Number: 192 UK £3.95 Europe €5.00 December 2018 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz This month we are looking at some overcalling and doubling. You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four- BRIDGEcard majors. It is your turn to call.

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

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

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

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

3. Dealer South. N/S Game. 6. Dealer North. Love All. 9. Dealer North. Love All. 12. Dealer South. Game All. ♠ A K ♠ 6 5 ♠ 7 6 ♠ A 8 7 2 ♥ A K J 7 6 2 N ♥ A 8 7 N ♥ 6 5 4 N ♥ 4 3 N ♦ 4 3 2 W E ♦ A Q 4 W E ♦ A Q 4 3 W E ♦ A 9 8 5 W E S S S S ♣ 6 5 ♣ J 7 6 5 4 ♣ A 7 6 5 ♣ A K 3

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

Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49

Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee BRIDGE 2 2019 Cruises with Voyages to Antiquity 4 Mr Bridge Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps Surrey GU21 2TH 6 South Africa & the 7 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee Skeleton Coast with ( 01483 489961 Voyages to Antiquity [email protected] 9 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage 8 Classical Greece & Islands of the Aegean www.mrbridge.co.uk 10 Negative Doubles by Andrew Kambites with Voyages to shop: mrbridge.co.uk/shop Antiquity 13 Catching Up with Sally Brock 9 Mr Bridge UK Events at Publisher and The Two Bridges Managing Editor 14 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum 12 Acol Bidding with Mr Bridge Bernard Magee 15 Negative Doubles Quiz by Andrew Kambites 15 Travel Insurance Associate Editor 16 Festive Events 2018 Julian Pottage 17 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett 17 Mr Bridge UK Events at [email protected] Blunsdon House 18 The Power of Spot Cards: Part 7 by Mike Lawrence 21 Mr Bridge UK Events at Bridge Consultant The Olde Barn Hotel Bernard Magee 19 Julian Pottage Answers your Questions 22 Renaissance Italy & bernardmagee Historic Islands with @mrbridge.co.uk 23 Letter from Overseas by John Barr Voyages to Antiquity 23 Declarer Play with Bernard Magee Cartoons & Illustrations 24 Modern Card Backs by Paul Bostock Marguerite Lihou 25 Re-boot your Acol with Bernard Magee www.margueritelihou.co.uk 26 Seven Days by Sally Brock 25 QPlus 12 Mr Bridge Technical Consultant 30 The Sheriff's Young Admirer by David Bird 28 UK Events 2019 Tony Gordon 29 Clive Goff’s Stamps 32 David Stephenson Answers your Questions 29 Defence with Typesetting Bernard Magee Jessica Galt 35 Declarer Play Quiz Answers by David Huggett 33 Bridge Gifts [email protected] 34 Rushmere Beds & Chairs 35 Club Insurance Proof Reading Team 37 Negative Doubles Quiz Answers 36 Tunisia 2019 Mike Orriel by Andrew Kambites 36 Mr Bridge UK Events at Julian Pottage The Elstead Hotel 39 More Tips by Bernard Magee Catrina Shackleton 38 Portugal 2019 Richard Wheen 41 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 39 Bernard Magee’s Tutorial Software Customer Services 39 Duplicate Bridge Rules Catrina Shackleton 42 What is Lebensohl and how do you use it? Simplified [email protected] by Julian Pottage 40 Mr Bridge UK Events at The Chatsworth Hotel Events & Cruises 43 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee 40 Mr Bridge UK Events at ( 01483 489961 Denham Grove Jessica Galt 45 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee 43 Little Voice [email protected] 44 Islands of the 47 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee Mediterranean Megan Riccio with Fred. Olsen [email protected] 49 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee 45 Designs for Bridge Emily Hawkins Table Covers 50 Readers’ Letters 46 Capital Cities of the [email protected] Baltic with Fred. Olsen Sandra Timbury 47 Bernard Magee DVDs [email protected] REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Sets 1-4 47 Bridge with Angela Clubs & Charities Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face- 48 The Best of the Fjords Maggie Axtell value, all mint with full gum. in Seven Nights [email protected] Quotations for commercial quantities with Fred. Olsen available on request. 49 Bernard Magee DVDs Printed in the UK by Values supplied in 100s, higher values Sets 5-8 available, as well as 1st and 2nd class. The Magazine 49 BRIDGE Subscriptions Printing Company ( 020 8422 4906 51 2019 Cruises with Fred. Olsen www.magprint.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] 52 Croatia 2019

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 3 TRYING TO HELP QPLUS 11 POSTAGE & ( 020 8422 4906. Or email PACKING him on: At the recent bridge world [email protected] championships in Orlando, All the prices for the above Florida, Johannes Leber books, discs and services PRESS RELEASE announced that QPlus 13 are inclusive of any UK would be on sale in October postage, packing and/or I have received the 2019. I have purchased his delivery charges. following press release from remaining QPlus 11 stock the self-styled London to clear for only £49. The INITIATIVES Enablers just in time to be current version of QPlus is included in December issue QPlus 12, still available For reasons currently of BRIDGE. Christmas is at the end of from stock at £92. completely outside my the month. If you are still control I have had to delay BRIDGE BASH searching for presents and FREE BRIDGE the introduction of both my prizes for bridge-playing recent proposals. However, Ned Paul, Victor Lesk, Kit friends and family the As a treat for one of your a bar-coded version of my Jackson, Mark Dessain and following two columns friends, email or post their premium quality playing Philip Watson are an should be helpful. full address details (UK cards will not be produced informal group of bridge only) and I will send them a and marketed as part of the ‘enablers’, putting on bridge DIARY copy of the January issue. scheme. All future card in various parts of London. Ends 14 December 2018. dealing machines will be Between them, they cover The 2019 Bridge Player’s able to read the face of the the full spectrum of bridge diary with a ruby-red soft GOOD BOOK card without the help of from first steps to club Kidrell cover, contains a this most unattractive duplicate and all have resumé of Acol Bidding, In the last issue, Shireen feature. Bar-code reading slightly different strengths. written by Bernard Magee. Mohandes reviewed Larry machines need to be For example, Ned is very At £14.95 it contains a Cohen’s latest book, Tricks consigned to the dustbins good at teaching absolute ballpoint pen in its spine as of the Trade. This is not a of bridge history. More beginners and Victor has well as all the diary stuff. book for beginners or even sensibly traded-in for those become the de facto Mr Café improvers but some of his that can (almost Bridge, doing the bridge BEGINNER’S BOOK casual observations are miraculously) read playing organisation for many truly original, as are some card faces. The club different café bridge drives, Bridge with Angela is for of his tips. £20. initiative is on hold for the not only within Greater beginners. Written by same reason. Once I am London but round the bridge teacher Angela DBRS 2017 released from my promise country too. Kit writes a Tompson, it comes with a of confidentiality, the popular weekly blog. They helpful ring-spine to enable Send back a cover of an explanation for both delays use a variety of different the book to lay open flat. earlier version of DBRS (as will be completely obvious. venues. Mark, for instance, £7.95 each, two for £10. proof of a previous runs his Wednesday evening Ideal for grandchildren and purchase), together with GOFFIES STAMPS Gentle Duplicate in a pub in even better for adults four 2nd class stamps for Notting Hill, just upstairs in starting bridge completely one copy of the latest the top bar. Kit has a from scratch. version, or six 2nd class similar arrangement for his stamps for two. Balham operation. Between PICK AND MIX them, they are probably MEMOIRS putting on bridge for well Even if your bridge-playing over 200 players a week. loved-one, partner or club Robin Hood’s Bridge Jointly they are coming responded to my flash sale Memoirs, as faithfully together for Ned, Victor, of the Bernard Magee recorded by David Bird, are It is still not too late to Mark, Kit and Philip’s End DVDs earlier this year, here a fun collection of bridge order discounted unused of Year Bridge Bash. They is a chance to pick any six play problems. Yes, I know British stamps of different will be hiring the whole of of the 48 titles in the series bridge was not played back value denominations in Young Chelsea Bridge Club for only £65. Please see the in the time of wicked King order to send your for Saturday December 8. full list on the new tear-out John and his Sheriff of Christmas cards either 1st There will be bridge, food, order form at the front of Nottingham but it is fun class (67p) or 2nd class drink and good company. the magazine. Offer closes and could make a lovely (58p). Perhaps you should Doors open at 6.00pm and 14 December 2018. Christmas present. £11. give Clive Goff a call on: informal bridge can start

Page 4 BRIDGE December 2018 as soon as four players are your bridge partner for wish to try before you buy. DENHAM GROVE in the building. There will free. If you and your bridge If you would like to discuss be a hot buffet, prepared by partner use the software it which product would suit, I am delighted to report YC’s star caterer Natalya, can significantly benefit just ring ( 01483 489961. that the extensive around 7.00pm and at your game and with This offer relates to refurbishment of the 7.30pm a formal duplicate. Christmas coming up purchasing two copies Denham Grove Conference That will finish by 10.30pm Bernard Magee's software is of the same product and Centre is almost complete. but the bar will stay open the perfect gift. is not available through All freshly equipped and and informal bridge can With most of my my online shop and must with new glazing and continue to whenever. products, word of mouth is finish 14 December 2018. wardrobes throughout. Anyone who enjoys the a key part of their success. people side of bridge as However, with my software CLUB HOLIDAYS WORLD NUMBER 1 much as the competition programmes people tend is welcome and there will to keep their knowledge Club holidays are always Congratulations to our very be bridge for you whatever under their hat. When I great fun for the club own World Champion, your standard. YC is located asked someone about this members, but if you are the Sally Brock. And another at 54 Goldhawk Road, they replied “my percentage organiser it can cause Brit, Nicola Smith, who has Shepherds Bush, London has been going up steadily undue stress. If your club is the number 2 spot. W12 8HA. The Club is since my partner and I thinking of going away but right opposite Goldhawk have been using Bernard’s has never been brave LAST MONTH Road tube station on the tutorial software. Why enough to take that step, Hammersmith & City or would I want to tell my club then I could be able to help. Circle Lines. You can see friends about it as it would I can put together a private full details of the party help them too. I want to event for your club with at Victor’s website www. keep this advantage to your own personalised brianbridge.net/party2018 myself”. I have to say that programme at the location and tickets are £15pp in I find that quite unfair. of your choice – be it in the advance or £16.50 on So instead, take my word UK or overseas. I currently the door. This covers for it. These products are do this for a number of the bridge and the food. really beneficial; they clubs and U3A groups and Sadly, you will be on your are carefully designed so it takes away all the stress Autumn continues and this own for your bar bill. that whatever your level, from the club; no need to October Glory has lived up you can learn from them. collect the money, deal to its name and more for CHRISTMAS OFFER I would always suggest with cancellations, give the the first time since I had it getting the first in the series seminars or direct the planted. Until recently I BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on any before the advanced version duplicates… the whole would have been away piece of Bernard Magee as there is so much that group can enjoy cruising and missed most Tutorial Software – Buy one can be taken from them. themselves. ( 01483 of the colour. Not this year. tutorial software You are able to download 489961 and ask for Catrina All good wishes programme for yourself a trial of each of the who will be happy to talk and get the same one for programmes should you this through with you. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 5

Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz This month we are looking at some overcalling and doubling. You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four- card majors. It is your turn to call.

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

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

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

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

3. Dealer South. N/S Game. 6. Dealer North. Love All. 9. Dealer North. Love All. 12. Dealer South. Game All. ♠ A K ♠ 6 5 ♠ 7 6 ♠ A 8 7 2 ♥ A K J 7 6 2 N ♥ A 8 7 N ♥ 6 5 4 N ♥ 4 3 N W E W E W E W E ♦ 4 3 2 S ♦ A Q 4 S ♦ A Q 4 3 S ♦ A 9 8 5 S ♣ 6 5 ♣ J 7 6 5 4 ♣ A 7 6 5 ♣ A K 3

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

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

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

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

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

Answers on page 43 Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 7

DEFENCE QUIZ

by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 41)

ou are East in the defensive positions below playing YMatchpoints with both sides vulnerable.

1. ♠ Q 8 2 3. ♠ K 7 2 ♥ K 9 ♥ 10 7 6 4 Gourmet food at The Two Bridges ♦ Q J 10 9 2 ♦ K 9 4 2 ♣ K Q 6 ♣ K 6 The second evening meal consists of a five course tasting menu. ♠ A K 6 ♠ 10 Executive Chef Mike Palmer’s creative flair comes into its own N ♥ J 7 6 3 2 N ♥ K 8 5 3 W E W E with firm emphasis on the very best seasonal ingredients from S ♦ 5 S ♦ A Q 10 7 local farmers, fishermen and producers. Wine is supplied by a ♣ 8 5 3 2 ♣ Q J 8 3 local specialist and ales from their own Dartmoor Brewery.

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Seminar one deals with leading Seminar one goes beyond basic up to your high cards to give leading, aiming for safer leads Partner leads the ♠5 and Partner leads the ♦8 and them power. Seminar two deals and thinking about partner. dummy plays low. What is dummy plays low. What is with all types of finesse - once Seminar two thinks about again leading low to high, to gain partner's lead and using dummy your plan? your plan? power. to make better switches.

2. ♠ Q 9 2 4. ♠ 10 7 2 ♥ K 9 6 ♥ K Q 7 4 ♦ Q 9 ♦ Q 8 2 ♣ Q J 10 6 5 ♣ 10 6 4 ♠ A K 7 5 ♠ Q 9 8 4 N ♥ 7 3 N ♥ 8 W E W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2 ♦ A K 7 5 The Two Bridges Hotel is in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, S S ♣ ♣ perched on the banks of the beautiful West Dart River. Step inside 8 3 K 9 8 3 and discover a warm Devon welcome, comfortable hotel rooms, fine restaurant dining, characterful lounges and a bustling bar in beautiful historic surroundings. West North East South West North East South 1♥ 1♥ Prices shown are per person sharing a twin or double bedroom, full Pass 2♣ Pass 3♥ Pass 2♥ Dbl 4♥ board including tea & coffee during breaks and a welcome drinks party. Pass 4♥ All Pass All Pass There is a single supplement at Two Bridges of £70, subject to availability. Single players will always be found a partner. The Mr Bridge Team will offer support during the set hand sessions and make up the Partner leads the ♠3 and Partner leads the ♦4: ♦2, ♦K numbers in the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. Room ♦ upgrades may be available at a supplement. dummy plays low. What is and 10. What is your plan for your plan? the early play? All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and have free Wi-Fi. The venue has a lift. For details and bookings call Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 9 About the Contested Auction by Andrew Kambites Negative Doubles

ifty years ago a double of an ruffs at trick 1. Show your fit with ‘Sputnik double’ because its rise in overcalled suit was for penalty. partner before making a low level popularity corresponded with the You will see that this is no penalty double. first Russian spacecraft. A Sputnik Flonger the case, nevertheless I will The spades in Hand D are not good double, showing responding values start by looking for the requirements enough. Of course you will make with hearts and clubs was perfect with for a penalty double. In my last tricks with the ♠A-Q but declarer Hand E, but how about Hands F and article I considered the possibilities of might be able to draw the rest of your G where you don’t have both the unbid doubling opponents after a redouble spades with his intermediates. suits? This was clearly more serious and I stated some vital criteria, which You will see that there are relatively with Hand F than with Hand G it is appropriate to repeat. few hands that are suitable for a one because losing a major suit fit is more level penalty double. Top American damaging than losing a minor suit fit. laying for penalties against a experts realised that if the auction Hence Sputnik doubles evolved into low level suit contract by your starts as in Auction A there are other negative doubles as described below, Popponents is unlikely to be problems to address. What do you do where the emphasis is put on unbid your best option if they have a fit. with Hands E, F and G? You cannot major suits. It is when they have a misfit, with bid 1NT with no spade stopper. You the likely consequence that you cannot support diamonds with a Negative doubles of also have a misfit, that penalties doubleton and neither clubs nor one level overcalls might prove profitable. hearts are suitable for a change of suit Points alone will not necessarily at the two level. (Note that 2♥ would negative double of a one defeat a low level suit contract. To promise five hearts.) Superficially you level suit overcall promises play for penalties against a low might think pass is reasonable because A four cards in any unbid level suit contract you need good partner will get another chance, but major. trumps. Good trumps means good this is really not satisfactory. The intermediates. bidding may then continue with In my examples below I concentrate another pass and partner re-opening on the minimum values for the So what would East need for a penalty with a take-out double. You would recommended double, though I would double in Auction A? be forced to bid with no points at stress that a negative double has no all, so a minimum reply would seem upper limit. If East is stronger he will Auction A inadequate, but a jump bid could show West in subsequent bidding. West North East South easily take you beyond safety if partner 1♦ 1♠ ? has a minimum reopening double. Auction H Alternatively South could pre-empt to West North East South 3♠ (bidding to the level of their fit) and 1♣ 1♦ Dbl Hand B Hand C Hand D you would never get a chance to show Auction J ♠ A Q 9 7 6 ♠ A Q 9 7 6 ♠ A Q 5 3 your assets. West North East South ♥ K J 6 ♥ 7 4 ♥ K J 6 2 1♣/♦ 1♥ Dbl ♦ 7 ♦ K J 7 6 ♦ 7 Auction K ♣ 6 4 3 2 ♣ 6 2 ♣ 6 4 3 2 Hand E Hand F Hand G West North East South ♠ 9 5 2 ♠ 9 5 3 2 ♠ 9 5 3 2 1♣/♦ 1♠ Dbl ♥ A 8 4 3 ♥ A 8 4 3 ♥ J 6 5 Auction L Hand B is perfect. Excellent spade ♦ K 8 ♦ K 8 ♦ K 8 West North East South intermediates and a misfit with ♣ J 6 5 3 ♣ J 6 5 ♣ A 8 4 3 1♥ 1♠ Dbl partner’s diamonds. Auction M With Hand C the spades are good West North East South enough but the hand is not suitable The idea formed that double of an 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ for a penalty double because you overcalled suit was better used for Auction N have four-card support for partner’s take-out and in the original version West North East South diamonds. There is too great a danger double was used to show the other 1♣/♦ 1♥ 1♠ that you lead a diamond and declarer two suits. Such a double was called a

Page 10 BRIDGE December 2018 In Auction H, North is showing both With Hand T, East would have shown Hand Z Hand A Hand B majors. Hand P is quite strong enough. his major suit without the 1♠ overcall, ♠ Q 9 7 6 ♠ Q 9 7 6 ♠ Q 9 7 6 In Auction J, East is showing four preferring 1♥ to 2♦. Therefore the ♥ J 8 5 2 ♥ K 8 ♥ J 8 5 2 spades, the only unbid major. normal action now is a negative ♦ K 8 7 ♦ K J 7 5 ♦ 3 In Auction K, East promises four double, showing four hearts. However ♣ 8 5 ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ K 8 7 2 hearts. Hand Q would be a minimum, it is worth commenting that an slightly stronger than Hand P as opener immediate diamond raise might turn is likely to have to rebid at the two level. out best. Spades is higher ranking than With Hand Z East can happily double In Auction L there is no unbid major. either red suit and can outbid either. If 2♣ despite holding just six points. He East has enough to compete, maybe East doubles and South strongly raises has both majors and good support for with three-card support for West and spades, East might regret not showing partner’s diamonds. He intends to four cards in the other minor. his diamond support while he had the pass West’s rebid unless it is forcing. Auctions M and N are worth chance at a lower level. Hand A is also suitable for a double. comparing. In Auction M double With Hand U, East is not strong If West rebids diamonds or spades would show both majors, so 1♠ might enough for 2♣, so he shows his hearts East will be delighted. If West bids be necessary with four spades but not with a double. Again you would get a hearts East can retreat to diamonds. four hearts. However in Auction N good clue by asking what you would With Hand B, East’s best choice is to East could double with four spades so have responded to 1♦ without the 1♠ pass. He has only six points and while 1♠ shows five spades. overcall. The answer is ♥1 . his major suit holdings are perfect he East has a choice of calls with Hand Hand V is considerably stronger, hardly wants to encourage a 2♦ rebid R in Auction H. Double would show well worth 2♣ over 1♠. It would be an from West. With two or three more four cards in each major, but it would unnecessary distortion of the hand to points East might risk a double. be difficult subsequently to show his double just because it contains four fifth spade and thereby uncover an all hearts. If partner rebids 2♦ then follow Responding to a too likely 5-3 spade fit. You would have up with 2♥, which is a responder’s negative double responded 1♠ to 1♣ if there had been reverse. no 1♦ overcall and I prefer 1♠ now. Hand W is strong enough for 2♥ In Auction C East’s double shows four over 1♠, forcing and guaranteeing hearts. West tries to make the same five hearts but Hand X is not good rebid as he would have chosen if North Hand P Hand Q Hand R enough for 2♥. The practical choice is had passed and East had responded 1♥. ♠ J 8 6 5 ♠ 10 8 6 ♠ J 7 6 5 4 double even though this shows only ♥ Q 9 7 6 ♥ K Q 7 6 ♥ Q 9 7 6 four hearts. A negative double of 1♠ Auction C ♦ 9 5 ♦ 9 5 4 ♦ 9 5 overcall shows at least four hearts. West North East South ♣ K 6 2 ♣ K 6 2 ♣ K 6 1♦ 1♠ Dbl Pass Negative doubles of two level overcalls Quite frequently responder seems Hand D Hand E Hand F to have a choice of possible actions. Many partnerships play negative ♠ Q 5 ♠ J 5 ♠ K 5 Consider East’s response with Hands doubles up to quite high levels. ♥ Q 8 6 2 ♥ K Q 6 2 ♥ K 9 T to X in Auction S. Typically all doubles of a suit overcall ♦ A J 10 6 5 ♦ A J 10 6 5 ♦ A J 10 6 5 or jump overcall below 3NT are not for ♣ K 9 ♣ A 9 ♣ K Q 6 2 Auction S penalties. The higher the level of the West North East South overcall the less precise it is possible to 1♦ 1♠ ? be about requirements. With Hands D and E West supports Auction Y hearts. With D he raises to 2♥, with West North East South E he jumps to 3♥. Hand F is different Hand T Hand U Hand V 1♦ 2♣ Dbl in that West is going to rebid a suit ♠ 8 5 ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 not promised by the negative double. ♥ A Q 6 2 ♥ J 9 7 6 ♥ A Q 10 6 It would be nice to say that East’s With no suit agreed East cannot make ♦ J 10 7 6 ♦ 9 4 ♦ 9 4 double in Auction Y guarantees both a limit bid: 2♣ is correct. ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ A Q 8 7 6 ♣ A Q 8 7 6 majors but that would leave too many hands unbiddable. We need to balance Playing for penalties the desirability of precision against Hand W Hand X the pragmatism of frequency of use. At the start of this article I looked at ♠ 7 5 ♠ 7 5 It is best to play that you can double a the sort of hand that might be suitable ♥ A Q 8 7 6 ♥ A Q 8 7 6 two-level overcall if you are prepared for East to want to make a penalty ♦ K 8 5 ♦ 9 8 5 for any rebid from partner, bearing double of a 1♠ overcall. I then seemed ♣ Q 7 2 ♣ Q 7 2 in mind that partner will assume that to pour cold water over the prospect you hold any unbid major. by describing how it was best to play

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 11 double for take-out: a negative double. ♠ K J 10 5 2 BERNARD So have you lost the chance to make ♥ 10 5 a penalty double? Not quite. With a ♦ J 9 2 MAGEE’S hand suitable for a penalty double ♣ A K 8 INTERACTIVE East passes. He is waiting for West to ♠ 3 ♠ A Q 9 7 6 reopen with a take-out double. East ♥ A 9 4 3 N ♥ K J 6 ♦ A K 10 4 3 W E ♦ 7 TUTORIAL CD intends to pass this. But I hear you S ask, what if West passes? What sort of ♣ Q 10 9 ♣ 6 4 3 2 hand could East have for Auction G? ♠ 8 4 ACOL BIDDING ♥ Q 8 7 2 Auction G ♦ Q 8 6 5 West North East South ♣ J 7 5 1♦ 1♠ Pass Pass ? 1♠ doubled is carnage and moreover Either East is weak, or he might have a East/West have no game contract. MAC or penalty double. Usually West can have With Hand K West can be pretty Windows a good idea which just by looking at sure that East is hoping to pass a re- his own hand, and particularly if his opening double. However that doesn’t spade holding is short. suit West who has a hand totally West should re-open, even with unsuited to defend a low level spade minimum opening values, if he is contract. short in spades. West’s hand has lots of offence, but no certain defensive trick and no spade to lead through declarer to help Hand H Hand J Hand K East avoid getting endplayed. West ♠ K J 6 ♠ 3 ♠ Void might fear a misfit but he cannot pass Throughout 200 deals split ♥ A 9 ♥ A 9 4 3 ♥ 3 2 because East could be very strong. into ten chapters, Bernard ♦ K J 7 6 4 ♦ A K 10 4 3 ♦ K Q J 10 7 6 West rebids 2♣. evaluates your bids, praising ♣ A 6 5 ♣ Q 10 9 ♣ K Q 8 6 3 the correct ones and Showing weaker hands discussing the wrong ones. With Hand H, West’s spades make it Which of Hands M and N might East l Opening Bids clear that East doesn’t have a penalty hold for his 2♠ bid in Auction L? and Responses double of spades. West knows East is l Slams and weak, so what should he do? He has 16 Auction L Strong Openings points but he must pass. A 1NT rebid West North East South by West would show 18-19 points or 1♥ 2♣ 2♠ l Support for Partner sometimes a good 17. Many players are l Pre-empting surprised by this, quoting that a 1NT Hand M Hand N l Overcalls rebid shows 15-16 or 15-17 points. £66 Yes, but that is assuming that East ♠ A Q 9 8 6 5 ♠ A Q 9 8 6 5 l No-trump was able to respond. Just try playing ♥ 8 4 ♥ 8 4 Openings 1NT (doubled) with 16 points facing ♦ K Q 8 ♦ J 10 8 and Responses nothing, no entries to dummy to take ♣ 6 3 ♣ 6 3 l Opener’s and finesses. Responder’s Rebids With Hand J, West’s singleton spade makes it pretty likely that East has a 2♠ is usually played as forcing, making l Minors and Misfits penalty double of spades. West doesn’t it ideal for Hand M, but Hand N is too l Doubles need to decide. weak. If it is at all possible that East has However it seems a shame not to be l Competitive Auctions a penalty double, then West must do able to show your excellent spades with something even though they may have Hand N. You can if you play negative Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, a minimum opening bid. doubles. With Hand N start with a Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH If East does indeed have a penalty negative double, then bid spades at the double West has a very suitable hand lowest legal level. Partner can work it ( 01483 489961 for defending 1♠ doubled, so West out by asking himself why you didn’t www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop re-opens with a take-out double. East bid spades immediately, which is not passes and look at the whole hand. forcing. ■

Page 12 BRIDGE December 2018 Catching Up with Sally Brock

lthough it is probably of little Championships next February. interest to the readers of this Then it was the start of the new ♠ — magazine, one of my major Premier League season. Barry and I ♥ A K J Aissues currently is my teeth! I have play with Heather Dhondy & Brian ♦ Q known for at least 20 years that at Callaghan in that. ♣ — some stage I was going to need all my This was a rather exciting deal from ♠ — ♠ — teeth out and implants fitted. And an early match: ♥ Q 10 5 N ♥ 9 2 W E finally the day came. Unfortunately ♦ A S ♦ — they found that my bones were softer ♣ — ♣ K 10 than they had thought so that they Dealer North. Love All. ♠ J were only prepared to do my upper jaw ♠ A 9 2 ♥ 6 now, with the lower to come later. The ♥ A K J 8 7 4 ♦ — process was not as bad as I had feared, ♦ Q 9 6 4 ♣ Q J the worst feature being the necessity to ♣ Void eat only soft food for eight weeks. And ♠ 7 ♠ 10 6 5 the prospect of doing the same again ♥ Q 10 5 3 N ♥ 9 2 Since West has had to keep the ♦A W E in a few months time. ♦ A K J 8 7 3 2 S ♦ 10 and East the ♣K, he knows that both My first weekend of soft food – I went ♣ 6 ♣ K 10 8 5 4 3 2 opponents have only two hearts left to Cardiff to play with Gilly Clench in ♠ K Q J 8 4 3 so the queen must drop. Superficially a Welsh women’s event. It was pairs on ♥ 6 it looks better defence to break up the Saturday and teams on the Sunday. ♦ 5 the squeeze by switching to a heart She had made a magnificent effort and ♣ A Q J 9 7 at trick two, but declarer just cashes provided lunch for everyone as well as his outside winners (two hearts and a organising the bridge. club) and cross-ruffs for twelve tricks. We did not do particularly well in the At our table the bidding was: After a dodgy start we mostly did pairs, but managed to win the teams OK for the rest of the weekend and playing with a junior pair, Hanna West North East South finish the first weekend in third place. Tuus and India Leeming, who played 1♥ 3♣ Pass As always, the first goal is to avoid extremely well. It was a really fun Pass Dbl Pass Pass relegation, and then to finish in the weekend – on the Saturday evening, 3♦ Dbl Pass 4♦ top two and so get a Camrose match. after the bridge, we went to Maggie & Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ In the meantime life trudges on – David’s house for an excellent Indian All Pass Toby and Briony are both still living takeaway banquet … and plenty of with me. Toby has yet to find a job, wine and beer. At equal vulnerability South decided while Briony is working as a nanny for The following weekend was the first to go for the penalty, expecting his more than one family, while waiting stage of the English mixed pairs teams partner to reopen with a double with for her Open University degree course trial. short clubs. Barry decided to rescue me to start in October. Until she gets My team (Barry & me, Frances from 3♣ doubled and now South had started she won’t know how much of Hinden & Graham Osborne, Fiona to catch up, ending up in the excellent her time it takes up, and therefore how Brown & Michael Byrne) headed the slam. In practice, Barry switched to a much nannying she will then be able table at the end of the weekend and so club after cashing a diamond at trick to do. won the right to pick our opponents one, but even if he had switched to a It was her birthday in mid- for the first knock-out match from trump, say, declarer will succeed on September, and the three of us went to the remaining three qualifiers. As I a double squeeze. He wins the trump the Boat Show in Southampton which write, we have yet to decide… We now switch, ruffs a club, ruffs a diamond, was good fun. In the evening Barry need to win two knock-out matches in ruffs a club, ruffs another diamond came over for a game of Monopoly, December if we are to earn the right back to hand and runs his trumps. The but we were all in the doghouse as we to represent England in the European position as he cashes the last one is: didn’t let Briony win! n

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 13 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum

Episode 80: Corfe Castle Capers

voiding the M25, Spouse and castle bathed in evening sunlight. We finally intervening with a speculative I were making our way by car played twelve hands in total using the five diamonds. With only five losers to Dorset via Milton Keynes, dealer and vulnerability of standard himself and with support from Dave, Aa city I assumed was the roundabout duplicate bridge. After four deals and Spouse was not giving in that easily capital of Britain. We stopped for again after eight deals, we switched and competed with five spades. Now I lunch at Stowe near Buckingham partnerships. After completing twelve had a tricky bid. I had a massive fit for and took the opportunity to walk hands we scored according to the diamonds, but I was also convinced round the wonderful grounds set three ‘Rs’. No, not ‘Reading, wRiting the spade contract would not make. out by Capability Brown some three and aRithmetic’, but RRR, the Russian I foolishly decided to double and the centuries ago. Passing the statues of Ready-Reckoner (as described by auction was complete. Great British Worthies on the Path David Stevenson in August 2016 in of Virtue, we discussed whether in BRIDGE 164). Dave and Spouse were West North East South hindsight they would be the choices ready as soon as two of the many Wendy Dave Sally Spouse of our modern era. Ploughing on bottled beers brought back from the 1♠ towards our destination we discovered pub had been opened. This deal by 3♥ 4♠ 5♦ 5♠ that Bournemouth and Poole could Spouse produced some competitive Dbl End well challenge Milton Keynes in the bidding. roundabout stakes. Reaching Corfe I now had to find a lead. In the end Castle in the early evening, we soon I led the heart ace. Dummy’s void found our delightful thatched holiday Dealer South. Love All. in diamonds did not improve my cottage nestling by the stream with ♠ 5 4 3 2 confidence of defeating the contract. the castle towering elegantly above. ♥ Q J 10 9 The ace held and with some trepidation Vine Cottage was an instant hit with ♦ Void I now played the king and Sally everything provided for a short break. ♣ Q J 10 9 3 discarded a small diamond. What Our friends, Sally and Dave joined ♠ Void ♠ Q 9 now? Did Sally hold the ace of clubs? us later in the week. The four of us ♥ A K 6 5 4 3 N ♥ 8 I doubted it, but played a club anyway. W E ♦ ♦ decided on a circular walk along the Q 8 7 3 S A K J 10 9 6 5 Spouse won in hand with the ace and Purbeck Ridge heading westward ♣ 8 7 6 ♣ 5 4 2 removed trumps in two rounds. The where we had magnificent views of ♠ A K J 10 8 7 6 contract was home and dry as there Poole harbour and its many islands. ♥ 7 2 were multiple ways of disposing of We then attempted to return by the ♦ 4 2 the two small diamonds in his hand. Purbeck Way in the valley. Spouse and ♣ A K A declaration at this point would have Dave, who so far had no difficulty in been accepted. But Spouse had other locating every pub on route, somehow ideas. He ruffed a diamond in dummy managed at this point to misread the Spouse might have opened a pre- and inexplicably returned to hand map and the journey became somewhat emptive four spades, but he settled for with a spade to check that there was longer than anticipated. Needless to a simple one spade. I was undecided as not a trump lurking in his opponents’ say they blamed inadequate signage to the level of my overcall, but in the hands. Big error, he was locked in rather than their inebriated state and end went for three hearts as opposed hand. He now had a diamond to lose poor compass skills. to two. With four-card support for for a score of minus 100 instead of plus After supper in a local pub we went Spouse’s suggested trump suit and 650. The men seemed totally unfazed back to the cottage for our latest a heart void to boot, Dave was in no by this lapse, but more importantly version of imp-scored rubber bridge. doubt about reaching game in spades. their glasses required immediate It was gorgeous on the terrace with the Sally thought for quite a while before refills.

Page 14 BRIDGE December 2018 In their absence, Sally and I checked the par scores on the Russian Ready- Negative Doubles Quiz Reckoner. With a combined count of 21 HCP by Andrew Kambites in the North-South hands and an 11 card major-suit fit non-vulnerable, (Answers on page 37) the RRR par value is listed as plus 160 so Spouse’s adjusted score was 1 At game all how should East West North East South -260 converting to -6 IMPs. By bid with these hands? 1♣ 1♦ ? concentrating better he could have scored +490 converting to +10 IMPs. West North East South Sally pointed out that six diamonds 1♦ 1♥ ? Hand A Hand B Hand C would be an excellent save against ♠ K 7 6 5 ♠ K 7 5 3 ♠ Q 6 3 2 a making five spades. On the men’s ♥ Q 5 3 ♥ J 6 4 3 ♥ A J 7 5 4 return from the kitchen with two Hand A Hand B Hand C ♦ 6 2 ♦ 6 2 ♦ 8 7 more full glasses, it seemed diplomatic ♠ A 5 4 2 ♠ A J 7 4 2 ♠ Q 5 2 ♣ J 6 4 3 ♣ Q 5 3 ♣ 10 2 not to mention that between them ♥ 8 3 ♥ 8 3 ♥ K 10 2 they had managed to put down several ♦ K 7 5 4 ♦ K 7 5 ♦ A 7 6 contracts earlier that evening as well as ♣ Q 10 2 ♣ Q 10 2 ♣ 7 5 3 2 losing the way on the walk. Men seem 4 At game all how should West to be experts at mangling things. As rebid with these hands? Sally put it succinctly, ‘It’s a recognised male art form.’ Incidentally I seem to Hand D Hand E Hand F West North East South remember that at Stowe only one of ♠ Q 5 2 ♠ Q 5 2 ♠ Q 5 2 1♦ 1♠ Dbl Pass the sixteen statues of the Worthies was ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 6 2 ? a woman (Queen Elizabeth the First). ♦ A 4 ♦ A K 4 ♦ K 6 5 4 Now that can’t be right, can it? ■ ♣ Q 7 5 3 2 ♣ 7 5 3 2 ♣ A K 4 2 Hand A Hand B Hand C ♠ 7 3 ♠ 7 3 ♠ K 8 ♥ A J 6 2 ♥ A 2 ♥ A 2 Hand G Hand H Hand J ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♠ Q 3 2 ♠ Q 3 2 ♠ Q 3 2 ♣ A 3 ♣ A Q 6 2 ♣ A Q 6 2 ♥ A 6 4 3 2 ♥ A Q 9 8 5 ♥ A Q 9 8 5 ♦ 6 ♦ K 6 5 2 ♦ 6 For those with Pre-existing health ♣ K 6 5 2 ♣ 6 ♣ K 6 5 2 conditions Hand D Hand E Hand F (No Age Limit) ♠ K Q J 10 ♠ A J 3 ♠ 7 3 2 l Travel Insurance with online ♥ 2 ♥ 7 3 2 ♥ A J 3 Medical Screening 2 With North/South vulnerable ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 ♦ A Q 8 6 l Cover for medical conditions, up how should East continue ♣ A J 6 ♣ A 10 9 ♣ A 10 9 to a high level of severity, even with these hands? a terminal prognosis l No age limits West North East South l Instant online cover 1♥ 2♦ ? 5 At game all how should West We fully understand that you may rebid with these hands? wish to speak to us direct about cover and your medical conditions Hand A Hand B Hand C West North East South and assure you of the best attention by senior staff on a direct phone line ♠ K Q 7 5 ♠ 8 6 ♠ A Q 10 9 3 2 1♦ 1♠ Pass Pass that does not require you to hold or ♥ Q 5 2 ♥ Q 5 2 ♥ 8 ? press buttons for departments. ♦ 8 6 ♦ 9 5 3 2 ♦ J 9 ♣ ♣ ♣ ( 0344 249 1701 9 5 3 2 K Q 7 5 J 7 4 3 Hand A Hand B Hand C [email protected] ♠ 7 ♠ A J 9 ♠ Void www.genesischoice.co.uk ♥ 5 3 2 ♥ 5 3 ♥ 6 3 3 With East/West vulnerable how ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A K Q 7 5 4 Genesis Choice Ltd are an appointed should East continue with these ♣ A Q 4 2 ♣ A K J ♣ J 10 9 5 4 representative of NDI Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Ltd who are authorised hands? See top of next column. and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No.446914

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 15 Mr Bridge Festive Season 2018-19 Full board. No single supplement*.

Christmas 2018 Denham Grove Blunsdon House Near Uxbridge UB9 5DG Swindon SN26 7AS 23 December 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open Tea or coffee with mince pies 1745 Welcome Reception followed by Dinner and then BRIDGE Christmas Eve 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 23-27 December £495 27-29 December from £228* Hand Evaluation and Transfers Just Duplicate 1745 Mulled Wine Reception hosted by Sandy Bell hosted by Val Heath 1830 Dinner then BRIDGE Christmas Day 27-29 December £258 Defence as Partner of the Leader New Year 2018-19 1000 BIDDING QUIZ hosted by Bernard Magee 1230 Christmas Lunch 29 December 1500 Queen's speech displayed 29 December - 2 January £499 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open 1530 BRIDGE Waiting List Only Tea or coffee with mince pies 1830 Buffet Dinner followed by BRIDGE Drawing Trumps 1745 Welcome Reception followed by Dinner and then BRIDGE Boxing Day hosted by Bernard Magee 30 December 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE The Olde Barn 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE 27 December New Year's Eve 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands 1230 Lunch 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE Denham Grove - all depart 1745 Gala Reception 1400 Afternoon BRIDGE at Olde Barn only 1830 Gala Dinner followed by BRIDGE Twixmas 2018 23-27 December £425 2345 See in the New Year drinks Waiting List Only 0030 Optional Speedball pairs at Denham 27 December Just Duplicate Grove only 1500 Mr Bridge Welcome Desk open hosted by Sheila Rogers New Year's Day Tea or coffee with mince pies 1745 Welcome Reception followed by 27-29 December £215 1100 BIDDING QUIZ Dinner and then BRIDGE Limited Availability 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 28 December Losing Trick Count Olde Barn - all depart hosted by Elaine Duff 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE at 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands Denham Grove only 1230 Lunch followed by BRIDGE 29 December - 1 January £345 2 January 2019 1745 Mulled Wine Reception Waiting List Only Denham Grove only 1830 Dinner followed by BRIDGE Suit Establishment 0800 Brunch Style Breakfast 29 December hosted by Ray Hutchinson 1000 SEMINAR followed by set hands The example programmes shown are to give an idea of what is included in the full itinerary. Please note there are slight differences between programmes at each venue. 1230 Lunch followed by Duplicate Bridge * Subject to availability. Single supplement applies to all rooms at Blunsdon House. Details & Bookings ( 01483 489961

Page 16 BRIDGE December 2018

DECLARER PLAY QUIZ by David Huggett (Answers on page 35)

ou are South as declarer playing rubber bridge or teams. YIn each case what is your play strategy? 2019

25-27 January £228 6-8 September £228 Just Duplicate Just Duplicate 1. ♠ A 5 4 3. ♠ 6 5 4 ♥ 6 4 2 ♥ 9 7 8-10 February £258 18-20 October £238 ♦ Q J 10 7 4 ♦ A J 8 6 5 Ruffing for Extra Tricks Signals & Discards ♣ K 7 ♣ K J 2 Hosted by Bernard Magee Hosted by Will Parsons 15-17 March £228 1-3 November £228 N N Just Duplicate W E W E Just Duplicate S S 5-7 April £238 8-10 November £264 Defence to Weak Twos ♠ Q J 9 ♠ K J 2 Hosted by John Ronan Game Tries Hosted by Bernard Magee ♥ K 7 ♥ A Q 2 28-30 June £264 ♦ A 9 6 3 ♦ K 10 9 2 4-4-4-1 Hands 22-24 November £228 ♣ A Q J 2 ♣ A 10 3 Hosted by Bernard Magee Just Duplicate

Blunsdon House Hotel is a unique four star family owned hotel in Wiltshire situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, set You are declarer in 3NT and You are declarer in 3NT. in 30 acres of grounds. It has a beauty salon, gym, pool West leads the ♠6. How do West leads the ♠7. East plays you plan the play? the ♠9. How do you plan the and 9 hole golf course. play?

2. ♠ Q J 8 5 4. ♠ 7 ♥ Q 10 6 3 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ A 7 ♦ J 7 6 4 ♣ K 3 2 ♣ Q 10 7 5

N N Prices shown are per person sharing a twin or double W E W E bedroom, full board including tea & coffee during breaks S S and a welcome drinks party. There is a single supplement ♠ A K 10 7 6 4 ♠ Q 8 5 4 at Blunsdon House of £40, subject to availability. Single ♥ J ♥ A K 9 8 6 players will always be found a partner. The Mr Bridge Team ♦ K 8 2 ♦ A K will offer support during the set hand sessions, on the ♣ A J 7 ♣ 6 4 seminar events, and make up the numbers in the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and have free Wi-Fi. The venue has a lift. You are declarer in 6♠ You are declarer in 4♥. West and West leads the ♦Q. How leads the ♦2. How do you For details and bookings call do you plan the play? plan the play? Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 17 Fireside Chats with Mike Lawrence The Power of Spot Cards Part Seven

pot cards are seldom noted than anyone else. North, more or with the ♠10 and leads a spade to much during the bidding, a less, had to bid 1NT. Rebidding 1NT East’s ace. shame in some cases. There are with a singleton in partner’s suit is Now the spade position is this: Stimes, however, where no one could not generally recommended but here, reasonably predict their value. Take given he opened 1♣ and heard the 1♦ this hand. bid from East, 1NT is the only choice. ♠ — East is lucky. He now has a way to N show his hearts with a take-out double. ♠ 9 4 W E ♠ — S Dealer West. N/S Game. South has choices and chooses a sane, ♠ Q conservative bid of 2♠. He has tricks ♠ K J 8 7 6 ♥ A 7 6 3 but the singleton ♥K is not a good card ♦ Q 8 7 3 and the ♦J-10-2 are a genuine worry. ♣ K Q 5 3 This ends the bidding and West East has one last diamond and he leads ♠ 9 4 3 2 ♠ A leads ♦4. it. South cannot stop West from taking ♥ J 9 8 2 N ♥ Q 10 5 4 Will South make 2♠? The key to the a trick with the ♠9. Down one. ‘My ♥K W E ♦ ♦ 4 S A K 9 6 5 defence is no surprise given the topic of was worthless,’ noted South. ♣ J 9 8 2 ♣ A 7 4 this hand. It is West’s ♠9. But turning it Now note the importance of West’s ♠ K J 10 8 7 6 5 into a winner requires a gentle touch. club return instead of a heart. With a ♥ K East takes two diamond tricks club switch East had two more chances ♦ J 10 2 (South was right to worry about his to lead diamonds, threatening South ♣ 10 6 three diamonds) and continues with with an overruff. If West ruffs the third the ♦5 for West to ruff. *(See footnote) diamond and returns a heart, declarer Three tricks to the defence. will win the trick and lead a spade to West North East South Wake up. If West paid attention to East’s ace. South is able to ruff the next Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ the diamond suit, he will remember diamond lead with a high trump and Pass 1NT(12-14) Dbl 2♠ that South had the ♦2 and dummy the can draw the remaining spades. All Pass ♦3, West, himself, the ♦4. That ♦5 is If you are not comfortable with suit East’s lowest diamond, which means preference signals, this hand should If this hand was played a number of that East wishes a club return (low be a good example of why they are times, the final contract would range asks for the lower ranking suit), not important. from 2♠ to 3♠ to an occasional 4♠. a heart return. This suit preference East and West might be allowed to is crucial. West knows to lead a club, *When West led the ♦4, East took his play in a heart part-score but South’s which is won by East’s ace. Back comes king and ace and gave West a diamond spade holding makes it unlikely that the fourth round of diamonds. At this ruff. How did East know that South East-West can buy the contract for point the spade suit looks like this: did not have a singleton diamond? anything less than 4♥. If South played the two, it would The bidding comes with no mean that West had led the four from guarantees. North started with 1♣. ♠ Q ♦J-10-4. Not possible. ♦ Many would open 1 . There are a few N If South played the ten, it would hundred pages in bridge literature that ♠ 9 4 3 W E ♠ A mean that West had led the four from S tout one choice or another. Depends the ♦J-4-2. Not possible. on what you have read lately. Given ♠ K J 10 8 7 6 5 If South played the jack, it would the 1♣ bid, East found it convenient to mean that West had led the four from overcall 1♦. He wanted to do more but the ♦10-4-2. Not possible for those the singleton spade was a big worry. West, remember, ruffed a diamond who play Standard Leads. South bid 1♠ and West had an already with his ♠2. Wishing to stop Sometimes spot cards reveal little easy pass. He had less to think about a second diamond ruff, South trumps secrets if one looks for them. ■

Page 18 BRIDGE December 2018 Julian Pottage Answers your Bridge Questions What Do I Do With Five Cards In The Suit Overcalled?

Please can you to get rich defending at the shows 15-19 points. I really have the ♣Q is if the help with the one level, I would not pass. made 11 tricks. However, lead is from two or three Q bidding on this East’s reopening 2♦ would 3 pairs bid 6NT and made small cards – and surely deal? I was West. definitely not be my choice 12 tricks. Some pairs were North would have led a either. The 2♦ rebid denies in hearts but being quite spade in that case. You four spades and does not flat with a lot of points, will discard two diamonds Dealer North. Love All. promise a good hand. I my partner thought no- from dummy on the long ♠ Q 9 8 7 do not have a strong view trumps would score better. hearts, squeezing anyone ♥ K between double (planning Firstly, should East have who has the ♠Q and either ♦ 10 9 4 to convert 2♣ to 2♦) and 1♠. tried a quantitative raise of four diamonds or Q-J-x. ♣ 9 6 4 3 2 2♦, however, is a misbid. 4NT even though he knows As the cards lie, South can ♠ 10 3 ♠ A J 6 2 Once you have decided the maximum possible keep ♦J-x-x allowing North ♥ J 10 7 5 2 ♥ A 9 to pass over 1♥, passing number of points is 32? to discard one diamond N ♦ J W E ♦ K Q 8 7 3 2 2♦ does not seem so Secondly, how should I and hold you to 12 tricks. S ♣ A Q J 8 7 ♣ K unreasonable. You are not have played the West hand ♠ K 5 4 expecting partner to have to make 12 tricks? The lead ♣♦♥♠ ♥ Q 8 6 4 3 such a good hand. You from North was the ♣4, ♦ A 6 5 would get to game if partner South played the ♣J, which Can you suggest ♣ 10 5 reopened with a double I covered with the ♣K. the best bidding because then you would Jane Karfoot by email. Q sequence by jump to 3♣, after which West on the following: Partner East opened 1♦. partner bids 3♦ and you 3NT. 1. When playing a South intervened 1♥? wide-ranging 2NT Dilemma – I can’t double. ♣♦♥♠ A rebid, I play a 3♣ ♠ A Q 10 7 6 Do I bid 2♣ or pass, rebid by responder as asking ♥ 7 6 hoping that partner will Please can you for opener’s range. Opener ♦ 9 8 reopen with a double? help with two then bids 3♦ with any ♣ A Q 8 7 Reluctantly, I passed. Q queries on this good 17-19 and otherwise Partner then bid 2♦. deal? I was West. continuations are natural. If Again, and reluctantly, you do not play that, it seems West North East South I passed. reasonable for East not to 1♠ 2♦ 2♥ Pass We missed 3NT! ♠ Q 8 5 look for a slam. The shape is ? Margaret Bleakley, ♥ 10 3 4-3-3-3 and the maximum Belfast. ♦ Q 6 3 combined point count is 32. At the table, West passed. ♣ Q 8 6 4 3 2. You should make 12 I later suggested that Firstly, although you ♠ A K ♠ J 10 4 tricks even without the helpful West should not pass on

have asked mainly ♥ A J 8 4 2 N ♥ K Q 7 club lead. You can set up a this sequence as East is about the East-West ♦ A 9 8 W E ♦ K 10 7 4 long diamond to make two unlimited for his 2♥ bid. A S bidding, I agree that South’s ♣ K 10 2 ♣ A 9 5 spades, five hearts, three West disagreed. overcall with such a poor suit ♠ 9 7 6 3 2 diamonds and two clubs. Can you explain what and a flat hand is dubious. ♥ 9 6 5 After the club lead, you West should bid? As West, I would not pass ♦ J 5 2 have a more or less marked Huw Jones, over 1♥. With a decent ♣ J 7 finesse position in the suit Swansea. 5-card suit and nine points, giving you twelve tricks you could reasonably bid without losing the lead – if Passing a forcing bid 2♣. You certainly have a The bidding was 1♥, 2♦, the opponents use standard represents a breach heart stopper if you prefer 2NT, 3NT. The rebid of 2NT second and fourth leads, A of partnership trust 1NT. Since you are unlikely after the 2 level response the only way South could and not something u

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 19 you want to do if you wish or both minors for example sometimes partner cannot not a great success and to keep your partner. With – but I do not think I know tell which, this is more helpful we’d been mugged by the 2♥ response unlimited, anyone who plays double as than returning your highest the opposition. The raise West could miss a game or penalty in second seat but card no matter your length. to 4♥ had been made even a slam by passing it. conventional in fourth seat. Occasionally you would on a hand with just one Some people play a If you are a passed return a higher card to HCP but great shape: change of suit as non- hand, a double should be avoid a blockage or to pin forcing after the overcall, in conventional regardless a high card in dummy – but which case West would be of the strength of the 1NT if you are just trying to tell ♠ J 9 8 5 3 2 at liberty to pass – but that opening – you cannot partner about your holding ♥ 10 9 7 5 2 is a matter of partnership logically want to make you lead low – so you did ♦ 7 4 agreement. Unless you a penalty double when the right thing in returning ♣ Void have agreed to play 2♥ your hand is weaker the three from Q-8-4-3. as non-forcing or you are than the opener’s. While in a way all things playing rubber bridge and are dependent upon partner- Well bid by the opposition, a previous partscore means ♣♦♥♠ ship agreement, what I have but how could we have that 60 is all you need for described is so standard that avoided that disaster? game, West needs to find a Defending a 1NT any other carding method Dave Simmons, rebid. Since a high reverse contract, the would require agreement. Buntingford, Hertfordshire. (3♣) would show extra values Q club suit I could and this hand is minimum, see was as follows: ♣♦♥♠ If you play a 1NT the correct rebid is 2♠. overcall as 15-17 Playing MP A or 15-18, doubling ♣♦♥♠ ♣ 9 6 duplicate (at love and then bidding no-trumps ♣ Q 8 4 3 Q all), LHO opened 1♥, at the lowest level shows a When LHO opens partner doubled and RHO hand fractionally better than a weak 1NT, jumped to 4♥ (pre-emptive). that. I do not play a 2NT Q followed by two Partner led the ♣2. So the bidding started: overcall in second seat as passes, is it best to keep to Declarer called for the ♣9. natural – but if I did it would 15-18 points for a double, I followed with the ♣Q Me LHO Partner RHO show a better hand than or is there an argument for taken by the ♣K. 1♥ Dbl 4♥ your partner has – there making a protective double The next trick was won by ? would be a gap between with maybe a good 12, 13 me with ♥A. I returned ♣3. the strength required or 14 points and no biddable Declarer played the ♣5 and What should my partner and for 1NT and for 2NT. suit? Would your strategy be partner’s ♣10 won. Partner I have bid? This was my Rather than make a take- different between pairs and then switched to another suit. hand: out double with a singleton teams? And if opponents At the end of the play and spade, your partner might play a strong NT, would a bad result for us, partner make a heavy 1NT overcall. a double still be showing admonished me for not ♠ A Q 10 4 Missing a thin game is no points in fourth position, returning my ♣8 instead of ♥ Void disaster at matchpoints. or do some pairs use it for ♣3, saying that my return ♦ Q 10 9 6 5 The concern is that you will a weak minor two-suiter card was misleading. ♣ J 5 3 2 transfer into spades and the or something else? I was perplexed as I partnership finish in a 5-1 fit. Chris Bickerdike, thought my return of the With your hand you could Cornwall. ♣3 indicated a holding of I bid 4♠ which was double 4♥, although partner two or four cards. A Lady passed out, and partner is likely to think you have a In fourth seat your Milne player I asked said put down dummy. more balanced hand than high cards lie under that it was a matter of To my dismay, he had a you actually do and possibly A the opening bidder, partnership agreement. singleton spade and five without four spades. so I do not think there is Name and address supplied. diamonds: Neither the initial double much of a case for shading nor your 4♠ bid were the double. This is the If partner leads a obviously wrong. same at pairs or teams. suit and you start ♠ 6 After you bid 4♠, your If the 1NT opening is A with four cards in the ♥ A Q J partner, who had been strong, although plenty of suit, it is customary to return ♦ K J 8 3 2 planning to correct a spade people do still play a penalty your lowest card. This way ♣ A K 10 4 bid to no-trumps, wants to double, it is also quite a low card usually signifies bid a natural 4NT. Alas, common to play a double an original doubleton or 4NT sounds like a key card as conventional, one minor four-card holding. Although Needless to say, 4♠ was enquiry, not natural. This

Page 20 BRIDGE December 2018 being the case, 5♦ seems with the king offside. the only realistic alternative. A 3-1 break occurs Often you will have bid 50%. A quarter of the time 4♠ on a 4- or 5-card suit, that the suit splits 3-1 the in which case it will not be king will be the singleton a good place to play. Even and a half of that time if you hold six spades, there the king will be offside. could be a better spot given The chance of a that you are very likely to doubleton king onside is be void in hearts from the thus half of 40%, ie 20%. opposing bidding. Perhaps The chance of a singleton partner was hoping that king offside is thus an someone would double eighth of 50% ie 6.25%. 4♠, in which case a natural Taking the finesse was retreat to 4NT would be almost certainly correct. available – but opponents I say ‘almost certainly’ are unlikely to double with so because sometimes the 2019 few values between them. opposing bidding or lack 18-20 January £208 26-28 July £229 of it might tell you where Just Duplicate Masterpointed Duplicate ♣♦♥♠ the king is – although that 8-10 February £218 20-22 September £238 is unlikely to be the case Finding Slams Further into the Auction I played in a 6♣ in a slam contract when Hosted by Gary Conrad Hosted by Ray Hutchinson contract and your opponents probably 8-10 March £208 11-13 October £218 went 1 down. did not have much to say. Q Just Duplicate Just Duplicate When dummy came 17-19 May £238 down I could instantly ♣♦♥♠ 25-27 October £238 Drawing Trumps see there was one certain Play & Defence of 1NT Hosted by John Ronan Hosted by Michael Haytack loser outside of the trump Can you make 14-16 June £218 suit. A successful result a game try in 1-3 November £264 Just Duplicate depended on how I Q the following Defence as Partner of the played the trump suit: sequences? 5-7 July £264 Leader Supporting Minors Hosted by Bernard Magee Hosted by Bernard Magee West North East South 15-17 November £218 ♠ ♣ ♦ 4 1 Pass 1 Pass Just Duplicate 1♥ Pass 2♥ ♠ A Q J 10 9 5 3 2 This charming rustic hotel is set in the beautiful countryside West North East South of Grantham in the heart of England. Comfortably furnished 1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass and tastefully decorated rooms, with a traditional bar, With the lead in dummy, 1♠ Pass 2♠ contemporary lounge, atmospheric restaurant, and health I played the low spade club altogether make for an idyllic retreat. and finessed the queen, Name and address supplied. losing to a singleton king, and therefore going Yes, once the down in the contract. partnership agrees Was this play correct? Aa major suit at the Should I have done two level, suit bids at the anything else? three level are game tries, Bruce Paul by email. normally looking for game in the major. Since the above Prices shown are per person, full board including tea & coffee The two relevant sequences more or less during breaks and a welcome drinks party. There is no single holdings to consider guarantee that a 4-4 fit is supplement and single players will always be found a partner. The Mr Bridge team will offer support during the set hands A are a singleton king present, I would say that even sessions, on the seminar events, and make up the numbers in offside and a doubleton bids in a previously bid suit the duplicates, so there should never be a half table. ♦ king onside – you cannot (3 in both examples as well All rooms are ensuite, have tea & coffee making facilities and go wrong if the king is as 3♣ in the first sequence free Wi-Fi. The venue has a lift. singleton onside. and 3♥ in the second A 2-2 break occurs sequence) are forcing. The For details and bookings call 40% of the time, half with only non-forcing game try Mr Bridge Holidays  01483 489961 the king onside and half would be 2NT. n

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 21

Letter from Overseas by John Barr BERNARD MAGEE’S A Board To INTERACTIVE Remember TUTORIAL CD DECLARER recent teams match had been encouragement for West to bid the going particularly badly until small slam. With the trump finesse PLAY board 15 arrived on our table. working, the key to the hand is to AMy partner South dealt with N-S avoid two club losers after eliminating vulnerable against not. He passed and spades and diamonds. South did not West opened one heart. My immediate peter in diamonds, suggesting that he thought was to bid a large number of had three and North had eight, and diamonds, but if partner had a few North had shown up with three cards useful cards then 3NT might make, in the majors, so almost certainly had MAC or so I bid 3♥ asking my partner if he two clubs. Windows had a heart stopper – with my fingers If South has both club honours the firmly crossed under the table hoping winning play is to allow South to win that he was on the same wavelength. the first club. He is then end-played East doubled and my partner started and has to lead away from the second to think – which is usually a bad club honour or concede a ruff and sign. After a few minutes the 3NT discard. But if the club honours are bid arrived on the table, very quickly split (or if North had doubleton KQ), followed by a double from West, which the winning line is to play ace and closed the auction. another club. North is then end-played Bernard develops your and has to concede a ruff and discard, declarer play technique in or if North has the queen and South the course of ten ♠ 8 2 the King, South can overtake the club introductory exercises and ♥ 4 to avoid the ruff and discard, but that 120 complete deals. ♦ A K Q 10 7 6 5 4 burns a club trick so does the defenders ♣ K 3 no good. Running the jack to the king l Suit Establishment ♠ K Q J 5 ♠ A 10 6 4 fails as North can return his small in No-trumps ♥ A J 7 6 5 2 N ♥ Q 10 9 8 club and South has Q-9 sitting over l Suit Establishment ♦ Void W E ♦ 8 3 dummy’s 10-2. Another possibility S in Suits ♣ A 8 7 ♣ J 10 2 is to start low from hand and decide ♠ 9 7 3 on the second round whether South l Hold-ups ♥ K 3 is endplayed or an honour is falling. l Ruffing for ♦ J 9 2 Anyway, our teammate played ace and Extra Tricks ♣ Q 9 6 5 4 another club and we soon had +980 to £76 l Entries in go with our +750. No-trumps Two decisions – one at each table Thanks to East’s double of ♥3 West – went in our favour and we won 17 l Delaying looked no further than his fourth IMPs on the deal. If our team had got Drawing Trumps highest heart for the opening lead, and on the wrong end of these we would l Using the Lead my partner soon wrapped up 9 tricks. have scored -2,000 at one table and -50 On a spade lead and heart switch at the other for a loss of 19 IMPs. l Trump Control through declarer, the opponents Despite this 36 IMP swing on l Endplays & Avoidance would have won the first 11 tricks for one board, we still managed to lose l Using the Bidding a penalty of 2,000 instead of our score the match. However, like a football of +750. I overheard our opponents match where a star player scores with loud discussion a couple of weeks after an overhead kick from outside the Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, the match and they were still arguing penalty area, the magic moment stays Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH about this deal. with you forever, while the names of ( 01483 489961 At the other table North chose to bid the opponents and even the match www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop 4♦ and East bid 4♥ which was sufficient result are quickly forgotten. ■

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 23 A History of Playing Cards: Part Twenty Four by Paul Bostock Modern Card Backs

n earlier article told the story of printed card backs beginning in England in 1840 – see BRIDGE 191. We now look at modern back designs. Special card Abacks have become the most common way of customising cards, and as a result different categories of backs have become collectable in their own right. The Worshipful Company of Makers of playing cards recently acquired an interesting set of playing card sample backs – a set that would have belonged to a sales representative for Goodall playing-cards in the early 1920s. Samples like these were taken to department stores, stationers and toy shops all around the UK. The image to the right shows designs in their ‘Salon’ range, clearly one of the most luxurious. At this time Goodall were offering over 200 different back designs and 23 different ranges. This was a golden era for card games, and Goodall alone were selling some six million packs a year. For the serious card player, the card back of preference is a simple coloured pattern that will not mark easily. For the more casual card player there are now all sorts of variations. Many of these are intended to be promotional: direct product advertisements, souvenirs of somewhere visited, Goodall sample cards, 1920s commemorative cards for a royal anniversary or perhaps merchandising items associated with a popular film or TV series. Advertisements have appeared on cards almost as long as card backs have been printed. They are popular with advertisers because cards tend to be kept and the potential advertising themes are now so plentiful that collectors often restrict themselves to a specific area of interest. Popular subjects are transport (airlines or railways), drinks (beer, whisky), fashion and so on. A particularly well-made example is a pack by Theakston (image below). As well as an advertising back, the fronts recall the style of ‘illustrated’ cards from the 18th century, quietly conveying the brand’s long standing, its specialist workforce and, overall, their attention to detail.

Advertising Cards – various drinks brands including Theakston (see text above).

Page 24 BRIDGE December 2018 Many charitable organisations also produce cards. For Re-boot your charities, these raise money at the point of sale as well as Acol with having the advertising. The Lifeboats (RNLI), WWF, Oxfam Bernard Magee and NSPCC have regularly made cards, and Friends of the Denham Grove, Uxbridge, Earth made an artistic ‘transformation’ set – see BRIDGE Bucks UB9 5DG 175. Two more back types go together – ‘Commemorative’ and 10-14 January ‘Souvenir’: Commemorative cards relate to a particular event, 2019 often a specific date. Examples include memorable events like Olympic Games, royal weddings, births or jubilees. Mr £454pp Thursday – Bridge’s Jubilee card back is show to the right. Souvenir cards Monday are often produced by places like museums and galleries, or a city, a state, a country and so on. A selection of travel Four Nights Full Board – No Single souvenir card backs is shown below. Supplement1

Topics OPENER RESPONDER RESPONDING TO Playing cards associated with film or TV series form another popular area for collectors. 1NT Obvious possibilities here include Star Wars, Harry Potter, James Bond and Dr Who. The OVERCALLS Harry Potter series of cards from Carta Mundi was particularly well done as the makers took the opportunity to include some special cards and boxes designed for performing magic LAWS & ETHICS tricks. IMPROVING In recent years, ‘cardistry’ has gained a following. Dexterity with cards was once associated BRIDGE MEMORY with magicians, and the modern cardists have developed this as a skill in its own right. Cardists tend to like cards with backs that look good when the deck is fanned out in various ways. This is illustrated to the left. Sessions of One final controversy: if you collect backs, you supervised play really only want one card. The practice therefore follow each exists for splitting packs into 52 (plus extras). This lecture. is of course a little upsetting for those who view the entire pack as the item of interest, and there is some friction between the groups. Fortunately, Optional collectable backs generally appear only on modern duplicate session cards, and the practice of collecting singles allows every evening2. many more people to participate. ■

Contact Mr Bridge to £99 book your place PLUS 12 including or for further Q p&p details. Really user-friendly bridge-playing software. ( 01483 489961

TRADE IN – Send in ANY bridge software, 1Subject to availability. 2Not together with a cheque for £50 and receive QPlus 12. directed by Bernard Magee.

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 25 Seven Days by Sally Brock

to the Japanese restaurant in the hotel They aren’t so solid on this deal: FRIDAY – a grill where they cook your food in front of you. I am a bit worried about Up at the crack of dawn to get to not being able to eat anything, but Dealer East. E/W Game. Gatwick for my 10.45 flight to Orlando they do salmon and vegetables which ♠ J 9 8 6 2 for this year’s World Championships. are delicious. ♥ A K 10 Ten or so hours later I land, and ♦ 10 9 3 after an interminable queue to get ♣ Q 10 through US immigration I am finally SUNDAY ♠ K Q 7 5 4 ♠ Void in America. However, I have agreed ♥ 5 N ♥ Q 8 7 6 4 3 2 W E ♦ Q 8 2 ♦ K 7 5 4 to wait for Fiona, so that is another 45 Time for the bridge, Women’s teams S minutes or so, but then things speed for the McConnell Cup, to start. The ♣ K J 5 2 ♣ 9 3 up and we get an Uber to the Orlando format is contentious because the ♠ A 10 3 World Marriott, our home for the next original schedule was a round robin to ♥ J 9 couple of weeks. Our room is splendid reduce to 32 teams. The only problem ♦ A J 6 with a great view, everything you is that there are just 17 teams entered! ♣ A 8 7 6 4 would expect from a US five-star hotel. So, it is decided that there will be a We just have time to unpack and each Swiss teams over two days to reduce have a shower before meeting with our to eight for the quarter-finals. It seems As South I stretch a little to open team for dinner in the hotel’s Italian a bit strange that for the rather huge 1NT (15-17) after East passed. West, restaurant. It’s good to hook up with $1,500 dollars entry fee nine of the rather aggressively I think, facing them again. Then an early night. teams will get only two days of bridge. a passed partner, bids 2♠, showing We start badly by losing by 24 IMPs five spades and a four-card or longer to Baroni, but then things improve minor. Fiona hopes that I will reopen SATURDAY somewhat and at the end of the first day with a double (which I wouldn’t have we are lying a respectable fourth. In done as I have too many spades), and I sleep pretty well and we both get the evening Lynn has booked a table at so passes. East, inexplicably, bids 3♥, up and go to the supermarket with a restaurant that turns out to be in the and West, perhaps thinking that by a Lynn, our team captain. The shop Disney complex – absolutely teeming passed hand this must be some sort is huge and seems to sell virtually with people. When we get there (after of fit showing bid, rebids 3♠. Fiona everything, including a card table quite a long walk from the car park) knows what to do with that, and her which Lynn wants to buy so that dead on time for our reservation, we double ends the auction. Our defence we can practise in her suite, and an still have to wait a while. The place is is not perfect, but +1100 is enough for electric kettle – American hotels these loud but not unpleasant and the food a good swing. days seem to have coffee-making excellent. At least I will be able to go With just one round to go we are facilities, but these just drip feed hot home saying I went to Disney Springs! mathematically certain of qualifying water and don’t really work for tea. We – a good job really, as we lose our last also buy lots of groceries – breakfast match heavily and only qualify in is not included in our room rate, so MONDAY eighth place. Perhaps that is a good the idea is to have non-dinner meals omen as four years ago we qualified in Lynn’s suite. After a late breakfast The day progresses satisfactorily in eighth place and went on to win. we sit down for 16 boards of bridge enough. Our third match is against As far as our draw for the quarter- against Lynn and Karen. Then we go Aperol, a French/Russian/Polish finals goes, it doesn’t really matter. back to our room for a rest and a talk combo. Fee and I play against the The top two teams get to choose about system, before going back for solid French pair, Sylvie Willard & their opponents, but then the others another 16 boards. For dinner we go Catherine d’Ovidio. are paired according to the original

Page 26 BRIDGE December 2018 seeding, not by where they finish in in 5♣ doubled, and declarer takes a up overnight. Nicola’s team are only the round robin. As we were originally diamond finesse and goes down 500 21 down against Aperol, so it looks as seeded second, and the Chinese, who for 17 IMPs to our side. if there are chances that we will play were the original number one, did not We end the day with a lead of 120 her team in the final. For dinner we go qualify, we are destined to play the IMPs. Very graciously, our opponents out to a burger joint – Fuddruckers! lowest seed – Quinn. Tonight we go to concede, giving us the next day off. My teeth aren’t really up to burgers an excellent fish restaurant. This is a We have dinner at another superb or anything else they sell, so I go next pretty good life. restaurant and later have a drink back door to an Indian and get myself a in the hotel with a couple of other vegetable and cottage cheese curry. English players. We are all quite exhausted, so it is time TUESDAY for an early night..

The quarter-finals: Fee and I start with WEDNESDAY Karen and Lynn. We have not played FRIDAY well in the round robin, so today it Time for some shopping. Fiona gets up is good to start by doing ourselves early and goes to the gym while I laze We play both sets with Kerri and Irina, justice. We have a pretty good card about finishing my book. Then we get gaining a single IMP on the first set, in the first set, at the end of which we a shuttle bus to the outlet store and do but 26 on the next to win comfortably. are 52 IMPs up. Fee and I then get to some shopping. I buy a pair of trousers I like our last set – for a change the rest and the team put on another 23. for $12, and a whole lot of half-price cards go our way. We bid and make Things continue to go well in the third Elizabeth Arden cosmetics for Briony. one grand slam and two small slams. and fourth sets – this is one of our While we are doing this we have our We also make an unmakeable 3NT, better boards: phones on and are keeping an eye on and our opponents have a bidding the other quarter-final matches. Our misunderstanding to play a cold 4♥ in next opponents are the winners of 3NT. So we feel we could not lose. This Dealer East. N/S Game. the match between Westheimer and is our grand slam, admittedly a little ♠ A J 9 8 2 Baroni. Westheimer had a big lead, lucky: ♥ Q J 10 3 2 but Baroni are clawing it back … and ♦ 4 we would prefer to play Baroni. We are ♣ 8 6 also interested in the match between ♠ A ♠ 10 7 6 4 3 ♠ Q 10 ♠ K 7 6 5 3 Nicola and Yvonne’s team and Poland. ♥ A K Q 5 4 N ♥ 7 6 3 W E ♥ A 9 7 5 4 N ♥ K 8 6 ♦ A K 5 4 2 ♦ Q J W E In the interest of patriotism we would S ♦ K 10 3 S ♦ J 7 6 2 like Nicola’s team to win – again they ♣ A Q ♣ K 4 2 ♣ A Q 7 ♣ 2 were a lot down but have been steadily ♠ 4 reducing the deficit. The third quarter- ♥ Void final is between Aperol and Koda (US/ We bid: ♦ A Q 9 8 5 Netherlands/Sweden) – Koda had a big ♣ K J 10 9 5 4 3 lead but Aperol are pulling it back, and West East for better or worse we think that Koda 2♣ 2♦ is tougher. Fiona and I watch the scores 2♥ 2♠ This is the bidding at our table: as we are having some lunch and then 3♦ 3♥ go up to Lynn’s suite to watch the rest. 3♠ 4♣ West North East South Rather amazingly, all three matches 4NT 5♦ Pass 1♣ go in the direction we like, so that is 6♦ 7♥ 1NT 2♣ 2♥ 3♣ some cause for celebration. We have Dbl All Pass an early dinner at an amazing slightly The first two bids are standard, then old-fashioned Italian restaurant – 2♥ shows either 22-24 balanced or My 2♣ bid shows both majors (as probably the best meal we have had so hearts. 2♠ is more or less forced and partner usually has a weak no-trump far. At the end they give us all a single 3♦ natural, showing both red suits. 3♠ hand-type for a 1♣ opening). The red rose – OK, a bit of a cliché, but still and 4♣ are cue-bids, and I then ask for opponents are very unsure of what rather nice. aces. When partner (not surprisingly) their bids mean – East thinks 2♥ is a shows none, my 6♦ asks about third- transfer, and West has no idea. We are round diamond control. quite happy when West doubles 3♣ for THURSDAY With the ♦Q (and even better, the ♦J) penalties. On the ♠Q lead, Fiona ruffs it is clear for Fiona to bid the grand two diamonds in the dummy and ends Our first set doesn’t go too well, but slam. Had her third-round control up making two overtricks! teammates are heroic and we are 3 been a doubleton, then she would look In the other room a more exuberant IMPs up. Our turn to sit out – steady at how good her trumps are and, with auction leads to South being declarer gains in the next three sets leave us 32 just 7-6-3, would sign off. u

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 27

Mr Bridge UK Events 2019 Full Board – No Single Supplement*

Just Duplicate Tutorial Events Tutorial Events Blunsdon House Blunsdon House with Bernard Magee 25-27 January from £228* 5-7 April from £238* Blunsdon House Defence to Weak Twos 15-17 March from £228* Hosted by John Ronan 8-10 February from £258* 6-8 September from £228* Ruffing for Extra Tricks Elstead Hotel Chatsworth Hotel 1-3 November from £228* 28-30 June from £264* Bournemouth BH1 3QP 1-3 February £228 4-4-4-1 Hands 22-24 November from £228* Hand Evaluation Hosted by Will Parsons Chatsworth Hotel 8-10 November from £264* 10-12 May £238 Game Tries 15-17 March £223 Doubling Chatsworth Hotel Masterpointed Duplicate Hosted by Sandy Bell 26-28 April £218 16-18 August £238 29-31 March £258 7-9 June £218 Leads and Fundamental Drawing Trumps Defence 5-7 July £218 Hosted by Martin Holcombe 4-6 October £264 Denham Grove Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG 27-29 September £218 Denham Grove Denham Grove 1-3 November £218 1-3 March £228 10-14 January £454 15-17 November £218 Endplay and Avoidance Re-Boot Your Acol Hosted by Sandy Bell Elstead Hotel Denham Grove 9-11 August £238 28-30 June £229 Responding to 1NT 15-17 November £264 Hosted by Elaine Duff Masterpointed Duplicate Key Card Blackwood and 19-21 July £218 Elstead Hotel Slams

Olde Barn Hotel, Grantham 13-15 September £218 8-10 March £228 Inn on the Prom Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Overcalls 25-27 October £218 Hosted by Hilary Levett 1-3 February £258 Counting Defence Elstead Hotel 26-28 April £238 Suit Establishment 28-30 May £264 22-24 February £218 Hosted by Will Parsons Pre-Emptive Bidding 31 May - 2 June £218 21-23 June £238 Olde Barn Hotel 4-6 October £218 Hand Evaluation Hosted by Will Parsons 5-7 July £264 8-10 November £218 Supporting Minors Olde Barn Hotel Olde Barn Hotel 1-3 November £264 Chatsworth Hotel 8-10 February £218 Defence as Partner of the Worthing BN11 3DU 18-20 January £208 Leader Finding Slams 8-10 March £208 Hosted by Gary Conrad Two Bridges Hotel 14-16 June £218 17-19 May £238 3-5 April from £349* 26-28 July £229 Drawing Trumps Better Finessing Hosted by John Ronan Masterpointed Duplicate 20-22 September £238 Trouville Hotel 11-13 October £218 Further into the Auction 15-19 February from £399** 15-17 November £218 Hosted by Ray Hutchinson Competitive Bidding For tutorial events in October onwards, Please note there are no seminars, set Blunsdon House Hotel call the Mr Bridge office or see individual **Price includes ferry fare for two Swindon SN26 7AS hands or prizes at these events. adverts. adults in one car

Details & Bookings ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk *Subject to availability. Single supplement applies to all rooms at Two Bridges & Blunsdon House Continued from page 27... In the other room, the North hand Nicola’s team rather excitingly wins starts with 2♦ rather than double so it BERNARD by 2 IMPs, so there is plenty of British is harder for them to find their heart interest in the final. fit. Fiona does well to make a slam try MAGEE’S Fiona and I go off to a different over my 4♥ and there we are, with no INTERACTIVE shopping outlet (no more interesting problems in the play after a top club than the first, in truth, I just bought lead and a trump switch. +13 IMPs. TUTORIAL CD another pair of trousers), and meet the In the evening there is a WBF others at Moonfish, yet another very reception to celebrate 60 years of nice restaurant. After an early meal we existence. All the World Grand DEFENCE have a quick drink back at the hotel Masters (which includes everyone before retiring for the night. on our team) receive a personalised plaque to mark the event. Because of this we order takeaway pizza instead SATURDAY of going out to eat – a welcome change really, after so many excellent MAC or For the first set the cards are very much restaurants. Windows against us but we manage to be 15 IMPs up which is a decent start. Fee and I are out for the second set, but watch SUNDAY nervously on BBO. We gain another 9, and then the third set starts very badly, We gain 35 IMPs on the first set, to but we improve at the end so the set is put the match firmly in our hands. level and we have an overnight lead of Although the second set doesn’t go 24 IMPs. This is a nice slam hand on so well (we gain only 7) my argument the penultimate board: with Fiona about our terrible last board is interrupted by our opponents conceding! So it is all over and we have Bernard develops your Dealer South. N/S Game. retained our world championship title. defence in the course of ten ♠ J 3 We invite our opponents to come introductory exercises and ♥ K Q 7 5 up to Lynn’s suite while she goes out 120 complete deals. ♦ A Q 9 7 4 2 to buy champagne (she didn’t want to ♣ 8 jinx things, and was not prepared to l Lead vs ♠ Q 10 ♠ 9 8 5 4 buy the champagne until we had a lead No-trump Contracts N ♥ J 8 4 ♥ 3 2 of at least 85 IMPs), so to start with it l W E Lead vs ♦ J 10 5 S ♦ 6 3 is yesterday’s pizza (warmed up in the Suit Contracts ♣ A K Q 9 3 ♣ J 10 7 6 2 microwave) and excellent red wine. l Partner of Leader ♠ A K 7 6 2 Later we move on to champagne and vs No-trump ♥ A 10 9 6 other snacks Lynn bought. At eight o’ Contracts ♦ K 8 clock we go downstairs for the medal ♣ 5 4 ceremony – which is significantly l Partner of Leader shorter than usual. vs Suit Contracts Then I have a drink with Fiona’s l Count West North East South mixed team before going to bed Signals 1♠ early, in anticipation of the start of l Attitude £76 2♣ Dbl 4♣ 4♥ tomorrow’s mixed teams, but you will Signals Pass 5♣ Pass 5♦ have to wait till next month to find out Pass 6♥ All Pass about that … ■ l Discarding l Defensive Plan

l Stopping Declarer REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Postage stamps for sale l Counting the Hand at 90% of face-value, all Values supplied in 100s, mint with full gum. higher values available, Quotations for as well as 1st and 2nd Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, commercial quantities class. Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH available on request. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop ( 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 29 Robin Hood's Bridge Adventures by David Bird The Sheriff’s Young Admirer

he Sheriff looked up from his ‘Tolerably,’ the Sheriff replied. ‘The his hand. When the ♣Q appeared on oak desk, ‘Do you realise what standard is appalling, as always.’ his right, he could not hide his delight. month it is?’ he asked. ‘Not all are as gifted as you, my He won with the ♣K, cashed the ♣J T‘December, my Lord?’ Gisborne Lord,’ said Baynes. and finessed the ♣9 to make the slam. replied. The Sheriff waved this gratuitous ‘Well played, my Lord!’ exclaimed ‘Indeed,’ continued the Sheriff. ‘I flattery aside. The pungent odour of Wilfred Baynes, quick to register the take it you recall what will happen if horses was evident. Did the man never first words of praise. you don’t have Robin Hood under lock wash? ‘No-one else will make it, you can be and key by the end of the month?’ sure,’ replied the Sheriff. ‘Er... not exactly, my Lord,’ stuttered ‘Quite so, my Lord,’ said Gisborne, Gisborne. ‘I remember you expressed Dealer South. E/W Game. as he entered the score. ‘Most pairs some preference that he should be ♠ A Q J made 12 tricks in 6NT.’ captured as soon as possible.’ ♥ A Q 10 The Sheriff’s next opponents were ‘Our agreement was that your ♦ J 4 3 two somewhat overweight men from prolonged failure to apprehend Hood ♣ A 9 5 4 the castle kitchens. They drew their would be marked by your demotion to ♠ 8 5 3 ♠ 9 7 4 2 cards for this deal: castle guard (second class). Sergeant ♥ 8 6 2 N ♥ 9 7 4 3 W E ♦ ♦ Barker would become captain of the 9 8 5 S 10 7 6 2 guard.’ ♣ 10 8 7 6 ♣ Q Dealer South. Love All. Gisborne winced. ‘I have made every ♠ K 10 6 ♠ K 10 7 6 possible effort, my Lord. Only last ♥ K J 5 ♥ K J 6 week I was inches away from Hood ♦ A K Q ♦ 6 4 2 and the Arab cut-throat, playing cards ♣ K J 3 2 ♣ 10 4 3 in a local tavern.’ ♠ 5 ♠ 9 2 ♥ 9 2 N ♥ 10 8 7 5 4 3 The Sheriff’s eyes blackened. ‘You W E had him in your grasp and failed to West North East South ♦ K J 10 5 S ♦ Q 9 7 3 make an arrest?’ Wilfrid Guy of Arthur The ♣ K Q 9 8 5 2 ♣ J ‘My only assistant at the time was Baynes Gisborne Crabbe Sheriff ♠ A Q J 8 4 3 my bridge partner, an infirm old 2NT ♥ A Q woman,’ Gisborne continued. ‘The Pass 7NT All Pass ♦ A 8 outlaws were armed to the teeth.’ ♣ A 7 6 ‘Your excuses grow feebler by the Wilfrid Baynes led the ♦9, and the month,’ declared the Sheriff. ‘Let’s Sheriff had no great liking for the hope that your bridge is not equally dummy that appeared. Despite the 38 West North East South pathetic in tonight’s game.’ points between the hands, there were Jonas Guy of Jeb The The evening began with a succession only 11 top tricks. Woade Gisborne Gryce Sheriff of good scores dropping onto the If clubs broke 3-2, the odds favoured 2♣ Sheriff’s card. They gave him little playing East for the ♣Q. Could he deal Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ satisfaction. No-one in the field with any of the 4-1 breaks? If he began Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ approached his level of play. Scoring with the ♣A, it seemed he would lose a Pass 4♥ Pass 6♠ tops was like plucking ripe apples club trick even if one of the defenders All Pass from a tree. held a singleton queen. ‘Good evening, my Lord,’ said The Sheriff soon spotted the best play Jonas Woade surveyed his hand Wilfrid Baynes, well-known at the in the club suit. He won the diamond carefully. If he happened to find an Nottingham horse fair. ‘You are doing lead and crossed to dummy with a opening lead that beat the slam, his job well?’ spade. He then led a low club towards in the kitchens would be in jeopardy.

Page 30 BRIDGE December 2018 Not only would he wave goodbye to ‘Perhaps you were also about to on his left. There seemed to be a certain his modest pay packet, his unlimited point out that only an unlikely low diamond loser. In that case he would supply of free food would be lost. club would beat the slam,’ continued need to pick up the trumps. Was there A diamond lead looked the most the Sheriff. ‘With East’s♣ J out of the anything more to the deal? Ah, maybe promising. There was an excellent way, even I wouldn’t be able to make there was! chance that the Sheriff and Gisborne it!’ The Sheriff won with the ♥A, played would have the ace and the queen A few rounds later, the Sheriff was the trump ace and led a second between them. entranced by the arrival of Lady trump to his king. He had taken the Jonas Woade led the ♦J, disappointed Heloise Ansel and her exquisite young second-best line in trumps, yes, but a to see this force declarer’s ace. The daughter, Rhoslyn. ‘Good to see you, substantial second chance remained. Sheriff drew trumps and played the Heloise,’ gushed the Sheriff. ‘In very The Sheriff played two more top ace and queen of hearts, overtaking in good health, as always.’ hearts, followed by three rounds of the dummy. He discarded a diamond Noting that Gisborne could not take clubs. Both defenders followed to the on the ♥J and ruffed a diamond in his his eyes of the fair-haired Rhoslyn, the two top diamonds and he then exited hand. He returned to dummy with a Sheriff tapped his finger on the board with a trump. trump and ruffed the last diamond. they were about to play. Rhoslyn won with the ♠Q and was This was the end position: uncertain what to play next. ‘Nothing you can do, my dear,’ announced the Dealer South. Game All. Sheriff, facing his cards. ‘Your mother ♠ 10 ♠ A 6 4 2 has the ♦J and you will have to play a ♥ — ♥ A 2 heart or a club, giving me a ruff-and- ♦ — ♦ 8 5 4 3 2 discard.’ ♣ 10 4 3 ♣ Q J ‘You know where all the cards lie?’ ♠ — ♠ — ♠ Q 10 8 ♠ 9 5 queried Rhoslyn. ‘I have never seen ♥ — N ♥ 10 8 ♥ 10 9 8 6 N ♥ J 7 4 3 such masterful play.’ W E ♦ K ♦ Q ♦ Q 10 W E ♦ J 9 6 S S The Sheriff sucked in his cheeks. ♣ K Q 9 ♣ J ♣ 9 7 5 2 ♣ 10 8 6 4 How delightful to arouse such ♠ J ♠ K J 7 3 wonderment in a young girl! ♥ — ♥ K Q 5 Gisborne reached for the scoresheet. ♦ — ♦ A K 7 ‘Not particularly good for us, my ♣ A 7 6 ♣ A K 3 Lord,’ he reported. ‘Several pairs made 6NT for a better score. The diamonds can be set up.’ When the Sheriff led the ♣6 from his West North East South The Sheriff glared across the hand, Jonas Woade considered his Rhoslyn Guy of Lady The table. ‘That was my fault, was it?’ he play carefully. The cost of choosing a Gisborne Ansel Sheriff exclaimed. ‘Did you somehow forget card that would beat the slam did not 2♣ that we’re playing matchpoints?’ bear thinking about. Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT ‘Maybe you can correct to 6NT Eventually Woade played the ♣Q Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ with your 4-3-3-3 shape?’ suggested and was delighted to see his partner Pass 6♠ All Pass Gisborne. follow with the ♣J. A low club then The Sheriff turned to his left. ‘Take gave a trick to dummy’s ♣10 and the Rhoslyn led the ♥10 and the Sheriff no notice of Gisborne’s witterings, my slam was successfully conceded. paused to plan the play. Perhaps he dear,’ he said. ‘I’m sure a promising ‘Sorry, Jeb,’ said Jonas Woade. ‘If I could produce some sparkling line of player like you would have bid 6NT on play low, you can win with your jack.’ play to impress the gorgeous creature his cards.’ n ‘You lamb-brained buffoon!’ exclaimed the Sheriff. ‘If he wins with the jack, he will have to give a ruff- and-discard. There was no defence, the way that I played it.’ ‘Perhaps the man can avoid the endplay by leading the ♣K at trick 1,’ suggested Gisborne. ‘I’m surrounded by fools,’ declared the Sheriff. ‘If he leads the club king, dropping his partner’s jack, I can lead towards dummy’s 10.’ ‘I was about to say that, my Lord,’ said Gisborne. ‘You beat me to it.’

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 31 David Stevenson Answers your Bridge Questions How Long Does A Lead Penalty Last?

The law reads: glad I wasn’t doubled. and then bid 2♥ themselves. rules was wrong: even if 1♠ “To require the South then woke up and The bidding continued: is not accepted, East can Q defender to lead said she hadn’t noticed the bid what he likes subject the suit of the penalty 5♥ bid and was now West North East South to different penalties. card, or prohibit him from going to double. 1NT(12-14) Pass 2♦1 Also, if 1♠ had not been leading that suit for so long She had written 5♦ on her Pass 2♥ 1♠ 2♥ accepted but East corrected as he retains the lead…” card. 2♠ 3♥ All Pass to 2♠, West would have been Does that comma matter? Could she double 1Transfer allowed to continue bidding. Specifically, if declarer at this stage? requires the defender to We, E/W, thought it was I was director playing at the ♣♦♥♠ lead the suit of the penalty too late but North argued table and had no one else card, does the requirement that they could still double. that evening to call upon. The bidding ends. to play that suit continue In the end we left it If East hadn’t bid 1♠, My right hand to apply so long as the as 5♥ not doubled. West wouldn’t have known Q opponent leads. defender remains on lead Was this right? he had five spades, and I put down dummy at or just apply for one trick? Jane Davies, there would have been no which point my left hand Sean Haffey by email. Hampshire. subsequent bid from West. opponent says something Looking at the rules, I wrong here and then If the defender is Certainly she can could only find that if East realises he still has his cards required to lead double. The auction had made his bid good to from the previous board. A that suit then A had not finished: 2♠ then his partner could no What should the that only applies to that she is allowed her call. longer join in the bidding, director have done? one trick, in other words The fact she had written but it doesn’t seem to say Ian Blackburn by email. the comma is crucial. 5♦ on her card is clear that if the bid is accepted, evidence she had got then no further bids from This is a matter of ♣♦♥♠ the auction wrong. his partner are allowed. just reading the How should I have A correct law, Law Please could ♣♦♥♠ ruled please? 15A, from the law book. The you advise us Rita Ware by email. board is cancelled and the Qas to what was Can you please offending pair gets average the correct thing to do? help me with The ruling is correct. minus, their opponents N/S were bidding Q the ruling on The next player may average plus. strongly in diamonds and the following hand? A accept an insufficient E/W bidding hearts. bid and if so it becomes ♣♦♥♠ It got up to 5♦ bid by West North East South legal. South decided to South. 1NT(12-14) Pass 2♦1 accept it and that is that. Of Not really a new West then bid 5♥, North Pass 2♥ 1♠ course South should have question for you, passed, East passed and 1Transfer the actual rules read out to Q but I would like to South wrote what I thought her before she accepted it expand your reply to Elaine was the contract down on East’s partner said ‘you and she might have decided Slinn (Issue 190) regarding her card. have to bid 2♠ partner.’ it was better not to. a reminder of the contract. As we prepared to play South said they would I would also point out to Surely Law 41C makes I said jokingly as West, I’m rather accept East’s bid as 1♠ West that his take on the it clear that declarer or

Page 32 BRIDGE December 2018 defender may ask only “at normally issues a warning, Different partnerships their turn to play” and not though he may penalise 25% have different arrangements A world of bridge “at any time”. A defender of a top for a player who over Stayman: that is normal gift ideas who is last to play might has been warned before. bridge. The opponents thus give a hint to partner as But if the director feels the rarely need to know and to a possible line of play. play may have been affected if they do then they ask. The second part of then he adjusts the score. However if a pair have your answer also begs a Law 40B2D bans aides an agreement that they slightly wider question. memoire and the like can rebid 2NT after a You can’t prevent a player unless permitted by the 2♣ response then the 2♣ from asking, but the rule Regulating Authority. response is not Stayman. It presumably is you can’t must be alerted and may not have an answer. What ♣♦♥♠ be described as Stayman. Beautiful leather zipped sanctions are there for a cases in burgundy red or question when it is not In the little town ♣♦♥♠ deep blue containing two your turn to play? of Beaumaris, packs of cards and a set We too have players who QStayman is played We have a rather of our bridge design adjust their bidding box to in several different ways. persistent problem ballpoint pens. Fantastic show the contract and you In our local variation Q in our club which value at just £29.00 answered this in issue 186. this involves bidding 3♣/♦ despite several warnings A set of four scorepad I don’t have a big problem after 1NT or 1NT 2♣ (being seems to continue; that holders - two burgundy with this as that information Stayman). The 3♣/♦ may be is players managing to and two blue made from is readily available. strong or weak irrespective put cards back into the top quality leather. Where in the rules does it of the rest of the system. wrong part of the carrier, (Scorepads not included) say you can’t have aides- Stayman always asks the ie reversing N/S and E/W. Offered at this special price of mémoires generally – by question “do you have Is there a penalty that £29.00 writing down the cards a four card major?”* should be applied to as they are played – and After that some of North who is responsible then consulting this? the variations are: for the proper conduct Fanciful situation? How 1) 1NT- 2♣ just of the carriers? might a director react? asks the question* Tim Burrell by email. Name supplied. 2) 1NT-2♣ promises both majors and 11-12 points Pretty certainly the It is true that you may 3) 1NT-2♣ promises only way this can only ask what the one four card major A happen is because A contract is at your and 11-12 points of people taking the board turn to play (from either hand 4) 1NT-2♣ promises or wallet off the table if you are declarer) which is one four card major during the play which is what I meant by my reply, 5) 1NT-2♣-2NT by illegal. I strongly suggest having not gone into detail. opener = both majors. you just penalise both pairs Any question, whether about As you can see, this can every time it happens until the contract or about the cause a lot of confusion it stops happening. Each meaning of a call, can pass and some bad feelings. side should have 25% of unauthorised information Such is bridge. a top penalty applied. to partner and will be dealt Alun Williams, It is the responsibility Despatched by first class with suitably by the director. Llanfairpwll. of both sides to keep the post or DPD courier for As far as sanctions are board on the table. just £3.25 concerned this is similar to I cannot imagine There may be times CARDS, CLOTHS, so many things in bridge why any of this with small tables when the JIGSAWS AND LOTS where players do not follow A should cause board needs to be moved MORE GIFT IDEAS ON the rules, very common in confusion or bad feelings. to accommodate dummy. OUR WEBSITE clubs. If it seems to make no Stayman is a 2♣ bid asking But the board must stay www.bridge-tables.co.uk difference the director never partner whether he has a on the table and never be PHONE hears about it. If someone four card major and he twisted. That way the cards ♦ 01483 270100 does call the director and it bids 2 if he does not. will always go back into the or order online at has had no effect the director That is all Stayman is. correct part of the board. n www.bridge-tables.co.uk

SR Designs for Bridge E-mail your questions for David to: [email protected] Unit A1, Send Business Park,

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 33

Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 17

the ♦Q. How do you plan the play? diamonds and lead a low one next. If 1. ♠ A 5 4 There is no guarantee of success here East follows with a small card, play the ♥ 6 4 2 but you can make things very difficult for nine knowing that even if it loses West ♦ Q J 10 7 4 the defenders. Instead of just guessing will have no safe exit. If East shows out on ♣ K 7 whether to finesse clubs or do something the second diamond, play the king and ♠ 10 8 7 6 2 ♠ K 3 with the heart suit, win the opening then endplay West with a third round. ♥ A 8 3 N ♥ Q J 10 9 5 lead and draw trumps. Now eliminate W E ♦ 8 2 ♦ K 5 diamonds and lead a low heart off the S ♣ 9 8 6 ♣ 10 5 4 3 table. Unless East is awake enough 4. ♠ 7 ♠ Q J 9 to play a heart honour you are sure of ♥ Q J 10 7 ♥ K 7 success, because if West has to win the ♦ J 7 6 4 ♦ A 9 6 3 heart he will be endplayed in three suits. ♣ Q 10 7 5 ♣ A Q J 2 If East does go in with a heart honour ♠ K J 9 3 ♠ A 10 6 2 and exits with a low heart, you can ruff a ♥ 3 N ♥ 5 4 2 W E couple of rounds of hearts to see whether ♦ Q 10 8 2 S ♦ 9 5 3 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the remaining honour comes down and ♣ K 9 3 2 ♣ A J 8 the ♠6. How do you plan the play? still have the club finesse in reserve. ♠ Q 8 5 4 You can tell that if the lead is fourth Always remember that what is easy for ♥ A K 9 8 6 best then East only has one card higher you may not be so easy for the defenders. ♦ A K than the six and as a consequence ♣ 6 4 it might seem right to play low from dummy. But imagine East wins with the 3. ♠ 6 5 4 king and switches to a heart. Now you ♥ 9 7 You are declarer in 4♥. West leads the will be defeated almost whenever West ♦ A J 8 6 5 ♦2. How do you plan the play? holds the ace. Instead play the ace of ♣ K J 2 As always it is a good idea to count your spades at trick one and take a diamond ♠ A Q 8 7 3 ♠ 10 9 tricks because if you do not do so there finesse. If it wins you will have ten tricks ♥ K 10 6 N ♥ J 8 5 4 3 may be a temptation to attack trumps. W E ♦ 3 ♦ Q 7 4 But a count of the tricks available would easily available; while if it loses you still S might be defeated, but only if the king of ♣ Q 8 6 4 ♣ 9 7 5 show that it is necessary to obtain three diamonds is wrong as well as the king of ♠ K J 2 spade ruffs in dummy, so it is imperative spades and the ace of hearts, giving you ♥ A Q 2 that you lead a spade at trick two, paving much better odds of success. ♦ K 10 9 2 the way for those ruffs in dummy. If you ♣ A 10 3 draw just one round of trumps then a vigilant defender will play a second 2. ♠ Q J 8 5 round when in with a spade and you will ♥ Q 10 6 3 You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the find yourself a trick short. n ♦ A 7 ♠7. East plays the ♠9. How do you plan ♣ K 3 2 the play? ♠ 9 3 ♠ 2 The odds of not losing a diamond trick CLUB INSURANCE ♥ ♥ A 9 7 4 N K 8 5 2 favour bashing out the ace and king, Every club should be covered ♦ Q J 10 6 4 W E ♦ 9 5 3 but as always you have to look at the S and my inclusive package, to ♣ 9 4 ♣ Q 10 8 6 5 bigger picture because you have tenace suit clubs of up to 300 members ♠ A K 10 7 6 4 positions in all the other suits. for less than £75 per year, is the ♥ J After winning the first trick with the right package at the right price. ♦ K 8 2 ♠J you cannot afford to let East win a ♣ A J 7 diamond trick for he will surely play a Contact FIDENTIA for a quote spade through your K-2 holding and ( you will likely lose four spades and 020 3150 0080 [email protected] You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads a diamond. Instead play the ace of

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Page 36 BRIDGE December 2018 Answers to Negative Doubles Quiz on page 15

1 At game all how should East West North East South bid with these hands? 1♥ 2♦ ? Hand D Hand E Hand F ♠ K Q J 10 ♠ A J 3 ♠ 7 3 2 West North East South ♥ 2 ♥ 7 3 2 ♥ A J 3 1♦ 1♥ ? Hand A Hand B Hand C ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 ♦ A Q 8 6 ♠ K Q 7 5 ♠ 8 6 ♠ A Q 10 9 3 2 ♣ A J 6 ♣ A 10 9 ♣ A 10 9 ♥ Q 5 2 ♥ Q 5 2 ♥ 8 Hand A Hand B Hand C ♦ 8 6 ♦ 9 5 3 2 ♦ J 9 ♠ A 5 4 2 ♠ A J 7 4 2 ♠ Q 5 2 ♣ 9 5 3 2 ♣ K Q 7 5 ♣ J 7 4 3 East’s negative double has promised ♥ 8 3 ♥ 8 3 ♥ K 10 2 hearts. So if you support hearts ♦ K 7 5 4 ♦ K 7 5 ♦ A 7 6 you should make a limit bid. ♣ Q 10 2 ♣ Q 10 2 ♣ 7 5 3 2 Hand A Dbl. Prepared for any bid partner might make. Hand A 3♥. What would you have Hand B 2♥. Don’t double as that rebid after 1♦-Pass-1♥-Pass? shows four spades. Hand B 2♣. East has not shown Hand D Hand E Hand F Hand C Dbl. Then 2♠ over a 2♥ rebid. clubs. 3♣ would be game ♠ Q 5 2 ♠ Q 5 2 ♠ Q 5 2 forcing: 19 points. ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 6 2 Hand C 3♣. Game forcing. ♦ A 4 ♦ A K 4 ♦ K 6 5 4 3 With East/West vulnerable Hand D Pass. Let them play ♣ Q 7 5 3 2 ♣ 7 5 3 2 ♣ A K 4 2 how should East continue in 1♠ doubled. with these hands? Hand E 1NT. 15-17 points and a spade stopper. West North East South Hand F 2♥. No attractive bid Hand G Hand H Hand J 1♣ 1♦ ? available. At least this ♠ Q 3 2 ♠ Q 3 2 ♠ Q 3 2 will be a 4-3 fit. ♥ A 6 4 3 2 ♥ A Q 9 8 5 ♥ A Q 9 8 5 ♦ 6 ♦ K 6 5 2 ♦ 6 Hand A Hand B Hand C ♣ K 6 5 2 ♣ 6 ♣ K 6 5 2 ♠ K 7 6 5 ♠ K 7 5 3 ♠ Q 6 3 2 5 At game all how should West ♥ Q 5 3 ♥ J 6 4 3 ♥ A J 7 5 4 rebid with these hands? ♦ 6 2 ♦ 6 2 ♦ 8 7 Hand A Dbl. Promising four spades. ♣ J 6 4 3 ♣ Q 5 3 ♣ 10 2 West North East South Hand B 1♠. Promising five spades. 1♦ 1♠ Pass Pass Hand C 1NT. 6-9 points and ? a heart stopper. Hand A 1♠. Double would show Hand D Pass. Nothing sensible to bid. 4-4 in the majors. Hand E 2♦. Better than passing. Hand B Dbl. Ideal. Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand F 2♥. A good raise to Hand C 1♥. If partner has four ♠ 7 ♠ A J 9 ♠ Void 3♦ or better. spades he can rebid 1♠. ♥ 5 3 2 ♥ 5 3 ♥ 6 3 Hand G 1NT. Hearts certainly ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A K Q 7 5 4 not good enough to 4 At game all how should West ♣ A Q 4 2 ♣ A K J ♣ J 10 9 5 4 aim for penalties. rebid with these hands? Hand H 2♥. A good raise to 3♦ or better. Show your West North East South Hand A Dbl. This brings both unbid support before looking 1♦ 1♠ Dbl Pass suits into play and allows for a penalty double. ? for a penalty pass. Hand J Pass. Hopefully partner Hand B 1NT. 17/18-19 points. You will re-open with a double, can tell from your spade which you will pass. Hand A Hand B Hand C holding that partner doesn’t ♠ 7 3 ♠ 7 3 ♠ K 8 have a penalty double of ♥ A J 6 2 ♥ A 2 ♥ A 2 1♠, so he must be weak. 2 With North/South vulnerable how ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 Hand C 2♣. You have a shapely hand should East continue with these ♣ A 3 ♣ A Q 6 2 ♣ A Q 6 2 but no interest in hearts or in hands? See top of the next column. defending at a low level ■

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 37

More Tips from Bernard Magee BERNARD MAGEE’S Count Only The Missing TUTORIAL CDs

MAC Cards In A Suit ADVANCED compatible DECLARER PLAY

ounting up to thirteen should l Overtricks in No-trumps be easy, but when you have to ♠ 10 l Overtricks in Suit Contracts Cdo it in four different suits it will ♥ 8 7 l Endplays start to test your brainpower. Particularly ♦ K J 10 4 l Avoidance in the trump suit, try the effect of only ♣ — l Wrong Contract £81 counting the missing cards, which should N l Simple Squeezes W E l Counting the Hand be a much smaller figure. This tactic is S particularly effective when there is a lot ♠ A Q J l Trump Reductions & Coups of ruffing going on. So, before you play ♥ — l Playing Doubled Contracts to dummy at trick one: tot up your trumps ♦ Q l Safety Plays and work out how many the opponents ♣ J 8 3 have. From then on, only count the times when your opponents play a trump: ADVANCED How many trumps are left out? ACOL BIDDING If you are counting all thirteen trumps, l Basics ♠ K 10 9 then you have to remember that West, l Advanced Basics ♥ 8 7 6 South and North each ruffed once and a l Weak Twos £96 ♦ K J 10 4 3 2 round of trumps produced three trumps. l Strong Hands ♣ 9 As you can see four more trumps, that l Defence to Weak Twos N means there are three trumps left. W E l Defence to 1NT S However, all you need remember if l Doubles ♠ A Q J 5 2 you count the missing trumps is that West l Two-suited Overcalls ♥ Void ruffed at trick two and the opponents l Defences to Other Systems ♦ Q 9 8 played one trump between them under l Misfits and ♣ A J 8 3 2 your king. That leaves three trumps still Distributional Hands out, all with East, so you must play all your trumps before claiming the rest with You are declarer in 5♠ after a rather your diamond winners. The full deal was: FIVE-CARD MAJORS competitive auction and West leads the & Strong No-Trump ♦7. l Opening Bids & Responses You have eight spades between your ♠ K 10 9 l No-Trump Openings two hands, so are missing just five. ♥ 8 7 6 l Support for Partner East takes the ♦A and leads a diamond ♦ K J 10 4 3 2 l Slams & Strong Openings back for his partner to ruff. Then comes ♣ 9 l Rebids the ♥Q which you can ruff. At this point ♠ 8 ♠ 7 6 4 3 l Minors & Misfits you decide to take your ♣A and ruff a ♥ Q J 10 9 2 N ♥ A K 5 4 3 W E l Pre-empting club in dummy, whilst East discards. Then ♦ 7 ♦ A 6 5 £89 S l Doubles you take the ♠K and West shows out. ♣ Q 10 7 6 5 4 ♣ K l Overcalls These cards are left: ♠ A Q J 5 2 l Competitive Auctions ♥ Void ♦ Q 9 8 DUPLICATE BRIDGE ♣ A J 8 3 2 ALSO RULES SIMPLIFIED l Defence (see p29) (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) l Declarer Play (see p23) by David Stevenson Keeping count of trumps is very important only l Acol Bidding (see p12) FULLY REVISED 95 – in fact counting any suit is going to be IN 2017 £5 useful. Counting up to five is much easier Available from Mr Bridge than counting up to thirteen. By getting ( 01483 489961 ( 01483 489961 into the habit of only counting the cards www.mrbridge.co.uk www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop left out, you make your life easier. n

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Page 40 BRIDGE December 2018 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 9

West North East South For sure, you want to take the ♦Q, cash 1. ♠ Q 8 2 1♥ the ♦A and play a third round. What is ♥ K 9 Pass 2♣ Pass 3♥ more, you want to regain the lead to ♦ Q J 10 9 2 Pass 4♥ All Pass play a fourth round of diamonds. If ♣ K Q 6 partner has the ♥A, a good chance on ♠ J 9 7 5 3 ♠ A K 6 Partner leads the ♠3 and dummy plays the bidding, your ♥K can be that entry. ♥ Q 8 N ♥ J 7 6 3 2 low. What is your plan? As a suit preference signal for the higher- W E ♦ ♦ ♦ K 6 3 S 5 This time, with no lower spades ranking heart suit, you lead the 10 at ♣ 10 9 4 ♣ 8 5 3 2 missing, you can guess that the lead is trick three. ♠ 10 4 from a four-card suit. If you cash the two If your partner gets the message and ♥ A 10 5 4 top spades, you will set up the ♠Q for underleads the ♥A, a trump promotion ♦ A 8 7 4 no benefit – you will not make a long on the fourth diamond defeats the ♣ A J 7 spade in a suit contract when declarer contract. has long trumps. Instead you should take the ♠K only and switch to the ♦J. You West North East South hope to set up the ♦K in partner’s hand 4. ♠ 10 7 2 1NT1 before declarer can develop dummy’s ♥ K Q 7 4 Pass 3NT All Pass winners. It is unlikely that you will lose ♦ Q 8 2 112-14 the ♠K (and so concede what could be a ♣ 10 6 4 costly overtrick at matchpoints) because ♠ J 6 ♠ Q 9 8 4 Partner leads the ♠5 and dummy plays declarer would need all of the ♦A, ♣A ♥ 9 6 2 N ♥ 8 W E ♣ ♦ J 9 6 4 3 ♦ A K 7 5 low. What is your plan? and K for it to run away. S With the ♠4 and ♠3 missing, there is Yes, if partner had the ♣K and ♦A, a ♣ Q 5 2 ♣ K 9 8 3 a good chance that the lead is from a club switch might work better – but that ♠ A K 5 3 five-card suit. layout is less likely – and you could lose ♥ A J 10 5 3 Moreover, holding a maximum of the ♠A if partner had the ♦A and nothing ♦ 10 14 points, declarer cannot have three in clubs. ♣ A J 7 aces and the ♦K, which means that your partner should have an entry. Even though doing so means conceding a 3. ♠ K 7 2 West North East South trick to the ♠Q, you should take the ♠K, ♥ 10 7 6 4 1♥ cash the ♠A and play a third round of ♦ K 9 4 2 Pass 2♥ Dbl 4♥ spades. This way, assuming the lead ♣ K 6 All Pass is from five, you defeat the contract if ♠ Q 9 6 ♠ 10 partner has either the ♦K or ♦A or both ♥ A J 9 2 N ♥ K 8 5 3 Partner leads the ♦4: ♦2, ♦K and ♦10. W E ♣ ♥ ♦ 8 6 ♦ A Q 10 7 the A and the Q. S What is your plan for the early play? ♣ 9 5 4 2 ♣ Q J 8 3 Although there is a possibility that the ♠ A J 8 5 4 3 lead is from 4-3 doubleton, the bidding 2. ♠ Q 9 2 ♥ Q makes it more likely that declarer is the ♥ K 9 6 ♦ J 5 3 one who is short. If you lead the ♦A, you ♦ Q 9 ♣ A 10 7 will set up the ♦Q and often the discard ♣ Q J 10 6 5 coming on the ♦Q will cost your side a ♠ J 8 6 3 ♠ A K 7 5 trick – if declarer has ♣A-J-x, ♣A-Q-x, ♥ 8 2 N ♥ 7 3 West North East South ♠A-J-x or ♠A-K-x for example. Since ♦ K 8 6 4 W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2 1♦ 1♠ dummy’s black tens could make a switch S ♣ K 9 4 ♣ 8 3 Dbl 2♠ 3♥ 3♠ to either of those suits risky, you should ♠ 10 4 All Pass exit with your trump at trick two. While ♥ A Q J 10 5 4 the contract might still make if you ♦ A 7 Partner leads the ♦8 and dummy plays discard from the wrong black suit on the ♣ A 7 2 low. What is your plan? third round of trumps, at least this way You read the ♦8 as top of a shortage. you have given yourself a chance. n

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 41 Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions What is Lebensohl and how do you use it?

ebensohl is a conventional way with an artificial 2NT. Obviously you to differentiate competitive and your partner need to agree that Hand 3 Hand 4 hands from strong hands, most this is what the bid means because ♠ K J 9 7 3 ♠ A Q 10 7 2 Loften employed after partner opens a no-trump bid, especially facing a ♥ 8 3 ♥ 8 3 1NT and an opponent overcalls at the no-trump bid from partner, sounds ♦ A K 10 4 ♦ K Q J 3 two level. natural. ♣ 4 2 ♣ J 2 Let us say you are playing a weak After you bid the conventional 2NT, no-trump and have one of these two partner must (unless the next hand hands (if you play a strong no-trump, competes), bid 3♣. Being a forced bid, With Hand 3 you wish to invite game change the king of diamonds to the partner’s 3♣ does not show clubs. whereas with Hand 4 you wish to two): It simply keeps the bidding open to create a game force. enable you to describe your hand. With Hand 3, bid the conventional With Hand 1, you do so by bidding 2NT and then after partner’s forced 3♣ Hand 1 Hand 2 3♥. Bidding the conventional 2NT and you rebid 3♠. Bidding a higher-ranking ♠ 8 3 ♠ 8 3 then a lower ranking suit at the three suit after the Lebensohl 2NT shows a ♥ K J 9 7 3 2 ♥ A Q 10 7 2 level shows a hand that simply wishes game-invitational hand. Partner can ♦ K 10 4 ♦ K Q J 3 to compete. pass 3♠ (with a minimum), raise to 4♠ ♣ 4 2 ♣ J 2 With Hand 2, you bid 3♥ directly (with a maximum and at least three over 2♠ (without going through 2NT). spades or perhaps no heart stopper) or This shows a strong hand, just like convert to 3NT (with a maximum, a You LHO Partner RHO a jump to 3♥ in response to a 1NT doubleton spade and a heart stopper). 1NT 2♠ opening has traditionally shown. With Hand 4, bid 3♠ directly. ? Suppose instead that the overcall is In its simplest form, responder’s in some suit other than spades: rebids after opener’s forced 3♣ are With Hand 1 you wish to compete thus as follows: to 3♥ – your side has a fit and the You LHO Partner RHO opponents probably do too – you do 1NT 2♥ Pass: not want to let the opponents buy the ? Competitive with long clubs contract at the two level. 3 Lower suit than overcaller’s: With Hand 2 you want to play in If you have a hand that wishes to Competitive with suit bid game but are unsure whether that compete in a higher-ranking suit, you 3 Higher suit than overcaller’s: should be 4♥ or 3NT. simply bid at the two level. There is Game invitational with suit bid If your only way of showing the no need to go via Lebensohl to show heart suit is a 3♥ bid, you cannot show a relatively weak hand. You can, If the fourth player bids, opener passes both hands – you and your partner however, use (or not use) the artificial instead of bidding 3♣. If the bidding is have to decide whether 3♥ is forcing 2NT bid to differentiate game-forcing then not too high for you to show your and decide which of the two hands is hands from invitational hands. suit, you show it. Sometimes you will suitable on that basis. Let us say you are playing a weak no- not get to show your suit but at least The Lebensohl convention enables trump and have one of these next two you have pushed the opponents to a you to have the best of both worlds, hands (if you play a strong no-trump, level higher and since you are on lead being able to bid on both hands. What change the king of diamonds to the it is rarely a problem that you have not you do with the weaker hand is start two): shown your suit.

Page 42 BRIDGE December 2018 What do you do with a hand that wished to make an invitational 2NT Answers to Bernard Magee’s raise after an opponent overcalls? If you have agreed to play Lebensohl, you Bidding Quizzes 1-3 cannot bid 2NT and expect partner to read it as natural. In the original version of Lebensohl, double showed on the Cover and page 7 specifically a hand that wished to raise to 2NT. These days most people do not want to give up a double for such a limited range of hands. If you overcall in your five-card suit. The choice play double as take-out, you might be 1. Dealer South. Game All. depends on whether your long suit is a able to double and then bid 2NT to ♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ 9 4 2 major or minor: it is generally preferable N ♥ A 4 3 2 ♥ 8 7 6 5 to show a five-card major if you have show the hand. If you play double as W E penalties, the traditional treatment, ♦ A 2 S ♦ K 9 7 5 one, by overcalling. However, with a five- you can double with a bit of length and ♣ J 8 6 ♣ 4 3 card minor you should prefer to make strength in the opposing suit (say three a double to give your partnership the to an honour), the known balance chance to find a 4-4 fit in spades. of power making up for the lack of a West North East South Over your double, your partner will strong trump holding. Sometimes, if 1♥ respond in spades and your fit is found. your holding in the opposing suit is ? such that a double does not feel right, you will need to stretch to bid 3NT or Pass. Counting 13 high card points, a take a pessimistic view and pass. lot of players feel the need to take some 3. Dealer South. N/S Game. If you have not played Lebensohl positive action. However, there is no bid ♠ A K ♠ 7 6 5 4 before, I suggest you start by playing that can describe your hand. After the 1♥ ♥ A K J 7 6 2 N ♥ 5 just what I have described so far, which opening a double is for take-out: show- ♦ 4 3 2 W E ♦ J 10 6 S is fairly standard. Those familiar with ing shortage in hearts and support for ♣ 6 5 ♣ A K Q 3 2 the convention will attach a meaning the other suits. None of your suits are to cue bids and 3NT either directly suitable for an overcall, so pass is the or via 2NT to show or deny a stopper only sensible option. Remember that a West North East South in the opposing suit and to show or 1NT overcall shows 15-18 points. 1♥ deny four cards in an unbid major – If you do choose to bid on this hand ? unfortunately, not everyone does this you will end up in trouble. A 1NT overcall the same way. gets doubled, a double would get redou- Pass. An unusual situation, but it does Finally, I should mention that bled… come up from time to time: when your although Lebensohl started out as opponents open in your very strong a convention only used after a 1NT suit. Generally, you do best to start with opening and an overcall, it is quite a pass: after all, you are happy to play common to play it after an opposing 2. Dealer South. Game All. in their suit. Any other choice of bid will weak two and a take-out double: ♠ J 7 6 5 ♠ K Q 3 2 misrepresent your hand, particularly a ♥ 2 N ♥ 9 8 6 5 double. A 1NT overcall does not look You LHO Partner RHO ♦ A K 4 W E ♦ 9 7 6 right because of your weakness and S 2♠* Dbl Pass ♣ K Q 10 9 5 ♣ A 4 shortage in the minors. ? You pass and North might pass too, leaving your partner to ‘borrow a king’ If you wish to play the convention West North East South and reopen the auction with a double in this situation, the principles are 1♥ for take-out. You would choose to pass the same – bidding a suit via 2NT is ? this and then North would have to decide weaker than bidding it directly. Here, whether to come to his partner’s rescue. since partner has forced you to bid, Dbl. This time you have two options for 1♥ doubled minus two will be enough for bidding a suit via 2NT shows say 0-7 your bid: you are short in hearts, so you a very good score – outscoring a game points while bidding a suit at the three can double for take-out or you could contract. n level immediately shows about 8-10. Again, there will be some hands where you wished you could make a natural To support Little Voice, send your used stamps to: 2NT. You might then have to choose Malcolm Finebaum between jumping to 3NT or leaving in Flat 8, Mountford House, 8 Crescent Road, Enfield EN2 7BL the double for penalties. ■

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 43

Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 4-6 on the Cover and page 7

should be hoping that there might be a 4. Dealer North. Love All. game on. It depends how strong your ♠ K 10 7 6 ♠ A Q J 9 4 partner is. It is important to understand ♥ 8 7 6 4 N ♥ 9 3 that a 1-level overcall does not promise ♦ 9 8 7 6 W E ♦ A 3 2 anywhere near an opening hand. Take S ♣ 4 ♣ 7 6 5 a look at East’s hand – his 1♠ overcall is a good bid; it does not promise huge playing strength. West North East South Your job as his partner is to show your 1♦ 1♠ Pass strength and support and give East the ? chance to go towards game if he has a decent overcall or to stay low if he is 3♠. When responding to an overcall, if weak. you have support for your partner’s suit The way to show your strength is to with a weak and distributional hand, make a bid in the opponents’ suit: 2♦. then consider jumping to the level of 3♠ is not correct because all that your trump fit (contracting for the same shows is four-card support, which you do number of tricks as you have trumps). not have anyway; it shows none of your These supporting bids do not promise strength. On this occasion East would points, but simply show distribution and rebid 2♠ and you would pass. support. Had East held a better hand, then he They are based on the premise that would make a more positive bid and you when you hold a big trump fit and could bid towards game. distributional hands, you will make a reasonable number of tricks irrespective of your strength. Furthermore, if you have 6. Dealer North. Love All. a fit, then your opponents will have a fit ♠ 6 5 ♠ A K 7 4 3 and you should try to stop them finding ♥ A 8 7 N ♥ 9 4 2 W E ♦ A Q 4 ♦ K 8 7 theirs by bidding high and fast. S You have four spades and partner’s ♣ J 7 6 5 4 ♣ 9 2 1♠ overcall promised five, so with nine spades you jump to 3♠. This bid makes it very difficult for North-South to locate West North East South their club fit. 1♦ 1♠ Pass 3♠ is likely to go one down, but that ? scores a lot better than 4♣ or even 5♣ making their way. 1NT. You have a decent hand in response to your partner’s overcall, but no spade support. A lot of players might be 5. Dealer North. Love All. tempted to bid 2NT ‘to show 11 points’, ♠ K 4 2 ♠ A Q J 7 6 but that only applies opposite an opening ♥ A J 6 2 N ♥ 9 3 bid. An overcall can be a lot weaker than ♦ 4 3 W E ♦ 7 6 2 an opening bid so your responding no- S ♣ K Q 7 5 ♣ 9 3 2 trump bids have to be stronger. With 6-8 points opposite an overcall without support you should usually pass, so you West North East South can use a 1NT response to show about 1♦ 1♠ Pass 9-12 points. Your partner will only try for ? game with an opening hand or better. On this hand East will pass your 1NT 2♦. With 13 HCP and spade support you and you stay at a relatively safe level. n

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Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 7-9 MAGEE on the Cover and page 7 TUTORIAL DVDs remember that you do not simply have 7. Dealer North. Love All. to choose your best suit, but you should ♠ K 3 2 ♠ A 9 7 also express your strength. Since a simple SET 1 ♥ J 10 9 6 5 N ♥ 2 response promises nothing (zero points), 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks ♦ 7 W E ♦ A 9 8 4 3 it is important to show your partner when S 2 Competitive Auctions ♣ 9 8 3 2 ♣ K Q J 5 you have a decent responding hand. 3 Making the Most With nine points and four cards in the of High Cards unbid major you should jump to 2♠. That £25 4 Identifying West North East South should be enough to encourage your per DVD & Bidding Slams 1♥ Dbl Pass partner to bid towards game. ? 5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts 2♣. Your partner has made a take-out 6 Doubling & Defence double and you have to respond. You 9. Dealer North. Love All. against Doubled Contracts should only pass if you expect to defeat ♠ 7 6 ♠ A J 9 5 1♥ – that would seem an optimistic ♥ 6 5 4 N ♥ 2 W E SET 2 view of your four points. You might ♦ A Q 4 3 S ♦ K 7 6 contemplate bidding 1NT, but no-trump ♣ A 7 6 5 ♣ K Q 8 3 2 7 Leads bids promise strength otherwise you may 8 Losing Trick Count end up doubled. 9 Making a Plan That leaves the choice of bidding a suit West North East South as Declarer – it must be an unbid suit, so that leaves 1♥ Dbl 2♥ 10 Responding to 1NT an easy choice – bid your longest suit ? 11 Signals & Discards excluding hearts: 2♣. 12 Endplay Do not be tempted to bid 1♠ – your Dbl. Your partner has made a take-out partner might well have four spades, but double showing near opening strength your best fit will be seven cards and on and you have ten points; so you want to SET 3 a bad day (like this) you will end up in a compete for the contract over South’s 2♥, 13 Hand Evaluation six-card fit. but how do you do that? 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding You could just pick one of your minor 15 Splinter & Cue Bids suits, but with the same length in the two 16 Avoidance Play suits you would prefer your partner to 8. Dealer North Love All. choose just in case he is longer in one 17 Play & Defence at Pairs ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ A J 6 5 of them. 18 Thinking Defence ♥ 9 3 2 N ♥ 7 Your best call is a responsive double W E ♦ A 9 7 6 ♦ K Q 3 2 – a second double ‘in response’ to your SET 4 S ♣ 9 2 ♣ A 8 4 3 partner’s double – inviting him to pick his 19 Defensive Plan best minor. The reason why it asks about 20 Further into the Auction the minors is because if you had four 21 Weak Twos West North East South spades you would bid 2♠ in response to 1♥ Dbl Pass the double. 22 Trump Control 23 Sacrificing £105 ? As your responsive double denies four set of 6 spades, East will respond 3♣ allowing 24 Improving 2♠. When responding to a double you to find your side’s best fit. n Bridge Memory

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BRIDGE December 2018 Page 47

Answers to Bernard Magee’s BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 10-12 MAGEE on the Cover and page 7 TUTORIAL DVDs Your partner is suggesting a hand 10. Dealer South. Love All. that does not fit with spades, but has ♠ K Q 10 6 3 ♠ A J 4 2 reasonable strength and would like to SET 5 ♥ 5 4 N ♥ 9 7 6 compete in a minor suit. 25 Defence as Partner ♦ K Q J 3 W E ♦ 4 2 You should bid 3♣, trusting your of the Leader S ♣ 6 5 ♣ Q J 3 2 partner: your clubs are not strong, but 26 Aggressive Bidding there should be a good fit. at Duplicate Pairs 3♣ is an excellent contract and with a 27 Strong Opening Bids West North East South reasonable trump break it should make. 28 Take-Out Doubles ♥ 1 29 Suit Establishment 1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass in Suit Contracts ? 12. Dealer South. Game All. 30 Landy / Defending ♠ A 8 7 2 ♠ K 4 3 Against a 1NT Opening Pass. You made a 1♠ overcall and your ♥ 4 3 N ♥ 9 7 W E partner has raised you to 3♠. Your hand ♦ A 9 8 5 ♦ K Q 4 2 S SET 6 is sound for a 1-level overcall so you ♣ A K 3 ♣ J 8 6 5 might feel justified on bidding to game. 31 Counting Defence However, direct raises of overcalls are 32 Extra Tricks £25 not invitational, they are pre-emptive and West North East South in No-Trumps per DVD so you should simply pass. 1♥ 33 Supporting Partner As you can see, your partner is not Dbl 3♥ Dbl Pass 34 Finessing particularly strong – he bid to the level of ? 35 Bidding ♠ your fit. 3 is likely to go one off, which Distributional Hands will be better than letting your opponents Pass. You started with a take-out double 36 Coping with Pre-Empts make 3♥. asking partner to bid, but North jumped to 3♥. Your partner then doubled at his turn – this is a responsive double and SET 7 11. Dealer South. Love All. should be based on a decent hand that 37 More Signalling ♠ A K 8 7 6 ♠ 5 2 feels that your side should be competing. 38 4-4-4-1 Hands ♥ N ♥ 4 2 8 7 6 Your partner will not have four spades, 39 Drawing Trumps ♦ K 2 W E ♦ A Q 6 5 because then he would have bid 3♠. S 40 Five-Card Majors ♣ 10 6 5 4 ♣ A 9 8 7 You have two choices: bid 4♦ – your best fit – or pass and aim for a penalty. 41 Fundamentals The clue to the right answer is the of Defence West North East South vulnerability: with your opponents 42 Supporting Minors 1♥ vulnerable, taking them one off will be 1♠ 2♥ Dbl Pass worth 200 points and be better than any SET 8 ? partscore. With four tricks in your own 43 Teams of Four £105 hand, it is not unreasonable to hope for set of 6 44 Game Tries 3♣. You overcalled 1♠ and then at least one from your partner. 45 Disrupting Declarer your partner doubled 2♥. When your North has perhaps bid a little too much opponents find a fit in an auction at a over your double, despite his side’s nine- 46 Defending Slams low-level it pays to play your doubles for card fit and you should get them one or 47 Overcalling take-out. two off depending on their distribution.n 48 Pressing the Defence Subscriptions to BRIDGE - An ideal gift Mr Bridge Mail Order 1 year £49, 2 years £79, 3 years £109 ( 01483 489961 ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop

BRIDGE December 2018 Page 49 do waste time - it is your before you finish the round time you are wasting. You you waste time, putting READERS’ get behind and pressurise yourself under pressure yourself. Here’s some advice: to play too quickly. 13. At the end of the 1. Arrive ahead of the round: if you are N/S, work start by 15 minutes - time out which table the boards LETTERS to chat or find a partner. go to and where the next Sit down. Begin to focus. come from. If you are E/W: 2. Fill in the table note which pair you will BRIDGEMATE: them but still no joy. Finally names slip. Find out be following for the rest of TECHNICAL SUPPORT I rang up Martin Lee of your pair number. Write the session. Now you will Bridgemate UK. Martin is a it down. Remember it - be ready ASAP to start the Before going on holiday friend and sometime bridge you will need it later. next rounds without wasting recently I lent my set of partner, but this scarcely 3. When you get boards, your own time. The less Bridgemate devices to my mattered, because where take out your cards and, time you waste the more relief Tournament Director, Bridgemates are concerned face down, count them. you have for actual play. Gitte, so she could run Martin is always prepared 4. Bid the hand. Bridge trains your ability the Putney BC duplicate in to go the extra mile to help. 5. When you are the to focus and concentrate: my absence. Gitte had a Over the phone Martin was opening leader, if you want do not be distracted by little practice at home and quickly able to diagnose what to ask about opponents' the basic movement of all went well and then on had happened. In testing bids, do it now. pairs and boards. Get the night the Bridgemates the Bridgemate server Gitte 6. Next, choose your used to it. Remember - the wouldn’t launch. Panic and had actually downloaded card and, holding it face same thing happens every bits of paper. Fortunately, the latest firmware for the down, ask your partner round, every week. Gitte is an experienced server but the table devices “any questions?” This is not Kit Jackson, scorer and was easily able were still looking for the just a courtesy. It means: Bridge in Balham. to run the duplicate with old- old version. The update a) That if you are style travelling score slips. procedure is slightly involved mistaken about being the ARCHETYPAL I wonder how many club but Martin was easily able opening leader no harm directors are losing this skill. to talk me through it and is done as you have yet I’m a frustrated teacher The following week I soon all was well. This week’s to show your cards. with a backlog of novice collected the Bridgemates Putney duplicate ran on b) It also means your players. Clubs in the area from the bridge cupboard Bridgemates without a hitch. partner can now ask any are either very expensive, where Gitte had left them Gitte was very relieved. questions – as they cannot by invitation only, already and again created the game. I would publicly like to prior to this. Nor should full up or too advanced. The BM server launched thank Martin for his friendly they ask after the opening I am trying to piggyback perfectly but once more the and efficient support, lead and dummy is down. onto one of the full-up clubs BM devices would not co- without which I might have 7. Once you have led, by starting supervised bridge operate. I had a brainwave been struggling to get my you then and only then note next week at their premises – Putney is in South West Bridgemates back into use. down the contract on your with a view to seeing if they London in the heart of an Thanks Martin, and I hope scorecard (or ‘phone) while might take on a 2nd night area where Café Bridge is to see you at the table soon. dummy is going down. per week in due course. really popular. Café Bridge Ned Paul, 8. At the end of play I have decided not to start events are usually scored Twickenham. confirm the tricks taken. a new beginners class this using the BriAn app (“Bridge Do not discuss the hand. year due to this problem. In on iPhone & Android”) that DUPLICATE 9. Return the cards to the fact there are no new begin- scores duplicates using TIMEKEEPING board. Confirm the score. ners classes starting the new players’ phones and tablets Do not discuss the hand. bridge season (2018 – 2019) as score entry devices. I When you first play duplicate, 10. Note down the score. for the very same reason. asked the players at Putney it is hard to reconcile the Do not discuss the hand. Name and address how many had the BriAn time factor. Each round has 11. Play the next hand. supplied. n app on their phones and a set period for boards to Confirm the tricks and Write to Mr Bridge at: a surprising number did. be finished. The normal score and return the Ryden Grange, Knaphill, So I relaunched the game time is about seven minutes cards to the board. Surrey GU21 2TH or on BriAn. All went well per board. Of course, I 12. When you have e-mail and we finished on time. allow more than that as we finished the round – if [email protected] I took the Bridgemates are learning, but do not you have time – discuss Letters may be edited for home and fiddled about with waste time. Because if you the hands. If you discuss length and clarity.

Page 50 BRIDGE December 2018

Mr Bridge Holidays - Croatia 2019 Hotel Eden, Rovinj

4-18 May 2019 from £1499 per person sharing or one week from £1139 per person sharing 4-11 May or 11-18 May Hosted by Will & Sylvia Parsons Rovinj is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula on the Will & Sylvia Parsons Adriatic coastline, a one hour drive from Trieste, 2 ½ hours from Zagreb. Boasting a rich natural and cultural heritage with beautiful landmarks such as the old town, the Bridge: Golden Cape Park Forest, protected islands and coastal area, Rovinj has many loyal Land based holidays visitors from all parts of the globe and has developed into a popular tourist destination. allow time for a full bridge The climate is warm and semi-dry, there are 134 sunny days in a year, which makes programme, which gives you the opportunity to enhance Rovinj the third sunniest spot in the Adriatic. your bridge skills, but there Hotel Eden is wedged right between a peninsula covered by a one hundred year old is also time to both visit the local area and just sit back and park forest and a quiet cove. The old city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute walk away. relax. Over the fortnight the bridge programme includes four seminar & set hand sessions, duplicate bridge every evening, a teams event and the ever popular bidding quiz. You can play as much or as little as you wish and the excursions* are fitted around the bridge programme to maximise your enjoyment. Singles: There is a sole occupancy supplement of £12 per room per night. If you are a single bridge player please do not worry about being on your own. We will always be able to find you a partner and you can always have a game. As well as there being other singles in the same situation as yourself, there is the Mr Bridge team who will be happy to partner you if required.

Call Mr Bridge on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk Half board only, including flights from Gatwick. Flights from Birmingham, Manchester & Edinburgh may be available at a supplement. Terms and conditions apply. These holidays have been organised for Mr Bridge by Great Little Escapes LLP, ATOL 5933. *Excursions are not included in the price of the holiday.