. 4-6 September £189 lead my singleton spade, I made the lead that re- 9-11 October £189 ♠ 5 2 my partner’s suit? Rightly quired least help from ♥ K J 3 2 or wrongly, I assumed de- partner and could see 16-18 October £189 ♦ 7 6 4 clarer was expecting a spade a likely way to success. ♣ Q J 10 3 lead and that my partner’s I would make the same 13-15 November £189 ♠ A 6 3 ♠ Q J 10 9 8 spades would be hard to es- lead again. ♥ 9 7 6 N ♥ A 4 W E tablish. Holiday Inn ♦ 5 3 2 S ♦ J 10 9 8 I led the ♥Q. It seemed 5) Finally, my partner in- Ashford North TN26 1AR ♣ 9 8 4 2 ♣ A 6 a sensible idea at the time. dulged in none of the 2-4 October £189 ♠ K 7 4 Drive out the ♥K, wait for recriminations that are ♥ Q 10 8 5 partner to regain the lead so common when an un- Holiday Inn ♦ A K Q and fire a heart back. De- fortunate partner makes Newport NP18 2YG ♣ K 7 5 clarer won the ♥K at trick 1, an unsuccessful opening cashed eight club tricks and lead. Such partners are to 6-8 November £189 four diamond tricks. If I had be cherished. This hand Declarer has advertised led my ♠3, partner would shows just how difficult Chatsworth Hotel his spade honour by bid- have cashed six spade tricks it is to make a success- Worthing BN11 3DU ding 2NT. Your ace must and switched to a heart: we ful opening lead. Clichés 20-22 November £199 make sure that this honour would have taken the first such as, ‘Always lead doesn’t score. Lead passive- twelve tricks. My opening partner’s suit,’ are not 27-29 November £199 ly, wait for partner to get in lead had cost no fewer than helpful. and lead a spade through twelve tricks! And with the Full Board declarer and you will take diamonds blocked, East- Do have a good laugh at this No Single the four defensive tricks West can make twelve tricks example. If nothing else, Supplement that are due to you. Inciden- in hearts. it will help you realise that tally, partner can work out Now, you might be won- experts have just as many Booking Form that the most likely reason dering which asylum the problems as you do in this on page 8. you haven’t led his suit is players had come from. The difficult area of the game Please note there are no that you have the ace. following is relevant. and, hopefully, it may make seminars, set hands or Before leaving the subject you feel a little better next prizes at these events. of whether or not to lead 1) This hand took place in time you make an unsuc- partner’s suit, I will show the Spring Foursomes, cessful opening lead. ■

Page 42 BRIDGE August 2015 Conventions Part 8 with Jeremy Dhondy The Unusual No-Trump

ne of the most popular agree- Again, you bid 2NT to show the lowest your honours in your short suits are ments is using a 2NT overcall two suits, this time clubs and hearts. matched with partner’s honours, you to show two suits, often the It can hardly go wrong can it? may prevent them making game, so a Ominors, after your opponents have Problem 1 is making sure you know penalty of perhaps -1,100, instead of opened the bidding. Almost no-one what the suits are. A growing number beating 4♠ by one trick, will not go plays it as natural any more. It is very of players have taken to playing five- down as one of your great triumphs much a two-edged sword. It has the card majors and this means that they and, even if they make game, their advantages that it may help you find a open 1♣ on three, or sometimes two, likely score of 620 will be dwarfed by double fit, find a making game on slen- cards in the suit so if the auction goes: the penalty you concede. der values, find a and obstruct How strong should you be before the opponents. All of this is good, but South West bidding 2NT? You can be quite weak like most things, it also comes with 1♣1 2NT and partner should expect you to some disadvantages, the main ones 1May be as short as two clubs have less than an opening bid, but you of which are: if the opponents do play should have decent playing strength the contract, you have given away the are you sure whether 2NT shows and good intermediates in your long shape of your hand; and its tendency diamonds and hearts because they suits. You should also keep an eye to be used far too often on unsuitable have just bid clubs or whether it shows on the vulnerability and be more hands. the minors because you treat their 1♣ conservative if you are vulnerable and Here are a couple of easy hands to bid as artificial? It is simpler, in my they are not. start with. opinion, to ignore the opponents as When you bid 2NT and give away Your right hand opponent opens 1♠ quite a bit of the time they have clubs much of your shape, consider what and you hold: anyway and, in addition, you don’t happens when your opponents end up have to change your methods. 2NT, playing in 4♠. Their trump suit is: therefore, always shows diamonds and Problem 1 hearts over a 1♣ opening. ♠ 5 Problem 2 is the ‘new toy’ syndrome. ♠ K J 9 4 3 ♥ 8 7 N Someone has introduced you to the ♦ K J 10 7 4 W E unusual no-trump, you have agreed to N S W E ♣ A Q J 9 3 play it with your partner and you can’t S wait to try it out. You pick up: ♠ A 10 5 2 You bid 2NT. This shows at least 5-5 in the lowest two unbid suits, minors ♠ Q 9 in this case. ♥ K N If there is no opposition bidding, the Now, your opponent opens 1♦ and ♦ J 7 6 5 2 W E in this suit is to cash S this time you hold: ♣ Q 10 5 4 3 the two top honours. This works when they are 2-2 and it works also when either player has the singleton queen. Problem 2 So you bid 2NT over their 1♠ opening That adds up to about 52% so is a little ♠ 5 and now they double and your partner better than taking a finesse. If one ♥ K J 10 7 4 N is blessed with two cards in each of player has, however, shown ten cards ♦ 8 7 W E S your minors. You will now play in in the minors then he has only three ♣ A Q J 9 3 three of a minor with a 5-2 fit and very spaces to hold the spade queen so the little playing strength. In addition, if odds favour finessing the other

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 43 The Unusual No-Trump An unusual no-trump is not always at the two level. If, for example, the ♠ 7 6 auction goes: ♥ A 3 N ♦ Q J 10 9 W E S hand for the queen of spades. He may West North East South ♣ Q J 10 9 3 now make a game he might have gone 1♥ Pass 4♥ down in had you kept quiet. ? Having put you off by terrible stories You have passed twice so 2NT cannot of misunderstandings, huge penalties possibly be taken as natural. You are and opponents who read the cards to ♠ 7 not keen to double as partner might make difficult games, you might not ♥ 5 N expect more in hearts, but you can bid want to ever bid it again, but there ♦ K Q J 10 8 W E 2NT to show the minors. Note that, S are hands where it shows a distinct ♣ Q J 10 9 4 2 here, when you are simply trying to positive. Here are reasons to bid 2NT: push them one level higher on a part l You are non vulnerable against score board, it is not a sin to be 5-4 vulnerable. There may be a If you are at favourable vulnerability, in your two suits. In fact, with four potentially cheap sacrifice available you are unlikely to go for a penalty of diamonds and five clubs, it is safer to if partner has a good fit more than 500, even if partner has little bid 2NT as partner, with equal length, l You have a hand which would of use, so you can bid 4NT to show the will bid clubs most of the time. comfortably compete to the 3 level minors. This has the benefit that you As with most conventions, you need and would like to block opponents may find a cheap sacrifice and, if your to know what to do if your opponents from finding a potential fit opponents proceed to 5♠, they may go look as if they would like to take a l If you don’t overcall 2NT, the down. As a general rule, the five level penalty. auction will get too high too belongs to the opponents so if you have quickly and you won’t have a made them guess, then don’t bid again. chance to show both of your suits. ♠ Q 5 3 You hold: West North East South N ♥ A 9 5 2 Pass 1♥ Pass 3♥ W E ♦ J 9 4 S ? ♣ J 9 4 ♠ 6 ♥ 5 N If you were to bid 3NT then this ♦ Q J 10 7 6 5 W E could hardly be natural given you are West North East South S ♣ K J 10 7 6 a passed hand and so is partner; you Pass 1♥ might hold something like: Pass 1♠ Pass 2♠ 2NT Dbl ? Your right hand opponent opens 1♠. You don’t have the values for a two ♠ 5 North has shown he is interested in level overcall but you do have a lot of ♥ 6 5 N a penalty (by his double) so what do playing strength and, if you can show ♦ K Q J 6 5 W E you do? One thing you should not do S both suits with one bid, you are well ♣ Q J 10 9 7 is guess which suit to play in. You can placed if partner has a fit. You bid 2NT pass, which suggests to partner you and the next opponent bids 4♠. have equal length in the minors and Partner holds: You don’t expect to buy the contract in he will pick his best suit. That won’t four of a minor but you have involved always save you, but it will improve partner in the decision and if he has a your chances of escaping unscathed. ♠ 4 3 fit, then he might well save and if he There are times when 2NT is not N ♥ A 4 3 does not and you defend 4♥, then he is unusual. If your opponents pre-empt W E ♦ K 8 4 more likely to find a good lead. by opening a weak two, then you S ♣ A 9 8 4 3 Even at low levels, you can use should not pre-empt over their pre- 2NT to show two suits. At pairs, empt and you should reserve 2NT particularly, it is often a losing option for a strong and balanced hand. The He is delighted to bid 5♣ with a to allow the opponents to find a fit auction: known good fit and a valuable card in and play at the two level. At love all, your other suit. suppose the auction goes: West North East South You will make 5♣ unless the Pass 2♠1 opponents can find a diamond ruff. West North East South 2NT 1Weak Two The opponents may well go down in 5♠ Pass Pass Pass 1♠ if they choose to bid on, by sustaining Pass 2♠ Pass Pass 2NT shows a strong balanced hand a heart ruff. ? with a spade stop and a lower limit

Page 44 BRIDGE August 2015 The Unusual No-Trump More Tips from Bernard Magee

of about 15 or 16 points. Another position when it Shortage With Short is natural, rather than unu- sual, is after an opening bid and two passes, so in the fol- Trumps: Go For Ruffs lowing auction:

West North East South It is important to potential. In fact, you you make your contract. 1♠ Pass Pass understand the difference should rarely ruff in 2NT between ruffing in your long trump hand the short trump hand unless you are forced to, ♠ J 10 The 2NT bid shows about and ruffing in the long or you do it as part of ♥ J 9 8 4 19-21 points, usually with trump hand. Look at a greater plan: getting ♦ Q J 10 some playing strength. This this hand, playing with from hand to hand or ♣ 10 9 6 5 is because, when South has spades as trumps: establishing a long suit. ♠ A K 9 8 7 ♠ 6 3 2 Here is a hand ♥ 6 5 3 N ♥ 7 2 passed the opening bid, you W E need as much room as you for you to try: ♦ A 2 S ♦ K 7 6 4 can get to show the various ♠ Q J 10 9 8 7 ♠ A K 2 ♣ K Q 2 ♣ A 8 7 3 ♥ K 4 ♥ A 8 7 6 2 ♠ Q 5 4 types of hand and estimate N whether game might be on ♦ 2 W E ♦ A 8 7 4 ♠ A K 9 8 7 ♠ 6 3 2 ♥ A K Q 10 S or not. ■ ♣ A 6 4 2 ♣ 3 ♥ 6 5 3 N ♥ 7 2 ♦ 9 8 5 3 W E ♦ A 2 S ♦ K 7 6 4 ♣ J 4 6♠ by West. Lead: ♠5. ♣ K Q 2 ♣ A 8 7 3 Summary 4♠ by West. Lead: ♦Q. Looking at the full hand l 2NT shows the two You start with six trump shows you that making lowest unbid suits. tricks. Let us see the effect your extra trump trick was l You should be 5-5 of ruffing in either hand: You have five top tricks almost like a race: you in your two suits, Ruffing in the long in the minors and hope were trying to use your unless you are trump hand: you win the to make four tricks from short trumps to ruff, whilst simply protecting ♠A, play the ♦A, ruff a your trump suit. You need the defence were trying and seeking to diamond, ♥A then ruff one more trick. A 3-3 to draw them. Had North compete only to the another diamond. You break in clubs might be chosen to lead a trump three level have taken two ruffs, worth an extra trick, but initially, then your plan l Check with partner but you have shortened the most likely chance could have been scuppered that you know what your long holding, so you you have is ruffing in because the defence would suits are shown, make 4 + 2 ruffs = 6 the short trump hand; be one step ahead. They especially if the tricks, which is the same aiming to ruff a heart. could continue leading opponents open a as you started with. Remember that ruffing trumps each time you possibly short club Ruffing in the short diamonds is no good gave up a heart trick l Check you know trump hand: you win the because two diamond and South would draw when a no trump ♠7, cash ♣A, ruff a club, ruffs would just be using dummy’s last trump before bid is natural not ♥K and ruff another club. up your long trumps. you could ruff with it. unusual Now, you have taken two You win the ♦A and play You may have already l Make sure you have ruffs and you still have a heart. The defence will read the defensive tip on decent suit quality, your trump length so you see your plan and switch this same topic, urging especially when have 6 + 2 ruffs = 8 to trumps to try to stop defenders to attack trumps vulnerable tricks. Ruffing in the short you, but you win the ♠A, when they see a shortage l Balance the risk of trump hand gains tricks. play a second heart, then alongside short trumps. finding a cheap Therefore, you should win the ♠K and play a As declarer, you should save with what you aim to take ruffs in third heart, which you ruff be pursuing your short- give away to the the short trump hand in dummy. The defence hand ruffs with equal opponents about to increase your trick make their trump trick, but alacrity. your shape.

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Monday ♠ Q 5 Wednesday I am up early and manage to get a ♥ 6 4 3 Briony and I get up early and go to couple of hours work in before Briony ♦ J 9 2 the food market. Everything looks so wakes up. Then, we have breakfast, I ♣ A J 8 4 2 delicious. We decide to have a cup of unpack, give her a few bits and pieces ♠ 10 7 ♠ K 9 6 2 coffee (most of the shops aren’t open ♥ A 8 5 N ♥ 9 7 2 I bought her in Spain, put the washing W E yet) and then browse some clothes machine on and catch up on news. ♦ K 8 6 4 3 S ♦ A 10 7 5 shops, thinking that we don’t want to We grab a quick lunch and go into ♣ 7 5 3 ♣ 10 6 carry our market food around with Wycombe for a bit of shopping before ♠ A J 8 4 3 us. It’s fun but all we buy is a couple she puts me on a train to London. ♥ K Q J 10 of t-shirts each. In the market, we buy Barry was supposed to have a trial ♦ Q some wonderful-looking strawberries, starting today but it falls through, ♣ K Q 9 melons, artichokes and weird-looking and we arrive at his flat at more or less ridged tomatoes. I buy some salami the same time. We catch up and get a type sausages in a variety of flavours, Japanese takeaway for supper. Then, West North East South and some local cheese for a party I’m we try to do a bit of bidding practice 1♠ having in 10 days or so. Then, we find on BBO but the internet isn’t working Pass 1NT Pass 2♣ this stall that has the most amazing well at his flat and we keep getting Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ home-made nougat. The woman gives disconnected. Still, a nice evening, Pass 3♣ Pass 5♣ us plenty of samples to try and it is doing not a lot. All Pass truly delicious. We buy three small pieces of different sorts, but I am not South’s 2♣ rebid is Gazilli, a popular so pleased with what it costs – €45! Tuesday new convention in some quarters, We go back to the flat and wake Toby We both have to leave the flat early, showing at least 16 points. North’s 2♦ up before going to a fondue restaurant Barry for a trial in Croydon and me to shows 8+ points and is game-forcing. for lunch. After that, I need a siesta, meet the children and get to Ashford South’s 2♥ and North’s 3♣ are natural. but the kids go shopping for chocolate. International. They are a little late With obvious diamond weakness I go out to meet them later and then picking me up and consequently we in both hands, South opts for 5♣. we chill for a while before going to a are a little late getting to the Tunnel Neither major-suit game can be made Thai restaurant for dinner. and just miss our booked crossing. against best defence (though it takes Not that it matters a great deal. the king of diamonds opening lead to Once we are the other side, we beat 4♥), so this is a good decision. Thursday drive straight to Bruges and find the Unfortunately, declarer loses her way We get up, pack and leave Bruges just apartment we had booked. It turns out in the play. Declarer should be looking after ten. We drive straight to Calais to be an open plan affair up quite a few to establish spades, so should win the where we go to Briony’s favourite narrow stairs, but nicely turned out trump lead in the dummy and run the chocolate shop in the whole world and perfect for us. queen of spades, say, covered by the (and probably the most expensive). We unload the car and then have to king and ace. Now, cash the jack of Then it is my turn to visit my go and find a car park. We stop for a spades and ruff a spade (West pitching favourite cheese shop in the whole drink on the way back and then unpack. a heart), followed by a heart to the world, just near the Place des Armes For dinner, we go to a restaurant quite king. If West ducks this (best), declarer in the middle of Calais. I buy a lot of close to our apartment (which is in a must play a diamond in order to cheese for the weekend and even more fantastic central location). the defensive communications. Best for my party. Afterwards, I have an online session is for West to win the king and then After that, it is off to Cité Europe. with one of my Irish pairs. play another diamond, but with the I choose my spot, a table a long way They do well in the bidding on this ten of clubs dropping doubleton the from any others where I can sit for a deal: defenders cannot prevail. couple of hours to do my online

Page 46 BRIDGE August 2015 Seven Days continued stopper, he would rebid 4♣). brought, The Riot Club. Not That should excite South the sort of movie that you Better Hand sufficiently for him to bid exactly enjoy as it depicts slam after checking on aces human behaviour at its ab- Evaluation session with Richard and (and the queen of trumps) solute worst, but good none- Bernard Magee Gerry. I like these sessions via Roman Key Card Black- theless. best when Barry can join us, wood. Introduction but this time he is in court While I am online, the Better Hand Evaluation is and I have to make do with children entertain them- Saturday aimed at helping readers to a robot. selves with a long visit After a leisurely morning, add greater accuracy to their bidding. It deals with auc- This hand is very difficult: to Carrefour to get some we go into Bury St Ed- tions in which you and your French specialities and then munds. We wander around partner, against silent op- browse other shops in Cité the market for a while – an ponents, can describe your Game All. Dealer North. Europe. We go via the Euro- excellent market it is too, hands fully to each other and, by evaluating them ac- ♠ Q J tunnel back to Ashford and one of the best I’ve seen in curately, find the best final ♥ Q 10 6 rather a slow rush-hour trip this country, then we go for contract. The emphasis of all ♦ A 6 home. lunch to a Lebanese tapas- good, accurate bidding is on ♣ A K Q 9 8 2 style restaurant – and again hand evaluation.

♠ K 9 6 3 N ♠ 10 8 2 it is excellent – so good to There are two general types of ♥ W E ♥ Friday auction: a) a fit is found and b) J 5 S 8 7 2 find a place where we can all no fit is found. ♦ K 10 9 4 2 ♦ Q 5 3 After an online teach- share. We browse the shops ♣ J 5 ♣ 10 7 6 4 ing session that finishes at for a while and then, sud- When you do not have a fit, ♠ A 7 5 4 12.30, Briony and I set off denly, it is a mad rush back you are aiming to describe the strength of your hand as soon ♥ A K 9 4 3 for Stowmarket where we to the car to avoid a parking as possible, most often using ♦ J 8 7 are going to meet friends ticket. Back to the cabin, no-trump bids. This book be- ♣ 3 Laura and Imogen for our and Briony tells us all that gins by discussing balanced- weekend away. On the way, she has brought the Harry hand bidding in Acol, as it is very important that both we stop for lunch and do a Potter box set with her. members of a partnership West North East South supermarket shop. Then, we Great enthusiasm. We settle have an accurate knowledge of 1♣ Pass 1♥ drive on to Badwell Ash to down to watch Harry Potter how to show hands of different Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ find our weekend accom- and the Philosopher’s Stone. strengths. Pass 3NT All Pass modation. Briony booked We make a stir fry with spi- When a fit is found, there is this a couple of months ago ralized courgettes which we much re-evaluation of the ♥ hand to be done; point count, 6 is a good contract. At and she has excelled herself. eat on the balcony, before though still important, needs worst it depends on 3-2 We have a wooden cabin on settling down to Harry Pot- to be evaluated together with hearts and 4-2 clubs. De- a beautiful site surrounded ter and the Chamber of Se- distribution. The best way of clarer wins the lead, plays by small lakes and trees, crets. reaching an accurate assess­ ment is to use the Losing Trick the ace of clubs and ruffs with ducks and swans wan- Count; this is an important a club, draws trumps end- dering freely around. We method of hand evaluation and ing in dummy and runs the also have a hot tub on the Sunday takes up a number of chapters. clubs. balcony (complete with A relaxing morning, in- Finally, we move on to different What was wrong with champagne cooler) and a cluding some time in the forms of evaluation including the bidding? Well, no-one gas barbecue. hot tub on the balcony in game tries and splinter bids. You can never know enough did anything terrible but We brought artichokes the sunshine. We make a methods of hand evaluation; both had a little more than from Bruges market and, barbecue lunch, which we the more you learn, the better they had promised. While after a cup of tea – and a eat overlooking the pond, you get at judging your hand. South’s 3♠ bid did not guar- glass of champagne – we watching the ducks and Although the Losing Trick antee five hearts – he may cook them and eat them in swans (including a black Count is used more easily in just have been looking for the fading sunshine on our one). Then, it’s back to The tandem with your partner, a large proportion of the ideas a diamond stopper – he balcony. Then, it is time for Prisoner of Azkaban. Later in this book can be used by an would often have a five-card the hot tub. It is glorious on, we watch the final of the individual. For example, eval- suit and North has a very lying there, experimenting French Open tennis cham- uating your hand to be worth suitable maximum hand. with all the controls, en- pionship which is very ex- an extra point is going to help anyone you partner – as long I think he should take a joying all the jets and bub- citing. as you get it right. chance and bid 4♦ over 3♠ bles. Afterwards we have a It is one of those wonderful which must be a cue-bid for bit more to eat (some of the days when no-one has the £14 including UK postage hearts (North cannot have cheese I bought in Bruges energy to do anything very See Mail Order Form four spades, and with a fit and Calais) and settle down much. We just enjoy being on page 7. for neither and no diamond to watch a DVD that Briony together. ■

BRIDGE August 2015 Page 47 2013 Mr Bridge A4 mag ad Mar 6 2_Layout 1 06/07/2015 12:45 Page 1

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