DOCSLIB.ORG

The Alt Invitational V

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Alt Invitational V ALT V BULLETIN 4 THE ALT Friday, May 29, 2020 editor: Christina Lund Madsen INVITATIONAL V [email protected] logistics: Rosalind Hengeveld big data: Joyce Tito MAY 25 - 29 2020 Previous Winners Face in Final After two close semifinals, two previous winners face each other in the final of the Alt Invitational V. De Botton needed their carry over to beat Street in an e♥austing semifinal last night, and Gupta PRE-BULLETIN wouldTHE have lost toALT Blass had it not been for one boardMonday, May worth 11, 2020 20 IMPs. editor: Christina Lund Madsen During today's final the BBO-commentators are [email protected] to show up in full power to honour Roland INVITATIONALWald, who passed away suddenly. Let us hope theylogistics: Rosalindwill have Hengeveld much to talk about. MAY 11-15, 2020 big data: Joyce Tito We are looking forward to an actionpacked final. online bridge events organized by bid72, bridge24 & netbridge.online THE ALT INVITATIONAL PRE-BULLETIN Final Important NoticeTHE ALT Monday, May 11, 2020 editor: Christina Lund Madsen Friday [email protected] 29 at 10.00 EDT/16.00 CET All players MAYshould 11-15, enter 2020 BBO 10 INVITATIONAL logistics: Rosalind Hengeveld minutes before their matchMAY starts 11-15, 2020 at big data: Joyce3 Tito x 12 boards online bridge events organized by bid72, bridge24 & netbridge.online the latest. Tournamentonline bridgedirector events organized Denis by bid72, bridge24 & netbridge.online Dobrin is waiting for you and will De Botton vs. Gupta instruct you where to sit. THE ALT INVITATIONAL MAY 11-15, 2020 online bridge events organized by bid72, bridge24 & netbridge.online sign up for the newsletter sign up for the newsletter - 1 - The lightning that by Christina Lund Madsen backfired There are many stories of lightner doubles It is hard to blame East for doubling for a backfiring, and this was one of the more heart lead. Muller reverted to 7NT, which costly ones. has 12 top tricks and the 13th after the marked heart finesse. Board 5. Dealer N. NS Vul. At the other table the auction was not ♠ JT42 surprisingly completely different: ♥ AQT93 ♦ K3 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH ♣ 97 Bertens Nowosadzki Gupta Kalita ♠ 9 N ♠ 853 ♥ J8742 W E ♥ - Pass 2♦ Dble ♦ T875 S ♦ QJ9642 5♦ Dble Pass 5NT ♣ QT4 ♣ 8653 Pass 6♦ Pass 7♠ ♠ AKQ76 All Pass ♥ K65 ♦ A North reasonably passed his 10-count ♣ AKJ2 vulnerable (de Wijs-Muller play a variant of precision that allows 10-point openings) WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH which made room for Gupta to preempt Pepsi de Wijs Blass Muller in diamonds. Now NS did very well to reach 7♠, but in bridge you are not always 1♥ Pass 1♠* rewarded for excellence. Pass 1NT Pass 2♣ Gupta refrained from doubling for a heart Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ lead, but Bertens had enough confidence Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ in his opponents not to lead a diamond and saw the only hope of beating the con- Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠ tract to find his partner with a void. Pass 5♣ Pass 5♦ Alas, he lead a low heart, ruffed by Gupta Pass 5♠ Pass 7♠ and a loss of 20 IMPs for Blass, losing the Pass Pass Dble 7NT semifinal by 14 IMPs in total. All Pass Blass can find comfort that in our other semifinal, Piotr Zatorski made the same All South's bids were asking. North's bids double after a 2♣-opening in South and after 1♥ showed in order: 4+♠, 4522- no bidding from the EW-side. Hoftaniska shape, 3 controls, 1 or 2 AKQ in hearts/0 as Muller reverted to 7NT. It was a push, or 3 in spades, 1 or 2 ♦AKQ and 0 in clubs, L'Ecuyer-Marcinski landing in 7♥ making and finally 5♠ showed 2 of the 3 top when L'Ecuyer began with ♥K (East had ♥-honours, no ♥J. also here opened a weak 2♦). - 2 - Results / Ranking RR7 IMPs VPs Link to results BLASS BRIDGESCANNER 63 11 18.38 1.62 DE BOTTON STREET 50 23 15.39 4.61 Alt Invitational V GILLIS DONNER 33 37 9.01 10.99 Link to previous Alts & bulletins GUPTA BUSSINK 64 20 17.58 2.42 Bulletins Semifinals C/O seg 1 seg 2 Total DE BOTTON 10.1 18 22 50.1 STREET 0 20 25 45.0 GUPTA 6.1 23 23 52.1 BLASS 0 20 18 38.0 After VPs Round 7 1 DE BOTTON 98.50 2 GUPTA 88.75 3 BLASS 86.47 4 STREET 74.38 5 DONNER 63.49 Follow us on Facebook 6 BRIDGESCANNER 60.06 Click the link 7 BUSSINK 44.46 8 GILLIS 43.89 Rules and regulations The numbers 1 through 4 from the round robin will go to the semifinals. In case of a tie in victory points: 1. the mutual result will decide 2. still equal: the most ’wins’ (BAM-ish) will decide. 3. after that: the team with the highest IMP score on a board will go through The winner of the round robin may choose its opponent between the teams placed 3 and 4. T he captain will mail their choice to [email protected] within an hour after the round robin is finis- hed. If late, then matches will be: 1 versus 4 and 2 versus 3. - 3 - To Err is Human By Mark Horton Take it from me, bridge is all about mis- bidding is concerned and I quite like the takes. Going wrong in the bidding phase idea of checking - sorry, passing, hoping is easy - even an immaculate well intenti- to get a chance to show my suits later. oned bid can turn out badly. Otherwise 1♥ gets my vote. Defending is tough - even if you survive the opening lead. Declarer play is perhaps Three East's elected to pass, three opened easier, although as you may be aware I 1♥. have been misplaying hands for years! Two of my fondest memories are to go Let's see what happened in Blass v down in awkward slams I had played Bridgescanner: correctly when, near the end I 'ruffed' with a non-trump. Open Room Take a look at this deal from the last quali- WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH fying round: Matushko Drijver Krasnoselskiy Brink — — 1♠ 2♦* Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul. 2♠ 3♦ 4♥ Pass ♠ Q J 9 5 4♠ Pass Pass 5♦ ♥ 9 8 Dble All Pass ♦ A 5 4 2 ♣ 8 5 2 ♠ K 10 8 2 ♠ A 7 6 4 3 2♦ Tends to deny 4♥ ♥ Q 10 ♥ A J 7 4 3 2 ♦ Q 9 7 ♦ — Having opened 1♠ East was happy to show ♣ K 10 7 6 ♣ 4 3 his other suit. Maybe South could have ♠ — doubled 4♠, but bidding on looks reaso- ♥ K 6 5 nable - after all, 5♦ might be making and ♦ K J 10 8 6 3 there must be some chance that EW will ♣ A Q J 9 push on to 5♠. West led the ♠8 and declarer put up dum- The East hand is sure to appear in a bid- my's jack, ruffed East's ace, cashed the♦ K ding panel competition at some point, and drew trumps ending in dummy as asking what should East do? There will be West withheld the queen until the third votes for 1♠ and 1♥ and Pass and maybe round. A hert to the king was followed by someone will mention opening 4♥. another heart and East overtook West's queen. That was a good idea as East could Someone mentioned to me that bridge now play a third heart, killing dummy's is the new Poker - at least as far as the entry, but switching to a club was not. - 4 - Wojciech Olanski Declarer played the queen and when West won with the king he was endplayed. A spade would set up dummy's queen and West's actual choice of a club gave declarer three tricks in the suit and +550. West's only chance after the club switch is to duck smoothly (is that easy on the Internet?) when declarer must find the play of exiting with the ♣J or ♣9. Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Pszczola Vainikonis Blass Olanski — — 1♠ 2♦ 3♦* 4♦ 4♠ 5♦ Dble All Pass Alt Calendar 3♦ Invitational in spades May 25-29 ALT V Here too East preferred to open 1♠. He might have bid 4♥ on the next round, but June 1-5 ALT Mixed II it's a moot point as to who that might help most. June 8-12 ALT VI West led the ♠2 and the first four tricks June 22-26 Major ALT - were virtually identical. Then declarer tried a club to the queen and king and End of season West exited with the ♥Q, East taking the ace and playing a second club. Declarer 8 top teams will particpate in the could not avoid the loss of a second club, normal ALTs and up to 32 teams in the so 12 IMPs changed hands. Major ALT. For more info, write to [email protected] - 5 - Unlocking the Combination By Mark Horton I always try to find an early deal to write Blass vs. Gillis about - that way there will be no delay Brink-Drijver had stopped in 4♣. East had before the pre-prandial drinks are served advertised a major two suiter and ducked at 18.00. Having read that lockdown can the first round of clubs. Guess which card lead to increased alcohol consumption we declarer played next? have decided to imitate the suggestion made in the BBC-HBO production, The WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Gathering Storm, that a cash-strapped Kalita Saelensminde Nowosadzki Gillis Winston Churchill agreed to cut down to — — 1♠ 2♣ two bottles of champagne before dinner.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Convention Card
    DEFENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING LEADS AND SIGNALS WBF Convention Card OVERCALLS (Style, Responses, ½ Level, Reopening) OPENING LEADS AND SIGNALS Style: Normal Lead In Partners’ suit Category: Green Responses: 2NT after 1M is inv+ with 4crd M; new suit F; Suit 3rd and low, standard from Same, KJT->T NBO (Country): the Netherlands cuebid always fit; honors NT Attitude 3rd and low, KJT->T Event: All Reopening: Light Subseq 2/4 through declarer (only if suit not played) Players: Meike Wortel – Marion Michielsen Otherwise 3/5 1NT OVERCALL (2nd /4th Live; Responses, Reopening) Other: K from AK against 5+ level (then count) 2nd position: 15-18 bal. SYSTEM SUMMARY Responses: system on L E A D S 2 over 1 GF Lead vs. Suit vs. NT GENERAL APPROACH AND STYLE: 4th position: 11-14 bal. (11-16 after 1M) Ace A(Kxx) A(Kxx) 1♥/♠ 5+, 1♦ 4+, 1♣ 2+ Responses: system on (11-16: rangecheck stayman 2-lv 11-12; King K(Qx) AK K(Qxx) AKJT(x) Michael Cuebid; Unusual NT; 2N 13-14 (3C asks); 3-lv 15-16 3N: 15-16 both M Queen Q(Jxx) (A)Q(Jxx) KQT9(x) Multi-Landy after NT JUMP OVERCALLS (Style, Responses, Unusual NT) Jack (K)J(Txx) (A/K)J(Txx) 1NT opening: non vul: 14-16 vul: 15-17 Style: Weak suit jumps 10 T(9xx)/HT9 T(9xx)/HT9(x) 9 9x HT9 Responses: Natural High x Xx xxxx Unusual notrump: (1m) 2N: om+♥ (1M) 2N: OM+♦ Low x xxx in 3rd seat: preempts wide-ranged Reopening: Suit: Intermediate; 2NT: 18-19 HCP SIGNALS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY SPECIAL BIDS THAT MAY REQUIRE DEFENCE Partner’s Lead Declarer’s Lead Discarding Transfers on the 1 and 2 level if you overcall our 1m opening DIRECT and JUMP CUE BIDS (Style, Resp., Reopening) Suit:1ST low/high: enc low/high: even low: enc i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Acol Bidding Notes
    SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION The following notes are designed to help your understanding of the Acol system of bidding and should be used in conjunction with Crib Sheets 1 to 5 and the Glossary of Terms The crib sheets summarise the bidding in tabular form, whereas these notes provide a fuller explanation of the reasons for making particular bids and bidding strategy. These notes consist of a number of short chapters that have been structured in a logical order to build on the things learnt in the earlier chapters. However, each chapter can be viewed as a mini-lesson on a specific area which can be read in isolation rather than trying to absorb too much information in one go. It should be noted that there is not a single set of definitive Acol ‘rules’. The modern Acol bidding style has developed over the years and different bridge experts recommend slightly different variations based on their personal preferences and playing experience. These notes are based on the methods described in the book The Right Way to Play Bridge by Paul Mendelson, which is available at all good bookshops (and some rubbish ones as well). They feature a ‘Weak No Trump’ throughout and ‘Strong Two’ openings. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INDEX Section 1 Introduction Chapter 1 Bidding objectives & scoring Chapter 2 Evaluating the strength of your hand Chapter 3 Evaluating the shape of your hand . Section 2 Balanced Hands Chapter 21 1NT opening bid & No Trumps responses Chapter 22 1NT opening bid & suit responses Chapter 23 Opening bids with stronger balanced hands Chapter 24 Supporting responder’s major suit Chapter 25 2NT opening bid & responses Chapter 26 2 Clubs opening bid & responses Chapter 27 No Trumps responses after an opening suit bid Chapter 28 Summary of bidding with Balanced Hands .
    [Show full text]
  • Hall of Fame Takes Five
    Friday, July 24, 2009 Volume 81, Number 1 Daily Bulletin Washington, DC 81st Summer North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Paul Linxwiler Hall of Fame takes five Hall of Fame inductee Mark Lair, center, with Mike Passell, left, and Eddie Wold. Sportsman of the Year Peter Boyd with longtime (right) Aileen Osofsky and her son, Alan. partner Steve Robinson. If standing ovations could be converted to masterpoints, three of the five inductees at the Defenders out in top GNT flight Bridge Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday evening The District 14 team captained by Bob sixth, Bill Kent, is from Iowa. would be instant contenders for the Barry Crane Top Balderson, holding a 1-IMP lead against the They knocked out the District 9 squad 500. defending champions with 16 deals to play, won captained by Warren Spector (David Berkowitz, Time after time, members of the audience were the fourth quarter 50-9 to advance to the round of Larry Cohen, Mike Becker, Jeff Meckstroth and on their feet, applauding a sterling new class for the eight in the Grand National Teams Championship Eric Rodwell). The team was seeking a third ACBL Hall of Fame. Enjoying the accolades were: Flight. straight win in the event. • Mark Lair, many-time North American champion Five of the six team members are from All four flights of the GNT – including Flights and one of ACBL’s top players. Minnesota – Bob and Cynthia Balderson, Peggy A, B and C – will play the round of eight today. • Aileen Osofsky, ACBL Goodwill chair for nearly Kaplan, Carol Miner and Paul Meerschaert.
    [Show full text]
  • Xywrite 4-- C:\Xw\Bfe\SPING17.TXT Job 2162689
    The 2017 Spingold Final by Phillip Alder The Summer North American Championships took place in Toronto last month. The premier event was the Spingold Knockout Teams. There were 104 entries, which were reduced to 64 on the first day. Then there were six days of 60-board knockout matches to decide the winner. Before we get to the final match, here are some problems for you to try and see if you ought to enter the Spingold next year – or, saving time, the Reisinger Board-a-Match teams at the Fall Nationals in San Diego. 1. With only your side vulnerable, you are dealt: ‰ K 10 3 Š K Q 9 2 ‹ K 9 7 Œ 8 5 3 It goes three passes to you. Would you pass out the deal or open something? 2. North Dlr: East ‰ K 10 3 Vul: N-S Š K Q 9 2 ‹ K 9 7 Œ 8 5 3 West ‰ A Q J 2 Š 10 5 ‹ J 8 6 Œ Q 10 9 6 West North East South You Dummy Partner Declarer Pass Pass Pass 1‹ 1‰ 2Š 3Š (a) Pass 3‰ 4Œ Pass 4Š Dble All Pass (a) Strong spade raise You lead the spade ace: three, eight (upside down count and attitude), nine. What would you do now? 3a. With both sides vulnerable, you pick up: ‰ Q J 9 8 Š Q 9 8 ‹ A 10 9 3 2 Œ 2 It goes pass on your left, partner opens one club, and righty jumps to four hearts. What would you do, if anything? 1 3b.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alt Invitational V Genera- Bridgescanner - Donner 59-46 12.95-7.05 Ted Many Imps in All Directions, Some De Botton - Bussink 93-51 17.36-2.64 More Than Other
    ALT V BULLETIN 1 THE ALT Tuesday, May 26, 2020 editor: Christina Lund Madsen INVITATIONAL V [email protected] logistics: Rosalind Hengeveld big data: Joyce Tito MAY 25 - 29 2020 Goodbye Mister Vugraph Yesterday we received the shocking news that Roland Wald has suddenly passed away. His fellow commentators and followers on Facebook were worried he had not been active in the past days. Roland was if any the main character on BBO vugraph. For almost 20 years he has entertained bridge players all over the world with his comments. ThePRE-BULLETIN ALT events were no exception. He has probably Monday, May 11, 2020 watchedTHE more boards ALT played than any other person in the world. editor: Christina Lund Madsen [email protected] We have put together an obituary for him in this bulletin that we would like to dedicate to Roland. INVITATIONAL logistics: Rosalind Hengeveld On behalf MAYof the 11-15, Alt we2020 would like to request that tonightbig data: Joyce all Tito players wait one minute before they beginonline play.bridge It events is our organized way of honouringby bid72, bridge24 him with & netbridge.online one moment's silence. THE ALT INVITATIONAL Today’sPRE-BULLETIN Schedule Round 3 & 4 Important NoticeTHE ALT Monday, May 11, 2020 Tuesday editor:May Christina 26 Lund Madsen Tuesday May 26 All players MAYshould 11-15, enter 2020 BBO 10 [email protected] INVITATIONAL 10.00 EDT/16.00logistics: Rosalind Hengeveld CET 14.00 EDT/20.00 CET minutes before their matchMAY starts 11-15, 2020 at big data: Joyce Tito online bridge events organized by bid72, bridge24 & netbridge.onlineBlass - Bussink Blass - Gupta the latest.
    [Show full text]
  • WHJI Final Session 3
    WHJI 2014 Final session 3 After two sets out of three Norway had taken a comfortable lead. When the tournament was held in Den Bosch Norway had won three times, with players like Boye Brogeland. In Amsterdam they were successful with talents like Espen Lindqvist and many others in 2006 and 2007. And they have been strong competitors in the other years, with the victory of a combined Norwegian / Uruguayan / Argentinian team last year. It looks like a new set of talents has arrived in Amsterdam this year. Norway – Germany A 76 – 16 Session 3 Board 29 was not helpful for the Germans as they went three off vulnerable in a normal 1NT. Grünke could have picked up six tricks, but took a finesse with a chance of a few overtricks. The finesse lost and the defense cashed their tricks, NS -300. Marie Eggeling at the other table made a thin overcall. Eide – Ellingsen now reached the much better part score of 3♦. 3♦ made in comfort and gave Norway 9 IMPs. Bakke talked NS out of 3NT by opening a normal 1♥. But after two passes Grünke reopened with a double and Bakke raised himself to 2♥ on a 5-card suit with 5332. North-South now missed 3NT. The other table reached 3NT, for 10 tricks and 7 IMPs. Hegge overcalled 1♦ and raised himself twice when South reopened. He was left to play there for two down. Braun overcalled 3♦ immediately and Ellingsen reopened with double. Eide per force bid 3♠ and now Ellingsen tried game. Eggeling doubled this.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin 14.Indd
    41st WORLD BRIDGE TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIPS 41st Bermuda Bowl - 19th Venice Cup - 7th dOrsi Trophy - 9th Transnational Open Teams Coordinator: Jean-Paul Meyer Editor: Brent Manley Co-Editors: Mark Horton, Jos Jacobs, Micke DAILY Melander, Brian Senior, Jan van Cleeff Lay out Editor: Ron Tacchi BULLETIN Photographer: Elisabeth van Ettinger Issue No. 14 Sunday, 29th September 2013 Bocchi’s Bermuda Birthday Italy, represented by Norberto Bocchi (what a way to celebrate his birthday) Lorenzo Lauria, Agustin Madala, Alfredo Versace, Giorgio Duboin, Antonio Sementa, Gianni Medugno npc, Giuseppe Failla coach won the Bermuda Bowl for the 15th time, defeating Monaco’s Fulvio Fantoni, Geir Helgemo, Tor Helness, Franck Multon, Claudio Nunes, Pierre Zimmermann, Jean Charles Allavena npc, Krzysztof Martens coach in a one sided fi nal. Poland’s Cesary Balicki, Krzysztof Buras, Krzysztof Jassem, Marcin Mazurkie- wicz, Grzegorz Narkiewicz, Adam Zmudzinski, Piotr Walczak npc, Marek Wojcicki coach took bronze. In a match that kept the worldwide audience on the edge of their seats it was USA2’s Hjordis Eythorsdottir, Jill Levin, Jill Meyers, Janice Seamon-Molson, Jenny Wolpert, Migry Zur-Campanile, Sue Picus npc who won the Venice Cup from England’s Sally Brock, Fiona Brown, Heather Dhondy, Nevena Senior, Nicola Smith, Susan Stockdale, Jeremy Dhondy npc, David Burn coach Th e Netherlands’, Carla Arnolds, Marion Michielsen, Jet Pasman, Anneke Simons, Wietske van Zwol, Meike Wortel, Alex van Reenen npc, Hans Kelder coach fi nished third. Germany ‘s Michael Elinescu, Ulrich Kratz, Reiner Marsal, Bernhard Sträter, Ulrich Wenning, Entscho Wladow, Kareen Schroeder npc, Karin Wenning coach won the d’Orsi Senior Trophy after a thrilling fi nal against USA2’s Roger Bates, Garey Hayden, Marc Jacobus, Carolyn Lynch, Mike Passell, Eddie Wold, Donna Compton npc.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook 2016
    The International Bridge Press Association Handbook 2016 The addresses (and photos) in this Handbook are for the IBPA members personal, non commersial, use only 6IBPA Handbook 2015 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s foreword........................................................................................................................................... 3 Fifty Years of IBPA............................................................................................................................................ 4 IBPA Officials .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Former IBPA Officers........................................................................................................................................ 8 The IBPA Bulletin............................................................................................................................................ 10 Advertising ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Copyright ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Annual AWARDS............................................................................................................................................. 12 The Bridge Personality of the Year...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Big Night Propels Doub to BAM Victory
    Friday, August 3, 2018 Volume 90, Number 8 Daily Bulletin 90th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Sue Munday Nickell, Lavazza Big Night Propels exit Spingold Doub to BAM Victory The Spingold round of 16 was harsh to the higher-ranked seeds, with half of them losing their In 2010, after Doug Doub matches. and Yiji Starr won the four- The No. 2 seed led by Nick Nickell was session Goldman Cup Pairs shown the door by the original No. 47 seed, Hyatt at the New York Regional, npc. Hyatt’s roster is Hansa Narasimhan, Carlos they agreed they had to play Pellegrini, Michael Whibley, Sumit Mukherjee and together again. It’s taken eight Debabrata Majumder. Hyatt led Nickell the entire years to make good on that match and won 143-91. commitment and make good, No. 4 Lavazza also got bounced from the event, they did – sneaking by the May losing 131-85 to Stan Tulin and company, the No. 13 Sakr squad to win the Freeman seed. Tulin’s lineup includes Cornelis van Prooijen, Mixed Board-a-Match Teams. Alon Birman, Dror Padon, David Bakhshi and Louk Completing the winning quartet are Rose Yan from continued on page 5 Beijing and Jiang Gu from Mountain Lakes NJ. QF action in the A blazing 19.50 second final sealed the deal for Doub; however a penalty came close Winners of the Freeman Mixed Board-a-Match: Doug Doub, Yiji Starr, Mini-Spingold KOs to pushing the match the Rose Yan and Jiang Gu In today’s semifinal round of the 0-6000 Mini- other way.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridgehands Emag Newsletter Notrump Leads February 2006
    BridgeHands eMag Newsletter Notrump Leads February 2006 Dear Michael, For the last few months, we featured two of declarer’s favorite play strategies – the finesse and the promotion play. This month in our first of a two part article, we will explore considerations for the defender to make the best lead when opponents are playing a Notrump contract. There’s more to this game beyond leading your fourth-best card: find out why. With our focus on leads this month, let’s review the Laws when something goes awry on the opening lead. Everyone loves to open a hand for bidding. Last month we learned how the “Rule of 15” gives us another hand evaluation criterion when partner is a passed hand. Now let’s explore the “Rule of 20” - a third hand evaluation method, useful even when partner hasn’t bid. My, partner, you have great shape – referring to your hand distribution, of course! Some hands have cute colloquial names associated with them to describe the shape: Swan, Rattlesnake, Two/Three Suiter, Pancake, (Ugly) Duckling, Freak, and Stiff. Regardless of how you play the cards, use these clichés and you’ll sound like you really know your stuff after you have finished this month's newsletter. Note: Viewing the hands below requires your EMAIL reader to use "fixed fonts" (not proportional). If you have problems reading this document, please view our online web-based copy or Adobe Acrobat PDF file suitable for printing at the BridgeHands website Leads: Trading a promotion for a finesse Last month we investigated scenarios where declarer promoted long suits to establish extra tricks.
    [Show full text]
  • Leads and Signals
    Leads and Signals o All things being equal, we tend to be on defense about half the time; and leading about half of this time o Opening lead frequently sets up the pattern on defense o Cooperation between partners on defense is extremely important — Don’t try to set your opponents all by yourself; enlist your partner in the effort by signaling what you hold — Watch what partner plays and infer defensive approach he is suggesting and cooperate Leading o The key to selecting an opening lead is to listen to the auction and infer what that says about everyone’s hand — Has your partner bid --> Possible indication of suit to lead — Have the opponents bid easily and swiftly to game with no interference and you have near an opening hand --> your partner has nothing and the defense is “up to you” — Have the opponents struggled and found a secondary place to play -- > They may not have enough trump and a trump lead might be appropriate — Do you have “Connected Honors (I.e., an AK)” --> then you might want to lead the honor to see what dummy has and then make your “real” lead — Do you have a series (I.e., QJT9) -- If you can lead enough times, you can eventually drive out their honors Example hand Example hand - Solved Types of Leads o Aggressive/Active -- Use if opponents have side source of tricks o Tapping -- Use when you have length in trump suit; try to make opponents use their trump by ruffing your long suit o High roller leads -- Very aggressive and gambling leads; usually want to use only in team games where payoff for gamble is large; can
    [Show full text]
  • Squeeze Plays
    The Squeeze Play By James R. Klein **** The most fascinating of all advanced plays in bridge is undoubtedly the squeeze play. Since the origin of bridge, the ability to execute the squeeze play has been one of the many distinguishing marks of the expert player. What is more important is the expert's ability to recognize that a squeeze exists and therefore make all the necessary steps to prepare for it. Often during the course of play the beginner as well as the advanced player has executed a squeeze merely because it was automatic. The play of a long suit with defender holding all the essential cards will accomplish this. The purpose of the squeeze play is quite simple. It is to create an extra winner with a card lower than the defender holds by compelling the latter to discard it to protect a vital card in another suit. While the execution of the squeeze play at times may seem complex, the average player may learn a great deal by studying certain principles that are governed by it. 1. It is important to determine which of the defenders holds the vital cards. This may be accomplished in many ways; for example, by adverse bidding, by a revealing opening lead, by discards and signals but most often by the actual fall of the cards. This is particularly true when one of the defenders fails to follow suit on the first or second trick. 2. It is important after the opening lead is made to count the sure tricks before playing to the first trick.
    [Show full text]