August 2010 English Bridge Issue No. 230

The EBU members’ magazine

Last call for the Overseas Crete Congress in October!

Inside: News, Views, Instruction, Reports & Fun!

English Bridge Make your © All rights reserved ENGLISH BRIDGE is published every two months by the views count Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury HP19 8AZ ( 01296 317200 Fax: 01296 317220 Sally Bugden, Chairman [email protected] Web site: www.ebu.co.uk ______

Editor: Elena Jeronimidis SINCE my last editorial our membership the strength of a county’s membership is 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR numbers have increased to over 48,000. recognised by the number of votes it has. ( 0118 926 2602 This gives us a great base to grow from – The best way to find out about the dates [email protected] whether it is educating more individuals to of your county’s AGM and their manage - Editorial play bridge or developing competitions, ment committee meetings, or equivalent, Sally Bugden (Chairman), Jeremy Dhondy and Elena Jeronimidis events and services which will appeal to all is either to visit your county’s website or ______our new members. contact Aylesbury for your county secre - So it is very important that you know tary’s telephone number. If you want to Advertising Manager Chris Danby at Danby Advertising how you can have a say in these things. make a difference, it is important to use Fir Trees, Hall Road, Hainford, Currently there are two channels which your vote. Norwich NR10 3LX Y deal with your representation: your county We set up an interim Club Committee ( / Fax 01603 898678 and the Club Committee. back in the summer of 2008 to ensure that [email protected] ______Every individual member of the EBU has clubs’ and their members’ interests are a vote at county level and, rather like the UK represented via a network of regional Printing: St Ives (Andover) plc Parliamentary model, you are represented committee members at national level. We at national level by the people that you vote will now be asking the interim Club on to the county management committee. Committee to work with the counties to INSIDE GUIDE Each year a county will have an AGM ensure that there is a democratically elect - where its officers and management com - ed club representative from each county Duplicate pairs tips 5 n mittee are appointed by votes from the who can feed into the regional and nation - Bridge fiction 7 n membership. The county management al committee’s work. So keep your eyes Ask Heather 9 n committee, or equivalent, deals with all open over the coming months on how you 2010 Seniors Camrose 10 n county bridge matters but also sends rep - can benefit from this network. Fine-tuning 12 n re sentatives to national EBU Share holders One of the promises we made in our Director, please! 13 n Bidding quiz answers 14-15 n meetings where the general business of the business strategy plan was to consult our Bridge with a twist 17 n Union is discussed. At the AGM those members regarding one member one vote. Useful conventions 18-19 n present will discuss an ordinary resolution Currently your county has been asked to Caption Competition 19 n which fixes the subscriptions, including consult all its clubs and members to Bridge People 20 n the pay to play fee for the following determine whether the current system of Traps for the unwary NEW 21 n financial year. Your representatives also democratic representation can be improv - The debate 22-23 n nominate and vote for candidates for the ed. Counties will be reporting back to the Club bidding quiz test hands 24 n Board, who are elected to manage the Board by the end of December this year. On-line bridge 24 n Union on the members’ behalf . So please, make sure you have your say EBU news and diary 25-28 n That means that the people you vote in about this important aspect of your Bidding quiz test hands 29 n to office at county level can materially membership of the EBU. Letters to the editor 31-32 n affect how you are represented nationally. There are many counties which would Heather’s hints 33 n I am often asked what financial rewards welcome more individuals taking part in Around and about 34-35 n shareholders receive. The term ‘share - the administration of their bridge activ - Better defending 36 n holder’ is really a misnomer, in that there ities. These can range from organising com - Ask Jeremy 37 n Standard English 38 n are no financial rewards associated with petitions to communications and edu ca - Club bidding quiz answers 39 n being a shareholder: the shares are trans - tion development and much more. If you Your Questions 40 n lated into votes and are based on the would like to get involved, contact your Spring Foursomes 41 n number of members in the county. Thus county secretary as soon as possible. r Reports 42 n Really Easy Bridge 43 n February Master Point Promotions 44 n ARTICLES IN ENGLISH BRIDGE ARE COLOUR CODED County news 45-52 n A day in the life of . . . / Top Tip 53 n Instruction EBU News Features On-line Bridge Reports A chat with the editor 54 n Prize Leads quiz 55 n n n n n n

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 3 4 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk At pairs don’t take risks S C to turn a good result I T C A

into a great result T

S R

WHEN things are going well, you should tenth trick and 4 ™ would have made – I I not take risks. Try to hold on to your will score better than them. I pass.’ favourable position. A To give you a non-bridge analogy, say P you were in a running race and were Game All. Dealer: South. leading with a lap to go. You could stay in ´ 4 front and win the race by being sensible, ™ Q 6 5 4 or you could increase your pace and try to t K 8 5 4 last . He ruffed a diamond and led win it by a distance (risking cramp or ® K 8 4 2 out good spades, restricting East to two burn out). At pairs, all you have to do is ´ K 7 ´ Q J 9 5 trump tricks plus the ace of clubs. –3™ win the race, even by a small amount. ™ 10 8 N ™ K J 9 plus one. W E Don’t needlessly accelerate, just stay ahead t Q J 10 9 2 S t 7 6 At teams, South would think: ‘Oh rats, of the others. ® 10 9 6 3 ® A Q 7 5 I should have bid 4 ™ and scored the Here is a bidding problem; you hold as ´ A 10 8 6 3 2 (vulnerable) game bonus.’ At pairs, he South: ™ A 7 3 2 should not think this way, rather: ‘I bid t A 3 well and played well, and will have secured ® J 80% of the match-points. There was no ´ A 10 8 6 3 2 need to have risked that for the game ™ A 7 3 2 bonus.’ The traveller (including many t A 3 West North East South scores of 2 ´ minus one and 3 ™ just made) ® J 1´ will surely give confirmation. r Pass 1NT Pass 2™1 Pass 3™2 Pass Pass 3 You open 1 ´ and partner responds 1NT. Pass CORN CAIRDIS – What is to be your rebid: 2 ´ or 2 ™? CUP OF FRIENDSHIP Whichever way you go, you must remem - 1 2´ will work better if partner has two ber that those other players holding your spades and three hearts and passes 2 ™ 2010 cards – your true opponents – will be split. (whether or not he should give false Congratulations to England who have Some will chose 2 ™ and some 2 ´. I prefer preference here is a matter for debate). won this year’s Corn Cairdis (Cup of 2™: normally (on flex ibility grounds) it is 2 Not 4 ™, despite the 7 losers. The lack of Friendship) between Ireland and best to bid a cheaper four-card second suit a ninth trump is normally a big im pe - England by 11 VPs. The final score was than repeat a six- card suit (suit-quality diment in situations such as these. Plus England 179 – Ireland 168. The friendly international is played considerations aside). However, sometimes – at pairs – one should not push for close between the English Bridge Union ™ ™ one will work better; sometimes the other. games. I’d rather pass 2 than bid 4 . and the Association 3 Say you choose 2 ™, and partner invites The key bid – 2 ™ – has worked well. of Ireland every year, and each coun - game with 3 ™. Aha – he has four hearts You’re ahead – stay ahead. Don’t try to try competes with three teams: a (he would not raise a second suit with turn 80% into 95% by trying to make County Team, a Club team and an fewer). At teams you’d try 4 ™ – for the 4™ – and get 30% if 4 ™ fails. Officials team. game bonus – which you expect to make a This year was a close result for fair amount of the time with your control- West led the queen of diamonds against England, and one possible reason was rich, shapely hand. South’s 3 ™. Declarer played well, win - that the England Club team were missing from the match for the whole At pairs you should reason very ning dummy’s king (preserving entries of Saturday! Their plane was ground - differently: ‘I have chosen well to rebid to hand) and immediately starting on his ed due to technical difficulties at 2™ – hearts are likely to play better than spades. He crossed to the ace of spades Leeds Bradford Airport, which meant spades given that my partner has four- and ruffed a spade. He crossed to the ace they were delayed for seven hours! card support. Those Souths who chose to of diamonds and led a third spade, over - This was the 19th year of the Cup: rebid 2 ´ will be playing a likely-inferior ruffing West’s eight with dummy’s England leads with 13 wins against 2´ contract. If I make one more trick than queen. He crossed to the ace of trumps Ireland’s 6. them – it doesn’t matter whether it’s a and ruffed a fourth spade with dummy’s

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 5 6 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Bridge at Cholmeley School N O I T C I F

The Matron’s E G D I

extra king R B

‘WHERE on earth are all the other West North East South masters?’ queried the Matron, as she took Rev. The Head- Stefan ´ Q 7 her seat at the Headmaster’s table. ‘It’s a Benson Matron master Götel ™ 6 very disap pointing attendance tonight, I 2™ 2´ t 7 2 must say.’ Pass 4NT Pass 5™ ® — The Headmaster cast an eye around the Pass 6´ All Pass ´ — ´ — ™ N ™ school card-room. ‘Bertie Bellis told me 10 W E K Q 8 5 3 that he had a backlog of homework to The Reverend Benson led the jack of t Q 10 9 8 S t — mark,’ he replied. ‘I’ve no idea why the hearts and down went the dummy. ® — ® — others aren’t here.’ ‘I would have raised to Four Spades on a ´ 10 ‘I spoke to Peter Cummings this mor- 13-count,’ explained the Matron. ‘With a ™ 7 ning, Headmaster,’ said the Reverend valuable extra king in my hand, I had to t K J 6 Benson. ‘He says he can’t play tonight make a Blackwood slam try, I’m sure you ® — because he’s visiting his sister, who is agree.’ unwell. Unfor tu nately there’s a problem The Headmaster winced as he surveyed with the clutch on his car, so Norris the Matron’s dummy. What on earth Stefan Götel exited with the seven of Butcher has offered to give him a lift there. would the boys’ parents think if they knew hearts, covered by West’s heart ten. The He can’t play either.’ that a member of the Cholmeley School Headmaster had no wish to win the trick Stefan Götel, the young German master, staff had used Blackwood with two top in the East seat because his enforced heart had a slight smile on his lips. ‘Sky Sports is losers in the opponents’ suit? They would return would give a -and-discard. He showing the Champions League match transfer their sons to other establishments played low, leaving the Reverend Benson tonight, Manchester United against Inter immediately. on lead. A diamond return into the king- Milan. They are watching that, do you Stefan Götel won the heart lead and jack tenace allowed declarer to claim the think?’ drew trumps in two rounds. It seemed contract. The Headmaster’s mouth fell open. ‘If that everything would depend on a The Matron nodded happily as she that’s the case, they will receive the sharp against the queen of diamonds, but the entered the result in her scorecard. ‘It just end of my tongue tomorrow,’ he declared. German master could spot an extra shows what an excellent convention ‘Whatever happened to their sense of chance. He played dummy’s two top clubs, Blackwood is,’ she observed. ‘When you duty? Goodness me, anyone would think throwing a heart, and ruffed a club in his showed two aces, partner, I knew a slam this was a comprehensive school!’ hand. A diamond to dummy’s ace was would be there.’ The players drew their cards for this followed by another club ruff, eliminating ‘You bid it well,’ Stefan Götel replied. board: that suit. ‘Much more fun than watching some Götel sat back in his chair, inspecting silly football game on TV,’ continued the the remaining cards as if they were a half- Matron. ‘Grown men, kicking a football N/S Game. Dealer: East. finished painting. This was the position backwards and forwards? I’ve never seen ´ K Q 7 6 that he had reached: the point of it!’ r ™ 6 2 t A 7 2 ® A K 6 4 ´ 4 2 ´ 9 5 BRIDGE AND GOLF GIFTS DIRECT LIMITED ™ J 10 N ™ K Q 9 8 5 3 W E Large selection of bridge and golf gifts and accessories t Q 10 9 8 5 S t 4 ® 10 9 8 2 ® Q J 7 3 For the catalogue and price list contact Cynthia at ´ A J 10 8 3 Bridge and Golf Gifts Direct Limited ™ A 7 4 t K J 6 3 ( 020 8954 8006 Fax: 020 8420 7006 ® 5 E-mail: [email protected]

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 7 8 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk New world record R

E

H

set in Ealing T

A

Send your questions to multiple world champion Heather Dhondy E

c/o the editor at 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR or e-mail [email protected]. H

Please include your name and address even if writing by e-mail – though we are happy not to publish your name to protect the guilty! K

S

Heather Dhondy A HOW many points do you need for a instead given three diamonds. grand slam? Ask a bridge teacher and they This one hand ended up costing Drax will probably tell you 37. Ask James Bond something of the order of £15,000! (Agent 007) and he will tell you 6! OK, so 6 is the lowest point count needed My wife, Rebecca, and I play the basic In Moonraker, having pre-arranged the for a grand slam in a suit. What about 7NT? Standard English system re - pack and playing for enormous stakes, To be proof against any lead, you will com mended by the EBU for teaching Bond sees to it that the evil Drax gets the need the between the two hands. beginners. Recently we managed to West hand on the deal below, where the This example (17 points) is fair (just bid and make 7NT on a combined final contract of 7 ® cannot be defeated on needing a 1-1 split in spades): point count of 25. The hands were as any lead: follows: ´ A J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ´ ´ Void ™ A ™ 5 4 3 2 ´ A K ´ 10 9

™ Void t A N t 5 4 3 2 ™ 2 N ™ A 9 8 5 4 3 W E W E t Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ® Void S ® A 5 4 3 2 t K 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 S t A 2 ® A Q 10 8 4 ® A K ® 8 4 2 ´ A K Q J ´ 6 5 4 3 2

N ™ A K Q J W E ™ 10 9 8 7 2 However, to be 100% certain you would The bidding (with opponents silent t A K S t J 10 9 need 19 points, as shown here: through out) went: ® K J 9 ® Void ´ 10 9 8 7 ´ A Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ´ Void West East 1 ™ 6 5 4 3 ™ A N ™ 5 4 3 2 2t 2™ W E t Void t Void S t A 5 4 3 2 3t 4t ® 7 6 5 3 2 ® Void ® A 4 3 2 4NT 2 5™3 7NT Curiously, Ian Fleming gave North the The equivalent ‘James Bond’ minimum 1 Strong, forcing queen of diamonds, even though this is for 7NT would be 11, as in this deal . . . 2 Blackwood unnecessary to ensure the grand if West is 3 Two aces ´ Void ™ Void Fortunately the three missing dia - t 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 monds split 2-1 and we were home ® 7 6 5 4 3 2 and dry! Two other pairs bid 7 t, the ´ K ´ Void rest of the field were not in a grand ™ K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ™ Void slam.

N t Void W E t A K Q J 10 9 This set me wondering what the ® Void S ® A K Q J 10 9 8 lowest recorded point count for a ´ A Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 7NT bid and made was. ™ A t Void ® Void Well, it’s good news for Chris and Rebecca. According to our research, the lowest . . . where South can always make 7NT. recorded point-count for 7NT bid and Note that, amazingly, if West were dealer made was 26, thus their 25-point contract and were to bid 7NT in front of South, he becomes the new world record – unless could also make it! you know differently! So congratulations So much for the theory, what about real to them, not only on this record, but on a life? I received this letter from Chris Bonser first class sequence to an excellent contract. Rebecca and Chris Bonser of the Brentham Bridge Club, Ealing: Your top was well deserved. r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 9 England wins S

T Seniors Camrose R O

P ahead of England 2 E R

Colin Simpson business, picking up a game swing on this West’s double on the second round, when exhibit, rotated for convenience: his partner could not dredge up a response to the opening bid, is dangerous and quite FOR the first time the Seniors Camrose, revealing. John Holland’s 3 ® bid was the generously sponsored by Bernard Teltscher, Game All. Dealer West. equiv a lent of a limit raise with four was held in Scotland. The Scottish Bridge ´ A 7 6 5 trumps. He then accepted his partner’s Union and, in particular, the Western ™ Q 10 6 5 long-suit trial bid of 3 t because of his District made a great success of hosting the t A 3 suitable diamond holding. event at the Ramada Hotel near Glasgow ® 9 5 4 The defence started with three rounds Airport. ´ K ´ 8 4 3 of clubs and declarer ruffed the third On paper the two strongest teams ™ A J 9 4 N ™ 8 3 2 round. He led the nine of trumps, which W E appeared to be England and the England 2 t J 5 2 S t Q 8 6 4 was covered and won in dummy (note team led by the Patron. Sad to report, in ® A K 10 3 2 ® J 7 6 declarer’s lead of the nine because when it the first of the two fourteen-board matches ´ Q J 10 9 2 was covered he could be sure the spade your correspondent, playing for England ™ K 7 king was a singleton, whereas if he led the 2, had an awful ‘senior moment’, being t K 10 9 7 trump queen he would be none the wiser). unable to add up the number of key cards ® Q 8 Gunnar Hallberg had two possible plays his side possessed and bidding an inele - to secure his contract, either ruffing two gant grand slam, off a cashing ace. At least diamond losers in dummy or taking the it provided some merriment for the packed West North East South finesse against the jack of hearts. He Vu-graph audience and those watching Short Holland Paterson Hallberg reasoned that West’s double must show on-line. 1® Pass Pass 1´ most of the outstanding honour cards and In their first match against the ‘auld Dble 3® Pass 3t assumed that West was likely to have a enemy’, England showed they meant Pass 4´ All Pass 1-4-4-4 shape, meaning that the fourth round of dia monds would be overruffed. As it hap pened, either play would have succeeded; however, he correctly opted for the finesse to secure his vulnerable game against a rather wet part-score in the other room. At the end of three days of competitive but extremely friendly bridge, the leaders were England, well clear of England 2 in second place. Congratulations to Patrick Collins and Malcolm Lewis, Ross Harper and Paul Hackett, Gunnar Hallberg and John Holland of the successful England team, but our thoughts must go to the family and friends of Denis O’Donovan, who was to be part of the team but passed away suddenly in April.

Photo: Paul Scannell Results 1. England 195 VPs; 2. England 2 The winning England Seniors team (from the left): John Holland, Malcolm Lewis, 177 VPs; 3. Republic of Ireland 154 VPs; 4. Gunnar Hallberg, Patrick Collins, Ross Harper and Paul Hackett, wearing the team shirts Northern Ireland 148 VPs; 5. Scotland 144 provided by the Seniors’ sponsors, Pharon Independent Financial Advisers Ltd VPs; 6. Wales 79 VPs. r

10 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 11 Leading G N I

N against a slam U T - We are indebted to Margaret North for permission to print this article. E Freddie North died on 28th June 2009; his obituary was published N

I in the August issue of English Bridge. F

Freddie North suit, choose a safe lead and let declarer do the queen and trumps drawn; then the his own work. queen of clubs is cashed to arrive at the following position: LEADING against slams is not an exact Leading against a grand slam science although there are recognised Try to find a safe lead. You are not trying general guidelines which provide a sound to establish a second trick; you are trying ´ — base – all things being equal. Before to avoid conceding one. When the con - ™ A K J 9 proceeding further, what would you lead tract is seven in a suit, if nothing else is t A from this West hand against the final attractive, lead a trump. As the opposition ® — contract of 7 ´ by South? have elected to play for all the tricks in ´ — ´ — their chosen suit, the presumption is that ™ — N ™ Q 8 7 5 W E North South the suit is watertight. t K J 7 6 5 S t Q ´ 9 7 5 2 1´ So, did you lead a trump from the ® — ® — ™ Void 2™ 3® featured West hand? It certainly looks the ´ 8 t K J 7 6 5 4NT 1 5®2 ‘book’ lead, but let's see the full deal: ™ 10 3 ® J 9 4 3 5NT 6® t 9 2 7´ ® — 7´ by South. Lead: ´2. 1 Roman Key-Card Blackwood ´ K J 4 2 Three out of 5 ‘aces’, including the ®K ™ A K J 9 4 2 It is now time to tackle the hearts and t A 10 when the full layout is exposed at once North's bid of 5NT seems to have been a ® 8 7 declarer has no difficulty in establishing waste of time as apparently he intended ´ 9 7 5 2 ´ 3 the one extra trick he needs. The ace and ™ N ™ bidding the grand in any event. Void W E Q 8 7 6 5 king of hearts are followed by the jack, If you've made up your mind, let's look t K J 7 6 5 S t Q 8 4 3 forcing East's queen and leaving the nine a at the popular textbook guidelines which ® J 9 4 3 ® 10 5 2 master in dummy. The ace of diamonds is, meet the majority of cases. ´ A Q 10 8 6 of course, the to enjoy it. ™ 10 3 Well, that is what might have happened Leading against small slams in a suit t 9 2 but this particular declarer was unlucky It is often best to attack by leading from an ® A K Q 6 that West gave the some very honour. The thinking behind this is that serious thought and concluded that a little you may be able to set up a winner before fine-tuning might be appropriate. Her a vital control is knocked out. You may not like the bidding very much thoughts went something like this: ‘If the but this is what is likely to happen. grand slam has an Achilles heel, it will Leading against small slams Declarer wins the opening spade lead in probably be the heart suit (my void and no in no-trumps hand, cashes two top clubs and ruffs the support from South, leaving East as a Assuming it is a normal no-trump type six of clubs in dummy with the king of possible fly in the ointment). The ace of hand and not based on a long (minor) spades. The jack of spades is overtaken by diamonds may well be in dummy and even if the queen is held by either North or South, the finesse will not be taken. BOWL 2010 Furthermore, a vital entry to dummy may be eliminated immediately. Yes, I think a CONGRATULATIONS to Frances Hinden, Jeffrey Allerton, Jon Cooke, Graham diamond lead has a lot going for it.’ Osborne and Mike Scoltock. They beat Malcolm Oliver, Val Gibson, Bill March, John Bravely, West led a small diamond and, as Atthey and Clive Owen in the final of the Hubert Phillips Bowl for mixed pivot teams you can see, with the ace removed at trick by 2000 aggregate points. one declarer had to admit defeat when the hearts failed to behave. Unlucky! r

12 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk !

John gets E S A E

the laws right L P

, R

twice in a row O T C

‘I’VE been reading about South African points but my hand is too good for 4 ™ and E R

Texas openings to show a solid major: 4 ® in any event I have eight clear-cut tricks. ’ I to show hearts and 4 t to show spades. Do ‘For once John is in the right,’ said the Mike Swanson D you think we should play them?’ asked Director. ‘An artificial strong opening must John hopefully. comply with any one of three requirements: ‘I think it would be dangerous for us to it must have at least 16 high-card points, or open at the four level with suits that we the total of its high-card points plus the John announced Julie’s 1NT as ‘Twelve to haven’t got. One of us just might forget,’ total number of cards in its two longest suits fourteen’ and Julie announced John’s 2 ® replied Julie scathingly. must come to at least 25, or it must have as ‘Stayman.’ enough high-card points to open at the one West not unreasonably led the ten of level and have eight clear-cut tricks assum - spades, but unfortunately a spade lead was Love All. Dealer South. ing anything other than the worst trump the only one that enabled John to make his ´ Q 4 break. Here only a 5-0 trump break would contract when he ducked in dummy and ™ 8 prevent John from making eight tricks. won with his queen of spades. t K 7 2 ‘A natural two-level opening can be open - ‘I’ve got you this time!’ exclaimed West ® 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ed on whatever you wish but it must be to John as he waved his arm in the air to ´ A K 9 7 ´ J 10 8 3 2 described properly, so you can’t describe call the Director. ™ 10 9 2 N ™ 4 ™ W E partner’s natural 2 as strong unless you When the Director arrived at the table, t J 10 9 S t A Q 8 4 3 have agreed it meets one or more of the West made his case: ‘Julie announced ® K Q J ® A 9 criteria above, which it does.’ John’s bid as Stayman but all he had was a ´ 6 5 ‘But we can make 6 ´,’ pleaded West. weakness take-out into clubs. That’s illegal, ™ A K Q J 7 6 5 3 ‘Well you should have bid it, then,’ replied isn’t it?’ t 6 5 the Director unsympathetically. ‘And any - ‘Not at all,’ replied the Director. ® 10 way you can only make 5 ´ as two rounds of ‘Stayman is merely an initial enquiry hearts ensure that Julie makes a spade trick.’ about four-card majors, but it doesn’t Silence fell upon the table as they all guarantee a particular hand. It certainly West North East South took out their cards from the next board: doesn’t guarantee a four-card major for Julie John the majority of players.’ 2™ ‘But we can make 4 ´. Surely at least Pass 2NT Pass 4™ N/S Game. Dealer West. Julie should announce it as non- All Pass ´ A 8 promissory Stayman.’ ™ J 8 3 2 ‘Just like on the last hand, there was Julie announced John’s 2 ™ as ‘Strong and t Q 9 4 3 nothing to stop you bidding, and if you forcing,’ and John alerted Julie’s negative ® A K 2 want to know if Stayman promises a 2NT response. John’s jump to 4 ™ showed ´ K 10 9 7 6 ´ J 4 3 2 major you can always ask (or even consult N a solid suit and that ended the auction. ™ A 9 7 W E ™ K 10 5 4 the opponents’ ).’ The play of the hand didn’t take long; t K 10 8 5 S t A J 7 After the opponents had left the table, John emerged with just his eight heart ® 10 ® J 7 Julie smiled and said to John: ‘Well, that tricks, at which point West called for the ´ Q 5 must be a first! Two calls for the Tourna - Director. ™ Q 6 ment Director complaining about you , ‘What’s wrong, I didn’t did I?’ t 6 2 and you were in the right both times. I said John worriedly. ® Q 9 8 6 5 4 3 couldn’t believe it! Tell you what, if you are ‘No, it’s not that, it’s the fact that Julie still not in the wrong the next time the described your hand as strong, which it Director is called, we must go out and certainly isn’t,’ replied West irately. West North East South celebrate.’ When the Director arrived, West turned Julie John John suddenly felt the weight of the to him and said, ‘John has made an illegal Pass 1NT Pass 2® world on his shoulders as he certainly had opening bid.’ Pass 2™ Pass 3® never been right twice in a row before, ‘No, I haven’t. I might only have ten All Pass never mind three times! r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 13 Z I

U Beat today’s Q

G N I

D experts D I

B David Bird Bidding problems are on page 29

1. Game All. Dealer North. We start at the 2010 Vanderbilt, contested in When 3 t is doubled by Helness, who Reno, Nevada. In the third seat Geir holds the tQ and wants a diamond lead, ´ A K Q J ´ 10 4 Helgemo opens 1 t on tK-J-10-8-3 and an Sadek redoubles to show the tA. His part - ™ N ™ outside jack. Walid El Ahmady doubles and ner then leaps to 6 ™, a contract that was A Q J 9 8 W E K 6 5 3 2 t 7 4 S t A 9 2 responds 2 ™. This is non- claimed at trick one. ® A 2 ® Q 5 3 forcing but suggests around 8-10 points. If North had not doubled 3 t, East would Too strong to raise to game, West shows his be entitled to show his diamond control by West North East South strength with a bid in the opponents’ suit: cue-bidding 4 t and again the slam would El Ahmady Helness Sadek Helgemo Pass Pass 1t 3t. A change-of-suit by the doubler over a be reached. Dble Pass 2™ Pass jump response (2 ´ or 3 ® over 2 ™) would 3t Dble Rdbl Pass be forcing. West’s 3 t therefore agrees hearts n Awards: 6™ (10), games (6), 6NT (3), 6™ as trumps. grands (1).

´ 2. Game All. Dealer South. This deal is from the final of the Vanderbilt. 3 out. doubles 1 t and hears a 1 ´ The lie of the cards rewarded the Nor- ´ 10 7 5 4 3 2 ´ A Q 6 response followed by a 2 t rebid. What wegian stars for their caution. North led ace- ™ 6 5 N ™ A K 8 7 2 should he do next? king and another diamond, ruffed with the W E t 8 3 2 S t Q 10 Helgemo doubled again, still for take-out. ´6 and overruffed by South with the single - ® Q 3 ® A K 5 This showed extra values and denied four- ton ´9. Declarer won the heart return, card spade support; otherwise he would reached his hand with the ®Q and took a West North East South have raised spades instead. Helness rebid his successful finesse of the trump queen. North Helness Levin Helgemo Weinstein spades at the minimum level and I was still had a trump trick, so only nine tricks Pass Pass 1t Dble Pass interested to see Helgemo’s next move. were made. 1´ 2t Dble Pass Most people think that the top players bid The spade game is a good one, on the bid - 2´ Pass 3´ very aggressively, particularly when a vul - ding. Since I am not a result merchant, it will nerable game will be the prize. Helgemo bid receive the top award. a gentle 3 ´ and Helness might well have raised with his six-card suit. No, he passed n Awards: 4´ (10), part-scores (6).

3. E/W Game. Dealer West. had just won the Vanderbilt in Reno and along with four trumps, and the slam could Volcker’s team had beaten that of Bessis in not be made. ´ A J 4 2 ´ K Q 8 5 the semi-final of the French Open trials! What lessons can we learn from this? The ™ A 10 4 N ™ K 6 5 Bessis rebid 4 ®, a to show a first is that slams (and games) bid on a 4-4 W E t A K 8 7 4 S t 10 2 sound raise to 4 ´ including at most one fit are nowhere near as good as those on a 5- ® J ® K 9 7 2 club. Volcker cue-bid his heart control and 4 fit. A 4-1 trump break may well cause Bessis invoked Roman Key-card Black - problems in the play. East held only four West East wood, hearing of one key card (the ´K). His trumps and therefore had no reason to bid Bessis Volcker 1t 1´ continuation of 5 ™, the cheapest non- enthusiastically. 4® 4™ trump bid, asked for the queen of trumps. A splinter bid suggests that there will need 4NT 5t East would bid 5 ´ without that card, ending to be a very good fit in the splinter suit for a 5™ 6´ the auction. Since he did hold the trump slam to be good (unless partner has consid - queen, he leapt to 6 ´. erable extra values). As I see it, East should We move next to the White House Juniors The slam was not as good as it may seem. have signed off in 4 ´ at his second turn. tournament in Amsterdam. Although North did hold the ®A, so declarer was able and Frédéric Volcker qualify to set up a discard for dummy’s heart loser. n Awards: 4´ (10), 5 ´ (8), 6 ´ (6), 3NT (5). as ‘juniors’, Bessis was part of the team that South held only two diamonds, however,

14 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk 4. E/W Game. Dealer East. Next we visit the 2010 Australian Trials. he leapt to 7 ®! David Lilley opens with his strongest bid Declarer won the heart lead, crossed to and Zoli Nagy gives a negative response the tA and ruffed the t2 with the ace. On ´ 8 ´ A J 6 ™ 4 3 2 N ™ A K 8 (the equivalent of an Acol 2 ®-2 t start). this trick South’s tK fell, so the grand was t A Q J 10 2 W E t 9 When Lilley shows a club suit, what should made. If the king had not fallen so obliging - S ® 10 6 3 2 ® A K Q J 9 8 Nagy bid? ly, declarer still had three entries to dummy His choice was 4 ´ – a splinter bid that (the trump ten and two spade ruffs). He West East agreed clubs and showed at most one spade. could therefore have established another Nagy Lilley Lilley continued with Roman Key-card trick in diamonds if the suit broke 4-3 or 2t Blackwood, hearing of one key card (the North held tK-x-x-x-x and a ruffing finesse 2™ 3® tA) opposite. He knew that he could ruff could be taken. 4´ 4NT his two spade losers and hoped, very rea - 5t 7® sonably, that there would be some way to n Awards: 7® (10), 6 ® (7), games (4), 6NT dispose of his heart loser. In macho fashion, (3).

5. Love All. Dealer South. The deal comes from the final of the Carl Ragnarsson preferred to bid 4 t and Filbyter Cup in Linköping, Sweden. North the bidding died there. North, who held ´ Q J 7 ´ A opens 3 ´ in the third seat and Magnus Berg ´K865432 ™82 t4 ®QJ10, led the ®Q and ™ 5 3 N ™ A K 9 4 W E enters with a take-out double. What would ten tricks were made. t K 10 8 3 2 S t J 9 6 you respond on the West cards? Cardplay aces amongst you may note that ® K 8 3 ® A 9 7 5 2 As I see it, West should respond 3NT. 5t can be made at double-dummy, but only There is no guarantee, from his point of by playing three rounds of clubs immediately! West North East South view, that the contract will succeed. Against (The defenders can force dummy to ruff in Ragnarsson Axelsson Berg Hedborg that, maybe 4 t will not be a good spot. You spades and a trump is then required to Pass Pass 3´ Dble Pass might at least choose the option that will hold South to one trump trick from his 4t pay handsomely if it succeeds. South held tAQ75.) the tQ, so 3NT would have been an easy make: four diamond tricks and five top n Awards: 3NT (10), 5 t (7), 5 ® (5), part winners outside. scores (4).

6. Love All. Dealer West. king-queen to a hand that had forced to Tips to remember game. Even so, I cannot admire the 3 ´ bid When the opponents have bid a ´ ´ on a ten-high suit. With no club stopper, • A K Q 10 6 3 2 suit, you should make full use of ™ A Q J 7 6 3 N ™ 8 Sveindal had to give preference to diamonds t A J W E t K 9 4 3 2 bidding that suit yourself. Suppose S and the bidding drew to a halt in 5 t. The ® 7 6 ® K Q 3 they open 1 t and your partner contract was made, on a favourable lie, but 1 ´. You can show a 4™ was a much superior game. strong raise of spades by bidding West East East’s 3 t suggests some values, in the Sveindal Sundelin 2t. A raise to 3 ´ would be pre- absence of a second negative (usually 2NT), 2® 2t emptive. 2™ 3t and he might well have bid just 4 ™ at his When you follow up a take-out 3™ 3´ third turn. • 4t 4NT double with a second double (1 t 5® 5t n Awards: 4™ (10), 5 ™/5 t (6), 3NT (5), – Dble – Pass – 1 ´; 2 t – Dble) the slams (2). double is still for take-out. It denies four-card support for the We end at the Olrud Easter Festival in suit that partner has bid; other - Hamar, Norway. Two of the biggest names in ´ ™ t ® wise you would raise instead. Scandinavian bridge, Jon Sveindal of Bid aggressively when you have a Norway and P-O Sundelin of Sweden were • 5-4 fit or better, more cautiously in partnership and all was straightforward Our experts fail to repeat their dazzling with a 4-4 fit. With only eight up to 3 ™. What should East say next? form in the last issue and collect 42 out of trumps between the hands, a 4-1 Sundelin was reluctant to bid 4 ™ (or 60, giving you a fair chance to beat them. trump break will often cause 3NT) because he was adding a king and a Let’s look for some useful bidding tips. problems in the play. r

CORWEN TROPHY In the Corwen Trophy, the EBU competition for County pairs, top three places went to: 1. Jim Grant and Stefan Lindfors (Devon); 2. Graham Jepson and David Musson (Yorks); 3. Tim Brierley and Mike Elliott (Avon).

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 15 A New Challenge!

If Bridge is the King of card games, then surely Poker is the Queen. Just check your TV schedules to see how popular the game has become. The EBU has linked up with leading internet Poker site, Full Tilt Poker, to offer EBU members a special introductory offer when they join Full Tilt. Very simply, when a new member has 'spent' US$16 on the site, Full Tilt will add a US$40 bonus to their account. All you have to do to qualify for this bonus is to quote the bonus code, EBU01, when signing up to Full Tilt. This is in addition to Full Tilt's standard introductory offer, which could be up to US$600. You will find a link to the Full Tilt site on the EBU website. You can withdraw money from your Full Tilt account at any time, so this means that you can try it out at absolutely no financial risk whatsoever. The Full Tilt site offers Poker tuition and tips for successful play. It offers a wide range of different types of Poker game, including Hold’em, Stud and Omaha, to name but a few. There are both single-table games and multi-table tournaments and a wide range of stakes is available to suit all pockets. You can also pay a small game fee and play with 'play' money if you prefer. And, as a global website, games are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. Fancy a new challenge to complement your Bridge-playing activities? Then why not give Full Tilt Poker a try? After all, what have you got to lose?

16 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk T S The Principles I W T

A of Bridge H T I

Principles are the most grandiose form of bridge maxim. W

They should not be confused with the Principal of Bridge, E the Chairman of the EBU; she, too, is grandiose, but only slightly, G D and in an approachable sort of way. I R

Simon Cochemé B

THE Principle of Fast Arrival dates back The declarers who played in 7 ™ on a spade many years. In certain circumstances a lead faced a classic Restricted Choice won in hand. He had the luxury of being jump to game (fast arrival) is weaker than position. They crossed to the ace of hearts able to delay the decision in hearts, and so a lower bid, the latter leaving more room at trick two and East followed with the started by cashing a second diamond and to investigate a slam. For example, over a jack. Some of you are wondering what the playing a heart to the ace, East dropping traditional strong 2 ™ (or the Benji equiv - problem is. Eight-ever, nine-never, play the queen. Declarer then took all his top alent), a raise to 4 ™ is considered weaker the heart king, right? But that is only tricks outside the heart suit, ending in than a simple raise to 3 ™. correct when the four missing cards don’t hand. Now he led a small heart towards The certain circumstances need to be include touching honours. Players invited dummy and the moment of truth had agreed by the partnership. Take the to the Cavendish know that a Principle arrived. With East having pre-empted, it sequence 1NT –2™ (transfer) –2´ –3®. outranks a mere Mantra, and the Principle was very likely that he held a singleton Half the world play this as forcing to 3 ´, of Restricted Choice says that East is twice heart, but Pepsi did some counting, as half the world play it as forcing to game, and as likely to have started with a singleton experts are wont to do. West had shown half the world haven’t discussed it. If it is jack than with queen-jack doubleton. Add up with six spades, three clubs and two game-forcing, then 4 ´ is weaker than 3 ´. in the fact that West might have led a heart diamonds and so he couldn’t possibly The Principle of Restricted Choice, first from two small, but would certainly not hold three hearts. Mathematical certainty proposed by Alan Truscott, and vigorously have done so with Q-7-3, and the odds outranks even a Principle, so it was up promoted by Terence Reese, states that the strongly favour coming back to hand and with the king, down with jack, and out play of a particular significant card in creas - taking the trump finesse. Unlucky. with pencil to record plus 1520. es the likelihood that the player doesn’t have Meanwhile, at another table, Polish inter - I’m sorry if this example hasn’t shown another equivalent one. So if you are national Jacek Pszczola, known as ‘Pepsi’ the Principle of Restricted Choice in a missing Q-J-3-2 in a suit and a defender (really), was in 7NT as South after East had good light, but it is statistically sound, plays an honour under your ace or king, opened 3 t (not something you should try honest. If you don’t believe me, then I then you should play him to have started at home). hope we meet at the bridge table before with a singleton honour. There are three West led the nine of diamonds and Pepsi you see the error of your ways. r equally-likely relevant holdings: Q, J and Q-J. If you always finesse when an honour is played, you will win two times out of three . A variation of the Principle of Restricted Choice arose in an American TV show, Here is a deal from the 2009 Cavendish hosted by Monty Hall. A contestant was shown three doors with randomly placed Invitational Pairs, played in Las Vegas. prizes behind them: a car and two goats. The contestant was asked to select a door but, before that door was opened, the show’s host (who knew what was behind all the doors) would choose one of the other two doors and open it to reveal a goat. Love All. Dealer East. Now the contestant was asked whether he would like to stick with his original ´ K 10 9 4 door or switch to the other unopened door. What do you think he should do? ™ A K 9 8 2 The producers of the show believed that it didn’t make a difference; two doors, t 10 one car, it must be 50-50. When it was suggested that the contestant was twice as ® A K 8 likely to win if he switched doors, there was a heated debate in scientific journals ´ J 8 7 6 3 2 ´ 5 about the statistics of the so-called ‘Monty Hall Problem’. ™ 7 3 N ™ Q J The key point is that two-thirds of the time the host had a restricted choice and W E t 9 2 S t J 8 7 6 5 4 you should assume that he didn’t open the other door because he would have ® J 6 2 ® 10 7 4 3 revealed the car. Look at it this way: if the door you initially selected had a car ´ A Q behind it (one third of the time), you lose by switching. But if the door you initially ™ 10 6 5 4 selected had a goat behind it (two thirds of the time), you win by switching. t A K Q 3 Of course, if you collect goats and you don’t drive a car, you might have a different ® Q 9 5 strategy.

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 17 S

N Defending against O I T N E V

N Weak Twos O C

L U F E S Why play Take-Out Doubles? into a penalty double (by passing), or U removing the double in a descriptive It may seem that giving up a penalty way. With weak hands, the advancer double is something that you cannot bids his longest suit at the lowest level. CONSTRUCTIVE bidding can be hard afford to do, but you should consider a few With an invitational hand, the ad - enough when it starts at the one level, but factors which have led most experts to vancer can either jump in his longest clearly gets much tougher when the favour take-out doubles after an oppo - suit, or bid 2NT, and with the values bidding starts at higher levels. Since it is nent’s Weak Two: for game, he either bids game in his relatively uncommon to pick up a hand 1. One will wish to double a pre-empt longest suit, tries 3NT, or alternatively suitable for a Strong Two opening, many for take-out far more often than for cue-bids the opponent’s suit. duplicate players prefer to increase the penalties. This last point is the one which requires frequency of pre-empting by employing 2. The partnership will extract bigger the greatest discussion, since partnerships Weak Two bids in the majors, with a good penalties when they hold general can agree how specific a meaning they number also playing a in strength as well as good trumps. So, attach to a cue-bid. It is common to play diamonds. These bids classically show a while either defender may wish to this bid as either asking for a stopper, or as six-card suit and around 5-10 HCP, though double for penalties with a trump a ‘Staymanic’ bid seeking a 4-4 fit in an many pairs will open more aggressively, holding such as K-J-9-7-5, a sub - unbid major. especially at favourable vulnerability (non- stantial penalty will be more likely if vulnerable vs vulnerable). that player’s partner has several high Are there any other issues cards outside of trumps. to consider when defending How should one defend 3. A take-out double may be converted against Weak Twos? against Weak Two openings? to a penalty double, while the use of penalty doubles requires the defend - One other action that may be chosen is a Once an opponent has opened a Weak ers to replace a natural call with an direct cue-bid of the opponent’s suit. The Two, the next player will have three artificial one if they wish to show a two most common meanings attached to positive options: bidding a suit, bidding hand suitable for a take-out double. this bid are to describe a two-suited hand no-trumps, or doubling. Though he will (Michaels), or to show a hand with a long have to bid at the two (or three) level, his How do you continue strong suit, asking partner to bid 3NT strategy should essentially be similar to after partner has taken with a stopper in the Weak Two suit. My that employed when the opponents open a positive action? preference is to play that a cue-bid shows at the one level (whilst the level is higher, at least five cards in each major if the the opening bidder has shown a different • If partner has bid a suit, then you opponents open 2 t, but as stopper-asking type of hand). have first to decide whether your if they open 2 ™ or 2 ´. • With opening values, strain to over - partnership has found a fit. If you If you adopt this approach, then you may call in a major with a decent five card have, then the advancer (i.e. the over - wish to further consider the meaning of a suit. caller’s partner) can either raise direct - jump . Many partnerships adopt the • Holding a with ly, or make a full-value raise by ‘cue- principle that we do not pre-empt after our around 15-18 HCP (and at least one bidding’ the opponent’s suit. If a fit opponents have pre-empted. Using this stopper in the opponent’s suit), bid has not yet been found, then the principle, then a jump in a shows 2NT. advancer can introduce his own (five a good hand. How ever, jumping in a minor • The most important decision, how - plus card) suit. A change of suit is should be less attractive since it bypasses the ever, relates to the meaning of a best treated as forcing when the op - most likely game contract (3NT). So, many double. While it was once fashion able po nents have pre-empted. partner ships now use a jump to 4 ® or 4 t to to play that a double was for • If partner has bid 2NT, then a sen - show a two-suited hand (Leaping penalties, it is now commonplace to sible agreement is to continue as if Michaels). For example, after an opening employ take-out doubles (showing partner has opened 2NT. bid of 2 ™, a jump to 4 ® would show a good an opening hand with shortage in the • When partner doubles for take-out, hand, at least five-five in clubs and spades, opponent’s suit and support for the then advancer follows standard prin - while a jump to 4 t would show diamonds unbid suits). ciples, either converting the double and spades.

18 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Quiz spades and clubs were swapped, it would be better to make a take-out double. CAPTION The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak) and you are next to speak: Hand B. 4t. With a two-suited hand, it is COMPETITION useful to be able to show both suits imme - diately. If the partnership adopts ‘Leaping Hand A Hand B Michaels’, then this hand would be suitable ´ A Q 7 4 3 ´ A Q J 5 2 for a jump to 4 t, rather than making a ™ 7 ™ 4 simple overcall or a take-out double. t K 8 2 t K Q J 7 4 ® K J 5 4 ® A 3 Hand C. 3´. With limited room to explore, a raise to 3 ´ potentially covers a wide range of hands. However, one should treat a The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak), your partner simple raise as mildly invitational, and cue- bids 2 ´, and the next player passes: bid the opponents’ suit with a full value invitational-plus raise.

Hand C Hand D Hand D. 3™. This time you expect to make Alright, I can do ´ Q 7 6 2 ´ K 5 4 game, and might make a slam (opposite, Best Behaviour at Bridge! ™ 8 4 ™ 6 2 say, ´ AQ7632, ™ A3, t 762, ® K5), so it is t K J 7 6 2 t A 8 5 useful to be able to make a forcing raise. 3 ™ THE winner of our June com pe ti tion, ® 9 3 ® A Q J 7 3 is initially assumed to be invitational-plus, with the cap tion above, is Lydia but may be the first move on a hand with Stanford, Hove, who will rec eive a slam interest. charming Victoriana bridge mug from The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak), your partner our sponsors, Bridge and Golf Gifts doubles, and the next player passes: Hand E. 3´. With a known fit in spades, and Direct (see page 7). Other good cap tions invitational values, jump to 3 ´. 2 ´ would be were: I'm afraid it's Members Only this evening, Nick (John MacLeod, London); consistent with a much weaker hand, and Would you care for a demon stra tion of the Hand E Hand F possibly just four cards in spades. Devil’s Coup? (John Dean, London); ´ K J 8 5 3 ´ A 7 Which one called the Director? (Ron ™ J 4 2 ™ Q J 10 9 3 Hand F. Pass. Bidding 3 ® should not be Beazley, Essex); Ladies, I would like you to t 7 t 6 4 attractive, as you could easily have the meet my husband, he is only like this at the ® A 7 4 3 ® Q 5 3 2 values for game. You could instead try 2NT bridge table (Gwen Griffin, Hants); Why to invite game, but if partner passes you do I always get the partner from Hell? may not even make 2NT, and if he raises to (David Noble, Northumber land); I'm Answers 3NT, you may have missed a chance to score here to join your old NICK O team (Mike even more points. How can you do this? Orriel, Devon); I want to remind you that Hand A. 2´. Though one would prefer a The answer is simply to pass. You are likely you are all vulnerable (Beryl Povey, Herts); and Let’s cut for partners (Mrs E.M. stronger spade suit to overcall at the two to have four winners in your hand, and Richtie, Merseyside). level, it is usually right to act with an partner should provide at least two more The cartoon for our new competition opening hand. Holding a five-card major it tricks, especially if you can actually make as is below. Please send your bridgy is preferable to make an overcall, but if the many as nine tricks in no-trumps. r captions (multiple entries accep ted) to the Editor, English Bridge, 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR or by e-mail to IN A NUTSHELL: ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE EASY [email protected] not later than 20th August 2010. Don’t forget to include A short reference table provided by Jeremy Dhondy your full postal address!

WHAT DO I ANNOUNCE? WHAT DO I SAY? 1NT natural opening The range ( e.g.12-14). If you have agreed that it can contain a singleton you should also say this.

2® Stayman in response to a 1NT opening ‘Stayman’.

2t/2 ™ Transfer in response to 1NT opening ‘Hearts’ or ‘Spades’ as appropriate.

A natural two-level opening Explain the strength by using one or more of the words that follow. You do not say the range. You might say ‘Weak’, ‘Intermediate’, ‘Strong’. If you say ‘Strong’, you should say whether it is forcing or non forcing. You can mix and match, e.g. ‘Intermediate Sponsored by Bridge to Strong’. & Golf Gifts Direct

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 19 Bridge People

WE’LL MEET AGAIN OVER BRIDGE IT was multiple Friends Reunited at her former colleague at Barclays where Suzanne Gill’s summer Strawberries and they had worked together some thirty Bubbly charity event at Neatishead New years ago. Victory Hall in Norfolk on Thursday 15th Suzanne achieved twenty-five full tables June, in aid of the Rotary Club of Broad- and raised £2000, which the Rotary Club lands – held thanks to Barclays Bank’s are mainly donating to the East Anglian generosity in supporting the community. Children’s Hospices and an organisation Cathy Smith and Val Bobbins had only called Shelter Boxes, which supplies met once before in the forty odd years disaster aid overseas. since they were schoolgirls together at Highlight of the afternoon, other than Fylde Lodge High School in the late ’50s the bridge, was the gorgeous cream tea and early ’60s. complete with home-made scones and

BUSINESS CARD ADVERTS Only £25 +VAT per insertion. Contact Chris Danby ( 01603 898678 [email protected] From the left: Cathy Smith, Mike Hammond and Val Bobbins

‘I left at 16 to do a business course and cakes, prepared and donated by the local NEW BEGINNERS CLASSES Val stayed on and did A levels and a WI and their team of helpers, including STARTING SOON degree,’ said Cathy, who belongs to Horn - Mike. They could all see how much fun Sutton Coldfield/North Birmingham area ing and Hoveton Bridge Clubs as well as the bridge players were having – and Myra Scott ( 0121 240 3325 the Aylsham Bridge Circle. ‘I came to Suzanne has plans for them. [email protected] Norfolk with my husband, and Val ‘I hope Mike will now consider learning EBUTA – Professional Teacher through working at Barclays Bank.’ bridge in a club teacher programme,’ she It was a double blast from the past for said. ‘Some of the WI members seem BRIGHOUSE BRIDGE CLUB Val, who plays at Afternoon Bridge Club interested too. And social bridge players and www.brighousebridgeclub.co.uk and Wymondham Wednesday, since the club members enjoyed the afternoon Beginners and improvers lessons daily. event was a fund-raiser for the Rotary Club together, which is an ideal way to encourage Social and competitive bridge. of Broadlands. Their Immediate Past Pre - them to join duplicate clubs – and non- EBUTA Doreen Adams ( 01484 387555 sident turned out to be Mike Hammond, players to learn the game.’ (Jane Scarfe) COURSES IN BATH Beginners Brush Up Your Bridge EBUTA Phil Cooke ( 01225 310232 www.bathbridgeschool.com

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20 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Y R

Stayman A W N U

E

in hope H T

R O F A new series suggested by Brian Sheridan of Croydon S P A R

Michael Byrne T WHEN people first learn conventional Here the picture is bids, they find the idea of bidding a suit to Hand 3 not so rosy and you indicate something else quite unusual. ´ A Q J 6 must pass, not bid Stayman is often the first convention ™ 4 Stay man. You would Eek! You have a learnt, but once people get the hang of it t J 9 7 6 5 be fine if partner res - Hand 7 terrible hand and are the danger is not that they don’t use it ® 9 3 2 ponded 2 ´ or 2 t, of ´ J 6 5 favourite to go down enough, but that they use it too much course, but what is he ™ J 8 7 5 in whatever contract without thinking through the conse - likely to do? He is t 9 8 7 6 3 you bid. However, a quences. odds-on favourite to bid 2 ™ and then you ® 3 suit contract will be Hand 1 would be a typical example: are snookered. better than 1NT which no doubt will Partner opens 1NT This time you can bid get doubled. You can bid Stayman, and Hand 1 (12-14) and the next Hand 4 2® Stayman with a then pass whatever response partner makes. ´ A Q 5 4 hand passes, what do ´ A K J 3 clear conscience. If Let’s finish by reviewing a few Dos and ™ K 10 7 6 you do? ™ 5 4 partner lets you down Don’ts of Stayman. t 3 2 t 2 by bidding 2 t or 2 ™, ® 8 7 6 ® 9 8 6 5 3 2 then you can bid 3 ® as a weak take-out. Do: The most sensible Your clubs may not • Use Stayman when you have 5-4 in course of action is to pass. If you bid be strong, but you are assured of a fit since the majors, whatever the strength Stayman 2 ® and partner responds with a partner has promised at least two cards in of your hand (0+!) as in Hand 2. major suit, then all is well, but what if he clubs by opening 1NT. • Use Stayman when you have a responds 2 t? You can’t now ‘escape’ into weak take-out in clubs, whether 2NT because (as with most bids of 2NT) This hand is also or not you have a major suit, see this is invitational, asking partner to go to Hand 5 ideal for Stayman, Hand 4. game if he is maximum. Even if partner ´ A Q 9 7 with the hope of • Use Stayman when you have at enjoys playing the cards, 3NT with at most ™ 8 7 5 locating a 4-4 spade least 11 points and one four-card 23 points between the two hands and no t 5 4 fit. You don't need to major (not a five- card major, long suit to play on will not be a thing of ® K Q J 3 have both four-card unless it is accompa nied by four beauty. majors to use Stay - cards in the other major). Stay - The reason you got into trouble with man – one will do – man is for finding 4-4 fits, see the hand above is because you didn’t provided you have 11+ points. If partner Hand 5. consider your rebid. doesn’t bid your major, you can rebid 2NT Don’t: Let’s look at a few hands and think or 3NT depending on your point count. • Use Stayman on weak hands that about your rebid. have only one four-card major Stayman will not tell suit, see Hand 3. This is ideal to bid Hand 6 you what you want to • Use Stayman without thinking Hand 2 Stayman on, because ´ 3 2 know on this hand, about your rebid if partner bids ´ J 9 7 5 4 if partner responds ™ A Q J 6 5 which is: ‘Does part - what you don’t want him to (see ™ K J 4 3 2t, then you can bid t A Q J 3 ner have three cards Hand 1). t 5 4 2´ showing a weak ® 4 3 in hearts, giving us an • Be afraid to bid Stayman when ® 3 2 hand with five spades. eight-card fit?’ The holding one major suit and 11+ If partner responds correct response, if points; you don't need both 2™ or 2 ´ initially, you you don’t play transfers, is 3 ™, showing a majors to bid Stayman, provided will pass, of course, happy to have found a game-going hand with five cards in hearts, you have a re-bid (see Hand 5). r safe haven. asking for support.

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 21 E Don’t bid 4-card suits T A

B up the line with a 4-4-3-2 E D

Two top players debate a hot bridge topic. Tell us whose argument E has won you over by e-mailing the Editor at [email protected] H

T Sandra

Their bidding went 1 ® –1´ – 3NT, which All these problems disappear when you failed on a diamond lead. Their inquest open the major, which is where you want VERY early in our bridge playing career, suggested that perhaps 1 ® –1´ –2™ to play if you have a fit. You may miss a we learn that not all suits are equal. Why? showed 16-19 points and four hearts. 4-4 minor fit, but when is the last time you Because majors need only ten tricks for True – but won’t responder have every played in five or six of a minor? game but minors need eleven. And right to take partner for an unbalanced Maybe, if you open 1 ®, you have to play because 3NT only needs nine tricks, we hand with more than four clubs? a forcing 2NT rebid by opener, thereby often play in 3NT even when we have a Swap the spades and diamonds in making sure you describe both hands fully minor-suit fit – unless of course, slam is on responder’s hand, so it is: and will find the major suit game when the horizon. So it is vastly more important you have a 4-4 fit. This might work but in to locate our eight-card major-suit fit and the process you will describe both hands it’s usually a good thing at pairs if we miss ´ 7 3 far too fully to your opponents, who will playing at the five level in our eight-card ™ A 10 8 5 no doubt find it much easier to make the fit. t Q J 9 7 5 best lead to any game you bid. Playing an opening 1NT as 12-14, how ® 9 4 If you already prefer minor to major, should we bid a balanced 15-19 points please keep playing that system against that is too good for opening 1NT? Of me! It’s much easier to defend against and course, we have to open a suit and rebid in Now responder replies 1 t to 1 ®. If even easier to drive you into the wrong no-trumps, unless a major suit fit is opener rebids 1 ™, is it 100% forcing? Is contract! But for those wishing to play my found. So which suit should we open with opener really showing a balanced hand methods, here they are. two four-card suits? With both majors, we with only four-card suits? Could it not be open 1 ™ because partner will respond 1 ´ a weaker hand with more clubs than hearts? My recommended system of opening holding four or more, making certain that A jump rebid of 2 ™ isn’t the answer, that bids with 4-4-3-2 hands neither major-suit contract is missed. shows the strength, but surely denies a But here’s the 100-dollar question: balanced hand. It must be best to open 1 ™ • 1NT shows 12-14 points. With hands what do you open with one major and and unless responder can raise hearts, a of 15+ points: one minor suit? Call me simple minded, 3NT rebid says it all. • With four hearts and four spades, and many do, but I think it’s a good idea Responder might raise 1 ™ to 2 ™ on an open 1 ™. Unless partner responds to open the major, the suit where I unbalanced hand, with only three hearts. 1´, rebid in no-trumps. If partner actually want to play and where the But opener can jump to 3NT over 2 ™, has a long minor and four spades, he strong hand will be declarer. I investigate asking responder to convert to 4 ™ with four can introduce spades on his second the major first and if partner denies cards in hearts and to pass with only three. bid to emphasise the distributional four-card support, I rebid in no-trumps. Furthermore, opponents are not bound nature of his hand. That makes sure that the stronger hand to pass just because we open the bidding. • With one major and one minor, open is declarer in either the major suit or the If responder bids 1 t over the opening 1®, the major. Even if partner responds no-trump game, offering the best chance fourth player can overcall 1 ´, or jump to 2 ´ in the minor suit where you have four of success. or even 3 ´. Does opener double for take- cards, rebid in no-trumps. Except - Recently I played against a pair who out? Or try an optimistic no-trump rebid? ional ly, you may raise the minor if opened the minor. This was the deal: Worse still, second in hand may bid spades opponents overcall and you don’t have before partner has even had the oppor - a stopper in their suit. tunity to respond. Would you make a take- • With both minors, it matters less ´ A 2 ´ Q J 9 7 5 out double on responder’s hand, with just what you choose. I open 1 t as only if ™ K Q 9 7 N ™ A 10 8 5 7 points? But if second hand overcalls in the auction becomes competitive will W E t K 9 3 S t 7 3 spades, you would be able to bid 2 ™ or 3 ™ we need to play in a minor and then ® A K 10 5 ® 9 4 if partner had opened 1 ™ – you might I can rebid in clubs without dis tort - even stretch to 4 ™ if you had to. ing my shape. r

22 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Bid four-card suits up E T A

the line with a 4-4-3-2 B E D

Or vote by post (Editor, English Bridge, 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR). E Comments for publication (not more than 200 words, please) are welcome. H

Ron Klinger T

WI TH a 4-4-3-2 and 15-19 points, playing Is responder going to rebid over 3NT or a 12-14 1NT, we all open 1 ™ with two four- do more than raise 2NT to 3NT with such card majors. This is to allow responder a poor suit? Notice how comfortable these hands are room to bid 1 ´ which we can then support. On the other hand, 3NT might still be if the opening is in the cheaper suit and With two four-card minors, it often does the best spot: responder bids opener’s second suit. With not matter, but opening 1 ® is least likely to Hand 2, if opener starts with 1 ® and cause a problem. If you have a stopper in responder bids 1 ´, you have a com fortable every suit, you can rebid comfortably in no- Layout 2 raise to 4 ´. With a couple of points less, trumps regardless of which suit partner ´ A K 7 5 ´ Q 4 2 you can jump to 3 ´. N bids. The same applies if you open 1 t, but ™ K Q W E ™ A J In layouts 1, 2 and 3 , once opener starts then problems can arise if partner bids your t 9 5 2 S t J 6 4 3 with 1 ® responder knows that a club fit second suit and you have an un guard ed ® A K 9 8 ® Q J 4 3 exists. You might still end up in 3NT on out side suit. Consider this situation: layout 1 rather than the excellent 6 ®, but at If you open 1 ® and least you have a chance to find the slam. In Hand 1 partner bids 1 t, you If it goes 1 ´ –2® – 3NT you are in good layout 2, you will certainly arrive in 3NT ´ A 6 3 can sensibly bid 3 t. shape, but if you opt for 1 ´ –2® –4® you after a 1 ® –3® start. In layout 3, you will ™ 7 6 If you open 1 t and are almost certainly going to be over - definitely avoid 3NT after a 1 ® opening, t A K J 6 partner responds 2 ®, board. If you do choose 3NT, not only whether East replies 1 ™ or opts for a 3 t ® K Q 4 3 what do you pro pose? might you miss a slam, but 3NT could be splinter. Notice that West also has no You are much too wrong, too: problem if East replies in a red suit. After strong for 3 ®, but 4 ® 1® –1t or 1 ® –1™, West can show the will take you past 3NT, which might well spades and find the best spot thereafter. be your best spot. Layout 3 The same problem arises when your ´ A K 7 5 ´ Q 9 2 Finally . . . ™ N ™ 4-4-3-2 has a four-card major and a four- K Q W E A J 4 2 card minor. t 9 5 2 S t 3 If you always open the cheaper suit with a Imagine you pick up as dealer: ® A K 9 8 ® Q J 6 4 3 4-4-3-2, then when opener starts with the If you open 1 ´ and higher suit and bids a lower suit later, this Hand 2 partner responds 2 t, will guarantee at least five cards in the suit ´ A K 7 5 you have an easy 3NT You have an easy 6 ®, but if the bidding opened. ™ K Q rebid to show exactly starts 1 ´ –2® – 3NT is responder sup - t 9 5 2 19 points. What if posed to run for fear that you have an un - ® A K 9 8 part ner’s bid is 2 ®? guarded suit? For all responder knows, the Layout 5 Do you jump to 3NT hands could be like this after a 1 ´ opening: ´ K J ´ A Q 3 ™ N ™ and hide the club sup - A K 8 6 4 W E 9 3 2 port? Or (if you can) rebid 2NT, forcing, t K Q 7 3 S t A J 6 5 2 to show 15+ points and pass partner’s Layout 4 ® 7 6 ® 4 3 raise to 3NT? You might easily miss a slam: ´ A K 7 5 ´ Q J 2 ™ N ™ K Q W E A 8 4 2 t A K 9 8 S t 3 West North East South Layout 1 ® 9 5 2 ® Q J 6 4 3 1™ Pass 2t Pass ´ A K 7 5 ´ 4 3 ? ™ N ™ K Q W E A 6 2 t 9 5 2 S t K Q J You have nine tricks on top in 3NT, while If West supports diamonds, East knows ® A K 9 8 ® Q 7 6 5 4 5® might fail if you encounter a bad that West has five hearts and now the trump break. partner ship should reach 4 ™. r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 23 CLUB PLAYER’S ON-LINE BRIDGE BIDDING QUIZ by Barrie Partridge ON each of the following problems, A WORLD’S FIRST you are West. What should you bid with each hand on the given auction? THE first Double Elimination Knock- out gives the correct Pairs ever to be held in the history of the ´ K 10 9 4 2 answers on page 39. entire universe has recently been com plet - ™ 9 7 6 3 ed in the only EBU-affiliated on-line club, t J Bridge Club Live. ® 5 4 2 Hand 1 The event took four and a half months ´ Void ´ J 8 6 3 ´ K Q 7 6 2 WNES to be played. Bridge Club Live has held an ™ 10 5 4 2 N ™ K J 8 W E ™ Q 3 1t annual Knock-out Pairs for several years t K Q 8 7 6 5 S t 4 3 2 t 5 ? but this time, the BCL Competitions ® 10 9 6 ® Q J 7 ® A K 9 4 2 Organiser, Surrey’s Tony Philpott, hit on ´ A Q 7 5 the idea of needing to be knocked out ™ A Q twice rather than have a consolation event t A 10 9 for those knocked out in the first round. ® A K 8 3 Hand 2 Tony was able to keep the Double Elimi - ´ 9 WNES na tion format extremely close to that of ™ K 10 7 4 1NT 2®* Pass the EBU Spring Foursomes (see page 41). Ian Hodges played 4 ´ from the South seat t 10 9 8 ? Knock-out Pairs is easy to organise in and Steve Auchterlonie, West, led the king ® A 9 8 5 4 * Landy, both majors BCL but very complicated in face-to-face of diamonds taken by the ace. bridge. We play a 21-board match at a table Declarer cashed the spade ace to discover on our own in a room where there is a huge the 4-0 trump break. Undaunted, he at- duplicate movement going on at the same tempt ed to run the diamond ten but West Hand 3 time. Though we see current travellers after covered, and so he ruffed in dummy. Ian ´ 7 5 WNES each board, we have to wait till the room returned to hand with a club to the ace, and ™ Q 2 2NT closes at 6am the next morn ing, by which cashed the nine of diamonds throwing a t A K J 10 5 3 ? time around fifty tables will have played club from dummy. Then came the king of ® Q J 3 each board, for confirmation of our final clubs and a club ruff in dummy. Now the result. The pair with over 50% is the winner queen of hearts was finessed and a trump and, as Anne Robinson would say, it’s as led to the king of spades in dummy. simple as that! Declarer then led the ten of spades, covered Hand 4 Seventy-four pairs entered, and thirty- by the jack and queen. At trick eleven, the ´ Q 4 2 WNES two of these were seeded in accordance with heart ace was cashed. Ian’s remaining ™ A Q 5 4 1™ Pass 1NT Pass BCL’s established grading scheme. Top trump was the seven of spades and East’s t A Q 5 ? seeds were a South African lady Inter - the eight. How ever, Ian’s other card was the ® Q J 6 national and a Bulgarian about one third of now-established club eight, which he led at her age. Second seeds were last year’s win - trick twelve. East could take just one trick. ners, Steve Auchter lonie, who plays in The two overtricks were worth a 91% Hamp shire but lives in Kent, and Mark score for North-South. Hand 5 Benson, also based in Kent but whom I find Despite this board, Steve and Mark ´ Void WNES playing in a different conti nent every time I continued their winning ways. As in the ™ A J 5 1® Pass 1™ Pass encounter him! EBU’s Spring Fours, they had a bye while t A K J 9 ? I managed to get a favourable seeding the once-defeated pool reduced to three ® A J 9 7 6 3 that would avoid me meeting either of these pairs. They had a choice of oppo nents for pairs for some rounds but this advantage the semi-finals and won through to the was shredded when I lost my first match final, where they met Tony Harden from anyway to Stan Bough of Yorkshire and Ian Hertfordshire and David Cock from Kent. Hand 6 Hodges from the West Midlands; from The final attracted a horde of kibitzers ´ A Q 9 8 7 3 WNES there, they were to go far. and was remarkable in that all twenty-one ™ A 9 3 1® After twenty-two single matches and ten boards were played in ninety-three minutes ! t K 6 1´ Dble Pass 2® triangles, the field was down to thirty-two The winners, by 52.5%-47.5%, were Tony ® 6 5 ? pairs in each of the undefeated and once- and David, who finally broke Steve and defeated pools For the final of the Undefeat - Mark’s winning streak of fourteen consec - ed Pool, Steve and Mark played against Stan utive matches in the event over the past and Ian. two years . r

24 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk CALENDAR OF EVENTS EBU News n AUGUST 2010 6-15 Brighton Summer Congress THE BUSINESS STRATEGY ANNUAL UPDATE Hilton Metropole Hotel 9-11 Really Easy Congress Sally Bugden, EBU Chairman, reports Brighton 9-12 Brighton Seniors Congress LAST year’s achievements have about this project and an expla - Com mittee, and has received a 10-12 Brighton Next Step Congress 27-29 Junior Teach In been developed further during nation of stratification, please good response from many of its Loughborough this period of extraordinary visit the competitions section of new readers. 28-29 Premier League change. We now represent nearly our website. Club Focus will now address (reserve weekend) 50,000 members through 600 management and technical SIMPLIFICATION clubs. issues for clubs and will be n SEPTEMBER 2010 OF REGULATION 4-5 National Women's Teams e-mailed to club committees CLUBS Hinckley The Laws and Ethics Committee only. 9-12 Isle of Man Congress The interim Club Committee has launched the Tangerine Book Tournament Focus now in- 11-12 Premier League West Midlands BC, Solihull has done some sterling work for clubs. It has also pub lished a cludes information about in ter- 11-12 Bedford Congress since it was set up in the summer series of easy-to-follow flow- national activities. Sandy of 2008, consulting on, amongst charts on the most com mon law We also publish Appeals 13-14 EBU Autumn Sim Pairs 13-16 Warren other things, club competitions infractions. View these via the Focus twice a year for all tourna- Cardiff, Wales and English Bridge. A new L & E page on our web site, ment direc tors and those in- 17-26 Guernsey Congress & process for the appointment of under ‘Publications’ on the volved with the regulation of Seniors Congress club representatives is being im - right-hand-side menu. our events 25-26 Premier League plemented. Further informa tion Manchester BC SELECTION CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 25-26 One Day Green-pointed is available from your club events representative as listed on our The Selection Committee con- We have proposed changes to Glos / Herefordshire, website. tinue to develop excellent player the Articles to provide con ti- Derbys, Surrey 26 One Day Green-pointed Since their launch in April, performances while managing a nui ty to Board tenure and to event our buy-one-get-one-free club reduced budget. They have also provide the option to fill skill Herts, Cornwall, tournament director courses taken on the selection and devel - gaps. Westmorland and our club teacher courses opment of the junior inter - We met with the Charity n OCTOBER 2010 have proved very popular. nationals. Commission, which has result - Next year we will be launching ed in more detailed inves tiga- 1-3 West of England Congress EDUCATION Weston-super-Mare a special International Simul - tions into charity registra tion. 1-3 Really Easy Early Winter Break We have set up the Education taneous Pairs event to raise The Charity Working Group Wroxton, nr Banbury 1-16 World Bridge Series Working Group under the funds for our teams’ inter - will report to the Board at the Philadelphia, USA Chairmanship of Suzanne Gill, national activities. beginning of next year at the 2-3 Great Northern Swiss Pairs which is currently touring the earliest. MANAGING Hilton Hotel, Leeds country consulting with coun - (entries to Yorks CBA) THE ORGANISATION DEMOCRATIC ties about their education and 2-3 Felixstowe Congress REPRESENTATION 13-14 BGB Autumn Sim Pairs development programmes, and The launch of the new system 13-18 Overseas Congress looking at ways in which inter- for universal membership has Please see page 3. Crete county and EBU projects can been almost seamless and at 30-31 Kent Congress SOCIAL BENEFITS Tunbridge Wells assist in generating more players lower cost than budgeted for. 30-31 Malvern Congress at county level. Congratulations go to Michael The All Party Parliamentary Bransford Clark who has been the architect Group for the development of 30-31 Lancashire Congress TOURNAMENTS Brierfield/Blackburn of the system and to the whole bridge continues to provide us 30-31 Lederer Memorial Trophy We have developed partnerships team at Aylesbury who have with the opportunity to pro - Young Chelsea, London with Gill’s Cruises to offer ‘Learn managed the administrative mote these benefits. Bridge’ and ‘Learn Better Bridge’ changes and streamlining so n NOVEMBER 2010 NATIONAL GRADING cruises, and with David Jones effectively. 5-7 Autumn Congress SCHEME Birmingham offering Improver Bridge week - Two full-time members of 12-14 Premier League ends. staff have retired and have not The NGS has been delayed by Royal National Hotel, We are launching a new Club been replaced. the tragic and untimely death of London 12-14 NEBA Congress Simultaneous Pairs in March We have produced five-year John Carter. We thank Peter Lee Allensford 2011 which will be stratified, plans for all aspects of the and Mike Christie, who have 12-14 Seniors Congress meaning that individuals can organ isation and these were joined the remaining team to Daventry compete against players at their distributed to your shareholders develop this important value 20-21 Tollemache Cup Qualifier Daventry own level across the country. at the beginning of this year. added service for our members. 22 & 24 EBL Sim Pairs We hope to have software And finally, a big thank you COMMUNICATIONS Clubs available later this year so clubs to all our unpaid volunteers 27-28 Middlesex Congress Barnet can stratify any or all of their English Bridge has reflected who work tirelessly on these events. For more information the comments from the Club projects for you, our members. www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 25 THE EBU & BRIDGE OVERSEAS ANTALYA CONGRESS 9 – 14 February 2011 5* Barut Lara Resort Spa & Suites, Antalya, Turkey

H Pre-congress Pairs H Open Pairs H Pivot Teams H Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed Pairs H Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams (both Green-pointed)

Bridge Fees: £120 Entries to EBU Competitions Dept. Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8AZ ( 01296 317 203/219 E-mail: [email protected]

For travel and accommodation please contact BRIDGE OVERSEAS

FREEPHONE 0800 034 6246

26 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk EBU News August 6th – 15th 2010 Brighton ORANGE BOOK CHANGES From August 1st the latest Orange book will come into force. The Summer Tangerine Book has also been updated. The regulations are identical in each book but the Tangerine Book is designed for clubs and Meeting individual players who want something simpler and shorter. Both books are available on-line only. Hilton Metropole Hotel A summary of the main changes follows (in the electronic Orange Book all are marked in red to assist). In addition there are a few minor The event incorporates clarifications not listed below. the Really Easy Congress (9-11 August) the Next Step Congress (10-12 August) NEW • There are no changes to the continue to be free to do as alerting or announcing they wish regarding allowed and the Seniors Congress (9-12 August) rules. levels but for simplicity if First weekend: Green-pointed Swiss Pairs • Section 4B2 is amended to Level 4 were the default level • say that the WBF-style con- then the matter of 1 ™ and 1 ´ • Mid-week events include a ‘Play with the vention card is allowed in all openings being restricted is the only significant change. Experts’ Pairs, a Mixed Pivot Teams, and a Level 5 events. It continues Mixed Pairs (now all Green-pointed events) not to be per mit ted at a lower There is no change for any level. competition played at a lower Second Weekend: Green-pointed Four Stars level. • • Section 6D has been added Swiss Teams to explain how and why a • The events which will be director may adjust a score played at Level 5 are the Entries: EBU Comps Dept. following a psyche or mis bid. Spring Foursomes, Crock - ford’s Cup and Plate, the Section 7A3 has been added • National Swiss Teams Con - ( 01296 317 203 / 219 to clarify that cards may not gress, the Ranked Masters be removed from the slot of a (Life Master and above board unless a member of only) and the Tollemache each side or the director are (both qualifying round and The EBU and BRIDGE OVERSEAS present Final). BGB sets its own • Section 9F2 and 11R cover regulations for the Gold CRETE CONGRESS the use of Level 5. Level 5 will Cup and Silver Plate but be the level played in a small these have traditionally 13-18 October 2010 number of higher level tour- closely followed EBU levels. Iberostar Creta Marine, Rethymnon, Crete na ments where a significant The Premier League will be number of boards is played. played at Level 5. The main effect of this will be 10A10 has been added to to require a 1 ™ or 1 ´ opening • explain what happens if a bid to show the suit bid at all pair plays an illegal method. levels below Level 5. Those who play a system where this The index and table of contents is not the case may only do so have also been updated and show where Level 5 is the permit - the minor changes (in red) not ted level. Clubs and counties mentioned above.

ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS Contributions are invited to the next issue of Club Focus Bridge info: EBU Comps Dept ( 01296 317 203 /219 (by Nov 8th, please e-mail [email protected] ) and Bridge fees: £115 per player Tournament Focus (by Sept 1st, to tournamentfocus@ CONGRATULATIONS ebu.co.uk ). Also, don’t forget For travel and accommodation: to Kay Carter who is that during the Brighton celebrating her 25th week you can contribute to BRIDGE OVERSEAS year working at the the Bulletin by e-mailing FREEPHONE 0800 0346 246 English Bridge Union . [email protected]

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 27 JUNIOR TEACH-IN CLUB DIRECTOR & COUNTY WEEKEND DIRECTOR TRAINING 27th – 29th August 2010 COURSES – 2010 The premier Loughborough University British ESSENTIALS £35 teams All levels catered for, Brighton Monday 9 August FULL from absolute beginners to Churchdown, Gloucs Saturday 9 October event Cambridge# Saturday 9 October junior experts (ages 7 – 21) Aylesbury EBU HQ Wednesday 20 October FULL Closing date for Aylesbury EBU HQ Wednesday 27 October Welwyn Garden City Saturday 30 October this year’s competition: Leicester Saturday 4 December 20th September 2010 # Cambridge Essentials & BR are over a weekend Additional courses are shown on the EBU website Entry fee: £80 per team BOOK RULINGS £40 (half-price for Juniors & Brighton Tuesday 10 August FULL U-25s in full time education) Wymondham, Norfolk* Saturday 4 September Only £120 per student Cambridge# Sunday 10 October English and Welsh Churchdown, Gloucs Saturday 6 November first- and second-round losers Inclusive of all meals, two Aylesbury EBU HQ Wednesday 17 November Welwyn Garden City Saturday 27 November may enter the Silver Plate nights accommodation, Leicester Saturday 15 January 2011 free of charge activities and bridge fees *Wymondham is a joint Essentials/BR day

Enquiries to Sandra Claridge JUDGMENT RULINGS £ 40 Accompanying Brighton Wednesday 11 August [email protected] adults welcome Wymondham, Norfolk Saturday 2 October or download an entry form Camberley Sunday 10 October (£135 each) Churchdown, Glos Saturday 4 December from Aylesbury EBU HQ Wednesday 8 December www.bridgegreatbritain.org Entries ( 01296 317217/8 Welwyn Garden City Saturday 15 January 2011 Cambridge Sunday 13 February 2011 Leicester Saturday 19 February 2011 ASSESSMENT £4 5 Brighton Thursday 12 August TEACHER TRAINING COURSES – 2010 Newport (IOW) Saturday 25 September Wymondham, Norfolk Saturday 16 October Partner Teacher Training Courses – Camberley Sunday 31 October courses for prospective teachers Churchdown, Gloucs Saturday 8 January 2011 Aylesbury EBU HQ Wed 19 and Sat 22 Jan 2011 Aylesbury EBU HQ October 23-25 Welwyn Garden City Saturday 19 February 2011 Leicester Saturday 19 March 2011 Courses – £195 for the Full Course – Cambridge Sunday 8 May 2011 include how to teach bridge, what to teach, short teaching practice, how to recruit, how to retain COUNTY & COUNTY REFRESHER COURSES and how to turn your students into a partner club . SEPTEMBER 11 & 12 2010 Coventry Hilton Hotel, Paradise Way, Walsgrave Triangle, For info ( 01296 317217 or email [email protected] Coventry CV2 2ST. All inclusive price of £160 covers all course fees and materials, one night DBB, Sunday finger buffet and three servings of tea/coffee. NEW Club Teacher Training Courses NEW courses for affiliated clubs For further information, or to register for a course Under the Universal Membership scheme affiliated clubs are invited to nominate one club member in any two-year period to be trained ( 01296 317203 or email [email protected] FREE OF CHARGE as a Club Teacher. Second and subsequent NE bookings from the same club can be made at £100 each. NEW CONCESSIONS FOR AFFILIATED CLUBS W The course content will include how to teach bridge, what to teach and a short teaching practice. Entries may only be booked by Under the Universal Membership scheme affiliated clubs are the registered secretary of the affiliated club. invited to send a second club member to a TD course FREE OF CHARGE where the club sends a full paying member to any of The first course has been arranged at the Bourne Club, the club TD courses. The offer is on a ‘like for like’ basis – so Farnham, Surrey – November 20-21. when a club books a place (from one to four courses) it For details ( 01296 317217 or email [email protected] receives the equivalent free for another member of the same club. To take advantage of the scheme both the paying member and the free member must be booked at the same time and the Any clubs with permanent premises who would be prepared to booking must be made by the registered secretary of the club. host one of the new courses is asked to contact John Pain at the (Please note this scheme does not include the annual EBU: ( 01296 317218 or email [email protected]. There are addi - County Director or County Refresher course held annually, nor tional concessions available for clubs hosting the courses. the proposed County Preparation day course.)

28 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk – CUT OUT – CUT OUT – CUT OUT – –

– Beat today’s experts Beat today’s experts C

T These hands are all from modern events These hands are all from modern events U and David Bird points to some useful and David Bird points to some useful U lessons to be learned from them. See lessons to be learned from them. See T

O O

how your efforts compare with the how your efforts compare with the experts’ bidding. experts’ bidding. T U U T

C August 2010 August 2010 –

– WEST HANDS EAST HANDS

C

T (IMP scoring on every deal) (IMP scoring on every deal) U U T

O 1. Game All ´ A K Q J 1. Game All ´ 10 4

Dealer North ™ A Q J 9 8 Dealer North ™ K 6 5 3 2 O T

t 7 4 t A 9 2 U

U (El Ahmady) ® A 2 (Sadek) ® Q 5 3 T

C *South opens 1 t *South opens 1 t

– –

2. Game All ´ 10 7 5 4 3 2 2. Game All ´ A Q 6 C

T Dealer South ™ 6 5 Dealer South ™ A K 8 7 2 t 8 3 2 t Q 10 U U

(Helness) ® Q 3 (Helgemo) ® A K 5 T O

*North opens 1 t *North opens 1 t t t O T and rebids 2 if possible and rebids 2 if possible U U

3. E/W Game ´ A J 4 2 3. E/W Game ´ K Q 8 5 T C ™ ™

Dealer West A 10 4 Dealer West K 6 5 –

– t A K 8 7 4 t 10 2

(Thomas Bessis) ® J (Volcker) ® K 9 7 2 C T U

U 4. E/W Game ´ 8 4. E/W Game ´ A J 6 Dealer East ™ 4 3 2 Dealer East ™ A K 8 T O

t A Q J 10 2 t 9 O

T (Nagy) ® 10 6 3 2 (Lilley) ® A K Q J 9 8 U U

5. Love All ´ Q J 7 5. Love All ´ A T C

Dealer South ™ 5 3 Dealer South ™ A K 9 4 – t K 10 8 3 2 t J 9 6

– C (Ragnarsson) ® K 8 3 (Berg) ® A 9 7 5 2 T *North opens 3 ´ *North opens 3 ´ U U T 6. Love All ´ A K Q 6. Love All ´ 10 6 3 2

O O

Dealer West ™ A Q J 7 6 3 Dealer West ™ 8 t t T A J K 9 4 3 2 U (Sveindal) ® 7 6 (Sundelin) ® K Q 3 U T

C

Did you beat the experts? – Pages 14-15 Did you beat the experts? – Pages14-15 – – $

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0 2 . S u 0 k Upholding A challenge New ‘laws’ LETTERS TO THE the laws WHILE cleaning out my desk WITH reference to the invi - EDITOR recently – not a thing that tation to contribute our own RECENTLY at a top club in my happens too often – I came laws in Simon Cochemé’s June area declarer, a very competent across this traveller: article, here is my ‘Grant’s player was West and on lead in Law’: ‘If your left-hand oppo - no-trumps with each player nent leads a small card in an Send your letters to the Editor, holding only two cards (clubs, unbid suit and dummy has Elena Jeronimidis, 23 which had not been led thus K-J-x, then you will only make Erleigh Road, Reading far). She was on lead with K-10 the correct play 5% of the RG1 5LR, or e?mail missing A-Q-J. She tabled the time. If you also hold 9-x [email protected] ten, my partner covered with or 9-x-x, then the chances of (please include your the jack and I, South, turned making the correct play reduce postal address) over my A-Q and claimed two to virtually zero.’ The editor reserves the tricks – obviously. The best plan is to close your right to Declarer then insisted that eyes and select at random. The as I had not specified that the second best is to study the op - queen was to be played first, I It had obviously been tucked ponents’ conven tion card and must play the nearest card on away because of the interesting then follow the best plan above. Ooops! the table first, i.e. the ace, and scores, ten different contracts Note that the opponents’ CC her king would, perforce, win on a board played thirteen will not help you; your oppo - I WAS amused to see that the the last trick. The morality of times. I remembered that this nent will shock everyone by Greengrocer’s Apostrophe (cel - this action left me gobsmacked, had come about before the club having deviated from their e brated in market placards even more so when the cour- had a duplimate machine, so normal lead style for the first advertising ‘potatoe’s’ etc.) is teous director apologe tically hand records were not available time in living memory (and alive and flourishing in the felt he had to agree with this and by the time I returned to the third time tonight). Letters pages of your June strict interpretation of the the club the board had been re- Ian Grant, by e-mail issue, where one of your cor - rules. dealt. res pondents perpetrates the Does the EBU uphold such I wonder whether there is Other ‘laws’ (the best will be collated common error of referring to action by a player and does it anyone out there who could by Simon Cochemé in a ‘sequel’ arti - a Michael’s cue-bid. force directors to such non- construct a hand where none of cle) came from Diip Guha, Peter If I had £1 for every time I sense decisions? the final contracts were bid or Cotterill, Keith Sheppard, Ian Ker, have seen this mistake in print, Bill Donohoe, Glos. played by total lunatics, but by David Haig-Thomas, Ian Kemp, or on websites, I would be able the average club player. Keith Stanley, Paul Quinn, Patricia to afford a couple of bridge Jeremy Dhondy, Chairman of the Norman Hardy, Lindfield Furness-Smith, David Richardson . holidays and still have change Laws and Ethics Committee, replies: left over. In the situation described declarer THE JUNE DEBATE The Michaels cue-bid was is not entitled to insist on any - Thank you for your votes and comments. 51% of voters invented many years ago by thing. If there is a dispute over thought one should use Stayman on flat hands. the engagingly named Mike the order in which cards have Michaels, so referring to it as a been played, the director should Michael’s cue-bid is tanta - be summoned (Law 69D) and he Freedom of choice mount to referring to Stayma’n should hear from both sides. Law or Blackwoo’d. 70A says that if there is a con - FOR the first time ever two is difficult to satisfy all people I dare say that I am sound - tested claim, then the director copies of English Bridge hit our all of the time! ing like a committee member shall rule as equitably as possible doormat, one addressed to my Gordon Lawrence, Kent of the British Pedants Asso - resolving doubtful points against wife and one to me. Betty ciation, complete with tweed the claimer. I would suggest that, Lawrence has been gathered Betty need not be disappointed! suit and toothbrush mous - upon the facts presented, if the up in the net by P2P via our Nor others like her . . . If you e-mail tache, but I feel that this is one director had come to the table and local club Gravesend. or ring Michael Clark at the EBU apostrophe that English Bridge read from the law book he would Surely there is a way, when ([email protected] – ( 01296 should resolve to expunge for not have come to the conclusion two people are at the same 317 200) and quote both EBU evermore. that he reached. address, to send only one copy numbers of two members living at Incidentally, in the same The answer to the point about of the magazine? However, as the same address, a request to letter, your correspondent in - the EBU in the final paragraph is Betty is now a member who receive only one copy of the mag - cludes the phrase ‘. . . so a that the EBU trains club directors will play at least twelve times azine can easily be accommodated. couple of South’s took their where the club wishes this to in a year, she will be most The issue con tain ing the Diary cue from North. . .’ happen. Directors should uphold upset not to receive a Diary if (nor mal ly August), however, will be Aaaarrrrgghhh! The Green - the laws of the game. I don’t think she were taken off the list for sent out to all members, to ensure grocer strikes again! this happened here. the magazine . . . I suppose it that the Diary reaches everyone. Mike Newman, Jersey Ú

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 31 LETTERS CONTINUED from page 31 The June Debate I HAVE played a weak no- ALTHOUGH Alan Mould trump for over fifty years (just makes some interesting points, changed over to 15-17 and I believe that there are few The three Lethal Five-card majors) and I never occasions when it does not pay use Stayman on 4-3-3-3 shaped to use Stayman when you have tests weapon hands. (Mr Reuben Myers a four-card major opposite a taught me not to in 1959 – look 1NT opening bid. I WAS surprised to see Heather REGARDING the 4NT Open- him up in the Bridge Encyclo - If it can be proven that both Dhondy recommend ing a Benji ing Bid convention described pedia.) hands are distributed 4-3-3-3 2® opener in her June 2010 by in the June Mainly for two reasons: with then clearly 3NT is better odds article ‘Ask Heather’. This hand issue, maybe not many people game values, by bidding 3NT than four of a major. The same (´ AKQ109643 ™ 6 t 72 ® A5) know that this was invented by immediately I give away the can be true in many other is only 13 HCP plus 10 for Culbertson in 1934, as part of least amount of infor ma tion. cases and so it is neces sary to suits so does not qualify under the Culbertson Four-Five No- Secondly, I was taught that the be able to determine the full the rule of 25. trump convention, well des - idea of opening 1NT is to tell distri bu tion in order to make Several readers cribed in S.J. Simon’s Design for partner: ‘I have a balanced an infor med decision. There is (all of whom shall remain Bidding. Simon commented: hand and 12-14 points.’ usually an extra trick to be had anonymous) ‘Blackwood is a toy, the Four- So even if partner’s shape is play ing in the 4-4 fit whenever five no-trump is an adult 4-4-3-2, his shortage is likely one hand holds a doubleton. It The hand, and Heather’s recom - weapon.’ to be my length. and if he is is not too difficult to discover mendation, had been checked by G.S. Hathorn, Sawston 3-3-3-4 all the better for 3NT. opener’s full distribution so Jeremy Dhondy, Chair man of the It must be fairly plain I long as you limit the number Laws & Ethics Com mittee, who re - agree with Alan Mould: ‘Do of hand types that the 1NT minds us that to open it with a Detail not use Stayman on flat hands.’ opening bid shows. Then it is Benji 2 ®, a hand has to fulfill one Raymond Semp, MCBA possible to use, as I do, a relay of three criteria: ‘It fails Test 1 (16+ gave us a bid of 3 ® to find out more points),’ writes Jeremy. ‘It fails Test 2 great tip in the June issue – it’s ALAN Mould made a poor case about opener’s hand. (Rule of 25). It passes Test 3: eight good to be reminded that for not using Stayman when The problem, of course, is clearcut tricks and the points nor - manners are important at the responder is 4-3-3-3. He does, that the 3 ® relay has to replace mally associated with a one-level bridge table. however, make some good what ever you usually use this opening. There are seven tricks in Indeed his profile was one points: bid for. You must consider spades (not eight because with the of the best in the ‘A Day in the • Not using Stayman may whether the is worth- second worst break of 4-1 you Life of’ series, especially since induce a bad lead and while. Obviously, I think it is. would only have seven) but the Fulvio did not tell us what he gives no information to I can supply full details of presence of an ace gives you the has for breakfast. That sort of opponents. the methods that I use if any - eighth trick. With K-x, not A-x, 2 ® detail is best left out of print. • Often, even when one one is interested. would not be a legal opening.’ Gerry Jones, Sheffield suit is completely un - Paul Whetton, protected the defence can - [email protected] not or do not cash five CONGRATULATIONS . . . tricks. • When you have plenty of Analysis . . . to June Booty and Derek points (27 plus between Taplin, who got married on you) the strength can WITH reference to Gunnar 26th June in Lightwater. overcome bad breaks. Hallberg’s 7 t hand (June June and Derek started His argument is weakened by issue), if play proceeded as des - going out two and half years ago and after six months the fact that he does not cribed, the grand slam could Derek realised he was going distinguish between pairs and still have been beaten on the to have to learn bridge . . . teams/rubber. Personally, I ´K lead, if East had dis carded would bid Stayman with his/her three clubs at tricks Derek is a Logistics Mana - North’s hand at pairs and 3NT four, six and eight. ge ment Consultant and works away in Derby during at teams in the North-South Now de cla r er cannot enter the week at the moment, so diagram that Alan features. dummy with the ®J at trick June located a bridge club in For her part, Frances Hinden nine, be cause East would ruff, Derby where he could have drops in the excellent comment and cash ™K. lessons. She has also recom - on continuation after a major I’m sure Gunnar would have mended that he reads her fit is found. Food for thought countered, however, by enter - articles in English Bridge, and discussion. ing dummy with ®J at trick which Derek says he finds A very worth while debate. seven, and ™A at trick nine! very useful! Anthony Moon, by e-mail Simon Few, Corby

32 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk s

Watch partner’s t n i H small cards s ’ r e h

carefully! t a e

Heather Dhondy H hearts is played to your jack which holds N/S Game. Dealer South. the trick, declarer following with the eight. ´ Q 10 6 4 3 How do you plan the defence? 5-3 remaining, and had a choice of the five ™ A 7 This is the position we have reached: or three. (He wouldn’t want to lead the ten t J 6 4 3 for fear that you would not overtake). The ® Q 8 five, therefore, becomes a suit preference ´ 2 ´ Q 10 6 4 for diamonds – the higher of the

N ™ Q J 9 2 ™ — remaining suits. The conclusion you must W E t 10 7 2 t J 6 4 draw is that clubs is partner’s other suit, and S ® K 7 5 3 2 ® Q 8 he has led a singleton diamond. Give your ´ 8 ´ — partner a diamond ruff to beat the contract. ™ K 10 3 N ™ 9 2 This was the full deal: W E PLAYING pairs you are defending 4 ´ as t Void S t 10 7 East, after South has opened 1 ´ and ® J 10 9 6 4 ® K 7 5 3 2 partner has made a Michaels cue-bid of ´ J 9 7 5 ´ Q 10 6 4 3 2´, showing at least five cards in each of ™ — ™ A 7 hearts and a minor. t K Q 9 8 t J 6 4 3 West leads the ace of diamonds, you ® A ® Q 8 follow with the two, and declarer the five. ´ A 8 ´ 2 Now the four of hearts from partner is ™ K 10 5 4 3 N ™ Q J 9 2 W E taken with the ace in dummy. Which card When partner underleads an honour to t A S t 10 7 2 do you play? your hand, he must be desperate to get you ® J 10 9 6 4 ® K 7 5 3 2 Follow with the queen, telling partner in for some reason. You have two clues here. ´ K J 9 7 5 that you also hold the jack – it is likely to Firstly, by looking at dummy and your own ™ 8 6 be the most useful message. Declarer plays hand, he can’t be wanting a club played t K Q 9 8 5 the six. A trump from dummy to the king through declarer. Secondly, consider the ® A is taken by partner’s ace, and the five of heart that partner played. He had the K-10-

GERARD FAULKNER SALVER 2009-2010 Heather’s Hints THE final of the Seniors KO for the • Show partner your honour se - Gerard Faulkner Salver was played on 3 quence. If dummy or partner is June over forty-eight boards be t ween about to hold the trick, and you are the O’Donovan team (Peter Law, certain you can afford the card, play Charles Chisnall, Patrick Collins, David the top of your honour sequence. Kendrick, and John Short , in the photo • If partner underleads an honour to with TD Trevor King presenting the tro - your hand, it is probably because phy) and Garthwaite (Roy Garthwaite, Heather Hobson, Janet and Ted Latham). he/she is desperate to get you in for O’Donovan won by 62 IMPs with Garth - a reason. Stop and think what that U B E

reason might be. waite conceding after forty boards. : o t o

Denis O’Donovan, the original cap - h When partner plays a low card in a

P • tain, had tragically recently passed away situation where everything about after a fatal heart attack but he had been a potent force in the team in the earlier the suit is known, it may well be a rounds. Pat Collins, John Short and myself in particular will miss him as partner and suit-preference signal. Watch those team-mate going back many years. (Peter Law) small cards carefully! r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 33 Around & About

PROMOTING HARMONY FIRST QUARTER MASTER

KINGSLEY Bridge Club, Northampton, said goodbye to retiring Chairman, Patrick Rawlinson,with gifts ranging from books on railways to tickets for concerts at the local Derngate Theatre.

Peter Armstrong (left) receiving a well-earned prize of two bottles of wine from Nick Farr, Chairman of Clare Bridge Club.

WHO is the most improved player at Clare Bridge Club in West Suffolk? The scoring systems now in use make it easy to find out. Patrick Rawlinson at the Kingsley Bridge Club’s AGM. After buying Bridgepads and Scorebridge just over a year ago, Clare has introduced an award – the Quarter Master – for the person Under Patrick’s chairmanship, the club has pursued a policy of who has made the greatest improvement during the previous three putting people first, establishing a tradition of sending get-well months. With a click of the mouse, an Individual Percentage Table is cards to members known to be ill. On those rare occasions when produced every third month, which shows the average scores a member steps out of line, the Committee sends a letter drawing achieved by players. By comparing the tables thus produced, it is a attention to the problem, and as result no-one has ever left the simple job to find out who is the Most Improved Player. club and the miscreants have invariably mended their ways! Peter Armstrong, who started playing at Clare a year ago, became the first winner of the new award when he improved by 3.84% in the first quarter of 2010. (Richard Evans) CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY REGAINS PORTLAND BOWL THIRD LONDON

CAMBRIDGE University have won the Portland Bowl for the first INTER-NATIONAL time since 2004. The team beat Oxford’s A team in a close final, which was held at the in London. é m e h c o C

n o m i S

: o t o h P e v a r g e l s a H

n h o J

: o t

o Team USA (from the left): Michael Ranis, Sybil Bragadir, h P Heather Bakhshi, John Vos. From the left: David Williams, Sarah O’Connor, David Faria, Graeme Robertson, Tom Rainforth (all members of the national THE event is for people with non-British passports who live or Junior squad) and John Haslegrave with Giles Hargreaves, work in London. Sixty-seven competitors from nineteen countries Vice-Chairman of the Portland Club, presenting the Portland Bowl. took part at the Young Chelsea in May. The winners of the Elizabeth Lindsay Trophy were the USA, with Sri Lanka second Cambridge had won seven of the first ten Portland Bowls, but and France third. The Trans-National event was won by a team have only won twice in the last fifteen matches. However, this win from India, Singapore and Ireland. Players are encouraged to takes them into the lead with ten wins against Oxford’s nine. come in national colours and the prize for the best-dressed team (Michael Byrne) went to Denmark. (Simon Cochemé)

34 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Around & About NEW EBU IMPROVE YOUR BRIDGE GRANDSTAND MOVE CRUISES BY DEVON BRIDGE CLUB in partnership with Gill’s Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines NEWTON Abbot Bridge Club was formed in 1986 and moved in Cruises with on-board bridge classes designed to help you 2000 from its original premises at the local community centre to hone your basic systems. Topics include how to respond play at the Newton Abbot Race Course. The Managing Director of to your partner’s overcall, when to double, pre-emptive the race course decided earlier this year totally to refurbish the bidding including Weak Two openers – and much more. room in which we played, making it inappropriate for the club to Your teacher will be Sue Maxwell, a qualified remain there but he offered us an alternative dedicated bridge Professional Grade EBU teacher whose classes are room, a building located underneath the Grandstand. The MD renowned for being very relaxed and good fun . spent a considerable amount of money in bringing the room up to standard and a lot of hard work was also carried out by a number of members.

For further details or to make a booking: Gill’s Cruise Centre ( 0845 460 7002 Details: www.gillscruise.com or www.ebu.co.uk

THE BUFFETT CUP COMES TO s i l l a

W WALES

m i J

: o t o h

P The most exciting event of the year will take place in the Miskin Manor hotel, near Cardiff, from 13t h–16th September. The Newton Abbot Bridge Club Committee members: Buffett Cup is the biennial bridge competition between the from the left, Chris Nutt, Bob Devine, Fran Fitzgerald (Chair), USA and Europe, and the two teams read like the Who’s Who Glyn Tomkinson, Dawn Gray (Hon. Secretary), and Mike Kelsey. of bridge. There are three events, pairs, teams and the individ - ual, where players only play against their opposing continent. The new bridge room comfortably accommodates sixteen The two teams are: tables, there is bridge tuition on a Tuesday afternoon, a ‘No Fear’ Europe: and Daniela Van Arnim, Boye night on Tuesday evening for less experienced players and those Brogeland and Erik Sælensminde, and reason ably new to the game. Our duplicate club nights are on , Fulvio Fantoni and , Jason Wednesday and Thursday evenings; we also run various charity and Justin Hackett, and Geir Helgemo and Tor Helness. events including two local charities, the Dame Hannah Rogers, a Paul Hackett is captain. Every player is a world champion. Trust which provides education, therapy, care and respite for USA: David Berkowitz and , and children and young people with profound physical disabilities, , and , Bobby and Rowcroft, a hospice based in Torquay providing support and Levin and , and Jill Myers, and Jeff care to people in South Devon suffering from a life limiting Meckstroth and . is the captain. illness. Newton Abbot is a thriving club with a Spectators are welcome at this mouth-watering event; for membership of around two hundred. All visitors and new and information, e-mail [email protected] . If you cannot improving players will be made most welcome, and should contact get there, you can watch every board and every table at our secretary [email protected] or visit our website www. www.bridgebase.com . bridgewebs.com/newton . (Jim Wallis)

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 35 G Third-hand N I D

N play E F E

D revisited

R E

T trump. However, if you withhold your ace, spades, you cannot get this wrong. T partner can lead a second spade and you In the last deal partner leads the two of E can draw two rounds of trumps. spades against declarer’s 3NT, clearly a B Andrew Kambites In the next deal West leads the three of fourth-highest lead. Declarer plays the spades. Should East contribute the queen? seven from dummy. Which spade should you play? IN this article I continue looking at the theme of whether third hand should play E/W Game. Dealer South. high. In the first deal West leads the nine ´ J 10 9 N/S Game. Dealer South. of hearts against 4 ´. How should you ™ Q 6 ´ Q 7 defend in the East seat? t A K 5 4 3 ™ K 5 4 ® J 6 3 t A 8 7 5 ´ Q 4 2 ® K J 3 2 ™ ´ Love All. Dealer South. N A 9 K 10 9 4 3 ´ Q J 8 2 W E t J 10 8 7 ™ J 6 2 S N ™ 10 6 5 ® K 10 5 4 W E t 9 6 3 S t K J 9 ® 8 4 ® A K J ´ 7 6 West North East South

N ™ A 8 4 2 1´ West North East South W E t 8 7 6 3 Pass 2t Pass 2´ 1NT S ® 8 6 4 Pass 3´ Pass 4´ Pass 3NT All Pass With the ´K-10-9 surrounding dummy’s West North East South Are you trying to work out what declarer queen, it might seem natural to play the 1NT has? There is nothing to think about. You nine. However, all is not what it seems Pass 2® Pass 2™ don't know what declarer has but it can here. Declarer has only two spades. Pass 3NT Pass 4´ never be right to play your queen. You know If his spades are both small, it won’t All Pass that declarer has no trump losers; however, matter what you do. your queen may have nuisance value as long If his spades are doubleton ace, then you West has clearly led from a doubleton. You as you don't waste it. Suppose declarer has: must play the nine. must withhold your ace of hearts, encour - ´ A K 8 7 6 ™ K 8 3 t 9 2 ® A 7 2. If his spades are doubleton jack, then aging with the eight, and hope your partner He has nine obvious tricks: five spades, a you must play the king. quickly regains the lead with the ace or king heart, two diamonds and the ace of clubs. If So, do you have to guess? There are two of trumps. Now he can lead his second you play the queen of spades at trick one he good reasons for getting it right. The first is heart for you to take the ace of hearts and can fulfil his contract in two entirely certainly not conclusive: A lead from a four- give him a ruff. different ways: firstly, he can concede a card spade suit headed by the ace would be A similar type of play can occur in the heart and ruff a heart in dummy. Secondly more attractive than leading from a four- trump suit. Imagine declarer is playing in a he can plan to ruff dummy's fifth dia mond card spade suit headed by the jack. The 5-3 spade fit. The success of his contract good, using dummy's spades as entries. second is conclusive. Suppose declarer held depends on him being able to ruff a heart in If you keep your queen of spades you a double ton ace of spades. Which spade dummy but he will first have to concede a foil both of these successful methods: if he would he have played from dummy at trick heart trick to your partner. Maybe your tries to ruff a heart in dummy, you can one? Surely he would have tried dummy’s partner has found an inspired lead from a overruff with the queen; alternatively he queen in the hope that West held the king. small doubleton trump. Your trump hold - does not have winning trumps as entries You must play your king at trick one to ing is ´A-3-2 but you have no outside entry. to dummy’s diamonds. prevent declarer taking an easy trick with If you grab your ace on the first round you If you ask yourself what possible gain ´J-5 doubleton. Declarer’s hand is: will never regain the lead to play your last there can be from playing your queen of ´ J 5 ™ A 8 7 t K Q 4 2 ® A 7 6 5. r

36 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk

Announcements,

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K

S A

offending side to decide whether they Jeremy Dhondy OLIVIA MARTIN, via e-mail, asks: would likely have moved 2 ® to another The dealer, my partner, opened 1 t contract. You resolve minor areas of doubt and an opponent overcalled 2 ™. The in favour of the non-offending side. If a prepared, phoney, short or nebulous overcall was a weak hand containing a I would probably adjust the score. I 1® or 1 t bid is doubled, then the six-card heart suit. Should the bid be would listen to the players to help me expectation is that the double will be for announced (Weak), or should it be decide what to adjust it to. It doesn’t much take out. If it is, then no action is needed. alerted, or neither? matter what the popular contracts were as If it is anything else, then an alert is needed. they won’t have been reached via this The answer therefore is that it should have auction. been alerted. It should neither be announced nor Assuming East-West forgot and it was a A 1 ® or 1 t bid showing fewer than three alerted. No overcalls are announced. The one-off occasion, I would settle for a score cards must be alerted (not announced) short list of what is announced is on page adjustment and a finger wagging. If they because it is regarded as artificial, but it is 4 of the Tangerine Book, available from were serial offenders, I might give them a common for players to play the double www.ebu.co.uk , and page 19 in this issue. procedural penalty as well but I would not and other bids like a cue-bid as the same You are not expected to alert any natural do this for a first offence. as they would if the opening were natural, jump overcall whatever the strength. I would treat West’s assertion that he thus the alerting regulation is the same for would bid 3 t over 2 ™ with some caution. a natural 1 ®, or one of the bids shown Why would he do this but not bid 2 t over above. The ‘What to Alert’ card produced JOHN PICKERING, via e-mail, asks: the penalty double of 2 ®? He knows there by the EBU and downloadable from www. Can you please clarify the law on this is a misfit because he knows his partner ebu.co. uk/pub lications/Convention particular auction? has doubled 2 ® for penalties and may be Cards-Systems Information/Announce about to do the same to 2 ™ if he gets a ments %20Table.pd f gives the answers. West North East South chance. To bid 3 t when he would not bid Pass Pass 2t is a strange action! 1´ 2® Dble All Pass RON WEBB, by e-mail, asks: I was told that it is not legal to agree to play The double was not alerted. East held D. DONNISON by e-mail says: My an opening bid of 3 ´ to show a six clubs and West held a singleton. partner and I play five-card majors gambling 3NT bid. Is this correct? The contract went two down for a top and a strong no-trump. To deal with for East-West. The director was called 12-14 hands and no five-card major, and South said that with six hearts we open with a forcing 1 ® which we The answer is: it depends. Years ago a and a singleton club he would have always announce as a possible phoney number of players agreed to play some removed the contract to 2 ™ had the club. The other evening my LHO funny three-level bids called Alder Threes double been alerted, and West said he doubled my open ing 1 ®. The double which included the use of 3 ´ as a solid would have continued to 3 t, the was not alerted so I took it to be a minor. It is legal to do this at Level 4, i.e. in popular contract for East-West. take-out double. My partner replied almost all EBU tournaments and in many with 1 ™. In fact the doubler had a clubs. Some clubs, however, agree to play strong six-card club suit, her partner at a level lower than 4 and if they do, then First of all, it’s not law, it’s regulation (i.e. passed and I rebid my five-card club this opening is not permitted. r what is in the Orange/Tangerine Book ). suit to show a genuine suit. I went If the double was a penalty double by four down for minus 200 and a agreement and there was no alert, then bottom. Since the 1 ® opening could When you have finished reading there is a breach of the alerting regula tions. show a genuine club suit or could be this magazine, if you don’t want The club distribution suggests that this is so. an opening gambit, should any double To decide whether this has caused be alerted? to keep it, please recycle it. damage, you look at the hands of the non-

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 37 H

S Partnership agreements I L G N

E when leading

D R A D partner’s 2 t response Now a heart lead is N

A Hand 3 Hand 4 unattractive, much more likely to help

T ´ 10 9 5 ´ 9 2 declarer than the defence. If the opening S Sandra Landy ™ A J 9 6 5 ™ 6 5 4 3 2 bid was 1 ™, I would lead the ten of spades. t 7 4 t 6 4 3 Reconsider your natural lead if declarer ® 6 5 3 ® 9 7 5 has bid your best suit .

WHILE most partnership agreements Hand 5 Hand 6 4. Lead the nine of spades. This hand is so relate to bidding, you should never forget, ´ A 3 ´ 8 6 3 bad that it is no use trying to set up heart when choosing the opening lead, the ™ 8 5 3 ™ A K Q 2 winners. Even if you succeed, you have no agreements you have made. When you are t A K 10 9 7 t 10 8 5 entry to cash them. Stayman has not been defending a 3NT contract, your aim is to ® 7 4 2 ® 9 7 5 used during the auction, so dummy pro - cash five tricks before declarer can take bably won’t have four spades. Lead the nine nine. Of course, getting declarer more of spades and hope to hit partner’s best suit. than one down is great, but you should 1. The natural lead is the queen of spades, From a doubleton, lead the higher card. concentrate all your efforts on achieving the top card from a fairly solid sequence. that important one down. Usually you do However, if declarer has opened 1 ´ and 5. With 11 points, partner can have very few that by leading your longest and strongest then rebid 3NT over a 2 ™ response, I high cards. I would lead my diamonds from suit and hoping that the lead will create would prefer to lead my other long suit the top, hoping to drop a doubleton honour five winners for your side. and would choose the six of diamonds, my from one of the other three hands. After If partner has overcalled, you lead fourth highest. Though the suit is weaker, cashing the ace and king of dia monds, I partner’s suit most of the time. Partner’s it is much more likely that partner has would lead the ten of dia monds to show overcall is sending a very clear message: greater length and useful cards in dia - that my entry is in a higher-ranking suit. ‘This is my best suit, please lead it!’, which monds. Partner will probably be able to If opponents bid confidently to 3NT, is why it is poor practice to overcall on bad tell that I have a suit headed by an honour they normally have 25 or more points. suits. If partner never has a good suit, as I have chosen a low card. Add your 11 points to 25 and you get 36. normally with five cards or more and From long suits headed by an honour So partner has at most 4 points, perhaps containing honour cards, you will stop sequence, lead the top honour. fewer. So the contract may have to be trusting partner’s overcalls and your Review the bidding before choosing beaten from your hand alone. combined defence will suffer. your lead. If opponents have bid the suit If and only if, you have an outside entry, Assuming partner hasn’t bid, you nor - you would normally lead, think again. don’t automatically lead fourth highest. mally lead your longest suit against a no- Sometimes cashing honours from the top trump contract, as you hope to set up 2. I would lead clubs, my longest suit, as may drop an honour card and establish winners in that suit. Of course, if declarer with three aces I stand a good chance of set - your winners. has bid your best suit, you may well ting up a couple of club winners and still choose to lead another suit. have an entry to cash them. I would choose 6. This hand turned up in a beginners So you pick the suit that you are going the six of clubs, the second-highest card in duplicate and the lead chosen was the two to lead taking into account the auction, a bad suit. This is an attempt to tell partner of hearts, the fourth highest heart. Whilst and then you pick the card that is best not to waste his high cards but it will one normally leads fourth highest of one’s from your holding. depend on the clubs in dummy whether longest suit, there are times when this is Which card would you or your partner partner can read this lead. clearly incorrect. lead when the bidding has gone 1NT From long suits not headed by honour Don’t blindly follow the standard rules, (12-14) – (Pass) – 3NT – (All Pass)? cards, lead the second highest. stop and think before you lead.

3. Lead the six of hearts. Even if partner The quiz reminds you that any partner - Hand 1 Hand 2 only has the ten of hearts and an entry to ship needs defensive agreements, if they ´ Q J 9 8 2 ´ A 2 return a heart, I stand quite a good chance are to become good defenders. Whilst ™ 7 6 ™ A 6 3 of making four heart tricks. Again this is having agreements is a good thing, you t Q 9 7 6 2 t A 6 5 fourth highest of the best suit I hold. must sometimes break those agreements ® 8 ® 8 6 5 4 3 But suppose declarer had opened the when common sense tells you that this is bidding with 1 ™ and rebid 3NT over his not the time to keep them. r

38 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk The Two-minute Interview Club Player’s G N Dennis Amiss I Bidding D D I B

Quiz B U L

Answers to problems Julian Pottage C on page 24

DENNIS AMISS played cricket for both WNES WNES Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Hand 1 1t Hand 4 1™ Pass 1NT Pass England, and scored 103 centuries in ´ K Q 7 6 2 ? ´ Q 4 2 ? first class cricket. After retiring as a play - ™ Q 3 ™ A Q 5 4 er in 1987, he served as Chief Executive t 5 1´. When an opponent t A Q 5 Pass. You are unlikely to at Edgbaston for twelve years and has ® A K 9 4 2 opens a minor and you ® Q J 6 see many 17-point hands been Deputy Chairman of the England have spades plus the as horrible as this. You & Wales Cricket Board since 2007. other minor, there is no have a lifeless 4-3-3-3 easy way to show both suits at once. The shape and appalling intermediates. By the How did you start playing bridge? priority here is to show the major. You time you adjust downwards for these My wife and I were taught by friends have a better chance of making game or features, you are not close to raising to 2NT. about 40 years ago, on a sailing trip buying the contract in spades. You may get At the table, 1NT was the limit – and that around France. Learning bridge was one the chance to show the clubs later. was when partner had quite a nice 7 points. of the best parts of a wonderful holiday. How often do you play? WNES WNES We play twice a week either at the golf Hand 2 1NT 2®* Hand 5 1® Pass 1™ Pass club or with friends as a social activity. ´ 9 Pass ´ Void ? What does bridge mean to you? ™ K 10 7 4 ? ™ A J 5 t 10 9 8 * Landy, both majors t A K J 9 2t. There is no need to It’s a way of relaxing, keeping in touch ® A 9 8 5 4 ® A J 9 7 6 3 rush into any decisions. with friends and exercising the little grey 3™. Partner has shown A by opener after cells, all rolled up in one. both majors and asked a one-level response is If you could change one thing about you to choose. With four-card heart forcing for one round. You intend to show bridge, what would it be? support, an ace, a working king and a your three-card heart support on the next I would like to be a better player! But I am singleton, your hand is quite a bit better round. This will paint an accurate picture working at it, by taking lessons from a than it might be. You express this by giving of your hand: extra values, a main suit of bridge teacher with a group of friends. jump preference. clubs, a second suit of diamonds and heart What are your hobbies apart from Partner can go on to game with a support. bridge? suitable hand. I am still involved with cricket as an WNES admin istrator, which takes up a fair WNES Hand 6 1® amount of time. But I also love garden - Hand 3 2NT ´ A Q 9 8 7 3 1´ Dble Pass 2® ing, golf and looking after our two ´ 7 5 ? ™ A 9 3 ? grand children, who are now aged 7 and 9. ™ Q 2 t K 6 t A K J 10 5 3 Pass. To come in over a ® 6 5 2´. Assuming there was Name up to four people you would ® Q J 3 2NT opening (with 3 t) no alert – and I would invite to your dream dinner party. you need extreme shape, have told you if there Omar Sharif because everyone has heard not a semi-balanced hand was an alert – North’s double was for that he is a very good bridge player; Julia like this. You do not want to risk losing a take-out. With a sixth spade, and better Roberts so I can look at a beautiful large penalty or telling your opponents values than you might have for an over - woman; Ernie Els in order to dine with a what you intend to lead. Now that so call, you have every right to compete once top golfer; and of course my wife, or she many people play transfers, you are likely more. won’t play bridge with me any more! to end up on lead whether the contract is After all, the deal could very well belong in no-trumps or a major. to your side. r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 39 S

N Five-card O I T

S Stayman E U Thanks to Fleur Waters of Eye whose letter to Q English Bridge (April 2010 issue) prompted this article R U

O interest (now 4 t is a sign off, no 4-4 fit is found, responder can bid 4 ´,

Y asking responder to bid 4 ™ which confident of three-card support. opener will pass or convert to 4 ´ – Fairly recently another bright spark (or this can make the weaker hand maybe the same one for all I know!) came ONCE upon a time it was considered declarer but only when he is in up with a much simpler solution to this more important to show the location of game and is known to have fair problem: simply swap the 3 ™ and 3NT your high cards rather than the nature of values, so shouldn’t matter too responses. So now: your hand. These days we realise that much; 4 ™/4 ´ set the suit and After 2NT –3®: balanced and distributional hands should accept the slam try); 3t denies a five-card major but be treated significantly differently. Once 4t shows both majors with no slam promises a four-carder; you might have opened an Acol 2 ™ with interest; opener just bids his major. 3™ denies any majors, whether four- ´ A Q 4 ™ A K J 3 2 t K 7 6 ® A 10. For example: or five-card; Nowadays you would open 2NT. 3´ shows five spades; Traditional methods of bidding after a 3NT shows five hearts (after this, 4 t is a 2NT opening such as Baron (bidding four- ´ A Q 6 5 ´ K J 4 3 ‘re-transfer’ asking opener to bid card suits up the line) or Stayman did ™ A 5 N ™ K Q 6 2 his suit and get the hand played W E nothing to locate a 5-3 major-suit fit, so t A K 10 6 S t Q 5 the ‘right’ way up). the next step was to play Five-card Stay - ® A 9 6 ® 8 7 2 This removes all problems with 5-4 in the man. To start with this was simple: 3 ® majors. Responder can enquire and then asked if opener held a five-card major – if bid 3 ´ over 3 ™, showing five spades and he had one he bid it, otherwise he bid 3t. West East allowing opener to bid 3NT, 4 ´ or cue-bid Then responder could introduce four- card 2NT 3® as appropriate. For example: majors until a fit was found. 3t 4® The snag with this method, however, was 4´ 4NT that it meant that 4-4 major-suit fits tended 5t 6´ ´ A Q 4 ´ K J 10 5 3 to be played by the weaker hand with the ™ K 5 N ™ A 7 6 2 W E 2NT opener coming down in the dummy, Once West shows a maximum with four t K Q 4 S t A 3 making it much easier for the defence. So spades, East is worth a slam and just checks ® A K 7 3 2 ® 5 4 some bright spark suggested that it would there aren’t two aces missing (pretty impos - work better if responder, instead of bidding sible if West is maximum but it always the suit he held after the 3 t response, bid makes us feel a bit more confident if we can West East the suit he hadn’t got. Brilliant! use Blackwood or RKCB, as here). 2NT 3® Of course, as with every system, there 3™ 3´ are variations, but this is a fairly simple One of the other problems with bidding 4® 4NT version: over 2NT is when responder has five spades 5´ 5NT After 2NT –3®: and four hearts. This was easy in the days of 7´ 3t denies a five-card major but Stayman because after the 3 t response promises a four-card major; responder simply bid 3 ´ and opener could One can use Five-card Stayman after a 1NT 3™ shows five hearts; choose between 3NT and 4 ´. But this is a opening too, but it is less com mon. In my 3´ shows five spades; difficult hand for these new methods. Some view it does not go very well with a weak 3NT denies a four- or five-card major. people like to play that a 3NT response to no-trump because you give up the ability to After 2NT –3® –3t: 3® denies a four- or five-card major and remove 1NT with a weak hand, and that is 3™ shows four spades; also denies three spades, meaning that res - too big a price. It is my preference to play it 3´ shows four hearts; ponder with 5-4 in the majors can happily with a strong no-trump, though, and I like 3NT is to play – responder was only pass knowing that there is no eight-card to play that responder bids the suits he has, interested in a five-card major; major fit; con versely, the 3 t response does not the ones he doesn’t. I’m not sure there 4® shows both majors and slam not pro m ise a four-card major, but when is a good reason for this – just habit! r

40 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk ‘Marauders’ pillage S the Schapiro Spring T R O P

Foursomes E R

THE Romans built Hadrian's Wall and the West North East South Mercian king, Offa, his eponymous Dyke Hydes P. Gipson Handley-P. A. Gipson to keep out the marauding Scots and 1t 1™ 1´ 2t Colin Simpson Welsh respectively. Unfortunately they are Pass 2™ 4´ All Pass not the barriers they once were and the top players from the various Celtic nations Declarer made the obvious ten tricks, a It could be summarised by Jourdain taking came to pillage our most prestigious bridge decent pick-up against the spade partial in an early lead and maintaining it until half tournament, the Schapiro Spring Fours. the other room. Congratulations to the way through the final set, when this pivotal Fifty-one teams entered the toughest of ‘Scottish’ winners and good luck to Mike deal occurred: our domestic events, which is played as a Ash and Alan Goodman, who will be double elimination knock-out. The favour - representing their adoptive country in the ites were the top seed and last year's European Championships. Love All. Dealer South. win ners, the Allfrey team, and the Irens For those eliminated later there was the ´ A 2 team containing three Norwegian World chance to play in Monday's Swiss Teams ™ A 8 7 4 3 Champions. for the Hamilton Cup. Other teams could t A 7 Early on some good teams were losing join in just for the day. With a very ® K J 3 2 lives and those who lost both before Sunday impressive score of 95 VPs out of a pos - ´ Q J 9 5 3 ´ K 8 7 evening would contest the Punch Bowl. sible 120 were a true Scottish team, Derek ™ Q 6 N ™ K 9 5 W E After a number of rounds, the final was Sanders, Brian Spears, Derek Diamond t Q 6 S t J 9 8 5 3 2 between a young English team, Handley- and John Murdoch. They will be repre - ® 10 9 8 6 ® 5 Pritchard, (Ollie Burgess, Ben Handley- senting their country in the Com mon - ´ 10 6 4 Pritchard, Alex Hydes, Ed Jones) and a wealth Nations Bridge Champion ships in ™ J 10 2 slightly older English team, Ash (Mike the autumn. t K 10 4 Ash, Alex and Paul Gipson, and Alan At the end of play on Monday afternoon ® A Q 7 4 Goodman, three of whom live in only the de Botton team (Janet de Botton, Scotland). Perhaps the out come could be Jason and Justin Hackett, Artur Mali - predicted considering the layout of the nowski, Andrew McIntosh and Nick For Denning, Gary and son, Dafydd, Jones hands favoured the conservatives. In the Sandqvist) remained un defeated. They had bid to 4 ™, which with the correct view in first half the young English bid a lot of the evening off while the six once-defeated trumps made eleven tricks. Unfortunately games that went more off than the part- teams would battle it out to join them in for Jourdain their North-South pair tried scores attempted by the ‘Scots’. This deal, the semi-final, the successful teams being 3NT which only made eight tricks. Worse however, shows enterprise being rewarded: Irens, Denning and Jourdain, the latter two was to come. Jourdain lost a further 6 far exceeding their seedings. Another IMPs on the last board and thereby lost benefit for de Botton was the opportunity the final by 1 IMP! This is the second year Love All. Dealer West. to choose their semi-final opponents – running that the final has been won by the ´ J 4 Jourdain, leaving the other Welsh team, barest minimum. Perhaps having only two ™ A Q 6 4 2 Denning, to play the cosmopolitan Irens pairs and playing 64 boards a day for five t 9 3 team (David Bakhshi, , days even tually took its toll on Patrick ® K 8 6 4 Espen Erichsen, Glenn Grøtheim, Nick Jourdain, Tony Ratcliff, John Salisbury ´ 9 8 ´ A Q 10 7 6 5 3 Irens and Ulf Tundal). Once again the and Mike Tedd. Nevertheless, congratula - N ™ 10 9 5 W E ™ J 8 form book was discarded, with Denning tions to Paul Denning, Patrick Shields, t A K Q 10 S t 8 5 2 winning easily and de Botton also behind Peter Goodman, Adrian Thomas, Gary ® A 9 7 5 ® 10 at the end of the thirty-two boards. and Dafydd Jones. It has been an excellent ´ K 2 They had another chance. Being the pre - springboard for them to go to Ostend to ™ K 7 3 vious ly undefeated team, they could play represent Wales in the European Cham - t J 7 6 4 an extra eight boards; however, this merely pionships. ® Q J 3 2 increased the margin of defeat. Well done to the Scots and Welsh. Come The final would be a totally Welsh affair. on England, let's regain our trophies! r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 41 REPORTS 1–3 October 2010

OLD SWEATS BEAT REALLY EASY YOUNG PRETENDERS EARLY WINTER

THIS year’s final of NEBA’s premier winning their semi by a priceless 1 IMP. BREAK teams-of-four knock out for the Kempson The match, over 48 boards, saw the Cup, a beautiful trophy donated in 1935 Young Pretenders open up a lead of 20 by Captain Ewart Kempson (one of the IMPs in the first stanza. At half time Chris finest card players of his generation, who Owen was still ahead but a big fifth set saw went on to captain England teams) saw, the Old Sweats move into the lead for the certainly for the first time in the North first time, and in a very close last set they East and possibly in English bridge, father managed to run out winners by 22 IMPs. pitted against son. Not only was this a first-time father v Clive Owen’s son encounter, but team of Old Sweats Bill March won the (Clive Owen, Bill event for the 18th March, Malcolm time, a new record, Oliver, Damian and Clive Owen Wroxton House Hotel Hassan, Martin broke the record for Wroxton St Mary, Banbury, Kane and Dave the longest time Oxfordshire OX15 6QB Broad head), No. 1 between first and ( 01295 730777 ( ref. 24194) seeds by dint of last wins, his first being the holders, one going back to The hotel package is £153 per person r e v had made their not i 1974 – one better (£126 per person sharing) l O

untroubled way to m than Len Woods’s l o c l their sixth succes - a previous best of 35 Bridge fees: £36 per person M

: o sive final. t years (1935 – 1970). o h Chris Owen’s P The match was Four sessions of bridge plus two team of Young Chris Owen congratulates his dad, Clive played in fine spirit days half-board at this charming Pretenders ( Chris and no doubt Chris, country house hotel. Owen, John Atthey, Tom Dessain and Dom John, Tom and Dom’s day will come. The event starts with dinner Maloney) had reached their first final by (Malcolm Oliver) on Friday evening at 6.15pm followed by the first session of bridge. A bridge lesson on FRED. OLSEN’S EBU CRUISE Saturday morning followed by bridge in the afternoon and IT was a small but select group who joined the Balmoral at Dover for a twelve-day evening with dinner. Finally, on cruise around the Canary Islands. Morning Sunday, a Swiss Pairs event with seminars were conducted by Paul Hackett, a break for a light lunch. The while John Pyner was the tournament event finishes around 3.30pm. director for the afternoon sessions. The ENTRIES LIMITED TO 32 PEOPLE cruise visited Madeira, Palma, Tenerife, Las Palmas and Lisbon. The food was Suitable for the more outstanding and there was superb enter - experienced novice with up to tainment for all tastes. The Fred. Olsen about 5 years experience . bridge host, David Stead, gave a morning beginners class and a shortened tourna - Entries & enquiries to ment in the afternoons for those who felt David Grilli less competitive. Maggie Pyner, Annette EBU Competitions Lucas, Mike Cornes and Olivia Hackett in for a glass of champagne and all the Department were available to partner singles, and the players, without exception, are look ing ( 01296 317 203/219 atmosphere was both relaxed and friendly. forward to the next EBU cruise (to the or e-mail [email protected] David Grilli was the most successful North Cape) in con junction with Fred. player, not only gaining the most master Olsen in June 2011 (see back cover). For www.ebu.co.uk points, but also finishing first in the indi - those who love cruising, this should be an vidual. After the last session everyone joined event not to be missed. (Paul Hackett)

42 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk E

Responder’s G D I R B

Y S A

rebid E

Y L L

ONE of the areas where bidding can be Hand 1. You should rebid 2 ™. This is A tricky is when responder is making a called a ‘preference bid’, telling partner E rebid. Let us look at some hands. that you do not have many points but that June Booty R you prefer his hearts to his diamonds. HHHHH Although you are not keen on either suit, partner’s longest suit is hearts and he has points for game. By bidding 3 ™ you are With each of the hands below your at least five of them (you know this inviting partner to bid game if he is good partner opened with 1 ™, you responded because partner has denied holding a for his rebid (about 14 or 15 points) and with 1 ´ and partner rebid with 2 t. What balanced hand as he has neither opened to pass if he is not (about 12 or 13). should your rebid be? nor rebid in no-trumps). You also know that partner has a weak hand (probably no Hand 5. You should rebid 4 ™. This time more than 15 points) and therefore you you know that your side has an eight-card Hand 1 Hand 2 would like your partnership to stop bid - major fit and sufficient points for game. ´ K J 9 8 4 ´ K Q 10 9 7 5 ding as soon as possible. A preference bid ™ 3 2 ™ 9 2 is a closing bid telling partner to pass. Hand 6. Your rebid should be 2NT. This t J 8 t 9 8 shows a hand with somewhere between a ® Q 7 5 4 ® Q 9 7 Hand 2. You should rebid 2 ´. This is also good 10 points and a poor 12. It also a sign off, as partner has shown you two shows some values in the unbid suit (clubs Hand 3 Hand 4 suits, both of which you have chosen to in this instance). Partner can take one of ´ A J 9 4 ´ K 8 7 2 ignore, instead insisting on your own suit. many actions now, the most frequent of ™ 9 7 3 ™ A J 2 When this occurs at the two level, it is which are to pass with about 12 or 13 t 10 8 2 t 9 8 3 telling partner that you have at least six points and to raise to 3NT with about 14 ® Q 4 2 ® K 7 6 cards in that suit and very few points, and or 15. again it is a closing bid. Hand 5 Hand 6 Hand 7. You should bid 3NT, again show - ´ K J 9 4 ´ K Q 5 2 Hand 3. You should again bid 2 ™. This is ing values in the club suit but this time ™ A 5 2 ™ 3 2 the same concept as Hand 1, except that having sufficient points to commit your t 10 8 2 t J 8 3 this time you do like partner’s suit. You do side to a game. ® A Q 4 ® A Q 7 6 not have enough points to consider game though, so close the auction at the two Hand 7 level. Summary ´ Q J 9 4 ™ K 2 Hand 4. You should bid 3 ™ as again you As a responder making a second bid t 10 8 2 have three card support for partner’s five- you will have a lot of infor ma tion ® A K Q 2 card suit, but this time you are not sure about partner’s hand. At this point whether your partnership has sufficient you can take several actions such as:

• Making a ‘sign off’ (a closing bid) CROCKFORD’S FINAL 2010 if you know where your side should play. TOP places in the eight-team final for the Crockford’s Cup, England’s premier teams • Inviting partner to game if you of four competition, went to: are unsure whether you have 1. Janet De Botton, Artur Malinowski, Andrew McIntosh, Nick Sandqvist, Jason and suffi cient points or not. Justin Hackett. • Committing your side to play in 2. Ian Draper, Anne and Neil Rosen, Martin Jones, Gerald and Stuart Tredinnick. an eight-card major fit if one has 3. Graham Osborne & Frances Hinden, Jeffrey Allerton & Peter Lee. been identified. • Suggesting playing in no-trumps The Plate competition was won by Andy and Cathy Smith, Ralph Smith and Steve if all suits appear to be covered. r Tomlinson, ahead of Peter Law, Clive Cubitt, David Kendrick and Malcolm Lewis.

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 43 Catching up! Here are the Master Point Promotions dated February 2010 that were not previously published in ‘English Bridge’

Avon Cumbria Mrs J M Stone 3 Star Premier Club Master Local Master Mr A Hardy Westmorland Master Mrs J R Keen 8 Star Premier 17 Star Premier Advanced Master Mr L H Gray Ms H Mason Area Master Mr PWD Webb Mr A Butler Local Master Mrs SW Seaby Master Master Notts Mrs J Mitchell 4 Star Master Mrs B Brooks Advanced Master Mr GA Birch Mrs M Edgar County Master 2 Star Premier Mrs B O'Malley Mrs V Lloyd Mr G S Gill Wiltshire Mr I Duncan 5 Star Premier Mrs J Cherrett Master Advanced Master Mr W Lloyd Mrs SEM Osborne 3 Star Premier Master Mr I W Roxburgh Premier Master Herefordshire Mr M Tomlinson Master Ms D H Pritchard Norfolk Master Mr P Nandi Life Master District Master Oxford Mr A Barnett Mrs D F Ogilvie 1 Star Premier 3 Star Tournament Advanced Master Master Mrs P J Crisp Mr B Armitage Advanced Master Club Master Master County Master Mr BMF Jacomb Mrs C James National Master Mrs JH Thornber Mrs A Adams Mr R Johnston Mrs M Mr P Hummel District Master 3 Star Master Wg.Cdr N Shorrick Master McConalogue Leicester Tournament District Master 2 Star Premier Mr A Shaffner Mrs H C Collier Mrs B Welch Master Mrs F C Clark Local Master 4 Star Master Area Master Advanced Master Regional Master County Master Mrs M A Hicks Mrs G Douglas Mr L W Danvers Mrs M Tipler Mrs J Ridley Mr S Booth Mrs S M Green Mrs S Moss Mr B Fordred Mrs C Levan 3 Star Master 2 Star Master Area Master 8 Star Regional Mrs M Hubbard Miss J Goodwin Mrs M Schofield Mr K Preston Mrs J Cole Area Master Master District Master Club Master Dr J Marshalsea Advanced Master Ms A M Burrows Bedfordshire Mrs S Thompson Mrs J B Holder Lincolnshire Mrs D S Henderson Mrs G Horton Mr P Bowman Mr C P Hayfield 6 Star Premier 2 Star Master Mrs M Plummer Premier Regional Derbyshire County Master Mrs P R Morrice Local Master Master Master Mrs L L Tolbutt Area Master Advanced Master Mr RC Harber Club Master Mrs P Ward Mr G D Robertson Mrs J Baker 1 Star Master Mrs D Astley Mrs D L Suter Area Master Mrs M Samani Master Mrs MA Foster Dr R B Plummer Worcs Tournament J McCloskey Local Master Master Devon Mr R Ellis Club Master Premier Life London Club Master Mr K Harrison 3 Star Master Mr GL Runnicles Master Mr J Bateman District Master Premier Regional Mr L Hardy Local Master Sussex Mrs R B Bateman Mr SR Pryor Mr R L Manuel Master Mrs SM Lane Mrs F White National Master Local Master 1 Star Master Ms D J Sandford Northants Life Master Herts Mr G White Mrs M Smith Mrs E Newman Mr C P 1 Star Regional Tournament Mrs M J Hannah Tournament 3 Star Premier Dwerryhouse Master Master Somerset 4 Star Premier Berks. & Bucks. Master Master Master Mrs L S Vestey Dr DE Wilkinson 2 Star Master Mr R Ainsworth Regional Master 1 Star Master Mrs D Gray Local Master Mr M Kent Mrs M Ainsworth 5 Star Premier Mr AP Dyer Mrs J H Romer Mr K G Carver Mr I Gray Master Mr J Samworth 1 Star Master 1 Star Master Mrs B B Mayfield 2 Star Master 2 Star Premier Club Master Mrs A Sandberg Mrs N Rooke Mrs A M Davidson Mrs V Loffler North East Regional Master Mr M Stroud Mr J M Dixon 2 Star Premier County Master Premier Grand Master Mr A G Boyes Advanced Master Local Master Master Master Mrs A E Master Mrs G Toogood Mr L R Gill Mrs G Kirkman Mr M K Mester Mr T Booth Grisenthwaite Tournament Mr S J Ray District Master Mr I Kirkman County Master Mr R J Phillips Master Master Master Mr D Hudson Mr D Evans 2 Star Premier Mr NJ Utting Mr I R Rich Mr R Chantler Direct Mrs C Sidney- Regional Master Mr MD Gilbert Local Master Woollett Staffs & District Master County Master County Master Mr R L Reay Mrs V L Mr J J Gates County Master Shropshire Mr J G Fitton Mrs L A Kennedy Mr M Ellison 7 Star Regional Nederkoorn Mr R Mapp Premier Regional Mrs V Towell Mrs E O'Donnell Area Master Isle Of Man Master Master County Master Mr A M Best Area Master Area Master District Master Advanced Master Mrs T Wilkinson Mrs S J Stirton Mrs L A Higham Mr P Karlsson Mr W H Jewell Mrs E M Rowley Dorset Mrs PM Corrin 4 Star Regional 3 Star Regional District Master Club Master Master Club Master Area Master District Master Master Master Mrs C A Somerville Mrs C Carrick Mrs A Bell Mrs J M Ziegler Mrs W Worthington Mrs J M Meech Mrs M E Morrison Mrs JM Matthews Club Master Mrs S McKelvie Local Master District Master Mrs E I Twamley Club Master Mrs S Reid Essex Local Master Suffolk Mr S Kennedy Mrs R Baggs 13 Star Premier Miss C Sibbit Ms M Monaghan Master 1 Star Master Mr R D King Cambs & Life Master Local Master Mr E Marks Kent Mr L Stone Mrs J Lormor Mr M C O'Sullivan Warwickshire Mr R M Greenwood Hunts Advanced Master 11 Star Premier 2 Star Regional Manchester 4 Star Premier National Master Premier National Master Master Master Mr A J Rose Yorkshire National Master Mr A Bond Master Mr GH Smith Mr J W S Wortley Mrs J Harvey Master Mr S Mattinson Mrs M Bond 4 Star Regional Mr I S Aldridge 1 Star Tournament 3 Star Premier Mr M Ling 11 Star Premier 2 Star Master 2 Star Regional Master 7 Star Premier Master Master Master Dr P D Fowler Surrey Master Mr SP Mulligan Master Mrs WA Wagstaff Mrs J A Salvage Mrs P L Gladwin Local Master 13 Star Premier Mr J H Hind 3 Star Premier Mr P Oxley 5 Star Master 3 Star Master 4 Star Master Mrs H Lister Master Regional Master Master 4 Star Master Mr KJ Williams Mrs A Firth Mr MG McCulloch Merseyside/ Dr K I McKenzie Mr C Harris Mr D Morris Mrs JU Grist 4 Star Master Mr T Smith 2 Star Master Cheshire Mr J H McKimmie 7 Star Premier 2 Star Master Mrs L V Moran 3 Star Master Mr RF Wake 9 Star Premier Cornwall 4 Star Premier Master Mrs M Rhodes 2 Star Master Dr J A Erdos 1 Star Master Master 6 Star Premier Master Mrs M Dixon Advanced Master Mrs P E Jones Mrs D Warden Mrs LG Leake Regional Master Advanced Master Mr P Holt 4 Star Premier 1 Star Master Advanced Master 4 Star Premier Mrs L Wilson Mrs JA Law Mrs M Crawley Advanced Master Master Mr K Hosking Mr F J Aitken Master Master 24 Star Premier Master Mr J W Dawe Prof R J Stacey Master Master Mr C E Lemon Mr P Jagger Master Mr C G Champion County Master 3 Star Premier Mrs MW Stone Mr G Pritchard 4 Star Tournament County Master Mr WF Berks Area Master Dr C M Edwards Master Local Master Mrs J Syres Master Rev C M Smith 17 Star Premier Mrs M Baker Area Master Mr DW Herbert Mr P C Brown County Master Mr A J Pigou Master Mrs D Rosier Mrs J Nolan 1 Star Premier District Master Mrs T F Brown Mrs M Sewell 5 Star Master Mr R Bliss Club Master Local Master Master Mrs C M Brett Gloucestershire District Master Mr BJ Ellis 9 Star Premier Mrs L Cummings Mr I Bates Mr D G Werry Mrs J Fletcher Mr I M Eckford 4 Star Master Master National Master Mrs J Jackson Mr M Cutbill Premier Master Mrs A R Hirst Ms C A Jones Mrs E G Johnson Mr I R Macfarlane Mr CR Smith Mr R Pope Mrs R England Mr A J Wood Mrs J Lyne Mr R McKeen 3 Star Master 1 Star Tournament 3 Star Master Mrs A Press 2 Star Master Mr J Spencer Middlesex Area Master Mrs PM Barnes Master Miss E Castle Mr K Timberlake Mrs I Golden Mr S Swaine 5 Star Premier Mr S Reay Mrs F S Morement Mr G Buck Local Master Local Master Advanced Master Area Master Regional Master Club Master Mr J Sofer Mary Ann Mrs E Roach Mr D J Heighway Mrs S Bunch 5 Star Master Mr D C Hayman Mr R E Blofeld 2 Star Master Mrs J D Ford Mrs L Burley Hants and Lancashire Advanced Master Mr J Graham Mrs H N Davis County Master 1 Star Master I.O.W. 9 Star Premier Mrs P Mangion Miss J Spear Mr B G Styles Mr C Woolf Mrs JA McCartney Mr D W Chidell 3 Star Master Master Master Mr R Williamson 1 Star Master District Master Club Master Mr P C Scott Mr G Evans Mr I Ahmad Mr G Sakstein Mrs H Wiltshire Mrs M Cudworth Mrs M Sheehan Mr A Green r

44 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTY NEWS

Former Bedford School player, Graeme Friendly Pairs for the Finchampstead Landmark Avon Robertson, continues to do very well, Trophy. Our Welcome to BBCBA event at www.avoncba.org.uk winning the Open Pairs at the Easter clubs is in full swing, with most of the Master Point Congress (with Michael Byrne). As affiliated clubs participating; at the time CONGRATULATIONS to Andy, Cathy captain of the Cambridge University of writing the leading scores are 75.0% Promotions and Ralph Smith, and Steve Tomlinson team, he led them to victory in the in the Existing Members category and April – June for winning the Crockfords Plate . Portland Bowl. 64.96% in the New Members. In the Gold Cup, David Jones, Trevor Diary Dates: the Bedford Congress Diary Date: Sept 19, Flitch, 1.30pm at 2010 Ward, Steve Turner and Steve Tomlinson takes place over the weekend of Sept SBBC. defeated the 11th seed in Round 4 and 11-12 at the Sandy Sports Centre (details have again reached the last sixteen. on the BBA website). The Opening Pairs Cambs and Hunts Mike Elliott – Tim Brierley finished follows on Sept 23 at Wilstead. in a fine 3rd place and Mike Short – www.cambsbridge.org.uk CONGRATULATIONS Nelson Stephens in 16th place in the Corwen Trophy . In the Pachabo , Andy Berks and Bucks THE County Knock-out Teams was won and Cathy Smith, Steve Tomlinson and by Catherine Curtis, Paul Fegarty, Jon to all those who Steve Turner finished 5th. www.berks-and-bucks-cba.co.uk Cooke and David Kendrick, while the have achieved The County League season concluded A SUCCESSFUL end of Plate was won by Wendy Pollard, Fred Langford, Roger Courtney and Dominic Landmark in early May and the winning teams in year for Berks & Bucks the respective divisions were as follows: with victory in the Garden Clark. Peterborough Bridge Club’s 2010 Promotions League 1: Jeremy Rickard, Robert Glass, Cities by the New Amer - Charity Event raised £288 for the local between April 1st Aidan Schofield, Robert Covill, Nelson sham team (Richard Pal - Sue Ryder Hospice. David Kendrick was in the winning and June 29th Stephens, Dan McIntosh. League 2: mer, Ed Scerri, Peter and David Birt, Geoff Evans, Trevor Towers, Dee Lindon, Derek and Celia Oram, team in the Gerard Faulkner Salver (the 2010. Simon Richards, Phil Felman, Mike Best. Sally Brock, Barry Myers, picture below) national Seniors Knock-out), and also Details of your League 3: Margharita Lihou, Sue O’Hara, having also won their Regional Final by a finished second in the Crockfords Plate, Sue Lowe, Oli Noel, Cathy Walker, Deb large margin. Harvey Bengen, Richard just ahead of Dave Harrison, Sue Oak - current Master ford, Victor Milman, Nadia Stelma - Point rank are Ogilvie. Palmer, Dick Davey, Chris Burley and Ed Chris King – Steve Tomlinson did the Scerri won the main County teams shenko. At the Spring Bank Holiday available on your double winning both the Bristol Mixed knock-out for the Crowhurst Quaich and Congress in Bournemouth three Cambs Pairs (Hockey Cup) and also the West of went on to achieve 4th place in the & Hunts pairs finished high up in the ‘A’ personal record, Final of the Pairs: Catherine Jagger – England Bridge Club equivalent. The Pachabo – by the way, apologies to Chris which can be Jonathan Mestel were 3rd, Joanne Everett Cup ( Bristol Teams ) was won by Burley who was in the winning team in Caldwell – Ian McDonald were 5th and accessed from the Cathy Walker, Mike Davies, Chris King the Bedfordshire Swiss Teams, not Richard Nadia Stelmashenko – Victor Milman Members Area on and Steve Tomlinson. Palmer as previously recorded. In the were 7th. Cambridge University’s Presi - At the Welsh Seniors Congress, the Spring Bank Holiday Congress, Tim Rees the EBU website dent’s Teams was won by Jonathan Teams title was won by Colin Cheek – was second in the Pairs A Final and Ed Mestel, Paul Barden, Graham Hazel and www.ebu.co.uk David Hampe. In the Swiss Pairs held on Scerri – Chris Burley were 4th. Jon Green. the Monday, Alan Jones – Dan Mcintosh Congratulations to David Owen and Diary Date: Oct 30, Open Swiss finished 4th. Charles Chisnall who won the Men’s Teams, Peterborough BC. At the Cheltenham Congress, a number Pairs so ensuring that David won the Congratulations to the of Avon teams did well. In 2nd place were Victor Ludorum Trophy, and to Carol Irene Robinson, Mike Hug gins, Myles Humphreys – Carole Mueller who Channel Islands newly promoted Ellison, Paul Keightley; 4th were Ralph, retained the Ladies Pairs – their fourth www.cwgsy.net/community/cicba/ Premier Grand Master: Lesley, Cathy and Andy Smith, and 5th win in succession! The Perkins Cup , Margaret Harris, Richard Kendall, Dan played as a Multiple Teams due to the The Lambourne Festival of Mr P Shields, Glos Lewis, Colin Cheek. low entry, was won by Richard Palmer, Bridg e took place at the In the Swiss Teams (Hamilton Cup) Bill Charlwood, Steve Moss and Nigel Hotel de France, Jersey, Congratulations to the held on the Monday of the Spring Four - Wolfendale. and was a great success. somes weekend, Alan Jones, Andrew The annual Berks v Bucks match was The Swiss Pairs were won newly promoted Urbanski, Trevor Ward, David Jones held in deepest Berks and resulted in a by Jersey’s David Hole – David Friswell. Grand Masters: finished in 2nd place. home win, all three Berks teams trium - In the Multiple Teams, the Jersey team of phing. Many thanks to Finch ampstead Robert Brouard, Jackie Rumball, Rose - Mr C Chisnall, Surrey BC, who were excellent hosts. mary Pallot, Norman Le Cocq qualified Bedfordshire Congratulations to Marilyn for the top section and finished 4th; the Mrs J Davies, Herts www.bedsbridge.co.uk Murtagh – Christine Moir who won the Consolation Final was won by Brian Youd, WINNERS of the Cham- Prof JR Harper, London pions’ Trophy held on 10th June were Alan Mrs EJ Hoskins, Sussex Cooke – Maris Sheppard with a score of 60.7%. At Mr J Mizel, Middlesex the recent AGM a new trophy was awarded in memory of Jon Mr PM Mollart, Cumbria Williams – the Victor Ludorum Trophy – Mr T Thrower, Northants for the player having the greatest success in County events during the previous Mr ME Wren, Essex year. This was presented to Ron Davis. After the AGM, the EBU Simultaneous Pairs event followed and was won N/S by David and Anne Gilling with 57.8% and E/W by Ron Davis – Lynne Emmett with 59.2%. Other Landmark In the final of the County Knock-out Teams, Tudor Rose (Oddie, Davis, Master Point Harris, Roberts, Emmett) beat Buzzards Promotions (Lawson, Wilson, Brown, McCann) and went on to play in the Pachabo com - n i

start on the a

petition. County Pairs champions Ron P

l

l The New Amersham (Berks & Bucks) team, winners of the Garden Cities: i

Davis – David Harris finished 11th in G next page from the left, Ed Scerri, Barry Myers, Derek Oram, Richard Palmer, : o the Corwen Trophy after a strong start t Sally Brock, Celia Oram, Peter and Dee Lindon. o h

and an initial lead. P www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 45 David Hole, David Friswell, Howard nationally in the EBU Spring Sim Pairs. overall. Landmark Master Basden-Smith. In the Senior Pairs , the Helston and Penzance had two other Instead of presenting the EMBA Plate top CI pair were Robert Brouard – pairs in the top 15: Michael for the Mixed Pairs Championship as Point Promotions David Waters (9th), who were awarded Rowbottom – Richard Draycott were DCBA President, Wendy Watson, pla y - the Douglas Romain Cup , a new trophy 13th, and Owen Prior – Wendy Miller ing with John Squires, received the Avon introduced last year. The Mid-week Pairs were 15th. trophy for winning the event. The Flitch Life Master was closely fought with Jane Watts- The Marie Gregson-Brown Pair s moved was won, yet again, by Irene and John Wakeham – Howard Basden-Smith just to an excellent new venue, the Porth Auld, who took 3rd place. Mr J Doran losing top spot by 0.14%; 3rd were Avallen Hotel, and were rewarded with a Amanda Sowter, Mike Clayton, Judy Bedfordshire David Hole – David Friswell. In the strong entry and a tight finish. Jill and Lomas, David Wright had a convincing Mixed Pairs, Robert Brouard – Jackie David Newton (60.42%) won for the lead to win the Eric White Winter Plate Life Master Rumball finished equal 11th and won third consecutive year, from the Bicker - competition. Amanda Sowter also tri - Mr B Marsden the Fox Cup for the highest CI pair. dikes (60.26%), with Colin Pote – Pat umphed in the Bill Pratt Mixed Trophy Regional Master There was also a strong field in the Swiss Meade (60.19%) 3rd. with husband John Sowter. Teams ; the best CI performance was by Cornwall finished a pleasing 2nd in Don Smedley – John Griffin with Mr B P Holmes the Guern sey team of Mike Allen, Andy the Western League. The B team were David and Mary Marshall were the win - Mr N F Perry Hall, Margaret Allen, Gill Morgan, who 2nd overall, and the C team won their ners of the Brigden Trophy, beating Mrs P Skelton won the Lambourne Cup. division and now go to Solihull for the runners-up Brian Elliott’s team by 44 One Guernsey player at the Congress national finals. Congratulations to Brian IMPs. Berks. & Bucks. who did not win any prizes, but had and Elaine Relton, Viv Mably, Celia At the DCBA AGM Mary Marshall Life Master some thing to celebrate, was Vera Babbe, Bishop, John Finch, Dave Mattos, Ian was nominated by British Rail Bridge Mr A A Brown who reached her 90th birthday; her team Edwards and Alan Biggs. Club, and installed as DCBA President recently got to the semi-final of the Dairy Dates: Sept 12, AGM and Indi - for the 2010-11 season. County Ties Regional Master Guernsey Teams. vidual Competition, Ladock. Sept 18, were awarded to Randy Curzon, Steve Mrs S Ribbins The County Teams were won by Robert Falmouth Swiss Pairs, Falmouth BC. Cave and David Briggs. Master Plumley, Susie Farnon, Lynda Mildon, Sept 26, Green Pointed Swiss Teams, Diary Dates: Sept 25-26, Derbyshire Alastair Kent; 2. Harold Walden, Robert Wadebridge School. Green Point Event; Saturday Pairs, Mr J A Archard Brouard, David Hole, David Friswell. Sunday Teams. For entry, please contact Mr J Barnard County Mixed Pair s: 1. Marion Miles – Cumbria Amanda Sowter ( 07812 369243, e-mail Mrs P Barnard David Hole, 2. Jane Knight – Chris Hill amanda@[email protected] . Mr L Ellis (all Jersey). In the Guernsey District www.ccdba.co.uk Individual Brenda Walker and Sylvia OUR team got off to a cracking start in Devon Mr C G Elwell Lawrence-King were first equal. Mr G Guy the Northern League ‘C’ Division this www.devonbridge.co.uk season by coming top of the group. Mr J B Hockenhull CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to the winning players: to Ann Slee who has Mrs W Reed Colin Woods, Graeme Walker, Ian Reeves, won the Victor Ludorum . Mrs T Templeton Tony Bartlett, Alan Anderson, Sam She has won the trophy Mr D Tilquin Norman, Anne Breakey, Peter Rooke. for ten out of the last Diary Date: our first County event of Mr C Tucker twelve years. the new season is the Butler-scored IMP Congratulations to the winners of Cambs & Hunts Pairs on Sept 12 at Keswick. various Devon events: Jim Grant, Stefan Regional Master Lindfors, Alan and Jette Bailey who won Derbyshire the Western Morning News Trophy and Mr P Oxley qualified to play in the EBU Pachabo

U www.dcba.org.uk Cup ; Warner and Louise Solomon, Peter Master B E

: ALEX Hogg – Peter Kelly Bowles and Mike Oriel won the Plate, o Marion Miles and Dr M J Johnson t o Howard Basden-Smith h finished a commendable beating the Clarke team in the final by Channel Islands P 5th in the EBU National only 2 IMPs; Warner and Louise Solomon Master Early this year Marion Miles – Howard Pairs Final . Wendy Watson, won the overall position of the Devon playing with Frank Little - Winter Pairs; Ruth Edmondson, Brigid Mrs M J Friswell Basden-Smith (above) won the Pre-con - gress Pair s at the EBU Madeira Congress. wood from Sheffield, won McElroy, Ann Slee and Alison Pollok Mr M J Hancock the last session with 63% to finish 10th won the County Swiss Teams following Mr M Newman Cornwall Cornwall www.cornwallbridge.co.uk Regional Master A BIG welcome to our 300 Mr ML Casley new members. We’d love to Mr BH Edwards see you at county compe ti - Mrs S John tions. Please phone Chris Mr I R Macfarlane Bickerdike ( 01326 572430 for information and Barrie Miss H M Upton Benfield ( 01208 812934 Mrs J Vaughan with news for this column. Master A correction: Wally Heaton and Wendy Thornton’s Welsh victory was in Mr I C Edwards the Mixed Pairs. They were 3rd in the Miss H Peers National Pairs . Mrs E Tozer There have been further successes for Jenny Vaughan. At the Cheltenham Con - Cumbria gress she and her sister, Irene Thomas, Grand Master won the Ladies’ Pairs. They were also Mr PM Mollart 2nd in qualifying for the Open Pairs, and 6th in the Final . Jenny and Heather Derbyshire Upton, playing with Graham Jones and Life Master Irene Thomas, were an excellent 3rd= at the Cardiff Swiss Teams. n Mr S Haywood i Chris and Sandra Bickerdike, playing a P

l l Master with Shirley Goldwin and Brian Crack, i Mike Amos (right) presents the Corwen Trophy G

:

o to Jim Grant (left) and Stefan Lindfors of Devon. Mrs A R Beecroft were 2nd in the Kent Green Pointed Swiss t o h

Teams . Chris and Sandra were also 9th P

46 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTY NEWS

the AGM. Many congratulations to Nicole Cook, contacts. Landmark Master The winners of the Section Leagues who played for the EBU team and won were: East Section League – Div. 1, Nigel the Lady Milne Trophy. Hants and IoW Point Promotions Hamlyn; Div. 2, Titch Glenday; Div 3, In the Jersey Congress, Laurie and Steve Quinn. South Section League – Div. Stephanie Burtt came 4th equal in the www.bridgewebs.com/hiwcba/ Mr G MacArthur 1, Tim Walton; Div. 2, John Murray Swiss Pairs and 3rd in the Multiple Teams; THE May HIOW Green Mrs S P McCann Brown; North Section League – Div. 1, the Mixed Pairs event was won by Marion Point Event received much Neil Marsden; Div. 2, David Clark. Cook – John Birch. In the Norfolk Con - Devon praise from many partic - Sadly Bob Ray, who played and gress, Manny Marks and his partner were ipants, the new venue Regional Master helped organise bridge in Devon for 3rd in the Cham pionship Pairs, and Sue proving to be very pleas - Mrs P Avery many years, died recently after a short French – June Scotting won the Ladies’ ant and well lit. Well done Marion Rudd illness. Pairs. Sue and Chris Taylor, with their Dr L Homewood for finding it as well as doing all the In National events Jim Grant – Stefan London team-mates, won the Shrewsbury work. Christine and Richard Ray were in Mr A Leslie Lindfors won the Corwen Trophy (photo Congress Swiss Teams . the team that came 2nd. The best all Mr M Smith on previous page); Stefan also won the The Essex League First Division cham - HIOW team were 4th and will be Swiss Pairs at Bourne mouth (with Rob pions are: West Essex – Loughton Collier awarded the Howell Cup; they are Mike Master Lawy). (Peter Scotting, Michael Watson, Jacek Mr S Barretto Hunt, Nye Collier, Kevin McArdle, Sue We still urgently need volunteers as Lapszys, Sandy Riach and Phil Collier); Oliver. Mrs EM Elliot Chairman and Treasurer for the coming South East – Seeds Llama (Paul Spencer, National results: Jeremy Baker, John Mrs M Emmings year. Marc Chawner, David Baker, Andy Moore, Christine and Richard Ray, Dave Mr C J Ley Diary Dates: Aug 1, Newton Abbot Graham and Mark Rose). The League Cup Huggett, Steve Preston reached the semi - Charity Swiss Teams; contact Dawn Gray winners are also Seeds Llama (Paul Dr J P B Sandall final of the Gerard Faulkner (Seniors KO). ( 01626 773053. Sept 18, Devon Mixed Spencer, Marc Chawner, David Baker and Chris Kinloch, Miles Cowling, John Dorset Pairs. Entries are also due for the Devon Andy Graham). Dakin, Richard Harris came joint 9th in Teams and the Devon Charity Sim Pairs Results of other recent Essex competi - the Pachabo out of 32. Ken Dunn – Master – see the website for details. tions are as follows: Essex Pairs: 1. Laurie Charles Patrick were 22nd and Karen Mrs A Richardson Burtt – Alan Coral, 2. Peter Oake – Simon Dewar – Malcolm Lowcock 23rd out of Moorman, 3. Robert Elliott – Sandy Essex Dorset 113 in the Corwen. Riach. Consolation Final: 1. Wendy Cold - County results: Pottage Cup: 1. Eleanor www.bridgewebs.com/dorset Grand Master ham – Patrick O’Gara, 2. Michael Rice – Stewart Strachan, 2. Karen Mr M E Wren KEITH Bartlett has Watson – Jacek Lapszys, 3. Chris Dewar – Mac Lowcock. Farley Cup: 1. been appointed as Chorley –Mike Rand. Eve Goblets: Ladies: Life Master Sandra Ruffell – Mary Lucas, 2. Linda County Chairman. We 1. Margaret Curtis, 2. Yvonne Dias 3. Coombs – Peter Aubeck. Philip Mr K Seabold wish him well in his Sandy Smith. Men: 1. Sandy Riach, 2. Graham Cup: 1. Chris Kinloch, Bob Robert Elliott, 3. Martin Smith. Mr J C Stimson position and thank John Howitt for McRobert, Richard Harris, John Dakin; Diary Date: Sept 1, Autumn Seniors many years of dedicated service. 2. Helen Ackroyd, Martin Brook, Regional Master Congratulations to Dorchester Bridge Pairs. Mrs M Cook David Berwitz, Alan Wilson. Bayer No Club on winning the Garden Cities Fear Cup: 1. Derek Flux – Gary Master Qualifier . The team was Hannah Kearns, Gloucestershire Batchelor, 2. Heather Clark – Olwen Mrs L Barnett Eileen Rundle, Alistair Cowley, Paddy Jenkins. Finale Pairs : 1. Margot Wilson – Bowen, Jo Whitty, Pat Savage, John and www.gcba.org.uk Mrs Geri Bland John Gardner, 2. Macushla Stewart – Ann Cruickshank. THE County League com - Gwyn Evans; highest placed Mr A Buttifant Gee Trophy: 1. Helen Ackroyd, Martin petition had a slightly intermediate ranked players: Sheila Clif - Mr J Murray Brook, Alan Wilson, Chris Guy, 82 VPs; different format this year. ford – Philip Clemow (4th). Mrs I I Snow 2. Ron and Lynne Heath, Hugh Kevill- It was split into two At the AGM Jeremy Baker was voted Davies, Peter Mallett. 81 VPs; 3. Matthew parts, pre- and post- in as the new chairman of HIOW. Phillips, Andy Preston, Gillian Thomp - Gloucestershire Christmas with promotion and rele - Diary Dates: Sept 5, Ladies’/Men’s son, Jan Field, 80 VPs. gation after both halves. This also Pairs. Sept 19, Harrop Swiss Mixed Premier Grand Master Udall Trophy: 1. Ron and Lynne Heath, allowed a team to enter for only one half Teams. Oct 3, Simmons Married/Mixed Mr P Shields John Holland, Hugh Kevill-Davies, 78 of the competition. This means there is a Pairs incorporating the Lincoln Salver VPs; 2. Paddy Bowen, Brian Browse, Regional Master winner in each division for each half and award. All the above will be held at Clive Russell, Alistair Cowley, 77 VPs; Mr D R Atthey an overall winner who played in the Romsey starting at 2pm. Entries to 3. Daphne Philipps, Martin Brook, same division for both parts. The win - Lillian Craigen (7 days notice if possible Mrs J Rowley Helen Ackroyd, Alan Wilson, 76 VPs. ners both overall and for the second half please) [email protected] or phone Congratulations to Keith Bartlett – Master in Division One were Kambites, Butland, 02380 154276. Ann Sharples for reaching the Main Mr A Kwatra Chamberlain, Denning and Kinloch. Final in the Bournemouth Congress, and Division 2 winners were J and A Sanis, Mrs B Lloyd to Keith and Ann, playing with Clive Goalby, T Letts, Proctor and Sharpe. Herefordshire Mrs L P Rafferty Russell and Roger Sweet, for finishing Division 3 winners overall were C Lewis, www.herefordshirebridge.co.uk Mr M Ridler 6th in the A flight of the Swiss Teams. Gray, Hogarth, Weaver and Miles, and Also to Eugene Sheehan, Mary Clews, THE Herefordshire team of Richard Hants and I.O.W. Robin Wright, Tom Holdsworth for promoted Paterson, C and R Moore, and Croot, Tony Truluck, Mike Ralph and winning the B flight. Rowley. John Thacker came third in the Mid land Life Master Alison Pritchard – Dan McIntosh Ms J Bellinger Diary Date: Sept 12, Flemmich Cup Teams Challenge Bowl. The Here ford Mixed Teams. won the County Mixed Pairs held after Bridge Club Team of Eight came 3rd in Regional Master the AGM with Wendy and Joe Angsee- the Regional Heat of the Garden Cities Mr R D Assad sing winning the Flitch. Trophy. Essex Congratulations to Paul Denning and Master The heats of Sim Pairs yielded some www.essexbridge.co.uk Patrick Shields in being part of the win - good results for Herefordshire club play - Dr MIJ Andrews SEVERAL changes to the ning team in the Schapiro Spring Four - ers. Josephine Kelly – Marie Clarke of Mrs L Coombes ECBA Committee were somes, one of the major events in the the Birches came 5th out of 1,171 pairs in Mrs F C Curtis made at the AGM in May. English bridge calendar. the EBU Spring Pairs , while Pam Crisp – Mr G J Pollard The Chairman, Dick Diary Dates: Glos / Herefordshire Sue Evans came 19th of 4,741 pairs in the Green, resigned after 25 Green Point Weekend held at Ross on World Sims playing at the Marcle Club. Mr R L Richardson years in this post; the new Wye with Swiss Pairs on Saturday Sept The County In-house Teams competi - Mr D Webster Chairman is John Williams. The League 25 and Swiss Teams on Sunday Sept 26. tions came to their end with John Herefordshire Secretary, Roger Tattersfield, also resigned The County would welcome new Griffiths, Peter Watts, George Barrett after 11 years and his replacement, Bernie members to its Monday night events, and Sarah Mathews winning the KO Regional Master Hunt, was duly elected. Nigel Bardsley which start in September, and is able to Teams and Sue and Derrick Munday, Mrs J Baker was elected to the new post of Mem ber - help with partners or team-mates. Just Brian Meadows and Graham Ling win - ship Secretary. check the website for details and ning the KO Plate. The League Division 1 www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 47 was won by Carol and Albert Brown, Ian Diane Rogers has joined the committee. and Minutes Secretary), Treasurer Henry Landmark Master Murray-Watson, Pat Jenkins, Steve Booth Please note that the 25th July green- Cooklin, General Secre tary Robert North - Point Promotions and Chris Chowney; Division 2 by Sue pointed event has been cancelled. This age, League Secretary John Thompson, and Derrick Munday, John Crowe, Judy one-day green-pointed licence has been Tournament Secretary Pat Watson, Fix - Eaton, Barry Taylor and Naomi Lacey. successfully transferred to the Kent Con- tures Secretary Dick Pathan, Member - Master The Restricted Divi sion was won by gress at the end of October. ship Secretary Pat Beasley. Mr N Edmondson Gordan and Sue Young, and Steve and Diary Date: 51st Kent Congress, Oct Dick Pathan was elected a Life Mrs M Edwards Di Martin. Entries for these events in 30-31, Tunbridge Wells; Saturday: Swiss Member of the LCBA in recognition of 2010-2011 will be invited in August or Pairs 1pm. Sunday: Green Pointed Swiss over forty years of outstanding service to Mrs J Hunter September – the draw and first round of Teams 11am. the Association, both as a player and Mrs S White the KO will be held at Ledbury on Friday officer of the committee in various roles. Herts October 8th. Lancashire John Mount presented the trophies to Diary Dates: Sept 10, HBA AGM, the 2009-10 competition winners. These Grand Master 7pm, Larrupurz Centre Ross-on-Wye. www.lancsbridge.co.uk included: Stanley Trophy (Butler Pairs Mrs J Davies Saturday Sept 25, HBA and GCBA AT the Annual General Championship), Ian Bruce – Mick Green Point Swiss Pairs, 1pm; Sunday Life Master Meeting in May, Mr. J. A. Mahoney; Joseph’s Bowl (Teams of Four Sept 26, HBA and GCBA Green Point Smith was elected the new KO), Tony Odams, Duncan Happer, Jim Dr J Howes Swiss Teams, 11am; both at the Chairman of the Lanca shire Mason and Paul Bowyer; Butterworth Regional Master Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye. Contract Bridge Association. Trophy (for first-round losers in the Mr C Holehouse Congratulations go to Nick and Sue Joseph’s Bowl), Peter Nuttall, Sylvia Kent Woodcock, Andrew Woodcock and Horn, Terry Hyde and Stan Williams; Mr G Lacey Catherine Draper on winning the LCBA Gimson Trophy Final (Pairs Champion - Mr M R Levy www.kcba.org.uk Knock-out Teams of Four. ship), Duncan Happer – Kerri Nash; Ms J Mumford KENT has had a great In the first round of the Northern Leicestershire Cup, Susan and Paul Master competition season. Mal - Bridge League, Lancashire A finished 4th Bowyer, Tony Odams, Jim Mason and colm Lewis and Patrick out of five teams, Lancashire B 4th out Simon Stokes (the corresponding plate Mrs LV Belch Collins were in the Eng - of eight teams and Lancashire C 3rd out competition was won by John Mount, Mr M Futerman land team that won the of eight teams. Audrey Mount, Mary France, Pam Smith Mr M Pearce Seniors Camrose . The Doyle Cup Swiss Teams: 1. Andrew and David Twells). Mr R Pearce Gerard Faulk ner Salver (National Seniors Petrie, Giles Foster, Bill Alston and Colin Early Midlands League county Knock- out Competition) was won by Mitchell. Madeline Berney Swiss Pairs: results for this season are: May 16th vs Mrs N A Reynolds the team captained by Peter Law and 1. Catherine Draper – Dave Debbage. Wor cestershire, 1st team won 12-8, 2nd Mr B Veal included Patrick Collins and John Blackburn Swiss Pairs: 1. Jeff Smith – team won 19-1, 3rd team won 19-1; Isle Of Man Short. The team played in memory of Jackie Pye. Bolton Bank Holiday Swiss June 20 vs Nottinghamshire, 1st team their late captain, Dennis O’Donovan. Teams: 1. John Morrell, Marianne Farr, won 13-7, 2nd team lost 4-16, 3rd team Master The Pachabo Cup has been won by our Steve Haley and Hilda Williams. won 16-4. Ms E J Kelly Kent Champions (photo below), Jeremy Diary Dates: Aug 8, Preston Pairs, Diary Dates: Sept 5, Midland League Willans, Ian Draper, Stuart and Gerald Preston. Aug 28, Northern Bridge v Oxfordshire (away). Sept 15, Stanley Kent Tredinnick. Congratulations to Norman League, Round 3. Sept 3-5, Bolton Trophy Round 1, Glenfield. Sept 25, Regional Master Inniss, Stefan Syplywczak Keith Ashcroft Congress, Bolton Bridge Club. Sept 9-12, Green Point Swiss Pairs, Spondon. Sept and Phil Jones winners of the Canterbury Isle of Man Congress, Douglas. Sept 19, 26, Green Point Swiss Teams, Spondon. Mrs J Batson Green-pointed Swiss Teams One Day LCBA Mixed Pairs, Bolton Bridge Club. Sept 29, Otto & Edith Bowl Mixed Pairs, Mr AE Boyer Event. The Jersey Congress Swiss Teams County BC. Oct 10, Midland League v Mrs C Cadiz was won by Jill Skinner (captain), Leicestershire Derbyshire, Rothley Centre. Mr CC Parker Gwyneth Davies, Ian Draper and Jeremy Willans. The Mid-week Pairs www.leicsbridge.org.uk Lincolnshire Master Champion ship was won by Colin THE 2010 AGM was Mr J S Chapman Wilson – Diana Avis. Many held on June 16. The www.lincsbridge.org.uk Mrs SM Cox congratulations to everyone . committee reports were THE Annual Champion - Mrs F Diggens At the AGM in June, Geoff Smith heard and adopted. ships were held in April: retired as Treasurer and became Vice- The new LCBA consti - Pairs Final : Drene and Dr J D McGuinness Chairman. David Anning is our new tution was adopted by the membership. Alan Brown; Consolation: Mrs Pamela Watson Treasurer. Malcolm Lewis retired by rota - The committee has been returned un - Alan Andrews – Harry Mr M E Webb tion and has been re-elected Secretary. opposed: Chairman Nick Stevens, Vice- Coates; Open: Stuart Knox – David John Cullingworth has resigned and chairman John Wilcox (also Webmaster Caldow; Lucy Osbourne Cup (highest Lancashire placed senior pair): Drene and Alan Master Brown; Margaret Briggs Plate (best im - Mrs D J Ault pro vers): Bill and Eileen Barker; Teams Final: Mo Parsons, Maurice Ladlow, Ron Mrs J C Schofield Wall, Brian Smith; Consolation: Vic and Leicester Mike Llewellyn, Glynn Elwick, Stuart Watson; Open: Elaine Proctor, Maurice Master Lynn, Ron Moss, Geoff Shaw. Mrs A E Bowness Lincoln Gold: 1. Maurice Ladlow, Mo Mr B P Holownia Parsons, Dennis Mellor, John Gaunt; 2. Alan and Drene Brown, Mike Perry, Mr R Kilvington Nick Dyer. Veterans’ Cup winners were Ms M Sperrings Mo Parsons – Maurice Ladlow for the Lincolnshire third year running. The Charles Heward Trophy was won by Mary Milnes, Bill Master Gibs, Joyce Gregory, Joan Robertson. Mrs E Barker League Division 1: 1. Paul Wokes, David Pettengell, John Brocklehurst , London Tony Waine; League Division 2 or Davey Grand Master Cup not known yet. The new season’s calendar for 2010- Prof J R Harper 2011 will be sent electronically to n i a

Life Master P members via their clubs sometime in

l

l Pachabo Cup winners: from the left, Gerald Tredinnick, Stuart Tredinnick, i

G August.

Ms L Clery Ian Draper and Jeremy Willans from Kent, : o t with EBU Vice-President David Harris (far right). The 2010-2011 officials will be listed Mr M Todd o h

P in next EBU magazine.

48 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTY NEWS

pairs in the Inter-counties Pairs Cham - Hall. Landmark Master London pion ship (Corwen Trophy) was by The Green Point Swiss Pairs event at Bernard and Rhona Goldenfield, who Merseyside BC was very popular – Point Promotions www.metrobridge.co.uk finished a commendable 6th (out of completely full and with a waiting list, so MANY congratulations to 113). book early next year. The winners were Regional Master Ross Harper and Gunnar The Annual MCBA Player of the Year Chris Pope – Peter Kaufmann, who had Mr T Booth Hallberg, members of the Award for 2009-2010 has been won by the event sewn up with a match to spare. Mr N D Tomkin winning England Seniors in the Expert category. Congratulations to Dawn and John Camrose team. At the In the Intermediate category, there was a Herbert on finishing equal first in the Master Spring Bank Holiday Congress, well done triple tie between Howard Stubbings, pairs event at the EBU Madeira Congress Mr Peter Cotterill to , 2nd in the Swiss Teams A Ben Beever and Eddie Thornton-Chan. in February. Well done to Ted Reveley, Mr S Marquez Final, Nick Boss – Richard Johnson who At the AGM a new selection com - Bill Niccol, Alan Stephenson, Stuart won the Pairs B Fina l and David Bakhshi, mittee was elected comprising Denis Matthews who comfortably won the Manchester 2nd in the same event, and Ted Booth, Robson, Jenny Morris, Joyce White, North Wales Swiss Teams, finishing 35 Regional Master 3rd in the Swiss Pairs. At the Chelten ham David Tattersall and Michael Newman. VPs ahead of second place. Congress, Richard Harris won and David John Rudolf takes over as handbook The annual Dublin v Liverpool match Mr S Herman Schiff was 3rd in the Morgan Banks Cup. editor from Jeff Smith. The handbook resulted in a win for the Irish. As always, Mr J Parsons The London team of David Ewart, will, in future, be available as a printable the event was held in wonderful spirit. Master Gunnar Hallberg, David Gold and Tom document on the web site. Hard copies Merseyside League winners: Div. 1, PSA; Townsend came an excellent 3rd in the will also be available from John Rudolf Div. 2, Aigburth; Div. 3, Hilbre; KO Cup, Mr B Beever Pachabo Cup. The London YC team in (Mobile ( 07762 101651) for those Abercrombie; Top Teams Event, WFC. Mr C Cheslett the Regional Final of the Garden Cities unable to print a copy. Liverpool BC Open Pairs winners: Ms L Constantin also came 3rd, just not quite enough to Spring Bank Holiday Congress: con - Joan King – Gill O’Neill. Mrs M Jabbar qualify them to the final. gra tulations to Gary Hyett (playing with Apologies for some of these results Geoffrey Wolfarth of Sussex), who won being posted later than normal Mr V Ridding Results: Garden Cities Heat: 1. Young Chelsea A (Paul Martin, Fiona Hutch - the major Pairs event at Bournemouth Diary Dates: Aug 28, NCL Round 3. Mrs J Santo ison, Stephen Popham, John Pemberton, over the bank holiday weekend. Sept 14, Mixed Pairs, LBC. Sept 18-19, Mr G Winn Janet de Botton, Nick Sandqvist, Ian Last minute entries to the Manchester MBC Congress. Lady Connell heats: MBC Payn, Rob Cliffe); 2. Woodberry A (Nigel League can be made by e-mail to Sept 23, LBC Oct 5, Deva BC Oct 8. Merseyside/Cheshire Freake, Gill Hutchinson, Ken Barnett, [email protected] before Friday, Aug Master John Stimson, Paul Lamford, Stefanie 13 2010. Middlesex Dr O P Arya Rohan, Anne Catchpole, Doug Dunn). Diary Dates: Sept 24-6, EBU Premier Ian Gardiner Trophy: 1. Sarah Dunn, League, Manchester Bridge Club; spec- www.middlesexbridge.co.uk Mr JJ Bowyer David Gold, Gunnar Hallberg, David tators welcome CONGRATULATIONS to Mr J Fay Ewart, Tom Townsend; 2. Brian Cal l ag - Janet de Botton, Artur Ma li - Mrs M Lloyd han, Fiona Hutchison, Guy Hart, Chris Merseyside/Cheshire nowski, Nick Sandq vist and Mr S K Thompson Duckworth. Andrew McIntosh for win - London Trophy: 1. MCC (Nigel Clay - www.mcba.org.uk ning the Crockfords Cup ; Middlesex ton, Richard Cummin-Bruce, Harvey COUNTY event winners: Martin Jones, Anne and Neil Grand Master Laurance, Geoff Lane); 2. Chislehurst Merseyside & Deeside Cup Rosen finished 2nd. Well Golf Club (John Chapman, Simon Smol - (Pivot Teams): Chris done to Gary and Dafydd Mr J Mizel l ett, Bryan Grimm, Jan Green); 3. RAC Whaley, David Howe, Jones for winning the Shapiro Spring Life Master (Andrew Kisiel, Arun Suri, Bob Bow - Joan King, Gill O’Neill. Foursomes. Mr R Hillman man, Bernard Heilpern). Della Porta Jean Keen Trophy (Ladies’ Teams): Joan Janet de Botton, Artur Malinowski, Plate: 1. Cameron McKenna (David King, Pat Crossley, Lollo Murthwaite, Nick Sandqvist and David Burn won the Regional Master Reuben, Freda Weiner, Arthur Dyson, Mui Fellows. Eric Howarth Cup (Open Bank Holiday Swiss Teams. Ms C Stafford Roy Griggs); 2. St Georges Hill LTC2 Swiss Teams): Ted Reveley, Ralph Chur - The Middlesex Cup Final (Silverstone Mr S M Walter (Wendy Kelly, Lynda and Bob Wilson, ney, Dave and Jean Keen. Preece Rose - vs Seale) was won by Victor Silverstone, Linda Park). bowl (Ladies’ Pairs): Jill Oddie – Sally Tony Waterlow, Ian Panto, Gerald Haase, Master Diary Dates: Sept 1, Entries close for Clark. Lady Connell (County Teams – Lynton Stock and Mike Vail; the team Miss T Greenslade the London Leagues ( sati.mckenzie@goo Pachabo qualifier): David Stevenson, finished 2nd at the Pachabo . The Mid - Mrs A R Haria glemail.com ) and the London Trophy Peter Kaufmann, Liz Commins, Mike dlesex Committee Cup was won by Jeremy Mr R Haria ([email protected] ). Sept 19, Amos. Cheshire Salver (County Teams Dhondy, Jack Mizel, Richard Hillman Consolation event): Peter and Annie Hall, and Brian Callaghan. Mr JJ Lee Mixed Pairs Championship, YCBC, 1.00 pm. Contact Nigel Freake gelohnake@ Danny Miller, Chris Wentworth. Andrew The Ace of Clubs (Neil and Anne Mr R Shah waitrose.com . Rosebowl (Mixed Pairs): Peter and Annie Rosen, Heather and Jeremy Dhondy, Mr R Tenzer Norfolk Manchester Life Master www.lighton.btinternet.co.uk/ Mr G Ip THE Merville Gold stone Regional Master Trophy – Manchester’s Mr P D Ison County Knock-out Teams qualifier for the Mr C K Mallon Pachabo – is a fearsome Master event. So it was an exceptional Mr P A Brett performance for Barbara Lewis’s team Mr M J Mitton (Sam Herman, Alec Smalley, Tom Slater) to win for the first time this year North East defeating Michael Byrne, Michael Newman, Gary Hyett and Rodney Life Master Lighton in the final after playing extra Mr A Kemp boards. Regional Master Congratulations to Justin and Jason Mr F N Stephenson Hackett on winning the English Knock -

out Teams Championship (Crockfords A B C Master Cup) and to David Debbage (Catherine s c Elaine Proctor receiving a bouquet of flowers n i

Draper, Ollie Burgess, Andrew Wood - L

Mr R Carpenter

: in appreciation of her many years as County Master Point Secretary o cock) in coming 5th. t Mrs E M Clarke o at the Lincolnshire CBA 2010 Annual General Meeting. h

The best performance by Manchester P www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 49 Catherine Seale, David Gold, Richard Kane, who also won the Teams event and had directed many events for the Landmark Master Bowdery and Ian Draper) qualified for playing with Clive and Chris Owen. County. His interest in sports was ex - Point Promotions the Garden City Regional Finals where The NEBA Northern Swiss Pairs was tensive and he was a tournament squash they finished 2nd. won by Aileen Cunningham – Jim referee. The Middlesex Victor Ludorum was Hodgson In the first County Match of the Dr A J Cornish awarded to Victor Silverstone. A large number of NEBA members season, against Lincolnshire, Notts 1st Mr D Dansie Results of the Middlesex League were: made the short trip to Harrogate for the and 2nd teams both lost 12-8 but the 3rd Miss J Grist Div. 1 (Peter Edelman Trophy): Peter Yorkshire Congress and players from team won 19-1. Mr B Hooper Hasenson, Jeff Alper, Gary Jones, Steve Whitley Bay had a good weekend. Ajit At the AGM the existing committee Eginton, Barry Myers, Mike Vail. Div. 2: Shivdasani won the Consolation Pairs was re-elected. Chris Clark has been ap - Mrs A Kirkby Mike Isaacs, Robert Kane, David Solo - (Chairman’s Plate) with Brian Marlow pointed the new Secretary of the League Mrs J Saul mons, Richard Spencer and Joe Jacobs; from Leicester (formerly from this area). for Affiliated Clubs and Teams of Eight. Mr G Turner Div. 3V: George Hagi-Savva, Sheila Laikin, Ajit was also runner-up in the final of The winning teams of the divisions of Gerard Brito, Ratnaverl Murugesu, Ano - the John Colley Trophy for multiple the League were Gambit, Nottingham A, jan Pothalingam, Suren Velayutham; and teams playing with Brian Marlow, and Nottingham Mechanics, Woodborough Northamptonshire Div. 3Z: Nigel Clayton, Irene Fine, Elaine Purvis and Pat Tuff. X. In the League for Teams of Four, the Denise Miller, Saleem Sachak. Runners-up in the Scarborough Trophy winning teams were Four Deuces and Grand Master Please consult the coun ty website for (C Final Multiple Teams) were the . Inter-Club Pairs Champion ship: Mr T Thrower the autumn schedule. Whitley Bay team of Laurie and Joan 1. Margaret and Satish Shah (Notting - Life Master Monkhouse playing with Pam Gladwin ham), 2. Margaret McCorkell – Stephanie Mr M Tilley Norfolk and Mary Gilbert. Frank and Janet Tolcher (Bingham), 3. Nora Barrett – Springett were 5th in the main Green- Dorothy King (Retford). Priday Cup: Regional Master www.bridgewebs.com/norfolk/ pointed Pairs final. 1. Graham Lee, 2 David Burgess, 3 Lloyd Mr A J Nixon Eagling. THE County Summer Master Northamptonshire Diary Dates: on Wednesdays the Black Programme is proving a Cup (commenced May 26) and Farr Mr D A Dare great success, with all www.northantsbridge.info/ Cup (commenced June 2) competitions Mr L Lubaszewski events well supported. The KINGSLEY Bridge Club in Nort hamp - continue in alternate weeks. The Swiss trophy winners to date are: ton held their 21st AGM this year, which Pairs Championship will open the Nottinghamshire Lowestoft Trophy: Nawal was memorable as Patrick Rawlinson, Sunday event programme in September Fenwick – John Harrison; Dereham and Regional Master who founded the club, stepped down as (details will appear on the website). Swaffham Trophy: Brian Barrett – Peter Chairman (see page 34). Patrick was Mrs J Jacques Clemens. The Men’s Gender Pairs was ahead of his time, as Kingsley was the Oxfordshire Mr I W Roxburgh won by John Brister – John Massey, the first non-smoking club in the county. Master Ladies’ Pairs joint winners were Nawal Patrick also has strong feelings about the www.oxfordshirebridge.co.uk Fenwick – Margaret Smith, and Gillian atmosphere in the club, and members OXFORDSHIRE acquitted Mr D L Barnett Hall – Iris Green. The Open Pairs winners Mr M Edwards were expected to be well mannered and itself well in the Midlands were: 1. Tie between Richard Thornley – civil at all times – if not, they were asked League, narrowly missing Mr P Gross Malcolm Connolley and Mervyn to find another club. To mark his top place in the Dawes, re - Mr P A Hancock Scutter – Harry Fox; 2. Gillian Hall – contribution to the club, Patrick was gaining the Porter and fin - Mrs J B Humphrys William Zang; 3. Mike and Barbara presented with all sorts of gifts and was ishing 3rd in the Markham. Harnden, 4. Neil and Laura Tracey. Mr B Plumb unanimously elected as the club’s first Wessex League winners were: Div. 1, Diary Dates: Aug 2, Kings Lynn Open Honorary President. Menagerie A; Div. 2, Abingdon A; Div. 3, Mr J Pownall Teams, South Wootton Village Hall. Aug A number of county competitions Summertown A; Div. 4, Witney; Div. 5, Mrs A M Shah 22, John Harrison and EDP Cup, Abbey will begin in September. The Winter University B. Mr J J Watson Hall, Wymondham. Sept 1, YMCA League will start in September, The The President’s Cup was won by Mike Trophy, Girls High School, Norwich. Mrs V R Watson Saturday event will be held at Stamford Robinson, Rob Procter, David Thomas, Sept 19, Barbara Dick-Cleland & Buxton starting at 7pm on the six Saturdays: Richard Haydon, Nathan Piper, Ian Oxford Trophy (Pairs), Horning Village Hall. Sept 18, Oct 9, Nov 27, Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb Angus, and the Chester Cup by Mike Sept 26, Norfolk Championship Teams, 5. Entries to the Saturday event to Trevor Brown, Gillian Lonsdale, Clive Keep, Life Master Bawburgh Village Hall. Thrower. The Wednesday event will be John Slater, Nigel Wilkes. Again, Nick Mr M Robinson held at Northampton starting at 7pm on Smith displayed formi dable form, win - Dr K Talbot North East the six Wednesdays: Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov ning the Tuesday Teams Ladder, Tuesday Regional Master 17, Dec 15, Jan 19, Feb 16. Entries to the Pairs Ladder, the Tues day Championship www.neba.co.uk Wednesday event to Jim Bainbridge. together with Alan Wilson, culminating Mrs C Moore HURWORTH Bridge There will be a playoff between the with the prestigious Premier ship (based Mr R Moore Club was presented winners of the two Winter Leagues. on results from all county events). Master with the John Clark The Broke Cup is the a teams of four Adrian Lambe – John Clifford won the Miss D C Coe Salver for the Team of knock-out event with the winners Tuesday Butler Pairs Ladder. County the Year at the NEBA representing the county in the Pachabo . Pairs winners were Dinah and Andrew Mr F M Denton-Powell AGM, which was held First round losers compete in the B etts Lintott. Tony and Gill Brereton won the Mr D B Harrison at St George’s in May. The Player of the Bowl, so everyone is guaranteed at least March monthly Seniors’ Pairs, with Lynn Mrs M E Jones Year Award was presented to Martin two matches. Entries are required by the Kirby – John Gunn winning in April and Mr M Lapthorn Kane at the same meeting. end of August to Jim Bainbridge. Dale Thomas – Keith Goswell in May; The Kempson Cup (Knock-out Teams ) The joint Bedfordshire and Northants the overall winners, Geoff Mr M Stevens was won by Clive Owen’s Team (Clive congress will be held on Saturday 11 and Nicholas – Krishan Jalie, were awarded Somerset Owen, Malcolm Oliver, Bill March, Sunday 12 September with pairs on the the Sadler Salver. The Oxford Times Damian Hassan, Martin Kane, Dave Saturday and teams on the Sunday. I Cup (for genuine novices), generously Life Master Broadhead) who defeated Chris Owen’s would ask Northants members to sup - sponsored by Oxford Times Newspaper, Mrs A Skinner Team (Chris Owen, John Atthey, Dom - port this event. was won by Alice M. Kaye – Chris Dawe. Regional Master inic Maloney, Tom Dessain) in the final Mixed Pair s winners were Debbie (see page 42). The final of the Kempson Nottinghamshire Roberts – Geoff Nicholas, with Helen Mrs M R Lewin Plate was held at the same time and was Lawton-Smith – John Slater winning the Mr M Toft won by Frank Springett’s team www.nottsbridge.org.uk Flitch. Master The Club Champion Pairs was won by I REPORT, with sadness, the death of Lorna Swadling – Alastair Gidman Fred Dalton – Tony Jackson and the Alan Macey on 20th May. He began won the OBA Simultaneous Pairs. David Mrs A Allsopp Club Champion Teams by the Hurworth playing bridge at school in 1939, and and Jeremy Bygott finished 4th in the Mr J D Brown Team of Damian Hassan, Julian Gibson, lived in Notts for over sixty years. He National Pairs Final. Debbie Roberts, Ms Margaret Hodge Martin Kane, Hayden Dando. was an EBU Tournament Director for Geoff Nicholas, Kathy and Denis Talbot Mrs T Hopkins The Hurworth One Day Congress Pairs fifteen years. At various times, he was won the Hants & IOW Swiss Teams. was won by Dave Broadhead – Martin Secretary and Chairman of the NCBA, Diary Dates: Sept 5, Midlands League

50 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTY NEWS

v Leicestershire, Oxford BC. Sept 6, OBA Comfortable winners of the Mixed started with a win for Suffolk ‘A’ against Landmark Master Management & Wessex League meeting, Pairs were Graeme Winterburn – Jenny Bedfordshire by 16-4 VPs. The Suffolk Point Promotions Oxford BC. Sept 14, EBU Simultaneous Matthews; Margaret Wort – Paul Hackett ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams lost, though, by 5-15 Pairs, OBA Duplicate, Oxford BC. were 2nd, with Dan Crofts – Sandra and 3-17 VPs respectively. Fenton 3rd. Diary Dates: Felixstowe Congress – Staffs & Shropshire Somerset It has been a good couple of months Saturday 2nd October Green-pointed Regional Master for Paul Hackett, winning the Pairs at Pairs, Sunday 3rd October Green-pointed www.somersetbridge.org.uk Mr ID Biott Kings Lynn with Roger O’Shea and Swiss Teams. Full details on the SCBA LES Botting and Sally Stut - being in the winning England Seniors website. Master tard are standing down from Camrose team. Partnering Edward Levy Mrs S Amos our County Commit tee he finished 4th in the Corwen . Jason and Surrey Mr P Holden this year after sixteen and Justin were in the unbeaten team in the five years service res pec - Spring Foursomes and went on to win www.surreycountybridge.org.uk Suffolk tively. During their time on Crockfords. CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Lee, Bob Life Master the Committee both have held officer Rowlands, Liz Phillips, Bob McRobert for posi tions and we would like to thank Suffolk retaining the Lady Rose Cup . The losing Prof M J Sherer them formally for their service to the finalists, Frances Hinden, Jeffrey Allerton, Master SCBA. www.suffolkbridge.co.uk Graham Osborne, Mike Scoltock together Mrs M B Driver Congratulations to Bill Rowe who THE Premier Division of with Jon Cooke had the consolation of won the County Victor Ludorum this Miss S Gray the Winter League experi - winning the Hubert Phillips Bowl for season; Dave Latchem was 2nd and enced its tightest-ever Mixed Pivot Teams. Ian Swanson’s team Mrs E F Hoeg David Howard 3rd. finish, with all four top won the Lady Rose Plate. Surrey Congratulations also to Colin Flood’s positions depending upon the result of Stuart Reid, Melanie Swann, Will team who won the Championship Teams, the last match. In the end, the Green and Swain, Chris Huber and Paul Bate won Grand Master and to the players listed below. Allnutt teams were tied on 73 VPs, but the Novice Team League. Ulla Adilz – Pam Mr C Chisnall Championship Pairs: 1. Bill Rowe – by winning 71 IMPs to 56 the overall Jardine won the AGM Swiss Pairs. Caroline MacPherson, 2. Simon Old - winner was Green (Robert Green, Colin Charles Chisnall was a member of the Regional Master ham – Steve Fletcher, 3. Rob Lawy – Bamberger, Graham Beeton, Jeff Orton). winning team in the Gerard Faulkner Mr J A Greenfield Sheila Coda. Championship Pairs Plate: The Tweddell and Moran teams were Salver. Ms A Haring-Pedrocchi 1. Andy Ridgers – Sheena Lanham, 2. Ray close behind tied on 71 VPs, third place The end of the season marks the reti - Mrs W Lancaster Harper – Marion Blackall, 3. Barbara going to Tweddell on IMPs. The Second rement of Roland Bolton as Surrey CTD. Biggin – Anne Skinner. Percentage Pairs: Division was won by Less, and the Roland has been ‘Mr Surrey Compe ti - Mr N Moore 1. Heinz Brunsch – Nigel Maggs, 2. Dave Regional East Division by Johnston. tions’ for so long that the format of our Mr J Neal Latchem – Bob Warrender, 3. Les Joan Mayhew – Basia Malinowska competitions will not be able to continue Master Botting – Mike Purse. won the AGM Pairs (67.3%); Helen as they have done without him. It is no The County League A Division was Mason – Norman Less were 2nd, Rick wonder that we cannot find any to take Ms Margaret Andrews won by Langport, the B Division by Hanley – Jeff Orton 3rd. Penny and Julian over from him, as he is irreplaceable. Mrs A Binder Yeovil and the C Division by Street. Lang won the Mixed Pairs (61.9%), with Surrey would like to thank Roland for his Mr GM Cole Roger Sweet’s team beat the 11th Joan Mayhew – Mike Sherer 2nd and unique contribution to Surrey bridge Mrs J M Cookson seeds to reach the last sixteen in the Gold Sue Flin – Graham Beeton 3rd. Marie over the years and wish him a long and Cup. The Yeovil team of Rachael Brown, Coates – Mike Del-Bo won the Cham- happy retirement. Mrs A M Gossip Frank Coltman, Peter Gurman, Donne pionship Pairs with 62.5%, from Mike Mr L Harvey Hoong, Colin Simcox, Mike Toft , Bone – Bryan Sellick (61.1%). Sussex Mr B Mercer Stewart Upton, Ray Walder, represent - In the BGB Simultaneous Spring Pairs, Lady S M Prickett ing Somerset, took 2nd place in the Carl Ib – Sue Cook from Aldeburgh www.sccba.co.uk Regional Final of the Garden Cities were 4th (out of 1,614 pairs) with 69.6% CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs C R Smith Trophy . This qualified them for the in the Tuesday event, and Norma Shan - Malcolm and Karen Pryor Mrs A Troiano National Final and it is a great achieve - nahan – Allyn Bignell from Stow market who won the Green Point Mrs P West ment as this is the first time since the were 11th (2,545 pairs) with 67.8% in Event at Ardingly in May; Somerset-Avon split that a Somerset Mr P West the Wednesday event. Allyn Bignell also 2. Gerry Stanford – Dave team has made the National Final of this featured in the EBU Simultaneous Spring Franklin; 3. Michael Prior – Sussex event. Congra tu la tions to them all. Pairs, this time partnering Paul Croxson Keith Ashcroft. Winners of at Bury St. Edmunds, finishing 13th the Non-expert Priz e were Stephen Flet - Grand Master Staffs and Shrops (1,397 pairs) with 66.3%. cher – Simon Oldham. Mrs E J Hoskins The 2010-11 Eastern Counties League Henfield Candles: 1. Roger Hitt, www.staffsandshrops.org.uk Life Master ROGER Keane’s team Mr DI Nastaszczuk (David Beavon, Paul Cutler Regional Master and Roy Edwards) won Ms J Alderman the 1st Division League; Mr M J Dancy Paul Hackett’s team was 2nd with Roy Martin’s team 3rd. In the Mr G Faulkner 2nd Division, Paul Laughlin’s team (Linda Mr MP Silverman Laughlin, Anne Hinderley and Doug Master Simmonds) were victorious with Jenny Matthews’s team 2nd and Tony Brian’s Mr Ray Exall team 3rd. Mr D H Gilbert The Staffs Cup was won by Paul Mrs Carole Oliver Hackett’s team (Dan Crofts, Edward Mina Picton Levy, Mike Goldsmith, Barbara and Justin Hackett) who beat Geoff Davies’s Mrs C Pratt team in the final. Paul’s team went on to Mrs P T Warren play in the Pachabo were they came 8th. Mrs C M Weston The Ladies’ Pairs was won by Kath Adams – Terry May; Maria Row lands – a

Warwickshire Judy Mitchell were 2nd, Ann n a r a

Berrisford – Margaret Dash 3rd. The v Regional Master a K

Surrey CBA president Shirley Pritchard (left) presenting an engraved salver winners of the Men’s Pairs were Darren i

m to John and Philippa Cadge at the Leatherhead Bridge Club

Mrs J M Coggle o

Evetts – Jason Hackett, with Dan Crofts B

: for their outstanding, long standing and continuing contribution o

Mr A Imam – Paul Hackett 2nd, and Ivor Clarke – t

o as teachers at Claremont Fan Court School in Esher. h

Mike Sheriff 3rd. P www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 51 Rosemarie Thompson, Derek Eneas, Platts for winning the 2010 Murray round of each. Landmark Master Christine Dyer; 2. Leon Northeast, John League Final. Diary Dates: Aug 9, Play-with-the- Point Promotions Jackson, Yves LeBrec, Anthony Whiteway. Congratulations also to Sally and Experts Teams. Sept 6, Grand Prix Teams In the Pachabo, Sussex were 6th out of Philip Wraight, Peter Mollart, John Heat 1. Sept 20, Men’s and Ladies’ Pairs. Mrs B P Richards 32 Counties and were represented by Farmer, Mike and Sally-Ann Rothwell, Oct 4, Closed Team Qualifier. Oct 9, Julian Mitchell, Christine Jepson, Andy Malcom Hartley, Michael Cox on 4th Irene Allen ‘Non Expert’ Swiss Pairs. Master Ryder and Per Lindsten. Jeremy Willans, position in the North Garden Cities Mrs T H Austin who is a secondary member of Sussex, Regional Final in May. Mike and Yorkshire Mr R E Blackwell was in the winning team for Kent. Sally-Ann Rothwell also represented www.ycba.freeserve.co.uk/ Mrs J M Carter the county in June with a creditable Warwickshire performance in the Corwen Trophy. SHEFFIELD pair Graham Mr J Cullwick The EBU leader board ranking lists Jepson – David Musson Mrs CE Curran www.warwickshirebridge.co.uk for Westmorland were as follows: Level achieved an outstanding 2nd Mr P Curran WE report with sadness 4: 1. Jeff Harrison, 2. Bill Wallis; Level 5: place in the Corwen Trophy. Miss B Czernuszka the death of Steve Byrne John Ellwood, Ray Gregory. Level 6: Also runners-up were the York team of on May 26, a much loved Wendy Ellwood, Richard Brazier. Paul Brereton, Liz Reese, Frank Dixon, Mrs N Levy and highly respected play- Diary Dates: Westmorland’s first John Dennis, Keith Sowerbutts, Phil Mrs S Pink er, who will be greatly green-pointed event, the Open Swiss Godfrey, Mark Bratley, Tom Cohen, in Mr W J Pink missed. Pairs, will take place on Sept 26 at the Regional Heat of the Garden Cities Darren Evetts was elected County competition, thereby qualifying for the Mrs M Taylor Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal. Chairman at our AGM held on June 20. Visitors will be most welcome. Contact final. Westmorland Mike Thorley was elected Vice-Chair - John Ellwood [email protected] . Tom Rainforth was a member of the man, and the following officers were re- winning Cam bridge team in the Port - Regional Master elected: Sandra Squires (Secretary), land Bowl com petition (see page 34). Mrs S Rothwell Leslie Reece (Treasurer), Adrian Knight Wiltshire Congratulations to the following on Master (Selection), Jon Downing (League), and www.wcba.co.uk their successes in county events and Stephanie Galvin (Master Points). The WILTSHIRE has no club congresses: S eniors’ Knock-out Mrs W Ellwood Cock O’County Trophy was won by events in the summer Teams, David Musson, Graham Jepson, Wiltshire Audrey and Henry McBride. months. The committee Sandy Davies, Tom Gisborne. YCBA Congratulations to Coventry and was re-elected en bloc at the May AGM Mixed Pairs, Fiona Brown – Hugh Regional Master North Warwickshire BC on their splen - and will shortly be publishing its 2010- McGann. Sheffield Charity Swiss Teams , Miss E E Barwell did new purpose-built premises at Binley 2011 calendar. The county has never - Gill Woodcock, Sue Wormald, Jennifer Mr C J Jones Road, officially opened on July 25. theless been busy changing its website and Bernard Fletcher. Bridlington Con - The winners of our Charity Simul ta - gress: Championship Pairs , Margaret and Mr K Williamson and linking that site to those of its neous Pairs event in aid of the Warwick - member clubs to improve the passing of Peter Savage; Swiss Teams , Andrew Petrie, Master shire Air Ambulance were Julian and newsworthy matters around Wiltshire. David Colley, Graham Jepson, David Mr Eric Mountain Mary Shingler (Moseley BC). The Extra events are being planned for Fletcher. Waddington Shield (YCBA runners-up were Gordon Fox – Gay Hull members now joining via P2P; details of Knock-out Teams) , Bill Townsend, Sarah Worcester (Stratford BC); 143 pairs took part at six these events will be published both Teshome, Richard Winter, Giles Foster, Master venues. directly and via club and county Tony McNiff. Yorkshire Trophy, Piers Our Green Point Swiss Pairs event websites. Percival, Roger Holmes, Barrie Mitchin - Mrs S Craddock held at West Midlands BC in May son, John Spence. Yorkshire Masters Mrs L A Kennedy attracted fifty pairs, and was won by Pairs, Grade 1 , Matthew Kiggins – Ian Worcestershire Mrs Joyce Sambrook James and Shirley Dutton; the runners- Johns; Grades 2 & 3 , Roger Gascoyne – up were Ian Handley – Mike Leese. www.worcestershirebridge.co.uk Michael Porter and Peter Carson – Yorkshire Our Inter-County Teams had a suc - Richard Kempner. cessful season coming 1st and 2nd in the THE Seniors Pairs was YCBA Congress: Mixed Pairs , Annette Life Master Dawes and Porter Leagues. War wick shire won by Nick Forward – and Mike Jackson; Ladies’ Pairs, Susan Dr D R Hose also won the Six Counties Midland Chal - Steve Allerston with a Stockdale – Fiona Brown; Men’s Pairs , Regional Master lenge Bowl which we hosted this year at score of over 70%. Mike Ciaran Coyne – Hugh McGann; Moor- Willoughby – Stewart Mr S T Barrett West Midlands BC in June. town Cup (Championship Pairs) , Pauline Diary Dates: on 22 September at 7.15 Fishburne had started strongly but Cooper – Philip Mason; York Mount Mr R Bielawski pm Moseley BC invites teams to enter could only manage 63% in the end. Group Trophy, Nihar Mitra – Alan John- Ms K Markert for the Moseley Bowl. Oct 17, the main The top three pairs from our son; Chairman’s Plate, Brian Marlow – Master County Teams competition for the Frank Championship Pairs Final played in the Ajit Shivdasani; Fell-Vincent Cup (Cham - Cup will be held at West Midlands BC at Corwen with some success: John pionship Teams), Julie and Ian Grant, Ms E Armstrong 2pm. Sansom – Richard Jephcott came 5th, Janet Easter, Adrian Goulding; John Mrs I Boothman with Jimmy Ledger – David Thomas Colley Trophy, Eve Hatfield, James Mr P Carson Westmorland close behind in 9th place. Ewington, Dom Maloney, Philip Smith; Mr M C Dessain A team representing the Worcester Scarborough Trophy, Lesley Bridson, www.bridgewebs.com/westmorland Bridge Club have progressed to the Catherine Thompson, Ruth Barker, John Mrs Carol Duke FIRSTLY, congratulations quarter-finals of the NICKO, beating a Blackett. Mr A K Ford to Peter Mollart on his strong Manchester team in the previous Yorkshire Individual, Peter Wallace. Mrs E Fox promotion to the rank of round. The players are John Sansom, Castle Swiss Pairs, David Musson – Mrs R Holmes Grand Master. Richard Jephcott, Nick Forward, Steve Frank Littlewood. Affiliated Clubs Day: Well done to the West - Allerston and Ross Garratt. The same Non-league Clubs Trophy, Hull Univer - Mr R A Kempner morland team of Sue team is also in the Gold Cup’s last sity (Edna Hunter, Pat Thirkettle, Fay Mrs WV McLean Winder, David Lowe, Stewart and Norma sixteen. Good luck to them in the next Carr, Betty Marks); League Clubs Trophy, Mr D H Reeves Mr SJ Saffman Mr F Solts AUGUST 21 is the closing date for the submission Mr A J Stalker Mrs M H Wadsworth of county reports for the next issue of Mr Tony Watson English Bridge. Mrs L Wellings Mr D S Whisker Please e-mail: [email protected]

52 English Bridge A ugust 2010 www.ebu.co.uk A day in the life of . . . Nevena’s Top Tip

Aways have a plan as declarer, but be prepared Nevena Senior to change it, if things are different from what you would Nevena Senior is the holder of a total of ten medals in European and World Champion - normally expect. ships, playing for Bulgaria, where she was born, Great Britain and England. She considers Ideally, you should try to combine all her highest achievements to be winning the European Ladies Pairs in 1987 in Brighton possibilities at the start of the play, but for Bulgaria (when she had only been playing bridge for four years) and the gold medal it is sometimes difficult to do so. How - ever, you should use all the new infor - for England in the Women’s Teams at the in Beijing in 2008 . mation about the opposition's hands that comes along in the course of the play and adjust the plan accordingly. I LEAD a kind of ‘double life’, so I don’t our neighbours is from the Ukraine, and Look at this deal, for example: have a typical day – I have two! my mother has frequent chats with her – ´ J 9 6 5 I live in Nottingham, but from Monday in Russian! Having mother with us is ™ A K J 6 to Wednesday I work in London, playing good, especially if both Brian and I are t A 8 and coaching at the Andrew Robson away playing bridge: she gets on well with ® Q 7 2

Bridge Club. This entails getting up at the children and they all look after each N W E 8.45am on Mondays in order to catch the other. Kiril, who was born in Bulgaria S London train at 10.30. I when I lived (and was ´ A K Q 8 3 just drink a quick coffee married to my first hus - ™ 7 5 2 before leaving, but treat band) there, is per fectly t Q 6 myself to a sandwich bilingual; Katya, born in ® A K 4 once in London. I reach England, speaks Bulga - You are in 6 ´ and West leads a club. the club in time to play rian with an English To start with, your plan should be to in the 1pm session, after accent, but has no prob - draw trumps, cash the ace and king of which I go over the hands lems in either lan guage. hearts, cross to hand and play a heart with my partner. Brian is the only person towards the jack. That gives you the I have a two-hour in the household who contract when West holds ™Q, or hearts ™ ™ break before the evening does not speak Bulga - are 3-3 or East has Q-x or Q. However, when you draw the trumps, session starts at 7pm, so rian, but by now he East turns out to have only one. As a I might have a sushi as under stands enough to discovery play, you play two more an early dinner. The make it im pos sible for rounds of clubs, and East shows out on L evening is a replica of B any of the others to the third round. At that point your E

: o the afternoon – playing t criticise him without original plan stops making sense. Cash - o h and coaching P him being aware of it! ing the ace and king of hearts was a ™ afterwards – so my working day usually When I’m at home, I forget about bridge precaution in case East held Q-x. But if this was the case, West would have had finishes around 10 or 11 in the evening. I and try to sleep late to catch up, even if a 3-4-1-5 shape and might well have am lucky in being able to spend the night Katya tends to wake me up at 6am for a led his singleton (and East, with eight at a friend’s house, but by the time we’ve cuddle, or because she has suddenly diamonds, would have bid). finished chatting bedtime is very late – remembered that she ‘needs’ something It's much more attractive in this posi - still, travelling to the club the next day for school. Kiril now works, so he leaves tion to cash one top heart, then play takes less time than from Nottingham! early, and by the time I’m up both kids ace and another dia mond, hoping that I go back on Thursday and usually spend have left and I can have a leisurely morning the tK is with East, and him. the weekend at home although once or checking e-mails and catching up with the twice a month I may play in a congress –I news. I cook both lunch and dinner, though ask Katya, was to Disneyland when she only play in the big ones and the major lunch is generally just soup with Brian and was 4 – it was a memorable experience! knock-out events, or I would not have mother, and in the afternoon I do the Despite being portrayed in Wife Swap enough time with my family. shopping and might meet Katya after (which I wish to forget about) as not being I live with my husband, Brian, our school for a ‘girlie’ shopping expedition. close to each other, we are a close-knit daughter Katya (13) and my son Kiril Now she’s growing up, Katya needs me family, and in the evening, after our meal, (24). My mother, who is 84, lives with us less and does more things with her father. we enjoy our favourite TV programmes most of the year, with occasional trips Brian plays tennis with her and they go to together. We had a very long phase of being back to Bulgaria. She does not speak the cinema together once a week. Since House fans, but have now moved on to English (though she can read it and she Bulgaria joined the EU, going there is Boston Legal, and are quite addicted to it. understands quite a lot) but this does not easier and we all go at least once a year. Just as well I can now catch up on missed prevent her from making friends. One of Our best trip, however, especially if you episodes on the internet . . . r

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 53 L

A A chat I R O T

I with the Editor D

E Elena Jeronimidis

Passion and heartache Large print rested when you begin, so you play better. Also, the atmos phere is friendlier, as AS I write this, the flags on the cars have Elspeth Fox has e-mailed me to ask if players have not had time to accumulate wilted. Fans have taken England’s exit from English Bridg e is available in large print ‘for frustrations during the day. Thirdly, the the football World Cup hard – and I don’t those who have less than perfect eyesight in break for lunch affords a real opportunity blame them. Then it was Wimble don, and their old age.’ I regret the answer is no, as to socialise. And it all finishes at a reason- Britain bemoaned Andrew Murray’s semi- the cost would be prohibitive. able time, so you still have the best part of final defeat. Did anyone spare much However, that’s not to say that I am the day to do your chores or carry out thought for the England players competing unsympathetic to the needs of those other activities. at the European Bridge Team Champion - whose eyesight is not what it used to be – Clubs should try it out as an excellent ships in Ostend, which was going on more especially as I am one of them! One of the means to increase membership. or less at the same time? Not in the media, first decisions I made when I became the they didn’t, nor did anyone ask Paul, the editor of this magazine was to use a larger Debatable issues psychic octopus*, how the German bridge typeface but the drawback, of course, was teams might fare – yet there was a lot of that now I cannot fit as much material as I Thank you to all those who responded to passion and heartache in Ostend too. would like onto a page. Using an even my appeal and sent in suggestions for These Championships are the European larger typeface would mean drastically cur- Debate topics, in particular Ian Kemp and qualifiers for the next World Team Cham - tailing the number and range of articles the irrepressible Ian Dalziel who thinks a pion ships, and the top six in each series (or that are published. good subject would be whether women seven, if the hosts, the Nether lands, ended If, as has been discussed by the Editorial are as good at bridge as men. in the top six, as they would qualify as of Board, we put the whole of English Bridge The last time I debated this proposition right) would gain the right to com pete in in pdf format on the website, though, was at the end of an away match. The the 2011 (Open Teams), the readers could enlarge the text on the friend I was with maintained – over a (Women’s Teams) and the of their computer. Maybe that is the couple of packs of pork scratch ings and a Ernesto D’Orsi Bowl (Seniors Teams). Our answer and I can promise that we shall pint in a country pub – that the top women Seniors, current World Cham pions, started seriously consider its implemen tation. In in Britain could not possibly be as good as badly and there after sadly languished in the the meantime, readers with less than per - a good male county player, i.e. him. As he middle of the table. Our Open Team, Silver fect eyesight could try perusing the English was giving me a lift home, and the pub was Medallists at the 2008 Beijing Mind Sports Bridge Library on the EBU website; I in the middle of nowhere, I refrained from Games, did well to qualify for the second would appreciate their views as to whether stating my opinion forcef ully. I have always phase of their competition, but eventually reading from the screen represents an regretted my cowardice, so I will be only finished twelfth. It was left to the Women’s improvement. too happy to try and set up debates about Team (Gold Medallists in Beijing) to fly the Note that if English Bridge goes on the this and the other topics suggested. flag, and they duly qualified for the Venice web, it will only be available to members Cup – in fifth place, having been in con - as some areas of the website will become A vexed question tention for a medal until the very end. Well members-only access in the coming year. done Heather Dhondy and Nevena Senior, Finally, on to the vexed question of photo - Sally Brock and , and Fiona Day-time pleasure graphs in the magazine. Gordon Lawrence Brown and Susan Stockdale; a full report surmises that those we use are ‘out of the on the Champion ships will be published in Apologies if I preach to the converted, but ark’ – ‘Or are they really like that?’ he asks. the next issue. if you have not yet discovered the joy of Well Gordon, yes, we are! I try to change day-time bridge, you should hasten to photos of contri butors every fourth year repair the omission. I know this is not for (less often if their appearance really has not *If you don’t know what I am talking those who have to go out to work, but if changed), so that you can actually recognise about, ‘Paul’ is the celebrity octopus who you are retired or have a job (like mine) us if you meet us. That’s not to say that predicted the result of the Germany World that allows you to work flexible hours, I some judicious removing of wrinkles (as in Cup football matches by wrapping his can truly recommend the experience. I the photo top left on this page) might not tentacles around the miniature German have now played twice in day-time sessions have been carried out – all in the name of flag lowered in his tank together with the (10.30am – 2.30pm), and have enjoyed preserving that look of youthful enthu siasm opponents’ flag (or viceversa). every minute of it. For starters, you are one has for one’s job, you understand! r

54 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Z makers of playing cards since 1824 PRIZE LEADS I www.piatnik.co.uk QQQUUIIZZZ U Q

( 020 8661 8866

OPENING leads are often subjective and vir tual ly any S opening lead can be successful some of the time. However, D bridge is in many ways a game of percentages and there fore A certain leads will gain more often than others. In each issue E L

you will be given three hands and the bidding on each, and

you are asked to choose your opening leads. Sugges tions E

and markings will be in the next issue. In each example you Z I are on lead as West. R

Paul Hackett P Music and Opera have always been synony - mous with Vienna, home of the world famous WN E S Piatnik Playing Cards. It was their love of the Hand 1 1t ´ ♣ ´ t performing arts which inspired a new collec - A K J 9 8 7 3 3NT 4 5 ´ tion of Bridge Cards. The ‘Overture’ pack from ™ A J 8 6 5 5 6t End this collection is the prize on offer in our series t Void ♣ WN E S of quizzes set by Paul Hackett. For more ♣ 9 5 3 = Both majors, Hand 3 2´ information on the new Piatnik cards please constructive ´ 7 6 Pass 2NT 3™ 4´ visit www.gibsonsgames.co.uk. ™ Q 10 7 5 4 5™ 5´ End There are three categories in our competi - t 10 6 5 tion: up to and including Master; up to and ♣ 7 5 4 2´ = Weak, 5-10 points including Regional Master; and those with WN E S 2NT = Enquiry higher ranking. Please indicate on the top left- Hand 2 1´ 4´ = Maximum, with a hand corner of the envelope, or in the e-mail ´ J 10 9 4 Pass 1NT Pass 3♣ singleton heart subject line, the category for which you are ™ A Q 10 4 Pass 3´ Pass 4´ entering. The first correct entry in each t 10 9 6 4 category out of a hat will win the prize. ♣ J 3♣ = Natural and game The Editor’s decision is final. forcing

Entries to the Editor, 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR, or e-mail [email protected] by August 20th, 2010. Please make sure you include your full postal address even if entering by e-mail.

ANSWERS TO JUNE OPENING LEADS QUIZ

WN E S It sounds as though the opponents may have WN E S ´ A 6 5 3NT reached game on minimum values. You are ´ 10 4 2 1NT ™ K 10 7 6 4 End sitting over declarer with the spades and there is ™ J 10 9 7 Pass 3NT Dble End t Q J 10 4 *Solid minor with no more an inference that partner has the diamonds t Q 10 8 7 ♣ 6 than one stop outside stopped so declarer may well be playing on a ♣ 6 5 ´2 (10); ´10 (8); ™J (4); cross-ruff. Although it looks unusual to lead a t7 (2). ´A (10); tQ (5); ™6/ ™4 (3); ´5/ ™K (1). trump from this holding, the trick lost is likely to come back with interest. The ♣Q is the safe lead. The double of 3NT asks for an unusual lead and The classical lead against the 3NT opener is to The t6 could be right if partner holds the two classically it has always indicated a spade. Here lead an ace to see the dummy and therefore the minor aces but may well give a trick. there is no reason for not leading the suit partner ´A is the normal choice. A diamond lead could has asked for, especially as the opponents have work if declarer only had seven club tricks with not used Stayman. The ´2 is better than the ´10 the tA and slow tricks in the majors. Similarly a as it gives partner your spade count. The heart heart lead may work, but it needs to find more CONGRATULATIONS lead is safe, but after the double may well cost in specific cards in partner’s suit. TO THE WINNERS: terms of . A diamond lead is highly speculative. Master: Sasha Cooper, WN E S Oxford ´ A Q 10 8 1´ Regional: Marie Thomson. ™ Q 7 5 Pass 2t Pass 2™ Runfold, Surrey t 6 Pass 3™* Pass 4™ ♣ Q J 10 7 6 End (*non forcing) Open: Andrew Morris, Horsham, West Sussex ™7/ ™5 (10); ♣Q (7); t6 (3).

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 55