Bedfordshire Bridge Association BULLETIN

No.232 April 2010

In this issue:

Editorial...... 2 Your letters...... 2-3 Quiz ...... 3 Cuban Trip...... 4 Pay to Play...... 7 1-level Responses ...... 8 ...... 10 AGM ‘Pull-out’...... 11-14 Captain’s Slam...... 15 Grading System...... 16 Bedford Congress...... 18 Defence Question...... 19 Recent Results...... 20 Christine Clarke ...... 21 Bridge Break? ...... 22 Challenge Results...... 24

Bulletin Editor: Peter Scott 21 Salters Way Dunstable LU6 1BT Tel: 01582 668488 or 07956 820530 Email: [email protected]

Editorial Welcome to April’s edition. Let’s hope we have seen the last of the Your Letters snow and cold winds. Just a couple of letters received! I am sure Dear Editor, many of you have things on your mind that you would like to share Thank you very much for the ‘new with others. Why not put pen to look’ Bulletin. I thought the paper (or fingers to keyboards) and colourful presentation, lively and send in something for the next interesting content a great issue? There was an amazing improvement on the usual County to the Christmas Challenge scoring magazine. ( I have been a member 100% (see back page) as well as of three other counties.) some other very good entries. I If we wish to entice new players to hope you find the quiz on page 3 join the BBA, I think this approach challenging, but most of all I hope can only help our cause. you enjoy reading this Bulletin. Well done, Remember, without your contributions there is no magazine! Viv Barton Ed Professional EBU teacher and Club Director

Bridging The Future (a response to Colin O’Hara’s letter in December’s Bulletin)

I agree, Colin, we must encourage others to play bridge. However, David and I have been there, done that in introducing the game to family members, friends and acquaintances including free lessons to people residing in our locality; to The gentlemen’s room at the local no avail as far as venturing into the bridge club club scene is concerned. 2 Perhaps there is another way of opportunity to reach out to the showcasing the game? In Middleton public at large and I close with the Hall, Central Milton Keynes, last immortal words of Delia Smith: year two exhibitions were held, “Where are you? Let’s be having which in my opinion, would serve as you!” a suitable platform. It would Anne Gilling require a table for promotional material with someone to answer New Members queries and a card table, four chairs and four people at play. From Louise Smith—BBA Membership Secretary

If sufficient people were prepared We would like to welcome the to give say, an hour or so at a time, following new members who have it could be done on a rota basis. I joined since the last Bulletin: have already made tentative Quentin Stephens enquiries. The first one is to be th Wendy Coleman held on 11/12 May at a total cost th Paul Goddard of £200. The second on 26 Returning Nadia Walsh October is a one day LINKMK (Health & Social Care) at minimal cost (about £30). Bridge Quiz It must be noted that LINK is a countrywide organisation, therefore such exhibitions could/should be Contract is 6NTX targeted by clubs, counties and the by South. ♥ EBU. My recommendation is that West leads Q this year ‘we’ concentrate on the How would you play 26 th October exhibition ( half term the contract after week) and set the wheels in motion N West doubled, sooner rather than later as time having already seems to evaporate. S doubled 6 ♥ on the

previous round? MKBC has already been allocated a Clue: Slightly space but we need help and easier than guidance from others including previous quizzes! promotional material from the EBU to facilitate this venture. This is an Answer on page 17 3 By David Harris - President of the BBA

As a member of had become one the Executive of the Committee of the Caribbean's main European Bridge centres for ship- League and also its building. For a General Counsel, I brief time from am expected to 1762-63 Cuba was attend meetings in under British unusual and control before occasionally exotic being swapped for locations. In November I was Florida with Spain. Today Cuba is a required to travel to Cuba for some sprawling metropolis of 2 million meetings. The Bridge Association inhabitants. The old centre of in Cuba is soon to become a Havana is a UNESCO World Federation recognised by the Heritage site and has an interesting and mix of Baroque and neoclassical admitted to membership. Following monuments, and a homogeneous the attendance last summer of ensemble of private houses with Enma Castro of Cuba at the arcades, balconies, wrought-iron European Open Teams gates and internal courtyards. Championship, the Presidential Sadly it has suffered severe Council was invited to visit Cuba on neglect and many of these the occasion of its 9 th International wonderful features are now in Bridge Festival. Six members of danger of collapse. Nevertheless the duly set out from various the propensity of 1950 American locations in Europe and flew across cars still provide a wonderful sense the Atlantic to the Caribbean and of nostalgia within this depressed arrived in Havana. city.

Havana was founded in 1519 by the Playing cards for money was banned Spanish. By the 17th century, it in Cuba following the revolution and

4 that effectively ended playing significant subsidies from the bridge in Cuba. In 2001 a bridge Soviet Union until its collapse in organizer identified Cuba as a good 1991/2. Fidel Castro was President location to stage bridge of Cuba until February 2008 when tournaments and with the he was succeeded by his brother assistance of Enma Castro, a Raul. younger sister of Fidel and Raul, persuaded the government to allow So there we were in Havana a Bridge Festival to be held on the attending alongside a Bridge island. This year the 9th Cuban Festival for our meetings, only to International Bridge Festival was discover that they really needed an held starting in Havana and then extra team to avoid a 3-way moving mid-week to an all-inclusive in the qualifying rounds resort at Varadero. of the team event. What could we Cuba has been a Communist state do? We since the Revolution of 1959 which were overthrew Fulgencio Batista, the there at US backed General who became their invitation and they needed our President and Dictator and whose assistance. We had no regular evil and corrupt rule was roundly partnerships but the least we could criticised by JFK in an interview he do was to make up the numbers. gave in October 1963. The leader And so we drew straws for partners of the revolution was Fidel Castro. which resulted in an Eyetie playing His second in command was an with a Turk, a Frog playing with a Argentine Marxist revolutionary by Polak and me (the Roast Beef) the name of Ernesto Che Guevara. having to play with the Bubble and Che achieved iconic status following Squeak. his execution by CIA assisted forces in 1967 in Bolivia where Che Play got under way and at the end was inciting further revolutionary of the eleven qualifying rounds our forces. Che’s famous image still team found itself in the top four emblazons many posters and T- and therefore having to play in the shirts throughout the world. semi-finals and then meeting a good Diplomatic relations between the Turkish team in the final. Well USA and Cuba have been severely after 48 boards we were all square strained since the Bay of Pigs but in the 4 extra boards our fiasco in 1962 and there still exists opponents bid a thin but making a trade embargo. Cuba thrived slam and we lost by 4 imps. reasonably well as a result of 5 On Board 29 in the Final, team N E S W mates sitting N/S bid the hand 1♦ P 1♠ P below to an excellent 7 ♦ (95% 3♣ P 3♥ P grand slam). Sadly the 4-0 off-side 4♠ End break meant 16imps out rather than 13 imps in. At the other table the bidding was:

Dealer North N E S W Game All 1♦ P 1♠ P 3♣ P 3♦ P 3♠ P 4♣ P 6♦ End N

W E Diamonds broke 4-1 but with the

S singleton being the Q ♦ declarer was not troubled. 6 ♦ was not a great contract but it was a making one and generated a sufficient margin for our opposition to win 11-7.

It was great to have the opportunity to visit Havana and

sample one or two mohitos and the The first of the extra 4 boards in odd pina colada. Being forced to the Final produced the following play some bridge was one of those deal: crosses that we just have to learn Love All to bear. It was particularly Dealer North interesting to meet Enma Castro and ask her about her memories of North South Che Guevara: “He was extremely ♠ AJ5 ♠ K10832 good looking, very exciting to be ♥ ♥ A1096 with and you know the rest”. ♦ AKJ92 ♦ 1074 ♣ QJ1086 ♣ K

I was North and the bidding at our table proceeded as follows:-

6 Photo on page 4 (from the left) Gianarrigo Rona (President of the EBL and President Elect of the WBF) Radek Kielbasinski (President of the Polish Bridge Union) Panos Gerantopulos (Secretary of the EBL) Enma Castro David Harris (President of Bedfordshire Bridge Association) Yves Aubry (President of the French Bridge Federation) Sevinc Atay (EBL Executive Member)

YOUR MEMBERSHIP UNDER PAY TO PLAY (P2P) UNIVERSAL MEMBERSHIP

As we are sure you are aware, P2P came into effect on 1 st April 2010.

The Bedfordshire clubs which have continued their affiliation to the EBU are: Bedford, Ampthill, Wardown, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Clifton, Cranfield and PM Bridge.

If you were an EBU member in 2009/2010 and are also a member of one of these clubs, then your EBU membership has automatically continued for the 2010/2011 year. You do not need to pay any further subscription and you should cancel any direct debits which you had to pay your membership.

To maintain your EBU membership you must play at least 12 times a year in affiliated clubs.

As a club/EBU member, you will then be eligible to play in all the BBA County events. As with the former membership structure, you will have a County of affiliation and may affiliate as a Dual member to other counties.

Affiliated clubs have collected, or are in the process of collecting, their members’ details for submission to the EBU. Your club has all the relevant information on P2P, but if they cannot answer your questions, please phone the EBU on 01296 317200 or email them at [email protected]

If you are not a member of one of the affiliated clubs, and you wish to belong to the EBU, then you can either join an affiliated club or you can become a ‘Direct’ member (without being a club member). In order to be eligible to play in County Competitions, Direct members would need to pay a fixed annual subscription to BBA (as they would not be paying P2P via the clubs). For details of Direct Membership, please contact Louise Smith (01234 295569) or visit www.ebu.co.uk

Louise Smith — BBA Membership Secretary

7 For the Improver By Peter Scott

This subject may seem a little may not have any clubs at all elementary to some of you (they have not promised any). more experienced players and – This change of suit will also if so – you’d better skip to the force your partner to bid again. next article! However, from what I Does this make sense? Obviously witness regularly at local clubs, this not, so what else can you do? basic subject is not very well To commit your side to the 2-level, understood by a lot of club players. you should have 10 hcp or a good 9 If you are still with me, what would (with a few tens and nines) or 9 hcp you respond on the following hand if with a good suit to ensure your side your partner opened 1 ♦ with no has enough of the balance of power opposition bidding? to make 8 of the 13 tricks. A ♠ 10 3 response of 2 ♥ to a 1 ♠ opening promises 5 hearts whereas a ♥ Q J 8 response of 2 ♣ or 2 ♦ shows a ♦ 10 7 minimum of only 4 cards in the suit. ♣ K J 9 6 4 2 So, going back to this hand, what do I’m betting that some of you would you bid? You cannot bid 1 ♠ or 1 ♥ respond 2 ♣ . If so, consider the with only 3 in the suit. The answer following:- Your partner has a is to respond 1NT – the ‘dustbin bid’ minimum of 12 high card points (no other bid fits). Responding 1NT (hcp) or maybe a good 11. Let’s conveys to your partner the suppose s/he has 12. Add this to following information:- your 7 making a combined total of • I have 6-9 points 19. There are 40 hcp in a pack of • I cannot support your suit cards and so by bidding 2 ♣ you are committing your partnership to • I cannot bid a 4-card suit of making 8 of the 13 possible tricks my own at the 1-level with clubs as trumps with a possible • I am not strong enough to bid minority of points and your partner my suit at the 2-level 8 Contrary to what is often heard at points”. If you do not respond 1 ♠, the table, this bid (unlike other NT you may well miss a 4-4 spade fit as bids) does not imply no-trump your partner has not denied holding distribution. If you have a 4-card 4 spades. Even if partner’s spades suit that you can bid at the 1-level, are the 6, 7, 8, and 9, you will still go ahead and bid it. You may ask:- have a good 8-card trump suit. Ok, What if I have a 6-card you may be missing the high honours and a very distributional hand such but the opponents’ honours are as this:- likely to crash on each other. Your partnership must hold strength ♠ 10 3 elsewhere to compensate for your ♥ J 9 8 lack of top trumps. ♦ K Q J 6 4 2 What would you reply on this hand ♣ 10 7 to a 1 ♣ opening bid by your partner? The answer is to respond 1NT initially and then to bid your long ♠ 10 7 nd diamond suit on the 2 round (if ♥ Q J 8 5 you are able to at a safe level ♦ K J 10 7 considering any opposition bidding, your partner’s rebid and the ♣ 6 4 3 vulnerability). This tells your The answer is you should respond partner all the bulleted points plus 1♦ . This gives your partner the “I also have a long diamond suit”. chance to rebid 1 ♥ with a 4-card How about this one? Your partner heart suit. Let’s suppose s/he opens 1 ♦ :- rebids 1 ♠, now what do you do? Is ♠ 5 4 3 2 there any possible future in hearts? No – because your partner has just ♥ Q J 8 denied having 4 hearts by their 1 ♠ ♦ K J 7 rebid. Your second response over ♣ J 9 4 1♠ should be 1NT. You should respond 1♠ - not 1NT. If you follow these simple basic Swap the major suits around and guidelines, you will find that you you should reply 1 ♥ . It is often said finish in the wrong suit or ‘out of at the club table that “My spade your depth’ far less often. Give it a suit wasn’t good enough to bid try next time you are at the club partner, so I replied 1NT with 6-9 and watch your results improve!

9 Some Bridge maxims to consider:

Living with a bridge expert is more difficult than being one.

Slow play dictum: nice guys finish fast.

Rule 1: Partner is always wrong. Rule 2: if by some quirk partner happens to be right, refer to Rule 1.

There are three kinds of bridge players: the experts, the presumptuous experts, and the majority.

Question: Is sloppy dummy play due to ignorance or apathy? Answer: I don't know and I don't care.

Chinese proverb: A gem cannot be polished without friction nor partner perfected without adversity .

'Tis well to remember when judging partner's expertise that she is judging you with the same smug, superior impartiality.

The road to hell is paved with good conventions.

There's more than one way to play every hand; that is, unless it's the hand you just played.

Delay criticizing partner for one complete round and the urge will die of starvation.

If you must go down, for heaven's sake, get on with it.

Get your zeros early. That way, you have more time to catch up.

Never insult an opponent until the round has been called.

If you haven't found the best line of play by trick 10, try divine guidance.

The player who can smile when things go wrong has just thought of the dumb bid his partner made.

Never try to teach a pig to play bridge. It wastes your time and annoys the pig. Source: Daily Bulletin—USA 10 Welcome To Bedfordshire Bridge Association

Dear BBA Members, From 1 April 2010, we are delighted to welcome several new members from affiliated clubs in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and nearby, as we start the 1st year of EBU Universal Membership. This new approach to membership will bring many changes which we will embrace with open hearts and minds. We hope that those who are new to membership will join in some of the activities organised by the BBA county committee. As members you will be able to: attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting; find out about plans for the future in the county; propose new ideas for competitions and events; receive and contribute to the county newsletter; and take an active role in how bridge is promoted, encouraged and developed in the county. On page 13 you will find a form to nominate people for the County Management Committee, and on page 14 some questions about communications. The BBA newsletter The Bulletin is published three times each year and distributed to members primarily through local clubs. It includes key information about future county events and other activities; news from local clubs; results of recent competitions; letters and articles submitted by members; a showcase of success by county members, and much more. Send your contributions to the editor. The next major event in the county calendar is the Annual General Meeting on 13 th May. This is usually fairly swift and followed by the presentation of trophies. Then of course we play bridge in a heat of the EBU Spring Simultaneous Pairs. I hope you will join us, more details are overleaf.

Kind regards, Val Lawson, BBA Chairman

11 You are invited to the BEDFORDSHIRE BRIDGE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

To be held at Wilstead Village Hall, Cotton End Lane, Wilstead on Thursday 13 th May 2010, at 7.00 pm

The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity for all BBA members to ask questions and suggest ways to improve the county competitions calendar, the county newsletter and to propose other BBA activities. This year’s agenda will include a report on the activities and finances of the Bedfordshire Bridge Association and election of officers and committee members. We will vote to adopt a new constitution, the draft version is on the website and has been copied to all clubs. The AGM is followed by a presentation of trophies for county competitions and then by a heat of the EBU Spring Simultaneous Pairs. There is no table money and the entry fee of £3.50 includes free tea, coffee and biscuits.

CURRENT COMMITTEE Details of the current officers and committee members are shown above the nomination form opposite. These details are also shown in ‘Information’ on the BBA website www.bedsbridge.co.uk

We are keen to encourage new people to join the committee and it is very helpful to have representatives from several clubs, competitive tournament players and those who prefer a more social local game.

NOMINATION OF COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS All BBA members can nominate officers and committee using the nomination form opposite. Nominations, duly seconded, should be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary, and arrive at least 7 days before the meeting. In all cases the approval of the person being nominated must first be obtained .

The committee usually meets 4 times per year. Committee members also assist with the running of county events and activities.

12 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 2009-10 [Those in bold are standing for re-election this year]

CHAIRMAN - Val Lawson - 01525 290609 VICE-CHAIRMAN - Richard Chester – 01582 726310 SECRETARY - Gina Dunn TREASURER - Rita Keable MEMBERSHIP - Louise Smith - 01234 295569 BULLETIN EDITOR - Peter Scott - 01582 668488

OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Christopher Parkin - 01582 664705 Stewart Pye - 01908 225740

Nomination for BBA Officers & Committee Members We nominate the following candidates for election to the BBA Executive Committee:

Please return your completed forms to: Gina Dunn, BBA Secretary, 1 Brookfield Road, Bedford MK41 9JY You can ring: 01234 353952 or email to [email protected]

13 MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

Please complete the form below, ticking the boxes to indicate which ways BBA can communicate with you in the year ahead. Please return to Gina Dunn, BBA Secretary, 1 Brookfield Road, Bedford MK41 9JY or send it via your club or any member of the current BBA committee.

To Bedfordshire Bridge Association [BBA]

I hereby authorise BBA to:

1) distribute my name and phone number to other members 2) use my email address for information about BBA events 3) please send my Bulletin via email to the address below

Signed ......

Please print your name:......

Email address ......

Date ......

14 County Captain shows his expertise By Stewart Pye

The following hand came up at Milton Dealer West 6NT by East E/W Vul Lead is 5♣ Keynes when Ron Davis showed his skill in bidding and

making what on N the face of it was W E an impossible slam. Ronnie Despite having an S 8-card fit in hearts which with the five nil split gives 6 ♥ no chance, he opted to play in the better match pairs scoring contract of 6NT. I was sitting North and my partner made what on the face Bidding: W N E S of it was a reasonable lead of the five 1♦ P 1♥ P of clubs. Ironically this was the only 3 ♥ P 4NT P lead that gave Ron a chance. With my 5 ♥ ? P 6NT End five hearts it seemed right to win my ? RKCB: Shows 2 key cards without QH Ace and return the ten of clubs. I had (having agreed Hs) ‘rectified the count’ for Ron and he seized his opportunity and executed a triple squeeze on my partner. When at trick three Ron led a heart and had the bad news in that suit, my partner could safely discard a club. On a further heart my partner had to find another discard. A club would set up a further trick in that suit and with two four card suits sitting over, neither suit looks attractive. If a diamond is discarded, declarer can make four diamonds. If a spade is discarded this makes it more difficult and declarer has to cash his four spades and South is then squeezed in clubs and diamonds on the last spade. Ron had read the hand exactly and earned a well deserved top.

The only way to defeat the slam on the lead of a club is not to play the Ace and declarer then must lose two tricks.

15 New National EBU Grading System clarified by Stewart Pye

As part of the changes to the taking part in a particular session structure of the EBU a Grading of bridge. Clearly the higher System is to be introduced; it is the standard of playing ability intended that it will be taking part will be reflected in complementary to the existing the calculations. Unlike the Master Point scheme. Master Point system, a player’s grade can go down as well as up. An The EBU set out the mechanics of individual who achieves an Ace the proposed scheme in June last grade will have to continue to year and this is a summary of what perform at that level to maintain is proposed: his grade. A common misconception is that a good standard player will When introduced, every member not want to partner a weaker player will have a grade that is based on for fear it will adversely affect the individual’s performance over their grade. The system will take the last 1000 boards played in all into account the average grade of competitions or about 40 sessions all partnerships in the session of bridge. More weight will be ('strength of field') and the placed on the most current results. average grade of each partnership. It is intended to have sixteen Each partnership will thus have an grades using the denominations of 'expected' score. The grade of playing cards from 2 to Ace, the each member of a partnership will Ace being further sub-divided into be affected by whether or not they the four suits. It has been exceed that expected score. It calculated based on 50,000 playing follows that an expert will have a individuals that the majority much lower expected score playing (approx. 65%) will have grades with a lower ranked partner than if between six and ten and only 17% playing with another expert. It will have a grade above that. It is could be argued that the converse suggested only about 2% will may be true, two experts playing achieve a grade of Ace and 35 together in a relatively weak field individuals out of 50,000 will be may perhaps find it difficult to graded as Ace of Spades. achieve the expected score.

The system will measure a pair’s The grading is only possible with performance against the the introduction of P2P as results performance of the other pairs of all sessions will be transmitted

16 to the EBU from which the calculations can be made. Answer to the Quiz on page 3 It is not intended to assign grades and no calculation of an individual’s What cards have you placed West grade will take place until he or she with for his doubles? Clearly he has played a minimum of 12 has the hearts well covered for his sessions. A player will have to take double of 6♥ . He must part in a minimum of 12 sessions also surely hold the ace of annually to continue to be graded. clubs. Your only

Clearly, once implemented, it will be chance is to also play possible to introduce handicap him for the queen of competitions. This may encourage spades. Take the first trick with players to enter competitions the ace of hearts, lead the two of where their ability is reflected. At spades and the jack! Now present the main incentive for the lead any club and throw the ace of vast majority to enter National and spades. Whether West takes the One Day events is to win green ace on this trick or the next, he is points. end-played in three suits and It is hoped that the grading system cannot prevent access to the will be a fairly accurate measure of established clubs in dummy an individual’s ability. A rather (whoever holds the jack of cynical view of the present Master diamonds) Point system is that it is a measure of a players durability rather than Full deal shown below:- their playing ability and those players who take part in a large number of green pointed events achieve a Master Point rank which does not necessarily reflect their ability.

N This article is intended to provide an overview of the proposed W E system. It is stressed that there S are some issues that have not been finalised but it is anticipated that a grading system will be introduced when P2P is implemented this year. Full details of the proposed system can be found on the EBU web site.

17 By Rita Keable...Congress Secretary

The Bedford congress was started numbers, made another move 39 years ago by Philip Broke of essential, so we found the Guide Northants. As the venue then was Centre in Loughton, Milton Keynes. the Moat House hotel in Bedford, it Hopefully this will prove became known as the Bedford satisfactory for sometime. The Congress; run jointly by a venue is modest but comfortable committee made up of Northants & with two excellent large halls and Bedfordshire members. comfortable chairs. There is no Originally the Congress was held catering on site but the staff at over three days, with separate the National Badminton Centre, just events for the Men’s & Ladies Pairs, across the road, were very friendly the Mixed Pairs and also a and provided excellent food at very Championship Pairs with a team reasonable prices for the mid-way event to finish on the Sunday. break. If you wish to bring your own There is only one Pairs’ event food, there is plenty of space nowadays but there are still outside for picnics if fine or it can trophies and prizes to be won for be eaten in the hall. all the different categories plus a The current format of the event is Flitch even if the winners are well as follows:- down the list! The Flitch trophy, a lovely glass bowl, was presented by A two session Pairs’ event on the Jean Broke after the death of Saturday followed by a seven match Philip, her husband. Green Pointed Swiss Teams on the Sunday. The Pairs’ event usually Over the years, the Congress attracts more players from outside moved first to Cranfield, where it the host counties of Bedfordshire ran very successfully for many and Northants than from the locals. years. It was then moved to This is a great pity for the event is Towcester Racecourse for 3 years very suitable for players just but costs, along with declining stepping out from their local club 18 duplicates for the first time or at Roger Gaudoin, Maureen Westley, the beginning of their journey into Peter and Judi Malpass, took the the tournament game. The trophy for the best non-expert opportunity exists for novice team, seeing off many other slightly players to expand their horizons, more expert opposition on their meet new players, learn new successful journey. methods and at the same time learn Why not make a resolution now to that at a higher play in this year’s Bedford level is just as much fun as playing Congress, and see what you and at their local club. your partner/team mates can do? The Teams event is a little more ‘high-powered’. Fuelled by the lure of the magic green point, many A Question of teams of four from far and wide are attracted to the event, all Defence? hoping to collect some “greens” and (courtesy of the Daily Telegraph ) prove to their friends and foes alike that they are the best squad on the block. The event is always well subscribed (unlike the Pairs which badly needs better local N support). W E Last year’s Congress held in mid- September saw David Kendrick and S Victor Milman of Cambs and Hunts take the pairs from early local leaders Ron Davis and Graeme Robertson.

Kendrick and Milman teamed up on the Sunday with Catherine Curtis South is in 3NT and West leads the and Paul Fegarty (also from Cambs king of diamonds which South ducks. West continues with the and Hunts) to take the ‘Teams’. queen of diamonds. Which card Second were locals Monica Lucy and would you discard sitting in the John Neville, teamed up with East seat? Hertfordshire players Jackie Davis and Mike Minting. The local team of Answer on Page 23

19 Recent Results

Date and Event Winners and high achievers

8th November Winners: Ron Davis and Alan Oddie’s team Championship Teams Final Porthcawl Congress 2009 ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

26th November Winners: Ron Davis and Lynne Emmett BBA Interclub Teams of 4 with David and Anne Gilling

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

10th December Winners: David and Anne Gilling BBA Seniors’ Teams with John and Ros Bateman

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ 28th January One Star Pairs, Winners: Jennifer Reid and Pamela Smith Wardown & Brickhill ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ 21st February BBA County Pairs Final Winners: David Harris and Ron Davis BBA County Plate Winners: Alan and Saroj Ellis ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ 25th February Winners: Milton Keynes team of Ron Davis, Interclub Teams-of-8 Lynne Emmett, Ros & John Bateman, Anne & David Gilling, Derek & Janet Marsh

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ 11th March Winners Paul Kilduff and Liz Talbot BBA Mixed Pairs ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

Ron Davis was runner-up in the National Master Points Race winning 29,650 master points (only 1,200 behind the winner).

20 Christine Clarke 1919 - 2009 Christine - founder member of the BBA - died on Christmas Day 2009 on her 90 th Birthday. She started playing duplicate bridge at the Luton Town Bowling Club in the 1950’s partnered by her late husband Geoffrey Clarke, who was the first Chairman of the BBA. They played successfully in Pairs and Teams events prior to the founding of the BBA. Christine and Geoff performed well in the South of England Pairs Finals before 1960.

Until her husband’s death in 1971 they were one of the leading pairs in the County. After his death, she played with several partners, still representing the County and winning the Ladies Pairs with Liz James (four times) and Sam Shepherd. She enjoyed a very successful partnership with George Goddard, winning the Restricted Pairs (three times), the Swiss Teams (Doug Newell Trophy) three times consecutively and the Multiple Teams (Secretary’s Cup) along with variously Mike Vogel, Mike Gordon, Chris Parkin and Laurie Mussett. She captained a successful team, Conway, in the 1st Division for many years with these and other players, when there were seven divisions, winning the league in 1986 and the Knock-Out in 1977. One of the team members in the early 1980’s was a young Jon Williams. She played regularly in clubs in Dunstable and Luton and in Hertfordshire in Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

She played her last game of bridge at Ampthill in August 1996 when it became apparent she was suffering from Alzheimers disease. In 2000 she was no longer able to live at home and after a brief spell in the L&D Hospital and Ashlyn’s Care Home in Berkhamsted she moved to Capwell Grange in Leagrave, Luton. Her care was arranged and supported by the Beds Advocacy Service for Older People until her death in the Luton and Dunstable hospital from a chest infection.

Christine qualified in Physics at Liverpool University and had a successful career as a maths teacher at Lealands High School in Luton. In her younger days she represented the County at Badminton. She enjoyed travel, taking school parties abroad, and was a first–rate driver, proud to be a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Christine will be remembered as a highly intelligent, self-assured, friendly, warm-hearted lady and an excellent hostess.

George Goddard, Chairman BBA 1976 -1988 21 By Stewart Pye

On a recent bridge weekend in morning seminar and for those Eastbourne, I met Padma and staying two nights, the bridge Pamela from Bedford, which led ends on Sunday afternoon. me to believe that other Some weekends allow for you to members of the county may well stay Sunday night with a have considered a bridge break. If further session of bridge in the you would like something different evening. The bridge sessions are to the weekly session at the bridge generally Pairs with quite often a club, then a bridge break may be of Teams event on the Sunday. You interest. These range from are at liberty to take part in as weekends and mid-week breaks to much of the bridge as you wish and resort holidays and cruises whereas the majority play in all the sessions, some only play once on the A bridge weekend usually starts on Saturday taking the opportunity to a Friday evening, some even cater visit a place of interest near the for those arriving early by hotel or make use of the hotel providing an afternoon session. facilities. There are also a number Those attending usually gather for of longer mid-week breaks, which a drinks reception before dinner usually start on a Sunday and are where you get a chance to meet the four or five days long. On these others attending. The first main the bridge is perhaps a little less session of bridge is Friday evening intense but generally there are two after dinner. On Saturday, there sessions: one in the afternoon and are usually two sessions of bridge: one in the evening. one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. In the morning Although the majority attend with there is sometimes a seminar for a partner, the bridge organiser you to brush up on your bridge caters for players who come alone skills. or with a non bridge-playing partner as in my case. I attend with my wife On Sunday there is a further who does not play and enjoys a session of bridge and possibly a relaxing weekend in a hotel. The 22 standard of the playing partner consequently issue master points. cannot be guaranteed but generally There are also a number of breaks speaking the majority of people who which are not licensed and do not go on bridge weekends on their own issue master points. Some clubs are competent bridge players and arrange their own weekends and occasionally you play with one of usually are happy to accommodate the organisers. Most breaks award players from other clubs. prizes to winners which can vary with wine and chocolates being If you would like something quite popular. different and none of the numerous congresses appeal to you, then a bridge break is worth considering. The purpose of this article is to give a brief insight into what is on offer and hopefully may encourage individuals who have considered a bridge break to give it a try.

The Ladies’ Room Answer to Page 19’s The aim of a bridge weekend is to provide a relaxing convivial A Question of Defence? environment for those attending to Did you spot it? Declarer’s only enjoy several sessions of bridge. play is to enter dummy with either By and large those attending are the club or heart king and lead a friendly and the atmosphere is spade to his king. If you , he different to what one would expect will play the king and then another at a congress or similar event, spade to your ace, felling your which for some can be quite partner’s only possible entry — the intimidating. queen — in the process. To provide your partner with an entry to their Bridge holidays and cruises are diamonds, you must throw the ace essentially holidays where the of spades on the second diamond opportunity to play bridge is at trick 2. Your partner then has a provided. There is plenty of choice; sure entry to their diamond a flick through the pages of English winners with the queen of spades. I Bridge and you will find a wide don’t expect many players would variety of breaks. These are find this defence at the table! licensed by the EBU and Ed

23 Answered by Tim Sharrock

Winners with an outstanding 100% score Roger Gregory and Lorraine Curry Other good scores from:- Alan Cooke...... 94% David Harris...... 94% Val & Mike Lawson ...... 93% Barbara & Peter Freeman ...... 86% George Goddard...... 80% Paul Kilduff...... 71%

1 Gerber. 2 Throw-in. 3 EBU. 4 Diamonds (“We’re down in the dumps, For diamonds are trumps, The kittens have gone to St Paul’s”). 5 Blackwood. 6 . 7 Director. 8 Master points. 9 Discard. 10 Stayman. 11 Wriggle. 12 Precision. 13 Major. 14 Squeeze. 15 Transfer. 16 Minor (myna, miner). 17 Finesse. 18 Clubs. 19 King. 20 Hearts. 21 Ace. 22 Spades. 23 Jack. 24 Save. 25 Alert. 26 Rabbit. 27 Attitude. 28 Block. 29 Yarborough. 30 Bottom. 31 Box. 32 Canapé. 33 Card. 34 Rescue. 35 Chicago (“My home town”). 36 Claim. 37 Knave. 38 . 39 Phantom . 40 IMP. 41 Dummy. 42 . 43 West (anag.). 44 MUD. 45 Elimination. 46 . 47 Lay-down. 48 . 49 Deck. 50 Deal. 51 Defender. 52 . 53. Stop. 54 Menace. 55 Honours. 56 Jettison. 57 Mitchell. 58 Misfit. 59 Deuce. 60 Howell. 61 Three no trumps (anag.). 62 Peter. 63 John Terence Reese (anag.). 64 Splinter. 65 East (anag.). 66 Slam. 67. Team of four (anag.). 68 Shuffle. 69 Sharples. 70 Score. 71 Trump. 72 Unblock. 73 Trick. 74 Suit. 75 Swing. 76 Post mortem. 77 Aspro. 78 Raise. 79 North (anag.). 80 Void. 81 BBA. 82 Relays. 83 Kibitz. 84 . 85 Cash. 86 . 87 South. 88 Rubber. 89 Stopper. 90 Bid. 91 McKenney signals (anag.). 92 Coffeehouse. 93 Bath (anag.). 94 Contract. 95 (anag,). 96 Arrow switch. 97 Roman Blackwood (anag.). 98 Travellers. 99 Protection. 100 Partner.

Editor’s comment:- Congratulations Tim on a great Quiz—Well Done! 24