BRIDGENumber Ninety August 2008 Ready QOctober PLUS 9.1 The very best -playing Software available

FEATURES SYSTEM HANS LEBER  The Usual Friendly Interface (see above)  8mb RAM  Hint and Help Buttons – always at hand  CD-ROM  Easy Windows Installation  Pentium or  Comprehensive Manual equivalent  Rubber, Duplicate and Teams Scoring  Windows XP or Vista  Instant results playing in teams mode  2,500 pre-played hands for teams  2,000 pre-played hands for match-pointed BUY 8.8 NOW pairs including 1,000 new hands Receive 9.1, at no extra charge, Check your pairs percentage and ranking NEW when published in October. Systems include: several versions of Acol, NEW including Bernard Magee’s system, Standard Order with confidence. American or create your own.  £79.95 including postage

Make your cheque payable to and send to: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302 FEATURES 1 Bubble Caption 55 Bidding Quiz Answers BIDDING QUIZ Competition by Bernard Magee BRIDGE by Bernard Magee 3 Bidding Quiz 56 Liz McGowan says by Bernard Magee Don’t ou are West in the auc- with a Winner 4 Ytions below, playing 5 Still Not Too Late! 57 Declarer Play 'Standard Acol' with a weak by Sandra Quiz Answers no- (12-14 points) and by David Huggett Cut-out Form four-card majors. 58 The de Sade Memorial (Answers on page 55) Ryden Grange 10 Top Marx for Stayman Matchpoint Polar Pairs by Ned Paul by Dick Atkinson Knaphill, Surrey 1. Dealer West. E/W Vul. 11 : The New ADVERTISEMENTS m GU21 2TH Rules by Bernard Magee K Q 2 QPlus 9.1 n K  12 01483 489961 o Q 5 4 3 Answers Your Questions 6 Tunisia 2009 Fax 01483 797302 p Q 8 7 5 4 2 22 Murder, Mystery . . . Aegean Cruise e-mail: Bridge by Michael 7 Christmas 2009 West North East South [email protected] Scarrott 8 Gentle Duplicates ? 26 Julian Pottage says website: 9 Charity Bridge Events www.mrbridge.co.uk a Stopper 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul. 13 Harben House 27 A Walk at Holiday Time m 6 5 Bridge Weekends All correspondence should by Countryman n J 4 2 be addressed to Mr Bridge. 14 Marsham Court o 32 Jeremy Dhondy says 9 4 2 Bridge Weekends p Please make sure that all Use the Rule of Fifteen 10 8 7 4 2 letters, e-mails and faxes 17 Staverton Park 33 Andrew Kambites says carry full postal addresses Bridge Weekends West North East South and telephone numbers. Put Partner with Eight 1NT Pass 18 Beach Hotel Points if the Opposition ? Managing Editor Pre-Empt Bridge Weekends 20 2009 Summer Cruises Mr Bridge 34 Freddie North says 3. Dealer East. Game All. Don’t Overbid On Discovery m K 9 8 7 on Big Hands Associate Editor 25 Rubber / Chicago n A 4 3 Julian Pottage 35 Dave Huggett says Don’t Bridge Events o A 7 3 2 in the Long Hand 28 Declarer Play p 6 5 Technical Consultant 36 Mike Wenble says 29 The Olde Barn Hotel Tony Gordon Length is Strength Bridge Events West North East South 1n Pass 37 David Stevenson 30 Holiday Diary m Bridge Consultant Answers Your Questions 1 Pass 1NT Pass 41 Theobalds Park ? Bernard Magee 38 Declarer Play Quiz Bridge Weekends 4. Dealer North. Love All. by Dave Huggett Proof Readers 42 Winter Cruises m 8 7 4 Danny Roth 39 Defence Quiz On Board Discovery n K Q 6 by Julian Pottage Hugh Williams 47 Acol Bidding o A 8 4 2 44 June Bubble Captions p A J 5 Freddie North 48 Stamps 46 says Assume You Can 49 Barony Castle West North East South Software Support m Beat the Events 1 Dbl Pass  01483 485340 ? 47 Nursing Partner 50 Wychwood Park Events & Cruises by Freddie North Bridge Events 5. Dealer: West Love All.  48 Readers’ Letters 51 2009 Diaries 01483 489961 m A K 7 6 5 Latimer House Leanora Adds 53 Defence Quiz Answers n Bridge Events K 10 4 3 Jessica Galt by Julian Pottage o Q J 2 Milton Hill House Holly Cobbett 54 Bernard Magee says p 7 Bridge Events Rachel Everett Use the Principle of Restricted Choice 60 Cape to Cape Cruise West North East South Address Changes 1m 1NT Dbl 2n  The views expressed in this publication are not ? 01483 485342 necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3 YELLOW BOOK BUBBLE CAPTIONS QPLUS 9.1 AND REMEMBER I have also asked my The new series of QPlus ... to enter the bubble or quiz talented cartoonist, play software is due for competitions or send in any Marguerite Lihou, to help release in October. Those shorties. Your friends could me pick the winners for the ordering now will receive enjoy this free publication, last competition. The prizes 8.8 by return of post and 9.1 so why not send in their have been posted. See pages will be sent when ready. names and addresses if they 44 and 45 for other captions. Order now with confidence. do not already receive BRIDGE. Be assured the Hung out to dry! data will not be passed to Mr G Kenyon, Blackburn third parties. The left two bare queens. STILL TIME The 2008 edition of Mr A Mayo, I have given page 5 to allow Rules He thinks it’s his lead. an uncharacteristically Simplified is ready at last. Mr G Wells, Olney emotional to It comes complete with a make an impassioned appeal tough hard-wearing No lead nor safe to club secretaries, laminated cover. I expect to line of play! committees, county officials, finish posting all Miss S Andrews, Warwicks Hans Leber, pictured above, the EBU board, indeed pre-ordered copies in the I think that’s the the brains behind this anyone who will listen. first week of August. winning line. marvellous software, is Mr G Watts, Aylesbury OBSOLETE anxious to promote the new DIRECTORY He only jump bids. series, hence the quiz. All earlier editions are now Dr J Mackenzie, Aberdeen out of date and should no The first five correct longer be used. solutions drawn randomly on COVER STORY 20th August will win a copy In order to hasten these out of the new QPlus 9.1. of circulation, please send me half of your old copy QPLUS QUIZ and seven first-class stamps. I will send you the new Assume QPlus is the dealer, book by return. This offer playing with closes 30th September. Do neither side vulnerable. tell your friends. Nobody QPlus is set to play Acol, weak no-trump (12-14). should be without their own The compilation of the yellow book. Bridge Club Directory is underway but there are still BRIDGE STRIP m Q 7 2 n K 4 3 many clubs who have not as I have been waiting a long o A J 7 4 yet responded. I believe that time to publish this cartoon Send your bubble caption p K J 6 a directory needs to be by Marguerite Lihou. I like it before 20 August, using the complete, kept up-to-date so much, I have put it on a cut-out form opposite page 6 and published annually. bone-china mug. £14.35 each. and jolly good luck. What would it bid? Your club details please.

Page 4 IT IS NOT TOO LATE! says Sandra Landy as she pleads for clubs and counties to reconsider their position on the EBU strategy

joined the of its membership stores up serious EBU competitions very cheaply. when still at school, so as a problems. Under P2P, both county and EBU I member of fifty plus years standing,  Many smaller clubs are started by income comes only from members I can claim to be a genuine supporter. teachers to give students somewhere playing in an affiliated club. Some So why, after so many years, am I now to play, as many larger clubs don’t clubs plan to split into two, one so strongly against the latest EBU welcome the inexperienced. I affiliated and the other not. So the strategy? I think Pay to Play (P2P) will encouraged my students to start a P2P fee will only be paid on some be a disaster and could even bankrupt club and seven years on, it is still sessions, where currently master - the organisation. Here are some of my thriving, affiliated and giving points points are awarded for all games. reasons for thinking so: A recent vote of the counties  P2P replaces the two income showed 60% to be in favour in P2P. sources, member subscriptions Since no discussion was allowed in and masterpoint sales, with just English Bridge, I suspect many one income source – not a people did not understand the sensible move for any business. implications. There is a general Nearly half of the EBU feeling that “something must be members pay by direct debit, done” and P2P is the only thing on something most organisations offer. The response of the EBU to only dream of achieving. Our this situation should be to address income is steady and secure; it its failings and make the Union even increased this year. Put the important and relevant to the wider very modest prices up if more bridge playing public so that people money really is needed. want to be members. Instead, it has  At the shareholders’ meeting come up with a plan to attempt to almost every county, whether force all club players into EBU for or against P2P, said that membership. I fear P2P could many smaller, social clubs bankrupt the EBU; they are already would leave the Union. These talking about mortgaging our HQ clubs currently pay a subs crip - premises to cover the P2P losses. I tion and award master points. hope every player will tell their The EBU loses income from both weekly. P2P will make starting club and county to vote against the when the club leaves. P2P may well such clubs more expensive and scheme when a formal vote is taken to bring the cost of affiliation to complicated to run. It’s likely they change the bye-laws next year. Clubs members’ attention and cause a will never affiliate, possibly losing and counties, it is not too late to rethink of this use of funds. If the these players to the EBU for ever. change your mind. club has money to spare, the Remember, the first membership might well see better you win are the most exciting ones uses for it, such as tastier biscuits, you ever get. Sandra Landy has been a successful more jollies, a reduction in table  Bridge players are cunning people. member of our women’s bridge team, money or donations to charity. Players whose clubs disaffiliate can twice winning the World Champion - There are no services the club gets join an affiliated club and play there ship among many other titles. Recently, from the EBU that cannot be found just once a year, thus becoming EBU she worked for the EBU developing the elsewhere. Any organisation that is members and getting both the Bridge For All initiative. happy to lose such a high proportion magazine and the right to play in

Message to EBU Board Members Please delay implementing P2P for a year. Consider alternative ideas to secure our future. Change may be inevitable, but we cannot afford to get it wrong. The EBU could well die whilst receiving the P2P treatment!

Page 5 CLEARANCE £100 OFF I have a number of copies of As there is an extra £100 off Bernard Magee’s Acol any summer 2009 cruise Bidding available for sale, booked before August 31, AT THE ROYAL KENZ second-hand at £40. the £599 per person becomes £499 and Discovery Club This is a wonderful way to members can claim their improve your bridge – TUNISIA usual 5% too! More highly recommended – but importantly, is the no fuel not for complete beginners. surcharge guarantee which And for those on a limited means that Voyages of budget, I have some QPlus 7, Discovery will not alter the second-hand, only £29, an price you pay if fuel prices ideal first computer play go up even further. program for bridge players. BACK COVER SUPPORT STORY All of the software I sell is patiently supported by our helpline.  01483 489961.

TUNISIA The party hosted by Bernard Magee at The Royal Kenz is now full. Holidays outside the euro- currency area are proving to be really good value so I have added two extra Two-week half-board fortnights for later this year. The full range of Winter Cruises is to be found on It is lovely and warm in duplicate holidays pages 42 and 43. Several of October and November. these are almost sold out. Do Recharge your batteries note that space does not 2008 – £699* before the onset of winter. permit us to advertise all the 5 October – 19 October Bookings for one week can cruise dates but there is a also be arranged. Mr Bridge host on all cruises 2 November – 16 November on board Discovery all the BERNARD’S CRUISE year round. 2009 – £699* CAPE TO CAPE FULL 22 February – 8 March I am joining the Cape to 8 March – 22 March Cape cruise, hosted by Tony and Jan Richards, to 22 March – 5 April celebrate my 70th birthday. Mrs Bridge and I look *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is forward to meeting the inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £5 per night. These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to Monastir. Flights The 2009 cruise from bridge group on this from other UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices Harwich to Nice is Bernard’s interesting cruise. are firm until 31 August 2008. Prices for seven-night stays are only cruise next year. He If you have not received a available on application. will host a large party of Discovery DVD by post, Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool-facing bridge players and their non- give me a call and one will room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of playing friends and family. seasonal fruit. be sent by return. It gives a During the eight-day cruise good idea of the layout of These holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. there are several days at sea, the ship, its ports of call and with lots of time to listen to the Antarctic Voyages. There seminars and play bridge. is also a brochure DETAILS & BOOKINGS There will be other tutors on specifically for the Antarctic  01483 489961 board to teach those wishing cruises for those wanting to learn to play. one.  01483 489961.

Page 6 £ If you have not contacted us in the last two years, please enter your details in the box below to re-register:

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, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH. BR90 £

DAY GUESTS CHRISTMAS Do give the office a ring if you would like to attend one of our weekend events CHRISTMAS without staying for bed and breakfast. and NEW YEAR 2008 Some prefer their own beds, others have pets or family to Our Christmas event this AT DENHAM GROVE look after and it can be a year is hosted by Sandy Bell Tilehouse Lane, Denham, , UB9 5DU little cheaper. Give the office and her team. a call if this option in any It will be held at Denham 24-27 Dec Sandy Bell £395 way appeals to you. Grove, a comfortable De NEW SERVICE Vere conference centre in 27-29 Dec Chris Barrable £199 Buckinghamshire. Those of you who like to 29 Dec-1 Jan Chris Barrable £355 All bedrooms are within the buy bridge knick-knacks and main building and half are equipment for prizes or on the ground floor. There is Half the bedrooms are on the ground floor. presents should ring and give Please advise if you require a ground-floor room. easy access to all the bridge your name, address and rooms, leisure pool and other phone number. I will then facilities, making this an o Full-board throughout o All rooms with arrange for a appropriate ideal Christmas venue. o No single supplement en-suite facilities supplier to contact you. o Use of Swimming o Venue non-smoking POSTAGE SAVINGS IN BETWEEN Pool and Fitness Suite o Extra Quizzes and Games Chris Barrable and Ann Pearson host the Twixmas ______BOOKING FORM ______break 27-29 December at the same venue. This will follow the established pattern of a Please book me for ..... places at Denham Grove, weekend event. Ask for Single ..... Twin ..... Double ..... Executive* (twin or double) ..... further details. 24-27 Dec ...... 27-29 Dec ...... 29 Dec-1 Jan ...... All ...... NEW YEAR Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Clive Goff is still offering Chris Barrable will also host the chance of discounts on the New Year Event at the Address...... postage stamps. 10% is same venue, see adjacent always a useful saving and advert. As always, ...... further reductions are offered Mrs Bridge and I will be for bulk purchases. /Fax: along to meet everyone at Postcode ...... 020 8422 4906 or e- mail: the Gala Dinner on the the [email protected] 31st. See you there.  ......

Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) MORE ACOL BIDDING ...... The follow-up Interactive CD £8995 Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking by BERNARD MAGEE Windows 98 or later, inc. Vista, CD ROM ...... 200 More Hands in 10 Chapters Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent  Basics  Defence to 1NT with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-  Advanced Basics  Doubles ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund-  Weak Twos  Two-suited able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your  Strong Hands  Defences to Other Systems own insurance broker. *£50 supplement per room.  Defence to Weak Twos  Misfits and Distributional Hands , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Includes Analysis and commentary on the play of the 200 hands, which vary from the straightforward to the very difficult.  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Available from Mail Order  01483 489961 e-mail: [email protected] www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 7 LAST FEW PLACES All good things come to an Better Hand end and that applies to my 2008 GENTLE DUPLICATES Gentle Duplicate weekend Evaluation events much as anything else. There are just a few Bernard Magee STAVERTON PARK places left at the subsidised Staverton, Daventry, rate of £129 per person, full Introduction Northants, NN11 6JT board and bridge for two full Better is days and nights. aimed at helping readers to add 17-19 October - £129 greater accuracy to their While at the chosen venue, bidding. It deals with auctions 21-23 November - £129 those booking have the in which you and your partner, chance to gain confidence against silent opponents, can playing duplicate bridge. fully describe your hands to THEOBALDS PARK each other and, by evaluating Bulls Cross Ride, Cheshunt, You will learn the them accurately, find the best Hertfordshire, EN7 5HW terminology and the final contract. The emphasis of mechanics of this great all good, accurate bidding is on 26-28 September - £129 hand evaluation. variation of the game. 31 Oct - 2 Nov - £129 There are two general types of There are no prizes of any auction: a) A fit is found and b) 28-30 November - £129 kind and no bridge tuition No fit is found. other than introducing you to When you do not have a fit, you are aiming to describe the HARBEN HOUSE duplicate. You should already know how to play as, strength of your hand as soon Tickford Street, , as possible, most often using I repeat, there is no bridge Buckinghamshire, MK16 9EY no-trump bids. This book teaching given. begins by discussing balanced 24-26 October - £129 hand bidding in Acol, as it is PRIZES very important that both 7-9 November - £129 members of a partnership have At all my weekend events, an accurate knowledge of how ______land-based overseas holidays to show hands of different BOOKING FORM strengths. and cruises, any prizes given are nominal and quite When a fit is found, there is Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... much re-evaluation of the hand deliberately so. to be done; point count, though Address...... It is my experience that as still important, needs to be evaluated along with soon as prizes of any value ...... distribution. The best way of are involved the wrong type reaching an accurate assessment is to use the Losing ...... Postcode ...... of players can be attracted and it ceases to be social. Trick Count; this is an important method of hand  ...... evaluation and takes up a THREE DON’TS number of chapters. Please book me for ...... places, When buying bridge Finally, we move on to different software, do remember the forms of evaluation including at Hotel ...... game tries and splinter bids. three don’ts. You can never know enough on dates...... Don’t be afraid to try some, methods of hand evaluation; the more you learn, the better Single ...... Double ...... Twin ...... don’t be embarrassed and you get at judging your hand. don’t be afraid of making a Although the Losing Trick Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking fool of yourself. Count is more easily used in So, before you buy go to my tandem with your partner, a ...... large proportion of the ideas in website: this book can be used by an Please send payment in full of £129 per person per place by cheque, www.mrbridge.co.uk and payable to Mr Bridge. A receipt will be sent with your booking confir- individual. For example, mation. 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be try Q-Plus 8.8 or any of the evaluating your hand to be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you Bernard Magee programs. worth an extra point is going to require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. help anyone you partner – as long as you get it right! CRIB SHEET , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Bernard Magee has not £14.20 inc. postage  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 completed the promised Acol from Ryden Grange, e-mail: [email protected] bidding crib sheet. That will Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH website: www.holidaybridge.com now have pride of place in  01483 489961 the next issue.

Page 8 SCORE PADS FUND-RAISING CHARITY In collaboration with If you are a charity or a club, Caspari, I am pleased to be do send in your dates well in BRIDGE EVENTS Mail Order able to make a sensational advance, if you would like  01483 489961 offer which should appeal to them included in the strip. SEPTEMBER 2008 everyone, charities, clubs 3 GYDA. Corn Exchange, Faringdon. Always be sure to ask for SOFTWARE and individuals alike. £15 includes lunch. prizes when telling me about Steve Braithwaite QPlus 8.8 £79.95 12 score pads for £15, your work. No bona-fide  01367 240929 Bernard Magee CDs postage included. Buy your fundraisers are ever refused. 11 HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL supplies now before the Acol Bidding £59.95 Readers, where you can, Upwood Village Hall. £15. Lunch. season starts. Peter Somerfield More Acol £89.95 please support these events.  01487 812167 Bidding TEA TOWELS They can really be great fun. Chris Bruce  01487 812327 Declarer Play £69.95 Sensational for fund-raising. 24 CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION YOUR Great Stukeley Village Hall. £13. Superscorer £52.95 100 of any of the following MEMBERSHIP Kay Brownlow  01480 880663 designs for only £200 plus BOOKS Please use the form opposite 25 FARLEIGH HOSPICE. £15. Lunch. VAT (£235) including Little Baddow Memorial Hall, page 6 if you have not Duplicate Bridge carriage. Mixed box of 30 Essex. 10.30am for 11am-4pm. re-registered within the last  Rules Simplified Survivors and 10 of each of Julie Renvoize 01245 258067 two or three years. If friends Fully revised 2008 the others £220 plus VAT 30 SAM BEARE HOSPICE complain they no longer The Yellow Book £5.35 (£258.50). Christ the Prince of Peace Church, receive their free copy of Bernard Magee Books Weybridge. 2-5 pm. £24 per table. We Are Survivors BRIDGE, remind them to re- Susan  01932 400009 Hand Evaluation £14.20 Claire  01932 855799 Ode to a Pill register. Your membership Tips for really is free but if I do not OCTOBER 2008 Better Bridge £12.20 Ten Commandments hear from you, BRIDGE (for bridge players) will stop coming. 4 ST ANNE’S CHURCH, KEW PENS How to know 1.30 for 2pm-5pm. £12.50. Tea. Ian Lewty  0208 876 3681 Boxed Sets of 4 Pens (you are growing old) SINGLES 10 ORPHANS OF HIV AID SUFFERERS Thoughts I try, with some success, to Hemingford Abbots Hall. £13.00 (of an older person) match singles to share Paula Burghope inc. lunch.  Bridge Traffic Signs cabins, to make cruising an 01480 461152 affordable option for those Life’s a Game 11 HERTS BREAST CANCER UNIT on limited budgets. Age Concern Hall, Ware. (but bridge is serious) Call  01483 489961 if you £16 includes meal. 6:30-11pm.  Recipe for a happy are interested. Ann Clare 01920 463299 Multi-Suited £19.95 marriage. 24 CHESHIRE HOMES Single-Suited £19.95 . . . AND FINALLY Hartford Village Hall. £13.00. GLOBAL TRAVEL Malcom Howarth Refills, sets of 4 £2.95 The Yellow Book, Duplicate  01480 212910 Space does not permit me to Bridge Rules Simplified is TEA TOWELS repeat the Global Travel 25 ST MARYS CHURCH. £8.00. published at £5.35 post free. Primary School Hall, High St, We are Survivors £5.95 Insurance forms. Those Make sure you take up the Swaffham Bulbeck. Includes tea. interested should follow Anne Datson: 4 for £17.00 exclusive offer on page 4. the link from my website: [email protected] John Roebuck  01223 811722 SCORE PADS www.mrbridge.co.uk 30 IAIN RENNIE HOSPICE AT HOME Caspari – Various Naphill Village Hall. 9.30-4.30. £18. Designs. Each £2.50 Coffee, lunch & tea. Rubber Bridge M McConnell  01494 863084 CHINA MUG NOVEMBER 2008 Four X cartoon £14.95 Score Pads 3 EAST SUSSEX HOSPICES. (Rubber). 2009 DIARIES Glyndebourne. 5.30-10pm. Kathy Gore  01825 890494 Standard Red or Blue £5.95 6 SOMERSET HOSPICE Barrington Village Hall, Luxury Ruby Ilminster 2pm. £10 inc good tea.  or Bottle Green £12.95 Gaming Flowers on Silk Fern Peony Cabana Paris Nichola Grove 01935 822116 21 AIR AMBULANCE. £13.00. All prices are fully inclusive £2.50 from , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, GU21 2TH each Village Hall, Hemingford Abbotts. www.mrbridge.co.uk  01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Sheila Poval  01480 395394

Page 9 Conventions and Conventioners with Ned Paul Top Marx for Stayman

elcome to a new series about opportunity and take your winning clubs denying four hearts, and you, as res- bridge conventions – but not and diamonds. ponder, will correctly advance to 3NT. W just about conventions, but How the bid became known as about the players who devised, Try Again Stayman is a story in itself. In London in publicised and gave their name to them. the 1930’s, it was the early Acol Bridge players define a convention as Time passes and partner again deals and theorists, principally and S J a bid or play that has a special pre- opens 1NT. You hold the remarkably Simon, who discovered and applied arranged significance between partners. familiar: modern bidding principles to no-trump This meaning may not be obvious to the openings. The discovery of the weak opponents unless explained. In duplicate take-out, coupled with forcing bids at bridge, conventional bids are either m J 2 the three-level, made 1NT a desirable alerted or announced nowadays, so the n K J 10 9 N opening. It was Jack Marx who W E opponents can make sense of what is o A J 3 S suggested that a club response could be going on. p Q J 4 2 used as a form of enquiry to uncover a Perhaps the first convention we learn major-suit fit. Marx circulated notes on and one of the most useful is Stayman. his idea to several friends but, other than The convention helps us find the right Scarred by your previous experience and that, the Acol system remained unpub - contract after partner has opened 1NT looking fondly at your good quality lished until after the war. and you have a hand like this: heart suit you try 3n – forcing and Meanwhile, quite independently, in asking partner to choose between the New York, George Rapee, one of heart and the no-trump games. America’s top players, had the same m J 2 Unfortunately you have shown five idea. In 1944, he described the idea to his n K J 10 9 N hearts, so partner chooses 4n with the partner and they experi- W E o A J 3 S following hand: mented with it. It worked well and p Q J 4 2 Stayman wrote an article for the June Gaming Paris Fern 1945 edition of the American magazine m J 2 m Q 10 9 4 . What Stayman 1NT shows 12-14 high-card points n K J 10 9 N n Q 8 5 described was entirely similar to the o W E o (HCP). You, responder, have a nice A J 3 S K Q Marx idea, which only appeared in print balanced 13 HCP, so you raise to 3NT. p Q J 4 2 p K 10 9 5 in 1946 in the British Contract Bridge Unfortunately this is the layout: Journal, but there is no evidence to sug- gest that Rapee was in any way influ- The opponents cash their four top tricks enced by Marx. Publication in The m J 2 m 10 9 when, this time, 3NT was solid. Bridge World triggered widespread inter- Peony Garden Cabana Flowers on Silk n K J 10 9 N n Q 8 5 3 est – bridge players know a good idea o W E o A J 3 S K Q 8 5 Stayman to the Rescue when they see one – and pretty soon lots p Q J 4 2 p A K 3 of players had adopted ‘Mr Stayman’s Use of Stayman would overcome our convention’. Oh dear, yes, somewhat to difficulty on the hands given above. George Rapee’s disgruntlement, the Despite holding a maximum for his bid, Stayman is invoked by calling 2p in American public attached Stayman the partner has no play for his 3NT contract. response to an opening 1NT and it asks author’s name to the convention, rather The opponents simply take the first five partner to reveal any four-card major than Rapee’s, the originator. tricks in spades – and have the nA still held. In the case of the first hand, when to come. Down two! 4n you will you bid 2p Stayman, partner will No Mean Player observe is an odds-on proposition – respond 2n and an easy 4n game is simply knock out the nA when you win reached. With the second hand, partner Sam Stayman was no mean player. Born the lead, draw trumps at the earliest will bid 2m, showing four spades and in Massachusetts in 1909, he came

Page 10 Conventions continued Revokes: The New Rules to prominence in New York by Bernard Magee in the 1950s. Partnered with Rapee, he played in winning over a friendly director to declarer makes the two tricks USA teams in the first three have these explained – the he was going to make: one World Championships (Ber- declarer can forbid or club and one diamond. muda Bowls) played after demand a lead of the Had the stood, then WWII (1950, 1951 and penalty-card suit, in which the play would have 1953) and, in a different case the leader must obey continued as normal with partnership, played in the (if possible). Note that, in declarer making the same runner-up team in 1956. He this case the penalty card is two tricks, but this time, also played with Victor picked up and the defender there would have been a one- Mitchell in the World Team does not have to play it – trick penalty. The revoke law Olympiads of 1960 and evokes are the cause the declarer does not have itself has been simplified*: if 1964. In American bridge, he of much embarrass - to exercise this option in the offender does not win the won 19 national titles. R ment at the table, which case, the player on revoke trick (himself) then Stayman was also a leading but at last, the rules have lead can lead anything and there is only a one trick administrator. From 1966 to been changed to save us! the penalty card remains on penalty, whilst if he does win 1969 Stayman was treasurer We are all used to the table. the revoke trick the penalty would be two tricks of the American Contract dummy’s oft used question: For example: (although only tricks won on Bridge League. The ACBL ‘Having none, partner?’ If dummy asks the and after the revoke trick can made him an honourary question every time declarer m — be lost). It is much more member in 1969 and he fails to follow suit (as he is n — satisfactory to have the received the same title from allowed to) then the declarer o K 7 6 revoke discovered before it the American Bridge Tea - should not establish a p K Q becomes established and chers’ Association in 1979. revoke, because even if he m — m — thereby avoid the harsh He was president of the does have a card in the suit, n — N n — penalties and the difficulties W E in Man - he will be in time to replace o A 9 5 3 S o Q 4 2 of the law. hattan from 1958 to 1972 and the wrongly played card. p 4 p A 3 The reason why some wrote three books: Expert Now the rules have been m — penalty is required is Bidding at Contract Bridge changed to allow defenders n — because you have shown (1951); The Complete Stay- to ask the same question, so o J 10 your partner your card: you man System of Contract we should be able to reach a p 7 6 2 have given him Bidding (1956); and Do You game of revoke-less bridge! ‘unauthorised information’ Play Stayman? (1965). I advise all players to get to use rulespeak. On the There are some good into the habit of asking the In no-trumps, declarer leads example shown, West had Stayman stories. As the above question: ‘Having a club on which West wanted to signal to his spread, none, partner?’ every time discards the nine of partner about his lovely ace some players had no idea that partner fails to follow suit diamonds: he was too keen of diamonds: his early play Stayman was a person and (for the first time in a suit). to make a signal! East asks: of the nine of diamonds has some were even confused The penalty for a revoke ‘Having none, partner?’ and given this information to about the name. Travelling to can be quite severe, whilst if West realises what he has partner before he should p have it, so it is not Europe on an Italian liner, the you discover the revoke at done, so he puts the 4 on o unreasonable to give declarer captain discovered that the time, the player is able the trick instead of the 9, to replace his card with a but the o9 is left face up on the opportunity to ban a Stayman and his wife played correct one. Then the only the side of the table. East diamond lead if he should so bridge. Blissfully unaware penalty is that his exposed wins the trick and, before he wish. that Stayman was a world card becomes a ‘major leads, declarer can exercise I find that revokes cause champion, the captain set up penalty card’. one of his options and here many of the difficulties at a game. ‘I only play two A major penalty card: the he decides he would like a bridge tables: either through conventions,’ he announced, card played erroneously, diamond lead. East has to do embarrassment or through ‘Blackwood and Sternberg.’ remains face-up on the table as he says and therefore misinterpretation of the Stayman nodded his head, and must be played at the leads the o2. Meanwhile, rules. The more we can picked up his cards and first legal opportunity. There West picks up the o9 and avoid them the better, so take didn’t say a word! are also a few other puts it back in his hand. advantage of the new rules Stayman died aged 84 in penalties that apply if your West decides to take the oA and keep asking your partner retirement at Palm Beach, partner gets the lead when and now the play continues ‘Having none, partner?’ I Florida, but the convention you have a penalty card on as normal – the penalty has *The new revoke law does not that bears his name lives on the table – you should call been served. In the end, apply to rubber bridge. and flourishes. I

Page 11 Ask Julian Pottage Rule of Twenty

Jeremy Dhondy length). In both cases, I both suits at once with a bidding have been? writes on the Rule opened the minor and, in two-suited on the Sheila Stadler, Ealing, Q of Twenty (April a competitive auction, we next round. If you gave me London (and similar from 2008). On one hand I were unable to find the fit a random collection of ten Howard Stevens, Glenfield, opened a suit and rebid it we had in a major. hands each with 9 HCP and Leicestershire). at the two level with 11 With such hands, is it a 5-6 shape, I would points and a 6-3-2-2 shape. better to open the major? probably open the longer One sequence After my partner had Charles Leveson, Cheshire. suit on six or seven hands, would be: gone two down in 3NT, an the shorter suit on one hand A opponent said that you do In general, it pays and pass on two or three. not count three-card suits to open your West North East South for the Rule of Twenty. A longest suit. I think ponm 1NT Dbl My intuition is that it is this still applies to the hands 2n 2m Pass 3n safer to open light with 6-3 you describe. When you This deal is from Pass 3m Pass 4m than with 5-4. Can you have eleven cards in two playing rubber End count a three-card suit suits, the opponents are Q bridge, standard towards the 20? likely to play on the other Acol, weak no-trump and With 20 points, South must John Hinde, Esher, Surrey. suits, forcing you to ruff. If strong twos. double 1NT. The debatable you have a six-card suit as bid is North’s 2m. With a Bidding first tends to trumps, the remaining cards five-card suit that you can make life easier for will often divide 3-2-2 or m 10 9 7 5 2 show at the two level and a A partner and harder 3-3-1 round the table. This n 9 7 5 singleton, it seems right to for the opponents. You means that you will often o Q 8 7 5 bid. South is too good just certainly can count a three- start with three more trumps p J to raise to 4m and attempts card suit in your assessment than either defender and be m Q 8 m J 6 to convey this by bidding for the rule of 20 when your able to sustain the force. By n Q J 8 6 4 3 n A K 10 2 West’s suit along the way. o N o three-card suit is your second contrast, if you have a five- 10 9 W E 4 3 2 In an experienced longest suit. Your intuition card suit as trumps, a p 7 6 3 S p A 9 8 2 partnership, South could bid seems spot on to me. defender will quite often m A K 4 3 4n over 2m, a , Bidding is not an exact have just one trump fewer n showing a raise to 4m with a science and sometimes you and you will very easily o A K J 6 shortage in hearts. At rubber go down, even having bid lose control. In a match p K Q 10 5 4 bridge, I would be reluctant correctly. played last year, I know of a to try this for fear that deal when someone opened partner would think that ponm their shorter suit with a 5-6 West North East South West has psyched and that hand and lost a 1400 1NT 2p 4n could be showing a Twice in a short penalty in 4m doubled when End genuine suit. time, I have had a they ran out of trumps. If North passes over 2n, Q hand with a five- On marginal opening Sitting South, I wondered South will reopen with 3n card major, a six-card hands, there can be a third whether I should have (double being unattractive minor and just enough to option that you have not doubled. I played in clubs with a void). North can then open on the rule of 20 (9 mentioned. This is to pass and just made the eight bid 4m or, if North bids 3m, high card points and 11 for as dealer, hoping to show tricks. What should the South raises to 4m.

Page 12 Ask Julian Pottage continued AT HARBEN HOUSE Please could you This query arises Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 9EY advise on the from Stephen Q following bidding Q Cashmore’s article problem regarding on page 12 of your Duplicate Weekends 2008 opener’s NT rebids? Over February 2008 issue. a one-level response from Suppose partner opens partner, should I mention 1p and you have 6-9 points 8-10 August – £209 a major in preference to a with four diamonds and o no-trump re-bid? eg 1 -P- four hearts. Is it not right Suit Establishment NEW 1n-P-1NT, 15/16 points to work up the line and balanced 1o-P-1n-P-2NT, respond 1o? Bernard Magee 17/18 points balanced. Responding up the line is Opener had a four-card what I learnt and the EBU o o spade suit. Should one Really Easy Bidding booklet Full-board All rooms with Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities show it before the no- seems to confirm this. trump rebid on both However, without o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking examples? As I have been explanation, Stephen gave o Sauna, steam room o Lifts and easy access asked to take over an as a response of 1n to 1p, and gym to bridge room improvers U3A class, I in his first example. o Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars feel I really should get my Michael Wilson, Bucks. facts right. Many thanks. With both opening ______BOOKING FORM ______Name and address supplied. bids and responses, A one goal is to find a Please book me for ..... places, Before I answer fit in a major if you have your main question, one. Whether, after partner Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... A I would like to say opens 1p, you respond 1n that more and more people or 1o on a weak hand with at the Harben House weekend(s) of are playing that a 1NT rebid 4-4 in the red suits depends shows 15-17 rather than upon your style for opening ...... 15-16. Then a 2NT rebid bids. shows 18-19 and you do The key situation is when Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... not need the awkward jump opener has four clubs and all the way to 3NT to show four hearts and intends to Address...... 19 points. rebid 1NT if you respond The general principle is 1o. In this case, it works ...... that, with a better to respond 1n. When worth an opening bid, you partner cannot have four Postcode ...... should plan to bid no-trumps clubs and four hearts –  on your first or second bid. because you play (as ...... A no-trump bid limits your Bernard recommends) that Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, hand in terms of both values partner always opens a four- but we will do our best to oblige) and shape, making it so card major in preference to a much easier to find the right four-card minor no matter ...... contract. An opening bid of how weak the is – 1o followed by a rebid of do you respond 1o. In that Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place m by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with 1 would therefore imply case, you could afford to your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, five (or more) diamonds as look for a 4-4 diamond fit, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be well as four spades. For knowing that you do not sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. your class, the easy solution risk missing a 4-4 heart fit Should you require insurance, you should contact your own is to advise them to open the by doing so. insurance broker. four-card spade suit when Many players and most holding four spades, a four- good players will more , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH card minor and 15-19 likely open 1p than 1n  points. Then the question of when holding four clubs and 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 whether to show another suit four hearts, hence the advice e-mail: [email protected] at the one level would not to respond 1n on the hand in website: www.holidaybridge.com arise. question.

Page 13 Ask Julian Pottage continued

AT MARSHAM COURT I have never heard Hand A (9 + 4 = 13) but 2p East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB of the Rule of on Hand B (9 + 5 = 14). Q Fourteen, which Mid-Week Duplicates 2008 Andrew Kambites ponm £199 per person full-board mentions at the beginning of his excellent article on I have heard of a 1-3 October (Wednesday-Friday) page 29 of Issue 88 (April deal on which 2008). Q James Bond made Doubles with Chris Barrable Have I missed 7p with few high cards but 26-28 October (Sunday-Tuesday) something? Can people like cannot remember the my wife and I who play details. Can you help? Leads & Defence with Chris Barrable five-card majors in our Warren Bagust, London. 9-11 November (Sunday-Tuesday) social bridge use the Rule? Signals & Discards with Sandy Bell John Newbold by e-mail The James Bond (and similar from Doug deal occurs in the Childs, Woodhall Spa). A novel Moonraker. o Full-board o All rooms with The deal, which Bond had o No single en-suite facilities I believe that the rigged, is this: supplement o Venue non-smoking rule of 14 is the o Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars A brainchild of , a leading Bond ______BOOKING FORM ______expert, who runs a popular m Void bridge club in south west n Void Please book me for ..... places, London. o Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 If partner opens the p A Q 10 8 4 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* ..... bidding in a suit higher- Drax Meyer ranking than the suit you m A K Q J m 6 5 4 3 2 at the Marsham Court date(s) of want to bid (and hence one n A K Q J N n 10 9 8 7 2 W E you cannot show at the one o A K S o J 10 9 ...... level), it helps you judge p K J 9 p Void whether you are strong M Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... enough to show your suit m 10 9 8 7 at the two level. n 6 5 4 3 Address...... The rule says that, if you o Void add your high-card points to p 7 6 5 3 2 ...... the length of your long suit and the answer comes to 14 Postcode ...... or more, then you can Bond opened 7p, Drax respond at the two level. If doubled. Bond redoubled  ...... the answer comes to 13 or and this was passed out. fewer, you should prefer a Meyer led the jack of Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 1NT response. diamonds, ruffed in dummy. but we will do our best to oblige) We have debated the Bond led a club to the nine ...... merits of the rule within the and ten, ruffed a diamond, Mr Bridge team and played a club to the jack and Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per concluded that it works best queen, cashed the ace of place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay- when you have a strong suit. clubs and led the queen of ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details diamonds. Without waiting will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- for Meyer to play, he able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your Hand A Hand B followed it with the own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room. m 7 5 m 7 5 o8-7-6-5-4 and his two n K 7 5 n K 7 5 winning clubs for 13 tricks. o o , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 10 8 4 3 8 4 3 The following day, Bond p A Q 5 2 p A Q 10 5 2 told M that the hand was a  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 famous Culbertson hand, e-mail: [email protected] which Culbertson used to website: www.holidaybridge.com If partner opens 1m, the rule spoof his own quick trick tells you to respond 1NT on convention.

Page 14 way, I purchased the book What would you Ask Julian Pottage continued whilst on the North call on this hand African treasures holiday Q after LHO opens and purchased a second 3o and the next two What is the 4NT show two aces, taking the copy for my partner when players pass? opening and is it chance that one of the two I returned home. Q suitable for the aces is the ace of diamonds. Barbara Shilling. following hands? Otherwise, you will settle m A K Q J 10 7 5 for 6p. I accept that this is The whole purpose n A K 10 6 not perfect but cannot see a of using Key Card o 8 Hand F better way to bid the hand. A Blackwood rather p A m A K Q J 10 7 With hand P, you will bid than the more powerful n 3 7NT (or, at rubber bridge, Roman Key Card Blackwood o A K Q 10 7 2 7o for the honours) if is to keep things simple. I called 4m and played p Void partner bids 5m to show the The non-standard set of there, collecting 13 tricks. ace of spades (as would have responses that your tutor Hand C happened at the table), seems to suggest for Key m Void otherwise settling for 6o. Card Blackwood makes a Dummy n Void The advantages (assuming mockery of this. If you wish m 6 3 2 o K Q J 8 7 you have a suitable hand) to to use Key Card Blackwood, n Q p A K Q J 10 8 6 4 the 4NT opening as I suggest keep ing to o A 7 5 4 compared to opening with a Bernard’s method: 5p 0 or p K Q 7 5 3 Hand P and checking on 4, 5o 1 or 5, 5n 2, 5m 3. m 8 aces later are as follows: n A K Q (i) if partner has one ace, ponm Valentine Ramsey, o A K Q J 10 2 you will be able to - Sherborne, Dorset. p A K Q point where it is – very You hold, second useful if you have a void. to bid, duplicate Science rarely (ii) You avoid the risk that Q pairs, game all: helps with freak Colin Faulkner (F), vigorous opposing A hands like this, Cambridge, D W Coombes bidding (or partner’s!) even if the opponents have (C), Norwich and Jim will remove the option m 10 9 pre-empted! I would be Pertwee (P), Burford, Oxon. of bidding 4NT later. n A K Q J 6 5 3 bolder and reopen with 6m. (iii) If you play some form o Void It is fair to place partner Many people in the of Key Card Blackwood, p A J 7 4 with half the values that you UK play that a 4NT you avoid the risk that and LHO do not have. I A opening asks for partner will try counting would expect to lose a trick specific aces. The responses an unwanted king as an RHO says 1n. What do to the ace of diamonds and are as follows: ace. you say and why? hope that any heart , Michael Beer, Newbury, say if partner has neither the 5p no ace ponm Berks (and similar from queen nor a doubleton, 5o ace of diamonds Joseph Childs, Broadstone, would work. There may be 5n ace of hearts I am attending a Dorset). other chances unless LHO 5m ace of spades 4th year class of cashes the ace of diamonds 5NT two aces Q bridge (though On the first round, at trick one. Partner could 6p ace of clubs this is only my first year) you really have to have the nine of spades (or at Bromley Adult A pass. This is any three spades) and the On all three hands, a 4NT Education. We have been because an immediate bid king of clubs, in which case opening seems best. With looking at Roman KCB. In would not show hearts. I might get to discard my hand F, you will bid 7m if Bernard’s book on better These days 2n would show diamond on the king of partner bids 5n to show the hand evaluation, he keeps a two-suited hand with clubs. ace of hearts and 7NT KCB simple by using the spades and a minor (or, Partner’s actual hand (duplicate) or 7m (rubber) if Blackwood responses just traditionally, a very strong rather exceeds expectations partner bids 5NT to show with a double meaning for hand, like a 2p opener). and, as you say, thirteen two aces. In other cases, you 5o. Vic, the tutor, plays 5p 3n would suggest a long tricks are there. settle for a small slam. = 0 or 3, 5o = 1 or 4, 5n = running minor and ask Perhaps partner could With hand C, you will bid 2 and 5m = 5. Could you partner to bid 3NT with a raise 6m to 7m. Even if the 7p if partner bids 5o to explain this as others who heart stopper. ace of diamonds is facing a show the ace of diamonds have attended the class Having passed on the first void, the club and heart (as would have happened at swear by this but at the round, you may get a holdings between them the table). You will also bid bridge club, some use chance to show your hearts figure to be worth a few 7p if partner bids 5NT to Bernard’s method? By the later. tricks.

Page 15 would prefer that you are I held the East Ask Julian Pottage continued not. hand here at our Suppose you are East on Q local club: lead with three tricks to go With David Gold’s Maybe you would have holding mK-x and a losing article ‘Seven- found it easier to accept heart while North (the m A 8 m K 7 4 2

Card Suits Should partner’s suggestion to play dummy on your right) has n A 9 8 5 N n 7 4 2 Q W E Be Trumps’ (BRIDGE in spades if you thought you the mA-Q and the master o Q 9 6 S o 7 4 3 April 2008) still fresh in had already expressed the heart. Clearly, you do not p Q 8 7 5 p J 6 2 my mind, I ignored my length and strength of your want to lead a spade into the partner’s spade bid on this hearts. ace-queen and so lose your deal from the April BGB With the South hand, I king. Instead, you get off My partner (West) opened pairs. would open an Acol 2n or, lead by leading your losing 1NT. North (with 17 playing Benjamin, 2p. I heart – your exit card – points) doubled. As I had count A-K-Q-x-x-x-x as expecting to make your king only four points, I used a m A K Q 10 5 4 seven playing tricks and you of spades later. wriggle bid. We ended up n Void have the ace on the side. in 2m and went four o K 9 7 3 This would also have ponm down vulnerable losing p J 8 3 forestalled the awkward 2p 400 points. m Void m 9 8 7 6 overcall. Here is a possible When playing a Some say I should pass n N n J 10 8 W E 7 5 2 sequence: game at a friend’s – but as I understand it, o J 8 4 2 S o Q 10 6 Q home, the the poorer my hand is p 10 9 7 6 5 2 p A K 4 West North East South following situation arose. I the greater the need to m J 3 2 2n opened 1n, the hand on speak. What do you n A K Q 9 6 4 3 Pass 2m Pass 3n my left overcalled 2p, my consider is the correct o A 5 Pass 3m Pass 4NT1 partner passed and the action? p Q Pass 5m2 Pass 6m hand on my right said 3p. Elma Inglis, End As I had a strong hand Giffnock, Glasgow. with 17 points and four West North East South 1Knowing that North must have clubs, I doubled (for With a 4-3-3-3 Pass 1n good spades to repeat the suit, penalties). shape, the textbook 2p 2m 3p 3n facing a known long strong heart Afterwards, the others A action is to leave Pass 3m Pass 4n suit, South checks on key cards. said I should not have partner in 1NT doubled. End 2Playing Roman Key card done this as it was a take- You are unlikely to make Blackwood, this shows the out double. I did not want more tricks playing in a West led a club and East queen of spades and either two a take-out because I knew suit, which is what you returned a spade for West aces or one ace and the king of my partner must have would need to do just to to ruff. Result: 4n+1 (450 spades. With no suit agreed, the been weak. break even if you rescue. points). Most pairs had last suit bid by the partnership, I have asked various There is also the danger of played in spades, making here spades, counts as the people which meaning is playing in the wrong suit 480 or 980. Evidently, most trump suit. correct, with different and making fewer tricks others did not share Mr results. How should I than in 1NT. That is the Gold’s faith in seven-card ponm have bid? theory anyway. trump suits! Reading the Mrs Belva Mann by e-mail. Of course, if you know article again, I noticed that In the article ‘A your opponents and that he does not specifically Walk in Spring’ When partner has they are reluctant to double advocate this line at Q there is a not bid, a double of a rescue, there is more of a duplicate – is this paragraph headed ‘The A an opposing suit case for running. If I did significant? Wrong Exit Card’. bid at a low level is for remove 1NT, I would try M L Rogers, Cambridge. Although better players I take-out. This is especially to play in 2p undoubled have played against talk true when, as here, the with the option of Unless otherwise about exit cards, I have opponents have bid and redoubling for rescue, if stated, all the never really understood supported a suit. If both someone doubled 2p. A maxims we publish what this means. Can you opponents have clubs, it is As it went at the table, apply to both rubber and explain please? unlikely that you do too. It your actions improved your duplicate. Usually with a Doug Childs, Woodhall Spa. is far more likely that you score because the opponents seven-card suit and a good will have the other suits and did not double 2m. You one at that, you want to have An exit card is a want partner to bid. With would probably have lost the suit as trumps. card that you can your actual four-card length 800 in 1NT doubled. Also, Here, with a solid nine- A play to get off lead. in clubs – unusual given the it looks as though your card spade fit on the side, an The term normally arises auction – you just have to opponents could make exception applies. when you are on lead but go quietly and pass. game in 3NT.

Page 16 WEEKENDS AT STAVERTON PARK AT STAVERTON PARK Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT

o Full-board o All rooms with Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities

o No single supplements o Venue non-smoking

o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz and pool and fitness suite two seminars

______BOOKING FORM ______

Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address......

...... 2008 ...... Postcode ......  ...... 22-25 August £249 10-12 October Please book me for ...... places, Bank Holiday (3 nights) £199 Develop at Leads and Single ...... Double ...... Twin ......

Duplicate Pairs Defence at the Staverton Park weekend of ...... Chris Barrable Sandy Bell Improvers’ Weekend Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige) 29-31 August £199 Losing Trick Count 31 October ...... Alison Nicolson to 2 November Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking £199 ...... 12-14 September Hand Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with £199 Evaluation your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Doubles Ned Paul 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Crombie McNeil Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 14-16 November 26-28 September £209* £209*

Game Tries NEW and Avoidance

Bernard Magee Bernard Magee Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) All weekends are duplicate bridge. * denotes a large weekend with a relaxed section which plays at a slightly slower pace. Improvers’ Weekends are aimed , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH at the novice player and/or those picking up the game after a long break.  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 DETAILS & BOOKINGS e-mail: [email protected]  01483 489961 website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 17 Ask Julian Pottage continued AT THE BEACH HOTEL Four people were In judging whether Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3QJ playing rubber a hand is worth a Q bridge, having A one-level opening, Duplicate Weekends 2008 agreed that 4p was asking high card points are a better for aces. East opened 3m guide than are losers. Hand £209 per person full-board (pre-empt). After two A has eight losers but, passes, North bid 4p. After assuming you play a weak with Bernard Magee East passed, South bid 4n no-trump, it is a clear 1NT trying to show one ace and opening. 17-19 October Better Defence was left in it and went down three, vulnerable. An argument then Hand A 5-7 December Game Tries started as North said it was m A K 6 4 an overcall and not asking n K 9 6 for aces. What was the o K 6 5 o Full-board o All rooms with right call? p 7 4 3 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities Mrs D S Bashford, Essex. o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking Hand B Even if you use m A Q 7 5 4 o Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars Gerber to ask for n K J 4 A aces – and few o 9 6 5 ______BOOKING FORM ______people do these days p 7 4 because there are better uses p Please book me for ..... places, for a 4 bid – it would not Hand C be Gerber in the auction you m A Q 7 5 4 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* ..... give. n K J 9 4 2 As a rule, for 4p to be o 6 5 at the Beach Hotel weekend(s) of Gerber, it would need to be p 7 a jump bid after partner has ...... bid or come after you have agreed a suit. If you are thinking of Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Without seeing North’s opening with fewer than hand, I cannot say what the 12 HCP, what the losing trick Address...... correct call is. For the 4p count can tell you is that a overcall to be correct, the hand with more than seven ...... hand could be something losers is almost certainly not like this: worth opening. Hand B has Postcode ...... eight losers and is definitely not worth opening. Hand C  ...... m Void has six losers and is worth a n K 4 1m opening. Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, o Q 8 4 2 It does not follow that but we will do our best to oblige) p A Q J 8 6 5 4 any hand with seven or ...... fewer losers is worth opening at the one level. If Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per ponm you have K-Q-J-x-x-x-x in a place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay- suit and low cards outside, ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details In raising this will give you a seven- will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- partner’s opening, loser hand but not a one- able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your Q I believe that you level opening. own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room. place opener with seven The rules of 20 and 22, losers. To open at the one which are appearing in , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH level we use a minimum of BRIDGE as part of the 12 high card points (HCP). maxims series, are far  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Can we still open with more useful than the losing e-mail: [email protected] seven losers without 12 trick count in assessing website: www.holidaybridge.com HCP (say 10 HCP)? whether a hand is worth Mrs W Yammine, London. opening.

Page 18 Ask Julian Pottage continued for instance. strength to rebid 2NT if As the cards lie, cashing partner responds 2p. the ace of clubs has the Some people open 1o on a unfortunate effect of making 12-14, 4-4-4-1 hand, We were playing The following deal the king of clubs an entry, planning to lie slightly with “family” bridge, at rubber bridge thereby sparing declarer a a rebid of 2o if partner Q when my wife Q caused some spade ruff. makes the dreaded 2p (North) dealt and opened heated discussions as to the North-South’s direct response. This way, 1n-2p- one spade. I was sitting defence. Firstly, should bidding has given few clues 2o guarantees five or more South holding: West lead the jack of and made it very hard for hearts. The idea has some spades, easily beating the your side to find the merit but is not in contract? On a top winning defence. mainstream use. m Q 9 6 5 diamond lead, should East All you can do on this n Void overtake, cash the ace of occasion is to congratulate ponm o A 7 clubs and return a them. p A K Q J 8 4 3 diamond? The plan is that My partner a further diamond lead ponm opened a weak forces dummy to ruff, Q no-trump and I What do you respond? If promoting the J-x-x of Please tell me how held the following hand. you use Blackwood, trumps. The bidding was a to open a 4-4-4-1 partner may show you one simple 1m-4n. Q hand with two ace, but you will not know four-card majors, so as not m Void which one. I bid a bold 7m. to mislead partner? n K Q 10 9 8 Dealer’s hand was: North Mrs I Field, Balcombe, o K Q 3 m A K Q 10 6 5 West Sussex. p K 7 6 4 3 n A m A K 7 3 2 o 7 5 Opening hands n K 8 6 4 3 p Q J 10 9 with three four-card I asked ten experienced o K 6 West East A suits and a players at my club what p 6 m J m 9 8 7 4 singleton are a problem in they would respond. n 5 2 n J 9 4 most systems, Acol Six said 3n and four said o K Q J 9 4 3 2 o A 10 included. They are neither 2p (Stayman). My Spades and clubs divided p 7 3 2 p A 8 6 4 balanced nor contain a five- response to 1NT was 2p. normally and 7m made. South card suit. What would you have Christopher Surtees, m 3 2 With 4-4-1-4 (a singleton done? Baughurst, Tadley, Hants. n K Q 10 8 7 6 3 diamond) and the values to Bryan Stephens, o 8 6 open, you open 1p. If East Preston, Sussex. You are quite right p K 5 partner responds 1o, you that Blackwood can rebid 1n. If partner then The main purpose A would be no use. bids 1m, this is natural of Stayman is to What would help is 5NT, Abe Feldman, (partner jumps to 2m for A uncover a 4-4 fit in the grand-slam force, Didsbury, Manchester. fourth-suit forcing). With a major. otherwise known as this approach, you can Here, since you do not Josephine (after Ely Since North has bid locate any 4-4 fit you might have a four-card major (you Culbertson’s wife). In its spades, a singleton have at a low level. actually have a five-card simplest and original form, A spade lead has 4-4-4-1 hands (singleton major), you know you do 5NT asks partner to bid the limited appeal. With an club) present more of a not have a 4-4 fit. grand slam if holding two attractive sequence in problem. The traditional Responding 2p is therefore out of the top three trump diamonds, albeit in a suit approach is to open 1n, unlikely to help you reach honours and to sign off in longer than I would like leaving you a rebid of 2o the right contract. six without them. from a defensive view, I if partner responds in your If you do not play Here partner has two out would lead the king of singleton with 2p. transfers, a jump to 3n of the top three trumps – diamonds. Responder then has to be describes your hand well. It the ace and king of spades – The defence you suggest aware that you might have shows the values to reach and bids 7m. The grand-slam for East – overtake the this shape rather than a game and at least five hearts. force would have saved you diamond, cash the ace of minimum of five hearts and If you play transfers – from the embarrassment of clubs and revert to diamonds four diamonds for the whereby a response of 2o playing in a grand slam seems fine. sequence 1n-2p-2o. With shows a heart suit – you missing the ace of trumps if This might be the only 15 points or more and should bid 2o. This leaves partner held mK-x-x-x-x and way to defeat the contract if 4-4-4-1, I would tend to you well placed to show the nA-K-x-x-x, rather than the South’s shape was 1-8-3-1, open 1o rather than 1n, club suit on the next other way round. 0-8-3-2, 0-7-3-3 or 0-7-4-2 knowing that I have the round. I

Page 19

Murder, Mystery ... Bridge

by Michael Scarrott

ow much further?’, said a George eased the car into the visitor weekends like this are so popular. You disgruntled George. ‘We’ve parking area and found a space look around and imagine who just ‘Hbeen travelling through these alongside a rather sleek Jaguar might be capable of murder. Don’t lanes for ages and I’m in need of a stiff convertible. ‘Looks like it’s going to be forget it’s a “black tie” Gala Dinner drink’. a full house, judging by the number of tomorrow evening followed by cars,’ said Daphne in an excited voice. championship pairs.’ Murder Weekend ‘The weekend is restricted to 10 tables and we only got in due to a last minute Meeting the other Detectives Daphne consulted the map and said in a cancellation. Come on; let’s check in.’ soothing tone, ‘We must be nearly A friendly receptionist called ‘Ever been on anything like this there. Ah! Look, there’s a signpost. Amanda enquired politely about their before?’ George looked across at a Hampledon Manor, next turning on the journey and suggested they go straight friendly bespectacled face. ‘I’m Barry right.’ ‘Murder, Mystery, Bridge through to the lounge. ‘I’ll get some tea and this is my wife, Pam. We thought weekend,’ muttered George. ‘I must be organised and you can meet up with this might be a bit different and decided mad letting you talk me into something some of the other weekend guests’. to give it a go.’ ‘Just the same as us,’ like that.’ They walked across the hallway and said Daphne. ‘I could do without the ‘Now, now, don’t be a spoilsport,’ into a crowded room. black tie,’ grumbled George. ‘Thank chastised Daphne. ‘You’re always ‘Ah! There you are,’ said a rather goodness for Moss Bros is all I can say.’ saying “variety is the spice of life” and, commanding voice from the far side of ‘You men,’ said an exacerbated in any case, murder and mystery should the room. ‘Let me see. George and Daphne. ‘It’s so easy for you. You all do wonders for our Bridge. Just think Daphne Myers, I presume? Find a look the same in your dinner suits while about all those top golfers you go on couple of seats and I’ll get straight on we ladies have to get all dressed up and about. Fifty thousand pounds lost if they with the weekend programme.’ just hope no one else has the same miss a putt! Now that’s enough outfit!’ ‘That’s right,’ said Pam. incentive to keep anyone on top of their Welcome ‘Everyone looks us up and down while game.’ you lot just stand about looking like a George eyed his wife suspiciously ‘Welcome everyone to our popular crowd of penguins.’ Barry looked and wondered if she was punishing him Murder, Mystery Bridge weekend,’ across at George and said, in a jocular for not leading back her suit at last continued the strident voice. ‘I’m tone: ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m week’s duplicate. They made the Melissa and I shall be organising and really looking forward to my fish journey home from the club in icy directing the weekend. We’re here to supper.’ silence and, not for the first time in their make sure you all have an entertaining ‘I suppose the exact timing of the bridge-playing partnership, George time. Someone in this room will suffer a murder has to be well-rehearsed for found himself relegated to the spare fictional death and we shall invite each maximum effect,’ said Daphne in a bedroom! couple to come up with an original serious tone. ‘It must help to have scenario leading up to the killing.’ bridge-playing actors on hand.’ ‘I Hampledon Manor ‘It’s such good fun,’ continued thought all bridge players were actors,’ Melissa. ‘You learn so much about a replied a sceptical George. ‘When your ‘Very impressive,’ said Daphne as person at the bridge table. Are they calm partner goes down in an easy 3NT, what George turned through a pair of very and relaxed or impatient and agitated? do we usually do? We smile and say ornate gates and onto a wide gravelled Do they take unnecessary risks or are “very bad luck partner – nothing you driveway leading up to the Manor. The they over cautious? The only problem could do.” Do we mean it? Not likely. building looked centuries old and the seems to be that bridge can turn even Now that’s what I call acting.’ Everyone striking mullioned windows were the mildest mannered individual into laughed and agreed it would be good to surrounded by lush Virginia creeper. someone quite the opposite. That’s why start the evening’s play together.

Page 22 Murder, Mystery . . . Bridge continued These were the fateful cards dealt by John Bennett in Kansas City on 29 September, 1931:

Following a sumptuous dinner, play was the contract depended on reaching the soon underway. The first deal saw Barry diamond ace. Alan started to fidget with Dealer: South. in a watertight four spades. After this, impatience and Daphne looked a little Mrs Bennett came a touch-and-go game in diamonds. concerned in case George should say m A 10 6 3 ‘Well played,’ said Daphne. ‘I could something rude. She need not have n 10 8 5 have sworn George encouraged a spade worried. George had the answer. He o 4 switch when I made my club ace.’ won the with the ace and p A 9 8 4 2 The final round of the evening soon immediately played the queen of Mr Hoffman Mrs Hoffman came round and George looked up to spades. Vera won this and returned a m Q 7 2 m 4 N see a distinguished looking man with a trump. George took this and crossed to n A J 3 W E n Q 9 4 clipped, military style moustache dummy with the jack of spades for o A Q 10 9 2 S o K J 7 6 3 approaching their table. ‘I’m Alan and access to the diamond ace. Ten tricks p J 6 p Q 7 5 3 this is my wife, Vera. This is the third were soon his. ‘Well done,’ said a very Mr Bennett time we’ve been on a murder weekend. relieved Daphne. m K J 9 8 5 It really is great fun.’ ‘It’s our first time,’ ‘Quite unnecessary line of play,’ said n K 7 6 2 said Daphne. ‘When does the murder Alan in a none too friendly tone. ‘Just o 8 5 take place?’ ‘Well,’ continued Alan, ‘it’s wait for the opposition to hand you the p K 10 all down to Melissa and her team but it’s diamond ace.’ ‘Well,’ said George usually during, or soon after, the Gala looking closely at the traveller, ‘it looks Dinner.’ ‘It can be very dramatic,’ as if some opponents were not that Charles Hoffman led the diamond ace continued Vera, ‘it’s nearly always obliging, judging by the scores.’ ‘What and switched to the club jack on the poison and the victim usually ends up a pity!’ joined in Daphne. second trick. Play was over quite choking and collapsing onto the dinner With the evening play over, quickly and Bennett finished one trick table. In fact, it’s so realistic you conversation took on a consolatory tone light having lost the diamond ace, the momentarily believe it’s for real.’ as guests headed for the nearby lounge heart ace, the heart queen and the spade bar. The sound of good-natured après- queen. An almighty row followed and The First Deal bridge banter could soon be heard as John Bennett prepared to spend the players dissected and analysed the night in a nearby hotel. Myrtle Play was soon underway and saw deals. ‘If you and I are going to play produced a gun and shot him twice. She George open a strong 2n with an bridge, we are going to play my way,’ was charged with first-degree murder, impressive 20 points. Undaunted by said an irate voice. ‘We left them for but the jury acquitted her when they Daphne’s negative response of 2NT, he dead on board eleven,’ continued decided the death was accidental. pressed on with 3m. Daphne gave another. A pleasant looking lady could Myrtle was even able to collect a preference to 4n to end the bidding. be heard saying, ‘What ever made $30,000 life insurance policy on the Alan led the queen of hearts and me marry such an impossible man? death of her husband! Daphne tabled dummy. is too quick and too painless.’ Expert witnesses came to give This was the deal: evidence on the play of the cards for the benefit of the jury. Someone even The Bennett Shooting suggested the contract could be made Daphne with some careful play, but a current m J 4 ‘That last remark,’ said an alert George, analysis of the entire deal indicates a n 8 4 ‘reminds me of that celebrated murder successful outcome would have been o A 7 6 3 2 case years ago in the USA when Myrtle unlikely. p 9 7 4 2 Bennett shot her husband dead when he Alan Vera failed to make a contract of 4m.’ Bridge Winners Announced m 10 8 7 2 m K 9 6 Daphne raised her eyebrows in n N n Q J 10 W E 7 3 disbelief. ‘Yes, it’s true,’ went on Melissa stood in the doorway and o K J 8 4 S o Q 10 9 5 George. ‘Apparently they were playing beamed with delight. ‘That’s the spirit,’ p 6 3 p Q J 10 8 an afternoon foursome with two she exclaimed. ‘Just the right George friends, Charles and Myrna Hoffman. conversation for our murder, mystery m A Q 5 3 Nothing seemed to go right for Mr and weekend. Congratulations to Wendy n A K 9 6 5 2 Mrs Bennett who became increasingly and Robin Fox with an impressive 67%. o Void more critical of each other. Then, John Second place goes to Duncan and Tina p A K 5 Bennett dealt the crucial spade hand. Ball with 62% and third with 59%, He opened lightly 1m and Charles Daphne and George Myers. Don’t overcalled 2o. Myrtle, with four forget we’ve got teams tomorrow George took time to evaluate his spades, two aces and a singleton, raised morning followed by a buffet lunch and chances and realised that the success of straight to game.’ optional afternoon rubber.

Page 23 Murder, Mystery . . . Bridge continued their seats and the serious activity of eating a sumptuous gourmet meal accompanied by some very fine wines was soon underway. Our Gala Dinner gets underway at 7pm, ace and a third diamond. Daphne had Daphne looked across the room to so I suggest we all meet in the lounge at kept the suit guarded and returned a where Barry and Pam where sitting. 6.30 for pre-dinner drinks.’ spade for George to take the ace They looked deep in serious followed by his remaining heart winner. conversation. ‘Maybe George is right The Morning Teams about them after all,’ she thought. Following a choice of delicious The morning teams followed a leisurely Paula puddings, coffee was soon being served. breakfast. Daphne and George agreed to m K 10 4 ‘That raspberry pavlova was play with Barry and Pam who had n 8 7 2 exceptional,’ said a very satisfied finished in a creditable fifth place on the o K 7 George. All at once and as if on cue, the previous evening. ‘Did you come up p K Q J 10 5 room plunged into darkness, after against that chap Fox?’ said Pam. ‘Quite George Daphne which came a dull thud as if someone disconcerting the way he chewed his tie m A 9 5 m Q J 8 2 had fallen to the floor. The lights came N when deciding what to play. I’m not n K Q J 10 9 W E n 5 back on to a scene of chaos. Barry was surprised he came top.’ ‘He might have o 5 4 3 S o Q J 9 2 lying motionless on the floor next to the a problem doing that this evening with p 6 4 p 9 7 3 2 table. Pam screamed hysterically and his bow tie,’ said a bemused Daphne. Peter panic looked about to set in. Play progressed smoothly with just m 7 6 3 the occasional good-humoured n A 6 4 3 A Death outburst. ‘It’s really quite amazing,’ o A 10 8 6 whispered Daphne. ‘Just how many p A 8 ‘Quiet everyone,’ boomed Melissa. innuendoes there are in bridge. That’s ‘Please be seated and try to remain the third time I’ve heard killer lead calm. Is there a doctor in the house?’ A mentioned and someone even said ‘Do you think our other pair will find man rose from a nearby table and gave something about killer instinct. It’s the right defence?’ said a somewhat his name as Dr. John Wells. He made supposed to be such an innocuous subdued Peter. ‘They’d better,’ shot his way to where Barry had fallen and, game!’ back Paula in a menacing tone. following a brief examination, The session over, scoring was soon pronounced him dead. He gave the Next Board underway. ‘Not bad,’ said George. cause of death as cyanide poisoning. ‘Second place is no disgrace.’ ‘We’ve ‘Most likely administered in his coffee,’ ‘Pair number six,’ said George to a decided to give the afternoon rubber a added Dr. Wells. ‘The bitter almond rather intense looking couple approach- miss,’ said Pam. ‘Going to take it easy smell. It’s always a dead giveaway.’ ing their table purposely. ‘That’s us, I’m in readiness for this evening’s Gala Totally in charge of the situation, Peter Stote and this is my sister, Paula.’ Dinner.’ ‘Well, I’m going to sit down to Melissa stood up and said, ‘we need a The first board saw Peter open 1NT on a good read,’ said George. ‘It’s called distraction. I suggest we all adjourn to a bare twelve points made up entirely of rather appropriately, Cards on the Table the card room and continue with the three aces. Paula went straight to game by Agatha Christie.’ Everyone laughed championship pairs. I would like to with a solid five-card club suit and a and agreed to meet up later. invite each pair to submit a possible couple of kings on the side. George led The crowded lounge buzzed with scenario for Barry’s murder. Get your the king of hearts and down went excitement and chatter. ‘That chap over thinking caps working; the pair we dummy. With the intentness of a dog there with the beard looks suspicious to judge to have come up with the most gazing at a bone, Peter assessed his me,’ said Daphne. ‘He’s an obvious plausible solution will win an all- chances. decoy,’ replied George. ‘Beards are expenses-paid Bridge weekend. Con- The full deal is at the top of the next always meant to attract the wrong solation prizes will go to the two column. attention. Now someone like Barry or runners up. Peter allowed George to win the first Pam for instance. Who would suspect two heart tricks before taking his ace on one of them?’ ‘You don’t really think,’ Barry’s Murder the third round. Next, he attempted to replied a shocked Daphne. ‘Wouldn’t be play out his club winners at breakneck at all surprised,’ continued George. Imagination and a degree of poetic speed without lifting his eyes from the ‘Anyway we’ll find out soon enough. licence will be acceptable but, please, table. ‘We can beat this,’ thought Melissa’s calling us all into dinner.’ do try to keep ideas in the realms of George. With three discards to make on reality! Please have your inspirations the winning clubs, he signalled first Dinner ready by 11am tomorrow morning. We with the nine of spades to show will invite the three finalists to make encouragement for the suit, followed by The dining room was very elegant with their own presentations. Sealed votes the five. On the last club winner he tables covered in snow-white linen and will decide the outright and most played the three of diamonds showing crystal vases filled with fresh flowers original winner.’ no interest. Peter then played the king, from the Manor gardens. Everyone took ‘What a pity we shan’t be starting

Page 24 Murder, Mystery . . . Bridge continued 2008 RUBBER / CHICAGO off with Barry and Pam,’ said a The Third Finalists Hosted by Diana Holland disappointed Daphne. ‘Well, didn’t I get that wrong,’ exclaimed George. ‘I had Tony and Margo Porter were the third Barry as the murderer, not the victim.’ and final pair called upon to offer a 22-24 August The championship pairs took place in an solution. ‘Barry was such a nice guy. Theobalds Park £199 atmosphere of whispered speculation as Always cheerful and never heard to say 22-25 August (3 nights) people tried to decide the reason for an unkind word. He didn’t have an Theobalds Park £249 Barry’s murder. enemy in the world. Or did he? He often said what a charmed life he’d had. 26-28 September The First Finalists Lucky in cards and lucky in love. What The Beach Hotel £199 a combination. Just imagine. The The first finalists were Jack and Carol always work, opponents oblige Full-board Cross. Jack gave a nervous cough as he by playing the wrong cards and as for rose to speak. ‘Each time we played the overtricks, they fall into place just No Single Supplement against Barry he became agitated when like magic. Please note there are no seminars or set I jokingly remarked what a good job it Now, just think about it for a second hands on these weekends was that we were not playing for the or two. If you’re having a bad day and Town Hall clock! We understood he had nothing seems to be going right, then _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ quite a few side bets with other guests someone like Barry can often be the on the outcome of certain deals and very “straw that breaks the camel’s Please book me for .... places, ended up winning quite a tidy sum. He back”. At the very least, it gives you the Single .... Double .... Twin .... was obviously a compulsive gambler hump! Quite simply, he was murdered and would probably have bet on the time for being too lucky and too nice!’ for the Rubber/Chicago weekend(s) taken for paint to dry. We think someone may well have decided on an easy and Whodunnit? ...... final way to settle his or her debt!’ Melissa thanked the finalists and asked Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... The Second Finalists everyone to vote for their favourite presentation. ‘Just before you decide let ...... The second of the three couples called me leave you with a few words from the were Sam and Betty West. Sam started great , “The bizarre Address ...... in a quietly assertive manner and soon world of cards… a world of pure power had everyone’s attention. ‘Barry was politics where rewards and punishments ...... recognised by an old business associate were meted out immediately.”’ who knew him by another name – ‘I’m blowed if I like that last idea,’ ...... Charles, I believe.’ Betty nodded her grumbled George. ‘Murdered for being head in agreement and continued: ‘He too nice? Poppycock! Now, the idea of a Postcode ...... quickly shrugged this off as mistaken hitman sent after him by some South  identity, but he couldn’t disguise the American crime syndicate. I really like ...... look of profound shock on his face. the sound of that.’ ‘Well,’ interrupted Special requirements Barry talked about living and working Daphne, ‘I think it more likely someone (these cannot be guaranteed) overseas before he met Pam and was a decided to cancel their debt with a one- prominent player on the International off payment. That gets my vote.’ ...... Bridge circuit. He jokingly referred to With the votes collected, Melissa Please send a non-returnable deposit of himself as “have cards, will travel”. announced the results. ‘First place goes £50 per person per place by cheque, High stake games were his speciality to Sam and Betty West for their payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be and he received backing from a wealthy ingenious theory surrounding Barry’s sent with your booking confirmation. On South American syndicate. Luxurious identity change finally catching up with receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full lifestyles for success but for failure… him. Let’s have a round of applause for details will be sent together with a map. well, work it out for yourselves. all our finalists and thanks to everyone Cancellations are not refundable. Should Someone simply tracked him down for making our weekend such an you require insurance, you should contact under his new name and settled an old enjoyable occasion.’ your own insurance broker. score once and for all.’ ‘Great weekend!’ said George as they , Ryden Grange, ‘Well let that be a lesson for all our drove out through the Manor gates. professional players,’ said Melissa in a ‘Yes,’ replied Daphne in a playful tone, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH jocular tone. ‘Make certain you know ‘Just make sure your life insurance  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 your backers or you could end up in policy is fully paid up if you decide to e-mail: [email protected] dead trouble!’ go down in any spade contracts!’ I website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 25 Julian Pottage Says Hold Up a Stopper

hen you first learned bridge or spades – you can ruff them – but you do whist, you probably took m 9 4 3 want to avoid losing two spades. You can Wevery chance you could to n A J 5 do this with the 5-2 break. Another win a trick. Why lose a trick that you o Q J 9 5 factor is relevant. If you the first could win? Well, if you have a winner, p K Q 7 trick, you will have a tenace. Holding up you can win it only once. If it is a sure m Q 10 7 6 2 m J 8 is only right because you expect to lose n N n winner, such as an ace in a no-trump 10 4 3 W E Q 8 6 2 the lead to East. If the club finesse went contract, there is no rush to take it. The o K 6 4 S o A 8 into the West hand, you would win the winner will not run away. The idea of a p J 5 p 10 9 8 3 2 first trick. hold up (refusing to win) is to cut the m A K 5 Is it ever wrong to hold up? Yes, here opposing communications. n K 9 7 are common reasons to win quickly: o 10 7 3 2 p A 6 4 1 You are weak or wide open in m J 9 another suit. n A 8 5 2 The suit led is not dangerous. o Q J 9 8 5 You are in 3NT. West leads the six of 3 A switch could attack a vital entry. p K Q 7 spades and East plays the jack. 4 Holding up would cost a trick.

N Suppose that you are blasé through 5 Winning blocks the opposing suit. W E having two stoppers and win the first S trick. When you play on diamonds, East m A 7 5 comes in with the ace of diamonds and m 9 6 n K 9 7 clears the spades while West still has an n 7 5 3 o K 10 7 2 entry. Down you go. o K p A 6 4 Now try ducking the first trick. No p K Q 10 8 7 3 2 switch can harm you and, since East will m K J 7 2 m Q 8 3 have no spade to lead when in with the n K 9 4 2 N n J 10 8 6 W E You are South in 3NT. West leads the six ace of diamonds, you make 3NT. o Q 9 4 S o J 8 7 6 of spades and East plays the king. p 5 4 p A 9 You have six top tricks (one spade, two m A 10 5 4 hearts and three clubs). You therefore m 9 4 3 n A Q need three more tricks. The diamond suit n A o A 10 5 3 2 will be more than adequate for this o Q J 9 5 p J 6 purpose. You need to knock out the ace p A Q 10 8 3 of diamonds, which means losing the m Q 10 7 6 2 m K 8 lead. You want to guard against losing n K 10 4 3 N n Q J 8 6 2 You are South in 3NT. West leads the W E four (or more) spades and a diamond. o 6 4 S o 8 7 two of spades and East plays the queen. You will need luck and skill to do this. p 5 4 p K 9 7 2 There are many reasons for winning If someone (West you imagine) has five m A J 5 the first trick. The first is that, if the two or six spades and the diamond ace, you n 9 7 5 is fourth best then West has only four will go down no matter what. To o A K 10 3 2 spades – you do not mind losing three succeed when the missing ace and long p J 6 spades and a club. The second is that spades are in opposite hands, hold up you may well have a double spade your ace until the third round. With any stopper if you win. The third is that a luck, whoever wins will be out of This time you are in 5o. West leads the heart switch will surely be deadly if spades. If spades are 4-4, the hold up spade six and East plays the king. West holds the king of hearts. Last but will fail but you will lose only three This is a suit contract and a hold up is by no means least, a diamond switch tricks in the suit. Holding up can also be still a good idea. Do you see why? terrifies you – this will kill the club suit correct when you have two stoppers. You have no need to cut out the long if someone can hold up the club ace. I

Page 26 Seasonal Walks with Countryman

A Walk at Holiday Time

his little piece of Last Night’s Duplicate to rebid 1m or 1NT over partner’s where the birds are singing, the response of 1n. Keen to advertise his T sun shining and the air additional values, he chose 1NT and seriously intoxicating – it is all too easy m K 9 7 5 was promptly raised to 3NT as North to fall under its magic spell and dream n A Q 9 could see little point in further on, contentedly... o A 6 4 3 investigation. Of course, one way to For many factories, August is still p K 9 overcome this problem is to bid 1m treated as the holiday month. Children originally, not 1o. The major-suit fit – if break up from school for their summer there is one – is then never lost while holidays and there is a general exodus to You are playing Acol with a 12-14 the extra points can still be shown with the seaside and pastures new, but for no-trump. the rebid if appropriate. I apply this country folk and in particular farmers, Back to the cornfield where just over policy to any balanced hand containing August is a hectic and anxious month. It half the area has been harvested, leaving four cards in a major and four cards in a is harvesting time and much depends on the familiar stubble which provides minor that is too strong to open 12-14 the fickle weather conditions. Wind and such a happy hunting ground for many no-trump. rain cause havoc to the crops and delay birds and I notice in particular a number the excellent work of the combine of lapwings enjoying a special feast of harvesters, while long periods of grubs and beetles. Where the golden Dealer East. E/W Game. sunshine not only ripen the corn but also wheat is still standing, one cannot but m A 8 6 2 enable a frantic all-systems-go effort to be impressed by the blaze of bright n K 7 4 3 complete the harvesting before the crimson created by our most spectacular o Q 9 8 5 weather turns. wild flower – the poppy. I have p 10 associated the poppy with cornfields m 10 3 m Q J 4 n N n Harvesting ever since viewing them growing J 8 6 5 W E 10 2 together as a child. Perhaps this is not so o J 7 S o K 10 2 Today, white clouds are billowing surprising as I believe the poppy has p Q J 7 5 3 p A 8 6 4 2 nonchalantly across the skies while been a resident since the Stone Age. m K 9 7 5 bursts of sunshine occasionally have Up in the skies a kestrel is hovering, n A Q 9 their say. It’s time for walkies and I say almost motionless, as it scans the area o A 6 4 3 to Cindy, my beautiful golden retriever, for prey. Suddenly it swoops at amazing p K 9 ‘Shall we go and see how the harvesting speed and I fear there is now one more is getting on?’ Much tail wagging settles field mouse who is no longer enjoying the point and we find ourselves walking the holiday. As you can see, against a normal club along the path beside a huge field of lead 3NT stands no chance. The club wheat, viewing the combine harvester at The Bridge Deal suit is established immediately and the work. I’ll describe the scene in more defence must regain the lead at detail in a moment, but before I forget Time to return to our bridge deal. The sometime before declarer can muster here is a hand which caused a few full layout is shown on the right. nine tricks. However, West had been problems at the club duplicate last night. At one table, after a pass from East, listening very carefully to the auction What would you open on this hand after South opened 1o and was then faced and came to the conclusion that South a pass on your right? with the old familiar problem – whether would not have a spade suit and

Page 27 Holiday Time continued BERNARD MAGEE’S therefore must hold the minors – so she led the ten of spades! Declarer ducked the first round smoothly which no doubt DECLARER encouraged West to continue the suit. A happy declarer won the second trick with the ace of spades and realised that he was now in with a chance, but when PLAY the hearts failed to break kindly there was no escaping one down. Against 4m by South (1m-3m-4m) the popular lead was a club but at one table An Interactive CD West decided to start the attack with the jack of diamonds (Ouch! That really is a terrible lead. It is very, very seldom 120 Hands in 10 Chapters right to lead initially from J-x or Q-x unless partner has bid the suit) and that Special Introductory Extra Chapter on solved all declarer’s problems. The jack of diamonds was covered with the very basic Principles of Card Play dummy’s queen and East’s king was captured with the ace. Declarer’s losses were now just one spade, one diamond  Suit Establishment in No-trumps and one club. So, you might ask, can declarer avoid  Suit Establishment in Suits two diamond losers without help from the defence? If you take an inspired  Hold-ups view in the diamond suit, there is a way to make the contract without any  Ruffing for Extra Tricks assistance from the opponents.  Entries in No-trumps The Intrafinesse  Delaying Drawing Trumps As the cards lie, declarer can hold his diamond losses to just one by a method  known as the intrafinesse. He leads a Using the Lead small diamond, towards dummy no  doubt hoping that West will play the Trump Control king. When West follows with the seven, the eight is played from dummy  Endplays & Avoidance and that trick is lost to East’s ten. As soon as dummy regains the lead, the  Using the Bidding queen of diamonds is advanced, pinning West’s jack and picking up East’s king en route. Objective achieved! When we get home, Cindy sits down Each Chapter Includes beside me for a well earned rest as she 2 play-through hands explaining 95 has been very busy running up and the subject and 10 play hands £69 down the hedgerows enjoying all the with following explanations. Windows 98, XP or Vista, CD ROM. country smells. At times like this, I often explain the latest bridge problems to her. ‘You see, Cindy, you give a diamond Available from trick away cheaply which sets the suit up for a spectacular bonus. Give one and Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH get two or three in exchange. That’s not a bad return, is it?’ Those big brown  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 beautiful eyes look up at me as she wags her tail. I’m sure she understands. I

Page 28 PROGRAMME This is the format for all duplicate weekends and AT THE OLDE BARN AT THE rarely varies. Toll Bar Road, Marston, , NG32 2HT OLDE FRIDAY BARN o Full-board o All rooms with 1500 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities Welcome Desk open Afternoon Tea o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking

1745 to 1830 o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz & two seminars Welcome drinks pool and fitness suite (on duplicate weekends only) reception ______1830 to 2000 BOOKING FORM DINNER Please book me for ..... places, 2015 BRIDGE SESSION 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... SATURDAY for the Olde Barn weekend(s) of ...... 0800 to 0930 ...... BREAKFAST

1000 to 1230 Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY Address...... of SET HANDS 1 2008 (tea & coffee at 1100) ...... 1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET Postcode ......  ...... 24-26 Oct (£199) LUNCH Further into Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, the Auction 1400 to 1645 but we will do our best to oblige) BRIDGE Ray Hutchinson SESSION 2 ...... TEAMS of FOUR Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 7-9 Nov (£199) 1815 to 2000 Improvers* DINNER ...... Take-out Doubles Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2015 BRIDGE Ray Hutchinson by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3 your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, DUPLICATE PAIRS 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be 28-30 Nov (£199) sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Signals & Discards SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Ray Hutchinson 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST No Single 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & Supplement SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 2 Room upgrades and (tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... special B&B rates (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) for Sunday nights 1230 to 1400 CARVERY LUNCH are available. , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 1400 to 1645  01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 *Improvers’ Weekends are BRIDGE aimed at the novice player SESSION 4 e-mail: [email protected] and/or those picking up the game after a long break. DUPLICATE PAIRS website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 29 Bridge H Cruises and Looking for a holiday, short break or a cruise? Why not choose one from our exte

AUGUST 2008 AUGUST cont SEPTEMBER cont OCTOBER cont

7 – 14 Fjords & 22 – 24 Theobalds Park 26 – 28 Milton Hill House 3 – 5 Theobalds Park Fairytales or 25 Rubber / Chicago 26 – 28 Staverton Park 10 – 12 Milton Hill House 24 – 4/9 Baltic Explorer 10 – 12 Staverton Park 29 – 31 Staverton Park Improvers

SEPTEMBER 2008 13 – 24 Black Sea Discovery II 4 – 11 Riviera Cruise 17 – 19 Staverton Park Gentle Duplicate The Olde Barn, Marston Marsham Court, Bournemouth 17 – 19 The Beach Hotel 7– 24 Grand Scandinavia 26 – 28 The Beach Hotel 17 – 19 Theobalds Park Rubber / Chicago 8– 10 Harben House 26 – 28 Theobalds Park 14 – 24 Baltic Capitals MV Discovery Gentle Duplicate

15 – 17 Staverton Park OCTOBER 2008 Gentle Duplicate 5 – 7 Wychwood Park 1 – 3 Marsham Court 22 – 25 Staverton Park 5 – 7 Theobalds Park Bank Holiday Staverton Park, Daventry (3 nights) 11 – 20 Italian Odyssey

12 – 14 Milton Hill House 24 – 26 The Olde Barn

12 – 14 Staverton Park 24 – 26 Barony Castle

19 – 21 Latimer House 24 – 26 Harben House

Wychwood Park, Crewe Gentle Duplicate 19 – 21 Milton Hill House 24 – 26 Wychwood Park Latimer House, Chesham 20 –2/10 Adriatic and 2– 13 Black Sea Aegean Treasures Discovery I 24 –4/11 Aegean Odyssey Holidays, d Weekends ensive list. Cruises are in blue, overseas holidays in green and UK breaks in black.

OCTOBER cont NOVEMBER cont 28 – 30 The Olde Barn

26 – 28 Marsham Court 7– 9 Harben House DECEMBER 2008 Gentle Duplicate 3 – 21 Antarctica & the 7 – 9 Milton Hill House Falkland Islands

7– 9 The Olde Barn 5 – 7 The Beach Hotel Improvers Theobalds Park, Cheshunt

9 – 11 Marsham Court

Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia Christmas & New Year 31 –2/11 Milton Hill House Improvers Denham Grove, Uxbridge, 31 –2/11 Staverton Park Antarctica Buckinghamshire

31 –2/11 Theobalds Park Gentle Duplicate Barony Castle, Nr Peebles 16 – 2/1 Antarctica, 24-27 December Chile and Sandy Bell Patagonia £395 14 – 16 Staverton Park 26 –16/1 Falklands, 14 – 16 Theobalds Park South Georgia 27-29 December and Antarctica Signals & Discards 16 –7/12 Voyage to South America Chris Barrable & Ann Pearson 21 – 23 Latimer House £199 Milton Hill House, Oxon 21 – 23 Staverton Park NOVEMBER 2008 Gentle Duplicate 29 Dec – 1 Jan 2009 Chris Barrable 4 – 16 North African 28 – 30 Milton Hill House & Ann Pearson Treasures £355 28 – 30 Theobalds Park The Beach Hotel, Worthing 7 – 9 Barony Castle Gentle Duplicate Jeremy Dhondy Says Use the Rule of Fifteen

ow do you decide whether to You deal and pass and, after two more open the bidding in fourth seat? Hand 2 passes, your right-hand opponent opens HIt’s a funny question really. Why m 9 4 1m in fourth seat. Would you overcall should it differ from any other position? n Q 4 2o? You might, but it is unsound and We are probably used to having some o K Q 10 6 3 dangerous to do so at least, in part, different rules about whether we open p K J 9 2 because you must proceed to the two and what we open with marginal hands – level to do so. The risk of conceding a perhaps the rule of 20 or the rule of 22. penalty is higher at this level. Whatever we do, we often open a bit Assuming you would open 1m on hand 1, How do you decide when to open? This lighter in third seat because partner has why wouldn’t you open 1o on hand 2? I is where the ‘Rule of 15’ comes in. It already passed and we might make an would always open 1m with the first applies when you are in fourth seat after opponent’s life just a bit more difficult. hand, but think carefully about the second three passes. You add your number of If we are undisciplined in first seat, we and probably pass. The reason for this is high card points to your number of may put the opponents off but partner that, with hand 1, we hold the highest spades. If the answer is 15+, you open the may be the one with a good hand and not ranked suit and opening will make it bidding. If it is 14 or fewer, you pass. appreciate our marginal pre-empt. quite hard for the opponents to come in. Like most rules of this nature, it is Likewise, we often hear that the time to Even if they do come in, we will be able intended only as a guideline to help be soundest is in second position when to outbid them at the same level should when you have a marginal hand. Say vulnerable. This is because the danger of they compete and we have a fit. On the you hold the following hand: a penalty is high and partner has not yet second hand, if I open 1o I have given had a chance to call. So there are tactics my left-hand opponent an easy entry into according to position just as much as the auction if he has a five-card major. If Hand 5 according to vulnerability. he does come in and his partner has m 8 5 In the last seat, some openings are no something of a fit, they will outbid us n K Q 7 longer sensible. For example, opening a and may win the contract in two or three o A J 8 3 three-level pre-emptive bid to keep the of a major. Judge this for yourself: p Q 9 3 2 opponents out is silly when passing is sure to keep them out. A three-level opening in fourth seat is constructive. Hand 3 In the fourth seat, after three passes you Many who play weak twos in the m K Q 10 4 2 might decide to pass it out because majors, showing 5-9 points, change n J 7 5 points plus spades adds up to 14. You what they do in fourth seat. Perhaps they o K 9 4 may be on your own if you play at a club play strong twos or make their weak p 7 6 at which the common method is to play twos the strength of an opening bid. It is a weak no trump and nobody else has a good idea to know what you and your read this article. From time to time, the partner do in this position. You deal and pass and, after two more cards will fall in such a way that 1NT Anyway, let’s get back to the main passes, your right-hand opponent opens makes and you get a poor score. Rather issue. What do you open with these 1o in fourth seat. You would overcall 1m more often, you will notice that many of hands after three passes? wouldn’t you? the players sitting in your direction concede 100 or 200 because they go down – or they may concede 110 Hand 1 Hand 4 because their opponents have got m K Q 10 6 3 m K 9 4 together in spades. At least, if you do n 9 4 n J 7 5 decide to open 1NT, you force your o K J 9 2 o K Q 10 4 2 opponents to come in at the two level – p Q 4 p 7 6 but it is still worth giving a thought to whether you should pass. I

Page 32 Andrew Kambites Says Put Partner with Eight Points if the Opponents Pre-Empt

sn’t it nice when you can decide West North East South upon game, knowing partner’s assets m K 10 9 3n Ito within one point? A natural n K 10 4m1 End auction starting 1NT-2NT does just that. o Q 10 8 4 You are likely to end up in game with 26 p K 10 9 3 1Of course, West cannot be sure of making points and usually with 25 points. You m A Q 6 5 m J 7 4 3 4m. However, if he bids only 3m, East will are likely to stay in part-score with 24 n 8 N n J 6 4 pass and the partnership will miss an excel- W E points, the exception being a good 13 o K J 7 5 3 S o A 6 lent game contract. points opposite a good 11 points. p A J 8 p Q 6 4 2 If opponents open at a low level first m 8 2 Here is a third variation on the layout: and then keep silent, there is still plenty n A Q 9 7 5 3 2 of room for fine-tuning, for example: o 9 2 p 7 5 m A J 9 5 4 West North East South n 10 1n Dbl Pass 1m1 o 10 8 4 Pass 2m2 Pass 3m3 West North East South p K 10 4 3 Pass 4m4 End 3n m K 10 7 m Q 6 3 Dbl1 Pass 3m2 End3 n K J 8 N n 6 4 W E 1I have up to about eight points. o K Q 7 S o A J 6 5 3 2Game may still be possible if you are at the 1The take-out double is risky. If East is p A J 8 2 p Q 9 6 top end. broke, North can redouble and then double m 8 2 3I do not hold a maximum but my hand is any rescue for penalties. Obeying the n A Q 9 7 5 3 2 better than it might be, perhaps with six use- maxim, West gives East eight points and o 9 2 ful points. competes bravely. p 7 5 4OK. That seems to make game a reason- 2East indeed has eight points but is aware able shot. that West has already allowed for them. East will do well to make 3m bearing in mind that West North East South Now look at the problem you face if things will not all break kindly after South’s 3n opponents open with a pre-emptive 3n. pre-empt. 3NT1 End There isn’t much room now for 3Placing East with no more than eight points, scientific investigation, so we need a West settles for a part score. 1 Certainly, 3NT is dangerous! If North holds practical method that works as well as is all the missing points, it will be carnage. possible in the circumstances. How do Let’s change the deal slightly. Most of the finesses will be wrong and, even you know whether to compete? If you if they were right, declarer couldn’t get to are too pushy, you could run into a dummy to take them. Fortunately, East pro- horrible penalty double. At the other m K 4 3 duces the hoped-for eight points (nine in extreme, if fear dominates all your n K 10 fact) and 3NT is easy. If West had passed, actions then you will regularly find o J 10 8 4 the contract would have been 3n by South, yourself talked out of good contracts. p K 10 9 3 no doubt going several down but giving The maxim is this: Put partner with m A Q 10 9 6 5 m J 7 East/West a poor score. eight points when the opponents pre- n 8 N n J 6 4 empt (at the three level). The other side o K Q 7 W E o A 6 5 3 Can you see the logic of giving partner S of the equation is that partner should p A J 8 p Q 6 4 2 eight points? Suppose you have 16 then ignore his first eight points. We m 8 2 points and the opening pre-emptor has can’t have it for both partners to bid the n A Q 9 7 5 3 2 eight. That makes 24. Divide the same eight points. o 9 2 remaining points between North and In the following examples, assume p 7 5 East: hey presto, eight each. All you are that only East/West are vulnerable. doing is giving partner his fair share! I

Page 33 Freddie North Says

Don’t Overbid on Big Hands

he temptation to overbid big Of course, if partner has any special My last offering features West with hands is human; tempering the features, he can come to life later. Here another fine hand. Turge to splurge, as it were, comes is an example. You are West the dealer. only with experience. Perhaps Oscar Wilde’s quote ‘I can resist anything m A except temptation’ sums up the obstacles m K Q J 9 8 5 n Q 7 5 4 a bridge player has to overcome when n A 6 N o Q 7 6 3 W E confronted with a galaxy of goodies. o A Q 4 S p 9 7 4 3 Suppose West picks up the kind of p A K m K 7 3 2 m Q J 10 9 8 6 4 N hand we like to have at rubber bridge: n A K J W E n 6 3 o A K J S o 5 4 2 Twenty-three points and a six-card suit – p Q J 10 p 2 m K Q J that’s a great start and warrants an m 5 n Q 9 N opening bid of 2p. East responds 2o n 10 9 8 2 W E o A K Q J 10 6 S (negative) and, when you rebid 2m, o 10 9 8 p A K raises to 3m. What do you bid now? p A K 8 6 5 Although the spade fit is good news, it would be a mistake to jump to 4NT at West East this stage because even if partner shows West opened with an impeccable 2NT 2p 2o one ace you still won’t know whether a (20-22 points). East responded 4m. Even 3o 3m slam is good or bad. You should make a though West knew the 4m bid was a sign ? of 4p. This keeps the bidding off, he couldn’t resist the temptation of low and gives East the chance to show a ‘one small effort’ and went on to 5m. You have 25 points but must remember feature. East passed in haste. that you have already shown a game- In fact, East bids 4o over 4p, after When South cashed a top club and going hand. The very worst thing West which West can bid 4NT with some switched to a heart, East was none too can do is to continue with 4NT, asking confidence. These are the two hands: happy. With two black aces to lose, his for aces. This results in a minus score thoughts centred on trying to combine when the two hands are like this: his chances in the red suits. He could m K Q J 9 8 5 m A 10 6 3 cash two top diamonds; if the queen did n A 6 N n 9 8 7 4 not fall, he could ruff a club and take the W E m K Q J m 10 9 8 6 4 o A Q 4 S o 3 heart finesse. n Q 9 N n J 7 3 p A K p J 9 6 5 On further reflection, East saw a better o W E o A K Q J 10 6 S 5 2 chance. Winning the heart in dummy, he p A K p Q J 8 ruffed a club, went back to dummy with West East a diamond and ruffed another club. Now 2p 2o he exited with a spade and was pleased East will respond 5p to show no aces 2m 3m to find North with the singleton ace. and, whatever suit you play in, you will 4p 4o North had to lead into a red tenace or lose three tricks. So what should West 4NT 5o give a ruff and discard. bid over 3m? 4m is fine. Remember, you 6m Well, East had saved the day. West no have already promised a big hand. doubt heaved a sigh of relief. However, What are the secrets that stop most top You’ll notice that East first agreed the if South had switched to a trump at trick players from bidding too much on trump suit and then leapt at the chance to two, West’s five-level foray would have powerful hands? It’s simple really. show his singleton diamond (the deal met a different fate. Having bid their values, they leave their comes from rubber bridge – at duplicate The moral is clear. Don’t overbid big partners to do the pushing. With nothing East might bid a 4o splinter over 2m to hands. Show your hand once and allow to add, partner goes quietly. show both features at once). partner to do any pushing necessary. I

Page 34 Dave Huggett Says Don’t Ruff in the Long Hand

any a newcomer delights in earlier, he would have prevailed. cope with a 4-1 trump break! ruffing defensive winners with Even with a normal trump break, So is it always wrong to ruff in the Mlong trumps. It is as though ruffing in the long trump hand can be long trump hand? As you might expect, extra tricks appear by magic – but you disastrous: the answer is ‘no,’ but the times when have to be careful that those tricks are, you need to do so are quite rare: indeed, ‘extra’. Take this hand for example: m 7 6 4 n 8 6 5 m J 10 9 o A 9 8 5 n A 7 6 4 m 7 6 5 p K 8 6 o A 8 7 n A 7 5 3 m 10 8 2 m 5 3 p K 8 5

o K Q 8 3 n K 9 7 2 N n Q 4 3 m 7 6 m 5 3 2 p o W E o n n 8 6 Q J 10 6 S K 4 3 2 K 9 5 3 N Q J 10 2 m m p p o W E o Q 8 4 2 3 J 2 Q 10 9 7 9 6 4 2 S 10 5 n K Q 9 N n J 10 8 6 2 m A K Q J 9 p Q 10 7 p J 9 4 3 o W E o n m 7 5 S 10 9 2 A J 10 A K Q 8 4 p Q 9 7 2 p J 10 5 4 o 7 n 8 m A K J 10 9 p A 5 4 3 o K Q J 3 n 4 p A 6 2 o A J 6 4 p A K 3 North South 1m North-South bid to 7m. West makes the 1NT 3p textbook lead of a trump. Even with all North South 4m End hands on show, it is hard to see where 1m thirteen tricks might come from. One 2m 3o Declarer won the diamond lead in chance might be to draw two rounds of 4m 6m dummy and thought he could make five trumps and then hope that diamonds End trump tricks by ruffing two diamonds in stand up for four rounds, enabling hand. So he ruffed a diamond at trick two, declarer to throw a club from dummy. The contract was sound and, when West returned to dummy with the king of clubs Then a club ruff in dummy would led the king of hearts, declarer gave it to ruff yet another diamond and now suffice. This is a long shot. little thought. He won in dummy and played his top trumps. Exhausted of In fact, chances are good. Win the lead played another heart, ruffing in hand, trumps, he was effectively playing in no- in dummy, play the ace of hearts and ruff before he had formed a proper plan. He trumps and declarer realised suddenly a heart high. Re-enter dummy with a realised now that he needed to ruff a club that he needed the clubs to break 3-3. trump – happy that all follow – and ruff in dummy and this passed off peacefully. When they failed to do so, he suffered a another heart high. Play a diamond to Alas, when declarer took a trump finesse, one-trick defeat, losing in all one heart, the ace and ruff yet another heart with this not only lost to the queen but a further one diamond and two clubs. This plan South’s last trump. You can now reach heart forced him to trump yet again. Now was poor because he has the same dummy with the king of clubs and your West had an extra trump winner. number of trump tricks whether he ruffs losing club goes on dummy’s jack of Declarer was unlucky that trumps diamonds or not. He should have realised spades, pulling the last trump in the broke 4-1, but that first heart ruff was that dummy’s two entries were precious process. By ruffing in hand three times, unnecessary and was the cause of his and made full use of them by taking two you have made an extra trump trick. As downfall. Declarer was always going to heart finesses. When the hearts behave as ruffing is usually more effective when make four trump tricks so the ruff they should – about a 75% shot – declarer using dummy’s trumps, the name for gained nothing – he merely shortened could make game with five spades, two this clever ploy is a Dummy Reversal. his trumps to the same length as West. If hearts, one diamond and two clubs – and, Despite this, the advice to guard against declarer had just ruffed his losing club what is more, he might have been able to ruffing in the long hand is sound. I

Page 35 Mike Wenble Says Length is Strength

hy do you sort your cards into With the opposition silent, partner opens The ‘length is strength’ maxim has suits even before counting 1o, you bid 1n and partner rebids 1m. important ramifications when you are Wyour points? One reason is What is your second bid? responding to partner’s pre-empt. that you want to see your long suits – if The correct answer is 2o. To pass 1m Remember, as partner has bid, you you can make them trumps, they will or raise to 2m, because your spades are consider partnership length rather than win more tricks. stronger than your diamonds (and your own length Let us start with the opening bid. because spades is a major suit), is a Suppose you hold hand D at Love All misjudgement. Length is strength still and you hear partner open 3n. Your applies, but now that partner has bid you right hand opponent passes. What is m A K 7 3 consider partnership length rather than your bid? n A 10 6 4 2 just your own length. The correct response is, of course, 4n. o 6 2 Partner has indicated at least five Once again, raising partner on a p Q 5 diamonds and at least four spades on this singleton reflects the fact that there is auction. In this case, it will be safer to safety in numbers. Length in the trump play in the eight-card or longer diamond suit – partner’s seven plus your one – An Acol textbook of the 1950s said you fit than in the seven-card spade fit. If provides declarer with the ability to should open 1m so that you can show partner is strong enough to bid again withstand attacks in a weak side suit both suits (it being unthinkable to open over your 2o, his third round bid will without losing control. 1n and into 2m with a minimum reveal if he has extra length in his major, Finally, it is worth considering that opening hand such as this). and you can re-assess the situation this maxim is just as pertinent when it Let us suppose you correctly open 1n accordingly. comes to overcalling. and that the partnership has a 4-4 spade The conclusion is clear: you should, fit. You should not miss the fit. without exception, open the bidding with your longest suit. (There are special m A Q 9 5 3 rules for when you hold two or three n 5 4 ABsuits of equal length, but that is another o Q 10 7 6 m J 8 6 5 m Q 8 6 5 topic). p 7 6 n K n K o A 9 7 5 4 o A K 9 7 4 p 10 6 2 p 10 6 2 CDWhy is this hand fine for a minimum m 7 2 m K Q 6 overcall of 1m, when it is not close to n K Q J 9 6 5 2 n 7 being an opening bid? If responder’s hand is A, he is not strong o 6 4 3 o A Q J 5 The answer, once again, lies in the fact enough for a two-level response and he p 8 p A 9 7 6 2 that the overcall guarantees length – at will bid 1m. The spade fit comes to light least five cards. It would be rare for one immediately. Now give him the stronger of the opponents to be able to make a hand B. In this case, his initial response The maxim comes to the fore when you penalty double, (or to make a business will be 2o, but he is strong enough to hold a weak hand with a long suit. C is pass of a negative take-out double). rebid 2m over 2n – so you find the spade worth an opening bid of 3n in any seat Most of the time, partner will have fit on the second round. except fourth (when you would pass), sufficient spade tolerance to stop that Here is a little poser. You hold: and irrespective of the vulnerability. from happening. With a suit this long, you are willing to Suppose the worst comes to the worst accept going down, possibly doubled, in and you play in 1m doubled, which m A Q 5 an effort to make your suit trumps. You might not be a pleasant experience. If n Q 8 5 3 2 want to make life as hard as possible for this costs 500, then, in all probability, o 7 6 2 the opponents. You do not open at the the opponents will have a game on – and p 8 5 three- or four-level to show a hand with if it costs 800, then they may well have a lot of points! a slam. I

Page 36 DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws Having None, Partner?

In rubber bridge, at some length, to describe quitted tricks in the wrong which tends to suggest there which member of the consequences of doing direction. It seemed sensible is only one way to bid. Q the partnership so. to put in the rules that will Non-promissory Stayman, should collect the tricks? I The second paragraph be true for many years in the which is a horrible term thought that it was on the fifth page of the Introduction, rather than meaning Stayman that does partner of the first to win supplement states that rules that are only true for a not promise a four-card a trick, but in the clubs attention may be drawn to few short weeks. major, does not need an that I play in, everybody quitted cards before the There are other changes in alert or anything special. It has a different opinion. next trick starts. This the Laws from that date. is older than promissory Barbara Riva-Palacio, statement appears to be at New Law books are Stayman, since when Jack by email. odds with the final available from the EBU and Marx first invented it, there paragraph on page 27 of was no guarantee of a major. There is no rule the yellow book, which and the new Yellow Book Perhaps four in ten players about this. Clubs states: will be ready for August. who play Stayman play non- A and circles may Players (including promissory Stayman. have their own rules, of dummy) are not permitted ponm There are various methods course, but otherwise you to draw attention to any of dealing with this. One is can do what you want. quitted card pointing the My partner and I to carry a piece of paper, wrong way. However, in play that a 2NT such as this one, saying that ponm the case of declarer, his Q response to 1NT is playing non-promissory card is ‘quitted’ when he a transfer to diamonds. To Stayman is legal, common, At what stage is it lets go of it and therefore, show a flat 11-12, we go and requires no special too late to claim up to that point, dummy through 2p whether or not alerts. Another is to alert the Q honours? can point out that a card is we have a four-card major. 2NT rebid: while it does not Guy Heslop, Croydon. the wrong way. Should we announce 2p as require an alert, it probably Please could you clarify non-promissory Stayman does not matter if you do You can claim these two points? or should we alert it? alert it. I would not suggest honours until the Bob Anderson, Rochdale When we just announce it you extend your announce - A final total of the and John Traill, Helensburgh. as Stayman, opponents ment: when the EBU rubber is agreed. Similar queries on the first complain if dummy comes introduced them, it was clear point from David Burrows, down with no four-card that they were not meant to ponm Janny Snell, Haslemere, major. be detailed descriptions, so Anne Wright, Ron Wood, A R Bond, Southport. just keep saying ‘Stayman’. The first London W14, Herbert Potts, The final possibility is to paragraph on the Stockport, Lore Lucas and It is always difficult live with the complaints: Q fifth page of the others. when players have they should not be com - Introduction to Duplicate A their own idea of plaining without calling the in BRIDGE 89, states that I am pleased you the rules, and do not care director; if they do, he will defenders may ask each have noticed both that they are quite wrong. It (hopefully) put them right. other about a possible A changes: most is also unfortunate that If your problems are just revoke. However, page 31 people only see one! From players often expect in one club, you could of the yellow book states August 1st, defenders may everyone else to play the always post this letter on the that a defender must not ask each other, and players same way as they do. It may club notice-board, if the ask partner and continues, may draw attention to be the teaching of bridge, committee does not mind.

Page 37 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued DECLARER The declarer, declarer can and does do South, was in 4n. many wrong things! PLAY Q My partner was on lead and played a diamond, ponm which won. She led a QUIZ second diamond, which I try to come in declarer trumped. Declarer against a weak drew trumps and then Q 1NT followed by by David Huggett played a heart, which my two passes when I have a (Answers on page 57) partner won. My partner 5-4-3-1 shape by bidding led another diamond, my five-card suit with 7+ expecting declarer to ruff. points. Recently, I did just In the event, declarer threw this. My five-card suit was ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. In each case, what is your play strategy? a small spade so my headed by the jack with Y partner won the trick. With further 9 points outside. A the cards of that round still few deals later, I held: face up, my partner was 1. 3. about to play another card m A 7 3 2 m A 3 but it was clear the m 3 n 7 5 3 n 5 4 3 declarer thought she had n J 9 6 5 4 o A Q 10 2 o A 9 6 2 won the last trick and was o 7 5 4 p K 4 p K Q J 9 about to lead as well. p A Q 9 2 N N At this point, I said my W E W E partner was on lead as she S S won the trick. To my My partner, who would m J 5 4 m K Q J 2 amazement, declarer took double on 15 points, gave a n A K 8 n A 2 back her spade and slight hesitation over 1NT. o 8 4 3 o Q J 10 8 substituted a trump saying If the slight hesitation p A 9 7 2 p 10 3 2 ‘I meant to trump that. meant points or spades, I The trick is still live fail to see how this helps because no other card has me bid 2n. All I know is You are declarer in 3NT You open 1NT and North been played. Declarer can partner would probably and West leads the o7. raises to 3NT. West leads do no wrong. Your error lead a spade and give How do you plan the the n6. How do you plan was in speaking and not declarer a cheap trick. I play? the play? waiting until the next card was told that I should not had been played.’ make this bid. I would The director that evening think that taking 2. 4. agreed with the declarer. advantage of a hesitation m 8 5 4 m Q 10 3 Somehow, this did not would be to pass. n A Q 7 3 n K Q 8 seem right in view of Brian Nicholls, Tyne & Wear. o 8 7 3 o A 3 declarer’s error. What is p A K 5 p J 10 9 6 3 your view? Who told you that N N Lorraine Avery, Devon. you should not W E W E A make the bid? If it S S Perhaps it is time was an opponent, tell him m A K 3 m A 4 2 that your director (politely, please!) either to n K 4 n A 9 7 A started reading call the director or say o Q J 10 9 2 o Q J 10 9 rulings out of the book! nothing! p J 10 7 p K Q 4 Nobody can take back a I do agree with him, not played card because of a you. You are bidding on change of mind, or any other hands that are weaker than You are declarer in 3NT You open 1o, North res - reason, unless there has been most players would. and West leads the m6. ponds 2p, you rebid 2NT an infraction and the law Partner’s hesitation suggests East plays the mQ. How and North raises to 3NT. permits it to be taken back. some values, making your do you plan the play? West leads the m8. You Once a card is played, that is bid safer. I think you should play the m10 from dummy it; it is played. refrain from these very light and East plays the mJ. ‘Declarer can do no protective overcalls when How do you plan the play? wrong’ is pure invention: partner has hesitated.

Page 38 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued

I was surprised by I wonder what DEFENCE your interpretation happened to the Q of ‘centre’ in Law A director. Perhaps 7a as the exact centre; if this was rubber bridge. In a this were so, directors club, the host will often take QUIZ would need to carry a tape the position of a director in a measure with them. Did duplicate game. Sometimes the lawmakers not intend it players have to make their by Julian Pottage to mean the central part of own rulings, for which it (Answers on page 53) the table, as distinct from helps to have a law book the edge or the floor? In handy. ou are West, playing teams or rubber bridge, in the this case, it would be fine The next player may Ydefensive positions below. It is your turn to play. to make room for dummy accept any lead out of turn, while leaving the board and does accept it if he plays 1. m K Q 9 2 3. m 10 2 where everyone can see it. a card. So declarer had no n J 6 n 6 4 2 Ken Smith, Chesterfield. right to take your partner’s o A J 10 8 o K Q J 8 card back: once played p 7 4 2 p K J 10 6 Directors should not neither it nor his wrong card m 6 m 7 6 5 4 act in a stupid could be taken back. n A Q 9 3 N n 9 3 N fashion. Of course o 9 6 5 4 W E o A 4 3 2 W E A S S the centre of the table means ponm p Q 8 6 3 p Q 9 8 just that, but no, directors do not need to carry a tape Several years ago, West North East South West North East South measure. They use their I was diagnosed 1m 1m judgement as in many other Q with minor Pass 3m Pass 4m Pass 2p Pass 3m situations. epilepsy (absence seizures) End Pass 4m End With a normal-sized for which I am now taking bridge table, there is plenty anti-epileptic drugs You lead the p3. Partner You lead the n9 and strike of room for the dummy (AEDs). These AEDs do plays the king and the ace gold. Partner wins with the n while keeping the board in not cure epilepsy; they only wins. Declarer plays a Q, cashes the ace and the centre. No doubt, control it. Some drugs spade to the king and then continues with the king. a spade back to the ace. South follows each time, common sense will prevail if work by making over- What do you discard on playing the jack on the players have disabilities or if active brain cells less this trick? third round. What do you a table too small for the excitable, and others work play on this trick? purpose is in use. by decreasing the brain ponm cells’ ability to transmit 2. m 8 2 abnormal impulses to each n 7 6 2 4. m Q 2 South was playing other causing a seizure. o A Q 10 8 2 n 6 4 3 2 in 4m and had just Under the laws of bridge, p A K J o K J 8 won a trick in must I declare my drug m J 9 7 6 3 p K J 10 6 Q n N m dummy. Declarer then led taking to a tournament A Q 9 3 10 8 5 4 o 6 W E n 9 N a spade from his hand. Just director? S W E p 10 9 6 o Q 7 3 2 S as my partner covered the David Silber, p Q 9 4 2 played card, I pointed out Upton upon Severn. to declarer that he should West North East South have played from dummy. There is no such 1NT West North East South He said ‘OK’, picked up rule in the Law Pass 3NT End 1m p m my partner’s card and book. Certain Pass 2 Pass 3 A You lead the m6. Partner Pass 4m End gave it to her. He then organisations may have their plays the ten and the king picked up his own card, own rules, for example, the wins. Declarer leads the You lead the n9 and strike put it in his hand and World Bridge Federation jack of diamonds, which gold again. Partner wins played a club from dummy. takes its drug-taking rules wins the second trick, and with the nQ, cashes the I told him he was wrong from the Olympic continues with a low dia- ace and no doubt intends but was unsure whether I Association. mond. What do you dis- to continue with the king. could do anything about it. It would not hurt to keep card on this trick? As before, South has to What should have the director informed, but I keep following. What do happened? know of no such rule in you discard on the second Gertrud Porter, Harrow. England. and third rounds of hearts?

Page 39 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued sounds pretty dubious, your 8-x-x-x of hearts and two opponents have no right to aces. The contract made be rude and aggressive. The but no other pairs had EBU is of the view, with reached 6n. In my opinion, Playing duplicate uncom fortable. When the which I heartily concur, that they would never have got at our friendly director arrived, he the main thing that puts there with normal bidding. Q local club, I was suggested we let the 4m people off bridge is bad Bill Buck, North as dealer; the make without the double. behaviour. This pair has no Birmingham. bidding went: Our opposition were not reason for such behaviour; happy with that and he after all, they are going to When something West North East South eventually ruled that we get a ruling. It sounds as goes wrong, you 1m Pass 2NT* went one off. though the director should A must call the Pass 3p Dbl 4m Our opponent’s attitude have penalised your director immediately. The Dbl End upset me, but I am not in opponents for their attitude main cause of the fuss was *alert the least concerned on how and approach. the failure to do this. When the director ruled; there is East made the insufficient When asked, I explained more to life than winning ponm bid of 5p and someone 2NT as showing spade at bridge. pointed it out, all four support, game values and 1 Should I have pointed A problem arose at players had a duty to call the possible interest in a slam. out after the bidding, our U3A Bridge director and not to do Both our opponents said but before play started, Q meeting last anything else before he ‘Oh, you mean Jacoby that my partner had Thursday. I believe the arrived. By trying to insist 2NT,’ indicating they knew missed an alert? bidding and final contract on your own ruling, you the convention. The 2 Should we have called was illegal and, although have caused trouble. problem arose because my the director as soon as the director saw fit to allow However, to be fair, the partner did not alert my we all knew of the error the contract to proceed, I director seems to have 3p, which meant ‘I have (when dummy came was certain that the messed up a very simple first-round control in down) before going on opponents should have case, I suspect by not clubs.’ In fact, she had with the play? been penalised. I would reading it from the law book. pA-K-Q and did not 3 It transpired that both appreciate your reaction. If you had called him at the under stand my bid as she doubles were for The bidding, with North- right time, and if he had read had overlooked the penalties. Under the South silent throughout, it from the law book, this is possibility of a void in my new rules, should the began as follows: what he would have said: hand. opponents have alerted ‘The insufficient bid of When East led a small these? West East 5p may have been club, my void and the non- Mike Torrance, Essex. 1n conventional. First, the alert of my bid became 2n 4p1 player to the left of the obvious, much to East’s Once you have 5m2 insufficient bidder may annoyance. She enquired become declarer or 1Gerber accept the insufficient bid: if in a very aggressive tone A dummy, you are 2no stop card he does, it becomes legal and why there had been no required to point out any the bidding goes on from alert and stated she wanted missing alerts, or any other East then bid 5p. We there. If it is not accepted, it to reserve her rights. She mistakes in explanation pointed out that this was is cancelled and must be continued by making partner has made. In theory, incorrect, asked East to replaced by a pass or a disapproving noises as I you should call the director remove the bid and make it sufficient bid. Whatever it is proceeded to make 4m. first – but that may be good. After a long pause replaced with, the partner of We called the director impractical when it is a East removed 5p and bid the insufficient bidder must for a ruling. He took his playing director. 6n (again with no stop). pass for the remainder of the time to arrive because he Once someone has drawn At that point, I called the auction.’ was playing. During this attention to an infraction, as director. While waiting for No doubt, your side would time, our opposition your opponents’ bad- the director to come, West not have accepted the continued to debate our tempered remarks did, it is said that it did not matter insufficient bid and, when error making us feel most the duty of all four players to what East changed her bid East realised West was call the director. to – the contract was going silenced for the rest of the Doubles above 3NT are to be 6n anyway. auction, he would have bid David Stevenson answers all not alertable. The double of The director viewed the 6n. So the final contract queries based on the facts p n supplied by the letter writer. an unalerted 3 is for take- bidding and told East that would have been 6 . Thus, p n Neither Mr Bridge nor out with no alert. If 3 is she had to remove 6 and the director and players got David Stevenson has any clearly artificial, then a bid 6p, whereupon West to the right place by the way of knowing whether double of 3p is penalties obligingly bid 6n. wrong route. those facts are correct or with no alert. When West placed her No-one else was in 6n – complete. Whatever the ruling, which cards on the table, she had that is life!

Page 40 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued AT THEOBALDS PARK I noticed David My RHO played Bulls Cross Ride, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN7 5HW Stevenson’s in 3NT. I selected Q comment in Q a card from my BRIDGE 88 that the new hand to lead but held it Duplicate Weekends 2008 laws would require players inches from the other 12 to shuffle their cards cards whilst I decided 5-7 Sept Overcalls - Alex Davoud £199 before returning them to whether there was a better 3-5 Oct Leads and Defence - Alison Nicolson £199 the board. I have always lead. As I had extracted it, done this since reading my LHO (dummy) started 17-19 Oct Sacrificing - Ned Paul £199 (many years ago) an article to lay out his hand on the that advocated doing this. table. Not noticing any 14-16 Nov Signals and Discards - Alan Lamb £199 The writer claimed that cards in any detail I some players could guess quickly advised, ‘I have o Full-board o All rooms with at the contract and result if not yet selected a lead.’ At Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities the cards from the that time, he had laid o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking previous table went back down some five cards. o Use of jacuzzi, sauna o Bidding quiz in the board in the order I selected a better lead, and fitness suite and two seminars played, thus getting an without any referral to the o advantage. Is this true? I exposed five cards, when The bridge room, the guest accommodation and cannot remember which he stated that I must play the restaurant are all located in a modern annexe magazine, the name of the the first selected card. I ______writer, or when it came out explained that no-one had BOOKING FORM but am sure it was not an seen the card for I merely April 1st issue. At my club, separated it from the hand Please book me for ..... places, I sometimes pick an and had not laid it face already sorted hand from down, nor had I stated Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... the board. I usually find it ‘any questions?’ has 9-11 HCP and I Furthermore, no-one had for the Theobalds Park weekend(s) of ...... assume the deal was seen the card. passed out at the previous He, being a director, ...... table. I think this is reiterated his comments. I information I should not thought such a decision Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... have but I do not find it did not make good sense very useful. because he had erred in Address...... Vernon Bates, starting to lay down his Binfield, Berks. hand. I, not wanting to ...... cause any drama for we It is true that one or are a friendly club, agreed Postcode ...... two bridge players to his decision, reserving  A have the type of my opinion. Who was ...... mind that can make correct? How would you Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, deductions from the order of have ruled? but we will do our best to oblige) the cards. It is also true that Mr A Rogers, Essex. when only the occasional ...... hand is sorted it tends to I would teach your Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place mean either a very inter - LHO the rules! by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with esting hand, or a pass-out. A Dummy only goes your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, So being required to shuffle down after the opening lead 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be will stop the knowledge is on the table, the partner of sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. from these matters. the opening leader has given Should you require insurance, you should contact your own However, many bridge his permission and the insurance broker. players sort their hands opening lead is face up. before putting them back. Since none of this happened, , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH This is courteous and, if he has no right to start  done consistently, tells the putting down the dummy. 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 next player nothing. I think Yes, you can change your e-mail: [email protected] it sad that this courtesy will card: it is not led until website: www.holidaybridge.com be removed from the game. placed face down. I

Page 41

BRIDGE COVER CARTOON BU

Possibly a slam, certainly not a whitewash. J Goodfellow, cleaners. Mrs V Field, Epsom. Any chance of a game please. Mr Edinburgh. Don’t play ball with him, play bridge. Mr K Ballard, I Payne, Ashford. Woof, play ball, not bridge. Mrs M Davies, Harrow. Good suits need silver linings. Mr A Dunning, Highcliffe. London. You’re sure this is playing on line? Mrs P Schurmann, Bad deal, two queens bare. Mr M Freeman, Morpeth. Taking a Highgate. I shouldn’t have taken trumps out. Mrs L Stanford, trick with 2 of clubs. Mrs G Towell, Taunton. Un-peg quickly Hove. It’s raining on our honours’ parade! Mrs J Dodd, or no suit will fit! Mrs J Langdon, Bristol. Can you play ball Cranleigh. Ruff, ruff which queen shall I ruff? Mrs M Summerell, without your suits? Mrs G Simmonds, Bath. Playing on line Gt. Missenden. Kings rain – queens clear with a r,r,ruff. Mr G again? Mrs Goodchild, Sidmouth. Change of suit forcing a rainy Mason, Reading. Help me trump, its ruff out here. Mrs V walk. Mrs E Dutton, Hartford. Just two queens – I’m throwing in! Mrs J Harman, Ashford. No play without a good suit. Mr W Marsden, Great Eccleston. She’s got five tops in a row. Mr K Poyne, Hitchin. Bridge on-line? Mrs J Benson, Sandwich. ‘Hung me out to dry again, partner?’ Mr G Pilcher, Deal. My clear signal she ignores – as usual! Mrs M Eaton, Pickering. Three suits wet, heartless line! Mrs J Gordon, Edinburgh. Spades, diamonds, clubs, hearts but no trunks. Mr I Hill, St. Ives. Bridge under troubled waters. Sir Aubrey Brocklebank, Titchmarsh. No more tricks Ben, we’re vulnerable. Mr A Caley, Bury St. Edmunds. No chance of a game yet. Mr S Mawdsley, Rochdale. Is a game possible? Mrs S Batley, Salop. One good suit and you’re home and dry. Mrs A Paton, Glasgow. My game plan didn’t turn up trumps. Mrs G Kirkpatrick, Warrington. Hung out to dry! Mr G Kenyon, Blackburn. Ruff! Mr J Garthwaite, Plymouth. Phew! Hung out to dry again. Mr A Ricketts, Bromley. I can play now. Mrs J Williams, Exeter. Two queens clouded my bid on line. Mr D Betts, Hitchin. Another partner? Mrs M Davies, South Pembrokeshire. We pegged out, playing on-line. Mrs J Sumner, Deeside. Hope they know which suit is theirs. Mr & Mrs C Craig, Helensburgh. I like clean cards to play bridge. Mrs S Wallbank, Sutton Coldfield. My declarer play was a washout. Mr D Salmon, Henley on Thames. I’m clean out of suits. Mr M Bird, Cheltenham. Vulnerable? Don’t lose your head! Mrs M Edwards, Wigan. Bridge over troubled waters. Mr J Saunders, Selsey. Yo u know we don’t play on Mondays. Mrs J Leaver, Middleton-on- Sea. Looks like reign. Mrs D Rowcliffe, Tunbridge Wells. I hate washdays, I feel so rankless. Mr B Bain, Easingwold. He’s looking for a good lead. Mr A Andrews, Lincoln. Not a heart in her hand! Mr M Stuart, Potters Bar. No extra points for clean cards. Mrs B Wallace, Emsworth. Two hearts, Benji? That’s a bit rich! Mr M Fowler, Bath. The strip squeeze left two bare queens. Mr A Mayo, London. Should you have thrown that? Dr A Williams, Lancaster. Up the line to five diamonds. Mrs V le Couteur Rowell, Jersey. Doubled and hung out to dry! Mrs M Coen, Glasgow. So many black spots. Mrs E Minlay, Inverness. When I said ruff with the queen . . . Mr P Skinner, Ipswich. I wish I was a singleton again. Mr M Horton, Newton Longville. I’ve left my heart in Chicago. Mrs H Dirckze, London. Dog tired with this bridge team – eh! Mr G Rangarajan, London. It’s Blackwood not dogwood. Dr G Warren, Quorn. His tail always gave his good hands away! Mr R Carlisle, Dundee. We’re vulnerable now! Mr J Cook, Wirral. Having no diamonds! Mrs M Warden, Fife. Jack always wants games when we’re vulnerable. Mr D Chidell, Camborne. On-line bridge software. Mr B Kavarana, Tadworth. Doubled and hung out to day! Mrs Y Horritt, Preston. Bridge is not a ball game. Mr M Nicholas, Billinghurst. Good clean honours are always welcome. Mr S Hirst, Kirkburton. No Ruffing, just pull in the trumps. Mr J Ogilvie, Brechin. Teach an old dog new tricks? Miss M Clarke, Seaford. Duplicate’s bone of contention all washed up. Mrs G Barnes, Herne Bay. No Rover, ‘rubber’ does not mean ball. Miss N Bailey, Louth. Royal trips hanging out in the rain. Mr & Mrs C van Gelder, London. Bad card day dear? Mrs E Waddicor, Carnforth. We’re not here to Beesley, Egham. All washed up and no lead; Woof! Mrs P White, play and have fun! Mrs S Magarkar, Bournemouth. Have a heart! Epsom. It always rains on washing day. Mr S Sellar, Grimsby. Mrs M Vey, Southsea. Bare honours Mrs M Kilpatrick, Kilmacolm. Did you check whether we were vulnerable? Mr R Holton, Come rain or shine, I’ll still play Mrs T Wright, Deeside. He Stoke on Trent. Only 52 for you to iron. Mrs C Sutton, Warrington. thinks its his lead. Mr G Wells, Olney. Yes, she hangs them A clean sweep of ‘Tops’. Mr M Leonard, Northampton. out to dry. Mrs L Ambrose, . Thought you only Blackwood has shown all our dirty linen. Mr W Loughlin, lost your shirt once!! Mrs E Higgins, Welwyn. The suits are Llandudno. Wet suits are better fit. Mrs C Horrocks, Stratford upon ready…let’s play bridge! Mrs J Chaplin, Eastbourne. Which short Avon. I prefer suits to dresses! Dr J Rees, Altrincham. Clean suit should I play first. Mr J Parker, Lyonshall. Sent to the sweep on all suits. Mr G Jones, Merseyside. A dog day for UBBLE CAPTION COMPETITION

diamonds. Mr E Johnson, Cromer. To pass or not to pass! Mrs Nuneaton. No lead nor safe line of play! Miss S Andrews, A Bosworth, Milverton. We will wash you too, bridge mascot. Warwickshire. It’s her way of showing her longest suit. Mrs J Dr J Campbell, Longniddey. Ruff, ruff what a great game. Mr D Fursdon, . That’s not what’s meant by playing ‘on- Cherry, Diseworth. Will you play with me? Mrs D Hallworth, line’. Mr A Fursdon, Milton Keynes. I see your shower lost – as Stockport. Exposed honours! Mr J Beard, Cheltenham. Ruff, ruff usual. Mrs B Pitman, Hassocks. Okay! One more game. Mr S west has the bare queen. Mrs M Moreland, Glasgow. Your timing Heath, Essex. Our suits are ready for game! Mrs J Chaplin, leaves much to be desired! Mrs M Poole, Chippenham. Gentle Eastbourne. That’s a threatened line, partner. Canon T Betts, Bridge rules! Mrs E Urquhart, Glasgow. 1NT, double, pass, hung Nothallerton. Looks like no trumps from now on! Mr J Allen, Aberdeen. Please Queenie, suits off, game on? Mrs J Thomson, Ayr. I think that’s the winning line. Mr G Watts, Aylesbury. Strip play. Mrs E Jenkins, Bromley. You win some – you lose some! Mr K McDuff, Grange over Sands. Clouding the issue. Mrs A Campbell, Northern Ireland. Ruff, ruff let’s play! Mrs W Dolman, Sutton Coldfield. A’ fine claes an’ nae knickers. Mrs M Currie, Largs. ‘Only one suit Queenie?’ – ‘Times are hard’. Mr D Loveden, Thirsk. Five level’s one too many, partner. Mrs T Sproule, Hillsborough. The muddy dog jumped on my shift. Miss J Richmond, Burnside. Don’t think about jumping – cover that Queen. Mr L Braden, Chigwell. Don’t you say ruff to me! Mr P Cunriffe, Stockport. Left without any cover. Mrs M Throp, Penrith. Stay Boy! You’re not on lead. Mr V Worsley, Bristol. People prefer clean winners. Mrs D Mairs, Nottingham. Lucky it wasn’t a white wash! Mrs S Cartridge, North Baddesley. East aired her fourth best suit. Mrs M Hickey, Ealing. 3NT was a complete washout. Mr R Ekins, West Bridgford. Suit play. Mr W Swan, Purley. Trumps! Hanging out to dry. Mrs E Simon, Bexhill on Sea. We should’ve taken them to the cleaners. Mr R Chantler, Gt. Missenden. Bare queens are a wash out. Mr D Mahoney, Vale of Glamorgan. Wuffing a pair of queens. Mr G Miller, York. Rain or shine, bid up the line. Mr J Baker, Sidmouth. Five washed out honours! Mrs J Crocker, Plymouth. Hung out to dry again. Ms E Alexander, Glasgow. Bare honours don’t really count. Mrs V Savage, Nottingham. Queen doubletons are hung out to dry. Mr A Minto, West Sussex. It’s most unusual to discard honours. Mr R Harper, Church Stretton. Two queens, five rags! Ruff, Ruff, Ruff. Mr E Ackon, Rhianfa. Benji? What’s your bid? Mrs S West, Stamford. Change of suit, forcing for one bound! Mr & Mrs M Chambers, Kenilworth. We bid our suits up the line. Mr E Lancaster, Nottingham. Well! It’s better than showing one’s hand. Mr M Godbold, Walberswick, Suffolk. Show your doubletons, not doublets. Mrs R Stead, Whitley Bay. A run on diamonds is imminent partner! Mr A Perry, Flackwell Heath, Bucks. No game without a long suit Fido. Mrs P Scot, Kegworth, Derbyshire. Only the best people hang out here! Mr L Tynan, West Bridgford. Five down again. Mrs D Godfrey, Northumberland. In for a soaking without suit cover. Mr B Bateson, West Chiltington, West Sussex. Double trouble. Mrs P O’Byrne, Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex. What a blow, my suit is down! Mr T Mitchell, Shipston-on-Stour. Are you sure these suits are washable? Mr D Bryan, Upton, Chester. Two Queens, No Kings, no contract. Mrs P Thompson, Bracknell. End play time! – Must shrink their suits. Mr J Crosher, Royston, Herts. Strip squeezes. Mr J Bolton, Dunsfold, Surrey. Give me a singlet not a singleton. Dr C Lee, Henley- on-Thames. Lets go for game! Mrs J Wilson, Child Okeford, Dorset. I am experienced at jump bids. Mr N Holt, Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Surely pegging is cribbage, not bridge. Mrs J Richardson, Lymington. Don’t hang your partner out to dry. Mr R Turner, Alton. Rain or shine, there’s bridge on line. Mrs J Kent, Reading. Hung out to dry again, partner? Mr N Walmsley, Arnside, Carnforth. Who said on-line bridge would be fun? Mr B Schad, South Croydon. Bid on line, dummy. Mr M Garrod, out to dry. Mr J Drummond, London. Being bare in trumps just Weston Colville, Cambridge. Sorry! Can’t play without a decent won’t wash! Mr M Gamlin, Bristol. Someone’s made a major suit! Miss J Frank, Streatham SW16. Play – chat – have fun – mistake! Mrs L Satterley, Biggin Hill. Fifth suit hanging. Mr J make friends – Wow! Mrs C Wigan, Billingshurst. The contract’s Lixenberg, Hove. No live play today. Bridge on-line. Mrs L safe; all the suits run. Mr F Fallon, Charminster, Dorchester. That’s Daniels, Leigh on Sea. Stayman, choose your suit! Dr V his rubber ball. He wants a game! Mrs S Shaw, Cambridge. Two Navaratnam, Cambridge. You play ball and game is on. Mrs J shifts and a game call. Miss M Tudor-Craig, Kingston, Surrey. Harrison, Norwich. On line – limit bid – ten pegs. Mr A North, About time we changed to another suit. Mr P Gould, New Leicester. My lead, through strength to weak knees. Mr M Rednor, Powys. No chance of a game here. Mrs P Jolly, Burgess Rogers, Moray. 5 down 4 pegged out to dry. Mrs H O’Neil, Hill, West Sussex. He only jump bids. Dr J Mackenzie, Aberdeen. David Gold Says Assume You Can Beat the Contract

his maxim applies mainly when You risk giving an overtrick but, at playing teams or rubber, when it teams, it is a small price to pay for the m A J Tis essential to defeat contracts. chance of defeating the contract. n A 4 o K Q J 10 9 4 p 10 4 3 m A K J 10 m J 6 5 2 m 8 7 5 2 n n N n J 6 4 J 10 W E 6 5 3 2 o A K Q o K 6 3 S o A p 7 6 4 p A K Q J p K J 9 2 m Q 3 m A 10 8 3 n N n N A Q 10 5 W E K 6 4 W E o 5 2 S o J 10 9 8 S Your LHO opens 1NT (12-14) and RHO p A 10 9 8 3 p 3 2 raises to 3NT. Partner leads the spade nine (top of nothing). Declarer wins the first trick with the You open 1p and LHO doubles. RHO RHO LHO king. At trick two, you are in with the bids 1NT and LHO raises to 3NT. You 1n 1m diamond ace. Desperate measures are in lead the ten of clubs. 1NT (15-17) 3NT order. Declarer again has plenty of tricks On the first trick partner plays the five so you must take at least four now if you and declarer wins with the jack. Next You lead the jack of diamonds. Declarer are to beat the contract. You must try a declarer plays the queen of clubs. You wins with the king in dummy and, at club hoping partner holds the ace but had better not duck that as you can see trick two, runs the jack of hearts to your does it matter which? If partner has declarer can simply run for home with king, partner following with the two. fewer than three clubs, it is hopeless four spade tricks, three diamond tricks Declarer surely has plenty of tricks for and, if partner has four clubs, it does not and two club tricks. Having taken the his contract so desperate measures are matter which one you lead. So focus on ace you can see that declarer has nine called for. If you ‘assume you can beat three clubs with partner. It is vital to tricks ready to run. There is only one the contract’, there is only one chance switch to the club jack – a ‘surrounding’ chance to beat the contract, which is to and it may seem unlikely. You can play play. The full deal: cash four heart tricks. This dictates declarer for a bare king of spades and putting partner with the king of hearts; lay down the spade ace hoping to take you should ‘assume you can beat the four spade tricks. The full deal: m A J contract’ and lead the heart five. n A 4 The full deal: o K Q J 10 9 4 m J 6 5 2 p 10 4 3 n J 10 m 9 6 4 3 m 8 7 5 2 m A K J 10 o K 6 3 n J 8 7 N n 6 5 3 2 W E n J 6 4 p A K Q J o 8 7 3 S o A o A K Q m A 10 8 3 m Q 9 7 4 p A 6 5 p K J 9 2 p 7 6 4 n K 6 4 N n 7 5 2 m K Q 10 W E m Q 3 m 7 6 5 2 o J 10 9 8 S o 7 5 4 n K Q 10 9 n A Q 10 5 N n K 7 3 p 3 2 p 9 8 4 o 6 5 2 W E o 5 2 S o 10 9 8 4 m K p Q 8 7 p A 10 9 8 3 p 5 2 n A Q 9 8 3 m 9 8 4 o A Q 2 n 9 8 2 p 10 7 6 5 On the jack of clubs switch, you cash o J 7 6 3 four clubs to defeat the contract. p K Q J So (playing rubber bridge or teams): Now you are playing rubber bridge: ‘assume you can beat the contract!’ I

Page 46 It Happened That Way by Freddie North ACOL BIDDING An Interactive CD Nursing Partner by BERNARD MAGEE

200 Hands in hen a player is diamond, leaving three cards could be conned into 10 Chapters seemingly faced unaccounted for. If these conceding a ruff and discard.  Opening Bids Wwith going for the were two more diamonds and The end position is below. best mathematical chance or one spade, declarer could see So, a heart was led to and Responses hoping for a defensive his way home; but suppose West’s queen and… he exited  Slams and mistake, it may be time to West started with a 2-3-2-6 with a club! Dummy ruffed look more closely at the shape – then it would seem while declarer shed his losing Strong Openings evidence. that the pendulum had swung spade and the contact was  round in West’s favour. made. Support for Partner  Pre-empting Dealer South. Game All. Not so Rosy m m J 9 7 5 J 9 7 5  Overcalls n 9 8 6 2 Anyway, at trick five, n 9 8 o Q 9 4 declarer continued with the o —  No-trump Openings p p 7 2 king of hearts followed by the — and Responses king and queen of diamonds. m K 6 N m Q 10 8 4 N W E W E n Q S n — S On the last diamond, West  Opener’s and discarded a club, refusing a o — o J Responder’s Rebids m A 3 chance to ruff and lead a p Q 9 8 p J n m A K J 10 7 5 spade. A 3  Minors and Misfits o A K 6 This was the full deal: n J 10 7 5 p 10 4 o —  Doubles p — North  Competitive West North East South m J 9 7 5 Auctions 2n n 9 8 6 2 Of course, if West had been p n n o 3 3 Pass 4 Q 9 4 counting he would have System Requirements End p 7 2 known that declarer had just West East two spades (he was known to  Windows 98, XP or Vista West cashed two top clubs, m K 6 m Q 10 8 4 2 hold six hearts, three  East contributing the three n Q 4 3 n Void diamonds and two clubs), so CD ROM followed by the six, and then o 8 5 o J 10 7 3 2 the only hope was that they switched to the eight of p A K Q 9 8 5 p J 6 3 were not the A-Q. 95 diamonds. South £59 m A 3 Nursing Partner Including postage and packing Rosy Outlook n A K J 10 7 5 o A K 6 Could East have helped? Make your cheque payable p From declarer’s point of 10 4 Well, possibly. A discard of to and send to: view, the outlook seemed the eight of spades, followed Ryden Grange, Knaphill, pretty rosy until – perhaps by a smaller one, might have Surrey GU21 2TH somewhat unexpectedly – It was now clear to South that compensated for West’s East showed out on the ace of the contract could not be aversion to counting. It’s  hearts, throwing the two of made, but nevertheless there called ‘nursing partner’. I 01483 489961 diamonds. was just one glimmer of Fax 01483 797302 Superficially at least, there hope. were now four losers: two If West had got it firmly www.mrbridge.co.uk/ clubs, one heart and one fixed into his head that by Freddie North is one of mrbridge-shop spade. West was marked with leading a spade from his king Britain’s most popular six clubs (no peter from he would be playing into and prolific writers. East), three hearts and one declarer’s A-Q, perhaps he

Page 47 BOOK NOW Some time later the lady I have thoroughly enjoyed received a further bill for five your magazine, so much I shillings ‘to professional READERS’ might even seriously consider advice’ from her lawyer. the Gentle Duplicate Bill Urquhart, Renfrew. weekends – something I thought I would never do! SET IN STONE Thank You. Keep printing rules as LETTERS Mrs P Whitmore, reminders to old/long- Norton, Worcs. playing bridge players that rules are rules. DOUBLE BILL Mrs M Seidel, Your printing of Bridge Lytham St Annes, Lancs. CONFESSION our members who would Etiquette reminds me of my Many months ago, out of the like to be added to the mother who was widowed PICTURE THAT blue, I received a copy of circulation of BRIDGE. for almost thirty years and With reference to your bridge BRIDGE. I am not sure how much became a very keen and weekend two/three day I have continued to receive impact your campaign had accomplished bridge player. sessions, would there be any it regularly since then. Now on the membership of the She also had regular merit in an amalgamated my conscience has belatedly EBU and therefore how much afternoon ladies’ rubber bridge/water-colour painting struck back. I don’t play you are responsible for the bridge games. We teased instruction course? I play bridge or any ; current state of the EBU. her for years about the bridge and my wife is more I never will, as I truly loathe However, you have had very following story. interested in painting. them. So I have no excuse at fair and responsible articles Ladies, I believe, are much Dr E Newton, all for accepting the in recent editions on the EBU more into the etiquette thing Illminster, Somerset. magazine and reading it Strategy proposals. I am not and, at one of these thoroughly. It is an excellent convinced that the proposals gatherings, there was a NUMBERED RULES piece of work. Like Nevil will solve their problems. discussion as to whether, Following your article on the Shute’s novels, it provokes I am particularly horrified that when the cards were cut, Rule of 25, I wondered if you interest for those quite they so willingly accept that one should just cut or cut could give some details of ignorant of its prime purpose. up to 20% of clubs will and complete. As no one other 'number' rules. I’m no engineer but NS disaffiliate. We are one of was sure, one of their I am aware of and makes me think I might be. them. We do not issue number was nominated to sometimes have occasion to I’m no bridge player but masterpoints at present, write to Culbertson. When the use rules 11, 14 and 20 but BRIDGE persuades me to be but we have been willing to reply was received, a bill was there must be many more. If interested in those who are. make some contribution also enclosed for ten shillings you could give a guide to Even the squabbles over towards the governing body and sixpence. those rules in general use, it rules have been truly of our sport. However, I do Everyone was horrified at would be of great interest to enthralling. not think that we can justify ‘such cheek’ and it was us 'permanent improvers'. Still, by accepting it the increased costs of recommended that the Mervyn R Kuhnel, regularly, I’m cheating you Pay to Play. recipient of the bill contact Gateshead. out of a proper reader and There are other alternatives her lawyer, which she duly In the maxims series, we I’m sorry. I almost regret that which the EBU should have did. The advice received by have scheduled: , the legacy of a whist- considered, like a radical telephone was that ‘a rule of 14, rule of 15, rule of maddened mother, 75 years review of their operations to professional was entitled to 20, rule of 22 and rule of ago, has separated me from reduce their labour costs by charge a fee for professional 500. We are open to your real readers. a massive figure (like 80%). services’. suggestions for more! Mrs Kate Heenan, They could do this by Canterbury, Kent. charging for English Bridge, doing away with their bridge LATE CONVERT shop, probably doing away REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE I have enjoyed reading your with masterpoints (which few Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, magazine for a number of people like or bother about), all mint with full gum. Quotations for years (except perhaps when and generally running a tight commercial quantities available on request. you ran your rather nasty organisation. However, they Values supplied in 100s, higher values campaign against the EBU). haven’t done this and one available as well as 1st and 2nd class I am very pleased to can only wish them good (eg 1st class: 100 x 35p + 100 x 1p) include the information luck. I think they will need it. /Fax 020 8422 4906 requested on our bridge club M J Millican, e-mail: [email protected] in Castle Cary and the list of Castle Cary, Somerset.

Page 48 READERS’ LETTERS continued

RULE OF 20 and not least the players. AT BARONY CASTLE Please send any information The rubber, Chicago and Eddleston by Peebles, Peebleshire, EH45 8QW regarding the 20/20 rule. duplicate enthusiasts, who G Nolan by e-mail. will happily exchange their Duplicate Weekends 2008 There was an article in money for a warming coffee BRIDGE 88 on 'the Rule of and bourbon biscuit, a £209 per person full-board 20' by Jeremy Dhondy. If splendid lunch, some 32 you missed the article, we hands of Bridge, a final cup 24-26 October plan to have the maxims of tea, and maybe a top- Doubles with Derek Monk available in book form score prize or luck with the sometime next year. raffle. What a wonderful way to subscribe to someone 7-9 November PUBLIC TRANSPORT else’s well-being. Having Signals & Discards with Chris Barrable Would it be possible to been involved with charity publish how to get to your events of this type for some o Full-board o All rooms with weekend venues for non- little while, and personally Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities drivers? Nearest train benefited from your o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking stations would help. generosity in respect of gifts o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz Mrs B Osborne, Solihull. of items that my wife and I pool and fitness suite and two seminars have been able to utilise as BY BUS OR TRAIN bridge/raffle prizes, not ______Why not arrange seven-day forgetting your BRIDGE BOOKING FORM bridge holidays at places magazine publicity impacting Please book me for ..... places, accessible by public on ticket sales – may I express our deepest transport. Not all OAP’s have Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... cars. Seaside resorts would gratitude – thank you. be nice. M & P Howarth, at the Barony Castle weekend(s) of Mr M Spooner, Nottingham. , ...... THANK YOU, TOO GOTCHA I have just received the latest I don’t know if you’re having Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... copy of – the same experience: Number 89 – and was I’ve noticed an annoying Address...... delighted to see, once more, and disturbing practice, at ...... a column dedicated to the clubs where I attend, after an opponent opens 1NT. Charity Bridge Events. I was Postcode ...... even more elated to note that The very common ten national organisations announcement is ‘weak’. The  ...... have chosen, with your help, implication is ‘range 12-14’ to publicise their events. but the reality is very Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Please allow me space in commonly 11-14 with a tacit but we will do our best to oblige) your Readers’ Letters slot to agreement between the pair ...... thank you and your staff to hide this fact. I’ve checked publicly for all you do to the EBU rules before typing Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per support these very good this letter and it specifically place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay- says, ‘Announce the range…’ causes. Not only do they ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details generate much needed On Thursday night, a pair will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- funds for the recipient charity, opened 1NT thus and I asked able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your but they also bring together, ‘Do you mean 12-14?’ I own insurance broker. in a splendid demonstration then witnessed the ‘rabbit of community spirit, literally caught in the headlights’ , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH hundreds of like-minded folk. syndrome… ’Er, er, er, it  The non-bridge players – could be 11 points with a 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 cooks, ticket sellers, raffle five-card suit’. e-mail: [email protected] prize collectors, village hall Mr J Greer, website: www.holidaybridge.com administrators, caretakers, Streatham, London, SW16.

Page 49 READERS’ LETTERS continued AT WYCHWOOD PARK OVER THE TOP the words appeared very Weston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5GP I read BRIDGE regularly but unusual and ran them sometimes I disagree. In through my copy of the Duplicate Weekends 2008 BRIDGE 88, You Have to Oxford English Dictionary Make me Laugh, the play (OED). Twelve of the words would only go as described (unnown, caim, planelee, 5-7 September Overcalls £199 once in a blue moon. meye, tiep, erroar, hav, John Wootton Mrs A Razzaq, London. eyem, yoar, letur, purrfect and thu) are not contained in 24-26 October Declarer Play £209 HONEST MAN the OED and several of the Bernard Magee Glancing at the several others only exist in an articles on bridge advice, I archive, or very unusual say ‘that’s for novices, I don’t usage. Twelve of the words o Full-board o All rooms with need to read it’. Then I do therefore could not be Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities read it, and every time there passed by any spelling o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking is something useful to learn. checker using English and o Jacuzzi, sauna, o Lifts and easy access Keep up the good work, if several others would almost steam room and gym to bridge room only to curb my arrogance. certainly be highlighted. o Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars Mr J Crosher, Royston, Herts. Something a little strange has occurred I fear. ______INSURANCE Mr A Read, BOOKING FORM My name is Tim Hazell, and I Macclesfield, Cheshire. am the secretary of Worth Please book me for ..... places, Bridge Club. It appears that INTRODUCTION I wish BRIDGE 89 had been Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... the EBU has decided that it no longer wants small, available before I started at the Wychwood Park weekend(s) of friendly local clubs like ours, playing at a club. I am sure after their vote this week. its centrefold will prompt ...... Unfortunately, this leaves others to try duplicate. our club with a problem. Like Mr D Salmon, Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... lots of others, we have our Henley on Thames. public liability insurance Address...... through the company FULL MONTY associated with the EBU, so Might I suggest that, under ...... we would like to ask if your the very informative section on the laws, from time to Postcode ...... company has, or could have, connections with another time examples be given of  ...... insurance company to where a ruling has gone to provide this service? I’m sure appeal, the result of the Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, there are going to be lots of appeal and why? but we will do our best to oblige) clubs in the same boat as Mr & Mrs F Lane, ourselves, who would like to Chislehurst, Kent...... continue protecting the clubs Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per interests. BIOGRAPHIES place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent Mr T Hazell, I would be interested in with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay- Stockport, Cheshire. articles about expert bridge ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- players – how they got into able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your JUST FOR FUN the game, how they own insurance broker. I write regarding the Speling progressed, tips they could Chequer item on page 20 of offer to help improve average , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH BRIDGE 89. Whilst fully players like myself and  agreeing with the general anything that would inspire 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 sentiments towards over- and encourage the average e-mail: [email protected] reliance on spelling checkers, player. website: www.holidaybridge.com I fear that something is Mrs D Levy, amiss. I thought that some of Meopham, Kent.

Page 50 READERS’ LETTERS continued SHORTIES RE-CYCLED small points of correction. Congratulations on BRIDGE i) Pluto is no longer a planet Any chance of reprinting Why not run an article on 89, which gives lots of sound – it has been downgraded. some articles from earlier younger players? I’m 30 issues? Howard Patch, years old and wonder if advice in an understandable ii) ‘Jovian’ not ‘Jupiterian’ for Wolverhampton. there are many more form. In the excellent Jupiter. See my website. players out there like me! Introduction to Duplicate, (v), Mr Peter Radcliffe, www.mrbridge.co.uk/library Mrs C Shirley, Crewe. it states that ‘by law, a board Guildford, Surrey. Please remember that not Please could we have one that is passed out must not everyone has a computer. ‘Bridge Rule’ per issue, be re-dealt’. What is the LIGHTEN THE LOAD Mrs M Wearing, Farnham. explained in easy English. thinking behind this law? I I do feel there would be a Mrs P Bell, Bristol. Why do all your cruises sail can understand that, in high- great demand for an from Harwich? Mrs M Ryan, May we please have more level matches, with all sorts aluminium bridge table, as Newport, Gwent. venues with golf facilities. of peculiar systems being there are so many charity Harwich is Discovery’s Mrs M Denton, SW19. played, this rule might be events & other occasions home port. Please clarify the suitability when one has to carry a appropriate. But is it sensible How about arranging some of the various techniques for at club level? I’m a great table some distance and the duplicate holidays with either duplicate, teams or believer in applying ‘reductio majority of bridge players are Bernard in Ireland? rubber bridge. Mr P Hatton, ad absurdum’ to any no longer spring chickens! Mrs V Woolf, Pulborough. Macclesfied, Cheshire. situation and, if you do this Mrs P E Young, Where, outside the EBU, does Is there on-line access for here, you could find yourself Weybridge, Surrey. one go for Club Insurance? previous articles of particular with a passed-out board R Edmondson, Stowmarket. interest? Dr H Dexter, Eastbourne. every time and so not play a MORE EBU Partner opens 1 NT and you www.mrbridge.co.uk/library single game of bridge – All clubs, which are EBU have a 4-4-4-1 hand. What which is not what one comes affiliated and give out are your options? Mrs G M Please will you think about to the club for! If the first time masterpoints for duplicate Miller, Hampton, Middx. running duplicate holidays in Tunisia in Autumn as well as a board is played and bridge, have to pay for them. I think an e-mail bridge club Spring? Mrs S Wallbank. everyone passes, it is surely The masterpoints are given schedule of addresses Sutton Coldfield. more sensible to re-deal. No to players whether they are should be available for UK Do ring as I now have some clubs. Mr A Lipople, one would be deprived by EBU members (who dates later in the year. this, rather one would have presumably want them) or Haywards Heath. I like the articles on how to a hand to play instead of whether they are not, and Coffee in the garden with play, but the other hands presumably not interested number 89 – bliss! sitting twiddling one’s never seem to hold what you Mrs J Williams, Exeter. thumbs. in them. The same applies to say and other players do not Mr P Calviou, team events. Please edit the articles for do as you say they will! Amersham, Bucks. Players pay table money (and correct use of the words Mr Frank Howie, Sunbury maybe club subscriptions), ‘less’ and ‘fewer’. Mr D on Thames, Middlesex. Barley, Gillingham, Kent. TOO MUCH BRIDGE but on average, only about What is your opinion of EBU’s The other day I found myself 40% are EBU members, It would be helpful if venues P2P proposal for the future of counting knitting stitches which means that the for bridge weekends were English bridge? ‘8-9-10-Jack-Queen’. remaining 60% are described as hotels, when Mr E Lancaster, West Gillian Hinds, subsidising the EBU members appropriate. Lady Radford, Bridgford, Nottingham. Brentwood, Essex. Good question. You are the North Bersted, West Sussex. for their masterpoints! It first to ask me. appears that the EBU It’s always a red letter day WITH DIFFICULTY received about £280,000 in when BRIDGE arrives. I am missing the adverts. Mrs R Temperley, Deal. Mrs R Clark, Stroud. I would be interested to know masterpoint income last year if there are any deaf people and though some may be who only lip read, who go on from EBU competitions and your cruises or weekends congresses, the majority 2009 Bridge Players’ Diaries and how do they get on with comes from clubs, which the talks? means that the best part of o Acol Summary by Ron Klinger. o Diaries £5.95 each including p&p. Mrs Margaret Izzard, approx imately £168,000 o Updated Laws and Ethics o Special concession to bridge clubs. by Mike Swanson. 10 or more copies £3.50 each Abergele, Conwy. was given to the EBU by non- o Scoring Tables for including p&p, subject to availability. EBU members! No doubt Duplicate and Rubber Bridge. o Luxury version in bottle green or ruby PLANET NEWS people will make of this o Choice of red or navy covers. red. £12.95 each including p&p. I enjoyed the inter-galactic what they will. Available from  01483 489961. www.mrbridge.co.uk bridge article but have two Mr L Jackson, Hull.

Page 51 strategy – reluctantly so did I. would likely have been 2-1 READERS’ LETTERS continued However, I am still feeling ‘for’ the strategy. quite shocked to learn I have On the day after the EGM, been taking advantage of the voting figures were P2P RATE dating, but purely for bridge, EBU members for a number published on the EBU Now that the County with at least two games of years by playing bridge website. This showed that ‘shareholders’ have voted on played with each person in whilst not a member of the Surrey had recorded 4-0 the EBU P2P proposals, the room? I am happy to set EBU. Is this the case? ‘against’ and Dorset 2-0 which they have said would one up here in the north west. Anne Glendenning, ‘against’ giving 9-0 for these be revenue neutral, I have Mrs P Barnett, Shropshire. Bromsgrove, Worcs. counties. However, we see made a few calculations. that Sussex and Kent If the level is set at, say, TEACHING ADVICE MORE PAY TO PLAY together, recorded 5-0 ‘for’ 40p per session, as I play 50 I am trying to teach four In Hampshire & Isle of Wight, the motion. Nobody will ever weeks per year plus once a people bridge. Can you give our clubs were sent all convince me that the votes fortnight at one club, and me any advice to help. I have relevant documents including from these two counties with once a week at a second never done this before, but I points of clarification and the similar demography to HIW, club, that would cost me £50 play a lot myself, love bridge latest developments. An Dorset and Surrey were a per annum. At 30p per and belong to two clubs. independent forum was set true reflection. Every vote session the cost would be Mrs B Stratton, Theale, Berks. up to give any contributor a wrongly attributed to the ‘for’ £37.50, either being chance to air views. total means a difference of considerably more than the EXCELLENT BUT . . . www.hiwbridgeresults. two if transferred, so it £19 I now pay by direct debit The bubble captions are silly hampshire.org/uk. doesn't take many of these for EBU membership. nonsense and take up a lot All of our affiliated clubs for the 62.5% majority Mrs Joan Davies, of valuable space in the were asked to arrange claimed at the EGM to be Somerton, Somerset. magazine. Otherwise, meetings to discuss the whittled down to fewer than BRIDGE is excellent. proposals and to organise a 50% and the proposal may NUL POINTS Mrs Gillian Iley, Epsom, Surrey. ballot of their members on well have been rejected and I do enjoy your BRIDGE the motion whether to saved unnecessary expense. magazine – especially the EBU AFFILIATION support the strategy I have since heard that at shorties and letters. I wonder I am a member of two bridge proposals. We have 48 Yorkshire's County meeting, how many of your readers clubs, one is affiliated to the affiliated clubs but some of their club vote went 52-21 in know that there is a county and the EBU, the the smaller clubs did not favour, i.e 2.5:1. They have monument to the Earl of other is not. Both clubs are submit their vote. The clubs four shareholder votes, so in Yarborough on the grass run successfully. I am voted 4 ‘for’ and 33 ‘against’. all fairness that should be seafront at Sandown in the secretary of the affiliated Most clubs also provided the split 3-1 in shareholder votes, Isle of Wight. Part of the club, although not a member unofficial voting for the not 4-0 and there were inscription tells of him having of the EBU. I let my individuals within their clubs. probably many other his name attributed to a membership lapse years ago More than 900 voted and counties recording dealt hand of bridge with no as I was not interested in this showed a 9:1 ‘against’ unanimous ‘yes’ votes in honours. He was the owner masterpoints or the with a few abstentions. similar circumstances. of a lot of land on the island magazine. Like every bridge A special unofficial meeting Wiltshire's vote went 50-50, and also of land in Yorkshire. club in the country, we have was then arranged to allow so why not half each or Mrs E Hunt, Andover. been debating the question a representative from each abstain rather than a full vote of the proposed strategy. At club to attend. This was done ‘for’? WORTH A TRY one of these debates, some to give our Executive On a different point, I have Have you ever looked for a fiercely ‘for’ members Committee a chance to listen heard some EBU members good bridge partner who you accused non-EBU members at first hand, to help them claiming they are subsidising are compatible with across a of being subsidised by the decide how our three non-EBU members. Far from table? How about having an EBU and EBU members. As a shareholder votes should be it! These non-EBU members evening similar to speed club, we voted to accept the cast at the EGM on 4th June. have been contributing 13p At their meeting, the County every time they play and this Executive Committee amounts to over £6 for the Write to Mr Bridge at: instructed our shareholders year. Many play at least Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH to record our three votes twice per week so the EBU or e-mail [email protected]. ‘against’ the motion. I have been collecting £10 E-mail correspondents are asked to include their conducted a straw poll of the from them and has to do name, full postal address and telephone number, Committee members and absolutely nothing for and to send no attachments. was not surprised to find that them for that. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. if the decision had been left Mike M. Rogerson, to them alone, the result Southampton. I

Page 52 b90_53-60:br90_p 21/8/08 16:40 Page 53

ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON PAGE 39 by JULIAN POTTAGE

You lead the six of spades. Partner plays the The lowest club you have is the eight, which 1. m K Q 9 2 ten and the king wins. Declarer leads the jack partner is unlikely to perceive as a low club. n J 6 of diamonds, which wins the second trick, There was a clue in the question. I asked not o A J 10 8 and continues with a low diamond. What do ‘What do you discard?’ but ‘What do you p 7 4 2 you discard on this trick? play?’ If you ruff partner’s winning heart, you m 6 m 8 7 Since the play to the first trick marks the ace- will have the lead to the next trick. Then you n A Q 9 3 N n 10 8 5 4 2 W E king-queen of spades on your right, you want can be sure to cash your ace of diamonds. o 9 6 5 4 S o K 7 2 partner to switch to a heart rather than play This is the correct play. p Q 8 6 3 p K 10 5 back a spade. With any luck, you can defeat m A J 10 5 4 3 the contract with four hearts and a diamond. n K 7 The mechanics of discards are much the 4. m Q 2 o Q 3 same in a suit contract as in no-trumps. n 6 4 3 2 p A J 9 Again, the norm is to play High to Encourage o K J 8 and Low to Discourage. If you can spare the p K J 10 6 high card needed for the signal, you prefer to m 10 8 5 4 m 7 West North East South play High to Encourage than Low to n 9 N n A K Q 8 5 1m W E Discourage. Your partner is more likely to sit o Q 7 3 2 S o 9 6 5 4 Pass 3m Pass 4m up and take notice if you discard a high card. p Q 9 4 2 p 7 5 3 End You need four heart tricks to set the contract, m A K J 9 6 3 making it unwise to discard the nine of hearts. n J 10 7 You lead a low club to the king and the ace Unless partner also has four hearts, doing so o A 10 wins. Declarer plays two rounds of spades. would stop you from making four heart tricks. p A 8 With your first discard, you want to convey a Instead, discard the three of spades. Since a message. Usually you want to say which suit club switch is clearly unattractive, partner you would like led. You do this even if your should surely get the right message. West North East South partner will not win the current trick. 1m Pass 2p Pass 3m With standard discards (also called HELD), you 3. m 10 2 Pass 4m End play a High spot card to Encourage or a Low n 6 4 2 card (your lowest in the suit) to discourage. o K Q J 8 You lead the nine of hearts and again find Partner may or may not hold the jack of clubs. p K J 10 6 partner with the ace-king-queen of hearts. Either way, you do not really want a club back. m 7 6 5 4 m 8 What two discards do you make? With these hearts, you want a heart switch n 9 3 N n A K Q 8 5 W E When you make two discards, you can often through declarer’s probable king. You o A 4 3 2 S o 9 7 6 5 make your intentions clearer than you can therefore discard the nine of hearts. Partner p Q 9 8 p 7 5 3 with one. On the previous deal, for instance, if will soon get in with the king of diamonds. m A K Q J 9 3 you had been able to discard the four of n J 10 7 Two heart tricks, a club and a diamond are diamonds and then the two, partner would o 10 enough to beat the contract. know that the four was a high card. This time p A 4 2 you do have the chance to make two discards. With these trumps, what you want is 2. m 8 2 neither a diamond switch nor a club switch. West North East South n 7 6 2 You want partner to keep on playing hearts. 1m o A Q 10 8 2 Pass 2p Pass 3m Even if declarer runs out of hearts on the fourth p A K J Pass 4m End round, you can be sure of making a trump m J 9 7 6 3 m 10 5 trick. If your opponent ruffs with an honour, n A Q 9 3 N n J 10 4 W E You lead the nine of hearts and find partner you will discard and make a trick later. If not, o 6 S o K 7 5 with the ace-king-queen of the suit. What do you will score a ruff on the fourth trick. p 10 9 6 p Q 7 5 4 2 you play on the third trick? m A K Q 4 How do you convince partner that you want a n K 8 5 With three heart tricks in the bag and the ace ruff or rather than the lead of o J 9 4 3 of diamonds in your hand, you feel hopeful of one of the minors? You discard the two of clubs p 8 3 beating the contract. Surely South will not be on this trick and the two of diamonds on the void in diamonds. Can you get partner to lead next (or vice versa). Since both cards so clearly a diamond? You could discard your four of show a lack of interest in the suits, partner West North East South diamonds. An attentive partner will spot that should easily work out what to do. Your not 1NT the two and three are missing. Is this best? ruffing is also a clue. If you had an ace, you Pass 3NT End Clearly, it is no good to discard a ‘low’ club. could ruff the third heart and cash it. I

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Bernard Magee Says

Use the Principle of Restricted Choice

ridge is full of numbers and some enhance your declarer play: the heart ten, running it when East plays are quite complex. The principle When two key touching honours are low; your king drops the queen on the Bof restricted choice is hard to missing and a defender drops one, it is next round and you have ten tricks. grasp, but it is easy to put into practice. more likely to be a forced play from a Here is another example: bare honour than a chosen play from two honours doubleton. So you finesse his m A K 10 9 8 partner for the second honour. m A Q 4 n 7 6 4 N W E o 5 4 3 S m A K 10 9 8 p 9 8 6 5 m m m 7 6 5 4 N 10 3 2 J 7 6 5 m J 3 2 W E m Q n 10 5 N n J 8 3 2 S W E o K Q J 9 8 S o 10 7 2 You lead the ace of spades and East m 7 6 5 4 p K J 10 p Q 7 drops the queen, what do you do next? m K 9 8 Put another way: “Did East start with a n A K Q 9 bare queen or queen-jack doubleton?” So, having played the ace of spades and o A 6 The important layouts are: seen East’s queen, you come to hand to p A 4 3 2 lead a spade to North’s ten. West East Here is a full deal: Contract: 3NT. Lead: oK. (a) m J 3 2 m Q (b) m 3 2 m Q J m K Q 3 You win the second diamond and play A quick mathematical calculation may n 10 9 5 4 hearts. You cash the ace, on which all suggest that (b) is a fraction more likely. o 8 4 3 follow low. Then, on the king, West However, this is where the principle of p K 7 5 plays the ten and East the three. How do restricted choice comes in. What it states m J 8 7 6 m 10 9 5 you play for your contract? is that half the time East holds Q-J n J N n Q 3 2 This is another instance where the W E doubleton he would play the jack first o Q J 9 5 S o A K 10 2 principle of restricted choice can help: not the queen, so this halves the chances p J 10 9 8 p Q 6 3 you have two touching high cards that he started with Q-J. Look at this m A 4 2 missing; the jack and ten. You should another way: if East has the Q-J, let him n A K 8 7 6 follow the principle. Since West’s ten play them to the first two spades on four o 7 6 dropped, it is more likely that it was his different occasions: p A 4 2 last card in the suit than that he holds the jack as well, so you should cross to (i) J then Q (iii) J then Q Contract: 4n. Lead: oQ. dummy’s mQ and lead a third heart and, (ii) Q then J (iv) Q then J when East plays the eight, you insert the nine which wins the trick. Four hearts He chooses randomly whether to play To justify the bidding you need to avoid along with your other five top tricks the jack or queen first. The Principle of a trump loser. The defence play three allows you to make 3NT. Restricted choice takes into account that rounds of diamonds and you ruff the options (i) and (iii) are impossible (as third round, all following. You cash the Conclusion East followed with the queen first). So nA, on which West plays the jack, how the chance that he started with Q-J do you continue? When you are missing two touching doubleton is only half what it was and Using the principle of restricted high cards and one of them falls on an you should take the finesse. choice, you play West for having started early round: you should assume that the Knowing why is not necessary, but with a singleton honour. other player holds the rest of the cards in being able to follow the principle will Go to dummy with a spade and lead the suit and play accordingly. I

Page 54 b90_53-60:br90_p 21/8/08 16:40 Page 55

PROGRAMME This is the format for all duplicate weekends and AT LATIMER HOUSE AT LATIMER rarely varies. HOUSE 2008 Latimer Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1UG FRIDAY o Full-board o All rooms with 1500 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities Welcome Desk open o No single supplements o Venue non-smoking Afternoon Tea o Use of indoor o Bidding quiz and 1745 to 1830 swimming pool two seminars Welcome drinks o Please note: there is no lift. The bridge room is reception accessed via stairs. ______1830 to 2000 BOOKING FORM DINNER 19-21 Sep (£199) Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 2015 BRIDGE Sacrificing SESSION 1 Address...... Alex Davoud DUPLICATE PAIRS SATURDAY ...... 0800 to 0930 ...... Postcode ...... BREAKFAST  1000 to 1230 ...... SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY Please book me for ...... places, of SET HANDS 1 (tea & coffee at 1100) Single ...... Double ...... Twin ...... Manor ...... 1230 to 1330 21-23 Nov (£209) COLD BUFFET at the Latimer House weekend of ...... Suit Establishment LUNCH New Topic Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 1400 to 1645 but we will do our best to oblige) Bernard Magee BRIDGE SESSION 2 ...... TEAMS of FOUR Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 1815 to 2000 DINNER ...... 2015 BRIDGE Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place SESSION 3 by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with DUPLICATE PAIRS your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own 0800 to 0930 insurance broker. No Single BREAKFAST

Supplement 1000 to 1230 Manor house rooms: SEMINAR & £50 supplement per room. SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 2 (tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) 1230 to 1400 CARVERY LUNCH , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 1400 to 1645  BRIDGE 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 SESSION 4 e-mail: [email protected] DUPLICATE PAIRS website: www.holidaybridge.com b90_53-60:br90_p 21/8/08 16:40 Page 56

PROGRAMME This is the format for all AT MILTON HILL HOUSE duplicate weekends and AT MILTON rarely varies. Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6AF HILL FRIDAY o Full-board o All rooms with HOUSE Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities 1500 Welcome Desk open o No single supplement o Most rooms non-smoking Afternoon Tea

o Use of swimming pool, o Bidding quiz & two seminars 1745 to 1830 jacuzzi & mini gym (on duplicate weekends only) Welcome drinks reception ______BOOKING FORM 1830 to 2000 DINNER Please book me for ..... places, 2015 BRIDGE SESSION 1 Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... DUPLICATE PAIRS at Milton Hill House weekend(s) of SATURDAY 12-14 Sept (£199) Further into the Auction ...... 0800 to 0930 Derek Monk BREAKFAST Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 1000 to 1230 19-21 Sept (£209) Address...... SEMINAR & Landy & Dealing with 1NT SUPERVISED PLAY Bernard Magee ...... of SET HANDS 1 (tea & coffee at 1100) 26-28 Sept (£199) Postcode ...... 1230 to 1330 Weak Twos COLD BUFFET Chris Barrable  ...... LUNCH

Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 1400 to 1645 10-12 Oct (£209) but we will do our best to oblige) BRIDGE Signals & Discards SESSION 2 Bernard Magee ...... TEAMS of FOUR Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 1815 to 2000 31 Oct-2 Nov (£199) DINNER Stayman & Transfers ...... Improvers – Sandy Bell Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2015 BRIDGE by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3 7-9 Nov (£209) your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, DUPLICATE PAIRS Splinters & Cue-bids 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be Bernard Magee sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. 0800 to 0930 28-30 Nov (£209) BREAKFAST Thinking Defence Bernard Magee 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY No Single of SET HANDS 2 Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (tea & coffee at 1100) Supplement (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) 1230 to 1400 Manor House rooms are CARVERY LUNCH available at a supplement. , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH The remaining bedrooms are 1400 to 1645  housed in a block about 25 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 BRIDGE yards away from the main e-mail: [email protected] SESSION 4 hotel reached via a covered website: www.holidaybridge.com DUPLICATE PAIRS walkway. b90_53-60:br90_p 21/8/08 16:40 Page 55

ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE

bid clubs directly over 1NT then the lowest you West North East South 1. Dealer: West E/W Vul. could finish would be 3p (partner would 1m Dbl Pass m K Q m A 10 3 respond to Stayman as usual) and that would ? n K N n Q 9 7 6 4 be too high (four off doubled is -800), W E o Q 5 4 3 S o A K 8 whereas 2p doubled 3 down is just -500; less 2m. p Q 8 7 5 4 2 p 10 3 than their making 3NT (-600). Meanwhile, Your partner’s double is for take-out, asking 1NT-4 undoubled is just -200. you to bid your best suit. However, on this occasion, you have a very strong hand. West North East South Adding your strength to partner’s promised ? 3. Dealer: East Game All. opening strength, there is no doubt that m K 9 8 7 m A 3 game is on, but which game? When you have Pass. n A 4 3 N n K 9 7 6 5 W E enough strength for game, but cannot be o A 7 3 2 o K Q 4 How many points is your hand worth? I like to S sure of the denomination of the contract, then p 6 5 p A 9 2 count points for length, but only if I can be make a bid of the opponents’ suit to force the sure of its potential. Since your club suit is auction on. Your partner has to bid on and poor, it might not carry its weight. The king of here he can rebid 2NT to show his stop in West North East South hearts might be worthless – cut the value of a spades – that solves your problem and you 1n Pass singleton honour by half when considering can raise to 3NT. 3NT has ten easy tricks. 1m Pass 1NT Pass opening the bidding (unless it is the ace). The ? spades are of dubious value too. The queen might be worthless. 5. Dealer: West Love All. 3n. m A K 7 6 5 m 9 4 Even if partner has the ace (as here), your Your partner has opened 1n and rebid 1NT, n K 10 4 3 N n 8 5 holding blocks the suit. My estimate of your W E which shows a balanced type of hand with o Q J 2 S o K 9 8 7 6 hand’s worth is about 10 points so I would not 15-17 points. p 7 p A Q 8 2 open the bidding with it. If you do open, you will finish in 3NT going off – it will not be your As West, you know that game is on, but can partner’s fault since he has a good 13 points. you be sure which game will be best? With West North East South good support for hearts, 4n might be better 1m 1NT Dbl 2n than 3NT, but only if partner has five hearts. ? 2. Dealer: East N/S Vul. As responder, you clearly need to make a m 6 5 m A K 4 2 jump bid at this point to show your strength. Double. n J 4 2 N n 10 8 6 5 The ideal bid is one that asks partner to W E o 9 4 2 S o A 8 choose between 4n and 3NT. Surely 3n does Firstly, what did your partner’s double mean? p 10 8 7 4 2 p J 6 3 precisely that – you will not have four hearts He is strong and he expects 1NT to go down – because you would have shown support he should have 9 or more points, so that with straight away with them. Your partner will your 12+ (for opening) your side will have the West North East South thus know that you are strong and have majority of the points. Whenever a member of 1NT Pass three-card heart support, which will allow him your partnership has made a penalty double, ? to make an accurate decision. Here he would you should be on the look out for another opt for the heart game: 4n, which will likely penalty double – i.e. do not let your Pass. make 11 tricks and score +650. 3NT might opponents escape too easily. well go down on a club lead, but it is unlikely What a mess! 1NT is going to be ugly, so What do you need to double them again? to outscore 4n even if it makes. It is so should you bid clubs? The thing to bear in Length in their suit and the majority of points important to try for a major-suit game on mind is that it only gets very ugly if the is the answer. Your side certainly has the hands like this, especially when you are weak opponents double – they can make game majority of points and your hearts are long in one suit. (your 1 point coupled with partner’s 12-14 enough, so continue the job that your partner leaves them with 25-27 points) so giving lots started and double again. 2n doubled of 50s away should not worry you. should go two off for 300 points. That’s much 4. Dealer: North Love All. better than any part-score that you might The time to panic is when they double you. m 8 7 4 m A 2 N make. Try not to let your opponents escape Luckily, if that does happen, you will then be n K Q 6 W E n A J 8 2 once you have doubled them, but you do able to bid a natural 2p. o A 8 4 2 S o 9 7 3 need length in their suit to double at low p A J 5 p K Q 9 6 Can you see the important difference? If you levels. I

Page 55 b90_53-60:br90_p 21/8/08 16:40 Page 56

Liz McGowan Says Don’t Signal with a Winner

ignals are an essential aid to work- It is important to recognise the times ing out the layout – but defenders 2 m A 8 when you can afford to signal with an Smust remember not to waste a n A K 7 6 3 honour. Here is a classic example: potential winner when giving them. o Q 9 3 p 8 6 2 m m m J 6 N 10 7 5 4 3 3 7 5 1 m 7 6 n Q 10 8 4 W E n J n A 10 8 6 S n 10 7 o K 7 6 5 o A 4 2 o 10 8 o K Q 4 2 p J 10 5 p Q 9 7 4 p J 9 8 5 4 p m m m A J 7 5 4 K Q 9 2 K 10 3 N J 9 6 4 2 m K J 9 m Q 10 8 5 n 9 5 2 n Q W E n 5 N S n A 5 4 2 W E n J 9 6 o J 10 8 o A K 7 6 5 o Q J 3 2 S o J 10 9 8 o 7 3 p A K 3 p A 7 6 2 p Q 10 3 p 10 3 p Q 8 6 2 m A Q 8 m A 4 3 2 n K J 9 7 4 3 2 n K Q 8 3 West North East South o 9 4 o A 6 5 1NT p K p K 9 Pass 2o Pass 2n Pass 3NT End West North East South West North East South West leads the diamond five. East takes 1n 1n the ace and returns the four, which West Dbl 3n Pass 4n Pass 2p Pass 2NT ducks. Declarer plays on hearts, leading End Pass 3NT End the two. If West decides to signal with the eight, declarer is home. When the West cashed the oA-K and the ace of West led the jack of diamonds and the jack drops under the king, he plays a low clubs before exiting with the queen of ace won. Declarer then played the king heart to the nine and ten. West cashes trumps to wait for his spade trick. He is of clubs, hoping something nice would two more diamonds, but that is all. still waiting. happen. It did when West started a count Declarer makes four heart tricks by Declarer won in dummy with the ace signal with the ten. Declarer now ran the finessing the seven. If West saves his and ruffed a club. He then crossed to the nine of clubs to East’s queen. East eight, declarer has two heart losers. ten of hearts to ruff another club. East switched to spades, but declarer won the When he finds the bad break, he may test moaned about bad luck when his Q-10-x third round and so ended with four club spades. West, of course, does not signal holding allowed declarer to establish tricks, three diamonds, and a trick in with the jack on the first round, since that two clubs for spade discards, but the each major for his contract. There is allows South to finesse the nine. Declarer defence was culpable. quite a different outcome if West finishes with just the eight tricks he East should drop the diamond queen preserves his ten of clubs to cover the started with and goes one down. under the ace, not a count or attitude nine on the second round: East’s eight These situations explain why many signal, but telling his partner that he also becomes a second club winner and the have adopted reverse signals, in which holds the jack. West can underlead his defenders prevail. low shows an even number (or, in an king to allow East to win with the jack It is generally unwise to signal with a attitude situation, encouragement). and lead a spade through before declarer doubleton honour. Playing the higher Playing high-low from three cards is can get the clubs moving. card from Q-x, J-x, 10-x, even 9-x often much less likely to cost a trick than a Dropping an honour card should deny costs a trick and, at best, makes standard signal from an even number. holding the honour just above it, but declarer’s life much easier. You must Even so, you cannot spare a high card promise the honour just below it. You also beware of squandering your pips from holdings such as Q-J-x or Q-10-x, can afford to use a potential winner to from some four-card holdings. The next even Q-9-x. No method should demand signal only when it is the higher, or deal illustrates both points. complete honesty. highest, of equals. I

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ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ ON PAGE 38 by DAVID HUGGETT

You are in 3NT and West leads the m6. East Can you see that the hearts are almost 1. m A 7 3 2 plays the mQ. How do you plan the play? certainly 4-4? The Rule of Eleven tells you that n 7 5 3 there are five cards out higher than the one The Rule of Eleven tells you that, if West has o A Q 10 2 led – and you and dummy have only one led a fourth-highest spade, then East will p K 4 between you. Therefore East has the other have two cards higher than the six. This is of m Q 10 m K 9 8 6 four! Another and perhaps easier way is to N no immediate use except that you must be n J 9 2 n Q 10 6 4 realise that the six of hearts is the lowest heart W E aware that, even with two stoppers in the suit, o K J 9 7 5 S o 6 that the defenders hold and so must be from you have a potential weakness in spades. p Q 8 3 p J 10 6 5 a four-card suit. So take the ace of hearts and With only seven top tricks, you have to set up m J 5 4 play clubs until someone takes the ace. With the diamonds, but see what happens if you n A K 8 only three heart tricks to cash the opposition win the first spade and lead a diamond. East o 8 4 3 can make just four in all. will win and play back a spade and it will be p A 9 7 2 no good to duck as West can overtake and continue the suit. Then, when you play 4. m Q 10 3 another diamond, West will win and cash the You are in 3NT and West leads the o7. How n K Q 8 rest of the spades. do you plan the play? o A 3 Now suppose you play low from both hands p J 10 9 6 3 For once, the opposition have led a suit in at trick one. You have to win the next spade, m 8 5 m K J 9 7 6 which you have a good holding but you must N but now, when East wins the first diamond, he n 6 2 n J 10 5 4 3 make sure you capitalize on your good fortune. W E has no spade left to play – and if he had, then o K 8 5 4 2 S o 7 6 It might look right to play the queen or the ten the suit will have broken 4-3. p A 8 7 2 p 5 from dummy at trick one, but if you think that m A 4 2 West has led the fourth highest of his longest This is just another example of the hold-up n A 9 7 suit then what must his holding be? That’s right, play. You expect to go down only if West o Q J 10 9 the three missing cards higher than the seven started with both top diamonds and five p K Q 4 are the king, the jack and the nine. You can let spades. the eight of diamonds in your hand win the trick. Then, by repeatedly taking finesses in the You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the diamond suit, you will come to nine tricks via 3. m A 3 m8. You play the m10 from dummy and East one spade, two hearts, four diamonds and two n 5 4 3 plays the mJ. How do you plan the play? clubs. If you find working out West’s holding o A 9 6 2 tedious, then apply the Rule of Eleven. Take the p K Q J 9 Something funny is going on here! You value of the card led away from eleven and m 7 6 5 m 10 9 8 4 applied the Rule of Eleven, ‘knowing’ the ten that tells you how many cards greater than the n K J 9 6 N n Q 10 8 7 W E would win in dummy and now East produces card led are in the other three hands. In our o 7 4 3 S o K 5 the jack! This means, of course, that West has example, eleven minus seven gives four and p 7 6 4 p A 8 5 not led the fourth highest. When bidding to we can see in the closed hand and dummy m K Q J 2 3NT, you mentioned the minors along the what those four cards are. So East does not n A 2 way, so maybe West is trying to find his hold a card greater than the seven and you o Q J 10 8 partner’s suit. Whatever the situation, West can play low from dummy at trick one. It p 10 3 2 has either led from K-9-8 or from a weak suit. always works after a fourth-best lead. If so, then, in either case it cannot hurt to let East win the first trick. Just suppose for a You are in 3NT and West leads the n6. How moment that you do not. Clearly, to come to 2. m 8 5 4 do you plan the play? enough tricks to fulfil your contract, you have n A Q 7 3 to establish the club suit. If West gets in with You have only six tricks ‘on top’ so need to o 8 7 3 the ace of clubs and fires back another develop three more. The only candidates to p A K 5 spade, you are in danger of losing four spade provide those tricks are either the diamond m J 9 7 6 2 m Q 10 tricks. By ducking the first trick, East will have suit or the club suit. Of course, there is a n 8 5 2 N n J 10 9 6 to change suits or give you a second spade W E danger to consider: if you knock out the ace of o A 4 S o K 6 5 stopper in dummy’s queen. In either case, you clubs, the opposition might run enough heart p 8 6 2 p Q 9 4 3 can establish the clubs with your spade tricks to defeat you. If instead, you take the m A K 3 holding intact. diamond finesse and it loses, you will go n K 4 down even if hearts divide 4-4 because you All these deals involve analyzing the opening o Q J 10 9 2 will lose three hearts, the king of diamonds lead and applying as a matter of course the p J 10 7 and the ace of clubs. Rule of Eleven. I

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The de Sade Memorial Matchpoint Polar Pairs by Dick Atkinson

he snow was falling in fat, wet he took with him the heavy ornamental It was all agreed, but great was candyfloss smudges. My uncle urn containing the ashes of his old everyone’s consternation when the TLeopold, the 7th Baron von friend. No doubt the crew of the supply Baron took his seat at the erstwhile Münchausen, had been crotchety all ship remember the lonely old man relay table, and perched the ornate week, so I took the excuse of the sitting on a locker on the fore deck, funerary urn on the seat opposite. He inclement weather to ring my partner huddled in a rug, sipping brandy from a reassured the scientists that the game and cry off from our usual Wednesday huge silver flask and cutting a deck of would be conducted in full accordance night game, in order to keep the old man cards endlessly with infinite patience with the , and company. We had a cosy game of piquet, and concentration. that he would be glad to continue to for modest stakes, with a quart or so of double up as relay also. The eight mulled wine in front of a crackling fire. The Bridge Room resident pairs retained their usual pair I soon discovered that modest stakes can numbers, 1-8, the visitors as Pair 10 become quite immodest when you are The cramped mess room of the survey took the permanent North-South seats at piqued, repiqued and capotted a couple team was also their playing area. Eight table 1, all as per Farrington’s manual. of times. pairs met regularly to play a full 28- (‘It is customary to allocate the board Howell movement, the four tables stationary position to any person with a The Polar Pairs being arranged in the corners around the physical disability,’ in this case, relay table, which sat at the Pole itself. cremation.) Pair 9 was the phantom, the I could tell how grateful the Baron was On the centre of this table, a large card half table being wherever they were due by the mildness of his strictures and the bore the letter ‘N’, and at each playing to play. The Baron would thus be able to infrequency of his insults. However, I table, the South players sat nearest the begin scoring during the last round, was a little hurt when he gloated, ‘It wall – an engaging eccentricity which when table 1 was the half. seems you should have stuck to your had drawn Uncle Leopold, magnetically weekly duplicate. Fancy letting a little one might say, to this godforsaken Where is South? snow scare you off! Pshaw! The Polar wilderness. Pairs would have seen you off all right.’ When his first pair of opponents arrived, ‘Polar bears?’ The Baron and the Late he explained a decision he had reached ‘Pairs! The de Sade Memorial Marquis Join the Game as director concerning Laws 5 and 7, Matchpoint Polar Pairs.’ And he told me which, while not normally ambiguous, the story ... On his arrival, my uncle asked the became so when applied to a table set Director of the survey team if he could precisely at a polar location. ‘The Camille de Sade join in their little game, in honour of the director assigns an initial position to late Marquis. The eminent geophysicist each contestant,’ and the Baron had My uncle was a man of both vision and gladly offered to give his seat up to the assigned South to himself. But ‘Each principle. When his favourite partner, Baron that very evening, but was told player takes a hand from the pocket Camille de Sade, had lain dying, he that would not be necessary – Uncle corresponding to his compass position.’ asked the Baron to commemorate his Leo had brought his own partner, and Officially, the Baron was the only South death with a really special bridge event. would be happy to organise and direct a player, but every pocket on the board 1 Though an old man himself, my uncle 4 /2 table movement for the occasion, ie. (‘placed in the centre of the table’) undertook the arduous journey to the a 27-board Howell. He would also clearly corresponded in some sense to Canadian Arctic Archipelago, having present a magnificent and valuable (Magnetic) South. This is, of course, an read in a copy of National Geographic trophy to be won outright. Further, he interpretation – but Law 81.C.5 gives that there was a regular duplicate had brought three dozen packs of new the director the duty and power: ‘to session held by the scientific team at the cards as a good-will donation to their administer and interpret these Laws.’ It North Magnetic Pole. On his long trek, little school. became clear that the status of

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The de Sade Memorial Matchpoint Polar Pairs absolute bottoms at this table, remarked continued jovially enough, ‘That is indeed an amusing piece of surrealism, but those rules of bidding and play can never lead to a realistic contract, of course.’ the Marquis – not only deceased but also Pass, Pass, 1o ... After a grand total of reduced to ashes – was no bar to his 319 calls, West was found to be the Board 27 participation, since only the Baron was declarer in 7NT redoubled and entitled to remove cards, all of them, vulnerable, a daunting prospect, However, before the cut on Board 27 the from the board, and to bid and play especially as he was not to be allowed Baron first slipped the bottom card very those cards, at that uniquely sited table. to play his own cards. To recover the carefully somewhere into the deck. (The So it was that Camille, 19th Marquis time spent on the marathon auction, it reader may care to work out where de Sade, posthumously achieved a was at this point that the Baron decreed exactly.) Then he cut six cards, and record matchpoint total of 100%, and that the cards should simply be played conducted affairs exactly as before, my uncle won a large golden urn ... in strict rank order, the lead being the except that he let the Marquis’ contract mA. The reader may verify that such a of 4n redoubled be passed out. Longest Possible Auction sequence of play is both legal and lethal, leading in record time to a Many other records were set, including record-breaking 13 trick set. Board 27. Dealer South. several on the very first round at the Marquis de Sade Baron’s table, where Law 6.E.4 was Minimum Legal Cut m J 7 3 invoked: ‘The director may require a n Q 9 5 different method of dealing or pre- On the next deal, the Baron made the o A 10 6 2 dealing.’ Board 25, which was de Sade’s minimal legal cut of four cards. p J 7 3 deal, produced the longest possible legal m Q 8 4 m A 10 6 2 n n auction (barring condoned insufficient K 10 6 2 N 8 4 bids, which could lead to an infinite Board 26. Dealer East. o J 7 3 W E o K 9 5 S auction), the greatest possible score in a Marquis de Sade p Q 8 4 p A 10 6 2 single hand was made, and the entire m Q 8 4 The Baron pack was played out in strict sequence n K 9 5 m K 9 5 from the mA to the p2 (the same order o A 10 6 2 n A J 7 3 the printers had packaged them). The p J 7 3 o Q 8 4 Baron cut the newly opened deck m K 9 5 m J 7 3 p K 9 5 exactly five cards down. Each player n A 10 6 2 N n Q 8 4 W E received an identical balanced 10-point o J 7 3 S o K 9 5 hand – apart from the suits. Nothing p Q 8 4 p A 10 6 2 East’s mA, was led, and under the now exciting could happen ... surely? The Baron familiar rules of play, the contract was, m A 10 6 2 of course, literally a ‘pianola’. n J 7 3 Surprisingly, the three deals seem quite Board 25. Dealer North. o Q 8 4 pedestrian, despite the huge scores. Marquis de Sade p K 9 5 m A 10 6 2 Penguins n J 7 3 o Q 8 4 The auction was identical until it was According to my uncle, this event was p K 9 5 East’s turn to call 2p, at which stage such a success that the survey team have m J 7 3 m K 9 5 Uncle Leo substituted a final pass. The written into their club constitution the n Q 8 4 N n A 10 6 2 contract was therefore 1NT doubled, rule that, if ever a pair is unavailable for W E o K 9 5 S o J 7 3 redoubled and vulnerable by Camille, any reason, instead of playing a half p A 10 6 2 p Q 8 4 Marquis de Sade, the penultimate table, a pair of stuffed penguins will sit The Baron contract of his career. To this ambitious permanently ‘East-West’ at the polar m Q 8 4 contract, applying the same time-saving table to provide appropriate ‘opposition’. n K 9 5 formula as before, the Baron led the mA, ‘Uncle Leo,’ I objected, a little o A 10 6 2 and faced the Marquis’ cards promptly. suspiciously. ‘Penguins are only found p J 7 3 Law 54.A (which omits any mention near the south pole ...’ that the lead out of turn must be by a ‘My boy,’ he replied, with injured defender!) certainly allows this unusual dignity, ‘stuffed penguins, like cremated The Baron conducted the auction, which procedure, and the contract was duly aristocrats, may be found wherever they began with three passes followed by 1p made with six overtricks for a maximum have been taken!’ I (‘Natural,’ as he explained in answer to positive score. (The grand slam bid his own question). After two passes, my would have been worth 180 less.) Previously published in BRIDGE 37 uncle reopened with an impeccable East, realising that all his colleagues and reprinted to satisfy popular demand. protective double, Pass, Pass, Redouble, would face the same prospect of three

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