Number One Hundred April 2010

. %5,'*(Number One Hundred April 2010

Cruise from Havana, Cuba to Bridgetown, Barbados via Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia and Venezuela celebrating Christmas 2010 and welcoming the New Year onboard Discovery

See overleaf for further details. Discovery Club Members save an extra 5%

Christmas cruise includes on board Christmas festivities Tales of the Old Spanish Main Journey around the Spanish Main where Conquistadors from Spain sought glory, land and An exceptional 18-day voyage gold. Between Cuba and Barbados this Voyage of Discovery promises a trove of timeless departing December 18, 2010 treasures. Explore legendary Chichen Itza, Altun Ha, Tikal and Copan – legacies of the great Mayan civilisation, whose reason for collapse is still shrouded in mystery. Costa Rica, Date Port Honduras and Belize – lands where riches lie in a wealth of wildlife and stunning, natural Dec 18 Depart UK by air and transfer beauty. And Cartagena – a colonial gem once itself a trove for the Conquistadors bounty. to mv Discovery MR BRIDGE – DUPLICATE BRIDGE GUARANTEED Dec 19 HAVANA, Cuba All Mr Bridge passengers, will be part of the exclusive bridge party, eligible for the Dec 20 At Sea seminars, drinks parties, quiz competitions, occasional afternoon and daily evening Dec 21 PROGRESO, Mexico duplicates after ﬁ rst sitting dinner. The bridge programme is fully optional and you Dec 22 At Sea may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles Dec 23 BELIZE CITY to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. Dec 24 PUERTO CORTES, Honduras Dec 25 At Sea (Christmas Day) Your Voyage includes: Dec 26-27 PUERTO LIMON, Costa Rica • Inspiring destinations and • All meals, entertainment and gratuities Dec 28 At Sea enlightening excursions on-board included with no hidden extras Dec 29 CARTAGENA, Colombia • Comprehensive lecture and • Friendly and relaxed atmosphere on board Dec 30 At Sea Guest Speaker programme • All prices on board in British pounds Dec 31-Jan 1 MARACAIBO, Venezuela • Travel with around 650 • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners Jan 2 At Sea like-minded passengers in Jan 3-4 BARBADOS, British 4-star comfort • All port and pre-paid airport taxes Jan 4 Arrive UK after a ﬂ ight from Barbados Inside fares from £2,199pp Outside fares from £2,569pp

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available, are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Speciﬁ c cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Bridge Group. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd. FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS

3 Bidding Quiz 2 Christmas Cruise BIDDING QUIZ BRIDGE by Bernard Magee on Board Discovery by Bernard Magee 4 5 Cut-out Form Publisher and ou are West in the auc - Mail Order Form Y Managing Editor 7 Double Dummy Quiz tions below, playing Mr Bridge by Richard Wheen 6 All Roads Lead to Rome 'Standard Acol' with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and Ryden Grange on board Minerva 11 Bidding Quiz Answers four-card majors. Knaphill, Surrey by Bernard Magee 8 Why it is so important (Answers on page 11 ) GU21 2TH for club committees 13 Bridge in the Desert to insure their club ( 01483 489961 by Bernard Magee 1. Dealer West. Love All. 9 Tunisia ♠ A J 10 7 6 5 4 e-mail : 18 Declarer Play Quiz ™ Void [email protected] by Dave Huggett 10 Bridge Weekends © 3 2 with Bernard Magee ® K Q 4 2 website : 19 Dave Huggett says www.mrbridge.co.uk Follow with the 12 Bridge Software West North East South Bottom of a Sequence ? 15 Egypt 2011 Associate Editor 21 Freddie North says Julian Pottage When in Doubt 16 Voyages of Discovery 2. Dealer East. Game All. Lead a Trump 2010 Summer Cruises ♠ A J Technical Consultant ™ Q 8 5 18 Rubber/Chicago 22 The Tempest © A K 2 Tony Gordon Bridge Events or Micro-bridge ® K J 8 7 6 by Dick Atkinson Bridge Consultant 20 In the Wake West North East South 26 Justin Corfield says of the Vikings Bernard Magee 1® Pass Cash Side Winners on board Discovery ? Proof Readers Before a Crossruff 24 Voyages of Discovery Tony Richards 27 A Walk in Spring 2010/11 Winter Cruises 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Danny Roth by Countryman ♠ A Q 10 7 6 5 28 Charity Hugh Williams ™ 2 31 A Successful Bridge Events Richard Wheen © A 9 8 Partnership ® A J 5 by Freddie North 28 Bernard Magee Software Support Hand Evaluation West North East South 31 Defence Quiz ( 01483 485345 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass by Julian Pottage 29 Events & Cruises 2010 Bridge Breaks ? 32 David Stevenson 30 Cruising ( 01483 489961 Answers Your Questions 4. Dealer North. Love All. on board Minerva Jessica Galt ♠ K Q 9 4 3 35 Declarer Play Answers Rachel Everett ™ 6 by David Huggett 37 Stamps Megan Riccio © A 7 5 36 Readers’ Letters 40 Global Travel ® K Q 8 2 Club Directory Insurance and Charity Support 39 Defence Quiz Answers West North East South by Julian Pottage 46 Duplicate Bridge 3© Dbl Pass [email protected] Rules Simplified ? 42 Catching Up Address Changes by Sally Brock 47 Bernard Magee 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. 01483 485342 Tips for Better Bridge ( 43 Julian Pottage ♠ 9 2 Answers Your Questions 48 Cruise to the Riviera ™ K Q 7 6 4 2 All correspondence should with Bernard Magee © 4 be addressed to Mr Bridge. 46 Double Dummy Answer and team ® K 5 4 3 Please make sure that all by Richard Wheen on Board Discovery letters, e-mails and faxes West North East South carry full postal addresses The views expressed in this publication are not 1™ 1♠ Pass and telephone numbers. necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor. ?

Page 3 100 AT LAST ANY IDEAS PATIENCE TUTORIALS Having the office open on It will come as a great Saturday mornings has surprise to those of you who improved our customer know me, to learn that I have service no end, especially for developed the necessary those of you who are still patience to sort out computer working. This improvement problems. This service is arose from a suggestion put confined to the support of in the comments box on the QPlus and Bernard Magee’s facing page. Have you got a Tutorial software. If it were helpful suggestion to make? otherwise, I would never be Let’s be hearing from you. able to maintain my new There are currently five found virtue. different pieces of tutorial Sending you this latest copy DISCOVERY 2011 software all of which feature of my promotional magazine Britain’s best known bridge I know it seems a long time QPLUS TIPS BRIDGE, is my way of teacher, Bernard Magee, off but brochures for the celebrating the publication of If your QPlus is running too pictured above. summer 2011 season are slowly, click configuration its one hundredth issue. Those of you who do not now ready. If you’re an early and go to playing strength, know of this unique series You are currently either bird do give us a call and we reset the memory at 9 and should start with Acol receiving it for the very first will post one to you. the playing level at 27. That Bidding and follow it with time or more probably, you should speed it up as a TEA TOWELS More Acol Bidding, which have failed to re-register powerful computer will could have been called your data. The form for I am now no longer involved always spend all day Advanced Acol Bidding. doing this is on the facing in the tea towel business but thinking about a problem if page. Please fill it in now the range is still on sale. you give it half a chance. Bernard Magee clearly and post it back to me if you explains each aspect of the We are Survivors To further enhance your wish to continue to receive Acol system and illustrates Life’s a Game enjoyment of QPlus, go to BRIDGE for the next couple these with twenty hands, 10 Commandments Deal, then to Match Control of years. It is still free of which you are expected to and put a black dot in deal charge and I am happy to £5.95 each. Art Screen Print. bid and he will be talking to continue to keep it so. number. Reset the scoring ( 01287 637527. you, over your shoulder, method to Team by putting a However, I do need you to as it were. His clear advice black dot in that box too. re-assure me that you really SHARMING will help you grasp the Finally, at the bottom of the want to receive it. subject matter. Bernard Magee went with a panel, go to comparison and BRIDGE WEEKLY group of readers on our put a black dot in the closed Once you have bid to the inaugural trip to Sharm el room box, setting the optimum contract, you play In addition, please provide Sheik. See page 13 for number of boards at 16. out the hand. your email address if you Bridge in the Desert. would like to receive your These adjustments will An additional feature of the weekly bridge e-supplement. RUBBER CHICAGO enable you to have a result More Acol Bidding program This too is free of charge and after the play of each board. is help and tuition from we are already on issue 6. If you do badly compared to Bernard Magee with the play the computer, you can of all two hundred hands. My, my, doesn’t time fly. always replay the hand Declarer Play is covered by 2011 DIARIES automatically and see how two separate CD’s. Declarer the computer had played the Play and Advanced Declarer hand in the closed room. Play, the latter which some This is a great way to learn may find too advanced. from your mistakes and at your own pace... all in the These CD’s are not cheap. privacy of your home. They take a long time to ( 01483 489961. devise, script, programme and record. If you have a Diana Holland, pictured CRACKED really limited budget, I above, is hosting two would recommend the latest weekend events for Sometimes disks get cracked in this series, Defence, as it The full range of diary rubber/Chicago players at or scratched in the course of is the most likely to colour covers is on offer to the ever popular Beach time. QPlus and tutorial dramatically improve your club secretaries who like to Hotel. See page 18 for software can be replaced by game. It will also involve have their clubs logo printed details. We are also holding sending the disk back to us you in some hard, but on the front. Please call Zoe a mid-week event in together with a cheque for satisfying work. You choose. Wright ( 01483 489961. November at the Beach. £10 for each replacement. See facing order form.

Page 4 ✄

If you have not contacted us in the last two MAIL ORDER years, please enter your details in the box below to re-register: PLAY SOFTWARE QPlus 9.1 £84.00 ...... QPlus 8.8 (second hand) £54.00 ...... Name (Dr Mr, Mrs, Miss) ...... Trade-in any previous QPlus Book & Disk and just send ONLY £32.00 ...... Address ......

TUTORIAL SOFTWARE ...... Acol Bidding £64.00 ...... More Acol Bidding £94.00 ...... Postcode ...... Declarer Play £74.00 ...... Telephone ...... Advanced Declarer Play £79.00 ...... Defence £74.00 ...... E-mail ...... BOOKS Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95 ...... Club Offer 10 for only £35.00 ...... If you have any comments, queries or points of Simple Directing at the Club – Dr Gurr £4.75 ...... interest, please use this panel and post them in: Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee £14.00 ...... Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book £14.00 ...... Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book £14.00 ...... Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge £14.00 ...... BRIDGE SINGLE-SUITED BALL-POINT PENS Please send to the following enthusiasts:

Boxed Set Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... of Four (Spade, Address ...... Heart, Diamond, ...... Club) £19.95 ...... Postcode ......

All prices are fully inclusive. I enclose a cheque for £......

Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address ...... Address ...... Postcode ...... Postcode ...... ( ......

Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address ......

...... Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) ...... Postcode ......

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH.

www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Please complete all or part this form and return to , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961

Page 5 ✄ Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruising For people with a mind to travel

At Swan Hellenic, we go MIN100826 further and dig deeper. Our ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME on-board guest speakers and 15 days departing August 26, 2010 from £1,282pp* (inside), excursions ashore, help you gain fascinating insights. £1,995pp (outside) or £1,538pp* (inside single) You travel in country-style Follow in the wake of Pilgrims, maritime comfort with no more than explorers and gentlemen on the Grand Tour 320 like-minded passengers and dine in from Dover to St Peter Port to the the restaurant of your choice with your magnificent cathedrals of Santiago de friends. Be assured of excellent value Compostela and St Peter’s in Rome. for money, including tailor-made shore Share in their fascination and wonder as you excursions and all tips on-board and explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, taste port ashore. Travel with a renowned British and sherry in Oporto and Jerez, and marvel at the Moorish Alhambra and the company, established in 1954, and enjoy Rennaissance cities of Florence, Pisa and an experience that will live with you Rome. forever. A tailor-made excursion programme, Mr Bridge entrance fees and all gratuities are included. All passengers who have booked and *Fares exclusive to Mr Bridge registered through Mr Bridge will be eligible to partake in the exclusive late FREE Complimentary pre-cruise transfer from London Gatwick to Dover (please request afternoon duplicate session. There is at the time of booking). For Airport parking details please see Terms and Conditions below no Bridge supplement, as like most of the excursions, it is included in the price. Mr Bridge actively encourages for brochures singles to join the party and they will and bookings always be found a partner for a game. 01483 489961

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing a category 12 inside cabin or a category 8 outside cabin. Offer applies to new bookings only, is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Booking terms and conditions apply. All fares shown are guarantee fares - cabin number will be allocated approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Limited ABTA W0392 ATOL 3897. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge guarantee participation in the onboard Mr Bridge programme, subject to availability. Parking at London Gatwick must be arranged and paid for independently. Please call BCP parking on 0871 360 2993 quoting BCPAT3897 for a discounted rate.

YOU DEMAND SAVING TREES KEEP SAVING YELLOW BOOK Among the most frequent Several requests from We have just received a requests of our cruisers, are readers as to how to suppress further cheque in support of the following, particularly junk mail. Not BRIDGE of Little Voice from the sale of the more discerning. course, but all that unwanted the used postage stamps that material that you find you and your friends are small ships l somehow dropping regularly carefully putting by for me. no flying l onto your doormat. l balconies The work that Little Voice l insightful port lectures You need the Mailing does in Addis Abba, is l inclusive tours Preference Service. Register amazing and is well worth l no single supplements your name address and accumulating these l open sitting dining postcode with them and otherwise worthless pieces l daily duplicate most, if not all of your junk of waste paper. mail will die away within Duplicate bridge players are Discovery can meet some of three or four months. DOUBLE DUMMY said to be notoriously careful these requirements but with their money – nothing Freepost by Richard Wheen certainly not all. wrong with that you say but 29 LON 2077 steady on old chap, aren’t London W1E 0ZT. ♠ A 8 7 you generalising a bit. Well, yes, I suppose I am, but it GOSSIP VALUE ™ Void really is about time to use © Void The new design of my credit the new rule book. Copies ® A 3 2 card is intended to promote going back to 1990 are still ♠ Q J 10 ♠ 9 6 5 both me as well as the game in use at some clubs. ™ Void N ™ Void Minerva, pictured above, of bridge. Indeed, both are W E © Void S © K To this end I repeat my offer carries only 325 passengers, now so inextricably linked – made at the time of has 12 cabins with balconies that the promotion of either ® K Q 6 ® 10 7 publication of Duplicate (they sell very quickly), promotes the other. ♠ K 4 Bridge Rules Simplified. Oxbridge quality port ™ Void Just producing the card to Send in your old book – half lectures, inclusive tours and © A make a payment provides a the cover will do and seven open sitting dining ® J 9 4 real talking point. It is a real first class stamps. I will send arrangements. Bridge groups Mastercard and can be used you the current issue by of nine or ten tables at most. in just the same way as any South is declarer, on lead in return. Meanwhile, my club I have bridge hosts on the other plastic. a no-trump contract, and offer still stands – 10 copies following cruises: needs five of the remaining for £35 delivered. To encourage you to help me six tricks. How should he with this promotion, I will Highlands and Islands go about it? BRIDGE DIRECTION Dover to Dover give you vouchers to the 12 August – 26 August value of 2% of all you spend (Answer on page 46.) Long overdue, but really See advert on page 30. on the card. These will be welcome none the less, 15 days from issued every six months CAPTION COMP Bridge Direction Simplified based on the information I will close entries to the is to be published later this £1595 pp. provided by the card issuer. caption competition in the year. I have commissioned last issue on the 30 April and Bernard Magee and David All Roads Lead to Rome The vouchers may be used in publish the result and details Stevenson to produce a clear, Dover to Naples payment towards any of my of the winners in the coming concise and accurate guide 26 August – 9 September bridge holidays, cruises or summer issue. to bridge club direction. See adjacent advert. mail order merchandise. 15 days from For the moment, Simple Direction at the Club by Dr £1282 pp. C E Gurr is on sale at £4.75. However, pay £6.75 and I Crusaders and Pharaohs will send you Gurr now and Limassol (Cyprus) to Aqaba the Magee/Stevenson when 21 November – 4 December it is ready. Every club See advert on page 30. should have at least one of 15 days from these books to kick-start an £1655 pp. interest of a few of your younger willing horses These cruises include bridge, to take on this interesting gratuities and most tours. and, most of the time, What more could you want? rewarding work.

Page 7 CLUB INSURANCE SHETLAND SILVER Why it is so important Every club committee needs When Discovery stopped in public liability insurance Lerwick last summer, Mrs for club committees cover. Ring Moore Stephens Bridge treated herself to a for a competitive quotation. pair of earrings while on a to insure their club Speak with Sylvia Donovan visit ashore. who will be pleased to help They were so attractive I The rise in TV adverts offering free legal assistance in the you. 020 7515 5270. ( contacted the owner on my event of an accident or personal injury has increased public Do let her know you heard return home with a view to awareness of the possibility of making a claim and, as a it from Mr Bridge. having a pendant (and chain) result, the need for club committee members to seek public and matching earrings. These liability insurance is becoming more important than ever. TRAVEL COVER he dutifully designed and I Over the last year we have seen a number of incidents that Whilst on the boring subject illustrate them below. highlight the need for clubs to take out insurance to protect of insurance, those needing their committee members against possible claims. travel insurance should One case concerned a member leaving his club, tripping consider Global Travel over another member’s brief case and falling through a plate whose terms and conditions glass door. As a result of the injuries sustained, the gentle - can be found on pages 40 Ï man sadly died a few weeks later. This could have resulted & 41. The form provided is in a liability claim against the club committee and member for a single holiday – those but, fortunately, the gentleman dictated a letter absolving wanting an annual policy his club of any responsibility and making it clear that the should download the form accident was his own fault. An act that is rare these days. from my website, or if it’s Another incident occurred when a member attended a easier, telephone and I will club evening. After parking his car in the club car park, the post one to you. Again, do member apparently slipped over on ice and injured his say you heard of it from Silver pendant £29.95 knee. Some months later the member initiated a claim via Mr Bridge. Gold (9ct) £69.95 solicitors for personal injury as a result of the fall. The Silver earrings £34.50 allegation of fault by the club surrounds their statutory duty MUSICAL VISIT under the Occupier Liability Act 1957 to provide safe Gold (9ct) £85.00 premises for lawful visitors and that the club failed to do so Postage and packing: by not clearing the ice or gritting the car park. The car park Silver £2.50 (1st class post) holds around 60 cars, so clearing ice or gritting the car park Gold £5 (Special delivery) would not have been easy for the club committee to arrange. Recently we received a call from an uninsured club. The See his website: committee members were aware of the need to insure but www.shetlandjewellery.com had decided not to bother. That is, until a rather large club ( 01595 830275 member had the chair that they were sitting on collapse under them. The individual concerned is claiming injury CHARITY EVENTS and making a claim on the club, which in effect is the committee members. The committee are now left to deal On page 28, I provide a with defending the claim and any subsequent payment. The listing of fund raising events club have now decided to take out club insurance. involving bridge. Do try to Felicity is growing up fast. In the first two cases the committees were initially support them if you can. As promised, I am including extremely concerned but fortunately both were insured Organisers, do send in your a snap taken on her recent through our club protection policy scheme. In the second details really well in advance visit to Ryden Grange. case, the ongoing claim and all associated correspondence – bridge players have events and matches booked a long has been passed to the club’s insurer. However, in the third POSTAGE SAVINGS case, as the club was not insured it is for the committee to way forward. respond to the allegation or to seek legal advice, which may The listing in BRIDGE is prove very expensive. In the event that liability is proven, provided free of charge. any damages will have to be met by the club’s members. Organisers should also ask These examples illustrate how important it is for commit - the bridge trade for prizes, tees to insure their club. The present bridge club insurance most will help. The worst scheme has an annual premium of £57.75 plus £2 adminis - they can do is say no. tration charge and for clubs wishing to join in April taking Another price increase has them through to this November the pro-rata premium just come in. TWIT including the £2 administration charge is just £45.50 . Support Clive Goff’s unusual Several months ago now, For more information please contact service supplying unused I set myself up on Twitter. Moore Stephens Insurance Brokers Ltd stamps at a useful discount. Apologies to followers. email: [email protected] ( 020 7515 5270 ( 0208 4224906 Just about to restart so [email protected] watch out.

Page 8 NOT FOR CHRISTMAS PUBLICATION CRUISE

My ‘Ask Julian’ and ‘Ask David’ services can only work if the problems they AT THE ROYAL KENZ are asked to examine and advise about can be TUNISIA 2010/2011 published. Please bear this in mind. APPLE MAC QPlus does not currently have a Mac version, so I recommend Mac users to buy Bridge Baron. This is available from Chess As featured on the front and Bridge. cover, our 2010 Christmas cruise sails from Havana, Ring ( 0207 388 2404 Cuba to Bridgetown, and ask for Matt. Barbados via Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia and TUNISIA Venezuela. Hosted by Alex Davoud, do book now to avoid disappointment. CHRISTMAS IN THE UK This year we will have Christmas groups at The Olde Barn Hotel, Marston, Two-week half-board Lincs and Denham Grove, near Uxbridge, Bucks with duplicate holidays Twixmas and New Year’s The Royal Kenz Hotel has Eve breaks also at Denham 31 Oct – 14 Nov £749* at last completed its refit Grove. Do book early to Tony and Jan Richards and has an amazingly avoid disappointment. improved bridge room Golf available (pictured above) with lovely STOP PRESS new tables, chairs, decor and WINDOWS 7 20 February – 6 March £749* lighting. Bernard Magee It also has a new indoor swimming pool. 6 March – 20 March £749* Having spent a lot of time and energy trying to find a new Tunisian venue, I really 20 March – 3 April £749* do not think I will find anywhere better. *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £6 per night. These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to Monastir. Flights from other LAST CHANCES UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices are firm until Hans Leber, pictured above, The Beach Hotel site is to the end of March 2010. Prices for seven-night stays are available reports that QPlus is on application. be re-developed as compatible with the latest apartments. In the Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool-facing version of Windows. In room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of circumstances, I am making consequence there is no seasonal fruit. the most of this much loved need for an upgrade to the venue in 2010. Over the last These holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, current 9.1 version. working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. few years our weekend events at this hotel have got Place your orders with better and better. Book early confidence. DETAILS & BOOKINGS to avoid being disappointed. No single supplement. ( 01483 489961

Page 9 2010 WEEKENDS BRIDGE WEEKENDS with Bernard Magee with Bernard Magee Full Board £235 per person © Full-board © Two seminars © All rooms with © Two supervised play No single Supplement en-suite facilities sessions

or ..... places at £145 per person as day guests. 29 - 31 October Denham Grove 1 2 Single .... Double .... Twin .... Sea View .... Executive .... Splinters and Cue-bids Venue ...... 12 - 14 November Dates ...... The Beach Hotel, Worthing The Beach Hotel Better Defence Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 16 - 18 April Blunsdon House Hotel 26 - 28 November Address ...... Leads and Defence The Beach Hotel Further into the Auction ...... 23 - 25 April Postcode ...... The Olde Barn Hotel 3 - 5 December Signals and Discards The Beach Hotel ( ...... Sacrificing 4 - 6 June Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, The Beach Hotel but we will do our best to oblige) Suit Establishment ...... The Beach Hotel Worthing, BN11 3QJ Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 18 - 20 June Blunsdon House Hotel This elegant family run hotel ...... Signals and Discards has the finest seafront location in Worthing. Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be 25 - 27 June Blunsdon House Hotel sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - The Beach Hotel ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will Game Tries Swindon, SN26 7AS be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. A family run four-star hotel Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insur - within the county of Wiltshire. ance broker. 1£30 supplement per room (Beach Hotel only). 2£50 6 - 8 August supplement per room (Blunsdon House and Denham Grove only). Blunsdon House Hotel Hand Evaluation Denham Grove Uxbridge, UB9 5DU Set in 42 acres of grounds, 20 - 22 August Denham Grove combines a Blunsdon House Hotel modern design with a Better Defence peaceful rural setting.

Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... 1 - 3 October The Olde Barn (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) The Beach Hotel Grantham, NG32 2HT Declarer Play , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Enjoy the tranquillity of this 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 idyllic retreat set in beautiful ( 8 - 10 October countryside in the heart of e-mail: [email protected] The Olde Barn Hotel rural England. website: www.holidaybridge.com Game Tries

Page 10 ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE

(as he might if you respond in a major), so 1 © 4NT. Finding a slam after the opponents 1. Dealer West. Love All. should be a harmless lie. The full auction have pre-empted is not easy, but you must ♠ A J 10 7 6 5 4 ♠ 8 2 might be: 1 ®-1 ©-1 ♠-2 ™-3 ©-4NT-5 ©-6 ®. keep the possibility in mind: after all, if you have an ace in the pre-emptor’s suit and ™ Void N ™ Q 6 3 After partner rebids 1 ♠, you make another W E partner has a singleton (as he does), the 3 © © 3 2 S © A 6 5 4 artificial bid 2 ™ – the fourth suit – and partner bidder is unlikely to make a defensive trick. ® K Q 4 2 ® A J 7 6 supports your ‘diamond suit’, bidding 3 ©. This Here partner has shown an opening hand is perfect because you have a wonderful (12+ or 6-7 losers) and you have just five picture of your partner’s hand: five clubs, four losers or 14pts and a singleton. West North East South spades and three diamonds, leaving just one ? heart; with this knowledge, you can try for You are confident of a spade fit and, holding slam. If partner shows no aces, you pass his the ©A – the perfect card in the opponents’ ♠ 1 . In first or second seat, a pre-empt usually 5® response; if he has one ace, you bid on to suit – the final contract is going to depend on shows 5-9 points and a seven-card suit: the 6®; and if he has two aces (5 ™), you could how many aces partner holds. When you nine point maximum is because if your suit is check on kings, looking for 7 ®. jump to 4NT without any suit bid, partner strong then its extra power merits a normal should simply show the number of aces one-level opening if you have ten points. Here he holds. Your partner has a minimum hand you open 1 ♠ and then, over a 2 ® response, 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. for a take-out double, but his two-ace reply you can jump to 4 ♠, in the knowledge that ♠ A Q 10 7 6 5 ♠ K 9 4 2 is enough to allow you to jump to 6 ♠, your partner has 10pts (for a two-level ™ 2 N ™ J 8 4 3 which is very likely to make a comfortable 12 response) as well as a side-suit fit in clubs, W E © A 9 8 S © 6 5 tricks. making game an excellent prospect. ® A J 5 ® Q 8 6 Clearly, had you opened 3 ♠, your partner would have passed. A 4 ♠ opening is a better 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. option than 3 ♠, but it is a little random. West North East South ♠ 9 2 ♠ A K 7 5 3 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass ™ K Q 7 6 4 2 N ™ 8 W E ? © 4 S © A 9 7 3 2. Dealer East. Game All. ® K 5 4 3 ® 9 6 2 ♠ A J ♠ K Q 8 3 4♠. The losing trick count is an excellent form ™ Q 8 5 N ™ 3 of hand evaluation when you have a fit, but W E © A K 2 S © J 7 4 you need to take account of extra aspects: six West North East South ® K J 8 7 6 ® A Q 4 3 2 losers would suggest inviting game but, with 1™ 1♠ Pass a six-card trump suit and three aces in the ? hand, this is without doubt worth a raise to West North East South game. The point count evaluates the hand as Pass. It is always difficult to bid hands when 1® Pass 19 total pts: 15 HCP + 2 length + 2 singleton – the opponents bid your suit: it is important to ? this also suggests a raise to game. Your remember that if you bid their suit here, you partner is pretty much minimum, but game are not telling your partner you have it too. 1©. In Standard Acol, this is not an easy bid. should be straightforward. You would actually be saying that you have a You have a wonderful hand, but you need to good hand and game ambitions, usually with make a bid that forces your partner to bid spade support. again: any club bid will limit your hand. 5 ®, 4. Dealer North. Love All. Hence, 2 ™ is not the right bid; I can tell you 3NT and 4NT are too random. If you are to ♠ K Q 9 4 3 ♠ A J 8 5 North holds ™A-J-10-9-5, so you should find a slam with a hand like this, you are ™ 6 N ™ K 9 8 2 W E certainly be happy that you are not playing in going to need space in the auction to find it. © A 7 5 © 2 S hearts. With little strength and no huge hatred One of my common phrases, when in ® K Q 8 2 ® A J 7 4 for spades, you should simply pass and await desperation for a bid to keep things going is: developments. ‘it is always best to tell a lie in a minor.’ A 1 © response keeps the auction going and allows West North East South If 1 ♠ becomes the final contract, you should you to find out what kind of hand your partner 3© Dble Pass be happy enough with the potential to ruff a has – he is unlikely to jump to any huge level ? diamond or two . ■

Page 11 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

ACOL MORE DECLARER ADVANCED DEFENCE BIDDING (ADVANCED) PLAY DECLARER l Lead vs l Opening Bids ACOL BIDDING l Suit PLAY Notrump and Responses l Basics Establishment l Making Contracts £74 l Slams and l Advanced in No-trumps Overtricks l Lead vs Strong Openings Basics l Suit in No-trumps Suit Contracts l Support for l Weak Twos Establishment in l Making £79 l Partner of Partner l Strong Suits Overtricks Leader vs l Pre-empting Hands £94 l Hold-ups in Suit Contracts Notrump l Overcalls l Defence l Ruffing for Extra l Endplays Contracts l No-trump to Weak Twos Tricks l Avoidance l Partner of Openings l Defence l Entries l Wrong Contract Leader vs Suit and Responses to 1NT in No-trumps l Simple Squeezes Contracts l Opener’s and l Doubles l Delaying l Counting the l Count Signals Responder’s l Two-suited Drawing Trumps Hand l Attitude Signals Rebids Overcalls l Using the Lead l Trump l Discarding l Minors and l Defences to l Trump Control Reductions & l Defensive Plan Misfits Other Systems l Endplays & Coups £64 l Stopping l Doubles l Misfits and Avoidance l Playing Doubled Declarer l Competitive Distributional l Using the £74 Contracts l Counting the Auctions Hands Bidding l Safety Plays Hand

System Requirements: Windows XP or Vista, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM

Still the very best Acol- Q PLUS 9.1 playing Software available l Friendly Interface Happy BRIDGE reader, Gill Smith writes: l Hint and Help Buttons TRADE-IN l Easy Installation I love my QPlus Bridge. As this on arriving home, OFFERS a learner, I always have a usually cross with myself, l Manual faithful partner whenever after a duplicate session. My l Rubber, Duplicate Trade-in any previous I want one. She is always faithful friend gives me a and Teams Scoring version of Q Plus. available (late at night too) sensible perspective on the Just post in the and she bids and plays matter. When playing l Instant results booklet and disk and perfectly. She has never Chicago or rubber at home, playing in teams mode a cheque for £32. kicked me under the table, at the end of the bidding l 2,500 pre-played rolled her eyes or taken a and playing a difficult hand, hands for teams Trade-in any other sharp intake of breath. If I I have opened up my laptop bid or play badly she is on and switched on QPlus. l 2,000 pre-played hands bridge software before 30 June 2010 and hand with sound advice yet With fellow learn ers, I have for match-pointed pairs she doesn’t take offence if I looked at hands and seen send it with a cheque l Check your pairs ignore it. how our elec tronic friend for £49. would have bid and played. percentage and ranking There is also a use which I We still have lots to learn. l Systems include: Order with absolute didn’t realise when I bought the CD. It is the I bracket my QPlus disc to - Acol, including £84 confidence. Bernard Magee’s facility to feed in the real gether with the dishwasher hands that we deal, and see – an essential lux ury that I system, Standard how it would have bid and would find very difficult to American or create played them. I have done live without. your own.

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

( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302 Bridge in the Desert

by Bernard Magee

anuary and February are great regained its usual calm sunny aspect. West North East South months to travel to get away from Within 2 or 3 days things were back to 1™ Jthe cold Winter: this year being an normal and we all started to settle a 1♠ 2© 3® 3™ exceptionally good one to escape. Mr little more. By the end of the holiday, Pass 4© End Bridge has been running breaks in we were able to think of the storm as a Tunisia for eight or nine years now, wonderful experience. Auctions where all four players bid a using the Royal Kenz Hotel in Port El The bridge room was spacious and different suit are unusual and it is Kantaoui among others. A great hotel, a held both the seminar facilities and important to be wary on such deals – lovely atmosphere and good bridge; the playing facilities in the same area, very often they will be misfits and weather tends to be 10 degrees warmer which made things simpler. We had staying low tends to be the wisest than at home and there is usually a some noise and temperature problems, option. West makes a weak but breeze to contend with. but, all in all, I think it has the potential reasonable overcall, North’s 2 © is also It was time for us to try somewhere to make an excellent venue for our reasonable, but East’s 3 ® is too much, hotter and, with that in mind, I took a events in the coming years. he does better to pass. However, as is so group of players to Sharm El Sheikh. On Fortunately our playing venue was often true in bridge, if your bad bid the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula not affected by the storm, so we were induces an equally bad bid from your the weather is consistently in the mid able to settle in to playing – most people opponent, then was your bid so bad 20s in January and can be relied on. play only in the evenings, but there is after all? South has a weak opening bid I went out early with one of our bridge available most afternoons and and no fit for his partner, so he should helpers, Jo, so that we could prepare the there are seminars on some mornings be wary. His 3 ™ bid is poor: opening 1 ™ bridge rooms and check out the followed by set hands. and rebidding 3 ™ should suggest a six- facilities of both the hotel and the whole On the first evening after the storm, card suit: remember that your partner resort. After two or three days of sun, some players were still to arrive and still has a bid – with a little help in the clients were due to arrive and they others had settled in and were playing: hearts he might bid them now. However, duly did, in the middle of the worst the situation was chaotic, but all in hand North wants to play in diamonds – 3 © storm to hit for seven years. – you can experience these kinds of would have been perfect, for +110, They do not do rain in this part of the things during an auction, but all too instead he has to settle for 4 © one off. world – most of the roofs are flimsy and often, one player loses control: It is amazing how often one mistake many are slatted or do not even exist. is followed by another in bridge: had Hence, after hours of persistent rain East passed over 2 ©, South would have everywhere was flooded, powercuts Dealer South. Love All. rebid 2 ™, North would have bid 3 © and plunged the hotel into darkness and ♠ 6 2 that might have finished the auction. So rivers of water greeted the guests. ™ Q East will feel his bid was brilliant and it Electric storms decorated the sky for © A K 9 6 4 3 2 is not easy to argue with success. hours on end – I sat on my balcony to ® 10 6 3 Of course, had North-South left their take it all in – at the same time I was ♠ A J 10 9 5 4 ♠ 8 opponents to play the contract wondering how to cheer up the guests. ™ J 10 5 2 N ™ K 4 3 (doubled) then they would certainly W E What a greeting: half an inch of water © Q 10 S © J 8 7 have got their best score: against on your bedroom floor. ® 4 ® K Q J 9 8 7 accurate defence, declarer will make Hotels all over the resort were in ♠ K Q 7 3 only six tricks in clubs. When you think chaos: millions of pounds worth of ™ A 9 8 7 6 there is a misfit and the bidding is damage had been done, but the staff © 5 stormy, let your opponents play the worked tirelessly to overcome the ® A 5 2 contract – so often they will end up problems and the weather had soon wrecked.

Page 13 Bridge in the Desert and Brenda). You could see plenty of unless the suit turns out to be very fish off the pontoon, especially near the strong (or very weak). continued end where a shoal tended to congregate. So what was the snorkelling like? The weather settled down and the Thousands of fish, all sorts of colours, ♠ K 4 skin colours of our group changed colourful corals of all shapes and sizes, ™ K J 10 gradually: from snow-white to red and giant clams, sea anemones, seaweeds, © K Q 6 3 then into varying shades of brown. little crabs. The sea water is very salty ® J 9 4 2 Knowing the weather will be warm and which contributes to its buoyancy. My ♠ J 5 ♠ A Q 7 6 2 calm everyday makes dressing so much favourite experience came on a calm ™ 8 7 5 2 N ™ 6 4 W E easier. Sharm el Sheikh is a resort: very day when I was able to lie face down on © J 5 S © 10 9 8 7 few locals live in the area; most work the water without moving for ten to ® K Q 10 8 7 ® 6 3 for 40 days on the trot and then travel fifteen minutes. This enabled me just to ♠ 10 9 8 3 home for 7 days to Cairo or Luxor or watch the sea-life beneath me and since ™ A Q 9 3 the like. One of our restaurant I did not need to move, many of the © A 4 2 managers, Ayman, took us on a local more shy animals made an appearance. ® A 5 tour, to the various religious Some of the colourful fish tend to swim establishments: Coptic Christian and and dance all of the time, but the quieter 3NT by South. Lead ®K. Muslim and then around the resort. It fish, especially some of the groupers, was interesting to get a flavour of the area hide in the shadows. I hovered above a as well as to see some On this hand West of their traditions, one led the ®K of which is to against 3NT: a celebrate Christmas perfectly on January 6th, which reasonable lead explained why all the from a good decorations were still strong suit (KQ10 up, including their is a broken nativity figures and sequence so it is manger together with worth leading a Father Christmas in from the top). the background. However, North’s club strength Snorkelling makes the lead less potent. Sharm el Sheikh is Declarer has most famous for its eight top tricks. It snorkelling. Now you might be tempting could be forgiven for to take some top thinking that this tricks and look at might not interest the discards, but so bridge group, but by often best play is the end of the holiday I would say more large red fish (I think it was a moon to give the opponents the lead blind and than 80% of the group had been in. grouper) and I stared into its blue eyes let them open up a new suit. Win and My first visit to the ‘snorkelling for at least a minute, but there was only lead a club back. West takes his queen beach’ had seen the pontoon (of plastic going to be one winner in that but has to switch suits and looking at barrels) going up and down on the competition. I gave in and turned my dummy, he decides to switch to the ♠J. waves, so I had thought it best to warn attention to some of the camouflaged At first glance this looks like good people off the idea. However, as the fish – their skin very similar in colour to defence – he finds his partner’s strong days progressed and with flat calm seas, the coral. Then I moved closer to the suit – but, as so often when the the pontoon was much more easily pontoon and swam amongst the shoals defenders open up a suit, it gives navigated and so I suggested that the of fish and before long I started getting declarer the upper hand. East takes two bridge group might take a bus down a few pains on my chest which they spade tricks, but this establishes two for together. were nibbling. declarer, leaving him with ten tricks. This was not so much an organised Calm days at the pontoon led to very As suggested, for good switches you tour, rather an opportunity to go pleasurable snorkelling and so often want very weak suits or very strong snorkelling whilst there were others calm and passive play by declarer will suits. The defence’s weakest suits make about for moral support. lead to an equally pleasurable outcome. safe switches: hearts and diamonds give Over 30 of us made the trip and it was The term passive tends to describe the nothing away. Left to his own devices, great to see so many people getting in. avoidance of playing new suits: declarer will probably make only nine With the pontoon so flat, I was able to generally, in bridge, the side that leads a tricks: aiming for a tenth by leading lead some players up fully clothed (Pam suit for the first time is at a disadvantage towards his ♠K and losing to the ace.

Page 14 Bridge in the Desert continued

Understanding that calmness is often the best AT THE 5* KIROSEIZ defensive technique is not easy, but had you lain on the THREE CORNERS, surface of the water and seen being able to sit in the sun the fish as if in another with the temperature already in the 20s at 8am meant that NA’AMA BAY, many of the bridge group would sit outside the Atrium EGYPT 2011 restaurant and create a lovely atmosphere and we could A 5* spacious resort hotel complex with a friendly almost have had a bridge atmosphere situated 3km from the resort centre of movement, although early Na’ama bay and a 15 minute courtesy bus ride from morning bridge would take a the hotel’s private beach. little getting used to. world, then you would understand that it is worth Till Next Time considering. The bridge group had great Tours fun: there were plenty of different events and seminars There were a limited as well as tours and selection of tours available: a snorkelling. Undoubtedly, large party went to St there were parts of the Catherine’s Monastery near holiday that could be to the site of the Burning bettered (all-inclusive resorts Bush. Other tours took you take getting used to) but I on glass-bottom boats or to Ras Mohammed – a national park at sea – coral gardens that were alive with fish and plants. There were other tours available and we will Duplicate Bridge make sure there is a more extensive range in the future. with Bernard Magee

Hotel 17-31 January 2011 £1029* feel sure that there will be a great improvement next year. All inclusive board includes: buffet-style breakfast, The new General Manager of lunch, dinner, snacks served at selected times the hotel arrived just two between meals, ice cream served in the afternoon days before me and he has and afternoon tea. An unlimited amount of hot, soft great plans for the hotel. I and alcoholic drinks (excluding international took all my problems to him brands and cocktails) served 10 am to midnight. at the end of the event and he The bridge itinerary consists of four seminars and was confident that he will set hand sessions, a quiz with an answer session and correct them for next year. a varied evening programme. The hotel was a great Hence it is with excitement sprawling complex with four that Mr Bridge can offer you *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive or five pools and several two choices next year: of bridge fees. Single supplement £221 per fortnight. These prices restaurants. However, the Egypt in January for sun are based on air travel from Gatwick. Flights from other airports are available at a supplement, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, bridge group had our own and snorkelling or Tunisia in Manchester and Newcastle. private restaurant for the February for warmth and This holiday is arranged in conjunction with Thomas Cook Holidays ATOL1179. evening meals which was culture. excellent for ambience and They are very different social purposes. Perhaps the experiences, but I can assure favourite mealtime was you that you will enjoy DETAILS & BOOKINGS breakfast: the pleasure of either. ■ ( 01483 489961

Page 15 Discovery Club members onlysave an extra 5%

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Inside Cat N FREE UPGRADE No-fl y cruises to Scandinavia & Northern Waters Fares from fares from to outside cabin* Springtime in the Norwegian Fjords with Leanora Adds** 24 May 2010 – 8 days EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE FARE FREE There’s a whole world of discovery. Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Ålesund ~ Hellesylt ~ Geiranger ~ Flåm ~ Harwich £699PP £899PP UPGRADE St Petersburg & Baltic Treasures 31 May 2010 – 13 days Harwich ~ Copenhagen ~ Stockholm ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (overnight) ~ Gdynia OUTSIDE CABIN Warnemünde ~ Kiel Canal ~ Harwich £1,499PP SOLD Land of the Midnight Sun 12 June 2010 – 11 days Even before you set foot ashore. Harwich ~ Ålesund ~ Honningsvåg ~ Tromsø ~ Leknes ~ Flåm ~ Harwich £1,099PP £1,199PP British Isles Heritage Trail 22 June 2010 – 12 days OUTSIDE CABIN Experience the cruise of a lifetime. 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It will be a voyage you won’t forget. • Comprehensive lecture and Harwich ~ Flåm ~ Ålesund ~ Tórshavn ~ Akureyri ~ Reykjavik (overnight) £999PP £1,195PP UPGRADE Guest Speaker programme In the Wake of the Vikings with Mr & Mrs Bridge 29 July 2010 – 23 days FREE Combine ‘Fjords, Faroes, Fire & Ice’ with ‘Iceland & Greenland’ for a mesmerizing 23-day cruise £1,995PP £2,415PP UPGRADE A SHIP LIKE NO OTHER AND AN EXPERIENCE TO MATCH • Travel with around 650 On board, the 4-star Discovery combines all of today’s modern comforts with a sleek exterior Iceland & Greenland with Mr & Mrs Bridge 6 Aug 2010 – 15 days FREE like-minded passengers in Reykjavik (overnight) ~ Ilulissat ~ Nuuk ~ Qaqortoq ~ Kirkwall ~ Harwich £1,599PP £1,849PP UPGRADE reminiscent of the classic liners of yesteryear. Small enough to reach out-of-the-way ports, yet large 4-star comfort A Taste of France 20 Aug 2010 – 11 days FREE enough to make light work of crossing the great oceans, Discovery avoids the excesses of today’s Harwich ~ St Peter Port ~ La Rochelle ~ Bordeaux (overnight) ~ St Malo ~ Rouen (overnight) ~ Harwich £999PP £1,199PP UPGRADE • Flights from/to the UK for mega-liners. Instead, she has been expressly conceived for our special brand of ‘discovery cruising’ Magic of the Norwegian Fjords 30 Aug 2010 – 8 days FREE to create an atmosphere on board that is friendly and relaxed. There are all the facilities you would fl y-cruises (Manchester £15pp Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Ålesund ~ Hellesylt ~ Geiranger ~ Flåm ~ Harwich £749PP £875PP UPGRADE supplement) expect on a ship of this size, including three restaurants, a choice of bars and lounges, two pools, a well-stocked library, lecture theatre/cinema and internet centre. • FREE parking at Harwich for Unique historical and cultural cruises to the Mediterranean & Black Sea Cruise to the Riviera with Bernard Magee 6 Sept 2010 – 8 days EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE FARE FREE MR BRIDGE – DUPLICATE BRIDGE GUARANTEED no-fl y cruises Harwich ~ Lisbon ~ Gibraltar ~ Almeria ~ Nice £549PP £599PP UPGRADE All Mr Bridge passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks parties. When Discovery is at sea • All meals, entertainment and Grand Iberia & Italy with Bernard Magee 6 Sept 2010 – 18 days NEW LOW FARE NEW LOW FARE FREE there are morning seminars and afternoon bridge sessions. Those choosing to pay the £30 per bridge gratuities on-board included Combine ‘Cruise to the Riviera’ with ‘Italy & Sicily’ for a breathtaking 18-day journey £1,319PP £1,465PP UPGRADE with no hidden extras Italian Insights with Bernard Magee 13 Sept 2010 – 11 days player supplement, will be eligible for the evening duplicate after the fi rst sitting dinner. The bridge Nice (overnight) ~ Santa Margherita ~ Livorno (Florence/Pisa) ~ Civitavecchia (Rome) programme is fully optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge • Friendly and relaxed atmosphere Sorrento (overnight) ~ Palermo (overnight) ~ Catania ~ Valletta £1,099PP £1,199PP actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. on board Venice & the Adriatic with Mr & Mrs Bridge 23 Sept 2010 – 11 days Limited availability – Valletta ~ Korcula ~ Zadar ~ Venice (overnight) ~ Koper ~ Split ~ Hvar) ~ Dubrovnik (overnight) please contact us for details • All prices on board in Worlds of the Ancient Civilisations 3 Oct – 13 days British pounds Dubrovnik (overnight) ~ Kotor Bay ~ Cephalonia ~ Nauplion ~ Santorini ~ Mykonos ~ Piraeus NEW LOW FARE NEW LOW FARE Volos ~ Canakkale ~ Istanbul (overnight) £1,399PP £1,549PP • Captain’s cocktail parties and Black Sea Voyager 15 Oct 2010 – 11 days gala dinners Istanbul (overnight) ~ Trabzon ~ Sochi (overnight) ~ Yalta ~ Sevastopol ~ Odessa ~ Nesebur ~ Istanbul (overnight) £1,299PP £1,399PP • All port and pre-paid North African Treasures 25 Oct 2010 – 13 days NEW LOW FARE NEW LOW FARE FREE Istanbul (overnight) ~ Heraklion ~ Valletta ~ Tripoli ~ Al Khums ~ Benghazi ~ Alexandria (overnight) £1,199PP £1,349PP UPGRADE airport taxes In Search of Ancient Civilisations 6 Nov 2010 – 13 days NEW LOW FARE NEW LOW FARE FREE Alexandria ~ Benghazi ~ Al Khums ~ Valletta ~ Trapani ~ La Goulette ~ Cagliari) ~ Cartagena ~ Malaga £1,199PP £1,349PP UPGRADE 01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest inside/outside twin-bedded cabin category as shown and include all applicable discounts for new bookings only. *Upgrade offer applies to inside category N upgrading to outside category K on selected cruises only where stated. **Past passengers – Discovery Club savings are not applicable on the ‘Springtime in the Norwegian Fjords’ cruise. All offers are subject to availability, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Flights from Manchester £15pp supplement (£7.50pp each way). See brochure for full terms and conditions. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. Those wishing to play bridge, please note that there is a bridge supplement of £30 per bridge player to be conﬁ rmed at the time of booking. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd. Discovery Club members onlysave an extra 5%

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16-18 November (Tue-Thu) (Answers on page 35) Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events You are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. £199 – Full-board – No Single Supplement In each case, what is your play strategy?

1. ♠ 8 6 5 3 3. ♠ J 3 ™ Q 6 ™ A 8 6 5 © A K 7 4 © A 9 8 3 ® K 7 3 ® K 6 5

N N W E W E S S

♠ Q J 10 9 4 ♠ K 10 2 ™ K J 7 ™ K Q J 9 7 2 © J 3 © Q J ® A 8 5 ® A 7 ______BOOKING FORM You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 4™ and Please book me for .... places, Single .... Double .... Twin .... West leads the ®2. How West leads the ©7. How do you plan the play? do you plan the play? for the Rubber/Chicago event(s) of ......

Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address ...... 2. ♠ K 8 5 4. ♠ 8 7 5 ™ A 6 4 3 ™ 7 5 4 ...... © 8 5 3 © A Q 9 7 5 ® 6 5 4 ® Q 3 Postcode ...... N N W E W E S S ( ...... ♠ A Q J 10 7 3 ♠ A 2 Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) ™ 9 2 ™ A J 8 ...... © A K 4 © J 10 8 ® A 3 ® A K 7 6 2 Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your You are declarer in 4 ♠ You are declarer in 3NT final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full after West opened the bid - and West leads the ™K, details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not ding with a pre-emptive East playing the ™3 show - refundable. Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. (Sea view £30 supplement.) 3™. West leads the ™K. ing count. How do you How do you plan the plan the play? , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH play? ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 18 Dave Huggett Says Follow with the Bottom of a Sequence

ost people understand the East had played the ♦Q on the first trick, headache when the stakes are high: value of leading the top card West might have gone astray. He might Mfrom a sequence and the have switched to the Q, hoping that ♥ message it conveys to partner. It is East held the ♥A and one of the ♥10 (for N/S Game. Dealer West. equally important to follow with the at least three heart tricks) or the ♦10 ♠ Q 6 5 3 bottom card of a sequence when partner (probably four diamond tricks). ♥ A Q J 10 7 6 leads a suit and you are trying to win the Knowing for sure that partner has a ♦ 2 trick. The following deal will show why: certain high card might be useful for ♣ 4 2 another reason altogether: ♠ A ♠ 2 ♥ 9 5 3 2 N ♥ 4 W E Love All. Dealer South. ♦ K 9 7 6 4 3 S ♦ Q J 10 8 ♠ A K 3 Love All. Dealer West. ♣ 5 3 ♣ K Q J 10 9 8 6 ♥ K 7 5 ♠ K Q J 4 ♠ K J 10 9 8 7 4 ♦ 6 4 ♥ 7 2 ♥ K 8 ♣ Q J 10 7 5 ♦ J 3 ♦ A 5 ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ Q 10 8 5 ♣ A K Q J 6 ♣ A 7 ♥ Q J 8 N ♥ 9 6 4 2 ♠ A 2 ♠ 6 3 W E ♦ K 9 7 3 2 ♦ Q J 8 ♥ K 5 4 N ♥ Q J 10 8 6 S W E ♣ K 3 ♣ 8 2 ♦ A Q 7 4 S ♦ 9 8 6 2 West North East South ♠ J 9 6 ♣ 9 8 5 4 ♣ 3 2 Pass Pass 5♣ 5♠ ♥ A 10 3 ♠ 10 9 8 7 5 Pass 6♠ End ♦ A 10 5 ♥ A 9 3 ♣ A 9 6 4 ♦ K 10 5 When an opponent opens with a high- ♣ 10 7 level pre-empt it can all become a bit of a guessing game and, while South’s West North East South overcall looks reasonable, North’s raise 1NT West North East South is perhaps debatable. In any event, 6 ♠ Pass 3NT End 1NT Dbl 2♥ 2♠ became the final contract. West led the Pass 4♠ End ♣5, East contributing the ♣8. The West leads the ♦3 and declarer wins declarer won with the ♣A and led a low with the ♦A after East has contributed West has no clear-cut lead but in trump. West won, perforce, and the ♦J. (As declarer plans to finesse into deference to his partner’s bid he leads considered his options. the hand with the presumed diamond the ♥4. East contributes the ♥10 and An opening bid at the five-level length, there can be little point in declarer wins with the ♥A before usually indicates an eight-card suit and, holding up. Moreover, because the leading a low spade. West rises with the with a threatening heart holding in opposition are playing fourth best leads ace and now knows two things! Firstly dummy, a switch to a low diamond he knows that the diamonds are either declarer must have the ♥9 – else partner looked inviting. Perhaps a wheel had 4-4 or 5-3.) Declarer then crosses to a would have played that card at trick one come off in the bidding and East had the top spade in dummy and leads the ♣Q, – and secondly partner must have the ♥J ♦A. Just in time, West remembered that running it when East plays low. The and the ♥Q else declarer would have East played the ♣8 at trick one! That finesse loses but now West can safely won the first trick with one of those denied the ♣7, marking declarer with lead a diamond to his partner’s queen, a cards. So a lead of the ♥5 now gives the the card, so West played a second club. card he knows his partner must have else lead to East, who should have no trouble declarer would have won the first trick at all in returning a diamond. Whatever Conclusion with the ♦Q rather than the ♦A. This declarer does, he has to lose two tricks in way, the defenders can now cash enough that suit and four tricks in all! Play bottom of a sequence in third tricks to defeat the contract. Our final deal is exciting and shows seat. This helps partner place the other Maybe that looks too easy – but, if how attention to detail can save you a high cards. ■

Page 19 Discovery Club Members save an extra 5%

FREE cabin upgrade to outside In the Wake of the Vikings cabin offer with Mr & Mrs Bridge Funicular railways that clamber up fjord slopes for the best vantage points, quizzical An exceptional 23-day voyage Faroe Island pufﬁ ns, bubbling pools shrouded in Icelandic steam and Greenland’s departing July 29, 2010 gentle hills and tundra plains making a rare appearance through their customary cloak Date Port of white all make for a fascinating collection of snapshots and memories. An extended Jul 29 HARWICH, England stay in Reykjavik adds to the easy pace. Embark on mv DISCOVERY MR BRIDGE – DUPLICATE BRIDGE GUARANTEED Jul 31 At sea All Mr Bridge passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks parties. When Jul 31 FLÅM, Norway Discovery is at sea there are morning seminars and afternoon bridge sessions. Those Aug 1 ÅLESUND, Norway choosing to pay the £30 per bridge player supplement, will be eligible for the evening Aug 2 TÓRSHAVN, Faroe Islands duplicate after the ﬁ rst sitting dinner. The bridge programme is fully optional and you Aug 3 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles Aug 4 AKUREYRI, Iceland to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. Aug 5-7 REYKJAVIK, Iceland Aug 8-10 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, Prins Christiansund & Davis Strait Your Voyage includes: • Free parking in Harwich port Aug 11 ILULISSAT, Greenland • Inspiring destinations and • All meals, entertainment and gratuities Aug 12 Cruising the Davis Strait enlightening excursions on-board included with no hidden extras Aug 13 NUUK, Greenland • Comprehensive lecture and • Friendly and relaxed atmosphere on board Aug 14 QAQORTOQ, Greenland Guest Speaker programme • All prices on board in British pounds Aug 15-17 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean Aug 18 KIRKWALL, Scotland • Travel with around 650 • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners like-minded passengers in Aug 19 At sea 4-star comfort • All port and pre-paid airport taxes Aug 20 H A R W I C H , England

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Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available and include all applicable discounts for new bookings only. All offers and cabin upgrades are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Upgrade offer applies to inside cat N upgrading to outside cat K; inside cat M upgrading to outside cat J. Speciﬁ c cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Bridge Group. Those wishing to play bridge, please note that there is a bridge supplement of £30 per bridge player to be conﬁ rmed at the time of booking. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd. Freddie North Says

When in Doubt Lead a Trump

e all know that there are many After a pass from East, South bid his times when the only lead to ♠ Q 8 6 spades, West his diamonds and North his Wbeat a contract is a trump. As N hearts. It then became a battle of the red ♥ 7 4 2 W E well as when you need to cut down on ♦ K J 7 3 S suits, with neither side seemingly ruffs, sometimes a lead from any side ♣ A Q 7 knowing the maxim ‘the five level suit could cost a trick. belongs to the opponents’. When East- I must now draw to your attention the West bid to 5 ♦, North-South went on to word ‘doubt’. Assuming doubt comes This is typical of the ‘anything could be 5♥. Not to be outdone, East-West went after careful reflection – especially in right – or wrong’ situation. Added to on to 6 ♦, duly doubled. relation to the bidding, and is not just a that, there is little bidding to go on with If North leads a heart, declarer can get reflex action because nothing else which to form a picture. So doubt does out for two down, losing one heart, one quickly comes to mind – those six little exist and no amount of mature reflection diamond and one club. This is likely to words have much to commend them. will pierce the gloom. Lead the two of be cheap against 5 ♥. However, suppose Before we go on, let’s consider the hearts. Partner held: that North leads a trump at trick one and arguments for and against a trump lead. another when in with a heart. Now declarer loses a second heart trick. At In Favour of a Trump Lead ♠ 9 7 4 3 equal vulnerability, three down is a great N ♥ Void score for North-South. W E 1 When the bidding suggests dummy has S ♦ 10 9 8 6 On my final deal, the lead looks easy. a short side suit and only a few trumps. ♣ K 8 5 3 2 2 When you have the opponents outgunned and only ruffing losers can ♠ Q J 2 minimise their losses. As it happens, a club – a most unlikely ♥ 7 2 3 When you have a good holding in choice – would be safe. A diamond ♦ A K 7 4 3 declarer’s second suit, which suggests (round to South’s queen) or a spade ♣ 8 5 3 he may try to ruff losers in dummy. (resolving a two-way finesse) would be ♠ A 4 3 ♠ 7 4 When you have tenaces or other fatal. Maybe declarer will get the spade ♥ K 10 9 5 N ♥ Q 4 3 W E unattractive holdings in the side suits right anyway – or maybe he won’t. At ♦ 9 6 S ♦ Q 10 8 5 and partner is marked with few values. least you haven’t helped him. ♣ K Q J 9 ♣ 10 7 6 4 2 The next deal becomes interesting ♠ K 10 9 8 6 5 Against a Trump Lead when East-West refuse to allow their ♥ A J 8 6 opponents to play in hearts. ♦ J 2 5 When the trump is a singleton – the ♣ A danger is that leading the suit may kill Q-x-x or J-x-x-x in partner’s hand. Dealer East. Love All. 6 At times, you can ill afford to lose the ♠ J 8 4 West North East South valuable tempo that the opening lead ♥ A Q J 9 6 1♠ gives – you need to set up winners ♦ 5 3 2 Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ before declarer can obtain discards. ♣ K 8 Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ 7 A closer review of the bidding can ♠ Void ♠ Q 10 9 5 2 End point you to an opposing weak spot – ♥ 7 4 3 N ♥ 2 W E e.g. if the opponents look for 3NT and, ♦ K Q J 10 7 4 S ♦ 9 8 6 Many players would select the king of when neither of them shows a stopper ♣ A 9 6 5 ♣ Q J 10 4 clubs without much thought – but that in a specific suit, they call a suit game. ♠ A K 7 6 3 lets the contract make. West’s strong ♥ K 10 8 5 heart holding suggests a trump lead. Let’s look at some real examples. You ♦ A Declarer can no longer ruff a heart in are West. On the first, South opens 1 ♥ ♣ 7 3 2 dummy – West continues with ace and and North’s raise to 4 ♥ ends the auction. another trump when in with a heart. ■

Page 21 The Tempest or Micro-bridge by Dick Atkinson

y uncle, the 7th Baron von case, they named him Friday and set in any denomination, i.e. to win two Münchausen, is an intimate him to work with a salvaged crate of tricks, or to win all three. It was decided Macquaintance of all the old Beluga caviar and a few slightly that the successful declarer would be royalty and aristocracy of the Continent. damp loaves of bread, which he dried credited with the ten ‘missing’ tricks On this occasion, in the mid-1930s, he and ultimately toasted, using Count now residing on the bottom of the ocean was the special guest of the King of Gonzalo’s monocle as a burning glass. or otherwise unavailable: two tricks Naples on a bridge cruise. Their last But I digress. would therefore be scored as a Small landfall had been Tunisia, and they were All twelve blue-blooded bridge Slam, all three as a Grand. There could headed for Majorca, when a furious players had survived and fell to be no vulnerability, as there were too storm blew up, interrupting a small but discussing their interrupted tournament. few deals to work through a fair brilliantly contested pairs’ event, for My uncle, keen to establish his right to sequence. It was obvious that undertrick which the prizes were to be a ruby the grand prix , plucked the thirty-nine penalties would have to be high to encrusted breastplate and a somewhat damp cards from the rescued prevent ridiculous sacrifices, so these magnificent diamond tiara from the old board, and laid them out on the beach, were fixed at 500 each, and could be Hungarian crown jewels. My uncle had reconstructing his own hand by doubled and redoubled. been leading, according to his estimates, elimination and tracing it in the coral and had set his heart on the tiara, which sand. There being no red suit void, 7 ♠ The Play he had decided should adorn the perfect was demonstrably solid and my uncle golden tresses of his Baroness – if he could not have been overtaken. My uncle resumed his partnership with ever found a worthy candidate for that This was not proven with sufficient the Duke of Milan. They played the position. He had just removed his last rigour to satisfy Prince Sebastian. The first deal, shown below, against Count hand from the board and had time to Baron might, for example, have risked Gonzalo and his Contessa: notice that it consisted of eleven top 7NT fearing that he needed one more spades and both red aces when the yacht top . . . Eventually a compromise was lurched sickeningly. agreed. The event would be replayed, ♥ Void ‘To the lifeboats!’ roared the burly according to modified rules devised by ♦ 10 boatswain. My uncle had the presence my uncle. From the lone and defective ♣ K J of mind to snatch up the board with its pack of thirty-nine cards, he created ♥ Void N ♥ Q J 10 W E three as yet unclaimed hands – and the three packs of twelve cards each, to wit: ♦ K S ♦ Void prizes too, of course! ♣ Q 10 ♣ Void Very soon, the King’s yacht was 1. ♥ K Q J 10 ♦ K Q J 10 ♣ K Q J 10 ♥ K driven onto a rocky reef and her august 2. ♥ 9 8 7 6 ♦ 9 8 7 6 ♣ 9 8 7 6 ♦ Q J passengers found themselves fighting 3. ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♦ 5 4 3 2 ♣ 5 4 3 2 ♣ Void for their lives in the raging surf. Miraculously, all found themselves Three squares, the Tables, were traced in safely on the sandy beach of a small the sand with his gold toothpick and the On this deal the Duke (sitting North ) tropical island. direction of the protagonists’ short conservatively passed, the The crew were nowhere to be seen, so shadows was designated North. Only Contessa called ‘Heart Small’ and my it was with some relief that they three deals would be played and there uncle overcalled a speculative ‘No discovered the island had an inhabitant, would be an arrow-switch for the third. Trump Small’. Count Gonzalo doubled, who was immediately recruited as a The winners would receive the prizes and the Duke redoubled. servant. He kept pointing at himself and which, with considerable presence of The Count took his king, then muttering something like ‘Caliban’. mind, the Baron had rescued during the switched to his ten of clubs. The Baron Perhaps he meant ‘cannibal’? In any hurricane. There could be two contracts finessed without a moment’s

Page 22 The Tempest lead into the trump suit. Who can blame hot milk. ‘But you must finish the story continued him, especially on that bidding? The now, Uncle!’ Heart Grand Slam would have failed ‘Ah yes. I found that the captain of from the other side, of course, and the the pirates was familiar with games of thought, and claimed 1,610. His analysis No-trump Grand was doomed from the bridge family. Would he be prepared, was correct, of course. West could not either side, so the Baron felt confident I suggested, to make a substantial wager have a heart, or he would have led it at that 2,190 was a good score. One more on his ability to evaluate a hand of cards? the second trick. Nor, for that matter, deal to go . . . I would deal out several hands. He could could East hold a club loser as well as a pick whichever hand he wanted and queen-high trump suit. The Quarrel choose which suit should be trumps and decide who should have the opening Prince Sebastian, however, despite lead; yet I would undertake to beat him ♥ 9 7 being bound by etiquette not to eaves- with one of the rejected hands, the stakes ♦ 7 drop on events at another table, turned being my liberty and – er – virility.’ ♣ Void from his place as South at Table 3 and ♥ 8 6 N ♥ Void asked in silky tones how my uncle had The Wager W E ♦ Void S ♦ 9 8 6 felt so confident of a heart holding ♣ 8 ♣ Void opposite his void. I got him to repeat that for me. ‘Surely ♥ Void In vain did the Baron rehearse his that is madness, Uncle Leo. Unless the ♦ Void logical analysis. Finally the Duke, hands were somehow sufficiently ♣ 9 7 6 whose own honour was also at stake, complicated to trick him into a poor demanded immediate satisfaction from choice?’ the Prince. There was a particularly ugly ‘That would be one way, true. The second hand was played with the scene, especially when the Duke’s own Unfortunately I had only the nine cards Neapolitan Monarch West and his heir, brother offered his services as second to I salvaged from the beach, leaving little Prince Ferdinand, East. The Prince Prince Sebastian. There were no swords room for complexity! However, I made opened ‘Diamond Grand’ and my uncle or pistols to be had within a thousand up three hands of three cards each.’ He was in the hot seat, figuratively speaking. miles, so the seconds – my uncle and jotted them on one of my linen napkins: (They all actually sat cross-legged on the Antonio – agreed upon coconuts at sand, while Friday fanned each of them in ten paces, which was about as much A. ♥ 4 ♦ 3 ♣ 2 turn with a huge palm frond.) space as there was on the beach. B. ♥ 3 ♦ 2 ♣ 4 It seemed clear from his bid that the ‘Friday was sent up a tall palm tree to C. ♥ 2 ♦ 4 ♣ 3 Prince held either ♥ — ♦ 9 x x ♣ — or collect ammunition, but on reaching the perhaps ♥ 9 ♦ 9 x ♣ —. The former top of the trunk, he began shouting down ‘You see, my boy, that it is not so easy seemed more likely, since it was by far to us excitedly, pointing emphatically after all to determine which of three the sounder call. The second might even towards the South. It had to be a ship! hands is the best!’ be a better ‘No-trump Grand’ call, in Using the cards for tinder and the I saw it now: Hand A must always fact, though the calculation is a little Archduke’s monocle as a source of take two tricks against Hand B, and complicated. But the odds hardly ignition, we managed to start a small Hand B similarly beats Hand C. In fact favoured a less than sound Grand in signal fire.’ the Pirate Captain chose Hand A, but either case. The Baron shook his head at the the Baron simply picked Hand C, and Uncle Leo favours boldness in the memory. ‘An hour later, much to the had to win two of the three tricks. bidding. Rather than concede a sure chagrin of all but Friday, who was left in ‘When I think what each of those 1,440, he would consider a sacrifice. The possession of his lonely isle, we found tricks was worth – Donner und Blitzen! ’ No-trump Grand could pass off all right. ourselves captives to a crew of Lascar He squirmed uncomfortably in the On the other hand, if the King held t he pirates, who intended to sell us into huge armchair and his eyes seemed to fourth diamond, he would lead it and slavery in the Levant – the males as water a little. there would be no escaping a 6,000 set. Eunuchs of the Harem. Luckily, their ‘So you never won the tiara?’ I asked. (It is a point of honour with the Baron to captain was a keen card player – and a ‘Oh . . . Er, no. Not precisely won . . . Redouble.) Then he considered the lie of compulsive gambler. I found myself But I still remember that game fondly. the outstanding hearts. Most likely was playing for the highest stakes of my life. Who else can boast of having called and that both the Monarch and the Duke held I had snatched up the cards from that made a grand slam in an unbid void two each. Of course, His Majesty could third sandy table, other than Prince suit? A dash of brandy in that chocolate, have 9-8, in which case the Heart Grand Sebastian’s, which he had flung into the if you please.’ would be two or three down – but so flames. I found I had three twos, three ‘And did you ever get your revenge would No-trumps! A diamond lead threes and three fours. Holding 5-5-5, a on Prince Sebastian?’ would be most unwelcome . . . so it could foolproof No-trump Grand, the wicked ‘Not I!’ A cruel smile briefly lit up his be imperative to bid the Grand from the prince had realised I was headed for ancient features. ‘Make that a Baron’s side. victory and aborted the event for a double brandy.’ ■ That is exactly what he did: ‘Heart second time! But I grow weary, my boy. Grand!’ The King, of course, doubled, Could you get my hot chocolate now?’ Previously published in BRIDGE 48. and led his singleton club, rather than ‘All right.’ I busied myself with the

Page 23 o

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Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available, are subject to availability and include all applicable discounts for new bookings. *£70pppd applies to ‘On the Trail of the Treasure Fleets’. **No single supplement applies to selected I & G cabins on all cruises except on ‘Tales of the Old Spanish Main’. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Bridge groups. All offers are subject to availability, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Speciﬁ c cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd. Justin Corfield Says

Cash Side Winners Before a Crossruff

crossruff, as its name suggests, is You need to cash the top clubs early, Taking a finesse is not the same as when, as declarer, you alternately preferably leading towards them. Yes, cashing a winner, but the maxim still Atrump one suit in dummy, and someone might ruff one of the first two applies: you need to do your work in the another in your hand. By these means, clubs (if the suit splits 4-1), but in that side suits before you start the crossruff. you aim to make extra trump tricks. case you were surely not going to make The maxim that you need to cash side You are in 4 ♠, on the ♦A lead: the contract. Cashing the side winners winners early does not mean that you early allows you to make the contract need to cash all of them – cash only whenever it is possible to do so. those tricks that are necessary for your ♠ A K Q J Even when you know to cash the side contract. You are in 6 ♠ on the ♦K lead ♥ Void winners early, it is still important to play from West: ♦ 10 8 6 4 2 the hand through mentally before you ♣ 9 7 4 3 touch a card – seemingly simple hands can have a pitfall or two. This time, you ♠ N 9 8 7 W E are in 6 ♣ on the ♠K lead: ♥ A K Q 5 S ♦ A 5 4 3 2 ♠ 10 9 8 7 ♣ A

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

N ♥ 4 3 2 This hand almost plays itself – clearly, W E ♦ 6 S you are going to ruff hearts in dummy ♣ 5 4 3 2 and diamonds in hand, eventually ♠ 9 making all eight trumps and the two top ♥ A Q 5 3 2 clubs, right? ♦ K 3 2 Since West has failed to lead a trump, Maybe: the danger is that whilst you ♣ A Q 9 8 you can make all eight of your trumps are crossruffing the red suits merrily, separately. Those eight tricks, plus the one of the defenders will discard a club minor-suit aces, add up to ten. So it or two. Then when you get around to Counting your winners, you have four follows that you need to cash two heart ‘cashing’ the club winners, a defender top tricks, and can make all eight trumps tricks immediately, (bringing your total might be able to ruff one of them. on a crossruff. Following the maxim, to twelve), before proceeding with the These are the East-West hands: you cash the side winners first. crossruff. Always count your tricks with Did you notice, though, that you must care before you play a card. ruff hearts first, or your crossruff will If you try to cash a third heart, you ♠ 6 3 2 ♠ 5 4 run out of steam? If you collected your may go down if a defender can ruff and ♥ A Q J N ♥ K 10 9 5 3 four winners ending in dummy, you are return a trump. If, on the other hand, you W E ♦ A K 9 7 5 S ♦ Q J 3 going off. If you collected them ending cash fewer than two hearts, you take the ♣ 6 5 ♣ Q J 10 in your hand, you can claim. So play the risk that a defender might be able to ♠A, ♦A, ♦K, ♥A; then crossruff. discard some hearts whilst you are Do you think West would have done crossruffing in the minors, stopping you If you simply ruff the lead and embark better to lead a trump? You are right. from making enough heart tricks. on a crossruff, you will fail. When you How should you play on a trump lead? This brings me to my final piece of ruff the fourth round of hearts in The difference this time is that you advice. Notice how much harder these dummy, West will discard a club. can make only seven tricks from the crossruff hands are once the defenders Thereafter, you will never be able to take trump suit. It follows that you must risk lead trumps. If the auction tells you that your club winners. Can you see how to the heart finesse. Play the ♣K, ♥Q, declarer will try to crossruff, a trump avoid this sad fate? ♦A-K, ♥A; then crossruff to victory. lead will often be best. ■

Page 26 Seasonal Walks with Countryman A Walk in Spring

his little piece of England Before we go any further, here is a that they are the great benefactors of the where the birds are singing, the hand for you to contemplate. arboreal world. Living for some 250 T sun shining and the air years, they play host to nature in so seriously intoxicating – it is all too easy many different ways. Insects (there are to fall under its magic spell and dream Dealer South. N/S Vul. over 200 varied species), birds, squirrels on, contentedly... ♠ Q J 6 2 and many more enjoy the oak like no Once again, the magical time of year ♥ 5 3 2 other tree. The great spotted woodpecker has come when the countryside leads the ♦ Q 10 7 drills out his nest in the rotten branches way, heralding vibrant and exciting ♣ 7 6 3 while jays and squirrels are particularly times ahead. Let us forget any personal partial to the acorns. With so much N blues and feast our eyes on the W E wildlife at home in and around the oak, burgeoning hedgerows, the blossoms S it inevitably attracts predators to the and the colour as spring captivates the ♠ Void scene, especially the sparrow-hawk and beholder. ♥ A K Q 10 9 8 weasel. ♦ A K J Looked at through the microscope, Primroses, violets, ♣ A K 5 2 nature is very cruel, but absorbing the cowslips and buttercups bigger picture, as I am right now, the evolutionary merry-go-round makes Cindy, my much-loved golden retriever, This was the bidding. some sort of sense. Time to get back to is, of course, with me on our daily our bridge deal. walk. I can only speculate on her West North East South reaction to nature’s gentle 2♣ Back to the bridge hand metamorphosis where winter is 2♠ Pass Pass 3♥ gradually being bundled into the Pass 4♥ Pass 5♣ background and spring starts to reveal Pass 5♥ Pass 6♥ ♠ Q J 6 2 her colourful wardrobe. Although I have End ♥ 5 3 2 often thought Cindy is almost ♦ Q 10 7 impervious to climatic conditions and West leads the ace of spades. You ruff ♣ 7 6 3 changing scenery, she does seem in and lead two top trumps. East discards a ♠ A K 10 9 8 ♠ 7 5 4 3 exceptionally good form today. As I stop small club on the second round, so you ♥ J 7 4 N ♥ 6 to admire some wild violets and enjoy play a third top trump. Next, when you W E ♦ 9 8 5 2 S ♦ 6 4 3 their scent, she comes dashing up to cash the ace and king of clubs West ♣ Q ♣ J 10 9 8 4 inspect my find but, unimpressed, she shows up with the singleton queen. ♠ Void soon races off again to pursue her own What are your plans? ♥ A K Q 10 9 8 idea of worthwhile scent. Primroses, ♦ A K J violets, cowslips and buttercups are Oak trees and insects ♣ A K 5 2 hardly in the same doggy league as the bird and animal smells that always As we ramble on amongst some quite Contract 6 ♥ by South. Lead ♠A intrigue the canine world. magnificent oak trees, I recall reading

Page 27 Spring continued CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS Better Hand Those South players who bid JUNE 2010 SEPTEMBER continued the slam almost on their own Evaluation must have felt quite relieved 2 FESTIVAL BRIDGE 16 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY Bernard Magee when they saw the dummy. Downham Market Town Hall. CLUB . Outlane Golf Club. With trumps two-two (when Afternoon tea. 1pm. £5. 12 for 12.30pm. Pat Roberts ( 01366 382947 £44 per table, including lunch. Introduction it would be possible to ruff 4 ST ANDREW’S CHURCH Brian Noble ( 01484 427356 Better Hand Evaluation is the fourth round of clubs) or The Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton. 17 ST MARY’S CHURCH EATON SOCON, aimed at helping readers to add clubs three-three (when the 10 for 10.30am. £14.50. St. Neots 10 for 10.30am. £13. greater accuracy to their fourth club would be good Mavis Campion Malcolm Howarth bidding. It deals with auctions anyway), there would be no ( 01480 860477 ( 01480 212910 in which you and your partner, against silent opponents, can 18 ST MARY’S CHURCH EATON SOCON 23 UPWOOD CHURCH RESTORATION problem; it soon transpired describe your hands fully to St Neots. 10 for 10.30am. £13. FUND. Upwood Village Hall this was not the case. each other and, by evaluating Malcolm Howarth So, after ruffing the Chicago Bridge Day. 10 for them accurately, find the best ( 01480 212910 opening lead, drawing trumps 10.30am. £15pp includes lunch. final contract. The emphasis of 19 SWINDON CARES. 10.30 for 11am. Chris Bruce ( 01487 812327 and cashing the ace-king of all good, accurate bidding is on The Conference Room, Arkells Peter Somerfield hand evaluation. clubs, what now? Some Brewery, Kingsdown. £15pp ( 01487 812167 includes lunch at Kingsdown Inn. There are two general types of declarers played off their 29 PRINCESS ALICE HOSPICE Margaret Bracher auction: a) A fit is found and b) diamond winners, ending in Putney Leisure Centre. 10.30am ( 01793 729970 No fit is found. the dummy, and then let the for 11am. £64 per table inc. lunch . queen of spades run to West’s 25 JUBILE SAILING TRUST . 12 noon. Pam Turner ( 0208 995 2270 When you do not have a fit, you king, discarding a club from Holywell House, Swanmore, are aiming to describe the Hants. £50 per table inc. tea. OCTOBER 2010 strength of your hand as soon hand – no good. West exited Roger Morfill ( 01489 892823 as possible, most often using with the thirteenth diamond 16 RNLI [email protected] Cheltenham Bridge Club. £15pp. no-trump bids. This book and declarer still had to lose a 11am-4pm Lunch & glass wine. begins by discussing balanced 27 RUNSWICK BAY RESCUE BOAT club. Margaret Beverley hand bidding in Acol, as it is Chicago Bridge Day, Hinderwell ( 01242 510193 very important that both Village Hall, 10am - 4pm. members of a partnership have The winning line £16 per ticket (including lunch). 21 HELP FOR HEROES an accurate knowledge of how Contact Karen ( 01947 841013 Congregational Church Hall, to show hands of different One declarer did find the Market Harborough 2pm £7.50pp. strengths. JULY 2010 Margaret ( 01858 464777 perfect solution. He cashed Ann ( 01858 465508 When a fit is found, there is the ace of diamonds, entered 1 YORKHILL CHILDRENS HOSPITAL much re-evaluation of the hand 22 CHESHIRE HOMES dummy by overtaking the Ogilivie Bridge Club. to be done; point count, though Village Hall, Hartford. 7pm. £6 per person. still important, needs to be jack of diamonds with 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. Mrs L Kydd ( 0141 886 3264 evaluated together with dummy’s queen and then ran Malcolm Howarth 2 ST IVES INNER WHEEL, HELP FOR distribution. The best way of the queen of spades, ( 01480 212910 HEROES Village Hall, Hemingford reaching an accurate assess - discarding the king of Abbots 10 for 10.30am. £14. NOVEMBER 2010 ment is to use the Losing Trick diamonds. West won with the Pat Cole ( 01480 431574 Count; this is an important 15 RNLI. method of hand evaluation and king of spades but this was 8 CHESHIRE HOMES. 1.45 for 2pm. Village Hall, Swanmore, Hants. takes up a number of chapters. the only defensive trick as Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, 1.30 for 2pm. £40 per table £32 a table, inc. substantial tea. West now had to give dummy including tea and prizes. Finally, we move on to different Barry Fear ( 01483 277418 forms of evaluation including the lead to cash the jack of Sue Carpenter game tries and splinter bids. spades and ten of diamonds. 12 BUSHEY LOCAL CHARITIES ( 01489 893843 Chicago. 1.30 for 2.00 Sacred You can never know enough Twelve tricks were there. 25 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY Heart Parish centre £5 inc. tea. methods of hand evaluation; CLUB . Outlane Golf Club. the more you learn, the better David Earle ( 0208 9504144 Unblocking play 12 for 12.30pm. you get at judging your hand. 15 SAMARITANS CHESTER BRANCH £44 per table, including lunch. Although the Losing Trick Afternoon Bridge Drive with Brian Noble ( 01484 427356 Count is used more easily in When we get home and sumptuous tea. Tickets £10. 26 ALZHIEMER’S CARE & RESEARCH tandem with your partner, a Cindy is snuggling up beside Mollie McBride ( 01244 675108 FUND. Village Hall, Hemingford large proportion of the ideas in me, I am still thinking about SEPTEMBER 2010 Abbots. 10 for 10.30am. £14. this book can be used by an this deal. ‘You know, Cindy, Sheila Poval ( 01480 395394 individual. For example, evalu - 10 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES all this business about 28 DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR ating your hand to be worth an Doddington Village Hall. throwing kings away on AMBULANCE extra point is going to help any - 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. one you partner – as long as queens with carefree abandon Batcombe Village Hall. Val Topliss ( 01354 653696 you get it right. sounds very complex but 2pm £32 per team includes tea. 14 GYDA (Gulu Youth Development really it just amounts to an John Perry ( 01373 467508 Association, Northern Uganda) £14 including postage unblocking play.’ Like the Corn Exchange, Faringdon, Oxon. from Ryden Grange, good and faithful dog she is, 10.30 for 11am. £15 inc. lunch. E-mail your charity events: Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Cindy wags her tail. Clearly, Steve Braithwaite [email protected] ( 01367 240929 ( she is in full agreement. ■ 01483 489961

Page 28 2010 BRIDGE Bridge Breaks BREAKS JUNE 2010 Full-board 11-13 The Beach Hotel ♦ ♦ Two seminars £215 Slams & Cue Bids ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised play Ned Paul en-suite facilities sessions AUGUST 2010 ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four duplicate sessions 6-8 The Beach Hotel £215 Leads & Defence Please book me for ..... places at £...... per person, Chris Barrable Single .... Double .... Twin .... Sea View 1 .... Executive 2 .... Staverton Park Nr Daventry NN11 6JT Name of Hotel/Centre ......

NOVEMBER 2010 Dates ...... 5-7 Wychwood Park £199 Declarer Play Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... Gary Conrad 5-7 Staverton Park Address ...... £199 Leads & Defence Alex Davoud Blunsdon House Hotel ...... Swindon SN26 7AS Postcode ......

SEPTEMBER 2010 ( ...... 3-5 The Beach Hotel £215 Dealing with 1NT Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Sandy Bell but we will do our best to oblige) 17-19 Blunsdon House £215 Take-out Doubles ...... Improvers* Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking Alison Nicolson The Beach Hotel Worthing BN11 3QS ...... OCTOBER 2010 15-17 Wychwood Park 12-14 The Olde Barn Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by £199 Signals & Discards £199 Better Defence cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay - Ray Hutchinson Crombie McNeil ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will 22-24 Staverton Park 19-21 Wychwood Park be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. £199 Hand Evaluation £199 Slam Bidding Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insur - Alex Davoud Gary Conrad ance broker. 1£30 supplement per room (Beach Hotel only). 2£50 29-31 The Olde Barn 26-28 The Olde Barn supplement per room (Blunsdon House and Denham Grove only). £199 Slam Bidding £199 Stayman & Transfers Ray Hutchinson Improvers*

Christmas & New Year Denham Grove

24-27 December – £395 Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... Derek Monk (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) 27-29 December – £199 Chris Barrable & Ann Pearson , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 29 Dec – 1 Jan – £355 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 Chris Barrable & Ann Pearson ( Wychwood Park e-mail: [email protected] Crewe CW2 5GP website: www.holidaybridge.com *aimed at the novice player and/or those picking up the game after a long break

Page 29 Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruising For people with a mind to travel

At Swan Hellenic, we will always go Highlands & Islands* Crusaders & Pharaohs further and delve that bit deeper. Our on-board Guest Speakers and inclusive 15 days departing August 12, 2010 15 days departing Nov 20, 2010 excursions ashore take you behind from £1,495pp from £1,655pp civilisations, both ancient and modern, with fascinating results. You will travel Date Port Date Port in country-house style with around 320 Aug 12 DOVER , England Nov 20 Depart UK by air other like-minded passengers. Choose to Embark mv MINERVA to Limassol, Cyprus dine in the restaurant of your choice and Aug 13 SARK , Channel Islands Embark mv MINERVA in the company of your friends and you Aug 14 Cruise the Celtic Sea Nov 21 LIMASSOL , Cyprus will still be assured of exceptional value Aug 15 GLENGARRIFF, Ireland Nov 22 LATAKIA, Syria for money, including all tips on board and Aug 16 Cruise the Atlantic Ocean Nov 23 TARTOUS, Syria ashore. Travel with a truly great British Aug 17 KILLYBEGS, Ireland Nov 24 Cruise the Mediterranean Sea company, established in 1954, and enjoy an Aug 18 ROTHESAY , Isle of Bute, Nov 25 ALEXANDRIA, Egypt experience that will live with you forever. Scotland Nov 26 Cruise the Mediterranean Sea Mr Bridge Aug 19 OBAN, Scotland Nov 27 Transit the Suez Canal ADABIYA, Egypt All passengers who have booked and Aug 20 TOBERMORY , Isle of Mull, Scotland Nov 28 ADABIYA , Egypt registered through Mr Bridge will be eligible to partake in the exclusive late Aug 21 Cruise the Inner Hebrides Nov 29 Cruise the Red Sea SHARM-EL-SHEIKH, Egypt afternoon duplicate session. There is no Aug 22 KIRKWALL , Orkeny Islands, Scotland Nov 30 Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt Bridge supplement, as like most of the Aug 23 INVERGORDON, Scotland Dec 1-2 SAFAGA, Egypt excursions, it is included in the price. Mr Aug 24 LEITH, Scotland Dec 3 AQABA, Jordan Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a Aug 25 Cruising Dec 4 Aqaba, Jordan Disembark and transfer to partner for a game. Aug 26 DOVER , England Disembark airport for ﬂight home to UK

£125 contribution to parking at Dover on the Highlands & Islands cruise All new conﬁrmed cruise bookings from 19th March 2010 to 12th August 2010 will be entitled to £125 contribution towards parking at Dover. £125 will be deducted from the cost of the cruise to cover the cost of parking at Dover. Passengers must book and pay directly with Dover Port by calling 01304 241 427, emailing [email protected] or through the Dover Port website at www.doverport.co.uk. When booking your cruise, please quote MRFPC1G for a Twin Cabin or MRFPC1SG for a Single Cabin to take advantage of £125 contribution towards parking at Dover.

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.holidaybridge.co.uk

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing a category 12 inside cabin. *Parking offer applies to ‘Highland and Islands’ cruise only and is open from the 19th March to 12th August 2010. Offer applies to new bookings only, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Booking terms and conditions apply. All fares shown are guarantee fares – cabin number will be allocated approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd ABTA W0302 ATOL 3897. It Happened That Way by Freddie North

A Successful Partnership DEFENCE

laying in the club thrust. However, there is still duplicate, many hands the small problem of Pfollow a familiar collecting twelve tricks. QUIZ pattern although good West leads the king of judgment is always an hearts against South’s essential ingredient. Then, contract of 6 ♠. How would by Julian Pottage suddenly, without warning, you plan the play when you (Answers on page 39) up pops a gem that requires find West with four trumps? all the attributes of a If you have made your mind ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your successful partnership – first, up, let us look at the full deal. Yturn to play. to bid to the best contract and then to make it. Here is the latest prize exhibit. ♠ AKQ 1. ♠ K 7 6 3. ♠ K Q 9 6 ♥ J7 ♥ A 10 ♥ 7 6 ♦ AKQ ♦ K J 10 6 ♦ A Q 6 Dealer North. Game All. ♣ AJ974 ♣ Q J 5 3 ♣ K 9 6 3 ♠ A K Q ♠ 7642 ♠ 8 ♠ 9 2 ♠ A 10 2 ♥ J 7 ♥ KQ1084 ♥ 9532 ♥ J 9 5 4 2 N ♥ Q J 10 9 5 N W E W E ♦ A K Q ♦ 72 N ♦ 865 W E ♦ A 4 2 S ♦ 4 2 S S ♣ A J 9 7 4 ♣ Q5 ♣ K10863 ♣ A 9 2 ♣ A J 2 N ♠ J10953 W E S ♥ A6 ♠ J 10 9 5 3 ♦ J10943 West North East South West North East South ♥ A 6 ♣ 2 1NT 1 1♥ Dbl 4♥ 5♦ ♦ J 10 9 4 3 Pass 3NT End End ♣ 2 112-14 One possible line, having You lead the ♥Q. Declarer taken the ace of hearts and You lead the ♥4, covered ruffs and draws two rounds Not all pairs managed to hit played three rounds of by the ♥10, ♥Q and ♥K. of trumps – ♦A and then the top spot and then emerge spades, is to play the ace- Declarer now leads the back to the ♦J as East fol - triumphant but suppose the king-queen of diamonds and ♦5. What do you do? lows twice. Now comes a bidding goes something like hope that the long diamonds low club. What next? this: are with West, the player with the long trumps. Unluckily, 2. ♠ A 6 ♥ 7 6 4. ♠ 9 6 West North East South West ruffs the third diamond ♦ Q J 10 9 7 6 ♥ J 7 6 4 2♣ Pass 2♦ and wastes no time in cashing ♣ ♦ Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠ the queen of hearts. A J 3 A K Q 6 ♠ Q 9 2 ♣ K 10 3 Pass 4♠ Pass 5♥ A better line at tricks five N Dbl 6♠ End and six is to cash just two ♥ Q 9 5 4 2 W E ♠ Void S N diamonds as that is all you ♦ A 4 2 ♥ Q 10 5 2 W E North should probably rebid need. The ace of clubs and a ♣ 9 2 ♦ J 10 7 4 2 S 2NT rather than 3 ♣, though club ruff come next and now ♣ A J 8 2 the lack of a heart stopper is the big moment has arrived. West North East South a worry. It is worth noting Declarer draws the last 1♦ Pass 1♠ West North East South that the key move in this trump and triumphantly Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT 1♠ auction is South’s cue bid of discards the queen of End Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ 5♥. It is very often the diamonds from dummy, ♠ weaker hand that has to unblocking the run of the suit Pass 3NT Pass 4 ♥ ♥ ♥ make the effort and not the in the process. Five spades, You lead the 4: 6, J, End ♥ big hand that has already five diamonds and the two K. Declarer now leads a announced game-going outside aces make up low diamond. What do You lead the ♥2: ♥4, ♥A, values. Once South shows declarer’s required total. you do? ♥3. Back comes the ♥8: slam interest and confirms It is a funny old game ♥K, ♥5, ♥6. Declarer possession of a heart control, when you have to jettison the cashes the ♠A (you throw a diamond) and leads the North reawakens for the final big cards to succeed. ■ ♣4. What do you do?

Page 31 DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws Can I Ask About an Unalerted Bid?

I understand that the lead of the exposed suit Yes, you announce a It sounds as though partner must not when offender’s partner response of 2 ♣ some of your Q alert, or announce, gained the lead. I A asking for four-card A friends do not bids over 3NT. consulted the laws books majors as ‘Stayman’. This is understand the basic Can opponents, at their and ruled this was not the true whether it shows a four- manners of bridge. There is turn to call, ask whether a case as the offenders were card major or not. It is not no rule about the order of bid of 4 ♣ is Gerber? not on lead. Was I correct? alertable and part of old- suits when putting down the John Armitage by email. Andrew Mountain, fashioned Acol. When Jack dummy, apart from trumps New Rhosrobin, Wrexham. Marx invented the 2 ♣ on your right. However, Certainly: you can convention around 1937, there is a rule that other always ask the No, I am afraid the using it to show a weak players may not touch your A meaning of any call declarer was takeout into clubs (by cards: sorting the dummy is when it is your turn to bid or A generally correct. rebidding 3 ♣) was part of both rude and illegal. The play. I wonder why they Whenever a defender gets the convention. only exception is that want to ask. It usually on lead when his partner has While it helps to write because some people’s causes trouble and no good a major penalty card, ‘promissory’ or ‘non- eyesight is poor; they comes of it: far better to wait declarer has three options. promissory’ on your request suits should to the end of auction and ask 1) he can require that the convention card, it very alternate red-black-red- before the opening lead (if suit of the major penalty rarely makes any difference black. If they ask this, then you are on lead) or after card be led, in which case to opponents; most you should do so. partner has led face down. the penalty card is picked up complaints seem to be on a and the offender can play matter of principle rather ♣♦♥ ♠ ♣♦♥ ♠ any legal card: 2) he can than because of any real forbid the lead of the suit of problem. Playing rubber As director, I the major penalty card for as Feel free to continue bridge, when came to a table long as that player retains announcing it as Stayman; Q should you claim Q where a defender the lead, in which case the do not let anyone mislead points for honours? had revoked. The players penalty card is picked up: 3) you into thinking that it is Colin Hughes by email. noticed the revoke before he may let the penalty card alertable. anyone played to the next remain as a penalty card. Legally, you can trick. I ruled that the ♣♦♥ ♠ claim them anytime revoke card should stay ♣♦♥ ♠ A between the end of face up on the table as a When I am the bidding and the point of major penalty card and If we play that a dummy, some of agreeing the rubber score. that the offender, who was 2♣ reply to 1NT Q my opponents Of course, if you claim second to play to the trick, Q asks for four-card start moving my cards them a few hands later, you play a legal card. I also majors but does not around, sometimes even may sometimes have gave declarer, who had led promise one – say if it before I have finished difficulty convincing others. to the trick, the chance to might be the start of a placing all of them on the Sensibly, it is best to change dummy’s card if he weak take-out into clubs – table. I believe I should put claim them immediately all wished. He declined and should we still announce it trumps, if any, on my the other players have seen won the trick in hand. as Stayman? right. What do the rules them or know you have Declarer then said that he R Connolly, say? them because of showing could forbid or insist upon Lakenham, Norfolk. Hanne Pii Pullar, Berkshire. out.

Page 32 boards down after each shout announcements; they If a player opens an Ask David continued board played, E/W pairs should be no louder than artificial 2-bid on a skipping one table after six should everything else at the A hand that is too rounds, you can play 11 table. If a table hears that weak to be a legal agreement, North opens 1NT. boards (or 12, but the last another table has a weak no- first you make sure it is their East overcalls 2 ♣ round is against the same trump, I really do not believe agreement. For example, Q which West alerts. pair that they started it makes much difference, psyching a 2 ♣ opening is When South enquires, against). and is no different from the legal (though very rare). West says that 2 ♣ is old days when people asked Assuming the bid is part of Landy, promising both ♣♦♥ ♠ the range. an agreement, you cancel the majors. South bids 3NT board they used it on, and this closes the auction. Can I remind ♣♦♥ ♠ scoring average plus to their 3NT+1 is the result. In partner of the opponents and average fact, 2 ♣ was not Landy Q vulnerability What is the minus to them, so long as and South had a natural before removing my cards correct procedure, the opponents have not call of 2 ♥. North held from the board? Q at rubber bridge, already done better than that. ♥A-Q-J-x and the room Geoff Turner, for handling the cards? I If they have, you leave the makes 4 ♥+1. Southgate, London. put the shuffled pack on score unchanged. Lionel Treagust, Horsham. my right and leave it there. It is important to explain Yes. In effect, there When my right-hand to the pair concerned that If East-West are not is no restriction on opponent has the turn to opening artificial strong playing Landy, then A anything said while deal, he passes the pack to 2-bids on strong pre-emptive A you adjust to 4 ♥ neither partner has cards in my partner to cut for him. hands is unfair, which is why (+1) since their opponents their hand. Someone has suggested I it is not permissible. would probably have got should stretch across and there but for the incorrect ♣♦♥ ♠ hand the pack to my ♣♦♥ ♠ information. If they are partner to cut. playing Landy but East When we arrive at BettyAnne Henderson, In response to an forgot, that is hard luck: a table, we say to Woodcote, Oxfordshire. opening 1NT, is it there is no misinformation Q our opponents Q legal to play these and the result stands. If the ‘weak no-trump, Stayman, The way you do it two bids at a club: director cannot be sure etc’. Should we still is correct; what is (i) 2♦ hearts or diamonds whether they are playing announce the range of a A more, it is a matter (ii) 2♠ game forcing, Landy – for example if one 1NT opening and the of law, covered by Laws 4 artificial, asking opener player says one thing and the meaning of a 2 ♣ response? and 5 in the law book. To to bid his weakest suit? other, the other – then the It seems a waste of time repeat, when partner deals, Bob Barker by email. director assumes there was and adjoining tables could you shuffle, and put the misinformation and adjusts. overhear. shuffled pack on your right. Assuming your club The general principles are Seton Cotterill, Next deal, your RHO picks is not the one in a to adjust if there is Raglan, Gwent. up the pack, shuffles it if he A thousand to make misinformation and to likes (players never do) and up its own rules, the assume misinformation if the After an initial passes it to your partner, his responses are legal as long director cannot be sure period of grumbling, RHO, to be cut. Your partner as you alert. At level 2 whether there is or not. A the new rules for lifts the top part off the pack, (holiday/novice bridge) and announcements have proved putting it towards dealer, but above, any responses are ♣♦♥ ♠ popular. A club can make its does not complete the cut. permitted to 1NT. own rules on this, so your Dealer completes the cut and Some people do not think After a club meal, club could decide not to deals. Leaning across dealer, any means any, but I assure we would like to have announcements for apart from being against the you it does. You can play Q play a little bridge. 1NT openings of 12 to 14 laws, seems awkward and anything you like in How do I organise the and Stayman responses, but I rude to me. response to 1NT. movements for 12 tables urge you and your club not when we have time to play to take that course. The ♣♦♥ ♠ David Stevenson answers only one board per table? problem with having your all queries based on the Marie McFarlane, own rules is that you will I am a director in facts supplied by the Cults Bridge Club. upset your members when a local bridge club. letter writer. they go to other clubs (or Could you please Q Neither Mr Bridge nor You can use any play in events) and members tell me how I deal with an David Stevenson has any normal movement of other clubs when they illegal bid, as given on way of knowing whether with one-board come to yours. pages 4 and 5 in Duplicate A those facts are correct or rounds. For example, if you As for the adjoining table, Bridge Simplified? complete. just move E/W pairs up, nobody said you should Barrie Waite by email.

Page 33 I think the director’s judgement matter, but if 2 ♥ impolite. You fill in the card Ask David continued ruling is harsh at club was natural, I believe most when it is not your turn to level. Might there be a players would pass 2 ♠ so it call, thus holding nobody up. need for a rethink in this looks like a logical This is similar to the position I would like to area, following the alternative to me. on leading: it is rude to write revisit the introduction of I believe the director’s the contract on your Q situation described announcements? ruling was reasonable at any scorecard (or put it into a by A Newsome of Bury St Club Player, Liverpool. level. Where players break Bridge Mate) when everyone Edmunds, regarding (similar from David Gostyn, the rules, the game is far is waiting for you to lead. misunderstanding over Eastbourne.) more pleasurable if they Lead first and then enter the transfers. expect to lose by it. This contract. You are in a friendly club The real cause of idea of not adjusting Second, curtain cards fulfil and have been allocated an the problem was ‘because it is only a club’ little useful function and unfamiliar partner at A opener’s decision to means the people who cause trouble. I seriously 7.29pm, and exchange only say ‘transfer’ when they had caused the problem gain at suggest all clubs follow the a brief ‘Hi, I am M, Acol, no such agreement. He could the expense of their approach of the leading weak no-trump, Stayman have kept quiet, bid 2 ♠ opponents. While I think authorities and discontinue and Blackwood?’ ‘OK, that which was his best guess as there should be fewer their use. will do for now’. Play to what to do and that would penalties at club level, I ♣♦♥ ♠ starts straight away. have freed his partner from think adjustments should be A few hands in, partner the restraints of unauthorised the same as at top level. Please send me a deals and bids 1NT – I information. Players often As for announcements, 3-table individual announce as 12-14. RHO tell opponents what their they did not cause the Q movement. passes. I now have a system is in situations where problem, which would have Mrs Booth, Hornchurch. problem. I hold: they have no agreement. This been just as bad if there had is unauthorised information been an alert as in the old According to the to partner, misinformation to days. Players should learn EBU movement ♠ K 7 6 opponents and causes trouble not to tell opponents about A manual, the starting ♥ Q 9 8 4 3 everywhere. agreements they do not have: positions are as follows: ♦ 8 6 You say that partner’s 2 ♠ that will save a lot of trouble. ♣ A 7 6 bid tells you it is a transfer, NSEWBds but this is not true. It only ♣♦♥ ♠ Table 1: 10 286 1-2 makes it likely, perhaps very Table 2: 12 145 3-4 Now I could pass, but feel it likely, that he has taken it as When using Table 3: 7 11 39 5-6 might be better in 2 ♥. If I a transfer: it is his curtain cards, bid 2 ♦ and partner passes, announcement that makes it Q when is the best After each round, player 12 we could be in trouble. If I certain, so I must disagree time to complete them? I remains stationary; the other bid 2 ♥ and partner that the announcement adds have heard that filling in a players follow each other transfers to spades, we may no information: it removes card during the bidding around. Therefore, for only have five between us, any doubt. can indicate a strong hand. example, Table 2 East will so I can try 2NT – I am Some time ago, I Hugh Harlow, Devon. have players 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, only two points short of suggested to the EBU Laws 10, 11, 1, 2, 3 on the 11 inviting anyway. On and Ethics Committee that, The official rounds. You should put out balance 2 ♥ it is. when a player bids 2 ♠ over approach is to fill in instruction cards showing Partner decides to 2♥, one should consider it A the cards after play where each player moves announce ‘transfer’, also a ‘general bridge knowledge’ is over since that is easiest. next, e.g. player 7 (Table 3 delicate decision, but I that he has taken 2 ♥ as a In practice, most players do North) moves to Table 1 West contend I receive no extra transfer. The committee did so during the bidding. The (7 follows 6) so the player at information as the 2 ♠ rebid not agree and its decision is suggestion that this shows a Table 3 North always moves tells me partner has taken relevant when ruling. strong hand is ridiculous. I to Table 1 West. my bid as a transfer. Perhaps if people disagree suggest you complete the Boards come in at Table 3, Partner should not hold with the committee’s card during the bidding as move to 2, move to 1, and five spades as this would be decision, they could write in most people do. then come out. After the a normal restriction on and ask it to reconsider. There are two further third round, you can score 1NT, certainly in a scratch With your hand, a pass of points. First, you do not fill the boards immediately after partnership. I now bid 2♠ looks fine if 2 ♠ is natural, in a card just before your Table 1, which means the 2NT and LHO called the but dubious if it might be on own bid because making result can follow the end director, who disallowed a doubleton spade. So the others wait for you is quickly. ■ the 2NT. Judging that 2 ♠ unauthorised information would fail by one trick, certainly suggests not E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: declarer adjusts the score passing 2 ♠. Is passing 2 ♠ a to -50. logical alternative? That is a [email protected]

Page 34 ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ ON PAGE 18 by DAVID HUGGETT

You are declarer in 4 ♠ after West opened the – not very likely. Much more likely is that the 1. ♠ 8 6 5 3 bidding with a pre-emptive 3 ™. West leads lead is from a short suit. If it is a singleton and ™ Q 6 the ™K. How do you plan the play? you duck, East will win with the king and return © A K 7 4 the suit to give his partner a ruff. After that, if Sometimes things look too easy, but it is at ® K 7 3 both spades honours are wrong – or if you mis - just such a time that you have to be extra vig - ♠ K 7 ♠ A 2 guess them – then you will find yourself losing ilant. A quick count of the tricks shows that ™ A 9 8 3 2 N ™ 10 5 4 four tricks and the contract. W E you have six spades, one heart, two dia - © 9 5 S © Q 10 8 6 2 monds and a club – so what could possibly Instead, win the first trick and draw trumps. ® Q 10 6 2 ® J 9 4 go wrong? Well you have always to remem - You can lead a spade from dummy after ♠ Q J 10 9 4 ber the bidding; here, West started with a pre- doing so if you wish and hope to make a ™ K J 7 emptive bid in hearts, showing a seven-card lucky guess; in any event, you are sure to lose © J 3 suit in all probability. That means that, if you no more than two spades and a diamond. ® A 8 5 play the ™A from dummy at trick one, then East will ruff and your ten tricks will go down to nine. 4. ♠ 8 7 5 You are declarer in 4 ♠ and West leads the ®2. ™ 7 5 4 Therefore, you must play low from dummy on How do you plan the play? © A Q 9 7 5 the first trick and again on the second if West ® Q 3 It looks as though you might have four losers continues the suit. If West plays a third round, ♠ J 9 6 3 ♠ K Q 10 4 in the shape of two trumps, one heart and a you again play low from dummy but can ruff ™ K Q 10 9 6 N ™ 3 2 club. Indeed, the opening lead has been a in the closed hand, draw trumps and come to © 6 4 W E © K 3 2 good one for the defence; you must be care - the ten tricks you originally envisaged. Can S ® 10 5 ® J 9 8 4 ful not to win and play a trump at trick two. If anything go wrong? ♠ A 2 you do, the opposition will undoubtedly play Well, it is possible that East holds all four out - ™ A J 8 another club setting up a defensive winner in standing trumps, in which case you will never © J 10 8 that suit for when they regain the lead. If, be able to enjoy the ™A. That would be too ® A K 7 6 2 however, you win and play a heart at trick two cruel after playing the hand so well. then you can throw a club from dummy on the third heart before drawing trumps. You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the Can you see a catch? If you win the first club 3. ♠ J 3 ™K, East playing the ™3, showing count. How in hand with the ace and play a low heart, the ™ A 8 6 5 do you plan the play? defence might let the queen win. Someone © A 9 8 3 could win the next heart and lead another ® K 6 5 Even if the clubs provide five tricks you will still club, stranding you in dummy with no quick ♠ A Q 9 6 4 ♠ 8 7 5 need to make more than one diamond for the ™ N ™ access to the closed hand. You might be able 10 3 W E 4 contract, so it might look a good idea to duck to return to hand with a third round diamond © 7 S © K 10 6 5 4 2 the first heart. If West leads another then he ruff but you might be overruffed. That danger ® 10 8 4 3 2 ® Q J 9 will not only give you a tempo but a second you can avoid by winning the first club lead in ♠ K 10 2 heart trick. The trouble with this plan though is dummy and then playing on hearts. Then you ™ K Q J 9 7 2 that West should realise that his partner does will be able to return to the closed hand with © Q J not have the ™J or he would have played it at the ®A. ® A 7 trick one to help his partner. Then West might switch to a spade and that would be bad news if the diamond finesse were wrong. A 2. ♠ K 8 5 plan that might just work is to play the ™J at You are declarer in 4 ™ and West leads the ©7. ™ A 6 4 3 trick one. How do you plan the play? © 8 5 3 If West falls for the trap, he will play another ® 6 5 4 There is always a danger of giving what heart; then you can win and take the dia - ♠ 9 ♠ 6 4 2 appears to be a relatively simple problem insuf - mond finesse in safety. If it loses and East ™ K Q J 10 8 7 5 N ™ Void ficient thought and this hand is a case in point. W E unexpectedly has another heart, the suit © J 9 2 S © Q 10 7 6 At a glance, there appears to be nothing wrong broke 4-3 all the time and posed no threat. Of ® Q 9 ® K J 10 8 7 2 in playing low from dummy at trick one in case course, West should ask himself why his part - ♠ A Q J 10 7 3 West has led away from the ©K, but can this ner played the ™3 from a holding of 8-3-2. ™ 9 2 really be the situation? Since there are only two © A K 4 diamonds higher than the seven missing, the All the hands in this edition revolve around ® A 3 lead is not fourth best; the only holding West playing the right card from dummy or hand at can have including the king is specifically K 10 7 trick one. ■

Page 35 Market, Norfolk. Mr Ray Waller, Thetford. ON A POSTCARD ( 01842 827120 READERS’ Can you not consider using HELP PLEASE biodegradable film instead Is there a friendly club in my of plastic? area? Mr A Chapman, Marlborough, Wilts. Mrs Y. Faulkner, Groby, Leics. [email protected] LETTERS Just stretch the plastic this way and that. Protection DATES complete. Why no bridge weekends at Laurie Macaskill by email. COMFORT that my pile was Daventry this year? Or at Please don’t compromise You cannot imagine how approaching the round least a Midlands venue. your magazine with any Mrs A Mann, Nuneaton. grateful I am to you for dozen so I think I owe you an additional costs necessary to sending me your lovely and email to say how much I Staverton dates – page 29. change the packaging. most interesting BRIDGE enjoy the magazine. Perhaps Mrs Turner could magazine. It is read from As an experienced player, I NEW RULES use her kitchen scissors. cover to cover and then took it initially to recommend Has anyone ever tried Anonymously from Kent but passed on to my friends. The to a learners’ group but I playing rubber under the on an attractive postcard. have to say how much I've Shieldhouse-Fagerlund Christmas issue is particularly Need only to stretch the lovely with details of cruise found to read on my own Rules? We love the name. It plastic to Data Protect. possibilities to some beautiful account. I particularly like sounds so pretentious aka Sarah Wilkins, Exeter. places. This magazine David Stevenson's column; Alternating Declarations. provided a note of he strikes the right tone of They make for great fun; if I find a thick black felt pen cheerfulness as we returned firmness and propriety and not great bridge. The first very useful for deleting personal details. to Karen from Malindi on maintains the important hand is bid in the normal Mr B. Dewick, the coast, to find that we relationship between way. If nobody bids, so is the Bookham, Surrey. had been burgled and behaviour and observance of second, and so on. As soon alarmingly continue to be the rules to which we are all as Pair A play a hand, it then The EBU and you print the visited nightly by thugs trying subject. On the bridge side, becomes pair B's turn to address on the plastic to enter our house, but Julian Pottage is always declare and, if the cards wrappers of English Bridge and BRIDGE respectively. fortunately both doors and sound and clear, along with dealt don't enable a bid, they Bridge World prints on paper windows are alarmed. This the sadly late Freddie North throw in, re-deal and, so on, inserts.Only you will know situation is not uncommon and others. until Pair B can bid. If both the difference in cost. where the local population Mr C Chambers, Ipswich. pairs have declared the Wolf Klewe by email. is on the rise and money same number of times, it insufficient to feed large CRITIQUE doesn't matter which pair In response to your request for suggestions regarding families. Thank you for BRIDGE 99. I gets the next declaration. the lady who has no There is a rule to prevent To be frightened in this entered the quiz in BRIDGE common sense, complaining manner for nights on end is 98 and am disappointed to abuse. If it’s pair A's turn to as she does about data horrid and we need to keep learn that my answer is declare, theoretically pair B protection and not being our heads. Your magazine is deemed wrong. How was I, could force them up free of able to shred her plastic a great comfort to this end. a mere mortal, to know that risk; but if this happens, pair envelope. Stretch the plastic until the letters become Mrs E C Cameron, you had made a mistake A can opt to pass, leaving unreadable. Job done. Give and weren't testing the need pair B 'holding the baby'; and Karen, Kenya. me plastic every time. to count the cards?! Are the then claim the next two Terry Burney by email. POOR YOU answers to the quiz on page declarations, etc. I have just started playing 7 in invisible ink? Try it. It’s addictive. The solution for Mrs Turner is with a person who talks all J Hipwell, by email. Brian, Göran, Martin and quite simple: cut the address the time and even leans over Claes. Gamla Gubbars box from the envelope and place between two sheets of to his partner if she puts a NEW CLUB Bridgeklubb, Rättvik, Sweden. paper (or a folded sheet) trick the wrong way round. I I have started a new club in when next shredding. It then just lose concentration and Downham Market, Norfolk, MATTER OF TASTE shreds perfectly. want to scream. playing duplicate Monday With fewer letter pages and Mr G Longman, Cornwall. Name & address supplied. 1:30pm – 4:30pm all therefore more articles, I find welcome. £1.50 per session. your magazine extremely I have received lots of calls and letters all in a similar RE-REGISTRATION The address is, The informative. vein. I’m sure Mrs Turner will Mrs J Rowely, Winchcombe, As I stored the latest issue of Sovereign Centre, The be very grateful. BRIDGE, number 99, I noted Trafalgar Estate, Downham Cheltenham.

Page 36 READERS’ LETTERS and instantly they both said, would check on the relative ‘Jesus bids us shine.’ I have advantages/disadvantages. I continued MICHAEL no idea why I chose the Googled on my computer the SCARROTT words ‘their small corner’ for I question ‘Are 5 card majors LUCKY YOU am not persuaded that the better than Acol’, only to A TRIBUTE I have a life partner and a Holy Spirit is one I should receive the somewhat The news that Michael dog, neither of whom plays cultivate for my future well surprising reply ‘Did you Scarrott had died, suddenly, bridge. Any hotels of yours being, although my friends mean Are 5 card majors prematurely, on holiday, take dogs? Mine is a retired will know that I have an better than Alcohol?‘ broke on the day we were guide dog, so his behaviour affinity to spirits of another I wonder if any of the 5-card to resume bridge classes in West Runton. The shock is impeccable. kind. However, upon major devotees out there are was immediate and Mrs L McLennan, reflection, I have to recognise able to provide an answer to surprisingly personal. I had Harrogate, North Yorkshire. that the power of religion this intriguing question. known him only as a Several of our venues would seem to be David Howie, bridge teacher but such permit dogs. considerable, at least when Ballater, Aberdeenshire. was the man, he had imposed upon those of a made a deep and lasting impression. I can write only ANY INFO tender age at Sunday school. MORE DETAILS for myself but I am aware Can you update us please What I find interesting is It is really good that you that others have similar about how many clubs are that after denial in anything advertise so many charity feelings. withdrawing from the EBU? spiritual, and without bridge events in your Mike’s teaching was an expression of himself, of his Mr D Iwi, London, NW11. deliberation, my mind, whilst magazine. I would find it enthusiasm and delight in attending only exigencies of really helpful if we were life and the game. He ANY USE bridge, should persuade me informed of the type of brought to what he taught Which organisation or charity to use a few words of a bridge that is to be played a wealth of experience and would like to make use of hymn which I had not heard and the county, plus the a depth of knowledge sifted over many years, our old playing cards? for 70 years. postcode if possible, where refined and presented in a Mr R Wakeford, Braunton, Even more interesting is the the competition is to be way that made sense - Devon. ( 01271 812536. response of the ladies who played. At the moment I am until perhaps one tried to remembered the words at a loss as to where the remember and apply it REVELATION which likely they too had not venue is and whether I want later. Occasionally, at the bridge heard for many years. to participate. Can you help? He was patient, repeating himself as often Mrs S Jennings, table, there are instances Those of your elderly as necessary to drive a where table presence of an readers who are familiar with Caversham, Berkshire. point home. He was exceptional order become the hymn and are inclined to A useful suggestion which I undogmatic and open to evident. extol its merit might take may implement in future. question and yet his At a recent duplicate comfort from what they experience and quiet manner lent authority to his evening at the Thame Bridge perceive to be a religious SPEEDY SERVICE words, "what I would do is Club, my partner and I arrived experience at the bridge Many thanks for your letter .....". at a table in one corner of table. To others, I point out, offering me £50 off any of Above all Mike the room which was badly lit. that the Lord is ever present. your software (Christmas encouraged. He never We played our 3 hands and Victor Savage, Quiz). As I play only rubber made us feel small and always found something and Chicago bridge I was before the move was called Bourne End, Bucks. positive to say. We used to my partner excused herself uncertain what to order. On joke that if he could find and I was of a mind to do GOBBLEDEGOOGLE telephoning, your staff nothing else to say he likewise. I said to the two As my wife and her bridge suggested finding your would complement on the ladies in opposition that I partner have recently started website and trying the way the cards were being held. demos. This I did in the was constrained to leave playing 5-card majors We have had the comfort them ‘in their small corner’ instead of Acol, I thought I afternoon and decided to of being able to show start with Bernard Magee’s something of our feelings Acol Bidding. I ordered it to Mike’s family and I write REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE about 5 o’clock in the this to record more widely the privilege it has been to afternoon and was amazed Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, know Mike and the loss we all mint with full gum. Quotations for to receive it through my letter feel now. It is testament to commercial quantities available on request. box at 9 o’clock the following him that his classes live on morning. Shortly afterwards it independently and find Values supplied in 100s, higher values available was installed – very great pleasure in the game as well as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: he loved. enjoyable. Quickest service I 100x37p+100x2p) have ever received. Philip Joyce, (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] Congratulations. Cromer, Norfolk. Edna Watson, Poole.

Page 37 magazine. First, the British have a READERS’ LETTERS The following have kindly I was particularly pleased delightful sense of humour continued donated stamps for the to see your reference to that is curiously lacking in Little Voice Appeal: ‘Used Stamps’ as I had been American bridge columnists. Mrs H Hughes, Quorn, Leics. Mr Bill collecting for some time. Second, the columns Shepherd, Devizes, Wilts. Mr K Wheeler, Whitstable. Mr M Bennet, POLITE REQUEST Joyce Hadlow, themselves are directed at London. Mr & Mrs F Keyzer, I really enjoy the magazine Bury St Edmunds. Stalybridge, Cheshire. Dr M Norris, the average tournament East Dean, East Sussex. Mr & Mrs R but find Acol bidding not as player, not the few titanium Harriman, Solihull, West Midlands. Mrs E Elderton, Olney, Bucks. Mrs W interesting as Standard BEGINNERS masters in the country. Third, Brelsford, Bredon, Tewkesbury. Mrs American 2/1. Could we have WELCOME and not at all least, you have M Leitch, Ayr. Mrs E Davies, Daventry. Mrs W Holland, Biddulph a little 2 over 1 please? The Lawn Bridge Club in the very pleasant Tony and Moor, Staffordshire. Mrs B Haycocks, Mrs K Rutter, Coolangatta, Swindon, inaugurated nearly Jan Richards to help you Copthorne, Shrewsbury. Mrs T Rofer, Chinley, High Peak. Mrs S Frew, Queensland, Australia. 3 years ago, offers duplicate promote good bridge as well Grangemouth. Mrs Dickinson, Cuddington, Northwich. Mrs Elizabeth bridge for players who have of the fun of it while sailing Bryan, Old Woking. Mrs J Money, St ANY IDEAS learnt to play recently and the high seas. Peter Port, Guernsey. Mr & Mrs Leys, Taunton, Somerset. Mrs I Ash, If possible, could you ask in need a friendly club to put Please, please, do not drop Norwich. Mr F Lockyer, one of your letters’ pages that initial learning into me from your mailing list. Bournemouth. Mrs K Adamson, Ringwood, Oxton. Mrs Rowland, whether there is anyone in practice. The club meets Muncie Marder, Guernsey. Mr A Clarke, Loughton, the Mylor, Falmouth area every Wednesday afternoon Tarzana, USA. Essex. Mr S Heath, Orsett Heath, Essex. Mrs E Bowen, Southsea. Mrs willing to teach my son and and evening and all Adamson, Prenton, Merseyside. Mrs A his wife who are complete Chaumeton, Highgate, London. Mr & members help the NO CHANGE Mrs D French, Hayling Island. Mrs B beginners? Please reply to ‘beginners’ to improve their I belong to Muswell Hill Bridge Quinton, Sutton Coldfield. Mr & Mrs D Piff, Ryhall, Stamford. Mrs E me on ( 01562 882484 skills and become good club Club and play about twice a Harrison, High Wycombe. Mrs P Mrs S Parker, Hagley, players. A dedicated team of month. After consultation, the Robinson, Havant. Mrs H McNeil, Faversham, Kent. The London U3A West Midlands. experienced players are on committee decided to stick Bridge Classes. Mr D Abraham, hand to help and advise and with the status quo and Ruddington, Notts. Mr C Moore Blackwell, Bromsgrove. Mrs Y. G. IT’S DIFFERENT this ‘extended learning’ remain with the EBU. The Hutchins, Milverton, Taunton. Mr A Love rubber bridge, but have Mott, Lymington, Hants. Mrs S Cross, environment is proving vote was split approximately Rattray, Blairgowrie, Scotland. Mrs S found duplicate much less successful. 50/50 with a sizable number Oakes, Brighton. Mrs D M Thomas, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Mrs P K friendly. I am appalled at In association with another of ‘no opinion’ registered. Blackaby, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Mrs C some of the comments in club, where bridge is taught I thought your readers Archer, Willingale, Essex. Mr & Mrs B Tuck, Usk, Gwent. Mrs G Elviss, David Stephenson’s from the ‘what are trumps?’ might be interested as to Great Barrow, Chester. Mr & Mrs B questions. How do people stage, the game in Swindon how this has affected me. Angus, Brentwood, Essex. Mr A Hallen, Stoke-on-Trent. Mrs M want to play in such an is flourishing. The Lawn The answer is, ‘not the Anderson, Nairn, Scotland. Mrs R environment? Morris, Inverness, Scotland. S E Community Association’s slightest.’ Our table fees Heath, Orsett Heath, Essex. J R Mr R Smith, Solihull. centre is our playing venue remain the same, although Goodwin, Trowbridge, Wilts. Mrs R Sellors, Norwich. Mrs P Jackson, Please believe me Mr Smith, with its excellent facilities and this is a trifling amount Spalding, Lincs. Mrs S Crabtree, Holt, that most duplicate bridge is to find out more details, anyway and on the rare Wrexham. Mr & Mrs J Joyce, Chipping, Forest of Bowland. Mrs P played by very pleasant and please give me a call. occasions I am given those Crowe, Cheltenham, Gloucs. Mrs M agreeable people. A club Derek Fenn, Swindon, silly master points vouchers, Morley-Pegge, London W2. Mr P Cobham, Weybridge, Surrey. Mrs J with several disagreeable Wiltshire. ( 01793 524837. they still go where they have Anderson, Rudgwick, West Sussex. members will quickly start to Mrs J Gilligan, Grasscroft, Oldham. always gone, i.e. into the Mrs M Woodhead, Letchworth, Herts. disintegrate. OVER THE POND waste paper basket on my Mrs E Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire. Mrs B Attwood, Worthing, West Sussex. I have been lucky enough to way out. What a waste of Mr L Blanning, Abersychan, Gwent. STAMP SAVER receive your magazine ever time and effort. Mr G Conley, Braintree. Mrs M Andrews, Edwalton, Nottingham. Mrs As a senior citizen and one since I sailed on Discovery. Mr David Hope, Elderton, Olney. Mr & Mrs W Farrow, who came to bridge only I can tell you, without a Enfield, Middlesex. Thorpe End, Norwich. Mrs P Brend, Acton, Cheshire. Mrs Turner, Bramley, after retirement from a full- doubt, your magazine is Surrey, Mr & Mrs P Griggs, Ongar. Mrs M Turner, Bridlington. Mrs M time working life I am always completely superior to our SAVING STAMPS Burkett, Prenton. Mr R Elviss, Great very pleased to receive the ACBL Bridge Bulletin. Have I missed it in one of Barrow. Mrs S Griffiths, East Barnet, Herts. Mrs W A Hawes, Marlborough, your recent magazines, or Wilts. Mrs Lambert, Harlow, Essex. have you not yet informed us Mrs J Morley, Sudbury, Suffolk. Mrs P A Bate, Harrogate, Yorkshire. Mr & Write to Mr Bridge at: what to do with the stamps Mrs Wallis, Yeovil, Somerset. Dr K Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH you asked us to save? Shillam, Brighton. Mrs I Hughes, London N1. Mr & Mrs D Cork, or e-mail [email protected] Mr G Staples, Billinghurst, West Sussex. Mrs M Fletcher, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Miss J E-mail correspondents are asked to include their Storrington, West Sussex. Simpson, Edinburgh. Mr & Mrs name, full postal address, telephone number and Please send your stamps to: Thompson, Sheffield. Mrs M to send no attachments. Nicholson, Peterborough. Mrs N Mr C Bamberger, Graham, Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. 179 High Road, Mrs C Dennes, Norwich, Norfolk. Thank you all very much. Trimley St. Mary, IP11 0TN ■

Page 38 ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON PAGE 31 by JULIAN POTTAGE

You lead the four of hearts: six, jack, king. Since you know (holding the ace of spades) 1. ♠ K 7 6 Declarer now leads a low diamond. What do that declarer cannot take any quick discards, ™ A 10 you do? ducking could cost only if the club is a single - © K J 10 6 ton. This is very unlikely anyway and impossi - As on the first deal, there is a risk that any dia - ® Q J 5 3 ble on the bidding (South would have bid 4 ♠, mond honour partner has will be short. ♠ 9 2 ♠ J 10 5 4 3 not 5 ©, if holding a 6-0-6-1 shape). Besides, Indeed, now you can see nine diamonds, the ™ J 9 5 4 2 N ™ Q 8 6 3 as your side can make no tricks in the red W E risk is more acute. However, even if the king © A 4 2 © 8 7 suits and only one spade, you need two club S of diamonds – a card you indeed hope part - ® A 9 2 ® 10 8 tricks to defeat the contract. ner holds – is not singleton, you still have a ♠ A Q 8 good reason to withhold your ace. ™ K 7 © Q 9 5 3 Do you remember the play to the first trick? ® K 7 6 4 Partner played the jack of hearts, which drew 4. ♠ 9 6 the king. Clearly, declarer has the ace of ™ J 7 6 4 hearts. Do you know where the ten is as well? © A K Q 6 West North East South Since the correct card to play in third seat ® K 10 3 1NT(12-14) from J-10-x is the ten, you place declarer with ♠ Void ♠ Q 10 5 4 Pass 3NT End this card. Therefore, you need the next heart ™ Q 10 5 2 N ™ A 8 lead to come through the A-10, which means © J 10 7 4 2 W E © 9 8 5 3 S You lead the four of hearts, covered by the ducking the diamond to let partner win. ® A J 8 2 ® Q 9 5 ten, queen and king. Declarer now leads the ♠ A K J 8 7 3 2 After partner wins the diamond and plays a five of diamonds. What do you do? ™ K 9 3 heart, you take the ten with the queen and © Void If you consider only the diamonds, you will clear the suit. When you later come in with the ® 7 6 4 duck. You cannot lose your ace and partner ace of diamonds, you can cash two long might hold the queen of diamonds, possibly hearts to defeat the contract. singleton. Looking instead at the overall pic - West North East South ture it must be right to go in with your ace. You 1♠ can clear the hearts by knocking out the ace. Pass 2© Pass 2♠ When you come in with the ace of clubs, you 3. ♠ K Q 9 6 Pass 3NT Pass 4♠ expect to make three heart tricks. These, plus ™ 7 6 End your two aces, will defeat the contract. If © A Q 6 declarer can make nine tricks without playing ® K 9 6 3 You lead the two of hearts: four, ace, on clubs, that is just unlucky. ♠ A 10 2 ♠ J 5 4 three. Back comes the eight: king, five, six. ™ Q J 10 9 5 N ™ A K 8 4 3 2 If you duck the diamond mistakenly, declarer W E Declarer cashes the spade ace (you throw a © 4 2 S © 9 8 switches to clubs, making nine tricks: three diamond) and leads the four of clubs. What ® A J 2 ® 10 5 spades, two hearts, a diamond and three do you do? ♠ 8 7 3 clubs. ™ Void Before you play on the club, you should ask © K J 10 7 5 3 yourself a question: ‘why is declarer playing ® Q 8 7 4 on clubs rather than taking discards on the diamonds?’ The answer, as you can see from 2. ♠ A 6 the diagram, is that South has no diamonds ™ 7 6 West North East South at all. Ducking your ace would thus be highly © Q J 10 9 7 6 1™ Dbl 4™ 5© dangerous. Declarer would put up dummy’s ® A J 3 End king, throw three losers on the diamonds and ♠ Q 9 2 ♠ J 10 5 4 take the trump finesse for the overtrick. ™ Q 9 5 4 2 N ™ J 8 3 W E You lead the queen of hearts. Declarer ruffs © A 4 2 S © K 8 Holding the jack of clubs (and so knowing and draws two rounds of trumps – ace and ® 9 2 ® Q 8 7 5 declarer does not have a king-jack type of then back to the jack as East follows twice. ♠ K 8 7 3 guess in the suit), you really have no reason to Now comes a low club. What do you do? ™ A K 10 duck. After you take your ace of clubs, you © 5 3 You can arrive at the right answer in a variety should cash the queen of hearts. If you paid ® K 10 6 4 of ways. Looking at the club suit in isolation, careful attention to the heart spots, you will there are two ways that ducking can gain. know this will win – partner would have Declarer might have the queen-ten and so a returned the nine of hearts from A-9-8 and not West North East South two-way finesse against the jack. There is the eight. After that, although you cannot avoid 1© Pass 1♠ also the actual layout – when partner has the conceding an entry to dummy, a single finesse Pass 2© Pass 3NT ten – you want to duck to be sure of keeping is not enough to pick up the trumps and part - End the ace-jack over the queen. ner scores the setting trick with a trump. ■

Page 39 GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing West Sussex, BN11 1RL. GLOBAL TRAVEL GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106 Email [email protected] INSURANCE Services Limited Services Limited

INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY

This insurance is suitable for persons whose Demands and Needs are those of a traveller whose Individual round trip starts and finishes in the UK and is of no more than 122 days duration, and whose age is 90 years or less and is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom and Channel Islands. As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs. This and needs. This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK.

SUMMARY OF COVER

The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.

CANCELLATION & CURTAILMENT up to £1,500 etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50. Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50. requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs. not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery. Policy Excess £50. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150. PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200 See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess. PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000 DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500 A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from disablement. No Policy Excess. UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £10,000,000 to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the outward Including FIRSTASSIST 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only. (a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas you die in the UK. destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the vehicle Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, strike, Cruise when increased to £150. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess. £150 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250. applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. (b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300 LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000 An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess. No Policy Excess. SCHEDULED AIRLINE FAILURE up to £1,500 PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000 Covers scheduled airline tickets cancelled prior to departure and cost of replacement equivalent Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any tickets incurred in order to return to the UK due to bankruptcy/liquidation of the airline. No Policy one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs, Excess.

MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS Medical Screening The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, all of the conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available there is no need to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. The term “Cruise” on request in writing prior to application. does not include River or other Inland cruises or boat trips. If You have a history of any medical condition and are traveling to North or Central MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, you must first contact the Medical Screening Insurers will not pay for claims arising Line to establish whether we can provide cover for your trip. If you are accepted, the 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) are undergoing tests for the following levels of excess will apply. You will receive written confirmation that you are presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need covered for the trip. The number to call is: for treatment at a hospital or nursing home. 0844 8921698 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention in a hospital. 4. If You are traveling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner. Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising. OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS For claims arising from any medical condition, other than those that are specifically excluded, Claims arising from the excess is further increased as follows: 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. Under the Cancellation & Curtailment section – double the normal excess. 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 - Medical Expenses unless such losses For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already taking North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £2,000. place at the beginning of any Trip. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £3,000. 5. Consequential loss of any kind. 6. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or accommodation supplier. MEMBER OF THE 7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. 8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

POLICY EXCESSES: The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under each section where an excess applies. ✄ Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the Single Trip FSA on 0845 606 1234. This insurance is administered by FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited Travel Insurance on behalf of the insurer Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC registered in Suitable for individual round trips up to 122 days duration England No. 2189462. Registered address: Plantation Place, 30 that start and finish in the UK arranged by Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3AJ, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority other than Scheduled Airline Failure Global Travel Insurance which is underwritten by IGI Insurance Company Ltd. Registered address: Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL Market Square House, St James’s Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FG. ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106 If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance, you must first write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. with a cheque or with card details entered. If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been issued. herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further Please allow at least 5 days before you need to travel. advice. Details of the Applicant

Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS Surname 1. United Kingdom England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all Telephone No. islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland). House Number/Name (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2). 2. Europe Street Name Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Town Name Jordan, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons Postcode residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips). 3. Worldwide excluding North America Date of leaving Home Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries comprising Central America and the Date of arrival Home Caribbean Islands). 4. Worldwide including North America Introducer Mr Bridge Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other countries comprising Central America, Canada, Cuba and the Geographical Area - See Premium Panel Caribbean Islands. (1,2,3 or 4)

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium

Valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2011 1 £ and for travel completed by 31/12/2011. Areas 1 & 2 - Applicable per person up to age 90 years on the 2 £ date of return to the UK. Areas 3 & 4 - Applicable per person up to age 80 years on the date of return to the UK. 3 £ Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 4 £ 1 - 3 days £13.80 £21.20 £44.40 £63.90 4 & 5 days £16.60 £26.60 £55.80 £80.30 5 £ 6 -10 days £19.40 £35.90 £75.60 £108.30 11-17 days £22.10 £39.30 £84.10 £121.20 6 £ 18-24 days £24.90 £45.20 £94.70 £136.40 Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM £ 25-31 days £27.70 £51.40 £107.80 £155.20 Each + 7 days £ 5.00 £10.10 £25.30 £36.50 Card No or part thereof (maximum period of 122 days) All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), Start Date End Date Issue No which is 17.5% and is subject to variation. Security Code PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK DECLARATION The following adjustments apply ONLY to trips in excess of 31 days for all persons aged 65 years and over On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall Geographical Area Premium Increase be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange Area 2 Europe Plus 50% (1.5 times) information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood the Area 3 Worldwide excl. North America etc Plus 100% (2 times) terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in Area 4 Worldwide incl. North America etc Plus 200% (3 times) agreement and for whom I am authorized to sign. Infants up to 2 years inclusive are FREE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Signed ...... Date ...... Children 3 to 16 years inclusive are HALF PRICE subject to being included The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured. with an adult paying a full premium. Unaccompanied children pay the adult rate. is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Group Discounts – Contact us for discounts available starting at 10 persons. Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 136STI10 ✄ West North East South drink. We were twelve for Catching Up 1™ Christmas morning, with a 2NT 4® Dbl Rdbl stocking each; seventeen for 5® 5© Pass 6™ lunch. by Sally Brock Pass 7™ Dbl End For New Year’s Eve, we had visitors: my cousin’s two I’m not quite sure why East children Tom (14) and Annie t’s been a busy time since I So I rather frightened myself doubled but West took it as a (11) spent the evening with last wrote. First, we had and resolved for the rest of Lightner double and made us while their parents went to Imy mother’s 80th birthday the winter to at least keep a the unfortunate choice of the a wedding in Henley. Their party, which went very well. I blanket and a pair of wellies jack of spades as his opening parents arrived home about can thoroughly recommend in the boot. lead. +2470. 1.30 and they all stayed over the idea for a no-trouble That evening had another One of our opponents also until the Saturday, when Ben, dinner party. The starter was highlight: in our team-of- bid to the grand slam after Gemma and grandchild a salmon mousse wrapped in eight match, we scored one 24 South did rather too much Hayden came for lunch. smoked salmon (bought from IMP swing. This was the deal: bidding and North added one On Tuesday, the children Waitrose), on the table when for the road. Here West led a went back to school, Briony people went in for dinner, quiet king of clubs and the having to start with a Maths then the Chinese takeaway Dealer South. Game All. grand slam was one down. mock GCSE. But then there arrived (electric hotplates ♠ Q 8 7 4 3 +100. was more snow and they were borrowed for each table). ™ A K 9 3 At the fourth table, South off for the rest of the week. Finally, my mother had © A K 8 7 passed as dealer and North In the middle of January, I prepared her speciality ® Void opened one spade. South now played in the two-session dessert – a huge meringue ♠ J 2 N ♠ K 6 made a splinter bid of four Auction Pairs at TGR’s with W E sandwiched with whipped ™ Void S ™ 10 8 6 5 diamonds which encouraged Robert Sheehan. Each of the cream and raspberries, piped © J 9 5 4 3 © Q 6 2 North to use Blackwood (not 60 pairs was auctioned off into the figure 80. It was all ® K Q 9 8 4 2 ® J 7 5 3 the best choice with a void). beforehand, raising a total of served on disposable plates, ♠ A 10 9 5 That led to South making a £40,000, most of which was with chopsticks or plastic ™ Q J 7 4 2 five heart response, which distributed to the buyers of cutlery, so all the rubbish just © 10 West doubled for the lead. the leading pairs. We were went into big black bin liners. ® A 10 6 North now bid six spades and the first seeded pair to be A no-worries sit-down dinner East duly led a heart which auctioned and went for a low party for 40 people, and a jolly West ruffed. Declarer now price – although a bit of a good time was had by all. Simon Cope and I bid to 6 ™ had to guess how to play knock to the ego, this was Then there was the snow. I as follows: trumps and decided to lay actually a good thing because was in Chalfont St Peter, down the ace, so he went one it cost us less to buy back playing a bridge match when West North East South down as well. +100. 50% of ourselves (25% it started. By the time I left, 1™ 1460 + 2470 + 100 + 100 = each). To start with, things the blizzard was in full flow. 2NT 4® Pass 4© 4130, comfortably enough went swimmingly and in the Of course, I had no coat, no Pass 5© Pass 5™ for a 24 IMP swing. first half, we could do no sensible shoes, and was Pass 6™ End High Wycombe had snow wrong. However, from our remembering how, a couple for a long time. We live on a leading position at half-time, of weeks earlier, I had gone My four clubs was a splinter main road but it is on a hill – most rounds thereafter saw us to pick up Briony from bid agreeing hearts; Simon’s even in perfect weather, buses drop a place and we school and, with the heater, four diamonds was a new- sometimes get stuck. At one eventually finished out of the lights and radio running, the fangled idea called ‘last train’ stage, my daughter and her money. Robert reckoned that battery in the car went flat in – the idea is that when there friend stood outside our had we been card-perfect, we about 10 minutes. I crawled, is only one bid available house and helped push cars might have finished third. at 5–10 mph mostly in first below game it is more useful up the road. Normally this Workwise, it was quiet up gear until near Hazlemere, to use it to show a little slam kind of assistance would have to Christmas but the pace has but no-one was getting up the interest rather than a control attracted some generous picked up a lot recently. As hill to the crossroads there. in the suit. When Simon donations but once the car got well as travel guides, each Was I going to die in my car? signed off in five hearts, I going, they were off, not year I work on the yearbook Should I stagger out of the knew he must have a spade wanting to stop for anything. of the British Guide of Travel car and knock on a stranger’s control but couldn’t have the The weather caused bridge Writers. The yearbook is door? In the event, I took a ace and king, so it was easy evenings to be cancelled and launched annually at a side road that allowed me to for me to bid the small slam. I was unenthusiastic about swanky London hotel so has approach the hill from a In the event he made 13 tricks going into London for rubber to be done well. In addition, I different road and an inch at a after some careless discarding. bridge. am playing with Susanna time I slithered up it, wheels +1460. Christmas came and went Gross in the England trials spinning all the time. No-one Our other North/South pair pleasantly enough, with the and she wants lots of online behind me seemed to make it. were more ambitious: usual surfeit of food and practice… ■

Page 42 Ask Julian Pottage

What does a Free Bid of Five of a Major Mean?

At matchpoint might make an overtrick in hands are not random – they divisions in a number of pairs, how should 6™ by ruffing out the are abnormally flat. If you places, including The Bridge Q one bid this hand diamonds. You would either find that the hands are wilder Player’s Diary. Here they after North opens 1 ©? need diamonds 3-3 and any at the club with the computer are for convenience: Most pairs were in 5 ™ and trump split or diamonds 4-2 dealing, it is almost certainly one in 6NT. Nobody was in and trumps 2-1. due to imperfect shuffling 6 cards missing 6™. The bidding should start: and hence non-random hands 3-3 36% 1©-2 ™-3 ™-4 ® (cue bid)-4 © at the first club. A bug or 4-2 48% (cue bid). At this point, bias in the software is very 5-1 15% ♠ K 7 2 South could bid 5 ™. When unlikely. 6-0 1% ™ 10 7 2 the partnership has bid three In club play, computer 5 cards missing © A K 8 6 5 3 suits, a jump or advance to dealt hands have two big 3-2 68% ® 6 five of the agreed major says advantages over manually 4-1 28% ‘I want to be in a slam if you dealt ones. Firstly, they are 5-0 4% N W E can control the fourth suit.’ more in accordance with the 4 cards missing S The replies to this are pass = odds, thereby rewarding 2-2 40% ♠ Q 5 no control, 5NT = king, 6 of correct bidding and play 3-1 50% ™ A K Q J 6 5 3 the agreed suit = singleton, more often. Secondly, they 4-0 10% © J anything else shows first- make it much easier to 3 cards missing ® A K 4 round control of the fourth provide players with a copy 2-1 78% suit. Here, holding the ♠K, of the hands at the end of the 3-0 22% North would bid 5NT. play. This not only reduces 2 cards missing Keith Lamdin, Expecting, wrongly as it post mortems at the table but 1-1 52% Clacton on Sea. turns out, that most pairs are also gives people a chance to 2-0 48% going to be in a slam, South review and learn from what It surprises me too then bids 6NT. they have done afterwards. If you cannot remember all that so few pairs the figures, a useful rule is A were in 6 ™. I guess ®©™ ♠ ®©™ ♠ that an even number of cards that at other tables North did will usually not split exactly not open. I know of very few I play at two Please could you in half whereas an odd people who would stay out clubs. At one, we provide a table number will usually split as of a slam on the South hand Q shuffle manually Q showing the evenly as is possible. These facing an opening bid, and think we have random likelihood of various trump percentages are exact for whether or not they were deals. The other uses a splits? While I realise that when there are 2 or 3 cards sure of the spade situation. I computer to deal. Is the opposing bids will often missing but rounded for the agree with the 1 © opening. latter random or fixed to give some clues, I would others. North has an ace and two give hands that are harder like to start with something You are quite right that the kings, which are always to play? simple. opposing bidding and other useful cards to have. Peter Pratt, Michael J Armstrong, information you gather At pairs, whether you Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Canterbury by email. during the play can affect the would rather be in 6NT or odds, though it is always 6™ depends on the lead. The way many You can find helpful to know what the Unless the opponents cash people shuffle, probabilities for the raw percentages are as a the ♠A at trick one, you A manually dealt A common suit starting point.

Page 43 defenders can switch to know the doubler has 15+ partner should have either a Ask Julian continued spades or keep playing points, the chance that your better hand or a better suit trumps. partner has a minimum is for the bid, even more so as Double dummy, declarer much higher than usual. Q-x-x in opener’s suit is of North reached 4 ™ can succeed after a diamond Holding three good clubs, dubious value. on the deal below lead. Mind you, it takes the doubling 2 ® is the better Whatever 1 ♠ might show Q (1 ™-2 ™-4 ™). It is strange play of immediately bet. If you collect 300 or 500 in terms of spades and values, clearly the right contract, running the diamonds to then that will beat any scores it does not show hearts. With though the 4-0 trump split throw South’s singleton club. of 120 or so your way. support for both majors, makes things tricky. What In real life, declarer would Holding 14 points, your partner would tend to make a should East lead? win a diamond lead in partner should have gone on take-out double rather than dummy and play a club, to 3NT, in spite of the 4333 bid 1 ♠. It was thus most allowing time for the spade shape. The play is often unlikely that you had a 4-4 ♠ J switch and forcing defence. easier when you know where heart fit. In the absence of a ™ A K Q J all the opposing strength club stopper, I think you just © A Q 10 9 ®©™ ♠ lies. You know which have to pass 1 ♠. It is ® Q 9 7 3 finesses to take and which improbable that you are ♠ A 6 5 4 2 ♠ K Q 7 One N/S pair bid not to take. As well as that, a missing game when both ™ Void N ™ 10 9 8 6 to 3NT, scoring defender who holds all the opponents have bid. With a W E © 5 4 3 S © 8 6 2 Q 630 and a top; one defensive strength often has doubleton spade, you could ® K J 8 6 4 ® A 5 2 South doubled 2 ® for three a hard time in finding safe be sure that your side has the ♠ 10 9 8 3 down, 500. The rest of us leads and discards. majority of the spades and so ™ 7 5 4 3 2 played in 2NT. Who, if should be content with © K J 7 anyone, was at fault? ®©™ ♠ playing in spades. If you bid ® 10 at all, 2 ♠ is the bid to make. My partner (East) By the way, I am not sure ♠ 9 8 6 3 and I held these why you failed to overcall Ken Wickes, Morden, Surrey. ™ A Q 7 Q hands (E/W vul): 1© over 1 ®. Your diamond © A K 6 suit is very good as five- I would probably ® J 7 3 carders go and you are close lead the ™10. East ♠ 10 7 2 ♠ A Q J 5 West East to opening values. knows about the bad ™ 9 8 3 N ™ K 5 2 ♠ 6 3 ♠ A 10 9 5 2 A W E trump split and thus aims to © 3 2 S © Q 10 9 8 ™ A 10 6 2 ™ 7 3 ®©™ ♠ give nothing away at the ® 9 8 5 4 2 ® K 10 © A Q 9 8 5 © K 4 2 same time as possibly ♠ K 4 ® 10 2 ® Q 9 7 Studying the 32 reducing dummy’s ruffing ™ J 10 6 4 deals played in value. While a diamond lead © J 7 5 4 Q Celebrity Grand is probably just as safe, a ® A Q 6 West North East South Slam Bridge as televised by diamond does nothing to 1® Sky, I note that only 7 of attack declarer’s ruffing Pass 1© 1♠ Pass the 128 hands have a 4333 potential and so is inferior. West North East South 2™ End shape. Do you know if the The ♠K is my second me deals were random or choice. If West has the ♠A 1NT Dbl Pass I thought we might have a selected in some way? or the ♠J, it should work 2® Pass Pass 2NT 4-4 heart fit and was M S Kington, well. On the bidding, North End disappointed to go down Newcastle upon Tyne. is clearly the favourite to Jenny Hill by email. three, losing 300. hold the ♠A, which is why Gill Harrand by email. I do not know the spade is my second If you play a whether the deals choice. If East’s hand were redouble of 1NT as I am afraid I do not A were selected, weaker, thereby increasing A a natural call then agree with either of though it would not surprise the chance that West has the you should have done that. I A your side’s bids. me if they excluded any deals ♠A, a spade would be more assume you were unable to Partner clearly intended likely to result in a pass out, attractive. do so because redouble 1♠ as a lead-directing effort. for instance. On average, a As the cards lie, West does would have asked partner to If opener was going to rebid 4333 shape occurs on just have the ♠A and a spade bid 2 ®. Having passed (and in clubs or no-trumps, you over 10% of hands (4432 is lead is the most effective. If thus promised no values) would quite likely end up on the most common shape, the defenders keep playing you were right that you lead. With five fair spades occurring on just over 21%). spades, forcing North to ruff needed to take some action and two low hearts partner Having seven 4333 hands twice, East makes two trump at your next turn. With 11 was trying to persuade you rather than the expected tricks. A trump lead is also points, 2NT was an option, to lead a spade rather than a thirteen is probably not such good enough. Depending though game chances were heart. However, particularly a large deviation as to prove upon declarer’s line, the not very good. When you given the vulnerability, that they are not random.

Page 44 North picked up duplication in spades, there An opening of 5 ™ or 5 ♠ is Ask Julian continued the following hand should be play for a slam a special bid. It says: raise to Q and opened 1 ♠: unless the opponents take the six if you have the ace or first two tricks. king of trumps, or to seven Can you offer By the way, as dummy with both. An opening of six advice about when ♠ K Q J 7 5 has four trumps and of any suit is similar: raise to Q I should signal? ™ 9 6 4 3 doubletons in both minors, seven if you have the ace or Name and address supplied. © A 7 you can make 13 tricks king of trumps. You would ® A K without risking the ruffing open 5 ™ and 6 ™ You want to signal spade finesse: seven hearts, respectively, on these two if the information is two ace-kings and two ruffs hands: A of more interest to Her partner responded 2 ™ comes to thirteen tricks. your partner than to the and the question is what opposing declarer. should North say now? In ®©™ ♠ ♠ Void practice, she rebid 4 ™ and ™ Q J 10 9 5 4 3 2 Good times to signal: that was the end of the If you and your © A K Q J 3 1. When partner leads a new story. partner have ® Void suit; South’s hand was: Q found a suit fit, 2. When making your first does one count the points ♠ A discard; for a singleton honour plus ™ A Q J 10 7 4 3 2 3. When partner is about to ♠ Void points for the singleton? © Void be on lead. ™ A K Q 8 7 5 2 ® A K Q J © K J 8 Poor times to signal: ® 9 6 5 ♠ K 9 6 4 1. When declarer is playing ™ 9 8 6 3 The other special opening a suit and may have a © Q bid is 4NT. This asks for guess in it; With the ace of spades ® 8 7 5 2 specific aces. Partner 2. When partner has a weak lying nicely with East and responds 5 ® with no aces, hand and is unlikely to the benefit of a diamond 5NT with two aces or bids gain the lead; lead, we made all 13 tricks. Paula Marels, Dorset. five of the suit with the ace 3. When giving a signal How can we bid even a if holding one ace (6 ® with wastes a high card. small slam? Yes, if you have a the ®A). Alan Solomon, Wimbledon. fit, you count points ®©™ ♠ A both for high cards These are tough and for short suits. In ♠ Void I know that an hands to bid. Other assessing points for high ™ A immediate double A rebids are possible cards, an unguarded honour © K Q J 9 Q of a weak 1NT such as 2NT if you play that counts as one point less than ® A K Q 10 8 6 4 3 shows 15+ points, similar as forcing, though 4 ™ is not it would have done had it strength to a 1NT overcall absurd. 4 ™ is a bit of an been in a long suit. The size of a suit opening. Does it underbid but having your of the singleton does not You should open 4NT on still show 15+ in fourth values in short suits tends to affect what points to add for this hand. You intend to play seat, when a protective be bad news. Responder, shape. in a grand slam if partner 1NT overcall would show with seven solid hearts and With your hand, I count 4 shows the ©A (5 ©) or two 12-14? other goodies besides should points in high cards and 2 aces (5NT) and otherwise to Barry Joyce by email. make a further move. for the singleton. settle for 6 ®. I do not mind 5 ™ (showing If you did not open 4NT, it It is usual to act on poor trumps and good ®©™ ♠ might be hard later to find a weaker hand in controls or, as here, good out whether partner has the A the protective seat trumps but poor controls) or When should you useful ©A or the probably after a one-of-a-suit opening a cue bid of 5 © (one would open higher than useless ♠A – you would also and two passes. That is prefer to have the ace of Q 2® with an run the risk that the because you can rely on diamonds but at least this exceptionally strong hand? opponents might get together finding responder with a highlights the club G Burns, Southgate, London. with one of the majors. maximum of 5 points. weakness). Nothing is As you will have gathered This does not apply after a perfect, but a pass of 4 ™ is It is very rare for it from the freak shape as well 1NT opening. Responder overly cautious. On the to be right to open as the huge playing strength may have 10 points (or even losing trick count, South A other than 2 ® on of my example hands, these a poor 11) and yet pass the might hope to make grounds of high point count. special openings are rare 1NT opening. all thirteen tricks (5 losers However, there are hands events. Far more often, the So, you still need 15 points facing a presumed 6 losers), with great playing strength best way to handle a to double in fourth seat. so, even allowing for some when you should do so. powerhouse is to open 2 ®.

Page 45 When you make a DOUBLE DUMMY SOLUTION Ask Julian continued pre-emptive bid or A other bid that the by Richard Wheen opponents might double (Problem on page 5) Dave Huggett has (such as an overcall), you mentioned safety need to have more playing clubs to East’s seven and Q plays at rubber and strength when you are ♠ A 8 7 South’s nine. I won this teams. Are they ever a good vulnerable. ™ Void trick with the queen, but idea at matchpoint pairs? This is because the © Void then had to return a club – Michael Canton by email. penalties for going down are ® A 3 2 but which? I saw declarer higher. If you lose a penalty, ♠ Q J 10 ♠ 9 6 5 smiling, since he clearly Yes, if the contract you want it to be cheaper ™ Void N ™ Void realised that I now had to is unusual (e.g. a than some contract the W E © Void S © K finesse myself, giving N/S A pushy slam or good opponents could have made. ® K Q 6 ® 10 7 the last two tricks. If I led 4-3 fit), safety plays have For the same reason, ♠ K 4 my king, declarer would their place even at pairs. sacrifices are rarer when you ™ Void win that trick with are vulnerable. © A dummy’s ace and the last Playing pairs, on part- ® J 9 4 one with the jack. In fact, I ♠ AKQ6 ♠ 54 score deals, you need to be N led the six; dummy played ™ A87 W E ™ 654 wary of going two down S o there we were, in a low and declarer won that © AQJ6 © 54 vulnerable even undoubled. SSouth-East Surrey Sen - trick with the jack and the ® 87 ® AKQ654 A score of -200 will be ior Novices training ses - last one with dummy’s ace. worse than an opposing part sion. My partner and I I suggested to partner score. were defending a no-trump that he might have tried the As West in 6NT, if you get a Playing teams, being contract in which declarer ten on the first round of diamond lead to the king and vulnerable affects (South, to lead) needed to clubs, but declarer pointed ace, it would be a good idea constructive as well as make five more tricks. I out that he would then have to duck a club whatever the competitive actions. The lure was West and I realised it played the jack and the end scoring method. 6NT bid of a bonus for a vulnerable was up to me to beat the position would have been and made even without an game means you will try contract – partner could essentially the same. I overtrick is likely to be a slightly harder to reach game have little to contribute. I wondered aloud whether I 90% score at pairs. when you are vulnerable. knew declarer had a good should have discarded a Even in normal contracts, This means you bid a bit diamond left, but it looked club (instead of a spade) on a safety play can be a good more aggressively when as if we should get at least the lead of the ace of dia - idea at matchpoints if it vulnerable, though only one spade trick and one or monds. Declarer, however, caters for a common layout: when game is within reach. two club tricks. For a explained (slowly and in How you take into account while, I was optimistic. words of one syllable, as if being vulnerable is a bit Declarer led the king of I were a child who had only ♠ AKQ ♠ 6543 harder to quantify. On many N spades (first blow to my started learning bridge that ™ A872 W E ™ 65 hands, indeed the majority, S optimism), then the ace of morning) that then he © A872 © 65 you make the same bid diamonds. I threw a spade would have changed tack. ® 72 ® AKQ65 whether you are vulnerable on this, hoping my partner He would have cashed his or not. It is on the marginal could still control the third ace of clubs and conceded hands that you need to round of spades if he had a club to me, after which he In 3NT on a spade lead, consider the vulnerability, to. For a nanosecond he did, would make a second club playing for five club tricks usually resolving in favour until dummy also threw a trick, to add to the two (i.e. not ducking the first of caution when you are spade. Now declarer played spades and one diamond. round) gains if they are 3-3 vulnerable. It is only when a spade to dummy’s ace So declarer made his but loses in the more the opponents are the ones (picking up my last spade) contract, and I was duly put common case when they are sacrificing, or you are and then led the two of in my place. 4-2 as you will end up with looking for game at teams, only three club tricks. that you would be more inclined to bid on when ®©™ ♠ vulnerable. DUPLICATE BRIDGE At one time, being 95 Playing vulnerable had an even more RULES SIMPLIFIED £5 matchpoints and profound affect on Acol teams, when and players. This was because it (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) Q how do you take being used to be the norm to play a by John Rumbelow and revised by David Stevenson vulnerable into account? variable 1NT opening, weak New Edition. Includes 2008 Law Revisions. Geoff Turner, non-vulnerable and strong Available from ( 01483 489961 Southgate, London. when vulnerable.

Page 46 One reason so many Ask Julian continued people enjoy bridge is that Bernard Magee’s Tips you cannot predict the result in advance. for Better Bridge How can a pair at If the same pairs came top our club come top every week, many people 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages one week and would lose interest. Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises Q length and an honour come bottom the next? 1 Always consider bidding D Barton, spades if you can 34 When declaring 1NT ®©™ ♠ 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient Southgate, London. when non-vulnerable 35 Duck an early round when you East opened 1 © 3 Always double when the are short of entries The game of and South opponents steal your deal 36 Lead up to your matchpoint pairs overcalled 1 , 4 A take-out double shows two-honour holding Q ♠ shortage in the suit doubled 37 Do not always assume A involves a ending the auction. Twelve 5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well significant luck element. If tricks made even though to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card your opponents play well or North’s only values were in 6 After a penalty double, don’t to put off the defence guess well then you may hearts because both black let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to 7 Halve the value of a singleton tempt a defender to cover score badly despite playing queens fell doubleton. Was honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you well yourselves. The same there a way to reach at 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to applies to how lucky your least 4 ♠? suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps decisions are. If you bid a 9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone except in partner’s suit defensive trump winner out 50% slam needing a finesse 10 Use the jump shift sparingly that nobody else has bid then ♠ A K J 10 8 11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips 43 Keep four-card suits intact you will get either a top or a ™ Void partner decide 12 You need two top honours whenever possible bottom depending upon © K Q 10 for a second-seat pre-empt 44 Give count on declarer’s leads whether the finesse succeeds. ® A K J 6 3 13 Put the brakes on if you have a 45 Keep the right cards The annual club pairs’ misfit rather than signal championship at my local 14 Strong and long minors work 46 Take your time when dummy is put down club is a two session event. John Upson, Penrith. well in no-trumps 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing other This year, the pair who came can be enough for no-trumps high cards bottom the first week came A simple overcall is 16 Keep your two-level 48 Do not waste top the second. It does not non-forcing, so 1 ♠ responses up to strength intermediate cards just happen in your club. I is wrong on a hand 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to A response to a 1NT overcall concentrate on during the play can explain one of their good worth more than 17-18 18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour results from the second points (including you have opening points with an honour week. At all but one table, distribution). This hand is 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, so 51 If a lead is from two honours, East-West played in 3NT thus far too good for a 1 be prudent when responding it is best not to cover ♠ 52 Keep your honour to kill going down one. At the overcall. Double is the best 20 Weak overcalls must be based on strong suits dummy’s honour remaining table, the pair way to start. North would 21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner who won the second session bid 1 ™ and you rebid 2 ♠. not 4 aces and 4 kings your solid honour sequences defended 2 doubled and Because the hand is so 22 Raise immediately, if weak 54 Lead the normal card when ™ leading partner’s suit had the only East-West plus. powerful (you would have with four-card support 23 In a competitive auction, show 55 Never underlead an ace at trick If you play a different opened 2 ® if you had the support immediately one in a suit contract system to the other pairs in chance), even 1 ♠ after the 24 Bid to the level of your fit 56 Be wary of leading from your club, then this will double does not do it justice. quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour 57 Lead a higher card from increase the fluctuation in This jump to 2 should be 25 With strength and support, ♠ use the opponents’ bid suit a suit without an honour your results. The pair, who I forcing and it sounds as if 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ referred to above, uses a North would then have Declarer-play Tips strength and up to weakness 26 When your contract depends strong no-trump and five- called 3 ™. 59 Cash your winners before on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ trying for a trump promotion card majors. This meant they With the double diamond 27 Consider what a defender 60 Be patient when defending 1NT would have had some stopper and an apparent might be thinking about 61 Trump leads can be safe different auctions to the misfit, I would try 3NT over 28 Always take your time throughout the play field, perhaps playing from that. The other choice (over at trick one 29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips the opposite hand or simply 3™) is to show your second cashing your winners 62 Do not put important cards getting a different lead due suit, by bidding 4 ®, in 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand to a less (or more) revealing which case North can put bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when auction. you back into 4 . 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy ♠ ■ gaining the lead 64 Before you lead ask for a 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game!

E-mail your questions for Julian to: £14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge, [email protected] Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961

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