HE ulletin TPublished by the QueenslandQBA Bridge Association B March-April 2009 Volume 35 No www.qldbridge.com Email: [email protected] 2 Yeh Bros Cup

4 additional teams were invited to play in this event, to make up 12 initial starters, M 3 ♠ 32 building to 20 teams for the final 2 rounds. Bd 25 ♥ KJ95 Magnus Moren/Neville Francis, Meta Dlr N ♦ K9 Goodman/Tony Jackman, and Richard Vul EW ♣ J7652 Richard Wallis/John Brockwell, were included as ♠ Q8 ♠ KJ75 Wallis one of the 4 invited teams. ♥ A43 N ♥ Q1072 It was very exciting to play against W E ♦ J843 S ♦ AQ1075 his year, thanks to the enterprise of present and past world champions, and ♣ A1093 ♣ — TDavid Stern and Therese Tully, the Yeh in our last match we played against last Bros Cup came to Jupiters Casino on the year’s Bermuda Bowl Champions, Nor- ♠ A10964 Gold Coast. Six years after its inception, way, where, in spite of me going off in a ♥ 87 this is the first time out of Asia for this invi- makeable vulnerable slam at our table ♦ 62 tation-only event, and represents a major (not bid by Norway) and not cashing the ♣ KQ84 coup for Australian bridge in general, and first 2 tricks in a vulnerable slam that Queensland bridge in particular. was bid by Norway at the other table, The event is sponsored heavily by the we ran out winners by 1 Imp! We won W N E S Yeh Chen, and is normally held in China, 6 matches, and lost 2 (Lithuania who p 1D 1S and only 24 teams are invited to take part. finished 2nd and China Taipei), and 2C p 2NT p Winners of major championships around finished in 10th place, making us the 3NT All pass the world receive invitations, as well as highest placed Australian team, so a very teams specially invited by Mr Yeh Chen, satisfying weekend. Playing ACOL, my 2C was forcing for and very generous prize money is avail- As a team of 6, John and I played in 5 of one round, showing at least 8 HCPs, and able. The winners took home a cheque for the 8 matches, so I will restrict my report John’s 2NT rebid was not forcing in my US$70,000, while the runners-up took a to just the matches we played in. view, although a 2NT rebid without opposi- mere US$30,000. Board 25 in the 3rd match against China tion bidding shows 15-19. However, with As teams are knocked out of the main Taipei looked pretty routine at the time, my help in spades I pushed on to game. event they join a consolation Swiss and Deep Finesse confirms that 3NT is South led the ♠6, which was won cheaply Teams event, comprising eight 10-board cold, but to our surprise we picked up a on the table by John to take a success- matches, played over Saturday and Sun- game swing when EW at the other table ful diamond finesse, and then he set up day before the Gold Coast Congress, and stopped short of game. his 9th trick by leading towards the ♠Q in dummy. When South took the ♠A at once, he had 10 tricks for +630 and a QBA Team Selection Trials 10 IMP gain against –150 for a diamond Australian Team Championships in Canberra part-score at the other table. 12-18 July 2009 While we had minimal values, the inter- Seniors April 25-26 & May 2-4 mediate cards are what made 3NT a good bet. Take away the ♣9 and things may not Enquiries to Kim Ellaway at the QBA have looked so rosy on a club lead.

Contents QBA Yeh Bros Cup by Richard Wallis...... 1 Email: manager@ GCC by Kamal Sangumarasa & Pat Back...... 2 qldbridge.com Cuppaidge’s Column by George Cuppaidge...... 4 Phone: 07 3351 8602 Appeals by Geoff Slack-Smith...... 6 Mobile: 0412 064 903 25 Years Ago ...... 6 Fax: 07 3351 8603 Results ...... 7 Web site: www.qldbridge. Director’s Corner by Jan Peach...... 8 com

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 

Board 27 in the 3rd match against China and reached game on a combined 21 Taipei was a slam swing against us when HCPs. GCC we stopped in game, but EW at the other table went to slam. M 3 ♠ J74 Bd 29 ♥ K42 M 3 ♠ 762 Dlr N ♦ 854 Bd 27 ♥ 107 Vul Both ♣ 8543 Dlr S ♦ Q54 ♠ AQ1095 ♠ 862 N Vul None ♣ QJ853 ♥ Q96 ♥ A53 Kamal ♠ AK10853 ♠ J4 W E ♦ QJ2 S ♦ 9 Sanmugarasa ♥ AKQ3 N ♥ J92 W E ♣ K7 ♣ QJ10962 ♦ 32 S ♦ AK97 ♠ K3 f there’s anything that I would remember ♣ 2 ♣ A974 ♥ J1087 Ifrom this year’s Gold Coast congress, ♠ Q9 ♦ AK10763 the thought “I wish I had a bit more courage” will top the list. I missed games, ♥ 8654 ♣ A ♦ J1086 slams and went down in contracts that could have been made. Here is one. ♣ K106 W N E S Dlr N ♠ Q10 p 3C 3D Vul EW ♥ A854 W N E S 3S p 4S All pass ♦ 732 p QJ105 1S p 2C p At the other table EW stayed safely in ♣ 2H p 3NT All pass a part-score in spades, and Magnus ♠ 87 ♠ AJ9432 switched to the ♥J after winning the open- ♥ KJ1093 N ♥ 7 W E On a bad day for EW the spades would be ing lead with the ♦K, after which declarer ♦ 1094 S ♦ QJ6 all with North, and we would have picked had 4 losers and finished up with –140. ♣ 874 ♣ 962 up a swing, but 13 tricks were made when At our table, South could not resist the lure ♠ K65 the ♠Q was in the pocket. of stopping diamond ruffs on the table, so ♥ Q62 When John responded 2C, I had two switched to a trump at trick 2, and even ♦ AK85 obvious choices, and I chose the one though I mis-guessed by ducking, North ♣ AK3 that maximized our chances of finding won the ♠J and had no safe return, so led a fit by bidding my other suit. However, another trump. when John bid 3NT (2NT would not have I next led the ♣K and was pleasantly sur- been forcing), I had nowhere to go with W N E S prised when South did not routinely duck, p 2D* X any certainty, and with no fit for his suit although the hand-record showed why, (clubs), I did not want to blast 6NT on 2H p 2S 2NT and then South had no recourse, as when p 3NT All pass spec, so I meekly passed and the chance he led the ♥J I could put up the ♥Q, win was gone. in dummy, draw trumps and enter dummy * Multi John has perfect cards for my hand, but with the ♣7 to discard all of my losers for I was declaring in 3NT as South and got no way to gauge that I have such play- 10 tricks and +620. a spade lead. East played the jack that ing strength. After the match we decided With the favourable club position, even was allowed to win. He then cashed the that it was probably best if I showed my forcing the last trump with the ♦A is no ace and played a third spade to my king strength on the 2nd round by bidding 3S, good as I can still discard 2 hearts on (a heart was discarded from dummy). and forget about the heart suit, but oppo- clubs while North follows suit and return I played three rounds of clubs ending site 4, J972, AK97, A974 6H/7H could be to hand with a heart ruff to draw the last in dummy and played a diamond. East cold, so I put it down to bad luck. trump. ■ played the jack and I won with the king. On this board in the 3rd match against The complete article is available on the It appeared that East had QJx in dia- China Taipei we got a little carried away QBA website. monds. I can use the ♥A to re-enter dum- my and play another diamond towards my ace, hoping to duck if East played low. However, since the ♥A is the last entry to Brisbane Bridge Centre dummy, I have to cash the fourth club in 104 Frederick St, Annerley. Ph: 3392 7933 dummy before playing a diamond. The problem is that I don’t have a con- Play Sessions Tuesday 9.30 am Duplicate venient discard in hand. Throwing a heart 7.30 pm Duplicate would bare my queen, and a potential Wednesday 10.00 am Duplicate diamond winner will vanish if I discarded Friday 6.00pm Individual (+pizza) a diamond. So I cashed the ♦A and played Friday 7.30pm Butler pairs a third diamond. This would have suc- Saturday 1.00 pm Duplicate ceeded if West had had the other diamond Coaching Sessions & Monday 10.00 am honour or four cards in diamonds, as West will then have to play away from his ♥K, Beginners’ Classes Tuesday 7.30 pm allowing me to make nine tricks. But East Enquiries for coaching & beginners’ classes: 3278 1480 showed the ♦Q and cashed his spades for one down.

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 

If I went with my initial instincts (QJx of tried a spade towards the king and ace. diamonds with East), could I have tried No further trick to the declarer and the something different? Six spades and three contract was one down. each in the minors would leave East with When I reviewed the complete deal on a singleton heart. If that heart was smaller the following day, I realised that it wasn’t Pat than the eight, then I could play a heart an easy task to make ten tricks - double Back towards dummy’s eight (after winning dummy. Try it yourself before reading the first diamond trick). West can play a on. card higher than the eight, but I can duck laying in seniors’ events these days, After ruffing two clubs and one diamond, this and force him to exit a diamond - an one has plenty of excuses for the in- declarer should enter dummy with the ♥J. P outcome that I wanted anyway. I could evitable lapses in bidding. (The main one, On the fourth diamond declarer (West) duck the ♦10 and win the last two diamond but not the only one, being age). must throw a spade (loser on loser). North tricks plus the ♥A and ♣J for nine tricks. will win with the ♦Q, but will find himself If East covered the ♦10, I could overtake Dlr W ♠ K2 without a suitable exit card. The five-card and play a third diamond to West. This will AQJ6 ending will be: Vul Both ♥ force West to lead away from the ♥K, once ♦ KJ109 Q109 again allowing me to make the contract. K109 — ♣ Oh well - I wish I had had the courage to — ♠ 75 ♠ AJ63 lead towards the ♥8. ♥ K7 N ♥ 53 Q5 W E When I wrote down +100 on this next deal J6 K52 ♦ A542 S ♦ Q863 during the third round of the congress, it AQ10 2 ♣ A6543 ♣ QJ7 appeared to be yet another boring flat — 2 ♠ Q10984 board that would go unnoticed. — — ♥ 109842 A7 ♦ 7 Dlr E ♠ Q109 93 ♣ 82 Vul EW ♥ 7 — ♦ Q1086 A In the Senior Pairs, sitting South, I heard ♣ KQ543 At this stage declarer has made six tricks. my partner bid 1D (Acol system) on this ♠ J643 ♠ K52 If North leads a club declarer can ruff with hand. Was it a senior moment that caused AQ1064 N KJ85 the king in dummy for his seventh trick ♥ ♥ me to respond 1H with 2 points, and W E and claim three more tricks (AQ10 of ♦ 7 S ♦ AK432 some trepidation? West overcalled 2C, trumps) for a total of ten. North is therefore ♣ 1097 ♣ 2 followed by 4H from partner. Serves me forced to play a spade and as the cards ♠ A87 right I thought. lie, declarer will make one spade trick ♥ 932 (by ducking the ♠10 towards his jack, or On a spade lead, followed by the king ♦ J95 covering the ♠Q with the king) for a total and ace, a precious entry to my hand was ♣ AJ86 of ten tricks. ■ created, and the heart finesse allowed trumps to be drawn. A diamond from My partner (North) led the ♣K against the dummy ran to the ace, and whatever West 4H contract by West. The club continua- Did You Know? continued there were no more problems. tion was ruffed in dummy. Declarer played However from now on I intend to pass with the ♦A and ♦K (discarding a spade) and System is more than the basics 2 points. ■ ruffed the third diamond. The third club written on a system card. It is was ruffed next, followed by the ruff of everything understood by a part- the fourth diamond. Declarer now played nership whether discussed or two rounds of trumps ending up in dummy. implicit from mutual experience QCBC The 3-1 trump split was bad news for the and awareness. declarer. He played the fifth diamond that ANZAC TEAMS was ruffed and over-ruffed. Declarer now Sunday April 26 at 9.30 am Entries Close: 1pm Wed April 22 Entry Fee: $100 per team Systems: Blue, Green & Red & Brown Introducing a Major sticker conventions & treatments New Sponsor GRAND NATIONAL Stores at Browns Plains, Bundaberg, Cairns PAIRS Central, Caloundra, Canelands, Carindale, Under Life Master as at 1/1/09 Chermside, Clifford Gardens, Earlville, Tuesdays April 14, 21 & 28 Garden City, Gladstone, Grand Central, at 10 am Ipswich, Logan Hyperdome, Morayfield, Pairs must play all three sessions to North Lakes, Rockhampton, Springfield, receive GOLD POINTS. Sunshine Plaza, Townsville, Tweed City & Cost: $8 per session per person Capalaba Central. Systems: Green & Blue Head office:41 Bulcock St, Caloundra 4551 Enquiries:Toni at QCBC - 3391 3241 Ph: 07 5437 0666 Fax: 07 5437 0966 [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.qcbc.org.au

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 

enough. His pass should be to play, so With a fair hand in the context, in the Cuppaidge’s you should pass.” 6-9 range, and two unbid suits, you Whilst I agree entirely with the suggested will be able to show both. Your mini- Column answer to the bidding problem, it is the mum bid in the longer, first, will not be bracketed proviso I take issue with. (And passed out. With just four-four in two what about redouble for rescue? This suits, prepare yourself to show both, definition seems to deny its existence?) as economically as possible. If they are touching, bid the higher ranking first, if I am sure the writer is reflecting standard not, try to predict what will happen next treatment, which is as follows. in choosing which one to bid first. Clubs George Redouble has relieved doubler’s partner and spades are “touching” and clubs Cuppaidge of the obligation to bid, so that player will is treated as higher ranking. A jump bid over the redouble “only when he has response will guarantee a five-card suit What Does Redouble Mean? something he wants to say.” and some useful values and, in general, But what does he say when he wants no second suit. A single-jump response, tandard bidding has many flaws. to defend? While this may not happen as weak, is utter futility, you will often This column has, I hope, targetted S frequently when the opening bid is one have a useful hand and must be able several, shown just what is wrong with the of a major, it will happen, and it will hap- to show it. A double-jump as long and popular treatment and suggested a better pen quite often when the opening bid is weak makes sense. one. Tenets I have dealt with in previous one-of-a-minor, especially better minor. columns, which are all but universal and What about the meaning of 1NT after a Does your bid show length or does it show which are just simply “bad” are: redouble? strength? With zero points and a five-card If you don’t retain its natural meaning, 1. Better minor openings. suit do you bid? With, say, seven points, 6-9 balanced with a stopper, how do you 2. The twelve point requirement for an no stopper and no four-card unbid suit describe this hand? Again, you will hold opening bid. do you bid? this type of hand from time to time, with 3. The lumping in of shapely hands with It is much easier if, systemically, you ig- at least one person at the table bidding the take-out double. nore the redouble. That way all your bids on shape and optimism. It is exceedingly 4. The “balancing” 1NT bid. have exactly the same meaning. unlikely that you will be raised to game 5. The negative double and forcing free- You were going to do something in its and thus reasonably safe to make this bid. absence, and that includes making a bid, as well, with a shapely very weak 6. Invitational sequences. penalty pass. It seems clear that all hand. When doubled, you redouble for bids, and pass too, should retain their rescue, promising 5+4+ in two unbid 7. 2NT as other than forcing, construc- meaning regardless of the redouble. suits. All partner needs is to be aware tive, forward going, e.g. Invitational, To do otherwise leaves you without a Lebensohl. of this possibility. Remember, you will bid when you hold that potentially very never be passed out in 1NT, so if doubler 8. The wanton bypassing of biddable lucrative penalty pass. Worse still, pass wants to bid game, he first passes 1NT. If minor suits. of the redouble, without this agreement, doubler does take out to a five-card suit, 9. New minor forcing and check-back obliges partner to remove! There is no and the 1NT bidder, in turn, takes out, Stayman. re-redouble available to us so the pass the message is obvious. Holding, say, a 10. Lebensohl. must take its place. This is a far too 2-2-5-4 Yarborough, this style may get important, and reasonably common, 11. The Michaels cue-bid. you to your 5-4 club fit rather than your hand type to have no means to describe. 5-2 diamond fit. Try to accommodate 12. The grand slam force, 5NT, as asking As well, this treatment has the ultimate partner who may not have perfect shape for two of the top three honours. bridge virtue, simplicity. As always, we for his double. (One day I might deal with one of the most can add a little precision to our own And what about the cue bid and the jump costly conventions of all time, Roman Key bidding by using the opponent’s bid to cue bid? Card Blackwood) maximum effect. Following a redouble, Surely, these bids must show a singleton Prompted by an article, one of a syn- we can make a minimum bid in the sure and a void, respectively, in the opponent’s dicated series called “Aces on Bridge” knowledge that we will get another bid, suit, often exposing a semi-psychic which I read daily in the Nation, Bangkok, if we want it. re-double, one based upon fit alone. I present another one. I have seen it argued that a weak re- The cue-bid is “there” and not to assign sponder should pass the redouble rather “South holds a meaning to it is wasteful. In this than “get in his partner’s way.” This is ♠ KQ6 ♥ K72 ♦ K974 ♣ Q94 context, minimum bids by doubler are demonstrable rubbish. The initial double not forcing. S W N E asked partner to show his longest suit 1C pass pass and nothing has changed. By naming the *Readers will remember that I have sug- Dbl Redbl pass pass longest suit in the weak hand as trumps, gested that all good hands be bid through ? you are adding as much value to that hand double after our 1NT is overcalled. With All partnerships need to know when the as is possible. Yes, you could play that a desire only to compete, bid now, be- pass of a redouble is to play, and when it bidding over a redouble promises at least fore not after, your left hand opponent. indicates no suit to bid. A simple agree- four (or five) cards in the suit (but nothing Partner is much better placed to make a ment is that if the opponents have not more) while to pass shows no long unbid competitive decision and you avoid being found a fit, all redoubles (except the pass suit. Like Lebensohl*, an arrangement like shut out altogether by a raise from LHO. after a one-level opening bid, which is this focusses on the bad hands, not the QBA Bulletin, Nov-Dec 2008. doubled by second hand and redoubled good ones. Let the bad hands look after I am not sure that the following hand by third hand) are to play. Here, partner themselves! Bid your three-card suit with proves anything but it is an interesting could have bid at the one-level easily confidence. one.

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 

nents supposedly have them. Bridge is a And the trump lead is almost always ♠ KQ63 partnership game and, believe it or not, correct against a one-level doubled con- ♥ 2 partner is listening. Always consider pass- tract. To go plus, the partnership must ♦ KQJ3 ing an opposing double with shortage in themselves make a one-level contract ♣ 10952 partner’s suit. Let the opponents plough in the ruling denomination and if you are ♠ 1098 ♠ AJ542 on into trouble instead of you. not going to use your trump for ruffing ♥ A8765 N ♥ 3 It follows that NS must be very clear in- you should lead it to begin the process of W E deed about their own agreements. A really drawing trumps. ♦ 94 S ♦ A1065 ♣ AKJ ♣ Q87 huge number is often in the balance. This is just another example of “no al- ♠ 7 Readers will see that the only way for NS ways in bridge” a high spade must be ♥ KQJ1094 to go plus on this hand is to defend 1H. But led to enable South to rid himself of a it is not quite that simple. Ask any group of diamond or a club before declarer can 872 ♦ sage bridge experts what they would lead cash his five plain suit winners and add ♣ 643 against 1H redoubled and my prediction is a diamond ruff to his tally! The defensive that there would be a universal nodding of equivalent of discarding losers before S W N E heads and selection of the ♥2. tackling trumps. ■ 1H Dbl Redbl Pass pass ? While there is no universal consensus of the exact standard meaning for redouble in this situation, the one thing it does prom- ise is strength. Occasionally an opponent will throw in a “non-standard” redouble, saying merely that he expects, based on fit alone, to make the redoubled contract. Even the most creative of bidders steers 14th Annual away from the psychic redouble based upon a weak hand and no fit. A redouble creates a situation where all subsequent doubles are for penalty. If you don’t play it this way you are mistaken. Having redou- bled, double from you later in the auction is not for takeout, even of a raise; pass is Cairns June 5-8, 2009 takeout, double is business. This is my understanding of mainstream $10,000 Prizes standard treatment, bidding over a double. 1NT 6-9 balanced, shape well defined, An ABF Gold Point Event after a major 2-3-4-4 with the doubleton in partner’s suit, after 1C or 1D 3-3-3-4, but with particularly good trumps the raise Swiss Pairs (Open & Restricted) may be preferred. With a reasonable five- Swiss Teams (Open and Restricted) card suit the double gives responder a free chance to show it. Simple raise Normal, 6-9 three-card support. Venue: The Sebel Cairns Chief Director: Sean Mullamphy Double raise Preemptive Convenor: Andrew Hooper 07 4059 2907 A sound raise to three with at least 2NT Congress Secretary: David McConachie 07 4055 3448 four trumps Web Site: www.qldbridge.com/brc New suit Natural non-forcing, although many play, a new suit at the one-level is E-Mail: [email protected] forcing. Some play all new suit bids as still forcing. Redouble 10+ excluding all of the above. ORDER NOW!! (My personal preference is for redouble to “Better Bidding for Improving Players” by Ross Dick show all 12+ hands and the 10-12 three- Publisher: Queensland Bridge Association Inc card raise, with other bids, as above, all minimum new suit bids natural, non-forc- For all intermediate-level players who aspire ing and fit-denying when partner’s suit is to advance their bidding skills a major. I also like the arrangement that Price: A$20.00 (Free postage and handling within Australia) 2C after 1C, whether or not it is doubled, Orders with payment to: Queensland Bridge Association shows 3-3-3-4 with 10-12 and 1NT the 22 Mareeba Court, Arana Hills 4054 same shape with 6-9.) Phone: 07 3351 8602 Mobile: 0412 064 903 Do not make a bid which bypasses a Email: [email protected] four-card major just because the oppo-

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 6

● South has asked for majors then minors Appeals and broken tempo before bidding 5C. Dlr S ♠ AQ7 ● West leads the ♦K to the ace in dummy Vul Both ♥ J93 and a small heart is led to the king ♦ 104 he WBF published a new version and ace and a diamond from West is ♣ K10543 of its Code of Practice for Appeal T ruffed. ♠ 642 ♠ 10985 Committees in October 2008. Significant ♥ 108 N ♥ Q765 changes and new material includes: ● The ace and king of trumps are cashed W E and then a diamond ruffed by South for ♦ Q97653 ♦ K8 Table of contents is now provided. S his 12th trick. ♣ J2 ♣ Q76 Concurrence of Appellants (which reflects ● East has not realised that his trump, the ♠ KJ3 changes introduced by 2007 Laws) ♣9, would have defeated the contract ♥ AK42 ● In pairs both players must concur in the and discarded instead of ruffing. ♦ AJ2 making of an appeal 1. Do you think Pass was a logical alterna- ♣ A98 ● In teams the captain must concur in the tive for North; could UI from the slow bid making of the appeal of 5C have been used? ● No longer is an absent member deemed 2. If you believe Pass to be a logical W N E S to concur. Evidence of concurrence alternative for North when he bid 6C Seres McMahon from an absent member must be pro- what score would you give to NS and 1C vided. EW pairs? p 1H p 2NT1 Director’s judgement after consultation p 3C p 3H  Geoff Slack-Smith p 6C2 p 6H2 It is the function of the director to make p 6NT All pass a ruling in a judgement matter, having consulted appropriately, that executes 25 Years Ago 1 19-20 HCPs most accurately the intention of the laws. 2 To play The desire is that the director shall not ueenslanders will all be de- West found herself on lead against Mary rule automatically in favour of the non- lighted to know that the Gold Coast McMahon’s 6NT and decided not to “give offending side when he is in no doubt Q Congress had an all time record year in away” a trick by leading away from an that a true ruling required him to rule 1984 with 94 tables playing in the Pairs honour. Obviously, a diamond lead would otherwise. and 80 in the Teams. This is the QBA’s have destroyed the contract. In fact, the Good practice involves the director only fundraising event of the year so many ♥10 was led, covered with the jack and consulting a number of other equivalent of their plans depend on the continuing queen and won with the ace. Prospects players as well as directors on judgement success of this congress. for the slam seemed slim but the indomi- matters involving damage to non- The usual small band of people worked table Mary subjected the defenders to offenders. Issues may include seeking to themselves into the ground throughout maximum pressure. identify possible calls or leads following the week. There were the obvious peo- The play proceeded with three rounds of unauthorised information (UI) and possible ple - Richard Grenside, Ivy Dahler and clubs, East winning the third round. The ♦3 auctions without misinformation (MI). Enid Busch, and the ones you may have was then led, partner having signalled for Players, directors or appeal committee missed - Reg Busch. Lindy Ward, Jan Kirk that suit, and South won the ace. members are invited to comment on this and Joan McPheat. To all these people, a Declarer crossed to the ♠Q and led the ♥9 example. sincere thankyou on behalf of everyone which won the trick. When West’s ♥8 ap- who enjoyed a wonderful week’s bridge. Discussion will continue in the next issue. peared, East’s 6 and 7 became treasures. Here is a view of the congress from a Mary now put the defence to the test by country player. Dlr N ♠ K7 cashing two winning clubs. West had no problem as diamonds could be thrown ♥ 53 Why We Lose by ‘Crushed’ away. However, East erred by discarding A964 ♦ he mystery of why reasonably compe- a heart when one spade and the ♦K were ♣ AKJ102 Ttent but average players, particularly safe discards. Partner had to hold the ♦Q ♠ 1096 ♠ J532 from country areas are regularly annihi- if the contract was to be defeated. ♥ A84 N ♥ J1072 lated by top teams tends to be revealed at W E congresses such as the Gold Coast. The humble ♥7 thus lost its opportunity to ♦ KQJ752 S ♦ 103 set the contract and declarer triumphed at ♣ Q ♣ 943 For a start, these unfortunate players, the end with the ♥4 providing the twelfth ♠ AQ84 who keep protesting they are there for trick. At the other table, a puzzled North- ♥ KQ96 the holiday rarely have the opportunity South recorded –13 imps after playing to sit at the same table as the “champs”. 8 sensibly in 3NT for 11 tricks. ■ ♦ Thus they lack the experience to cope ♣ 8765 with novel bidding styles, expert declarer play and table intuition. When a team from a provincial club met QBA W N E S the Seres-McMahon team at Surfer’s Mailing List 1NT p 2C Paradise, Tim Seres and Mary McMahon p 2D p 3C If you wish to be put on the managed to land on their feet on this hand, mailing list for news which is sent p 3D p 3H following a bidding misunderstanding of p 3S p 4C out about once a month, please p 4S p 5C! their own along the way. All it needed email the manager at p 6C All pass was a non-textbook opening lead, and a [email protected] thoughtless discard from a defender.

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 7

2 C Francis M Perrin Results N Moore P Bugler 3 P Evans T Treloar Did You Know? L Moses S Moses Bridge is not a game of secrets. Gold Coast Swiss Teams Consolation Opponents are entitled to know 1= M Stoneman V Roland everything about your auction January 11 T Potter D Potter that you know. 1= V Cran G Broadley 1 K Steffensen N Francis I Broadley P Moritz B Marr M Marr 2 S Kamalarasa J Solomon P Hooykaas, P Rankin 3 A Pryde J Cater J Mills B Stacey Plate 1 H Reid B Travers D Rayward E Saxby 2 R Kahn R Kahn V Dawes J Pajti Consolation 1 J Reddin S Reddin Y Wain D Richards 2 V Beresford M Chesser I Barker N Barker Rockhampton Butler Pairs February 7-8 1 M Lorraway J Dooner 2 M Saunders W Renton-Power 3 L Norden K Early Winners of the Senior Teams: Plate Greer Tucker, Alan Smith, Robbie Clayton & Maureen Jakes 1 E Macrae M Anderson 2 D O’Regan J Beasley Novice 1= J Menham H Hilse Coming Events 1= A Lohman R Goerg Apr 4 QBA Selection Trials - St 2 - Day 3 - Opens/ Womens Qld Senior Teams Apr 5 Townsville Pairs February 14-15 Apr 5 Northern Suburbs Swiss Pairs 1 G Tucker R Clayton Apr 10-13 Townsville Easter Pairs and Teams A Smith M Jakes Apr 12-13 BBC Easter Graded Pairs and Teams 2 R Crowley A Mayers Apr 18-21 ABF Senior Play Offs S Brookes V Brookes Apr 18-19 Gympie Pairs and Gympie Teams 3 B Hunt R Lachman Apr 19 Redlands Novice Teams R Morawiecki C Miller Apr 25-26 Cleveland Bay Diggers Pairs and Teams Secondary Prize Money Apr 25-26 QBA Selection Trials - Seniors Stage 1 1= P Barnett K Feeney Apr 26 Anzac Teams - QCBC L Turschwell D Harris May 1- 7 ABF Bridge for Brain Research 1= P Tall T Townend May 1- 4 Mackay Pairs and Teams D Stagg L Vachon May 2- 4 QBA Selection Trials - Stage 2 Seniors - Day 1,2 & 3 3 P Borchardt A Borchardt May 2- 4 Toowoomba Pairs and Graded Teams D Borchardt N Stewart May 2- 3 Hervey Bay Butler Pairs and Swiss Teams Consolation May 3 Cairns Novice Pairs B Millican M Mackinnon May 9 Surfers Paradise Swiss Teams K Tucker R Brown May 16-17 QBA Mixed Pairs - Toowong May 17 Toowong Novice Mixed Pairs Arana Swiss Teams May 23-24 Caloundra Swiss Teams May 23 QBA ANC Teams Day February 22 May 24 Northern Suburbs Novice Teams 1 I Luck J Luck May 24 BBC Graded Butler Pairs M Marr B Marr May 28 QBA Council Meeting 2= P Hainsworth A Hung May 30-31 Goondiwindi Butler Pairs R Touton R Touton May 30-31 Arana Swiss Pairs and Teams 2= R Ward L Vincent May 31 Redlands Novice Pairs B Lee M Robson Jun 5- 8 QBA Barrier Reef Congress - Cairns Plate Jun 7- 8 QCBC Pairs with Restricted Section < 150 Mps 1 I Halford M Radke and Teams S Brookes V Brookes

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009 8

2C is excluded from these requirements in Director’s Corner the specific situation 1NT (Pass) 2C. As the number of uses for a bid expands aw 20F1 makes it clear that an oppo- ing because they have played together for exponentially, what constitutes “may not Lnent is entitled to be told what a pair’s 20 years / read the same books / played expect” has become open to interpreta- auction means according to the pair’s sys- with mutual partners or he thinks there’s tion however the need to alert in some tem. “System” is not limited to the things nothing else it could possibly mean etc sequences is set in stone: actually discussed and written down. The then it isn’t playing the game to hide behind ● Responder’s first round jump shift with a broader “partnership understandings” has “undiscussed” when partner doesn’t alert weak hand. 1H (Pass) 2S eg 5+ spades been introduced to prevent players giving or doesn’t explain it as anticipated and the 6-9 less than full disclosure by hiding behind opponents are damaged. ● A non-forcing suit response by an “undiscussed” as a response. Opponents Two Laws, 40A3 and 40C1, cater for vari- unpassed hand to an opening suit bid are entitled to know about calls actually ations and deviations. A player may make (whether or not after intervention). 1H made, about relevant alternative calls any call or play without prior announce- (1S) 2C non-forcing eg 5+ clubs and available that were not made, and about ment provided that such call or play is 6-9. Negative free bids that may be relevant inferences from the choice of not based on an undisclosed partnership made on very weak passed or un- action where these are matters of partner- understanding. passed hands should be pre-alerted. ship understanding. A player may deviate from his side’s an- ● A natural NT overcall, in the direct posi- Law 40A1(b) makes it clear that each part- nounced understandings always provided tion, which does not promise a stopper nership has a duty to make available its that his partner has no more reason to in the overcalled suit. 1H (1NT) and 1H partnership understandings to opponents be aware of the deviation than have the (1S) 1NT where 1NT does not show a before commencing play against them. opponents. Repeated deviations lead to spade stopper. Essentially this means having properly implicit understandings which then form ● A jump raise of opener’s one level bid completed system cards and pre-alerting part of the partnership’s methods and which may be weak or pre-emptive. as per the regulations in force. must be disclosed in accordance with 1D-3D eg 6-9. Players must know their system if they are the regulations governing disclosure of ● A single raise of partner’s suit which to comply with these laws. Muddling along system. If the Director judges there is may be strong or forcing e.g. 1D-2D using poorly discussed sequences is not undisclosed knowledge that has damaged forcing eg 10+ no 4 card major forcing good enough. A cavalier attitude to ex- the opponents he shall adjust the score to 2NT. plaining agreements and understandings and may award a procedural penalty. destroys the enjoyment of the game. ● The rebid in a canapé sequence where the second suit may be longer than the If a player knows something about his The second great destroyer is failure to first. partner’s call because of his knowledge alert. Law 40B2(a) says that the Regu- ● A 1H opening which denies holding and experience (apart from things gener- lating Authority may prescribe alerting ally known by bridge players) then the 4+ spades. procedures and Section G of the QBA opponents are entitled to that information Regulations does just that. The purpose  Jan Peach even if their bridge knowledge and experi- of an alert during an auction is to draw ence is considerably less. the opponents’ attention to any non-self- QBA/ABDA DIRECTORS’ Law 49A1(a): Partnership understand- alerting call up to and including 3NT that ings as to the methods adopted by a has a special meaning or a meaning the WEEKEND - BRISBANE partnership may be reached explicitly in opponents may not expect. The fact that 31st October - 1st November 2009 discussion or implicitly through mutual the system card explains the meaning of For Information contact experience or awareness of the players. such a call or that a pre-alert has been QBA Manager Kim Ellaway If one player makes a call in the certain be- given does not remove the obligation to [email protected] - 3351 8602 lief that partner will understand the mean- alert as required by those regulations.

CALOUNDRA TEAMS Editing of Material Contributors should note that the right to modify submitted material is CONGRESS retained by the QBA. Saturday & Sunday, May 23 & 24 ENTRY FEE: $60 per player - Lunch Provided DEAD START: 9.00 for 9.30 am - VENUE: Arthur Street, Caloundra DIRECTOR: Trevor Strickland may 11 (noon) ENTRIES: PO Box 528, Caloundra, 4551 Contributions to: Closing date: Wednesday May 20 33 Royal Pde ENQUIRIES: Denise Vassella 5493 7978 Ashgrove 4060 EMAIL: [email protected] Ph: 07 3366 1292 Tea, Coffee and Snacks available throughout the day Email: This congress will be played under QBA regulations. Green, Blue and Red Systems and Brown Sticker conventions and treatments are permitted. Each player must have an [email protected] approved current ABF system card and is responsible for correct system classification. Masterpoints are not guaranteed unless your ABF number is provided. LINE

The QBA Bulletin March - April 2009