Conventions continued Revokes: The New Rules to prominence in New York in the 1950s. Partnered with by Bernard Magee Rapee, he played in winning over a friendly director to declarer makes the two tricks USA teams in the first three have these explained – the he was going to make: one World Championships (Ber - declarer can forbid or club and one diamond. muda Bowls) played after demand a lead of the Had the revoke stood, then WWII (1950, 1951 and penalty-card suit, in which the play would have 1953) and, in a different case the leader must obey continued as normal with partnership, played in the (if possible). Note that, in declarer making the same runner-up team in 1956. He this case the penalty card is two tricks, but this time, also played with Victor picked up and the defender there would have been a one- Mitchell in the World Team does not have to play it – trick penalty. The revoke law Olympiads of 1960 and evokes are the cause the declarer does not have itself has been simplified*: if 1964. In American bridge, he of much embarrass - to exercise this option in the offender does not win the won 19 national titles. ment at the table, which case, the player on revoke trick (himself) then Stayman was also a leading butR at last, the rules have lead can lead anything and there is only a one trick administrator. From 1966 to been changed to save us! the penalty card remains on penalty, whilst if he does win 1969 Stayman was treasurer We are all used to the table. the revoke trick the penalty would be two tricks of the American Contract dummy’s oft used question: For example: (although only tricks won on Bridge League. The ACBL ‘Having none, partner?’ If dummy asks the and after the revoke trick can made him an honourary question every time declarer — be lost). It is much more member in 1969 and he m fails to follow suit (as he is n — satisfactory to have the received the same title from allowed to) then the declarer o K 7 6 revoke discovered before it the American Bridge Tea - should not establish a p K Q becomes established and chers’ Association in 1979. revoke, because even if he m — m — thereby avoid the harsh He was president of the does have a card in the suit, — N — penalties and the difficulties n W E n Cavendish Club in Man - he will be in time to replace o A 9 5 3 S o Q 4 2 of the law. hattan from 1958 to 1972 and the wrongly played card. p 4 p A 3 The reason why some wrote three books: Expert Now the rules have been m — penalty is required is Bidding at Contract Bridge changed to allow defenders n — because you have shown (1951); The Complete Stay- to ask the same question, so o J 10 your partner your card: you man System of Contract we should be able to reach a p 7 6 2 have given him Bidding (1956); and Do You game of revoke-less bridge! ‘unauthorised information’ Play Stayman? (1965). I advise all players to get to use rulespeak. On the There are some good into the habit of asking the In no-trumps, declarer leads example shown, West had Stayman stories. As the above question: ‘Having a club on which West wanted to signal to his Stayman convention spread, none, partner?’ every time discards the nine of partner about his lovely ace some players had no idea that partner fails to follow suit diamonds: he was too keen of diamonds: his early play Stayman was a person and (for the first time in a suit). to make a signal! East asks: of the nine of diamonds has some were even confused The penalty for a revoke ‘Having none, partner?’ and given this information to about the name. Travelling to can be quite severe, whilst if West realises what he has partner before he should have it, so it is not Europe on an Italian liner, the you discover the revoke at done, so he puts the p4 on unreasonable to give declarer captain discovered that the time, the player is able the trick instead of the o9, to replace his card with a but the 9 is left face up on the opportunity to ban a Stayman and his wife played o correct one. Then the only the side of the table. East diamond lead if he should so bridge. Blissfully unaware penalty is that his exposed wins the trick and, before he wish. that Stayman was a world card becomes a ‘major leads, declarer can exercise I find that revokes cause champion, the captain set up penalty card’. one of his options and here many of the difficulties at a game. ‘I only play two A major penalty card: the he decides he would like a bridge tables: either through conventions,’ he announced, card played erroneously, diamond lead. East has to do embarrassment or through ‘Blackwood and Sternberg.’ remains face-up on the table as he says and therefore misinterpretation of the Stayman nodded his head, and must be played at the leads the o2. Meanwhile, rules. The more we can picked up his cards and first legal opportunity. There West picks up the o9 and avoid them the better, so take didn’t say a word! are also a few other puts it back in his hand. advantage of the new rules Stayman died aged 84 in penalties that apply if your West decides to take the oA and keep asking your partner retirement at Palm Beach, partner gets the lead when and now the play continues ‘Having none, partner?’ I Florida, but the convention you have a penalty card on as normal – the penalty has *The new revoke law does not that bears his name lives on the table – you should call been served. In the end, apply to rubber bridge. and flourishes. I

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