Vol.42 No 8 March 2016 – May 2016

New South Wales Bridge Association ♠ ♥ Newsletter ♦ ♣

Editor: Steve Hurley

Chairman’s corner and is particularly keen on supporting clubs around the State. Watch out for more communications After the Gold Coast Congress, the bridge season from her! Work commitments also mean that Steve tends to quieten down a little but we are now into Hurley is stepping down as Newsletter editor. I qualifying events for assorted State and National thank him for his work over the last 2 years. We do competitions. The 2016 NSW State Teams have all not as yet have a direct replacement but we are been selected and will soon be heading to the ANC considering a revamp of the publication, possibly in Brisbane - we wish them all well. with a move to a more electronic format, perhaps alongside eCongress News. We will keep you NSWBA continues to provide financial assistance to informed. various bridge support activities around NSW. Tony Howes has run director training in Tamworth and Happy bridging Sydney and Joan Butts has run teacher training in Orange. Cath Whiddon is now going to be assisting Julian Foster Joan which should enable more of these teacher training courses to be delivered. A marketing workshop by Sandra Mulcahy is coming up on June Just bid it 3rd in Sydney and Sandra will then be providing a summary to our Regional Representatives meeting Far too many of my opponents these days seem to the next day with a view to running similar play a system best described as "don't worry, just workshops in regional areas. bid it". And they do, and either their contract was cold anyway or they get away with it, time and time I recently attended the ABF annual general meeting again. Here are several examples from recent Swiss in Canberra which, in addition to the normal Pairs events at the NSWBA. formalities of an AGM, was a good opportunity to discuss In the SITS Swiss Pairs in May, there was firstly this issues of common interest to hand: all States. Director training was one such item - especially 14 AT7 availability of technology Dealer E A432 support (Bridgemates, scoring Vul None AT programs etc). This is an area K843 the ABF is putting resources J5 KQ84 into at a National level and the NSWBA will be supporting this in whatever way we can. Q7 K965 K65432 QJ7

Finally a note on some staffing changes. In the Q95 A6 NSWBA office Liz Fanos has now reduced her 9632 working hours to 2 days a week. She is joined by JT8

Wing Roberts (also working 2 days a week). Wing 98 has a professional design and marketing background JT72

Page 1 NSWBA Newsletter Makeable contracts Board 20 85

NT Dealer W T54

15 N - - - - - Vul Both QT87543 8 15 S - - - - - 2 2 E - 3 1 1 2 AQJ72 K643 62 AQJ83 W 1 4 2 2 2

KJ62 A9 65 A7 East opened a normal but minimum 1NT and our T9 West decided to raise directly to 3NT. Only 7 of 17 K97 EW pairs were so courageous. The contract turns

out to be very hard to beat -- South predictably leads KQJT9843 J, covered; North takes the ace and returns a heart; and West ducks. Now unless South switches immediately to the J, it's all over … Makeable contracts

NT

2 Then on the very next board, after North opened a N 1 - - - - 11 18 weak 2H showing 5 hearts and a 4+ minor, East S 1 - - - - 9 doubled and in response to West's bid of 2S, jumped E - 2 4 6 4 directly to 6S! W - 2 4 5 4

Board 15 5 Dealer S J9865 West opened 1S, East bid 2H and then went slam-

Vul N-S AKT hunting despite South's vigorous pre-empt in clubs. T743 While 3 pairs stopped in 5S, 7 reached 6S. However, only 2 made the slam. After the lead of the club 2, J982 AKT743 surely a singleton, you draw trumps and find that 42 AQ7 they break 2-2. But there's still a possible heart QJ873 loser, so what should you do next?

K6 AQ82 Q6 While looking for inspiration, you might cash a KT3 diamond or two. The solution should then be 96542 obvious, as South has only clubs and hearts J95 remaining. You can throw him/her in with a club,

Makeable contracts and the long suit becomes a burden. The heart loser evaporates as South has choice of giving a -and- NT

8 discard or of leading a heart from the king into N - - - - - 7 19 declarer’s AQ. S - - - - - 6 E 4 2 1 6 4 Of course 6S would always go off if North could be W 4 2 1 6 4 persuaded to lead a diamond. The hand is a perfect

opportunity for a of 6S by South, asking partner to lead something other than a club. Even though the K turned out not to be in the It should be pretty clear to North that this is a North hand as West might have expected, the slam request for a diamond lead, which South will ruff. was absolutely cold. Only 5 of 17 were in it though… Remarkably, however, the sole West declarer who was doubled also made the contract, as partner Both these hands suggest that suit length is what it's wasn't on the same wavelength. But with most East- all about. Of course, just having a long suit isn't West pairs in 6S going down, the datum was only enough, and sometimes it doesn't work in your favor +330 EW, so the poor soul who bid 5C over 4S and to have too much length. Witness this hand from got doubled suffered a double-digit adverse swing. the WITS Swiss Pairs in April: That was me …

Page 2 NSWBA Newsletter The punishment didn't stop after these two events, Board 22 KJ92 as the opponents kept getting hands with long suits Dealer E AQJ5 and just kept on bidding games against me. The next Vul E-W J643 example is from the ANC Butler Pairs in May: 4

T8643

K832 6 Board 10 T3 A KQT982

Dealer E KT9 T96 KQJ753 Vul Both KJ7 AQ75 JT632 T974 K84 AJ62 75 QJ76542 3 A82 Q8 T942

8 AKQ9 Q975 Makeable contracts

NT A8 12 A653 N - - 3 4 3 7 11 754 S - - 3 4 3 10

Makeable contracts E 5 4 - - -

NT W 5 4 - - -

8 N 1 - - - - 8 14 S 1 - - - - 10 E - 1 2 2 1 If you don't have a 4NT opening bid at your disposal, showing 5+/5+ minors in a 3-loser hand, then it W - 1 2 1 1

seems that a 1D opening and a 5C rebid ought to do the job. In reality, however, game was bid at only 7 The bidding commenced 1D-1H-1S and West then of 22 tables. jumped to 4H. Unsurprisingly, North didn't lead a diamond. The J allowed declarer to quickly pitch two losing diamonds, then play a heart to the queen Anyway, having got a bit weary of all the "just bid it" and king. North exited with a top club, declarer tactics of my opponents, I decided that I too should ruffed and played a small heart to South's ace. Now try bidding a random game or two just based on the remaining high was drawn with J and length. Opportunities duly turned up, including this while declarer subsequently lost a spade, the game hand in the last round: was made.

Board 29 75 Did you see my error as South? As partner gently Dealer N Q9862 pointed out, if I ruff the club with the A, partner Vul Both Q73 still has a heart trick to come … but I couldn't/didn't visualize that possibility. (Ed. You are still safe – KT5 declarer can discard their losing spade.) 9 K86 AKJT753 4 AJT K9842

By the time the Autumn Swiss Pairs came around in QJ 7643 the latter part of May, I was beginning to think the AQJT432 "long-suit game bid" had become a systemic agreement! It certainly happened a few more times, 65 but not always. Here was a hand where we could A982 have/should have lost quite a few IMPs, but East subsided in a partscore.

Page 3 NSWBA Newsletter Makeable contracts Welcome! And we wish you the best of luck, prosperity, and enjoyment for years to come. NT

7 N 2 - - 5 2 16 6 S 2 - - 5 2 11 E - 2 2 - - W - 2 2 - - Pyrotechnics in Poland

(This was reported in the Canberra Bridge Bulletin After 2 passes, as South I opened 1S. West and has been reproduced for your entertainment.) overcalled 4H and when it came back to me, in the spirit of the forthcoming election I decided that Lesley Gunson has passed on to us an extraordinary there had never been a more exciting time to hold a hand reported by in The Spectator. long spade suit. So I bid 4S and West doubled me. I ruffed the of the K, but it looked very It occurred during the final of the Polish Teams much as if I was going to lose 2 diamonds, at least Championships in the match between the two top one club, and a trump. However, when I crossed to teams of Martens and Vitas. dummy via the K to in trumps, fully expecting it to fail, West played J and then the Dealer: West spade finesse worked! Hmm … I laid down the A but of course trumps didn't break, so I did indeed ♠ 87 Brd: -- have a trump loser, and no to dummy to do ♥ 5 Dlr: N anything about the clubs if they were breaking 5-1 ♦ T62 Vul: NS with East holding the queen. With no other choice, I ♣ AKQJ432 cashed the A. Lo and behold, down came the Q and my contract made. ♠ 3 ♠ KQJ9652

♥ T872 ♥ 4 It appears there's something to be said for this "just ♦ AQ73 ♦ J854 bid it" approach. But if you adopt it, will you please ♣ T975 ♣ 8 not do it against me?!?

♠ AT4 Rakesh Kumar ♥ AKQJ963

♦ K9

♣ 6 Three new clubs

Three new clubs have recently affiliated with the At the first table, North opened a gambling 3NT, NSWBA: showing a long solid minor and no outside entry.

East overcalled 4♠ and then South punted 7♣. He Bayview Bridge Club knew that North’s suit had to be clubs and, yes, the Bayview Golf Club, 1825 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale. diamond Ace was missing but how would West know Play Fridays at 9:30 am. Contact Joan Geyle via that this was the killing lead? [email protected]

The Killara Golf Club Limited Bridge Club However, West doubled, showing he had the A♦, so 556 Pacific Highway Killara. is South shifted the pressure to East by bidding 7NT! held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, So now how would East know what to lead? After and on the 1st Friday of each month. Contact Ann some thought, East chose the ♠K … +2220 to NS.

Buchanan via [email protected] At the second table North also opened a gambling East Lake Macquarie Bridge Club 3NT but East decided to skew the proceedings by a psyche of 4♥! South doubled and this was passed Belmont Bowling Club, 1 High Street Belmont. Play Fridays at 9:30 am. Contact Anne Fletcher via back to East who corrected to 4♠. South then bid 6NT, which East doubled and all passed. [email protected] Page 4 NSWBA Newsletter East, on lead, knew that declarer’s suit was clubs and ♠A97543 that West’s double (a ‘Lightner double’) was asking ♥65 him to lead one of the red suits …. but which one? ♦95 Finally, he chose—oops—a ♥. ♣Q72 ♠Q6 But the story does not end there. Declarer believing ♥QT84 that East held five hearts decided to make a doubled ♦QJT74 overtrick—and finessed the ♥9. West won with the ♣93 ♥10 and cashed his ♦A. One down! Dummy plays low, partner covers with the ♦K, and Lesley Gunson after some thought, declarer plays low. Partner now plays ♦3, declarer plays the ♦6. You win the ♦10. Your go.

Why did partner play this way? This typically shows The three labours of board 2 partner has two diamonds only and is getting out of your way. If partner had played low instead of the K, In defense, some hands require you to lead the right should declarer with the Ace, another diamond card then you can sit back and enjoy a bounty of to the now stiff K will now block the suit when tricks. Others you have to work for. declarer again plays low.

On a Saturday afternoon, as West, you pick up: You are still on lead. Declarer has been counting and ♠Q6 knows that the ♦9 on the table would force your J ♥QT84 (or 10), and he now sits with A8 and you hold J74 or ♦QJT74 T74. A diamond back now will give declarer two ♣93 tricks and .

And the auction proceeds: Your first labour was easy – finding the diamond lead. E S W N P 1NT P 2H (transfer to ♠) Now for your second labour. What do you switch to? P 3NT P P P Declarer has two spades for the NT bid, so partner will have three – there is no source of tricks there. The 3NT is highly undisciplined. But NS are there And partner will likely have length in clubs, but now, and you really have to be on your mettle to not expectedly declarer will be sitting over partner any this type of bidding to be rewarded. club you lead now will give away a free finesse. So it looks like a heart. Your lead. What is your opening salvo across declarer’s beam? Switching to the ♥4, partner puts up the ♥K and declarer wins the ♥A. The diamond suit is your best bet, headed by the QJT. (With this holding it is usually ok to lead the Q. One final labour to go. Declarer leads the ♠A, your go. But holding anything more gappy (missing the 10), best to lead fourth highest as you will require Say you play low. Declarer continues with his last partner to have cards in this suit to establish it, so spade and you put in the ♠Q. Declarer is sitting with you don’t one of your honors blocking the the ♥J and ♦A, and knows that if you are on lead, he suit.) Even this may call for fourth highest hoping for can duck and you can now only win the ♥Q. a card or two from partner. (Declarer has the ♥J, and ♣A and ♣K, then can cross to the ♣Q to run the Spade suit.). This is pairs and you do not want to give anything away. Say you lead the ♦Q and dummy comes Your third and final labour is to play the ♠Q under down: the ♠K. Now see what happens. Declarer plays his last spade to the Ace and continues a third spade to

Page 5 NSWBA Newsletter set up the suit. But this time, partner is in, and can Diamond and after letting East hold the trick, lead a heart through declarer’s Jx and skewer the (otherwise the defense takes a spade then 4 ♦ contract by two tricks. tricks), East must then switch to a small ♥ to set that suit up for the defense and hold declarer to 8 tricks. Here is the full hand: This also shows that even with a 5 card suit headed ♠A97543 by the QJT, there are times to lead fourth highest ♥65 against a NT contract. (But suit contracts are an ♦95 entirely different matter and here the ♦Q is lead to ♣Q72 try and establish a ♦ trick winner.) ♠Q6 ♠JT2 ♥QT84 ♥K732 Steve Hurley ♦QJT74 ♦K3 ♣93 ♣JT64 ♠K8 The 2016 Hunter Teams Competition ♥AJ9 ♦A862 The first of three rounds of the Hunter Teams ♣AK85 Competition in 2016 was hosted by Maitland Bridge Club (MBC). The clubs in the Hunter Region of NSW For those with an eagle eye, you will notice declarer ensured a great day with positive support and had 19 points and chose to open 1NT. 3NT after representation. partner’s 2♥ transfer was undisciplined and a catch up. And 4♠ is an easy 10 tricks with a loser in each As soon as the doors opened to the best venue in suit other than clubs. town, the people came wandering in. Some looked harried, others calm, some pleased that the parking was nearby, others pleased to hear that their team Variation mates made it safely. I was pleased about that too – as we had included our stand-by team to even up Now turn your mind to the other direction, North – the team numbers! Others pulled into the circular South. driveway and chatted happily to friends, blocking the driveway, but no one worried. Maitland Bridge Club Put yourself in the same contract. ♦Q is led, the K has the regional reputation as a very friendly club. overtakes, and the diamond comes back. If you can We do love a challenge at the bridge table, but really place East with the three cards in Spades, you can appreciate good manners and a smile – even if you now make 10 tricks with another on mis-defense. have just been beaten by new competitors. We Win the ♦A at trick two, play off the ♠K, then a small have plenty of those, but I digress. ♠ to the ♠A. It will do West no good to discard the ♠Q now as the Heart suit has not yet been disturbed. I greeted bridge players from Charlestown, Hawkes After a third ♠, East tries say the ♥ or ♣, but now Nest, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Tilligerry, declarer wins, crosses to the ♣Q and the defense Tomaree and Toronto – and even some locals who have to get it right to make another trick. That’s 10, had arrived early to play the pokies or partake of an maybe 11 tricks, and surely a top. early beer! They were very surprised to be welcomed at the front doors of their favourite club Looking further, with the ♦Q lead to the ♦K, taking and went on their merry way – and in the opposite the Ace immediately is the guaranteed winning line. direction to the bridge players. After the three rounds of Spades, East leads the ♦ back to the 10 and dummy’s 9, but declarer’s 86 (to Tea and coffee and a wonderful array of platters West’s J74) still protects the suit. That’s 10 or 11 piled high with delicacies, interspersed with vases of tricks again. flowers, greeted our visitors.

The Oracle Of All Card Plays ‘Deep Finesse’ says that John McIlrath, our Director for the day surveyed his (looking at all cards) 4♠ makes 10 tricks but that 3NT domain. Lists up. Players find their table. Check should only make 8 tricks. West leads a small surroundings. Ready to start.

Page 6 NSWBA Newsletter There were three categories with players competing Makeable contracts

against people NT

with similar N - - - - - . S - - - - - One of the main aims of Hunter E 6 2 7 7 2 Teams is to W 6 2 7 7 5

encourage newer players. Playing with your favourite partner, how would you MBC and other have bid it? regional clubs try to ensure regeneration – ensure progress – Deep Finesse says 7 can make. How could 7S have ensure we continue to attract and keep new players. been reached? One way would have been: Train them well, support and mentor them. We feel it is so important to realise new players are our W N E S customers and the future of our clubs. We see that 1NT (15-17) P 2H (Transfer) P they have good ideas and are prepared to work hard 2S P 3H (Forcing) P to reach their 4S P 5C (1st Rd P goals. They Control) thrive on st st innovative and 5H (1 Rd P 6D (1 Rd P progressive Control) Control) management of 6S P 7S our clubs. They are our future. Having bid 7S, how to make 13 tricks? • Ruff DA For the many • 6S to KS keen bridge addicts, there were a number of • Ruff another Diamond challenging hands. Hand 27 in Round 6 was of • 7S to QS and note fall of SJ interest and a good one to review. • Ruff 3rd round of Diamonds (S10 can’t be beaten) • Draw last trump, pitching Club from hand Emil Battista advises that this board was played 36 • Play 4 rounds of Hearts times and only 4 pairs reached 6S - Three in A • Claim Section and one in B Section. Three declarers made on the nose and only one declarer made 13 tricks. Not unexpected that no one bid 6 in C Section, somewhat a surprise that only 4 pairs achieved in A Congratulations to the Winners!! and B Sections combined! More bidding practice required? A Grade: Deanna Stuart, John Stuart, Ruth Littler and Joan Bale from Charlestown. ♠843 Brd: 27

♥J97 Dlr: S B Grade: Trevor Saunders, Jill Mogford-Jensen, ♦AKJ98 Vul: Nil Phillip Carter and Janice Carter from Tilligerry. ♣52

♠KQ5 ♠AT762 C Grade: Leone Robertson, Jeff Biddlecombe, Bruce ♥AT3 ♥KQ86 King and Alan Hemmingway from Newcastle. ♦Q754 ♦- ♣KQ7 ♣A643 You can find all the results at: http://bridgeaustralia.org/resultslistbyheadevent.asp?umbid=94 ♠J9 ♥542 Amongst all the talk of contracts won or lost – there ♦T632 are many elements to our gatherings. ♣JT98 Page 7 NSWBA Newsletter Towards the end of the we always feel is a really worthwhile use of funds, day, as we were clearing especially as it’s typically directed at newer youth away, a lady in a players rather than those already playing at a high wheelchair came level (who already get a lot of support). towards me and asked if the roses were It also made me realise how lucky we are in bridge to perfumed. She was out have events where a novice player can actually play of hospital for the day to with international standard players like Peter Gill play her beloved bridge. and Warren Lazer, both of whom attended this year. I quickly picked up a vase which included Double How many other sports could that happen in? Delight, Kentucky Derby and the Pope, amongst others. Tears came to her eyes as she said it A more detailed article including plenty of hands reminded her of her childhood days when she could from the event was included in e-Congress News run freely amongst the roses. She would only take recently and can be found here one vase ... I shall watch out for her next time. http://www.nswba.com.au/enews/congress/docs/ 16April/201604_Batemans_Bay_26th_Annual_Cong MBC’s novice stand-by ress.pdf. team: well they beat all the other Maitland The NSWBA is, as usual, extremely grateful to all the players in their division. experienced players who give their time to take part Our thanks to Helen and, in many cases, donate petrol and other costs. Brudnell-Woods, Marie Plus those that do the detailed organising. It’s Stahl, Barrie Pryor and something we’d actually like to do more than just Peter O’Brien – a new once a year. Batemans Bay works well because it’s player who had plenty of card playing opportunities within easy reach of Canberra and not too far from in the navy. Sydney. But I am sure there are other congresses equally suitable – would your club be interested? The next round is scheduled for 10 July 2016 at Tilligerry and the third round of the competition will This year we had, I believe, record numbers with a be held on 16 October 2016. total group of 32:

Perhaps you will be able to compete in our competitions again soon –and of course there will be next year.

Miriam Officer

Batemans Bay Youth bridge weekend

For quite a few years now, the NSWBA has contributed to taking a group of youth players to Clockwise from top left: Helena Canaris, Stephen Fischer, participate in the Batemans Bay congress. We Andrew Spooner, Zac Neulinger, John Newman, Warren gather up a group of youth players (mainly from Lazer, Hoi-Ming Chan, Julian Foster, Stephen Guo, Helena Dawson, Keiran Crowe-Mai, Natasha Jacobs, Peter Gill, Sydney and Canberra but this year also including Dave Weston, Lakshmi Sunderasan, Christy Geromboux, Wagga and Orange) and a group of experienced Sophie King, Sebastian Yuen, You Hu, Daryl Whitfield players and pair them up over the weekend. This gives the youth players a chance to play with At Batemans but missing from the photo: Daniel Braun, someone a lot more experienced and, hopefully, Mitch Dowling, Junkai Zhou, Stuart Herring, Chris Rhodes, learn a lot as well as have fun. In some cases it’s also Alex Phillips, Qiao Zhou, Erin Tewes, Max Mullamphy, their first experience of tournament bridge. NSWBA Matt Smith, Charles McMahon, Peter Schmidli and BFACT jointly provide funding for the weekend to make it economical for the youth players and the Julian Foster club also gives discounted entry fees. It’s something

Page 8 NSWBA Newsletter El Dorado ♠5 ♥AQJ2 The legendary city of El Dorado is said to be full of ♦KQ4 riches, and finding it means taking the track less ♣AK953 trodden. So it was with a recent hand. ♠KT876 Playing Standard (better minor) with a new partner, ♥KT5 we agreed to play transfer responses to our 1C ♦AJ65 opening, to show whether we had three or four card ♣T support. Winning the ♥10 in hand, I looked to set up clubs. I Partner opened 1C and I held: led the ♣10 to the ♣A, and ruffed a club back to hand. I led a diamond to the ♦K and ruffed another club back to hand with the ♥K, with both following. ♠KT876 I played another diamond to the ♦Q, drew trumps, ♥KT5 ran the clubs, then ran my diamonds for 13 tricks. ♦AJ65 So the wrong turn has led to El Dorado and riches, ♣T something that we would not have found.

And while making the slam was satisfying, it was I bid 1H showing 4+ spades, and partner’s options to more enjoyable watching partner going through the raise are to bid 1S to show three card support or to range of emotions of dread, remorse, withdrawal, bid 2S to show 4 card support. Partner instead bid and finally quiet delight when the contract made, 3S, 4 card support and more than minimum. with an overtrick. “Well judged” I said. “We would have never found it otherwise.” Partner was too I’m happy with this. Partner could be distributional stunned to give me a withering glare. with only 14 or 15 points, but I need to show some interest and so I bid 4D as a first round cue. This (Ed. Presumably the Director was not called as there is an inspired partner and he bid 4NT, and I replied with argument for adjusting the contract to 6S.)

5H to show two key cards (♠K and ♥A) without the Annie Correspondent Q of trumps. Teacher Training, Gunnedah, March 2016 Then partner bid 6♥! Gunnedah Bridge Club had the pleasure of hosting Oh dear. I think partner has forgotten what we had Joan Butts (ABF National Teaching Coordinator) on just agreed. So some reflection is required. the weekend of 5th & 6th March for the purposes of Partner’s 3S bid must now be a splinter showing a running the ABF sponsored TTP & CPD courses for singleton, so it’s no good going back to Spades. people interested in learning to teach bridge 6NT? We seem stretched point wise, and there is no (methodology) and also to improve their own level clear running suit. Maybe then this is a good place of expertise to prepare them for teaching to play as I really do have good trump support. So I intermediate lessons (content). passed. Participants travelled from Armidale, Tamworth, As the opposition asked for an explanation, I looked Narrabri and Coonabarabran to join the Gunnedah to my partner to watch his expression. ‘1C was 3 participants – thanks to the availability of NSWBA plus clubs’ I said, ‘1H was hearts’ partner said, ‘3S travel grants. was a strong raise in spades’ I said, and partner’s Sandra Curran and Di Hasler, from Gunnedah Bridge face dropped. ‘4D was a ’ I continued, and Club, successfully completed the program and ‘5H was two keycards without the Q trumps’. And became accredited teachers in 2015. Sandra & Di by now partner was losing color in his face ... have been using Joan’s materials and methods for

their beginner classes for some time with good A trump was led, and dummy came down. results and player feedback.

Page 9 NSWBA Newsletter "We realised that people living in relatively isolated East has only 21 high card points, but the seven-card rural communities west of 'the great divide' have suit makes this hand worth 2♣. West makes the limited opportunities", explained Sandra Curran. waiting response of 2♦. Now East rebids 3♣ to Consequently, we arranged her visit and were show the club suit for the first time. delighted when the ABF approved the initiative, and the NSWBA offered to help fund catering - as a result With a nice hand for clubs, West raises to 4♣. At we experienced a great weekend of coaching & this point East might simply jump to 6♣, hoping to networking." find enough in the West hand to make a slam. It’s better to use Blackwood, 4NT to ask how many aces An added bonus was the opportunity to showcase West holds. When West shows one ace (5♦), East Gunnedah, where Dorothea Mackellar was inspired might now try 5NT, asking about kings and looking to write her famous poem 'My Country'. for a grand slam. When West responds 6♣ showing no kings, East can settle for the small slam. “For Joan's visit it was indeed a 'sunburnt country' " explained Di Hasler, "as we had experienced a Lead: Best choice is the ♠J, top of the sequence. particularly dry period, however Joan seemed to enjoy the opportunity to see the town & surrounds." Play: At first glance it may seem that declarer has to stake everything on a successful heart finesse, but Since Joan was already in Gunnedah and able to stay there’s a much safer play. Declarer should take an extra day, on the Monday morning a workshop advantage of dummy’s excellent diamonds. After on Slam Bidding was held. This enabled any player winning the ♠A, declarer should play ♣K to draw from the local bridge club as well as neighbouring trumps, and then play the ♦A. Next declarer should towns to participate and swelled the numbers in the lead a club (not the ♣2) & overtake with dummy’s A. afternoon, when the regular Monday duplicate Now the ♦Q is led. If North plays the ♦K, declarer competition was run. could ruff with a high club and play the ♣2 over to

dummy to take the established diamond winners, Here’s a hand from the workshop which we all discarding the spade loser and a heart loser. enjoyed bidding and playing. It’s from “Improve Your

Judgement: Opening the Bidding”, by Audrey Grant. But North follows to this trick with a low diamond.

Now declarer should discard the spade loser. This ♠ KQ7 Brd: -- trick loses to South’s ♦K, but that’s the last trick for ♥ T7643 Dlr: S the defence. ♦ 8742 Vul: EW

♣ 9 South can lead a spade, but East ruffs with a high ♠ 863 ♠ A5 club and leads the carefully preserved ♣2 over to ♥ 92 ♥ AQJ dummy. The ♥J and ♥Q are discarded on dummy’s ♦ QJT6 ♦ A two diamond winners and declarer makes, without ♣ A543 ♣ KQJT762 risking the heart finesse. This technique is called discarding a “loser on a loser”. ♠ JT942 ♥ K85 Sandra and Di were very pleased that others were ♦ K953 able to share the expertise of Joan’s enthusiastic ♣ 8 approach to teaching and promoting the exciting game of Bridge, and would like to thank the ABF for Dlr S EW Vul its support of teachers, and development of the

Accreditation Programme for Teachers & also the N E S W generosity of the NSWBA in covering catering costs. P P

P 2♣ P 2♦ And finally, a word from Joan. P 3♣ P 4♣

P 4NT P 5♦ “I had the best time in Gunnedah, and a particular ♣ P 5NT P 6 highlight for me was a tour of the town after bridge All pass Page 10 NSWBA Newsletter one afternoon, with no less than the Mayor himself West, in a daze, lead the ♦3, East played the ♦J, and showing me around. You might wonder why on South won with the ♦Q. The ♦A cleared the suit, but earth this would happen. South unsure if any trumps remained checked with the ♦10. Confident there were no more trumps out, Well, it just so happens that Di Hasler is married to Eddie led his club to the ♣A, then ran the clubs for the Mayor, Owen Hasler, so she was able to book the required 13 tricks. me in for a whirlwind drive through the subdivisions, the parklands, rugby club, the Town Hall, of West was incensed. “How can a sane person bid like Gunnedah, before we all met for a fantastic that?” barbecue on what’s known as Pensioner’s Hill! See, it’s not all work, you know!” Eddie explained his actions. “Well I was asked to bid out my hand, and I had 1 card in the club suit, 2 Di Hasler& Sandra Curran cards in the heart suit, …” Ann Onimous

We should all learn to bid accurately … Adieu

Regretfully my circumstances have changed and I Eddie was kibbitzing at the NOT when suddenly a will no longer be available to fulfil my role as the player from a table down the room took ill. The NSWBA editor and continue to present the quarterly Director looked around for a suitable stand in, but as newsletter. there was no one else, Eddie was asked to fill in. As he sat down, he said he was still learning and I have enjoyed my time at the helm and look enjoyed watching. His new partner kindly forward to a new look and feel when the Newsletter responded “Just bid out your hand”, but was really is presented next time. thinking ‘bid something and I will play the hand.’

Steve Hurley Cards were drawn for the next hand, and the bidding proceeded:

Eddie W N E Books

1C P 1NT P Practice Makes Perfect 2H P 2NT P & 3S P 3NT P 7D All pass

This was the full hand. 25 Conventions You Should Know has sold ♠ J Brd: -- more than 250,000 ♥ J43 Dlr: S copies since it was first ♦ 62 Vul: EW published, and ♣ AKQT984 continues to top the bridge bestseller lists. ♠ KT965 ♠ Q872 Over the years, readers ♥ KT865 ♥ AT2 have suggested that it ♦ 43 ♦ KJ would be an even ♣ 3 ♣ 8765 better book if it offered some way to ♠ A43 practise what they had ♥ Q7 learned. Well, here it is: a brief summary of each of ♦ AQT9875 those 25 conventions, together with example hands ♣ J which can be dealt out and used to apply your new knowledge. Page 11 NSWBA Newsletter Tips on Cardplay – Mike Lawrence Twice in a week

20 years ago, Mike Sitting West early in the week, you pick up the Lawrence published a following hand. Playing a weak 1NT style, you are a series of short pamphlets first to speak. for intermediate players with advice on various ♠Q965 aspects of bidding and ♥A752 cardplay. Long ♦A4 unavailable, this material ♣A43 has now been revised, updated, and republished A 14 count, and you open 1NT. Partner bids 4NT, in three anthology quantitative, and with your maximum, you bid 6NT. volumes, each comprised of about 10 of the original The ♥6 is led and you dummy comes down. booklets. The topics here comprise: Defense ♠Q965 ♠AKT (including opening leads, ♥A752 ♥QJ8 signaling and third hand play) and declarer play ♦A4 ♦KQ53 (including endplays, simple squeezes, ♣A43 ♣K86 plays, and timing). There is also a general discussion of the mistakes we all make in cardplay but need to A combined 32 hcps. But where do you see your avoid. Lawrence is acknowledged as one of the two tricks coming from? or three best writers in the world for intermediate players, and there will be a ready audience for this Counting your guaranteed tricks, there are 3 in series in its new format. spades, 2 in hearts, 3 in diamonds, and 2 in clubs. That’s 10 tricks, and you need 12.

The Right Bid At The Right Time – Neil Kimelman What opportunities are there for more tricks? The ♥K could be on your left and leading towards the With this book ♥QJ twice could give you another trick, the spades Kimelman could break and that gives you another trick, the ♠J completes the could come down, or the hearts could break and trilogy that started that gives you another trick. And failing that, if an with Improve Your eleventh trick could be found, the twelfth could Bidding Judgment. come from a squeeze. The ♥6 looks promising as a He explores the fourth highest lead from the ♥K, so you put up the delicate process of ♥Q, but this is covered by the ♥K. You win the ♥A, making the right and return one to test the suit. North has been decisions in the cunning, and has led his singleton, and now plays a auction, especially small spade to the second trick. That limits your in competitive aspirations in hearts. You play low to give up a trick situations. All the to the ♥10 and hopefully set up the squeeze. A examples are taken ♥ from high-level heart is returned to the now singleton J in dummy bridge events. As (North discarding another spade), and the spades ♠ ♠ before, the book is presented in quiz format, so the are tested. The K drops the J on your right. reader can make his own call before the options are What now? discussed and the author's recommendation presented. You now know that your right hand opponent started with 5 hearts and expectedly one spade, and your left hand opponent has one heart and Books courtesy of The Bridge Shop expectedly 5 spades. Looks like it’s time for the

Page 12 NSWBA Newsletter squeeze. And the likely option is that North holds 4 hand and the squeeze will still work; it is just that diamonds so the works. So cash the ♣A has been won earlier than described earlier. diamonds then spades, finishing in hand with the The key to killing the hand is the lead a club at trick ♠Q. These will be the last 4 cards. one! Then when south gets in, to lead another club. This removes the ♣K prematurely and there is not ♠- transportation at the end to the winning ♣8. ♥- ♦J Remember Deep Finesse can see all hands. How ♣xxx often would you lead x from Jxx against two balanced hands to kill a slam? ♠9 ♠- ♥7 ♥- Then later in the week …. ♦- ♦5 ♣A4 ♣K86 Again you are west, and first to speak, and you pick up the following hand: ♠- ♥9 ♠J64 ♦- ♥AKQT43 ♣xxx ♦A86 ♣Q The ♠9 is led, and North must give up a club to guard the diamond. Dummy discards the losing The hand is nowhere good enough to open 2♣ so diamond, and now it is south’s turn to feel the pinch. you settle on opening 1♥. Partner bids 2♣ and you South must let go a club also to stop the ♥7 show extra length and strength with 3♥. And becoming good. So now both defenders have two partner’s off – 4NT. You bid 5♣ to show 3 key cards clubs each, and the ♣A followed by a small club to and partner bids 5♦. This has not been discussed. the ♣K, you are in dummy to cash the now master But thinking about it, but clearly partner has strong club and contract making trick. interest in ♥, and could have easily bid ♦ at a lower level to introduce the possibility of playing in the Here is the full hand: suit. So this should be asking for the ♥Q. The first step (5♥) would deny the ♥Q, so you bid 5♠. And ♠87432 partner bids the lazy 7♥! ♥6 ♦J962 The ♠10 is led and dummy comes down. ♣J75 ♠J64 ♠AK2 ♠Q965 ♠AKT ♥AKQT43 ♥J8 ♥A752 ♥QJ8 ♦A86 ♦KQ43 ♦A4 ♦KQ53 ♣Q ♣A743 ♣A43 ♣K86 How do you plan the line of play for all the tricks? ♠J ♥KT943 Counting the top tricks, there are 2 in spades, 6 in ♦T87 hearts, 3 in diamonds, and 1 in clubs. But that’s 12 ♣QT92 tricks. North could have underled the ♠Q, but leading away from an honour is unlikely in a grand Deep finesse cites that East West should only make slam. The ♠Q could be short on your right, the 11 tricks. Can you see how? diamonds could break (HA! Like that always happens), or there could be a squeeze situation. The key is in the club suit as this provides the transportation for the squeeze. If South won the ♥T Here is the full hand. Can you pick the thirteenth and then returns a club, West can win the ♣A in trick? Page 13 NSWBA Newsletter ♠T98 An Ode to Bridge ♥952 ♦JT97 I’m giving up bridge - tonight's my last night. ♣862 It’s amen to Stayman, I give up the fight. The insults and muddles are giving me troubles. ♠J64 ♠AK2 I can't sleep at night for thinking of doubles. ♥AKQT43 ♥J8 My cards are all rotten. ♦A86 ♦KQ43 And I have forgotten, ♣Q ♣A743 Who has played what and what’s the high trump,

Sitting for hours with a sore rump. ♠ Q753 ♥76 So it’s all over tonight - I'm off to the backwoods, ♦52 I’m bidding goodbye to Gerber and Blackwoods, ♣KJT95 I can't stand the hassle, I can't stand the pain, As the diamonds don’t break, keeping to the theme I’m getting those bad cards again and again. so far, the thirteenth trick comes from a double squeeze. Another bad night, nothing's gone right, My partner's a dope, After drawing trumps, testing the diamonds, cashing I'm losing all hope, the second top spade trick, you finish in your hand When opponents say "double", with three tricks to play. Here are the remaining I know we're in trouble. cards: My points are not high, ♠- and I'm wondering why, ♥- She kept on bidding right up to the sky. ♦J We're in seven spades, ♣86 I doubt she makes, When surprise, surprise, all tricks she takes ♠J ♠-

♥4 ♥- The defenders feel sick, ♦- ♦4 My partner’s really slick, ♣Q ♣A7 All of a sudden, Gone is my sorrow, ♠Q And yes, I’ll play again tomorrow! ♥- ♦- ♣KJ Around the State

West now plays the ♥4, and north has to discard a ♣ Clubs across NSW are strongly encouraged to to stop the ♦4 from being good. The ♦4 has done submit articles to the editor to promote activities, events, successes, etc, in their club. Please send its job and can now be discarded. Now south has to articles to [email protected]. Some major play, and is squeezed also. And the ♣J is let go so as articles may be included in the above section. to not set up the ♠J as a winner. And now the ♣Q to the ♣A gets to the thirteenth trick, the ♣7. Did Central Coast you pick that?

And the killing lead …. a club, again. Talk about déjà vu!

Steve Hurley

Page 14 NSWBA Newsletter Hawks Nest Results were:

You’re never too old to play bridge and it seems the Saturday - Wine Country Pairs same applies to sailing... One of Hawks Nest Bridge Club’s long-term members, Gordon Ingate, who in FINAL his 90th year was defending his 2015 Prince Philip Cup title at The National Dragon Class st Championships in Hobart recently, racing over 7 1 Kaye Hart (pictured) heats. One of his crew was found to be and Jeff Carbury (Illawarra) incapacitated when arriving in Hobart from the gruelling Sydney-Hobart race, and fortunately a substitute was arranged. Well done to Gordon and crew for coming in second!! nd 2 Eric Lindh and Patricia Phillips (Bowral) rd Overheard at the bridge table was the conversation 3 Michael Ross and Phillip Williams (Leeton) between Gordon and Allan Stewart, who is in his 101st year. Allan congratulated Gordon and PLATE remarked that he remembered when he was 90; he had to give up pursuing competitive sports. Gordon st replied that when he is 100 he will be glad to be able 1 Frank to remember back to when he was 90. Lamond and Les Brown (Griffith)

nd South West 2 Anne Reade and Muriel Shaw (Griffith) rd 3 Jennifer Bartter and Pamela Brown (Griffith) CONSOLATION

1st Kaylee Lemon (Central Coast) and Tania

Gariepy (Moonee Valley)

2nd Jan and Tom Hackett (Yarrawonga)

3rd Helen and Eric Taylor (Leeton)

Griffith Sunday - Wine Country Teams

Swiss Teams Griffith’s annual congress was held on the weekend of

5/6 March. The organisers were delighted with an 1st Michael Ross increase in numbers this year, reversing a concerning and Phillip trend of declining numbers experienced by many of Williams (Leeton), the more remote regional clubs in recent years. John Brockwell

and Stephen There were 21 tables of pairs and 22 teams this year, Carter (Canberra) up from 17 tables last year. Thanks for this go to our long-standing loyal supporters, together with the 2nd Tania Gariepy, Kae French, Jacqui Morton new faces we welcomed this year, many of whom (Melbourne) and Kaylee Lemon (Central Coast) travelled large distances to be here. Their attendance was very much appreciated, and 3rd Margaret Brown and John Nankervis provides much needed encouragement for the (Wangaratta), Jan & Tom Hackett (Yarrawonga) future.

Congratulations to all players, and hope to see The event was directed by Martin Willcox. everyone back again next year.

Page 15 NSWBA Newsletter Congress Results Central Coast Super Congress Open Swiss Pairs: Sylvia Foster, Jaan Oitmaa Twin Towns Birthday Teams Restricted Swiss Pairs: John Russell, Judith Parsons Liz Jeffery, Howard Jeffery, Helen Tootell, Peter Tootell Best Novice Pair: Patrick Blades, Ken Williams Open Teams - Equal First - (Les Grewcock, Steven Bock, Strathfield Teams Warren Dobes, Witold Chylewski) with (Janet Bijan Assaee, Linda Aubusson, Don Plumb, Jan Plumb Clarke, Di Coats, Sharon Mayo, Greg Mayo) Port Macquarie-Hastings Congress Best Restricted Team: Trish Byrnes, Carol Anderson, Swiss Pairs: David Weston, Helena Dawson Jurate Petrauskas, Matthew Lynch Teams: Leigh Matheson, Richard McAuliffe, Ian Lisle, Ruby Pairs : Sharon Mayo, Greg Mayo Vicky Lisle Trumps Easter Teams NSWBA Autumn Swiss Pairs Adam Edgtton, Johnno Newman, Paul Gosney, Sophie Bijan Assaee, Margaret Klassen Ashton NSWBA SITS Swiss Pairs Trumps Good Friday Pairs Helen Hellsten, Tony Ong Terry Brown, Robert Birch Leeton Congress Kiama Restricted Pairs Swiss Pairs: Phillip Williams, Kevin Douglas Jeanette Marvell, Carol Jeffs Teams: Janet Kahler, Jan Davis, Peter Kahler, Tim Davis Wellington Congress Coffs Harbour Teams Swiss Pairs: Manda Labuschagne, Dariusz Drozd David Weston, Julian Foster, Greg Mayo, Sharon Mayo Teams: Peter Tarlington, Fitz McKay, David Lander, Maitland Teams Helene Lander Hope Tomlinson, Barry Foster, David Snow, Martin Ballina Matchpoint Swiss Pairs Johnson Gary Lynn, Mike Gilfoyle Yamba Swiss Pairs Trumps Autumn Teams Helen Tootell, Peter Tootell Jane Dawson, Andrew Peake, Liz Adams, Tony Nunn Bathurst Congress Armidale Swiss Pairs Pairs: Tim Stewart, Rod Dunn Nigel McIvor, Kellie Potts Teams: Tammy Schwarz, Alan Schwarz, Peter Lameks, David Priol Forbes Swiss Pairs Peter Perry, Carole King Taree Swiss Pairs Barry Thomas, Mike McElhinny Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Congress See page 15 above Peninsula Teams Fraser Rew, Sartaj Hans, Sophie Ashton and Susan Bateman's Bay Congress Humphries Walk-In:NS: Ian Wright, Imogen Von Muenchhausen, EW: Keiran Crowe-Mai, Julian Foster NSWBA WITS Swiss Pairs Swiss Pairs: Peter Grant, Tony Marinos Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer Teams: Helena Dawson, Alex Phillips, Julian Foster, You Hu Inverell Delvyn Pairs Brian Glover, Eric Baker

Tweed Teams About us Robert Milward, Paul Smith, John Kable, John Masters Email us: Tilligerry Swiss Pairs NSWBA Office: [email protected] Deanna Stuart, John Stuart The Editor: [email protected]

Hawkesbury Congress Visit us: Pairs: Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer Online - www.nswba.com.au Teams: Anne Morris, Noreen Grant, Peter Fitzmaurice, In person: 1st Floor 162 Goulburn St, East Sydney

Neil Williams Call us: Phone: 02-9264 8111 Tamworth Teams Ros Roworth, Ian Price, Bruce Tier and Rachel Rich Doing business with us

ABN: ABN 61 000 438 648

Page 16 NSWBA Newsletter