ACBL - District 9 • www.district9acbl.org November-December 2014 Volume 11 - Number 2

Good Bye and Thank you, Patty page 18

Also: by Larry Cohen page 20 Appeals in Bridge: New Thinking Needed? by Jon Shuster page 21 Rank Changes page 29

Check out District 9 Online: November/December 2014 1

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 10 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM FEBRUARY 16-22 Bradenton Area Convention Center One Haben Boulevard Palmetto, FL 12:00 Free Lesson for those with fewer than 20 MP Guest Speakers 2:30 0-20 Relaxed Game (no fee) Wednesday through Saturday MON 2:30 Charity Open Pairs (one session event) at 9:15-9:45 2:30 & 7:30 *Mon-Tues Bracketed KO (cont’d 10:00 & 2:30 Tues) FEB 16 7:30 Charity Open Pairs (one session event) HOSPITALITY 7:30 Two Session Swiss Teams (cont 7:30 Tuesday) Complimentary… coffee and orange juice and 10:00 & 2:30 Tues-Wed Bracketed KO (cont’d 10:00 & 2:30 Wed) 10:00 & 2:30 **Gold Rush Pairs (2 sessions )(Lim to 750 MP) various assorted snacks 10:00 & 2:30 ***A/X/Y Open Pairs (2 Sessions) Lunches available including 10:00 & 2:30 Senior Pairs (2 Sessions) some complimentary TUE 10:00 & 2:30 I/N Pairs (Single session games) All Compliments of Unit 128 10:00 Morning Side Game Series ( 1st of 5) FEB 17 2:30 & 7:30 Bracketed Swiss Teams ( 2 Sessions) TOURNAMENT HOSTS 2:30 Stratified Swiss Teams (single session) Shannon Cappelletti 2:30 Afternoon Side Game Series ( 1st of 5) [email protected] 7:30 Stratified Swiss Teams (2nd of 2) 7:30 Evening Side Game Series (1st of 4) Charles Gill (888) 360-2590 10:00 & 2:30 Wed-Thurs Bracketed KO (cont’d 10:00 & 2:30 Thur) [email protected] 10:00 & 2:30 **Gold Rush Pairs (2 sessions )(Lim to 750 MP) 10:00 & 2:30 ***A/X/Y Open Pairs (2 Sessions) CO-HOSTS 10:00 & 2:30 Senior Pairs (2 Sessions) Jack Bonney & Jay Whipple WED 10:00 & 2:30 I/N Pairs (Single session games) [email protected] 10:00 Morning Side Game Series ( 2nd of 5) FEB 18 2:30 & 7:30 Bracketed Swiss Teams ( 2 Sessions) PARTNERSHIPS 2:30 Stratified Swiss Teams ( single session) Dianne Bonney 2:30 Afternoon Side Game Series ( 2nd of 5) [email protected] 7:30 Wed-Thursday Compact KO ( 1st of 2, contd Thursday) –– or –– 7:30 Evening Side Game Series (2nd of 4) Visit the District 9 Online 10:00 & 2:30 Thurs-Fri Bracketed KO (cont’d 10:00 & 2:30 Fri) Partnership Desk bridgefinesse. 10:00 & 2:30 **Gold Rush Pairs (2 sessions )(Lim to 750 MP) com/D9PDeskIndex 10:00 & 2:30 ***A/X/Y Open Pairs (2 Sessions) 10:00 & 2:30 Senior Pairs (2 Sessions) STRATIFICATION THU 10:00 & 2:30 I/N Pairs (Single session games) Open & Senior Events: A=2500+ 10:00 Morning Side Game Series ( 3rd of 5) B=750-2500 C=0-750 FEB 19 2:30 & 7:30 Bracketed Swiss Teams ( 2 Sessions) 2:30 Stratified Swiss Teams ( single session) A/X/Y Events: A=5000+ X=2500- 2:30 Afternoon Side Game Series ( 3rd of 5) 5000, Y=0-2500 7:30 Wed-Thursday Compact KO ( 2nd of 2 sessions - cont) Gold Rush Events: 7:30 Evening Side Game Series (3rd of 4) A=500-750 B=200-500 C=0-200 10:00 & 2:30 Fri-Sat Bracketed KO (cont’d 10:00 & 2:30 Sat) Pairs and Teams are stratified by 10:00 & 2:30 **Gold Rush Pairs (2 sessions )(Lim to 750 MP) masterpoint average. 10:00 & 2:30 ***A/X/Y Open Pairs (2 Sessions) 10:00 & 2:30 Senior Pairs (2 Sessions) 299 games stratified at director’s FRI discretion. 10:00 & 2:30 I/N Pairs (Single session games) FEB 20 10:00 Morning Side Game Series ( 4th of 5) All KOs are bracketed; top KO 2:30 & 7:30 Bracketed Swiss Teams ( 2 Sessions) bracket may be handicapped. 2:30 Stratified Swiss Teams ( single session) Saturday two‑session Swiss is 2:30 Afternoon Side Game Series ( 4th of 5) 7:30 Special Charity Pairs Game (also Side series 4th of 4) bracketed. Find a Hotel: 10:00 & 2:30 Bracketed Swiss Teams (2 Sessions) www. 10:00 & 2:30 **Gold Rush Pairs (2 sessions )(Lim to 750 MP) sarasotamanateeregionalhotels.com 10:00 & 2:30 ***A/X/Y Open Pairs (2 Sessions) SAT 10:00 & 2:30 Senior Pairs (2 Sessions) 10:00 & 2:30 I/N Pairs (Single session games) * Monday-Tuesday KO is subject FEB 21 10:00 Morning Side Game Series ( 5th of 5) to approval of a motion to be 2:30 Stratified Swiss Teams ( single session) 2:30 Afternoon Side Game Series ( 5th of 5) considered by the ACBL in 7:30 Zip Swiss Teams (teammates guaranteed) November 2014 ** 3-STRAT GOLD RUSH EVENTS 10:00 **Gold Rush Swiss - 2 session playthrough SUN 10:00 ***“A/X/Y” Swiss - 2 session playthrough PENDING ACBL BOARD APPROVAL FEB 22 10:00 Senior Swiss - 2 Session Playthrough *** A/X/Y EVENTS PENDING ACBL BOARD APPROVAL Visit www.floridaunit128.org for a full list of local hotels November/December 2014 11

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 11 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM District 9 President’s Message by Bill Rauld [email protected]

Welcome back to all our snow-birds. We help us recognize them. Information about have missed you, but glad you found your the presentation will be in the Daily Bulletin. way back south, and hope that we will see Please make your reservations early, as the you at the many regionals and sectionals we room block is nearing capacity. have planned for you. I would also like to let you know that we By the time you read this message, the are the only District which subsidizes the Daytona Regional should be in full swing top 3 finishers in the and hopefully you will all enjoy it. I would and we also give additional stipends for the also like to let you know that this will be the NAOP’s (North American Open pairs). We last year that the tournament will be held at are able to do this due to the support you its present location. Starting next year, it will give to the Grass Roots fund raising games. be held at the Daytona Beach Hilton, about So I would urge you to participate in both 1⁄4 mile south of the Plaza. There is plenty of events and represent our District. I think that playing space and the rooms are very nice our Championship Flight has won the GNT’s and modern. more than any other District. You should be part of that legacy. In December, our newest winter regional will be held in Bonaventure (Fort Lauderdale), I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving Florida, at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa, and hope to see you all in December at the December 8 – 14. This will be the one of the Bonaventure Regional. last chances this year to win the points for the various races. Also, it is the only regional tournament in the US at that time. This year we will be presenting both the Sportsman of the Year Award, as well as the District 9 Volunteer of the year. The recipients will be Larry Cohen for the Sportsman Award and Shirley Seals for the Volunteer Award. Please Remember November 1-30 December 1, 3, 4 and 5 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING District-Wide Charity Games

November 17-23 December 15-21 UNITS 219 and 240 STaC UNIT 128 STaC

December 1-31 GNT CLUB QUALIFYING

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 12 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM Table of Contents

District 9 President’s Message by Bill Rauld 12 District 9 Director’s Message by Jay Whipple 14 District Board of Directors 15 Communicating by Muriel Altus 16 Cover Story: Patty Johnson Retires 18 Fourth Suit Forcing by Larry Cohen 20 Appeals in Bridge by Jon Shuster 21 Director’s Corner by Lynn Berg 22 Bidding Matters!? by Michael Donnelly 23 Finding Certainty by Peter Jargowsky 24 Unit 102 25 Rank Changes 29 PAGE 18 District 9 Tournament Calendar 32 Patty Johnson Unit 128 35 Unit 219 46 Retires Unit 240 51 Unit 243 55 19,324 TOURNAMENTS District 9 Members! BONAVENTURE REGIONAL 8 ORLANDO REGIONAL 9 SANDESTIN REGIONAL 10 SARASOTA/MANATEE REGIONAL 11 District 9 SARASOTA WINTER SECTIONAL 28 Membership BOCA RATON NLM SECTIONAL 39 by Unit as of KHATIB 299ERS SECTIONAL 40 09/30/2014 ST PETERSBURG 499ERS SECTIONAL 40 PALM BEACH GDNS NLM SECTIONAL 41 Unit Name Members NAPLES 299ER SECTIONAL 41 102 ACBL Unit 102 1189 ST AUGUSTINE SECTIONAL 42 128 Florida 14272 NORTH PALM BEACH SECTIONAL 43 DAYTONA WINTER SECTIONAL 44 219 NW Florida 684 ST PETERSBURG SECTIONAL 45 240 Central Florida 2142 PENSACOLA SECTIONAL 50 243 Gold Coast 1037 VERO BEACH SECTIONAL 54 Total Members 19324 HOLLYWOOD SECTIONAL 62 November/December 2014 13

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 13 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM ACBL District 9 Director by Jay N. Whipple III [email protected]

In September, ACBL headquarters was Assuming the ACBL Masterpoint inundated by flood waters and required Committee recommendations are passed extensive reconstruction. Our Horn Lake on the second reading in November, staff responded heroically and were able we will be showcasing a new Gold Rush to maintain basic services. Most critical format in Sarasota-Manatee. This new systems were back up within a few days. event allows a three-flight stratiflighted The impact to our insurance rates for a structure which will allow players with facility that is basically in a flood zone and over 750 to play in a more comparable located next to a drainage pond is yet to field before they join the A/B flight. be seen. We look forward to having our snow-birds The ACBL continues to be dogged by many migrate back to their winter bridge tables. questions about the failed ACBLScore+ They swell the clubs and tournaments but development project. Board members we cannot rely just on their ranks. We all have been under a gag order as legal need to reach out to friends and family counsel has advised us there is potential and invite them to join us at the bridge for litigation. Nonetheless, neither the tables if we want this game to survive. Board nor ACBL members have been able The testimonials in the monthly letters to get adequate answers to many lingering I receive are loaded with references to a issues. friend or mentor that reached out and helped them experience this special world Ironically, the failure to negotiate control we call bridge. of the ownership and copyright in the original software contract may lead to the Make a commitment to bring a new player best of all worlds. It is not unreasonable to a club game or mentor a new player, to envision our investment in ACBLScore+ and be sure to tell your friends, relatives re-emerging as an alternative solution and neighbors about any beginning/ that would allow external resources to intermediate bridge lessons scheduled at accelerate the development of badly need your local clubs. services. There is nothing like competition to bring the best products and services We can make a difference. to our membership. Hopefully, the next board meeting in November will allow us to learn more and evaluate management’s decision.

For your enjoyment.

District Director Jay Whipple has invited our members who are celebrating rank changes to send him a note about their bridge experience. Read them here:

https://sites.google.com/site/district9director/home/stories-from-rank-changers

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 14 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM District Board of Directors OFFICERS Unit 102 Carol Hamilton [email protected] BILL RAULD Unit 102 Jim Russell [email protected] District 9 President Unit 128 Muriel Altus [email protected] Phone: 305-219-2800 Unit 128 Jack Bonney [email protected] [email protected] Unit 128 Charles Gill [email protected] Unit 128 Bruce Greenspan [email protected] BETTY SANDIFER Unit 128 Marshall Hall [email protected] District 9 Vice President Unit 128 Craig Hemphill [email protected] Mobile Ph: 386-795-7423 Unit 128 Harriet Morris [email protected] [email protected] Unit 128 Adrienne Muslin [email protected] Unit 128 Jeff Overby [email protected] SHIRLEY SEALS Unit 128 Charlene Predmest [email protected] Tournament Committee Chair, Unit 128 Betty Sandifer [email protected] Secretary & Treasurer Unit 128 Shirley Seals [email protected] Home Ph.: 904-285-7767 Unit 128 Marianne Timmons [email protected] Unit 128 Jay Whipple III [email protected] Mobile Ph.: 904-563-0470 Unit 128 Ray Wise [email protected] Fax: 904-285-7783 Unit 219 Jeri Edge [email protected] [email protected] Unit 219 Kay Huke [email protected] Unit 240 Candace Griffey [email protected] PUBLICATION STAFF Unit 240 Susan Rowley [email protected] RICHARD FLEISCHMAN Unit 243 Bill Rauld [email protected] Unit 102 Liaison Unit 243 James Walker [email protected] Phone: 941-580-3719 [email protected] The Sunshine Bridge News is mailed six times a year to MURIEL ALTUS households of paid- up members of District 9 of the ACBL. The mailing list is prepared about a month before the SBN Editor & Unit 128 Liaison publication arrives in your mailbox. Mailing is by bulk mail. Phone: 813-810-9067 ACBL members of other districts and non-members [email protected] residing anywhere in the U.S. may subscribe. SUE SMITH Subscriptions to the SBN are available at a cost of $15 for Unit 219 Liaison six consecutive issues. A check made out to Sunshine Bridge Phone: 850-995-7125 News should be sent to Shirley Seals, P.O. Box 1534, Ponte [email protected] Vedra, FL 32004 with address information. JAN GREENE Subscription issues will be mailed by first class mail, a few days after the full District 9 mailing list goes to the Bulk Mail Unit 240 Liaison Office for distribution. Address changes for subscriptions 772-299-4301 may be sent by email to Shirley at [email protected]. [email protected] ©2014 by Sunshine Bridge News (aka ACBL District 9). DOLLY DELLON All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not Unit 243 Liaison be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Mention of any product does not Phone: 954-484-5006 constitute endorsement by the SBN. The publisher assumes [email protected] no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or advertising materials. For more contact information Cover Photo Courtesy of ACBL look on the District 9 web site, www.District9ACBL.org.

Find us on FaceBook! Look for ACBL District 9 and hit the Like button.

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 15 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM Communicating by Muriel Altus [email protected]

I am trying to stay positive about this, dear been blessed with wonderful eyesight (after reader. The last time the ACBL revamped both my cataracts were “fixed”). Version its web site, I was expecting to have trouble C can’t really be all that bad. Cheer up, finding my way around. I was very happy already!! with the original (let’s call it Version A). Version B rolled out and I found it much Now for another search you may be wanting easier than I expected, to feel comfortable to do. The easiest way to see results at a there. My “fears” were unfounded. Along regional (whether you’re there, or not) is comes Version C. I miss the photo slide show to go to www.District9acbl.org, click on that often directed me to a story I found of Tournaments and Results, and this time interest; I miss the easy drop-down menus, choose the bottom one from the drop-down and especially how to find the unit and menu, District 9 Fast Results. Then, lookee district masterpoint races, as well as my own there!! Among the five links near the bottom ; but most frustrating of all, I is one called Daily Bulletins. Click on it! sorely miss the old tournament listings. Have fun! Just beware of one thing. While a tournament is in progress, tomorrow’s daily I’ve found that it’s easiest for me to use bulletin will show up, before it’s complete. www.District9acbl.org to access Florida Because of our attempting to make it as easy tournaments. I go to Tournaments as possible for the tournament directors and Results, then from the drop-down and the person working at 11 pm to put the menu, I choose the first option, District 9 bulletin together and get it to the printer, Tournaments. Then I can choose all 2014 some results are dropped onto the pages, Florida tournaments, or just the 2014 before they are final. Take everything with a Regionals, or I can do the same for 2015. That grain of salt! click will take me to the listing at www.ACBL. org and when I scroll down and click on the And one more need for a grain of salt comes tournament I wish to look at, then I can see when you compare your percentage with the schedule, if it’s already been posted, and somebody else’s, and they got the gold points then click on a link to the tournament flyer, for the section top but you didn’t. Sometimes which is usually what I want to see. it publishes the composite percentage, when you’re thinking it’s giving the percentage Here’s where it gets tricky. After I am finished for just one session. That could explain the looking at the flyer, I try to go back to the discrepancy. listing of tournaments, but it seems to give me the 2015 list, even when I was looking at Thank you for the opportunity to chat with a 2014 tournament. Now, this is clearly not you here. the end of the world, but for some reason, it frustrates me. Darn! where is the ease of the old way? But anyway -- just change the parameters and you can access whatever you want. Ok, so I change the year back from 2015 to 2014. Voila, I’m back where I was, and I should quit complaining and just be happy I have a great internet connection and I’ve 16 Sunshine Bridge News

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 16 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM CONGRATULATIONS TO ADAM KAPLAN!

ACBL has named Adam Kaplan of New Port Richey the 2014 King of Bridge. Read all about it at www.acbl.org in the News section, and in the ACBL Bulletin. Adam is a freshman at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA.

THE COMMON GAME

AUGUST WINNERS Open Game - Most Points earned: Michael Reeslund - Vanderbilt Bridge Club, Nashville, TN 299er Game - Most Points earned: Richard Barnes - The Bridge Deck (NY) Most Top Twenty Finishes Open: Happoldt Neuffer/Alice Moore - Columbia BC, SC Most Top Twenty Finishes 299er: Carol Pulvino - In-Between BC, Sarasota Attendance - Most Plays: Barbara Schorr - Jourdans, Delray Beach

SEPTEMBER WINNERS Open Game - Most Points earned: John Kuharetz - Glen Rock BC (NJ) 299er Game - Most Points earned: Sue Bailey - Van’s Friendship Club, Palm Beach Gardens Most Top Twenty Finishes Open: Edith Denenberg - Pompano Beach DBC Most Top Twenty Finishes 299er: Sangita Walia - Jourdans, Delray Beach Attendance - Most Plays: Larry Lazarow - Jourdans, Delray Beach

D9 CHARITY GAMES

Dear Club Managers,

District 9 invites your club to participate in upcoming District-Wide Charity games. Listed below you will find the dates, sessions, beneficiaries, ACBLscore set-up instructions and the sanction numbers for each game. These games are being offered to all clubs in District 9 and A REGULAR GAME SANCTION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE TIME THE GAMES ARE HELD.

In December, these four games will offer your club the opportunity to support the ACBL Charity Foundation and your club’s choice of local charity. All games will award 100% sectional rated black points. You may hold any one, two, three or four of these games.

District -Wide Charity Games:

December 1, Afternoon, benefiting the ACBL Foundation, Sanction # DC14129B December 3, Morning, benefiting a local charity of choice, Sanction # DC14129C December 4, Morning, benefiting the ACBL Foundation, Sanction # DC14129D December 5, Afternoon, benefiting a local charity of choice, Sanction # DC14129E

1) District 9 has given permission for all clubs to hold the four games at the scheduled time. Clubs are not required to have a regular game sanctioned for the time the games are held. 2) D9 Wide Charity games will be one session events at multi-site locations.

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 17 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM Good Bye and Thank You, Patty by Harry Falk

Shortly after I arrived in Florida in 1996, the Operations Office (the lifeblood of the I wrote the ACBL to express an interest in tournament) at all of the North American becoming a tournament director. I was put in Bridge Championships for over two decades. touch with Bill Schoder (aka Kojak), who was She has served as Field Representative for the Field Represenative for the southeastern Florida, Georgia, and Alan Brooks (the only US. He told me to come to the July 4th regional TD in South Carolina) for nearly 15 years. for some training and a look/see, and, when I arrived, he assigned me to work with Patty Many players don’t even know who Patty Johnson. That was the start of my relationship is, since at a regional she’s usually tucked with Patty, who shortly thereafter took over into her office away from the playing area, as Chief Tournament Director for all of the planning space requirements, making Florida regionals. I started working as a TD in director assignments, counting money, the summer of 1997, and Patty has been my dealing with local tournament organizers, boss ever since. and producing the Daily Bulletin. She doesn’t often show up to make a ruling at a table at a Now, after 35 years as a TD, Patty is retiring regional, so when she does, players will often from her role. We might see a little bit of quizzically ask “Are you a director?” when her around, but she has decided that it’s she takes a call. Patty has also run most of the time to spend more time on the golf course, Sectional Tournaments at the Clubs (STaC’s) having fun with her Sebring friends, and just in Florida for many years---another one of relaxing after many years of hard work. those anonymous assignments that doesn’t put her in the spotlight, but is important Patty started her directing life at the for players and club owners alike. I have the Lightman Bridge Center in Memphis. She is utmost respect for Patty. She has allowed a native Memphian---not a bad place to live me to grow as a director, giving me greater when the governing organization is based there. Some of the ACBL directing big shots recognized her talent for matchpointing (remember, we didin’t always have computer scoring and Bridgemates), and her ability to deal with people and her confidence in making rulings. Patty is not a bridge nut like many of the rest of us. She rarely plays and she barely has enough ponts to have made her a Life Master (she went over playing with me in my club and hardly has played since). But she has a great passion for organization and seeing a tournament run smoothly and successfully. She has a keen intuition for knowing how many tables will show up for a given session. Her organizational skills are so respected that she has been in charge of Patty takes a break from her duties to smile for the camera. 18 Sunshine Bridge News

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 18 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM responsibilities early in my career. I have Lynn Berg talks about Patty worked hand-in-hand with her for the 17 years that I’ve been a TD, and I believe that When I was bald as an egg from chemo sev- much of the success of Florida regionals is en years ago, Patty called to see if I was ready due to Patty’s skills. When I take over her to come back to work—the January Orlando role this winter, I hope that I can adequately Regional was coming up. “Well, I don’t have fill her shoes. We will all miss her infectious any hair,” I pointed out. Her answer? “You laugh, her smiling face and her ability to don’t direct with your hair!” She kept track make wokring at a tournament a fun and of me while I couldn’t work for several years, rewarding experience. got me back to work, and made it easy for me to return. Her consideration and kindness Good luck Patty---we’ll all miss you very have meant a lot to me over the years. She’s much. And of course---Thanks for your long been an understanding but exacting boss service to . and a loving and thoughtful friend.

Save the Date! November 24, 2016-December 4, 2016 Orlando will be hosting the 2016 NABC at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Buena Vistaorida. This property is undergoing a complete renovation and will be beautiful for us when we arrive at Thanksgiving.

There are 17 restaurants and lounges in the combined Swan and Dolphin Resort with shuttles or walking paths to all other Walt Disney World Resort restaurants. At the combined hotels, there are two health clubs, tennis courts, jogging trails plus access to a nearby Disney golf course, five swimming pools and a white sand beach!

The hotel has a shuttle to the Boardwalk Entertainment and food district, Epoch, Buena Vista Village and the Magic Kingdom Park. There are shuttles and waterways from the hotel to Disney’s Hollywood Station.

There will be bridge offered at all levels of play in beautiful playing areas with excellent lighting. Also offered are guest speakers every day, Free Bridge Lessons, ACBL Teacher Accreditation Program, Club Director classes and Club Director Refresher classes.

We plan to make this a wonderful and fun bridge experience for all players and their families. Volunteers will be needed and we would appreciate any support you can give us. We will be updating this information as the date becomes closer with more specifics

We are excited and look forward to seeing all of you at the Fall NABC 2016!

Co Chairmen

Jane Formet Barbara Jones

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SBN-NOVDEC-2014 19 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM Fourth-Suit Forcing by Larry Cohen [email protected]

You will recall that I’m an advocate of the North East South West keep it simple way of bidding. After 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1-negative doubles; 2-Blackwood 1♠ Pass 3♠ 3-Stayman; 4-Jacoby transfers Or My next set of recommended conventions should be: North East South West 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 5-fourth suit forcing 1♠ Pass 3♣ 6-methods over opps’ 1NT opener 7-weak jump shifts in competition would be invitational. In general, a second- 8-2NT ask over our weak two openers round jump by responder is invitational. Accordingly, if he has more than an Let’s take a look at Fourth-Suit Forcing: invitational hand he needs to make some other bid. Ergo, fourth-suit forcing. In each of When the responder bids the fourth suit the three auctions above, what if responder (the only suit not bid yet) on his second had a game-forcing hand with either hearts, turn, it means he has a good hand. He does spades, or clubs? In all cases he’d start with not promise any length or strength in the 2♦ to set up the game force. On his next (fourth) suit he has bid. turn (he had better get one!) he clarifies his intentions with a natural (forcing) bid. How strong a hand? I recommend playing it as a game force. This means the responder I highly recommend playing the 4th suit by has at least opening-bid values (he knows responder (as an UPH) as 100% game forcing. that opposite his partner’s opening bid there Look out for the special auction of 1♣-1♦- is enough combined strength for game). For 1♥-1♠: Some players choose to use this as Example: the only exception. The 1♠ bid is treated as a natural call (to try to locate a possible 4-4 North East South West spade fit), and the “fourth-suit ” 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass becomes a jump to 2♠. It is not crucial that 1♠ Pass 2♦ you make this exception—but just be aware that many partnerships do so. By a passed In this auction, South’s 2♦ says, “Partner, hand, the fourth suit should be natural and I have enough for game (I might not have not forcing at all (a passed hand can’t force anything in diamonds).” to game).

Why make such a bid? I recommend that jumps in the fourth suit be played as natural and invitational. So, 1♦-1♠- In modern bridge, if responder had jumped 2♣-3♥ is something like: ♠AQJxx ♥KJ10xx at his second turn, for example: ♦xx ♣x.

North East South West In a 2/1 GF auction, the 4th suit is not needed 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass to artificially force to game (you are already 1♠ Pass 3♥ forced there) -- so it should be natural! 20 Sunshine Bridge News

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 20 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM Appeals in Bridge: New Thinking Needed? by Jon Shuster Gainesvilleorida

Do appeals in tournaments need to be done The director, who was called during the the way instant replay is done in sporting auction, determined that North agreed the events? The call on the field is presumed pass was immediate, but ruled the table correct unless there is overwhelming (video) result of 4♠ +1 (450 EW) should stand. EW evidence that the call was incorrect. Just as in appealed saying that South might double competitive sports, the directors (referees) without this unauthorized information, and themselves rule on the weight of evidence, North might pass, leading to a result of 4♠ and are not bound by this standard. They X+1 (690 EW). The committee overruled the do a fantastic job, as evidenced by the director’s ruling and awarded 690 to EW. fact that only three appeals cases went to committees in the Summer 2014 Nationals. An important piece of missing information Moreover, had this recommended standard was the NS system for handling 4♠ . been applied, instead of 3/3 overturns, Most expert partnerships use an immediate 3/3 upholdings might have occurred. To double by North as penalty oriented and 4NT illustrate, one case will be reviewed here. by North for takeout. This same system uses a double by South after North’s pass as an Appeal Case 1: Second qualifying round, optional double and 4NT for takeout. Had NS evening session, von Zedwitz Life Master been using this popular system, then the only Pairs, 7/19/2014. (Matchpoints). logical alternatives are Pass and 4NT. Surely, South does not want to defend a doubled ♠ K 3 contract with this minimal opener and ♥ Q 10 9 5 partner passing 4♠. Therefore, under this ♦ 4 3 , Double does not seem to be ♣ Q 7 6 5 2 a logical alternative. Since NS did not appear, the committee never obtained the NS system ♠ ♠ information. Had South indeed bid 4NT, A Q J 1 0 9 7 5 2 N 8 6 4 ♥ J 8 ♥ K 6 3 North bids 5♣ or 5♥, (+ 300 EW if doubled), ♦ 8 W E ♦ A Q J 6 but either call would almost certainly have ♣ 10 9 S ♣ A 4 3 led to 5♠ by East (either off one or making).

♠ – One element overlooked by the committee ♥ A 7 4 2 deals with the plausibility that North ♦ K 10 9 7 5 2 was intimidated by the director call and ♣ K J 8 discussion, and this may have led to poor defense by NS. It appears that North led a ♥, North East South West rather than his partner’s ♦ suit, which would 1♦ 4♠ (1) have assured NS three defensive tricks with Pass (2) Pass Pass simple defense, regardless of how the trick from the ruffing was used. With (1) Stop card was used a top of 103, the EW scores (matchpoints) (2) North passed immediately were +690 (102), +450 (75), +420 (38), +300 (9.5), -50 (3.5). Did EW deserve 102/103 on Only East and the director appeared at the this board? In this event, when South did hearing. Please see page 63 November/December 2014 21

SBN-NOVDEC-2014 21 November 8, 2014 4:27 PM