Number: 176 UK £3.95 Europe €5.00 August 2017 Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz This month we are dealing with minor suits. You are West in the auctions below, BRIDGEplaying ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no- (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

1. Dealer West. Love All. 4. Dealer West. Love All. 7. Dealer East. Game All. 10. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ A 7 6 ♠ J 7 6 ♠ J 7 6 5 4 ♠ A 5 4 ♥ A 7 6 N ♥ A K 6 N ♥ 10 8 3 2 N ♥ A 6 3 2 N ♦ A 3 2 W E ♦ J 4 3 W E ♦ 4 2 W E ♦ 7 6 W E S ♣ K Q 8 7 S ♣ A K J 7 S ♣ K 5 S ♣ 9 8 6 5

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ Pass 2♣ Pass 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ Pass 1♦ 1♥ 2♥1 Dbl Pass ? ? Pass 2♥ 3♣ Pass ? ? 1Weak two

2. Dealer West. Love All. 5. Dealer West. Love All. 8. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer West. N/S Game. ♠ 7 2 ♠ 8 7 ♠ A 9 8 3 2 ♠ 9 8 3 ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ A K 6 5 N ♥ A 8 4 3 N ♥ A N W E ♦ A J 10 W E ♦ 4 3 W E ♦ 2 ♦ K Q J 2 W E S S S S ♣ A Q 9 8 7 ♣ A K 8 7 6 ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ A K 8 7 6

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ 1♣ Pass 1♣ 1♥ Pass Pass ? ? 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass Dbl Pass 2♣ Pass 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass ? ?

3. Dealer West. Love All. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer East. Love All. 12. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 7 2 ♠ 6 ♠ 7 3 2 ♠ 4 ♥ ♥ ♥ A K 4 2 N ♥ A 9 6 N A K 3 2 N 7 6 N ♦ K Q 8 7 6 W E ♦ A K 10 4 3 W E ♦ K 6 3 W E ♦ J 5 4 3 2 W E ♣ 4 3 S ♣ A J 6 2 S ♣ 6 5 2 S ♣ K 8 7 6 5 S

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass 1♦ 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ 1♦ 1♠ 1♥ 1♠ ? ? Dbl 2♠ Dbl Pass Pass 2♠ Pass Pass ? ?

Answers on page 41 Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Cruise with in Summer 2018

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YOUR ITINERARY THE AEGEAN EXPERIENCE Fly to ATHENS Greece APR 30 Embark Aegean Odyssey in nearby Piraeus ATHENS to ATHENS 9 DAYS from £1,795pp April 30, 2018 MAY 1 HYDRA Greek Islands After leaving Piraeus our first port of call is Hydra. Enjoy some time at leisure exploring this MAY 2 SANTORINI Greek Islands true gem. Here donkeys, not cars and scooters, rule. Next visit Santorini, with its dramatic MAY 3 HERAKLION Crete, Greek Islands volcanic landscape and whitewashed towns that cling to the cliff edges. Here there is the MAY 4 KARPATHOS Greek Islands opportunity to see the Minoan site of Akrotiri that was wonderfully well-preserved beneath MAY 5 RHODES Greek Islands volcanic ash. The following day in Crete, learn more about another legendary destination, the Minotaur’s labyrinth, hidden beneath the Palace of Knossos. MAY 6 NISYROS Greek Islands DELOS Greek Islands After a maiden call at Karpathos, the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese Islands, we head MAY 7 northeast to Rhodes. Here you can visit the Acropolis of Lindos, and the Palace of the Grand MYKONOS Greek Islands Master of the Knights of Rhodes Town. After another maiden call at Nisyros and a visit to the PIRAEUS Greece incredible Stefanos Crater, step ashore on the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Achilles, to MAY 8 Disembark Aegean Odyssey and transfer to Athens Airport visit its famous ancient ruins before relaxing on the waterfront in beautiful Mykonos. AEG180430BR

Key to symbols VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS O Overnight stay in port Ship at anchor New ports of call are shown in gold • The Minotaur’s labyrinth of Knossos

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• Relax in the cafés of Mykonos

• The Terrace of the Lions at Delos Rhodes • Maiden calls at Nisyros and Karpathos Aegean Sea GREECE

ATHENS Delos/Mykonos

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Odyssey Club members receive an additional 5% discount Delos

Fare shown is per person and subject to availability. Single cabins are subject to availability and select grades only. Please see brochure or website for full details. Ship’s registry: Panama.

Call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

VTA_170701_Mr Bridge Ads July 2017.indd 1 13/07/2017 08:46:46 Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ BRIDGE 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee INDEX 5 Mr Bridge 2 The Aegean Experience Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 7 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee with Voyages to Surrey GU21 2TH Antiquity 9 About Trump Management – Part Two ( 01483 489961 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps by Andrew Kambites [email protected] 4 Cruise the Danube 11 About Trump Management Quiz – Part Two www.mrbridge.co.uk to Vienna and by Andrew Kambites Budapest with shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ The River Cruise Line mrbridge-shop 12 More Tips by Bernard Magee 13 Defence Quiz by 6 Rhine Cruise & Swiss Publisher and Delights with Managing Editor 13 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett The River Cruise Line Mr Bridge 14 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 8 Mr Bridge UK Events Bridge Consultant 17 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 12 Denham Filming 2018 Bernard Magee 18 Catching Up with 17 QPlus 12 bernardmagee @mrbridge.co.uk 19 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 18 Bernard Magee DVDs Set 7 20 What to do about Declining Numbers Cartoons & Illustrations by Jeremy Dhondy 21 Festive Season 2017 Marguerite Lihou 22 Designs for Bridge www.margueritelihou.co.uk 22 What are Signals? by Julian Pottage Table Covers 24 Double-Ended Cards by Paul Bostock Technical Consultant 23 Designs for Bridge Tony Gordon 26 Sometimes it is Better to Keep Quiet by John Barr Tables Typesetting & Design 27 About Trump Management – Part Two Answers 26 Acol Bidding Ruth Edmondson by Andrew Kambites with Bernard Magee [email protected] 28 Missing Two Honours by Michael Byrne 29 Club Insurance Proof Readers 30 Father Gulwynne’s Reward by 29 Travel Insurance Julian Pottage 32 Coping with Pre-Empts by Bernard Magee 32 Bernard Magee DVDs Mike Orriel Sets 1-3 Catrina Shackleton 34 Sponsorship and Patronage by Shireen Mohandes 33 Bernard Magee DVDs Richard Wheen 36 Readers’ Letters Sets 4-6 Customer Services 38 Why I Teach Four-Card Majors by Ian Dalziel 37 Christmas in Cuba with Voyages to Antiquity Catrina Shackleton 39 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee [email protected] 46 Declarer Play 40 Wendy Wensum’s Diaries with Bernard Magee Events & Cruises 41 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions ( 01483 489961 47 Defence Jessica Galt 43 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee with Bernard Magee [email protected] 44 Grand Slam Opened at the Seven Level – Part One 50 Bernard Magee’s Tutorial Software Megan Riccio by Shireen Mohandes [email protected] 51 Classical Italy and Sophie Pierrepont 45 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee the Adriatic with [email protected] 46 Sally’s Slam Clinic Voyages to Antiquity Clubs & Charities 47 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee 52 Moorish Odyssey with Voyages to Antiquity Maggie Axtell 48 Seven Days by Sally Brock [email protected] Address Changes ( 01483 485342 REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Elizabeth Bryan [email protected] Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, all mint with full gum. Quotations for commercial quantities available on request.

Printed in the UK by Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well as The Magazine 1st and 2nd class (eg 2nd class: 100x38p+100x18p). Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk ( 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 3 Cruise the Danube to Vienna & Budapest aboard ms Serenity by coach: 12-21 October 2017: by air 13-20 October 2017

Elbe IJsselmeer Limited cabins available - book soon to join

NETHERLANDS Bernard Magee and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rhine Mr Bridge on this exclusive river cruise

Main Main Danube CZECH REPUBLIC Canal Neckar 10 DAYS Moselle Ilz Danube Passau Dürnstein SLOVAKIA start FROM GERMANY Inn Bratislava Rhine Melk Vienna AUSTRIA Budapest £1099 SWITZERLAND HUNGARY ITALY SLOVENIA CROATIA

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Danube SERBIA

YOUR CRUISE INCLUDES BY COACH  Coach travel to Dover from selected local pick-ups  Return ferry crossings from Dover  7 nights’ cruise on a full basis  2 nights’ half board hotel accommodation BY AIR  Return fl ights from London Heathrow or fl y direct from Manchester or Birmingham at a £30pp supplement (subject to availability)  Coach transfers between airport and ship  7 nights’ cruise on a full board basis

A full bridge programme of seminars, set hands and duplicate sessions will be organised around the cruise itinerary, together with a Welcome and a Farewell drinks party.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

To book or for more information contact Mr Bridge 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

Danube - Mr Bridge.indd 1 06/07/2017 16:41:42 LOTS OF SUNSHINE latest decade. A new edition St Neots Outdoor Bowling TRAVEL INSURANCE of Rules Club. 10am for 10.30am. Genesis Choice provides Simplified (DBRS) will Tickets £15. quotations with the help need to be produced. Contact Jean Searle, 5 St of humans. See page 29. Anselm Place, As publisher of DBRS, St Neots, PE19 1AP. I arranged for David CLUB INSURANCE ( 01480 212298 for tickets. Stevenson to attend the Send a S.A.E if writing. Fidentia, successors to Moore Stephens, continue New Laws Seminar NOVEMBER to offer the Mr Bridge Club in Prague. This event Tues 7, Wed 8 and Thurs 9. Insurance package for less was set up to enable In aid of British Red Cross. than £75 for clubs up to the newly promulgated Birkholme Manor, 300 members. Policies start August is a month laws to be chewed-over Corby Glen Grantham notorious for no news, November 1 and pro rata. by international level NG33 4LF. ( 020 3150 0080. so I will breeze through tournament directors. 10 for 10.30am to 3 pm. the usual headings in The new edition of £17.50 pp incl. 3-course BENEFITS no particular order. DBRS will be available lunch, glass of wine& raffle. Like the post, new subs have RIVER CRUISES later this autumn. Directors: Cliff Orme (Tues & Thurs) slowed right down. I am To organise a satisfactory AT LARGE Tony Ross (Wed) hoping to have some extra river cruise with bridge, Contact Penny Hedley benefits for subscribers I have appointed Shireen it is necessary to have all Lewis ( 01476 550255. new and old later in the Mohandes as this the passengers members of penny.hedleylewis@ year. Watch this space. magazine’s Associate the bridge party. All three farmline.com Editor-At-Large. This USED STAMPS of the river cruises we are title is intended as promoting, see pages 4 and THAYER I am still appealing for her job description 6, are organised in this way. WHITEHEAD used stamps in support of and her appointment Little Voice, the orphanage should broaden the RIVER CRUISE LINE in Addis Ababa. Please scope of BRIDGE. The River Cruise Line send them to: Mr Malcolm brand has been acquired DEBATES Finebaum, 8 Mountford by Arena Travel. All House, Crescent Road, See Readers’ Letters, paperwork has been Enfield. EN2 7BL. pages 36 and 37. Ideas processed, enabling for these, please, as COVER QUIZ the original bookings publication cannot start deposits to be fully until there are several in refunded. All those I attended Thayer’s the production pipeline. wishing to rebook have funeral last month. What Readers of this journal are now been able to do so. interesting lives some of quite demanding especially you readers have led. DANUBE 2017 of a column they like. DISCOUNTED The two October MORE PLEASE STAMPS This is now printed on page cruises, see page 4, are 7 as well, to enable readers each at least 90% sold. Talking of Readers’ Letters, to write the answers down, Why not book now? they seem to have dried up. This coincides with without defacing the cover. RHINE 2018 the no news season, so All good wishes, let’s be hearing from you. Bernard Magee is hosting Mr Bridge a cruise down the Rhine CHARITY EVENTS in May 2018. There are still STOP PRESS cabins for single occupancy. As there are only two in hand, I list these below. Bernard Magee married See page 6 for details. Clive Goff continues to Organisers should write in Helen Atkinson advertise in these pages, REVISION for prizes, which we aim last Saturday. helping us to pay our bills. to send by return of post. Every ten years the laws of Be assured his service is Brian and Diana Holland duplicate are revised by the OCTOBER all legal and above board. celebrated 60 years of Friday 6 ( 020 8422 4906 married life the day after – (WBF). 2017 being the St Neots Museum at the [email protected] photos of both next month.

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 5 Rhine Cruise & Swiss Delights aboard ms Serenity by coach: 15-23 May 2018: by rail or air 16-23 May 2018 Join Bernard Magee onboard ms Serenity for this spectacular river cruise along the romantic Rhine

9 DAYS FROM £1119

IJsselmeer Elbe NORTH NETHERLANDS SEA Amsterdam

Rhine GERMANY Cologne BELGIUM English Channel Main Rüdesheim Mannheim Neckar MoselleSpeyer FRANCE Danube Strasbourg

Basel start Lucerne By coach SWITZERLAND

YOUR CRUISE INCLUDES BY COACH  Coach travel to the port from your local area ITALY  Return ferry crossings from Dover  Seven nights’ cruise on a full board basis  One night’s bed & breakfast hotel accommodation BY RAIL  Return travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras  Coach transfers between station and ship  Seven nights’ cruise on a full board basis BY AIR  Return fl ights from London Gatwick  Coach transfers between airport and ship  Seven nights’ cruise on a full board basis

A full bridge programme of seminars, set hands and duplicate sessions will be organised around the cruise itinerary, together with a Welcome and a Farewell drinks party.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

To book or for more information contact Mr Bridge 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

Mr Bridge poster.indd 1 06/07/2017 16:41:58 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz

This month we are dealing with minor suits. You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

1. Dealer West. Love All. 4. Dealer West. Love All. 7. Dealer East. Love All. 10. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ A 7 6 ♠ J 7 6 ♠ J 7 6 5 4 ♠ A 5 4 N ♥ A 7 6 ♥ ♥ 10 8 3 2 ♥ N A K 6 N N A 6 3 2 W E ♦ A 3 2 W E ♦ J 4 3 W E ♦ 4 2 W E ♦ 7 6 S ♣ K Q 8 7 S ♣ A K J 7 S ♣ K 5 S ♣ 9 8 6 5

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ Pass 2♣ Pass 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ Pass 1♦ 1♥ 2♥1 Dbl Pass ? ? Pass 2♥ 3♣ Pass ? ? 1Weak two

2. Dealer West. Love All. 5. Dealer West. Love All. 8. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer West. N/S Game. ♠ 7 2 ♠ 8 7 ♠ A 9 8 3 2 ♠ 9 8 3 ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ A K 6 5 N ♥ A 8 4 3 N ♥ A N W E W E W E ♦ A J 10 ♦ 4 3 ♦ 2 W E ♦ K Q J 2 S S S S ♣ A Q 9 8 7 ♣ A K 8 7 6 ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ A K 8 7 6

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ 1♣ Pass 1♣ 1♥ Pass Pass ? ? 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass Dbl Pass 2♣ Pass 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass ? ?

3. Dealer West. Love All. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer East. Love All. 12. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 7 2 ♠ 6 ♠ 7 3 2 ♠ 4 ♥ A K 4 2 ♥ A 9 6 ♥ A K 3 2 ♥ 7 6 N N N N ♦ K Q 8 7 6 ♦ K 6 3 W E ♦ A K 10 4 3 W E W E ♦ J 5 4 3 2 W E ♣ 4 3 S ♣ A J 6 2 S ♣ 6 5 2 S ♣ K 8 7 6 5 S

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass 1♦ 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ 1♦ 1♠ 1♥ 1♠ ? ? Dbl 2♠ Dbl Pass Pass 2♠ Pass Pass ? ?

My Answers: My Answers: My Answers: My Answers:

1...... 4...... 7...... 10......

2...... 5...... 8...... 11......

3...... 6...... 9...... 12......

Answers on page 41 Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 7 Mr Bridge UK Events

Tutorial Events with Bernard Magee PROGRAMME DAY 1 Chatsworth Hotel Elstead Hotel Gourmet Food 1500 Mr Bridge Bournemouth BH1 3QP 22-24 September £252 Welcome Desk open Better Finessing and Duplicate at Tea or coffee on arrival 2-4 Feb 2018 £252 Two Bridges Hotel, 1745 to 1830 Supporting Majors Dartmoor Welcome drinks 1830 to 2000 Blunsdon House Monday to Wednesday Dinner 15-17 September £252 30 Oct-1 Nov 2015 BRIDGE 1 Play and Defence of 1NT 13-15 November DUPLICATE PAIRS 12-14 March 2018 DAY 2 Ramada Resort 9-11 April 2018 0800 to 0930 Denham Grove Grantham Breakfast Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG Wed-Fri Four-Night Break at 1000 to 1230 8-10 November £252 the Trouville Hotel, SEMINAR & PLAY Ruffing for Extra Tricks of SET HANDS or Sandown, DUPLICATE BRIDGE Inn on the Prom Isle of Wight (Just Duplicate Events) 1230 to 1330 Mon-Wed Thursday to Monday Cold Buffet Lunch 5-7 March 2018 £252 15-19 February 2018 1400 to 1645 Supporting Majors BRIDGE 2 www.mrbridge.co.uk TEAMS of FOUR Elstead Hotel (Bernard Magee Events) Ramada Resort, Grantham 23-25 Feb 2018 £252 for further details DUPLICATE PAIRS Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 4-4-4-1 Hands (otherwise) 1815 to 2000 Dinner 2015 BRIDGE 3 Just Duplicate Tutorial Events DUPLICATE PAIRS Events DAY 3 Ramada Resort 0800 to 0930 Denham Grove Grantham Breakfast 29 Sep – 1 Oct £212 1000 to 1230 4-6 August £212 SEMINAR & PLAY Chatsworth Hotel Further into the Auction of SET HANDS or Worthing BN11 3DU 8-10 September £212 16-18 Feb 2018 £212 DUPLICATE PAIRS 24-26 November £212 Leads and Defence (Just Duplicate Events) Blunsdon House 1230 to 1400 Blunsdon House Sunday Lunch 29 Sep - 1 Oct £212 (weekend events only) 13-15 October £222 1400 to 1645 Doubles Chatsworth Hotel BRIDGE 4 6-8 October £212 10-12 November £222 DUPLICATE PAIRS 3-5 November £212 Splinters and Cue Bids Inn on the Prom Elstead Hotel Elstead Hotel Full Board St Annes On Sea FY8 1LU 3-5 November £222 Mon-Wed Better Leads and Switches No Single 9-11 October £212 Hosted by Will Parsons 24-26 November £212 Supplement* Denham Grove Ramada Resort 17-19 November £222 Grantham Better ( 01483 24-26 November £199 Chatsworth Hotel 489961 Hosted by Will Parsons 24-26 November £222 Please note there are no seminars, www.mrbridge.co.uk Blunsdon House Hotel set hands or prizes at these events. Game Tries Swindon SN26 7AS *subject to availability All You Need to Know by Andrew Kambites About Trump Management Part Two

In the last article we looked at trump be overruffed. Drawing two rounds of the only diamond remaining. How control and concluded: trumps might help if East has fewer about if diamonds are breaking 4-2? than three trumps, but there is a You need to be able to the fourth he norm in a suit contract is to better way. Exchange your diamond round, but it is all too likely that the draw trumps as soon as pos- loser for a heart loser. Win trick 1 with opponent with a doubleton will ruff the Tsible. If you don’t draw their dummy’s ♥K, cross to your hand with third round. However, you do have a trumps you need a good reason. the ♥A, draw one round of trumps and chance. Win the ♥A, draw two rounds play your ♥4, discarding the ♦6 from of trumps (hopefully leaving just one Setting up winners to discard your dummy. You can later peacefully ruff trump outstanding) and start on high losers in another suit is one reason your ♦8 in dummy without fearing an diamonds. This does not jeopardise to delay drawing trumps. Ruffing overruff. your main chance of diamonds losers in dummy is another reason. Hand B will repay careful thought. breaking 3-3. However, it gives you Now I am going to explore further Suppose you overruff the ♠10 with the the extra chance that a defender with circumstances, when declarer might ♠K. You now have a trump loser as well a doubleton diamond has only two postpone drawing trumps or even as a club loser. Better play is to discard trumps. In that case, you will be able completely abandon the idea of your ♣8 on the third round of hearts. to cash your three top diamonds safely drawing trumps. Now all you need is for the remaining and ruff the ♦6 in dummy. three missing trumps to break 2-1. Hand D looks very similar, but In both of these hands you accepted this time dummy’s trumps are much Hand A Hand B the loss of a trick, making no attempt stronger and this opens up a new and ♠ 5 4 2 ♠ A 4 3 2 to win it. You threw a loser away better line of play. ♥ K 6 ♥ J 7 6 instead. This is called throwing a Win the ♥A and cash the ♠K-J. If ♦ 9 6 ♦ K 6 2 loser on a loser. spades break 4-1, you will have to ♣ 10 6 5 4 3 2 ♣ 7 5 3 resort to the same line of play as Hand C, but if they have broken 3-2 you N N W E W E Hand C Hand D can try a line of play called a dummy S S ♠ 6 5 4 ♠ K J 10 reversal. ♠ A K Q J 10 8 ♠ K 8 7 6 5 ♥ A 7 4 2 ♥ A 7 4 2 You intend to ruff hearts in your ♥ A 4 3 ♥ Q 4 ♦ K 5 4 ♦ K 5 4 hand until your hand has no trumps ♦ A 8 ♦ A Q 4 3 ♣ A K 8 ♣ A K 8 left and then use dummy’s ♠10 to draw ♣ A K ♣ A 8 the last trump. You need four entries N N W E W E to dummy to manage this: three to S S Contract 6♠. Contract 4♠. ruff hearts and one to get back to West opened Lead ♥ A-K ♠ A K Q J 9 ♠ A Q 9 8 7 draw the last trump. You cannot count 2♥ (weak). followed ♥ 9 ♥ 9 dummy’s ♠10 as an because you Lead ♥Q. by ♥2 ruffed ♦ A Q 6 3 ♦ A Q 6 3 will have no trump left in your hand by ♠10. ♣ Q 6 4 ♣ Q 6 4 to lead to the ♠10, but your entries are the ♠J (which you have already Contract 7♠. Contract 7♠. taken, leaving you in dummy), ♦K and Hand A looks easy enough. Just accept Lead: ♥K. Lead: ♥K. ♣A-K. It might help you to construct your diamond loser and ruff a heart the deal from a pack of cards to see it. in dummy. However, the bidding has After cashing the ♠J, ruff the ♥2, cross suggested there might be a problem. In Hand C, you have 12 easy tricks to dummy with the ♦K, ruff the ♥4, West’s 2♥ opening bid shows a six- and your only problem is what to do enter dummy again with the ♣K and card suit, leaving East with just a with the fourth round of diamonds. If ruff dummy’s last heart. Now cross to doubleton heart, so as dummy’s diamonds break 3-3, the last diamond dummy for a final time with the ♣A trumps are so weak, you will probably will become a winner because it is and draw the last trump with the

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 9 ♠10. You have made six trump tricks to either nine tricks or eleven, but suit, in this case hearts, you can trump go with your seven side suit winners. declarer must be positive if the the third heart in the hand with three contract is 5♠. trumps, leaving your four card trump he name ‘dummy reversal‘ ii) However if the contract is 4♠, the holding intact. If they don’t lead hearts indicates that you replace correct play is to cash just one you don’t need to trump a heart. Win Tthe natural order of using the heart, the ♥A, before cross ruffing. the lead, draw trumps and cash your long trumps to draw trumps, by That gives the best chance of ten diamonds. Your third heart can be shortening your trumps until only tricks, but little chance of eleven discarded on dummy’s fifth diamond. dummy has a master trump left. because defenders can discard Hand H requires delicate handling if their hearts as he cross ruffs, so his hearts are led and continued. Suppose In the preceding hands, declarer has ♥K is unlikely to make a trick later. you ruff the third heart in your hand. delayed drawing trumps because In Hand F, declarer also intends Now if trumps are breaking 4-2, one he had other matters to attend to to cross ruff, but must be careful. defender has more trumps than you first. Sometimes declarer gives up Suppose he ruffs the ♦A and cashes do and you have lost control. If you completely on drawing trumps. the ♠A. If the ♠K falls he has twelve cash three rounds of trumps and easy tricks. However, suppose the ♠K turn your attention to your diamond is still out. Before starting the cross winners, a defender will ruff and cash Hand E Hand F ruff declarer must concede a club, a heart. The easiest way to avoid such a ♠ A Q 8 7 ♠ J 10 9 7 3 but the defender with the ♠K wins problem is to throw a diamond on the ♥ 9 8 5 2 ♥ K 7 5 the club trick and cashes the ♠K, third heart; a winner on loser. Now, if ♦ 8 ♦ 7 6 5 4 drawing two of declarer’s trumps at the defenders continue hearts, you can ♣ A 6 4 3 ♣ 10 once. Now declarer has insufficient ruff in dummy, preserving your four- trumps for his cross ruff. Better play card holding to draw trumps. N N W E W E is to trump the ♦A and immediately There is a general principle that runs S S concede a club. Declarer can win the throughout many of these hands. ♠ K J 10 9 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 4 next trick and only then does he cash ♥ A K 7 6 ♥ A 6 the ♠A. If the ♠K is still at large, it ou should not voluntarily ruff ♦ A 7 5 4 ♦ will subsequently be declarer’s second losers in the hand with long ♣ 2 ♣ Q 5 4 3 2 loser, but the defenders will never be Ytrumps without a specific able to regain the lead to draw two of reason, because it usually weakens (i) Contract 5♠. Contract 5♠. declarer’s trumps at once and the cross your trump control. (ii) Contract 4♠. Lead ♦A. ruff cannot be prevented. Lead ♠2. The ideal trump fit has at least eight The most common reasons are: cards, but sometimes you end up in i) You need to ruff out dummy’s side a seven card fit, which can require suit, making length cards into In Hand E, declarer wins the trump delicate handling. winners. lead and counts four side suit ii) You intend to cross-ruff the hand winners. His intention is to make all and don’t mind losing trump his remaining trumps separately by Hand G Hand H control. trumping backwards and forwards, ♠ K 10 3 ♠ K 10 3 iii) You need quick entries to your called a cross ruff. The key is to cash ♥ 8 2 ♥ 8 3 2 hand. all his side suit winners first, otherwise ♦ K 10 5 3 2 ♦ K 9 5 3 iv) You intend to reverse dummy, defenders may discard cards in a ♣ K 5 4 ♣ K 5 4 shortening the trumps in the long side suit and subsequently trump his hand until it has fewer trumps N N winners. W E W E than the shorter hand and using S S i) Suppose declarer cashes the ♥A- the shorter hand to draw trumps. K, ♦A and ♣A and then starts ♠ A Q J 9 ♠ A Q J 9 Another basic principle is cross ruffing. He makes a total ♥ 7 6 4 ♥ 7 4 demonstrated by the final two hands, of six trump tricks to go with ♦ A Q J 7 ♦ A Q J 10 2 namely: the trump he won at trick 1. That ♣ A 8 ♣ A 8 makes eleven tricks so 5♠ makes. uffing losers in dummy is But please note what happens if he Contract 4♠. Contract 4♠. often detrimental to setting is unlucky and hearts break 4-1. A Lead ♥A. Lead ♥A. R up your long suit because it defender trumps his ♥K and worse, wastes entries to dummy. that defender leads another trump to take out two of his trumps on In Hand G, 4♠ is an excellent contract Consider Hands J and K. In Hand J, the same trick. Eleven tricks have which should make easily unless the declarer has already lost a trump trick suddenly become nine. The play missing trumps break 5-1 or worse. and has two heart losers. He cannot described leads to declarer making If the defenders attack your weakest afford a diamond loser.

Page 10 BRIDGE August 2017 Hand J Hand K About Trump Management Part Two Quiz ♠ Q J 10 5 ♠ K 5 4 by Andrew Kambites ♥ Q J 10 9 ♥ 7 4 3 2 ♦ 9 5 3 2 ♦ 3 (Answers on page 27) ♣ 8 ♣ A 6 4 3 2 Plan the declarer play in Hands 1-8 N N W E W E S S Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 ♠ K 9 6 4 2 ♠ Q J 10 9 8 ♠ K 4 3 ♠ A 8 6 5 4 ♠ 8 6 4 3 ♥ 7 3 ♥ A 9 ♥ J 7 5 ♥ A 4 2 ♥ K 5 3 ♦ A K 6 ♦ A 6 5 4 ♦ J 5 4 2 ♦ 9 6 ♦ Q J 9 3 ♣ A 10 5 ♣ K 5 ♣ 7 5 4 ♣ K 8 6 ♣ 6 4

N N N Contract 4♠. Contract 4♠. W E W E W E S S S Lead ♠A Lead ♠A ♠ A Q J 8 7 6 2 ♠ K 7 ♠ A Q 10 7 5 followed by ♠3. followed by ♠2. ♥ Void ♥ K Q J 10 9 8 ♥ A 6 4 Trumps break 2-2. Trumps break 3-2. ♦ A K Q ♦ A K ♦ K 7 ♣ A 8 6 ♣ A J 7 ♣ A K 7 Contract 6♠. Contract 7♥. Contract 5♠. The solution is to establish dummy’s Lead. ♣K. Lead ♦Q. Lead ♥Q. hearts and use them to discard a (i) Trumps break 2-1. diamond, but look what happens if he (ii) Trumps break 3-0. wins trick 2 and impulsively cashes the ♣A and ruffs a club. He now plays a heart but it is too late. A defender takes the ♥K and plays another club, forcing Hand 4 Hand 5 Hand 6 dummy to ruff. Dummy has no further ♠ 10 2 ♠ K J 7 2 ♠ 8 4 3 entry so dummy’s hearts go to waste ♥ 8 7 6 5 3 2 ♥ A 7 5 4 ♥ 9 3 2 ♦ ♦ ♦ and declarer loses a diamond. Now 6 2 K 10 5 2 8 4 3 2 ♣ 8 4 3 ♣ 8 ♣ 8 5 4 look what happens if declarer starts on hearts at trick 3 instead. The defenders N N N W E W E W E cannot exploit declarer’s diamond S S S loser before declarer has established ♠ A K Q J 7 6 5 ♠ A Q 5 4 ♠ A 9 7 6 2 dummy’s hearts as winners. ♥ Void ♥ K 8 6 2 ♥ A K Q 7 In Hand K, declarer has already lost ♦ A K 7 4 ♦ Q J 9 3 ♦ A K the ♠A and has an inescapable heart ♣ A K ♣ A ♣ A 7 loser. To fulfil his spade game, he (i) Contract 7♠. Contract 4♥. Contract 4♠. must somehow restrict his diamond (ii) Contract 6♠. Lead ♣K. Lead ♦Q. losers to one, which he cannot now do Lead ♥A. by ruffing because dummy has only one trump left. Ruffing a diamond in dummy would be a sensible plan if the contract was 3♠, or if a trump had not Hand 7 Hand 8 ♠ ♠ been led, but now this leads to nine 3 A J 10 9 6 ♥ A Q 6 4 3 ♥ 6 4 3 tricks, not ten. Declarer must look ♦ A 9 6 5 3 ♦ 9 8 6 5 3 elsewhere. ♣ K Q ♣ Void A plan which is capable of giving ten tricks is to try to establish dummy’s N N W E W E clubs. Cash your ♣K, cross to dummy S S with the ♣A and ruff a club. If the ♠ A K 8 7 ♠ K Q 7 3 2 clubs have broken 3-3 you have two ♥ K J 10 9 8 5 ♥ A J 8 2 winning clubs in dummy. You can ♦ 8 7 4 ♦ A cross to dummy with the ♠K, drawing ♣ Void ♣ K 7 4 the last trump, and cash them. Of Contract 6♥. Contract 6♠. course, if the missing clubs have (i) Lead ♠Q. Lead: ♣Q. not been obliging you can only cut (ii) Lead ♦K your losses by ruffing a diamond and conceding one down. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 11 BERNARD More Tips from Bernard Magee MAGEE Give Attitude on at Denham Partner’s Lead

Grove uch of the time, your job on near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG. your partner’s lead is simply to ♠ K 4 Mplay your highest card, but if ♥ A 8 7 you do not need to do this, you should ♦ K 8 3 12-15 Jan 2018 give an attitude – this is a signal ♣ Q J 7 6 5 which tells your partner whether you like ♠ A J 7 5 3 ♠ Q 9 2 his lead and would like him to continue ♥ 5 3 2 N ♥ 9 6 4 W E ♦ ♦ £399pp leading the suit. 10 9 6 S Q J 4 2 The occasions when you do not need ♣ A 9 ♣ 8 4 2 Friday – Monday to play your highest card occur when ♠ 10 8 6 your partner has led a high card or when ♥ K Q J 10 Full Board dummy has played a high card. ♦ A 7 5 No Single Supplement1 The reason you give attitude is because ♣ K 10 3 Limited places for Thursday night very often your partner has led from a available. £67pp single, £45pp double/twin. mediocre suit and needs help from you. If you have help, then he wants to continue the suit, but if you do not, then he might ♠ K 4 switch to another suit. ♥ A 8 7 Topics After the simple auction: 1NT-3NT, ♦ K 8 3 Teams of Four your partner leads the ♠5 and dummy ♣ Q J 7 6 5 plays the ♠K. ♠ A J 7 5 3 ♠ 10 9 2 ♥ 5 3 2 N ♥ 9 6 4 Game Tries W E ♦ 10 9 6 S ♦ A Q 7 4 Disrupting Declarer ♠ K 4 ♣ A 9 ♣ 8 4 2 ♥ A 8 7 ♠ Q 8 6 Defending Slams ♦ K 8 3 ♥ K Q J 10 ♣ Q J 7 6 5 ♦ J 5 2 Overcalling ♠ Q 9 2 ♣ K 10 3 ♥ Pressing the Defence N 9 6 4 W E ♦ Q J 4 2 S ♣ 8 4 2 On the same lead and with the same dummy, East does not want his partner 6 seminar sessions to continue spades on the second layout, ♠ ♠ 2 You cannot beat the K, so you are free so he follows with the 2. Now when with Bernard to choose which spade to play. Playing West wins the ♣A, he does not continue standard attitude you use a higher spot spades (he expects South to be holding 6 sessions card to say you LIKE the suit or low for the queen). Instead he switches to the of supervised play3 NO. ♦10. East wins the ♦Q and can switch Holding the ♠Q, you would like your back to spades. The defence make four Contact Mr Bridge partner to persevere with the suit, so spades, two diamonds and a club for ♠ to book your place follow with the 9. three off – instead of 3NT making plus The hand is simple: declarer knocks one, if West continues spades. or for further details: out the ♣A, which West wins and he Working together as a defensive ( 01483 489961 can continue with spades to defeat the partnership is crucial – so often it is the contract (see deal at the top of the next combination of the two hands that allows 1Subject to availability 2Filmed column). for a smooth defence. When your partner 3Not with Bernard Magee What is interesting is to compare the leads, try to help him when you can, by two possible layouts: giving an attitude signal. ■

Page 12 BRIDGE August 2017 DEFENCE DECLARER QUIZ PLAY by Julian Pottage QUIZ (Answers on page 19) by David Huggett (Answers on page 17) ou are East in the defensive positions below playing Ymatchpoint pairs with neither side vulnerable. Both sides ou are South as declarer playing teams or . are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT and 2♣ Stayman. YIn each case, what is your play strategy?

1. ♠ Q 5 3. ♠ Q 9 ♥ Q J ♥ A 7 5 4 3 1. ♠ J 6 3 3. ♠ 7 6 5 ♦ A K Q 10 7 ♦ K 10 7 2 ♥ A 2 ♥ 7 6 4 2 ♣ J 10 8 3 ♣ K J ♦ A 9 6 5 ♦ K Q ♠ K 10 4 ♠ 8 7 ♣ Q J 10 6 ♣ A 10 7 5 N ♥ A 8 7 2 N ♥ Q 10 8 2 W E W E ♦ 8 2 ♦ A Q N N S S ♣ K 9 7 2 ♣ Q 9 6 5 2 W E W E S S

♠ A K 7 2 ♠ K 3 West North East South West North East South ♥ K 6 ♥ A K 8 1NT 1♥ Pass 2♦ ♦ Q J 10 7 ♦ A 7 6 Pass 3NT All Pass Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT ♣ K 9 2 ♣ K J 9 3 2 All Pass Partner leads the ♠3, cov- ered by the ♠Q and ♠K. Partner leads the ♠4: ♠9, You return the ♠10, which ♠8 and ♠K. Then the ♦9 You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 3NT also holds, partner playing runs to your ♦Q. What is and West leads the ♥7 to after West opened 1♥, the ♠2. What is your plan? your plan? East’s ♥J. How do you which was followed by two plan the play? passes. West leads the ♥Q. How do you plan the play?

2. ♠ K Q 6 5 4. ♠ 5 3 2. ♠ 7 6 4 2 4. ♠ 7 6 ♥ J 10 8 7 ♥ A Q ♥ J 9 5 ♥ A Q 7 5 ♦ 10 7 5 ♦ A Q 10 7 4 3 ♦ 8 7 6 4 ♦ 8 7 5 ♣ K J ♣ 7 5 2 ♣ A 7 ♣ K 8 5 3 ♠ 7 4 ♠ A Q 9 8 4 N N ♥ A 2 ♥ 8 5 N N W E W E ♦ ♦ W E W E S A K 8 4 2 S K J 2 S S ♣ 9 7 6 2 ♣ J 6 3 ♠ A 8 5 3 ♠ A K J 10 8 2 ♥ 7 ♥ K 2 West North East South West North East South ♦ A K 3 ♦ A K Q 6 1♠ 1♦ 1♠ 2♥ ♣ K Q 8 6 4 ♣ A Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ 2♠ Pass Pass 3♥

All Pass Pass 4♥ All Pass

You are declarer in 4♠ You are declarer in 7♠ and Partner leads the ♦3 and Partner leads the ♠2. What and West leads the ♥K West leads the ♥J. How do your ♦K collects the ♦Q. is your plan? What is your plan? followed by a low heart you plan the play? to East’s ♥A. How do you plan the play?

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 13 Julian Pottage Answers your Bridge Questions Is a Raise From 3NT to 4NT Always Natural?

Could it be a you use 2♠ as a transfer corrects to 3♦ with a weak have shown my hearts? problem playing to a minor via 2NT. 1NT- hand and long diamonds). Martin Epstein by email. Qa raise of 3NT 2♠-2NT (Relay)-3♣/3♦ In reply to the 2♠ enquiry, to 4NT as quantitative if (as appropriate). the simplest continuations With 10 HCP and responder was planning a This means that it is are 2NT to show a minimum a reasonable suit, I delayed game raise? Are responder who is declarer. and 3♣ to show a maximum. A would make a one- there any other possible Is the following scheme If responder then bids on level on your hand exceptions to the rule that a to achieve the same end over 2NT or bids anything whatever the vulnerability. no-trump raise is natural? viable? (Length 6+ minor.) other than 3NT over 3♣, In general, there is more to Ray Enever by email. (a) 1NT-2♠ (transfer it shows slam interest. gain than there is to lose to clubs)-3♣. Method 1 tends to be by overcalling. You might If the auction starts (b) via non-promissory popular with those using buy the contract or push 1♥-2♣-3NT or Stayman. 1NT-2♣ (Stayman) a strong no-trump (the the opponents higher. You A similar, you are -2♦/2♥/2♠-3♣ (transfer positional factor is stronger might make it harder for the right that responder does to diamonds)-3♦. with a strong no-trump and opponents to find the right not have a way to ask about Steve Bailey by email. minor-suit slams are more spot or get partner off to aces or key cards. I strongly likely). Method 2 tends a good lead. It is rare that recommend playing a 2NT If you do not wish to be popular with those the opponents will double response to 1♥ or 1♠ as to play as Bernard playing a weak no-trump. you at the one level. showing a four-card raise, A suggests, there It would be different if in which case responder are two widely played ♣♦♥♠ the hand on your right had will never have a good alternatives. I would opened 1♠, because then an hand with four-card support suggest playing one of The opponent on overcall would be at the two for opener’s suit on the those rather than trying my right opened level. For sure, nobody would 1♥-2♣-3NT sequence. an untested method. Q1♣ and I held: be overcalling 2♥ vulnerable You could reasonably play 1. Play 2♠ as a transfer with this hand. Not everyone 1♥-3♣-3NT-4NT and the like to clubs (opener bids 2NT would do so non-vulnerable. as an exception to the rule without club support or 3♣ ♠ K 10 9 that raises of 3NT to 4NT with it) and 2NT as a transfer ♥ A 10 9 4 3 ♣♦♥♠ are natural; you could make to diamonds (opener bids 3♣ ♦ K that a key card enquiry with without diamond support, ♣ 10 7 6 5 David (my regular responder’s suit assumed as 3♦ with it). Knowledge of partner) and I are trumps. Responder should a fit can enable responder Qplaying a Multi have a good suit to be to pot 3NT or look for a Being vulnerable, I decided 2♦, so an opening of 2♣ = making a strong jump shift. slam on some hands. not to overcall 1♥. My rule of 25 or 19-20 flat. 2. Play 2♠ as a range LHO bid 1♠ and they got 1. What do you think of ♣♦♥♠ enquiry (used on game to 3NT making 10 tricks. using the sequence 2♣-Pass- invitational and slam They had ♥Q-5 opposite 2♥/♠ =8+HCP with 5+ cards Bernard Magee invitational hands) and 2NT ♥8-6, but my partner with and the 2♦ response as a suggests in one as a request for opener ♥K-J-7-2 and ♦J-x-x-x-x relay for any other hands? Qof his DVDs that to bid 3♣ (responder then led a diamond. Should I Should we stick to the 2♦

Page 14 BRIDGE August 2017 response just as a relay? without support for partner longer an option when My partner meant it as 2. What would the or a good suit of your own, an opponent has bid 2♦, showing a second suit, but sequences 2♣-Pass-2♦- you just have to pass. with 12-14 balanced and I thought it was forcing. Pass-3NT and 2♦-Pass- inadequate support for If forcing, would it be for 2♥-Pass-3NT show? ♣♦♥♠ raising responder’s suit (or one round or game? Alun Williams, making a if David Cree, Strathaven. Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. Please clarify the played), opener passes. The position regarding 2NT rebid implies a hand too Whatever the strength 1. I do not feel Qopener’s rebid strong for a 1NT opening ie of South’s 3♦, it strongly either way. once an opponent interferes 18-19 balanced. Hands like A should deliver a A The existence of in fourth seat (we play a the North one here with the better suit. Doubling 2♠ is a several different methods for strong no-trump and five- right values, but the wrong much better action with this responding to 2♣ suggests card majors, but do not shape for a (strong) 1NT South hand. As the opponents that no single method has play support doubles). opening are awkward. have bid and raised spades, a clear advantage. With my My partner, North, Playing five-card majors, this is unquestionably most regular partner, I play as dealer, opened and most people would raise 1♥ a take-out double. that suit responses require the auction proceeded to 2♥ with the South hand. Many partnerships would two of the top three honours as below; the end result You can still find a 4-4 have no agreement about in the suit and at least five was a missed game. spade fit if opener bids 2♠ the strength of the 3♦ bid. cards at the two level, six over 2♥. After South raises Some would play it as non- cards at the three level. I read to 2♥ and West presumably forcing (on the basis that a an article recently suggesting ♠ K 3♦, North doubles strong hand would double that 2♥ could show a terrible ♥ A Q 8 5 3 as a , which South or bid 3♠). If undiscussed, it hand (0-4 points) with 2♦ ♦ A 9 6 2 accepts, looking favourably would be reasonable to treat as waiting on most hands. ♣ A 7 3 on the singleton diamond. it as forcing for one round. 2. The answer to what 2♣- On your actual auction, N 2♦-3NT shows depends upon W E South’s 3♥ sounds forcing, so ♣♦♥♠ your other ranges. You have S North should proceed to 4♥. said that 2♣-2♦-2NT shows ♠ Q 9 4 2 My partner and I 19-20. If you are playing a ♥ K J 7 ♣♦♥♠ missed a good slam 2NT opener as 21-22 and ♦ 5 Qon these hands: 2♦-2♥-2NT as 23-24 then ♣ J 10 9 6 4 The following deal 2♣-2♦-3NT shows 25-26. In came up at our that case, 2♦-2♥-3NT shows Qclub – I was North. ♠ J 9 the next range up, 27-28. West North East South ♥ A J 10 7 3 2 1♥ Pass 1♠ ♦ K 5 ♣♦♥♠ 2♦ 2NT Pass 3♥ ♠ 10 7 4 3 ♣ Q 8 2 All Pass ♥ Void N Could you clarify ♦ A K 9 2 W E a situation I have Without interference, a ♣ K Q 9 7 4 S encountered: 1NT rebid would show ♠ A K 10 8 7 6 5 3 Q N 12-14 HCP, so when the W E ♥ 6 West North East South opponents interfered, does S ♦ A 7 2 1♥ 1NT Dbl the no-trump rebid take ♠ Q J ♣ 3 on a different meaning, ♥ A 10 8 7 2 Is it better to play the double showing extra values? If ♦ 8 5 4 3 as take-out, or as looking partner had a minimum ♣ A 8 South was dealer and to penalise opponents? hand, even with a double opened 4♠, which completed Huw Jones, Swansea. stop in the opponent’s suit, the auction. With trumps should they always pass and West North East South 2-1 and nothing horrendous After an opponent await another bid from me? 1♣ Pass 1♥ happening in diamonds, overcalls 1NT, it is Geoff Simpson, 1♠ Pass 2♠ 3♦ it was easy to ruff the A almost universal Torphins, Aberdeenshire. Pass 5♦ Dbl All Pass third round of diamonds in to play a double as for dummy, just losing a club. penalties. You cannot make When the opponent The contract went two off We play 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠ as a take-out double when the in fourth seat when the trumps broke 4-1. all weak, so our strong 2♣ opponents have not shown A overcalls, opener What is (should be) can have Acol Two strength. a suit. With a hand too weak does not have to bid again. the meaning of 3♦ in Even so, to open 2♣ with for a penalty double and Since a 1NT rebid is no the above sequence? the 11-point South hand

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 15 seems doubtful. Should throughout and hope they be correct to withhold the North bid over 4♠? reach 3NT going at least ♠ Q J 2 ♦K if you lead the ♦J. Rupert Timpson by email. three off vulnerable? ♥ Q 7 3 2 I would probably also ♦ Void ♣♦♥♠ I see no obvious have bid 2♠ as South. ♣ A K Q 10 9 2 route to 6♠. 1♠-2♥- Angela Buckley by email. ♠ 5 3 N ♠ 9 8 7 6 4 A bidding sequence W E A 4♠ seems normal. ♥ A K J S ♥ 10 5 between myself If South rebids 3♠ (forcing Let us look at North’s ♦ A J 10 7 4 2 ♦ K 9 6 Qand my partner after the two-level response), decision first. With ♣ 8 4 ♣ 6 5 3 went 1♣-1♦-1♥-1♠. I bid North is likely to raise to 4♠ A a singleton in each ♠ A K 10 the diamonds and spades rather than make an advance major, the chance that 1NT ♥ 9 8 6 4 and thought the spade bid of 4♦. You would get doubled becomes the final ♦ Q 8 5 3 was . to 6♠ if North did cue bid 4♦ contract is just about zero. ♣ J 7 Both my partner and (showing the ♦K when South The chance of getting to opponents said that this can see the ♦A): then South defend 1NT undoubled was a natural suit in Acol. I checks on aces, expecting (if you pass) or 3NT is I led the ♥K then switched cannot see any advantage North to have a way to cover remote too. If you play a to the ♦J – partner played of playing this as a natural a third-round diamond loser. 3♦ overcall as a decent the ♦9 – end of defence. suit, when I am unlikely to I agree that the South hand, I might well do that. My partner thought I should find partner with four cards hand is too weak for an If you do double 1NT, it is have led a small diamond in it. Our agreement with artificial 2♣ opening and too with the clear intention of initially. What do you think? two four card suits (and a strong for a pre-emptive 4♠ bidding 3♦ later. Passing 2♠ Margaret Bleakley, Belfast. need to bid a suit rather opening. North’s pass over would be a big mistake. than no-trumps), is to bid a 4♠ opening is clear cut. South (partner of the 1NT With such good the higher one first, so my doubler) should leave in hearts, cashing a top partner has already shown ♣♦♥♠ the double when holding a A heart to start with at least 5-4 in the other , whatever seems right. Sometimes your suits (it was actually 6-4). The bidding went the strength. With a weak side will be able to cash four Hugh Fido, Canterbury. as shown and unbalanced hand, you heart tricks and a diamond. Qended in disaster. rescue the double to your Once you see the ♥Q Some people longest suit. With a strong in dummy, switching to play 1♣-1♦-1♥-1♠ unbalanced hand, depending a diamond is fine too. A as natural, with ♠ 7 upon the vulnerability, Assuming you are not playing responder needing to jump ♥ 9 you might go for game. ‘strong ten’ leads, the ♦J to 2♠ to use fourth suit ♦ A K Q J 10 5 2 This particular South seems to be the right card, forcing. While opener is ♣ K 10 5 2 hand is shapely, but not (in catering for the possibility unlikely to hold four-card the context of 15+ points that partner has nothing high spade support, shapes N W E opposite) weak. Since you in diamonds, but an entry of 4-4-1-4 and 4-4-0-5 S do not fancy defending 1NT outside (the ♠A perhaps). Yes, are possible. Hands with ♠ J 9 8 6 4 2 doubled on a diamond lead partner should put up the ♦K. three four-card suits and a ♥ K J 5 2 (if partner has an ordinary You then defeat the contract singleton are often a bit of ♦ Void sort of diamond suit), I would by a trick (declarer can cover an exception to the rule that ♣ J 6 3 take out the double. If you the ♦9 with the ♦Q to set bidding two suits implies play 2NT as (and up the ♦8 as a fourth round five cards in the first suit. it cannot be a natural bid), stopper). As the cards lie, a Playing responder’s 1♠ West North East South then you might bid 2NT low diamond switch works rebid as natural is, however, 1NT Dbl Pass 2♠ followed by 3♠ to show a even better because then you a matter of partnership Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥ hand that wishes to invite can run the entire suit – you agreement. In the absence of Pass 3NT All pass game in spades – perhaps cannot have everything! an agreement, I would take that course is a touch If you play strong ten it as fourth suit. Nevertheless, An experienced player said aggressive. For sure, I do leads then you should switch opener can raise 1♠ to 2♠ if I should have passed 2♠ not mind the simple 2♠. to the ♦10, not the ♦J. The holding four spades, so you but I felt 3♦ was safer. ♦J would indicate a jack can play 1♠ as fourth suit and What point count or shape ♣♦♥♠ high suit and partner would still find a 4-4 spade fit. ■ should the advancer (partner of the overcaller) have to N/S reached a take a penalty double out? final contract of E-mail your questions (including your postal address) Would it have been a Q3NT after I (West) for Julian to: [email protected] better strategy to pass opened 1♦ and rebid 2♦.

Page 16 BRIDGE August 2017 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 13

♥A. How do you plan the play? Even if it loses to a doubleton queen with 1. ♠ J 6 3 The contract is a fragile one to say West, you still have nine tricks. ♥ A 2 the least but from the start you know ♦ A 9 6 5 that trumps have to break 3-2 or you ♣ Q J 10 6 are down. So, you ruff the second heart ♠ Q 8 ♠ 10 9 5 4 lead and must consider the best way of 4. ♠ 7 6 ♥ Q 10 8 7 3 N ♥ J 9 5 4 retaining trump control whilst minimising ♥ A Q 7 5 ♦ 8 3 2 W E ♦ K 4 the threat of the opposition getting ruffs. ♦ 8 7 5 S ♣ A 8 3 ♣ 7 5 4 If you play ace and another spade, then ♣ K 8 5 3 ♠ A K 7 2 a defender might be in a position to draw ♠ 3 ♠ Q 9 5 4 ♥ K 6 third round, when they can win a heart ♥ J 10 9 4 N ♥ 8 6 3 ♦ Q J 10 7 trick, while if you just play on clubs, then ♦ J 10 3 2 W E ♦ 9 4 S ♣ K 9 2 a defender might score a ruff with a ♣ Q 10 7 2 ♣ J 9 6 4 doubleton trump. The answer is to play ♠ A K J 10 8 2 a low spade at trick three, win the return ♥ K 2 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads and play the ace of trumps before setting ♦ A K Q 6 the ♥7 to East’s ♥J. How do you plan the out playing clubs. Unless that suit breaks ♣ A play? 5-1 you will be safe – try it and see. There is no doubt that the opposition have found your weak spot so it is You are declarer in 7♠ and West leads imperative that you give yourself the the ♥J. How do you plan the play? greatest chance of success. If you take the 3. ♠ 7 6 5 Clearly you have overstretched and diamond at trick two and it loses, ♥ 7 6 4 2 will need the trump finesse to work, but you will almost certainly fail because ♦ K Q you have to be aware that trumps might you need at least one club trick and, ♣ A 10 7 5 break 4-1 too. Also, there is a slight by that time, they will have their hearts ♠ A Q J 2 ♠ 10 9 8 4 problem of a potential diamond loser. established. Instead, knock out the ace of ♥ Q J 10 9 3 N ♥ 5 You will be defeated if you play the ace of clubs and win the heart return perforce. ♦ J 9 8 W E ♦ 10 5 4 3 2 hearts from dummy and fail to unblock S You are now in a position to cash the top ♣ 8 ♣ Q 6 4 the king, because then you will now be two spades in case the queen falls, in ♠ K 3 able to take the trump finesse only once. which case you do not need the diamond ♥ A K 8 Instead win the first heart with the queen finesse to work at all. ♦ A 7 6 and take a trump finesse. Unblock the ♣ K J 9 3 2 ace of clubs and return to dummy with a heart to the ace, cash the club king throwing your small diamond and repeat 2. ♠ 7 6 4 2 You are declarer in 3NT after West the trump finesse. Voila! Note that some ♥ J 9 5 opened 1♥, which was followed by two people quite wrongly believe that it is in ♦ 8 7 6 4 passes. West leads the ♥Q. How do you order to cash a top trump first in case ♣ A 7 plan the play? West has a singleton queen. This is ♠ J 9 ♠ K Q 10 It is easy to think that nothing can nonsense, of course, as a singleton small ♥ K Q 10 8 3 N ♥ A 6 4 2 go wrong on this hand, with West card is four times as likely. ■ ♦ Q 10 9 2 W E ♦ J 5 marked with all the missing points, but S ♣ 5 3 ♣ J 10 9 2 occasionally people do open a little light. ♠ A 8 5 3 If you win the and play clubs ♥ 7 from the top, it is possible that you will Q PLUS 12 ♦ A K 3 find East winning the third round with the Really user-friendly ♣ K Q 8 6 4 queen and when a spade comes back, £99 bridge-playing you know that the ace is sitting over the including software p&p king. It may be a safety measure is not You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads needed, but why not just cross to the ace Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk the ♥K followed by a low heart to East’s of clubs and play one back to the jack?

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 17 BERNARD Catching Up with Sally Brock

ell, it’s happened, I have after the final match. MAGEE finally moved to London. I’ve been practising a lot online The flat is wonderful: two with Fiona, and right at the end of TUTORIAL Wbedrooms and a bathroom on the this period I went to Harrogate to play ground floor, then upstairs there is the with her in the Yorkshire Congress. master bedroom, a second bathroom, On the Friday afternoon, I played with DVDS and a large L-shaped open plan living Ollie Burgess in the Mixed Pairs. We area with the kitchen in the horizontal managed to win that narrowly despite £25 two bottoms on the last two boards. per DVD part of the ‘L’. Four large French SET 7 windows let in plenty of light, and On the Friday evening, we didn’t 37 MORE SIGNALLING air when they are opened. There are play bridge, but preferred to go out to dinner and have some social time I look at different times when you tiny balconies attached to all of the signal and the messages you might windows, but the one that is off the instead. On the Saturday in the pairs, want to give. kitchen is big enough for a small table Fee and I finished runners-up, some and a couple of chairs. There, hidden 10% behind Jason Hackett and Adrian 38 4-4-4-1 HANDS behind a hedge, I can sit in my secret Kenworthy. However, the Sunday was Everybody’s least favourite type place with a cup of coffee and read a disaster. In the teams qualifying of opening hand. I will be going my book. Of course, there were lots round, all four of us played terribly through the methods for choosing of hiccups: the removal men had to and out of luck, failing to qualify for the right suit to open as well as either final; and then, in our lowly C coping with responses. destroy my L-shaped sofa in order to get it out of the church; they couldn’t final, we failed to finish above average. 39 DRAWING TRUMPS manage to get my heavy dining table in Embarrassing. This seminar sounds straightfor- through a first-floor window, so I had We bid a nice grand slam, though, ward, but we will not be simply to pay a vast sum to get someone else when they languished in game at the drawing trumps, we will be con- to do it; there were problems getting other table: sidering the reasons for delaying. the internet and utilities sorted. On the Keeping control of trumps is an plus side, getting my Kensington and important part of declarer play. Chelsea parking permit was a breeze Dealer South. Love All. 40 FIVE-CARD MAJORS and getting rid of the furniture I needed ♠ A ♠ 10 4 3 Popular around the world, this to lose from the church all passed off ♥ K Q J 9 N ♥ A 5 4 3 2 W E method is becoming more popular smoothly. So, although it was stressful ♦ A K Q 9 7 S ♦ J 4 3 here. at the time, now all is milk and honey. ♣ A Q 10 ♣ 7 3 Apart from that, life has just carried 41 FUNDAMENTALS on as usual. I’d kept my schedule OF DEFENCE fairly clear because of the move, West North East South Defence is by far the hardest but my normal online sessions, and Pass aspect of bridge: this seminar seeks 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass to show the building blocks that Wednesdays at the Acol, went on. We can start you off on a wonderful didn’t have any knock-out matches 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass journey. If you can get the basics but did play in the National Swiss 3♥ Pass 3NT Pass right then the more complicated Teams in Solihull with Ben Green and 4♣ Pass 4♥ Pass aspects of defence can follow. John Holland: we played the eventual 4NT Pass 5♣ Pass 7♥ All Pass 42 SUPPORTING £105 winners in the first round and lost MINORS set of 6 narrowly; then continued to chase them for the rest of the weekend until Over 2♦ I could have bid 3♥ to show Minors are not as important as majors, but we have to bid them we lost our last match heavily and four hearts and five diamonds, but I and it is important to know finished third. We also went down to thought my hand too powerful for that. your system. Bidding more 3NT Kent, to have dinner and stay with Instead, I started with a game-forcing, contracts will get you better scores, Andrew Cairns on the Saturday and balanced 2NT. When Fee transferred but being able to spot a then to play with him and Robert into hearts, and then showed some sort slam will put you a cut above. Sheehan on the Sunday in a one-day of interest (my 3♥ promised three-card Swiss teams. Again, we played the support and 3NT showed some slam eventual winners in the first round, interest with a balanced hand), I just Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 but then wallowed a bit before having trod water until I could use RKCB and www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop a charge at the end, only to lose out on find out she had an ace before bidding a split tie when the dust had settled the grand slam. ■

Page 18 BRIDGE August 2017 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 13

West North East South dead – declarer must have started with 1. ♠ Q 5 1♠ at least three including the A-K or K-J. To ♥ Q J Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ set up some tricks to cash when in with ♦ A K Q 10 7 All Pass your ♦A, you must switch. ♣ J 10 8 3 For two reasons you should prefer a ♠ J 9 7 3 2 ♠ K 10 4 Partner leads the ♦3 and your ♦K collects heart (the ♥2) to a club. First, without N ♥ 9 6 4 ♥ A 8 7 2 the ♦Q. What is your plan? the ♣A, South might have bid differently, W E ♦ 6 4 S ♦ 8 2 While the fall of the ♦Q suggests a 3♠ (or maybe 3♥) rather than 3NT. ♣ Q 6 5 ♣ K 9 7 2 singleton, you should be careful not to Secondly, a club switch might give an ♠ A 8 6 jump to too many conclusions. It would overtrick if it is wrong. It will not matter if ♥ K 10 5 3 be perfectly safe for declarer to drop the dummy holds up the ♥A since you are the ♦ J 9 5 3 ♦Q from Q-J-9-6, when partner would one with the diamond entry. ♣ A 4 be the one with the singleton. The fact that you hold the ♥A gives you two bites at the cherry. If you switch West North East South to the ♥A and partner discourages, you 4. ♠ 5 3 1NT can revert to diamonds and hope for ♥ A Q Pass 3NT All Pass some luck there. On the actual layout, ♦ A Q 10 7 4 3 partner encourages with the ♥9. You thus ♣ 7 5 2 Partner leads the ♠3, covered by the ♠Q continue with the ♥2 to the ♥K. You then ♠ K J 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 4 and ♠K. You return the ♠10, which also get to ruff the third round of hearts and ♥ 7 3 2 N ♥ 8 5 holds, partner playing the ♠2. What is defeat the contract. This is a better option ♦ 9 8 5 W E ♦ K J 2 S your plan? than trying the ♥2 at trick two, which ♣ Q 10 8 4 ♣ J 6 3 A count of points tells you that partner risks blocking the suit or losing the lead. ♠ 10 7 6 has not led from A-J-x-x-x; declarer is ♥ K J 10 9 6 4 holding up the ♠A. Since you hold the ♦ 6 ♥A entry, there is no point in playing a ♣ A K 9 third spade. You should switch to the ♣2, 3. ♠ Q 9 hoping that partner has the ♣Q. If South ♥ A 7 5 4 3 has ♣A-x-x, this may save an overtrick. ♦ K 10 7 2 West North East South When West is the one with three clubs, ♣ K J 1♦ 1♠ 2♥ your club switch defeats the game as you ♠ J 10 5 4 3 2 ♠ 8 7 2♠ Pass Pass 3♥ can the second club to flush out the ♥ K 6 N ♥ Q 10 8 2 Pass 4♥ All Pass then bare ace. You will thus have the ♣K ♦ 6 3 W E ♦ A Q S to cash when you get in with the ♥A. ♣ 10 7 4 ♣ Q 9 6 5 2 Partner leads the ♠2. What is your plan? ♠ A K 6 Taking one look at the weak clubs in ♥ J 9 dummy, it is tempting to take the ♠A and ♦ J 9 8 5 4 switch to a club. Here, you need to think 2. ♠ K Q 6 5 ♣ A 8 3 of the bigger picture. Given that you have ♥ J 10 8 7 the diamonds well held and that dummy ♦ 10 7 5 has no side entry, there is no rush to ♣ K J West North East South develop a club winner. The real threat ♠ 9 3 ♠ 7 4 1♥ Pass 2♦ to consider is a spade ruff in dummy, ♥ K 9 6 4 N ♥ A 2 Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT which you can prevent if partner started W E ♦ ♦ J 9 6 3 S A K 8 4 2 All Pass with ♠K-x-x. You should take the ♠A and ♣ 10 5 3 ♣ 9 7 6 2 switch to a trump. Your side can play a ♠ A J 10 8 2 Partner leads the ♠4: ♠9, ♠8 and ♠K. second trump when in with the second ♥ Q 5 3 Then the ♦9 runs to your ♦Q. What is spade. Even if declarer has a seven-card ♦ Q your plan? heart suit and a singleton diamond, it will ♣ A Q 8 4 The play to the first trick and your not be possible for him to set up and run doubleton tell you that the spade suit is the diamonds. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 19 About the EBU by Jeremy Dhondy What to do about Declining Numbers

My name is Jeremy Dhondy and I am the Chairman of the . This column is to answer questions or comments about the EBU that you might have. If you have a comment or a question I would be happy to hear from you. [email protected]

My club has declining those in schools may well attract some of professionally produced teachers’ numbers. How can we stop new players, but inevitably many will notes, including supporting resources Qand reverse this? be lost to the game as family and for each topic with student exercises, work commitments take priority. Of quizzes, selected hands to play and I answered a question a few course, they may return to the game commentaries. Bridge for All is much months ago which focused later, but by that time what may more than just a set of course materials. A on making the club a more have happened to the clubs? A better You will also be offered training in welcoming place for people to attend. short term policy may be to seek to the use of the materials and how to If the behaviour is good, members are teach people who are coming up to adapt them as necessary to suit your welcoming and the club committee’s retirement and are looking for an individual style. Advice is provided on view is to ensure the game is enjoyable. increase in their leisure activities and how to set up and organise your classes; This will all help, but to me the key for pursuits. If your club has the facilities with guidance on how to develop the long term is the ability to attract to teach, then the next questions are: your students to become players and new people to the game. I was taken who does the teaching and what do gain maximum enjoyment from their to task by one reader after my previous they teach? EBED, the bridge charity, bridge activities. Your students will article for allegedly suggesting that runs a teaching association and it also become EBU members and will be able only some people were welcome as runs courses to help people teach. to participate in the EBU’s Really Easy new members (young middle-class The main method is calledBridge for Events, geared towards the newcomer professionals). This is far from the All and any prospective teacher who to the game. Perhaps your club may case for most clubs which have seen a does a course is automatically enrolled be able to identify some people who decline in membership in recent years. in the teaching association EBTA wish to teach bridge, wish to earn a They want to attract new members (English Bridge Teachers Association). little money from it and will end up from anywhere locally, young or old You can find more detail here: benefiting your club by attracting new and irrespective of class. There are http://www.ebedcio.org.uk/teach. The members. Win-Win, as they say. some shining examples of clubs whose courses are open to both members and membership has increased and these non-members of the EBU. The course Learning the fast way clubs are vibrant and successful, so comprises modules over a two year what is the secret? period. That has been the traditional way to teach bridge and EBED have New members needed, materials to support this for those who please wish to teach the Bridge for All course. This is not the only way of learning and I think the key to attracting new there are some perfectly good teachers members is teaching. Some clubs will out there who don’t follow this method have premises in which they can run and weren’t trained by EBED, or in the lessons and attract new members, past by the EBU. However, it is a bit whilst other smaller clubs may not more pot luck and there are bad as well have the facilities to be able to do as good teachers out there. Ask any this and will need teachers from the existing teacher just how much time surrounding area who teach privately. it took to prepare all their material Perhaps one of the first things to do and you will quickly realise that the is to establish the most likely market answer is, ‘a great deal.’ Bridge for All The traditional way of learning for lessons and members. Teaching provides teachers with a complete set may not suit everyone, so EBED are

Page 20 BRIDGE August 2017 introducing a new course called Fast l Say what suits, tricks, trumps and Track Bridge. scoring are. 2017 FESTIVE It’s ready now and, by the time l Understand how the game is played. you read this, there will be some l Plan how to take the tricks in a SEASON (free) preview sessions, for any bridge simple no-trump contract. teacher, to launch it. There is one at the l Draw trumps and play a simple suit Denham Grove Summer Congress in Eastbourne on contract. Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG August 8th if you happen to be playing, l Defend a hand, making leads and or live nearby, and are interested. following suit as required. Other areas of the country are also l Open the bidding with a 1NT bid served (see http://www.ebedcio.org. and make appropriate responses. uk/Fasttrack). So what is the difference l Open the bidding with a suit and between this and ordinary established respond to the opening bid. Christmas ways of teaching? l Recognise whether this is a game or The course seeks to get participants part-score hand. 23-27 Dec £495 Duplicates and Seminars l to the table and playing very much Play a social game with friends or in Signals, Discards and Basic Defence more quickly than the traditional a small friendly game in class. hosted by Will Parsons course and may appeal to those who l As a declarer, plan and play the don’t want to spend up to two years hand. Twixmas learning to play. The course can be l As a defender, choose and play a 27-29 Dec £252 done in environments which don’t lend sensible opening lead. Duplicates and Seminars themselves to the traditional approach, l Work out how contracts might be Competitive Bidding such as on holiday or over a weekend beaten. hosted by Bernard Magee or as a stand-alone course. One way l Compete when the opponents open New Year or another, participants should be able the bidding, choosing between suit 29 Dec-2 Jan £499 to play more quickly than at present. and no-trump overcalls and take- Duplicates and Seminars Of course, they won’t be ready for the out doubles. Further into the Auction cut and thrust of the club duplicate l Respond after partner opens or hosted by Bernard Magee after a weekend and a couple of follow overcalls with one no-trump. up sessions, so those clubs which can l Be able to open the bidding with Ramada Resort offer duplicates for relative beginners, 2♣ to show very strong hands and perhaps with a slower pace and fewer respond. Grantham Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT boards will assist in developing these l Be able to open the bidding with players. The idea of learning bridge in a long weak suits and respond. shorter time is not new and there have l Enjoy playing bridge at home or been Learn in a weekend type courses in the classroom and know about around for a while. These have helped the opportunities for playing with the clubs that have run them to attract others. new members, many of whom have l Play bridge, not needing the teacher Christmas gone on to participate at club level. standing by. 23-27 Dec £425 Learning to play bridge is pretty l Enter a simple duplicate competition Just Duplicate demanding as there seem to be so at the club. hosted by Shelia Rogers many aspects: the bidding, play, defence, regulations, etiquette etc. All of these would be covered in a Twixmas Getting across only the essentials and course, learning to play over a couple 27-29 Dec £215 accepting that those who have learnt of years. A few of these are necessarily Duplicates and Seminars won’t be experts in such a short period trimmed in Fast Track Bridge, but, Overcalling is critical and I think we have to try they can be picked up later. Indeed, New Year something different to attract new one aspect of a club’s teaching can 29 Dec-1 Jan £345 players. If you doubt this, then look at be the follow up lessons for players Duplicates and Seminars your club membership and ask yourself wishing to develop. It’s not reasonable Better Hand Evaluation some questions. Is the membership to expect each teacher to spend time increasing or decreasing? What is by preparing their own materials, Back to Back bookings the average age? What is the weekly and one responsibility of a national save £50 (per additional event) attendance? If you are depressed by bridge organisation is to promote ( 01483 489961 some of the answers then perhaps this the learning of the game by offering is a possible way forward. If you doubt a variety of courses, helping to train For details and itineraries that learning is complex then consider teachers and increasing the number of www.mrbridge.co.uk/ukbreaks this list: students. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 21 luxury Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions bridge mat Just £24.99 plus £4.99 p & p What are Reverse Signals?

s a defender, giving an appro- priate signal serves an impor- Layout A tant function in enabling your ♦ 10 8 5 4 Apartner to build up a picture of the N layout. ♦ J 6 W E ♦ K Q 9 2 The two most common types of S signal are attitude – saying whether ♦ A 7 3 you like the suit led – and count – saying whether you have an odd or an even number in the suit. Using Suppose West leads the ♦J (perhaps what people call natural, standard or because this is the only unbid suit). rubber bridge signals, you play high to The desire to avoid blowing a trick encourage or to show an even number. means that East has to follow with the With reverse signals it is the other ♦2. Playing standard attitude, this has Thick woven surface makes way round, high says you do not like the unfortunate effect of discouraging an ideal playing surface and (hate) the suit or that you have an odd West from continuing the suit. Playing protects your table. number. reverse attitude – low likes, high hates Very popular with Bridge While in club or even tournament – the ♦2 gives the intended message of Clubs. 78cms wide so it fits play, standard signals are the norm, encouraging West to continue the suit. a standard 80cms card table reverse signals are as common, if not In a count situation, sometimes you commoner than standard signals can ill afford to part with the higher Padded table bag. at international level – something card from a doubleton. you might already be aware of if you £39.00 + £4.99 p&p watch on BBO or read books, newspaper columns or magazines Layout B reporting on top level play. Most ♣ K Q J 7 3 people who use reverse signals play N both reverse count and reverse ♣ 10 2 W E ♣ A 8 5 4 attitude. If you see the abbreviation S ‘UDCA’ this stands for upside down ♣ 9 6 count and attitude. I think that upside down is an American expression for reverse. West cannot spare the ♣10 on the lead Large enough to take a standard Playing reverse signals does not ♣ 80cms bridge table. Made from of the 6, because that would make tough nylon with carrying straps change the positions in which you give the opposing suit semi-solid. Using and Velcro fixing. Ideal for an attitude or count signal. It is still standard count, the play of the ♣2 will storing or carrying your table. the case that attitude signals are the temporarily lead East to think that the norm on partner’s lead and that count two unseen hands started with an odd Order online or by phone signals are the norm on declarer’s lead. number. www.designsforbridge.co.uk Note also that almost nobody seems to Playing reverse attitude signals, you play reverse suit-preference signals. play your lowest card if you wish to 01483 270 100 Let us now examine the mechanics encourage and the highest card you and why reverse signals might have can spare if you wish to discourage. SR Designs for Bridge a slight technical advantage. In an Playing reverse count signals, you play Unit A1, Send Business Park, attitude situation, your holding may your lowest card with an even number Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF be such that you can afford a low card and the highest card you can spare if but not a high one. you wish to signal an odd number.

Page 22 BRIDGE August 2017 Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions What are Reverse Signals?

These English made tables offer superb quality and have With a holding of 9-7-5-2, you will play Suppose West leads the ♥J (against a the genuine Pelissier hinges. the two if giving count and either the suit contract) and dummy plays the Choose from the great value seven or the nine if showing attitude. ♥A. East’s ♥9 might well be useful later Club, the Premier or the With a holding of 7-5-2, you are likely in the play, so he follows low whatever elegant Royal. to play the seven whether you are signal method is in use. In Layout C, Special Prices for Bridge showing attitude or count. reverse signals work better (the ♥2 Club orders of 5 or more. Having played both standard and is encouraging with reverse signals) reverse signals, I find that the hands on while standard signals fare better on which it makes a material difference the Layout D (where the ♥6 looks are actually few and far between. In a high). Despite the apparent symmetry, way, reverse signals are easier to play West is still slightly more likely to because when you wish to encourage a work out the situation playing reverse suit you do not have to debate whether signals. This is because West knows you can afford a clear card. If you that East could spare the nine from can afford to weaken your holding in a 9-x-x or 9-x-x-x, so any card other than suit, you can always afford the lowest the nine is vaguely encouraging when Club Table with traditional green felt playing surface £159.00 card, which is what you do playing playing reverse attitude. reverse signals. Suppose you have Standard signals can work better something like K-Q-9-6-2 and wish to when the leader’s partner needs to play encourage the suit. Playing standard a high card anyway to avoid blocking signals you may have to weigh up the suit. whether to play a nice clear nine that partner cannot mistake, but which might cost a trick, or whether to play Layout E a middling six that requires partner to ♠ A 4 be more awake. N Sometimes it is partly a matter of ♠ Q J 8 2 W E ♠ K 9 3 S Premier Table, bevelled edges luck whether standard or reverse and baize playing surface £199.00 signals work best. ♠ 10 7 6 5

Layout C Suppose West leads the ♠Q and ♥ A Q 8 dummy plays the ♠A. If the ♠9 serves both to encourage and unblock, as it N ♥ J 10 7 3 W E ♥ K 9 2 does with standard signals, this helps S the defensive cause. ♥ 6 5 4 Reverse signals really come into their own when you are trying to Royal Table, elegant surround and signal with a doubleton. If the higher baize playing surface £249.00 card is a useful card, you do not want Order online or by phone Layout D to have play it to signal encouragement www.designsforbridge.co.uk ♥ A Q 8 or an even number. If you do adopt

N reverse signals, I strongly recommend 01483 270 100 ♥ J 10 7 3 W E ♥ K 9 6 S playing both reverse attitude and SR Designs for Bridge reverse count. Even I find it confusing Unit A1, Send Business Park, ♥ 5 4 2 playing reverse attitude and standard Send, Woking, Surrey GU23 7EF count. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 23 A History of Playing Cards: Part Eight by Paul Bostock Double-Ended Cards

rom the earliest A False Start in England days until around 1850, court cards The first English double- Fwere quite naturally full, ended set was designed standing up, portraits by a Mr Ludlow and of courtly figures – in made by Thomas Wheel- English cards, Kings, er and appeared at some Queens and Jacks. An time during 1801-1811. early English example is As well as the double- shown in the illustration ended design, the suit on the right. There is signs were changed and a problem playing cer- unusual colours were tain games with these chosen for the clothes. one-way designs: when- The were also ever you are dealt a redesigned in a fancy court card upside down, way. Card players are you would like to turn it highly conservative – round to see which card Full Queen of Spades, before 1680 they want to recognise it is. That is only a mild the cards instinctively inconvenience, the real problem is that you are letting the and do not want the risk First double-ended English pack. other players know that you have a court card. of mistaking one card for Cards by Wheeler and Ludlow another. While Wheeler 1801-1811. Copisarow Collection and Ludlow had a great A Leap of Imagination idea, they mixed it with too many other changes. These were not a success and examples are now very scarce. It was a fur- While our current double- ther forty or fifty years (starting in the 1860s) before double ended designs may seem ended cards were accepted in England. like common sense, it was quite a leap of imagination to think of court cards as Double-Ended abstract designs for play- Becomes the ing card games, rather Standard than as pictures of real people. It is not clear who first had this idea, but the While double-ended de- first double-ended cards signs had been resisted still known were made in England, they became by Keusters in Brussels gradually more popu- and date from 1768-1789. lar in Europe. So it was While the double-ended inevitable that sooner figures have been well or later the mainstream thought out, because of its English manufactur- age the design and print- ers would have to start ing are relatively crude. making double-ended First known double-ended pattern, We know that this innova- cards. An early example by P A Keusters of Brussels 1768-89 tion was not well received Early double-ended English card. is shown on the left. The simply because it was not adopted anywhere else for years. c. 1850 - note the awkward design double-ended pattern

Page 24 BRIDGE August 2017 has been created by copying the top half of the standard full in which all the suit signs are on the same side). length card. This results in an awkward design – for example In the original court cards, some face one way and some the King has two hands coming from his shoulder at the top face the other (the direction having no particular sig- right of the card. Of course, it was not long before the makers nificance.) Traditionally, suit signs were simply located on had rationalised these designs, and from this period onwards whichever side has more space. In ‘turned’ courts, several of double-ended cards have been accepted as the new standard. the designs are mirror-images of the originals, left swapped with right, so that all the suit signs end up on the same side – see the example below. Mirror Images With turned court, the suit signs can be seen when the cards are fanned out. Once the cards had indices, only a dec- Double-ended cards came before the invention of the corner ade or so later, the turning of courts was no longer neces- index. As a result, there are in fact two variants, called sary. In contemporary sets, turned designs are more usual, ‘unturned’ (the original standard) and ‘turned’ (a variation but traditional unturned patterns are also seen. ■

Traditional ‘unturned’ courts. De La Rue & Co, 1862-1865

Newly ‘turned’ courts. De La Rue & Co, 1870s

The author is a Court Assistant in the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards – see www.makersofplayingcards. co.uk. Many more sets of cards are illustrated on the author’s website www.plainbacks.com

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 25 BERNARD Letter from Overseas MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE Sometimes it TUTORIAL CD is Better to ACOL BIDDING Keep Quiet by John Barr MAC or Windows hen you pick up a very she had sufficient defensive values to distributional hand, it is make life difficult for declarer, so 5♥ often tempting to keep became the final contract. Wbidding. However, sometimes it is West started with the ace of diamonds better to keep quiet, as your bidding then switched to a club. I ran the heart may give declarer the clues he needs to queen, East following small and was make his contract. pleased to see that West had a trump. West’s bidding had more or less placed every card in the pack, and it was clear Dealer East. N/S Game. that hoping for one of the two spade Throughout 200 deals split into ♠ A Q 10 9 6 5 to work would be doomed. ten chapters, Bernard evaluates ♥ Q J 10 8 That route was a non-starter anyway, your bids, praising the correct ♦ 2 as I would have needed three entries to ones and discussing the wrong ♣ A K hand – one in order to ruff a diamond ones. ♠ Void ♠ K J 7 3 to eliminate that suit, and two more to ♥ 6 N ♥ K 9 take the two spade finesses. l Opening Bids ♦ A K 9 6 4 W E ♦ J 8 7 5 3 S So I drew the outstanding trump, and Responses ♣ J 10 9 8 7 5 2 ♣ 6 4 ruffed a diamond, cashed the other l Slams and ♠ 8 4 2 top club and exited with the spade Strong Openings ♥ A 7 5 4 3 2 queen. If West’s bidding was even ♦ Q 10 more sporting than I had anticipated l Support for Partner ♣ Q 3 and he turned up with the spade king, l Pre-empting it would surely be a singleton so he’d l Overcalls have to give me a ruff and discard. But £66 West North East South East won, as I guessed he would and l No-trump Pass 2♥1 had the choice of leading into dummy’s Openings 3♣ 4♦2 Pass 4♥ spade tenace, or giving me a ruff and and Responses 4NT3 5♥ All Pass discard. Either way, my second spade 1 l Opener’s and Weak loser disappeared. 2 Responder’s Rebids Splinter If West hadn’t bid and therefore 3Both minors not given me any warning of the l Minors and Misfits wild distribution, I would probably l Doubles As South, I opened a weak 2♥ and West have used my only entry to hand to overcalled 3♣. North made a splinter take a spade finesse. After a losing l Competitive Auctions bid of 4♦, but I subsided in game, judg- spade finesse, East can safely exit in ing that my minor suit queens were of diamonds and I would then have to no value. However, West wasn’t fin- lose another spade trick. Without the Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, ished and pressed on with 4NT: show- intervention I’d probably have been Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ing length in both minors, but longer playing in 4♥, making +620. ( 01483 489961 clubs. North felt that with a four-loser While +620 is good as it beats all the www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop hand, 5♥ should be safe. East then pairs who took a penalty from 5♦ or considered bidding 6♦, but reckoned 6♦, +650 is better! ■

Page 26 BRIDGE August 2017 Answers to About Trump Management Part Two Quiz on page 11

Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 Hand 4 Hand 5 Hand 6 Hand 7 Hand 8 ♠ K 4 3 ♠ A 8 6 5 4 ♠ 8 6 4 3 ♠ 10 2 ♠ K J 7 2 ♠ 8 4 3 ♠ 3 ♠ A J 10 9 6 ♥ J 7 5 ♥ A 4 2 ♥ K 5 3 ♥ 8 7 6 5 3 2 ♥ A 7 5 4 ♥ 9 3 2 ♥ A Q 6 4 3 ♥ 6 4 3 ♦ J 5 4 2 ♦ 9 6 ♦ Q J 9 3 ♦ 6 2 ♦ K 10 5 2 ♦ 8 4 3 2 ♦ A 9 6 5 3 ♦ 9 8 6 5 3 ♣ 7 5 4 ♣ K 8 6 ♣ 6 4 ♣ 8 4 3 ♣ 8 ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ K Q ♣ Void

N N N N N N N N W E W E W E W E W E W E W E W E S S S S S S S S ♠ A Q J 8 7 6 2 ♠ K 7 ♠ A Q 10 7 5 ♠ A K Q J 7 6 5 ♠ A Q 5 4 ♠ A 9 7 6 2 ♠ A K 8 7 ♠ K Q 7 3 2 ♥ Void ♥ K Q J 10 9 8 ♥ A 6 4 ♥ Void ♥ K 8 6 2 ♥ A K Q 7 ♥ K J 10 9 8 5 ♥ A J 8 2 ♦ A K Q ♦ A K ♦ K 7 ♦ A K 7 4 ♦ Q J 9 3 ♦ A K ♦ 8 7 4 ♦ A ♣ A 8 6 ♣ A J 7 ♣ A K 7 ♣ A K ♣ A ♣ A 7 ♣ Void ♣ K 7 4

Contract 6♠. Contract 7♥. Contract 5♠. (i) Contract 7♠. Contract 4♥. Contract 4♠. Contract 6♥. Contract 6♠. Lead. ♣K. Lead ♦Q. Lead ♥Q. (ii Contract 6♠. Lead ♣K. Lead ♦Q. (i) Lead ♠Q. Lead: ♣Q. (i) Trumps Lead ♥A. (ii) Lead ♦K. break 2-1. (ii) Trumps break 3-0.

1 You need to discard a club on dummy’s ♦J but the diamonds 5 This is about trump control. It looks so obvious to win the ♣A, are blocked. draw two rounds of trumps with the ♥A-K and then concede (i) This is easy. Win ♣A, cash ♠A-Q, drawing trumps. Unblock the ♦A. You will make eleven tricks if trumps break 3-2, but the ♦A-K-Q, enter dummy with the ♠K and cash your ♦J. if they are 4-1 and the hand with four trumps has the ♦A, (ii) The answer is the same as 1. However, this time you are you will fail dramatically. He will take the ♦A, cash his two leaving a trump at large as you unblock the diamonds, so there trumps and run riot in clubs. One solution is to cash just the is a very real risk that one of your diamonds will get ruffed. ♥A before turning your attention to diamonds. On regaining That cannot be helped. You can only hope that the defender the lead, you can cash the ♥K safely. with the remaining trump has at least three diamonds. 6 Win the ♦K and duck a trump trick. On regaining the lead, 2 Hopefully you will not need to rely on the club finesse. If cash the ♠A: if trumps are breaking 3-2, your contract is spades break 3-3 or 4-2, you can establish a spade winner secure. Leave the defender’s last trump at large: cash the in dummy for a club discard. Win the ♦A, cash the ♥K-Q and ♥A-K-Q and ruff your fourth heart in dummy. Again, this ♠K, enter dummy with the ♠A and trump a spade. Now cross hand is about trump control. You want to be able to draw two to the ♥A and, if necessary, ruff another spade. The ♣K will rounds of trumps without giving the defenders the chance to give you an entry to dummy to cash your established spade. cash a third round. If you only draw one round of trumps, the defender with a doubleton trump may be able to use it to ruff 3 Are you tempted to take the lead in dummy with the ♥K to a winning heart, giving you three trump losers. finesse spades? That is a plausible line, but if your finesse loses the defenders can expose your heart loser before you can set 7 (i) Win the ♠A, draw trumps ending in dummy and play your up diamonds. A better idea is to postpone playing trumps. ♣K, throwing a diamond. You can subsequently discard your Win the ♥A in your hand and start on diamonds. Hopefully, other losing diamond on dummy’s ♣Q. This is a sort of you can discard a heart from your hand on a diamond winner play, but with the effect that your second club and you can then turn your attention to trumps. becomes a winner. (ii) This time your diamond weakness has been attacked. You 4 (i) A spade lead would have defeated you. As it is, you very must win the ♦A, draw trumps and lead the ♣K, but now you probably need diamonds to break 4-3. Ruff the ♥A, cash are dependent on East having the ♣A. If West has it he will ♦A-K and ruff the ♦4 with the ♠2. Now return to hand (with a win the ♣A and cash a diamond defeating you. If East has the club or heart ruff) and trump your last diamond with the ♠10. ♣A he can do no better than cover the ♣K, but you ruff, enter Cross to hand again and draw trumps. dummy again and use the ♣Q to discard a losing diamond, (ii) If you try the same tactics as in (i), you risk East overruffing making your contract. This is called a ruffing finesse. the ♠2 and playing another trump. A safer plan is to ruff the ♦4 with dummy’s ♠10. Experts among you might spot a safer 8 East undoubtedly has the ♣A, but you can still guarantee your line that is rather elegant. Trump the ♥A, cash the ♦A and contract by using your ♣K. Discard the ♥3 on the ♣Q opening duck a diamond. Defenders might switch to a trump, but you lead (a loser on loser). East will take the ♣A, but you can win your ♠A and trump a diamond with the ♠10. Even a 6-1 subsequently draw trumps and use your ♣K to discard the diamond break cannot defeat you. other heart loser in dummy. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 27 Michael Byrne on Playing with the Odds Missing Two Honours

ver the past few months, we You must start by leading low to insert the jack or ten on the first have been looking at hands the ten, finessing the lower card. To round, as when you cover it with the where you have needed to determine the applicable percentages queen and it loses to the king you now Oplay a suit correctly when missing for this layout, we need to recall that have the A-9 as a tenace holding over one honour. This month we are going two cards will split 1-1 52% of the his J-x-x or 10-x-x. to concentrate on suits where you are time and 2-0 48% of the time. You can This gives you an extra 24% chance missing two honours and trying to get make two tricks unless both the king of making a second trick, but you only the best out of them. and jack are offside, so the odds of two get some of those percentage points tricks are 100-24 = 76%. Similarly, you since if K-J-10 are onside you were The double finesse can make three tricks only if the king going to make two tricks anyway. As and jack are both onside, so the odds three cards break 3-0 22% of the time, When you have two finesse positions, of three tricks are 24%. the K-J-10 will be onside 11% of the you must start by finessing the lower This example uses the same principle time, leaving you with an extra 13%. of the possible cards you can. This but has a slightly lower chance of So the odds of making two tricks example shows why: making a second trick: are 63%. You can’t make three tricks unless West (enjoying an afternoon snooze no doubt) plays a low card on ♠ A Q 10 ♠ A Q 9 the first round when holding all three honours. N N W E W E However, sometimes if your goal S S is to make a lot of tricks and you have a big fit, then you need to play ♠ 5 4 3 ♠ 5 4 3 differently. Let’s take our first example and add a few cards to it: If you start by playing low to the queen If you need two tricks from this suit, and it loses to the king, then you have then your main chance is to lead low to a second string to your bow; you can the queen and hope the king is onside. ♠ A Q 10 6 2 lead low to the ten and hope that wins. However before you do that, you must N However that is the wrong play, lead low to the 9, hoping that the ten W E since when both the king and jack are and the jack are onside. S onside you can make three tricks: Unlike the previous position however, if you go wrong by leading ♠ 5 4 3 low to the queen and it loses there is ♠ A Q 10 no recovery; you must finesse the 9 on the first round: If you need this suit to come in for no N ♠ K J 7 6 W E ♠ 9 8 2 losers, then leading low to the ten is S the right play. You need to find a 3-2 ♠ 5 4 3 ♠ A Q 9 break (68%) with both finesses right

N (20%), combined odds of not very ♠ J 10 6 2 W E ♠ K 8 7 much really (13.6%). S If you start (incorrectly) with low to If you can afford one loser, the right the queen then you will have a loser on ♠ 5 4 3 play is to start by finessing the queen. the third round, as West can split his If it loses then return to your hand and honours, playing the jack or king on finesse the ten as before. If the queen the second round to force out the ace. Note that it does West no good to wins, come back to your hand and

Page 28 BRIDGE August 2017 lead low towards the ten. If right play is to cash the ace, back a club, taking the entry the honours are split then then cross back to hand and out of dummy. Now, how CLUB this second finesse will lose, lead up to the Q-10, cover- should we play trumps? INSURANCE but that’s OK as the suit ing West’s card. You will There is a for has now broken 3-2. If both still go down if the suit is one loser available by cash- Every club should honours are onside, then on 3-1 or worse offside, with ing the ace of trumps, cross- be covered and my the second round, West will East holding both the king ing back to dummy (over- inclusive package, play the jack or king, you and the jack, but you were taking the queen of spades to suit clubs of up to can win it and, if needs be, booked for failure anyway if necessary) and leading up 300 members for less return to your hand to lead then. to the queen, but can we af- than £75 per year, is back up to the ten again. The point is it saves you ford a trump loser? the right package at You will need either a 3-2 from holing out to K-J dou- The answer is that we the right price. break (68%) with one or bleton offside, or losing don’t yet know, since we both of the honours placed confidence and taking one have no idea how many dia- Contact FIDENTIA correctly (80%), combined finesse, then bottling it and mond losers we have. for a quote odds of 54%, or a 4-1 break playing for the drop. The correct thing to do ( 020 3150 0080 onside (14%) with a small You will make five tricks is to play diamonds first, singleton or the jack offside whenever the suit is 2-2 so cross back to hand with [email protected] (80%), combined odds for (40%) or 3-1 onside (25%) a club ruff and lead a dia- the latter of 11%. or 3-1 offside with a sin- mond to the king. If it wins, Total odds are just over gleton jack or king (12.5%), then we have only two side 65%. and you will also survive a suit losers and it is correct However let’s add an- 4-0 break onside (5%). Total to take the safety play in other card to your suit and odds of success are there- trumps, cashing the ace, see what a difference that fore around 83%. leading the queen of spades makes: Let’s see an example hand to the king and leading a For those with Pre-existing to put all of this into prac- second trump up to our health conditions tice: hand covering the card (No Age Limit) ♠ A Q 10 7 6 2 played by East. l Travel Insurance with If instead a diamond to online Medical Screening N ♠ K 10 7 6 3 the king loses to the ace, W E l Cover for medical S ♥ 7 5 then we know we need to conditions, up to a high ♦ K 4 3 bring trumps in for no los- level of severity, even a ♠ 5 4 3 ♣ A Q 8 ers, so finesse the queen on terminal prognosis the first round. Our chance l No age limits N W E of success is only 20%, since l Instant online cover If your life depended on S we will need a 2-2 break and picking up this suit for no ♠ A Q the king right (we lack the We fully understand that you may wish to speak to ♥ A Q 10 8 4 3 2 losers, then you would play entries to take advantage of us direct about cover and ♦ low to the queen. Missing 7 5 a singleton jack offside), but your medical conditions just four cards (K,J,9,8) you ♣ 4 3 with two finesses wrong in and assure you of the best would need to find the suit the minors it only feels fair attention by senior staff 2-2 with the king onside that one suit lies well for us! on a direct phone line that (20%) or singleton jack off- You bid to 4♥ by South and The full deal: does not require you to hold or press buttons for side (25%/4 = 6.25%). Total (to start with) get a club departments. odds of success are about lead, the ♣2 no less. 27%, not a great chance, but We have a possible loser ♠ K 10 7 6 3 ( 01268 524344 better than giving up. in clubs, one or two in dia- ♥ 7 5 We look forward to ♦ K 4 3 Let’s say you could afford monds, and one, two or speaking with you soon a loser in this suit though, none in trumps – very con- ♣ A Q 8 how should you play it? Low fusing. ♠ J 9 8 2 ♠ 5 4 Email: sales@ genesischoice.co.uk to the ten and then low to Whilst the lead could be a ♥ K N ♥ J 9 6 W E Website: www. the queen gives you a good singleton, East would surely ♦ A J 9 2 ♦ Q 10 8 6 S genesischoice.co.uk shot, you just need one of have made himself heard ♣ J 9 5 2 ♣ K 10 7 6 ♠ Genesis Choice Ltd are an the honours onside (76%). with a seven card suit head- A Q appointed representative of NDI Is there anything better? ed by the K-J-10, so you plan ♥ A Q 10 8 4 3 2 Insurance and Reinsurance ♦ Brokers Ltd who are authorised Actually, yes there is, but on taking the finesse. 7 5 and regulated by the Financial only because you are miss- Let’s assume that the fi- ♣ 4 3 ■ Conduct Authority No.446914 ing just four cards. The nesse loses and East plays

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 29 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Father Gulwynne’s Reward

n itinerant priest, Father checking,’ persisted Friar Tuck. ‘It’s Little John won with the ♣9 and then Gulwynne, had been set upon quite easy, you bid 4NT to ask for aces had to lead away from the club king or by two outlaws in the forest. and then I would...’ give a ruff-and-discard. Since a club AWhen it transpired that the tall, black- ‘There’s no point telling me because return would obviously be giving up, bearded stranger possessed not a I’m not going to play it,’ Gulwynne he tried a fourth round of diamonds. penny piece, the outlaws had invited declared, leaning forward to play a low The tall priest ruffed in the dummy him to join them for a repast of bread heart from dummy. ‘What fun would and discarded a club from his hand. and ale. Back at the outlaws’ camp, he there be in slam bidding if you knew ‘They’re all there now,’ he said. had immediately made friends with what your partner held?’ ‘Too clever by ‘alf!’ exclaimed Little Friar Tuck. John. ‘I was sure I’d make two club ‘Do you play bridge, my friend?’ tricks when Much showed out.’ Tuck enquired. Dealer North. Love All. Friar Tuck laughed. ‘You would have ‘After a fashion,’ Father Gulwynne ♠ 10 8 6 4 done against most declarers,’ he said. replied. ‘I play the cards well enough, ♥ 9 5 ‘Our friend played it well.’ but I’m told my bidding is wild.’ ♦ A K 6 The scores had reached Game All Friar Tuck drained the last drops ♣ A Q 5 2 when Father Gulwynne arrived in of ale from his tankard. ‘My original ♠ 9 5 ♠ 3 2 another slam. intention was to take a brief nap in this ♥ J 10 4 N ♥ K Q 8 7 6 3 2 W E ♦ 10 9 5 3 ♦ 7 4 2 heat,’ he declared. ‘Why don’t we play S a few hands instead? I’ll partner you ♣ K 10 9 7 ♣ 3 Dealer West. Game all. against Much and Little John.’ ♠ A K Q J 7 ♠ Q 8 3 Father Gulwynne surveyed young ♥ A ♥ A K Much, who still had most of his ♦ Q J 8 ♦ K Q 3 growing to come. ‘You must be Little ♣ J 8 6 4 ♣ A K 8 5 3 John, I take it,’ he said. ‘Your partner ♠ A J 10 7 4 2 ♠ 6 here is one of the tallest men in the ♥ J 10 8 N ♥ 9 7 5 4 2 W E West North East South ♦ 10 6 4 ♦ 8 5 2 shire.’ S ‘That’s exactly why some wisecrack Little Friar Much Father ♣ 6 ♣ J 10 4 2 gave me that stupid name,’ replied John Tuck Gulwynne ♠ K 9 5 Little John. ‘Never found it too funny 1♣ 3♥ 3♠ ♥ Q 6 3 me-self.’ Pass 4♠ Pass 6♠ ♦ A J 9 7 A well-worn grey blanket was All Pass ♣ Q 9 7 stretched out in the shade of a great oak and the game started. Father The priest won with the bare ♥A and Gulwynne became the declarer on the drew trumps in two rounds. Three West North East South first deal (see next column). rounds of diamonds were followed by Little Friar Much Father Little John led the jack of hearts and a ruff of dummy’s last heart. He now John Tuck Gulwynne Friar Tuck laid out the dummy. ‘You needed to lose at most one club trick. 2♠ Dbl Pass 3NT don’t play the Richmond ace-ask bid?’ How should he play the suit? Pass 6NT All Pass he queried. ‘I might have held no aces.’ A finesse of the queen of clubs was No aces, when you opened the successful and Father Gulwynne Little John opened proceedings with bidding?’ Father Gulwynne replied. continued with dummy’s ♣2. When a Feeble-two in spades and was some- ‘That’s not very likely.’ East showed out, he nodded happily what affronted when the bearded priest ‘Maybe not, but there’s no harm in and played the ♣6 from his hand. ended in a slam. He thumbed through

Page 30 BRIDGE August 2017 his cards, wondering what to lead. two spade tricks. Add three hearts, bid ’em twice?’ Only the previous week, Little John four diamonds and three clubs ‒ that’s ‘We’re non-vulnerable,’ Much had heard Robin Hood explaining to twelve tricks again.’ replied. Maid Marian that you should choose ‘Course it is!’ exclaimed Little John. ‘So what?’ exclaimed Little John. a safe lead against 6NT. With such a ‘Any idiot can see that. Except Much.’ ‘And I didn’t have any defence,’ strong suit at his disposal, he would Little John and Much won the next Much continued. normally have led the ♠J. It was the rubber but the two priests soon moved Little John led the ♥A and Friar Tuck obvious lead in his opinion. Still, a game ahead in the third rubber. The was relieved to see Father Gulwynne perhaps he should heed Robin’s words biggest deal of the session then arose: ruff the card. His pass over 6♠ had and lead the ♥J instead. suggested a void heart. Otherwise ‘This should be enough if you’ve got he would have doubled to prevent your bid,’ declared Friar Tuck, laying Dealer West. N/S Game. partner considering an advance to the out the dummy. ♠ A J 10 5 seven-level. The priest gave Tuck a withering ♥ 10 8 After drawing trumps in two rounds, glance. ‘If I didn’t have my bid, I ♦ A 6 2 Father Gulwynne played the ♣A-K. wouldn’t bid it!’ he retorted. ♣ Q 9 7 6 When East showed out on the second He won the first trick in dummy ♠ 7 3 ♠ 6 4 round, he could count the West hand and continued with the ace of clubs ♥ A Q J 7 5 3 N ♥ K 9 6 4 2 for a 2-6-1-4 shape. Right, let’s take a W E ♣ ♦ 9 ♦ J 10 7 5 4 and a low club. Much played the 10, S look at the tall guy’s singleton diamond. won with the ♣Q, and Little John ♣ J 10 8 2 ♣ 3 A diamond to the ace drew the ♦9 discarded a spade. ♠ K Q 9 8 2 from West. Father Gulwynne led the The defenders had been hoping ♥ Void ♦2 from dummy and covered East’s ♦7 to hear the priest express his ♦ K Q 8 3 with the ♦8. When West showed out, disappointment at this development, ♣ A K 5 4 he claimed the grand slam. but he barely paused before leading Little John glared at his partner. ‘If the ♠5 towards dummy. Little John we were playing for money, I’d throttle inserted the ♠10 and dummy’s queen West North East South you after that stupid 7♥ bid,’ he said. won the trick. King and another club Little Friar Much Father Father Gulwynne leaned forward. put East on lead but he had no spade John Tuck Gulwynne ‘We’re not playing for money?’ he remaining. Father Gulwynne won 2♥ Dbl 5♥ 6♠ queried. ‘Now you tell me. I’ve been the heart return and claimed the Pass Pass 7♥ Pass wasting my time here.’ contract. ‘One spade, three hearts, Pass 7♠ All Pass ‘Not at all,’ declared Friar Tuck. ‘The four diamonds and four clubs,’ he said. sun’s on its way down and we have ‘If that doesn’t add up to twelve, I’m a ‘You great oaf!’ exclaimed Little John venison for supper tonight. Can you one-legged Saracen.’ when Much pushed the opponents not smell it on the air? Hepworth Vil- ‘Who was asleep there?’ exclaimed into a grand slam. ‘You already bid lage had a record potato crop recently Much, chuckling to himself. ‘You see your cards once. Why d’you want to and they very kindly gave us a couple how he fooled of sacks. Venison you, John, slip- accompanied by ping a spade jacket potatoes through your ace? roasted in the fire. I made my club It will be a fine trick but we never meal, I assure you.’ scored your ace.’ ‘What about ‘You’re asking gravy?’ persisted for a clout around Father Gulwynne. the ear,’ Lit- ‘Venison can be a tle John replied, bit dry, I find. Not reaching for his that I’ve tasted stave. any for ten years.’ ‘No need for ‘Our gravy is the any violence,’ Fa- finest in the shire,’ ther Gulwynne Tuck replied, lick- declared. ‘The ing his lips at the play in spades thought. ‘Anyone made no dif- saying otherwise ference. If John should be carried plays his ace on to the mad-house thin air, I make immediately!’ ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 31 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Thirty-Six BERNARD MAGEE TUTORIAL Coping with Pre-Empts

DVDS hen your opponents open This is a comfortable double of a 3♣ at the three-level, almost opening bid, asking partner to choose always your auction will his best suit. Remember that if partner SET 1 Wbe compromised: you will have to put is weak, going one off in a contract ♣ 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks judgement together with guesswork to might be better than letting 3 make. find your best contract. However, with this hand: 2 Competitive Auctions This DVD starts by showing a 3 Making the Most typical hand for a pre-empt: a hand ♠ 8 5 of High Cards which makes a lot of tricks in its suit, but very few against your contract: N ♥ A 8 7 3 £25 W E 4 Identifying per DVD S ♦ K Q 9 5 & Bidding Slams ♣ A 9 7 ♠ 7 6 2 5 Play & Defence ♥ 6 of 1NT Contracts ♦ 8 6 You must pass over 3♣: you are not 6 Doubling & Defence ♣ K Q J 10 9 7 5 short in clubs and your partner is against Doubled likely to respond 3♠ to a double which Contracts leaves you stuck – remember your This is a perfect pre-emptive opening: partner will respond to your double SET 2 3♣. with zero points. They expect to make six tricks in The DVD then turns its attention 7 Leads clubs, but possibly no tricks against to responding to the first action and 8 Losing Trick Count any other contract, if an opponent has particularly to a take-out double: a singleton club. 9 Making a Plan This information should encourage as Declarer you to want to take action over their ♠ 8 5 pre-empt. If they are telling you that ♥ J 8 7 3 N 10 Responding to 1NT W E they can make no tricks against your ♦ Q 9 5 S 11 Signals & Discards contract, then perhaps you should be ♣ 8 7 6 5 12 bidding! Your defence methods are limited SET 3 because your space is limited, but the It is important to remember that you DVD discusses what is needed for must respond to your partner’s double, 13 Hand Evaluation normal overcalls and what is required unless you believe that passing will get 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding for a 3NT overcall, but most attention a good score (ie if you have very strong is centred on the idea of a take-out trumps). With a hand like the one 15 Splinter double. above after 3♣-Dbl-Pass-? You simply & Cue Bids For a take-out double of a pre- choose your best suit: 3♥. £105 emptive opening, you are looking for a Of course, if you have to respond 16 Avoidance set of 6 very similar kind of hand for a double with any hand, then when you do have Play of a one-level opening: shortage in the a decent hand, you may need to make 17 Play & Defence at Pairs opponents’ suit and opening values. a jump response: 18 Thinking Defence

♠ A 9 8 5 ♠ 8 5 N ♥ A 8 7 3 ♥ A J 8 7 3 N Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 W E W E S ♦ K Q 9 5 ♦ K Q 5 S www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop ♣ 7 ♣ 8 6 5

Page 32 BRIDGE August 2017 Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Thirty-Six BERNARD MAGEE Coping with Pre-Empts TUTORIAL

After the same auction, you should bid DVDS 4♥ rather than just 3♥, because your Dealer South. Love All. partner will be passing a 3♥ bid. ♠ K Q J 7 4 East holds: ♥ 10 3 SET 4 ♦ Q 6 5 19 Defensive Plan ♣ J 10 9 ♠ A 7 6 2 ♠ 10 8 2 ♠ A 9 6 5 20 Further into the Auction N ♥ K Q 6 4 ♥ Q J 9 7 N ♥ 5 W E W E 21 Weak Twos ♦ A 8 6 2 ♦ A K 8 ♦ 10 4 3 2 S S ♣ 10 ♣ Q 7 3 ♣ A K 5 2 22 Trump Control ♠ 3 23 Sacrificing £25 ♥ A K 8 6 4 2 per DVD There are 11 easy tricks in 4♥, but if ♦ J 9 7 24 Improving you respond just 3♥, then that is where ♣ 8 6 4 Bridge Memory you will finish. The second part of the DVD deals SET 5 specifically with weak two openings West North East South 25 Defence as Partner and how we might cope against them. 2♥ of the Leader You have a little more room over them, Pass Pass Dbl All Pass but much of your thinking will be the 26 Aggressive Bidding same. When East makes a take-out double, at Duplicate Pairs In both sections there is an emphasis West is able to pass because he believes 27 Strong Opening Bids on trying hard to compete, particularly that defending 2♥ doubled will get his as the last player. If your pass is going side its best score – here the defence 28 Take-Out Doubles to end the auction, then try hard to should score six tricks outside trumps 29 Suit Establishment make a bid, especially if you are short and two trumps for three off: +500. in Suit Contracts in the opponents’ suit – borrow a king By combining together as a from your partner: add three points to partnership, you can get some great 30 / Defending your hand – if you can make a bid with penalties from your opponents and it Against a 1NT Opening this extra strength, then go for it. is very important to do this, because Here is a classic example (see next much of the time their pre-empts SET 6 column). South opens a normal weak wreck your auction, so you need to two: showing six cards in hearts and claim some compensation somehow. 31 Counting Defence 6-10 points. West and North pass and Vulnerability and position are 32 Extra Tricks it is left up to East. With just 11 HCP discussed throughout the seminar, but in No-Trumps it would seem normal to pass, but with the summary at the end focusses on your pass about to end the auction and doing your best and having fun. Big 33 Supporting being very short in hearts you should scores can be given away and gained Partner £105 reconsider. If you add three points when there are distributional hands 34 Finessing set of 6 to your total (making 14) and look involved. Just remember that when at your ideal shape, then you should you try hard to compete it will go 35 Bidding definitely make a take-out double. wrong at times and this might result Distributional Hands Remember, it is much easier to in some very big penalties. Learn to 36 Coping with Pre-Empts make a call when you are short in the enjoy your victories as well as your opponents’ suit. With a balanced hand calamities. -1100 is a bad score, but if and 14-15 points you will often have you were trying out new things then as to pass over a weak two, hoping your a partnership treat the result as part of Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 partner will rescue you (by borrowing the learning process: smile and enjoy – www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop some points). you can dine out on it for a while. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 33 Sponsorship and Patronage by Shireen Mohandes

n 1 April 2017, it was reported know as ‘The Easter Festival of Bridge’. firmly established as one of the that Arsenal agreed to a £180m Even long after their sponsorship toughest and most prestigious kit deal with the German ended, people used to say, and some events on the international bridge Oowned multinational corporation still do, ‘Have you got teammates calendar. Adidas. So important is sponsorship for The Guardian?’ was The tournament still maintains its in football, and so noteworthy, that bridge editor at The Guardian from association with The Sunday Times it qualifies as being an ideal national 1955 until her death in 1992, and she and The Times but Macallan has April Fools gag. In fact, Arsenal were, played a big part in keeping strong become the main sponsor. Let and still are, in the middle of a £30m a links between The Guardian and me assure you that the players year deal with Puma. bridge. Rixi also arranged the long- appreciate Macallan’s interest in But in soccer, the real top of the running sponsorship by Harpers and bridge. Not only did Macallan list of corporate sponsors is Real Queen magazine of the women’s pairs sponsorship make the tournament Madrid. They really do have an eye- event of the same name. possible in the first place, their watering ten-year deal with Adidas. generous supply of the finest malt £106,000,000 is forked out by the whisky was an excellent remedy largest sportswear manufacturer in for what I call “bridge on the Europe – each year. And that is only brain” – the inability of bridge one of many concurrent deals that players to sleep at night after a Real Madrid have negotiated. day of challenging (and often too challenging) bridge deals. Regrettably, just two years after Fred Ben Geier wrote about strange wrote that, the event was cancelled. corporate sponsorships in Fortune Between 1970 and 1994, the Dutch magazine, June 2014. He said: drinks manufacturer Bols sponsored Prison company tries to sponsor a competition for bridge brilliancy stadium tips. World famous players submitted In 2013, private prison operator Some readers may remember their pearls of wisdom and these GEO Group agreed to pay $6 The Sunday Times and Macallan in were discussed and judged by a panel million for the naming rights to connection with bridge. Canadian of IBPA (International Bridge Press the football stadium of the Florida expert player, now living in the USA, Association) members. The strong Atlantic University Owls. Students Fred Gitelman wrote in 1997: and community members protested The Macallan is about history. the decision, and the deal was The tournament was first held as Bols Tips: eventually cancelled. Some called The Sunday Times Invitational two examples of tips the proposed stadium ‘Owlcatraz,’ Pairs in London, England in 1963. Benito It was a sad day for bridge when according to USA Today. Garozzo The Sunday Times discontinued Games may be its sponsorship at the 1981 edition quietly defended What about bridge? Who has of the tournament. Thanks to but slams must sponsored our great game in the past? the efforts of Macallan, Helen be attacked This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does Schapiro, and Paul Mendelson this serve to describe some of the sponsors event was reborn in 1990 as The in the modern era. Macallan International Bridge Careless Talk For decades, the national daily paper Pairs Championship. Since that Costs Lives The Guardian sponsored what we now time, The Macallan has become

Page 34 BRIDGE August 2017 association between the sponsor’s Also in the 80s and 90s, the EBU uniforms, and were competing name and our game has persisted long cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris through the generosity of an after their sponsorship ended. Even was a significant sponsor of bridge. undisclosed benefactor. That person’s now people refer to new wisdom as Participants were all provided with name is a closely guarded secret, but ‘Bols tips’. It is so much part of our complimentary cigarettes – something in case they are reading this, I’d like to language that some use the phrase in a we wouldn’t see these days, especially say that the bridge community at large sarcastic way when referring to a poor given the WBF’s aspiration to make are very appreciative. play, such as, ‘Oh yes, and that play bridge an Olympic sport. Since 2004 the Spring Foursomes was your Bols tip, was it?’ More recently, Lavazza, the itself has benefited from the patronage Probably the best known Turin based family business, of Helen Schapiro, the wife of legend sponsorship internationally is the now an international brand, has Boris Shapiro. Boris won the event Epson Worldwide Contest, which generously sponsored several bridge twice, including once in 1963 playing started in 1986 and ended in 1994. competitions, providing free coffee with , Rixi Markus, The contest has continued since then during the event and supplying players and Terence Reese, arguably the most with complimentary packets of coffee opinionated team in bridge history. to take home. Oh to have been a fly on the wall when The June 1992 Epson World Bridge The Lavazza sponsorship contains they were scoring up! Championship was contested elements of patronage as well as Internationally, there are new by more than 102,000 players commercial sponsorship. Maria Teresa sponsors and exciting competitions playing the same hands, at over Lavazza herself is a bridge player and that are broadcast on the internet. The 2,000 centres worldwide (Source competes internationally. 2017 Yeh Bros Cup, held in Tokyo from Guinness World Records). 3rd July to 7th July, is sponsored by Mr The Seiko Epson Corporation Chen Yeh and organised by the Japan is huge – it employs 67,605 Bridge League. This event attracts people worldwide. The word a star-studded list of international Epson is an abbreviation for players. The prize fund is US$ 286,000. ‘son of electronic printer’. Mr Yeh (pictured below) is from Shanghai and now lives on the island of Formosa, better known as Chinese with a variety of sponsors, currently Taipei. He is a graduate of architecture OurGame (a Chinese online game who learned bridge whilst at university. provider). After a very successful business The format of the contest is a career (still ongoing) he rekindled his simultaneous pairs event held at many youth passion. He became a World clubs all over the world. The event is so Champion by winning the first World large that it has made its way into the Mind Sports in Beijing (Transnational Guinness Book of Records. In 2017, Teams). In 2012, he reached the Semi- the 20 qualifying pairs finalists from final of the same event in Lille (France). heats are invited to a special event in He has strong views about bidding September, with travel subsidies and systems and abhors artificiality. complimentary accommodation. The Photo credit: Borsheims Jewelry total prize fund is US$20,000.

A name that always appears in the Forbes Billionaires List is Warren Buffett (pictured left) – in 2017 he is ranked number two, just behind fellow bridge player and friend, Bill Gates (pictured above). Buffett sponsored an event, starting in 2006, to be held every two years. The format was modelled on golf’s Ryder Cup. It has been held four times, USA beating Europe by 3:1. Maybe one day we will see the If you were at the Spring Foursomes popularity of bridge rise to the extent in Stratford-upon-Avon this year, of its heyday. Perhaps it is a little you will have noticed a frighteningly too fanciful to think that Arsenal large number of teenagers hanging would plead with the World Bridge Photo credit: Borsheims Jewelry around. Luckily they were all in Federation for a sponsorship deal? ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 35 card while flicking it with the booked through to Rome. thumb, making a noise. The We met up with the bridge READERS’ card is often never released. party for the 10.45am flight Are there laws governing to Rome. While we were the physical play of a card? waiting at Heathrow, we were Why can’t people simply told there would be a delay LETTERS place the card face up in of one hour, as the plane front of them, let it go and being used had been hit by leave it in view until the trick lightning and another aircraft FORWARD LOOKING case for and against a is complete and it is clear to would have to be checked Just a quick note to say particular bridge treatment. all who has won the trick? over before being put into thank you for providing Have you ever thought that Chris Bagust, service. We were even shown an extra copy of Bernard it might be an interesting Aldershot, Hampshire. the aircraft parked outside of Magee’s Bidding Quiz in idea for your publication, I asked David Stevenson for Gate 12, which should have the June issue of BRIDGE. BRIDGE, to fill the void and his opinion. As this subject been used. We were told that My wife and I both do the have a debate page, now crops up in my postbag when the plane was pulled quizzes at meal times and that the EBU has abandoned frequently, he has suggested away, then the replacement have had to run off a copy this feature? The treatment I ask for the readers’ aircraft would be ready in the past. It’s a good idea; of 4441 hands would be views before he covers the for us to board. However, so please continue with it. an excellent topic for the matter comprehensively. following further delay, we John Russell, opening debate in the series. sat and witnessed BA staff Shrewsbury, Shropshire. I would happily put the case TEACHER TIPS just standing around not for opening one diamond Just to say how much I knowing what was happening UNFORGETTABLE on singleton club hands. enjoy reading Ian Dalziel’s and the plane out of use In BRIDGE 174, David Brian Davies by email. regular column in BRIDGE. hadn’t moved. Following Stevenson replies to a letter The most amusing yet another delay, news got which complained of an CARDING introduction and the best tip I around that there was a opponent who bid 1NT I find myself increasingly have ever come across as to global IT issue and following on 11 points although his irritated by other players’ how to work out the number that, we got various indistinct partner declared 15-17. methods of physically of cards left in partner’s suit contradictory announcements Years ago, the late, great playing a card. from his lead. Thank you through some sort of desk Terence Reece produced First there is the stand and well done for the Rule microphone, and finally it the following dictum, and fall method, where the of the Lesser Cards and was agreed by many that ‘… a convention is an player stands the chosen the Test for a Singleton. BA staff were hopelessly agreement with your partner, card vertically on the table Angela Chatterton, out of touch with their not a promise to the (face of card towards the Stevenage, Herts. superiors and had no more opposition.’ Clear, vivid, player) and then lets it fall information than we had. and memorable. forward, revealing the face. NO NEED FOR I would like to emphasise William Wrigley, This method is irritating, SPECSAVERS that people joining the bridge Loughborough, Leics. but at least you eventually I forgot my spectacles last party were quickly showing get a good look at the card. night, but we still went friendship and offering NEW FEATURE Second is the shrinking on to win a local team help, such as seats etc. and As always, I enjoyed the violet method, where the competition. My partner, everyone was obviously latest issue (174) of BRIDGE. player selects a card and Bob, said I played a blinder. doing their best to stay in Of particular interest was the holds it (usually horizontally) Peter Lawrence, good humour. I consider only discussion of 4441 hands face to the player and low Tintern, Monmouthshire. ‘bridgers’ can quickly make in the Cover Quiz problems down near the table surface. good friends. One elderly and solutions. This reminded Player then twists the wrist A DAY AT GATE A12, lady we conversed with told me of debating these hands to briefly show the face TERMINAL 5, us she had travelled from the with Bernard on our cruise before placing it face down HEATHROW Scottish Highlands and had last October. In particular, the very instant the trick is My daughter, Maureen and stayed overnight in Glasgow I was advocating the merits completed, if not fractionally I were travelling with four and in London before joining of opening one diamond on before. Here, one only other friends to join the the group in Heathrow. I hands with a singleton club. gets the merest glimpse Aegean Odyssey (Voyages cannot imagine how and This set me thinking ... of the face of the card. to Antiquity) on a bridge when she would get home. once upon a time the EBU’s Thirdly, and the least cruise in the Mediterranean. When it became obvious house magazine, English annoying of the three, is the We met our friends in that there was a huge Bridge, had a regular feature flick-down method where the Newcastle Airport and flew to problem brewing, your helper where two players put the player reveals the face of the Heathrow with our luggage Beryl Mullins immediately

Page 36 BRIDGE August 2017 pinned her Mr Bridge badge failure. As a result, if we was mentioned that all taxis to her blouse and got straight requested a receipt we could etc. had been stopped from CHRISTMAS into action trying to see what then forward this to BA and coming into the terminal. IN CUBA could be done on behalf of we would get a refund of no When we eventually managed & THE Mr Bridge. She turned out to more than £5. Needless to to get through Immigration be the hero of the occasion say, no-one bothered with this which turned out to be an CARIBBEAN and should be well rewarded hassle. Eventually, BA staff absolute nightmare with so for stepping in. Everyone were distributing bottled water many people, we eventually had praise for Beryl and but, by this time, passengers ended up in Arrivals. came to rely on her. She did had been attempting to get Michelle Daniels, Head of her utter best to look after through the crowds to buy Commercial, from Voyages everyone in various parts of their own food and drink. to Antiquity was waiting for the Gate 12 area and, in us and she proved to be doing so, must have run for exceedingly efficient and miles. We were told she had helpful. Again, she must managed to get in touch with have been frustrated trying Bernard to advise him of the to deal with a very difficult situation. In the meantime, situation, and I would like to Havana as the hours passed, we were thank her on behalf of the BARBADOS TO HAVANA not given any information party for her assistance. After Dec 15, 2017 by BA staff – any little given waiting around in Arrivals, was conflicting. Beryl had I suggested to Michelle that 17 DAYS from £3,895pp managed to get in touch with there were six of us from HOSTED BY Voyages to Antiquity and we Newcastle and would it be STAN & ANDREA were told a representative possible to hire transport POWELL was on her way. to get us all home. Hotels Being a ‘people watcher’, appeared to be all full, and Follow the trail of Carrie Gibson’s epic history of all I could see were with it being a Bank Holiday the Caribbean, “Empire’s thousands of people going Beryl Mullins weekend and certainly Crossroads”, sailing from backwards and forwards no possibility of a flight, Barbados into the heart of getting nowhere. They were After several hours, Beryl we still felt doubtful about Cuba – Havana. obviously being advised ran around telling the party the train service. Michelle Fly to BRIDGETOWN from someone connected of bridge players that all immediately said she would DEC 15 Barbados Embark Aegean Odyssey O to BA and frustration was flights were cancelled and try to arrange this and at DEC 16 BRIDGETOWN Barbados showing. The astounding we had to go home. She 9pm, we were offered a DEC 17 RODNEY BAY St Lucia FALMOUTH HARBOUR thing is I noticed the younger looked absolutely exhausted seven seater car and driver. DEC 18 Antigua children were amazingly by this time and could not Another bridge player from DEC 19 GUSTAVIA St Barts patient and quiet for hours have been praised enough. the North East joined us CHARLESTOWN DEC 20 on end and wondered if they After what seemed like and, again, the driver should St Kitts and Nevis were geared up to cope with an eternity stuck in the very be praised for his services. DEC 21/22 AT SEA this awful world we are now centre of Gate 12, watching We eventually got home at DEC 23 PORT ANTONIO Jamaica living in. They seemed quite so many people trying to 3am on Sunday morning. DEC 24 SANTIAGO DE CUBA Cuba CHRISTMAS DAY DEC 25 oblivious of the armed police get somewhere, we were As far as our luggage CELEBRATIONS AT SEA now stationed in the area. told by Beryl that everyone was concerned, we were DEC 26 CASILDA Cuba At one point someone had to go downstairs to go told not to expect this DEC 27 CIENFUEGOS Cuba managed to hear that BA through Immigration and for at least 48 hours. DEC 28 AT SEA would allow passengers then return into Arrivals to Finally, I would like to DEC 29 HAVANA Cuba O HAVANA Cuba to have food and drink to meet the Voyages to Antiquity emphasise that the excellent DEC 30 Disembark Aegean Odyssey and the value of £5. Normally, representative, as she was attention from both Beryl transfer to Havana Airport it was announced, that we unable to reach us in our Mullins and Michelle Daniels DEC 31 Arrive UK Overnight stay in port would be given a voucher area. Beryl advised us not to was very gratefully received O AEG171215BR but, unfortunately, they were rush as there were so many and much appreciated. unable to print them off the people doing this, it was J Roberts, Ponteland, system due to computer just chaos. At this stage, it Northumblerland. ■ Call on 01483 489961 or visit Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. [email protected] www.mrbridge.co.uk E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone Terms and conditions apply – see brochure number and to send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. or website for details.

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 37 Teacher’s Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel Why I Teach Four-Card Majors

For this article, 4432 means any combination of two four card suits, 4-4-3-2 means precisely four spades, four hearts, three diamonds and two clubs.

our-card majors is the traditional hand in the 15-20 point range. 1.03% of the time. (0.35%+0.48%+ British , but most 10.5% of hands are 4333, 25% of 0.2%). of the rest of the world open five- these have a spade suit and 13.4% of Hands with five or more hearts have Fcard majors (and a strong no-trump, hands have 15-20 points. the same chance as hands with five or for that matter). Which system is best? Hence I will only open 1♠ with four more spades (see above) 6.04%. I’m not aware of any scientific study cards 0.35% of the time (10.5% x 25% which proves it one way or the other x 13.4%). Summary: and most players just play the system Hands where a 1♠ opening is five or Four hearts = 1.03% they were taught or what’s currently more cards are much more common. Five hearts or longer = 6.04% fashionable. Good players get excellent I won’t bore you with all the maths, but Total = 7.07% results with all sorts of systems. by similar calculations to above, I have So my 1♥ opening is five cards or I have always taught four-card found that I will open 1♠ with a five- longer (6.04/7.07) = 85.4% of the time, majors and find the system works very card suit or longer 6.04% of the time. that’s pretty impressive too. well. Also it is easy to teach to learners. The main disadvantage of five-card Summary: Hence although I use four-card majors is that you have to use the Four spades = 0.35% majors – a opening will dreaded ‘prepared minor’ if you are Five spades or longer = 6.04% be at least five cards about 90% of the 4-3-3-3, 3-4-3-3, 4-4-3-2, 4-4-2-3 and Total = 6.39% time. If you bid the major before the outside your range for a 1NT opening. So my 1♠ opening is five cards or minor with 4432, then your major suit This can cause problems, as your longer (6.04/6.39) = 94.5% of the time, openings will be five cards or more partner may never find out if your that’s pretty impressive isn’t it. 79% of the time, which is not quite as minor suit was genuine. I find it hard good as 90%. Subsequent bidding will enough getting beginners to bid a suit The 1♥ Opening often tell if the opening is five cards with at least four cards, so I don’t want or longer, however, when in doubt to teach any early exceptions. This will be four cards with these assume a major is five cards and you The advantage of five-card majors is types of hand: will be right most of the time. that your partner immediately knows 1. 3-4-3-3 with 15-20 points. I’m sure my mathematics isn’t you have at least five cards in your suit. 3433 are 10.5%, perfect, but it’s near enough. I also However, the system I advocate below 25% have hearts, analysed 1,000 random computer shows a five-card major 90% of the 13.4% have 15-20 points. deals and found that 95% of the time, without the prepared minor. Total = 10.5%x25%x13.4% = 0.35%. spade openings and 90% of the heart I teach a weak 1NT (12-14) and open 2. 4-4-3-2 and 4-4-2-3 with 15-20 openings were five cards or more. lower of four-card suits with 4432. points. You don’t need to believe me; try With 4441, I open the middle of three 4432 are 21.6%, it yourself by checking computer touching suits, otherwise 1♣. 1NT 16.7% have both majors, printouts. If you keep the hand usually excludes a five-card major. 13.4% have 15-20 pts. printouts from your club sessions (Please note that with 4432 Bernard Total = 21.6%x16.7%x13.4% = for years, as I do, you can do some opens the major with any major/minor 0.48%. fascinating experiments. This option combination). I will now put my case 3. 4-4-4-1 hands with 13-20 points. was not available to our forefathers, both mathematically and empirically. 4441 are 3%, though it is very time consuming. 25% have a singleton club, Bidding ‘lower of fours’ rarely loses The 1♠ Opening 26% of hands have 13-20 points. 4-4 fits in a major as a no-trump rebid Total = 3%x25%x26% = 0.2%. denies a major which can be shown at This is only four cards if it is a 4-3-3-3 Hence I will open 1♥ with four cards the one level.

Page 38 BRIDGE August 2017 ♠ A K 4 2 Answers to Bernard Magee’s ♥ Q J 8 ♦ K 7 ♣ A 10 7 3 Bidding Quizzes 1-3

You Partner 1♣ 1♦ on the Cover and page 7 1♠

I call the 1♠ bid a ‘basement bid’: it 3NT. On the previous hand, you had only promises 4-4 but keeps the bid- 1. Dealer West. Love All. 17 high card points and the advice was ding so low that responder’s rebid is ♠ A 7 6 ♠ 3 2 to stay low over the weak response. never a problem. ♥ A 7 6 N ♥ 9 8 4 However, here the advice is going to be Some rebids of 2NT and 3NT can ♦ A 3 2 W E ♦ K Q J to go for game. One of the reasons for S include a four-card major (as you can’t ♣ K Q 8 7 ♣ J 9 6 5 3 this is because your hand is stronger than reverse with 4-4) so responder must the one before – weaker in high cards, keep this in mind. but better in potential. West North East South 16 high-card points with a five-card 1♣ Pass 2♣ Pass suit, a strong holding in diamonds ♠ K 4 ? including a ten and all the honours ♥ A Q 8 6 working together: worth a ‘good’ 17. ♦ A J 5 3 Pass. With 17 high-card points it feels as Add to this evaluation the fact that ♣ Q 10 3 if there should be a chance for game, but a 1NT response to 1♣ promises club your shape is the worst you can possibly support, because responder should show hold – the dreaded 4-3-3-3. Another any four-card suit rather than bid 1NT, You Partner concern is the bareness of the hand – but with a better hand than a raise to 2♣. 1♦ 2♣ aces are great in suit contracts, but your So, with 5-8 responder bids 2♣ but with 2NT ? most likely game would be 3NT in which 8-10 he bids 1NT. bare aces are less appetising. Your hand Go for game expecting to make it As readers will know by now, half of has little merit beyond its high-card points most of the time. If you just bid 2NT, then my teaching is done with random and since I like to take a full point off with your partner might choose to pass with a hands followed by post mortems. This a 4-3-3-3 shape, I would be valuing it as sterile 4-3-3-3 nine-count. not only tests the players, it tests my a mediocre 16 points. system too. I find only a small propor- However, if your partner could have tion of bad results are due to ‘systemic as many as nine points then game might failures’, most are due to human er- still have a chance, but that is not the 3. Dealer West. Love All. ror. No system is perfect, but when I case because your partner always has ♠ 7 2 ♠ K 5 4 see a regular weakness in my system I two choices over 1♣ when he has club ♥ A K 4 2 N ♥ 6 5 change it and my four-card major ‘up support: he can choose 1NT or he can ♦ K Q 8 7 6 W E ♦ A J 5 4 3 S the line’ system has stood the test of choose 2♣. Generally, if he holds a ♣ 4 3 ♣ Q J 6 many years. stronger hand: a ‘good’ 8 to 10 points, I also use the ‘traditional’ no-trump then he responds 1NT. With the lesser rebids of 15-16, 17-18 and 19-20 points. hands, 5-8 points, he bids 2♣. Bearing West North East South I’m well aware of their theoretical all this in mind, pass is your best choice. 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass drawbacks, but amazingly at the table ? they usually work very well. A bid- ding system not only has to be sound, Pass. Your partner’s 3♦ response shows it needs to be easy to remember, for 2. Dealer West. Love All. four-card support and 10-12 points. it’s not your system that wins for you, ♠ 7 2 ♠ A Q 4 You have a little distribution, but only but how well you know it. A very basic ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ 8 7 2 12 high-card points so should have no system which is fully grasped will give ♦ A J 10 W E ♦ 8 6 4 ambitions for game. If partner holds the S better results than a complex system ♣ A Q 9 8 7 ♣ K 6 5 3 perfect hand, you might manage either which is only half digested. 3NT or 5♦, but more often than not, your If you would like a free PDF and/ limit will be 3♦. or Word copy of my lesson notes and West North East South Remember that you generally need quizzes on this topic, then please email 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass 28 combined points for a five-level [email protected] ■ ? contract. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 39 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 64: Bridging the Circle

umber 4, Green Street might Dave and Spouse were ready as soon as The discussion that followed was more sound like a run of the mill they had refreshed their glasses with about not reaching a slam rather than address. It is not. It was high more Well Water. This hand turned missing the grand. With a combined Nsummer and the sun was shining in out to be the last board of the third count of 29 HCP, slams in hearts, spades a clear blue sky. In the garden bees and final rubber and caused a certain or no-trumps were available. Dave’s buzzed and colourful butterflies amount of discussion afterwards. opening bid only guaranteed four fluttered around the sweet smelling spades. Spouse’s two hearts showed lavender. Sheep were grazing in at least five hearts and a minimum the field beyond, large stones stood Dealer North. Game All. of about 10 HCP. Dave clarified his sentinel beside them. Spouse and I were ♠ A Q 10 8 2 five-card suit with his two-spade bid. spending a leisurely week in Wiltshire, ♥ 8 5 Sally wondered if rather than Dave staying at a rented cottage built within ♦ A 7 bidding two spades, a natural, forcing the ancient stone circle at Avebury. ♣ A J 8 3 three club bid might have been more We were waiting for our friends Dave ♠ J 9 7 6 4 ♠ Void appropriate as game appeared certain. and Sally and, on their arrival, we all ♥ 9 6 2 N ♥ Q 10 4 She suggested the auction might have W E set off for a circular walk, first visiting ♦ 10 5 4 S ♦ Q J 9 6 3 gone something like: Windmill Hill before cutting through ♣ 10 9 ♣ K Q 7 5 4 to the Ridgeway taking us to the ♠ K 5 3 West North East South Sanctuary, West Kennet Long Barrow ♥ A K J 7 3 1♠ Pass 2♥ and Silbury Hill, the latter now sadly ♦ K 8 2 Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ fenced off to the general public in ♣ 6 2 Pass 4NT1 Pass 5♥2 the interest of conservation. The last Pass 6♠ All Pass stretch of footpath was busy, but it was 1RKCB 2Two of five aces without the ♠Q. great to see groups of young people As dealer in the North seat, Dave back-packing to achieve their Duke opened one spade. I passed, Spouse I thought the sequence rather of Edinburgh Awards. Dave observed bid two hearts and Sally passed. With optimistic. After all, on the initial dryly that traffic lights would be his 15-count but only a partial fit in lead of the club king, declarer needs useful to maximise pedestrian flow. hearts, Dave rebid his spade suit to favourable positions in the majors. If By an amazing coincidence, the walk show at least five cards. I again passed, the East and West hands happen to be finished at the Red Lion back in and with his 14 HCP, Spouse rather reversed, no slam contract seems very Avebury, a pub with the distinction of surprisingly bid three no-trumps attractive. In any case I wondered if an being the only one in the world inside a rather than four spades. auction starting with one spade, two stone circle. The two men were already hearts, two no trumps might be better. perusing the real ales on tap. So I was West North East South The men were now eager to pursue surprised to hear Spouse order two Sally Dave Wendy Spouse other interests and were dismayed that pints of Avebury Well Water. My fears 1♠ Pass 2♥ the Well Water barrel was empty. No were soon allayed; their pints were Pass 2♠ Pass 3NT problem, two pints of Green King IPA 3.9% abv. Well Water turned out to be All Pass seemed a satisfactory alternative and the local house bitter. were soon consumed without mishap. After dinner and with the manager’s Sally led the four of diamonds. Dave Sally and I sat by the window drinking permission, the four of us settled took the ace of diamonds and played coffee. Sheep were safely grazing in down for our version of rubber a small spade towards the king. When the long shadows of the giant stones bridge. We play four deals maximum I showed out, he was able to take the created by the golden rays of the and then score up as an unfinished marked finesses in spades and made setting sun as I pondered whether rubber if necessary. We then switch all thirteen tricks with five spades, five this was the first time that bridge had partnerships and start again. Dealing hearts on a finesse, two diamonds and been played within a prehistoric stone is allowed to be regulation or . one club, giving the men the rubber. circle. ■

Page 40 BRIDGE August 2017 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions on Laws and Ethics How Long Can Declarer Think For?

When declarer is enjoyment of the game. Every then it is announced as, a card that is hidden is facing a difficult time it affects another table, ‘May be two,’ or similar. not faced. Should this be Qchoice of card you give them a procedural This systemic approach is treated as a missing card? selection, is there a time limit penalty of 10% of a top getting more common. Ron, on how long he can take under Law 90B3. If they When a pair plays a 1♣ Alton Bridge Club. before playing the card? continue then you increase opening which shows normal Malcolm Finebaum by email. the procedural penalty to opening values and at least A is when 50% of a top every time. three cards, then it is not someone fails to There is no specific alertable or announceable. At A follow suit when limit. While you are ♣♦♥♠ the start of a round, players they can. This applies just A required to play are expected to find out their as much to dummy as any a number of boards in a When players opponents’ basic system. If other player. When a player certain time, many calls and play a five-card they are playing five-card , they can never gain plays are made quickly and Qmajor system, majors, then a three-card 1♣ from it: any apparent gains sometimes players stop to they will open 1♣ or 1♦ to opening bid is to be expected. are adjusted by the director. think for a considerable time. show a hand that denies a While Acol has developed There are also penalty If someone takes so much five-card major and where so that a majority of Acol tricks for revoking. time that the table is unable the hand is outside their players play a weak 1NT Sometimes these just restore to play a board, then his no-trump range. Playing and four-card minors, that equity, so the director does side will get average minus some systems (eg ‘better is not universal. Acol players not need to make any other and his opponents average minor’), the player will who vary their 1NT range adjustment, sometimes they plus for the board missed, always have three or more often have to open 1♣ or go further and punish a but this is very rare. Most cards in the suit, but this isn’t 1♦ on three cards when they player for revoking. This is boards are missed when guaranteed in other systems. have fewer than 15 points. to try to stop players from both sides take a long time. Am I correct in thinking Overall a three-card minor revoking, because it is very that there should always be is fairly common, so it does disruptive to the game. ♣♦♥♠ either an announcement or not constitute a potentially The saying, ‘Dummy an alert by those playing unexpected meaning. can’t revoke,’ which is Unfortunately, my five-card majors when they often heard, is not true. club has a pair who open one of a minor? For ♣♦♥♠ Dummy revokes whenever Qconsistently discuss example, announce when the he fails to follow suit when hands after they have played suit may be short (eg ‘May Dummy had he can. But there are no them, making it impossible be two,‘) and alert when the ♠9 hidden penalty tricks for a revoke for the other tables to bid the bid guarantees three Qbehind another by dummy, whether the card them fairly or to not find or more cards in the suit. suit. Only one spade is hidden or not. So, in the the killer lead. Which rule Roy Lambert, was showing. After two case you quote, there will can I quote to them when Orpington, Kent. rounds of spades, it was be no penalty tricks, but I visit their table please? noticed that the dummy if the revoke has gained Pearl Evans by email. When a pair plays had revoked. Can dummy then that will be adjusted. a 1♣ opening which revoke with a hidden card? A hidden card in dummy This is Law 74A2. A shows normal The law states that you can gain in other ways. Even They are interfering opening values, but may be cannot revoke with a card if there is no revoke, declarer A with other people’s on fewer than three cards that is faced, however, can gain from a

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 41 misdefence because the other. It is very reasonable Keith Rylands, description along the lines card cannot be seen. Again, that some of your opponents Kent School of Bridge, of, ‘We show our strongest the director will adjust so do not wish you to play illegal Headcorn, Ashford, Kent. suit, but it need not have four that this does not gain. arrangements, and you must cards,’ seems about right. Putting dummy down so not allow it when you direct. While the Yellow Your responses to a card is hidden is illegal. On the other hand, how book is an invaluable 2NT require an alert. you value your hand is your A guide to the vast ♣♦♥♠ business and if you want majority of simple things that ♣♦♥♠ to deduct a point for a occur, it does not and cannot I am about 4333 hand, that is perfectly cover every situation, and We have a friendly to play in a legal. If your opponents where this happens you have social bridge drive Qcompetition and do not allow for small to refer to the law book. Qone morning a we need convention cards. deviations of this nature, Law 17D covers this week, usually with eight Basically, we play a form of that is because of their lack situation and, in this case, tables. This week, on Benjaminised Acol but both of understanding of this. the board has gone too far the second round, LHO of us play with many other for it to be corrected, so opened 2♣. His regular partners. My partner usually ♣♦♥♠ you should cancel the result partner announced this plays five-card majors and and give E/W average plus as, ‘strong, 23+ points.‘ I play Acol with a minimum I had an interesting and N/S average minus. My partner, weak with of four cards in every suit call in our club six spades, overcalled 2♠. I open, this is noted on Qsession last night. ♣♦♥♠ RHO, with only three or our identical convention On board 5, dummy (West) four points, then bid 3♥ cards. We also have a note had just laid out her cards I opened the which LHO raised to 4♥. showing different styles following South’s opening bidding with 2NT Before the opening lead, and differentiate between lead. North called me over, Q(20-22 points). LHO announced that he good 11 counts and bad to explain that dummy LHO passed and my partner actually only had 18 HCP. 12 counts; likewise good showed a card he also had responded 3♥. I was asked RHO went one off for a top and bad 15 counts. in his hand (♦Q). I checked if the heart bid was natural for them, as the hand had There are always some first that the cards didn’t and replied that it was. previously been played who demand we both play have different colour backs, My partner’s hand was: in 3♣ by LHO, two off. the same way and say we but they were both blue. I After the hand, LHO are playing an illegal system. lifted the stack of boards and told his partner that he We are also told we cannot found board 5 at the bottom, ♠ x x x had opened 2♣ with the deduct a point for a 4-3-3-3 with North’s hand still in ♥ Q J x intention of rebidding his distribution or bid 1NT with it. Colin (who frequently ♦ x x x clubs on the next round. say ♠K-Q ♥6-4-3-2 ♦A-Q-3 amuses us with his ♣ x x x x RHO told him that he should ♣K-J-3-2 counting the K-Q eccentricities) had managed have opened 1♣ according as four points. Experts agreed to extract his hand from to their agreement. we were OK. I feel we do board 6 instead of board 5, We were told in no Was this just one of those nothing wrong, but I stand presumably by moving the uncertain terms that for the situations where ‘we have to be corrected and would latter board to the bottom response to be natural, it a right to know their system appreciate your advice. of the stack prematurely. must contain four cards. but they have a right to When I direct, I would I told him to put his My partner was showing deviate from it‘? I have no allow this especially hand back into board 6, her best suit (in her opinion) problem with that principle where convention cards take the correct hand from and felt she had to bid as when they transfer with just are not common. board 5 and continue with we could, and did, have four hearts, for example. Geoff Tremlett, South Wales. the board as normal. East 25 points. If the opposition But after all that has been made 4♠+1, which was the were correct, should my written recently, I had the In Wales, as in most par score. Should I have reply be, ‘Best suit but not impression that pairs had other countries, you taken any other action? The promising four cards.‘ to announce their two bids A and your partner Yellow Book didn’t seem to Name and address supplied. accurately. After all, when are required to play the cover that exact situation, my partner opens a weak same basic system, and and it didn’t appear to The word natural two or a strong 2♣, I can tell your current agreements are me to be a fouled board, means bidding a suit them exactly what it means. therefore illegal. You must as play hadn’t properly A based on its length Had she not thought that agree on four-card majors, commenced, and N/S did rather than its strength, so the opener held 23+ points, or on five-card majors, but not bid during the auction. If if you are going to respond my partner probably would must not have one player they had, would the board by showing strength, you not have bid. RHO would playing one and one the then have been fouled? must not call it natural. Some then have bid 2♦ and they

Page 42 BRIDGE August 2017 would have ended in 3♣. that an agreement for a Or was it perhaps a 2♣ opening to show either Answers to psyche? Though that an Acol 2♣ or an Acol two hardly seems to fit in with in clubs is perfectly legal. Bernard Magee’s a friendly morning drive In this case, it seems to and with a player who does me that either they had Bidding Quizzes 4-6 on not agree with systems such an agreement and aimed to stop other people you were misinformed or the Cover and page 7 reaching their contracts. they did not, but opener Andrew Peel by email. decided to do it anyway. The former is illegal should be looking to compete From your descrip- but the latter is legal. The 4. Dealer West. Love All. for the partscore – a 3♣ bid tion it is not obvious players did not agree on ♠ J 7 6 ♠ 10 9 2 here simply suggests a five- what happened. If their system so I cannot tell ♥ A K 6 N ♥ 8 7 card holding, rather than any A W E the 2♣ bid was intended as which was their agreement. I ♦ J 4 3 S ♦ K Q 6 2 particular strength. Your part- an Acol 2♣ then it should am less convinced than you ♣ A K J 7 ♣ Q 9 5 4 ner should not think you are be alerted not announced. that the result would be any inviting to game, he should However, an Acol 2♣ does different though: if responder recognise it as a competitive not show 23+, even though believed that 2♣ showed West North East South bid: either to make or to go a lot of players describe it as an Acol 2♣ then they would 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ Pass one off and lose fewer points that. It shows 23+ balanced not have passed a 3♣ rebid, ? than they would make for if you rebid no-trumps, or completely forcing after an their partscore. a very strong unbalanced Acol 2♣, and the result would Pass. With the overcall, re- hand with game values, or be the same, so I do not sponder does not have the pretty near, if they rebid believe you were damaged choice of 2♣ or 1NT to show 6. Dealer West. Love All. a suit. Nevertheless, a lot by any misexplanation. club support, so 2♣ shows ♠ 6 ♠ 7 4 3 N of players play that (or a There was no intent to the usual range of points, al- ♥ A 9 6 W E ♥ 8 7 S Benjamin 2♦) and describe it deceive here, so there was no though sometimes you might ♦ A K 10 4 3 ♦ Q J 6 2 as 23+ either in answer to a psyche. Players make a lot of stretch with five points. With ♣ A J 6 2 ♣ K Q 5 4 question or on their system bad bids through ignorance 17 HCP, you might feel game card. Is this acceptable? Not of system or otherwise and is within reach, but the ♠J is of really, but it is done through they sometimes get good dubious worth and your 4333 West North East South ignorance not malice and it results: that is part of playing shape is the worst there is. 1♦ 1♠ 2♦ 2♠ is very unlikely that anyone bridge. Deviating from Even if you give your partner ? would be damaged by it. the system in some way, nine points, you will need a Over the last few years, probably happens at least spade stopper and a diamond 3♣. On the last hand, you players have acquired a fear a hundred times a night in stopper. When it requires part- would have seen that a ba- of opening at the one-level a club, but most deviations ner to hold a perfect hand to sic raise of the minor shows when holding a very long are ignored by everyone. give any chance of game, you no extra strength, only ex- suit, which has been the Finally, you refer to should settle for a partscore. tra length. This means that if cause of a lot of problems, pairs having to announce you have a genuine hand you often leading to queries in their two bids accurately. need to bid something else. my column. If playing Acol Players are required to 5. Dealer West. Love All. Here, you hold 16 HCP and twos, they often open them describe their system ♠ 8 7 ♠ 5 4 3 a singleton in the opponents’ even with highly unsuitable accurately in all situations, ♥ A K 6 5 N ♥ 8 7 suit, which gives you the po- W E hands, but what happens two bids or otherwise, via ♦ 4 3 S ♦ K J 6 2 tential for greater things. when they hold clubs? So announcements, alerts, ♣ A K 8 7 6 ♣ Q 9 5 4 Rather than simply bidding some people agree to open system cards and in answer 3♦, why not bid 3♣ to show 2♣ with a hand that would be to questions, but it is true your second suit and show a opened with an Acol two if it that through ignorance and West North East South little extra strength? was not clubs. But commonly, because of history, some 1♣ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ Your partner holds sup- they have no agreement bids get better described ? port for both minors and can what to do if they hold clubs, than others and opening imagine that his hand fits then they improvise when two bids are often not 3♣. Your partner has shown neatly with yours – expect- such a hand turns up. Note explained well. ■ a weak hand and you have ing a spade shortage in your just 14 high-card points, so hand. The two hands make a there is no chance for game. straightforward 11 tricks, just E-mail your questions (including your postal address) on bridge laws to: [email protected] However, that does not mean losing one spade and one you cannot make a bid – you heart. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 43 Grand Slam Opened at the Seven-Level Part One by Shireen Mohandes

he entire stack of bidding cards On such a deal, it is better to try and weighs 72g. Reaching into the Dealer East. Love All. find out what partner’s shape is, rather , grabbing them ♠ 6 than open at the seven-level. On this Tall, and neatly placing them in front of ♥ 10 9 2 layout, the contract of 7♠ is better than yourself is a rare occurrence for many ♦ 10 8 7 4 3 2 7NT, because if the clubs don’t break, players, and indeed very satisfying. A ♣ J 9 2 or partner doesn’t have the ♣J, there’s slap or noisy drop is not good etiquette. ♠ J 8 7 ♠ A K Q 10 9 always a chance you can ruff one in I must start out by saying that at ♥ 8 7 6 N ♥ A K Q dummy. On another layout, opposite ♦ Q J 9 5 W E ♦ A rubber bridge wild distributions are S short spades and club length, it would more common after a Goulash deal. ♣ 8 6 3 ♣ A K Q 5 be better to play in 7♣, in case the That’s for another article. ♠ 5 4 3 2 spades need to be established. In November 2005, this hand was ♥ J 5 4 3 The recommended auction is: played at the USA Nationals: ♦ K 6 ♣ 10 7 4 West East 2♣1 Pairs. Dealer West. N/S Vul. 2♦2 2♠3 ♠ 9 6 5 3 In the under 21 event, in five out of nine 2NT4 3♣ ♥ 9 5 3 matches, the board was flat, with both 3♠5 4♦6 ♦ Void sides bidding and making a grand. 4♠7 7♠ ♣ A J 9 8 7 2 Rather surprisingly for juniors, who 1Acol 2Negative ♠ K J 8 4 2 ♠ A Q 10 7 are enthusiastic bidders, the grand 3Now a game ♥ 6 N ♥ 8 7 slam was not reached at three tables, 4More negative ♦ Q 9 7 2 W E ♦ 10 6 5 5Either preference, or a hand with spade S and one was defeated (very strange). ♣ 10 4 3 ♣ K Q 6 5 Are you tempted to open 7NT or 7♠? support too strong in context for 4♠ ♠ Void Some of the juniors did exactly that. 6Cue bid 7Sign-off ♥ A K Q J 10 4 2 ♦ A K J 8 4 3 ♣ Void Goulash Also known as a ‘gouli’, is a rubber bridge adjunct, for want of a better word. In some circles, if a deal is passed out the cards are stacked with the individual When the auction began with three hands still sorted, cut a couple of times, then dealt in batches of cards, for passes, some of the South players example, four at a time. This results in wild distributions. Interestingly, goulis are opened 7♥. The board was played 195 popular in London’s high-stake rubber bridge games. times. 73 times the grand was bid Knowing that this may happen may affect a player’s strategy: at some and made. What is quite surprising is vulnerabilities, they may consider opening light in fourth position to prevent the that there were 14 different results on impending gouli. the traveller. This is almost certainly ♣♦♥♠ because West or East opened the The Hungarian dish goulash is a ninth century casserole eaten by Hungarian bidding, which meant that they were shepherds. The cooked and flavoured meat was dried with the help of the sun able to find a well-judged . and packed into bags produced from sheep’s stomachs, needing only water to 7♠ doubled is five off, so only 1,100, make it into a meal. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of against 2,210. the country. The next featured deal is from Wikipedia the 24th European Youth Teams Championships, in 2013.

Page 44 BRIDGE August 2017 In this auction, East can infer that West has at least as many spades as Answers to Bernard Magee’s clubs. Had West bid 3NT instead of 3♠, then it would be a difficult decision Bidding Quizzes 7-9 for East. He could be facing a hand like this: on the Cover and page 7

♠ 5 4 and you should be getting a picture of ♥ J 10 5 4 N 7. Dealer East. Game All. his hand. You expect him to have a 5-6 W E ♦ 9 8 4 3 2 S ♠ J 7 6 5 4 ♠ 8 shape in the minors and in the light of ♣ 7 4 ♥ 10 8 3 2 N ♥ J this, your hand looks rather good, with ♦ 4 2 W E ♦ K Q J 8 6 5 two aces to cover his two cards in the S ♣ K 5 ♣ A Q 7 6 4 major suits and a singleton diamond But I think that most players adore that might allow you to ruff his second bidding grand slams and would have suit. Show support for his clubs: 4♣ and bid it on this deal. West North East South expect to finish in 5♣ or 6♣. 1♦ 1♥ Neither member of your partnership Pass 2♥ 3♣ Pass should be keen to play in the minors, so Scotsman Nigel Guthrie, who lived ? when one of you mentions the minors a in bush country (High Wycombe lot, he is saying that he has an extreme and Reading) for half of his life and 3♦. With both sides vulnerable and type of hand which he wants partner to has now retired to Glasgow, reported, having seen you pass, your partner is take seriously. ‘About 40 years ago, in a charity brave to bid a new suit at the three level. game with pre-dealt hands, my He is showing a very distributional hand partner bid 7♠, with his 13 spades. and wants you to give your opinion – by 9. Dealer East. Love All. His LHO held three aces and showing preference between his two suits, ♠ 7 3 2 ♠ 6 doubled. My partner naively tending to favour the first bid suit. It might ♥ A K 3 2 N ♥ 8 7 6 redoubled for a good score. seem reasonable to pass 3♣, but most of ♦ K 6 3 W E ♦ A Q 8 7 2 S ♣ ♣ The point of the board was that the time East will have at most five clubs 6 5 2 A K 7 4 LHO should have sussed the whilst he might well have six diamonds. situation and sacrificed in 7NT Bearing this in mind you should return ♦ ♦ (which was a lucky make as the to 3 . 3 is likely to make comfortably, West North East South ♣ ♦ ♠ cards lay).’ whilst 3 will be a real struggle, because 1 1 East will lose trump control when he has Dbl 2♠ Dbl Pass to keep ruffing. ? Not all Grand Slam gambles turn out well. But if you judge that at teams, the 3♦. Your partner opened 1♦ and South other table will take the same action, 8. Dealer East. Love All. overcalled 1♠. You chose to make a then that’s a serious consideration. ♠ A 9 8 3 2 ♠ 6 , which promises four American Peg Kaplan, from Minne- ♥ A 8 4 3 N ♥ 2 or more cards in the unbid major. You tonka, Minnesota, reported, ‘I played ♦ 2 W E ♦ A K 5 4 3 did not want to bid 2♥ because this S in a Swiss with hand-dealt deals. At ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ A Q J 7 3 2 would have suggested a five-card suit. both tables, holding: North bids 2♠ and now your partner makes another double. What does West North East South your partner’s double mean? It is for ♠ A K Q 1♣ Pass take-out: asking you to choose the best ♥ A K Q 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass denomination for the partnership, but ♦ A K Q 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass bear in mind the information you have ♣ A K Q x ? already given your partner. He knows you have four hearts and if he had four 4♣. What is your partner doing? Your hearts too, he could have bid 3♥, so do 7NT was the opening bid. This first thought might be to suspect that he not expect four-card heart support. contract failed when partner had meant to open 1♦, but you have to trust Knowing that you should not bid 3♥ neither the ♣J nor club length. As it your partner and, here, you should expect leaves you with little option but to show turns out, a grand could be made in his clubs to be longer than his diamonds your support for your partner’s first suit: two suits where partner had length.’ because he chose to open the lower suit 3♦. His double suggests shortage in The odds of this specific hand are: first. Add to this the fact that he has bid spades, so he is very likely to have five approximately 1 in 79 billion. ■ diamonds twice, showing five diamonds, diamonds. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 45 BERNARD Sally Brock Looks at Your Slam Bidding MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD Sally’s DECLARER PLAY Slam Clinic

MAC or Where did we to be sure all suits are cov- West North East South Windows go wrong? ered). Generally in this type 2♣ of situation, the useful void Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ John Dearing, of Lytham St would be assumed to be in Pass 3♣ Pass 4♠ Annes, sent in this deal that the opponent’s suit, here di- Pass 6♣ Pass 6♠ cropped up when he was amonds. In this case, a jump Pass 7♠ All Pass playing with his mother. to the six level in whatever suit would have been the South’s 2♣ opening showed normal response to RKCB eight or nine playing tricks ♠ A K Q 7 3 2 is what is needed, here 6♥. in a major, or nine tricks in Bernard develops ♥ K 10 2 I think it would be reasona- a minor. your declarer play ♦ 4 ble, in light of South’s jump North’s 2♦ asked for technique in the ♣ Q J 10 to 4♥, for North to assume the suit and South’s 2♠ course of ten ♠ J 9 8 4 ♠ 6 a seventh heart in the South was natural. 3♣ showed introductory ♥ Q 4 N ♥ 6 hand – if worse comes to 8+ points with a good exercises and 120 W E ♦ Q 5 3 2 ♦ A K J 10 worse, then a trump finesse suit. South’s 4♠ showed a complete deals. S 9 8 7 6 of the queen might be need- self-sufficient suit, as did l Suit Establishment ♣ 7 5 3 ♣ 9 8 2 ed. Therefore North would North’s 6♣. Then South’s in No-trumps ♠ 10 5 raise 6♥ to 7♥. 6♠ was intended to mean, ♥ A J 9 8 7 5 3 and interpreted as, a try for l Suit Establishment ♦ Void ♣♦♥♠ a grand slam which North in Suits ♣ A K 6 4 was happy to accept because l Hold-ups £76 Slam of of his ace of hearts. l Ruffing for the month I was asked to comment Extra Tricks West North East South on the sequence. Although 3♦ 4♥ This month’s winner is Clive the bidding as given got to l Entries in Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Nussey of Sheffield, with an the right spot, I thought it No-trumps Pass 6♥ All Pass exciting grand slam. would have been better for l Delaying South to jump to 3♠ over 2♦ Drawing Trumps John commented that they to show the solid suit. l Using the Lead had no agreement about ♠ 3 The way it went, I think how to show a void in re- ♥ A Q J the South hand could have l Trump Control sponse to Roman Keycard ♦ 10 2 been a trick weaker, and l Endplays & Blackwood and wondered ♣ K Q J 10 7 6 5 sometimes 4♠ might have Avoidance if I could suggest how to bid ended the auction with slam N l Using the Bidding the grand slam. There is no W E on. point having a response to S Anyway, it’s always good RKCB to show a useful void ♠ A K Q J 7 5 4 to bid a grand slam, espe- Mr Bridge, Ryden unless it specifies where ♥ 10 cially without the help of Grange, Knaphill, the void is (otherwise all ♦ A 5 3 any sort of ace-asking con- Surrey GU21 2TH the aces would be needed ♣ A 4 vention. So, well done to ( 01483 489961 as well as the void in order Clive and his partner. ■ www.mrbridge.co.uk/ mrbridge-shop Send your slam hands to [email protected]

Page 46 BRIDGE August 2017 Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD MAGEE’S Bidding Quizzes 10-12 INTERACTIVE on the Cover and page 7 TUTORIAL CD DEFENCE 2NT. With just four HCP, you 10. Dealer North. Love All. 11. Dealer West. N/S Game. pass on the first round and ♠ A 5 4 ♠ K 9 7 2 ♠ 9 8 3 ♠ J 7 then when 2♠ comes back ♥ A 6 3 2 N ♥ 8 ♥ A N ♥ 9 8 7 6 2 round to you, it is tempting to W E W E ♦ 7 6 S ♦ A K 8 2 ♦ K Q J 2 S ♦ 6 5 pass again. However, playing ♣ 9 8 6 5 ♣ A 7 4 3 ♣ A K 8 7 6 ♣ J 4 3 2 duplicate pairs, it is so impor- tant to compete as much as MAC or possible: if your opponents Windows West North East South West North East South have a fit at the two-level, it is 2♥1 Dbl Pass 1♣ 1♥ Pass Pass your job to look for a fit at the ? Dbl Pass 2♣ Pass three level if you have a suita- 1Weak two ? ble hand. Most of the time you will have a fit, it can simply be 3♣. This looks a little strange Pass. You opened 1♣, but a question of finding it. to be included in the topic your partner passed when In an auction like this when Bernard develops and, in fact, if you remind North overcalled. However, you cannot possibly have the your defence in the yourself of the topic, you will when the auction came back strength to bid no-trumps, it course of ten get the right answer. ‘Bidding to you, you reopened with can be useful to bid no-trumps introductory minors’ would suggest that a take-out double and your to suggest holdings in the mi- exercises and 120 you bid 3♣. partner simply returned you to nor suits. 2NT cannot be nat- complete deals. The reason it is included your first suit. Your partner is ural because you passed on l Lead vs is because I am always sur- likely to be very weak: with 4-6 the first round: what you are No-trump prised by the number of play- points and genuine club sup- saying to your partner is that Contracts ers who think it might be right port, he may well have tried you are weak, but with length to bid 2♠ on this type of hand. to compete to 2♣ on the first in both minors: you think the l Lead vs Your partner has made a round. Most of the time he will partnership should play in 3♣ Suit Contracts take-out double and wants have just 0-3 points and you or 3♦. Your partner chooses l Partner of Leader you to choose your longest will have no reason to bid on. his preferred minor: 3♣. vs No-trump suit, so that the partnership Furthermore, since South did A take-out double might be Contracts finds its best fit. With four not support hearts, it would another option available, but l Partner of Leader clubs you bid 3♣ and you fin- not be a surprise that your too often your partner will re- vs Suit Contracts ish in a sensible contract. partner has heart length. vert to 3♥ and that does not It is true that sometimes You should have no aspira- suit your hand. No-trump l Count with a stronger hand with tions to game and simply pass bids like these resemble the Signals five cards in a minor and 2♣. You are likely to make 3♣ Unusual 2NT convention: us- l Attitude £76 four cards in a major that but you will be much more ing no-trump bids to suggest Signals you might favour the major comfortable playing 2♣ and length in both minors. l Discarding suit, because that contract making an overtrick. As it happens, 3♣ is an easy scores more points and the make, but even going one off l Defensive Plan game requires fewer tricks. will be a good score, because l Stopping Declarer However, that is comparing 12. Dealer East. Love All. the opponents were just about l Counting two long suits, as opposed ♠ 4 ♠ 9 8 7 to make 110 for 2♠. Quite of- the Hand to a three-card option and a ♥ 7 6 N ♥ A K Q J ten, the result of competing W E four-card option. Try not to ♦ J 5 4 3 2 S ♦ 8 6 a little more will be to force second guess your partner by ♣ K 8 7 6 5 ♣ A J 4 2 them one level higher: to 3♠. Mr Bridge, Ryden bidding spades, just because They might well make 3♠, Grange, Knaphill, that is the suit he is most likely but at least you will make Surrey GU21 2TH to hold. Generally, when you West North East South your opponents fight for their ( 01483 489961 make a take-out double, all 1♥ 1♠ partscore, rather than make www.mrbridge.co.uk/ you want your partner to do is Pass 2♠ Pass Pass an easy score at the two mrbridge-shop choose his best suit. ? level. ■

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 47 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Tuesday off at St Barnabas Church’, ‘Cross the aggressively in the slam zone). Notice road and there you are.’ the 5♠ response to Roman Key Card Yesterday, I went to meet Briony for In the evening, I have an online Blackwood. I discussed this in one of supper in Berkhamsted. My nearest session with one of my Irish pairs and my articles recently: because South tube is Kensington Olympia – which then an early night. knows that there is ten-card trump fit is not that good a station as it is a bit of he shows the ♠Q. Anyway, the poor a spur and doesn’t really go anywhere slam is reached. – except it is excellent for going up Wednesday towards Milton Keynes. It was a Today is my regular game at the Acol direct line to Berko and took only 40 with Allie. That’s a good journey Dealer South. Game All. minutes. On the way back, I stopped now – half an hour direct service ♠ K Q 8 5 off at Barry’s and stayed over. He was a from Kensington Olympia to West ♥ A Q 9 3 bit down, as his client’s trial had ended Hampstead. It’s fun, as usual, and we ♦ 7 with a ‘guilty’ verdict. end up in a respectable position with ♣ K 7 5 4 Off to Chippenham in the morning 57% or so. After stopping off for a ♠ 6 4 ♠ 9 to meet my father for lunch. Things haircut, I get the train home. Soon ♥ J 10 6 N ♥ K 7 5 4 2 ♦ J 10 9 8 4 2 W E ♦ Q 6 5 3 are not going well for him. He was after, Nicola comes round for a snacky S supposed to have had the final op on his supper. I then drive her (picking ♣ Q 3 ♣ A 9 6 kidney stones on Saturday, but it was up Barry on the way) to Richmond ♠ A J 10 7 3 2 cancelled as the machine had broken. Bridge Club where we have a 32-board ♥ 8 No suggested reschedule. I ring the Crockfords match against Julian ♦ A K private surgeon he saw originally and Mitchell’s Brighton team. Marietta ♣ J 10 8 2 before I get home there is a phone call (who runs Richmond Bridge Club) saying that the machine is now fixed is anxious that we don’t overrun and he will make sure my father is a too much as the drive there usually West North East South priority case. He has struggled with finishes at 11, and she doesn’t want the 1♠ kidney stones ever since my mother tournament director to have to stay too Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ died in January. I feel that he would late. We addressed this problem when Pass 4NT Pass 5♠ bounce back from his bereavement we arranged the match, and I said that Pass 6♠ All Pass if only he didn’t feel so poorly all the four hours would normally be enough, time – no appetite, so no energy, etc. but I couldn’t make any guarantees. West leads a trump and declarer I’m finding it quite exciting to However, a couple of weeks ago she draws two rounds before running the use public transport in London. emailed me, rather worried because ♣J. East wins the ace, and returns a Whenever I want to go somewhere (in (who is a notoriously diamond. Declarer now has to decide this case home from Paddington), I slow player) had played a match there whether to play the ♣K hoping to drop put the location into my phone and it and hadn’t finished until after midnight. the queen, or else run the ♣10 hoping tells me how best to do it. It seems as if I am pleased to report that we finish by to East’s nine. Maybe he should it’s never the same way twice – partly 11pm. We struggle a bit, but eventually play some red suits first to try to get a because it takes traffic and timing into win by 15 IMPs, though it would have count of the hand, but without doing consideration and partly because of all gone the other way if their declarer had that he knows that West started with the one-way systems. It’s a bit like a managed to make this slam (see next two spades to East’s one. Maybe that treasure hunt. ‘Walk to Hammersmith column). Cover up the East and West should persuade him to get it right – ie & City line underground’, ‘Get on train hands before reading on. to play West for the shorter clubs – but bound for Hammersmith’, ‘Get off at North’s 4♦ is a , and after luckily for us he doesn’t. Wood Lane’, ‘Walk 100 yards to White South’s 4♥ cue-bid, he uses Roman Our teammates have a slight City bus station’, ‘Go to stop WL and Keycard Blackwood (slightly pushy – misunderstanding about the strength get on C1 bus bound for Victoria’, ‘Get but no doubt they have agreed to bid of North’s splinter bid and so don’t

Page 48 BRIDGE August 2017 even look for a slam. in a taxi to try to find the apartment making 3NT on this deal: Afterwards, I drop everyone off and I have rented – rather harder than eventually get home myself (again the I imagined. How I am going to tell wonders of my phone’s navigation Barry how to find it I have no idea. Still Dealer West. N/S Vul. system). the apartment is very nice, though a ♠ A 10 5 bit out of the way. After we have been ♥ J 7 5 shown around we walk down to the ♦ K J 10 7 3 2 Thursday town (about 15 minutes downhill) ♣ J As I mentioned earlier, my sofa had to and join friends for a meal. The walk ♠ Q 8 7 6 ♠ K 4 2 be put down. So last week I went to Ikea uphill to get back is rather daunting, ♥ 10 9 2 N ♥ A 8 4 3 ♦ 9 W E ♦ 5 and chose two smaller sofas to replace so we get a cab, and stay up talking for S it, and they were delivered on Monday. a while before settling down for our ♣ A K 7 5 2 ♣ 10 9 8 4 3 Toby helped me assemble them and first night. ♠ J 9 3 that went without a hitch, but it did ♥ K Q 6 generate a great deal of cardboard. ♦ A Q 8 6 4 I have two waste collections a week Saturday ♣ Q 6 (Monday and Thursday) of both Up early and out to our little corner general rubbish (in black bags) and shop – infinitely superior to a similar recyclable stuff (in special recycling shop in England: a proper deli counter After three passes, South opens a bags). I am a bit worried about this with delicious-looking ham and strong no-trump and North raises huge pile of cardboard, and get up at cheese, inexpensive Italian wine, directly to 3NT. West leads a low seven o’clock (as instructed) and put it most things we need (except instant club and the singleton ♣J wins in the outside. I have visions of them refusing coffee). Then I amble down the road dummy. On the run of the diamonds, to take it and me having to lug the to have breakfast with Nick and have the defenders mess up their discarding huge pile of perhaps sodden (with the a last-minute talk about system. We and end up blocking the clubs, so she rain we have been having) cardboard are driven to the venue, a temporary makes nine tricks. back inside to await my return from village about five miles out of town. The Her story is capped by her Turkish Italy (where I am going tomorrow – playing conditions are surprisingly friend, Tezcan. He gets a club lead and but more of that later). good: airy, and well air-conditioned. the ♣J wins in the dummy. He then I spend the morning ironing, However, the catering arrangements plays a heart. East goes in with the ♥A, packing, doing odd bits of work, and are chaotic, and there aren’t enough continues with the ♣10 and Tezcan’s trying to make sure I have everything toilets. Our teammates play the first ♣Q holds. You wouldn’t think it I need for my trip. In the afternoon, I match and get off to a terrific start so possible for top-class players to make have an online practice session with we win the first match by 59 IMPs. quite such a hash of things! Debbie with whom I am playing in the The next match is a nightmare and we We have a glass or two and then taxi women’s events in Italy. lose by more than we won the first … off in our separate directions. and it was on BBO. The third match is not quite as bad, but we still lose quite Friday heavily. Time for us to sit out again. Sunday Off early to Luton Airport – an easy For a while, it looks as if we might We sit out the first set, so it is quite place to reach from my new home be making a comeback as the first pair leisurely in the morning. I saunter – and meet up with various friends out claim to have a really good card. down to Nick’s hotel and the driver there. On the flight, I am surrounded I’m not quite sure the exact truth of takes us to the venue. Teammates do by young people going to Siena for a it, but when combined with the other exceptionally well in the first match wedding (there will be 14 bridesmaids). pair it adds up to a loss by 1 IMP. Then and we win 20-0 with plenty to spare. It is only halfway through the flight it’s back in again for us and again In the second match, we have a pretty that they realise they are all going to nothing very exciting happens but we good card, for a change, and win that the same wedding. Happy amazement do win by 4 IMPs. We are 4 VPs or so comfortably too. So now we are up to and introductions. below average, but nothing a really 21st (need to be in the top 16), only a When we arrive Tosh, Simon, Jakob good day tomorrow won’t solve. couple of points off the chase. The next (a Danish tournament director) and I We go out for what should have match is against an Italian team that set off – happily confident that Simon’s been an excellent team meal at the contains Lorenzo Lauria, one of the fluent Italian will get us to Montecatini best place in town, but it turns out great senior Italian players. We are directly. However, a shuttle bus to the to be indifferent – the best is the doing fine until the last two boards. station sees us on a train bound for steak tartare, probably because it was They bid a fair slam against us and Florence! Never mind, the company the one thing that didn’t have to be need to bring in a club suit of Q-7-2 is good and we don’t have to wait too cooked. Then I go in search of Karen, facing A-10-8-5-4 for one loser. I long when we get there for a train and find her with her Turkish friends. have no idea what the best line is, but back to Montecatini. Tosh and I go off She is pleased with herself for unfortunately partner leads a

BRIDGE August 2017 Page 49 club from K-9-6, solving all declarer’s 2♦, showing an unspecified six-card problems. Then we have a slight major. Again North bids 2NT to show BERNARD bidding misunderstanding and bid clubs and South bids 3♣. The problem MAGEE’S a slam with two aces missing, which now is that West’s major is unknown, they cash. So we lose by 9 IMPs. Still, so it seems more normal for North to TUTORIAL CDS two good wins should be OK. We are bid 3♠ showing a stopper there. South benched for the penultimate match so rebids 3NT and there the matter rests. I watch the top tables on BBO while This is worse than just a missed slam ADVANCED keeping an eye on our running score. because after a spade lead, with clubs DECLARER PLAY The penultimate match results in a 3-0, dummy’s clubs cannot be reached, l Overtricks in No-trumps narrow win leaving us needing 16 or 17 and 3NT goes down. l Overtricks in Suit Contracts VPs in the final match. Around about There are bits and bobs in both l Endplays now, Barry arrives, having found the directions and we lose the match l Avoidance Montecatini train more easily than we narrowly, certainly not enough for l Wrong Contract £81 did. us, but not enough for our opponents l Simple Squeezes In the final round, we draw Badger, either. l Counting the Hand home from home: Frances Hinden, The biggest disappointment, though, l Trump Reductions & Coups Graham Osborne, Jeffrey Allerton is my friend Karen’s decline. I had l Playing Doubled Contracts and Paula Leslie. The first board is a arranged for her to play with Tosh, l Safety Plays disaster: and an excellent Austrian pair – Jovi and Sascha. I was sure they would do really well, and indeed they were. Last ADVANCED Dealer South. Love All. I saw they were lying third or fourth ACOL BIDDING ♠ A Q 8 4 in a comfortable qualifying position. l Basics ♥ 3 However, disaster strikes and they l Advanced Basics ♦ 9 drop to 20th, four places short. l Weak Twos £96 ♣ K J 10 9 7 4 3 In the evening, we all go to Lucca, l Strong Hands ♠ J 10 7 5 3 2 ♠ 9 6 a beautiful Tuscan town nearby, for l Defence to Weak Twos ♥ K 6 4 N ♥ Q 9 8 5 2 dinner. Sitting outside, with wonderful l Defence to 1NT ♦ K J 10 8 W E ♦ 5 4 2 S food in the balmy evening, perfect. l Doubles ♣ Void ♣ A 6 5 l Two-suited Overcalls ♠ K Monday l Defences to Other Systems ♥ A J 10 7 l Misfits and ♦ A Q 7 6 3 Today is my birthday. It is lovely being Distributional Hands ♣ Q 8 2 on Facebook as so many people send you Happy Birthday greetings. We get FIVE-CARD MAJORS up slowly, amble along to the local tiny West North East South shop, buy some stuff for breakfast, and & Strong No-Trump 1NT amble back. Breakfast in the sunshine. l Opening Bids & Responses 2♠ 2NT Pass 3♣ Then lunch in the sunshine. At around l No-Trump Openings Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ two o’clock, I walk down to get a lift to l Support for Partner Pass 4♠ Pass 6♣ the venue. It is a one-day BAM event l Slams & Strong Openings All Pass – point-a-board. They play the first l Rebids two sets without me and are a little l Minors & Misfits Against us, South opens a strong no- above average. Then I play a couple l Pre-empting £89 trump, despite having a singleton of sets with Tommy Charleson. It is l Doubles spade. The alternative would be to a complete delight. We do pretty well l Overcalls open 1♦ and then reverse into 2♥ and have a really nice time. l Competitive Auctions facing a 1♠ response – something of Then I am allowed to sit out the final an overbid. Because they are playing a set and go into town to organise my ALSO strong no-trump, a 1NT rebid would party – which I am co-hosting with be weak. West’s 2♠ shows five spades Karen, whose birthday was on Friday. l Acol Bidding (see p26) with a four-card or longer minor and We have a table for 18 or so, and I have l Declarer Play (see p46) North’s 2NT shows clubs. Then ♦4 organised for them to just bring food l Defence (see p47) shows shortage and a couple of cue- and wine. We start with huge platters bids see the excellent slam reached. of cold meat, cheese, etc. Then plates In the other room, 1NT is also of mixed fried fish and finally pizza. It ( 01483 489961 the chosen opening bid. However, is a really fun evening and great to be www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop this time West chooses to overcall surrounded by so many friends. ■

Page 50 BRIDGE August 2017 Cruise with in Summer 2018

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT JUST 10% Pompeii

YOUR ITINERARY CLASSICAL ITALY & Fly to VENICE Italy MAY 18 O Transfer to Aegean Odyssey THE ADRIATIC MAY 19 VENICE Italy MAY 20 URBINO Italy (from Ancona) VENICE TO ROME 13 DAYS from £2,295pp May 18, 2018 MAY 21 SPLIT Croatia Sail from the canals of Venice to the “Eternal City” of Rome, two of the greatest destinations MAY 22 DUBROVNIK Croatia in the world. See the Renaissance treasures of Urbino, birthplace of Raphael. Explore the MAY 23 LECCE Italy (from Brindisi) Roman history of Split, where the Palace of Diocletian occupies half the city. Walk the walls of CORFU Greek Islands MAY 24 Dubrovnik and discover ancient Lecce at the heel of Italy’s boot. SARANDE Albania Butrint in Albania is a rich repository of the past, as is the Graeco-Roman theatre at Taormina. MAY 25 AT SEA Cruise through the Strait of Messina to Salerno on the Amalfi Coast, where legend has it MAY 26 TAORMINA Sicily that Paestum was founded by Jason of Argonauts fame, before arriving at the most famous SALERNO Italy MAY 27 archaeological sites in history, Pompeii or nearby Herculaneum. SORRENTO Italy O MAY 28 SORRENTO Italy O VENICE VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS MAY 29 SORRENTO Italy • Overnight in Venice ROME Italy Disembark Aegean Odyssey in Urbino Split MAY 30 • See the Renaissance treasures Civitavecchia and transfer to CROATIA Rome Airport ITALY of Urbino Dubrovnik AEG180518BR • Cruise the Dalmatian coast ROME Key to symbols Lecce • See volcanic Mount Etna in Sicily O Overnight stay in port Ship at anchor and Stromboli Salerno/ ALBANIA Sorrento • Explore Pompeii or Herculaneum Sarande Taormina Corfu SICILY GREECE

Urbino

Venice Dubrovnik

Odyssey Club members receive an additional 5% discount Corfu

Fare shown is per person and subject to availability. Single cabins are subject to availability and select grades only. Please see brochure or website for full details. Ship’s registry: Panama.

Call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

VTA_170701_Mr Bridge Ads July 2017.indd 2 13/07/2017 08:46:52 Cruise with in Autumn 2018

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT JUST 10%

Marrakesh YOUR ITINERARY Fly to MALAGA Spain MOORISH ODYSSEY NOV 10 Transfer to Aegean Odyssey HOSTED BY BERNARD MAGEE NOV 11 AT SEA Cruise the Guadalquivir River NOV 12 SEVILLE Spain O MALAGA to TENERIFE 12 DAYS from £2,195pp November 10, 2018 NOV 13 SEVILLE Spain Embark aboard Aegean Odyssey in Malaga for a cruise up the Guadalquivir River to Seville, NOV 14 CADIZ Spain where an in-depth city tour will give you a flavour of this intoxicating place. Enjoy the CASABLANCA/FEZ Morocco Drive to Fez for afternoon sights of Cadiz and sherry-tasting in Jerez, before crossing the mouth of the Mediterranean NOV 15 sightseeing and overnight to Morocco, for a chance to explore Casablanca, Marrakesh and the historic walled city of hotel stay H Taroudant. On the islands of Lanzarote and La Palma enjoy excursions to the Caldera de FEZ/RABAT/CASABLANCA Taburiente National Park, the Fire Mountains of Timanfaya and the volcanic coastline of Los Morocco Morning drive from Fez NOV 16 to Rabat for sightseeing and lunch Hervideros, before arriving in Tenerife. en route to Casablanca to rejoin Aegean Odyssey O CASABLANCA/MARRAKESH VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS Morocco NOV 17 Morning drive from Casablanca • Sail the Guadalquivir River to Seville to Marrakesh for afternoon sightseeing and overnight hotel H • Sherry-tasting in Jerez de la Frontera MARRAKESH/TAROUDANT/ AGADIR Morocco Drive to • Tour the great Moroccan cities of Casablanca, NOV 18 Taroudant for lunch and Fez, Rabat and Marrakesh sightseeing en route to Agadir to rejoin Aegean Odyssey • The natural wonders of the Canary Islands NOV 19 LANZAROTE Canary Islands NOV 20 LA PALMA Canary Islands TENERIFE Canary Islands NOV 21 Disembark Aegean Odyssey and transfer to Tenerife Airport AEG181110BR Seville Key to symbols O Overnight stay in port H Overnight hotel stay SPAIN Seville MALAGA Cadiz Rabat Casablanca Fez

La Palma Marrakesh Lanzarote Agadir MOROCCO Rabat TENERIFE

Odyssey Club members receive an additional 5% discount Fez

Fare shown is per person and subject to availability. Single cabins are subject to availability and select grades only. Please see brochure or website for full details. Ship’s registry: Panama.

Call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk

VTA_170701_Mr Bridge Ads July 2017.indd 3 13/07/2017 08:47:02